While I Was Away

Disclaimer: Me no ownie DNAngel!

Naru-chan: I don't understand why you guys said it took forever for me to update when I didn't update only to make it longer! T.T

Dark: ::nod nod::

Naru-chan: And I had typos in the last chapter because I had to type on a crappy typewriter.

Dark: ::nod nod::

Naru-chan: DEMO! I still updated!

Dark: You know, this lady here has a life too!

Naru-chan: Haiiii! With tests and homework! I even have a job! So don't be so harsh next time, please! Hahahahaha! XD

Daisuke: Onegai! )

Naru-chan: Anyway, thanks for those who reviewed!!!! I appreciate it!

Chapter 4: His Confession

"Daisuke, are you ready?" Risa asked.

They were both back in school and in their usual school uniforms. Class was no longer class, as graduation drew closer. Everyone was always talking or fooling around. Satoshi and Riku were the only two absent, so Risa and Daisuke had some time to spend together.

"Eh?" Daisuke blinked, looking up from his sushi. "Ready for what?"

"Graduation, dummy!" Risa laughed.

Her heart felt so much more uplifted lately. Riku was going to France, but they had made up...sort of. She and Satoshi were doing great. They even went on a date! Her very first date... And she and Daisuke were getting closer. Not that way...of course. But they were getting closer.

"Oh, "Daisuke laughed. "Yeah, couldn't be readier!"

He was lying. He didn't want to leave Azumono middle school...not just yet. Everywhere he went, he was reminded of some place, some time. His heart swelled wherever he went. He remembered the time he tried confessing his love to Risa, but she took it the wrong way and thought he hated her. He remembered when he first really spoke to Riku. He remembered when he became close friends with Satoshi... But what did it mean to "remember"...? He didn't know anymore. He never thought of these things before.

Also, with Satoshi and Riku gone, he spent a lot more time with Risa. Finally, it seemed. Yet he constantly thought only of Riku, not her twin. Satoshi was also on his mind. Had he really forgiven him for what happened during the trip? But then, more importantly to Daisuke, what did Riku think?

Riku...she hadn't shown up for school for a while. Risa said it was because she was so busy packing and getting ready; she didn't have time for the few days before graduation. She hadn't even shown up for their final dance! Daisuke knew. He had searched the place ten times that night!

"What's wrong?" Risa asked, watching him closely. He face had suddenly changed into a sad look before it turned painful. He then let out a loud sigh, which would have given anyone a clue that he was melancholy.

"Ah!" Daisuke looked up at Risa and felt his face flush. He wasn't willing to share his thoughts. He glanced away and tried to smile. "Ah...nothing really."

Risa frowned, but said nothing. There had been other times like this: when Daisuke would looks sad but shut himself up inside. But then...she did it all the time.

"Oh yes, do you have that book you wanted to show me?" she asked brightly.

"Oh yeah!" Daisuke blushed. He quickly brought out the book and handed it to her. She smiled and took it from him, but first their hands brushed.

"Ah!" Daisuke immediately took his hand away. He blinked. His heart...it wasn't beating fast anymore. Why? This should be a great chance for him to get close to Risa, but... He stole a glance at her. But she was going out with Satoshi... How could he ever compare to that?

Risa put the book away and then found her staring at Daisuke. He had such a mature look on his face... She recalled that she used to see him this way. When he looked like this, he looked...very handsome. She, realizing what she had just thought, hastily looked away. The thought that had dwelled on her mind since Daisuke started looking at Riku rolled into her mind. What was so great...about being friends?

Daisuke looked up at the sky. He had forebodings in his heart, but he stamped them down into the deepest part of his mind. Somehow his thoughts ended up back at graduation. He dejectedly whispered, "I just can't...wait for graduation."

(Scene Change)

Riku wasn't sick. She felt fine. But she had insisted on staying home, claiming she needed to pack. It wasn't a lie. She did need to pack. She had things to do as well. She wasn't trying to avoid school. Really, she wasn't. She let out a sigh. She was avoiding Daisuke.

She sat at her window, breathing in the old, familiar scents in her room. She placed her hand against the glass. White birds flew around her house. She felt like a caged bird. She needed to escape, but desperately wanted to stay with what she was used to.

Her eyes drooped. She had not been getting much sleep lately. It wasn't that new to her. Sometimes she used to lay awake in her bed-just lying there. She would listen as her room was filled with the songs from her CDs. She would muse about Daisuke. He wasn't so bad, now that she thought back to it. He caused her pain and torment, but he was also a source of happiness for her. Just watching him gave her joy, but in a rather anguish way.

Risa also gave her that feeling. Staring into the eyes of one that looks exactly like you, who you love, but who you hate, would give you such a feeling, Riku believed. Riku laughed sadly, since she barely understood what she meant. She couldn't concentrate on anything.

Daisuke...or France? Riku slowly stood up and pulled on a lever, making her window open. She stepped outside, taking her time. She watched the birds fly around her. She would be flying soon as well. Wind blew in her face and she took a moment to close her eyes and listen to her breathing and the crying the birds. They seemed to make a woeful, harsh sound. Daisuke or France? Riku had known before she had left her room what she would pick.

