Disclaimer: I do not own DNAngel or any of its characters.

Hey everybody, sorry I have been taking so long with updates recently but I have been having trouble recently… My Science teacher is senile and makes no sense, my Health teacher is a b---- and she loses my papers, and my Social Studies teacher keeps mixing up my grades with this other person because our names are nearly the same. My Language Arts class is my sanctuary, and so is fan fiction! Anyways, I hope you like chapter Twenty-three!
Arranged Marriage

Chapter Twenty-three

"I see you're finally awake." Krad said mockingly, as he sat up, still holding onto Riku.

"I thought we went over this before." Dark said, tightening his fist.

"Really, I don't seem to remember." Krad retorted.

"Well then, I'll make sure you do this time, because I'm not about to let you run off with Riku!" Dark shouted, kicking Krad over.

"Are you blind or stupid? Do you not see what you're doing?" Krad asked.

"I'm neither. So explain to me what that is supposed to mean. I don't speak stupid." Dark said.

"I have Riku here, as what you might call a hostage." Krad said threateningly.

"And your point is?" Dark asked calmly.

"Don't you care what happens to her?" Krad shouted.

"Of course I do, and you do too… That is why I know that you would not actually put Riku in danger instead of yourself. Krad, you—are in love with Riku." Dark stated, pointing his index finger at Krad.

Krad sat in shock of Dark's accusation before finally snapping out of it.

"Hmph, well I guess once that sinks in it does not really bother me. However, how will you take it? Can you handle having me as your rival?" Krad asked.

"You are not my rival. It has already been decided, I am marrying Riku." Dark said confidently.

"How can you be so sure? Besides, if you really do love her then why were you not able to protect her from me before, hmm?" Krad questioned, a smirk of superiority appearing on his face.

Dark winced at the comment, and turned his head to look to the side, "I could have protected her but—"

"But what? You have no excuse for that. Riku was in danger, and you did not protect her, it is as simple as that." Krad stated, standing up.

"…" Dark stood in silence, unable to say anything.

"Don't you think Riku would be better off marrying someone like me now? It does set your mind at ease, does it not?" Krad asked, lifting Riku's still sleeping form off the ground.

"Shut up." Dark commanded, his voice growing dangerous instantly.

"Oh, dear, did I strike a nerve?" Krad mocked, holding Riku up by her waist.

"Damn straight!" Dark yelled, lunging forward and punching Krad in the face.

Krad flew backwards, still holding onto Riku.

"Krad, I am sick and tired of this bull-shit. I am not toying with you any more! If you want to take Riku, get up and fight for her—now!" Dark shouted, approaching Krad once more.

Krad put his arms up in defense, and Dark kicked Krad over, being careful of Riku.

"Are you crazy?" Krad shouted, standing and distancing himself from Dark.

"No, but I am sure you are! You always wanted to have what I had right Krad? Sadly, you always got it, now you are rotten to the core. But, I will not let you take Riku!" Dark shouted, taking up a fighting stance.

"You can not be serious! If you're going to fight like that, the girl is not worth my time, or effort." Krad said, turning and walking away, leaving Riku.

Dark breathed heavily as he neared Riku. She had no idea what was really going on anymore. In addition, neither did anyone else.

Dark crouched down by Riku and reached out his hand, but, his hand was grasped by Riku's in a matter of seconds.

"I am not that much of a heavy sleeper." Riku said, sitting up and looking at the shock on Dark's face.

"How long…?" Dark asked.

"The whole time." Riku answered,

"There is no way." Dark said, not believing Riku's answer.

"There is. Krad—is such a dumb ass!" Riku shouted.

The sudden cussing caught Dark off guard, and he froze up, unable to register the event.

"Krad, being the dumb ass that he is did not use a sleeping drug. He used alcohol that nearly killed off my senses. I mean seriously! You would think he would have enough brain cells to tell the difference, but no! He confuses the damn drug with alcohol! Do you hear me? Alcohol!" Riku seethed.

Dark sweat dropped as he heard more of Riku's swearing.

/ "Damn she's like a fire cracker when she's angry!" / Dark thought.

Then, as if Riku read Dark's mind, she turned towards him with her eyes flaring in anger, "Do you want to see scary?"

"N—no!" Dark yelled, all the while thinking/ "If this is not 'scary', then it's hell." /

"Ugh, why do all the guys I know have to be so retarded!" Riku shouted, "Or have some other kind of disorder!"

"Hey, what is that supposed to mean?" Dark asked.

"It means that Krad is a dumb ass, and you are a pervert!" Riku shouted.

"What about Daisuke and Satoshi?" Dark asked.

"Daisuke is sweet, and Satoshi is—that's a good point! What about him?" Riku asked herself aloud.

"…" Dark watched Riku, awaiting an answer.

"He—he's the least sociable person I have ever met." Riku finally said.

"In that case, I'll be leaving." Riku heard.

"Huh?" Riku and Dark said in unison, turning towards the source of the noise.

There stood Satoshi, looking calm as ever.

"Eh! Satoshi, what are you doing here?" Riku asked in shock.

"I have always been here." Satoshi said, leaving.

"What does that mean?" Dark asked aloud.

"I think it means he does not like me now." Riku mumbled.

Dark burst into a fit of laughter, but his laugh was cut short as Riku slapped him.

"Should I stop?" Dark asked, pretending to be serious.

"If you want to continue, go ahead." Riku said, taking out a paper fan from out of nowhere.

"I'll stop…"

"Okay, anyways, what should we do now?" Riku asked.

"I don't know." Dark said, "There was never really much of anything to do around here as far as I remember."

"Oh great, so what are we supposed to do?" Riku asked.

"Make out?" Dark asked.

"I think not!" Riku shouted, punching Dark in the face and standing up.

Dark ran away a good distance away from Riku before stopping to stick out his tongue. Riku immediately chased after him, then when dark suddenly stopped in the middle of the hall, Riku ran right into Dark, toppling them over.

Riku heard Dark chuckle, then felt Dark's lips upon her own.

Riku was about to push him off, but was stopped as chills were sent down her spine. Dark deepened the kiss, and Riku gasped for air.

/ "What is wrong with me?" / Riku thought, not trying to stop Dark.

"What—what is this?" Riku and Dark heard.

They immediately parted, and spotted Dark's mother.

/"I forgot… Mother is not exactly fond of public showings of affection…" Dark whispered to Riku.

"How do you know this?" Riku asked.

"The boyfriend she had in high school warned me about this because he hugged mom in front of people. In that exact second he got dumped and thrown out of the kingdom…"

End of Chapter Twenty-three

Hope you liked it! Although I thought it was horrible… Anyways, thank you for reading, please review!