Disclaimer-I do not own any of the characters from Yami no Matsuei. Also, I only used the title 'Embracing Love' and 'Kizuna' as examples and no, i do not own those either.
Chapter 11: Information and Preparations
Alicia waited until she was sure the three men were gone. Opening her eyes, she slowly and stiffly sat up in bed holding her side. "Son of a bitch," she winced in pain. "That little bastard is so dead." She looked around and saw her rob resting on the edge of the bed. 'My clothes.' Putting the robe on, she went in search of her clothes. Finding them in the closet, she reached in her vest pocket and pulled out a flat, thin cell phone. Flipping it open, she pressed the speed dial.
/Hello,/ Came a bored sleepy voice over the phone.
"Asleep on the job again, I see," she said smiling.
/Alicia, it's you,/ he said surprised. /We heard from your brother. He said you were badly beaten. I couldn't believe it myself. Everyone here was shocked./
"Don't remind me. You know how humiliating it is to be so badly throttled that you lie in bed unconscious for three days."
/So, what happened? This must have been one mean demon to put you out of commission for three days./
"That's why I called. Is the old man still up or has he gone to bed?"
/I don't know. I could check and see?/
"Thanks Subaru, and if he is asleep, wake him. It is very important that I tell him what happened."
/Right. I'll be but a minute./
While that was going on, Alicia decided to take a peek at the ministry's infamous super computer, Goliath. She wanted to see if maybe it had information about the devil known as Raylene. Connecting the earphone to her phone she placed the ear piece in her ear and put the phone in the pocket of her robe. Cracking the door open a little, she peeped out into the hallway. There was no one around. Only one nurse was on duty and she looked as though she was bored out of her mind as she seemed to be playing cards. Probably solitare. It's what she usually do when she is bored and has nothing to do. Slipping out of her room, she made her way quietly down the hall to Watari and her brother's office. Opening the door, she was surprised that it was unlocked. She guessed there is no need for that here. Walking into the office, she noticed that one side of the room looked as though a hurricane went through it while the other was neat and spotless. Alicia knew which desk belongs to her brother as she walked over to the neat side of the room and took a seat at the desk.
/Alicia, I'm back and I have Master Takakura with me,/ said Subaru. /I'm going to put you on speaker./
/Alicia. I'm so glad to hear that you are okay,/ came a craggy voice over the line.
"So am I, old man." She said smiling as there was a picture of Tsuzuki and herself on Muraki's desk. "Could you hold for a second?."
/Why? What are you doing, you little brat?/
"Well, old man, if you would shut that trap of yours . . . hold on a second." The computer hummed to life as she turned the power on.
/What are you talking about?/ asked Master Takakura. /Alicia Muraki what in the hell are you doing?/
"Okay, when I found the children I had taken care of the demons but when we were leaving we ran into something else," said Alicia tapping her fingers swiftly against the keys pulling up the files on what she needed.
/Something else?/ said Subaru puzzled. /You ran into another demon?/
"Hah, I wish. No, it was not a demon but a devil."
/What?!/ Both said in shock together.
/Did this devil give you a name?/ / asked Master Takakura.
"Yeah. Raylene. See if you can get any information on her. I▓m going to see if the ministry's computer has any information also."
/Don't tell me you've broken into the ministry's super computer./ Subaru said shocked.
"Of course, I'm going to break into their files. Did you think I was going to let this humiliation slide? Besides," she said smiling as she began to search for information on the devil. "It's the least they can do after they wrongfully convicted and executed my brother." Her smile broadened as she could hear the old man groan in the background. She could just imagine him shaking his head and muttering to himself, what am I going to do with you.
She loved the old man dearly but he could be such a stick in the mud. "Got anything yet, Subaru?"
/No . . . Wait, yes but it's not much. The only thing it says is that she was one of the archangel Michael's generals when they tossed lucifer along with his devils and demons out of heaven./
"That's it?" she asked frowning.
/That's all we have. What about on your end?/
"Here it comes," she said reading. "Wow, you really should read this. I'm going to upload the information to our computer." She pressed a button and began to upload all the information she found on the devil to their own computer.
/Holy cow!/ She heard Subaru exclaim.
