A/N: A bit of warning for this chapter. There is a mentioning of…the things that guys have! I'm embarrassed. But, as long as it makes you guys laugh. I admit that it is funny. Still... o_0
Should this be rated M? Surely I haven't went far beyond the norm...
-)*(-
The first thing that registered were sounds alike to a badly tuned radio. In and out came loud whispers of unintelligible garble. Strange, he couldn't seem to latch onto any of the mixed mess. There was no sense of direction from where it came either, nor any determining of the emotions it held; it just flitted in one ear and clean out the other without drawing any comprehension whatsoever. Then an uncomfortable sort of exhaustion filled his muscles as his body slowly seeped back into the equation.
None of this added up. What had he, The Great Phantom Thief, done to end up like this? A touch of panic set in. Maybe he had finally gotten caught in one of Satoshi's traps? His quickening heart helped to push at the haze around him and awareness started coming quicker. Something hard, like a wall, kept him prompt into an almost sitting position. Something moderately heavy was also on top of him...and it was breathing. He could feel warm breath tickle across the surface of his bare chest. Circulating pain then leaped into focus from his hurt back. Little by little, he was fully awakening, and he wished he had the strength to buck the form on top of him off. What on Earth had happened? He couldn't remember clearly. His head felt like it was swimming.
"Hmn," the weight on top of him suddenly complained. It tussled, trying to move, but didn't succeed. This was scary. Who was on top of him and why?
Enough was enough.
Having to try a few times, Dark finally got his eyes to open part of the way, and nearly squawked at what he saw. The irritating, bruised surfer/model wannabe stood near the end of his bed holding something too small to make out. His bed? No, wait—this wasn't Daisuke's bed. But even more important than whose bed he was currently in was Mat AND whoever lay on top of him. His mouth dropped open at the feathery, rumpled and partially clothed hunter draped over him.
What the bloody hell? Dark's now large eyes peered shakily at the messy spikes of his other self and he prayed. He prayed that what looked like had happened, hadn't. He also prayed that pain in a certain area wouldn't suddenly turn on and signify proof of any kind. Not that he would ever be bottom on any day, no matter his position right now. This was horrid! He felt very sick.
"Did you have a good time?" Mat asked happily from beyond the bed, hinting at the impossible. He, at least, was still fully clothed. The bruised, evil man grinned like the Cheshire Cat as Dark's expression grew ever more into horror. Mat then pocketed whatever he held in his hand and strolled out the room. This is the better guest room of Miranda's, Dark noted faintly somewhere in his shell-shocked mind. He and Krad couldn't have...'gone at it... right? That's when it all came back to him. He'd beat Mat up for firing one of those 'love' darts into his familiar, then they'd had breakfast. What had happened next? Oh yeah, Krad had gotten knocked out, then he had. Wait...he was forgetting something important. Was it Miranda? Where was Miranda, anyway? Was she hurt?
Dark tried to move his hands and found that they were tied behind him. Poorly so too; his circulation was being cut off. He tried wiggling his uncooperative, heavy form to move up to a better angle. His sore back unstuck from the bed's headboard with a sound similar to that of a suction cup, and he hissed. Oh, how it stung and burned and just seriously hurt!
"Stop..." Krad spoke thickly against his jerky movements. Dark suppressed a revolted shudder. Krad was pressed into him way too intimately; from the psycho hunter's head laying over his heart, to the pale arm bent and draped across his lower ribs, to lastly, the other's slim hips partially over his left leg.
"Get off of me!" Purple hair tossed from the force of his command. He hissed again immediately after, and didn't dare move anymore for his hurting back. Krad drew in a deep breath and groaned. It only made the kaito have to repress another shudder. Krad's brows furrowed as his hearing caught on to that of a thundering heart beating directly underneath his right ear.
What?
Dazed, golden orbs fluttered open to stare at the tanned skin beneath him. Slowly, the dazed look was replaced by intense confusion. This look was then replaced by utter disbelief as Krad woke fully and raised his head to stare the short distance up at his opposite, whose deep purple eyes were shimmering in anger.
"Get—Off—Me!" Dark repeated slowly, lips thin in anger. Krad's eyes widened as he immediately tried lifting away. Something kept him from doing so, and he flopped back down. Large white feathers moved, and that's when Dark noticed Krad's hands tied by ropes just like his. And it wasn't just the crazed hunter's hands that were tied, but his large wings, too. They were locked in their folded position and unable to open. Which meant Krad's movements and balance were sorely hampered. He'd have to roll to the floor to get off since they were already so near the edge of the mattress. And judging by the disgusted look on the white angel's face, he'd do it, even if it meant possibly harming his tied wrists and/or wings.
