Fallen Angels
Chapter Two
By: Lazuli
lazulidreamer@yahoo.com
 
 
 
            Mitsuki giggled as she made her way through the store, seeing all the stuffed animals. Some of them were so cute—she wished that she was still young enough to collect them. Her eyes stopped on a stuffed rabbit with wings and she blinked, picking it up gently. This reminds me of Meroko… I should … it wouldn’t hurt to get this… even if I am sixteen.                        It was her day off and she was doing some shopping for the apartment that her and Ooshige-san shared.
The one that Oooshige-san had bought so that she would be closer to Mitsuki when she was Full Moon. She was intensely grateful that Ooshige-san had been able to hold on to it, it was the perfect place to move into after she left her grandmother’s home… or more precisely, had been kicked out of it after she had started her singing career .. again.               She looked around for a cat stuffed animal, but none of them matched the same way the rabbit did. She gave the small animal a suspicious look and then sighed. “I’m seeing my friends everywhere lately..” She whispered sadly to herself, paying for her purchases and walking back up to the apartment. “Ooshige-san will laugh when she sees this, though…”               “Sees what?” The voice came from suddenly in front of her and Mitsuki jumped in the air, one hand going to her heart to stop the sudden pounding. “Ta…Takuto! Don’t do that, you scared me!”               He grinned and started walking beside her. “It’s your fault for not seeing me there.” He raised an eyebrow. “So what’s Ooshige-san going to laugh about?” He poked at her bag. “Is it in here?”               She nodded shyly. “Actually, she’ll probably freak out slightly, but it brings back such good memories that I couldn’t resist getting it.” She hesitantly gave the bunny to Takuto to hold, biting her lips as she awaited his reaction. He’ll probably think I’m a silly little girl.               “Is it just me, or is that rabbit slightly creepy looking?” Mitsuki blinked at the un-Takuto like reaction and then down at the rabbit, smiling a little. It almost had an affronted look on her face and Mitsuki took her back, hugging it lightly.               “Her name is Meroko.” She said primly. “You’re not going to make fun of it all the time, are you?” She asked cautiously. Meroko—forgive me—I just think that it’s the perfect name. It brings back such wonderful, fun memories.               She missed the flash of almost-recognition on Takuto’s face as he peered at the rabbit more closely. “Better watch her.” He teased. “A rabbit that looks like that could only be trouble.” He ruffled her hair and grinned. “Heading back to your apartment? I’ll walk you there. You never know who might prey on you.”                          Her nose wrinkled as she clutched the rabbit more possessively to her. “Mou! I’m not a kid, Takuto. I’m only a year younger than you are. And your partner.” She eyed him a little. “Don’t I get a little more respect from you?               He laughed. “You are also an idol and shouldn’t walk around without someone with you.” He prodded her down the street. “Plus, you have a horrible sense of direction. Ooshige-san told me all about you.”               Eyes widening, she turned to him in shock. “How.. how much did she tell you about me?” She asked. “She… she didn’t tell you everything, did she?” Not that Takuto would believe half of the stuff—you need proof for that sort of thing.               “Hmm? Keeping huge secrets?” He teased. “No… she told me about how easily lost you get.” He poked her playfully. “It seems like you need constant guardians watching over you.” His eyes turned away for a moment as they walked along, thinking about something she could only guess at.                           Seeing the rabbit had the desired effect on Ooshige-san, and Mitsuki hid her giggle while Takuto looked on in amusement. “I never knew that you had a fear of stuffed rabbits, Ooshige-san.” He joked. The manager turned to look at him with a slightly sour look on her face. “I’m just glad it’s not the cat.” She muttered.               “What’s wrong with cats? I happen to like them.” He raised an eyebrow. “They’re my favorite animal, in fact.” Mitsuki looked at him in slight surprise, then smiled softly.               “Ooshige-san had a bad…experience awhile ago.” Mitsuki grinned. “Don’t worry, Ooshige-san. This one… this one isn’t the same.” She put the rabbit on her bedside table and gave them both a bright smile, trying to hide her sadness over the loss of her old friend again. Mou! I’m thinking too much about them. It’s… it’s better to move on. They wouldn’t want me moping around.               