Title: Tribulations Within
Pairing: Satoshi/Daisuke

Summary: (SatoshiDaisuke) (2shot) Daisuke forgets his lines on the night of the new play he's performing in. When forced to make up a passionate profession of love to confess to Satoshi, the private investigator, he realizes he doesn't have to make one up at all: he just has to speak his heart.

Disclaimer: I do not own DNAngel. …Or do I? O.o

Japanese Vocabulary
Senpai: upperclassman
Kaitou: phantom thief
Dorobou: thief
Tantei: detective

------

Soon after Daisuke's class production of Ice and Snow, the performance had caught the attention of the Drama Club. However, like in all high schools, the Drama Club only spelled out one word: trouble. Trouble meant a preppy director whose only reason to live was to direct the perfect play. Trouble meant control freaks who wouldn't let you touch any of the props or costumes unless their hands were cut off and twitching on the floor. Trouble meant sour upperclassmen who glared at you for taking the so-called "role of their life."

Trouble, no matter how serious or stupid, always seemed to follow Niwa Daisuke around. Whether it was a cursed piece of artwork sucking him into its depths, or said obsessed director ordering said control freaks to stick him in three-inch heels, trouble was on the flippin' prowl.

Yes, you read right. Heels. Apparently, the director had enjoyed the casting of Ice and Snow. And if the casting was enjoyable to the director, the casting would be the same. Poor Daisuke was doomed to play the role of a female…again.

So that was where Daisuke found himself – in the middle of the gymnasium, surrounded by his senpais and a few of his fellow ninth-grade classmates. By some divine force of nature, he was fortunately still in his boy clothes, and about to recite his lines when a loud crack filled the air. The sound of ropes cutting soon followed it, and a scream was heard.

"Aiiieeeee! No! The backdrop! Someone grab it before it crushes the rest of the set! Everyone else- off the stage!"

"Hiwatari-kun!" Daisuke grabbed the stationary blunette's hand and tugged him down the steps of the stage. Once safely on level ground, the redhead glared up at the other. "What were you doing, just standing there? The tree almost came down on your head."

"Almost, being the key word," Satoshi replied stoically. He looked down, and his eyes flashed slightly. "Niwa-kun."

Daisuke sighed to himself, wondering why he bothered to worry about the blue-eyed boy when he was obviously set on taking care of himself.

Hiwatari Satoshi was unexpectedly persuaded into joining the club's performance. How and why, Daisuke would never know, but he was glad Satoshi was there- even if he was intent on holding up the cold façade he had made for himself.

"…"

"Niwa-kun."

There was a slight movement at the base of his arm, and when he turned his direction to the source of it, Daisuke discovered that his fingers were still tightly intertwined with Satoshi's. He blushed shyly and blinked down at their connected hands.

"…Niwa-kun." Satoshi pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose with his free hand. "You can let go of my hand now." - 1 -

"Ah! Yes, yes! I'm sorry, Hiwatari-kun!" Daisuke hurriedly whipped his hand from Satoshi's, his already flushed face growing more color and his usually messy spikes even more flustered. He bowed in embarrassment, still squeaking a mantra of apologies.

"Stop that," Satoshi ordered. He tugged lightly on one of the ruby spikes. "It makes you look pathetic."

"I guess you might be right." Daisuke straightened himself out and smiled at the taller boy cheerfully. "Thanks."

"Niwa! Can you help me here for a sec please?"

Daisuke's head turned and he nodded. "Yeah, sure! Ja, Hiwatari-kun!" The little thief turned heel and ran off to air his caller.

Satoshi stared at Daisuke's retreating back, his icy eyes following his every step. The young commander pulled his hand up to eye level and studied it meticulously. What was this…feeling he was experiencing?

Scowling at the thought he could not comprehend, Satoshi brushed it off as a spasm caused by his bloodlusting other half.

The stoic teen ignored the faint, enthusiastic tingling that tickled his fingers and palm. He also ignored the fact that said tingling hand was the hand a certain bubbly redhead had earlier had in his grasp.

Satoshi-sama… Like liquid silk, the demonic angel's voice drifted through Satoshi's head. Look what he has made you.

He hasn't made me anything. It's just that – not for the first time – sharing my body with a sadistic killing machine had taken its toll. Satoshi felt a smile of deadly grace fix itself upon Krad's figmented face.

Dear Satoshi-sama…so naïve. The smile grew. But remember your initial goal: to capture Dark Mousy and kill him. The boy is but a pawn in our game. We shall eliminate him.

We shall do no such thing to Niwa-kun, Satoshi snapped harshly.

And why not? The tainted angel's face adopted an innocent, inquiring manner- one that did not fool Satoshi. The Niwa boy is connected to Dark- therefore an enemy.

Like myself, Niwa-kun wants to be normal. It's not his choice, nor is it mine, to be stuck with a potential danger magnet in his head.

Heh heh… Krad closed his eyes blissfully as he voiced his amusement. And like yourself, the little brat can't admit his feelings.

Satoshi blinked, his head cocked inquiringly. What are you talking about, Krad? he demanded.

But then again… The blonde began to talk quietly, as if forgetting- or maybe ignoring- the fact that Satoshi was still there. It's better for me that he can't.