"What are you doing underneath me?" Krad questioned, with barely controlled rage. He tried to move again, but couldn't do much more than squirm. And that didn't feel right...to either of them. Dark bet the only reason he wasn't dead right now was thanks to the earlier tranquillizer's disorientating effects. If Krad was feeling what he was feeling, which he had to be because they were practically the same physically, then the closest thing to compare him to would be a useless chunk of lead.
"What are you doing on top of me?" Dark countered with his own question and attitude since he didn't have an answer. As soon as the words left his mouth, however, he wished he could call them back. They had sounded so wrong!
Krad let the idiotic reversion of his own question go. Instead, he tried patience. He closed his eyes and began collecting his muddled thoughts. The vague memories would come back to him if he remained calm.
"Krad," said Dark, as he blew out a frustrated breath. "The last thing I remember was you knocked out on the porch and then Mat surprising me by the front door. Obviously, whatever he did to you he did to me." The kaito's voice held a small note of fear. Krad wondered about that as his memories finally came back. Wasn't much to remember really.
"I made it to the front of the porch before realizing the car's door was open. I backed away to keep my guard up and was just about to call out a warning when..." Krad trailed off in confusion, then opened his eyes again, glaring coldly up at the thief. "I blank from there until now," he stated accusingly, as if this was somehow all Dark's fault. Or maybe he was just blaming the purple-haired kaito for being underneath him.
"Well, I think you should know something." Dark's lip twitched as he spoke and stared at Krad. Whatever information he was about to divulge, it was clear he'd rather eat snails than say it. Although, there was a tiny spark of mirthless humor present in his eyes. Krad steeled himself, knowing that this was probably barbed worse against him if the kaito was willing to tell.
"From what Mat hinted at when I first woke up and from our state and positions, I'd say...we..." the kaito trailed off and scrunched his eyes closed and shook his head. Only stopping the rough movement when his back threatened to rub across the headboard again. Suddenly, Dark burned with anger and shouted, "PUT THE PIECES OF THE PUZZLE TOGETHER YOURSELF FOR ONCE!" After the outburst Dark appeared sick as he frowned and quickly looked the other way.
For once his other self got the meaning right off the bat. A faraway look plastered on Krad's face, also appearing stricken with humiliation, which of course, quickly turned to outrage. With force that plowed into his kidney and jerked him to his left side and off his back, Krad sprung off Dark like a weird fish and half rolled, dropping like a stone to the hardwood floor below. Dark's tearing vision could just make out the tips of gold-blond spikes from over the side of the mattress.
"NO!" Krad raged in denial. "IMPOSSIBLE! BY ANY MEANS, THAT IS IMPOSSIBLE!"
"Then check to make sure your pants are still on right," Dark grimaced the words out. It felt like his back was weeping again. He focused on it instead of the concerning present situation. Maybe the damp, exposed layers of skin had ripped and now it was bleeding? It would be so nice to have it bandaged. Even the gentle air hurt against it.
"Why not check yours and save me the trouble?" Krad asked sarcastically.
"I'm too scared to," Dark admitted lowly to himself. "What, did you land wrong?" he said louder, forcing a small laugh. Krad growled long and deep. Yep, he had landed wrong. But in refute to any minor self-imposed injury, the hunter twisted and jerked until he stood propped on his knees beside the bed. With a severe blush he looked down at himself. Aside from a few wrinkles in his pants and being topless, everything was still on properly. It felt as if an anvil had slid off his chest. He knew he couldn't have done anything, especially to Dark. Only humans shared themselves in that way—never mind if he hadn't had any control over it or been in his right state of mind at the time—he just couldn't ever do that.
The relief in Krad's expression reached across to Dark. He couldn't help feeling even weaker with gratitude. They'd been spared, thank the heavens. Though the light and happy feeling didn't last long as Dark comprehended Mat had purposely made fools of them. He'd set them up, and they had fallen for the obvious when they shouldn't have. Damn drugs and the lack of coherency they caused!
"MAT! YOU REALIZE YOU'RE A DEAD MAN, RIGHT?" The words rang with malice throughout the deceivingly peaceful, quiet cottage. Krad looked at Dark with the first approving smile he could recall seeing from the hunter. Giggling laughter poured into the room as Mat returned. Judging by the lack of footsteps, he'd been close the entire time.
