DISCLAIMERS: I don't own DNAngel, or anything else. Understood? I'm sure you do... and, no, I don't own my brain either. It owns me.

WARNINGS: Uh... evil to such well-loved characters, slight (very, very slight) use of coarse language, horrible and bleak descriptions, strange characterisations, one too many new characters to contend with.

--- Darkened Heart ---

--- 7 ---

Krad Hikari merely stood amidst the silence that had followed after the Thief's exclamation. He was wearing what looked like a suit – although not as formal – and he had long golden-blonde hair that had been tied up in a ponytail. Satoshi got up.

"I can see that you made it here safely in the end," he greeted him courteously. The blonde turned his gaze to the blue-haired boy and nodded politely. As this was happening, the other three present didn't move or say anything, until Akane accidentally scrapped her chair against the floor with a loud and annoying noise as she stood up to close the door.

"…" Daisuke cast an uneasy glance at the newcomer – he wasn't too sure, but something in his senses told him to be wary of such a person – but was cut short as Dark tried to get himself out of bed. Regaining his composure, he pushed his cousin back down, "Dark! You're too weak to get up!"

"… So, it really is you," the blonde muttered, "Pity, I thought you had already died after that one…" he stopped himself as he gave a glance at the minors around him, "incident."

"Well, I'm alive obviously," came the somewhat-cheerful reply, "So what brings you here then?"

"You, in particular, don't need to know," Krad said, turning away to direct his attention back to Satoshi, "I think we should talk in a different room."

Dark was looking indignant, but Satoshi ignored him and nodded, "Takada, Niwa-kun, would you like to come?"

Akane nodded, and after casting a quick glance at the Thief, Daisuke agreed as well, although still unnerved by the blonde's presence. He hated whatever power he had that made him this paranoid, but then again, he would still be scared of said blonde by just appearance. He looked too… superior. Dark seemingly gave up for the time being, but muttered to Daisuke to tell him everything that was spoken and the redhead promised before they left the room to some other place.

---

'Naught but when I hear your voice, you calling to me, I know that this is the truth. A truth that I failed to believe in, a truth I just didn't want to face. Something about it always scared me, and I just didn't want to admit that I was wrong…

'I know that I lost you because of this, and I know that you despise me for all of this, but I couldn't do anything about it… I was always a coward. I always ran away when it was too hard for me. I didn't want to see you hurt, and that was my greatest weakness…

'I hid my identity, I lost my sense of self, I sacrificed it all to try and start again. I tried to forget all about you, I tried to make it seem like a dream, but it didn't work… it never did… and I was always the one to pay the price for my stupidity. This is the truth I came to hate, the one I came to hide from. The one that I wish that it hadn't been…

Dark, I will always remember you…'

Dark frowned, looking at the piece of paper that had miraculously survived even after the monster attack. It was the last words that someone had given him before death, before leaving this world. If it really was death, he may never forgive her, but if it was to another world to try and start again, he could only wish he the best of luck.

What could one tell their own sister?

---

Along the way to the meeting room, they passed Kain who was instantly invited to join them and Satoshi closed and bolted the door behind him.

"Just to stop people interrupting us," he explained to Daisuke, who had raised a questioning eyebrow. "You don't know how often that happens. It really is crowded in this base so we have to make sure that privacy of sorts are still in check."

"But that's not the point." Akane added, as they took seats around the table, "The thing is, many people do live here, but we have to keep an eye out for those who may be in danger but just don't know it yet. It's a hard process that no one wants to be left with, but it's necessary."

"So does that mean that there are bases like this all over the world?" asked the redhead, unable to help it, and Kain nodded.

"We try and keep connections with the other bases, but it's pretty hard from where we are and where they are, so we try and keep to ourselves unless it's insanely urgent."

"Then… how about the monster attacks?"

"That's why Krad's here," Satoshi replied simply, "he knows more about this then all of us put together and this is the exact reason I called him here."

"?"

