Note: /.../ «-- Daisuke's thoughts Dark's thoughts --» italics
-o-o-o-
Saa, me o tojite.
Chapter 2: Whispers.
Could it be...?
Dark had long been thinking of the possibilities, but he never truly understood why. Perhaps it was the large amount of time he had on his own, perhaps it was the life he carried for generations and generations of Niwas, perhaps he was just bored. Or perhaps, there was something inside him, something secret even to himself; something unknown that didn't want to remain hidden anymore.
/...love...?/
Yes, maybe... maybe...
/...love.../
Daisuke's thoughts
/...is it.../
Why can I hear his thoughts?
/...something hidden.../
...maybe... he's the one hearing my thoughts? No, that can't be...
/...so... dark.../
...
-o-
Satoshi Hiwatari was standing at the Niwas' residence with a frown on his face. Niwa hadn't been to classes and he was worried, even though he wasn't keen on admitting it, not even to himself. Nevertheless, he was waiting by the door for the boy to show up and maybe, spend some time with him.
The truth is, Satoshi and Daisuke had become quite close. It, of course, made matters worse for both kids, since their counterparts were always after the other's neck and the boys were always struggling to stop them. But it was still nice to have someone to talk to, Satoshi thought, even though each day was proving to be even more insufferable than the last.
But back to the topic at hand, Satoshi was worried. Worried not only because Daisuke had skipped classes, but also because of what he knew was going to happen on Friday. He wasn't sure if the boy knew anything at all, he supposed he might, but his counterpart had to and maybe he suspected something was wrong. Maybe he was just ill, Satoshi didn't know, but he wouldn't be jumping to conclusions until Daisuke had had a word with him.
And there he was, looking strangely upset, though he tried to disguise it with a smile. An uncomfortable grin that let Satoshi know that something was definitely wrong. "Good afternoon, Ni- Daisuke." He wasn't still accustomed to the boy's name, it somehow felt awkward coming from his mouth. The boy greeted him back and let him enter his home. Satoshi followed him to his room, where they sat at the unmade bed; he looked around, taking in the details around him. He'd never been to Daisuke's house before. Everything seemed so... cosy; so tidy and immaculate. But Daisuke's room... it felt like a gust of fresh air, in comparison to the rest of the house.
"I wonder..." Satoshi said, looking into the boy's empty eyes, "what it is that is keeping you worried."
Daisuke forced a small smile. "You wouldn't understand, Satoshi-kun. No one would." He wished Dark was asleep. He was sure Satoshi would try and find out what was in his mind; not out of malice though, but out of worry. He could see him worried about him, but he wasn't sure he could tell him what his problem was.
"Wouldn't you feel better if you, at least, tried to get it off your chest? I'm not going to judge you or anything, Daisuke... chan."
There were two things that got Daisuke off guard. One of them was the use of the suffix "chan". Satoshi must have got used to his presence... maybe he even liked him and considered him a friend. Then, and what not only took him by surprise but also worried him, was that Satoshi had hinted that there was something to judge. An action made by himself, something he did or say or think, that led him to his current state of unhappiness. Daisuke was sure that Satoshi knew what his problem was all about, he just didn't know how.
-o-
"So that's what it is..." Satoshi sighed. "I knew he'd have something to do with it, but I certainly wasn't expecting such thing." Daisuke blushed, what more could he do? "I'm sorry, Daisuke-chan, I don't know how I can help you and I doubt I'll ever be able to, but I can give you an advice. Don't think too much; think what you must and give your mind a rest."
"Thank you, Satoshi-kun. But I doubt I'll be able to put your advice into practice... I'm sure you'll understand why."
Satoshi nodded and got off the bed and onto his feet. "Well, it has been nice talking to you, Daisuke-chan, but I have a lot of work to do, I hope you don't mind..."
"No, it's okay," Daisuke interrupted him. "I'll see you tomorrow at school. And besides... I have something to discuss with, you know..."
Satoshi's eyes widened. He then shook his head and looked at the redhead in a funny way. "Surely you don't mean to..."
"No!" Daisuke exclaimed, waving his arms frantically. "It's just that... he's been oddly quiet today and I'm sure there's something wrong with him; I can sense it."
"Then I hope you are mistaken."
Daisuke smiled at Satoshi and the boy flashed a sinister grin in his direction. "You know, Daisuke-chan, I really don't know how, but you always manage to make my job harder and harder everyday..."
