Disclaimer: I'm starting up a petition against people parading sexy men in front of me without the possibility of me ever owning one. I own nothing except for my OC's, a rabbit and the few art pieces that I've created for this story.
Eighth Theft
Daisuke smiled as he woke up the next morning. Dark had been quiet all night, though Daisuke was unsure if he had been dreaming that Dark had taken over his body late last night. He won't respond to anything I say, either. I just hope whatever he's going through won't last long. Even though he teases me all the time, he's still like my older brother.
He walked into the bathroom and brushed his teeth, thoughts wandering to what he was going to do today. I can't wait to get started! Riku and I are going to have a lovely day at the carnival! I'll win her a cute prize and then treat her to some ice cream after. And then, we'll take a walk on the beach and I'll boldly hold her hand and walk her home!
He smiled to himself in the mirror. This is going to be perfect!
Daisuke hurried down the stairs after he had carefully selected his clothes, and ran into the living room searching for his wallet.
"Where is it?! Oh man, I can't have lost it somewhere!" He searched the cushions of the couch, nearly throwing his grandpa off of the couch in the process.
"Daisuke! What's the rush, boy?" Daiki asked as he watched his grandson turn the house upside down.
"I can't talk right now grandpa! I can't find my wallet and I have a date with Riku today that I need it for!" Daisuke flipped over the armchair. "Dammit, where could it be?!"
Daiki laughed at his grandson, remembering his own first dates with his sacred maiden. He stood from the couch and walked into his room. Opening one of his dresser drawers, he pulled out his own wallet and removed some cash from the fold. He walked back over to his grandson as he was searching the shoe hamper near the front door.
"Here Daisuke." He said, handing him the money with a wink. "You can pay me back what you spend later. I know how hard it is to try and impress the girl you like and you're not high-rolling in dough!"
Daisuke smiled at his grandpa and took the money. "Thanks, grandpa! I'll make sure to pay you back!"
He slipped on his shoes and zipped out the door, racing towards the Harada house. On his way, he past something near the open market that almost made him halt in his tracks.
A flash of red hair as her head turned to look up at him with a breath-taking smile spreading across her face. His golden irises were glazed over with an emotion close to happiness and joy.
Daisuke's eyes took in every minute detail in the flash of a second, seeing through his eyes what Dark was seeing in that short second. Both seeing what Krad had planned for them to see.
Suki kept reading the journal of Cedric Zaiaku through the night, and continued on the next morning. He had kept the journal for nearly his entire life, and she was just getting to his arrival in Azumano. Who knew reading the diary of one of my ancestors could be so addicting.
She placed a piece of paper in the book before closing it and stretching. It was late in the morning, and she had delayed feeding Onee for what felt like an eternity, so she had no choice but to finally get up and go feed her rabbit. I kind of wish that she could go around and feed herself, but that would be too much work to train her to do, so it's probably best that I don't try to do it right now.
After feeding the rabbit, she walked up the stairs to the second floor landing and found a note attached to Krad's door.
Gone into town for the day, back later.
Krad
Well, I guess that means I can just stay at home and curl up with this book! Yay for reading! Suki walked up the last flight of stairs and entered her room, closing the door behind her. She picked up the book from her desk and sat on her bed, flipping open the cover and starting to read from where she left off.
March 8th, 1862
Got sick on the voyage to the shores of Azumano, one of the nations newly founded cities. The boat ride here was murder, what with all of the rocking on the waves and then the hopeless feelings I felt while out at sea. A gentleman with a wooden leg and a fish for a pet told me that the spice, ginger, would help to cure me of my sea-sickness. I tried it, and found that it worked wonders.
Suki looked up from her book in thought. Her family's recipe books and multiple generations of cook books all mentioned the same spice. She realized that thanks to this great ancestor of hers, the family used the spice in everything from cooking to home remedies. That's pretty cool, my spaz of a great great grandfather got hooked on ginger by a pirate! She returned to her book.
