Slytherin – Fanatic 911: Howdy Y'all! And here's the chapter you've all been waiting for! The heist! Let's not delay, shall we?
Frizzle: Heck no! Disclaimer: Slytherin – Fanatic 911 does not own JunJou Romantica or D N Angel but she does own her own character, Sayuri (Satoshi's twin sister). Now… ON WITH THE STORY!
Just as Sayuri was pulling the roast chicken out of the oven, there was a knock on the door. It was Christmas Eve and the night of the heist. After months of planning, this was finally it and she was nervous. Satoshi had to miss dinner because he was already down at the National Art Gallery but Krad was yet to leave. Tonight would be the first time in four years he saw Dark again.
"Krad! It's been a while since we last saw each other. How are you?" Nowaki asked.
"Fine," Krad replied as Nowaki and Hiroki walked into the apartment. "Yourself?"
"I'm fine. I was really lucky to get tonight off, actually."
"That's good. Make yourselves comfortable, dinner will be ready soon."
Nowaki nodded and he and Hiroki moved to sit at the table. Krad walked back over to the kitchen to help Sayuri with the final preparations.
Krad and Sayuri worked in silence aside from the occasional questions from Nowaki and Hiroki. Things had been… uncomfortable between her, Satoshi, and Krad as of late. She could only attribute it to Daisuke and Dark being in town. Krad refused to talk about the situation to anyone and Satoshi was working round the clock thanks to the heist. Of course, she knew that she wasn't much better.
Seeing Daisuke as suddenly as she had was a shock and she certainly didn't regret slapping him. But given some time to think about the whole situation… Though he was still at fault for what happened four years ago, it wasn't totally his fault. She couldn't forgive him completely for hurting Satoshi like he had but her brother wasn't faultless.
Neither was she. If she had never suggested moving to Tokyo then maybe things between him and Daisuke would've been resolved faster. But then they never would have met Misaki or Usagi or Nowaki or Hiroki. And she wouldn't trade those friendships for anything.
"Krad," Sayuri said quietly, "I'm sorry for how I've been acting these past couple weeks. I've been… selfish."
And she had. She'd been too focussed on her own worries to see or care about what Satoshi and Krad were going through.
"Do not worry, Sayuri-sama," Krad said. "If everything goes well tonight, we will not have to worry about Dark or Niwa any longer."
Sayuri stared at the plates for a moment before sighing and saying, "Do you really think that? He's your other half."
Krad didn't answer. Instead, he picked up two of the plates and walked over to the table. Sayuri frowned for a brief second before following suit.
Once everyone was settled and they started eating, Nowaki asked, "So where's Satoshi-kun tonight? Did he have to work?"
Sayuri glanced to Krad and said, "Yeah, he's been working a lot lately thanks to the heist."
"You mean the one with that Black fellow or whatever?" Hiroki said. "Some of the students have been talking about him non-stop."
"Yeah, Dark is his name. Nii-san said there's gonna be quite a turnout at the gallery tonight and they'll be televising the whole thing. He's really stressed about getting the security right."
"At the very least Dark will be pleased," Krad said. "He always loved an audience."
"The whole thing's a sham," Hiroki said. "If you're gonna steal something, why announce it beforehand? There's no way he's not gonna get caught."
"You don't think it's exciting, Hiro-san?" Nowaki said. "A Phantom Thief."
"No, Hiroki is right," Krad said. "Dark is massively underestimating the amount of security at the National Gallery. He's not going to get away with this."
Sayuri bit her lip. That's what she was most afraid of. It had been four years since Dark had faced Krad and Satoshi, there was no way he'd be sufficiently prepared for everything. But in 300 years he'd never been caught. What was going to happen when he was caught now?
"I guess we'll have to wait 'til later to find out," Sayuri said.
"Yeah, Hiro-san and I will definitely tune in later to see what happens," Nowaki said.
"It shall be interesting," Krad said.
-JunJou Romantica-
Dark examined the black, silk coat that was in his hands, a soft smile on his face. The last time he wore this coat had been just over four years ago. After Krad had moved away, he'd hidden the coat in the back of his closet and refused to even look at it. He'd promised himself that he wouldn't wear it again until he was reunited with Krad and this heist seemed to be as good an opportunity as any.