/This is bad,/ said Master Takakura. /It says here that next to Michael, Raylene was extremely powerful. And that Michael fought her for three days before he was able to imprison her. But with the help of some devils, she had escaped sixteen years ago. Afterwards, she disappeared. No one has seen or heard from her since then. they don't know what happened to her./
"I can tell you what happened to her. She reincarnated herself as a boy by the name of Ichiro."
/Ichiro. Did he give a last name?/
"Afraid not."
/You know what he looks like?/ asked Subaru.
"Well duh, I'll send you a sketch as soon as I get home so you can inform the others that there is a devil on the loose."
/Understood,/ said Master Takakura.
"I'm uploading some more files so we can update our own files about the devils and demons that escaped before being locked in hell. Amazing, who knew there were so many fallen angels and look at the demons." Once the downloading was complete, she began to search for any angels or devils called Damien and Damia. "That's it," said Alicia.
/Wow, you weren't kidding. The majority of these demons aren't even on our list,/ said Subaru. /Looking at this list, I have a feeling that these demons makes the ones we have encountered seem like children./
/All right. Alicia, I'll see you back here as soon as you are well,/ said Master Takakura.
"Well, if I know my brother, it will be a week but I will be back day after tomorrow, okay."
/That's fine. Now, I want you to go back to bed and rest./ Before he hung up he added one more thing. /And that's an order, you little brat./
"Fine, you crazy old coot." Then she hung up the phone. 'I wonder.' She began to search the files for the two people she has been dreaming about for the pass five years. "Dammit," she swore as her search revealed nothing on the names. 'There has to be something on them. I couldn't have been imagining them over the years. could I?' She tried everything to see if the ministry's super computer has information about Damien and Damia. She typed in Damien and then Damia. Error flashed across the screen each time. Then she typed in Angels. Something happened. Another screen opened and Alicia raised her hands in victory as she silently cheered. She typed in Damien and Damia's name. Suddenly in bold flasing red letters, Access Denied flashed across the screen, and a second later a warning appeared. "You have entered an A-5 Security file. This system will shut down in 3 seconds, 2, 1." Before she could do anything, the screen went black. 'Son of a bitch!' She tried to turn the computer back on but it would not with a password. 'Shit!' She sighed in defeat and then switched the power off. She got up and walked to the door to leave. She went back to her room. Throwing her robe in the chair, she laid down but sleep was being elusive to her tonight. She laid there staring at the ceiling. 'Why was the file on those two sealed. All the others were accessible and the information wasn't forbidden. What is it about those two that the Lord of Hades does not want anyone to see.' Turning on her side, she could not hold back the loud yawn that escaped passed her lips. 'I'll think about this tomorrow. but for now, I'll take the old man's advice and get some sleep.' Her eyelids became heavy as sleep finally enveloped her and she fell asleep.
xxxxx
As Muraki slowly opened his eyes, he gasped in shock. He stood before a long table that had six faceless beings sitting behind the table. 'Where am I?"He looks around to see that there is an assembly of these faceless beings sitting and staring at him. They all seemed to be in an uproar about something. They keep yelling and shaking their fists at him. No, wait. There is someone standing beside him. He glances over to his left and sees a young woman standing beside him. He narrows his eyes trying to see her face clearly but it was no good. No matter how long or how hard he stares at her the girl's face is only a blur to him.
His head jerks around as the booming voice of the being in the center of the table spoke to them. He did not like this. Something terrible was about to happen to him and this woman that seem to mean the world to him. He glances out the corner of his eyes to the woman. He could feel that she seems to be irritated by the whole procedure of being here. Why is she so agitated? For that matter, why is he irritated in what is happening also.
"Damien. Damia. You stand before this court on several counts of cruelty to humanity. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty of course," said the woman named Damia angrily. "I don't understand why my brother and I are here. We are charged with destroying demons not babysitting some weak-minded humans that doesn't have the good sense to come in out of the rain. It's their own fault they end up dead."
"So, what you are saying Damia is sthat your charges deliberately put themselves in the face of danger?" asked another of the figures seated before them.
