Chapter 9

Daisuke grinned at Riku, standing to the side so the girl could come inside. Their relationship might not have worked out, but they were still good friends. Daisuke just had too much fun with the tomboyish girl.

"So what's going on that you wanted me to come over?" Riku asked, slipping off her sneakers and fixing the edge of her jean shorts.

Daisuke grinned. "Well, you remember two years ago, on the day that you and I first kissed?"

Riku nodded. "Yea. What's this all about Niwa? You're kind of freaking me out, being all dodgy like this."

Daisuke shook his head slightly. "Just come on, I'll show you."

Riku followed the redhead up the stairs, going towards the boy's bedroom. Her brows twitching together in confusion, she gingerly tried to look around Daisuke as the boy reached for his doorknob.

A shriek interrupted him. The redhead blinked, and then pushed the door open and rushed forward to where a small form was huddled on the bed. "Dark! Dark, wake up!"

Riku blinked. "Dark?"

Daisuke threw back the blankets to reveal the shivering Phantom Thief. Dark's violet eyes opened slowly, and as he saw Riku he let out a gasp and tried to hide behind Daisuke. Riku had to admit that he succeeded quite well; his thin frame was easily concealed by Daisuke's muscular one.

"No way." Riku murmured, reaching forward and pushing Daisuke out of the way. The redhead didn't resist her, he moved to the side so she could get a good view of the trembling thief on the bed. "No way!"

Dark waved. "H-Hi Miss Riku."

Riku blinked. "Since when did you call me 'Miss Riku?'"

Daisuke pulled on her arm, leading her away from Dark. "Compose yourself Dark; we're going out, okay? Time to get you some exercise. I'll just have a quick talk with Miss Riku, okay?"

Dark nodded obediently, carefully pushing himself to his feet. His ankle was still weak, but he could stand on it now, though not for extended periods of time. "Should I banish my wings Daisuke?"

The redhead considered it, and then shook his head. "We'll go down to the beach. The water will keep stress off your ankle, and you can exercise. We'll go ahead and fly down there, you need that workout too."

Riku raised a brow, watching as Daisuke turned back to her, leading her into the hallway, just out of Dark's earshot. She raised a finger, shaking it in Daisuke's face. "So that's why you wanted me to bring my swimming suit. You couldn't just tell me what was going on? And why is Dark here?"

"You see, I really don't know. I started having dreams about a week before school got out, and then I found him on the day after the last day of school." Daisuke explained. "I'm still not sure about the whole thing."

Riku frowned, and then peered back to where Dark was running his fingers though his ragged violet locks. They had been cut recently by Emiko; Dark had grown tired of the long hair that hung about his face and shoulders. His hair cut was now the same as it had been when Dark had still been within Daisuke. "Why is he so… timid? That's not like Dark at all."

Daisuke sighed. "Well, that's the thing. The reason he's all beat up like that and everything. During the two years he was apart from me, he was imprisoned by his other half, tortured and raped. At least that's what I can figure out. He still won't talk about it. If you think this is not like Dark, you should have seen him when we first got him." Daisuke shuddered at the thought. "For about 2 weeks you couldn't touch him or he'd flinch, and loud noises scared him. He was injured and terribly thin, and only a month ago he finally passed the 100 pound mark. He's still about 30 pounds underweight, but he was about 70 pounds under when we found him, so it's definitely better."

Riku's hand was over her mouth in shock. "Oh God, that's awful! How long has he been here?"

"It's been 3 months now." Daisuke said. "Just so you know Miss Riku, he's probably still going to be very shy, so just work at his pace, alright? We don't want to scare him at all. My Mom, my Dad, and I are the only people he's seen since he's been here." Daisuke's face softened. "That's why I wanted you to come with us. You can help me watch him, and he'll get to see an old friend."

Riku nodded her agreement. "There's just one thing Niwa. You said we were going to fly down to the beach. Dark's the only one with wings, right?"

Daisuke shook his head. "Wrong. Remember when I sprouted those red wings two years ago? I still have them. I'll carry you, and Dark can stretch his wings out. One of them was broken in the whole ordeal, so it'll be good exercise for him."

