A/N - This fic has to be one of the best ones I've ever written!  But phooey… I gotta be SICK while I write it…  AND IT'S SUMMER VACATION TOO!!  My school has a messed up schedule that gives me summer in May.  Isn't that cool…  ^_^ But I'm sick…  T_T  People want me to write long chapters…  *sob*  BUT I CAN'T WRITE LONG THINGS!!!!  *sobs*  Oh, and things get juicy right about NOW!!

Chapter Six: Thief of Innocence

When I wish on a star, with my pride on the wind
I'll surely be able to see a tomorrow that can't be erased by today...

~Translation of I Wish

            Takato had never liked school.  It wasn't his fault he did phenomenally, it was just the way things were.  He had never done so well before…  But Takato merely accepted this as a fact, that when he was jaded, he tended to do without thinking, simply to get it over with.  And when he didn't think, everything went fairly well.

            This was the reason, he, on this cold December day, was trudging towards school, simply to get it over with.  He didn't bother looking at the curious stares of people, or at the frantic waves and shouts of his friends.  Only Juri got, for a rare second, a half-grin, but it vanished the moment it appeared, and she wondered if she had imagined it. 

            But Juri's cheeks flushed with delight when she saw the familiar yellow and blue goggles perched on Takato's head.  Had he really listened? 

            All during class, Takato simply sat and did his work, at times idly gazing out the window into the sky.  His friends watched him, torn between delight and sadness.  Takato's dreamy state of before was no more, but they were seeing glimpses of it here and there. 

            At lunch, Takato, as custom, picked at his food, but Juri surprised him by plopping down right next to him, and beginning to talk casually.  Several boys looked enviously over at Takato, as Juri was the object of several boys' affections, and this undemonstrative boy was winning her over.  

            But Juri's careless chatter lowered into a tone of compassion.  "Takato-kun?  What happened to you…  I can't stand to see you like this…  Please, Takato, why won't you talk to me…" 

            "--kun?"  Takato's simple word surprised her.  "Takato-kun?"  And he smiled, although it really was a sad smile, she saw a flicker of happiness hidden inside.  "That sounds nice…"  But just as quickly, the wisp of happiness vanished, and Takato was again sober and quiet.

            "Please…  Takato-kun!  Tell me…  I won't hurt you…"  A single tear fell out of Juri's eyes, and it landed on Takato's hand.  He looked at it silently for a while. 

            "After school.  In the park.  Don't tell anyone.  Please? Juri-chan?"  And just as suddenly, Takato was gone.  Juri sat in shock for a few minutes.  Then, she smiled.  A few tables away, a smiling face turned cold.  Three people were anxious for the end of school: Takato, because he was unloading his burden to Juri, Juri, because she would find what was wrong with Takato, and finally, another who planned to silence Takato forever.

            After school came swiftly, and Juri raced for the park.  Already there, Takato sat, staring into the wind, almost as if he saw something special there.  For a brief second, Juri marveled at how beautiful he looked, staring sadly into the wind.  "Takato-kun…"  She swiftly ran down, and seated herself next to him.   "Will you tell me now?  Tell me what's wrong?  What happened?"

            Her companion's crimson eyes flashed a little, but he said nothing.  He seemed to fighting with himself, in a way that reminded her of a trapped animal, torn between freedom and the ones he loves.  "Alright."  He took a deep breath, and slowly began into his story. 

            "A year ago, the day I went to the park alone because you were busy.  I ran into…him…  He made me come with him to Guilmon's old hideout.  Then… I dunno…  We were just talking, when…"  Takato burst into uncontrollable sobs at this point.  He tried to stop, and only succeeded in crying harder.  Juri sat, stunned.  "He began touching me…

            "And then, he got worse, and he pulled out a knife…  I was scared.  Too scared to tell anyone or ask for help…  Damn him…  And then…  And then…"  Takato's tears streamed down his cheek, and he seemed that he could go no further.  But he managed to take a deep breath.  "He…he…raped me."  And the fragile child, torn apart by this one event, hugged his legs, and pulled himself up close, and cried.

            "Who?  Takato, who raped you?"  He refused to answer, simply crying all the harder.  "Takato!"  And suddenly, before Juri knew what she was doing, she slapped him across the face. 

            His wide ruby orbs shot her a look of confusion and fear.  "Takato…  I can't help you unless you find your courage…  Please, I'll protect you…" 

            "It was…it was…Jenrya."  And Juri was shocked into silence.  Jenrya?  Kind, sensitive, caring Jenrya raped innocent, sweet Takato?  Her thoughts flickered wildly, from person to person.  It was an impossible concept, but she knew Takato would never lie about such a thing.  It…it had to be true…  She watched sobbing Takato next to her, and she realized it was true.  Jenrya was one of Takato's closest friends, and if he could turn against him…  No wonder poor Takato was upset and confused. 

            "Takato…"  And she hugged him.  He let out a small gasp of shock, and slowly slid into the embrace.  He let out a shaky breath, and relaxed.  Soon, Juri leaned back, and Takato lay upon her, calmer.

            Soon, she felt his breathing relax, and she smiled to see he was asleep.  She sat up a little, and smiled at his sleeping head in her lap.  The two sat like this for a very long time, unawares of the pair of flashing gray eyes watching from behind a tree.