I do not own DNAngel

Now… where are they… Satoshi thought as he wandered around the upstairs hallway. He had just escaped what was sure to be a long rant from Daisuke's grandfather, and didn't want to be caught. That could only lead to more ranting. Are they in Daisuke's room?

Or are they not upstairs at all? Then, he heard a man's voice in a room down the hall. Sure enough, it was Daisuke's father talking to Shizuka. Daisuke was there too, sitting on the floor looking a little embarrassed. Satoshi stood by the door, which was opened a crack, and heard Kosuke asking Shizuka to tell her family's side of the story.

Is she going to tell them? After all, she told me… I wonder how Dark would react if he knew what he was doing…

'If Dark knew, he would continue to steal like normal. There is nothing he can do to help her, and nothing you can do, either.' Replied Krad.

"Ah, Hiwatari-kun. Did you get lost?" Asked Daisuke's father, not surprised to see him at all.

"Yes…" Damn it!

'Way to go, Satoshi-sama. How will you explain this now?'

"Well, since you're here, why don't you join us. This is just as much your business as it is ours, after all." He said, pleasantly.

"Hikari-kun…?" she asked.

"Inochi-san was just talking about her side of the curse. You already know about it though, right? She's been awfully quiet about it…"

What does he want me to say? Did Inochi-san really tell them?

'If she said she told you, then you can't lie. Just go in and be quiet. It looks like they expected this to happen, anyway.'

Satoshi nodded, and entered the room, standing near the wall opposite Daisuke.

"So, Inochi-san, would you like to continue?"

"O-oh… I already told you all of it…"

"Oh, really? It wasn't like I had imagined."

"Y-yeah…" she said quietly.

Did she tell them? Or did she make something up? But why?

…………

'Daisuke, I think she's lying.'

What? Why would you think that?

'There has to be more to it than just that. According to her, the effect of their curse was reversed, and their bodies got weaker, like Kosuke said. That's leaving out the 'how' and 'why', though.'

But if she told Hiwatari-kun, why would she hide it from us?

'I don't know. Daisuke, your dad will leave first. We need to see what she says to Hiwatari, so let's hide in the next room. There's a speaker in there, so we can hear them.'

Why are there so many traps in this house?!

…………

Krad?

'So you're taking to me now? What is it, Satoshi-sama?'

Did she…?

'I don't know. Ask her.'

You're not helping…

'You never want my help.'

……………

"Well, your mother must be getting worried, Daisuke. I'll go downstairs. It should be time for dinner soon, so you guys should come down, too."

"Right. Come on, Hiwatari-kun, Inochi-san." Said Daisuke.

"We'll be right there." Said Satoshi. Daisuke left the room.

'So, he's making his move. Alright Daisuke, let's go.' Ordered Dark.

Daisuke went into the next room, and turned the speakers on.

"So, what happened?" Asked Satoshi.

"It's just like you said—they just wanted to know about the curse."

"Did you tell them?"

"Most of it…"

"What did you leave out?" He asked. "Oh… wait. I know. But why?"

"I just don't want for them to…. It seems so selfish… to say something like that. They don't know—I can't just expect them to stop for me."

"What?! Are you kidding! They should stop! It's not fair—you didn't do anything—"

"Hikari-kun… it's okay." She said smiling sadly. He's really worried about me… That makes me so… happy!

They were both quiet for a while. Then, Satoshi spoke up.

"Let's go downstairs."

………….

'So… they are hiding something… I wonder if Hiwatari would tell us…'

Dark! It's not our business!

'I need to know!'

………………….

"Everyone! It's dinner time!" Called Emiko.

"Where have you been, Niwa-kun?" Asked Riku. They had been gone for at least a half hour.

"Oh, sorry! My dad needed help with something!"

"Hiwatari-kun, Inochi-san, You're okay!" Shouted Risa. "I was so worried you guys were, like, dying yesterday!"

"Risa!", Snapped Riku. "That's not nice!"

"Okay, everyone, let's go to the table…"

………………….

"So, what did she say?" asked Emiko.

"I think she left something out… It didn't all tie together like it should have. Let's just leave her alone for now. Whatever it is, she told Hiwatari-kun, but doesn't want us to know. We should respect her wishes." Said Kosuke, satisfied.

………………..

"Itadekimasu!" Said everyone in unison. The adults were eating in the next room. Daisuke sat at the end of the table, with Riku to his left, and Risa next to her. On his right sat Shizuka, and next to her Satoshi.

'Hey, Daisuke. When was the last time you had a date with Riku? Even Hiwatari has a girlfriend—you need to step it up!'

Daaaark! Shut up! And what do you mean 'even Satoshi'? They're not dating—they just met a few days ago!

'You'll never know. And after what happened in the yard, I'm not really sure… Hey, you didn't answer my question! When was the last time you went out with Riku?'

Daisuke dropped his chopsticks.

"Ummm, are you okay?" Asked Riku. "You're all red! Are you sick?!"

"N-no… I'm fine!"

'Daaaaaiiiisukeeeeee answer me' He taunted. This was too much fun, after all!

…………………..

'So, Satoshi-sama… are you going to ask her out?'

What are you talking about? Asked Satoshi, annoyed.

'You know. Your 'sacred maiden'. When will you pledge your undying love?'

You're ruining my appetite. Shut up.

"Hikari-kun? What's wrong?" asked Shizuka. Riku, Risa and Daisuke were wrapped up in their own conversation. Satoshi was staring at the table.

"Oh, nothing. So can I walk you home later? It's getting dark out." Ha. Dark out. No pun intended.

"Oh, sure! Thank you!" She said happily. "You're such a gentleman, Hikari-kun" She added, looking away.

