FOREWORD: Oh please… why am I doing this? The pain and the suffering and the horror of knowing I'm bound to be doing this for the next few years…
NOTES: The first and last bits are in some void or another, where Akane and Celes comment on the story. So if you don't wanna read it, you don't have to, since it won't affect anything.
DISCLAIMERS: I don't own DNAngel, nor Cinderella, 'cause if I did, then they'd all be blowing up monsters or something. I'm going to do that soon, eventually. Whatever.
IN THE LAST STAGE: We see Krad, Daisuke was wearing a dress, and still no Satoshi. Wow, guess what?
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… Something happens! Yeah right, read on.
Other:
(--) Daisuke
((--)) Dark
--- a time space and switching over to different places and characters.
&comment& my own rambling opinions. If it annoys you, then just don't read it. Okay, there won't be as many, since I'm getting confused myself.
Italics are used when Dark and Daisuke – and now Krad and Satoshi - are talking outside the lines of the story. So it shouldn't be too confusing to work out what's going on, hopefully… If you do get confused, just tell me and I'll fix it up.
:--: Satoshi thoughts
::--:: Krad's thoughts
COMMENTS: Took me forever, and I'm not happy about this either. Who is? Ugh…
Stage 5: Who's a What Now?
Akane paced the room in annoyance, "Nothing, just nothing about this makes any sense!"
"Akane, calm down now."
"Dark and Daisuke need to get out of there as soon as possible, and we can't even help them!"
"…"
"There has to be a way…" Akane collapsed out of fatigue and onto the floor of the void, curling up into a ball, "We have to get them out of there before it's too late… before something happens to all of them…" she closed her eyes.
Celes frowned. "Akane…"
-Begin Stage 5-
It was raining. It had been raining for the past week now, and nothing about it was joyful to the redhead, since that meant mud and water everywhere, and more cleaning for him to do. The only times he had rest was when they were out of the house or sleeping, but it wasn't enough time for Daisuke to recover from the traumatising days he had to face each morning.
This morning, however, was different.
Due to some weird meeting, the rest of the family had to leave the house to attend it – the stepmother because she was a part of the meeting. The stepsisters were going because they thought it was sophisticated to listen to people yak on about how bad the economy was and that fat people were taking over the world. &Comment: Oo&
They had, of course, told the redhead that he wasn't allowed to go – and, as Dark asked, why the hell would they want to? – and that he had a large list of things he had to do that would take up the whole day to complete, when they got back.
He was done in half an hour.
It wasn't surprising, since Dark was around to help, and it didn't get boring, but now he had nothing to do, he decided to sit in his room and pull out his old paintings and look at them. They had been put into hiding since the time the stepfamily moved in and that was because they would have most likely sold it for more money if they'd had the chance.
"Kyu?" With popped out from the folds of the blankets, blinking at his owner and master. "Kyu kyu kyu?"
"It's okay to come out now, With," Daisuke reassured him. "They'll be gone for another…" he took a look at the clock that sat on his desk, "Another eight and a half hours."
"Kyu!" the bunny-like creature hopped onto his head happily. The said creature had been in hiding since the time the people had moved in – otherwise they would have sold With – and it wasn't that much fun either, as a matter of fact. But now that they were out for the day, they could actually do something that didn't involve cleaning up after someone else they didn't even want to clean up after. It was a sad time for the two – well, Dark was there as well – so the brief day of doing nothing was as good as anything else they could have done.
((So what do you plan to do today?)) asked Dark lazily in the back to the redhead's mind, ((I mean, it's still raining, so going outside for a walk is out of the question, and it's as boring as hell in here… let's go steal something.))
(You're always stealing something and that would involve going out and getting wet!) replied Daisuke.
((Then I'll steal stuff under an umbrella!)) retorted the Phantom Thief.
(… No thanks,) muttered Daisuke. (…)
Silence filled the room, only broken by With's bouncing and kyu-ing at regular intervals. It was somewhat awkward, since Dark was still awake and all, and that meant he was usually making some comment or other, except… well, it was obvious that he wasn't. Finally the redhead decided to break the silence.
"Are you okay, Dark?"
