A/N: Warning! This chapter hasn't been beta-read by its beloved beta-reader Sno-Oki. Therefore I'm not sure it's up to par, but I feel it is passable. I wanted to post this as a going away present: I won't be back for about 8 weeks. In which time I'm not even sure I'll be able to squeeze in a bit of writing... It's sad, but please don't forget about me! I'd love to come back to reviews! It would make my time out on the road worth it. Wish me luck in training! I don't want to run anyone over in a semi-truck...
)*(Connect. Trust? School.)*(
-)*(-
Dark came to a short fifteen minutes later. He wasn't sure what had brought him to consciousness as he laid silently on the floor, but he forced himself alert within the span of a second. Keeping both eyes closed, he let his other senses span out and collect information from around him.
There was no new presence inside of the living room, that much became obvious by the heavy quietness of the place, but there was a bit of noise. It came the little ways over from Satoshi's couch. Every few seconds a weird gristly crackling, wet squelching, and sometimes squeaking sound made it to his ears. Somehow, it made the aching in his chest worse.
"That doesn't sound pleasant at all," Dark grumbled as he pushed himself off the carpet and into a sitting position. Purple wisps of hair stuck up messily in a few different directions. Yawning, he rubbed a hand over his shirted chest. There was no evidence of a wound on the skin underneath. Those yellow sparks had certainly been an unusual attack, but recovery shouldn't take long. The ache was already easing. Ariana had been a very smart fighter. Assuming since the spell hadn't killed him, she'd only used enough power in her magic to knock him out of the sky. She'd been willing to let gravity finish the deed for her instead of using the extra effort to take him out then and there.
Nice way to keep your reserves high in case the unknown enemy pulls an unexpected move, he thought.
Yeah, she'd totally kicked his ass.
That squelching continued, gaining in frequency. Dark was already mostly sure of the cause of the oddity, but morbid curiosity had him on his knees and stiffly rising to first one leg and then the other to shuffle in front of the couch. He was right. Satoshi's wound stirred strangely. The flesh on the outer edges of it looked to be rolling and veins laid webbed across the inside of the hole like a thin, incomplete net. As Dark watched, another vein poked out of one side of the gory gap and snaked itself across to the other side, where it buried and made another piece of the intricate work. Even with what all the kaito had seen in his many centuries his stomach still twisted at the hideous sight.
"Urg." A repulsed shudder rippled through him, but fascination held him bound and he continued to watch. That is, until Daisuke woke up from another uncontrollable shudder that he couldn't help making. The redhead glimpsed the wriggling, shrinking hole in his friend's chest and saw an artery lifting from it. It suddenly expanded in the middle of its tube-like structure, as if a bubble of air had gotten caught up inside it. The bubble kept expanding, and the artery stretched until it was almost transparent. And then – to the horrified redhead's dismay – it finally popped, and it dropped, disconnecting itself from flesh to fall through the wound and presumably to the couch beneath. Another artery rose to take its place. This time no bubble formed and it connected to the opposite inner wall from which it came, unhindered.
Daisuke was suddenly standing in front of the couch instead of Dark. Shaking, eyes huge and both hands pressed firmly over his mouth, he took off for the bathroom with the sound of a stomping rhinoceros. Getting there, he slammed the door and swallowed thickly. The sink was a ruined mess; it was a wonder it wasn't spewing water everywhere from the damaged plumbing. The bathtub still looked to be in working order, though a few bottles laid oozing out different gels in it. He felt like screaming as he took to his knees before it, forcing back rising bile and running some cold water into his hands from the faucet. Cold droplets splashed everywhere as he threw handful after handful across his face.
Nightmares were expected to come for weeks now; filled with terror and pain and unimaginable mess. Blood drinking was tolerable, maybe on account of he'd seen so many sci-fi movies, but the sight in the living room was a no. A big no! That he just couldn't handle!
'I was studying that, you know?' Dark voiced with annoyance. Daisuke had such a weak constitution. When compared to the phantom thief, anyway.
"I'm not going back in there!" Daisuke said breathlessly. It was only then that he noticed how irregular his breathing was. He also took notice of the pinkish water running down the sides of the tub and into the drain. Shaking hands hurriedly splashed more water to get all the old blood off. It took a few times. He had taken a brutal hit with that witch's kick. The bruised nose itched too, irritated from the mostly dried blood.
'Then switch with me again. The family should be here any minute.'
'NO!'
'Daisuke, get over it. You want to see if he needs help, right?' Dark knew how to persuade the kid.
'...Yes,' Daisuke said after a small pause. He cut the water off and sat back on the feather and tile covered floor. 'Just give me a minute.'
A small moan had him jumping up instantly to the door and flinging it open. He ran for the living room and back to Satoshi's side. The blue-haired teen began stirring some. The hole in his shirt revealed a patch of swollen, discolored skin, but he was whole. Azure eyes blinked open and the boys' two gazes met.
