Tenshi: (cries into handkerchief) Oh man! (looks to readers) Thank you all sooo much for stickin' with me!! I'm so sorry I haven't updated in forever!! But school's out so I'm gonna do my best to update more! (falls to a dogeza) ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU!!!

Fuji: (sweatdrops) Ten-chan you don't need to do that…

Tenshi: But, I'm a terrible authoress Syuu-kun! … Oh my gosh!

Fuji: What?

Tenshi: Everybody, this is Fuji Syuusuke (points to Fuji) from "Prince of Tennis" and I don't own him!

Fuji: (waves) Konnichiwa, minna-san. I'm Kage-chan's replacement, (bows) Yoroshiku. Please treat me kindly.

Tenshi: (sweatdrops) Ano… You're not a bride Syuu-kun…

Fuji: I could be. It has been said that I am androgynous.

Tenshi: (shrugs) Eh, I've seen more feminine guys… (grins and points to readers) Please enjoy this chapter!

MY THANKS TO

Heka (For encouraging me to post my story)

My Reviewers(For being my motivation)

Disclaimer: I don't own DN Angel, Yukiru Sugisaki does! If I did… (deadpanned voice) I'd make Risa jump off a cliff. And if there are music lyrics then I don't own those either! (Fushigi Yuugi: Yuu Watase (NOT ME!))

Warning: Language, bad tempers, my perspective of Riku and Risa lives, not for Risa fans (If you do not encourage the rivalry between the twins and want them to be holly jolly sisters then find another fanfic!), OOC-ness

"Talking"

'Thinking'

Summary: AU Riku receives an aged book and the twins' lives have a huge twist as they are drawn into the tale. Now she must adapt to this alien realm while trying to keep up a facade. Lying to the handsome young Lord is much harder than she anticipated! DARIKU

ACT III- Self-Righteous Rulers Have Excitable Family Members and Dirty Pets

It was the second day since the twins dropped in Kokuyoku and Lord Mousy was more than happy to spare the two clothes. Risa received a simple white peasant dress that went to the middle of her calves and matching white sandals. She complained to Riku about how plain and unappealing it was, but she still wore it in the end. Riku persuaded her vain sister that if she worried about something so superficial Dark would see through their ruse.

Riku was not given the same clothes. Instead, she donned a man's white peasant shirt and loose beige cotton Capri pants with matching beige, low-heeled, ankle boots. She assumed that this was supposed to be part of her punishment while she played the role of the other sister who took pleasure in extravagance and luxury than the simple things in life. However, Riku personally preferred men's clothing over women's. There was a lessened risk factor to her and they were easier to move around in.

The twins were led to Dark's study by two maids who, before they left, gave Riku a nasty glare. The short-haired girl could feel the animosity towards her being as whispers echoed down the halls about the legend of her and Risa. How long was the lord going to take? They were instructed to wait until Dark himself to them to breakfast. Risa did not possess the Sacred Maiden's patience, and honestly, neither did Riku.

Mainly because their nervousness made them ravenous.

"Bzzz! Boring!"

The woman opened her eyes, her storytelling trance broken by the outburst. The father frowned at his son, "That is not polite young man. You do not interrupt a story that you yourself requested, and say that it is boring."

"But daddy! This is just the part where they just say mushy-gushy things about Lord Dark!" The boy pouted apologetically as he and his sister sat up.

The little girl sighed wistfully, "I don't mind brother. Lord Dark is mysterious so he should be discussed more often." Her amethyst eyes shined with an innocent infatuation.

The lilac-haired boy rolled his eyes, "Girls!"

The parents chuckled at the disagreement. The mother placed a finger to her temple in thought, "Well then, little man. Where do you want me to jump to?"

Amber eyes sparkled mischievously and a satisfied smirk curled on the boy's mouth. "When To-To and Emiko come in!" He bellowed happily flopping back down on his bed. It was the daughter who rolled her eyes this time.

"Boys…!"

Chocolate and emerald eyes blinked as they stared at the twins and inspected them carefully.

"Umm… Lord Dark?" piped the green-eyed woman.

"Yes, To-To?"

