A

A/N = *grins happily* I had a block and couldn't decide how to write this chapter… but I'm finally over it! *cheers* You don't know how happy your reviews make me =) You're amazing, all of you, and I thank you for all the reviews and mails I'm receiving *teary eyed*

A/N 2= The people of Gaia use Gil as money. I shamelessly took the name from the Final Fantasy series, since I couldn't come out with anything better… ^^;;

A/N 3= *blushes terribly* Please no comment on my Dai-obsession, okay? Please? *blush* I know I take every occasion to describe him as handsome as a God but, ehy… there must be a reason if everyone in this fic loves him! ^^;;

A/N 4 = with Kelly's permission, Miyako's quoting her in this fic. "See the light" is something Kelly said in one of her reviews to this story… and I just =had= to use it. ^^v

Disclaimer = Digimon and its characters are going to be mine someday (-- actually believing it)… right now… they aren't. ^^

Couples = In this chapter… well, Daiken, Hikasuke (and before you get angry at me, NO, Daisuke did NOT give Hikari her ring.) Hikari-SURPRISE!, Taisuke and… dare I say it? Kensuke? Finally…? Uhm… sort of. You'll see.

Warning = PG-13 for what can be found in later/previous chapters.

Heart of Steel – part 3

~*~ Hikari's POV~*~

I wake up to the sound of Daisuke's soft snoring. I look around groggily, and find him sprawled on my bed in a very inelegant way, tangled in a heap of dirty clothes and white sheets. I muffle a giggle as I sit up, my laughter immediately turning into a tired yawn. I can't resist the urge to steal a glance at him out of the corner of my eye, and that's exactly what I do, smiling softly when he murmurs something in his sleep and burrows under the covers. I can't help but giggle, for this reminds me too much of our childhood, when Daisuke and me would spend every stormy night in his bed or mine, his arms wrapped protectively around my curled form.

And Taichi would find us and yell, enraged, embarrassed and a lot of other things I couldn't understand at that time. But me and Dai knew him better than that, and with a little bit of wheedling we'd get him into letting us sleep with him in his bed, so that we would curl in each others arms, safe from the scaring rage of the storm. Soon enough that stopped to be a rite reserved for stormy nights to become a tradition, something that would happen every night… until Taichi thought me and Dai were too old to sleep together and do =just= it.

As if Daisuke would ever think about that…

He's too naïve for his own good. He's so innocent and oblivious of the ways life works, I'm sure he wouldn't know what sex was even if I… or Takeru… or anyone else would jump on him, tie him on the bed and actually =show= him.

//Bad thoughts, Hikari…// I scold myself silently. //You're such a bad, bad girl…//

Once again I'm giggling, covering my mouth with my hand to cover the sound and not wake him up. Something cold presses over my lips and I move my hand to admire the ring shining in the lazy sunlight.

"Yup." I whisper. "An very bad girl… an =engaged= bad girl…" Thirteen and engaged. It's a tradition of our country to marry young. When I was littler I complained about this, but… when there's love, there's everything that's needed to bond two souls together, whichever age they're.

Slipping off the bed reveals to be a hard task, due to the heap of covers I'm trapped in. Somehow I manage to make it from the bed to the door, though, and once there I can't suppress a sigh of relief. Opening the door as quietly as possible, I try my best to avoid making any noise lest I wake him, and slip on the dimly lit corridor.

The first night he spent here after coming back two days ago, he has cried himself to sleep, and since then his nights has been plagued with nightmares. He has refused to tell me what's wrong, but Takeru told me it's about that boy that comes from Slayelth –Ken- and… this Ken and Daisuke spending two days and nights holding each other.

Naked.

Okay. I =know= Daisuke did it to save him. I know. Ken's life was in danger and Dai had to help him. I know. And that's not what troubles me, really. What troubles me… is that despite Daisuke's obvious affection, Ken seems to enjoy ignoring him. And… the fact Daisuke cried… troubles me beyond belief.

I've know Daisuke since childhood and never, *never*, I saw him cry. He was always the brave one, the proud and confident little Dai that lit up my whole day. My little knight with the shining armour.

I let out an involuntary little sigh as I stroll downstairs, retiring to the bathroom for a good many minutes whereupon I methodically ready myself for the day ahead.

Thereafter putting some clothes on, I reach the kitchen and busy myself at the stove. I've missed these little things while Daisuke was away… looking at his peacefully sleeping face… cooking him his favourite dainties… My eyes narrow against the bright morning sunshine of Aria, a sigh trusting against my lips. My gaze falls on my ring, electric purple glimmering like an admonition on my white skin. Remember Kari, it seems to be whispering to me, when you'll be married you won't…

"…'morning." I turn around, and find Daisuke leaning on the doorframe, yawning and passing a hand through his spikes. We smile softly at each other, but when he notices what I've been staring at, he folds his arms in front of his chest, his smile shifting to a smirking grin.

"If you keep staring at it, your fiancée will have to buy you a new ring, 'cuz you'll have consumed this one!"

