A/N: I actually had an idea for this chapter while writing chapter 16. ^_^' This is going to be part song-fic and really mushy. Let's see…ah, yes. I'll have two songs on this chapter-one is "Fly Me to the Moon" from Evangelion. Hope you like it. OH, this chapter is also based on the song. Also, sorry to all of you who wanted chapter 16 to be the last chapter. You don't have to read this chapter if you don't want 'cause chapter 16 is a good ending, come to think of it. ^_- I just wrote this chapter because it seemed like a good idea and I still think it's a good idea. Oh yeah, thanx for the reviews and one flame! Creepy flame though…I wonder who they are 'cause they sure know more about me than some of my other reviewers. o.O
Jillian4: umm good question. If I knew more about the show, then maybe. For now, I highly doubt it. Why?
Mel: Thanks for your review! You've been a great help in the development of your character (then again, it is you) and the progress of my story!
r a d i a n c e: ^^ Thanks for your review also! Kinda weird, but I still liked it. ^^ no offense or anything
Henrika: Thanx for continuing to read my fic although there wasn't a Henry/Rika paring. You gave me some great advice in your reviews and I really appreciate it. ^^
Tiffany: OK, now this is gonna be weird. Whoever you are, you obviously know me so mind telling me who you really are? Don't worry-I'm not mad at you. I'm actually amused and sort of nervous, but I'm not mad. However, I admit it. Your *ahem* user name is my name and that's just totally weird. You could be one of my friend's sister but she's only in elementary. Also, I have to correct a few things because that's my nature. By the way, here's your review:
Old grl, this story has no plot, no action, and no humor. I'd give this a 0/10. you have to work harder if you want to please me. keep up the bad work
-Anonymous
The humor thing, I agree with you because my sense of humor is either very dry or absolutely non-existing.
First off, you don't use the author's real name or whatever as your user name. You make up your own. You definitely don't put my name up on the internet without my permission. I may be a girl, but I can kick some serious ass when pushed. And guess what? Your lack of thought is seriously driving me to the edge.
Second thing, I'M NOT WRITING THIS TO PLEASE ANYONE EXCEPT FOR MYSELF! MY WORK IS TO PLEASE NOBODY! LIKE IT, GREAT! DON'T LIKE IT, DEAL WITH IT! DON'T YOU DARE TRY AND TELL ME TO TRY AND PLEASE YOU! I wrote this story for myself. Me, myself, and I.
Third thing, think before you act. You never put someone's real name on the internet without their assent. It's rude and can get you into a lot of trouble. Only reason why I'm not too pissed off about you doing that is because my first and last name is quite common. You are an IDIOT to do such a thing. Are you in preschool?! Hel-lo! If you know me, you should either be in junior high or highschool. By then, you should have MORE COMMON SENSE THAN WHAT YOU OWN!
Fourth and final thing: I am NOT OLD. Where in the hell did you get that idea?! Hell, I can't even drive! I'm not going to call you old, but I'm going to call you YOUNG and IMMATURE.
Remember, I'm not completely mad at you. Just furious with your comment on "work harder if you want to please me."
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN DIGIMON, I DON'T OWN "FLY ME TO THE MOON" AND I DON'T OWN "FOREVER LOVE"! THEY ARE OWNED BY THEIR RESPECTIVE…UHH OWNERS! I just remember the lyrics to the first song and I copied the lyrics from for "Forever Love". Is that illegal?
(…): A/N
/…/: thoughts
*…*: actions
Chapter 17: Forever Love
~dream sequence~
"Mmm…" Takato moaned as he groggily blinked open his eyes. He reached over to pull his boyfriend in closer but felt nothing but air. "Henry! Henry? Where are you?"
"Out here on the balcony." Henry replied, unmoving.
*yawn* "What are you doing out here in the dark and cold?" Takato asked while stretching.
"Thinking…" was the quiet response.
"Oh? About what?" Takato sat down next to Henry and turned to look at his slightly shorter significant other.
