DISCLAIMER: I do not own Digimon or any of its characters. I just like to torture them. Please don't sue. Man, I need a new disclaimer.
Authoress's Notes: I don't think there's much to say. I think I wasted all my breath back in the first chapter! Oh well, on with the fanfic.
Mere months after the worlds are saved from Apocalymon...
Or, three years *before* the Digimon Kaiser, Armor Digivolve, and the passing on of the goggles...
Twelve-year-old Miyako Inoue happily ran up the steps. She'd finished sweeping up the floor of her family's convenience store, and was free to play with her friends.
She knocked on the door of the Motomiya's apartment and Daisuke's sister Jun answered. "Oh...hi, Yolei." Daisuke's sister was weird--but then again, she was fourteen and far boy-crazier than Miyako ever would be. "I think Davis and Cody are playing some video game." Jun turned and went into her room, leaving Miyako to close the door, remove her shoes, and find Daisuke herself.
Miyako shook her head as she entered the apartment and found Daisuke sprawled on the floor, controller in his hands. Iori was on the couch behind him, watching in silence. But then, Iori was so serious ever since his father had been killed a few months back--far quieter than any seven-year-old should have been.
"Hi, Davis, hi Cody," Miyako said, sitting on the floor next to Daisuke. "So, what are we gonna do today?"
Daisuke shrugged. "I dunknow," he said.
"Cody?" Miyako asked.
"I don't care."
Miyako shook her head. Why she chose to hang out with two guys, both younger than her, she had no clue. It just happened when you were the only three kids on your floor.
"We could go to the park," Daisuke suggested.
"And do what?" Miyako asked. "Play with your soccer ball? Thrilling." Her tone was flat.
"Well, I barely made it onto the team! I need the practice! In fact, we have a practice tonight! Besides, do you have a better--AGK!" Daisuke furiously began pressing at buttons and moving the mini-joystick on his controller, but to no avail. "Shoot, that's the third time I've died today!"
"You look all right to me," Miyako sighed. "Well, if we're going to the park, let's go."
Across town, a young man sat at his computer, brooding. Ever since his brother had died, he hadn't been the same. He had become a genius, but he was very cold and callused for being only twelve.
~Why can't I get this stupid tower to work? It must not be powerful enough. Maybe I should revamp. Maybe if there was a receiver for its signal attached to each Digimon, instead of trying to just send it directly to the digimon...I need to get to the Digital World and experiment with this.~
He went to the door of his room and locked it. Then he pulled a black digivice from a drawer and held it towards the computer. "DigiPort open!" he cried.
Then Ken Ichijouji got sucked into the computer, and soon appeared on the other side...
The group now known as the DigiDestined were gathered around a picnic table in the park.
Sora sat with Taichi's arm wrapped around her, and Mimi sat practically in Jyou's lap. Yamato was next to Taichi, and Takeru was next to him. Across from Takeru was Hikari, and Hikari was next to Koushiro, who was next to Jyou.
Taichi was trying tell a joke. "So this blonde dials 911 to report that her car has been broken into."
"I resent this," Yamato said.
"Shut up and let me finish. She says, 'They've stolen the dashboard, the steering wheel, the brake pedal, and even the accelerator!' The 911 dispatcher says, 'Stay calm. An officer is on the way. He'll be there in a minute.' Before the police get there, though, the 911 telephone rings again, and it's the same chick. She goes, 'Never mind, I got in the back seat by mistake.'"
Yamato blinked. "Okay, you're done. Can I pound you now?"
Taichi gulped.
Everyone burst into laughter, including Yamato, who lightly punched Taichi in the arm.
Mimi checked her watch. "Oh, Joe, look at the time! We have got to go soon if I want to be home in time for that dinner party Mom's throwing tonight. Come on!"
Jyou stood and helped Mimi to her feet. "Sorry, guys. We'll see you later. We have another stop to make."
"S'okay, there's always next Saturday," Taichi assured them. "Besides, pretty soon I have to take Sora home."
