Chapter 7

The incubus opened his eyes slowly, uncertain as to his surroundings. His head was pounding with the worst headache he'd ever had in his life, and his body felt like it didn't quite fit right. He was lying on cheap, rough cotton sheets, and even in his misery the hedonist in him had to take a moment to complain about the feel of them against his skin. Where were the silks, satins and velvets that lined his lair?

Someone shifted against him, and he became aware of the limp body of his angel lover sprawled out over him. Forcing his eyes open the rest of the way, he glanced down and was shocked to see a small mortal with short dark hair instead of the tall, beautiful silver-haired seraph he was expecting.

"N-Nagi?" he dredged up from somewhere in his mind, his thoughts moving sluggishly and memories returning in a flow of molasses. "Nagi, are you okay?"

His own voice was all wrong, too high and thin, nothing like his usual rich, sensual tones. Yet it seemed familiar as well, and he struggled to remember...

"Omi?" The boy lying on top of him lifted his head and opened his eyes to peer down at him. "Oh, fuck, I hurt..."

Then he clapped his hand over his mouth, his eyes wide in surprise. "D-did I just swear?" he asked breathlessly, lifting his hand and staring at it as though it were somehow at fault.

He couldn't help giggling, then laughing outright when the boy turned accusing blue eyes on him. "Oh... oh angel, love, I do believe the Almighty has a sense of humour after all," he chuckled, as the full memories of the last seven years returned to him. "Making ME the good guy..."

Nagi moaned and buried his face ruefully in Omi neck. "I... I can't believe I did all those things," he replied in a shocked tone of voice. "I hurt so many people! And yet..." he frowned, raising his head a little to stare into Omi's eyes. "There's a part of me that is still angry at the world, that still wants to lash out at everyone around me."

Omi nodded, sighing. "Believe it or not, I think I've developed a real conscience," he told his lover. "I still have this urge to run out and help people! It's disturbing."

Nagi giggled, and hugged him tightly. "Oh God, love, we did it! We found each other, we're saved..."

"You realize what this means, don't you?" Omi asked him seriously. When Nagi looked at him in confusion, he elaborated, "God said... hey! I said His name and it didn't hurt!" He blinked in astonishment, then shrugged and continued, "God said that if we managed to find each other again, WE would be allowed back into Heaven," he stressed the plural, and saw Nagi's eyes widen in comprehension.

"You've Risen, haven't you?" he breathed out, and Omi nodded hesitantly.

"I... I think so. It would explain why I can say His name." They were silent for a moment, digesting that. "We have to tell the others," Omi finally sighed, caressing his back lightly. "I... I think I need to apologize to Ken-kun."

"Oh?" Nagi blinked at him curiously. "Why is that?"

Omi shrugged uncomfortably. "A few months ago, he... he almost raped me. I know he's never forgiven himself for it. I think I must have gotten some of my powers back, that day we touched. God knows I was horny enough all the time..." he smiled ruefully at the problems a sex demon's libido could pose for an innocent teenager. "I must have entranced him without meaning to. I have to tell him, so he can stop hating himself."

Nagi nodded slowly. "The seven years aren't up yet, either," he pointed out. "We still have to live as mortals until... when?"

"Uh... the first thing I can remember is waking up in Kritiker," Omi replied. "That was... two weeks after my eleventh birthday." He turned pale, and started shaking. "Oh, bless it... angel, do you realize how close we came to missing each other? We only had two months left!"

"Shh," Nagi soothed him, stroking his hair gently. "It doesn't matter, because we DID find each other." They held each other tightly, trembling for how narrow the margin had been.

"The devils..." Omi suddenly exclaimed, pulling back. "I recognize them now. It's Carreau, Verrier and Rosier!" he said, naming the devils of cruelty, disobedience and lasciviousness. "They must have come through the portal opened when Esstet started the summoning ceremony," he realized, sickened. "They were trying to stop us from finding each other."

"Well, they waited too long," Nagi replied firmly. "And now we know how to fight them. We should warn Schwartz and Weiss, though - I feel responsible for them, since we got them into this mess."

Omi nodded. "Hai. Who do we go to first?"

They thought it over. "Schwartz," Nagi finally decided. "I want to know if Crawford sees anything major happening any time soon. Then maybe you should go back to Weiss on your own..."

Omi shook his head and clung to the angel-turned-mortal. "No. I'm not leaving your side for the next two months!" Nagi chuckled, but agreed readily.

It didn't take them long to get to the condominium Schwartz was renting. Nagi punched in the codes for the elevator, and used his key card to let them both in the front door.

