Author's Notes:

I can't tell you how good it feels to know that people are enjoying this story!!! I see that some of you have voiced the concern of Daisuke and Hikari hooking up, but like any other fic reader I like stories with a twist, and this one will be no exception. Now for some of you that wanted to see Kirei get with Dai, I can already tell you that it's not going to happen, but that isn't to say that HIkari won't have it easy winning Daisuke's affections. *author grins wickedly*

Before I go, I just want to give a shout out to an author that has written some of the most quality Daikari fics I've ever read....

Ben Myatt...this one's for you!! ^_^



Now I'll have Kirei do the disclaimer....



Kirei: *waves to readers* Umm, I'm kinda new to this. Anyway, just call me Kiki...

Dream-chan: Alright Kiki! Now, what I need you to do is tell our dear readers that I don't own Digimon Adventures

Kirei: Sounds easy enough! *clears throat* Okay, Dream-chan in no way, shape or form own Digimon Adventures, even though she asked for the rights as a Christmas present....

Dream-chan: *smiling brightly* That was great! You know what, for doing such a good job, would like me tell you who has a crush on you already...

Kirei: *Jumping up and down* Tell Me!!!!!! Tell Me!!!! Tell Me!!!!

Dream-chan: *rolls eyes* Now I know why you and Dai are such good friends, but for now I think I'll keep that information to myself...



Kirei: P-P-Please *gives author puppy-eyes and quivering lip*

Dream-chan: Sorry, the 'Chibimon' routine won't work...

Kirei: Didn't hurt to try. As long as he's a hottie, I'm game. Now I have to go on a shopping spree. Bye bye!

Dream-chan: *sighing* Must be nice being a daughter of a diplomat...



Second Time Around

by Dream-chan

Rating: R (swearing by a grumpy Dai-chan ^_~)

Editor: me, myself, and I (so expect spelling/grammar mistakes)

Email: dream_chan@hotmail.com







Topsy Turvy All Around Whirly





Hikari



I can't believe it. I am kissing Motomiya Daisuke. The boy that I have loved since I can remember.

I don't know what possesed me to kiss him. All I can do is hope my courage doesn't leave me...in more ways than one.



But just as soon as I was about ot pull back and run like the hounds of hell were after me, I feel his arms tighten and pull me close. The kiss that started chaste now has turned into something simmering hot...blazing through my system within seconds. If I had to describe his taste I would compare it to carmel-covered apples. The kind that you get at a country fair. Warm, gooey,sweet and crisp.

This is a great first kiss.

Everything is going how it should be, but I can tell there is something wrong. I mean, the kiss is intense and all, but it feels that he's holding back. My suspicions are confirmed when after the next few moments, he pulls way resting his cheek against mine.



"Dai-kun, what's wrong?" I breathed, trying to recover from one of the best experiences in my life.



"Shh... I just want to hold you for a minute, if that's okay," he whispers, pulling me closer. So close that I can hear his racing heartbeat, which is an echo of my own. Once our pulses slow to a more sedate pace, I feel him begin loosen his hold.

"Kari-" he says, before I put a hand to his mouth, hushing him.

"Before you say anything, I just want you to know something. Motomiya Daisuke, I have loved you for the past five years and I still do. I am not saying this out of guilt or pity. I have always loved you...only you.

" 'Kari, truth be told, I still love you after all this time..." he whispers, gently cupping my cheek in his warm hand. Hearing his words, I couldn't help to nuzzle his hand, not wanting this moment to end. So imagine my surprise when he continues, "and that is why we can't be together..."

Suddenly the warmth is gone, snapping me into awareness of what just happened. This was not how this was supposed to go. After confessing our love to each other, we would go steady, get married, and have couple of kids. I don't see a reason....unless that reason is in the form of ebony hair and amber eyes. I was going to get to the bottom of this.



Trying hard not to stomp my foot in frustration, I begin my defense. "Why not? If I care for you and you still care for me, why not?" Not wanting to ask, but feeling that it was a strong possibility, I had to put it out there. "Is it because of Kirei?"



The shocked expression on his face was all I needed. "NO! Like I said before Kirei is just a friend..."

"Well you accused Takeru and I of the same thing..." I remind him gently, trying to lessen the impact of my statement.



