Kuroko blinked. He had never heard his sister sound so… frail. Whatever this process of identification may be it clearly wasn't something to be taken lightly.
"Let's forget about it for now." Mayuzumi closed the topic with those words.
Kuroko was still curious about this subject but he decided to leave it. "Chihirin, please go teach Tetsu-kun the spell to conceal your wings, we can't keep doing it for him forever!"
Mayuzumi nodded at his sister's words as he headed up the stairs with a ghostly thump. Kuroko soon followed, feeling slightly forlorn that he hadn't received an answer to his previous question.
Shortly after the two boys had vanished out of sight, Momoi roared a yell of encouragement. She was going to cook and she was going to do it right! Eating is not a necessity for being such as them but at the same time, it wasn't as if they couldn't eat if they wanted to. In Heaven they don't offer the same food as they do on Earth. Momoi was determined to cook an amazing dish for her siblings to celebrate their first day on Earth! Pulling up her sleeve in determination, Momoi ran to the kitchen. Upon entering she realized that she had no ingredients. This simply could not do. Momoi sighed. She took out a pen and paper and began to write in pink cursive
" Dear my brothers:
I need to go out shopping! Don't freak out if you don't see me, okay? ;) You probably won't even read this. I don't know why I even bother -_-
Well I wrote this anyways
With lots of love, your sister."
Momoi read over her note a few times before nodding with a smile. She snatched her phone which had a couple of ingredients listed within it. Momoi scurried over to grab her coat and hurried out the door.
Kuroko was now sitting cross-legged on his brother's bed. Mayuzumi was sitting on his desk chair with a blank expression. Kuroko sat, looking at Mayuzumi and he sat looking at the other as well. "Do you think you could tell me what Satsuki wouldn't tell me earlier?" Kuroko asked.
Mayuzumi let out a long breath "Fine."
Kuroko nodded in thanks, signaling for him to continue.
"To determine who is a gem holder, we hold our hand to the suspected persons heart and chant a spell. The chant is different for each of the three gems." He explained.
Kuroko was confused. That didn't sound awful at all. "I don't see what's so horrific about that" Kuroko spoke his mind.
"I'm not done yet. Here's where it gets rough. The spell itself pulls out the inner soul of the person it's used on, after all the gem if it so should be there will resides itself in the inner soul.
If a gem holder preforms this spell on another gem holder, everything is fine. The gem is extracted perfectly and no one gets hurt.
If a none-gem holder preforms the spell on a gem holder the holder's soul will be sucked out along with the gem. Although that rule is only true to a human holder.
If a none-gem holder is angel or demon and they preforms the spell on a gem holder that is an angel or demon as well, all will work out fine. This is because our souls are stronger than humans.
If we preform the spell and person it's preformed on isn't a gem holder… their soul will be sucked out and they will die. This is why father never used the chant test on us, he didn't want to accidentally kill one or two of us."
That was why they needed the holder of a Gem to go on this mission. If they didn't, the human holders will die. The gem would be extracted perfectly fine but they themselves will die. On the other hand, these rules work out for angel and demon holder identification, seeing as long as the persons a holder, it doesn't matter who's preforming the spell.
Kuroko was silent. If they preform it on someone and they don't have the gem in them… they will die. Reality can be harsh but Kuroko rather know the harsh truth than remain in ignorance, no matter the pain that follows the truth.
"Don't look so troubled. Momoi and I have been thinking, it's clear that we need to determine which one of us is the true holder. If we don't, we could end up killing the Gem of Reason's holders. We are not like demons. Human lives are one of our top priorities." He reassured his brother.
"But if we preform this chant and guess wrong..." The pale blue ghost's voice was laced with concern.
"It's essential to our mission. We have 1/3 chance that none of us will die"
Despite the words from Mayuzumi, Kuroko couldn't help but worry. One or two of his siblings could end up dead, for that matter, he himself could end up dead. Was it really worth it? Speaking from an objective point of view, members of the royal line that aren't a gem holder are of no 'use'…. But all living being are of worth, angels, humans and even demons. Kuroko's breaths started to stagger. The boy didn't want to imagine Mayuzumi or Momoi's body dead and lifeless. The possibility that Kuroko's own body could end up dead… the thought was too much to bear. Kuroko clenched his sweaty fists. He would never let his siblings die before him; he would never let them die.
