Author's notes: The 9th chapter done; enjoy the story! Pointers:

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon …lalala

Summary: Takeru decides to give up until he was told the importance of friendship…

For Reviewers:

Fiorella Takaishi –Thank you!

CHAPTER 9:

Together Again

It was pouring outside, so heavy that it was hard to have a nice view of the city. The hot-head groaned as he turned here and there on the bed. His mind was in a mess, he didn't know what he was upset or frustrated about. He just started groaning and walking around the house in a vexed manner the moment he got home. Then, feeling really vexed, he grabs his pillow and placed it over his face. Soon, he fell asleep.

-- -- --

The blonde stared at the rain from inside of his room. 1 hand on the window pane, the other holding a small little photo (A/N: Purikura/ Neoprint). He had been staring out for a long time, with his mind in a mess. He just sat down on his chair, looking out of the window in an unbothered and lifeless manner. Then, he sighed as he wore his fishing hat, covering his eyes. He sat back, giving himself a little stretch before going to bed. Then, Takeru turned off the light and head off to bed. With the rain still pouring heavily outside, the blonde drags the blanket over him as he slowly closed his eyes…

-- -- --

The brunette walked slowly, into the living room as she put on her black windbreaker. She traipsed her way, still thinking deep in her mind over the several things that had happened to her. Then, she walked into the kitchen, preparing a cup of hot water for herself. She held the cup with her fair hands and walked steadily towards the couch. She took a few sips to warm herself up as she moved towards the window by the couch. She stared out.

So many things had happened recently, things that are taking impact on my life…

She took a few more sips as she adjusted her hair.

They were all so unexpected, unexpected things from unexpected people…

She sighed as she lowered her cup, wanting to watch the rain for a longer time.

Maybe they were all just part of my dream, something that will never be real…

Then, she took another sip. After a while, she sneezed and accidentally dropped the cup on the carpet. To her horror, the water splashed out from the cup onto her right foot…

-- -- --

The next day…

The day started awfully weird. Everything was so unusual and lifeless. School life was as per normal with students chatting and hanging out together. Among the students hanging out by the corridors, Takeru walked. He was in his usual manner: He had his hands tucked into his pockets, and looking unbothered like usual. However, there was something different about him today.

Something doesn't feel right today.

Then, he entered the classroom, with Bandou and his gang together. He walked across them, greeting them lifelessly as he sat down on his seat. Neither Daisuke nor Hikari was in class he thought. He sighed slightly.

Then, the hot-head entered the room, awfully quiet and calm. He didn't say a word as he sat down, quietly placing his head over the table soon falling asleep. Takeru observed Daisuke as he folded his arms.

Even something about him isn't right.

The teacher soon walked in as the school bell rang. He soon started taking attendance. "Bandou."

The goggle-head raised his arm in reply as the teacher marked on the paper. He continued until he called out a certain name that shook Takeru and Daisuke awake.

"Hikari." There was no reply, silence filled the air. Then, the teacher skipped her and continued lesson like usual.

Where is she?

The 2 guys got deep in thought as the day continued like usual.

After school…

The 2 boys gathered in their usual meeting place as they sat down quietly.

Daisuke was yawning away while Takeru was biting his lower lips here and then. "I wondered what happened to her…" The hot-head mumbled. Takeru didn't answer; to be exact he wasn't listening.

"Takeru?" The hot-head asked. There was still no reply. All of a sudden, Takeru stood up, with Daisuke alarmed in shock.

"Let's go see her." He said firmly as he grabbed Daisuke out into the door. Daisuke looked puzzled as he followed Takeru.

-- -- --

The 2 boys walked down the quiet lane, slowly into a range of compartments. "So this is where she lives?" Daisuke asked as he continued walking.

"I guess so, that's what Ishii sensei told us." Takeru replied as he continued searching for the drive and blocks. Then, he found it.

"Okay, so this is it?"

"Let's see first…" Takeru clicked on the door bell as Daisuke and he waited outside.

Then, someone came out of the house. It was Hikari, looking pale and sick. She coughed as she walked. Until the 2 boys came in sight, she stood in surprise and awe. Daisuke waved while Takeru stood emotionlessly.

The 3 took off for a walk in the park. "What happened?" Daisuke asked.

"Nothing much…" The brunette answered weakly. "Just had a flu that almost led to a fever…" She coughed a little.

"Oh…so that's all?" The hot-head continued. Hikari nodded in return while Takeru kept quiet. Daisuke stared at the blonde as he walked.

"What?" Takeru sounded irritated.

"You're awfully quiet…" The hot-head answered.

"Aren't I always quiet?" He smirked.

"Normally you're irritating and arrogant. I don't count that as being quiet." Takeru looked irritated this time as the smirk from his face disappeared.

"Guys…I have to go now…" Hikari cut in as she took a u-turn back into the road.

"Oh, okay. Bye." Daisuke said while Takeru kept quiet again. Then Hikari stopped.