"That's exactly what I'm saying. Humans are weak and foolish creatures. If they ever use their common sense they would know that their lives are in danger and leave the battlefield."
"You are right in your assumption, young one but it is also your duty to make sure your Guides are not harmed in any way."
Damia humped in disgust turning her head away and folding her arms across her chest. "Stupid human. She stood there and let that demon kill her. Therefore, it is not our fault."
"And what about you Damien? We haven't heard you say one thing about this."
"There is nothing to say. Damia is right. We tell them to leave the battleground at once but yet they stay hiding behind a tree or a boulder thinking they will be safe there. They let their curiosity get the better of them and they died because of their own curiosity and stupidity."
Suddenly a tall figure walked out of the shadows from the right. He sighs sadly as he glanced at the two. Are you telling us that you believe that you and your sister have done no wrong?"
Damien stood tall and held his head up high before this figure that radiated enormourous power. "That is exactly what I am saying, father. Gabriel and his people are in charge of protecting the humans not us. Our only duty is to make sure all troublesome devils and demons are eliminated. And if a few worthless humans have to die in the process, so be it."
There was an uproar of outrage coming from the assembly as they demanded the two be punished.
"My children," said the tall figure in a voice that was filled with sadness and regret. Damien looked up when he heard crying coming from the assembly. Sitting in the front row was a female with her face buried in her hands as she wept with sorrow. "My beautiful children, your cruelty knows no bound and your heartlessness is unforgivable. Yes, it is your duty to stop devils and demons wherever they may cause trouble but you must show compassion to those who wants to aid us in our quest. The last human you were assigned to could have refused to help you. But even though she was terrified of what could happen, she chose to help because she did not want anyone to suffer in the hands of demons. Maybe, your punishment will soften your cold, hard hearts and you will see that just because humans are not powerful like you, they deserved to be respected as well."
"This is the fourth Guide that has died while in your care. I must admit that I must share in some of this. I had received complaints from some of your co workers stating that they believed you two were not trying to keep your Guides safe. I didn't want to believe this, but now I see everything that was told to me was the truth." The figure sitting at the center of the table sighed heavily shaking his head in regret. "We had high hopes for the two of you. Perhaps, it is our fault for putting so much pressure on you to be like your father." He sighed again and stood up to face the two accused. "Damien. Damia, since you two have shown no regret or remorse for the fact that your Guide is dead. You are hereby banished to the Great Void where you shall remain until a time comes you will see the error of your ways."
Suddenly the high arched ceiling slid open revealing a huge, blace spiraling hole in the sky. Damien latched his hand around his sister's hand holding it tightly. He could feel her trembling in fear as they gazed into the swriling inky darkness. Long, black tendrils snaked t heir way out of the darkness wrapping itself around the two and pulled them into the black maw that was the Great Void.
xxxxx
Alicia had awakened to find her brother sitting in a chair asleep. She sat up in bed stretching her arms over her head. She quietly swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat there facing her sleeping brother. She smiled at the serene expression on his face. She was about to wake him when he started talking in his sleep.
"No, Damia . . . whatever you . . . happen don't . . . let go of my hand." He began moving his head from side to side as though he was caught up in a bad dream.
"Damia? So, you've been having dreams about this Damia as well." She watched him as sweat glinted on his face. "I wonder if you've dreamed about the other, Damien, as well."
Suddenly his thrashing became frantic as his hands clutched the armrest of the chair. "Damia! Damia!" he called frantically for this unknown person. "Please hold on to my hand." Suddenly his hand lashed out and grasped Alicia arouond the wrist. His nails dug deep into her flesh piercing the skin. Little trickles of blood dripped from the wounds.
Alicia winced in pain as tears fell from her eyes. She grabbed his hand and tried to pry his fingers loose. She bit back a scream and her own fears as he did not wake from his dream.
Alicia became worried as tears fell from his one good eye. Quickly, she grabbed him by the shoulder shaking him awake. "Kai! Wake up! Wake up!"
Suddenly his eye snapped opened to stare into the worried face of his sister. "Alicia," he said panting. "What . . ." He looked around expecting to see a large assembly of people demanding he be punished but instead, all he sees is the worried face of his Alicia staring at him.