"I couldn't resist," he chuckled, hunching over some. The twin murderous glares aimed at him did nothing except make him slap a hand to his knee and chuckle that much harder. Finally straightening, he swiped at his swollen nose. "Ah, that was priceless," he commented to the fuming angels. "There's no need to think I'm such a bad guy," he said, "I'd make sure not to put in drugs that would make you forget the best times to be had. I don't rape, I just induce pleasure."
A purple head tilted his way with a single eyebrow disappearing high into the hairline. "What kind of messed up are you?" Dark asked incredulously. How could Mat think like that about what he did? Dark wanted to add to the various arrangements of blacks, blues and purples that already littered the man's face and undoubtedly most of his body. The black angel had punched every place he could reach. He wished he had continued until he'd beat the living pulp out of him. He probably would have if not for his injuries and With distracting him.
"You two have no right to call me messed up. Not when it's you guys that are both messed up. You guys have wings!" Mat flapped his hands up and down in a poor imitation of the feathery limbs.
"Don't even go there," Dark snapped.
Mat snickered, "Sorry, I guess nubs don't qualify. You're still abnormal." The taunt did its trick as Dark hoisted himself to his knees on the bed. Krad remained aloof.
"Not another inch," Mat threatened, drawing a gun out from one of his back pockets. Both angels' gasped in fear as the afternoon sunlight gleamed off the bright silver. The red heart etched onto it shined menacingly along the tip of the barrel. Dark cursed Miranda for bringing it out of hiding. Hadn't she had any other object she could have used to hit him with? Speaking of...
"What have you done with Miranda?" Dark asked, with heat in his voice.
"Oh, she's in the back of my Volvo, ready to head back to my place." Mat shrugged his shoulders, lowering the gun just a tad.
"Did you hurt her?" Purple eyes flashed. Brown ones blinked in mild confusion.
"No. She got hit with a regular tranq, just like you guys did. I wouldn't—"
Within a second, the advantage of an unguarded moment was taken. Krad leaped to his feet, eyes blazing, giving everything he had in barreling into Mat. The charge worked. Mat crashed to the floor and the gun slid out of his immediate grasp.
Two previously blackened eyes glanced up at the incredible white angel standing above him. Mat backpedaled across the floor fast. Krad awkwardly stomped after him. He didn't care if he couldn't use his hands or wings, he was far past the point of weighing obstacles. All that mattered was destroying Mat now, and he still had use of his feet, so yeah. Meanwhile, Dark worked his way off the bed. He wanted to secure that gun away from Mat's dirty, evil hands.
The black angel just about made it to the entry of the living room before a kick and Mat's yelp rent the air. Another blow sounded, along with a grunt. This time it had come from Krad. A rather harsh thud proceeded right after. Dark hurried and witnessed Krad and Mat flat on their butts, having some sort of fast-paced kicking match; they were trying to land as many blows as quickly as possible, without letting the other get any closer. Dark had to grit his teeth to keep from laughing. It just looked so silly, like some kids roughhousing in some stupid contest. He reeled back to the matter at hand. He needed to get that gun and somehow keep it away from Mat. He spotted the gun close to the kitchen, not but a few feet away from the battling two, and scrambled after it.
Mat saw him coming. With a last powerful kick to hold Krad off, Mat threw himself backward and toward the gun. His first three fingers brushed the weapon. At the same time, Krad stretched and landed a direct kick to his shins, causing Mat to jerk his hand back.
The gun twirled on the hardwood floor, still up for grabs.
Dark gathered himself and jumped the last bit of distance to it. Desperate, Mat reached for Dark's ankle and with a grunt, pulled, while giving another quick series of kicks to fend off Krad. The white angel held his ground, but he was starting to go on the defensive. His abilities weren't the highest in the physical department. Dark gave a short, surprised gasp and fell to his rump. Tears stung two purple eyes. That had actually hurt quite a lot. It was a lot funnier when it happened on TV.
Staying on task with a quick jerk, Dark kicked out and the gun slung off like a dangerous hockey puck. Mat was not going to get it, no matter what. Unfortunately, it hit the wall and started spinning back toward them.
"Shoot!" Dark complained, lining up and getting ready to kick it again. Mat, seeing his chance, scrambled away from Krad in a fast crab walk to intercept the gun.
"Mousy!" Krad hollered, as he tried to scoot after Mat. He wasn't very successful. Having your hands tied can make everything harder to do.