The snow-haired girl looked to him dizzily, and pointed a purple manicured finger wavering between the twins as the other hand cupped her cheek. "Pardon me, but who was who again? Which was the Sacred Maiden and how did they get here? And why is the short-haired one wearing men's clothing?!" She bombarded her lord with her queries.

Riku frowned and her left eye twitched, 'Okay, I know I'm boyish but come on!'

Dark frowned "It's not nice to point Towa," He used her full name as a trigger for seriousness, "and calm down for goodness sake; you're scaring the poor girls." He stepped behind the twins and made a gesture with his hand towards Risa "This is Rika-"

"-Risa" the twins corrected.

Dark dropped his hand "That's what I said." His female companions looked away to suppress a laugh. Eighteen years old and he still didn't like to be proven wrong. The dark-haired man ignored them and cleared his throat to get their attention. "This," His hand wrapped gingerly around the back of Riku's neck with extreme fondness. Riku blushed and stiffened, "little shy one is Riku. And-"

Risa stepped up with a proudly puffed chest, "-And I am the Sacred Maiden." She interrupted with gusto.

"And I would prefer you removing you hand, Lord Mousy…!" Riku hissed, glaring embarrassingly at Dark. She swatted his arm, or at least tried to, but she couldn't bend that way so it wound up being a nonthreatening flop of her hand.

Dark chuckled warmly and released her "Whatever you say love."

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!!"

Dark and the two women laughed at Riku's discomfort, Risa scowled. They weren't focusing on her enough. She's supposed to be the Sacred Maiden not Riku! "Um, Excuse me?" She tried not to sound too annoyed but couldn't completely filter it out. "Not to spoil the fun, but who are these women Lord Dark?" She narrowed her honey eyes.

She didn't like how pretty they were but excused the tawny-haired brown-eyed woman in green as a wedding band graced her left ring finger. But the one he called Towa or more affectionately "To-To" seemed like a threat. She looked like one of the pop idols that always managed to one-up her in school popularity votes, what with the glamorously other-worldly clothes and hair pieces, multiple piercings, and perfect makeup, skin, and… everything… She might be after her Dark!

Dark knocked himself in the head lightly, "Where are my manners? Riku, Rima-"

"-Risa" The four females corrected.

"That's what I said… These are some of my closest friends." He placed a hand on Towa's head "This is Towa but she prefers to be called 'To-To' because she wants to feel younger."

"To feel younger…?" Riku looked incredulous as did Risa, "Umm… Miss Towa… Not to pry or anything, but… how old are you exactly?" Riku asked; a bit scared of the answer.

Towa looked away and covered her mouth with the back of her hand in a ladylike gesture, "'Towa' is a terrible name… It means eternity, so it makes me feel old!!"

The twins relaxed, thinking that that was the main cause. Dark smirked and the other woman sighed, 'Here it comes…!'

The young woman glanced up coyly with a small 'hmph!' as glitter seemed to sparkle around her, "I'm not old! I'm a young girl! Why, I'm barely 100 years old!" she exclaimed.

The two's eyes became saucers as they openly gaped at the insane woman. "S-S-S-So… how old are you really?" Riku ventured.

"98!" She chirped.

Risa wobbled feeling like she was going to faint while Riku got a nasty twitch in her neck. 98 is young?! Her curiosity was still not sated, so she continued her questions, "H-H-H-How?"

Dark ruffled Towa's short, white hair "She's not human. She was a being created by a clan called the Hikari. Her host was a mirror and before she met our forefathers she could only travel around as a bird in the day. Her human body was limited only for use during the night but not anymore." Dark looked proud.

"What happened?" Riku blinked, exceptionally interested. Risa began to tune them out after she heard "not human." She was already confused, but now they were explaining things she couldn't understand! Jeez, couldn't people speak simpler, maybe more modern, Japanese in this place?

"The heir to the Mousy throne stole me fifty years ago!"

