Anastasia

I felt the softness of fabric on my face. It was divine. I wanted to sleep more since it felt ages from the last time I had felt the soothing need to relax. Fingers, cold and calloused touched my cheek, faint feathers brushed my back. The memories of the battle were still raw. Lucifer's lips, the fire on my back, my powers disappearing.

And Marco's eyes as he swept me up and held me tightly.

Marco...

I am here. His voice was like a lullaby. I held a sob, not trusting to open my eyes.

Come on Ana, wake up. He said again and his fingertips lingered on my cheekbones and lips.

I opened my eyes. Marco was lying right next to me, his black and red pools glowing. Despite the healing bruise on his face and the bandage on his head he was still handsome. But the circles on his eyes and the hollowed cheeks were betraying the fatigue. I was lying on my front and slowly I lifted my left hand, tracing the lines on Marco's pale skin. He groaned and closed his eyes.

"I missed you." The words were soft.

Marco kissed my fingertips, the knowing smirk appearing on his lips. "I missed you too."

"How long was I sleeping?"

"Two days. But we were taken care of."

I tried to get up, but pain exploded on my back. I winced and quickly Marco's arms covered my waist and shoulders helping me. "You are still healing. For a moment I had thought that the wounds were too severe."

I could decipher the meaning of his words. I can't lose you. Sitting on the bed I took in our surroundings. The room had pale blue walls with a wide window at the right, perfect for a winged being to enter or leave. On our left two doors were closed and I guessed the one was leading to the bathroom. And there was no need to mention that the bed was king size.

I turned to Marco. "Where are we?"

His lips twitched into a smile. "Believe it or not, we are at the Third Division. The Healers found us after Leito's request."

My jaw dropped. "Leito helped us?"

"The bastard knows when the shift in power changed. He allied with D."

"And why did I miss this?" the idea of the blue haired boy following Death's command would be a sight to be seen.

Marco sobered. He pushed the comforter back and brushed his hands on my hair. I realized that they were shorter, close to my jaw. Then, as my senses started to return, escaping from the numbness I was sure was a result from the Healers' powers, I lifted my arms, trying to feel my back.

There were no wings.

"Ana."

I got up and bolted to the door that led on the bathroom. It was like the one I had seen on Auge's cloud. A giant pool of crystal blue water was at the middle, while white marble decorated with pearls covered the room. There was a wall length mirror on its left. With wobbly feet, I walked and stood before the smooth surface.

The reflection that stared at me looked...alien. I took in the short hair, the curls falling to my jaw, the hollowed face and the deathly pale skin. The girl that looked back at me was even more ravaged than the one who had escaped the Nether Realm. My arms and chest were bandaged and strangely my body looked smaller without the golden wings on my back.

But still my eyes were mismatched, one iris brown, the other at the colors of dawn. I looked down at my wristbands. The purple metal had lost most of its strong glowing but I could still feel my bond with Marco. What was left to me? Without my powers I could fight. I couldn't even fly.

"Anastasia." Marco appeared on the mirror. His body was still bigger, taller than mine, my head barely reaching his shoulders. His arms snaked around my waist pulling my back on his chest. The black wings unfolded around him covering my side, the feathers leaving fluttering touches on my skin. "Lucifer might have taken Auge's powers but there are still guts in you." He murmured close to my ear. I didn't dare stop looking at the mirror.

"But what that leaves me with Marco? With no powers, no weapons, how will I fight Machias? The Lords can't wait for long."

Instead of answering Marco scooped me up and carried me back to the room. I noticed the tray of food, fruits and bread, on the small table at the bed's left side. "Good they brought the food." Marco said as he sat back on the bed with me on his lap and pulled a loaf of the still warm bread. He fed me like a child, caressing the back of my head from time to time and giving me the napkin as I savored the fruits. It felt like an eon since the last time I ate.

He told me about the battle at the First Division, how the horde had tried to overtake Uriel's home. Marco spoke of Shiro and our friends' capture and surely my face had lost the color it had left. "Don't worry, they are all safe. Only Shiro..."

I pushed from his lap, turning to look at him. "Tell me Marco."

He lowered his head and looked so, so tired. "He has burnings all over his body. I don't know if he'll survive. For a crow demon he did a good job on getting through the possession. But the Healers are not optimistic."

Getting up, feeling refreshed with the food, I pulled on a T-shirt and tied the sandals I found on the floor. "Let's go. I want to check the others too."

Marco took my hand and opened the door for me. The living room was big, moderated for the winged beings to move freely. Murasaki was leaning on Feith's shoulder, the scene very sweet. I looked up at Marco; he was smirking, ready to tease. When they spotted us, they both blushed and the Angel gathered his wings tight to his back.

