Warning: A bit of language.

Chapter 14

Hiwatari could've sworn he saw some people recoiled in shock at what his bitch was saying. Yes, she was a bitch. Kiyomi wasn't anything more than a cheap fuck. Hiwatari knew he was blacking out right about now from all the wine he drank, but do you think he give a damn? A simple hangover medicine can cure the hangover when he wakes up later.

Back to the point. Hiwatari knew there were two people standing around one end of the dining table, not including his tool. But the amount of people he saw recoil was four. And he was sure it wasn't just a simple illusion his drunkenness created. The four people that recoiled each had different hair colors, one red (the one Kiyomi said looked cute), one purple (whoever heard of purple hair?), one golden (a blond?), and one azure (so similar to Satoshi's, but the height differs greatly).

Oh well. It doesn't matter, now. He had fainted and accepted the momentary black abyss.

"Hey, cutie. Want to come with me for a while?" Kiyomi cooed as she looked at Daisuke. Little Sato hated the look in Kiyomi's look and since he was in Daisuke's arms, he thought Kiyomi meant him. Anyone associated with Hiwatari was bad. They'll hurt little Sato. Knowing that, Sato picked himself up off Daisuke and ran behind the table. Daisuke and Dark noticed (and Satoshi and Krad) but Kiyomi only had eyes for Daisuke alone. Daisuke's eyes steeled as he stared defiantly back at Kiyomi.

"Hell no…" Daisuke wasn't sure if calling Kiyomi a rapist would be valid or not. Technically, in the time where Daisuke is currently at, Kiyomi didn't rape Satoshi yet. Daisuke stood up, wrapping his arms around himself, and walked a step forward. Only one step. It was meant to distract Kiyomi and let Dark bring Sato to safety, but the action brought Daisuke Dark's attention as well.

"Daisuke! Stay away from her! You just heard what she said!" Dark exclaimed fearfully. Daisuke was recklessly brave and stubborn. He said he didn't want to change the past, but now when things were already changed, Daisuke was making things more different.

"Cutie. It'll just take a minute." Kiyomi tried to reason. She took a step closer to Daisuke and Daisuke glared at her, trying not to budge. If he did so, it would be mistaken as a sign of fear or submission. Dark glared at Kiyomi in spite and at Daisuke in frustration. Ignoring everybody except Daisuke and his pounding heart that was warning him of something, Dark walked forward and grasped Daisuke's arm. Giving him a meaningful look, Dark leaned down to Daisuke's ear.

"Taking Satoshi's place isn't the only way to help him, y'know. The older one would probably hate you for doing this. You understand that though the victim is different, the act is still the same?" Dark whispered harshly. Daisuke winced, understanding that what Dark was saying made sense, a lot of sense. Daisuke knew that he doesn't have to become a victim of rape, and who says that he will be? Daisuke is just stalling time to let Sato escape. It seems Sato is hidden under the table with the tablecloth hiding him. A drunken person wouldn't really notice a young boy under the table.

"Aw. Don't listen to him, Daisuke was it?" Kiyomi complained as she stumbled forward even more. Dark pulled Daisuke behind him and snarled. He glared at Kiyomi and made sure to make his voice sound frightening.

"Stop that, you damn fucking rapist." Dark growled. Kiyomi flinched and Daisuke wondered if she ever raped anyone else besides Satoshi. Kiyomi glared back at Dark and tried to respond, but alas, she fainted, as all drunkards do at some point. After kicking her body a few times hardly to make sure she wouldn't wake any time soon, Dark turned around and faced Daisuke angrily.

"What the hell were you thinking? Do you know how much danger you put yourself in? Don't do that next time!" Dark shouted. Daisuke cringed but he glowered boldly back at Dark.

"What do you care? You're not my mother, my boss, or my boyfriend. So why should I listen to you?" Daisuke replied heatedly. Both soon forgot about Sato and started a shouting match. Needless to say, Sato was scared again from the rising voices of his onii-chans' and huddled into a tiny ball onto the floor, sobbing.

"I may not be you mother, your damn boss, or your fucking boyfriend. But I have a right to care because I'm your damn friend!" Dark yelled, staring down at Daisuke disdainfully. Daisuke ripped his arm away from Dark's tightening grip and clenched his fists beside him, trying not to punch Dark's lights out.

