Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Diminished Light: Void's Assault ❯ Decayed Fairytale ( Chapter 1 )

Diminished Light: Void's Assault

Chapter 1

Decayed Fairytale

By

Sailor Janus

 

 

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon and I don't particularly want the first created character you're going to meet. You will understand why as the story moves on.

 

Author's Notes: This story takes place several years in the future so if people seem a bit out of character, there is a reason, but whether they stay that way or not…. I won't say. The other Chosen Children will be featured as well, however they won't show up until a bit later on. But just remember, not everything is as it seems and everything happens for a reason. A lot is going on and has been going on than may first be perceived. I have taken a lot of thought into this story and I've pretty much let the characters do as they wish to the point that it writes itself. Half the time I end up stumbling into the next scene rather than plan it. I'm still trying to figure out why a certain character acts the way he does because lately (I already have several future chapters done) I've been left with my jaw hanging open wondering why. Let's see if you can figure out who it is.

 

Also, if you have previously read this chapter, it's still mostly the same. I have only changed the title and the summary because there is a lot more going on than expected. And taken out more of the dub references. (I can't believe I had both.) This is only part one of a multi-part series. The idea hit me a week ago and the plot is a rather interesting and unique one. (At least I have yet to see it featured in a Digimon fanfiction.)

 

*~*~*~*

 

The sun glowed brightly in the heavenly blue sky as snow fell gently to the ground. A small group of children were trampling around in it, laughing and smiling as they played. A small boy with short dark hair smiled pleasantly as he rolled a big ball of snow, forming it into a frosty head for the snowman. An older boy with chin length navy blue hair helped him put the head on then they smiled at their handiwork.

 

A few feet from them, a lavender haired girl was throwing balls of snow at a boy wearing goggles. Next to her was a blonde haired boy who was doing the same. The girl giggled as a snowball went splat against the spiky haired boy's face. The children's laughter ended as a stray ball thrown from the annoyed boy hit an innocent bystander, a girl with short brown hair who was too busy spinning in the snow to notice the fight until now. She stopped, looked at the group, and brushed the snow from her cheek. Then she bent down, molded a ball of her own and threw it, missing the children, but nailed the tree they were playing under. Unfortunately, the impact of the snowball against the tree trunk resulted in an icy blanket being dumped on top of them. The girl covered her face as she giggled at them and soon they too were rolling in the snow, laughing hysterically.

 

 

Yagami Hikari stared blankly at the dull, grainy colored carpet as the image of happy children left her mind. The fibers looked more gray in color rather than the brilliant gold it once was. She knew it should be vacuumed, but the twenty-one year old college student didn't have the drive to do it. So instead it would just have to remain dirty. She didn't have the drive to do much of anything lately. She leaned her head against the mattress, slumping further down on the floor. Her legs hurt, but she didn't care. Nitoni, her boyfriend, would be home any moment and knowing him, he'd say a brief greeting then would report to his laptop like usual, barely giving her the time of day.

 

Whatever happened to fairytales and happy endings? Are they nothing but stories, myths, and legends? Brown eyes lifted at the sound of the front door opening. Heavily, she pushed herself to her feet and plastered a smiled on her face. A tall dark haired man two years her senior rushed in, his blue eyes momentarily hovering over her as she said hello and asked how his day was.

 

“Long.” Was the short answer the chef gave his girlfriend of three years. He tossed his jacket on the floor and sighed. “I brought some food for you. It's in the kitchen.” Without another word he turned and left for the bathroom to take his usual shower.

 

Hikari pursed her lips as he disappeared behind the door and dropped herself numbly on the bed. It didn't used to be like this, did it? She scowled trying to remember when everything had changed. He often told her he loved her, but the words felt so…. empty and soulless. She tugged lightly on a strand of mid length brown hair and closed her eyes. He said we'd be forever, but why does he feel so far away?