"Oh, shut up!" I warn, spraying him with the water that's dripping from my fingers. He laughs, holding his palms open in a gesture of surrender. But when I stop my attack, I'm no sure who's the one that lost… if he lost against my attack, or if I lost against his cuteness. He's in the process of growing into a beautiful man, but still has that touch of immature childishness in him. He's so adorable…

An ancient pain blossoms in my heart to weaken my smile. When I'll be married… I'll have to kill this feelings I've for him… to say goodbye to my first love…

Sensing my eyes water, I swirl around quickly, once again focusing on cooking his breakfast.

"Smells wonderful, what's that?" he asks, peeking from behind my shoulders to my busy hands.

"Your favourite." I reply with a shrug. "Sit down." I feel his chin dig in my shoulder a couple of times as he nods, and then he moves away, moving his arms from around my waist.

"Taichi?" Again I shrug, hardly stifling a sigh.

"Somewhere readying the city for the meeting. He's called all the other leaders of the resistance, they should arrive today to meet…" I bit my bottom lip, wincing. Oh, no…

"Ken…" He whispers, and it's both amazing and horrifying to hear how his voice saddens. How his tone softens, filling with the glassy echo of unshed tears. I turn around, watching him as he carefully walks up the window, his gaze loosing itself in the far distance.

"Dai… what happened…?"

He says nothing, but nods at the window, gesturing me to come closer. I immediately comply, jogging up to him to stare at what he's staring to… and my breath catches in my throat. Under a shower of rosy petals, surrounded by the baby grass, shielded in the umbra of a huge tree there are… Miyako. And Ken. And they're chatting, laughing gently, and occasionally I can see Miyako patting Ken's shoulder affectionately. Breathless, I snuggle up close to Dai, feeling his warmth like a blanket over me. My chest contracts painfully, and I've to swallow the sudden lump searing my throat.

"Why… why does it hurt…?" It seems difficult for him to talk, as if he can't get enough air. I look up at him and, as if reading the question crossing my mind, he shakes his head, biting his bottom lip. His eyes linger on the chatting pair longingly as he speaks, his voice hushed, his tone soft. "I can't describe this… nor explain it. It just… hurts."

"What…?" I ask slowly, and he shrugs.

"Seeing Ken happy with her. They've been together since we came back to Aria, you knew?" I shake my head no and he mirrors my action, slowly. "I saw them. From my window."

"That's what troubles you?" I blink, almost relieved, my voice barely above a whisper. "I know Miyako better than that, Daisuke. She's caring and sweet, the kindest girl I've ever met. She isn't trying to seduce him or anything. He's alone, in a foreign country… and she's trying to help him. You should trust her. I do."

"I do too, but… It hurts that Ken's so happy with her… even if it's good to know he's happy. I want him happy. Look." He gestures toward the pair, his voice a soft tune of awed delight. "Look at Ken."

Obediently, I lift my eyes to look at him. He's smiling, his pale cheeks flushed with laughter. "He's beautiful when he smiles, isn't he?"

"Yeah…" I breathe, and Daisuke nods fervently, his voice even softer when he speaks again.

"I wish… I wish I could make him so happy." He sighs, and when I look up at him there's a smile on his face, yet a distinctly distant expression clouds his eyes, making them less sparkling than I remembered. "I'd be so glad if I could make him so happy…" His dreamy expression falls down, crumbled under the weight of a frown. "But I can't, because he hates me… and it hurts."

"He…?" I blink, shocked, and Daisuke looks down at me, eyes begging for answers I'm not sure I'll ever have.

"Why?! Why does he hate me so much?!"

"Dai… Dai I don't know… no one can know what's inside his heart and mind if not Ken himself…" Daisuke shakes his head, shoulders sagged.

"Do you know why does it hurt, then? Why… why do I want to be with him? Why being far from him pains me? And why being with him seems the only thing that eases this pain? Why…" he licks his lips, and I slowly begin to put the pieces of the puzzle together, frowning in thought. "Why… do I dream of him? Why can I feel his hands, smooth and warm, over my skin, when I close my eyes? Why… I… want to touch him? To have every inch of my skin explored by his fingertips… and mouth…?" An almost horrified expression crosses my features as he keeps explaining, his cheeks flushing when he whispers the last statement. Daisuke… seems to… "Why… every time I see him it's like my body's on fire? Wet and hot all together? What does it mean?! Why does he make me feel like this?"

I back away, mouth ajar. I can't explain what I'm feeling now. I'm horrified, maybe. Surprised, disorientated. Saddened, perhaps. I'm… surely shocked. If I gave up my feeling for him, it was because I thought Dai, who seems to love everyone, would never be able to love one of us in that special way… and now Daisuke's… Daisuke's… I shake my head, shocked and confused all at once.

"Daisuke." I whisper. "You're the only one that can understand your feelings, I can't explain them, for I'm not you." His shoulders sag and he lowers his head, nodding slowly. "But if being with him makes you happy, then fight with all your mind to just be with him." His head snaps up, and his wide eyes quickly fills with hope. I smile at him, clasping my hands behind my back. "I want to see you happy Daisuke." I breathe out. "That's why I'm telling you this. You don't need to figure out what these feeling are, to follow them. You've a talent for working your way into a person's soul. Be yourself Dai, and Ken will soon like you. Be with him is the only way you have to figure out your feelings."

