Intertwined : Chapter 18

TWO chapter update! Merry Christmas everyone--these are my two favorite chapters. Hope you guys enjoy :D.

Stop freaking out. You'll start sweating, Dark said mildly.
"Shut up," Daisuke muttered as he stood nervously in front of the door of the Kinomoto residence. "I'm not freaking out."
"What if I say something stupid? What if I accidentally spill something? What if her brother hates me? What if her dad hates me? What if she stops liking me?" That, to me, qualifies as freaking out. Dark mocked.
"So I'm a bit nervous," Daisuke said. "That's normal."
To this extent, it is not normal. Dark said dryly. If I were in your position, they'd all love me.
"No, they'd hate you for your 'criminal behavior'," Daisuke said angrily. "And it's not you, it's me."
You forget, that you and I share many of the same qualities. Dark said. I'll help you. Trust me.
Daisuke extended his shaking arm and rang the doorbell. From the door, he could hear shrill yelling, laughter, and loud pounding. The pounding grew louder when the door was thrown open and Sakura stood in the threshold beaming brightly.
"Daisuke-kun!" she breathed. "You look great!"
Daisuke flushed at the compliment and at Sakura's appearance. Her outfit flowed against her body, yet fit snugly in the right areas to show the full volume of her body. He blushed even further and abashedly handed her a bouquet of flowers. "Here," he said nervously, "For you,"
Sakura grin grew wider, and she leaned down to sniff the flowers, letting Daisuke into the house and then closing the door behind him. Daisuke was immediately washed in the warmth of the house. In the kitchen were two men cooking with kind expressions on their face. Both looked startlingly similar to each other. Tomoyo was helping Sakura's brother set the table. Everyone was laughing and joking with each other in cheerful voices. Daisuke felt a smile grow on his face at the scene.
What the hell is that?! Dark exclaimed. Daisuke turned and witnessed something fly up the stairs in a yellow blur. Daisuke took a step forward to see what it was, before Sakura happily announced his entrance.
"Minna-san!" she said. She made a sweeping gesture with her hand, "This is Niwa Daisuke-kun," Nearly everyone turned to greet him. Nearly. Sakura's brother let the smile slid off his face and a scowl replaced it. After a few smiles and slight nods, Daisuke began to ease into the Kinomoto household. That was, until Touya strutted towards him, and stuck out his hand. Daisuke nervously took it.
"Nice to meet you, Niwa," Touya grunted. Daisuke winced at Touya's extremely strong grip.
"N-nice to meet you too, Kinomoto-san," he said. Touya twitched, and let go of Daisuke.
What the hell is his problem? Does he have a stick up his a—
"You already know Tomoyo-chan," Sakura said. They both bowed politely to each other. Sakura smiled once again and led him to the kitchen. "This is Yukito-san," Sakura said. Daisuke and Yukito shook hands respectively. "And this is my Otou-san!"
Daisuke felt a relieved smile form on his face as Sakura's father shook his hand with warmth. "It's nice to meet you again, Niwa-san," Fujitaka replied. He then gave a sort of offhanded smile and a dazed look. Daisuke stared.
"Ah," he said, wiping his hands on his apron, "Don't mind me…" he then began muttering to his side under his breath.
"Ah!" Sakura said, catching his hand and leading him to the dining table. "Why don't you sit here," she said. He noticed her shaking hands and he wished for some way to comfort her, but hesitated under Touya's eagle eyes.
"Well!" Fujitaka said happily, opening the rice cooker. "Looks like we're done here, so let's start eating."

