Chapter XVIII: The White Armor

-Rairyuu… Why? Why did you do it? –the Archangel of darkness began to say, her already red and puffy eyes brimming with tears once again.

-Jinko-san…

-We have to scram. Misaki, break the barrier and get her out of here –Hyuga said, his face darkened by fury. Although he was back to normal, he didn't make the gloves he had thanks to Rairyuu now disappear.

-OK –and after going back to being a normal soccer player and a normal doctor respectively, Misaki and Jinko left Tokyo. Instead, Kojiro stood there, still as a statue, observing his hands, his mind blank.

As I said, Jinko and Taro returned to the latter's apartment, very pained because of the tragic battle… And with this one, it was two deaths that poor Taro had to face.

Jinko fell on the sofa, crying bitterly. Did she perhaps being to understand Rairyuu's feelings in the very end? Or she really appreciated him although she always had called him an 'idiot?'

No one, not even she knew it.

It was really late at night, so Misaki, resisting the pain he felt inside and outside him stoically, went to the kitchen and rustled up something to eat for him and his guest. It wasn't something too big, but he served everything on the table.

-Jinko-san… Dinner's served.

-Misaki-san… I'm, I'm not hungry…

-I know you're not, but don't refuse what I did; it's too late and I think it's not good for you to go home in your state.

Misaki's voice sounded very authoritarian although he didn't want to sound so.

-I… uh… all right, then –and the young woman forced herself to sit at the table with Taro. They ate in silence, probably out of sheer respect, probably because of their tiredness, but eating with someone was something new for them.

A while later, his injury throbbing painfully, Taro began to fix the futon he had in his living room, but Jinko refused to let him do everything with his injury hurting, so after locating the sheets, she set out to fix that in silence.

-Go to sleep, Misaki-san. Tomorrow's… going to be a long day.

-Yes, I guess you're right. Sorry for being such a lousy host… But it's been a very long time ever since I had a guest.

-Don't worry…Oyasuminasai. (Good night)

-God night, Jinko-san.

And yet, they looked at each other for a long time, both of them still standing on their places. They couldn't explain it in that moment, nor they could later, but they rushed to each other and hugged each other tightly. Jinko began to cry again in the middle of the embrace, while Taro let some tears fall from his chocolate-colored eyes too; they needed to let their hearts out because of the tragedy. However, none of them felt there was anything wrong with that hug. Or a hug between two friends (man and woman) is some kind of taboo?

However, when at last their pain was eased…

-I'm, I'm sorry, Misaki-san… I didn't really… Oh, man; I've been too much of a crybaby today.

-It's not your fault. In fact, forgive me, Jinko. It was I the one that…

Anyway, they forgave each other and went to sleep.

Meanwhile, Hyuga was back at his home in Italy, sitting on his bed, still holding up the tears of fury that were about to flow.

Unlike his friend Misaki Taro, Hyuga had faced someone's death personally: his father died when Kojiro was but a child. He even felt a chill when he remembered that day.

"Death… Something so inexorable no one escapes from it. Yet, there are so many people that die too soon… Like Rairyuu. Although he was more of an idiot in the beginning, in the end he was an awesome friend. It's not fair he died just to save us; he should be alive, studying, laughing and even thinking about Imawano. I swear I'll make Hino pay for this."

Two great guys had died because of all this trouble and Shiro didn't count because it had died a long time ago.

It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair at all.

Sick of thinking about such eerie things, he tried to dedicate himself to unpacking his things from the moving boxes.

But he couldn't. Like Taro, Kojiro felt he was the one to blame because of Rairyuu's death. He did everything he could, but the guilt didn't want to get out of his mind and heart.

In Japan, the vast majority of people were asleep, except Shinobu. He still ignored what had happened in Tokyo, in spite of having felt the pain attack too. Since there had been people in Vitalis going in and out of his office, he couldn't leave to fight, so he resigned to stay again out of the action.

