Disclaimer: Hear, hear. I'm going to say this once because it causes such pain to my wretched heart. I do not own DNAngel or anything resembling a piece of art.

Warnings: Yaoi, shounen-ai, slash, probably some OCs, angst, pain, language, darker stuff, and etc. I can't think of all of it yet.

Author's Note: Huzzah! The sequel to Tarot! I finally brought myself up to writing this. School has started and I'm sorry I couldn't start this till the ending of the second week of school. This was written discretely and full of distraction, so excuse bad remarks, terrible wording, horrible grammar, and the likes. Thank you and enjoy.

Chapter 1

The sun rose slowly over the valley as a bird carried on its morning flying. The light escaped through treetops and its rays hit several tents aligning in the valley. The campfire burnt languishes as nature anticipated something to disrupt this tranquil moment.

A resounding slap echoed loudly from one tent to the next as a scream followed. "DARK!" Daisuke shouted as he pushed away the offending and wandering hands that belonged to a pretending-to-sleep Dark. Daisuke embarrassedly scrambled for the zipper of the tent as he heard Krad and Satoshi leaving their tents. Smirking, Dark followed Daisuke out.

"Will you two quit playing around? It's annoying that we have to wake up so early everyday because of your antics." Krad spoke, irritated. He yawned loudly and slumped onto Satoshi who in turn, only brought his hands up.

Dark sniggered and mouthed the words "low blood pressure" to Daisuke. Daisuke rolled his eyes while he tried to keep a fair amount of distance between Dark and himself.

"And don't laugh so loud." Krad murmured into Satoshi's neck. He began to slowly fall back to sleep on top of Satoshi whereas Satoshi is starting to gather his wits.

"Gerroff." Satoshi grumbled incoherently. Dark laughed again as he prepared to go wash his face in the river half a mile from the camp. Daisuke, seeing Dark grabbing a small hand towel, copied. Without needing to say anything to Krad or Satoshi, they both headed towards the river in a companionable silence. In the comforting presence of Dark, Daisuke thought back a few days ago, when Satoshi let someone else handle the company.

-Flashback-

The four rejoiced for a few more hours after the trial. As they were partying in the dining hall, courtesy of Satoshi, a nervous maid knocked on the door.

"Master Hikari, sir. A-a man of im-importance is h-here to see y-you."

Satoshi furrowed his eyebrows as Dark lowered the music (he had somehow became the DJ). With a quiet "Send him in", Satoshi gathered the group together, finding comfort in Krad's arms. He muttered something into Krad's upper arm as he squeezed lightly.

It turns out to be Satoshi's lawyer from the trial. He glanced around and laughed at the partying mood. Seeing the man there, Satoshi brightened. He had thought it was a man sent by his foster-father. How glad Satoshi was when he didn't see an enemy.

"Hello Hikari-san." The man greeted. "I came here to ask you if you would take your inheritance of the Hikari Inc. Of course, if you rather have freedom, you can place someone else in charge momentarily."

Satoshi frowned lightly at the words, Hikari Inc. It wasn't like Satoshi didn't expect the problem or anything. Its just Satoshi knew he had to take the company away from Hiwatari. But now that he succeeded, he didn't quite know what to do. In a way, you could say Satoshi didn't exactly believe in himself.

"Hikari-san?" The man asked politely. Satoshi didn't answer. Satoshi didn't know why, but an overwhelming feeling of nervousness and fear had swamped him.

Krad noticed, but he chose not to comment. All Krad did was tighten his hold around the now shaking Satoshi. The man seemed oblivious to it all. None of the three noticed Daisuke stepping quietly to the pair. Daisuke stood to both of their ears and whispered.

"Perhaps a friend could take over? Like Funabashi and Keiji? But Keiji might turn Hikari Inc into a fashion industry." Daisuke joked lightly, trying to ease Satoshi's discomfort.

Satoshi still shook, which the lawyer still didn't notice. But Satoshi seemed a bit better. His expression changed and Daisuke wondered if Satoshi was actually contemplating Daisuke's suggestion.

