D. N. Angel Fan Fiction ❯ Living on a Prayer ❯ The Golden Boy Loses His Wings ( Chapter 4 )

 

 

Ario loved looking in the attic. Ever since Satoshi went back to the old mansion and brought back his mother's things that were left behind long after his Step-Father died, Ario had been very curious. Giggling softly, in one of her Grandmother's pretty white dresses, she looked through one of the old trunks. Humming softly she suddenly came upon a music box with a blue haired ballerina in a blue dress, in a dancing pose. She blew the dust off the box and wound the key humming softly as the tune began. Letting out another giggle, she stood dancing waltz-style to the soft tune.

As she danced, the attic began to fade, only to be replaced by a room filled with mirrors. Ario took this as part of her daydream and spun a few times in front of the mirrors. The music got louder and Ario danced on as Krad smiled through the largest mirror. She spun towards the mirror in which Krad stood and held out her hand. To her amazement, Krad reached through the glass and took her hand, letting her pull him into the room. Krad smiled and pulled her into his arms, waltzing her around the room as the music got louder and then suddenly, Ario collapsed; Krad catching her as she fell. The mirror he stepped through shattered and the illusion was broken, leaving Krad standing in the attic with Ario in his arms.

Satoshi heard a crash and jumped up from his seat and raced up the stairs. The sight that met him as he approached the steps to the attic, made his blood go cold and he let out a whimper that was very unlike him and he called down the stairs. “Daisuke…DAISUKE!”

Krad smiled serenely and pouted towards Satoshi. “Is that any way to greet an old friend, Satoshi-sama? “ Satoshi growled and stepped forward cautiously. “Give me Ario.”

Krad's serene smile morphed into a smirk in seconds and he held the girl close to him. “No, I think I'll keep her. She reminds me so much of my Dearest Rio, your mother.” Satoshi hissed softly and was ready to lunge at him when Daisuke pulled him back.

“No Satoshi, he might hurt Ario.”

Dark; however, wasn't so reluctant.

“Put her down Krad…NOW.” He growled, pulling out one of his black feathers. Krad shook his head and tsked softly. “Are you going to throw that at me Dark Mousy?” He asked, giving Dark a disapproving look. “If you throw that at me, you'll hurt your beloved girlfriend.” Dark glared at Krad and made the feather dissolve. He couldn't put her at risk.

Krad smiled, “That's better. Now, shall we get down to business?” Satoshi growled and pried himself away from Daisuke, who was holding his shoulder.

“What business would we have with you, other than re-sealing your ass?” Dark said, ready to pull out another feather. Krad shook his head and walked towards the main staircase, Ario still in his arms. “Let's discuss this in the parlor, shall we?” He breezed his way down the stairs and paused before a frightened Towa. “I'd like some tea, as will Miss Ario when she awakes.”

Satoshi let out another whimper and made to follow Krad. Daisuke grabbed his wrist gently and held him back, “Are you sure about this?” Satoshi turned back to Daisuke, his eyes pleading. “He's…He's got my baby girl Dai.”

Dark sighed and put his hand on Satoshi's shoulder, “He won't hurt her, I know that for sure. But what's his game?” Daisuke sighed and squeezed Satoshi's hand gently. “Fine, we'll talk to him, but be on guard, especially you Dark.”

Dark nodded and the 3 of them made a silent walk to the parlor, passing by a very frightened Towa. As Daisuke and Satoshi went into the room Dark stopped to ruffle her hair sighing softly.

“Krad likes his tea, I know you don't want to, but keeping him happy is the best thing we can do for now.” Towa nodded and went into the kitchen. “Chai seems like the right choice for tea.” Towa said more to herself than anyone else.

 

The parlor was an awkward affair. Satoshi looked like he was on the verge of either killing Krad, or having a nervous breakdown. Daisuke nervously tapped on the armchair, as Dark paced the room. The only person in the room that seemed to be calm was Krad; he sat on the love seat with Ario still un-conscious, her head in his lap.

