The Breath I'm Dying For

by Satoshi Mousey

They've got two weeks off of school. Two weeks of parenting a doll with a partner for an assignment. Sounds easy enough. Turns out that switching partners, low blood pressure, Krad, finding out who your real dad is, getting hurt, loving the doll, and falling for your enemy makes it much harder. Rated T until later.

1. The Project

The Breath I'm Dying For

Day: Friday

Title: Chapter 1, The Project

Disclaimer: I don't own DN Angel, I merely play with the characters for fun, not profit

Warnings: Eventual Dark x Satoshi

A/N: The first hold for burping mentioned is the hold I was taught as the football hold, it worked better for my son than any other hold, so that's why I put it in.

A/N 2: Purple haired got annoying, so I have decided that Dark is classed a purplette like Satoshi is classed bluenette.

A/N 3: If the chapter is too long for convenience sake, just let me know and I'll make them smaller. Thank you.

~~~~Classroom, Friday~~~~

It was the last class of the half-day. In less than an hour, the two week vacation would start. And what a day it started on; there was warm sunshine and a cool breeze, a perfect fall day.

The students weren't so perfect. They were rowdy, full of energy, and not at all interested on doing any schoolwork.

However, this had been much anticipated by Ms. Xii, teacher of sexual education, family planning, and childhood development. She knew that she wouldn't be able to teach this class of ninth graders anything this day, so she had come up with a project to introduce to them.

This was her first year teaching here, so she wasn't sure how the project would pan out. It didn't help that the other teachers had called her insane, had said that none of the parents would agree to such a controversial plan.

In response, she had called the parents of every child that applied to take her class and told them about the project. She made sure they understood what she was asking them and their children to do over the entire break.

Some parents had the same reaction as the other teachers, had called her names. But that wasn't a problem as it just meant their children couldn't take the class. When she tallied the number of children who could participate, even she had been surprised. Over 90 students were still eligible.

Having to narrow that number to a measly 48, her next eligibility test was looking at which students had younger siblings of more than eight years difference and crossing them off her list. She was down to 67. She then focused on those who were susceptible to having a family young.

A couple of students who worried her were Saehara Takeshi (he wasn't the smartest person and very impulsive) and Niwa Daisuke (the stories about his mother made her concerned). Those made the top of her list.

There was a list of 18 for sure taking her class, leaving 30 spots to be handed out between 43 students. She then looked at the male to female ratio, needing it to be even to make the project work. She looked at the rich families who had servants to take care of their children. Riku and Risa were immediately added to her list, the girls were looked after by their butler, after all.

She originally didn't have the Hiwatari boy on her 'final' list.

There was a teachers' meeting the day before final rosters were to be handed in. She had been talking to the handsome home economics teacher Kaseda when he had mentioned an incident the year before with the Niwa and another boy, Hiwatari Satoshi.

He told her of when he had helped get them out of the freezer, that he had to carry the Hiwatari boy out and get him home.

He told her that the boy lived alone in his own apartment, that he had already graduated college, that he was a commander of a police unit.

That put the Hiwatari boy at the top of her list even before the Saehara boy, though he still made the cut, too. She worried about an almost 15-year-old having that much freedom.

Putting the pairs together had been more challenging, but she had done it. And double checking her list, she turned to the white board and started writing names.

Satoshi looked out the window, watching a cardinal as it hopped on the windowsill. He remembered a story from when he was young about birds being pushed out of the nest when they were ready to fly. He frowned as he wondered how it could live through that and still tolerate being up on a third story windowsill. Wondered how it could tolerate flying.

Krad purred in the back of their shared mind, his voice like soft silk. "Not everything that falls from the sky is frightened by it."

Satoshi knew he was right; how could he not be? After all, Daisuke had told him a few times that he enjoyed flying with Dark, that he sometimes rejoined with the Black Wing just to fly around the city with him.

The class groaned around Satoshi, causing him to look forward to see what it was about. He sighed softly as he saw the pairs of names on the board. "I wonder what the project is."

Krad took on his transparent form that only the bluenette could see. He sat on the desk; his arms crossed as he looked at the board. "I hope it's nothing long, I don't want to spend the break with her."

Satoshi rolled his eyes at the blond. "Move." He demanded, wanting to see the board and look to see who Daisuke was paired with.

Krad must have sensed what he was looking for because he scoffed and stayed put.

"Do any of you know anything about the project I'm assigning you?" Krad disintegrated, letting his tamer look to the teacher and pay attention.

Satoshi was grateful the angel took his grades seriously.

No one answered her.

"I do!" Krad's excited words caused Satoshi to flinch. "Ooops. Sorry, Satoshi-sama."

He smiled in amusement at the angel.

"Hiwatari and Harada Riku, please step up here."

Satoshi took a deep breath, steadying himself before standing. He had been dizzy most of the day, but he expected that.

He hadn't been allowed to call in this morning even though he'd been out the rest of the week.

He slowly got up and put his hands in his pockets, relieved when he felt cool metal touch the tips of his fingers. As he walked towards the teacher, he heard Riku groan irritably.

"Great. The annoying one." Krad started muttering about how if they had to spend more than the class period with her, he'd kill the teacher.

Satoshi knew he was kidding, but that didn't stop the jab of panic hitting him square in his chest.

Riku's high pitched whining cut through Krad's explicitly detailed rambling. "Why can't I pair with Daisuke? It's simple to switch us twins!"

Satoshi looked up at the board and saw that Daisuke and Risa were paired together. He rolled his eyes at her. "Quit whining." He kept the annoyance out of his voice. "I wouldn't pair boyfriend and girlfriend either."

Krad bristled at his tamer, sending a ripple of his pleasure and... Satoshi could swear it was impatience. "You are sensible, aren't you, my everything?"

Satoshi ignored the angel as he followed the teacher into a small closet at the front of the room. The closet was lined with tall wooden cabinets, each sporting a pin and tumbler lock. Pale lips smiled at them, feeling their power pulse like a heartbeat.

"I didn't know these still existed outside of the two at home. Your... -which ever Hikari was head of the clan when the original school was built- donated over two hundred of those to the school. Most were lost in the fire." Krad hummed softly as he took on his transparent form and went to admire them.

Soft blue eyes turned to the teacher as she started talking. "Now, you will both have to agree on which one you choose. All of them are different, so choose wisely." She opened the solid wooden doors with a small grunt.

Satoshi was incredulous at what he was seeing.

Riku recoiled and gasped in horror.

There were dolls lining the inside. Newborn dolls.

Satoshi looked over each of them in turn, they all had different characteristics, eye color, hair color, amount of hair, and size.

They each had simple white socks and thin white shirts on.

Satoshi scanned the collection of dolls indifferently until his breath caught in his chest. There was a small doll tucked to one side, smaller than all the rest. He couldn't help but gaze into bright violet eyes. His feet moved of their own accord, stepping closer. He reached out to touch it's (what he assumed was) black hair. He'd need to look closer to confirm.

