Moonlight Demon
Chapter Five, How to Make a Promise
"You haven't told her yet, have you?"
"Tell her tomorrow. 'Cause if you don't, I will."
Misha's eyes fluttered open.
She'd known for a while that Kotarou and Koboshi were dating. Takashi had briefly mentioned it in one of his letters. The initial shock of it had caused her to shut down for a few days; she had stopped speaking and eating altogether. Eventually she had convinced herself to be happy for them, for Kotarou.
If he was happy, then she had no right not to be happy for him.
"Mmn… Miisha-chaaaan…" Aya mumbled in her sleep. She snuggled up to her, pressing her face to her chest. "I want more cake. Nyaaah."
She sighed softly. It wasn't unusual for the aqua-haired girl to snuggle up to her while they slept. She did it all the time.
But it was too much this morning. She needed space. She glanced over at the still-dark window. She needed to get some fresh air.
She sat up slowly, trying not to wake Aya in the process.
The girl gave a quiet, annoyed groan.
"I'm sorry, Aya-chan. Su," she whispered and gave the girl a light pat on the shoulder. "Sleep well."
She hopped to her feet and left the room.
Even this early in the morning, the kitchen was busy. From the hallway she could hear the quiet clang of dishes as they were brought down from the cabinets. The murmur of wo voices gently mingled together and echoed off the walls. They were laughing.
It was Shia and Mango.
Misha stopped just short of turning the corner and listened to them.
They reminded her so much of the time that she spent with Kotarou and Shia. Even though she wasn't any good at it, she would try to help out. Immediately she would break something, and Kotarou would become aggravated. He'd tell her to sit at the table and watch them. He always told her not to touch anything else.
And she would do as she was told. She sat there, fidgeting and staring at their backs. They would talk and laugh to themselves. They looked so happy, so comfortable with one another. It was a world she couldn't enter. For a moment she would feel jealous; she wanted to stand up and push herself between them. But she didn't, and the feeling would slowly pass.
After all, one day he would remember everything. Then she would be the only one he looked at.
"Good morning! Su!" Misha sang as she came out of the hallway. "Mango-chan! Su! Shia-san! Su!"
"Ah, Misha-san, good morning!" Shia replied. She turned around to greet her.
"Hey, Luna." Mango waved to her without turning around.
Misha smiled slightly. Mango always took her cooking and baking seriously. Even Aya had trouble getting her attention to shift in the least.
"You're up early," Shia commented.
"Y-Yeah. Su," she agreed. "Couldn't really sleep. Su."
"Oh, that's too bad." She looked troubled.
"Heheh, it's okay! Su!" she declared. She pumped her fists into the air as if that action alone would prove it.
Mango glanced back curiously then.
"You should go back to sleep," she said softly, then returned to her task at hand.
Misha fell silent and looked away. I just wanted some fresh air…
She looked back at her then, and smiled. "I should've known. I'll go with you, if Shia-san doesn't mind."
"Ah." Shia looked confused for a moment. But the usual, pleasant smile quickly washed over her features and she nodded. "That's fine."
Mango placed the knife down and motioned for Misha to follow her onto the veranda.
"We haven't gotten much of a chance to speak this last week, have we?" the fallen angel commented after she slid the veranda door shut.
"N-No. Su," Misha agreed.
Mango stretched her arms over her head and made a small grunting noise. She walked over to the railing and leaned on it, her gaze off to the distant horizon. Misha joined her without saying anything.
They stood like that for several minutes, neither saying a word to the other. Misha was at a loss for words. Mango had obviously wanted to talk to her about something, but she had never been one to rush a conversation. She always took the time to think about what she was going to say.
It was sort of annoying.
"Misha," she started, saying the name slowly as if she were still thinking. She fell silent again.
Misha glanced over to her. "Ah, um… Y-Yes, Mango-chan? Su?"
She was silent a moment longer before responding. "Are you happy to be back here?"
"Eh?" Misha blinked. "What kind of question is that, Mango-chan? Su? Of course I am. Su."
She laughed softly. What was Mango thinking? Sure she was nervous, and a little scared, but she was really happy. This was exactly what she had been working towards over the past three years. From the moment that Aizou had approached her, she had been thinking about this.
