First of all, like always thanks for those, who have read, faved and followed the story so far. Special thanks to those who took their time to review:

Aero Angemon

Dknight27

Together Again

Basically I've been busy a lot lately again, so I can no longer keep the updates in a 'daily' basis. But, I'll try to update regularly whenever I can :)

As to Piximon's name, I didn't change it. I just used the name used in the Japanese version, which you can see on the last chapter that is Picklemon. Sorry if I caused any confusions or whatever :p (Wondering why I never did that to Digidestined, which is usually referred to Chosen Children hahahaha oh well). However, if it is TOO MUCH of a bother, do tell me so I can change it :p

Lol, watching Digimon Xros Wars made me motivated. I've been busy with a lot of things that I lost time. Do forgive me. Despite the fact that I was able to write almost endlessly two weeks ago, was because I did nothing but write… Like seriously. Imagine me 24/7 writing, right?

Although, I do enjoy writing it hahahaha! Anyway, do enjoy this new chapter!

Ps. Speaking of plot ideas, I've been thinking about toying ideas with Digimon Tamers. I just don't have anything solid enough as Dark Reveries for now. Instead, I planned something that will spice up Dark Reveries more. SO DO LOOK FORWARD TO THAT! (lol it makes me excited just thinking about it. Now I so don't regret the delay hahaha. Instead of making a new story that will make bang, I thought of just doing my best on this fic).

*(A) paragraph(s) a character in the story telling the story

Dark Reveries

Before I know it, I'm watching you
Still standing diagonally behind you
Am I the focus of your heart?

Focus

(Digimon Adventure 02 Takeru's Theme)

o- Chapter 13–o

Hikari watched at the unconscious Koichi that's now laid in a futon, as she sat on the tatami mat.

Takeru on the other hand found himself standing beside the sliding door. His sapphire eyes gazing behind the brunette, whilst his thoughts did nothing but tried to endlessly guess what the girl before him is thinking right now. Honestly, he doesn't know at all and anything she's doing right now makes him end up all confused.

He sighed as he found himself staring through the window that had nothing but a view of the Gennai's courtyard. A peaceful and beautiful view where you can see the well-trimmed grass and the rustling of the leaves on the trees as the wind whistled through. It would have been more relaxing to the soul, but as of now it just didn't had that kind of effect on him.

His eyes wandered back to the brunette.

'Why does she even care so much about him?' He thought. 'Just what is there to care about? Isn't he a threat?' He let out an exasperated sigh. Somewhat feeling a little bit annoyed on his thoughts.

He doesn't even know if it's the flare of jealousy or simply because he just hates his being as a child of Darkness.

'Why am I thinking like this? I can't think like this!' Takeru gave up as he found himself clenching his hand in frustration.

Hikari finally turned her head. Noticing the blonde's troubled expression. She stood up as she walked towards him slowly. Takeru barely noticed her, too busy with keeping his mind back into reality, until she placed her gentle hand on his shoulder.

She stared at him with a smile, whilst her eyes stared sadly towards them.

"You must him hate don't you?" She tried to retain his chirpy tone by not removing the smile on her face despite the expression that her eyes held. But, Takeru just can't keep up with her pace as he let out another sigh. He slowly shoved her hand away gently as he finally got himself to stand up before Koichi's body lying on the futon. His eyes boring holes towards it.

'Hikari, you may be just a representation of the real one, yet you can still see right through me? Huh?' He thought somehow feeling ashamed. 'You're the one who's out there in trouble, and here you are still trying to peer into my mind in hope to comfort me. Why? I don't deserve it. I don't deserve your pity when I can't even find myself to accept this person before me.' Takeru's knees gave out as he kneeled beside Koichi, his clenched hands supported his upper body.

"I just don't understand…" He stated in defeat as he finally let it all out. "I don't understand, Hikari? Why? He's the-,"

"I know." Hikari immediately cut him off as she once again sat beside Koichi. Her eyes not even staring at the blonde beside her as it instead stared on the unconscious lad. "I can't. He's not as bad as you think he is. I saw it. I saw everything, Takeru. He's the same as me. Struggling in darkness." Then she finally faced him, but her crimson orbs staring right through his baffled sapphire eyes. Her face was etched with determination. "He maybe a child of Darkness, but I know, he is different. His darkness is not what you think it is. It's definitely not evil. It's darkness filled with negative emotions, but… it's not evil." She bit her lip, as her eyes now carried a sad expression. "I don't expect you to have the same thoughts as me. You don't have to. But, your thinking won't change mine. I still believe in him."

