Omens (part1)

by Yai-tzu Hin

Warning: 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.

Coughing from the dust, Yatsurugi continued to shake out the rug. Keien was still mopping the kitchen and was attempting not to drip water on his feet. They had decided that today was an excellent day to clean the apartment. The sun was shining and there was a slight breeze blowing. Standing out on the balcony Yatsurugi gave the rug one final snap sending dirt all over of the place. he thought as he prepared to return to the living room.

Watching out of the corner of his eye, Keien observed Yatsurugi roll up the rug and turn to come in. He was wearing a pair of threadbare jeans. Which hug him in all the right places, Keien mused. Despite having admitted they loved each other, their relationship remained nothing more than that of good friends. Well, maybe Keien hadn't said it aloud to Yatsurugi, but he had certainly thought about doing so. It was hard for him to say it after Suiichiro. The heartache that he'd felt finding his love was meaningless to the one person he'd wanted to share his life with still remained. Now Keien was in love with another, but lingering memories hindered his ability to express himself. So he suffered in silence watching Yatsurugi walk in tugging at his tee shirt in an attempt to cool off.

"Keien, shouldn't you be mopping?" Yatsurugi asked noticing that Keien seemed distracted.

"I'm taking a break." Keien replied smiling. Yatsurugi snickered then suddenly stiffened. "Hey, are you all right?" Keien asked.

"I…something…" he paused trying to organize his thoughts. "Keien, I think something…" The ringing of the cordless phone interrupted Yatsurugi's sentence and causing both men to jump. Dashing to his room, Keien swept the phone off his floor.

"Hello?" he asked. Standing in the doorway Yatsurugi waited for what he knew was coming. Sadly he watched Keien's features stiffen then sag.

Dropping to his bed, Keien barely murmured a response to the voice on the other end of the line. He could barely comprehend what was being said now. His mind kept replaying what the voice had first said.

"Oh, God." He breathed.

Haruka opened the door to her apartment. Silently glad for the afternoon off, she was planning to relax in front of the television for a while. Kayumi was probably trying out some new recipe in the kitchen. She had to admit that Kayumi was an excellent cook, which came as a relief after hearing about Yatsurugi's disasters in the kitchen. Well, she has a couple hundred years worth of experience, Haruka reminded herself. Suddenly she heard unfamiliar voices.

"I don't know if that will work. We have to worry about Yatsurugi's cooking." Kayumi stated.

"He can't be that bad of a cook." The first unfamiliar voice replied. "I mean you are good."

"There is a big difference between my brother and I when it comes to cooking. You can ask Keien." Kayumi said.

Curious, Haruka wandered towards the kitchen, where the voices were emanating from.

"But a romantic dinner is just perfect!" the second unfamiliar voice whined. "What about a nice a restaurant instead?"

"And how would we slip them the potion?" the first unfamiliar voice demanded.

"Hello Haruka." Kayumi exclaimed noticing her roommate standing in the doorway dumbfounded.

"Friends of yours?" she asked raising a skeptical eyebrow. Kayumi smiled sheepishly.

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry, Haruka I didn't expect you back for a while. These are two old friends of mine. Eros and Psyche." Kayumi introduced the other two angels to Haruka. They smiled and exchanged pleasant greetings. Eros and Psyche? She'd heard those names before in her Ancient Western Civilizations class. They were deities of love. Suddenly Haruka had a very bad feeling about what was going on.

"Dare I ask?" she inquired.

"We're trying to fix your brother and Yatsurugi up." Eros replied flipping a lock of newly dyed hair off his shoulder. "I hope you don't mind. You see, it's my job to get couples together."

"Some how I'm not surprised." She commented. Then sighing she walked over to the refrigerator. Leaning against it she smiled. "So how exactly are you planning to get Keien and Yatsurugi together and how can I help?"

Eros laughed and Psyche giggled.

"Well, you aren't as bad as we thought, right Psyche?" Eros said.

"Yeah. Darling." Psyche cooed. Kayumi rolled her eyes and Haruka chuckled. She didn't know why, but she liked these two already. The four spent the next twenty minutes discussing different ways to convince both Keien and Yatsurugi that they should just, in Eros' words, go for it. Midway through their discussion on best places to take a date Kayumi suddenly fell silent. Biting her lower lip, she fidgeted. Haruka knew something was wrong. She felt it in every fiber of her body. Even the talkative Eros had fallen silent. The phone rang abruptly, causing the entire group to start as one. Hesitantly Haruka reached for the phone, worry written across her face.

"Moshi-moshi?" she said trying not to let her voice waver. Kayumi watched helplessly as Haruka listened to the message. Cautiously she put her hand on Haruka's shoulder. Grasping it, Haruka replied in a shaky voice that she understood before hanging up the phone.

"Oh God." She choked nearly on the verge of tears.

Keien paced back and forth.

"You called Haruka didn't you?" Keien asked. His mother nodded her head. Keien continued to pace.

