Fan Fiction ❯ Angelic Requiem ❯ One ( One-Shot )

Disclaimer: I DO own Kathandriel and Raishaniel. Steal them without permission and die. Nezkiel and Diadriel are proprty of Suki. I don't own Rociel.
Warnings: Shounen-ai, violence, death
Notes: This is Kathandriel's (Aka Jade Amara) past. This is purely my own work.

"Kath? Hello, Heaven to Kathandriel!!" Green eyes blinked, then focused on the smiling face in front of them. "Day dreaming about Cassiel again?"

"Aw, shuddup Rai." The boy muttered, pushing his friend over and standing.

"You know you don't stand a chance with her Kath!" The other boy's tone was teasing as he tucked a lock of brown hair behind his ear. "After all, Cass is years older than both of us!"

"I said shut up!" The slightly taller boy spun around, tackling the other boy and tumbling them both down the hill.

"Hey watch the wings!!"
The two rolled down the hill, grass and dirt staining the plain white robes they'd both wear until their ranks were determined. Neither of them paid any attention, too caught up in the play fight to care about the state of their robes.

It wasn't until they crashed into somthing, a something that promptly fell over on top of them in a tangle of robes and limbs that they were forced to stop their play. "S-Sorry!" Rai gasped, trying to untangle himself.

"I should certainly hope so!"

"C-Cassiel!!" The other boy stuttered, a blush staining his cheeks.

Raishaniel blinked, then doubled up in laughter at his friend's predicament, useless to the other two angels in his amusement.

By the time they separated themselves, Kathandriel's face was beet red, and Cassiel was fuming. "You two! Just wait until I report you to the fledge matron! You'll be sorry then!"

The older angel stalked off, leaving Kath trying to stutter out an apology while Rai leaned against a near by pedastle laughing his ass off. "You should've seen the look on your face!"

"Shut up, Rai!" The older boy glared, shaking blonde hair out of his eyes. "It's not funny!"

"Yes it is!"

"Shut up!" Kath punched his friend in the arm, then began to walk away, muttering to himself.

"Aw, c'mon Kath. I was just kidding!" The brunette ran to catch up, rubbing his sore arm. "You didn't have to hit me!"

"Do you know how much trouble we're going to be in now?!" The blonde gestured at his robes, which were torn and stained with dirt and grass.

"So what? They're just robes Kath. Please tell me you're not turning into another Tarantiel!"

"Me! A peacock like him!! When Hell freezes over!"

Rai grinned. "That's the Kath I know!"

"Yeah, yeah..." The blonde returned the smile. "We're still going to be in major trouble though..."

"It's not like we haven't been in trouble before, remember? What about when we got caught putting mud in Matron's make up pots? I swear, you could've heard her scream in Gehenna!"

"Yeah... That was fun."

"Kathandriel! Raishaniel!" The two boys turned, the small feathers on their immature wings fluttering in the air. Cassiel was approaching, a rather rotund angel beside her, clad in pale blue robes.

"Uh oh... In for it now..."

"What have you two to say for yourselves!? And only days before your ranks are delegated too! Disgraceful!" The blue-clad angel glared at them, shaking a finger at them. "Mark my words boys. The way you're going, the best you can hope for is archangel!"

"Yes Matron." They chorused, trying to look properly chastened.

"Come with me. We'll see if the attendants need any help. Maybe THEN you can stay out of trouble."

"The attendants?! Aw, Matron..." Rai groaned. Spending the rest of the day with the attendendants would be horrible, since the only thiong there was to do arround the birthing station was watch the immature angels float in their tanks.

"No arguing Raishaniel. Now come with me." The brunette slumped, and Kathandriel stifled a snicker. "What are you smirking about Kathandriel? You're coming too."

~*~

Kathandriel tugged on his robed selfconsciously, trying to straighten his hair with one hand. Raishaniel fidgeted beside him as they stood in two lines waiting for their ranks to be assigned. Despite the Matron's warnings, they'd managed to break a statue, and startle an elderly group of angels who were teaching a group of day old angels how to walk into speachlessness.

They were the next pair to be assigned, once the two angels ahead of them were sorted into the mass of the rank they were chosen for. So far everything had gone smoothly, but the Matron was looking at them warningly, reminding them that if they screwed up, they'd end up in the lowest rank possible.

"Angels 3819, 3820, Raishaniel and Kathandriel. Would you please step up?" The voice startled them both, and they walked forward nervously, step in step. To anyone else, they appeared perfect, wings folded neatly behind their backs, robes immaculate. Stopping a foot away from the edge of the raised platform, Kathandriel swallowed heavily, hands clenched into fists to stop their trembling. He could hear Rai's muted whispering beside him as the other boy forced himself to be calm. "Angel Kathandriel, you are assigned to the rank of Seraphim. Congratulations. Angel Raishaniel, you are assigned to the rank of Powers." The brunette let out a sigh. It was better than he had hoped.

Rai stepped forward, about to step off the platform, when Kath reached out and caught his wrist. "I... Please! There has to be a mistake!" Eyes wide, the brunette turned to look at the taller boy.

"Kath... What are you doing!?" He hissed. The blonde ignored him.

"A mistake? No..." The elder standing beside the platyorm shook his head.

"Yes! How could I be a, a Seraphim, and Rai only a Power?! It's not fair!"

"Kath, shut up! It's alright!"

"No, it's not okay!" The blonde shook his head, wings unfurling. "I refuse to be a Seraphim if it means I can't have Rai as a friend!"

"Seraphim Kathandriel! Please calm yourself and get off the platform immediately!"

"No!"

"Kath..."

The blonde was glowing softly with unharnessed magic summoned by his anger.

"I refuse!"The gathered angels were muttering among themselves, and the recruiters seated along the front of the crowd converged to discuss the matter. Rai tried to calm his friend, but the blonde shook everything off. "No. I don't want to be alone!"

Finally, an angel seated amongst the recruiters stood. "In light of this... development... We have decided that you shall not be separated. But be warned, Angel Kathandriel. Your actions today have put Angel Raishaniel in danger, as he will be exposed to more power than he may be able to handle."

Kathandriel blinked, then beamed. "Thank you! Thank you!! And he won't be in any danger! I'll make sure of it!"

Raishaniel's eyes were wide with both fear and wonder, and he didn't resist as the blonde pulled him off the platform to join the amassed Seraphim.

~*~

"I'm telling you Rai, you're doing great!"

"Kath... I shouldn't be doing this! I should be with the other Powers, learning the more basic magics!" Raishaniel pushed a strand of brown hair from his face, then adjusted his white robes so that the small amont of pale green embroidery along the hems was visible.

