Daisuke sat in class, staring at the clock, willing it to tick faster. This morning he had awoken at seven o'clock to a loud ringing noise. Confused, tired, and brain dead, he tried to pinpoint where the annoyance was coming from. The alarm clock sat on the wall opposite his bed. Things had only gone uphill from there; Daisuke had actually gotten to school on time.
The clock on the wall stared defiantly down at him. A minute until lunch and it seemed to be slowing down with every passing second. He reached down and snagged his paper bag, smiling. This morning had left him time to pack Satoshi and himself lunch. That left the question of if Satoshi would eat with him, or let Daisuke go about his business.
Clanging quite like his alarm clock, the bell rang. Satoshi walked up to him; automatically Daisuke's eyes flitted up to the bandage on Sato's forehead. The thoughts from that night scuttled back causing Daisuke to blush and look at his feet.
"Niwa. I was thinking we could eat lunch together."
Daisuke looked up again, and grinned, "Sure, let me just—" He was cut off by a rather flouncy brown haired girl. Risa Harada glared at him and dragged him to the corner. Her long hair was tied with a ribbon, but a few straggling strands whisped in front of her eyes. Her hazel eyes glinted with a look Daisuke had seen many times before.
"Can you help me out tonight? I have a plan to meet up with Dark."
"What? How?"
"Well, the calling card was just found for his next target!"
"…Next target?"
"Yeah! Do you live under a rock? He's planning to steal the Feathers of the Soul painting from the museum."
Daisuke glanced back at Satoshi, whose features had gone from slightly eager for lunch to abandoned, "Listen, I'm kind of busy right now…"
"With Hiwatari? He can wait. Come on!"
"No, I promised to eat with him."
"Fine!" She flounced off, her ribbon falling to the ground. Bending down to pick up was a girl who looked close to Risa's appearance, save hair length. She tucked the ribbon into her pocket with a grimace.
"Oh, hi Riku…"
"She after Dark again?"
"Yeah."
"Have lunch with me?"
"Well, I all ready told Satoshi…" Daisuke looked back towards Satoshi. His heart dropped when he was Satoshi had left, "But my schedule just opened…" Riku beamed happily. She put her hand in his and laced their fingers. Daisuke flinched back, but Riku didn't seem to notice.
--
Daisuke slunk along the sidewalk, still mourning his lunchtime. Riku had just chattered on and on about nothing, while Daisuke listened, his mind slowly numbing. Satoshi wouldn't have blathered, the treacherous part of his mind interjected. You've got a point. Even creepy boy would have been better than her. Maybe. I thought you didn't like Satoshi. Anybody is better than her. You actually have an interest in her? Er, maybe. Well I think you'd be better off with Satoshi. Daisuke blushed in response, "That's not right." Whatever you say…
Daisuke looked in time to spot Satoshi going around the corner in front of him. Darting, Daisuke chased after him. As he turned the corner, he stopped short; the corner led to a dead-end alley way, and Satoshi was no where in sight. Not the first time that day, Daisuke cocked his head in confusion. A trash can tipped over and Daisuke jumped a foot in the air. A small rabbit like animal crept towards him.
"Wiz?"
"Kyu!"
Daisuke looked at Wiz. Daisuke looked at the trash can. Daisuke looked at the trash. Daisuke looked at Wiz. Wiz looked at Daisuke. Satoshi approached Daisuke from behind, a tad puzzled by the viewing of random objects. He tapped Daisuke's shoulder; Daisuke looked at Satoshi. Wiz looked at Satoshi. Satoshi looked at them…
"Enough with this looking!"
Daisuke grinned boyishly, "Okay! Where did you go?"
"Go? I just left school…"
"But I saw you turn this corner."
"Not possible."
Daisuke stared at him, and then chose to let it go, "Come on! Let's get an ice cream!"
"An… ice cream?"
"Yeah! It's a little warm out, so an ice cream will be good."
"No thanks."
Daisuke's smile fell from his face like a candle which has been blasted out with a fire hose, "Oh. Ok."