Schuldich was pacing back and forth in the main room, apparently in one of the phases where he couldn't use his powers because he hadn't 'heard' them coming. He snapped his head around when he heard Nagi in the hallway, then stared at Omi. "What the fuck is HE doing here?" he growled, drawing himself up to his full height and turning and intimidating stare on Omi.

Well, it would have been intimidating to the old Omi. The incubus just blinked coolly at him, and smirked in return. The unexpected reaction clearly startled the telepath.

"What is going on?" Crawford demanded, entering the room from a side hallway. "Nagi, I expressly told you not to..."

"You were wrong," Nagi interrupted him, and Schuldich turned to gape at him instead of Omi. No one ever corrected Crawford, especially not about his visions. "You saw that you would lose me if I fell in love with Omi, right?"

Crawford nodded slowly, looking displeased. "I suppose you're going to tell me that you've managed to convince him to join us, instead?" he asked sourly.

Omi's smirk widened, and he knew his eyes were glittering with mischief. He opened his mouth to reply, and got an elbow in the gut from his lover. "Ow!" he exclaimed, frowning back at the younger boy. "What was that for?"

"I know you," the angel told him, rolling his eyes. "You were about to say something that would get us both in trouble." Omi grinned at him, unrepentant.

"You were right, but you were also wrong," Nagi continued, turning his attention back to his leader. "You did lose me to him, but you would have lost me anyway, in two months. And this way, we have a chance of beating the devils that are chasing us before they destroy us all."

Crawford narrowed his eyes, looking dangerous. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

Omi sighed. "It's kind of a long story," he replied quietly. "And I don't know if we have time to go into it right now. Carreau must be aware by now that we found each other, and he won't be pleased."

Feeling the hairs on the back of his neck prickling, he turned to see Farfarello standing in another doorway, regarding them curiously. It was obvious that the madman was aware that something had changed in the two boys, but wasn't sure what it was. Omi was a little torn himself; his mortal half still hated everything Farfarello had done, but his demon side could appreciate the artistry of the Irishman's attempts to 'make God cry'.

"You've succeeded, you know," he told him softly in English. Farfarello's good eye widened. "God weeps over you, as he weeps over all his lost children."

Nagi rolled his eyes. "Omi, don't provoke him please," he asked his lover. Omi shrugged fluidly, then turned to see Schuldich staring intently at him. He could feel a pressure gliding along the edges of his mind as the telepath tried to read him.

Smirking, he caught the German's eyes with his own, exerting a little of his own powers to hold him there. Schuldich was caught in the hypnotic gaze, entranced by the power of the incubus. Even diluted as it was by this mortal form, Omi knew that he could easily make the telepath his. Schuldich made a little choked noise as he tried to pull his mind away, and fell to his knees staring helplessly at Omi's eyes.

Carefully, knowing he was seven years out of practice and not wanting to damage the man, Omi let his mind reach out and gently caress the German's. Schuldich shuddered, completely unaware of anything except Omi.

"Omi!" Nagi rebuked him sharply, realizing what he was doing. "Let him go!"

Omi pouted, and didn't move his eyes from Schuldich's. "Why?" he asked, voice husky and deeper than usual. "I'm just paying him back for all the times he screwed with MY head. Fair's fair, angel. Don't worry, I won't break him."

Crawford strode over to Schuldich's side and was shook the telepath in concern. He looked up and glared at the two boys. "What are you doing to him?" he demanded when Schuldich remained unresponsive.

Omi was just debating giving Crawford a first hand demonstration when Nagi placed a hand over his eyes and forcibly turned his head away. Eye contact broken, Schuldich was released from the incubus' powers and he collapsed, gasping.

"What... what the fuck ARE you?" he demanded roughly in German. Omi smiled sweetly at him.

"Incubus," he replied, and was satisfied to see the telepath's eyes widen. The older man was shaking, grasping at Crawford's hand on his shoulder like a lifeline. "Don't worry, I didn't do anything permanent. You'll get over it in an hour or two... sooner if you get it out of your system." He flicked a glance at Crawford, who flushed with anger.

"But," he added, his voice hardening, "if you EVER try to mess with my head again, I will turn you into my permanent sex slave. Understand?"

Schuldich nodded frantically, the high spots of colour in his cheeks making him look feverish. Nagi reached over and took Omi's hand. "I'd forgotten how ruthless you can be, koi," he sighed.

"Ye're a demon, then?" Farfarello asked him in fascination. He hadn't moved an inch while the little drama had unfolded, and his good eye was glittering madly. Omi nodded, and the Irishman laughed delightedly. "A demon in Weiss. God weeps for the traitor..."

