The Hikari Ghost

Chapter 9:

The two exchanged glanced and quickly got up and followed the elder as he left the room. They watched as Dark made his way into the library and blinked, "Why the library?"

Dark didn't bother answering as he made his way to the shelves that stood against the far wall and began tugging at one until it began moving to the side. After he pried it away, he moved to push away the one next to it. Satoshi's eyes widened at the sight of a doorway appearing in place of the shelves, "…all this time there's been another room in here?" They watched as the taller boy stood in front of the uncovered path, "should we go with him or something?"

Daisuke shook his head and stayed where he was, "that's not our Dark anymore."

It's been so long…are you still…?

He could feel his heart beating…no, it wasn't his heart beat. It was the boy's. The one who was named after him and carried his blood in his veins. Letting his breath out for a moment, he traced the stone frame of the doorway and looked up at the stairs that led up the unlit path. Nothing save a small window near the top shed any light in the secret corridor, which was now thoroughly decorated in cobwebs and dust. He mentally scolded himself for being so easily distracted from his task at hand, but continued staring at the stairs nonetheless. There was nothing he wanted more than to run up those stairs…

So why wouldn't his feet move?

I'm scared…of what? Not finding anything up there? This is pathetic, it's been so long and I'm finally here, I've got nothing left to lose. …what if he's angry at me for taking such a long time? What if he's not there…? What if he's…?

Running a hand through his hair, he gave an exasperated sigh, "I'm being stupid," he silently chided himself. So, mustering all the courage he could, he began climbing the stairs. As he ascended, the cobweb and mustiness of the stairway began to fade away and sunlight began streaming through the small window up above. He could hear birds chirping outside. A small, excited smile tugged at his lips when he realized that they were sparrows.

Home…

His feet began moving faster on their own accord. This feeling, he knew this feeling…it was the same as when he returned from his late night job. When he returned to the house, he'd carelessly toss the helmet down and whatever else he was holding and run up those stairs. Listening to his boots as he made his way up, he always had a smile on his face when he imagined what he'd see on the other side of the door. When he finally reached the wooden panel that blocked his way, he'd throw back his hood as he opened the door.

It's been so long, I wonder, are you still waiting for me?

In that spacious room, nothing had changed.

A surprising amount of sunlight poured in through that single window in the wall. And in amidst that sunlight, in front of that window, the blond stood there longingly, eyes fixated on the unreachable sky. A fond smile made its way to his lips, "what's with that face? Were you so certain that your knight in shining armour would never return?"

The other turned around with a start. Golden eyes widening at the sight of him, his mouth opened but it took awhile for the name to come tumbling out, "…Dark?"

"I'm back…"

The boy continued staring at him, eyes confused but delighted at the same time, "Is it really you? But how…?"

He gave a weak grin. It was all he could do to stop himself from laughing and crying from the overwhelming joy he felt, "I promised you, didn't I?" The two stared at each other for a moment before he walked over, taking off his glove as he did and tucked the other's hair behind his ear before cupping his face, "I've made you wait for so long…"

Golden eyes narrowed slightly to hold back the tears as he surged forward into an embrace, "I didn't think I'd ever see you again…I waited…even after I heard you were killed…"

Holding the other tight, he breathed in the scent of vanilla that he missed so much. "I know…I know. I'm so sorry. You must've been lonely being here on your own. But I'm here now, so you can finally stop waiting. After all this time, I'm finally back and I'll never leave you alone again. I'll be your everything again, alright? I'm going to set you free." He smiled as he pulled out of the embrace enough to look at the other, "Actually, I didn't even know if I'd get to see you again, Krad…"

The blond paused and stared at him with wide eyes, "…just now…that name…"

He gave a light grin, "don't give me that look. Like I said, I promised you, didn't I? I promised you that I'd come back with or without the medicine, and when I did, you'll hear your name being called over and over again: Hikari Krad. Krad, Krad, Krad, I've missed you so much." He paused and watched the other, "…well? Aren't you going to keep your half of the promise?"

Golden eyes blinked, "What?"

The room around them was growing dim and dust began reappearing on the untouched furniture. Crimson began appearing on the bed and walls, telling of murder that only few knew of. Saddened amethyst eyes looked away, blood began appearing from his neck from the arrows that had pierced him and that sword that had cut him during his last moments. He ignored it all and laughed. "Didn't you promise me that you'd be here to welcome me back with a smile?"

"Ah…" golden eyes blinked in realization before a smile slowly graced those pale lips. He was no longer able to run his hands through silky tresses of gold as they became caked in blood. At the same time, the injury on his chest began revealing itself through bright, thick, crimson liquid. There was a soft whisper in his ear as the two blood drenched figures embraced, "welcome back, Dark."

At last…you don't have to wait anymore.

Amethyst eyes opened to the sound of sparrows chirping outside. Sitting up, he looked around only to realize that he was in a room that he didn't recognize. The place was covered in dust and was surprisingly well lit by a single window. He blinked when something dripped from his face and wiped his eyes only to find himself crying. "Huh? Where am I?"