 

She knew she wasn't happy. Not like she used to be with such a carefree attitude and an undying love for the world she lived in. But now…. She didn't know anymore. There were days where she felt so lonely that she wanted to either cry or scream. She wanted to leave, but could she really? There was no actual place to go. The question still remained, how would Hargumi Nitoni react?

 

The young chef was normally cool and collected, but she knew he suffered from bouts of depression. She also knew he became suicidal after his ex-fiancé had dumped him several years ago. Would Hikari's leaving destroy him all over again? She knew he wasn't exactly strong; a hypochondriac at best, and that too much stress did have the tendency to push him over the edge. Hikari sighed in defeat and instead turned her focus to the dim, white ceiling, wishing she could see the bright blue sky and perhaps she would be saved.

 

As the days had gone by, she felt less like herself, and more like a character in a depressing soap opera. Like one of those women who were constantly in tears, which either ended one of two ways; someone rescuing her from her torment, or an option that made the brunette shuddered to contemplate. Tears stung her eyes as she realized what a huge mistake she had made. This wasn't love. It was hell. Isolation, torment, anguish. She had been betrayed by the one person she trusted the most. Whatever part of him she loved was gone now. What was left, was a stranger that hurt her with pure abandonment. Nitoni hardly ever spoke to her anymore, yet expected her to always be there, especially to complain to like she was his private talk box. She couldn't even remember the last time he had really kissed her. Lately, she felt more like a sister than a girlfriend. When did it go so horribly wrong and why?

 

Her stomach growled, but she ignored it. The only time she could actually eat was when he had brought food home from work. The refrigerator was very poorly stocked and mainly contained food that had long since expired. The jerk had made her practically dependent on him since whatever money she made went towards rent when he actually made twice the amount she did, but did he pick up the slack? No. She didn't even have a savings account anymore. At first it seemed like the bills were split evenly, but with some calculations after finding her boyfriend's pile of bills that he paid, Hikari discovered that she had been horribly deceived. He barely paid half the amount she did.

 

Some days when she was getting ready for work, her keys would mysteriously vanish and she'd have to frantically hunt for them as Nitoni would laugh and call her a “goofy scatterbrain.” She had a deep suspicion now that he did it on purpose just so she would seem weaker than he was. Unfortunately, half the time it actually worked. He also ridiculed her when she said she was chilly, calling her cold-blooded. Maybe he had a strange sense of humor, but now it just felt like he was constantly insulting her.

 

I can't do this anymore. I need to get out of here. The young woman put on a determined face and climbed off the bed. She'd leave a note telling her boyfriend that she had to report to work early so he didn't interrogate her when she returned. She'd have to do some planning but….. Hikari froze and sunk back on the bed. Where could she go? There was no other home. She didn't have enough money to go back to her parents and she had no actual friends she could stay with. She was trapped. So completely trapped. All she wanted to do was escape, but she couldn't even do that.

 

“What's wrong with you?” A deep voice questioned.

 

“I have a headache,” Hikari lied to Nitoni but knew he would likely buy it.

 

“Did you take something for it?”

 

“No.”

 

“You should take something or you'll just end up whining about it all night.”

 

Hikari glared at his back as he sat down at his computer. She couldn't even recall anyone who was more obsessed with the electronic device. “I'll be fine.”

 

“Okay, suit yourself.”

 

She glowered at the computer screen, knowing that he was hiding things from her. He had put her through such a roller coaster the past two years thanks to his confusion over who he really was. It had been only a few weeks ago that she had discovered that he was cheating on her. The mere thought of it sickened her beyond belief. During the whole time span, she was left alone while he socialized. Of course he always told her he loved her, but there was never any real meaning in the words. He might as well have been asking for the time.

 

The stress and feeling of rejection were enough to push Hikari over the edge. She wanted out, yet there was no place she could go. It was meaningless to stay especially when her live-in boyfriend probably thought of her more as a faithful pet than a girlfriend.

