Disclaimer: I'm not a great author or artist. Therefore, how can I be Yukiru Sugisaki?
Warnings: Adventures, shounen-ai, drama, fantasy, etc.
Chapter 6
The blonde was a fool to anger him. But the blonde didn't know the extent of his powers. Even his conscience doesn't know of the power he wields. Maybe it is time for he to show himself to Daisuke. It wouldn't matter the reaction, because that will change nothing. Daisuke will still be stuck with him.
Yes. That's the action that they have to do. Daisuke will accept him when he shows himself and gives answer. For now, he should rest and confront Daisuke when the time has come. Yes, that's what he should do…
The morning light filtered through the window. With no curtains, Daisuke suffered from too much light and was momentarily blinded when he awoke. The light was distracting, but something was on his mind and he couldn't be bothered to block the light. Adjusting his pupils to get used to the light, Daisuke was shocked to find a slightly faded form of him in midair.
This Daisuke was sitting cross-legged two yards above ground, nearly hitting the ceiling. He had a more hostile look than the 'real' Daisuke and his eyes shone seriousness and age-old intelligence. What was stranger was the type of clothing he wore. Now, the Daisuke we know was a natural loner. But he didn't let that take over his life; his clothes weren't gothic and all black. It was casual clothes that you find any average male wearing. This mysterious 'ghost', however similar he may look like Daisuke, does not have the same taste. This redhead wears loose black pants with chains adorned. His muscle shirt was also black, and sleeveless. His arms showed several tattoos and lithe muscles. This was not your average Niwa, Daisuke.
"Wh-who are you! Why do you look like me?" Daisuke shouted, cursing himself for stuttering. He just showed his surprise and slight fear. That was never good when you were facing a potential enemy. In response to Daisuke's questions (and thought), the other Daisuke simply smirked. He crossed his arms and the clear Daisuke half-stared and half-glared at him.
"Heh. Feisty, aren't you? But I suppose you have a reason. I'm… you. I'm Niwa, Daisuke. And if I'm you, I have to look like you, ne?" The imposter winked at the original. Daisuke gaped at the explanation. It made no sense and it annoyed Daisuke more.
"How can you be me? I'M me. Not you." Daisuke said defiantly. The other merely chuckled before snapping his fingers. Instantly and magically, a small screen appeared on the wall behind the fake. "I know your every secret. Every feeling. Every experience. I know everything." Images appeared and it seemed to be things that had occurred to Daisuke in the past. Moving his mouth like a fish, only a small whisper of "H-how?" came out of his mouth.
The other groaned, as if not believing Daisuke would be this stubborn. But he knew Daisuke's resolve was breaking. After it does break, a tsunami of questions was sure to come.
"I don't know the questions you ask, but let me tell you why I look like this." Here, the other indicated the black clothes and tattoos and a simple earring that Daisuke didn't see earlier. "I'm… what you call a subconscious, I guess. I appear to be whatever you thought of doing to change your physical appearance. When you were young, you remembered asking others why only girls have earrings and not guys. You had wished for one then. And the tattoos came when you overheard classmates giving each other dares. You heard them talking about how painful it is for a tattoo. You felt challenged." Dai explained. Daisuke decided to call this 'subconscious' Dai, and he took a closer look at Dai's tattoos. He had one on each arm and they were of opposite designs.
The one on the left was of flames. Surrounding Dai's forearm like a band, colors of vivid red, orange, and yellow overlapped each other. Some infernos were higher than others. The image was entrancing and Daisuke almost thought that it was a real flame, one that couldn't hurt anyone but would look exactly realistic. The right tattoo was stripes of dark violet, so dark that it looked black. It was like darkness, hiding something and preventing you from seeing the end of it. When Daisuke said stripes, he meant that there was more than one 'band'. There were three, each having an inch distance from each other.
Darkness and Fire.
That meant danger. Were the tattoos symbolic or did it really mean Daisuke was a danger to others? The night before, he had heard guards call him a murderer. Did he kill people, but didn't know it?