Then he nodded, but you wouldn't notice it unless you were looking for the slight movement of the head. Krad supposed Satoshi agreed to let this "fashionable" Keiji take over Hikari Inc. But he still didn't know who this Keiji was. But Krad will trust Daisuke's judgment.

"I'm going to let a friend handle it." Satoshi spoke to the man. In return, the man smiled.

"Who?" He asked.

"My friend (1), Keiji Saga."

-Flashback End-

Daisuke smiled at the memory. Though it was a rather nice memory of his friends in Tarot, it was more hilarious to see Keiji's reaction. The young man had been flabbergasted and he fainted. Well… Not really, but it may as well happen. See?

-Flashback-

"…manager of Hikari Inc…" Satoshi said, smiling at the stunned blond in front of him. If Satoshi were a believer in stupid things like blondes being dumb, he'd just shout he has proof. But since Satoshi wasn't a believer, he simply smirked. But now back to the matter at hand.

"WHAT!" Surprisingly, it wasn't Keiji who had shouted. It was Funabashi. His composure was broken and he was acting quite out of character. Keiji's eyes blinked, but besides that, nothing happened.

Satoshi had come to Keiji's house, with Krad, Daisuke, and Dark in tow. Funabashi was unsurprisingly (for Daisuke) there with Keiji. Satoshi had instantly told Keiji the news. Right at the door, without any prompt.

"Do you accept, Saga-kun?" Satoshi asked with an amused smirk. When Keiji failed to respond, Satoshi thought he would foam at the mouth.

"If he could respond, I'm sure Keiji would agree and be jumping for joy." Funabashi said, too chocked to compose himself. "I'm afraid you'd have to leave." He grabbed Keiji's arm to steady himself as he realized they weren't joking.

"That's okay; we understand." Satoshi's smirk widened. Funabashi weakly smiled back as he almost rudely closed the door on Krad's face.

-Flashback End-

Dark glanced at Daisuke out of the corner of his eye, wondering what his redhead was thinking about. The clearing up ahead showed the river that Dark would use to clean up. Seconds later, Daisuke came. And moments later, they found the other couple coming.

-o-o-

The group of beautiful men and cute boys continued on their journey. For a second, Daisuke wondered what their theme song would be if their story became a television show. However, he quickly shook off the idle thought.

Suddenly, the scene gained a strange sort of optical effect. It looked sort of… round. Like from a fortune-telling crystal ball.

A soft chuckle ran through the room as the creature continued observing his preys. But most of his attention stayed solely on the redhead, Daisuke Niwa. It knew that it wasn't lusting after the boy, but it couldn't help but act the lecherous pedophile beast.

"It's so amusing how you seem so ignorant of what to come, little future-reader." It smirked as it waved an arm. The image in the crystal ball shimmered into steam and after a few more moments, a town came into view.

The town was like none on Daisuke' real world. It fit more like a description of a dying city with too much advance technology. If Daisuke were to see it, he'd describe it as a town slowly killing itself while hoping to improve itself. But only the creature saw the town. The lips of the not-man curled as he snapped his fingers. With only eyes on the crystal orb of the dying city, he (it) summoned a terrified servant.

"M-mas-ster?" The servant asked.

The 'master' didn't bother to look at the servant before he slapped the poor sap into the wall. Without prompt, the human stood up shakily, leaning on the wall.

"Don't talk to me unless I tell you to… And don't address me so casually." The beast wasn't angry. He never was. Someone without control would be a reckless fool and if he wanted to rule the world, he must not lose his control. And that includes not having anyone close to him, be they equal or lower than dirt.

"I want you to send your…" The non-human sneered. "Your 'friends' to me." Suddenly, the frightened boy's face turned pale drastically and in the pools of his eyes, the creature saw panic rising. The beast smirked predatorily inside when the boy stammered, trying to come up with an excuse.

"S-sir. I-I do n-not think it-it's wise to ta-take another o-one so f-fast." The servant stuttered. He knew what his 'master' wanted with his only companions in this wretched mountain. This horrible, horrible person plans to kill his friends and eat their hearts. He knew. The boy knew because this terrible fiend did the same to his parents and his sister. And now, this horrid brute was planning to take away the remaining pieces of his heart.

