Strangers in a Strange Land

Tenshi/Akuma

Rage and numbness. That was all I felt. Everything was silent; it felt as though I were drowning in the nothingness that was threatening to consume me. But I couldn't disappear completely. I still had something to live for, I couldn't be dead. My hands curled into fists as I battled with the fury that was suddenly roaring within me like an uncontrollable fire. My eyes remained closed, though I could hear the soft sounds of a sobbing noise, and the familiar voice of my best friend murmuring to herself.

"Akio, Akio, I'm so sorry... Tenshi, I didn't mean it... Please, please forgive me," Chi choked out. I could imagine her pathetically crumpled face, the ugly tears streaking down her face.

You're not sorry, I thought viciously. But you will be.

Slowly, the pathetic bawling nose began to fade, and I could sense more than see the darkness around me thickening. I was instantly on my guard; my body tensed and my eyes snapped open, darting about in search for potential enemies. My gaze focused on a rather kind looking woman, with gleaming silver hair and tribal markings upon her face. This didn't deter from the beauty she seemed to exude, and her features were kindly.

Still, I was suspicious. I had learned in my short life that no one could be trusted. Except... Akio.

"You are Tenshi Takahashi, aren’t you?" she asked, her head tilting sideways slightly.

I gave a curt nod of my head, still regarding her cautiously. She didn't seem perturbed by my behavior, and instead turned her head and addressed someone else. What? There was someone else with me? I instantly whipped my head around and saw...

"Akio!" I exclaimed, surprise and relief flooding my voice. I wanted to throw my arms around him and never leave them, but refrained, as we were in the presence of a stranger. The hurt and anger within me seemed to fade slightly as I basked in his presence. He gave me a warm smile, before turning to look at the woman.

"And you are Akio Takahashi, yes?" Akio nodded firmly, his expression serene and trusting. I felt tears well up within my eyes, for even though we had both been betrayed, he still had faith in humanity, while I did not. After all we had been through, he still remained strong.

"Who are you?" I finally asked, my eyes narrowing as I observed the strange woman. My demeanor was immediately frigid, the moment my attention shifted from my brother to the stranger.

"My name is not of importance. For now, you can call me your Aunt," she replied smoothly. She offered a hand in order to assist me in rising, but I sneered and helped myself up, instead. Akio clambered to his feet as well, and I automatically took a step closer towards him, seeking his warmth and protection.

'Aunt', as she had requested to be called, smiled once again, her features soft and inviting. "Now, what do you wish to do? I cannot escort you to a place of happiness." As she said this, she turned and a door appeared behind her. "Only a place full of sorrow and vengeance..."

Vengeance. The word immediately appealed to me, for what was it that I wanted most, here in the afterlife? Vengeance. Upon my traitorous best friend, whom murdered both me... and Akio. I would have forgiven her had she just taken my life, but to take the life of my brother, who was innocent and good in all aspects of the words, was unforgivable. I felt my hands clench once again, when all of a sudden a larger hand wrapped around my fist.

I glanced up, surprised, to see Akio studying me intently. He squeezed my hand, which was in his, and I felt relaxed once more. With him by my side, I felt at peace. I turned back towards our 'Aunt', who began to speak once she had regained our attention. "My master can give you a do over. But just one," she held up a finger; I felt as though her eyes were scrutinizing my very soul.

"What do you chose, Miss Tenshi Takahashi? Mister Akio Takahashi?" She looked at us expectantly, as if awaiting our response. My reaction was immediately; I nodded resolutely. I could feel Akio's questioning glance from beside me, but I knew he would follow me wherever I went. He had sworn to it.

Our Aunt's eyes appeared to darken, though her face was still at ease. My wariness increased, but there was no turning back now. "Turn away, and find true peace. Follow me, and you just might walk with the ones who breathe again," she continued. Her voice was soothing, akin to the sound of a silently streaming river.

Both my and Akio's hands reached out at once, and the woman took the both in her own. Her skin was unblemished, but cold, as ice. However, after merely a heartbeat it heated, and began to burn like fire. I didn't flinch, even as words seemed to reverberate through my very soul. Or what was left of it.

The Contract Has Been Sealed.

My eyes remained trained on the stranger, our Aunt's, face. The markings on her face seemed to glow an eery red, and a twisted smile played across her lips. An unseen wind blew her hair about, as she stared at me and my brother. Her tone was sad as she said, "Welcome to the games, Takahashi siblings."

And then everything disappeared.

-*--*-

Akio/Tamotsu

Everything leading up to that fateful moment seemed like a blur. When I reopened my eyes, there was a pounding throb in my head, and I felt extremely disoriented. It felt as though there was a great weight on my back. As my eyelids slowly fluttered open, I had to pause and blink a few more times, to ensure what I was seeing was real.

There were twelve other people inside of the room, including myself, but some did not appear to be... quite normal. My eyes drifted from face to face, body to body. Most were not yet awakened, but those who were seemed to be just as bemused by the situation as I was.

