Chapter XXIV: A Surprise for Shinobu
-I claim at my fate for the burden given to me! Primal Chains!
-Fury of the Earth!
Both attacks flew ready to attack Santana, while he skimmed barely over the floor with his kathars in his hands. Although the Fury of the Earth failed, the Primal Chains caught the Antiarchangel's wings, making him stop painfully.
-If I were you, and I'm not, I wouldn't try to free myself, or your wings will get hurt, and that hurts.
-You say it as if you knew –Santana muttered, trying to free his wings.
-Shinobu …
-If you've ever been hurt in one of your wings, then you'll know how painful it is. They're not as strong as your arms or legs, Ishizaki-san.
-Ah, OK –and Ryou understood it clearly.
Santana kept on fighting, until the Chains broke, vanishing like the morning mist, but Shinobu and Ryou were ready to face him.
-You may have stopped me for a moment, but you won't do it again.
-We'll do it as many times as we have to, Santana. We're not going to let Kuro's Darkness engulf this world. Or have you even thought that if the New Genesis happens, soccer will disappear too? –Shinobu said, seizing his Whip with his left hand, since his right shoulder (the hurt one) didn't let him use his right hand, the one Shinobu used to write.
-Soccer… will cease to exist? You lie!
-Think about it, Santana, 'cause you're no idiot –Ishizaki intervened. -Isn't there anything that makes you think this world can't be destroyed?
Did Ishizaki's words cause something to ignite in Carlos Santana's ice-cold heart?
It seemed so…
Because Santana disappeared without saying anything else.
-Why did Santana disappear after what you said, Ishizaki-san?
-If you want the truth, I don't know. I think he understood that if this world is destroyed, soccer will disappear.
-Not only soccer; music will disappear too.
-Huh?
-Sorry… I guess I had to tell it before: My greatest frustration was that I couldn't study Music.
-Ah, no wonder you said that. And if you're not a musician, then what did you study?
-Out of studying to be a D.J, which was what I did in my free time, I had to study to be a manager, since it was my tutor's orders.
Now Ryou was confused.
-Tutor?
-I'm an orphan. My father died when I was in High School and my mother abandoned us when I was five. I have no relatives, but something inside me tells me my mother has to be alive.
-Don't lose your hope, Shinobu-san –said Ryou, smiling. –Keep your hopes us and you'll see you'll find her.
"If we survive"
-Thanks for your help, Ishizaki-san.
-Call me Ryou, Shinobu-san. We're allies, and friends… After all.
The rest of the day passed by normally in Japan, while it was still very early in Europe. However, there was someone who couldn't sleep there.
Tsubasa was in the guest room, reading a text for his college work, since he was miserable with insomnia.
He had left Sanae sleeping in their bedroom, while Yato was keeping company to the Kami no Tsukai, half awake, half asleep. He could've gone out, but he wasn't in the mood to do so.
-Hey, Yato…
-Meow?
-Why did you save my wife? –Tsubasa asked, thinking he wouldn't receive a reply; he thought the cat was a bit dumb, but if there was something Ozora Yato was not, that was being dumb.
The cat looked at Tsubasa reproachfully, and clearly pointed at his head, mewling quietly.
Did Yato wanted to have his mind read?
Well, Tsubasa did it, and Yato's retort, a good one, explained that he wouldn't let a "dark human" attack a "human of light," which obviously meant Sanae.
Besides, his adoption wasn't something he really expected, but being a member of a family made him happy.
-I got it, Yato… -and Tsubasa buried himself in his homework again.
Azumi, Herman, Marie (who still was in Hamburg)… All of them slept peacefully, unaware of what happened…
But, where were the Antiarchangels?
A while later, Tsubasa decided to go to sleep, after closing the book he had been reading. He turned off the lamp, and went into his bedroom as quietly as he could, trying not to wake up his wife. He laid down and at last he fell asleep, although he dreamt with very crazy things… Which he didn't remember in the end.
Dawn broke in Europe (2 P.M. in Japan…) and Sanae woke up, cold. Even though it was spring, she had shivering, even though her nightshirt was quite warm.
"That's weird… I know it's spring, almost summer, but I'm freezing."
She placed a hand on her belly, thinking in her baby. It had been a time ever since she heard her baby's voice again, but at least the fact that even though it still was practically microscopic and had talked in her mind made her feel at ease.
And she didn't know why she thought she was going to have a boy. She hadn't had an ultrasound, so she still didn't know what it was, but she felt she'd have a baby boy.
The weakness of the past days still was affecting her, but luckily, she hadn't fainted or felt dizzy. She had returned to her Spanish classes, and though Sanae's teacher and classmates seemed worried for her, nothing happened.