"Stop that. You didn't kill those people." Daisuke gave Dai an accusing look. "And no. I wasn't the one who did it either. I know who it is, but you have to figure it out yourself." Now, instead of the accusing look, Daisuke gave the other a glare, trying to make Dai tell him who made him get locked away. Obviously, that didn't work.
"I'm going to disappear back into you, now. When we're free from here, your appearance will change. You'll look a little like me and a little like yourself. Do not fret when that time comes. But be careful." Dai suddenly shimmered and faded away. At the same time, Daisuke felt warm and reenergized. He doesn't feel alone. At least not too much.
Dark walked through the streets of the village once again. It was hard to believe that less than twenty-four hours ago Daisuke was arrested. Speaking of Daisuke, where had the card gone? When night had approached, Dark snapped out of a trance that he didn't know he was in. Why was Dark shocked though, when the news said that police would inspect Daisuke? Something is out of place and Dark needs to find that goddess card slash person to get some answers.
Torrents of muttering followed him. Some were pities while others were accusations.
Dark growled. They have opinions and they have motivations. But they don't DO anything. Dark was sure that they knew who the killer was, except they wouldn't tell anyone else, trying to keep their life. Turning around, Dark headed back to Krad's house. He should look for that Tarot card, instead of trying to curse the snot out of every person in the town.
The card was nowhere to be found. Dark had searched high and low in the living room, kitchen, Krad's bedroom, Dark's room, the bathrooms, the closets, etc. The only place he hadn't look through was Daisuke and Dark was wary of going in there. When (not if) Daisuke gets out, Dark wouldn't want Daisuke to be mad at him if Daisuke found his things moved.
Every nook and cranny was double checked before Dark decided that it was futile to try to find the cards beside in Daisuke's room. Stalling, (though for what Dark didn't know) Dark turned the knob. The instant the door opened a flurry of movement in the dark shadows of Daisuke's room captured Dark's eyes. There were soft squeals and shouts before the noise was muffled. The room was dim, since Daisuke's curtains were drawn. But that didn't hinder Dark from seeing cards float around and hide under the covers of the bed.
"H-hello?" Dark asked. His voice was soft and Dark tiptoed into the room for no reason. Silence reined the room for a while before some shuffling was heard. A card peeked its head out and Dark recognized it as the goddess that he had a brief talk with. At first, her expression was wary and untrusting, but when her eyes landed on Dark, they twinkled and her frown broke out into a smile.
"Hello, young one. We meet again. Have you an answer? Where is our master?" The card asked. When the second question was asked, some of the other cards pushed themselves away from the suffocating blankets. When Dark shook his head, the rest of the Tarot deck came out. As he opened his mouth to speak with the Crescent Crowned Goddess, the cards began to whisper and mutter. Just like the villagers. Dark was about to scream. His face turned to a scowl of annoyance and frustration and the goddess saw that.
"Now, now. Settle down, everyone. Let's see what we can learn about what happened to our master." She said soothingly. The others at once fell silent. They all looked at Dark expectantly and Dark, who was shocked at how the goddess effectively ordered the Tarot deck, was thinking on how to start.
"Um… Before I begin, do you have a name? I don't think I can keep on calling you Crescent Crowned Goddess." Dark said sheepishly. The goddess laughed lightly before nodding.
"You may call me Renaca. Young one, what is it that I shall call you?" Renaca asked. Dark smiled briefly before smirking.
"My name is Dark, Lady Renaca." Dark bowed like a gentleman and Renaca and the other females giggled before Dark's expression was clouded with seriousness. "Your master, Daisuke, he's been accused of killing a village girl. He's now under arrest." Renaca gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. The others chattered again, but another card, a male one, glared at them. Like before, the rest quieted. Looking at the card's name, Dark saw Stag-Horned God.
"Renaca, calm down. I'm sure Master Daisuke did no such thing. Let us talk with Dark and come up with an idea of what is going to happen to Master Daisuke." The card said. Renaca's shock expression disappeared and a frown replaced it.
