I'm not completely back from my hiatus, but I had this chapter typed up, so I decided to post it for all of you. Also, I want to use this chance to promote my new fic, Kataku. It's a Bleach fic, and pretty much what I've been writing since I've been dead on the site. I personally think it's pretty good, though the response hasn't been quite as encouraging as I had hoped. So, if you will, please check it out and review. Also, when I finish writing that up, I'll start focusing on my three main fics again (this one, Jealousy, First, Loves, and Silk Ribbons, and Kaitou Kousuke). I regret to say that until those fics are finished, Fickle Emotions and my drabbles will be stuck on a longer hiatus. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

WaterSpirit1: XD, I really will try to work on this story more when I start writing again, since I think I enjoy it more than my other. Thanks for reviewing!

red-headed psychopaths wanted: XDD, you gotta love them all. Thanks for reviewing!

Katherine Daystar: Life has been very hectic in the meantime, but it hasn't all been bad. Thanks for reviewing!

Daisukeismyboyfriend: It is, I know, and I feel terrible for it. However, not updating for a month or two at a time wasn't much different, was it? I also plan to finish writing these fics (at least this and my other D N Angel one) while on hiatus, so I won't make you all suffer through those evil waits more. Thanks for reviewing!

Daiki had pondered for several days how to go about approaching Krad. He had even considered trying a sneakier method, but realized that Krad had known him for so long that it would be futile. No, a more direct approach would be necessary, the decision of which had led him to wait on the couch for his grandson to return home from school.

"It's unusual to see you doing nothing," Dark commented from the hallway, "You look like you're deep in thought."

Daiki smiled slightly to his old angel, "Am I that obvious?"

The thief shrugged and ran a hand through his own hair, "Maybe, or maybe I just know you that well."

"Dark, perhaps you may know and can save me a bit of trouble," the old man said suddenly, an idea hitting him.

"Eh? Know what?" the purple-haired boy wondered, scratching his head, "You're too vague."

"What Krad did with the Cauldron's Crimson Heart."

Dark froze in his spot (though he hadn't been moving much) and his eyes fixated on Daiki in a serious manner. His carefree grin melted into a look of perplexity, "So, that's how you plan to do it?" He hadn't expected venturing from his room would bring about such a heavy topic so suddenly.

Daiki nodded, "Yes."

The younger-looking one shook his head, "No, I don't know. After he stole it, he said that he wanted to keep it hidden from all the greedy bastards that would use it for the wrong reasons."

"I see," the man murmured, "So then there really is no choice but to ask him."

"Well, that shouldn't be much of a problem, I hope." Dark sighed and rubbed his head again, "He overheard us talking the last time."

Daiki's frown deepened, "Is that so?"

"It's not as bad as it seems, though," Dark assured him, "We talked it over and he's decided that he doesn't hold a grudge against us for what happened. To be honest, he said it was all because of Ijou to begin with."

"Now there's a name I haven't heard in a while," Daiki said fondly, his smile returning, "Well, if things will be simple, then perhaps this can all go over smoothly."

"It'll still be a sensitive subject," the angel pointed out, "maybe you should let me ask him."

"Dark, I can hardly remember when you ever took delicate measures when approaching anything," Daiki pointed out, "Perhaps you should let me handle this."

The two stared at each other for a defiant moment before Dark sighed, "Alright, I'll trust you." In his toughest times, Dark had relied on his tamer's wisdom to help him see the light. Even if he surpassed Daiki in years, the wise man had gained infinite wisdom in his short time.

:LINE BREAK:

"I wonder what Dark's up to now," Daisuke sighed, chin resting on his hand. It was only halfway through the school day and he had yet to find himself able to concentrate on his work. Not only did he have to leave his angel behind, but Satoshi was with him as well. Lessons that he usually could find interest in left him staring blankly at his teachers or text book and his thoughts centered around the missing boys in his life.

"Ditch if you miss them that bad," Krad told him and Daisuke swore he could hear the blonde rolling his eyes.

"I can't ditch, I'd get in trouble," the redhead pointed out, "Besides, it's only a few more hours."

"Then stop complaining." If there was one thing Krad couldn't stand, it was people bitching about something they wouldn't do anything about.

"Why are you so anxious to get back?" Daisuke wondered, "Usually you're perfectly fine here, making fun of me." He had been asleep for a while, and gotten a good rest out of it, but when he awoke, he noticed both Dark and Krad had become more talkative. It was comforting to see that whatever tension they had passed through was over now and they were returning to their old selves.

