A/N: I'm becoming a very serious writer. So posting things up so casually, chapter-by-chapter, no longer feels very comfortable for me. So I thought of posting the warning of "ROUGH DRAFT" up on top.

I would love constructive criticism. I'm so very invested in this fic that I can no longer tell what it looks like from the outside. So I need help. Please comment. Without comments, I have no more reason to keep posting. So, yeah.

Also, at the posting of this chapter, I'm so close to the climax of the whole anime. But I haven't finished it quite yet. My fingers were itching to write.

"Keiko-kun!"

"Yeah, Keiko-kun! She could do it!"

Faith blinked and looked up from her canvas at the sound of her given name. Even though part of the point of Art Club was socializing, she had been too intent on drawing out the geisha she intended to paint to hear the current conversation. Again.

"Won't you paint it, Keiko-kun?" Harada Risa was asking her from her stool by her left arm.

"Paint what?"

"The new mural," Adachi-sensei replied patiently. He stepped up to her and she turned her attention to him. "I was just talking about how we needed volunteers to design and paint a new mural on that wall by the entrance of the school. Something to show visitors how great a school this is. Interested?"

She bit her lip as she thought. A mural like that was a big job. And she really needed to start focusing on other, more pressing matters in the upcoming weeks. But...

"Sure," she said with a grin. "Sounds great!"

"Yay!" Risa cheered. "Oh, thank you, Keiko-kun! I knew we could rely on you!" She reached over and hugged her friend. "And I'll be your faithful helper! I'll help you draw the base and bring you paints and-"

Faith laughed at her. "You don't know the first thing about painting on a canvas," she said, "let alone a mural on a wall. You're just interested in impressing your boyfriend."

"Shhh!" Risa urged, covering her friend's mouth. "Don't say his name!" she whispered, although everyone else had already shifted their attentions elsewhere.

Faith laughed again as she pulled away. "I wasn't gonna," she said lightly.

"Good," Risa said as the practiced painter returned her attention to her work. "And it's not just to impress him," she went on. "I really want to help you. You know, paintings so beautiful I just..."

Faith tuned the girl out as her thoughts began to wander. She, Daisuke, and the Harada girls were already 16 years old. In spite of the short length of time, however, the demon Nadil's power was growing. It wouldn't be long at all before he was ready to strike.

But Daisuke and Dark were nowhere near ready. She hadn't even been able to confront them yet. They knew nothing.

She couldn't keep stalling. She had to say something. Soon.

"Who is that?"

Daisuke's voice broke through her thoughts. "Who's who?" she asked, looking around.

"On your canvas," he replied, gesturing to it. "Is it your mom?"

Faith turned her gaze back to her canvas with a puzzled look. The image of the geisha holding a lily had morphed into that of a woman cradling her baby. She knew the woman well; she looked much like her. The baby looked just like...

"No," she said softly, grinning. "No, it's not my mom. She's just some woman I had in my head."

"Oh," he said lightly. "Well, she's certainly beautiful."

"Well, I'm headed out," Adachi-sensei announced. "The weather report says there's a storm coming, so you should all think about heading home soon, too." The room of students agreed with their teacher and bid him goodbye before packing up their own things. Faith kept her blush hidden behind her brown hair as she followed suit.

It was just her and Daisuke left when a jolt of electricity shot through her system. She dropped her bag and grabbed at her heart as it sped.

"Hiro-kun!" When she could breathe again, she found herself on the floor. Daisuke was supporting her into a sitting position as her things were strewn about them. They must have slipped out of her bag when she dropped it. When did she drop it? When did she fall?

"I'm OK, Niwa," she assured him, her voice weak. "It was just this stupid heart."

"Again?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. When she didn't respond, he went on. "It's been happening more and more lately."

Because Nadil's strength keeps building, she thought. But of course she couldn't say that. Not while he still didn't know anything about that. "It was worse when I was little," she said, pushing away from him and gathering her things. "I'm fine."

Daisuke frowned. Her lie was obvious. But she knew he wouldn't press. Instead, he helped her with her things.

"Maybe Riku and I should walk you home," he suggested.

She shook her head. She had to go spy on Nadil tonight. Storms were a great way for him to gather strength. Maybe she could interfere with that. "I'll be OK," she said with a grin. "You and Riku have a date at that nice restaurant, right? She told me about it. You guys can't be late."

With her bag snapped shut, she went to stand.

And slipped.

Daisuke caught her again and helped her up, taking her bag.

"Hiro-kun, I really think-"

"Daisuke?" Riku peeked into the art room, spotting her boyfriend trying to keep her lightheaded-looking friend on her feet. "Keiko-kun?" she asked, her voice instantly turning from curiosity to concern. She rushed in. "Are you OK?"

Faith laughed. "I'm fine," she said. She pushed Daisuke away. "Just a stumble." She held her hand out for her bag. After a moment, Daisuke frowned and reached it out to her.

But Riku snatched it from him before Faith could take it.

"Your father asked me to look out for you," she scolded the artist. "Look at you! You're not even yelling at me right now. You always yell at us when we try to help you! Something's wrong!"

Faith sighed and rubbed her temples. "You don't understand, I-"

"I've got your bag. Daisuke will help you when you fall. Let's go." With that, Riku turned on her heel and headed out.

Faith and Daisuke watched her go for a moment. "I think I'm starting to rub off on her," she murmured. The two shared a laugh.

"Stop joking and start walking!" Riku called back to them. Faith snorted before turning her attention back to her feet. She lifted one foot up and-

Faith.

This time, her heart stopped. This time, her school books didn't fall all over the floor. This time, Daisuke caught her before her head made contact with the tiles.

"Hiro-kun," he said softly, helping her stand. She didn't hear him.

That was his voice. She'd recognize it anywhere. Especially when he was saying her name.

This was not good. He knew. He knew she was here. He knew she was watching him. Oh, dear God, what else did he know?