Chapter Title: Sweet Little AJ
Summary: Effortlessly being able to pretend nothing happened when Nozomi's been shaken to the core is a skill she envies in Umi and Kotori as it takes effort for her to pretend she was fine. Were they really okay? What really happened to Umi?
Kotori's love for children and her belief in how precious life truly is shines through as she and most of the pack meet up with sick kids and plant a rooftop garden with them in front of a dozen cameras. Before Kotori displays just a little more of her magic and touches the hearts of many.
Time frame: Present, main story
AN: Reread Maki and Umi's conversation in Chapter 2!! It's been redone to fit the completely redone background for Maki and it's subtle cues are needed for the next chapter! See the end for length reasoning.
Oh, and enjoy some of Nozomi's abilities :D
Doing this, pretending everything was fine and that nothing had happened, was a stark reminder to Nozomi of just how much Kotori and Umi had gone through events like these.
Her green eyes flickered to the ash-blonde as they walked down the long white halls of the children's hospital. The angel appeared to the public eye as gentle and calm as usual, with zero traces of the blood that had stained her face and clothes earlier courtesy of magic. She was currently smiling, offering the hospital's head a professionally gentle smile and mentioning something about the status of the living beings here, but to Nozomi it was off putting.
This wasn't the first time she had seen this instant professionality from Kotori, in fact she had seen her pull it out of thin air over a hundred times since she had met the angel. However, the slightly distant but warm and sweet attitude felt as odd as it usually did for Kotori was naturally more of a worry wart. She stressed about everyone in the pack on a daily basis at home even if she let Umi handle it and was known to worry about a complete stranger who she had just met.
So the distance and formality had always felt off with Nozomi, ever since she had really seen the woman beneath the liaison mask.
"The atmosphere here is amazing," Kotori hummed gently, golden eyes sweeping the halls with hints of green appearing deep within her irises. "It doesn't have an almost ominous aura like other hospitals…"
Are you okay? Eli's voice slipped in between Nozomi's mental walls, the blonde's mind gave off waves of concern even if she outwardly only glanced over at her. You've been very quiet NonTon.
Nozomi returned the glance with a weak smile, I'm okay Elichi, there's just a lot on my mind, and there really was. So much had happened within the last ten hours that even the spirits gently guiding her and revealing details of the future ahead of them were completely silent.
I understand, Eli's mind engulfed Nozomi's in a measure of reassurance and protection, what's the biggest thing?
Nozomi inhaled a slightly deeper breath, I guess what the spirits showed me when we met up with Umi.
Ah, you were rather panicked there.
Well she had had every right to panic when she had seen what she had.
Maybe try talking to Umi since it's partway her future?
Nozomi mentally shook her head, it's pointless now, the proof of her changing it is walking in front of you.
When she had been given the vision she had back just after they got out of the vehicle she had believed without a doubt that Kotori was going to die. One doesn't receive a vision of a friend being killed without panicking. Especially when said friend was still just a human beneath her wings and magic.
Luckily Umi had been there, the alpha chasing after her soul-mate like she always did.
"Umi!" Nozomi shouted the alpha's name as she felt the alpha's presence get near her. Kotori's scream still rang in her ears, the blood curdling sound locked in an infinite echo in her ears till the vision faded fully.
The future scryer lurched on her feet, her head spinning from the contents of the vision and also the nausea rolling through her system.
The spirits were whispering in her ear, 'hurry! Hurry little one!' All of them urging her to act and act now.
"Nozomi careful!" Eli hastened to stabilize her but for once Nozomi's eyes weren't on her mate, they were looking around through blurry vision for the alpha who she needed to warn.
Rocks and small chunks of concrete sprayed near Nozomi's feet as a wolf skidded harshly to a stop.
What? I don't have time-
"You have to stop them," Nozomi cut the alpha off, tears burning at the backs of her eyes.
I am-
"They're going to kill her."
Nozomi saw the change in Umi's body, the way her ears pinned themselves back against her head and blue lurked deep in her irises. Tell me what you saw, she growled telepathically, claw-like nails breaking apart the concrete beneath her massive paws.