"Anastasia." Murasaki got up and hugged me tightly. I had missed the Shinigami; even if her sarcasm was bigger than her breasts. Feith looked at Marco, then turned to me. "Did you make it? To the Garden?"

We sat down to the couch, ignoring my curiosity or to whom the house belonged, and explained to everyone what I had seen on the Garden. Feith leaned, placing his elbows on his knees. "That makes things easier."

"What do you mean Feith?"

Marco hugged me from the shoulder. "It means that the birdy from here got his powers back. Leito gave them to him. Now he has to kill Machias."

"And open the gates of Garden again."

"You say that like it's really easy!" I said looking at them. "How in choco's sake are we going to fight Machias?"

Feith smiled. "Remember those we saved at the First Division?"

I nodded.

"They have all gathered in here. Kyoko and Christin were quite fascinated with the wings."

The image of hands, touching my face murmuring 'Otekah' filled my mind. Marco looked at me and smiled warmly. Getting up, tugging me with him he said "We are going out." And quickly he caught me from my waist and flew upwards, getting out from the cloud. I shouted as the cold winds hit my face but son Marco flew up, using the currents to stabilize himself and fly us away from the gathered groups of clouds towards the...OMG floating tree.

The HQ of the Third Division was a enormous, gigantic tree, which roots were planted on a cloud below while the branches were stretching up to the sky. The green was vivid and I could see blue winged Angels flying towards it. I knew that the Healers knew how to use the winds in order to channel up their powers but this was beyond my imagination.

The sun had started to set as Marco made a turn and began his descending towards one of the branches. A tent was set on and many Angels had gathered. It looked like a taking off point. I could see the Angels getting on line and then one by one running and flying out towards the wild sky.

It was utterly beautiful.

"I got the same reaction when I found out." Marco said and he flew higher leaving behind the waiting Angels.

"Where are you taking me Marco?"

"You'll see." He said smiling and soon we had landed towards the thickest and highest branch.

Putting me down Marco and I walked, following the flow of the Angels who flew above us. Some waved at me, others regarded Marco with curiosity, yet none looked at us with anger or fear. When we turned on the corridor, which was literally carved with the figures of Angels of all Divisions (the artist had taken care of painting their wings) the HQ itself came into view.

I saw four thick branches separating themselves from the main trunk below and rising up towards the top, ending into a massive labyrinth of leaves, smaller branches and flowers. On the four branches a fort made of bronze and grey stone was standing. It didn't have the beauty of the HQs from the First and the Second Division but nonetheless it was magnificent.

Marco told me that everyone had gathered here, since the other two Divisions were too destroyed for residing. We walked into the HQ and everywhere around me a commotion of wings and white sheets took place. The floor was full of beds; injured Angels on all parts were lying solemnly waiting for their turn to be healed. Blue winged men and women were moving from cot to cot, assisting and offering soothing words to the injured.

"This is the hospital. The other floors are for the families and the refugees." Marco spoke before taking me in his arms, flying up.

There were no stairs here, everything was accessible only by flying and that made my heart tingle. As we left behind us the hospital, the voices grew quieter and the soft brushing of wings could now be heard.

"Ana!" I heard Christin shouting from below and Marco quickly landed. I ran towards her, hugging her tightly. "I was so worried!" she almost cried and I left a relieved breath.

Looking at my friend I could see the pain in her eyes. Marco had told me what had happened to our friends during my trip to the Garden and I could be more grateful for them to be alive and well. Christin was wearing a brown dress, which fell down on her calves. Boots were tied up to her knees and her brown hair was tied on a knot at the nape of her neck.

"Come on, the others are staying with us." She took my hand and we walked towards the rooms.

Everything was made of bronze and stone and in many places the wood had entered the building, creating a physical wall between the rooms. Christin entered one of the rooms at our left and an open space welcomed us into the common room. Rath was speaking with Tomo when we entered and they looked at us relieved.

Marco clasped his hand with Rath's and Tomo bowed to me. "How is Kyoko?"

"Sleeping but she is well." Tomo answered and his blue eyes clouded with concern.

"Also we got visited by the Protectors. I like the way they are singing." Christin said.

Tomo nodded. "They have a soothing effect to wounded souls."

I could relate to that. Christin looked at me, taking in my battered appearance and her lips tightened. "Hey, I am better."

"I know Ana but...I liked the way the wings looked at you."

"Yeah..."

The door burst open and the blondes entered. "Meli! Moli!"

