Unmei: Um, okay, so I decided that I'm going to focus more on Hikari than on Miyako and the other characters… so yeah. I'll imply their relationships and such, but I'm not going to go through the trouble and write it all out. So yes, you can call me lazy, but that's what I decided to do. Oh, and time for the disclaimer:

Koushirou: Unmei no Hana does not own any seasons of digimon or the characters, although she sure dreams of it.

Unmei: Eheh, sure. Anyways, onto the story.

Of Clones and Outcasts

Chapter 6: Of Tempers Flaring and Painful Pasts

Unmei no Hana

Three months have passed since Hikari and Miyako were kidnapped. At first, word had spread of a rescue mission looking for the girls, but quickly died down soon afterwards. Slowly, Hikari and Miyako adjusted to life in the village of outcasts. Having made new friends, and some enemies as well, their memory of their past began to slowly fade away.

Bringgggggg

Groaning, Hikari turned off her alarm clock. After being late to work one day and getting gently, although firmly, reprimanded by Mimi, Hikari had decided to buy one. She had never been late to work since then, but she had a great dislike for the little mechanism. Going through her usual routine of shower and breakfast, Hikari departed for work.

As she strolled through the quiet streets, Hikari reflected upon the events that had happened in the past three months.

'Life here is so different than it was in Odaiba, not that I'm complaining. Everyone, well most everyone, is so much nicer. Except for that jerk Takeru. All I was trying to do was be friendly, but no, he had to go and be the jerk he is.'

Flashback

After a week of so, Hikari and Miyako's food supply had begun to run low, and so seeing how Miyako was still asleep, dreaming about a certain employer of hers, Hikari decided to go to the grocery store and buy some more food. While shopping, she caught sight of a particular blonde head. Deciding to make an effort and become his friend, Hikari walked up to Takeru.

"Hello, Takeru, right? It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm—" But before she could tell him her name, Takeru cut her off.

"I don't want to know you're name, all you are is an annoyance to me. Just go away and leave me alone."

With those words, he turned away from her and walked away. Hikari had been rooted to the spot for almost ten minutes, her mouth gaping open in shock and confusion. And ever since that fateful encounter, no matter how hard she tried, she always managed to run into Takeru at least once a day and was always insulted by him. Sometimes it even seemed as if he ran into her on purpose, just to insult her. Hikari wasn't sure, but either way, she began to have a great resentment for the Takaishi boy.

End Flashback

Due to her thinking, Hikari failed to notice a motorcycle zooming straight towards her until it was almost too late. Shaken from her stupor by the loud noise approaching her, she was barely able to jump away in time before it hit her.

"Oi, you bastard, what do you think you're doing! You could've killed me!"

The motorcycle stopped, and its owner took of his helmet. Hikari gulped as she saw the cold blue eyes of Takeru staring at her. Oh, how she hated him! After that fateful encounter three months ago, her relationship with him steadily began to grow worse. Ignoring the murderous looks Hikari was sending him, Takeru put his helmet back on and sped away, but not before uttering three infuriating words.

"You're so annoying."

'Mou, what a bastard! I don't see what all those girls see in that jerk. Not a single day passes without him insulting me at least once.'

Hikari angrily stomped off to Junsuisa bakery, fuming with anger. Noticing her foul mood, Jeri asked her what was the matter.

"Ne, Hikari-chan. You seem rather angry today, did something happen?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary. Just that jerk Takeru attempting to run me over again."

"You know Hikari-chan, I don't think he does it on purpose?"

"What do you mean, you don't think he does it on purpose? Of course he does! I mean, how can you not notice someone walked right in front of you! He's just a cold-hearted jerk."

Sighing in defeat, Jeri left Hikari to herself.

Business went smoothly that day, that is, until he came. Hikari was attending a group of middle-aged women when the bell on the door rang.

"Hey Hikari, can you take it? Jeri, Minami, and I are busy right now."

"Sure Ruki, no problem."

Humming slightly, Hikari went to the front to serve the customer. She instantly spotted his golden hair and sky blue eyes.

"Ehhhh! What are you doing here!"

Hikari pointed an accusing finger at the person. Takeru raised his eyebrow questioningly.

"What does it look like? I'm here to get something to eat. Now are you going to lead me to a seat or not?"

Mumbling curses under her breath, Hikari took a menu and led Takeru to an empty seat. She slammed the menu in front of him.

"How annoying." Takeru said, not bothering to look up.

"What did you say?" Hikari fumed.

"I said, how annoying."

"Why you… I swear, one of these days I'm going to get you."

"I'd like to see you try."

"You cold-hearted jerk, I doubt you have a heart."

"Why should I care what you think? And will stop babbling and take my order?"

"Argh, fine, what do you want?"

"I'll have a chai latte and apple muffin."

Furiously scribbling his order down, she stormed back to the kitchen, received his order from the cook, slammed it down on his table and stormed away. After the group of ladies she was also attending paid their bill, she checked to see if Takeru was finished. Oddly enough, when she arrived at his table, he was gone. A note and the money for his meal were on the table. Curiously picking up the note, Hikari read its contents.

"You really are annoying, aren't you?"

Her face slowly turned red with anger.

'Oh that Takeru, one of these days I'm going to pulverize him, I swear.'

"Please don't get too angry at Takeru, it's his way of showing affection."

Hikari whipped around. Mimi was standing behind her, a sad look upon her face.

"What do you mean by that Mimi-san."

"It's… a long story. Here, I'm about to close down the bakery. I'll explain to you before I do."

