an: HAHA! I am victorious!!! (And alive, for that matter.) I know it's been forever and a week since I last updated, but writer's block was seriously killing me. Now I have ideas for the next… *counts* three or so chapters. HOORAY! So hopefully, updates will be more frequent. I promise it won't take two more months for me to update. It's just that I've been SO busy with school (AP tests are coming up, not to mention senior stuff and college… bleh), church, my boyfriend (*smiles* he's a lot of the inspiration for this, you know)… yeah. So rejoice and be glad because I'm back! Anyways… this chapter… skips ahead another year. After this, though, it won't take nearly as many time jumps. This is where all the good stuff begins (LOTS of Takari!).

Two milestones to relay: 1) on March 25 of this year, it was officially one year since I joined ff.net! hooray! *and there was much rejoicing…* and 2) with the uploading of this chapter, I believe, I will have reached 100,000 words! YEAH!!!! so be proud of me!

Thanks to my loyal and true reviewers for sticking with me, even though this story hasn't been updated in forever… you guys get a gold star. And… if you guys can get me up to 100 reviews *wink wink nudge nudge* then you guys get two gold stars, a cookie, plus maybe faster updates. You know you want that. If you guys can get me up there, man, I will be SO happy. hehe.

Anyway, enough of my jabbering and read the story! (And you know they're not mine so why do I have to keep repeating myself?)

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One Light, One Hope

Chapter Eight: Forever

            I was sitting at school one day, towards the end of our junior year, when Kari rushed into our shared math class. Kari was the smart one, in all the advanced classes, but for some reason she didn't fare too well in the math department, while I had an uncanny knack for it. So we shared a trigonometry class, instead of Kari being in the super-accelerated AP Calculus class. Anyway, she rushed in, obviously out of breath, but her eyes were sparkling. She was clutching a piece of paper as if it were something very important. She slid into her seat, next to mine, and then while our teacher was droning on again, Kari showed it to me, along with a note she attached to it.

Don't you think this would be an awesome opportunity? I haven't been to New York for ages!

            My interest picking up, I looked at the paper Kari had picked up. It outlined a chance for a select few students—about the size of one class—to venture to New York City and study there for a semester. As I looked over the requirements, my heart lifted. I could pretty much meet most of them, and the more I pondered over it, the more I wanted to go. I wrote a note back to Kari:

Sounds like so much fun! I definitely want to go. Let's see if we can do this! =D

            And so, as we impatiently waited for the class to be over with (our break time was right after this class), my mind raced with the possibilities of studying abroad. A lot of things were swirling around us… AP tests, university, but right now the one thing that I worried about was the opportunity of going to New York. Not only would it be great to see Mimi again, but one of the programs they had offered was creative writing, and I really wanted to expand my expertise in that to not just stories, but poetry, novels, and even plays. I could tell Kari was interested because of the photography program—and I was sure that she would get in, because she took the best pictures. That's why she usually shied away from the camera—she liked taking the pictures more than actually posing for them. Only on few occasions did she actually pose for the lens.

            The rustling (actually, in the case of the guy behind me, slamming) of books and things jolted me out of my thoughts, and I quickly gathered up my things and made my way to standing right by the door, as did Kari. As soon as the bell rang, we hurriedly went to the office to sign up for the program, finding that we had to submit a portfolio of our work to be considered. When we realized that the deadline was coming up pretty soon, Kari and I looked at each other. "Your place or mine?" she asked.

            "Wherever you want, Light," I told her. I really didn't care, but I knew that somehow it would be more fun doing our showcasing together.

            Kari smiled. "Okay. I'll be at your apartment Saturday morning at ten."

            That morning I woke up at a reasonable hour and began searching for some works of mine that would really make an impact on people. As I was sifting through a folder that contained a bit of my stuff, the buzzer rang, and absentmindedly I wandered to the door and opened it. Kari stood there, bright as always, with a cute pink shirt and jeans. Even though it was simple, she looked beautiful—as always. She giggled when she saw me.