They stopped and looked at me. And they broke into a run scooping me up and hugging me tightly. I heard Marco shouting something about suffocation but I was too relieved to care. Meli and Moli with their deep blue eyes and blond hair were almost crying from relief, their golden feathers soft against my skin.

"We should heal you." Moli said cupping my cheeks.

"I feel better."

"Nonsense!" Meli exclaimed.

"Ok, that's enough." Marco's arms hugged me from behind taking me away from them.

They eyes at him with annoyance, but they said nothing. Tomo and Rath were already chuckling and Christin had found her way on Rath's side. Meli and Moli spoke of the way they arrived at the Third Division, following the currents and arriving at the HQ. It seemed that most of the Healers had already revolted against Machias and with the help of Polk and Jinto, the two Generals of D's army, they had managed to organize the rebellion.

"And to think the general also took part on it!"

"Yes! And the shaman was very helpful too!" the Protectors spoke and I stilled.

Marco...

Look Ana.

The door opened again.

And my ghosts appeared.

-----------------------

Marco

Ana jumped from my arms and ran towards the samurai. Her aura was bursting from joy, even weakened. Haimei opened his arms and hugged tightly Ana, his samurai armor shining through his powers. I was quite confused by the fact that the three had appeared again but after Kachina explained to me that the Lords had worked their magic in order to help us, I was relieved.

These three ghosts were a reminder that the world had not ended, yet. And also, a reminder of the life Ana and I shared before all this mess.

"Tsuyoi codomo." strong child, Haimei said stroking fatherly Ana's hair.

"Not a child. I believe that we have surpassed that stage Haimei." Ana laughed as she broke the hug.

The samurai turned to me. His expression became stern. Oh fuck, not that thought! "You!" he roared and jumped to me. I simply caught him from the neck, holding him in place.

"You know, it's become really frustrating explaining my business in bed."

Marco! Ana roared in my head and I suppressed a grin.

"It's not my fault he is that old. And if I recall you told me Ana that Haimei liked to read 'Cosmopolitan'?"

Everyone exploded into laughter from Tomo to the Protectors, while Ana had covered her face, trying to stifle her snort. Haimei had gone pale.

"Is that true?" another voice sounded and we saw Kachina entering. Her leathers were brown a crown of feathers on her head, while her long brown hair was tied into a long braid, falling on her front, on her waist. Behind her, the ancient Greek armor made a sound as Perseus, Ana's first ghost and ancestor came into the room too.

"You secret is out Haimei." Perseus said and laughed while I placed down the samurai.

Ana hugged tightly Kachina while she offered a warm smile at Persea. While their forms were solid their auras were those of souls. I could feel it; they wouldn't be able to remain long. At that moment Ana turned and walked to my side. She linked her fingers through mine and stared at the full now common room.

We have our friends together.

I can see that. We know how to gather a crazy bunch.

Speaking of crazy, where are Arsenia and Leonard?

They took some time off. I would bet teen hormones had something to do with that.

The sweet blush on her cheeks was her only answer.

We spent the rest of our day, assisting either at the boosting of HQ's defenses either at helping at the hospital at the ground floor. As I flew from branch to branch together with Feith and Murasaki, I could see Ana running from cot to cot, helping the Angels. Even without her wings or powers, she knew how to help those in need. Kyoko joined her and Kachina and from one short mid-discussion I had with Ana, she told me about the crying and the mopping and the crying.

"You seem distressed Marco." Feith commented after four hours of enchanting the periphery of the gigantic tree.

Honestly, I weren't so sure if the Inspector could handle Machias. And on the other hand, I didn't want to tell Ana what had happened of Ivan. Perseus promised that he would speak to Ana when she would be ready. "Just irritated Feith. I am not sure if I should blast Hell or if I should destroy the Fourth Division." I flew around the gigantic branch as we made our way back to the clearing at the base of Raphael's HQ.

A long row of tables had been set and the sweet scent of cooking filled my nostrils. Feith grunted beside me and I followed his gaze. Arsenia and Leonard were sparring together, flying above the gathering Angels. "Those kids..." the Angel grunted and shouted at them to stop. For my satisfaction they flipped him off.

"Yup, now it's confirmed that you would become a great daddy Feith."

"Har, har."

The change on the Angel was still surprising. If you could tell me ten years earlier, that an Inspector could joke with a Demon or even a Grim Reaper, I would think the person mad. But here I was fighting amongside the kind which destroyed Auge.

"Marco!" Ana's voice echoed and I looked down.

She was moving her hands, calling us to land. She was beautiful, my brave girl. With a deep dive, we hovered above the tables before landing a little further, in case there was a problem with the moving Angels.