"Not yet, Tai!" Hikari begged. "This picnic is so much fun!" In truth, it was seeing Takeru that she enjoyed, but she couldn't just say that.
"It'll be a few minutes, at least, Kari," Taichi said. "But we can't stay all day."
"Well, my mom is expecting me, too," Koushiro said. "She said something about going shopping."
"We'll see you around, then, Izzy," Jyou said as his friend stood up.
"Yeah. Bye, guys!" Koushiro waved, and ran off. Mimi grasped Jyou's arm and they walked off together.
Yamato nodded. "Oh yeah...he's whipped."
Taichi snickered.
"Not that you're any better off, Tai!" Yamato said, elbowing his best friend in the ribs.
"That's not true!" Sora cried.
"Yeah, right!" Yamato said. "Ask him to do something."
Taichi elbowed Yamato back. "I'm not whipped! I'm just...easily bribed!"
"With a kiss!" Hikari said, giggling. "I've seen it!"
Taichi's jaw dropped. Sora blushed. Tai sputtered. "Ka--Kari--Karrr--when--you didn't--"
Takeru moved over to her side of the table protectively. Yamato grinned. "I think Tai's not the only one who's whipped..."
Takeru turned to Hikari. "What's whipped, anyway?" She whispered the answer in his ear, making him blush. "I am not, Matt! You take that back!"
"I was just kidding, Squirt."
"I'm only ten!"
"So is she!" Taichi cried. "Leave my sister alone!"
Hikari grinned. "Don't worry about me, Tai. I can take care of myself."
Taichi hung his head in defeat.
"Well," Yamato finally said, "I need to head home. You sure you can get home by yourself, Squirt?"
Takeru nodded. "I'll walk with Tai and Sora and Kari as far as Tai's house, and then it's only two blocks."
"'Kay, then, Squirt, I'll call you later. Bye!" Yamato stood and strode off.
"Ready to go, Kari?" Taichi asked.
Since Takeru was coming... "Okay..." Hikari sighed, feigning disappointment.
Taichi was rather wrapped up in Sora on the way home, so Hikari and Takeru carried on their own conversation...ten feet behind them.
"Hey, Kari, do you think that it hurts to be whipped?"
"Why?"
"Well, I was thinking of a *whip*-whip, and if they call being tied down to someone the same thing, then it might not feel good."
Kari tilted her head and looked up. "I don't know. I don't think I'd like it, though."
"Being whipped?"
"No...having a guy whipped."
Takeru blinked. "It doesn't bother Mimi."
"Mimi's different. She's...used to having her way."
Takeru nodded. "Hey...you said that Tai wasn't whipped, he just likes to be bribed with a kiss. Why do you suppose that is?"
"'Cause when Sora kisses him, his brain gets all mushy. And he turns klutzy, and he can't talk."
"Really?" Takeru asked.
"Yeah. He's all goofy. It's really funny...He says all of that feels good. And that he loves Sora so much, he likes making her feel like that, too."
Takeru shook his head. "I just hope she never kisses him while he's trying to go down stairs or anything."
Hikari laughed. "That would be funny! Bang!"
Takeru joined in the laugh. Taichi looked over his shoulder, not letting go of Sora's arm. "Behave, you two..." he warned.
"Yes, Tai," Hikari giggled. As soon as he turned around, Hikari leaned over and whispered to Takeru, "Behaving badly is behaving, just as much as behaving well..." which started another round of giggles.
When they got to Sora's building, Taichi sent his sister on home. "Go on, I'll only be a few minutes."
Hikari nodded, and took Takeru's hand. "Come on, T.K.. We'll leave Tai alone so Sora can bribe him some more!" She ran while she could, dragging Takeru after her.
Taichi shook a fist at his sister, but she never saw.
Sora shook her head. "Tell me again why *not* being an only child is so wonderful..."
Taichi sweatdropped. "I forgot..."
"Well, it really doesn't matter. That's what we get for letting Matt carry on like that."
"I guess..."
"Forget about it. She's only ten, and she *is* your sister. She had teasing rights. Whenever she starts dating you'll really let her have it, I have no doubt."
