#trilea

Hikari pressed her face to the train window as it gradually began to slow, while Takeru leaned over her, trying to catch the view ahead.  Across from them, Jou was also turned towards their destination with a little apprehension in his posture.  Yamato sat on Jou’s other side, his arms crossed over his chest as he leaned back in the seat, watching the other three’s expressions.

The journey to visit their grandmother in Shimane was always long, but Yamato appreciated the changing scenery from bustling city to quiet countryside.  It was a time when he could relax and let his mind wander.  His eyes settled on Takeru and Hikari’s partners sleeping in the luggage rack above their heads.  The battle against the Digimon Kaiser had taken a toll on all of them, so really, he shouldn’t have been surprised when Takeru invited Hikari to join them.  He felt a little guilty for not inviting Taichi instead, but seeing Jou’s relaxed expression as they pulled into the station made Yamato feel he’d made the right choice.  He’d make it up to Taichi some other time.

By the time they reached Kino’s village, it was already late in the day.  The summer sun was just beginning to touch the tops of the trees rooted high on the hills.  Yamato aimed to pick up the pace when Takeru’s voice stopped him.

“Hikari?”

Yamato and Jou turned around to see that the younger two had stopped.  Takeru and the Digimon were observing Hikari with concern.  Yamato followed her line of sight towards an abandoned shrine at the top of one of the hills.  It was something that Yamato barely remembered passing by when he and Takeru had visited previously, however the sight of it now filled him with a familiar feeling of dread that he couldn’t quite place.

Hikari broke away first, apologising for becoming distracted.  As she and Takeru walked ahead, Yamato found his gaze lingering just a bit longer.

“You ok?”

Yamato was startled by Jou lightly bumping shoulders with him.  Flushing with embarrassment, he stuttered out an apology.  Jou laughed.

“It’s not like you to get so distracted.”  Then he continued in a more serious tone, “Is something wrong?”

Yamato spared one more glance towards the shrine before moving to follow the younger Chosen.

“I’m fine, just,” Yamato paused, trying to put his thoughts together.  “Looking at it… it feels dark and heavy.” A breathless laugh. “Sorry, I just haven’t felt that in a while.”

Yamato didn’t bother looking at Jou as they continued walking. He didn’t want to see his friend’s concern. Yamato was fine, really.  In fact, he felt much better than when he was younger. Even his father’s late nights didn’t bother him the way they did in the past.

“Are you sure nothing’s bothering you?  Are your grades ok?”

This time it was Yamato’s turn to laugh.  “Now you’re projecting, Jou.”

Jou didn’t seem all that convinced, but didn’t push the topic further.  Yamato matched his friend’s pace and lightly bumped shoulders, returning the earlier gesture.

“Thanks.”

The two shared a smile and together picked up their pace until they were closer behind Takeru and Hikari.

Takeru always liked visiting their grandparents’ houses.  It was the only time he and Yamato could pretend they were still living in the same household.  Grandma Kino was losing both her hearing and her sight, but she was still very independent and was always a generous host.

“You boys are growing up so fast,” she crowed.  “I’m glad to meet some of your friends this year.”

“Grandma, this is Hikari,” he introduced at a loud enough volume to be considered shouting if it wasn’t for his polite tone.

“Inari?”

“No, Hikari. Like the “light of the moon”, Hikari.”

“Oh, Hikari!” She beamed at the female Chosen.  “You need to speak more clearly, Takeru, you know my hearing isn’t what it used to be.”

Takeru gave Hikari a look of resigned hopelessness.  Hikari stifled her giggles behind her hand as Yamato took pity on them.

“Grandma, this is Jou. We met at summer camp a few years ago.”

Jou greeted her politely.

“Nice to meet you Kou.”

Takeru smirked at his older brother’s pained expression.

Grandma Kino turned to lead them to their rooms.  It was the same ritual every year, but Takeru liked the tradition even when their rooms never changed.

