Level Twelve

Krad sighed quietly, adjusting his hat so that it didn't mess with his fringe.

"Why are we doing this again?" His cousin, the Val Victorian (Sp?) or person who maintained the highest average for all four years of high school, was not happy. For one, he hated making speeches, and on the other more important hand, he was leaving his beloved Daisuke because he was promoted a few grades.

Overall, to him graduation sucked.

Krad was actually glad to be able to graduate, the situation being that Dark and his parents had been nagging to pull him out of school, into a safer environment for the upcoming birth. Argentine had rallied against this, being as Krad was one of his only friends other than his obsessive, somewhat creepy stalker, Towa.

Speaking of stalkers, Daisuke had gained a rather overzealous fan club, consisting of Riku Harada and Mio Hio. Personally, Krad thought it was rather amusing. But this group of thoughts made him gloomy, I mean really, he didn't even get one fan let alone two, even Dark had a stalker ("Risa Harada, by the way, still has no idea he's a boy, even after his voice deepened!").

That just pissed him off; it wasn't as if he wasn't gorgeous. (A glance at nearby mirror reassured him of that.) So why the hell did he have no following! (Perhaps because Dark's way too protective? Or that baby bump, not good for chicks.)

"… You're not listening to me are you?" Amber eyes blinked slowly, staring into indignant oceanic orbs.

"Of course I was, I'm here aren't I?" He retorted, crossing his arms over his chest, only to wince as his sensitive nipple was brushed. He hated being pregnant…with passion. Good thing the graduation robes hid his, however small, belly. ….

"There is a difference between hearing and listening Krad!"

…If he lived through this, he'd never let Dark fuck him again.

"Hey Kraddy-kins!" Speak of the devil and he may come. Krad scowled, shoving his hat down farther onto his head, to shield his glowering eyes. "Argentine says he needs yah to help him with somethin', real urgent." Mousy spoke around his cigarette, grinning as the blond growled at his use of slang.

"Put that out before I choke you with it!" The fair-haired beauty snarled as he stomped past the smug teen.

Sometimes he wondered why he even loved the idiot.

~~-~~

The violet haired man watched as his lover marched off in the general direction of their friend. The blonde's behavior was becoming increasingly violent, whether he himself knew it or not. A year ago the blond would have stolen his smokes before skipping off to see his best friend…

Krad being pregnant sucked, all he ever wanted to do was cuddle, yes you heard me, the frigid Hikari brat was a coddler. Or at least that's what he was turned into.

So, no sex with preggy Kraddy.

And with the way things were going, no sex after either.

The thief pouted internally, casting a glance at the pacing blunet beside him.

"Settle down Kid, I doubt Dai-dai and Krad would be happy if you blew your lid." The slate haired boy scowled at him in a way eerily similar to his beloved cousin.

"Fuck off Jack ass!" Satoshi exclaimed, throwing his hat at him.

"Sheesh." Dark muttered taking a drag of his cig, slipping out from behind stage to wave at the crowd of proud parents, the audience muffled laughter as the principal turned to shove him back behind the curtains once more.

-~~~~-

"What is it?" Krad demanded as he reached his pallid best friend.

" Keiji was granted appeal, apparently, and was released from the asylum for the criminally insane." Argentine winced as his friend appeared to freeze in place, then reanimate with a fearsome scowl.

"How the fuck did that happen?" The blond hissed, flipping his hair primly.

"He's got connections in high places." His brunet companion inferred.

The parent-to-be heaved a deep, long, distressed sigh.

"For our sakes, don't tell Dark." Krad warned after a moment of turmoil, his hand brushing through his bangs as was his habit.

"But Krad…" Argentine frowned in disapproval.

"Look, I want to graduate, don't you?" The blond coerced, his pretty face contorting in desperation. "And if we tell Mousy he'll whisk me away to some far off land from which I will never return!" It was actually a possibility; his lover had been known to go to extremes as of late.

"But Krad…" Iron orbs darkened with anxiety, wanting what was in his former crush's best interest, if not what he desired. After all, the blond had to think for two now.

