Unmei: Sigh, I wonder if people really do like my story It's so hard to tell, seeing how the same people review… I hope all of you reading it really do enjoy it…. Well, disclaimer time:

Sora: Unmei no Hana does not own any seasons of Digimon, nor the characters. All she owns is this plot that is suffering quite badly.

Unmei: Gee… thanks I think for the great support there. Well time for the story (hope you enjoy.)

Of Clones and Outcasts

Chapter 4: Of Friends and Jobs

Unmei no Hana

Previously:

Surprised at what little time it took, Hikari looked at the scene before her. The village looked like something straight out from an old movie. A majestic gate stood before the entrance with the words 'Welcome to Mura no Yume' written on it. Designed in a traditional way, the streets were lined with stalls of merchants. Outcasts along with—much to Hikari's surprise—women and children walked down the street, buying food and other necessary supplies from the merchants.

Walking through the streets, Hikari could feel people staring at her, whispering things to their companions. Looking up to the clear sky, Hikari whispered a prayer.

'Please let no harm come to Miyako and me. I pray that we will learn of the pain of these people, learn their ways and traditions, and learn to love them….'

Finally their procession arrived at the center of the village where a majestic building was built. Intricate designs were carved and huge ornate statues stood on either side of the entrance. A pair of guards stood before the huge doors. Acknowledging the group, they pushed open the doors and allowed the group to proceed on.

They passed room after room, mostly offices and training rooms. Hikari looked in awe at the marvelous decorations as they passed each room. Gorgeous silk paintings depicted scenes of majestic mountains, colorful birds, and beautiful flowers. Carvings from ivory and furniture made from mahogany and lush velvet completed the décor. As they proceeded farther and farther into the building, Hikari couldn't help but notice all the outcasts. They seemed so light-hearted and went about doing their tasks like normal people. Finally they reached massive double-doors. Pushing them open, Takeru and the rest of the group entered a huge room.

Beautifully decorated like the rest of the building, the room was almost as large as the cafeteria at Hikari's university. They filed into the room, only filling less than half of the space, and awaited the arrival of someone yet unknown to Hikari.

Finally after a few minutes of waiting, a door at the side of the room opened and a handsome man came out. He had messy blonde hair that reached slightly beyond his ears and icy blue eyes. His appearance reminded her of Takeru and she wondered if there were any family connections between the two of them. She was shaken out of her thoughts as the man's resonant voice boomed through the room.

"Welcome back my brothers. I see you have been successful in your mission and I congratulate you on this great feat. You have helped ensure the future of Mura no Yume. Please, enjoy this night with your family and friends."

Surprised at his words, Hikari watched as the outcasts slowly trickled out of the room. The man who had just spoken descended from the platform and went to talk to Takeru. After a quick exchange of words, they both walked over to Hikari and Miyako. The man smiled and his cold blue eyes warmed up, astonishing Hikari greatly.

"Welcome fair maidens to Mura no Yume. I am sure you are terrified and angry even at your capture, but I ensure you that we mean no harm. While it is true that we captured you to help ensure the future of our beloved town, we do not wish this to be a prison for you and hope that you will come to love our village and become one with it."

With a warm smile, this mysterious man turned to Takeru.

"Well, little bro, you ought to take them to the hospital just to be checked up. I'll send Kanna over there to discuss their positions in the village."

With a curt nod, Takeru motioned for Hikari and Miyako to follow him. Backtracking through the building they walked a building near it. The hospital was sparkling clean without a single speck of dust to be seen. Walking up to the receptionist Takeru quickly explained their reasons for being there. The receptionist, a girl with long black tresses and sparkling brown eyes, however attempted to flirt with Takeru first. With a sour look on his face, he muttered some harsh words to the girl who, looking downcast for a second, proceeded to type something into the computer before ushering them into a room.

"Nurse Takenouchi will be with you shortly. Please make yourself comfortable."

