Disclaimer: How many times must I say I do not own DNAngel? Once? Twice? Maybe a thousand? I do not in any way own DNAngel.

Chapter 5 Shadows

Shadows follow you around

Wherever you go

But what if they depart

And leave you alone?

Would you cry?

Would you laugh?

What would you do?

"Mom, I'm home." Aya kicked her sneakers off and dumped them in the shoe shelf.

"Mom?"

Aya ran up the spiraling stairway. She took a deep breath, opened the door, and entered her parent's bedroom.

"Aya?" a melodious voice asked from the closet. (It's a walk-in closet) Aya peered around the corner and saw her mom and dad sitting on the floor. (weird right?)

(Sorry for the interruption but here is a description of the house. It has five bedrooms; each with bathroom and shower, one huge kitchen, spiraling stairs, living room, dining room, family room (takes a breath), master bedroom with two walk-in closets, exercise room, humongous bathroom, tub, library (takes another breath), balcony, swimming pool, chandeliers, and etc. Continue reading)

"Why are you guys here?" Aya asked, sitting down with them.

"We're talking about a woman who asks us, no demands us, for child support money." Aya's mom said.

"My biological mother?"

It was not a question. It was merely a statement. Not a question.

"Who else do you think?"

Aya sighed. "What now?"

"She has been calling us every,"

The phone rang. Aya's mom shook her head as Aya was about to get it. Aya sat back down.

"Where do you go at night? I see you leave your room often," her mom said.

The phone kept on ringing and ringing. Annoyed, Aya pulled out the phone cords of all the phones. She placed them on a table in the kitchen.

"I like to have a lot of fresh air," Aya said, going to her room. It was partially true.

"Oh, well you shouldn't leave your room at night," Aya's dad said.

Aya started. She forgot that her dad was there. He hadn't said anything since she was there. Aya shrugged in answer then went to her room. She closed the door and turned to the doorway to her balcony. She opened the door. A small breeze lifted her hair. She closed her eyes and hummed a tune.

She bounded over the bars of the balcony and went along the roof. Her feet slipped. She had the breath knocked out of her as she slid down the roof. She fell to the ground on her side.

DAMMIT, that hurt! Why is my life like this! She asked herself angrily. Kami-sama, I wish I was never born. Or even better, I wish my dad never met my mom. At least I have a somewhat cool step-mom. Aya was just trying to be optimistic. She sat up, lifted her head, and stared up at the sky at the stars.

Flashback

Why is my life like this? God, what have I done wrong? Everything was cool and my biological mother had to come and ruin everything.

She remembered the previous summer; she was at her mother's house. She was playing with her little sister Maya and their pets. Her mom suddenly came into the room and started packing her stuff.

"Mom, why are you packing my stuff? Am I going somewhere?" Aya asked perplexedly

"You're going back to your house." Her biological mother said her mouth a thin line.

"Why? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, it's just that your clothes are like trash. You are going back."

"Mom, you wouldn't send me back for something that is so insignificant. What is it really?" Aya asked even though she knew full well of what was happening.

"I can't tell you. I'll tell you when you're older."

Her mother took her out and she dropped her stuff into the trunk of Kasha's mustang. Aya looked in incredulity. What the heck was going on?

When Kasha, her oldest sister, drove from the driveway, Aya looked out the window and saw her little sister waving. Aya watched her mom. She was just standing there for Pete's sake! From then on, Aya vowed to never see her mom again.

End of Flashback

Aya stood up and dragged herself across the street.

My step-mom is innocent. Why drag her in this mess? My mom builds lies, one on top of the other. She tails my dad, trying to drive him crazy. It's like the devil's controlling her. Especially, we have financial problems right now.

Flashback

"Just say that your our cousin."

"Why do I have to say that?" Aya said indignantly, "He has the right to know who I am."

"That's not the point. He is not supposed to know who you are." Her mom said calmly

"Oh so I go strutting around the house saying that I'm your cousin! This is just unjust! Why can't he know who I am!"

"I will tell you in the future."

End of Flashback

So, Aya thought bitterly, I was only known as "someone" or their cousin. I hid from him a lot but he had the right to know. Step-mom was the first one to ever uncover the truth.

