(May 18th, 2010)
So next chapter, I'm trying to kept the updates rolling as fast as I can, so bear with me, I tend do do a spelling check after I post. More Takeri moments? I THINK SO!

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.

CHAPTER 13: Darkness

~KPOV~

The morning sun flooded the room, painting it a pinkish orange colour. For the first time in a long time, Hikari felt completely and utterly safe with Takeru's body wrapped around hers. She couldn't help feeling the strength of the chest she lay against and the muscular arms enveloping her in a protective embrace. She had slept badly, dreaming of that man that attacked her; but every time he came close to her Takeru had battled him away. She didn't want to think of that man or last night when those men cut them off. That tall dark figure that could have gone so much worse to her; she imagined how last night could have ended in a completely different way. She felt a part of her had retreating inside a patch of darkness; but she couldn't think of it, right now she just wanted to lie there. She wasn't sure if Takeru was awake yet, but she didn't in a thousand years want to wake him. The jersey he gave her was pulled down on one shoulder; the same shoulder that Takeru's chin was resting on. She didn't stir in case she woke him, fearing this moment ending and reality settling back in. She shut her eyes letting her senses feel his breath cross her neck and his hair lightly brushed her skin.

Takeru shifted, his muscles flexed around her and he let out a long breath. Still not opening her eyes or moving she faked a slumber, breathing slowly. He rolled a little, gripping her harder to his body and letting the duvet slip down to their elbows. She felt his lips graze the top of her shoulder and work his way towards her neck. She inclined her head a little to the side, exposing more neck to his mouth. His fingers traced up and down her arm leaving a path of fire across her skin. He inhaled, his mouth in her hair, trailing kisses from the top of her head to her collarbone. She tried to continue breathing normally, she knew if he knew that she was awake, he would stop. And the last she wanted was for him to stop. This is so wrong. So very, very wrong. His nose pressed lightly against the back of her shoulder, tugging at the jersey until he reached her shoulder blade. But it feels so right. His warm breath tickled her as he circled her shoulder blade with his nose. She couldn't help it; she shivered and let out a small moan. He felt him stop where he was and pull his face away from her. She twisted in his arms to face him, a shy smile on her lips.

She looked up into his shocked face stared down at his mouth hanging open.

"Kari… I didn't realize... you were…" He struggled for words, his mouth bobbing like a goldfish, she giggled and pressed a finger to his lips.

"Shhhhhhh believe me. Did it sound like I was protesting?" She giggled again and rested her hands on his chest and rubbing her nose into a small patch of hair. She hear him let out his breath in a rush as his arms tightened around her waist crushing her lightly to him. In turn, she pinned her lips to the base of his throat, nipping at it delicately. She could she that he was fighting some internal struggle in his head; so she kissed him gingerly on underside of his jaw line, feeling a little stubble.

~TPOV~

He couldn't think properly with her kissing like that. He knew this was wrong but couldn't bring himself to stop her. Like there was a monster in him and it was hibernating, but now it was wide awake and starving. Her lips slid from his chin up to his ear and started to nibble at the bottom of it. He let out a groan and finally he spoke, his voice was husky and deep.

"Oh god… Kari… what about Dai?"

She giggled into his ear as she snaked her arms around the back of his neck and pulled herself up so they were eye-to-eye. He could feel her soft breasts move up his torso. He glanced down to see them compressed against him, straining in his jersey, forming perfect semi-lunar mounds. He felt a wave of heat move up his body and his breath came as a gasp. She took advantage of his bewilderment to slide him onto his back and roll herself on top, hands still knotted behind his neck. His hands grazed across her butt and give her a small pinch. She pushed upwards as sniggered moving her chest once again towards his face. He swallowed trying to remember the argument he had a second ago. I can't believe you're trying to fight this, the monster was speaking in his head; it seemed like it was the one governing his brain too because one of his hands moved of it's own, working it's way of the back of her jersey towards her slender waist. His fingers trailed up her spine and his rational side was screaming at him. Finally he had to speak up before anything could happen; before the monster in his head took over.

"Kari… What… about… Dai?" He breathed heavily, one of his hands lifted her chin to look him in the eye and the other pinched her wrists together in makeshift handcuffs; he had to stop the fire on his skin she created when her hands moved over him. She sighed, her chocolate eyes pierced him with some emotion his couldn't place.