"My dreams…the moon and stars…things like that." Henry continued to look up at the velvet black sky where the stars were twinkling merrily and the moon was shining her soft light over the quiet world.
"Let's hear them!" enthused Takato staring up a bright star.
"Huh? Oh, you mean my dreams?" Henry asked, slightly confused.
"Uh huh."
"Well…I'd like to fly to the moon and play among the stars. It's be cool jump around on the moon and play with the stars." Henry said wistfully. Takato turned to look at his boyfriend, studying the part sad and part happy look on his face.
Fly me to the moon,
And let me play among the stars.
"I'd also like to visit other planets-Venus, Jupiter, Mars, especially Pluto!"
"Pluto? Why Pluto?"
"I want to see if it has other seasons besides winter! Wouldn't it be great to find out if the planets have seasons like Earth?"
"Yeah, I s'pose so."
Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars.
Henry sighed, bowing his head a little. "I'll never be able to do that though. It's a stupid dream but it's what I've been dreaming about since I was little."
Takato reached out and took Henry's hand. Pulling Henry onto his lap, he placed a light kiss on his forehead.
"It's not a stupid dream. I think it's a good dream. Want to hear my dream?" Takato assured, hugging Henry tightly. Henry nodded and snuggled in closer.
In other words, hold my hand.
In other words, darling, kiss me.
"My dream is to become a singer. I love to sing. My mom used to sing me to sleep when I was a baby. She'd sing 'Forever Love' by X-Japan. I loved, and still do, that song. When Mom died, I remembered and treasured the lyrics in my heart. The song is a part of me and always holds a special place in my heart.
"When Dad died, I'd always sing that song every night, trying to ease the loneliness in my heart. I'd continue singing and singing until I couldn't sing anymore because my throat was so dried up." reminisced Takato, smiling as he thought of his happy childhood.
Fill my heart with song,
And let me sing forever more.
"Now, I don't often sing that song because I have you." Takato laughed, pecking Henry quickly on the lips. Henry grinned and returned the favor.
"I still dream my dream but not as much as before. You've made me realized that all I ever need and want is you. You should feel special because very few people have a place in my heart." Henry smirked as he turned around to face Takato. Takato stuck his tongue out at Henry who playfully nipped at it.
"Hey!" Takato cried.
"Hey yourself." Retorted Henry, tightening his hold on the older boy.
"Remember how I used to be afraid of being alone and you were always alone?" Takato asked, suddenly changing the topic.
"Yeah…" Henry murmured quietly, disliking the topic.
"Now I'm no longer afraid of being alone because you'll never leave me."
"You're right…I'm also no longer alone because I have you."
"If anything happens to us, we'll make it through together because…"
"We have each other!" Takato and Henry finished at the same time, dissolving into a fit of giggles.
You are all I long for, all I worship and adore.
"Taka…do you really love me? Or is this just some brief love affair?" Henry suddenly asked. Takato looked shocked.
"Of course I love you! This is –definitely- not some brief love affair…unless you wish it to be one." Takato replied, looking hurt.
"No! It's just that everybody who have told me that they loved me ends up leaving me or using me for their own gains."
"I would never do that. I love you."
"I'm sorry I doubted you. I would never use you either."
"It's alright."
"…ashiteru Taka."
"Ashiteru."
In other words, please be true!
In other words, I love you.
In other words-
I love you.
"Hey, Henry? I want to show you something. Come on!" exclaimed Takato as he grabbed Henry's hand and took off.
"Wha-? Where are we going?" Henry asked, bewildered.
"You'll see." Together, Takato and Henry flew to the East, heading for the moon. Soon, they were flying over lush treetops and sparkling blue rivers and creeks. They flew below the night sky and stars. Henry was beginning to enjoy himself when they landed.
"Taka…" Henry started.
"Hush. Look around you." Takato released Henry's hand and took in the bewildered, then happy surprise that flitted across Henry's face.
