Chapter XI: Emergency
Once the conversation between Tsubasa and Taro finished, the first one rushed to pick up his suitcase and call the taxi that would take him to the airport (this dimwit hasn't learned to drive yet)
But while he waited for the taxi, Sanae woke up.
-Good morning, honey.
-Good morning… -he answered, doubting about Misaki had told him. –Sanae, you didn't get up at night, right?
-No. Why?
-No… It's nothing. Forget it.
-I don't understand you, Tsubasa.
-Just leave it like this, Sanae. The taxi must be about to arrive…
-You're leaving now?
-Have to go to the airport now.
-OK, honey –and after a brief (well, not that brief…) kiss, Tsubasa left to the airport. It was a long, peaceful ride, and Tsubasa looked at the city he was living in thru the cab's window.
-Disculpe, ¿no es usted el jugador estrella del Barcelona? (Excuse me, aren't you Barcelona's star player?) –asked the cab driver to Tsubasa in Spanish.
-Eh… No sé a qué se refiere. (Er, I don't know what you mean)
-¿No es usted Ozora Tsubasa? (Aren't you Ozora Tsubasa?)
-No… Debe de estar confundiéndome (No, you must me confusing me) –lied the Messenger of the Gods; it was his card up the sleeve, although his powers worked unconsciously.
-Yeah, I guess. It's a pity; it'd be great if one day that player rides in my taxi.
"Sorry, sir, but I can't let you know I rode in your cab."
Once they arrived at the airport and Tsubasa paid the fare, he met with many of his teammates, between them Rivaul, a Brazilian player who got along well with Tsubasa in spite of everything.
-Hi, Tsubasa. You got here early –said the Brazilian.
-You surprised, Rivaul?
-I dunno. You'll never know someone completely.
"You got that right, dude…"
-By the way, did you know Santana was around here? –asked another player.
-Who?
-Carlos Santana… You must know him, don't you, Rivaul?
-Yes, I know who he is, and I know you're not talking about the guitar player. The weird thing is he went out of Brazil. Could a team have bought his pass?
-No idea –said Tsubasa, who in fact knew very well why Santana had appeared in Barcelona: He had gone to kill the Kami no Tsukai.
-At any rate, I hope the team executives don't even think about signing him up; I've heard he's very cold and unfriendly.
-I dunno… -said Rivaul. –Never had the chance to talk to him, but I've heard what you just said too.
-I don't know if I can call him unfriendly, but Santana has always been a very cold guy –admitted Tsubasa finally. –And according to what I've heard, his way of being is getting closer to being an ice cube with every day that passes.
However, a hand on Tsubasa's shoulder scared him.
-So now I'm being called an ice cube?
-Santana! –exclaimed Tsubasa, Rivaul and the other Barcelona players, pale as ghosts. As you may already know what happens when Tsubasa gets scared, one or two things fell from their places, but nothing happened to Santana; in fact, only a dull buzz was heard.
"Oh, man… If he tries to attack me in front of my teammates, I'll be doomed; my powers aren't strong enough to modify all their minds."
-What a surprise… I never thought I'd meet the Barcelona team in the airport.
-Yeah –answered Tsubasa, serious. –What a coincidence.
-How's your wife?
"He sure knows how to dissimulate... And I've never even talked to him."
-She's fine.
-Santana, shouldn't you be in Brazil with your soccer team? If I'm not wrong, you're in the middle of the soccer season –said Rivaul.
-The trainer gave me some days to rest.
-Yeah, right… And the queen of England's black –murmured Tsubasa to himself.
-Pardon? –asked Santana curiously.
-Betsuni… It's nothing.
-Passengers flying to La Coruña, please board the jet –a voice at the airport's speakers said.
-Let's go, Tsubasa –said Rivaul, pulling the Japanese player by his arm. –It's a long flight and you wouldn't arrive in a month to La Coruña walking.
-OK. Good-bye… Santana.
