Author's Note: I thought I should point out that I prefer the Japanese version to the English version(I'm sorry, but the voices make me shudder). As such, their mannerisms are slightly different than they are in the English version. So if you review, please don't go out saying that their out of character unless you've watched the Japanese version as well.

Stage Two: A Feathered Gift

"A little longer now." Ever since the meeting of that girl, Mea of the Seal, it seemed like time flowed within the seal. It had been nearly a full day since then, and both Dark and Krad knew that they would never have to see this void again. However, only the white-winged angel seemed to find the thought empowering. With his release, he would be free to see his revenge through. He could destroy the filth that put him here. At the very least put them through the same torment. The thought brought that trademark sadistic smile to his face.

In contrast, Dark was thinking of what was said by Mea. Foresight had never been one of his strong suits, but... Could the magic of Kokuyoku be that powerful? Could it really be enough to break both seals? He had never heard of the artwork itself causing trouble on that scale, but then again, the Black Wings is the only Living Art. And with the corruption of the ritual that would have given it true live, it wasn't impossible that it had a mind separate from the souls that resided in it. The thought of becoming one with Krad, which was at least part of that insane blonde's plans, wasn't all too pleasing, either. The more he though about it, the more tempting the girls offer became, since it would prevent others from being injured...

Before he could finish his thought, the time had come, and both angels found themselves back at the Seal's Edge. "I assume you're ready?" Mea asked, looking down in order to not meet their gazes. When no answer came, she nodded. "Everything is ready on the other side, so I shall begin." It seemed as if existence itself trembled, fearing the power of the magic that the girl forced onto the seal. The chains rattled and shook, but refused to give in. The magic of Dark's seal lashed out at her, cutting away at her body and soul. The shaking, the rattling and the trembling increased in intensity as time continued forward.

Dark gritted his teeth as he watched the battle of wills turn into a flurry of spark-like lights. I know I'm going to regret this... The black-winged angel put out a pure black feather, holding the quill between his index and middle finger. It gained a lush purple aura, magic channeling through it. The chaos suddenly lulled as the chains shattered like glass, fading away into bits of energy. Mea's head shot up to look at Dark, both shocked and relieved at what he did. A smile creased her face as things began to fade and new chain began to weave. It took a moment for Dark to realize that she was making a new seal while they were being pulled farther into existence. That was all either of them would realize.

x x x x x

Mea's body faded from the centre of the triangle formed by her companions, dissipating into nothingness. In her place were two feathers, one white, one black. It was the best she could do to contain the souls of Dark and Krad. The blindfolded woman picked up the two feathers, glancing at each one briefly. "I shall take the phantom thief. Naem, you will take his opposite. No matter how they react, this needs to be done." she said, passing the feather of purest white to one of the black robed men.

"I shall meet with you two when you are finished with your tasks." the other man said, moving swiftly and silently out of the museum. The other two followed shortly after, before splitting up an heading for different parts of town.

x x x x x

It was not much later that night when the woman reached her destination. Knocking on the door of the house in front of her, she put her head down. A woman answered the door, looking ready to fall asleep where she stood. It was hard to see her appearance due to the light behind her, causing her to look like a shadowy silhouette of a person. "Good evening madam. I am sorry to disturb you this late at night, but I have something I would like you to give to your son for me." Still not looking at the woman, she handed her the black feather in her possession.

The woman gasped as the she touched the feather and almost cradled it in her hand. When she looked up to ask the person who gave it to her their name, the female with the blindfold was gone. She stood there in the doorway for a few moments longer before going back inside.

Daisuke woke up early in the morning, which was strange because it was a Saturday and he slept in no matter what day it was. With was laying next to his head comfortably near to the wall, mumbling 'kyuu' every once and a while. With a smile, the red-head turned over to look at the rest of his room. The white of the walls painfully brought his eyes in tune with the light. Grumbling something about it being to early, he tried to fall back into the bliss that is sleep. For five minutes. He got close many times, be each instance something nagged at the back of his consciousness, annoyingly letting him know that he needed to be awake.

With a groan he climbed down to the floor. He rubbed the palm of his hand into his face for a moment to make sure that he was not asleep. Then, something on his desk caught his eye. A perfect, black feather. It was too long for it to belong to any bird he had ever seen. It had to have belonged to... No, that's impossible. He's gone. Not even his feathers exist anymore. And yet, he couldn't shake the feeling that he couldn't be more wrong. He reached over as if to touch the feather, but stopped short, hand hovering an inch away from the quill.