"But Solaku, how do we know what's going to happen. According to Master Daisuke's words, humans that are charged of murder have to repent for their ways in the cage for years if not forever." Renaca cried despaired. Solaku frowned and somehow extended an arm from the card's surface and patted Renaca's back. Dark stored the information away and hid his surprised look.
"Um… Ma'am, sir. We could try to break Daisuke out of jail…" Dark suggested. Eyes snapped and looked at Dark. Under the intense scrutiny, he fidgeted and waited for their response.
"Master Dark. We cannot break Master Daisuke out of jail. That will disrupt the town and doing that will make Daisuke a wanted criminal." Solaku explained. Solaku shook his head and the room was silent once again. Everyone was lost in their thoughts and Dark took this chance to examine how Solaku, the Stag-Horned God, looked.
The male in the picture wore animal skin over his right shoulder and for the middle area; the clothing was similar to a loincloth. His boots were also animal skin and went up to his knees. Beside him lay a stag resting. The forest was forgotten in the background and you can see Solaku holding a spear of sorts and a bag (also made of hide). Like the name of the card, Solaku has two antlers resting upon his cranium. Solaku's skin was neither tan nor pale. His dark brown hair was long and slightly swaying to a breeze unfelt. His black beard showed that he was not as young as he looked.
"Lady Maiden, do you not know what happened to the young lass that was killed?" Solaku asked. Another card spun forward and Dark saw a woman in a beautiful white marriage gown dancing and swirling with the wind.
"I know nothing, Solaku. And please, call me Nala. Being called lady twice is rather aggravating." The Maiden card said, trying to lighten the mood. It succeeded, though Dark didn't know if it was from her words or perhaps her magic.
Daisuke sucked in a breath. The police had said that they'd bring him to a laboratory to check for poison on his hands or clothes. That was rather pointless and stupid, Daisuke thought, because if there was some on him, he should be dead by now. The poison can seep through the tiny holes of clothing anyways. The police folk sure were slow.
'Patience, Daisuke. If they don't find poison on you, they'll have to go. The townspeople can act as witnesses of not seeing you near the Harada household. So if the letter had poison, that meant that the mailman poisoned her, not you.' Dai remarked matter-of-fact. Daisuke scoffed but said nothing in reply. It was useless to deny it; Daisuke knew that Dai could always find a reason for anyone's actions. His observation skills were just that great.
"Hurry up, back there! We don't have time to lose. There are other convicts, too, y'know." An obnoxious policeman commented. By his tone of voice, you could already tell that he's young and probably just became a police. Daisuke frowned. Curse Dai's analyzing and influences!
'Ah. We're slowly merging, Daisuke. Cursing me would be like cursing yourself.' Dai stated with a smirk. Daisuke groaned mentally and said nothing. He never had anything to say to Dai. Dai understands him so it'll be useless to talk anyways. The same police that was rather rude suddenly stopped. Daisuke stopped himself before he would crash into him.
"Now, look here, fella'. If ya' try anything, the judge will just make your time in juvenile hall longer." He said threateningly. Daisuke nodded without really paying attention, but the man didn't care. He shoved Daisuke through a door and closed it when he smirked at Daisuke's stumble. Daisuke bit back a curse and was about to yell through the door, but a voice interrupted him.
"Oh my, Daisuke. You're the convict? I'm disappointed in you." Krad said mockingly. A cruel smile flitted on his face and he stepped out of the shadows. Daisuke turned around at his voice and was shocked at Krad' expression and words. Upon his slight fear and disappointment, Dai sighed sadly. At the mental sigh, Daisuke finally talked to him.
'You knew? You fucking knew and you didn't tell me?' Daisuke shouted at Dai. Dai winced but let the verbal assault continue. 'You let me be accused and sent to jail, Dai! Did you know about Krad, too?'
"K-Krad? Wh-what do you mean?" Daisuke said, trying to stall time to try to escape. Krad seems psychotic right now; his smirk was insane and his eyes held a dark, dangerous glint. Daisuke feared for his life and he didn't know what to do. Krad… He's not safe to be around.
