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Author's Note: End of second arc.

Love Knows No Bounds
Bind 11: Awakening

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"A cave?" Takeru asked with little curiosity, looking around. BlackTailmon was right. The two of them were in a dark and lifeless cave. When Takeru thought about it, his back rested against cold, hard, coal-black stone. A Dark cloud passed over the duo; Takeru could feel a horrid, murky feeling surrounding his heart, and the dampness and chilling feeling inside the cave did not cause it. The cavity in the earth felt somehow familiar to Takeru, as if he had been here before. Somewhere in his distant past, he had been here before. 'Why is it so god-damned cold?' Takeru shivered, his breath forming a temperate cloud as it came out.

"Lord Takeru, I feel so c-c-cold," BlackTailmon stammered as she shivered, voicing her master's thoughts. Takeru swore that he could hear her bones shake. With sympathy and gentle care, Takeru took BlackTailmon into his lap and wrapped his arms around her.

"Is that better?" he asked his Digimon friend softly. BlackTailmon nodded happily, her soft, warm fur rubbing against Takeru as she did. 'Her ears are so soft,' Takeru thought, 'and very warm—it feels nice.'

"Lord Takeru, you can be kind. You're not evil or mean as those other Digimon said. You're a kind, caring person," BlackTailmon whispered gently. Takeru smiled slightly; it was near invisible, but BlackTailmon could see a faint trace of a smile on her Lord Takeru's face. It seemed to make all the difference upon his doleful, darkened face.

"I can, can't I? I can be kind," Takeru muttered, mostly to himself. 'And I didn't have to fight myself, my own heart. It was just me.' Was it truly unnatural for him to have feelings? When did he begin to think so? When had he begun to believe himself emotionless and heartless?

"Why is it you think you can be nice, Lord Takeru?" BlackTailmon asked. 'I nearly have him. I'm so close to reaching him.'

Takeru looked deep within himself. His mind swirled with conflicting emotions; feelings of his past, memories, and a light somewhere buried deep within him tried to fight to the surface. He could feel that small spark lashing out to get out; it was fighting the turmoil that reigned in Takeru's black heart. "I don't know, BlackTailmon. There's something inside of me that wants to get out, but it's overwhelmed by the Darkness. That light is like me; it's been overtaken by Evil."

"You said that you've been here before?" BlackTailmon asked about the cave, snuggling deeper into Takeru's arms. Strange warmth seemed to be radiating from him, like a low-powered heating lamp. Takeru nodded in reply, shivering a little. Sitting on and against a cold, damp cave was chilling Takeru to his bones. The slow drip-drip of water echoed throughout the tunnel, making the cave seem more haunting than ever.

"I remember being here before, and my brother was here, too." Takeru thought really hard about his surroundings, looking into his past. Somewhere he had been in this foreboding underground. Then Takeru suddenly realized where he had seen this place before; the memory had aroused above the harsh waves of confusion.

"I was here when the others and I were fighting the Dark Masters," Takeru whispered to himself. "Taichi had ordered Sora and me to find Yamato, Jyou, and Mimi to help fight Piedmon. I found Yamato and Jyou, and then we had to find Sora. We found her in a dark cave, just like this one." With his pause, Takeru swallowed to clench the dryness in his throat. Oddly, he felt slightly nervous—almost anxious.

"Sora was surrounded by darkness; it was like a black fog, if I remember correctly. Yamato and Jyou revived her after a long while, and then we went to go help Taichi. We barely made it on time; if Taichi had been alone for a minute longer, he would have died." Takeru frowned at the memory. He remembered tears had welled into his little blue eyes when he saw the brave, courageous Taichi half-dead. He had fought hard not to cry, especially in front of his brother; after all, Taichi was Yamato's best friend, and Yamato had not shed a single tear. Takeru remembered Hikari's eyes filled with tears for her brother, the ruby orbs nearly spilling their diamond tears.

'Hikari was so sad. She watched Taichi get beaten up and nearly die, but she tried not to cry. She wanted to be strong like her brother, like I wanted to be as strong as Yamato.' Takeru sighed, remembering.

"So, we're in that same cave that your friend Sora was in? " BlackTailmon inquired curiously.

Takeru shook his head. "Yamato told me once that he was caught in the same situation that Sora was in before her. He explained to me that there was a Dark mist that created the cave by feeding off you fear, doubts, and anger: the Darkness in your heart. So, in truth, we're not in the same cave. We're just trapped within the Dark mist. I guess it finally found me after so long," Takeru sighed tiredly.

