A/N: Another chapter, cranked out! Enjoy~

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story. Credit for Gabriel goes to Milaya Milen Zeal, and many thanks to her for her help!

The Guardian

Chapter 5

X*X(12 Days Later)X*X

It was the last day of Christmas break for Joshua and Neku, and they were spending it at home, cuddling and kissing on the couch while a Netflix movie played in the background. Suddenly, Suna stopped playing with one of his toys and looked at the pair curiously. He then crept over and pounced onto Joshua's lap, yipping at the silverette before pawing at him.

"Okay, I get it, you want attention, too!" Joshua laughed, gently scratching behind one of Suna's ears. Suddenly, Neku's phone, which was on the table, started to go off, which was unusual. Nobody ever called him, and only Joshua and Shixona texted him, but those were rare moments. Joshua frowned, confused, as Neku quickly snagged it and answered it.

"Yello, dead kid speaking," Neku said, possibly to keep the mood light, but the worry was obvious in his voice.

"Hey Boss, we need you to come back," Mr. Hanekoma's voice said. "We've got trouble here, and you're one of the best fighters we got."

"…wh…what?" Neku got out, glancing to Joshua worriedly. "What…kind of trouble?"

"Some kind of dark force is trying to escape from Hell, but not even Lucifer himself can control it," the older Angel explained. "That's why we need you back."

"…but…" Neku started slowly, only to trail off silently. Joshua held Suna close for comfort as he listened in. He couldn't handle it if Neku left, he wouldn't be able to deal with the heartbreak.

"I know you and your Guard have bonded, so I would advise bringing him with you. We'll proceed from there," Mr. H added.

"…wait, what?" At those words, Neku frowned. "What do you…?"

"I'm gonna make him an Angel, Boss, don't worry so much," the dark haired Angel explained. "I know he has to technically die to become one, but in this case, I'm making an exception. I'll transfer his life energy into becoming an Angel."

"…" Neku didn't say anything else immediately, turning instead to Joshua. "…oi, Mr. H?"

"Yeah?"

"…did you actually plan all of this?"

"You know it. I wanted you to be with someone who genuinely cares about you, not someone who wants to be your accessory," Sanae told the redhead, a smirk evident in his voice.

"…you're an asshole, you know that?" Neku snarled softly.

"You know I care about you, Neku, like a son," the older Angel replied. "Now hurry up and get ready. I'll transfer the kid's life energy once you're both ready. Just shoot me a text when you're set."

Neku sighed in annoyance, but he merely scoffed and said, "Fine," before he hung up. "Blasphemy be damned; Goddamn it…"

"What's going on, Neku?" Joshua asked nervously, looking up at the Angel with wide, fearful eyes.

"…that was my superior…" Neku mumbled. "…I need to go back…" Upon noticing the worried and almost terrified look, he added; "And apparently…I'm supposed to take you with me."

"Wait, what? But don't I have to die first?" the smaller teen questioned, confused as Suna looked at him.

"That's usually it, yeah…but seems he intends to, instead, transfer your life energy into making you an Angel as well… No clue how he intends to make THAT work…"

"As long as we're together though, right?" the silverette murmured, pressing his lips to Neku's jaw briefly.

"Yeah…" Neku sighed out softly. Upon a small yip, he looked down with a smirk. "All three of us will be."

"Good," Joshua smiled, hugging Suna and cuddling close to Neku. "What do we need to do?"

"Well step one, we need to get dressed."

"Good point," the smaller teen nodded, and slid off the couch, still holding Suna as he started to head to the bedroom. "Come on, we'd better hurry. I don't want to get you in trouble."

"Yeah," Neku murmured, following after quietly. The pair got dressed once in the bedroom, and once Joshua scooped up Suna again, the silverette looked at Neku as he pulled out his phone.

"Now what?"

"Gimme a moment…" Neku murmured, pulling out his phone and quickly texting his superior. Shortly after, his phone received a text saying to hold onto Joshua while teleporting to Heaven. As he teleported them, however, Joshua slumped in his arms, going completely limp, even as he held Suna's own limp form. When they arrived, Sanae Hanekoma was waiting for them.