Ooshige-san took a closer look at the rabbit and finally sighed. “You’re probably right, Mitsuki. You’re not sick again, are you?” She turned to Mitsuki and stared at her intently. “No keeping it from us this time. I’ll call Waukouji-sensei myself…”               Takuto was torn between laughing and concern—Ooshige-san was like an overprotective mother and Mitsuki was starting to blush under the attentions, waving her hands and denying it all. He was concerned though—what if she was sick and was trying to cover it up?               “Oi, chibi—“ Mitsuki’s head snapped up and turned to him. “If you’re sick, then say it straight out. Don’t try to hide it and act strong. Your health is more important.” Her nose wrinkled at even more mother-henning.               “I’m just fine. Waukouji-sensei said that the cancer is completely gone.” She grinned and twirled around. “I’m healthy and going to stay that way.” She held the rabbit tightly in her arms. “I have a guardian angel looking after me.” Or at least the memory of one.               Takuto gave her a strange look, but smiled. “Good thing, Mitsuki. You’re going to need all the strength you have to do this schedule.” He teasingly pulled out the list of events that Ooshige-san had planned for them. “The road to fame isn’t a lazy one!”                 Mitsuki groaned and put a hand to her head. At least I’ll be prepared this time! It won’t be so bad—and I’ll still have support. This time with my own confidence as well and what they gave me in the past. Takuto, Meroko—               It was going to be a long couple of weeks. Mitsuki gave Takuto a thumbs-up. “We can do this, ne? Ganbatte!”               Takuto gave her a strange look but smiled at her energy over it. “And I thought I would have to be worried about you.” He laughed. “Guess I was wrong.” He looked at the rabbit in her arms. “And I suppose she’s going to be our constant companion?”               Mitsuki smiled. “It makes up for all the times I’ve left her before.” Ooshige-san’s smile was a bit uneasy. “Hai, Mitsuki-chan.” She shook her head slightly. “This should be an interesting month….”   **               “And we now have Kouyama Mitsuki and Kanaka Takuto here today! These two are the newest idols discovered by Seed Records, an unstoppable team!” The announcer was very cheerful as she introduced them to the crowd.               “Today they’ll be answering your questions! So have them ready!” Mitsuki smiled brightly at the crowd of people, but her fists clenched under the table, betraying her nervousness. At least you can be honest about your school and age—the things you like to do, Mitsuki. You’re really sixteen now, not twelve.               “First question! From Tomira Aya!”  A person pushed the girl forward gently, who was clutching a notebook in her hands. “How… how long does it take you to write a song?” She blurted out. “Kouyama-san, then Kanaka-san?”               Mitsuki blinked and then smiled. “I once stayed up all night… for three nights in a row trying to write the lyrics to a song.” She said softly. “I had friends to encourage me—to help me see what my song should be about. It worked—I learned how to write a song from the heart.”               The crowd smiled at each other at her answer and Mitsuki blushed. Takuto nodded in approval over her answer. “The same goes for me—I feel that a song should be pure—the words and emotions.” His eyes were serious. “I’ve spent countless hours working on the right lyrics to get the emotion across.”               Mitsuki looked down at her lap and smiled at the Takuto-like response. This is crazy—but it’s like I’m learning more and more about him, even the stuff that he wasn’t allowed to tell me before. It’s like a glimpse into his life.               The next fan stepped up, this time more shy then the first, staring at the ground, her question almost whispered. “What type of songs do you like them most?” The announcer repeated it and Mitsuki grinned.               “When I was younger I loved pop music…but now I like a lot of the calmer music—the soft ones that reach you.” She blushed. “I must sound so funny!” She exclaimed. “Gomen nasai for such vague answers.”               The young girl shook her head and blushed, trying to hide back into the crowd, but they kept her up there until Takuto finished giving his answer, although by this time her face was bright red.               