Author's Notes: I've had a good day! I found out my French class average is 90%, my Math average is 97% and my C.A.L.M. average is 100%! 'Course I've only gone to this school for two months, so they didn't have a WHOLE lot to calculate from, but still... I'M HAPPY!

And I'd like to say that if any of you got the impression that this is a Davis-bashing fic, I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean for it to seem like that because, believe it or not (and I hope you do, 'cause it's true), I actually kinda LIKE Davis (sometimes)! I mean, if it weren't for him... oh, COME ON! Do you really think the show would be that funny? I didn't like (I hated him... still do on occasion) him at the start because of the obvious reason that he likes Kari and didn't like TK. But, as season two progressed, I guess he kinda grew on me (like a rash).

Anyway, Digimon belongs to Akiyoshi Hongo, Toei animation and all them other people. Thanks and read on!

The ARROW, the STAFF &the SHIELD
Part 7
By Android Eleven

"The Tachikawa royals have just arrived, your Highness," a page declared, suddenly entering the dining room. Taichi, Hikari and the visitors from Ishida were just finishing dinner when this announcement was made. Taichi quickly jumped up, excused himself and was almost out of the room before he turned back.

"Hikari, would you join me?"

The Princess, who had again been gazing at the handsome Prince Takeru, did not answer. But to be honest, it could not be said that her attention had gone unreciprocated. Takeru was looking at Hikari also, when he thought she was not looking, and more than once he had immediately turned and blushed at his dessert when she caught him. Grand Duke Koushiro d'Izumi nudged the Princess to get her attention and she jerked out of her stupor. "Pardon?"

"Come greet the Tachikawas with me, Kari?" Taichi repeated patiently.

Hikari smiled at the nickname. "Certainly, brother."

As she stood, Taichi remembered his manners and turned the Ishidas. "King Yamato, Prince Takeru, you are, of course, welcome to join us."

Yamato nodded and gestured to his brother to stand. "We'd be delighted," he replied. He and Takeru walked out the door after the Kamiyas and Count Iori and Baron Daisuke went after their Prince.

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Princess Mimi stuck her amethyst tiara topped head out of the carriage and took her first look at the kingdom of Kamiya. "It's pretty," she commented to Lady Miyako, who was still seated inside their carriage. "There are lots of trees."

Sir Jyuu, across the yard, saw that the Princess was emerging from her carriage and so he ran over to help her. As she started to step out he stuck out his hand for her to take. She took it and gave him a beautiful smile that made him blush as she stepped down.

Just then a voice sounded. "Ah, you majesties! I am delighted that you all could be here today!" A young, brown haired man wearing a crown and clad in blue was approaching them with a brown haired girl wearing a sapphire tiara beside him. Following close behind the pair were two spiky blonde haired men in green who were also wearing crowns.

The brown haired boy walked over to the Princess and took her hand. He bowed and placed a kiss on it and Jyuu felt a twinge of jealousy go through him. It didn't help that, when the brown haired boy stood again, he commented, "You MUST be Princess Mimi. Rumors of your beauty have spread far and wide, but I can see that they hardly do you justice."

Mimi blushed at this and the boy introduced himself. "I am Crown Prince Taichi of the kingdom of Kamiya and it is wonderful to finally meet you, my Princess." As Taichi said this, the King and Queen had joined them and Jyuu was helping Lady Miyako step out of the carriage so no one saw his reaction, but it was not a pleasant one. There was anger, because of the way Taichi was talking to HIS Mimi. There was the initial surprise of finding out that such a reckless looking person could be a prince. And then there was jealousy, lots of jealousy.

The others took no notice of Jyuu's disquiet and Taichi continued. "This is my younger sister, Princess Hikari."

The girl who had been standing beside the Prince smiled serenely and curtsied to them and, politely, Jyuu took her hand and placed a light kiss on the back of it. Abruptly Princess Mimi remembered her manners.

"This is my wonderful lady-in-waiting, Lady Miyako Inoue." Taichi took the girl's hand and kissed it. "And this is my favorite Lord of the kingdom of Tachikawa, Sir Jyuu of the House of Kido." Mimi smiled at Jyuu and he bowed at the Kamiyas, though it was one of the last things he would have chosen to do right then.

