Chapter four, and this is hopefully a faster update than I've been doing. Daisuke's becoming a bit less innocent and a lot more cautious... but that's not the end of the story, of course. There is more to come.

Note: I put a bit more cussing in this chapter. I'm sorry if that offends, but this is the chapter where Daisuke confronts Dark about his actions—they won't say, "Oh good golly gosh!"

Disclaimer- I'm still not Yukiru Sugisaki. Not now either, and I won't be later, so don't ask.

Title- Like You've Never Been Hurt

Prequel- The Fear in Your Eyes

Pairing(s) – possible OS Dark/Sato, hints at OS Dai/Sato, and definite OS Krad/Sato

Rating- Mature

Warnings- Mild cussing; Rape references/memories; Yaoi


The moment Daisuke closed his bedroom door behind him, he threw his schoolbag down with unnecessary force and turned reproachfully to his mirror. Instead of seeing the reflection of his unkempt fiery hair or his distressed expression, the face that stared back was older and seemed vaguely annoyed. Daisuke ignored the thief's obvious reluctance and glared at Dark angrily. "Dark… what was that about?"

Dark raised an eyebrow lightly at the younger boy's accusing tone. Testy, testy…he muttered in Daisuke's mind, making sure to hide his nervousness and what would be a racing pulse if he had control. He still couldn't believe he'd actually had such a chance to see the Hikari again so soon. Why so stern with me, kiddo?

"Dark!" Daisuke said aloud in disbelief. Realizing his mistake when With looked up with a small frown, he reverted to their bond to speak. 'How can you say that? What were you doing to Hiwatari-kun?' He watched the figure in the mirror through an almost alarmed glare.

Dark sighed—he hadn't wanted Daisuke to get mixed into this. Dark had known fully well that the boy's feelings for the commander would get in the way. Why does it matter to you? He tried and failed to keep the frustration out of his voice—Daisuke would ruin everything!

Daisuke blinked incredulously. How could Dark possibly ask a question like that? 'He's my best friend, Dark! Why wouldn't it matter?'

Well, Dark said, choosing his words carefully. He's not a part of your love-life, so why should you be a part of his, now? Each statement was meant as an accusation, and this was clear in the phantom thief's voice.

"That wasn't love!" Daisuke shouted at the mirror, gasping and closing his mouth with a hand once he realized he'd yelled aloud. Either his family didn't hear him or ignored it, however, because no one came to ask. Daisuke, slightly relieved—he didn't want to explain this to his parents yet—turned his attention back to Dark. 'You were practically crushing him against a wall Dark! And what does my love-life have to do with this?'

Don't play dumb, Dark warned in a hiss of a voice. His eyes flashed violently. And you'd be smart not to say one more thing about that. This is between me and Hikari.

'What are you…?' Daisuke sighed, and decided to push this first comment into the back of their mind to focus on the more important matter. 'I really should tell. That was bad, and I get the feeling it wasn't the first time.' Daisuke waited, but the older one didn't answer. Annoyed, he thought, 'Dammit, Dark, just tell me what's going on!'

If the situation hadn't been so tense, Dark would've commented on Daisuke's word choice—the youth never cursed. However, as it was, all Dark could really do was growl softly.

'Well?'

Why should I tell you? Dark asked suddenly, glaring openly at the boy now. His voice lowered almost dangerously. Why should I tell you anything?

Daisuke was taken aback; how was he supposed to respond to that? There were a million reasons. The redhead should be asking Dark why he shouldn't tell Daisuke. 'Every reason! We're talking about my best friend! DARK!' This continued for several minutes until Dark finally half sighed, half growled in exasperation.

Damn, Daisuke! It's none of your fucking business, so why don't you just let it go? Dark's eyes flashed again, and a jolt of pain shot through Daisuke's mind at the word "go". This had been completely on accident, of course, but it was enough to make the boy lurch forward for a second, feeling as though a needle had slid through his skull. Dark blinked in surprise, but didn't apologize—in fact, he was almost glad, with all the trouble Daisuke was causing him.