-o-
Dark had been thinking and rethinking over and over again throughout the entire day. He didn't even know Hiwatari had been with Daisuke or what the two had talked about. But he, himself, had something very important to discuss with Daisuke. The problem was, he didn't know how. And just when he had decided to face the music and dance, Emiko had once again waltzed into Daisuke's room uninvited.
"Daisuke-chan, haven't I warned you about that boy?" she asked her son, obviously referring to Satoshi. "You know how dangerous it is for you to hang around him, why don't you-"
"I know, mum. I know."
Emiko didn't know what else to say. Daisuke was looking even more miserable than before Satoshi's arrival and that made her think that the boy had done something to him. Or, perhaps, Dark had told him about the Curse of the Twilight. But she couldn't ask him; not without talking to Dark first and she wasn't going to do it now. Instead, she hoped it had something to do with Satoshi; maybe they had an argument or something. She hoped that was it; even if it would hurt Daisuke, it would be for the best.
"Daisuke..." she said in an almost inaudible voice. Then she said no more; she just walked out of the room, leaving Daisuke alone. Although not entirely...
So... creepy bastard was here?
/Um.../ Daisuke wasn't quite sure of what to say. Had Dark heard his conversation with Satoshi? Perhaps he had been quiet only to find the right moment to speak. But then again, why would he have kept quiet and distant? How was he to know what would be discussed with Satoshi? Definitely, he was just thinking incoherently again... he should take Satoshi's advice. It had been a day and a half since he had the dream and all he seemed to do was think of...
Hello?
/Nani?/
I was asking if creepy bastard was here. I just woke up and heard Emiko talking to you about it. She also seemed to be very worried about you.
/Oh,/ Daisuke sighed with relief. /It's nothing, really. I just... wasn't feeling very well today, so I skipped classes. That's why Satoshi-kun was here./
Um... are you sure he didn't do anything to you? I could go and rip him to shreds if you wanted me to... Dark sounded worried. He knew it didn't have anything to do with Satoshi, but... after hearing some of Daisuke's thoughts and seeing the state in which the poor kid was... No, that couldn't be.... could it?
/Dark?/
Yes, Daisuke?
/I was wondering... are you alright?/
The question took Dark by surprise. He didn't know what Daisuke was talking about -if he was referring to anything in particular- or why he was asking. It just felt odd to hear those words from him. He wasn't sure he'd ever heard him speak those words to him before; or anyone for that matter. No one ever seemed to care about him; not that he remembered, at least. Then... what could he say?
I'm... I don't know, he answered sincerely. He truly didn't. Whenever he thought about Friday's task and the object of his mission he felt uneasy, even worried. And now, after joining the dots, he'd daresay he was a little upset, too. Then... what could he say to him? He could not explain what he was feeling, not to him and not even to himself. Why do you ask? he managed after a while. If he didn't know what to say, he might as well try to change the subject.
/It's just that you've been so quiet today. You're never this quiet. It's something bothering you?/
Daisuke. Innocent Daisuke. How would he react to the news? Should he tell him about the Curse of the Twilight? Emiko had certainly asked him to do it, but he wasn't sure he was ready. Daisuke didn't seem ready either, specially if he was in such a bad condition. Dark decided to wait until the next day and try to make Daisuke a little happier in what remained of the afternoon. How was he going to do it when he himself was in a weird mood is a completely different subject.
No, not really, I'm just a little tired these days. And since Krad has been unusually quiet as of lately, I thought I might take a sort of vacation.
Daisuke snickered inwardly, which was heard by Dark. He was a little more relieved to hear him say that, but he still wasn't a hundred per cent sure he was honest. He had a feeling he wasn't, but anyway, he cast the worries aside and decided to forget about his current predicament for the time being. Instead, he turned to Dark once again, finally voicing his concern to try and put a stop to it.
/Dark?/
Yes, Daisuke?
/I really don't know how you're feeling but... I hope you're alright./
There was an awkward silence before Dark spoke again, smiling to himself.
I'll be fine. And so will you.
