Chapter 3: Before PART THREE

Kaoru's POV:

I dug my nails into the bark of the tree as I climbed, cold sweat covered my back as we made our way up the tree. The tree was skew so it wasn't as slippery as I feared…but what I fear is that we're furtherer from the cliff now.

'Holy sh*t…holy sh*t… don't look down…don't look down…'

I glanced down and immediately regretted it. I shut my eyes and tried to force the dizziness away, what I saw was a deadly long drop down into the darkness, so dark that I couldn't see the ground below the cliff.

"This is stupid, why are we saving a squirrel out of all the creatures?!" I muttered, slowly opening my eyes.

"Because it's falling off the tree," Shou said as he climbed furtherer into the tree.

I narrowed my eyes at the still upside-down squirrel. "This thing owes us big time," I growled as I started clawing my way towards it again.

Suddenly my hand slipped off the side when I tried to push myself up again. My eyes widened as I stopped breathing.

I hugged the trunk tightly as I managed to stay on tree, I stared at the small branch that I broke a moment ago fall dawn into the blackness.

My heart was beating so hard I thought it would burst.

"Sister, come on," Shou urged as he tugged the rope I tied on us.

"No Shou, we should go back," I said as I slowly got into a sitting position.

"But you said we could first get the squirrel," Shou whined.

I glared at him. "Not any more, that is a squirrel for goodness sake! It can save itself," I said calmly as I started sliding down the trunk towards the cliff.

"No, I'm got to save it!" Shou shouted and suddenly started scrambling up towards the creature.

"Hey Shou! You'll fall off if you climb like that!" I yelled as I went after him because of the rope attached to our waist.

I fought my way through the branches, my stomach tightened every time I glanced down.

"Shou," I said sternly but my hands were slightly shaking.

"We're nearly there!" Shou cried cheerfully.

We finally reached the stupid squirrel. Shou reached out far as he tried to grab the furry thing, I grabbed the back of his collar, fearing he might fall. Shou's hand wrapped around the squirrel and I pulled him back. I sighed with relief as Shou stroked the squirrel's head.

I ruffled Shou's hair. "C'mon, let's get out of here," I said as I started climbing down the tree.

As we reached the middle of the tree Shou suddenly slipped.

"Shou!" I cried.

He grabbed onto one of the branch just in time, the squirrel clutched onto his shoulder.

"Shou!" I reached out one hand.

"Sister!" Shou's eyes were wide with horror.

I followed his gaze, my heart skipped a beat. The soil at the root of the tree is starting to give away and the tree was leaning off the cliff more than it had before.

I turned back to Shou and forced on a smile as calm as I can. "Don't worry Shou, give me your hand."

"I can't, I'll fall!" Shou cried.

"No you won't!" I snapped, "The rope is still tied on you, remember?"

He shook his head furiously as he let out a whimper.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw more of the soil loosen. The tree rocked.

Shou let out a frightened cry as one of his hand slipped.

"Shou! Trust me!" I yelled, tears threatened to come out of my eyes. I should have made a better choice and didn't climb the tree, I was supposed to look after my little brother but now we're both endanger because of the stupid decision I made.

"Shou please," I begged and reached out as far as my courage would let me. "I know haven't been a nice sister but have I ever let you down?"

Shou stared at me, he was crying. He bit his lower lip and shook his head.

I slowly reached into my pocket for something. "C'mon now, stupid."

Shou hesitantly reached out for the hand I held out.

The soil at the root of the tree suddenly gave away and the tree started falling. Everything moved in slow-motion: I pulled out my pocketknife with my left hand and cut the rope tied to Shou and me, I grabbed his hand with my right and with all my strength I threw him towards the cliff. He landed on the safety of the ground.

Shou stared at me with wide eyes, even the squirrel's eyes were round as if it realized what it have done.

The slow-motion mood wear off as I fell along with the tree into the darkness, wind slapped my face as my heart raced at the speed I was in. My stomach launched as all kinds of thoughts crossed my mind, and the memories of everything that happened in my life flashed in my head in a second.

I didn't scream, or even swing my arms and legs around. I watched at the sky was growing small into the distance.

