January 14, 2009

James turned to me this evening. "Today's my last day as a human."

"And I should care why?" I asked.

"Because I'm worried about you," James said.

"Why?" I asked.

"That kid…Daisuke…it seems suspicious, don't you think, how he's gone every other night?"

"No," I replied, annoyed. "He's hanging out with Dark. They're like best friends."

"Why haven't I met Dark?" James asked.

"Because I didn't think to introduce you," I replied.

"If you really think he's not up to anything suspicious, follow him," replied James.

"What?!" I exclaimed. "He'd never trust me again!"

"He never said you shouldn't go, right?" James said. "So let's follow him."

I sighed. "Fine. But you stay away from him."

James nodded.

Later when Daisuke had left with my brother (my brother drives him wherever he goes), I got in my car and followed him. The car stopped at the museum. I parked a bit far off and I followed them into the museum.

I didn't see Daisuke, but Dark was there. So were lots of cops. Everywhere.

I somehow got in the museum. All the lights were off. I finally figured it out. Dark was an art thief, so he must be stealing something.

I walked down a hallway, and then looked in a room. All the displays were in glass cases. I reached out and touched one. Someone caught my hand.

"What are you doing here?" Satoshi said.

I turned. "Satoshi?!"

"Well as long as you're here, go stand in that doorway," he said.

"What? Why?" I asked.

"I want…to find Dark," replied Satoshi.

"How do you know Dark?" I asked. "I thought he was Daisuke's friend. And how would me standing in the doorway help you find Dark?"

"Just trust me," he replied. "You came here to see Dark, didn't you? I know for a fact he's coming through that door."

"Okay, then," I said, and went to the doorway.

Dark stepped in within a few minutes. "What the heck are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see the museum at night," I replied.

"Well stay back," he said. "I don't want you getting hurt."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"Dark," Satoshi said. "What you're looking for isn't here."

"What did you do with the Heart's Desire Necklace, Hiwatari?" Dark asked angrily.

"I don't have it," Satoshi replied.

"Then where did you put it?" Dark asked. "I know you know where it is."

"Nothing will make me tell you," replied Satoshi. He smiled a little bit. Suddenly his smile turned into a grimace of pain. He went down, clutching his chest.

"What the…? What's going on?" I yelled. "Dark, do something! Help him!"

"Run," Dark said.

"Excuse me?" I replied.

"Get out of here now!" Dark yelled.

I looked at Satoshi, and went over to him. "Are you okay?"

"Get…away!" Satoshi yelled. White wings shot out of his back. One of his wings hit me and I flew backwards against one of the displays. I was covered in white feathers. There was a flash of white light, and once I could see again, Krad was there. Satoshi…was Krad. They were the same person.

"RUN!" Dark yelled at me again.

I complied and ran down the hallway, and all the way back to my car.

When I got home, I was ambushed by James.

"What happened?" he asked.

"I found Dark," I said. "But Daisuke was gone…hmm…if Krad is Satoshi…could Dark be…"

"Well, I don't know what you're talking about," James replied. "But goodbye. At midnight I'm switching back to ghost form."

"Okay, goodbye then," I said, then remembered something. "Oh no! What if something happens to Dark? I didn't even stay to help!"

The front door banged open. My brother stepped in, carrying Daisuke.

"Oh my…this is all my fault!" I exclaimed.

"No it's not," Rob said. "We were in a little accident."

I narrowed my eyes. "Was Krad involved?"

"It was a car accident," Rob replied.

"Then why isn't he in the hospital?" I replied. "He needs medical attention!"

"Shut up! If his mom finds out he's been hurt, do you think he'll be allowed to stay?"

Rob carried Daisuke to Daisuke's bedroom and laid him down.

"He'll be fine, he just needs rest," Rob said, and left the room.

I looked at Daisuke. "You must have gotten hurt by Krad. I…I'm so sorry."

I collapsed and sobbed into his chest. He stirred, and put his hand on the back of my head and stroked my hair.