"Why do you ask? Su?"
"You don't seem very happy lately," she replied.
It was Misha's turn to be silent for a moment.
"W-Well… things have been difficult with Kotarou-kun. Su," she explained. "We haven't really gotten a chance to speak yet. Su. Even though I came to see him and Takashi-kun yesterday, he didn't really speak to me. Su. I think… he's probably really angry with me. Su."
She lowered her gaze to the railing.
"The entire time, all I could think of what 'this is my Kotaroh-kun'. Su. When I was alone, I'd think of all the time I spent with Kotaroh-kun. I'd remember the way he smiled when we were together, and then I'd be with Kotarou-kun, and he never smiled at me like that. And the way he spoke to me, he was always so kind. Kotarou-kun was never like that."
"Did you always compare them like that?"
Misha nodded. "I never said it, but… I thought about it a lot. Su. I always wondered if and when Kotarou-kun would start remembering me. Su. But… after he did remember it all, he was really, really angry. Su." She glanced over at her friend, who was still staring off at the horizon. She sighed. "At first I didn't get it. Why was he mad at me? Su. I couldn't make any sense of it. Su.
"I realized it a few days later. Kotaroh-kun and Kotarou-kun are two different people. The spirit is the same, but… they really aren't the same person. If I'd realized that sooner, then maybe I wouldn't have hurt Kotarou-kun like that. Suu."
"If you forget all of that, what kind of relationship would you have with Kotarou now?" she asked.
Misha fell silent again, and resumed staring at the railing. "If I forgot about everything that happened to Kotaroh-kun… there wouldn't be one. Su."
Mango nearly face vaulted.
She stood up, sighed, then scratched her head. "You're an impossible girl, Misha."
"Eh? Suu?"
She sighed again, then placed her hands on her hips.
"You're cannot say that without Kotaroh, your relationship with his reincarnation is nonexistent," she chided. "You cannot. It does exist, Misha. Yes, you met him because of the past, but you've really got to start leaving the past where it belongs."
"I know! Su!" Misha snapped back. "I know what you're saying! Su! But… Always… Every time I look at him, I can't help myself. I see Kotaroh-kun in him, and I just want to cry. Su."
Mango stepped closer. She gently pat Misha's head.
"You don't look very cute when you're crying, you know," she commented.
"You're mean. Su," she laughed softly.
The older woman mess her hair up.
"But we already knew that." She smiled. "And, I should get back inside. I'd feel bad if I made Shia-san make all of our food for us."
"O-Okay," Misha replied as Mango walked by her.
Mango stopped at the veranda's door and looked back. "These people are your friends, right? Stop being so formal with them. Even they think it's weird."
-----
"Alright!" Misha declared, pumping a fist into the air. "It's time to see Misha get serious! Su!"
Her demonic cycle had ended several days ago. She had made a promise to herself within the first month after the ritual; every time her angelic cycle began, she would not hesitate to use it to help as many people as possible. She had stopped being a pure angels decades ago and that hadn't stopped her from trying to help people. Becoming a half demon would not stop her, either.
And the park, she found, was the best place to do it.
"Misha-chan, people are staring. Nya," Aya commented.
She laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her head.. "Sorry, Aya-chan, Shia-san. I'm just a little excited. Su."
She glanced over at Shia and Aya, who were sitting on the park bench next to her.
"Stop being so formal. It's weird." Mango's words echoed in her mind.
Shia's expression remained pleasant and smiling. There was nothing to indicate that she was bothered by how formal she was being. Shia had always been like that, though. She was always calm, patient, and understanding. If she was ever uncomfortable or sad, she never showed it.
For now, she would have to trust Mango about this.
"Shia-chan, do you have work today?" she chirped.
Shia's eyes widened slightly for a moment, but she quickly recovered with a gentle smile.
"N-No I don't, Misha-san," she replied.
Misha stared at her for a moment longer, unsure of how to take her initial response. It didn't seem like a bad one. In fact, she looked a little happy about it.
Maybe Mango-chan was right…
"Misha-chan, it's bright out here," Aya complained.
