A/N: Sorry I haven't updated lately, but I was away for a week at church camp. I always go to it b/c it's my favorite camp of the year!! Anyways, I know you're all dying to see what happens next after Shuichi's encounter with Yuki and the other demons, so here's the fourth chapter of Worth of Sin!
Chapter 4: When the Sun Sets - Part 1
The three demons came rustling through the bushes, Aeroth leading the pack. He brushed some black strands of hair out of his face and put a hand on Yuki's shoulder with force.
"Thought you escaped us, huh Yuki-kun? Well don't forget that this nose of mine can smell burning ash from miles away. And you should've known that I have perfect vision in darkness. I saw you sneaking out of that cave you sly bastard." He playfully shook the blonde in which Yuki detested. "Good thing too, wouldn't want you getting lost in this big old forest all alone." He snickered.
The other two laughed at their boss's antics until Hideki noticed something pink in the distance. "Hey, what's that?" He pointed to Shuichi who was too stunned to move. What in hell was going on?
"Huh?" Aeroth glanced over at the petite figure standing in the water, wide violet eyes staring at the group like he'd just been caught shop lifting.
He stared back.
And then… Aeroth grinned.
"Well what do you know?" He moved toward the edge of the pond. "Fancy to see something like this here."
"What are you talking about Aeroth?" Cassius asked.
"He's just a human, Aeroth. Leave him alone." Yuki said sternly.
"Hah!" The dark-haired demon slightly turned toward his friends. "Is that what you think?"
The blonde's eyes narrowed.
"I'm surprised none of you could tell that…"
He turned back around to look directly into those curious purple eyes.
"… he's an angel."
Everyone gasped, except Yuki. Earlier he had noticed something different about this "human" and figured that he might be one of the Lord's children. An angel. It wasn't until Aeroth said it directly that he confirmed it. Aeroth had the uncanny ability to see through a creature and automatically know what type of creature it was. Therefore, he could tell right off the bat that this boy was indeed white-winged. An angel.
No wonder Yuki got that warm feeling before. Angels were able to give you warm fuzzies like that if you're not paying attention. It was usually very unpleasant to a demon, but it didn't seem to bother Yuki all that much…
"Wow! I didn't know there were any angels in this forest!" Hideki marvelled over Shuichi.
"I don't think there are. Maybe he's lost? Or maybe he's a fallen angel? There's a lot more of those around nowadays…" Cassius wondered to himself.
"Well, if he is lost, we should help him out, right?" Aeroth kept his sleazy smile in place.
"Man, look at him. He has a body like a girl." Hideki licked his lips.
Cassius agreed, "Wonder why he's the only one out here. Didn't his elders ever teach him about proper safety while on Earth? Sunset is only a few minutes away."
Shuichi sucked in a breath of air. He knew who these guys were. The way they were talking just now, their ability to see him, and…
Aeroth let out his wings, as black as charcoal.
… and their wings.
They were demons.
Shuichi's pulse quickened ten fold, and his heart felt like it would jump out of his chest any minute. Why were their demons all the way out here?! Why in this place?! And that blonde guy… was he one of them too? He must be. The demons were talking to him earlier, and humans can't see demons either.
Crap!
This was not a situation the little angel ever thought he'd face. The other two demons made their wings appear as well and spread them. All three lifted from the ground and glided over to the helpless boy. What would they do? Beat him? Eat him?… Kill him? He'd heard some stories of what demons do to their prey… Shuichi didn't want to imagine all those things happening to him…
Yuki stayed at the pond's shore and looked on with emotionless eyes, but inside he was wondering whether this was a good idea. Sure, demons had their fun with angels sometimes, but it was rare to see one alone. Usually a Junior like this one (he could tell because of his timid nature) wouldn't go out on Earth alone. Maybe an Arch or a Guardian would escort the kid, but after scanning the area, there were no other angels about. Any moment, a fleet of angels could come out and cause some trouble for them.
Of course, Aeroth wouldn't mind having a little tussle with enemy. He was just demented that way…
He saw Aeroth and his lackeys hovering over the water right in front of the pink-haired angel, their toes barely touching the surface. He didn't want to get involved either way, so Yuki decided to stay on the side lines until they had their fill of tormenting.