"There's no time," Nozomi's knees buckled and Eli caught her just before she hit the ground but she paid no attention to her.
Then I have to go, Umi broke into a run, spraying more concrete as the werewolf shot after the car with the force of a small train.
'Magic… the key…' a spirit whispered through the ringing of Nozomi's ears.
"Use magic!" Nozomi pleaded with the werewolf alpha and could only hope she heard her. "We have to alter the future I saw! Just remember your magic!"
I will change it, I won't accept a different result.
The determination of which Umi had spoken had told Nozomi that it would be okay, that everyone would be safe and alive. It only showed how easily the future could change and warp so long as someone had the will to change it.
I know, but it could quiet some of your fears, Eli reasoned and Nozomi found herself shaking her head.
I don't think so, I think I'm just tired Elichi, the future scryer soothed her mate, there would be time for it all to really sink in later, not when they were vulnerable, Kotori in particular.
Umi hadn't looked that great when they had arrived at the hospital. She was as cool and indifferent like she always was when she was working, but the werewolf's face was more than a shade too pale and Nozomi had seen the pain written all over the alpha's face beneath her mask.
"Here, ma'am," the hospital head moved to hand Kotori a piece of paper and the movement got Nozomi's attention, "this is a list of those who expressed interest in your visit."
Kotori didn't move to take the paper, rather something flickered in the angel's eyes. Fear flickered in the angel's eyes and Nozomi instantly understood just how fragile the angel was right now. For Kotori to break character and hesitate, the angel must've been more fragile than glass as Kotori's ability to simply shut off her emotions and put on a professional mask was unmatched to anyone beside Umi and Nozomi had never seen her falter before now.
A faint jasmine smell tickled Nozomi's nose for just the briefest of seconds.
"Excuse me sir," Nozomi turned ninety degrees to see the voice's owner strolling toward them down the hall. "We weren't aware of any private visits as there is the event up on the roof in just a couple of minutes," dark amber eyes looked flatly at the hospital head even as she spoke politely and moved with a firm intensity.
"Sonoda-san," the hospital head looked startled to find the werewolf walking briskly toward him and Kotori. Who Nozomi could see was instantly relieved and saw her shoulders relax at the sight of the alpha. "My apologies, I wasn't aware that Minami-sama wasn't visiting anyone outside of the rooftop event."
"It's alright," Kotori spoke softly with a gentle smile, "I don't mind moving stuff around for children. Sonoda-san, can you hold onto the list for me?"
"Of course," Umi politely took the list from the hospital head and folded it up a couple of times. "However I do believe that we should be moving up toward the rooftop Minami-san." She tucked the list into the inside pocket of her blazer, dark blue colored wolf ears swiveling slightly as other sounds caught her attention.
"Ah," Kotori turned to the hospital head with a gentle smile, "thank you for the tour Tikasa-sama, I really do believe this place is a wonder for sick children."
Nozomi hid a smile, the fact that their relationship was still a secret to the world outside their pack and families was a mystery she'd probably never figure out even with the intuition Eli joked about her having and the spirits that guided her every movement.
Tikasa glanced almost nervously at Umi, the bodyguard couldn't hide her canines and ears due to her injury, but nodded. "I will… meet you all up there then," it was hard to keep a straight face with his obvious nervousness around the werewolf alpha, "thank you for gracing us with your presence." With that he bowed respectfully and scurried off, much to Nozomi's amusement.
"You gave the man a heart attack Umi," Eli chuckled with amusement and Nozomi let her mask melt into an amused smile of her own.
"It is my job to be imposing," Umi replied smoothly though her dark eyes followed the man's back and Nozomi could tell that she was waiting for him to disappear into the stairwell.
Are you alright? Nozomi gently prodded Kotori's mind as the angel brought a hand to her face and shut her eyes with a calming breath.
No, Kotori replied in a rare bluntness, yet another sign her hunch was right. The angel was barely holding everything together, but I will be, I just need some time.
Time was something Nozomi couldn't give her and she found herself wishing that Nico was here, if only to do just that, give the angel time to really let everything run through her head. I can tell you how long we have, but I'm afraid my abilities only relate to the future and past.
