Chapter XI
The rain had stopped just a few minutes ago, leaving behind mere rustling of leaves brushing against the still but cold air of what seemed to be a long night ahead. The piece of silvery moon shyly re-emerged from behind the gray clouds, scattering her light over the drenching ground below and into a pair of beautiful golden marbles, reluctantly accepted when her brightness was drown into their depth.
Krad pressed his palm on the cold glass, absently letting his eyes stroll along watery traces that the rain had imprinted there earlier. He could feel a pair of blue orbs watching him from the inside, patiently waiting for his sign of acknowledgement. He knew the kid had heard everything, and it was odd that the blunette could still keep himself silence, not demanding a solution from him.
- Flashback -
"What do you mean by 'something wrong'?"
"I'm not sure, Krad-sama." The silver-haired artwork winced at his flat tone, but answered nonetheless. "It just feel… different. Incomplete, you might say. Like his power's missing something."
The blond frowned slightly, but his face was back to its normal calmness as he locked his eyes with the girl's brown ones. "Do you think you can find the cause?"
She nodded uncertainly.
"I'll try my best. But for now, please keep an eye on him, Krad-sama. We don't want anything happen to that reckless idiot." Towa stood up, smiled at him ruefully. "At least I know you don't."
- End flashback -
The fallen angel slid down to the carperted floor, drawing his legs up and slowly wrapping his arms around them. Something wrong about Dark's power… His memories traveled back to what the girl had said, which made his eyes narrow invisibly under the dim light of the room. That had, undoubtedly, something to do with that raven… that 'Sei Hikari' he'd created. And whatever had happened, would happen to the thief, was all his fault.
He shouldn't have dragged the idiot along in the first place.
Seems like you've forgotten what a tainted demon you are…
"Don't tell me you've got sick …"
The seraph snapped back to reality when a warm hand was placed gently on his forehead. He batted his eyelashes, couldn't find his voice for a while as Dark pressed the other hand on his own forehead, testing the temperature. "Good. No fever." The kaitou grinned at him with his trademark grin. "God, Kraddie, you really looked ill when you spaced out like that."
The blond blinked one more time.
"Stop staring at me, will you? I feel like growing another head…"
"… Is that so?" A smirk. "Why do I get the feeling that you still have half a brain?"
"Why do I get the feeling that you're still a meanie?"
"Because that's the truth, idiot."
Krad beat back a smile when the kaitou stuck his tongue out at him childishly.
"I thought you got work to do with the Niwa woman?"
"Who, Emiko? Ah, right…" The purple-haired man scratched his head. "It's about you, actually."
The seraph tilted his head in question. "About me?"
"Yeah, you know… I think… We think it's a bit dangerous for you and Satoshi to stay by yourselves at the time being, so… I was wondering if you two can stay here. Temporarily, of course." Dark quickly added.
The angel grew quiet for a while, as if not knowing how to organized his words, before he spoke up softly. "Thank you. But I'm fine by myself." He faintly heard his tamer mumbling something in protest, but simply chose to ignore the Commander.
"Oh… I see…"
He looked up, surprised to see a flash of hurt crossing amethyst pool. He'd seen stream of emotions swaying in those eyes before, happiness, sarcasm, anger, worry… but hurt? Why hurt? Had he said something wrong?
Or maybe it was just his eyes tricking him…
The light hunter shook his head as he raised himself, taking a step forward only to bend down, lifting the taller man's chin up. Brushing off the confusion that was annoying him to no end, he pressed their foreheads together and curved his lips, forming his usual smirk. "Don't give me that sulking face… I might believe that you're starting to fall for me…"
Dark's body heated up when the velvet notes fell into his ears, reminding him of their once again close proximity. Too close… His mind went hazy as full rosy lips drove themselves into his vision, slightly parted, seductive in their own innocent way. All he needed was to pull the blond down a little, to capture those temptingly delicious lips with his own…
Ah, damn it.
Did this mean he was physically attracted to Krad? Lusting after that golden-haired beauty?
Did this mean… something more?
"Krad?"
"Hn?"
"If anything happens… promise you'll call me?"
Golden eyes widened. "Idiot..." He muttered, turning his head away so that Dark wouldn't see his smile.