Flashback

"Your mom called dad last night, screaming her head off. I can't hide this from you anymore, Aya. You are old enough to hear what we say.

Your mom calls every night. She gets information from Kasha. I know this may be hard to believe but your mother is trying to drive your dad crazy. She drags him to court, trying to make him pay large sums of money. She pokes her nose around and tries to get every little thing that is bad.

Your mom says she loves you but this is no way to say she loves you. Who pays for your stuff? Who pays for your clothing and school? If she drags daddy down, we all go down. We tried to get some sense into her head but it didn't work really well."

"Really, Mom? Does she actually do that?"

"I know that this is hard to believe but it is true."

"I know mom, I believe you."

End of Flashback

Aya had enough experience to learn the full truth. This wasn't some dream she could wake from. This was real. Now, she couldn't buy everything she wanted even though her mom wanted so much to give her.

She sat underneath a pine tree. (she's at her favorite park just to tell you) she stared at the stars again. Suddenly, out of nowhere, there was a tearing pain in her chest.

God! Make it stop!

Flashback

"When your parents got divorced, they decided to split up the children. Your mom took Murisaki and Maya. She took them because they were quiet. Your dad took you and Kasha.

You were very crazy. You know why? It's because your mom never actually gave you that much attention. That made you even crazier and she became more distant."

"Wow, I never knew that."

End of Flashback

Aya seized her shirt. She pulled at the grass, her fingernails made a visible tear across her shirt.

Maybe if I sleep, the pain will leave me.

Aya's body relaxed on the grass. Her eyes were half closed.

Maybe if I'm lucky, an angel will take me away to heaven.

Her body was covered in mud. Aya gave a small sigh and closed her eyes, her mind drifting…

Satoshi glowered with hatred at his other self in the mirror, his hair dripping water. Golden eyes stared back at him serenely.

Krad was an impressive blond with remarkably long hair. He had a feminine appearance, like that of an angel, and cat-like eyes.

"Can't sleep," Satoshi mumbled, drying his face and hair with a towel.

What's wrong Satoshi-sama? Something on your mind? Is it that girl? Krad smirked.

Satoshi looked fiercely at him. Are you talking about Aya? No, I'm not thinking about her.

Remember that our minds are connected. I see and hear every thought. Krad twirled a strand of blonde hair around his finger.

Satoshi kept silent.

"Never mind you."

Krad only sneered. Satoshi turned away from him and went to his bed, flopping down on the mattress. Suddenly, Satoshi felt a horrible feeling. Krad was trying to take over his body again.

Let me out. Krad said calmly.

Satoshi breathed heavily. He gasped grabbing his chest. Why now?

I want to stretch my wings. There stiff.

Oh really! Is that your only reason!

White wings erupted from his back. His sky blue hair turned blond and his eyes turned golden.

I haven't been out for a long time Satoshi-sama.

Satoshi snorted. I wish you could get out of my life. You do know that whenever we transform, it hurts unbearably?

Krad chose to ignore him. Satoshi became frustrated and sat moodily in the corner of his mind. When Krad continued to ignore him, Satoshi said crossly, Fine! I'm going to sleep!

Krad gracefully opened the door and leapt on top of the balcony. He launched himself into the air swiftly and spread his wings.

Satoshi humphed. This is my body.

Oh Satoshi-sama, you know that you are mine.

Satoshi glared at Krad in the recesses of his mind.

I belong to no one. I am not your toy.

Aren't you supposed to be sleeping Satoshi?

Satoshi did not answer. Krad chuckled. He assumed that his other self had decided to sleep for once.

All of a sudden, the wind dissipated abruptly. Krad flapped his wings hard to keep the same position.

What the…?

It was so silent that it felt as if his ears would pop. Then, suddenly as the wind had died, it started again.

Krad kept his guard up, listening, watching, waiting…

When will we stop changing? Daisuke thought, grumbling to himself.

"When the person you like likes you back," Dark answered, although the question wasn't directed to him.

Don't give me that crap. Riku like me back and I still kept changing.

Dark grinned. You make it sound as if that is the worst thing in the world. It's more complicated than you think Dai.

What! There's more! Daisuke yelled.

Ow! You don't have to yell so loud! Yeah, yeah. There's a lot more than that. Dark winked. Besides, isn't it fun stealing?