I can't give you time, but I can make everyone else pause Kotori. Umi's voice didn't surprise Nozomi as the alpha could hear all communication to her mate if Kotori didn't actively block her. Her curiosity however, peaked at the notion of seeing Umi's magic in action again.
Everyone in the pack had seen her magic here and there throughout the years and Nozomi was no exception, but the magic they saw on a day to day basis was either Kotori's or small harmless amounts of Umi's.
The biggest unique thing she had seen of Umi's was her ability to create and fire arrows made of pure magic almost as though she was using a real bow when the bow itself wasn't there. She knew Umi could manipulate matter and control the moon to a certain extent, but as she was born a werewolf, the alpha simply preferred to do things with her hands rather than magic, something that had rubbed off on Kotori.
From what Nozomi knew about magic between soul-mates in the occasional conversation she had had with Kotori over the years, the fact that Umi didn't use her magic all that often was a good thing. As it meant the leftover magic bled over into Kotori's and thereby strengthened how powerful the angel's magic was. Not that the angel needed her magic to be any more powerful.
However, the lack of experience with the alpha's magic only served to further increase Nozomi's curiosity in the current situation and her green gaze fell on Kotori as the cracks in the angel's emotional armor lengthened and deepened.
The tears that welled in the angel's eyes as she nodded to the werewolf, tugged on Nozomi's heartstrings. However, the way Umi silently opened her arms as the magic began to kick in and the angel went running into them, abandoning every sense of professionality and dissolving into silent tears broke her heart.
Dark blue the color of the night sky spread from Umi's feet, rapidly painting the face of every object, floor, and wall, around them a deep gloomy blue. Before Kotori collided with her and Nozomi was reminded of the depth of Umi's dedication to the angel when streaks of falling stars, the soft purple and pink hue of scattered light, soft twinkling spots of stars erupted in the blue. Painting the world around Nozomi a breathtaking starry galaxy, a galaxy brightened and created by a certain angel the alpha had dedicated her entire life to.
Nozomi's breath hitched at the display of magic and hidden meaning. It was truly beautiful and she could tell that Eli thought so too without having to look at her.
I never knew that was how magic worked, Eli admitted while Nozomi kept her gaze focused on their friends.
Umi was holding Kotori close and having, the alpha cradling the angel close with her eyes mostly closed while Kotori had hidden her face deep in Umi's shoulder. Kotori was shaking, trembling softly in the alpha's arms and Nozomi couldn't help but feel a sharp jab of guilt.
The complete shattering of Kotori's composure was a pure testament of just how badly the event had traumatized her and not for the first time, Nozomi wished her powers were more consistent. If they had been more consistent, stronger, and more powerful like Umi or Kotori's would her friends have gotten hurt like they had?
Would they have been safe? Safe from the greed and desires of other people to put them in harm's way?
Would Umi have gotten hurt like she had? Even if Nozomi didn't know the depth and severity of the injury, she could only guess it was bad when the stone wall keen to hide pain Umi had been coughing lightly into a hand and whiter than a sheet when they had actually made it to the children's hospital.
If her powers had been more consistent and practically in a state of emergency would she have been able to prevent that injury whatever it was?
An arm slipped around her waist and Nozomi blinked out of her thoughts to see Eli's crystal blue eyes in front of her as she tugged her close to tug her out of her headspace.
You're not a god Nozomi, Eli whispered softly, just because you can speak to spirits and see the present, past, and future doesn't make you a god.
I know, Nozomi settled on replying but the guilt was still there, but I almost lost two of my friends- she flinched as her senses were assaulted.
"Stay still!"Kotori's voice was panicked, borderline shrill with terror and she was kneeling over someone, straddling them at the hips to keep them still on their back.
There was blood everywhere. painting the road and sidewalk a crimson red streaked with the glistening refracted light of tiny shards of glass littered in the blood. Dark blue hair was fanned out in the blood, the liquid turning strands purple while amber eyes were wild with the terror of an animal mixed with a need to get up and protect her.
Blood was bubbling at her lips and she was spitting it out through a growl, eyes fixed on the one stirring inside the destroyed car.
