Chapter 8:

With Dark knocked unconscious and his magic drained, the barrier around the museum vanished, a sea of officers flooded into the building and entered the room where the 'Seraph's Pinion' was displayed. They found the room in shambles, pieces of marble uplifted and destroyed, smoke still lingered in the room including the ice covering all but one entrance, and the prized Hikari statue…was gone! The glass encasing the statue wasn't even disturbed, but its contents were gone, along with the Phantom Thief. The police and media were dumbfounded at not how Dark had escaped with the statue…but at the destruction of the interior of the museum. Dark had always been known as a clean-cut thief, who left every scene as if he were never there. From the looks of things, the media reported, it seemed that a struggle issued inside.

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Leaving the foolish police and the annoying media behind, Krad had thought about taking Dark back to Satoshi's apartment to take care of his injuries…but he doubted those damn police officers standing outside of the door had received farther orders to leave. There was only one thing left to do…and one he never would have done were the circumstances not so…the Niwa's. He doubted that after three long centuries of fighting they would just whole-heartedly accept the Hikari Guardian Devil into their home…but he didn't have much of a choice. The thought had crossed his mind to lay Dark down in Daisuke's room and then leave without being noticed…be he couldn't bring himself to leave Dark again, not with that demon on the lose. No matter what those human Niwa's said…Krad was staying with Dark no matter what.

Satoshi had been to Daisuke's before, and Krad was able to access the directions easily, finally the house came into view, as did the balcony to Daisuke's room. It was much smaller then Satoshi's but adequate for landing on.

Slowly and carefully Krad descended still carrying the unconscious Dark in his arms, Dark's head injury from the close encounter with magic to the face still bled openly, and Krad was sure he must have had a few broken bone from being squeezed too hard. But despite the pain he must have felt or the cold night air blowing on his face from the flight home, the Phantom Thief didn't so much as stir once. Krad had to look down several times to make sure his chest still rose and fell…and it did…proof that he was alive and still capable of waking…he hoped.

Krad had never seen Daisuke's room before, except for when Dark and he had switched bodies after both touching the Pendent of Azierith, but even then he still didn't get a good look at it…because the only time he surfaced in it was when he nearly destroyed it in his anger for losing the battle and his body to Dark. But that anger was almost non existent…he felt nothing but worry and fear for the Phantom Thief now…worry that Dark might not forgive him from trying to kill him after their first encounter with the demon, and fear that he might never see those beautiful violet eyes open again. Seeing him in this state caused something inside his chest to ache, and he fought back the tears again. Tears? What were they? What was this soft and gentle moisture that fell from his eyes? He had never seen or experienced them before…he wasn't quite sure why they even fell in the first place, or why it was so important to fight them back.

He shuck his head quickly, bringing himself out of meaningless thought, and walked over to the bed on the far side of the room. The sheets of the bed were clean and white, it looked quite comfortable…but for some reason, Krad didn't want to lay the unconscious Dark down on it…the feeling of holding him this close again was a desire that went unmet for so long…he never wanted to let him go again. But reason and logic slowly took over and he gently laid the sleeping form down on the bed. The multiple injuries on Dark's body, plus the large cut to his forehead, turned once pearl white sheets into snow tainted with large areas of red. The other smaller cuts didn't really concern him; it was the large gash on his forehead that worried him. He tore a long strip of white cloth from his coat and carefully folded it and applied pressure to Dark's wound. The blood quickly seeped through it, drenching the once pure white with crimson life.

But Krad was glad, seeing Dark's chest rise and fall normally and seeing that his heart was still beating causing him to bleed…was a relief that Krad was more then happy to feel. He would have revenge for Dark…but right now his only thoughts were of the thief recovering. How desperately he wanted to see him smile again, and listen to his cocky and annoying taunts and teases, how badly he wanted to feel his embrace returned by his darker half…and how badly he wanted to feel Dark's lively lips upon his own. After tearing off another strip of cloth and wrapping it around Dark's head, the white winged angel stood up and stared down at Dark. He looked so peaceful, and he was glad that in sleep…you couldn't feel pain…because his body must have endured so much.

Krad was tired from flying with the extra weight he had to carry for such a long distance, but he didn't mind, nor was he even sleepy. He'd slept enough already, and he wanted to stay awake to make sure that as Dark slept…he would be safe.

Suddenly light shinned into the dark room causing Krad to cringe as his cat like eyes tried to adjust to the sudden intrusion of light.

"Daisuke, honey is that…" Suddenly Emiko's eyes fell onto the white clad angel and she dropped the glass of water she was carrying onto the floor with a crash as it shattered. "K-Krad…" She could barely speak.

'Grrr…why does my luck always go from bad…to worse…' Krad growled inside as he backed away a bit from the horror struck woman who stood frozen at the door on the other side of the room.

