D.

The Weight of a Red Feather

One: Passing by

Daisuke smiled softly at Riku. He could feel the love they shared burn through their gaze.

"Niwa!" She shouted, breaking into a run and landing in his arms. He caught her, just barely, and trapped her gaze with his own. They both smiled, and with a last move, Daisuke reached down and planted a small kiss on her lips.

Around them stood Satoshi and Risa, watching on with contented eyes. The two turned towards the sunset, and briefly gave each other sidelong glances.

How could I have never noticed how handsome Hiwatari is? Risa wondered to herself.

Satoshi smiled knowingly and flickered his gaze once more to the orange sun leaving the sky.

The end of a great battle had come, and now, a new stage had been set. Let the show begin.

after—

"Hey, come on, I only meant that you look pretty either way!" A now, matured, 15 year old Daisuke shouted innocently, though his voice was much deeper than it was last year.

"Sure you did," Riku mumbled through her teeth. Her hair had grown to her shoulders, but she had just told Risa she was getting it cut again. Risa giggled lightly at the two. They always fought about such silly things. Everyone knew they were in love, and how cute they were together.

Risa flicked back a loose strand of her brown hair and giggled again.

"You guys are so sweet," She remarked, watching as Riku pounced on Daisuke and began tugging at his hair, teasing him about cutting it so he would look cuter.

Riku paused and looked up from her determined teasing, remembering something from earlier today.

"Oh yeah, I was going to ask," She turned to Risa.

"Hm?" Risa blinked and waited.

"Risa," She gave her sister a stern look. "are you and Hiwatari dating yet?" Risa turned bright pink and started denying it with a flustered smile, but Riku gave her a questioning look and narrowed her eyes.

"No, no, no! Why would you think that?" Risa stuttered. Why was she being so defensive? It wasn't some big secret that she liked Hiwatari… and was dating him.

"You are. I knew it!" Riku shouted triumphantly. "So, will you go on a double date with me and Niwa?" She asked bluntly.

Risa stared.

"Hey, hey, hey! What's this about a double date?" Daisuke shouted. His face was red as he and Riku argued about going out with Hiwatari and Risa. Riku thought it was a great idea, one they could bond together with, but Daisuke wasn't so sure about it. He didn't mind going on dates with Miss Riku, but on a double date? Where everyone would see them kiss and cuddle and blush at each other? For some reason, he felt sort of embarrassed.

"Miss Riku!" Daisuke shouted as Riku tugged on his ear. Riku stopped and turned back towards Risa.

"Well?" She demanded. Risa mumbled a little and then, she agreed.

"Niwa! Hear that? Looks like you'll be on date with four!" Riku grinned and leaned onto her desk, crossing her arms over her chest. Daisuke rubbed his hair back into place and sighed.

"All right, if you insist," He said, defeated.

beyond—

His gold hair floated along with the wailing winds and the dust sprinkling through the air. The giant windmills just a mile away swung violently against the coming storm. He knew it was dangerous to be outside in this weather, but hehad to keep searching. If not, he felt sure that she would kill herself again.

He exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck where the hair curled slightly. It was getting long. Soon he'd need to put it in a ponytail.

The sound of low thunder began rumbling through the graying clouds. Rain would come soon. He had to hurry.

'What do you think you are doing, servant?' Said the voice, slow and deliberate.

He clutched his chest, gritted his teeth, and his knees weakened measurably.

"Guess you just couldn't keep quiet, could you?" He whispered.

'I asked you what you think you're doing. Answer servant.'

"You don't know?" He taunted. His chest began burning with swift and electric pain. "I've got to find it... she'll die if I don't." He whispered, a deep frown forming on his face as the pain faded.

'Then do what you must. But do not do anything stupid.' The voice echoed in his mind, over and over again; don't do anything stupid.

"That's all I ever do," He whispered with a slight smirk forming on his face.

faraway—

Soft drops of rain water poured from the sky.

"Oh no," Risa whispered. "It's raining." She said, staring out at the open sky.

"Huh? What was that? It's what?" Riku asked, drying her hair with a towel. She was still getting dressed, having half her outfit on. Shorts and her undershirt.

"Oh Riku, you look like a mess." Riku turned red and slapped the towel away from her damp hair.