Daisuke blinks, eyes wide in awe, before smiling widely. The one he's giving me is the kind of innocent smile he used to have when we were younger, far different from the almost smirking grin he's learned from Tai and that he's been proud to show lately. He nods fervently, trapping me in a hug. And when he moves away, the hope that never left his eyes is now burning, untarnished and blinding, in their cinnamon-hued depths.

"Thank you." He says, before picking me up to swirl me around, switching place with me when he puts me down, and dashing full-speed toward the front door.

"Where are you going?!" I yell to his retreating form.

"Training!" He yells back excitedly, darting outside madly. I run up to the door, leaning against the doorframe. "I haven't had action for way too much! I need some!"

"But Dai!" I whine, waving my fists in the air in a hopeless, angry action. "You've been hurt! And you haven't eaten yet! Not to mention you didn't take the Angel Du--"

"I don't need that thing! Tell Jyou to store it for someone who needs it! I'm fine!" He turns around, grinning widely. "I'm gonna go training at the Rainbow Cascades either if you like it or not!" Then, he swirls around, rushing toward the lake. I blink several times, his words slowly sinking into my brain.

Daisuke… training… at the cascades… this means…

"Oh my…" I whisper to my self. My face's hot, the sure indication of a bush, and I suck a sharp breath in, closing my fingers around the cold doorknob in search of support.

// …Daisuke training at the waterfall… oh, these are bad thoughts, Hikari… such bad thoughts… Daisuke training at the waterfall… Hikari, you're getting married in two months!!! But… Daisuke's training… at the waterfall… Hikari… you're an engaged girl… Daisuke training at the waterfall… shirtless… or even… oh, Hell!!//

"Daisuke, wait for me!" I yell, running after him for all I'm worth. Hell, I may be about to get married, but Daisuke training is a sight no one with some sanity left would miss…

~*~ Ken's POV~*~

This place… is wonderful. It took me less than 24 hours to fell in love with its quietness, its endless plains, its shining sun and sweet-smelling air. Once we left Slayelth territory, a strange nostalgia has set in and I'm feeling the effects of it, now. Looking around at Aria and the warm blue sky above it, I can't help but think back to my home. The sky is darker there, the air dryer and colder despite my home is located in the southern part of our continent, but the feeling of warm familiarity that wavers in the breeze is just the same.

Nostalgia and a mixture of bittersweet memories play in my mind, and my smile saddens for a heartbeat. I long to go back home…

…but I wouldn't go back there for anything.

"What are you thinking about…?" I shift my gaze, aligning it with soft hazel eyes. Miyako's smiling at me, playing with a loose strand of grass. "A Gil for your thoughts."

"I'm thinking… about my home." I reply sincerely. It seems I can't lie to her. Miyako has been the first one to be really friendly with me… even if… thinking about it, Motomiya too has been…

"Stop." She reaches out to slap my shoulder. I massage it with a look of confusion crossing over my countenance, and she raises one finger to point at me. "You were frowning all of a sudden." She explains with a shrug, reaching down to finger the hem of her skirt. After a long pause, she raises her gaze again, looking at me sideways. "Love problems?"

I blink at her, incapable to do nothing but blink for what feels like eternity. "What?" I squeak rather unceremoniously, at last. She crosses her arms, puffing out her cheeks indignantly.

"You gotta spill out what's troubling ya, Ken." She says. I shake my head, honestly confused, and watch in amazement as her scowl fades into a smile. "But I think I know who has made you frown."

"W-who…?" I reply, licking my lips cautiously. I don't understand what she's trying to do, but her next words shock me to the very core of my being.

"Daisuke."

I blink, inhaling sharply, reeling backward as if hit by a whiplash. Miyako's grin doesn't even waver as she watches, quite amused, as I back away, moving on my hands and feet. I soon find my back pressed against the tree that's been providing us shelter from the blazing sunlight, and once there I hug my arms tight.

"That… that *freak* as nothing to do with me or my thoughts! And I wouldn't even dream of loving…" I pause, not even able to say it. To my horror, Miyako chuckles, a rather predatory smirk blossoming over her lips.

"I never related my conviction of you having love problems with my fact I though you were thinking about Daisuke, Ken." I gasp, looking around as if in search for help. "What made you think about… being in love with him?"

"I never said that." I know I'm blushing. Out of rage, of disgust, of embarrass at being mocked or at falling in such simple trap so easily, I'm not sure, but I know I'm blushing rather clumsily. The amused look in her eyes tells me so.

"Why, aren't you the one that first came to the supposition you could love Dai?"

"I said I could =never= love him." I reply, pouting like a child. "Don't twist my words around, I don't like it."

Miyako laughs whole-heartedly, waving her hands with a grin. "This doesn't change the fact you =were= the one that first thought about you being in love with Dai." I open my mouth to reply, but she waves me to silence, still grinning. "No point in denying it, Ken. You know it's true." I grunt, drawing my legs closer to my torso and resting my folded arms over my knees, hiding my chin between my hands. Miyako shakes her head and sinks backwards on the grass until she's propping herself up on her elbows, her gaze loosing itself in the sapphire brilliance above. "Ken… Daisuke's special, why can't you see it?"

