AN/ Okay, I didn't skip 'C' People! I put 'B' and 'C' in the same line so that I would have an even 25 chapters when I was done. And two, I LOVE WRITING THIS STORY! Don't get me wrong; I was just having some writer's block for this chapter. That's all. So don't get the wrong impression. It's not the story that was being a pain, just the way I wanted to word the next scene that was giving me trouble. Sorry.
Well, here's chapter 10! Enjoy!
10/ Keeping you with me… always.
(Satoshi's PoV)
It made sense that Daichi would understand what was going on between Daisuke and me. I mean, he was Dark once, too, right? So, according to Krad's history lesson, he most likely would've fallen in love with a Hikari at some point, as well. (AN/ small world, isn't it?)
We sat at Emiko's 'banquet' lunch. Daichi and Kosuke were seated on the opposite side of the table then Daisuke and myself. Kosuke was gobbling down the food, which made Emiko smile, as if the fact of him pigging out was a compliment to her cooking. Daichi kept sending him looks as if to say, 'can't you at least have some manners in front of a guest?' Daisuke, who had been sitting next to me, was twiddling his fingers nervously.
"May I be excused?" he asked. Everyone turned to him and his untouched food.
"Aren't you hungry, Daisuke?" asked Emiko. When he shook his head, she quickly went to him and checked his forehead for a fever. "Are you sick? Do you feel ill? This isn't like you. Have you been snacking too much? Is it a stomachache?"
"No, Mom. I'm fine. I'm just not hungry. May I be excused?" He seemed very uncomfortable beneath all of the stares, and he kept sending me embarrassed glances. I knew that he was telling a lie. He hadn't eaten at all the previous day, not even the dinner I had attempted to make him. He hadn't eaten anything this morning, either, except for the occasional cookie. Though with his normal eating habits, he should be starving.
"Um, alright. Are you sure you're okay?" she aked him one last time.
"Don't worry so much. He probably just didn't get what he wanted for Christmas," suggested Kosuke.
"That's not it! I'm just not hungry." He tried to reassure them once more, his sounding more of a whine by this time. He took his leave, and I listened to the stairs creak uneasily the same way they had last night. I blinked at my food as the family went about their way.
"May I be excused?" I asked. Their strange gazes turned to me instead.
"Oh No! What did you boys do last weekend?" Emiko asked worriedly, feeling my own forehead this time.
"Leave him alone, Emiko," said Kosuke.
"Yes, none off the Hikaris ever ate much," added Daichi. The two men continued eating as if nothing had happened.
Emiko looked back and forth between the two of them. "How would you know?" she asked them. They gulped heavily and blushed. Rubbing the back of their necks, they started rambling off excuses to try to cover up their past relationships with the Hikaris. Emiko watched them skeptically, her hands on her hips and her foot slowly tapping with impatience. I took this chance to slip away from the table.
I had gone up the first few steps on my way to Daisuke's room when I stopped to look back at the living room. 'I still haven't given him his present.' I thought. I quickly grabbed the box from my bag before going up to the other boy's room
When I reached his door, I could hear mumbling on the other side. I stood outside his room trying to make out what he was saying.
(Daisuke's PoV)
I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself so I could think straight. "Satoshi… I mean, um, I wanted to-…Umm… Oh jeez!" How exactly do you present someone with a gift that you have to take them to? I sighed in frustration, pulling my knees closer to my chest in my position on my bed.
I had come up to practice what I was going to say to Satoshi. I couldn't eat because I was too nervous about if what I had prepared was really a present. I didn't have time to run out to the store this morning like I hoped. I couldn't tell my Mom that I wanted to borrow money so I could go buy an extra special gift for the boy. So I thought all morning on what I could give him that really meant something… to us both.
The door clicked open, and my eyes fell onto the figure of Satoshi. The Green t-shirt that he wore was one of Dark's, seeing as my shirts were too small for Satoshi. But it seemed that Dark was even bigger then Satoshi because it was hanging off his shoulders sloppily. The paled skin of his neck was bared seductively and I unconsciously licked my bottom lip. The pajama bottoms were hanging on his slim hips, almost daring to slip but not quite loose enough. His hair was ruffled slightly since he didn't have a chance to tame it after he awoke before I had rushed him downstairs. Some brushed carelessly in front of his perfect eyes. Their many shades of frozen blue were smeared together to get the softest ice that I had ever seen. And when they met mine, a sudden urge ran through me, though, I'm not sure of what it was.
