Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, or any of the other things used in here, they all belong to their respective owners. The idea for the fic belongs to my brain, so don't steal it.

Just Say You're Sorry Prologue

"It's alright, Takeru-san! I'll be back soon, you'll see," Hikari smiled warmly, but it was obvious that she was already dreading spending the summer without Takeru. "It won't seem like any time at all." She was lying, of course, trying to make Takeru feel better when she was so close to tears herself. "It's okay, Hikari-chan. I'll try not to miss you." The shy boy stumbled over his words, blushing self-consciously. He pulled his girlfriend close in a rough hug. She smiled back, wrapped her arms around him, kissing him. It would be a rough summer for both of them. Takeru had been worried about this day throughout the whole school year after Hikari had told him about her wanting to go to summer camp alone. "I'll be alright. I can take care of myself now," she had said. "The summer will end before you know it, and then I'll be back." But Takeru hadn't been so sure. He had guessed something would go wrong, and had voiced it to her. She had just said he was worrying too much and that he should relax. But still... He released her, broke the kiss, wishing that the moment didn't have to end so soon. "You...you'd better go. You'll be late." Not like that would be a bad thing for Takeru. "You're right. I almost am already." She took his hand, held it tight. "I. I love you, Takeru." "I love you too, Hikari. Come back safe." Takeru kissed her gently as she released her grip on his hand. He felt tears welling up in his eyes as he watched the brunette run off towards the bus. Somehow, he knew that it would be the last time he would ever see her...

"She WHAT?!" Takeru screamed at Taichi, his eyes almost falling out of his head. "I already told you. She... she's dead." Taichi choked on his words, staring at his feet. He didn't want to believe it either. After all, Hikari was his sister. He hated to think about never seeing her again. Understanding what Takeru was going through, he was trying to be gentle. "She was killed by a drunk driver. They had some free time, and she was off going to buy a souvenir. I don't know the details, but that much I do know." Watching his friend, he saw the stages he was going through. Currently he was in denial. "You're lying, aren't you? How could you lie about something like this! About your own SISTER! That's sick, that's twisted, that's..." Takeru paused, stared straight into Taichi's beautiful brown eyes, eyes that shined with emotion. Realization flooded through him. "You. you aren't. lying?" The words were whispered, barely audible. Taichi shook his head. Takeru's knees turned to rubber, making it impossible for him to stand up. He nearly fell onto the couch. "God. You aren't lying." Taichi shook his head. Soon, he guessed, the anger will hit. Anger for letting her go off by herself, anger that he didn't go with her. He already knew them all. He had already been through them all, just hours before. "Why didn't you go, too? If you were there, she might not have.she might be here today! How could you. how could you?!" Takeru nearly exploded with emotion. Tears were flooding down his face; he couldn't care less. "Tai, I loved her! I'm never going to see her again! How could you do this to me?!" He would have said more, but he was choking as it was. Unable to get any more words out, he swallowed, losing himself to the tears. Taichi sat down next to Takeru, putting his arm around him, trying to figure out some way to comfort him. He hated feeling useless. Staring at his friend's tear-stained face, he felt helpless, unable to make him feel better, unable to bring back what they both had lost. Hikari had been a daily part of his life, and he would never be able to see her face, hear her beautiful voice, be awakened by her snoring again. He had never known how much he had truly loved her. "I guess it's true you don't know how much you love someone until they're gone." Taichi's arm around Takeru's shoulder was a great comfort to him. His crying calmed to steady sniffling. He smiled weakly, his crystal-blue eyes bright with tears, but he saw hope. Maybe Hikari was gone, but what about Taichi? He just had one more question he needed answered, and he was afraid to ask it. He was afraid of the answer he would get. What if it was someone he knew? "Taichi. Do you know who the driver was?" Takeru's voice was desperate, but he felt a little better as Taichi nodded slowly. "Who was it?" "Are you sure you want to know?" Taichi's voice was uncertain.worried? Why? "Yeah, of course." Takeru raised an eyebrow. He wasn't as sure as he was a second ago, but what reason was there for him not to know? "Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you." He paused, closing his eyes. It would be better to break it to Takeru gently, seeing as he had already lost so much, but what other way was there for him to do it? "Hikari's murderer. the one who killed her. it was." His voice was cracking with emotion. Please God, don't let it be who I think it is, Takeru thought. Please, God. Too bad God isn't on Takeru's side. "It was Yamato, Takeru. Your brother ran Hikari down." Only one word came to Takeru's mind: Why?!