Title: There Isn't Time... For You or Me
Author: SapphirexKat2
Rating: PG 13 (for now) Overall: R
Pairing: SatoshixDaisuke .
Warnings: Slightly AU; Spoilers. Angst. Maybe a little OoC on Dark's part.
Disclaimer: I do not own DN Angel. pout
Summary: Satoshi has to move to America for a while. He has exactly one week before he leaves. Can he tell Daisuke how he feels before then? In this chapter, Krad has a conversation with Satoshi, and Shizuka drops by one last time.
Status: incomplete series 8/9.
Chapter Seven: More Words of Farewell
Satoshi woke up at exactly 7:00, mostly because of habit. Later, when he was out of his daze, he realized that he really didn't need to. His father had called his school and had him transferred out. Satoshi was a little upset about the sudden decision; for he still could have attended class. But he knew what his father would say. He would say that it was useless, and then question him as to why he wanted to return.
Why did he want to go? Nothing waited for him there. Nothing he was interested in, anyway. But maybe there was one reason, or person, rather, that would make it all worthwhile. Perhaps Satoshi could go to school and do what he normally did (I.e. watching Daisuke like a hawk) and pretend that he didn't need to go anywhere a day later.
Speaking of which, his flight was exactly at midnight. His check -in time was at ten. Satoshi had never regretted a decision in his entire life, but there was a first time for everything. Perhaps leaving as soon as possible wasn't such a bright idea.
He felt lonely and afraid, and Daisuke still didn't know the truth. Satoshi couldn't walk away with that in mind. He might have been braver before, convincing himself that he could just leave. But the time to finally go was so close, and he was beginning to doubt his control over his emotions.
(( What are you doing to yourself, Satoshi-sama?)) came a low, sugar-coated voice. (( What are you killing yourself over?))
Satoshi's eyes fell shut for a moment as he sat still on his bed. He went into the recesses of his consciousness where that voice, his curse awaited him. Then Satoshi saw the Hikari, a tall male several years older than him with long, blonde hair and white wings. Blue eyes tinged with gold were devoid of emotions as Satoshi's own deep azure ones, but there was a small, almost sad smile on Krad's face.
(( You still haven't answered my question, Satoshi-sama.))
The place they were in was gray, like the color of days old snow with no new snowfall to replenish its purity. Satoshi gazed at the other before him, somehow ignorant of the irrelevant questions thrown his way.
--- That's really none of your business, --- the teen replied bitterly, but the bitterness was more towards himself.
Krad's fake smile of sympathy widened slightly. (( I just want to help you. You have so many questions… And just to let you know, it is my business.))
Satoshi's eyes narrowed in irritation. He was beginning to dislike Krad because what he spoke of was the truth. Satoshi was afraid to ask himself those things and here this demon was mocking him.
--- What do you want from me?--- Satoshi asked, angry. --- Why can't you just leave me alone?---
(( If I do that, who will take care of you?)) Krad approached the teen slowly, and Satoshi hesitated for a moment. The blonde gently took his arm and pulled him into a hug. Satoshi stiffened slightly, but then he relaxed.
For some odd reason, he sensed that Krad felt the same way he did, knew what he knew, and loved whom he loved. It was a love so strong and old that Satoshi felt like his own had sprouted from it. Their emotions and knowledge melded into one, and Satoshi understood everything.
Krad needed to kill Dark Mousy in order for his restless soul to find peace.
(( Don't you see that we belong together?))Krad asked, his hand petting at Satoshi's soft blue hair. (( Help me.))
-- What about Niwa-kun? What will happen to him?--
Krad's eyes narrowed in jealousy.(( He will die too,)) he replied coldly.
Satoshi pushed himself away from the insane figure, furious at what he had just suggested. -- What?!-- he cried out incredulously. -- No! No way!--
Krad remained calm and unchanged. He seemed almost pleased with the distress in Satoshi's reaction. (( It's the only way you'll be happy. There will be no more Niwas, and I can finally leave your family.))
Satoshi gazed up at Krad questioningly. -- Leave?-- he repeated. -- You mean I'll be rid of you forever?--
The blonde's lips quirked in a rueful smile. (( Hai, Satoshi-sama.))
Satoshi looked a little skeptical, but then he thought about it. He realized that Krad's only existence was to get Dark Mousy. Satoshi had felt that way all his life, only he didn't expect to kill anyone. His main goal was to put Dark behind bars. What wasn't expected was Daisuke.
Why did the red head have to always complicate things? Why did Satoshi have to complicate things? If only he didn't get too close… If only he didn't fall in love… If only…
He shook his head absently. -- No, I shouldn't be thinking that way.-- He looked up at Krad defiantly. -- I won't help you, Krad.--
Krad laughed mirthlessly, the sound bitter and dangerous. Satoshi suppressed a cold shiver. (( Well, it doesn't matter, Satoshi-sama. You're going to be leaving anyway.)) Something flashed before his eyes, but the emotion was too vague and quick to read. (( I suppose I'll just have to wait.))
Satoshi's body in the physical world woke up as blue eyes blinked open. He looked around, realizing that everything was the same as he had left it. He stood up and went immediately into the bathroom to freshen up. There was really nothing to do but pack more of his things.
