After a month to almost-two-months, I finally update again. I apologize if this didn't come out very well, in fact I wanted to make it longer, but where I ended it seemed like the right place to stop. Actually, I thought it would take me a lot longer to update, mostly due to Writer's Block.. Before I rant about how bad a case I had of that, I'll get to the review replies.

Sightbent: I meant for it to be dark, a mix between horror, suspense, tragedy, and friendship. Possibly a bit of romance... (Spoilers, probably, but not much.) Although, I hope it wasn't too dark, if it was I'll tune it down a bit. Drama? Hmm, maybe, I haven't given much thought if there will be that... Oh! Actually, there might be! (Wow, complete A.D.D moment. I don't mean to be offensive though, its just that I tend to change that topic suddenly.) I hadn't wanted to rewrite it either, I went over it to see if I could keep it going, but it didn't work. Yes, there is a reason as to why Takuya and Kouji didn't get along before, I would tell you, but it would spoil half of the plot, so I won't. Besides, you'll probably figure it out as the story goes on. This time around though, it made sense to me that Takuya and Kouji would become closer friends because of what happened, instead of enemies.

Dracula-key: No way, I wouldn't quit writing fanfics, especially if I didn't finish my stories. I've just been having Writer's Block, a bad case of it, at that. Thank you, I hope that my writing style improves while I continue the story.

61wisampa: Of course not! The Takuyari (Good name by the way, wonder who came up with it.) couple needs to increase, not the other way around! (I'm still surprised that no one wrote a story about them before I did. *shrugs* People are starting to like that couple now, so that's a plus!) I've just been stuck on what to do. (As you can see, my six weeks update plan didn't work. Oh well, I was just testing it, after all.) However, I do hope to get it done, somewhere between this week (Starting Sunday) and next week.

Important Notice: Some people have been asking me if I've discontinued my Takuyari fic "Vengeful Darkness". I have not stopped writing it, I'm just not sure how to continue it. As I told 61wisampa above, I hope to have a chapter up by this week (Starting on Sunday) and next week. But, I'm sure some of you know by now, that I don't always update when I assume to. Although, seeing how people want to see the next chapter, I'll be focusing on that (Not entirely, because I'm nearly done with another fic's update) and it will be the next fic to be updated. (Unless I get inspired for that other fic, but other than that...)

There! I hope (Repeating word, ne? I'll work on that.) that I've cleared up any confusion. If not, then I'll do my best to answer any questions in either a PM or the next chapter's review reply. I... have little faith (Better, have to find another word, though.) the readers will enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 1: Re-adjusting

Hikari "Kari" Yagami exhaled, in a few minutes she would have to leave for her new school, and she was more than a little nervous. Her room was still a bit bare, except for her bed, dresser and the items that were already unpacked. That would be finished today, hopefully. Things hadn't been going well in their hometown, Odaiba, so their mother thought it was best to live somewhere else. "Still..." she mumbled, rested her chin on her knees. ".. did we really have to move?"

"You know we had no other choice." The voice of her older brother reached her ears. Hikari looked up to see Taichi "Tai" Yagami leaning against the door frame, arms crossed. Taichi let out a small laugh. "Think, it could be worse, we might have had to change our names and appearances." Seeing his attempt to lift the mood hadn't succeeded, he walked over and sat next to her. "I know it'll be hard at first, but I saw a bunch of kids our age around here, I'm sure we'll make new friends. No doubt about that. Remember, once this whole thing settles down we'll be able to contact our old friends too. They could come over during the summer, and we can do the same. Do you understand, Kari?"

"No, but why not make the best out of any situation, right?" Hikari raised her head, a smile making its way to her face.

"There you go!" Taichi said, getting to his feet. Hikari did the same. "Just watch, when mom gets a steady job and we're more familiar with this town, it'll get better. Now, come on. I'm gonna walk you to school." The Yagami siblings reached the door, and began to put on their shoes. Taichi could still see an expression of distress on his sister's face. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll make at least one friend at school, and if not today, maybe tomorrow."

Hikari nodded, opening the front door. "Well, I guess I'll have to wait and see."