Krad, tell me what you're talking about, Satoshi ordered, his curiosity surfacing. Niwa-kun doesn't have any feelings he wants to admit to me. And neither do I. '…At least none that you need to know of.' Satoshi thought the last part to himself.

Krad arched an eyebrow. No feelings, eh?

No feelings. Satoshi flushed slightly, hiding this from his other's knowledge. The flush wasn't the only thing he was hiding, apparently.

Whether Krad knew this or not, Satoshi had no clue. The sadist talked on as if he didn't, anyway. That's splendid, Satoshi-sama. Now I may destroy him.

We've been through this, Krad. You can't hurt Niwa-kun.

And why can't I hurt a person you have no feelings for?

Satoshi's heart skipped a beat. Niwa-kun is my friend.

But you don't like him around you.

When have I ever said that?

You've said it many times to Niwa's face, Krad pointed out.

That's only because if he's around me, you'll pop out and try to kill him!

Because I know you want him dead, Krad countered.

I do not want Niwa-kun dead! I like Niwa-kun! Satoshi snapped.

Excuse me? Krad questioned delicately. Care to repeat that again?

Satoshi immediately caught the way Krad interpreted his slip up and wanted to kick himself. Don't think of it like that, Krad. You know what I mean.

Silly Master Satoshi. I know what you mean, and it's definitely not what you want me to know.

Just what exactly are you implying, Krad?

What do you think I'm implying, dear Master?

Satoshi shook his head, his delicate brows furrowed. I don't know why I've put up with you for this long. I've told you not to bother me during school. Go to sleep and shut up.

You are certainly amusing to converse with, Krad commented, a smirk clear on his face. Such a confused Hikari indeed… Good day, Satoshi-sama.

And with that, the blonde angel's stifling presence retreated to the mysterious recesses of Satoshi's mind.

------

You held Creepy Boy's haaaaaaaaand.

…

You looove Creepy Boy.

Dark…

You want to fuuuuu-

SHUT UP, DARK! Daisuke's face flushed as he lifted a box of cords to a ladder-borne senpai, and it wasn't because he was tired.

Admit it, Daisuke. You looooove Creepy Boy-

I don't want to talk about it, Dark.

Talk about what? Your love for Creepy Boy?

Dark, go to sleep.

HAH! Not bloody likely, you perv! The minute I fall asleep, the first thing you and Creepy Boy are gonna do is run straight into the storage closet and-

DARK! Daisuke glared at the first thing he encountered on his trip to pick up another box: a wall. It was a deep mauve color and reminded him vaguely of Dark. Perhaps he should punch it…

Eeeee… Violence is not the answer, Dai-chan. You of all people should know that. Besides, Creepy Boy doesn't strike me as the masochistic type. A sadist, maybe? But still…he's pretty uke-ish, don't you say?

Daisuke sighed flatly and continued to glare at the wall. What genius painted a wall violet?

But then again, so are you. Oh dear. Quite a predicament you two've landed yourselves in. Two lone ukes without a seme to fu- eh…guide- them. Maybe I should join you…

Daisuke vaguely wondered if Dark's blood would be a better color to paint the wall with. These openly broadcasted thoughts were ignored as said thief continued to talk.

Hm… But Creepy Boy certainly won't approve of that. So I'm obviously kicked out.

Daisuke walked up to the wall and ran his hand over it. Hard enough to shut Dark up; soft enough to cause himself only minimal harm.

I guess I can't join you then. Awww. Ah well. I can still give you tips! Yessss! First, you grab his-

DAAAAAARK!

Gods, Dai, you're such a pervert. I was gonna say 'hand.'

Of course you were, Dark. Now I really need to get back to work. If you would so kindly GO TO SLEEP and STOP SAYING THAT I LOVE HIWATARI-KUN, then that would be great. Thanks.

Daisuke's mental self smiled widely at a deaf Dark and pushed him to the back of his mind, where the thief's obscene comments would not reach him.

With a newfound happiness, Daisuke turned away from the wall with a smile –

– only to have it quickly melt away when he found himself face-to-face with the director. She glared at him, hands on her hips, and he blinked in response.

"Niwa. Find something interesting on the wall there?" Kawa Ika was not happy.

"Eh… No…Kawa-senpai."

"It sure looked like it, Niwa. You were staring at it without moving for almost five minutes."

"Gomen, Kawa-senpai…"

Ika sighed. "I'm not even going to justify you with a response, Niwa. Go dress up."

Daisuke swallowed the lump in his throat and repeated Ika's words. "Dress up?"

Ika smiled down at him, gloss-painted lips pulled up so widely that Daisuke wasn't sure whether or not they were still connected to her face. "Yep! And as punishment for wasting five minutes staring at your beloved wall, you have to dress in full costume."

Daisuke could only open and close his mouth dumbly, doing the perfect imitation of a fish out of water. After a few more gapes, he finally managed to utter one word piteously: "Heels?"

He didn't hear the pop, but somehow, Daisuke knew that her jaw had unhinged from the length of her smile. It probably could have reached her ears if it was possible. It didn't even look like a smile anymore; just two rows of teeth that housed double more than the usual number.