/We'll both be fine./
-o-
On Thursday, Daisuke woke up feeling a lot better than he had the previous day. Even if his little chat with Dark hadn't been exactly helpful, at least it made him -both of them, actually- feel less worried. Daisuke was feeling good enough to return to school and Dark was not as quiet, having greeted him in the morning and chatting with him while he got dressed. Now, while Daisuke went to school, Dark would be able to literally sit and think, everything he had to. He still wasn't sure he had joined the dots correctly and so he needed time to himself to clear his mind. Not only when it came to his suspicions, but also about tomorrow's task. Something he was both looking forward to and dreading to do.
And he still hadn't told Daisuke a single thing.
I still have time, he said to himself, I'll tell him later.
Or so he hoped.
-o-
Daisuke had been extremely busy that day. His teachers had given him lots of homework to do and a group task that he had to carry out with Satoshi and Takeshi for the next day. That is why, together the three of them went to the Hikari's apartment.
"So..." Takeshi said nonchalantly as he made his way to Satoshi's kitchen. "Do any of you know what Dark is after, this time?"
Satoshi knew. Oh, yes, he did. But what about Daisuke? Surely by now he must know something...
"He announced his appearance for nine o-clock. He said he would be at the Hikari's Ancient Home, you know, the one that used to work as a museum but then closed. What I don't know -because he never mentioned it- is what he's going to steal." Takeshi frowned as he rummaged through the kitchen's cabinets. "Now that I think about it... It's the first time Dark keeps his target in secrecy."
"Perhaps," Satoshi interrupted him and turned to look at Daisuke with a frown of his own. "Perhaps, he doesn't know what his target is."
"No," Takeshi dismissed him, "he always knows. I think he's keeping it a secret so the police forces won't know what to do or even where to stand."
"Why would he do that?" asked Daisuke, more wondering to himself than he had intended it to be a question to voice aloud. "He never had any trouble with the police forces... or anyone, really. He doesn't need to do that. What if Satoshi is right? What if he really doesn't know what his target is?"
"Daisuke..." Takeshi approached him with a bowl full of rice. "Are you okay? Why don't you eat something? You look rather pale..."
"No, thanks, I- I'm okay. I was just thinking, that's all. Let's get started with our assignment, alright?"
Both Takeshi and Satoshi nodded and so they started working. Or rather Takeshi and Satoshi worked as Daisuke fumbled with the pencil in his hand... "Daisuke..." Takeshi's voice interrupted his train of thought once again. "I think you should go home, you're not looking good at all and I think that by remaining here you'll only get worse. We'll finish the questionnaire and tell the professor you did it with us. Right, Hiwatari?"
The boy nodded and Daisuke took it as his cue to leave. He couldn't help but be grateful to the boys that had let him go without any questions, as if all that mattered was his wellbeing. He also couldn't help feeling a little touched about it, and so he left before he could say or do anything stupid as he thought he would.
On his way home, however, Daisuke couldn't help but feel enraged, upset, sad, scared and a million different things he couldn't explain. He was also exhausted, tired of calling Dark and getting no answers. Tired of screaming his insides out, tired of being ignored. It was so painful and he was feeling so weak...
Before he could stop himself, Daisuke collapsed into the floor with a loud thump. Fortunately, the fall served to awake a certain someone who had been so busy hiding himself in the shadows that hadn't heard the screaming and the pain coursing through every bit of Daisuke's body.
Daisuke? Dark asked, calling the boy to be assured of his wellbeing. Daisuke! he called again, this time louder and more nervously.
DAISUKE!
Dark yelled one last time, once again getting no response. And so, as he didn't know what had happened to him and he certainly didn't want the boy to be in any danger, he made sure there was no one around to see him and transformed Daisuke's body into his. He realised he was only a block from the Niwas' and so he run those last meters, angry with himself for being so stupid. He knew Daisuke wasn't feeling well, why didn't he stay close to him? That way he could have helped sooner... What if Daisuke needed him, but he didn't listen? He cursed to himself over and over as he looked for the keys. The Niwas' locks were something not even he could manage, specially now in his state of nervousness.
He fumbled through all of Daisuke's pockets, muttering apologies as he did so, until he found what he was looking for and opened the door. Forgetting about everything, just as his foot crossed the doorway, he fell in a trap.
Emiko came rushing in to scold Daisuke for being so careless, only to stare with her eyes wide and her mouth agape at "Dark?"
-o-o-o-
Hehe, this chapter was longer... yay! I feel so proud of myself. I hope you liked it as much I did. I don't know why, I just did. Everything is taking shape... will I be able to keep this decent? Oh... who knows...?
Reviews are my ego's favourite food.