A/N
Umm...I'm sorry that this episode took so long to get posted... i was playing Persona 4 and beat it twice.. with 150 hours plus... so yeah... i'm sorry. I hope you forgive me. Well this is the final version of this episode that will be posted on this website as it is only the rough draft of the published version. Enjoy.The Gate Maiden

: Episode II :
The Gate Maidens

Warm rays from the afternoon sun cast down on what seemed like a plain ordinary high school in Tokyo, Japan. Everything was quiet and still, as the students were in classes and their teachers giving them boring lectures about the planned subject. In one of the typical classes, a teacher was busy writing on the whiteboard and quickly explained in a tiring monotone about the assigned material.

The teacher wore the traditional formal attire of a grayish suit, with a matching tie and his medium-length gray hair fell straight down to his shoulders. Several strands of hair got in the way of his eyeglasses and hazel eyes and slowly used his left free hand to brush his hair out of the view. He continued writing and lectured the class without losing his trained of thought in the progress of sweeping his hair to the side of his face.

Near the back of the class, quiet and bored, a young Japanese girl was idly sitting at her assigned seat by the windows that formed the entire wall. She was the only one that wasn’t taking down any notes and only started uncaringly at the front of the class. Her long silk-like black hair flowed down her back like a living waterfall and several bangs coming down that concealed a portion of her face. It gave her an innocent kind look, but she wasn’t very angelic when approached by guys, and was known to be an ice queen by turning down every single one down.

Just like every female in the school district, she was wearing a customary school uniform that they were required to wear. It consisted of a white blouse with a small bow attached directly above her chest and a plain blue tailored skirt that was little bit longer than fingertip length. It wasn’t what she would call very creative since it was the usual female school uniform that she often seen in Animes, which she would watch when she was bored.

She rested her left elbow on the desk, planting her right palm underneath her chin to lazily keep her head up throughout the tortuous lecture. Slightly turning her head to the side, her eyes followed and fell upon the clear view of the peaceful courtyard through the wall of windows. Her glossy brown eyes casually and dreamingly gazed outside, wishing she could be out there instead of listening to these boring explanations that she already figured out.

Her eyes hesitatingly moved toward the front of the class and saw that the professor was still giving the boring discussion about a topic she didn’t need to know. After rolling her eyes, she went back looking at the courtyard through the window and admired all the cherry blossom trees that were planted there. Transfixed on the scenery, she watched the trees swayed back and forth faintly by the barely noticeable wind. She gave out a shy smile, imagining herself resting peacefully on the soft green grass in the center of the trees; not giving a single thought to the world around her.

Being able to be surrounded by Mother Nature’s beauty and lying down on her bed with no care seemed like paradise to her right now. However, her thoughts were disrupted and quickly faded as the scenery she was observing was starting to change rapidly. The wind instantly died down and left the trees standing still, lifeless, like it never moved at all just a few seconds ago. Everything around her went unearthly silent and she couldn’t hear the professor voice, which she thought was a good thing at the moment.

Her eyes wondered and quickly caught sight as she narrowed her vision to concentrate confusing on a bundle of cherry blossom petals. She noticed that they were moving in a peculiar circular motion and was traveling forward in an ever so slowly movement, which it hardly seemed it move at all. An outlined of a ghostly shape manifested gradually in the center of the rotating petals as it began moving together with the forward motion. Within seconds, the spirit took on a solid human male, whose body was hiding underneath a white glossy and sparkling robe that had numerous gold trimmings and other uniquely decorations.

The hood of the robe was resting flat against his upper back and exposed his short platinum blonde hair that poured down his head like smoothed silk. What really caught her attention were the white-feathered wings that were protruding directly out of his back and encased him like a fancy cape. While she was caught up in his appearance, he slowly came to a complete halt and everything stopped moving around him. The girl couldn’t take her eyes off this fascinating creature and watched him with curiosity and admiration. He turned his head to the side and looked directly at her with a deep distant look that burned through her soul and froze her mind instantly.

BAM!

A wooden yardstick unexpectedly smacked the girl’s desk with a terribly ear-piercing bang that echoed throughout the room and probably the school. It immediately caused her to instantly snap back into reality with a sudden jump and sat straight in her chair eyes wide and ears ringing. Her heart was beating rapidly and she grew nervous and intense deep inside of her by the embarrassing display scene that she caused. She hesitatingly looked up, seeing the professor right in front of her with the yardstick in his hand and was tapping the top section to his shoulder. Just as expected, he had the look of the deepest disappointment that he could ever give to a student and he usually never used it.

Her face reddened and she nervous peeked from the corners of her eyes, knowing that the entire class was staring at her in awe. She did saw that almost everyone was looking at her and were also silently whispering to each other about what just transpired. Her eyes felt heavy that moment as she closed them and needed to regain her composure and her pride in being the most popular girl in school. She opened her eyes lazily and then looked back to the teacher straight in his eyes in an annoyed expression that most students wouldn’t dare to try.

“Ishihara-san, please pay attention to the lecture. I know that you find my teaching rather tedious but I’m quite sure that this will be on your mid-term. So I wistfully recommend you to try in your best interests to be at your best behavior in class.” The professor used his free hand to push his eyeglasses up the bridge of his nose and a bright glare was being reflected off it.

“Hai sensei-san,” Ishihara Aya yawned out as the professor looked at her one last time before heading back to the front of the class.

With his back turned, she made a few disrespectful expressions and a few breathless remarks that the students who caught it snickered quietly. Aya quickly turned her head back to the window and peeked outside to look for that mysterious winged creature that she saw earlier. The cherry blossom trees were swaying back and forth just like before and the path of petals had blown away. She made a frown, wanting to gaze upon that mesmerizing entity a bit longer but was rudely interrupted by an annoying guy.

“Until I get Ishihara-san’s undivided attention, I could tell you some interesting news for tomorrow,” the professor said to the class, clearing his throat abruptly and talking louder than usual. Aya quickly turned her head back to the front of the class and her eyes glared ominously at the professor who was smiling back at her. “I’m grateful that you’re finally paying attention Ishihara-san and now fort he good news that I mention. Starting tomorrow, we will be having a transfer student joining us for the duration of the year. I want all of you to show this new student what a good school he will be transferring to and what wonderful students you all are.”

