Addie rose at six on Monday morning. She had to make breakfast for her mom. She couldn't cook anything besides PopTarts, but her mom was just happy to have something hot waiting for her on a plate and a glass of cold milk.
"Thanks, sweetheart," her mother said. "No make-up again today? A girl your age should—"
"Mom, please," Addie whined, annoyed.
Her mom, being a make-up sales-lady, always wanted to makeover her daughter, but Addie was independent and didn't even use the make-up her mom sold (of course, her mom didn't know this). When she did use make up, she used bold brands that weren't trendy but more exotic.
Addie stood, finished, and cleared the table, putting the dishes in the sink and rinsing them before slinging her backpack over her shoulder. "Later, Mom."
"Risa, are you sure?" Riku asked her sister. "Dark in love? He just doesn't seem the type."
"You saw him last night," Risa replied. "He just didn't seem himself."
"What are you two talking about?" Addie asked, coming in the classroom.
"Phantom Dark came to my room last night," Risa said softly. "It was so strange…he said he hurt someone he cared about. I told him not to worry of course, that she would definitely forgive him, I mean who wouldn't? Only someone heartless…"
"What's wrong, Addie?" Daisuke suddenly said. He had been listening, but hadn't said a word until now. Addie looked like Risa had slapped her in the face.
"I just know how he feels is all," Addie said. "Hurting someone you care about is an easy thing to do…"
"Well I think he deserved it!" Riku exclaimed. "Pervert probably kidnapped some girl and doesn't understand why she's mad!"
Addie smirked. "Yeah…probably."
"Okay, now I know something's wrong," Riku said. "You usually argue with me-you and Risa-when we get on this topic."
"I'm fine," Addie said. "I was shaken from the accident and didn't get much sleep."
"Have you met Dark?" Satoshi asked, appearing behind her soundlessly.
Addie's face reddened. "What? No!"
"You have!" Risa exclaimed. "I can tell by your face!"
"Fine. He caused my car wreck," Addie said, annoyed. "And then he asked me out!"
"Ugh…the nerve of that guy," Riku said. "You said no right?"
"Of course," Addie said. "But…that's when I found out who he was and got freaked out so he took me to one side until I quieted down. Nothing happened, really. I took him home. He was injured."
"You must've been who he was talking about!" Risa exclaimed excitedly. "He's in love with you!"
"Stop jumping to conclusions, Risa, honestly," Riku said. "Even if he is, Addie's not that stupid."
"Of course not," Addie said. "I know that Dark and Risa—"
"Oh no!" Risa said. "Things have changed now. Satoshi and I are…"
She stopped, blushing. She and Satoshi exchanged looks.
"I don't think you should see Dark again, Addie," Daisuke said.
Addie nodded. "I wasn't planning on it. That guy makes my head spin."
Daisuke sighed. Although he was warning her, he didn't think for a second that he'd be able to stop Dark from seeing Addie again.
And besides…things were worse than he had hoped. All that flying had been hard on Dark because of his injury—he didn't have a tamer anymore. So it looked almost as if…without real medical attention, Dark might…die.
Daisuke shook his head. I can't think that way! Dark will be fine. He always is.
"Daisuke!" Addie poked him in the shoulder with her pencil. "Riku and I need help on the English paper. We were wondering if we could come over tonight and run ideas by you."
"Sure, but…" Daisuke paused.
"Don't worry, Daisuke, I won't let Riku attack Dark or anything," Addie said. "I never got why she hates him so much."
"She just always ends up seeing the wrong side of him," Daisuke replied.
Dark was bored. Majorly bored.
He was stuck in the Niwa's house, not allowed to move from the guest bed because of his wound, which wouldn't heal!
Emiko looks worried, Dark thought. Everytime she looks at it, she gets more worried. Even Daiki is worried, and Kosuke won't get off the internet, researching to figure out what to do.
"Dark!" Daisuke entered the room. "Are you feeling better?"
"No," Dark said honestly. "Things don't look good."
Suddenly he heard voices downstairs. Girls' voices.
"Who did you invite over?" Dark asked, curious.
"Miss Riku and Addie," Daisuke replied. "They're here to study. You need to stay upstairs. I know you can barely move with that injury."
"Fine, then," Dark said, annoyed. "I'm tired anyway."
Addie sat down at the table with Riku and Daisuke.
"Okay so my idea was that I would write about identity," Addie said.