"Actually, Farf, I don't think God would be too upset about a demon who runs around saving people," Nagi pointed out, and Farfarello frowned at the thought.

"And what manner o' creature are ye?" he demanded of Nagi. The seraph smiled mysteriously and shook his head.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," he informed them.

Crawford had been watching them both with his eyes unfocused, which Omi now knew was the sign that he was using his powers. "I can't see you," he exclaimed, frustrated. "I can't see either of you at all! It's as if you don't exist - and any events that might be changed by your actions are blocked from my sight as well!"

"I didn't hear you coming, either," Schuldich muttered resentfully as he finally managed to get to his feet. Omi was amused to note that the telepath carefully avoided looking at his face. "And I can't read you now. Every time I try to touch your mind, it's like... it's like it's so damn weird, I can't get a grasp on it."

Nagi flinched slightly at the epithet, and Omi felt a twinge of pain as well. Another sign that he was Risen, or at least on his way to Rising, he reflected happily. And the fact that Nagi was still reacting to it meant that his angel hadn't Fallen. "Your mind isn't built to deal with the kind of infinite concepts that are central to our existence," he told Schuldich with some humour. "I wouldn't keep trying if I were you - you might manage to grasp it, and go insane."

Schuldich paled, and glared at Nagi since he still didn't want to look at Omi. "If you're both so all-fucking-powerful, what the hell are you doing here?" he demanded crossly.

Nagi was good at keeping his face blank, but his expressive eyes betrayed the sadness and hurt he felt. "I wanted to warn you," he said shortly, crossing his thin arms over his chest in a defensive posture. "The devils that are after us will be perfectly happy to use the three of you as bait. The three of you alone aren't enough to hold them off, especially since I sincerely doubt," his gaze swept over them wryly, "that any of you are true believers. Except maybe Farfie, but I defy you to get him to pray."

He sighed, and hugged himself a little tighter, turning away slightly. "I also wanted to see if you could see anything coming," he told Crawford tightly. "And... and to say goodbye, I guess. Our seven years here are up in a little over two months, and one way or another we'll be gone then."

"We want Weiss and Schwartz to work together," Omi said impatiently. "It's our fault those things are here in the mortal realm; they came through the gateway left open by the Esstet ceremony. We need to send them back before they do any more damage." Knowing that Crawford and Schuldich weren't the altruistic type, he added, "Closing the gate should also get your powers back to normal. There won't be anything interfering with the local energy patterns."

Crawford stared into the middle distance, then shook his head, frustrated. "I can't see it," he complained. "Except..." he paled abruptly. "If we don't help you, I can't see anything at all," he admitted slowly. "If we do... the future is confused, but at least it's THERE."

"So we die if we don't help them?" Schuldich concluded. "Fine. Let's get it the fuck over with, then." He stormed out of the apartment, snagging Farfarello by the arm as he passed and dragging the Irishman with him. Nagi trailed them out, and if he'd had his wings Omi knew they'd have been dragging on the ground in dejection. He stopped Crawford from following them with a hand on his sleeve.

"Crawford," he said, searching for the right words. Mending relationships wasn't something he was really very good at. "You and Schuldich are the only family he's ever had," he told him softly. "Neither of us are going to be able to shake off seven years as a mortal easily - we've both been changed a lot by the experience. He does love you, though he may never admit it to you, and it hurts him to see you upset with him."

Crawford gave him a sharp look, apparently unafraid to meet his eyes. "Why do you care?"

Omi shrugged helplessly. "I love him. He turned my life upside down and may yet get me destroyed, but I love him."

The American studied him intently. "What is he, out of curiosity?"

Omi grinned wickedly at him. "A seraph," he told him brightly, and laughed at his astonished look. "I still think Gabriel must have put us in the wrong bodies. Imagine, an incubus vigilante and a seraph assassin! Either that, or God has a hell of a sense of humour..."

They approached Weiss a little more cautiously. Omi was highly reluctant to leave Nagi's side, but he had to admit that he'd probably get a better reception from his teammates if he weren't trailing all of Schwartz behind him. The snow was still falling gently, and it had coated the slush enough that it was still white after it hit the ground. Omi smiled at it as he moved to enter the flower shop, impulsively catching a flake on his tongue.

He paused before the door, and took a moment to sink himself deeper into his Omi persona. There was no point in worrying the others by acting too out of character.

The bell rang at his entrance, and Ken turned to face him. "Irrasha... OMI!" he dropped the flower basket he'd been carrying, heedless of the dirt that spilled everywhere, and raced to catch his friend up in a tight hug. "You're okay! Thank God... where the hell have you been?"

Omi sighed. "It's a long story," he said for the second time that day, "and I'd rather only tell it once more. Where are the others?"

