Loving Hearts

Takari Edition

Ch. 2-Growing Love

Last time, in Chapter One:The Moment, TK and Kari had admitted their love for each other. What could happen next for the happy couple?

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TK and Kari were happily walking home. Kari's arms were crossed in front of her, having her right hand grab TK's left, which came around her slender waist, and her left holding his right. Like last time, they still had their heads resting upon each other, and both were somewhat drowsy, with big ear-to-ear grins across both faces in the couple.

"So, Kari, it's about time I got you home," commented TK. He seemed almost reluctant to let her go. He gave her a soft kiss on her forehead, and taking his left hand, smoothed her hair affectionately, only to put it back with Kari's hand.

"Yeah," Kari replied. She would have seemed to be sleeping if not for her only dreamy response. She seemed to be enjoying herself immensely, as if only her and TK existed. It seemed also good enough to be a dream. Kari managed to keep her pace level with TK's, although only subconciously. Whenever TK would say something, her response only remained to be "Yeah" seemingly coming from her own dreamy little world.

TK only kissed her forehead again and kept her walking. He could see how close she was to falling asleep as before, in the park, and almost the only thing stopping her was TK holding her up, and his presence. Her apartment seemed to grow out of the distance any time too soon, and he almost wished that they were still in the park. Alone, in the serenity of their little clearing. However, TK wouldn't want Tai or Kari's parents to worry. They might already have started, but seeing her home safe and sound would keep their minds from worrying.

TK was still holding Kari while in the doorway of her building. Not wishing to disturb her, TK pressed the button that would signal her apartment that she was home using his elbow. When Tai's voice answered, TK tried not to raise his voice too loud, lest he disturb Kari.

"Tai, I have Kari with me, safe and sound. Unlock the door, will ya?"

"Oh, right TK, I'll do that," Tai reassured, and he took TK's hint and had his voice lowered.

TK heard a buzz and a click as the door was unlocked, and with a little bit of a struggle, managed to open the door without disturbing Kari. He took her to the elevator, and he gently rapped on the apartment door as they reached it. He found himself staring into Tai's eyes, right before he released Kari into his arms.

"Hey, what happened that tired you two out so much?" He had obviously noticed their drowsiness. "And why are you two looking like that?" Their grins hadn't gone unnoticed either.

TK tried to keep himself from yawning. "Don't worry, and I bet Kari can tell you all about it when she feels more like it."

"Well, ok, if you say so." Tai trusted Kari with TK, obviously. TK, on the verge of sleep, vaguely remembered promising to take care of her three years ago, during their original adventures.

"Well, bye now," TK replied. He was wearily walking down the hall and disappeared into the elavator. Tai looked at Kari. He couldn't wait for their story.

*****

TK walked into the room, oblivious of the fact that the door had been unlocked. There, Matt was waiting for him. TK usually got checked up on about once every weekend his mom was away.

"Oh, hey TK, what's up?" Matt's question fell on near deaf ears. With one look at him, Matt judged that something big had happened, something good though, by the big grin. TK only walked into his room and fell on his bed, smiling up at the ceiling with his eyes closed. One quick peek, and Matt thought to himself. I'll have to stick around and hear this story.

*****

TK awoke like he did earlier that morning, brimming with energy. He felt happy, and noticed Matt their preparing their supper for the evening. TK was smiling, but unaware of the fact. "Oh, hi Matt! So what are you doing here?"

"Preparing supper and waiting to hear your story, what else?" TK tried, but only vaguely remembered walking in the room.

"Oh, yeah, that," TK answered. He clearly remembered what Matt was talking about, what happened in the park. TK knew that there wouldn't be any problem with telling Matt, and he would find out anyway, so he told him the full story, all of the details. TK also figured that it would help to save time, because Matt, and Tai when he found out from Kari, would call and tell the rest of the original digidestined. Over at Kari's, it was pretty much the same, her telling Tai while sitting on her bed.

By the time TK had finished, supper was ready, so they ate first and commented after.

