Chapter 20
The world of the living always confused him, staring into people's lives as they go by through the years, forever changing.
Too fast at times and too slow for her own sanity if she ever wanted to find who she was looking for.
Many doors to choose from and more windows to peek at.
Her intuition was set on that one burned orange and decaying wooden door. Deep in the forest, a faded path she could not help but ignore.
Angels walked these paths at some point, cared for each and every soul from the new worlds gifted to them by their creators.
New and exciting lives grew and evolved as the Originals set the tone for their success…
…
… and they cause their own demise.
It angered her. Greatly.
Centuries have gone by since any had reached the door, greenery clouded the splints and chips of colour from the sun.
But she could see it, she could feel it… and she could hear it.
Yes, the Gods had abandoned this one long ago after it was set for creation, not a single speck of trace could be seen on the stones she stepped on to reach the handle.
Before her hand could feel the cold coppery metal, that voice kept ringing over and over.
A prayer.
Not just any prayer, she noted, the language was old and almost forced. Whoever was reciting those words was not a native speaker.
But that never stopped an Angel from answering the enchanting call for help.
They all yearned for those souls to need them, to want them back. But not after many attempts to "cleanse" the lands from "unholy" practices, they had to leave.
Those witch hunts forced them out, every single time. Memories from the last world she visited flashed like a warning, pulling her back a few steps to second guess her choices.
The wind sang to her, calming her nerves. It was her decision to make, no one could take it from her.
But it could be her last.
Here, she is safe.
Here, she is loved.
Here, she is protected.
Strong and free. Free to leave or come back when she wanted. "it's up to you" they told her when she barged into her mothers chambers at dawn many days ago. Her mind was racing as she spilled everything she could remember after waking up in her room, agitated as she just lived an entire life in the blink of her sleep.
Her dreams pushed her to be here, all those visions of the world that had a timer on it. It had been a long time since they saw one.
The palm size sand clock was turned over. There was no time set, only the sand that would eventually run low until it dwindled completely.
Until the door disappears… along with every soul behind it.
She could ignore it, turn around and follow the tall trees towards smaller fruitful trees, softer grass and close the large curtains from her chambers into a slumber and just watch the lives of people go by as it ends.
From comfort and luxuries.
Waking up every morning to her own reality and trying to forget before going to sleep and repeat. Eventually, those dreams will become shorter, and end completely.
Back to normal, once the world is destroyed and those souls stop screaming.
It baffled her, how Angels could be cherished and respected until they fall from grace in the eyes of the living.
Until they are seen as nothing more than what the Gods left behind.
Powerless against the true nature of those evil thoughts and acts than led them all to flee or be taken.
Taken and never seen again by the other Angels.
It was terrifying, but they had to find their refuge, back to their sanctuary.
At least those Souls could pray.
The library helped her prepare, every book and note about the way she saw people dress, and act was very helpful. Once she stepped foot on those lands, her presence won't be as alarming.
She was no actor, but she could play the part well enough, just like she was taught. Her dark green Kimono almost made her disappear against the rich shrubberies and tall grass surrounding the door. Her long golden hair tied up in a simple braid adorned with a simple clasp.
Just like any middle-class woman from that world, that is what she needed. A middle ground to avoid standing out or avoided.
Her emerald eyes scanned the surroundings, it was completely silent. A branch alerted her to the right. – "Mother?" – she spoke up.
The woman emerged into the bleeding rays of sun, her silver armour shining like a diamond in the rust. – "Are you having second thoughts?" – she inquired, concern lingering on her beautiful features. Her Amber eyes scanning her daughter like a hawk.
Deflated, she spoke. – "I cannot lie." – searching for the right words, her eyes could not meet her mothers. – "I just feel it." – reaching to her chest, holding her only weapon, a small pendant sealing her escape if she had to. – "Maybe it was meant to be destroyed." – her words echoed chillingly against the darkened wood.
Her mother could see more than she knew, but it scared her to pry. What if she heard something she rather not know?
- "I know, my darling." – gentle words, not pushing or guiding her daughter, just showring support. – "I felt that too." – catching her daughters attention once more, she smiled softly, those knowing eyes telling her more than she needed. – "I will be right here, waiting for you." –
Of course she would be going alone, it was a mission she gave to herself. Her mother could not interfere with Angels, not even her own daughters tests and trials.