After a few minutes, the other two appeared at the door, "Dark, are you alright?"

He looked over and nodded, "I think…it's all over now."

The redhead dipped his head in agreement, "it seems that way…he's gone. I guess this was his room…he was probably killed here too. Look, you can still see the bloodstains on the walls," he pointed to the wall beside the bed with a cringe.

Satoshi frowned, "you're crying…did you see any of it, Dark?"

Dark rubbed the back of his neck, "I think I did…but that might've been a dream, I'm not sure anymore. The room was really bright and there were voices…or something."

The blue haired boy sighed, "how useless but expected of you. I bet you didn't catch his name either."

The elder shook his head, "does that mean we'll never know it?"

"Basically, idiot."

Daisuke walked around the room as the two bickered. He headed towards the desk and blinked curiously at the drawers. Pulling them open, he found pieces of paper with familiar writing on them, each with only a sentence or two written on.

Dark…

Please be careful.

Please come back alive.

Thank you for being my everything.

I'll continue waiting until I hear you call my name…

Ruby eyes saddened at the words when realized that they were probably written after the black knight's final mission. But as he sifted through the paper and reached the bottom of the drawer, he blinked at the letters carved at the bottom.

Your name will not end with me,

Squinting, he barely made out the name that had been scratched into the wood.

"Dark, what are you doing to my desk?"

The guard looked over and grinned as he put his knife away, "come and take a look."

Golden eyes blinked and walked over, "…why would you carve that in there?"

His eyes softened, "Because you're a ghost to everyone but me, and this will change it. Years from now, when we're both gone, someone will find this and know your name. Your name will not end with me."

"Hey Dai-chan, aren't they having a festival in town tomorrow?"

The redhead snapped out of his trance and put the papers back, "Huh?"

Satoshi looked over, "there's a festival for the black knight tomorrow, it'll go on for the entire day or something."

The elder gave an excited grin, "Yea! They're celebrating me!"

A scoff, "you only wish."

Daisuke laughed and closed the drawer, "let's go check it out. Summer's almost over anyways."

That night, Dark looked up at the ceiling and frowned, he didn't know why, but he felt sadness overcome him.

He could always hear coughing coming from the room above his, keeping him awake. Grabbing the medicine, he'd make his way upstairs only to find the other awake.

"…Dark…?"

He'd sit on the edge of the bed and help the other sit up, "here…drink this. It should help sooth your coughing at least a little…I'll go get you stronger medicine tomorrow."

The other shook his head weakly, "don't go…"

He smiled softly, "don't worry, I'll be careful and I'll try to avoid the battles, alright? And when I come back, you'll hear me call your name over and over again. I'll be telling you how much I missed you and I'll have even more stories to tell you, wouldn't that be nice?"

The frown remained.

"Please promise me that when I come back, you'll welcome me back with a smile, alright? If you promise me this, then I'll definitely come back without fail, with or without the medicine."

A nod and as soft smile appeared, "Fine, I promise…just please…come back."

"I will…"

The next night, he left a rose on the other's bed and left.

Dark frowned, "why am I still remembering this stuff if they're already gone?" Suddenly, he was snapped out of his reverie by music that floated into his room from outside. Getting up, he walked over to the stairway to see the clavichord keys being struck. He sat down at the top of the stairs and gave a content sigh and closed his eyes, enjoying the melody.

After the song ended, the figure stood up and looked at the figure that was asleep at the top of the staircase and smiled.

Thank you.

And that was the last time anyone heard or saw the Hikari ghost.

Epilogue:

"Ah…we lost Dark already."

Satoshi sighed, "I guess it can't be helped, he acts even more like a kid when he gets excited."

Daisuke blinked, "aren't you excited? The black knight was a guard at your house, and he's a legend around here now. If you wanted to, you could put a name and face to him."

He thought about it for a moment then shook his head, "if the people that killed him didn't reveal his identity, why should I? That way, the legend of the black knight will live on…"

Dark blinked when he ended up in the 'famous thief' exhibition and stumbled onto a picture of one of the prime suspects.

Dark Mousy: A striking young man with admirable combat skills and known for being a notorious womanizer. He spent his youth chasing women and fighting as a freelancer. However, the latter part of his life remains unknown as he disappeared from the town. Rumors of him becoming a knight, a thief, a prince have all be told. From the witnesses, he was most likely to be the thief.

His motives for thieving: Romanticized stories have been told that Dark Mousy had fallen in love with a young maiden, possibly a noble's daughter or a princess. And in order to woo her, he went out and stole valuables to present to her.

He scoffed, "at least they got part of it relatively right…" then he studied the portrait for a moment and grinned, "Not bad. Handsome, charming, I can see the resemblance."

As he moved on to the next exhibition, walking past the people in costumes, he caught a whiff of something and turned around only to see golden strands disappear into the crowd.

