"Hello," Dark said as he dropped onto the balcony.

"Hello to you," the girl answered as she turned to face Dark casually resting her elbows on the rail that ran along the balcony.

"I saw you wave as I flew by," Dark told her as he sauntered over to her

"I wondered if you would notice," she said giving Dark a playful smile.

"How could I not notice a beautiful young lady? So you're Krad's tamer's sister," Dark teased as he stood next to her leaning one arm on the rail.

"Sounds like we're playing six degrees of separation. His name is Keni," she informed looking sideways at Dark.

"I'm not too concerned about his name. I'd rather know yours," Dark said flirtatiously.

"It's Kiora."

"Kiora. That's a beautiful name."

"Thank you, I'm rather fond of it myself," Kiora said as she turned to face Dark directly.

"So tell me Kiora, what do you do for fun around here?" Dark asked as he playfully pulled on her one of her fingers.

"Keep an eye out for you," Kiora answered innocently.

"Oh, and why is that," Dark said as he leaned in closer to Kiora and peered into her eyes.

"Just curious," Kiora told him without blinking.

"Well, let me cure your curiosity for you," Dark said mischievously as he gave Kiora a lopsided grin.

"Dark, how much longer to you intend on seeing Kiora?" Daisuke asked as Dark flew across the night sky.

"Not much. It's all for fun. She knows it is," Dark said trying to ease Daisuke's worries.

"You're too reckless," Daisuke pouted.

"And you're no fun," Dark pointed out.


Dark hadn't really intended on his nighttime escapades with Kiora to last as long as they did. He had lied to Daisuke about seeing her as being just for fun. There was something about her that kept bringing him back night after night. It even got to the point where he hadn't asked Daisuke to send out any warning letters to the media about his next big heist. Daisuke's father was starting to wonder what was going on. They were out late a lot yet they always returned empty handed. Daisuke tried to cover for Dark by saying they were staking out a couple of places but he knew that excuse wouldn't work for very long.

Dark landed on the balcony next to Kiora and took her in his arms kissing the top of her head.

"Miss me?" He asked as Kiora pulled away to look at him.

"A little," she teased. "I have something for you."

"What is it?"

"Here," she said as she handed Dark a gold bracelet.

"I think my brother suspects you've been coming here so I don't think we should see each other anymore," Kiora explained sadly. "This is to remember me by."

Dark accepted the bracelet and kissed it.

"I'll always remember you," Dark said gently as he brushed Kiora's wind swept hair from her eyes. He knew it the two of them wouldn't be able to continue seeing each other. He just hadn't expected it to end so soon. He was disappointed but he wouldn't let her see how much.

"Good," she exclaimed as she rushed into his arms. They remained that way in each other's arms for a few minutes. Dark basking in these last moments they had together trying to ingrain into his memory everything about her. As Kiora gently pulled away she plucked a feather from Dark's wings.

"My memento of you," she said smiling with tears in her eyes.

"Anything for you," Dark said as he watched her walk away for what he thought would be forever.


As the memories faded away Dark could only stare at the box. He couldn't quite get a hold of his emotions. He couldn't believe he had been tricked like that. He remembered everything now of those moments he shared with Kiora. How desperately in love he had been in with her. Before those memories had been reawakened by the box that stood before him Kiora had been nothing to him but his enemy. She had been Krad's tamer and the two together had made life a living hell for Dark and Daisuke in those days. He was surprised that he and Daisuke had managed to survive the numerous encounters they had with Kiora and Krad.

Dark, deep in thought, didn't even notice that Eden had been trying to get his attention. When it did register that Eden was trying to get his attention Dark snapped. Hearing Eden's voice, Kiora's son, caused Dark's anger to flare that he reached for the box and threw it to the floor causing the lid to pop open and a single black feather to fall out.

Eden stared at the feather on the floor in disbelief. He knew immediately that it belonged to Dark. His mother had told him it was empty and he wondered how she didn't know that one of Dark's feathers was in there. But maybe she did know, Eden thought to himself.

Dark stooped down and picked up the feather. All those memories of Kiora had been stolen from him and attached to the single feather he now held in his hand. He remembered thinking at the time about how sincere Kiora had been. But it turned out she had been using him the whole time.

"Where's your mother?" Dark demanded as he looked at Eden threateningly.

"I don't know," Eden said nervously. He didn't like the look in Dark's eyes. "My parents went on a trip and didn't say where they were going."

"How convenient," Dark said sarcastically. "So were you in on Kiora's plan too?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Eden answered truthfully backing away as Dark stepped closer to him.

Dark, taking his anger out on Eden, grabbed him by his collar and threw him against the wall.

"Is that why you've been hovering around Aomi? To see what happened to that bracelet!" Dark yelled.

"No!" Eden choked but it wasn't directed at Dark.

"It's okay Eden. I'll take care of this," Krad said as he began to take over Eden's body.

Eden yelled out again and hunched over clutching at his ribs. Dark picked him up and held him against the wall.

"Then why have you been with Aomi?" Dark yelled his anger not allowing him to pick up on Eden's predicament.

"Dark!" Rio yelled trying to get his attention. "Can't you feel it? Get away from..."

But Rio's warning came too late. A low, mocking laugh came from Eden and he reached up and grabbed Dark's wrist. Dark realized too late what was happening and he had no chance to get away.

"Get your hands off him," Eden said in a sinister voice as he magically transformed into Krad.