How to: Angels

"Mika probably doesn't remember it, since she was pretty young when it happened, but the shinigami and the angels had been in a war for thousands, and I mean thousands, of years. It was a terrible war, let me tell you. I saw the type of things that make you the soul eating person you are today. But Mika's mother, Tseyka Miyoko, is the leader of the Angel Army, or AA. No reason as to why it's in English except for the fact that it sounds better. Anyway, the war has died down now, but with this Kira lurking around, things are still pretty bad. They say you can only kill a shinigami by making them fall in love, and that's true, but what they don't tell you is that many shinigami actually fell in love with angels. So when the time came for battle, when they saw their loved ones, they couldn't help but kill themselves. Angels can really put the heartthrob on you. It was all a deception on their part; angels can't love."

L looked down at the girl next to him. She looked up at L and merely gave her usual soft smile.

"They can't love?" he asked quietly. Light had been transferred to the bedroom where he lay passed out on the bed.

"Nope," Cody shook his head, "But I bet, being with her for a few days, you've already fallen for her, huh?"

L's head shot up so that his eyes met Cody's.

"What?" he asked, surprised to say the least, and slightly flustered, "I-I don't…like Mika in that way. I admit, I have taken a somewhat liking to her, but I—I've never—I mean…"

Cody gave a soft chuckle and licked the remaining ice cream off his mouth, "Yep. Sure, buddy. Whatever you say." L narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the reaper. A minute ago he had been having a normal fight with Light. Now he was talking face to face with a reaper; someone from the world of the dead.

"I wouldn't be surprised if you fell in love with her," Cody shrugged, motioning to Mika who at the moment was studying her toes in interest, "I mean, look at her. What guy wouldn't want her? She's beautiful, she's obedient, and she can pretty much do anything you ask." Cody smirked again, "Anything. I'm actually surprised you didn't take advantage of her."

L suddenly grimaced sat up more, "Why would I want to do such a horrible thing? She's only twelve years old!"

"Ooh, tough crowd," Cody winced, stretching the collar of his cloak, "First off, yes, I'm surprised, but I wouldn't appreciate you fooling around with the angel I've been assigned to protect. I mean, she's an angel for god's sake; they're all about purity. Second, Mika ain't no twelve year old. She's one hundred and sixty two years old." L nearly fell off his seat at that point, his eyes wide.

"O-one hundred and s-sixty!?" he gasped the words, "H-how can that be!? She looks so…so…"

"Hundred and sixty two," Cody corrected, "Dude, she's an angel," he leaned forward and drew out the words, "I really don't think you're getting this. The average angel lifespan is around a thousand years. Sure, Mika's young, but she ain't no twelve year old; even in your years. In human years, I'd say she's…well, a teenager. Maybe fifteen. Yeah, that sounds right."

"…W-well, I guess so," L leaned back, "I mean, I did notice she was…um….somewhat…developed."

"Hey! You said you didn't fool around with her!" Cody accused, pointing a finger.

"I did not have sexual relations with Mika," L droned through half-closed eye lids, "I merely gave her new clothes to wear, so I had to take them off, as you would imagine." Cody narrowed his eyes at the detective.

"Well, okay," he said slowly, "I was wondering why she was wearing that dress. But just because Mika's looks like some twelve year old with the body of a fifteen year old girl doesn't mean you that you can forget about her being an angel. I'm sure you've noticed the ears."

"Obviously," L droned, "Why is that?"

"Well, did you really think all angels looked like humans?" Cody asked, "Animals were here first; why do you think the pagans worshiped half-animal half-human gods? So, most angels have animal like features. They're not just genetic, by the way. An angel's ears can be used as a sort of homing device. You can speak to them mentally. That night you mention, when her eyes were white and she was unresponsive; that was me trying to contact her to get her back. I know they look a little odd to you humans. You just happened to land an angel from the Lupus clan."

"Lupus as in wolf," L nodded, while Cody rolled his eyes with a "duh", "So I would assume that all angels speak Latin," L suddenly said.

"Precisely," Cody nodded, "But angels can speak all languages known to man. See, I was worried, because when an angel has a serious injury, some of their memory can be wiped out. That's why I was freaked out when she was talking all broken Japanese. You have to be careful with angels. Oh, this one time, back at home, she must have been only about sixty years old at the time, she was running around the kitchen, and ran right into a wall, and she could only speak Spanish for a week. Ha, her mother was so angry at me."

"…Home?" L questioned after the reaper finished laughing. Cody looked at him in question.

"Uh…Heaven?"

L began to calculate percentages in his head. Heaven was real? If so, this death realm, or Hell, was real was well. Was religion actually overpowering science?

Maybe this is just some nightmare.

L slumped down the couch, exhaling softly.

"So Heaven and Hell are real?" he asked softly. Cody sighed as well.

"Look, human," he said deliberately, "I know this may sound crazy, since it's going against what they teach you back on the farm, but it's all real. I'm here to tell you that there is a Heaven and Hell, and they're not that different to the world that you live in. There's buildings in Heaven, I'll give you that."

