AN: How long has it been? Sorry for the lag! I had a hard time deciding what to do to the characters…. (oh that sounded so sinister). Erm, yes! Thank you for all the ideas, and encouragement. Helps a lot! So last time, Kyoko and Risa had their big fight and then Krad came out.

To Not Fall in Love 10

Satoshi got up and surveyed the scene before him. Krad has fled after the manifestation. Risa lay unconscious, covered slightly in white feathers. Then he flexed his arm to test his body. His muscles, heart rate and breathing seemed to be normal. Everything was fine save for a splitting headache.

He decided to keep Krad's manifestation a secret for as long as he could although it wasn't long till Krad will reveal himself. Funny, he didn't expect Dark to be of any use until now. Knowing about the history behind those two, it will only make his job easier. Dark will try to kill Krad, and vice versa.

He brushed the feathers off of himself then shook Risa by the shoulders. Her mind began to wake up and register her position on the ground. Her eyes cracked open to the ceiling and harsh lights of the lobby.

"Let's go back in and pretend nothing happened, alright?" Satoshi said, helping her up. Risa nodded.

The rest of the night was uneventful, and Riku was in bed by the time Risa arrived home, a little weary and confused.

oOo

A figure in black turned a corner of a dark alley. Dark looked up at the heavens and seemed to be in deep contemplation. Yes…Krad was definitely out there. His host was the blue-haired boy who wanted to seal him. Dark mused. If he could get a hand on True Light, a necklace located in the art gallery in the underground level, his magic will increase. Then he can go seal Krad.

oOo

Riku felt her cheeks heat up. Daisuke was looking at her.

"Um…" she managed to stammer. Then, a little boy came out of nowhere and crashed into her. She toppled over, and her drink flew out of her hand. But before she knew it, she was back on her feet and the drink safe in Daisuke's hand.

"Um…" she said intelligently again, avoiding his eyes.

"Yes, Riku? What's up?"

"I was wondering…what do you think of me?" Wow. That sounded so lame and out of the blue. Why'd she ask anyway! Stupid stupid Riku, always getting herself into sticky situations!

"Riku is a fun person who's considerate of others. She's unique, and likes strange things."

Well, all positive things so far. Well, what was she expecting? Would a good friend actually spell out everything bad about her? God…what was she thinking?

They returned home after that. Was that a date? Or was that a friendly date and meant nothing special? Were they just friends? They did go out together a few times after all…but that doesn't have to mean anything.

oOo

How do I begin this? It all went well and it was wonderful. I got to show that creep girl who was boss…and yeah. It was satisfying and all, but something's still not quite right. For one thing, wings just splurted out of my ex-boyfriend's back. Then I fainted. Then we went back pretending that it happened every day. And he hasn't talked to me about it or explained anything. Something is up. I'd be stupid not to know. Plus, now that I think about it, it was suspicious how he called me after breaking up just to talk. I don't want to think that he's using me again for whatever it is, but I've gotta be wary. I think I might even be angry with him. He's kept me in dark all this time. Who does he think he is? Who does he think I am? Well, despite all that I think I do like him. When we were outside laughing our heads off at Kyoko, I felt this bond between us. I can't really explain it, but it was there. I felt like we belonged together.

I'd like to say that I've matured a bit. At least I'm being logical now. I used to be such a romantic. I'd dream about the future half the time, and not focus on reality. I should get started on homework now before I flunk calculus. I pay attention in lectures now, so that's an improvement.

Today, I also kept thinking about one other thing.

What is love?

Well. What is it? And how do you know if it's love or infatuation?

Well anyway, I went to the university bookstore to grab a psychology textbook. Guess who I saw? Dark san. He asked me out but I said no. He looked at me with these eyes, and asked me why I refused him. With a calmness I never knew I had, I said that I had someone in mind already and wasn't ready to think of a new person. Wow, I said that? I couldn't believe it. Someone in mind? Like who? I should stop playing dumb to myself. Of course I know who. I was just so surprised that I didn't jump around with happiness at being asked out by such a gorgeous guy. Logically, there was nothing wrong with going out with Dark san. He's a nice guy, we went out once and Satoshi and I weren't technically together anyway. Yet I feel no regret for turning him down. I was so calm.

Then I was thinking so much that I forgot what I was there for and left without getting the textbook.