"Maybe…Maybe this might sound weird…But…" She muttered. Daisuke and Takeru listened closely. "I would really appreciate it if you guys were to forget everything that had happened…I don't want to trouble you guys, I can solve it on my own. So please, forget about everything that had happened and go on back to your usual lives." She bowed and then turned to walk back down the road.

"Hikari…" Daisuke muttered. Takeru watched as Hikari coughed and made her way back home.

"What about the picture?" The hot-head asked as he took it out. In the picture, Takeru and Daisuke were inside, making cute faces with their hands posed in a winning sign. There were glitters on it and the 2 boys acted as though they were girls when they took the Purikura.

"That…Throw it." Takeru said coldly. Daisuke gasped as he asked again.

"What for? I mean it's all for Hikari right? We should just…" Takeru cut in.

"Just throw it! She said very clearly to butt out of her business…" The blonde continued walking down the streets. Daisuke chased up, wanting to know what was going on. Somewhere behind them, Hikari was hiding and secretly watching them. She sighed.

-- -- --

Later that evening…

The day was awfully weird and sad. It rained again, but this time, it was not too heavy. Takeru stared out into the sky again. He was holding the Purikura in his hand, as he placed his head between his arms on the table. Then, he turned to face the dustbin. Just as he was about to throw the tiny photo into the bin, his phone rang.

Who could it be…

It was Daisuke. Takeru answered the call unwillingly.

"What is it…"

"Hey, can you meet me at Palette Town tomorrow evening?"

"What for…"

"Come on, I need your help!"

"And what help to be exact?"

"Come on! Just go tomorrow and you will know!"

"No interest…I—"

"Alright then, tomorrow in front of the entrance to Palette Town at 4, see you then!" Daisuke ended the call immediately leaving Takeru no way to reject.

What is this dimwit up to this time…

-- -- --

Saturday evening, 3.45pm…

Takeru reached there early this time, with Daisuke out of sight. Feeling bored, he found a spot to sit down as he laid back and relax. Then, he took out the Purikura. He spotted a dustbin by the entrance of Palette Town. He gave the photo a glance and smirked.

I don't see any meaning in this thing now; guess I will just throw it away…

Then, he stood up and moved to the bin. He looked at the Purikura 1 last time before throw it inside. The Purikura was already pasted on a small star keychain. Then as he tucked his hands into his pocket and waited for Daisuke's arrival.

Quite a while has passed yet the hot-head hasn't shown up. Takeru got pretty impatient that he wanted to leave the place until a fight broke up all of a sudden. 2 guys were struggling with one another, pulling shirts and punching everywhere. It aroused the passers-by attention.

What a sight…

The passers-by stood by one side, watching in astonishment as the 2 guys embarrassed themselves. They rolled on the floor, pulling here and there trying to pin the one another down. Soon, many crowded around to see what had happened.

I better leave here soon…

All of a sudden, the 2 boys got up and threw punches around. 1 of the guys, with spiky hair gave a punch into the other guy's face, making him stumbled backwards. Takeru, who was about to leave the scene, got tangled into the situation. He fell down as the guy stumbled onto him. The spiky-haired got mixed up with the situation and punched Takeru instead.

What the…

Takeru struggled back, wanting to get away but he was held back. The 2 boys had no idea what they were doing this time; they were so infuriated that they would punch anyone in their way. Soon, the blonde got up and stopped the 2, pushing them away from one another. "Stop it, you 2!"

Then, a police officer came by to stop the scene. "What's going on?!" They 3 boys stopped in horror as the police officer dragged them away.

What did I get myself into now…

After a while,

Daisuke had just arrived but he couldn't see the blonde anyway. Hikari was beside him. "Who are you looking for?"

"No one special…" Daisuke stopped as he walked into Palette Town. "Come on, let's go."

Hikari followed without any doubts. Meanwhile, Takeru ended up in the police station…

-- -- --

"So…" The rugged man coughed as he spoke up firmly. He frowned at the 3 boys sitting in front of him. He then clam his fingers, watching the boys with uncertainty.

First, he stared towards the right. The boy sitting on the right side was shaking his leg. He had brown spiky hair and an earring on his left ear. He was the one who punched his friend.

Then, the middle-aged man looked to the left. On the left side was the one who got the most bruises on his face. He had a blurred look on his face and his hair length was until his collar. It was spiked like his friend's. He gave the most unpleasant and frustrated look on his face.

Finally he looked at the center. In the center was Takeru, looking all bored and innocent. He yawned as he crossed his arms.

"Fighting right there, in front of so many people, not shame eh?!" The officer said hoarsely.

"So?" The spiky-haired replied.

"What kind of attitude is that?! Now, what was all that commotion for?!" The man demanded for an answer.

Takeru yawned and this time, the officer stared at him.

"And you! Stop giving me that look, that's an insult!" He looked irritated as he stared at the blonde.

"Look here, sir. I have got nothing to do with this. Can I go?" Takeru demanded.

"You were found, standing right in the middle. And now you say that you aren't involved?" The officer fought back.

