(April 26th, 2010)
First off thanks so much for the reviews, I love the feedback keep it coming! Also I understand there are a few mistakes, I don't have to time atm to proof, but I will asap and put up the new copy. I hope you enjoy my next chapter!

Disclamier: I don't own Digimon or any of its characters. As well as any other brand name (such as Apple, Mac etc), magazine name, people, celebrities etc. So please don't sue.

THE DOMINO EFFECT

FunkyMonkey713

CHAPTER 8: City Lights

~TPOV~

The afternoon are was cool as the sun slowly set as Hikari and Takeru walked through the park; this time instead of going towards Taker's building they passed it and walked for another twenty minutes before they reached a tall, white building that stood out amongst the other dark ones. The walk from school had been great as usual, talking about classes and Hikari even talked about her the problems with her family. She had no idea what to do about Tai never being around and parents constantly ignoring her; she said that being at home was like being a ghost, she was only acknowledged once and while. How she could be out all night and never get in trouble because her parents were obsessed with their oh-so-talented-son who happened to be the top in his class at Tokyo University, had the perfect girlfriend and was one of the best soccer players in the under-25 national soccer league. Takeru had made some suggestions, but mostly he just listened letting her rant it out. He noticed that she didn't bring up the subject of her extreme-jackass boyfriend; he really wanted to know how she could let him treat her in such a demeaning way especially in public, in front of her friends no less. He remembered the way he so publically forced his hand up her skirt; he understood that it was common for teens his age to be sexually active; he had been for over a year now. Sure, he maybe guessed that she may have been a virgin, but as soon as he had met Daisuke at lunchtime, he definitely didn't think so; Daisuke seemed like one of those guys that always got whatever, or whoever, he wanted. He didn't like the way Daisuke had talked about her in the locker rooms, like an object or a belonging rather than a person with feelings. How could Daisuke treat her so disrespectfully? If he could talk to Takeru, as stranger, about his sex life with her, he couldn't even imagine what he told his friends.

Takeru looked down at her as he was thinking; her curly hair flew wildly out of her white toque and her wind burnt cheeks were as pink as her plump lips. Like any guy, he thought she was gorgeous; he loved how she wore almost no make-up like so many girls at school. In his head he debated bringing it up even though it seemed clear she didn't want to talk about it. The elevator rose up to the penthouse fifty-two floors above the ground; they got off and Hikari lead them to one of two doors on the floor labelled "Yagima". She punched in a code and pressed her index finger to a small black pad, which scanned it. Well, that's fancy, he thought as the door swung open and he followed her into the dark condo. As soon as Hikari walked through the threshold, lights switched on in the hallway, showing an immaculate white hallway with black and white photographs along the walls. Hikari placed her jacket on a hook and kicked her shoes off, Takeru followed suit making sure not to get anything dirty.

"Come on, I've got to grab my computer from my room." She strolled down the hall and turned right, he cautiously followed taking in the scenery around him. As he trailed behind her down the long white hallway, he saw glimpses of rooms through the doorways they pasted. A den with a massive Apple computer surrounded by walls of black bookshelves stuffed with books, a pristine marble bathroom with a tub the size of a small swimming pool and a room filled with a treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical machine and a wall of weights with a flat screen that seemed to cover the whole wall. The common trend between everything he saw was that there were almost personal photos or additions of any sort, only of few photos of Tai at various soccer tournaments or as a child, also the everything was either black or white. How original, he scoffed in his head, could it be more obvious they have a favourite kid? Finally he noticed that Hikari had ducked into a door on the left; he pushed the door open to a vivid apple green painted room.

