Daisuke spent all of Sunday morning curled up in bed. It wasn't that he was tired or anything; he just did not want to leave the warmth of his covers. That … and the dreams …

Warm lips, pressed against his skin as cold air whipped about him, cool blue hair wispy in the wind, fingers moving down, ever down …

'Dai-chan, I'm bored!'

Daisuke growled and rolled over on his belly, stuffing his head under his pillow - an ineffective attempt to silence the crotchety thief lurking in his head.

'C'mo-on. I wanna go.' Dark was getting whiney. 'The park sounds good. I bet it's bright and cheery outside. Go to the park, Dai-chan. I wanna see the ladies …'

Daisuke grumbled a protest.

'Oh, yeah, I forgot about your recent aversion to girls.' Dark's tone was dark.

"Shut up, Dark."

The thief was looking for a fight. 'Oh, I struck a nerve, huh?'

Daisuke yawned. "If you don't shut up, I'm going to fall back asleep."

'I don't think so …' the voice in his head sing-songed. Daisuke felt Dark's heat rising in him, and knew the thief was gaining control over his body.

"Fine, fine," Daisuke gave in, sitting up. "You win."

The warmth receded and Dark was still. He stayed quiet as Daisuke dressed and groomed, and was quiet still as the boy bounded downstairs, bade his family good morning and good bye, and dodged Emiko's traps on the way to the door.

As Dark had suggested, Daisuke began strolling down to the nearest park.

It really was a nice day. The breeze was cool and the sun warm, rustling the leaves in the trees and stirring those on the ground.

Daisuke had always liked the park when the seasons were changing. Most of the trees were in bloom, leaves and flower buds stretching proudly out to the sun.

He wandered amongst the trees, dodging low branches and high roots until he found a particularly inviting one. He leapt up and grabbed the lowest branch, swinging up to straddle it with the grace of an acrobat.

He scooted his back up against the trunk, letting his head hit against the bark, closing his eyes as he soaked in the feeling of the sunshine tickling his skin as it twinkled in between the rustling leaves.

He was just nodding off when Dark interjected: 'Dai, Dai – wake up!'

"What?" Daisuke said aloud, irritated.

'Look over there – under that branch.'

Daisuke rolled his eyes and moved the leafy branch sitting in front of him. There was a solitary girl sitting under the tree in front of him, nose in a book. She was older than he, but not by much. Cute, with a freckled face and light glasses upon her nose.

'Yeah …' Daisuke thought.

'So, I wanna talk to her. Get some action, here, Dai-chan.'

Daisuke leaned back once more, letting the branch spring back into place. 'Give it up, Dark.'

Dark was pissed, now. 'Daisuke! I … I need to!' Quieter, he added, 'Did you see what Hiwatari did to me last night?'

Daisuke nodded slowly, feeling the ghostly touch of Satoshi's lips pressed against his skin. He could almost feel them sliding over his neck, down and over his arms, moving back up wetly …

'Stop it!' The image faded rapidly from Daisuke's mind. 'I feel all dirty, now. I need me a lady.'

Daisuke sighed and leapt from the tree, landing silently in the grass. He walked toward the girl, who looked up at him.

"Good afternoon," Daisuke said to her, politely. She grinned and he continued on his way.

'Hey – hey, wrong, buddy, wrong! Where are you going!'

'Well, you said you felt dirty – I'm going home to take a shower!'

Dark was in shock. 'Jerk!'

'Takes one to know one, I guess.'

And with a sharp sneeze, Daisuke started home.