Arriving home after school that evening, Daisuke wasn't surprised to find Emiko waiting for him.
"Well?" She demanded, taking hold of Daisuke's face and turning it from side to side, examining it. "What's the matter? Why are you sick?"
"I'm fine, mom," Daisuke said, extracting himself from her grip. "I'm just really tired."
And I could have kissed Risa-chan today, but didn't, and even though I was really close to her I didn't change. Being next to Hiwatari-san nearly made me change though, and all because he breathed on me. Oh, and then Riku freaked out on me… Daisuke thought of all the things that really were the matter.
I wouldn't tell Emiko those things if I were you, Dark laughed. She might get the wrong idea about her Dai-kun.
Emiko's face had softened, and she sighed. "Well then, Dai-kun, why don't you go get some rest before tonight? I know being Dark is hard on you."
Daisuke blinked. Did she really just say that?
Daisuke's grandfather gently ruffled his hair. "I of all people know how much of a pain Dark can be. It's been especially hard on you because for some reason the Art Works have been surfacing much more rapidly than they have in the past. You and Dark just have to learn to work together, and things will become much easier."
"Yes," Answered Daisuke, bowing his head.
Grandfather looked deep into Daisuke's eyes for a moment, then gave a token nod. Patting him on the shoulder as he passed, Grandfather walked past Daisuke into the kitchen. Scooping With up off the floor, Daisuke buried his cheek in the little creature's soft white fur and headed to his room to rest up for later.
"P-panties?" Daisuke stuttered, staring at Emiko in horror. "That's what I have to steal?"
Emiko laughed and ruffled his hair. It seemed to be an annoying family trait. "No, Dai-kun. A girdle. Women used to wear them to appear more slender."
"Someday you will be more interested in women's underwear, Daisuke," Grandfather added, giving him a suggestive wink. Daisuke felt his face redden again, and ducked his chin to hide it.
"Let me guess," he said, trying to steer the conversation to a safer topic, "The uh—panty-thing is possessed or something, right?"
Emiko clasped her hands and beamed at Daisuke. "You're getting the hang of this so quickly! I just knew you were meant to be The Phantom Thief! The girdle is inhabited by an evil spirit that slowly suffocates a woman to death and then sucks out her soul just as it is escaping. It once belonged to a famous silent screen actress, and is now on display at the Museum. Tonight is your perfect opportunity to steal it."
Of course it is Daisuke thought glumly.
"It's nearly eleven. Are you ready Dai-kun?" Emiko stepped back and critically looked over his outfit one last time.
Daisuke nodded and scooped With into his knapsack.
Once out on the roof, Daisuke sighed and looked up into the clear starlight night. The moon was nearly full and lit the streets below him in a soft blue light, turning the ordinary world into a hauntingly mysterious unfamiliar planet. Daisuke's hand itched suddenly to sit here on the roof and sketch the sleeping houses below him, while the wind played with his already messy hair.
No time for that tonight, Dai-kun, Dark thought. Daisuke could feel him stretching, eager for his chance to take over.
Alright already. Gimme a second…. Daisuke fumbled the now dog-eared photo of Risa out of his pocket and angled it so that the moonlight illuminated her smiling face. He felt his heartbeat speed up and his cheeks heat as he gazed at her, taking in her dark eyes and the curve of her cheek. But still, something was wrong.
No dizziness, and definitely no changing into Dark. Daisuke could feel Dark growing more and more impatient. Squinting his eyes, he looked again at the picture. Now, with the moonlight glancing off of it at a different angle, with his eyes slightly unfocused, he could almost see her shining hair cut differently—shorter maybe. Same face, but different. Daisuke felt his stomach tense and his head spin slightly. Dizzy. The world blurred, and he felt like he was about to change…
"Dai-kun? Are you still up there? You're going to be late!" Emiko's voice sailed up at him from below.
Daisuke's eyes opened in the dark. He was shaking slightly. "I'm going, mom!" he shouted back, annoyed.
What the hell is wrong with me? Daisuke shook his head and squinted again at the picture. This time it was no good.
Hurry up Dark thought back, definitely unhappy. I don't want to wait here all night while you have hormonal problems. Hiwatari-san is waiting to catch me, and if you stand around waiting all night, he will have the advantage. Change into me RIGHT NOW.
Hiwatari—Daisuke's thoughts skittered across the blue eyes behind gold rimmed glasses, hair falling softly around his face—dizziness knocked him off his feet and he fell to his knees, panting hard.