"It was only a dream." She took one hand and cupped his cheek. She grimaced in pain as she stared in his startled eyes. "Kai, you're hurting my wrist." He looked down and gasped in horror as he released her wrist from his grip.
"Alicia, I'm so sorry . . . I . . . "
"It's all right big brother," she said smiling at him holding up her wrist. "Remember because of my powers, I heal quickly." To his relief, the bloody crescent scars stopped bleeding and healed. It was like the scars were never there.
Muraki sighed and raised a hand to wipe sweat from his face. He stared in horror at his shaking hand. Clutching the trembling hand into a fist, he places it in his lap. As he let's his breathing calm down, he offered his sister a gentle smile. "I'm all right now. Thanks."
"Are you sure?" she frowned not believing him.
"Yes. As you said, it was only a dream."
Alicia sat down on the bed staring at him. "So, what was the dream about?"
"I don't remember," he lied. "It was foggy. I couldn't see any faces or tell what was going on." 'No need in worrying her unnecessarily. It was just a silly dream. Probably brought on because Alicia was so badly hurt.'
"If you say so," she said still not believing him.
"So," Muraki said changing the subject. "How are you doing this fine morning?"
"I'm doing much better now." She smiled. "You know my unique ability to heal quickly has already done its thing while I was asleep. So, where is your other half?"
"He and the kid had a case."
"So, when is the big day?" she took his hand and squeezed them gently.
""Well, Tsuzuki wanted it to be in two months but I can't wait that long. so, it's going to be in two weeks."
'WHAT!" Alicia screamed. "Two weeks? Are you crazy? You will never have everything ready by then?"
"Not me," he said smiling evilly at her. "You."
Alicia stared at him as though he has gone completely insane. "You're crazy! How in the hell do you think I can have a wedding ready in two weeks."
"Not my problem, as the maid of honor Tsuzuki and I couldn't think of anyone better to prepare our wedding than you." He leaned forward kissing her on the nose.
"You're doing this because I stuff your dolls in those boxes."
"Nope, you're the only one I would trust for something this important," he said smiling at her.
Alicia turned a dark shade of red at his show of confidence in her ability. "Yeah, well . . ." she sighed and smiled at him. "Okay big brother, you win. Well, the first thing I will need will be a list of everyone you want to invite."
Muraki took a folded piece of paper from his pocket. "We did it the night I proposed."
She snorted. "You were so sure I would say yes."
"Not really, I just know you would do whatever it takes within your power to make me happy."
"Jerk. You're lucky I love you." She took him into her arms and held him tight. "Well, since I'm all healed, I may as well get started." She stood up. "Are you going to have wedding rings?"
"Of course," said Muraki.
"Okay. Knowing your fiance, I'm sure he's going to want his friends in the wedding and I know you want Oriya to be your best man." She bit her bottom lip and then smiled at him. "Oriya will hold your ring for Tsuzuki and Mr. Tatsumi will hold Tsuzuki's ring for you."
"Two best men. Hmm, that's an interesting idea."
"Of course, I have so many good ideals for this wedding. So, You may as well tell the little grim reaper, Watari and Tatsumi to either buy or rent their tuxedos. I'll talk to Oriya. I'll also talk to some of my friends. I'm sure they will want to be bridesmaids. As for the food, I'm sure the village women will be more than happy to help Saikai to prepare it. You will have to speak with Lord Enma and ask him if he would do the ceremony. Where are you going to hold the wedding?"
"In the garden behind the mansion."
"How romantic." Then she had a wicked thought. "Now, for my last question. Who will be wearing the wedding dress?"
Just then Tsuzuki, Hisoka, Watari and Tatsumi walked into room. She turned to stare at Tsuzuki and then looked at her brother.
"Don't look at me," he said arching a delicate brow. "I look horrible in a dress." Then they both bursted out laughing.
The four men stared at the siblings as though they lost their mind. "Did we miss something?" asked Tsuzuki puzzled.
"You know," said Alicia as she stopped laughing turning to face the bewildered shinigami. She walked up to Tsuzuki tapping a finger against her lips as though in thought. "You would look wonderful in a wedding dress."