"Daisuke?" Satoshi sat up weakly, rather than remain lying down.
"Maybe you shouldn't be moving," Daisuke voiced worriedly, his arms outstretched as if to reach and steady the other, his expression remaining tense.
"What happened?" Satoshi asked curiously, with a small hint of underlying anger. "The last thing I remember is the witch's fire. I should not be up feeling perfectly fine." Blue eyes revolved around the inside of the apartment, noting that he was back home and that, while things still looked the same; like before; textures and colors stood out more to his altered vision. It would take a little getting use to.
Daisuke twiddled his fingers together somewhat nervously. "I kinda made a deal with the witch and I guess you could say we have a blood pact now," he mumbled.
Satoshi gritted his teeth as he asked, "Which means?" Daisuke looked down but repentance wasn't in the expression on his features. What felt akin to a warm wire flared inside the back of the redhead's brain; Satoshi's emotions again.
"I ...provide for you and we go on living without you biting anyone else. If you don't, she'll come back and kill us both," he said honestly.
"Niwa, would you think before you act!" Satoshi admonished fiercely. Daisuke flinched. Intense anger boiled inside of the other teen. He could lightly feel it; like a source of heat. It was mostly blocked by something, like a wall of some sorts. Thankfully.
"You saw how I was when you first arrived! Did that do nothing to tell you how bad this can get?" He opened his arms to draw focus to himself; or rather, to what he was now; before letting them drop wearily back to the couch with a small thump.
"It wasn't your fault!" Daisuke wobbled the slightest fraction where he stood and put a hand to his chest. It was really starting to hurt again. He reckoned he shouldn't yell.
"So? I'd rather –"
"You won't hurt anyone! That's why I made the pact; to save and help you!"
Satoshi glared strongly. "And then what? I don't believe a cure for vampires exists."
"The witch said she'll be back to talk with us. She might have an answer for that."
"Daisuke..." Satoshi breathed heavily as he trailed off. Frustration ran rampant and he knew he needed to calm down. "Come sit. You look like you're about to fall over." The redhead politely declined the invitation with a shake of his head. The thought of a loose artery possibly being on that cushioned surface was horrible. No offense.
"Listen, the witch trusted me with this, can't you?" Daisuke asked searchingly. Satoshi faltered a fraction.
If Daisuke helped him, the two fated "enemies" would become even closer intertwined. He took to resting his head in his hands. The thought of his original agenda in life becoming even more hampered and drenched with worry over the Niwa was taxing, and his head was spinning from trying to process all the events within the last forty-eight hours.
"Besides, if the bloodlust issue is under control, I bet it won't be that hard getting used to everything else. And you can tolerate daylight, so that's one myth proven wrong," the younger teen said, being as positive as he could as he thought over the situation.
"So, now what?" Satoshi asked tonelessly. He didn't have much faith in the future; never had really, and he wanted the redhead to see his own faults with the rushed formulating plans.
"We wait for my family to get here and then you spend a couple of days at my place until we know how things are going to pretty much go. My dad will gladly look into a few things while you're there. It's possible he might discover something good about all this."
"..." Frustration seeped into the link again. Did Satoshi even realize it was there, or was it just Daisuke that could feel the connection? Would it get stronger over time, or would it always feel shielded behind a thick wall?
A steady knock came from the front door.
That has to be dad, Daisuke thought. With must have told them that everything was alright. Only he'd be calm enough not to barge in after hearing such news as a vampire attack.
"I'll get it," the redhead said, turning to drag his feet towards the door. He opened it, and sure enough, it was Kosuke standing out there. Two bandoleers adorned with clear bottles strapped over his chest in the shape of an 'X'; a wooden stake and mallet laid in his hands; as did a large silver cross and, lastly, a string of strong smelling garlic hung around his neck.
Daisuke pinched his sore nose before he thought better of it. He nearly yelped as he switched to cupping his hand over it instead.
"Dad, I don't think you needed to have brought all that," Daisuke said, muffled. Dark busted out laughing in the back of Daisuke's mind.
"Better safe than sorry. Are any of you hurt?" Kosuke asked seriously. His black gaze lingered on the good amount of blood dribbled down his son's school uniform, but he figured that had come from the sported swollen, darkly bruised nose.
"We got roughed up, but we're fine. Dad, do you know much about vampires?" Daisuke moved aside so his father could step in. After he did, he gently shut the door. Kosuke set most the stuff down beside the entrance. Only the garlic and sloshing potion-looking bottles hanging from him remained on his persons.
"I know a little," he admitted as he stayed bent, fiddling with getting the crossed straps undone and over his head. A few bottles clanked together.
"Good." Daisuke breathed, lowing his hand, immediately wishing he hadn't. That garlic was potent. He continued with what he was going to say in a rush. "Because Satoshi's been turned into a vampire and I made a pact with him to keep a witch from killing him." Kosuke stopped what he was doing, straightening to his full height and glancing uncertainly at his son. The air became extremely tense.