"Upstairs," Ken told him. "Half of Kritiker is out looking for you! Birman didn't believe us when we told her what had happened... hell, I still don't believe it, and I was there!"

Omi twitched as he swore again, and sighed. "I don't know what made you think of praying, but it was about the only thing that could have saved us," he told his friend. Ken blushed slightly.

"Ah... I was raised Catholic, you know? I figured it sure couldn't hurt..." He shrugged. "C'mon, let's get the others."

"Wait!" Omi stopped him before he could reach the stairs. "Ken-kun... I need to talk to you first. About... what happened at Villa White..."

Ken flushed, and dropped his gaze to the ground. "God, Omi, I can never apologize enough for that... I honestly don't know what came over me!"

"I do," Omi replied gently, and he looked up, surprised. "It's part of the explanation I have to give you. But it really, truly wasn't your fault, Ken-kun. If anything, I'm the one who almost raped you, even if I didn't know it at the time."

Ken blinked, confused at the idea. Omi patted his arm. "Just trust me on this one for now - you'll understand when I tell everyone the whole story. C'mon."

He trotted up the stairs with Ken hot on his heels, and burst through the door into the main room. Youji was lounging on the couch with a half-smoked cigarette in one hand, and without thinking Omi scolded him. "Youji-kun! Not in the house!"

The playboy jumped to his feet, wide-eyed. "Omi! You rotten little bastard, where the hell have you been? We've been worried sick about you!"

"Gomen, okaa-san," Omi teased him in return. "Where's Aya-kun? Like I told Ken-kun, I only want to explain this once..."

"I'm here," Aya's deep voice came from the hallway. Omi glanced over to see him leaning against the wall, watching the scene with cold violet eyes. He was pissed off, and Omi didn't blame him.

He drew a deep breath. "First off, I want to apologize for running off like that last night," he began contritely. "I wasn't thinking straight - all I could think was to get away so they wouldn't hurt you trying to get to me." He sighed. "Nagi apparently had the same idea - we ended up running into each other. He and the rest of Schwartz have agreed to work with us to get rid of these things - none of us are safe until they're back where they belong."

"Schwartz agreed to work with US?" Ken blurted out, incredulous. Omi shrugged.

"The three of them alone aren't enough to hold off the devils with prayer - especially not if they're trying to restrain Farfarello at the time."

"Why are these things after us, anyway?" Youji wanted to know.

"Not 'us'," Omi corrected him. "Nagi and me. You guys are just... bait, and a convenient way to torture us."

"What's so special about Nagi and you?" Ken asked, confused. "The only things you even have in common are being assassins and being hackers..."

"And being reincarnated celestials," Omi finished for him with a wry twist to his lips. "We were sent to live as mortals for seven years, as a punishment. The seven years are almost up - and Lucifer will do anything to prevent us from coming back."

He counted the seconds as the shocked silence stretched on, wondering how long it would take one of them to react...

"Are you saying you're both ANGELS?" Youji finally asked in disbelief. "Omi, that's crazy..."

"No crazier than being attacked by demons and devils," he pointed out. "We didn't know - part of the punishment was that our memories were taken from us as well. We only got them back when we... fell in love again," he admitted, feeling absurdly shy. It was an odd feeling for him - shyness was decidedly not in a sex demon's nature.

"Anyway, we've got a limited amount of time before Carreau comes after us again," Omi concluded. "I, personally, would prefer to face him on our terms, not his - and that means finding Holy ground. They can't enter it, so we'll be safe enough there until we can figure out a plan. Schwartz is already waiting for us at the Catholic church nearby."

"They brought Farfarello to a Catholic church?" Ken repeated, amazed. "Is that a good idea?"

Omi grimaced. "Well, he's restrained, and Crawford says he doesn't see anything nasty happening. Just in case, Schuldich 'convinced' the nuns and priests to have a sudden urgent need to visit other churches. Just as well - we wouldn't want them getting caught in the firing zone when the devils show up again."

Aya straightened up from the wall. "We've already agreed to take this mission," he pointed out pragmatically. "If we have to work with Schwartz to do it, then fine. Let's get it over with."

Omi fought down an urge to giggle at the redhead's unwitting repetition of Schuldich's earlier words, and nodded. "Thanks, guys," he murmured quietly, smiling at all of them. "It means a lot to me that you would back me up on this."

Ken slung an arm over his shoulder. "Hey," he chided him softly. "What else are friends for?"

|Part 1| |Part 2| |Part 3| |Part 4| |Part 5| |Part 6| |Part 7| |Part 8| |Part 9| |Epilogue|

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