Anastasia

How do you feel when everything are perfect at first but then they become hell? That's how I felt. Marco and I literally ran to Murasaki's room, following Feith who was leading the way.

"She worsened when I went to change the bandages!" Feith screamed as we made our way through the sliding doors.

"Is Kyoko and Tomo there too?"

"Yes Marco but-"

We entered the room. I almost cried when I saw her. Murasaki was lying on the futon, her long straight purple hair opened like threads of silk on her pillow. Her skin was pale, too pale, even for a Grim Reaper.

Her breathing was fast and the black spot on her belly was growing bigger and bigger. Kyoko was trying to stop it by putting more bandages and Tomo was chanting on his fox language.

"It's the Reaper's Plague." Marco spoke near me and Feith turned to him.

"Have you seen it before?"

Marco's lips were pressed on a hard line. "Twice. There were two Reapers who declined working as soul carriers. Their bodies couldn't withstand the absence of traveling and soul-reaping so their bodies...became ashes."

"Ashes? I am not letting Murasaki become ashes." I wouldn't allow it. "What if...I sing?"

Marco stared at me for a moment and then he moved his head. "Absolutely not!"

"Onee-chan!" Kyoko cried and I leaned close to Murasaki's trembling body. Her hands had already turned grey and that sickening color was climbing to her arms.

"We MUST do something!" I turned at the men and Kyoko whimpered near me.

"We don't know if you can heal her! Your powers-

"If these powers were not given to me in order to help then why am I here for Marco? Tell me!" I shouted at him and he stepped back.

I didn't want to argue not in the middle of this crisis. But I had to do something, before I add Murasaki to the list of the people I was already mourning.

I turned to Tomo. "Take them all out and seal the room."

They all stopped talking and before anyone could react Tomo had pushed outside the room Kyoko, Feith and Marco who was cursing. I felt the circle of the blue aura from Tomo's spells surrounding me and Murasaki into the room, like a cocoon.

So now I was on my own. I remembered how Auge had healed Marco's wing by singing an anthem. If I also carried the knowledge of an Angel then it was about time I could use it.

I unwrapped the bandages and black thick blood oozed from her open wound. I felt bile on my throat but I swallowed. "God, Murasaki..." Carefully I placed my hands on her wound and pressed it with my palms.

"Please work..." I prayed as I closed my eyes.

The black behind my eyelids suddenly became golden; I felt like I was levitating between the sky and the earth, trying to find gravity. The gold melted and then words started to appear before my closed eyes. Thousands of letters, in a strange writing but they were no alien to me.

It was the writing of the Angels.

"Heal...I want to heal her." I spoke to the letters and they started to take form, creating a line, one after another, until the script was complete.

"Thank you."

I opened my eyes, finding myself back to the room with Murasaki breathing heavily below me. I took a deep breath.

And I started to sing.

The wings opened wide and for the first time I felt, angelic power within my veins. It was like a gigantic wave of warmth, rushing through and all around me. The walls disappeared and only light existed; as the light spread it took the form of millions of colors, similar to the way Auge's hair was changing when she was singing.

I took another deep breath and sung the last part of the anthem. Peering down to Murasaki, I realized that her whole body was covered in golden dust, which absorbed the grey color from her skin, leaving behind only the healthy pale white.

Smiling and continuing I howled the last word and then...

The room became dark as I fell back taking my palms away from Murasaki. Everything became blurry and for a moment there was quiet. Then I heard the door burst open and cool hands yanked me up, holding me tightly.

"Ana can you hear me?"

Oh I could hear you...

"Please baby, answer me."

Baby? I smiled at that and a relieved breath escaped Marco's lips as he kissed me. My blurry vision cleared and then I turned to Murasaki.

Her eyes slowly flickered open and she sat up, rubbing her eyes. "What in the name of the foxes happened?" she demanded with that high pitched voice of hers.

I jumped from Marco's arms and fell to Murasaki at the same time with Kyoko, crying her name out loud, laughing.

