Hey all, sorry for the long wait, life has been hectic for me for too long. trips overseas, exams, results, parties for finishing school and spending time with my friends has just really kept me busy and i apologise for the long wait on this fic, as well as the in-progress Harry Potter fic.

Enjoy people

Daisuke blearily opened his eyes, blinking in confusion as to why he was lying on the floor of his room, the window open with the curtains billowing out, his painting exposed.

"Ugh, what happened?" asked Daisuke, glancing around the room, taking in every detail, to be sure that nothing was out of place, in case a burglar had knocked him out. After assuring himself that nothing was out of its place, Daisuke released a breath that he had been unaware that he had been holding. He shakily got up and walked to the window to close it, before noticing something strange about his reflection. Daisuke rubbed his eyes, before doing a double take to look at his mirror. His once spiky red hair had completely changed to a deep violet colour, with most of it in similar spikes, with the exception of two long bangs, one on either side of his face, which had become more angular. His eyes matched his hair, in a deep amethyst colour, gazing back at him in nonplussed horror.

"W-what the hell happened to me!" stuttered Daisuke, gripping his hair with shaking hands.

"You have taken on your birthright, as all the males of the Niwa clan have done before you," came a voice from the doorway. Daisuke spun around, his gaze settling on Tsubouchi, who was carrying a small box in his hands.

"Tsubouchi-san?" said Daisuke, wondering what the old butler could be talking about.

"I knew the Niwa family many years ago, from before you were born. Your grandfather, Daiki, was a close friend of mine, which is one of the reasons I persuaded the Harada's to take you in," explained Tsubouchi, walking over to stand next to Daisuke. "I knew that one day, as the only male left in the Niwa bloodline, you would inherit the powers of the infamous phantom thief Dark, and I took it on as my mission to make sure you were ready when the time came," he continued, holding out the box for Daisuke to take.

"Tsubouchi-san, what is this and what do you mean the phantom thief Dark?" asked Daisuke, eyeing the box with apprehension. "I thought that phantom Dark hadn't been seen in nearly 50 years."

"Dark is a spirit, who inhabits the bodies of the males of the Niwa family, upon their 14th birthday, and steals artworks in order to purify the malevolent spirits within them," said Tsubouchi, biting his lip, before speaking again. "And this was entrusted to me by your grandfather, in case anything happened to them, with the instruction that you be given this on your 14th birthday," he finished, watching as Daisuke's expression became somewhat sad. Hesitantly, Daisuke took the box, lifting the lid with shaky hands to find 3 items inside it. A letter, a set of keys and a single, black feather lay inside the box. Hands still shaking, Daisuke took the letter out and unfolded the old parchment, finding that it was addressed to him, from his grandfather:

Dear Daisuke

If you are reading this letter, it means that Tsubouchi-san has done as I have asked him to and that we are no longer of this world. Know that your family loved you, my grandson. Our spirits will watch over you and Dark, we will protect you my boy. Inside that box are keys to our family home, which has been entrusted to you, as well as keys to the secret room in the basement. Take that feather with you; it is used to call upon Dark's familiar, to aid you in your exploits.

No matter what course you take in your life, know that your family will always love you and be watching over you, my grandson

Niwa Daiki

Daisuke blinked back a few tears that were leaking from his now violet eyes, as he folded the letter back up and slid down to sit on the edge of his bed.

"Ojii-sama," whispered Daisuke, looking down sadly at the floor. Tsubouchi laid his hand on Daisuke's shoulder, making the boy look up at the old butler, his eyes showing a great internal battle raging inside him.

"Do not worry Daisuke-san, I will be here to help you every step of the way, just as I promised your grandfather I would, and as I will promise you as well," said Tsubouchi, squeezing the boy's shoulder for reassurance. "I will make sure that you stay safe and I will also help you to manage Dark," he continued, pacing across the room. "But I never actually told the Harada's of your birthright, nor do I know how to break this news to Risa-san or -," he began, only to be cut off by Daisuke.

"No!" said Daisuke suddenly, standing up and looking at Tsubouchi in distress. "Risa-chan can't find out about this, I can't tell her, not yet," he started, before Tsubouchi waved his hand, motioning him to stop.

"Its fine, we don't have to tell them right away, nor ever really. But we will have to be very careful from now on," said Tsubouchi firmly, suddenly becoming more focused on Daisuke. "But, unless we want to divulge your secret to Risa-san right away, we will need to find a way to change you back to normal, for now at least," he finished, noting Daisuke's violet locks and eyes. Only remembering himself, Daisuke paled at the thought of Risa coming home to find him like this.

"If you want to seal away the initial transformation, you're going to have to listen to me kiddo," said the merry voice of Dark, ringing in his head.

"Dark just spoke to me, he said that I have to listen to him to fix this," said Daisuke to Tsubouchi, closing his eyes and going into a meditative state in order to try to communicate with Dark.