Barely able to hold onto the now limp body, Neku turned on the other Angel almost immediately. "What the HELL did you do?!"

"Relax, Neku. His life energy is just changing inside of him. In order to do that without hurting him, I had to render him unconscious," Sanae soothed. "He'll wake up in a few hours, but for now, take him back to your place and take it easy. I'm sure he'll need you when he wakes." Neku snarled angrily, but he said nothing else as he picked up the silverette in his arms, summoned his wings and silently flew 'home'.

X*X*X*X*X*X*X

When Joshua woke up later, he felt strange, almost like something had changed with him. He felt Suna's sleeping form in his arms, but that didn't do much to calm him when he opened his eyes. He had no idea where he was, as nothing looked remotely familiar to him.

"Neku?!" he called out fearfully.

Upon the call, it took only a moment before said redhead walked into the room. Upon seeing the other awake, he actually sighed in relief. "You're awake…" he murmured, walking over quickly. "How do you feel?"

"Different, but it's hard to describe," Joshua murmured, gently setting Suna on the bed he was on before hugging Neku. "I was scared, Neku…"

"Ssshh…it's okay, Joshua, it's okay…" Neku reassured him, gently returning the hug as his wings came around Joshua's shoulders protectively. The smaller teen whimpered quietly, but soon relaxed, calmed by the feeling of Neku's wings around him. As they hugged, there was a quick knock at the front door.

"Of all the…" Neku grumbled, before he slowly stood up, but not before kissing Joshua briefly. "I'll be right back. Promise." At the door was a familiar face to Neku, or rather, two faces, Shiki and Eri.

"Neku!" Eri chimed happily. "We're so happy to see you back!"

'Oh great…' Neku groaned inwardly. 'Just who I DIDN'T want to see…'

Out of everyone back home, his ex and her new girlfriend (who also happened to be far too flirty with him, by the way) were the last people he wanted to see upon his return. However, he forced himself to swallow his displeasure in favor of being at least a little hospitable.

"Shiki… Eri…" he said solemnly with a nod to each in turn. "What brings you here?"

"We wanted to say hi, and see how you were doing after your most recent job," Shiki told him, adjusting her hold on her stuffed cat plush, Mr. Mew. "Can we come in?"

"I apologize, but no," Neku said almost immediately. "I just came back, so if you do not mind, I would prefer to be alone for a while."

"Neku?" Joshua suddenly piped up from the bedroom doorway. "Who's there?"

"Who's that?" Shiki and Eri asked in unison, looking at Neku.

(Doesn't mean he has an obligation to tell them, though.)

'Crap…!'

"I do not think that is of any importance. Good day," he said simply as he made to close the door again.

"Hold on, you can't seriously expect us to leave after seeing some stranger with you!" Eri protested as the door closed, jamming her foot in the path of it so it couldn't close.

"I do not have any obligation to tell you who I invite into my house," was Neku's immediate reply.

"Neku!" Shiki snapped, losing her own patience. "He's obviously new, so who is he?!" Joshua watched the exchange worriedly, holding Suna's now-conscious form close to his chest.

Neku gritted his teeth, still trying to stay polite. If it wasn't a bad idea in general, he would've already closed the door in their face (after kicking Eri's foot away). "Again, I have no obligation to tell you," he repeated.

"Fine, but we'll find out from Mr. H!" Eri huffed, allowing the door to close. Once closed, Joshua lowered his gaze.

"Sorry…" he murmured, smiling slightly at Suna as the fox kit licked his chin.

"Ugh…" Neku exhaled sharply as he rubbed his temples. "It's fine…"

"Who were they? They can't be good friends if they're being so pushy," Joshua asked softly, approaching the redhead.

Neku sighed again as he rubbed at his temples, before he walked to the kitchen. "That…was my ex with her new girlfriend…"

"Oh…" the silverette uttered, trailing after his lover into the kitchen. Neku didn't say anything else to elaborate as he took the kettle off the fire and began looking for the tea. "Neku? Who is 'Mr. H'?"

"Whuh…? …oh right… Sanae Hanekoma. He's…well, he's basically the one who got me up here," Neku said as he began pouring some tea. "We all call him Mr. H."

