Joyous Heartache

Chapter 14- Conquers All

Author neofilly

Disclaimer: not mine.

Really long Note on the story:

As most of you will have realised, I have completely lost inspiration in this story, luckily I have notes to continue on, but that's the main reason its taken 6 months to write a chapter, you're probably wondering why, I'm here to answer that.

I started this story at the naïve innocent age of 13. I'm now turning 17 in the near future, and my ideas, and style of writing has completely changed. I've actually completely changed. You'll notice at the beginning of the story I had included crests, and other things, and my aim was to practically create the sappiest fairy tale story ever written (which I've almost got). My story had no plotline, and no character development which has annoyed me to no ends in the past year or so. 1 year ago, I actually completely set out a brand new story based around my original idea for 'joyous heartache' which had a plotline (adventure/romance), Own Characters, interesting twists, and an unpredictable outline, and actually let the characters I have taken from Digimon stay in character, which this story does not. (wolf, I think you know this story- or the 1st chapter) I would have enjoyed writing it, except for the fact that I realised, within a year, I didn't want to be going on at all. That time has come. From February the 1st I am no longer going to go on Fanfiction, (except maybe uploading small oneshots) so that I can study for my last 2 years at school so I can get into the uni course I want to do.

I was going to write the whole thing tonight, but decided I owed you a chapter (since its been 6 months), so I've divided it into 2 parts, I'll write it tomorrow night. Its completely planned out, I just need a night to write it, and that'll be tomorrow. It will be the battle and the epilogue.

I think this chapters ok, maybe a bit disrupted, but its alright, which once again shows that not all my inspiration has completely disappeared. Or maybe you could tell me. I apologise for any reiteration, or change in style, and jumpyness, - its been 6 months, but I tried. J Tell me what you think.

Ah. Last note… Thankyou so much to my wonderful reviewers, especially the ones who have stuck with me throughout my time here. Thankyou! If it weren't for you I would have given up long ago, you're my inspiration! J

neofilly.

Without futher ado:

Hikari woke up, the light flowing in through a small slit in the spacious tent, reminding her of a certain scene from her past. A smile graced her features as she pushed herself out of the blanket, sifting through her newly acquired memories.

The flap was opened, and a frustrated Takeru came through into his tent.

"Troubles?" She questioned lightly, and he jumped slightly, looking at her embarrassed.

"I didn't know you were awake yet," he admitted.

"And you didn't answer my question"

He laughed softly, sitting next to her and pushing a lock of hair back behind her crimson eyes. Hikari was constantly amazed with how simple everything was, she was with him, and that's all that seemed to matter, there were no talks, no introductions, though she suspected that they would come soon enough, she was happy right now, with him.

Takeru shook his head, "Not really," he said softly, looking into her crimson eyes, "What about you? Memories?"

His happiness seemed to be infectious and she smiled with him, "Not many since last night, I can remember your brother, Lara. That's about all," He looked disheartened, and she hugged him, "More will come, though."

"I suppose, but I wish you could remember now."

"Why?" she questioned, "I remember my feelings, that's all that really matters, isn't it?"

He looked troubled, but nodded anyway, "You'll know the full story soon enough." He kissed her brow, before standing up "I have to go talk to Yamato and Davis, stay here, and out of sight."

She rose a slender eyebrow, and scrambled up herself, "Takeru Ishida, are you hiding me?"

"Huh?" he questioned.

"I want to come out, feel the sun." she said, "Maybe talk to your brother, and who ever else is here,"

Takeru averted his eyes from her, "I don't think that's a good idea."

"No Takeru, it is. I'm tired of having boys deciding what's best for me."

Running a hand through his hair nervously, he understood that he couldn't stop her, and nodded slightly. "All right, but you need to stay close, the other soldiers may not understand your real motivation for being here, I don't even know if Yamato will."

Sighing, Hikari nodded, and held on to his hand in a sign of affection, as they emerged from the tent. Immediately assaulted by the sun, Hikari lifted up her hand trying to block it away from her, before being covered by a tall shadow.

"Good Morning Hikari!" The tall shadow exclaimed, before embracing a surprised HIkari.

Takeru just spluttered, "Davis! How did you…?" He couldn't finish the sentence.