"I know… I just thought… you like me more than… that" She looked down, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment and his throat tightened as he strained to comfort her.

"I do… Believe me I do. Just you and Dai need to sort things out. Right now, we're friends. Friends" He repeated it again, for his sake not for hers; he needed it to be branded into his head. "Okay? For now, we have to be friends. Otherwise, I may just loose it, looking at you without being able to be with you… Friends." He looked into those gorgeous eyes, hating himself for saying those words to her. She breathed out and nodded,

"You're right TK. I need to talk to Dai, until then… Friends." She leaned over, placing her nose at the base of his throat and breathed in deeply. He in turn rested his head on her head and took in her scent of raspberry and watermelon. She reached up and touched his black eye, which had swelled overnight. He lifted a curly strand of brown hair and gently brushed her neck, noticing purple circles on her throat. He didn't say anything, pulling her up and off the couch; she handed him his shirt from the ground and went into his room to change.

Takeru waited for Hikari at the front door of the apartment, his hands twitching with anticipation; he had no idea how Hikari felt now. God I can't believe I screwed this up. I am such an idiot! He paced slightly, head spinning,

"TK? Ready to go?" She wore the same jacket from last night; he had completely forgotten about their incident. She looked uncomfortable, shuffling a bit; He stepped forward concerned.

"Kari, are you alright? I can get you different clothes if you want."

"No, I think I'm okay." She smiled weakly and took his hand, "Let's go, we're already an hour late." They walked along towards the train station, taking the long route. "You know until you came along, I had a perfect class attendance record. Now look at me! Sleeping in and cutting class! Mr. Thompson will be upset that we missed the class on Paradise Lost. Although Gennai-sensei probably won't even notice…" She rambled on, clutching his hand until they reached school, then she stopped and looked down at their intertwined fingers. He let her hand go and smiled; then the two of them entered the school, not talking anymore.

~KPOV~

It was hard for Hikari to concentrate during his morning classes; Takeru was sitting next to her in each class; sitting so close that their legs brushed against each other and she could smell him. Every minute or so she would glance up at him through her dark lashes, catch his eye then blush scarlet. Finally lunchtime came and they grabbed their lunch trays and started to walk over to their usual table. Hikari was two metres away when she stopped dead in her tracks; she froze, eyes wide. A tall, brunette was sitting in one of the grey chairs around the table, back to her. The figure laughed and all the sudden she was surrounded by darkness; drawn back into a black pit. His hand was gripping her arm, pulling at her. Groping at her shirt, his mouth biting at her neck. She stiffened, trying to fight him off but he was too strong. She was scared, and there was nothing she could do about it.

~TPOV~

"Kar?" Daisuke turned around and stared at the brown haired girl who seemed to be rooted to the spot. Takeru was looking at her; she looked stunned and stuck in place. His veins went cold as he guessed what she was thinking. She was shaking from head to foot as she fixed on Dai, her eyes glazed over. She gasped and her tray clattered to the ground, spraying milk and spaghetti everywhere. Daisuke stood up, his chair screeching against the floor, he dashed over to her waving a hand in front of her face.

"Kar! Kar! Hello?" He turned to Takeru, "What the hell did you do to her? I swear to God I'll kill you if you even laid a finger on her!" He spat into his face and shoved him; Daisuke spun back to her, "Kar? Kar? Can you hear me? Are you okay?" He saw the bruises on her neck and reached over to touch them and she slapped him away.

"Don't touch me. Don't you dare touch me!" Hikari glared at him, tears streaming down her face. He looked bewildered as he gaped at her,

"What? Kar, where did you get those? Did this bastard do this?" His voice was rising again as he pointed to Takeru. Now the entire lunchroom was silent and watching intently. Miyako and the others stood up from the table and walked over slowly; a few feet behind Daisuke. Miyako spoke up, eyes wide with confusion.

"Guys, what's going on here?" Daisuke tried to touch her again and she hit him hard.

"I said, don't touch me." Her eyes were still hard and glassy; Takeru put down his tray and walked slowly over to Hikari.

"Kari, it's okay. We don't have to talk about this…"

"Don't tell her what to do TP, in fact, why don't you go away. Far, Far away and don't come back." He bore down on Takeru's face and noticed his black eye. "In fact, before you leave I'd like to get the name of the guy who gave that, so I could buy him a drink." Hikari was vibrating with fear and rage, her face wet with tears. Daisuke tried to reach her again then she finally lost it; she slapped him across the face and backed up, bending over and crossing her arms across her chest. She was screaming at Daisuke now,

"I SAID DON'T EVER TOUCH ME! LEAVE ME ALONE! Takeru ran over to her and caught her from behind, holding her around the waist.

