Tenshi no Uta (15/16)
Nov. 5th, 2014 05:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wendyjolyTitle : Tenshi no Uta
Author : WendyJoly
Pairing : Sakurai Sho/Ninomiya Kazunari, Matsumoto Jun/Ueno Juri, Ohno Satoshi/Ken Miyake
Rating : PG
Genre : SF
Lenght : Chaptered
Genre : Music, love and star ships
Disclaimer : I owe nothing but Arashi owns surely my soul
Summary : “An Angel has the power to pacify a crowd, to convey emotions people ignore. But…when an Angel sings for his master, this man can feel the fullness of body and mind…however, one Angel is made for a Master and only one. And the master can’t choose his Angel.” But when Ninomiya Kazunari, an Angel fated to belong to the ruler of the galaxy chooses the Commandant of the ship designated to guide him to his Master, what will happen to him?
Note: The concept of singing Angel belongs to O.S Card, I borrow it with all the respect due to his huge talent.
CHAPTER 15
In the heart of the base, where the daylight never came in, only some artificial lamps like small panel-windows recreated the circadian rhythm to help the dwellers to keep a semblance of daily routine. A perfumed breeze crossed the underground rooms, aerating it to erase the sulphur odour and keep a constant temperature far from the boisterous Nerima.
The engineers recreated the cycle of the seasons to feed the dwellers with fresh vegetables and fruits and in the middle of a little forest, a shed had been built according the style of the old city of Amaterasu. A sweet remind of what life was during the old Emperor’s reign. If this place hadn’t been the bastion of the rebellion, the residents could have lived forever in peace.
But the base never slept. Always on their guards, always on edge, the watchers were ready night and day, in space or on the ground to sound the alarm.
It was hard to forget, to live this transitory period with a quiet mind, when everybody inside this crater only wished living a life according his aspirations.
Even if in this very moment, the Empire, the rebellion and Okada was at millions of parsec from two resident’s mind.
Sho has been awoken by the warm light of the rising sun and the perfume of the dewy flowers, smiling without even noticing when he felt the sweet weight on his naked chest. He half-opened his eyelids and observed him leisurely for a moment, trying to ease his breathe to not disturb Nino’s quiet sleep. His long eyelashes that a girl would have envied, his pearly skin so thin that Sho could see the underneath veins, his lips so red and bruised by the passionate kisses they shared. His hand brushed slightly the hair of the Angel that a smile betrayed.
“Are you awake my Angel?”
“I didn’t sleep. I do not need a lot of sleep.”
“You should have gone to the mess.”
“Without you? Never…Sho.”
Nino spoke his name so prettily that Sho heard it as a love confession, but his concerns reappeared.
“Sing, please.”
Nino chuckled and closed his eyes maliciously. Sho frowned seriously, straddled his lover, making him rolling over. Then he leaned on his face.
“Nino, I’m not kidding, I need to hear your voice.” He scolded gently.
The Angel cupped Sho’s face and blew an enchanted melody to his lips, giving him the proof that his gift was still present. Without noticing, they were kissing and the song continued to exist in Sho’s mind only. A light of lucidity struck him.
“Why?”
“Why?”
“Why didn’t you lose your voice? Yet, the Oracles told me you’d lose it if we…”
“Yet I sing for you. Now in your embrace, in our bed. You make me sing.”
The Angel’s gaze was clear and limpid, the same determination enlightening his face. As ever, he put all his heart in each word he spoke.
“Since I met you, my heart sings for you. That’s what the Oracles told you…no one else won’t ever hear my singing from now. This is what happens when an Angel falls in love.”
“How do you know?”
“I feel it, deep inside me, that’s all.”
This conversation was barely a murmur between them, their physical proximity didn’t require anything else.
“Nino, I have to leave.”
“Why?”
“I have to see my parents to stop this marriage, to tell them the truth. I can’t step back.”
This night in the Angel’s arms helped him to realize how much the Oracles were right. If he remained the man he used to be: reflective, subjected to the authority of a superior, able to shut his own aspirations to fit to his parents and hierarchy’s expectations, this future they predicted to him would happen. In all its horror.
