Hikari ran. Her footsteps pounding on the cement seemed horribly loud as she rounded a corner, puddles splashing around her ankles.
Onii-chan..!
Without looking, she pushed past a lone brunette. Daisuke stared after her.
"Hey... Hey! Hikari-chan! What's wrong?"
Hikari stopped. Daisuke noticed how hot and sweaty she looked, her D-Terminal clutched tightly in her gloved hand.
"Daisuke-kun!" She ran up to him. "Finally! We have to go! Onii-chan's in trouble!" She set off running again without troubling to explain anything to him. Daisuke sprinted to catch up with her.
"Your brother? Taichi- san's in trouble?!"
"Yes. I e-mailed everyone, but no-one's answering!" Hikari panted.
"Miyako-chan?"
"Busy."
"Iori-kun?"
"Busy."
"Koushiro-san, Ken-kun, Sora-chan, Jou-san, Yamato, even Takeru?" Daisuke gasped desperately.
"All busy!" Hikari actually sniffled and bit her lip as she sprinted on.
"I'll come. I'll help you!" Hikari stopped, putting her hands on her knees and gasping for breath. Continuing to stare at her feet, she spoke again, her voice rising hysterically
"I mean- if Takeru-san was here, we'd have Angemon, or- if Miyako-chan came, Gatomon could be stronger!"
"Hikari-chan! I'm coming!" He raised his voice, "I'll help you!"
"Daisuke-kun, I need more help! Onii-chan is in danger!" Hikari actually grabbed the lapels of his jacket and pulled him closer, bursting into tears, burying her head in his shirt. Daisuke quickly regained his balance and put his hands on her shoulders.
"Hikari-chan, listen to me! It'll be OK, I'm coming to help!"
"But Daisuke-" She was cut off as he grabbed a hold of her cheeks, pulling her face up into a rough kiss. Hikari stared up at him, her eyes wide.
It could have been seconds, minutes or even an eternity later, but Daisuke finally pulled away and rested his forehead on hers.
"Will you please shut up 'Kari-chan?" He said softly. "I've told you. You and I will go together. Then once the others can get down, they'll help. We can do it on our own until then."
"Dai-chan..." She closed her eyes and more tears spilled down her cheeks silently, "I'm scared." Daisuke gently wiped a tear away.
"Don't be. Everything will be fine. I won't let anything happen. I promise."
"Promise?"
"I promise you, Hikari-chan."