 

There had to be somewhere she could go. Any place would do. Hikari stood up and grabbed her backpack then shoved some clothes, a few things of value to her, a couple of books, and her purse inside. Then she approached the bathroom, and grabbed what she needed from there as well.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

“Someplace. I don't know where, but anywhere but here.”

 

Nitoni spun around in his chair and gaped at her with wide blue eyes. His damp hair stuck to his head like a glossy black helmet. “What? Why? Are you coming back?”

 

Hikari shrugged zipping up her bag. “I don't know.”

 

“But I love you. Please don't go.” Nitoni's eyes flooded with tears as his voice wavered. He reached a hand out to her, but she resisted.

 

The young woman drew a breath and bit her lip hard. She tucked a strand of brown hair behind her ear and finally said, “No you don't.” She threw one strap of the black backpack over her shoulder.

 

“Yes, I do, Hikari! Please don't go!” The man now sounded hysterical and Hikari inwardly cursed.

 

She drew a deep breath and said gently, “I don't want to hurt you, but you have hurt me. Badly. You have lied to my face and abused my trust. You don't listen to me. I don't think I can ever trust you again. Please, don't make this any harder than it is, Nitoni. You may say you love me, but you're not in love with me.” Hikari paused for a moment before she continued. “I just can't do this anymore and I want off this stupid roller coaster.”

 

Nitoni immediately rose shakily to his feet and grabbed her wrist. “I'm sorry. Please don't go. I love you. I really do.”

 

Tears welled up in Hikari's eyes as she fought against them, trying to will herself not to cry. Her lip trembled a bit as she stared into his pale blue eyes. “I. Can't. I don't hate you, but I can't be here anymore. It's too hard and you don't need me.”

 

“No, I do too need you. I'm lost without you. Please?” He pleaded with her and she pondered for a moment why he insisted to cling to her when it didn't seem like he was in love with her anymore.

 

The brunette opened her mouth to speak when she was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace. Her mind however screamed against it and she shook her head, trying to push him away. “Let me go!” She helplessly shoved him backwards and saw that he was now crying. “Please… take care of yourself.”

 

“Why should I? What's the point?” Nitoni threw himself on the bed and began to sob loudly like a temperamental child.

 

Hikari knew she had to stand her ground. She watched him for a moment and closed her eyes. “You need to be strong.” She said quietly then left the room and grabbed her shoes, leaving her now ex-boyfriend to wallow in his own self-pity.

 

*~*~*~*

 

Hikari wandered aimlessly down the street. It was a slightly cool afternoon, but at least the sky was clear. However, she just couldn't figure out what to do next. She barely had any of her worldly possessions with her, not to mention where could she stay? Perhaps I can find one of my classmates that wouldn't mind sharing their floor and a blanket with me for a while until I can actually save up enough to get an apartment on my own. Why did I have to agree to live with Nitoni anyway? I'm so stupid! I should have stayed at the dorms again like I did my first year of college. I was so blinded and now I'm paying the price by stumbling around like a lost kitten without a home to go to and no one to help me.

 

She frowned as the last few moments in the apartment played over in her head again. He practically insisted that he loved her and yet….he had not shown it in a long time. It was like he was too co-dependant for his own good. It didn't necessarily matter if she was there or not as long as he wasn't alone. Didn't Nitoni even realize that she was the one left in the dark, trapped in a corner with nowhere to go? She sighed and entered the local park.

 

The sounds of laughing children danced through the air like a slightly off key orchestra. Trees swayed in rhythm with the gentle breeze, tossing several blossoms to the lush green grass. There was something peaceful, yet familiar about it. Hikari found a vacant picnic table, and perched herself on top. She swung her long legs unconsciously, as they dangled over the fresh dirt.

