If I could, then I would

I'll go wherever you will go

Way up high or down low

I'll go wherever you will go…

"I can't Akira," Takeru tried to explain to her. "I've got to go somewhere tonight."

"Without me?" She pouted back, twisting a lock of her dark hair around her finger. "How come?"

"Because," Takeru said desperately, "this is something a bit more private."

"We aren't supposed to keep secrets from each other, Takeru-kun." Akira said, definitely looking put out. "Hold on a minute – is it something with that Hikari girl?"

She looked at him accusingly, and Takeru looked guiltily right back at her. In actual fact, he was doing something with Hikari that night, but it was Digital World business. Well, it wasn't business, it was a group thing – for fun. But how was he supposed to tell her that?

"I swear, Takeru, sometimes I think that you like that girl more than you like me."

"We're just friends, Akira. You know that."

She looked at him still, not believing him.

"Akira! She's one of my best friends!"

"So…you aren't doing anything with her tonight?" His girlfriend asked, not appreciating the conversation in the least.

"Well..."

"You are!" Akira exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air.

"NO! Akira, it's more of a …group…thing." Takeru said, running a hand through his hair.

"How come I wasn't invited?"

"Listen, I'll call you after it's over. I'm sure you can amuse yourself for a couple of hours without me."

She looked at the ground. "I guess."

"Good girl." Takeru said, not realizing what had just come out of his mouth. The only person I've ever called 'good girl' is Hikari. Speaking of which…

"I've really got to go." He said firmly.

"Yeah, okay." Was her response.

~*~

"Takeru is late," Hikari told her mother that evening. "Where is he?"

All of the Chosen Children were going over to Sora and Taichi's apartment, and Takeru had offered to pick her up and drive her there.

"He'll be here any minute. Take this to Taichi, will you dear?" Hikari's mother said, handing her a tin full of cookies. "They're his favorite."

"Sure."

There was a knock on the apartment door, and Takeru opened it cautiously. "Sorry I'm late, Hikari-chan."

"How come you were late?" She asked, throwing on her coat. She said good-bye to her mother, and the two left towards the elevator.

"Akira." He said dully.

"Ah," she said, as if that cleared everything up.

He proceeded to explain the whole story to her on their way to his car. He opened the door for her, and she was surprised by his gesture.

"So, in the end, she said it was fine. It isn't like she can't amuse herself." Takeru said, starting the car.

"Yes, I suppose so." She responded, wondering exactly how she was going to occupy herself.

"Hikari…" Takeru began, "do you think Akira and I are good for each other?"

How was she supposed to answer that? She was silent for at least five minutes, just thinking about it. Finally she said, "I think there is probably someone out there better for you."

He looked at her, just then noticing how pretty she was, without even trying. "Do you really think so?"

"…Yeah."

~*~

"I am such an idiot," Hikari mumbled to herself. Sora, Mimi and Miyako were in the kitchen, talking amongst themselves, while all the boys were in the living room.

"How is Takeru?" Sora asked gently.

"He's great." She said miserably. "Can you believe that?"

"How is Akira?" Mimi asked even gentler.

Hikari blinked back the tears that were threatening to escape. "I like him so much, but he is with her now."

"Does she treat him well?" Miyako asked.

"Not especially," said Hikari bitterly. "I've seen her openly flirt with other guys; and Takeru knows it. It's just that – he seems so happy when he is with her."

Sora bit her lip. "You know, Hikari, I bet he is happier when he is with you."

"Yeah," Miyako added, "I've seen how you guys act around each other. If only you could…"

Hikari looked up tearfully. "Then why isn't he dating me?"

Mimi shook her head. "I don't know. He'll come around."

Hikari rubbed her eyes with her sleeve. "I hope so. I just wish that he would hurry up."

Miyako nodded. "I know."

"It's just that – he is such an amazing person, and I don't think Akira appreciates him as much as he should be appreciated."

"Sora-chan?" They heard Taichi yell. He came into the kitchen and raised his eyebrows at the four girls sitting on the counter tops. "Do we have any more chips?"

"Over in that cupboard." Sora responded. He smiled gratefully and quickly kissed her on the cheek before leaving the kitchen again; chips in hand.

"See?" Hikari said, gesturing with her hands. "Why couldn't I have someone like you have Taichi?"

"Hikari," Sora said calmly, "all you have to do is wait for it."

"I suppose so."

And maybe, I'll find out

The way to make it back someday

To watch you, to guide you

Through the darkest of your days…

END OF CHAPTER 2. I don't own it. Please read and review, as it would be much appreciated.