http://clampfix.fanworks.net/x-fix/angel4.txt </head><body><pre>As I have said, the fic seems to be coming along really well... though I have to wonder what Aria-chan's planning to do for the last chapter. The changes she made sure took me by surprise. ^^" Disclaimers: Uhh... you know the rest. *** Watari: [looks over Aria's shoulder while she types] How's the fic? How's the fic? Aria: [swats Watari with a rolled up magazine] I'm working on it! Watari: [dodges, but a little too slow] Not fast enough. Aria: Slave driver. [stands up] Okay, chapter 4's done. Watari: Yes, I finally get to read it! *** In The Arms of an Angel By Watari Yutaka (watariyutaka@edsamail.com.ph) and Lady Aria (bukiminatenshi@mailcity.com) Part 4 Life at the new household was blissfully uneventful, i.e., no attacks came from either side. Kamui always woke up early and had a surprisingly delicious breakfast ready by the time Subaru wandered into the kitchen. He was also a good housekeeper - keeping the place clean, watering the plants, making sure the fridge was always stocked. It surprised Subaru to see Kamui so... domesticated. During one of their lazy weekends, Kamui and Subaru managed to find a tailor that could do the necessary alterations on Seishirou's suits. A week later, Subaru was stopping men and women alike dead on their tracks, pardon the pun, with the striking figure he cut. "Subaru," Kamui called out from the kitchen when he heard the front door open, "dinner will be ready in a little while. By the way, there were several messages for you. Two of them were from the two families thanking you for exorcising the spirits earlier this week and they said that the payment has already been deposited into your account. The third message was something about a long-distance call from Kyoto, but the caller didn't mention who she was." Subaru nearly dropped the cake he'd picked up on the way home at the mention of the words 'Kyoto' and 'she'. "Did the voice sound like an old woman's?" "Yeah," Kamui said as he came out, wiping his hands on the white apron he wore. "She said that you have to call her back as soon as possible." He nodded absently as he handed the cake to Kamui who rushed back into the kitchen as a timer went off. This was the thing that he dreaded, but it would be too much to hope for that she didn't find out. Lifting the telephone's receiver, he dialed the number. One ring. Two. Three. "Moshi-moshi?" "You called," Subaru said plainly and soft enough so that Kamui wouldn't hear. "It's good to finally hear your voice, though I certainly wish that the circumstances were not like this," Lady Sumeragi said in a voice that said that she was barely holding back the tears. "How long did you think you could keep this secret from me? I felt your transformation. I felt the shift of balance. You have become the light and the dark." "I know," Subaru replied. "This is not exactly a good time...." "I understand." Lady Sumeragi's voice started to tremble. "Subaru, I have raised you the best I could. This is something that you must face on your own. If you should need me, just say the word and I will be there...." "I know," Subaru said sadly. "But you have already done enough for me. As you said, this is something that I must face on my own." "Take care of yourself." "You too." Kamui emerged from the kitchen in time to see Subaru replace the receiver onto its cradle. "Did you return the call?" "Yes." "So, who was it?" Kamui asked as they sat down to eat. "She sounded quite anxious on the recording." "My grandmother." "Oh." Kamui knew from Subaru's tone that he shouldn't have pressed the issue. He visibly jumped when he heard the onmyouji speak. "So, how was school?" The rest of the dinner conversation was taken up by Kamui telling him about the hellish surprise test they'd been given on ancient Chinese history and how the rest of the Seals kept asking about him and when the two of them would decide to move back into the Imonoyama Estate. It was a relief, to say the least, to have a semblance of normality in the apartment. After dessert, Kamui began clearing up the dishes and was surprised to see Subaru get up and walk in the direction of the coat closet. "Are you going somewhere?" "Yes," he replied. "I have an exorcism to attend to at the Shibuya district. This might take a while, so don't wait up for me." "Be careful." "I will," Subaru replied. "Itte mairimasu." "Itte irasshai." Kamui watched as the door closed behind Subaru before going back to the pile of dishes. He hadn't really realized how much work it was to maintain an apartment this size, but after a few days, he started to get the hang of it. Finishing off the last of the dirty dishes, Kamui took off his apron, draped it over a chair and stretched. CLAMP Campus was giving their students an extended weekend because of an upcoming festival to give the workers time to set up everything without having too many students underfoot. He was planning on using the time to convince Subaru to attend it. As soon as he stepped out of the kitchen, a chill ran up his spine, signaling that there was something terribly amiss. Kamui didn't even have time to scream as something tackled him from behind and he collapsed unconscious on the floor. Tsuzuku... *** Watari: This ending was not part of the original draft. Aria: Hey, you gave me complete creative freedom, remember? [walks off] Watari: Now, where are you going? Aria: It's cold. I'm gonna make me a nice cup of hot chocolate. Watari: [looks pleadingly at Aria] I want some of that too! Tsuzuku... ***</pre><p><a href="./">Back</a></p><p><a href=http://www.dreamhost.com/donate.cgi?id=216><img border=0 alt="Donate towards our web hosting bill!" src=https://secure.newdream.net/donate1.gif></a></p></body></html>