Almost 10 minutes had passed before Daisuke felt the pull from his mind and let it drag him in. Daisuke opened his eyes to find that he was in his mindscape, which was depicted as a snowy hill, surrounded by tall pine trees. He walked forward across the snow, aware that he made no footprints, as though the moment was captured in a painting. The snow stretched far out in front of him, blue as though it was freshly fallen before anybody had set foot over it. Somehow knowing where to go, Daisuke continued forward, eventually coming to a ledge, where a man stood. The man stood at 6 feet tall, with enough muscles to look strong, although it was clear that he was fast rather than strong. The man wore tight black pants with several silver chains hanging down and black combat boots. He wore a black leather trench coat and had fingerless black gloves on. The most striking features of the man however, were his spiky violet locks and, even more shocking, huge black wings on his back, in a manner similar to an angel.

"Yo. So I suppose you are the new phantom thief of the Niwa family then huh?" said Dark, his voice surprisingly light and cool.

"Yes, I am Niwa Daisuke, and I would presume that you are Phantom Dark? Asked Daisuke, somewhat rhetorically.

"Well who else would I be? Santa Clause?" joked Dark, turning to face Daisuke more. "It's been years since I came out to play, how's Daiki doing these days? He's your grandpa right?" asked Dark, grinning as he remembered having fun with Daiki, so very long ago. He frowned when he saw Daisuke wince at the mention of his grandfathers' name.

"I'm sorry Dark, but Ojii-sama passed away 12 years ago, I'm the only Niwa left now," said Daisuke, his voice barely above a whisper, as he remembered the accident that had taken his family away from him.

"I'm sorry Daisuke, I didn't know," said Dark soberly, his cheerful expression dimming at the mention of his friend's death. "Daiki and I got along great, it's very sad to hear that. I had been looking forward to seeing him again," said Dark, stepping forward to place his hand on Daisuke's shoulder.

"It's okay, I know that they wouldn't want us to be sad and live in the past because of this," said Daisuke, smiling up at Dark, who in turn gave him a thumbs up and grasped his hand in a friendly shake.

"You're definitely related to Daiki," said Dark, grinning at Daisuke and pulling something out of his trench coat. "To seal the initial transformation so that I only take over your body when the conditions are met, you're going to have to steal the Sacred Maiden from the museum, and if you don't want anybody else to find out, you're going to have to do it today," explained Dark, handing 2 black feathers to Daisuke, who looked at them in puzzlement. "Send one of these with a warning note to the police, otherwise you're going to ruin my reputation," said Dark, sticking his tongue out and laughing when Daisuke rolled his eyes at the comment. "And if you get in trouble and don't know what to do, use this feather and I will take over your body long enough to help you out," finished Dark, as Daisuke could feel his mind pulling him back to the world of consciousness. The hill was growing more distant, even as Dark still had his hand on Daisuke's shoulder.

"Thanks again, I'm sure we'll be seeing each other again soon, Dark," said Daisuke, as he was pulled from his mindscape, his last view of Dark's smiling face.

Daisuke opened his eyes with a gasp as he exited his mindscape, seeing Tsubouchi's concerned face peering over him.

"What happened with Dark, Daisuke-san?" asked Tsubouchi urgently.

"Looks like my birthday will have to wait a little Tsubouchi-san," said Daisuke, standing up with one of the feathers in his hand. "It looks like I have to steal something called the Sacred Maiden from the museum if I want to reverse this transformation," explained Daisuke to Tsubouchi, the butler's face going from confusion to understanding quickly.

"Ah yes, I know the piece in question," replied Tsubouchi, pulling out a piece of parchment from his shirt pocket, along with a pen. "I suggest that, assuming Dark wants you to write a warning letter, that I write it and send it for you Daisuke-san," said Tsubouchi, taking the feather from Daisuke's hand. "You truly excel in many fields Daisuke-san, however, I fear penmanship is not one of them," he said, cutting across Daisuke, who had opened his mouth to argue, before closing it again with a sheepish expression on his face. While Tsubouchi left to send the letter, Daisuke mulled over the contents of the box that his grandfather had left him. Picking up the set of keys and the feather, he thought that it was finally time to return home. After Tsubouchi returned from delivering the letter he gave Daisuke directions to the home of his family and wished him luck, as Daisuke headed out the door at a quick jog.

"I'll make you all proud," thought Daisuke, as he remembered his family, before pushing away all thought and sprinting away towards town.

Dark looked over the hill of Daisuke's mindscape, sighing as he saw in his mind, the distant figure of a beautiful woman in a white dress with an umbrella, as she stood on the very hill which he now stood. Dark forced the memory back, sighing once more.

"Sorry Daisuke, but it looks like you're in for a rough ride," said Dark to himself, as he walked down the hill and out of sight.

And there it is, another chapter complete. like i said at the top, i'm very sorry that the wait has been so long, i'm not really an active fanfiction writer, so chapters are a bit spread out. Next chapter marks the return of the Phantom Thief, so hopefully (though no promises will be made) i'll have it up soonish.

REVIEWS! :D