Unlike the rest of her place, her room had colour and feeling; the large wall that contained a wall-in closet was covered floor to ceiling in photographs. Pictures of Hikari standing in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Opera house in Sydney or the Empress Hotel in Victoria; the majority though were photos of her friends, Takeru didn't think it was possible to have to many pictures until now, but he thought it was magnificent. On other wall were two large windows; between them was a queen-sized bed framed with a deep mahogany head and footboard and covered with a bright red duvet with random gold embroidery. A desk that matched her bed frame supported a Macbook Pro and beside it was a book shelf that reached more then half way up the nine foot ceiling, crammed with textbooks and novels he's never read before. A small red mosaic mirror hung over a large jewellery box and little pots of make-up on the other side. Hikari was over by her desk, she closed her laptop and turned around, to see Takeru standing staring around her room in awe. She blushed and moved towards the door where he stood.

"I know my room is really weird and probably doesn't look "cosmetically" appealing but--" Takeru cut her off, gaping at her slightly;

"Are you kidding? I think it's so…. vivid and personal. I wish I could make my room half as interesting as yours." Her blush deepened at his compliment then she shooed him out the door.

"I need to change so go down the hall the way we came and turn right, wait for me in the living room ok?" She didn't wait for an answer as she pushed him by the arm and shut the door. Takeru ambled down the hall back to the main hallway they first entered. He turned right just as she had said to find what looked like the most magnificent living room he'd ever seen. Expensive vases and artwork were placed perfectly on side tables or on the walls. The theme of black and white continued, the couch was white and a giant flat screen hovered above a black marble fireplace. A dining table that looked like it could seat twelve was behind the large white couch, and a doorway lead out from beside the table to what he assumed would be the kitchen. The best part to Takeru was the fact that the walls facing out were entirely glass; he couldn't help but walk towards the windows, the city lights seemed to dance in their dark surroundings. It was the most amazing sight he'd seen, everything looked so small, almost miniature; the cars in the busy streets looked like fireflies.

"Beautiful eh?" He jumped not realizing that Hikari had been standing behind him. She shifted to stand beside him, gazing out the window too, "It's my favourite part, well, the only part I like about living here."

"I've never seen anything like it." Takeru admitted as he tore his eyes away and gazed at her, she beamed at him.

"Really? When Dai first came here he didn't even notice, in fact, I don't think he ever notice." She laughed lightly; something came over Takeru and the words just spilled out of his mouth before thinking.

"That's not really surprising, probably if it doesn't involve you being naked he wouldn't even care." Immediately he wished he could take it back; Hikari bit her lip and looked down, anger flooding her face. He opened and closed his mouth trying to think of how to apologize; then her head came up and her eyes flashed as she glared at him.

"Why does it matter to you anyways?" She snapped, "You don't even know him, so don't pretend you understand him."

"Oh so you're saying that my first impression of a complete-douche-bag-who-only-cares-about-getting-you-into-his-pants was wrong?" He didn't know what had come over him, but he couldn't stop now. "How can you stand him treating you in such a manipulative way? Like a pet rather then a person?" She turned and faced him head on, her face livid.

"You haven't even been here a week and you're already making judgement calls? Wow and you're calling him the jerk!"

"I don't need to have been for that long to know that he's controlling you Kari! The way he talks about your relationship with his buddies, God! I think I've learned more about your sex life in the last twelve hours then anyone other then Daisuke should know. You can just tell when someone's an ass."

"Well obviously not because then you'd know that the only ass around here is standing right in front of me!" He opened his mouth to argue when the front door chimed and four figures walked into the hallway.

"Hello! Kari? Is that you sweetie?" An older female voice sing-songed, he heard a russle of plastic bags and shoes being kicked onto the floor. A tall muscular figure with a tousled brown hair followed by a shorter girl with short reddish-blonde hair covered by a toque walked into the living room to find Hikari and Takeru's faces mere inches away from each other, both flushed and fuming. The brunette who looked to be in his early twenties stepped forward, anger quickly swelling in his expression as he took in Takeru. He strode over to him and pulled Takeru away from Hikari.

"Okay I don't know who you are but it's clear she doesn't want you here, so I suggest you--- Matt?! What the hell are you doing here with my sister?!" He let go and stared incredulously at the blonde, the girl walked over with her brow furrowed. As soon as she saw Takeru's face she tapped Taichi on the shoulder and quietly laughed.