Aeroth was the first to speak to the angel. "Well aren't you a pretty one?"
Shuichi looked at him wide-eyed.
"Tell me, what's a white-winged like you doing out here…" He gestured to the scenery around them. "… all alone?"
Shuichi was too frightened to speak at first, but his inner irrational side came out as soon as the guy gave him a smug smile.
"W-what's it to you demons? Is there a law against this or something?!"
"You know, I'm not sure. But I gotta say that body of yours has to be some sort of crime, mitsukai-chan." He responded lewdly.
Shuichi blushed heavily and crouched down in the water to hide his body from their prying eyes. Great… not only are they demons, but their perverts as well.
"Keep your comments to yourself, oni-kun!" He said with malice.
The others just laughed.
"Wow! This kid's a real hoot! I can't wait to see how spunky he is after we're finished with him." Aeroth's grin grew darker.
The demons were advancing on him. Unlike what humans believe, demons didn't mind getting wet. It may be uncomfortable to them, but it's not like they'd melt if it touched them.
And by the looks on the demons' faces, these guys didn't look like they'd care about getting wet in order to obtain their prey.
'Think Shuichi, think! What were we taught to do when demons attack?!' The boy looked around the area for some kind of weapon to use against them, but nothing came into sight.
"You can forget trying to get away, because I'm hell's fastest flyer, also known as the Speed Demon. And I doubt your little friends are gonna find a lost lamb like you all the way out here." Aeroth closed in on the angel with lustful eyes full of a smoldering fire.
Shuichi waded back from the slowly approaching demons and was getting closer to the waterfall behind him.
'Wait!' He thought and grabbed onto what was supposed to be something around his neck. Unfortunately, it wasn't there.
"Huh? Oh no… where is it?!" He looked past the demons and saw his clothes and crucifix necklace on the rocks where the blonde demon stood. "The one time I really need it…"
"Aw, what's wrong? Can't call for help? Yeah, I've encountered angels with those things before, but I was always quick to the trigger and none of them stood a chance."
"Aeroth smacked 'em down before they even had a chance to press the button." Cassius smirked all-knowingly.
"W-what?!" Shuichi's eyes expanded in horror.
"Now that you know what you're dealing with, it's useless to run. Just sit back and let us have our fun, little angel." Aeroth extended his black claws, poised and ready strike if the boy decided to outsmart them.
The Junior angel didn't have a clue about what to do when their crucifixes were out of reach during a demon attack. If he tried to fly, the apparent leader of the group would slash his wings to bits, not to mention his friends were right by him. Going underwater wouldn't do anything either. He could only face the lustful demons before him with dread and pray to the Lord that a miracle would happen. Oh, why had he decided to do this in the first place! Hiro was right… and the sun was already touching the horizon. So soon?
"I get first go with him. You two hold him down." Aeroth commanded.
Shuichi started panicking.
Yuki watched with mixed feelings. Should he watch, or should he leave? It didn't matter really, but the blonde didn't particularly like things like this so maybe it was best he go before Aeroth notices him and asks him to join in. But before he could turn away, those same violet eyes gazed at his own, pleading for mercy or anything to save him. Yuki's brow furrowed lightly at the sight and he looked down at the clothes and crucifix laying on the boulder next to him.
So that's what the boy wanted. To call for help.
He couldn't from where he was because his S.O.S signal was right here. The demon stared at the gleaming red gem in the middle of the cross necklace and figured that was the button they push to bring Archs in on the scene. Yuki went over to the trinket, inspected it, and picked it up in his left hand, the other hand in his pocket. The ruby turned a brilliant crimson in the orange glow of the sun setting sky. What a grand gift from their Lord.
Yuki looked back at the angel now struggling in the arms of Hideki and Cassius, desperately trying to hit, scratch, and bite his way free. He sure was feisty for such a shy creature. But the boy's strength couldn't match that of three demons, and Aeroth was ready to claim his prize.
"Your flailing and squirming around have only enhanced my desire for you, little angel. I haven't had a good fuck in a while. Maybe you can satisfy me until my next prey comes around?" He tried grabbing the boy's legs, but Shuichi was kicking with all his might, nearly hitting Aeroth in the face.
"Don't touch me you filthy demon! I won't let you do this to me!"