"Wait! What happened?" Murasaki hugged us both, looking around her surprised.

"Oh Kami-sama arigatou!" Kyoko prayed out loud and I held my urge to cry.

"Anastasia? Is that you?"

"Yes I am!"

"Why do you have wings?" she turned at Kyoko "and how did you grow so quickly?"

"It's a long story." Marco stretched his hand and a startled Murasaki caught him, standing up easily.

"I am completely healed, hell even I feel a few hundred years younger!"

"Oh I am glad."

Marco laughed with my comment but Feith crossed his hands on his chest. "That was truly dangerous Anastasia! What did you think? That you would master the abilities of a Protector with a song?"

I rolled my eyes at him, groaning. Murasaki turned and blinked once, twice at Feith. "Who is he hunk?" she asked me and I cracked up.

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

After three hours of talking and a disastrous bath, since we bathed Murasaki and she really was a slave runner, we all retired to sleep. Murasaki moved into a better room, the one next to Kyoko's while Feith moved to the westerned part of the house, indicating that he wanted to be away from the Shinigami.

Kyoko was thanking me again and again until Tomo took her out for a walk, into his fox form; another surprise for Murasaki.

"Do you think that now things have become much...better?" I asked Marco as I wore my night gown, taking off the sword and the tilt of my new whip from my waist, placing them on the small desk.

"Pretty sure. Did you notice Feith?" Marco tried to hold a smile but I knew that the Angel was going to have a hard time with teasing.

"You are going to torture Feith, aren't you?"

His teasing smile left me breathless. Marco was smiling more and more, like life had returned to his features. "A little." He admitted and pulled me to the futon.

Tangling our feet and embracing each other we laid down, hearing our breaths calming. His hand moved to my back, muzzling the joints of my wings. "They don't hurt right?"

I groaned. "No, it's better now." And I hid my face to the base of his neck. "Pineapple jelly bears..." I murmured with a smile and Marco stiffened.

"Seriously? That is my scent?"

I moved and brought my eyes to his height. "No, this is my scent. And besides you enjoy jellies."

He smirked. "Not when you stuff me with them."

"Ah, a memory to remember."

We kissed softly, testing each other. But when I tried to deepen the kiss he pulled back and kissed my forehead. "Good night Ana."

"Good night Marco." And closed my eyes, feeling disappointed for a while.

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

The next day was a completely circus. Murasaki had already wakened up, created a havoc to my room, by taking me away from Marco's arms, who glared at the Shinigami as if he was ripping her in sheds.

Murasaki giggled to me and I gave a surrendering nod to Marco. "I'll be back soon!"

After that Murasaki grabbed Kyoko who yawned as she pulled as to the bath. When the sliding doors to the big bath closed Murasaki started to stip. "Ok now it's girly time."

"Since when?"

"Since the moment I woke up only to find you two changed! Details. Now."

I glanced at Kyoko; she shrugged and started to take off her clothes and so did I.

We sat into the big bath tub, curling our feet to our chests. Murasaki had a wide line of a scar, stretching across her belly, beginning from her right breast down to her left side of her waist.

"Ivan gave me this."

"He was there?"

She nodded. "It was...different than the last time we fought him. His strength, powers, out of my reach." She fisted her right hand and hit the white tiles of the wall.

"Murasaki, please don't destroy the bath."

"I won't Kyoko."

I got up and out from the hot water, heading to take the shampoo. "What about yours Anastasia?" Murasaki called out.

My fingers touched the small scar, which was under my diaphragm, between my breasts. It was the spot where Gedo's sword had found me and it was never going to disappear.

I turned and sat again to the edge of the bath tub, rubbing my hair with the shampoo. I spoke about my time into the Nether Realm, telling her everything. When I reached the part of Haimei's fight, Kyoko touched my hand and I held hers.

When I was done, Murasaki put a towel on her head, pulling up her long purple hair. Her violet eyes sparkled of power and her bath robe covered her bodice, like a corset.

