A/N: wow. this was probably the fastest i've ever updated. lucky you. ; ) teehee! it's so fun making dialogue between Daichii and Dark.

Disclaimer: man, i can't even drive a car yet. do you really think i would own this anime?

The Next Generation

Chapter 6

The Voices in my Head

Daiichi was running through the streets. I can't believe I overslept! He thought to himself.

Don't worry. You'll get used to the Phantom Thief schedule soon. It didn't take your father long.

I don't WANT to get used to it! I don't WANT to steal!

It's kinda late for that, now isn't it?

Stealing is wrong! Why do I have to be forced to be the bad guy?

Aww, now you hurt my feelings.

Shut up, Dark! I'm in no mood for your sarcasm.

School was only a block away. There was ten minutes 'til class. If Daiichi just ran a little faster . . . Daiichi pumped his arms and pushed his legs, praying he wouldn't be late. His parents were already concerned at the mound of tardy slips in his trash can. Daiichi skidded to a stop before turning to the right sharply. He was now on school grounds. No one was out there waiting. They were already inside.

"Oh man!" Daiichi panted wearily. Daiichi burst through the doors and sprinted towards homeroom. Something in a passing hallway caught his eye. It was Ren. She looked a little troubled and confused. Daiichi saw her shake her head, trying to get something out of her thoughts. He was so caught up in Ren that Daiichi forgot to look where he was going.

"Hey! Slow down!" a janitor shouted as Daiichi passed him. "I just mopped the floors!"

The young boy's foot slipped out underneath him, and he crashed to the ground. Daiichi moaned and tried to get back up. With a loud squeak, he found himself lying flat on the floor instead. The janitor was grunting insults and cusswords at Daiichi's clumsiness and dirty shoes. Daiichi saw petite feet stop in front of him. He looked up and scrambled back in alarm. There was Ren, staring at him in curiosity. She cocked her head in surprise before beginning to giggle.

"Daiichi . . . so clumsy!" Ren smiled and rolled her eyes. She extended a hand to help.

"Thanks," Daiichi said gratefully. He took her hand, and she pulled the boy up. Before Daiichi was back on his feet, however, he slipped again, bringing Ren down with him. Daiichi shook his bangs out of his eyes. He blushed a deep crimson when he realized Ren was on top of him.

Ren picked herself up and got into a sitting position. She rubbed her right elbow. She looked at Daiichi concernedly and asked, "Alright?"

"I've had better days," he groaned and sat up himself. Daiichi rubbed his head and glanced at Ren. His breath caught in his chest. The boy stared at his friend, ignoring the sullen janitor that was ordering the kids to get to class.

Yep, that's definitely you're Divine Maiden, Dark commented casually. When can I meet her?

Just shove it up and be quiet! "Uh, Ren. Did you find out if you were going to be busy tonight?" Daiichi asked in a rush. Ren opened her mouth, but then she jumped at the sound of the bell. "Aw, crud! We're tardy! I'm sorry, Ren." Daiichi got up cautiously and helped his friend up as well. "We better hurry."

"Yeah," she agreed softly, looking away.

She certainly is a girl of many words, Dark replied sarcastically.

Don't talk about her like that!

Oh, right. I shouldn't make fun of a boy's love.

No! You shouldn t make fun of a boy's friend! Friend! Will you give it a rest?

"Daiichi?" Ren asked, half amused, half bemused.

"Uh . . . huh?" Daichii replied stupidly, distracted by Dark's irritating side-remarks.

"Hands . . . ?"

Daiichi glanced down at their hands. He immediately broke free and turned red. Putting a hand behind his head, the boy laughed nervously, "Just wanted to make sure you didn't fall again. Come on. Let's go!" Stepping gingerly, Daiichi walked back to homeroom. Ren stared at him before carefully following Daiichi as well.

Ren stared at her textbook and listened to her teacher rambling on about some boring math thing. Like any ordianry teen, the girl really wasn't taking it in. She tapped her pencil lightly on her desk as her mind drifted to more important matters. Something's wrong with me, she told herself worriedly. Either I've gone crazy with guilt, or I've just gone crazy!

Ren shook her head. There it goes again. That naggy voice in the back of her head. You know, the one you always get when you feel like you've done wrong. But this time, it was trying to tell Ren that she hadn't done anything wrong. Also, the thoughts didn't seem like her own. Ren didn't know how to explain it, even to herself, but they seemed . . . different. It sounded like her. It reasoned like her. It was her, but it didn't feel natural. Ren sighed with hopelessness. She wished she could get some advice. She knew the best thing would be to tell someone about her problem, but how was she -- of all people -- supposed to talk about it? It would be hard to make others understand, even Daiichi.

