D. N. Angel Fan Fiction ❯ Interlude at Sunrise ❯ Interlude at Sunrise ( Chapter 1 )

D N Angel doesn't belong to me in any way shape or form.

This is set right after the episode 26 of the series. Hiwatari+Risa.

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The boy stood overlooking the sea, rigid against the calming breeze of the coming morning, his silvery blue bangs whipping gently around his face, tickling his cheeks and forehead. A thin smile formed on his lips as he felt a certain rejuvenation and resolve that it was indeed, good to be alive. He was alive, alive only thanks to a good friend, one, who now, he was embarrassed to think he thought of once as his enemy. "Daisuke, you are a good person, strange, but good, and I am glad to call you friend."

"Niwa-kun is a very special person isn't he?"

Satoshi' reverie was broken as he turned, hearing the voice of Risa Harada behind him. He felt a little perturbed at himself for not being able to sense her presence approaching him. Shrugging it off, he faced back around to look at the setting sun. "I thought you were going back into town with Daisuke and Riku."

The girl shook her head, her long brunette tresses framing her face as she hung her head. She took a few apprehensive steps, coming to stand right beside Hiwatari. "I felt like they needed to be alone. I didn't want to intrude. They've not seen each other in awhile…and…besides, they are in love, after all."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a light blush grace Risa's fair cheek and a single tear, mar her otherwise flawless skin. He reached over and gingerly wiped it away with his fingers, allowing his hand to linger on her face, her large mahogany eyes, caught his gray-blue ones in a look of warm gratitude. Realizing suddenly what he was doing, he snatched away his hand, as if it had just touched fire, and spun quickly, his back now to her. The girl's cheeks grew a darker shade of red and she turned her back to him, chewing nervously on her thumbnail.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…" His mouth felt dry and he prayed that his voice hadn't cracked.

"No, it's okay…I know…getting jealous over Riku. I never thought she'd have a boyfriend before me. I'm happy for her and Dai, they really are…I promised myself I wouldn't cry anymore over it…I must seem so foolish and silly to you."

Feeling a certain heavy ache in his heart over her plight, he careened his head over his shoulder. "You liked Niwa, and Dark, didn't you?"

She twirled back around, to find that he was facing her again, though she was so caught up in what she was about to say she didn't put much thought into him studying her. "Yes, I did like them, I even fell in love with Dark. I, I thought that there was no way he couldn't notice me…but then I found out the truth, about him, Niwa-kun, Riku and even myself. It was then I realized, that both Dark and Niwa-kun needed woman who were brave and strong, things that I know now I can never be, no matter how hard I try." She sunk her head against to her chest in a desperate attempt to hide her sadness. "I know now I can never compare to either of them. That when it comes down to it, I am not as special as I thought myself to be…I'm rather ordinary, another dumb schoolgirl with girlish dreams that will never come true."

A silence, that not even the wind could carry away, fell between the two youths. Satoshi felt nervous all of a sudden, awkward even, never having been one to put much effort into trying to understand anybody's feelings but his own, let alone being a shoulder to cry on. If this girl was looking for comfort or some type of reassurance from him, he knew not if he could give it, but he did know, that even with the red-rimmed eyes and now blotchy skin that she looked absolutely beautiful to him. Perhaps she always had, but being so involved in his own troubles and sorrows had made him oblivious to it. It had been her face and person after all, that had prevented him from murdering Riku, even temporarily bringing him back out from under Krad's control. She had an inner strength and beauty that even she was unaware she possessed.

"You're only foolish if you think yourself weak."

"Huh?" Her eyes grew wide with confusion and query as she raised her face to look up at him.

"True, you may have been shallow and self-absorbed and downright cruel in the beginning. But the mere fact, that you realized this and worked on changing yourself to make things better for those around you, in no way is the will of a weak or silly person. Just think of all you've done to help, how you've grown within yourself…you are unique, your own person…the only thing dumb is trying to live up to other's expectations instead of being true to yourself."

She stared at him in awe and wonder, his words searing themselves into her thoughts, realizing how right he was, and how in some way he may have been talking about himself as well. Her tears seemed to dry up as their gazes met; she smiled at him adoringly, her heart fluttering all of a sudden. "You have changed quite a bit yourself, haven't you, Hiwatari-kun?"

This time it was him who's cheeks blushed pink and his words that were momentarily stunned. "Well, I…" He felt his breath knocked out of him somewhat as he realized she had thrown his arms around her waist and hugged him, her cheek resting against his shoulder.

"I'm so glad you are here with me, Hiwatari-kun."

He could not help but smile a little and return her affections, his arms looping around her loosely. "It was just as you said, Niwa-kun. Thank you for my life."

He had not realized he had spoken the words out loud until he heard her voice asking him if he said anything.

"It was nothing, Risa."

With the silhouettes of their bodies being cut out against the background of the rising sun, the young couple continued to hold onto one another contemplating their newfound feelings.

END