It was a funny part of their life as they lived through many stepping stones. Her mother made choices that brought her to where she was, and she had to do the same.
Choose or be chosen.
After all, we can't avoid fate forever.
With the Gods silence and the echoes of fate screaming at her, she stepped forwards and the door opened on its own. Welcoming her into the void of transition.
Her body jumped against her soul, reminding her of mortality. In a blink, she was staring at the light blue sky, not a cloud in sight.
Birds chirped at her in curiosity, time starting to feel real once again. Angels don't fancy that feeling.
Her lungs filled with the rich scent of Sunkissed lands. Surrounded by wildflowers and weeds, she slowly gathered herself and began her search.
- "Oi, lady!" – she heard. – "You looking for a ride?" – the man asked, a few meters away on a large wooden farmers carriage. A Large horse kicking in protest of the unwelcomed pit stop.
A mountain of corn on the back was begging to fall. She turned to the man once more, his stare began to twist into suspicion as she found herself in the field across from a-
Restaurant? Hotel?
The large wooden building was buzzing with patrons laughing and clinging their cups with glee at beautiful women in similar clothing than hers smiled and giggled at them.
Their makeup was painted to perfection and not a single loose hair on their ornate style.
Maybe she should move. – "Yes!" she answered, rushing to the man in her not so dirt friendly sandals.
Hoppin on, with the help of the man, she took out a coin from her hidden pouch and handed it to the man. – "Will this be enough?" – to her knowledge, she couldn't just accept help for free. – "The man didn't even glance at her as he guided the horse to head forward.
- "Don't worry lass, this old man is no lady snatcher." – he laughed. – "You look a little lost, maybe the bordel was not the place you thought it would be, eye?" – he continued with laughter. Ignoring her surprise and wide eyes. – "The sun will set soon anyway, by then we will reach Konohagakure. Don't worry, you can go back to your parents and tell them the place burned down by the time you got there. No one has to know." –
She was speechless, to say the least. But she was not going to let this opportunity go by. – "Yes." – she nodded, shyness peaking through. – "Thank you, kind sir." – that story was much better than hers.
It was a Godsend to find this man and just fall into a perfect lie.
His soul was kind, every time he spoke (he never sopped unless he had to drink or laugh), his eyes would light up when he spoke about his children, a large family his wife gave him once they settled down in their ranch far from the town they were heading.
- "My son lives there; he married a great woman and they run their own business in town. Isn't that amazing? He has made me very proud! All of them have!" – he continued. – "I might stay a few nights, they are supposed to welcome their first child, why don't you join us for dinner? You can ring your parents once we get there. They might be surprised, but I can talk to my son, he has many people working for him. You will fit right in!" –
There was no room to answer, she just nodded along as he would jump from one story to the next and from question to question. The man had such a lively soul.
The corners of her lips could not help but lift into a smile. To think she would find a wasteland of death and despair waiting for her as she scouted for the last survivors. There was still time, but she had no idea how long, or what lingered on the other side of this world.
The lives she saw pass by on her dreams were tearful and short, the life expectancy was wavering, and people knew they could die at any time.
It seems the door wanted to give her a reason to stay…
To save their souls.
A Great wall with large doors welcomed them as the man pulled his horse to stop. It reminded her of the Golden Gates back home, a stark contrast from this one. Those doors are purely symbolic, as these are for protection.
In case of war.
The man coughed to gain her attention. – "Don't worry too much, lass." – he smiled at her, a fatherly pose to give her courage. – "You will be just fine." – he rumbled through his bag and got some papers out, shaking them in front of her. – "Don't forget to show your papers, or you're not allowed in." – she blinked her confusion away and searched for her own, a simple document stating her name, picture and who she was.
Basically, a form of identification, she held it with warmth as this was a life she was living just to go by. A weird little lie, but one she would need to avoid suspicions.
A child in dark uniform greeted them, his hair messy and spikey as his eyes scanned both of them with a critical and cold eye. – "Hey kid, don't look too gloomy over there." – the farmer shouted to lighten up the mood.