"Ah… y-yeah. Su," she laughed softly. "Okay! Let's do this!"
It had taken a lot of training from Mango before she had been able to properly control her angelic energy and use it on humans. Every cycle Mango would take her to the park and teach her a little more about the way an angel was supposed to do their job. They practiced how it was summoned from deep within her, and the best way to pass it on.
Misha walked away from the park bench and into the crowd. The more she had practiced, the easier it had become to call forth that energy and pass it on.
All it took now was a thought and to brush against someone. She examined the faces of the humans that she passed, looking for any that seemed to need a pick-me-up. It was always difficult for her t find the humans that actually needed her help. There were so many around her, and she had never really been aware of the needs of others before. Unlike Kotaroh who openly expressed his emotions, most of these people didn't show how they were feeling. They all wore the same emotionless masks on their face.
"Koshou-chan!" a young girl's cry broke out over the crowd. "Koshou-chan! Come back down!"
Misha pushed through the people in the direction of the voice. The girl's voice was high pitched and panicked. She sounded like someone that needed help.
"Koshou-chan!"
Misha broke through the crowd finally and found herself standing in front of the crying girl. She was staring up a tree, her arms raised, as she continued to call out for "Koshou-chan."
She followed the girl's gaze up the tree and stared for a moment. At first she couldn't see it, but then it moved: a small black and white kitten. Misha cracked a smile as she realized why the girl had given the cat such a name. Kids were really simple minded.
"Is that your kitty?" she asked the girl. She knelt down so that they were at eye level.
Sniffling, the girl looked to her and nodded. "Uh-Uh huh."
Misha was quiet for a moment. If there hadn't been so many people around she would have flown up to get the cat. However, she was very visible to humans, and doing such a thing would only attract unwanted attention to her. At least if it was only the girl, her parents might contribute the story to her young, over active imagination.
She sighed and glanced around. No one was really paying attention to them. It would be simple to use a bit of her angelic powers to help get her up the tree faster.
"Alright then," she said. She stood up. "I'll get your kitty back."
"R-Really?" the girl gasped.
She walked up to the tree, and looked up again. Koshou was still on the same branch, staring back down at her curiously.
Even the lowest branch was out of reach, but that wasn't really a problem for her. She glanced around one last time before she jumped up. Her body filled with a familiar warmth, and she pushed it below her, lifting herself high enough that her feet would land on the branch. She then reached for the next sturdy branch and pulled herself up as if she weighed nothing. She continued quickly up the tree until she was on the same branch as the kitten.
The branch bent and moaned under her weight. She stopped for a moment, and took hold of a higher branch to lessen the strain. Koshou hissed loudly and inched back. Misha raised off of the branch, and it moved again, earning another hiss from the kitten. It's ears laid back against it's head.
"Koshou-chan," she sang softly, reaching out to pet the kitten. "Here kitty-kitty."
It hissed at her yet again.
"Now now, Kitty," she said.
She continued to hold her hand out towards the kitten, releasing a bit of her energy. Animals were just as susceptible to angelic energy as humans were. If she released just the right amount of energy she was certain that she could get the kitten to relax.
It took a few moments, but the kitten reacted to her. It's body relaxed and its ears perked up. Misha smiled and reached out a little further to pet it.
"Good kitty. Su," she cooed.
"O-Oneesan!" the girl called up to her. "Are you okay, Oneesan?"
Koshou mewed quietly and tilted its head into her hand. She smiled as it began purring. She lowered herself down to one of the branches below, and hovered just above it to keep it from snapping. The less attention she drew to herself, the better.
She picked Koshou up and cradled it in her arms.
"I'm fine! Su!" she called back.
Something black flashed in front of her face suddenly and was followed by a venomous hiss. Misha screamed. She stumbled back, but there was nothing to step on and she dropped out of the tree.
Her fall stopped with a jolt, but she felt no pain.
"Oneesan!" the girl cried as she ran up to them. "Th-That was so amazing, Oneesan!"
"Eh?" Misha's eyes snapped open. She stared at the girl. "Wh-What is?"
"You, Oneesan!" the girl exclaimed, pointing at her.