"Heels, wig- you name it. Except makeup, though. Yumi-chan's out sick today." Daisuke breathed out a sigh of relief. "But if she wasn't-" He sucked it back in and held it. "-your face would so be periwinkle blue." He laughed nervously. "However-" The laugh was cut short. "-you've got to put on a little lipstick and eye shadow. Ask one of the girls to do it for you. Hah! Now hop to it, Niwa. I'll give you ten minutes."

Ika stomped off, her short skirt lifting slightly in the breeze she had created. Daisuke was glad his skirt wasn't that short.

"Oh, and Niwa-kun?" Her voice turned sickly sweet as she called over her shoulder. "All of the girls have been complaining about your skirt. Raise it up a few inches. Don't be afraid to show some skin!"

Daisuke withered to a stump at the thought before trudging to his dressing room. However, his thoughts of his cross-dressing doom slowly melted away, instead replaced with Dark's words.

He was used to the kaitou's consistent teasing – because the baka did it all the bloody time – but this time it was different. It stung at him ferociously, nestling in the middle of his heart and refusing to leave.

Just like Satoshi.

Not that Daisuke could understand that yet.

------

"Niwa! Come out now! We're gonna start rehearsing!" A senpai banged on Daisuke's dressing room, he himself already clad in civilian clothes for his part in the play. A crowd had gathered behind him, all waiting for the star of the production to come out.

Unexpectedly, the door banged open, and an upset girl came stomping out. Everyone ignored her, and the door shut again. The senpai banged on it for good measure. "Niiiwwwaaaaaa…… Ouuuutttt…… Nooooooowwwwww……"

"Kazuma-kun!" Ika called down to the senpai and the crowd from her seat in front of the stage. "Get on stage! We're about to begin!"

"But Niwa isn't out yet," Kazuma replied.

"Yes he is."

"We haven't seen him come out yet."

"Are you blind? He's right up there." Ika pointed and the crowd turned to the stage. There was the upset girl. She looked rather familiar…

"I don't believe it! Niwa?" People gasped and some drooling second years found themselves doubting their orientations.

Daisuke blushed at all the attention and turned to Satoshi. Even the ice block of Azumano Middle School looked amused. Well…he didn't look it, to the unfamiliar eye, but Daisuke had spent enough time around him to spot the slight sparkle in those usually cold eyes. The redhead was bubbly inside, knowing that it was him who caused Satoshi's happiness. He didn't notice how much this bubbly feeling reinforced Dark's words.

"Nice skirt, Niwa-kun." Satoshi let a small smirk play on his lips.

Daisuke glared as the blush spread madly. "Oh yeah? Well…well… You… Aie! There's nothing wrong with you – you're perfect!" He didn't see Satoshi stiffen at the comment.

"Hey lovebirds, save the romance for the play! Niwa, get in position and raise that skirt."

Daisuke gasped in horror. "Iie! I won't!"

"Niwa!" Ika's voice was grinding. "My mother doesn't even wear her skirt that low. Raise it!"

Daisuke reluctantly did so, though Ika had to keep yelling at him to raise it high after each adjustment (because each adjustment wasn't to Ika's satisfaction).

"Perfect." Ika grinned, leaving Daisuke's blush an unhealthy shade of deep maroon, and his skirt raised from its former position under his knees. "Hey, Hiwatari, what's up?"

The blunette looked deathly pale, with his eyes widened half a centimeter more than normal, and his mouth slightly opened in shock. No one could tell what was going on in that mind of his, and of that, he was glad.

Because his mind was playing and replaying the scene his eyes had just witnessed. The skirt started just under Daisuke's knees. Higher. Above the knees, though still covering his high boots. Higher. Satoshi spotted the ribbons connected to the tops of his boots. Higher. A small strip of smooth skin. Higher. Several more inches of pale skin. Higher. More than half of a slim, though toned, thigh. Higher. The skirt struck home. It was higher than the girls' at Azumano Middle School, and – dare I say it? – rivaled those of the high schoolers.

Satoshi stopped breathing when Daisuke turned to him with large, watery eyes. "Hiwatari-kun…" he whined cutely. "My…skirt…is too short."

Satoshi was trying very, very hard not to give into temptation and look down at the thief's exposed thighs. He swallowed, and without thinking, responded with: "I think it's too long."

Daisuke blinked. "Na…nani?"

Satoshi felt like whacking himself. "I said, 'I agree'."

Daisuke looked relieved. "Heh. For a second there, I thought you had said something else."

"I didn't."

There was an awkward silence between the two before Ika called for their attention.

"Now! Before we start, I have some good news. Our scriptwriters have finally finished the script! Mizuno-kun'll pass the endings out. Staple them to your first copy later. You can read through them for a while, though."

Satoshi and Daisuke took their script endings from the stagehand and skimmed through them absently –

– only to simultaneously shut them in horror, stare at each other, then turn away with identical blushes on their faces. Daisuke even went so far as to throw his on the ground and stomp on it madly.

Ika stared at them oddly. "What are your problems?"

"Have you read through this yet?" Satoshi asked, managing to encase his terror and anxiety with calmness. Daisuke, however, had never been the best at doing that. Instead, he…

"OH MY GOD." Stomp. "WHAT THE HELL?" Stomp. "OF COURSE SHE HASN'T." Stomp. "IF SHE HAD, SHE WOULDN'T HAVE LET IT PASS." Blast. "RIGHT KAWA-SENPAI?" Boom. "RIGHT?" Asplode.