-Goodbye –and once the Barcelona players boarded the jet, the Antiarchangel disappeared.
-Hey Tsubasa, what's wrong with you? You're too serious –asked yet another of the Barcelona players to the Japanese guy, who was extremely serious.
-Nothing… It's just that it's weird that Santana is here in Barcelona if it's the middle of the soccer season in Brazil.
-Wasn't I right? –said Rivaul finally.
-Yeah… -said Tsubasa, serious, and took out a Portuguese book and his notebook. –Let me see, where was I…? Ah, I was on page 32.
Every member of the team was minding his very own business. Rivaul was reading a book; the others talked, slept or read the magazines there were in the jet; instead, Tsubasa dedicated himself to finish his college work, which was especially full of twists and turns that time.
The flight was a long one (Author's note: Sorry, but I don't know how long), and once they arrived to La Coruña, the trainer's order was simple: take a good rest.
-The flight was long, and I want you at the 100 of your capacity. So go to your rooms and take a good rest –he ordered, and everyone went to the room assigned for each of them.
Tsubasa went to his room and called Sanae, using his cellphone.
-Hola, casa de la familia Ozora. Habla Sanae
-Sanae? Honey, it's me, Tsubasa.
-Tsubasa? Was the trip OK?
-Sure was, although you wouldn't even imagine who was at the airport.
-I don't know… Who was it?
-Santana.
-You don't say… What was he doing there, I don't know, but he could've killed you if you weren't surrounded by so many people, right?
-I'm afraid so. How are you?
-I'm OK. There's no Spanish class until the day after tomorrow, so I don't know what to do. I'll probably begin to knit or something…
-As long as you're OK… Take care.
-You too. Love you.
-The same for you, lady. Bye –and Tsubasa ended the call. He couldn't help sighing. But well, I guess it happens between couples that have to be separated for some reason. After that, the Japanese player fell on the bed and took a good nap.
In the meantime, In Japan, Kai was in the middle of a hard practice, since a soccer match was coming near. However, he didn't know that someone besides the trainer was observing his practice.
-I don't understand it. Kagei looks tired but plays as always –said the trainer. -Couldn't it be that…?
-Whatever you're thinking, I'm sure it's wrong –answered Komichi automatically, who had just got there. She wasn't a team assistant, but often went to observe the guys.
-Kagei, it's yours! –exclaimed one of Kai's team's midfielders, making a long pass. It was the chance for the young Kage no Tsukai to shoot.
-OK! –and he made a superb heading shot. The keeper could barely stop it, but it had been an excellent chance.
In the break, everyone took a good drink of water, and Komichi got near to her best friend.
-Kai-kun… You look terrible.
-Yeah, I know. But there's nothing… -Kai yawned widely. -…nothing I can do. I'm miserable with insomnia.
-Insomnia? Have you tried to have a cup of warm milk with honey before going to bed?
-Er… No.
-Try it. It works for me.
-OK then.
-Kagei, go and train!
-Yes, sir –and the teenager went back to train. The session resumed, but Kai was tired. Once the training finished, he changed clothes and decide to go home immediately. But Komichi followed him.
-Kai-kun, you're going home?
-Uh, yeah. Why?
-Just asked. Did you understand the philosophy homework?
-More or less.
-Can you help me? You know I stink at philosophy.
-Well, I was thinking on going home to sleep.
-You're going to sleep in the middle of a Saturday afternoon?
-Do you remember what I told you?
-Ah, right –said Komichi, embarrassed.
-But you can come to my house in a while if you really need help. OK?
-Fine by me –and both of them took different roads. Once Kai arrived home…
-Someone called you, brother –Yuu said, handing Kai a sheet of paper.
-Let me see… Ah, it was Shinobu.
-Shinobu? Who's that?
-You've gong to Vitalis, right?
-Yeah.
-Well, Shinobu's the owner of Vitalis.
Yuu didn't know that.
-Wow… You're a lucky dog, bro.