"I will help you training and if I am guessing right Marco would have noted D. by now."

I was glad she was back; more man power and a few chances to improve. Training with two men was exhausting.

But last night still was bugging me. Why did he stop? By now we had both no more obstacles on our way and I wanted that. Unless Marco had a problem with that.

"Onee-chan?"

"Yes?"

"Everything will be alright now."

Murasaki hugged her and kissed the top of her head. "Of course! And that Feith is a good deal too!"

We laughed on our way back until we entered the living room. The scent of tea and miso soup filled m nostrils and I walked to the kitchen.

"Of course we put out first the plates! Geez you are hopeless."

"I am not taking orders by you Fallen!"

Marco and Feith were arguing. Again. Only Tomo had sat to the kitchen's table, cleaning out the fruits and cutting them to pieces.

"Oi! Stop fighting!" Murasaki yelled and the men turned.

"Morning." I muttered and took the bowl from Marco's hand, daring to kiss his cheek.

He looked at me and then turned away. Ok, that was...disturbing.

"Today I am taking Ana for training." Murasaki stated and Feith locked gazes with her.

I placed the bowl down and looked at them, while Kyoko had settled to Tomo's lap. Marco stood behind me.

"No of course." He said with a sympathetic smile.

Murasaki didn't smile. "Why not?"

He pointed at me. "She used a high powered song yesterday just to heal you. I know of her strength but I am the only one who shares angelic powers. I don't expect a Shinigami, moreover" and he turned to Marco "a Demon slash Grim Reaper to teach her!"

"Enough!" I yelled making everyone turn to me. "All of you! You speak as if I am a toddler! All of you will train me and I am beginning with Murasaki."

I turned at Marco; he was stunned. "I am also angry with you."

"What did I do?" he demanded and looked at Feith. "It was his fault."

Groaning I took a slice of apple and ate it as I got out from the kitchen, tying the sword on my waist and putting the tilt of my whip into leather tying around my right thigh. The pouch with the golden belt was always on my waist, working like the comforter I really needed.

"So which way do you want Anastasia? The easy or the hard way?" Murasaki shouted as she took her position across me.

It wasn't snowing and the sun was making my wings shine under the cold day. I peered at her. She had already summoned her long katana, as also a new kimono; this one had patterns of red snowflakes upon the blue background, as if Murasaki was seeking blood and revenge.

I knew she was.

"The hard way Murasaki, I don't have time." I answered and fixed quickly my hair on a bun letting my black jumper and jeans feel the cold winds.

She pulled her sword and so did I. I remembered how Marco had taught me to control my power as a Spirit Seer.

Ignore your surroundings and focus on your target. He had said.

"Koi!" Murasaki cried and I sprinted.

Our blades clashed but quickly she repelled it, making me jump back and mold my wings behind me for protection.

She smirked and with a flash she was gone. I looked around me, holding the sword with two hands, fisting them around the tilt. Murasaki was using her speed, which was reaching light-speed.

But I knew the trick. Turning to the direction of the house, I pulled the tilt of the whip and summoned its golden light. The line quickly was formed and I whirled it above my head; snow started to move, creating small pillars of white around my feet.

The snow suddenly was stuck midair a few feet above the ground.

"There!" I cried out and throwing the tilt I charged and hit the void.

Murasaki appeared and we swung our swords, clashing each other, left and right up and down. She extended her hand and three pieces of paper appeared.

"Sutras!" I heard Marco shouting behind me and I took off, flying above her.

The papers followed me as they caught fire, creating three snakes.

Their eyes were gleaming black and their bodies were consisting of fire. As I kicked the one with my boot, I cut the second's head with my sword. The third opened its mouth bursting fire.

Quickly I dove into the air, heading to the ground. At the same time Murasaki flew to my direction cornering me in the sky. "Ha!" she laughed but the idea had already crossed my mind.