"Oh, okay," Joshua nodded, accepting the offered cup from Neku after setting Suna on the floor. The fennec fox kit quickly began to sniff around, becoming familiar with his new surroundings. "What's he like?" he asked as they sat on the loveseat.

"He's…um…" Neku paused then. "I'm…not entirely sure how to describe him… He's…different. I think that's the closest I can really get."

"Well, if he was kind enough to keep us together, then I look forward to meeting him," Joshua giggled, cuddling close to the redhead.

"I'll do you one better; he arranged the whole damn thing of us getting together."

"Really? Well, then I need to thank him," the smaller teen replied. "After all, I'm sure you don't mind us being together, right?"

"I don't, of course," Neku said with a nod. "I just don't appreciate this all being staged the way he did it."

"Still, be grateful. We're both happy together. How else would it have happened, anyway?" Joshua pointed out.

"…not sure… Though Gabe would probably say 'if it's meant to be, then it'll happen regardless'…"

"Who's Gabe?"

"…ah right; Gabriel. He's an old friend from when I started here."

"Oh, okay. Do you think he'll like me? As someone for you, I mean," the silverette asked, blushing shyly.

"Probably…he's one of those who believed everyone's got someone waiting for them somewhere."

"That's a nice way of thinking."

"Hmhmm…"

X*X*X*X*X*X*X

After an hour of them just sitting there, there was yet another knock on the door, making Neku grumble. "Dammit…" he mumbled, but he made no move to get up.

"Shouldn't you get that? It might not be those girls," Joshua murmured. Then Suna began to paw at Neku's thigh, yipping at him as if to tell him the same.

"Don't feel like it…" Neku mumbled.

However, the moment he said that, there was another knock, but this time in a very specific pattern that made Neku blink.

"…that's Gabe," he said with a sigh as he stood up. "He's not gonna go away until I open the door…"

"Seems like he knows how stubborn you are," Joshua giggled, scratching behind Suna's ears.

"That he does…" Neku mumbled as he walked over to the door. Wordlessly, he opened the door. "Still as insistent as usual, huh, Gabe?"

"How else am I to get your lazy bum off the couch?" came a calm voice, as Neku stepped aside, allowing the other Angel walk into the house.

"Not funny…"

Joshua sat up as the newcomer entered the house, and got up to greet him.

"It's nice to meet you, Gabriel," the smaller teen smiled. "My name is Joshua."

The Angel looked over curiously, emerald eyes regarding the silverette. He was about Neku's height, but his hair was a combination of light blonde with dark red (possibly dyed) tips. He was dressed in some easy clothes, and, if not for his wings, he could be seen as a very casual guy.

"…Ah, I see. Is this why the girls left your place in such a hurry?" Gabriel asked of Neku.

"Oh shut up…"

"I shall take that as a yes, then," Gabriel said with an amused smile, before he turned to Joshua. "In any event, it is a pleasure to meet you, Joshua," he said as he held out his hand.

"Apparently, they were going to find out who I am from Mr. Hanekoma," Joshua explained as he shook Gabriel's hand.

"That certainly does not surprise me…" Gabriel said with a small smile.

"There a reason you're here, Gabe? Or you just here to say 'hi'?" Neku interrupted.

The subject-changing question didn't seem to affect Gabriel in the least, as he turned to face the redhead. "…Do I not get a drink offered first, Neku?"

Neku rolled his eyes at that. "Weren't you the one saying I wasn't allowed to ask that question anymore?"

This made Gabriel chuckle. "Correct."

"So?"

"…Both," the dual-haired male admitted finally. Joshua chuckled at their antics. Neku sighed softly as he walked back to the loveseat and plopped down on it, before gesturing to the armchair across from it. Gabriel merely nodded in thanks and took the seat without a word. Joshua was quick to join Neku on the loveseat, cuddling close to his side as Suna jumped up and curled into a ball on Joshua's lap. Upon seeing the fox, Gabriel hummed curiously, but he didn't ask about it, even as Neku reached over to lightly scratch Suna behind one of his large ears.

"…so… I guess you're here about what's going on?" Neku finally said.

