Chapter 4: "Oh dear! Teenage love!"

Satoshi woke up to a massive, but uncannily familiar headache. Piercing pain shot through his back when he lifted himself off the bed. Growling to himself, he cracked an eye open to the harsh brightness. He blinked once and shook his head to clear the haziness. He felt particularly murderous this morning.

The phone rang obnoxiously but Satoshi ignored it. After the sixth ring, a sickeningly smooth, yet sarcastic voice whispered, "My dear son, you're growing weak. But do tell me that your other mission is going well. (pause) By the way, have you found the other one of your kind yet?"

It does not go without saying that he failed in his mission to capture Dark yesterday. He wasn't giving up that easily; however, it was the only other way to avoid the manifestation.

(divider)

Riku eyed the painting like it was a very poisonous snake. The painting in itself was creepy already…the note it came with was even worse.

'Meet me at the oak tree in the park at 5:00 p.m.' Fear gripped her, and Riku shivered again.

"Ooh, Riku's got a secret admirer!" Risa taunted. Riku's right eye visibly twitched.

"This is bad. He wants to meet me! He's…he's probably some nasty perv!"

"Well," Risa said, twirling a piece of hair with her finger, "you have a chance to tell him off. But, what if he's absolutely dashing?"

"No sane person would do this to me! Risa, don't you think it's creepy? If you started getting weird things with weird notes everyday, wouldn't you start thinking that maybe you were being stalked, maybe you were being watched, and maybe your life may be in danger?"

"No." Risa thought, "Why would I? Just go meet the guy. I would come with you, but I have a date."

Hopefully, this date will turn out to be a lot more exciting. What Risa wondered is if this was how rich people lived? Is this what rich people do on their dates? She wasn't poor, but probably not even one fifth as rich as Hiwatari san. What would his father like to see in her? She was awfully nervous. How long can she keep up this façade? How long will it be before he sees the truth?

(divider)

Riku strode bravely to the tree. "Nothing to be afraid of!"

"Nothing at all!" she called out to Daisuke, who was dragged along for the fun.

"Definitely." Daisuke said between huffs and puffs. Riku was walking extremely fast. When she got to the tree, she started doing her impatient, anxious little hop-dance again.

"There's absolutely noo way he's some creepy guy. And if he is, I'll tell him off!" Riku said, determination flashing in her eyes. She adjusted her multicoloured scarf, and fidgeted with the frayed ends.

"Absolutely—"

"Oh my God! Daisuke, could it be him?" Riku pointed to a large scary looking man with an afro.

Daisuke's eyes nearly bugged out at the sight. He's got to be at least six foot tall, with arms the size of his head. He blinked his big eyes in relief when the man passed them.

Suddenly, both heard somebody move from behind the tree—the crunch of dead grass and melting ice under their feet giving their location away. She flinched and squeaked. He was here. This was him for certain.

The mysterious someone walked into her view smiling cockily. Turns out to be the same guy who had retrieved her bracelet the night before. Riku was struck speechless for once. Daisuke gasped, then frowned. He felt like remembering something important.

"I'm Dark."

Riku wasn't speechless for long. The P.Oed meter rose, and she was ready to hurl her frustration at this guy.

"So YOU'RE the one who's being creepy, and leaving me these creepy notes and things!"

"Creepy?" Dark chuckled, a little surprised by the outburst. An amusing female indeed. "Heh."

"Tell me. What is it that you want from me?" she demanded.

Dark moved his face close to Riku's in one smooth motion, and said in a low voice, "I just wanted to see you." Riku wanted to push him away, but she was paralyzed.

Instead, she stammered, "Will you stop sending me stuff?" and looked at her feet.

However, by the time Riku looked up, Dark seemed to have disappeared.

(divider)

"I look GOOD for once!" Risa cried to herself (as Riku was at a night class). She gazed at her reflection, and was pleased at the way her newly curled tresses bounced and shined.

Finally, Risa got to see him again! Just because she didn't like the concert didn't mean she didn't like him, right? He was handsome, rich, and intelligent. Everyone would be jealous of her.

And tonight, she was ready!

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Satoshi, looking a little disheveled, stood on the other side.