            "T.K., you look just like one of those old married men," she told me between giggles. I looked down at my attire and figured out why. I was holding a mug of hot chocolate in one hand, my flannel pajamas and white T-shirt still on, my hair in an unruly mess—messier than usual. I grinned and let her in. "I guess I do. Old married men do this to their girls too, right?" I asked mischievously as I leaned in to kiss her.

            Kari squealed, "Ew! Morning breath!" and pretended to run off, but I knew she was kidding—I could tell by the sparkle in her eye. I instead caught her in my arms and she kissed me softly on the cheek, and the warm feeling I associated with love flowed through me freely. 'I love you, you know that," she whispered, and I smiled. I never tired of hearing that from her. I kissed her forehead gently and said, "I love you too, Kari," then released her and headed back to the table to go through my work. She sat across from me and put her own folder down, then took the folder that I had out of my hands and started looking through it. "Hey!" I exclaimed, but she just stuck her tongue out at me. So I took her folder and started looking through the pictures.

            There were many interesting pictures of many different subjects. The first couple of pictures were a little off-center or blurred, but you could tell that what was in the picture was really awesome. I laughed as I found a picture of Tai and Davis giving each other a high-five; it was right after a soccer match and their profiles were identical—it looked as if it was the same person on both sides. "Kari, you have to put this in your portfolio."

            She looked up at me and smiled. "Oh, yeah… I remember this picture. Thanks." She set it aside in a pile I guess she was starting of things to put in her folder. I stood up to put away my breakfast plates and asked her, "You want anything?"

            "No, I'm okay, I already ate," Kari replied, waving her hand and not bothering to look up. I guess she was fully engrossed in what she was reading. "T.K., when did you write this?"

            "What's it about?" I asked from the kitchen.

            "The story of how there were two best friends but then one had to move away and they lose touch but meet again in a restaurant and find out that their girlfriends are sisters (AN: sorry I just made that up off the top of my head, I know it's lame)."

            I came back into the room where Kari was sitting. "A while ago. Maybe two years ago?"

            "It's very interesting. I like the imagery and the way you describe things."

            I smiled. "Thanks, Kari. That really means a lot." I kissed the top of her head and told her, "I'm gonna go take a shower now, so I don't smell—" at that, Kari made a face, and then laughed; I mock-glared at her and continued, "so I'll be back in a few, okay?"

            "Okay," she said innocently, smiling at me. "I'll be waiting here for you when you're done."

            I blew a kiss to her before I went off to take my shower.

            When I emerged from the dark hallway that lead into the dining area, I could see that Kari was really concentrating on a piece of paper in her hands—a different one than the one she had been reading when I left. The folder across from her, the one with all her pictures, remained untouched, and as I came closer to her, I caught the reflection of something in her eyes—tears?

            "Kari?"

            She looked up and sure enough, the tears were there. One of them spilled over the pools in her ruby eyes and I gently wiped it away with my thumb. "What's wrong?"

            Kari smiled through her tears. "Nothing. It's just… this… this is amazing." I looked down to the paper she was clutching and realized what she was talking about.

            What Kari had been reading was not a story, but rather, a cross between a journal entry and a letter. It was dated December 18 of a few years back—the day before I had asked her out.

            Tomorrow is Kari's birthday. I want it to be the best for her—we're throwing her a surprise party, but I think it just might be the time… I can feel it. Yes, I might have just turned fourteen, but somehow, I know this is the time. She's my best friend, but there's something more there. And I know it's not just love—that will definitely come—but it feels like we've been bonded forever, practically, and that we're supposed to be together. I don't know how I know this, and the words I choose to describe it do not come close to actually describing the intensity of this feeling, but somehow, deep in my soul, I know that we're soulmates. It may be the whole Hope and Light thing… I don't know. But Kari is my light—she illuminates my days. And I know that I will always want to be her hope, if she will let me. I don't know where I'd be without her, or what I'd do if she wasn't there to brighten my day with her smile, or her kind voice, or her understanding eyes… but I don't want to just protect her anymore… I want to love her. Every time I dream of my future, with my wife and family, she is always there. I want her to be there. I want this to all work out…

            "Oh… that…" I trailed off, sheepishly, rubbing a hand behind my neck.