Before I could do anything or even feel any fear or impact hitting the ground, everything went black.

Kenero's POV:

I frowned and gripped my backpack tighter. Something was off, my instinct told me so.

I sat outside of the farmhouse on a bench. Emi, one of my co-worker at my part-time job, invited me over to her grandparents' house. She even promised to take me on a small plane ride since she has the licence to fly one, plus she has her own small plane in the farm barn.

I sighed and stared at the ground, there's an uneasy feeling sitting at the pitch of my stomach that I couldn't understand. I looked up, the sky was clear and the day seem like all the rest but my chest felt tight and everything seem…empty to me right now.

I pulled out my phone and clicked into contact, I stared at the few names I have. I feel hot and cold at the same time.

I was about to call Kaoru but remembered she went off into the mountains with her brothers and uncle so she's probably out of range. Miyako is overseas and Belle is working at her restaurant, so…

I gulped and dialed one of the number, I waited patiently for the person to pick up, but she never did. I tried another number, but got the same result.

My frown deepened. 'Momoko and Yuko aren't that busy are they?'

I shook my head and phoned another person.

"Hello?"

"Ah…hi aunt, it's me," I spoke softly at first, because I'm usually quiet so I have to get used to my voice every time I use it.

"Oh, what a surprise that you called me, Kenero-chan!"

I blushed and lowered my head. "No aunty, it's just…"

I could hear her laughing. "You know I was just teasing so, what can I help you with?"

Shutting my eyes tightly, I mentally slapped myself for making a call without thinking what to say. "Uh…Kaoru…isn't there…right?"

"Oh Kenero, you know your uncle took your cousins mountain climbing don't you? *giggles* you really are adorable."

"I guess….sorry for the unnecessary call, I have to go now…" I murmured.

"No it's fine, I'll tell Kaoru to call you back when returns."

I smiled. "That'll be nice, thanks."

After saying goodbye to each other I hung up. I sighed, the anxiousness still swirling in me like some sort of anger that needs to be released when either Yuko or Kaoru is pissed.

I've had these kinds of uneasiness before but this time it's different; it's not like the time when Blossom fell down the stair being pushed by some jerk who has nothing to do, or the time when Miyako got burnt when she spilled boiling oil onto her arm when she was in a hurry to catch a falling plate. I just get these feelings when one of my friends are hurt, but this time….I just couldn't describe it.

I sighed once again as I stood up and started pacing. I'm always the one on the edge, always the one who worries about unnecessary stuffs, always the one standing behind the group to make sure no one is gonna hurt them but I'm sure they're fine.

I stopped pacing and this time literally slapped myself, cutting off my train of ridiculous thoughts.

I am supposed to be here to relax my mind – well, that's what Belle said – and not to get more crazy thoughts than the amount I usually have.

I inhaled a deep breath before slowly letting it out, clearing my mind just as Emi ran up to me.

"Sorry for taking so long, my gran was blabbing about being safe that sort of stuff," she said with a laugh while fastening her helmet. "As if I'm some sort of 2-year-old. Alright, ready to go?"

I nodded.

She led me to the barn and opened the big wooden doors. The smell of dry hay immediately filled the air as I entered. A small blue-and-white plane stood in the centre of the barn.

"Well, there she is," Emi came and stood beside me, "My very own plane, not big but still my precious. Named her myself, called Guardian Of The Wind; planned the name ever since I was small."

She walked over to Guardian Of The Wind and patted her side. "Being the best grandparent in the world my gramps cleaned her before we came; I actually feel guilty for letting him do cleaning work at his age." She pulled open the door as some fold-up stairs slide out. "Well, he insists us to have some fun and be back by dinnertime."

…After an hour…

My palms were pressed against the window as we flew across the open fields of green grass, heading towards the mountains.

"How's the view?" Emi called from the pilot's seat, turning slightly so that she could see me in the back seat.

I didn't reply either because I was speechless or because of my usual quiet self, but I answered with a small smile, signalling that I was enjoying the ride.

She returned the smile and turned back to face the front.

I continued to stare out the window as we were right above a wide range of mountains. I pulled out my phone to take pictures for my friends to see.

