Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing. I'm simply a boring, teenager writing fan fiction.

Warnings: Adventure, shounen-ai, and oh my: hints of one-sided KradxDaisuke, etc.

Chapter 7

When Daisuke woke up that morning, he already knew Dai merged with him. If he were still 'himself' (in the sense of only one's self), he would've freaked out. But Dai's slight more outgoing nature made him not really care. Turning to lay on his side, he felt his piercing poke painfully at his ear.

Daisuke sighed. If the piercing was there, that meant one of the tattoos were, too. And Daisuke wasn't sure if the magic that changed his features would extend to clothes as well. And oh god! His clothes! They were so plain and boring! Dai's style is awesome. Daisuke shook his head before pulling his body up and sat. Dai's influence on his mind already begun. At least now Daisuke knew what Dai thought about him.

A knock sounded from the door. Daisuke glanced at it and instantly knew it was Dark, if the violet hair peeking in was anything to go by.

"Daisuke, you awake? Krad's not in, so I was wondering if we could- what happened to you!" Looks like somebody noticed his earring and tattoo. Dark openly gaped; his mouth had learned how to act, look at it playing a fish. Daisuke would've chuckled if it weren't for the fact that he felt an urge to take a drag… Wait, Dai was a smoker? Never mind.

"Yes. What were you wondering? And I don't know." Daisuke said rather blandly. He flicked imaginary lint off of his shoulder before stretching and standing up. In the process, he lost his covers and his nude body was shown to the world. Dark stared and blushed before looking away. Daisuke stared down at his body before sighing again and picked up his clothes that were in the floor. So, does Dai sleep nude? It seems like Daisuke will have to try to keep his cool if any more of Dai's surprises come up. But then again, Dai's actions were based on what Daisuke had thought, dreamed, or wished about. So Daisuke may have done either of those things when he thought upon sleeping naked.

Eh, mind overload. When he finished dressing, he looked down at the clothing. They were surely different, but they somehow suit him. Plus, the styles weren't much different; small details were changed, but they can be overlooked.

"Dark, I'm dressed. You can look now. And answer my question." Daisuke muttered unsmilingly. Dark complied, but his cheeks were still burning red. Daisuke stared at Dark with no apparent interest in his expression. But it was well hidden. Dai's influence was a major difference to Daisuke. It seems like the new Niwa, Daisuke is bisexual. 'Heh. I'm attracted to Dark… Heh. I'm so screwed over.'

"D-Dais-suke. I-I was, uh, w-wondering i-if we should just write a note and be off." The ending came a bit quick, but Dark was in no hurry to care. Daisuke's body was just too tempting. And the earring and tattoo just boosted his attractiveness. Such a thing was difficult for Dark to handle, but Dark will find a way to manage. One way or another.

Though the clothes were not helping. Daisuke looked HOT! Ravishingly so.

To prevent from massive drooling, Dark zipped his mouth shut and threw away the key. His mental images made him too distracted to see Daisuke's eyes roll.

"Dark, did you even pack yet?" Daisuke asked. Dark froze and gulped. Daisuke was uncaring today, it seems. (And yes, Dark names days after Daisuke's feelings.) Today, he'll be extra mean and sort of ruthless.

Dark shook his head stiffly and made a beeline to his room to pack. Daisuke laughed at Dark in his mind before packing his unusual clothes. Later, he'll start on the note. That reminded Daisuke of Krad. With Dai in his body, Daisuke now has all access to Dai's knowledge. It seems like Krad is a two-face backstabbing murderer. No doubt Krad would try to stop Daisuke from leaving since he knows Krad's secret, and Daisuke, or more likely Dai's influence is at work once again, is interested on how the next events will fold out.

Krad,

I know your secret.

Murderer, I dare you to come to the clearing where you first met me. There, we will finally confess our mutual dislike to one another. And if the event takes place, we will draw blades and aim for the kill.

Now, that's the formal way of saying that. Let's commence to my style of talking.

Meet me at the quicksand where you saved me. At that designated area, we will challenge each other. If need be, I'll kill you. I assume you'll do the same?

Till then,
Daisuke

Daisuke picked up the note and taped it to the back of his door. Krad will look for them, Daisuke knows. Krad will find the note and will come for sure. And Dark must not come. Daisuke is to go, else Dark will come in danger.

Sighing, Daisuke picked up a silver-hilted dagger he had always kept hidden underneath his shirt. The emerald gem on it gleamed, bringing Daisuke to his thoughts of lust and envy.