Takeru flinched at her words.

"I understand how you hated it. Darkness. It was never a thing that you had come to like. It was the thing that made me this way after all, and took my body away. It was the thing that caused you and Patamon so much pain. So, I understand." Her eyes now stared at the peaceful before her, as she watched the leaves danced on the winds. "You don't need to change your feelings towards it, but you should give him a chance.

"Ah…urgh…" Koichi moaned as he started shuffle a bit behind the blanket. His face suddenly stained with tears. Takeru and Hikari were completely alarmed as their focus was directed towards him. Hikari was fast on her feet as she got closer to him, her hand trying to shake him with the hope that he'd finally wake up.

"Koichi? Koichi?" She called. Finally, he responded as his eyelids shot open, his azure eyes were fear stricken as it continued to brim with tears.

"I-I remember!" Koichi exclaimed as he sat up from the futon. His hands made its way towards his face as it ruffled through his raven locks then clenching it.

Takeru just watched in horror. He certainly doesn't know what to do as he found himself glued on the spot as his eyes just carefully eyed Koichi.

"Koichi, Koichi, calm down!" Hikari called out, somehow stopping Koichi from his fit. His tear-streaked azure eyes slowly laid its gaze towards her as it kept its horrified expression.

"Hi-Hikari?" He tried to mutter her name.

"Yes, it's me, Koichi. It's okay now. So, please calm down." Hikari tried to state in calm manner as she let out her arms towards him, as if offering him a hug, which Koichi immediately took as he embraced her tightly in his hold.

"Hikari!" He finally cried. "Thank you. Thank you, Hikari." Hikari hugged him back, as she tried to rub his back hoping to soothe and calm his frightened soul. The hug didn't last long, as Koichi immediately detached himself from Hikari, as he immediately cleaned his face off on his sleeves. He took a breath and exhaled, his hands both cupping his face. "I understand everything now. Loweemon, he did it for me. No, Riku and Loweemon did it for me. I remember everything." Takeru stared at him with concern.

Somehow Takeru finally started to understand Hikari's sentiments towards him a bit. Just now, he understands with his expression that he hated everything that happened right now, and whatever Hikari did to him a while ago truly it might have just saved him. But, was it enough to quell his anger? That he has to find out for now.

"You mind telling us about it, Koichi?" It was finally Takeru's turn to speak towards him. Koichi eyed him curiously, as he kept his other hand cupping half of his face.

"Yeah, Koichi. We might be able to do something or tell you if we happen to know anything about it." Hikari stated as she nodded to Takeru's statement, agreeing with his proposition with the newly awakened lad. Truly, it was the first time, ever since his stay in the Digital World, to lose consciousness. It somewhat gave him a refreshing feeling.

Koichi bowed his head, his expression just basically solemn as he rested his hands on his lap currently thinking if this was the right thing to do, or if it was even necessary. His eyes took a peek on the brunette's face only to see an eager expression. Then he remembered those moments where he was taken over by the Darkness that lay asleep in the depths of his heart. It was a terrifying feeling alright, yet this girl. This frail looking girl suddenly came and helped him. Truly she had a miraculous power.

He clenched the blankets, as he finally gained his own inner resolve and completely stared right back at the eager eyes.

"Alright, I trust you. I'll tell you everything I remembered and also everything in relation to me and Riku."

*I could remember it so well. Before I even came into the Digital World. It was three years ago. Recently until those moments I could remember that I never had a peaceful, easy life. I was raised by my mom alone along with my grandmother. She really is a hard working woman, and regardless of her health, she'd try her best just to make me go to school.

At those days, I thought my father was dead.

Then suddenly, my grandmother, who has been sick for a long time, was now dying before me. Then there she told me that my father wasn't really dead, and I actually have a twin brother named Koji.