BlackTailmon could sense Takeru's hopelessness, his unwillingness to continue. She knew she couldn't allow Takeru to fall into despair or Darkness. She was determined to save her Lord Takeru. "How are we going to get out of here, Lord Takeru?" BlackTailmon asked quickly.

"I have to find that spark that will lead me to the light, just like Yamato and Sora did when they were here. I need to find that something, the thing that—I don't know. I need to find something that will help me live," Takeru explained, exasperated. He felt so tired and did not know if he could continue. Did he have a reason at all?

BlackTailmon had other ideas and looked hopefully at Takeru. "What is your light?"

"I don't know, BlackTailmon. I don't think I have light anymore," Takeru replied, leaning his head back against the cave wall. He sighed as he closed his blue eyes, little bits of blonde hair falling over his eyelids.

The feline monster frowned at her partner and his indifference to existence. She refused to allow Lord Takeru to give up without a fight. 'Oh, please, Lord Takeru! Please don't give up! Please don't give up to the Darkness!'

"Please, Lord Takeru! Look! Look for your light! Don't give up to the Darkness!" BlackTailmon yelled, voice her thoughts.

"I'll try. I—I think that—" Takeru thought of all the happy moments in his life. He went back to his young childhood to find such moments; but even then Takeru only found sadness. He remembered when his parents had just gotten a divorce, separating Takeru and his older brother. 'How much I hated that day.'

Takeru growled in disgust. He still did not know why his parents had separated; and every time Takeru had asked Yamato why it happened, his older brother would just change the subject.

Takeru's memory went on, remembering. He recalled when he and his mother had just moved into their new apartment. He was miserable and sad, but Takeru had hidden all of his feelings behind a fake smile. He had hidden his emotions all for his mother. She was all he had left, and Takeru did not want to disappoint her. 'It was all for her,' Takeru thought sadly

But then, after that, Takeru thought of other things. He remembered when he had become a Chosen Child with the other Children. In the Digital World, Takeru had gotten closer to Yamato once more; but even that was not a bright moment in his life. His brother had tried to push him away, afraid of the hurt they would feel once more after they parted. 'He was scared, just like me,' Takaishi sighed. He remembered that he was alone during those adventures with no one to talk to. He talked to Patamon and the others, of course, but they just were not the type of people or creatures that Takeru needed to talk to—

'Patamon.'

Takeru frowned, his features and heart hardening. 'Patamon, what have I done to you? I turned you into something that the two of us vowed to always fight against; I turned you against everyone; and you did that all for the sake of me. You sacrificed yourself for me.' A tear rolled down Takeru's cheek. Somewhere, deep in his heart, Takeru knew his Digimon partner would not come back. No matter how he wished, he knew Patamon would not return; the part of his heart where Patamon had occupied was now empty.

"Why? Why did I have to lose you, Patamon? I lost a part of my heart first to Yamato. Then, I lost my heart to her. And then, I lost another part of my heart to you. Why do people keep on leaving me?" Takeru cried. BlackTailmon wiped away Takeru's tears as best as she could, not wanting to see Lord Takeru so sad.

Takeru could feel something soft wiping away his cold tears. He knew it was BlackTailmon, but the softness—It reminded him of something else. Takeru's memory flashed back to a night, that night directly after Yamato had defeated Puppetmon and had left their group. Takeru had cried that night, trying to fall asleep. He remembered Taichi holding him, trying to comfort him as a small child.

'Hey, it's all right, Takeru. It's all right,' Taichi soothed. Takeru continued to cry, wishing desperately that his brother had not left the group. He felt so alone without his older brother; it was like that time Taichi had left and the group had fallen apart. Taichi watched Takeru sadly in his arms, wishing he could make Takeru feel better.

'Cry all you want, Takeru. Just let it all out,' Taichi whispered, cradling the small blonde boy. As Takeru continued crying, he felt a hand brush away his tears. He then felt the small, soft, warm hand cup his right cheek. Takeru turned to the owner of the hand.

Hikari, whose bright red eyes were sad as well, looked at Takeru with hope. 'Don't cry, Takeru. Yamato will come back. He loves you still. He'll love you forever,' Hikari whispered gently, a tear falling down her cheek. 'So, please, Takeru. Don't cry so sadly anymore. It makes me real sad to see you so sad.'