“Hiroaki didn’t tell me you were bringing pets, Takeru.  They can stay in your rooms if they’re clean, but no sitting up at the table.”

Hikari and Takeru stopped in their tracks.  They were going to pretend their partners were stuffed animals as they normally did. However, the looks from Patamon and Tailmon implied they would be much happier not having to remain completely still. With a sigh, Takeru accepted the new turn of events.

“Of course, Grandma.”

Yamato and Jou finished laying out the last of their belongings in relative silence.  Above the shuffling and creaking of the house, they could hear Takeru and Hikari’s enthusiastic chatter with their partners. Yamato paused, having finally worked up the courage to vocalise what had bothered him.

“Do you remember the Dark Cave?”

Jou placed his last item down deliberately.  

“The place we ended up with Sora and Takeru when fighting the Dark Masters?”

Yamato could tell from his friend’s tone that Jou knew exactly what he was talking about.  Their eyes met.

“When we stopped. Looking up at that shrine gave me the same feeling.” Yamato ran a hand through his hair. “I just didn’t connect the pieces until now.”

He stood up and shrugged his shoulders – as if that would make the problem go away.  He slid open the door to their room and looked back at Jou.

“Anyway, I’m gonna make dinner now.”

Before he could get very far, Yamato heard Jou get up and follow him to the kitchen.

“Do you think it’s something we should investigate?”

They walked into the main living area where Grandma Kino was sitting with a cup of tea.  Without acknowledging Jou’s question, Yamato kept his attention on her, offering to prepare dinner for the five of them. Although she protested at first, Grandma Kino showed them where everything in the kitchen was (Yamato remembered from last year, but knew this was her way of thanking him).  Jou stayed with Yamato in the kitchen, even as Grandma Kino went back to her tea.

“You don’t need to help me. I brought you here to get some time away from school and chores.”

Jou pulled out a chopping board and grinned at Yamato.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on vacation, too?  For me, cooking is a novelty, but you do it all the time!”

Yamato pouted.  “I like cooking.”

“I’m sure you wouldn’t mind a helper, though,” Jou countered good-naturedly.

Yamato thought back to the last time Jou ‘helped’ in the kitchen and tried to keep a nonchalant tone. “I don’t mind working alone.”

Jou took the vegetables over to the sink and began washing them.  “Hey, I’m actually not that bad in the kitchen when Pico-Devimon isn’t trying to sabotage me every day.”

“I didn’t mean…”

Jou slapped Yamato on the back in good humour.  “Let me help you out then.”

A sigh.  “All right, then.”

Jou resumed preparing the vegetables with a smile on his face, while Yamato sliced up the meat on a clean chopping board.  “Besides, you didn’t answer my question.  I figure this is an easy place to corner you.”

Yamato chuckled, then glanced over at Jou, who caught his eye.  He could clearly see his friend’s concern.

“I’ve never noticed that place before.  If Hikari hadn’t stopped,” he trailed off.

“Hikari has always been a bit different, hasn’t she?”

Yamato placed the meat in the sizzling pan and watched as it slowly changed colour.

“Yeah.”

Takeru glanced over to Hikari in concern for what felt like the hundredth time, however she continued to order her belongings as if she wasn’t being carefully watched.  She seemed to be acting as if everything was fine. They had sat outside and talked about the Digital World and school for a while before deciding to unpack their bags. Takeru was still trying to find a way to broach what had happened on their way to Grandma Kino’s.

“You’ll never finish unpacking if you just sit there staring,” Tailmon commented from where she was curled up on the walkway just outside their room.

The open door to their room was letting in a warm summer breeze, but also allowed Patamon and Tailmon to watch them from the sun-soaked deck as Takeru and Hikari unpacked their clothes.

Hikari brought up a hand to hide the smile that crept onto her face, although it couldn’t mask her giggles.