Ana ran towards us and carried with her the scent of spice mixed with jasmine. It was really a turn on.

"Kyoko woke up and she's been crying in Haimei's arms since then." She sighed as she rested her palms on my chest. I swept her up, holding her from the waist and began walking back to the tables. "How did it go?"

"We got most of the Division covered. When we leave tomorrow we'll know if it'll last."

Her small hands tightened around my neck; neither could she bear the thought of tomorrow's battle. Feith waved at Murasaki, who had just come out with Tomo, Kyoko and the ghost at her tow. Her kimono was a deep scarlet and her hair wasn't in the usual ponytail but on an elegant knot at the nape of her neck.

Kachina smiled at me; I could always guess the wisdom behind the ghost's grey eyes and I liked her for that. Perseus and Haimei were already talking with Rath and Christin and when my ears picked pieces of the conversation I laughed out loud.

"What's wrong?" Ana asked, sitting beside me, with a smile appearing on her kissable lips.

"You better stop Christin. Perseus and Haimei are talking about our time on the beach."

Her eyes widened and and in no time she had made the round of the table, holding Christin from the waist as she moved her fists towards the two men. Rath wasn't happier either. This scene of laughter and peace had consumed me. Living for so long alone I had never realized how good it would feel to be surrounded by people I cared for.

"Her parents are proud for her." Kachina's words caught me off guard. I turned to my right. The shaman was looking at Ana with a smile.

"You... saw them?"

"They had always watched her Marco. And they understand the decisions Otekah made so far."

"How? Did... Auge took you there?"

Kachina nodded. "When she left Nether Realm, she helped us enter the Garden. I saw my people, my parents, everyone who had gone back to Mother Earth. But I, we, saw Otekah's parents too. We talked about her, our lives and you too."

Oh, oh.

"Don't look troubled Marco." Kachina smiled at me, "they thank you for taking care of their child for so long. Even when they weren't there for her."

At least my parents-in-law were thoughtful.

"Kachina! Please help me!" Ana's voice boomed as she shouted. It seemed that Arsenia and Leonard were further tormenting both Rath and the ghosts, while Murasaki and Feith did nothing but laugh at them.

Kachina rose and flew with grace above the table landing near Haimei. The following scen involved nice old smacking, punch fighting and revealing old secrets of my friends, a fact that I had contributed a little.

We ate, sung and laughed with most of the Angels and the night seemed to be stretching as the stars glimmered above us. I didn't want that to end. I carved more time with Ana, more time with life. And I had a feeling that this would be an unfulfilled wish.

-----------------------

Anastasia

I pushed away the last tablecloth, neatly folding it into the stash with the rest of them. The night was dark with few stars peeking from the treetop of Raphael's HQ. Even without my powers, I could feel their light; they were dying, falling one by one into the endless darkness.

"Ana, can you help a little?" Perseus called me from the other side of the table. He and Haimei were doing their rounds, helping with the cleaning. The feast with the Angels had been quite lively.

"Coming." I walked past the Angels who were gathering the tables away from the open space around the HQ. The sound of wings was like a song above me and for a moment I missed the time when I would fly the same way like them. Even if it was for a short time, I liked the feeling of the wind on my body and the rustle of feathers as I swept over the wind currents.

A happy cry made me look up and pure blue feathers covered my face. I heard Persea shouting my name but I had already fallen, feeling someone else on top of me. When the wings were pulled back two deep pools of blue shone. "Valan!" I hugged the small boy. He was one of the children Machias had captured and locked at the Second Division.

"Mama told me you came!" the boy hugged me tighly. And I laughed.

"I am glad you found her."

Valan got up and he lent me a hand. He was really strong for seven years old. He looked at me with curiosity and tilted his her to one side. "Where are your wings?"

"Oh...you see the Demon took them."

"The Demon? The one with the black wings?"

"No, no! He is of the good guys. I mean the one with the red wings."

Realization made Valan gulp. He hugged me from the middle and sniffed. "I am sorry."

"Hey, don't cry!" Persea and Haimei walked closer and crossed their arms. Valan looked at them with wide eyes.

"Ghosts."

"They are my friends. Well, Persea happens to be my grandpa too."

Persea scowled. "Ok, that was unneccasary."

Haime laughed. Valan continued to look at the men with wonder. I patted the boy's head. "You should go and rest Valan."

"Ok!" He jumped, hovering in front of me, kissed my cheek and disappeared to the treetop.

"You have a way with kids." Haimei pointed and I grinned.

"Nah, must be a talent."