"So, tiger, you know what to do now?" joked Matt, who playfully punched TK in the arm.

"Well, not exactly, but what?" TK inquired up from a plate of food.

"Why, ask her out on a date of course!" Matt threw his hands up in emphasis. He told TK how they should have a date, something romantic, a memorable date.

Once supper was finished, TK lay back on his bed, ideas in his head. What should their first date be like? Something like a resteraunt would be too impersonal, so he decided on a candlelight dinner, cheffed by himself and Matt. He was actually pretty good at cooking himself, so he made a plan. Him and Matt would start working on a meal. Somewhere in the middle of cooking, he would change into something nice and pick up Kari. They would walk back to his place, and Matt would leave as they got there. They would have a romantic evening and return Kari to her apartment. It was perfect. The two brothers decided to have this first date on the next saturday, kind of like an anniversary. There was only one thing left besides the actual date, which was asking Kari on it!

*****

Tai picked up the phone in his and Kari's joint room. "Hello?" he asked.

TK's voice was clearly on the other end of the line. "Hey Tai, I need to speak to Kari".

Tai could only grin. Looking to Kari, he said, "Hey, guess what, it's your loverboy on the line for you!" He ran out of the room and slammed the door as he heard Kari throw a pillow at him and miss.

"Oh, hi TK! I wasn't expecting a call so early from you. I told Tai about everything. What's this about? A date?" Kari's eyes widened in excitement. "Oh, I would just love to, TK! Next saturday? You can expect me there! Oh, and wear something nice? Oh, I will!" Kari hung up the phone and sat down giggling on her bed. Could this really be true? A date next saturday... she sighed again dreamily and lay back. Bolting upright, she ran over to her closet. She would have to find something to wear!

*****

Throughout the week, TK and Kari could only wait for saturday. The other new digidestined, excluding Davis, soon caught on to the couple. They had been friendlier to eac other than usual. They decided to sit the two down on friday afternoon to ask them.

Yolei started. "Ok, something is going on. Don't think we didn't notice, we've seen you two act more friendly to each other," and she eyed them with suspicion. TK and Kari wer on a bench together, with Cody, Yolei, and Ken standing in front of them. "Well? I'm looking for an answer?"

TK decided to play it cool. He put his arm around Kari, and answered almost nonchalantily, "Oh, all right, we're a couple." Kari giggled while TK went on, "I guess we can't hide things from you".

Yolei's mood almost immediately shifted. She clapped her hands in front of her and exclaimed happily, "Oh! That's just great!" agreements came all around.

"I am happy for you two," went Ken.

"Yeah, this is great news!" said Cody.

TK decided to continue. "Yeah, but I would like for this to remain unknown by Davis. I don't think he would handle it well".

There were murmurs of agreement. Yolei fired off a last few questions before she was satisfied and left with the others.

*****

It was saturday evening. TK had just finished changing into something a little, well, more formal. He had ditched his new trademark fisherman hat along with his everyday clothes, and was wearing a rather spiffy rental tux. He had the nice dress pants, a clean white dress shirt, a vest over that, and the final suit piece over top. In the left chest of the vest was a visible corsage, a flower that he had died yellow to represent his crest of hope, and he had another flower for Kari, died pink to represent her crest of light.

"So, Matt, how do I look?" TK was looking rather nice, and he thought so himself, but a second opinion wouldn't hurt.

Matt looked him up and down. He had an apron on and was wiping his had. Behind him was a small table with a candleholder in the center holding up three candles, to be lit during the dinner. There were also plates, utensils, and napkins on the table. It was the perfect environment. The lights would be dimmed and there would be the soft glow of candles around them. Matt finally responded, in a british accent, "Well, well, rather smashing if I do say so myself!" He ducked a swipe from TK as he laughed.

"Just remember Matt, be gone in a few minutes, before I'm back," responded TK, "I want to be alone with Kari."

Matt chuckled and went back to putting the finishing touches on a few dishes. "Yeah, whatever you say, loverboy!" Matt dodged another swipe and chuckled some more as TK left.

