'Pythagorean theorem? Theory of Relativity? Shakespeare? Calculus? WHAT THE HELL IS ALL THIS CRAP?' Dark demanded in Daisuke's head as the poor red haired boy sat alone in his room doing his never ending supply of torture that his teacher so kindly named, homework.
"I have a big test coming up in class next week…and with you and mom keeping me busy every single night, I haven't had time to study for anything or anyone of my subjects…" Daisuke said with a weary sigh as he had been studying five hours straight and it was now one o' clock in the morning.
'Well…I take orders from Emiko…so blame her not me…' Dark said with an evasive laugh and Daisuke glared at him, 'Besides…you weren't exactly complaining…after all it gave you a chance to see your creepy detective boy every night.'
"HEY!" Daisuke said with a suddenly reddened face and a blush, "That's no-none of your business, Dark!"
'Geez, okay, okay!" Dark replied with a long pause of silence as Daisuke put his nose back into his English books. '…But you know it's true…'
"DARK!" Daisuke yelled and growled infuriately and then slammed his books shut and quickly stood up in his chair stomping over to his bed, "I'm going to sleep, and if I so much as hear a peep out of you, I swear I'll never let you out to see Krad again!"
Now, not many things on earth could possibly make the great phantom thief Dark Mousy shut up…but a threat like that made his lips close together like super glue. Daisuke and Satoshi were both aware of how much Dark and Krad meant to each other, and by threatening to take away that privilege was like threatening to take away the very air they breath.
Daisuke stood still for a few minutes to make sure his little threat worked. Once he was satisfied that Dark wouldn't open his large trap again tonight he forcefully threw back his covers and flopped down on the bed tucking himself in tight. He had been so frustrated and moody for the past few weeks because of his lake of sleep…but even when he was allowed to get some rest, his dreams were filled with horrible nightmares. Even Satoshi seemed to know this because whenever Daisuke would fall asleep in class, he'd look so peaceful then wake up all of a sudden looking as if he wanted to scream and break out in a cold sweat.
It had been a month and a half since Dark and Krad sealed off the demon from the World of Shadows, and nearly lost their lives in the process. Ever since then, Daisuke had been more fearful about another magical catastrophe… and that next time, he might truly loose Dark…forever. Even though Dark had promised him that he would keep his pride and ego in check from now on, it did little to sooth Daisuke's worries. Every night now for the past two weeks, he'd dreamt about it…about truly loosing Dark to some horrible and malevolent darkness that comes out of nowhere and tares the Phantom Thief from his body…ripping out his second soul. Every night…every time…it was always the same, and Daisuke could do nothing to stop it, just like when he was powerless to stop Verruckt from taking Dark away from him the first time after watching Adel's vision of Dark's death. It tore him up inside just to think about it…the horrible look of pain on Dark's face and the sword twisted deeper and deeper into his body, draining every last ounce of blood from Dark's veins, and all he could do was stand there and powerlessly watch…had Krad not been there, Adel's vision would have come to pass…and that terrified him.
Daisuke was alone, it was dark as night outside except for the full silvery moon that hung surprisingly low in the sky. The gentle crystal shade of the starlight through the window onto the ground was so calm and comforting, and the more Daisuke gazed upon the silvery tinted marble floor, the more tranquil he felt. It was so soft and velvety looking, he just wanted to lay down and bask in it's sweet glow…but he knew he couldn't…he had to steal that damn artifact before he was discovered. It seemed like such a shame to leave that soothing light, but duty calls.
Daisuke walked forward out of the darkness and into the warm glowing room, however, as soon as his black boot touched the pale, illuminating surface…it turned blood red. Then the floor became a sea of crimson red as his foot made a small ripple in it. Now the light was no longer peaceful and welcoming…no…now it was terrifying and ominous! A dark presence swept through the room all at once and then the black light shone horribly bright from the other side of the room…from the alter holding tonight's target artifact.
Suddenly Daisuke couldn't breath, he felt frozen from head to toe, his brain was screaming for him to run but he couldn't move. Suddenly it happened…the one thing he feared more then death itself…the same event that plagued his thoughts every night…and though it only took a second, Daisuke felt like it was an eternity of pain. The sword shaped beam of black fire that blasted into his chest and drained him of the only warmth he had left in his body…The horrible monster ripped out his second soul and left him horrified, alone, and cold!
"DAAAAAAAAAAAAARK!"
"DAAAAAAAAARK!" Daisuke shot up screaming. His eyes were wide as tears freely flowed from them, he was shaking horribly, and he was sweating freezing cold drops of liquid.