Kicking forward I made a complete circle, making my wings catch the wind current. I sped up getting away from the way. I flew down until I heard the explosion. I looked behind my shoulder. The fire had engulfed Murasaki and the ball of fire fell to the ground.

"Anastasia!" faith screamed as the fire caught me in, creating a circle and a fiery dome above me.

I was trapped.

"Good reflexes Ana. But how much can you hold?" Murasaki spoke as her body appeared from the red fire.

She didn't have a scratch. "Damn, how do I bring you down?"

She smirked. "For an untrained one you did enough. Do you still want to continue?"

"Yes!"

She jumped and our blades met again; I on the ground, she levitating above me. I was feeling the speed. We were fighting inside the fire but although Murasaki was unaffected by it, I was trying not to get too close to the red, fiery walls.

"Keep your concentration on!" she instructed me as I tried to look for a getaway.

Her sword moved again and grazed my shoulder. I screamed as the red started flow and knelt, holding my wound with my right hand. Murasaki tiptoed making circles around me like a predator. "Let's say you are in this condition. What will you do?"

I looked around. Counting my options, either I would have to force my way out, hoping not to become like a fried chicken, or beat Murasaki and dispel her wall.

The snow had already melted and the grass had also started to catch fire. But I tried to take deep breaths, I found myself peering at the dome above me.

I am officially screwed.

The fiery walls suddenly became black and the ground around me caught black fire. Murasaki yelped from pain as she was completely covered with the black flames and disappeared from my sight.

The black fire destroyed the red walls and quickly covered my body too. But I didn't feel like burning. It was warm and comforting and as the flames crawled from my legs and hips to my chest, I brought my hands to my waist, trying to engulf the black tongues.

Marco.

The fire stilled for a moment but continued to cover me.

I know you can hear me.

A giggle was heard. Ad from the fire his hands appeared, holding me from behind.

"I thought that I wouldn't hear or thoughts again." His hot breath spoke close to my ear and I tilted my head back.

Baka.

He laughed and pulled me out from the fire and back to the ground. We had created quite a scene. Murasaki was covered with charcoal fumes as she was trying to clean herself while Kyoko and Tomo were trying to keep her from attacking Feith.

"I thought that you would train her! Not kill her!" Marco snarled as he left my side and walked to her direction.

"Anastasia are you alright?" Feith held me from the shoulders and checked my wound.

"I am fine." And I looked my scratch. The red line had already started to close and new skin appeared making my shoulder good as new, like I've never had an injury.

"My holy wings! It's healed!" Feith smiled and patted me. "Well at least we know you have generating powers."

"Ana what did you learn today?" Murasaki's voice brought me out from my excitement and I turned at her.

Her sword was sheathed and Kyoko was holding a towel on her hands. Tomo and Marco were standing close and, of course, Marco was mad.

"Never try to prove my power and always search for a way out even if it seems impossible."

She chuckled. "You see guys? That's how you can train. Now who is for some sake!?" and she pulled Tomo from the hem of his grey yukata, taking him with her.

I walked with Feith and Marco joined us. "It's healed, her wound I mean."

Marco looked at the torn jumped and touched my shoulder. I shivered a little and looked at him. "I am fine Marco."

He didn't say anything but his hand moved my shoulder to my neck until he reached the edge of my lips. He stayed there for a while and then he pulled me to his arms. "Let's go in. It will get colder."

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

The rest of the day was a surreal act of evil, good and a little flirt. Kyoko and Feith tried to cook, much to Tomo's dismay who always helped my Japanese friend, while Murasaki was whining about the low deposit on alcohol.

Marco was training by himself and I was watching him, sitting with a blanket on my shoulders at the wooden floor on the outside of the living room's entrance. He was wearing his black trousers with a grey shirt, and black shoes. His short black hair seemed similar to his black fire as he swung his new toy.

The black scythe was much bigger than his old, silver one, and trails of his powers could be seen on the shiny onyx surface. I could sense the balance between his demonic and Reaper powers as Marco took a step in the front moved the blade cutting the air with a hiss.