Misha blinked, confused for a moment. She glanced at the ground and realized what the girl was talking about: she was floating above the ground. Misha laughed softly as she lowered herself to the ground.
"Koshou-chan!" the girl exclaimed, seeming to have forgotten the "amazing" thing she had just seen. She reached for her kitten, and Misha gladly gave it to her.
You got lucky, idiot angel, Klaus growled at her.
Misha laughed softly. She turned around to face the small black cat.
"Thank you very much!" the girl exclaimed, hugging the kitten tightly to her chest. Laughing, she ran off.
"You're welcome. Su," Misha replied, not looking at her.
Misha stood up and dusted herself off. She could feel the weight of Klaus' feline eyes on her.
"You're not gonna make today easy for me, are you? Su?" she sighed. She smiled anyways. "How mean, Nya-chan."
That's not my name!!
-----
They must be aware of it, Klaus mentally sighed.
His eyes darted to the pink-haired menace that was sitting across the living room table from him, and he glared at her.
Though he had chosen to live in the human realm with Shia, he remained fully aware of Hell's affairs. The Council had given him the permission he needed to stay by Shia's side, though there were several conditions attached to it. The first was that he had to be ready to called to battle at any given moment - the Council was clear that there was no exception to that; and, the second was that he had to give weekly reports of the activities of both angels and demons in his area.
The latter request was bothersome, but he did not openly complain about it. If he showed an displeasure to the Council, they would station him elsewhere - most likely back in Hell. And if that happened, there would be no one to protect Shia in case of an emergency.
His situation had become very convenient, however.
Aizou and her band of misfits were now living with him. She was the demon of interest, though - the woman that had betrayed Hell. She had been a powerful demon of her time, and even as a half demon she retained a great deal of that power. It had been a great asset while she served Hell. Now that she was a traitor that power was only a threat.
Eventually she would be dealt with.
Why did she pick up the failure angel, though? he wondered as he continued to glare at Misha.
There was nothing special about the pink-haired angel that he could think of. Until recently Aizou had only gathered together powerful half demons - and one fallen angel - to her group. Each member of the group possessed a power that was unique to them. As far as he could tell Misha possessed no such ability.
She was a regular angel, and a weak one at that.
"Nya-chan, you've been staring at me for a while. Su," Misha giggled. "Is there something on my face? Su?"
Klaus growled. She was so bubbly and "happy" all of the time. It was sickening. The fact that she was an angel was more than enough of a reason to hate her - her personality simply closed the deal.
Aizou had told her, hadn't she? The night before Misha had mentioned something about protecting Shia. She must have known something about the upcoming war. The question was, how much did she know about it? How much did Aizou know, and how much of that information had she passed on to the others. And, more importantly, just what did they intend to do about it?
"Misha-san," Shia called out to her softly.
Instinctively, his head snapped in the brunette's direction at the sound of her voice.
"I was going to head over to Kotarou-san's to make dinner now," she said. "Would you like to come with me?"
His gaze returned to the pink-haired angel. She nodded, and smiled warmly.
"O-Okay, Shia-chan! Su!"
She jumped up and ran over to Shia.
Klaus sighed.
"Klaus-san," Shia said softly.
"…yes?"
"Please take care. I'll be home in a few hours."
He turned to watch her leave.
How much longer would it be until that thing that the Council was searching for was found?
After it was, the Human Realm would undoubtedly become a battlefield. Demons could not step into Heaven and angels could not step into Hell, it would be their death. Humans would be caught in the middle, unaware of the events taking place around them. He didn't mind sacrificing a few humans, however…
"It's good that you care about her," Misha's voice echoed in his mind. "You'll always keep her safe, then."
If It came down to it, he wouldn't be able to leave her when the war began.
-----
Kotarou yawned. He had stayed at the library to study for nearly four hours after his study session with Takashi had ended. He wasn't nearly as smart as Takashi was. He needed to put in the extra effort, especially so close to exam time.
Or so he'd told himself.
He sighed heavily as he reached the last stair to his apartment's floor.
It was coming. He'd known from the first moment he saw Misha that this was coming. Despite the fact that he constantly reasoned with himself that he didn't need Misha anymore because he was with Koboshi, he didn't want Misha to know that. Even though all of her attention was given to Takashi, he wanted her to be able to look at him and, even if it was just a fleeting thought, think that he was still there.