Krad frustrated sighed under his breath, downing another cup of alcohol. His plan had failed and now, the only choice is to kill. But doing that will make his energy source disappear. Dark wasn't exactly needed anyways. But Krad was now pretty sure that Daisuke knows his 'career'. It is therefore vital that Daisuke keeps his mouth shut. Permanently.

However, since it's the morning, they'll probably be gone anyways. It's better off to check, though. Getting up, Krad took his bottle of alcohol and gulped the rest down before throwing the bottle over his shoulder, not caring who he hit or the fact that he didn't pay. The bartender wanted his life, obviously.

Upon entering the house, Krad noticed that nothing was heard. Krad sighed again and knew Daisuke had run off. Dark, too. Strangely, this day, he wasn't feeling homicidal. For once. He was mysteriously nostalgic. He let his feet guide him to Daisuke's guest room. He pushed the open door further and looked at the empty room. The breeze from the opened window blew through the curtains and a sheet of paper slipped into Krad's palm. His eyes quickly scanned the note and when he was finished, a maniacal grin set in place onto his face.

Time for the hunt.

Several miles away, Daisuke, whom had finally reenergized from recovering his lost magic, knew that it was high time to leave Dark and go to the clearing. But first, how to deal with Dark?

Daisuke could always use his power and cast a sleep on Dark. It would probably leave him unconscious for a few hours and that's plenty of time to handle the blonde man. Daisuke feels giddy from having all his energy back, too. Somehow, he had forgot all about his magic, his purpose of this journey, and a lot of things when he had came in contact with Krad.

Daisuke shook his head. The lust for revenge on Krad was becoming too much. And the jealousy from knowing the villagers were in the palm of Krad's manipulative hands was just too overbearing.

"Dark, can you turn away for a second. I need to change my pants. It's getting too hot and leather is hardly fit for this kind of condition." Daisuke said. Dark nodded knowingly and blushed. He complied with Daisuke's request, never knowing better. The instant Dark's back was open for attack; Daisuke struck him with a muttered sleep.

Dark's body collapsed and they were luckily walking on a field of grass. Daisuke moved Dark's body and placed their luggage besides him, making sure Dark couldn't roll away. Towering over Dark made Daisuke come back to his senses. Dai's influence was a bit too much. Daisuke needs his spiritual form to get used to this sudden change. Taking a deep breath, Daisuke uttered one single word.

"Unity."

In answer to his word, a pathless wind blew into his face. The word meant to be one, in sync, and it also meant a promise to Daisuke. It was a promise that Dai will forever be with him, no matter where he was, no matter who he'll become. Dai will always stand by him. In the face of death and in the brunt of a surprise.

Wiping away a tear of sentimentality, Daisuke walked back. A shadow flitted after him.

Krad had arrived at the quicksand spot rather fast and he sat down on the floor, ignoring the fact that footprints of the quicksand got on his rear end. He waited for minutes and yet Daisuke had yet to arrive. With nothing to do but ponder, Krad decided to truly look at himself, his morals (or lack of), his personality, and etc. When he was a child, he wasn't a bloodthirsty slaughterer. He was just your average kid with hopes and dreams and silly goals. The events that changed him would scar anyone.

And this wanting. It was the first time in a long time that Krad had wanted anything. Or anyONE. And besides that, he didn't straight out kill Daisuke just to get Dark. No, Krad had played a game with Daisuke. A game that he lost and readily accepted. If that wasn't exactly decency in a very vague sort of way, then Krad didn't know what was.

Krad has been playing god for too long. He decided who died and who didn't so much that he forgot himself was a human, just like any other person he killed. Painful pasts warp the future.

What was with his obsessive nature with blood, gore, and death, though? It made no sense. Not really. His past didn't really link to those things (at least not gore).

A sound from a cracked branch alerted Daisuke's presence and the light movement from the bushes that didn't sound natural prepared Krad to be wary of Dark. Looking up, Krad was shocked on how different Daisuke looked.

"What's with the look, eh Kid?" Krad commented. He didn't know going to the jail for one night would change Daisuke that much. Plus, he had the whole room to himself at the time. No roommate to bother him. Daisuke glared at him.

"None of your business leech." Daisuke sneered. His magic was dwindling and Daisuke was now quite sure it's Krad's fault. "So, you've been taking the energy from me?"

"Ah, so you figured it out." Krad said jokingly. Despite his light tone, his expression was still slightly emotionless. Daisuke scowled and oblivious to him, Dark was wondering what they were talking about. Energy? Leech?

