K: Hmm…. What to write, what to write…? Lessee… I could finish chapter 6 of that one, but I don't have a clue on where to go with it… --; I could do chapter 6 of that one, but then I have to actually think up a plot. ; DAMN! *sighs* Ah, well… I guess I'll take a crack at this one… I did promise to complete it, after all…

Disclaimer: I never saw the whole series. Do you really think I'd be the owner if I've never seen the whole series?

Dedications:

To Kuro, as always. ^_~ I'm glad you like the summary! I hope this chappie upholds your standards! ^^;

And to:

- Rumi-chan (That's my job! ^_^; I promised Kuro-sempai I would, after all…)

- I luv Yugi and Daisuke so :P (Didn't "Daisuke" used to be "Kurt"? O_o; *shakes her head* Anyway, I dunno yet… I'm still searching for that ever-elusive plot. --;)

- Silverm (Not really 're-writing'… Just revising and completing. ^_^; You're giving me way too much credit!)

- Panther (Yeah, I thought so myself. That's why I asked Kuro if I could finish this for her. ^_~)

- Izzeh (*stares* …….You scare me. Not just cuz' of the review you left for this, but also the one where you pelted me with fuzzy pink jellybeans… O_o;  BTW, "Sukunai no Komori-Boi" is TYKA, since Rei likes Max, but can't touch him cuz' he wears a cross all the time. Sux for him, ne?)

- Silver-eyes Magician Girl (That's what I thought when I read that, too… ; Kuro-sempai has a very unique interpretation of foreplay…)

- Mugs (That's what I'm guessing… Or maybe it's just a horny, OOC Kai thing. LOL! ^_~)

Notes:

- BIG hints on what killed Takao! That is, if you can recognize the symptoms… ^_~

- This is the first actual chapter of this I've written, so the format's REALLY different. Like I said- I have a different writing style than Kuro-sempai. ^^;

Up Where I Belong

(Takao)

            I released his arm from my mouth, blanching at the familiar tang of blood as it dripped from my teeth and onto my tongue. I'd know that taste anywhere- I've experienced it my fair share of times in the last few months on Earth. I would constantly cough my throat raw, and remember watching my life literally go down the drain in a pool of crimson liquid. I remember always being so pale… I swear- I was just a walking corpse, really.

Being so weak… I couldn't even get out of the bed the last 8 or so days. I even found myself wishing they'd pull the plug so I could end it. I simply didn't give a flying fuck anymore. Call it selfish, but for me to sit idly by as I saw myself waste away… I hated it. All I wanted was for it to stop.

            Now that I'm actually dead, I guess there's not much difference. I was abused by the illness that plagued me, and now I'm abused by a psychotic, possessive archangel who needs to take anger management classes. Whoop-dee-fricking-doo. Life sucks. So does the afterlife. I just can't get a break, can I?

            "Why did you stop?"

            I blinked, banishing my thoughts with a shake of my head. "Eh? Nani?"

            My captor smirked, leaning down and trapping me on either side with his well-toned arms. "You really are slow, aren't you? I said, why did you stop? Doesn't it feel good to vent your anger and frustration on something? On someone?"

            Yeah… yeah it had. But I wasn't about to admit it. Instead, I turned away from him, staring defiantly to the right instead of into his eyes, like he wanted.

            "I don't know what you're talking about. Does it feel good? What the fucking hell kind of question is that?"

            Before I could continue, he roughly jerked my chin up so that his fiery eyes bore into my own. I tried to steel my emotions, hide him from the truth, but it was no use- I knew the fear was evident there. My eyes have always betrayed me, and this time is no different.

            "Don't lie. You know it's futile against me anyway, so just stop. All you'll manage to accomplish is to piss me off." He hissed, his voice like ice.

            "Well there you go, that alone is enough reason to go on doing it." I spat in retaliation, only to cry out a second later when he slapped me.

            My eyes were dilated in shock as I clutched my stinging cheek, staring up at his furious expression.

