Chapter Three: "You're My Secret"

Feathers swirled around in the breeze, fluttering towards the ground as the sound of frantic wing beats echoed across the night sky. While many of the occupants of the closed houses below would dream of their wishes until the end of the night, high above the rooftops there were two souls who wished that the times at night they spent together would never end…

The angel waited atop the highest building of the skyline, his slender figure outlined by the stars, pale skin pure in the fresh moonlight of the clear, warm perfect summers' night. He looked to the stars and sighed, watching, waiting.

The wing beats slowed and stilled as another figure landed softly next to the angel, his glossy black wings catching highlights, and a look in his eyes that was mirrored in the golden gaze of the blonde who stood so close to him.

"You're here," breathed Krad, falling into his lover's arms.

"Of course I'm here," Dark said, holding him tightly. "I've been so worried about what's been happening to you now that your tamer is sick. I know that you share in his weaknesses in the same way that I feel some of Daisuke's feelings. Please, Krad, won't you tell me that you're alright?" he slowly brushed away soft strands of long hair from Krad's angelic yet drawn face. "You look so ill…you never get sick…"

Krad tried to push the true comments aside by abruptly switching the conversation topic.

"How is Niwa-san coping, after that, scene, earlier I mean?" he asked, avoiding Dark's eye.

Dark sighed. "Daisuke, he's, well…we both know he has very deep feelings for Hiwatari, but he's so, well, terrified of rejection from him. He was so emotional today, he honestly thought Hiwatari had gone at one point, and when he woke up, I guess Daisuke was so relieved that his feelings just came out. Poor kid, he's having trouble sleeping for worrying about his feelings, and about Hiwatari's health. I almost couldn't come here in secret, he wasn't falling asleep, and I couldn't sneak out. Honestly, I thought he was going to be up all night. But, what about Hiwatari, I suppose this is troubling him a lot too?"

Krad nodded. "What Niwa said at the hospital, it just keeps replaying over and over in Satoshi-sama's mind, he's barely sleeping either." Krad paused for a moment, looking at the stars. "He…really does love Niwa-san, you know…he really wants to tell him, it's breaking his heart…but he feels he can't tell Niwa-san now that he knows about…" he cut off suddenly, trying to pull away from Dark's embrace.

"Hey, hold up," Dark tried to stop him, confused. "You mean that Daisuke's love confession wasn't the only news that Hiwatari's had today then? Dark saw the blonde bite his lower lip and glance around for possible clear escape routes, a classic sign that Krad was about to bolt from something he didn't want to deal with, namely emotions.

Dark caught hold of his arm as he started to spread his wings to go, and pulled the blonde back down, hugging him close to show that he was there for him, he would listen, and that Krad wasn't getting away without answering.

"Krad? Tell me what's going on with Hiwatari."

Krad hung his head so that his long hair masked his face. "It's nothing," he muttered, still trying to pull away from Dark's strong grip.

It was clear from his behaviour that something defiantly was wrong, and Dark wasn't going to let up until he found out what was upsetting his love. "Krad, please, you can tell me, I'll keep it a secret if you need me too. Come on, look at me, then you'll see I'm not lying to you," he said, gently lifting Krad's face up to meet his. He was shocked to see the glistening tears in Krad's amber eyes, threatening to spill over and fall down the pale cheeks of someone who never cried. "Krad…"

"He's dying, Dark!" Krad blurted out. "Satoshi's heart, he's dying, and I-I am dying with him!" The tears won and fell to the ground. Dark's grip on his arms went limp with shock, and the tears were followed by swirling white feather, falling to the ground like rain as the crying, dying angel took wing and hurried away towards the horizon.

"…N-no…"

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"…No…"

Satoshi lied awake and alone, refusing to believe the revealed inevitability of his situation. He picked up the sheet explaining his condition that had been left by his bedside by the doctors and skimmed it again, but each time he looked little hope appeared.

'CHF; Congestive heart failure

Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a disorder in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood efficiently. Heart failure is almost always a chronic, long-term condition, although it can sometimes develop suddenly. This condition may affect the right side, the left side, or both sides of the heart.

With heart failure, many organs don't receive enough oxygen and nutrients, which damages them and reduces their ability to function properly. Most areas of the body can be affected when both sides of the heart fail.

Heart failure is a serious disorder that carries a reduced life expectancy. It may worsen with infection or other physical stressors.'

Heart failure. After living with the Hikari curse for fourteen years, being told he was going to die of heart failure…it was almost laughable…

"Laughter…"

An image of Daisuke flashed in front of Satoshi's eyes, smiling in that adorable way that he just loved…

"…love…"

The memory of Daisuke's face, streaming with tears…

"…It's incurable…"

"Because I love you!"

"…how can I think of sharing my feelings with Daisuke, knowing that I'll be leaving him like this? But I love him so much…What will hurt him more, love and loss, or no love at all? Why is this happening to me? It isn't fair! Oh, Daisuke, I'm so sorry…"

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"No!" Dark leapt into flight and hurried after his distraught lover. "Krad!" he shouted after the departing figure. "Krad, please come back!" Why was he fleeing from him like this? Dark lost sight of the blonde and, giving up his flight, sunk onto a rooftop, trying to comprehend the implications of Krad's outburst.

"I'm not going to lose you, Krad," He spoke his thoughts aloud, showing the skies the raw emotion and determination that ran through him. "I will help you! We'll get through this, and we'll all be together, and, we'll all be happy, just like you wanted from the start…This I promise!"

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(sniff!) that's the end of this chapter…thanks for all your reviews, if you send a signed review or leave your e-mail address; I make a point to answer all my reviews.

'Til next time

Lia