"May I come in?" he asked, snapping me out of my reverie. I nodded distractedly. He entered and closed the door softly behind him. "This-," he said, climbing onto the bed to sit next to me, "-is your gift. I hadn't put it under the tree with the rest, so… here." He handed me a box.
The package was long, and only and inch or two deep. A red ribbon with gold trim tied the together the black box. Satoshi leaned back against the headboard of the bed; a pillow lay between his lower back and the wood. His eyes were closed in peaceful relaxation. (AN/ little does Daisuke know that he was doing it to rid himself of the butterflies that were dominating him.)
"May I open this?" I asked, indicating the black parcel. (AN/ if he didn't, he wouldn't have given it to you!) Satoshi just nodded in response.
I steadily pulled the loose end of the ribbon until the bow came undone. Slipping off the silky ribbon, I opened my nightstand drawer and tucked it inside. At this, I felt Satoshi's eyes on me.
"What are you doing?" he asked quizzically.
I blushed. "I always save something from special gifts to remember them by." I said shyly, closing the drawer and turning my attention back to the gift. I licked my lips slightly in anticipation as I pulled the lid off. I gave a tiny gasp at the white rose within.
The small box was divided in two. One half was filled with a beige cushion, while the other held the long-stem rose. I white enveloped letter lay over the bottom of the box. I took the card and tore open the paper outing.
On the cover of the card was a single red rose sprouting out of the snow covered ground, soft flakes clinging gracefully and yet greedily to the radiant petals. I opened the card, restless to see what was written inside.
Daisuke,
You are my Fire, the one that melts through the winter snow,Burning through the ice, of my hidden soul.
You're beautiful, dancing along the paths of my silence,
Blessing me with, your loving presence.
Signed, Satoshi
'His Fire? Beautiful?' I thought, blushing further. I gazed over my shoulder at the face of the mot beautiful person I ever knew. Satoshi's eyes were still closed calmly, but still, I could see the small tinge of pink that stained his cheeks.
Holding back my feelings of love toward the boy, I switched my gaze to linger still in the box. Pushing past the elegance of the bloom, I saw what lay on the cushioned side. Tracing the outline of the silver chain, I took in the sight of the necklace. The links were all different shapes and sizes: circles, diamonds, hexagons and squares, all with rounded corners. But what hung from the chain was what made my heart ache and my blush fade. Two feathers, one white and the other black, accented the piece of jewelry.
I unhooked the piece from the box and held it out before me. All of a sudden it hurt worse as I realized what it reminded me of. The chain of many links, was Satoshi's handcuffs, the ones that had found their way around my wrists so many times before. The jagged feathers… were Krad and Dark battling through hatred for the other in the depths of the night.
I felt the cold links touch the bare of my neck as it was secured by pale hands. "My Beautiful." came Satoshi's smooth voice from behind me. A single tear came to the corner of my eye. He kissed it away, and I felt the butterflies weld up inside me. "This is your past. No matter what, you can't forget your past. It's a part of you. It's hat creates you. Daisuke, I can't let you become like me."
I looked over my shoulder at him. His ice filled eyes were once again their painful, piercing cold. I tried to ask what he meant, but my own voice failed me.
"I… I can't remember my life before I went to the orphanage. I made myself forget because it was too anguished of a thought, but I will swear to you that I ache a lot more now then I ever did back then. I wish I hadn't forgotten my mother's smile, or my father's advice." He paused as his eyes met mine again with a determined hurtfulness. "I don't want you to ever forget Dark's companionship."
With that, I turned in my seat on the bed and embraced him reassuringly, burying my face in the buttermilk softness of his neck.
(Satoshi's PoV)
My past… I can't remember anything… I can't even make out my parents' faces. I can't remember their voices or the sound of their laughter. If I searched my memory for the oldest recollection, it would be one of the first days at the orphanage.
Flash back
A boy of three years old, eyes lost in innocence, searched the playground at recess. All the other little kids were playing childish games with each other. I sat in a corner, hugging a white bear with silver paws.
Two older boys, Kyo and Jou, rushed past me while chasing a ball. Kyo caught sight of my bear and sneered. Calling over the blonde boy to come with him, they walked up to me. The elder snatched the bear out of my hands and tossed it to his companion. They began tossing it back and forth between each other, teasing me as I reached out for the only thing that reminded me of my mother.
"G- Give that back!" I told them nervously. The boys only laughed harder at my shyness, and then they ran off, still clutching the small treasure.