He was pulled back roughly, his collar digging into his neck. "I'll choose!" The owner of the annoyingly high voice demanded.

Satoshi opened his mouth to argue, to remind her that the teacher said they had to choose together. But he stopped as he looked at her disgusted face. He looked down to his shuffling feet as his heart sunk, feeling like the rug had been ripped out from under him.

Krad bristled in anger, causing the bluenette to look at him. He smiled wickedly. "Let me out. I'll get it for you." His voice was sickeningly sweet in their shared mind.

Satoshi fingered the cool metal in his pocket, dismissing Krad. He took a deep breath to clear his face and voice, showing no emotion as he turned to the girl. "Go ahead." He looked back at the small doll, hoping, longing that she would choose the one he wanted. He knew she knew which one he wanted.

Krad turned to his tamer, whining. "Why are you letting her choose?" He crossed his arms, pouting at the teen.

Satoshi kept his face neutral as he watched the girl study her options. "If we were to force what I want on her, it'd be just as bad, as unfair as it's going to be." There was a flash of hope that that shut the blond up.

His hopes were dashed as the blonde sighed in annoyance. "The teacher said you have to choose together!" He had a self-satisfied smirk.

Satoshi closed his eyes as Riku reached out and grabbed a doll. It was much larger, bald with brown eyes. Sadness flooded through his body. "That's not the one I want." He swallowed the lump in his throat and opened his eyes again, turning to the girl. "Is that the one you choose?" He ignored Krad's look of displeasure, not caring for him at the moment.

The girl sneered at him, but he didn't care. She meant nothing to him. She shoved the doll into his arms. "Here, you take it. I don't want to."

A thin blue eyebrow raised as he took the doll from her, holding it securely to his chest. "If you aren't going to carry the doll, the least you can do is not treat the poor thing so roughly." The thought crossed his mind to put this one back, to exchange it for the one he wanted. He'd give anything to.

Krad hummed thoughtfully at his tamer.

Well, almost anything.

Riku crossed her arms and huffed at the bluenette. "It's a doll." Her tone made it seem like she thought he was being ridiculous.

Was he?

Before Satoshi could contemplate that, Ms. Xii smiled at them. "Have you chosen?" Her tone was faked innocence, as if she was pretending she hadn't heard the bickering.

Satoshi wouldn't admit it. He wouldn't say they had, because they hadn't agreed on a doll. But he looked to Riku, giving her the final say.

Riku walked towards the door. "Yeah, yeah, it's that one."

By the time Ms. Xii and Satoshi got out of the closet, Riku was back in her seat.

Satoshi rolled his eyes at her antics and turned to the teacher.

"Oh, Harada Riku! Come back up here."

Satoshi inwardly smirked at the woman's stern tone and looked around. His eyes settled on Daisuke. He smiled slightly.

Daisuke was grimacing.

"I wonder what he's thinking about."

Krad appeared back in his tamer's mind. "Probably about how ridiculous this is going to be. You're holding a doll for crying out loud."

Satoshi didn't have a chance to answer him.

Riku whined as she made her way back up to them. "What more is there?"

Satoshi's smile faded as the teacher put her hands on her hips. "Now, Miss Harada, don't you want to hear about the project?" She was obviously very annoyed with the girl's stubbornness.

Riku sighed irritably and stood next to the bluenette, angling away so she wasn't near the doll.

Ms. Xii turned to the pair and nodded, seemingly content. She held her hands out for the doll.

Satoshi looked at her suspiciously as he slowly handed the heavy doll over. In that moment, he didn't trust her, knowing she had something up her sleeve.

He watched carefully as she lay the doll on her island countertop and took off one of its socks. She turned to her laptop and typed something on it.

Krad suddenly reappeared in front of his tamer and started poking at the doll. "It reminds me of her."

Satoshi pretended to ignore him and focused on the cloth bag the teacher dug out of a tote by her feet. It was a simple cream color with numbers on the side. He raised an eyebrow in interest as Krad looked between the bag and doll's foot.

"The numbers match."

Blue eyes spared the smallest of glances at him. "If that's true, then I suspect whatever is in the bag goes with the doll."

He ignored Krad's scoff.

Ms. Xii opened the bag and pulled out two bracelets. They looked thin, like a hospital bracelet.

"These have sensors. Your dolls have receivers that read them. Everything in these bags have sensors. Your doll will read what you use on him or her."

Satoshi started to get worried. "This isn't going to be a quick project."

Krad growled. "Why didn't you stay home today?"

Satoshi gratefully noted that while the blond was angry, he was at least controlling himself for the moment.

Because he couldn't. Because his strength was too far gone. Because he was too sore from last week. Because he was just too tired.

He looked at Krad pointedly.

"Kei." The answer was synchronized; knowing silky tone contrasting a dejected tired one.

Ms. Xii spoke again, commanding everyone's attention. "Now, these bracelets are quite simple to put on, I will measure and snap them on like...so." She put one on her wrist with ease before tugging on it slightly. "However, they do not come off. You need this key for that." She pulled a key on a chain around her neck from under her shirt.

Satoshi watched as she used it to remove the bracelet, wondering if it would be easy to pick it.

The thought was cut short as she started talking again. "I will put these on with enough wiggle room that it won't cut off your circulation, but not enough to use even the slipperiest of strategies to slip it off. And..." She looked sternly over the class. "If you cut them you will automatically fail." Her gaze ended on Takeshi, glaring at the boy.

Takeshi groaned and laid his head on the desk, his idea out the window.

Ms. Xii took Satoshi's hand and put the bracelet on his wrist. "There we go," she said softly. "Is it too tight?" Concern flitted across her face.

Satoshi smiled thinly. "It's fine, thank you."

Ms. Xii turned and put the other on Riku's wrist. "Now, the bracelets have to go with their assigned doll. That is to say, Hikari's bracelet won't work on...say...Takeshi's doll," she continued.

Satoshi inwardly smirked as Takeshi groaned again. He vaguely wondered if the boy would end up finding a way to cheat the project.

Ms. Xii turned back to the laptop and activated the doll.

The doll started crying.

Satoshi recoiled from the sound, startled.

The class started laughing boisterously.

Krad growled at the teenagers.

Satoshi took a deep breath to settle his nerves, wishing he could be anywhere else right about now.

Ms. Xii stared coldly at the class, quieting them instantly. "Now, the first thing they need after being activated is food. This doll is a bottle-fed doll. Now if I, who doesn't have the bracelet on, tries to feed the doll, nothing happens." She demonstrated by taking a bottle out of the same cloth bag and picked up the doll, pretending to feed it.

Satoshi started feeling uneasy as she turned to him and Riku.

Ms. Xii held the doll out to the pair, but Riku backed up, pushing Satoshi forward.

Satoshi held out his arms and took the doll, feeling way out of his element. He also took the outstretched bottle from the teacher, bringing it up to the doll's mouth.

The doll quieted and made a suckling sound.

Satoshi felt a wave of relief hit him.

Krad sent a wave of warm approval over his tamer. "You're good at that." He noted, causing his tamer to smile softly. "But that is one UGLY doll." He smirked at the wave of irritation his tamer sent back.

Satoshi smiled a little. "I didn't choose it, it's not my fault," he growled in their minds. But he felt a pang of hurt as he thought about the doll he had been unable to choose for them.