"Point taken." he concedes, still not giving me direct eye contact.

"So what is the problem?" It almost feels like he is punishing me somehow...like getting back at me.

I wouldn't blame him if he was.



"I'm scared of hurting you and you hurting me..."he trails off, looking up in the night sky as if asking for advice from a higher power.



Now that was unexpected. How would we hurt each other if we were in love?



Shoving his hands in his pockets, he begins to rock back and forth on his heels, which is a telltale giveway that he's nervous. I guess all those years of secretly watching him paid off, but that doesn't make me feel much better.

"Think about it. Instead of asking you if you and Yamato were dating, I go and hop on a plane to get away from all the pain seeing you together caused me-"

"What are you talking about? What did you see?" I asked, confused as to why he would think that Yama and I were a couple back then. Not only was our age difference, but Tai would have killed me.



"It was a couple of days before my family and I were supposed to leave for England. Of course I threw the biggest tantrum ever and I was allowed to stay with my aunt. I was so happy because this meant that I wouldn't have to leave my friends...leave you..."



"Daisuke-" was all I could say, stunned that he would be willing to separate from his family, just so that he could stay here...with me.



"So, it was after school one day that I began to search for you to tell you the whole story, because I wanted you to be the first to know. So just as I was about to walk into the computer lab, I see you and Yamato sitting next to each other, just staring out the window. I don't know what kept me from barging in like I usually do, but something just told me to hold back. Next thing I hear is you laughing then I see Yamato lean down to give you a quick kiss. I couldn't take it anymore, so I ran, told my parents I was moving to England with them and I was gone."



Even hough he tried to keep his tone light, I could tell that he still hurt from all the pain I inflicted on him. Feeling my guilt and remorse rise, I squeezed "Dais," I say softly, wanting to ease the pain that was swimming in those beautiful brown eyes of his. "I'm so sorry, but maybe it will be a little better if I explain it from my side. Are you willing to listen?"

Seeing a small nod, I began to tell him all the things I should have said five years ago."You know, I still remember the first time I saw you. Tai had dragged me to another of his soccer matches, because Mom said he had too. As soon as we get to the field, he tells me that he had to go, but that he knew someone that would keep me company. Minutes later, I see this reddish blur racing towards us at top speed, screaming my brothers' name at the top of it's lungs. I have to admit that the resemblance between you two was uncanny, but after spending time with you, I could see that you were definitely your own person and not afraid to show your true self to others. I always wished I could do that and I admired you for it."

"Over time I really felt something for you, but I didn't know how to tell you. Truthfully, I thought that your only reason for you liking me is because I was Tai's sister. So I kept you at a distance, until I was sure that your feelings were genuine. I was just so afraid that I would be more of a trophy than your girlfriend."



"So you used Takeru." his eyes becoming a little colder as he said it. "How did he feel about all this?" I can tell that this is going to be a touchy subject for sometime to come.



"At first he didn't mind. I guess he felt that he was protecting me, not wanting to see me hurt, but through all our adventures in the Digiworld, he said that he could see a change in you and that I should just tell you how I feel." I could see him try to hide his surprise at that little revelation. The thought of his once rival actually helping him seems to have caught him off guard a bit.



"And I remember that day as well, because that is also the day that Yamato and Taichi started dating. You see, Tai liked Yama and Yama liked Tai, but both felt that the other wouldn't want nothing to do with the other if their real feelings were revealed. So, Takeru and I took it upon ourselves to get them together. Needless to say it worked and now they are together. When Yama kissed me that was his way of saying thanks. He felt if he was going to give the last kiss he would give to a female, then I was the best choice." I smiled faintly at the memory.



"We've both been idiots..." he groans, shaking his head bemusedly.



"I couldn't have said it better myself..." I smile, trying to dispel the lingering sadness around us.



Once again we allow the silence to envelop us, each trying to come to terms with all that happened tonight. However, I need to know what's going to happen now...needed to know where I fit in his life or even if I was in it.



Feeling like a character from a cheesey romantic film, I ask a question that I deperately need to know the answer to.



"So where do we go from here?"



"Like I said before, I'm not sure if I want to get into a relationship right now. I think we both have our share of scars we inflicted on each other." he says seriously, looking directly into my eyes. "They still need time to heal."