"H- Hey!" I said, taking a step or two in their direction before stopping myself. It would've been a lost cause to chase after them. They were older, stronger, and faster then my weak childish body. My wide eyes, still free from wrongdoing, teared up. That had been my only possession, and now that was gone, too.
I sank back into the shadows of the corner, trying my hardest to hold back the pain that my heart held.
When I went to bed that night, a soft voice inside of my head whispered the tale of a boy named 'Dark.' The voice was comforting and held a certain sense of security that I so desperately longed for. Soon, that was the only thing that mattered to me.
Even when I was adopted 8 months later, I couldn't have cared less for the man. The voice taught me not to care, not to love. It taught him to hold his emotions inside, never fear or trust anything or anyone, that no one was his friend, and to never forget his purpose in life… to find and kill 'Dark.'
End Flashback
"Satoshi?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry."
I looked down at the redhead in my arms. "Why are you sorry?"
"I'm sorry that you lost your memories of your family." He explained.
"I don't want your sympathy, Daisuke. And besides, I still have memories. Memories of my adopted father, Krad, and you."
Daisuke smiled. Memories from the orphanage reminded me of just how cold I was, and still am. What did Daisuke see in me? I'll have to ask him someday.
"Come with me." Daisuke grabbed my hand and pulled me off the bed and all the way back down to the entryway. There we saw Emiko and Kosuke pulling on their coats. Daisuke's smile turned into a frown of confusion.
(Daisuke's PoV)
"What's going on?" I asked.
"Oh, it's nothing. Your father just wanted to take me out. Have fun with Daichi, alright?" Mom said, wrapping he fuchsia scarf around her neck to accent her black, knee-length coat.
"Out? Where?"
"Shh!" Kosuke put his finger to his lips. "That's a secret." Mom had a smile on her face that reminded me of a little girl on her way to the toy store with her father. Kosuke began to urge her out the door. She hugged me until she almost suffocated me, sent a wave at Satoshi, and left. Daichi bid them farewell from the living room. Kosuke made to follow Mom, but lingered for just a second longer to send Satoshi and me a wink. "Have fun you two. Merry Christmas."
And with that, he left.
I ran into the living room to find Grandpa sitting before a large mound of torn wrapping paper and was stuffing all of it into a black trash bag. I sat down and helped him, but asked him questions all the while.
"I know that they usually got to Christmas Dinner alone, but we just had lunch. It's way too early." I said, probing him to tell me.
"You mean, your mother, father, and I just ate. You and Satoshi didn't touch a thing. And don't worry. They're just spending time alone together. I'm going to leave soon as well. Then you and Satoshi can go have some fun on your own." He said. And I could have sworn that he sent a strange look at Satoshi. Did I miss something?
"Um… okay…. Wait! Where are you going?" I asked as he tied the top of the bag shut. He just chuckled at me and patted the top of my head.
"Out." was all he said.
Satoshi and I simply watched as he dragged the bag next to the door. He slipped on his shoes, coat, and scarf and re-gripped the top of the bag. "Do you boys want me to drop you off somewhere?"
"Grandpa we're not even dressed yet." I pointed out to him.
"Yes, well, I suppose I could wait a little while."
"No, thank you, Mr. Niwa." came Satoshi's voice from beside me. "But I was hoping that I may have your permission to spend the day alone together with Daisuke." Satoshi took my hand in his and squeezed it confidently. I looked from Satoshi to Grandpa, wide-eyed and eagerly awaiting an answer.
Grandpa smiled at us. "Of course, I understand. Well then, Merry Christmas. I'll see you later tonight."
And with that, he left.
I glanced quickly from the closed door to Satoshi, who was presently residing back into the living room. "Okay, I know I missed something! What are you guys not telling me?"
Satoshi sat on the couch, and I followed. I sat on my hands next to him and waited for him to answer me. "They know." he said dully.
"What?"
"Kosuke and Daichi, they know about us." he explained. Us? There's an 'us' now! "They know about our relationship." We have a real relationship? Really? Yay!
"Relationship?" I whispered joyfully, unknowingly.
He smiled in response to my thoughts. I couldn't hold back. The look in his eyes when he said it, the light smirk that danced across his face, and the whole idea that we are 'together'… I flung my arms around his neck in my excitement, embracing him tightly!
TBC…
AN/ Sorry, people! This chapter is really twice as long, but I'm going to break it up into 2 chapters since I don't have the time to type it all out. I hope you guys aren't too mad at me! I hope you liked it. PLEASE review!
