Disclaimer: I do not own DNAngel or YuYu Hakusho
Living in the Dark
Thoughts "blah"
Artwork's 'name'
Chapter 11
Yusuke arrived at Kurama's and quickly rushed to the Kitsune's room. There he found the fox demon taking care of his plants as usual and speaking with them. "Hey, Kurama.", the detective began, "Well it seems that you were right about Daisuke knowing something more about Dark that the no one else would've known about."
"Naturally.", was the kitsune's response before he pried himself away from the plants. "What were you able to learn from your cousin?", the fox spirit asked with his emerald green eyes tinged with specks of amber.
Knowing that Youko was close to the surface and listening intently Yusuke said, "I think it best that we find the others first. I'd hate to have to repeat this five or six times. I promise to spill everything I found out then, ok?" He was hoping that his explanation was enough for the deadly thief and he was relieved when the amber faded.
"Well then...Shall we find our errant friends?", Kurama suggested as his kitsune curiosity was getting the better of him.
"You know Suichi I could always torture the information out of the detective.", supplied Youko as they passed by Shiori on their way out.
"As much as I wish to know I'd rather not have you harming my friends.", replied Suichi. He then remembered something the kitsune had requested last night, "Youko, what did you find out about Dark? Surely with all of your resources you found something."
The fox mentally growled and said, "The only thing I found was that Dark has never been to Makai and that he is a little over three hundred years old." It frustrated Youko that he couldn't find much more than the humans who've seen Dark at a distance and now Yusuke's cousin comes along seemingly having a great deal of knowledge of the elusive Kaitou. "Something here just doesn't add up...", thought Youko as he pondered for a believable explanation, "Perhaps he is close friends with this thief? Maybe even helps him with the thefts, that would certainly explain why Dark evaded us so easily last time."
"What are you going on about Youko?", asked Suichi hearing the demon ramble.
"Just contemplating the best way to catch a rat.", the kitsune replied earning confused feelings from Suichi.
"I don't even want to know.", he said just as he picked up on Hiei's scent. Kurama looked at Yusuke and said, "I've found Hiei's scent and oddly enough Kuwabara seems to be with him. Hopefully they haven't killed each other." The detective laughed picturing the state the other two detectives would likely be in if left together unchaperoned.
Back in the park Yukina told 'Dark' about how angry she had been when an evil demon had told her that her brother was Hiei. "At first I was in denial about the whole thing. I mean I told Hiei all about how I was searching desperately to find my long lost twin brother and then some demon that I don't even know tells me that my brother has been with me these last few years." She laughed angrily and added, "And here's the kicker...Hiei knew the entire time that I was his twin sister, but he never told me. After interrogating Botan, the grim reaper, I found out that Hiei never intended to tell me."
'Dark' listened until she had finished and then sat her head on his shoulder letting her have the much needed release that she obviously still needed. Daisuke felt so angry at Hiei for treating his sister like this and he vowed to make him regret it later on tonight. As Yukina poured her tears out soaking part of his shirt Dai said, "Perhaps you'd like to see the Phantom Thief in action tonight."
Yukina raised her head giving him a curious look and he said, "You know come watch me embarrass the police and a certain short fire demon who's orders are to capture or kill me."
When Yukina heard this she couldn't help but smile and hugged 'Dark', "Thank you. I know that I shouldn't still be angry at him for this, but I can't help it."
'Dark' said, "Not true Princess, not true. He wronged you in a horrible way so now a little retribution is in order and I will be the instrument to give it to you." Daisuke then told her about which Museum and painting he was going after along with the best place for her to be so that she could watch the show with an excellent view.
"HEY THERE HE IS!", the couple heard a deep voice shout. Turning to the source Daisuke and Yukina found a number of angry men staring at 'Dark'. Some of them had baseball bats, pipes, knives, cans of mace, and tasers.
"Uh-oh! This is all your fault Dark.", the former redhead mentally shouted to his other half.
Three of the men move in faster than the others and one accused, "You're the guy that's been stealing all of our women. Because of you all they do is pine over you you stupid thief. I betcha think that you're really something, dontcha? Well let's see how hot you think you are after we mess you up bad."
The real Dark took control of Daisuke and asked, "Is it my fault that all of the women around here want someone really good to look at and flirt with?" As he had expected the guys that were surrounding him all charged hearing the taunt, but before they could reach him two black wings erupted from his back shocking them long enough for him to take flight, "Sorry boys but fighting in front of ladies is just not my style."
"What about Yukina? Will she be alright?", asked Daisuke.
The thief replied, "Of course. These clowns only want to get their hands on me and you because their girls abandoned them for us. They wouldn't hurt her and I'm sure even she knows it."