Part of him didn't want to even see that feather. Kaitou Dark had ruined many things in his life during their time together. And yet... he grew to trust Dark, even like him. And there was the fact that the angel had saved him and his friends many times before. Ultimately, the good things about Dark and Daisuke's own curiosity won out and he extended his arm and grabbed the feather. His entire body felt numb and, if for just a second, it felt like time itself stopped. When time resumed, he had full feeling again. Everything was normal, or at least seemed normal. There was a feeling in the back of his mind that was all too familiar. Dark...? You there?

No reply. He sighed, half in relieve, half in disappointment. Twirling the feather between his fingers so he could examine it, the red-haired boy walked downstairs. It certainly felt like Dark was back, but if he was then he would have replied, right? Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he walked into the living room, which often doubled as the dining room.. "Good morning, grandpa." he said, walking past the elderly man on the couch in order to sit down himself.

"Good morning Daisuke. What is that there?" Daiki, the boy's grandfather of... er... really old, asked, opening a single eye to look at him as he took a sip of his tea. He knew his grandson well, and knew that something was on his mind for him to be up this early. The feather in his hand seemed familiar, but the man didn't want to jump to conclusions just yet. It wasn't a healthy thing for him to do at his age.

Daisuke frowned, staring at the feather. "It's... one of Dark's feathers." the boy explained as if he didn't believe it himself. His grandfather put his teacup down, but otherwise didn't respond. "Where is everyone?" he asked, finally noticing that none of them were in the house. Although, he could guess...

"Emiko and Towa are out shopping, and Kosuke went out for a walk."

"Oh." It was silent for a moment and Daisuke stood up. As soon as he did, his head suddenly began to throb. It forced him back down, making him cradle his head with both hands, careful not to crush the feather.

Daiki watched, wide-eyed, as the boy changed before him. When it was over, Daisuke stood up again. He was noticeably taller with, of all things, vivid purple hair and eyes. The elderly man sat there like a fish trying to breathe air it could not process. "What?" Daisuke said, though with a voice clearly too deep to be his own. There was a slightly smirk on his face, one that was almost sly, as if he took some sort of pleasure it the old man's confusion. "No warm welcomes?"

D-D-Dark? How-? I thought that you- I mean, you were going--

Calm down, Daisuke. I'm not entirely sure what happened myself. Dark then reiterated the same thing to Daiki when the man essentially the same thing. He was then assaulted by questions, two at a time. One from his other half, and one from Daiki each round. It ranged from why he was there, to which he responded, "No clue." to if the seal on the Black Wings had been broken. "Kind of." was the cryptic reply to that one. "It's a long story."

Daiki smiled. "I've got nothing but time." And so, Dark explained, if slightly vaguely, everything of note that happened since his sealing. The meeting with Mea of the Seal and her offer. The ritual that caused her to replace them within the Black Wings.

"Okay, maybe not so long." the dark angel admitted with a shrug. It was at this point that With, having woken up after sensing Dark's return, racing down the stairs. With an enthusiastic 'kyuu!' the small rabbit-like demon jumped on his master. "It is good to see you too, With." he said, rubbing With's head. Now that you've had your fill of answers, mind if I ask one of my own, or do you still have more questions?

Heh, sorry. What do you want to know?

How long has it been since the Chuuou Art Museum fiasco?

Um, about three months, I guess. Dark grunted with a frown upon finding that out. He had truly thought it had been longer then that. With long strides, he headed for the stairs. What are you doing?

I'd like to make an entrance when Emiko and Towa return.

"We're home!" Emiko Niwa called as she came into the living room to go to the kitchen. Close behind, and loaded down as usual, was Towa, leaning backwards in order to carry everything. The hair on the back of the artworks neck stood on end as she entered, knowing full well who was there. Emiko, on the other hand, was as oblivious as ever. They both put down the grocery bags, and Towa sighed at the relieve of the weight. Of course, now she had to put the food away.

Meanwhile, Emiko checked on her father, unaware of the person that was walking up behind her. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost." she asked the older man, concerned.

"I guess you can say he has."

Gasping at the voice, Emiko spun on her heels, finding herself face to face with, "Dark!" she exclaimed, clasping a hand over her mouth in hope that this wasn't a dream. Then, he leaned forward and greeted her in his normal way, with a small peck on the cheek. Suddenly, she found herself with her arms around his neck, speaking into his shoulder at around a hundred miles a second. And somewhere along the line, as expected, she diverged from stating how much she missed him to rambling about stealing art. Somethings would never change.