The creature waved his hands again, raising eyes toward the boy in front of him. "You dare to question my decisions?" The boy was sent flying again. He couldn't get up as his head had hit the wall hardly. After a few seconds, he slowly pushed himself up. "You're not worth shit. You're too weak to think to defy me." This boy wasn't worth the monster's wrath, but he shall be punished accordingly.

The fiend stalked towards the boy who stood on two unsteady feet. The boy was bowled over in spasms, and his eyes were clenched tightly. He didn't notice the taller creature coming until a hand had grasped his chin tightly.

"Open your eyes, fool." The boy complied, beginning to cry, desperate and pain-filled tears leaking one by one. "You will obey me. You cannot run." His lips quirked into an overpowering smirk. "Don't think you can run. This mountain is too high, and I can smell your fear." It was tempted to lick the boy's cheek for emphasis, but that would probably make the mortal pour urine in his pants like so many others that face this animal. Such human were so terrified, really.

The beast slapped the boy's face away with the other hand before kicking the 'servant' away to gather its next meal. The not-man pushed the doors closed on the sprawled boy's feet, not hearing or ignoring the soft whisper of "I'm sorry…" from the boy. It was probably more for his friends that were going to be eaten than angering his master. Now, all that matters is to kill or be killed. The boy already apologized; nothing else will help.

-o-o-

Daisuke shivered. For an unknown reason, after joking with himself earlier, a growing feeling of impending doom was seeping into him. He couldn't help but feel like he's being watched, judged, and made fun of like he was part of some stupid adventure drama. Daisuke knew that this idea was improbable. Krad, Satoshi, Dark, and he were in a large empty plain. If there were anyone watching them, Daisuke and the others would be watching the other too. Shaking his head to himself, he pushed away thoughts he suspected were impossible. Better if he thought about other things.

"Daisuke," Dark's voice broke through Daisuke's worry. Nobody noticed Daisuke's sudden lack of… cheerful mood, however. "I noticed that you had magical powers when you work with your cards. Do you have any other powers?"

Daisuke blinked, never expecting that kind of question. Satoshi paused in his step over a twig, but after a moment of consideration, he continued. Krad wasn't affected at the least, he knew about Daisuke's power, even if it's not to the full extent.

"Yes…" Daisuke dragged the word on, not knowing exactly where this 'conversation' was going. Luckily Satoshi interrupted before Daisuke could hear Dark's response. Even if they were boyfriends, Daisuke would like to keep some of the skeletons in his closest there. Dark didn't need to know everything.

"Dark? Your accent is really strange. I've noticed it before, but never really gave it another thought. It's nothing I've ever heard before. Yours too, Daisuke." Satoshi spoke, bemused. "And that's something! Since I was the heir to the Hikari Inc, everyone wanted to make sure we had contacts. And I mean everyone. People from all over the continent of Tarot (2) kept on visiting when I was younger."

"Er…" Dark didn't know how to respond, Daisuke could see. But Daisuke didn't bother to help out. He was immersed with what Dark had mentioned about his magic. Daisuke knew he had other skills besides Tarot-reading, but he didn't use them earlier. At first it was because his energy was draining (because of Krad which he doesn't know about). But after that slight try, Daisuke grew doubtful of his own abilities.

Daisuke used to was able to summon things to himself, but that didn't mean he could make things appear. Daisuke also has the ability to transform into an animal, like To-to and her animagus. Daisuke suddenly had a notion that he was quite similar to the characters in the Harry Potter series he was addicted to before. Luckily, Daisuke needs not to become reliable on a flimsy stick called a wand.

He was so lost in thinking about himself (for lack of a better phrase); Daisuke didn't notice someone (Dark) was calling his name. "DAISUKE!" Oh kay, now he did. But you were bound to hear it if someone shouted loudly into your ear. Daisuke resisted shouting an equally loud "WHAT!"

"Er, do we tell Krad and Satoshi about how to came to… Tarot?" In a softer tone, Dark said, "Well, isn't that ironic?" Daisuke caught on to what Dark meant and he gave a shrug. Daisuke honestly didn't know how to answer to that question.

If they do tell Krad and Satoshi, that bring up some more questions and hassle. But it'd boost their trust. Krad and Satoshi would feel the trust Daisuke and Dark shown them by telling their otherworldly status.

