Chapter 1 - Dead to Memories

A chill wind blew across the school lawn. Autumn leaves fluttered to the ground, their colors warm and bright. The sounds of chattering students filled the air.

Among the students was Daisuke Niwa. He appeared to be a normal fourteen-year-old boy. But looks can be deceiving.

For within the boy of red hair and fire eyes was the spirit of another. The legend: Phantom Thief Dark.

Watching the school Arts & Crafts comittee working on the school float, Daisuke was unaware of the Phantom Thief's thoughts as Dark watched her through the young boy's eyes.

Dead to memories of loves of past . . .

No. Dark abruptly squashed the memory. I will not let that stupid prophecy make my future for me. It isn't true. I can't believe everything I hear. They were just words. . . . Only words.

But he knew better.

Daisuke, sensing Dark's uneasiness, became puzzled. Dark was never uneasy. He was the "famous Phantom Thief" wasn't he?

'Dark, are you okay?' the redhead asked.

There were a few moments of silence before the Thief answered.

. . . I'm fine.

'Are you sure?'

Don't worry about it.

Daisuke decided to let the subject drop, but concern washed over him.

What was wrong with Dark? He had been almost completely quiet for a whole month. It wasn't natural. Ever since Dark's first encounter with Riku, he had retreated into a cocoon of silence.

Wait. That was it.

Dark, does it have to do with Riku?

. . . It's nothing Daisuke. Don't worry about it.

Daisuke sighed. He didn't want to have to worry about this, but he didn't want his other half to feel miscontent either.

"Daisuke, are you alright?"

The fourteen-year-old boy jerked into alertness.

"What? Oh, Risa. I'm fine."

Daisuke's heart skipped a beat as he gazed at the girl before him. She was about his height, though at times she seemed to be a few centimeters taller than him. Her long brown hair reached a few inches past her shoulders, and her brown eyes shown with amusement.

"Are you sure? You haven't answered me in the last ten minutes I was talking to you."

"I'm sorry, Risa. I was thinking . . ."

Risa gave a slight pout, but only nodded. "That's alright, Daisuke."

"Risa! Get your butt back here! Just because you're talking to Niwa doesn't mean you get to get out of your share of the work!"

Turning to the voice, Risa frowned. "I wasn't trying to get out of my work!"

"Uh-huh. Sure," her sister retorted.

Daisuke had to laugh. Risa and her twin sister, Riku, were polar opposites.

Riku, unlike Risa, was a tomboy. She despised Risa's girly ways and kept her hair short, her hair constantly curling around her chin. She refused to wear skirts - or any piece of clothing that was close to resembling the prep Risa was. Riku had a fiery personality, and if you even thought about calling her girly, she would know. Then all hell broke loose.

"Well anyway," Risa said, again speaking to Daisuke. "Do you want to help us? We're making the float for the fall parade. It's going to be gorgeous!"

"Ummm . . . Okay," he replied, unable to refuse her.

"Yay! Let's go!"

Dark chuckled a bit at her enthusiasm. She was so . . . ditzy sometimes. She always had been.

"Daisuke, you're helping us, too?"

Daisuke turned to Riku Harada. "Yes, I am. Is that okay?"

A smile lit her face. "Of course!"

Seeing the wide grin on the girl's face, Dark sighed. Why did she have to love him?

Can't you remember me? Anything at all? What does he have that I don't? Will nothing help you remember?

Or will you hate me forever and leave me all alone?

Thanks to all the people who read the poem already! And also, thanks for telling me that the poem was like Ice and Snow. I didn't realize it until I read Vol. 3 (I think) again.

And I'll try to write again soon. Until, then, bye!