"Oh…It's beatiful! I mean, cool! I mean beautiful! It's like being on the moon and being surrounded by stars!" Henry gasped, looking around. They were on the top of a mountain, surrounded by stars. The moon bathed the whole place in moonlight and white moths fluttered around flowers while fireflies flit around their heads.
"Sorry I can't fly you to the real moon or let you see what spring is like on other planets, but I can let you play among the stars in a setting that's like the moon." Takato apologized, looking sad.
"Takato, this is perfect! This is better than I could have ever dreamt about! How did you find this place?"
"I was feeling down once and decided to explore a bit. I came upon this place and have been coming here often. You reminded me of this place with your dream. You and Juri are the only ones who have ever seen this place."
"Thank you for showing me this place. Will you sing me the song?"
"Eh…let's play first and then I'll sing it, okay?" Takato said uncomfortably. Henry looked crestfallen but nodded.
Takato never did sing the song to Henry.
~end dream sequence~
In his sleep, Takato smiled sadly as silver tears ran down his face. Juri, with her own tears softly falling, closed the door to Takato's temporary room and backed out.
Unbidden, Rika reached out and enveloped Juri in a hug, as she fought to hold back her own tears. Behind them, Kenta and Kazu were morosely picking at the carpet, trying to forget what had happened last night.
Ryo was holding Mel as she sobbed against his shirt. He sadly thought back to when they arrived at the warehouse.
~flashback~
"Takato? Are-are you going to be okay?" Kazu asked tentatively. Takato didn't answer. He only continued to walk to the spare bedroom no one used. Kazu sighed but didn't inquire any further knowing he wouldn't receive an answer.
Takato steadily walked forward, Henry in his arms, to the spare bedroom. He never wanted to see his and Henry's room ever again. It held too many memories…to many feelings for Takato to take on right now.
Juri watched the lost boy as he closed the door behind him.
/Why won't he cry? He's only shed two tears at the…place./ She thought to herself. Nobody dared to mention the place where the battle had gone on, in fear of doing more damage to Takato's mind and heart. Still, they doubted if they could damage his heart and mind any further, considering what had happened to Henry was the worst thing that could have ever happened.
"We should clean up. I can't stand the thought of wearing these clothes ever again." Mel said disgustingly. Ryo nodded and followed her to their own bedroom. Rika and Juri also left after awhile. Kenta and Kazu didn't move, however. Out of them all, they were the two who knew Takato best, after Henry.
"Let's go." Kenta said.
"Yeah, let's." Kazu replied. Together, they walked into Takato's temporary bedroom and found him rocking back and forth, humming the last stanzas of a song. Henry looked like he was asleep except he was far too pale and there was no distinctive fall and rise of his chest. Kazu frowned as he recognized the tune.
"Takato…talk to us. We're your friends and we want to help you." Urged Kenta as he tried not to look at Henry.
Takato continued humming. Kazu fidgeted as he heard Takato repeat the song over and over again. Why was he repeating the same song over and over?
"Taka…that song…why have you started humming it again?" Kazu asked. Takato stopped humming and turned a blank and empty gaze on his friend. Kenta and Kazu flinched at his gaze.
"…Henry asked me to sing the song to him. I never did. Maybe if I had sung the song to him on that night we flew to the moon and played in the stars…maybe…" Takato didn't finish as he turned to look at Henry.
"Oh…Taka, I know this seems insensitive, but you can't have Henry stay here like this. We all want to give him a proper burial but it's up to you." Kenta said quietly.
"I know…I'll take care of it…don't worry about it." was the whispered reply. Kenta and Kazu left, less than satisfied with the exchange. Takato hadn't cried even one bit.
"Is he okay?" a small voice asked. Kazu and Kenta looked around in confusion and realized that their friends had come back out.
"…no…I don't think he'll ever be okay…we're going to lose him…" Kazu whispered as he passed through the door into his room. Kenta followed, never looking up. Nobody said a word as they watched the two leave because they knew what was going to happen if Henry died. There was nothing they could do to change the fact. But they could never accept it.
