A Knight in Damp Armor

By Yai-tzu Hin

No part of this story or cast of characters may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the author, Yai-tzu Hin. If you do, dogs will wake you at 3:00 am in the morning, your hair will go gray at an early age, all you pens will run out of ink at the most inconvenient time, and your computer will always freeze up in the middle of the best part of a fic.

Sunday was supposed to be a day of relaxation. Keien didn't feel relaxed. He paced back and forth attempting to remain calm. Yatsurugi was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Something told Keien that it would be a disaster, but Yatsurugi had assured him that he wouldn't set the stove on fire this time. Thank goodness they had replaced the fire extinguisher the other day or Keien might be having a nervous break down.

"I shouldn't be worrying. I mean he has gotten better." Keien told himself as he crossed his room for the fortieth time. "He isn't trying to cook noodles without water and he remembers that the stove should be turned on before boiling anything."

"You are worrying for no reason." A familiar voice said. Keien's eyes darted around the room for the source of the voice. "Sorry Keien, did I startle you?"

"What are you doing here Kayumi?" he asked as the guardian angel materialized. She was sitting in mid air above his bed in full golden battle armor. Removing her helmet, Kayumi shook out her long locks so that they tumbled down her back.

"I thought I'd drop by and see how my brother was." She replied eyeing Keien. "But he's in the kitchen cooking and I felt it best not to disturb him. Something might self-destruct. I know how bad I was to begin with."

"You were a bad cook?" Keien asked suspiciously, somehow doubting that Kayumi could even cook.

"At first, yes. When I held human form for the first time I think I poisoned that poor guy multiple times. But he always smiled and bore it."

"Guy?"

"Yes, he was a real sweet heart. Put up with everything I did. It's a shame that I lost track of him." Kayumi said gloomily. Her normally cheerful face fell into what looked like regret.

"What happen…"

"It's in the past. Sometimes it happens." Kayumi interrupted before Keien could finish his question. "Anyway, I just wanted to see how things were going. I need to run before Haruka gets on the train."

"Oh that's right she's visiting that old high school friend of hers." Keien said vaguely remembering the conversation with his elder sister the night before. He had been too tired to think, let alone listen to her. Kayumi nodded. "Well, I hope she has a nice trip to the countryside."

"Don't worry, I'll see to it that she has one." Kayumi stated winking at Keien. Then she flapped her wings once and was gone.

Shaking his head, Keien decided that nothing surprised him anymore with regards to the two guardian angels he knew.

Glancing over to his dresser, he noticed that there was a business card on it. Walking over, he picked it up and read it.

"Aisaku Counseling Services. Don't just stand there, go help him before the kitchen catches fire." Kayumi apparently had about as much faith in her brother's cooking as he did. He trotted out the door just as the smoke detector went off. Oh no, please let it be small, Keien prayed dashing into the kitchen.

The countryside whizzed past in a darkening blur. Leaning against the windowsill, Haruka watched as the last light of the sun filtered through trees and fields. Why had they chosen to live far from the city was not for her to question. Keiko was an old friend and Haruka didn't mind visiting her when she was invited.

Haruka remembered the wedding as if it were yesterday. Keiko looking so beautiful with her man beside her. It had been a lovely affair. They had stayed in the city for about six months before deciding that it was not the right place to raise a family. So the newlyweds had moved into a small farming community far away from the city's problems. Haruka didn't think running away would help anyway. Eventually the city's influence would reach the farming communities.

"Ack! I'm thinking negatively again." She said aloud. "I'm supposed to be relaxing and enjoying my trip. It's not every day I get to visit Keiko." Starring at her reflection in the window she noticed that there was someone in the seat next to her. There shouldn't have been anyone there, she was sure. There weren't that many people aboard tonight. Turning to look, Haruka's heart nearly stopped as she realized that there was no one in the seat.

"Oh, God." She swore her tone barely audible. "I must be seeing things again. I need more sleep." She decided closing her eyes and trying to calm herself down. Yes, that was it. More sleep. She always saw things when she was tired, which meant she was taking a nap right now.

Kayumi folded her arms and scrunched down in the seat next to Haruka. If Haruka was taking a nap then maybe she could get some sleep too.

"I wonder if she saw anything in the window? Well, it wouldn't be the first time." Kayumi told herself. Snapping her fingers a book appeared and fell into her lap. Folding her wings about her for warmth, Kayumi cuddled up with the book for the remainder of the trip.