"Argentine!" Krad mocked, amber orbs widening as he pulled a pouty look, tears springing like magic to his eyes. He always got what he wanted when he cried.

"But Krad…" Argentine whined, his shoulder's slumping in defeat.

"Argentine!" The victor of the argument repeated, pressing closer to his friend.

"But…fine." The brunet gave up, wrapping an arm around the hunter's waist. "We'll tell Dark after this though."

"Glad you see it my way." Krad smirked smugly, leading them back to their gathering group.

His friend shook his head bemusedly.

"Come on, let's get to our seats!" Towa commanded, linking her arm through Argentine's free one.

They all were seated behind Satoshi, who was at the end of the front row, not quite ready to give his speech. Krad squeezed a slim shoulder reassuringly as he passed the anxious teen.

Satoshi spared him an affectionate glance, before looking around for his mother, it had already been decided that Krad's parents were banned from his life other then the occasional visit to their grandchild, not even that if Krad had his way. Once he and Dark had gotten over their initial shock of pregnancy they had had a heated argument about letting the blonde's parents back into his life, seeing as they were never really there before.

Of course Krad won, he had always been good at manipulating people, but Dark set the ground rules for Elliot and Freedert, which they were not to break, if they ever wanted to see their son again. One was that they only called in case of emergencies.

But I digress, for you see the real topic I was getting at, was that Rio and Kei Hitwari were supposed to be there. And since Rio was very punctual, it was worrying that they weren't on time.

And it became worse when Krad received a call, from two certain blondes, containing a rather worrying message.

"Aunt Rio's dead?" He repeated unbelievingly, the shock of it freezing the very blood in his veins. He sat stiff, for just a moment, before turning a worried gave to his fidgeting cousin. "You're joking." He whispered desperately, not really certain in his own words.

"I'm sorry." Came the cold, curt reply. He bit his lip massaging the bridge of his nose before he stood, shaking his head at his confused Dark so that he wouldn't follow. He hung up after getting directions to the hospital the surviving husband was.

Gesturing to the super attendant to stall for a while, he tugged his younger cousin out of the auditorium, and into the parking lot. He quickly spotted the convertible Dark owned, and used the keys he had borrowed from him earlier to unlock it and start it up.

"Nii-sama?" His blunet whispered uncertainly, reverting back to the childish pet name for comfort. Something was horribly wrong, he could feel it. His beloved idol wouldn't be so weary if it wasn't.

"Shush Satoshi-sama; I'll explain when we get there." Krad mumbled, not daring to look the younger boy in the eye as he gave an excuse to Dark for their abrupt leave.

"…" Satoshi sunk into his seat, staring beseechingly at his cousin. Stray tears began to leak in rivets from somber amber orbs, their owner trying desperately to suppress his sobs as they reach the hospital parking lot.

"Do you want me to call mom?" Satoshi asked his own hysteria rising, he'd never seen his idol cry, truthfully cry before. But it seemed his attempt to help just made it worse as the blond began to shake, pulling him into an abrupt hug.

"Oh Satoshi." He choked out, crushing the blunet to him as he struggled to bring himself back together. "She's gone, love." The teen froze, unable to comprehend the news. Where had his mother gone? Why were they at the hospital? Why was Krad crying!

By the time Krad had succeeded in regaining his composure, Satoshi had run himself into a rut. His thoughts chasing themselves into circles, the same three questions ringing in his ears. He couldn't seem to make himself speak, but could only stare, lost and dazed up at his cousin who had slipped off his graduation clothes and pulled on one of Dark's old hoodies to hide his stomach.

Wincing, he turned back to the still frozen Satoshi who gazed at his blankly, reminding him eerily of Quiala, Argentine's dead little sister, when she was shot dead two years ago.

"Come on now Darling, come on." He urged gently, his voice a bit clogged from crying. He managed to get the boy out of his robes and into the hospital lobby.