            "You wrote that when you were fourteen?" Kari asked, incredulously.

            I nodded. "That was like a week after my birthday," I recalled softly, then looked deep into my love's eyes. "And everything I said in there is true. I love you, so much, and I feel this bond with you that I know can't be broken. I want to be able to spend the rest of my life with you…" I trailed off, sighing. But Kari just smiled, looking just as deeply into my eyes as I was into hers, read my deepest thoughts, fears, and doubts, and said a simple statement that spoke volumes to me.

            "Age is just a number. Don't judge on other's standards—if it feels right to you, go for it. There's nothing stopping you." She kissed me softly. "You have my trust, you have my love, and you have my heart."

            That last statement sowed the seeds of something that had always been in the back of my mind, but now was starting to want to become a reality soon.

            The day had passed by before I knew it, and we had compiled some good stuff in both of our portfolios. "T.K., your writing is so profound… I don't see why you won't make it."

            "Nah… I need to work on it. You, on the other hand, are so talented… so amazing. You'll make it in for sure."

            Kari sighed. "I really hope so."

            Finally, the year wound down, and soon it was time for the beaches and sleeping in until one in the afternoon. Before we left the school for the last time, everyone who had applied to the study abroad program—and there were a LOT of us—were handed envelopes. I looked dubiously at the envelope, and then at Kari. "You first."

            She took a deep breath. "Okay." We walked out of the office into the sunny quad area, sat down on one of the benches, under the refreshing shade of a tree, and Kari ripped open her envelope. She read for a few moments, and then screamed. "OMG! T.K., they accepted me!"

            I grinned. "That's wonderful!" She threw her arms around me and I held her there, in my arms, feeling her excitement and happiness for her. I kissed her on the forehead. "Kari, that is so awesome. I'm really happy for you."

            Kari couldn't stop smiling. "Thanks." Then she glanced over at my envelope. "T.K., open yours."

            I took the plain white envelope in my hands and ripped it open, unfolding the single piece of paper—as opposed to the several multi-colored sheets Kari had set aside; that was a bad omen already—and read:

Dear Mr. Takaishi,

The material that you presented us with was superb; however, we regret to inform you that we could not accept you into the study abroad program. We hope for all the success as you continue to aspire in your field.

            I turned to Kari. "Light, I'm not coming with you."

            The sparkle in Kari's eyes faded completely. "What? But…" Her face hardened and took on what I liked to call the "Tai look": determined to get her way. "Stupid idiots. There must have been a mistake."

            "Kari. Calm down. It's okay." I set my hands on her shoulders. "I had the feeling I wasn't going to do too well. Just because I can't go doesn't mean that you shouldn't follow your dreams."

            "But you are my dream, T.K. I love you. I don't want to be without you for that long."

            "Kari… don't sacrifice this opportunity because of me, okay? You have the chance to go to America to study something you love. Don't let this slip just because I can't do it with you. It's only for four months, Light. It may be the longest four months of my life, but I'm willing to wait forever if I had to for you."

            "Really?" The sparkle had returned to Kari's eyes.

            "Of course. Don't ever doubt my love for you." While I was talking to her, Kari had interlaced her fingers with mine, and I took her hand and lifted it to my lips gently. Then the inevitable question hung in the air, like the moisture did on this very humid day.

            "When do you leave?"

            Kari glanced at the paper. "In the middle of August. I'll be back by Christmas."

            "Are you celebrating your eighteenth birthday there?"

            "I hope not… maybe I'll try to come home earlier."

            "Okay." Then I glanced around and found the school deserted. "Kari, let's go. It's summer vacation." I helped her up and hand in hand, we walked out of school.

~*~

            The two months of our summer vacation together went by too fast. Over that time, I had been pondering to myself a question that I had been thinking about for a long time. I especially liked talking to Tai, as I felt he knew exactly what I was going through. The words Kari had spoken to me that fateful Saturday morning rang in my head constantly, too. Finally, I knew what I had to do, and I called Tai, a few weeks before Kari was scheduled to leave.

            "Hey, T.K. How's it going?" Tai asked when he answered the phone. "Want to talk to Kari?"

