Fire Inside the Man
By: Takeru


Takeru walked down the familiar streets of Odaiba. The image of a woman once again appeared in his mind: She had shoulder length brown hair, beautiful eyes, and a light pink turtleneck. She was beautiful.

A woman I need your guiding hand.

All he'd thought about lately was her. He was dying to see her again, but she'd probably moved. She, most likely, wasn't anywhere near Odaiba! And even if she were here, she hated him. But still, if he could just get on glimpse of her...

Show me the way to the promise land

Takeru needed guidance; he was lost. He had no clue as to where he was in life.

The fever that burns in my heart
You're the fire inside the man
Yes you are

He walked up to the familiar apartment stairs. He walked to the apartment, as a glimmer of hope shone in his heart; the Yagami Residence sign still hung.

Takeru considered walking away. She probably wasn't there anyway. Taichi might live there, but not her. But then that image of her appeared again. His hand hovered, ready to knock on the door.

Whenever I feel like just giving up
Whenever my dreams just fade away
I just return to my heart
'Cause I know that I'll find you there
Yes I will

Takeru knocked on the door three times. Third time's the charm! He thought. The hall light turned on. Slowly, the front door opened. Prepared to see Taichi, Takeru simply smiled; the bright light from inside left him temporarily blinded.

But instead of the deep, yet still obnoxious, voice of Taichi, he heard a more feminine voice. Then, he felt himself being wrapped in her arms. A familiar smell tickled his nose.

And when the world is closing in
You come and save me once again

"Hi-Hikari?!" Takeru stammered.
"Oh, T.K.! I'm so happy to see you!" she paused, "DO people still even call you T.K.?" She pulled him inside.
"You can call me T.K. ... if you'd like to."
"What brings you here? I'm so shocked to see you! I was just thinking of you too!"
"You were...thinking of...me?!"
Hikari rolled her eyes, "It's hard not to think of you!" She blushed. "I mean, with you disappearing after the Christmas party!"
"Well, I thought... I guess I figured you hated me. I found no sense in staying here."
Ignoring the compliment, Hikari continued. "Hated you?! Takeru -T.K.- I've always liked you, a lot. I can't imagine hating you."
Takeru blushed. "Really?"
"Absolutely! Now sit down. You want a drink?"

Well there's never been a boy who's luckier
There's never been more grateful man
And although I don't show it a lot and
I know what I've with you
Yes I do

After talking for awhile, Hikari brought up the subject what had happened at that bridge so many years ago.
"I don't know why I did that." Takeru said, the slightest hint of aggravation in his voice.
Sensing Takeru's aggravation, she offered him another drink. "You have got to learn to understand him, so don't push him to talk about...that!" Hikari told herself as she poured the drinks.

And when there's a storm that's close at hand
You'll push it was you'll understand
And I'll do anything just to please you
I'll do anything just to know that I can hold onto you

The grandfather clock chimed midnight. Hikari and Takeru continued talking, catching up on their past.

"A special bond..." both thought in unison.

'Cause woman I need you're guiding hand
Show me the way to the promise land
A fever that burns in my heart
You're the fire inside the man
Yes you are