"And you're okay with that?" His eyes trailed over his son's head to view Satoshi, whom looked back at him guardedly. Kosuke probably knew more about the subject than he let on judging from his choice of words and the appraising expression the man was giving.
"I'm okay with it," Daisuke confirmed with a firm nod. Any uncertainty he'd had about the matter had been stomped out when put in the light of saving his friend.
"Then let's tend to you two's needs and see what we can do." Kosuke smiled, immediately accepting the astonishing news. Some of the tension hanging around eased considerably. "You guys must be hungry after all that happened, and with just a few preparations down the way, everything will be fairly normal. I guarantee it. So, don't worry," he added mainly for Satoshi's sake while glancing quickly at the bluenette.
I should call Emiko and tell her and papa to stop putting up wards, the black-haired man thought as he glanced up at the ceiling with a hand on his chin and a faraway expression on his features.
Daisuke's stomach rumbled loudly at the mentioning of food. The redhead cringed as this brought his father's attention back to him.
"Eh, I am a little hungry," he laughed, then turned for Satoshi. "Can you still eat regular food?" Crimson orbs were opened wide.
"I don't know, to be honest," the bluenette said stoically, still looking as guarded as ever. Daisuke gave him a very pained look. He couldn't imagine not being able to ever eat again. "Are you hungry, or anything?" Satoshi didn't answer the question. Perhaps he was reluctant to considering what that could now mean.
"No worries, boys, I'll go fix something right quick and we'll find out." Kosuke's calm and easy persona helped ease more of the surrounding tension. He stepped past Daisuke, but before making it halfway across the room and to the small kitchen, Satoshi stood up.
"Please, get rid of the garlic." Satoshi appeared to be fighting with himself to stay where he was. Long fingers curled and lips drew into a thin line. Blue eyebrows furrowed as blue irises focused to a nearby spot on the floor.
"Oh! So it really works?" Kosuke asked, marveled as he paused to take the offending item off. "I really didn't expect it to."
"Dad, it kind of reeks," Daisuke explained with a nervous laugh and a hand behind his head. Way to miss the obvious, Dad... Did his dad have no sense of smell?
"Then, it isn't because he's a vampire?" Kosuke turned and made a gesture of throwing the stringed garlic once. Daisuke took the hint and prepared to catch it.
"I don't know," he answered as he caught the smelly thing with a bit of a scrunched face. "Satoshi, how close can you get to this?" he asked the bluenette as he held it up. Satoshi didn't look keen on the idea of testing it, but the Hikari inwardly admitted to being curious, too, and wanted to see how "normal" he could still be. Determined, even. So he fortified himself and began stepping lightly in Daisuke's direction. Kosuke left them be with their little experiment and continued on for the kitchen, smiling for some reason.
Satoshi stopped about five feet away from Daisuke. He held his breath for a moment. Then, with both hands severely clinched at his sides, the blue-haired teen carefully took another step, which turned into a half step as he just couldn't go any further. He shook his head back and forth quickly, sniffling as if he was about to sneeze.
"Is it like a forcefield?" The redhead asked. Daisuke extended it outwards a fraction and Satoshi immediately stepped back, his face highlighting with sweat.
"No," he said and his lips quivered once. "It's just... overwhelming. I can't handle it." Satoshi turned around for the bathroom, his eyes starting to stream. It felt like his nose was going to burn a hole in his face.
"Oh..." Daisuke opened the front door and tossed the string of garlic outside to the dingy gray pavement. "So, that means you just have a highly sensitive nose. It isn't necessarily the garlic itself." That made vampire powers seem very hectic to have for everyday life.
But, they are still cool.
Daisuke paused upon this thought. It made the young thief fear Dark's recklessness may have started rubbing off. Although, an interest could be a good thing to have for one in a situation such as his. But, what all powers were there?
Kosuke came out of the kitchen looking serious. "I'm going to have to turn this into a food run. There's not much in there that can be considered an appropriate meal."
"Alright." Daisuke looked around, but Satoshi had already disappeared into the bathroom. He could hear the bathtub running from the open door in the hallway.
"Are you going to be okay?" Kosuke asked him, coming close and laying a comforting hand on his shoulder.
He didn't realize before just how much he needed a little comfort. The morning had really spun beyond his imagination.
"Yeah, of course," the redhead said immediately, with only a slightly forced smile.
"I'll be back soon, then." A large hand ruffled red locks affectionately before the older man walked out. Daisuke felt he was a tad too old for such a thing, but then again he kinda liked the gesture. He had missed getting that sort of attention from his father all the years previously.
A vibrating clatter announced itself from further down the hall. Daisuke looked down it, seeing Satoshi's open room door. An unreasonable foreboding washed over, seeming to ooze from the few shady corners down the hall. Many twiddling rays belonging to the morning sun just couldn't illuminate them. It created a very wicked looking effect.