 

In the back of her mind, she could see the close group of children again. Two of the boys played a vigorous one on one game of soccer. One was the boy with a pair of goggles on his head. He often smarted off to the tall one with longer hair, but it was easy to tell that they were both best friends. Even a little competition between them wasn't enough to dampen the relationship. The other children were gathered around a picnic table, talking and enjoying the food that the youngest member of the group's mother had made especially for them as they cheered on the two soccer players. The lavender haired girl blushed slightly as she yelled for the longer haired boy to steal the ball. It was evident that she had a crush on him. The blonde haired boy wearing a fisherman's hat cheered on the taller boy as well. However, the other girl, who radiated with a bright inner light yelled encouragingly to the spiky haired boy since there was no one else cheering for him. It was only fair after all for them both to be encouraged.

 

The goggle wearing boy however lost his concentration and slammed into the other boy, knocking them both down on the moist grass. The girl as well as the other children laughed loudly as the two boys laid still for a moment as if in a daze then they too started laughing as well.

 

 

 

Hikari blinked as the image faded then stared at her shoes pondering if perhaps it had been real. She groaned and sunk her face into her hands. Her head was starting to hurt. More than likely from all the stress she had been experiencing, not to mention the confusing images in her head. What is wrong with me? Why do I keep seeing those children? It's like one of those reoccurring dreams only…oddly familiar. A boy with dark shoulder length hair, a girl wearing glasses, a younger looking boy, another one wearing a hat, a brown haired girl that I can never see her face, and that boy with the goggles. Who are they?

 

“Hikari? Is that you?”

 

Her head snapped up and the young woman found herself staring into deep brown eyes studying her with curiosity. The man standing over her scratched his head and cocked it to the side as if contemplating something concerning her. Hikari blinked at him in confusion. “Excuse me?”

 

A grin lit up his tanned face and he threw his head back and laughed. “Oh wow, it is you! I can't believe you're actually here!” His eyes danced over her in merriment. Suddenly he threw his arms around her in a friendly hug.

 

The brown haired young woman however froze in pure shock over the fact that he was touching her. Once her senses kicked back in, she gasped and tried to push the strange guy away. “What are you doing? Get OFF ME!” She dug her fingernails into his arms, scratching fiercely as she kicked him then slammed her knee into his stomach. He groaned and immediately doubled over. Hikari scrambled over the tabletop and glared coldly at him, wondering who did he think he was trying to hug her.

 

The strange man sucked in a breath and gave her a pained expression. The pair of sunglasses, which were previously balanced on his head, slid halfway down his face. He swallowed thickly and tensed for a moment. “Uh, sorry, but I thought you remembered me. It's Motomiya Daisuke. Remember? We knew each other when we were kids.” He chuckled lightly and put the dark blue-framed sunglasses back on his head then shrugged. “I guess maybe I changed a bit since we last saw each other.”

 

Hikari's eyes flashed for a second, but she shook her head slowly. “Sorry, but I don't remember whoever you are. So please, just leave me alone.”

 

Daisuke blinked in shock. He ran a hand through his reddish brown hair but smiled at her despite the stricken look on his face. “You are Yagami Hikari, right? Yagami Taichi's little sister?”

 

The young woman stared at him, but nodded. She looked hesitant, and though her instincts told her to run, she stayed. He didn't try to hurt her or do anything vulgar to her after all. She just had to stay alert incase he was a threat. “Are you one of my brother's friends then?”

 

“I guess you could say so, but I'm your friend too. We met when we were nine.”

 

“I still don't remember you.”

 

Daisuke paused for a moment and watched a child score a goal off in the field. He smiled at the cheerful boy then turned back to the confused young woman and tugged at his tan jacket in thought. “What about Ichijouji Ken? Or Inoe Miyako? Hida Iori? Hell, even Takaishi Takeru!”

 

“Sorry, but I don't know any of those people you are talking about.” Hikari jumped down from the table and slowly backed away from the odd guy with spiky hair.

 

“You don't remember any of the Chosen Children?!” He blurted out in disbelief.

 

“Chosen-what? You must be crazy or something because I don't even know what that is, or who you are talking about, or who you are for that matter, so please just leave me alone!”