Taichi rolled his eyes. "Yeah, probably."
Sora kissed his cheek. "Don't worry about it." She was so close her lips still brushed his cheek on certain syllables.
"I wasn't."
She kissed him again, a little closer to his mouth. He turned his face, just a little, and pressed a kiss to her lips.
A few minutes later, Hikari and Takeru reached the Kamiya's apartment building.
"I guess I'll see you later," Takeru said.
"Don't go just yet," Hikari begged. "Please?"
"Well...okay. Hey, do you think Tai is on his way here yet?"
"You mean do I think he's left Sora yet? Not a chance."
Takeru laughed. "So...how long do you think he'll be?"
"Thirty more minutes before he leaves, at least."
"You really know him well."
"He knows me, too."
"I know you pretty good, too, huh, Kari?"
Hikari tilted her head. "I guess so...why?"
Takeru blushed. "I dunknow...hey, I gotta go or I'll have to wait for a train." Takeru looked around. He didn't see anyone around. So he leaned forward quickly, and before either one knew quite what happened, he kissed her on the cheek. He turned and ran toward the train station without another word.
Hikari put her hand to her cheek and blinked. She pulled her hand away and looked at it, and looked up after Takeru. She wasn't sure what to think.
"Check this out, Yolei!" Daisuke cried. He kicked the ball, making it go straight up, and bounced it off his head.
Miyako applauded, leaving about two entire seconds in between each clap. "I'm *thrilled*, Davis."
He rolled his eyes. "Too bad Cody had to go to his kendo lesson. *He* would appreciate this."
"Well, fortunately, he's not the only one who has to head home. I'll see you tomorrow after work."
"Yeah, whatever. Hey! Here come some of my teammates! See ya!"
Miyako waved and left. Daisuke ran over to his teammates. They practiced, killing time until the coach showed up. One by one, the whole team started showing up.
"Hey, Davis!"
Daisuke looked up. "Hey, Tai!" It was Taichi Kamiya, one of the team's other players and Daisuke's mentor of sorts. He ran to the older boy. "What's up? And who's your friend?" Daisuke nodded towards the girl that he figured was about his own age.
"This is my sister, Hikari. Mom had to run to the store, and she said Kari could come with me so she wouldn't have to stay alone. Kari, this is Davis."
Kari smiled. "Hi," she said.
Daisuke was stunned. She was so beautiful when she smiled. And her voice was like music! "Hi," he said, squeaking, trying to act as if she had not affected him.
"Come on, Davis," Tai said. "Let's play soccer!" He dragged Daisuke away from his sister and toward the other players.
Daisuke, for the first time in his life, would have rather stayed and talked with the girl than play soccer. She was beautiful... "Hey, Tai, how old is...Kari?" Beautiful name, too. Beautiful voice. Everything about her struck a chord in him.
"Just turned ten a few months ago."
"Oh, my age." Daisuke could hardly contain his excitement. Of course, he hadn't thought much beyond compatibility. He didn't think of asking her out or anything. He was only ten, for Pete's sake.
Hikari quietly sat on the edge of where the team was practicing. She didn't move, just watched. Daisuke kicked the ball in her direction every chance he got.
After the practice, the team broke up. Daisuke came over to "talk to Taichi", but in reality, just wanted to see Hikari.
"Hi, Tai. What's up?"
"Nothin' much. Soccer's the most exciting thing in my life right now, besides Sora."
"Really?" Daisuke asked, remembering Taichi had mentioned his girlfriend a few times before. He was trying to make conversation, but it was going nowhere fast.
"Hey, Kamiya!" the coach called.
Taichi turned to Hikari. "I'll be right back. Wait here with Daisuke." Hikari nodded.
Daisuke smiled ar her. "So...Tai said that we're the same age. Ten."
Hikari nodded. "Yeah, I'm ten."
Daisuke could barely contain himself. In fact, as soon as Tai was out of earshot, he let it slip. "You're pretty."
Hikari blinked. "What did you say?"