"It's simple, really," the blonde said calmly, not really making eye contact with anyone, "The line and dimensions are completely distorted and destroyed, which makes it easier for the monsters to enter this particular world."

"Completely?" repeated Akane, frowning. Kain seemed to be in the same position. Krad nodded at the two, which Satoshi seemed to remain indifferent as the redhead was in deep thought.

"It may just be here, but I am sure that the other bases are having the same problems. Monsters that appear occasionally not only put a strain on one's energy, but it also risks their lives due to the…" he smirked slightly, "Witch burnings, so to speak."

"Is there any way we can contact them at the moment?" asked Kain.

"Yeah…"

"I'll go and check on them--"

"No, I'll do it," Akane cut in, getting up and patting his shoulder slightly, "Tell me the rest later. Okay, I'm off."

"…" Daisuke watched as the door closed amidst the silence that followed in her wake. "Is she hiding something from us?"

"Either that or she's worried," Satoshi remarked, one eyebrow currently raised. "Takada has a strange habit of leaving in the middle of meetings if something else is on her mind."

Krad coughed slightly to regain attention, "As I was saying, the dimensions are completely distorted, so the troubles have only just started. It looks like you may have a long battle on your hands if you choose to continue it… or allow the monsters to massacre the rest of the human race. Very few, as we know, can even ward off a demon, let alone a monster with ten times the power."

"We're going to continue fighting, of course," the blue-haired boy replied, looking over at the blonde coolly, "because if the monsters take over the… surface, then there is no way we will be able to deal with them once they get under control. I'm assuming that your either here to help us a bit, or to mock us for our futile attempts."

"So you say, Satoshi, so you say. If I wanted to die, then I would allow it, wouldn't I?"

"…" Daisuke shifted nervously in his seat, and Kain leaned over to whisper in his ear; "Those two are really alike, aren't they? Satoshi has always been a creep, but to see someone just like him…" The redhead shrugged slightly at the comment but didn't bother to reply.

"Well, in any case, we need you to at least check to whether our lines are being tampered or not," Satoshi finally concluded, "We're not asking you to risk your ass on our behalf."

"Be a little more polite to your older brother," Krad hit him lightly over the head, "And I'll help, if you really need it. I have some… experience with such problems."

"Well, in any case," the blue-haired boy got up, "We have to go now." It wasn't long before the two were gone, leaving Daisuke and Kain in the empty room, the candles that filled it with light spluttering slightly from too much work. The redhead inclined his head at the thought as Kain hit the table in frustration and annoyance.

"Can't they just explain something properly for once?" he burst out, "Why are they always so… secretive, of whatever it is!?"

"Well, I think I'll go check on Dark…" Daisuke murmured in distraction, leaving the fuming boy on his own. The corridors and halls seemed to be more deserted than usual, and the redhead quickened his pace somewhat. He had a feeling that he would never truly get used to the atmosphere that was created by this underground base, and only wanted to be outside again. But he had lost almost all of his family, the last link being Dark. If they were to risk their life on something like living among the normal people… he didn't want others to suffer.

And his friends… they were probably worried… it was little wonder, but he couldn't help but feel guilty since, if they were being interrogated to his whereabouts… He shuddered.

(I'll see them again… I know I will…) he told himself.

(That's the spirit,) his other voice encouraged, (Once we get rid of the monsters, convince those idiots that there's nothing wrong with us, we can go back to normal lives.)

(…) Sometimes the voice could be so… weird, Daisuke decided as he opened the door to Dark's room.

---

"Are you absolutely certain to helping the rest risk their lives to rid of the monster swarms?" Krad asked Satoshi, who was actually his half-brother. "They seem to be capable of taking care of themselves, and I don't think either one of our parents will be impressed with us fighting with the enemy…"

The two were walking home, the lamps emitting their weak orange light over the streets across the deserted land. The night was strangely clear and the moon was on it's half-turn. Stars glittered in the sky and there was no breeze, leaving the air around them almost… repulsive.