            "Don't push it, Kinomiya. You're mine, remember? I won't hesitate to punish you for your behavior, my pet…" he stated firmly, his ruby eyes hard and narrowed.

            I nodded slowly, fearfully, and inwardly cursed as a single, traitorous tear slipped down my face. I closed my eyes, awaiting the warm, sticky tongue to ravish my face once more. I felt him lean forward and braced myself for what I believed to be inevitable, only to gasp in surprise when a feather-light kiss brushed the shining droplet away.

I exhaled and opened my eyes as he moved back a little so that we could see each other's faces fully. I fixed him with a puzzled, searching gaze, a silent question passing between us- why?

            "I'll only be rough with you if I have to, tenshi. You're the one forcing this on yourself."

            He leaned forward again, pushing me back onto the bed, and for a split-second I felt panic bubble up from the pit of my stomach. He wasn't going to rape me or something, was he?! A chill ran up and down my spine at the thought, especially since, from what I'd known of him so far, I wouldn't put it past him.

            To my immense relief, he positioned himself to my right, dragging me up toward the pillows. Once there, he released my slim wrist, only to roll me over so my back was facing him and latch onto my waist. I blushed faintly, eternally thankful I'd arrived here in my usual outfit instead of that damn hospital gown. Otherwise, I probably would've died of embarrassment right about now.

A small voice nagged at the back of my mind- weren't my wings directly in his face, now? How the hell could that be comfortable? Sneaking a glance over my shoulder, I found my wings had disappeared, leaving 2 holes in my shirt where they'd once been. Frowning, I was about to ask the archangel how and why that had happened, but he interrupted before I could even open my mouth.

            "Go back to sleep." He mumbled into my ear, snuggling closer and hugging me to his chest. "You might not be tired, since you're used to Earth time, but here in Daheriki, you'll come to find it a lot different. Now sleep, before I have to knock you unconscious."

            Swallowing my pride, I complied, tentatively resting my arm over his in an attempt to get comfortable. This small action must have surprised him, since I felt him stiffen for a moment before he relaxed again. Hey- there's no use in trying to run away, right? I couldn't get out of here even if I did manage to escape him.

I might as well make the most of it- looks like this'll be as good as it gets. I let my eyes droop of their own accord, lulled to a world of dreams by Kai's slow, even breathing and his warmth all around me. Soon, the darkness takes me.

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(Other)

            //How sickeningly sweet…// he thought, his cold eyes narrowed in annoyance as he watched the pair in secret.

            How long he'd been hiding there, he didn't know, but Mao was bound to be steamed by now, sick of waiting. A thin smirk graced his lips- good, let her wait. Let her rant and rave all she liked, this one would be his before she laid her treacherous hands on him. Just a little bit longer, and he would have his prize. He just had to be patient.

            Once sure both bluenettes were fast asleep, he cautiously crept from his place in the shadows, keeping sure not to make the slightest sound. He approached the bed, eyes gleaming like a cat who's cornered its prey. He slowly slid Takao out from under the darkling's hand, replacing his body with a pillow so Kai wouldn't be the wiser for a while.

            Grinning in triumph, he picked up his trophy, slinking off into the night.

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K: See the difference? My chapter's a lot shorter than some of hers, too. ^^; Of course, it could just be that I'm ready to keel over from lack of sleep right now… ;

*shakes her head* Anyhoo, I hope you liked this chapter. What will happen to poor Takao?! He's been kidnapped by horny archangel Michael! (chotto- isn't Michael the name of an 'actual' angel or something? O_o; I remember a movie called "Michael" with an angel in it… ;) How long will it take for Kai to realize his snugglebunny's missing?! When will I update this again?! WHO KNOWS?! (^^;)

Saa~ we'll just have to see next time, ne? *yawns* Well, I dunno about you guys, but I'm gonna hit the sack before I fall asleep on the keyboard again. I already did that once during this chapter… --; Don't forget to R&R! Ja ne!