Riku gaped in astonishment, Dark looked absolutely unrepentant of his grandfather's thievery. He actually looked quite smug. "Yeah," he stroked his chin, "ever since, To-To's been a familiar to both the Mousy and Niwa families. Speaking of which," He clenched his fist and tapped the center of his left palm with it in realization "we're getting off topic!" He cleared his throat and laid a hand on the sandy-haired woman's shoulder, "This is Emiko Niwa. The Niwa's and Mousy's are bound together by an ancient blood contract and have been a combined household even before it could be recorded. She is the daughter of my most esteemed and powerful mage and mother of my closest friend and advisor." Dark suddenly perked, "Speaking of which, where is the little man? I haven't seen him for a while now."

Emiko giggled behind a slender hand, "Daisuke's been looking for Wiz for the past couple of days. I'm sure he's trudging around somewhere in the palace. You know how evasive Wiz can be when it's bath time."

"Oh yeah!" Dark joined in Emiko's laughter as did Towa, leaving the twins to feel left out of their little inside joke.

Riku could almost feel the tremors in her legs begin. 'This is way too much to take in!' She shakily plopped onto a nearby chair and instantly froze. 'If I'm this shell-shocked… Then how is this information effecting Risa?!' She hazarded a swift glance at her twin who was simply checking her nails for any chips in the delicate pink polish. Her disinterested eyes told Riku of her boredom as if it was a Japanese literature lecture.

She sweatdropped 'I guess she wasn't listening.'

Her head flopped back onto the head of the chair and saw something gray and… fuzzy? Alarmed, she sat up and rubbed her eyes vigorously, turning around to peer over the chair. 'It's gone!' She glanced quickly and thoroughly around the room and crept about cautiously as not to arouse the eyes of her companions. A wriggling… thing caught her peripheral attention and turned towards it. Riku ducked out the door and ran down the one-way hall.

She ignored the pillars, statues, and paintings and continued to follow her gut instinct. When she finally made it to her destination she examined the corner.

Nothing…

Riku turned with a disappointed sigh until she felt a sudden, soft, heavy weight fall on her head. Muffling a shriek, she successfully stumbled back against a wall and proceeded to slide down in surprise. A faint sound entered her ears.

"Kyuu…"

Riku's stilled, her amber orbs rolled up but all she could see was her bangs. That is, until a furry little head, complete with floppy ears, peered down at her with huge crimson eyes.

"Kyuu!"

Riku stifled another shriek and counted to ten while taking deep breaths. No big deal right? Albino rabbits fell of people's heads everyday right?

She raised her hands and lifted the little thing from atop her head and was surprised to find it so… dirty… and with such a long tail to boot! 'This is not a rabbit.' She thought seriously. All thoughts of returning to the study were banished as sympathy for the rabbit-like creature tugged at her heart. The poor little guy was bound to lick himself clean and who knows what was caught in its fur?!

She couldn't let the living dust bunny run around could she?

"Of course not!" She suddenly stood up and gently placed the rabbit-thing back on her head where it "kyuu"-ed happily and snuggled in her hair innocently spreading its grime in her copper locks. 'Note to self, don't place dirty animals on head in the future…' It was too late to change anything so she let it get comfy as she strode down the hall and, unsuspectingly, past the study until she was able to find a bathroom. But to Riku's chagrin, she could not locate one.

She steadily rushed down corridors and hallways, head swiveling left and right, while using her peripheral vision to keep an eye out for servants who would, most possibly, guide her back to the study where, just as probably, she would be scolded for wandering off and picking up stranger animals.

She heard the clatter of kitchenware and sharply turned a corner and away from the sounds. It seemed the deeper she went the more people there were. 'Jeez, if I keep this up I'm gonna be caught!' Riku hid behind a pillar and held her breath as the two chatting maids that guided her earlier walked by, gossiping about her and Risa again no doubt.

Riku searched for an exit to a garden, or anywhere else with a steady supply of water that weren't occupied by people, instead of bathrooms. Large double doors with windows that revealed stables were easier to find than the washroom she scoured for earlier.

She slipped out the doors and shut them silently behind her. She made haste towards the smell of hay and horses and ducked behind a bale as servants left to go eat. She quickly entered the stables, nabbed a wooden bucket and some clean rags, and ran out. She circled around back where she hoped a water pump would be. The heavens decided to take pity on her today it seems, for in all her years of bad luck there actually was a pump.