"It's fine! Really!" Beside him, Kathandriel smiled, gold thread gleaming along the cuffs of his sleeves as he tried to fix his own hair.

"No it's not! It's dangerous! I don't feel right learning what you're learning."

"Rai..."

"Just stop, Kath. Please?" Brown eyes pleaded with green. "I'm going to stay here, but tomorrow I'm going to ask to be moved into the classes for the other Powers. I'm no where near strong enough for what we're learning."

"But..." Kathandriel trailed off.

"No. I've made up my mind." Rai smiled lopsidedly. "It'll work out Kath. Just wait."

~*~

"Hurts... It's too hot..." The pained whispers woke Kathandriel shortly after midnight, vision blurred until clearing after several blinks. In the bed across from him, Raishaniel tossed and turned, sheets and blankets tossed on the floor haphazardly.

"Rai?" The blonde slipped out of bed and padded across the room, a plain white nightrobe swishing around his bare feet. "Rai, are you okay?"

"Kath, it hurts..." The brunette whimpered, curling into a ball, one hand clutching his head, the other clutching his chest. "It hurts..."

"Rai, this isn't funny... Quit joking around." Kathandriel scolded. The other angel had played a joke like this a few weeks before, and he wasn't going to fall for it again.

"I'm not kidding Kath... It hurts... Please... get someone... God, it hurts!" The brunette pleaded through agonized pants, writhing.

"I'm going back to bed Rai. I'm not going to fall for it again." Turning, he walked back across the room and slipped into bed, pulling a pillow over his ears to block out the whimpers from across the room. He fell asleep again quickly.

A scream woke him a few hours later, as one of the older Seraphim that was still training came in to wake them up. "Oh my god! Someone hurry!!"

Rai was still curled up in bed, both hands clutching his head. His wings were draped across the matress, feathers strewn across it and part of the floor. They weren't completely gone, but what remained on the brunette's wings were ragged, and stained red with blood.

"Oh my god... Rai..."

"Go get help! Now!" The older angel ordered him, trying to get the brunette to wake up, but Kathandriel was rooted to the spot in horror.

"Y-You weren't kidding... R-Rai..." Collapsing to his knees, the blonde grabbed one of Raishaniel's hands, pleading. "Rai, wake up! I'm sorry!!"

~*~

Kathandriel stood beside the pyre, watching the flames reduce it and the body of his freind to ashes. The wind whipped the flames higher, sparks soaring away. Tears tracked down his cheeks as the logs cracked and feel to peices, but not a sound escaped him. It had been a week since the other angel had been found in the bed across from his, wings tattered and rotted, and since then, Kathandriel hadn't said anything, hadn't eaten, drank or slept. Raishaniel's body had been consigned to the flames the same day he died, and the pyre had been burning since then. Kath hadn't moved from his spot, just staring into the flames emptily.

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust..." The voice beside him startled Kath, and he looked away from the flames. A figure stood beside him, swathed in a long black jacket, pale hair tied back. The young Seraphim's eyes swept over the newcomer, then widened as they stopped on the folded wings on the stranger's back. "Seraphim Kathandriel, right? I've heard about you."

The newcomer tipped his head slightly as he turned to look at the blonde. "You've caused quite a few problems. First the sorting, and now someone's dead. A pity."

Turning fully, unheeding of the flames that threatened the tails of his long jacket, the angel turned cold blue eyes on Kathandriel. "At best, you'd be lucky to be killed instantly for all the trouble you've caused. At worst..." He trailed off, smiling dangerously.

"But, and consider yourself lucky, you do not have to concern yourself. It's been decided that this turn of events was beyond your control." Walking closer, he looked down at Kathandriel through narrowed eyes. "But I'd watch my back, if I were you. You never know whether it's opportunity or accident knocking at your door. Good day, Kathandriel." The stranger swept past him, shoulder pushing the seraphim aside. Kathandiel barely had time to get out of the way before the angel disappeared amidst several bolts of electricity.

"Rociel-sama..." The blonde whispered, as the logs in the pyre broke and fell with a shower of sparks.

~*~

Kathandriel leaned back in his seat, looking out over the gathered senators. He wasn't actually one himself, as he'd never been all too interested in the fine points of politics, prefferring to do the paperwork, but the High Seraphim had requested his presence at this meeting. Stiffling a sigh, he returned to listening to the current speech, writing down the more important points in short hand. Seated in one of the higher tiers of seats, alone, Kathandriel could see the whole gathering unobscured.

Movement beside the High Seraphim caught his eye and a slim gold brow arched. An angel he'd never seen before had taken a place beside the High Seraphim, taking notes on the speech, and occasionally conferring with him. The new comer was short, probably barely to Kathandriel's shoulder, with black hair tied up, though several strands at the top of their head had come loose, framing their face. Kathandriel was too far away to see the angel's features, but he had a feeling that the angel's eyes were some shade of violet. He didn't know why he thought that though.

Kath was startled out of his inspection as the High Seraphim stood as the current speaker finished, and called the attention of the gathered angels. "As you all may or may not know, relations with Gehenna have been becoming more and more strained as of late. In fact, as we were seated here, discussing trivialities, the demons have declared war upon us." A wave of gasps echoed through the consul, but the High Seraphim waved the diplomats to silence.

"I will be making a trip to Gehenna to try and arrange a treatise with the demons within a few days. My second in command, Seraphim Kathandriel, and my advisor and body guard, Throne Nezkiel will acompany me, along with the generals and commanders of the troops stationed in Gehenna. If a treaty cannot be arranged, then many of you will be called upon to help oversee the troops." The High Seraphim's gaze swept across the senators. "In this time of war, cooperation is imperative! Any angel, diplomat or senator found making trouble will be given the heaviest punishment other thaan wing cutting available." Stepping down, he took the arm that the strange angel offered, and left the consul.

Kathandriel's mind reeled. One minute he was doing paperwork and taking notes... The next, he was launched into the middle of a war. In a daze, he stood, not really paying attention to see if there were anymore speakers, and left the consul to return to his rooms so he could compose himself.

~*~

When Kathandriel landed in the camp that had been set up for the High Seraphim and the troop commanders, he was instantly lost. It was easy to navigate the camp from the air, but once he landed, he was adrift amongst uniformed angels and nondescript tents. The naginata slung across his back made his even more uncomfortable, reminding him why he was there in the first place. Trying to shift the weapon so the staff didn't his the back of his legs as he walked, without taking up too much room, he tried to get the attention of several soldiers, but some of them didn't even know what the High Seraphim looked like, having lived in Gehenna since they were created.