"Well, excuse me for not knowing you're my friend and therefore you can care about me. But it's not like I had a friend before! You don't fucking understand any damn thing!" Daisuke screamed. Dark frowned, but the conversation continued. Soon, even the maids watched and the unconscious forms of Hiwatari and Kiyomi were forgotten.

"So what if I don't understand anything, you bastard!" Dark ignored the flinch Daisuke had and continued on, heedlessly. "I would understand if you just gave me the damn chance!"

"And what warrants you that chance!" Daisuke finished with a cold, quiet whisper. Dark froze, not expecting that kind of reaction. Daisuke continued, "And don't say because you're my friend. Friendship is overrated. There's also a limit to how much you can do." Without waiting for a reply, Daisuke walked towards the door stiffly, shoulders tensed. Dark just stood there, dumbfounded by how cold Daisuke sounded. Daisuke wasn't cold. And… Dark tried to ignore the hurt he felt at Daisuke's view on friendship, their friendship.

"Nii-chan?" A small whisper, barely even heard echoed through the room and slowly, Sato appeared under the table with tear streaks down his cheeks. At the time, nobody knew if he was talking about Daisuke or Dark; they only knew that Sato's voice was pain-filled and worried. When Sato didn't see Daisuke anyway, Sato ran towards Dark, with tears watering his eyes. He glared up at Dark, sniffling when he had to and pounded his little fists into Dark's leg.

"Meanie! Nii-chan was hurt! Don't talk about things you don't understand!" By now, Sato began crying. Some of his tears leaked into his mouth, but he ignored them. "Daisuke didn't want to fight! Couldn't you see? Nii-chan is an orphan, like me!"

"And just like me… Daisuke-nii-chan had no friends before…" Sato said softly as his hands stopped their pounding and dropped to his sides. Wobbling, Sato's tears continued flowing.

Dark didn't see Sato black out from exhaustion. The only thing that Dark's eyes saw was Daisuke's form walking out the door, and the slight glimpse of Daisuke's face that had a teardrop slipping down Daisuke's face. Guilt entered him and he forgot all else as he ran out the door, chasing Daisuke.

Satoshi and Krad had watched the screaming match start and finish. They had felt no decency to turn away. They watched and watched and soon, only those two were the only ones in the room when the maids picked Sato up to bring him to his room (and Hiwatari and Kiyomi to the master bedroom).

"That was an extreme case of either pent up frustration at the world… or unreleased sexual tension." Krad muttered as he pushed Satoshi around to face him. Krad let go of Satoshi now and Satoshi tried to ignore the cold that now grabbed him relentlessly.

"You are strange." Satoshi laughed, but it soon turned serious once Satoshi thought about the first part of Krad's statement. Pen up frustration at the world. If Sato was right (how did a child catch something Satoshi couldn't?), then Daisuke was more similar to him than Satoshi knew. But if that's the case, who has the worse life? Daisuke with his friendless loneliness or Satoshi and his horrible seclusion after the rape?

"I can't believe he said those things. But I'm a hypocrite." Daisuke whispers to himself as he ran into the garden. His eyes watered, but Daisuke held them in. It didn't work so well. The tears poured out and Daisuke merely sniffed. Looking back at the mansion, Daisuke knew he wanted to be away from people for a while, but not too far away.

The cold wind blew at his face and Daisuke was glad for it. His burning face needed some comforting, even if it's only nature. Daisuke felt his face cool down as he walked aimlessly in the garden. The tears slowed and Daisuke looked back again at the mansion. It was far away and Daisuke felt relieved. Time alone was important when you're sad, or at least that's what Daisuke thought. No one should know what hurts Daisuke; they'll know his weakness.

"Why am I so different? Why can't anyone just accept things and let it go?" Daisuke wondered aloud as he plopped himself down beside a statue. He leaned against the solid concrete and looked up at the stars, lost in thought.

'I was out of line. I shouldn't have said so much. I've revealed too much… If Dark doesn't figure it out, I'm sure Sato would glue the pieces together.'