Riku sighed gratefully; she grabbed the rags from the bucket and hung them on a nearby tree branch before returning to the pump. She placed the wooden pail under the mouth of the pump and began the strenuous work. As the water flowed out, she could feel the small animal's paws clench in her hair.

When it was filled to the brim, Riku removed her shoes and put them under the tree with the rags. She went to the bucket and felt the weight on her head tense. She rolled up her capris and kneeled in the mud. Her hands went to pluck the trembling creature from her head, but found that she couldn't.

The thing had anchored itself to her hair.

Dull prickles of pain stung her scalp as she tried to pull the animal from her hair. After about three minutes of their tug-of-war, Riku caved. She sighed and slumped forward in defeat. Her scalp hurt so badly! The little thing "kyuu"-ed triumphantly and snuggled more firmly in her hair as if to rub it in. Riku scowled and looked into the bucket of water.

She looked absolutely ridiculous with a dirty white rabbit-thing on her head, making her dirty in the process. A sudden idea struck her. Riku stared at the reflection in the water. It was going to stay on her head? She used her left hand to squish it to her head.

'Fine!'

The little animal squirmed and "kyuu"-ed under her firm pressing, uncomfortable with the pressure. They were both dirty right? Riku slammed her right hand down to balance herself as she leaned over the bucket. The squirming and "kyuu"-ing became stronger as the creature discovered her plan. A wicked smirk graced her lips. She closed her eyes, held her breath, and fell forward.

Victory was never so wet.

The two children howled in laughter, legs kicking ferociously under pale blankets.

The mother waited patiently, smiling warmly, relishing her children's happiness. Her husband's arms tightened around her and he laid his chin atop her head. "Your head is heavy…" She grumbled.

The siblings laughed louder at this.

"Mommy won't be able to dunk daddy's head in the bucket like Miss Riku did in the story!" The daughter held her stomach and giggled.

"Yeah, but don't worry mom, we could always dump water on dad's head so that you don't get squashed!"

The pink-haired girl nodded her head in agreement. "Mm-hmm! We'd do anything to help mommy's head!"

The woman chuckled at this and lightly tapped her husband's head with her knuckles, "No, daddy's nose is just too long. Mommy will shorten it by tomorrow morning." A vengeful glimmer caught the man's attention and he lifted his head to stare at her incredulously.

"I don't have a tengu nose!"

"Maybe not, but you head is full of hot air, dear."

The children laughed again.

The rabbit-animal shivered as Riku toweled it off with a dry rag another tossed dismissively on her own head. It looked up at her with big, sad, red eyes and she sighed. "Jeez, you needed to be washed and so did my hair so why not kill two birds with one arrow? I said I was sorry!" If Riku wasn't so sure it could understand her she'd think she was insane. The animal "kyuu"-ed and turned away, shaking off any excess water as it stood, it's nose high in the air and ignoring her as it slowly walked away.

"Oh, come on! Can I do anything to make it up to you?" It suddenly stopped and looked up at her with big, begging eyes. Riku felt her heart melt, "Okay, what do you want?

Dark clutched his head, thinking of where Riku ran off to. He already sent Emiko and Towa to take her sister to breakfast. He was worried. Strike that, near panicking! And he didn't do panic. When and where did she disappear to? He cursed his title that granted him such an enormous estate. He checked the bedrooms, the washrooms, the kitchen, the library, the gardens, the stables, and all other places he could think of. He even had servants looking for a trace of her.

Dark ran a hand through his flyaway hair. Was she hiding? If so, then from what or who and why? Why did she run off in the first place? Dark grumbled as he searched another room, only to find it empty. He punched the door frame as he turned around to keep looking. He was half tempted to go back to the study and check if she returned to it like a gathering point. He sighed, that idea would be his last resort. He wasn't about to blow his search for a little ray of false hope.

And besides, he just met up with Daisuke, who was still looking for Wiz and he was on his way to the study anyways. Dark stopped 'Now that I think about it… Did I tell Daisuke what Riku looks like?' He shrugged carelessly, 'Eh, he's smart enough to figure it out. Right now I gotta keep looking for that girl!' He continued to speed walk.

