Aki opened his eyes, gazing around the pitch black forest in slight confusion. His red eyes landed on Haru and he smiled. "I'm sorry... I don't know why I chose to come here..." He tried to get up and felt that he had an unknown amount of energy in his body. He glanced at Haru and blushed. She must have used some of her own magic. "I'm sorry if I worried you..." He stood on shaking legs and steadied himself on a nearby tree.

The forest was dead silent, the trees' branches blocking out the sky. The earthly smells reached his nostrils and he exhaled deeply. There was a slight taste of death and destruction in the air. Why had he thought of this place? He again glanced back at Haru. It wasn't the best place to take the girl. "This is Hells Gate Forest... It was a natural wall from Earth to Hades... The Demon Kingdom... I don't know why I brought us here. I used to come here and learn how to hunt with my father..." He became lost in memories.

Haru looked at him and smiled. She was more than happy to see him. She followed him as she listened to his story. She wanted to know more but was afaird to ask. There was so many questions she had about the demon world. Yet she knew she could never be a part of it now. Even though she was a demon, she would always be angel. She hugged Aki tight, worrying about him. Was he really ok being here? Even she could smell the death and sense the pain. It filled her lungs with a sharp pain and her heart ached at the loss. "Aki... I am sorry that this happened to you. I know it must of been really hard for you. I wish I could do more to help you. But you know.. um... this isn't the total end right? There is always the chance of surviving demons. That isn't the only way to get demons back. I mean.. um... you could... make more... you know how. Ah just forget it, I sound weird when I say it." Haruka looked away as she blushed brightly, clearly embarrassed.

Aki glanced at Haru, sensing her discomfort. He was embarrassed slightly as she hinted about repopulating. He laughed lightly, and patted her head softly. "Don't worry about that... You are far too young to be thinking about baring children," he told her, trying to hide his own embarrassment. It had run through his mind the past day, but he found that thinking such things made him feel perverted. She was much younger than him, after all. Maybe she hadn't realised this, as he did look like a young man in his twenties.

"Do you want to see it? It won't be as grand as it once was, but if we visit at night... The spirits would be pleased."

Haruka stared off for a few moments. She felt as silly as Aki treated the thought to be. But somehow she didn't think it would be bad. The thought of being married and then having kids with Aki sounded like a nice but impossible dream. There was no way the angel king would allow such a thing as marriage for Haruka. She already knew that her fate was to remain locked up forever by herself. Her hate for the angel king made the thought of defying the king sound nice.

She glanced up at him as her thoughts were interrupted. Smiling gently Haruka took Aki's hand. "I would love to see Hell... If you think you will be ok. I don't want you getting hurt... Are you sure you will be able to handle it?"

Aki smiled and nodded slowly. He hadn't been home since burying his parents. He wasn't sure how emotional he'd get. "As long as I go with you, it shouldn't be a problem," he said warmly. "Though I am not sure whether the Angels still patrol this area. So we have to be careful." He looked at her, realising that she still wore his cape. He felt his body grow warm and tingle. He didn't know why he found that attractive and blushed, looking away.

Leading her through the dark woods, he hoped that he was going in the right direction. It had been a long time since he walked through the Hells Gate Forest. He closed his eyes and summoned his magic, speaking the spell of Finding. When uttered here by a Demon from Hades, the way would be lit. As soon as he opened his eyes again, small red orbs of light lit the path for them to take. He smiled and lead Haru down the path, his heart feeling strange the closer they got to the city.

Haruka trusted what Aki said but somehow it felt wrong. It was like she knew something bad was about to occur. She held onto Aki's hand tightly as she followed him through the forest. The closer they got, the worse the feeling seemed to be. Somehow she couldn't stop shaking even though Aki was with her. It was like he could leave her at any given moment. She stopped as the city came into her sight and shuddered. Her demon side seemed to react badly to the lifeless world. Her crimson eye became blood red as she stood shaking like a leaf. "A... Aki... I can hear them... I can hear their cries, their screams, their pain... It hurts Aki..." Haruka spoke weakly as she fell to her knees and sobbed.

Aki knelt next to her and hugged her, becoming overcome by the same feelings. He didn't expect a curse to be on this land. He warily glanced at Haru. It would be affecting her more because she was part Angel. He tried to remember a way to stop the pain, but the crying in his head made it so he couldn't think straight. He stared up at the ruined castle made of obsidian and lava. He had sat in this very spot as a child, wondering what life was like in that castle.