"There's no point in over thinking it. Angels live forever, the only reason the royal bloodline continues to breed is to produce a strong gem holder, one stronger than the demons. Our mission is our life's purpose… still… I won't let you and or Momoi die, not while I am around…" the elder spoke with determination
Kuroko smiled a small and gentle smile. When all is said and done Mayuzumi was a dependable brother. Still, his words only provided momentary relief for Kuroko. The fact still stood that they may die while the other ones live. They were all trapped, bounded by their absolute mission and forced to abandon all else, even each other. The truth of their reality was one not of happiness.
"This is ludicrous" Kuroko mumbled, barley audible in a shaking voice.
"Anyways Satsuki will be angry if I don't teach you the wing enchantment."
Kuroko didn't respond, triggering a sigh from his brother. Mayuzumi stood up and grabbed a thick old book that was laced with gold. He walked up to Kuroko and handed him the book. "I shouldn't have told you anything, you are too much of a ideal dreamer to have handled it. Anyways, this is a book of spells. Turn to page 349 to learn the wing enchantment. You aren't in the frame of mind to learn right now so take this book and learn the spell later."
Mayuzumi was right. Kuroko was paler than usual and he was slightly trembling, he was breaking out into a cold sweat. Kuroko accepted the book with a slight nod and a look of appreciation. Mayuzumi jerked his chin to the door. Kuroko understood the gesture and left.
Kuroko went down the hallway and into his room. He flopped onto his soft bed and buried his head into his pillow. Kuroko was still in no mood to learn, his mind was unstable.
The sound of a door opening woke Kuroko from his daze. Who just opened the door?
"Brothers, I'm home!" A female voice echoed
Momoi? The small boy was never aware that she was gone in the first place. Kuroko wasn't very good at speaking loudly, he couldn't reply to his sister without leaving his room. Therefore, he left his comfy bed and went downstairs to greet his sister.
"Where did you go?" he questioned
Momoi smiled at her brother and held up grocery bags. "I went to go get food! I am going to cook you boys something great! Go get Chihirin and wait in the living room with him"
The male angels eyes softened, she was working so hard to make them happy. He felt blessed to have such a caring sister, even if she can be a little on the overbearing side at times.
Kuroko's eyes widened in horror. His sister's lifeless body on the floor, blood trailing down her mouth and her skin deprived of any signs of life. Her eyes were soulless and had bloody tears streaming down her frail pale cheeks. The room smelled of blood. Kuroko clutched his mouth in horror and to prevent himself from screaming as well as throwing up.
"Tetsu-kun?! TETSU-KUN!" Momoi shook her brother shoulders, snapping him out of his trance. Kuroko wrapped his arms around Momoi; there was no way he would let her die over something like a stupid gem, even if it's their purpose for living. "Tetsu-kun are you alright?" her voice was laced with concern. Kuroko didn't answer, he held her tighter. Momoi didn't understand what was going on but she patted his head softly. "I don't know what's wrong but whatever happened I'm here for you and we'll get through it together."
Her kind words only hurt him more. He would definitely not let any harm come to her. He loved her so much. He held her tighter. She was his younger sister. It was his job as an older brother to protect her. She will NOT die.
Momoi kissed his cheek. "Don't worry about anything. Now go get Mayuzumi and wait in the living room."
"I am right here" a blank voice called.
"Chihirin?! How long have you… oh never mind" she sighed. Momoi gently pushed Kuroko off her. "Now go wait while I cook."
Kuroko nodded, his face still appearing blank to someone who didn't know him well, to one who did on the other hand, it was plain to see he was still troubled my something.
Mayuzumi grabbed Kuroko's shoulder and pointed to the living room. Kuroko understood and walked with him to the said room. Momoi picked up her bags and skipped to the kitchen.
