Chapter 3

Daisuke opened his eyes. He was here again, in that dreamscape where he had first seen Dark's emaciated form. Shakily, the boy looked around, trying to pinpoint the one that he was looking for. Daisuke was determined, that this time, if he saw Dark, he would get the thief back.

There was no sign of anything, and Daisuke slowly started to walk. 'He's got to be here… He just has to be…'

CRACK.

'AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!'

Daisuke flinched at the scream, but took off in the direction that he had heard it from, knowing that it was where he would find Dark. The boy pushed himself harder as he heard another 'CRACK' from the whip, as well as a yelp of pain. It was just like the last dream he had had, only with the images and the sound.

Just as Daisuke stumbled into a lit area the words escaped Dark's lips. "Please! Stop it! No!"

Daisuke watched in horror as the whip was raised again, and then fell across Dark's bruised back. The thief arched in pain, letting out a sob.

It was just like the last time he had seen Dark, only this time the thief's wings were visible. Dark was hanging from the ceiling, chains wrapped around his skinny wrists and a few more looped around his wings, keeping them away from his back, and forcing him into a vulnerable position. Dark's ankles were tied together, and shackled to the floor. He was helpless.

Daisuke looked back towards the holder of the whip, and gasped in shock when he saw that it was Krad. The boy's crimson eyes narrowed in fury, and he let out a shout just as the whip descended again, striking Dark's skin.

Dark's scream of pain was cut off as he heard Daisuke's voice, and hazy violet eyes shot to look at the redhead. Dark's eyes widened, and he struggled fiercely. "Daisuke!"

Daisuke ran forward, fighting Krad for possession of the whip. The blond angel easily knocked the boy aside, and then, after making sure that he was watching, threw the lash against Dark again.

The thief screamed out in pain, body arching wildly in an attempt to escape the hurt. Daisuke watched in rage and horror as Krad brought the whip to his face, fingering the trailing lash with long pale fingers. Daisuke saw now that there was a claw at the end of the whip, one that was covered in Dark's blood. Krad grinned, and then licked at the metal tip, whirling an instant later to lay open Dark's back.

Dark was sobbing outright now, hanging limply against his bonds. The thief was helpless in his position, and Daisuke stood again, going forward to try and help his friend. "Dark, please, hold on!"

Dark paid him no mind, only continued to wail and scream as Krad whipped him again. Daisuke flinched as Dark's blood flew to splatter over his face and into his crimson hair, but he continued to struggle with the bonds holding Dark in the air.

It was then that Daisuke found out what the 'snap' had been. Krad lashed the whip forward, and it wrapped around Dark's left wing completely. Dark wailed, the wing convulsing against the leather. Letting out a grunt, Krad pulled, and Dark screamed as his wing was nearly wrenched out of his back.

Ssssnap.

Dark's wing crumpled, and Daisuke knew that the fragile bones in it had been broken against the pull of the whip. Daisuke struggled faster, picking at the lock with a pick that had been in his pocket.

It was now a battle between Krad and Daisuke; Daisuke trying to free the black-winged angel, and Krad trying to torture him. Krad lashed out with the whip again, and this time the leather wrapped around Dark's right wrist. The blond fought with it for a moment, and then there was a loud crack as Dark's wrist lost that fight. Dark screamed, bloody tears starting to fall down his cheeks.

Daisuke managed to free Dark's left arm, and Dark sagged against his remaining ties. The thief looked at Daisuke with pain-filled purple eyes. "Please… L-Leave me…"

Daisuke shook his head determinedly. "No. You asked for my help, and I intend to give it to you. I'm not leaving. Not without you."

Dark's eyes widened, and he stared in shock at the boy. His gaze was cut off as Krad lashed out again, wrapping around Dark's torso. As Krad pulled on the whip Dark's bonds vanished, and the angel hit the floor with a wet thud, groaning as he did. Krad dragged Dark's limp body towards him, pulling the thief upright against him. "Do you want him, little boy?"

Daisuke growled in his throat, making a fist with his hand. "Let him go."

Krad trailed a finger down Dark's cheek, and the thief shuddered, tears leaking forth from his eyes again. "And why should I? He's quite a delectable little morsel, I don't know if I want to let him go."

Daisuke took a step forward. "I said, let him GO!"

Krad waved a finger at the boy. "Ah, ah, ah!" A knife appeared in the blond's hands, pressed against Dark's throat. Dark whimpered, his head falling back against Krad's shoulder in an effort to keep his neck from being cut. "Wouldn't want the little thief to say goodbye, now would we?"

Daisuke shivered, but stopped moving forward. "Let him go, Krad. He doesn't deserve this."