Suddenly another figure appeared in the doorway, an older male with short gray hair on his head and face, strangely he reminded Krad of Daisuke. But he recognized this Niwa…one of Dark's former hosts, age didn't dampen his features from long ago one bit. No doubt that seeing his former enemy standing in his grandson's bed room with Dark's blood all over his white clothes and Dark, unconscious and badly wounded, laying on the bed seemed a little off to him.

"Oh my God…" The elder Niwa replied shocked and astounded at the sight.

Krad wanted to say that he meant them no harm, but he could barely get a word out as a spell chanted from the elder Niwa's lips barreled into him causing him to groan with pain as the Sealing spell brought him to his knees. Damn, the Niwa's hold on magic sure hasn't lessen with age, Krad thought to himself as he muttered a counter cursed and dispelled the annoyingly painful magic.

"What? It's not working!" Emiko gasped as Krad got to his feet now trying his best to control his temper.

"Stand back Emiko…" The elder Niwa said and stepped in front of her.

"Grrr…damn humans…" Krad growled under his breath, "I didn't come here for a fight!" Krad snapped and the two Niwa's fell silent. The elder Daiiki never took his eyes from Krad and Emiko stared over at the image on the bed noticing for the first time that Dark lay there unmoving.

"Dark!" Emiko cried out in horror, "You monster!" She screamed glaring at Krad with a murderous intent in her water filled eyes.

These human's actually thought that he would hurt Dark? Well…okay yeah he guessed they would think that since he'd only been trying to kill Dark for the past three hundred years…but they didn't know the new circumstances now…if anyone was his enemy at the moment it wasn't Dark.

"…He's…alive…" Krad said trying to suppress another twist of pain in his chest and he looked down at the ground no longer standing in a defensive stance with his wings flared, slowly, as a gesture of his sincerity not to harm them, he folded his great white wings passively, hoping that they would calm down. "He's just exhausted of magic and energy…" He finished trying hard to keep his composure and the Niwa from launching another sealing spell at him.

"What have you done to him!" Emiko screamed glaring at the golden haired angel that refused to meet her gaze.

"…I have not done anything…this is the work of another…" Krad said in a near whisper and with a sigh.

"Liar!" Emiko shouted, but Daiiki placed a hand in front of the woman who was nearly in tears. She stared down at her father unsure of what to make of this action.

"…Krad is incapable of lying Emiko…" Daiiki said as his daughter looked at him astound. Silence hung between the three for a long while before the elder Niwa breathed a heavy sigh and stood tall still looking at Krad, "I believe you demon…" He replied and Krad felt a bit hurt at the title of demon, but understood his reasons, "But if what you say is true…then who has done this to Dark?" He asked calmly.

Krad stood silent for a while and unmoving, to be honest, he really didn't even know what the thing was…for it really didn't have a true name or identity to go by. He looked back over at Dark with pain filled eyes and sighed, "I honestly don't know…" He said calmly, "All I know is that it wants Dark…and I dead…I'm sorry that I can't tell you more…" He replied hoping that his answer would satisfy the Niwa so he could return to tending to Dark.

Daiiki did indeed look surprised at the answer, but somehow he believed that the demon had no intention of harming Dark or them. "I see…" He said and took a moment to collect his thoughts, and then turned to his daughter, "Emiko…take care of Dark's wounds…and don't be afraid…the demon has no intention to hurt you. So try to calm down and focus of what you have to do." Emiko nodded then looked back at Krad wearily, "And as for you…demon…" Daiiki said and slightly turned back to Krad as their two eyes met, "You may leave now…" He said and suddenly those cat like eyes filled with adamant rage and glared at him, "if you wish…" The Niwa finished firmly and Krad calmed down a bit. "But know this…if you stay then you are a guest here…which means that you are to act properly and abide by our rules…understand?" He asked handing something to Emiko.

Krad looked at him curiously and nodded. Then Emiko slowly walked over to him carrying something in her hands and stopped in front of Krad returning to her firm composure.

"Then you are to allow Emiko to put these on you…" Daiiki replied still in the doorway staring at Krad.

Krad looked down at the contents in Emiko's hands and his eyes widened, "Sealing Restraints?" He growled and his ice-cold eyes glared angrily at the elder Niwa.

"Just because I believe you doesn't mean I trust you…" Daiiki replied standing unaffected by Krad's eyes. "This is a precaution…and you agreed to the terms of staying here did you not?" He asked as Krad began to bitterly curse under his breath.

'Krad…maybe I should come out…they might feel more comfortable with me…' Satoshi said from within as the demon stared at the restraints pondering his options.

'No…they still wouldn't be happy…remember I'm known for sudden and forceful take overs…plus if that thing comes back…' He said with a growled, 'then you wouldn't stand much of a chance…'

"So…have you decided yet?" Daiiki asked as Krad came back too.