*****

TK was standing outside Kari's apartment. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He quickly rapped on the door three times and waited. Tai appeared in the doorway, but he knew why TK was there and called Kari over to the door. When she reached TK, he was speechless. She was wearing a long flowing dress that was bright pink, and he could have sworn it sparkled a little. There was a slit in the dress running up the side of her leg. And her face, where only a faint trace of makeup was found, and that could only bring out her more natural beauty.

"So, TK." Tai managed to snap him out of his trance. "If you bring her home too late, you're dead."

Kari gave a giggle and TK managed a nervous chuckle. "Oh, don't worry Tai, TK won't bring me back too late, he takes good care of me. Right, TK?" TK managed to quickly nod.

"Oh, whatever, just remember you two." Tai gave one last warning glance towards TK to make sure.

*****

"Oh, TK! This is just lovely!" Kari managed to exclaim. TK thought so himself, and it did seem lovely, perfect even. There was obviously the faint glow of candles along with the dim lights, and there were a few dishes just waiting in the kitchen for the two to eat.

"It was the least I could do for you, Kari," TK said back with a grin. On Kari's dress was the corsage that TK had given her, pink for the crest of light. "Now, why don't you sit down, and I'll bring out our food?" TK pulled a chair out from under the table for Kari to sit in a gentleman like manner. Kari was almost blushing as she did. TK went behing the kitchen counter and brought out two plates of some of the food he and Matt prepared earlier. Kari was amazed. Even if Matt did help TK, the food was still amazing. The two happily talked and ate throughout the evening.

*****

"Well, that was good," was TK's response at the end of their meal, laying his spoon down in his bowl. The two had eaten three main dishes, and a bowl of ice cream each for their dessert. Kari was daintily eating her ice cream while TK wiped his mouth on one of the napkins, for she felt nearly stuffed, but still wanted to eat the ice cream. She gave TK a smile while she held the spoon in her mouth.

"Good? I would say that was excellent!" Kari found that good did not fully describe her evening. "But, anyway, I am done now." She stuck her spoon into her remaining ice cream. Looking at the microwave timer, it read 10:00, three hours since TK had picked her up at 7. "What do you say I go home now?"

"Sure, but I couldn't let you walk by yourself all the way home at this time. Let's say I walk you their." Kari managed a little nod and she stood up with TK to go out the door.

TK and Kari had enjoyed their evening immensely. First there was the food. That was more than good as TK put it, but he didn't want to sound concieted. Then there was each other. That alone was almost enough to make their evening perfect. And now their was a short walk under the light of the stars. Their was a sudden breeze as they left the apartment.

"Kari, you must be cold. Here, wear my jacket," and with that, TK took of the jacket of his tux and wrapped it around Kari, as well as giving her a hug. Kari only blushed and snuggled closer to TK. When they finally reached their apartment, almost too soon, TK gave a knock on their door.

"Well, it looks like the night is over now," Kari sounded almost disappointed. She was looking down, but TK suddenly took her in a warm embrace with a kiss. Kari's disappointment was flooded away as her dreamy look and feel came to her again. The door opened and they heard and saw a camera going of several times. However, they really didn't care.

When they finally finished, Kari sleepily went off to her bed, and TK was in the doorway holding his jacket across his shoulder. He shared Kari's dreamy look. In the doorway was Tai, who was holding a camera. TK just smiled and said.

"I'll take 3 copies of each picture."

*****

TK had dreamily walked home. He finally came to his apartment. Blowing out the candles, he draped his tux over the back of one chair. He simply walked into his bedroom and lay back on his bed. He still had that dreamy look as he fell asleep. He would have to clean up tomorrow.

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This concludes Chapter Two: Growing Love, in Loving Hearts, the Takari edition. I hope you enjoyed, please R&R.
There is also the possibility of some more chapters that I hope you will enjoy equally.

Disclaimer: the concept of, and everything relating to, Digimon is not owned by myself.
However, I do own this entire story, excluding the characters involved.
One final note is that similarities between this story and other stories is most likely unintentional.