I was really surprised back then, at the same time angry towards my father. I just couldn't believe the fact that he left my mother, who was frail and sickly alone all this time. I didn't understand why. However, despite it, somehow I still wanted to see him, my father and especially my younger twin brother, Koji. To be honest, I somehow became ecstatic about the fact that I actually have somebody else, and it was a twin brother! So, back then I decided that I would search for them.

It really took me a while.

A heck of a while.

As a kid, it was really hard for me to gather such kind of information. It was limited. But, I did. I found him. I somehow thank God for the fact that my mom was able to keep a few things in relation to my old man, which were certainly hard to find. Ironically, I discovered that they were actually living nearby.

I was happy the moment my eyes finally able to lay on my father, and the boy beside him. I smiled with the way he looked like. He certainly does look like me. With the looks of the house, the size of the land, they were definitely well off compared to us. I somehow felt happy for him to have this life. But, I couldn't help but stared at them with envy.

Nonetheless, I wanted to talk to him. I tried to muster the courage to get myself to move from the post where I was hiding. But, when I took my first step, I froze on the spot. I saw a woman, another woman holding my father's hand and even kissing his cheek. She was obviously a girlfriend, or probably his new wife.

Then from there, everything, envy, bitterness and anger, they all started to swell inside me before I knew it. I found myself hiding back on the post, as I kept my shocked gaze at them.

I just hated him for leaving us.

I hated my father for not even helping her out.

I hated to see him happy with another woman, while my mother was suffering.

I was completely drenched in hatred.

But, I still at least wanted to meet Koji. My little brother.*

Koichi clenched his fists just thinking about the memory of his brother. Yes, his brother whom he remembered that resembled himself so much, only he had longer hair that was tied into a ponytail and held well by a bandana. He was a definitely cool person.

Koichi smiled bitterly as he continued on telling his tale.

*So, I followed him. Hoping to get that chance, but then I discovered that he was actually going to the same elementary school as I was.

Nobody never really noticed that we were siblings due to his appearance because he had longer hair, and his last name was different. I was a Kimura while he was a Minomoto. Perhaps, maybe no one really bothered caring if we were long lost siblings.

It took days, and probably weeks until I finally got my complete resolve to go and meet him and even tell him everything! About our mother, about myself, I just wanted to try if I could at least have him as family!

It was a futile dream.

So, I followed him inside school. But, he was oblivious to my existence, and I could find my shyness eating all up the courage that was left inside me.

Thus, I gave up and found myself hanging around the school's roof top filled with regret. I held on to the rails as I stared towards the sky. Wondering, were they even destined to meet?

But, unbeknownst to myself, the door suddenly opened, as the guy in question now started walking down the stairs.

I was surprised as I found myself glued on the spot at the moment I saw him running down towards the stairs.

Then I heard the bells chimed.

I scoffed at myself. He was actually there and I didn't even notice.

With the little bit of confidence I had, I ran towards him down the flights of stairs.

I ran as fast as I could with my short, little legs. But, before I knew it I found my foot slipping, and my body losing its balance, I was falling.

I immediately lost my consciousness, and the moment I woke up I was already in the Digital World. It was a scary thought to find myself in the middle of the jungle alone and helpless. Then at that moment, as if it was set up by fate himself, I met Loweemon and even Riku.

I was scared at first when I saw Loweemon. I was confused, I was scared, I've been feeling a lot of things that I can't even comprehend what I was seeing. Not to mention seeing a small plush toy look alike that suddenly started to talk to me it felt weird and back then, everything seemed so unfathomable.

But, what calmed my soul was Riku, as she stretched out her small arm towards me. She was a child like me back then, her small child frame covered in a white dress. To be honest, when I first saw her, I thought that she was an angel. I marveled at the sight of her, as I stared at her with complete amazement.

"So, what's your name?" She asked with a cheerful tone. Then I stared back at her, raising a brow. I was still confused, but I could feel myself getting flustered suddenly. I never actually saw someone this cute, and to be honest, I never really talked to people from the opposite sex aside from my relatives.

"My name's Koichi, You?"

"My name's Riku! It was nice meeting you!" At first I thought, I was dead. But, basically I still believed that I was, until I saw you guys. Riku and I were the same. We both traveled aimlessly in the Digital World along with Lunamon and Loweemon. We both were sleepless, hungerless, and etc. It's like we were wandering souls.