But the backlash of telling Krad and Satoshi would be that they might not believe them. If your friend suddenly told you they belong to another world, you'd think they were joking. Daisuke would be hurt if his two new friends wouldn't trust his word. Either that or they would exploit Daisuke and Dark as some thing to be experimented on, to see if otherworldly beings were any different from people of Tarot.

Daisuke sighed as he made a decision. Daisuke gave a quick, purposeful nod to Dark, indicating that it should be Dark who tells them. That in itself was a mistake, since the other couple identified Dark as the more joking type than Daisuke. But whatever suits them, Daisuke supposes.

"You guys want to sit down? This might be hard to explain. I don't think I can quite fish the words for this." Dark said, waving his arm across the vast plain, as if saying he has as much to say as how large this plain was. Satoshi looked over to Daisuke to see if he thought the explanation would be long. Wordlessly, he sat down with his pack off his back. Daisuke had already seated himself on a large rock. Krad sat next to Satoshi, leaning slightly to apply pressure.

"Well…" Dark dragged the word on as he sat cross-legged on the soft dirt path. He scratched his head, unsure of what to say, before he decided to let the words come by themselves. "We're actually not from this…. world, for lack of a better word. I know, I know. That sounds far-fetched. Stop looking like that!" Dark exclaimed when Satoshi gave a pointed, disbelieving look to him. Dark pouted unhappily, but he turned to Daisuke for a solution.

"It's true. What Dark just said is true, Satoshi. We… came from another world." Daisuke puzzled over what to say. He knew he just repeated what Dark said and Satoshi would still think this is a joke. But what could he say? Even Krad doesn't know about that part, so how can Krad help?

"I'm not so sure I believe you." Krad said, with a casual face. "But I've seen the way you talk and the way you walk. I've watched how you court Daisuke, Dark. Don't think I'm a stalker. The way you two behave is different from this world. It's like different customs. At first I thought you two were simply from another country or city, but I've noticed how almost nobody knows you and are fascinated by your appearance…" Krad didn't know how to go on. He figured he was rambling, but he couldn't help it. Krad was trying to convince his boyfriend to believe something he wasn't exactly sure he himself believed. But these two were his friends and he'd take their word for them.

Satoshi let out a sigh before nodding. "I'll accept this explanation for now, but when you decide to tell the real truth, come find me." Satoshi said, with evident disappointment. Dark didn't understand how someone like Satoshi who has experienced magic couldn't believe in other worlds.

"Satoshi, do you believe in alternate universes?" Dark asked. He received a nod in reply. "If you believe in alternate universes, how can you not believe in other worlds? They're basically the same thing."

"They're not. Other worlds have different scenarios and different people whereas alternate universes feature the same person. I believe in alternate universes because each of our decisions opens another alternate universe where we make the opposite choice. It's another lifestyle. I believe in alternate universes because I know there's another me out there. Other worlds is just fantasy." Satoshi ranted, trying to hold his disappointment in.

Dark sighed; he didn't know how to answer that. He simply stood up and brushed himself free of dirt and picked up his pack. His silent 'treatment' didn't go unnoticed, but nobody made a comment as they followed Dark's example and stood up. They continued walking.

-o-o-

By sundown, the mood between the two couples was stressed and silent. Krad didn't know what to do. He didn't know if he should stick with his boyfriend (Satoshi) or his best mate (Dark). At times like these, Krad remembers the question "If your girlfriend and mom were drowning, who would you save?" It annoys him a lot, and he can't choose.

Daisuke was in a semi-similar predicament. He actually didn't really care if Satoshi believed Dark and him or not. It hurts to know Satoshi wouldn't take their word for it, but if the situation were reversed, Daisuke would act the same. Daisuke didn't side with Satoshi only because he was afraid Dark would feel threatened. Three against one wasn't exactly good for one's self-esteem.

"Will you two just make up already? Satoshi, it doesn't matter whether or not Dark is telling the truth; we'll still be traveling together. Dark, don't be so immature. If Satoshi doesn't believe us, accept it. It doesn't change the fact that he's our friend." Daisuke finally snapped.

