• "You are going about this the wrong way, you know?"
    "So how would you have me do, tell her the truth? She'd run screaming out of the country."
    "It's better than lying to her. Anyways, I'm going out. later."
    After she left I got up and closed the window, then went back and laid back on the bed. Kurai always managed to know what was on my mind and antagonize me about it.
    That morning when I awoke I realized that I wasn't alone on my bed. Again, Tsuin had slept in my bed. I was used to it by then, but I freaked out that first morning. As I got ready for school, I contemplated the big event coming up in a few days. I couldn't wait.
    As I left my house I spotted Kouyuu up ahead.
    "Hey, Hikaru, whats up?"
    "The sky, Kouyuu, as always."
    "Just checking. You hear what happened last night?"
    "No." What had Kurai done this time?
    "Some guy was mugged. Said the one who did it was a 20 year old girl with wings. Weird, huh?"
    "Yeah. Thats the seventh time this month someone has seen her."
    "Yeah. Some guys at school have put up money if someone can get a picture of her. I intend to get it. You wanna come?"
    What could I do? If I didn't go, Kurai would tear him to shreds. "I'm in."
    "Cool. We'll meet at my house at, say, 7:00?"
    "Sure."
    The day passed normally. Me and Kouyuu sat at our usual deserted table. I didn't see Koigokoro, she wasn't there today. When the day ended at 4, we went our separate ways. When I got home I could smell dinner cooking. Tsuin never did that.
    "Hikaru, your home."
    "Indeed. Whats this?"
    "Just a little something to show my appreciation for you letting me stay here."
    "Thanks Tsuin, but I'm not hungry."
    "I spent all day over a hot stove just so you could say you aren't hungry?"
    I sighed, then sat down. It was actually pretty good. After I had eaten enough to be polite, I went upstairs to study until 7. Next thing I knew, I sit up and the clock says 7:30. Shoot. Kouyuu! Kurai must have tried to poison me. My twin poisoned me! I went to the window and opened it. As I jumped out, my uyoku burst from my back and I soared up to spot Kurai. There.
    "Kurai!" I shot down at her, barley missing her as she dogged me. Kouyuu was up against the wall with his camera, but there was no time to deal with him.
    "Hikaru! what are you doing here? I thought we had an agreement."
    "That agreement does not extend to my friends, remember?"
    "Even so, if you want him you will have to go through me to get him."
    "So be it." Reaching behind my back, I pulled out my ken. As it cleared the sheath, it burst into bright red flames. For her part, Kurai pulled out two aka daggers that were once bright steel, but were now black from old blood.
    "Dont expect any mercy from me, Hikaru."
    "Likewise."
    We flew up to get more room to maneuver She thrust at me, and I easily parried and responded in kind. After that there was no time for coherent thought, just the feel of two evenly matched swordspeople in a duel to the death. After about 30 minutes she managed to pin me on the ground.
    "You always only fought in the horizontal, Hikaru. Now you will pay for your thoughtlessness."
    "Foolish girl. I have you right where I want you." With that I shifted my weight, got my feet under her, and pushed. Just as I had planned, she rammed right into the roof of the car lot we were fighting in at that time. "Foolish girl." With that, I left.
    Kouyuu was still where we had left him, but he wasn't cowering in fear anymore. I flew down to him.
    "Kouyuu."
    "How do you know my name?"
    "Oh, sorry. Forgot the wings and radiance" My uyoku folded back under my shirt and the glow faded. "That better?"
    "Hikaru?"
    "Indeed. Shall we retire to your place?"
    "Sure. Its-"
    "I know the way." I picked him up, unfurled my uyoku, and launched off into the night.

    Meanwhile, in the parking garage. Kurai
    Anger and pain. That was all that existed. Anger and pain. Hikaru had beaten me again! Turning the environment against me. I'd have to remember that for next time. It was almost morning before I could crawl away. First thing I would do is go home and kill Hikaru while he slept, then take care of his friend Kouyuu tomorrow night. Of course, he wasn't there when I got home. Probably spending the night at Kouyuu's to escape my wrath. Darn him! So I spent the night alone in an empty house. Every second I expected to hear him behind me, ready to finish his job.

