Chibi Angel

Disclaimer: I don't own DN Angel or any business-related partners thereof.

~*~*~*~

~ Candle ~

With bared his teeth once more at Satoshi, then plopped himself atop a bookbag. The furry creature stared up at them.

Daisuke sweatdropped, glancing at his friend. "With doesn't like his naps interrupted."

The other boy nodded slightly, facing the red-head. Satoshi looked out the corner of his glasses at the animal. "How did you get With as a pet?"

He looked past the taller boy, watching the leaves fall outside the car window. "It was my fourth or fifth birthday. Ojii-san gave With to me as a present." The passengers noted one particularly large leaf brush against the glass. A new idea came to him. Daisuke turned back to the blue-haired boy. "Hiwatari-kun?"

Satoshi had been absentmindedly thinking how that last bit of foliage had looked like the hair of the shorter boy, warm red touched by gold. "Hn?" he said.

With watched as his owner blushed and dropped his gaze to the gift-wrapped object laying in his lap. It was rather strange to him. If that boy looked at Daisuke for a few moments, his owner's blood would go to his cheeks. If he glanced at the Satoshi long enough, red-pink would blossom on his face in turn. These two humans acted so oddly towards each other.

Slowly, Daisuke looked back up. Through the glass lenses, sapphire eyes captured him in their ice-like brilliance. He stared a second longer before finally asking, "When's your birthday?"

Red eyes peered at him anxiously. "I...," started out Satoshi. "My birthday is..."

The nine year-old watched his friend, vision glazing over as he concentrated on straining out this hidden bit of information from his mind.

"My birthday...," he whispered. "I... my own birthday..." Somewhere along the line of being a Hikari... he had lost this part of himself. But he could not utter such at thing. Forgotten.

Beside him, the red-head was bent over his package, smoothing out the tape. He nervously flattened out the wrapping paper. Daisuke inspected the gift once more, then quietly placed it on Satoshi's lap.

He jumped back to the present time, blinking at the offering. The blue-haired boy shook his head ever so slightly. Carefully lifting up the package, he held it out to Daisuke. "This is for Saehara-kun, is it not?" Something tugged fiercely upon his heart in reprimand for putting a frown to the shorter boy's lips.

Daisuke reached out with one hand to the present in his grasp. He skated over the glossy surface while keeping his eyes locked on the other boy. Finally, his fingertips found the birthday card addressed to Takashi, and he yanked it off.

Crimson rubies shone as the blue-haired boy found himself in their intense depth, waiting for him to voice his defiance. He said nothing, but lowered the wrapped bundle back down.

"I wasn't thinking of Takeshi when I got this present," he said honestly. His voice lowered to a whisper. "I was thinking of you, Hiwatari-kun."

Satoshi let his lips curve into a smile. "Arigatou, Niwa-kun."

~*~

A ten year-old beamed happily as the cake was placed in front of him. As the audience finished singing "Happy Birthday," he took a big breath and blew.

Nine of the candles went out, wisps of smoke rising from the tips. The remaining flame glowed brightly on the burning wick. Takeshi shut his eyes and thought of his wish before opening them again. He quickly blew out the last candle.

The older Saehara brought out a knife, acting like a grand high king with his royal scepter. In the most majestic manner possible, he declared, "Let's eat!" And his subjects cheered.

Little Prince Takeshi smiled as his father began slicing up the cake. He wondered about his wish. Maybe it had been an awful big thing, to ask for Niwa Daisuke to arrive with the best present of all. He pouted inwardly. Well the guy wouldn't be getting any ice cream for coming late. That would teach him!

~*~

The taxi lurched to a stop. "We're here," announced the taxi driver.

Satoshi opened the car door and stepped out. He paid the adult as With jumped to his owner's shoulder. Daisuke grabbed his bookbag with on hand and clutched the card for Takeshi in the other. They watched the taxi speed away.

Together, the two boys headed for the door. Daisuke was fidgeting nervously when inspiration struck him. The blue-haired boy reached for the doorbell, but stopped when he saw the shorter reach for a pencil from among his papers and folders within his bag. Daisuke hastily scribbled something on the inside of the card. "Done," he breathed.

Satoshi pressed the doorbell.

~*~*~*~

GD~ Yes! Chapter four is complete!

Chibi Veru~ *mutters* Abou' time...

GD~ Meh. In the next chapter, we reveal what our chibi Dai gave to Sato and exactly what he wrote for Takeshi. *grins* And later we have an extra alternate ending that takes off from the taxi scene!

Chibi Veru~ Flee I say! Run awa' if you value your sanity!

GD~ *sweatdrops* I don't think it's that bad...