Another town was up ahead on top of a mountain. By eye calculation, Krad assumed they'd make it to the town by the next day. Sighing, he motioned to Daisuke that they should either set up camp or sit down and let Dark and Satoshi work their problem out.

Daisuke merely rolled his eyes at the stubbornness of his other two companions before plopping down his rather large pack. Silently, Daisuke and Krad set up their tents.

Meanwhile, Dark stared down at Satoshi. Satoshi stared back with lidded eyes, as if mocking the wine-haired teen. They continued having a staring match as Daisuke went to gather firewood. Minutes passed and none made a move. It was like they were conversing with their eyes only. Occasionally, they blinked, but otherwise Krad didn't notice any change.

Krad and Daisuke were sitting near the fire talking about things when Dark finally spoke to Satoshi. With one quick movement, Dark had fell onto his seat besides Daisuke. Satoshi, without taking his eyes off Dark's, walked slowly over to Krad, before sitting down. Like a predator watching its prey, Satoshi waited for Dark to speak.

Dark sighed, "Satoshi, whether you believe me or not, it's true. Right now, I'm not demanding you to trust my words or not, but will you at least stop looking at me like I'm a horrible person." Satoshi gave a curt nod, now looking into the fire, but still listening to Dark's words. "I don't mind you not believing me, but know this: one day, when the time comes, you'll realize that you were wrong. And you might get hurt for not believing us."

"Are you threatening me, Dark?" Satoshi sneered towards Dark. Krad winced, but made no move to stop him. Daisuke gave a look to Satoshi to tell him to apologize, which Satoshi looked away from.

"No, I'm just saying that you might regret not believing us. We might already have gone 'home' and you will never see us again." Dark replied, not bothering to comment about Satoshi's sneer. "But before anything happens, let's just continue being friends." Dark said, holding out a hand to Satoshi.

Daisuke was glad Dark didn't say acting as friends. It might prove to Satoshi that they were only pretending to be friends, and that will push him away further. Daisuke watched as Satoshi sighed and nodded. He stuck out his hand and shook Dark's, as if making a truce.

For the first time in several hours, Krad smiled. Seeing the radiant upturning of the lips, Satoshi blushed. In a way, he was rather glad he was angry at Dark a few moments earlier. If Satoshi had to fight again with other people just to see this beautiful smile that was so rare on Krad's face, he would with as many people as Krad wanted.

Daisuke noticed Satoshi's blush and shook Dark's arm lightly to get his attention. With his eyes, he pointed at the two and non-verbally told Dark to let the two have some quality time together. And Dark being Dark, he knew he wouldn't resist Daisuke's request. Those two stood up and went to fetch some food from their packs for dinner. They never focused on Krad and Satoshi kissing lightly beside the fire.

Dinner past by uneventfully and Dark led Daisuke back to their tent to sleep. All the frustration from half the day has gotten to Dark and he feels extremely tired. Being mean to someone sure is hard work. Grabbing Daisuke's arm, Dark pulled Daisuke next to him on the sleeping bags. Making sure Daisuke was curled up beside him; Dark pretended he had a teddy bear as he went to sleep.

Krad, although unaware, did the same as Dark. Satoshi hid a smile as he felt Krad's arms wrap themselves around him. That night, all four had slept soundly and were quite comfortable being with someone that treasured them so heavily.

-o-o-

To-to flew overhead; overjoyed at the happiness Satoshi-sama seemed to shine with. Now, To-to was glad she let Satoshi travel with Daisuke-sama and his companions. In the Hikari Mansion, it was rare for Satoshi to let down his mask.

At the beginning, To-to was concerned with Satoshi-sama's attachment to the blond man. But under the pleading gaze of her master, she had relented. However, what Satoshi didn't know was that To-to gave herself the task to spy on Satoshi from time-to-time to make sure her master was safe, well, and happy.

So far, Satoshi-sama seems to fit in to those categories. To-to will go home the next morning, when she figures out no animal would harm her dear, dear master. To-to will have to go back to Hikari Mansion sooner or later to take care of the other maids, making sure none of them slack off or abandon some rooms in the mansion.