'…Daisuke, Daisuke!' Dark yelled woken up and startled at hearing the sudden burst from his host as it rang loud and clear inside his head. 'GEEZ DAISUKE! What the hell is wrong wit-" Suddenly Dark stopped and stared at Daisuke who was now with him in his astral plain of existence inside his mind, clinging to him as if he were the only thing holding him down to earth, and crying like crazy. Dark was immensely confused and unsure of what in the world happened to make Daisuke act so strangely, 'Dai-Daisuke...what's wrong…?'
Daisuke was crying so fiercely he was almost inaudible, "Oh God, Dark!" Daisuke cried out through sobs and violent spasms, "Oh God, please don't ever leave me alone!"
'Wha-What?' Dark asked now looking completely bewildered, "Daisuke…did you have a bad dream or something?' He asked with one eyebrow raised.
"No, no, no! It was…it was to real to be a dream!" Daisuke cried and clung tighter to Dark, "You were gone…you left me all alone and cold! …Why…why does this keep happening?" Daisuke screamed after burying his face into Dark's chest still crying uncontrollably.
Dark stood there a moment trying to register and figure out what Daisuke said exactly, but he got the gist of it after hearing, "You were gone…" and "you left me alone". '…Daisuke…' Dark said in a calm and loving voice as he comfortingly wrapped his arms around the crying child and laid his head on Daisuke's, 'Daisuke calm down…it's okay, I'm right here…and I'm not going anywhere.' The sprit continued softly stroking Daisuke's back, 'It was just a dream…you don't have to worry about it. I promise I'll always be here, and I won't leave you alone anywhere, okay? …There's no need to cry…I'm right here…'
'But will you always be here?' Daisuke asked himself. Slowly his sobs and spasms lessened as Dark continued to tell Daisuke that he was still here and for Daisuke not to worry about it. Dark felt so warm to Daisuke, his presence so real and comforting, his words felt so sincere and soothing… but he never lessened his hold on Dark…because no matter how much he wanted to believe Dark's words, he still felt as though his hands were the only thing still attaching Dark to him.
'I promise…I'll always be here…'
Finally, the bell for lunch rang and Daisuke couldn't be any happier to hear it. Not only did it mean that this boring lecture on the importance of algebra was over, but it meant that Daisuke could hopefully keep himself awake before the next lesson. Daisuke looked terrible, he looked as though he hadn't slept in days, which he hadn't. Since that night three days ago when he woke up crying and clinging to Dark after his horrible nightmare, he'd been to afraid to fall asleep, fearing to have Dark ripped out of him again. And finally someone noticed…
"Daisuke…are you feeling alright?"
Daisuke had been nodding off to sleep but now snapped to attention in his seat as Satoshi gently placed his hand on his shoulder.
"Ah! Y-y-yes! Yes I'm okay really!" Daisuke said with a quick smile, "Thanks for asking, but I'm alright, really!" He said with a yawn and hid his rest-deprived face with his usual perky expression he was known for.
But Satoshi knew better. Daisuke had been acting so strange lately, nearly falling asleep in gym class on the track, almost drowning in the pool after falling asleep during the first lap, the way he kept fighting to stay awake during his academic classes which normally he wouldn't have had a second thought falling asleep in. Satoshi kept wondering if Daisuke was ill, and wondered if it would be best not to ask for Daisuke and Dark's help until he was better. But Daisuke only seemed to be getting worse and time was of the essence.
"Daisuke…you should go home and get some rest…you don't look well at all." Satoshi replied after a moment of thought and with a stern voice.
"NO!" Daisuke nearly screamed then caught himself, "I mean…no, no I um…I'm really fine, just a little tired after studying all night last night…really!"
Satoshi seemed to consider this for a moment then turned inwards after feeling Krad stir.
'He's lying…both his and Dark's spiritual and mental energies are near depleted…he must not have slept in days…' The golden haired seraph said suspiciously.
Satoshi then looked back down at Daisuke who seemed to have forgotten he was even there; he was zoning out and staring into space. Then suddenly Daisuke came to as he felt himself being lifted up as Satoshi placed one arm under Daisuke's and then wrapped Daisuke's other arm around his neck.
"I'm taking you home Daisuke, you're barely alive, and I doubt one long night of studying did that." Satoshi said firmly as he lead the to tired to resist Daisuke out of the room.
Satoshi had called for his personal driver to take he and Daisuke to the Niwa's residence, and once inside the car, Daisuke fell over and gave into the tempting allure of comfortable leather seats and Satoshi's lap. Before Satoshi had even closed the door, Daisuke had fallen over onto his lap and was out cold.
"Daisuke?" Satoshi exclaimed startled.
'…Satoshi…don't take him back to the Niwa's house…'
"What? But Krad, he obviously needs rest…and his mother ought to know of her son's condition. Not to mention we can't ask for his help if both he and Dark are in this state…" Satoshi replied confused and shocked at Krad's odd request.