He turned his head to the side and saw his farm not too far from where they were sitting. He saw it as it was when he came home from the battle. His little brother's headless corpse lying near the gate as if he had been waiting for him to return. He could feel his hot tears flowing now. This had been a mistake. "I'm sorry..." he muttered, more to the trapped spirits than to Haru. "I abandoned you..." He tried to stand, but his energy was being taken from him. "This place has really become Hell..." he muttered to Haru. "The Angel King did this. I will kill him with my bare hands. I will take vengeance for my fallen brothers and sisters." As he spoke this vow, the heavy presence seemed to lift. He no longer felt that he was in pain and he couldn't hear the cries of the damned souls. He glanced back at Haru. Hopefully they stopped affecting her as well.

Haru clung to Aki tightly as they sat together. She could fell the dead whispering to her. It made her shudder in fear. They repeated the same things over and over, as if they were blaming her. They had every right to blame her at this point. If she hadn't of been born, this mess would of never happened. She didn't blame them for cursing her. She closed her eyes and listened to them. She focused on each one with her powers. But there was some the pulled her attention. Why? She didn't get it at all. "Why are they smiling?" She wonder. Then, at that very moment, she understood. She looked at Aki sadly and hugs him. "They said to take care of you. They have been waiting for you. They are glad to see that you are finally happy after all these years."

Aki smiled softly, his tears still falling down his cheeks. He didn't have to ask who 'they' were, because he could sense them. He wished that they would show themselves to him, but he decided that it was probably for the best that they didn't. He had to let them go. He stood up and turned away, realising that there wasn't anything for them in Hades. Just sadness and anger. He reached down for Haru, unsure what they would do next. "We should go back... We can find the witch... We can live together and have a family... If that's what you want..." he said quietly, still thinking about his vow he took. He had used powerful words. He would have to kill the King if he got the choice. He would have to kill again.

Haruka slowly got up as she looked at Aki. She was still worried about him. She knew what he would do if he saw the angel king. She would do the same aswell if she got the chance. Haruka didn't want Aki to suffer with the fact that he had another life to take. If she could do anything, she would make sure Aki wouldn't have to do it. She moved closer to him as he spoke of living together. It sounded so nice to her. Haruka nodded as she looked at him with a loving passion. "That's exactly what I would like. " As she confirmed her wish she leaned up and kissed Aki. She could feel her burning disire to stay like this forever. She never wanted to let him go but she did. They had to get out of here.

Aki walked back towards the forest, making sure Haru was following. He couldn't remember where the witch lived, all he knew was that she lived somewhere just outside the city. He knew that they wouldn't be able to live forever together, but he hoped she would think that they could. Because if one believed hard enough, wishes could come true.

Haru followed by Aki, holding onto his hand. She tried not to squeeze his hand but she felt nervous. There was always a chance that a witch couldn't help. She didn't know this witch either. What if the witch was mean? What if the price was too high? What if they were being tricked? What if the witch was on the side with the angels? What if it didn't work? Haruka was so scared of the possibilities. She didn't want to lose Aki ever. But if the witch wasn't helpful then Haruka was sure she would lose most of her hope. It wouldn't be totally gone but the decrease would be dramatic. These thoughts haunted Haruka until they finally got to the witch's home.

They had walked back through the Hell's Gate Forest, finally stumbling upon a small shack. The roof was made of leaves and sticks and the walls seemed to be made of hard mud. Aki could sense the power coming from inside. This was where the witch lived. He held Haru's hand tighter, glancing at her to make sure that she was ok. Before he could reach out and open the door, it flew open as if someone knew that they were there. A raspy voice called for them to enter. Aki gulped and stepped in, Haru following after him.

Inside was a single room. There were no windows or furniture, only a fire place set on one side and a bench with many liquids on it. The witch had her back to them, but Aki could make out what she looked like. Unlike the stereotype of the old woman, this witch was young and beautiful. Only her long black nails gave away what she was.

"You come for a disguise," the witch spoke, turning around to face them. Her black eyes seemed to never blink and her pale face reminded Aki of a snake. He had never met a witch before, a human that used nature and spirits to preform magic. He had heard from his mother that humans used to be magical creatures a very long time ago and that witches were the last of this magic. Aki nodded, trying not to show his awe. He didn't want Haru to be upset.

