Pieces of Love
by Kaz

standard disclaimer applied
warnings: Dark + Krad, Satoshi + Daisuke, some angst, PG-13 (more likely g)

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Part 3

Niwa Daisuke looked up to the sky and smiled. He saw bright sunshine peeking between the white puffy clouds. Sunlight slanted through the leaves of the trees, while remnants of the rain from last night glistened along the branches. The birds even sang today. It had been raining for two days in a row; yesterday he almost caught the flu. But today is going to be a good day, Daisuke said to himself.

"Dai-chaaaan, you forgot your lunch!" His mother showed up from the kitchen with the bentou in her hands.

Daisuke took the bentou from his mother's hands and smiled sweetly. "Arigatou. Demo..." He studied the over-sized lunch pack in his hand and sweatdropped. "Don't you think it's a little too much, Okaasan?"

"No, it'll help you rebuild your stamina, Dai-chan! And it had better be empty when you get back home, and one more thing..." Emiko wiggled her index finger in front of Daisuke's face, "You'd better not throw it in the trash can!"

Daisuke made a face, "Okaasan..." He started to argue that he didn't need enough lunch to feed a division of troops when he saw the look on his mother's face. She'd been very worried last night when With came home alone and hurt; she'd waited by the gate for him to come home and ran and hugged him the minute his figure came into view.

"Ha-Hai...!" Daisuke could only smile as he walked to the door. "Ittekimaaaasu..."

"Itterasshaaaai....!"

The red haired boy sighed gladly as he took the first turning out of sight of his house. Well, at least his mother wasn't acting like a mother hen again this morning, unlike yesterday when he hadn't felt very well and still insisted on going to school because he'd promised Riku he'd take her to the book store after school. But of course the girl was really worried about him and forced him to go home instead; but the good thing was they were going to the bookstore today. Daisuke felt like flying to seventh heaven at the thought.

Speaking of flying, he could still feel the bruises from last night's incident. Even though Hiwatari had protected him when they fell from the roof, he was still the one who hit the ground first. But the pain wasn't as bad as it would have been if Hiwatari hadn't caught him.

Oi, Dark, are you there? He tried to call his alter ego. But all he got for an answer was a yawn and then a mutter that sounded like 'sleepy...'. Daisuke decided to leave the thief alone. That fight with Krad must've been tiring for Dark.

Dark hadn't seemed himself last night. He'd never been seriously endangered when fighting Krad before, but last night... Something in Krad's words had affected Dark, sapping his strength more than simply blasting at him like he usually did. Daisuke tried to recall what Krad had said last night and found himself failing. He was panicked last night, perhaps. Well, who wouldn't be panicking if he was faced with a homicidal maniac who tried to kill him every time he saw him?

It was something about the rain... Rain...

Yes, that's it. Rain...

"Niwa!"

Daisuke turned and spotted a brown-haired girl jogging towards him, smile plastered on her sweet face. She waved to him and then tried to catch her breath. "Ohayou!" she said cheerfully. "Are you feeling better today, Niwa-kun?"

"Yes, thank you." Daisuke nodded and smiled. "Do you still need me to take you to the bookstore today, Riku?"

Riku pouted. "Of course I do, Niwa-kun! Did you think I would have asked someone else?!" She put her hands on her hips and glared playfully.

"Ahahaha..! Of course not..." Daisuke replied nervously; sometimes, he just didn't know how to act in front of the girl. Riku was just too sweet, despite all her tomboyish attitude. And the fact that she didn't know she was cute made her even cuter.

"What are you thinking?" Riku's face suddenly popped up right in front of him and Daisuke could only smile to hide his embarrassment.

"Uh-oh, nothing. Riku, ahahaha... Uhm--we made it to school!" He pointed to the school gate in front of them. At least Riku had stopped looking at his face and smiled as she saw her twin standing by the gate.

She waved at her and Daisuke saw Risa wave back. "I'll see you in class then, Niwa-kun!" Riku smiled and jogged over to where Risa and some other girl classmates were standing.

Daisuke decided that he would go straight to class. There wouldn't be too many students there yet and perhaps he could eat part of his lunch so he wouldn't have to throw it in the trashcan later, because somehow his mother would find out. Saehara might help him to finish the food, but that would mean that he wouldn't have any lunch left for this afternoon.

As he entered the classroom, he saw the morning sunlight bursting through the windows; it wasn't as bright as it was outside, but it was more than enough to illuminate the figure sitting on a chair by the window. Daisuke narrowed his eyes, knowing exactly who it was.