'Yes…but he's obviously not going to tell her or us what's wrong…but maybe Dark can.' Krad replied emotionless then replied in a more bitter tone, 'And as for asking for his help…we might consider just forgetting about it…'
Satoshi gave Krad a hard look after his last comment, but decided to let it slide for now, as they both agreed that Dark's intervention in this problem was a necessity. "What makes you think he even knows?" Satoshi asked curiously.
'Well, we'll never know until we ask…and we certainly can't ask them at the Niwa's residence, as you well know. They weren't exactly welcoming the last time we showed up.' Krad countered annoyed at having to debate this logic out with his host.
Satoshi thought about it for a moment, and then looked down at Daisuke and sighed. "Driver…take us back to my apartment." Satoshi said regaining his normal and firm tone of voice. This command was met with no argument and soon the car was driving off down the road.
Daisuke had slept the whole way, he didn't even stir once, which Satoshi felt reassuring, until the driver stopped on the sidewalk in front of Satoshi's apartment and Daisuke's body began to shiver. Satoshi looked upon him worriedly as sweat started to pour down Daisuke's face, what on earth could be wrong?
Then after having to drag Daisuke all the way up the stairs and into the apartment, Daisuke suddenly stopped shaking and his body returned to a normal state of lifeless sleep.
'What the hell is going on with Daisuke?' Satoshi asked himself as he placed Daisuke down gently on the couch.
'Satoshi…let me speak with Dark…if I'm there he's most likely to come out.' Krad said with a hint of anxiousness in his voice.
Satoshi looked back at the demon for a moment before nodding and felt the swift and slightly less painful transition from flesh to a dormant presence in the back of his ice demon's mind.
Where Satoshi once stood over Daisuke, now stood a taller, golden haired angelic being with concerned cat-like eyes watching the boy breath calmly.
"Dark…may I have a word with you?"
A slightly weakened and faint light covered Daisuke as unruly red hair transformed into slightly smoother purple, and the small 16 year old became the great phantom thief. However, the normally impressive Dark Mousy's appearance was about the same if not worse then his host's.
Dark lay there for a while to exhausted to move from the curled up position on the couch, then eventually pushed himself upwards into a sitting position but couldn't go much more then that.
"…Hi ya…beautiful…" Dark said trying to cock a smirk, but was to weak to do so and just lowered his head trying to conserve as much energy as possible to stay awake.
"…" Krad didn't know what to say at first and then knelt down on one knee in front of Dark and pulled Dark's chin up so he could get a good look at his face, "Dark…what the hell happened to you and Daisuke?" Krad asked with a stern voice with a hint of worry.
"Ah…Dai…Dai's been having…these damn nightmares…" Dark began and sighed deeply to try and continue, "…He refuses to sleep…something must have really…scared the…hell out of him…'cause…he keeps clinging to me as if…I'll just 'all up and leave him or something…" Dark said as his arms that were holding him up felt like jell-o.
"Nightmares?" Krad asked confused, "Nightmares about what?"
Dark was silent a moment and his eyes were slowly closing, "…I don't know…he won't give me…a straight answer…only that…" Suddenly Dark's energy finally gave out on him and he slumped forward into Krad's arms and nearly knocked the surprised angel over.
Krad was surprised and still utterly confused. Dark seemed like he hadn't slept in years, and all because of his host having…nightmares? He looked down at Dark's exhausted and sleeping face and felt only concern and worry for his other half…and however much he would have liked to remain there holding Dark like this while he slept, he had to wake him up and tell him that time was running out and he desperately needed his help with something extremely important.
Krad sighed and pulled Dark closer and ran his hand through Dark's soft hair while his other pulled Dark closer to him and rested Dark's head gently against his chest. Dark was to exhausted, and it was only because he spent most of his energy comforting his child host. Dark was so kind…even if it meant stretching himself beyond his limits, he did everything he could to comfort Daisuke. Krad only wished he had a heart like Dark's…and even though they were practically two parts of one being…they were complete opposites.
"…" Krad sighed and kissed Dark gently on the head, "Rest for now…though time is precious and little…I promise to watch over you as you sleep…my love…"
Notes from the Author:
OMG! AFTER 4 LONG MONTHS THE KITTY GIRL HAS FINALLY WRITTEN A FOURTH INSTALLMENT TO THE DISTANCE SAGA! XD SKWEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
I'm so sorry for the loooooooong loooooooooooong wait, but a lot's been going on in my life and sever writers block had me for a while. And though I can't promise fast updates like I use to have, I can say that I'm finally back at the computer desk weaving my fanfic magic! Thank you all sooooooooo much for all of your comments on my previous stories! And a warm and hearty thanks to all of my loyal fans who have been with me since fic 1! I hope you all, new fans and old, enjoy my newest story! I LOVE YOU ALL AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!