"I get it...I-I-I'll just be going then.." I stuttered, feeling the pain course through my heart at his words. Whoever said 'Distance makes the heart grow fonder' should be committed to a psychiatric hospital.



Stupid philosophers.



"Hikari...'Kari. Please don't cry...please..." he says softly, using his thumb to wipe away the tear that managed to escape. "How about we start fresh?" I guess I looked a bit skeptical, because he hurried to continue. "I know that it will be hard, but don't you think that we owe ourselves at least that much?"



Although I hear teh sincerirty behind the offer, I can't help but wonder is this is some sort of punishment, but glancing once more into those warm umber eyes of his, I know that's not true. Making up my mind, I decide to meet him halfway.



"I'm willing to try...if that is what you truly want"



"Okay then." he smiles, stepping back a little. I was curious about what he was doing, until he stuck out his hand. "Hello. My name is Motomiya Daisuke. Nice to meet you.."



Laughing at his actions, I shake his hand, feeling a tingle go up my arm with the contact. "Yagami Hikari, same here..."



"I'm glad that we're friends again. I missed you Ri-chan..." he says warmly, making me feel a little better using the special nickname that he used to call me.



I hope that we can more than that soon. "I am too, Dais...I am too"



"Well, I think that I'm going to head home. Can you tell Ken that I went home? This has been a real crazy week, and I guess it's catching up to me."



"Sure. Be safe, k?"



"I will. See you later.", and with a small wave, he was gone.



I stood there, watching his back disappear further and further into the distance. It was almost like watching him leave again. Wiping my tears anyway, I promised myself one thing.

I'm not going to let him go. Not anymore.



Takeru



"So are ya'll together yet? And when is the wedding?" I joke as I corner my best friend. I figured that I should be told first, since I've been pushing her to admit her feelings to him since forever.



"He turned me down," she whispered, her smile leaving her face instantly.

"Yeah right and I just dyed my hair green" I laughed, knowing that she had to be kidding. There was no way in hell Daisuke could refuse Hikari anything, but after taking a good look at her, I could tell that she was trying to not to break down crying.



"YOU'RE SERIOUS! What the HELL is his problem?!?!?" I seethed, wanting to rip Daisuke to shreds. I don't care if she loves him or not. No one hurts my best friend and gets away with it. Doesn't he realize that he's done enough? Is he doing this for punishment? Does this mean that him and Kirei more than 'just friends'?

Wait a minute...where did that come from? I'll think about that later, but right now I have to concentrate on something more important. Like bashing Daiuke's head in!!!!!

Hikari reached out to put a calming hand on my arm. "Please...don't get mad." she smiled, although her eyes were next to overflowing. "Actually, I think that he's right on this one, but that doesn't mean I like it..."

"So, what's going to happen now?" I asked, wanting to know specifics.

Yeah, I'm a closet gossip, but if you had Miyako and Mimi for friends, you would too. I know that after they find out about this, shit is going to hit the fan...among other things.



"We each agreed to start over fresh. To get to know the other as they are now, instead of letting the past influence us..." she admitted, taking a sip of the punch.

To say that I was shocked would be an understatement. Of all the things that Daisuke is, I never would have said hesistant. To know that it was him and not Hikari-chan to suggest this was unexpected.

"He said that?"

"I know, it kinda shocked me too," she laughed, the sparkle coming back bit by bit. "To tell you the truth, I never knew that he could be so insightful."

"So, will you be okay?"

"Yeah, if he wants to take this slow, then that is how we'll do it. I've waited to long to have him back in my life again. I just have to prove it to him that we belong together."



"Are you up to the challenge?" I already knew the answer to this one.



"I'm a Yagami. What do you think?" she smiles, the sparkle back in her eyes.



"Good point. Now, c'mon, let's go have some fun..." and with that, we headed for the dancefloor, hoping to get over or disappointments for the time being.



Yamato

Dammit! Why can't I keep my temper when I'm around that kid?!?? I mean, he leaves suddenly without saying goodbye to none of us, then he shows up and acts like nothing changed. His attitude can really use an adjustment.

"Hey Yama, are you okay?" I hear Tai asks as he closes the door to our dorm room. Which is in a serious need of a cleaning job.