Takeru puffed out his cheeks dramatically.  However, the sudden weight of Patamon landing on his head caused him to lose his balance a little, adding to Hikari’s laughter.  Tailmon turned away with a roll of her eyes, but Takeru knew her well enough – she didn’t want him to see her smile at his and his partner’s antics.

“I’m fine, Takeru,” Hikari reassured him.

“You sure?  We’re supposed to be on vacation.  I want you to enjoy yourself.”

She smiled at him and stood up, walking out to where Tailmon was curled up.  “Thank you for inviting me, Takeru.”

Anything they wanted to say was cut off by Yamato’s call to dinner.

“I’d like to visit that shrine tomorrow, if no one minds.”

Yamato finished chewing his latest bite before replying, “Why not?”

“I’d be interested,” Jou added.

Takeru glanced between the three, his eyes finally resting on Hikari.  She had the stubborn look on her face that Takeru remembered before she was pulled into the Dark World.  He doubted that he would be able to persuade them to go anywhere else without giving away his unease.  “Fine.”

Hikari beamed at him and Takeru attempted to return it, but his smile felt forced.  He and Hikari offered to clean up after the meal, but his brother and Jou stuck around to chat.  And after that, Hikari excused herself to bed before Takeru could voice his misgivings.  She was definitely avoiding him.

As Patamon dozed next to him, Takeru looked up at the darkened ceiling.  Hikari was sleeping with Tailmon, who was softly snoring, curled up at her partner’s feet.  He hoped he was wrong to worry about tomorrow.

Takeru took in big gulps of air when they finally reached the top of the steps.  He was used to sprinting in basketball, not walking up mountainsides.  Frustratingly, his brother looked completely unfazed by the climb and was already helping Jou catch his breath.  Hikari reached the top last, panting as Tailmon sprinted ahead to climb one of the taller structures.  Patamon launched himself from Takeru’s head to join her.

“Do you see anything?”

Patamon flew higher to get a better view.  “It would help if we knew what we were looking for.”

Silently, the Chosen broke into two groups – Yamato with Hikari and Jou with Takeru.  

The complex must have been important a long time ago.  Everywhere they looked, another path could be seen through the overgrown trees and bushes leading to another part of the site.  Takeru pushed back the branches of one path, reluctant to move too far away from Hikari and his brother.

“You know, I didn’t feel it at first, but if you concentrate this place does give off the same sense of foreboding.”

Takeru frowned at Jou’s statement, which seemed to be more to himself than Takeru.

“What do you mean?”

Judging from his surprised expression, Jou hadn’t realised he’d voiced his thoughts out loud.

“Oh,” Jou glanced around as if looking for the correct words.  “Just what Yamato said about this place feeling like the Dark Cave.”

“The Dark Cave?”

“Yeah, remember when Sora fell down that hole and it turned out it was her own negative feelings that created the place?”

Takeru felt as if a stone had just been dropped into his stomach.  He didn’t really remember much from that time, other than fearing for Sora when she disappeared and his relief when Yamato arrived with Jou to save the day. He hadn’t felt the darkness there, just as he hadn’t sensed the Dark World before it had dragged Hikari away...

His train of thought was broken when Hikari’s scream pierced the deathly silence.

“Hikari!”

He sprinted towards the sound, with Patamon and Jou behind him.  Sprinting through the bushes, Takeru found Yamato and Hikari standing behind Tailmon, who was between them and a fox-looking creature with blood matted into her golden-yellow fur, her teeth bared as if ready to fight.

“Renamon.” Patamon immediately identified the digimon in front of them.  

“So the Digimon Kaiser has sent more of his cronies to kill me.”  She attempted to stand, but the injuries to her legs seems to be preventing her from moving without severe pain.

“We’re not with the Kaiser,” said Takeru.

“Then why do your digivices resemble his,” she asked, pointing to Hikari’s device.

Yamato calmly stepped forward, putting himself between Renamon and Hikari.  Slowly he unbuckled his own digivice and presented it to her.