That's just you…wait! Turn back!

"Ow, Dai! You're yelling in my ear!"

Just turn ba-

"Dark, what a pleasant surprise," a voice said coldly.

Krad? Dark's eyes widened.

I told you to turn back. Daisuke thought nervously.

Krad was standing in midair with his arms crossed, his magnificent wings outstretched. Dark turned to flee, which was a huge mistake.

"Don't think you can escape me," Krad hissed venomously.

Dark felt something hit his back squarely. He slammed into a tree and slid down, dazed. He gritted his teeth.

Dark! You okay! Daisuke said anxiously.

Don't worry. I've got more fire than that.

Something warm trickled down Dark's back. He was bleeding profusely on his left arm.

Let me take over Dark! You can't go on like this!

Are you crazy! Krad will kill you! Remember last time!

I don't care let me out! Daisuke struggled to take over but to no avail.

Dark shot up into the air, struggling to stay up. He clutched his side, blood trickled down his back. Unexpectedly, he felt a hot breath on his neck.

"Now you die Dark Mousy."

Dark yelped as something unbelievably painful pierced his chest. Dark's eyes glazed over and he plummeted in a mass of black feathers. A resounding crunch echoed in the night. Krad landed beside the body and kicked it. The black wings had disappeared from Dark's back which was unusual. When Krad was unconscious, he could not hide his own wings unless Satoshi changed into him. He snorted, Oh well, who cares about this bastard.

"Hmph, finally. The infamous phantom thief Dark is finally dead."

Krad glanced at the body and blinked as the body stirred.

I...impossible! That can't be!

"Jeesh, that woke me up! I asked for an angel to take me away to heaven. Not fall on top of me and nearly squash me to death!"

The body slid down the side to reveal a girl, covered in blood, dirt, and feathers. She rubbed her head, her brow furrowing.

"What the hell is this?"

Krad raised an eyebrow. The girl with indigo hair poked at the body curiously. She tilted her head to one side and turned the body over then clapped a hand to her mouth and gasped.

"What the helll! What happened to you!"

The girl looked around quickly. Krad turned on his heel and started to walk away but her voice halted him.

"Wait! Do you know what happened to Dark!" Krad looked at her from the corner of his eye.

Eh…what…happened? Satoshi had awoken. Through Krad's eyes, he stared at the girl. Since he had low blood pressure, it took him a while for him to realize who it was.

Hey! That's Aya! Wait… what happened to Dark? Krad, Satoshi asked threateningly, what happened to Daisuke?

I was only cleaning up some trash. Krad said casually.

"Hey you! If you don't stop I'll beat it out of you!"

Krad ignored her and continued to walk, thinking that she was none of his concern. She was a minor problem that did not need to be heeded. Out of the blue, he felt something land on top of him and pin him to the floor. He saved himself a blow in the face by breaking his fall with his hands.

"What you do with him!" the girl snarled menacingly.

In Daisuke's Mind

"Dark?" Daisuke wondered around, searching for his alter ego.

"Where are you?"

WhiteWolf92: Aren't I evil to all my characters? Mwahahahahahaha.

Krad: Change that part about me falling. I will, in no way, fall because a pipsqueak pinned me.

Aya: Shut up! I'm not a pipsqueak!

Dark: Where am I?

WhiteWolf92: Eh? You're right here.

Dark: No I meant where in the fanfic.

WhiteWolf92: (sweatdrops) Errr… I didn't think about that yet.

Everyone: What!

WhiteWolf92: Hey, hey, I'm thinking. I just came back from my "vacation". Who wants a cookie?

Daisuke, Trishi, Koro: Me! Me! No me!

Kenshin: Oro?

Daisuke: Hey, what's he doing here? This is a DNAngel fanfic!

Kenshin: This one must have entered into the wrong room. Excuse.

Everyone in room: Okay….

(Kenshin leaves the room. Then they hear screams of girls. WhiteWolf92 is at her school)

Kenshin: (running) Oro! This one made a mistake!

Girls: PERVERT!

WhiteWolf92: (opens door)

(Everyone watches as girls chase after Kenshin and smack him on the head. Apparently, he went into the girl's bathroom)

Kenshin: (big bumps on head) oro?

Everyone: …

WhiteWolf92: So…who wants a cookie?