"Actually, I have read it."

Daisuke froze. "Na-nani?"

"I read it, and I loved it!"

"B-but…"

"Niwa, if you didn't want to do this, you shouldn't have signed up."

"You forced me!" Daisuke cried, pointing at her accusingly.

"Yeah, well… Whatever. You should have been expecting this anyway. A guy PI and a girl thief? You know there's romance abound!"

"I was told this was purely action."

Several people laughed. One even yelled out, "There is action, Niwa – and it's between you and Hiwatari!"

Daisuke felt like sinking into the floor and disappearing forever. But then again… Why… Why was he feeling excited…?

------

Satoshi looked up from his customary slice of bread at the sound of the door opening beside him. He knew who it was. After all, no one else knew where he hung out for lunch, and if they did, they neither cared, nor had the courage to join him. He could tell by the hesitant swing of the door and the dainty sound of footsteps that it was Daisuke. But knowing this didn't stop him from turning his attention to the redhead. He was, after all, pleasing to the eye.

Yes. Satoshi was in love with Daisuke. Madly, even, if he would go so far. It had taken him quite a long time to admit it to himself, but he had done it.

But… He was a Hikari, and Daisuke was a Niwa. It was virtually unheard of. They were both boys. It was disgustingly frowned upon. They were enemies by night, housing powerful magical beings that symbolized the lifelong feud between their families. It was…it was… A fairytale.

Weren't fairytales happy, though? There was no suffering, no pain, no constant yearning for the sweet release death would bring. Satoshi supposed their fairytale was special. It would not end with a happy ending. There would be no magnificently scribed Fin below the moment when they would share a sweet kiss, all their burdens cast off to the darkness. Instead, happy times and romantic moments would be replaced with the promise of blood and the bringing of tragedy.

Daisuke sat beside Satoshi, opened his bento box, and pushed it in between the two of them. Inside were two pairs of chopsticks. He took the set of icy blue ones and smiled encouragingly in Satoshi's direction.

Satoshi took another miniscule bite of his bread – he had gone a little wild today and packed wheat – and stared down at the remaining pair of chopsticks. They were bright red. The blunette pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, looking up at the Niwa boy.

The smile Daisuke showed to everyone was directed right at him – and only for him – even as he ate.

For that smile, for that boy, he would endure the pain. Daisuke was his trigger, his first love; but for both of them, he would keep his silence.

"Stop smiling at me," Satoshi ordered icily. He picked up the chopsticks, only to please the smaller boy, of course, and selected the smallest treat in the box. As he inserted it into his mouth and began to chew slowly, he glared at the laughter still flickering in those vibrant scarlet eyes.

"Saehara cornered me before I got up here," Daisuke spoke conversationally, for he was mainly the only one who talked during these luncheon meetings.

Satoshi nodded, sinking in the pleasure of listening to Daisuke's voice.

"He kept nagging me about how lucky I was to be in this play; about how I didn't have to go to my classes or didn't have to make up any work." He laughed, and Satoshi heard bells.

"But it's not as glamorous as it sounds!" Daisuke popped a roll into his mouth, chewed thoughtfully, then swallowed. "I told him that. I said he was the lucky one. He's not the one who has to kiss a boy- one of his best friends, of all people!"

Satoshi gave Daisuke that hard, penetrating look. Best friend?

"Aie…" Daisuke took it the wrong way. "It's not that I don't want to kiss you, or anything. I mean, I don't, but- I mean I do, but- Uh… You're a very kissable person, Hiwatari-kun, and I… But I don't…or maybe I do… I- ah…"

Satoshi, inwardly amused at the cute redhead's floundering, remained impassive. He merely picked up a napkin, blotted it gently on the corner of Daisuke's moving lips, and put it back down. "You had a little lipstick on your lip," he replied to Daisuke's questioning eyes, as though that explained everything.

"Um… Thank you," Daisuke squeaked, feeling his lips with two fingers as though they had been intimately touched.

"Listen, Niwa-kun." Wow. Satoshi was being wild today. First the wheat bread, then actually talking during lunch? Move over Jackie Chan, Hiwatari Satoshi's in town!

"I wanted to know if you would come over to my apartment with me after school. I wanted to practice…the…the…" Damn it! Satoshi wasn't usually like this around people. He was calm. He was collected.

He was stuttering like a love-struck schoolgirl. "The…end part of the- the…script! Yeah…the script…" he finally managed to spit out. He didn't notice the pink blush adorning his cheeks.

Daisuke's face flushed, and his eyes widened to an unimaginable size. "E-excuse me, Hiwatari-kun?"

"Niwa-kun, you know as well as I do that the whole world is against us. Well, the Azumano schools are, anyway. Have you seen the way they stare at us?" Satoshi pushed his face closer to Daisuke's, chopsticks and bag of bread forgotten. "The way they comment on us being a couple? You know they're not letting us get away from that…kiss. They'll be waiting, Niwa-kun. They all want to see it, see it like the freakish boy/boy-loving maniacs they are. I don't know about you, but I don't want to make a fool of myself in front of them. I…need…" He breathed in deeply, then slowly let it out. "Practice."