Ms. Xii smiled proudly at Satoshi, giving him some encouragement. "Now, the dolls have four basic needs you will all need to provide over the next two weeks. Feeding, changing, burping, and soothing. The dolls' eyes do open and close to simulate real life, as such they do have periods of wake and sleep. And yes, they are programmed to need to sleep, so no one can claim their doll never sleeps." She glared at Takeshi again.

Takeshi thumped his forehead on his desk again. "Oh, man." The disappointment was clear in his tone.

Daisuke laughed at him softly.

Takeshi glared at Daisuke. "You know you have one of these to take care of, too, right?" He teased.

Daisuke shrugged and pointed to the board. "I have Risa, it won't be too difficult," he said flippantly.

Takeshi groaned again.

Satoshi couldn't help but smile at them, but there was something about the way Daisuke was so easy going with the boy that made him grateful the redhead had someone in his life he could be so free with.

Ms. Xii pressed a button on her laptop, causing the doll to cry again. "Now, I'll have Hikari demonstrate changing the doll's diaper. You will have two diapers provided, as well as two cloths to be used as wipes. These also have sensors. You'll change them back and forth and that will be recorded in the doll's memory. The doll also records who does what and when." She dug out the second diaper from the bag for Satoshi to change.

Satoshi looked nervously out at the class, but got to work quickly, taking off the current diaper and wiping the doll before putting on the clean one. He felt Krad's warm approval wash over him again.

For a moment, he wondered why Krad was so pleased with his actions, but didn't get a chance to really analyze it.

Ms. Xii frowned in impressment. "Hmm, you're pretty good at this, have you cared for a baby before?" She asked as she looked over his diaper change and found no qualms with it.

Satoshi shook his head. "Never."

Ms. Xii nodded and turned back to the computer. "Here, try burping." She smiled mischievously, hoping to stump the teen.

Satoshi smiled and laid the now crying doll over his forearm securely, gently patting the doll's back as he rocked slowly back and forth.

The doll burped after a moment, quieting down.

Ms. Xii had to take a moment to pick her jaw up off the floor, astounded at the quick success the bluenette had. Clearing her throat, she motioned for the doll again. "There are other holds that can burp the dolls as well, the most common is over the shoulder." She brought the doll to her shoulder and pretended to burp it. She held the doll out for Satoshi to take again.

Satoshi took the doll back, holding it gently against his chest.

Takeshi raised his hand. "Ms. Xii, you said there were more positions, what are they?" He asked, furiously taking notes now that he figured he couldn't cheat his way out of this. Yet.

Ms. Xii smiled sweetly. "I'll let you all find them out. You have your parents and other members of the community, and also the internet." She pressed a few more buttons on her computer.

The doll started crying.

Satoshi felt a surge of panic, but instinctively pulled the doll up to his chest and rubbed its back, bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet.

The doll soothed quickly, seeming to be content with the motions.

Ms. Xii shrugged, not all that surprised anymore that the young Hiwatari was doing well. "There are many ways to soothe the dolls. It can be as simple as just contact with you as their parents, or sometimes you'll have to walk around with them gently rocking and swaying and, yes, singing. They will record tone of voice," she explained.

Takeshi raised his hand. "Does that mean you will hear everything we say?" He asked, fear evident in his voice.

Ms. Xii looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "No. It records tones and melodies. If there is a loud sound, it will wake up and cry. If there's a startling sound, the same will happen. When the data is downloaded, I will be able to see the tones and volume, not listen to your words," she answered thoughtfully.

Ms. Xii looked to Satoshi and Riku. "You two may sit, take the doll with you," she instructed with an outstretched hand pointing them back to their seats.

Satoshi looked down at the doll as he sat at his desk, pondering on what could happen over the next couple weeks. He realized he felt grateful for this opportunity to see what it would be like to have what he couldn't have. What he had bargained away.

Ms. Xii cleared her throat, getting the class to look up at her again. "Now, Hiwatari and Harada Riku randomly chose a bottle-fed doll. There are also breastfeeding dolls in the closet," she said with a wicked grin.

Takeshi raised his hand again. "How does that work?" He asked, suddenly worried about what that could imply.

Ms. Xii sighed heavily. "Saehara, if you insist on blurting out questions, don't worry about raising your hand," she said in annoyance, hoping a little reverse psychology would work on the rambunctious teen.

Satoshi smiled down at the doll again, trying to ignore the pang of wrongness he felt with it.

Krad rested his non-existent head on Satoshi's shoulder. "It's not the right one," he hummed thoughtfully.

Satoshi sighed. "It can't be helped," he said softly in their mind.

Ms. Xii was addressing Takeshi's concern. "Instead of the pair getting a bottle, the girl gets a sensor patch that is glued near her collarbone where she chooses. I will explain more to the girls that end up with one of such dolls," she explained. She was going to move on to her next point, but Takeshi started speaking out.

"But what about showers? And washing hands? And what if a diaper needs to get washed? And furthermore, how is breastfeeding going to work with having two parents living separately? And further, furthermore, what about our parents? Do they know about this? Did they consent to noisy robots in their homes?" Takeshi felt oh-so-smart for all of holes he thought he found in the project's verifiability.

Ms. Xii took a deep breath and let it out slowly, counting to ten in her head in an effort to retain her temper. "Okay, your first three questions are quite simple. The sensors are waterproof, you can shower, the bottles can be hand washed, the diapers can be put in the washer, but they must be air-dried. If your doll needs a change while the extra diaper is being washed, you may leave them diaper-less for half an hour, in which case you can put the first diaper back on. Your dolls won't need to be changed in less time than half an hour as that is the reset for a red mark on your dolls for each diaper.

"Now, while we are on the topic of washing, your dolls need to have a bath at least every other day. You can, and should, watch videos on how to do that as I don't have time to show you.

"In terms of your parents, they had to sign off on the project for you to take the class. They already all have plans for you over the next two weeks. In short, you will be spending the entirety of it with your partner." She took a deep breath and looked over the class, most of them looked confused.

"After class, go home and talk to your parents. They will tell you what is going to happen. The class website has a link called 'Vacation Project', I will activate it after class. If you have questions about what you are supposed to do, go to that. There are some extra credit opportunities here, they are explained on your rubrics. Now, we must get you all introduced to your dolls. You may talk among yourselves in the time being. But do try to get accustomed to your doll and partner, it will make things much easier for tonight. Niwa and Harada Risa, come forward." She hoped they were on time enough that no one had to be held after class.

The class quickly sprouted small conversations around the room, most were about the project.

Satoshi stood and looked for Riku, hoping to be able to talk to her about the doll. Finding her, he went to greet her.

Riku turned just as Satoshi was getting to her and sighed. "Go away, I don't want to see you or it right now.".

Satoshi raised an eyebrow but went back to his seat. He wondered why the girl chose this one if she didn't want it.

Krad hissed in their mind. "Bitch."

Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "We have the next two weeks with her," he reminded the blond.

Krad groaned in his mind.

Satoshi didn't notice how much time had passed until the teacher called for the class's attention.

Ms. Xii smiled at the class. "Now, as I said previously, the doll distinguishes the bracelets, so you will each have a different grade. However, the overall happiness and survivability the doll has affects both grades. On top of that, there are many ways to injure, abuse, neglect, and kill your dolls. You must be careful. These are to replicate you parenting a BABY. These situations will heavily impact your grade," she explained, writing down a list of ways to do so.

"SHAKING? WHAT?!" Takeshi shouted out.

Ms. Xii looked to him, her eye twitching slightly. "Yes, it's called shaken baby syndrome. Look it up." She turned fully to the class as her list was done. "This is not a complete list, mind you. Now, the girls will start with the dolls for obvious reasons. There are car seats in the hall, if you remember from walking in. When you are going over 35 miles per hour, the doll needs to be in it, even on the train. Any more questions?" She asked, looking over the class.

The bell rang.

Ms. Xii sighed. "Before you leave, note that I will change the difficulty setting on your dolls at any time. I will change any number of them at a time. You are dismissed," she said before letting the class go.

Riku collected the doll from Satoshi with a disgusted look on her face.

Satoshi smiled softly. "I'll see you later." His voice was soft, though he was unsure if he was talking to the doll or the girl.

Riku ignored him as she walked out with Risa.

Satoshi sighed to himself as he waited for the rest of the class to leave.

Ms. Xii looked at the lone boy in confusion. "Is there something I can help you with, Hiwatari?" She asked, concern evident in her expression.

Satoshi smiled stiffly. "Is my father aware of this project?" He highly doubted Kei knew, because the man wouldn't have agreed to something that would cut so much into his research time on Dark. Would he have?

Ms. Xii raised an eyebrow. "Of course. I wouldn't have allowed you to be in this course if he hadn't. Go home and talk to him, he'll explain to you what will happen the next couple of weeks. Weren't you listening to me?" she asked, genuinely confused.

Satoshi nodded. "I did, it's just that...you do know that I don't live with him, right?" He was unsure whether all the teachers were aware of his living situation.

Ms. Xii tried not to show any of the pity she felt for the teen and his lack of relationship with his adoptive father. "I know, go see him and he'll let you know what to do." She carefully chose her words, knowing that the teen didn't appreciate being pitied.

Satoshi bowed slightly. "Thank you, Ms. Xii," he said before leaving the room.

Krad hummed in Satoshi's mind. "Meeting up with Kei? This should be interesting." He wrapped his arms around Satoshi's waist as the boy walked.

Satoshi shook his head as he kept his pace. "No, this is going to be difficult." He shook the angel off him. "And don't touch me," he growled softly.

Krad pouted. "But, Satoshi-sama, I get two weeks of tormenting only you, how else am I supposed to entertain myself?" He whined.

Satoshi glared at the transparent angel in front of him. He hoped there was no one nearby, they'd think he was crazy since no one else could see the curse. "What do you mean, two weeks of only me?" He had his hands on his hips, trying to look intimidating.

Krad shrugged. "I'm not coming out with that so tightly on your wrist. I'd lose a hand!" He exclaimed indignantly, glaring at the bracelet as if he could burn it away with his gaze alone.

Satoshi gasped in surprise. "You...won't?" He asked, unable to believe the gift he was being given.

Krad sighed impatiently. "Kei will be mad if you don't hurry," he taunted, ignoring his tamer's question.

Satoshi groaned and continued on his way. "Kei can go jump in a hole for all I care," he muttered.

Krad raised an eyebrow. "Brave words for someone so powerless against him," he mused.

"Oh, shut up."

Kei raised an eyebrow as his office door opened and closed. "No knock, my dear son? How rude." His cold tone sent a shiver down Satoshi's spine.

Satoshi glared at the man. "Ms. Xii told us we were to ask our parents about the project these next two weeks." He decided to forfeit any greetings to the man he hated so much.

Kei took a drink from the glass of scotch he had next to him. "Hmm, that, yes, you'll have to figure that out with your partner. Harada Risa, I believe. You'll still be expected to do your job, of course. Doll or no doll." He languished in the discomfort he caused the teen, knowing full well he liked order and plans.

Satoshi glared at the man. "Riku. And does this mean you never discussed with her parents what would happen?" He asked, though he was sure of the answer.

Kei laughed heartily. "Oh, my dear boy, you crack me up. You have an empty apartment and a partner with a mansion. I'm sure you can figure this out yourself. Besides, I have more important things to worry about than what you do in what little free time you do get. Now, run along. Before I find...other ways to keep you busy." His voice was low, threatening.

Satoshi gulped nervously and slipped away, not wanting to poke the proverbial bear any longer.

Satoshi was on his way to the Harada estate when his phone rang. "Hello, Commander Hiwatari speaking," he answered, figuring it was work calling.

Instead of the expected baritone of Saehara Senior, a female voice spoke through. "Yes, young Hiwatari, this is Ms. Xii. There has been a small change to the plans and I'd appreciate it if you can come to the Harada estate as quickly as you can."

Satoshi frowned. "I'm already on my way, about fifteen minutes out. What's going on?" He asked, not liking that things were changing.

Ms. Xii's voice was tentative. "We'll talk when you get here. Thank you." And just like that the line went dead. She'd hung up.

Krad wrapped his arms around Satoshi. "I do wonder what has changed," he said silkily, letting his chin rest on Satoshi's shoulder once more.

Satoshi shook his head. "We'll find out when we get there, now won't we?" He let his tone take on a few sassy notes.

Krad raised an eyebrow. "Are we going to be this pleasant the entirety of the project?" He asked, though he did let go of his tamer to instead walk beside him.

Satoshi sighed softly and kept on walking, ignoring the blond.

Once he got to the estate, Satoshi took a moment to prepare himself before knocking. A butler opened the door within moments and immediately escorted the bluenette to a large room.

Ms. Xii looked up as Satoshi entered the room. "Oh, good, you're here." She beckoned the teen over by her and the twin Haradas.

Satoshi smiled slightly at her. "What is going on?" He noted that both girls looked well. Annoyed, but well.

Ms. Xii motioned for them all to sit. "Well, it seems that there has been a timing error. You see, the Haradas are going to England for the vacation to visit some family that fell ill. Obviously, we can't have two teenage boys and two robotic dolls tagging along. So, I have offered to let them undergo the project together at a later date if, and I do mean if, you are willing to pair with Niwa on this," she explained.

Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "Where is Niwa to agree with this?" He asked, staying as collected as he could. Truth be told, the thought of working with Daisuke instead of Riku was highly appealing.

Ms. Xii smiled brightly. "I already cleared it with his parents, and you don't live with Commissioner Hiwatari, so..." She was pleased with her ability to stay on top of things.

Satoshi narrowed his eyes. "Parents or parent?" He asked. His stomach was in a knot, he wanted to hope that he was allowed in the Niwa house, but the last time he so much as knocked on the door Emiko scared him so much he almost hid in his apartment for a week.

In fact, he had tried, but Dark had put out a letter and Kei threatened to drag him to the museum by his ear if he didn't show up on time.

