A/n: All of a sudden I really got into the mood to continue this. I'm trying to tell two stories at once: how they started and what's going on now. I know Dark's in character, but Riku seems kind of weak. She will develop more into herself as the story continues and her back story plays out.

Disclaimer: I do not own DNAngel.

Little Devotional

Dark's deep amethyst eyes sneered in irritation as he watched the new couple lounge beneath the shade of a towering tree. He could feel traces of a headache coming on as he watched them flirt and smile. He hated everything about that red haired fuzz head. The way he grinned, the way he blushed, and the way he stumbled over his own words. He especially hated the way Riku was just eating it up.

She would laugh and run her fingers across the top of his hand as poor Daisuke struggled to make conversation. Who did that spiky headed kid think he was, trying to snag his girl? Not that anyone officially knew that he and Riku had been seeing each other. Dark was not particularly fond of sharing his late night escapades with others and he would never damage Riku's reputation that way. Riku was his own little secret, and the best secret kept secret at that.

Sure, their relationship was strictly pleasure related, but Riku rarely expressed any discontent. She often mentioned breaking it off, but it never lasted long. No never really meant "no" went it came to Riku with Dark. She was so strong against everything else, and Dark was pretty proud of his Achilles' Heel status. She would claim that she never wanted to see him again, but never turned him away from her window. Riku never asked for more than what Dark expressed he was willing to give. Some where in her eyes, he could see that she wanted more. It was clear that she loved him, and he took advantage of that.

But why break things off now? Because of this loser? Dark was not willing to give up things until he was through with them. Riku was still very much his, and no fool was going to steal her away. Dark was the king of thieves when it came to matters of the heart, and there was no way he was going to lose to an amateur.

Dark vividly remembered the first time he set his sights on Riku six months ago. She and her twin sister, Risa, had just transferred to Azumano. Everyone was quick to fawn over the longer haired Risa, but it was Riku that Dark took interest in. She was fiery, overprotective and deflected every single charm Dark through her way. Where most girls fell over themselves at the sound of his voice, Riku rose to challenge his words. She warned her sister to stay away from him, but it was Riku herself that eventually fell head-over-hills (though she would never admit it ). Dark just merely had to wait for the opportune moment and play his cards right...

"Well, well Princess fancying seeing you here," Dark smiled coyly as propped himself against the door frame.

There she was, a shivering silhouette against the silver luminosity of the moon. She bit her nails as tears streamed down the surface of her cheeks. Her eyes tore from the open window, back to the curious young man.

"Why are you in my room?" he continued, seemingly immune to her tears.

"Do you remember when you asked me why I couldn't trust you?" she whispered between sobs.

"Yeah," he pushed himself from the door frame.

"So what?" he took several cautious steps in her direction.

" I just knew that she would do this to me," she felt her back slide down the cool surface of the wall as she slumped unto the floor.

"It's not like she knew, Riku," Dark sighed. Why did women have to be so emotional? "You can't blame her for this. You never voiced your feelings."

"It's not the first time she's taken something I care about away from me," she dug her nails into the soft interior of his carpet. "Last time she did it on purpose."

"So she's stolen boys from you before?" Dark could see his opening. She was breaking down in front of him. It was just a matter of time before he got what he wanted.

"Not just boys," she sniffed against the fabric of her shirt sleeve, "someone I loved."

Dark was aware of Riku's feelings for Satoshi. He had been studying her long enough to recognize the love sick looks she threw his way. Satoshi, under miraculous circumstances, had fallen for his complete opposite, Risa. Dark never expected Riku to get this upset. It was the first emotion she had revealed to him other than blind anger.

But why would she come to him like this? Why show up in his room in the middle of the night? He had been pursuing Riku for two months, following her every step. Sure, she was annoyed with his unyielding presence, but just maybe she found friendship in his pursuit. Could have all the time spent by her side earned him her trust?

"What does that have to do with me?" he crouched to her level. His wine colored eyes inches from hers.

"Because I couldn't stand to see her destroy something else," her glossy, brown orbs refused to meet him.

"So you do care about me?" he smirked. "You just didn't want anyone to know it."

'How did I not see that?', he thought.

"Well?" he pressed her for an answer.

"I-" Riku's breath halted in her throat as Dark's lips warmly over lapped hers.

The tears flowing from her eyes ceased as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. Leaning in, Dark pushed Riku's back to the wall. His hands tangled themselves in her mahogany colored tresses, as his tongue explored her inviting mouth.

She tasted warm and sweet, like a small swirl of honey in a steaming mug of milk. Being this close to her, smelling her ambrosial scent. Her fragrance was natural, like the delicate fusion of flesh and soap. Not camouflaged by perfume or cosmetics, Riku was bare and beautiful before him. No woman had ever captivated him this way. No woman he had ever touch was this real.

Her form shifted carefully beneath him as he moved to stretch her out unto the floor. His hands cupping her round face, he perched himself above her. His lips hungrily devoured hers. His teeth pulled faintly at her bottom lip and she complied by grinding her hips into his.

Dark took this as the "go" signal, and trailed his kisses down along her neck, while his hands explored the more pronounced curves of her body. Riku's breath was hot against his hair as her hands tugged against his shirt. Dark grinned and slipped out of the garment.

"Are you sure this is something you want to do?" he asked, sliding his hands from her breast to her waist.

Riku moaned in response, but Dark refused to continue.

"Are you sure?" he said sternly.

Riku's eyes fluttered open from beneath a veil of long lashes. "Promise you won't let her have this?"

"I promise," he reassured her with a kiss.

Dark meant his promise. As long as he had Riku at that moment, he was satisfied. He had ravished several girls in his time, but he took care of none of them like he did Riku that night. It was her first time, although Dark was no stranger to virgins. Somehow, he still felt as if she had granted him something special, or perhaps, it was the satisfaction of receiving something he'd worked so hard for.

As Riku and Dark met more often, their sessions became more intense. Riku was no longer a frail flower at his mercy, but a woman begging to be relieved. Dark visited her at least once a week, hushed against the window seal and the silk of her sheets. Riku was his for the taking and he'd be dammed if he was going to let her go. Dark had too much pride to allow that sort of thing. Even if he did not care about Riku, why should he let somebody else have her?

Snuffing out his cigarette, he turned and let the couple be. Dark Mousy was king around here and messing with the king's property was dangerous business. Daisuke Niwa would learn this soon enough.