Haru held back onto Aki's hand in order to comfort him. She was just as nervous as he was. When they got inside Haruka couldn't help but look around. She didn't know what she had expected, but outshined her imagination. The place was full of things Haruka couldn't name and her make her curious. She noticed how the witch was very pretty. She clung to Aki, wanting him to only look at her that way. It made her feel jealous that Aki would be awed by another women. It made her want to cling to Aki and never let go even if he began to hate her. "Yes.... We want to become someone new. Someone everyone will only see as any other human."

The witch laughed, sounding like she was mocking them. She grabbed a potion from one of her shelves and placed it in Aki's hands. She lent in closely to him, as if she was about to kiss him. Aki gazed longingly at her lips but snapped out of it, jerking away from her and giving an apologetic look at Haru. The witch laughed again and then went quiet as she stared at Aki's lover. She pointed a finger at Haru, going more pale than she already was.

"You... You are cursed. But fear not... Your fate is about to be changed by the one you love." Her eyelids fluttered towards Aki. "That potion will transform your appearances to everyday humans. It will last for 6 hours a day per drop. I don't recommend drinking it all." She went close to Aki again, slowly stroking his small horns. "Now there is the matter of payment. I could do with some Angel wings," she glanced over at Haru, who had slowly turned back into her Angel form. "Or... I have heard the magical properties of Demon Horns... Are quite... Extraordinary~" she sung, tapping Aki's horn.

Aki pulled away from the witch, glancing at Haru. There was no way he would let the witch take away Haru's wings. But his horns were treasures of who he was. He had heard that it hurt immensely for a demon to give up his horns. He bit his lip, not sure what to do.

Haru got a hurt look as she saw Aki staring at the witch. He never looked at her that deeply. Was that witch really that much better? Haruka knew that the witch was much prettier than her but it hurt worse to know Aki could disire that. Haruka stared at the ground sadly as she hands curled into fists. She could feel herself mad with jealousy for the first time. What the witch had made Aki suddenly feel was deeper. A part of Haruka wanted to run away and cry forever. Maybe it would be better if Aki loved the witch. He would be in danger as long as he was with Haruka anyways. No... She didn't want to leave Aki. She loved him so much. Even if he never would long for Haruka like he had the witch, she didn't want to go.

Haruka grabbed his hand tightly. She would show the witch. Haruka wanted to prove that she was worth it. She might not be as pretty but the witch wasn't good enough for Aki. There was no way Haruka would just let him go so easily. "Your enchantment spells are strong. What did you do to get a Succubus to give you the scent of lust? I can smell it all over you." Haruka was just curious. She listened to the witch and considered the asking price. "Take my feathers. Each one is a promise of fortune. They will show you the way to the things you have loved or lost. I get the feeling that my feathers will give you the help you seek. Am I right?" Haruka smiled gently as she let her wings unfold. Sure she would miss being able to fly but she didn't mind staying on the ground with Aki. "I'm sorry Aki. I guess I will never get to show you what it's like to fly. But as long as I'm with you, I don't mind."

Aki wanted to protest, but he realised that she was giving up a part of herself for him. He felt ashamed to be easily seduced by the witch. He turned away as the transaction was being done, not being able to bear it. They left soon after, Haru had hidden her featherless wings. Aki knew that it was so he didn't feel guilty. It didn't help. He held her and kissed her, feeling his heart burning.

"I'm sorry, Haru... I am sorry I looked at her the way I did. You didn't need to sacrifice your wings..." his voice caught and he kissed her again. He had to make it up to her one day.

Haruka let the witch take her feathers. She thought she would hate it but she didn't. She would much rather have Aki be happy. It didn't matter if she lost her feathers as long as they could be together. Once the process was over Haruka set her featherless wings away. She wouldn't be needing them anymore anyways. She walked over to Aki with the large potion. This would last them for a long time if what the witch said was true.

When Aki kissed her outside she kissed him back lovingly. Looking down, she shook her head. "It's not something you can really help. She's so much prettier than I am... There isn't a way for me to compete with something like that. I'm not good in that area but it doesn't mean anything. I can still prove that I'm better. I would do anything it took to remember the reasons you love me." Haruka kissed him back again and lifted the potion bottle. "Shall we?"

Aki still felt ashamed. Haru was the most beautiful person he had ever met. He just didn't know how to tell her. He helped her with the bottle, lifting it and pulling the cork out from the top. He inhaled deeply, his heart beating in his chest. He couldn't tell her how scared he was of the witch. Humans doing magic was just... unnatural. He brought the bottle to his own lips, taking a small sip.