Tempted to take flight again, despite the crowded area, Kath leaned back against a stack of tent poles, brushing loose gold hair out of his face. Here he was, in the middle of a war, without even one of his assistants to help him. The three Virtues had remained behind in Aztiluth as they weren't suited for military life, and weren't powerful enough to defend themselves if the camp was attacked.

"Ah, there you are Kathy! I was just commenting to Nezkiel how hopeless you were with directions." Groaning, the blonde shook his hair back, and smiled at the approaching High Seraphim. Behind him trailed the angel from the consul, black hair tied up. At the closer range, Kath could see that their eyes were indeed violet, amethyst actually, and set in a round, feminine face. Gaping, Kathandriel only nodded to the High Seraphim's greetings. He couldn't belive that the High Seraphim brought such a, a, -delicate- female into a battle area!

"Well Kathy, you know your job better then I would, so I'll leave you and Nez to do what you do both. I have some business to discuss with Commander Diadriel." Rolling his eyes, the blonde turned to the shorter brunette as the High Seraphim walked away. "You're used to my system of recording, I assume, Miss Nezkiel?" The brunette stifled a giggle behind her hand. "Sorry to burst your bubble -Kathy-, but no, I'm not, since I'm a war advisor, nor am I female."

Nezkiel laughed as the taller angel's jaw dropped, then smiled lopsidedly. "Shall we get to work? The tent's this way."

~*~

Kathandriel sighed and tossed aside the last folder as Nezkiel colsed the ones in his hands and set it on the table between them. "Finished, Nez?"

"Yes, Kathy." The younger angel replied snidely. The blonde rolled his eyes and settled back in his chair, the staff of his nagitana scraping against the chair.

"What is it with you and calling me Kathy?"

Nezkiel shrugged. "It fits, Kathy-chan."

"Agh! I give up!" Throwing his arms into the air, Kathandriel slumped back against the chair.

The brunette laughed. "I don't do it often Kathandriel-san. Only when you start stating the obvious."

Eying the pile of folders and paper with distaste, Kath stood and stretched before slinging the nagitana over his shoulders, adjusting the strap under one arm. "I guess since we don't have anything left to do, it's off to battle for us Nez."

"Hai, Kathandriel-san."

"Nervous?"

"Yes."

Kathandriel offered a hand to the smaller angel. "Grab a pike from the stack outside. Not the most elegant of weapons, but it's something." Nezkiel nodded, face pale and looking like he was trying not to be sick. "Relax Nez. I'll be right beside you." Frowning, Kathandriel unsheathed the nagitana from his back, and held the blade out infront of the shorter angel. "If it makes you feel better, I swear by my blade that you won't be hurt. And Excelsior is made of the hardest material there is. As long as this blade's intact, you'll be in no true danger."

"...Okay, Kathandriel-san." The brunette smiled up at the blonde, then followed his out of the tent, grabbing one of the metal pikes from a stack nearby, then hurrying towards the gates that protected the encampment. As soon as they stepped through them, they'd be on the battlefeild. Smiling at Nezkiel reassuringly, Kathandriel walked up to the gates to speak with the gaurds, then gestured for the Throne to join him. "Just stay near the gates and you'll be fine. The fighting's light there."

"Yes, Kathandriel-san." Nezkiel was still pale, but determined.

"Follow me out." The blonde moved to stand in front of the gates, nagitana at ready, Nezkiel behind him. The massive doors open and the sounds of battle flooded in. Face grim, Kathandriel charged out, the Throne following him unsurely, the gates booming shut behind them.

Above the feild of fighters hovered a Seraphim, centuries younger than Kathandriel, but more suited to fighting. An energy orb sheilded him wings from crossbows. A bolt though a wing would be essentially the same as having his wing sheared off, so every precaution was taken to protect the troop commanders. The Seraphim was yelling orders, but they went unheard over the din.

Kathandriel's blade clashed against demon wrought armour, seeking out and finding weak spots, stabbing through. Nezkiel had been separated from him, somehow making his way into a pocket of heavy fighting. Without armour, he was suffering smal wounds, agile enough to avoid heavier blows, though he knew his luch and stamina had to run out soon.

Across the feild, Kathandriel looked up as a flash of purple erupted from the skies, stunned. Thankfully, most of the demons around him ducked, fearing it was an attack from the angels. Green eyes widened as the blonde Seraphim recognized the figer surrounded by electricity as Nezkiel. A Throne using a raw energy spell... No wonder the High Seraphim had insisted on his presence.

Nezkiel dropped to the ground after the attack dispersed, given a respite by the attack which had destoyed the demons surrounding him and picked up the pike. Thankfully, a few soldiers had seen his attack as both a plea for help as well as the attack it was, and had joined his side, but already they were being ringed by demons. Striking out with his pike, Nezkiel's eyes widened as he felt the frontal sheild he was using weaken, rippling visibly with each blow that struck it. His vision was distracted by a blur of flame red, before vivid storm blue eyes danced in front of his. Surprised by the beauty of the demon now attacking him, the sheild collapsed as a bolt of green energy struck it, and Nezkiel's body from hip to breast bone. The Throne screamed, pike clattering to the ground as he crumpled, arms folding across his stomach.

Kathandriel's head jerked up as a scream ripped across the battlefeild. "Nezkiel... Nezkiel!" Flaring his wings, he launched himself into the sky, totally forgetting to erect an orb sheild to protect himself. Dodging several bolts, he landed next to the downed Throne, eyes narrowed. "Get back!" He struck out with the nagitana, blood spraying across his arms as he hit his target. Protecting Nezkiel from behind with his wings, the feathers themselves glowing with pure energy, the nagitana sheared through armour with ease. "Dammit, someone help me!"

He heard an agonized whimper from behind, which only fueled his rage. "K-Kath... God... It hurts..." Green eyes widened with shock as the words brought Rai's final words to the forefront of his mind. /Kath... It hurts.../ The nagitana slashed through flesh, armour and air alike, energy trailing behind the blade. Kathandriel's wings flared painfully bright as crimson flames flared up around the two, uncontrolled in their lethal fury and attacking both demon and angel alike. Nezkiel pulled himself closer to the Seraphim, terrified of the flames that were attacking both demon and angel, sobbing in agony as the wound across his abdomen tore slightly, blood staining the gold and white robes Kathandriel wore.

