Author's Note: Squee! Finally I get chapter 7 up. I hope everyone enjoys and I'm sorry for the delay. Personal stuff to deal with, y'know...
Isn't quite over yet but then this is a good way to unwind lol. Laters!
Daisuke let his grandfather take the necklace, gave a brief account of what had happened, managing to get away without telling them about the bandages. He crawled into bed, very glad that the next day was a day off from school so he could sleep in late. Meru and Starflower fused before they went to sleep, just in case anything got into the house. Inside Starflower's mind, Meru wandered in the world of Dreams.
Daisuke? Daisuke? Where are you? There is something I need to tell you, Daisuke...
Daisuke, also within the world of dreams, was standing on the hilltop overlooking the town, which was where he often went to think and draw the town. The fountain was behind him as he looked out, even in his dreams there was a lot on his mind. He turned as he heard a familiar voice.
Meru?
Yeah, hey, Daisuke. Meru misted in from wherever the wind was blowing and collected in front of him. She was wearing a long, light blue gown that ruffled in the wind. Starflower had to cover for you two sillyheads today at the museum. She told Takeshi that you were there to transfer the Agate Links to a safer place because you were the most reliable person we had at the time. Takeshi's going to ask you about it on Monday. Okay?
What do you mean us two sillyheads? Dark never mentioned me and Takeshi never saw me... Daisuke told her, looking puzzled. It was true. The first mention that Daisuke had been there was from Starflower...
You two are sillyheads. Meru was still somewhat annoyed with the whole matter. You'd already shifted from Dark to Daisuke when he woke up, and we knew he'd probably see you on his way out. Meru walked to the edge of the hill and looks down upon the city below, kneeling on one knee, draping her elbow over her knee as she did so.
Dark was the one who shifted and against my wishes. Daisuke told her, not liking being told off for something he couldn't control. He watched Meru for a moment and sighed. Look, I never asked for this responsibility, I never asked to be Dark's host, I never wanted any of this! I just wanted to worry about the normal things. At least you can be seperate from Starflower. He sat down beside her and took a deep breath. Sorry...I can't control Dark either and he's incredibly reckless.
I don't expect you to be able to control Dark. He's an entirely different person, it's not like both of us have suddenly contracted a multiple personality. Meru laughs a little, then becomes serious again. But being able to separate has its price, too, Daisuke. she said gravely. Daisuke nodded, knowing she was right. But at least you two get along. Dark and I are completely different personality-wise. He shrugged. But it's been like this for a while now so I'm kinda getting used to it.
Yeah, well. The Niwas have been Dark's line for millenia, probably. Starflower just jumped to mine, and we've been together longer than you and Dark have. We still don't get along all the time, you know. Meru replied, silently giggling.
He smiled a bit at her. We're both in the same kinda situation then. Both stuck in this fight, our other halves being sought after by Krad while we batlle each other in the mean time. He had to laugh a bit at that. Meru laughed too, then stood up suddenly.
I just had an idea. Want to go flying? she asked, turning herself into a very large, light blue chinese dragon. Daisuke blinked up at her at first surprised but then he smiled. This was just a dream after all.
Sure, he said with a smile, standing up.
C'mon, get on, then. Meru grinned excitedly, walking over and bowing her head to Daisuke so he could get on. He hopped on with ease and held on tight. Meru literally ran off the edge of the hill and they streaked towards the town below. A couple dozen feet before Meru touched the trees, she straightened out her flight, and the next second they were going straight down the middle of the city's main street, passing brightly lit buildings, people and the like, some of which they had never seen before. Daisuke held on carefully to her scales at first but then relaxed as she straightened out her flight and started to enjoy it. This was completely different to flying with wings on your back...
Hold on to my antlers or whiskers if I have to go up, and don't worry about the people, we're going too fast to be more than a fleeting image in their dreams. Anywhere special you'd like to go? Meru asked him, sounding as though she was enjoying the flight quite a bit. It was nice to travel the realm of dreams with someone along.
