Disclaimer: Dun own Digimon. That belongs to some genius in Japan.
A/N – Sorry, PC, this took me way too long. I had major writer's block (as you know). But this is Chapter 12, everyone. Now that Taker and Iori know what the box is, the question everyone must be asking is, "What are they gonna do?" Well, find out.
Love, Hate, Pain, War
Chapter 12 – Alone
By: Hopeful Writer and PhoniexChild (I spelled it right, right?)
This chapter by: Who else? Hopeful Writer
Takeru stared at Hikari for a long moment before turning away. He swore aloud, then blushed a bit. It's impolite to swear in front of a lady, he remembered his grandfather telling him, when he was just a child and he liked to show off his vocabulary to his mother. She'd washed his mouth out with soap.
"Now what?" Iori demanded, shooting scared looks in the direction of the base. "I don't particularly want to go back there."
"We don't have a choice," Takeru snapped, making Iori jump in hurt and shock.
"Takeru!" Hikari scolded.
He sighed. "Sorry, Iori, I'm just a little tense."
"You think?" Iori teased, smiling slightly.
Takeru sighed again. He kicked the dirt angrily. "We need to get back there, get the box, and run like little cowards away." Iori and Hikari chuckled a bit.
Hikari searched the pastel pink sky. "It's getting too early to go back there. Taichi won't do anything with the box until nightfall, so we should stay here, safe, until dusk."
"I'll go get something to eat," Iori volunteered. Takeru nodded, and they boy ran off, leaving Takeru and Hikari alone for the first time in two days.
"Are you scared?" Hikari asked him, reaching out and seizing the blonde's hand. Takeru blushed on impact.
He shrugged. "Not really," he replied bravely. "I'm a soldier. Semper fi, do or die," he quoted, hoisted up his shoulders with pride. Hikari giggled. He puffed out his chest. "I'm not afraid of any of the Others, or the Rebels. I'm the youngest champion sharpshooter this side of the country," he boasted.
"Well, Mr. Sharpshooter, can you hit a moving target?"
"With ease," he exclaimed indignantly. "Hit a deer moving at full speed once. That was dinner for three days."
Hikari giggled again. "You big, strong man," she kidded. "I hope you can protect me. I shouldn't be any trouble."
Takeru snorted. "You're kidding, right? I wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for you. Although, I'm not complaining. This is more interesting than any old day in the Marine Corps." He waggled his eyebrows tauntingly. "Besides, if it wasn't for this mess, I would never have met you."
"Oh, Takeru." With that, Hikari could no longer contain herself. She leaned in and pressed her lips firmly against Takeru's. There was a slight shock as they touched. He felt a rush of passion shoot through his veins. His arms instinctively circled her waist, and she brought her hands up to play with his hair.
When they pulled away, Takeru could feel his lips tingling when she'd touched them. "Wow," he whispered, surprising both himself and Hikari.
Suddenly a familiar snicker filled the air. They turned to see Iori standing there, a coy grin on his lips. "I leave you two alone for ten minutes and you're snogging." He shook his head. "And you're supposed to be the leaders."
They ate what small food Iori had managed to find. When nightfall came, they were not only nervous, but now unable to concentrate. As if luck would never be on their side, it was raining that night. Takeru sneered at the sky. You can't stop me, he told it, as if it could hear. We're gonna get that box tonight. We're gonna win!
A/N – There. Not bad length, not bad plot. I had to get some of that romance stuff out, PC, sorry. Now it's your turn. Good luck. §Lata§ -- hW