            "No… actually, I want to talk to you. Do you think you can meet me for lunch?"

            Tai was silent for a moment. "Um… yeah, I think so. Sora, Yolei and Kari are going dress shopping anyway, and I have to meet her there in a few, but until then, I'm free."

            "Okay, thanks. There's something I have to ask you about."

            An hour later, Tai and I were sitting in a quiet corner of a great restaurant. "So, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

            "Your sister… and Sora…" I sighed. "Tai, I think... no, I feel it… I know what I want to do, I just… oh, I might as well tell you. I think I'm going to propose to your sister."

            Tai blinked for a moment, and then said, "Um… wow. I didn't expect that coming." He trailed off and then said, "Actually… now that I think about it… it doesn't surprise me as much as it should have." He nodded. "Are you absolutely sure about this? I mean… you guys are going to be still in high school… and she's going away… don't you think you want to wait just a bit and see what happens?"

            "Tai, I love Kari. She is my life. She's the only girl I've ever wanted. I want to ask her before she goes to New York… so that we have something to look forward to… I know I want to spend the rest of my life with her. That is, if it's okay with you and your parents."

            "T.K., I totally understand how you feel, but… gosh, you're so young. I don't want to see either of you get hurt because you rushed into things."

            "That's what everyone said when Kari and I first started going out… and look at us now… we're still here, still as strong as ever."

            Tai nodded. "That's a good point…" Then he looked straight at me. "Are you absolutely sure that this is what you want to do?"

            "Yes. With your blessing, of course."

            "Well then… go for it. Just remember that you have your whole life in front of you."

            "Okay. Thanks so much, Tai."

            Tai smiled. "Of course… little brother." Those few words, somehow, made my whole day.

            As Kari was busy getting ready, packing, doing what she needed to, I was rushing around as well, trying to get all the arrangements ready for what I was planning. Luckily, it wasn't too hard for me to keep it hidden, since Kari was so busy anyway. I usually busied myself by playing video games, or hanging out and playing soccer or basketball with Davis, Ken and Cody, and even occasionally Tai, Izzy, and *gasp* Matt. It was a few days before Kari was to leave, and I had already picked out the ring that I was going to give her—I had just picked it up and was heading home when I saw the guys at the park and proceeded to join them, since it was on my way home anyway.

            "Hey guys!" I yelled, and they all turned and looked in my direction. It appeared that their game of soccer was over anyway, so they all dispersed, not after saying hi to me first, and then Matt and I sat underneath one of the big shady trees. "How's it going, Teeks?" he asked me.

            "Pretty good… what about you?" I asked my brother. I really wanted to know what was going on with him.

            "Oh, not much… I was playing at a party the other day and I met this girl named Christi… she's one of my bandmates' cousins or something… but yeah, she seems really cool. I mean we just met, but somehow I can't seem to stop thinking about her…" Matt trailed off, probably lost in his own daydream. I laughed. "Yeah, I know what you mean."

            Matt snapped out of it and looked at me. "So how are things with you and Kari?"

            I smiled. "Wonderful. She's leaving in a few days for New York, though, to study photography at some college or something."

            "Really? How long is she gonna be gone?"

            "A semester… maybe… she'll be back by Christmas."

            Matt sighed. "That must be so hard… to know you're not going to see her for half a year."

            "Not really." I looked around to make sure that nobody else was around, and then I slowly pulled a black velvet box out of my pocket and opened it for my brother. His eyes widened and he said, "You're not… are you?"

            I nodded. "Yeah."

            "But T.K…. you're only a senior in high school… can you handle all of this?"

            "I'm sure I can… because with Kari in my life, it only makes things that much easier."

            Matt still didn't look convinced. "Oh, come on, Matt. It won't be that bad."

            "Well… whatever you say, T.K. Just don't come to me when it doesn't work out."

            I could feel my blood start to boil. "How do you know that it won't? You know I love her more than anything! How can you say that?"

            "T.K., calm down. I didn't mean to offend you. It's just… I guess I've become so disillusioned with love now that I don't have any faith anymore. I'm sorry."