Dark pulled the coat on and gave himself one more look over in the mirror. Perfect. He then smirked and winked at his reflection before leaving the room.
Daisuke was sitting on the couch in the living room with his laptop open in front of him. He was chatting to Emiko about last minute preparations for the heist. Argentine, meanwhile, was in the kitchen making some dinner.
"Oh, Dark, you almost ready?" Daisuke asked, turning to him.
"Pretty much," he replied. He swallowed dryly and could hear his heart beat loudly in his chest.
"You look wonderful, Dark," Emiko said once Dark was seated on the couch. "I haven't seen you wear that for a long time."
Dark glanced down at the coat and turned a light red. "I haven't needed to wear it in a while."
"It looks good on you," Daisuke said, smiling.
Dark cleared his throat and looked away. "Enough about the damn coat, how's the plan looking?"
"Fine," Daisuke said. He pulled up a small window that had the blueprints of the gallery and a detailed attack plan. "If you enter from a window on the south side, you'll end up right near the painting. After that, it's just a matter of avoiding guards and the police and whatever traps there are."
"There are a few more security measures there such as laser grids but I don't think they'll be much of a problem for you," Emiko said.
"Just gotta be a little more cautious than I usually am," Dark said.
"That and…" Daisuke trailed off.
"Considering your last run-in with that curse, I doubt he'll show up now," Emiko said.
Dark licked his lips. Emiko didn't know his other half like he did. It was precisely because their last interaction hadn't gone so well that Krad would be there. Krad knew how to hold a grudge and he wouldn't be able to resist the temptation of getting revenge in such a public forum.
"Dark, I want you to promise me that you'll be careful," Daisuke said. He laid a hand on Dark's shoulder. "It's been four years since you've gone up against Krad and Satoshi-kun like this."
"Don't worry, Daisuke," Dark replied. "I've got this in the bag."
"Exactly," Emiko said. "You're always such a worry wart, Dai-chan. Dark's never failed and he's not going to start now. Once he finally gets this painting he'll bring it back to Azumano and we can finally examine it."
Dark grinned. He was probably a bit out of practice since he hadn't had much of a challenge over the past four years but he wasn't going to screw this up. He'd spent this long searching for Krad to get him back, everything had to go well. This would likely be his one big chance to show Krad how he'd changed. He would do this.
"Right," Dark said, standing up. "I should get going. I don't wanna be late."
"Good luck, Dark," Emiko said. "We'll be rooting for you."
"I'll be right here, ready to help," Daisuke said.
Dark nodded. He headed towards the door and said one last goodbye before leaving.
-D N Angel-
Satoshi analysed the screen in front of him with a frown. There were no blind spots in the gallery thanks to the cameras he'd set up and the patrolling guards. Not that that mattered to Dark. He knew how to take out a guard or escape a camera's notice. So, of course, he had extra precautions set in place. He'd be going down himself soon to protect the painting and with his skills in self-defense along with the general knowledge of Dark he was sure to win. Of course, all of that wasn't even taking Krad into account. The blonde would lie in wait for Dark and would do everything in his power to make sure that thief didn't get away.
"Inspector Hiwatari, everything's in place," a policeman said, saluting to him.
"And you've set everything up according to my plans?" Satoshi said.
"Yes, sir! All we need to do now is wait for the time that's written on the Warning Notice."
"I don't expect you to have noticed him until after he's already got the painting. But keep your eyes peeled for any suspicious behaviour and report it immediately."
"Yes, sir!" the officer said, saluting again. There was a brief silence before the officer asked, "Is this 'Dark' really that good?"
Satoshi leant back in his chair "For over 300 years he's been stealing artwork and not once has he been caught."
"300 years? And he's never been caught?"
Satoshi turned to face the officer with a smirk. "But in all those 300 years, he'd never faced the Tokyo Police Squad."
A small smile appeared on the officer's face. "Don't worry, sir! We definitely won't let you down!"
"No, I don't think you will. Now, get back to your position. He'll be appearing soon."
