A/N: sigh. it's about time i posted this chapter. i would've had it sooner, but i got caught up with being one of the finalists competing for space on the town teen newspaper board thingy, and i have to write two essays and do an interview on Tuesday. it sounds lame, but it's a big deal for me, really! and then, there was that annoying twitching problem. it doesn't seem like much, but my eye would just start twitching like crazy after being on the computer for too long, so i had to almost avoid the computer these past few days, which is a big pain in the butt, trust me. anyway, here's the chapter. i'm sorry if the ending was a little lame. i was getting annoyed with this chapter and wanted to finish it quickly.

Disclaimer: I TWITCH don't own TWITCH DNAngel TWITCH TWITCH!

dang it, TWITCH the eye twitching has TWITCH come back! AHHHHHHH! I'M GONNA GO CRAZY!

TWITCH TWITCH TWITCH

The Next Generation

Chapter 11

The Sunny Side

Daichii blearily opened his eyes and groaned. He was wearing nothing but boxers underneath a thin sheet he had partially kicked aside, but his skin was still sticky with sweat. He carelessly threw a pillow at his alarm clock. It fell off his desk, the annoying buzzing finally over. Daichii rubbed his face wearily, feeling as though his strength had been sapped. 6:30 in the morning! 6:30 in the FREAKIN' morning!!!! Why is it so hot?!?!?

Ever since the fateful race yesterday morning, the temperatures only seemed to rise. The 10K had been cancelled early due to Ai's collapse. Scratch that, the rest of school had been canceled. Even though he had always thought the cheerleader captain was a bit snobby, Daichii couldn't help but be slightly worried about Ai. What was worse was that it could have been any of them. Takahashi. Himself. Haru . . . Ren.

A pitiful whine distracted Daichii for a moment. He lifted his pile of discarded sheets and discovered the limp form of With. The boy's eyes softened in sympathy. "I guess it's worse for you. You can't take your fur off when it gets too hot."

"Kyuuu . . ." With mumbled in a daze.

"How about I get some water for you?"

Daichii climbed down his bed's ladder, (a feat he normally looked upon with scorn) and trudged downstairs to the kitchen. It was very dim in the house. He didn't see anyone on his little mission. Eyes half-closed, Daichii grabbed a bowl and held it under the faucet.

. . . . an extremely long pause . . . .

What the heck? Daichii wondered irritably when it finally occured to him the water wasn't running. Scowling, he turned the sink on full blast. What came out was barely more than a trickle, and it wasn't cool and refreshing at all. Daichii dumped the water and turned off the sink, thinking as hard as the stifling air could allow.

"You having problems with the water too?"

Daichii cast an indifferent glance towards his sister standing in the door. She was wearing a bathrobe, and her red hair was speckled with water droplets. Rikae ran a hand through her wet hair and complained, "I got up extra early so I could get a nice cool shower before anyone else. All I got was warm water." She made a face at the cruel irony. "The one time I'd prefer not to have the bathroom disappear in steam."

"Pretty crazy," Daichii grunted in agreement. Suddenly, realization struck him like lightning. Daichii spun around and clutched the sink. Lifting a shaky figure towards his sister, he stated in horror, "You just said about five sentences . . . and you didn't insult me in any of them!!!"

Rikae blinked at her brother and said in a bored voice, "So?"

"So? So!" Daichii paused to think up of something good to say. "So . . . that must mean YOU are the cause of all this weather!"

"What?"

"Yes! You are! Because you're . . . an alien!"

Rikae stared at him in disbelief. "I think this heat has melted my brain. Or maybe I'm still dreaming . . ?" she mumbled in a daze.

She squealed when Daichii had her in a headlock. "Alright! Which planet do you come from? What do you have against the weather! Where'd you put my sister? Have you brainwashed Mom and Dad? I want answers, and I want them now!"

"Daichii? Can you please let go of me?" Rikae sighed.