“We’re trying to stop him, same as you.”

Renamon’s eyes fell on the Holy Device.  She clearly didn’t trust them, but she sat back, no longer ready to spring and attack them at a moment’s notice.  

“Let me patch up your wounds,” Jou offered, holding his bag in front of him which most-likely contained a first aid kit.

“Not here.”

Everyone’s attention turned to Hikari, who was looking into the forest beyond the shrine.  Takeru followed her gaze and sucked in a sharp breath.

Casting a harsh shadow over the old complex, a Dark Tower pierced the sky.  It shimmered in the sunshine, almost as if it was a mirage. Takeru walked towards Hikari and noticed it seemed to become more solid as he did.

“Is that how you got here,” Hikari softly asked Renamon.

“A tear between our worlds.” Tailmon watched the Dark Tower warily.

“The Kaiser’s underlings could return at any time,” Renamon warned them.  “And not all of them fear the light.”

Renamon was unable to move on her own, so Yamato carried her on his back as Jou kept an eye on the worst of her injuries.  Hikari lingered a moment longer, with Takeru by her side before she finally turned to follow the older Chosen back to the house.

Renamon kneeled calmly on the wooden walkway outside Takeru and Hikari’s room as Jou bandaged up the last of her wounds.  Yamato watched them with his arms folded across his chest.  Renamon looked much better now that the excess blood had been washed out of her fur.  He glanced up at the afternoon sun.  They still had a few more hours until sunset, although dark clouds seemed to be gathering overhead.

“What should we do now?”

Yamato met his younger brother’s eyes, but before he could respond, Hikari stood up, looking determined.

“We need to destroy that tower.”

“We only have Patamon and Tailmon and no computer to call for back-up,” Takeru reasoned.

Jou sat back.  “What I want to know is how that Dark Tower ended up in Shimane in the first place.”

“The Dark Towers weaken the Digital World’s protections.  It appears as if the Digimon Kaiser wishes to break the barriers between our worlds,” Renamon explained.

“Why would he do that?”

“Travelling between the worlds would be a lot easier,” Yamato mused.

The Digimon and humans jumped a little as thunder rumbled nearby.  Yamato turned his attention to Renamon.

“How long have you been able to get to Shimane?”

Renamon matched his posture. “The tear comes and goes, but it has been several weeks since I first laid eyes on your world.”

“Then a day won’t make much of a difference.”  From the corner of his eye, he could see Hikari about to protest.  “The forecast is for rain, so it will be dark this evening. It would be better for us to come up with a plan and go in the morning when it’s light.”

“Agreed,” Renamon began with a nod of her head.  “It will take some time for us to destroy the Dark Tower even if there are no enemies waiting for us.”

Tailmon put her paws on Hikari’s legs.  “We’ll fight tomorrow.”

Hikari sighed, knowing she was outvoted.  Yamato understood her concern, but he also didn’t want them charging in unprepared when they couldn’t call for back-up.

As predicted, the storms continued into the evening, with lightning illuminating the sky every-so-often. After dinner, the five humans played games late into the night until Takeru was almost falling asleep on his brother’s shoulder.

“You kids should get some sleep.  I’ll clean up tonight.”

Takeru groaned a little when Yamato moved to protest, but Grandma Kino insisted.

“I manage to take care of myself just fine out here.  After such a lovely meal, I can’t expect you to clean up as well.  Get to bed, all of you!”

Takeru and the others thanked her and shuffled to bed.  Jou had already snuck out some plates of food for the Digimon while Yamato had been dishing up.

Takeru barely remembered brushing his teeth and getting ready for bed, but he perked up a little when he noticed Hikari was not crawling into bed with the same enthusiasm he was.  In fact, she wasn’t even in the room.  Without making too much sound, he crept to the edge of the room and gently cracked open the door.