"Why do you pick such profound topics, Addie?" Riku asked.
"Well…" Addie replied. "I have to pick a topic vague enough to fit twelve hundred words."
"That's reasonable enough," Daisuke said. "I have an art project due tomorrow."
"I'll go up and get your sketchbook," Addie said. "I need to borrow a sharpie anyway."
Daisuke nodded, and Addie walked up the stairs. Luckily, the traps weren't set since there were guests over.
She walked slowly and suddenly realized that she was passing the guest bedroom.
That's where Dark is, she thought.
She reached out and tried the handle. Unlocked.
Dark was lying there, looking pale as a ghost. His chest was wrapped up like a mummy's, but blood was leaking through the bandage.
"Dark…" Addie whispered his name and sat by the side of the bed. Her voice was choked with tears. "Dark, please get better…"
Dark's eyes slowly opened. He winced. "You…you really care that much about me?"
A tear escaped and fell down her cheek. She reached out and put a hand on his face.
"Dark, you're feverish," she said.
He caught the hand. "Adelaide…if you care this much, why did you push me away?"
"Because…because…" Addie struggled to find words. "I couldn't betray Risa and Riku like that! Not to mention what Satoshi always says."
"Do you always listen to what everyone else says?" Dark asked gently.
"No…I just…" Addie looked down. She was so confused. "Tell it to me straight. Are you…going to die?"
Dark's eyes widened. "Adelaide…"
"Please…answer my question!" Addie exclaimed.
His eyes closed for a moment, then opened again. "I think so."
Addie stood. The tears were flowing freely, and her fists were clenched at her sides.
"No!" Addie stepped back. She banged her fist against a wall. "You can't die!"
"Adelaide, calm down," Dark got out of the bed, but then suddenly doubled over in pain.
"Dark!" Addie grabbed him. "That was a stupid thing to do. What if you had bled out? You have to stay alive, for—for—"
Dark laid down, then made eye contact with her. "What?"
"For me!" Addie said. She turned away from him.
She sat down in the chair again, burying her face in her hands, and crying.
Suddenly the door burst open.
"Addie!" Satoshi ran to his friend's side. He glared at Dark. "What did you do to her?"
"Satoshi stop it!" Addie said. "He's badly injured. He doesn't need this right now."
She knelt beside the bed. "Hey, just go back to sleep. I'll try to visit later. Don't do anything stupid."
She stood. "Come on Satoshi."
"What the heck are you thinking?" Satoshi asked Addie. "He's a Phantom Thief!"
Addie walked ahead of him. "Maybe I love him."
She knew it wasn't true, but hoped Satoshi would think it was, and let the matter drop out of respect for her feelings. But he was too angry.
"He doesn't love you!" Satoshi exclaimed, grabbing her shoulder. "He stole from my family for four hundred years, I know what he's like. He's a monster."
Addie jerked away. "I need to see Daisuke."
She went down the stairs. "Daisuke!"
Daisuke looked up. "Are you alright, Addie?"
"No! Why did you send Satoshi up there?" Addie yelled.
"I'm sorry," Daisuke said. "I…just didn't want you to get hurt by Dark."
"What is with you people?" Addie exclaimed. "He's a person, too! He's dying and you're busy worrying about my stupid feelings!"
She stopped and caught her breath.
"You really have fallen for him then?" Riku said, her voice soft. "Just like Risa did."
"Just…please, do whatever you can to save him," Addie said, frustrated.
"We are, Addie," Daisuke said.
"Wait a second!" Addie turned. "Satoshi!"
Satoshi came down the stairs. "Yes?"
"How do we heal Dark's injury?" she asked. "Dark's related somehow to the Hikari family, I don't know how, so you must know!"
"I know," Satoshi said. "But it would be better if he died."
Daisuke, Riku, and I gasped.
"Hiwatari—" Daisuke began.
"No, Niwa," Satoshi said. "If he goes, so does Krad."
"You have no choice," Addie said, her face fierce. "If you don't help him, I'll tell Risa. She'll never forgive you for hurting him."
"Fine," Satoshi said. "I expected this anyway."
He took out a bottle and handed it to Daisuke. "Put it on his wound. It will heal him…and slowly make him into a solid artwork of his own. I'm working on it."
Addie stared. "What the heck?"
"I-It's nothing, Addie," Daisuke said. "Why don't you and Riku go on home? I'll see you at school."