"Tai, that's not Matt, that's his younger brother Takeru." She laughed a little louder now, but Tai still looked mad.

"That doesn't explain why he's in our apartment, alone, with Kari. You got fifteen seconds to explain yourself." Hikari forgot all about being angry with Takeru and rounded on Tai, fury rushing over her again.

"He's here because a) I asked him to be here, b) we're working on a history project together and c) it's really none of your business why he's here anyways because you have no right whatsoever to tell me who I can and cannot have over. So piss off!" Tai started to shake with rage, he looked like he was about to murder someone; Takeru took a step back, standing slightly behind Hikari now. It was then that their parents decided to walk in,

"Oh Kari I didn't know you were having a guest over tonight!" Her mother said walking over to them, completely oblivous to what was going on; Hikari immediately changed her expression to neutral, removing all traces of anger and putting on a forced smile.

"Yeah mum, I told you yesterday at dinner, said that wouldn't be a problem, because Tai wasn't coming home for dinner." She spoke with her teeth gritted together, glaring sideways at Tai, but still maintaining her happy face. Her mother, who was a beautiful woman with flowing hair the same colour as her two children, smiled at Takeru and put out her hand for an introduction.

"I'm Yuuko and this is my husband Susumu, it's nice to meet another friend of Kari's, in fact you're the newest one I've seen in years now." Hikari grimaced beside him as her mother spoke; he shook her hand bowing slightly.

"I'm Takeru Takaishi. It's a pleasure meeting you Mr. and Mrs. Yagima; you have the most beautiful home." He shot them a winning smiling; Yuuko beamed back and released his hand.

"Oh why thank you! You seem like a nice boy, please do join us for dinner tonight. Hmmm I'll have to make something special then." She wondered off to the kitchen picking up the grocery bags, Susumu, a tall man with hard facial features (except for his eyes that were the same as Hikari's), started to back up to the kitchen as well, a worried look on his face.

"It was nice meeting you Takeru, but I have to go stop my wife before she burns down the building… Honey! Maybe you should let me cook tonight." His voice faded off as he left the two siblings sending death glares at each other, Takeru and Sora looked at each other nervously not knowing what to do. They all stayed like that for another minute before Hikari turned to Takeru breaking the staring contest with Tai.

"Come on TK let's go finish our project." She grabbed him by the hand and marched determinedly down the hallway to her room, dragging Takeru behind her like a rag doll. She was still fuming when they reached her bedroom; Hikari threw herself onto the bed and rammed her fists into a pillow. Takeru closed the door behind him quietly and waited patiently for her to stop. Finally she stopped and looked up at him, angry tears had streaked down her face; she didn't look as mad anymore, just frustrated. He walked over and sat next to her on the bed waiting for her to speak, or yell, whichever came first. But she was oddly silent, so Takeru decided to break the silence first.

"Are you alright?" He spoke quietly, she took a deep breath and when she exhaled her whole frame slumped with exhaustion.

"No I'm not alright. He's just so… frustrating! Sometimes I feel like I want to strangle him, but then other times I want to run over and give him a huge bear hug. He just strolls in here and pretends that he's the overbearing protective brother who spends his days and nights protecting his little sister from harm, when really I'm lucky if I see him alone for ten minutes in a week. He thinks he knows everything that's going on in my life, when the last time he asked me how things were going was freshman year. Every time we argue my parents don't notice or take his side, no matter what I always seem to lose." She wiped away the tears with the back of her hand, but fresh ones took their place. Takeru brushed them away with a thumb and gently stroked her wavy hair; he expected her to slap him away but instead she rested her forehead on his shoulder and let go, crying into his shirt. He wrapped an arm around her and rubbed her gently on the back with his free hand. Hikari cried even harder, snaking her hands around his strong torso and hugging herself closer. Takeru held her until they heard her mother calling them for dinner; Hikari let go and he wiped her wet face again. She smiled weakly at him as he pulled her off the bed, grabbing some tissue from her desk and handing it to her.