"We both hold the same blood as they do, the same fate if we were ever discovered," the blue-haired replied in a hostile way, looking at the concrete below, "Our parents would disown us, or hand us over to those who want to kill us. There is no other way, Krad, and you know that if you don't help, we'll be discovered sooner or later." Silence. "… And how is it that you know Dark?"

"I have my reasons," the blonde shrugged, "And the obscurity of being against those with magic potential is ridiculous. This is the only reason to why I'm helping you know, Sato."

"You just don't want to be burnt on the stake."

"… You really don't know, do you?"

"What?"

"Those who don't get killed in the process will most likely be handed over to psychotic and sadistic scientists."

"…"

"Either way, we can't let that happen."

"I guess you're right about that. Some people will go to extreme lengths to fulfil their sick, twisted dreams of world domination or revenge."

"And about that Takada girl…"

"What about her?"

"What was she up to, when she left?"

"Who knows. Takada does some of the most unexpected things, so I wouldn't hold it against her."

"She knows something."

"Of course. But we have to wait for her to talk. Then it could be too late."

"… Do you think you should trust her?"

"She may be the only one to trust at the moment."

"Hm, foolish brother…"

"What are you implying there--"

"Oh… nothing. What is her first name?"

"Akane."

"Hm…"

---

"Hello? This is Azmuno base for the condemned. Takada online," Akane spoke into a little microphone. The area was more advanced than the rest of the base, electronics actually used and it looked out of place in comparison of the rest of the base. Cords and computers lined the walls, yet the entire room was deserted, save for Akane.

It was night, and everyone had gone to sleep, no doubt, although they knew of the dangers that were coming their way, and it seemed that only the redhead truly knew the horrors that would soon come into play.

It was one of her many talents, and she hated it.

She hated having to do these types of things, and, more importantly, she hated watching the events progress, because most of the results were the type of scenarios that needed to be ignored and forgotten, rather than seen and remembered.

She hated the fate and the powers that had been passed onto her.

A voice cackled in reply, jerking the girl out of her musings, "Unable to connect. Error between connections. Please repair all problems before transfers. Repeat--" She sighed and cut off the error warning. So there was no way to make contact with the other bases, unless they wanted to walk around amongst those who wanted to kill them: Akane wasn't worried in particular about her own fate involving such a thing, but if others were to follow and noticed…

Tapping a few keys, she got another connection, "Reporting; Akane. Come in…"

"Yes? This is Dimension 8, Cless speaking." There was the distinctive sound of someone yawning and, in the background, snoring. "What's the matter this time—I haven't got any information you want that isn't blackmail material, so--"

"I need to talk about the lines and the barrier," she interrupted, "Can you give me anything on that yet? We need it now."

"Oh, I don't know…" muttering and typing, "I'm more of a stealth guy that does things that others don't like. Wait… I'll get Cecilia on, alright?"

"Alright."

While the change was being made, Akane fixed up the connection, allowing the picture before them to form, not just the sound waves and connection files that were up there all the time. It wasn't long before a girl appeared, putting on headphones, her glasses slightly askew.

"Yes… Cecilia here," she beamed when she noticed who was on the other line, "Akane! It's been a while, hasn't it? Have you decided yet?"

"Sorry, Cecilia, but I haven't had time to think of that since the time I got back here," she replied, inclining her head, "But you seem to be doing well as well. Has Cless been giving you a hard time, by any chance?"

"Actually, he hasn't. So, what was the question? Cless seemed to have a hard time telling me."

"The lines and the barrier that stops them from breaking," Akane explained, "Can you tell me anything about it since the last attack we had here. You should know when, since Cless visited me right after that with… unwanted information."

"Aah… yes, we're analysing the situation at the moment. Nothing too clear, but either someone is tampering with it, or the barrier has finally hit its peak," the girl's voice had lowered to something more serious and she was frowning.

"I see…" she thought for a moment, "so… when do you think you'll have results?"

"I'd say… three days. Is that okay?"

"Perfect. Okay, see you later then."