 

“Hikari, wait!” Daisuke cried out, trying desperately to reach out to her, but instead the now frightened young woman turned and ran away from him with the speed of one with a large amount of adrenaline pumping through their veins was capable of.

 

*~*~*~*

 

Daisuke stared into his now lukewarm bowl of ramen completely lost in his thoughts over Hikari's reaction to him. She acted as though she had never seen me before in her life. I haven't changed that much. Sure my hair is a little less crazy and shorter and I'm not wearing the goggles anymore since they broke. Stupid strap snapped and gave me a black eye… and maybe I'm a bit more mature, but I'm still the same Motomiya Daisuke, Chosen Child of Courage, Friendship, and Miracles. Okay, Miracles mainly since Taichi was first chosen for Courage and Yamato for Friendship, and so maybe I'm not a child anymore being that I'm now twenty-one, but that doesn't mean that she could completely forget who I am! The noodles in his bowl continued to lay limp and untouched, forgotten in the cooling broth as the Chosen Child swam through the sea that was his thoughts.

 

He remembered the summer before they were supposed to go into their last year of high school that the Yagami family had moved. Mr. Yagami had found a better job that unfortunately transferred the entire family many miles away in Osaka. He and the others were sad to see them go, but wished them their best and promised to meet up again one day.

 

That was Hikari. I know it. She looks older, but she's still Yagami Hikari, the Chosen Child of Light. Daisuke frowned as he recalled her appearance. Her light brown hair now flowed down her back ending midway and beautifully framed her face. She was dressed in dark jeans that seemed well worn and had faded in places. She also had on a long-sleeved faded black shirt and dark sneakers. In fact, everything she wore appeared rather old. As pretty as she may have looked, there was something missing. Her eyes used to sparkle brightly and with a light that was soulful and trusting. But now…they seemed to have dimmed, like her spirit was dying or something. Instead they looked hollow, faded, and lifeless. It worried Daisuke more than the fact that she didn't remember him or the others.

 

“What happened to you, Hikari?” Daisuke leaned his face against his hand. He finally found her, but now…. she was different. She was practically his best friend after Ken and his parents had moved to Kyoto when they were fourteen. After that, it was Hikari that was usually by his side helping him study, or playing video games, he even tried to convince her to play soccer with him one day when they were both bored. He was almost in complete shock over the fact that she had agreed. But now…. he didn't know what to do. He was still surprised that he had found her. The fact that they were at the same park was even more amazing.

 

He was visiting Kyoto for summer vacation. It wasn't too far from where he was going to school and he needed a break from work so he decided to venture around and see what he could find. After a few hours he had neared the park, and stopped to watch the children play an exciting game of soccer. It was like revisiting his childhood all over again…. aside from the Digimon adventures of course. After a few minutes into the game, she had walked in and took a seat on the picnic table. At first he wasn't certain that it was Hikari, but he was determined to find out. After all, it had been nearly three years since he last saw her. The leader of the second group of Chosen Children could have died from joy over seeing her again. It felt like decades since he last saw her smiling face….only….she wasn't smiling. The emotions that flashed in her eyes stabbed into him like a dull knife. Pain, fear, confusion, sorrow, and even anger, swirled together in one ugly ball. More than anything he wanted to comfort her…. but she didn't remember him. There was no recognition in those eyes that could once light up an entire room.

 

Daisuke drew in a deep breath. He knew Hikari needed help whether she asked for it or not and as a leader of the Chosen Children he was going to do what he could to help her. Just remembering the look in her eyes was enough to send him to grave, but Daisuke refused to rest until he found Hikari again and saved her from whatever was causing her such pain.

