(Mar. 31, 2010)
SO SO SORRY for the long delay. I had surgery and I was kinda out of commission for a while. Anyways here's the next chapter. Good news is I wrote a bunch of random juicy chapters that hopefully I can string together soon enough! PLEASE REVIEW!

Disclamier: I still don't own Digimon or any of its characters.

THE DOMINO EFFECT

FunkyMonkey713

Chapter 4: Friends

~KPOV~

When the bell rand Takeru lagged behind fiddling with his textbooks as Miyako and Hikari walked out of the classroom. They walked in silence, Miyako carefully studied Hikari's face just as she had during class. She had a feeling she knew what she was thinking, but Miyako decided to voice her theories anyways.

"So Kari, during the two weeks that your boyfriend's gone, you figured you'd test the waters for something better?" The scorn in her voice was evident; she and Hikari had always been frank with each other about their opinions. Hikari sighed; she'd been expecting this since lunchtime when Miyako met Takeru.

"I know you two have fights, but you guys always pull through. I mean, you two were named cutest couple last year!"

"I know, I just find that when he's here he's over protective and pummels every guy that so much as looks at me. Don't get me wrong, I love him but when he's gone I… forget about him." Hikari looked down ashamed of herself. Miyako backtracked; she hated to make Hikari feel guilty, she was always such a positive influence on her.

"Look, I didn't mean to make you feel bad, its just that… well here gossip spreads faster than wildfire. I wouldn't want you to get hurt. People tend to notice things, or, think they notice things. Just be careful okay?" She gave Hikari's shoulder a one-arm hug, gave her a peck on the cheek and started to run down the white hallway.

"I have to go! I'm late for yearbook meeting and since I'm the editor, there's not much of a meeting going on until I get there!" She turned slightly, still running, and called over her shoulder. "I'll text you later ok?" and without waiting for an answer she disappeared down a corridor. Hikari continued to walk towards the front doors, pondering what Miko had said; she was right, as usual. That's no problem she told herself, I'll just watch myself. Treat him normally, and I'll be normal. There'll be nothing to gossip about. Almost reaching the double doors, a voice behind her made her jump out of her skin.

"So are we still walking home together?" Takeru, looking like the Greek god Zeus himself; his golden hair seemed to illuminate light, he smiled at her and she felt her stomach drop through her feet. All she could do was nod, and he politely held the door for her as she bundled her coat up preparing for the cold. Surprisingly, the sun was out not necessarily making it warm, but not the regular freezing breeze she normally walked home in. They headed towards the train station, or Hikari showed Takeru the way, telling him fun facts about Odaiba. She asked him about what he thought of his classes today, which one was his favourite and did he think he was going to join any clubs or teams. He replied saying that he was probably going to like Odaiba better then Gosen and that his favourite class by far would be English lit.

"Do you think it would be possible to try out for the basketball team? I mean, I know school started almost two weeks ago, but I would love to play on the team." They reached the station and boarded the train, not able to grab seats, they stood grabbing the long metal rods bolted from ground to ceiling and from wall to wall.

"I don't see why that would be a problem. You would have to go through the tryout process like everyone else did. I don't mean to be rude, but it's really competitive, so they only pick the best players." The train stopped and a flood of people got on the train, pressing Takeru and Hikari closer together. She took a breath to calm herself, clear her head. But it only made things worse as she smelled his infusion of citrus and pine again. Her head went light and her grip on the bar slackened. Suddenly the train jerked backwards, sending people off balance and causing some to fall, hitting others. Hikari was slammed in the back with a briefcase and sent sprawling towards Takeru. She involuntarily opened her arms in front of her to break her impending fall, which enviably meant she landed right in his arms. Her face landed on his chest and her arms automatically wrapped around him to stop herself from sliding to the floor. More people entered the train pushing them even closer together as she tried to pull away from him. But now the train was at its busiest time, which gave her only enough room to move her head.

"Oh my god! I'm so so sorry!" She tried to move again but it was too crammed to budge. His laughter vibrated his chest, coursing through hers as well. She couldn't help but laugh too, at her stupidity or how ironic the whole situation was, she wasn't sure. Once he stopped he looked down at her, grinning.

"You must be, the most clumsy person I've met in my life. Which is saying a lot because I thought my brother Yamato was the clumsiest person; he can't walked into a room without hitting a door." He laughed again and Hikari smiled as she felt him wrap his free arm around her waist, holding her closer to him. There was this feeling of comfort and safety that he seemed to emit. Like when he wasn't around, she was in grave danger, and when he was, she could breath again. As the train made its various stops, she braced herself, gripping his toned waist for support. When she finally relaxed, she pressed her nose against his chest and took in his smell, committing it to memory. She felt him stiffen when she inhaled and looked up at him, his face completely unreadable.

