Dark's POV

Krad was still unconscious, and I couldn't leave him here, so I scooped him up in my arms and started carrying him towards the house. We had almost gotten there when I felt him stirring in my arms.

Golden orbs met mine and he snarled, trying to escape from my hold on him. "Let me go!" he cried, and I did, unable to hold him any longer. But, as soon as he broke free, he wobbled and I hurried to his side, making sure he wouldn't fall.

I was worried about him. He was exhausted and if he got too worked up again, the other Krad would come out again. "Krad, calm down!" I shouted, terrified for him. "You have to calm down or you'll-"

"How can I calm down when you betrayed me?!" He screamed, retreating backwards like a cornered animal. "I saw this journal and I really thought….that you…that you cared about me! Well, I guess I was wrong."

No, no, no!

"Krad, don't! Please don't do this to me. I love you. There's no one I'd rather kiss than you." I pleaded, taking a step closer to him.

Krad's golden eyes were glaring at me. He had never looked more like the other Krad. "How can I trust you? You're just like all the rest. You use me and then discard me when I'm no use to you anymore." God, what had I done? Krad had told me about his past, I knew he had no other friends, no other family.

"Damn it Krad! I could never, ever hurt you. I swear to God I'll do anything to keep you. Please…" I was grasping at straws now, realizing the depth of the pain Krad must be going though.

Krad paused, and I dared to hope that he would forgive me. But then, he was screaming. "I hate you!" He turned and ran, half stumbling and half sprinting in the opposite direction of me."I was stupid to trust you and now, I'll never come back!"

No, no! "Krad!" I howled, tears streaking down my face. I clutched at my chest, feeling as if there must be a dagger buried in my chest. How could this have happened?

I was tired and hungry and exhausted, but I didn't care. I searched all over for Krad. I ran to every place I could think of. Finally, out of breath and feet aching, I attempted to find him by our bond-that was the first thing I should have done! Stupid!-but found that he had disconnected it. I had been searching for hours, but I wouldn't give up. I was nothing without Krad now. What was I supposed to do without him?

Besides which, the agony of being apart from him when he was upset like this was tearing me apart. A stab of guilt ran through me at the thought that I-the person that was meant to protect and shelter him-had caused him this pain. Every time I reached for the bond to find it disconnected was like a physical shock of pain. I had grown so used to having him near me, and I feared that now, my entire world was hinged around him. Without him, I was an empty shell.

Krad's parting words echoed in the back of my mind, as if to taunt me. "I hate you!" He screamed, tearing further and further away from me. "I was stupid to trust you and now, I'll never come back!" How could he say that?! Had I really hurt him that much without even meaning to? Hatred…was such a strong emotion. Was that really what he felt for me?

I slammed my fist into a near-by wall; not even caring about the blood now running down my hand. "Damn it!" Suddenly, there was a swooping sensation, as if I had just been lifted 20 feet in the air in a second. The feeling of magic was the last thing I remembered before I couldn't see anything. Except the blackness.

And when something white stepped into my field of vision, I realized where I was. The world of the dreams.

"Bring me back." I snarled, recognizing the other Krad immediately. "What have you done?!"

The other Krad looked amused, sauntering towards me at a tauntingly slow pace. "Me? I have done nothing. It was Dark's powers that sent you here and allowed him to switch with you. I have not done anything what so ever."

But the smirk in his face gave him away. "Liar! This was your plan!" I had no idea if what I was saying was true, but it spewed from my lips like a storm, unable to be controlled.

"Ooh, you are the clever one." The other Krad taunted. As much as I tried to stop them, tears began to pool in the corner of my eyes. I knew this wasn't my Krad, but just seeing him-or at least, someone who looked like him-with that smug and aloof attitude was killing me.

"Bring me back." I growled, taking a step forward. "I need to find Krad."

"I apologize, but I have no intention of doing that." The other Krad bowed mockingly. "First, I need to know, does the name 'Hikari' ring any bells? 'Niwa' perhaps?"

I couldn't help the little gasp that fell from my lips. He knew my friends. At least, he knew their last names. How much did this imposter really know about me and Krad?

A wide grin was spreading across the other Krad's face. "I see…so my theory was correct. Now tell me, what are their first names?"

I bit my lip. If I gave him that information, would he go after my friends too? Bring them here? I couldn't let him do that!

"I refuse." I spit out, and bit my lip hard.

"Really?" he asked, his voice taking on a harsher, less teasing tone that I found to be even more frightening. "I think you will tell me their names." And with a wave of his gloved hand, I was rocketing towards him.

I was on my knees, unable to help bowing my head to him. "Now, tell me or I will be forced to take some rather unpleasant measures." He hissed in my ear.

I could tell my lip would bruise. I could taste the coppery tang of blood in my mouth but I refused to stop biting my lip, afraid even to open my mouth lest some spell or another would force me to speak.

