Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: I'm sorry for the short chapter, but I've been pretty busy lately. I'm not going to say too much about what's to come because I posted a note on my forum about it, so if you want to know the details, check out the FTFOD section. As always, please review!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 124: Good Advice

Takara 'Kara' Kamiya

Odaiba, Japan, Earth

Takara moved slowly down the sidewalk with her arms wrapped around Fluttermon in a tight hug and frowned thoughtfully at the dark sky looming above the streets of Odaiba. She could feel her mother's eyes on her back, but even that wasn't enough to distract her from the uneasy thoughts racing through her mind.

Ryoko was there. He saw what happened just before Whamon showed up. He must know the truth by now, so why isn't he saying anything?

As much as she wanted to avoid confronting Ryoko about her feelings for Dai, she knew she didn't have a choice anymore. All of her friends were going to find out what was wrong with her eventually, and if she didn't say something soon, they were going to end up hearing a lot of rumours instead of the actual truth.

If that happens, my feelings could end up causing a huge rift between Dai and Ryoko.

"Takara, is something wrong?"

Kara glanced at Ryoko's mother, who was walking beside her, and managed a cheerful smile. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me, Aunt Mimi."

"If you say so."

What am I going to do? If Ema ever finds out about my feelings for Dai, there'll be rumours flying around for sure!

Whether or not Dai returned her feelings made absolutely no difference when it came to Ryoko. At the moment, the only thing that mattered was whether or not the golden-haired Digidestined would support her decision to someday win Dai's heart.

Ryoko's like a brother to me, and if, in the end, Dai doesn't return my feelings, then there's a good chance I'm going to need a shoulder to cry on. Ryoko's always been pretty protective of me, and I know I don't need his permission to fall in love with someone, but...I don't know. I just don't think I could bring myself to care for anyone who cannot meet his standards. Ryoko takes all relationships very seriously, whether it's between friends, family, or two people who love each other, which is why everyone he cares about is special in a way that can't be explained. That's why I want him to approve of whoever my heart chooses because then I would know for sure the guy I like is someone who's worth keeping.

There was only one problem. Her heart had chosen Dai, and if Ryoko truly didn't like the goggle-headed leader, then that was going to make things extremely difficult.

No. Ryoko does like Dai. It's written all over his face!

After everything that had happened lately, there was no way Ryoko couldn't have a soft spot for Dai in his heart. After all, Dai had saved the golden-haired Digidestined's life several times now, and despite his attitude towards the goggle-headed leader, Ryoko had been more than happy to return the favour. That had to count for something.

How could I have forgotten?

And yet, despite the overwhelming evidence, she still could not help feeling a little bit worried.

If Ryoko really doesn't like Dai, then the truth about my feelings is going to upset him a lot. I wouldn't put it past him to believe Dai would end up hurting me somehow, and if Dai ever found out Ryoko felt that way about him, the two of them would more than likely agree never to speak to each other again. Now that's something I definitely want to avoid. It's strange, but deep down inside, I just know there's no way Ryoko could possibly hate Dai. He's done so many things to prove otherwise, but if I really want to know how he feels, then there's only one way to find out the truth. My honesty might just be the very thing that will save his friendship with Dai.

Besides, if she told Ryoko her secret then he would have no choice but to tell her a secret of his own!

Well, I'd better get this over with. The sooner I tell Ryoko the truth, the better. At least then I'll have one less thing to worry about.

Takara took a deep breath and quickly made her way over to Ryoko's side. The golden-haired Digidestined glanced at her in surprise, and she gave him a weak smile. "Hey, Ryoko, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Ryoko studied her face for a moment and slowly nodded. "Sure. What's up?"

"Let's move a little further away from the others. I want this to be just between us."

Ryoko raised his golden eyebrows, but instead of commenting on her unusual request, he merely wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her towards the back of the group. Neither Matt or Mimi noticed Ryoko's sudden disappearance from the place where he had been walking between them, but Takara could see Taysuke glancing back at them occasionally, and the curious look on the younger boy's face made her smile.

What about my mom?

The Child of Love had been walking at the back of the group earlier, but somehow she had managed to catch up to Matt and the others without Takara realizing it, and although Takara knew her mother wasn't looking at her directly, she still could not help feeling as if she were being watched.

"What's wrong, Kara?" Ryoko asked quietly, tugging gently on the sleeve of her bright yellow shirt to get her attention. "You seem really worried about something."

"You know, don't you."

Ryoko's sapphire eyes filled with sudden understanding and he turned to gaze silently at the dark sky. Takara placed her hands on her hips and frowned at the golden-haired Digidestined, but even so, he still did not bother to answer her question.

What's wrong with him? Why won't he say anything?

"Well, aren't you going to tell me I'm being an idiot or something?"

"Why would I do that? You know, Kara, I was wondering when you were finally going to work up enough courage to tell me. I'm not that scary, am I?"

Takara felt her mouth drop open in surprise, but she quickly recovered and gave the golden-haired Digidestined a triumphant smile. "So you do know!"

"Yes, I know. It is kind of obvious. Well, I mean...to everyone except Dai. Don't worry, though, Mickey and the others won't say anything."

Of course. I should have known they would all figure it out eventually, but that still doesn't explain Dai. How can he not see what has been right in front of his face this whole time?

"You're not...mad, are you?"

Ryoko stared at her as if she were crazy and let out a loud snort. "Kara, why would I be mad?"

Does that mean he really does care about Dai after all?

Takara shook her head in confusion and anxiously bit her lip. "Listen, Ryoko, we've been friends for a long time and I know you want what's best for me, but..."

"You know what I think, Kara? I think you and Dai would be really good together."

What?