Satoshi hurriedly exited the bathroom with a white towel draped over his bare shoulders, using a portion of it to roughly dry a wet neck. He disappeared into his bedroom, but his shadow played by the lone doorway. One shadow arm reached and brought a small something to its ear. "Yes?" Satoshi's voice questioned.
"Satoshi, how are you?"Kei Hiwatari's baritones issued to his son with fake enthusiasm. "I've been trying to get in touch with you since last night."
"I apologize. I've been a little preoccupied," Satoshi explained, his voice slipping into an icily robotic tone.
"Is everything okay?" Kei had to already know that Satoshi had missed school yesterday. The blue-haired teen wasn't sure who it was within the school that his father had reporting to him, but he had it narrowed down to only a possible few now. Not that that would do much good since there was nothing that could be done about it.
"Yes. I was just worn yesterday." Satoshi hinted at knowing the reason his father had been trying to call last night, thereby telling that he knew of his father's little spy.
"That's good," Kei said somewhat off handedly in his ever patient way. He wasn't overly concerned with what his son knew about his methods, much less what he thought about him. As long as his "son" played his role in destiny with no unforeseen incidents, Kei was happy manipulating the chain that held the two boys.
"I was getting worried because of two reports that came in less than a hour ago. I'd like to see you today after school. I would insist upon seeing you now, but school's too close to starting."
Two reports? Satoshi felt like smacking himself. A few occupants of the complex were bound to have heard and called in all the chaos of the fighting in his apartment earlier, as well as when they'd continued the fight near the main part of town. Where were the police then? The most logical reasoning for them not showing up and busting down his front door would have to be that the witch had done something to stop them. She probably had a trick prepared for occasions held in public areas. Otherwise, she and her "hunting job" would soon be big news for all the world to see.
What a scary thing a witch was.
"Alright," he agreed, bringing himself back to the topic at hand. The last thing Satoshi wanted was for his self-interested father to discover what had happened the other night. He'd find some way to use it in his bid against Dark. And to top that off, Satoshi was aware that his father didn't care if Niwa ended up hurt, or worse.
"Is that all, father?"
Attending school and acting normal would be as important as determining his changes and tracking down the damned vampire responsible for all this. He figured it was doable, aside from the bloodlust that was a serious problem (though it hadn't even stirred with the aroma lifting from Daisuke's shirt) and the acute senses might be a tad disorienting at first. But, concerning the main problem, if he could successfully hold back Krad he could, with help, hold himself back, right? And thinking of Krad, there had to be a reason why the angel hadn't spoken yet.
"It is." The voice brought him back to the conversation he'd strayed from yet again. "I look forward to seeing you later; it has been so long." The fake love coming down the line had Satoshi's shoulders stiffening. Why did the man insist on playing these games?
"It has been a while," Satoshi said. "Goodbye, Father." He disconnected with a press of a button and slowly lowered the cell phone. The sensation of being watched crept over him and he quickly looked over his shoulder. Daisuke was standing at the bedroom doorway looking in. The redhead's gaze was locked on the bed and its ruined covers. He appeared to be in a state of dismay.
Satoshi turned to fully face the other teen. The bluenette, at first, had been seriously considering refusing to leave for his enemies house, no matter that the other was risking his life for him, but it was important that his father not find out anything was different. It really would be beneficiary to have help on this. And this was about more than just the Niwa's safety; this was also about him eventually capturing Dark and ending his inherited curse. Without them both somehow dying.
Besides, he did feel it was the least he could do to ensure his friend's life in that he didn't get any strange urges to bite anyone and that witch did fulfill her promise and come back. He hated feeling honor bound though.
"Any reason why you're here?" Satoshi asked a little snappishly, indicating ire at his personal privacy being intruded upon.
Daisuke blushed and ducked his head, ashamed. "My dad will be back soon with food," he said, hoping telling this would lead the other into believing he hadn't come back here out of sheer curiosity.
No such luck.
"I heard when he left." The Niwa frankly sucked at covering for himself. Satoshi stared with a straight face that somehow managed to pierce. Daisuke glanced to his left while opening his mouth to counter with some excuse – probably with a story of how he didn't know Satoshi could hear so well – but promptly shut his lips.
"Oh," he eventually said instead.
"What time would be good for me to arrive at your residence tonight?" Satoshi asked, brushing off the snooping act. A tiny part of him found itself endeared by the nosiness. An astonished crimson gaze zeroed in on him, like something very wrong had been said.
"Aren't we going straight to my place after this?" Daisuke asked confusedly.
"No. Today is a school day. Then there is the hassle of contacting someone to fix my apartment before I'm thrown out for property damages." Daisuke just stared at Satoshi as if he were nuts.
"You missed school yesterday, so I don't see why –"
"I've got my reasons, Niwa," Satoshi said sternly, suddenly seeming angry with the conversation.
"But –" Daisuke pressed.