”I can't see why everyone is nervous, you would think after so long we could all sit down and have a mature conversation.” Daisuke clenched the arm of the chair and closed his eyes in deep frustration. `The nerve of him.' He said silently to himself as Towa brought in the tea. Once tea had been given and Towa scurried out of the room. Satoshi spoke. “What do you want Krad…” Krad smirked, “Ah right to the point as always Satoshi-sama.” Satoshi was about to reply, when Ario began to stir. She sat up slowly and looked around.

“What's….going on?” She said slowly, sitting up. All eyes turned towards her and she blinked, “Daddy? Dark? What's wrong…am I in trouble? Did something happen?”

She made a noise as she was suddenly pulled into Krad's lap. Smirking directly at Dark, as if egging him on to fight, he stroked Ario's face, as if she were his lover. “Oh Ario-dearest, we were having a lovely dance in the attic and you suddenly passed out.” He paused and put his hand on her forehead. “You might possibly have a fever.”

Dark had heard enough, He growled and lunged for Krad before Satoshi and Daisuke could hold him back, and Ario jerked away from his touch and stood from Krad's lap, stepping towards him. “No Dark, don't!”

Dark stopped and Ario suddenly felt dizzy again. She stumbled slightly and Dark caught her cradling her in his arms. “Don't worry love, I've got you.” Ario whimpered softly and Dark led her to Satoshi, who took her in his arms immediately. “Daddy. “

She said her voice soft, child-like and Satoshi held her as if she were two again. “Why is he here?” Satoshi helped her into his chair and handed her a cup of tea. “That's what we're trying to find out Ma Petite.” He replied, stroking her hair gently.

Now that Ario was safely out of harms way, Dark grabbed him by the collar of his white shirt. “Now we can get rid of you.” Krad laughed and shoved Dark away roughly, making the Kaitou hit the wall. Dark groaned and Ario made a small noise, although too weak to run to him. Satoshi looked back as Daisuke ran to Dark. “What do you want?”

Krad turned his attention back to Satoshi and smiled again. “I want to exist Satoshi-sama, is that really too much to ask for?” Dark limped towards the group again, his arm around Daisuke's shoulders.

“I won't allow you to be in the same realm as me, let alone the same house.” He said as Krad scoffed, “You are HARDLEY deserving of a chance for a normal life, Dark Mousy.” Dark frowned and clenched his teeth, “I'm more deserving than you are.” He retorted with his usual arrogance.

With great difficulty, Ario stood from the chair, feeling her strength come back to her. “Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance?” She asked, walking past Dark and standing in front of Krad, her voice had changed. It was softer, almost musical. Dark went to pull her away, but he found he was frozen in place and couldn't move. Daisuke blinked and tried to move his foot. “I'm stuck too!” He said, looking towards Satoshi.

Ario reached her hand out to Krad and suddenly she wasn't herself anymore, she had taken on the image of her Grandmother, Rio Hikari.

 

Krad gasped and reached out to touch her cheek. “Rio-sama…” He whispered and Satoshi gasped, “Mama?”

Rio didn't respond to Satoshi but ran a gentle hand through Krad's hair. “Krad, my love, you want to exist so badly yes?” Krad nodded and Daisuke watched in amazement as Krad was humbled before the glowing woman. Rio smiled again, “I will grant your wish Krad, the one wish I couldn't give you while I was still living.” Krad nodded and was ready to spout mountains of worship and praise, when she stopped and put her finger over his lips. “There's only one catch.” Krad blinked and Rio stepped back slowly. “I will strip you of all your powers, you will be mortal. No feathers, no wings, nothing. Can you handle that?” Krad whimpered softly and fell to his knees, clinging to her skirt. “Rio-sama…” She smiled and cupped his face with her hand. “You've become cruel Krad, you need to learn kindness and love again first, before I can grant your powers back to you again.” Krad nodded and bowed his head in almost silent reverence.