"I will see you later." Satoshi stalked off. Daisuke stared after him, feeling as though he had missed something. Daisuke looked at Satoshi. Daisuke looked at Wiz.
"Kyu!" Wiz kyu-ed agitatedly.
"I should go after him? Nah. He wants to be left alone…"
As Satoshi stalked away, that was the thing he wanted least. He heard that comment from Dai and almost lost his temper; the boy could be quite immune to human nature. Tormenting thoughts tore at his brain. You killed her.
--
Daisuke got into his Dark outfit, cursing his mother. Transform now. Hold on. I still have to get my arm through this sleeve. He tugged uselessly at his outfit. Just transform! I'll do it. Fine. Daisuke tried picturing Risa, but felt only a tingle of his usual transformation. He tried to picture her in her bathing suit during that swimming section of P.E… Still no response. Creepy boy is expecting us. You don't want us to keep him waiting do you? Daisuke blushed; Dark now took his place.
"See. It wasn't that hard." Dark smirked happily. What the… Why did I change? Oo. That's a rather personal question isn't it? Daisuke scowled while Dark laughed. Wiz exploded into wings and Dark leapt off the balcony. The night air whistled through his feathers. One of the perks of being a phantom thief was the frequent flier mileage. He doubted any credit card would accept them, but it was fun to think about. The museum loomed into view and Dark slowed his approach, his wings sending gentle winds down upon the unsuspecting guards. He blew the hat off of one of them and still no reaction. Considering himself safe, Dark swept inside, keeping to the shadows. Meeting no trouble, he approached his target, quickly handling it into his pocket. Beauty of art was lost on him, but Dark stole what he had to steal.
His ears pricked up at the sound of metal on metal. Turning, he saw Satoshi slapping a pair of handcuffs on his hand. The cuffs rattled together. Disquieted, Dark backed away, preparing to take flight. Satoshi made his move; Once again, he was on top of the phantom thief. Struggling, Dark tried to make a break for it. Dark? Dark! I'm… I'm a little busy…. right now! He's not that strong. Maybe not for… Thinking speedily, Dark fled to the corner of Daisuke's mind and they transformed back. Satoshi flinched at the smaller boy beneath him. Daisuke's concerned eyes gazed up at him, and Satoshi froze, his body tight, nervous. Take it from here, Daisuke. Daisuke carefully unlaced Satoshi's fingers from his own, and sat the other boy down gently as possible on the floor.
Satoshi regained movement, blinking rapidly. He grabbed Daisuke's arm and helped himself to a standing position. The two boys looked at each other. Daisuke's memories from the other evening, his unwanted thoughts, seeped back to him, making a driblet of sweat well up and pour down his forehead. Dark seemed to be less inclined to make an appearance right now, let alone talk, so Daisuke let the images play across his subconscious.
The same images were plaguing Satoshi. He felt colder than he had in his lifetime and Daisuke was a heat source. Slowly, cautiously, Satoshi wrapped his arm around Daisuke's shoulder, enjoying the warmth. Daisuke looked up at Satoshi, being almost a head shorter. He leaned in closer, happy to share his body heat. Shivering, he felt the cold of Sato and knew the freeze was more than skin deep. Satoshi recoiled, and Dark suddenly snapped to attention in Daisuke. Daisuke. Run. Why? He needs someone to be his friend. Friendship is not what's on his mind right now. Daisuke stared in confusion at his 'friend'. Satoshi's once bright blue eyes were now swirling with a golden mix. Tugging and pulling, Dark urged Daisuke towards the window. Still remaining, Daisuke turned back to his friend, who was now spilled on the floor heaving rough sobs. His body became nebulous momentarily and gained the form of a taller figure, about Dark's height and build. Long blonde hair billowed out. The golden cat eyes of the new man followed Daisuke's movements out of the room as Wiz carried him airborne.
Those golden eyes brimmed with tears as Satoshi's voice sobbed into the empty room, "I killed her…"