((-snort- What?)) by the sounds of it, Dark had begun to nod off to sleep, but it looked like the peace hadn't lasted. Returning to reality - or as much of a reality that it could be – he huffed, ((What the hell are you going on about now, Dai-chan? I'm ALWAYS okay.))
"Oh… okay," Daisuke tried to act like it really didn't matter whether his alter ego was fine or not. He really didn't need to ask, since he already knew that Dark wasn't completely okay. Something had been disturbing Dark for the last week or so, and the redhead didn't know where to pinpoint it exactly, since he couldn't read the Thief's head… exactly. It only worked that way when Dark was up front and in control, and he wasn't going to risk it, since he was so… reckless when he was free. It scared the redhead a bit.
Having changed out of the stupid potato sack that was the dress that the stepfamily made him wear ages ago, Daisuke really wasn't focused on much; as long as it didn't involve housework for a while, nothing was better than something. With was bouncing on his head and it was about the most entertaining thing in the world for the boy – Dark thought otherwise and was now snoring loudly in the back of the redhead's mind.
Clean, clean, clean… way too clean…
Daisuke sweat dropped when he noticed what had happened to the rooms that had become the stepsister's rooms. It was like taboo now, he remembered, and he could see why – it was a mess beyond comparison; like a nuclear bomb had hit the room with no escapes and had blown it off to oblivion. Where they slept, he had no idea and wasn't about to try the options.
Now that he thought about it, the house was a bit big, wasn't it? How rich had his father been, he had absolutely no idea, since he was closer to his mother who was there all the time. Not to mention she taught him how to do all the chores which had been fine when he'd been living by himself – and he was HAPPY then as well – but now that others were living in it… the reality hurt. Really, really hurt.
Almost as painful as he hit his head against the wall, which was as solid as it was ever going to be. Sighing, he rubbed his forehead, which was now throbbing, and looked out the window, although the thick sheet of rain only allowed a partial outline of the buildings around him. At least they didn't have a proper garden, having withered upon the approach of the stepfamily.
Maybe he should consider running away, like Dark had said…
But to where?
(Dark… this is starting to confuse me.)
((Only now? I've been confused since the start!))
(…)
"Kyu kyu kyu!"
(GAH. WITH?!)
((Hey, what do you know, he is with us! Hahahaha… lame joke…))
(That was a joke?)
((No, just thought I'd say it.))
(…)
With changes into Daisuke. "Kyu! Daisuki!"
(WITH!!!!! Can't you even pronounce my name properly?!)
((Something tells me that's never going to happen. Unless it's his way to show affection to you… and to strawberries…))
(…)
"DaisuKI!!!!! Kyu!"
---
Meanwhile…
A giant dilapidated castle was sitting on a giant hill, surrounded by the houses – and shacks, and outhouses, and garden houses &Comment: meaning houses that used fences as the walls :P& - and watched over them. Well, as well as they could, since said building was falling gradually by every little piece of stone present. It was fun, actually, watching such a 'wonderful' building – ruled by a tyrant – collapsing under something as simple as the rain.
One evil and very persistent rain, the king of such a building had decided. It was the third time the castle had found itself in mortal peril. And by a storm, nevertheless. Oh, the tragedy and humility of it all…
But the worst part for sure was the number of letter complaints he received about one thief who stole from the rich, the poor, and the priceless. It was a bit hilarious, but since so many complaints were given almost every week – if not day – he was wondering how he was supposed to handle such a thing.
So he had called one guy who was supposed to be an expert on such a delicate topic. As delicate as a topic could be for a crumbling castle, anyway.
The little stick of a man who was his whosisname… well, some guy who worked for him, came up and polished off the monocle he wore and coughed importantly; which included hacking and coming close to a coughing fit. The king turned around, rubbing his eyes away from the rain that threatened them all.
"Your majesty, he has finally decided to arrive."
"What do you mean by 'decided'? He's a…" he looked at a soaked calendar that was pinned up close by, "Week late."
"Yes, exactly, but since you do not have power over him, he said that he was observing the layout of one said thief…"
"I see… let him in then."
For a room, it was murky, with candles and the such, and no one knew what time space it was anymore. What a pity.
Sitting on the old creaky chair that served as a throne, the king watched as the doors opened, hit the wall, and fell off its hinges, and a man with blonde hair entered the room. Well, his dress sense was better than those at the castle, and that was all that matter.