    At Kouyuu's house. Hikaru
    "So you really are an angel of vengeance?"
    "Yes."
    "So, now what?"
    "Now we go on as always. You forget everything that happened tonight, and life goes on. I cannot interfere with her, by terms of our ancient pact. What is more, she is my twin, and I love her, but hate all she stands for. It is a dilemma that has withstood the test of the test of time."
    "Maybe I could help?"
    "I doubt there is anything you could do to turn her from the Dark Side."
    "But couldn't I at least try?"
    "What makes you think she would let you?"
    "What about during the day? Isn't she less powerful then?"
    "Yes. you want me to restrain her so you can talk with Kurai?"
    "Yes."
    "I can see I'm not going to be able to change your mind. Very well. When would you like to do this?"
    "Seriously? Yes! Ok, how about right before lunch tomorrow?"
    "Done."
    The next morning I went to my house, to see if Tsuin had made it home. She had.
    "And just where have you been all day?"
    "At Kouyuu's, like I told you a month ago."
    "Oh. Must have slipped my mind. So how did it go?"
    "Good. He wants to meet you."
    "When?"
    "Right before lunch."
    "Well then, guess we'd better start packing a lunch for us to eat at his house then."
    "That would be a wonderful idea."
    So we made lunch and soon Kouyuu arrived.
    After we were seated I introduced them. "Kouyuu, this is my twin, Tsuin. Tsuin, this is Kouyuu." They said hello, and then Kouyuu took me aside.
    "I thought you were going to bring Kurai over."
    "This is Kurai, during the day she sleeps and Tsuin takes over. Of course, Tsuin doesn't know about Kurai, but Kurai knows about Tsuin."
    "So now what."
    "We eat. I cant hold her back on an empty stomach."
    So we ate lunch. After lunch we sat and talked for an hour till Kouyuu nodded at me. In a flash I had grabbed Tsuin by the arms from behind.
    "Kurai, I know you can hear me. Kouyuu wants to talk to you."
    The effects were immediate and noticeable. Tsuin's hair grew long and changed from red to deepest black. Her nails grew as well, and changed to red. Her expression was the worst. Tsuin's childish face went ancient and inscrutable. Her voice dropped an octave and froze the moisture around her as she hissed, "What if I dont want to talk to him?"
    "You are going to, because I'm not letting you go till you do. So you might as well start talking."
    "What do you want, Kouyuu?"
    "Why do you do what you do every night."
    "I'm evil, what do you expect? That I'd go around helping people?"
    "You used to, Kurai. You used to help me. Can't you remember those times?"
    "I remember I was weak and naive. I had never known true power."
    "True power comes from helping those less fortunate than you, Kurai."
    "Bah. You think you know true power? The power of having underlings do exactly as you tell them to?"
    "I can do that as well. All it takes is a little respect. That doesn't take very long to build up."
    All of a sudden she lunged at Kouyuu. I managed to hold her back, but just barely.
    "Hurry Kouyuu. I can't hold her back much longer!"
    "Just think about it Kurai. Ok Hikaru, I'm done."
    I reached around and pressed 3 times on her neck. She dropped like a rock, then I put her on the couch. When she was settled her appearance had changed back to Tsuin's.
    When Tsuin came around she asked what happened.
    "You fell unconscious sis."
    "Sorry Kouyuu."
    "It's no problem."
    "Where were we?"
    Kouyuu stayed for another hour, then he & I left for his house.
    "That was freaky."
    "What, the transformation? It was at first. I'm used to it now."
    Days passed. I talked to Koigokoro, she said she was doing great, but I could tell she had something on her mind.
    "Whats wrong Koigokoro?"
    "It's nothing Hikaru."
    "You know you can tell me anything. Doctor-patent priviledge is something I live my life by."
    "How about we meet at my house tonight at 5:00? We can talk then."
    "Ok Koigokoro."
    She walked away, then stopped. "Hikaru?"
    "Yes?"
    "Call me Koi."