The Kaitou flew through the city leaving women dazed and men fuming. A couple of the guys even started firing off guns trying to hit the thief, but thankfully they missed. "It must come from all of practice dodging Krad's feathers.", Daisuke thought before adding, "I guess all of the guys in this city really are going to try to ward you away from their girlfriends."
Dark laughed and mentally replied, "TRY, the keyword there Daisuke is TRY." Eventually he landed in an empty lot and took a breather. "Now how am I supposed to get you to Kosuke without getting you killed?", the thief thought about Daisuke's predicament.
He didn't get to think long before he heard someone shout, "SPIRIT GUN!" Quickly the thief dodged the mass of Spirit Energy and was about to retaliate with a feather when he saw the source of the attack. Yusuke stood with his hands held together forming a gun and beside him were his friends.
"Well I have to admit I wasn't expecting this.", said Dark with a smirk.
Yusuke growled and said, "Hold still and I'll wipe that stupid smirk off of your face."
Kuwabara was also growling and held his hands together, "SPIRIT SWORD!". He charged at Dark shouting, "How dare you seduce my innocent Yukina? She's not like all of the other girls in this city and I won't let you corrupt her!"
Hiei stood back and watched, but he was ready to charge in the second the human failed. Kurama held Yusuke back so that Kuwabara to get this out of his system uninterrupted and he was a bit curious as to why the thief would be in a park in broad daylight.
Dark easily dodged the clumsy attacks thrown his way. "You know as long as you are not thinking with a clear head I can do this all day.", he said pointing out the disadvantage Kuzuma currently had. It fell on deaf ears as the orange haired teen attacked again cutting some of Dark's purple hair. The thief looked at the few hairs that fell to the ground.
Daisuke saw what had happened and said, "CALM DOWN DARK! DON'T DO ANYTHING THAT YOU'LL REGRET LATER! IT'LL GROW BACK!"
Kurama saw the look on Dark's face and followed the hairs as well. "Oh shit! He's just like Youko.", the redhead thought seeing the Kaitou look back up at Kuwabara glaring at the idiot that had trimmed his hair.
"Oh hell no! Nobody harms my hair and gets away with it.", he said before charging Kuwabara. Dodging the clumsy swings of the 'Spirit Sword' Dark proceeded to beat the living hell out of the tall idiot while. When the thief finally pulled back because of Daisuke's begging Kazuma looked like Yusuke had just finished with him.
"Ouch!", said the other detectives looking at the messy heap that was Kuwabara. Yusuke even looked away wincing, "That guy got Kazuma good."
Refusing to stay down the human barely got back up and called for his weapon once again. Dark closed in before the sword could fully form and held a single black feather to the angry teen's throat. "I'm guessing that you know what this can do.", he said indicating the feather and saw all of them nod, "Good. Now listen closely because I'm only going to say this once. I was not seducing Yukina, I was merely giving her a shoulder to cry on."
"Yeah right you wretched thie-" the orange haired boy said being cutoff when the thief grabbed hold of the injured arm and pressed down on the wound causing Kuwabara intense pain.
"Now like I was saying Yukina just needed someone to talk to and sometimes it helps to have a complete strange listen to your problems. The small of flirting that I did was because I didn't like it when I heard some of those other girls shove Yukina and tell her that she wasn't good enough for someone like me. I hate dealing with snobs like that so I shut them up.", Dark said explaining Daisuke's actions. "She knows that I didn't really mean anything by it and she does love you. Judging from the green-eyed monster showing itself I know that you really love her too. You should go back and talk to her after getting cleaned up."
Kuwabara and the others were surprised with Dark had just said. "It seems that he's somewhat of a romantic.", thought Kurama.
Hiei stepped up and demanded, "What problems could Yukina have that we don't know about!" The small demon was very angry that this guy was even around his sister and now the thief was claiming that she had told him of problems that she had kept from her own brother. Hiei didn't believe Dark for a second, but Kurama and Yusuke had a slight idea what the problem was from the glare the Kaitou was giving Hiei.
The thief responded saying, "I'm afraid that I can't tell you think. You know the whole Patient Confidentially thing."
Kurama interrupted saying, "That's only for certified doctors and I'm certain that you are not"
"That depends on your point of view. I don't have the big certificate, but I do have the experience just like you Youko.", he said catching all of their attention.
Kurama asked, "How do you know who I am? Have we met before?" He found it curious as to how someone who had never been to Makai knew that he was the infamous Youko.
Dark said, "I make it a point to know who I'm dealing with.", refusing to give a straight answer. "Having a fellow thief trying to catch me will certainly make this a very fun challenge. I look forward to comparing notes with you.", he said before the feather glowed placing the detectives in a temporary trance just long enough for Dark to make it to the sky.