The teacher went on and on how the students should be good role models for the new addition coming to their homeroom and so on. At last, the teacher was cut off by the sound of the bell that was ringing for the school day to end and everyone rushed to pick up their stuff to leave the room. Aya watched her classmates get up and crowded out the door from all of them wanting to leave as quickly as possible, ignoring the professor’s farewells.

Aya gave one last glance out the window and now saw the courtyard filled with students greeting each other to make plans for the rest of the day. With a slight quiet sigh, she got up from her desk and picked up her belongings and held them tightly against her chest. She turned around and walked down the aisle till she saw her teaching standing still waiting for her and stopped in front of him.

“Ishihara-san, how many time we must do this? This is the start of the second half of your sophomore year at this school. The only reason why I am concern is because you were one of the brightest students attending here and I hate to see you not using your full potential.”

“Excuse me sensei but it is my decision to make and it is my problems to deal with,” Aya glared at her teacher as he only smiled at her remark.

“Furthermore, I nominated you to be the tour guide forth new transfer student and take him around the school tomorrow, Ishihara-san. Show him the renowned clubs that we sponsored and that most of our competitive clubs we have had won championships over the years. I want you to take good care of him and make him feel like he’s at home, okay?” The teacher took off his eyeglasses and used a cloth from his suit pocket to clean both of his lenses as he waited for Aya to answer him.

“I’ll do it,” she quietly mumbled after a moment of silence and then held her personal belongings tighter against her chest. She immediately went towards the door and left the class, leaving the teacher standing alone.

“I really got to do something with that young lady and that attitude of hers,” the professor calmly spoke to himself out loud. He finished wiping his eyeglasses and slowly slid up his nose using one of his fingers to push it up and held it there with the sunlight reflecting off of it. “I still don’t see the need to have another Guardian protecting the Gate Maiden,” he continued to speak out loud. “You can come out of hiding now, Asakura Takeda, I know that you were worried about Ishihara-san.”

“Never could fool you, Saotome-sensei,” the one known as, Asakura Takeda, replied in a mock tone.

Takeda appeared coming out from the shadows and was smirking lightly. He had medium-length dyed blonde hair that moved slightly by the wind and the deep brown eyes that sparked with his white teeth. He wore the traditional male school attire of black slacks, a white button up dress shirt, but he wasn’t wearing the black blazer that most students wore. His face was young and extremely attractive to the female population of the school and they all wanted him, with the exception of two.

“The apparition that she saw in the courtyard was highly unusual and took extreme risk to come during board daylight. You do know what this means, right sensei?”

“Yes, the moment for why we are truly here is about to come. They will be looking for the Gate Maidens and the Gate Crystals that they belong to. They must know who she is if they are coming here or they are sensing our spiritual auras.”

“I doubt that sensei. Our auras are that of an average human, however, I am concerned if there are other people here that have very strong energy auras.”

“Maybe so. I need to check on it if that is the case. In the meantime, keep an eye on her, Asakura-san, and I don’t mean for you to antagonize her.”

“I try my best, but, Ishihara is special to me and I already made an impression on her. I don’t want to screw up my undercover work. You know how it is. Besides, I really do think that I am starting to have real feelings for her.”

“Just you wait a minute, Takeda,” the professor glared at the student with his eyeglasses giving off an eerie reflection of the sunlight. “You are forbidden and also failing a direct order if you ever choose to fall in love with her. You do know what will happen if she has strong attachments to somebody and they used it against her.”

“I know it al too well, sensei,” Takeda sighed and headed to the door with his hands in his pockets. “I give you my daily report on her for you tonight, but right now, I have the princess waiting for me,” he continued and gave a quick wave before disappearing out of the class.

Aya was still walking down the hallways to her locker, passing other students that were still hanging, and smiled gracefully, as they called out her name. She finally reached her locker; quickly opening it, swapping the supplies with the ones that she has to use for her studies at home.

She shut her locker and unveiled Takeda leaning against the locker beside her with his hands in his pockets and holding a rose in his mouth. She stared coldly at him for a moment without caring that he was the most popular guy at school.

“Hello my beautiful princess. I heard that you spaced out in class again. Was it true my darling?” Takeda spoke in his handsomest voice that he mastered in his years of youth. “I bet you were mesmerized about me and had to think about me in the middle of class,” he continued with his fist clutched and eyes sparking, gazing off in unknown space.

She gave an awkward expression and found herself annoyed by what he told her. She hated how much he tried to make it sound like she was falling for him. To top it off, he had multiple girlfriends in every grade class and not a single one of them didn’t even care that he was seeing someone else also. So why the hell would she ever have feelings for him when he had so many girls to choose from. So no matter what he does, she would never consider being with him, ever.

“Sorry to break it to you but that will never happen even in your dreams!” she snapped harshly and stared irritably at him.

“On the contrary my princess, one of these days you will come to understand,” he replied sincerely.

“Forget it! That won’t happen! I need to go now!” she quickly snapped again as she wisped around and walked down the hall to get to the stairs.

She had to catch up with her friend outside so they can leave together like they always do leaving the smirking Takeda behind. He chuckled a bit before he went after her, and continued to pursue despite her constant efforts to lose him in the crowded halls. She even pretended that he wasn’t there or thought that it was some other loser that was trying to bug her. It could be anyone or anything as long it wasn’t him!

“Please wait for me my love,” he called out in a calm seductive manner as he walked along side her and held a flower, “I want to give you this as a token of my affections for you.”

Takeda swung his body in front of her, forcing her to stop as he knelt down and bowed his head, while he held the red rose out to her. She glared down at him in disgust and now more irritated than before. How many times did she have to reject this guy for him to take the hint? How dense or stupid could he really be?

Aya stride quickly around him without a second thought and continued on her way without him noticing, as he continued to bow his head down. He slowly looked up, trying to give one of his signature irresistible gazes in the process, but she was gone and a random girl fainted in front of him. He got up, turned around and noticed that she was further down the halls in an instant. His eyes went blank and his mouth dropped open in complete shock. In his life, not a single girl had ever turned him down but this girl of remarkable and unmatched beauty did every single time.