Takara stared at the golden-haired Digidestined in complete, utter shock and shook her head in disbelief. "You...do?"

Ryoko smiled in amusement and slowly nodded. "Dai might act like an idiot sometimes, but his heart is strong, and you're exactly the type of girl he needs to keep him on the right track. I swear he has no common sense whatsoever, but you have more than enough for two, and hopefully that will stop him from doing stupid things all the time."

"Ryoko, I..."

"Oh, I almost forgot! Dai might be my friend, Kara, but if he ever does anything to hurt you, I'm going to make him wish he'd never met me."

Takara promptly burst into laughter, and reaching out, she pulled Ryoko into a tight hug. "Thanks, Ryoko. I know it's kind of dumb, but you're approval means a lot to me. There's only one problem. It doesn't really matter how I feel about Dai. I really like him a lot, but unfortunately that doesn't mean he feels the same way."

Knowing my luck, he probably doesn't.

Takara felt Ryoko's arms tighten around her waist, and she buried her face against his shoulder to hide the sudden emotion in her hazel eyes. As much as she wanted to believe Dai cared about her, she could not help feeling as if she were chasing after an elusive dream.

"Kara, listen to me," Ryoko whispered softly in her ear, "Dai does care about you. He just doesn't know it yet. I know you think he'll never like you, but how will you know for sure if you give up before you've even had a chance to discover the truth? You've always been like a sister to me, and I want you to be happy. If being with Dai makes you happy, then it makes me happy, too."

Takara nodded slowly, and reaching out, she gently placed her hand against Ryoko's cheek. "You really do like Dai, don't you. Please tell me the truth. I told you my secret. It's only fair you tell me a secret in return."

Ryoko hesitated and let out a deep sigh. "I've never once said I hated Dai. Is it my fault everyone else just assumed I did? I know the two of us don't always get along, but that doesn't matter. He's still one of my best friends and nothing is ever going to change that. None of this is really important, though. He's the one who doesn't like me."

"Do you really believe that?"

He'd better not!

Ryoko frowned at her, and she gave him a quick hug. "How much do you want to bet Dai feels the exact same way you do? I bet the only reason he hasn't said anything is because he thinks you're the one who hates him. Why are the two of you doing this to yourselves, and each other? Running around in circles has never solved anything before, and I doubt it's going to this time either."

"No, I guess it won't. Kara, how can you be sure Dai doesn't hate me?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"Maybe to you."

"Come on, Ryoko. I thought you were more perceptive than that."

Ryoko gave her a faint smile and gently stroked Iramon's furry head. "I know it's hard to believe, but...I've always cared about Dai. He wouldn't annoy me so much if I didn't. This is going to sound really corny, but...do you think Dai and I are really cut out to be good friends?"

"I think the two of you would make great best friends. You do want Dai for a best friend, don't you?"

Ryoko blushed and gazed uncertainly at his feet. "That obvious, huh? Well, I guess I should have known you would figure it out eventually. You won't tell Dai, will you?"

Takara rolled her eyes and poked the golden-haired Digidestined in the stomach. "Hey! What kind of a friend do you think I am? Besides, Dai would never believe me if I did. Only you can change his mind, Ryoko. The words won't mean anything unless you're the one who says them."

"Thanks, Kara, and don't worry. I won't tell Dai your secret."

"I know you won't, and it wouldn't matter if you did. He'd think you were making it up just to bug him. I'm glad you finally told me the truth about your feelings for Dai. See? Now, that wasn't so hard, was it?"

Ryoko made a face at her and shrugged his shoulders. "It's not like you really gave me much of a choice. Hey, Kara? I'm glad you like Dai. I'd rather see you with him over some of those other guys in our class."

"How come?"

Ryoko lowered his eyes to the ground and rested his cheek against Iramon's soft fur. "I know Dai will always treat you with the respect you deserve. You'll always be able to trust him, even if there ever comes a day when you find it hard to believe in anyone else."

He really does understand.

Takara felt her eyes fill with tears, and a warm smile slipped across her face. "Thanks, Ryoko. You know more about friendship than you think."

"I guess that means we don't have any more secrets, right?"

Takara felt her face heat up, and she quickly looked away from the golden-haired Digidestined. "I...I guess so..."

What about that voice I heard? Did I really hear someone talking to me or was it just my imagination?

She had almost forgotten about that strange voice telling her to hang onto her friends, which was why she had failed to mention it to the others at the Motomiya residence earlier, but now that she thought about it, she was unable to ignore the realization that she did, in fact, have one more secret left.

It's not important. I bet it really was just my imagination. If someone else says something about hearing a voice, I'll mention it, but there's no reason to scare anyone when it's probably nothing.

"Well?" Ryoko asked, looking amused. "You don't sound very sure of yourself. "

"Neither do you! What about Ami?"

Ryoko's cheeks turned bright pink and he gave her a dirty look. "One secret at a time, okay?"

He really does like Ami. I've seen the way he looks at her, but I never thought it actually meant something, until now. I wonder what Dai's going to have to say about that!

"If you tell Dai, I'll never forgive you," Ryoko warned, as if reading her thoughts.

Takara laughed and gave his hand a quick, reassuring squeeze. "I'm sure he won't mind. Hey, Ryoko, are you ever going to tell Dai how you feel about him?"

"Are you?"

Maybe.

Ryoko hesitated a moment and finally nodded. "I will...try."

"I guess that's better than nothing. Ryoko, what do you really think I should do about my feelings for Dai?"

Ryoko pulled away from her and proceeded to make his way over to his parents, but just before he reached his father's side, he turned to look at her and gave her a brilliant smile. "Do what you always do, Kara. Follow your heart."