"I didn't ask you to put your life on the line for me," Satoshi spoke in a hard tone.
"But –"
"And I don't have to elaborate my reasonings for what all that I do because of it."
Daisuke hung his head at the sting in that comment. The Hikari remained oblivious to how callous he was acting.
"Fine," Daisuke relented. He glanced up and forced another smile like the one he'd given his dad. "I'll trust you." The redhead picked up on some pang of emotion from the bluenette, but couldn't identify it before it flat lined.
"Look with a little more confidence when saying that, then." Satoshi brushed past Daisuke with what could be a hint of a smile on his face. The redhead mulled things over where he stood. Was he missing something? He was still thinking quietly to himself in the doorway when the sounds of a shower started up.
Darn. He'd forgotten to ask what that call had been about. Maybe that would have been a bad thing to do, anyway. He felt he should know, though.
-.-
Satoshi sat fully dressed in his school uniform on the newly wiped-down couch. Daisuke wasn't going to let him go to school alone; which it was almost time for, so he had a borrowed uniform shirt on they'd rescued from the knocked-over dresser and sat to the bluenette's right in an office type chair. Kosuke completed their triangle around a small wooden table in a stiff wooden kitchen chair. Lined up were a couple of hot containers of beef stew and rice with bottles of water and dessert cups of plain yogurt. Kosuke rustled the plastic bag he'd brought all the stuff in while digging out two plastic covered spoons.
It was time to test if Satoshi could still eat, or not.
"This should be good enough for now," Kosuke said while holding out the utensils for the boys.
"Thank you, Dad." Daisuke smiled as he reached for his.
"..." Satoshi hesitated before grabbing his. Kosuke just smiled as pale fingers carefully slipped the device out of his grasp. The retracting hand now resembled a pure pale-peach marble. It was flawlessly smooth and the texture of it appeared different in some small way.
"Thank you," Satoshi said, slightly intrigued by the black-haired man. He hadn't acted the least bit worried if a new vampire touched him, or not. Was it stupidity showing, or an acceptance of fate in the older man? Did he think that he could get away if Satoshi – now a vampire – didn't want him to? The thought elicited an imaginary and somewhat comical scenario of Kosuke running and him pouncing before he could make it out the apartment's front door. Satoshi mentally shook the unwelcome image off. Fearfully, he more than halfway expected bloodlust to stir, and was surprised when it didn't, even a bit. Maybe life wouldn't be so different after all.
Daisuke opened the lid of his stew.
Satoshi was forced to reevaluate his facts. With the myriad of highly prominent scents unleashed, thank goodness garlic wasn't among them.
"You okay, Satoshi?" Daisuke asked as he eyed the bluenette that had frozen.
"Yeah." Azure blinked and Satoshi relaxed a fraction.
"Not nauseous, or anything, are you?" The redhead persisted to inquire.
"I'm fine." Irritation hummed through to Daisuke. The "icy" teen really wasn't as cold to emotion as his outer appearance always let on. A loud gurgling grumble rose from the table. Kosuke looked expectantly at his son, whom was somewhat snickering at Satoshi.
"Go ahead and eat, Daisuke."
"That wasn't me," Daisuke turned and defended with embarrassment. Why did he always get blamed for being the hungry one? All eyes turned back to Satoshi, whom looked confused.
"That's strange. I usually skip breakfast, so I shouldn't be hungry," he said. Then again, I wasn't up to eat yesterday.
"By all means, go ahead and eat." Kosuke folded his hands and leaned back in his chair. Daisuke unwrapped his spoon and stuck it in his bowl, but paused to also observe the Hikari.
The two watched the bluenette very closely and the attention was unwanted. But they could hardly be faulted for their curiosity.
Satoshi sure hoped he could eat; the smell of the food was taunting him. He took a bite of the stew and nearly dropped his spoon the moment the flavor washed over him. The richness crashed over his tongue like an explosion.
"So, you can still eat?" Daisuke prodded after a moment of silence. Curious crimson leaned towards blue.
"Huh? Um, I believe so." Satoshi blinked suddenly glassy eyes. Maybe sticking to plain foods until he got used to the extreme senses would be a good idea. Heaven forbid he comes across any peppers.
"Great!" Daisuke then dug into his own bowl.
-.-
The school yard was quiet by the time the boys walked onto the premises. It wasn't unusual seeing as how they were a whole twenty minutes late. Could've been far worse considering the spectacular events of the morning. Those events were definitely mostly to blame for their shared tardiness, but it had also taken awhile for Satoshi's sight to adjust to the brightening sunlight again. Maybe that's why vampires of legend were known for their association with nighttime?
Kosuke hadn't made a fuss about Satoshi wanting to go right on to school. He didn't preach on how dangerous it could be. Not a single word. He just gave an easy nod. It was as if Kosuke had expected that Satoshi would have to go to something as mundane as class. The man always gave the impression of knowing more than he should.