"Umi please!" Kotori practically begged and Nozomi could see why, "I need to stop the bleeding!" One of her hands were hovering just inches over the mess that was Umi's chest but she was stopped by Umi's blood soaked fingers around her wrist.
Nozomi was hit with a wave of nausea.
A foriegn touch to her face made Nozomi forcibly wrench herself free from the gorey vision and the person's touch to her shoulder.
Kotori's slim eyebrows wrinkled in concern and soft golden eyes stared back at her. "Are you okay? You're really pale Nozomi," she mentioned and she dimly noticed that the angel seemed to have perfectly recovered from her break down, not a single wrinkle in her clothes or smudge in her makeup. Not to mention that the hospital was back to normal.
However, Nozomi's eyes merely snapped to the person standing a couple feet behind the angel, whose amber eyes were stoic and her dark hair wasn't tinted with blood like in the vision. The image of what she had just seen was burned like a blistering fire into her mind, the blood, the shattered bits of bone and the actual injury itself. A deep dome-like gap of missing flesh or broken bone consisting of what was left of her upper chest and lower sternum that was bigger than Nozomi's hand.
Yet Umi was alive and breathing, standing in front of her as though she had never been injured in the first place without a single bit of visible pain in her face. When less than thirty-minutes ago she had been on the sidewalk spitting out blood while both her and her mate had been full out panicking.
Defied fate... a spirit whispered to her, like always…
Nozomi felt dizzy, another feather...
According to the spirits guiding her, Umi hadn't been supposed to survive that injury. She was very familiar with Umi's habit of breaking the bonds of fate and destiny to pull off miracles like her other half, but unlike the angel, the alpha had consequences.
The only visible consequence to her actions and unbelief in the thing they were all controlled by called the pull of destiny was her wings.
As a pure blood from a pure bloodline of werewolves that stretched back to the ancient days of the samurai, Umi Sonoda never should've had any sort of wings as Nozomi knew well. However with her powers Nozomi also knew that Umi had gained said wings when she was a mere child. A young werewolf cub training to protect the next sun angel who was one of her best friends.
Black wings only came from a curse as Nozomi knew, and navy feathers only came from a selfless curse. A curse she knew from being around the alpha on and off since they were teenagers. A curse of taking a life in the defense of another and requiring the help of an otherside power to do it.
However, Umi's wings weren't pure black and navy, they were speckled with bright silver permanently broken tipped feathers. Each silver feather was a time where she had defied fate and intensified the curse. The broken state of the feather told of the curse while the color spoke of the goddess Umi's ancestors descended from and her blessing that kept the curse balanced. Just like Nozomi and the origination of her powers. There was a reason the alpha's magic was night sky and galaxy themed and hadn't surprised Nozomi.
Umi lifted her eyes to meet hers and Nozomi could've sworn Umi had known what she had seen by the mild shift of her wings beneath her shirt and suit jacket.
"Non-tan?" Nozomi dragged her attention to Eli and the blonde looked worriedly at her, "are you alright? What did you see?"
Umi shifted uncomfortably out of the corner of Nozomi's eye and Nozomi merely smiled reassuringly at Eli. This was the only thing Eli didn't know and it wasn't a secret for Nozomi to tell, at least not yet, not till everyone was ready.
Her gaze subtly went to the angel beside her.
And not till a certain angel's work was almost done.
"Just a glimpse of the past Elichi. Let's go see the children, the spirits are eager to be around them."
Wheels softly squealed against the roofing but Nozomi paid it no mind as she smiled with the children and the sun warmed the skin of her face and arms.
Pay attention child…
Nozomi heard the words in her head, "please excuse me," and immediately turned around toward what she could feel was a gathering of spiritual energy at the entrance to the roof. The very air was whispering of a drastic change, charged with an imbalance that Nozomi knew was about to be corrected any moment.
The source of the energy was a small child, a child lying propped up into half sitting up on a hospital bed. Their green eyes were wide, round with wonder as though they had never seen the open sky and beautiful flowers before and Nozomi just knew this was their first time being outside.