He sighed. He really was an idiot. A selfish idiot.
He stopped at his door, and glanced at Shia's. Misha was once again living there, next door to him. He could knock on the door now and there she would be, smiling and carefree. She'd say hi, and offer to let him come in - she'd probably grab him by the wrist and drag him in. He'd stumble, or maybe even trip. But she would catch him before he fell, and laugh.
Ugh… Stop it, he mentally berated himself. Just go tell her and have it over with.
He took a deep breath and made his way to the next door.
He raised his hand to knock on it, then hesitated. What was he going to say to her? He could just blurt it out to her, but that seemed rude. Beating around the bush would just take too long and he'd lose his nerve. And how would she react to finding out? Would she be disappointed, or jealous? What would she say to him?
What did it matter?
He bowed his head. He was being stupid. He'd spent every day of the last three years longing to see his pink-haired angel once again. Even as the days turned into months, he tried to hold out the faint hope that she would one day return. He believed Shia's words - Misha wasn't dead, she would come back to him.
You really are an idiot.
He shook his head and headed for his door.
What was it that Koboshi so panicked, anyways? From the moment that she made her presence known, Misha only had eyes for Takashi. She hadn't even looked in his direction if she didn't have to. She didn't waste her breath on him. Her wasn't even "Kotarou-kun" anymore, he was "Higuchi-san, Takashi-kun's friend."
He'd been expecting it, though. The moment he discovered that the feelings Misha had been pushing onto were actually meant for "Kotaroh", he knew that she would stop caring for him.
"Welcome home," Shia's voice echoed from the kitchen, jarring him out of his thoughts.
"Ah, thank you, Shia-san," he called back as he slipped his shoes off. He then called out, "Shino-chan, I'm home."
Shino came bounding from the living room, a proud smile on her face. She was holding her math textbook.
"I finally get it!" she proudly announced.
He smiled and laughed softly. Shino's class had just started learning algebra. He had made several attempts to teach her how to understand it, but nothing ever managed to make sense to her. The poor girl had been getting so frustrated she refused to even attempt the work anymore.
"That's great, Shino-chan."
She nodded in agreement. "Yup! Misha-oneesan taught me!"
His heart stopped. Misha had? She was there?
"M-Mi… sha-san…" he mumbled, his eyes wide. "Misha-san's here?"
"Uh huh." Shino nodded.
Misha took that chance to make her appearance from the living room. She peeked her head around the corner and smiled sheepishly at him. She waved at him, then lowered her hands to her sides. She looked very uncomfortable.
His heart was pounding hard in his chest. What was she doing there? He had just managed to convince himself to put off telling her that he was dating Koboshi, and there she was.
"G-Good evening, Ko… Kotarou-kun. Su," she said softly.
His heart fluttered at her use of his name. She hadn't once called him that since her return. Not once. She had always, very purposely, kept a distance between them by being so formal. He'd found it to be so disappointing.
But now that she had used his name, he wasn't sure how to respond to her.
"I hope that you don't mind my bringing Misha-san over," Shia said as she, too, entered the front hall. "No one else is home next door. I didn't want to leave her alone."
He shook his head.
"No, it's, um… It's okay," he replied. "I, um… I needed to speak with her, anyways."
"Ah, I see." Shia smiled. "Want to help me with dinner, Shino-chan?"
"Yeah!" Shino exclaimed.
They went into the kitchen, and Kotarou watched them. He could feel Misha's eyes weighing down on him.
"L… Let's… go to my room," he suggested, blushing. "I-It'll… be more private there. We can talk."
"Okies! Su!" Misha agreed enthusiastically. She still looked nervous, and played with the fabric of her skirt as she stood there.
He began heading for his bedroom, and motioned for her to follow him. They said nothing to one another until they reached the room and he closed the door.
"Ahh. This brings back so many memories! Su!" Misha gasped as she looked around the room. She laughed softly. "I can't believe it's been so long!"
Kotarou felt his face heat up. Even though he had been the one to suggest it, it was awkward to have her alone in his room.