The speeding train started to reach the outer stations and more people left, leaving more room for the others to stand. She didn't let go though, all those internal arguments she'd been having that afternoon seemed far, far away. Much to Hikari's dismay, the train reached their station and she was forced to let go. A breeze rushed by, chilling her front, which had been warmed by Takeru's chest. She shivered and bundled herself up motioning to Takeru to follow her onto the platform.

~TPOV~

They talked about mindless things as made their way to one of the main streets; Hikari was thoroughly chilled now, the sun had set and night-time had taken over. Takeru looked concerned as another shiver escaped her, she was turning rather pale in the streetlights. He gingerly placed an arm around her shoulders as if thinking she would toss it off. But he seemed to radiate heat like no other, and she willing accepted it, putting her arm around his waist. He flinched as her felt her ice-cold hand through his shirt and instinctively drew her closer to him. The conversation was light; Hikari bombarded him with questions of Gosen and his old school. She steered them down the streets explaining what was on each street. Finally Hikari took them down a back alley from one of the main roads.

"This is my secret shortcut, instead of taking the main roads I cut through here, it shaves off nearly 20 minutes! Mind you it can get a little sketch with the back entrance of the local bar and pub, but the people that hang around are harmless. Just a little buzzed." She giggled remembering some of the strange people she'd seen, standing at he back door smoking their cigarettes.

"You walk down here alone?" His face was shocked as images of drunken men hit on tiny Hikari.

"Of course! No one else at school lives in this neighbourhood, when I was younger my brother Taichi would walk me to and from school, but now he's at university so I always go alone" She was trying to keep it light, but a bitter edge coloured her voice as she spoke. "I really miss him sometimes, he's always off with his girlfriend Sora, so he never has time for his sister anymore. Don't get me wrong, Sora is great, I love her to death but she hogs all his attention. He'd do anything for her but something as small as hanging out once and a while with me is a burden." They passed the empty back door of the bar and keep walking towards the light of the corner restaurant. Sora…. Why does that name sound so familiar? Takeru knew that the name was ringing a bell, but he just couldn't place it.

"I know that they're both sooooo in love but they see each other every day at Tokyo University. But come on! Do they have to spend every minute of every day with each other??" Her voice rose as the anger grew more apparent. Finally it clicked and he remembered where he'd heard that name before.

"Sorry do you mean Sora Takenouchi?" Her eyebrows furrowed as she looked up.

"Yeah do you know her?"

"Well sort of. She's a friend of my brother Matt, but honestly I think he wished it was more." He laughed a little then back tracked, "oops, I don't think I was suppose to tell anyone that. Especially you, if Tai's your brother." She smiled and winked at him,

"Don't worry your secret's safe with me. I don't think I see Tai enough to say one word to him anyways" They had exited the alley and were now walking through the small park pass the steel dolphins spewing water into the giant fountain. Takeru felt Hikari squeeze him tighter as a sudden wind blew by tossing their hair into their faces. Hikari led him towards a tall condominium building that he vaguely recognized as his (new) home. They reached the front lobby and stopped still linked together.

"Well I have to get home, my parents will be waiting for me to eat dinner together. And by together I mean everyone except Tai." She laughed and pointed to a tall-lit building in the distance. "My building is over there, probably 15 or so minutes from here." She took her arm away from his waist and re-adjusted her jacket more tightly.

"Do you want to walk to school together tomorrow morning?" Takeru practically yelled the words as she had turned to go; he wanted to spend more time with her. She grinned and nodded,

"That'd be great! I'll meet you here at seven?"

"Perfect, I'll give you my number just in case you can't make it." He reached into her pocket and took out her phone, punching in his own number." She beamed and then turned to walk home,

"Good night Takeru! See you tomorrow morning!" She beamed and waved at him.

"Have a nice dinner! I'll be here bright and early." He paused then yelled out to her retreating figure, "hey Hikari?" She stopped and looked back, "Yeah?" He smiled, "My friends call me TK." She laughed and strolled away. He stood there for a moment before searching his pockets for his keys. He felt a buzz from something his hand touched and pulled out his phone. The screen was illuminated with the words 1 NEW MESSAGE. He slid his finger over the unlock key to open a message from a number he didn't recognize:

"Hey TK, my friends call me Kari."

He couldn't help but grin like an idiot as he entered the building and headed towards the elevator.

Author's Note:

I'll update as soon as I can with the next chapter! PLEASE REVIEW! (No reviews, no updates!)

I love to hear feedback to improve.