Dark knew that wherever Riku was, she obviously didn't want to be found.

Riku sat in the study and watched the now-clean creature eat strawberries from a bowl that was obviously meant to provide for party guests. "Man, the little guy can really put it away!" She scratched the side of her head, not looking away from the strawberry-inhaler. "But besides the fact that you just ate twice your weight in strawberries, I wonder where everyone went? Breakfast?" The animal ignored her and continued to giddily eat the tapered red fruit. Riku sweatdropped. "You glutton, do have a black hole for a stomach or something?!"

She didn't really expect it to respond so she wasn't surprised or offended when it ignored her. She sighed and leaned back on the loveseat. The thing somehow convinced her to pilfer the strawberries meant for breakfast as a sign of apology. She probably should have gone straight to the dining room after the larceny, but the rabbit-creature led her back to the study instead where she found it completely devoid of her earlier companions.

When the door began to creak, Riku cursed. She forgot to close the door! She hurriedly grabbed the animal and, hugging it to her chest, hid it from view by tucking into a fetal position. Taking an extra precaution, she stuffed it in her shirt.

The door creaked open and closed without a sound. Footsteps slowly approached her. The light footfalls stopped beside her. She peeked out and was greeted by red. A lot of red.

A red-haired boy that was probably the same age as her was staring at her with worried crimson eyes. His hair flew in all different directions, his eyes were wide, and his face was boyishly rounded. He was dressed in a crème robe that bore a striking resemblance to a kimono except that it included a hood. It was embroidered with maroon along the openings and reached down just above his ankles. The robe was gaping open showing the sleeveless sepia turtleneck, tight beige pants, and simple brown boots like hers. Riku could feel the oncoming blush.

He was cute.

The pale clothes pooled around the adorable stranger as he kneeled in front of her. "Excuse me." His voice was higher and softer than anybody in her class. He tentatively laid a warm hand on Riku's shoulder and she jumped, causing him to drawback. She turned her head to fully look at him and he looked down apologetically, "I'm sorry miss, I didn't mean to startle you."

Riku smiled, he was nice to boot. "No, it's fine; I just wasn't expecting someone to come in." She wanted to explain why she was in the study but it would sound suspicious. So she did the one thing she's been doing ever since she came to Kokuyoku.

She lied.

"I was feeling a bit sick so I went to the bathroom, but when I came back everyone was gone…" Lies! All lies! She couldn't even find a bathroom!

Something seemed to have clicked in the boy's head as realization dawned in his eyes, "Are you Miss Riku Harada?"

Riku sat up, holding the rabbit-animal close to her stomach, and nodded "Yeah, how did you know and who are you?"

The stranger smiled politely, "My name is Daisuke Niwa, I'm Dark's advisor and I know your name because Dark has turned the entire palace upside-down to find you. When I met up with him, he told me to keep an eye out for an unfamiliar girl who's more than likely alone." His eyes slid to the bowl of strawberries, "So what were the strawberries for?"

Riku tensed as she thought of an excuse, "Umm… I thought that some strawberries would help calm my stomach!" Daisuke held the bowl and looked into it, sweatdropping at the number of strawberries, or rather lack thereof, and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. She looked away nervously, "I really like strawberries Lord Niwa!"

Daisuke sighed, "I'll believe you since breakfast had just been served. But there's something suspicious about this. And please drop the honorific, Miss Riku, Dark told me we are the same age after all." He sat down next to her and bit into a strawberry. The rabbit-thing began to squirm at the scent the bitten strawberry released and Riku held it tighter, trying not to giggle as the soft fur tickled her sensitive stomach. "Is your stomach okay?"

"Y-Y-Yeah, I'm f-f-f-fine!" The squirming became more zealous.

Daisuke let his suspicion slip and worry painted his features, "Are you sure, I'm also a healer I could take a look for you?" His hand was already going for the hem of her shirt his nagging conscience screaming at him to help her.

"W-W-Wait Niwa! S-Stop!" Riku tried to scramble away, but Daisuke, who was surprisingly strong, put a firm hand on her shoulder and lifted her shirt.