The blonde bowed.
The king blinked, wondering how he was supposed to speak to such a man, who was so scary…
But not as scary as him.
Not to mention his son was supposed to come home sooner or later, which reminded him… where the hell was he?!
One could only wonder.
::What the HELL am I doing here? Someone's going to die tonight…::
---
Daisuke had given in and allowed Dark to take over his body but not to take it outside the house. Why? Well, it was simple that knowing the Thief, he would be out longer than one would have wanted.
Now, why was it that Dark was taking over when he was asleep before? Well, it was a lot simpler than most other reasons which involved thinking about the one they loved and all that usual stuff; so that meant Dark was in control but still looked like Daisuke, but no one cared… to a certain extent.
Again, back to the question: well, Daisuke was having a fun time looking over his painting, while Dark was snoring, and they were both rudely interrupted when the Thief apparently had a nightmare. It went as follows…
((GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!))
(What the--?! DARK!!)
((Where are they, where are they?!)) Dark searches the depth of Daisuke's mind in a blind panic. Once everything is in the clear, he calms down, while Daisuke is rubbing his throbbing eardrums. ((Not here… phew.))
(What are you talking about now, Dark? And what was with all that screaming?)
((Just… it's nothing… just keep the carrots-wearing-jumpsuits-and-holding-guns-away-from-me…))
(…)
Of course, Dark wouldn't stop the chant until Daisuke allowed him to take over and check on the vegetables in case they were wearing clothes and holding weapons of mass destruction. And once that was okay, the redhead decided that he might as well let Dark wander around since there was no point of having the Thief going back to sleep and have another nightmare about vegetables.
And so Dark recovered somewhat from the scary experience, but the redhead wasn't that forgiving; not that he could do anything about it anyway. Of course the Thief was getting bored as well, and he wanted no more than to annoy his host by actually going outside. The only drawback to this plan was that he couldn't block said host's voice, which would most likely be screaming in his ear, worse than what he had done with the carrot dream. It had been one scary dream, and why he was dreaming of such a thing in the first place, he had absolutely no idea, which was really annoying him.
And then there was that scary blonde guy. Krad. He really had liked that name, but the sort of person the blonde was Dark really didn't want to know. Why? He knew that the blonde possessed powers – magic – and that it was fairly uncommon for people to have such abilities; unless they were over a couple of hundred years old. This was all because Dark himself had the powers, and it was confusing to work out. Did it mean that Krad was that old as well? But why was he here then?
So confusing… and he didn't want to worry Daisuke just yet. Let the redhead be oblivious to the fact until it was too late, that was his motto. Besides, the Thief wasn't going to allow anyone to hurt him.
The sound of the doorbell/doorknocker snapped him out of his thoughts and he fell off the balcony edge with a loud thud. Luckily for him he had fallen on the balcony and not off the into the backyard, where the rain and mud was.
((Who the hell could that be?)) he rubbed his back as he got up.
(I don't know. We weren't expecting visitors or anything…) Daisuke lapsed in silence. (Should I take over? In case…)
((Nah, I'm sure I can handle this,)) replied Dark. ((Because if it's a door-to-door salesman, you won't be able to handle it. Don't worry.))
Daisuke couldn't help BUT worry, so he watched in silence, hoping that Dark wouldn't do anything stupid, otherwise… the thought was pretty unbearable. Like the time With said some really stupid things in front of his friends in Daisuke's form. So embarrassing…
Not to mention that the rain was coming down harder and harder, threatening to flood the whole town out.
Dark, as Daisuke, opened the door.
(? Carrots?)
((I have absolutely NO idea what was going on there… how dare they think the Great Dark Mousy would be scared of a couple of carrots!))
(Dark… they can't hear you…)
((Argh… why can't we just go back and leave this hell hole?!))
(We don't know yet… and who's at the door? I don't like the sounds of this, Dark…)
"Daisuki! Kyu! Kyu! Kyu!"
(Wi-th…)
((Aw… but he looks so cute, as you, saying that…))
(Dark…)
((… -muttering- stupid carrots…))
(You say something?)
((No.))
(Hm…)
---
Through the thick sheet of rain, a single – flying – figure approached the large house-like-shack-cross-of-mansion and landed on the balcony edge. This left a trail of water everywhere and the person frowned.