Davis raised a finger, "I told you Takeru, its that look in your eye," He sent a brilliant smile to Kayel, who was standing beside him, "When you woke up this morning you couldn't stop smiling."

"Normally you're in horrible moods in the morning." Kayel agreed, and Takeru's eyebrows rose more.

"I thought at least you were on my side." He glared at the 'quiet one' and new side kick, before grabbing Hikari's hand and muttering about traitorous friends, and fugitive runaways.

Hikari laughed, the soldiers nearby gazed at her in obvious interest, but this new girl was obviously close to the prince, and Takenouchi captain, and therefore was not perceived as a threat.

They came to where Yamato was stationed in a few minutes, and Takeru looked at her again. Thinking over it quickly he realised that this was probably the best course of action either way, as Yamato would find out one way or another, and would just have to accept Hikari's sudden change of heart.

They walked in, the tent was much more elevated than the simple sleeping tents, and seemed very authoritive. Yamato was in the middle, looking over maps with the captain, before he looked up, and his eyes widened in surprise.

"Leave us," he ordered the captain, who bowed low, excusing himself from his lords presence.

"Explain." It was all he stated, and they knew he meant it, he had that dangerous, cold tone, that warned others not to mess with him.

Takeru was unfazed by all this, "There really isn't much to explain."

Hikari glared at Takeru, "Actually, there is. Taichi lied to me, he didn't tell me the whole truth. I didn't trust him."

Yamato looked at his 'affianced', before sighing, "I already know all of this,"

"that's it." She smiled, "I met Takeru when he was prisoner, I helped him escape, and Taichi gave away that he was part of my past, so I came here, completely of my own will"

"And your memories?"

She nodded, "Are returning,"

He shook his head, looking very irritated, "This just complicates things, you could have stayed at the palace, just one more day. We would have come an collected you after-"

He was cut off by his younger brother, "I'm sorry Matt, but exactly how does this complicate things?"

"you don't understand anything of war, Takeru." He whispered softly, "The enemy often has spies, and any ulterior motives."

It was Hikari's turn to get angry, "Are you accusing me of being a spy?" she asked, furiously. "I can tell you now that I am no such thing, I would never dream of doing something so immoral!"

Biting her lip angrily, she averted her eyes from Yamato's hard glare that proved that she had come to the wrong conclusion. "I am not accusing you of anything Kari." He said in a dangerous low voice, "But I am saying that often the enemy has spies, and ulterior motives. I do not think it would benefit anyone if you were used against us,"

"My brother would not use me." She said.

"No, he wouldn't lie to you either," Yamato smirked, "Hikari, we cannot risk that."

"It doesn't matter," Takeru stated, "She wont be anywhere near the battle ground,"

"I'm Sor-"

"So there will be no chance for her to be used at all, or proven anything."

He continued on as if there had been not interruption in the middle.

"Takeru, I am not useless." She snapped.

Takeru rolled his eyes, and looked at her "I didn't say you were useless,"

"But you did say I couldn't fight,"

He looked incredulously, "Have you ever even picked up a sword,"

She shrugged, "Once or twice'" she answered nonchalantly.

"We will talk about this later." He said softly, rolling his eyes before turning back to Yamato, whose blue eyes were dancing with mirth.

Hikari stormed away from Takeru as soon as they came out from Matt tent. She couldn't understand his reasoning, she was sure that he was different from her brother, but for some reason at the moment it didn't seem much different. She thought that Takeru was the boy from her dreams, from her memories, but the more they were reunited, the more differences she found.

She just meant to walk around to get off her anger, but at the edge of the camp, she saw a familiar face, and so walked towards him, smiling slightly.

"I remember you," she stated, looking up into his green eyes. "you were the other prisoner, weren't you?"

Kayel smiled, "And you are the disobedient princess who rescued us,"

She blushed, "I didn't do that much,"

"You did, actually, Takeru and I wouldn't have survived without your help,"

"I still don't know whether it was the right choice, though" she whispered.

"What?" Kayel asked, "Betraying your brother,"

"Have you ever regretted it?"

"Huh?" his green eyes were confused, "Regret what?"

"Regret, whatever you did to get into there."