She turned and entered her room. She stood motionless for a moment. Then she walked to her bed and laid on top of it. She had a building headache. She was so tired...

(Scene Change)

The phone rang loudly and constantly. Whoever was calling refused to give up. Satoshi finally grudgingly picked up the phone, but didn't say anything.

"Moshi moshi?" Risa asked into the phone. "Moshi moshi?!"

"...Risa...you're too loud," he muttered, holding the phone a foot away from his ear.

"SATOSHI CAN YOU HEAR ME?"

"I can hear you just fine," he growled.

"Oh good, I was so worried for a second," Risa laughed.

Satoshi felt like just hanging up and going back to sleep, but he had a feeling that Risa would immediately call him back anyway. So he sighed and asked, "What is it?"

"Do you feel any better?"

"Not really now that you've awakened me..."

"Ha ha, I'm sorry. But I was just so worried, is all..." she laughed slightly.

Satoshi felt the anger fade away. "No, it's okay. I'm fine. Really. I'll be better soon."

"Are you sure? Don't push yourself!" Risa said, alarmed that Satoshi might force himself to try to get better.

"Don't worry," Satoshi felt his lips curve upward. "I'm fine. Really, it's nothing, just a flu."

"You're eating well, right?"

"Yes," he lied. It wasn't really a lie since he was eating better than usual, but... "I'm eating fine."

"Thank goodness," Risa sighed happily.

Satoshi felt his eyes close. Risa continued on talking about random things and school. He just listened. Hearing her voice over the phone made him feel odd.

He liked Risa. He really did. She made him feel warm inside. But that was all. He couldn't pinpoint anything they had in common. She was always so happy and go-lucky, but he- he was definitely not. Somehow he felt that he would be closer to Riku if he tried to be. She seemed...no offense to Risa, but deeper.

(Scene Change)

"Daisuke, stop moving already!" Emiko cried.

"I can't help it," Daisuke explained, whimpering. "I don't graduate everyday, Mom!"

He stood there in his blue gown, fidgeting as his Emiko tried to put his white tie on for him. His face was flushed with anticipation. Riku still hadn't been attending school, but surely she's show up today! Just with that thought, he felt himself smile widely and blush. He couldn't wait.

"Wow, Daisuke sure looks happy," his grandpa laughed.

Kosuke smiled.

Daisuke's heart was as light as air. Today...would surely be a day to remember!

(Scene Change)

"Is Riku ready?" Risa asked their guardian, their butler. She stood in front of him in her own blue gown. Her brown hair was tied up in a bun with a white ribbon. She would have gone to ask Riku herself, but they hadn't really spoken since they came back from the trip.

"Ah...she's not ready yet, but told me to bring you there first and then come back for her," he answered.

Risa frowned. "Are you sure? Why isn't she ready yet?"

"She said not to worry. Come now, we must respect her wishes. Already you two are growing up so fast..." he smiled.

Risa blushed. "I guess we should be going. Even if Riku is late, I don't want to be."

The man smiled. "Hai."

(Scene Change)

Riku watched as the car drove off. She wore a black shirt and a long, velvet skirt that had many random things attached onto it that didn't really do anything particularly attached to it. On her head was a black French-like hat. She folded her hands in her lap. Now all she could do was wait for their guardian to come back. Then...she could do nothing but muse over the past...

(Scene Change)

"Risa!" Daisuke cried out happily as he rushed toward her. He glanced around early, looking for a certain caramel head. Much to his disappointment, he didn't find one over the many people that surrounded them.

"Daisuke!" she smiled, as her face lit up at the site of him. "Isn't this exciting?!"

Daisuke nodded and laughed slightly. "Hey, Risa, where's your sister?"

"...Riku?" Risa said slowly, glancing away, in a dejected way. She felt anger kindle in her heart. "I don't know!"

"What?" Daisuke uttered incredulously.

"Ms. Paris is too haughty to come with me. She insisted on coming later," Risa growled.

Daisuke didn't catch her tone of voice, but felt palpitations. Why was his heart beating so fast? Why did he feel anguish in his heart, as if acid had just been poured there? The forebodings came back. When would he get to see Riku? And why...did he wonder if he actually would?

Daisuke was left to his own thoughts as Risa turned away. Risa felt almost as Daisuke did. She needed to look for Satoshi. Yes! Satoshi! He would make the pain go away. She stopped moving though. Her feet refused to move. She felt tears burn her eyes, but she could do nothing about it.

Satoshi stood at the door in front of Risa, but a wall blocked her view of him. He had been watching. He let out a sigh. His head hurt... He closed his eyes, and tried to forget his surroundings...his life...Risa.

(Scene Change)

"Miss, are you sure about this?" the guardian asked sadly. They were in the car, on the way to the airport.

Riku mustered up a smile and looked out the window at the rushing cars. "Hai."

"You don't need to go this soon," he pointed out.

"I know," she answered, her face still not toward him. Everything seemed to be a blur, and before they knew it, they were there.