Having already walked Tomoki to the Elementary School, Takuya was now heading to his own. School wasn't a problem for the young teenager, never had. He got decent grades, nothing to get him in advance classes, then again he never really tried, but he didn't fail either. The only thing that bothered him was the countless murmurs and whispers behind his back, mostly out of fear for the amount of kids he would injure during a fight, but he couldn't care any less. He and friends who liked him for him, and Takuya was perfectly fine with that.

"Takuya!" Kouji called out, running up to his friend's side. He turned behind him and shouted, "We're not gonna wait for you, so you better hurry up!" The goggle-head knew it was Kouichi, the trio of friends didn't really hang around anyone else. Though, there were a few people that tagged along and were part of their little gang. "So, chances are there will be a new student today."

"How do you know that, and what makes you figure that I care?" Takuya responded, raising an eyebrow. The action was dedicated to both Kouji's misguided thought, and Kouichi's sudden appearance. The older twin was breathing a bit heavily, Takuya's guess was that Kouji made him run quite a distance. Neither of them would tire out very easily.

"I was walking downtown yesterday after the soccer game, and saw a moving truck parked at the house." Kouji clarified. "You know, the one that was cleared out about a month ago?"

Takuya sighed. "I don't see why you bother, chances are, whoever it is won't pay any mind to us. Now, why did you find that news so important?"

Kouji shrugged, placing his hands in his pockets. "Not much has happened here for a while, that was the only interesting things so I figured, why not?"

"Eh, its actually a good thing that its quiet and peaceful, at the moment." His hazel eyes became clouded, the twins shared the same, uneasy look. "But, it is pretty boring, we should find something to do sometime, you know?" Takuya grinned to reassure his friends, but they were no longer fooled. Their goggle-headed friend had always been troubled by the silhouette he'd seen that fateful day. And the two men had never been caught, to this day.

Hikari paced nervously around the door, it lead to her first class of the day. Her science teacher had asked her to wait outside, once everyone came in, he'd introduce her. She was taking deep breaths every minute that passed, trying to calm her nerves. Relax Hikari, you always get anxious when something big is about to happen. In the end it usually turns out fine, nothing to worry about. The moment of internal peace was instantly shattered as the teacher called for her. Hikari swallowed past the thickness in her throat, before she slowly turned the door handle. As she expected, all eyes were on her. "Uh... Well... I... Um, hi?" Some of the students snickered at her stuttering, causing her to turn a light shade of red.

"Miss, would you care to introduce yourself?" The science teacher, Mr. Nakamori, encouraged her to continue.

She raised her head, taking a quick glance at the student-filled room. Half of them watched with little interest, others didn't bother and looked at, or occupied themselves with, something else. A few boys stared at her with grins, until the girls fired glares in their direction, that made them turn away. "M-my name's Hikari. Hikari Yagami."

Mr. Nakamori smile reassuringly, and viewed the room for an open seat. "Okay, Miss Yagami. Why don't you take a seat behind... Miss Makino?" Knowing the drill, a red-haired girl, who kept her hair in a spiked ponytail, groaned and lazily threw her hand in the air. "Hmm, how optimistic of you Ruki." Hikari kept her head down as she sat behind the girl, apparently Ruki Makino. She casted a side-ways glance to her left, as to her left was the window, and spotted a blond-haired girl with emerald-color eyes. She appeared bored, but paid attention.

Pay attention! Hikari scolded herself, returning her attention to the front. The only way to make things worse is to get in trouble on the first day. Mr. Nakamori picked up a marker, and began to draw the diagram of an atom. Showing and naming the nucleus, protons, neutrons, and electrons, along with chemical bonding, and how it changes the atom that combined. When it came down to the time of only twenty minutes left of class, Mr. Nakamori sighed, facing his class.

"Apparently, I've forgotten to make enough copies of the homework. I know its pointless to say, but while I step out for a few minutes please stay in your seats and remain quiet." He was right, the moment the door closed, everyone started chatting with friends. Even walking to the other side of the room to talk there. Hikari looked down, knowing no one was going to talk to her. How she was mistaken.

