Chapter X: The Dark Side of Love

-Oh, man, I can't think anything else… I'll have to ask Tsubasa what happened, since I don't know exactly what happened –Genzo murmured, stretching his strong, muscular arms. –But he must be sleeping right now.

He had been writing nonstop ever since he got home from running thru the city, and he was surprised of not getting lost in Shizuoka although the city had changed a lot. He couldn't go to Shizuoka much, and he had decided to come to the city to take a break and heal his hands… although he was tiring his hands now using a mechanical pencil.

-I'm still surprised of writing things like these… And I wasn't good in literature classes at all.

-Sir, you have a call –said a maid, knocking at the door. –It seems it's a call from Germany.

-All right… -Genzo walked to the nearest phone, surprised. Right now Tooru and the others had to be asleep.

-Hello, Wakabayashi speaking.

-Genzo? It's Marie, Marie Schneider.

-Marie! What are you doing awake at this time? You're in High School!

-I know, but I need to talk with you about something that worries me.

-What is it?

-It's… Karl –said the girl, whispering. –Sorry for talking so quietly, but he's near me and I don't want him eavesdropping.

-What's the matter with him?

-He's acting very strange, and he's stranger every day. He's being very icy; he's now so cold that I'm afraid of him.

-Why should you be afraid of him? Karl's your older brother, and he'd never be capable of hurting you, or am I wrong?

-I don't know. (Author's note: I'm surprised that for the first time in my life Marie isn't a villain)

-How cold is his Ice King charade?

-He doesn't go out with his friends, he doesn't talk to us, he even covered the windows of his room to avoid light going in. Besides, he got here today with a couple of bruises on his face and I don't think he got them because he tripped, as he said.

"I don't like the looks of this… For what Marie tells me, Karl would be acting like… like a dark being. Could he be an Antiarchangel?" –thought the Archangel of the Wind, worried.

-Genzo?

-Yes, I'm still here. I was just surprised with that you just told me. Have you talked with Herman about this?

-Yes, but he doesn't have your cellphone number, so I had to break my coin bank and buy a call card.

-I see. At any rate, Marie, I need you to do me a favor.

-Which?

-I need you to be VERY ALERT with your brother, and WHATEVER YOU DO, be very careful.

-Okay, Genzo. Danke

-What are friends for, anyway? Bye.

-Bye –and both of them hung the phone.

"What to do? What to do...? Everyone in Europe must be asleep right now, and the ones in Japan are busy… I guess I must wait, then. However, I may end up being guilty of causing someone's death because I'm waiting…"

However, he remembered he had an errand to make; he had to go to Osaka to give Tooru's gift for his family. He took the package, his wallet and went to the train station.

-The train heading for Osaka will arrive in five minutes. Please wait behind the yellow line –the Archangel of the Wind heard when he arrived. There wasn't much time left to but his ticket, so he tried to hurry up, but the ticket line was very long.

-And now what am I supposed to do? Oh, I think I have an idea.

What did the goalkeeper plan? Well, taking advantage of the enormous crowd, he turned into a bee and went into the train.

"It's the first time I travel by train without paying a ticket… And it'll be the very last time for all I know. I hate to break the rules."

He fluttered over the passengers' heads until he found a nice place to land: on an executive's briefcase. The journey was comfortable, and several hours later, the train arrived to Osaka. The ones that had been in the train stepped out, and the Archangel with them. He was confused, but luckily had the address of Tooru's family in his jacket pocket, and he looked for an alley in which he could go back to normal. At last he found an old deserted alley, and there he turned back into Japan's star goalkeeper.

-Let's see… I have to get to this address, but I don't know this city. I guess I should call Tooru's family and ask how to get there, or else take a taxi… I'm definitely sticking to Shizuoka.

-Hey, you have the time? –asked someone behind him.

-It's twelve twenty-six –answered Genzo, without turning.

-Well then, gimme your watch and all what you have or you'll pay it dearly.

