Unmei: School has started and I have a shitload of homework… well actually not that much, but way more compared to last year. Plus, I have this major viola thingy coming up (yes, I'm a typical Asian nerd… orchestra all the way!) Okay, anyways, sorry this took me so long to update, and now for disclaimer:

Miyako: Unmei no Hana would have to be one rich person to own Digimon, ne?

Unmei: Yea, I would have to. But, then again, I can always dream, can't I? Heh, anyways, onto the story!

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Of Clones and Outcasts

Chapter 9: Of Interrogations and Mysteries

Unmei no Hana

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Last time:

"Take these bodies back to Odaiba. The mayor will be pleased to here that there indeed is an outcast village near here. I shall scout some more before I too return in order to determine just how large this village is." After the figure said these words the two other figures bowed and each one scooped up a body and quickly left. Suddenly, a large gust swept through the clearing and the hood of the figure fell down, revealing golden locks and cold, steely green eyes.

"Finally I have located Mura no Yume. Soon, I'll get my revenge on it for what those outcasts did to my precious baby sister."

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'Ugh… someone turn off the lights.'

A bright, florescent light woke Hikari from her state of unconsciousness. There to greet her was a massive, throbbing headache, and a group of well-dressed women. Instantly Hikari recognized the woman who apparently seemed to be the leader of the group.

"Mayor Tanaka!" Hikari cried out suddenly. She attempted to stand up to properly greet the Mayor. However dizziness caused from her headache and binds around her wrist and ankles stopped her from doing so. Hikari was aware of various people rushing around her to restrain her but quickly dissipated when the Mayor ordered them to let her have some space. Once the dizziness and headache faded, Hikari noticed that she was currently bound to a chair in a square, cold, nondescript room. Her cheeks became red with anger and shouting out, she asked,

"Mayor Tanaka… what's the meaning of all of this? Why am I bound up to this chair? Answer me!" The Mayor, with her hazel eyes steely and full, luscious, red lips turned into a cold sneer, replied,

"Tut tut, Hikari. Do you really believe that it proper for you to ask such questions, seeing the current situation you're in? But, I am a kind Mayor, and I will explain to you once you have answered me a few, rather simple if I do say so myself, questions. The first one is, and now answer me truthfully, have you or have you not been living in a village of outcasts called Mura no Yume for the past six months?" The anger quickly disappeared from Hikari and was replaced by fear. The blood drained from her face and Hikari could feel cold sweat accumulating on her temple as she shakily replied,

"W-what are you talking about Mayor Tanaka? Living with ou-outcasts? I certainly have n-not been." The Mayor obviously could see past her lie as her eyes narrowed. However, as quick that look appeared, the Mayor put on a façade of a calm, pleasant face.

"Really? Well, that's a relief. I'm glad none of my daughters, figuratively speaking of course, came to any harm. Every time I hear of such reports involving outcasts, I can hardly sleep for the week that follows." Had Hikari not been any more frightened than she was, she would've snorted at this comment. Surely the Mayor did not expect her to believe that did she? Although she put up a kind and just façade, the mayor of Odaiba was infamous for three things: her beauty, brains, and brutality. "Ah, yes, my next question for you. Since you weren't captured by outcasts, whatever have you been doing for the past 6 months? You obviously weren't in any city for I would have been contacted… please do tell me what happened?"

'Shit, shit, what do I say?' Hikari cursed to herself. She felt the cold sweat now running down her face and neck and her legs began to shake violently. 'No, stop it Hikari. Stay strong; don't let her words phase you. You must stay strong for the sake of all your new friends…' Hikari abruptly stopped. 'Friends? Would I really consider all the people I've met at Mura no Yume my friends? What am I saying of course I do!' With those thoughts in her head, Hikari too put up a façade. She wiped the sweat from her face and in an even calm voice, lied—something she would have never thought of doing to the mayor before she had been kidnapped.

"As you must know Mayor Tanaka, while I was on a trip with my literature class in the mountains I got separated from them along with my friend Miyako. However, what you most likely do not know is what happened. Am I correct to inquire so?" Hikari paused waiting for the Mayor's answer while raising one elegant eyebrow. The Mayor eyed her suspiciously and nodded. Hikari, her will becoming stronger, continued.

"Now, while Miyako and I were wandering around in the woods looking for inspiration, we stumbled upon a most beautiful site. We came upon a cliff that overlooked the deep valley and gorges that lay beyond the mountain. I was so touched at the sight of such beauty, that I don't know what happened, but I must've been entranced and unconsciously walked to get a better view. However as I did so, I must not have realized how close I was to the cliff's edge for the next thing I remember was falling. By luck or perhaps even fate, whichever one you choose to believe, I did not die. The fall was rather short, and my fall was broken by the many trees and branches I encountered on my way down. Also, there was a young woman named Sadako who lived in a village close by and brought me there. That is where I have spent my last six months—recovering." Hikari, satisfied with the story she gave, leaned back in her chair, waiting for the Mayor's response. It certainly wasn't what she anticipated it to be. The Mayor's mouth curled into an even more wicked smile before she said,

"Well, what a time you must've had. However, do tell me why when my troops found you, there was an outcast with you. And according to them, you two seemed rather… intimate."

'Dammit, I forgot about T.K. No worries Hikari. You've made it through this far, just find out how to work him into your story.'

