Disclaimer: If I owned Digimon, my fanfiction wouldn't be fanfiction, they
would be episodes.
Takeru's head snapped up at Hikari's scream. He had been so intent on making sure that she didn't fall that he hadn't heard the rumbling.
He scrambled close to Hikari and wrapped his arms around her waist. As soon as he did that the surge hit them.
The force knocked them off the tree and into the raging water, but Takeru kept a firm hold on Hikari.
The current forced them under every time they got near the surface, and both were sure they were going to drown.
But then, by some good fortune, a large piece of driftwood floated above them. Takeru grabbed it and pulled them up. They clung to wood for dear life as they tried to get the water out of their lungs.
By some miracle they were washed ashore with the wood seconds later.
After giving a small prayer of thanks Takeru turned to Hikari. "See Hika," he said through chattering teeth, "I told you we'd get across."
Hikari smiled slightly and shook her head, amazed that he could still make jokes at a time like this. "So, what now?" she asked trembling.
Takeru forced himself to stand up. "We have to go back to where we were going to cross and head north from there. If we go from here, we might miss the safe house entirely."
"I was afraid you were going to say that," Hikari grumbled as Takeru helped her up and the two began to walk upstream, huddled together.
It took the better part of an hour to reach their destination. Both were exhausted and suffering from hypothermia.
"Keru, can we sleep now?" Hikari asked yawning.
Takeru looked down. "Well, uh, you see...I don't think we can. I mean, it's freezing outside, plus we're soaking wet. Our skin is already starting to turn blue. I think that if we went to sleep, then we wouldn't wake up."
Hikari took all of this in. 'He does have a point. We're practically freezing to death while we're awake. But I'm so tired and sick, and I know he is too, so how do we go on now?'
Takeru continued after a few seconds. "I think our best chance is to just walk straight to the safe house. If we walk through the night and tomorrow, we should see the safe house near sunset."
Hikari tried to put on a brave face. "Well, what are we waiting for?" she asked, beginning to walk.
Takeru smiled and followed.
*
Sometime in the middle of the night, the two encountered light snow; dusted on the trees. By morning everything as far as the eye could see was coated with snow. However, the two were already so numb with cold that the snow made no real difference.
At midday their already bad luck took another turn for the worse. A strong wind began blowing against them, trying to force them back. Also, it began to snow mildly. Hikari, who had been struggling the whole time, could not take the extra strain. She stumbled a bit, and collapsed.
Takeru caught her before she hit the ground. "Hikari? Angel, what's wrong?"
"I can't walk anymore. I feel so weak." she answered quietly.
Takeru frowned and felt her forehead. "You're burning up. You look really sick too."
Hikari smirked, "You don't look so hot yourself."
Takeru smiled slightly. "As much as I'd like to listen to your comments all day, we have somewhere to be. So get on."
Hikari blinked. "What?"
"Get on my back. You obviously can't walk the rest of the way, and we can't stay here, so I'll carry you."
"But you're sick too. You can't carry me the rest of the way."
"I can try. Now come on," he said adjusting Hikari so she could hold on around his neck. "We want to get there as soon as possible."
Hikari knew that she wouldn't win so she just hung on as Takeru stood up and started walking again. 'Come on Keru, I know you can do it.'
*
At the safe house Yamato and Taichi were at their wits ends. They had heard no news of their younger siblings since the evacuation. Because Takeru and Hikari were so far away, no one had been sent to warn them. Yamato and Taichi had been forbidden to go find them. They were only allowed to go out on horses and search within an area equivalent to one mile in all directions.
So now they were sitting together inside, deep worry etched on their faces.
Yamato looked outside. "I have a feeling that I should be out there right now, looking for them."
Taichi nodded. "Me too. But a storm is coming, there's no way our parents would allow us to go out."
Yamato stood up and grabbed his outdoor cloak. "I don't care. Takeru needs me, I know it, and I can't just sit here." With this he headed towards the stable.
"Wait up," Taichi called, grabbing his own cloak, "I'm coming with you."
* It was late in the afternoon now and Takeru was losing strength fast. As Hikari had pointed out, he was sick too, so carrying her was becoming harder and harder. He knew he had to keep going though.
They had exited the forest shortly after Hikari collapsed and were now in a hilly tundra-like landscape.