Whispers of the child's past spoke of hospital rooms and surgeries to the future scryer and she knew she wasn't the only one that had picked up on the change of energy as Kotori stood up out of the corner of her eye.
"Minami-sama-" Tikasa moved to speak to the angel, an almost ashamed hint in his expression.
Nozomi held up a hand, "ssshh, don't interfere with destiny Tikasa-san," she hummed while her eyes remained on Kotori. The luna was almost tunnel focused, skirting around the chattering child and towards the bed-ridden child.
...She can help them...
"But-"
"Tikasa-sama, with all due respect, shut up," Eli grumbled to the hospital head, much to Nozomi's inner amusement. However she did lightly reprimand the werewolf with a light nudge with her elbow, even if she agreed with what Eli had said. Now was not the time for anyone to get involved, even Umi was staying where she was.
Sure the alpha werewolf was on edge and her analytic amber eyes were focused intently on the angel just in case she had to leap up to protect her, but she wasn't moving. Still, it wouldn't do anyone any good if Umi overreacted.
Relax, Nozomi prodded the alpha telepathically, the spirits are certain that there's no threat here Umi.
The last time I felt this kind of energy from Kotori we were attacked, Umi explained despite how Nozomi could see the werewolf relax and settle back on her heels from where she was crouched near some newly planted flowers surrounded by werewolf children. The werewolf rubbed at the side of her nose in a tell of a werewolf that told Nozomi that Kotori's emotions were affecting the werewolf's ability to remain calm, which meant they must've been extremely high, alert me immediately if something changes.
Of course, Nozomi gave the smallest dip of the head in a physical sign of sincerity for the werewolf. The reaction confirmed her lingering suspicions, Umi was definitely still skittish and effected by the events of this morning. If she wasn't, the werewolf would've barely batted an eyelash.
"Hello…"
Kotori had finally reached the child's bed.
The child didn't respond to the greeting, instead staring wide-eyed at the angel and her gently fluttering grey speckled white winges. Nozomi's heart tightened, how little had this child truly experienced?
Kotori gently sat on the edge of the bed, soft golden eyes warm and just slightly glowing a deeper golden hue. "My name's Kotori, what's yours?" She asked softly, her tone soft and as sweet as it always was.
The child nibbled on their lower lip for a moment before they pointed to their throat, green eyes avoiding the gentle angel sitting beside her.
"Her name's Aj," the nurse standing behind the bed smiled at Kotori, her smile tainted with sadness, "she can't speak, she lost her ability to speak to throat cancer years ago."
"Aj's a beautiful name," Kotori took it in stride with a smile at the child and offered the child one of her hands, "do you know who I am AJ?"
Even without the ability to sense magic, Nozomi could feel it. She could feel the warm almost protective, something in the air enveloping them all. Even the children could feel it as the chatter was quickly dying down, their attention turning to the angel sitting beside the child much sicker than the rest of them. Nozomi could also see the faintest swirls of reddish sunset in Umi's eyes, something she could only see with their pack. Kotori was planning something, something massive.
...Heal… the spirits whispered softly in Nozomi's ear as though they too were affected by Kotori's gathering magic. Their usual restlessness and uncoordinated whispering was gone, leaving the spirits abnormally still and silent as though they were waiting with bated breath too, just like the rest of them.
AJ nodded slightly and their fingertips cautiously brushed against Kotori's for a moment before, after a pause of hesitation, they rested their smaller hand in Kotori's palm.
"We all struggle with things as we grow up" Kotori gently closed her hand around the child's and flashes of playing alone and loud arguing flickered through Nozomi. That poor child...
"And most of the time there's nothing others can do to help us," Kotori smiled softly at the child and Nozomi instinctively held her breath at Kotori's next words. "AJ… do you believe in miracles?"
AJ hesitantly nodded and Kotori's smile softened, "can I show you one?"
Another nod and Nozomi could feel the concern and worry over the child lessen as Kotori scooted closer to AJ and held the child's hands between both of her own while her forehead gently grazed the child's. The angel's eyes then closed.
...heal… balance…
Nozomi felt the spirit's whisper through her body just before she heard Kotori speak.