“As long as I act this way, you can never have feelings for me. I can do this how long I want without consequences,” Takeda whispered under his breath and regained his composure as he took a deep breathe. “Baby, come back! I need to tell you how much I completely smitten by you!” He cried out to her, as he tried to catch up, smirking, as he continued playing this ironic game of his.

“Dammit, why is this happening only to me?” she quietly muttered, hearing the loud stampede from behind and he knew he was getting close.

Takeda threw his arms to the side and was about to embrace her from behind but she sidestepped out of the way at the last second. He narrowly missed her as he closed his arms and hugged himself, while she turned her head to the side innocently. He gave out a puzzled expression as he looked at her and then looked down to see that she put her leg out in front of him.

He immediately tripped and overly-dramatically went crashing down, sliding forward, and was tossing other students around like bowling pins. Aya grinned sinisterly at her handiwork as she enjoyed the scene unfolding in front of her. At that very moment, every girl in the halls perked up like they heard a dog whistle and they all ran toward Takeda to see if he hurt. She rushed pass him and laughed out loud when she saw that he was crying and was being pampered by couple dozen females to check if he’s injured.

“Hey!” a familiar male voice shouted behind Aya and she turned around instinctively.

However, it wasn’t whom she was expecting and her eyes grew wide in fear. In front of her was the same creature she saw during class and was now standing in front of her. The hall now seemed brighter with no source of light like a dream and white feathers fluttered around them. Her eyes finally caught sight that nobody around except them and that frightened her even more. She wanted to run but her body wouldn’t respond as her strength was suddenly being drained and could only stare at the person in front of her.

“Gate maiden,” he whispered in a voice that her mind was being suffocated like she was inferior to comprehend to his words.

“No,” she mouthed back, in a dazed manner.

“Yo!” the same male voice earlier called out to her and Aya closed her eyes tightly, “Aya-chan?”

Her eyes flew opened at her name and she looked puzzled in front of her, “Izamu Takako-kun?”

Takako was now standing in front of her and was giving her a curious and a concerned looked at her. Aya had to blinked several more times and shook her head before she got her mind to work normally again. She looked back and recognized Takako, seeing his short spiky and dark brown hair that gave him a look of a rocker and a face that was always cheerful despite everything.

She idly stared in his ocean blue eyes and he was giving one of the most heartfelt smiles she had ever seen in her entire life. He was wearing the same male school uniform like everyone else but he had his blazer on and his shirt was only button halfway up, leaving his top exposed. He wore his signature cross-shaped earrings and a bone cross necklace with a skull in the center that dangled against his bare chest.

“You okay Aya-chan?” Takako asked, almost dropping his smile but held it, “You seemed dazed for a moment there.”

“Huh?” she replied, still feeling unease, “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Who was that?” he casually asked.

“Who was what?” she instantly replied and thought maybe he saw the creature also.

“I meant, what happened over there?” he asked again and looking blankly at the pile of females he had to pass to get to her.

“Oh, I think they’re giving an ugly girl a makeover,” Aya answered quickly when she got what he was talking about and slightly chuckled.

“Isn’t that nice of them I guess,” Takako gave another confused look but changed into another blank expression. “Wait,” He turned his head back to the scene behind him and then looked back at his friend. “You were talking about Takeda-san, weren’t you?” he grinned knowingly.

“Of course. Who else would they give an ugly girl a makeover?” Aya smiled lightly and the two continued through the hall together.

“You do know that I have to give Takeda-san some credit,” Takako smirked in his usual young cocky voice and Aya looked coldly at him. “He doesn’t know when he is beaten or even know how to give up. Not only that, he knows true beauty when he sees it,” he followed up when he saw her expression and noticed she wasn’t satisfied. “But it’s not like I could say to every girl that he had tried to date,” he rushed to get out and gave her a look which they both burst out laughing.

“I guess you’re right. He’s more of a drama queen than someone to date anyways,” she remarked and they both heard Takeda screaming that his beautiful face was ruin. She closed her eyes, twitching out of anger and also clutching her fists so hard that they were shaking. “I rather kill myself than become the unluckiest girl in the whole world that would become his girlfriend,” she continued and then her anger was lifted at a random single thought.

“That would be bad,” Takako sighed, feeling bad whoever that may be.

“Oh yeah. Speaking of which,” she said using a calmer voice and turned her head to her friend, whom looked kind of scared at the moment. “I never actually thank you for everything that you did,” she nudged him with her elbow but he looked at her more strangely and smiled; not knowing what she meant. He rubbed the back of his head and nodded to show that he probably knew what she was talking about. “You’re the best thing to ever happen to her and I wished the two of you the best of luck,” she finished but he still looked clueless no matter how much he tried to hide it.

“Oh? Oh yeah!” he finally spoke, half figuring out what she meant but still didn’t know why exactly she would thank him. “I can’t really tell you how much she really means to me now. I can never get her off my mind, but it’s not like I want her off my mind! I meant, she is all I ever think about! When I first saw her it was love at first sight. I got this feeling in my gut and my heart kept beating so fast. She is the best thing to ever happen in my life, and not only that, I am lucky that I even got into a school like this to be with her!”

Takako babbled on and on how much he was truly in love with her and Aya was starting to get annoyed by it. This gun was cool, really cool, have his own band and everything, but when he goes on about how much he loves her best friend, it was too much. Aya stopped suddenly and looked behind her to see that Takako was dreamingly looking out the window and she sworn she could see stars in his eyes.

“Aya-chan, I just can’t believe we’re actually boyfriend and girlfriend and we are so much in love with each other.”

“NOOOOOOOOOOO! IT’S NOT POSSIBLE!”

A howling voice screamed from behind the two and they saw the pile of girls exploded as they were being blown back. Takeda appeared standing up and still had tears streaming his face from the fall that just recently happened to him. He sniffed heavily as he wiped the tears from his eyes and then looked angry while he clutched both of his hands into fists. Takako and Aya both looked blankly back at Takeda’s direction.