My first look at Azumano filled my soul with such high spirits that I decided to commemorate the occasion by purchasing something from the market. The money I had earned from my internship at the office weighed in my pocket, but was small compared to some of the locals. I don't know how these people became locals. Were they born here? Perhaps that is how they achieved such privilege as to the pride and gusto they exalt to me when they say that I "must be a tourist".
In my search through the market for that special item, I saw a woman with stunning features speaking to a man about his art work. With this one glance, I knew she would be the one I married. Her hair glowed yellow in the sunlight, and her blue eyes glistened like the color of the ocean at twilight. My first stumble across perfection.
Suki smiled into the book, having never figured one of her ancestors to be such a dramatic for love. What a ditz, I wonder if he ever does marry that girl? I don't remember any blondes in the Zaiaku history.
Boldly I strolled towards her, intending to ask her name and perhaps inquire about a chaperoned stroll through the town, as a favor to a lonely traveler whom was unaccustomed to the city streets. However, upon my approach, her escort arrived and led her away from the artist, and away from me.
Suki smiled sadly at the thought of her great ancestor. He sounds a lot like Daisuke.
I watched her go, not even knowing her name. The artist tapped me on the shoulder and I greeted him with a smile, albeit still a bit miffed about losing sight of her in the crowd. He was a young boy, possibly fourteen, but the work he showed me surpassed any artwork I have seen in my travels.
For some reason, Suki could picture Satoshi in her mind as she read Cedric's description of the artist. His paintings are always so professional looking, and the way he looks and judges art show some sort of knowledge that sets him apart from regular artists. Speaking of Satoshi, I haven't seen him in school lately. Maybe he's sick? Maybe I should stop by his house later and tell him all about school and what he's missed . . . or not. He might yell at me again.
I knew after looking at all of his work, I would never be able to afford anything he sold. I showed him my meager purse and explained to him my journey's across the world. The boy was very interested in my travels, so he struck up a deal with me. I would write down my adventures in a novel, and have it published and sent to him in exchange for one of his works.
Suki raised a brow. My great grandfather published a book? Under what name? She was intrigued by his deal with the artist. Suki herself was gifted in the skill of writing, but she hadn't thought that something like creativity was something hereditary. It made her feel just a little closer to her family, knowing that the Zaiaku family might all be published authors.
I agreed to his terms, and he let me select one item from his table. I looked at paintings, I looked at sculptures, but the item I chose was not any of those things. A scroll, beautifully decorated with gems stood out to me from among the rest. As I held it in my hands, I thought I heard a soft bell chime, but it must have been the bells of the church, announcing a newlywed couples marriage.
I took the scroll to the inn with me, and it is now placed on my bedside table where I hope to find it in the morning, otherwise I will have to duel with the people running the inn, and I am not a master of duels. I can barely walk across the floor, much less worry about my footwork in the middle of parrying or thrusting.
Suki started laughing at her predecessor. "How ridiculous! He can't be stealthy either! Now I know it's totally not my fault that I keep getting discovered when I try to steal! It's all thanks to Cedric Zaiaku!"
March 9th, 1862
This morning I awoke to a fright. A girl, with vibrant red hair and stunning eyes sat upon my bedside table! She smiled at me, after I had screamed and demanded to know who she was, and told me that her name was the "jewel of the scroll". I asked her for a shorter name, and she gave me the name Arien.
Suki almost threw the book down to the floor as she realized that the girl from the journal entry and her own Arien were on in the same. She couldn't believe that Arien was at least one hundred and fifty years old, but she had seen her great grandfather when he was alive! She continued reading on, and noticed the changes and differences between the Arien in the journal and her modern day Arien.
Today's Arien always called me 'master' or something. But according to Cedric, so went around making jokes with people and spoke with anyone that would listen to her or tell her stories. How could she be so alive in the past, but so cold in the future? Suki continued reading, not noticing that she was coming down to the final entry. She flipped the page, and saw an explanation for the discontinuation of Cedric's journal.
December 29th, 1862
I have fallen in love with the yellow haired-woman, only to realize that my feelings for my wife are unrequited. I have tried desperately to resolve this issue, devoting my existence to her with only one regret. I'm falling in love with the Jewel. Arien has been my friend for the few short months since I first touched the scroll, she knows me in ways that Juiko, my wife, will never understand.
