Joyous Heartache Chapter 5: Embracing Truth, a digimon fanfic

- - Joyous Heartache- -

- - Chapter 5- Embracing Truth - -

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Review Responses:

Claire1308: Thankies! I'm glad you like the coupling… I don't think there are enough Sorato fans out there… but, neways… thanks!

Animefreak85: yeh… she did didn't she? Do you think I overdid it? Neways… thanks.

Animesweetdream: Thanks for reading! Here ya go, I'm writing!

Lightningfairy: Thanks!

Hoshi-chan2: Dun worry. I think I'm incapable of keeping them apart… wouldn't be able to write it if I tried… (stupid fingers don't listen… _) Thanks!

Miaow227: yeh… I think your right… how did I leave it there? Well, hanging around my 2 best friends to much (one is really evil and the other is starting to pick it up from her) and I suppose the fact that I felt evil and if it didn't stop there it would have kept going on and on… Thanks for the review!

Thndr Dragon: Don't worry; everything's going to come together again in this chapter- before they face some harsh difficulties!!! So alls good, ne? Thanks for reviewing.

Takari AAF: I'm so glad u like my story that much! I know I made Hikari react pretty badly, but I think sometimes when u love someone and u feel betrayed u don't really think that much, and u say things u don't mean to… Thanks heaps for the review!! ^-^

Hazy: Thankies!

Digidestined of DARKNESS: AH! I'm SO SORRY! PLEASE DON'T SET BEELZEMON ON ME! But, your review worked, I'll give you that much, the second I read it I was looking for the document and starting to type! Change Takari? Nope never heard of it, only one best couple, and that's Takari, and they stay that way no matter what. Trust me, I am completely incapable of writing anything different… So you don't have to use your crest and set evil mega digimon on me, (looks hopeful…), er, perhaps I should add a please in here. Oh, and about becoming a member, I reckon you should definitely do it! There are heaps of benefits, like, well the profile page so you can tell everyone bout your couplings and that, and I would probably die without my favourite stories. Oh and you can also have an author alert, where it emails you every time one of you 'author alert' authors updates, which is really helpful! ^-^ Anyways, I'm sorry about the long update, thanks so much for the review (which made me realise I really should start typing)! Wow… long review response -.-| Enjoy this Chapter!

Fuzzyonfire: Things will get better now! But, Takari stays, so no one has to worry bout that! Thanks heaps for the review!

Cari: Wow! Thankyou so much, that's such a nice review! Bland? I dunno, I guess its depends on the way you look at it, but I've just always been a Takari fan, I reckon its majorly Kawaii!! I never actually thought my writing was that good, but I'm glad I made you think twice about Takari!! ^-^. Thanks so much!

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A/N: Wow! That's so many reviews! ^-^ They made my day

Well, im heaps sorry for the slow update… did I really say every 2 weeks? I should've been able to do it, but I just didn't get round to typing my idea's up, schools been really busy.

I cant believe how many ppl actually were afraid that I was going to split TK and Kari up? I mean, honestly, in all my past writing, do u really think im capable of doing that… although I guess she did take it pretty hard, but it understandable.

I really like this chapter, I dunno why (I think I like ideas for the next 2 after this one even more) but still, it's a pretty feel good chapter, so read on, and, yeah, be happy ^-^.

Well, enjoy the chapter… ^-^

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The stars were twinkling brightly in the midnight blue sky, and the moon was already high in the sky. Wind was blowing softly across the Ishida kingdom, and into the servants quarters, flickering what candles were still alight.

A pretty girl ran across from the castle, her blonde hair flowing behind her, and green eyes sad and regretful. She had come from the castle as soon as Takeru had come back from the meeting with Kari, he didn't even have to say anything, you could see by his facial expressions and body language she didn't take it well.

Reaching the servant quarters she sneaked passed the guards, and ran down the corridors, before coming face to face with a familiar door. She slowly opened it to find the room was a mess. The chocolate haired girl was still in her dirty clothes, and lying face down on her bed, crying.

"Oh Hikari." she said softly, Kari didn't notice, she just kept crying into her pillow. Lara tiptoed in, and closed the door behind her. Walking up to her best friend she sat on her bed, rubbing her back..

