All the Pretty Little Horses

There's a ranch called Golden Hope, filled with beautiful horses and lush forests…and they say…that if you ever get lost or wander off the path…a golden angel will guide you back…

Chapter 8:

"Hello?"

"Riff?"

"Oh! Master Krad, how was the appointment."

A yawn, "Same as always, probably got worse…"

"I see…"

"You know you can leave, I wouldn't go and sue you or anything…"

"You know I won't."

"Thanks again, I have to go."

"Take care."

There was a beep, and another message played.

"Hello, Hikari-san?"

"Yes?"

"I just called to confirm that you have an appointment at 3o'clock today."

"Yea, I'll be there."

"Alright, take care."

"Bye."

Dark stared at the machine as it beeped again. He never though he'd feel that happy just to heard the blonde's voice again, maybe Risa was right…maybe he was ill…the tape continued playing.

"Master Krad, you have to come home…"

"Riff?" He was having a hard time talking…

"The doctor phoned me, you'd be getting better medical treatment back here."

"It's obvious I'm not getting better. I'll go home…" There was a cough, "but not now…give me a week."

"A week? Very well…"

"I have to go, Dark's screaming for help again."

"Are you going to tell him?"

"…they have no reason to get involved."

"If you wish."

"Bye."

Dark remembered that day…it was the day before the horses... Did Krad even stay a week after that? His anger didn't know whether to stay or not. Then the final message came on with a beep.

"Hello?"

"Riff?"

"Master Krad? Are you alright?"

There was a weak reply, "I want to go home…"

There was a pause, "A plane will be arranged."

"Thank you…"

There was a click, then silence, Dark stared at the machine, that was the night he left wasn't it? He sounded terribly ill…so Risa was right…he frowned and headed outside, deep in thought. Eyes narrowing as a beam of light hit him, he made his way to the stables wondering if Krad was alright…

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That night Dark couldn't sleep, all he could think of was the blonde, especially their first encounter when he had thought of the other as a rich no good snobby city boy. He chuckled, how wrong was he? Well maybe the rich city part was right but Krad certainly wasn't snobby. He sighed to himself, "I want to see him…" But does he want to see me?

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The next morning Dark headed to the piano and pressed a key, the instrument had been untouched since the blonde left, it was coated in dust. "You miss him a lot don't you, Dark-kun?"

The cowboy turned around, "Oh, hey Dai-chan."

"You miss Krad-kun." The redhead stated.

Violet eyes looked over at the redhead, "Hm?"

"You two…liked each other didn't you?" Dark shrugged, "Come on Dark-kun, it's not all that hard to admit it is it? I saw you two, and it's not hard to tell that you two were happy."

"He's the one who decided to leave…"

"He probably had a good reason!" Daisuke protested. "Do you have any idea at all what it might be?"

He was sick, "Well Risa-chan heard that he was sick…and he didn't look very healthy when he was still around…"

"Maybe that's why…you should go visit him Dark-kun, go see if he's okay."

"But…" What if he doesn't want to see me?

"Go, I'm sure he'll be happy to see you."

"You sure?"

"Yes, go ask for a vacation."

"…what about work?"

"Me and Satoshi-kun can handle a couple days without you around!"

"…" Dark knew he was letting Daisuke persuade him, but at least he felt left guilt about thinking the whole thing up himself. The redhead smiled and pushed him out of the main hall and into the kitchen, soon they were accompanied by Satoshi.

"Daisuke…what are you doing?"

"Getting Dark-kun to take a vacation!"

"Why?"

"So he can see Krad-kun!" Then they reached the kitchen, "Kaa-chan!"

Emiko looked at the three curiously, "Yes?"

"Dark-kun needs a vacation!"

The redhead's mother blinked then smiled, "Of course! It's about time he took one!"

"Oh…Kaa-chan?"

"Yes Dai-chan?"

"Can you tell us Krad-kun's address?"

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Dark sighed and looked out the window at the passing clouds and below where everything looked small, too small. I swear, they're trying to get rid of me…though it's rather nice to be away…especially away from Risa, she almost tore my favorite shirt…

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"Ehhhh? Dark-san! You're going away? Where? Don't tell me you're going to Krad-san! But he's sick!"

Dark blinked, "Risa-chan…"

She shook her head over and over again, clinging to his shirt, "What if you get sick? Why are you going over there?"

"Risa-chan…please let go."

"No! I don't want you going over to some sick person and getting sick!"