"I can't see what all of you seems to find in him!" I rage, whipping my head to the other side. "He isn't… good-looking. He has skin and hair of the same colour as dirty mud. And he's… we can't even say his beauty is in the inside, for I find him childish and stubborn."

"Daisuke's sweet." She replies slowly. "He's kind, handsome and strong. He's proud and untamed, a rebel soul with a golden heart. You can't deny his eyes burn with a mesmerizing force. Or the way his skin almost glistens in the sunlight, can you?" Another grunt bounces out my throat and Miyako shakes her head, closing her eyes. "When are you going to see the light, Ken?"

"What light?" I reply, stubbornly. "You all here seem to be in love with that boy. I just can't see what you find so appealing in him."

Miyako lets out a chuckle, and I gulp, realizing it holds the stunning tremble of tears. I turn around, looking at her as she runs one hand through her lavender hair, complying the action slowly, almost thoughtfully. "Love is a sad hide-and-seek game, Ken. Remember that." She looks up again, sighing at a passing cloud. "You can't always have what you want. It's difficult to find happiness in this dying world, but why deny it to yourself when you're one of the few lucky ones that find it? Don't deny happiness to yourself Ken. You deserve more than self-imposed loneliness."

"What are you saying…?" I inquire softly, reaching out to touch her.

She grasps my hand in hers, reaching out with her other hand to touch my shoulder. "You're scared because Daisuke's gay, right?"

I nod, unable to deny the truth. "Whoever likes people of their same gender is sick. They scare me."

"Ken?" She says slowly, squinted eyes pleading me for… something. "I'm getting married in two months." I cast a quick glance to the ring glimmering quietly on her right ring-finger, nodding absent-mindedly. "To a girl." I look up at her and nod. "Ken? I'm lesbian."

I blink. Then I take my time to look around before blinking again, when finally my eyes meet hers again. "…so?"

Miyako's whole attitude changes drastically. She cocks her head to one side, taking a long, narrow-eyed look at my face. A grin that might be slightly malicious, hadn't it been for the wacky delight setting her wide eyes on fire, spreads across her face, and I find myself wondering if I should be worried. But as he grin grows wider and more mischief fills her now narrowed eyes, I wonder how impolite it would be if I bolted.

"Ken-kun!" She cries in a high-pitched voice, and I involuntarily twitch in response. Her grin turns almost scary and I'm suddenly reminded of what I'm expected to do. Turning pale, I struggle free of her grasp and touch, backing away with a blush.

But she just holds up a finger, shacking it left and right with a grin.

"Uhn-uhn, Ken. Too late." I groan, massaging my forehead intently, the grass wavering around me turning suddenly to the most fascinating show I could ever meet with. She must find my embarrassment amusing, since she reaches out to slap me on my back. "Scared of gay people, uh? Nice try."

"Miyako…" I mutter, shacking my head slowly. "This is different. You're a girl. The fact you're lesbian almost makes me feel all the more comfortable around you."

"Uh…?" She blinks owlishly down at me, her hand freezing in mid-air. "Wha--?"

I duck my head, dark hair swinging down to shield my face in a straight curtain. "You won't ever touch me… with second intentions, if you are."

Her eyes are growing huge, I don't need to look at her to know that. My gaze's fixed, mesmerized on my hands folded ashamedly on my lap. I sense her discomfort grew, hand in hand with my own, as she shifts, her hand dropping lifelessly on the ground.

"You're scared… of… being touched?" I merely nod, daring to cast a glance up at her. "But… you've no problems with me touching you, Ken… if only gay boys trouble you, then…" All of a sudden, her fingers tighten around my shoulder tightly, nails digging in the flesh almost to the point of pain, forcing me too look up at her. I surrender at last, feeling trapped, and watery indigo drifts and meets worried brown. "Ken, have you been…?" I duck my head once again, shacking it fervently. She lets out a sigh, and I can feel ever muscle of her body sag with relief. "Thank Goddess."

Here she takes a pause, and I can feel her burning eyes on my shivering form. "What happened, then…?" I hope my mouth, moving it slowly, but no sound comes out. I shake my head and try again, only to feel the all too familiar sensation of tears burning the back of my eyelids. I… I'm not ready to say it. I'm… even weirder that Daisuke and Takeru are. Far more dangerous. I could easily become like my brother… minister Joan… my father, and all of them… I've… I'm… I…

I snap my head upward, hair swirling around my face to face a shocked Miyako. I force my mouth open, hoping she can understand… that she can help… when a girl's scream catches my attention. I immediately swirl toward the source of noise, and meet with the sight of a strawberry haired girl waving at us, with a blinding smile grazing her lips. She throttles gracefully toward us, her heels clicking almost musically on the ground as she approaches. A dance of pink veils accompanies each move of what seems to be a young dancer, and she places her hands on her chest as she finally reaches us, bowing her head slightly before clasping her hands behind her back in an almost shamed gesture.

