"Thank you"

Daisuke Niwa Flinched, hearing out of nowhere a voice, and a hand on his shoulder as he walked home. Seconds later, though, he realized the onwner of the voice and turned around in relief. "Hiwatari-kun! I didn't know there was anyone else around!" he exclaimed, adding lamely, "You're pretty good at sneaking up… eheh…"

Elegantly arching an eyebrow, Hikari Satoshi showed a hint of amusement. "That's quite a compliment, considering who it came from."

A touch of pink momentarily crossed Daisuke's face, before he remembered that there was no real need to hide any of that from Satoshi. Then, sadness washing over him, he remembered there was nothing left to hide from anyone. His expression must have quite blatantly betrayed his feelings, because Satoshi gave him a quite-out-of-character look of sympathy.

"I'm sorry. You probably don't enjoy being reminded of all that, do you?"

Unshed tears brought a gleam to the small boy's eyes. "It's just… it lasted so long. I didn't remember what it was like to be alone! Sometimes he made me angry, and we didn't get along, I guess, but at least he was always there with me." He gave a sniff, before adding, "Sorry, it wasn't the same for you, was it, Satoshi-kun? I don't mean to spill everything on to you."

Bowing his head to push up his glasses, Satoshi's bangs hid his expression. Calmly, he replied, I think I understand what you mean, though. Dark was not an enemy of the Niwas. Unfortunately, it was for that same thing that I came to thank you."

"What?" Daisuke asked, his curiosity taking the edge off his tears.

"The commanding, the laughter, the constant watching, the touching," and Satoshi's face darkened, "It's all gone now. I don't have to face him. I know you're unhappy, but I wanted to thank you, because you've managed to forever free the Hikaris."

Unlike Satoshi, Daisuke was not one to hold back what he felt from anyone. His body movement displayed his surprise, and the little redhead stared at Satoshi. "But… I would have never wanted any of this to happen. I didn't mean to let any of it happen!" he exclaimed. It hurt a bit, thinking that it was implied that everything that had occurred had been part of some plan of his.

Satoshi waited passively for him to finish. His pale eyes bored deep into Daisuke, his thoughts hidden as always. Softly, he spoke, "I know, Niwa. I know all of that. But I'm still grateful. Perhaps I just wanted someone to be grateful to."

Daisuke's face and heart softened equally. He had always, or at least since knowing of Krad, felt a great deal of sympathy towards his Hikari counterpart. He gave Satoshi a small smile. "I guess not all bad things came out of it."

"I'm glad you can realize that." Satoshi said, his hand once again resting on his friend's shoulder, "I'll leave you now. I only came to tell you of this."

Daisuke's eyes widened innocently when he felt the distance between their two bodies close. It seemed that Satoshi barely wished to make the effort to speak, as he almost whispered, "And to thank you."

The last word leaving his mouth, the taller boy leaned in inches, his lips meeting Daisuke's cheek. He was sure he could feel those soft lips curving into his face, but he missed the rare smile, as Satoshi only lingered moments, before brushing past him and calmly walking away. Unable to say a word, Daisuke stared, in complete shock, at the retreating back, before once more breaking out into a shameless blush.