“I can’t let this happen!” he cried out and suddenly appeared in front of the two with them noticing and was breathing hard. The two looked at his face and saw that he had a small band-aid on his cheek and they wondered how it gotten there so quickly. “Who do you think you are?” Takeda practically screamed in Takako’s face.

“I am,” Takako stuttered confusingly.

“I already know who you are, Izamu Takako, lead singer of your rock band! Do you really think you’re going to get away from being a Girlfriend-Stealer? Ishihara-san is my girlfriend and I will never allow you to take what’s mine!” Takeda continued to yell at Takako, who still had no idea why he was being yelled at.

“It seemed he overheard what I said to you and took it the wrong way,” Takako whispered to Aya but she didn’t quite hear him as she was being overwhelmed with anger.

Her head was titled down and was also clutching both of her fists with a flaming background appearing around her. Takako tried reaching out to test it out and immediately got burned.

Special effects are getting real these days, he thought to himself.

“Asakura Takeda, let me tell you this one thing. I am no one’s girl!” she calmly spoke with deep hatred in her tone and then lifted her head, showing that her eyes were shadowed under her hair. A reddish light quickly flashed in one of her eyes and both guys quickly grew scared of her sudden change. “Not only that Asakura, I am positive that I am not your girlfriend and you will regret every saying that I was!” she continued in her surprisingly calm composure, but she was producing a terrifying around her body.

“Uh,” Takako slowly gulped down as both of her eyes now gave out a brighter rd flash and the two boys back up frightened.

They knew that she was going to exploded any second now and were scared out of their wits on what was about to happen. Takeda instantly broke down and ran crying in fear that he was going to get hurt more painfully this time and Takako just moved closer to the walls to not be in the way. Everyone that was witnessing the event out of boredom suddenly disappeared to the nearest class and locked the doors behind them.

“You can run all you want but there is no where to hide, Asakura-san!” Aya shouted and gave a loud evil laugh that sent chills down Takako’s spine. She instantly gave chase and her speed blew everything to the side as she passed them. A water droplet appeared over Takako’s head and then sighed heavily. “I am going to get you!” she continued to yell with her eyes blowing crimson red. “I am going to teach you a lesion you will never forget!”

“AHHHHH!”

A long dwelling scream came from within the three-story school building. Sounds of crashing and breaking could be heard throughout the campus grounds. The students that were still outside grew silent and listened to the destructive noise coming from their school. Curious as they all were, none of them even dared to go see what was causing it. Only a handful of students knew what was happening and prayed that they wouldn’t get involved. Most of the male and female students heavily gulped when they heard another loud pitch scream.

“NOOOO!”

After the scream, all was silent but it didn’t last long. They heard glass breaking and a final loud deafening cry for help tore through the area like thunder. Moments after the helpless cry, there was nothing else. Not a single sound could be heard from within the school anymore. And after the long silence, everyone went back to normal like nothing ever happened. They started chatting and the ones that were heading home went home. Few more minutes passed by and Aya came out of the school’s main entrance with Takako tagging along but kept his distance away from her.

“I’m sorry but I just don’t tolerate at all what he said. I do not care if anyone try all they want to ask me out but he crossed the line,” she told Takako, who solemnly nodding his head to agree with her. He saw the bottom half of Takeda’s body poking out from the ground where he landed when Aya threw him out of the second floor window. Aya suddenly stopped and Takako almost bumped into her but stepped back to keep his distance.

“Nobody would ever get away with saying that, that I am his girl and that he owned me. Right now, I am nobody’s girl. That is how I want to stay right now and nobody could take that away from me without my permission.” Aya quickly looked up at the clear blue sky as Takako was about to say something, however, decided to let her enjoy the moment.

“Uh Aya-chan, I catch you later. I, umm, I gotta do some errands before tonight and with you-know-who.” Takako quickly told her and rushed as fast as he could before she was able to respond.

She was about to call out to him but decided not to when she saw him running to join up with his friends and she smiled to herself. She breathed in and out the cool spring breeze and smelled the fresh scent of the cheery blossoms that were blooming all around the courtyard. Aya continued walking through the path leading to the quad where she was suppose to meet her awaited friend.

“Aya” a female voice cried out to her and she turned around seeing a young female student running towards her, waving her hand.

Just like Aya, the young female had raven black hair that gently cascaded down and stopped barely at the bottom of her back. She wore the same uniform that every female student attending the school was required to wear. She had her usual smile that showed off her beauty at its finest and it attracted most of the male students and the faculty members.

She barely had enemies, even though most females envied her good looks, but overall, she gotten along with everyone. Not only that, she was not the type of person who would use her charms and beauty to get what she wants, but rather her intelligence and amount of effort that she used. She was one of the few friends that Aya would show her gentle side and also their friendship with each other was the deepest.

Aya smiled pleasantly as she watched her friend running toward her and was navigating through the many students that were still hanging around. She started walking toward her friend too but immediately slowed down and was remembering the time she saw that figure walking through here. His image appeared perfectly sculpted in her mind, seeing his platinum blonde hair and that look he gave her both time. That creature had similar looks to the one that she kept dreaming about but this one had a completely different aura.

She closed her eyes and shook her head but right when she opened her eyes and looked in front of her was the same like in the halls. He appeared right before her in his white robe and has his white feathered wings stretching out, looking like an angel. Her eyes widen more in disbelief than fear as white feathers were now continuously gliding around them like petals blowing in the air. She hesitantly looked around and saw everybody had vanished like last time, including her friend. The two stood still and stared at each other in silence. Aya’s could feel herself becoming lightheaded like before and could also feel her heart beating fast.

“Who are you?” Aya finally being able to speak as all the feathers scattered away from them and were now encircling them.

“I am a messenger,” he spoke, his voice sending chills and powerful sensations throughout her body, “And you are endanger, Gate Maiden.”

-Episode Break-

You just reached the checkpoint of this episode…Take this time to go to the bathroom, get something to eat or whatever, or use this as your bookmark and get some sleep if you have been staying up all night.

-Episode Conclusion-

“Aya, are you there? Hey girl, are you okay?”