"I...I think...you're pretty," Daisuke stuttered.
"I...I don't know what to say."
Daisuke gulped.
But before he could try to explain himself, or ask if she wanted to get together, or even say another word, Taichi returned. "Let's go, Kari."
Kari nodded, took his hand, and they walked off. She looked over her shoulder at Daisuke. She blinked, and had her mouth open like she was going to say something, but she turned back without uttering a sound.
Daisuke stared after her long after she disappeared.
Suddenly, things had changed.
All he wanted now was to see her again.
But, in a way, that wasn't a bad thing.
Hikari sighed, looking out the window. Twice in one day! First Takeru had kissed her, and then Daisuke had said she was pretty. What was she going to do? This Daisuke was probably nice enough--Taichi seemed to like him, at any rate--but she had known Takeru for as long as she could coherently remember. She knew Takeru inside and out, almost as well as she knew herself.
She knew she wasn't too young. Taichi had been ten, too, when he first kissed Sora.
But, Sora hadn't had another guy come up that day and say she was pretty. Sora had only to decide whether or not she liked Taichi, and she had decided that long before Taichi kissed her. Hikari had been caught by surprise--she thought that she and Takeru were just friends. And she wasn't sure where she stood with Daisuke.
She sighed. She'd have to let things take their course for a while. She couldn't make up her mind just then, not when she was so confused. She might ask Sora for advice, or maybe even Tai. She couldn't ask her mother--this was one of those things. She'd decide, in time. But it could wait until later.
"Hey, Kari, going to sleep sometime *tonight*?" Taichi asked.
She crawled into her bed, and just before she closed her eyes, she spotted a shooting star streaking past the window. "Tai! Check it out!" she cried, pointing. ~Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight. I wish for...a clear decision.~
"Did you wish?" Taichi asked.
"Yeah. You?"
"Yeah. What'd you--let me guess, you won't tell me even if I tell mine."
"Nope."
"Good night, Kari."
"It certainly is."
A/N: Was the end a bit cheesy? I mean, I like it, but I just don't know what you think of it. Review and tell me, please!
Authoress's Notes: I don't think there's much to say. I think I wasted all my breath back in the first chapter! Oh well, on with the fanfic.
Mere months after the worlds are saved from Apocalymon...
Or, three years *before* the Digimon Kaiser, Armor Digivolve, and the passing on of the goggles...
Twelve-year-old Miyako Inoue happily ran up the steps. She'd finished sweeping up the floor of her family's convenience store, and was free to play with her friends.
She knocked on the door of the Motomiya's apartment and Daisuke's sister Jun answered. "Oh...hi, Yolei." Daisuke's sister was weird--but then again, she was fourteen and far boy-crazier than Miyako ever would be. "I think Davis and Cody are playing some video game." Jun turned and went into her room, leaving Miyako to close the door, remove her shoes, and find Daisuke herself.
Miyako shook her head as she entered the apartment and found Daisuke sprawled on the floor, controller in his hands. Iori was on the couch behind him, watching in silence. But then, Iori was so serious ever since his father had been killed a few months back--far quieter than any seven-year-old should have been.
"Hi, Davis, hi Cody," Miyako said, sitting on the floor next to Daisuke. "So, what are we gonna do today?"
Daisuke shrugged. "I dunknow," he said.
"Cody?" Miyako asked.
"I don't care."
Miyako shook her head. Why she chose to hang out with two guys, both younger than her, she had no clue. It just happened when you were the only three kids on your floor.
"We could go to the park," Daisuke suggested.
"And do what?" Miyako asked. "Play with your soccer ball? Thrilling." Her tone was flat.
"Well, I barely made it onto the team! I need the practice! In fact, we have a practice tonight! Besides, do you have a better--AGK!" Daisuke furiously began pressing at buttons and moving the mini-joystick on his controller, but to no avail. "Shoot, that's the third time I've died today!"
"You look all right to me," Miyako sighed. "Well, if we're going to the park, let's go."