Truly an idiot…
In spite of being a genius who had graduated from college and went back to high school simply with an aim of enjoying a possibly normal life, Satoshi Hiwatari could never truly say that he loved spending time in class. Especially not when he finally realized that he had been thoroughly exhausted after constant complaining messages and missed phone calls from his police force during the last two weeks, about how the sixth floor of their head office had mysteriously been destroyed, how they were unable to find traces of the culprit, and how irresponsible it was for their young Commander to suddenly vanish from his honor spot and leave them to solve everything on their own. The blunette vaguely wondered what those adults would say if they ever found out that he was one of the very accomplices, as he rolled his cell phone screen down and started to delete the numerous messages that had begun to narrow down his phone memory.
The blue-haired teen flipped his phone shut, resting one of his elbows on the wooden surface of the school table, using his arm to support his head while his eyes drinking in the picture of the bustling classroom. Azure orbs quickly caught sight of Niwa Daisuke, who was currently being locked yelling in Saehara Takeshi's dead grip, and Satoshi absently let a small smile dawn upon his stoic feature. He would probably have skipped school and returned home to sleep for today, if it hadn't been for Towa no Shirube's warning that he needed to watch the boy and Dark for any sign that should be considered abnormal. Moreover, the red head had dragged him out the door and given him that brilliant we-are-best-friend-and-so-we-should-go-to-school-together smile… There was just no resisting to a smile like that.
Kids grow up fast these days…
The Hikari almost hit his knees on the table when Krad's silky voice made its appearance from the corner of his mind. He managed to calmed himself down in a second, getting rid of the annoying blush that threatened to break free before his curse could notice, and growling out of habit at the blond's tease. Shut up.
Sure, Satoshi-sama, sure…
The fallen angel chuckled, reatreating back to his own isolation. The Commander blinked as he couldn't sense the other's presence anymore. Krad?
Yes, Satoshi-sama?
Ah… nothing…
What? Asked the hunter, clearly amused. You rarely start a conversation with me, and when you do, all you can say is 'nothing'?
I just want to know if you've found the solution to our problem.
I'm afraid I cannot. We'll have to wait for it.
Wait for it? What do you mean?
Think for once, master. The teasing tone again. You're the genius among us.
Why don't you just te…
"Ano… Hiwatari-kun?"
Satoshi reluctantly stepped out of his inner world when he heard his name called, and perked his head up. Risa Harada was standing in front of him, with her usual girly smile and equally girly posture. The boy furrowed his eyebrows. Why was Risa Harada, of all the people, talking to him? He was sure the girl didn't like him at all, and she wouldn't want to touch him even when her hands were covered with thick and heavy gloves.
"Yes, Harada-san?" He responded warily.
"Uhm… Someone asked me to send you this letter…" She smiled again, which was starting to increase his wariness, and handed out a folded piece of paper.
"Who sent this, Harada-san?"
"I don't know. Maybe you should read it first?" The long-haired twin flipped her hair and patted him slightly on the shoulder. "And please be careful, Hiwatari-kun. Make sure you won't fall from the rooftop."
He snapped his head towards her as the last syllables made their way to his ears. Was that… a threat? Narrowing his eyes, he watched till she disappeared among various figures of his classmates, before unfolding the paper, only to find strangely neat writing on it.
Miss me, little bird?
He sure is fast.
Wait… Don't tell me you're waiting for him?
Fine, I won't. Now Satoshi-sama, you know where we have to go.
Make sure you won't fall from the rooftop.
I'll call Dark.
Don't.
What? You're gonna meet him in person? He's after you!
I know.
Then call Dark. He told you to call him when you needed.
Satoshi-sama…
If you won't, I will.
Krad sighed. Fine then…
The blunette stood up, but immediately doubled over as electricity shot down his spine. He embraced himself and dropped back onto his seat, mentally struggling when he felt his curse surfacing for control. Shit. That smartass had tricked him to lower his guard down.
YOU BASTARD!
Listen to me, master. The seraph smirked, successfully pushing his tamer down to the back of his mind. He adjusted Satoshi's glasses and continued in a tone of a mother trying to sooth down her kid's tantrum. You don't want to lose that kid forever, now do you?
I don't, but…
Then be a good boy.
But I… He shouted angrily as a shield closed up around his soul, blocking him from the outside world. I don't want to lose you either, damn it!