Daisuke giggled in spite of himself. He didn't think the oh-so-handsome and popular Satoshi needed practice in that department. But then again, Satoshi was anti-relationship, so he could vaguely understand.

"Okay," Daisuke agreed, surprised at how easily the reply slid out of his mouth. "After school, we'll practice the ending scene!"

BRIIIINNNGGG

Satoshi picked up his abandoned red chopsticks and deposited them back into the bento box. "I'm glad you've seen it my way." The pink flush still hadn't faded from his cheeks, and he feared that Daisuke was inwardly mocking him. "I'll see you later."

The commander lifted himself to his feet with so much grace and lack of effort that it seemed as though he floated himself up. As he turned heel and opened the door to the staircase, he tried to stifle the fast beating of his heart. The rate and speed of its beats couldn't be healthy, he concluded. He ought to stop.

Ba-bum-ba-bum-ba-bum.

No such luck.

------

"Niwa-kun."

Daisuke turned and spotted Satoshi standing by the gate, where the blunette had raised an arm up at him to gain his attention. It was a calm gesture, reserved solely for the commander himself, for he was above waving excitedly, jumping up and down, and screaming out Daisuke's name. However calm it was, it was reserved for Satoshi because only he could pull it off. Performed by another other person, that person would have been dubbed rude and unenthusiastic.

Then again, Satoshi was always like that. He didn't give a damn, and he didn't lift a finger for anybody. Getting him to hold up an elbow, an arm, and a hand for you was like getting a chicken to pick out its own roasting sauce.

Running up to him, Daisuke's face split into a worried frown. "Hiwatari-kun. Have you been waiting long?" he asked anxiously. "I had to dodge past Harada-san and Riku-san by hiding behind the water fountain, and I made Saehara run face first into a door so I could get away."

Satoshi found the fact that Takeshi just might have injured that huge mouth of his funny. "No. I've just arrived."

Daisuke grinned. "It's good that I didn't make you stand out here for forever. Some girl might have just popped up and decided to take me Hiwatari-kun away."

Stunned by the brightness of Daisuke's smile, and by the fact that he apparently belonged to the redhead, Satoshi failed to tell the smaller one that he probably would have stood out there forever, and would have beaten the crap out of anyone who tried to deter him. Instead, Satoshi said, "Why don't we head on to my place?"

Daisuke nodded enthusiastically. "Okay!"

"I'm afraid I don't have a ride to offer you." Satoshi led Daisuke off school grounds and onto the sidewalk. "But I don't live very far. I hope you don't mind.

"Oh, no, of course I don't."

And the walk continued on with an awkward silence hanging over their heads.

Daisuke. Dark sounded serious, albeit drowsy.

Yes, Dark?

Where are you going?

I… Daisuke thought about lying and telling Dark to go back to sleep, but decided the kaitou was being mature enough to handle the truth. I'm going to Hiwatari-kun's house.

However, all thoughts of the thief's maturity levels flew out the window when he spoke his next words teasingly.

What's this? Heading home with Creepy Boy?

Daisuke sighed. Yes.

Heh… I'll approve. THIS TIME. But you have to promise me one thing.

And what's that? Daisuke asked, humoring his other half. He wouldn't really keep whatever promise Dark proposed. Especially is it was something perverted, like 'Take pictures!' or 'Don't wake me up with all the moaning you're gonna do.'

Promise me that you'll… Bring protection!

DARK! Daisuke's inner self jumped around madly in his head, trying to whack said angel. I told you not to say things like that to me!

Dark burst out laughing. Dai! You really ARE a pervert! I meant a bat.

Daisuke blushed. No you didn't! Besides, what would I do with a bat?

Duh, Dark yelled out, as if the words he was going to say were the most obvious in the world. Hit the Hikari boy with it.

Daisuke blanched. Why would I hit Hiwatari-kun?

Duuurrrr. In case he…does…things to you.

What would he do to me?

Y'know… Creepy things… Like look at you funny.

He always looks at me funny.

THEN HIT HIM WITH A BAT.

"I am not going to hit Hiwatari-kun with a bat!"

Blink.

"Um… I'm not sure when the opportunity came up, but… Thank you?"

"Eh… Sorry." Daisuke laughed and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "Dark is…"

Satoshi nodded. "I see." His hand delved into a back pocket and expelled a key.

"Wow, that was fast! …Time flies when you share bodies with a pervert." Daisuke muttered the last part to himself.

"What was that?" Satoshi asked absently as the door swung open. "Hm. Never mind. Come in."

Daisuke stared into the dark apartment, feeling an involuntary shudder rack through his body. In his head, Dark was playing suspenseful music.

Heh heh heh… I'm going to sleep for a while. Be a good little fu-

DAAARRRRKKKK!

-umigator. Apartment fumigator. Yeah. That. Yeah… 'Night! Zzzzzzzzzz.

Dark… Daisuke ground out.

ZzZzZzZzZzZz.

------

"Let. Me. Go," Daisuke growled dangerously, his flashing scarlet eyes shooting daggers at Satoshi's.

A cool chuckle escaped the other's lips. "Not until I've gotten a good look at you." Satoshi pulled his bent arm towards himself.

Silence.