The hills prevented them from seeing the safe house until they were very near, so they had no idea how close they were.
Hikari gazed at Takeru from her position worriedly. She could feel the boy shaking with exhaustion, though he tried not to show it. "Keru, you're pushing yourself too hard. I can try to walk now, really."
"Nonsense Hika," he replied, trying to sound cheerful, "You're still too weak to walk safely, and I'm doing fine. We should be there soon anyway."
"Oh Keru," Hikari sighed. Suddenly she perked up. "Did you hear that?"
Takeru paused. "Hear what?"
"I heard people talking, I know I did. Right ahead of us."
Takeru started walking again. "Let's see."
As they came over the top of the next hill, they saw two figures on horseback. The figures spotted them and began galloping over. As they neared, Hikari and Takeru recognized their brothers. A relieved expression came over their faces.
"Hikari!" Taichi arrived first. He took Hikari off Takeru's back, wrapped her in his cloak, and pulled her into a tight hug.
Yamato arrived seconds after Taichi. He wrapped Takeru in his own cloak before enveloping him in a bear hug. "Don't you ever do that to me again squirt. I was so worried."
It wasn't until he was safe in his brother's arms that Takeru allowed himself to collapse from many things, but mainly exhaustion.
Yamato and Taichi picked up their respective siblings, put them on the horses, and climbed on behind them. They rode back towards the safe house at full gallop.
The whole time Yamato kept glancing down at his younger sibling, who was dangerously close to unconsciousness. Takeru's skin, as well as Hikari's, was tinged blue and both were shivering badly.
As soon as they reached the safe house, they were taken to the castle physician. After looking them over the physician talked to the brothers.
"Well," he said, "It appears that they are suffering from hypothermia and starvation, as well as exposure. All we can do is keep them warm, let them sleep, and pray that they wake up before they starve to death."
The brothers stood stunned. This wasn't what they expected or wanted to hear. They regained themselves after a few seconds and carried their siblings to their rooms.
Yamato sat at Takeru's bedside, refusing to move. It had been a whole day since he had brought Takeru in here and he had not stirred. Hikari had woken up and eaten the morning after they came in, and she was expected to make a full recovery. However, carrying Hikari had hurt Takeru's condition, so he was much worse.
Suddenly, with no indication, Takeru's eyes opened. The first thing he saw was his brother's face looking down at him. "Yama," Takeru tried to speak but his throat was very dry.
"Here Takeru," Yamato said propping him up and handing him a glass of water, "Drink this."
Takeru drank the water gratefully. "Thank you Yama." he said when he had finished.
"It's no problem Takeru. How do you feel?"
Takeru shook his head, "Not very well."
"Do you think you can eat? The doctor said that you should try, so you don't starve. Food will probably make you feel better anyway."
"I don't know. I could try, I suppose."
Yamato smiled. "Good. They left some soup. Here, let me help you." Yamato helped Takeru eat, because the younger boy was still so weak. Halfway through the soup Takeru shook his head, indicating that he was full. Yamato wasn't happy but decided it was better than nothing.
"Do you feel any better now?"
Takeru nodded weakly, "A little. How's Hikari?"
"She's fine, much better than you."
"That's good."
"Yeah, it is. Now you should get some more rest. The more sleep you get, the sooner you'll get better." Yamato helped Takeru lay back down. As soon as his head hit the pillow, Takeru was out like a light.
*
A few more days had passed, and Takeru was much better, even though he was still bedridden. He was still weak, and had a fever from overexertion, but other than that he was fine.
Hikari had been allowed to walk around on the second day, and now she and Taichi were going to see Takeru. When they got there Takeru was sitting up on the bed talking to Yamato who was sitting in a chair.
Hikari rushed over and got on the bed next to Takeru. She gave him a giant hug before pulling him into a kiss.
Yamato and Taichi coughed after a minute to remind the two that they were still there.
Hikari broke the kiss and glared playfully at them, "Nobody's forcing you to watch, you know." She turned back to Takeru and the two reengaged in their kiss.
Yamato and Taichi glanced at one another. "So does this mean we're going to be uncles?" Taichi asked.
"God, I hope not," Yamato replied, "I'm too good looking to be called 'uncle.' You, on the other hand..."