"Arh!" Kayumi yawned stretching as the train stopped. "I shouldn't have dozed off in this seat. It hurts my wings." Haruka was already gathering her bag and preparing to leave. Bouncing into the air, Kayumi hovered for a moment before following her charge out the door. Exiting the train, Kayumi spotted the familiar over zealous wave that could only be from one person.

"KEIKO!" Haruka called happily. She rushed over to greet her friend. They exchanged pleasantries then Keiko's husband whose name Kayumi couldn't remember took Haruka's bag and lead them to the car.

"This is going to be another dull trip and I'm going to be spending it with two other guardian angels who are REALLY boring." Kayumi grumbled to herself following silently. Said boring guardian angels weren't in sight thank goodness.

Sitting on top of the car, Kayumi could hear the women talking about nothing in particular. Keiko was apparently pregnant, which was exciting. Kayumi felt sorry for whichever angel would have to guard the tyke. Its parent's angels were very dull and stuck up. Her armor was itching and her wings ached. Suddenly she wanted to be anywhere but here and to take Haruka with her. The last thing Haruka needed was to be reminded that her love life was DOA.

"I mean even Keien has a better chance of scoring than she does. I really need to find her a man." Kayumi commented preening her feathers. "I'll have to talk to Eros or Psyche about it. Maybe they suggest something."

Keien sneezed. Yatsurugi looked at him.

"Someone must be talking about you." He teased nearly touching the tip of his chopsticks to Keien's nose. Keien gave him a dirty look.

"You don't believe in that superstition now do you?" he asked. Yatsurugi laughed.

"Maybe I do and maybe I don't."

"Well, that certainly cleared things up." Keien muttered staring his roommate. He picked at his dinner.

"Mm. This tastes good." Yatsurugi said changing the subject.

"That's because I helped you." Keien retorted taking a bite of vegetables. Yatsurugi smiled and ignored his glowering friend. It hadn't been that big of a fire. They hadn't even used the entire fire extinguisher.

"I'm going out for a walk." Haruka called. Keiko looked up from her laundry.

"You sure you'll be all right? I mean it looks like rain." Haruka waved nonchalantly.

"Hai, I'll be fine. If I get wet, I get wet. I just need to stretch my legs a bit." Keiko seemed a bit worried. Maybe all that chatter about men and babies had gotten to her. As if reading her thoughts Haruka rested her hand on Keiko's shoulder.

"Listen, don't look so gloomy. I know my love life has stalled, that doesn't mean we should avoid talking about families and the future." Keiko smiled. "I just want to see the countryside. I don't get out here often, so I'm going to take advantage of it." Patting her on the shoulder, Haruka turned towards the door and left. Kayumi followed.

Ignoring the dark clouds on the horizon, Haruka walked down the dirt road. She was wearing a mask again in front of someone who was supposed to be her best friend. It had been nearly three years since her last relationship and she was beginning to worry that there would never be another. So many of her old friends were married and expecting that she felt like an outcast. Outwardly she presented herself as a person who didn't care whether she was dating or not. She didn't need a man to make her happy. Beneath, she secretly worried that she would end up old and alone. That was her biggest fear. She doubted her family realized how miserable she was sometimes. Haruka was the oldest, the one Keien and Meiko could lean on when their parents weren't there, but even she got tired of this post. They would be there for her when she needed them; she just couldn't bring herself to tell them. Maybe if she showed weakness they wouldn't show her the same respect. No, they were her family; they would always be there for her. Then why was she so afraid to admit that she was miserable?

"This is getting ridiculous, I'm going to depress myself even further." Haruka told herself as she walked towards a wooden bridge.

Yeah, you and me both, Kayumi thought gliding ahead. Stopping midway across, she waited for Haruka to catch up.

Haruka wandered over and leaned on the rail and stared absentmindedly into the river below. Tiny drips of water splashed on her nose. She didn't care if it was raining; she just wanted to be alone. The world around her darkened and the rain grew steadier. Soon she had to admit it was time to go back. Turning around she saw lights and heard a horn.

"Oh fuck." She swore. Heading for the one lane-bridge was a large truck. It showed no signs of slowly and continued to blare its horn. Kayumi heard a voice yell at her.

"GET YOUR CHARGE OUT OF THE WAY! THIS GUY ISN'T GOING TO STOP!" Responding to the other angel's cry immediately, she reached out to shove Haruka out of the way, but the woman was a step ahead. Realizing that there was no room for both her and the truck Haruka leaped over the rail. Kayumi watched her fall towards the rushing water below horrified.