A hand waved in front of Aya’s face, forcing her to snapped back into reality and now looked eye-to-eye with her friend, Sasaki Mai. Despite her friend’s usual optimistic moods, she seemed worry and looked concern when she noticed that Aya had space out for just a moment. Aya eyes darted around trying to find out who was that creature that suddenly appeared before her just a second ago. What did he mean that she was endangered and why did she called her the same thing as the body she been dreaming about since school started?

“Are you okay Aya?” Mai repeated her question more slowly. During this time further back, Takeda was on a stretched being carried away inside the school to the nurse’s office. He was also being followed by dozen of fan girls and they all disappeared once they enter the school.

“I am fine, why are you asking, Mai?” Aya finally spoke up, giving one of her signature reassuring smiles.

“I heard that you spaced out in class again and got caught by your professor. Also, you just spaced out just a second ago. I really do not know what to do with you anymore. It is like everyday your mind isn’t here in reality anymore and has been wondering off to who knows where.”

“You’re so paranoid, it was nothing,” Aya continued smiling, giggling like it was nothing to be concerned of.

Mai looked like she wasn’t convince but Aya kept smiling and made it seemed like everything was okay. It wasn’t the first time that this had happen as every since the new school year started, Mai realized that her friend had been spacing out more frequently.

As a result, she was slowly falling behind in her studies, which was considered completely unusual since Aya was usually the top of all of her classes. Not only that, Aya had always been the one that was worried if she had the best grade, however, she now rolled her eyes whenever she gotten a low-test score.

“I’m sorry Mai, but that class was just way too boring to pay any attention anymore,” she concluded and started laughing, which Mai smiled gently.

“The test was posted earlier this noon, how did you do?” Mai asked, knowing that Aya wasn’t the one that easily get bored and just plainly stopped paying attention especially during class.

“You’re talking about that stupid test that I took couple days ago? I think I fell asleep in the middle of it and scribbled the answers when it was time to turn it in at the end of the class.” Aya told her and Mai gave her a bewildered look but Aya continued to smile. “Well, when I got the test back today I was a little bit shock to see that I barely passed it,” by now Aya was giggling happily

“Aya,” Mai whispered under breathe in a little bit of disappointment under her smile. She didn’t know why her friend was changing so much but couldn’t help herself but worry about her all the time. She wanted to comfort her, asking if she was able to tell her anything was wrong, but she didn’t want to force it out.

“Mai, is there something wrong?’ Aya asked puzzled and then walked around her friend, “We should get going. There’s a new teriyaki place I want to try out, I’m starving.”

“I am sorry Aya, but I can’t come with you right now,” Mai quickly said in a soft urgent tone and blushed.

“Huh?” Aya turned around and gave a confused look.

“I’m truly sorry Aya but Takako asked me this morning for me to stay with him while he works with his band today. They are holding a special event at our school tonight and everyone is invited.”

“Oh?”

Aya pleasant smile instantly turned into a frown at the remark. Ever since they could remember, the two had always used to hang out every single day and they would sometimes sleep over each other houses. That was how it was and that was how they thought would forever be. But since the second year started, the most attractive lead vocalist of a bank at their school had asked Mai out.

From that moment to now, Mai had been spending most of her time with her new boyfriend and every night Aya would go home alone. Mai felt guilty for leaving her friend behind all this time, but she wasn’t the only one whom got asked out throughout the year. During the first few weeks of school, she heard that almost every male student in the school had asked Aya out, but she rejected them all.

“Again, I am so sorry. I wanted to tell you earlier during lunch but we didn’t see each other at that time. I could go tell Takako that I am heading home with you and I am sure that he would gladly understand no problem.

“Umm, it’s okay, Mai, it isn’t such a big deal, “ Aya quickly said, remembering that the past year she had spent nights alone in her room.

It was not like she wanted to be alone and to turned down every single guy that tried to ask her out; except for one who under any circumstances would never go out with. It was more of a personal feeling that she craved the most and a promised that she had a long forgotten. The feeling of true love and she didn’t feel it when any of the guys asked her out. In her heart and soul, there was a person in her life that she had fallen in love with before but she forgotten all of her memories of him.

She wanted to be with that one person that could make her felt the same thing she did long time ago. Even though the entire thought of that sounded more like a fantasy than reality, she believed in it more than anything. She was determined to sacrifice her happiness for the moment and stay single until the forgotten person she fell in love with returned. She didn’t care how long it would take, but just as long he would come into her life; that was all that mattered to her.

“Aya,” Mai slightly smiled, as Aya gave her the signature-reassuring smile once more.

“What about tonight?”

“Yes, wait, no, we can’t. Not tonight,” Mai frowned, “We got a dinner reservation at one of Takako’s friend’s family restaurant in Shibuya after the show.”

“I understand. It’s no problem at all,” Aya finally said and turned around as Mai brought her head down, feeling guilty and regretted her decision.

“Hey!” Mai frantically cried out and jumped in front of Aya, surprising her, “I could cancel my day with Takako and we could hang out just like we used to. Missing a day or more with him isn’t such a big deal. We still young and got plenty other days to go out as a couple. Besides, I think we been spending too much time together and I think it’s time to get some space and have fun with my best friend!”

Mai and Takako were almost inseparable but if Aya had a boyfriend and she was the one who was single then she would feel so alone and left out. So calling off her date wouldn’t be such a big deal, right? If her boyfriend was the guy meant for her than she got a lifetime to be with him. Right now, hanging out with her best friend instead of him wouldn’t hurt their relationship one bit.

Aya giggled at Mai’s sudden enthusiasm. “No, it’s all right Mai. Thanks for everything but I’ll be fine. You’re not the type of person that breaks promises like that,” Aya replied, smiling the same way like she had been doing.

“But Aya!”

“No buts, Sasaki Mai. Takako is probably waiting for you as we speak.”

Deep down, Aya wanted Mai to keep her company for tonight but she didn’t want to be a burden for her friend. The two had always been with each other since their earliest memories. However, they weren’t young anymore and needed to grow up. Aya knew that they weren’t going to be hanging out together forever and they needed to learn how to live their own lives. It didn’t mean that they would never spend time with each other again but should realize that their life weren’t depended on each other.