Seconds later the detectives snapped out of it and started to pursue the thief when the noticed a crowd gathering around their location. "Guys I think that it's time to split.", said Yusuke. The others grunted in approval before grabbing Kuwabara and leaving quickly.
Back at the apartment Kosuke was listening to Raizen tell him about how he had met Atsuko and given up eating human souls which earned a shudder from Kosuke. "I was a different person back then. To me humans were good for nothing other than labor, sex, and food...that until I was badly injured and ended up with your sister. Despite knowing what I am and what I could do to her she nursed me back to health."
Atsuko added, "And let's not forget about the snide comments, rude behavior, and many threats even though you were in no position to be threatening me. At that time you couldn't have hurt me if you had tried and you knew it." She snuggled closer to Raizen and then said, "I could see through your facade and I knew that you had a good heart on the inside. I knew that your mask was there because you would've died long ago in Makai if you had been without it."
The demon lord smiled and said, "You're one of the few that have ever managed to see the real me."
Before more could be said Kosuke's cell phone went off playing an annoying tune that made Raizen's eye twitch. "Hello, Kosuke speaking.", greeted the brunette.
From the other end a familiar voice answered, "Kosuke we have a problem."
Recognizing the voice Atsuko's brother excused himself saying, "A private call, I'm sure that you understand." The two lovers nodded and watched the man run off.
Knowing that demons had very good hearing Kosuke moved himself to the other side of the apartment and then put the phone to his ear again, "What kind of problem Dark?"
"Come to the bookstore you were at yesterday and I'll explain it there.", he said before hanging up.
"What was that about I wonder?", he thought before reentering the living room, "I'm going out for a bit. I'll be back soon."
Atsuko gave her older brother a mischievous smile and said, "You're going to the bookstore again, aren't you?"
Kosuke smiled nervously and asked, "Am I that obvious?"
Both Raizen and Atsuko nodded saying, "Yes." Kosuke's sister waited for her little brother to reach the door before saying, "I'll look after Daisuke when he gets up and you had better be back before dinner tonight or else. You don't even want to think about what the 'or else' is either."
He nodded and then bolted out of the door making Raizen laugh at how controlling his wife could be with so few words.
When Kosuke arrived at the book twenty minutes after leaving the apartment he found the store, but no Dark or Daisuke. "Daisuke.", he whispered looking around. A hand reached out from behind him and spun him around. When he saw Dark he asked, "What are you doing? You stand out too much during the day to be out like this. How's Daisuke and why did you two take off this morning?"
Lifting a hand to quiet the man down Dark spoke, but the way he spoke didn't sound like the cocky thief, "I can explain that...Dad."
Kosuke felt surprised that the Kaitou would refer to him as dad since he'd never done so before. "Dark what's going on?", he asked confused now more than ever.
"Dad...I'm not Dark. It's me Daisuke.", 'Dark' said causing his father's eyes to widen and him to stop breathing. "Breathe dad. It's not going to help if you pass out on me."
"Sorry kiddo...it's just...How? Why? When did this...?", Kosuke asked trying to understand what was going on here.
"Yeah about that...Let's talk in the back. The owner is remarkably absent minded so we should be able to talk uninterrupted or spied on.", said Daisuke. When they'd reached the back Niwa muttered something about 'crazy old men and dad eventually becoming like that.'
Choosing to ignore that last comment Kosuke asked again, "Ok, now what is going on?"
Daisuke sighed and ran a hand threw his thick purple hair stopping when he reached the area Kuwabara had trimmed earlier. "Dad you know that the 'Black Wings' was destroyed and recently Dark came back, but what I didn't tell you is that I've been changing as a result of that."
"What do you mean? Changing how?", asked Kosuke worried about his son's safety. He could see that his son wasn't comfortable talking about this so he did his best to encourage him to continue, "Daisuke please tell me what's wrong. I can't help you if you don't trust me."
"It's not about trust dad and you couldn't really help me anyway.", he said quickly. At the hurt look his father gave him Niwa said, "When Dark return it started a big change in my body and soul. Dark no longer has anything fixing him to this world other than me as a result of that he's becoming a part of me, though not completely."
"You see Dark's body and spirit are beginning integrated into my own so that he can continue to exist. This lead to my body changing last night, but before this morning even Dark didn't know how much I would change. You see my body and soul had to adjust in order to accommodate Dark's permanent residence and his magics.", Niwa said trying to make his father understand his situation.
"I see. That makes sense, but what are going to do about your appearance. I can't just hide your growth spurt, change in eye and hair color, and your voice. These things don't just happen to a regular family and without telling Yusuke the truth about you I don't really know what to do.", said Kosuke looking his son over. He saw those violet eyes betray their owner and allow him to see the fear within. He tried to joke a little to cheer Daisuke up, "Yes I'll just tell them that it's puberty, you dyed your hair and are wearing contacts because Dark is your role model. That should go over well, don't you think?"