Her angelical features lights up with a smile and her cheeks flush when she grins down at us.

"Miyako!!" She squeaks happily, moving a stray of pink from her forehead. "Daisuke and Taichi…"

"What are you doing there?!" A red-haired girl shouts from the main street of the village, waving almost angrily at us. She pauses, and pulls at the hem of her skirt, before looking up at us, her cheeks puffed out in a look of annoyance, of angry hurry. "Daisuke and Taichi are fighting at the Rainbow Cascades!"

"F-fighting…?" I choke out, looking around in confusion. My eyes fall on Miyako's face and I'm startled to see the mix of fear and excitement revealing over her features.

"Are you sure?!" she squeals, a sound between a cry and a shout of joy leaving her mouth. The redhead grins, waving at us to follow. The pink-haired dancer bows quickly and picks up her long skirt to rush after the other girl.

"What's… going on…?" I ask, licking my lips, mouth the least bit dry.

"You heard 'hem." Miyako replies, scrambling up to her feet almost goofily. "Taichi and Daisuke are fighting at the Rainbow Cascades…" she dusts herself off, offering me a hand to stand up. I rise to an upright position without her help, looking around at the excited crowd gathering to the eastern part of the village.

"And is this… good?" Miyako stands, with a long look behind her at me and Wormmon, who came back from his exploration trip to tug at my pants.

She has this look… that puzzles me. Maybe it's the type of expression. Maybe it was the way her fists clench, the way her teeth clash as she draws her lips back in a grimace halfway between a grin and a scowl.

"You'd never imagine." She answers with a sly grin, her features settling on a look of madcap delight, as she pulls on my sleeves. I let her drag me downhill, hearing the roar of the crowd escalate at a sickening quick pace. We almost roll downhill, and Wormmon begins to scurry after us, his many feet clicking on the muddy streets.

Miyako has stopped running after she nearly ran into a tall raven-haired man, but she isn't walking slowly, either. Wormmon has gotten that pause as a chance to jump in my arms, and I hold tightly onto him as Miyako increases her pace again. She keeps pushing people aside rather forcefully, yelled curses escaping her mouth every time some foolish bystander dares to stop her mad rush. She nearly growls at them, not slowing down at all, while I keep yelling my apologies to everyone.

We run past the dancer and the redhead, who were just few feet in front of us. Past a startled group of people I recognize from two days ago –the young, emerald-eyed kid, the redhead with the obsidian eyes and the tall, blue haired, bespectacled young man-when we first reached Aria. We run down the streets of the town, while I hold onto Wormmon fearfully. He watches everything intently, not bothered in the slightest. His silence worries me slightly, but is a relief to find him so relaxed. He's sworn servitude to me when I saved his life years ago, swearing to protect me with his life. That's why his calm behaviour clams me, taming the frantic beating of my heart. If there were danger, he would sense it, trying his best to save me, no matter what.

Finally, Miyako's mad rush comes to an abrupt stop when she bumps into someone, and falls unceremoniously on her back, her feet threw in the air. I let go of Wormmon and stifle a giggle, covering it with a cough when she glares up at me, standing up with as much dignity as she can muster. The blonde boy turns around, blue eyes widening. "Miyako!" Takaishi shouts, almost jumping around. "Have you seen =them=?!"

"NO!" She whines, gripping his shoulder to use it as a support to pull herself up. "Where?! Where?! Water or not?! Magic? Blades? Fists?! Shirts or not?!" she asks fervently, her voice reaching a pitched peak on the last few words.

"Water." The blonde replies dreamily. "No magic, bare hands. And *no* shirts."

Miyako squeaks in delight, holding onto my wrist tightly to drag me further forward, nearer and nearer to these Rainbow Cascades. I… what's going on…? Miyako pauses after few steps. She looks around her quickly, breathing hard. It's obvious she's somewhat nervous and I must admit this troubles me a little. Every fibre and synapse in my body's fizzling with anticipation, and I've no idea why. This isn't related to… Motomiya… fighting… covered in sweat and water in a rainbow hued lake, cheered by the soft gurgling of a cascade… shirtless. I… hope… not. No, no, this isn't related to that. At all.

I'm startled out my thoughtful daydream when Miyako whoops, and I'm suddenly shoved rather roughly forward. I look behind my shoulder helplessly as Miyako grins at me, wrapping an arm around my feminine twin's shoulder proudly. They look at each other, a look of pleading apology crossing Miyako's features, while a cross of teasing rage flickers in the other girl's eyes. She's smiling teasingly, pouting cutely as she whips around. Her smirk leaves her face when Miyako turns her face back towards her with soft, gently hands. The brunette closes her eyes and takes in the feeling of Miyako's warm skin for a moment and when her eyes open again, they're the most brilliant golden, the deepest ginger, and they twinkles. With her hands, she tenderly caresses Miyako's face. And the lavender haired girl leans in closer, brushing her lips against hers softly.