Hikari was sat with her back against one of the wooden supports, looking out over the garden. The rain had stopped momentarily and the moon peaked out from behind the clouds as they slowly tracked across the sky. She looked completely lost in thought.

“Hikari won’t talk to me about it,” Tailmon confessed in a whisper as she joined him by the door.

Takeru jumped a little, having not heard Tailmon’s approach.

“The Dark World?”

Tailmon nodded.  “She sees things we don’t, but doesn’t want to trouble anyone.”

“I wish she would trouble me.”

Tailmon didn’t say anything, but he knew she wished the same from her partner.

Somehow the walk up the steps in the early morning light was even tenser than it had been yesterday.  The storm had passed through overnight.  Grandma Kino had insisted on making breakfast, which Yamato had been grateful for, even though he and Jou had to pretend to be much hungrier than they actually were in order to squirrel away enough for the digimon as well.  

Renamon appeared to be much better compared to when they found her.  Jou had made sure to check her wounds thoroughly, but most had already healed.  She walked confidently ahead of them as they reached the top of the steps.

The Dark Tower was barely a smudge in the morning light, but as the Chosen and digimon walked around the site, it became much more visible through the tear.  Yamato saw the grass and sky of the Digital World and felt a pang of longing for Gabumon.  If only they had a way of contacting their partners.

As they approached, Yamato could finally see their enemies – two Tyranomon and a Monochromon, each with a dark ring controlling them.  Renamon tensed, her ears falling back as she flexed her claws.

“Renamon, are you able to distract them for us,” Takeru asked politely.

Yamato watched as Renamon seemed to take stock of Patamon and Tailmon.  

“Are you sure that’s wise?”

“Don’t worry.” Hikari pulled out her D3.  “We have a secret weapon.”

Before Renamon could question them, Patamon and Tailmon armour-evolved into Pegasmon and Nefertimon.  Renamon nodded in understanding and calmly walked towards the three Adult digimon.  

“I think I’ll go back her up,” Yamato offered, already walking towards the Digital World.

At Takeru’s horrified expression, Yamato put a hand on his younger brother’s shoulder.

“You worry about taking down that Dark Tower.  We’ll make sure you don’t have any distractions.”  He walked away from the rest of the group, towards danger. “Don’t worry,” he added with a grin, “I’ve had lots of practice.”

He didn’t wait for a response before stepping into the Digital World.  It felt strange walking from one world into the next and it felt different from travelling through the computer – like he was pushing through a weak screen to get to the other side.  The two Tyranomon were already chasing after Renamon, who was leading them further away from the Tower.  

“Guess it’s you and me,” he said to the Monochromon.

The Monochromon put its head down and Yamato took off in a sprint.  He knew the digimon would catch up to him eventually – Yamato just hoped Takeru and Hikari would destroy the Dark Tower before then.

Yamato skidded to the side just as Monochromon caught up to him, sending the digimon careening past him. It bellowed in frustration just as Yamato heard a loud crack.  He looked towards the noise.  The Dark Tower had been severely damaged.

“Renamon evolve to Kyubimon!”

Blue flames shot over Yamato’s shoulder, hitting the Monochromon.  It bellowed in agony, giving Yamato more time to put some distance between them.  He glanced over to his saviour, who had already dispatched the Dark Rings from the Tyranomon.  Behind her, the Tower fell for the final time.

“You didn’t tell us you could evolve.”

Kyubimon snorted. “Unlike your partners, most of us cannot evolve at someone’s command.  I have been storing up energy for some time, but the Kaiser’s Dark Towers prevented me from evolution.”

“I see.”

“Hikari, what’s wrong?”

Yamato and Kyubimon turned towards the others.  Takeru was hovering over Hikari, who was clutching her head as if in pain.  They reached the younger Chosen Children just as Jou reached Hikari’s other side.

“It’s coming!”

Kyubimon dropped her head close to the ground, her tails fanned out behind her and her teeth bared at the ruins of the Dark Tower.  Suddenly, water began spilling in from cracks in the air.