-Yuu, I need you to do me a huge favor.
-What?
-I'll take a nap, but Komichi's coming in a while. Could you wake me up when she arrives?
-Komichi?
-Mito Komichi, my friend.
-Don't you mean your…?
-Don't be an idiot. We're only, and strictly friends. Well, wake me up when she gets here –and Kai went to his bedroom, exhausted. He changed clothes (but he didn't put on his pajamas…) and took a long nap. An hour and a half later…
-Kai, Kai! Komichi's here –said Yuu, trying to wake up his brother.
-Really?
-Don't you believe what your dear little brother told you? –said another voice at the door.
-Komichi-chan!
-Lazy boy –and both she and Yuu laughed until tears spurted out of their eyes.
A while later, Kai was in the house's dining room helping his friend with the troublesome philosophy homework. There was a pair of half-cold sandwiches and two untouched glasses of fruit drink; they were so concentrated they didn't stop to have something to eat.
On the other hand, Shinobu was in his office, fixing some details, and worried for the battle he had had. Since he had slept more than Kai (lucky dog), he was completely lucid but that didn't stop him from being worried. However, Jinko arrived there unannounced, looking worried.
-Shinobu-san… We've had more attacks–she said once she closed the door.
-What did you say? What do you mean?
-Wakabayashi-san was today visiting Akuji-san's family in Osaka and a being impossible to tell apart from Tsubasa-kun's wife attacked him. Fortunately Misaki-san, Ikazuchi and I arrived on time, but that being almost destroyed us.
-Tell me it isn't true. Someone like Sanae? I'm sure this is Kuro's doing. By the way, Kai and I fought against Kuro.
-Against Kuro?
-Yes. I felt there was something bad about to happen here in Vitalis and I teleported here.
-But Kuro is too strong…
-Tell me something I don't know. I wouldn't be alive and telling you this if Kai didn0t get here on time. Without his help, I would be dead right now.
-If you say so.
-By the way, how is it that the Archangel of the Wind had been attacked in Osaka?
-I already told you he was visiting Akuji-san's family. You know that Wakabayashi-san gets along well with Akuji-san, and well, the later asked him to give something to Moroha-san.
-And then the being Kuro made attacked Wakabayashi.
-Exactly.
-Those ain't da only attacks –said another voice. –Tooru and Hyuga-san were attacked too.
-Ikazuchi! –exclaimed the other two Black Archangels, surprised. Luckily they didn't let an energy wave escape.
-Wataru sent me a message tellin' me that Tooru had called him tellin' him he had been attacked by another Antiarchangel, and Hyuga-san was attacked too.
-Who was it? –asked Shinobu, worried.
-Wataru told me it was da captain of the German Soccer Team, Karl Heinz Schneider da one who attacked our friend. And Hino Ryoma, that half-Uruguayan player was da dude who attacked da Archangel of Fire.
-That means we've discovered all the Antiarchangels! –exclaimed Jinko, realizing it. –Santana, Pierre, Hino, Schneider and that being, Kurai, without counting Kuro. It all makes sense!
-Whaddya mean, Jinko? –asked Rairyuu, confused.
-The Antiarchangels don't consider us their direct enemies. Up to where I know, Schneider and Wakabayashi-san are rivals from a long time ago.
-And I remember Hino causin' trouble to Hyuga-san –added the Archangel of Thunder.
-But the other connections… There has to be a way of confirming them –said Shinobu, looking for his cellphone.
-Our lives depend on that.
Once he found it, the Archangel of Chaos used his cellphone to call Taro.
-Hello, Misaki-kun? It's Shinobu.
-Kurobane-san?
-Yes… Is it possible for you to come here?
-When?
-A.S.A.P.
-Sure –and a moment after the phone was hung, Taro appeared, though he wobbled when he appeared. Nonetheless, Rairyuu hurried to help him.
-What happened? –asked the Archangel of Water.