It was an assault.

-Well, well, well, but it's none other than the National Soccer Team's keeper. Isn't he supposed to live in Germany?

-What I do or don't do, it's not your business, and leave me alone. You don't know what I can do under pressure.

-Oh, I'm scared… -said one of the thieves.

-If you don't believe me, then try to hit me –Genzo had a trick up his sleeve: he'd use his powers to make the hits bounce back. Indeed one of the robbers, a real thug, tried to hit Wakabayashi's face (and a very handsome one nnU), but he didn't get to touch him; the punch stopped in midair y and the impulse it had reverted.

-What…! That's impossible –said one of the thieves. –Wakabayashi's some kind of warlock or what?

"May they go away and don't remember a thing… May they forget their defeat and stop bothering me…" –and once he thought it, it happened, leaving the goalkeeper, safe, sound and with all his things still on him.

Sick of having so much trouble, Wakabayashi took a taxi and gave Tooru's family's address. The taxi took him t a fine house in the suburbs, where after paying the taxi and knocking at the door, a petite woman with graying hair opened he door.

-How may I help you, young man?

-I bring a package from Akuji Tooru.

-Excuse me? A package from my Tooru?

-Excuse me… You are…

-I'm Tooru's mother. Oh, I'm sorry. Please come in.

-Er… OK.

Genzo and Tooru's mother went inside, and they immediately went to the living room, which had a very nice old Japanese style decor.

-Oh, you can't even imagine how grateful I am of you coming here. Tooru seldom is able to send us something…

-I know, and that's why he asked me to give you this.

-I understand. Sorry for not asking before, but, what's your name?

-Oh, I forgot to tell you. I'm a friend of Tooru. My name's Wakabayashi Genzo.

-Wakabayashi Genzo? Aren't you the National Soccer Team's star keeper?

-Er, yeah… I am.

-Then my son's lucky to have a friend like you. By the way, I am Akuji Moroha. Would you like something to drink?

Genzo was a bit embarrassed with all the great attention he was receiving from Tooru's sweet mother, but he accepted.

-All right. Suma, brew some tea, please!

-OK, mother –he heard someone in the kitchen answer.

-Oh, sorry. My daughter's in the kitchen.

-I get it. Are you from Osaka?

-Not precisely. In facto Tooru's father is from Yokohama, I was born in Akita, Suma was born in Okinawa and Tooru in Hokkaido. We've traveled a lot thanks to Kusuke's job.

-What did, or what does Tooru's father work in, Moroha-san?

-In the military.

-I get it… It reminded me of a friend whose father is a painter (and you-know-who sneezed in Shizuoka)

-Oh.

-Ah, in passing, here's the package Tooru sent you –Genzo said, taking out the package he carried in the pocket of his jacket. It wasn't very big, but it was rather heavy.

-I thank you very much for this, Wakabayashi-san…

-Mother, here's the tea –said Suma, Tooru's little sister, who unlike her brother, had almost completely round eyes. –I hope you like it.

-Suma-chan, please stay here. I want to introduce you to the person who brought Tooru's package.

-A package from Too-chan?

-Yes.

-Wakabayashi Genzo. Pleased to meet you

-I'm Akuji Suma. Pleasure's all mine –said the girl, who although she knew who Genzo is, she kept her calm.

A while later, Wakabayashi said goodbye to Moroha, Suma and Kusuke, who arrived there a little after Genzo did, very tired… And once Genzo saw him, he knew where did Tooru get his looks.

-Well, I don't want to much trouble. This green tea was the best I've ever tried and Tooru's family is very nice, but I have to go back to Shizuoka –he told himself, while he walked.

-What? So soon? And I've just found you –he heard a voice behind him complain… A voice he knew very well.

-Who's there? –said Genzo, turning, and turning speechless when he saw what he saw.

Was it her?

No, it wasn't her.