"Shhhhhh Kari, it's okay. Let's walk away; he'll never hurt you again. I promise I will never let him near you enough to touch you again. I swear on my life. I promise." By now she was sobbing, her whole weight leaned on him, crumpled around his arms. Daisuke looked thoroughly enraged now, beet red with anger; he strode over to them only a few feet away.

"Why the hell are you telling her to stay away from me?" Takeru looked up from Hikari and glared at Daisuke, pure hatred in his eyes.

"You have no idea's what's going on, so I would suggest you stay out of this." He turned back to her and whispered in her ear,

"Do you want to go now?" She nodded then her body went limp as she fainted. Miyako yelled and sprinted over to them.

"Kari? Kari? What the hell is happening here?" She looked from Takeru to Daisuke for answers, Daisuke looked stunned, just staring at the two of them.

"Look I can't… if she wants to say something then that's up to her." He picked her up, sweeping her up into his arms; then he strode out of the silent cafeteria, all eyes watching the door as it closed behind them.

~KPOV~

There was a slow rocking motion, Hikari felt like she was moving but wasn't actually moving herself. Everything was black; she felt cold and empty. The man was walking towards her, an evil smirk on his lips, his face was dark but she could feel his eyes lingering over her like a fresh piece of meat. He lifted his hands as he neared, looking to touch her; to finish what he started. She panicked and her eyes struggled to open; little flecks of light seeped through and she saw bits of colour. She saw the ceiling, her head and legs hung over a set of arms; she tried to lift her head and failed.

"Wha...?" She spoke groggily and twisted from side to side.

"Will you stop moving? You're making it hard for me to walk." She saw a face, surrounded with light; the most angelic face. A wave of warmth slid over her, filling her with that same sense of safety she had felt that morning. The blurry feeling left and her eyes cleared, they were moving down the hall towards the infirmary. Her hand reached up and grabbed a fitful of his shirt, yanking on it until he looked down at her again. She stammered as she looked for the right word.

"St-t-t-op. Stop." He stopped and looked expectantly at her.

"Is there a reason why you're telling me to stop?"

"Where are you taking me? I want you to put me down. I'm fine. Really"

"I'm taking you to the nurse" He looked worried, "and you're not fine, you passed out back there." Her eyes rolled slightly back into her head as darkness started to find her again. She lost track of her surroundings for a moment and was only woken up by Takeru shaking her gently.

"Kari! Stay with me! Okay that's it, I'm taking you to the nurse whether you like it or not." He resumed his stride down the hall, ignoring the passing confused looks, until he reached the door labelled "Infirmary". Hikari tried to concentrate on his face but then something hit her and she was in her nightmare again.

~TPOV~

The nurse looked up from her desk then quickly stood up and rushed over. Takeru straightened up to his full height; Hikari still limp in his arms.

"I need a bed, she fainted in the lunchroom." The nurse nodded and directed him over to an empty room with a single bed in it. He threw back the patterned covers and placed her down gently then pulled the covers over her. She hyperventilated when the fabric came in contact with her skin but then Takeru stoked her hair and she calmed herself down into a slumber. Takeru spent the rest of the afternoon at her side while she tossed and turned, talking fitfully in her sleep and covered in a sheen of sweat. He constantly talked to her in a soothing voice and brush her hair; finally after a couple hours he too fell asleep, his head resting beside her agitated body. He too dreamt of last night, but instead of the one being attacked he was rendered helpless as Hikari was tortured in front of his eyes and there was nothing he could do about it. He was awoken to a hand caressing his blonde hair; his head shot up to see Hikari lying on her side, her arm outstretched. His arms shot out ignoring the pull of his injured shoulder and tightly grabbed her hand with both of his; his eyes searched hers as he assessed her current state. There were bags under her eyes, her skin glistened with sweat and her body trembled; she smiled weakly at him and he practically launched himself at her for a hug. She cried into his already crumpled shirt and he let her; then she pulled back and swung her legs over the side of the bed and made to get up.

"Whoa there! Where do you think you're going?" She sniffled and looked at his confused.