"Now where am I…"
There was a moment of silence as the person mused over where they could be before giving up and pulling their very high – light purple - ponytail in annoyance. Yes, this person was a girl, in case you were wondering.
"How am I supposed to find anything in this mess of a house, the rain and the stupid thing with people against other races…" she complained to herself, "SO WHAT IF I HAVE WINGS?!"
---
Dark inclined his head and frowned for a moment, as if trying to catch something he might have missed before. ((Hey… did you hear something?))
(Eh?) Daisuke blinked in the corner of his mind. (I didn't hear anything… I don't think… was someone yelling?)
((That's what I thought. Oh well, probably the imagination.)) Dark – in Daisuke form - opened the door to reveal two people drenched in the rain, due to the fact that their umbrella was in no condition to protect them from such a force of… rain. The Thief had to bite his lip from laughing out loud, while the real Daisuke was feeling sorry for them, being the person he was.
"Can I help you?" asked Dark, unable to help but smirk at the two. A middle-aged man wearing a black suit and clearly saturated stepped up. He was balding as well, he noted.
"Is that how you speak to those superior to you--" he started in a loud proclamation-type voice, but was cut short by the other one, who was a boy Daisuke's age with azure coloured hair.
((Bizarre,)) noted Dark in the back of his mind, ((Don't you agree?))
(No more then you with violet hair and me red hair,) replied Daisuke, (Do they want to come in or something.)
"Please ignore him, he's just feeling unwell," the blue-haired boy said, bowing slightly, "I was wondering if we could stay for a little while until the rain stops."
(I knew it.)
((What should I tell them? No?))
(Dark! That would be uncourteous! Let them in.)
"Sure," Dark opened the door wider, and watched in amusement as the bald-man's eyebrow twitched.
(… You're not very polite. You know that, don't you?)
((But it's so much fun! Annoying people, anyway,)) protested the Thief with false-dignity. ((You can't boss me around, you know!))
(I know, Dark, I know…) Daisuke groaned, getting the uneasy air that chaos was soon to come for sure. And since Dark didn't want him to take over again, it was going to be really bad…
Both people entered the house and got rid of their saturated coats and were then led to the living room. This left water on the floor, but Dark thought Daisuke would be able to handle it. Besides, when the 'family' came back, it was bound to be worse. Once they were seated… well, they just sat there.
(Shouldn't we offer them something?) asked the redhead.
((Only if you want me to burn the kitchen down,)) retorted the Thief.
It looked like balding man was thinking the same thing.
"Have you no manner? Are you not going to offer something to your guests?" he demanded. Dark decided to give him the same answer, but with a little addition to the 'guest' part.
"First off, you aren't guests, and I don't know why I allowed you entrance since I don't even know you and you just wanted out of the rain," he snorted a bit, "And if you want me to burn the whole place down, then go ahead. The kitchen's down that hall and it isn't hard to miss, so if you want something, get it yourself, and don't try taking anything, 'cause I'll know it's gone."
(DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRKKKK!!!!!!!!!!) screamed Daisuke in horror. (How COULD you?!)
The bald man twitched visibly this time, and was about to yell – or something – but the blue-haired boy stopped him. "Not now, Walter. Go and make something."
Fuming, the man bowed and scuttled off, but not before giving Dark a hated glare. Dark stuck his tongue out in reply. Meanwhile, Daisuke was sobbing in the background.
(My reputation's ruined, my reputation's ruined…)
((What the hell are you going on about?))
(If they know the… stepfamily… oh no…)
((I can handle them. Don't worry.))
"So this is the Niwa residence, correct?" the question made Dark turn to face the boy suspiciously.
"And if it is?" he asked.
"Oh, nothing," the blue-haired boy gave an unreadable smirk, "So you must be Niwa Daisuke, the only son…"
"That's right," Dark had one eyebrow raised while Daisuke had given up wailing and was also listening, "How do you know so much about it? Hm?"
"Oh, I've been around and heard things," the blue-haired boy held out a hand, "I'm Satoshi. Nice to meet you."
"I'm assuming I'm supposed to say the same thing," reluctantly, Dark shook his hand, but spoke to the redhead all the while, ((Dai-chan! He's creepy! I don't like him!)) "What are you doing around here anyway?"
