A/N: 3 more chapters and it's over! I think I'm ready it for it, my love for this story is a bit spent. This is the last orginal part of the story, the rest will just lead up to the events in "When It's Easier To Forget" and I really hope you guys will pick up reading the new version of it as well. I promise it's going to be better then the first and probably 6 chapters longer. Away with my shameless plugs...

Disclaimer: I do not own D N Angel

Dark had been patched up and was doing fine, Riku was more than thankful for this. She had hopes that his health status would raise her spirits, but something was still tugging on her heart. Dark wasn't fine- not mentally. He had come back with the art as promised, but hadn't managed to do away with the Hikari's defense, Krad. And even though he stayed silent most of the time, Riku could see that the defeat was weighing heavily on him.

She could almost see the turmoil in his violaceous eyes as they stared captivated on the stars above them. Inside she was bit angry at him for not telling her what was wrong. But how could she resent him for it, when she was too afraid to ask? Dark had not returned to her the same as when he left. His eyes only looked upon her with concern and fear, as if anticipating the worst. No longer the confidence and reassurance she needed.

"Hm, what's wrong?" Dark's words pulled her from her tance of thoughts.

"Oh, nothing." Riku blushed, not realizing that all the while she had been staring.

The thief just smiled, drawing his right leg up toward his chest while leaving the left to dangle off the side of the wall. Cocking his head back, he continued his admiration of the heavens. "The sky is beautiful tonight," he sighed.

"Yes it is," she agreed though her eyes had yet to look at it, they remained fixated on Dark. Her hands brushed lightly over the bandage wrapped around his abdomen, hoping that her touch could ask the question her lips could not."Why did you bring me out here?"

"It's your favorite spot isn't it?" he answered simply.

"Yeah but-"

"So it's the perfect place for me to say what I have to say," he interrupted, his gaze drifting back to her. "We've been together a long time haven't we?"

"Eight years," she replied, once again looking back on the memories fondly.

"All that time I've done a pretty good job protecting you haven't I?"

She nodded, biting back on her bottom lip solicitously. It was like he knew something she didn't.

Dark groaned angrily as that last Ki blast just barely nipped his upper arm. Quickly cupping over the stinging wound with his hand, he peered up spitefully at the familiar white-winged man. He wasn't going to return home in shame again. This time he would beat Krad.

"It would seem that we are equally matched once again, Dark Mousy," Krad smirked. "We're a lot alike you and I."

"How dare you compare me to likes of you," Dark spat turbulently, " a Hikari gaurd dog."

"How suiting, coming from you," he laughed malevolently, "a lowly thief."

"It's not like that!" the dark angel retorted.

"Not like what?" Krad pressed. "You're trying to tell me that your talent's not wasted on doing the bidding of humans as well? Are you telling me that you do it because you actually want to?"

Dark just glared back wordlessly.

"Oh I see," Krad's cat-like eyes narrowed. "There's someone you care about in that village. A girl, I persume."

His grin widened to once again display those pearly fangs. "Well then Phantom Thief Dark, if you actually manage to leave here alive then next time I persue you not only will I come for you but those you love as well."

Dark could not cast away Krad's words as carelessly as he liked, because deep down he knew that the false angel would be true to his word. Dark had vowed to keep Riku safe and would now until death keep that vow. He smiled half-heartedly back at her unknowing face, while the fear whirled with in his heart. He wouldn't let Krad lay finger on her.

He supressed fitful tears at the thought of losing her. Ever since she was a child he was afraid that one day he may not be able to protect her. Worries that one day he wouldn't be able to be with her like this. He would die before he saw that day.

"I love you," he pulled her into a tight embrace.

Riku tensed in surprise before relaxing under his grip. Rubbing her hand soothingly along his back,"I love you too," she whispered.

Maybe in the end she didn't need to know what was wrong. All she needed was to hear those three simple words from him and all the anxieties washed away. She suddenly felt that whatever it was Dark would work it out on his on terms. He knew what was best and her confidence in that was forthwith restored.

"Marry me? he whispered into her ear.

"What?" Riku pulled back in shock. He has to be joking! He wouldn't tease about something like this?...Would he?

"What's the matter?" He pouted playfully, "You plan on being with me forever anyway, don't you?"

"Yes, er but I" Riku panicked. "But my parents-"

"I already asked them," Dark grinned smugly, " and they said they would be honored."

Riku searched his amethyst eyes for answers, but they only radiated confidence. She had always trusted him and there was no reason no to now. He knew what he was doing. "Yes," she smiled,"I'll marry you Dark."

"Alright!" he celebrated.

Riku pressed her lips against Dark's as he quickly gathered her into his arms. Spreading his long jet wings, he ascended into the night. No man in the world could be as happy as he was now. Years of solitude now behind him, he looked forward to a bright future with Riku. A bright future that he wasn't going to let anyone touch. The stars seemed a bit brighter as the couple flew toward them.

a/n: anyone see that coming? ...ah yes it's all but too cliche!