A/N: Wow. My third update in 7 days. This is a productive new year. Anyways…
Here's what I've got to say about this fic.
Samael and Lilith's story is officially done and from here on, it's actually Tokiya and Fuuko's lives I'll be writing about. Of course it will be on the context of what they found out about their past; so more of the ToFuu moments.
I'll miss the huge role that the Bible played in the previous chapters because here onwards, Tokiya and Fuuko are no longer in the world of the Bible. But rest assured I will still bring in Bible elements in the suceeding chapters.
Many thanks to the following:
Shirayuki Sayura: I really don't have the heart to separate them (despite the fact that I did that in chapter 6) But you see there really won't be a story if Samael was not reborn as Tokiya and Lilith was not reborn as Fuuko. And so yes, they were both reborn.
Thepinkmartini: I think it's an offshoot of growing up in a Catholic school that my Bible references were very much reinforced. But while writing this fic, I truly learned more about religion.
Aki-chan: Inspiration? More likely desperation… ahaha… Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
Eirist-chan: You are absolutely free to complain if you wish. I really am guilty of writing a sappy chapter 7 and I do hope these succeeding chapters make up for it. I was actually apprehensive while writing in God's POV. I wanted the chapter to feel personal ( hence the need for a 1st person POV but I didn't want it to be limited. (hence the need of a 3rd person omniscient POV) And the only character that could achieve a successful merge of the two POV's is God. Now, you can find out what happens…
Satomika-chan: Did that war really seem like it came from the Bible? I'm glad you think it did. I pored over a lot of references just to understand what happens when angels and demons go to battle. And well, I ended up with the accounts from Revelations, you know that fire and smoke and sulfur thing… It's there. And I do try to put in as many Bible elements as I can to make it appear like it was authentic. Here's what happens to Tokiya and Fuuko… Hope you like it.
Standard Disclaimer still applies…
Other God by Anne Raven
Chapter 9: At the Time of Rebirth
"Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the LORD's name. The LORD is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever."
1 Samuel 20:42
-Remembrancer-
All the battles, all the deaths, the wounds and the relentless pain, I hurdled them with my head held high but I can not get over the knowledge that all of it… was for naught.
It had been two months, two very long months, since I discovered who I was and who he was to me. As we sat side by side in utter silence on the school's rooftop, I continued writing while he stared at me like I was a microbe under the microscope.
"Really, Tokiya, I don't need this." I handed Kuro Kagami back to him while I shut my journal close.
"Yes, I forget you remember… everything." He said while placing the madougu back to his back pocket. "Which makes me wonder why you're still writing it down." He added.
"I'm not writing down the things that happened to me. I'm writing the things that are happening to me now that my memories are unlocked." He narrowed his eyes when I said this.
"Are there significant changes ever since? I thought we discussed about this. I thought we agreed to never let the past affect who we are now." That was practically the fourth time he reminded me of our deal this week.
I gave him a forced smile. I don't deny agreeing to that deal but it's hard not to be affected. It's easy for him but not necessarily for me. He's lucky he can clearly define where Samael ended and Tokiya starts whereas I have to endure the overwhelming amount of information that almost drove me insane that first week. I had to adjust again because suddenly, I was Lilith again and Fuuko Kirisawa turned into a pseudonym. It was utterly confusing.
It was like… like when you're at home and your folks call you your family nickname and you know it's you along with the memories, expectations and responsibilities that come along with it at the same time having friends who call you the special group nickname which entails another set of responses and recollections which are distinct. You know that either name refers to you. You know that both names refer to the same person, the same you. That's what I feel. Lilith… Fuuko… It doesn't really matter what people call me now because I know I am both.
Tokiya on the other hand, is determined to put the past behind him. I remember once, I accidentally called him Samael. No one heard it but it did not diminish the anger he aimed at me. He was practically an inch from skewering me.
"What have you been doing, monkey?" He asked.
"Huh?" I knew I was completely zoning out and he had the perfect excuse to lash out on me. But he didn't.
He did, however, reached out and rubbed dirt off my cheek.
Sometimes, he doesn't know that the smallest things he does are the things that remind me so much of Samael.
But I guess I have to face facts. Samael is forever lost to me.
"Were you beating up bullies again?" He asked when I didn't answer his previous question.
"No, not really." He didn't seem to believe me but it was true. I wasn't beating up bullies. I was beating up… demons.
Now that I'm actually aware that their kind exists, I see them often living lives like Tokiya and I did, in disguise, hiding their true forms from humans. Just this afternoon before I came up here, I saw this demon in the middle of a row against a fallen angel. And I just had to intervene. I can't tell him that, right?
"You should stop terrorizing those poor hooligans, Kirisawa. Who knows what kind of trauma you can cause?"
"I'll try, Mikagami." I said as I stared out at the horizon watching the sun sink further into the other end of the world. "It's getting late. We better go home."