"Thanks, I probably look like a mess now. I'm sorry; I can't believe you had to see that. You must think I'm a pansy." He chuckled and touched her cheek lightly.

"Believe me, I've had to deal with worse. I know it's hard, but I'm sure it'll all work out in the end; things always have to get worse before they get better." She bit her lip in a half smile, he took her by the hand and led them down the hall; he leaned down before they reached the living room to whisper in her ear.

"Oh and you don't look like a mess, in fact you look just as beautiful as you normally do." She blushed frantically and her eyes flashed that pretty shade of ruby again. "We'll eat quickly then let's get started on our project eh?" Hikari nodded still pink from his compliment as they turned the corner. Everyone was sitting at the table, Tai glared at them as they entered, staring at their hands still wound together; they let go immediately and sat down in the two vacant seats. Throughout dinner Mrs. Yagima bombarded Takeru with questions, Tai on the other hand was quiet, just giving him the death stare through the entire meal. Finally when Hikari had eaten her fettuccini she excused both her and Takeru and went back to her room. They spent the evening working diligently on their history paper and calculus homework not talking about their argument. When Takeru looked at his watch he was surprised to see that it was already half past nine. Thankfully they managed to get everything done expect their paper; Hikari walked him to the front door.

"Thanks for not being a total ass this evening. I don't know why but I feel like I can't stay mad at you for very long." She laughed and threw arms around his neck for a hug; he lifted her off the ground, hugging her back.

"I'm sorry for being an ass all the same, it's not my place to say but I'm worried about you." She squeezed him tightly, her raspberry scent engulfing him, making him light-headed.

"If I need help, you'll be the first to know, I promise." Takeru put her back down and looked up to see Tai standing forebodingly, looking thoroughly upset Takeru guessed that he'd been there watching their entire exchange. He grabbed his backpack and pulled the door open, waving to Hikari then walked over to the elevator. He pressed the button and waited for it to make its long trek up the tall building. The Yagima's door opened again and Takeru turned around expecting to see Hikari with a textbook he forgot but instead her brunette brother ambled over until he was a foot away.

"Look you may be my best friend's brother, but that doesn't mean I won't kick your ass if you mess with Kari's head." Takeru kept his cool composure on, not giving any of his real emotions away.

"And how would you know if I'm messing with her head? You don't even know her." He spoke evenly looking Tai straight in the eye, not flinching at the murderous look he received.

"I know her better than you do, you've only been here a few days."

"Well I bet I learned more about her life in the past four days then you've learned in the past four years. Maybe if you actually spent some time with her, not fighting with her then we'd be having a different conversation." Tai took a step forward and grabbed his white shirt in his fist, his face going hot, Takeru figured people didn't stand up to Tai very often. The elevator chimed it's arrive, the silver steel doors sliding open. "Oh look, the elevator's here. I guess I better get going." He still spoke calmly as he removed Tai's hand from his shirt; he slipped his bag onto his shoulder. Before he could turn away, he received a painful strike to his face, hitting just below his left eye; he staggered back and gently probed his face to see that Tai had also hit his nose and blood dripped down his face. His eye throbbed but he ignored it and he walked into the elevator, pressing the lobby button. Before the doors closed he looked Tai straight in the eyes, his calm patience still in control.

"I would suggest you don't do that again, it's takes more then a black eye to shake me. Get yourself sorted out and figure out the real reason why you just did that." The door glided closed as Tai face flared up again; once Takeru was completely alone he took stock of his injuries, he figured he'd have a black eye in the morning and the bleeding nose would stop soon. I think I've had enough death threats this week to last me a few years, he thought as he exited the building and strolled back home.

Author's Note:

I hope you liked it! PLEASE REVIEW! Honestly the more reviews, the more motivated I am to write, if I don't get any then I assume that nobody's reading it and therefore I'm not going to ask for a certain number but you can probably guess about how many would be nice.

Thank you to all the readers who left reviews!