Yamato took a step away, but it wasn’t far enough to stop the strangely grey water from sloshing over his shoes.  He felt a wave of despair not unlike what he had felt in the Dark Cave years ago. Before he could process it, though, a loud screech filled the sky, which was joined by more ear-piercing screams.

Yamato covered his ears to try and block out some of the horrific noise.  He opened his eyes enough to see the others, who were covering their ears in a similar fashion.  Dark objects were moving from the cracks towards them.  They could barely move, let alone run from whatever was coming.

“Patamon evolve to Angemon!”

The dark objects halted at the light radiating from Angemon as he hovered above the Chosen Children. The screeching also eased, allowing Yamato to focus on their enemy more clearly.

Over a dozen Evilmon surrounded them, with Kyubimon, Nefertimon and Angemon forming a loose protective circle around the children.  The height of the waves spilling over was increasing so that Yamato had to wade over to the other three.

“We have to stop them and seal the gate!”

Hikari looked around her, her expression filling with anguish.  

“But they’re not being controlled.”

Just as one of the Evilmon made a move towards the children, a beam of light struck it, causing the Evilmon to burst into data.  Yamato felt some relief cut through the despair.  

Angemon’s actions seemed to be the catalyst the rest of the Evilmon needed to attack.  Yamato and Jou flanked Takeru and Hikari as his brother pulled her away from the battle.  It didn’t take long for the Evilmon to be destroyed, especially with Angemon on their side.  Slowly, the water receded and the Dark World vanished.  Yamato released a breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding.  The feeling of hopelessness had retreated with the waves.

Takeru observed Hikari carefully as Tailmon leapt into her partner’s arms.  Hikari caught Takeru’s eye and smiled, despite the obvious strain. They’d pushed back the darkness for now.

“With the Dark Tower destroyed, the tear between our worlds should be able to heal itself.”  Kyubimon stepped towards the children.  “Until that time, I’ll stay and guard it to make sure the Digimon Kaiser and his minions do not erect another Tower to disrupt the balance.”

The Chosen said their goodbyes as they stepped through into their own world.  Takeru glanced back only for a moment and already noticed that the Digital World looked much less clear than it had earlier.  He hoped the window between their worlds closed soon.

The four Chosen trudged back to Grandma Kino’s house, each feeling fatigue for different reasons. Takeru hugged Patamon a little tighter as the sun shone overhead.  The darkness from earlier was already beginning to feel like a distant memory.

Once again Yamato offered to cook for dinner that evening.  Before Takeru could say anything, Hikari volunteered to accompany his older brother to the shops, leaving Takeru and Jou with Grandma Kino.

“Did you want to talk about it?”

Jou had paused from laying the table and was waiting patiently for a response.  Takeru released a sharp breath.

“I was useless back there.”

Jou laughed.  “I think that should be my line.”  He fixed his eyes on something in the distance.  “I wish Gomamon and I could do more to help you.”

His attention fell back to Takeru.  “But I’m assuming you feel useless for another reason.”

Takeru drew his arms up around his knees as Patamon settled down next to him.

“Hikari won’t talk to me about it.”

“You know you can’t force her, right?”

“I know,” Takeru mumbled into his arms.

“The Dark World… what do you think the Digimon Kaiser’s connection is to it?”

Takeru looked up at Jou. “What do you mean?”

“I suppose I’m just thinking out loud, but it seems strangely coincidental that the Dark Towers are eroding the barriers between our worlds as well as preventing digimon from evolving.”

“You think he wants to make it easier to travel between them?”

“Maybe, but why would he? His D3 must allow him to travel between the Digital World and ours the same as yours do.”  Jou sighed.  “Sorry, none of it makes any sense.”

Takeru frowned.  They were missing something.