Kayel laughed, it was a deep bubbling laugh, that emerged from deep within, that seemed sincere but had disbelief bubbling through it, "I'm sorry, Princess, but I don't. I was put in there for holding my own beliefs, because I had my own views I was seen as a threat, and placed into jail, which has therefore led to me betraying my 'own' side. I don't have anything to regret." He smiled softly, "and I don't think you really do either."

"I guess not. I would still do the same thing, but…"

Kay ran his hand through his short hair, "But you still feel guilty,"

"Yes," she whispered, close to tears, "I mean, they're my family, and I think I'm in love with their enemy, and here, in the middle of their enemy camp… I do feel guilty, but I'd do the same thing if I did it all over again."

"Are they?" he asked.

"Are they what?"

Kayel smiled, "Are they your family? I mean, from what I've heard, you spent most of your life with Ishidans, and Takeru, doesn't that define family more than blood?"

Hikari's brows furrowed down in a confused gesture, "I…. I don't know." She stuttered, "I honestly don't remember enough to make that statement, and Takeru is acting… arg!"

Kayel chuckled, "That's just because he loves you, and you've only just come back, I'm sure you'll have a chance to prove yourself,"

"I don't want either of them to die." Even Hikari seemed a bit surprised at her statement as realisation came upon her face.

"No…" he trailed off, "I suppose you don't."

She sighed, "Its just hard, you know. I left Taichi, but now Takeru is treating me basically the same, and I can fight, I could talk to them. There doesn't even have to be another war, we could sign a peace agreement before it starts, but they don't see that. They cant see that my presence could help."

Kayel smiled at her, "I can talk to him, if you like."

She shook her head, "No, its alright. If anyone talks to him, it should be me."

Hikari walked briskly through the undergrowth, the tall trees towering above her in the midday light. After her talk with Kayel she had stayed away from the soldiers, thinking, and now she walked with one destination in mind, the heir of Ishida. She smiled softly as she approached him.

"Yamato?" She asked, and the older boy glanced up warily, "I want to talk to you"

"Oh?" He asked, sounding almost surprised, a moment later she found out why, "and you don't think you should talk to your lover?" Hikari could see a part of Yamato that mirrored her brother. There was a certain amount of irony in the fact they were so alike.

She glared at him slightly, "No. l don't think that has anything to do with you, or with what I came to talk to you about."

Yamato snorted, before levelling her with a harsh and bored gaze, "Go on then, dazzle me."

She gave him a glare, "Listen, alright, I'm not useless. I didn't run away from a 'big scary brother' or something, I came of my own accord, and I can fight marginally well,"

"-Wait" Yamato interrupted, "I thought this had nothing to do with what you need to talk to Takeru about"

Tapping her foot impatiently, and giving him what could only described as a 'look' she explained "I haven't finished yet! If I cannot fight, at least I have information that you could use,"

Yamato shook his head in disbelief, "Wait, I'm expected to believe that you've just left the only family you have and you're going to give me information so we can kill them."

"No-"

"Good, because I don't"

Hikari rolled her eyes, "No, but I can give you information about when they are coming, where they are attacking from, and why you shouldn't be fighting each other!"

Yamato just gave a bitter laugh, "I'm sorry but-"

"Listen, alright, you and Taichi are just being used, and I cant talk to Taichi about that fact, because he respects our father, his whole life has resolved around him, but yours hasn't. Hell you don't even particularly like your father. And from what I remember you think things through a lot more than Tai. You have to think about this. Our mothers didn't want us to fight, our mothers wanted our family to be joined, not to be split apart. And what are we fighting for, anyway?"

A small look of doubt, and understanding crossed Yamato's face before it disappeared, and he gave his head a little shake, as if ridding himself of memories he didn't want to think about, and he approached the subject with more caution than before, "Kari… Our families haven't had peace in a long time, you cant just suddenly change that… it needs to be fought out."

"But it doesn't" Hikari stressed, exasperated "It doesn't Yamato, with just a couple of words you can change it all!"

"No! I can't" He suddenly felt irrationally angry, who was she to suddenly appear and tell him what he has to do, this was his army, she wasn't even on their side! He walked towards her almost threateningly before taking control of his anger, and turning around and storming off.

Hikari bit her lip, that had not gone as planned, "You're in danger!" she cried as a last resort, and Yamato turned around, a stern look on his face,

"What?"