Across town, a young man sat at his computer, brooding. Ever since his brother had died, he hadn't been the same. He had become a genius, but he was very cold and callused for being only twelve.
~Why can't I get this stupid tower to work? It must not be powerful enough. Maybe I should revamp. Maybe if there was a receiver for its signal attached to each Digimon, instead of trying to just send it directly to the digimon...I need to get to the Digital World and experiment with this.~
He went to the door of his room and locked it. Then he pulled a black digivice from a drawer and held it towards the computer. "DigiPort open!" he cried.
Then Ken Ichijouji got sucked into the computer, and soon appeared on the other side...
The group now known as the DigiDestined were gathered around a picnic table in the park.
Sora sat with Taichi's arm wrapped around her, and Mimi sat practically in Jyou's lap. Yamato was next to Taichi, and Takeru was next to him. Across from Takeru was Hikari, and Hikari was next to Koushiro, who was next to Jyou.
Taichi was trying tell a joke. "So this blonde dials 911 to report that her car has been broken into."
"I resent this," Yamato said.
"Shut up and let me finish. She says, 'They've stolen the dashboard, the steering wheel, the brake pedal, and even the accelerator!' The 911 dispatcher says, 'Stay calm. An officer is on the way. He'll be there in a minute.' Before the police get there, though, the 911 telephone rings again, and it's the same chick. She goes, 'Never mind, I got in the back seat by mistake.'"
Yamato blinked. "Okay, you're done. Can I pound you now?"
Taichi gulped.
Everyone burst into laughter, including Yamato, who lightly punched Taichi in the arm.
Mimi checked her watch. "Oh, Joe, look at the time! We have got to go soon if I want to be home in time for that dinner party Mom's throwing tonight. Come on!"
Jyou stood and helped Mimi to her feet. "Sorry, guys. We'll see you later. We have another stop to make."
"S'okay, there's always next Saturday," Taichi assured them. "Besides, pretty soon I have to take Sora home."
"Not yet, Tai!" Hikari begged. "This picnic is so much fun!" In truth, it was seeing Takeru that she enjoyed, but she couldn't just say that.
"It'll be a few minutes, at least, Kari," Taichi said. "But we can't stay all day."
"Well, my mom is expecting me, too," Koushiro said. "She said something about going shopping."
"We'll see you around, then, Izzy," Jyou said as his friend stood up.
"Yeah. Bye, guys!" Koushiro waved, and ran off. Mimi grasped Jyou's arm and they walked off together.
Yamato nodded. "Oh yeah...he's whipped."
Taichi snickered.
"Not that you're any better off, Tai!" Yamato said, elbowing his best friend in the ribs.
"That's not true!" Sora cried.
"Yeah, right!" Yamato said. "Ask him to do something."
Taichi elbowed Yamato back. "I'm not whipped! I'm just...easily bribed!"
"With a kiss!" Hikari said, giggling. "I've seen it!"
Taichi's jaw dropped. Sora blushed. Tai sputtered. "Ka--Kari--Karrr--when--you didn't--"
Takeru moved over to her side of the table protectively. Yamato grinned. "I think Tai's not the only one who's whipped..."
Takeru turned to Hikari. "What's whipped, anyway?" She whispered the answer in his ear, making him blush. "I am not, Matt! You take that back!"
"I was just kidding, Squirt."
"I'm only ten!"
"So is she!" Taichi cried. "Leave my sister alone!"
Hikari grinned. "Don't worry about me, Tai. I can take care of myself."
Taichi hung his head in defeat.
"Well," Yamato finally said, "I need to head home. You sure you can get home by yourself, Squirt?"
Takeru nodded. "I'll walk with Tai and Sora and Kari as far as Tai's house, and then it's only two blocks."
"'Kay, then, Squirt, I'll call you later. Bye!" Yamato stood and strode off.
"Ready to go, Kari?" Taichi asked.
Since Takeru was coming... "Okay..." Hikari sighed, feigning disappointment.
Taichi was rather wrapped up in Sora on the way home, so Hikari and Takeru carried on their own conversation...ten feet behind them.