'Dark! What the… what did you…?' Daisuke growled out loud, feeling completely useless and annoyed. Why wouldn't the thief just tell him already? Did he think he could hide it after what Daisuke had seen? Not likely. 'Look, Dark, just tell me what you did! You're freaking me out here! Is it that bad? Because if I don't know, I swear it Dark, I'll go tell Grandpa right now—'

You won't tell Daiki anything, Dark cut him off, and Daisuke could feel the phantom's anger coursing through them both. Daisuke stared into the violet eyes to find them just as full of rage as his must be, and watched them angrily. Dark had nothing to be angry about when he'd started this! It's not even that big a deal, Dai, Dark continued, obviously trying to calm himself. Daisuke wasn't impressed.

'Then why hide it?' He asked, his voice softening, his gaze never leaving the thief. 'If it's not that big a deal, why not tell me?'

Dark sighed softly. He was still extremely annoyed, but now the kid had him cornered. Mentally cursing himself for letting his desires get the best of him in front of Daisuke, he muttered to the boy. Look… fine. You got me, but what's there to tell? You basically saw everything…

Daisuke raised an eyebrow. He desperately wanted to believe this, to believe Dark, but something seemed amiss. 'But… then… why did Hiwatari-kun seem to know what was coming?'

Dark half growled in frustration. This kid really wasn't going to let him get away with anything, was he? Because I kissed him at the museum, all right? Like I said, you saw just about everything. If you saw today, you say that night.

Daisuke had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach, but there wasn't much he could do. After all, that made Satoshi's reaction plausible, if seemingly too violent. This thought made Daisuke suspicious, but then, Satoshi was full of surprises… and was there really much more Dark could have done? He pushed this matter aside, along with his uncertainty, and asked something else that perplexed him: 'Why?'

Because… Dark started, but broke off almost immediately. He had already lied, so he couldn't go and tell Daisuke about the overwhelming feelings he had towards the commander. He couldn't try to explain to Daisuke about the strange sort of pleasure he felt—that sounded too sadistic, too Krad-like, and he'd never admit to that.

'Well?'

Look, Dai, I like him, all right? In truth, Dark really couldn't say if he was lying or not in this statement, and decided not to dwell on it. He liked the Hikari boy's reaction and the feel of it all, and that was all he needed to know for now.

"Oh," Daisuke said softly, speechless. His mind had gone completely blank at the thief's explanation. The redhead opened his mouth to say something, but the words died at his lips, and he closed it again. 'You… wait… what?'

I… like him, Dark muttered a bit louder, feeling a bit numb. It was certainly an interesting sensation, to say something like that. The way it came out was foreign and strange to the thief. Dark tried to ignore this.

"Dark…" Daisuke said softly, not realizing he was now speaking aloud. Many thoughts overflowed through his muddled mind at once—how? Why? They jumbled in through him so fast he barely had time to register half of them before they were wisped away by more, making it impossible to voice any of them to his other half.

Look, Dark said, his voice cutting through the other's thoughts, just drop it. I'm going to sleep. And without even waiting for any kind of affirmation, Dark slipped into the back of their mind.

Daisuke let the thief leave without a struggle this time, watching as the reflection in the mirror melted to show his own rosy face. Shaking his head as if to ward away all the events of the day, Daisuke walked across the room numbly. He climbed up the ladder, and fell in a heap onto his bed. He felt very numb. Without bothering to take his shoes off or anything, he turned on his sheets to look up at the off-white speckled ceiling.

Daisuke definitely had a lot to think about.


Well, there you have it: Chapter Four comes to a close. Chapter Five will be a compliment to this chapter, about Satoshi and Krad.

Remember, all of you who asked why Krad let this all happen? You'll see very soon...

Well, Daisuke's managed to save some of his innocence… poor guy. Still hasn't hit him that Dark can be crueler than that. Dark wrote himself here a lot… anyway, I hope you've enjoyed yourselves. Love you all.

Heartless