At that words, Gabriel hummed. "Well, how much do you know already?"

"Barely anything, really… Just Mr. H telling me I was needed back because…dark forces or something?" Joshua frowned, puzzled.

"I see…" Gabriel murmured.

"How much do YOU know?" Neku asked then.

"Not much more than you, I fear… I had actually hoped you would be able to say more."

"Well, sorry to burst your bubble on that one…"

Gabriel merely shrugged.

"Wait, so you'll have to fight these dark forces?" Joshua asked Neku worriedly.

Upon that question, both Angels turned to Joshua, before looking to each other. After a moment of silently staring at each other, Neku finally turned back to Joshua. "Most likely…"

"I…I don't want to see you get hurt," the silverette murmured, lowering his gaze.

"Josh…" Neku started, watching the shorter boy sadly, before he reached over and firmly hugged him. "It's alright… This is pretty standard stuff. I'll bet we'll be done with things before you have a chance to miss me."

"You promise?" Joshua asked softly.

"I promise," Neku assured. "I'm not going to leave you alone. I promise."

Gabriel chose not to say anything. He merely regarded the couple in silence.

"Okay," the smaller teen nodded, hugging Neku back.

Then there was a new knock at the front door, followed by a voice calling, "Neku, I gotta brief you on what's going on, so let me in, okay?"

"...Speak of the devil..."

"You stay; I will get it," Gabriel offered as Neku made to stand up, standing instead and moving to the door. When he answered the door, Mr. H blinked in surprise when he saw Gabriel, and then nodded.

"Good thing you're here, too, Gabriel. Gotta brief you both on this," he said, walking in. When he saw Joshua, he smiled. "Nice to see you're awake, kid. I'm sure Neku's told you who I am, but regardless, it's nice to meet you."

"Um, nice to meet you, too, sir," Joshua replied shyly as Suna went over and sniffed Sanae curiously.

"Don't call me sir, J, it makes me feel older than I am," the Angel chided lightly. "Anyway, go ahead and take a seat, Gabe." Gabriel nodded briefly and took the same seat as he had occupied earlier.

"So, it seems that some sort of dark force is trying to escape from Hell, and even Lucifer can't control it. He shared that it seems to be Orochi, the legendary eight-headed serpent. Lucifer himself is unable to control Orochi, as the beast acts on its own, but some of Lucifer's demons have managed to break through Orochi's defenses. They have all been killed, though." This bit made Joshua stiffen with fear, and he glanced at Neku worriedly. "That's why he asked for us to help. As much as Heaven and Hell oppose each other, Lucifer knows Orochi would end everyone if he gets loose. Neku, Gabriel, you are two of our best fighters, so I'll need you two to be our greatest help."

"Orochi…" Neku murmured with a small frown.

"I can see why Lucifer would require aid with this…" Gabriel said softly. "This is not something demons could deal with on their own…"

"No, it's not. Our holy Angel powers and abilities are the only way to vanquish Orochi," Sanae said. "I'll also join in on the fight, seeing as I taught you both everything I know."

"How many of us will be joining the mission with us?" Gabriel asked, while Neku gently rubbed Joshua's arm.

"Eighteen more Angels, making it an army of twenty-one against Orochi," the older Angel answered. "One of which will be Trinity herself."

Upon that news, both Neku and Gabriel stared at Mr. H.

"Trinity is coming?! Why?!" Neku managed to get out.

"She feels that her fighting presence is necessary in this battle to ensure everyone's safety," Mr. Hanekoma explained. "She doesn't want to lose anyone to this bastard of a serpent, as she put it." He chuckled at the last part. Joshua, however, was still worried about Neku. If this Orochi was as deadly as he sounded, then Neku could be in grave danger if he wasn't careful.

"It would make sense…" Gabriel murmured. "Plus, it would increase our chances of success significantly."

"Yes, it would. She'll be giving everyone their weapons later today, so you two may want to pick those up," Sanae added. "Neku, since you can use any weapon, Trinity's giving you her katana to use since she's using her holy arrows." Joshua relaxed slightly at that, but Suna still sensed his distress, as the kit hopped into his lap and nuzzled his chest.

