Running... running... that was all there was. That and the occasional groan from Daisuke.
"Hold on, Daisuke, we're almost there!" Riku shouted to the limp body over her shoulders, eliciting only a groan.
They were almost to the Niwa residence. Just a block more to go...
People gasped as she ran by them, leaving them behind her, only to find the next one in her face. She blinked hard, shedding tears, and ran on harder, putting on a fresh burst of speed.
It was funny... she almost couldn't remember anything that happened. All she could recall was Daisuke tripping. She would have to ask him. 'So many things I have to ask... Can I ever do it? He's always so shy... If he dies, I won't get the chance!' This thought spurred her on. 'Daisuke... must... LIVE!' She said this in her head, then screamed it to the world. A window opened overhead and a head poked out.
"What did you just say?" It was Emiko Niwa. This was something Riku had wanted to avoid, but now was not the time for particularities. "Daisuke?" She then noticed the limp black-clothed boy draped across Riku's shoulders. She screamed and ran down to the door.
The door opened - Kosuke beat her there. He stared for a moment, evidently completely shocked. "Quick, get in!"
Riku complied. She ran through the door and up to Daisuke's room. As she mounted the last steps, she marvelled at how neat and tidy it always was. Her eyes automatically took in the door to the balcony, the couch in the alcove, the bunk bed. But by the bed was something that made her catch her breath- A large canvas painting of a face- Riku's face. She set Daisuke down on the couch, totally breaking down into sobs. She cried into his chest, letting out all her grief and pain. 'Daisuke... don't leave me! I love you...'
Riku heard heavy steps on the stairs. Daiki called something out, but Riku couldn't make it out. She turned to see Kosuke burst out of the stairwell, looking around the room for a moment before seeing Riku kneeling by Daisuke. He rushed over with a kit and began work. Riku backed off to give him room, and he nodded in thanks.
After a quick evaluation, he shouted, "What did he do? He's got scrapes, cuts, a major gash on the head, two compound bone fractures, and at least three cracked ribs. I hope Sato- sorry, Krad, is not involved here..." He muttered the last bit under his breath. He shot Riku a questioning look- Do she know about Satoshi? Riku didn't notice- she was staring at Daisuke's face with fear in her eyes. She didn't even notice when Emiko rushed up the stairs.
The first thing Emiko must have noticed was Riku's face, full of fear and sorrow, because she went straight to Riku. She put a consoling arm around her and pulled her in tight. Riku turned to sob into Emiko's sleeve.
"Wait!" Kosuke suddenly shouted. "He's mumbling!"
Riku broke free and tore over to the couch. "Daisuke! Daisuke! Daijobou?" She stroked his red hair.
"Riku... are you okay?" He reached up to touch her face with his palm, repeating her question with his eyes as well as his words.
Riku sobbed. "Yes... yes. I'm okay. Daisuke, don't leave me!" She tilted her head into his palm and held it there, not wishing to move. 'His eyes... they're so beautiful...'
Daisuke sighed and passed out once more, arm becoming limp and head rolling off to the side. Riku gasped, squeezing his hand and falling to his chest. From behind, Emiko grasped Riku's shoulders, leading her to the stairs. She was unwilling to leave Daisuke, just as Emiko was, but for alltogether different reasons.
"No! I don't want to leave him! Don't take me away!"
"Riku, honey!" Emiko turned her face toward her own. "You're no good to him like this. Would he want you all distraught like this?"
The blunt words bit into her a little, but it was true. She was a mess, not only emotionally but physically as well. Her clothes were rumpled and sweaty, her hair an absolute rat's nest. She was shaking from stress, grief, and adrenaline.
"Please, take a shower and have Towa-chan help you with your hair." This was a good strategy, Riku knew. Daisuke may not care what she looked like as long as she was feeling okay- which she was not. He would want her to clean up- not for himself, but for her to feel comfortable. She finally agreed, and trudged toward the stairs. With one last look over at Daisuke, she shuffled downstairs to get Towa.
(-*-*+*-*-)
Riku felt guilty. After a hot shower and a quick and simple styling by Towa, she felt great. 'Not how Daisuke must feel. How could I be so insensitive?!' Riku berated herself.
Why was it that Daisuke could be so clumsy? She knew about his abilities, his agility. How was it- how could he possibly knock everything in any given room over with his skill? Riku shook her head. Now that she thought about it, it made sense. Nobody could do the things he did. She thought back to the night of the Teddy Bear Rescue (as she liked to think about it). She remembered the young Daisuke passing over the gate, easily outstripping any other top athlete's best efforts- and he was just a kid. Daisuke was amazing.
'So why does he always go after me?' Riku asked herself. 'Come to think of it though, it's not just me. The night that Dark (that pervert) dumped Risa, he saved her. He saved Hiwatari-kun on that hill... maybe he even helped Dark! (thinking back to the time she saw Daisuke jumping rooftops on the night of a theft) So why don't I want him to help me?'
Pain, hot and yet chilling, washed over her. Grief mixed with guilt turned her stomach inside out. Her vision darkened, and she felt herself begin to fall. Softness greeted her collapse, and she fell asleep.
(-*-*+*-*-)
Riku awoke on a soft bed. She could feel several pillows underneath her, cushioning her from- wait. She opened her eyes to see: 'DAISUKE'S ROOM?!' Her bed was a mountain of pillows next to Daisuke on the couch. Seeing Kosuke and Emiko, she closed her eyes again.
"We need to get him to a hospital now!" Emiko shouted, clearly out of her depth.
"Yes, I know! But our car... it still isn't working." came the steady reply. "I don't know anybody who could drive him... except for the Harada family's helper. But I don't want to trouble them."
Riku stirred at the mention of Harada, and the couple standing by noticed immediately. Kosuke, ever straightforward, leaned down close to Riku, the look in his eyes warning Riku not to speak.
"Riku-san, I have a huge favor to ask you. Is it alright if your butler drives us to the hospital? Our car is not working, and Daisuke is in real trouble. You could come of you want as well."
"If it helps Daisuke, we'd be happy to help. But I don't have my bike, so I can't get to him."
"That isn't a problem!" Towa poked her head in. "I'll be right on my way!"
Riku was mystified. To her, Towa didn't look like an athlete.
"Oh, you'll see," Towa said with a wink, noticing Riku's expression. "I think you'll like it!"
There was a soft pop.
Riku gasped. Towa had disappeared! Wait, no- there was a tiny bird in place of Towa. It winked at Riku. "EH? Towa-chan? Is that you?"
Towa (the bird) sighed. "You know, that's what Daisuke said when he saw me. I guess nobody knows who The Eternal Guide is." She fluttered off out the window.
Riku was still in shock. There was so much she needed to learn about this family. Transforming maids, split personalities/bodies, rings that absorbed damage, and that pervert... Riku still needed to get over him before she could really accept the family.
The group sat in silence for a moment, when there was a honk from outside.
"That must be him!" Riku shouted.
Kosuke gently picked up Daisuke and went down the stairs with Riku following close behind. As they came out to the car, they noticed Towa standing on the dashboard, still a bird. Emiko took the shotgun seat, and Riku slid in the back. Kosuke handed Daisuke to her, his legs laying across the next seat. Kosuke took the edge. As soon as the door closed, the butler stepped on it, sending them to the hospital- one way or another.
Okay folks, I don't own D.N. Angel (unfortunately). Remember to comment, tell me if you want more detail in there and if you think the chapters are going too fast. I've got some pretty good ideas for the next parts... heh heh heh. (we'll be getting to Risa and Satoshi as soon as we get Daisuke in stable condition XD) Also, just for your information, this is mostly going to be from Riku's point of view.