Rio stepped back and raised an arm, her power building. Krad didn't have time to react before a searing pain ripped through his body. He writhed on the floor and screamed in agony as he felt every inch of his magical energy being drained from his body. Once his power was drained, he felt another bout of searing pain as his wings retracted painfully into his back, never to come out again. The tears fell down his face and Dark looked away, not wanting to have to witness his other half crying in pain, it was almost too painful to watch, to see Krad reduced to a sobbing figure on the floor.

Rio left Krad shivering in pain on the floor and turned to Satoshi. “My darling boy, my little Satoshi.” She said, pulling him into her arms. “How you've grown into a fine young man.” Even Satoshi had to blink back tears as his mother kissed his forehead. “I love you.” She said touching his cheek, “Don't be so hard on Krad, there's a lot about him you don't know.” Satoshi nodded and Rio kissed his cheek one last time. She then turned to Daisuke and smiled gently at him. “You take care of Satoshi and Ario ne?” She said; a gentle hand on his cheek. Daisuke nodded. “I promise, Hikari-san.” And when she looked in his eyes, she knew he was telling the truth.

Rio stepped back her essence beginning to fade. Satoshi felt himself being released from the spell that was holding him in place and he ran towards his mother's fading image. Daisuke whimpered softly watching Satoshi reach for the fading presence, he could feel his own tears coming and he thanked the higher powers for his own Mother and loving family.

“Mama…”

Satoshi called out, reaching for her. “Mama don't leave me…please…” Rio smiled sadly and blew Satoshi a kiss before fading completely. Satoshi fell to his knees and called out, tears streaming down his cheeks. “MAMA….MAMA!” Daisuke kneeled beside him and pulled his lover into his arms. “Shhh, its okay Sato…Shh…” Daisuke rocked him gently and held Satoshi as he sobbed. Ario had fainted onto the couch when Rio vanished and once Dark was free to move again, he went to her.

 

 

Satoshi did not like how this was going. Despite Krad having no powers, he was still worried that the blonde angel would bring harm to him and his family if he wasn't careful. Krad; however, was a wreck. He locked himself in one of the guest rooms and hadn't come out since he managed to drag himself up there. He spent most of the day sitting on the bed, rocking back and forth, trying to flex the wings that weren't there anymore. Did he hate Rio? The one woman he claimed to love even more than his beloved Satoshi-sama? No, he supposed he didn't. He had broken his promise to her and hurt Satoshi and as such he deserved this punishment.

A soft knocking on the door brought him out of his trance and he turned his head towards the door. “What?” He said scathingly as the door opened and Dark wandered into the room. Krad turned away from the thief and faced the window again. “What do you want?” He asked. Dark frowned. “Well I was going to see if you wanted to come down for some dinner, but I can tell you rather sit here and sulk and feel sorry for yourself.” Krad whipped around and his hair flew everywhere. He had taken the ponytail out earlier, the crucifix sitting on the bedside table. His golden orbs flashed and he growled softly. “What do you care? You care nothing for me but my demise. HOW DARE you come in here and act so self righteous!” Dark snorted and his disapproving look turned into a smirk. “It's true, “he said. “I don't care if you live or die, but it wasn't I who came up here of my own free will. Ario asked me to.” Suddenly Krad's angry look dissolved and his voice became soft. “Ario-Hime asked you to check up on me?” Dark nodded and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, she said that she was worried about you.” Krad's eyes narrowed and he frowned again. “You seem shocked that someone would be concerned for my well being.” He said and he let out a sigh he'd been holding in for a while. “If you're done bothering me, then just…leave.” He finally said and Dark shrugged. “Whatever.” He said before leaving Krad alone to be lost in his thoughts again.