"Sure. Come and visit some time as well!" The connection broke off and was left with a static screen. Akane dropped the headphones back onto the desk and sighed. Rubbing her temples for a moment, she muttered a few words under her breath before leaving the room.

She really wasn't looking forward to the results. And there was still that thing about Daisuke…

---

"He runs, he runs, he runs and—he runs into a wall!" yelled a voice excitedly, followed by a loud crashing noise that served the purpose of the commentary. There was a groan of pain, and then the shriek of annoyed vengeance.

"FAREA! What the hell was that for?! You should have warned me about that first!"

"Hey, it's much more fun this way. Go on, Shiro, tell him again. That was great commentary. If you came with us to battle, it would be a laugh--"

"Hey! Don't ignore me like that!"

Sniggering could be heard outside, "It's one-all for the team of wall runners! What will the outcome be when Mr. Gravity Man gets him again?"

"Shut up, Shiro!"

There was a moment of constant yelling and then another voice. "What is all of this commotion about?! Will someone please explain it before I tell one of the respected few?"

Silence. Then, there was the distinctive whining of Clef's voice. "They were being mean again… AND Farea made me run into a wall! Look!"

"Wow, what a clear print…"

"Undine! You're supposed to be on my side!"

"I was? Oh, I was just looking for Shiro, that's all. But really, keep quiet when you're playing your games."

"We weren't--"

"Bye! Don't kill yourselves before the day's over!"

"Wait—argh, dammit."

"So, Clef, want to run into another wall now?"

"No I don't!"

"Well, I don't care what you say, let's just see if we can find you another wall--"

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO CLEF?!"

"Eep! Z-Zeike!"

"WELL?!"

"Brother, keep your voice down, please… Oh, Clef, are you okay?"

"Um… half-smashed skull, I'm assuming. Do I look okay?"

"Kinda… you look like you're delusional or something. Come on, we have to get you fixed up now."

"'Kay…"

"ANSWER MY QUESTION ALREADY!"

"Come on, Zeike. It was just a joke…" there was a half-attempt of laughter, then more bellowing.

"ARE YOU AN IDIOT?!"

Daisuke sighed. All the peace disturbed in one incident that then became a chain event. Rubbing his eyes and hoping that his hair wasn't in that bad a condition, he stumbled out of bed. He was used to the surroundings and all and at least there was life this time, rather than eerie, stuffy silence. The only thing he was really looking forward to was visiting Dark. Even after their talk, Dark seemed rather disturbed by it all, and it would be a lot nicer if someone would actually explain something to the baffled redhead.

Everyone held a piece to the puzzle, and many were unwilling to hand it over and that was the problem to it all: if they couldn't work together properly, then there was no way that they could defeat this terror that threatened to consume them all.

Although yesterday had been an incredibly long night, Daisuke had managed to stumble upon what looked like an old library, full of books that mentioned past wars concerning magic, spells, and scriptures to the past horrors that scared them all. He had read a few to get the gist, but couldn't get all the answers in that one night. So he planned to check it later when he knew he wouldn't be disturbed. By now, people were allowing him to go his own way, rather than stalking him.

Leaving his room tidily arranged, he noticed that large imprint that Clef had managed to create after Farea did… whatever he did, and sweat dropped at how clear it really was. Whatever had happened, it really seemed to be painful. The cost was clear now, though, and he sighed in relief, not wanting to be forced into an argument that didn't mention him in the first place.

The trip to Dark's room wasn't that long, really, now that Daisuke had managed to find a shortcut, and it wasn't too long before he was sitting next to his cousin, who was – at the moment – snoring loudly.

"Zzz… not now… zzt… later maybe… zzy… goddammit, just leave me alone!" With that, Dark jerked awake and blinked at Daisuke, who was currently staring at him with an odd expression. "Hm? Something the matter Daisuke?"

"No, not really…" (besides talking in your sleep…) The redhead turned away to hide his smile. When Dark talked in his sleep, it was always incredibly entertaining – even it was a bit mean of him to think that. Not that it really matter, since Dark was now looking around for something before pulling it out from under his pillow.