So back to the main topic of my little discussion here. What exactly is love?

oOo

It was the same old. Dark got away with the latest artwork. Not that Satoshi cared too much. You can say that he was getting used to it.

"What's wrong, Supreme Commander?" Dark had taunted. "You're getting weak."

Well, Krad was going to get him so Satoshi had shrugged and left the scene that was littered with broken glass. Dark stared after the blue haired one like he just grew wings or something. The commander was sure acting strange.

Everything seemed to be back to normal. From what Satoshi's heard, Kyoko was having an emotional break down and 'vowed to get even someday,' and Okami helped father complete another business transaction. As far as he knew, Daisuke was hot on research for 'sacred maidens,' something rumored to be able to effectively seal Dark and Krad away for at 50 years.

A day had passed since the event. He eyed the stacks of paperwork then rubbed his eyes. He hated paperwork more than anything. Why couldn't somebody else do it? Satoshi was very very bored. Nothing exciting was happening, and he was slowly drifting back into a mediocre lifestyle.

Come to think of it, this is precisely the kind of lifestyle he's lived before. He did paperwork, tried to catch Dark, avoided his father like the plague… He must have been so bored. Either that, or he really liked trying to catch Dark.

Yeah, that was it. He had a mission: to catch Dark and live normally. Now he wasn't so sure. It just got a lot less exciting…

Satoshi was confused, a rare occurrence. And he wasn't so confident anymore about the future. Something was different about him, but he didn't know what.

oOo

Kyoko felt like a secondary character in fanfiction that was ignored and hated by everyone. Well, she was having none of that! If she couldn't have Satoshi, then neither shall Risa. She'll make sure of it. How? She'll make them hate each other. After all, Kyoko was like Okami. She had connections.

Ah yes, the plan was formulating very nicely in her head. Twirling a pen with her long fingers, she tried to remember the name of her friend's friend who happened to be childhood friends with Risa. At the same time, she tried to remember where she placed her personal phone book of many names. There was a person she met a long time ago who was Satoshi's rival in something. She wasn't sure what, but this person got on his nerves. See, in business, you had to have a network. A lovely network of people who will do work for you. Kyoko's thin lips curled into an evil smile. A few rumors here and there and a few people placed at strategic locations will do the trick.

She'll see to it that Risa suffers. For putting her through that humiliation. For making a fool out of her in the gala. Now people thinks she's an immature, and unbusiness-like woman. She couldn't afford to lose the connections with important people like that. Risa will pay. She will see to it that Risa suffers. Oh, did she think that thought already? Oh never mind.

Kyoko tried to resist the urge to break out in a mad giggle.

oOo

A figure in black jumped across a waterfall in an abandoned park at night. City lights glistened some miles away. He gripped his prize tightly. It wasn't going to be an easy battle, but with True Light he had a clear advantage.

Already he could feel the presence of another, coming at high speed towards him. He took a few seconds of free time to survey the air. It was crisp and clear, and he thought that it would be wonderful if he were a normal human being; he could learn to enjoy things like this.

A gray mist edged into his peripheral vision. In one swift motion, he closed his eyes and threw a black feather into the air. The feather made hardly a sound as it landed inches away from Krad's hair, lodged deeply into the stone statue he was leaning on.

Krad laughed. "Dark. Why are you fighting me? Don't you want to be free as well?"

"You're messed up." Dark stated. "Now fight me or die."

Krad's gaze flickered down to his gloves and smirked. "I think you got it wrong, my other half. You're the one who's doing the dying."

The two rushed at each other—one with angelic wings with an aristocratic face, the other ruggedly handsome, dressed completely in black. Krad dodged a punch and crossed his arms, producing twenty spear-like feathers that homed in on Dark. In response to the attack, Dark produced a blue, protective bubble that deflected the feathers back at Krad.

"Your skill hasn't deteriorated." Krad said smugly, a strand of golden hair whipping around his face as he flew off to a safe distance. "I'm glad."

Dark barely avoided a punch delivered to his stomach. He realized that he didn't have much time if he were to use the spell. True Light was already reacting strongly to Krad's presence.

Dark urged the magic in his cells to gather in his hands. It was a subduing magic that would paralyze Krad for a few critical seconds.

"What's wrong? Aren't you fighting back?" Krad said as he stretched out his wings and swooped down at Dark.

Dark concentrated his efforts on dodging and defense as he charged up.

