Chapter 1: Ankoku Tenshi
One bright afternoon in the summer of 1978, the sun was blazing in a cloudless sky and there was an air of rejoicing over Japan.
A boy with dark black hair and pure white eyes laid on his bed, putting his hand out to the sun's rays that entered through the window.
His face was serene and peaceful, but for the faintest trace of a smile that slowly spread across it.
This boy was eleven years old. His name was Tohru Honda, or at least the one he had taken at birth.
He now goes by Ankoku Tenshi.
It was a long day, and Tohru Honda just exited school when most kids would go home to do their homework.
The school bell rang, and Tohru's eyes slowly drifted closed. But before he did, he noticed some odd figures in the air.
One had dark mist surrounding his body, while the other had blue mist around him.
Tohru Honda couldn't understand what was going on, and the surrounding people seemed oblivious to what's going on around them.
He inspected the two who were shrouded in mystery.
They had dark black hair, but that was where any similarities stopped.
Where the figure with dark black hair was wearing a black robe with a white cloth draped over his face, the one with blue mist around his body had nothing covering his face. His hair was short, but it was tied back in a ponytail. The only thing that made these men stand out is the way they stood there so still, not seeming to move at all.
It was at this moment his memory seemed to be blank and when he opened his eyes; he was in a different body, but had the same looks.
The outside world looked feudal Japan, with low, sloping roofs and stone walls, along with an enormous castle at its centre.
In fact, everything was set up like a typical feudal Japan town, and was the replica of what Tohru saw during history class last month.
His new body was thin, with long black hair and the pure white eyes that he had always admired about women.
He wore a simple kimono, black silk with red flower patterned on the chest and sleeves.
Taking his eye off the view outside, he made his way out of his room, where the servants greeted him.
"Welcome home." The older servant said as he bowed deeply.
Ankoku Tenshi returned the bow in kind and replied. "Good evening, Master Fumio. Thank you for taking care of me."
Fumio smiled slightly. "It's my pleasure. If there is anything I can do, please let me know."
The two walked towards the stairs leading to the first floor, where Fumio continued speaking.
"You have grown since we took you in as an orphan child, but what has happened today?"
"My master asked me if there was something troubling me." Tenshi told the man, keeping his tone even and calm. "I had to be honest with him, so I told him yes. My master then said that I could tell him about it later."
Fumio smiled as he thought for a moment. "There will be time to share your story with us later."
Fumio then added. "You are expected downstairs for dinner at seven."
Tenshi nodded. He was thankful for this family.
He was a part of the royal house Kageuta. They were known for their elegance and unique dance-like fighting style.
After a few more moments, they came to a stop, where a young servant stood by the door. The servant bowed and opened the door.
"Welcome home, Your Majesty." The boy said.
Tenshi looked down at the servant and gave a curt bow of his own. "How are you today?" He asked.
The servant smiled. "Thank you for asking. I am fine, Your Majesty."
Tenshi nodded and made his way through the door and up the stairs.
After he made it to the top, he walked down the hallway until he reached his room.
He had changed clothes recently, and now wore a blue robe with gold trim on the chest. It was a formal kimono, but not too expensive and definitely not something that was worn outside the palace.
His hair was braided into four large plaits and hung to his waist, but he had left the rest of his hair free and down.
When he made his way down the hallway to the stairs, he stopped and stared at the beautiful scenery that was laid out in front of him.
"You were told that this is where your dinner would be served." A voice said from behind him.
Tenshi turned around slowly to face whoever spoke. There stood a man with dark black hair. He had also grown since he first arrived here. But he still looked young and had an innocent smile across his face. The young nobleman had also dressed formally like Tenshi had.
"Brother Kyo, what are you doing here?" Tenshi asked him, though he knew the answer already.
Kyo shrugged. "I heard a rumour that there were two people staying in this house." Kyo explained as he rubbed the back of his head with a slight grin on his face. "I figured that it's best to make sure they are okay before I leave, so I stopped by. Especially since we haven't seen each other for over ten years."
"Ten years? We are all adults now." Tenshi said with a chuckle. "And how many times have you visited me?"
Kyo grinned. "Once." He responded as he continued talking. "I spent my last year of school here, and I took it upon myself to pay you a visit when I went back home."
Tenshi nodded in agreement. "A wise decision on your part."
"Well, guess what? I've become a Soul Shepherd! I can now go to the main-land and collect souls as a grim reaper." Kyo said.
Tenshi congratulated him, "Nice! You're the weakest reaper out there."
Kyo looked confused. "What do you mean, brother?"
"Don't play dumb with me," Tenshi told him. "We all know that the Soul Shepherd is the lowest rank a reaper can get."
Kyo laughed. "You know that rank also represents the honours of one soul he collected."
Tenshi's eyes widened. "Oh...I see." He paused for a moment. "So you would have to be the lowest ranked soul shepherds out there?"
Kyo nodded. "Yes, but I will soon change that." Kyo added with a grin. "There is one way to get the next rank up quickly. It involves you..."
Tenshi shook his head. "No. No way am I doing that."
Kyo sighed and crossed his arms. "I thought you were a warrior and not a coward?"
Tenshi smiled. "Of course I'm not." He said confidently. "It's just that there are some things in life that no man should have to do."
Kyo nodded but then said, "Our father did it, though?"
Tenshi stopped and stared at him blankly. "Our father?"
Kyo nodded again. "Our father too!"
"Well, I'll think about it." Tenshi said.
Kyo grinned. "That's all we ever ask of you." He then bowed. "Thank you for the meal, Brother."
Tenshi shook his head before walking past his elder brother. "Don't worry. It was just something to eat."
Kyo watched as Tenshi walked down the stairs and through the main hall where his guards were standing.
Once the door closed behind him, he sighed. "And it's all because of that man..." Kyo muttered under his breath.