He was totally convinced now, it was a second chance offered to the both of them. And for the sake of the man laid by his side he won’t waste it.
“When?”
“The sooner the better. I can’t fool them anyway. My wedding is planned for this week, everybody should be looking for me.”
“Bring me along.” Murmured Nino, sticking lustfully to his body.
“You have to stop this.”
“Stop what?”
“Use your huge charm to wrap me around your finger.”
“I’ll do what you will tell me to do.”
“Nino…I want you to do what you wish to do, or what you think being the best for you, for the two of us.”
“The best for me is to be with you.”
He scrutinized him with his obstinate and tender gaze and Sho had hard time to repress a laugher. He laid down on his flank, putting his temple into his palm and arched an eyebrow, his free hand caressing negligently the soft belly of his lover.
“Do you know what pig-headed means?”
“What is a pig-headed?”
“Someone stubborn, who never changes his mind.”
“If it means that I will always love you so, that’s who I am.”
“You scare me sometimes, Nino. The way you love me scares me, so absolute, so full of confidence. If…if something happened to me…”
“I’d die.”
“So I’ll do what I have to do to stay alive. For you.”
Sho saw Nino’s gaze changing to become blurry and before noticing, he was laid under him and straddled. Nino leaned on his neck and kissed him fervently as his hands slid under the sheets.
“When I was a child, the Intendant of the Sakurai’s household told me the stories of old Courtiers in ancient times. He told me those enchanted men who bewitched every human being they met, he told me the story of an Emperor who dissolved his harem because he refused to touch anyone else but his favourite. I’m pretty sure this man was an Angel.”
Nino already disappeared somewhere between his sternum and his lower belly, smiling against his erected flesh.
“You know…we’ll have to exit this bed…” Said Sho huskily, his eyes already closed with pleasure.
“Later, Sho, later.”
~Ã~
The sun was strong in the mess when they came in. Nino was still clang to his hand, they walked to Juri’s apartments but it was totally empty so they headed to the Command post.
Nagase was sitting in a listener’s sit and his preoccupied gaze didn’t augur well.
“Nagase-san?”
“Oh, Sakurai! Are you looking for Hoshiko and Matsumoto?”
“I wanted to announce my departure for the Sakurai Palace.”
“Hoshiko is flying and Matsumoto is checking the stocks but I just called him and I was about to do it for both of you too.”
“Something happened?”
“I’m afraid that our fears are being confirmed. I received a message from Aiba at dawn. He crossed some imperial ships in the Keno system and the communications were cut with the monks on-site.”
“They wouldn’t dare…”
“He would. And if you keep some doubt about it, you’re naïve.”
Sho squeezed the trembling Angel’s hand.
“He will attack the Orchid palace?” whispered Nino, his voice weakened by angst.
“It’s possible. Aiba left to help Usui-sensei.” Answered Nagase firmly.
“What do you plan to do?”
“We’ll wait news from Masaki before going to the Imperial palace.”
“I’ll stay with you.” Said Sho firmly.
“No, you have to go.” Juri was still wearing her pilot’s outfit when she entered the room. “You have to cancel your wedding. If you don’t take the initiative they will know you joined the rebellion and who are your allies. And perhaps is it the moment for you to talk to your father, to tell him who is Okada.”
“You think he could be our ally?”
“At least we have to try, Sho.”
“Okay. I’ll do as quickly as possible.”
“As soon as we’ll hear news from Aiba, I’ll contact you. Do you take the Arashi?”
“Yes, it’s safer.”
“Don’t worry for Nino, we’ll take good care of him.” Smiled Juri, seeing the anxious face of the Angel.
“Thanks. I’ll contact you as soon as I’ve talked to my father.”
“Take care.”
“No worries. I’ll be fine, I promised to Nino.”
Jun was about to mock his lovey-dovey friend when he crossed Nino’s serious gaze. Sho took his hand and dragged him to the other side of the room to find some intimacy.
“I’ll be quick, my love.” Said Sho to his Angel, cupping his face to kiss him.
