Notes: The inspiration for this came from a wonderful series by Nalini Singh. I highly recommend if you love angel universes to check out these books. They're so good.

It was good to see Tokyo hadn't changed. Rubbing his temples as he awaited his bags on the luggage carousel, Kagami Taiga checked his phone. Getting through customs had been quicker then expected, but the hour was still late and he'd barely slept on the plane. The train ride in from the airport was a forty five minutes of blaring music and awkward baggage repositioning. Why so many people had to travel that late at night was truly beyond him. Coming into the central city station, he searched the crowds for the signature dark hair of his brother. Tatsuya had come back to Japan almost three years before hand, his art business blooming as he signed up three experienced angelic artists.

Glancing at his phone to check for any messages, Kagami jumped as a hand touched his shoulder.

"Wow, jumpy much? Is LA really that bad?" Turning with a smile, the redhead was pleased to see his older brother's dark eyes and slanted hair cut.

"It's been better. Since Jordan stepped down the place is in complete chaos. I've been run off my feet the couple of last week. Almost three fires a week, two being arson." Wincing as he collected one of his brother's bags and directed them towards the station line they needed, Tatsuya glanced at the luminance signs over head.

"I'm not surprised in truth. Dad will be moving back over here soon if America goes to shit."

Dragging his suitcase down a mountain of stairs and standing impatiently on the platform, Kagami yawned. America going to shit was his main reason for returning back to his home land. With the angelic RULE in North America failing by the day, Asia seemed a much better choice, at least in the short run. Perhaps when the RULE settled down and someone took charge he'd be happy to move back. But currently with his qualifications and experience, getting a job in the Tokyo fire department wouldn't be too much of a struggle. And Tatsuya was always happy to have him back.

"How is the RULE here been doing here? I read its pretty stable online." Nodding as their train arrived and the noise of the engine filled their ears, the dark haired man waited until they were comfortably seated on the carriage before replying.

"It's been pretty quiet the last couple of years actually. Liu says it's because of the switch in RULE management." Blinking, too sleepy to really be surprised, Kagami watched the small screen overhead change advisements as their station slowly approached.

"I thought they were all show hounds? The big gold one and the blue one? They're always at sporting events and in the news."

"Kise-sama and Aomine-sama, yeah they're part of the RULE. But they're just figure heads. Especially Kise." Pointing down the train, Tatsuya gestured to a large glowing sign between the carriage doors.

The beautiful gold highlights along the lettering matched the ting in the blonde angel's wings. He was handsome, beautiful but then all angels were. Kagami had seen the winged beings only once in real life, at a Nicks game were two of the North American RULE had come flying in over head, all smiles and waves. They were stunning, amazing and so very inhuman. The redhead had found it somewhat unnerving that such beauty and perfection existed and he wasn't alone in that thought. Many pro human groups used it as their header, especially with the issues currently rising in the US, calls for the removal of angelic power from politics were louder then ever. "He's the spokesperson for RULE Japan. Goes around smiling, kissing kids and women and saying all is well while ignoring the rest of the world." Shuffling back against the cold plastic seats, Kagmai sighed.

"Well it's still better then the States."

Falling into a comfortable silence, the redhead watched the dark lights and flashes of Tokyo fly by. The high buildings and narrow side streets so very different then what he'd gotten used to in LA. Getting up when directed, they crossed from the train to the station and onwards up to street level.

"Still the same place?" Picking up on some familiar landmarks as they waited at a set of traffic lights, Tatsuya nodded.

"Yup, but renovated. When are you going to start speaking Japanese again? Or are you that out of practice." Blushing a little as he heaved his suitcase along, Kagami had to admit he hadn't even noticed the fault in his language. It was ingrained habit and one he'd have to break soon.

"Yeah," he said slowly, easing back into his native tongue with little issue. "No need to use it over there." Pausing as they reached the ground floor of a large apartment block, Kagami was thrilled to be so close to bed. He was exhausted and his hand ached from carrying his suitcase.

"Elevators busted by the way, so stairs." Groaning in frustration the redhead pointed to his bag.

"What the fuck? I thought this place was like the young Ritz or something." Taking the handle of his suitcase and dragging it along, Tatsuya looked apologetic.

"I know, we've been asking them to fix it for weeks, but nothing ever gets done here unless you want to fork out the money yourself, which I do not."

The trial of the stairs over and the apartment insight, Kagami all but collapsed the moment they entered. Tatsuya's sofa was wide, soft and big enough that his shoulders didn't awkward slip of the sides and for a sleepy moment, he didn't want to move. Opting that the best place to sleep would be here tonight. Accepting his brother's offer for a drink, the redhead sat up, gazing around the room as he assessed in the small living space. The last time he'd been here Tatsuya had just moved and owned very little when it came to personal belongings. But after settling happily for three years the amount of paintings, art and other small knick knacks had increased. Beyond admiring the beautiful paintings lining the walls, much of it Kagami brushed right over, not holding his interest for long, especially not while tired. But there was something, something natural sitting among the clutter of unnatural sculpture and modern art.