"Oh, very funny."
Fin.
Takeru's head snapped up at Hikari's scream. He had been so intent on making sure that she didn't fall that he hadn't heard the rumbling.
He scrambled close to Hikari and wrapped his arms around her waist. As soon as he did that the surge hit them.
The force knocked them off the tree and into the raging water, but Takeru kept a firm hold on Hikari.
The current forced them under every time they got near the surface, and both were sure they were going to drown.
But then, by some good fortune, a large piece of driftwood floated above them. Takeru grabbed it and pulled them up. They clung to wood for dear life as they tried to get the water out of their lungs.
By some miracle they were washed ashore with the wood seconds later.
After giving a small prayer of thanks Takeru turned to Hikari. "See Hika," he said through chattering teeth, "I told you we'd get across."
Hikari smiled slightly and shook her head, amazed that he could still make jokes at a time like this. "So, what now?" she asked trembling.
Takeru forced himself to stand up. "We have to go back to where we were going to cross and head north from there. If we go from here, we might miss the safe house entirely."
"I was afraid you were going to say that," Hikari grumbled as Takeru helped her up and the two began to walk upstream, huddled together.
It took the better part of an hour to reach their destination. Both were exhausted and suffering from hypothermia.
"Keru, can we sleep now?" Hikari asked yawning.
Takeru looked down. "Well, uh, you see...I don't think we can. I mean, it's freezing outside, plus we're soaking wet. Our skin is already starting to turn blue. I think that if we went to sleep, then we wouldn't wake up."
Hikari took all of this in. 'He does have a point. We're practically freezing to death while we're awake. But I'm so tired and sick, and I know he is too, so how do we go on now?'
Takeru continued after a few seconds. "I think our best chance is to just walk straight to the safe house. If we walk through the night and tomorrow, we should see the safe house near sunset."
Hikari tried to put on a brave face. "Well, what are we waiting for?" she asked, beginning to walk.
Takeru smiled and followed.
*
Sometime in the middle of the night, the two encountered light snow; dusted on the trees. By morning everything as far as the eye could see was coated with snow. However, the two were already so numb with cold that the snow made no real difference.
At midday their already bad luck took another turn for the worse. A strong wind began blowing against them, trying to force them back. Also, it began to snow mildly. Hikari, who had been struggling the whole time, could not take the extra strain. She stumbled a bit, and collapsed.
Takeru caught her before she hit the ground. "Hikari? Angel, what's wrong?"
"I can't walk anymore. I feel so weak." she answered quietly.
Takeru frowned and felt her forehead. "You're burning up. You look really sick too."
Hikari smirked, "You don't look so hot yourself."
Takeru smiled slightly. "As much as I'd like to listen to your comments all day, we have somewhere to be. So get on."
Hikari blinked. "What?"
"Get on my back. You obviously can't walk the rest of the way, and we can't stay here, so I'll carry you."
"But you're sick too. You can't carry me the rest of the way."
"I can try. Now come on," he said adjusting Hikari so she could hold on around his neck. "We want to get there as soon as possible."
Hikari knew that she wouldn't win so she just hung on as Takeru stood up and started walking again. 'Come on Keru, I know you can do it.'
*
At the safe house Yamato and Taichi were at their wits ends. They had heard no news of their younger siblings since the evacuation. Because Takeru and Hikari were so far away, no one had been sent to warn them. Yamato and Taichi had been forbidden to go find them. They were only allowed to go out on horses and search within an area equivalent to one mile in all directions.
So now they were sitting together inside, deep worry etched on their faces.
Yamato looked outside. "I have a feeling that I should be out there right now, looking for them."
Taichi nodded. "Me too. But a storm is coming, there's no way our parents would allow us to go out."
Yamato stood up and grabbed his outdoor cloak. "I don't care. Takeru needs me, I know it, and I can't just sit here." With this he headed towards the stable.
"Wait up," Taichi called, grabbing his own cloak, "I'm coming with you."
* It was late in the afternoon now and Takeru was losing strength fast. As Hikari had pointed out, he was sick too, so carrying her was becoming harder and harder. He knew he had to keep going though.
They had exited the forest shortly after Hikari collapsed and were now in a hilly tundra-like landscape.