L nodded, comprehending everything.
"About the language thing," L continued heavily, "Will she…ever learn it again?"

"Hmm," Cody tapped his chin with a clawed finger. He seemed to be thinking deeply.

"Well, it should. I'm sure you've noticed that she's remembering words you never taught her. You're a real sport trying to teach her Japanese, by the way. She'll probably just regain her memories, but it'll take a while. I could try to restore the memories back into her mind, but that would be a big strain on her, and I don't wanna take that risk, being that her mother is already giving me hell for losing her."

L nodded, when a thought struck his mind.

What was she doing out there on that stormy night, anyway?

"…Cody," L asked suddenly, folding his hands in front of his face, "…Why did you send Mika to earth?"

Cody suddenly closed his mouth quickly. His eyes narrowed a bit, the beady black pools staring back at L's soot black eyes. He was quiet for a while, glancing over at Mika, who was now looking at him with her blue eyes.

"…Sorry," Cody suddenly said, a hint of stubbornness in his voice, "But that's classified. I'm not at liberty to tell you anything that goes on in the AA."

The detective was taken back slightly. He was, after all, the world's best detective, and yet some weasel-like creature was telling him that the information was "classified". It wasn't just his job to know anymore; he wanted to know. He wanted to know why he sent this girl out in a storm so that she could fall on his roof and end up with a concussion. He wanted to know why she was here, with him. He was almost angry at the reaper and wanted to shout at him.

But he didn't. He merely nodded.

"Anyway," Cody softened a bit and turned to Mika, "Mika seems alright. I'm not going to mention the whole memory loss to her mother, but as for everything I just told you," he suddenly turned to L, narrowing his eyes again, "You mustn't tell anybody that she's an angel. Mika's smart enough not to reveal her own identity, but I know you humans aren't always the brightest things. So, you must keep the fact that she's an angel under wraps, got it?"
That'll be a stretch, L thought.

"So," Cody finished loudly, "Listen, I'm not exactly in the best condition to just haul Mika off to heaven, so she can stay here for a while. She seems to like you guy." He suddenly hopped off the couch and trudged across the living room floor with his black cloak trailing, "But, I don't exactly trust you guys, so I'm gonna stay here to make sure you don't kill her or anything."

Look who's talking.

"You're—just going to move in?" L asked. This did not seem like a good idea.

"Yeah, why not?" Cody grinned, "This place is huge. Don't worry, I'll keep myself hidden from the other peeps livin' here. Only you and that pansy need to know about me."

Pansy? What the…oh, yes, Light. I nearly forgot about him.

"Plus…she seems happy."

L turned to Cody, "Excuse me?"

Cody nodded to Mika.

"She looks happy," Cody said again, his voice oddly quiet, "I thinks she likes it here. If Mika likes it here, so do I."

L sighed and bit a thumb between his teeth.

"Cody has a sixty-two percent chance of getting found out by the rest of the occupants here. If he stays in this room alone, he will have a thirty-seven percent chance."

"Cool," Cody said. L slowly got up and rubbed his aching back.

"Well, so bet it," he sighed, slouching into the bedroom where Light still lay unconscious, "You will share that room with Mika. Please keep yourself hidden and we will have no problems."

"Hey, La-I mean, Ryuzaki," the demon called out. As L began to exit the room, he turned around to watch the creature stride up to him.

"Listen," he said quietly, leaning up slightly to talk into L's ear, "I'm letting Mika stay here because she seems to like you guys. But no matter what," Cody stressed these words, "Don't fall in love with her. She'll only break your heart."

The man drew back slightly, looking at the reaper in question.

"W-what?" he asked, confused.

"Listen to me, I know how it is with you humans," Cody continued in a quiet voice, "But no matter how cute she is, or no matter how happy she makes you, don't fall in love with her. She will never be able to love you back."

L didn't know what to say. Him? In love? With Mika, of all people. It was ludicrious. How could he even fall in love with Mika?

Right now, he just wanted to sleep.

"I'll remember that," L said, before trudging into the bedroom where a sleeping Light awaited him.

Cody watched as L shut the door. He sighed to himself and walked over to the couch where Mika was. The angel suddenly jumped off the couch and wrapped her arms around the short demon..

"Mika missed Cody," she smiled into his cloak, "I'm sorry I didn't come back, but…I…" Mika stared down at her well known friend and stuck her tongue out, scratching her ear, "I guess I sort of liked it here."

Cody was silent for a while. He stared up at those blue eyes before patting her head with a clawed paw.

"I know," he said, trying to smile, "I can tell."

"Mmm…Ryuzaki, what's going on?" Light grumble and lifted his heavy head, rubbing his eyes, "Is that…that thing still here?"

"Yes," L mumbled, collapsing on the bed, hoping to sleep for at least five minuets. Light groaned and held his head.

"So…Mika's an angel," he said quietly. He looked over at L for confirmation. He nodded, his eyes closed.

"Well…what should we do?" Light asked softly. L looked at his partner.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean…should we…keep her? Or…send her back?"