"That outcast, I have no clue who he is. I was gathering herbs for Sadako's family when I happened to stumble across him. Now, I don't mean to sound arrogant, but he seemed rather enraptured by me. The fact is he was forcing himself upon me when your scouts found us. I am actually most glad they did. I shudder at the very thought of what might've occurred had they not stopped him." When she finished she waited for Mayor Tanaka to reply. However she did not and silence reigned for the moments afterwards. Hikari opened her mouth to say something, but the Mayor beat her to it. In a rather amused tone, Mayor Tanaka told Hikari,

"My, my Hikari. I never knew you had such a vivid imagination. But honestly, I'm somewhat miffed at you. Do I really seem that gullible to you? Did you really think I would believe that?" Mayor Tanaka's expression quickly iced over and anger laced each word she spoke. "I suggest you revise your story for the next time I decide to stop by and have a chat. If you do not give me a more acceptable one the next time I come, you shall be sorry. It's too bad you didn't tell me the truth. Now I must resort to squeezing the truth out of your little outcast friend. And I will not be so kind to him like I was to you. Now, you must excuse me."

Mayor Tanaka then exited, along with the rest of the people, and left Hikari by herself in the cold, and now, oppressively silent, room. Hikari stared at the door that the mayor had exited, petrified. Her face was ashen and unmoving.

'Takeru… what have I done to you?'

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'Ugh… dammit, why do I feel as if I have a hangover? And why do my arms and legs feel like lead?'

Takeru's eyes flickered open and, through the blur of unconsciousness, he saw what appeared to be large lumps color. These lumps slowly cleared out to be people. But not just any kind of people, they were women. When he saw them, Takeru instantly remembered everything that had happened and, anger filling him, tried jumping at them. However, weights bound him to a wall and all he could do was glower at them with hatred.

"What have you done to Hikari? And don't give me some shitty answer." Takeru demanded the woman at the front of the group who appeared to be their leader. She was quite a beauty with her auburn hair hanging in waves around her face, hazel eyes, and full red lips. However, the cruelty that evident in every crease of her face marred that beauty. The woman sneered at him with the utmost loathing.

"Who are you to ask such questions to me outcast?" She demanded, spitting out the last word with so much venom. "But I must say, I am quite shocked that you know my dear Hikari's name. She told me that she had no clue as to who you were; a total stranger who tried to force himself upon her. I hate to think she lied to me, but regrettably, the truth cannot be more clear." The woman said, her voice changing so suddenly from one of hate, to one of woefulness. However, Takeru was not fooled by the woman's façade and instead demanded once more,

"Don't start your eloquent crap with me. Just answer my question. What have you done to Hikari?" When he had said this once more, the woman's façade crumbled and her eyes hardened.

"Shut up! Who do you think you are to demand me? You're just an outcast. Worthless. You're nothing more than that. Did you honestly think that my Hikari would really look at you as anything more than the piece of dirt that you are?"

"Who are you to say what Hikari feels? You think us outcasts are the pieces of dirt, but in reality it's you women who are!" Takeru interrupted, eyes flaring with anger. A gasp was heard and the people behind the woman began to shift uneasily and mutter to one another. Takeru looked at the woman again and was satisfied to see that she was seething with rage.

"Enough! You have pushed me too far outcast. You'll be sorry. Get the machine ready." The woman demanded. The women behind her stared up at their leader, as if not believing what she had said. One particularly bold one spoke up.

"Mayor Tanaka… you know we can't use it yet. It's still just a prototype. There are dozens of errors to fix!"

"I don't care, Natsumi. Just set it up! I've had enough insolence for one day. If any of you wish to speak up, I shall have you on that machine as well to test it out. Now, GO!" The women, pallid faced, scurried away.

"Tch, trying to use some high-tech machinery on me? I'm sorry, but it won't work." Takeru sneered. With her back turned to Takeru, the Mayor's shoulders began to tremble. At first Takeru thought she was crying, but instead, it turned out she was laughing. A laugh as harsh as a crow's escaped from her and she doubled over, unable to control herself.

"What's so funny?" Takeru asked, slightly confused. Mayor Tanaka did not answer him, but instead continued to laugh. Fed up, Takeru shouted, "Dammit, answer me! What's so funny?" Still shaking some with mirth, the Mayor turned around to face him. With an amused tone, the Mayor answered him.

"My, my, you don't honestly think I'm going to use that machine on you do you? Why would I waste such an expensive machine on such an insignificant piece of dirt? No, no, I'm not using it on you. I'm using it on Hikari." The Mayor observed Takeru's reaction to her word. Instantly, the blood drained out of his face and he turned ashen. Laughing some more, the Mayor turned around and walked out of the room, satisfied.

'Hikari… I'll save you somehow. I promise.'

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"Mayor, I have returned." A mysterious woman with long blonde tresses and green eyes stood before Mayor Tanaka. The Mayor had her back turned to the woman and was looking out a large window which showed the city of Odaiba before her.

"Have you gathered all the information you need?"

"Yes I have. You were very right. Mura no Yume is celebrating its annual Sakura Festival and many other outcast villages are present there as well. Now will be the best time to strike it for if we do, not only will Mura no Yume go down, but several other villages as well. It will be very beneficial for all of us."

"You have done well. You're dismissed." The Mayor told the mysterious woman. She bowed and exited from the room. A cruel smile appeared on the Mayor's beautiful face as she looked at her city and said,

"Finally… the time has come. Mura no Yume, prepare for your destruction."

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Unmei: Phew, finally done! I hope it was okay. It was much more serious than my other chapters… but I really hope it's okay. I'm sure all of you are sick of hearing this, but recently I've been feeling blue and have been doubting my writing abilities. Sigh… Anyways, on a happier note, thank you to all my reviewers! I love you guys so much. I was thinking of waiting until Tuesday to update this as a present to myself for my birthday… haha, that sounds silly. Anyways, but I decided to release it today. Hope all of you enjoy it! Oh and sorry I had to type in "break." The silly line creating button thingy wasn't working.