-I guess I should put something on my shoulders; I'm freezing –she told herself, going to the closet and putting on a woolen sweater.
She went to the kitchen and began to cook breakfast for Tsubasa and her, out of putting some cat food for Yato.
And talk of the Devil, Yato went into the kitchen once he got a whiff of the cat food, since he was very hungry.
-Morning, Yato.
-Meooow.
-I thought you had gone out. But well, I'm glad you're here, kitty.
-Meee…
-Well, he didn't want to go out –said another voice, scaring Sanae, and making the one who had talked fall.
-Tsubasa! Don't give me those scared, for God's sakes…
-I thought you had seen me… -answered the young man, rubbing the place where he had hit himself.
-I didn't.
-What's for breakfast?
-I'm on it… Would you like an omelet?
-Wouldn't it be too heavy for this time of day?
-I'm talking about a mere egg omelet, Tsubasa. No sauces or anything.
-Ah… Got it. OK by me –and the Kami no Tsukai's stomach thanked the idea roaring like a lion, making Tsubasa redden in embarrassment and Sanae laugh until tears spurted out of her eyes, while Yato looked at them, confused.
"What's up with these humans?" –thought the cat, before eating his fish flavored cat food (his favorite)
Meanwhile, in Japan, in a city far from Shizuoka, a middle-aged lady was reading the news of her birthplace on the internet, and it was no small surprise the one she received when she spotted a mildly interesting article:
"Owner of Vitalis Will Marry Tomorrow.
The well-known ex–D.J and now manager and owner of Vitalis, considered the most popular juvenile disco in the city, Kurobane Shinobu, will marry tomorrow, after many years of waiting for the engagement. Rumor says that though the ceremony and the party will be discrete, many famous people of the city will go. Between the probable guests to the wedding are Ishizaki Ryou, one of Jubilo Iwata and the National Soccer Team's defense players; Misaki Taro, famous soccer player who is in the city recovering from a serious accident, and Shizuoka's most promising juvenile player, Kagei Kai. It seems all the people mentioned above are friends of the groom…"
The woman read and reread the news, without being able to believe what she had read. It seemed that the name of Kurobane Shinobu wasn't unknown to her.
-Mom, something wrong? –asked a guy who clearly seemed to be in college. –You're pale.
-It's nothing, Takanori. I was only reading the Shizuoka news.
-I still don't understand why you read those news if we don't live there.
-I was born in Shizuoka, son.
-Just because of that? –asked Takanori, who for some reason looked quite alike (without knowing) our Shinobu.
-Well… Not only that.
The young man looked confused. Why did his mother think so much about Shizuoka?
-C'mon, mom. Tell me what's wrong… Or you'll worry me.
The woman didn't know if she had to tell her son the truth… The son she had from her second and last marriage. Her second husband had a good retirement fund since he had been a manager in an important factory, and the child born from the marriage, Takanori, was a promising Law student.
However, the woman hid something to her son, since she had agreed with her husband that they wouldn't tell Takanori about it until he was ready.
She had a son, a couple of years older than Takanori.
-Honey, I think I have to tell you the truth. Your father and I have talked about this, and we had decided not to tell you until you had finished your career and had your own life in your hands.
-What's wrong?
-The truth…
-Mom… You're scaring me.
-The truth, Takanori… Is that you have an older brother.
-An older brother? Impossible! You and Dad have been married for a long time! It'd be impossible that I'd have one… Unless one of you have been married before.
The lady lowered her eyes.
-You're not wrong, son. It was me the one who married before.
-Why?
-My first husband, Mitsuji and I were too young, to immature, and we thought we were going to be happy together, but I realized we were wrong, and I thought it'd be for the best to leave him and our child.
-And, what happened?
-I haven't known anything about them… Up until now.
-What do you mean with that? What's my brother's name? I have the right to know it, mom.
-Read the article I was reading, honey.
-Which one?
-The one about the marriage.
Takanori looked at the monitor, and read carefully. He couldn't believe it. He had an older brother that was about to marry?
-My brother… Is called Kurobane Shinobu?
-Yes. His father and I called him Shinobu, which means "life from death".
-Why did you give him such an eerie name?
-Because the doctors thought he had died when he was born, but he tricked us all… And look at him now: he's marrying.
The young man reread the article, astonished.
And what neither he nor his mother knew was that Shinobu was a Black Archangel, and it had been his powers the one thing that had saved his life.
Back in Shizuoka, Shinobu was renting his wedding suit along with the marriage's godfather. Meanwhile, the bride and the godmother were in the Kurobane's house ;), talking about hairdos. They were observing some hairstyling catalogues, and since the bride's hair was quite long, there were lots of choices.
-What do you think about this one? –Jinko asked, pointing at a simple but nice hairstyle.