"Hey! I just got done with my shower. It's not my fault you took three hours just to take yours and get ready, hogging up the bathroom!" Riku yelled. Risa sighed.

"It's raining outside. We can still go right?" If Riku hadn't known better, she would have thought she was talking to the old Risa-always whimpering and a big immature baby.

"Yeah, of course," Riku said, walking to their closet. She picked out a floral shirt that had long sleeves and replaced her shorts with light colored jeans. After she finished getting ready, she asked Risa if it was still raining. Her younger sister nodded and continued to stare out the window blankly.

"Hey, Risa, are you okay?" Riku asked, walking cautiously over to her. Indeed, just outside the window, rain pounded down and lightning crackled over the sky just miles away. When the lightning got closer and thunder started to grow louder, Risa and Riku squealed and squeezed their eyes shut.

"I hate thunder!" Riku shouted, turning on her heel and stomping away to grab two coats and an umbrella.

"Bring an extra one, Riku!" Risa shouted. Riku sighed and grabbed another, tossing it to Risa.

"Come, one, or we'll be late!" Riku yelled, scrambling for the door. Risa followed clumsily behind, the distractions of the rain fading away as she thought about what tonight would bring them.

She and Hiwatari had by chance started dating, on a sunny day unlike this one. She and Riku had gone to the store and Niwa and Hiwatari were there. Niwa and Riku left and headed for the beach, saying something about sea shells. That left Risa and Hiwatari alone, and once they started talking, Risa was love struck. She sighed softly as Riku and her went down the stairs and headed towards the door. If it hadn't been for that day, she would probably still be stuck between missing Dark and thinking of Hiwatari. She was grateful to Mr. Dark. He had done much more for her than anyone ever had. But she knew she had to let him go. Hiwatari deserved her attention now. And she would make sure to give him all the love she had.

"Niwa!" Riku shouted happily. Her older sister's words broke her from her train of thought.

"Good evening, ladies," Niwa said. His face turned a bit red, but he smiled gently toward Riku. They always did that. Risa didn't know what to think of them.

"Miss Harada," Hiwatari said, grinning. Risa blushed and smiled back. She loved his grin. It wasn't cocky like most boys, but he was confident and knowing.

"Hiwatari," She nodded. Riku popped open her umbrella and nearly Niwa. She quickly apologized and they both began laughing like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"Well don't just stand there Risa, kiss him!" Riku whispered teasingly.

"Eep!" Risa's face burned red as she stared at Hiwatari. Should they? Hiwatari stepped forward. Risa blinked a little as he reached down.

"Come on, we'll be late," He said blankly. Riku laughed as Niwa and her started for the car. Risa opened her pink and yellow umbrella and lifted it to match Hiwatari's height. He reached for the handle and took hold.

"I can hold this," He smiled to her. She returned it and giggled, saying a small thank you.

"Y-yeah." Risa mumbled. Hiwatari took her hand and led her to the car, even being as sweet as to opening the door for her.

Once she was seated next to Riku, Hiwatari slid it next to her and closed the umbrella, splashing water on his face. He ignored it and shut the car door, giving Risa a sidelong glance.

"What is it?" He asked. Riku and Daisuke drifted away on their conversation, completely oblivious to Hiwatari and Risa.

Risa chuckled. "You have water on your face, silly," She said, reaching up to wipe off the few drops of rain water that was starting to drip off of his chin.

"Oh," He muttered, turning slightly red. Risa giggled at his embarrassment. In her mind, she kept thinking how sweet he was. She was glad that Dark let her go. She had him with her now.

The drive was quick and wasn't awkward like Risa had imagined it would end up like. They were dropped off at a lovely restaurant on the edge of town called the Dusty Chair. The rain stopped long enough for them to all pile into the restaurant and get their seats. The place was empty save for an old couple and a few other random people.

"I hope it stops raining at least until we're finished," Daisuke said, holding out a chair for Riku.

"I think its nice." Hiwatari mumbled. Risa and Riku began arguing over something silly, while Daisuke tried to intercept. Hiwatari stared out the window, watching the gray clouds with a cautious glance.

Something's wrong, he thought to himself. Just beyond his view were the over sized windmills turning with the violent breeze, and below that was a figure dressed in black, with dark purple hair.