Surprised, Daichii let his arms slid off her. Rikae shuffled out of the room without another word. Daichii assumed a thoughtful pose. This heat really is crazy! It's melted away Rikae's brattiness. Daichii chuckled helplessly. I hope I'm not next.

"--peratures for today should reach up to 102 degrees, and it will only get hotter," announced a TV from next door.

"HUH?!?"

Daichii skidded into the living room where Rikae was slumped on the couch, a remote in her idle hands. He collasped to the ground and stared transfixed at the screen, his face inches away from it. The weather man had ditched his suit and tie a long time ago. He was now donned in khaki shorts and a collared shirt, trying to look as professional as possible with sweat running down his face. "There are no clouds in sight, but what's even stranger is that the sun has turned slightly darker and redder these few days. Astronomers are in chaos with this latest discovery. Many schools and businesses are being shut down, but for how long, no one knows."

"Thank gosh. There was no way I was walking out in that heat wave," came the tired mumble from the prone figure on the couch. Daichii tore his eyes from the TV long enough to shush her.

"The water level has dropped. A few have already fallen victim to heat stroke, and many others are suffering from dehydration."

Like Ai from yesterday, Daichi thought, getting concerned all over again.

This can't be natural, Dark replied, finally starting to stir within Daichii's mind.

Daichii's brow furrowed. What do you mean? It's like the weather man said. It's just some freak astronomical event . . . right?

That, or it could be an artwork.

Daichii's eyes widened, but it made sense. Do you know which one it is?

No. I've never seen this before, but I can definitely sense an ominous magic in the-- Dark broke off when he saw his host make a weary, dizzy face. What?

So what you're saying is that I'm going to have to scout up and down this oven city until I find where the magic is strongest. Daichii swayed at the thought and hung his head. How cruel of you.

Daichii's only answer was a faint snickering.

Daichii squinted against the glare of the many windows on the tall buildings. It was a dull, opressive looking bussiness, half deserted due to the heat. There wasn't a single person going in or out of its revolving doors. The boy grimaced and shifted his book bag to the other shoulder. He would hate to have to work here.

His back pack squirmed. Alarmed, Daichii quickly pulled the flap up so a white head could emerge. With panted in the air and relished what little breeze there was. "Sorry, With, but you have to stay in there. I can't have you draw unnecessary attention," Daichii apologized. Daichii glanced back at the building. "Are you sure this is where the magic is the strongest?"

With nodded slowly. Daichii flashed the rabbit a soft smile. "Just a bit longer, With." The boy began petting With's soft head, but immediately drew back his hand at the touch of wet, sticky fur. Grimacing, Daichii wiped his hand on his pants and shut the back pack. Taking a deep breath, the lone figure pushed through the revolving doors.

At least the inside looked a little more welcoming, though it was just as empty. A whoosh of cool air made Daichii's bangs flutter for a moment. A magohany rug with gold geometric designs led right up to a solitary desk. The desk was made with beautiful pine wood and its edges were painted gold. The business's huge, silver logo hung on the wall, and a very stressed and pissed off lady was flipping through a folder underneath it.

Daichii attempted to walk past the front desk towards one of the many hallways, but the secretary looked up from her folder. A suspicious scowl told the boy that she was already starting to see through his nonchallant act. "What are you doing here?" she demanded coldly, looking over her glasses to see the stranger. "Shouldn't kids like you be in school."

Daichii held his ground, struggling to appear as if he did this everyday. "School's been canceled because of the heat. I'm surprised that this place hasn't either. But then, it has always had such great air conditioning. Most of the times it's almost freezing in the offices," Daichii chanced.

The secretary was a bit taking aback. "Y-yes . . . it does often get a bit chilly . . . but it's a necessity with all the computers and three piece suits." Her eyes narrowed again. "So what are you doing here?"