"Krad! Keep him from it!" Dark yelled, as he kicked for the speeding gun. The freakin' thing was just a few inches too far for him to hit, even with the toes of his boots pointed.
"Ah-ha!" Mat laughed in victory, pouncing on the gun. Dark flopped to his side, switching to kick at Mat instead, catching him between the shoulder and chest.
"Ouch!" Mat flinched, but he didn't drop the gun. Krad rose to his feet and ran for him, but Mat swept out a foot and put the white angel right back on the floor, who gave a quick bark of surprise. Dark rolled to get to his feet. The silver gun aimed at him as he stood. Dark's eyes widened and he gritted his teeth, ducking fast. With a blast, the dart sailed right over his head.
"Shit!" Mat cursed.
"And with that mistake, it is over." Krad stood again, daring Mat to knock him down once more. "Your weapon is now empty and you will not have the chance to reload it." Flashing golden eyes narrowed. It was a promise.
Dark sighed to himself. His bones felt like Jello; happy, relieved Jello.
Unbelievably, Mat smirked up at the two. "Why are you guys so confident? You're both still tied up." The statement made Dark laugh. Amazingly, Krad looked over at Dark a bit proudly. Dark grinned evilly down at Mat, then worked his arms a bit. A tiny purple light flashed and then his hands came around to the front of him, the thin rope falling limply from a wrist.
Mat gawked in fear. How had he gotten loose like that?
"You forget who I am, Mat," the kaito rightfully bragged. He stepped over to Krad, being sure to keep Mat in his peripheral vision, and carefully moved long gold hair and white feathers out the way from the other's back, revealing swelling, reddening wrists. Ouch. He had landed wrong off the bed. With the barest of touches, Krad's hands were freed. Mat leaned forward from where he sat on the floor, better watching the kaito. How did the thief do that?
Doesn't matter, because I win anyway, he thought with satisfaction.
Krad rubbed at his sore wrists in turns, then stopped Dark as he reached to free his right wing.
"I can handle the rest."
Mat suddenly moved, swinging the empty gun back up. Both angels prepared themselves, but what harm could an empty gun do? Thinking it was just a bluff, Dark stopped himself from dodging. Seeming a second behind his thoughts, Krad did, too.
"You won't get me with that trick again," Dark declared. Mat smirked.
"I'm not trying to trick you." Mat pulled the trigger and the gun went off.
Dark froze. But the thing was empty! It only carries one shot at a time! The dart slammed into his shoulder and it felt as if it had sliced straight through. Dark yelled. Too much pressure released under his skin. Surely the joint was going to explode?
"DAMN! THAT HURTS!" Dark stomped in a half circle, arm poised over but not quite touching the painful dart sticking out from his shoulder. He quickly retreated from the room. Krad watched his other half, seemingly dazed. This was a scary movie he just couldn't escape from, wasn't it? That had to be it. That was why all this stuff kept happening to them; they were just caught up in some weird twilight zone.
Krad jerked back to face Mat. The gun was already pointing at him. No! ... No! No! No!
Pure terror.
He couldn't get hit with that thing. Dark was already doomed to its effects. He couldn't allow himself to fall to them, too. The room was spinning and sweat tickled his skin. Krad backed up a step. Mat fired. The thing really did carry more than one dart. What the hell? Had Mat purposely led them to believe that it didn't? The conniving bastard didn't do anything by halves.
By some miracle, Krad turned sideways just in time and the dart bypassed his lower chest. He was going to hyperventilate if he didn't get out of the place right this second, but Mat was blocking the front door.
Hide! His mind screamed at him. Get something between you two! It was only the second time he could ever remember fearing a human.
He picked up his heels and ran for the open guest room. Mat took aim. There was no chance of making it behind that door. The report blared and the next instant, Krad was on the floor grabbing his leg.
"Ha! Got the both of you!" Mat winked. "And now, I must leave." He stood, gave a weird salute, then was out the front door.
Krad grimaced and gave an inner scream. Not only did the dart feel like it had ripped where it had struck his inner thigh, but the muscle it had punctured balled into the worse charley horse of all time. He yanked the syringe out, regardless, wanting to be rid of the vile thing and threw it. It scraped across the hardwood floor with an empty clanking. He willed his leg to relax, but really didn't have the patience to deal with it.
This was an all time low. He laid on his back, neither caring about his oddly pressed wings, or his cramping leg anymore. What was going to happen now? He was...infected, dirty. Could he fight against such a thing?