            "No… it's okay. I'm sorry. I didn't know you felt that way." I sighed and was about to put the ring back when Matt said, "No. Wait." He looked closely at the ring and then smiled. "That's really beautiful, Teeks. I know she'll love it."

            "I hope so, Matt." I sighed. "I really hope so."

            Three days later, the day before Kari was set to leave, I bustled around my place, trying to make sure I had everything. "Basket… check… candles, check… blanket… check…. hmm that seems to be it. No, wait…" I opened my drawer and pulled out the tiny box. "That's everything."

            I went down to the park, by the lake they had, where Kari always liked to feed the ducks, and set everything up there. I had enlisted Davis and Ken, who were already there playing soccer again, to keep an eye on the stuff while I went to go get Kari. I really hoped that they wouldn't screw anything up, like the feeling that I had that they would.

            Nervousness now running through my veins, I made my way towards Kari's house, which was on the other side of the park from my own place. I waited patiently as Tai opened the door and summoned his sister. "Good luck tonight, T.K. She doesn't suspect anything."

            I smiled. "Thanks, Tai. That really means a lot."

            "You nervous?"

            "Maybe." I smiled shakily. Tai smiled back sympathetically. "Don't worry. I was like that when I proposed to Sora. Fortunately, she said yes. And I'm sure Kari will too."

            "You're sure Kari will what?" a female voice sounded as Kari appeared in view. I sighed, never getting over the fact that she could always take my breath away. Her hair was up in a ponytail, with a few strands framing her face; she wore a light yellow tank top, white capris with yellow and pink flowers all over it, and white sandals.

            "Oh, we were just talking about Tai's wedding and how we know both you and Sora will look absolutely amazing," I told her, not even looking a bit nervous that Kari might know about what was coming up.

            Kari smiled. "I hope so," was all she could say. Then we said goodbye to Tai, and hand in hand, we walked to the park.

            "It's such a nice day today," Kari remarked as I led her to my spot. "The sunset looks amazing."

            Sure enough, as I glanced at the sky, the setting sun was coloring the sky in a spectrum of colors, from the normal sky blue to indigo to pink to purple to orange and even red. Kari was so enthralled with the gift nature had given us (and for that I was silently thanking God) that she wasn't paying too much attention until she saw the lake. "Ooh! Look at the reflection of the sunset!" And then, she noticed what I had set out for us.

            "Oh, T.K…. you didn't have to do this for me," Kari breathed as we both sat down on the picnic blanket, while I looked around for any sign of Davis or Ken. Good, I thought, they're making themselves scarce… but then again, maybe they're just not around at all to make sure no one bothers us. I just hoped for the best. Somehow, though, it was as if a person knew not to interrupt… the air was still, so beautiful, so serene, that it added just the right touch to the setting. I looked at my Kari and replied to her, "But I wanted to… this is your last day here and I'm not going to see you for at least four months… I'm going to miss you so much. I wanted to spend some time with you."

            Kari smiled, but the sparkle was fading fast from her eyes. Instead, she lay on her back, watching the sky again. I could tell something was bothering her. "Light, what's wrong?"

            A hint of a smile returned to her face again. "Nothing… I'm so excited for this trip… but I'm going to miss you so much."

            "I know." I held out my arms to her and she came into my embrace, as I kissed her forehead and stroked her hair lightly. "I'm going to miss you too… more than I could ever imagine I would." As we sat there, just holding each other, no words were spoken—none were needed. All I needed to know was that my Light was with me.

            After a bit of this silence, my stomach decided to talk to me. Kari giggled. "I guess someone's hungry, huh?"

            I smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, I guess… I'm sorry."

            "No, it's okay. I understand, you're a guy, you need food. Here." Taking charge, Kari opened the picnic basket and we ate our food, basically having a good time, playfully throwing food at each other, yet still maintaining the tenderness and the romance of the whole scene around us. Finally, after we were all done, and everything was cleaned up, we sat in the twilight and my heartbeat quickened. This is it.

            "Kar?" I asked her, my voice faltering more than I had hoped for. She shifted her gaze—she was looking up at the sky again—and looked at me. "Yes?"

            "I… uh, I have something to ask you."