 

*~*~*~*

 

Who was he? Why did he act like he knew me? Hikari leaned against the cold, stone wall of her apartment complex. She had ran for several blocks and discovered that she had gone in a complete circle, winding up where she had fled the first time. There was some rather sick irony in her situation. No matter how hard she tried to escape, she just ended up right back where she started. It was like why should she even try anymore? She still had no place to go. I guess I have no choice but to go back. It's just not fair. What did I do to deserve this? Why can't I find happiness for once?

 

Hikari cursed to herself and with defeat in her brown eyes, she returned to the one place she loathed the most. The place she had to call home.

 

It had taken her only a matter of minutes to walk up the stairs. Each step she took, she felt a surge of dread. She had already said she was leaving. Just how was Nitoni going to react to her return? Hikari was about to turn around when the door opened and there stood Nitoni, staring at her in disbelief.

 

“I thought you were gone for good,” he quietly said looking deeply into the young woman's eyes.

 

“I don't have anywhere to go,” she softly admitted.

 

Nitoni stepped aside to allow her in the apartment then trailed after, shutting the door behind them. “But you still want to leave, don't you.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Why? I said I love you. I really do. Why won't you give me a damn chance?” He threw his hands in the air and gave her a dejected look.

 

Hikari put her bag by the door and took her shoes off. “I gave you a chance for three years. That's how long I have tried, but I can't do this anymore. You need to understand that and as much as I don't want to hurt you, I can't live with you anymore.” She ran a hand through her stringy hair and sighed. “I'll stay as long as I need to, but that's it. Nothing more, nothing less.”

 

Nitoni nodded solemnly. “Whatever.” He then brushed past her and went back into the bedroom.

 

“I knew he'd be like this,” she muttered under her breath as she headed for the kitchen.

 

 

 

The next few days played out the same. Hikari was isolated at the apartment during the day, and still isolated whenever her boyfriend had arrived home before having to leave for the dreaded toy store where she worked as an evening cashier. She was swimming in depression so thick, that she knew she'd drown sooner or later. Any dreams she had seemed to have died long ago. It would take a miracle to get me out of here. Hikari looked glumly at the door as she curled up on the sofa and watched yet another boring cooking show on television that Nitoni insisted on watching. She studied her fingernails closely and pondered just how much force she'd have to use to claw through her wrist.

 

You can't be seriously considering that? Her mind practically screamed at her. Hikari, that's not the path you want to take. The young woman however frowned. It seemed crazy that she was now arguing with herself. Hikari rested her head on the back of the sofa and sent an unnoticed glare towards Nitoni, who was too absorbed in the show to give her the slightest bit of attention. She clenched her left hand into a tight fist pressing her nails into her skin. She wanted the pain, and to see the blood ooze through her wounds that she already felt deep inside. Hikari already reverted to wearing long sleeved shirts so she could hide the scratch marks on her fragile flesh. Most weren't deep enough to cut, and others barely bled, but the evidence still existed. Luckily, because Nitoni said she was always cold, he never questioned her choice in attire. He never noticed anything as long as she was still in the apartment like a good little girl.

 

No one cares so why should I? She retorted to her mind the question, but there was no answer. She knew her parents and brother loved her, but they were too far away to help. Instead she had to fight her losing battles alone. Taichi of course would disapprove of her choices, but he wasn't there to help her. No one was. She was completely alone and there was no way out…. except maybe one.

 

Hikari rubbed her face and said a silent curse when her stomach rumbled. But like usual, Nitoni did not remove his gaze from the television screen. At this point, she refused anything from him, even if it was her only meal of the day. So far it's been seven days since she last ate, having only drank water. Hikari drew a breath and rose to her feet.

 

“Where are you going?” Nitoni looked up at her, his face now unreadable.

 

“Nowhere.”

 

Rather than accept the simple answer however, he too stood up. “Don't you dare lie to me. You're planning on leaving again, aren't you?”

 

Hikari blinked. “And where exactly will I go? I don't have any money.”

 

The man however snorted loudly. “Yeah, right. That's what you want me to think, but you're really going to leave me again.”