The one behind him looked like Sanae, but had an evil aura around her. It seemed that no one could se that she and he were there. At first she was just dressed in black, but the 'fake Sanae' created a dark barrier around them and her clothes changed on the spot… A lot.

-Sanae! But… What's the meaning of this?

-I'm not exactly the Sanae you know, Archangel of the Wind... –she said, now dressed with a sexy red dress, white silk strips on her porcelain-like feet, and an evil gaze in her eyes, out of also having a yo-yo in her hands. –And unlike the Antiarchangels, I'm invincible.

-What? –Genzo was terrified. –How is it that you're not the Sanae I know? You have to be! Only she knows who I am!

-I'm not the Sanae you know completely… Although yes, I think I am…

Genzo felt a battle coming. He tried to make the barrier, but…

-Don't bother. I already made it…And get ready to fight, Archangel of the Wind. Death Wave! –the 'fake Sanae' sent her hands to the sides, and black waves shot out from her hands. She almost hit him, but Genzo evaded her quickly.

-She's very powerful… But there's no way I'm going to give up. Hurricane Winds! –Genzo countered, but the 'Lady in Red' evaded the attack and extended a pair of demon-like wings.

It was the being Hyuga had seen in his dreams. It was Kurai, the being the Black Guide had created.

"If someone hears me, if someone can, please help me!" –Genzo thought desperately, while he avoided Kurai's attacks and countered in vain. But it seemed that no one had heard him until…

-Marine Undertow!

-High Voltage!

-Black Fire!

The three attacks hit Kurai, who was unharmed in spite of the attacks, but was a bit dizzy. Genzo turned to see who was behind him, and he couldn't be more thankful. Jinko, Rairyuu and Taro had come to the rescue.

-Thank God you're here –he said, flying to where they were.

-We couldn't get here earlier without dissimulating. Ishizaki-kun's in Hokkaido, so he couldn't come –explained Taro.

-Doesn't matter…

-Who's her? ¿Isn't she supposed to be the Kami no Tsukai's wife? –said Rairyuu, pointing at Kurai, who was still dizzy.

-She is and is not. Be careful beyond measure. She's extremely dangerous.

-Then don't waste time. Black Fire! –Jinko attacked Kurai, but it didn't work.

-You think your simple attacks are going to hurt me? Death Wave!

The attack hit everyone squarely, but they were still alive for some unexplainable reason.

-She's… too… powerful –murmured Taro, leaning on his Trident and gritting his teeth because of the pain his injury caused him.

-You told us about that, Wakabayashi –added Rairyuu, while Jinko was still on the floor.

-Heh, you're lucky. My powers aren't still fully developed yet… After all, I've just been born. But next time… You won't be that lucky. As real as my name is Kurai –as if nothing had happened, she disappeared, and the barrier disappeared with her.

-She was just born…? This goes out of any logic –said Jinko, incredulous, after everyone went back to normal.

-Who knows… Anything's possible in this upside-down, inside-out, Jinko –answered Rairyuu, who let out a yelp of pain.

-Don't mention it. This seems like a sci-fi, or a horror story –added Taro, while Genzo gulped spit, nervous because of his friend's innocent remark. No one knew about his idea.

-Anyway, what are you doing here in Osaka, Wakabayashi-san?

-Giving a package Tooru sent to his family.

-To Moroha-san? –asked Rairyuu.

-You know her?

-Well… Once you were part of all this mess, it's hard not to know the woman who brews the best green tea in Japan.

-Anyway, I just came to do the favor Tooru asked me. And now, if you excuse me… -and Wakabayashi disappeared. The others followed suit; in spite of everything, there were things to do.

However, the terror of the last days was nothing but a bad memory compared to the panic that Kurai, that terrifying being, had created.

Meanwhile, Kuro was meditating, in wherever he is, when his vile creation appeared, giggling.

-Now what happened, my child? –it asked while it stood up.