Krad paused in his step. Had his host just said something? Probably blaming him again… The blond exhaled heavily and shrugged, resuming his walk to the door.
"Hiwatari-kun? Where are you going?"
It was the Niwa kid.
"I have to go…" His brain quickly worked out an excuse. "… To the principal's office, Niwa."
"Oh?" Ruby eyes trained on him curiously. "Well then… Can we meet after school?"
"Sure. I'll see you then."
Daisuke nodded, not tearing his eyes from the blue-haired boy's back as his best friend slid the door open and headed to the hall. Hiwatari-kun still acted like usual, but… but why did he get the feeling that Satoshi wasn't being himself?
Krad knew that he had, to some degree, stirred up suspicion inside the red head's mind, even though his little act under the façade of Satoshi-sama was close to perfect. He could read it from under layers of red, Niwa had recognized him as anything but the icy Commander. And that was why he found himself hurried up along the way the blunete would take everytime the child wanted his aloneness, not stopping until he'd reached the end where an old, rusty door silenty rested.
He pushed it open, before tucking his hands back into his pockets and stepped out, into the sunlight.
"You sure are fast."
A voice lazily stated.
"That was exactly what I said about you… It disgusts me sometimes that we seem to have things in common."
A deep laugh escaped Sei's throat as he turned around, leaning himself casually against the railing.
"No surprise there. After all, aren't we both disgusting creatures?" The taller man threw him a funny look. "That face's nice, but it doesn't suit you, little bird. Please let me see my beauty?"
The fallen angel frowned at the tag of possession. Unearthly wings gradually sprouted from behind his back. Blue hair lengthened into strands of gold, as azure color faded into a pair of amber orbs. The black-haired man blinked when white feather suddenly blinded his sight, but a smirk was drawn at the corner of his mouth as soon as a pale hand wrapped around his neck, pressing his body to the one behind him.
"What have you done to Dark Mousy?"
"Oh my… We've been separated for two weeks, and the first thing you want to talk about is that thief?" The raven gasped mockingly. "I think I'm jealous."
"Really now? How touching." The seraph's breath crept onto his skin with equal mockery. "Sei-chan… You know I don't have time for this, do you? Why not cooperate for a while?"
"And free myself from this position? I'd rather not…"
The grip tightened.
"You escaped from the thief last time, but you know you won't stand a chance with me." Ah, how he loved it when his angel gave out threats.
"Of course I do. And I'm not here for a fight." The taller man raised his hands up in a surrender pose. "Neh, angel, you remember the first time I kidnapped your little kaitou? I kinda figured out how precious he is to you. After all, you came just to rescue him, didn't you? So I thought…"
He tilted his head to cast a look over his shoulders, pleased to see confusion spreading over golden pool. "… How about killing him?"
The fallen angel's grasp on him momentarily lost its tightness, and just that was enough to announce what he'd said had hit home. With his smirk lingered wider in its place, he swiftly spun around and captured both of the smaller man's wrists, slamming him onto the railing. Krad winced when metal bars grinded against his back.
"So he really has become your weakness." Sei chuckled, buried his face on the crook of the hunter's neck. "I wonder what you see in him? He doesn't deserve a beautiful angel like you."
"Beautiful angel, you say? Here I thought you'd addressed me as a tainted demon…"
Chuckled again. Before fingers reached up and ran across his lips.
"Beautiful, and defiant… It will pain me forever after I've granted your wish…" The raven's eyes crinkled. He leaned down once more, nibbling on milky flesh. "To be killed by your Sei-sama, isn't it?"
The blond stiffened, but only for a moment, before the corner of his mouth twitched.
"Ah, yes… So that's the reason? If you fulfil your creator's desire, then you'll be free from the Black Hole… I should have guessed." His voice became fully velvety. "But my dear little predator, that means you're not the one to satisfy me."
The black-haired man shifted, bringing his face closer to the seraph's, whispering in a seductive voice. "I'm afraid you'll have to make yourself more clear."
"Am I not clear enough?" His prey smirked. "You are not Sei-sama."
"And what makes you think that? I was created from his soul, and I have his memories. I am Sei."
"If you say so…" The smirk never faded. "Then Sei-chan… my mistake, I mean Sei-sama… would you mind telling me about your time before you turned fourteen?"