Hopping up on shaky feet, he moved across the room, picking up the item and holding it to the light with increased interest. A feather. A single feather on a piece of velvet.

"Careful," Tatsuya appeared beside him, glass of water in hand. "It's Liu's and I'll ever get one so don't break it or anything." Turning the object over in his hands and inspecting it closer, Kagami was almost sure the colour changed as he held it to the light again. The colour he'd labelled as black shifted suddenly, turning to shades of dark chocolate and ash. It was like a mini universe all within the thirty odd centimetres of feather. An angel feather. One of the rarest and most beautiful collectables on the market. And very highly prized. Day time TV was filled with antique shopping channels, and the few Kagami caught during his days off always sold angel feathers and at an outrageous price.

"From your big seller?" Falling back onto the sofa Tatsuya nodded.

"Yeah one of them, the nicest one at least. Kensuke is just cold and Masako is just terrifying. I don't even work with her any more." Raising an eyebrow over the rim of his glass, Kagami cocked his head to the side.

"There are female angels?" Wracking his brain he tried to think of any time he'd seen or heard of them being mentioned but came up with a blank, unless he was considering Christmas cards or Halloween costumes.

"Some" his brother replied airily. "But they're so rare they're usually protect by RULE. Not to mention they're scary as fuck." Blowing out a breath, his fringe lifting as he did, Tatsuya shook his head. "Every time I met her I thought she was going to eat me alive. Scary shit."

Putting back the feather with careful hands, Kagami scratched the back of his head.

"I don't doubt. Hey is it okay if I hit the sack? I didn't sleep on the plane and I can feel the jet-lag getting to me." Waving him off with a smile, his brother walked him down the hall, switching on the light as he gestured to the redhead's new room. Clean and a little on the small side, the fold out sofa looked ever so inviting, even though he knew his feet would be hanging off the edge. "I have never been happier to see a sofa bed. What time is breakfast tomorrow?" Shrugging, Tatsuya checked his phone.

"Whenever you want. There's food in the fridge. I have a meeting with a dealer at ten o'clock, so just take your time." Pleased by the lack of a deadline or a wake up call, Kagami patted his brother on the back before bidding him good night.

Stripping down to his boxers and crashing out atop the blankets, the redhead closed his eyes to the dull light seeping in through the small window above his makeshift bed. His head ached and as sleep took him over, the uncertainty of the future ate at him. Things were going to change from here on out and he only hoped it was for the best.

With a couple of days to resettle and get his sleeping pattern back into a somewhat regular routine, Kagami aced his interview with the Metropolitan Fire Department, gaining his first shift within the week. He worked three shadow shifts and as soon as the captain of his division noticed his level of experience and strength he was promoted to the elite, special ops unit in a heartbeat. He was over the moon, the pay was great and although he was on constant call, it wasn't as if he had a life it was interrupting.

Coming back to the apartment, stinking of sweat and feeling the uncomfortable stiffness of his hair due to grease and the smoke just he couldn't seem to wash out after heavens know how many shampooings, Kagami was looking forward to a shower. Going to the gym was his only social activity since arriving and even then social was the wrong word. He just put in his headphones and ignored all those around him while working out and breaking a sweat.

Reading over the note Tatsuya had left him, he let out a tired sigh.

Going out for dinner and wine. So much wine.

There is plenty to eat in the fridge. I unpacked the dishwasher.

Please sort the recycle. I'll be back late.

Tatsuya

Scrunching up the note and binning it in, the redhead enjoyed his shower until the annoying beep of his pager started to ring. Towel around his waist and trying to dry his hands as he twisted off the taps and hopping out, Kagami read the text that flashed across the screen with a groan.

Warehouse fire, 67473 Shinbashi street, all crews ASAP.

Drying his hair and pulling on pair of jeans and a singlet, the redhead sped out the door. When choosing which department to apply to, he'd been pleased to discover one, just down the street and cross the rail bridge. On top of his game it took him a good five minutes to run to the squad room, but after a night at the gym and no dinner, it felt more like eight. Getting chew out by his captain as he tugged on his boots and jumped on board the truck, Kagami strapped in as he high fived two of his co workers with a smile.

"Did we interrupt your bath princess?" Tisking as he slapped on his HazMat gear, the redhead ignore the jibe, focusing on the address and outlay of the building with a cool, professional mind set. This was something he knew, what he did best. It made him feel needed and paid his bills. People could joke and tease him all they wanted, so long as he managed to get the job done in a safe and productive manner, it was all that matter.