Hikari was definitely running away, and from the crestfallen look on his brother’s face when they left, Yamato guessed it was from Takeru.  Yamato was never very good at coaxing people to talk about their feelings and he and Hikari were never close enough for him to try now.  So Yamato walked with her in silence until it almost felt comfortable.

“Sorry I ruined your vacation.”

Of all the things Yamato was expecting Hikari to say, that was not the first thing that came to mind. He almost wished Tailmon had joined them. She at least understood Hikari better than Yamato did.

“What?”

“You and Takeru don’t get much time to spent together and I ended up causing so much trouble…”

Yamato cut her off before she could continue.  “Now that we live in Odaiba, we see each other a lot more compared to the past.  I suppose this trip is special in a way – we don’t get to see our grandma that much during the rest of the year.” Hikari still looked troubled, so he continued.  “Takeru wanted to invite you to give you a break.  I think he feels just as bad that we were pulled into our Chosen Children duties as you do.”

“I’m relieved we could heal the cracks between the worlds.  I wouldn’t have wanted Takeru to deal with that alone.”

“I’m not sure we would’ve discovered the tear without you.”

Hikari looked surprised as they stepped into the shop.  Yamato picked up a basket, both hoping and dreading she’d continue the conversation.

“I thought you said you could feel the darkness.”

“Yeah.” Yamato picked out the best-looking packets of steak.  “But not very well.  I never would’ve noticed if you hadn’t stopped us.”

They rang up the items at the cashier’s and Yamato paid, while Hikari grabbed the bags.  He shrugged his shoulders, not really wanting to fight over it in the shop.

“You said you’d felt something similar before?” Back at the shrine when they’d split away from Takeru and Jou.

She handed him one of the bags at his silent offer once they were outside.

“Back when we were fighting the Dark Masters.  Sora and I both fell into a place that felt similar to the Dark World.  Takeru and Jou were there too, but it didn’t affect them in the same way.”

“How did you end up there?”

Yamato shrugged, trying to make light of it.  “Oh, the usual: feeling like I wasn’t good enough, crushing responsibility, that kind of stuff.”  He glanced over and noticed she didn’t seem all that impressed with his answer.  “The important bit is that my friends helped me realise that my low opinion of myself was mostly in my head.  People actually like me, which to be honest I still don’t understand.”

Hikari laughed and Yamato was glad to see the smile reaching her eyes.

“I doubt I can offer you anything else how to deal with the darkness, but you should talk to Takeru. Not that he’s going anywhere, considering how long he’s put up with my behaviour over the years, but I know he’d appreciate hearing some of the things you’ve told me.”

Yamato was glad when her smile didn’t diminish, even as her expression became more thoughtful.  

They walked in comfortable silence the rest of the way back.

Takeru cracked a grin when Yamato presented him his plate with an unnecessary flourish.  He gladly accepted it, as well as his grandmother’s further offer of tea.  He was so distracted that he almost completely missed Hikari siding up to him.

Without acknowledging him, she accepted a plate from Yamato.  Takeru couldn’t quite hide his disappointment.

“Thank you.”

Her words were so quiet, Takeru found his head snapping back to meet her eyes, just to check he wasn’t imagining them.  Hikari met his gaze and smiled back.

“I thought you were avoiding me.”

“I was, but not because I don’t appreciate what you’ve done for me.”

Takeru remained silent, waiting for her to continue. She took a breath.

“I’m scared.”  

“If they try and take you, I’ll bring you back just like I did last time.”

Hikari smiled at him. “You can’t always protect me, Takeru.”

“Neither can Taichi.”

She looked away.  

“I know,” she acknowledged softly.

“Thank you for inviting me,” she said after a moment.

“Do you really mean that?” Not that Takeru thought she was lying.

She nodded, a genuine smile on her face.  “I’m glad we were able to help Renamon and chase away the darkness.  And it’s nice here.  Hopefully we can have some fun tomorrow.”

Takeru looked over to where Grandma Kino was fussing over his older brother.  A smile slowly spread across his face.