(May 7th, 2010)
Sorry for the wait! AP's are killing me ATM but I did my best! I hope you like it! PLEASE REVIEW.

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 9: Pranks

~KPOV~

Takeru came by the next morning to walk her to school, his golden hair shone in the dim morning light and he smiled angelically at her when she walked through the lobby doors. She was expecting his usual good morning ruffle of her hair and therefore didn't expect him to pick her up like she weighed twenty pounds and squeeze her enthusiastically; she giggled and hugged him back, gripping his neck for dear life as he swung her in a circle. When he lowered her, his neck dipped down as she unintentionally held his face a few inches in front of hers; his breath came out in fog in the cool air and smelled vaguely of mint and coffee. Mixed with his already intoxicating citrus smell she felt her heart beat faster then a hummingbird. She looked up through her eyelashes, brown hair swirling about in the wind and smiled widely at him.

"Well, someone woke up on the right side of the bed this morning!" He chuckled, beaming back at her.

"Let's just say I had a good sleep last night. Also coffee tends to help too." She loosened her hold and Takeru's face turned towards the streetlamp illuminating a bruised eye; her jaw dropped and she yanked his head back down, turning his face towards the light.

"Oh my god! TK what the hell happened?" Hikari's fingers flutter over the purple splotch not wanting to hurt him; the spot felt hot compared to the rest of his body she guessed it hadn't finished swelling yet. He face turned passive and he just waved a hand at her, brushing off her worry.

"Ah don't fret, I've had worse before, it'll stop swelling by tonight I'm sure of it." She looked him sternly in the eyes and set her mouth in a stubborn line.

"Don't think you're getting off so easily. This must've happened after my place; did someone hurt you on your way home? Who did this to you?" Her voice rose in pitch as her worry deepened, he reached a hand over and caressed her cheek lightly, causing her to blush and make her light-headed.

"Kari I told you not to worry, it doesn't matter ok?" But Hikari wouldn't give up so easily; she continued to stroke her cold fingers against his black eye.

"No TK, it does matter, why can't you tell me? Unless…." She broke off a new thought entering her mind. "Unless it's someone I know…. Is it?" He went quiet, avoiding her piercing gaze. "Oh my god it is! Who could it have… oh god… it was Tai wasn't it?" She waited for an answer but Takeru remained silent. Her face turned from pink to scarlet as she put the two together; her temper was rising again and Takeru knew he wouldn't be able to stop it if she lost it. He took her chin and forced her to focus on him.

"When I say don't worry about it, listen to me. It's no big deal. He was just looking out for you I guess…. In a weird, violent way… but like I said I've had worse, I don't even notice it. Take a breath Kari, it's fine." Her face was outraged; she couldn't believe he was taking this so calmly.

"How can you even say that? He's just being an ass! He doesn't even know you and he socks you in the face because you're a friend of mine! God when I see him again I'm going to wallop him so hard that---" She was interrupted by a large hand covering her mouth, forcing the words back into her mouth. Her eyebrows furrowed together as Takeru forced her to be silent and calm down.

"Seriously Kari, am I going to have to do this the entire way to school? My arms going to ache if I do; so just please drop it ok? Believe me if he tries it again he'll be worse off then I'll be, I can almost guarantee that." Hikari's shoulders slackened and she nodded, he took his hand away from her mouth; not before trailing his index finger from her forehead to her throat making her skin burn under him.

"On one condition: promise me that the next time anything like this happens you'll tell me. Hopefully there won't be a next time." He agreed and she looped her hand through his as they made their way to school. Their morning classes went by quickly, nobody commented on Takeru's shiner and time passed uneventfully. Lunchtime came around and Daisuke came up to her in the line-up to give her a solid kiss while attempting to slide his hand up her shirt again. She forced his hands to his sides again, Takeru's words from last night ringing through her head; "How can you stand him treating you in such a manipulative way? Like a pet rather then a person?" The rest of lunchtime she sat between Takeru and Daisuke, trying to stop Dai from reaching his hands up her skirt; something she was aware that Takeru definitely noticed. Every time he tried to force a hand up her leg he could see Takeru stiffen from the corner of her eye. When everyone left for their various classes, Hikari walked with the boys to their gym class holding Daisuke's hand. Before they reached the change room door He grabbed her and pulled her to the side to crush his lips to hers; she felt his hand squeeze her ass massaging it gently. Hikari heard the locker room door thud close, pulling back and she looked sceptically at him, his response was for him to scowl.