There were a few more scattered questions, such as how long they had been singing—the reasons why they sang—Mitsuki smiled a little sadly as she answered that one, her voice steady. “When I was young I lost my parents. My father was a musician and I remember listening to music that he wrote—and I wanted to be like him. I loved to sing and… I met someone later in life that told me to always reach for my dreams.” She smiled again, more brightly. “I tried very hard to sing—and … I finally realized my dreams.”               Takuto looked at her in surprise as the question was pressed further. “Did anyone else help you achieve your dream?” There were a few sighs at how romantic that was—and Mitsuki nodded. “I was sick when I was younger.. and there were two people that looked after me and helped me through it so that I could finally be here.”               Takuto, Meroko—can you see me now? I’ve achieved my dreams once again—I always want to sing! And I am—thanks to you, Takuto, Meroko.               The question was repeated at Takuto and he shrugged lightly. “Singing is my life—even I were to die, I would go on singing—looking after those that wanted to sing to give them their chance.”               The questions slowed after that, became more common, until the one about them being an ‘item.’ Mitsuki and Takuto both turned red, vehemently denying the rumors that swept around the crowd.               Once it was over, they stood together and thanked the crowd, but avoided each other’s gazes. They had become closer since the time they became partners—he was so easy to get along with, reminded her of Takuto so much. His personality and the way he looked at things—his words and feelings…               The only difference is that if he and I have an argument, he can’t fly away. I can always find him someway.   **               Mitsuki slumped on her bed, finally able to rest after the many interviews, recordings, signings—publicity shoots and more interviews—it was double this time with a partner singing—there were questions to be asked—mostly revolving around if her and Takuto were ‘an item.’               “That part is the worst… mou! We couldn’t be any further from an item.” Mitsuki groaned into her pillow. Her hands pulled out the small silver whistle that he had given her all those years ago—she kept it with her always, even if he could never hear the sounds again.               “That’s not true! Takuto loves Mitsuki, that’s why he stopped being a Shinigami.” Mitsuki looked up quickly for the sound of the voice and then her mouth went dry with shock at the rabbit talking—it… it really was Meroko!!               The rabbit grinned and hopped on the bed, before popping into the human looking form of Meroko, hugging her tightly. “It’s been so long, Mitsuki!”  The rabbit ears were gone and she looked more human—more relaxed. There were still the wings there and her hair was the same, but the outfit she wore as a Shinigami was different. It was dark gray with a white blouse,  but the red ribbon was still around her neck.               “You look so different, Meroko! And.. how can I see you? I.. I’m not going to get sick again, am I?”  Her hand went to her throat automatically. “You said that I wouldn’t be able to see you anymore…” The older girl shook her head, smiling brightly.               “Iie! I just wanted to visit my old friends. You’re still able to see us because you always had that ability… you’re different from most people.” She grinned and ruffled Mitsuki’s hair. “Plus I’m off duty right now, and the Shinigami chief said that it was okay.” She pouted and fell back. “But since Takuto left, I’m no longer Negi Ramen! It’s so boring! Mitsuki is so lucky! She can still sing and have Takuto…”               Mitsuki put out a hand to stop Meroko. “Wait, wait…” She murmured. “Takuto, the one that you and I know—isn’t here, Meroko. You’ve got it all wrong.” She shook her head and looked down at the floor. “He’s .. he’s supposed to be with you! Why isn’t he with you?!”               Meroko stared at her. “You haven’t realized it yet? I know Takuto, Mitsuki… I thought you would to. Isn’t it obvious?” She bounced slightly. “Every time you take me with you, I can see him again. I’m so happy!!” She grinned. “It’s been too long.” Her eyes crossed slightly. “Even if he did make fun of me.”               Mitsuki laughed softly. “I think you have it wrong, Meroko. That’s a Takuto, but it’s not like it can’t be another person. I… it couldn’t be Takuto. He’s a Shinigami, not a human singer. You said that he couldn’t remember his past!”  Her voice rose slightly with her disbelief and demanded an explanation. “Meroko!”  

            “He chose to become human for you, Mitsuki.”