He gagged immediately. The concoction tasted bad, like sour apples and rotten eggs. He spluttered some more, his eyes watering. He swallowed reluctantly, feeling the potions effects as it slid down his throat. His skin started to burn and crawl, his bones cracked as his body changed. He felt himself shrinking down in size, until he was just a bit taller than Haru. His nails went blunt, his horns sunk into his skull. His fangs shrunk and his eyes changed from red to brown. It was over in seconds. Panting, he looked over his body, shaking slightly. It hadn't hurt at all, like he expected. "What... How do I look?" he asked Haru.

Haruka looked at him as he drank the potion. It looked like it was the worst thing he had ever tried. She took the bottle for herself as he transformed. It was amazing to see him change into something totally different right before her. She reached towards him in disbelief, stroking his cheek. He looked much different but she still knew he was Aki. She smiled gently at him as she responded. "You look just as handsome as before. But I think I like the real you better."

Haruka pulled the bottle close, looking into it. The potion was a light purple color from the inside. She took the opening to her mouth and let the liquid weep into her mouth. Her eyes widened as a sour and salty taste washed over her mouth. Closing her eyes she swallowed the horrible favor. Then her body quickly reacted to it. Her hair changed first, going from white to blonde. Her eyes changed from ice blue to more of a dark sapphire and her body became shorter. She could feel her wings sink into her skin and vanish. She couldn't help but wonder if the seal would still be there.

((Sorry about the long delay in my posts. I have been lacking both motivation and energy these past few weeks.))

Aki glanced away as she transformed, finding the image sickening to watch. He looked back when he heard a small breath escape her lips, surprised by how different she looked. He held her hands in his own, staring into the alien coloured eyes. "It's only for a short while... Hopefully one day we can live together..." he tried to imagine that day, as it seemed that it could happen now. He kissed her, happy to feel that her fire had not changed. Neither had his. "We may look different on the outside, but inside me, my fire burns bright."

((That's ok. Did you ever figure out the other rp you wanted to start on?))

Haruka glanced at her body in disbelief. It all felt so.. foreign. It wasn't her body and it didn't feel like her. It was like her soul had been transferred to a new person. "This must be what it would feel like to be reincarnated and remember everything." Haruka muttered as she looked at Aki. As she gotten closer and kissed him, she felt like herself again. She knew then that he was the only one who would be able to confirm it. "Aki, don't forget you still have a house. For now we can share that home together. Even if it wasn't built off of riches, I will always be happy with you. I don't care where I am as long as I can be with you and love you." Haruka spoke gently before she kissed Aki again.

((I think, for now, I won't be starting up any new rps, though I do have a few I want to do, mainly yaois. I am just so tired after studying in this course that I know I won't be able to keep up if I tried to start up some more... I am sorry!))

Aki smiled, truly glad that she was not disappointed by their home. He knew that she would be used to large spacious living areas, so he had been worrying that she wouldn't like his little shed. He took her hand and started towards the distant gates of the City. They had left the forest behind, and only had a few hour's journey to get back home. He wished that he could use magic, but was afraid of how little fire he seemed to have left. "I hope you don't mind a little walk," he said softly, still holding his hand. He stared into her eyes once more, seeing the real Haru behind the magic. Every part of him wanted to love her, to hold her and to grow old with her. He started to wonder what their children would be like.

((Yeah I can understand that. I joined up in a Theatre through my agent and now that we are starting to practice every night for a musical I come home pretty worn out. It's lots of fun but I may not be able to reply as much as usual.))

"It's fine Aki. I like walking with you. Since we are basically humans now we might as well as enjoy every bit. I want to share this new experience with you." Haruka smiled as she spoke happily. She was beyond happy at this point. She could feel herself wanting to burst into flight and dance in the sky with joy. But she wouldn't do that even if she could. It was too dangerous to Ba an angel at this point. Haruka didn't feel like she would really miss it though. As long as she was with Aki she was happy. Once they got to Aki's home she felt even happier. She was finally in a place she could call her home. The space was small but at least she wasn't locked away in this place. Maybe someday she could even raise a family with Aki in this place.

Aki unlocked the door to his home with a wave of his hand, glad to see that his magic still worked. He was extremely tired, however, and went straight to his bed. He stripped himself down to his underwear and jumped into the covers, feeling the strange urge to sleep. He must have almost extinguished his flame. It was not normal for a Demon to want to sleep. He snuggled under the blankets and glanced up at his lover, unsure what to do. He wanted her to lie next to him, but then he was afraid of what might happen.

"I'm sorry... All that magic made me so tired..." he groaned, rolling about in his soft sheets. "Um... Do you want to...?"