I recalled the kindly woman offering both myself and Tenshi another chance at life. I hadn't been entirely sure that was the right thing to do, but I would have followed Tenshi to the end of the world if she so desired to do such a thing.

Tenshi.

I immediately noticed that my hand was still wrapped around her small fist, and I turned to glance down at her. What met my eyes caused me to gasp; this was not Tenshi. She was beautiful, yet not the Tenshi I knew. However, somehow, I sensed that this was my sister, and I instantly felt a warmth spread through my chest at the sight of her peacefully sleeping form.

She seemed more human than most of the other occupants inside of the room. Whereas she previously had shining, glimmering white-blonde hair, the strands had turned jet black. Half of her face was covered by the dark hair, that fell at an angle across her face. The sundress she could most often be seen wearing had tears throughout it, an unzipped leather jacket covered her arms and torso, and black leggings encased her legs. Upon her feet she wore black Converse.

After a few more moments of simply studying her, her eyes fluttered open, crimson eyes that were polar opposites of the bright grey eyes she possessed before. I gazed at her in wonder, even as her lips parted and she breathed, "Nii...chan?"

A relieved smile spread across my face as I realized that yes, this was Tenshi, my beloved sister. I gave her a nod and squeezed her hand once again, as everything faded except for she and I. My world consisted of her and her alone.

"You look, different, Nii-chan," she said, rubbing at her eyes as if she had just woken up from a deep slumber. Which was entirely possible, given the circumstances.

I cocked my head to the side, slightly confused as to what she meant. That was when I noticed the hair that fell into my eyes was not its typical dark brown color, nor was it the same length as it had been. It appeared to have grown, and was now a pure white color, with charcoal black at the tips. The heavy weight upon my back then came to my attention, and I twisted my head so that I could better see it.

Wings! There were wings there! I gaped at them for a few heartbeats, before tentatively reaching out in order to stroke the fluffy white feathers. Soon, Tenshi's small hand joined mine, and I could see the awe upon her face. What was this strange world, where we had been given different appearances? Just what had we gotten ourselves into?

The entrance of the woman, who had instructed us to call herself our 'Aunt', drew my attention towards the entrance to the room. As soon as she entered a few of the other people in the room began to speak. It seemed as though everyone was slowly awakening.

My eyes drifted to each one, curiously observing them all as they each spoke in their own turn. The first my eyes landed upon was a girl who appeared to be crying (Angel). Either my eyes deceived me or a shadow of another form could be seen outlining her body. I shook my head and turned my attention towards the next person there.

A boy with dark blonde hair and brown eyes stood beside the tearful female. (Eric) The most surprising feature of his was that it seemed as though he had eight arms, claws, and fangs. I was reminded of a spider, something I had never been entirely fond of when I had been alive.

Horns, a long black tail, pointed ears, fangs, and dark wings were most outstanding about the next occupant of the room. (Yoru) His loud shouting seemed to wake many of the others up, and I sensed Tenshi beside me tense slightly, instantly regarding him as an enemy.

Many others began to speak, asking many questions. Our Aunt answered them all quite patiently, then finally dismissed herself, saying she had to check on the others. I was somewhat surprised when Tenshi spoke up, her features contorted into a fierce glower. "So, there are others?" she inquired, her voice soft, though with a hint of danger in it.

Our Aunt smiled, "Yes, many others." I couldn't help but wonder just how many others she was speaking about. Aunt went on to muse that she was surprised no one had asked about their appearance yet, which had been a question that had been bothering me since discovering the extreme change in my sister.

“You might refer to it as your ‘truest self’ perhaps. It’s what your body could not show in the human’s world. It’s what reflects that is the real you.”

“So you mean to tell us that in real life we would look… Look like this?” I inquired, mild curiosity evident in my tone. The woman nodded then exited the room, after suggesting that we get to know each other. I wondered if anyone would actually take heed of her words, and it appeared that the eight-legged fellow was.

"Umm… I mean… My names.. It’s.. Uhh…" He began, and my eyebrows raised slightly. Was he unaware of his own name? That seemed quite odd to me, but soon he regained his composure and continued, "My name is Eric. It’s nice to meet all of you."

I glanced towards Tenshi, though she was looking at everyone else in the room. Suddenly, she spoke up, and her voice was cold, like shards of ice. "Akuma. I am going to warn you now, if you irritate me, I will be more than happy to end your life. Don't doubt it," she sneered, crossing her arms and scooting closer towards where I was. Despite her cruel countenance, I felt more affection for her than ever.

I decided I might as well introduce myself, too. I wasn't exactly sure what compelled me to introduce myself as such, but I said, "Hello, all. My name is Tamotsu, and I am Akuma's brother. It is a pleasure to meet you." Why I accepted Akuma as Tenshi's name and Tamotsu for my own was beyond me, but I felt as though it was an instinct to do so.

After that was finished I glanced expectantly around the room, waiting for someone else to introduce themselves.

--

Continue?

LOL, you can just skip the entire first part. Anyone I mentioned is bolded. Hope this is alright!

End