Although I do wonder if Takeshi's still getting chewed out by his dad. Meru mused. Hmm. Now that I'm not mad at him anymore, I kinda feel bad for him. she said wonderingly, rising higher into the air above the buildings and slowly beginning a swirl pattern up towards the moon. Daisuke held onto her antlers. That's Takeshi for you. From what Dark saw, I think he caught Menou on camera while checking out the necklace and wanted to meet her in person. Takeshi...can be a bit crazy sometimes but his heart is in the right place.
Thank goodness Starflower isn't here with us, then. She'd say the reason I was so mad is because we both know I've done things just as stupid for similar reasons. Meru added with a bit of a relieved sigh. She asked, Do you like roller coasters, Daisuke? as she curled into a swirly shape in front of the moon, hovering slightly as she waited for a reply.
I don't mind them. He told her. But after nights of flying with Dark and avoiding attack in anyway possible, i think i could manage them all. He laughed
Oh, good, Meru said, rising a little higher out of her curl. This means I get to have a little fun. she added, streaking towards the earth below again. Daisuke was surprised at first, having not expected her to suddenly plummet. He held on to her antlers though he didn't close his eyes. WOAH!
Meru giggled and continued downwards, straightening out over the last of the city and over the forest again towards a moutain range, where she suddenly turned sideways to avoid Daisuke hitting it and almost scraping her belly on the surface, then span upwards into the sky again. This was all at breakneck speed. Daisuke only barely took in what they flew by and how she twisted and turned. It really was like a rollercoaster, the bit that really hit you most was the first sheer drop.
Meru slowed upwards into the sky, then plummeted down into the forest, twisting and turning through the trees. They came to a lake and she made a wide circle through it, splashing through the water and heading towards the mountains again, whereupon reaching the side, she turned and went straight up to the top, where she finally stopped, panting. How was that? she asked.
Remind me not to ask you for a rollercoaster ride again. Daisuke managed, looking a bit pale. No way I was ready for that...even Dark can't fly that fast.
Meru just gave him a big dragony grin as she landed, curling on the ledge of the mountain, then she became suddenly serious as she looked down at the dark forest below. Daisuke? Do me one thing, and promise me that you won't ever go to a dark area of dreaming by yourself, okay? she asks, suddenly sounding worried.
Dark area of dreaming? he repeated, looking puzzled. Uh...sure okay.
I mean this whole area, Daisuke, Meru continued, gesturing with her head as she suddenly stood. Nightmares occupy the areas where there's no light, and if you go into these areas by yourself, help cannot come in time. she ended gravely.
But everybody has nightmares once in a while...but I promise you that I won't go there alone, alright? He patted her scales. You have my word. He was serious about that. He always did his best to keep a promise to a friend.
Okay, Meru nodded. And thanks. She lifted off into the air, albeit much more slowly, adding, I should probably take you back now.
I'll probably be waking up in a while anyway...once I wake up back in bed, I'll just vanish here...right? It's like the whole pinching thing. He laughed a bit, though not minding.
Meru laughed as well. Yup, it's exactly like that. She soon landed back where they started. She turned back from a dragon and misted away. See you at school, Daisuke...
Bye Meru. He called back.
Waking up, Daisuke yawned and rubbed his eyes, though settling back again after checking the clock. It was Sunday...he could sleep in late. But after that dream, he pondered over what Meru had said and what could possibly happen in the dark areas...but he wouldn't break a promise...even if it had been a dream. Meru woke up and groaned, knowing she had to go to church. "I hate dream traveling...I never get any rest" she muttered as she rolled out of bed and stepped in the shower.
Daisuke went back to sleep until late in the morning. Once he woke up, he went down to the cellar to take a look at the items Dark had stolen so far. Sighing, he picked up the Agates and turned it over in his hands. After a while of pondering over things, Daisuke was sent to the market to get some things for the day and he also needed to go to the arts shop to get more paints, brushes and a new sketchbook. He wondered if he would see anybody from school as most people would be getting out of church soon enough. He glanced about briefly and then moved to join the early crowds in the market.