I whip around, cheeks flushed in embarrassment, but I suppose I did the wrong thing, since my breath catches painfully in my throat. The Lake is a feast of crystal azure and shimmering purple, opalescent hues dancing over the rippled surface. The magnificent cascades stands, proud, as a passageway between earth and heaven, roaring its enchanting rage for both the mortals and immortals to hear. And in the middle of the magnificently set backdrop, two boys are fighting, or dare I say, dancing, at the rhythm of a music I fail to hear.

Shining little drops dance around them as they move, quivering crystals run down their skin. Motomiya's hair is plastered to his face, swaying wildly with each step of this dance. His skin glistens, like Miyako told me, water running lazily down his rippling muscles to hide under the hem of his pants, whose first button is undone teasingly. I…

"Look at him, Ken." Miyako whispers from behind me. "Can you still say his skin is repelling to the eye? Doesn't it…"

"Look like honey?" The girl in her arms breaths out softly, snuggling closer to Miyako.

"Or sweet, hot cocoa?" Takaishi offers, walking up to me to rest his elbow over my shoulder, his chin dug in his forearm. I shake my head slowly, swallowing rather soundly.

"And the way the light sets his burgundy hair in fire? Isn't =that= appealing?" Miyako presses on. I shake my head again, denying… everything they'd like me to admit. No… he's not… no…

"Aren't they… mesmerizing, though?" Takaishi whispers a little too close to my ear, and this time I've to nod, carefully. "Unlike you people of Slayelth, we train our bodies, minds and souls since childhood. I bet all you people do is train your nobles to act politely and you soldiers to use magic…" I nod again, frowning a little. "You'll never see us using Tear Orbs while training. They kill Gaia, you know?"

I move away from Takaishi's touch, unaware of the grin he flashes to me and then to Miyako. I know… but… I'm too carried away by the scene playing in front of me to really care. I've never seen someone move like that, and focus becomes a difficult task. So strong and gently, swiftly and elegantly all at once, they move. When I was permitted to see our soldiers practicing, it was only to see them throwing Tear Orbs to one another. Opening wounds and slices they'd afterwards heal with Green healing Orbs. But this… I never saw anything like this. There's rage and quietness, force and ease mixed together in something unique. Mesmerizing, even.

As I keep staring, mutely, there's a swift change in the rhythm of the dance. It becomes angrier, quicker. Taichi leaps forward, swinging his balled fist around swiftly, aiming it at Motomiya's face. The boy twists his head to a side at the last instant, the wind ruffling his spikes as the punch flies past him. He snaps backward sharply, and swings his left leg upward, connecting with Taichi's shoulder, while his right leg flew past his left and continues, flipping him upside down. Using his hands as support, he burrows them in the swallow water and jumps again, trying to kick the other boy in the process, to land once again on his feet, knees bent and legs spread in an attacking stance.

The two exchange a smirk, each waiting for the other to do the first move. And then they're suddenly running toward each other… as if to meet in an embrace… only to once again let their bodies meet in a fistfight. Taichi tenses his muscles and shots forward, suddenly. As predicted Motomiya dodges to the right with amazing agility, a frantic dance of shimmering droplets accompanying his every move. The older boy turns in mid-air, baring his teeth, and with all his strength swings a fist into Daisuke's body and, surprisingly, misses him. His own hands curling around Taichi's arm, and using his grip as support, Motomiya ducks, managing to deliver a fast uppercut to the older boy's chin.

As Taichi flies backward, Motomiya grins… and that's when he notices me. Our eyes lock, and he smiles at me, almost glowing in golden sunlight. I find my lips curve up in a smile, hunching my shoulder instinctively. And it's amazing to see how this little gesture makes his whole face light up. He moves a step toward me, when, with a low growl, Taichi swoops, catching Motomiya in an unbreakable grip, pinning his arms to his sides and his back to the ground, bringing their faces closer to whisper something to him …

I watch numbly as he moves closer…and closer… and closer… and closer… and…

I… I… I…

~*~ Dai's POV~*~

I struggle madly under Taichi's grip, pinned in place by both his strong hands and his intense stare.

"Let me go!" I cry, struggling even harder than before.

"Not quite yet." He replies, the grin on his face turning in a more mysterious one. "I still have to pay you back for what you did to me before you left for Slayelth."

"I said I'm sorry." I glare up at him, electrocuting him with an evil glare. "Isn't that enough?"

"Nope." He answers, pressing his whole body against mine. "You've been a bad boy, Dai. Not only you went against your boss's orders, but even tricked him and mortified him."

I smirk up at him, feeling bold. "Oh? Your naked butt froze while waiting for someone to get you out of that bathroom?"

"Nope." He smirks yet again, lowering his face closer to mine. As I'm about to open my mouth to reply to him sharply, I quickly shut it, realizing he has a strange look in his eyes… He has something in his mind, his whole face exclaims it… and it surely isn't an argument. I suddenly panic and he smirks, his eyes lowered to tiny slits.

"That was the funniest part of the whole thing. You're an awesome seducer Dai, you knew that?" I shake my head no, an uncertain and apologetic smile tugging the corners of my lips.

