A/N: Despite the fact that I am dead tired right now, I love you guys enough to give you a speedy update. Don't cha just love me ? For those of you who like to count, this story will be elven chapters long. Although this chapter is going to be a shorty as I fear many of the others shall be.

Disclaimer: I don't own D N Angel

Dark had been missing all day, no one had seen him and Riku just assumed he was off brooding somewhere. Dark wasn't one to take defeat lightly and there was no way he was going to stick around the village to show off his battle scars. Sometimes he seemed more concerned about his image than anything else.

Riku had been correct in assuming that Krad and Dark were equally matched. In the end both boys were force to retreat due to numerous injuries and exhaustion. But Dark was still embarassed, even though no one had won per se it still wasn't the victory he had imagined. Riku giggled to herself at how immature he could be at times.

Nevertheless the sick feeling in her stomach had not subsided, she had never been as worried in her life as she was that night. Horrible, almost unimaginable outcomes ran across her mind and she feared no matter how much she called for him, he wouldn't return. Last night holding him in her arms, something stirred in her that she hadn't felt move since she was a child. She was in love with Dark Mousy, all most too much for words, but something in her forbid her from telling him. In her mind she knew that no good would come of it.

Dark didn't return until night, taking his place as gaurd a top the village walls and by then most of its residents were asleep assuring him peace. He could focus on his plans to get that rotten pretty-boy Krad without disturbance and worry that anyone would see the condition that he was in.

The wind was blowing a little harder than usual that night, but Dark didn't seem to mind. In fact he would close his eyes and arch his back a little every time a strong breeze would whip past his face. His longer purple tresses would dance behind him before falling perfectly back into place, sometimes as if they had never left their post.

Cloaked in the shadows, Riku watched him everytime he did this and her eyes would grow a little. The sight of him was tugging at her breath and was enough to make her bottom lip tremble impulsively. She swallowed nervously, her fingers tightening around the cup in her hands.

"I knew you were spying on me again," Dark called to her, his eyes still on the horizon.

Riku gave disgruntled sigh, I guess it was a little stupid of her to expect to go undetected, he was a thief afterall. Sliding out from her hiding place she ambled toward him, the wind quickly catching her in the face.

"You should be getting some sleep," Dark gazed down apprehensively towards the approaching girl. "Is something keeping you up?"

"I came to bring you something to drink," she replied passing him up the glass, " and yes something is. How can I sleep knowing that you're out here protecting us all night."

"It's my job," he said simply taking a sip of the warm liquid.

"You don't have to do it! You steal the Hikari arts for out master and then you are forced to protect us from their retaliation. You do too much for us, but why?"

"Because...," he smiled up at the full moon, " it gives me a home and something to protect."

Riku felt a sudden jealousy boiling towards the moon. Night after night he was out here smiling at the orb, bathing in its ivory light. Why was it that the moon was graced with a smile like that? Why wouldn't he look at her with such content? For years she had watched Dark Mousy, the legendary phantom thief and guardian of Azumano, and not once did she have the courage to tell him how she really felt. He had always been her best friend and so close, but something about him was always untouchable. She was still just a girl after all and a very plain at that, Dark had every girl in the village swooning over him. Why would he choose her ?

"That's the sweetest thing I've ever head," she whispered desprately trying to draw his attention away from the sky.

"Heh, don't tell anyone would ya? I don't want to ruin my reputation," he winked rubbing the back of his neck.

"Your secret's safe with me."

Riku's cheeks blazed the minute she realized what she had just said. A moment of awkward silence settled in between the two as they both pondered over the meaning of her words. Meanwhile, the wind whisked by sending chills up her bare legs, the thin material of her night gown not proving to be much of a barrier. Her chin length, copper colored hair floated up around her ears before settling back down to frame her face, but not quite as gracefully as Dark's. She gave an involuntary shiver.

"It's getting cold," Dark's voice had taken lower, raspier tone.

"I know," she peered up at him with half-open eyes, "but I want to stay out here with you."

"Well then come up here before you get sick," he grinned, kindly extending his hand.

Blushing madly, she took his hand allowing him to lift her up on top of the wall. She nestled herself beside him, resting her hands in her lap and staring at them flusteredly.

"You know," Dark spoke before silence could come between them again, "I feel as if I've endangered the village more than anything."

"Why is that?" she perked up.

"Krad..." he whispered sullenly.

"What is he?" Images of the angelic monster flooded her mind.

"Krad is my other half, but I am very different from him.In a way he is nothing but a replica. He was made to counter me and balance out the universe. Without light there cannot be shadow."

Riku nodded, "So you're saying..."

"Without me there wouldn't be Krad and vice versa," he finished.

"That's nothing to be ashamed of, Dark. Without you we'd probably be slaves to those Hikari pigs by now," she consoled. "If anything you've said us."

"Heh, I guess you're right," he grinned. "Thanks, pip (pip-squeak)."

"Hey! I thought I had grown out of the nicknames?"

Dark laughed, "Never."

She wanted to protest, but couldn't. Seeing him laugh like that was worth any name calling. Smiling, she even giggled to herself a little.

Dark cocked an eyebrow feeling her quiver beside him. "Still cold?"

She scooted closer to him and he draped his arm around her shoulders in attempts to keep her warm. "Better?" he asked giving her the smile she had been longing for. Riku rested her head on Dark's shoulder and in satisfaction joined him in gazing at the moon.

a/n: some of you should remember that scene. yeah it's a little different, but I like this version better.