"Everyone's in danger, he's coming soon, and you could avoid all conflict if you just left!"

"When?"

Hikari's gorgeous face was full of despair, "Very soon, the day after tomorrow at the latest, maybe even sooner now I'm gone."

Yamato's expression relayed barely contained rage, "And you were going to tell us this when?" he shouted, "You coming here has put everyone in jeopardy, you cannot avert this battle, Hikari, you have just brought it down upon us."

Biting her lip at his harsh words, she turned and fled as far away as possible. Sobs racking her body as she realised what was now in motion.

By the time Hikari finally began walking through the trees towards the camp the sun was setting and she had been missing for a few hours. Through the trees she could hear the scuttle of the pre-battle scurry, of knives being sheaved, and sharpened, of arrows being counted, and the babble of nervous chatter amongst the soldiers.

Stopping at the edge of the treeline she noticed the two blondes, and she tried to remember a time when she'd seen Takeru look so… young. So lost. He was achingly beautiful, and she couldn't help but look at him, his eyebrows creased into a worried line, and his mouth pursed into a severe expression, his face was pale like the morning sky on a dreary day, and his eyes seemed duller than usual, yet still everything about him made her ache. She loved him, she'd known this forever, since they first met during the sunset all those years ago, and even when her memory was lost, and she didn't know who he was, and now… there was a possibility that he may not live to see the next sunset.

Just the thought of that hurt her more than she could've imagined, and she was stupid enough to fight with him on the day before. She remembered Yamato's words, you're coming has put everyone in jeopardy, and she knew those words would haunt her until the end of her days.

Slowly she approached, trying to engrave the picture into her memory so that she wouldn't forget, for who knew how long they had left. She was quite close before Takeru even noticed her presence, and his stare was accusing and cold. He was definitely angry that she had ignored him all day, but yet he had done the same.

He gave her a halfhearted smile that didn't reach his pale eyes, and she returned it, so nervous her hand was shaking by her side.

"I'm glad you're here" he said softly, and he sounded as tired as he looked. She looked at him, sincerely worried, yet he broke the eye contact as quickly as it had been caught.

She followed his eyes, right to the elaborate map in front of him, it was of the vast forest, and there was a key, showing the soldiers positions, but there were no enemy positions.

"We need to know where they will be, so we can position ourselves accordingly" he said coldly, "Will you help?"

She flinched at the way he was talking, it was as if they'd never been together at all. "Of course" she whispered, "but I don't know very much, just the direction"

"That will do," Yamato said, "That's all we need, or at least have time for"

She explained softly, and the two princes nodded, and continued to strategise, leaving her bewildered and feeling quite alone. When it seemed their talk had quietened down, she pulled Takeru aside.

"Are you alright?" She asked, once they were alone.

He shook his head, his brows furrowed, "I'm fine, Kari"

"Ri," she practically admonished, a cheeky smile on her face, and he looked up at her, surprised, "You used to call me 'Ri'"

A bright smile appeared on his face, "You remember?"

"More every time I see you," she whispered, "I love you, Ru, I do, that's what makes this… hard."

He nodded, before hesitating… "Ri," he started softly, and she smiled, caressing his cheek, "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have treated you like that this morning… everything's so hectic, and the last thing I wanted to do was bring it out on you, honestly, you have to believe me."

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. She wanted an apology, yes, but something still felt so wrong.

He cupped her cheek, running his fingers along her pink lips, "I love you too," and he kissed her softly, almost hesitantly, as if trying to memorise the feeling, and the exquisite taste of his true loves lips upon his own.

"I know," she whispered, "and you know, but…… don't go," she trailed off ending in a pained whisper, and she figured out what was hurting her so much. The fact he was leaving her. That he was willing to leave her behind with nothing but a broken heart.

"Ri-" he started.

"No" she pleaded, "Please don't go…"

He shook his head, letting a finger touch her head, following down her jaw line, and he looked deep into the crimson eyes brimming with tears.

"I have to, Ri," he whispered, "I know you don't understand, but I do. Its my duty,"

"Then let me help you" she said fiercely.

"No!" Takeru said, "please don't do that to me. I couldn't take it if something happened to you, I'd be worried the whole time. I love you. Give me something to come home to." He whispered, "Please."