"N-no…?" I half-reply, half-ask, licking my lips slowly. His eyes travels downward to my mouth immediately, and his voice lowers to a husky tone that makes me shiver.

"Well, you're." He says slowly, his hot breath fanning against my cheeks. "And I want to get the taste you promised me."

"YOU?!" I squirm madly, feeling the blush tingeing my cheeks, hot and wet. He isn't serious… is he?! I panic, looking at his face inching closer painfully slowly. I swallow, realizing we're so close that just a couple of millimetres and he could brush his lips against mine. "T-Tai...?" My voice decides to leave me on my own when I notice with a gulp that Taichi's creeping even closer, slowly. His lids flutter down, and I'm not sure of what I should do. My first kiss… I wanted it to be with Ken, dammit! But… Ken hates me…

Give a kiss to someone you don't like… isn't this wrong? I thought so… does Taichi like me, then? I know he cares, but… I thought… that was different. And I… no matter how much I like him, I don't *like* him. Not enough to give him my first kiss, though… but a kiss… only a kiss… if Taichi wants it… does that make it right? Oh, what do I do?! Will I do it? Will I…? Will… I…?

Taichi moves closer, his breath a moist hot caress over my face.

Will I?

Y-yes… a kiss. Only one kiss. I close my eyes, gently tilting my head up. I'm doing it. I'm…

"NOO!" the cry, desperate and high, snaps me back to reality. My eyes snap open and I roughly push Taichi away, while he's busy searching for whoever screamed, and send him splashing unceremoniously on the water. He yelps as he sinks down underwater, re-emerging only to cough out a mouthful of water. I look around, surprised and relieved that someone stopped be from doing what could have revealed to be the biggest mistake of my life, when I spot Ken.

His clenched fists are pressed almost painfully against his chest, his beautiful features twisted in a look of pain. Immediately, his fists unclench and damp palms presses against his mouth, a look of horror tingeing his face. He looks at me with wide eyes, shacking his head slightly. I look at him as he lowers his hands, revealing a delicious blush that makes me blush in response. I watch, with my eyes reaching the size of teacups as he shakes his head again and bites his bottom lip, mortified.

That's when it finally clicks. I blink, incredulous. Ken… Ken stopped me from kissing Tai?! Ken... Ken didn't only stop me, dammit! He yelled 'no'! And he sounded rather scared by the possibility to see me kiss Tai!! This means… he cares? I mean… that he…? Oh, my… my cheeks turn hotter, and I bet they're redder and brighter than a Fire Orb when it's casting a spell. Ken's blushing too… this delicious tone of pink tinges his high cheekbones as he licks his lips carefully, his hands clasping and unclasping against his chest. He shots me a glance, glassy purple staring at me from underneath velvet black lashes, and he suddenly ducks his head again, turns around and runs.

I scramble to my feet without even processing a complete thought on what I'm doing, slipping several times on the squashy mud. The crowd opens as Ken passes through it and, luckily for me, it doesn't close in on me when I dash madly after him. I notice his Wormmon trying his best to run after him, but it's clear is rather difficult for him to reach such a quick pace. Swooping, I swing out a hand to tug him to my chest. The green thing looks up at me questioningly, but I shrug, my eyes following Ken's every movement.

"I know buddy, we gotta catch Ken." I let out a screech, gritting my teeth in panic when I notice him throwing himself in the depths of the Sleeping Forest. "Goddammit Ken, that place's =dangerous=!!" I shriek, holding Wormmon closer to my chest.

"D…a…i?"

"Shh, save the words for later, little buddy. I've the slight feeling Ken will rather talk to you than to me. After all, talk's difficult for you, ne?" Mutely, the digimon lowers his eyes to the ground, nodding almost ashamedly, and I find my jaw clenching. Damn… Ken seems so attached to this digimon… if he goes crazy, what will be of Ken? Wormmon has been the only one he's allowed to approach him, save for Miyako, since he got here. And I think I'm right when I say if they're so close is because Wormmon has been the only one he's allowed to approach him for a long, long time.

Finally, we reach a little clearing, and in the middle there's Ken, curled in a ball of muffled sobs. I let out a sigh, gently placing Wormmon to the ground and looking silently as he crawls toward Ken, casting a galnbce back at me from time to time. I take a deep breath and stand, leaning against a tree for the time being. As soon as Wormmon's green paw pats Ken's arm, he looks up, his midnight-blue hair swinging softly as his head snaps upward. Tears pour down his cheeks one after another until it becomes uncontrollable. He holds onto Wormmon like he's a stuffed animal, bringing his face up to the hollow of his neck. Seeing Ken sob like that, his whole form racked by heavy shivers, makes my heart skip a beat.

Wormmon looks up me then, gesturing me to come closer. I comply, resisting the urge to dash to Ken's side and hug him, and slowly knelt beside him. I reach out to touch him, but then decide against it, dropping my hand.

"I…Ichijouji?" He looks up into my eyes, a quivering tear sliding down his cheek and leaving a red trail behind. I'd wipe it away if I didn't know how much he despites my touch.