"Eh… Niwa-kun. You're supposed to come forward with my arm."

"Aie! Oops…" Daisuke wilted. "I'm sorry. I forgot."

Satoshi put his arm down and patted Daisuke on the shoulder in an awkward-consoling sort of way. "It's okay. Once we get the handcuffs on, it'll be much easier."

What's this I hear about handcuffs? screamed a horrified voice. It seemed Krad had woken up.

Nothing, Satoshi retorted. Go back to sleep.

I refuse to do anything of the sort! Not when the baka no kaitou's vessel is obviously throwing himself at my Satoshi-sama.

Throwing himself at me? Krad, we're two feet apart!

He's much too close to you, Master. Let me rip out his throat. Krad's ghostly hands gently caressed Satoshi's neck.

Satoshi growled.

"Dark, shut up!"

Satoshi ignored Krad and looked up at Daisuke. Said boy was blushing a very unnatural shade of red, and trying to block out his ears. "Niwa-kun?"

Daisuke's blush deepened and he ducked his head. "Sorry, Hiwatari-kun. Dark was being a little… Lewd."

"Hn. I'll bet. Come on, let's try to get this right."

"Aa."

And so the two continued to practice, though not without difficulties. There was a time when Satoshi somehow managed to elbow himself in the face (Krad had let out an uncharacteristic snort of laughter), and even a time when Daisuke went forward too fast and landed sprawled suggestively over the blunette (to which Krad took control of Satoshi's hands and tried to haul the redhead off by the waist, only to mistakenly grab his ass).

However, he problems slowly began to fade within time, and they had finally made it to one of the latter parts of the scene, having gotten through the handcuff pieces.

"Just tell me one thing, Dorobou-kun," Satoshi whispered, pressing their faces closer together. "Why me? Why not some other schmoe off the street? And most important of all, why did you take those pictures? They were all I had left of them!"

Daisuke pressed themselves even closer, faces nose-to-nose. "Tantei-kun, do you want to know why I steal?" He didn't give Satoshi time to answer. "It's because I can't have the things I steal. And believe me, I want the things I steal."

"What is this?" Satoshi growled. "Why the hell did you take those pictures? Did you want those pictures that badly?"

"Of course I don't want your stupid dead family's pictures!" Daisuke snapped back. "I wanted to make you forget them!"

"Why would you want to do that?" Throughout the entire conversation, their volume had begun to elevate, and by this time, Satoshi was roaring. "What is your problem?"

"My problem!" Daisuke jangled his fist for effect, though it lacked the jingle the set of handcuffs were to make. "My problem is you! I stole to get something I want!"

"What do you want?"

"I want you!"

Satoshi paused, the words sinking in. He knew it was a part of the script, but coming out of Daisuke's mouth, and directed to him of all people, it was completely believable. Of course, there was a deliberate pause on his part in the script after these words, so no scarlet eyebrows were raised at his silence.

"What…what are you saying?"

"The first moment we met wasn't 'seductive thief protocol.' The first moment we met was heaven to me. I loved you right then and there!" And thus Daisuke went into a long-winded profession of love, stumbling on a few words every here and there.

"You…what?"

"I love you, moron!"

Satoshi's shoulders were shaking. "You've taken something from me, Dorobou-kun."

Daisuke's shoulders slumped in defeat. "Is this what you want, Tantei-kun? To live in the past? In the brooding shadows of your family's death? Is this what you want?" he repeated.

"You misunderstand me." Satoshi's voice was sultry soft, and the passion in his eyes was so well created that Daisuke felt like shuddering and hiding under a rock. "I do not want what you've taken from me. I want to repay you. A kiss for a heart, dear Dorobou-kun."

And with that, the blunette leaned in sensually, eyes closed peacefully. Both boys blushed heavily as he slowly neared his target. Then…

Satoshi lightly – and quickly – pecked Daisuke on the lips before hastily pulling away. His cheeks were redder than his school pants.

That bastard! I'LL KILL HIM. He's deflowered you, Satoshi-sama!

Daisuke was just as red at Satoshi. He tenderly touched his lips, then turned to the taller one with a bashful grin on his face. "You call that a kiss, Hiwatari-kun?"

"Nani?" Needless to say, Satoshi was surprised.

He's trying to seduce you! LET ME KILL HIM.

"I thought you needed practice…" Daisuke was even darker than their school pants now, but he seemed determined. "Now's the only time we can do this alone, Hiwatari-kun. Let's practice!"

Were Satoshi's ears deceiving him? Was Daisuke encouraging him to kiss him? Hell, he couldn't say no to that!

"Niwa-kun…" Satoshi trailed off uncertainly. Daisuke only blushed harder and nodded. "Oh… All right."

Satoshi leaned in closer, breathing slowly and trying to placate his beating heart. He couldn't believe it… It was truly, utterly… He just couldn't believe it.

He pressed a soft, chaste kiss on the smaller one's sweet lips and, after a good amount of time in which the butterflies in his stomach flew around to a fatal excess and died right in there, he parted.

Daisuke looked slightly dreamy with a bemused smile on his face. "Hm…" he murmured, his lips parting. "Still sucked…" And this time, he took the initiative (even though his character did nothing of the sort in the script), pressing his lips against Satoshi's.