He found himself reluctant to do so. It was too depressing. Moving just reminded him of how expendable his life was. At his father's word, he would throw away his desires and become what the man demanded of him. Satoshi was merely an empty shell roaming the face of the earth like some kind of machine. Did he have a soul? If he did, where was it?
----- -----
Inspector Saehara called around noon to update Satoshi on some of the news. Apparently, the wires of the main circuit breaker were somehow chewed up, causing the major blackout at the Station. Satoshi smirked despite himself, instantly imagining a white lump of fur working its way through the box. He vaguely wondered how the Kaitou managed to bribe the "rabbit" into doing that favor for him.
And also, Dark had sent out a Warning Notice. He was going to steal the Angel of Redemption, a beautiful painting of a female angel dressed in black at the gates of Heaven, tomorrow night. Satoshi had to check in at the airport by then.
So much for hoping that Daisuke would see him off, he thought ruefully as he packed more things into boxes. A quarter of him was relieved that Daisuke wouldn't go, another part was angry; he also felt deep sorrow and pain. If there was one last thing he wanted see in Azumano, it would be Daisuke's face, giving Satoshi his good-bye. Dark had been too generous the night before.
Satoshi still never knew why Dark would risk himself (and Daisuke) like that. He supposed he never would. Perhaps it was a sign of forgiveness, that there were no hard feelings between them. Or perhaps… perhaps Dark knew something.
----- -----
The doorbell rang, disrupting Satoshi from sorting out his books in his room. Sighing, he stood and walked over to the door, opening it rather roughly. He felt extremely irritated.
" Hi, Satoshi-kun." Shizuka stood in the hall, smiling awkwardly. Satoshi's eyes narrowed.
" What?" he demanded. " I'm busy right now." He didn't forget about what had happened between them.
Shizuka looked apologetic. " Listen, about the other day… I don't know what came over me," she tried to explain. " I'm sorry."
Satoshi was skeptical for a moment. " And you are doing this, why?"
She turned her gaze downward, trying to gather her thoughts without focusing on his piercing gaze. " Something made me realize last night that I wasn't meant for this job."
Satoshi quirked a slender brow as if saying 'damn right', but he swallowed his retort.
She looked back up at him. " When Dark got caught in the nets…
Dark fell from the high ceiling onto the marble floor with an "oomph," the nets all tangled around him as if he twisted even more so in its grasp. Immediately, several officers lunged at him to pin him down and cuff him, even though the nets (they didn't want to chance anything). He was roughly pulled to his feet and brought to Shizuka.
" Ah, the Phantom Thief is finally caught," Shizuka said, grinning smugly. " What do you have to say for yourself?"
Dark only looked at her with defiant eyes. " Don't get too cocky, lady. You think I did this on accident?" he snapped. He was obviously still angry about that dart last week.
Shizuka was surprised, but she did well to hide it. " What do you mean, thief?"
He chuckled darkly. " What I mean is, if I don't just turn myself in, I'll never wind up in jail."
Shizuka's eyes narrowed, offended. " Just what the hell are you saying?"
" I'm saying that you'll never catch me." Violet eyes pierced her green ones as if to emphasize his point. " The only person who was ever worthy enough is leaving in a couple of days. I just wanted him to see what he'll be missing." His tone was bitter.
" Did you think that seeing you in jail will be an incentive for him to stay?" She wanted to scoff at the idea, but she searched his face and realized that Dark was serious.
The way the Thief looked, defeated and trapped like some kind of rare and exotic creature. It was as if Dark turned himself in just to get the attention of his hunter to return to him... to make him feel alive again in the chase.
" … The expressions in his eyes were unreadable. They… they were torn between hope and desperation." Shizuka looked up at Satoshi, who was now gazing at her intently. " I knew then that catching him was more than a job. It's a passion… that only the both of you are meant to share."
Satoshi was speechless. Who would have thought that Shizuka was so capable of saying something so deep? Somehow, she understood exactly what going on between Satoshi and Dark in one night, only because of what the thief had said.
Shizuka smiled slightly. " I'm capable of catching a thief, but I can't catch him. No one except for you, I suppose. ... Anyway, I bet I'm just rambling and wasting your time. I've decided to resign from the Phantom Thief case. I just wanted to apologize and say farewell. Father's royally pissed at me, but he wants me to move to Tokyo. Inspector Saehara's the new man." She paused, looking into his azure eyes. " Are you okay? You haven't said anything so far."
Satoshi blinked, clearing his thoughts for the moment. " I-I'm fine," he replied rather distractedly. " So, you're going to leave too?"
Shizuka gazed affectionately at him for a while. Isn't that what she just said? " You're so lost, Satoshi-kun." She kissed his forehead. " It was nice seeing you again. Perhaps in another six years." Without waiting for a reply, she walked away.
The pale haired teen looked after her. " Arigatou, Katen-san," he whispered, turning back into his flat. He expected the encounter with Shizuka to be unpleasant, but it was the exact opposite. He understood Dark a little more now.
Incentive, huh? Satoshi thought as much. " You spoil me, Niwa-kun," he whispered, returning to the boxes of books in his room and feeling happier than he ever had.
31 hours until Wednesday.
Hi! Sorry for the DREADFULLY long update. I was REALLY stuck on this chapter, but since I got it out of the way, I know EXACTLY how I'm ending the story. Be prepared to read an ultra long chapter! I think I'll make it from Daisuke's side now. Shizuka's not that bad, is she?
SapphirexKat2