I introduced the two women to each other a short while ago, hoping that the presence of both women in my life would help me make sense of my feelings for them. To my astonishment, and great sadness, Juiko was overcome with jealous feelings and rejected her acquaintance to Arien with full prejudice.
It is not common for a man to leave his wife, but it is not unheard of. I had planned to leave her, and her lack of feelings towards me, to discover the world with my red-haired beauty. However, I received a shock today when Juiko told me she was with my child.
As a man of honor I cannot leave my wife, not now that I know the truth about her moods and ill-affections. Upon this day, I quit writing of my existence in Azumano, for I have nothing more to add to my adventures than my final act of treachery.
Months ago, I published my worldly adventures and delivered a copy of my novel in person to the artist, whom I know now as simply Hikari. He told me that as the owner of the artwork, it would obey me like a servant would a master, or if I chose to it would become its own being.
Today I called forth Arien for one final time, and told her to seal herself away in the scroll, at least until someone of Zaiaku blood released the seal with their touch. I told her that should she be released, she must follow the commands of her master fully. She must dedicate herself wholly, so that what has happened to me will not happen to another. She will protect them by any means, even death will not stop her.
Love is the one truth in the world, and I have forsaken it from myself, and my love. She will never know her own will, and for that, I will rot in eternity for.
Cedric Zaiaku, the curse of the Zaiaku name.
Suki closed the book, unsure of what to do. Her great grandfather had processed Arien's scroll before her, and donated it to the Azumano Museum of Art when it was founded in 1903. Suki curled up on her bed, mind going blank as the realization that her family had done something so horrible and unbelievable. But he . . . he loved her! He loved her, and he sealed her away for one hundred and fifty years! What kind of person could do that, unless they were already horrible to begin with?
She curled her fist and hit her mattress from frustration. "I don't understand anything anymore! Love isn't being locked up in a scroll, for Pete's sake! Love is . . . eternal. It has no boundaries; it lives on its own terms. Love is what . . ." What I feel for Krad.
Suki narrowed her eyes in concentration for a moment. Something was triggering itself in her mind, something that told her there was a part of this story she was missing. Cedric might have been an asshole, but he did say he ordered Arien to protect the Zaiaku bloodline by any means. . .
Her eyes widened. "She could never harm me, unless I tell her to. Arien wasn't trying to trick me at all. Krad was . . . Krad tricked me?"
Suki's eyes started to water once more. I lost a friend through the treachery of another. And now, I realize just how wrong about him I am. But it still hurts, so much. She wrapped her arms around herself and started crying. He lied to me.
Krad walked around with Arien all day, making sure that the Niwa boy saw them at least once every two hours or so. While they walked, acting like they were dating, Arien was holding her rampaging emotions together with a thin string. I have to do this right, otherwise I will not be able to do my duty to Suki. She has to be warned and protected from this boy, but for now I can only do as he says. I wonder what his purpose is, dragging me out into the city for the day and acting as if he exhibits the caring emotion.
He pulled her over to look at a stand filled with different types of jewelry. Running his hand through his hair, he gave her a side glance and gestured toward the jewels.
"Would you like one?" He asked. Her eyes widened, like a girl's eyes would widen when their boyfriend would ask them the same question.
"Are you sure?" She asked, looking back at the jewels and their prices. Krad nodded and told her not to look at the prices.
"I know you can conjure up gold anyway." He whispered into her ear.
She wanted to glare or narrow her eyes at him, but she knew that every time he opened his mouth it was another test of her resolve. He's trying to make me slip up. Too bad for him, I cannot fail.
Arien and Krad walked around the market for the day, and visited the carnival at night. While they were walking through the center aisle of the carnival, Krad suddenly reached for her hand and gripped it firmly. Until then, they had been walking strictly apart from each other with no contact but for glares. His sudden urge to close the space between them made her alert and confused but she had to act like she was enjoying herself, or else she would never see Suki again. She intertwined her fingers with his and let him step slightly ahead she that she could follow diligently, like a real human girl would allow.