"Ah, Dai-chan. Don't be silly. You know what I'm talking about. Why did you kill Riku?" Krad interrogated. Daisuke stepped back and his back hit the solid door. With no means of getting away, Daisuke just watched Krad cautiously. It wouldn't do good to turn your back on someone unstable.
'Run, Daisuke! Hurry! He's going to attack!' Dai shouted in dread. Daisuke stood stock still, watching as Krad came to him slowly with a sharp knife and some tweezers. 'God damn it! Run, you fool!'
"Stay still, boy. I just need a sample of your blood and a few strands of your shirt and maybe some skin off of your thumb. It won't hurt a bit." The end of the sentence was said nastily and Krad's tongue darted out, licking his lips. Then, after stopping in front of the frozen Daisuke, Krad licked the blade from tip to the handle.
The actions brought Daisuke out of his stupor and almost take him into another one, but Daisuke was forced to move away when Dai shouted at him. Krad's face darkened slightly before brightening.
"Oh. You want a hunt, eh? Sure. We'll play your little game." Krad said darkly. Daisuke ran across the room and Krad merely walked lazily towards him. When Krad came with five feet, Daisuke ran to the adjacent wall and Krad didn't bother to grab Daisuke's arm when he ran close. The process repeated for a while before Daisuke went back to his original spot.
Krad wasn't worried that Daisuke will open the door and make a run for it. The door was locked from the outside, meaning that Daisuke couldn't get out even if he wanted to. The only way you can leave is if you have the key, or wait until someone else comes in.
SlamThe door burst open and Daisuke was flung into Krad's chest. Krad dropped the tweezers and knife in surprise and caught Daisuke in reflex. His eyes trailed to the doorway and saw Dark standing there heaving in exhaustion. Krad's arms quickly dropped to his sides, to avoid misunderstandings, but it was too late. Dark had seen the scene and he no doubt thought Daisuke was making out with him. Daisuke's face was flustered, but that was because he was running around the room, though Dark didn't know that.
Dark's face reddened, from either anger or embarrassment he didn't know. Sure, Dark was angry that Krad has Daisuke in his arms, but Dark wouldn't want to interrupt them if they were doing something. That'll be plain awkward! His blood boil in jealousy and his heart cried out to Daisuke.
Daisuke was dizzy. His head was suddenly smacked hardly by the iron door and now Daisuke wasn't sure if he'd end up unconscious. But he needed to know who opened the blasted door or if he was in Krad's arms. Because if he was, he needed to write a will.
"Uh… If I'm disrupting anything, tell me and I'll just leave okay?" Dark asked, trying to use a mask to hide his envy. Daisuke instantly recognized his voice and mentally groaned, while Dai was cheering. For Dark? Nah. Dai is probably cheering because Daisuke is safe now. Well, not really. Not until Daisuke is far, far away from Krad. Daisuke pushed himself away uncomfortably, still at daze.
"N… No, you didn't interrupt anything." Daisuke said softly, holding his head. Daisuke took a step toward Dark and stumbled, almost falling to the floor. Dark reached for his arm and made it in time. Now, Dark was slightly concerned. Daisuke seems unfocused and that couldn't possibly be because of Krad, would it?
"Okay…" Dark said as he helped Daisuke. Krad stayed in the background watching as Dark led Daisuke away. 'Fool, helping a weakling like him. I'll get you soon, Niwa. Count on it.' Krad thought spitefully. He grabbed his cell from his back pocket and flipped it open. He speed dialed to the police department.
"Hello? This is Krad with Suspect No. 641. He's innocent. His companion just came and picked him up." 1 Krad said icily. Without waiting for a reply, he hung up and stalked out of the room.
'My hero!' Dai said with a high-pitched tone that sounded eerily like a female. Daisuke mentally sighed before giggling in reply. He was feeling rather giddy. Adrenaline pumped in his veins from moments before. There was a bounce in his step and he wasn't afraid to show it. Dark simply chuckled at Daisuke's antics.
'Daisuke. Tomorrow morning, we will have finished merging and you will no longer hear me. Our thoughts will be the same, mine has influenced yours and yours mine. Your appearance, like I said before, will also change. You won't exactly look like me, but similar.' Dai said. Daisuke slowly nodded, accepting that fact.