And as uneasy as that made the bluenette, it secured him just as much. Perhaps because Kosuke gave off the feel of a type of guardian; something he'd lacked in his short life.
Or was it unlife now? Yes, his heart only beat once every half minute, but it still beat.
An inaudible tut came from a straight line of stretched lips. It seemed stupid to be thinking like this. Here he was walking and talking, that was all that mattered.
Satoshi briskly moved up the steps to the front of the school. Daisuke fell right into pace behind him. Satoshi grabbed and swung the double doors open a bit quicker than normal and a rough clink sounded in its metal handle. Satoshi adjusted his grip and made a mental note of it before letting go to step inside.
The cooler air and dimmer scenery were an instant relief. The drastic changes made the warming day outside very hot and miserable by comparison, although it was only just starting to turn Summer. The long halls of the school came into sharp focus as pupils customized like a pair of camera lens. Satoshi halted due to the abrupt transition. Every minuscule detail, from the messages on the distant bulletin board, to the tiny flecks of paper pushed into the opposite corner of the hallway became clearly visible.
Red spikes came in front of him as Daisuke turned in question.
"Everything –" he started.
"Yeah," Satoshi cut him off.
Rhythmic clacking echoed down the painted bricked walls as the blue-haired teen moved on forward, once again followed by Daisuke. The classroom door opened by a sure grasp, giving a light click. All was at first quietly busy, until surprise at Satoshi's unexpected return elicited stirrings from the few curious heads lifting up. The rest of the students followed suit after – as if a chain reaction had been started. However, the girls showed the most interest.
"You two are late. Excuses?" Mrs. Izumi immediately asked from her desk chair in front of the room. "And Niwa, what happened to you? Did you get in a fight?" Her arched eyebrows disappeared into her hairline in disbelief. Everyone knew Daisuke was the timid sort.
Hushed murmurs floated all across the students' desks as everyone starting staring at the multiple colors on Daisuke's nose.
Daisuke's eyes widened. "No, Ma'am! I just..." He didn't want to say "tripped" or "ran into a closed door". He was already teased for being a total klutz.
"Daisuke would never fight!" Saehara suddenly spoke up, taking the liberty to stand from his seat and grin. It wasn't clear if he wanted to rescued Daisuke from the spotlight, or if he just wanted to question the redhead himself before the teacher got the "scoop" out of him.
"Thanks for your input, Takeshi." Their teacher glanced at the loud, energetic boy before returning her even gaze on Daisuke. "Do you have a written excuse for your tardiness? If not, then you know you receive detention since this is your third tardy this week."
The redhead grimaced.
"I'll take that as a no. You'll be staying an hour after class, Niwa." Daisuke nodded sadly and trudged away from Satoshi to sit at his desk. He couldn't really complain. The teacher had been very patient with him and his bumbles this past week.
"I don't have an excuse, either." The oddly higher notes to Satoshi's voice had Daisuke looking back. The bluenette's face shown an extremely bright red.
"Welcome back, Hiwatari. You were suppose to be back yesterday, if I'm not mistaken. You don't have an excuse for then, either?"
"No, Ma'am," Satoshi answered, still looking as if he might have a fever. Or could he possibly be embarrassed about something?
Daisuke made his way to his desk and sat. While doing so, he mentally felt along the lines of their recently established link. It was still odd and unfamiliar, but waves of embarrassment soon hammered at him and he quickly found his own self blushing, but the waves were very muted and dull. Maybe the strength of the link corresponded with how recently the Hikari took his blood? But, what had Satoshi so flustered that it still, as blocked as it was, caused Daisuke's stomach to knot up just by touching on it?
"You have one more chance before you get a detention, then. Please take your seat," Mrs. Izumi said, nicely enough. "But, are you sick? Your face is very red."
Satoshi had started walking to his desk towards the back of the classroom, but stopped dead in his tracks at being called out. He just knew he had turned red, and her comment proved it.
"I'm a little off, but it's not viral," he assured and quickly made for his desk, grateful that it was situated past the many curious gazes and side glances. It's why he'd wanted it assigned to him in the first place at the start of the school year. He could watch everyone easily, but everyone would have to make it obvious to watch him. And, a lot of the girls were already making it extremely obvious... What was their problem? They hadn't always stared at him this much.
"Hiwatari and Niwa, we are on page fifty-six of our math book. Work out the equations there to the best of your knowledge for the next half hour. I'll come by shortly thereafter to pick up everyones' papers, after discussing a few helpful techniques you might like to know when dealing with these." Mrs. Izumi faced the board, busily jotting down something they'd deal with later.
Daisuke concentrated on the task at hand as he pulled out his materials, consciously ignoring the radiating embarrassment coming from Satoshi. Well, mostly ignoring it. Stupid, annoying curiosity wouldn't quit badgering him over the issue.