-I don't know why the others have so much trouble with those stupid Archangels, Kuro-sama.

-Remember that although they're Antiarchangels, Santana and the others are simple mortals, Kurai, unlike you and me that we're not.

-And what are you? –asked Kurai with a childish voice.

-I was a messenger of darkness before… And now I am what I am. On the other hand, you –said Kuro, touching Kurai's face with one of its bony fingers. –Are much more powerful than anyone because you are a light being's dark side… that is, the Dark Side of Love.

-What does that mean?

Kuro sighed, resigned. Although Kurai was physically perfect and extremely powerful, she was still like a newborn chick, and out of being bloodthirsty, she was also hungry for knowledge.

-You were born from the Archangel of Love's dark side… And though it is your greatest strength, my child, It can be also… your weak spot.

-I don't have a weak spot. I'm invincible. You said that.

-However, you must remember that under no circumstance the Archangel of Love can touch you. Understood, Kurai?

-Yes, Kuro-sama –and amidst a childish, evil giggle, Kurai vanished.

-She may be my secret weapon, but I stink at taking care of children.

How did the Antiarchangels react when Kurai 'was born?'

Hino couldn't help but he flabbergasted. Sure, Sanae (the real one) was pretty, but Kurai was a 'dark beauty': beautiful and deadly.

Karl looked at her from head to toe but decided to keep his opinions to himself, although he was mildly attracted to her because of her iciness.

Pierre immediately began to sow Kurai the very few things he considered the only ones deserving to be spared, like roses and horses. He knew Kurai had a hunger for knowledge, and that was an excellent chance to 'flirt' with the Great Guide's 'daughter'.

And Santana didn't care. He had never really cared for women, although he was as straight as a line in those matters. He was just too much of an Ice King to think about that.

However… What would the ones in Europe saw when they knew that the Dark Side of Sanae was just born?

Dawn broke in Europe, and with it the Archangels that lived in Spain, France, Italy and Germany woke up. Tsubasa got up early, trying very hard not to wake up his wife (who for some strange reason was paler) and got ready for his trip to La Coruña. Nonetheless, the phone rang, and he hurried to answer.

-Hola, casa de la familia Ozora. Habla Tsubasa –he and Sanae were already used to answer in Spanish, if anything happened.

-Tsubasa-kun? It's Misaki.

-Misaki-kun! How's everything there? My mother told me we have new allies.

-Luckily so it is… But I call to tell you something very serious.

-What did you say?

- Wakabayashi-kun was in Osaka today…

-What was he doing there? We don't know anyone in that city.

-He had to deliver a package. As I said, he was in Osaka, after he handed out the package he was asked to deliver, when someone attacked him.

-Someone attacked him? Was it Santana?

-No. It was Sanae… or so it seemed

-It's impossible that Sanae could've done that. She didn't even budge all night and I forbade her to fight.

-What?

-Only my mother knows, but Sanae and I are going to be parents.

-Then… Kuro must've created some kind of evil Sanae or something.

-Why?

-Remember that we're five White Archangels and five Black Archangels. And there can't be only four Antiarchangels, right?

-Right.

-It's Santana for Ishizaki and Imawano and Pierre for Wataru and me… And I don't know who the others can be.

-We'll have to ask.

-It has to be someone for Kojiro and Ikazuchi and Wakabayashi and Akuji… And taking this in mind, don't you think that Shinobu and Sanae would also have an equal in power?

-Yeah, but… I can't explain myself about the 'other' Sanae –Tsubasa was very confused.

-Tsubasa-kun… Haven't you noticed something strange in Sanae lately?

-Well, the only strange thing with her was some kind of tickling in her, and I found her unconscious yesterday, when I arrived. She said she had had a pain attack.

-I think that can be…

-What?

-I hope I'm wrong, Tsubasa-kun… But I think that Kurai, the being that attacked Wakabayashi-kun… Is none other than Sanae, or at least part of her

-¡¡¿¿!