Without thinking, he followed.

"Hey look, there's an exhibition on your household!"

Blue eyes looked over, "Huh? What could they possibly have?"

Daisuke shrugged, "let's go check it out."

When they arrived, they began reading through the information provided. Satoshi suddenly let out a laugh, "there's only one part mentioned about the ghost, 'it is rumored that the Hikari mansion remains haunted to this day by a boy of unknown origins. This nameless ghost has been known to look out of the top window of the house as though waiting for someone.' How ironic, more people notice him after he became a ghost."

The redhead smiled, "too bad they'll never see him again."

"Too bad we didn't figure out his name, it must suck to be completely wiped out of history."

Crimson eyes looked away wistfully, "yea…maybe one day we'll find it…"

Satoshi glanced at the redhead before tugging on the other's hand, "come on, I think there's a jousting competition over there."

Daisuke blinked at their hands before smiling, "that sounds cool, let's go watch!"

Weaving through the crowd, he followed the other into a clearing when he finally managed to latch onto the blonde's arm, startling the other. He stared wordlessly as the other turned around, wide golden eyes staring at him, "…yes? Can I help you with something?"

With his mind blank, he blurted out the first thing that popped into his head, "I-I'm Dark Mousy, the black knight and thief."

The blond shot him an amused look, "are you sure you're not just a pervert?"

His brows furled as he frowned, "hey, I'm not a pervert! And that wasn't what I meant to say, I meant to offer to be your black knight but obviously, it sounded better in my head."

The other laughed, "I don't need a black knight…is your name really Dark Mousy?" A nod. "Then you're related to…"

"Dark Mousy? Yea, I'm pretty sure I am, I mean, I was named after him and all."

"That's interesting…my name's Krad."

Dark looked around, "Krad, hm? So what are you doing here?"

The blond studied him for a moment before turning around, "I'm not going to tell you. You don't look like you can keep a secret."

Frowning, he let out a protest, "Yes I can! I swear I can!"

After a moment, there was a sigh, "fine, come along then." As the two walked, golden eyes looked back, "why'd you follow me anyways?"

Dark shrugged, "I thought I knew you or something, I guess. Anyways, I know I'm going to sound like a creeper but you smell good."

Krad was silent for a second, "yea, you're right. You do sound like a creeper."

"I know, I know, so why are we out here?"

A soft smile, "because I hate being cooped up. I must've been a caged bird in my past life because I can't stand being surrounded by walls. And I guess that's how I ended up finding this place…"

Dark blinked when he realized that they'd arrived at another place where all the grass went up past his waist. There was no one around and the blond was kneeling by a rock, "what are you doing?"

"Paying my respects."

He walked over and looked down only to find a rusted suit of armor though some of the original color could still be seen. Black. "Is this…?"

Krad glanced over at him, "it's the final resting place of the black knight, you have to promise not to tell anyone though."

Amethyst eyes stayed trained on the armor, "…did you figure out who it was?"

A nod, "his initials were carved into his sword, but judging by your reaction, I'm guessing you know who he was as well…Dark Mousy. All the more reason why you shouldn't tell…this way, the legend of the black knight will live on."

A breeze blew by and he stood there, mesmerized by the strands of gold that flowed with the wind. "Hey Krad," he blurted without thinking, "do you think I could be your everything?"

Golden eyes widened as he looked over, "what?"

Dark didn't falter as he continued watching the blond, "I mean, can I be your knight? I know we just met and all but I've already decided that I want to be around you as much as possible."

The other stood and dusted himself off, "You really are a pervert-"

"Not in a perverted way! I'll protect you!"

Krad stared at the other, standing there under the sun, he muttered in awe, "you really do look like a knight…"

Amethyst eyes blinked, "What?"

The blond shook his head, he could feel his face heating up. "Nothing! What would I need protection from? Anyways, I'm a guy, I can take care of myself. Come on, let's head back, you creeper."

"I'm not a creeper!"

As another breeze blew by, Dark paused as he caught the scent again.

Noticing that the other had stopped, Krad looked back, "what are you doing? Some knight you'd make."

Dark looked over and grinned, "So you're accepting the fact that I'm your knight now?"

The blond turned away embarrassedly, "As if!"

He smiled to himself as he followed the other back to the festival.

The scent was vanilla.

Nya~

Well, I finished another story! Yay! And my exams are over! So yay, free time! Um...other than that, thank you to everyone who read this, reviewed, laughed, cried, and all that jazz! If you're confused, as Dark went up the stairs, he basically went back in time, and when they disappeared, they returned to their real state (dead). And by carving Krad's name into the desk, Dark's keeping Krad's name alive, and alive!Krad is returning the favor by not telling people about the secret grave. Now that this is done, I guess it's time to start new fics and finish old ones because I must admit, I still love DN Angel though the fandom seems to have died off a bit. Oh well! I hope everyone enjoyed this!

Thank you for reading!