The flames began to die down, leaving behind the scent of burnt flesh and feathers. Around them lay several bodies, demons by the half melted armour they wore, and several angels were clutching burns, all their protective magic focused on keeping their wings intact. Kathandriel slumped with exhaustion, not knowing where the energy that fed the fire had come from, or even what the spell was. The blade of the nagitana in his hands bit into the charred dirt as he leaned on it, barely having the enrgy to stand. Neither angel or demon wished to approach him however, having seen the fury of the fire he'd called up.

A team of medics landed within the circle of burnt earth, one erecting a dome sheild over them all, while two attended to Nezkiel, prying his hands from Kathandriel's robes and wings before pushing him down to lie prone across a stretcher. The final medic checked Kathandriel over, then caught the blonde seraphim as he passed out, finders never unlocking from around the staff of the nagitana. Even unconscious, the blonde was determined to protect Nezkiel. The two medics attending the Throne nodded and bespelled the stretcher, one taking hold of it to guide, the other sheilding them as they flew the wounded Throne towards the encampment, though Nezkiel fought being separated from the Seraphim, half maddened by fear and pain temporarily.

The two remaining medics supported Kathandreil between them, walking back towards the gates with his slung between them, both holding sheilds around the three of them. Though he wasn't injured, they weren't equipped to help the Seraphim on the feild, so he'd be out of batle until he recovered.

~*~

Green eyes blinked open, then closed immediately against the light and the blurred colors of the surrounding area. "I see you're awake, Kathandriel-san." Cracking one eye open again, the Seraphim glared at the angel standing above him.

"Yeah, I'm awake." Groaning, his eye closed again, only to shoot open again, along with the other as he sat up violently. "Where's Nezkiel?"

"The little Throne? They're just down that way a bit." The paramedic pointed down the makeshift hallway between cots holding wounded angels, then pressed Kathandriel down. "Please lie back. You're still weak from that spell."

Swatting the Archangel's hands away, the blonde sat up again, swinging his legs of the bed. "I can rest later."

"Kathandriel-san, please!" The Seraphim ignored their protests, half walking, half staggering down towards a curtained partition."

"Nezkiel-san, if you would pleas raise your arm so I can wrap the bandage..." The red headed Archangel tending to the brunette trailed off as the curtain was yanked open. "Sir, you can't be in here!"

"K-Kath!" Crossing his arms over his bare chest, despite the raw burn across half of it that trailed down to his abdomen, Nezkiel's eyes widened. "What are you doing in here?! I mean, it's great to see you're okay, but I'm not exactly dressed for guests, and I don't think you'd want to see a wound like this..." A laugh from the blonde broke off the brunette's rambling.

"Nezkiel, I've seen worse." A shadow crossed Kath's face, before he smiled again. "But is a 'great to see you're okay' all I get for saving your ass?" He chuckled, watching the Throne blush.

"No, no! It is great to see you're okay. And you really did save me out there." Nezkiel blushed darker. "Thanks Kath."

"Look, it was no problem."

"No really!! ...I owe everything to you... I promise to make it up!"

Kathandriel spluttered, blushing. "N-Now Nez, that's really not n-necessary!"

"Sir, if you're not going to leave, at least move!" The red headed paramedic bustled over, lifting Nezkiel's arms away from his chest, revealing the long burn again, and began to wrap more bandages around the Throne's chest.

Kathandriel's eyes widened, eyeing the Throne in a new light, then blushed at an inappropriate thought. Smooth white skin glimmered faintly in the dim light, marred only by the burn across the angel's chest, which was rapidly disappearing under layers of bandage. Muscles shifted slightly under the skin as the smaller angel tried not to flinch and distract the paramedic.

"Can't you be a bit more gentle? You're hurting him!" Kathandriel stepped forward, almost reaching out to Nezkiel before his hand dropped to his side again.

"Sir, I have other patients waiting. I need to get this done. I am not causing him any harm. Now please move out of my way, or leave!"

"Kath, please? She'll be done soon, then we can talk..." The Throne bit his lip to stifle another wince.

"Fine. I'll be right outside." Kathandriel stepped out of the alcove, and leaned against the wall as a wave of exhaustion threatened to knock him out. "Kathandriel-san, please come lie down. You won't get better if you wear yourself out."

"But..."

"No buts." The nurse took a hold of the Seraphim's arm, and lead him back to his cot, then pushed him down. "Rest. You can talk later." Another wave of exhaustion overtook him, and though he fought it, it carried him into a deep, dreamless sleep.

~*~

Kathandriel stretched, arching backwards against the chair he sat in, hands curling into fists before stretching out. 'Where is he...?' Leaning forward again, the blonde braced one elbow against the table, resting his chin in the hand while the fingers of his other hand rapped on the table.

A scuffle outside made him look up as he door flap of the tent shook and a leg slipped into the tent. "Kath? Some help? PLEASE?!"

With a laugh, the Seraphim stood, opening the tent flap, then letting it close once Nezkiel was inside. The small Throne was weighed down with a stack of papers and folders half his height. "We have to go through all this!?"

"Yes, Kathy, we have to go through all of it." The brunette dropped the stack on the table and divided it neatly in half before turning and grinning at the Seraphim. "And since you're always done first..." Reaching behind him, Nezkiel dropped several thick folders onto the top of Kathandriel's pile. "You get to do those."

"I'll get you for that!"

Nezkiel dodged as the taller angel lunged for him. "Uh, uh uh, Kathy. The High Seraphim wants these before lunchtime, so get to work." Dropping into his chair, the Throne picked up a packet of papers and began to leave through them.

Glowering, Kathandriel did the same, trying to kick Nezkiel undeer the table, then blushed darkly as his foot slid up the inside of the Throne's leg. "S-Sorry."

The brunette laughed, looking at the blonde over the papers, then went back to reading. Muttering to himself, Kathandriel tried to kick him again, only to have the same result, his fot sliding up the inside of Nezkiel's leg under his robes up to his knee.

"Kathy, I know you like me, but we have work too do!" The Throne's grin was mischeivious. "Stop playing footsy!"

"N-Nezkiel!! I am NOT playing footsy!"

"It sure seems like it." He eyed the blonde almost suggestively, then went back to work, leaving Kathandriel flustered.

"I wasn't!!"

"Yes Kathy. We beleive you."

"Hmph."

Picking up the topmost folder, Kathandriel looked at it, then at Nezkiel's pile of files. Smirking, he waited until the Throne was preoccupied, then udes a bit of magic to open the tent flap. A gust of wind blew in and swept most of Nezkiel's files off the tables, the heavy folders holding Kathandriel's own down.