"I live here."
"Oh really? Haven't seen you around."
"I have reasons for that."
"Hmph."
"Sir," Baldie was back, "The rain has ceased. We should be going now."
"Very well," Satoshi got up, "It was nice to talk to you, Niwa… kun."
Dark blinked, as the two left the living room. ((Dai-chan, you deal with it.))
(Huh? Uh, what?) once again Daisuke was in control and he stumbled behind, "Uhm, Satoshi-san?"
The blue-haired boy turned and looked vaguely surprised, "Is something wrong?"
The redhead blushed and looked at the floor, "Sorry about my… uh… actions. I haven't been feeling well…"
Baldie was still glaring at him but Satoshi merely smiled, "You don't need to apologise. Maybe I'll see you around sometime."
Daisuke watched as they left in what looked like a large carriage… and that got him thinking, (Who was he?)
((That's what I was wondering.))
(I know I haven't met him so…)
((Maybe he is a creep! Creepy Boy!))
(Dark…) with a sigh, Daisuke closed the door.
(Hiwatari-kun? Well… at least we found him.)
((So what's the high and mighty Commander doing?))
(I have no idea… I hope we can get out soon now…)
((Same. I still need to beat Krad up. -snorts- As if I'd ever be scared of him!))
(I know, Dark, I know…)
…
:Where am I… and what is Niwa doing here?:
---
Wandering around the large house was rather entertaining, she decided, as she crept down the hallways. And man, was it as empty as someone's deathbed. But maybe they had something valuable she could take, except… she didn't know whether the residents were good guys or not. And that was the main idea.
Opening a door to a clean-ish looking bedroom, she peeked in and smiled.
How… interesting…
-End Stage 5-
Akane was currently in a half-daze, but the information was all there. "So now that we've found all of them… now what?"
"We have to wait and see, Akane," replied Celes, "We have to wait and see…"
"That's what you always say."
Celes mumbled something and turned away, and Akane frowned, not trusting the Priestess, or at least suspecting her.
'What do you know that we don't?'
---- What is going on? Why do any of us care? Who is the strange person who has entered the house and complained about wings? Do we want to know who she is? Well, Dark's gonna confront her in the next stage, so until next time! ----
So I finally managed to get this done. Good job –claps hands sarcastically-. Seriously, laziness is part of my life, and it bugs me. I know this chapter was weird and all, but that was the main idea… I think. The style's changed, but I hope everyone who reads this won't puke or run of or complain, because I have a lot on my mind, even if there is no school. Weird, huh? I thought that with holidays, I would be able to work on these things more, but I guess I was wrong. Please accept my deepest apologies and keep reading and if you think I'm taking too long to update, you can bug me. I don't know how well it will work, but I just might force me to try harder, okay?
And about those carrots… well, me and my friend write conversations during Maths classes, and we were going on about weapons of mass destruction, and putting cyanide in the teacher's food, and, for some reason, we began talking about potatoes and stuff with the weapons. Watch out… the mind can be a scary thing at times…
And with the buildings with fences… if you've played The Sims then you know that making your own house is the most fun to do… unless you want to kill the people off, which is as entertaining as anything else that could happen. :D I just ended up making a homeless guy who lived with fences as walls and an outhouse, where all the guests went to ring the doorbell. It was rather hilarious.
Thank you for your support. –bows and hands everyone Christmas presents and cookies- Late Christmas presents and everyone a happy New Year!!
-- Reviewer talkback:
-Hakudoshi-chan: Hey, we all have a part in this story, and Krad's one is yet to be properly revealed. Yay Krad. :) Well, he's just confused with what's going on, but he'll come to his senses soon, I hope.
-Staryday: I hate dresses, dresses are evil. I only wear one at school 'cause that's the uniform. :( Ah well, we can't all be funny, no matter what. I didn't consider them talking out of the story, but now they can. Not to mention Sato and Krad are separate. What could happen? CHAOS!
-SpinningAvia: It's really thanks to you that I actually got myself into this story again, so thank you. -bows and hands a present- Well the italics show them talking out of the story, but they can't control their... fantasy selves sadly. But I'm now considering some more interesting ideas... hm... very interesting... -smirks evilly.-