"Daisuke?" Someone appeared over Daisuke and blocked the moonlight from shining down. Because the moon was right behind the person's head, Daisuke couldn't see anything but the shape of the person. There were long locks of hair that were spiked out, and the dim lights from the stars gave a tiny bit of color upon those locks; they were a dark violet. Three guesses on who it is.

"Daisuke. I'm sorry for what I said earlier." Dark apologized quietly, looking down in shame. His grip on a canvas loosened, but it did not fall yet. Dark continued on apologizing. "I'm sorry. I was just worried. You were my first friend since a long time. And… I'm just sorry." Dark finished and made a move to leave. Daisuke paused for a second, before following what his feelings were telling him to do.

"Do you want to stay?" Daisuke murmured, hesitantly. He didn't know what compelled him to ask that, but Daisuke supposes that it was because someone actually apologized sincerely to him after a fight. Dark stopped and nodded slowly before moving his body around and walking a way off to the side right in front of Daisuke, a couple of feet away.

"Sure… And thanks…" Dark said as he slid onto his bottom and propped his canvas onto his knees. He knew he needed to sketch something onto the canvas lightly if he wanted to paint later; that was basic information on painting. But what should he draw/paint? There wasn't much of anything fascinating and Dark was sure a bunch of canvases that depict plants wouldn't be a lot of worth.

"You welcome." Daisuke muttered as he looked back up at the dark, dark sky. The stars twinkled, waving at them and the moon smiled, the light shining down. Dark was just taking out his pencils (charcoal and normal) when he looked at the wistful Daisuke. The cliché happened. In Dark's point of view, Daisuke's ruby eyes sparkled at the natural night light brought from the stars and moon. His hair softly floated as the wind combed their invisible fingers through his hair. By the moonlight, Daisuke's pale skin looked ethereal and his perky, full lips begged for attention (for lack of a better phrase). His small nose fit into Daisuke's face like a puzzle and everything was simply beautiful. Dark's point of view was exaggerating but who cared?

"Daisuke? Can I paint you?" Dark asked out of the blue. Daisuke slowly looked at him with an eyebrow raised and Dark realized what a strange question it was.

"Paint me?" Daisuke asked, modestly. Obviously he thinks he isn't pretty or anything worth attention, much less the subject of a painting. "Why would you want to paint me, of all people?"

"Daisuke, of course I want to paint you. You're my friend." Daisuke for some reason felt sad at hearing that, but Daisuke didn't show the effect of Dark's words. "Besides, you're attractive. I bet you can get a load of fan girls if you tried." Dark decided not to mention Riku, since it might make things tense between Krad and them and the atmosphere right now.

"Yeah, but they're going to get themselves killed." Daisuke said bitingly, self-hate laced with those words. "And she was the only one who liked me that way. I'm not attractive." Dark mentally scoffed, but he didn't comment. He simply waited for Daisuke to finish before they have another argument.

"I bet you don't even like me. You're only being nice to me because I know of the world we came from. You need me to go back. Otherwise you couldn't care less about me, ne Dark?" Daisuke laughed harshly. It seemed like his self-degrading speech was over when he breathed heavily and his exhaled breaths appeared in the night air. (Yes, it was that cold). Dark sighed and tried to pat Daisuke on the shoulder, but Daisuke pulled away. Dark rolled his eyes and pulled his arm back.

"First of all, I said if you tried. Did you try yet? No. Second, I do like you. ('I like you a LOT!') It might seem like I'm using you at first, which is not the case, but I'm not using you. You're a good friend. And let me repeat: You are Attractive." Dark said. Dark didn't think that the capital A was incorrect. Daisuke is that beautiful (to Dark).

Daisuke was stunned into silence. No one has ever tried to tell him he was handsome/pretty/beautiful/whatever you want to describe him and repeatedly say so if Daisuke rejected the idea. No one even said he was attractive, period. And now, here Dark was, not even knowing him that long and Dark was already commenting on Daisuke's looks.

'If I didn't know any better, I'd say that Dark was almost trying to hit on me and cheer me up at the same time.' Daisuke thought mentally. In his mind, a Chibi Daisuke furrowed his eyebrows in confusion in a cute way.