"Take your hosts body someday, and live out a normal life. That's the best advice I can give you." the blonde one continued.

"That's not my way of doing things."

"And why not? It's the best way."

Dark answered by hurling a ball of dark energy. It struck Krad in the shoulder and his face twisted in terror.

"N..o…" he tried to say, but his features were already beginning to paralyze. Quickly, Dark unraveled True Light and began to chant something in an ancient tongue. Five seconds later, Krad dropped into the waterfall, a strange fading pinkish glow emanating from his wings.

Dark landed on the edge, on a large stone, his eyes fixed on the white figure in the water, wondering why Krad wasn't sealed. He stared at the necklace in his hand. Did he mischant the spell? Was something reacting to it, interfering with the delicate balance of magic? A clock in the distance chimed, and he realized that the sky had lightened.

"We'll meet again soon. Next time, you won't get away."

oOo

"You wanted to talk to me?" Satoshi repeated.

"Yes." Risa affirmed, nodding forgetting that she was on the phone. "If we're friends, then I'd like to know what you're up to."

"Sorry to disappoint you. I'm not up to anything." Satoshi shut his eyes because he looked at the light bulb at the same time he turned it on. But when he shut his eyes, he saw Risa's brown doe-eyes. So he opened them again.

"Liar." Risa didn't mean to sound so harsh, but it sorta slipped out. "How am I supposed to believe that you're perfectly normal after…" she wanted to list out everything strange about Satoshi but it was just too long of a list. "Well, you get the point! If you don't want to tell me then just say so. But don't expect me to believe that you don't have some major secrets."

"I'll tell you." Satoshi said, surprising both of them, "but I can't tell you everything for your own safety."

"Thank you."

"I'm free tomorrow at 6:00. We'll talk over dinner at Kelsey's. How's that?"

"Perfect."

Satoshi replaced the receiver and wondered how he got into this whole mess in the first place. It began when his father wanted him to find a girlfriend. Then…cascade.

(end)

AN: I thought this was a really chunky chapter. Well, tell me what you think and what you'd like to see next. I love your ideas! Any ideas for Kyoko's revenge? It has to be a convoluted plan that eventually fails. (Of course, since this is SxR! Not SxK! Only Risa shall have the beautiful and smexy Satoshi. This is the law of life.)

chiharu-tanaka: gasp! Are you serious about fanart for this fic? Thanks for the w00t!

MeDarkNeutralLight: Aw, thanks! You thought it was mysterious? Wow, that's a unique comment.

soo-wonss: lol, I hate cliffys too, but they're always such great places to end.

ladypunz: I'm jealous of Risa too! Especially the Risa in my fic…omg, I made her so kick assey, I love it!

Keskio: Aw thanks! I love compliments about my humour.

Les Scribbles: I agree. After seeing Kyoko, Okami doesn't seem so bad anymore. Actually, Kyoko and Okami are based on real life people… (oh my) which is scary. Krad is here indeed and is ready to wreck havoc! Yes! I love that Risa fuzzy idea of yours! Absolutely ingenious! Somebody needs to do something with that idea!

M36NU7: Thanks for the review! Risa gets to see Satoshi again next chapter. Be warned. Sparks may fly. (what kind of sparks? who knows!)

Cleopatra2: Thank you very much! Very happy to see your review!

SummersHope: I know! Wouldn't it be great if the showdown were anime-ized? (dreams) Thanks for the review.

lemy: Hey, thank you lots for the ideas! I may be doing something like that. Anything to make sparks fly… eheheh

KawaiinessPnay: Waugh, don't apologize for not reviewing! It's more like an honor for me to get one. LOL, Satoshi and Kyoko's "something". That something will increase in a little while. pwuahahahah…

Starian Princess: Kidnap? Yes! That's a good idea! However, I was thinking more along the lines of…Kyoko getting kidnapped by accident instead of Risa. Then Satoshi goes and saves his girl, but it's actually Kyoko, and he just leaves her there. Brilliant!

Jazz7: Kyoko does deserve that and more! Don't worry. Her evil deeds will probably not work and instead, backfire!

SweetazKande: Thank you thank you! No, Krad isn't a good thing at all. More chaos, but it's all good!

Black Mistress: Krad got beat up! Ah, very clever….beautiful isn't always the best. Of course, Kyoko being the biznatch that she is has something up her sleeve. (She'll fail, of course)