Riku nodded slightly. "Okay then…"

Dark came out of the room at that moment. "I'm ready now Daisuke."

The redhead grinned. "Alright then, let's get going. Aren't you excited to get out of the house Dark? You've been cooped up in here for about three months!"

Dark nodded slightly, but Riku could still see the fear in his violet eyes. 'I wonder why he's afraid? Daisuke and I will be with him the whole time…' Deciding to try and reassure the thief, Riku put a tentative hand on his shoulder. Dark looked sharply to her at the touch, but he didn't flinch. "Don't worry Dark; we'll have lots of fun!"

Dark blinked, and then smiled slightly and nodded. "I'm sure we will Miss Riku. Thank you for coming with us."

Riku smiled. "It's been a while since I've been to the beach, I wanted to come!"

Daisuke led the two of them out to the backyard, removed his shirt, and then breathed deep, closing his eyes. He then let out a small cry, hugging himself and arching over. Riku blinked, starting to move forward, but then staying back as Daisuke's great crimson wings burst from his back. Daisuke stood, shaking out his wings and wiping away the sweat beaded on his forehead.

"Alright, come here Miss Riku. Are you ready Dark?" Daisuke said, looking towards the thief.

Dark nodded, spreading his black wings and pumping them down, rising into the air. It was a little unsteady at first, but the thief soon gained enough altitude to easily soar and not stress his wings. Daisuke lifted Riku into his arms bridal style and easily shot into the air, catching Dark within an instant.

The two flew slowly for the beach, Daisuke reining in his speed so Dark could keep up with him. The thief was still weak, and he hadn't flown for some time. By the time they reached the beach Dark was panting, sweat rolling down his skin and his wings quivering tiredly.

Daisuke praised the violet-haired man, smiling to him. "Great Dark! You'll be fine in no time at all, as long as we keep going on flights like this."

Dark nodded slightly, carefully slowing his pounding heart. Riku pulled off her shorts, revealing her swimsuit bottoms, removing her shirt an instant later. Daisuke went plowing straight into the cold surf, already wearing his swim shorts. Dark hesitated, and then followed the two, shivering at the cold temperature.

Daisuke laughed, splashing some water in Dark's direction. The thief flinched at first, and then a smile broke across his face, and he playfully splashed back. Soon an all out water fight had started, Daisuke using his crimson wings to help shield himself, and Dark using his own black wings to splash him. Riku, caught in the middle, could do nothing more than laugh and try and keep herself shielded.

Daisuke swam through the water, and then ducked under, coming up near Dark. He wrapped his arms around the thief, and then pulled him under. Black wings thrashing, Dark fought him, making his way back to the surface and then swimming away from the redhead.

Daisuke was relieved. This was the first time since he had found Dark that he had actually seen the thief having fun, laughing because he was having fun, being playful. He knew that the object of this outing had been met, and he was happy.

Dark laughed, splashing some more water towards Riku, who splashed back, sticking out her tongue. The thief ducked under the water, for the first time feeling confident in himself, and no longer afraid. He could remember Riku, and he knew that the girl was kind, that she wouldn't hurt him in any way. Wanting to surprise Daisuke, Dark carefully moved beneath the surface, heading towards the redhead.

Dark was surprised himself when something tugged on his left ankle and he was slammed to a halt. In shock, he looked around to see a hand wrapped around his ankle. Blinking the thief looked to the person, and then totally forgot he was underwater, attempting to scream out in fear.

Krad's golden eyes stared back at him from the depths, an evil smirk on his face. Dark could hear the white-winged being's voice in his head as he fought the hold, thrashing. 'You're not allowed to be happy, remember Dark? So what do you think you're doing? You're coming back with me.'

Dark could feel his limbs growing heavier. He continued to fight the hold that Krad had on his ankle, trying to reach the surface that was so close. His lungs felt heavy, and he could feel his eyelids sinking lower and lower. 'Is this it?' Dark thought groggily. 'Is this the end?'

With that thought, the thief surrendered to the darkness.