"Oh really?" He put on a chesire cat grin. "Who's gonna stop me? Your God?"
"…" Shuichi didn't know how to respond as water and sweat slid down his petrified face.
"That's what I thought." The dark-winged laughed and managed to snatch one of his ankles, yanking it out to the side.
"Let's get started, shall we?" Aeroth said in husky growl while lowering himself to Shuichi's level.
The Junior angel's fear had filled him up to the brim and it poured out as hot tears down his cheeks. There was nothing he could do. No one could help him. His crucifix out of reach, Hiro gone… he brought it upon himself though. That's all he could say.
He brought it upon himself…
'Father…'
A rushing sound filled the demons' ears. They all looked to where the noise was coming from and saw that the water behind them had a life of it's own! The large wave came crashing down on all of them except for Aeroth, who flew out of the way just in the nick of time. Hideki and Cassius stood up in the water, sputtering and coughing out all the water that had gotten into their lungs.
"What the hell was that?!" Hideki shouted while wiping water from his eyes.
"It was like a tidal wave! In a pond?" Cassius scanned the place for any sign of the possessed wave.
Aeroth stayed silent, still flapping in the air and staring down at the water. 'I doubt that was anything but natural.' He told himself while examining the area. 'Where's that kid? He couldn't have done this, could he? No… it's much too difficult for a young angel to pull of that sort of magic. Then who…' The demon noticed something coming out of the water near the falls.
"Huh?" He tensed, ready for any action coming his way.
The other two thugs turned to see a large orb of water rising from the depths of the pond and levitating in the air. Inside was the pink-haired angel, seemingly unconscious, and protected by the ball of liquid.
"It's the kid!"
"How'd he get in there? Is it a shield?!"
"Quiet you idiots!" Aeroth yelled at his noisy companions. He continued to analyse the situation, his mind deep in thought and red eyes burning.
Shuichi's eyes fluttered open to be filled with the sight of the three demon surrounding him. He screamed, but only bubbles came out of his mouth. He was… underwater? But he could see land. What was going on?
'This is almost like one of his spells…' Shuichi thought about the only person who was able to use this kind of magic.
As that idea struck him, he looked next to him and saw a blurry picture of white moving up and down. Were those… wings?
Outside the rippling water orb was none other than the man responsible for this clever water trick.
The two lackeys gasped. "No way…"
"It can't be…"
Aeroth's face did not falter.
Shuichi's eyes would have been crying salty tears of joy now if it weren't for the water surrounding his body.
"Michael…"
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Hiro saw the rip in dimensions they went through earlier and flew up into the hole with ease. Heaven was brighter on the other side and he had to squint at the brightness of this holy land. The red head was worried about leaving his friend all alone on Earth and wasn't sure if Michael would exactly like it if he found out they were there by themselves, but he was already here so might as well do what he came to do.
Hiro wasn't sure where the Arch was at, but he said he'd be here to meet them. It was already a little past that time though so he expected Michael-sama was probably caught up in one thing or another. The fellow Junior angel didn't want to wait around though since Earth was nearing sunset and Shuichi was still there, so he flapped his wings and headed for the direction of the Kingdom to find Michael.
'I wonder why he hasn't shown up yet… he's not usually this late.' Hiro wasn't paying attention to where he was going and almost ran smack dab into another angel.
"Oh! I'm sorry! I wasn't looking where I was…" Hiro turned to see the person and was taken by surprise. "Michael-sama! I didn't know it was you."
"Hello Hiro. Were you leaving for the day?" He smiled kindly.
"Uh, n-no! I was actually going to look for you." He stuttered.
"Yes, I'm sorry about being late again. Some business came up and… well, you know." He gave a wave of his hand.
"Right. I understand." Hiro bowed.
"So I presume Shuichi is waiting back at the field?"
"Uhhh, actually… well, kinda." Great. Now what was he supposed to say? Now that he thought about it, Michael probably wouldn't be to pleased to find that Shuichi was on Earth alone.
"Hm? Where is he then?" He asked politely, head cocking to one side.
"……" Hiro didn't want to speak.
"… Hello? Earth to Hiro!" Michael tapped his head playfully and laughed at the boy's blank daze.
"Exactly!" He suddenly shouted at the Arch.