-We need your help, Misaki-san –said Jinko. –You see, we think we've discovered all of our enemies.
-Really? I know about Santana and Pierre, not counting Kurai.
-Wataru wrote to me, tellin' me that da captain of da German Soccer Team attacked Tooru.
-What? Karl Heinz Schneider?
-Isn't he a rival of one of your group?
-Wakabayashi-kun's, up to where I know.
-But there are still questions unanswered… How is it that Santana, Pierre and Hino are connected to you all? –said Shinobu, worried.
-Hino too… You're talking about Hino Ryoma, right?
-Yeah.
Everyone was quiet for a while, but Taro got the answer immediately.
-Pierre and I are rivals ever since I was in France. Schneider and Wakabayashi were teammates and opponents in Hamburg. Hino and Hyuga hate each other because of what happened with the RJ7, but there's nothing I can think of that makes Santana and Ishizaki connected. Probably Kuro chose Santana to attack Tsubasa-kun, Ishizaki-kun e Imawano-san indistinctly, while Kuro's planning things.
-But I don't think that Kuro's gonna stay doin' nothing –said Rairyuu.
-You can be sure of that –added Shinobu. –I fought with Kuro. If it hadn't been for Kai…
-The Kage no Tsukai?
-The one and only.
-I think the first thing we should do is tell the others. Tsubasa-kun, Wataru and the others have to know this –said Jinko, looking thru the office window. –We must tell them about the danger that Kurai poses over anything.
-Tsubasa-kun already knows about Kurai, but he still can't believe it.
-You told him, Misaki-san?
-Yes. I called him this afternoon, once I was sure he'd be awake.
-But we're missing the others, and even Wakabayashi ignores it.
-Don't worry, I'll tell him before he returns to Germany.
-Nonetheless, we must always be on our guard –said Shinobu, wishing to end all that matter. –After all, it all depends on us.
And Taro and Rairyuu returned to the places they were before.
-By the way, Jinko… I noticed someone couldn't take his eyes off you.
-Don't begin, Shinobu-san –she said, miffed.
-I was only saying. I think it'd be better if you told Rairyuu that you're not interested in him.
-What? I'd never say something like that… I'm not able to.
-Well, if you don't, he'd probably die thinking about you all the time.
-Is that my problem?
-I don't know, but Rairyuu has always worried for you after all.
-Well, have this in mind, Shinobu-san: I'm not interested in Rairyuu more than someone I know and as a battle colleague.
-Why don't you consider him a friend instead of what you said? After all, all of us are friends. You should remember when Tsubasa-kun beat us and offered us his friendship.
-Well… I…
-You don't want to think about it, right?
-Yes. I have to confess that when I was the Archangel of Darkness, the one who only thought in seeing the world under the cover of darkness, I escaped sometimes to see him sleep…
-I knew that. I knew why you flew away, but I never told the others out of sheer respect for you.
-In those times… I liked Tsubasa.
-However, you thought it was impossible, right? He was madly in love with Sanae and we and they were mortal enemies.
-Yes.
However, Jinko had a doubt.
-Shinobu-san, why have you always been so kind with me?
-Well, you know I don't have brothers, sisters or cousins … Well, I'll fess up: I lived with my father ever since I was little, and he died when I was in Junior High… So as to make it short, I saw you as the little sister I wished to have. I couldn't help it.
-I… I didn't know, or remember, that you were an orphan.
-I don't think I am; my mother must be alive somewhere, although I haven't seen her ever since I was five years old.
-Then I guess I must be lucky of having lived with my parents.
-You're right. Wataru, Tooru and Rairyuu were lucky too. Anyway, I think that's not the point. Holy Crow! It's time to open the place. You want a soda float?
-I haven't had one in a long time and I'm sick of always having an espresso. I think it'd be nice to have one.
-OK. It's on the house –and both grown-ups went downstairs. However, something was waiting for them on the first floor.
-At last you go downstairs…
It was Hino.