Only silence followed his words. Sei's grip on his wrists constricted, so hard he was sure it was going to leave bruises.
"I suppose it's some sort of agreement? You don't have Sei-sama's memories. You have mine, is it right? And you're nothing more than…" Amusement glinted in his orbs. "… A newborn brat."
"… You are too smart for your own good, little bird." Which makes me want to possess you for eternity… The taller man added silently to himself as he felt back into his fake friendly demeanour, ignoring the head-splitting sensation that was starting to pound fiercely on his skull. You just have to choose this moment to show up, don't you? Stupid human…
He pulled the shorter man closer and planted a peck on his cheek. "I have to go now. But we'll meet again soon... And I'd love it if that thief doesn't intrude."
Golden eyes narrowed as the raven vanished. Why hadn't Sei killed him, or at least, tried to? The bastard had had his chance back then…
The fallen angel was woken from his thought when the bell rang. He shook his head, it was time to let his host take over. He would need Satoshi back before that Niwa kid got anymore suspicious than he'd already been.
Dark knowing about this meet was the last thing he needed.
Daisuke let out a breath of relief when he saw Hiwatari-kun enter the classroom and quietly make his way back to his usual seat. The small boy let his head drop onto the table and closed his eyes, paying no mind to Takeshi's babbling non-stop about his 'awesome photographic job' during Dark's heists. Being worried for two hours straight had worn the him out completely.
I wonder what kept him at the principal's office for that long…
Detention, perhaps?
Hiwatari-kun and detention? You could at least think of something reasonable, Dark…
My bad. The thief grinned. Why do you bother, anyway? Your lover's still safe and sound, see? There's nothing to worry about!
The red head didn't answer. He buried his face in his arms instead, smiling softly. Like Dark was the one to talk. The purple-haired man had almost yanked him out the door thrice in front of the whole class, and justbecause he was worried about a certain hunter.
"… Oh yeah, Dai-chan, wanna come over to the twins' house after school?"
"Huh?" He turned towards the young reporter. "For what, Saehara-kun?"
"You haven't known yet? Risa broke her leg yesterday. Fell down the stair." Saehara sighed and shook his head in a girls-these-days manner. "I'm going to pay her a visit. Wanna come?"
Okay. Something wasn't right here.
"But… But wasn't she the one talking with Hiwatari-kun just a while ago?"
"Hn? Were you delusional? She doesn't even come to class today."
Then Hiwatari-kun… Ruby eyes grew wide. Oh my God, Hiwatari-kun never went to the principal's office!
Dark, doesn't that mean Krad… Dark?
He earned himself no respond.
Satoshi-sama…
Shut up.
You don't have to be that mad.
What am I supposed to do then? Thank you?
Satoshi snapped at the curse in the back of his mind, proceeding on gathering his books. Once done, he flung his backpack over his shoulders and walked out of the classroom, towards the back gate where he – where Krad in his body and Daisuke had made an appointment to meet. That arrogant, arbitrary bastard… He thought angrily to himself, not even bothering to block the thought from the light hunter. He couldn't care less that it didn't have the ability to wipe off the annoying smirk which he presumed was plastered on the blond's face right now, he just wanted that man to hear it.
But really, what had he expected from his alter-ego anyway? That Krad would be kind enough to care about what his host thought, and pay attention to whatever he said? Even in his furthest dreams, it wouldn't happen.
Forgive me, Satoshi-sama.
Yes, that too. Krad would never apologiz… Huh?
For having taken over against your will, you know… The seraph's soft voice waved inside his head. I beg your forgiveness.
The Commander blinked.
Idiot… It took long before he reluctantly spoke up. I wasn't mad… about you taking control…
The part was left unsaid, however, as his blue-ocean pupils spotted a tall figure standing at his meeting place with the red head. A familiar violet-haired, clad in black coat figure.
"Dark? Where's Niwa?"
"In my head, genius, where else?" The thief greeted him with a strangely big grin. "He says he loves you, by the way."
"Urusai." He tossed the man an icy glare. "May I have the reason why you decided to show up in public at this hour?"
"Why, I can't go out once in a while for fun? It's boring like Hell in there. I'm sure our Kraddie feels the same, so would you mind not being a creepy tamer and letting him out?"