+++

Sakura nervously tapped her foot underneath the table. Things were going well. So far. Daisuke was having an engaging conversation with her father on old pieces of artwork and random artifacts that Fujitaka had discovered at his dig. She was surprised at his extensive knowledge of art history. Apparently, everyone else was too as they were soon drawn into the conversation. Tomoyo herself knew a few facts about certain art pieces. It lightened Sakura's mood slightly to see everyone getting along well. Well, almost everyone.
She watched as Touya moodily stabbed a piece of fish with his chopstick. She kicked his foot, but he dodged it (narrowly), and didn't even look up.
"Onii-chan," she hissed as everyone laughed at a joke Daisuke made. "I thought you wanted to talk with Daisuke-kun,"
Touya twitched. "Fine," he hissed back. "Yo! Niwa!" he called. Startled, everyone turned his or her heads. Sakura's eyes widened. Touya pointed his chopsticks at him. Sakura could see the beads of sweat starting to form on Daisuke's forehead.
"Exactly how long…" Touya said. "Have you been chasing after my sister?"
The silence was deafening.
"Um…" Daisuke began slowly. "What do you mean?"
Everyone's head turned back to Touya. Fujitaka waved the air agitatedly and began talking under his breath.
"I mean," Touya said. "When exactly did you start thinking that you wanted Sakura?"
"Onii-chan!" Sakura said sharply. Touya turned and glared.
"You're right, I did want to talk to him," he said. Then he looked to Daisuke, and asked him, "And how long have you been dating her?"
Deathly silence.
"Touya," Yukito said firmly. Touya could see that his lover was definitely not too pleased with his behavior. "This is something that we should not be discussing at the dinner table,"
"S-Sakura-san?" Fujitaka stammered. "Dating… Niwa-kun?"
Daisuke slunk low in his seat. Sakura felt herself sliding out of her chair towards the floor as well.
"H-hai…" she muttered. Touya leapt up.
"WITHOUT OUR PERMISSION!!" he exclaimed, pounding the table so hard that the bowls shook.
Tomoyo contemplated silently in her head whether or not it would be polite to film this revelation.
"I need your permission?!" Sakura asked, angered.
"HELL YEAH, YOU DO!"
"Well then. Can I be with Daisuke-kun?"
"WHAT?! NO!!"
Daisuke stood up, the yelling between the siblings finally getting to him. Dark's muttered challenges towards Touya did not help as well.
"Kinomoto-san," Daisuke said evenly. "I assure you that I have the purest intentions with Sakura and do not intend to hurt her in any way."
"I WILL NOT ALLOW MY IMOUTO TO RUN AROUND WITH A HOOLIGAN!"
"Hey, I'm not a–"
"You can't tell me what to do! I'm fifteen!"
"YOU'RE STILL A KID – YOU SHOULDN'T BE DATING UNTIL… UNTIL… UNTIL NEVER!"
"To-ya!"
"Touya, be reasonable…"
"I'M NOT A KID ANYMORE!"
"Sakura-chan, calm down…"
"I'M OLDER AND YOU'LL DO AS I SAY!"
"WHAT AM I?! YOUR DOG?!"
"I don't think he meant it that way, Sakura-san…"
"To-ya! Sit down and stop acting like a savage…"
Daisuke slunk into his seat and buried his face into his hands in exasperation. Sakura and her brother were having a large row over him.
You should feel pleased, Dark said.
That everyone is angry because of me? Yeah, I'm ecstatic. Daisuke said sarcastically.
No, Dark said. Because you mean something.
Daisuke began to bang his head on the table as Sakura shouted about something obscure like going out at night, when he felt his arm prickle. He looked up, only to see nothing except the Kinomotos battling it out. He felt coldness wash over him.
What…?
He saw the others give up in exasperation and merely sat and watched as Touya and Sakura yelled over each other. Then, to his and Dark's surprise, something passed over them and they both looked to their side. Touya muttered something under his breath, and then winced.
…What the hell is going on? Dark said, annoyed. It's like they're talking to thin air…
"Shall we move on to dessert then?" Fujitaka asked nervously, picking up the empty plates. To Daisuke's surprise, Sakura and Touya acquiesced and followed him. Suddenly, there was a loud crash upstairs, and what sounded like angry curses.
"Um… is someone… up there?" Daisuke asked, a bit confused. Tomoyo immediately leapt up.
"That must be my beeper!" she said, in a highly cheerful voice, "I put it on vibrate, it must've rolled off the desk..." she stammered before running upstairs. Daisuke stared.
"A-ano!" Sakura said. She quickly handed Daisuke a plate with a slice of chocolate cake on it. "Here…"
Daisuke took it wordlessly, still wondering what was going on. "Sakura…" he said. She looked up. He could catch a frightened look in her eyes. Daisuke felt a glimmer of understanding pass through him.
It's something about her other identity, he thought.
…Perhaps everyone can see something we can't? Does her entire family have magic? Dark asked.
Well, Dad did say that Sakura is the daughter of Clow… or the half-incarnate of Clow. Daisuke thought.
Her father?
Daisuke blinked, and Sakura's smile faltered slightly.
"Um…" he said, looking down. "Did you make this?"
She stared at him for a second, a bit surprised. Then, a relieved smiled spread across her face.
"Um, no, no. Otou-san made it," she said. "He's a great cook,"
Daisuke smiled at her, and took a bite of his cake. He could hear her sigh of relief.
Her father is the incarnate. Meaning he isn't crazy, Dark finished. He must be … chanting?
A ghost. Daisuke said. I felt it. He can see ghosts. Probably all of them can.
Even the Tomoyo chick and that Snow Rabbit guy? Dark asked.
I… don't know. Daisuke said.
A ghost of … who? Dark asked.
I don't know. Daisuke said, frowning.
"Um! Not good?" Sakura asked worriedly, seeing his frown. Daisuke shook his head vigorously.
"Iie, it's very good. Gomen, I was absorbed in my thoughts," he said. She gave him a faltering smile.
"Ah… okay," she said. She got up and walked to the stairs, "Tomoyo-chan! Do you want me to bring up some cake?"
"YES!"
Daisuke's head swiveled, and his raised his eyebrow. Sweatdrops appeared at the back of Sakura's head.
Was that … Tomoyo? Dark asked.
"S-She must be talking on the phone," Sakura said. She grabbed a plate of cake and ran upstairs.
Once she left, Daisuke tried his best to avoid the gaze of the others in the room. He could feel Touya's intense glare on the back of his neck.
"S-So Niwa-kun!" Fujitaka said, giving a stab at conversation. "Have you known Sakura long?"
"Actually," Daisuke said. "I moved here from Azumano a month ago,"
A veinpop appeared on Touya's head. "Only a month?"
"Um, y-y-yes," Daisuke said. Dark began to threaten Touya angrily in his head again.
"Keep it civil, To-ya," Yukito said blandly, taking a sip out of a teacup. "And Sakura must be present when we're discussing things. Especially things relating to her."
"How anyone can base a relationship on one month is beyond me," Touya muttered. At that moment, Sakura and Tomoyo ran back downstairs.
"Whew," Tomoyo said, a bit unconvincingly. "Okaa-sama sure is angry,"
Daisuke decided not to comment.
"Okay, so since Sakura is here now," Touya said, his voice scarily even, "Sakura, why him?"
Daisuke flinched. Dark let out a string of swears.
"Why else, Onii-chan," she whispered. "He was the only one who didn't bring up Syaoran. The only who I can spend time with, and not think of him,"
Whatever answer Touya was expecting, it was definitely not this. His anger slowly left his face and Daisuke finally saw the concern Touya really felt for Sakura. It shocked him, since he had not seen anything but a scowl on his face the entire evening.
"Sou," Touya muttered. Sakura sat by Daisuke and gave him a contented smile.
"I feel good when I'm around him," she said. Daisuke blushed, and looked down. "And because he's so gentle and kind, I like him more,"
Nearly everyone in the room smiled. Touya gave Daisuke a long and piercing look, in which Daisuke stared defiantly back.
"Listen here, you," Touya said. "If you make Sakura cry, I'm definitely going to hunt you down and break your legs,"
"Alright then," Daisuke said, looking a bit smug. "Breaking my legs would definitely feel better in comparison to knowing that I made Sakura-san cry,"
Touya grunted.
"Does this mean I get your approval?" Daisuke asked. Touya "hmph"ed, and crossed his arms.
"You can have my approval, but not my support," he said. Daisuke extended his hand to Touya. Touya grabbed it quickly, and released it just as fast. Yukito smiled, and leaned over to whisper something in Touya's ear that made him redden. Tomoyo chuckled.
"Sugoi!" Sakura cried, throwing her arms around Daisuke happily.
"Thank goodness," Fujitaka said, with a laugh. "And it was just getting late…"
Daisuke stared at the clock and was shocked to see that it was nearing ten. He reluctantly got up.
"Then I'd better get going." Daisuke said. He bowed graciously. "Thank you for inviting me,"
"I'll see you to the door," Sakura said. She got up with him and left, despite Touya's rapid twitching. The front door closed and Touya raged angrily bathroom and locked the door. Everyone sweatdropped as they listened to his muffled yells and curses.
"Don't worry about him," Yukito said nervously. "He's just a little stressed."

