Family Matters

Chapter 6: A Party Duel, Part II

The garden was huge and part of it extended over a cliff. Huge trees, swaying grass, and flowers made everything up as the two people walked by.

"Never knew that their garden could be this big. Hey Satoshi, where and why are we going anyway?"

The teen genius simply led her down the path, smiling to himself, all of his plans and secret thoughts that were deliciously mysterious inside him. Maybe Krad had an inkling of what was about to happen, but then again; Crystal hadn't met the fallen angel yet…

The path sloped down to a small pavilion. It was pretty close to the border of white fence around the edge of the garden.

Close enough to the border for a very near tragedy. It could've been prevented, but Krad's mocking and Dark being too absorbed into his emotions made the both of them blind to all.

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Daisuke, keep an eye on those two. Dammit, can't you get these bushes away from your eyes?

Daisuke ignored him, his eyes riveted on the two pairs of feet heading toward the pavilion. The grass was tickling his neck and he crawled very slowly to avoid being detected. The two were talking about pretty random things. Boring, but one thing just wasn't right.

Satoshi never talks randomly, for he always has a purpose. If he's like this today…

I know, so you better get ready to transform.

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Breathe in… breathe out… ignore the pain…

Ignore the pain in your chest…

"Satoshi, are you-"

Who's talking?

Please, shut up already.

You are losing this battle, Satoshi-sama. Give up. It's futile to try and defeat me.

You've tortured my ancestors for decades, Krad. I'm the last one of them and I won't give up. Ever.

"Maybe you should sit down while I get you some water. Is that okay?"

The young Niwa lady seems to have an attraction to you.

Shut up and stay down already. Just for tonight.

You seem to worry about her safety even now.

I only need help to capture Dark!

Liar, we share the same body. You didn't bring her out her to talk about Dark.

Who cares, just don't get out! Leave me alone! You've caused enough trouble already!

"Satoshi, you're getting pale…"

No, I won't leave you alone. This façade has gone on long enough. You are my ward and soul. The soul especially, which controls this body…

If you hurt her or Daisuke…

Who said I was going to simply hurt them? I was planning to kill tonight, not hurt.

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"Satoshi, Satoshi… this isn't good…"

Crystal bit down on her lower lip. He wasn't responding to her. He was still breathing, but his eyes were shut and he was complaining of his head hurting him.

Is it a fever or is he having a hallucination?

Nervously fingering her necklace, she wondered if she should heal him now. No, that wouldn't do if he questioned her. She could just get a drink from the party and wake him up with it. Healing could come later.

Making sure he wouldn't fall off his seat, Crystal left the pavilion and raced down the garden path only to collide with a person. She jumped back and realized that she was looking up at Dark. He was wearing Daisuke's clothes for the party, which had grown with the transformation.

Without preamble, he spoke, "Did something happen?"

"Satoshi is in pain at the moment."

He narrowed his eyes and grabbed her wrists tightly.

"Damn, if he's in pain like that, it means-"

"It means that she dies tonight, Mousy", a voice spoke behind her. A fist punched her forehead and she crashed onto the grass near the white fence around the cliff. Staying on the ground, she watched the violence scale upward.

A stranger, dressed in Satoshi's party outfit, was smirking at Dark's furious expression. He had long blond hair tied in a strange style that seemed to glimmer like gold. His blue eyes could make any girl fall for him (like Dark's purple eyes) if they weren't full of malice.

"It's nice to see you again, Dark. I would chat, but your girl has to go."

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"Krad…"

It even hurt to say his name. Dark knew he was going to explode in fury if he didn't control himself. If he didn't, Daisuke would pay.

"You dare to threaten a member of the Niwa family? Do you think I'll even let you kill her?"

After a pause, he shouted out "Wiz, come here!"

A black figure dropped down on his back as Wiz became his wings. Armed and vengeful, he shot feathers at Krad, which he dodged easily.

Then Krad flew forward with his white wings and the two began an aerial fight. Slamming into each other, kicking, punching, pushing… anything to rule the sky.

Out of the corner of his eye, Krad noticed that Crystal was starting to come back to life. He waited until she was standing before swooping down and encircling his arms around her waist. Avoiding Dark's attacks and her attacks, he flew out across the water.

Dark, wake up already! He's going to drown her!

Putting on speed, he bashed into the fallen angel and attempted to retrieve Crystal.

Not to be daunted, Krad did a figure eight in mid-air and let go of her.

She had no time to even let out a scream.

Laughing at Dark, Krad said, "After this battle, you can retrieve her body, Mousy. It seems that I have one less opponent to fight now."


Disclaimer: I own no one except Crystal and any othe additional characters.

OMG... He actually wants to kill her that much...

Sorry for the delay!