The receptionist then left the room, slamming the door shut slightly. An uncomfortable silence spread over the three as Hikari gazed through the corner of her eyes at Takeru. Turning sharply, Takeru caught her staring at him, and she hastily turned away, blushing.

After a few minutes, a pretty nurse with short amber locks and warm mahogany eyes entered. She was wearing a clean light pink nurse's outfit and Hikari noticed, giggling slightly, that her stomach protruded out of it slightly. She smiled warmly at the three of them.

"So I see you've brought more guinea pigs for us to perform medical experiments on, eh, Takeru?" Laughing with merriment when she saw the look of horror that crossed Miyako's face, she quickly continued. "Don't worry, I joke, I joke. Now Takeru, if you would please us so we may have some privacy, I'll continue."

Takeru shook his head slightly, and when Hikari thought she could be astonished no more, he gave the nurse a small smile.

"Very funny Sora. Try not to terrify these girls too much."

With those words, he left. Sora turned to the two girls, putting gloves on. Her eyes crinkled with laughter.

"Don't worry, all I'm going to do is make sure that you're perfectly healthy and fit."

As she checked things such as blood pressure, breathing, and reflexes on the girl, Miyako and Hikari barraged her with questions, relieved to at last be talking to another girl. Sora laughed at their questions and explained her story:

"Here to make this easier for the three of us, I'll just cover everything I can and hope that it will answer all your questions. My name is Sora Takenouchi, 23 years old, and grew up in Tokyo, in the district of Highton View Terrace where I worked as a nurse assistant to the doctor at the top hospital there. One day when I was hiking in the mountains, I along with my friend Mimi Tachikawa, were captured by a group of outcasts. We both were absolutely terrified having heard terrible stories about the outcasts, but contrary to popular belief they were all very kind to us and we learned to love them. I am currently married to Yamato Ishida, older brother of Takeru, and head of the village. We have one child, a young boy named Tadashi and I am currently pregnant with our second child, a baby girl. Hopefully that answered the bulk of your questions."

Before Hikari and Miyako could possibly ask Sora any more questions, a knock came.

"Kanna, you can come in, it's open."

A woman with raven dark hair, tied up in a bun, and dazzling jade eyes. She bowed respectfully to the three of them.

"Good afternoon, my name is Kanna Tsukagoshi. I am Mura no Yume's mmm, I guess you could say job organizer. I know what position everybody in this village holds. Employers come to me to inform me of openings and I provide them with employees from the people who come to me seeking a job. I will attempt to find both of you jobs that you will enjoy."

After much interrogation of their interests, hobbies, likes, and dislikes, Kanna finally decided upon their jobs. Hikari would work for a woman named Mimi Tachikawa—the friend of Sora's—at her bakery. Miyako would work as a secretary for Ken Ichijouji, the handsome youth she had taken a liking to, who was a private investigator. Before leaving, Kanna handed them a set of keys. It was to their new apartment that they would be sharing. She assured them that it was already well furnished before wrote them the instructions to the complex before heading out.

Finishing the examination Sora bid them a warm farewell.

"Please feel free to visit me anytime you have troubles. I wish you both well and hope we can become friends."

Hikari was about to leave when she realized that she had yet to introduce herself to Sora. She quickly turned around and apologetically introduced herself.

"Aa, gomen ne, Sora-san. My name is Hikari Yagami, yoroshiku (1)."

Nudging Miyako hard in the ribs when she didn't seem to get the hint Hikari was not-so-subtly giving her, Miyako quickly bowed as well and introduced herself.

"Ouch! Oh, my name is Miyako Inoue, a pleasure to meet you."

They then left and went searching for their apartment. Unfortunately for them, despite the fact that they had all the street names, they had no clue as to where the first street they were supposed to find was even located. They wandered around, clueless as to where they were supposed to go. Soon, almost like déjà vu, Miyako let out a huge complain.

"Arghhhhh! Where the heck are we supposed to go? How the heck are we supposed to know where these freaking streets are anyway?"