"L-Lara?" Kari questioned through sobs.

Lara smiled sadly, "Don't worry, Kar, I'm here." She whispered gently into her friends ear. "I guess you didn't take it too well."

Kari's eyes widened, "You knew."

Lara nodded solemnly.

The brunette raised her teary crimson eyes to look at Lara. "For how long?" she asked, her voice cracking.

"Since the day I started working for the Castle, the day after you met him." Lara explained, there was no point in keeping secrets now, she'd had enough with just one.

"I see."

"It took a lot to make me keep my mouth shut, but in the end, I realised it would be better if you heard it from him." Lara got no answer except for the tears running down her best friends face. "Perhaps I was wrong though, I'm so sorry Hikari."

Kari shook her head for a negative. "No, it was better to hear it from him… he was perfect… it just… just…all my fault." she said the last phrase through mangled sobs.

Breaking down on her bed, she began to cry heavily again.

"Hikari?" Lara questioned. "Please, tell me. I cant help you if I don't know what's wrong."

Kari continued to sob, before finding the courage and heart to reply into her pillow. "I… I said things." she started, the only comfort being Lara's hand on her shoulder. "Things …that hurt… deep… things that… I shouldn't have said."

There was silence, only the sound of Kari's sobs and the night-life outside to keep them company, before Lara continued cautiously.

"Kari, I believe Love does that to people, when you feel betrayed, you don't consider outcomes, and I think Takeru understands that better than anyone, actually, im sure of it."

Kari sniffed, a ghost of a smile came on her face, but went as quickly as it came. Her face was deathly white, and her eyes bright red from crying. "How is he?" she whispered, so quietly you could barely hear her.

Lara looked at her friend, and then back at the floor. "I didn't really stay long enough to see, I mean, its just…" Lara stopped, nervously, thinking how to phrase it. "He was sad, Kari, he loves you, and, well, if I said he took it well, I'd be lying."

There was an eerie silence, tears streamed down Hikari's face. "Thankyou, Lar, for coming."

"Hey, what are friends for?"

Lara forced Hikari to lie down again, and pulled the covers over her. "You need sleep Kari, and I've got to get back to the castle. We'll talk again tomorrow." she whispered, Hikari was sobbing again, and could only nod. "Sleep, and don't fret. Everything will turn out fine."

Hikari cried harder into the pillow as she heard Lara leave the room, now just an empty bed beside her. "Takeru… Takeru…" she whimpered his name into the pillow… "Im sorry Takeru, I don't expect you to forgive me but… I love you…" the girl cried harder. "No… Take…" she sobbed, slowly crying herself to sleep.

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The sun shone its bright rays onto the awaiting kingdom, and sunlight streaked through the servant chambers. Hikari rubbed her puffy, red eyes, and looked outside onto a new day. The first thing she remembered was the fight she had with Takeru, and the second thing was the first reason of the fight.

Princess? It still seems so surreal. But, I wonder what it would be like, not to be a servant, to wake up to family and happy faces. Not to have to work every day and to be one of the upper class. Hikari questioned herself.

She that drowning in her self pity for a while, brooding over all yesterdays mistakes before she unwillingly got out of bed, and got changed. When Kari emerged from her chambers she was immediately faced with her best friend. Lara was smiling gently at Kari, empathy pouring out.

Kari rubbed her red eyes again. "I've got work today Lar," she explained.

Lara's expression changed, it was now a smile full of pure innocence and happiness. "No you don't, Kari."

Hikari raised an eyebrow, and Lara continued. "All the crops have been harvested, and the field servants are allowed to have the day off."

A pining smile appeared on Hikari's face- It seemed the innocent happy expression had long been forgotten by her face. "that's good." she said, sitting down at a table, and reaching for her cup of water, slowly sipping on it.

"Soooo…." Lara continued slowly. " I was hoping you could come with me to work."

This was when Hikari conveniently choked on her water, spluttering and coughing she managed to address her best friend.

"W-With you?" she stuttered. "Work?"

Her mind was racing with what this meant Lara – Work – Work at Castle – Castle Takeru.

Takeru, T.K, Take, Keru, her Takeru.

Not anymore.

Her heart skipped a beat and her lips were pursed so that no cry could escape them; No amount of control though, could stop her eyes from filling up with tears.

