Author's notes: I know I don't usually thank my reviewers, but… Thanks Sorato L. O. C. fan, it's nice to know a Sorato supporter likes this fic. This chapter will hopefully be longer then the ultra-short first one, and should begin the major fluffy romantic scenes, unless I screw up again…
Love. Something that is often talked about, but seldom felt, and when it is it's usually not returned… Something so many wish for, but something so rare that the one who held it's crest believed herself incapable of feeling it… But sometimes, there are those people who manage to fall in love, and it brings great happiness…
"Love…" Sora muttered, glancing downward in the direction of where her crest would normally be. "It's my crest, I know, but it's just so confusing. Why can't I just fall in love without all these questions?"
"Sora-chan… She's so sad…" Takeru said, looking downward towards the bearer of love, and with sympathy in his thoughts, began walking down towards her…
"Takeru-kun…" Sora thought, glancing over at the one who seemed to make her live up to her crest. "This is the digital world, emotions become a source of power here, and with what happened with Garudamon in that battle against Fallen Devimon, I'm sure he already knows, but… What's his reaction? I can't tell at all how he feels about me…" She continued to think, until she felt a warm comforting hand on her shoulder…
"Sora-chan, what's wrong?" Takeru asked, concern clear in his voice.
"Takeru… He's so kind." Sora thought, blushing… "But I can't possibly tell him what's wrong, I don't want to confront him about this just yet… How do you tell someone the reason you're so concerned is because you've fallen in love with them and you don't know how they'll react? And besides, regardless of his feelings on the matter, he's so kind he'll probably fake love just to comfort me anyway… But Hikari would do the same thing, and I'm sure she's not in love with me. Besides, I do love him greatly, but I only want something to happen if it's also his desire, not just his compassion driving it." She finished, and then replied "Nothing," though the sadness in her voice made it clear "Nothing" was not the true answer…
"Sora-san… You're way too sad for it to just be nothing." Takeru said sadly, thinking back to the only two times he had ever seen the bearer of love so sad before…
"Takeru…" Sora responded, her mouth turning slightly upwards into something of a smile. "Thank you, for caring so much…"
"You're welcome." Takeru responded, wrapping his arms around the bearer of love as Sora smiled, hoping this was a sign of things to come…
Minutes passed with them just standing like that, Sora being held in the arms of the bearer of hope, but in time they parted, both back to being lost in their thoughts and plans to save both worlds…
Hours passed, and Takeru and Sora's thoughts once more turned to protecting Factorial Fortress and making it able to withstand an attack by the still-living Fallen Devimon… But in time, the increased fortifications for the day were complete and they had no more ideas on how to better protect the city, so they were left to think about the day's earlier events once more…
"It's so odd, like we're exchanging crests or something… All this uncertainty is forcing me to hope, but does this mean that Takeru's love is as strong as I hope it is…" Sora thought, thinking back to her being embraced by Takeru earlier in the day… "It still could have been just to comfort me, it doesn't have to mean anything, but…"
"But your love is so strong that you think of everything in the most romantic way, is that it?" Piyomon chirped inquisitively.
"Yeah." Sora replied quietly, so deeply lost in thoughts of the bearer of hope that she barely noticed Piyomon's question…
"You could just tell him… Takeru's not the type to be too freaked out about anything save the powers of darkness, and he probably knows by now anyway." Piyomon advised Sora, and the bearer of love nodded…
"Sure… I'll do it, as soon as I get the chance." The red-haired chosen agreed, resolved to end this uncertainty that seemed to eat at her more then rejection would…
Though their thoughts may have been on the same topic, Takeru's current conversation with Angemon was far sadder and guilt-laden… "Angemon, I'm sorry."
"I know, I know… I wish I could just be like Hotohori now, but even the holiest of digimon can't always do the noblest of deeds…" Angemon mumbled sadly… "I should be happy for you, but…"
"Angemon… I'm almost wishing this wasn't happening, but… My heart's with Sora's, I just wish there was another way…" Takeru said sadly, wishing his digimon partner and closest friend wouldn't suffer from this so much.
"Takeru…" Angemon replied, a tear running down onto his wing in sorrow, as he knew this would be one of the hardest things he'd ever have to say… "Maybe I can do the noble thing after all… Takeru, if this will bring you happiness, go for it…"
"Angemon… I thank you…" Takeru said, pulling the six-winged digimon into one last loving embrace, and the angel digimon smiled…