He stepped back and with his left hand the scythe moved back with the blade again making the air hiss, as if he was killing an invisible enemy. He repeated the same movements until they felt natural for him.

"Are you tired Ana?" he turned suddenly to my side.

"I am fine, a little cold I guess."

His eyebrows frowned and his eyes locked with mine. For a moment he stood in the falling snow, his fogged breath coming out of his nostrils.

"What are you doing?"

"Can't you hear what I am thinking?"

I got up. "Nope, and I wanted to talk to you before."

The scythe melted into black smoke and disappeared from his hands. "Tell me."

I took a deep breath and peered at him. "I don't want to be boundaries between us anymore. Moreover, since the world maybe will end, I don't want to be regrets or any...unfinished business. If anything bothers you, I will do my best to help you, you know that. And also-"

Marco stopped me by mouthing my lips. "Hush, you speak much. Since when did you become so talkative?"

I took a deep breath and lowered my head, kissing his palm. Marco pulled his hand. "I just... don't want to be away from you..."

"Oh Ana." He spoke softly as he pulled me on his arms. "Everything is so messed up. I am afraid for many reasons."

I hugged his back, brushing my fingers across his shoulder blades. "What scares you Marco? Tell me."

"I...don't want you to fight."

"Marco."

"Please let me finish."

I looked up. His expression looked pained and frustrated.

"I want you, with all my being, yet I catch myself wondering if I will destroy more of you."

"You never destroyed me! Don't tell me that you have been thinking of this bullshit all this time!"

He shrugged and titled his head up to the sky. "In fact I have."

I pinched his shoulder. The idiot didn't even feel it. "Marco, we have made it so far. Despite our loses which will always be our burden, you and I are still here. Can't we make this time worth?"

He looked back to me. "Come on jelly bear. Don't look so sad. You look older than usual." I smiled.

He smirked. "I look older? You will be the one with the wrinkles." Marco spoke as he kissed my forehead and by taking my hand we walked back to the house.

"Do you remember when at Christmas Thessaloniki was lighting up the Christmas tree?"

"I do. You were creating havoc around the cotton candy and your parents were hunting you all around the square."

We both laughed. "I miss the fireworks. Those golden and colorful lights..."

He pressed his thumb on my palm. "We will do something about that." Marco said with secretive voice and I winked at him, grinning.

When we got into the kitchen Murasaki and Feith were speaking of charms and talismans and Marco sat near and joined the conversation.

When I moved to the kitchen, I almost screamed from surprise, yet no sound came out as I saw Kyoko on Tomo's arms. He was tenderly sliding his fingers through her cheek, pulling her black hair back. His fox ears were molded to his white hair as he leaned and kissed her.

Slowly, I stepped back fighting to hide a smile. I was happy and relieved for having each other and despite the difficulties which awaited them, I was sure that Kyoko would handle it.

"Hey, when will we drink?" Murasaki asked and Feith sighed.

"I thought that Grim Reapers don't drink or eat."

"True Ana, but the taste of sake is the best!"

I looked at Marco. He turned to my direction. "How are you feeding yourself?"

"Honesty, I don't know. I don't feel fatigue or the need to replenish my energy."

Feith leaned close to the table, hearing our discussion. "Maybe the balance between the demonic and the Reaper part of you stabilize together in order to restrain you from killing us all."

"Feith." I glared at him for his comment.

"Oh she is angry!" Murasaki pulled my cheek in a gesture of fun and I squealed from the sudden pain. "My little kid. Take care of her, Fallen. She is worth the Heavens."

Marco's right hand held my waist below the table. "I will." He spoke with a warm voice and didn't dare to look at him.

"Omatasen!" Kyoko called from the kitchen and soon she got out with the pot. Her cheeks were still red and I smiled pleased.