“I can’t help but be afraid. I have a bad feeling, as if it was the last time we’ll see each other.”
“I will come back to you, I swear. You have to be confident, Nino. Stay with Juri and Jun. Promise me.”
He nodded and after a last kiss he took his leave.
“Can you help me?” Said Jun to the Angel handing him an endless list. He knew exactly what Nino had in mind. Him too, didn’t need to overthink about their common and uncertain future and about this bad feeling he couldn’t get rid of it. Why did he have the feeling that he saw his best friend for the last time?
~Ã~
The Palace Sakurai wasn’t decorated like he should have been. No one in the state apartments and the corridors were almost empty. Sho left his crew taking a well-deserved rest and prepare the ship for a fast departure for Nerima. He would spend the necessary time to talk to his father but he was afraid to be unwelcomed soon after the interview. His father had always been an exemplary Baron, loyal, unable to change his mind about a decision, even if he had to be unreasonably stubborn. Sho admired this quality since his childhood, but his great discernment made him realize that it was his worse flaw too.
But he wasn’t a child anymore, he was a man loyal to his friends and to his core values and if cut the links with his father was required, he would do it…even if it would be heart-breaking.
He smiled without notice as his thoughts wandered to his lover and those moments they shared. Although they didn’t spend a lot of time together since the day he met him at the Orchid Palace, he became the better part of himself.
Honour, Empire, friends, truth and justice, his entire life he fought for his values but since Nino…he was his only and best reason to fight. He would change the world for him.
He caught a servant.
“My father?”
“The Baron is in his study, Sir.”
He climbed up the stairs, indwelt by a sudden enthusiasm almost improper in such critical moment. He knocked at the heavy wooden door of the study and came in. But he stopped short.
His father and his mother were sat on each side of the desk, talking passionately, their faces misshaped with concern.
His mother rose all of a sudden and led him to a chair under the angry gaze of his father.
“What did you do?” Scolded the husky voice of the Baron.
“Father?”
“The wedding has been cancelled, but whatever, after all. The General Okada is out-of-mind and set the galaxy on fire because of you. He pretends you stole his Angel, is it true?”
Sho nodded, taking like he always did, the responsibility of his actions.
“You have a prize on you head, just like Matsumoto. Our two palaces have been requisitioned and our two families will be banished if we refuse to cooperate. And there you are…almost smiling…”
The Baroness took her son’s hand and squeezed it thigh. Then she stood up to face her husband.
“Sho won’t do anything to infringe the code of honour or bring shame on our family.”
“And yet, Okada is against him.”
“ I won’t give him MY son. We won’t give him our son.” Said loudly Sho’s mother.
“Mother. You won’t be punished for a decision I took. I…I live with the man that Okada took for his Angel, indeed. I won’t deny it, we belong to each other. But Okada lost his mind, since years already and it’s high time for the real Empress, the last Emperor’s daughter to claim the throne.”
“What are you talking about?” Murmured the Baron standing up anxiously.
“She’s alive and ready to reclaim its place.”
“How~”
“Juri. My friend Juri is Kimura’s daughter and the Oracles allowed her to claim the throne. But most important, did you know that Okada killed the Emperor, his wife and Juri’s mother?”
The trio remained silent and the Baron patted his wife’s hand. They were visibly embarrassed and Sho clenched his jaws.
“We didn’t know.” Answered the Baron. “But there were rumours at that time. We fought him, really, you must believe me Sho. But…me like Matsumoto and some others had to sign his peace treaty. So many people already died, so many irreparable losses…”
Sho stood up and faced his parents, taking decision for the Barony for the first time in his life.
“It’s time for us to fight him once again. It’s time for us to set things right.”
The door of the office flew into pieces and Imperial guards marched into the room.
“General. We have him.” Said the head soldier pointing his weapon on Sakurai.
~Ã~
They received Aiba’s first message the next day. His voice was veiled by emotion and the bad quality of the transmission allowed them only to understand that he was on his way back. Their worst fears became reality when the Yamabushi announced his landing. He didn’t fly the ship he piloted when he left but a mere cruiser reserved to passengers.