The police officer saluted once more before leaving. A moment later Satoshi turned to the screens. Through the cameras, he could see every inch of the gallery. He'd planned everything out extensively and was prepared for any eventuality. In just a few short minutes, Dark would appear and it would all be set in motion. He would capture Dark, once and for all.
-JunJou Romantica-
Dark slipped into the art gallery through the window. He was already disguised as a guard so it wasn't hard to blend in with those already patrolling the corridor. So far, so good.
It was definitely too early to get cocky but even though security was a bit tighter than what he was used to, he felt right at home. The gallery was larger than any back in Azumano and they had more security measures but a heist was a heist, no matter where it was. And this heist was promising to be a particularly fun one.
As a guard, Dark carefully walked to the room where the painting was displayed. He stepped inside but lingered by the doorway. He eyed the seemingly empty room and the paintings that lined the walls. Out of his pocket, he pulled out a pair of glasses and slipped them on. The room suddenly filled with floor-to-floor ceiling red lasers. He examined them for a moment, deciding on a path, before finally focussing his attention on the opposite side of the room.
A red, black, and silver painting hung on the wall. The centre of the painting displayed a winged man bleeding from his chest and crying out in pain. It was the first time Dark had actually see it and he was speechless. Even from a distance, he could feel the pain that the angel suffered.
He took a deep breath and shook his head. He could admire it later. Right now his goal was to steal it. With that in mind, he ripped off his disguise and started to manoeuvre his way through the lasers.
Eventually Dark emerged on the other side of the room. He let out a breath once he was clear of the field and turned to regard the painting from close up. The combination of the style and the brush strokes and the choice of colours left a lasting impression on him. He knew immediately that this had been painted by a Hikari.
Dark stared at the painting for a moment longer before nodding and finally reaching out to take it. As soon as he had lifted it off the wall, though, a voice from the darkness said, "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Dark chuckled, tucked the painting under one arm and turned just in time to see Satoshi step into the light.
"Commander," Dark said, "I was wondering when you were going to show up."
"It's Inspector now, actually."
"Hmm, congratulations."
"I work more in the homicide department. The only reason I was put on the case was because I have prior experience."
"Is that what you call it? Two years or so of trying and failing to catch me?"
"I'm not gonna let you go now, Dark. I have a reputation to uphold."
"You really think you can catch me? You think a few extra security measures will be enough?"
Satoshi laughed. "Even if I can't, he will."
A spark of excitement shot down Dark's spine. Him. The one he was looking forward to most.
"I can't let you catch me. And I certainly won't let him catch me either."
Satoshi looked down to what seemed like a smartphone and pressed a button while saying, "We'll see."
An alarm suddenly sounded throughout the gallery and about the 30 guards rushed through the entrance of the room, blocking it off. Each of them held a gun that was trained on Dark. Satoshi held a hand up and said, "If you surrender now, we'll go easy on you."
Dark started gathering an energy ball in his hand. "Fat chance," he said before throwing it at the guards. They scattered just before it hit them and he used the opportunity to sprint across the room. A metal grate started descending on the entrance but he dived under it before he was trapped.
Once he was out in the corridor a policeman yelled, "Freeze!" but Dark ignored him and threw another energy ball at him. He ran past the guard and towards the window he came through. Just as he was closing in on it, though, solid metal sheets started slamming down over the windows.
"Shit, shit, shit," Dark said, hastening his pace.
The second before a metal sheet slammed down on the window he was aiming for, he jumped and smashed through the glass. As he hit the cool, night air, he forced his wings to appear and stopped mid-air.
"Holy fuck," Dark said. He turned around and saw the windows sealed off with metal sheets. Just a second later and he would've been trapped inside.
With a sigh of relief, Dark started flying upwards. A crowd had gathered in front of the museum and he figured it wouldn't do any harm to do a fly-by. Not to mention, they'd gathered just for him.
Dark soared up and over the roof of the museum. Just as he was nearing the other side, he spied a crowd of people, journalists, and police but the second before he would've become visible to them, a voice made him freeze in mid-air.
"I see you haven't changed much, Dark Mousy."