"Look, I got tangled into the situation because this guy landed on me!" The blonde replied furiously.

"I've seen people like you all these years, giving lame excuses." He then lit up his cigarette. Takeru sighed in distress.

"Hey dude, can we go now?" 1 of the guys asked.

"Not until I get a valid reason." The officer puffed.

Takeru got irritated so he laid back and waited for time to pass…

-- -- --

Hikari and Daisuke had been playing and eating all they could the whole time. They had so much fun and soon it hit night…

"It was so much fun." Hikari smiled.

"Yeah I guess…" Daisuke smiled back.

"So, why did you want to go out all of a sudden…" Hikari asked as she drank her cup of ice coffee.

Daisuke scratched his head, wanting to give a reasonable excuse.

Should I say we were suppose to meet Takeru…or not?

"Actually…" He gulped…

-- -- --

"So that's it?" The officer threw his cigarette away. "The 2 of you are just fighting for some girl and this boring boy has got nothing to do with this at all?"

"Yeah…" The 2 guys answered as Takeru yawned.

"So, can I go now?" Takeru asked.

"Erm…Erm…Fine. I will lead the way." He stood up and asked the blonde to follow him out of the station. Then, as they walked out, they realized the sky had already darkened. The officer breathed hard, as the cool air breezed.

"You know, it's been a long time since I've seen someone like you." The man smirked.

"Huh?" Takeru was puzzled.

"Youngsters nowadays, only know how to fight and do all sorts of bad things."

Seriously, I didn't plan to stop them in the first place…

"There's been very few who are willing to contribute to this society. It's hard actually, life I mean." The officer smiled at Takeru as he tucked his hands into his pockets.

"Is that right…" Takeru mumbled.

"You must be someone who treasures friendship a lot, eh? You know, better friends than enemies." The officer questioned as he patted the blonde by the shoulders.

"Huh?" Takeru looked shocked.

You've gotta be joking…

"Well, I've seen so many people for the years I've served as an officer. People like you hardly exist anymore. You must be the type that hates fighting therefore you're willing to stop the fight…"

Absolutely not…

"But still, remember this kid." The officer winked. "Friendship is worth a million in this world, or maybe it's priceless. It's friendship that enables us to live on this society, helping us to survive. Not alone but with love from friends."

Friendship…

"Oh well, you better get going! I will deal with those 2 back there!" The officer waved as he walked back into the station. Takeru stood there, thinking about what the man had told him.

-- -- --

Daisuke and Hikari were on their way back home. The hot-head was still wandering where Takeru had gone to while Hikari walked quietly.

"Thank you for today." The brunette thanked.

"Yeah, no problem." Daisuke replied.

"It's a pity, that Takeru didn't come."

"I guess so…"

Then, all of a sudden, Takeru appeared in front of them.

"Takeru!" The hot-head exclaimed.

"Takeru…" Hikari muttered.

"Sorry I was late…Had something…on." The blonde answered awkwardly.

"No problem!" Daisuke exclaimed as he stuffed his hand into his pocket and took out a star keychain. "Here, Hikari."

"What's…" Hikari took the keychain and saw the Purikura on the star. "This…"

"Erm, come on back onto the team with us." Daisuke spoke.

Oh no…my keychain…It's…

"Wait a while! I will be back soon!" Then the blonde ran as fast as he could back to Palette Town. The other 2 watched as Takeru ran.

Deep in Takeru's mind, the words recalled:

Friendship is worth a million in this world, or maybe it's priceless. It's friendship that enables us to live on this society, helping us to survive. Not alone but with love from friends.

He ran towards the bin and started searching high and low for the keychain. He was desperate for it. Then, as he threw everything out from the bin, he found it. "Found it!"

Friendship…

He ran back as fast as he could, as he panted and spoke up.

"Takeru…" Daisuke gasped.

"Here…It…is…" The blonde panted as he held out the keychain. Hikari was stunned, as she took the keychain.

"This…" She spoke softly. She stared hard at the photo, with Daisuke and Takeru inside. Slowly, slowly, her eyes went teary…

"Don't tell me you threw it away… This keychain is worth…" Takeru cut in.

"It's priceless…" He looked firm and serious.

"…" Daisuke was dumbfounded.

Then, the sound of Hikari crying shook the boys. Tears were slowly flowing down her cheeks. She sniffed as she looked up. "Thank…you."

Takeru and Daisuke smirked as they held each other by the shoulders. Hikari smiled back as she wept away her tears. Then, she pulled the 2 boys along with her.

"Where to?" Takeru asked.

"To take another picture." Hikari said cheerfully.

"What for?" Diasuke asked this time.

"To take a photo of us together!" Then she pulled the boys even harder, as they ran towards Palette Town.

There, they took a start in their friendship, with memories so hard to erase. They might never forget, the promise they made under the stars, a promise that took a change in their lives…

TO BE CONTINUED

A/N: Chapter 9! Another long chapter, sorry, anyway review and comment please! The romance might start soon I guess…