Nagase, Juri, Jun, Satoshi and Nino waited him anxiously, not sure about what would exit from the star ship. But they would never have expected this little train of children led by a miserable Ken.
The children immediately identified Nino as a member of the Orchid palace and ran to him. The adults stared at them, astonished, singing their story to the Angel who blanked dramatically.
“Aiba, where is Aiba-chan?” He murmured in an undertone.
“I’m here, Nino.” The monk was at the door’s ship and they barely recognized his husky voice. His hood was low on his face and Nagase walked to him.
“Masaki, what happened?”
“He killed them all. Okada burned down the Orchid palace and his dwellers.”
“And the children?” Exclaimed Nino.
“The survivors are in front of you.”
The Angel fell on the floor like a puppet, tears blurring his eyes, his breath shortened by the harm constricting his chest. The children of the palace. Hundreds of children, those little singers, those painters, those little lives…and their masters? And…
“Usui-sensei?” Begged Nino with a desperate voice.
The monk stepped forward and put the folded wings ring into Nino’s palm.
“I guess he would have wished that you own it, Nino.”
“Satoshi, can you take care of Nino and the children?” Asked Juri.
The painter nodded and helped the Angel to rise, whispering to his ear to be strong for the children who needed his help.
“Masaki…” Tried Juri grabbing the elbow of the Monk. But this one stood still, refusing her help and her compassion. He gazed at the assembly a last time and left the place, heading to his apartments.
The children clang to the two former residents of the Orchid palace, followed them to the mess in silent. They ate before falling asleep in Satoshi’s room.
Nino couldn’t help but think about Masaki. He barely recognized him earlier and if he knew that the children would find the strength to keep on living, even after the tragedy, his instinct told him that something was definitely broken inside him. He feared his reactions, because those past months taught him that he didn’t know his capacities and his deep personality.
His thoughts wandered to Sho and an unreasonable angst seized him.
He left the bedroom and climbed the stairs as fast as his skinny legs allowed him to, barging into Masaki’s apartment, not surprised to find it empty. He went back to the council room where an emergency meeting was held.
“Masaki disappeared!”
TBC...
Author : WendyJoly
Pairing : Sakurai Sho/Ninomiya Kazunari, Matsumoto Jun/Ueno Juri, Ohno Satoshi/Ken Miyake
Rating : PG
Genre : SF
Lenght : Chaptered
Genre : Music, love and star ships
Disclaimer : I owe nothing but Arashi owns surely my soul
Summary : “An Angel has the power to pacify a crowd, to convey emotions people ignore. But…when an Angel sings for his master, this man can feel the fullness of body and mind…however, one Angel is made for a Master and only one. And the master can’t choose his Angel.” But when Ninomiya Kazunari, an Angel fated to belong to the ruler of the galaxy chooses the Commandant of the ship designated to guide him to his Master, what will happen to him?
Note: The concept of singing Angel belongs to O.S Card, I borrow it with all the respect due to his huge talent.
CHAPTER 15
In the heart of the base, where the daylight never came in, only some artificial lamps like small panel-windows recreated the circadian rhythm to help the dwellers to keep a semblance of daily routine. A perfumed breeze crossed the underground rooms, aerating it to erase the sulphur odour and keep a constant temperature far from the boisterous Nerima.
The engineers recreated the cycle of the seasons to feed the dwellers with fresh vegetables and fruits and in the middle of a little forest, a shed had been built according the style of the old city of Amaterasu. A sweet remind of what life was during the old Emperor’s reign. If this place hadn’t been the bastion of the rebellion, the residents could have lived forever in peace.
But the base never slept. Always on their guards, always on edge, the watchers were ready night and day, in space or on the ground to sound the alarm.
It was hard to forget, to live this transitory period with a quiet mind, when everybody inside this crater only wished living a life according his aspirations.
Even if in this very moment, the Empire, the rebellion and Okada was at millions of parsec from two resident’s mind.
