Chapter XIV: A Four-Legged Furry Little Ally
Meanwhile, in Barcelona, Sanae was studying Spanish, while she listened to the radio (Tu Corazón by Alejandro Sanz and Lena) But there was something bugging her.
It had been a time since someone had attacked her or Tsubasa, or that was what she deemed, and besides, she still felt that something was missing.
Although she ignored it, it was her dark side the thing she was missing, and it was now devoted to attack, destroy and feed its hunger for knowledge.
Moreover, ever since the time when she had that nightmare she didn't listen her baby's voice again.
There were many things worrying the Archangel of Love…
She had to finish her Spanish class homework. She was buried in it, but the syllables where there was more than one consonant always gave her trouble.
But a surge of pain attacked her. It wasn't as powerful as the first one, but it left her almost unconscious.
"Why? Why do I feel so much pain?"
And though she was the most powerful Archangel she couldn't predict amidst her pain, just like her dear husband.
But what she didn't know was that in some unknown point in this world, Kurai had also felt that surge of pain. So bonded were these two enemies who didn't know each other that even felt the very same pain…
After all, both of them were the same Nakasawa Sanae.
But a neighbor who was helping Sanae with some chores, as Tsubasa asked her for help went into the apartment and saw the unconscious woman on the floor.
-¡Dios mío! ¡Sanae! (Oh my God! Sanae!) –exclaimed the lady, rushing to pick up the young woman from the floor. Once she was on the sofa, the Japanese lady opened her eyes.
-¿Qué, qué pa, pasó? (What, what hap, happened?) –said Sanae in Spanish.
The neighbor explained as well as she could that she had found Sanae on the floor and she only tried to help her. Sanae thanked her with the little Spanish she remembered in that moment, and once the lady left, she dialed Tsubasa's cellphone number.
-Tsubasa?
-Sanae! Did something happen to you? –Tsubasa seemed alarmed with the call.
-Yes… I had another pain attack. It wasn't very strong, but I was out cold for a minute or two.
-I'm going there right now –and the call ended unexpectedly. Tsubasa appeared straight away in the living room and ran to where his wife was. She couldn't avoid noticing the bruises the Kami no Tsukai had.
-Tsubasa, what happened? You're hurt…
-Schneider attacked me, no, us, Sanae.
-Us? He attacked one of your teammates?
-No. He attacked Hyuga and me.
-And what was Hyuga doing in La Coruña?
-He went there to get some information. You know what I mean.
-But you're so beaten up…
-Schneider is very strong… And what's worse, I found out that the Antiarchangels' attacks have a collateral effect.
-What?
-I don't want to imagine the other effects, but because of Schneider, I lost some of my memories. Obviously I don't know which, but I'm afraid of losing all of them.
-And how sure can you be of you losing all your memories?
-Well, Daichi, I mean, Shiro told me that thanks to Hyuga, my mind was safe and sound, but I don't know if I can trust its words. Changing subjects, how did you get that attack?
Summarizing as well as she could, Sanae told him what happened, although she couldn't remember many things.
-…and besides, I insist I fell I'm missing something –she said in the end.
-You feel you're missing something… Then, what Misaki-kun told me IS true!
-What do you mean?
-You remember when I asked you if you hadn't got up at night.
-Yes.
-Well, Misaki-kun called me in the morning, telling me that someone just like you attacked Wakabayashi-kun. I really doubt it was you, since you didn't move in the night, but…
-You think Kuro created an evil being out of me?
-I'm afraid so.
-No wonder what I feel… I'm sure that evil being is what I'm missing.
-Anyway, be careful, Sanae –Tsubasa was dead serious. –I don't know what I would do if something happens to you.
-And what do you think I'd do? –but Sanae remembered something… When she heard her baby's voice. –Tsubasa… I just remembered something.
-¿Qué?
-Some nights ago… I heard a voice… That night when we had those nightmares. I heard someone asking another person to stop, as if someone had attacked me.
-I'll resign the team if it wasn't Kuro! If it was so, then Kurai is part of you, Sanae.
-I hope she's not –admitted the Archangel of Love. –I'm afraid that could be her advantage.
-And what if it's your advantage? And, what was the thing you said about that voice again?
-Well, about the advantage, I dunno… And about the voice, I'm sure it was the baby's voice.
-Wow –was the only thing Tsubasa was able to say.
-Um, honey, shouldn't you be right now in La Coruña?
-Man! You're right… Take care –and Tsubasa teleported back to the city he was supposed to be in. Meanwhile Sanae was still a bit in albis. (For you non-Latin speakers, it means blank)
-Then… I'll have to be very careful if what they say is true. Gee, knowing that a part of me is our enemy is really baffling.
-And you're the one with the clearest ideas, though –said a voice behind the young woman… A threatening one. Sanae turned just to see that it was…
-Santana! What in the world are you doing here?
-I thought you'd know –he answered icily. –Yes…No doubt about it; you and her are very alike, and yet so different…
-Stop talking in riddles for a sec, would you? You're talking like Shiro.
But Santana made a face of disgust upon hearing the White Guide's name.
-Don't you ever call that name; I'm glad it's burning down in hell.