+++

As soon as they found themselves outside of the house, Sakura leapt onto Daisuke, causing him to stumble backwards and fall to the ground. Before he could express his shock, Sakura kissed him soundly on the lips. He ignored the pain flaring along his back and kissed her back.
"Sugoi," she whispered. "This makes me very glad,"
"Your brother still seems very angry," Daisuke said worriedly. Sakura shook her head and ran her hand through his hair.
"He won't do anything bad," she said. "He'll keep his word,"
"I hope so," Daisuke said. He lay back down on the ground and stared at the dark streets. "It's getting late," he said, a bit regretfully.
"Hai. You should get home," Sakura said.
"Hm…" Daisuke said. He sat up kissed Sakura's cheek. "Then I'll go,"
She smiled, and got up. She helped him to his feet as well. "Goodnight, Daisuke-kun,"
"Goodnight Sakura-san," he said grinning. She waved and went back inside the house, leaving Daisuke in the front porch with only Dark to keep him company.
Interesting family, Dark said.
I haven't met so many people who were so… accepting… of the unnatural, Daisuke said.
Are you calling me unnatural?!!
What would you a person with another being inside of him? Daisuke asked.
Privileged.
He rolled his eyes, and began to walk down the quiet streets towards his home.
You know, this makes things much easier. Dark said.
I know. Daisuke said with a slight grin.
She may be the one.
I know.
Well, time for Operation LOOOVE!
"WHAT?!" Daisuke exclaimed.
Dark feigned innocence. Well, of course we're going to have to have Sakura love me too,
"Accept! ACCEPT!" Daisuke said, emphasizing the word strongly.
Yeah, yeah. But anyway, what's wrong with a little tête-à-tête?
"You'll pull something. PLUS, she's going to kick your butt so hard…"
Pfft, she's got no magic.
"She'll still try to beat you up," Daisuke said.
We'll see, we'll see.
"Are you seriously considering going up to Sakura and requesting to have a little 'chat' with her?" Daisuke asked, incredulous. "What makes you think she'll talk to you?"
You'll never know until you try, Daisuke. Dark said smugly.