Takeru sniffled as he wiped his own tears away with his green sleeves. Takeru didn't want Hikari to be sad because of him. He took Hikari's hand and held it with both his own hands. Takeru remembered how soft and warm they were. 'Don't worry, Hikari. I won't be sad anymore. As long as I've got you and Taichi, and the others of course, I won't be sad,' Takeru replied, smiling a cheerful happy smile.

Hikari smiled, as so did Taichi. He was glad that Hikari had found a way to bring such a smile to Takeru's face. Takeru felt happy, knowing that he was not alone after all. She was there. 'She was my friend.'

Takeru's memory then took him to another place in time, a time after that night. 'Do you think she'll be all right, Sora?' Takeru asked, watching Hikari worriedly. Hikari's fever had not gone down, and it did not seem as if Hikari was going to make it. She tossed and turned in her feverish sleep, mumbling Taichi's name every so often.

Sora sighed, unsure of how to answer the little boy. She knew that Takeru's spirit was a fragile one; Sora did not want to hurt him, but—'I'm not sure, Takeru. Hikari is an unstable right now. I'm not sure how—'

'Don't worry, Takeru. Hikari is a real tough kitten. She'll be back on all fours sooner than you think,' Tailmon replied quickly. The cat-like Digimon stared at Hikari painfully, not wishing to see her human partner in so much agony. To Tailmon it was like watching Hikari being tortured by Vamdemon (although, Vamdemon's agony would have been greater Hell compared to this).

'Yeah, don't worry, Takeru. Hikari's going to be just fine,' Patamon reassured, his innocence taking the better of him. He rested on top of Takeru's head so that his presence would reassure his parter. In truth, Patamon had no clue what could happen to Hikari.

Takeru stared sadly at Hikari, who lay in the bed very ill. How much Takeru wished that he could have gone with Taichi to find medicine for Hikari. He did not like to wait in this house, doing very little to help Hikari. Takeru wanted to be out there, with Taichi and Koushiro, doing SOMETHING to help Hikari; but Takeru had promised Taichi that he would stay with Hikari and protect her. Takeru knew this was a large responsibility, and only a few people would Taichi ever let to watch over Hikari without his supervision.

Takeru wished that Hikari had never come. With one look of her red, pained face, Takeru wished that Hikari had never gotten involved with the Digital World. If she had never come to the Digital World, she would not have been so sick. And look at Hikari now. She could barely speak, and as every second went past, the Chosen Child came closer to being found by Machinedramon. Things were not looking so good, especially for Hikari. 'Takeru.'

The young Takeru turned and saw Hikari mumbling once more. 'Takeru.' Hikari faintly cried out. Takeru rushed to her side.

'Hikari, are you okay?' Takeru gently asked. He knew that Hikari more likely couldn't hear him, but it made Takeru feel better to talk to her as if she could.

'Takeru, never think like that,' Hikari mumbled. Takeru gasped. Could Taichi's little sister actually hear him through her sickness? Was she telepathic? 'Never think like that, Takaishi Takeru. Never give up.' And with that, Hikari fell back into her feverish sleep.

Takeru smiled at Hikari, a tear falling down his cheek. He held Hikari's clammy, cold hand, trying to warm it up with his own. 'Don't worry, Hikari. I won't give up. For you, I won't give up.'

Takeru then found himself on a balcony, which looked over a desolate, cold world. Takeru wondered where this memory fit in with his life. He then heard a shout and looked up. Takeru saw himself, Hikari, and Piedmon all clutching a rope that led upwards. 'Let him go!' Hikari yelled angrily at the Mega Digimon. Piedmon laughed evilly. The distress in the small Child of Light's cry humored him.

'Hikari, let me go! If you do, then he can't get you!' Takeru yelled back. He looked desperately at Hikari, his blue eyes boring into her red eyes. Hikari shook her head, determined not to let go of her blond friend.

'I'm never letting you go, Takaishi Takeru! Never!' Takeru could feel tears welling up in his eyes, touched by Hikari's strong loyalty. Piedmon frowned, feeling a little neglected at the moment.

'Well then.' Piedmon took out one of his swords and cut the rope. He would allow gravity to finish off the last of the Chosen Children. Takeru and Hikari screamed as they fell helplessly. Piedmon laughed at the sight.

'I see that you two are just FALLING for each other! HAHAHHAHA!' he cackled without remorse. Takeru, as the wind quickly blew past him, looked at Hikari and saw her crying in fear. Takeru quickly wiped his tears as fast as he could as they fell.