The kid was not phased as he took their papers and disappeared for a few moments. She had to hold back her surprise and just smile at the man while he argued about the tight security. That silver haired boy appeared on the entrance of the gate and pushed it open. – "Hey, don't ignore me! We have to ask teacher to give us better missions!" – another boy shouted, his tone annoyed and his posture almost bursting with contained energy. The other kid just ignored him and gave them their papers back.
- "Just ignore them, they are doing their best." – a taller man spoke before the farmer began to move forward. She nodded and noted how it seemed he was the one giving the orders and guarding the entrance. The kids turned pale as he stared them down.
Laughter echoed from the farmers larger frame. He was amused and content now that he could continue his stories in peace. – "Welcome to The Village Hidden in the leaves!" –
She could not help but eat up every detail from the small stalls, big shops filled with customers, goods and the houses sitting on top. It was a small village bursting with live and plenty of children running about and chasing each other before their mothers had to shout at them.
From the baker opening his doors to delightful smells and warm good to the baskets of fruit and vegetables on the entrance of another shop, one open door after the other with bells ringing after every customer and worker passing by.
- "Did you miss your home?" – the farmer spoke. – "You look like you could take the scenic route." – the sun was still setting and showering the town in the last golden rays of light as they turned into specks of diamonds in the sky. Almost covered by the warm streetlights and lit houses as the people returned home and got ready to end their days.
The farmer slowly began to quiet down as to not disturb the neighbourhood. – "If you look up, you can see the Great Wall covered in the faces of warriors." – he spoke. Turning, she lost her breath as the moon shined upon large rock formations carved into the detailed faces of men. – "I know, it gets me every time." – he continued. – "It's like they oversee the entire village and protect them. You must feel lucky, your Hokage is a Legend!" –
She had no answer but a polite smile and a nod, maybe she was lucky to find herself near powerful leaders, but that was not enough for this world to survive…
The thought made her mood sour slightly, catching the attention of the farmer. – "hey… oh." – he cut himself off. – "I heard there will be a celebration soon, for the beginning of Spring! Aren't you glad you're home right on time?" – he tried to bring some excitement over. – "My grandchild is due for Spring, so we can all celebrate! You're invited!" –
-" You are too kind." – she smiled back, a weak smile, but one nonetheless. – " I wouldn't want to impose on you. Your daughter-in-law must have her hands full."- the blende tried to object but the farmer had none of it, he shook his head and rushed them to his son's porch.
A tall man with spiky hair opened the door, the light behind him casting a shadow and making him too dark for her to see him properly. – "Oi! Come and greet your old dad! Help me bring down the corn." – the farmer jumped off the carriage and started to unload the tons of goods. His son just stared and crossed his arms over his chest. – "Father, we did not expect you so soon. Did you speed poor old Sunshine to bring you here?" – he spoke in disapproval.
- "Stop stalling and come over, help our guest- Wait. What was your name again?" – the woman realised she did not even give her name or ask for his. This whole time speaking to a random man she met in the middle of nowhere.
- "Don't worry." – she rushed off the carriage, the younger man approaching as he shook his head. – "You did it again, father. You never let people talk." – he turned to her a gave her his hand to shake in a business greeting. – "My name is Kisashi. Haruno Kisashi." – he smiled at her, his dark dusty pink hair glimpsing through the dim lighting.
A woman approached from the house. – "Honey, I need your help with- oh, hello!" – she wobbled her heavily pregnant figure next to her husband, ignoring her husbands arguments over her being out in the cold. – "You must be my father-in-law's latest victim." – she joked, her green eyes scanning her as she became surprised. – "Gosh, you're just like a mirror." –
The farmer apologised and rushed to the women. – "So sorry, I forgot about that. Please don't trouble yourself, you're about to burst!" – his half joke was met with the steel eyes of both women. – "Sorry! You are looking as beautiful as ever!" – he tried.
He really tried.
- "Father, stop digging yourself a deeper grave. This is my wife, Mebuki" – his son joked and presented his wife with pride. – "Now, who do we have the pleasure to host for the night?" – all three gazes stared right at the woman.
With a bright smile, she felt that soul kick with glee as it was about to be born, it called to her like a hopeful song.
It pushed away all those dark thoughts that haunted her for the last few days and tormented her at night.
This was her reason to be here.
That little soul needed her.
- "Nice to meet you all." – she bowed as she had practiced before arriving. – "Please call me Angelique." –
Sorry for the late update!