"Neither Santana, not the other Antiarchangels know that Shiro is really in this world thanks to Daichi…" –thought Sanae immediately, while she tried to make a barrier.
-What happened? Cat got your tongue?
-No, but I get the urge to throw up when I see a rat like you.
When did Sanae become such a sarcastic woman? Oo
-Mind your mouth, girl… If you want to stay alive.
-And you mind your manners. I hate it when someone appears in the middle of my living room unannounced. That' why doors exist.
-There are no limits for Antiarchangels. Apocalypsis!
-Yes there are! Heart's call!
Both attacks clashed in midair and exploded, although the Archangel of Love almost flew away because of the shockwave.
"I'd better get Santana out of here. There's no space to fight" –and Sanae teleported to a nearby cemetery, hoping that someone helped her.
-Gee, you just saved the effort of finding your tomb.
-Ha, ha, very funny… Have you ever though of being a comedian?
-I hate comedy. Apocalypsis! –but this time, Sanae evaded it flying. Thinking quickly, she made her Staff appear and flew directly towards Santana. But he attacked with his own weapons, leaving Sanae quite hurt.
-You're not strong or quick enough to fight against me. Or... could it be that you've hidden yourself so much time behind your husband that you don't even have any powers?
-I never hid myself behind Tsubasa –said Sanae bravely while she stood up with a hand on her stomach. –And don't even think we'll give up, Santana!
And well, you know that when you less expect it… miracles do happen.
-Heart's Call!
-Apocalypsis! –Sanae's attack made a bull's-eye, but for some strange reason Carlos' attack took a wild direction. However, the Archangel of Love didn't stop to see; she attacked as quickly as she could with Bastet's Staff, hurting Santana's shoulder.
Although when she attacked Santana, she saw why his attack failed: A black cat, bigger than any other cat she had seen had scratched Santana's face.
"Could it be possible that this kitten heard my plea for help? Or is it Shiro?"
Santana at last got rid of the cat (he was sent flying but landed on his four feet), and threw a murderous look at Sanae.
-Don't even dare to think your furry little friend is going to save you again.
-I was lucky that that cat saved me… But I can fight you alone!
Sanae attacked again, and since Santana had a serious injury on his shoulder, he couldn't stop the attack.
-You're lucky of having a friend like that gritty cat… But the next time, I swear I'll destroy you –and Santana disappeared.
Sanae used the little energy that remained to teleport to where the cat was. For an instant the Japanese woman thought it'd run away because it was an alley cat, but it surprised her that the feline stayed there and even waited for her to scratch its chin.
-I don't know how you knew I needed help, but I thank you deeply for saving me, kitty –she said, sitting down under a tree.
-Meooow –was the cat's answer, who sat down in front of Sanae out of sheer respect.
-You know, at first I though you were someone who died a long time ago, but then again, I guess you're just a cat that was just passing by.
-Meow –affirmed the cat, which looked at Sanae with hopeful little green eyes.
-You want to live with us? Right now Tsubasa's not at home, but I think he'd like you; after all, he always transforms into a cat when he…
The cat couldn't believe its luck. Would it at last find a home?
Sanae smiled, and with her energy almost completely recovered, she teleported home with the cat in her arms. Although she knew there were lots of risks, she needed some company, so she went to buy cat food, cat litter and took the cat to the vet.
A while later, everything was in order, and at last Sanae decided to give a name to her little ally (and I say little because of its age; it figured HE was merely a six-month old male kitten): Yato.
-Well, Yato, I hope we get along well. And just wait to meet my husband… I'm sure he'll be happy of knowing you saved my life.
-Meow! –was the only thing the cat was able to say, who in spite of just being there a moment turned into an ally of the ones who had to save this world.
But Sanae thought in what she did for a moment and laughed; she was talking with a cat that had just saved her life.
-I think I'm going nuts.
-Meow –answered Yato, nodding negatively.
On the other hand, in La Coruña, Tsubasa had sneezed a couple of times.
-Is Sanae talking about me? –he wondered while he trained. But there wasn't any time to think that and kept on running. However, he noticed that Rivaul was looking at him in a worried way.
-O que aconteceu? (What happened?) –Tsubasa asked in Portuguese.
Rivaul told him he felt that something strange had happened to Tsubasa and asked what happened in the same language.
-It's nothing, Rivaul…
-From the moment you said you had a loss of memory you look strange –answered the Brazilian, emphasizing the last word.
-Strange? What do you mean with that?
-Tsubasa, you're hiding something, and though I don't know what wrong with you, I think you can trust me. I think I'm your friend.
He was cornered, but his desires of not involving any more people in the situation he was living won.
-Rivaul, you remember when we met Santana in Barcelona?
-Yes… He asked about your wife, if my memory doesn't fail me.
-Well, it's Sanae I'm worried about.
-Why's that? Does it have anything to do with your memory loss?
-No. It has everything to do with the first one.
-The FIRST one?
-Yeah, our first child.
-Man, you don't say… -and Rivaul congratulated Tsubasa. –And do you already know when the baby's due?
-No, not yet. When we get back to Barcelona, I'll take Sanae to the doctor.
-And why don't you let her go alone?