"Oh for the love of!" Dropping the file in his hands, Nezkiel went over to the tent flap and tied it shut before beginning to pick up the scattered files. Kathandriel stared, having not anticipated this, then got up to help the Throne, remembering his wound. The two of them bent to grab the same file, and straightened up simultaneously, running into each other and falling to the floor.

Green eyes widened as they caught luminous violet. When they had fallen, Nezkiel had landed on top of the Seraphim, face inches from the blonde's. Soft raven hair was mussed from the wind, falling partly ove one eye, a strand brushing the Throne's pale rose lips before the pale skin of his cheeks flushed crimson. "G-Gomen, Kathandriel..."

The Seraphim was equally flustered, blushing brightly as he stared into the other's eyes, aware of Nezkiel's weight on his body, aware of each breath that brushed against his cheek from the Throne. "N-No, i-it was my f-fault..." Caught up in Nezkiel's gaze, he subconsciously raised his head a bit. 'I never noticed... He's beautiful... Perfect...'

A crash outside the tent jerked them back to reality, Nezkiel scrambling off the blonde almost desperately. Once he was off, Kathandriel sat up, brushing his hair back. "Well, that was..." He was interupted however, by a yell outside the tent for everyone to arm themselves. The Throne's eyes were wide with fright. He hadn't finished healing yet, and he might not survive another stint on the battlefield. "Kath... I can't..."

"I know. Go offer to help the paramedics. You should be safe with them..." Reaching out as he stood, Kathandriel grabbed his nagitana and unsheathed it, heading towards the tent flap. "Just becareful Nez."

All the Throne could do was nod before he walked out of the tent.

"But what about you....?"

~*~

Slashing downwards across a demonic grinning face, Kathandriel cursed as another just replaced it. "Is there no end to them?!"

"Nay, there's always more..." Another angel next to him replied, wiping blood out of his face as he nearly lost his grip on his sword. "Bloody demon bastards!"

Muttering again, Kathandriel gestured for the angel's around him to move back, then summoned the anger and guilt he'd felt when Nezkiel had be injured. The Seraphim's wings began to glow with an erethreal white light, and both angels and demons scrambled to get away, recognising the attack from before. The crimson flames roared up from the ground, but in a wall, instead of a ring around Kathandriel. Green eyes flaring with each shift of the flames, he gestured with the nagitana, driving the flames forward.

A flurry of charcoal black nearly caused him to lose his concentration as an angel clad in the black uniform of a commander landed beside him, polished black boot and silver bottons reflecting the red light of the fire. In a smooth movement, the newcomer drew his sword, and Kathandriel's eyes widened as he recognized the blade as the rapier 'Redemption' weilded by Commander Diadriel.

The crimson flight licked down the blade and dyed the gold guard red, refracted light making Diadriel's hands seemed soaked in blood as he began to yell orders. Kathandriel returned his focus to the magic attack as his energy began to falter, and prayed that he'd have the strength to keep the flame wall up long enough for Diadriel to get the troops into some kind of order.

The angels scrambled to obey Diadriel's order, several angels forming a lardge sheild in front of them, swordsmen in between them, and spell casters behind them. Just as Kathandriel's flame wall came down, Diadriel gave the command to attack. Spells bombarded the demons attacking them, stunning them while the swordsmen cut them down. Watching, Kathandriel moved back towards the gate, exhausted by the spell. They had turned the tide, and the demons were the ones overwhelmed now.

~*~

Clad in fresh robes, minus the gold embroidery that signified his rank as Seraphim, Kathandriel walked through the encampment, assisting wounded fighters, and just plain helping anyone out that he could while he waited. Remembering the angel he'd seen on the battlefeild, Commander Diadriel, one of the most highly praised military minds in the army, he wanted to talk to the man.

A flurry of black at the gates caught his attention, as the elite troops normally commanded by Diadriel marched in, their commander in the lead. Waiting until the soldiers had been dismissed, he walked up to the other angel, and was struck speechless by how young he appeared. Far too young to be in the army, let alone a be a commander. Golden blonde hair that still held a hint of the page-boy haircut all angels were created with was shorter than the standard, wisps of it feathering out towards the back. Watching as the last of his soldiers disappeared between the tents, Diadriel turned calm, but amused sea blue eyes on the Seraphim standing in front of him. "What, is there something on my face?"

Startled out of his silence, Kathandriel stuttered, "Uh, n-no. It's not that." The other blonde just shook his head and laughed.

"Are you always this good with words, Seraphim Kathandriel?"

"No, normally I'm calmer, but..." Kathandriel trailed off, then eyed the other Seraphim with suspicion. "How did you know who I am?"

"Seriously Kathandriel-san, I don't think there's a single person involved in this war that doesn't know that crimson flames are your signature attack. It's too easy to recognize."

"Oh."

"No need to be so disappointed. I could always tell you that I have spies all over the place if that makes you feel better." The smile widened into a grin. "So what can I do for you Kathandriel-san?"

"Nothing, really. I just wanted to tell you just how impressed I was by your handling of the troops out there. Simply amazing!"

A faint tinge colored the other's cheeks. "You flatter me."

"You deserve it. You don't look old enough to even be IN the army."

"I'm a bit older than a thousand Kathandriel-san."

"You certinaly don't look it!" Kathandriel laughed. "Care to come to my tent and talk? I had a few ideas about how my flames could be useful to you."

"It would be my pleasure." The black clad angel replied, half bowing. "Shall we go?"

~*~

"Hold the pike like this... No Nez, that'll be too easy to break your grip... Like this... Agh!" Kathandriel flung the pike in his hands aside and walked over to the Throne. "Like this." Standing behind Nezkiel's, he reached around and positioned the smaller angel's hands on the weapon. "See how your grip's evenly distri..." The blonde trailed off, aware of a stirring inside him. 'Dammit, this is wrong! I shouldn't love another angel, cannot love another angel!'

"Hai, Kathandriel!" The brunette's voice broke him out of his thoughts and doused him with enough guilty feelings to quell the stirrings.

"Okay, now part your legs for balance... Like that, but a bit more..."

Again, he trailed off as Nezkiel's robbed behind pressed against him. "No... You're leaning... forward..." Shaking his head, Kathandriel forced his thoughts into propriety. 'Idiot! He doesn't feel the same way, what's the use in thinking about it! ...But's he's so gorgeous...' "No, Nez, that's a bit too far ba--ACK!" The Throne had leant back to counter his foward lean and sent them sprawling on the ground, and was now sitting in the Seraphim's lap, bordering on embarrassed tears. "Kathandriel, this is useless! I'm not a fighter! I'm a diplomat!"