Mat's Volvo cranked and pulled off into gear. Krad listened to the motor as it quickly reduced to a distant dull roar, then everything went super quiet. Worried golden eyes stared flatly at the cottage ceiling.
Why has Dark not made a sound? Krad wondered. At that instant, Dark's face appeared upside-down in the top part of his vision. A lightning bolt seemed to run through his body at the abrupt appearance.
"Hey, are you feeling anything yet?" Dark asked lightly, as he stood above the frightened hunter. Krad realized he didn't want the thief hovering over him like that. He sat up, noticing a very sore inner thigh.
"N-no!" he stammered, blushing. He refused to fully believe that he even would.
"Good, because I'm not either." Dark sighed in relief. "Maybe these things can't effect us?"
'Or maybe they just take a little while to work.' The calculative voice sounded a bit weak.
'Satoshi, how long have you been awake?'
'Long enough to know what has happened,' Satoshi replied, sounding only a little flustered by the predicament. A sudden external touch on his wing had Krad jumping and his golden spikes standing on end. It was almost as if he had been electrocuted.
"Calm down. Jeez," Dark said from behind him. "I'm just releasing your wings. Can you help me rescue Miranda?" he added hopefully. A thin rope fell from his right, and Krad let the limb hang semi-open.
Dark moved to the left wing and unbound that one. Krad remained silent.
"We have nothing to fear now. We can take Mat out no problem," the kaito pressed. Krad just sat numbly. After a few seconds of this, Dark was forced to consider his options of going it alone. He honestly didn't think he could do it on his own, even if he could rid himself of his useless nubs and have With fly him high for a distant view too see where—wait, With! The phoenix! How could he have forgotten! The phoenix had been in the guest room before they had gotten knocked out. Where was she now? Was With still where he left him? Dark galloped to the bathroom to check. He slung the door open and out gushed clouds of nearly opaque steam. Dark blinked, trying to see passed it, then...slammed the door closed and slid to the floor in misery.
His With...his cute little familiar was... At least he was in his natural black bird form. Maybe Krad would like a familiar of his own? No way was he going to be stuck by himself raising a clutch of Withs. Just the thought was scary. If those chicks got mad they'd start spitting fire...more than likely with his luck, anyway. Dark sighed dejectedly and held a hand over his eyes. He had a killer of a headache building.
Krad looked up as the escaped steam dispersed throughout the living room. He then stood and walked to the front door. He'd had enough; he wanted to leave. And he was very angry.
"So that's it? You're not going to help at all?" Dark asked in a resigned voice. He'd expected as much from his other half. It would have been nice, though, to have help.
Krad stopped in the open doorway. Gold locks moved as he tilted his head to the side, eying Dark seriously. "Mat's hours are numbered, if that is what you mean by 'help'."
Dark gathered his feet under him and stood, smiling at the hunter.
"All right!" he said excitedly, and practically skipped up beside Krad. Dark never expected them to work on the same side together, especially right when he needed it. The white angel could just leave and find Mat on his own for revenge later, leaving Dark behind to fail miserably now. Wouldn't that be something his counterpart would love? Course, Krad might just not want to tackle Mat on his own.
A sudden, furious blush illuminated across Krad's cheeks. He looked mortified, and quickly stopped Dark from coming any closer.
"Wait!" he shouted, holding up a slim, pale hand. Taken aback, the kaito stopped with a tilt of his head and a slight pout of lips. Krad just scrunched his eyes shut. What is this? Thought the white angel desperately.
'This is human anatomy. I wish you would control it. This is my body and I'm not gay for Dark. It's downright disturbing.' Satoshi's flat-toned chide was accompanied by an inner shake of disgust.
Krad's eyes sprung open, making Dark very curious as to what was going on.
'I am not GAY!'
'Yeah? How do you know? You don't even flirt. You have smooth-talked a few female assistants before, but never flirted with them.' Thank goodness, Satoshi added quietly to himself.
'I am not interested in that sort of thing!' Krad's heart pounded.
'But you are highly interested in Dark and have been for many years. Face it, Krad, you have had a crush on him for a while. Just how long is beyond me, probably even beyond you since you still refuse to see it.'
Not fair! Krad wanted to shout, but that would only belittle himself like a petulant child. Anger boiled. He did not have a crush on his aggravating other half! Most times he wanted to kill him! And yet, he somehow felt backed into a corner.