"WITH, what are you--" spluttered the teen. Said bunny-thing replied with an indignant 'kyu' and then hopped onto Daisuke's head for protection. Of course, since Dark was merely wondering how his pet had survived under there and all, gave up seeing as With was still alive, and that was all that really mattered at the moment. Lying back, he glanced up at the redhead. "So, what made you come here this early during the day?"

"How do you know it's day?" he blinked, "Once you stay here too long, it really doesn't matter whether it's day or night."

"Internal clock, and external clock," Dark replied, showing his wristwatch, which was still functioning perfectly. "Anyway, what you wanna talk about?"

"About the stuff Krad-san said, really, and how you know him," Daisuke stated simply, "You seemed really out of it when I left you last night… or whenever it was."

"Aah yes," he nodded, looking at the ceiling, "About the stuff he said, well… I can't really recall everything, but I'm pretty sure that something between the lines are supposed to mean something, but I've been drawing a blank since. I'm going over it, but that's about it. And with me knowing Krad… well, we've met a few times before all this, so… yeah."

"And what did he mean by incident?"

"Oh. Gang fight, I think. One against a couple of tens as such. Who wouldn't have thought that?"

Daisuke frowned. The first two answers had been sincere and incredibly Dark-like, but the last one had taken a strange unwanted tour to someplace that the redhead couldn't exactly place. It wasn't like he was a telepath or anything, but he knew Dark just a bit too well, and the waves that the teen was emitting… why wasn't anyone giving straight answers?

It was just getting really annoying…

The silence that had followed after the answer was rudely interrupted as someone Daisuke couldn't identify burst in. She had long light blue hair – only a shade darker than Satoshi's – and was looking rather frustrated at the moment. When she noticed that she was in the wrong room, she bowed apologetically. "Sorry!"

She rushed out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her, and the two boys exchanged quizzical looks.

"Know her?"

"No."

"That was… weird."

"Definitely."

---

"This is Milea online. May I hold a message?"

"Yes. I need a connection to Takada-san or Hiwatari-san. Is there a possibility of that happening soon?"

"Let me see…" there was the sound of a notebook flipping open. "I'm sorry to say that Takada-san will be unable to talk until… well, it doesn't say, but I can connect you to Hiwatari-kun in about… three hours, if you're willing to wait."

"Of course."

"Who am I speaking to, anyway?"

"Oh, just an old friend of their relatives. Just an old friend… and they may need the help, after all…"

"…"

"Thank you for being so polite. I don't get that often. Au revoir!" The connection broke off and Milea blinked and stared at the screen.

"Weirdo. What was that all about?" She sighed as she shuffled her papers while reading her notebook. What had happened to Akane? She had disappeared early morning – something about errors and having an errand to run – and had assured them that she would be back by the end of the day. It was customary to write in the notebook in case of messages the next time they could talk appointed times, but the girl had left it blank.

Milea shook her head. Very strange indeed. Not to mention she had lost her way again… now she felt like a complete idiot.

The door opened and Elena entered, looking around. "Oh, are you the only one here then?"

"Yeah. Were you trying to find someone else?"

"I was wondering where Shia-san had gone. I haven't seen her since… last night. And we have an important mission to work on before the next attack."

"Ah… Shia-chan? She's gone as well?"

"Yes."

Milea frowned. "Hm…"

----

Yes, an update. I'm so happy. Okay, I'll keep quiet now.

--Reviewer Replies:

-Staryday: Yeah, the internet can be so cruel at times... Now, let me see... yes, Dark is still very much awake, but neither of the two are speaking about the past. Not that they've had a moment alone to yell at each other, anyway. I think I'll stick that in the next chapter. More new characters and strange humor from me, but I'm happy. Hope you are as well.

-marthawolfer: Glad you liked it! I don't think I've lost my inspiration completely... but it really does take time, doesn't it? Hope you liked the update.