"Okay. Now that we have that over with. Will you be the subject of my latest artwork?" Dark asked with a wink. Daisuke flushed for reasons unknown, but he nodded stiffly in acceptance. Dark cheered to himself silently and moved himself into a more comfortable position. He propped the canvas in front of him and grabbed a normal pencil first. Dark used a pencil and stroked the canvas again and again, painting a picture (figuratively speaking).

"What do you suggest we do?" Krad asked as Satoshi led them out. Satoshi was quiet after making his 'You're strange' remark. Maybe it was disconcerting to know that the only thing that haunted your life for years was made unreal and only a nightmare. His rape was now untrue and though he wished it never happened before a lot of times, now Satoshi simply didn't know what to do. Such is the way of humans.

"I don't know. I don't think we're supposed to be here if we can still not be seen by the others. So I think we'll be going home soon. Whatever home will be like…" Satoshi finished with a frustrated look. Satoshi was thinking too much about things. Krad pulled Satoshi still and resisted the urge to pull Satoshi into his arms. Krad only made Satoshi an arm's length away. Krad stared straight into Satoshi's eyes and spoke.

"Stop thinking about it. Just trust fate to lead us to wherever we'll go. Go with the flow, okay?" Krad said softly. Figuring that now is the time better than any other, Krad pulled Satoshi into his chest and breathed in Satoshi's scent. He smells of freshness (rain) and of beauty (warmth). Krad didn't want to move past Satoshi's personal space, but he just can't control himself as he unconsciously slipped his hand under Satoshi's shirt.

Satoshi doesn't know what to do. He felt inspired (for some reason) because of what Krad said. But because of what Krad did (hugging him and what not), Satoshi was flustered and he couldn't continue his train of thought. What's more, Satoshi felt Krad smelling his hair! And let's not forget the hand that was creeping lower and lower from Satoshi's back. When Satoshi was trying to ignore Krad's wandering hand, he became aware of the close proximity that they shared. Satoshi obviously blushed! He felt Krad's perfectly sculpted muscles and Krad's arms seem a lot stronger when they wrapped around Satoshi. Furthermore, Satoshi could also smell Krad.

"K-Krad? Can you st-stop?" Satoshi shivered as Krad's hand brushed against his rear. Krad stiffened and in the process, tightened his arms, making Satoshi blush some more. Red cheeks and light blue hair do not match, Satoshi learned. Satoshi fidgeted before giving up and used his hands and pushed Krad away. Shyly, Satoshi looked down.

"S-sorry." Satoshi mumbled out, terribly embarrassed. He was feeling extremely self-conscious right now and one touch would jolt him a lot. Which makes it reasonable for Satoshi to jump back when Krad lifted his hand to gently raise Satoshi's chin. Without removing his hand, Krad cooed and gently pulled Satoshi closer.

"D-don't." Satoshi whispered as his face moved closer to Krad's. Closer… closer… closer… Only an inch apart and Krad opened his mouth, his breath ghosting over Satoshi's lips. Their breaths mingled together, but Krad did not break the space. Yet.

"Just one kiss…" Krad murmured, looking into Satoshi's eyes to find either rejection or approval. He preferred the latter, truth be told. Waiting patiently, Krad listened to the silence for one second. Two. Three.

"Okay." This small word was muttered more silent than other words. So quiet, Krad wasn't even sure Satoshi said it, if not for the slight breath against his own lips. And thanks to that word, the space between their mouths broke and Krad's lips met Satoshi's, not eagerly or hungrily.

Softly, lilting, Krad's lips gently moved Satoshi's, coaxing him to respond. And tenderly, as if not sure what he's doing, Satoshi began to move his lips. And like the cliché stories, Krad opened his mouth and his tongue slid out before licking Satoshi's lower lip. Satoshi knew he had a choice if he wanted to have a French kiss with Krad or not. Guess what he chose. Satoshi delicately opened his mouth and Krad's tongue slowly entered the warm cavern, giving Satoshi a chance if he wanted to push Krad away. First, Krad's tongue glided over Satoshi's teeth, then the gums. After that, Krad's tongue gently pried Satoshi's teeth further apart and let tongue meet tongue. And tonsil hockey began.