Sho has been awoken by the warm light of the rising sun and the perfume of the dewy flowers, smiling without even noticing when he felt the sweet weight on his naked chest. He half-opened his eyelids and observed him leisurely for a moment, trying to ease his breathe to not disturb Nino’s quiet sleep. His long eyelashes that a girl would have envied, his pearly skin so thin that Sho could see the underneath veins, his lips so red and bruised by the passionate kisses they shared. His hand brushed slightly the hair of the Angel that a smile betrayed.
“Are you awake my Angel?”
“I didn’t sleep. I do not need a lot of sleep.”
“You should have gone to the mess.”
“Without you? Never…Sho.”
Nino spoke his name so prettily that Sho heard it as a love confession, but his concerns reappeared.
“Sing, please.”
Nino chuckled and closed his eyes maliciously. Sho frowned seriously, straddled his lover, making him rolling over. Then he leaned on his face.
“Nino, I’m not kidding, I need to hear your voice.” He scolded gently.
The Angel cupped Sho’s face and blew an enchanted melody to his lips, giving him the proof that his gift was still present. Without noticing, they were kissing and the song continued to exist in Sho’s mind only. A light of lucidity struck him.
“Why?”
“Why?”
“Why didn’t you lose your voice? Yet, the Oracles told me you’d lose it if we…”
“Yet I sing for you. Now in your embrace, in our bed. You make me sing.”
The Angel’s gaze was clear and limpid, the same determination enlightening his face. As ever, he put all his heart in each word he spoke.
“Since I met you, my heart sings for you. That’s what the Oracles told you…no one else won’t ever hear my singing from now. This is what happens when an Angel falls in love.”
“How do you know?”
“I feel it, deep inside me, that’s all.”
This conversation was barely a murmur between them, their physical proximity didn’t require anything else.
“Nino, I have to leave.”
“Why?”
“I have to see my parents to stop this marriage, to tell them the truth. I can’t step back.”
This night in the Angel’s arms helped him to realize how much the Oracles were right. If he remained the man he used to be: reflective, subjected to the authority of a superior, able to shut his own aspirations to fit to his parents and hierarchy’s expectations, this future they predicted to him would happen. In all its horror.
He was totally convinced now, it was a second chance offered to the both of them. And for the sake of the man laid by his side he won’t waste it.
“When?”
“The sooner the better. I can’t fool them anyway. My wedding is planned for this week, everybody should be looking for me.”
“Bring me along.” Murmured Nino, sticking lustfully to his body.
“You have to stop this.”
“Stop what?”
“Use your huge charm to wrap me around your finger.”
“I’ll do what you will tell me to do.”
“Nino…I want you to do what you wish to do, or what you think being the best for you, for the two of us.”
“The best for me is to be with you.”
He scrutinized him with his obstinate and tender gaze and Sho had hard time to repress a laugher. He laid down on his flank, putting his temple into his palm and arched an eyebrow, his free hand caressing negligently the soft belly of his lover.
“Do you know what pig-headed means?”
“What is a pig-headed?”
“Someone stubborn, who never changes his mind.”
“If it means that I will always love you so, that’s who I am.”
“You scare me sometimes, Nino. The way you love me scares me, so absolute, so full of confidence. If…if something happened to me…”
“I’d die.”
“So I’ll do what I have to do to stay alive. For you.”
Sho saw Nino’s gaze changing to become blurry and before noticing, he was laid under him and straddled. Nino leaned on his neck and kissed him fervently as his hands slid under the sheets.
“When I was a child, the Intendant of the Sakurai’s household told me the stories of old Courtiers in ancient times. He told me those enchanted men who bewitched every human being they met, he told me the story of an Emperor who dissolved his harem because he refused to touch anyone else but his favourite. I’m pretty sure this man was an Angel.”
Nino already disappeared somewhere between his sternum and his lower belly, smiling against his erected flesh.
“You know…we’ll have to exit this bed…” Said Sho huskily, his eyes already closed with pleasure.
“Later, Sho, later.”
The sun was strong in the mess when they came in. Nino was still clang to his hand, they walked to Juri’s apartments but it was totally empty so they headed to the Command post.
Nagase was sitting in a listener’s sit and his preoccupied gaze didn’t augur well.