Sighing, the blonde sat up on his elbows. "And what if the camp's attacked again. Are you just going to let them kill you?

"N-No..."

"Then you have to learn this."

"But I can't!" Nezkiel wailed, turning to look at the Seraphim. "It's too hard!" He pouted, eyes wide with unshed tears, trying to use pity against the other angel. Kathandriel sighed again. "Fine... I'll ask Dia if he has the time to teach you the sword."

"Thank you, Kathy!" Leaning up, Nezkiel kissed the taller angel's cheek, then extracted himself from the tangle of legs and robes before scampering off, leaving Kathandriel staring after him, hand against his cheek in disbeleif.

"Nez...kiel..."

~*~

The sound of battle filled Kathandriel's ears, shreiks of pain, the clash of weapons and armor, the various sounds of spells being cast. Thw white robes that declared his rank had been replaced with black ones, a small amount of embroidery along the cuffs and hem the only concession to his rank. Diadriel had petitioned for him to be allowed to join the elite troops, and to his surprise, the High Seraphim had agreed. The blonde suspected that Rathtaniel had commanded Diadriel to add him to the ranks actually, as the attempts on the High Seraphim and anyone close to him had been increasing. So Kathandriel no longer wore his robes, but the uniform of the 'Black Wind', and the inscriptions on Excelsior's staff had been covered up.

Across the feild came the call of a quetzal, magically amplified. Kathandriel closed his eyes, ignoring the battle around him and focused on the several demon commanders he's 'tagger' earlier as his wings solwly began to glow. The angels around him, all garbed in black, paid no heed to this, already knoing the plan. The quetzal call came again and the Seraphim released the energy. Several pillars of crimson flame sprang up, scattered across the battlefeild as the energy coursed through the 'tags' and set Kathandriel's targets a flame.

He kept the fire going, then let them loose to devour the demons around where the commanders had once been, cutting off the flow of energy after a few minutes and slumping. One of the Black Wind that surrounded him took his arm, gesturing back towards the camp, then called up an orb sheild around both of them. Kathandriel nodded his thanks, and took to the air, the fighter following him.

~*~

"Ne, Kath... If someone came up to you, say, a few millenia ago, and told you you'd been in the middle of a war between Heaven and Hell, what would you have told them?" Nezkiel tilted his head up from where it rested against the Seraphim's shoulder. They had retreated to the couch once their paperwork was done, just resting.

"I would have told them they're insane."

The brunette laughed. "I can see you doing that, too." Kathandriel smiled, staring down at the Throne out of the corner of his eye before leaning his head against the back of couch and brushing his stray bangs back. Nezkiel arched a brow, tucking a strand of loose hair behind his ear. "Do you think the war'll be over soon, Kath?"

"Yeah, of course it will. "Kathandriel smiled warmly at the Throne's slightly worried face, then laughed. "We'll go back to Aztiluth, then you, me and Diadriel can terrorize all those old fuddy duddies that stayed behind with our war stories."

"Kath!!" Nezkiel giggled. "You're horrible!"

"Well, that's what I intend to do. You?"

"I... I don't really know..." He sighed, then added softly so that the Seraphim wouldn't hear. "I don't want to go back..."

"Well you have to think of something Nez! Surely you don't want to be a petty diplomat all your life!"

"Of course not!" The Throne stated.

"Hmm... then why not pose as a model for an artist? You'd make millions."

"Kath! We're not supposed to get rich!" Nezkiel blushed as Kathandriel ruffled his hair, laughing.

"Fine, fine. I'll just shut up, okay? Is that better?"

"Yes it is, Kathy! Now I don't have to listen to you!" The blonde pulled a face at the grinning Throne, and whacked him with a cushion.

"Hey!!" Nezkiel pouted. "You don't love me anymore!!"

Kathandriel froze at Nezkiel's words. 'Do I love him? Of course I do!' The Seraphim's face blanked out as he thought over this.

"Kath? You okay? I didn't mean to upset you..."

"No, you didn't upset me. Just made me realize something."

"Like what?"

'Oh God, what am I supposed to tell him?! I can't tell him that, he'd hate me...' Kathandriel's mind was racing. "...That I love you." Hearing his voice utter those words, he paled as Nezkiel did the same.

"...K-Kath...?"

The Seraphim extracted himself from Nezkiel and stood. "Just forget I ever said that..." He muttered, as he walked towards the tent flap. "As far as I'm concerned, that was never said."

"Of course." Was his reply, and Kathandriel cast one despairing look at Nezkiel's seemingly calm face before leaving.

~*~

Kathandriel sat in the shadows between two tents, staring at the one he'd fled, waiting to see the Throne emerge. 'I'll go up to him and apologize. I'll tell him that it was a misunderstanding, that I was joking around...' The Seraphim sighed. 'He'll never beleive that. Dammit Kath, everywhere you go you make trouble.' The blonde forced that thought away, knowing it would take him down memory lane, back to days in the sun, with another brunette angel, with laughing eyes...

"Dammit!" He cursed as he stood up, over turning the wooden crate he'd been sitting on. "I won't make the same mistake I made with Rai. No one else will die because of me! I swear it." Nezkiel chose that time to leave the tent, arms burdened with the stacks of files they'd gone through, and the Seraphim walked across to the tent, grabbing his nagitana. "No one else will die." Green eyes narrowed before he unsheathed the blade and headed for the front gate.

'I'm sorry Nez... Just becareful if anything happens.'

~*~

The glow faded from Kathandriel's wings for the third time since he'd stormed onto the battlefeild and he panted for breath, the nagitana hanging from his fingers, the triple forged blade dull with blood. The Seraphim didn't even both to look up as a black clad body landed beside him. "Are you always this dumb?! You're exhausted!" Kathandriel's eyes meet sea blue as he turned and Diadriel muttered a curse. "You stupid idiot. Wounded, exhausted, and about to collapse. You're off the feild."

"No." The Seraphim straightened up, fingers tightening around his weapon before he lunged, attacking a nearby demon.

"Dammit Kathandriel, that is an order!" The other just ignored Diadriel's yells, engaged with the demon he had attacked, and was barely holding his own.

Glaring at the other blonde's back, he followed, expertly thrusting Redemption through the demon, killing it, before he turned to Kathandriel, eyes blazing. "I'm sorry to do this, friend." Then he drew back, and punched the other Seraphim catching the now unconscious body as it collapsed.