Secretly, Satoshi was laughing. He knew the dart was to blame for the...inconvenience they had going on, but Krad wasn't thinking to defend with that fact. Suddenly, Satoshi quit laughing. If Krad wasn't defending with the obvious cause, could it be that he was mixed up in possible thoughts of liking his other self?
What had he done? This was not a good time to realize one's feelings. Who knew how crazy Krad could get while under such influence if the angel let anything go.
'Krad, don't take it so seriously. It's only that dart's fault this is happening.' Which was true, but it was probably only a catalyst if Krad was doubting himself this much. Anyway, hopefully this would fix his mistake. To say he didn't want to be caught in-between something, was putting it mildly.
Krad jerked at the mentioning of the dart, but otherwise stayed still and quiet. Oh gosh, that was not a good sign.
"Um...Krad?" Golden eyes jumped to annoyed purple. "Are you and Satoshi finished jabbering? We need to get a move on," Dark complained, crossing his arms and staring crossly. He was curious and peeved. He wanted to know what had put that weird expression on the blond's face. Krad lowered his head to the floor, then suddenly raised up and fixed his piercing gaze back on Dark.
"Are you feeling any symptoms from the dart?" Krad asked, while keeping his voice steady. He didn't want to hint at something being wrong. Dark raised an eyebrow in question anyway.
"No," he answered. "Why?" There was an unusual no nonsense tone from Dark.
Krad stared out the door and up at the light blue sky. "Just being cautious," he stated casually. "I am not ready to leave just yet," he also remarked.
"Okay, something is jiving here. What's up?"
'Wrong question to ask, Dark,' Satoshi mentally commented.
Krad had never had such a difficult time at keeping his posture relaxed as in that moment. He was fiercely glad his face was turned away and his back was facing Dark, or else he might have given himself away.
"I want to make sure those darts will not have an ill effect before we go storming off. Do you understand, or is that too much for you comprehend, my impatient image?" White feathers bristled.
"Hmm?" Dark hummed, even more curious now. Krad was most definitely hiding something.
Krad focused on the outside, unknowing that an evil grin was appearing over his shoulder.
"So," Dark spoke so close to Krad's ear that he jumped a mile. The kaito laughed and Krad wanted to smash him to bits. "You're embarrassed?"
"What do I have to be embarrassed about?" Krad all but shouted, but he didn't turn around to face Dark. No, he couldn't do that, then the horrible kaito would know and that would just be the end of him.
"Look, if the dart is effecting you, I should know about it. I got hit, too," he said, somewhat grumpily.
"You got hit first, so why is it you are not feeling anything?" Krad asked confusedly.
"So you are feeling it, then?" Dark asked, worried for the both of them as he reached the few inches to Krad's bare shoulder. He had a split second of contact with overheated skin before Krad hissed and spat like a cat, knocking his hand off.
"Do not touch me!" Fury swirled the air. Krad, however, did not attack further than that.
A unexpected yank had the white angel falling backwards. Twisting around, he straightened himself before he could fall.
"So that's what you were so embarrassed about?" Dark questioned with a hand under his chin. His eyes took in the slight bulge in the other's white pants. Krad covered himself with a wing. He felt like going off to die somewhere, anywhere, far, far away. Instead, he just swallowed heavily and shut his eyes in defeat.
"It's nothing to be embarrassed about. And I guess you're feeling the effects before me because of where you were shot at. But," said the kaito with a hint of playful tones. Krad looked at him with a searing glare. "Mine is bigger." Dark smiled proudly.
For a minute, Satoshi and Krad both just stood in awkward silence. Then Krad's gaze seemed to flatten.
You will feel what I am feeling. No more jokes.
Krad stepped close to Dark and moved his wing from in front of him. Somehow, even though the two were of equal height, Krad stared down at the purple-haired kaito. The sudden close proximity startled Dark. The cold orbs fixated on him were nothing but a predator's.
"Prove it," the white angel challenged. Dark jolted.
"Huh?" He'd forgotten what they'd been talking about.
"Prove it," Krad repeated again, and touched his cheek with a warm, soft thumb. Dark could have sworn in that instant that the background changed to surround them in sparkling pink bubbles.
"Oh...my God," the black angel breathed. This could not be happening! He'd been overwhelmed frequently in the beginnings of his first few centuries of life, but since then, Dark hadn't let much get to him. Until now. His grip with reality spun severely and that made him very angry. Krad was a constant; Krad did not change.
"What the hell, Krad? It was just a joke!" He backpedaled away fast.