“What do you mean he won't come down, “Ario said, standing in front of Dark with her hands on her hips. “We're you a jerk to him Koku Yoku?” Dark dug his toe into the carpet and pouted. “He was being an ass.” Daisuke sighed and came out of the kitchen, drying a plate with a dishtowel. “I highly doubt it was entirely his fault Dark.” He said, smirking a little. “I know you two very well and I know you can both be very cruel to each other.” Dark threw his arms up in the air and shook his head in disbelief. “So now you're taking his side too? Do you not forget the many times he's tried to kill you Dai?” Daisuke sighed and put the clean plate on the table Kiyoshi and Ario were setting. Kiyoshi didn't seem to care either way as long as Krad didn't go on a killing rampage, or steal his pot. It was all good for him.

Ario sighed and put down the glass Kiyoshi had handed to her. “Well I'm going up there,” She said, heading towards the stairs. “I don't care what you think, Krad's here now and there's really nothing we can do about it.” Dark frowned and shook his head. “It's a dumb idea to be nice to him.” Ario put her hands on her hips, “Well I'm not going to let him starve.” She said and headed up the stairs. Dark tossed his hands up in exasperation and shook his head. “Well if you're not back in 10 minutes, I'm coming up there!” He called after her and turned to look at Daisuke, an exasperated look on his face. “Geeze, you would think with Ario being Satoshi's daughter and knowing what she knows, she would have more sense!” Daisuke smiled and put the last plate down on the table. “But with Ario being Risa's daughter, do you expect any less?” Dark opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. Daisuke said nothing and smiled again as he re entered the kitchen.

 

Ario was quiet when she approached the room. The door was closed and she hoped that she wouldn't get the same response as Dark did. Standing in front of the door, she knocked softly and waited to see if Krad would answer. Krad had indeed heard the soft knock and he sighed rubbing his temples gently, he had a splitting headache. “Yes?” He called out softly and watched as the door opened and Ario poked her head in. “Hi…” She said softly and entered the room. “ I came to see if you we're hungry.” She said gently, keeping at what she felt was a safe distance.

Krad curled up on the bed and shook his head. “No thank you Ario-Hime, I have a headache.” He managed to say, he was still shocked that she even cared. Ario walked over to the bed and sat beside him, gently running a hand through the golden hair, marveling at how soft the hair was. She spoke again, keeping her voice soft and non-lecturing. “You're not a magical being anymore Krad, you're mortal. You need to eat, or you'll die.” Krad sighed softly and flinched a little at her touch. “No one else seems to care if I live or die.” He said and Ario sighed. “Well I care, and I'm sure if Nana was alive, she would be very disappointed in you.” Krad sat up slowly and gazed at her through a curtain of blonde bangs. “Nana?” he asked, tilting his head a little. Ario nodded, “Yes, Grandma Rio, I consider her my Nana…and Daisuke's mother is just Emiko, she insisted. “She said with a smile. “She considers being called `Grandma' an insult because it makes her feel old.

Krad had to smile a little at this and vaguely remembered hearing Little Niwa say something of the sort to Satoshi once. Ario stood and held out her hand to Krad. “Don't worry, everyone promised to behave if you had decided to come down for dinner.” She said, trying to re-assure him. Krad let out a soft sigh and stood, taking Ario's hand. “I…wish I had something else to wear.” He said softly. Normally he didn't care how intimidating he looked, but now that he was mortal, he felt over dressed. Ario nodded, “Hold on, I'll be right back.” She dashed out of the room and returned a moment later with an oversized blue sweater and handed it to Krad. “Here, this is Daddy's.” Krad took the sweater and put it down on the bed. Taking a deep breath, he un-clipped the back part of his white top and pulled it off slowly, next went the white gloves. He paused for a moment and looked at his hands. He felt so naked without the gloves on, but he knew he couldn't wear them to dinner..

The last part to go was the undershirt he wore, he slipped it off and placed it in the pile on the bed and slipped the warm royal blue sweater on. The material was soft and it smelled like lavender Febreeze and fabric softener. Krad inhaled the smell for a moment and let a smile cross his face. Ario smiled a little and snapped him out of his trance. “Ready?” She asked softly. Krad nodded taking her hand gently. Ario took a deep breath and led Krad out of the room. Dinner was going to be an interesting experience, she decided, for everyone.