'This is so frustrating'

"You're welcome…"

'You're blushing. Why are you blushing? This is unbelievable.'

………………….

"Well, thanks for having us over, Niwa-kun!" Said Riku. It was already 10:00, and their mom would be worried if they weren't home soon.

"Bye, Niwa-kun!" Called Risa.

"Thanks for coming!" Daisuke said, closing the door when they were out of sight.

What a relief. Now, after Hiwatari-kun and Inochi-san leave, we can—

"Niwa-kun? Can I talk to you for a moment?" Asked Satoshi.

"Oh, sure."

What could he want to talk about…

"Listen… I know Dark and I have been playing games for a while now, but it's ending tonight. I can't afford to lose anymore, so I'm just warning you—I won't go so easy anymore. I will capture Dark. Soon, if not tonight."

What could he be talking about?

'It must have something to do with Inochi. He likes her, after all. Ask him if he does—I want to see what he says.'

No!

"Hiwatari-kun… is there something wrong?"

"Nothing. I should get going."

………………

"Oh, Shizuka-chan! Could you help me with this?" Asked Emiko from the kitchen. She was cleaning up from dinner.

"O-oh, sure!" she replied, following her into the kitchen.

"I'm sorry if we scared you before—we really didn't mean to. My husband has been so worried about all three of you. He's looking for a way to break the curse." She laughed. "He won't be able to do it himself, but he wants to get you three on the right track. If there's something wrong, Shizuka-chan, you can tell us. Daisuke says you live alone, so if there's ever anything we can help you with, please don't hesitate to ask us!"

"Oh, thank you so much, but I'm fine, really…" She said timidly. Daisuke's family is so nice to me. To everyone. Even Hikari-kun…

"Daisuke also said you were with Hiwatari-kun the other day. Are you two friends?" She asked, curiously.

What do I say? Do they not like Hikari-kun? Well, I guess not, but…

"Oh, he was helping me with my homework…" She lied carefully.

"But weren't you both absent from school?"

"W-well, uh, I had a… doctor's appointment, and he offered to bring me there… by the time we got back, it was too late to go to school…" They know. I'm such a bad liar. I hope Hikari-kun comes soon—he could think of something…

"Hmmm…. And he walked you here today, right?"

"Y-yeah…" Oh my god—did everyone see that? She started blushing.

"Okay." She said, satisfied.

Shizuka sighed. Thank god—I don't know if I could've kept that up much longer…

"I think you like him" Emiko said bluntly.

"W-what? N-no that's not it…" She said quickly. "I just met him and—"

"That has nothing to do with it—you're nervous. Is he walking you home tonight?"

"Y-yeah…"

"Then be careful," She said sternly, "I don't trust that Hikari kid, and you shouldn't either. Especially not you! Don't let him trick you!"

"No," Shizuka started, "Hikari-kun… isn't like that…"

"Oh, really? And you know this how? Are you sure you don't like him?"

Shizuka was speechless.

"Okaa-san—what are you doing?" Asked Daisuke from the doorway, Satoshi following behind. Shizuka sighed in relief and looked to Satoshi, who singled it was time for them to go.

"Oh, I was just talking to her. You worry much too much, Dai-chan."

"I'm sorry, Niwa-san, but we have to go." Said Satoshi.

"Oh, of course" She said, knowing that he had to 'go' try to capture Dark tonight.

It's amazing how polite the two of them can be, even though they're enemies… thought Daisuke.

"Thank you for having us over, Niwa-san." Said Shizuka, walking over to Satoshi.

"No, no. the pleasure is all ours! Let me show you to the door…"

"Bye Niwa-kun. Thanks again…"

"See you tomorrow, then!" He said, watching them leave.

…………..

"So, what did you think of Niwa's family?" Asked Satoshi, on the way home. Shizuka ended up wearing his jacket again, but didn't complain about it this time.

"They're all so nice!" She said happily.

"Yeah… Niwa's very lucky…" He trailed off.

"Hikari-kun… Your family…" She started

He smiled sadly. "They're all dead. I'm the last one, like you. I was adopted by the Azumano police Commissioner, Hiwatari Kei. He put me in charge of the police force to capture Dark."

"Then, tonight… you're going to the museum?"

"Yeah. Dark and I have been… playing games for a while now. But, now that I…" He paused. "Look, I'm going to try a lot harder. I want to protect you—I won't let Dark get away without a good fight. I will capture Dark." He said, clearly nervous. "For you." He added. They had reached her doorstep, and Shizuka began taking off Satoshi's jacket, but he stopped her. "Keep it" he said.

"O-okay. Thank you, Hikari-kun… for everything… but don't worry about me too much."

"I do worry. A lot."

'Satoshi-sama, you'll be late if you keep this up.' Krad reminded him.

"I should go" He said quickly. "I'll see you tomorrow at school, right?"

"Y-yeah… bye…"

'You need to hurry if you want to be able to keep your promise.'

I know.

………………..

"You ready, Dai-chan?"

"Yeah…" Hey, Dark, do you think Satoshi was serious?

'Of course he was. But we'll just see if he can pull it off! There's no way I'll ever let him beat me.' Said Dark, confidently.

But what if… he has a different reason to stop us…?

AU: So, Satoshi is really serious now, and Krad is really annoyed. This was a fun chapter to write—it was so long. The next one will be even longer. Please review! If you're reading this story, there has to be something you want to say about it!

Ja, mata!

All it takes is the push of a button and a couple of sentences. If you're reading this, please give me five seconds of your time.

And, 'Itadekimasu' is what they say before a meal in Japan, to give thanks. Afterwards, they'd say 'Gochisousama deshita', meaning 'it was a feast', but I didn't include that.