"What?" he said, looking annoyed. "Am I not allowed to kiss my girlfriend in public anymore?"

"It's not that, it's just why do you have to be so pushy about it?"

"You've never complained before. Is your stupid new friend TG jealous or something?"

"No and it's TK. I've just never said anything about it before, why can't you respect that?" Dai's face grew more irritated, his colour rising.

"Well it's not exactly like we've spent any time together in the last few weeks!"

"And by spend time you mean having sex? No we haven't because you went on a basketball trip, and that's not my fault."

"I had to go on that trip, but what is your fault is not wanting to spend last night together! So you could spend time with your new bestie. If I didn't know better I'd say you guys have become chummy since I've been gone; and I mean in a more-than-just-friends way." She sneered at him, loathing him in that instant.

"Wow, obviously you don't know me very well since you're even suggesting that I'd cheat on you. Okay how about this, since you think I'm such a cheater, I'm going to walk away right now and you can think long and hard about how insulting that was." With that she yanked her hand out of his and sauntered away, fuming, leaving him glaring after her.

~TPOV~

Changing into his uniform, Takeru thought about what he'd just witnessed; he'd seen Hikari kissing Daisuke again, as if she'd never even heard a word he said to her last night. He was a little upset but he guessed that she was too far-gone to really listen to anything he suggested. As he slipped on his jersey he heard stomping and looked up to see Daisuke beet red and extremely furious. Takeru unknowingly gaped at him, had they gotten into a fight? Had they broken up? His heart pounded harder at the last thought; then Daisuke looked up and saw him staring, he strode over to him and grabbed Takeru's jersey slamming him hard against the metal behind him.

"I don't know what they hell you've been doing to my girlfriend but it stops now." He wound his fist back and released, aiming for his injured eye. Takeru moved with swift speed, ducking to the side, making Daisuke slam his fist into the hard locker. He yelped and grasped at his hand, his breathing was shallow and rushed; Takeru then turned and strode into the gym, leaving Daisuke whimpering in pain.

The rest of practice was mainly uneventful since Daisuke had been sent to the infirmary to get his hand checked out; he told coach that something closed the locker door on his had been particularly pleased to hear the real story from Takeru, but the rest of the team huddled together, whispering and glaring. Although the teammates seemed to purposefully pass him the ball went he wasn't looking (at his head) or trip him during drills. He did his best to ignore it but after another painful hit to the head he was starting to get annoyed. Hudson consoled him, giving him a pat on the back

"Ah don't worry, they're just doing their usual hazing thing. Although they seem more intent on hurting you as appose to normally scaring people off. But that is what happens if you majorly piss of Dai. Sorry bud, you'll just have to ride it out." Takeru was glad when practice was finally over and he hit the showers; he shampooed and lathered, getting all the tension out of his body. When he turned the water off and wrapped his towel around his waist, he stepped out into the locker area to find it completely deserted; as well as all his clothing gone. He sighed and called out for Hudson, but no response. He gripped his towel around his waist tighter and peeked his head out the foor into the hallway; good thing was that class hadn't gotten out yet, and Hikari was waiting (for Daisuke he guessed), he whistled at her to get her attention. She started and looked around to see Takeru half naked and dripping wet. Her chocolate eyes grew as large as saucepans as she took in his toned abdomen and large peck muscles; in spite of himself he blushed at her gaping.

"Ummm…. Hey, so I know this is really weird but I need you to find Hudson or Coach Hounsou for me? Please?" She was still goggling at his bare chest as she nodded and dragged out her phone blindly. Hikari finally snapped back to focus when Hudson picked up her phone call.