"So.." Hikari looked back up, seeing Ruki turned around, her arms crossed over the head of her chair. "... You're Hikari, right?" The crimson-eyed girl nodded. "As you know, the name's Ruki, but Rika's alright too." The two shook each other's hands. "Did you move here, haven't seen you around before."

"Y-yes, my family and I just arrived yesterday."

Ruki nodded, seemingly thinking of a way to keep the conversation going. "Say, can I see your schedule. I'd like to see what classes to expect you in." Kari opened her binder, in the folder-pocket on the side was a white piece of paper. She pulled it out and handed it to Ruki. The other girl's purple eyes scanned over the list, before she returned it. "Alright, we have three other classes together, plus lunch."

"Oh." Hikari mumbled, for two of her classes, she wouldn't have anyone to talk to.

Ruki saw this and smirked. "Don't worry kid, you'll eventually have a group of loyal, somewhat insane, friends."

"What do you mean kid?" Taichi would always call her that when she didn't understand something he did.

Her smirk grew. "I called you kid, because you have a lot to learn about this place." Hikari's eyes widened, she did not like where this is going. Not in the slightest.

From across the room, Takuya could see one of his only friends, Ruki, talking to the new girl. If he recalled correctly her name Hikari... something, he didn't pay much attention to her introduction. He did, however, notice her stuttering problem, the sure sign of anxiety. Takuya didn't know anything about this girl, but he knew there was more to her than meets the eye. Guess we'll be introduced at lunch, if Ruki intends to bring her along, anyway.

Speaking of lunch, that was the next time Hikari had seen Ruki. After getting her lunch tray, (Filled with who-knows-what...) she began to search around for Ruki's table.

"Yo! Hikari!" The sound of Ruki's loud voice made her jump. Hikari looked over to see Ruki waving to her, surprisingly it didn't attract any attention, it must have been normal around here. When Ruki realized she'd yet to move, she increased the pitch of her voice. (If it was possible.) "Are you deaf woman! I said get over here!" Hikari finally walked over, as she sat down a boy who wore goggles on his head groaned.

"Ruki, do you have to yell every-time you need to get someone's attention?" Takuya asked.

"Hey, I'm not loud. You're just quiet." Ruki countered, she jerked her thumb at him as she turned to Hikari. "That downer over there is Takuya, the two clones are Kouichi and Kouji. Guys, this is.."

"Hikari, we know." Takuya interrupted. "We do have the same first class, remember? Plus, I doubt anyone in this room didn't hear her name when you screamed for her."

Hikari raised an eyebrow. "I didn't see you."

"Takuya sits on the other side of the class, I sit in the back, and Mr. Goody-Goody sit in the front." Kouji cleared up, receiving a light punch from his brother. "We've seen you in the other two classes. Getting off that topic, are you the one who moved in the house downtown?" Hikari nodded, though an expression of confusion formed on her face. "I saw the moving truck, where are you from?"

"Odaiba."

Ruki let out a low whistle. "That's about a six hour drive! Why on earth would you wanna move so far?" Hikari shrugged, staring at her hands, she obviously couldn't tell them the exact reason, but she wasn't one to lie. Unknown to her, Takuya's eyebrows furrowed, the new girl was showing more signs of keeping a secret. His friends might not be able to find them, though in his case, he'd kept secrets for most of his life and showed similiar gestures before learning how to master the "poker face". He sighed, it wasn't any business of his, there was no point in figuring anything out.

"So, how long have you guys known each other?" Hikari asked, hoping to prevent a silence that would unnerve her.

"Takuya and the clones have known each other since the second grade." Ruki explained. "I met them the following year..."

"... and have been regretting it ever since." Takuya whispered to Kouji, who laughed and nodded in agreement. Ruki stuck her tongue out at them.

Kouichi rolled his eyes. "They're idiots, so Hikari tell us about yourself."

"Well, I have an older brother named Taichi, me and him live with our mother.." The four friends shared a quick glance, returning their attention to Hikari before she could notice. "I'm not much of an outdoors person, I'm mean, I'd rather spend my time tinkering with my camera instead of playing sports."

"I thought so." Ruki nodded to herself. "The reason for that is because you're too timid, we all guessed it when you stuttered during your introduction. Don't worry kid, we'll knock that outta you." Hikari nodded, still a bit in the dark about the intentions of these... unusual characters. She jumped at the bell as it rang, signalling that lunch was over.