He was checking some inventory lists in that moment. They were running low on sodas, and some speakers were beginning to fail. However, Vitalis was the most popular spot for the Shizuoka teens and kids, and there were music groups that often chose the place to make their debut. In fact, a rock group was singing that night there.

-Kurobane-san, can I come in? –asked one of the girls in charge of the soda bar.

-Something wrong

-We've run out of ice cream for the soda float

-What? It's all sold out?

-I'm afraid. You couldn't even stick in a pin today.

-All right then –and Shinobu picked up the phone. Luckily, he had become friends with the manager of the ice cream factory, so he took care of that quickly.

However, his addiction beat him and went down to listen to the new rock group playing there, after the salesgirl went back to her place.

"Not bad" –he thought when he listened to the group. However, he bumped with someone when he was going upstairs to his office.

-Ouch… Sorry…

-Kai-kun?

-Ah, hi, Shinobu-san.

Kai was there with a girl.

-Long time no see.

-Yeah, ditto. And, who is she? Is she your fiancée, Kai?

-How can you even think that? Shinobu-san, she's Mito Komichi, my best friend. Komichi-chan, he's Kurobane Shinobu, owner of Vitalis.

-What? You… Him… -Komichi was flabbergasted; could it be possible that her best friend actually KNEW the owner of Shizuoka's most popular disco?

-When I was your age, I was used to say hajimemashite (pleased to meet you) –said Shinobu, trying to break the ice. –Pleased to meet you.

-Uh, pleasure's mine. Mito Komichi.

-Ah, I think I told you about this before, Komichi-chan. I know Shinobu-san ever since I was a kid.

-That's unbelievable!

-Well, your buddy hates to lie, Mito-san. And in passing, Kai-kun, why hadn't I seen you in days? It's been a while since I last saw you here.

-The soccer team had to go to Shimizu for a soccer match, and you know I'm part of the team.

-Ah, OK.

-Er, I think I don't belong here –said Komichi, embarrassed. –I'll be back in a sec.

-No, wait, Komichi-chan… Gah, I'm sorry.

And Kai went after his friend, who looked ashamed, but didn't look annoyed.

-Whoever sees him doesn't think she's only his friend –said Vitalis' owner to himself.

In Spain, Tsubasa was training tirelessly, and Sanae was knitting again. Yato was playing with a ball of yarn, happy with his lucky feline life.

Some days ago, Tsubasa and Sanae went to the doctor for a checkup. It seemed everything was okay, although the blood cell count in Sanae was a bit low, so the doctor told her to eat some iron-rich food. The rest seemed to be fine as long as Sanae was careful of not getting hit on her stomach and not going near to Yato's litter box.

-Meeeooow? –said Yato as he heard a noise on the window.

-Just ignore it, Yato. It's just a sound, or that's what I think –said Sanae, counting the stitches.

-Meew… -and the cat kept on playing with his ball of yarn.

A while later, Tsubasa arrived, exhausted, and he had to go to college, to finish it off. However, the phone rang while he changed clothes.

-Casa de la familia Ozora. Habla Sanae. (Ozora House. Sanae speaking)

-Sanae? It's Hyuga.

-Ah, hi. You finished moving?

-Yes… -however, there was something in Kojiro's voice that didn't sound right. –Is Tsubasa at home?

-Yes, but he's in a hurry. You want me to tell him something?

-Not really. I only called to inform we've lost another ally.

-What? What did you say?

-I said we lost another ally. This time, the one that sacrificed himself to save us was…

-Who, Hyuga-san?

-Ikazuchi Rairyuu, the Archangel of Thunder.

Sanae was speechless. It was Kojiro's buddy.

-I, I'm very sorry, Hyuga-san… I'll tell Tsubasa right away.

-Don't be sorry, Sanae. I'm going to avenge Rairyuu's death the next time that no-good creep Hino shows his face in Italy. By now, tell Tsubasa about this, since it seems it's going to get worse.