"Mother, Father, Keien!" Haruka called anxiously as she hurried into the room. Standing, Mrs. Nakabori hugged her eldest child. Haruka could tell her mother had been crying immediately. She glanced at her father and then at Keien. Her father was as he always was and Keien looked worried.

"How did it happen?" she asked at last. Mrs. Nakabori shook her head.

"It was a truck." Keien said at last.

"How are you holding up?" Kayumi asked handing Yatsurugi a can of juice.

"Not so well." He replied taking it. "Keien will be at the hospital for most of the day."

"So will Haruka. I'm not expecting her home until tomorrow morning." Kayumi sat down on the floor opposite her brother. They sat in his room sipping juice and eating sweet buns. Neither was hungry, they were too nervous. After Haruka had left, Kayumi had called to see if Yatsurugi wanted some company. He had. Eros and Psyche had decided that this was a family affair and left quietly promising to do what they could within the normal limits. It was not like they could play God, the almighty himself. Kayumi had driven over, bringing with her some pastries she'd baked earlier in hopes that if they were going to be depressed at least they'd have something to eat.

"I can't believe this happened. We've always been so careful." Yatsurugi said gloomily. Taking a sip of her apricot juice, Kayumi nodded.

"Sometimes these things happen. It happens to the best of us. Besides we don't know the facts behind this."

"Yatsurugi, dear." She paused. "There isn't much either of us can do now except be supportive to Keien and Haruka. Keien will be glad for a shoulder to lean on I'm sure of. Especially if it's your shoulder." She said kindly. Yatsurugi smiled weakly.

"I know." He took another sip before continuing. "You know, I didn't realize how heightened my emotions would become when I asked for mortal form. I don't think I've ever felt such a feeling of powerlessness before. I mean there is nothing I can do for him."

"It's true. Our emotions become more sensitive when we are granted human form." Kayumi said. "We don't feel helpless or overwhelmed in the extremes that humans do. The roller coaster of emotional highs and lows is one of the greatest assets of humanity. If handled properly, emotions can be a source of great strength and spiritual power. If not, they can lead to destruction."

"I understand. I shouldn't give in to this feeling of helplessness."

"Exactly. Besides you are never truly helpless unless you give up. I'm sure you can find a way to help Keien through this difficult time. I mean you're doing such a good job taking his mind off Suiichiro." Yatsurugi eyed his sister warily.

"And exactly what are you implying?"

"Nothing." Kayumi replied grinning evilly. She stood up and walked to the window. Pulling back the curtain more, she noticed the weather was changing. "Looks like rain." She muttered.

"It fits. I'm surprised Murphy isn't making this more dreary than it could be."

"This isn't really something Murphy would do. Gloomy weather and gloomy moods at the same time aren't his cup of tea."

"You're probably right." Yatsurugi said. He finished his juice and sat silence for several minutes before speaking. "Kayumi?"

"Hmm? What?"

"Do you think you could drive me to the hospital?"

They'd sent Mr. and Mrs. Nakabori out to get something to eat. It was getting late and they'd been at the hospital since eleven that morning. Keien and Haruka sat in the room silently watching and waiting. They had been waiting a long time and from the looks of things they would be waiting for a long time still. They had been at the hospital since about two in the afternoon. Keien had hopped the next bus to the hospital the moment he got off the phone with his mother. Haruka had done the same, but at least she'd grabbed something to snack on before leaving. Not that either was very hungry at the moment. Most of their attention was focused on the person lying in the bed.

There were tubes hooked up to heart and respiration rate monitors and IV bags. Bandages covered sutured areas. Meiko's left arm was fractured as were a number of her ribs. She was covered in bruises from head to foot and her face was swollen.

Keien couldn't stand seeing his little sister in such a state. The only good part was that she was still unconscious and probably didn't feel anything. Part of him wished she'd wake up, the other didn't want to see her in pain. He was sure Haruka felt the same, but wasn't willing to break the silence to ask. Instead he stared at Meiko's still body intensely praying that she would be all right. The last thing he wanted was for her to be paralyzed or have brain damage.

Haruka was watching the rain come down outside. It had just started, but it was already heavy. Large thick drops slid down the window and the city looked gray and cold. Keien glanced at his reflection in the window. Something caught his eye. A translucent shape that he couldn't quite make out. Straining, he noticed it move from one side of Meiko's bed to the other.

Haruka was watching the same shape, but she had a feeling of what it was. Peering at her brother, she realized that he saw it too. She wondered if he had ever seen shapes like these before or if this was his first time.

"Right this way." a voice, said outside in the hallway. It was one of the nurses; Keien wondered what was going on. The door opened slowly. Yatsurugi and Kayumi walked through, carrying a bouquet of flowers and a large box.

"We thought you could use some company." Kayumi said smiling as she set the box down on Meiko's beside table.

"The flowers are for Meiko, but the food is for you." Yatsurugi said. "We hope you don't mind us being here."

Keien smiled, glad to see both of them. He got up and hugged Yatsurugi.

"I'm glad you came." He said softly.