What Daisuke had expected was a swelling, a bruise, discoloring, or maybe even distortion. However, what he didn't expect was the very thing he was searching high and low for to leap from Riku's stomach and into the bowl of strawberries on his lap. "Wiz?!"

Riku paled. She was found out! "I'm so sorry, I just saw him and he was— wait did you say Wiz?"

Wiz continued his inhalation of strawberries, ignoring the two humans. Daisuke nodded glaring vehemently at the little creature that had avoided him for days. He picked up his pet by the scruff of its neck, "Yeah, Wiz. He's a familiar of both the Niwa and Mousy lineages. He glared straight into Wiz's eyes and grinned wickedly, "And now it's time for his bath!" After hearing the keyword "bath" Wiz thrashed around in his master's grip. "Wiz calm down!"

"Umm, Niwa actually I-"

Wiz's hanging hind legs kicked the tenth-full bowl in Daisuke's lap. The holder himself accidentally released the fluffy familiar and caught the bowl, setting it back on the coffee table where he had first found it. Wiz jumped onto the couch and down Riku's shirt once again.

"Wiz!"

"Niwa!"

"Don't worry Miss Riku I'll get him out!"

"Wait Niwa I-"

Daisuke had already pushed Riku flat against the couch. He used one hand to pin her to the cushions and the other dove under her shirt to find Wiz.

The mother abruptly paused in her story weaving.

"What's the matter mommy?"

"Yeah, why did you stop?"

The auburn-haired woman looked at her two confused children. Wide amber and violet eyes stared up at her. Her husband sniggered behind her. "Why don't you continue love?" He teased.

His wife elbowed him and was satisfied by his "oof". "If you're so excited why don't you explain to them?"

The dark-haired man sweatdropped, "But this story seems to be more detailed than the past tellings and I don't want to ruin this one with my uncreative nonexistent imagination." He kissed his wife's temple.

The children tittered at the blatant lie

The mother sighed, true this was much more detailed and in depth. Usually, the characters barely said anything in fairytales. But for some reason, after all the repetitions of "The Sacred Maiden" she just felt like they should know every event that happened. With the exception of some mature content and this scene was one of them. The woman cleared her throat, intent on continuing, but also censoring anything inappropriate.

Dark blew his long bangs tiredly. He had searched every nook and cranny but found neither hair nor hide of his missing guest. He headed towards his study and prayed she was in there. But if she was, wouldn't Daisuke have notified him?

When he reached the door, he wrapped fingers around the knob, and sighed wearily. Maybe she ran away? He could almost slap himself at the idiotic notion. Riku wouldn't abandon her twin in Kokuyoku… would she? If her little sister was the Sacred Maiden though… she was safe and Riku was the only one in trouble. Dark shook his head to dispel such a thought. From what he could judge, and he was very observant just not with names, Riku would stick it out. She didn't seem the type to run from responsibility or punishment, especially not if she is who Dark really thinks she is.

He turned the knob and opened the door, his eyes closed to help calm the pounding in his head. "So, Daisuke have you seen Riku Harada in here?" When silence answered him, he opened his eyes and froze. Daisuke and Riku stared at him with blushing faces and horrified eyes. But what shocked him the most was that his advisor was straddling a magically bound Riku…

With his hand down her pants…

TBC

Tenshi: (stares blankly at last line) … I think I accidentally made Dai-chan the bad guy…

Daisuke: … (blushes kneels in front of Riku) I AM SO SORRY!!!

Riku: (blushing) It's fine Daisuke, it's not your fault it's Ten-chan's!!

Dark: Yeah, why Daisuke?

Daisuke/Riku: Yeah?!

Dark: Why not me?!

(We apologize for the inconvenience, but it seems we are facing some technical difficulties)

Tenshi: Thank you for taking care of that problem, Syuu-kun!

Fuji: (tightens ropes and gags around Dark securely) It is my pleasure Ten-chan. You know that I like to see others suffer.

Daisuke/Riku: (pale and back away)

Tenshi: (glomps Fuji) I luvs you Syuu-kun! (winks to readers) Please review!