-O, okay… -and that was it. Of course, the young woman was quite pained, and though Tsubasa hadn't still gone out of the bedroom, Yato did notice Sanae's grief.

-Who called, honey? –asked Tsubasa, going out of the bedroom clad in some jeans, a T-shirt under a blue sweater and sneakers, but stopping immediately when he saw what happened. -Sanae?

-Another one… Another Archangel died, Tsubasa –was the only thing she was able to say.

-What? Who?

-The Archangel… The Archangel…

Tsubasa was silent, since he knew that pushing his wife into completing the phrase wouldn't work. At last Sanae took a deep breath and…

-Hyuga's friend, the Archangel of Thunder.

-What…? We've lost two allies… This can't keep on like this.

And for some strange reason, Tsubasa's clothes disappeared, as the old Messenger of the Gods' armor appeared.

Once again, that strange light that covered him when he revealed his identity to his mother and grandmother, and when he beat Kai shone on him, blinding Sanae. And yet, something unrepeatable happened: Tsubasa's armor evolved. Now it was like Kojiro and Misaki's, although he had never seen the new armors of the Archangels of Water and Fire. White as snow, hard as a diamond and beautiful as none other… I guess that's the way I can describe the new armor, and to finish it off, the Tsukai's Sword changed too.

Tsubasa had evolved because of the fury he held against Kuro and the Antiarchangels.

Sanae was enthralled with what she was actually seeing. Seeing her husband evolve completely was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen, although it had been because of the fury he had because of the deaths of their friends.

-Tsubasa, are you okay?

-The being whose ambition is the New Genesis under the cover of Eternal Darkness must pay for what it has done –Tsubasa's voice wasn't the same!

-Tsubasa…?

-This has gone too far… this must stop. The sooner that evil being is destroyed, the safer this world will be –and after the light that had made Tsubasa blaze like the sun disappeared, he fell to the floor, exhausted.

-Tsubasa, honey, are you OK?

-Sa… Sanae?

-Yes?

-What happened to me? Why did my armor change? Even my sword's not the same.

-You can't remember anything?

-I only remember you telling me we lost another Archangel, and I was lost in my fury. I lost consciousness for that moment on.

-Then you don't remember anything?

-Sadly, I don't. Oh, man, I'm late! See you in the night, sweetheart –and after making his clothes come back, he went out of the house quickly; he was late.

-Tsubasa… -Sanae couldn't help worrying.

Meanwhile, Tsubasa ran to take the bus that left him near the college.

-Man… I don't want to be late, I don't want to be late… -and for some strange reason, the city noise disappeared completely, and everything but him was in slow motion.

"What? Shiro's around here? That's impossible; Shiro's with Daichi and Daichi's in Shizuoka."

He had stopped time unconsciously while he tried to arrive on time.

"I have to hurry" –and Tsubasa arrived at the bus stop, where time began to run again normally once he stopped. But, how had he done it?

His powers had evolved to the same level Shiro had been, although that wouldn't be enough to defeat Kuro and its Antiarchangels.

And when things can't seem to worsen…

-So you're the Kami no Tsukai.

The young man turned to see who was behind him. If it hadn't been for its midnight-black cloak, he could've thought easily that Shiro was behind him.

-Kuro…

-I see I'm not totally unknown to you. I like that.

-What a shame; I don't like you at all.

However Tsubasa noticed something. He was talking to somebody whose clothes and appearance were too peculiar, but it seemed no one noticed it.

-You still don't realize it? Every time I appear in this dimension, everything around me turns invisible. No one can see me, unless that someone has powers.

-Sorry, but I have to go to class –and Tsubasa tried to teleport, but his powers failed.

-Why do you leave so soon?

-Is it your business?

-Oh, indeed… After all, you're the scum that has ruined my plans once and again, Kami no Tsukai.

-What a shame, huh? But I'll keep on doing it as many times as I have to, 'cause you can't choose the others' fates because of your whims.

-It's not a whim; my fate is that of the Earth's: The New Genesis… under the cover of my darkness.