"Ready to go—?" something caught his eye, and he paused mid-question to stare at an artifact behind Risa.

"Where did you get that?"

Risa turned her head to the source. "Oh that. My sister's been getting it from her mysterious boyfriend." She rolled her eyes a bit. "Let's go."

A taxi ride later, Risa found herself in yet again a splendid place. A magnificent staircase that looked like it was gold plated spiraled upwards through the second and third floor. There were five foot paintings, as well as mirrors on every wall. How do people afford all of this stuff! She bet that all of the paintings and mirrors in that room could buy her a newer, cooler car, not that she didn't like the one she had already. She could get a second one. Or afford to go to the spa every day. What a horrible waste of money…to spend it on sprucing up the walls.

A great window revealed that it had begun to snow. A few large icicles framed the top of the window from the outside. Risa's eyes sparkled in delight. It was so pretty. But she was ushered into the restaurant before she could fully take in the sight.

(divider)

"This is Okami Hesaido." Okami's claws (thought Risa, since the woman had large fingers and long fingernails) were heavy with rings. Her top gave a new definition to "plungingneckline". Her hair was tied up in a messy bun on top of her head leaving a few strands to frame her made up face. She wasn't unpleasant to look at, but her eyes gave her a vicious, almost feral appearance.

"Why hello! What a dear! So this must be the sweet girl your father was telling me about!" Okami blubbered, bubbling like champagne. Her eyes were full of venom when they locked with Risa's though, and Risa had to tear away from her gaze.

Risa's heart sank. She's probably thinking, 'what's a low-life like her doing here?'

"Oh Okami, stop scaring the poor girl!" Ryui Hiwatari laughed. Okami laughed along with him.

Satoshi's face burned in anger. If his father had told him that he brought his girlfriend along, he wouldn't have agreed to coming.

"Dear," she said to Satoshi, "have you done anything with her yet?"

He frowned. "Done?"

"You know…" Okami giggled. "Oh dear! Teenage love!"

Satoshi almost hissed in anger. What a vile woman. He hated her. She was utterly repulsive and out of her mind. Satoshi risked a glance at Risa. What was he doing to her? Why did he bring her here to suffer with him?

Without even realizing it, Risa's eyes wandered from Okami's claws to Satoshi's face. All of a sudden, there was something truly fascinating about him. She hadn't noticed before. There was an air of solitude about him. There was something awfully sad about his eyes.

"Okami dear…" Ryui said in a stern voice.

"I know I know, don't scare the kids." She smiled, showing a row of blinding white teeth.

"Oh Ryui dear." Would you stop saying dear? Risa seethed in her head. What was wrong with this woman? "Can you please pass the champagne?"

"This kind?"

"Oh I can't possibly drink that rich stuff. My sensitive stomach can't take it."

Satoshi groaned inwardly. How was he going to survive through this night?

After taking a sip from the right kind of champagne, Okami seemed to be content. "Well well, Rika dear, let's go together to the washroom to wash our hands before the food arrives."

Risa stood up reluctantly, and followed Okami to the washroom.

(divider)

"Dad." Satoshi seethed. "Why. Is. She. Here?"

"Isn't she lovely?" then he lowered his voice, "she's the daughter of the president of Koiwa Service."

"The hell I care!"

"Ah, temper temper. But the real issue here is, what did you bring?"

Satoshi's eyes narrowed. Something about that comment really upset him. His father talked as though, as though Risa was some sort of object.

(divider)

Risa rubbed her eyes. What was going on? She was so confused. What's this woman doing here? And why was she here, where she didn't belong? She'd washed her hands, but the woman had gone into one of the stalls, and haven't come out for a long time.

Now what. Was she supposed to wait for her? Okami's cold predatory eyes suddenly swam into view in her mind. Next came Ryui, boring holes into her, examining her like she was a slab of meet. Why were these people associated with Satoshi?

Risa gasped. Satoshi wasn't like that, was he? He was nice, right? There was no way on earth he could be like them. She remembered the time when he first brushed against her, and stared with those deep blue eyes. Nobody with such eyes could possibly be a stuck up snob. Then, the way he smiled at her. It was a conceited smile, but she didn't mind. Arrogant guys has always been her thing.