Ms. Xii tilted her head. "His father said it was okay," she answered, confused by the question. She didn't notice Satoshi deflating a little. "Now, I have the key, let's get that bracelet off of you." She grabbed the bluenette's wrist and quickly took the bracelet off. She smiled and clasped a different one on him. "Now, I already got everything from the girls. I need you to take your shirt off."

Satoshi looked up at her with surprise. "Wh... what? Why?" He asked.

Ms. Xii let her smile fade. "The doll Niwa and Harada Risa chose was a breastfeeding doll," she answered.

Satoshi's eyes widened considerably. "What? You expect me to... what?" He was too shocked to comprehend what he was told.

Ms. Xii sighed. "Niwa isn't here to switch bracelets, it's easier to just have you switch to his doll. Now, shirt. Off."

Satoshi complied, still not quite understanding what was going on. His mind was still stuck on the idea of a breastfeeding doll between two guys. He jumped and let out a yelp as something cold pressed firmly to his nipple. He looked down to see long fingers pressing a square sensor directly on the sensitive flesh.

Ms. Xii smiled. "There, that will be waterproof. But, as I told the other students who got this sensor, you must keep it covered when you aren't feeding the doll. Otherwise, you end up overfeeding it and that will count against you." She pulled her hands away and started picking glue off them. "My, how sticky. Good thing I brought extra dissolving solution."

Satoshi was too shocked to say anything. He looked down at his chest again in shock.

A doll started crying.

Ms. Xii smiled and stood up. She picked up the car seat that had been on the floor between her and the Harada twins. "This is your new doll. The car seat and bag are correct for this one and I already have you switched in the computer. Take care of the doll's needs and then off you go to the Niwas'," she beamed. She quickly collected the other doll and left.

Satoshi didn't hear what she had said, he was again too shocked to think. The doll he had wanted earlier was right in front of him. Licking his suddenly dry lips, he stood up and unbuckled the doll, picking it up carefully. He looked into its bright purple eyes and felt a smile form on his lips.

Shaking his head, he grabbed the cloth bag and dug through it, finding the extra diaper and the wipes. He sat back down and quickly changed the diaper, making sure to be gentle about it as he did.

The doll stopped crying.

Satoshi smiled at the doll as he put it back in the car seat "There, you're all buckled in." His voice was soft as he spoke. He was almost too happy for words.

Krad? Not so much. "Its eyes remind me of that damned thief." He pouted as he crossed his arms angrily.

Satoshi ignored him as he put his shirt back on and turned to the twins. "Thank you, for being so understanding with me in this. I hope all goes well for you." He gave a small respectful bow before picking the car seat up. He set it on his hip and wrapped his arm around the handle.

The twins bid him goodbye as he left, but he didn't take much notice. With each step he took, his heart filled with hope and happiness.

Satoshi stopped shortly after getting to the end of the Harada estate driveway, his arm and hip hurting. "Car seats are heavy. And bulky," he mused to Krad.

Krad groaned. "What are you going to do about it?" he asked sleepily.

Satoshi glared at a random tree, though he intended it for Krad. "Are you sleeping?" He asked irritably as he set the car seat down and unbuckled the doll.

Krad watched Satoshi carefully, deciding no answer was the best answer. Especially since he could feel the waves of pleasant emotions that coursed through his tamer's small frame.

Satoshi picked the doll up, holding it to his chest securely with one arm. He dropped the cloth bag into the car seat and picked it up with his free hand. "I'm glad I left my book bag at home," he said to no one.

Krad purred in response as the bluenette resumed his journey to the Niwas.

Satoshi was tired and sore when he got to the Niwas, his arms feeling as if they were made of lead. Somewhere along the way he had put the doll back in the car seat, but he couldn't really remember when. He leaned his tired body against the door frame for a moment, accidentally ringing the doorbell.

Emiko smiled brightly as she heard the doorbell. "She's here!" She gushed, quickly heading to the door to answer it. She yanked it open.

Instead of the expected timid girl, Emiko found herself staring at an exhausted looking Hikari. She blinked as her brain short circuited.

Daisuke rushed down the stairs, hoping to get there before his mother so she didn't make anything awkward right off the bat. He had explained to her five different times that it wasn't his girlfriend, but his ex-crush he was paired with.

Daisuke stopped in his tracks as he caught a glimpse of light blue hair. "Hikari?" He greeted in confusion.

Satoshi smiled exhaustedly at the redhead. "Hey, Niwa. I don't suppose your dad explained anything, did he?" He asked with a small laugh.

The doll started crying.

Satoshi smiled warmly and bent down to the car seat, getting the doll out. He looked to Daisuke. "He's hungry, is it all right if I come in to feed him and talk?" He asked shyly.

Emiko opened the door, letting the boy through.

As Satoshi bent again to pick up the car seat, Daisuke reached for it. "I got it." He smiled warmly at his friend, excited that the boy was finally taking up his offer to visit the house.

Satoshi stepped back to let the redhead grab it before following him in. "Thank you."

Daisuke nodded. "Let's put this in my room." He turned and bounded up the stairs.

Satoshi followed, carrying the doll.

When they got to the room, Daisuke turned back to Satoshi. "Make yourself comfortable." He plopped down on his bed and grabbed a pencil to resume his doodling.

Satoshi smiled and set the doll on the desk chair nearby. He quickly took off his shirt and picked the doll back up, bringing it up to the sensor on his chest.

Much to Daisuke's relief, the crying stopped and turned to suckling. "Hey, isn't that the doll Risa and I have?" He asked as he suddenly recognized it. He turned to look at Satoshi. He froze.

Satoshi kept his gaze down on the doll. "The Haradas are going to visit ill family in England. It was easier for me to take Risa's spot in your pairing than try to get everything switched before their flight leaves." He hoped it was a good enough explanation.

Daisuke sat up, intrigued. "So... you're...breastfeeding the doll?" He asked, trying to wrap his mind around it.

Satoshi blushed a deep red. "Yeah, I guess I am."

Suddenly, there was a deep laughter from the hallway.

Satoshi narrowed his eyes, recognizing its owner.

"Dark..."

Dark grinned at the bluenette as he came into the room from the hall. "You're...oh..." His words died in his throat. He looked Satoshi up and down, his gaze darkening at the unexpectedly arousing sight. His breath hitched, unable to tear his eyes from the surprisingly enticing scene of the shirtless Hikari.

He wasn't expecting this reaction to the teen. To a male. To a Hikari.

Satoshi swallowed thickly as Dark looked him over, feeling suddenly very self-conscious.

Dark was suddenly very grateful his pants were good at hiding his growing erection.

Downstairs, Kosuke was explaining the situation, and himself, to Emiko and Daiki.

Emiko threw her hands up in frustration. "What are we going to do? It was agreed the Harada girl was going to stay here the whole vacation. I don't want Daisuke to stay anywhere else!" She shouted, unable to control her anger at her husband.

Kosuke shrugged and took a sip from his coffee. "It can still be that way. He doesn't live with Hiwatari anyway, it'll be fine that he is here." His voice was calm, not at all fazed with his wife's usually harmless temper.

Daiki stood up. "I doubt Hiwatari will let him stay here regardless," he pointed out, knowing how the man felt about the feud.

Emiko glared at her father. "He is staying with us," she ground out irritably.

Daiki put his hands up as surrender. "Okay, the Hikari is staying here," he hastily agreed, not caring to argue anymore. He made a face at Kosuke from behind his coffee cup.

Kosuke made the same one back from behind his own cup, understanding what it meant.

This was going to get interesting.