He led them to rides and courteously paid for them to get on the coaster, hammer fall and Ferris wheel. After the rides he bought her the sugar delicacy known as cotton candy, and towed her around the carnival some more, holding her hand close in his. At the end of the night Krad pulled her away from the carnival and led her to the fountain overlooking the rooftops of some Azumano houses and the darkening horizon.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" He asked, looking out at the last streaks of red light that streamed across the ocean and met with the looming black sky. He didn't let it show on his face, but the view reminded him of Suki's multi-colored hair. I have to regain control. My plan hinges upon all of this going accordingly; I can't waste time pondering about her hair. Krad glanced over at Arien.
Arien admired the oceanic view much like the homicidal angel had been captured by it, but without thinking of Suki's hair color. What she did notice about the view was how the darker colors reminded her of the boy she often ran into when she visited the market. I never got to ask master what "going-out" is. When I'm done with this boy's demands, perhaps I'll ask her about it and then tell him what I learn.
Krad threw a strategic glance over his shoulder and spotted a familiar mop of red hair slowly making its way towards the fountain. He inwardly smirked before returning his attention to the female red-head beside him admiring the ocean. He drew her hand up and wrapped it around his neck. Arien looked up at the blonde in a slight shock before figuring that he meant for her to play along once more, and lifted her other hand up to wrap around his neck.
"Can I ask you something?" She asked, gazing up into his eyes. He nodded his consent, something she was loathing to have to accept. "Why did you have me follow you around today? Why chose for me to act happy, like a human girl on a date?"
Krad smiled with false gentility. "I already told you that it is so I can crush my rival from the inside. To do so requires your cooperation."
He wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned his head down towards her face, letting his golden hair shield them as Daisuke walked around the corner.
Daisuke couldn't be happier. His date with Riku had gone so well, that they'd shared a sweet yet still a little awkward kiss before he walked her home. By the time he made it to the center of Azumano, he was beaming with happiness. And to think that I thought the Niwa genes were a curse! Nobody alive could ever hope to feel as happy as I do right now! What Daisuke wasn't aware of was the emotional turmoil that his purple haired counterpart was suffering through.
Throughout Daisuke's date with Riku, Dark had stayed awake and followed them in spirit form because Daisuke had seen Arien out early that day. With his worst enemy, Krad. It had taken a toll on him seeing Krad and Arien walking around together, looking at jewels and trinkets that he could have gotten for her, Krad holding the hand that he should have been holding, the two of them going on rides that he should have taken her on. It seemed like wherever Daisuke went, they just appeared there to remind him they were real.
The last straw happened when Daisuke rounded the corner to by-pass the fountain, and Dark saw the two of them again. They stood near the railing overlooking the sun setting over ocean. Krad wrapped his arms around her waist, with no protest from her at all. She gazed up at him with that same intimate gaze he had shared with her on more than one occasion and spoke in what seemed a sweet voice, asking the blonde homicidal maniac a question that Dark felt should have been asked to him instead.
And then Krad leaned down and pressed his face to hers, golden hair falling swiftly into place and creating a secluded veil between them and the world of onlookers. Dark felt something close to heartbreak and madness mixed into one emotion as the romantic moment between the girl he liked and his worst enemy unfolded in his eyes.
I can't believe this. He looked onwards, willing the scene to play back and stop before any of this romantic situation could occur. All this time, she loved him instead. That explains it all. The silence, the robotic greetings and casual conversations that don't lead to anything. It's all because she loves him, instead of me.
When Daisuke entered his home that evening, he had nothing but good things to tell his grandfather about his date. Dark made no comment and shielded any of his thoughts from the boy until he fell into a deep sleep. When he was sure that Daisuke was asleep, Dark took over the boy's body and practically leapt out the window.
I'm going to find her. He summoned With as he jumped out the window. I have to tell her how I feel. I know she loves Krad, but . . . I have to tell her.
Dark spotted a figure with long red hair walking through one of the forest paths that led to the Zaiaku house and knew instantly that it could only be Arien. He tucked his wings and flew for the figure.