The blaze was being attended by another six crew, but the internal extraction was their speciality. The sound of his own breathing was like a second nature and as their radios clicked on and the checks went ahead, he siked himself up readying for the incoming job.

"We have two civilians, both on the ground floor to the East side. We'll enter through here and then move through in groups of two. Buddy up with your partner, ready the O2 tanks and head to the rendezvous point." Listening over his captains orders and strapping his air tank on to his HazMat harness, Kagami paired up with his usual partner and awaited the signal to head inside.

Even through his mask and layers of woollen uniform, he could feel the heat and see the flame licking up and down the walls of the warehouses. They were entering a burning building, falling down around their ears and with ash and debris falling over their masks. Listening to the okay come through the crackle of his radio, his feet moved automatically as he and five other men pounded the East door down and raced inside.

There was silence for a few moment, several seconds, sometimes more, sometimes less. A time when the world slowed down and there was nothing but sound of his breathing and the flicker of flame and fire. It was almost an addiction, the kind of thing adrenaline junkies craved and paid big money for. He did it for money, saved people lives and got his own kicks from the game, this was his time to shine.

"One civilian on the left. Other is unknown, spread out in pairs and find them." Working with his partner to scourer around the wall and North wing, Kagami focused on putting one foot over the other as he scanned the room, raising his voice over the obstacle of the mask before his face, calling out for contact and receiving none. The heat was growing, he could feel it on his back and upper body, the roof was soon to collapse and they only have five to ten minutes at best. Frustrated and ringing through findings to the crew, he was relieved to hear the West wing duo had found their missing civilian. Turning on his heel as he assessed the final burning structure of the building, Kagami all but fell over his feet as he missed an obstruction beneath him.

An obstruction with blue hair. With a moment of panic, his training and instinct kicked in and as he heaved up the unlisted civilian and relayed his finding back to the crew. But it wasn't as simple as he'd first thought. Kneeling and lifting with his legs, the redhead struggled to lift the unidentified individual. It wasn't a tall person, in fact they appeared quiet small, so why he couldn't pull an easier throw and hold was beyond him.

"Oh my God, fuck." The sound of his partner's voice crackling in his ear caused him to freeze. Arms still wrapped around the individual in the perfect form, Kagami frowned.

"What? A threat?"

"No" but the other fireman appeared frazzled. "Just let me help." Immediately going to knock him back, he fell short as he watched his friend kneel beside him and grip the person from behind.

"What are you-" The words died in his throat. His mind blanked because no training and experienced had prepared him for this. Wings. Beautiful, big, ash covered wings, heavier then the being himself and piled up in his co worker's arms.

"We have an unidentified angel. Male. Appears unconscious, someone contact RULE." The words came naturally, flowing from his lips as he worked side by side with his partner, making their way through the burning showroom floor, assisted by other pairs as they passed through the exit and pushed through until reaching the EMTs.

Yanking off his HazMat mask and letting the EMTs get to work, Kagami stared down at the angel in complete awe. He was beautiful. And like all angels he was unnatural perfect. Humans could never reached such perfection, it was unnerving, but covered in soot and ash, barely breathing and with the burning stench of feathers in the air, Kagami felt like his heart was breaking.

"Move aside and return to your squad." Pushed aside by a fast acting paramedic, the redhead returned to the truck, working through his final orders and finishing off with his crew to put out the final fringes of the fire.

"Holy fuck we lucked out." The whole ride home his partner was ecstatic. Barely sitting still, he bounced around in his seat, tugging at his hair with his eyes wide. "Can you believe it? We touched him. I mean through gloves yeah. My girlfriend is not going to believe this. Did you recognise him?" Slapped back down by his commanding officer, Kagami did his best to ignore his friend's chatter.

"Settle down. RULE arrived seconds after we reported it, but he's not a member of the Generation of Miracles, I would have recognised him otherwise." Rubbing his nose to get the itching smell and feel of ash from his sinusitis, the redhead pulled a face.

"The Generation of Miracles? The heads of RULE Japan?" Nodding his captain looked embarrassed for a moment.

"My daughter has a big poster of them all on her bedroom wall. He's not one of them." Laughing a little as his discomfort, Kagami sat back to try and relax his nerves and excitement. It had been an angel. A real, live angel, in his hands. He'd held him. He'd been closer to an angel then most people would ever be in their entire life. It was so incredible. But he far too sleepy right now to enjoy it as much as he should and all he wanted was to go home and head to bed. That and one more thing.

"Captain, did we receive an update before bailing?" Checking the ipad in hand, the older man in the front of the cab nodded.

"Status says alive. Well done Kagami, you saved an angel. There's a special place in heaven for you now."