Jigoku no Hankô

JIGOKU NO HANKOU
(Hell's Rebellion)

By: Kritiker

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Disclaimer: Angel Sanctuary is the wonderful creation of Yuki Kaori
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Chapter 3: Splendour

"Psst! Isn't she the one they keep talking about?"
"Who?"
"The next one up."
"Yeah...so, what about her?"
"Sakurai Alexiel."
Both glanced at the newcomer.

"No living relatives since her uncle's death some years ago. Mother had some foreign blood, so the name and looks. Share's an apartment with this uni student called Maeda Yuka, seems to be the only person she's close to. Top student in Kuwata-sensei's kendo school and does part time work teaching kids here. Other than that no boyfriends or any other attachments," the new girl surmised for them.

"And how did you come to know all this, if I may ask?" One of the earlier girls inquired.

"Takeda Kazuya, a fellow student," she allowed as introduction. "No one's been able to down her, as you can see. Even the older students have the same problem."

"Has she gone against your master?"

"A few years ago, so they say. Though Kuwata-sensei won that time, he never went against her again. He knows her capabilities and that's where he's leaving it."

A shout emanated from the center. Sounds of wood beating against each other filled the room. Occasional shouts followed each blow, as the taller competitor furiously beat his boken into his opponent, trying to hit body parts he had called out as targets earlier.

A twist. A simple sidestep. She avoided each blow with clear precision. Occasionally, she fended off the others until an opening allowed her to call out her aim. A clean hit brought her boken against the opponent's head gear.

"Damn it!"

Angrily he threw the boken and helmet onto the floor, clearly frustrated with the results. "To hell with this!" with that he stormed out of the dojo.

"Shibuya Ryuichi. Never could take the losing end especially against females. A major chauvinistic asshole," Kazuya gazed at the retreating back. Glancing up quickly, she noted the time and informed them, "that's it for today. If you want to talk to her, I suggest you speak to her friend Maeda first. She'll do the introductions and such. I'm to busy to do fan service." With that said, she left.

"She's got some attitude problem, that Takeda."
"Probably jealous or something. Let's leave, the whole school's probably just as rude."

* * * *

"Suge Alex-chan. You got that bastard Ryuichi again…and it seems the others too," Yuka exclaimed walking up to her friend. "Ne Kuwata-sensei, shouldn't Alex join one of those championships or something. It'll be great advertising for your school."

"Well it's all up to her. School's doing pretty well enough since she came. Especially with the classes she has for the kids," he replied lightly. "It depends, if she's ready as well.

"Come on, she's ready as she'll ever be. Beating everyone, evidence enough she'll make it. It's probably boring her; winning all the time, na Alex?"

A sudden movement caught her eye. Catching it in midair, she unsheathed the katana and landed in graceful defense.

Silhouetted against the doorframe, he stood with katana in hand.

"Shall we test what your friend claimed…"

'Ano koe…'

"…Alexiel."

Purple gaze traveled along his form, noting each detail. Familiar yet somewhat unknown.

A remembered face.

'...wakaru...'

The deathly whisper of steel.

A promised epitaph.

"Omae."

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"Raziel-sama?"

"Hai?" He glanced away from his work to his subordinate entering the room.

"Ano…sumimasen. Barbiel-sama asked me to deliver this to you," the younger angel said, handing over a letter.

He quickly scanned over the message eyes widening for a brief second then narrowing to find a hint of panicked urgency.

"Will there be anything else Raziel-sama?"

"Uh…no. That will be all."

"De wa shitsurei shimasu…"

'Raphael-sama has awakened. A coincidence? It can't be. The timing…is too…'

Glancing away from the letter, he continued to type further instructions into his computer.

Silence filled the darkened room. Only the continuos typing unsettled the looming tranquility. Unchanged, the place remained to hold distant memories. A presence that could be felt at times.

'Zaphkiel-sama…'

An insistent beeping noise awoke him from his melancholy mood. Furious typing zoomed in a better visual of the location on his screen. Silent triumph replaced the melancholia in his eyes.

"Mitsuketa…"

"…Lucifer-san."

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NOTES:
1. Ano koe - That voice
2. wakaru - I know
3. De wa shitsurei shimasu - Well then I must be going

So sorry for taking soooo long. Finished another year of school so I might be able to bring out chapter 4 by the end of the month. Thanks to those who mailed me. Your pressuring got me off my lazy butt.