"Find your voice and stand tall AJ, there's so much in this world for you to explore…" There was a heavy weight to Kotori's whisper, one of love and a deadset determination, "...I'll protect you…"
Nozomi felt wind tickle the back of her neck as it rustled through her long hair, but her attention was focused on how the sunlight around them softened, leaving an appearance of something similar to a solar eclipse.
The newly planted flowers bloomed on the roof, the turf grass grew more lush and green as though it was given a fresh burst of life.
Before Kotori's wings drew Nozomi's attention, with how for just a flicker of a second, it looked as though the sun was setting through her wings. If she had blinked she would've missed it as the lighting brightened back to what it was at before and Kotori smiled softly at the child.
"It's your own little miracle," Kotori whispered.
AJ swallowed, then to everyone's surprise, spoke. "My… l-little miracle?" the child's voice was hoarse and raspy from dissuse, but it was there, AJ was speaking.
Nozomi's heart melted, the lengths Kotori would go to protect innocent children were something she admired, heavily admired actually.
Kotori loved everyone and even without her magic she cherished every life with a passion. While she was logical, she also had the type of personality where she welcomed everyone with open arms and would stubbornly hold them all close to protect them.
Kotori gently brushed AJ's welling tears away from her eyes, "just like everyone else," she spoke softly, "you're special, so very special…"
"Very, very special…"
The new words rang in Nozomi's ears before she was sucked into a vision, one she hoped would show her part of a future they all wanted.
"Auh," Kotori let her head rest atop of her arms and smiled at the baby sitting in front of her on the carpet with it's hands on both of the angel's freckled cheeks. "I love you too, Umiko," she hummed to the infant with the corners of her soft golden eyes crinkling at the edges with the strength of her soft motherly smile.
The baby giggled to the angel with a wide gummy grin, round crystal blue eyes twinkling with innocence. The baby had wings that were the miniature version of Kotori's breathtaking wings, the feathers fluttering lightly with the baby's emotions.
"What about me mommy?" A small child came into view, a little wobbly on their feet with messy hair and tufts of hair unique to Kotori's 'feathers.'
"I love both of you, Kaito," Kotori hummed as she gently placed a hand against Umiko's stomach before she rolled over onto her back so she could look up at Kaito. "Mommy doesn't need a favorite," she said as the child with eyes that mirrored her own dropped down on top of Kotori's stomach. "You're both special~" Kotori hummed and Umiko nestled close to her head with a babyish babble while Kotori gently held both of Kaito's tiny hands with a light giggle. Before she seized Kaito and blew a raspberry against the young child's stomach, "very, very special!"
The child's giggles mixed with Kotori's bell like laughter echoed in Nozomi's ears for a few precious seconds even after her senses readjusted to the world currently around her.
Where Kotori was still holding the small, just moments ago very sickly, child in her arms and was now kneeling down beside some of the newly planted beautiful flowers.
Still, the names of Kotori's children were burned into the recesses of Nozomi's mind.
Umiko and Kaito.
They were beautiful and so obviously Kotori's with the telltale tufts of feather-like fluff on the tops of their heads. Kotori passed on her legacy in Umiko, the baby's softly speckled white wings giving away yet another detail about her friend's future. And Kotori had appeared so happy there, in fact she could've been described as almost glowing. It was obvious Kotori would adore her children if this future was secured. However, there was one thing bugging Nozomi from the vision; her gaze strayed to the body guard currently dirty up to her elbows with dirt smudged on her face, and it involved a certain werewolf.
If Kotori had children in the future… just where was her other half, Umi? Did it have to do with the curse and blessing balancing so precarilously on her shoulders?
AN: This ending is also just too good to add anything onto to be honest! However the main reason why this is shorter is that the next chapter that was supposed to be connected to this one ended up being 9k and I'm still missing multiple scenes for it. So I had to split them up for my own sanity since I felt bad I hadn't uploaded.
That and there's been some serious lore, backgrounds, and behind the scenes stuff being inputted. Along with that, Maki's entire background's been scrapped and completely redone as you'll see a lot in the next chapter (or maybe the one after depending on how much I split apart).