Krad left Arien at the fountain an hour later. He grew his white wings and flew off towards the Hiwatari manor, but not before reminding Arien that she had to be in the sealed room again by midnight, no exceptions. Arien had leaned on the railing for a while, staring out over the ocean and internally sorting through all of the harm she would cause the blonde angel if he should make good on his promise to hurt Suki.
There is not a single bone in his body that I cannot break. No patch of skin that I will not be able to scar in my fury.
She pushed herself off of the railing as eleven thirty rolled around on the clock beside the fountain. I should be able to walk back to the house before twelve. I suppose that it would make me more human to enjoy the night air on a walk instead of a short flight. Arien started off, deciding to take a forest path instead of a city paved road.
As she grew lost in her thoughts, suddenly there was a sharp burst of air that blew by her. A figure with dark wings landed a small distance ahead of her. He turned around quickly to face her, and she could see some spark of emotion in his eyes that she couldn't name with her limited knowledge of the human feelings.
"Hi Mr. Dark." She said. "I'm sorry about the other night. I had to take the jewel from you, it was very important to my sister. That's what you're here for, isn't it?"
Dark shook his head, angered with her idea. "I didn't come here for the jewel. I came here because I have something really important to tell you!"
Arien was a bit taken aback. His voice had risen with every word he said, and the emotion she had first saw now nearly coated his amethyst eyes. He seems so serious. Why? And what is that emotion that I cannot place? I know I've seen it before, but I cannot name it.
"But if you're not here for the jewel, what are you here for? What do you wish to tell me?" She asked.
Dark took a step forward. "It took a while, but I figured it out. All of this time, you've seemed different than other girls. You never seem to be charmed or flattered when I try to flirt with you. And the way you greet me every time we see each other, it just seemed too unemotional."
Arien tilted her head, soaking in all of his words. It seems that while I've been trying to seem more human, I haven't quite gotten it right yet. His words are a great help for me, but they still . . . hurt?
"It took seeing you . . ." And him. He wanted to add, but didn't. "But I know now. I know why you don't return what I feel. You love Krad, not me." I suddenly know what Daisuke felt like when Risa would go on about me instead of him. I never thought that it would feel anything like this, though.
"Dark . . ." Arien took a step in his direction. He shook his head.
"You don't have to say anything." He said. "I know how you feel now, but I wanted to tell you that I love you anyway!"
Once more Arien was taken aback. Love? What is . . . love?
Dark stepped forward quickly and placed his hands on her shoulders, gazing into her eyes for any sign of reciprocated feelings. He grew desperate upon seeing none, and his grip tightened as he managed to tilt his head forward to close the distance between them.
"Even if you hate me for saying this, I can't help it. I really do love you." His eyes closed as he leaned forward in what he felt were his last chance to woo her over. Arien remained confused, trying to figure out what Love is and how it affected her. She felt her breath catch in her throat, but not because of the love-stricken boy in front of her. Somewhere past the trees in Azumano, she heard the loud bell's chime as the clocks hands struck midnight.
She suddenly felt a sense of urgency as she heard the clock. She pushed against Dark's chest firmly, just before he had a chance to kiss her. He looked into her eyes, noticing what he thought was anger in them. He immediately sobered from his love-struck rant and tried to regain control of himself so that the rejection he knew was to come wouldn't hurt too deeply in his heart.
"Dark, listen to me." Arien said urgently. "I have to leave, Suki-"
"You're right." He said stiffly. "I'm sorry for all of this. I just thought that maybe if I told you how I felt you would feel the same way, but I was wrong and this was really stupid of me to do. Please, just tell me if you feel the same way. If you don't, I'll never bother you again."
"Dark I can't return what you feel." She said quickly. He's being so stubborn! I'm trying to explain to him that Suki's life is in danger, but he's not giving me a chance! "I have to look out for-"
The last chime of the bell struck, and suddenly she felt the magic that Krad had placed on the room calling her back to it. She tried to reach out to Dark, but she suddenly disappeared from the forest path and ended up alone in her room. She let her hand fall slowly to her side as she stared blankly at the wall.