"So, what were you and Hiwatari doing playing hooky together?" Saehara asked quickly in hushed tones from the desk in front of him. "And what's he doing back? The nerve of him after leaving and having not said goodbye to us."
Daisuke glanced up at his best friend whilst opening his text book. Saehara glanced at him funnily, as if he'd just grown two heads.
"What are you blushing for?" It couldn't have been something I said, Takeshi couldn't help but wonder.
Shoot! Daisuke's face hadn't cleared from blushing yet.
"Ahh... No reason!" the redhead practically squeaked, which stood out amongst the near silence and was sure to bring the teacher's wrath down on him. She turned with dry eraser marker in hand as Saehara twisted quickly forward to face his work, looking the part of innocent. Daisuke cringed, knowing he was caught before she even said anything.
"No speaking during class, unless you want double detention this afternoon, Mr. Niwa."
Ut oh, she'd used "Mister"... She might just give him another detention later for the heck of it.
"Yes, Ma'am," he replied past the rising giggles of his classmates. Riku turned to give him a very confused stare from the row over. It wasn't like him to be getting into trouble so much. And she really wanted to know what had happened to his nose.
Daisuke prepared himself for a very question filled lunch break.
Meanwhile, Satoshi had managed to get his materials out, but had yet to open their math book to the appropriate page. He stopped, his movements agitated, and put his head in one hand. The tips of his fingers laid hidden within his hair.
It felt like he was getting redder with each passing second. There was just no ignoring the scent he was picking up.
Someone was bleeding. And that wasn't the whole story, but he was trying to keep his mind off of that.
He covered his eyes with his hand.
Shame he couldn't do the same to his nose without looking funny. Maybe he could go to the nurse and get one of those masks used to keep germs from spreading. Now that was an idea. Something had to be done, because he was attracted to the scent, yet the utter indecency he felt from being so kept his fangs well and truly out of sight.
The impression of a hand touched his shoulder and and moved on down his left arm in a quick, consoling way. Satoshi turned towards the trace of it, expecting to see Daisuke standing beside him for some reason and was surprised when he saw no one there at all. The nearest person was a classmate who had his nose buried in his book, and he was too far away to have done it. Besides, he was paying him no mind at all.
Satoshi recalled the unique feel of it; the insubstantial quality and lack of friction it had against his clothing. At the same time, something made him glance at Daisuke. The redhead was turned, looking at him with a curious, yet concerned gaze. He smiled a bit at Satoshi's wondering stare, then turned around to get back to his work, but not before Takeshi threw them both questioning looks. Daisuke didn't see this as he focused right back to their assigned task.
Takeshi faced forward, squiggling something. A quick note, no doubt. Sure enough, the boy slipped it on the desk behind him without turning around.
Daisuke's eyes automatically trailed to the given paper. He nearly spit like an angry cat at its contents, but stopped himself from making a noise by slapping a hand over his mouth. Daisuke didn't know how to retort to the letter. How could his friend – his best friend – be so mean?
Looking angrier by the second, Daisuke finally just snatched the note and wadded it up. He reared his arm back and threw it against the back of Takeshi's skull. Takeshi jerked from the unexpected hit.
Satoshi concentrated back to his own problems.
How had Daisuke sent him a psychic touch? He couldn't project himself as astral energy like their curses could. Wait... What if that had been Krad making some sort of contact after so long of a silence?
No, it hadn't held the demonic angel's cold caress. But, then how –
"I kinda made a deal with the witch and I guess you could say we have a blood pact now."
"A blood pact," Satoshi mumbled lowly. What did such a thing include for Daisuke to be able to transfer sensation, then? Did he even realize he had done such an incredible thing?
The two had an even weirder link now, even stronger then the one forged by their shared curses.
Great, Satoshi thought just as a fellow student whined, "Teacher, Daisuke's throwing things." The sneering blond in pigtails kicked at the paper ball that had rolled under her desk. Daisuke looked at the tattle-tale pitifully, his bottom jaw dropped wide open.
"Mr. Niwa, you now have double detention," Mrs. Izumi said without pausing in her writing on the board. Daisuke turned his pitiful look uselessly on the teacher's back.
"And there's Takeshi's handwriting in it," Angie – the girl in pigtails – continued with the crinkled paper now mostly open in her hands, her face nearly splitting in two with a horrible grin as she read it.
"Freakin' teacher's pet!" Takeshi bolted up from his desk, slamming his hands down on the hard surface.
"Double detention for Takeshi, and also," said Mrs. Izumi, turning around this time to face the dark-haired boy, "bring the note here and read it to the entire class." She stared with indifference at Takeshi's crestfallen expression, but the expression was nothing compared to Daisuke's stricken features.
Takeshi grumbled at the giggles abounding around them, but made a move to collect the offensive note from Angie and trudge up to the front of the teacher's desk.
Amidst the distraction of Takeshi clearing his throat as if preparing for a long winded speech, Riku slipped Daisuke a note of her own via a third party's help.