"Oh, so you were lying?" Krad grinned, enjoying the situation now. Inside, Satoshi was forced all the way back in their shared consciousness. He'd attempted to stop the previous stunt. That boy had a sharp tongue for one who didn't speak much beyond what he had to.
"You just stay the hell away from me." Purple eyes lit bright and magic burned. Krad's stomach clenched in anticipation. Nothing was sweeter than when he and Dark faced off. Maybe he did really hold something more than he thought for his other half.
Pushing that thought aside, Krad closed the distance between them again. Dark growled, the feathers on his nubs standing on end. He wanted to attack, but he would surely lose in his current condition if he did. What was he to do? What was he suppose to do?
"Dark," Krad called silkily, his lips tilting upwards by the barest of fractions. Dark flinched.
"Do that again and I swear I'll—" Dark was cut off as he screeched. Krad had used both of his hands to grab Dark's face and pull him closer. Dark grabbed for the hunter's wrists, but white wings knocked his every attempt astray. Dark cursed a string of colorful words.
"Enough," Krad commanded.
"Enough my foot, you're not getting me!"
Krad leaned in, making Dark yelp like a struck beast.
"What ever is the matter?" Krad cooed in Dark's ear. "I thought you were better than this, yet here you are acting so scared. It is highly unfitting of you." Dark blushed deep red.
"Shut it you damned—" Dark's eyes suddenly unfocused. "Shit..." He appeared horror struck...well, more so. Purple magic outlined him, causing Krad's hands to blister. Krad was forced to let go while Dark jumped back to a safer distance. The white angel glanced downward and chuckled.
"Shut up! It's just the damn dart finally kicking in," the kaito huffed. He tried not to let his discomfort show. Damn, what a time for formfitting pants.
"Well, you proved it," Krad said, sounding back to his normal self.
"Huh?" Dark wasn't confused by what Krad was talking about this time, but rather the complete attitude change. It's like nothing of the last minute had ever happened. "Unfortunately for you, this is where I draw the line." Krad turned to walk toward the broken stairs. Dark's purple hair stood on end.
"You mean, you weren't serious? You bleeping scared me!"
White wings extended and Krad jumped with a heavy flap to the top edge of the second floor.
"Where are you going?" Dark asked, anger still lining his voice. "And what made you want to play a prank on me?" Krad looked over at him and the kaito continued, "You've only ever played a few pranks on me, and that was toward the early years."
"Correction: this was the first prank I have ever played. Those first years were merely tricks."
"Same thing!" A shakiness laced this shout. Dark cleared his throat.
"That act really scared you," Krad observed out loud, looking down at the kaito.
"Shut it!" Dark glanced away, then brushed invisible dust off his pants. I thought my world was messing up, of course I freaked! Now I'm settling back down, but puzzles, once thrown and pieces part, take a bit to get placed back together. Jeez.
Krad moved, intent on finding the second bathroom. He'd probably find it once he located the master bedroom. He felt dirty and wanted to get clean again, especially after that prank. And the test/prank had earned him mixed results, but he'd worry about that later. Right now, all that mattered was eliminating Mat...once certain effects stopped bothering him.
Dark watched Krad disappear around the corner with a hateful expression. What had made him snap and decide to do something so messed up as flirt? With his other self, no less! That narcissist! Now that Dark thought about it, it really did seem stupid that he had taken Krad so seriously. But it had been so...so... It had just caught him off guard. Restful, restorative sleep was needed, and his back needed to be properly cared for.
He was a mess of hot, cranky, but relieved nerves. He blamed the powerful relief as to why he was so suddenly dizzy. Man, he really had gotten a shock from Krad. Damn guy was going to pay for that, too. He headed unsteadily for the kitchen after some water. Thirst was starting to hurt his throat. He quickly found a glass and filled it with tap water. Drinking the semi-cool liquid in one long chug, he placed the empty glass on the counter with a clink. Nausea had him doubling over as it pulled the water and breakfast from his stomach. He heaved and gagged until the last of the contents came up in a rush.
Ugh...too much stress for one day...
Dark shakily took to cleaning the mess he'd made. This was just terrible! Why did he all of a sudden feel so sick? Was the cause really stress, or was it something else? Maybe a reaction to something? But Krad had dealt with all the drugs he'd unwilling gotten and then some.
He wobbled back to the living room. This was not cool and not fair. His energy levels were sinking as he just stood there, staring at the open front door. Miranda needed saving ASAP, he didn't have time to sleep this off. Who knew how long they had before Mat laid his hands on her? But, it wasn't going to be denied, whatever this was that suddenly had him. Dark hiccuped before slipping to the floor. He was burning up. Steam had to be coming out of his mouth. This sucked. With fright he noticed his senses were quickly dulling.