His parents and an unfamiliar young man sat in the waiting room, uncomfortable with their presence; he wrapped an arm around shaking shoulders as he regarded the concerned receptionist. He politely asked which room Kei Hitwari was in.

After a moment's hesitation he persuaded her to tell them where he was held.

They arrived at the intensive care unit within minutes. The befuddled Satoshi still a bit lost, but quickly regaining his reason.

Finally they reached a single room, which had to be opened with a key, which Krad thankfully had foresaw, and had gotten. They opened the door cautiously, filing into the small room, only to see a…

Empty bed?

"What were you expecting little angel, oh? Could it be that?" Krad stiffened automatically following the calloused hand's direction, only to gag and press back into their captor. The mangled corpse of his uncle lay in tatters beneath the bed.

"Aw, is my angel going to be sick? I would to if I was related to that filthy mongrel, didn't even put up much of a fight." Keiji tsked, tapping the muzzle of his gun against the younger teen's cheek.

"You're a twisted bastard." Krad whispered, making no move to struggle, his only goal was to make sure his cousin got out of this unharmed, and if possible, his child as well.

"Me twisted? No my little overachiever it is you who are twisted, allowing yourself to be defiled by the thief, and being freakish enough to carry his seed." Keiji rambled casually; a rough hand crept underneath his hoodie, caressing the slender bump in an almost loving fashion.

Krad bit back a whimper. The action was familiar; having had his lover do the same many times before, the fact that the bastard was doing this was enough for Krad to feel violated.

Satoshi watched with wide eyes from his little corner of the room. His muddled mind began to work in overdrive, shaky fingers slid open his cell phone, which was rarely used, and texted three key words.

~~-----~~

"Help. Krad. Hospital." Dark read aloud from Argentine's cell phone. Violet eyes narrowed down as the thief stilled a low growl escaping him. Help; something was wrong. Krad; His mate, something was wrong with his mate, and by extension, his pup. Hospital; It was bad enough they were in the hospital.

Snarling, he stalked past Argentine, toward the brunet's car. They sped toward the nearest hospital, leaving the assembly in disorder,

-~~~~~~~~-

"Stop it." Krad breathed shakily, his pretty face pale.

"Oh, but I rather like this." Keiji cooed in a falsely saccharine tone, his gun trailing down between the blonde's jean clad thighs.

"Besides you don't need it anyway do you?" He continued, musing. "After all you're meant to impregnate not to make others pregnant." Krad blocked him out, feeling horribly numb as he gazed desperately at his cousin who crouched, clearly frightened, in the corner. Keiji followed his stare to the fragile boy.

"I wonder if he'd have the genes too eh? Perhaps you could knock him up?" Satoshi bit down hard on his lip, drawing blood from his bubble-gum pink lips, so much like his idols. "Looks like his mum, he does, before she went and got killed." Krad winced as his friend gasped, tears forming in blue oceans. "Oh? You didn't know little one?" Keiji laughed, a rough hand beckoning the youngest occupant over to the hospital bed where both blonde's sat.

"Well, come on, you don't want to make me angry, Krad knows that don't you angel?" The blond nodded slowly as his whimpering cousin slipped onto the bed, into his arms.

"As lovely as you two look together, I'm afraid I want something ...more." Emerald orbs leered at the unwilling victims. Amber hues narrowed in disbelief. "Bastard." Krad hissed, his emotions dropping into a turmoil that faded into oblivion. He felt sick, and disgusted, and tired, and he wanted out, NOW.

"Ah, ah, ah, you want to keep the little brat don't you?" Krad growled at the threat, but conceded. "Now give the boy a kiss, and make it hot." Satoshi trembled, his mind going blank at the implications of what the bastard wanted them to do.

Krad took a deep breath, and slowly leaned forward, pressing his soft lips against trembling ones. His cousin whined as the other's tongue crept into his unwilling mouth, only reassured by the fact that it was his idol, not their captor.

Suddenly the door slammed open, a familiar face breaking the tense atmosphere.

"Dark!" Krad exclaimed as he pulled away from the forced kiss. His cousin clung to his waist as he did so.