"When I get a hold of her…" she began diving in after her. Haruka hit the water hard. Every inch of her body stung as if thousands of needles were digging themselves into her skin. Trying to right herself she kicked furiously for the surface. The current slammed her into debris that had gathered under the bridge. Nearly knocked unconscious she felt something grab her and pull her away. Kicking once more she swam to the surface still in the grasp of a stranger. They broke free from the water and Haruka took in a deep breath. Sputtering as water and air filled her lungs at once, Haruka felt as if she were being drug to shore. She didn't fight, glad that someone had seen her jump and come to her rescue. Instead she tried to help by swimming on her own. Together they worked their way to shore.

Coughing she was hauled up onto the grass. The rain poured down even harder, but Haruka didn't notice she was already soaking.

"Thank you." She sputtered finally looking up at her rescuer. Hunched over in front of her coughing and dripping wet was a person in gold armor and helmet. A pair of white wings with golden tips sprouted from the figure's back. Haruka's eyes grew wide. An angel! An angel had rescued her. Wait! She'd seen this angel before, in window reflections, out of the corner of her eye, and on the edge of wakefulness.

"You're welcome." Kayumi replied automatically. Her voice sounding like a divine symphony to Haruka. Kayumi suddenly stiffened realizing that Haruka had spoken directly to her. "You can see me?" she asked cautiously whirling around. Haruka nodded dumbfoundedly.

"Yes. You're female." Kayumi nodded as Haruka started coughing again. "Who are you?"

Kayumi drew in a deep breath. Should she tell Haruka?

"I've seen you before, in window reflections and other stuff. Except I always thought I seeing things because I was tired. Are you my guardian angel?" Haruka asked. Kayumi bit her lip.

"Yes. I am. You must have a strong sixth sense to be able to see me in reflections. Most people can't." Kayumi said. Then as an after thought she added. "Are you all right?"

"I've had worse days." Haruka responded sitting on the grass. Kayumi started wringing out her wings. It wasn't helping though, she was still soaked. "You've always guarded me, haven't you?"

"That's what I'm supposed to do."

"Does everyone have a guardian angel?"

"They're supposed to." Kayumi kneeled down next to Haruka. "Listen, you need to get back to Keiko's and into some dry clothes. I'm going to walk you there to make sure no more trucks try to run you over."

"Okay."

"You know." She said helping Haruka up. "Your family has a real affinity for automobiles. We have more trouble keeping you and your siblings away from traffic."

"We?"

"Yeah, the other two guardian angels and I."

"Keien's and Meiko's?" Kayumi nodded. Haruka leaned on her for support and found the angel more solid than she had thought. "Do you have a name?"

"Aisaku Kayumi." Haruka's eyes widened.

"Aisaku? I've heard that last name recently." She paused to think. Isn't Keien's roommate's name Aisaku? She thought.

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Keien's roommate's name is Aisaku. Aisaku Yatsurugi." Haruka stared at her with a horrified expression on her face. "I can hear you're thoughts if you aren't careful. It goes along with being a guardian angel."

"I see."

"Come on. Let's get you back." Kayumi said helping Haruka up. "You'll catch your death out here."

Keien stretched. He hated homework, but at least it was done. Leaning back in his chair, Keien thought about Haruka's phone call. It was odd that she wanted both he and Yatsurugi over to dinner. She didn't even know Yatsurugi, so why was she inviting him along?

"Because she's a nice sister and would hate to leave your new roommate out. Especially if Meiko has been up to her old tricks." Yatsurugi said appearing behind Keien.

"You could be right. But it is still strange. Even if Meiko has been gushing on how wonderful you are. After Suiichiro, I think she would be really skeptical." Keien replied. "Ack! Look at the time. We'll be late."

Yatsurugi laughed as Keien rushed to put some socks on. He at least was dressed; Keien still needed to change into a clean shirt.

Twenty minutes later they were walking towards Haruka's apartment complex. Staring up at the tall building, Keien wondered exactly how much his sister was paying to live here. It wasn't like she had a roommate to split the cost with. She had wanted to do this on her own and his parents had respected that. On the other hand, it was expensive and her job didn't pay as much as everyone hoped.

"I wonder how her trip to the country was?" Yatsurugi said. "I mean didn't she just get back two days ago?" Keien nodded.