She looked down, it had never been her way to just stand idly by and watch. As a slave she'd had complete independence, no one had ever helped her, and even adjusting to her new life in the Royal Court had been hard, even though she hadn't remembered anything. What Takeru was asking of her seemed impossible, and completely unfair, yet… she could see his logic. Wars were no place for women, at least that's what they were told. And she didn't want to burden him, so slowly, and carefully, she nodded.

Takeru let out a sigh of release, and she could practically hear his muscles relax, apparently this had been bothering him ever since her return the night before.

"Thankyou," he whispered, and he sounded it, "I acknowledge that its hard for you, but… thankyou."

"Just one thing," she whispered, "If you can avert this war, please do. It doesn't have to happen,"

He nodded in response, "I cant make any promises, but… I'll talk to Yamato"

She smiled at his sincere answer, and as tears overflowed her eyes, she leant up and kissed him on the lips, one hand cupping his cheek, the other running through his blonde hair, and he replied adequately.

There was rustling and alarms outside the opaque tent in which Hikari and Takeru were staying, and the loud shouts alarmed her to the significance of the day. She turned around to face Takeru, who had been up for some time even though it was so early. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest, he looked ready for war.

"We're leaving" he said bluntly.

Her eyes widened, "No," she breathed. He nodded, taking her hand, and leading her outside their tent.

"You promised you'd talk to Yamato!" She whispered

"It wont change anything, Ri,"

Hikari shook her head, "It has to"

"Hikari-"

"We have to stop this" she said, pulling on his hand,

"We will, we can win this and then you can come back to our kingdom," Takeru said, "Be my princess, Please Hikari."

The tears overflowed, "Of course I will be," she said, "But not until the fighting stops, you don't understand Take. You wont."

Takeru wiped away some of her tears, but more just kept coming, "I can try,"

"Taichi, he did a terrible thing, but I know he's good inside." She whispered in a broken voice, "He lied to me, out of spite, and never told me the truth, used my disability for his advantage, and even though its hard to forgive an act like that, he's still" she sniffed, "he's still my brother! Don't kill him, there must be other ways, I don't want either of you to die. I love you both!"

There was a stunned silence.

"You don't understand," she whispered softly, coming to realise that the innocent Keru that she had loved may have disappeared in the past years. She looked down at the floor.

Takeru put his fingers underneath her chin and lifted her head so that their eyes met, "On the contrary, I do understand," he stopped, "I don't want to kill your brother, Ri, but…"

Hikari smiled a little her eyes lighting up, "Then you wont, right?"

"I don't think its possible," he whispered, "We're so evenly matched, and… I don't know who will come out alive"

"You have to get away from the battle, Ri, its too dangerous." He said

"What?" she asked, inhaling sharply. She knew she'd promised, but she didn't realise it would come so quickly.

"When the battle starts, you have to promise me that you will get as far away as possible," he said.

"I can stay at the camp, cant I?" she questioned.

"No!" he said, "Please, Ri, If something happens to me," she shook her head, the tears returning, "if I die, and we loose then they'll come and raid the camp, killing everyone and stealing everything, but sometimes they don't kill the pretty ones, and Taichi may not be able to stop them! He may not know!"

"I…cant…" she said…

"Please, Ri, promise me… I love you so much, it would make me feel so much better," Takeru pleaded, "Just this one last thing,"

She nodded, hating the way he kept talking like these were his last moments, "You're going to be alright, Keru…" she whispered, "You wont leave me, right?"

He kissed her passionately, and she kissed him back, their salty tears mixing with each others. Breaking apart kissed her forehead, "You have to go," he whispered…

"Please," she said, "You're going to come back, alright?"

"I don't know, Ri, I just don't know." He whispered, and she cried pressing her lips against his in a heartbroken passion, keeping their bodies as close as possible, not wanting to ever let go of this feeling they had when they were around each other.

Not wanting it to disappear.

They parted, Hikari with a sob, as Takeru caressed her face, kissing her softly. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too." She replied.

TBC

Didn't cover much, but after 6 months I thought I'd give it to you, even though I'll be writing the last chapter tomorrow night. I hope it wasn't too jumpy, but I tried. Mostly from Kari's pov, dunno why, just came out that way...

Thanks

neofilly

Please Reveiw

Thursday 19th January