The purple eyed shinigami turned two shades of red.
"With some hair extensions, waxing your legs and arms and a padded bra, and make-up, you would make a lovely bride."
"I am not wearing a dress," the red face guardian shrieked in shock.
"You're insane," said Hisoka.
"You don't have to worry, grim, I think you would look sweet as one of the bridesmaid," said Alicia. "Or, you could be the flower girl."
Oh if looks could kill. Alicia had a feeling that she would be nothing but a pile of smoldering ashes.
Muraki's laugh came out as a snort as he grabbed his sister around the neck and pulled her against his chest. "You must forgive Alicia. She's going through that yaoi fan girl phase."
"Yaoi fans girls. What's that?" asked Tatsumi.
"Where have you been all this time Tatsumi not to be up to date on what's hot and what's not. Yaoi is a genre of boys love graphic novels that young teenage girls and some boys, I might add, are going crazy over."
"Boys' love?" said Tsuzuki blushing. "You mean as in boys making out with boys?"
"Oh yes. The lot of these stories usually deal with high school students. There are some that deals with student/teacher relationships. But the majoritiy of the stories are working men who just can't seem to stay out of each other's pants."
"And how would you know about this 'yaoi' Watari?" asked Tatsumi staring at the yellow hair guardian.
"Are you kidding? The stories are better than those that have the boy/girl storyline," said the blonde guardian rolling his eyes in exasperation.
"Who's your favorite?" asked Alicia running to the guardian grabbing his hands.
"I have several but my all time favorites are Kazuma Kodaka and Youka Nitta. I just love Kizuna and Embracing Love. They are so romantic."
Alicia squealed in excitement. "Mine too. But I also like Ayano Yamane. You should read her 'Finder Series.' It is to die for. The story is wonderful and the sex is so hot."
"Oh my goodness." Tsuzuki turned even redder than he was. "And you say young girls and boys read these books."
"Yes we do," said Alicia smiling wickedly. "And the really good books are all graphic. Which means they show them having sex." She wiggled her eyebrows at the purple eyed man. "If you want, I can bring you some of my favorites and let you see."
Suddenly blood gushed from Tsuzuki's nose. Alicia fell to her bed laughing so hard tears fell from her eyes. Muraki handed his fiancИ a handkerchief to stop the flow of blood.
Alicia sat up on her elbows and stared at Tsuzuki. "Now I see why my brother is so smitten by you Tsuzuki. You are so much fun to tease."
"So, what you were saying isn't true?" he removed the handkerchief.
"No, I do have a wide variety of yaoi manga." Then she stood up. "But all that other stuff about wearing a wedding dress. I was just kidding about that. Anyway, I'm glad all of you are here. I can tell you that you should get yourselves a tuxedo because you three are in the wedding. Mr. Tatsumi will be Tsuzuki's best man while Oriya will be Kai's. Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, I have to change and get to work on the wedding. I have two weeks to get everything ready." She pushed them out of the room. 'Plus, I have to send Master Takakura a sketch of that bitch Raylene or Ichiro or whatever the hell that devil's name is.' Then she began to get dressed.
xxxxx
Tsuzuki was amazed as the day before the wedding. Alicia had everything ready. He arrived at the mansion with his tuxedo. After Saikai took the tux and placed it in one of the rooms he will be using to change, Tsuzuki went outside to see how the decoration was going. His breath caught in his throat as his eyes widened in amazement to see the back was decorated with white and purple roses. As he walked down the path he would be taking tomorrow, he stared at the chairs. Each chair had a purple and white rose tied to the back with red ribbons. Standing gloriously over the altar was an arched trolley that was covered with purple and white roses. There were several streamers of roses dangling from the center of the trolley.
"Well, what do you think?" came a voice behind him.
Tsuzuki turned to see a smiling Alicia standing behind him. He smiled. "This is amazing. I can't believe you were able to do this is such a short time." She walked up to him and sat down in one of the chairs.