A mysterious voice spoke behind the two of them.

"Miss, if you would like me to, I could show you the location of your apartment complex."

Spinning around, the two girls saw the mysterious Ken Ichijouji standing behind them. He had a light smile on his face. Blushing furiously, Miyako handed over the sheet that Kanna had written their instructions down upon.

"Aa, I know this place, it is very near the building where I work. Here I'll show you the way."

The two of them followed him in silence. He pointed out the names of useful streets and shops. Miyako was eagerly listening to him, nodding enthusiastically when he pointed something new out. In contrast, Hikari was only vaguely listening to Ken. She let her mind wander as she turned her feet over into autopilot mode.

'It's so weird. Here we are, just kidnapped and suddenly we're being showed around by a "ruthless" outcast. It's so hard to comprehend. To think we're going to be living normal lives here. I still can't believe it.'

Still thinking, she didn't notice that Miyako and Ken had stopped in front of their new apartment complex, and bumped into Miyako. Flushing with embarrassment, Hikari muttered an apology to Miyako. Waving if off, Miyako turned to Ken and thanked him.

"Ichijouji-san, thank you so much for showing me—us, around the village. I'm looking forward to working with you tomorrow."

"Please, no need for formalities, just call me Ken."

"Hai… Ken-san."

As Ken walked away, Miyako let out a sigh. Hikari turned to Miyako and noticed that her friend had a lovesick look on her face. Nudging Miyako, Hikari burst out giggling.

"Hey Miyako, in love with an outcast in less then a day? And just a couple days ago you were calling them barbarians."

Miyako blushed a brilliant pink color.

"I-I have no idea what you're talking about Hikari. Me, in l-love with an outcasts, psh as if. Anyways, let's go."

She then hastily entered the apartment complex. Finding their room, 510, Miyako and Hikari eagerly opened the door, wondering what lied ahead. They pushed the door open and before them they saw a modest, but nice apartment. They took off their shoes before examining the place they were to call home from now on.

The main room consisted of a living room with the kitchen on the side. A soft cream carpet covered the floor of the living room while beautiful mahogany panels filled the rest of the room. On the right of the room was a hallway that had three doors—two bedrooms, and one bathroom. Choosing their rooms, they went to inspect their new rooms themselves.

In Hikari's room, a window overlooked the rest of the city. A plain, but sturdy, bed, desk, bookshelf, and dresser were already provided. She spotted a note and an envelope on her desk and a pink cell phone. Picking up the letter she read:

Welcome to your new home. I hope that you find it to your liking. Mura no Yume has provided you with 500 dollars to start you out. Please use this money to buy food, clothing, and anything else you may need. We have already provided you with 5 sets of cloths, and hope that some, if not all, of them are to your liking. Best of luck and may your futures be bright.

-Ishida Yamato, Chief of Mura no Yume

Dark soon began to envelope Mura no Yume like a blanket. Heating up a microwave dinner they found in the fridge, Hikari and Miyako had a fairly uneventful dinner for both were exhausted by their long day. Saying a quick goodnight to one another, they brushed their teeth, changed into their pajamas soon fell into a deep slumber.

(1): nice to meet you
Unmei: Yay, finally done. Okay, I know it's still rather short, but I hope you like it… Oh, and speaking about being short, I have a question for you. Would you rather have a longer story but me updating less often, or a shorter story and me updating more frequently?

Well, get back to me on that soon! And, thank you to my three ever-faithful reviewers. I love you all so much!

happyplacegn: I'm so glad that you enjoy my fic. so far! Keep reviewing

Kaydreams: " I guess it isn't as bad as I thought it would be." Do you mean my fic, or how the outcasts acted? I hope not my fic…. though by the way you followed it, it seems you meant my fic. I hope this chapter gave you more mmm… confidence, no, err… well I hope you liked it. Hope you keep reviewing!

shadowtailmon: Haha, of course guys are barbarians. Living with an older one sure does show you that! Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I hope you keep on reviewing!