"Hey, Kari, do you think that it hurts to be whipped?"
"Why?"
"Well, I was thinking of a *whip*-whip, and if they call being tied down to someone the same thing, then it might not feel good."
Kari tilted her head and looked up. "I don't know. I don't think I'd like it, though."
"Being whipped?"
"No...having a guy whipped."
Takeru blinked. "It doesn't bother Mimi."
"Mimi's different. She's...used to having her way."
Takeru nodded. "Hey...you said that Tai wasn't whipped, he just likes to be bribed with a kiss. Why do you suppose that is?"
"'Cause when Sora kisses him, his brain gets all mushy. And he turns klutzy, and he can't talk."
"Really?" Takeru asked.
"Yeah. He's all goofy. It's really funny...He says all of that feels good. And that he loves Sora so much, he likes making her feel like that, too."
Takeru shook his head. "I just hope she never kisses him while he's trying to go down stairs or anything."
Hikari laughed. "That would be funny! Bang!"
Takeru joined in the laugh. Taichi looked over his shoulder, not letting go of Sora's arm. "Behave, you two..." he warned.
"Yes, Tai," Hikari giggled. As soon as he turned around, Hikari leaned over and whispered to Takeru, "Behaving badly is behaving, just as much as behaving well..." which started another round of giggles.
When they got to Sora's building, Taichi sent his sister on home. "Go on, I'll only be a few minutes."
Hikari nodded, and took Takeru's hand. "Come on, T.K.. We'll leave Tai alone so Sora can bribe him some more!" She ran while she could, dragging Takeru after her.
Taichi shook a fist at his sister, but she never saw.
Sora shook her head. "Tell me again why *not* being an only child is so wonderful..."
Taichi sweatdropped. "I forgot..."
"Well, it really doesn't matter. That's what we get for letting Matt carry on like that."
"I guess..."
"Forget about it. She's only ten, and she *is* your sister. She had teasing rights. Whenever she starts dating you'll really let her have it, I have no doubt."
Taichi rolled his eyes. "Yeah, probably."
Sora kissed his cheek. "Don't worry about it." She was so close her lips still brushed his cheek on certain syllables.
"I wasn't."
She kissed him again, a little closer to his mouth. He turned his face, just a little, and pressed a kiss to her lips.
A few minutes later, Hikari and Takeru reached the Kamiya's apartment building.
"I guess I'll see you later," Takeru said.
"Don't go just yet," Hikari begged. "Please?"
"Well...okay. Hey, do you think Tai is on his way here yet?"
"You mean do I think he's left Sora yet? Not a chance."
Takeru laughed. "So...how long do you think he'll be?"
"Thirty more minutes before he leaves, at least."
"You really know him well."
"He knows me, too."
"I know you pretty good, too, huh, Kari?"
Hikari tilted her head. "I guess so...why?"
Takeru blushed. "I dunknow...hey, I gotta go or I'll have to wait for a train." Takeru looked around. He didn't see anyone around. So he leaned forward quickly, and before either one knew quite what happened, he kissed her on the cheek. He turned and ran toward the train station without another word.
Hikari put her hand to her cheek and blinked. She pulled her hand away and looked at it, and looked up after Takeru. She wasn't sure what to think.
"Check this out, Yolei!" Daisuke cried. He kicked the ball, making it go straight up, and bounced it off his head.
Miyako applauded, leaving about two entire seconds in between each clap. "I'm *thrilled*, Davis."
He rolled his eyes. "Too bad Cody had to go to his kendo lesson. *He* would appreciate this."
"Well, fortunately, he's not the only one who has to head home. I'll see you tomorrow after work."
"Yeah, whatever. Hey! Here come some of my teammates! See ya!"
Miyako waved and left. Daisuke ran over to his teammates. They practiced, killing time until the coach showed up. One by one, the whole team started showing up.
"Hey, Davis!"
Daisuke looked up. "Hey, Tai!" It was Taichi Kamiya, one of the team's other players and Daisuke's mentor of sorts. He ran to the older boy. "What's up? And who's your friend?" Daisuke nodded towards the girl that he figured was about his own age.
