Folding her arms over the balcony railing, Riku Harada released a deep sigh and rested her head upon them. The moon had risen fully over the hills and one by one the lights below in the town were going out. The lids over her brown eyes dropped a little as her gaze drifted lazily over in the direction of Daisuke Niwa's house.
Daisuke had been acting so strange lately. What was wrong? Didn't he like her anymore?
"You're sulking over the wrong guy," her sister's voice intruded her thoughts.
"You're just jealous," Riku turned around and stuck her tounge out at Risa playfully. She hated it when Risa could sense things like that.
The younger twin was standing in the frame of the balcony door brushing her long chestnut colored hair routinely. She had seen Riku out her moping for days now; the scene was really getting old. "Of Niwa? You're joking right?"
"If you're out here waiting for him to swoop down romantically don't wait too long," she smiled twirling the brush loosely in her hand. "He's nothing like my Dark."
"I'm telling you he's nothing but a pervert!" Riku retorted sourly. Thoughts of Dark were never pleasant ones.
"Now who's jealous?" Risa raised a eyebrow.
Riku's nose wrinkled. Is she mocking me? "And how do you figure that?"
"You always get so defensive when I bring him up."
Riku made a gesture of disgust and her sister frowned.
"Don't stay out here too long Riku. You'll catch one of those nasty colds," she turned sharply on her heel, a mass of hair followed. "But if Dark show's up let me know, alright."
As if on que, a cool wind whipped past Riku sending trails of chills up her bare legs. They were shielded only by a pair of faded old shorts that she had retired as sleep wear. She released a heavy breath. She doubted she would ever be able to dress as elegantly and be as poised as her sister. She had always been distracted by things she deemed more important to learn these skills. Would she regret her choices now? Would Daisuke be more interested if she acted like Risa?
Her attention refocused itself on the moon hanging just above her. It proved to be little preoccupation as her thoughts only deepend more. However they were short lived and interrupted by the sound of rustling feathers and a familiar grin blocking her view of the silvery orb.
"What are doing here?" Riku mumbled, stumbling back in surprise.
"I came to pay you a little visit," Dark laughed perching himself on the rail smugly. "What? Not happy to see me?"
"I'll go inside and get Risa," Riku replied dryly, regaining much needed composure.
"Wait. Is it too much to believe that I actually came to see you," his plum colored eyes pressed eagerly into hers.
Avoiding eye contact, Riku began to smooth out the wrinkles in her slight over-sized tee shirt. She was nervous. Why was she nervous?
"I'll go get Risa," she repeated mechanically.
As she began to turn away Dark felt himself instinctively reach out and grab a hold of the girl's fore arm. His fingers sparked against the warmth of her skin and he half expected her to strike him. The blow never came.
"Don't touch me!" she shouted in alarm.
Dark displayed his grandest smirk, he knew he would get some type of rise out of her.
"Fine," he raised his hands in a surrendering motion. "Have it your way, cutie."
"Don't call me that," she cringed.
"Oh come on, Im just having a little fun." His eyes became doeful as his bottom lip protruded, "Won't you give me a chance?"
Riku's look was stern. She had never been a sucker for puppy dog face's, except Risa's of course.
Despite the low audibilty of her curse, it managed to snake its way into Dark's ears where it resounded. Riku thought she saw a flash of foreign pain behind the phantom's dark eyes, but shrugged it off as an illusion.
"I wish you could remember me," he thought aloud.
"What?" her hard expression warpped into one of bewilderment.
Dark stared intentively into her honey colored eyes. His brow furrowed, he remembered this expression. He remembered it as if it was yesterday opposed to centuries ago. Painful memories nipped at the edge of his heart. He couldn't give in now. He had to be strong for her sake.
" I always want to be by your side."
Suddenly he felt an all too familiar pain surge fiercely through his chest. His DNA was reacting again. He let out a small 'hmpf' in pain and irony at the situation. A low laugh soon followed. No matter what he did he couldn't seem to win. His eyes bitterly tore themselves away from her face and up toward the moon.
"Looks exactly the same as that night, huh Riku?" He sighed letting his memories getting the better of him. He knew that he had said too much.
"What the hell are you going on about?" she cocked her head to the right connecting her hands with her hips. His vagueness was sure beginning to annoy her.
"Take care," he whispered below a shallow breath.
Lowering his gaze he allowed her one last smile, one genuine and less condescending than the others. His face lit with something longing and something sad before he plunged head first off of the balcony. As he plummeted down ward to the unwelcoming ground, he could feel the heavy material of his coat beat rapidly against his side. Where are you Wiz?
Noticing that he had failed to rise back up, Riku hurriedly leaned over the railing. Tear gloss eyes peered down at the falling boy. "Dark!" she cried.
"She really does care..." his words were hushed against the wind. Closing his eyes he heard a welcomed 'woosh' of onyx wings as he was propelled forward.
Riku couldn't fight the smile that escaped her lips; she was glad that he was safe. Staring at the phantom thief as he flew off into the distance, her eyes grew wide with confusion. A patch of red hair appeared from behind the large wings and a pair of ruby colored eyes stared back at her sadly.
"What's going on?" she whimpered sinking onto the ice cold floor.
So much was racing through her mind and all she wanted was to understand the emotions filtering through her heart. She felt as if there was someone else inside her. Something that refused to remain at rest. Something fighting to be remembered.