"How is she?" asked Kayumi looking at Meiko's battered body. Haruka shook her head.

"Not well I'm afraid. If she doesn't wake up soon then the doctors' fear there might be brain damage. I wish there was something we could do." Kayumi sighed sadly then opened the large box and began pawing through it.

"We can't interfere." Yatsurugi said sadly. "We're technically mortals and therefore are limited to mortal means when it comes to stuff like this." Keien stepped back. He saw the pained look in Yatsurugi's eyes as he did. He knew the angel wanted to be more helpful, but he was bound by a set of conditions Keien didn't know.

"It's all right." Keien said trying to comfort both Yatsurugi and himself. "She's strong, I'm sure she'll pull out of this."

"How did this happen?" Kayumi asked digging out a box lunch and handing it to Haruka. She accepted it gladly finally aware that her body was actually hungry.

"A man had a heart attack and lost control of his truck at about ten this morning." Keien began. "The truck plowed through several cars who were stopped at an intersection before careening into the crosswalk. It didn't come to a halt until it hit a lamppost, then it burst into flames. The driver and four other people were killed. Twenty were seriously injured total, including Meiko. Most people survived with minor injuries." Keien choked as he tried to finish explaining what the police had told his parents. He prayed Meiko would wake up, he didn't want her to die.

"According to eye witnesses, Meiko was on the sidewalk waiting for the light to change. Suddenly she rushed out into the street. We don't know why." Haruka added.

"We know someone who would." Yatsurugi stated.

"Who?" Haruka and Keien asked simultaneously.

"Reimu." Keien gave Yatsurugi an odd look.

"And exactly who is Reimu?" he questioned. Kayumi tapped Keien on the shoulder and handed him a box lunch. He accepted it then turned his attention back to Yatsurugi.

"He is Meiko's guardian angel."

"I should have guessed." Haruka commented. "There has been this translucent shape flitting about Meiko's bed for a while now. I noticed it in the window reflection."

"You could see him?" Yatsurugi said in shock. "How?"

"Sixth sense." Kayumi responded walking about the room. She paused by the window for a moment. "She could sometimes see me in reflections too. I'm not surprised she could see Reimu."

"Is that what that glowing thing was?" Keien asked. "I thought I saw something too."

"Hmm. I guess you have a touch of sixth sense too Keien." Kayumi said turning to look directly at him.

"How come he's translucent and you weren't when I saw you that first time?" Keien asked.

"Because I let down my guard since you were with my brother. Also, because I'm Haruka's guardian angel she could see me as I was. Any other angel she would just see as a translucent, glowing shape."

"Well, that does make sense." Haruka muttered around a bit of dinner. "So why don't we ask Reimu about the accident and why Meiko bolted into the street."

"Because he's not in the room anymore." Yatsurugi answered.

"What?" Keien demanded.

"He vanished just after we came in. You know, I don't think he knows we have human form now Kayumi." Yatsurugi said turning the conversation over to his sister.

"Nope. It's not like either of us bothered to tell him. Although he should have known about you at least." Yatsurugi nodded. It wasn't like Reimu not to pick up on something obvious as that. Considering there wasn't much anyone could now but wait, Kayumi decided to change the subject.

"Keien, you haven't touched your meal. And we were considerate enough to make you a nice dinner that you aren't eating." Keien looked at his meal skeptically.

"We? As in you and Yatsurugi?"

"Don't look so concerned." Kayumi said with a smile. "He didn't set anything on fire."

"I only set the kitchen on fire four times! You don't need to rub it in that my cooking is horrid. I haven't the experience you have." Yatsurugi said tartly crossing his arms across his chest and giving Kayumi a dirty look.

"Keien, it tastes fine. Now sit down and eat." Haruka grumbled grabbing him by his shirt and forcing him into a chair.

"All this fuss about cooking." Yatsurugi mumbled. "So what if I can't cook?"

"Neither can Meiko. You two should go take a class together or something." Haruka remarked. "Or better yet, let Kayumi teach you since she's really good."

"I wouldn't mind at all. I'd be glad to teach both of them. Yatsurugi, don't look so put out. You at least know how to use a microwave. All you really lack in finesse in your techniques. Practice, practice, practice."

"Not on me he doesn't." Keien retorted. "I don't want to be his guinea pig."

"Ah, but you make such a good one." Yatsurugi chided. Keien narrowed his eyes and scooted closer to Haruka for protection.

"He's scaring me." Keien whispered glancing at Yatsurugi.

"If he scares you, then why are you rooming with him?" Haruka replied.

"Because he doesn't have a choice." Yatsurugi laughed. Keien laughed too. Haruka and Kayumi snickered. It was a good relief of tension for all.

Lying in the bed Meiko stirred at the sound, but didn't wake. Her spirit hung in that region between life and death trying to decide what to do next. Should she stay or go? Laughter. Familiar laughter. Family, friends, loved ones. Stay or go? Life or death?

You need to decide.

I know.

Soon.

Yes.