-Well, you should have the wedding veil in mind, Jinko.
-How is it?
-Well, it's the same one my mother used –and Shinobu's girlfriend took out the veil from a cardboard box she had in her closet. It was absolutely beautiful; the delicate lace and the coronet were so well taken care of they looked like new.
-Oh, my…! Well then, I guess the one I suggested can't be used.
-You see?
A while later, they found the perfect hairstyle for the bride taking the wedding veil into account, whilst Jinko decided to do the easiest thing she could: Blow-dry her sheet like charcoal-colored hair.
-And now that I think of it, where are the guys? –asked the bride to herself.
-Don't worry about them –Jinko told her, calming her down. –They know how to defend themselves, although Taro's injured.
-he's still injured?
-It's just a matter of says before he goes back to a soccer field –and surprisingly enough, Jinko smiled.
The guys arrived a while later, with the suits they rented. Shinobu had a bit of a hard time finding shoes his size (I don't know about Japan, but I guess it'd be hard to find a size 11 there), while Taro had some trouble with the suit since he was so skinny.
-How did it go?
-As usual, there's always some little trouble with everything –Shinobu answered calmly. –It's no easy to be Bigfoot in Japan.
He meant that as a joke.
-If you say so –said Misaki, who had seen bigger feet but wasn't about to say that aloud.
-And how did it go with you, Taro-kun?
-Well, they had a little trouble finding a suit my size, but they managed to find one.
-Ah, no wonder. Since Misaki-kun's so thin… -and everyone, including the mentioned one, burst into laughter.
A while later, Jinko and Taro went out of the Kurobane's apartment, and they went to the soccer player's own place to leave their things there, since Misaki lived nearer to the place where the marriage would be held than Jinko (she practically lived in the other side of the city)
-It doesn't bother you that I'll stay in your house today?
-Should it? –Taro asked, half joking, half confused.
-I don't know… I mean, the last time it happened because I was out of myself…
-But nothing happened. C'mon; you'll stay in my room this time, honey.
-And you?
-I'll sleep on the futon.
Jinko refused that offer, but Taro was stubborn on this, since he didn't want anyone to think anything wrong about him.
Day ended, night came, and with it, Shinobu and his girlfriend's nervousness. Because of the famous superstitions, the Archangel of Chaos' girlfriend went to her mother's house, while the groom stayed in his apartment, completely alone.
"There's little time left, and I can't help feeling so nervous. I guess everyone feels like this when they're about to get married."
The ex-D.J was listening to some jazz when the phone rang. He pushed the pause button and answered immediately.
-Hello? Kurobane speaking.
-Kurobane? Father or son?
-Kurobane Shinobu –answered the Black Archangel, stressing his name. But the call ended abruptly.
"Some joker who likes to play phone pranks…" –and yet, for a strange reason, that voice was vaguely familiar. Nonetheless, the phone rang again, and Shinobu answered a bit too dryly, although he didn't want to.
-Hello? Kurobane speaking.
-Shinobu-san? It's Tsubasa, from Barcelona.
-Ah, hi. I thought it was the person who called me just a moment ago again.
-What did you say?
-Forget it.
-I called to congratulate you for your wedding. So you're joining the Happily Ever After Club, aren't you?
-Yes… -and the call went on for quite a while.
The next day was just perfect. Not a cloud in the sky, and the sun shone benevolently over the city. The wedding would be beautiful beyond imagining.
Taro and Jinko woke up in the soccer player's apartment, she in his room and he in the living room just because he wanted to be polite.
Shinobu woke up really nervous and with great joy in his heart too.
His girlfriend was very nervous too… Let alone the guests.
The day passed normally between the preparations and the arrival of the guests. The ceremony began normally, while the priest held the usual wedding mass… Until everyone heard an unknown voice calling the groom's name before the priest was able to ask hi if he accepted or not.
Everyone, including Shinobu (who was making the extreme effort of not having his dark eyeglasses on) turned to see
-Shinobu… -the voice came from a middle-aged lady, who was with a young man who looked a lot like Shinobu.
-Who… are you? –asked the groom. –Why did you interrupt the wedding?
-Shinobu… I heard you were about to get married and I only came to congratulate you… Son.
-Son? –Shinobu couldn't believe it. What had that woman said?
-She's you mother, niisan –said the guy who was next to Shinobu's mother.
-Brother?
-Shinobu, my dear… I, I'm really sorry for abandoning you when you were just five years old, but I was too young, too immature… -and the lady wasn't able to say anything else, because she began to cry, and because Shinobu ran to her, his aching dark brown eyes brimming with tears.
It was the best surprise he had ever received in his life: Seeing his mother again, in his wedding.