The cowboy took a step back and tried to pry his shirt loose, "Let go…"

"What if you get sick?"

"I'm willing to take the risk if it means getting to see Krad again…"

Risa's eyes widened and out of shock she let go, "Dark-san…"

He walked away, "See you."

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The cowboy frowned when he entered the airport, it was huge. Girls giggled as they pointed at him, he sighed and smirked to himself, deciding that his best bet was to ask them, "Hey."

The girls giggled, "Yes?"

"Any idea where this place is?" He held up the address for them to see.

The giggling didn't cease, "Yup, it's far, far away, you should take a taxi."

A lot of help they were… "Oh…alright, thanks."

In the end, he ended up following their advice and took a taxi, when he stepped outside the airport, he was somewhat surprised to find a long row of taxis waiting for a customer to step in. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, he opened the door and got in, the taxi smelt of leather and faint traces of cigarettes.

"Where to?" The driver asked in a gruff voice, Dark blinked and handed over the piece of paper, the driver took a minute then handed it back, "The Hikari Residence eh? On a business trip?"

"Huh? Oh…sorta…"

The driver huffed, "Figures." Dark frowned, wondering what the driver meant but didn't comment on it. Instead, he looked outside and sighed, watching unfamiliar buildings and houses pass by.

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The taxi finally came to a stop, Dark opened his eyes and looked around groggily, he had fallen asleep, "We're here."

The violet haired boy paid and thanked the driver and got out of the car, gaping as he did so. In front of him were two large blackgates which led to a long driveway which lead to an even grander mansion inside. He pressed the call button, "…hello?"

"Yes? Hikari residence."

He recognized the voice from the answering machine, "Is Krad there?"

"A visitor? Hold on a moment, I'll meet you at the door."

The gates swung open as Dark watched in amazement, he walked down the driveway, gawking at the plants and gardens around him. Everything was so…well kept. "Not rich my ass…" Then he saw the door, there was a man dressed in a suit waiting to greet him, must be one of his butlers. He walked up to the light blue haired man, "Hi…"

The butler smiled, "Hello, I'm Riff."

That name…"Dark Mousy."

Riff gave a nod as though not surprised by the name, "Please, come in."

Dark smiled nervously, "It's okay if Krad's busy, I can come back another time or something…anyways, I'm not sure he wants to see me…"

"No, it's quite alright, anyways, it looks like a storm's going to coming in soon, it'd be too much of a burden to ask you to come again. I'm sure Master Krad will be happy to see you."

We didn't exactly leave off in the best situation… "Well if it's no trouble…" He stepped into the house and looked around, his jaw felt loose. The house was not only large and well furnished with expensive furniture, but the walls were draped in paintings, very beautiful ones at that.

"Would you care for some supper while you wait for Master Krad?"

"Huh? Oh yea, sure, dinner sounds nice…"

"Feel free to look around, it should be finished soon."

"Okay…"

He sighed and plopped down onto a couch while staring at a certain painting, it's been what? Three quarters of a month? He leaves pissed and I didn't notice him leaving and now I'm here in his house, mansion, waiting for him. This might not turn out as well as Dai-chan was hoping for… Then he went back to staring at the painting and noticed something, these are all by…Hikari? Violet eyes looked outside, droplets of water had started falling from the sky. It's raining again…

"Master Dark? Supper is ready."

Dark stood up and stretched, "Thanks," he followed Riff into the dining room which was too large for a little family to sit at. It looks so…lonely… "This looks really good…" It was fancier than what Emiko whipped up, and it tasted really good too. He noticed that the butler had disappeared, he sighed and jabbed his fork into another piece of his dinner then stuffing it in his mouth. Awhile later he heard voices coming from outside the room.

"I'm fine…really."

"Well supper's ready."

"Thank you Riff."

"Oh, Master Krad, you have a guest."

The cowboy's heart skipped a beat while he waited in anticipation for the blonde to step in, "A guest?"

"Yes, he's in the dining room right now."

Amethyst eyes watched the doorway, a moment later a blonde stepped through, eyes widening as he did so, "Dark?"

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Nya

Dark visits Krad! Will Krad boot him out? XD And I updated! Whoo! -has a coughing spasm- Buckley's lied! I didn't get better and it just tasted like crap! Not that I know what crap tastes like... >.>;; But either way, medicine sucks! As does Risa XD Well depends actually..she sucks in this fic... :P ummm enjoy! Gah..my throat...