Despite the seriousness of the situation Daisuke couldn't help but laugh at his father's attempt to make light of the situation. Even the real Dark joined in on the laughed even though Kosuke couldn't hear it. "Dad somehow..hahaha...I don't think that's...hahaha...going to work.", he said trying in vain to make a complete sentence.
A thought occurred to Kosuke, "Perhaps...Daisuke you've got a heist tonight, right?"
"Yes, I'm...Dark's going to steal 'Dante's Flame' tonight. Why do you ask?", he said in response to the question.
Kosuke saw the hopeful look in Daisuke's eyes and knew that his son already that the man had something up his sleeve. To avoid Niwa's disappointment Kosuke said, "Just handle the theft tonight and come back to the apartment. If I am to have anything to help you it should be ready by then, ok?"
"Alright, but if Yusuke sees me you'll be scraping me off of the sidewalk.", the teen replied.
"I'd never let that happen son. Besides you are one of the greatest thieves to ever exist, right?", Kosuke said beaming with pride as he looked at his son.
Daisuke felt some measure of relief and responded, "Of course. With Dark by my side I can pull of anything...except getting Riku to stop calling him a pervert." He whispered the last part, but both Dark and Kosuke caught it.
Kosuke asked another question, "Does this mean that your mind and Dark's are going to join together?
Niwa smiled and said, "No. I could if I wanted to but it's nice having a voice in your head at times. I don't want to lose Dark despite how childish he can be at times."
"HEY! That was a cheap shot!", said Dark as began sulking, "I'm not childish, your just no fun most of the time."
"Sure Dark. Whatever you say.", said Niwa before he turned his attention back to Kosuke, "What should I do in the meantime? And don't stick around me. We can't have people suspecting a connection between the Niwa family and Dark Mousy."
"I can't just leave you alone. You're my son and it's my responsibility to take care of you...besides Atsuko and your cousin are going to furious at your disappearance.", the father said going into full parent mode.
Daisuke hugged his father and said, "Just tell them that I snuck out to enjoy the sights without Yusuke tagging along and as for my safety...I've had worse than anything this city has thrown at me yet. Don't forget I've had Krad trying to kill me for sometime, so anything human related is easy by comparison."
Knowing that the argument was lost Daisuke's father said, "Just please be careful. Phantom thief or not you're still my son and I worry about you. Now more than ever it seems."
"I know dad and I will be careful. See ya around.", Daisuke said before walking out of the back room followed shortly by Kosuke. When he reached outside his son was nowhere to be found. "How does he always do that?", he thought before walking back to the apartment to start researching ways to help Daisuke.
In Spirit World Koenma was at his desk waiting for Yusuke to arrive. Genkai and Raizen had also come to add their assistance to Dark's capture. Sure enough the detective was late as usual, but he did eventually come in. "It's about time that you got here.", complained the toddler, "Now what's this that you've learned about Dark?"
"Oh stop your bitchin' I'm getting to it.", Yusuke said taking one of the comfortable chairs for himself and propping his feet up on Koenma's desk, "Now as for Dark...Kurama was right that my cousin knew plenty about him that we never would've found on our own."
Raizen shook his head seeing his son's unprofessional behavior while Genkai muttered the familiar 'Like father, like son.' Raizen whispered back, "I was never that bad as a teenager."
"Go ahead Yusuke.", encouraged the kitsune eager to hear the new information.
"Dark isn't a demon, but a magical spirit created through magics. Apparently hundreds of years ago some crackpot family wanted to show off in the art world and created powerful living artwork. I also don't think that Dark's really the bad guy here.", said the detective earning curious looks from everyone except Raizen.
Before anyone could ask Raizen stepped in, "According to Daisuke the artworks that have been stolen are magical artworks just like the 'Black Wings'. The spirits contained inside of them could cause untold damage if they are not handled properly and Dark has been taking them to avoid any human deaths. I'd say that if this holds true then Dark has been doing you a serious favor."
Koenma nodded in agreement with the demon lord. "Even so he's been bring way too much attention to the supernatural. He can't be doing that or else it'll turn out into an all out witch hunt for demons and other supernatural creatures. And I'd still like to hear this straight from Dark himself, so I still want you to capture him so that we can find out if it's true or not."
"But Koenma...", Yusuke began only to be silenced by his father.
"It's true, we must find out whether or not Dark reasons for thieving are true. No insult meant to Daisuke, but children can be easily fooled.", said the demon lord before they all departed.
On the way out Koenma shouted, "Dark's going to strike again tonight. He's stealing 'Dante's Flame' from another art museum tonight." Raizen heard, but he had already known after reading a newspaper that Atsuko had been reading.