Kuroko and Mayuzumi sat on the couch; they were both reading a novel they bought from Heaven.
"Don't worry about sis, I won't let her get hurt" Mayuzumi announced, knowing Kuroko was torturing himself with worry over the possibilities of the identification process.
"I won't let you die either" Kuroko told his brother.
"I won't let you die too" he responded.
The room was filled with an odd tension. The air was suffocating and heavy, as if it was a reflection of the hearts of the angels in the room. Despite the air being despairingly heavy, it was warm, just like the resolve all of them had for each other's lives.
"I am done! Come to the kitchen!" Satsuki sang.
The boys got up form their places and proceeded to the kitchen. Their jaws dropped when they entered. The table was beautifully set up and their sister stood in front of it with a stunning smile. "Dig in, I worked my butt of!" she chimed.
Kuroko and Mayuzumi took their place, still in awe of the set up. On the table there were candles and a silky cloth, the lighting was dim, it was perfect. "Well, take a bite," Momoi repeated.
"Thank you for the food" the boys said in unison. Momoi stared intensely at them, waiting for a reaction.
Kuroko picked up his spoon. This would be his first taste of human food. It looked a little odd but then again, maybe this is how all human food looked. From what he knew, this food was called 'curry'. Kuroko dug his spoon in at the same time as Mayuzumi and they simultaneously took a bite.
...
"How is it? Is it good!?" Momoi energetically exclaimed
…
The boys turned dark blue and dropped their spoons. They quickly reached for their water and chugged it down. After coughing for a few moments they looked at each other. "Hm?" Momoi made a confused sound at the display in front of her.
"Um Sis" they both said in between a few coughs.
"It was… unique" Kuroko criticized, still trying to get the bitter taste out of his mouth
"It was horrible" Mayuzumi corrected
"WHAAAAAAAT?" Satsuki shrieked "I made it just how the recipe said! I bet it taste like this because that's how all human food tastes like" she puffed out her cheeks
Kuroko and Mayuzumi looked to their pouting sister and then to each other. They started to giggle which only caused Momoi to pout more. Soon Momoi gave in and started to laugh as well. Giggles and laughter filled the room as the three of them relished in another fleeting moment of peace.
After they had settled down. Mayuzumi yawned. It was getting late. "I am going to go to bed" he announced as if on cue. He got up and headed up to his room. "Well I should too, oh and I have some homework. Night!" Momoi added before also heading to her room. Kuroko decided he should start his homework as well. Kuroko headed up the stairs but before entering his room he took a turn into Mayuzumi's room. Kuroko opened his door and poked his head in
"Don't forget to do your homework" Kuroko reminded his brother
Mayuzumi didn't answer but Kuroko knew he had heard him. He closed the door softly and entered his own room to start his work.
Kuroko stretched his arms out upon finishing his work. It was time for him to retire for the night. Kuroko changed his clothes, which proved to be troublesome with his wings; he needed to use a spell to get them off. He then brushed his teeth and made all other nightly preparation. Finally, he turned off his lights and hopped into bed.
Kuroko mentally recalled all the events of today. Then, he remembered.
"If we preform the spell and person it's preformed on isn't a gem holder… their soul will be sucked out and they will die."
Those were the words his brother spoke. Those words haunted Kuroko. It felt like the words were choking him. Kuroko plugged his ears in a futile attempt to get such thoughts out of his head.
It was a very long night.
AN: I really love reading all your reviews you guys are so sweet! Yes this is an AkaKuro fic but it will take some time, sorry they didn't really interact in this chapter
Also, regarding the question from last chapter I asked… (20 potatoes to whoever guesses why I picked the words 'Reason, Restraint and Desire!' No looking it up, that's cheating :P. )
To the person who tried guessing why I picked Reason, Desire and Restraint, you only get 10/20 potatoes! Yes, I picked those words for Demons, Humans and Angels for the reason you gave but what I was really looking for was someone to guess WHERE I got those words. And someone asked for a hint so, here's a bad hint that will confuse you. 'Shades of blue'