"W… what? What was that just now?" He smiled warily.
"What you just said. That's where Shuichi is. Earth."
Michael paused.
"We were just hanging around waiting for you and Shuichi took me to a dimension to Earth. He's waiting for us at a clearing near his neighborhood. I told him we shouldn't do this since it's against the rules, but you know how stubborn he is, right? So he told me to come back and get you so that we could all enjoy the scenery together." Hiro took a deep breath from his quick ranting.
Michael still had that frozen look on his face making the Junior angel quite nervous. After a few moments, the Arch finally spoke.
"Shuichi… is still on Earth?"
"Yeah… why? There was still plenty of daylight when I left, so it's not like he's in danger or anything, right?" He shrugged.
This information made the Arch go pale.
"Michael-sama? Michael-sama, what's wrong?" Hiro looked up worriedly at his superior.
"Hiro…" He spoke again. "… you do realized that it's Daylight savings time on Earth, don't you?"
"Okay, but what does that have to do with anythi-"
BAM
It hit him.
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And that's why Michael was here now. Facing off against three malicious demons and protecting his dear companion from harm.
Once he got the news from Hiro, Michael ordered the Junior to tell him where the accidental dimension rip was, and that's where they went. He flew with his white wings pressed against his back for maximum speed, feeling a presence of danger nearby. Hopefully Shuichi wasn't part of that danger… Michael didn't want the risk of Hiro getting hurt if worst came to worst, so he commanded the Junior angel send help from the other Archs. There were definitely some demons close to here. He could feel their aura radiating from the forest beyond. He increased speed if at all possible.
Michael had surrounded the Junior angel with water from the pond to keep the demons away from him. He saw their grimy hands trying grope at Shuichi's helpless form and conducted a form of defense spell right away. He then took his place right next to the water orb, his pale blue eyes staring coldly at his enemies.
He wondered for a moment why Shuichi hadn't called for help, but then saw that he didn't have his clothes or his crucifix with him. If he hadn't come at the right time…
"Who are you!" One of the demons yelled and pointed at his glowing figure.
Michael turned to the group and merely glowered at them.
"Is it another angel?" The other demon asked.
"Great! Just what we need! Maybe it's the kid's friend or something."
"So he did have a companion with him. Aeroth I thought you said he was alone!"
Michael's eyes widened considerably. Even Shuichi noticed through his watery barrier the discomfort on his friend's face.
Aeroth stared at the Arch with the same calculating gaze as Michael. No one spoke, sensing something strange coming from the two.
Aeroth was the first who smiled.
"Well… it's been a long time, hasn't it?… Michael-chan."
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A/N: "WTF?! He knows him? What's going on?!" I'm sure that's what some of you are thinking. Was it an exciting chapter or what? The first action you see in this whole story! I'll get into the relationship between Michael and Aeroth in later chapters. What happened to Yuki in all this? You'll see soon enough! And yes, angels can breath in water since they're not technically alive anymore, but I'll also explain that in the next chapter since some people don't take time to read my author's notes. Chou!
DEAR REVIEWERS:
The Lone Wolfcub Gang - You give me the cookies, and I provide the chapters…. Hmmm… not a bad idea:D
HyperAnko - Glad you liked how this chapter ended instead of whining about there being a cliff hanger like some people do. I don't do it on purpose really, I just want to stop the chapter there, or maybe I'm just lazy. But I don't want to keep you guys in too much suspense that it angers you b/c I know how that feels, believe me… anyway, yippee for more virtual hugs!! XD
Random Panic - Yay! You didn't complain about the cliff hanger either! I like all of yall's attitudes : ) Thanks for the review!
Xunxin - Here's the chapter to answer your questions! Hope you enjoyed it: )
Eve - I know what you mean. Demon/angel fics are one of my fav type of Gravi stories to read. Let us hope they live on! XD
alaine - Aw, thanks! I'll update My Chobitchan soon, promise! But just to let you know, I'll be gone this coming week on vacation, so I may not get my update in until after that. Just a heads up for you!
NOTICE TO ALL READERSI'll be gone on vacation this coming week, so there won't be any updates until after that! I'll try to put up some more chapters before then, but the trip is only a day away, so it would be difficult! Until then, chou:3