Hikari confidently met Lara's eye.

"But you don't work anymore Lar, your not a servant."

"I never said that Kari, I still have to work until I leave."

Hikari's lower lip trembled, she wanted to spend every second she had left with Lara to its full extent, but the castle meant seeing him again.

Tears were threatening to escape as Hikari stared down at the table. Lara put an arm round Hikari's shoulder, as her best friend burst into sobs.

"I- Its, its just…" Kari said between mangled sobs. "Idont think I can ever face him again."

Lara sighed as she comforted her friend again. "I hate seeing you like this, Kari. I love you like a sister, and you and T.K, well your perfect for each other," she reassured softly, "You can't just abandon your love on angry and hurried words, just on mistakes. He's worth more than that, don't give up, cause I know Takeru hasn't."

Kari smiled wistfully through the endless flow of tears. 'no, of course he hasn't.'. Rubbing her red eyes again, she forced herself to speak. " I'll come then." Her throat was tight from trying not to cry. "But it wont be easy."

She was ready to face the truth, and to see the truth. To see the real Takeru- NO – HER real Takeru… the boy she still loved, and always would love.

Lara smiled. "See, there's always hope."

Kari let out a small laugh at the truth of Lara's words, her eyes still full of tears though. "I know," she whispered. "Trust me, I know."

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Lara was walking ahead of Hikari, the sun was high in the sky by now, and it was about midday. Hikari had been helping her in random cleaning jobs around the castle all day. They now entered the main entrance, standing in a room of magnificence, with blinding white tiles and high ceiling with candle-chandeliers as lights. There was a magnificent grand staircase that wound its way around itself.

"That's where the royal families' bedrooms are, up that staircase." Lara pointed out.

Kari was in too much awe, she couldn't believe that Takeru had had this sort of luxury ever since he was born, and never said a word about it.

She walked up to the staircase, touching the railings softly, looking wistfully at the stairs, imagining what it would be like to walk up them.

Footsteps echoed up to her, as Lara approached.

"Have you been up there?" she whispered in an admiring voice, the sort of voice you would use when you're half there, and half imaging, or wishing your somewhere else.

Lara smiled, Hikari was like an intrigued child, feeling as if she touched anything it would break, and looking around everywhere as if she has seen the light for the first time. "No," she replied. "But Daisuke has, and he says everything up there is of much splendour, and…" Lara paused, wondering whether or not to continue. "…Takeru's room is up there."

A sad frown appeared on Hikari's face, as she looked down to the marble staircase. "I want to see him, Lar." She said, and Lara looked up at her, amazed. "I want to make things right again."

Lara smiled. "Then we'll make things right." She said. "Lucky for you, I know exactly where he is right now." Lara explained, before they made their way towards the grand doors that looked about a mile high.

"You know what Kari?" Lara questioned, as they made their way into the sun, and Kari was taking one last look at the grand hall, "I bet your home is of equal splendour."

Hikari's mouth stood agape, opening and closing like a fish out of water, she tried to find words.

"You know? About me?"

Lara laughed. "Of course I do silly. Some good things have to come out of having a fiancé who never keeps his mouth shut!"

Kari smiled a bit. "How'd you find out?"

"Dai and Takeru are best friends. Takeru explained everything to Davis first, and he came like the big bigmouth he is and told me everything straight away, while we were buying my dress actually." Lara laughed. "I don't think he knows the meaning of the phrase 'it would be better if you kept this a secret.'"

"Oh" Kari said, she stopped for a moment and looked to the ground, as Lara went ahead.

"Come on, Kari! I can't apologize to your boy for you!" Lara called, before running across the bright green grass and down a hill. Hikari's head snapped up and she ran down the huge stone front steps and across the dirt road to follow her best friend.

Lara had stopped at the end of the hill, and motioned for Hikari to follow silently. Kari did, but she was still quite a bit behind her best friend, they seemed to be heading towards a wooden hall, that was next to a fenced off paddock, stable, and also a riding arena. These stables and paddocks looked a lot better off than the ones near the servant quarters, and even from a long distance away you could tell that the wooden hall had the very finest of architecture and all the best facilities in it, although it did have a dirt floor. Hikari could hear a metal clang of swords clashing together and was instantly curious; she ran up to where Lara was peeking in the door and was faced with a brilliant sight.

