Disclaimers: I never owned this. Or did I? Well, I own my own characters and I'm sure that the idea's mine, but you never know... oh well, let's get this started, shall we?

() Daisuke

(()) Dark

:: Satoshi

:::: Krad

'' normal characters thoughts

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Prologue: Time Passed – A Letter Came

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Daisuke Niwa yawned as he got out of the warm covers of his bed. As he rubbed his eyes slowly, he tried to get his mind to function properly. As he sat there in a daze, though, strange scene lit up to him: a river flowing gently off into the distance, lush green grass, the sound of people's voices happily floating around him and...

A calling voice carried by a breeze that swept past.

The young boy inclined his head at this, confused but not worried. After a few minutes of contemplation – which led to more confusion – he heaved himself out of bed and went to the cupboard.

"Kyu!" crowed With, his pet, as it wriggled out of the folds of his blankets.

"Are you coming today With?" asked Daisuke as he pulled the uniform on and picked up his school bag. The creature 'kyu'-ed again in approval and leapt onto his head as a reply.

Shaking his head and smiling, the redhead made his way down the stairs, where his mother greeted him.

"You're up early today, Dai-chan!" she called as he embraced him affectionately.

"Yeah..." Daisuke wriggled out of her grasp and went into the kitchen, where breakfast was already ready. His father and Grandfather greeted him as well and he nodded.

"Oh, Dai-chan--" began Emiko as she joined them, but was cut short as the News on the TV in the living room floated in on the three people seated around the table.

"Tomorrow night, the Phantom Thief Dark will be making another appearance--" the reported began to rant on about the details, but Daisuke was no longer paying any attention.

"Did you forget to tell me again?" he demanded, trying – and failing – to look a bit more threatening. He merely frowned at his mother, who smiled in reply.

"I guess that just slipped my mind," without waiting for a reply, Emiko held out a white envelope, "And this just came in the mail for you, Dai-chan. From Riku-chan."

"Riku-san?!" forgetting that he was annoyed with her, Daisuke jumped up and took the envelope she offered him. Opening it, he scanned the letter briefly before smiling.

Emiko grinned, "So, Daisuke, when are they returning?"

He blushed slightly before replying, "Tomorrow afternoon."

"Ah! We have to be ready then!" his mother jumped up excitedly and ran up the stairs, "You just go to school then!"

"... Okay..." Daisuke sighed.

"Take care," his father called.

"I will," replied the redhead as he left the house. Once he was out of Niwa property, he called to Dark, who had been snoring the entire time.

(Dark! Guess what?)

((... Wha? The sky's fallen down?))

(No... Riku-san is coming back!)

((Really?))

It was exactly a year since the Harada twins had moved to America for personal family reasons and Daisuke was practically jumping from joy at the news.

Catching sight of someone in front of him, the redhead called.

"Takada-san!"

Akane Takada had been a new student, transferred to the school and had more secrets than most of the student body altogether. Her hair, which was about the same shade as Daisuke's, had grown longer over the past year, but her eyes continued to glow with fiery determination that never seemed to die. She was also the Time Keeper and watched over the Flames of Time.

Because she had both the blood of the Niwa and Hikari clans, Akane possessed the power to watch over the spirits of the Thirteen Elements and even befriended them, with the help of both Daisuke and Satoshi during their attempt to save the Flame.

That had been a year ago, of course, and she was now only thought of as a good friend of Daisuke's, and that was all that mattered.

"Niwa-kun, morning," Akane turned and smiled, "You seem awfully cheerful today."

"Yeah, Riku-san and Harada-san are returning soon!"

"Really?" at this, she frowned slightly, "When?"

"Tomorrow afternoon!" Daisuke stopped for a moment when he noticed that his friend seemed fairly concerned rather than pleased, "... Is something wrong?"

"Ah! No... nothing's wrong," she replied hurriedly, "It's just that Dark has a job tomorrow as well, right?"

"Yeah..."

They both fell silent for a moment, as if wondering how to continue the rather awkward situation.

"Niwa-kun..." started Akane as they reached the gates to the school, "Is it okay if I come with you to meet them? You know, welcome them back?"

"Wha?" Daisuke looked up, surprised at the sudden question.

"You're going to meet them there, of course," she smiled slightly and he nodded after a moment of hesitation.

"Of course you can!"

"Okay."

They both entered the classroom and went to their set seats; Akane in the front row, while the redhead was a few rows back. Once Daisuke was on his own again, he couldn't help but call to Dark.

(Takada-san doesn't seem that enthusiastic...)

((Maybe she's sick.))

(... You're no help...)

((Zzz...))

Akane inclined her head as she went over the pieces of information she had just received and couldn't help but touch the pendant she wore at all times for reassurance.

'Hm...'

###

"Will it be ready soon?"

"Soon? Yes, master."

"When can we have it up and running by?"

"Tomorrow."

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A bit odd, but... there you go! The first of FWB! Sequel to FoT! I know it's a bit weird at the moment, I thrive on that, you know? And, uh... we'll just go on and see what happens! I'm sure you'll be surprised! Ahaha...

Please review and at least attempt to read FoT before this, since I don't wanna go on and on about the same characters, y'know? And I have to thank everyone who reviewed FoT! My first fanfic and, uh... it bombed out with nothing for a while. Eh. Well, 'till next time!

8/10/04: Happy birthday me and anyone else with the same date! Yay! I started this on my B'day! Let's see how long it takes to finish this one!