His eyes are as dark as the sky above, shadowed by hundreds of intertwined dark branches and black foliage. Ken's dark hair wavers in the cold breeze, like a blackbird's wings beating slowly. Despite it's still morning, everything here talks about night and darkness. A miasma of fireflies dances around us, and casts its twinkling glow onto us. That's with all the probability the most beautiful sight I've ever seen, and Ken is no small part of the stunning scenery.

"What… do you want…?" He asks, slowly, and for once there isn't hatred in his voice.

"I…" He looks at me questioningly, and then shakes his head, adverting my gaze carefully.

"If you've nothing to say, please leave me alone I… I don't feel ready to go back yet. You can go tell the others I'm here."

"I… If you don't mind… I want to stay here with you…." He looks up at me, wide eyes filled with tears. Then he looks away again, shacking his head madly.

"Why are you making it so difficult?!" He shouts, holding onto Wormmon as if his life depends on that little contact. "You're making it so difficult! So difficult!" He shouts, his voice hitting a high note on the last few words. He's trembling madly now, and I'm not sure if touching him I'll ease these shivers or double them. Helplessly, I seek answers in Wormmon's light blue gaze, but his look is a mirror of my own worried confusion. I tentatively touch my fingertips to his shoulder, but Ken crawls away, before looking up at me. Tears cascade down his face and I feel so terribly helpless…

"I can't need you…" he whispers, soft voice tinged with pain. "I can't… I can't… I don't!" Ken has started to shake his head, biting down on his bottom lip. His whisper escalades in a shout and he whips around, pressing his back against a tree. "I don't need you, no!" He screams, the shaking in his arms increasing. I shake my head in response, completely lost. What… who said anything about him needing me? I… I need him, though. And even if he doesn't want me near him, I can't leave him alone in such a place.

I begin to crawl over him on my hands and knees, and in an agitation or nervousness he lets out a scream, squeezing his eyes shut. I hear a sharp cracking sound directly behind him and Ken immediately turns around, sucking in a sharp breath. A greenish elfin creature bares his teeth at him in a grimace that can barely be described as a grin. Ken backs away, but stops immediately when the creatures lets out a loud shrieks, his sharp canines and claws growing visibly longer.

The creature flies back, and then dives like a rocket at him. Ken shuts his eyes tightly, expecting his life to be torn away from him any second, and to have peace. As I dash toward Ken too, the monster suddenly changes trajectory, and crashes into the ground in front of him, showering him with sharp rocks. A cloud of dust emerges from the scattered ground to hide the monster, now free to move as it pleases. I scramble toward Ken as the creature emerges from the ground behind him and dives on him with a sickening high speed.

It misses its target, though, his sharp canine meeting tanned skin instead of ivory. I'm shielding Ken, holding him close to my chest with one arm, with the elfin gripping my other one hard with his teeth and both hands and feet, growling at me madly. I hit him carelessly, pummelling it on the ground. I let go of Ken and crawl after the creature when, with a shriek, it lets go of my arm leaps in the air, scurrying across the grassy ground to the hide in the depths of the forest.

I'm on my knees now, watching as the elfin retreats. I'm letting out laboured mouthfuls of ragged breath, holding my wounded arm close to my chest. That's when soft, warm fingers close around my wound carefully. I spin around, and find that Ken's crawled toward me. His head ducked, his hair a shiny curtains that shields his face, he's fingering the smoking welt halfway between my wrist and elbow.

He shakes his head slowly, and reaches out to undo the tie that holds his purple hair in place. He frees himself from the silky tie giving a slight toss to his head, eyes closed and lips parted. I inhale sharply as his long hair swirls around his face like a fly of shiny purple ravens. Long, disparate tendrils of silk frame his face, grazing his chin gently. On his back, his hair is longer, and covers his shoulders like a fine, silky mantel. And even this bizarre hairstyle doesn't spot his stunning gorgeousness.

He proceeds to carefully bandage my wound, his eyes never quite meeting mine. In fact he keeps staring to the ground even when he's done and I'm currently admiring his handwork.

"Idiot." He whispers at last, and I blink down at his bowed head, shocked.

"…what?"

"Idiot." He repeats, curling his fingers gently around my wrist. "You always hurt yourself… because of me… always…" he mutters between trembles. "Always… because of me… you bleed… you're… an idiot." He looks up at me for a moment, and I'm stunned to see the tears running down his cheeks. He rests his forehead against my chest, his hand uncurling from around my wrist to lay, soft and smooth, next to his clammy cheek, now pressed tightly in my shirt.

I move my hands tentatively, not knowing what to do. I want to hold him, but I can't. I shouldn't hold him, but I want. I can hold him, but I won't. God, everything's so confusing… and as I stand, motionless, listening to Ken's muffled sobs, he keeps whispering something that sounds suspiciously like, "You're making it so difficult…"

And this just makes no sense at all.

~*~ End of chapter 03~*~

*dazed* wow… I beat that b@$+@rd writer's block and finally wrote this. @_@ this isn't half as good as I hoped it to be, and I honestly think I may have rushed things a little, but… you're the judges. That was for you all that read this, and I sincerely hope you enjoyed it. =)

See you in the next chapter!