Once again, Satoshi was in heaven. However, Daisuke pulled away and smiled at him timidly. "Well?"

"More practice," Satoshi decided, though it sounded more like a grunt. Daisuke giggled innocently, and somewhere in the middle, their eyes met.

Bright cerulean bore into pulsing scarlet, and a message was passed between the two. Then, as though by some enigmatic, unexplainable force, their lips joined – the force was at play, for neither of the two had instigated it. It was a simple thing, really, but to Satoshi, it was magic. It was more than eight seconds, that's what it was.

Daisuke's lips were warm against his, and the redhead hummed throatily, sending vibrations through Satoshi's mouth. It was there: the spark their earlier attempts had lacked. And the spark fueled Satoshi on.

The blunette wrapped his arms around Daisuke's neck and pressed their bodies closer together. He experimentally flicked his tongue out and slowly traced the contour of the other's lips, causing Daisuke to gasp in surprise and give him entrance to the moist caverns of his mouth. Satoshi shed all hesitation and delved into the warmth, exploring each balmy crevice with a wild animalism he never knew he possessed.

A new variable introduced itself in the exploration and Satoshi lurched at the new sensation: Daisuke's shy tongue had sprung to life and began to dance alongside Satoshi's.

Satoshi-sama! SATOSHI-DAMN-FUCKING-SAMA! What are you doing? Don't let him touch you with that dirty tongue of his!

Satoshi's mind was fogged in a pleasurable fog. Vaguely wondering who that strange, fuzzy voice was, he continued to plunder Daisuke's mouth, floating deeper into the blind haze.

Satoshi-sama! Get him off you! There's a vase right there on the coffee table. Hit him with it! Better yet, hit him with the coffee table!

Satoshi groaned into Daisuke's mouth, their tongues passionately dancing to a melody only they could hear. Somehow, during their voracious lip lock, they had found themselves with their shins pressing against the face of the couch.

Satoshi's subconscious gently steered Daisuke's limp body to the soft cushioning of the couch. He laid him down on his back, busying himself with placing butterfly kisses down the redhead's jaw. The blunette climbed onto the sofa, his knees sinking into fluff of the couch, and straddled Daisuke's hips.

"I love you…" Satoshi whispered, though in his hazy state, the words had slipped out unintentionally. It was no use taking it back now. He didn't want to, anyway. He claimed Daisuke's lips once again, ready to continue his ministrations, when his love grew stiff beneath him. "What…what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry…" Daisuke murmured quietly. Satoshi felt his eyes sting and his heart lurch uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, Hiwatari-kun."

Satoshi felt his skin grow cold. After all they had been through just now – he was still Hiwatari-kun?

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Daisuke said, his volume increasing slightly. His eyes grew wider, and his brows creased worriedly. "We shouldn't have… I shouldn't have… Please get off me!" Satoshi did as told, scrambling off the panicky redhead. "I'm sorry, Hiwatari-kun." Daisuke pulled himself up off the couch, scuttling away from the blunette hastily. "Please…um… I'm sorry! I don't know what came over me… I have to go home. I have to go."

The little thief grabbed his bag from the corner of the room and practically ran to the door, his back quickly growing smaller, until finally, the door shut behind him.

The clang of door against threshold was all Satoshi heard before his ears were filled with ringing. The stinging in his eyes had grown worse, and by the time he realized he was crying, several trails of salty tears had already found their way down his cheeks. With slow, shaking hands, the commander took his glasses off so that the warm liquid would not moisten them.

Satoshi-sama…

Satoshi sank onto his knees, and his back found refuge leaning against the face of the sofa.

Satoshi-sama… Look what he has made you.

They were simple words, a repetition of a conversation they had had earlier that day. But with that loving tenor Krad always applied when speaking to his Tamer, Satoshi found it a lifeline.

But it's all right, Satoshi-sama. I still love you.

Satoshi mindlessly grasped the lifeline, holding on to it and savoring the words the one he truly loved could not tell him. He had lostall hope, and Krad could only smile.

That's right, Satoshi-sama. You are mine.

They were disturbing words, but Satoshi could care less. Ghostly arms wrapped themselves around his shaking form, and he knew no more.

------

Daisuke?

What? Daisuke snapped, his tone moody.

Are you doing okay? You ran out of there pretty fast.

Well what do you expect? I was about to turn into YOU.

And you did. It was true. Dark had emerged from the hasty Daisuke once he had reached the lift of Satoshi's apartment complex. Currently, the kaitou was dodging behind trees and buildings and slipping into the shadows in order to conceal the fact that he, the great Phantom Thief Dark was off gallivanting through some unnamed boulevard in broad daylight.

No shit, Sherlock, was Daisuke's hot response.

Hey, hey, Dark admonished. Don't go biting my head off. I'm not the one you're angry with.

Then who should I be angry with?

No one! Dark hopped carefully over a dog that looked suspiciously like Saehara senior. Why are you PMSing, anyway?

I… Daisuke paused as he searched for words. I turned into you.

Well here's a newsflash for you, Dai-chan: that's old news. You turn into me whenever-

I'm with someone I like.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Now what's the problem? Dark was nearly back on familiar ground. The school loomed up at him several blocks away. He headed towards it, knowing the trip would be much faster if he took Daisuke's usual route home.