"I never said that he deserved it," the white-winged angel retorted. He slowly and deliberately trailed his tongue down the side of Dark's face, and the thief let out a wail of terror, struggling. As the knife bit into his throat, however, he went still again.

Daisuke frowned. He didn't know what to do. He had to get Dark free, but if he went any closer, Krad would slit his throat. Krad suddenly shifted, putting up a hand to stroke Dark's thin neck. "Isn't it funny, how deceptively fragile Dark is?"

Daisuke blinked, but said nothing.

"He tells himself he is strong, he shows that he is strong, and yet…" Krad's fingers closed around Dark's throat, and the thief let out a squeak as his air supply was cut off. "And yet, this is all you have to do to get rid of him. The famous Phantom Thief."

Daisuke let out a roar of rage as Dark's purple eyes rolled into the back of his head, hand desperately grasping at Krad's arm. The dark-winged angel's feet were kicking, but his struggles were slowing as lack of oxygen took its toll on him. Dark was dying.

Daisuke let out a cry of rage, very nearly flying towards Krad. "LET HIM GO!"

Krad's cry of outrage accompanied the bright flash of light that sent Daisuke tumbling out of the dream.

Daisuke sat upright abruptly, breathing fast and heavy. Wiz leapt into his lap an instant later, startling him. The small rabbit-like creature let out a series of frantic 'Kyuus' and then jumped back off the bed, running to the window. Confused, Daisuke got to his feet and went after Wiz.

A dark shape fell through the night, glowing almost violet as it did. Daisuke gasped as Wiz let out another cry. 'Dark!' The streak was heading for the beach, and fast. Daisuke suppressed a cry, and then started to run downstairs. 'I'll never make it!' the boy realized in horror. 'I'll never get to him in time!'

As Daisuke ran through the streets he narrowed his eyes. 'If only I could use Wiz as my wings! I need wings to get to him in time! I need wings!'

Pain lanced through the boy, and Daisuke realized in shock that the wings he had only used once were answering his call. Daisuke let out a shout, and then his crimson wings exploded from his back, ripping through his shirt.

Putting the pain into the back of his mind, Daisuke took quickly to the air, flying as fast as he could towards the beach. His wings beat a steady rhythm, and Daisuke pushed himself faster, trying to reach the beach in time to catch up with the hurtling black and purple bullet that he was sure was Dark.

Unfortunately he didn't get there in time, and Dark slammed into the water at a startling speed. Daisuke didn't hesitate; he dove into the water after the dark-winged angel, folding his crimson wings tight against his body.

Daisuke swam with all his might, moving quickly towards the rapidly sinking form that was Dark. Daisuke wrapped his arms tightly around Dark's thin body, noticing that the angel was tied hand and foot, wings flailing loosely. Using his wings to help, Daisuke shot towards the surface, exploding into the night sky in a rush of crimson feathers and ocean water.

His wings fought to keep air while wet, and Daisuke made his way over to the beach. After laying Dark on the sand, Daisuke shook his wings roughly, ridding them of any excess water. He then collapsed beside the still form of the thief, looking for any signs of life.

Daisuke located a pulse, but it was weak and fading fast. Daisuke placed a hand beneath the thief's nose, and discovered with horror that he wasn't breathing.

Quickly Daisuke tilted Dark's head back, pinching his nose closed. Placing his lips over the thief's Daisuke breathed into him, making sure that the violet-haired man's chest rose with the air. He then pushed against Dark's chest, counting in an almost frantic fashion. "Come on Dark…" Daisuke ground out. "Breathe."

After nearly two minutes of CPR, Dark sucked in a breath, coughing heavily and throwing up water and blood. Daisuke quickly turned the thief on his side, making sure that he didn't inhale any of the stuff that was coming out of his system.

Daisuke examined the thief. He wasn't in much better shape then he had been in Daisuke dreams. The swollen state of Dark's right wrist indicated that it was broken, and Dark's right ankle was in the same state. The left wing was hanging at an odd angle, and the seeping whip lashes on Dark's back were red and inflamed. Daisuke looked along the angel's body, worried noticing the prominent angles of his cheekbones, collarbones, and hips. He was still just as thin too.

Dark's dazed and dull violet eyes opened slowly to stare at Daisuke in a brief uncomprehending look, and then fluttered shut again. Daisuke swore softly, pulling the unconscious thief into his arms and rising. Spreading his crimson wings, the boy took to the air, cradling his dark-winged angel to his chest. 'I've got you now Dark, and I won't let anyone else hurt you…'

Just so you know, I going on the assumption that Dark has his own wings. I've heard that he does have them, but that it would hurt Daisuke to bring them out (think of Satoshi whenever he turns into Krad, or when Daisuke gets his wings) And also, I like Daisuke's wings, so I'm giving them back to him...