a/n: 2 more chapters to go... are you guys ready? I hope so! For the last chapter I want good lengthy over all reviews! You hear me! I'll post what I want you to include and I know you guys will do it because you love me Right?

Disclaimer: I don't own DNAngel

Sometimes it is easier to forget, Riku had been right in saying so, but the time for running was over. She could pretend to be ignorant any longer. Her memories had returned and she couldn't forget them this time, all that was left was to face them. And when she did the decision was not an easy one...Riku did not return to Dark. When the time for answers came, even though unasked they realized that it didn't need to be said, and she looked into his pleading eyes and told him that she no longer loved him-that time had passed. The words rolled from her lips like a lethal injection to an awaiting vein and something in Dark's eyes dimmed. The torch that she held for him burned out.

Daisuke drug his sore body out of the bed on his own for the first time in weeks. Taking a few tender steps, he stumble toward the dresser where he searched for a fresh shirt. Removing the old one, he ran gentle hand over the series of bandages and bruises adorning his body. He exhaled deeply, wondering if his wounds would ever heal as he rolled up the colorless shirt and slid it over his head. Daisuke had always been a quick healer, especially now that he no longer had to steal.

Even though he had blackout during the critical moment of Riku's confession, he was still aware of what had happened. Dark hadn't spoken to him since that day and the ability to feel his lament was the only reassurance Daisuke had that Dark was even still with in him at all. He missed Dark, but knew better than to push. Dark had just lost the most important thing to him in his extremely long life, no one really ever expected him to talk again.

Peering absentmindly over his shoulder Daisuke caught a glimpse of his unfinished painting. Strolling over and plopping down on the work stool he stared analytically at the bodiless hands. Picking up a brush he stared down at his seemingly idle hands; he had to admit that he neglected the painting. Pondering further over the painting, he concluded that he didn't want the image to turn out like one of his photo copies of Risa, which he spend hours examining and memorizing so they were perfect. This image was to come exclusively from his soul.

Hours rolled by unnoticed to the productive boy, his brush ran across the canvas fluently as color consumed the bland. When the image was complete and his soul had finished its song, the end result was one that almost completely shocked the artist. The painting decipted a girl falling from the sky, but in complete content as a celestial being reached out to pull her upward to safety. Taking a step back Daisuke toppled over his chair- it was Riku and Dark. Through his selfishness and love for Riku even he knew that they belonged together. If he came in between the pair, did this mean Riku would plunge?

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better," Satoshi replied hoarsely from a familiar hospital bed, "thanks to you."

"Why do say that?" Daisuke scratched his red-head innocently. "I didn't do anything."

"I'm sure Dark would have killed me when he had the opprotunity- you had to have done something."

"Maybe he's just a better guy then you thought," Daisuke grinned pulling up a chair and taking a set at his bedside.

"I guess it really doesn't matter," Satoshi sighed, his dark lashes falling," I was prepared to die."

"What do you mean?" Daisuke raised a concerning eye-brow.

"With Krad as your counterpart you can't really expect to live long, can you? Those in my lineage who've been cursed with him have all died at a very young age," his classmates replied re-opening his eyes.

Daisuke couldn't help to get caught in the pale, detached depths of his eyes. He looks so much different with out his glasses. Satoshi's face was paler than usual making his ice colored irises blaze like aquatic jewls. His hair had been unkempt for days and fell messily over his eys. Satoshi had prided himself on always being calm and composed, but he didn't really seem concerned that Daisuke had seen him like this. Maybe it was the medication, but Satoshi seem completely relaxed against the mass of pillows at his back.

"But if you had died your line would have ended with you," he blinked, perking up out of his reverie. "It would have been the end of Krad also."

"I suppose that's why he was so concerned with my survival that night," Satoshi's stoic expression remained unmoved.

"Will this ever end?" Daisuke eyes saddened as they searched the floor.

"Not anytime soon, not until Dark regains his bride."

"But Riku turned him down and I feel so guilty, because all this time I was hoping she would. But I want this end, more than anything. Why won't she accept him?"

"What happend between Dark and Harada-san left irremovable scars on her. I can understand her wanting to distance herself from him for the sake of them both," Satoshi answered him tonelessly. "Everytime she was with him, he got hurt."

"How do you know so much?" Daisuke asked surprisedly.

"Because I did the same thing to you. I left Azumano for your safety, because I cared and Krad would only hurt us both; just as he has Dark and Harada-san. And our relationship doesn't run as deep theirs so its hard to estimate what the two are really experiencing."

"Wow Hiwatari-san," Daisuke leaned over folding his arms across the side of the bed and resting his head on them, "it's bizarre to see you caring so much."

"I don't."

Daisuke raised his head a bit and stared at the boy strangely, "You don't? Then why are you talking about it?"

"Because you needed to talk about it."

"That obvious?"

Satoshi closed his eyes nodded.

"Thanks Hiwatari-san."

"I need my rest now."

On his way out Daisuke ran into an unexpected barrier. Staggering back a few steps, he rubbed his temples until his vision focused on what he had collided with. There she was crouched on the floor rubbing her knees- the last person he wanted to see.

"Ouch!"

"Harada-san?"

"Oh, it's you Niwa-kun," Risa gathered herself off the floor and straightened her skirt.

"Visting Hiwatari?" he asked nervously. It felt awkward talking to the girl who knew the truth about him. How did she feel about him now that she knew he was her beloved Dark Mousy? He had completely forgotten how the revalation might effect the younger twin.

"Yes," she smiled.

"Well, I'll she you tomorrow in class," he brushed hastily past her.

"Niwa?" she called flipping her almost flawless hair over her shoulder.

A sweat drop slipped down Daisuke's brow as he turned to face the girl. "Yeah."

"Can we talk?"