~~~~~~After Supper~~~~~~

Satoshi had thought that supper was going to be awkward, but he had been mistaken. He had enjoyed the lighthearted banter that transpired, even participated himself after Dark had given him a few playful jabs.

But now, the meal was over and Daiki and Kosuke had retired to the vault. At the boy's insisting, Emiko had joined the men, leaving Satoshi, Daisuke, and Dark to wash dishes and put away the leftovers.

Satoshi ducked as a pan came flying past him and landed in the soapy water, drenching him. "Hey!" He said playfully, smiling as he threw soap suds back where the pan had come from.

Daisuke raised an eyebrow as he watched Dark get splattered with the foam. "Are you two done yet? The food's all in the fridge," he half-whined.

Dark laughed and turned to his tamer. "Come join!" He took a scoop of suds off his shirt and raised his hand, taking aim.

Daisuke glared at the thief. "I want to go upstairs," he replied, though he did grab a baking sheet from the nearby drying rack to use as a shield in case the Kaitou decided to throw the soap at him.

Dark sighed and wiped his hand off on Satoshi's back. "Go, then, we'll be up soon enough." He deflated slightly.

Satoshi looked back at Daisuke. "I need to go home and get some stuff, if that's okay. It won't take very long," he said with a smile, genuinely happy being there.

Daisuke shrugged. "Can you at least bring the doll with you? I have homework to do." He huffed, getting annoyed at the other two. He wanted to go up and get some homework done so he could focus most of the vacation on his drawing skills.

Satoshi nodded. "That's probably for the best. I wouldn't want him to get hungry while I'm gone," he mused.

Daisuke rolled his eyes. "It's a doll. Not a him. Besides, it doesn't have...you know," he growled irritably. He didn't want it personified; he didn't want it at all.