~*~

Exclamations went up as Diadriel staggered through the gate, Kathandriel's unconscious form slung over his shoulder, both of them libberally splatter with blood. "Commander Diadriel, are you alright, sir?" A paramedic rushed up to him as he let the other angel slip off his shoulder. "I'm fine, just tired. Get him into the infirmary. I think he took a knife through shoulder."

"Yes sir." Taking the unconscious body from the soldier, the paramedic rushed off, already knowing who to leave in charge of the wounded Seraphim. "Nezkiel!"

A brunette head poked out of a curtianed partition. "Yes, Arantiel?"

"Patient." Without letting the Throne see who it was, the Chrubim laid Kathandriel out on a medical table, and drew the curtain around it.

"I'll be right there."

Arantiel chuckled to himself as he hurried away, wondering what Nezkiel's reaction would be. It wasn't long before he found out.

The Throne finished bandaging his patient, then hurried over to the curtianed enclosure and sliped inside, only to gasp and go pale in shock. Kathandriel lay on the table, skin as pale as the sheet he lay on. The dusty black of his uniform was stained a dark red-black along his side, and a ragged tear sliced down the side of the shirt. "Kath, what happened to you...?" Rushing to the side of the table, instinct took over as he checked the blonde's pulse and breathing before carefully peeling the blood soaked shirt away from the Seraphim's torso. The wound wasn't bad, but it was deep, and still bleeding.

Gathering himself, he pushed all thoughts of -who- it was who was on the table out of his mind, and gathered up thread and needle to stitch the gash shut.

It was when he lay a cool cloth on the blonde's head that Kathandriel groaned and opened his eyes, immediately closing them again. 'You're an idiot, Kath. Nearly getting yourself killed. How would that help?' He thought, before opening his eyes again.

"Welcome back to the land of the living." Nezkiel's voice wasn't hateful, but it was joking like it should have been. "That was a damn fool thing to do Kath."

Groaning again, he shut his eyes. 'Just what I need...' Kathandriel waited in silence for Nezkiel to bring up the subject of what he'd said, but the Throne remained silent as he tended him. Sitting up brought him aware of the wound in his side, and the sharp stabs of pain as Nezkiel stitched it methodically. "Nezkiel..." He trailed off, lost in thought as he watched the light play across the Throne's face from the lamp, softening his features, making him seem even more angelic and beautiful. 'Perfect... That's what he is. Perfect.'

The brunette looked up as Kathandriel spoke, looking into slightly cloudy green eyes, unaware of how close their faces were, how easy it would be for them to kiss. He continued stitching distractedly, just looking into the blonde's eyes, his own amethyst narrowed in thought.

"Nezkiel! Patient!" The small angel jumped guilty and tied off the stitches.

"Rest for a while before you get up. If I hear you've gone back to battle Kath, I'll kill you myself." Nezkiel teased, then smiled at the Serphim before leaving the enclosure.

~*~

Accompanied by Nezkiel, who'd also been drafted into the Black Wind, for probably the same reason Kathandriel had, the Seraphim slipped through the gate onto the battlefeild, nagitana at ready. Nezkiel had picked up more than basic sword moves from Diadriel, and was armed with a tripple forged katana, the only blade they'd been able to get a hold of on short notice. More confident then before, the short Throne followed Kathandriel out through the feild, towards a pocket of concentrated fighting, only a bit nervous when he lost sight of the blonde in the melee. 'I can do this' he told himself, parying a slash from a demon and returning in kind, feeling the slight resistance as the sword bit through armor and flesh.

Kathandriel was in the thick of the battle, with barely enough room to manouver the nagitana. "Dammit, dammit, dammit!" A spell sliced through the air, narrowly missing him and singing his robes. "Where the hell are they all coming from!?" No one replied, and he was forced to duck rapidly as an demon armed with a scythe swung wildly and blindly, only to be struck by his own weapon, the blade slicing deep enoough to kill him near instantly.

The enemy forces weren't as thick where Nezkiel was fighting, so he heard the unnatural hush that fell across the feild sooner than most did, nearly dropping his katana in shock as he realised the air was absolutely silent, as if all combat had ceased, despite the fact that it hadn't. A shadow passed across the battle, and he looked up in near synchronization with everyone else, eyes wide in both fear and awe.

Above the battle hovered a blood red dragon, gold eyes straing down at the mass of fighters as disgustedly as it's rider did, before dropping down and landing not far from the main battle. The rider slipped from his back, adjusting heavily embroidered robes, opening a passage through the fighters with a massive blast of energy that simply knocked them flying. A sadistic smile tilted thin lips as the newcomer walked through the open area, and through the break in the fighting, Nezkiel could see that the demon was heading straight for Kathandriel, who had been in the middle of the fighting. The demon gestured, and all movement directly around him froze, save for his target, who froze in shock, green eyes wide.

"Seraphim Kathandriel. A pleasure to meet you." The magician's voice was raspy, as if there was something caught in his throat. "I am Lord Yekun, and I've taken an... Interest, in you. I'd be pleased if you'd oblige me."

The Seraphim's eyes widened further, and he backed up, trying to get farther away from the demon. "Get the hell away from me.. I know what this interest is, you pervert."

Eyes narrowed, Nezkiel crept along the outside of the circle of bespelled fighters, calling in energy as he moved.

"Oh dear." The smile dropped, and pure malice glared from Yekun's eyes. "Well, whether you like it or not, you -will- oblige me." The spellcaster gestured, and the Seraphim froze as he walked closer, a heavily bejewelled hand out stretched. "Such a pretty one, aren't you? And troublemaker. You'll be fun to break."

"Get away from him!" Yekun spun, catching sight of Nezkiel as the Throne rose into the air, orb sheild shimmering as it formed around him. The demon watched, brow arched, then sneered as the small angel seemed to freeze midair, head bowed, hands together as if praying.

"Little upstart..." He muttered, and moved closer to the suspended Throne, who's wings were glowing brightly enough to be impossible to look at.

He froze however as Nezkiel moved, arms rising above his head, then down to cross over his chest, wings flaring blindingly bright. There was fear in the demon's eyes, if only a little, as the small angel opened his eyes, glowing with energy and glared his hatred at the spellcaster before throwing his hands forward, electricity cracking between his fingers and spiking to the ground.

The demon's sheilds shunted enough power that the attack didn't kill him, but Yekun was in agony as the energy poured through his body, stray bolts lashing out from his own fingertips as they sought a way to ground themselves. Purple flames sprung up where the electricity hit the ground, catching Yekun's heavy robes on fire, burning him visciously. A scream tore itself from the demon's throat before he collapsed to his knees, shaking. Across from him, Nezkiel droped to the ground as well, sheild disolving as he leant heavily on one knee, breathing raggedly.