"Don't you think that we're in heaven? Because I believe that we are!" She exclaimed in a cheerful tone as she hugged her knees, where her chest leaned. Her eyes gazing on the night sky. It was a rather peaceful evening.

I somehow can't comprehend how she was thinking. I also can't comprehend how she can be this cheerful?! I don't understand. We are dead and yet she was happy, as I watched her frolic along by my side.

Somehow for a moment I forgot everything. I forgot what got me into this place. It's like I actually accepted that I was really dead and I was a soul wandering around the Digital World. Actually, both of us were never aware that we are in the Digital World, until our partner Digimons slowly explained to us what the place was actually like and what it really is. However, despite it all, like the child that she is, she believed that the Digital World was still heaven.

But, I on the other hand felt that it was Purgatory.

"How can you say that?" I stared at her with sad eyes. To be honest, I miss my mom. I miss my grandmother. I can't even feel anything human aside from having the sense of touch. It was all too hard on to take, and yet she's hear beside me saying this is heaven.

But, what shocked me wasn't the unwavering smile on her face, but the sadness that was held in her eyes as she stared at the skies.

"Life here is better. For me, this is heaven." Then her face turned towards me, still holding the same expression. I certainly don't understand, but one thing I can was the fact that this place is better in a way. Aside from the pain, aside from the constant battles with a few Digimon that we encountered on the way, it was better.

Because for once:

I was able to turn away from the pain of my mother.

I was able to turn away from my hatred, and everything negative that I felt.

To me this world kept me away from all the things that I felt back from earth. But, it never removed it completely. It was still in my heart as it lingered silently inside me.

I stared at her with a confused expression, hoping that she would enlighten me further, which she did, thankfully.

"I like it here better!" She stood up, with her hands clenched and her eyes suddenly had this determined look. "I can run. I can play all I want! I have friends. I can live normally like child! I'm no longer sick!" The last statement caught me off guard, but what surprised me the most was her expression. It was so sad, and it was the first time that I saw her expression became this sad. "I'm tired of the previous life I used to have. I'm tired of getting sick. I'm tired of being a burden to others. I hate the fact that I know that any moment in whatever I do, I'll die!" She screamed, as tears streamed down from her eyes. "As of now, I don't even know why." Then her smile returned, somehow carrying this bitter feel.

"But, I can hear them. My mother calling me, as if beckoning me to come back. Can't you hear it? Can't you hear yours? Was nobody calling you? Because until now, someone is calling me." Her smile suddenly became brighter, as if it had this hope in them. "Somehow, I'm happy, because even if Riku is sick and is a burden, they're still calling for me. They still love me! It makes me want to live! But, if this is my life now, then I'll have to do my best and live it out the best I could, right?" She stated gently as if to assure me, but rather I thought that it was made to reassure herself.

I could feel a smile escaping my lips. She was definitely an eccentric and naïve kid, but that couldn't help me from liking her. Right now, comparing myself to her, she is light and I am darkness. I could never have those feelings like hers. I could never have the will and the purpose to live, especially if I was in her situation.

The more that I got to know her, the more that I've got to know about her life. But, slowly, as those days and moments passed by, I somehow thought about my mother again as well, especially when she keeps on telling me that her mother has been calling for her almost every day.

I felt really worried, because I can't believe I left her alone.*

"I hated the fact that I was dead, and I left her alone to suffer. I hated myself. I hated everything. The hatred inside me grew and rekindled, and somehow my crest won't stop reacting to the negative feelings that I had that I became different as I feel all these negative emotions gaining control over me. I hated that feeling. I hated myself more!" Koichi uttered in grief and complete regret as he bit his lip. But, Hikari just rubbed his back. Still comforting him like she did before the moment he woke up.

Hikari and Takeru were both still eager to hear him out, as they just kept themselves silent.

He sighed, but he continued.

*It became uncontrollable that somehow Loweemon and Riku did something to me, and ever since then they sealed my memories. I don't know how they did it, but it was amazing. I started to forget slowly day by day, whilst I make new memories beside Riku, Lunamon and Loweemon.