The two were so involved with each other that they didn't notice it when the scenery around them began to change. The pale beige color of the hall bled away and blackness replaced it. And unhurriedly, the blackness disappeared as a night sky appeared with the garden. Familiar stars and the ever-beautiful moon greeted them back, twinkling. But Krad and Satoshi were sharing their first kiss together, which was very important (it needed ALL their attention).

They were back at their own time, in each other's arms, and fully visible. Kissing the other was incredible, Satoshi knew. But this was better than simply dreaming/fantasizing about it. And now that it's happening, Satoshi has one thought in mind.

'…If he's this good for kissing only, I wonder how good he'll be at (CENSORED. CENSORED. CENSORED.)…'

"Satoshi-sama! Where are you!" To-to's voice echoed from a way off, but Satoshi was still nervous enough to break off the kiss. With arms still entangled with Krad's, Satoshi gave the blond man an apologetic, meaningful look, which Krad responded with a resigned and understanding expression. Seeing Krad's nod, Satoshi broke free of the hold and ran off towards a random direction. Krad understood that Satoshi needed time. His past has just been changed and the horror of his life was nothing more than a nightmare now. But what was worse was that Satoshi knew that he was raped, and now it's not true anymore. This is more than just a nightmare. It was a reality once and now, people can just call Satoshi a filthy liar. Satoshi would never consider himself a virgin, but others would. Krad was looking at Satoshi's shadow when To-to approached him.

"Krad-san. Do you know where Satoshi-sama is?" To-to asked with a polite tone and a bow. Krad shook his head and To-to tried to keep her composure. Without looking at To-to, Krad already knew that To-to wanted to sigh, groan, and scream in frustration. He walked off, not knowing where to go now. Daisuke and Dark were still in the past, last he saw of them. And Satoshi just ran off to be by himself.

The drawing was beautiful, but the painting was simply breathtakingly ethereal. It was exactly how Dark saw Daisuke in the moonlight and Daisuke was doubtful that the subject was actually him. Daisuke made comments like "His skin looks a lot softer than mine," "I don't think my eyes are that pretty," and "He looks a lot more handsome than me."

"I'm not that attractive, Dark!" Daisuke mumbled embarrassed. Dark chuckled and if he were to speak right now, he'd say, "Yeah, sure. Whatever you say," in a not-so convincing way. Daisuke swatted Dark and he jumped up and ran a couple of steps away, mindful not to be too close to Dark if he wanted to swat Daisuke back.

"Whatever, let's go back. We still didn't make sure Sato is safe." Dark spoke with a silly grin. Daisuke nodded and they both took a step towards the house. For a second, everything froze. When they could move again, their step turned into a stumble and Dark wondered what happened.

There was a squeal and some shouts afterward. Then, on one of the upper levels of the mansion, a door burst open and pounding steps made its way across the large patio. Then another shout echoed through the garden.

"Satoshi-sama! It's dangerous over there! Come back! Your studies await you!" To-to's voice, young and unbridled annoyance clear in her tone spoke. Satoshi (if it was Satoshi) giggled and more pounding ensued.

"Your little seven year old weight won't be able to keep you on the floor if the winds pick up!" To-to jokingly said, trying to get Sato back. But what she said was a bit true. The end of the patio was extremely windy and it could blow something onto the patio or blow something off. But not something as heavy as Sato, To-to hoped.

"You're lying! Don't think I'm stupid!" Sato yelled, sticking his tongue out at To-to. "I'd only come if Daisuke-nii-chan comes!" Sato vaguely remembered the redhead. He comforted Sato and protected Sato from Hiwatari, even if it was only one time. Who knows what would have happened if Daisuke-nii-chan didn't save Sato. What Sato also remembers was that Daisuke-nii-chan ran away because he was hurt from Dark-nii-chan's words. Sato still doesn't know whether or not he should be angry at Dark-nii-chan. After their fight, Sato never saw the both of them again and was worried.

"Sato, please come back!" To-to yelled exasperated. "If you want, I can send some people to look for your Daisuke-nii-chan." She said, but in a lower tone, she continued, "But I doubt you'll find them. They never appeared for the last year." Dark and Daisuke heard their conversation and were puzzled. Did a year pass?