-Your fate?

-You brainwashed my Black Archangels, telling them that they chose their own fate. The truth, Tsukai, is that you may think you have your fate in your hands, but no one escaped to the whims of Fate.

-It was you the one who brainwashed them. They were, and are good people who you tricked –Tsubasa said, getting angry. –And as if it weren't enough, your minions, I mean, your slaves have murdered two of my friends. You think it's not enough to make us suffer with your evil?

-Their fate is death, and your fate is to be killed by my own hand, Tsukai… And to be honest, nothing would please me more than seeing your blood run now. Tenebris Aeternam!

-You'd wish! –and with a jump, Tsubasa avoided the attack. But he had a doubt: would his Shout of the Gods work in that moment now that he had evolved?

There was no time to think, so he made his sword and armor appear.

-Heh, I see that you sword has changed… Of course, if the one chosen by the Gods has changed completely. It doesn't surprise me that you're the strongest of your group, though you're so weak.

-Hasn't anyone told you that you can't take your enemy so lightly? –as quick as lightning, Tsubasa attacked Kuro with his sword, although the being in black evaded the attack. Sure, those moments of distraction made Kuro lose control over Tsubasa's power, and the Japanese soccer player disappeared in that moment.

-How do you want me to think you're not a weakling, Tsukai, if you're much weaker than me? –and amidst a cold, cruel and terrifying burst of laughter, the Black Guide disappeared.

Tsubasa arrived late to his class, although he wasn't as late as he thought he was. He gave his work to the teacher, ashamed, and sat down in his place, although Aaron asked him what happened.

-Can I tell you later? –was the exhausted soccer player's answer, which once again was in a bad mood.

Meanwhile, Kuro was back in its mysterious living place, where Kurai was reading a book. After she read a page, she ripped it off, and she had already read and destroyed half an encyclopedia (sniff… What a sad end for an encyclopedia ;;)

-What are you doing, my child?

-Reading. I want to know it all.

-There are some things that it's better not to know.

-But I want to know everything, Kuro-sama. You never told me what that black stuff that went out of me was.

Kurai didn't know she had seen her own blood.

-it's better for you not to know, Kurai.

-But…

-But nothing.

Kurai looked as is she were about to throw a tantrum, but kept on reading.

-If you don't tell me, it doesn't matter. I'll find it out on my own –and kept on reading and tearing up pages.

-As you wish, but I don't want to see a mess here… And I'd thank you if you stop destroying that encyclopedia. Pierre made a great effort to bring it to you.

-But what's it for if I already read it?

-And if you forget something?

-Oh … -and with a snap of her fingers, the ripped pages returned to their respective covers in perfect order and state. –Is it OK now, Kuro-sama?

-Not OK, but better.

I don't understand Kuro at all. You do Oo?

Sanae got bored of knitting and began to finish her Spanish homework, while Yato played with a wrinkled paper ball. However, the cat bumped with a wall and was wobbly for a moment.

-Oh, you silly cat… -said Sanae, laughing. –Look where you're going

-Meoow… -and Sanae red his mind, where he told her not to laugh at him.

-Al right then, Yato –and she kept on studying. However, the cat noticed that Sanae was a bit dizzy.

-Meeew…? (Are you OK?)

-I'm just a bit dizzy, Yato. Don't worry.

If he could've been able to, Ozora Yato would've made Sanae lie down for a while, but being only an ordinary black cat, he simply jumped to his owner's lap and laid down there.

-Thanks for worrying, kitty cat… But I guess this is normal for pregnant women like me.

-Meow?

-I remember when Natsuko-san was expecting Daichi…

The cat let a little sigh of relief go out of him and fell asleep on the young woman's lap, while she finished her homework and scratched the cat behind his ears.

"I only hope I can have my baby peacefully. I don't want my son, or daughter, to suffer the consequences of this struggle to save this planet."

"And I won't…" –said the mysterious little voice Sanae had heard before. "Because you're my mother…"