“Nagase-san?”
“Oh, Sakurai! Are you looking for Hoshiko and Matsumoto?”
“I wanted to announce my departure for the Sakurai Palace.”
“Hoshiko is flying and Matsumoto is checking the stocks but I just called him and I was about to do it for both of you too.”
“Something happened?”
“I’m afraid that our fears are being confirmed. I received a message from Aiba at dawn. He crossed some imperial ships in the Keno system and the communications were cut with the monks on-site.”
“They wouldn’t dare…”
“He would. And if you keep some doubt about it, you’re naïve.”
Sho squeezed the trembling Angel’s hand.
“He will attack the Orchid palace?” whispered Nino, his voice weakened by angst.
“It’s possible. Aiba left to help Usui-sensei.” Answered Nagase firmly.
“What do you plan to do?”
“We’ll wait news from Masaki before going to the Imperial palace.”
“I’ll stay with you.” Said Sho firmly.
“No, you have to go.” Juri was still wearing her pilot’s outfit when she entered the room. “You have to cancel your wedding. If you don’t take the initiative they will know you joined the rebellion and who are your allies. And perhaps is it the moment for you to talk to your father, to tell him who is Okada.”
“You think he could be our ally?”
“At least we have to try, Sho.”
“Okay. I’ll do as quickly as possible.”
“As soon as we’ll hear news from Aiba, I’ll contact you. Do you take the Arashi?”
“Yes, it’s safer.”
“Don’t worry for Nino, we’ll take good care of him.” Smiled Juri, seeing the anxious face of the Angel.
“Thanks. I’ll contact you as soon as I’ve talked to my father.”
“Take care.”
“No worries. I’ll be fine, I promised to Nino.”
Jun was about to mock his lovey-dovey friend when he crossed Nino’s serious gaze. Sho took his hand and dragged him to the other side of the room to find some intimacy.
“I’ll be quick, my love.” Said Sho to his Angel, cupping his face to kiss him.
“I can’t help but be afraid. I have a bad feeling, as if it was the last time we’ll see each other.”
“I will come back to you, I swear. You have to be confident, Nino. Stay with Juri and Jun. Promise me.”
He nodded and after a last kiss he took his leave.
“Can you help me?” Said Jun to the Angel handing him an endless list. He knew exactly what Nino had in mind. Him too, didn’t need to overthink about their common and uncertain future and about this bad feeling he couldn’t get rid of it. Why did he have the feeling that he saw his best friend for the last time?
The Palace Sakurai wasn’t decorated like he should have been. No one in the state apartments and the corridors were almost empty. Sho left his crew taking a well-deserved rest and prepare the ship for a fast departure for Nerima. He would spend the necessary time to talk to his father but he was afraid to be unwelcomed soon after the interview. His father had always been an exemplary Baron, loyal, unable to change his mind about a decision, even if he had to be unreasonably stubborn. Sho admired this quality since his childhood, but his great discernment made him realize that it was his worse flaw too.
But he wasn’t a child anymore, he was a man loyal to his friends and to his core values and if cut the links with his father was required, he would do it…even if it would be heart-breaking.
He smiled without notice as his thoughts wandered to his lover and those moments they shared. Although they didn’t spend a lot of time together since the day he met him at the Orchid Palace, he became the better part of himself.
Honour, Empire, friends, truth and justice, his entire life he fought for his values but since Nino…he was his only and best reason to fight. He would change the world for him.
He caught a servant.
“My father?”
“The Baron is in his study, Sir.”
He climbed up the stairs, indwelt by a sudden enthusiasm almost improper in such critical moment. He knocked at the heavy wooden door of the study and came in. But he stopped short.
His father and his mother were sat on each side of the desk, talking passionately, their faces misshaped with concern.
His mother rose all of a sudden and led him to a chair under the angry gaze of his father.
“What did you do?” Scolded the husky voice of the Baron.
“Father?”
“The wedding has been cancelled, but whatever, after all. The General Okada is out-of-mind and set the galaxy on fire because of you. He pretends you stole his Angel, is it true?”
