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Love Knows No Bounds
Bind 13: Revelation II

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"Crimson Lightning!" Vamdemon yelled out, letting loose his horrid lighting whip. As the blood red attack rushed towards the two Chosen Children, Takeru quickly pushed Hikari out of the way, barely dodging it himself. With the girl in his arms, Takeru twisted around and received the greater damage, acting like a cushion for the girl.

'Please, be safe!'

After the attack passed and the dust settled, Takeru quickly stood up on his feet and glanced at BlackTailmon beside him. Bringing out his digivice, the young man yelled out, "BlackTailmon! Let's do it!"

As an immediate response, the black Digimon gave Takeru a nod and prepared herself to evolve.

"BlackTailmon, evolve! Angewomon!"

As soon as the transformation completed, the angelic monster prepared her self for an attack. Summoning her bow and arrows, the angel cried out, "Celestial Arrow!" Angewomon shot three of her bright, deadly celestial arrows at once. Vamdemon dodged all three arrows by jumping from the ground and flying into the air. Disappointed her attacks did not hit, Angewomon quickly followed the vampire into the sky. Her angelic, white wings shed snow white feathers as she pushed air beneath them.

"Are you okay, Hikari?" Takeru asked, quickly turning to her. He helped her stand, dusting her off as well. He quickly did check-ups on Hikari, just to be sure that no damage was inflicted upon his friend. But Hikari did not pay any attention to those check-ups. Her ruby eyes just kept locked upon the young, handsome boy in front of her. She looked at Takeru, relieved that she had finally found her friend.

"I was so worried about you, Takeru!" she cried out while pulling him into an embrace. Surprised, Takeru held on to Hikari to prevent them from falling. "When Yamato called Taichi and me saying that you were alive, I didn't know what to think. I couldn't believe that you were—" Hikari buried her face into Takeru's shirt, holding him so she would not collapse onto the ground a second time. She promised herself that she would not let go; she would never let go of Takeru ever again.

"I'm sorry, Hikari. I'm sorry I made you so worried, making you worry about me." Takeru's voice whispered gently, the young man pulling Hikari closer to him. How he cherished the feeling of her form against his. He tenderly kissed her forehead and closed his eyes while taking in her scent. Why was she so precious to him? "It must have been very difficult for you. I'm sorry."

His kind voice soothed Hikari to her very last bone; she felt like she could live in this moment forever. Hikari's heart felt better than it ever had for the past few months. "I'm just glad you're still alive," Hikari sighed, inhaling Takeru's saccharine smell. She could smell sunflowers, the grassy fields, and all the happiness a child could ever possess: everything which was Takaishi Takeru. 'Don't ever leave me,' she thought earnestly. 'Please never leave me again, Takeru.'

Takeru brought his friend even closer to him, cooing and cradling the frail girl in his arms. Why? Why did the strongest girl he knew feel so weak in his arms? "Hikari, I have to apologize again to you." Hikari looked up to stare at two crystal blue eyes; the sadness, the kindness, the regret in Takeru's eyes made her want to cry. He solemnly continued, "The way I've been acting for the past few months is unforgivable. I was supposed to be your friend, but instead, I became your enemy. I should have understood your feelings."

Tears welled up in Hikari's eyes. Why did Takeru have to always be so good to her? Why did he always have to be so kind when she had been so cruel in turn? "Takeru—"

Takeru put a finger over Hikari's lips, the young man silencing her immediately. "I don't want you to argue with me, Hikari. Just remember that—" Then a blast suddenly cut Takeru short, another huge explosion causing dust to fill the air. The blonde boy quickly pulled Hikari close to him, covering her from the shower of dust and pebbles. BlackTailmon landed with a hard thump beside Hikari and Takeru.

"BlackTailmon, are you all right?" Takeru demanded. He quickly went to the small Digimon's side, checking her. Behind him, Hikari watched fearfully, hoping for the monster's safety. As Takeru discovered through examination, BlackTailmon was unconscious but all right. He sighed in relief when he realized this.

'You're safe,' he thought in relief.

"Now, it is your turn, Chosen Children," Vamdemon chuckled evilly, coming up from behind them, "You have nothing left to protect you now." After waiting so many years, so many struggles and battles, Vamdemon would finally accomplish his most yearned desire: take the life of a Child and his powers.

Takeru quickly, but gently handed BlackTailmon to Hikari. He put his hands upon Hikari's shoulder, making her look into his stern eyes. "Take care of her for me, Hikari," Takeru whispered firmly. There was a care and kindness in his voice Hikari had never heard from Takeru before; and although she cherished them, she feared what they meant coming from her friend. Hikari immediately took the BlackTailmon from Takeru, but she could not help to wonder what Takaishi desired to do.

"Takeru, what are you—" Takeru again silenced Hikari, using his finger to quiet her lips once more.

"Hikari, I need you to stay behind me," he ordered quietly. His voice had dropped in volumes, and the young lady had almost missed his words. She sensed Takeru's fear, but his courage stood up against everything. "What ever you do, just stay behind me—you understand?" Takeru demanded. His blue eyes searching her ruby orbs, the young man gazed into her face for an honest answer. Mesmerized by his intensity, Hikari dumbly nodded her head at the Child of Hope.

After he was sure that Hikari understood, Takeru then walked forward, standing in between Hikari and Vamdemon. "It's going to take more than the likes of you to bring us down!" Takeru boldly yelled out, glaring defiantly at Vamdemon. "The Darkness will never claim any of us as its own! We will never surrender to the Darkness! Never!" He spread his arms out protectively in front of Hikari and BlackTailmon. Takeru stood firm; he had no intention from moving from his spot. Until the Universe's end, Takeru would stand there to protect Hikari.

The younger Yagami could sense so much strength and power radiating from Takeru as he glared at the evil Digimon. 'You've always been so strong and brave,' Hikari cried silently. 'From the days where we were only kids to now, you've always protected me.' Memories flashed through her mind, reminding her of all the times she had spent with her friend and of all the feelings they now shared. Closing her scarlet pools, Hikari allowed tears to stream down her face. 'Thank you, Takeru—thank you for loving me for so long.'

Vamdemon venomously glared back at Takeru's audacity: the Child of Hope never did surrender. But seeing he had the upper hand, the monster permitted an evil smirk to grow on his twisted face. "You foolish Chosen Child! It is the end for you!" he laughed manically. "Prepare to meet your maker!"

Immediately Vamdemon prepared to attack, but regardless, Takeru stood strong, never flinching. He would not move, not as long as Hikari and BlackTailmon remained behind him; they were his strength, and Takeru needed nothing more. Against the odds, he would protect them with all he had.

Slowly but surely the attack came, and every passing second forever lodged itself into Hikari's heart. She realized reality too late. "Crimson Lightning!"

"Takeru! No! Don't do it, Takeru!" Hikari tried to pull the young man away, but she was too slow; she was too far behind Takeru to reach him. She watched in horror as Takeru stood still; he was calm, no fear reflected in his countenance at all. To Hikari, everything happened in slow motion; it was a long, endless torture Hikari was being forced to endure. Takeru stood in front of Hikari and BlackTailmon as the attack came.

The deep-red attack was about to strike Takeru until a flash of gold light surrounded him and Vamdemon. Hikari was blinded by the light, catching a small glimpse of Takeru's silhouette in front of her as she cradled BlackTailmon.

'Takeru,' Hikari cried, 'Oh, please, Takeru—please, don't leave me again—please be all right, Takeru!'

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