"Sure, and when you think I forgot, you'd tell them to stop." Satoshi yelled back sarcastically. Dark cringed at the obvious distaste in Sato's tone of voice, but if To-to's wince was any fact, Dark knew that she would do just what Sato said she would do.

"Sato-otouto-chan. Listen to To-to-san." Daisuke yelled up at them unexpectedly. Looks like he doesn't want to see how it turns out. Both the albino and the azure-haired boy jumped up. Sato leaned dangerously off the patio and strained his neck, trying to find his Daisuke-nii-chan. When his eyes landed on him, or both of them, Satoshi jumped again with a wide grin, disregarding To-to's squawk of worry and disbelief (her charge has a chance of falling off a mansion's patio, after all).

"Daisuke-nii-chan! Uh… Dark-nii-chan!" Satoshi's hesitation was somewhat silly and Daisuke had to laugh. Satoshi was unsure of himself for once? That was strange. It seems Dark noticed Satoshi's slight pause as well, if his teasing frown was to be trusted.

"I'm glad you didn't forget me!" Dark shouted at Satoshi, who blushed embarrassedly. To-to was forgotten at the doors leading inside. She frowned and went back inside, thinking that Dark and Daisuke would be there if Satoshi fell off. ('I don't think Hiwatari would appreciate it if his son were to suddenly… die. But what he doesn't know won't hurt him.')

"Of course I won't forget you guys, idiot!" Satoshi yelled back at Dark. He leaned out more and pretended to wave his hand threateningly. Daisuke laughed. He started walking forward to the mansion to meet up with Sato and Dark followed. What with Satoshi distracting them, they forgot about the canvas that was now laying innocently on the grass. Satoshi's eyes trailed after them and when they were getting closer to the mansion and harder to see, Satoshi leaned out some more. His weight tilted to the side and Satoshi's heart pumped faster in fear.

One second, Satoshi was holding the rails of the patio tightly. The next, Satoshi was flying… No. Satoshi was in the air, sinking, not flying. Satoshi was SINKING! Satoshi's heart pumped faster even more and now, with the knowledge that he was falling to his impending doom, Satoshi closed his eyes tightly and held himself, thinking he'd rather not bend his arms or legs in an unhealthy manner when he met the ground. Satoshi didn't know he was even screaming.

Dark didn't know what compelled him to run out of the mansion (to see the statues?) but he was glad he did. When he was in the garden entrance, he looked around and tried to find the source that made him want to come out. Being the kind of guy that he is, Dark didn't think about looking up into the sky until he heard the scream. Dark, like any other curious, nosy human being, looked up to see what was the commotion and saw a quickly dropping Satoshi aiming straight at Dark.

Dark held out his arms, preparing to save Satoshi (though in a tiny part of his mind, he doubted his ability to save anyone). He was clenching his teeth together to make sure he wouldn't bite his tongue if Satoshi hit him out of spite when he fell. Dark closed his eyes as well, hoping that Satoshi will fall into his arms and not onto the SOLID, AND HARD CONCRETE ground to become Sato pancakes.

When Satoshi fell into Dark's arms, the unexpected weight used gravity and pulled Dark down as well, but thanks to the fact that Dark was already connected to the floor, he'd only get a bruise on his rear end. The noise (which means the screaming) attracted attention and Daisuke came, strolling out of the mansion.

The moment Daisuke laid his eyes on the form of Dark on the floor with Satoshi in his arms, he knew something had happened. His brain quickly worked everything out and Daisuke figured out that Satoshi fell off the patio and Dark saved him. Sighing in relief, Daisuke sprinted over to Dark and gently pulled Dark into a sitting position. Daisuke fussed over Dark and Dark gave a self-satisfied grin, while Satoshi had fainted from sheer fright.

"Dark Mousy is now a hero. How do you like me now?" Dark muttered, laughing at his own joke. Then his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he blacked out.

A/N: If anyone has any ideas for what Dark's artist skills can do, please tell me. If not, I'll try to make a way for him to help out more. Oh, and did anyone notice the patterns in the chapter titles yet? The first letters spell T-A-R-O-T C-A-R-D-S, and then it starts to repeat T-A-R-O-T. And this chapter is OOC a lot.