After my silence, the robed Krad shook his head, sending golden strands flying from side to side. "You would take care not to deny me of desires, human Dark Mousy. You will find I make a rather terrifying enemy!" He mumbled something unintelligible under his breath, and then the world lurched. Black spots were clouding my vision and my lungs were aching, as if I was underwater. I was vaguely aware that he was using his magic to strangle me, but soon, my thoughts grew murky. "I will release you, if you tell me the first names of those people." Krad's voice was like honey in my ear, silky smooth and for a moment, I forgot which Krad I was dealing with.

Obediently, I opened my mouth and the pressure was gone. "Santo Hiwatari and Daire Niwa." I breathed, and then fell into a coughing fit.

"And do they know of us or use magic of any sort?"

"No." I wheezed.

"Good. Well, it seems we haven't sucked them into this mess after all. Fitting."

"What are you talking about?" I gasped, clutching at my throat. "What do you need those names for?"

"Nothing that concerns you Mousy," his voice was cold, dismissive. His golden eyes glittered with mischief. "Ah! You thought I was planning to hurt them, did you not?"

I didn't dare move, fearing even a nod or a blink would cause him to kill them on the spot.

He laughed, seeming very amused. "Oh, you are entertaining. No, I have no desire to harm those mindless little clones. They have no relevance to me." I had to bite my lip again to hide my sigh of relief.

"However, you and my own magical copy are a different story."

My blood boiled. "Don't you dare put your mangy paws on Krad. I'll kill you!"

"Oh, I'm afraid it's far too late, my dear human Dark." The winged devil drawled. "Isn't that right, Krad?"

Krad's POV

I was exhausted from all the running and I convinced myself food was necessary, even though food sounded less than appealing at the moment. I spied a café nearby and slipped to the back of the restaurant collecting half eaten French fries and a sandwich.

I took a bite, and immediately felt famished. I wolfed down the food, grateful for the distraction from my thoughts and the boost in energy. But just the sight of waffles among the discarded garbage was enough to bring me to my knees, sobbing.

All that time, all those things we had done. Was it really nothing? All those times Dark had whispered "I love you!" in my ear or kissed me as he ran out the door….were they really all a lie? Half of me still rebelled, the lovesick portion of my mind that insisted that there must have been some mistake and that I should go back and listen to Dark. That I should reconnect our bond and allow him to trace me.

But the stronger, harder part of me, the part that had survived on the streets almost my entire life, scoffed at that idea and urged me to distance myself from the dishonest and traitorous thief. He really was a thief-he had stolen my heart. But just as paintings chip and lose shine as they age, I had also lost value in Dark's mind and I was discarded amongst the trash.

Just like what my father had done with my mother and with me. Just like every person who called himself my "friend".

"Who knows how many he's done that to?" I whisper, hugging myself. "He's a natural flirt. I'm sure he's had many people groveling beneath his feet. I never should have trusted him."

What was it about him that made him so hard to resist? 'Everything,' my mind whispered.

"AH HA! Found you! Man, for a human, you are not easy to find!" A panting and grinning Dark appeared in front of me and I jumped, tumbling backwards.

"Damn it! I thought I told you to stay away from me!" I snarled, ready to flee again.

And then the words he had just spoken finally reached my brain. He had called me a human.

"You-You're not-"

"Not the Dark you know? Yep! I'm the real one, and I'm here to escort you to a different plane of existence."

"What? I have no intention of following you where ever you go! Get away from me!" I stumbled backwards. Even if this was not the Dark I knew, it was still Dark Mousy and he was still a stranger and a threat. Besides which, I had no idea what he meant by a different "plane of existence" but I was sure it wasn't anything good.

I recalled the last time we had met and paled of the thought of the methods I had taken to return Dark to his body. Not this time…

"Now come on Kraddie! Play nice now!" The other Dark grinned, leaping forwards. "Wouldn't want anyone to get hurt!"

"Stop it!" I howled, clawing at the thief now clinging to me. "Don't touch me!" Memories came flooding back, of a childhood cursed with abuse and terror. I whimpered, feeling the tears start to run down my face. There was no Dark to come save me now—and I realized, that ever since I had met him, every situation I had gotten into, Dark had come to save me. What a weakling I'd become.

"Sorry! Too late!" Too slow, I realized that that winged Dark had gained possession of a feather and it was now glowing a strange shade of violet. "Ha! Mission Accomplished!"

"What-?" I meant to continue with a question and a sharp retort but there was a flash of bright light and I was momentarily stunned. The next thing I knew, the world was black and magic was heavy in the air.

"Isn't that right, Krad?" A voice called, and I looked up, blinking. There was someone there!

"Krad!" A horrified cry pierced through the darkness, and I knew only too well who it belonged to.

I took a step back, meaning to race away from Dark, and who I now identified as my copy, but ran into an unforeseen obstacle. The other Dark had not left my side after we had been transported here and now, he had a firm hold on me, preventing me from fleeing.

"Sorry kid, but you're not going anywhere! The great Phantom Thief Dark Mousy never lets a target escape." A toothy grin.