"Well, I had help from everyone in the Kurenai village. Everyone was so happy when I told them about the wedding. We all thought that the day would never come when Kai would get married." She sat down sighing. "Although he was engaged to Ukyou, I had a feeling that he would never go though with the wedding as long as he knew you were out there. Saki may have had control of his body but his heart always belong to you." She sighed as she stared at the altar. ⌠You know for some strange reason, it seems that the people in the village took a liking to both me and Kai. They would do anything for us." She gigled. "You might say the village adopted us."
Tsuzuki sat down beside her.
"Thank you Tsuzuki." She said as tears fell from her silver eyes. "Thank you for finding it in your heart to forgive my brother for what happened. And thank you for making him the happiest man in the world."
He took her in his arms and smiled. "I should thank you as well. If not for you wanting so desperately to save him. I don't know if we would have had this chance."
"So, I leave my fiancИ alone for a minute and my sister is trying to steal him away from me already," came a silky voice from the doorway of the mansion.
Alicia quickly dried her eyes and stood up. "You know I would never do that to my wonderful brother." He walked out to the backyard and hugged his fiance kissing him passionately.
"Ahem, you two might want to wait until tomorrow," said Alicia derisively.
Reluctantly, the two lovers pulled away and turned to face the altar. "I must admit Alicia. You did one hell of a job with the decoration."
"I was telling her that," said Tsuzuki smiling. "But where on earth did you get purple roses from?"
"Ask your sweetie pie, he's the one who crossed bred them over the years until they were a perfect match to your eye color."
"Is this true, Kazutaka?" Tsuzuki looked up at his love in awe.
Muraki nodded his head. "The Kurenai village has a huge greenhouse and they let me tinker with the flowers until I had what I wanted. Everyone was so amazed at how lovely the flower looked that their own garden is filled with these roses I called Amethyst Eyes. In honor of you my beloved."
Tsuzuki smiled at him and flung his arms around Muraki's neck and kissing him with abandonment.
"Ahem," Alicia said clearing her throat. "I'm still here you know."
The two men turned to face her and pulled Alicia into their embrace each man kissing a cheek. "Thank you little one, for agreeing to help with the wedding. I know it was short notice but you did a wonderful job, and for that I will be forever thankful."
"Oh Kai, you know I would do anything for you," said Alicia standing on her toes to kiss his cheek and she did the same for Tsuzuki. "So, I heard from Oriya that he was having a bachelor party for you."
"Yes," said Muraki staring at her suspiciously. "Why do you ask?"
"Oh it's nothing. I was just asking because I and the girl's are throwing Tsuzuki a bachelorette party."
"Will you stop referring to me as though I'm a woman," Tsuzuki pouted at her in embarrassment.
"Whatever," she said smiling. "We will come by and pick you up after work. So make sure you are properly prepared because we are going to show you the time of your life."
"So, where are you going?" asked Muraki.
"No place that a nosey groom should know about." She walked away from them. "Well, I have some stuff to do. So, if you will excuse me. Oh, and one more thing." She turned to glare at her brother. "I thought I told you not to call me that." Smiling, she turned and walked away.
Once Alicia was gone, Muraki turned to his fiance. "Do you know where she is taking you?"
"No, she wouldn't tell me a thing," said Tsuzuki pouting. "She said I had loose lips and that she could not trust me not to tell you of her plans."
'Dammit Alicia, what are you planning?' his frowned deepened in thought.
"You needn't worry. I don't think she will do anything serious."
"You're right. Besides I do trust her. Knowing her, she will probably be having a slumber party where they will show you their collection of yaoi novels." a wicked grin spread across his face as he stared at his fiance. Taking the purpled eye man in his arms he said in a low seductive voice. "If you want I can demostrate to you what is in those novels she and the other girls read." His lips attacked Tsuzuki's neck making him moan in pleasure as Muraki's hand stroke the hard nipples of his lover through his shirt.
Suddenly Tsuzuki's cell phone rung. Graoning in disappoint, he Answers his phone, it was Tatsumi. He could dbarely understand his friend as Muraki continued to attack his neck until Tsuzuki finally pushed his lover away. They greeted each other and then Tsuzuki said they would be over in a minute and then hung up the phone. "Duty calls."
Muraki sighed and kissed his fiance on the lips. "I will be so glad when we go on our honeymoon." Then the two headed back to work.