"I didn't get to tell him about my master, and Krad's treachery." She said the words but didn't taste their meaning. Something strange was building up in her chest. An unknown pain in her chest made her absently reach up to feel for any injury, but she couldn't find any on her skins surface. Something wet dripped onto her sleeve and her eyes widened as she reached up to her face and felt water leaking from her eyes.
Why do I pain? What does this mean, leaking from my eyes? What is . . .love?
Suki dried her tears and felt furry. Krad had betrayed her. No, he had lied, stolen her friend away, and then used her and toyed with her emotions to get whatever it was that he wanted. To think that I almost liked him! He's nothing but a real ass!
She sat on her bed, legs curled up to her chest, thinking about what she would say to him as soon as he got home. As the hours ticked slowly by, she began to think that he wasn't going to come back.
"Slippery snake! I should've known he would ditch me, especially since he's lied to me every day so far. I wish I knew where he lived, so I could go and destroy him personally." Not to mention, steal back Arien's scroll.
Earlier that day, she had scourged the house from top to bottom looking for the scroll. After her initial crying fest, she had realized that she could probably get Arien out of the scroll again. She had checked everywhere, even Krad's room, and had found nothing. She cursed loudly, startling Onee once or twice, and figured that he had stolen the scroll from her.
As she was about to shout out another curse on Krad's soul, the phone rang and made her jump. She fought for breath for a moment before leaping from her bed and picking up the telephone.
"Hi this is Suki." She said. "Who is this?"
"Suki, I have to tell you something!"
Suki's eyes widened. "Hiwatari?! Holy crap, I thought you were gone! Not dead, of course, but just gone! Do you know how much school you've missed over the past month? A crap ton of it!"
"Suki, not now! I have to tell you something important!" Satoshi seemed to almost grind out the words. Suki blinked and held the phone to her other ear, cradling the object like it could transfer her concern through the phone and to the boy on the other side.
"Hiwatari, are you alright? You sound like you're in pain!"
"Suki just listen to me! I have to tell you about Krad! He's not what you think! He's-argh!"
The phone suddenly went dead, and Suki's breath caught in her throat. "Hiwatari? Hiwatari, where did you go?"
She let the phone fall from her hand and glanced at the clock on her desk. Twelve fifteen. Suki stood from her desk and turned towards her closet. She opened the door and looked at the thief outfit Arien had made her. Hiwatari is in trouble. I have to help him, even though he was a complete ass to me the last time we were together. Hopefully, my great grandfather Cedric would have made a better vigilante than a thief.
Suki threw on her outfit and pulled the half-face mask over her nose. "He was trying to say something about Krad . . . maybe he can tell me where to find him?"
She ran down the stairs and leapt over the steps from her porch to the earthen ground. "Don't worry Hiwatari! I'm on my way!"
Satoshi's grip on the phone loosened he dropped the phone. A hand appeared from behind him picked up the phone and placed it on the jack. Kei Hiwatari looked down at his son cruelly from behind his glasses.
"You should have known better than to try and warn her about our little plan, son." He said, placing a hand with an iron grip on the small, weak boy's shoulder. "Now she's on her way to me. I should really thank you for taking matters into your own hands; it saves me the effort of going and collecting her myself."
Satoshi glared up at his adoptive father, clenching his teeth together as another wave of pain swept over his body. Krad had remained out and had roamed free for days, weeks. The strains that Satoshi felt now was the result of all of the magic and stress his body had been put under thanks to the homicidal blonde.
"You're a monster." Satoshi said through his pain. Kei Hiwatari smiled.
"I'm not nearly as much of a monster as you are." Kei released his grip and watched as the boy crumbled to the floor. He reached into the pocket of his jacket and brought out a small, gothic styled ring. "You should remember this ring. The Rutile of Grief. It unlocks a person's true potential, in your case meaning Krad."
Satoshi glared up in shock from his place on the floor. "But Dark stole that from me long ago."
"It is not so hard to steal it back." He bent down and slipped the rutile onto Satoshi's hand. "Now let's get ready for our guest. My plan is about to come together, and I don't need any distractions."
Krad opened his golden eyes and gave the older Hiwatari a smirk that rivaled his own.
"Of course, master Hiwatari."