It took a moment for Krad to respond and he sighed as he realized he had no other choice. "Yes…I will accept your request…" Krad said with a bitter tone and held out his wrists to Emiko, who after a moment placed the two silver cuffs onto them and they clasped tight around the demon's wrist causing him to cringe a bit. The restraints had no key hole and could only be opened with the magic of its creator, suddenly Krad shut his eyes tight as the magic of the restrains began to kick in and the painful process of locking his magic inside of him began and ended in a few moments.

"Good…" Daiiki said and turned his back to the room, "And you may only stay in this room and are not to leave it…understood?"

"Fine…" Krad growled angrily feeling like a damn prisoner, but he calmed himself down after the elder Niwa left, he understood why they wouldn't trust him…so he didn't blame them for their cautiousness…but it angered him that these restraints were so damn tight and he felt helpless without being able to use his magic. But that feeling soon left…he was allowed to stay with Dark…and that's what mattered…His whole reason for putting up with this humiliation.

He looked over at Emiko, who was looking over the extent of Dark's injuries and every few minutes or so she returned to her gaze to the Demon who stood still in the center of the room now looking over at Dark.

"No need to worry about me…" Krad said to her with a bit of sarcasm in his voice as he gestured down towards the uncomfortable restraints making him about as harmless as a child, "I won't harm you…"

It did little to calm Emiko's fears, but she returned to her task and when she was finished, she left the room and closed the door as the elder Niwa had instructed her.

Alone again.

Krad looked over at Dark who was now wrapped with clean and proper bandages and still resting silently. He gave a sigh of relief and leaned up against the wall adjacent to Dark, he slowly slid down it and sat comfortably on the ground and closed his eyes for a moment. If he couldn't hold Dark, then what was the point of being close to him…but it was killing him inside to the feeling of being able to do nothing.

"Krad…"

Krad opened his eyes slightly and looked over to where the voice was coming from…Daisuke sat on the bed turned fully to his direction and looking at him with a guilty and saddened expression.

Krad sighed; he guessed that Dark had lost too much energy to remain in control of his host's body for very long, and looked up at the Niwa, "What is it Daisuke…" Krad asked calmly and a bit disappointed that not only was the silence broken but that he no longer was in the presence of Dark.

"I…I wanted to say…thanks for saving Dark…" Daisuke said looking down at his hands that were clutching the blood stained sheets of the bed, "You…don't know how grateful I am…you did…"

Krad sighed again and looked away towards a random spot on the wall resting an arm on one knee, "It's alright Daisuke…don't worry about it…" Suddenly the sound of soft sobs reached his ears and he turned his attentions back to the Niwa who was hiding his face as tears rolled down it.

"I…I don't want you to be…mad with Dark…" He said trying not to allow his voice to break, "That night…at the museum…it was my fault not Dark's that we went…" He began, "I just wanted to help…he…he tried to stop me he really did! But…I…I wouldn't let him…" Daisuke said as more sobs broke from him, "And…it really hurt Dark to think that…you thought he'd broken his promise to you…but he didn't…so please…don't be mad at him-" Suddenly Daisuke's apology was broken off as he felt warm arms around him and white wings surrounding him. Daisuke was so engrossed with trying to find the right words to apologize to Krad, that he didn't notice the angel walk over to him and sit on the bed next to him. Even though Krad's wrists were bound together, he was able to wrap his arms around the crying boy and surround him with his wings.

"I'm not mad at Dark, Daisuke…and I don't want you to think that…so please don't worry about it any longer." Krad said softly and Daisuke's shock at this sudden action faded, and he snuggled closer to Krad and his warmth that felt so much like Dark's. He missed Dark so much, and he felt like it was his fault that Dark was hurt because he was unable to draw on his energy during the battle. Dark was still unconscious inside of his mind and still hurt…but at least nothing could hurt Dark inside of his mind…that was the only thing Daisuke felt he could do for him. He continued to cry softly until he fell asleep in Krad's embrace.

'Thank you…Krad…' Satoshi said as he sighed softly watching Daisuke sleeping peacefully in his angel's arms. Since Satoshi was unable to change back into a tangible form due to the restraints, Krad had sensed how much he wanted to hold Daisuke and did so for him on his on free will.

Krad was silent for a long time and just held the sleeping Niwa with his eyes closed, pretending that it was Dark he held…for it was Dark he so desperately wanted to hold.

Notes from the Author:

Okay, one more chapter of fluffy tear jerking goodness and then we'll have the ol' Phantom Thief back in action! Dances Thank you all so much to my newest readers and commenter to my veteran fans! YOU GUYS ROCK!! XD And I'll keep up my tradition of fast uploads by getting to work on a lighter chapter 9! So till next time, ta-ta!

General Kitty Girl

p.s. I read all of the comments you guys send me and cry at how wonderful you all are! I'd love to write back to each and every single one of you individually to thank you, but there's just to many of you! Sniffles So here I go with my last box of Kleenex and say…sniffles

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