The fallen angel shifted at the mention of his name, but stayed still in his corner as he silently regarded the kaitou. There was something in the taller man's grin that'd pushed his buttons of both alertness and wariness. The kind of grin that he rarely saw on the other's face – if not never - one which was unreadable as well as fathomless.
Strange.
Dark Mousy normally wasn't one of those who caused him uneasiness.
He didn't let his musing stray further, though, when Satoshi shot him a mental raise of eyebrows and asked whether he wanted to come out. The blond nodded and smoothly began the transformation, having slipped on his usual calm mode. He quickly retracted his wings the moment his pale skin tasted the heat of the sun hanging above them, then cocked his head to the side with false curiosity.
"Well, well, the legendary Phantom thief wants to meet me? This is the first."
"Aw, wasn't that a bit cold for a greeting?" The thief's grin got wider. "Especially for someone who's been missing you to death."
This. was. really. not. right.
"We only talked yesterday, and you've missed me already? I felt cherished."
"You could at least say it like you mean it, you know."
Dark's grin switched to a small pout, and the hunter's brain muscles slightly relaxed. What was he thinking? The idiot was still being his old self. It was just his tired nerve-system complaining by giving him hallucinations.
"Thief… What did you call me out for?"
"Haven't I said already? I missed you." Grinned. "You and the Creep'd been to that principal's office for over two hours, no?"
He was feeling unease again.
"What's that principal's name anyway? I kinda forgot." The thief tapped his chin, furrowing his brows as if trying to remember. "Oh yes… Isn't it Sei Hikari?"
I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm SO sorry for having you all wait for too long! This is… probably the hardest chapter I've ever written. I mean, everything was all in my head, but I just didn't know how to write it down. Yes, I'm such a twit, I knew that T.T… And I know you readers must be hating me right now, but… I'm sorry?
Taryn: You know what? I felt really happy when I read your review. It's so great to know that you like my fics, and I sincerely hope that I won't disappoint you in the future. "You've already disappointed her with THIS chapter, you twit." "I know…" (goes sit in a corner and broods).
Domini-chan: Yes, I know he didn't like Towa XD! And Towa's a freaking single! So what? We writers never follow the original plot, do we XD? If I did, I would have to seal Krad away and put Risa Harada in his place, and I know you definitely don't want that. Besides, I adore ArgentTowa (Much more than ArgentQualia), and even TowaArgent! I think I've gone crazy… but nevermind. Hey, do you think I should write a fic about this pairing?
Akurei. Tenshi23: Are those ghost still bothering you? If they do (cracks knuckles)… I promise they'll have a really slow AND painful death. "They are dead already." "I don't care." Neh, neh, Akurei-chan, are you going to write more DarkKrad fic? (puppy eyes).
GoddesOfWrath: Ah yes, I know I've completely destroyed and annihilated the love scene XD! I'm so proud… not (grins stupidly). And about what exactly happened with Dark, I'm afraid I can't tell you until the next chapters…
Stormshadow13: Go Storm-chan! Kill Risa and Kei already! Oops, sorry, I'm a little too excited when it comes to murdering those two. Aw… You like Dark's conscience? Me too XD. He seems to be a lot more rational than a certain someone, doesn't he? "Who's that certain someone?" "Someone who said that he didn't love Kraddie, thief." "Good, not me."
Lydia-chan: Aw, don't darn Towa-chan! She's completely innocent! I suggest you go darn the stupid no-sense-of-romance author XD!
: (Blushes) I'm so flattered to hear that. But it's not so hard to find good D. fanfics, you know, like stories from neko-nya, Kyuseisha no Hikari, or Animegoil… They're all .
Crizzy-chan: What? You actually blame me? But that was a rhetorical request XD! (By the way, do we have anything called rhetorical request?). Glad to hear that you gained good mark on your exam! And about mine, the teacher have kindly decided to put it off until August. Means I still have an exam to worry about…
Minoki: Glad you like the story! Here's the next chapter!
Dimonyo-anghel: How come Sei wants to kill Krad that badly? Wah… It surprised me that you asked this question right before I posted this chapter up. Well, your answer's up there!
Peppymint: WAH! I'm so happy I still got your review on this chapter! But… 'sneak a look at a computer' means that you haven't been back yet, right? (sighs). Here's the next chapter!