The straw on the roof of the hall made the inside a yellowish light. Daisuke was sitting his back to the wall, twirling a piece of wheat around with the teeth in his mouth, looking quite the country boy.

The clashing sounded again, and Hikari looked towards it. Her soul mate was their in the most beautiful garments of clothes she had ever seen. The top looked like white silk, although they had gained quite a bit of dust on them, they still held all majesty. His sleeves were rolled up, making him look rather hot, and handsome. He was wearing plain, bone breeches, which matched his whole outfit rather perfectly.

It was then she noticed the beautiful sword he was holding, and immediately her stomach did a flip-flop, worried for his safety. She watched as he lunged in, and clashed with another magnificent metal sword, and the owner of it looked like an older version of himself.

They sparred for a few more minutes, until an old man with lots of scars from previous battles clapped his hands together.

"That shall be all, young princes. You have come far, I trust you have been practising. Prince Takeru, you need to sharpen up on your offensive skills, sir, and then you shall make the perfect knight for our kingdom."

Takeru blushed slightly.

"I shall leave you know, it seems you have some visitors." the instructor said.

Yamato looked towards the girl whom Takeru was staring at, a small smile of amazement on his face. The older boy smirked. "Look, otouto-chan. You're princess has come." he teased.

Takeru smiled up at his brother, his blue eyes shining with delight.

"Come on, Lara, Davis!" Yamato said "Lets go find Sor, and finalize your going home plans."

"Sure!" Lara said, a little too hurridly for Hikari's liking.

Those three left, leaving Takeru and Hikari alone.

Takeru was the first to meet Hikari's eyes. "Come, lets go to the stable." he said, and led her out the door, and towards the horses residence. He squatted down to a bucket, full of apples for the horse, and picked out two.

"Here" he said, tossing an apple to her, which she caught with ease.

He sat down on the hay with his own apple, and Kari followed his suit, slowly nibbling on the apple, but the atmosphere was so uncomfortable that she didn't really feel like eating.

Looking over at Takeru she saw he obviously felt the same way, he was just aimlessly rolling the apple around within his fingers.

Kari felt she had to say something. "That was your brother in there with you, right? why'd he leave?"

"He wants us to get back together as well." Takeru replied, glad that she made the effort to speak. "He hates me moping around the castle, and doesn't like it when my father b-" Takeru stopped himself in time, and running his hand through his hair, like he always does when he's nervous. "Look, Hikari, I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"No!" Hikari stopped him. "Don't be sorry, its me who should be sorry-"

"I should have told you sooner." Takeru cut her off, looking down at the straw ground dejectedly.

Hikari crimson eyes filled up and overflowed with tears and brought her hand up to touch Takeru's own tears stained cheek. "No, No, you were perfect, it was all me."

He looked up at her, his eyes held a defiance that made her guilty of everything, it made her pity him. Takeru's eyes showed he didn't believe she did anything, that he deserved everything she sent at him in the argument, and that it was all his fault and nothing she says will change that. Deep within those blue pools though, you could find amazement that she was forgiving him, Astonishment that she was touching him with the same care as always.

The tears poured out of Hikari's eyes faster, as she placed herself in front of where Takeru was sitting, her hand was now gently caressing his tear stained cheek. "I'm sorry for everything I said, everything I did, every mistake I made." She whispered through a tight throat, before she buried her head in his chest, to cry harder. "I didn't mean any of it, Keru! None! I don't care about the last name, as long as you're here with me, I don't care." She sniffed. "I'm so, so, sorry."

Takeru's hand ran through her hair, and he kissed the top of her head, he pulled her almost into his lap. " Don't cry, Hika… I don't mind." Takeru faulted, stuttering a bit. "I- I should have told you sooner, I should be the one apologising. I don't want to hurt anyone else anymore, Ri, I've done enough damage, I don't want to be a burden of death. You're the first thing in my life that ever had reason, and now I'm afraid I've hurt you too, so please, don't cry, don't waste tears on me."

Hikari smiled, leaning her head on his chest, not realising there was a deeper meaning within those words. "Nothing could be wasted on you. Tears are just another way to say how much I love you, how much I want to be back with you."