Not only that, Aya didn’t want to separate the cute couple that Mai and Takako had become since the school year started. The two had become the symbolism on her view of true love that she had felt before and was now longing for it to return.

“Are you sure Aya?”

“You shouldn’t worry as much,” Aya cut off Mai in the middle of her sentence, “I know you are very concern for me and I can see that. But, we are all grown up now. You do not have to cancel your plans just because I am being silly and immature. I do not want to be selfish by keeping you all to myself. I mean, we aren’t little children anymore and should know that we are almost adults and have our own life and needs now. I’ll be fine so you shouldn’t really worry about me all that much,” Aya surprisingly told Mai that shocked them both.

“Aya…” Mai was left speechless and couldn’t think of anything to say back.

The truth that they were all grown up and needed to concentrate on their own future was truly harsh but that still didn’t mean they couldn’t share their lives. They were still considered at a very young age and have plenty of time to do what they wanted before they should really start taking interests in their future. The two were still the best of friends no matter what came between them and what their future would bring.

“How about this,” Aya broke the long silence between them, “After your date, you can call me and tell me all about it.”

“Aya,” Mai responded, “You’re right just like always. You never seized to amaze me how mature you can be at times despite your immature ways.” Aya sulked at the words but kept on smiling. “And of course I would call and tell you about the date, but I still don’t know if I should go through with it anymore. I mean, I know we’re growing up and have our own life to deal with but we been together for so long that we more than just best friends. You’re like a sister to me so you shouldn’t keep your emotions bottled up and closed your heart to the world especially to me.” Mai concluded and stepped away, clasping both of her hands against her chest.

“Mai…” Aya whispered softly as the two turned and stared at each other in complete silence with Aya smiling and Mai giving a worried look.

A mild gust of wind blew the cheery blossoms all around them as they stayed in that position for a moment. Mai still didn’t know why Aya kept giving her optimistic smile since deep down she knew that it was only a façade. She guessed that her friend smiles because she didn’t want to show the pain and weakness within herself to others so that she wouldn’t be too much of a burden.

“I am sorry but I just want to be alone for tonight if that is okay with you,” Aya spoke again but now was looking down towards the concrete. “I want you to go out with your boyfriend and have a great time. I know you mean good things for me but I guessed as a sister I really want you to go.”

Aya lost her smile and bit her lips lightly; looking serious at the Mai for the first time they started talking. She wanted to scream out that something was wrong, and that something was coming and to not listen but stay, however, something was preventing that. She put that feeling aside and figured out that she was only being and acting childish.

Knowing full well that she was the one that wasn’t grown up yet and needed to stand on her own two feet, but yet, there was something that wanted her to be alone. It wasn’t something that she could describe and tell her very best friend about but it was something that only she able to understand. Quickly, Aya started to remember that the winged creature told her that she was endangered and didn’t want Mai to be part of it.

“I can see there is no changing your mind, so I guess I go, but it still goes against my better judgment as a friend and as a sister to do so. There is something instead of me calling out that I shouldn’t leave you and should stay with you for tonight like something is going to happen. It’s completely nonsense to say something like that, but I just don’t know, something doesn’t feel right. As long if it’s truly okay with you then I’ll go so be expecting a call from me later on tonight, all right?” Mai said, seeing the smile returning on Aya’s face.

Mai tried to smile but deep down inside of her she was still worried about her friend and regretted deciding on leaving her alone. They had never talked to each other like this and it worried her even more because it seemed they were not only growing up but also growing apart. She loved her new boyfriend and never been happier but that didn’t mean she had to let go something that was part of her life. Maybe, she was overreacting on the situation and everything would go back to normal later on.

“I catch you later, call me,” Aya softly whispered in her friend’s ear as they hugged for a few seconds before they finally let go. She quietly walked away while Mai stood there, letting her best friend and sister go.

Still having doubts, Mai wanted to call out to Aya but went with her decision and walked the opposite direction to where the stage was being set up. As she was going to the stage, she passed a male student that was leaning against the school building and was unknowingly eavesdropping on the girls’ conversation. His eyes were closed throughout the entire time but he slowly opened them, revealing his brown almond shape piercing eyes. He did a casual smirk and walked off, without being noticed by anyone.

“That was beautiful,” Takeda cried in tears as he was leaning against one of the cherry blossom trees. It seemed he was also eavesdropping on the girls’ conversation. “You are truly remarkable my princess. You grown up so fast all these years and you finally showed me the mature woman inside of you.” He continued as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked away from the tree. “However, I believed that was indeed the best thing you ever done,” he spoke in a different tone, “Pushing your friends away will make your life much easier and my job in protecting you less troublesome.

“That messenger was also very troubling. Making three contacts in less than 30 minutes in broad daylight with guardians around. It couldn’t be a Dark Angel then it wouldn’t have white wings. Have the Fallen Angels and Dark Angels working together without our knowing? I should be thankful for Takako’s and Mai’s interruption or I would have more problems to deal with than babysitting.”

“Asakura,” a voice called out as the sky went black and the ground went white. Takako’s body began to twitch violently and humps were forming underneath his clothes. He yelled out in a loud high pitch scream as he collapsed onto his knees and embraced his body with his arms tightly. Two black-feathered wings abruptly tore through his clothes from his back and spread to full wingspan, with loose feathers fluttering around him. Tears were forming in his eyes as the whole experience left him in pure agony and exhausted as he collapsed onto his hands, breathing heavily.

“Gawd fucking dammit!” Takeda swore breathlessly and completed drained.

“Please report Blackwinged Guardian Angel, Asakura Takeda,” a chilling powerful voice echoed all around dhim.

“A Fallen Angel or a Whitewinged Dark One made contact with the Gate Maiden,” he whispered heavily.

“So a Fallen Angel or a Dark One spy made contact with the Gate Maiden?” the voiced repeated, correcting the angel.

“Yes,” Takako whispered in pain, “It was a messenger and told her that she was endangered. Her friend, Mai, interrupted the messenger’s hold on her and broke contact before he said anything else.”