Daichii widened his eyes in fake shock. "You mean you don't remember me? Well, I guess that's to be expected. I don't come here that often anymore now that I'm so busy with school and sports. You know how it is. Anyway, I was just here to see my dad. Mom already left before I got up to go grocery shopping before it got too hot, and since I didn't get the notice that school's out for today, I'm locked out of my house." Daichii shrugged sheepishly. "I needed to ask Dad for his spare house key."

The secretary's fingers starting inching towards the security button. "I don't remember ever seeing you before," she explained slowly, starting to get uneasy.

When she wasn't looking, Daichii stole a discreet glance at her name plate, half hidden behind papers. The boy smiled his biggest, friendliest smile and leaned against the desk. "Come on, you can trust me, Watanabe. It'll just be a quick second. I'll be back here before you know it, and then I want to know how you've been doing since I've last seen you."

It might have been the sound of her name, or it might have been the warm, trusting aura surrounding Daichii. Nevertheless, the Watanabe let her hand slip back to her lap and nodded for Daichii to go. He thanked her and strolled down a random hallway, hoping against hope that it was right and he didn't have to encounter the secretary again.

The hallways were really no different than the entrance room. The floors were covered in rich carpeting. A pair of doors on either side appeared every ten feet. A small, well--trimmed shrub would grow next to the doors. The walls were a dull gray. The only thing breaking the dreary color was the occasional painting. Daichii's head would snap in interest whenever he saw one, but none of the small artworks seemed amazing or unique enough to be the one they were hunting down.

After ten minutes or so, With popped his head out of the bag again. "Is it getting closer?" Daichii asked quietly. Instead of an answer, With jumped down and jogged a little ways. He stopped at a door that looked no different from the others and began sniffing at it. The rabbit sat down with a plop and let out a tiny mewl of satisfaction.

Daichii shuffled over. Gold numbers that read "57" hung below a small window. The blinds had been drawn shut, so Daichii couldn't see inside. However, that could mean that no one was inside. Then I could just unlock the door, steal the painting now, and get this over with sooner. There would be no need to change into Dark! Daichii exclaimed happily.

Hey. I heard that, Dark muttered offendedly.

Daichii grinned at With and squatted down. "Good job, With!"

"Kyuuu kyu!"

"Now this weather will finally be over!" Daichii began tickling his cute little pet. "As soon as we get home and I take an icy shower, I'm gonna give you three bowls of strawberries as a reward."

With wriggled and squeaked in protest at the sudden tickling. Daichii only laughed, already planning out how he was going to spend the rest of the day as everything returned to normal. That's when the door to room 57 opened. Daichii and With looked up in surprise at the figure standing there.

"M-m-mara!" Daichii gasped.

Mara's brow wrinkled heavily. "Daichii? What are you doing here? Are you skipping school?"

"Uh, no no!" Daichii protested, shaking his head. He scooped up With in his arms and thought quickly. "School's out, so . . . I was wondering if Ren was here!"

Lame! You couldn't have come up with a lamer excuse, Dark retorted.

I used up all my lies on that secretary. Leave me alone!

"Why would Ren be here?" Mara wondered. "This isn't a place for kids to play."

"Ren wasn't at the house," Daichii explained weakly.

Mara raised an eyebrow, not buying it. Then the man sighed and placed a hand on Daichii's shoulder. "Look. Daichii, you're a nice kid and all, but I don't ever want to see you sneaking around my work place again, you hear me?"

"Y-yes sir," Daichii promised shamefully. Did Mara think he was a bad influence on Ren?

"This is a very important business, and there are even a few meetings in these room going on right now that could change this place's future. You can't just run around and . . ." While Mara went on and on with his lecture, Daichii let his eyes wander into the office. He couldn't see much. The door was half closed. The one thing he did see was a magnificent painting hanging above one of the desks.

That's the one.

" . . . and . . . Daichii, are you listening to me?"