I brushed off the dirt on my skirt and opened my bag to return the journal. But when I attempted to slip in my diary, a silver dagger clinked as it fell to the floor. Mortified, I quickly reached for it but before I could kneel to take it, Tokiya already held the weapon in his hand.
"What is this, Kirisawa?" His eyes bore into mine.
"Nothing of importance." I was actually willing to bet his glare was sharper than the silver he held.
"Why do you have it?" He continued asking, his voice becoming more imposing by the second.
"I… I… This dagger…" I said as I quickly grabbed the dagger. "It was confiscated from a demon some time this afternoon. He was fighting a fallen angel for possession of it. They would have caused a lot of damage and so I chose to intervene. Majority of the spectators were human and they never knew they were watching supernatural beings have a go at each other." I thought there was no use of lying to him. He would've caught me lying unprepared as I was to meet his questioning.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away from them?" He ranted as he tried to take the dagger again.
"And what? Allow those two to cause mischief and mayhem?" I retaliated as I shielded the weapon from his grasp. "Apparently, the fallen angel was ancient enough to recognize who I was. He wouldn't have been as obvious I guess. He may not have cared but something tells me that they knew I was Lilith. I was lucky he backed down but not before announcing to the 'special assembly' who I was. And mind you there were many of them." I continued explaining.
"This dagger was made by Azazel. I've been confiscating weapons like this since I regained my memory." I said as I returned the dagger inside my bag.
"Who on earth is Azazel?" He asked pissed not only by my actions but also by his lack of information.
"I never thought I would hate the day that I'm more knowledgeable than you. Azael is a Watcher. I hope you understand what that means."
"Watcher is a term I am familiar with. So what about Azazel?"
"To our kind…" I couldn't stop myself from putting air quotes on the word 'our'. "Azazel is what Hephaestus is to the Greeks. He is a smith, the best our world can offer. I don't understand why you don't remember him. He made your sword and I'm not talking about Ensui."
"Go on."
"I've met Azazel only twice in my previous life. The first was when he told me he wanted to make a sword for me. The last was when he gave me Nyx. He rarely forges weapons for individuals and swords are his forte. It was rumored that he made all the Council's weapons. Was it true?" Obviously he wouldn't be able to answer me so I continued. "Anyways, I was honored to be given such a gift and here, I vow never to let his creations go into the wrong hands." I explained.
There he was silent as usual pondering over the things I told him. Or so I thought. And so I was not prepared for the question he asked me.
"Was I ever a Watcher?"
"No! You were never one." I immediately answered afraid that he might mention any affirmation of the feelings we once had. "You've been digging." I accused.
"I find it unfair for you to know so much while I hardly know anything other than what the Dark Mirror showed me." He said matter-of-factly.
"Trust me, Mikagami. The less you know, the happier you'll be. You've told me over and over again and I will use your own words on you, 'Forget it!'"
I immediately walked pass him and opened the door that would lead to the stairwell. But I stopped when he spoke.
"I'll pick you up earlier tomorrow." He started as he approached me swinging his messenger bag over his shoulder. "You seem to forget that tomorrow, the Hokage are scheduled to meet at Yanagi's. I'll come over early to pick you up. I want to see your collection."
He walked pass me through the opened door and descended the steps two at a time as though wanting to get away from me as soon as possible.
I stood still wondering why I shouldn't just stay away from the ice block and as the wind blew a mighty gale, I heard a low but distinct sound wafting along with the breeze. A sound I would know anywhere despite the millennia passed that I have not heard it.
"Lilith…"
-Fickle Memories-
The wings of time fly forward not minding the lives that grind away under its baleful influence and the memories made, either preserved or forgotten. But when memories are taken away…
Sometimes, I catch myself thinking of the past at the most inappropriate times. Times like this as I walked on a path I had taken quite a number of times already towards the Kirisawa residence. The Hokage Team was scheduled to meet at the Sakoshita's at four this afternoon. It was only two but I'm already on my way to pick up Kirisawa. I did say I would be early.
It's usually the other way around. She usually picks me up, more likely drags and threatens me, for Hokage get-togethers. But this was not the first time I did this so I am well acquainted with the Kirisawa household.
I pressed the door bell twice and leaned on the gate as I patiently waited for someone to answer.
"Tokiya-nii!"
I turned around and saw Ganko skipping merrily followed by a dark-haired middle-aged woman with cobalt blue-eyes similar to Fuuko's whom I have come to know as Hotaru Kirisawa, her mother.
"Mikagami-san, you're early."
"I promised Fuuko I'd be early, Kirisawa-sama." I explained as I picked up Ganko and carried the little girl I'v grown fond of while I followed the Kirisawa matriarch towards the house.
"You miss Fuuko-nee that much, do you?" Ganko asked.