Satoshi bit back a retort. But that led to a small squeak as Dark draped an arm over his shoulders and leaned a bit on him, his lips close to a pale ear.

"I'll come with you, we can hold hands and stroll through the moonlight with a crying baby in your arms," he said teasingly. He let his breath ghost over Satoshi's sensitive ear.

The sensation caused a shiver to pass through the bluenette, making him blush a soft rose color. His throat was too tight to answer. A part of him liked that image in his head, though he quickly shook it off.

Daisuke rolled his eyes at his angel.

Krad made his presence known to his tamer, anger pulsating from him. "Tell that pervert to go jump in a hole!" He demanded of the bluenette.

Satoshi swallowed thickly. "Strong words for someone so powerless against him," he shot back at his angel in their shared mind, enjoying the rare opportunity to throw the blonde's words back at him so quickly.

"Oh, shut up."

Dark hummed, pulling the bluenette's attention to himself. "I could fly us there," he offered, wiggling his eyebrows at Satoshi.

Satoshi looked down at his feet, his heart beating faster in panic. Collecting the shreds of his confidence, he glared up at the phantom thief. "We're taking the doll. We'd have to take the car seat, too, if we were to fly. And I'm not carrying that bulky thing." He hoped his tone was firm enough to convey his reluctance as anything other than fear.

He wasn't fond of heights, to be truthful. It had something to do with wings ripping out of his back, but he never thought too hard on that subject. Especially since Krad mellowed out after being given his own body to form when he wanted.

Though, it turned out that Krad didn't enjoy having his own body as much as he had thought. But now, he had the option to at any time. The blond found it too lonely to be without his tamer, though. But when he did want his freedom, he was granted it quickly.

Dark hummed thoughtfully. "How slow would I have to fly?" He asked seriously. He wanted to get out of the house, feeling too cooped up the last couple days.

Satoshi opened his mouth to answer, but the doll started crying. His expression softened considerably as he wiped his hands off and went to the couch where he had laid the sleeping doll after changing it during supper. He gently picked up the undersized doll and smiled. "Hey, you, are you hungry?" He asked quietly, holding the doll close to his chest as he tried unsuccessfully to take off his shirt.

Dark walked up to the struggling teen. "How's that going for you?" He asked with a smirk.

Satoshi glared at the Kaitou and held the doll out to him. "How about helping instead of making snide remarks?" His tone was harsh, but he didn't feel bad about it since the man made him feel very foolish suddenly.

"Well, hurry up, he's hungry!" Dark teased as he took the doll.

Satoshi smiled and quickly disposed of his wet shirt. "Here, I can take him." His tone much kinder now. He ignored Daisuke as he grumbled something about getting away from the incessant crying as he disappeared up the staircase.

Dark carefully handed the doll back to the bluenette. "You're a natural, you know." His tone was softer, genuine.

Satoshi blushed. "Thank you. For your help, I mean," he clarified as he held the doll up to the sensor, relaxing as the crying was replaced with suckling sounds.

Dark smirked as he crossed his arms across his chest. "Well, I always said you'd make a great girl. Just my type, too." He winked at the hapless bluenette teasingly.

Satoshi grit his teeth, mentally cursing the purplette.

Krad was cursing Dark right along with his tamer.

Satoshi sighed softly and sat down on the couch heavily, his vision spinning a little.

Dark yelped and reached down to Satoshi instinctively, shocked at the sudden change in the bluenette.

Satoshi groaned softly as he felt Dark's hand on his forehead, the heat radiating from the man's palm soothing.

Dark pulled his hand back. "You don't have a fever. Are you okay?" He asked worriedly, his heart beating quickly with the rush of adrenaline.

Satoshi swallowed and opened his eyes, slowly blinking. "Yes, I am. It's pretty normal, just give me a minute," he mumbled, willing the room to stop spinning.

Dark sat down next to Satoshi, wringing his hands as the minutes ticked by.

Finally, Satoshi sat up, pulling the doll away from his chest. "I'm okay," he said quietly, looking down at his feet in embarrassment.

Dark smiled and gently wrapped his arms around the teen. "You had me worried there." He let a small chuckle into his softly spoken words.

Satoshi looked up at Dark tentatively and smiled, happily letting the Kaitou hug him, though he made sure that the doll wasn't squished between them. "All that's left is that pan, and it could do with soaking. We should get going, that is...if you really meant it when you asked to come." He looked away at the last part, hoping he wasn't overstepping boundaries.

Though, in truth, he wasn't one hundred percent sure he could make it to theapartment and back by himself.

Dark stood up and held his hand out to help the bluenette stand. "I meant it. We can fly there, I'll go slow enough," he replied, pulling the teen up.

Satoshi smiled slightly at the thief's words. "All right," he whispered, a blush forming over his cheekbones.

Dark smirked again. "While I don't mind the view, you might want to put a shirt on. It gets a little chilly in the air." He accentuated his first point by taking a long look up and down up teen.

Satoshi's heart fluttered in his chest. "What's going on? What is this?" He asked Krad as he bent down and grabbed his shirt.

Krad sighed softly and wrapped his non-existent arms around his tamer. "You'll soon find out. Just remember, you are my everything, Satoshi-sama," He answered sadly before letting go and fading into the back of their mind.

Satoshi frowned as he felt the angel drift into the back of their mind. It almost worried him, but he was grateful for the silence in his mind.

Dark frowned as he looked at the wet cloth. "Let's...find you something dry. Otherwise you'd be warmer without one.

Satoshi looked away. "It's all I've got here."

Dark smiled softly. "Wait here, I'll be right back."

Satoshi nervously did as asked. He let one hand slide into his pocket, fingering the familiar cool metal. It helped calm him as he rocked back and forth on the heels of his feet until Dark came back down.

"It's...I hope it's okay, it's one of Dai's." Dark held out a red striped long sleeve shirt for the bluenette to take.

Satoshi smiled softly as he took the offered cloth. "Thank you." He slipped it on, noting with a frown that it fit him. "I... wow."

Dark frowned as he watched the teen. "What is it?"

Satoshi looked up at the man. "It's...I guess I never noticed that Daisuke's grown a bit since last year. He was shorter than me, but...this fits. And I've seen him in it, it's a little short for him, he can't raise his arms without exposing his abdomen."