"So, ready yet?" Daisuke inquired testily. Krad shrugged and picked up his knife, the blade glinting in the sunlight. Daisuke took his defensive stance and waited for Krad to stand up before striking. What he did not expect was that Krad would just throw the knife in front of his feet and hold up his hands in surrender.

"What are you planning? Do you take me for a fool? Why would a murderer like you suddenly give up the blood and death?" Daisuke asked coldly. Krad shook his head lightly and Dark stood silently, wondering what brought the sudden aloofness and cruelty to Daisuke and what Daisuke meant about Krad being the murderer. Of course he had his suspicions, but they weren't true, were they?

"I'm planning nothing. No, you're not a fool. And I don't know. I'm not sure if I even gave it up." Krad explained. He stood up, but instead of walking over to Daisuke to get the knife, Krad just turned around and looked up at the sky. "Time's a changing, Daisuke. I'm sure you've felt it. The currents in the air are telling those who can speak with nature that a danger is coming. Or a war. And it may be history repeating itself. The war between humans and non-mortals."

Krad didn't really think of that until he said it. He did feel the change, but it didn't really register until his mouth went autopilot. The war that happened before were centuries ago. Nobody but those who are gifted and non-human remember it. It was a long war that gave a whole new meaning to bloodshed. No place was safe. Houses were burned down. Men were killed. Women were raped. Children were beaten to death. Creatures of all species had suffered and no one knew what had stopped it.

The old texts that still speak of the war only said that the survivors woke up. They just suddenly woke up from a sleep they never knew they fell asleep to. In every survivor's dreams, they could remember seeing a brand new future. The war had ended and the remaining survivors had already forgotten why there even was a war to begin with. The text continued by quoting what some would say to why they continued to fight, "Because it was the only thing I know how to do. I've been born in this war and was raised in it. If there weren't any more bloodshed, I wouldn't know how to continue or what to do anymore. It's the only anchor to life I had."

"So? History is bound to repeat itself, but I don't care. I don't belong here." Daisuke said. 'I don't belong anywhere.' He added silently in his mind. "We'll all meet an end. Bloodshed is inevitable. Do you want to fight or not, though, Krad?" Daisuke said morbidly. Dark stood stock-still, awe and fear on his face from hearing Daisuke say such horrid, pessimistic views.

"No. I want to join you on your quest. Maybe I'll see what will restart a war that was delayed. It was never mentioned in ancient books." Krad countered back coolly. Daisuke was quiet, surprised at the request, contemplating it all the same.

"I can't tell you if you can come. I have no objections. But if you want to come, you have to guarantee that you won't kill innocents." 'Not that I'll believe you.' Daisuke thought. "Plus, you have to get Dark's permission first." Krad nodded understandingly.

"I won't make any promises, but I will try." Not so convincing, Dark would've said. "And we wouldn't have to look for Dark, since he's right behind you." Shocked, Daisuke's defensive stance stiffened and he turned around stiffly and looked at where Krad indicated.

"Dark, come out." Daisuke said with difficulty. With a glare set in place, Daisuke stonily watched Dark ease out of a bush and stepped into the clearing. "You heard what Krad wanted," Daisuke continued, "What do you think?"

"Uh…" It was so obvious that Dark didn't know what to think. One moment he was eavesdropping and the next he was being double teamed on (sort of). "Okay?" Even though Daisuke had called Krad a killer, Dark didn't really mind him all too much if Daisuke wasn't in the equation. Krad seems too bipolar, though. At first he was like a friendly host. Then he became some uncaring bastard. And now, he became rather apathetic. But back to the point of Daisuke calling Krad a killer. Dark didn't understand, but he believed in the quote: Innocent until proven guilty.

Daisuke sighed. Distrust was visible on his face, but resignation was there too.

"Come on, then. Krad, go pack your things." Daisuke ordered. Krad nodded. He walked away and absentmindedly, he thought, 'Who's going to be the leader of our little group of trio?'

"Would you mind explaining to me about the things you guys were talking about?" Dark asked meekly. Daisuke's form was still stiff, but soon it relaxed and his face eased back into a soft smile.

"Yeah. And next time, don't pretend to be asleep if you're just going to come after me. But before I explain, tell me how you broke through my spell (for lack of a better word)?" Daisuke asked, plopping himself down. Dark shrugged before sitting down beside Daisuke. Dark decided to keep quiet about the fact that Daisuke's Tarot cards shielded him. He didn't know what Daisuke would think when he finds out Dark already 'met' his cards.