'Kido,' Taichi thought, as he stared at the man in front of him. 'Kido, Kido. I know I've heard that name before... but where?'

A cough came from behind the Kamiyas, from the older one of the blonde haired boys. Taichi quickly introduced King Yamato, Prince Takeru and their companions to the Tachikawas and suggested that they head inside, as it was starting to get dark outside.

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Prince Taichi decided that, once all of his guests were shown to their rooms and unpacked, they should all be taken on a tour of the palace. He decided they could go in different groups, as the different people would need to know where certain places were. He and Koushiro, who'd decided to join him 'just in case', would be going with King Yamato and King Tachikawa, as the men would need to know the location of places such as the throne room, his study and the training room. The King of Tachikawa had also insisted that Sir Jyuu accompany them. Taichi couldn't figure out why, but he was unprepared to ask for himself and so he allowed it. He had also requested that Lady Sora take Queen Tachikawa and Mimi around to the gardens, the bathhouses, etc. And as he'd seen the way that Hikari had been gazing at Prince Takeru during dinner, Taichi decided to have the two set together so they could get to know each other better.

Neither Takeru nor Hikari could have been happier with the arrangement, though neither said this out loud. They simply went off on their own when the others did.

The two didn't talk much at first. The conversation didn't really start until Hikari was leading him to the library. "Takeru? Hmm... that's such a lovely name."

Takeru chuckled lightly. "Not really."

Hikari only shrugged at him. "Whatever you say, your Highness. But I think it suits you. And it goes well with your title." He looked at her curiously when she said this. "Well, you know. PRINCE Takeru, his Highness Takeru, the brave, young Takeru."

Takeru made a funny face. "I guess so. I've never really thought about it before."

Hikari smiled at him. "I have a way of making people think about things like that."

"You mean the same sort of way you have to make people smile when they're around you?" Hikari blushed at this comment, but didn't answer.

From then on the two teens never ran out of things to talk about. They were both the same age, though Takeru was a few months older. They told each other of their newborn talents with the arrow and the staff, though not of how they found them (for neither had even told their brothers where they had found them), and not of the fact they were made of diamond and gold. After a while they even mentioned a few things about their families, as both was the younger child of their deceased parents. By the time the tour was over, Takeru still couldn't find his way around the castle, but he and Hikari felt as if they'd known each other for months.

Once they'd finally decided it was time to retire to their rooms for the night, Takeru refused to go to, insisting on walking with Hikari until she'd made it safely inside her own. After a short argument, Hikari agreed, though she was still making the occasional comment such as: "This IS my castle, you know," and "You will probably get lost on the way back to your own room." Takeru simply shrugged.

When they had finally reached Hikari's room, Takeru was pretty sure that he WOULD get lost on the way back to his own room, but it didn't matter. He'd been able to spend more time with Hikari that way. And though she may have complained about it, Hikari was glad he had come with her, too.

She was about to enter her room, when she turned back to Takeru. "I'm glad I was given a chance to talk to you Prince Takeru. I think we are going to become wonderful friends." She smiled at him.

Takeru shook his head. "I don't think so, I know so. And by the way, milady," he bowed to her, "you may call me Takeru, if you wish. The whole 'Prince' thing can get tiresome after a while." Hikari nodded in agreement.

"Of course." She suddenly tried to hide the yawn that had just escaped her mouth. Takeru smiled at her.

"I believe it is time to say good-night, my Princess." Hikari nodded again, glumly.

"I hope to see you again tomorrow, Takeru."

Takeru took a deep breath and kissed her softly on the cheek. "You will. I promise. Farewell dear Hikari." Then he disappeared down the corridor.

The Princess put a hand up to her cheek where he had kissed her. She smiled to herself for a moment and went into her chambers.

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Author's Notes: There! I put in the Takari part (finally). I just had to wait for the right moment, okay? I want everything to have its moment, so I couldn't put it in until this chapter. There will be more takari, I promise my most excellent promise, there will. I don't think this chapter was among my best works, but I was trying to put in a mushy romance part and, well... If you noticed something weird about this chapter, I'm SSOOOO sorry! I didn't mean to!

Anyways, Part VIII soon, hope you enjoyed this one and please don't flame me (I'm doing my very best!). Toodles! ^_^ (BTW I love all you reviewers! You guys are SO great!)