What's the problem? Daisuke repeated shrilly. I'll tell you the problem – I was with Hiwatari-kun!

…Yeah, so?

Daisuke let out a long string of nonsense that contained many semicolons and 'gjsdgfu's. So? Waddaya mean 'so'? I was with Hiwatari-kun. Last time I checked, I only transformed around the Haradas. Last time I checked, Hiwatari-kun was only a friend. Last time I checked-

Last time I checked, Dark interrupted loudly, you had a crush on that- 'quote unquote'- friend, and it's finally been confirmed. You two are an item.

Daisuke sputtered and a few 'OMFGWTFH?'s floated around his head. What? We are not!

Humph! Call me old-fashioned, but back in my day, when two kids held a make out session together, they became an item.

I-it wasn't a make out session! Daisuke exclaimed with panic.

It wasn't? Dark feigned confusion. Then what do you call you letting him molest your mouth with his tongue?

We-well… I- he…

Dark rolled his eyes. Save your stuttering for Hiwatari. He entered the gates of Azumano Middle School and found a nearby bench. Now I'm going to sit here until you come out.

The only way I can come out is by you transforming into me.

Dark chortled and mentally patted Daisuke on the head. Such a naïve little Tamer you are. Think more general. Think something any other little boy would go through. Think a closet.

…? Come out… Closet… Daisuke strung the two thoughts together and jumped. Come out of the closet? he demanded. What the hell do you mean by that?

Dark sighed. Quit being all ADD-y and focus here, Dai. You turned into me in the company of a certain Hikari. AAAAND, you madeout with him for only-Kami-knows-how-long. You LOVE him, and you're in denial.

I don't love him! I don't know why I kissed him! It just happened. I would take it back if I could.

No you wouldn't. You had a chance to back down. You could have left it at that stupid peck, but noooooooo. You even coaxed him into it! If you didn't love him, what was that all about? You know he loves you. Did you want to lead him on? Trick him into thinking you felt the same, then crush his stupid little Hikari heart? I had no idea you could be so cruel, Daisuke.

Dark, stop it. Just stop it. You have no idea how I feel.

Bullshit, Dark snapped, his features suddenly clouded with a seriousness that did not suit his usually playful face. The uncharacteristic haze melted away as soon as it came, and his calm, handsome features were restored. Albeit, however well the façade played its part, Dark could not disguise the hints of frustration in his voice. I know exactly how you feel. You think you're disgusting, so you locked away all your attractions to that creepy bastard. When all that bundled desire began to seep out, you pushed it away. When it finally exploded in your face, you let it take over, and Frenched Hikari. Then, he told you that he lovedyouand you snapped. Finally hearing it from him, you wanted to scrape that explosion off your face and shove it in his mouth, like your tongue, but instead, his confession triggered me, and you panicked like a little sissy girl, and ran away. Now you're disgusted again, and instead of locking everything away, you're trying to eliminate all thoughts of attraction to Hikari by denying them.

…

There was a long, broad silence – its span reaching almost five minutes – before Daisuke finally spoke.

I don't know what you're talking about, he stated.

Dark growled. And he was all up in the moment, too! The kaitou prepared to dive into another long-winded love lecture when a sniff was heard in his head, followed by huge torrents of sadness crashing into his heart. A grim, humorless smile fixed itself upon Daisuke's lips and he let out a weak chuckle.

I don't know what you're talking about, Daisuke repeated, his voice shaking and his eyes slightly watery. B…but it still hurts to hear. Dark… The smile reappeared, but it was unreadable. You may be right…

Of course I am. The kaitou's voice held none of its customary swagger; Daisuke just didn't need any of his arrogance at the moment.

Dark hauled himself off the bench and slipped into the shadows, separating his thoughts from Daisuke's to allow his poor Tamer the privacy to brood his words.

------

1: This happened to two boys in my class. Jacob and Adrian were holding hands during church, 'cause we were doing the Our Father, and when it was over, Jacob was still holding Adrian's hand. Adrian was waiting for forever, and finally, after like…two minutes (Hey, it seems short, but in reality, it's a fricken' long time to hold someone's hand.), he hissed, "You can let go of my hand now, you fag!" and ripped his hand out of Jacob's. xDDD It had to bite my palm to stop laughing out loud in church. I just had to put it in the story (crossing out the fag thing, of course xD).

Killah: Omg. :o This is my first DNAngel fic EVER, so I'm sorry if the characterizations are off, or if I spelled something wrong. I just thought that I've spent enough time lurking around this fandom – it's time for baka no Killah to…DO…eh…SOMETHING! Heheheheh… /cough/ Anywhoosle, review and send me your feedback. Whether it's a compliment, or a threat to go drown myself and never write again, I'll take it. n.n

And also, I didn't really plan all the romance-angsty-ness at the end. o.O It just…popped out, y'know? …Yeah. Too dramatic for my liking. X.x /yucky face/

Next Chapter: The play is performed (Omfg, yes, the actual play! You get to read the entire flippin' play. xDDD It's like two stories in one! Bwuhahaha……..) and Daisuke comes to terms with himself. A confession is made, and more drama unfolds (Ick. X.x) – all of it on stage, but not in the script.