Dark smirked slightly as he stepped close to the boy. "So, you watch him?"

Satoshi blushed and stepped back, looking away. "He...Not exactly. No."

Dark smiled brightly as he teased, "Good, I only want you watching me. Now, let's get going." He picked Satoshi up bridal style, the doll settling in the bluenette's lap.

Satoshi grabbed onto Dark's shirt tightly, ignoring the man's comment. "We need the cloth bag," he reminded the Kaitou, surprised he could think with his mind racing over the coming flight.

Dark nodded and looked around, swinging Satoshi as he did so. "Where is it?" he asked, dipping the bluenette almost upside down as he swung to check the couch. He got the reaction he wanted; the teen clung to him tighter. "Oh, there it is." He hooked a foot on the bag's handle, kicking it up in the air.

Satoshi flinched as the bag came down, not having enough brain capacity to protect himself from the falling bag.

Dark immediately felt guilty as the bag looped down and hit Satoshi square in the face. "I'm sorry, I thought you'd catch that." His tone was soft as the teen grabbed it with his hand and held it next to the doll.

"It's fine, I'm all right. Can we make an extra stop, though?" Satoshi repositioned the now-crying doll so it was laying against his chest.

Dark smiled warmly as the doll quickly quieted. "As long as it isn't the police station." He shrugged slightly, the jarring causing the teen to grab him tightly once more. "Then it's no big deal." He walked to the door and called Withe. "Where to first?"

Satoshi took a steadying breath. "Corner of Kyoko and Main?" He figured it was easier to name the nearest corner instead of the shop itself.

Dark tightened his grip and took heart skipped a beat as Satoshi grabbed a fistful of his shirt and clung tightly onto him. He couldn't stop the warmth that seeped from his heart. 'Oh, Little Hikari, how beautiful you are,' he thought to himself as he slowly winged his way through Azumano. He was secretly glad that they needed to go at a leisurely pace, it gave him a chance to show the young Hikari the city from above with his own eyes, not Krad's.

Satoshi kept his tight grip on Dark and his eyes shut even tighter. "I don't like this," he said to Krad, his inner voice echoing desperately.

No one answered him.

He whimpered softly.

Dark spared a glance at the teen, expecting wide eyes admiring the lit-up town. The sight that greeted him forced him to stop, almost making him completely tumble out of the sky. He leveled out, flying in place, his wings steadily beating the air around them. "Look at me," he whispered softly.

Satoshi shook his head; his breath was frozen in his chest. The sudden change in their altitude and velocity causing him to panic more than he had been.

Dark frowned as the boy in his arms trembled. "Hey." He shifted the bluenette's weight so he could hold the teen in one arm. He used his free hand to gently hold the pale chin in between his fingers, forcing Satoshi to face him. "Breathe for me," he commanded firmly, worry working its way through his chest as thin lips started turning blue.

As if by magic, Satoshi's lungs opened. He gasped in a stuttering breath, the cold air stinging as it filled his chest.

Dark waited a moment, his worry slowly abating with each breath the bluenette took. He made sure that the bluenette's breathing evened out before letting himself relax. "Look at me," he whispered again.

Satoshi swallowed thickly and slowly cracked an eye open.

A strong wind blew by, causing Dark to shift mid-air. He cursed softly but tried to convey confidence in his expression. Though it was all in vain.

The lone cracked blue eye had snapped shut in response to the sudden movement. "Please, get me down," Satoshi whimpered, burying his face into Dark's chest again.

Dark nodded and started winging his way down to their destination, making sure to go slow enough for the doll.

Once they landed in a dark alley near to the specified corner, Dark set Satoshi on his feet gently. "I've got you." His tone was soothing as the teen clung to his shirt still. "You're safe, we're down now. Solid ground." He let his arms wrap around the thin body, rubbing the bluenette's back as he took a moment to calm down.

Satoshi took a deep shaky breath, trying to steady himself.

The doll started fussing.

As if he was able to control it with the push of a button, Satoshi immediately found himself back under control of himself. "Thank you." He laid the doll over his arm and started patting its back.

The doll burped and stopped fussing.

Dark smiled sadly at the teen. "You're really afraid of flying." He stated it more than asked. He was genuinely surprised. After all, Daisuke loved flying.

Satoshi gulped softly. "It's nothing." He grimaced. "Probably not the best idea to let him know that," he muttered to Krad, hoping for a response from the blond.

Krad huffed. "Not like he doesn't already know from your reaction to it." The answer was sarcastic as the blond lazily drifted forward in his tamer's mind again.

Satoshi breathed a sigh of relief. "There you are," he said aloud softly.

Dark raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. He didn't want to know who or what the bluenette was talking to.

Satoshi took a small breath. "Thank you, for bringing me." He shuffled his feet uncertainly.

Dark smiled widely. "Of course, now, let's go." He grabbed Satoshi's hand and starting to pull him out of the alley.

Satoshi smiled as they got to the street corner, cradling the doll against his chest with his free hand.

"Where to?" Dark asked, turning to watch the bustle of main street.

Satoshi raised an eyebrow. "This way." He pointed behind the phantom thief with his thumb.

Dark looked down Kyoko street. "Oh." He scratched his head nervously with his free hand. The street looked eerie and foreboding.

Satoshi shrugged. "It looks better in the daytime. Or with a full moon. It's...beautiful usually," he said halfheartedly, not really caring to explain his choices at the given moment. Because then he'd have to explain why he let the thief come, why he wanted the Kaitou there.

Dark nodded solemnly. "Suuuurrrrreeee." Was the sarcastic reply. He didn't really believe the teen. Then again, beauty was in the eye of the beholder, and the beholder of purple eyes found the thoughtful look in the dark ocean pools to be beautiful.

Wait. He wasn't supposed to be thinking like that. They were enemies, or at least supposed to be enemies. But since when had anyone really cared about the feud? Sure, Emiko did, but she romanticized it from a young age. Even when Daiki had been his tamer, the Hikaris and Niwas got along well enough.

And even then, the Hikari was staying with them for two weeks at her insistence.

Satoshi smiled and gently took his hand from Dark's own, placing it on the doll's back. "He closes soon, let's go." He looked at the sky for a moment, wondering why he instantly missed the warm hand on his.

Dark smiled brightly at the teen. "Lead the way."