Did she just picked up Fuuko's annoying habits? I narrowed my eyes at the little girl, something that didn't escape Mrs. Kirisawa's notice.
"Ganko, sweetheart, don't tease our guest. You know your sister is already occupying that faculty rather well. Why don't you lead Mikagami-san upstairs. Fuuko must be done about now. I'll be in my office."
Mrs. Kirisawa vanished from my line of vision when she entered the door to her home office.
"Earth to Tokiya-nii. Let's go to Fuuko-nee's room now." She said as I absent-mindedly put her down.
It was mighty decent of Fuuko to convince her parents to adopt little Ganko and I'd dare say that the younger girl seem to be very happy here.
"You're early." I raised an eyebrow at the animated stuffed animal at the top of the stairs.
"Why is that plush running around the house unsupervised? Who knows the kind of mischief he could bring about?" I drawled sending death glares at the yellow plush.
"One of the things I love about this family is that there are no secrets, Tokiya-nii." Ganko beamed.
I could only nod at her assumptions. No secrets huh…
Ganko dragged Kondo by the collar that held Kata Kugutsu and walked pass Fuuko's room.
"Go ahead, Tokiya-nii. I'll just get dressed."
I entered her door but Fuuko wasn't there. I always wondered how it was possible that Fuuko's room was such a stark contrast to the girl who owned it. The walls were sky-blue while lace curtains billowed as the wind passed through the window. And, surprisingly, the room was neat.
As I sat at the edge of her pure white bed, I heard a sound I heard only once before, or more likely remember only one time I heard it before. It was Fuuko humming. I closed my eyes as I strained to hear more of it. By the way she hummed, I could only tell she was brushing her teeth. Silly girl.
And as she turned the faucet off, I heard the song in full.
You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth
I have to go, I have to go
Your hair was long when we first met
I loved her voice, alright. And I suppose I got one of my wishes. But as I listened further, I had to frown at the implications of the song.
And history books forgot about us and the bible didn't mention us
And the bible didn't mention us, not even once
You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the stars came fallin' on our heads
But they're just old light, they're just old light
Your hair was long when we first met
I suddenly opened my eyes and looked at the bathroom door. Was that a sob I heard?
Oh I cut his hair myself one night
A pair of dull scissors in the yellow light
And he told me that I'd done alright
And kissed me 'til the mornin' light, the mornin' light
And he kissed me 'til the mornin' light
She was crying as she sang the song. I could clearly hear the sobs that punctuated every couple of words.
Oh, we couldn't bring the columns down
Yeah we couldn't destroy a single one
And history books forgot about us
And the bible didn't mention us, not even once
You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first
While the final note wavered, I stood up and faced the bathroom door waiting for her to come out.
Fuuko came out dabbing her eyes with the cuff of her long-sleeved tee. I could tell she still didn't realize I was in the room.
"Fuuko." I whispered.
"What are you doing here?" She asked startled by my sudden appearance.
"I told you I'd pick you up early."
"Get out of my room!" She whispered low but I refused to listen and approached her.
Why is it that despite the fact that I repeatedly told her to get out of my life and the many times I wanted to get out of hers, I just can't walk out on her? And I just can't let her walk out on me.
"I said get out." She repeated.
I was close enough to see the veins on her knuckles, close enough that if she wanted to slap me she could. Close enough to hold her… and I did.
And as I pulled her closer to me, I knew that she perfectly fit within the confines of my arms because, eons ago when the world was still young and life had just begun, she belonged there. And not even death was powerful enough to change that.
But sadly…
No matter how tempting it was, I could never let myself fall in love with her again.
Too many lies…
Too much pain…
Too many broken pieces I barely began mending…
The only thing I could offer her was my presence. I wanted to show her that we can move on… that we should move on.
I kissed her forehead before she could put on her headband and whispered in her ear.
"I'll be downstairs."
Then I left wishing that I didn't have to.
-Reflections-
Fuuko watched as Tokiya walked away.
"Walk away and never look back."
She would have given up everything just to be able to walk away with him. But no…
Contrary to their carefully crafted facades she knew… he was heaven… she was hell…
And the image reflected by the full-body mirror mounted on her bedroom door confirmed all that.
Long dark hair…
Deep gray eyes…
And a mark across the left eye.
There was no escape from him who never leaves.
-TBC-
A/N: Okay… this was way too mushy even for my own taste. But I'd like to say, I like this chapter.
The song is Samson by Regina Spektor. If you haven't heard this please take time to listen to it. It's a beautiful song. And really, tell me if it does not remind you of Samael and Lilith because, for me, it does
*Watcher refers to a class of fallen angels who mated with female humans. Mentions of them can be found in Genesis. (I forgot the chapter and verse sorry I'll put that in next chapter)
Okay… you know I'll wait for reviews and I hope you guys like this chapter.
Yours,
Anne Raven