By early afternoon, Meru and her family were leaving church. Unfortunatley, they had to traverse through the market to get to the train. Meru was dressed up for church in a white Mandarin styled dress. Daisuke turned away from one of the stalls he was buying groceries from and checked he had everything before looking up and giving a slight start as he saw Meru. "Hey Meru!" he called to her, waving with a smile.
Meru jumped a little, then turned. "Oh, Hi, Daisuke!" she shouted, waving back, which woke Starflower. What? Where? Huh? Oh, is just Daisuke... she drawled as she fell back asleep. He smiled at her as she waved back and then vanished into the crowds that were gathering about the market place. It was like the way Dark could shadowtravel though with no magic; one second he was there, the next he was gone.
That day, Meru spent a few hours in the evening doing any homework she hadn't done, and talking to Starflower, who was having trouble sleeping. Come on Starflower, you need to rest. You have to have your sutures replaced, and then you won't be able to sleep, remember?
Yeah...I know...but I'm not tired anymore..
C'mon Star. You know that anesthetics don't work on you. You're still scared to dream, aren't you? It'll be fine, Starflower. I'll start going with you after the Sad Eyes of the Seer are finished, okay? Meru went to bed early.
The next morning, Daisuke begins getting ready for school when he gets a sudden chill down his spine. He glanced out his window to look at the bright sunny day and then frowned a bit. Something told him this day was going to be something he wouldn't like...
Leaving for school and grabbing a slice of toast just before he left, Daisuke ran for the tram, hoping he wouldn't miss it.
Meru... Something's funny today. Starflower warned her, sensing something odd.
Yeah, I know. Let's take the motorcycle to school today. Meru could feel it too and crept out of the house, shifting into Starflower to take the motorbike which had been hidden by the winged girl near Meru's house.
Meanwhile, Daisuke sat down in class and was immediately confronted by Takeshi. "So Daisuke, I was told that you were at the museum the same night Dark was there to steal the necklace. Why were you, hmm?"
Daisuke thought fast. "Well I was outside in the crowd watching when Meru called and asked for my help so I was let in and she gave me the necklace and told me to get it to a safe place..." he replied, trying not to look so nervous. Takeshi gave him a suspicious look.
"So what happened to Menou?"
"Oh...she moved away." Daisuke told her. Takeshi's mood suddenly changed.
"Aww, man...I really liked her..." He sighed, returning to his seat and looking depressed.
Meru came in and greeted Daisuke with a quiet smile. "Thanks for your help the other night, Daisuke..." She seemed rather tired though, and she went to her seat and pulled out something to doodle on. He just smiled at her a bit and everybody took their seats as the teacher arrived...though following behind her was somebody new. She was a short haired blonde girl, wearing clothes that were as far from the school uniform as black was to white. She was wearing a hairband with a crown on it and smiled at the class. Takeshi snapped immediately out of his depression and watched her, smiling to himself.
"Class, this is Hio Mio. She's a transfer from America so please be nice to her." Hio nodded and smiled. "Hello. It's nice to meet everyone."
Takeshi bounded out of his seat and snatched some flowers out of the vase on the teacher's desk then presenting them to Hio. "May I be the first to welcome you to our class." He said with a smile. Hio blushed and gasped, taking the flowers.
"I think I'm in love..." Takeshi coloured, looking up at her hopefully when she ran past him...and right to Daisuke, handing him the flowers.
"Hi! What's your name?"
Daisuke blushed, surprised and puzzled.
"Uh...Daisuke Niwa..." The flowers were shoved into his hands and Hio pulled a chair and desk over to sit beside him, then looping her arm around his.
"You don't mind if I sit here right?"
Daisuke mouthed wordlessly at her, unable to think up a reply, his face almost the same colour as his hair. He could feel Takeshi's jealous stare.
Oh man, I knew today was going to be bad...
Kitty: Introducing Miss Trouble. How will Daisuke cope? How will Meru take this? Why was Dark not in this chapter!
Dark: Hey you wrote this. I can't be held responsible
Kitty: Despite the lack of Dark-ness, I hope people like. Working on Chapter 8 already!
Daisuke: coughliarcough