He jumped when the outside sunlight was blocked and the thud of a landing form vibrated through his body. Demanding hands shook at his shoulders. He blinked, his gaze cloudy and looked up, way up until his saw lots of blurred white and gold running into each other.
"Mousy?"
Dark screwed up his face and complained, "No, Krad, just go away."
"You let infection get you." Krad looked at the red of Dark's back, seeing the hints and telltale signs of infection. Normally, infection didn't literally floor you like this, but normally, you didn't use magic when you had it, either. Some forms of magic could accelerate the spreading of bacteria, others simply delayed healing, while a few focused ones could heal. Over all, it was just best not to use magical energy when infections were involved. Especially when dealing with it around the wings—it is the easiest place for them to take hold.
"Yeah, well, I didn't have a mirror on hand to see back there."
"That does not matter. You should have felt it."
Dark grumbled. He grumbled worse as hands and arms lifted him.
"Quiet down. I can have you recovering quickly." Krad carried him to the guest room.
"No... Leave me alone... You— ...I don't—stop..." Dark's mumbling began making no sense. Krad eased him face-down on the bed.
"Hush!" he commanded sharply. "You are getting worse. I want you at your best so we can avoid those blasted darts this time. As sad as it is, I may need your help." Wadded covers blocked whatever the thief retorted with.
Krad laid his hands on Dark's red back. You could barely tell it had been burnt earlier, such was how fast the two angels healed, but in that, too, laid a possible—if rare—problem. Since their bodies healed so fast, so sometimes could strong bacteria fester and progress unless it was first treated. Still, this hit Dark awfully quickly, and without any previous forewarning.
Krad pressed a white feather between reddened shoulder blades, pulsing energy through his medium. He knew he could heal, albeit it wasn't his field of expertise.
Dark let the searching, roaming threads of magic weave under his skin. It wasn't the most pleasant feeling, but it was somehow comforting.
Krad frowned as he found three small areas of mild infection. Two of which were nothing serious, but the positioning of the third made all the difference. It was right by a major vessel. This would have been nothing had something not disrupted it and caused it to slowly trickle into the nearby network of blood. Dark's immune system would have clearly beat it, should have in fact, if not for an earlier use of magic.
Dark sneezed, making Krad jump. There went his concentration.
"Wat ss goin' on? Mah head ss sstarin' ta pound..." Dark slurred.
"Hold still. This may hurt some," Krad warned. Dark grunted to show that he understood.
Krad lifted his hands, focusing his magic to them. They glowed brilliantly, then he rubbed, smoothly across Dark's back until the skin there glowed almost as bright. He then touched the points of infections, saving the worst for last. Light flooded, cleansing everything it moved through. The infections shrank, and within a few minutes they were completely gone. Krad stopped channeling, having finished. He breathed deeply, wiping a bit of gathered sweat from his brow. Out of all his magics, it were healing ones that always took the most energy. He glanced down at Dark and wondered why the kaito hadn't complained at all. His form of healing wasn't exactly painless. A soft snore lifted from the thief. Lucky him had passed out first. That explained it.
"Well, now." Krad stretched and moved off the bed. "I think it is time I got back upstairs." And with that, he was gone.
A few miles away Mat cursed. His vehicle had run out of fuel. The thing had been half-full, so this shouldn't have happened. Mat turned to look at the still-out-of-it Miranda. He'd have to wait until she woke up before he could force her to walk to his place. Maybe he should just leave her and walk to the nearest gas station? But if she woke up...
He could tie her better, where she couldn't move at all. But he should move the Volvo off the road so any passing troopers couldn't find her. Mat tapped on the steering wheel as he came to a conclusion.
-)*(-
A/N: Thank you Dawns Eternal Twilight, Cherry Maiden, Sapphiet, Dark Hearted Shinobi, TeamSatisfactionFangirl, and finally (my newest reviewer), LioletteOfTheVoid, for all of your reviews last chapter! I'd love more! (I'm so insatiable.)
Sorry about the wait for this chapter.
Oh, and I wanted to say the infection Dark had a friend of mine had, except his was much worse. Very bad stuff that is; don't mess around with infections. Once it gets in the blood stream...oof. It can play havoc and kill you so quick. Luckily, said friend is all better now. -Cheers!-