"Rika, dear." Okami cried out from one of the stalls. "Would you please pass me a roll of toilet paper?"

Risa rolled her eyes. She unhooked a roll from a stall and then stuck it under the door of a random stall where she thought she heard Okami's voice.

"Here." But nobody reached out to grab the roll. She must have gotten the wrong stall then. She tilted her head sideways and examined the feet of the five occupied stalls. Suddenly inspired by the story Cinderella, she decided to go for the biggest feet of them all.

For some reason, she was right, and a claw heavy with rings and things retrieved the roll.

"Aah, Rika my dear. I believe it's time I told you something you should know." She said from behind the door.

"It's about that boy Satoshi." The toilet flushed, and the woman emerged from behind the door. She smoothed her dress, and flicked a piece of hair from her face. 'Eew, do that after you've washed your hands.' Risa thought to herself. Still, Okami took her sweet time to examine herself in the mirror.

"The Hikari aren't well known for their generosity. They want something back if they've invested in you. Be careful of Satoshi. He may be using you for his own means."

Risa couldn't help but blurt, "So why are you with Hiwatari-san?"

Okami didn't seem to be fazed by the question. She turned on the tap and casually answered, "It's mutual benefit. Business reasons, of course. You on the other hand…"

No, it wasn't true. The woman was a liar. "Why should I believe you..."

"Because you don't have anyone else to believe." Okami shrugged, wiping her hands with a huge wad of paper towel, then missed the bin unceremoniously when she tried to dump it in, "You don't have to if you don't want to."

(divider)

The rest of the evening was awkward. Okami filled up the gaps with her mindless chatter whereas Risa tried hard not to look at Satoshi suspiciously. She didn't have a right to suspect him of anything, and why should she? Just because some woman happened to tell her not to trust him? No, that was ridiculous.

"Thank you for the dinner." Risa said, a little dutifully when they arrived at her door.

"You're welcome." Satoshi looked away for a bit, "I was meaning to ask you, would you mind coming to another event with me this weekend? It's a grand event, and I'd like you to come as my girlfriend."

Was that all? Was that what Okami meant when the Hikari's wanted "payment"? Hah hah...If so, that wasn't so bad! Relationships meant sacrifices. If she had to go to his little event, then so be it!

AN: Is Risa uncovering the truth? She doesn't seem so angry… on the other hand, it seems as though she's beginning to want to know more about Satoshi and care about him for who he is. Ah, but wait until Satoshi's father comes along and "shakes" things up next chapter. Oh man, Okami was such a fun character! I know people just like her…

KB: Waah! Im so glad you reviewed my fic! Thanks so much for the encouragement. Very much appreciated!

Lord Scribbles: Thanks for another review! lol, yes, it's quite safe to assume a happily ever after..., but not until I've had my fun with them!

DivineShana: Don't worry! Satoshi x Risa is still my favourite couple. They're just going through some tough times right now. Thanks for the review!

Syuura: lol, I know. Baroque is really quite boring. Yes, I'll try to update as much as can.

MeDarkNeutralLight: Aw! Thank you so much! you're probably right about Riku's stalker. (were you?!?)

SweetazKande: lol, I was on my reading week, and was suddenly very inspired. But the opposite can also happen. (hopes it won't in the course of this story) i can imagine it too, when/if Risa finds out the truth...!

Cleopatra2: Yes, I love the problem in this story! Thanks!

Sammi-Chan: Really? You think it's funny? I'm so happy to hear that!

lil-saturn-goddess: Thanks for reviewing!

Riku Harada: haha, I know. Riku's so paranoid!

DarkAngelB: I did 2000 again just to be consistent! Don't worry...Risa and Satoshi's relationship will come crashing, but that doesn't mean it won't build up again! Besides, they don't have a "relationship" in the first place so technically, there's nothing to crash. heh, you know Riku... and you know how it is with her and Dark!

trapt-tears: 'toshi san? Lol! that's such a great nickname for satoshi! I gotta use it sometime! yep, odd date indeed. Thanks for the review! hehe, glad you liked the lamb liver thing.

psychedelic aya: Thanks so much! Yes, as you can see, it was Dark...and who knows what he's up to!