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A/N – Chapter 14. Okay, things are heating up. And PC left off at a very, um, interesting cliffhanger. I had to write more so I could find out what happens next. Then ff.net wouldn't let me post for a while. But here it is, finally, Chapter 14.
Love, Hate, Pain, War
Chapter 14: The Impostor
By: Hopeful Writer and PhoniexChild
This chapter by: Wait, I'll figure it out... um... Hopeful Writer?
Takeru looked back and forth from the impostor Hikari to little Iori. The younger boy was rigid, clearly not understanding. But that was okay, neither did Takeru.
Rescue Hikari, protect Iori. Why aren't things ever easy? Iori was a little kid. Even though he was strong, he was little. But Hikari was a girl. Takeru shook his head. He had to stop thinking like that. She was strong too, and had proven that in fights. He'd grown up with a father and an older brother who looked down on girls. Even though Takeru didn't follow that belief, it was hard to shake the habit.
Iori, meanwhile, was trying to figure it out too. I should go, he thought gallantly. I should protect Hikari. But the words Taichi had once said to him were coming back. "What will your mother think if you get hurt?" His fists balled up as he thought.
"Iori, it's up to you," Takeru told him. "I can't decide whether you should stay or go. You have to make that decision yourself."
Iori looked at him, searching his eyes for a clue as to which way he wanted Iori to choose. "I can't decide, Takeru. I feel like I should go, but Taichi told me my mother would be upset if I get hurt. I can't figure out if I'm afraid and being selfish, or if I don't want to go because of my mother."
"It's your decision and I'll back you 100%. Where is Hikari being kept?" Takeru demanded of the impostor.
"In a secret lair, just like in any drama story," she told him matter-of-factly.
Takeru sighed. Stupid, stupid, stupid, he thought. There must be a way to get her out of there. I'm definitely starting to wish we had never let Iori talk to Taichi.
"Crap," Iori suddenly said. It was the closest to profanity that Takeru could remember hearing from him. "Taichi was trying to keep me out of the fight," the little boy explained. "He was getting me to question. Takeru, he's our enemy, no question about it. He's not fighting to end this war; he's fighting to destroy everyone else."
Takeru used several words he may not have used if Hikari was nearby. "It's still your decision as to what happens next, Iori. If you go, Hikari and I will get you free. If you stay, we have to set Hikari free."
"I want to know why I'm so important," Iori admitted. "I'll go with you."
"Okay."
Iori turned to the impostor Hikari. "I'll go with you. Bring Hikari here first."
With a wave of the impostor's hand, Hikari was there and Iori's hands were in chains. "How the hell?" he muttered, struggling against his bondages fruitlessly.
"Will you come quietly?" she asked.
"Yes."
"How do I know I can trust you?"
"I am a boy of my word. I never lie."
"Fine."
The impostor Hikari dragged Iori about four steps before he broke away and ran, calling after him, "I didn't say how far I'd go with you!"
If not for the seriousness of the situation, Takeru would have burst out laughing. "What are you waiting for, guys?" Iori yelled. "Run!"
Hikari looked at Takeru, who looked back and they ran after the brown-haired boy. Straight into Taichi Yagami.
A/N – (In a Davis announcer voice) This guy just keeps coming back. Can Takeru, Iori, and Hikari settle the score with him, and get the chip that they forgot about? Find out next time on Love, Hate, Pain, War. (In HW's voice) And please review. All yours, PC.
