Chapter 4 – The Missing Piece

The room shook from the impact. He slid to the ground, his head throbbing with pain.

What the hell?

Dark turned towards the entryway, not at all surprised by what he saw.

Standing among the rubble stood that cursed angel. The smirk on his face made him want to rip it off in unchecked fury. Smirks were his trademark, and his only. It was reserved for only the best. And that guy was definitely nothing compared to him. A wave of fury and annoyance pushed its way into his core.

Not to mention that constant throbbing pain.

"I don't lose that easily." Krad's tone was mocking. Full of scornful haughtiness. It was sickening.

"Neither do I," Dark hissed. "Whiz!"

The little white creature appeared to answer his call. Immediately, Whiz leapt onto his master's back, transforming into raven black wings as his master launched himself into the air.

Seeing what Dark was meaning to do, Krad also took to the air.

Both flew upward, hands reaching for the Feather Token. Closer…closer…Almost there…

The Thief reached out his arm, his fingers just curling around the Feather…

Pure golden energy ripped him from within. A jolt of power raced up his arm, spread down to his legs, the rest of his body, striking him with full force, intensifying the pain. He opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came out. He couldn't make a sound. Dark choked on nothing but air. Gasped, only to find his lungs had become worthless vessels. He couldn't breathe. Even with every effort, he couldn't seem to even have the strength to take one single shuddering breath. And then he realized… He couldn't see. Was he becoming blind? No. He could see Krad's outstretched hand. The hand that had sent him this magical pain.

His world was fading away. Everything was becoming so dark… Everything was dissolving around him… Disappearing…

And he was getting so tired… So very tired… His life was draining away…

Still, he strived to obtain the feather. Closed his hand... Then…

Nothing.

…..

Another chill left her numb. Fear gripped her heart, and she couldn't comprehend why. What was happening? Why was she having these feelings? There was no reason to feel this way. What was wrong with her?

"Risa?" Riku called. Worry tinged her tone.

There sat her younger sister, on the park bench they had found near the museum. Just moments ago, she had been smiling and humming quietly to herself, though she had stopped for just a split second. Now, she was sitting as still as a stone. As though the life had been drained out of her.

Risa gave no answer.

"Risaaaaaaaaaa."

Still, her sister didn't utter a word.

"RISA?"her call ended in a high-pitched squeak. She was frightened. Risa was always so talkative and easy to pull into a conversation. So why wasn't she answering her?

Riku rushed to Risa's side, casting her gaze down at her.

Harada the younger had a grimace on her face, as though she was experiencing some unknown pain. Then her face contorted into an expression of dead fear, her eyes darkening until they were as black as the night.

"Risa! Are you okay?" she asked.

Riku grabbed her shoulders and shook her in panic. Risa wouldn't answer her, and her face was becoming pale, her eyes widening until they were the size of saucers.

"Risa, what's wrong?"

…..

Kosuke fought to catch up with his wife. She ran faster than the blink of an eye, and he couldn't imagine ever catching up with her anytime soon. Already, she was at the edge of the forest that surrounded the museum, Kosuke perhaps 50 yards behind her.

She had seemed so worried at home, and suddenly, she had taken off without word or warning. Just got up, slammed open the door, and sprinted out into the night.

His shouted cry of, "What are you doing?" had only received a reply of "There's something wrong!"

He was filled with confusion, but he eventually decided to trust Emiko. So far, her intuition had never been wrong. There was no reason to doubt her now.

Luckily, Emiko chose that moment to pause and stop for breath. Kosuke caught up to her a few minutes later.

"Emiko –" He was cut short as he followed her gaze.

He noticed the Harada twins by a bench. The elder seemed panicked; the other was silent like the grave.

A strange tension filled the air, and for a moment, no one moved, and no one spoke a word.

…..

Riku didn't know what to do. Risa still remained silent, and she looked as though she could faint at any moment.

"Risa, stop it! I know you're bored and you like acting, but you need to stop it! You know I don't like acting!"

"What's happening? Is she alright?"

Riku turned towards the voice. Daisuke's mother stood before her, and she looked as worried as Riku felt.

Mr. Niwa stood a few feet behind her; he jogged over to them, a concerned but confused expression on his face. "What's going on?"

She wasn't sure what to say. "I- I don't know."

A soft voice spoke behind her.

"Dark…"

Riku looked at her sister. Her skin was still ghostly pale, and she was shaking. There had been a slight tremor in her voice. She had her eyes – at least they were no longer a frightening dead black – turned up to her elder sister, and her brown orbs pierced into Riku's own. They held such fear that it spread into Riku's heart like a disease.

"Dark… Is he okay? Something's…. wrong…"

At this, she noticed Mrs. Niwa stiffen beside her.

There was silence once more.

Then the sound of fluttering wings and everyone immediately looked up. A swirl of wind. Dust blew into their eyes, and they were nearly blinded by the whirlwind. White and black swam across Riku's vision. Then it was gone.