"This is my sister, Hikari. Mom had to run to the store, and she said Kari could come with me so she wouldn't have to stay alone. Kari, this is Davis."
Kari smiled. "Hi," she said.
Daisuke was stunned. She was so beautiful when she smiled. And her voice was like music! "Hi," he said, squeaking, trying to act as if she had not affected him.
"Come on, Davis," Tai said. "Let's play soccer!" He dragged Daisuke away from his sister and toward the other players.
Daisuke, for the first time in his life, would have rather stayed and talked with the girl than play soccer. She was beautiful... "Hey, Tai, how old is...Kari?" Beautiful name, too. Beautiful voice. Everything about her struck a chord in him.
"Just turned ten a few months ago."
"Oh, my age." Daisuke could hardly contain his excitement. Of course, he hadn't thought much beyond compatibility. He didn't think of asking her out or anything. He was only ten, for Pete's sake.
Hikari quietly sat on the edge of where the team was practicing. She didn't move, just watched. Daisuke kicked the ball in her direction every chance he got.
After the practice, the team broke up. Daisuke came over to "talk to Taichi", but in reality, just wanted to see Hikari.
"Hi, Tai. What's up?"
"Nothin' much. Soccer's the most exciting thing in my life right now, besides Sora."
"Really?" Daisuke asked, remembering Taichi had mentioned his girlfriend a few times before. He was trying to make conversation, but it was going nowhere fast.
"Hey, Kamiya!" the coach called.
Taichi turned to Hikari. "I'll be right back. Wait here with Daisuke." Hikari nodded.
Daisuke smiled ar her. "So...Tai said that we're the same age. Ten."
Hikari nodded. "Yeah, I'm ten."
Daisuke could barely contain himself. In fact, as soon as Tai was out of earshot, he let it slip. "You're pretty."
Hikari blinked. "What did you say?"
"I...I think...you're pretty," Daisuke stuttered.
"I...I don't know what to say."
Daisuke gulped.
But before he could try to explain himself, or ask if she wanted to get together, or even say another word, Taichi returned. "Let's go, Kari."
Kari nodded, took his hand, and they walked off. She looked over her shoulder at Daisuke. She blinked, and had her mouth open like she was going to say something, but she turned back without uttering a sound.
Daisuke stared after her long after she disappeared.
Suddenly, things had changed.
All he wanted now was to see her again.
But, in a way, that wasn't a bad thing.
Hikari sighed, looking out the window. Twice in one day! First Takeru had kissed her, and then Daisuke had said she was pretty. What was she going to do? This Daisuke was probably nice enough--Taichi seemed to like him, at any rate--but she had known Takeru for as long as she could coherently remember. She knew Takeru inside and out, almost as well as she knew herself.
She knew she wasn't too young. Taichi had been ten, too, when he first kissed Sora.
But, Sora hadn't had another guy come up that day and say she was pretty. Sora had only to decide whether or not she liked Taichi, and she had decided that long before Taichi kissed her. Hikari had been caught by surprise--she thought that she and Takeru were just friends. And she wasn't sure where she stood with Daisuke.
She sighed. She'd have to let things take their course for a while. She couldn't make up her mind just then, not when she was so confused. She might ask Sora for advice, or maybe even Tai. She couldn't ask her mother--this was one of those things. She'd decide, in time. But it could wait until later.
"Hey, Kari, going to sleep sometime *tonight*?" Taichi asked.
She crawled into her bed, and just before she closed her eyes, she spotted a shooting star streaking past the window. "Tai! Check it out!" she cried, pointing. ~Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight. I wish for...a clear decision.~
"Did you wish?" Taichi asked.
"Yeah. You?"
"Yeah. What'd you--let me guess, you won't tell me even if I tell mine."
"Nope."
"Good night, Kari."
"It certainly is."
A/N: Was the end a bit cheesy? I mean, I like it, but I just don't know what you think of it. Review and tell me, please!