The hills prevented them from seeing the safe house until they were very near, so they had no idea how close they were.
Hikari gazed at Takeru from her position worriedly. She could feel the boy shaking with exhaustion, though he tried not to show it. "Keru, you're pushing yourself too hard. I can try to walk now, really."
"Nonsense Hika," he replied, trying to sound cheerful, "You're still too weak to walk safely, and I'm doing fine. We should be there soon anyway."
"Oh Keru," Hikari sighed. Suddenly she perked up. "Did you hear that?"
Takeru paused. "Hear what?"
"I heard people talking, I know I did. Right ahead of us."
Takeru started walking again. "Let's see."
As they came over the top of the next hill, they saw two figures on horseback. The figures spotted them and began galloping over. As they neared, Hikari and Takeru recognized their brothers. A relieved expression came over their faces.
"Hikari!" Taichi arrived first. He took Hikari off Takeru's back, wrapped her in his cloak, and pulled her into a tight hug.
Yamato arrived seconds after Taichi. He wrapped Takeru in his own cloak before enveloping him in a bear hug. "Don't you ever do that to me again squirt. I was so worried."
It wasn't until he was safe in his brother's arms that Takeru allowed himself to collapse from many things, but mainly exhaustion.
Yamato and Taichi picked up their respective siblings, put them on the horses, and climbed on behind them. They rode back towards the safe house at full gallop.
The whole time Yamato kept glancing down at his younger sibling, who was dangerously close to unconsciousness. Takeru's skin, as well as Hikari's, was tinged blue and both were shivering badly.
As soon as they reached the safe house, they were taken to the castle physician. After looking them over the physician talked to the brothers.
"Well," he said, "It appears that they are suffering from hypothermia and starvation, as well as exposure. All we can do is keep them warm, let them sleep, and pray that they wake up before they starve to death."
The brothers stood stunned. This wasn't what they expected or wanted to hear. They regained themselves after a few seconds and carried their siblings to their rooms.
Yamato sat at Takeru's bedside, refusing to move. It had been a whole day since he had brought Takeru in here and he had not stirred. Hikari had woken up and eaten the morning after they came in, and she was expected to make a full recovery. However, carrying Hikari had hurt Takeru's condition, so he was much worse.
Suddenly, with no indication, Takeru's eyes opened. The first thing he saw was his brother's face looking down at him. "Yama," Takeru tried to speak but his throat was very dry.
"Here Takeru," Yamato said propping him up and handing him a glass of water, "Drink this."
Takeru drank the water gratefully. "Thank you Yama." he said when he had finished.
"It's no problem Takeru. How do you feel?"
Takeru shook his head, "Not very well."
"Do you think you can eat? The doctor said that you should try, so you don't starve. Food will probably make you feel better anyway."
"I don't know. I could try, I suppose."
Yamato smiled. "Good. They left some soup. Here, let me help you." Yamato helped Takeru eat, because the younger boy was still so weak. Halfway through the soup Takeru shook his head, indicating that he was full. Yamato wasn't happy but decided it was better than nothing.
"Do you feel any better now?"
Takeru nodded weakly, "A little. How's Hikari?"
"She's fine, much better than you."
"That's good."
"Yeah, it is. Now you should get some more rest. The more sleep you get, the sooner you'll get better." Yamato helped Takeru lay back down. As soon as his head hit the pillow, Takeru was out like a light.
*
A few more days had passed, and Takeru was much better, even though he was still bedridden. He was still weak, and had a fever from overexertion, but other than that he was fine.
Hikari had been allowed to walk around on the second day, and now she and Taichi were going to see Takeru. When they got there Takeru was sitting up on the bed talking to Yamato who was sitting in a chair.
Hikari rushed over and got on the bed next to Takeru. She gave him a giant hug before pulling him into a kiss.
Yamato and Taichi coughed after a minute to remind the two that they were still there.
Hikari broke the kiss and glared playfully at them, "Nobody's forcing you to watch, you know." She turned back to Takeru and the two reengaged in their kiss.
Yamato and Taichi glanced at one another. "So does this mean we're going to be uncles?" Taichi asked.
"God, I hope not," Yamato replied, "I'm too good looking to be called 'uncle.' You, on the other hand..."
"Oh, very funny."
Fin.