"That's…awfully considerate…" Neku said slowly. "I'm not complaining, but… I'm not entirely sure I've deserved that honor…" Suddenly, a glowing orb shot into the room through an open window, and after a blinding light, Trinity herself stood before them all.

"Of course you deserve my katana, Neku," she smiled. "Don't belittle yourself. You have someone you love to protect and care for now."

"Lady Trinity…!" both Gabriel and Neku managed to get out in surprise, swiftly bowing their heads respectfully.

"You need not bow, either of you," she giggled. "After all, you and I shall be fighting alongside each other tomorrow, and we will be equals." She looked at Joshua then. "I see you must be Yoshiya, the one who holds Neku's heart. It is a pleasure for me to know that he has someone so special for himself now." Suna yipped at her as if not wanting to be forgotten, and she smiled. "You have a lovely little kit, too. He's precious."

"His name is Suna, actually, Lady Trinity," Joshua murmured shyly.

"A delightful name. And no need to be so shy, my young Angel. I care deeply for all of my Angels, and the fact that you and Neku love each other so deeply makes me care for you that much more," she told him, making Joshua blush. Neku didn't respond to the words, but he did place a hand on Joshua's shoulder to calm him down again. "But I wanted to come by to give you my katana in person, Neku, as well as assure you that you deserve it."

"…" Neku didn't answer immediately, but when he finally seemed to have found his voice again, he bowed once more, despite just being told it wasn't needed. "Thank you, Lady Trinity."

"Of course," she smiled softly, and removed the sheathed blade and its belt from her waist, handing it to him. "Use it well. I shall see you at the palace, Gabriel, to collect your weapon later?"

"As you wish, Lady Trinity," Gabriel said politely with a bow of his own, as Neku stood silently, regarding the weapon he now held in his hands.

"Good. I must return to make my own preparations, so Sanae, if you will come with me," she said.

"I'm coming, Lady Trinity," he nodded, and the pair left, taking flight once outside. After they were gone, Joshua looked at the faintly glowing sheath of the katana, feeling immense power radiating from it.

"I'm glad she gave it to you, Neku," Joshua murmured.

"Hm?" Neku looked over curiously. "…why?"

"Because I don't like worrying so much, and her giving it to you makes my fears ease a bit," the silverette admitted.

Neku regarded the silverette briefly, before he sighed and knocked their foreheads together. "Baka…" he murmured softly. "It'll be fine… you have my word."

"I know, but I can't help but worry. I love you, so shouldn't I worry about you when you're out in dangerous circumstances? I wouldn't be a very good lover if I didn't," Joshua pointed out with a slight smile.

"I know…but you need to trust me…okay?"

"I do," was the immediate answer.

"Good…" Neku mumbled.

Before Joshua could say anything else, there was a small cough, drawing the pair's attention to Gabriel, his expression calm and completely unbothered. Joshua quickly looked down to the floor, embarrassed at having been watched during their conversation.

"Something wrong, Gabe?"

"Not particularly, but I do have something to remind you of, even if you say you already know this…" Gabriel said calmly.

"Lemme guess… I gotta remember I'm not fighting just for myself anymore."

"Correct."

Neku rolled his eyes. "I know that. I have no desire to be ended any time soon."

"I shall hold you to that… though you should also ensure you do not end up as I did."

"…point taken… I'll be careful."

"Good."

Joshua smiled slightly at the other Angel in silent thanks.

"In any event, I shall take my leave now. I will see you tomorrow, Neku."

"Yeah… see ya."

Gabriel nodded silently and then showed himself out without a word. Once he was gone, Joshua looked at Neku again. "At least we can have some alone time now."

Neku sighed as he leaned back. "Yeah… that was a lot of people just showing up randomly…"

"But not without purpose," the smaller teen pointed out, lying back against Neku's chest and pressing a kiss to his jaw.

"I suppose…" the redhead murmured, as he placed a kiss to Joshua's forehead. The silverette smiled as he cuddled with Neku, the pair simply kissing each other occasionally as the evening went on. Eventually, the two Angels went to bed, and Joshua fell asleep in Neku's arms, silently reassured that the fight tomorrow would go well.