Helping to arrange the tableware, we ate and spoke, but most of all we laughed. Ignoring the fact that I wasn't surrounded by humans, still the feeling I had missed had returned to me; it was the familiarity of being together with friends.

Even my first cup of sake felt nice, despite the burning on my throat.

"No more for you." Marco said as he took the second cup from me.

I frowned. "Hey!" and I got to my knees trying to reclaim my cup from Marco's raised hand.

I hadn't realized that Marco was trailing kissed on my sternum, holding me tightly from the waist. I gazed down at him and he smirked. "Oh, I like that look." He commented on my already red cheeks and I sat back, not daring to drink again.

"I am putting music!" Kyoko brought her Ipod and connected with the round blue ball of kitsunebi.

We heard Japanese, Italian and American music; there were even some classic music and Marco spoke of how Wagner despised the trip to Death Inc. When the last part ended another song started.

"Do you ever feel like a plastic bag..."

"Tune it up!" I shouted at Kyoko and giggling she raised the volume. I got up and started to repeat the lyrics.

"Do you know that there's still a chance for you

Cause there's a spark in you"

My voice resonated with the music and Kyoko accompanied me. We both sang and the room felt too small for our singing. Murasaki and Feith clapped their hands and Marco opened the sliding doors, calling everyone out.

Everyone got out and I ran into the snow, continuing the song.

"Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y"

My wings felt alive and I jumped up, moving them wildly. Power surged though me only that it was different than the last time I sang. I looked at my hands; balls of light appeared and an idea sprung into me.

I threw them to the ground and when they hit the snow, everything became...colors. The green, alive grass appeared and flowers bloomed. Murasaki and Kyoko ran around singing and dancing. My light became stronger and I used more of it.

Flying around myself I created a vortex of colors and white, making burst into every direction. Golden flowers and birds appeared from my hands, flying around the women below me and as I landed the final lyrics began.

"Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through"

I sung and looked at Marco. He was mesmerized looking at me and I couldn't hide my joy. When I tilted my head back I caught a glimpse of my hair. They were floating around my scalp as if I was underwater. But when I caught one of my tufts, my eyes widened.

There were colours. The rainbows I was always seeing on Auge were on my hair.

I opened my hands towards Marco calling him to me. He gripped tightly my hands as I sung.

"Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what your worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y"

I felt my skin exploding as the light left me and hit in thousand of rays on the night sky.

"Hanabi!" Kyoko screamed of joy as she danced with Tomo and I felt weightless as Marco lifted me up, laughing out loud. I lifted my arms to the sky, seeing my fireworks lighting up the night and their golden dust falling down to the earth.

When the song ended, we were all breathless, panting from the singing. Marco's grip on me never loosened.

"Your hair..." he whispered and I felt the change. The colors disappeared and the blond curls returned. "I know." I mouthed the words, too refreshed, too alive to even speak.

"Wait, so your powers react even to human songs?" Feith narrowed his eyebrows scratching his chin.

"Imagine if she sings 'Scorpions' what will happen!" Murasaki placed her elbow to Feith's shoulder, leaning to him.

"Ok, that's enough for one night, but you all have to see this." Tomo spoke behind us and we turned.

I gasped. Everything had turned...green. It was like the spring had early made her entrance. All around the house, the flowers the grass even the branches of the trees across had returned to life.

"You brought life." Tomo spoke and turned to me.

Kyoko picked some of the flowers and brought them to me. "Daisies one-chan?"

"And not only." Murasaki and I looked at the different kinds of flowers which had grown from the ground. Many were not from this region.

Feith and Marco were looking at the edge of the forest, when I looked at their direction. "Marco, what's wrong?"

The sound of the flapping wings and the screeching of beaks made me look up. Purple eyes were staring at us and their bodies had melted to one as they were trying to make their way into the barrier.

"Tengu!" Murasaki screamed as she pulled her sword.

I moved in front of Kyoko and pulled out my own. "Battle positions everyone!"

A crack was heard from above.

The barrier broke.