"O-Ohayou, Hiwatari-kun."

~*~*~*

It was just another day without breakfast, but he was used to that, so it wouldn't matter. After school, he would get home, maybe eat some instant noodles and watch the television. The same old routine that bored him to the bones. Sure, there was always some time to think up another plan to catch the legendary thief next time he showed up, but sometimes... he just wanted to be alone.

Alone? Is that really what you've always wanted, Satoshi-sama?

Shut up. Satoshi growled and continued to study his notes. But he didn't hear any other remarks from his alter ego after that, not the usual sarcastic comment. Krad had been acting very weird since last night. No, he corrected, perhaps since two nights ago. He'd been much more... quiet? That wasn't the word. Cold? More cold than usual. It had something to do with what he'd seen in Krad's mind that night.

Krad's memory... Krad standing under the tree in the rainy night, hugging himself to protect his slender body from the cold. Satoshi even thought he'd been crying that night, but perhaps it was just the rain droplets that wetted his cheeks.

Mind your own business, boy... Krad's voice interrupted him; Satoshi almost jumped in surprise. But of course he couldn't hide his thoughts. Krad knew everything he was thinking, but Satoshi didn't have the ability to see what the blond was thinking, unless it was unavoidable... like last night...

Why are you being so secretive, Krad? he challenged; his mental voice came out cold and calm. Was it something... unforgettable?

Don't anger me or you might be sorry... Krad snickered, but his voice couldn't fool Satoshi.

The blue-haired boy smirked. Well, well... who would have thought you'd be so sensitive about something...

Satoshi could almost see the demon hiss in annoyance, golden eyes burning with something he couldn't understand. There were too many things he didn't understand about this creature inside him.

But the rain had stopped this morning and all that was left were puddles of water on the street and the drips from the tree branches. Satoshi turned his head to the window, watching the water falling from the trees. His eyes followed the droplets to the ground, when he saw him there.

Ah, look over there, Satoshi-sama. Krad's voice was more malicious than before, as if he had won a prize. Damn right he had, Satoshi scowled as he watched the red haired boy walk towards the gate. Krad just spotted his biggest weakness. Niwa Daisuke.

But his eyes couldn't tear themselves away from Niwa. He knew that he wasn't supposed to do this. Because if he tried to get close to the boy ever again, he'd end up hurting him if he turned into Krad. He didn't know what had possessed him last night when he'd asked Niwa to stay the night at his place, without thinking what could happen afterwards. Krad could've harmed him like when he tried to blast Niwa from the roof. What if he hadn't been able to push Krad aside and come back to himself like last night? What if Dark didn't show up to help Niwa? To protect him?

You can't protect him all the time... Krad whispered evilly. One day I'll get my hands on him and kill him. Both him and Dark...

I don't even know why you hate him, Satoshi argued, even though he knew it was pointless.

Because he is a Niwa, and the Niwa should die by my hands...

Satoshi wrinkled his eyebrows together, confused. Why?

Krad didn't answer and Satoshi decided to focus back on Niwa. He was cheerful as always, a happy smile on his face as he talked to the girl next to him. That girl was... Of course... Why didn't he realize that before? Niwa only smiled like that around Harada Riku. He only gave that smile to Harada Riku.

Jealous, Satoshi-sama? Laughter echoed inside his head. Satoshi gritted his teeth. He shouldn't feel this way. He wasn't supposed to think about Niwa ever again. Why did he have to feel like this?! It wasn't his fault that he had some feelings for Niwa Daisuke, but why was he the one who had to be punished with this creature inside him? The creature that would appear when he thought too much about that boy... the creature that whispered to him over and over that he would kill Niwa...

I'm only here to protect you. You should be grateful, Satoshi...

Protecting me?! Protecting me, you say? How can you protect me if you're hurting Niwa?!

Because he would hurt you. Because you're the one who would be left broken hearted in the end, Satoshi-sama... That's why I'm here.

Satoshi slammed the table roughly. You don't know anything! You don't know anything about loving someone...!

On the contrary, I know more than you. That's why I won't let you be hurt. Unlike...

Satoshi was startled; sitting back, he pushed at his glasses. "Krad...?" he whispered to the empty classroom.

Krad sighed heavily. Suit yourself, see if I care... And then he disappeared.

Satoshi could feel Krad's presence inside his head fade. He was there, but he hadn't spoken a single word since then. He didn't recognize him any more. For a moment there, Krad had seemed like someone else. He was the same lonely Krad he'd seen under the tree.