He smiled and sighed; turning to the child he watched grow up. "I see. I suppose there's nothing left I can do?"

She hugged him. Then she handed him a letter. "Onegai...please give this to Risa. And tell her...I'm sorry."

Before he could answer, she was out the door. She took out the suitcases from the back seats, and said goodbye one last time before entering the airport.

There was a sterol smell in the place, with people running here and there, getting ready to travel. Everywhere was sparkling white. Riku, tired of thinking, sat down for a second. She glanced at her watch. She had an hour and a half before her plane lifted off. She quickly lifted herself out of the seat since she still had to put her suitcases onto the plane.

'Yes', she thought as she got in line. 'I have things to do.'

(Scene Change)

Daisuke looked around in a panicky way. The ceremony had already started and Riku still had not arrived! She wasn't sitting next to Risa...she wasn't anywhere! But he couldn't really just move during the middle of this to find her, could he? He jumped in his seat as the principal announced the first person to come up.

His heart pounded against his chest painfully as one by one the people crossed the stage and got their diploma. He glanced around anxiously, but still no sign on Riku. Where was she?!

"Harada-"

She was next! She was next!

"-Risa."

Daisuke sat there dumbfounded. What? Where was Riku? Riku is before Risa. R-I-K-U is before R-I-S-A because of the "K" of course! So then-?

"Niwa, Daisuke."

He jumped again. He scurried to get on stage, tripping once. He was very flustered by then time he got back to his seat. He looked down at his diploma, but felt nothing. All he could think about was Riku, and why this felt so odd.

The ceremony was over and people were leaving. Daisuke hastily found Risa.

"Risa! Risa!" he cried, grabbing her shoulder. "Where's Riku?"

"...Riku's not here," she answered slowly with slight pain in her voice.

"Where is she?" Daisuke nearly burst out shouting.

"She's...at the airport."

"What?!"

"Today she's going to France."

"Where's the airport?!" Daisuke exclaimed.

Risa slowly gave him the directions and watched him run off. She stared after him sadly. She ran up her guardian.

"Can you please take me to the airport! We might be able to make it! Please!" she begged.

He nodded seriously. "Of course."

(Scene Change)

He didn't think. He grabbed someone's bike screaming that he'd return it as soon as possible. He pedaled as hard as he could. He had to get there! He had to get there! Riku...All he could think of was Riku!

What matters is...Riku! Nothing else matters!

He was there, and he dropped the bike down with a loud "CLANK" sound, but he didn't care. What he cared about was...

"Riku!" he cried, running around. He faintly heard someone on a speaker say that the flight for France was leaving and that anyone who was to take the flight should hurry to gate 23. Gate 23! He had to get there!

Sweat rolled down his face. He blinked when he saw a girl in black with brown hair walking to gate 23 in front of him. Not thinking, he grabbed her hand.

"Riku!" he panted.

She jumped.

"Riku! Don't go! Please don't go! I need to tell you...I need to tell you that...that I love you!" he blushed. "When I'm with you I think... 'Yeah, this is right. This feels right.' I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner! But I really do love you! So...please...don't go..."

She slowly turned around and said in a choking voice, "Gomen."

Daisuke's eyes widened.

"Gomen ne...I'm not Riku," Risa smiled with a painful look on her face, as tears traced down her cheeks.

"Risa...!" Daisuke whispered. "Ja...(then...)" he uttered, turning his head slightly.

Just at that moment, the plane lifted off. Daisuke watched in what seemed like a sickly slow motion as the plane which Riku was in flew off, right in front of him, as there was a huge window to show it. It was almost as if he saw Riku herself fly away from him.
The sun glared into his eyes. How funny...that it was sunny when his heart broke.

"Riku!" he heard someone shout, not realizing it was his. "RIKU! RIKKKKUUUUU!!!!"

(Scene Change)

"So this is where it is," Riku let out a sigh. After ten hours on the plane, thinking non-stop of Daisuke, she was extremely tired. She hadn't managed to sleep a single wink. Now she stood in front of her new apartment door. Gold numbers stating "303" gleamed cheerfully at her. She inserted her shiny gold key into the door with a grin. This was her new home! The place where she'd be for four years! This was...she thought as she opened the door, her future!

"Uh..."

"Uh..."

Riku found herself staring at a man...with red eyes, remarkably like...someone she knew. He had dark, purple hair. He was totally handsome and totally... naked. Nearly. He stood in front of her in nothing but a small white towel and water dripping down his sleek, well-muscled body. He stared at her through his red eyes with equal shock.

Riku took a deep breath.

"PERRRRRRRRRRRRRVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRTTTTTTTTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Naru-chan: You like? You like?

Dark: Ha! I appeared! HAHAHAHA! ::looks smug::

Satoshi: ...Baka.

Dark: WHAT WAS THAT?! ::vein pops::

Daisuke: Mai, mai... ::Sweatdrops::

Naru-chan: This chapter's shorter than the last by a lot, but I needed to update, since you guys told me to do it sooner! So please review!