"Wait. How can you suddenly be let out? Was it because I went to fetch you? That's weird…" Dark mentioned. Daisuke admitted that it was strange, but at least he was free, yeah? Being here, with Dark, was better than sleeping on a dirty cot in a dank caged room. Not that Daisuke was complaining about Dark's company.
"I don't know. But I think it's okay. I mean, people see me but they're not calling the cops or anything." Daisuke explained. Dark nodded and they continued their slow trek to Krad's home. Krad's home. Not theirs. Maybe it was time to go. They shouldn't overstay their welcome. But they need to sleep the rest of the day away, since it's already mid-afternoon.
"Dark, let's leave tomorrow morning. I think we should continue and not stay here too long. I'm sure you'd like to go back to Azumano, right?" Daisuke asked. Dark nodded again and they hurried to Krad's guest rooms.
Midnight was almost here and everyone was asleep. Everyone except Dai. Dai was sitting on the ledge beside the window in Daisuke's room. Daisuke's Tarot cards floated around him, offering him a silent farewell. They'd miss him, but it wasn't like he'll be gone exactly. He'll just become a part of Daisuke and vice versa. The cards will never see this Daisuke or this Dai again.
"We'll miss you, Dai." Renaca said sadly. Solaku and Nala nodded and they tried to offer comfort. It didn't work very well, but Dai appreciated the effort.
"It's not like I'll die or anything. So don't be sad, guys." Dai replied just as dejectedly. All the cards circled around Dai and he smiled a bit and closed his eyes. He knew what they're doing and he knew it wasn't something bad. In fact, it was something that was extremely great for Dai and Daisuke and the cards doing something like that was rare.
"Master Dai. He who has saved our master. He who is wise. He who is young and troubled. He who is not wholly alive. Master Dai. We, the Tarots of Faith and Trust, pray that you will live a beautiful life. We, the Tarots of Past and Future, hope that you'll become one with who will make you complete. We, the servants of you, wishes for your peace." The cards chanted. They continued to circle around Dai and the moonlight reflected off the tears that slowly but surely escaped from Dai's eyes.
"Thank you." He whispered. Dai, the one who received the Tarot's blessing, was crying for the first time. Dai didn't know how to stop and he wasn't sure if he wanted to. The clock in the living room struck twelve and the shiny dust in the moonlight pushed away the cards before they too circled around Dai.
Tiny particles exited Dai's body and gradually entered Daisuke's slumbering body. Daisuke's chest moved up and down as more of Dai's cells traveled into him. Soon, only Dai's eyes were left and they spoke a quiet sentence.
Peace goes to one that deserves it. Tarots of Past and Future, of Faith and Trust, I hereby order you to help Daisuke on his adventure in any way you can.
Those forlorn ruby eyes glittered before they followed into Daisuke's body. The Tarots turned away, silently weeping. The dust that had circled Dai before lifted Daisuke up and moved over him, petting to make sure Dai was inside Daisuke. Once they were sure, the night murmured magic and Daisuke's body transformed. He was taller a few inches and the tattoo of the bands of darkness appeared on Daisuke's arms. An earring mysteriously came into sight in Daisuke's ear and his clothes in his duffel bag changed slightly to fit the brand new Daisuke.
Hello, World. Say hi to a brand new, fresh Niwa, Daisuke.
1. This is not actually what happens. I don't know what the people do, but you can get the idea.
A/N: From now on, I won't reply to reviews in the chapters. I'll just click the reply button and respond. If it's an anonymous, I'll make an exception and reply. And the names I replaced for the cards are not actually used. It's just easier for me to write with. And I'm too lazy to get the book for the Tarot card's definitions, so I'll just make up the meanings. I remember the names. The book had said that we could make our own meanings and this will make things a lot easier for me to write.
I feel sad. I created Dai and now I'm making him disappear.
Hikari: Wow! What an adventurous review! Krad! Dark! I command you two to stop. Don't hurt my dear reviewer! I'll give you some… photos of Daisuke and Satoshi.