But his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps in the hallway. Satoshi returned to his notes, not caring who came through that door until he heard the sweet familiar voice. "O-Ohayou, Hiwatari-kun."

Niwa...

~*~*~*

Daisuke jogged to his own seat, all the way stealing glances at the other boy. Hiwatari only nodded in acknowledgement of his morning greeting and continued reading the notes he always carried around. Sighing, Daisuke opened his backpack, only to find his lunch pack inside. He turned towards Hiwatari, hesitantly. The blue-eyed boy didn't even react. Daisuke froze, not knowing what to do. Hiwatari was, after all, the person who'd saved his life last night.

"Anou..." he started, lifting his lunch pack. "Did you have breakfast yet?"

"Eh?" Hiwatari's face turned to look at him, blue eyes widened in complete surprise. "What did you say?"

Daisuke felt color starting to creep up his face. Maybe this wasn't a good idea after all. He should've stuck to the plan and asked Saehara to help him finish the food. "Uhm--I asked you whether you had breakfast yet this morning, because... uhm--because.. well..."

"Yes?" Hiwatari's eyes narrowed as he looked even more confused.

"My.. My mom made me lunch, but there's too much for me. If... if you want, we can eat it together..." He finally blurted it out loud, feeling his face warm with color even more. "It-It's okay if you don't want to, I'm sorry that I..."

Hiwatari's lips curved into a smile. "Thank you, Niwa."

"Eh?" The red-haired boy felt relief building inside his heart, "You mean? You want to?"

"I never eat breakfast, but..." Hiwatari looked thoughtful, "lunch, maybe?"

Daisuke felt something tugging at the corner of his lips as he heard the answer. Well, not an answer maybe; it sounded more like another question. He couldn't reply for a long moment until he saw a glint of disappointment in the deep blue eyes. Daisuke realized that he had to give a positive answer; it wasn't something he needed to think about. "Sure! At the roof today, ne?!"

"Aa..." Hiwatari nodded and once again that feeling of relief flashed through Daisuke's heart. "Niwa..."

Daisuke started, looking into Hiwatari's eyes. He saw something there, so far, yet so close. Hiwatari wanted to say something to him, but something was keeping the blue-haired boy silent. Daisuke couldn't stop his feet as he stepped closer to the other boy, looking into the blue depths. "Y--Yes?"

"I..."

Daisuke, stay away from him! A voice came without warning and Daisuke reluctantly stepped back. He saw Hiwatari's eyes once again widen in confusion.

Dark? You're awake?

Yes, and just in time too... Sheesh, who knows what you'd do if I didn't stop you. You might end up kissing that creepy boy...

Daisuke's face flushed. I am NOT going to do that! That's not what I'm trying to do!

Well, better late than never... Dark snickered.

Daisuke scowled. Stop it!

"Niwa?" Hiwatari's voice brought him back to reality. He lifted his face and met Hiwatari's eyes; they softened as they gazed into his. "Niwa, what is it?"

"Uhm--no.... Nothing..." Daisuke shook his head and then, "I was just going to..."

"Niwa!" A cheerful voice came from the door, startling the two boys in the room. They both turned to the door as some girls came into the classroom, a group of boys following not too far behind. But the voice that was calling for Daisuke didn't belong to just anyone. "Ah, Hiwatari-kun too..."

Daisuke smiled as he saw the girl, waving warmly, and jogged to where she stood waiting for him. "Riku!" The girl also smiled and told him that she was a little late after chatting with the girls and her twin sister. Daisuke nodded, but before he had the chance to say anything, Saehara dragged him away to get the maps they needed for Geography.

As he walked to the door with Saehara, he knew that he had forgotten about something. Something really important. He turned to look at Riku, who was talking to one of her friends again. No, it wasn't Riku.

And then...

Daisuke saw the figure sitting in the chair by the window, reading the notebook in his hands. Daisuke could see the blue eyes behind the glasses glinting with something he had always recognized there. Loneliness...

Hiwatari suddenly lifted his face and looked straight at him. Their eyes locked and Daisuke felt as if time had stopped; everything around him spun.

Dai-chaaaann..!! Dark warned him in annoyance.

Daisuke sighed heavily, I know! I know!

"Daisuke, let's goooo!!" Saehara's hand grabbed his arm and once again dragged him away from the class.

-tbc-

The next part will be more into SatoDai, I guess... not so sure, but don't we love Hiwatari??!! *rolls eyes* Okay, now review!! *gives cookies*