I sat back in my seat and closed my eyes, relaxing. Everything was peaceful and I'm starting to doze off when I violent rock woke me.

My eyes shot open and there was a semi-loud blasting sound. I looked out the window and my eyes widened, one of the wing was on fire.

"Emi!" I gasped.

"Oh my god!" Emi cried when she saw the flame-lit wing. "How did that happen?!"

She was panicking while trying to think of a plan to put out the fire and flying the plane at the same time. "Kenero, I think there should be some parachute at the back, I don't know where it is but I'm sure there is, quickly look for them."

I immediately found it in the trapdoor in the floor at the back but there is just one problem: there is only one parachute.

I clutched the parachute in my hands. However much I'm scared of crashing with the plane, Emi would be the much better choice to be saved, since she still has a family…unlike me.

I shook my head. 'I still have aunt, uncle and Kaoru them…but…'

I looked over at Emi who looked terrified, her hands were clearly shaking even its rested on the turning wheel. There was a burst again, I looked out the window and saw the fire was getting worst, the plane was even tilting a bit to the side.

I bit my bottom lip hard and hugged the parachute to my chest, I was terrified myself. 'I never wanted to be a hero but…'

I stood up and took a deep breath. "Emi! I found the parachutes!" I yelled and rushed to her.

She switched the plane to auto-mode and turned to me with a smile. "Thank goodness."

I handed her the parachute and pushed her towards the door. "I'll quickly get mine," I said turning back to the trapdoor and pretended getting another parachute.

Out of the corner of my eye I watched as Emi fastened the parachute to her back and opened the door, wind burst in blowing my hair up and down.

"Quick Kenero!" Emi urged.

I stood up and faced her, she stared at me with confusion.

"Kenero, why aren't you tying on your parachute? Do you need help, I can–" she was about to step forward but I held up my hand to stop her.

"There's only one," I whispered.

Emi frowned. "What? Only one…parachute?"

With trembling legs I ran forward and pushed her out the door. As if that was the signal the plane rocked and tilted forward, I lost my balance and fell, rolling till I hit one of the seats.

I could see the land out the front window at this degree, the plane was heading towards one of the mountain in a beeline.

I tried to get back onto my feet but failed when there was another rock.

I could feel the gravity change, like as if the normal time motion is turning into fast-forward mode.

I watched as the ground neared within seconds and I was flung into the air, I shut my eyes as I was hit against everything, pain surging through my body and I didn't even have the chance to open my eyes before I lost consciousness and sunk into dark numbness.

…Somewhere in an indescribable place…

Someone's POV:

I watched…

I watched everything that happened…

I watched, not missing one little event…

I watched as all the death happened…

I watched as the six friends, all dying in accidents…

I watched as each girl save a life even though they too fear what'll happen after…

I watched, everything happened on the same day…

Yes, I watched…

But…

I do not interfere…

I do not interfere with the things happening.

Even if it pains me to see these beautiful girls die, even if they are my own creations.

Because if I do it'll just turn into unfairness, it'll just show I have favourites.

Everything, everyone is important to me; but because I don't have favourites…I cannot interfere.

But…Just because I don't interfere with the real world doesn't mean I don't give second chances. And even if I do give second chances doesn't mean everyone can get this second chance.

But…

What I saw today proves that they deserve this second chance; they each sacrificed themselves for another person.

"Angel."

In a flash, a young girl bowed down in front of me. "Yes The Lord, word your order and I shall complete it."

"New angels have been selected, go and guide them here."

"Yes The Lord."

"Their new name will be Blossom, Bubbles, Buttercup, Brianna and Blackrose; Belle is a fine enough name for an angel."

Pale yellow wings unfolded from Angel's back as she bowed deeper. "As you wish, The Lord."

A portal appeared above her, and with one flap of her wings, she disappeared into the portal.

Please review and tell me your thoughts

~Blackrose in the Moonlight

My other stories:

'Secret Around the Corner'

'The Living Ghost'

'Two Masked Life'

'The Green Winged Angel' (Buttercup one-shot)

'Not a Devil but a Girl' (Bubbles one-shot)