An enraged roar shook him to his senses however and the Throne had barely enough time before the blood red dragon dove down across the feild, snatching Yekun up in it's front talons and disappearing into the dust hazed sky. With the spell caster gone, the fighters were released from his grip, and the Seraphim rushed over to Nezkiel, gathering him up and taking wing, carrying the exhausted Throne back towards the camp, pride shining in his eyes.

~*~

Kathandriel sighed, rubbing at a blood stain on the back of his hand in disgust, before looking at the still figure lying in the cot beside him. "Wake up, Nez... Please?"

As if his words triggered it, amethyst eyes cracked open, before the Throne sat up quickly. "Where's Kathandriel!? Yekun didn't get him, did he?!" The blonde stifled a chuckle as he reached out to push Nezkiel back against the bed.

"I'm right here. And thank you, Nezkiel. You saved more than just my life you there today." Kathandriel smiled lopsidedly at the Throne, who was beginning to calm.

"Kath, I was so worried! When I saw you freeze, everything just went blank! I just knew I had to get him to leave you alone."

"I know Nez, I know. And thank you. You were amazing."

"Oh Kath..." The small angel looked up at him tremulously, then flung himself against the Seraphim's chest, sobbing. "You stupid, stupid, idiot... I was so worried... What if something... I mean, you're not..."

Wrapping his arms around the Throne, Kathandriel murmured softly, trying to calm his rambling. "Hush Nez. I'm fine. And I doubt that pervert will get within 500 feet of me ever again."

"But... But... what if...?" Tearful violet eyes looked up at him. "I can't always be there Kath! He'll get you, I know it!"

"Just calm down Nez. He won't get me. I promise."

~*~

Kathandriel's face paled, a stark contrst against the dusty black of his uniform as the battlefeild fell silent. 'No!' Turning, he tried to duck further into the battle, and closer to the camp. 'I can't let him! I promised Nez!' He nearly fell as the ground shook from the dragons landing, and his eyes widened even further as he heard the demons voice.

"Oh Kathandriel! Do be a good little angel and make this easier on yourself by coming out." The Seraphim turned, and faced the demon through the corridor Yekun had formed through the frozen and terrified fighters.

"Never, Yekun. I'd rather die first!"

The demon tipped his head, a bemused smile on his face. "Why die keeping a promise to someone who cares nothing about you, Kathandriel? What's the use in that?"

The blonde paled further, the whites of his eyes showing around his irises in fear. 'How can he know...!?'

"Make this easier on yourself and just give in. I'd rather not have to go hurt your little friend."

Dropping into a defensive position, nagitana held out in front of him, Kathandriel glared at the angel, unaware of any angel that could still move trying to free themselves from their battles. ready to dedfend him, if it meant taking out one of the most powerful demon Lords. "Leave Nezkiel out of this."

"Nezkiel, is it? Such a pretty little thing. I do beleive he'll be the next to join my harem."

"You bastard!" Kathandriel sprung, rage clouding his judgement. Yekun simply laughed, unleashing a bolt of energy that struck the weapon, shattering the blade into peices easily, and breaking the stave into peices, the material weakened by Kathandriel's doubt in himself.

Stunned by the impact of the spell on the nagitana, the blonde dropped to his knees for a moment, long enough for Yekun to wrap a spell around him, and gesture. "That's a good boy. I do beileve that we'll get along splendidly, don't you think?"

Fighting the spell, Kathandriel flung an arm out behind him, hand outstretched in a supplicant for help from someone, anyone.

A yell of rage echoed across the silenced feild as a flurry of black landed behind the Seraphim, and Yekun drew the spell in faster, mounting the dragon as he did so. Kathandriel's eyes pleaded with sea blue for help, as Diadriel lunged to catch his fingers, only to fall less than an inch from his target.

Yekun's laughter echoed over the feild before a scream of anguish drowned it out, a sound that pained both angels and demons to hear.

"NEZKIEL!!!!!"

~*~

Compared to the chaos outside, and the despair in his heart, the camp was almost as silent as it would've been had Yekun been there as Diadriel walked through the gates dispiriatedly. What was he going to say to the High Seraphim. Worse, what was he going to say to Nezkiel!? Diadriel's heart dropped with each step he took towards the High Seraphim's tent, knowing that Nezkiel would be there.

The guards outside the tent didn't bother to stop him, knowing him on sight, and wary of the greif and guilt in his eyes.

The two angels inside ceased their conversation as he entered, Nezkiel's eyes widening in shock at his appearance, splattered with mud and blood, while the High Seraphim merely looked at his in distaste. Dropping to his knees, head bent, Diadriel dared not meet their eyes. Not Nezkiel's for the crushing despair he knew he'd see, and not the High Seraphim, for his disappointment. "I'm sorry, Rathtaniel-sama. I could not follow your orders."

"What's this all about Diadriel?? Nezkiel questioned, face paling as all sorts of possibilities sprung up.

"I ask your forgiveness, my Lord, Nezkiel-san. I have failed you both." Diadriel continued in a broken tone, unashamed of the tears that dripped down his face. "Today, in battle, I have lost the honor of holding your trust." He looked up, locking eyes with Nezkiel. "The Demon Lord Yekun has captured, and abducted the Seraphim Kathandriel."

Nezkiel's face drained of all color as he shook his head in disbeleif, tears already spilling over. "No... It can't be true... He promised he wouldn't let that happen!" Slim hands clenched into fists tight enough for the Throne's nails to cut his skin, staing his robes with drops of blood as he shook with supressed sobs. "He promised Dia... He promised!"

Neither of them noticed as the High Seraphim stood, and left the tent, face emotionless, though the slight shake of his hands told how shaken Rathtaniel was. Diadriel rose from the floor, wrapping his arms around the small Throne, murmuring. "I know he did... Gods... It'll be alright Nezkiel, you'll see... Just hush..."

The brunette shook himself out of Diadriel's arms, bolting to his feet, casting a devastated look at Diadriel before he raced from the tent to Kathandriel's throwing himself face first onto the cot hat still smelt faintly of the blonde Seraphim.

"Damn you Kath... You promised me you wouldn't let him. You promised!" Hugging Kathandriel's pillow to himself, he curled, around it, sobbing. But simple tears wouldn't assuage his greif, and Nezkiel found himself screaming in rage, greif and sorrow. He'd never been able to tell Kathandriel how he felt about him, even if it wasn't love.

"DAMN YOU KATHANDRIEL!!!!!!!!"

~*~
Owari
~*~