"She didn't say on the phone. All she said was that was inviting us both to dinner. It was a bit mysterious."

"Weird." Yatsurugi commented climbing the stairs to the third floor.

Haruka met them at the door with a huge smile on her face. Ushering both of them in, she said that dinner would be ready in fifteen minutes. Then she slipped back to the kitchen leaving them to their own devices.

"Wow. She's in a good mood. I wonder why?" Keien pondered aloud. He took off his shoes and left them by the door. Yatsurugi followed suit.

"Beats me."

"Would you like something to drink while we wait?" Haruka called from the kitchen.

"Just some water, thank you." Keien replied heading for the living room. Taking a seat in a chair, he looked over to see Yatsurugi staring at a painting hung on the wall. It was of a bright field full of golden poppies. Standing in the foreground was a child dressed in a pale blue shirt holding a bouquet of the poppies. The child looked a lot like Yatsurugi, Keien thought.

"Yatsurugi?" Yatsurugi jerked and turned towards Keien with a puzzled look. "What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing really. It's just this picture. It looks like one my sister painted a long time ago."

"Do you like it?" Haruka asked coming in with a tray of glasses and a pitcher of water. Keien counted the glasses, there were four. Was Haruka expecting some one else to come? She hadn't mentioned Meiko coming.

"I was wondering where you got it Nakabori-san." Yatsurugi said.

"Oh, it's not mine. It's…"

"Yatsurugi-CHAN!" Kayumi squealed jumping her brother from behind and giving him a huge hug. Keien's eyes widened in shock.

"It's my roommate's." Haruka finished smiling. "I trust everyone knows one another?"

"R-r-roommate? HER!" Keien stammered. Haruka and Kayumi nodded at the same time.

"One-san! What are you doing here?" Yatsurugi demanded.

"Is that any way to talk to your older sister?"

"What are you doing here!" he yelled.

"Tsk, tsk." Haruka scolded. "Kayumi is my new roommate. She saved me from being hit by a truck on Saturday. We had a long talk and decided that it was the best for all concerned if Kayumi lived with me."

"WHAT!" Keien and Yatsurugi cried simotaniously.

"Is this approved of?" Yatsurugi asked his sister, who had finally let go and was now standing next to Haruka.

"Yep. It's a done, packaged deal. See." She pulled out a wallet that had every form of ID available. "I even have a video club card. You know I didn't need one of these the last time I had human form. Of course videos hadn't been invented yet." She laughed.

"We're doomed." Keien muttered. Haruka snickered.

"Believe me Keien, this is for the best. You think you're the only one in this family that gets depressed. I've been fighting depression of varying degrees for a while." Keien stared at his sister.

"Haruka?"

"It's all right. You don't need to say anything Keien. Look, I know I don't share my feelings with my family, but I'm going to try to change that. That's why Kayumi is here."

"Hey, I can't do it from behind the scenes anymore. Besides, I have to keep an eye on my little brother now don't I?" Kayumi said putting her hands on her hips. Yatsurugi rolled is eyes.

"So that means Haruka knows I'm Keien's guardian angel?" he asked Kayumi.

"That's right." Haruka confirmed. "Now how about we go check on dinner and let the guys get their thoughts together?"

"Well, this is just great." Keien muttered pouring himself some water from the pitcher Haruka had set down. "Now what are we going to do?"

"Nothing." Yatsurugi answered. "We can't change anything."

"You're right. Well at least Kayumi won't be popping by just to say hi while I'm in the shower."

"SHE DOES WHAT?!" Yatsurugi cried.

"You're jealous that I got to see him in the nude and you didn't?" Kayumi called. Yatsurugi's face turned red.

"You did WHAT?" Haruka demanded.

"It was an accident I swear! He hadn't even turned on the water!" Kayumi defended.

"I've heard that before!" Yatsurugi replied heading for the kitchen.

"Oooo. Yatsurugi your face is all red."

"Shut up!"

"Are you some sort of pervert? Sneaking into Keien's shower?" Haruka stated.

"No, I swear I didn't realize he was going to take a shower. I just.."

"Were you spying on us?" Yatsurugi snapped.

"Well?"

"…."

Keien walked to the bathroom, opened a drawer and reached for the bottle of aspirin. Opening it, he removed two and put the bottle away. Returning to the living room, he could still hear them arguing. He picked up his glass, popped the pills into his mouth and swallowed a couple gulps of water. This was going to be a very long evening.