"Not really," I say, walking over to the window that faced the quad below. "It was just such a shock seeing him here, ya know?"

"Yeah, it was. Seems that he has grown up in more ways than one..." he replies, coming to stand next to me. We stood there in silence for a few minutes, before Tai got to the heart of the matter.



"Why are you so angry? I mean, from what I remember you two really weren't that close, even though ya'll shared the same crest..." he pointed out, familiar of the tension that seemed to always exist between the two of us.



"I know. That's the whole point..."

Turning me around to face him, I can see the concern laced with confusion. Knowing that he was waiting for an answer, I put my fears in the simplest form possible.

"I failed him Tai." Whew! It felt so good to get that off my chest.

He didn't waste any time setting me straight. "What are you talking about? You have always been there for him, just like I have..."

"Tai-koi, you have to admit that you and Daisuke have always had a closer relationship. Sometimes, I would get jealous of the connection you two had. Then when we found out he shared our crests, it seemed that you two became closer, while we were just aquaintances. That hurt Tai...."

"Yama..." he said softly, in that tender voice he only uses around me.

"I never meant for things to be that way between us. It just seemed that we rubbed each other the wrong way from the start and never recovered. I should have been there for him, instead of just blowing him off. I remember when we located the Digimental of Friendship and we were discussing who it belonged to. I don't know if anyone heard him, but what he said hit close to home..."

"What is it Yama? What did he say?" he asked softly, brushing my bangs away from my face.

Steeling myself, I utter the words that have haunted me ever since he left. "Maybe it belonged to the person that had the fewest friends...like him."

I hear feel and hear Tai gasp, surprised that Daisuke felt that way back then.

I should have seen behind the mask he wore for everyone, because I used to wear one of my own. Instead of trying to get to know him and help, I just pushed him away.

Suddenly, I feel the familiar embrace of my lover wrapping his arms around me, giving me the unconditional comfort and support.

"Well love, it looks like we all have a second chance."

"You're right...and this time, we're going to get it right."



Daisuke



{{RING RING}}

I don't believe this.

{{RING RING}}

It's Saturday

{{RING RING}}

Early Saturday Morning...8am to be exact.

{{RING RING}}

So who can be calling this early? Don't they know it's bad manners to call this early on a weekend?

{{RING RING}}

Maybe if I close my eyes, they'll go away. Yeah, that always works.



{{RING RING}}

Any second now, they'll hang up.

{{RING RING}}

Or maybe Jun will get it...

{{RING RING}}

Jun. Get the phone.

{{RING RING}}

JUN!

{{RING RING}}

Someone....

{{RING RING}}

Anyone.....

{{RING RING}}

Pick up the goddamn phone!

{{RING RING}}

SHIT!



Whoever is on the other end of this phone, better have a damn good excuse for waking me up before noon! After banging my hand against the nightstand at least three times, I finally grabbed the thing that woke me up.

"Who the HELL IS THIS? Do you know it's SATURDAY?!?! Go back to BED, like every other sane person!!!" I yelled, not caring who it was. I figured it was only fair since they showed little consideration for my sleeping schedule.



"MOTOMIYA DAISUKE! That is NO way to talk to your mother! Now you answer the phone like I taught you to."

I swear...things like this only happen to me. I could almost feel the sweatdrop.



"Gomen okachan....Moshi Moshi" I said, hoping my voice sounded more cheerful.



"That's better. I'm calling to let you kids know that your father and I will be coming home earlier than planned, so if you threw any parties, you better make it spotless, ok?"

she never fails to bring that up. A couple of parties and a person is branded for life.

"Mom, will you ever let that go?"

"No, because that is what mothers do. Anyway, I have to go now. Make sure to tell Jun, alright?"

"Sure. Tell Dad I said hello and I hope both of you have a safe trip" I say, trying to make up for what I did earlier.



"Thanks sweetie. Bye"



Hanging up the phone, I turn over and close my eyes, hoping that I can go back to sleep. Just as soon as my eyes were starting to close....



{{RING RING}}



Not again.



{{RING RING}}



After the last time, I decided not to take any chances. Besides, it's probably my mom calling again because she forgot to tell me something she deems 'too urgent' to wait.