"Hey Hudson…. Hmmm…. Yeah I'm good, I was just wondering if you could come back to the change rooms TK needs you…. I'm not sure why, but I'm guessing it's important…. Okay thanks so much" She hung up and looked up at Takeru, still trying not to stare. "He'll be here in a minute or two. May I ask why you need him and why you're not in uniform? I mean I know you're a rebellion and everything but…" She trailed off again gazing at him, he flushed again as he realized that he was completely naked other then the towel he held with one hand.

"Well you're boyfriend is a funny guy and decided to tell my team mates to take away all my clothes while I was showering." Hikari sighed, frowning; she knew Dai was possessive and now he was marking his territory.

"I'm sorry, he's just in a really bad mood today." His tranquil blue eyes locked onto her mahogany ones rendering her breathless.

"Mm-hm? And why would be? You two seemed pretty cosy after lunch." Takeru tried hard to contain his emotions, something he was normally extremely good at, but around Hikari he was always caught off his guard. She blanched and glared at him, her eyes piercing him.

"What's your problem? Why do you care what I do anyways?"

"I wish I knew…" he mumbled as Hudson reached them, gym bag over his shoulder.

"Hey guys! Oh wow TK, I know you don't like the uniform but this is a little over board don't you think?" He grinned, struggling not to laugh as Takeru glared at him. "Let me guess, Dai took your clothes while you were in the shower?" He nodded curtly and Hudson let out a booming laugh. "Wow he really needs to get some original ideas, don't worry man you're not the first person he's done this to." He handed Takeru a spare uniform, "but really, what did you expect after what you did to him before practice, I bet he has a price on your head now; although I think he already did." He glanced over at Hikari meaningfully; she ignored Hudson and looked at Takeru curiously.

"What did you do to him? You didn't get in a fight with him too did you?" Takeru snorted shaking his head from side to side.

"No you're lovely boyfriend decided to take a swing at me, and I ducked to the side to avoid him and he ended up slamming his fist into the locker behind me." Hudson laughed along with Takeru, meanwhile Hikari frowned at him.

"Well that wasn't a very nice thing to do."

"What? So I was suppose to let him punch me in the face? I apologize if I didn't want a matching black eye to go with this one." He pointed at Tai's handiwork, shaking his head in disbelief.

"No but you could have talked to him you know."

"You don't think I tried that? But he was majorly pissed off when he came in, he wasn't exactly in the right frame of mind to reason with." Takeru face grew hot with agitation; I can't believe she's siding with that asshole. She opened her mouth to reply when a large group of senior girls flowed out of a nearby classroom and walked past Takeru, gaping openly at his bare chest and toned abs. Hudson chuckled again while Hikari shot daggers making the girls scurry away.

"Dude with a bod like that you'll have a girlfriend in no time, especially once those girls spread the word." Takeru avoided Hikari's eyes as he pulled the shirt on covering his back, but unable to close the buttons. She sighed, after smartly fastening them she threw the tie over his neck and pulled his head down to tie it artfully.

"I'll wait for you here TK, go get changed so we're not late for bio ok?" He nodded his thanks to Hudson who was still chuckling (he wasn't sure why) and retreated into the room to change.

Three minutes later he remerged fully clothed and they trotted off to the lab preparing for their fetal pig dissection in class. They spend their last two classes joking and chatting with each other, fights and boyfriend forgotten. When the day came to an end, they walked out of the class to see Daisuke leaning with his back to the wall, his right hand in a tenser bandage. He glared maliciously at Takeru and grabbed Hikari roughly dragging her towards him. This time she resisted, trying to pull away, she yelped in pain as he squeezed her arm refusing to let her go.

"Dai let go! You're hurting me!" She squirmed with no luck of budging; he didn't let go but instead pulled her harder. Takeru grabbed his hand, prying his fingers off her, his face dangerously cold as he spoke.

"Let her go. Now. Or when I pull you're fingers off of her, I'll pull them until they break backwards." Hikari had never heard his voice so acidic, Daisuke faltered and shoved her backwards making her trip and stumble. Takeru caught her around the waist and held her tightly to him.