Ruki stood up. "Alright, Kouichi, Hikari, lets get a move on. We'll catch you two idiots after class." She waved to Takuya and Kouji as she left, Kouichi and Hikari following behind her.

"Why do we hang out with her again?" Kouji asked, walking with Takuya to their Algebra class.

The goggle-head shrugged. "I think that besides, Kouichi, she's the closest to sane person of our group."

"True." Kouji agreed. "Although, Hikari's a nice girl, she hangs around Ruki any longer I'll question it, but still..." Takuya gave another shrug, to him, Hikari was one of those people who didn't understand how rough the world actually was. "What do you think of her?"

"Does it matter? I don't know her, we haven't talked at all." Takuya shook his head. "If it turns out she's not a bad kid, I'll tolerate her hanging around with us." Kouji sighed, another attempt resulting in failure.

"Hikari, how was your first day?" Taichi asked, shoving another forkful of meat into his mouth.

Hikari pushed her food around with her own fork, so far Ruki, Kouji, and Kouichi had been nice to her. However, Takuya never even acknowledged her whenever she was with them. Sure she'd only known them for a day, but she felt that things would be the same, even after she spent more time with them. Hikari looked up when Taichi spoke. "It was alright."

"Any friends yet?"

"Mhmm, they're names are Ruki, Kouji, Kouichi, and Takuya." She couldn't really call Takuya a friend, an acquaintance more so, but she was willing to get to know him better.

Taichi arched an eyebrow. "Takuya? I've heard that name. Yeah, my new friend Yutaka saw he had a little brother named Takuya. See? I told you things would get better."

I guess... Hikari still had doubts, the group of four had been friendly, but she knew there was a deep secret that connected them. That's why they got along so well. Does that mean, I was destined to meet them? Will my secret connect me to their group?

The next morning Hikari walked to school by herself, Taichi had left early to meet up with his friend Yutaka, so he wasn't able to walk her like the previous day. Not that it mattered, she didn't like to rely on Taichi, or anyone in general, to have to hold her hand whenever she felt nervous. She had before, but the incident that caused them to fled their hometown had changed her. No more would she depend on others to help her during a tough situation, those days were over. As Hikari walked on, she found herself frequently casting a glance over her shoulder. Old habits die hard, Hikari. She sighed, and looked forward once again, unaware of the person stepping out of the shadows, and now creeping up behind her. You'll get rid of it soon enough.

"Hikari!" No sooner than she'd finish her thought, did a pair of hands slam down on her shoulders, along with the shouting of her let out an ear-piercing wail and practically leaped forward. She turned back to see who her attacker was, and saw Ruki with her pinky in her ear. "Well, I'm officially deaf. Thanks Hikari, thanks a -freaking- lot."

Hikari looked at her apologetically. "I'm so sorry, Ruki-san. Next time don't sneak up on me."

"Yeah, I'll remember that." Ruki jogged until she was at her new friend's side, the two continued to walk. "You sure can scream, and you seemed very cautious. Any reasons as to why?"

"What? Oh, no. No reason at all."

Ruki arched an eyebrow. "Then why'd you keep looking over your shoulder?"

Hikari sighed. "Can you drop it, please? I don't feel comfortable talking about it." She knew it was bad to mention anything related to... that. But Ruki came off as the type of person who respected other people's privacy, at least, if they showed that they really didn't want it to be the main subject.

Ruki's expression softened. "Sure." Hikari nodded and increased her pace, the spiky, red-haired girl only stared at her. She is definitely hiding some sort of secret. Whatever it is, it really affected her. I just hope we can do something to change that.

Yosh! Another chapter come and gone. As I stated before, this chapter wasn't nearly as long as I'd... wanted (Ha!) to make it, but it seemed like a good place to end it where I did. For those who enjoyed the chapter, that means I did an alright job. For those who think it could've been better, I completely agree with you. And for those of you who've been waiting for "Vengeful Darkness" to be updated. I'm going straight to working on it. Just hang on for a bit longer. Ja ne!