"Are you all right?" he asked softly.

"Me?" I lifted my head. "What about you? You're the one who was hurt."

"I'm okay," he said. "Don't cry. Why did you follow us to the museum? You could've been hurt."

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to know where you were going," I said. "I would've asked, but James made me all suspicious. Um…I was wondering. Is there anyway that…you could be Dark?"

"What?!" Daisuke was shocked at my question. "I…um…if I was, what would you do?"

"I would…be hurt that you never told me. But you're not…right?" I replied.

"I'm not…I'm…" he was struggling with his answer.

Rob burst in. "Mom wants you, Kuri-san."

"Ah…fine," I got up.

I went to bed after talking to my mom. What is the answer to my question?January 15, 2009

It was the night of our date. Daisuke blindfolded me and led me out of my room.

"What are you doing?" I asked. "Am I ever going to get answers about yesterday?"

He spun me, ignoring my question. Then he led me in some unknown direction. "This way."

"Daisuke, don't we have a date tonight?" I asked.

"Sit down," Daisuke said.

I sat. "Can I look now?" I reached up to undo the bandanna, but Daisuke caught my hand.

"No…let me do it," he said, and removed the bandanna.

I looked around, eyes adjusting to the dim light of the candles. I was sitting at a little table set for two, with red roses as the centerpiece, and candles on either side.

"Daisuke…" I breathed out softly. "Did you…do all this?"

"Yes," he replied, and sat down across from me.

"It's beautiful," I said. "But you know…we…we could've gone out. Why did you want to stay at the house?"

"I want to tell you something," he replied, looking down. "And I don't want anyone else to hear it."

"Well then…" I said. "Tell me."

"The thing is…" Daisuke said. "I lied to you. Last night when you asked if I was Dark…"

I stared at him. "What? Are you serious? But you're so different."

"We're two different people, in the same body…"

I stood. "So Dark is your alter-ego, then…forever?"

"No…until…the girl I love loves me back…knowing my secret."

"And then what happens? To Dark, I mean."

Daisuke looked down. "He goes away…forever."

I sat down. I was surprised to find that I was crying. I was crying for Dark.

Daisuke was at my side in an instant. "Why are you crying?"

"It's not fair," I said softly. "Having to live off of someone else…it doesn't seem fair…"

I got up and went to my room.

Later that night, I sensed someone watching me, while I was sleeping.

My eyes flew open, and I saw Dark standing there.

"W-What are you doing there?" I sat up. "I thought Daisuke said you'd be gone forever."

"That's only if you accept me and Daisuke," Dark replied. "You know, I don't get you. Why do you…have compassion for me? No one ever has…"

"Dark…I wish, more than anything, that I could give you your own life," I whispered, and then I kissed him.

I felt a tugging at my neck.

The necklace Satoshi gave me, I thought.

I fell to the ground.

There was a flash of red light, coming from the necklace.

"What are you—" Dark began, but then he was consumed in the light, and it shone brighter and brighter until I had to look away.

When I looked back, Daisuke was there, and…Dark was there as well.

"What's going on?" Dark asked. "I have my own body? You…had the Heart's Desire Necklace?"

I nodded. "I just wanted you to have your own life. Not to have to follow a destiny. Make your own destiny."

"I can't believe…you used your wish on me."

"Just live your life well," I said, feeling my eyes close.

Daisuke caught me. "What's wrong with her?"

"The…necklace works the same way our magic did," Dark replied, kneeling over her, and touching her face.

"What are you doing?" Daisuke asked. "She's still my girlfriend."

"Right…but she didn't make her choice, now did she?" Dark replied, smirking. "She's even more beautiful sleeping, isn't she?"

"Stop that!" Daisuke exclaimed, picking me up and putting me in bed.

"Both of you SHUT UP!" I yelled. "You don't know how freaking tired I am!"

They both looked at each other, and started bickering in whisper-voice as they left the room.