No more notes, no more trouble, Daisuke mentally grumbled as he reached to accept the paper anyway.
It read:
Angie will learn a thing or two before lunch is over.
Daisuke nearly gasped as he looked over at Riku, who only winked at him. Further down the row behind her sister, Risa gave him a nod. She wasn't the only one, either. It seemed as if all the girls were getting in on bringing Angie to justice.
Now, if something could be done about revealing the contents of that other note...
"Ahem," Takeshi began and Daisuke prepared himself for humiliation. "Please vote for me to be your President. I promise to burn all fruitcakes before they make it to your tables come Christmas feast and to share all of my i-tunes. Furthermore –"
"That isn't what the note said!" Angie exclaimed as the class busted out laughing. Her temper was smothered by the fierce glare Riku threw her and she didn't dare say anything more.
"I realize this, Miss Angie. Please keep your mouth shut," Mrs. Izumi spoke impatiently. "Mr. Takeshi, read it correctly, or –" she couldn't finish as Takeshi quickly ripped the note to little shreds.
"DETENTION ALL NEXT WEEK, MR. TAKESHI!" she bellowed. Takeshi just looked smug as the class howled and cheered for him. Daisuke breathed a sigh of relief. He should have known he could trust his best friend not to embarrass him in such a way.
"For show of such incompetence, this whole entire class now has double detention this afternoon!"
That shut everyone up. Grumbles replaced all the laughter, along with dirty looks, aimed at the teacher.
"Ma'am, I need to see the nurse," Satoshi said as he raised his hand. He had been fidgeting long enough in his seat. He couldn't take staying in this classroom anymore.
"Don't think you can play that card on me. You said earlier that why you are so red has nothing to do with anything viral. You will be serving detention with the rest of the class."
Satoshi quietly eased to stand beside his desk, the commanding aura that was usually reserved for his line of work played eerily over him.
"I may have said that what I have is not viral, but that does not rule out that I am not sick. I ask that you let me go before I report your disregard for your student's health to the principal."
Mrs. Izumi sputtered as whoops began to echo throughout the classroom. "You imply that –" she stopped herself, then began with a more contrite tone, "I never meant that. Come up here and I'll write you a pass." Satoshi walked up his row and to her desk.
"As for the rest of the class, if you don't act with order, I will keep everyone here until doomsday!" Which meant class detention everyday for the rest of the year.
Everyone promptly shut up again.
-)*(-
A/N: I take forever again and then give an unexpected update. I... fail. But! I'm so happy! This story has gotten such a great amount of attention from everyone! Sadly, I'm very busy as of now (I'm sure you have all noticed the Author's Note at top), so my updating this might not get any better. Course, it potentially could, once I come back. Reviews help my focus, so however long it's been, if you still like this story, just send me a quick message or whatnot to get me back on track.
TukkT – Thanks for getting me interested in updating this again. ^/^ Epic, huh? I'm so very flattered.
Pokematic7 – I'm so sorry I lost my cool at you before. Please forgive me! I'm very pleased that you like Ariana. And as far as the whole "Daisuke x Satoshi" thing goes... They will be inseparably close, if nothing else. Perhaps when some certain events unfold you won't be disappointed. But for them being an actual pairing; that's not what this story is focusing on. But I think you will like it nonetheless.
Kriwufei – Who doesn't like vampires? Yay, cookie! ^_^
Shay Weaver – Daisuke is going to have an absurd amount of difficulty. He's definitely not an authoritative figure. Imagine trying to change that in one night, with a vampire staring you down. I'm sure Satoshi will have his moments that really test the lovable redhead. And the connection issue... Yeah, that's going to be fun.
Dawns Eternal Twilight – I really wanted what Satoshi was going through to be felt. Haha! Ah... Ariana... XP Such a fun character. But I definitely like Dark better. And, yes, things will be continuing. Just wait until she comes in again. I bet no one is expecting what will happen, or what is already happening, to Daisuke. Remember that kiss?
RosalieCullenHale1 – Where's that mob? They may have gotten my butt moving sooner! Haha.
Intelligenceisstupid – Thank you very much! I pride myself on my action scenes. And your interpretation of vampire eyes is very good. I think you and a few animes I've seen helped me with mine. Teehee... Dark getting licked. Just wait until you see what all happens later!
Lanny-Sama – I'm glad you liked it. Though, Krad might not be as gone as you think...
Mizuki hikari – Many things will happen to Satoshi. Hold on to your seat!
Sno-Oki – You are positively AWESOME! I'm so sorry I take so long; you definitely don't have anything to apologize about! Hehe, and if you liked the "latching on" thing before... You just wait... Also, so sorry I got impatient about this chapter! T_T
TeamSatisfactionFangirl – Thank you. Hopefully this chapter is just as good. Maybe... I think it lacks the action of last chapter. But that will come again in the future. Although, we have some trials coming up sooner for the boys...