"Let him go!" My Dark howled, and I could suddenly make him out in the darkness, forcibly being restrained by my copy.

"Good work Dark. It seems you are not as useless as I once thought." The other Krad drawled and the winged Dark smirked.

"At your service! Now are we going to give this a shot or what?"

"Very well."

And suddenly, I was pulled away from my captor and closer and closer to Dark. I struggled, unwilling to be close to him, but the magic was too strong. We were bound together-no doubt with magical rope –and the two winged figures suddenly disappeared as if from thin air.

"Damn it." I hissed, pointedly moving as far away from Dark as I could. I refused to make eye contact. And for once, he was silent.

Dark's POV

After his initial curse, Krad stayed silent besides me, and I mirrored him, unable to come up with something to say to him. Even if I had, he probably wouldn't have listened. However, I couldn't help stroking Krad's long golden hair in an effort to comfort him.

I had no idea what our winged copies were planning but I was sure it wasn't anything good. Besides which, if we were going to die, I wanted to be at least on moderately good terms with Krad. I'd never forgive myself if I died knowing that he hated me and I hadn't even tried to repair our damaged relationship.

Just seeing him and being able to touch his hair, something he was VERY protective of, was like a blessing. My eyes slipped close, and humming, I continued to stroke his hair.

"Will you stop that!" he snapped, face still turned away from me. Well, so much for that….

I stopped humming, but continued to run my fingers through his hair, almost afraid he would disappear. "Do you still hate me?" I asked, clinging to that hope that Krad would reply that no, he loved me with all his heart.

"Yes." Krad answered, blunt as ever. "And I always will."

"Why? What did I do? I'll never do it again, I'll do anything. Please…" I begged. I felt like a loser, practically groveling for his attentions and I suddenly realized my behavior was exactly the way Ria had acted when I had broken up with her. I shivered, and hoped that she had moved on. How many hearts could I possibly break in one day? I felt sick.

Krad finally faced me, golden eyes swirling with emotion. "I don't understand…" he choked. "Why go to the effort of pretending to love me, when it's clear you love that girl, Ria."

"Damn it Krad! I do love you."

"I don't believe you!" Krad snapped. "I don't trust you."

'If only there was a way to prove to him that I was telling the truth!' I thought, cursing. Wait…. "Krad! Reestablish the bond."

"What?"

"If you do, you can just feel what I'm feeling. No lies."

Krad looked suspicious for a minute, but seemed to ponder the plan and find it up to his standards. Slowly, as if frightened of what he'd find, Krad allowed the bond between us to flow again.

Immediately, I thought of him. Brought him into my mind and thought of all that he meant to me. I met his eyes, daring him to tell me that my love for him was not truly genuine.

I could tell he felt it, the emotion that was streaming through her bond. And then, he bit his lip and relaxed, gently falling into my lap. I grinned, continuing to play with his hair. "She kissed me." I explained. "I was telling her that we were breaking up and she refused to accept it."

"Hn. Do you break the heart of everyone you date?" Krad asked. I was hurt, and then realized he was joking.

I grinned in response. "Maybe."

Krad rolled his eyes at me. "Honestly Dark, I have no idea how I put up with you."

My's grin widened. "Oh, but you do it so well!"

Krad just sighed in annoyance. "Why don't you be productive and think of a way to get us out of here!"

"Sorry, but I think these ropes are magical. I don't think there is any way to break them." My voice sounded hopeless even in my ears.

Krad growled in frustration, proving my point by searching for a weakness in the rope and finding none. "Well, do we just sit here and wait to die?!"

"Die? What a silly assumption. After all, you can't truly die." The other Krad was back, accompanied by the winged Dark.

"What do you mean?" I asked, subtly shifting Krad a little behind me.

"You are, after all, manifestations of Dark and I's magic. If you are killed you would simply become part of us again."

"How do you know that is true?!" Krad spat. "We have just as much of a life as you!"

"Would you like to test my theory? I'm sure that can be arranged." The other Krad smirked, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as his gaze met mine. "You friend Dark will be a perfect experiment."

"Don't touch him!" Krad hissed, golden eyes flashing with rage.

"Attached are we? Hn. Well then, would you rather it be you?"

My heart stopped. "No. Please don't!" I cried, shoving Krad behind me. "If you want at him, you have to kill me first."

The other Dark looked pained. "Krad, do we really have to do this? We can just let them live out their lives…."

"Nonsense!" The winged Krad snapped. "You know full well we'd spent decades in this rat hole. No, it must be done now."

Dark's wings flared. "They're only human!"

"It does not matter!"

I was content to let them banter, forcing Krad to stay behind me despite his protests. Finally, they seemed to have come to an agreement.

"Very well…I will allow you the luxury of living one last day. Feel free to wander, but know that there is no exit from this place. And without you in it, your world has ceased to exist. Even if you wanted to, you could never return to the life you once had."