What's worse that losing your son? Losing him, but knowing he's right there in front of you.

What's a guy to do when he's let out from prison after 15 years, and can't find his son who had been adopted just after he got sentenced?

Whatever happens, there's sure to be angst galore.

Disclaimer: I do not own D N Angel.

Warning: There may be hints of shounen-ai. Definitely some depressing moments. Anger. Violence. Language. And a new one- Alcohol usage.


Real Father

Episode 2

Today is turning out to be disappointing. I woke up with a fierce cold, so I pulled on a medical mask and went to the pharmacy to pick up some cough syrup and the like. Now I'm sitting on my couch in front of the TV, immobilized. I don't have the will to move.

I'm thinking that I really should give up now. After all, the boy is 16, adopted, and I have no idea if he's still in this town... Even though... I have heard about Dark.

Only from whispers from one ear to another have I gathered that Dark is alive again... That he's here and stealing artworks from my family once more. Though I was not alive when he was last here, I have heard the stories... I've heard how wretched he is... How stubborn... How... callously he steals our works.

I have thought that maybe Satoshi is after Dark as well... But... I have not heard anything about him. All I know is that that inspector... Saehara, was it? Yes... Him... Well, all I know is that he is supposed to be leading the chase against Dark.

Maybe I'll go watch a theft one time...

Huh?

What was that?

I turn up the volume on the TV... It's a news channel... Did they just say something about Dark? Yes!

"We're coming to you live from the Esviel Art Museum- Dark's next target. The note found said that Dark will steal the Shouri no Ken at 10 'o clock tonight.

"This sword…"

I tune it out. It's not important anymore.

So… the Shouri no Ken? The Sword of Victory... Made for a famous shogun centuries ago for the triumph over another shogun. We Hikaris had to get on the dominant Shogun's good side, after all.

In any case, I think I'll go watch this theft... Maybe... This will be interesting.

I'm feeling better already.


I'm stopping by my favorite bar now... I need a nice little shot of something warm, paired with a comfy talk with the owner.

I got over my cold pretty well. I have the best recovery time, I swear it. I find myself still a little weak, but nothing I can't handle. After all, what am I going to be doing besides watching and waiting? And talking with my dear friend Hirokazu. He's actually one of the first people I met after I got out of prison. Pretty much, I needed to get drunk, bad.

Ever since that first night, I guess I felt an attraction to this place… Like I can't get away from it. It's kind of funny, really.

After the fifth consecutive night visiting, Hiro-san struck up a long-winded conversation with me. It wasn't as if we hadn't talked before. It was just… Short little things like 'Ah, the weather today was nice' or some other form of small talk.

But that talk, ah, that was the start of a beautiful friendship, it was.

I'm shaken out of my thoughts by a jolt caused by someone running past me. We hit shoulders and that causes me to stumble into another pedestrian. I shake my head and straighten up.

"Thank you," I say to the stranger that so kindly caught my as I fell into him.

"No problem," he said smiling. He looks about my son's age... Maybe a little younger... Flaming red hair... Mauve eyes... A kind smile... He's in a high school uniform... Must've gotten out of school just now. Funny... It's around 6. Maybe he had cleaning duties... Really extensive cleaning duties.

Hmm...

Innocence seems to seep from his pores, despite the fact that he's a high school student.

I decide that I don't like him very much.

I don't know why, but there's something about him that makes me feel very threatened as a Hikari.

He's starting to look at me strangely... As if he recognizes me, but knows I can't be who he thinks I am...

I should go now...

"Um... I have to get going," I say as I step away from him cautiously, keeping a cool façade. He nods and turns away, turning his head once to look back at me. I can see the confusion in his eyes.

For some reason it satisfies me, yet scares me at the same time.


I'm at the bar now... slamming my drink comprised of whiskey and BOLS amaretto. I set the glass down heavily at the table and wipe my mouth with my sleeve. I give a rather heavy sigh. Nice and warm going down.

"So, Tsu-san... Have you given any thought to my offer? I really could use your help around here... And I haven't heard anything about you having a job... You must be tight on money."

Not this was a subject that rarely came up. Usually people were to afraid to know where I got the money to pay for everything.

"Heh… I come from a family of well-known artists. We... have a long-standing fortune and... very few members of the family left," I say, propping my head up with my hand.

"Oh... Must be nice to not have to work," he said calmly, smiling as he took my glass away. "That's all your having today?" he asked, knowing my drinking habits. Usually I'd have at least one more...

"Yeah, I have to keep my wits about me. At least enough to stay sane while searching for my son," I reply smiling softly.

"Ah... So you haven't given up," Hiro has a smirk on his face that's screaming 'I told you so'. It isn't annoying, actually. It's funny. I love his facial expressions.

"No... I haven't given up," I say, checking my watch. "Ah... I should probably get going," I say as I push myself up. It's only 7, but I feel the need to get there early... I admit... I'm anxious to see if my son's there.

But... There's this one nagging thought chasing after my fantasies...

What if he's not there? Will my heart... Will my heart finally stop caring altogether so as to protect myself from this constant disappointment... And heart break.

I almost laugh, hearing myself- a Hikari- say such things.


A/N: WHOO! Finally, the second chapter is up!

Hmm... I guess a lot of this is going to be happening in that bar... Scrumptious.

Oh... By the way... In case your wondering, I do not drink. This is mainly going on my assumptions on what would be warm going down, and how alcohol will affect Tsu-chan's behavior.

So...

I'm sorry if

1) It seems a little too unrealistic to be considered fathomable

And

2) It seems a little too realistic to be from a mind of a non-drinker.

Besides that, I actually do have a plot, if you can't seem to find it...

I suppose I've taken to a lot of detail and only a little action per chapter… -sweatdrop-

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