In the distance, sirens and shouting were growing louder by the moment. The crowd and police department seemed to be in quite a commotion.

But all of the background noises seemed to fade away as the four's eyes stayed glued to the thing drifting towards Harada the younger.

Risa caught the thing in her hands.

Riku held her breath. The others seemed to be doing the same. A rigid silence fell over them.

She felt her legs moving beneath her, taking her over to Risa. Her eyes grew wider with every step.

Then she quickly took in a sharp, surprised breath as she saw what Risa held.

A large feather. It was a glossy black, larger than any of Dark's feathers. It seemed to flutter slightly, though there was no wind. And it gleamed in the most peculiar way. As it moved side to side in an unseen breeze, a faint coat of white seemed to appear from time to time, surrounding the feather.

It was so magical, so beautiful. So breath-taking. Could it really be? Would he really give it to Risa?

Of all the girls he could have teased with this stupid joke? Did he really have to do this? He was playing with her. He was going to break Risa's heart in the end. Why… How could he be so cruel as to hand Risa this… thing? This stupid legend-bound object. It was raising Risa's hopes. It was taking her to far-off heights. Helping her imagine the impossible. Believe that Dark really loved her.

Why did Dark have to make fun of her sister? Tease her?

Deep within, Riku knew that that thing had not been meant as a sign of affection for her sister. And it made her want to cry from pity when she saw how happy Risa looked. That false hope in her eyes.

"The…" Risa turned to her sister, bright-eyed. "Riku…" She held the thing up to the moonlight. "Riku, it's the Feather Token! The Feather Token!"

"Risa, how d-"

"Oh, Riku this is wonderful!" The girl was ecstatic. She spun around in a full circle. She gasped in surprise at the sight of Mr. and Mrs. Niwa, as though she hadn't noticed them there before. Then she smiled. "Isn't this wonderful, Mrs. Niwa?"

Mrs. Niwa seemed to hesitate at first.

Why would she hesistate?

Then she gave her an awkward, uncertain smile. "Yes, it is… Don't you think so Kosuke?"

Mr. Niwa nodded, though he had an even more confused look on his face. Poor guy, he had no clue what was happening or why it was happening.

Riku frowned. She didn't want to burst Risa's bubble, but there was this nagging feeling, and she felt like she should go with it. Risa would be a lot less heartbroken in the end if she could just caution her beforehand, warn her; so in the end, Risa wouldn't be too surprised of the events that Riku was sure was to follow.

"Risa, I don't think the Feather –"

Risa turned to her. Her eyes flashed dangerously. "You don't think what? You aren't jealous are you?"

Riku frowned at this, flushing a deep crimson red. "No! Of course not! I just don't think –"

"Good. Now let's get home! Mom will be so happy when she hears about this!"

Riku hesitated. She did want to head home. She was tired of standing here, next to the museum. Tired of waiting for something that either would never come, or – judging by the swirl of black that had just flown past – had already gone. But she needed to reason with Risa that Dark probably didn't love her. That this was all a big joke, or an accident, or – she didn't care! She just knew this Feather wasn't meant for Risa. It just didn't feel right.

And even if she wanted to just give up and be happy for Risa, she couldn't. Something kept telling her, screaming at her, that there was something wrong with this picture.

"Riku, come on!"

Riku look at the Feather once more. Should she give up now or tell Risa the truth that she believed in?

She sighed, resigning. Ah, well. She would sort out her thoughts and reason with Risa later. For now, she just wanted to go home.

Risa took Riku's hand, practically gliding over the soft grass between the trees, so great was her joy.

She let out a contented sigh, laughed a carefree laugh. She felt so happy, so fulfilled. Nothing in her life had ever happened just the way she had hoped until now. It was the most perfect moment in her life. And nothing could change that.

Because Dark loved her.

"Bye, Mr. and Mrs. Niwa!" she called.

Mid-stride, she closed her eyes… Felt the night air against her skin… Yes…

Dark loves me.

…..

Daisuke gave a soft sigh, opening his eyes cautiously. He was back in control again, in his own room, in his own safe house. Thank God, that weird nightmare was over.

"Wait a minute. The museum… How'd we get back from the museum?"

He quickly sat up in bed, crying out in pain as he did so. He slowly lay back down.

"Ow…"

The redhead looked around, searching for any sign of anyone there. Nothing. Nothing was out of place.

Except…

He held up his hands, rummaged around his bed and his clothes.

"Where's the Feather?" he whispered.

A/N: Hey everyone, thanks for the reviews! I had a fun time reading them. Heh heh. Anyway, I'm having exams this month, so I'm not sure when I'll write the next chapter. And I meant to make this chapter longer, but I need to get to sleep and I really wanted to post this up. Better something than nothing, right? Heh. Please review:) Until next time! See ya!