Dark let out the breath he was holding and slowly turned. Krad was hovering in mid-air, his pure white wings flapping behind him. His hair, which was shoulder-length when he last saw him, was now tied up and mid-back length. At the end of the ponytail hung a silver-blue cross. Krad's customary white robes fit snugly, with the long jacket flowing out behind him.
"Neither have you," Dark said, a smile appearing on his face. "Though you're even more beautiful than I remember."
"Words of flattery will get you nowhere. I know your true nature."
Dark flew closer to Krad. "I've changed. Really. Four years ago I was stupid and scared but I'm really ready this time. The only thing I want is you."
Krad's cheeks turned pink and he looked away. After a moment of silence, he faced Dark with a frown and said, "If you only want me, then give me back that painting."
Dark glanced down to the painting that was tucked underneath his arm. Even if it wasn't a target, he could never resist something so beautiful. So with a grin on his face, he kissed Krad on his lips and said, "No can do, love."
Dark quickly flew upwards and turned to fly over the crowd, just as Krad cried out, "Daaark!"
Dark glanced behind him just in time for him to dodge a ball of white light that had been sent to him. From below, he heard gasps of amazement which caused his grin to widen. He did a loop-de-loop, allowing Krad to fly past him, then sent a feather towards him. It exploded near the angel, causing him to swear and change his trajectory.
"You have no idea how much I've missed this, Krad," Dark said, narrowly avoiding him.
"Missed this?" Krad yelled. "You've missed tormenting me? Making my life hell!"
Dark waited until Krad had stopped for a brief second before grabbing him from behind. He held onto the struggling angel tightly and said, "You know I've never hurt you on purpose."
"Which makes it," Krad kicked backwards, forcing Dark to release him, "that much worse."
Dark soared up and over Krad, avoiding a series of feathers that were sent his way.
"I love you, Krad," he said, stopping in front of him. "I spent four years looking for you and came all the way to Tokyo to tell you that."
Krad gathered an energy ball in his hand and said, "If you think a simple confession will fix things, you're stupider than I thought."
Dark dodged the energy ball that was sent flying towards him and replied, "Well, no, not entirely but I thought it would help. I was actually hoping we could rationally talk things out like Dai-chan and Creepy are gonna do."
"Any chance there was of me forgiving you was lost the moment you dared take my painting."
Dark froze. His painting? His painting? Krad's painting? Oh. He looked down to the painting he was still carrying and took a deep breath.
"I-I didn't know," he said. "I swear, I didn't-"
"Of course you didn't! You damn thief!"
Dark swore and started to fly away. He had to get out of here. He had to get away from Krad.
Just as he speeding away from the crowd, though, he heard another shout from Krad and before he had a chance to dodge, he felt an energy ball hit his back. He cried out as everything went dark.
-D N Angel-
When Dark finally came to, he was lying in the back of a police van. His hands were cuffed and though he could easily break out of them, the three armed guards and the burning from his back were discouraging him.
Dark's vision swayed and before he blacked out again, he murmured, "Krad…"
Slytherin – Fanatic 911: Whew, so this another chapter down. Sorry this took a few months but I hoped you enjoyed it anyway. As for any thoughts I have on this chapter…
Even though Sayuri is my own OC, it's been so long since I've actually written her that it felt weird to write her at the beginning of the chapter. I tried very much not to make her sound too much like my YGO OC, Cleo, but I'm not sure how successful I was.
The coat that everyone was talking about in the scene with Daisuke, Dark, and Emiko, is the same one from my other story, Omoide to Okurimono. You can find it on my profile.
I had a bit of fun with the heist here. I didn't really plan things out and it has been a while since I've seen or read anything D N Angel but I think things turned out well anyway. I enjoyed writing the dialogue between Dark and Satoshi, their banter is fun. I'm not too sure how Dark and Krad's first meeting turned out, though. Writing it entirely from Dark's perspective made things a lot easier.
I'm not when the next chapter will go up but it might be in a few months. Look out for chapter nine of Natsuyasumi V2 next. I'm only a scene away from finishing that.
For the moment, please review and tell me what you think. Your thoughts, whatever they are, are invaluable to me.
Ja Bye Bye Ne
-.-