The bell rang. Ren brightened slightly when she realized that it was the last bell of the day, and tomorrow was the weekend. Maybe a little rest and relaxation would clear her head. Ren gathered her stuff and walked home, admiring the perfect, sunny weather.

The weather is rather nice. Maybe you should paint a picture about this wonderful feeling, this wonderful moment.

Ren actually stopped in confusion at the random thought. Paint? Why paint? You can enjoy moments without haven't to go all artistic. Lighten up.

But why waste the inspiration?

Ren closed her eyes. It was true. Between reality and her creative soul, she could already imagine the perfect picture to work on. Deep inside, she longed to feel the smooth wood of her paint brushes against her skilled fingers. She wanted to feel that sense of completion she always had when creating worlds, as she called it. Feeling eager, Ren raced home.

The girl practically jumped out of her shoes once inside and hurried to make sure Mr. Mara was alright. He was still feverish. Ren fixed him some soup, made sure the twins weren't causing troubles for the neighbors . . . again, and locked herself in her room. It was dim inside, but Ren did not reach for her light switch. Instead, she flung open her windows so the wonderful sun rays could reach all through her mind. She found her box of paints, strong enthusiasm almost making her drop it. Ren carefully took her unfinished painting of the moonlit garden and placed it on her bed. She took a moment to admire it. When it's done, she told herself, I'm sure everyone's gonna love it. Ren smiled and chuckled. Maybe I could even put it in a museum. What if I became so professional that I got an art museum all to myself? I certainly wouldn't let it go to waste like the other one.

Ren took out another canvas. It was half the size of the garden painting, but that didn't matter. The girl stared at the blankness, envisioning what her new world would look like. She got out a bright yellow and began. A couple of hours later, Ren wasn't even halfway through when she heard her name being called by a hoarse, tired voice.

"Ren! Can you please get me some pills and hot tea?"

The girl jumped up immediately. She hurried down the stairs. While the tea was being made, she looked for Mr. Mara's medicine. Poor, Mara. Just imagine all the work he will have to make up. He is too busy for his own good. That's probably how he got sick; he's stressed, Ren reasoned as she brought the items to his room.

Mr. Mara was in bed, watching the news channel in his dark room. Used tissues and cough drop wrappers were scattered all over his many blankets. He let out a hacking cough that made Ren stop to shudder. Mr. Mara turned his head, saw Ren, and smiled weakly. "Thank you, dear child. Oh, if only the twins were as useful as you," he sighed, his voice a little raspy.

Ren quietly walked over to his bed. She set down the tea tray in his lap and handed him his pills. Suddenly, at the words "art museum has been broken into," she spun around to look at the TV, feeling very queasy. Had the police found out that she had done it? "Oh, don't bother with that nonsense," Mr. Mara said before breaking into a series of coughing fits. Ren waited patiently, and curiously, for him to continue. He blew his nose and said, "The Phantom Thief is just up to his usual tricks again."

Thief? Ren echoed blankly.

"Yes. He was also known by Dark." Mr. Mara paused to sneeze. "While I was in college, a thief with jet black wings would often break into a random place and steal some sort of prized art work. He would give the police hints about when and what he would steal as well, just to tick them off . . . and get a numerous amount of fans. It actually made life in this otherwise average town exciting. Then " He snapped his fingers. " The legendary Phantom Thief vanished. No one saw him again. I wonder why he has returned . . . and how he managed to stay looking so young!" Mr. Mara added enviously as the news team provided a close up view of the crafty thief.

Ren stared at the screen, her head cocked slightly in curiosity.

He's not as nice as he looks.

Ren forced herself not to jump in front of Mr. Mara when that voice rang in her head again. Only a cruel, heartless man would want to steal something that an artist had worked so hard on. Think about it. What if, say, my moonlight garden turned out to be sensational after all. I put it in a museum so everyone could enjoy it, and then the Dark guy just steals it as if it were his right.

Ren felt a wave of unexpected anger and fear at this. If that person took any of her artwork . . .

It's said that Dark is a real person, living a real life. It could be totally wrong, but I believe his last name is Niwa. Ren didn't know how she -- or the thought -- or . . . whatever! -- knew that, but she instantly felt it was correct. She looked back at the picture of the Phantom Thief. His eyes . . . They looked almost . . . familiar.

Oh this is silly! she told herself, shaking her head. I need to get back to work on my painting, or it will never be finished!

PREVIEW

"Maybe that means you should just keep your mouth SHUT FOREVER!!!"

"Almost every guy would be crushing on her . . . if it weren't for her condition."

"A person can erase a terrible memory if they try hard enough."

"The only reason Ren could come up with to explain their rage was that they didn't like to hear her talk."

"Whatever brought you two together, I'm sure it saved Ren . . . . . and maybe one day it will save you too.

LEAVE ME SPEECHLESS