 

What's wrong with him? She took a step back as a sense a fear began to fill her. Something didn't feel right. Not at all. “Like I said before, I can't leave. I don't have anywhere to go…. I-I need to use the bathroom.”

 

“You'll stay right there. We aren't finished yet.”

 

Ice water seemed to flood Hikari's veins at the very words he had said. Her mouth ran dry and she took another step back as he brandished a shiny silver letter opener that resembled a small samurai sword and looked just as sharp. “What are you going to do? Nitoni?!”

 

A sadistic smile covered his lips as he walked towards her. His once friendly eyes took on a dark tone. “Like I said before. I love you and need you and therefore can't live without you. If you can't accept that then I guess there is no purpose in my life anymore. If I can't live without you, then I'll just have to take you with me.”

 

Hikari stepped away only to realize that she was now backed against the archway of the living room wall. The irony was really sick at that moment considering the fact that she had gone from practically suicidal to fearing for her life. “Nitoni, you can't be serious….”

 

He chuckled manically, taking his time to approach her. “We'll be just like Romeo and Juliet; happily ever after dead. Together for all of eternity.”

 

“Please, don't do this….”

 

Nitoni shook his head and raised his arm to stab her in the chest. Hikari however moved at the last second, allowing the blade to only graze her arm, pinning her sleeve to the wall. The mad man tried to pull the letter opener from the wall, but it was stuck.

 

Meanwhile, Hikari bit back a scream and struggled to free herself, but the material of her shirt wouldn't give. Tears flooded her eyes, and her heart pounded intensely in her chest, fearing what would come next. She already felt dizzy and knew it would be a challenge to actually fight him off given the state she was in.

 

“Forget this,” Nitoni growled and bodily shoved Hikari against the wall. Then he grabbed her by the throat and squeezed hard as she tried to yell.

 

Helplessly, Hikari dug her nails into his offending hands, gasping for air. She whimpered and sunk her fingernails further into his skin, trying to ignore the hazy feeling that was trying to overcome her. Finally, she mustered enough energy to knee him in the groin as hard as she could, followed by a solid punch to his face. Once his grip had been released, she pulled violently at her sleeve until it finally ripped.

 

“I'm sorry! Come back. Please? I'm sorry.” Nitoni choked out, but Hikari ignored him as she scrambled to the bedroom, clutching her left arm, and locked the door behind her.

 

She cursed the fact that there was no phone and quickly pulled on a pair of shoes and a jacket. She grabbed her backpack from the closet, threw the window open and stepped onto the edge. At that moment the sound of panicked knocking shattered the silence of the room. Hikari gasped and quickly climbed out through the window and glanced down. “We just had to be on the stupid second floor. Damn it!”

 

“Hikari! What are you doing?! Open up!” Nitoni was now slamming something against the door from the way it shook. Within a matter of minutes she knew he would end up breaking the thing down.

 

“I can do this, I can do this, I can do this,” Hikari whispered to herself, gripping her bag tightly and jumped, landing in a large unkempt bush. She groaned as she looked up in a daze then remembered, exactly why she was in the bush to begin with.

 

Frantically, she scrambled to her feet and bolted away from the apartment as fast as she could, very grateful for the adrenaline that was rushing through her system like raging river rapids.

 

*~*~*~*

 

Author's Notes: This chapter turned out longer than I expected, but nothing could actually be cut. I'm also trying to stay out of the overused storylines or give them a fresh twist. More is yet to come.

 

Also, as you could tell, Nitoni is an OC. I didn't want any of the regular characters in his role because it simply wouldn't fit them. Oh, and I tried to make Nitoni as developed as possible. He'll be mentioned/seen on and off throughout the story as much as that sickens me. If you really want to know why, don't be afraid to ask. The guy is actually far from two-dimensional I just can't share all the information in the first chapter. Of course the main focus will be on Hikari…and a certain Chosen Child for a while. More is yet to come and don't forget to review.

 

SJ