Mimi pulled up a seat and gracefully sat down in it, motioning for Hikari to do the same. One she did so, Mimi began her story.

"A long time ago, Takeru wasn't like this. He was the sweetest, gentlest, most caring boy you would have ever met. He always had a smile upon his face and a look of joy.

A year ago a group of girls was kidnapped and in that group was a girl named Catherine. She was a French girl and had come to visit her friends when their group got kidnapped. Big blue eyes, golden wavy hair, full lips, curvy figure, all in all she was a beauty. And to top it all off she had such a caring personality, or at least that what we all thought. And so, almost inevitably, Takeru fell in love with her. He loved her more than perhaps his own family and they were soon engaged.

But then, one day, word was that a group was searching for them. And in this group it was rumored that a French boy named Aurelian was searching for Catherine. Apparently he was her lover back in France and she… she ran away to be with him. But, because of the fear that the location of our secret village would be found out if she successfully ran away, Yamato ordered a search group to bring her back or if necessary to… eliminate her. Takeru was the head of that group. Apparently they found her, but she refused to come back and so, Takeru, he, he had to do it. He had to! If he didn't our village wouldn't be safe."

"Mimi-san, what did Takeru have to do?" Hikari asked, although deep down in her heart, she knew what it was.

"Takeru, he… he had to kill her. He shot her himself. She died in his arms, her blood staining his hands forever. When he got back from that mission he was a changed person. Cold, uncaring, the exact opposite of what he used to be like. But please Hikari, don't hold it against him. He really is a good person deep down inside, hidden under that cold façade of his. Just please, give him a chance."

Unknown to her, tears began to pour down Mimi's face. Smiling sadly, Hikari reached over and comfortingly patted Mimi on the hand.

"I'll try Mimi-san, I promise. I'll try to give him a chance."

"Thank you Hikari-chan, that's all I promise."

As she slowly walked home, Hikari reflected upon the information she had learned from Mimi. It seemed almost like déjà vu as the loud noises of a motorcycle approaching shook Hikari from her daze. But unlike before, Hikari just calmly stepped out of the way of the motorcycle and kept on walking. She glimpsed a tuft of golden blonde hair sticking out of the helmet as the motorcycle passed.

'Hm, I wonder if that Takeru…. I don't see why I even care whether it's him or not? No, Hikari, don't think like that. You promised Mimi-san that you'd give him a chance, so of course you care because you're his friend. Yeah right, as if he'll ever consider me his friend. Oh well, I guess it's worth a try.But I doubt it will. If only he could see that he's not alone in all his pain in suffering. If only he could see that there are other people who are suffering as well. If only he could... if only.'

Takeru drove away from Hikari. Confusion showed on his handsome, though cold face, as he walked into his apartment, which happened to be the one next to Hikari's, although neither she nor Miyako knew that. Throwing the keys on the table, he sat down on the couch, raking his hand through his golden locks.

'I'm surprised that she didn't yell at me right now. But, why should I care after all? She's just an annoying girl who believes in happiness and love and all that sort of shit. If only she knew what a cold place the world is. If only she could see the world through my eyes, through my perspective. If only she could step into my shoes and experience the pain I have felt. Then she wouldn't think the world was such a happy place. If only, if only….'

Unmei: Sorry this chapter was late again. But because of spring break, I was gone from my computer for quite awhile and therefore had no time to write. I hope that all of you enjoyed this chapter and just my story in general. After my very successful first story, it seems as if my talents declined. Or maybe I'm just trying to please a tougher audience. How I do wish it were that… Well, I would like to thank my ever-supportive reviewers. You give me the drive to keep on writing when I feel there's no point in doing so, and so I want to thank you. I love all of you so very much!

happyplacegn: I love you so much! You have no idea. Throughout the whole story, you've given me great support and encouragement. Thank you so much for doing so. I hope you keep on reading and reviewing.

Kaydreams: Glad you like my story so far! I really hope you liked this chapter as much as you liked all my other chapters. You have no idea how much your reviews help me keep on writing. Thanks so much!

Lilicat93: Haha, I'm so glad you reviewed again. You silly hypocrite! Oh well, but I'm happy anyways. Sorry there wasn't much Kenyako in this story, I'll try to incorporate more into the next chapters for you. Thank you so much for reviewing!

Malcolm Yuy: Thank you so much for reviewing! You give me not only support and encouragement but suggestions and advice to make my story better and it shows you actually read my useless little blurbs at the bottom of each chapter. I love you so much for that! Hehe, anyways, thank you so much for reviewing and giving me so much support and advice.

Punk'd: Yay, a new reviewer! That always makes me happy. I'm glad you think this story deserves 100 reviews because I sure do wish it did have that many! You have no idea how happy that would make me. But, I could only wish for such a thing, ne? Anyways, thank you so much for reviewing and I hope you keep reading my story.

Unmei: Okay, so I upped the rating on this story a tad because of the language. Hope it didn't offend anyone. If it did, just e-mail or review (preferably review, hint hint) and tell me so. I can fix it if it really does offend you that much. I hope that everyone reading this story enjoyed this chapter. Please keep reading, and even if you don't normally review, I hope you do, because it would show me how much you enjoy this story. Flames, comments, compliments, constructive criticism, I'll take them all. I know I seem a bit desperate and review-obsessed but hey, what can I say, I'm human and I yearn for selfish things such as that. Well, as long as you enjoyed this chapter and enjoy this story I'm happy. Wishing you all the best of luck on your stories!