"I'm not anxious," Krad said, defensively, "I'm just bored and tired of you complaining all the time. Lighten up some, what do you really have to be upset about?"

If the words hadn't been said with such a sneer, Daisuke would have been worried that his new angel was sick. To be helpful, even in a condescending way, was above and beyond what Krad's personality should have been capable of. He wasn't a nice person, Daisuke didn't think, and he wasn't one to be helpful. In fact, he was more likely to just tell someone to shut up and expect them to listen, then to sit down and try to work out what was wrong, even if the latter option would have been more effective.

"I guess you're right," he agreed, smiling slightly into his text book, "thanks."

A moment of silence passed between them before Krad realized how Daisuke had interpreted his words. "Oh, no. Don't you even think I was trying to be helpful, I was just trying to shut you up."

"And you did it by being helpful, what's wrong with that?" Daisuke's grin widened a little, alerting unwanted attention.

"Niwa-kun?" Riku asked, looking over to her neighbor worriedly, "Are you okay?" She had been worried about Daisuke for a while (he had been acting so strange and distant), and now he was grinning like a maniac in the middle of math class.

Daisuke blinked, as if he forgot where he was, and looked to the girl, "Oh, I'm fine," he whispered back, offering a quick smile before falling into a silence again. Little did she know that he was having a mental battle with a mocking blonde that found it endlessly amusing to tease him about his lacking observation skills.

Riku sighed and looked back to her notes, focusing on her own thoughts, "He's so different than he was before. He still smiles and laugh like he used to, but he's quiet a lot more. What's going on with him?" She was sure not even super reporter Takeshi knew what was up with his so-called best friend.

Before she could dwell too much on the subject, the bell rang to change classes. She quickly packed up her things, jotting down the homework assignment, and looked over to Daisuke's seat. She blinked, not sure how it was possible, at the empty chair. Daisuke had just been talking to her, correct? How had he packed up and left so quickly? After a few minutes of pondering, Riku realized her sister was calling her name.

"Come on!" Risa shouted from near the door, "What are you spacing out for?"

Riku laughed nervously and waved a hand, "Coming!" she called back, casting one more glance to Daisuke's empty seat, "I'll never understand him," she decided, and followed her sister into the throng of students.

:LINE BREAK:

"Things have gotten interesting, haven't they?" Kei asked, glancing into the shadows. He chuckled to himself-- how had this bright, cheery, young boy become so accustomed to sticking to dark and depressing places?

"Interesting, that's one word for it," a younger voice replied. By all natural means, it should have been a much older voice, but since when was anything involved with Kei considered natural?

"What other word would you use?" He wouldn't be surprised at all if the boy told him 'tragic' or even 'pathetic'.

"What word would I use?" the boy repeated, "Upsetting."

"Typical," Kei chuckled, "For what reason? Simply because you miss the old days?"

"Not at all, simply because I'm disappointed in Krad; I expected him to be above these petty relationships by now." The boy finally stepped from the shadows into the filtered light of the setting sun. His untamed hair, a deep shade of vibrant auburn, curled lightly to his shoulders and his piercing green eyes, a dark shade of emerald, viewed the world half-lidded and casually. He was a few years older than Daisuke, looking to be about nineteen, but his wisdom and experiences reached much further than any human life span.

"Just because you have," Kei reasoned, "doesn't mean everyone else will."

"You make a point," the solemn-looking boy agreed, joining his partner at the large window, "even Daiki has withered from my hopes."

"What will you do now that you've achieved your goals?"

Ijou sighed softly and looked down upon the streets. People were still bustling about, even though twilight had begun to settle in, and they reminded him of a swarm of ants that needed to be stepped on. He had thought his goal an unrealistic one that he could spend his entire life trying to achieve, and that had been what he had wanted. He didn't want to sit around and let his life pass him by, so he chased after a dream he had thought he couldn't catch. However, once Kei appeared into his life, that far-fetched wish had become reality in a matter of years. So, now what did he have to look forward to?

A fond smile crept into his eyes, "I think I'll visit some old friends."

I didn't plan on Ijou making an entrance or being in cahoots with Kei or... doing anything besides being in a flashback. However, he seemed like he'd make an interesting twist in the plot and screw with Dark and Krad's reforming relationship a bit. I hope you don't hate him yet since he hasn't done much of anything XD. I know 'omg OC, flame!!11one!' but... please don't? He's really a pansy, so don't pick on him too much XD. Hope you enjoyed!