Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah, I don't own Digimon, etc. I just wanna get this posted before my parents get home! You know the drill, italics = thinking, everything else is self-explanatory, I hope? 1, 2, 3... Go!


Ch.8

Mom! I'm home! Akira shut the apartment door behind him and kicked off his shoes. He was greeted by silence. He walked into the kitchen and found it empty. Akira dropped his soccer bag on the floor and looked for a cheerful note explain where she was and found none.

Mom? Mom, where are you? He could feel inexplicable panic rising in his voice. Akira ran into Kari's room and found her face down on the bed. Oh God! She's dead! She can't be! Kari gave a peaceful sigh and rolled over. Akira almost fainted with relief. Her face was blotchy and tear-stained, but she wasn't dead.

~~~

T.K. thanked the saleswoman and walked quickly out of the store, tucking his purchase in his coat pocket with a smile. Walking through Ginza on his way to the subway, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in a brightly-lit shop window. His designer pants and sweater, coupled with a pair of sneakers suited his tall frame. His blonde hair was starting to creep down his neck and over the tops of his ears. Hikari liked his hair short. She had told him that, he remembered. I need a haircut...

~~~

Kari exited the school courtyard with the last of the students, basking in the warmth of the afternoon sun after a long day inside. She walked slowly along the cement wall running the length of the school property, and as she reached its end she felt someone fall in step with her. She turned and discovered it was T.K.

No! Not you again! Kari almost burst into tears just looking at him. Could you please, please, just leave me alone?

Please, Kari! T.K. put his hand on her arm,

Honestly, I've had enough of it! I'm a teacher! I'm supposed to setting an example, not get swept up in a relationship that ended years ago! Kari's voice rose in a frightened crescendo.

Slightly panic-stricken, since Kari was making another scene, put his hands on her shoulders and turned her so she faced him. he said calmly, I'm sorry, just hear me out, okay?

Kari sighed, her temper waning as quickly as it had rose. Fine. You have ten minutes... she paused and checked her watch, ...starting now. Go.

T.K. took Kari's arm and lead her away from the school. First off, I'm really sorry about yesterday. I'm not sure what was wrong with me. I was talking to Katsuro, and suddenly everything you did seemed cruel and calculated, and... But I'm wasting valuable seconds aren't I? T.K. smirked.

Anyways, I may as well return your shoes to you so I don't have to carry them anymore. He handed Kari a pair of slightly sandy loafers, which she accepted, then looked expectantly at him, tapping the face of her watch. T.K. took the hint, and continued, And now, I'm going to tell you a story.

Kari raised her eyebrows,

Once upon a time, there was a prince and a princess. They weren't exactly your average fairy tale couple. Rather than living high and mighty in a castle, they spent their time protecting their kingdom from monsters. It was their destiny, but their destiny had another part as well. They had walked the length of the school wall, and T.K. turned and led Kari down another side of the wall.

As they fought monsters side by side, the prince and princess found that they liked each other very much, so they made a vow: that they would be together always. After they had defeated all the monsters, they got married and lived happily ever after. T.K. hoisted himself onto the top of the wall, and hauled a very reluctant Kari up after him.

T.K., I don't think we should be up here... Kari fretted. If my superiors were here, or one of my students, I could be... she trailed off.

T.K. said cheerily, and Kari nodded mutely. That'll never happen! Just remember, this is all my idea.

Kari began.

Sh! I still have-

3 minutes and 36 seconds, I know. Kari shifted her weight and her markbook, along with one of her shoes, tumbled to the ground. She forced herself to ignore this, and turned her attention back to T.K.

Do you believe in fairytales, Kari? She nodded. Where was he going with this?

What about the one I just told you? Kari nodded again, more slowly this time.

A smile spread across T.K.'s face at Kari's reply. That's our fairy tale, Kari! That's our story! He said excitedly, but Kari shook her head firmly.

No, T.K.. That was our story, but we messed up. That's not our story anymore. Our's is one of pain, vengeance, and grief. If only...

T.K. finished her sentence, ...we could go back, and stop all the pain from happening. Maybe it's too late for that now, but tell me Kari, do you believe in dreams come true?

Kari nodded, very, very slightly. Yes... I do... This is...

Don't you see, Kari? T.K. exclaimed, elation rising in his voice. This is-

-our dream come true, Kari whispered, and a single tear slid down her cheek. T.K. brushed it away and reached into his pocket.

Hikari Kamiya, will you marry me?

Kari began to cry, and simultaneously flung her arms around T.K.. Through her tears, she managed to choke out, Yes... I've been ready to marry you since the moment we met...

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Neko's Note: Aw, so cute, ne? Well, reviews keep the cuteness comin', sooo... ^.~ All donations are much appreciated! ^hehe, or not^