And so, Daisuke explains what happened to him and what Dai thought. Some time during their talk, they had stood up and met up with Krad before going back to the place where Dark abandoned their packs. Luckily, animals didn't rip the baggage apart.

"Say, Daisuke." It seems like Krad wants to act like they were before the events of the village happened. "Do you know about the next town is rumored to have a killer on the loose?"

"No, Krad, I didn't. The rumor that you heard was probably from a traveler that came to your village to see you. When the villager explains to the traveler why it looks so peaceful, maybe that's when you eavesdropped." Daisuke said without batting an eyelash. His eyes were still on the road, not bothering to look at Krad.

"Uh, Krad. What did the townsfolk say when they heard you were talking?" Dark asked. Krad smirked good-naturedly.

"They said they'll miss me and when they were out of my eyesight, they were jumping for joy. They're throwing a festival because of that. They're even planning to make it an annual festival." Krad said humorously. Dark just frowned.

"And you're happy about that?" Dark asked bewilderedly. Krad shook his head before shrugging.

"Come on, you guys. We have to get to the next town before sunset. It looks like a storm is coming."

"Oh, great."

Looks like all of them were playing like nothing had happened. It was okay, to the trio. The past is the past, no matter how recent. Time will continue going by, never waiting for us, so why should they act like sitting ducks?

Risa Mourning For Riku Extra

Risa sobbed in the corner of her house as her parents went to the festival. Riku just died and they were all prancing around like ponies just because the murderer was said to be gone. How were they sure that he wouldn't get bored and come back to kill them all? And Riku, her twin, was dead! How can they just go off celebrating?

She hiccupped before walking over to Riku's side of the bedroom. Her family still didn't plan Riku's funeral yet and they hadn't packed Riku's things in boxes or burned them yet. Walking over to Riku's bedside drawer, Risa opened it and produced Riku's diary. Even though it was rude that Risa was digging through a deceased person's belongings, she just missed her sister so much. Riku's diary had the most of her presence, so Risa couldn't really help it. Lifting it up, Risa saw a small key slip out of the locked journal.

The key to the lock on Riku's diary was in Risa's hand and Risa didn't know if she would risk passing the line and read her sister's thoughts. She might be in too much pain and she saw television dramas where a person mourning went crazy and thought a dead someone was sharing the person's body. Risa shivered. She didn't want to one of those psychotic people, but this would make her closer to Riku.

In a very personal way, Risa admits, that shouldn't extend to other people, twins or not.

Sighing, Risa decided to open it. A little peek wouldn't hurt, would it? Opening it, Risa was rather surprised to see a table of contents on the first page. Why would a diary need a table of contents? Scanning the list, Risa saw that Riku had turned her diary into journal entries/a scrapbook/stalker entries. Risa was shocked that Riku had stalker tendencies, but she didn't really care. She would be a hypocrite if she did.

Flipping to Riku's Journal area, Risa began to read. Throughout the night, Risa learned how Riku was jealous of her, how Riku wished to be Risa, etc. Looking through the pictures in the diary, Risa realized that all Riku's crushes fell in love with Risa instead. The stalker area was brand new and had only a few entries about Daisuke.

That day, the town's First Annual Murderer Free Festival, was the day that Risa learned about how it felt being in someone else's shoes. She never was the same afterward, but it was in a good way. She had matured and she learned to look beyond looks and beauty. It was almost like a blend of Riku and Risa into one. Though it was like that, Risa didn't become like those others people considered insane.

Risa will one day get over the loss of her twin, the person that had been with her for her entire life. She would one day get over that, but that one-day was far away. But even if Risa gets over Riku, Riku would forever hold a place in Risa's heart and memory.

R.I.P.

Harada, Riku
A sister, a daughter, a friend
1991-2005

May your beloved wings be free and flapping to the grace of nature. The memories you gave us will forever be held dear. Last victim of Golden Killer, we pray you go fly to Heaven safely.

A/N: Bet you all saw that coming. I don't exactly have original ideas, so this is rather complicated for me to come up with within a week. Later than usual. I'm sorry. I'm overworked these days because my parents are opening a restaurant and I have to help since I'm their daughter. And since school is almost done, the teachers are trying to grade our notebooks and things, so I have to do all the work to guarantee that I pass. I feel like being mean to readers and take over a few weeks and come up with a boring chapter. My mind is going overload with ideas for new stories and fictions for other fandoms. What has the world come to? And why did I call Krad, Golden Killer? Yay! A new reviewer! Thank you Daisuke Captain Oblivious!

Hikari: So… What did Dark do to Daisuke? –perverted author walks away cackling-