We continued working until Arsenia and Leonard came to inform us about Shiro. Meli and Moli had been spending quite a time trying to heal him, but with no result. Even Kachina had tried to help.

"Kyoko and Tomo are worried. Rath and Christin are with them now." Leoanard said and I sighed.

"Ok. I'll go tomorrow and see Shiro too. Have you seen Marco?"

"He's been with Murasaki. They were talking to D. about tomorrow's battle."

They wished us goodnight and disappeared into the night, their black clothes melting into the trees. Haimei and Perseus walked me towards the edge of taking off, the point where I had decided to wait for Marco. While I wanted to speak to the ghosts about their time on Heaven, they didn't elaborate much. Maybe they didn't want to talk. Instead we spent our time laughing and remembering our time back on Earth.

After a while Haimei bowed and Perseus kissed my cheek before retreating for the night. I had sat down on the thick trunk, looking at the sky across. Few cloud homes were moving softly around, but the darkness was thick, since the stars weren't shining as they used to.

I remembered how Auge used to love stargazing from her cloud home, wondering how Earth would look like. Now, being left only with her eye color and with no powers I found myself asking what in hell would I be able to do. From a brief discussion with Tomo, I had learnt that my whip was destroyed and that my sword was currently under restoration. Lucifer had almost destroyed it.

"Thinking too much human?" the familiar voice made me frown.

Leito appeared on my left, his grey wings smaller since the last time I had seen him.

"I always wondered. Why is your hair blue? All Inspectors have grey hair."

Leito shrugged. "I changed it when Machias promoted me three thousand years ago."

"And you still have the body of a kid. Must be hard being you." I didn't want to hide the mockery in my voice despite having Leito as my ally. He was the one who had thrown together with Ivan Marco at the Nether Realm. The one who had attacked Earth as also the one who had tortured Murasaki at the Cloud Fortress.

Leito's wings brushed my side. It felt like cold sea waves crushing my bones. Trily he still held power. "In order to...grow as you ay I must be relived of my duties. Machias never gave me the right to attend the mating Dances under the Blue Moon."

I was surprised. "You mean..."

Leito turned and looked at me. His grey eyes held a mix of disappointment and sadness. "I lived long human, maybe too long for someone who served Machias. But my only wish was to dance under the moonlight and feel the rustle of an Angel's wings agaist mine." His voice sounded soft and pained.

Even his description held and erotic feeling.

"Well, if everything go well, maybe Feith will releash you."

"Ha!" Leito snorted with sarcasm, "I have committed sins even in the name of keeping Heaven safe. I don't believe that Feith will be merciful in his new role."

I got up, sensing the familiar aroma of jelly bears. "Then you should have more faith. Feith told me once that my faith will save me one day. I like his advice."

I walked closer to the edge and by casting a lst look on Leito, I jumped straight into Marco's arms as he flew above the tree and straight back into the cloud home.

"He didn't try anything funny? Or else I will turn right now and behead him." Marco spoke as we flew into the night.

"No, but for a reason I fel sorry for him."

"Really? Why?"

"For three thousand years he never grew to the body of a man."

"That must suck. His balls may have withered by now."

I smacked his head. "Marco!"

He laughed, not apologizing. I held his neck tighter nuzzling his neck.

"He told me that his only wish was to attend the Dancing of Feathers."

Marco's grip became tighter. He knew the feeling of dancing, sensing your lifetime mate. It was a holy and utterly beautiful ritual perfomed by the Angels of all Divisions. We made our way towards the cloud home and Marco dove in, until he landed quietly at the living room.

Lights shone at once making the dark room lit a little. He placed me down gently and he drew the cape oof his shoulders and wings. The scythe was placed at the wall and the aura of a shiled burst all around us untl it settled at the perimeter of the cloud. I grinned and Marco looked at me curiously. "Always safety first."

His expression relaxed and an almost childlike face laughed at me. "Of course."

We walked hand in hand to the bathroom. We didn't talk as we used the big pool to clean ourselves and swim from one side to the other. Marco's wings were glistering as the droplets fell on them, like thick oil on paper. At some point he took me in his arms and swam with me, caressing my arms, my waist and hair, trailing soft kisses on my shoulders.

When we were done, the soft bed welcomed us as we fell down tangled arms and feet. I lost myself in him and he in me. We kissed and loved each other that night, letting everything out but only our need for each other's lips.

At some point much later, before I could lose myself in sleep, I heard a thought of Marco's creeping into my mind as his arm tightened around my waist.

The need will never stop Ana. I'll want you more and more.

Until the end of time.

I held a sob and fell asleep.