    Then she was gone. The day raced by. I aced my Psycology exam. Before I knew it, it was 5:00 and I was telling Tsuin I was going to head over to a friends house for a bit.
    When I got there Koi opened the door and told me to come in and sit in the living room,she was almost done with some cookies she had been bakeing.
    When she got back I prompted her as to why we couldn't do this at my house, I could easily get Tsuin to go on some errand.
    "Because, It's easier to talk in familiar settings."
    "True enough. Continue. Not a word of what is said here will ever pass these lips unless you wish it."
    "Ok then. You seem to have something on your mind however. Why don't you voice it. I'll keep it silent.
    "Promise me that no matter what, we can still be friends."
    "Agreed. Now, what's wrong. You look as though you haven't slept in a week."
    "Koi, I think I'm in love."
    "With who?"
    "You."
    A pause. "Seriously?"
    "Indeed. Since we met, though I didn't know it at the time."
    "Hikaru, me too. Thats part of the reason I've been distracted when we talk."
    "So, will you be my girl friend?"
    "Of course, you dolt. Thats what I was saying."
    "Ok then. That's settled."
    "But before we go any further, there is something I have to tell you."
    I leaned back. "Ok, shoot."
    "Hikaru, I'm an angel." With that her wings sprouted. "I havent gotten much sleep lately because of a new crime wave."
    I burst out laughing. "This is it?"
    "Yes."
    "I dont know how you are going to take this, but I'm one to." With that my own, considerably larger, wings burst forth.
    We both laughed at this. "And here I thought you were going to freak out." she said.
    "No, and though technicly I'm your superior, I don't stand much on ceramony. Tell me more about this crime wave, Koi."
    "It started about a year ago. I think there's a new dark angel, but I'm not sure."
    I sighed. "Koi, have you ever heard of the instances when both a dark and light angel are twins?"
    "Don't tell me, it's your twin."
    "Her name is Kurai, when she's a dark angel. Other times she's Tsuin. Plus, our pact stops us from interfering with each other. I can't do very much about her."
    "Seems we've got a problem."
    "Indeed. I'll need you to help me round up the rest of us within the city."
    "Not a Convention?"
    "Indeed. You have a list of the rest of us hereabouts?"
    "Yeah, here." She got it out of a drawer and handed it to me.
    "Go round them up. I'll need them all if I'm to get this to work. We'll meet back here. Go." A swift kiss and she was gone.
    After they all got there, Koi addressed them all. "Fellow Angels. I am sure you have been strained with this latest crime wave. I can now tell you that I have found the source. A new Dark Angel is indeed among us.
    However, this is no ordinary Dark Angel. It is Kurai. I am sure I do not have to list her accomplishments for you. However, as they have gained a new addition, so we have as well. I am proud to present, Lord Hikaru!" With that she took her seat and I stepped up.
    "My coleges, I will impose only one rule. That you treat me as a friend, not a superior. Now, to buisness. I have bad news, and good news. The bad news is that Kurai is my twin, and thus I can not directly interfere with her except in time of direst need. But that does not mean I can not interfere with this new crime wave. The good news is that I judge this to be a time of direst need. The balence must be maintaned."
    "Lord Hikaru, I-"
    "Pease, Hikaru."
    Hikaru, how are we to stop her? She is the most powerfull of all the Dark Angels. Worst, she was once a Light Angel herself, she knows all our secrets."
    "Not all. Her last time being a Light angel was 10,000 years ago to the day. More bad news. We are scheduled to swap places tonight, so I'm gonna have to go soon, and wreak widespread havoc."
    At this they stood to provide an aisle to the door. "Not yet, we have until 9:00. Now, here's what I want you to do..."

    8:55 Center of Tokyo
    As I flew in I could see Kurai was in the appointed place. Good.
    "Ready, Hikaru?"
    "Indeed, Kurai. One night to wreack havoc, then back into my role as a Light Angel. Do we really have to do this?"
    "Yes."
    "I see you have changed your choice of weapons."
    "U like it?" She showed off her new scythe.
    "I prefer to stick with simplicities."