-I'm afraid of something happening to her.
That last remark wasn't just because of the baby, but because of what the Kami no Tsukai was hiding.
-If you worry that much with your wife, I can't even imagine how you'll be with your first son or daughter, Tsubasa. Sanae's not a delicate, weak woman for what I've seen.
"Well, you got that one right, Rivaul, but you don't really have a clue of what's really happening; in facto, not only Sanae and I are in danger, but much more people you could even imagine."
-She may no be weak, but I swore to protect her in the good times and the bad time, you know.
-I know that –Rivaul didn't believe Tsubasa, but it looked like the latter didn't want to speak about that topic anymore, so Rivaul took the sensible choice of leaving him alone, or at least be quiet, since they were still training.
And more, since the match with the Deportivo La Coruña was that very night.
Hours ticked and tocked away, and they were about to go to the stadium, but Tsubasa decided to call home just to see if everything was okay.
-Hello? Sanae?
-Tsubasa? How are you?
-I'm fine. And you?
-Well… I'm OK. But I have a surprise for you.
-What is it?
-It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you.
-C'mon, you know curiosity killed the… -and then he heard a meow on the phone. -…cat?
-I adopted one.
-And isn't there a risk with the toxo-whatchamacallit?
-No; I already took Yato to the vet.
-So it's called Yato. Is it a purebred cat?
-Not really. You see, he saved my life.
-What? He saved your life?
-It's a long story. I'll tell you everything when you get home.
-I hope so; there are lots of things you have to explain me –and Tsubasa pressed the End Call button (he used it to call… He didn't use it to show off)
-Hey, Tsubasa, we're leaving –said a teammate.
-Sure! –and off they went!
Back in Barcelona, Sanae turned on the TV, since she wished to see the match.
-Meow? –said Yato questioningly.
-I'm going to see Tsubasa's game, Yato. You want to see it too?
The kitten didn't answer, but he sat down beside her. But Sanae heard some knocks at her door and she rushed to open it.
It was Jane, her Canadian friend.
-Hi, Jane-san… What happened? You look terrified.
-I, I was assaulted –she said with the few Japanese words she remembered in that instant.
-What? But this neighborhood is quite safe.
-Some gangsters got me… They stole my purse…
-You remember them? Remember how they looked?
-Not much. I only remember one of them having a scar on his face…
-I see. I'll call the police –and Sanae took the phone at once. She dialed the police station's number and informed about the mugging. However, she knew that what Jane remembered wasn't enough, so she read her mind. That way she saw clearly what had happened, and once she understood it all, she asked Jane to stay at home and calm down, out of asking Yato to help her.
Sanae went to the place the muggers had attacked her friend, and waited patiently… Indeed, they tried to attack her, but she had a trick up her sleeve.
-¿Creen que saldrán impunes? (You think you're going to get away with this?) –she said seriously.
-What? Give us all you got!
-I won't… -and used her powers to create the illusion that the police was going to where they were.
-The cops are coming! –exclaimed the boss, trying to escape, but a black shadow stopped him. Yato had landed on the gang's boss and bit his nose fiercely. Meanwhile, the Archangel of Love, as quick as her four-legged friend, attacked the others with a broomstick she had brought, leaving them with quite a load of bumps on their heads.
She hid the broomstick and waited for the policemen to arrive, after leaving the boss out cold with a well-placed hit (Elementary school memories… nn)
-¿Qué pasó aquí? (What happened here?) –asked the chief when he saw the knocked out thugs
-Intentaron atracarme (They tried to mug me) –said Sanae, feigning innocence.
-Anyway, I received a call about some robbers. It seems they are. Thanks you for your cooperation, miss.
"Miss… I may be young, but I'm happily married."
-You're welcome –and Sanae returned to her apartment, while Yato went in thru the guest room window. Once she went in, Jane asked what had happened.
-I just went to see what happened, Jane-san. The police arrived and arrested the thieves. You'll probably have your purse tomorrow.
-I hope so… -and in that moment a shout came from the TV. The narrator was celebrating a Barcelona goal… And I guess I don't need to say who scored it, or am I wrong?
-AND THIS IS A GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAL FOR BARCELONA! Ozora Tsubasa, the team's Japanese star scores a magnificent goal with some help of Rivaul. It's very obvious that these two players are Barcelona's Golden Duet. Barcelona has one, La Coruña none.
-Well done, Tsubasa -murmured Sanae as she saw the replay, while Jane observed the TV set, surprised.
-Hey, why are you looking at the game…?
-Tsubasa's playing; in fact, he scored the goal.
-I thought your husband is a Languages student…
-He is, but his job is really professional soccer player –said Sanae, trying not to laugh at her friend's confused face.
-And to think you're wife of one of the world's greatest sportsmen and I didn't know it… Holy Cow, what you can learn in one day…
-If you say so –but Sanae got the urge to vomit in the next moment. She ran to the bathroom and threw up, startled.
-What's wrong with you, Sanae-san?
-I had nausea…
-Why's that? Are you pregnant?
-Well… Yes. I'm waiting my first baby.
-First?
-It may be my first pregnancy, but I don't want it to be the last one.