~Takato's pov~
/Why…/
My mind was utterly blank. Well, not exactly. No matter how hard I tried to stop them, memories kept on flooding into my head, especially the one where I promised that I would never let Henry be hurt or killed. Shaking my head, I realized that when I made that promise, Henry had told me that it would be broken. I didn't believe him and insisted that this one promise I would never break. Looks like I was wrong and Henry was right again. Now, Henry was dead and I couldn't do anything to prevent it.
/Why…/
Laughing internally, I realized that I was still humming "Forever Love" over and over. Why didn't I sing it when Henry asked me to? He had not asked me again after that and I had forgotten. I wish I had sung it to him. I wish I had flown him to the moon. I wish I had done so many things that I knew I could no longer live my life alone without Henry. It's impossible. I made up my mind to go back to our special place. There, I would bury Henry because I knew he would want to be buried there. For the rest of the day, I stayed in the room with Henry, never moving, never eating, never stopping my song. The others would periodically come to check on me but didn't try to force me to do anything. Their worry and concern touched me but it was no longer welcome.
/Ashiteru Taka-koi/
I gave a start when I heard Henry's voice. Straining with all my might, I tried to hear his voice again but to no avail. Maybe it was my imagination…maybe I'm going insane…maybe…maybe I really heard him. Mechanically, I stood up and went to the desk in the corner. In a drawer, I found a letter opener. Maybe this is my destiny…no. This is my destiny.
"I broke a promise, Henry. I won't do it again." I whispered to Henry's cold body. "Remember the day when I promised you that I would follow and stay by your side no matter the cost? That's the promise I'm going to keep. Wait for me, I'm coming!"
With that, I plunged the knife into my heart, not without last words, though.
"I'm coming…I kept my promise…wait for me…"
~the others~
The others jerked upright as they felt something disappear inside their heart, mind, and soul. Their eyes widened in realization. As a single entity, they all jumped up and ran to the bedroom. Flinging open the door, they realized that their fear had come true. Takato had killed himself to be with Henry. No one moved or said anything. Juri was the first to leave the room, allowing the two lifeless lovers time together. The others followed suit, Mel being the last to leave. She had known them the shortest amount of time but was affected more deeply than the others. She had barely gotten to know them when their lives had been taken so brutally away by one of her own kin.
"I'm sorry, you guys. If it weren't for us Evils, you could have lived a happy and long life." Mel whispered into the room. Just as she was leaving, two soft touches brushed her mind and she recognized them to be Henry and Takato. A smile was brought to her face as she realized that everything had turned out just fine. Takato and Henry were together and the world had been saved.
"Mel? Are you okay? What are you looking so happy about? We'd like to know, if you don't mind." Ryo said, looking sad and confused.
"I'm fine. It's Takato and Henry. I felt them just as I left the room. Everything has turned out just fine." Mel answered cryptically.
"What do you mean by 'just fine'? Two of our closest friends just died! Everything is –not- 'just fine'!" Juri cried, clenching her fists and shutting her honey-gold eyes.
"Yes, it is. Henry and Takato are together and that's what matters. They're together and the world has been saved from Akuma. That's what they told me." Mel said confidently.
"Told you? You mean they're alive?!" Rika hopefully asked.
"No, they're dead. When all of you left, I was the last one inside and I apologized to them. If it weren't for us Evils, they would have lived a long and happy life. But when I left, I felt two psychic brushes against my mind. I recognized the touch to be Henry's and Takato's. I felt that they were telling me that everything was 'just fine' and that they were happy. They also told me that we should all live on our lives but to not forget them. If we forgot them, they would haunt us." Mel gave laughed at the last part and was joined in by Ryo, Kenta, Kazu, and Rika.
"That's exactly like those two. Always craving attention, well, Takato was always craving attention. Henry just received attention whether he wanted it or not." Ryo said, wiping away tears of mirth and relief from his eyes. Juri still remained unconvinced until she too felt the psychic brush that Mel had felt. The others felt it too.