“Where were you at the moment of contact, Asakura?”

“I was…uh…I was unable to intercept at the moment of time.”

“Why was that?”

“I have no reasonable answer to reply.”

“Continue your duty as the Guardian of the known Gate Maiden and make sure no Fallen Angels or Dark Ones make any contact with her. If they do, suffer the consequences, Blackwinged.”

“Yes, that I’ll do. Without fail.”

Takeda smirked but quickly lost it when his wings withdrew back inside his back in the most painful way thought possible to him. He started shaking uncontrollably on the ground and tears were forming in his eyes again, making them bloodshot. Right when his wings were completely gone, the ground and sky returned back to normal and he was standing like earlier before anything happened. The big tear of his clothes that his wings made was gone like it never happened but he still felt exhausted and remembered the pain all too well.

“I can never get use in doing that,” he solemnly uttered under his breathe, “They have no right to force my wings out like that!”

“Asakura-san!” a male voice commanded and Takeda glared behind him to see Saotome-sensei was standing not to far from him. “Would you stop talking to yourself already or do I need to remind you of your duty?”

“No sensei,” Takeda bit his lower lip and shoved his hands back in his pockets, walking away.

“Takeda-kun!” a female voice called out right before Takeda reached the school’s gates.

“Huh?” Takeda sighed to himself as he had a question mark above his head. He turned around and surprisingly saw Miyazawa Reika, the class president among other things, running to him.

She had long wavy blonde hair that reached her lower back and was decorated with several different colors highlights. As she jogged carefully towards him, her hair bounced freely in place and her cerulean color eyes sparkled magnificently in the sunlight. She still wore the traditional school uniform, but instead of a plain blue skirt and bow, she was wearing a red skirt and bow that showed her position as the class president.

“Takeda-kun, are you leaving school now?” Reika kindly asked, as she stopped right in front of him and was smiling cheerfully that showed off her perfect white teeth.

“I…umm,” Takeda was lost in words which caused her to pout.

“Takeda-kun, as the Vice President of our class, you got specific duties that is acquired you to do!” she basically shouted at him almost in tears.

“I’m sorry Reika-chan but I got other business to attend to,” he told her and tried to walk away but she held onto his arm.

“More important than getting the concert we are holding tonight organized?” she asked with her teary eyes. “Everyone is in a state of panic and everyone involved are rushing to get the stage equipment set up and all the last minute details!”

“I am sorry but I really got something I need to do. I promise I’ll make it up to you,” Takeda sulked as he tried to walk away but Reiki wrapped her arm around his.

“If you’re not staying then I am coming with you,” she said looking at him with an irresistible smile that told him there wasn’t anything he could do about it.

“Wait, huh? Didn’t you just say something about duties earlier? What ever happened to prepping the concert for tonight,” he told her, trying to convince her to stay.

“Oh Takeda, you worry so much. They don’t need us. I only wanted you to stay so we can be here together and watch the band practice. We don’t have to stay here if you don’t want and we can go out and do whatever you wanted to do. However, we have to come back before the concert starts.”

“Why me?” Takeda whispered and sulked as he walked away from the school’s ground, trying to follow Aya’s trail with Reika tagging along.

“Did you say something hunny?”

No…and don’t call me hunny!”

At this time, Aya already made it to Shibuya and was walking along the crowded sidewalk by herself. She didn’t know why she made the decision to let Mai go but something deep inside of her kept pushing her to go alone and that her destiny was waiting. The feeling that she was being manipulated kept crossing her mind at random times throughout but those thoughts vanished as soon it entered her mind. Every time she tried to think what was happening that feeling went away and was walking carelessly through Shibuya without a given thought.

Finally, she stopped and closed her eyes tightly, trying to think what was going on and started panicking when every thought left. It was becoming unbearable for her and decided to let it all go by screaming as loud as she could. She immediately heard birds fly away and everything around her grew quiet, opening her eyes. She quickly put her free hand over her mouth, realizing what she done and started blushing out of embarrassment. She noticed she was standing in the middle of the park with everyone staring at her from her earlier outburst.

Soon, everything went back to normal with couples walking hand-in-hand and little children playing games with each other. Aya walked to the nearest bench and collapsed on it as she sighed and stared idly at the big water fountain in front of her. Several angels were set up all around a normal looking lady in the center and all the angels were thrusting their swords in different directions, guarding her. Water was also lightly jetting out and showering around the display while the sunlight created a rainbow of different colors reflecting off the water.

“Beautiful…” Aya slowly whispered as she gazed idly at the water fountain. She continued to sit there until the sun started setting and her eyes widen when she realized how late it was becoming. “Oh my god, what time is it? I need to get home,” she quickly said, getting up from the bench and turned to the direction to her home. At that moment, she suddenly bumped into someone and it knocked her back, causing her stuff to scatter onto the ground. “I’m sorry, I am so sorry,” she repeated quickly, collecting her stuff from the ground and got up. She dropped her stuff back on the ground as two towering figures concealed in robes standing before her.

“Come with us, Gate Maiden,” one of the concealed figures commanded in a weird voice that echoed after each syllable.

“I am so sorry. I do not know what you’re talking about. I do know this Gate Maiden you’re talking about and I’m sure that I am not her,” she hastily replied, panicking as she stepped back and turned around to see more figures surrounding her.

“We have no intentions of hurting you, Gate Maiden. Come with us and no harm will come to you,” the voice continued but now sounded that it came from all directions.

“Are you freaking kidding me? Who are you people? What do you want me with me?” Aya shouted at them. “I said I was sorry and I am not this Gate Maiden you’re talking about!” They all closed in on her while she was looking at them scared and was trying to stay away from them. One started reaching out to her. “Don’t touch me!” Aya screamed again and thrust her arm toward one of the towering figure and her palm connects forcefully against the figure. The impact caused the figure to be blown back through the air and landed in the pool of water that was surrounding the water fountain. “How did I do that?” she asked herself while she brought her hand closed to her body and looked down at it confusingly.

“Apprehend the Gate Maiden!” the voice continued, giving its own commands.