Takeru kissed her nose. "And I, you."

And that was how the 2 young soul mates were found by Lara, Daisuke and Yamato. Hikari sitting half in Takeru's lap, arms round his shoulders, and head on his chest, and Takeru sitting with his arms round her waist, and head resting on top of hers.

"Well, I can see you two made up just fine, unless I'm mistaken and that's just something lovers usually do when they fight, cause if it is, Lara and I should fight more often." Daisuke joked.

Takeru just picked up his dormant apple from beside him, and threw it at his best friend, landing right on target.

"OW!" Daisuke exclaimed, rubbing his head. "You know that hurt T.S"

"It was meant to." He replied shortly.

Hikari and Lara giggled, as Yamato smiled softly from the sidelines.

"Come on, Ototo-chan." Yamato said. "We should get back to the castle."

"Hai Yamato." Takeru replied, giving Kari a giddy kiss.

"I'll see you this afternoon, before the sun goes down. Lara will know where I'll be." He said to her.

Kari nodded happily, "Alright," she replied squeezing his hand before he walked out, following his brother out the door.

"I'm so glad everything worked out, Hikari" Larasaid, looking fondly at her best friend.

Hikari smiled up at Lara and Daisuke. "He shouldn't have forgiven me."

Davis passed that off with a flick of the hand. "That's T.K for you, he's just like that. According to him there's a reason for everything, and a good, positive side to everything."

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The sun was going down as Lara, Kari and Davis all made their way back down the grassy hill to the royal stables. Yamato and Takeru were riding round the arena, an instructor was finishing of the lesson.

Hikari's eyes sparkled as she looked at the beasts, and Takeru rode up to her.

"Good Afternoon, milady." He said, before he jumped down from the saddle.

"Good Afternoon to you too, kind sir." Kari joked back. "He's beautiful, what's his name?" Kari questioned, looking at the beautiful palomino horse.

"er… Hiroku, or Hiro." Takeru said. "He's my horse." He finished, watching Hikari as she looked at Hiro.

"You can pat him." Takeru urged, picking up her hand, and moving it towards the horses' neck, and she tentatively moved her hand down its neck.

"He's gorgeous." She said, before realising Takeru had already taken off the saddle, and was wiping him down.

T.K nodded. "He is, isn't he?" He said, as he finished wiping him down, and took him back to the stable.

The sun was going down by the time they got up to the hill, sitting down on it to have the perfect view of the sunset. Takeru's hand running through her hair, and Hikari's head resting on his shoulder.

"Do you want to go home, Ri?"

"Huh?" Kari looked up, confused.

Takeru kissed her forehead softly, a sad smile on his face. "Back to the Kamiya castle. You can go back, if you want."

Kari looked down, it still seemed so surreal to her, being a princess. She remembered those halls in the Ishida castle, and it never seemed like she would even ever have the chance to see one of them, let alone live in them.

"I do, but… I don't know how. I'm still a servant." Hikari said, she was cut off by Takeru's lips.

"I can change that, if you want." Takeru whispered.

"How?"

"I'll talk to my… father." He said unsurely, almost nervously.

Hikari's eyes lit up. "Really! You'd do that." she hugged him tightly, and he kissed the top of her head.

"Thankyou, Keru." she whispered. Hikari had never had a family, or a place to call home… maybe this would be the start of a better life.

She didn't notice the way Takeru's eyes dimmed. He wasn't as sure as Kari. He was willingly going to his father, to take the girl he loved back to people that have always despised him.

Her 'home' was in the middle of a war against them.

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A/N:

Oh well, I had a nice time writing that… The next chapters are going to be a lot of fun, and really nice, for a time at least!

Anyways, I'm sorry that I haven't updated for a while, I had the ideas on paper, it was just typing them up… I had to find motivation… Anyways, soz, but the next chaps will come quicker! I promise.

Yesterday I bought the digimon movie! its so kawaii, well parts of it at least… T.K looks really cute when he's chibi (between 1st season and 2nd season…) and he and Kari go to New York together, by themselves… !

Anyways, I like it… so… that's why I'm pretty high at the moment.

PLEASE REVIEW!

Lotsa love,

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Please review!!

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10/03/04