"Ahh!" she gasped again. This time she was looking at a picture frame.
Kotarou recognized it immediately. It was a picture of all of them taken shortly after they visited the hot springs. It was the only picture that he had that Misha was in. Misha had draped herself over his shoulders, and Koboshi was glaring at them. A small smile tugged at his lips. Back then he had been annoyed by Misha's overwhelming attention, and confused by Koboshi's hostility towards her.
"Kotarou-kun, what's on your mind? Su?"
He blinked, then stared at her. She had become very calm since back then. She didn't raise her voice, or jump around, or even attach herself to him. It was very different from the 'Misha' that he was used to being near.
"Kotarou-kun? Su?" She took a step towards him. She tilted her head to the side curiously. "Hey… does it bother you when I call you that?"
"Koboshi… probably wouldn't like it," he replied. His gaze fell to the carpet. They were alone now. He had to tell her.
"Misha-san!" he exclaimed. "Koboshi and I are-"
"I already know, Kotarou-kun," she cut him off. She smiled brightly.
He fell silent. How could she already know…?
As if she read his mind, she continued on,
"Takashi-kun… in a letter… He told me when it happened."
"Of course," he grumbled. "That makes perfect sense."
He couldn't stop the jealousy that rose deep within him. She and Takashi had been secretly corresponding with one another. What had happened between them on that last day that they would do such a thing?
"Kotarou-kun," she called out to him, jarring him out of his thoughts. "I… Kotarou-kun, I decided that, more than anything else, I want to be able to do something for you. Su. Even though I messed up a lot back then, I won't let it stop me. Su. I will make you happy! Su!"
She came up and hugged him suddenly. One arm wrapped around his waist, the other wrapped around his shoulders. He gasped softly, a light flush colouring his cheeks.
"Mi-Misha-san…"
"I just wanted to hold you one last time," she whispered into his ear.
He closed his eyes and rested his cheek against her shoulder. His arms instinctively slid around her waist, and he held her tightly.
Just this last time, he told himself.
"Even though I'm really stupid, I'll do it. Su," she whispered. "I promise you I will. Su."
-----
There was blood seeping out of his mouth. One arm was bent oddly. The water around him was stained red with his blood. There was so much red water… there must have been another place that the blood was escaping from his body.
It must have hurt so much.
But he was smiling. He looked so happy. So peaceful.
Was he dead?
She hoped not.
She reached for him, but her hand passed though his body. Her eyes widened. She couldn't touch him.
"No!" she sobbed. "No, let me save him! Please!"
"Mi… sha…"
She gasped. He was still alive.
"Misha… san…"
"Ko-Kotaroh-kun…" she whispered. She reached for him again, and this time stopped just short. Tears rushed to her eyes. There was nothing she could do.
No…
"Now…"
Why …?
"Now I… can… be with you… Misha-san."
Why did this have to happen?!
-----
Misha had left shortly after they had finished dinner, and he had seen her out. It had felt natural to see her off. He always had in the past. This time had felt no different from the others. They parted ways and promised to see one another again in the morning.
She wanted to meet up with Takashi before school again.
Kotarou gave an annoyed growl. He dropped his pen onto the textbook he had been studying.
Things had gone better than he had been anticipating - too well, in fact. Misha had been so understanding. She didn't seem the least bit jealous that her "Kotarou-kun" was no longer in her reach. She only took one last hug from him, her way of letting go.
But I'm not her 'Kotarou-kun', he reminded himself. He closed his eyes. That's all she ever cared about. It was never me…
He raised his hands to eye level and stared at his palms. She had been his arms for the first time in three years, and it had to be under those conditions. The moment that he had been dreaming of for so long, and it was only to end any possibility of that dream.
"Why does it have to be like this, Misha-san?" he wondered aloud. He felt the first wave of tears rush to his eyes. "Why… can't we be together?"
I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it to upload this tonight, but I made it! At quarter to eleven! Whoo. Haha. I'm tired from work, though... feeling kind of weird. I hope that you guys enjoyed the chapter. I ended up having to remove two scenes in order to finish it tonight, but I'll be adding them in to the next chapter.
- Makami