"Are you okay?" he whispered into her ear, tickling her neck and making her shiver; she nodded. He straightened her up, glaring at the brunette then lead Hikari to the front door without looking back. He heard a thud as he guessed that Daisuke had just hit something (and hopefully not someone) and kept leading Hikari out, his hand gently guiding her on her lower back out the front doors.

~KPOV~

The entire walk was quiet, neither talking; it wasn't at all awkward Hikari was just thinking and Takeru let her, to which she was the utmost grateful. Tonight they went to Takeru's condo to work on their homework, Hikari had been stubborn on the fact that Tai was suppose to be home tonight; she didn't want Tai to hurt Takeru again. They walked arm in arm through the park and straight into the glass doors of his building. The elevator rose to the twelfth floor and he lead her down the hall to an unmarked brown door, he slid the key in and turned the knob opening to a small warm sunshine yellow hallway. As Hikari pulled off her boots she gazed around in wonder; Takeru's condo was about a sixth of the size of her home but it radiated a homely feeling that Hikari's lacked.

As she walked into the living room she noticed that instead of impersonal photos of cities or flowers, there were photos of Takeru, Yamato and his mother standing with Mickey Mouse in Tokyo Disneyland; he looked about five years old. Another photo of Takeru in a purple and white jersey making a lay-up in a basketball game. They mesmerized her; photos of his mother, his brother or all of them together, out for dinner or school photos. There was one professional shot of Matt with his band "The Teenage Werewolves" surrounded by bright lights and screaming fans. The living room was small but cosy; a white L-shaped sofa sat in front of a moderately sized flat screen, a vase with stargazer lilies was perched on a mahogany table beside the couch. She strolled over and pressed her nose into the sweet smelling vibrant flowers, inhaling deeply; they were her absolute favourite kind, her parents would never buy them because if the pollen dropped it would stain any fabric it landed on.

She straightened up and found Takeru leaning one shoulder on the wall, looking at her curiously. She blushed when their eyes met and tilted her head to the side.

"What?" Hikari felt self-conscious as he continued to stare at her. He chuckled, shaking his head, his body shaking with laughter.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." He pursed his lips in a restrained smile, his eyes dancing. "Come on, let's get started already." He motioned for her to follow him down the hall a few feet; on the left was a small tidy bedroom with white sheets and a women's business suit laid out, she guessed it was his mother's room.

"Where's your mother? And your brother?" She pointed at the door, he shrugged and turned to the right where a white door stood before them, he opened it.

"My mom goes away on business trips, she mainly works out of Sendai but she has to commute out there; she spends anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. I don't know why she had to move here if she spends all her time there. I think she really wanted me to go to Odaiba, although I'm not sure why. And Matt, well he's at University and rooms with his band mates just off campus. He comes home once a week or so when he gets a chance." The room they walked into was a moderately sized millet coloured room with a few windows behind a queen-sized bed. His covers were navy and silver and one side of his bed pressed against a wall. Surprisingly it was very tidy, no clutter or clothes on the floor like Dai's room had, but a dry-mounted poster of Michael Jordan making a slam-dunk. Other than that there were a few photos of Matt or a couple pictures from his old school.

He grabbed a silver Macbook similar to her own and gestured for her to sit down someone; she plopped her backpack onto the floor next to the bed and hopped up onto the soft covers sitting cross legged. The bed was higher up then a normal bed so she felt taller then usual; Takeru dropped his bag next to hers and slid to the floor in front of her. She playfully hit him over his blonde head when he tickled her bare foot dangling over the bed. They spent the evening finishing their calc homework and bio lab report together, the silence they had before dissipated and soon enough they were back to their usual bickering and talking.

Author's Note:

Okay so there it was! I hope it was worth the wait! I'll update as soon as I get the amount of reviews (no reviews, no updates).

Please give me feedback on what you liked or suggestions for future chapters!

Thank you for all the readers who left reviews! :D