Disclaimer: I don't own dn angel. But every other character and the plot, I DO own.

Thanks to lokinorsedeity for the review. )

Start

"Akina-sempai!! Breakfast is ready!!" called Daisuke. When nobody answered, he assumed that Ryuu was still asleep, and probably exhausted. One can't possibly recover that quickly from a near-death experience. He knocked softly before going in. He looked around and saw no one. The food that was put in there last night for Ryuu hasn't been touched.

'Man, this Akina guy is even creepier than your crush.' muttered Dark.

'Darrk!! I like Riku, dammit!!' replied the redhead.

'Right. I forgot.'

Daisuke sighed once more before checking the whole room thoroughly. Ryuu was nowhere in sight. Luckily, it was a Saturday, which meant no school, enabling Daisuke to make sure that Ryuu was safely in the Akina estate.

After hurriedly eating breakfast, he ran outside and rode his bike to the Akina manor. The butler opened the door for him.

"I'm sorry, but the Akina-sama hasn't been around since yesterday morning. I do worry about the child." sighed the butler.

"Isn't his mom and dad searching for him?" asked Daisuke.

"Akina-sama... has led a sad life, and he still does. His mother went insane when he was just three, after a fire destroyed their last home. That fire killed all three of his siblings." said the butler, shaking his head.

"Three siblings? Akina-kun never mentioned siblings." echoed Daisuke softly.

"Akina-sama... is like that young Hiwatari commander, brilliant in many ways. His mother blamed him for the fire, and she still does. She said that if he didn't dig up that accursed layer of snow in that savage village, his siblings would still be alive. Akina-sama is haunted by that horrifying memory. He was in the house, and he saw his siblings burn to death. Somehow, something protected him, prevented the fire from harming him." said the butler. "His father couldn't stand the thought of being with the child he liked least and left him to my care, along with a fortune and a corporation."

"Why didn't Akina-kun's father like him?" Daisuke was feeling immensely sorry for Ryuu now.

"His father always favored the eldest child, Yuki. Yuki was a smart boy, but nowhere near as brilliant as Ryuu-sama. Yuki could paint, draw, sing, fight -- the vision of a perfect son. His father never paid attention to Ryuu-sama, who was the third of the four siblings. I noticed the child's genius though. But still..." The butler sighed sadly again. "I would never dream of stealing from Akina-sama. He is like a son to me..."

"Sorry..." said Daisuke.

"It's all right. Did Akina-sama sleep well in your house?" asked the butler.

"I don't know. He didn't eat, that's for sure. Why? Does he have insomnia?"

"Not exactly... But I could tell that when he wakes, face flushed, dripping cold sweat that he has horrible nightmares. He told me once about them when he was five. Said that he could hear his sibling's screams, burning. Yuki, apparently, was cursing him for being protected. He said that Akina-sama didn't deserve it and that Yuki did. He also said that everytime he sees a weapon, the only thought that crosses his mind is killing what is left of his wretched family." sighed the butler. "The child has problems."

"Sorry for the trouble. I'll try and look for him." apologized Daisuke as he left.

'Ne... Daisuke, check the cliff by the sea.' said Dark suddenly.

'Erm... Okay then.'

Sure enough, Ryuu was there, staring out to sea with a blank expression on his face. He looked... melancholic.

"Akina-kun.." said Daisuke.

"Yeah?"

"I heard about your past..." said Daisuke. He covered his mouth, horrified at what he just said.

Ryuu didn't move. "My mother... I continue to visit her, as if she could ease anything."

Blood dripped out of Ryuu's now clenched fist. Daisuke wondered why, and when Ryuu opened his palm, there was a sharp rock, drenched in blood. Then, all at once, the wound on his palm disappeared.

"Countless times I have tried to die... Innumerable..."

"Akina-kun, you shouldn't try to die. Your mother will come around eventually. Someone out there loves you, and it would kill that person to know you have died. One day, you'll meet a person to whom you will mean the world." said Daisuke firmly.

Ryuu looked at Daisuke. Then, he flew off, using Raidon's wings. Daisuke stared after Ryuu sadly.

'You.. have a taste for violent people, don't you?' said Dark after a while.

"Riku-san isn't violent!!"

'Yeah, right. Let's go home. I wanna steal something tonight.'

That night...

"Dark, steal the painting and let's leave!!!" yelled Daisuke.

"NO!! Not yet..."

"Dark Mousy... Waiting for something?" asked a voice dryly.

"Krad." Dark grinned at his counterpart. "I was just looking for you!"

Krad looked around him, as if to make sure if Dark was really talking to him. "Me?"

"Yes, you." Dark grinned.

"New trick you want to try?" asked Krad, gathering a ball of energy.

"Yup."

Then Dark leaned in and kissed Krad.

End

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