"Why if it isn't the little thief here to save the damsels in distress." The other blond mocked sarcastically.

"Let them go now." Satoshi flinched at the thief's low, furious tone, he had no doubt the man was out for blood.

"Don't you want to share? …Brother." Amber hues widened in confusion as the violet haired man made no attempt to deny the endearment.

"I don't share Keiji; I'm far too prone to vices." The thief purred a clear threat beneath the silken lining.

"Ah, always claiming the best for yourself, always planning, always stealing what I want from under my nose." Keiji reminisced, for you see, he had had an eye on the blond too, since the angel was still in diapers.

But Dark had taken him far too easily, already knowing his power, even if unconsciously, the curious little alpha had taken his mate.

"Alright then, alright." He moved back prodding the unmoving mate and pack member forward, because you see, that's what they were, mate and pack member. Dark was no human, and neither was Krad, only Krad, was considered mutant, and Dark a hybrid, a lycanthrope, a werewolfe.

He would not risk his neck by detaining the blond once more away from his alpha, at least while the said alpha was at full strength, and the beta with childe.

It would be better if he could get the childe, the pup would know no better, and fall into his arms willingly. And if the pup could be seduced, then the parents would do nothing.

He departed quickly, a plot forming in his twisted mind.

-~~~~~~-

"You're related to that bastard!" Krad yelped, glaring up at his mate.

"So are you." Dark shrugged nonchalantly as the blond gaped in horror. "And Satoshi." The blunet whimpered, before crumbling under the day's stress, in other words, he blacked out.

"How?" The angelic boy scowled.

"Our parents had one big orgy fest basically."

"No, I mean how you could do this to me, lie to me! Betray me!" Krad raged clenching his fists as he stared into languid amethyst eyes.

"I did what I had to, I wanted to tell you when I realized what I was, (around the time you got pregnant actually) but I figured shock wouldn't be good for your health." Dark explained, placing a placating arm around his mate's tensed shoulders.

"And my parents?" Krad whispered slowly his eyes settling on the two blonde's who sat with the rugged looking brunet. Argentine also was there, keeping a safe distance from the gruesome sight beneath the hospital bed. His best friend gazed around him with open confusion.

"Are best kept away from you, they actually wanted to pair you with Keiji, but I got you first." And to make it worse the thief had the gull to sound proud!

"I'm leaving." Krad stated, walking over to his friend, his only true friend.

"Take me home." He whispered, Argentine nodded, wrapping a comforting arm around the traumatized boy's waist, they stopped to pick up the blunet who lay sprawled across Daisuke's lap, the red head stared up at them apologetically.

"I'll come by tomorrow!" Dark called after him.

"Don't."

-~~-

"You going to be okay?" Krad shook his head as the tears began to rise. He'd had enough, he didn't want to talk about it, and he just wanted to cry himself to sleep.

And after his friend left to tuck Satoshi in, that's just, what he did.

Gray hues softened as the brunet crept back in, pulling the covers away from his friend's tear stained face, and adjusting the plush cross so that it didn't suffocate the poor boy.

"Sleep tight darling." He whispered, brushing a soft kiss over the blonde's smooth temple.

His girlfriend's mother watched silently from her place at the door.

She shook her head, and left.

-~~~-

A week later after an exhausting birth, came forth a beautiful little girl, barely weighing in at two pounds, she was seen to by the best doctors money could buy. Her mother refused to see her however; he even refused to name her. Only telling them in clipped tones that she was to be delivered to her father to be dealt with.

Four months of intensive care later, a small purple haired child was placed under an Mousy's care.

Five months, the mother has all but disappeared.

A year, the father has fallen into depression.

Two years, the child goes mute.

Three years later…

TBC

Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait, hope it was worth it. Thanx you to all those who reviewed! I think this story is getting a little too serious for the genre, should I change it? Should I even do another chapter? I could leave it off here if you want...OR IF YOU DON'T REVIEW (yes I'm an addict, aren't we all?)

Ja Ne!

Disclaimer: I don't own DN Angel.