Daichii's attention returned to the stern face. "Yes, Mara." The boy bowed politely. "You won't ever see me at your work again." At least you won't after tonight, Daichii added privately.

Dark landed gracefully on the roof. "So, this is it?"

Yeah. Room 57 on the west hallway. Can't miss it.

Dark glanced around boredly. "Not much security, is there? Heck, there are more fans than policemen."

That's because they have no idea what you want. "The Sunny Side"? What kind of a name is that?

"Well! I've never heard of this painting before! It's brand new. Besides, we couldn't get a closer look to see what it was really called."

Anyway, I'm too hot to really care about the lack of challenge. Just get past the business's watchmen and go.

"Right. With?" The black-winged creature released Dark's back and waited patiently at his master's feet. Dark smirked. "You know what I want."

There was a small burst of purple light. When it was gone, an exact copy of Dark was sitting on the ground, cocking his head in a cute way.

With can transform? Daichii asked in amazement as he watched the Dark Double try to scratch his ear with his foot.

"Of course. Didn't I tell you?"

NO! And it could have helped me out so much too! All those times when I turned into you in public and--

"Yeah, yeah. Let's just get the painting."

With stood up and stretched, getting a feel for his new body. The two Darks slapped hands and jumped off of different sides of the roof.

So why do you need With's help if security is so low?

"I've got to make this interesting somehow don't I?"

Huh? Daichii wondered as Dark slipped into a window.

With hesitated behind a corner, his heartbeat quickening at the sight of all those people in the crowd, mainly fan girls. He hugged the jacket closer, pulled his hat down lower, and took a deep breath. Head down, With slowly walked into the crowd. He was almost in the thick center. It was hard not to panic among all the jostles and pushes. He would be found out any second now . . . but that was the plan.

"OH MY GOSH!!!" a girl shrieked behind him. "IT'S DAAAAARK!"

With threw off the cap and dashed out of the crowd. Everyone struggled to chase after him. With headed towards the building, jumping threw the revolving doors. The secretary stood up at the sight of the wide-eyed intruder. "Can I help you?" she asked suspiciously. In mere seconds, the used-to-be quiet room was filled with the delighted squeals of fans. With was drowning in the sea immediately, thinking about how Dark owed him big time for this.

Dark looked up from the doorknob he was trying to unlock. "Sounds like With made it inside."

Huh?

Dark grinned impishly as the lock clicked. "With is leading all the fangirls into the building. I figured the workers here needed a little wake me up."

Those poor people. I can already picture the way the offices will look in the morning.

"Exactly."

Daichii rubbed his head as Dark walked in. Do you have to cause so much trouble for this business? Mara works here too.

Dark stopped at the foot of the painting and pulled out a feather. "This is Mara's office, right? As long as I'm in here, it won't get trashed. Don't worry you're pretty little head about your future father-in-law's workspace."

Thanks, Daichii sighed with relief . . . Wait, WHAT!!

The feather, glowing brightly, levitated for a second before launching itself at the painting. Pulses of light illuminated the artwork for a few moments. Daichii watched in awe, but the magic soon ended. The room was dull once more.

Dark took it off the wall. "Alright. It's power has been sealed. With!"

Like he's going to hear you underneath a pile of crazed girls.

But With did hear Dark. With always answers Dark's call. The breathless familiar flew into the room, its eyes completely dazed. "How'd you like recieving a little attention for once?" Dark smirked. The phantom thief chuckled at With's annoyed growl. "Okay. Mission accomplished. We can go home now."

PREVIEW

"Why? Have you been worried? Is someone developing feelings for another someone?"

"I've always been under the impression that it has been Best Friends Forever from the start. Or should I say, Love At First Sight?"

"She's going through one of those, 'cherish the memories' phases."

There was a long rivalry between the families. The Hikari earned glory and fame through their passions. The Niwa stole those passions for their own benefit."

"How can you be friends with your mortal enemy?"

CHERISH THE MEMORIES