"To class of course, where else would I go?" He stared at her incredulously then at the clock on the wall.

"Sorry to disappoint you but school ended over a while ago." She looked surprised and looked at the bed.

"How long was I out for?"

"I'd say about five or so hours." Her eyes widen and gave him a smack over the head.

"You didn't wait for me did you? You did go to practice and class right?" he shook his head, getting a second blow. "You're an idiot! You should have gone to class! I bet coach Hounsou had a huge cake waiting for you too! What on earth were you thinking?"

"I wasn't. And did you really expect me to ditch you after fainting in the lunchroom, let alone what happened last night?" She shuddered and her mahogany eyes strayed from his and she slowly shook her head in agreement. They were silent for a few minutes then he rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. "Do you want to go home now?" Hikari nodded and he pulled her to her feet, handing her coat from the back of the door. He gently placed his hand on her back guiding her out of the door to where the nurse was sitting behind her desk.

"How are you dearie? Feeling Better after a snooze?" Hikari nodded, they both thanked her and marched out the front doors into a slightly drizzling rain. For the most part they didn't feel the need to talk the way home; Hikari clutched Takeru's warm hand like life support. When they reached their station they walked right past the alleyway not evening glancing at it, taking the extra twenty minutes to go around. When they reached Takeru apartment Hikari hesitated, still holding his hand.

"What is it?" He turned towards her, afraid something was wrong.

"Nothing…. It's just… Never mind, it's stupid." He glared at her, tilting her chin so she would look at him.

"There's no question you can ask me that's stupid. I'm not moving until you tell me." She sighed in defeat as he dropped her chin.

"Would you mind staying with me tonight? My parents still aren't home."

"Anything you'd like, do you mind if I grab some clothes first?" He touched her cheek and she slipped her small hand into his large one. Takeru grabbed a duffel bag shoving random clothes in while Hikari waited for him in the hallway. He strode over to where she was standing and she smiled shyly at him; he gave he a reassuring grin. They walked in the brisk air until they reached her tall building, when they got into the elevator they removed their scarves, their faces red from the harsh winds. Hikari pressed her finger and the door swung open to a very quiet condominium. Takeru walked over to the couch to get settled in when Hikari gave him a funny look.

"What?" He tilted his head to the side.

"Won't you be uncomfortable there?" He shook his head staring at her.

"Are you kidding me? This couch is probably more comfortable then my bed, and more expensive too." He joked and she scowled at him, she left and a few minutes later came back with a couple blankets and a pillow. She paused like she was about to say something, the thought better of it and handed them to him.

"Well, good night TK." She turned and headed towards her room.

"Sweet dreams Kari." He said quietly as yanked off his t-shirt and pulled on his navy plaid pajama bottoms; he lay down on the plush sofa and closed his eyes. For few hours everything was still; he tossed and turned unable to sleep, his brain too busy with roaming thoughts. Then he heard a whimper and a scream; he got up in a rush, moving fast towards Hikari's bedroom. He pushed open the door to see her thrashing about, her red duvet twisted about her body.

"NO! Go away! Please just leave us alone!" She sobbed as she fought an enemy only she could see. He hurried over to her and sat on the side on the bed, brushing the back of her hand.

"It's okay. Wake up Kari." He used a calm tone as not to scare her; she bolted up, panting hard. Her spaghetti strap cotton top was wet with perspiration and tears flowed non-stop down her cheeks. He grabbed her frail body, encasing it in his arms; she wept into his bare chest. "It's alright, it was just a nightmare, nobody's here to hurt you. I promised you remember?" She nodded, sobs making her voice shaky as she spoke.

"It… was just so… real… He was there TK… They all were…. It was horrible." He ran his fingers through her hair, her breath steadying into a deeper rhythm.

"I know it was, but nothing's going to happen to you, especially not while I'm around. Now scoot over." She shuffled over in the bed and Takeru slid in lying face-to-face with Hikari; he envelop his arms around her back letting her to continue her crying until she cried herself to sleep. Although it took him another hour before he too joined her, thinking to himself that if he ever saw those men again he would tear them apart for making Hikari go through what she was going through now. As he thought he felt a thousand times better knowing that the least he could do is try to protect her from her feeling this pain.

Author's Note:

I know it's a little dark but I promise that it'll end soon. PLEASE REVIEW!

Keep those reviews coming! (Can we hit 70 soon? I hope so!)