Disclaimer: I wouldn't be doing this if I did own Digimon.
A/N: It may just be me, but I saw a bit of resemblance going on between Tagiru and Akari. And I like both of them, Akari more that Tagiru, but hey. The kid's still cute/adorable. Whatevers. Enjoy.
When He Met You
"Onee-san, where are you taking me?" whined a brunette with a red-streak of hair at the center of his spiky mess.
"Oh hush, Tagiru," Akari nagged, continuing to lead him down the sidewalk. "Auntie said that since you're new to this area, it would be good if I could show you around."
"Humph, I'd be able to find my way around here by myself."
"Yes," she agreed, thinking back at her cousin's tendency to do things by himself. "But it'll be faster if I help you out."
"Tch," Tagiru Akashi rolled his eyes, weaving his fingers behind his head casually. This earned him a hard knock to the head. "Owowowow! What was that for?"
"Show some respect for your elders," truthfully, Akari was just a few months older than the boy, but she wasn't going to mention that if she wanted to prove her point. The red-head relaxed as they came into view of a park. "Look we're here. Now, don't be rude to my friends or you'll regret it."
"Got it," he groaned, rubbing the growing bump on his scalp. As the two relatives came near a tall fenced area, the sound of a clean swoosh of a net attracted Tagiru's attention. "Basketball?"
"The score is now 2 to 2," Nene declared, as two opposing teams of two took a moment to rest, wiping the sweat from their brows.
"Man, they caught up already," Zenjirou cursed, his usually explosive military cut tied back for convenience.
"Kiriha and Yuu make a good team," Taiki shrugged, dribbling the ball over to the other side of the court. Said persons were currently strategizing to finally turn the game in their favor. "We need to… Ah, Akari, you're here!"
All people inside the fence turned to greet the new arrivals. Nene met her first, giving her a hug that she returned, "What took you so long?"
"This guy was dragging his feet," Akari introduced. "He's my cousin, Tagiru Akashi. Please be nice to him. Or at least tolerate him. He can get a bit annoying sometimes."
"Hey!" the two-toned boy snapped out of his trance. He had been spellbound by how pretty Nene was. How could his cousin have such a cute friend?
"I bet he isn't that bad, Akari," momentarily pausing the game, Taiki walked up to receive a big hug from his childhood friend. Breaking away from it after a minute, he stretched out his hand for Tagiru to shake. "I'm Taiki Kudou. Akari told us that you've just moved here."
"Yeah, and she's told me a lot about you," he grinned knowingly, receiving yet another bump on his forehead. His cousin then proceeded to introduce the rest of the group, daring him to comment further.
Taiki chuckled, not understanding the 'joke', "Hey, Zenjirou. Do you mind switching out with Tagiru for the rest of the game?"
"I don't really mind," the kenshi shrugged, neglecting to mention that he had been getting tired.
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Taiki-san?" Yuu frowned, raising an eyebrow at the boy's Gum Face t-shirt. "It doesn't look like he'll even the odds much."
"What did you just say to me, blondie?" Tagiru fumed, getting up his face. Yuu failed to fall for the advance and remained calm.
"I said what I said," Yuu crossed his arms superiorly.
"Well, just you wait!" Tagiru declared, falling back next to former general of Xros Heart. "Taiki-san and I are going to win!"
Their game ended like it always did when Taiki and Kiriha were pitted against each other. A draw. The group's newest addition adamantly rejected this decision, stating that his foul shot should never have been called as such. Well, that was Tagiru Akashi for you. Never accepting a loss.
A/N: Yes, I do think they're cousins. Who knows? Maybe the writers of the show will make it happen. Possibly. Maybe. Not likely. Okay, the next few chapters take place in the present, or alternate timeline kind of present. Some new kids are joining the hunt. Or, are they even new at all?