Sho nodded, taking like he always did, the responsibility of his actions.
“You have a prize on you head, just like Matsumoto. Our two palaces have been requisitioned and our two families will be banished if we refuse to cooperate. And there you are…almost smiling…”
The Baroness took her son’s hand and squeezed it thigh. Then she stood up to face her husband.
“Sho won’t do anything to infringe the code of honour or bring shame on our family.”
“And yet, Okada is against him.”
“ I won’t give him MY son. We won’t give him our son.” Said loudly Sho’s mother.
“Mother. You won’t be punished for a decision I took. I…I live with the man that Okada took for his Angel, indeed. I won’t deny it, we belong to each other. But Okada lost his mind, since years already and it’s high time for the real Empress, the last Emperor’s daughter to claim the throne.”
“What are you talking about?” Murmured the Baron standing up anxiously.
“She’s alive and ready to reclaim its place.”
“How~”
“Juri. My friend Juri is Kimura’s daughter and the Oracles allowed her to claim the throne. But most important, did you know that Okada killed the Emperor, his wife and Juri’s mother?”
The trio remained silent and the Baron patted his wife’s hand. They were visibly embarrassed and Sho clenched his jaws.
“We didn’t know.” Answered the Baron. “But there were rumours at that time. We fought him, really, you must believe me Sho. But…me like Matsumoto and some others had to sign his peace treaty. So many people already died, so many irreparable losses…”
Sho stood up and faced his parents, taking decision for the Barony for the first time in his life.
“It’s time for us to fight him once again. It’s time for us to set things right.”
The door of the office flew into pieces and Imperial guards marched into the room.
“General. We have him.” Said the head soldier pointing his weapon on Sakurai.
They received Aiba’s first message the next day. His voice was veiled by emotion and the bad quality of the transmission allowed them only to understand that he was on his way back. Their worst fears became reality when the Yamabushi announced his landing. He didn’t fly the ship he piloted when he left but a mere cruiser reserved to passengers.
Nagase, Juri, Jun, Satoshi and Nino waited him anxiously, not sure about what would exit from the star ship. But they would never have expected this little train of children led by a miserable Ken.
The children immediately identified Nino as a member of the Orchid palace and ran to him. The adults stared at them, astonished, singing their story to the Angel who blanked dramatically.
“Aiba, where is Aiba-chan?” He murmured in an undertone.
“I’m here, Nino.” The monk was at the door’s ship and they barely recognized his husky voice. His hood was low on his face and Nagase walked to him.
“Masaki, what happened?”
“He killed them all. Okada burned down the Orchid palace and his dwellers.”
“And the children?” Exclaimed Nino.
“The survivors are in front of you.”
The Angel fell on the floor like a puppet, tears blurring his eyes, his breath shortened by the harm constricting his chest. The children of the palace. Hundreds of children, those little singers, those painters, those little lives…and their masters? And…
“Usui-sensei?” Begged Nino with a desperate voice.
The monk stepped forward and put the folded wings ring into Nino’s palm.
“I guess he would have wished that you own it, Nino.”
“Satoshi, can you take care of Nino and the children?” Asked Juri.
The painter nodded and helped the Angel to rise, whispering to his ear to be strong for the children who needed his help.
“Masaki…” Tried Juri grabbing the elbow of the Monk. But this one stood still, refusing her help and her compassion. He gazed at the assembly a last time and left the place, heading to his apartments.
The children clang to the two former residents of the Orchid palace, followed them to the mess in silent. They ate before falling asleep in Satoshi’s room.
Nino couldn’t help but think about Masaki. He barely recognized him earlier and if he knew that the children would find the strength to keep on living, even after the tragedy, his instinct told him that something was definitely broken inside him. He feared his reactions, because those past months taught him that he didn’t know his capacities and his deep personality.
His thoughts wandered to Sho and an unreasonable angst seized him.
He left the bedroom and climbed the stairs as fast as his skinny legs allowed him to, barging into Masaki’s apartment, not surprised to find it empty. He went back to the council room where an emergency meeting was held.
“Masaki disappeared!”
TBC...