'I can't let Hikari see me cry. I have to be strong!' Takeru thought as he held his "brother's keychain". 'I have to be strong like Yamato!' Takeru grabbed Hikari's hand, giving her a reassuring look. Hikari immediately stopped crying and looked at the young boy. Takeru, with wind blowing through his blonde hair, smiled at her. Takeru and Hikari both felt safe with their hands locked together. Takeru's crest then began to glow. Hope spread throughout the sky.

Takeru then found himself in a colorful place with toys swinging on tree branches and bubbles all over the place. 'Hey, look at all the eggs!' Hikari yelled, very much excited. Takeru saw that little takeru was right by her side, excited as well. The sky was literally raining Digi-eggs; colorful spheres of yet-to-be-born Digimon littered the ground of Primary Village.

'Come on, Hikari! I'll show you how to hatch them!' Takeru yelled, running into the storm of Digi-eggs. Hikari smiled happily as she was right by his side. There was never a moment when those two weren't with each other. Takeru remembered that he and Hikari had hatched at least fifty Digimon before Elecmon drove them off; the Caretaker did not want so many mouths to feed all at one time. So instead of hatching more Digimon, Hikari and Takeru, with the help of Tailmon and Patamon, went and tried to get the toys off the trees.

After that childhood memory, the scene within Takeru's mind shifted once more. 'Yamato, wait!' Takeru pouted, not able to run as fast as his older brother; Takeru was four years younger than Yamato after all. Yamato turned and smiled. The two blonde boys were running down the streets of Tokyo as fast as they can, trying to dodge other pedestrians in the process.

'Oh, come on, Takeru! We don't want to keep Taichi and Hikari waiting, do we? I'm pretty sure that Hikari is bouncing of the walls just knowing you're coming by,' Yamato laughed. He remembered Taichi's exasperated voice and Hikari's loud, but sweet one when the two Yagami's called for the Ishida/Takaishi boys to come over.

Takeru blushed as he tried to catch up. 'I said wait, Yamato!'

Ishida Yamato just laughed as he raced ahead. Seeing his little brother blush at the mention of Yagami Hikari was enough proof for Yamato; his suspicions were now confirmed. It would be enough proof for Taichi too when he would see it also. Yamato chuckled at the thought of how Taichi would react when he found out someone liked his little sister.

'It's great to see you again, Takeru. I was beginning to worry that I would never see you again,' Hikari sighed, taking a sip of her drink. Takeru smiled a sweet smile, making Hikari slightly blush.

'Really?' Takeru questioned, tensing up in his chair. He and Hikari were currently relaxing in a cafe, two blocks away from the junior high school. Hikari had suggested that the two of them should go there after school, since Takeru was new to the neighborhood. To Takeru's joy, the two of them had unanimously agreed to come there alone (and that meant no obnoxious, but good-intentioned Daisuke). Hikari nodded.

'I mean, after our summer adventure, I really missed you. When the others wanted to meet and talk, I felt a little alone, since I was the youngest without you," Hikari replied. Takeru felt his heart warm towards his childhood-friend once more.

'I know, I know how you feel. I had no one to talk to about our adventures. All I had was Yamato over the phone, but even then that wasn't enough.' Takeru sighed, wisps of blonde hair falling onto his eyes.

'Well, now that you're back, we won't be alone anymore. We'll never be lonely ever again. We'll always be together,' Hikari giggled, holding out her pinky to Takeru. The young man chuckled as he hooked Hikari's pinky with his own.

'We'll be always be best friends, from now until forever,' Takeru added merrily. A large, happy grin appeared upon Hikari's sweet face; Takeru could feel his face grow warm. The two Chosen Children, with their pinky fingers still hooked, both shook in agreement to their new pledge. And it seemed with Fate's help, they would keep it.

'Hikari. '

"Hikari." BlackTailmon stared at Takeru.

"Light?"

Takeru smiled, not believing the word that had come out of his mouth. He could never, it seemed, stop loving her. After so long, the girl that Takeru thought he had hated, she was the one. That girl, Hikari, Yagami Hikari, was the one. "Yes, Hikari. She had always been there as my friend, always there to help me. We're best friends, until the end. Now I realize our relationship with each other. Even if we are nothing more, our love for each other will last forever. "

Light began to grow from Takeru, warming the air around Digimon and Human. The Dark mist with the cave disappeared, all Darkness and hopelessness disappearing with them. "Hikari and I, we're best friends, and that's something we'll always have," Takeru muttered, looking down into his palm. There, in his hand was his crest, the golden Crest of Hope.

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