"Moshi Moshi"

"OI DAI-KUN!!!"

Oh great. This is just shaping up to be a great morning. Woken up by the self-proclaimed Gossip Queen.



"Kiki, why do you sound like you have been eating Pocky for breakfast?"



"Because I have...chocolate as a matter of fact. Now, tell me what happened?"



"What are you talking about?" Maybe if I played dumb, she'll have pity on me and hang up.



"Don't act stupid....." "What happend when you and Hikari had your little talk?"



"Can we please talk about this later?", I groaned not wanting to get into this right now. I guess I should get used to it, cause I have a feeling that this will be the question of the day from everyone.



"No! C'mon Dais...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!" she whines in that same tone that Chibi uses when he wants more ice cream. I wonder if she's been taking lessons or something.



"FINE! Dammit Kiki. You can be such a brat..."



"You still love me" she laughed, knowing that I'll forget about being mad at her in a few hours. "Now spill!"

"To make a long story short, she told me that she loved me, have always cared for me and then she gave me my first kiss-"

"SHE WHAT?!?!??" I am going to kill whoever gave her chocolate this early in the morning. "So what did you do?" she gushed. I could just imagine her eating a bowl of popcorn.

"I told her how I still loved her, kissed her back, and then told her that I was not ready to be in a relationship right now."

"..."

Silence.

"Uh...hello"

"..."

This is not good. Not good at all.

"Kiki...you still there?" I asked tentively, knowing that I was in for an earful.



"DAISUKE YOU ARE A COMPLETE AND UTTER BAKA!!!!!!" she yelled, making me deaf in at least one ear.

"Can you scream a little louder? I don't think that people in China heard you."



"Oh shut up! Why would you do something like that? Isn't that what you always wanted? For her to declare her love for you and then become attached at the hip?" she asked heatedly, making me feel like a jerk.



"Kirei...you don't understand. I'm tired of explaining myself to people about this. This is between Hikari and I" I said firmly, hoping that she would just drop the subject.



"Alright, I won't push you anymore. However, don't play with her heart like she played with yours. Two wrongs don't make a right." she said seriously, wanting me to know that she meant business.

"Yes MOM! Can I go back to sleep now?" I ask sarcastically, not being able to help myself.

"Okay okay. Well I gotta get going. I'll call you later, k? Ja." and the next thing I heard was a dial tone.

"Bye to you too." I say to no one in particular. Placing the phone back on the hook. I lay back down, but unfortunately not sleepy anymore.

Getting up, I pull on some sweatpants and a shirt. As I was about to leave my room, my eyes were caught by the photograph that now sat on my desk. Walking over I picked it up, just remembering the good times that we all used to have.

As always, my gaze drifted to Hikari and for the first time, I felt no bitterness. In it's place was just a wonderful warmth from the knowledge that she loved me.

She loved me. Yagami Hikari loved me...Motomiya Daisuke.

Tracing her cheek in the photo, I remember doing the same thing last night and how right it felt.

I love you Ri-chan. I just have to be sure that this is what you want.

Putting the picture down, I make my way to the kitchen, hopping that I still had some Fruit Loops left. As I was pulling out a bowl, I heard someone knocking on the door.

Slamming down the milk carton, I am getting ticked at all these interruptions. I feel like I'm back in Picadilly Circus or something. Walking over to the door, I threw it open prepared to send them on their way, but the surprise was on me.

"Hikari!" I know I looked like a goldfish out of water, but I couldn't help myself.

"Good Morning, Daisuke. Did I wake you?" she asks, her smile making my bad mood disappear like fog under a bright sun.

"Um...no. Why are you here?" Holding up a few bags, she smiles "Since we're friends again, I wanted to do something special. So I went to the bakery and brought some donuts and coffee. Sound good?"

"Are you kidding me?!? Come on in!" I said, as I opened the door a little wider to let her through.

Closing the door behind me, I couldn't help but think that this was going to be a day I never forget.



tbc.....



So, how was that, dear readers? I told you I wasn't going to make it easy for our couple, just a little harder! Besides that, it seems that someone has a little crush on Kiki... This is getting just too interesting. Well that is all for now, so until next time....DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!! ^_^



ja ne minna-san

dream-chan