Now that no one is living in the Hikari Mansion besides the servants, maids, and butlers, To-to has appointed herself as the head maid (and another butler was the head butler). It is her duty to make sure no one of the lower class will steal things and/or smuggle other people in. When Satoshi-sama comes back, no doubt he would be amazed and appreciate To-to's hard work for him.

For now, To-to will merely watch over her charge.

-o-o-

The servant boy sniffed as he pushed his terrified friends towards the door to their 'master'. He had told them their predicament and while they feared for their lives, they didn't get angry with their friend. Because, as they all know, the poor boy was the only one who had to see the evil bastard on a regular basis. At least, they only need to see this awful master once and would be reunited with their families.

The boy cried. Besides these friends of his, only the elderly remained. After this batch of humans eaten, it would be the old. After that, it would be the boy's turn to die. When the unfortunate teen still lived an average life, he always boasted about his lack of fear for death. But now? Now he's afraid of death's messenger. He's losing his only hope to death and no one can save his remaining companions.

The boy shaking rapped on the wooden door. His friends shuffled behind him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. With his eyes closed, he could hear perfectly the sobs that racked one of his female friends. One of the younger children openly cried and was tugging on his pants. The boy could hear one of the boys hyperventilating and he couldn't help but let a few tears leak out of his eyes.

Sniffling quietly (and eyes watering), the boy heard his master mutter a soft "Come in". The boy continued shaking as he pushed the stubborn children in, pushing away one of the girls who clung to him.

The fiend in the room smirked amused at the pain the boy seemed to suffer from. He doesn't understand why some mortals don't thrive on others' pain. It certainly was entertaining to watch. The beast's eyes traveled hungrily over one of the girls dressed in rags.

Her skin was prettily pale and though she wasn't exactly pudgy, she had enough meat on her that made the master drool. It would be a fun chase to kill her. Ripping her open. Taking her heart out. Sucking the blood out of her.

The monster breathed the children's fear in. It was tantalizing to hear their hearts beat so fast, so alive. It knew it wasn't a vampire, but it was rather amusing to think of himself as one. The humans kept on calling him that, since he liked to drink the blood on the human hearts. They knew he ate the heart, but they only think it was because he wanted the blood.

In reality, the monster only needed to feed on hearts. It didn't matter which. Sheep hearts. Cow hearts. Human hearts. They're all edible to him. But he preferred human hearts. They're more delicious.

Before the monster came to be such a horrid fiend, it had lived off cats and dogs. It was like any other creature, seeking warmth, friends, and most of all love. But after a time, where humans abused him, hurt him, the beast grew furious and wanted revenge.

The first time it had eaten a human heart was an accident. One of the men had kicked him into an alley to beat him up. How they knew he wasn't human, the creature didn't know. All he knew (at the time) was that he had to survive. Based on instinct and bloodlust, the creature's eyes had turned blood red.

Succumbing to his inner dark side, the creature lost control and his claws and fangs lengthened. He proceeded to rip the male into shreds. The human's screams echoed into his ears. By the time the creature came back to senses, already half of the heart was eaten.

Now, the creature watched as his slave boy closed the door on his poor friends. Three of the children banged on the door loudly while two stared at him in fear. Smirking, the creature started the hunt.

The boy, standing behind the door, was crying and hugging himself. Remorse filled him as he heard the screams of pain and fear boom repeatedly into his mind. His heart thumped loudly in his chest as he prayed, hoped, and desperately wished for a god to save him.

No help came and for the rest of the night, the boy only heard the yells of his friends, begging him to save them.

-o-o-

1. They're not really friends. Satoshi had run out from him when they talked with Daisuke. But since Daisuke and Keiji were friends, Satoshi sort of wanted to share friends.

2. Surprise surprise. The mystery world of the cards has an illusion of magic. And in Satoshi's continent, future-reading magic was most common, so the continent was named after different Seeing skills. (e.g. Tarot, Crystal, Premonition, Visions, etc.)

A/N: Finally! I hoped readers weren't disappointed. I burnt my thumb with the fire touching it (but miraculously, it doesn't look any different) and my ears hurt, but at least I got a bunny doll that cheered me on to writing this chapter. The bunny bows to you all.