Wow. This is one of my favorite works and I haven't been able to bring myself to finish it. Or maybe I just didn't want it to end. Well, I think a decade since I first published it is long enough. Damn time I returned to my abuse of the English language, no?

Dedication: For Bri. This silly piece of writing led to our meeting, and I could not be more thankful.

Pain

By Melissa


The game had been amazing. Tough, physical, and the score was tied at the end of 90 minutes. The result being sudden death overtime since it was the championship game. There were several close calls on each side, but no one had managed to put the ball over the goal line.

Out on the wing, the ball took an odd bounce over a defender. He saw his chance and took it. Ken retrieved the ball and was on a breakaway. Only one other defender had a slight chance to catch him. He was about to take his shot from inside the goal box when the defender shoved him with an elbow from behind. Ken pitched forward and hit the ground very hard, roughly sliding across the grass. A jagged stone hidden in the green blades sliced across the top of his wrist and partway up the back of his hand.

The whistle blew signaling a penalty shot. The defender was given a red card and ejected from the game.

Ken slowly got to his knees, the wind having been knocked out of him. His teammates ran over and stood in a protective circle around their star player.

"You okay, Ken?" Daisuke asked.

Ken winced. "My pride is hurt more than my body. We were so close to winning."

Daisuke smiled. "Don't sweat it. We've got a penalty shot. Coach is signaling for you to take it. That is, if you're not too injured."

Ken stood up slowly. The wonderful thing about sudden death overtime is that the team who scores first wins. And a penalty shot heavily favors the shooter in soccer.

His hand stung something fierce from his fall, but it would've taken an army to keep him from making this kick.

The referee placed the ball on the requisite dot inside the box. Ken took position several feet away from it. The opposing team's goalie stood on his line in the middle, as was mandated by the rules. The official made sure the goalie was positioned and ready. He then signaled to Ken and blew his whistle.

So much happened next it was hard to comprehend.

The goalie stretched his arms out to try and reduce the shooting area. The digidestined didn't look at the other player, only the ball. He took four quick steps and smacked the ball to the left. The goalie guessed wrong and dove to the right.

The ball barely touched the netting and there was pandemonium. The crowd exploded in clapping, cheering and screaming. Ken's teammates practically tackled him in celebration.

They had won.

And even though everyone wanted to see him, there was only one person he was looking for.

Through the throngs of people he sought out his angel. Hikari had jumped over the railing and was ducking and weaving through the crowd, right towards her best friend.

They always seemed to find each other, even with chaos around them.

When she got close enough Hikari grabbed him in a fierce celebratory hug.

"You did it!"

Ken only had a fraction of a second to blush at the praise before something remarkable happened.

Hikari kissed him.

Really kissed him.

It was quick and full of excitement instead of passion, at least on her end.

Ken stood there in the midst of the mob of people, not believing what had happened. His legs felt like jell-o and could no longer hold him upright. Seeing him waiver, Hikari put his arm around her shoulder to support him.

"Finally registered you were tired, huh? I don't blame them," she said, voice still full of glee.

Ken could only numbly nod in agreement, not being able to voice the real reason he was feeling weak. That had been his first kiss. And while it was not how he had always envisioned it, it was with the girl he had always wanted.

"You're hurt!"

He was confused by her outburst, and then recalled the stinging of his hand.

Ken looked at the cut weeping crimson as if seeing it for the first time. "It's nothing." He could actually form words? That was new to him.

The young girl took the bandana she was wearing around her neck and cradled his hand gingerly. She wrapped it snugly before securing it. This seems a vaguely familiar action.

Ken looked at the bandana on his wrist as if it was the most interesting thing in the world. He knew if he looked up and into her eyes, nothing would stop him from telling her how much in love he was.

Takeru had to fight the crowd to get towards the glimpse of Ken and Hikari. When he was finally able to get through he picked up the brown haired girl at the waist and spun her around in excitement.

If either of them had been paying attention, they might have heard Ken's heart breaking.

End Flashback

To Be Continued…

A/N: Had to be done. It won't take as long for the final part. I promise. Bri won't let me forget anyway. :D