"Keep her," L said without missing a beat. Light looked surprised.

"B-but…that thing said he was her guardian," he protested weakly, "And he said she has a mother that's looking for her. What should we do?"

"The short-thing clearly explained that he wishes for Mika to stay here for a while," L explained, turning over on he bed to face the other side, "He said he would notify her mother of her safety, but that she would remain here." Light was quiet for a while, then sighed deeply.

"Well, it won't be so bad," he muttered, closing his eyes. L nodded to himself and closed his eyes as well.

It won't be so bad. She can stay if she wants to.

"...Wait…," Light sat up and turned to L, "Is that…thing still here?"

"Yes, that thing will be staying here as well."

"Damn you, Ryuzaki!" Light took a pillow and flung it at L's head, but the detective was already sound asleep.

"Mika…Mika, are you listening to me?"

The silver haired girl made a soft noise of affirmation as she continued to stare out the window. She had never seen the city lights before from an apartment window, and she was awed by the bright lights and towering buildings. The sun had set and it was close to mid night.

The small reaper sat on the bed behind her, waiting for her reply. After a while, he gave up.

"Fine, don't say anything, just listen to what I'm saying," Cody said in a somewhat irritated tone as he turned to face her, "You do realize the risk you're taking staying with humans, right?"

Mika was still quiet as she rested her head in her hand, her angel blue eyes still fixated outside. From previous experience, Cody knew that Mika was a respectful and polite child; always obeying the orders of adults. But when Cody came into the scene, Mika treated him like a school friend, namely someone that could be ignored at will.

"I know," Mika said after a while, turning in her chair by the window so that she faced her long-time guardian, "But mother doesn't know I'm here, and the humans are watching over me. Why does Cody care so much?" She smiled when Cody glared daggers at her.

"You know it's my job to protect you," Cody muttered, getting up off his spot at the edge of the mattress and circling a few times on the covers to get comfortable, "I was given that job months before you were born, did you know that? I was told I was to watch over the heir to the Angel Army. So, I have that job to do," he finally settled down on the mattress and thumped his tail a few times, "Not to mention, I have to reap souls too."

Mika gave a slight smile as she pulled her knees up to her chest, leaning back on the chair, "Plus, I like these humans." Cody was about to lower his head to drift into a soft slumber before she heard these words. He looked up to see Mika's head rested on her knees, her eyes soft and have closed. He had never seen such an expression on her before.

"They're…different," Mika continued into her knees.

"They're…stupid," Cody retorted, "C'mon, humans can't be that interesting. Did you see that Lawliet character? He's probably a crack-addict! He looks like he hasn't slept in years. Plus, he eats nothing but candy."

"But I like them, Cody," Mika lifted her head and faced Cody, "Mika has never met humans. They took me in from the rain and gave me a place to sleep. I—trust them.

"Mika, don't be stupid," Cody almost spat, thumping his tail once more, "How can you trust a human, let alone two men? Hasn't Tseyka taught you everything?"

"Mother taught Mika that angels should always see the truth," Mika's insisting tone came back as she leaned her head back in exasperation to stare at the ceiling, "And I can see that Lawliet and Light will protect me with their life."

Cody had no idea where Mika got this strange idea, but he wasn't there three days earlier when Mika had first met L and Light.

"Mika…," Cody looked at her, "Did you…really forget why you came here?"

Mika looked at Cody for a while before shaking her head so that her bangs fell into her eyes.

"No," she said sadly, "Mika can't remember the mission assignment." Cody let out a deep sigh.

"Well, I suppose you'll remember sooner or later. No point in telling you; this place is probably bugged anyway." Cody closed his eyes. "Just be on your guard with these humans. I don't trust them. I think they have something to do with Kira."

Mika shook her head at this.

"Lawliet—I mean—Ryuzaki, said he would protect Mika," Mika said, walking over to her bed and lying down next to Cody, who grumbled and moved himself to the foot of the bed, "I've never heard someone say that to me. I…like it. I like Light. I like Ryuzaki."

"Why do you call him hat?" Cody looked at her. Mika cocked her head.

"Mm, I guess it's because I heard everyone else calling him that. But I could see his name was Lawliet."

"Well, at least your eye sight wasn't messed up," Cody muttered. He looked at the smile Mika had on and knew what was going on: Mika was breaking the first rule that Tseyka had taught her.

Still, he hadn't seen her happy like this in a while.

Before he left to go sleep on one of the arm chairs in the room, he grumbled, "Just don't do anything stupid Mika." Mika flipped onto her stomach and laughed.

"No, that's Cody's job," she laughed, Cody glaring at her, but felt himself smirk. Between the teenager, the insomniac and the naïve angel, he could get used to living with them. Mika had the same thoughts as she closed her blue eyes and murmured, "I like them."

Spookthemook says: I just finished Absolute Boyfriend a couple of days ago. I loved it so much; there are not that many manga that pertain only to girls. I also started re-reading Ai Yori Aoshi; one of the first manga I picked up. I'm such a sap for romance manga!