            She sat up expectantly and I knew she could tell I was nervous. I exhaled and thought about how I was going to do this. Suddenly, I remembered something someone had told me… and the words fell into place.

            "We've known each other for a long time, and in that span of time, we've learned to love each other." Kari smiled at me, but she didn't say anything, so I continued, "Do you remember back when we first got together, and everyone was telling us that they'd been waiting for it for ages?"

            "How can I forget?" Kari rolled her eyes. I thought back to when everyone first found out about Kari and me, and how they were either super-excited (the girls, mostly) or told us that they'd seen it coming a mile away. "Were we really that obvious?" I asked, and we both laughed. "I guess so," Kari replied. "I guess they could see our love for each other, even then."

            My heart warmed at her words, which made me relax a bit, and as I took her hand into my own, I told her, "One of them—I think it was Sora—told me that she knew that we were meant to be together. She said that she believed we were going to be together forever."

          Kari nodded, and I could feel she could sense something, so I decided to get to my point. "Now, after all we've been through, all the years we've been together… I think she's right… even through the separations we may encounter. So… before you leave… I want you to have this, so that you know how much I love you, no matter what." I reached into my pocket, pulled out the tiny box, and presented it to Kari. "Open it."

          With unsteady hands, Kari took the small box from me and opened it slowly. Glistening inside was a light pink stone, the symbol of the Crest of Light barely visible within it. It was set atop a band of gold. Kari gasped. "Oh, TK…" When she looked back up at me, I could feel her reading into my soul, the way only she could do. I chose this perfect moment, forgetting about all of my doubts, and all of my fears, and instead focusing on how much I loved her, more than anything, and I asked her the one question that would change both our lives forever.

          "Hikari Kamiya, my angel of Light, will you marry me?"

          Kari beamed, not hesitating for a second, and her reply was a moment that I hold in my heart to this day. "Of course, TK. I want that more than anything in the world."

          I smiled, knowing that my smile rivaled that of Kari's as I swept her into a big hug. "I love you, Kari. More than anything in this world." I pulled away from my new fiancée, gently took the ring that was sitting in her lap, and slipped it, deliberately, on her left ring finger. "Thank you, Light. You have made me the happiest person in the world. I am so lucky to have you."

            I could feel the feather-light touch of Kari's fingers as she stroked my face gently. "I'm the lucky one, Takeru." And she leaned in to kiss me, underneath the now darkened sky illuminated by the first beams of moonlight.

~*~

            Soon after that, we started on our way back to her house, Kari stopping every so often to admire her new ring. "T.K., it's beautiful. Thank you."

            I smiled. "I'm glad you like it." Then… a thought came to me, one that troubled me so. "Kari… you don't regret this… do you?"

            She looked at me quizzically. "Why would you think that?"

            "It's just… so many people have told me…"

            "Listen to me, T.K. I said this to you before—don't judge by anyone's standards but your own. I love you, and I know that you love me, and I know we have the rest of our lives ahead of us, but if we want to start a bit early, why should anything stop us?"

            I smiled. "You're right. Not just about what everyone says… but about the fact that I love you… so much… you're embedded in my soul."

            Kari looked at me, not having to say anything, and I saw the love shining through her eyes. Before I knew it, we were back at her house. "I guess this is it," I said slowly.

            Kari sighed. "Know that no matter how far away I am, or how long we're apart, that I will always love you… and I'll be counting the days until I can become your wife."

            I sighed as well. "Hikari Takaishi… I like the sound of that."

            Smiling brightly, Kari said, "So do I." She kissed me gently, and I deepened our kiss, not wanting to let her go, because I knew this could be our last kiss. "T.K…. I have to go. It's getting late."

            "Okay," I said, my voice failing me. Kari looked at me as she opened the door, and mouthed "I love you" to me before her face disappeared from my sight. Tears threatened to fall, but I wouldn't let them. Instead, my thoughts drifted to my not-so-distant future, and the fact that I would be a married man soon… that I would have Kari by my side for the rest of my life. Just the thought of that comforted me, and it felt as if Kari was thinking the same way, because I could feel her with me.