"Henry…Takato…" all of them whispered, happy and content looks on their faces.
"Alright, I believe you. I think we should give them a proper burial." Juri said, softly.
"But where?" Rika questioned.
"I know the perfect spot. They would want to be buried where they flew to the moon and played among the stars." Juri said, smiling at the memory when Takato had let out a little bit of what happened that special night years ago.
Kazu frowned, as he remembered Takato saying the same phrase. "What do you mean by that? Takato said the same thing. He also spoke of The song."
"Oh…I have a CD of that song. Takato burned it for me when I asked him to sing it for me. I loved the song so much that he offered to record him singing it. I have it here somewhere, let me go find it." Juri sprinted away to her room to search for the CD.
"…"
Before anybody could say or do anything, she was back in a flash with a CD held triumphantly in her hand.
"Voila! Now, we just have to get Henry's and Takato's ummm…bodies." Juri looked sad again. Ryo and Rika nodded and went into the room, coming out with a red bag and a silver bag, obviously containing Henry and Takato.
"Wow…those are beautiful body…um, bags. Where…?" Juri left the question unfinished, knowing that it would be better not to know. The red bag sparkled in the dim light and had a picture of a mighty dragon breathing out crimson flames stitched onto it. It's magenta eyes glittered and it's claws flashed gold while the scales sparkled red. The whole picture had the feeling that Takato's own power was within the dragon. The silver bag had an angel on it, one wing was feathered and white while the other was leathery and black. The angel's eyes were silver and his hair was midnight blue. He wore a robe of silver that glowed with Henry's power. Both of the pictures looked like Henry's and Takato's true form.
"Let's go," was all Juri said before she took Rika's hand. They all connected hands and formed a circle, disappearing in a puff of smoke instead of light. They reappeared in the spot Henry and Takato had fulfilled Henry's longtime dream. Unawares, they gasped in awe at the site. What was more surprising was the fact that they could feel Henry's and Takato's aura hanging about the place.
"So beautiful…" Rika breathed.
"I understand now what Takato was talking about." Kazu said, his lips quirking up in a small smile. Juri and Kenta quietly made a big square hole in the middle of the field, where the moonbeam was shining. Everybody lowered Takato and Henry into their grave, ensuring a gentle landing. They didn't have a coffin but they didn't mind, knowing that the two bags would have more protection than any coffin could provide. Once Takato and Henry were settled into their combined graves, Juri filled the hole up with dirt and petals using her powers. On top of the grave, grass grew as she fed her power into the fertile dirt. Flowers sprung up from the new grass and formed an elegant tombstone. One by one, the rest added their own powers to the grave and tombstone, ensuring the place would remain protected, unfound, and never dying. Then they all left after they each blessed the grave with their love, care, hope, dreams, sadness, anger, guilt, friendship, and family. As the last person faded out of sight, two glowing lights were absorbed into the grave. A red and silver light glowed over the grave and tombstone than disappeared. The gravesite was to be forgotten for many years but never the two beings buried in it.
The moon, stars, and wind were the only ones to hear a whispered "I love you" as the two lovers reunited in their place of dreams.
A/N: That was awfully sweet and mushy, don't you think? Ooo, before I forget, try reading the part after the dream sequence while listening to "Forever Love" by X-Japan. It fits, considering the song was one of the main…things. I hope you like this chapter as much as the others. Sorry this wasn't as long as the last one but if I made it any longer, I think this chapter would have been ruined. I know all of you can't wait for this story to end so it will-just as soon as I find out the answer to this question:
Should I put up an epilogue?
a) Yes, please!
b) No way! I want this to end already! *scowls and throws tomatoes at the author*
*sniffs* hope you don't choose "b" 'cause it's gonna hurt my feelings. ;_;
Shadow: If you say yes, she promises that the epilogue will be short and as non-mushy as possible.
*nods*
Review please!
B: 8.24.03
E: 8.24.03