“What did I do? I just want to go home! It’s getting late and my mother will be worried sick about me! I am also expecting a call!” Aya freaked out, as all the mysterious figures closed in on her once again.

“You’re not going anymore but with us.”

“There is no way I am going with you!” Aya shouted as she wildly punched another mysterious figure. The force sent it flying through the air and landed several yards away. She looked at her fist in amazement, as she didn’t know that she had that much strength. “I take you all on!” she boosted but suddenly one of them grabbed her from behind and caught her completely off guard. “Ahh, let go of me creep!” she frantically yelled while she was lifted up and started kicking and struggling.

“Takeda-chan…” Reika dreamingly whispered, looking at the direction of the nearby park and was still holding onto Takeda’s arm. She already caught sight of her archrival, Aya-san, and grinned evilly as she watched her rival get surrounded by the suspicious characters. She paid no attention caused she already knew that Takeda would leave her for that girl if she said anything. She smirked, as she held onto his arm tighter and walked even close to her.

“Yeah, what is it?” Takeda sighed, continuing walking along the sidewalk across the street of the park.

“Can we go get something to eat,” she asked while pouting, “I’m getting kinda hungry.”

“Umm, yeah sure, there is a new place I wanna try out,” he said while thinking about what Aya said earlier about a new place opening up around her. Thinking that she could be there if she wasn’t any other place he knew she would go to.

“Ok,” Reika excitedly called out and hugged him.

“Will you get off of me?” Takeda cried in agony as he turned his head to look down at her but he immediately saw Aya being held captive. “The Gate Maiden! Wait, oh shit, the Dark Ones are there?” he shouted as he unhesitatingly shoved Reika off of him and took off running toward the park. “Reika-chan, go get Saotome-sensei and tell him Ishihara-san is endangered!”

“But Takeda-chan!” she pouted sadly.

“I really mean it, now Reika-chan!” he shouted angrily at her.

“Hai!” Reika shrieked at the sudden force of his voice and ran off in deep hatred for Ishihara Aya.

“Ishihara-san!” a male voice called out.

“Huh?” Aya stopped struggling as she saw Takeda appearing out of nowhere and drop kicked out of the mysterious being, launching it through the air. “What are you doing here, Takeda-san?” Aya shouted while she went back to struggling with her captor.

“Well my princess, I am your knight in shiny armor that came to rescue the damsel in distress,” Takeda smirked as he brought a red rose to his nose to smell it and then toss it to the side.

“Primary objective is to capture the Gate Maiden, but we must make sure to get rid of any witnesses as a top priority!” The surrounding echo continued to speak as Aya’s captor suddenly let go of her and they all proceeded towards Takeda, who was smirking casually at his opponents.

“Takeda-san!” Aya cried out as they were now closing in on Takeda like they did with her earlier.

“Princess, listen to me very closely. I want you to run away from here and don’t come back no matter what!” he called out, as Aya stood there without thinking until one of towering figures struck him in the face. The impact knocked him down to the side, but as soon he placed his hand on the ground to support himself, the ground cracked heavily. “I keep them distracted while you get away, but I want you to go now!” Takeda narrowed his yes and shouted angrily for Aya not getting away already.

“Okay Takeda-san,” Aya whispered and ran, leaving all of her stuff behind.

“Good, she left,” Takeda quietly whispered to himself as he stood back up and got into a fighting stance. “This is for messing with the Gate Maiden!” he yelled as he swung his fist to the nearest Dark One.

“So, she is the Gate Maiden and you must be the Guardian that is assigned to protect her,” a mysterious voice echoed in the area with each syllable being slurred.

“Huh, whose there?” Takeda asked puzzled, as he sent another Dark One through the air and it fell on the bench, breaking it. As soon he turned around to see who was talking, a hand quickly grabbed his throat and lifted him up in the air, gripping tighter. His hands immediately went to the hand that was holding his throat and his eyes widen when he saw whom the mysterious was.

His entire face looked very young, like a teenager and had a very cold smile that looked like a child having fun playing with its toys. His outfit was all black, wearing silk pants that were tucked in his boots and a silk shirt that was loose for his body. He had reddish and bluish streaks in his platinum blonde hair with more blue being highlighted that matched his icy blue eyes. However, that wasn’t what surprised Takeda. It was the black wings that were stretching out from behind his back.

“I like it when they struggle for their lives,” the voice echoed, slurring his words.

“Who are you?” Takeda gasped, trying to get air in his lungs.

“My name is Syren, a black winged Celestrian,” he slowly said, raising Takeda higher in the air and stared at him in an ominous blank stare.

Aya ran as far and as long she could go without rest while she pushed pedestrians out of her way. Maybe being on the track team helped her, but running at high speeds in such a long period time had worn her out completely. She made a complete stop and leaned against the wall of the closets shop still in Shibuya. Her heart was beating heavily and pounded hear underneath her chest while she tried to control her breathing and calm down from what’s going on. Minutes later, she got herself under control and slid down the wall now sat motionlessly as people that were walking by gave her a worried look. Seconds after that, she stood up and looked back at the direction she came from—the same direction of the park.

“This is stupid. I shouldn’t leave Takeda-san back there all alone. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if anything happens to him because of me. I know he told me to run but I got to go back!” Aya decided and tried to jog back to the park, however, a white feather glided pass her.

“Gate Maiden,” the same mysterious voice she had been hearing throughout the day spoke to her from behind.

She turned around purely out of instinct and was now face-to-face with the same angelic creature that she saw three times that day. She was able to clearly see his silky platinum blonde hair, his golden eyes, his glossy white robe and his huge white wings. But this time, the feelings she felt before in his presence wasn’t invading her senses and it seemed that she was getting use to the powerful spiritual aura he was giving off.

“I am the messenger, Gate Maiden, pay heed to my words, for you are in great danger. The wheels of destiny and fate has once again begin turning. The tragic past of your bloodline has finally caught up and will be searching for you. Choose your allies and enemies closely as you may soon come to find out that both are one in the same and cannot be distinguish. How you will proceed now and the decisions you make will decide the future of this realm and others. May the power of the Gate Maidens aid you in this endeavor.”

Episode Ends
To Be Continue