"It's about time," Dark remarked wryly, rising from his knees. "Daisuke, you are one sick boy."
Infiltrating the Museum was once again embarrassingly easy. The police had the place surrounded, searchlights waving back and forth illuminating the sky above it, but none of this even phased the Phantom Thief. Dark swung carelessly through a window and flipped soundlessly to his feet. He straightened, head angling like a cat to catch any sound that floated his direction. Pushing purple hair out of amber eyes, Dark smiled and stretched luxuriously. Blood was pumping through his veins, and he felt a charge thrill through him.
Nothing like a good rush of adrenaline, Dark thought happily, picking careful steps across the dark museum hallway.
Except maybe a good night's sleep, Daisuke grumbled.
Dark shrugged. Swaggering slightly, he made his way stealthily down two flights of stairs to the first floor of the museum, lightly sidestepping the crude traps set for him by the police.
Amateurs, Dark thought condescendingly. None of them could ever dream of catching me. The only person who can even come close is—
Hiwatari-kun Daisuke finished Dark's thought.
Hiwatari-kun? Dark echoed, one eyebrow raising.
Daisuke remained silent.
Dai-kun, I really do think you should get your brain examined, Dark thought, lithely swinging his body over a railing to drop lightly to the ground ten feet below, You should reconsider this insane crush you have on Hiwatari-san.
Crush? Daisuke sputtered I don't have a crush on Hiwatari-k—I mean Hiwatari-san.
I don't have any objections based on gender, after all these years nothing the Niwa clan does could shock me, Dark continued as if Daisuke hadn't interrupted, but your fixation with the boy who wants to see us rot in prison is a little suicidal.
He only wants YOU to rot in prison, Dark, Daisuke protested, Besides, he isn't so bad. He is just lonely, living in that cold apartment alone. He may be a genius with a college degree and all that, but he never has time to just be a regular boy.
See? Dark thought, amused. Dai-kun, you will be our mutual downfall.
Catching his fingertips on the doorframe, Dark brought his knees against his chest and swung over all-but-invisible lasers that crisscrossed the doorway. The prize was just across the room now, a corselette of white satin that gleamed in a slanting ray of moonlight. It was wrapped around the midsection of a dressform, a row of gleaming silver hooks clasping it in place. A rich splash of rainbow coloured embroidered butterflies and flowers adorned the undergarment, disguising the hard boning that held it tightly in place.
Dark fingered a blue butterfly lightly, remembering the last time he'd seen the girdle. It had been clasped around the waist of a beautiful girl then, with clear blue eyes and bleached hair cut short and permanent waved. She was young and adored, a starlet of cinema with pouting bow lips and precocious mannerisms. He had found her lying on a chaise-longue, her breath coming only in painful little gasps as the corselette slowly squeezed the life out of her. Working quickly to unclasp it, she had sucked in a huge gasp of air as he had pulled the treacherous thing away from her body. Unembarrassed to be seen in only a silk nightgown, she had pulled him close and kissed him with red rouged lips in thanks. He had looked back at her standing, framed in her open window, as he flew away into the night.
Just another life I could have had, Dark thought with a hint of sadness, Another girl I left behind.
"Stealing women's underwear. Somehow I am not surprised, Dark," a slightly mocking voice floated out of the darkness very near Dark's shoulder. Wrapped in old memories, Dark hadn't noticed the blue-haired boy's approach.
Damn, Dark thought, startled. Score one point for Hiwatari-san. And yet, I wonder why he warned me instead of sneaking up and slapping a pair of handcuffs around my wrists.
Because he's not as bad as you think, Daisuke replied, He fights fair.
Fair indeed, Dark snorted to himself, remembering being thrown to the floor and wrestled into submission the first night he had met Hiwatari. Only quick thinking and a little help from With had saved him that night.
"Aren't you going to run?" Hiwatari asked, adjusting his glasses coolly.
Dark felt a sly smirk twist his lips. Chuckling, he held his ground and crossed his arms. "Actually, I think it is time you and I had a little heart-to heart, Hiwatari-kun." Dark's smile was entirely mocking now.
D-dark! Daisuke thought desperately, What are you doing?
Sorry Dai-kun. I think Hiwatari-san and I need to be alone for a little while.
Wha--?
Daisuke felt his consciousness being sucked down a black hole. It was like falling asleep, only faster. How did you--?
Goodnight Dai-kun.