I'll have to admit, for the first time in my stay in the Digital World, especially when it finally had regained its peace, it was heaven. Riku and I probably spent at least two years in Digital World.

Until suddenly, Riku said she heard this voice.

"Why?" She uttered her eyes brimming with tears. Her hands ran through her hair in pain. "I heard it. I heard it!" I immediately held her shoulders and shaking her. I also don't understand. But, what she meant with the voices, I also started to understand, because somehow with the prolonged stay in the Digital World, I also started to hear those voices. It started after my memories were sealed, since I don't have any memory back then, I wasn't able to recognize the voice. But, now, I could no longer hear it anymore again, vaguely but not as clear as before.

But, ever since I've met her she keeps on hearing them and the same words were told to us—come back.

"Riku, what did you hear? What did you hear, Riku?" I replied frantically, since I was confused myself and lost. I just don't know what to do, but as of now with her expression I know that she was in pain. It was pain that hurts so much that it was enough to break her heart. It was the first time I saw a terrible expression on her face.

"I heard my mom, telling me to die! They don't need me, Koichi! They hate me! They told me to disappear and die!"

I really don't understand why. I don't know what's going on.

I don't understand why she keeps hearing those voices, and neither could I. It was a mystery.

But, before I knew it, darkness suddenly emanated from her, as it enveloped her body causing me to flinch. Loweemon was fast as he immediately pulled me away from Riku.

Lunamon however was desperate as she stayed by her partner's side.

"Riku! Riku!" Lunamon called desperately with her tiny voice. "Riku, are you alright?"

"Loweemon, what is happening?" I asked, but Loweemon just kept himself silent as he detained me. But, I struggled from his restraint; I wanted to go to her. I wanted to help her. "Loweemon let go!"

But, the darkness suddenly grew strong as it somehow blew us away, and Lunamon blasted away from Riku.

"Riku!" All of us called simultaneously. But, something was different from her, as she suddenly had this twisted smile. It was a scary expression.

"Die. Hahahahaha, so you wanted me to die! Then kill me now! But you all have to die with me!" Then suddenly the darkness covered everything around us, as it blinded us completely, and before I knew it Riku and Lunamon disappeared.*

"Since then, we've been doing nothing but chase them down, and since then, this was the first time I finally met her. I still didn't understand what was going on, but somehow probably, Riku is behind all of this." Koichi uttered in sad expression, as he gritted his teeth. "If only, if only I did something I could have prevented her to be like that! I could have saved her from what was making her feeling miserable! Perhaps, all this time, even if she was smiling beside me, she was actually lonely."

Takeru's face finally fell as he know held the same expression as Hikari—sympathetic. Somehow, for some reason, he completely understands how Koichi feels and how the same they actually are. With the way things are, it was obvious that Koichi held the same feelings towards Riku that he had towards Hikari. Koichi cared for Riku so much, and how he told those last moments, it was definite that he was desperate to save her. But, like him, Koichi wasn't able to do anything.

Both of them weren't able to do anything.

Takeru found himself placing a hand on his shoulder, his eyes staring seriously through his surprised azure ones.

"I'll help you. Let's save Riku." Koichi was surprised as he had this mixed feelings of disbelief and happiness inside him. After all, he just didn't expect to hear it from Takeru. After all, unbeknownst to the blonde, Koichi was aware of Takeru's dislike towards him. Although he just didn't have the definite evidence, Koichi only had mere intuition and gut feel.

"So, you guys will help me?" Koichi replied, who's utterly stunned at the moment. Takeru finally smiled back, while maintaining his serious gaze.

"Yes, we will. So, together, let's both save the people that we cared for so much." Koichi understanding what Takeru meant, let out a smile himself as he nodded back towards him. "And perhaps, we can go back home with us. You could go back to your mother. I understand how you feel, because my parents are also separated." Yes, Takeru and Koichi were not only the same towards their feelings to the people they care about the most, but they also had the same situation. Both of them had a broken family, and somehow with the way things are with Koichi it was way worst. Somehow, although his was still broken, he was happy that he could still be with Yamato. Koichi wasn't even able to meet his!

Koichi was surprised to hear it. But, somehow he could feel the sympathy that formed in his eyes, but Takeru continued to smile.

"However, I was lucky enough to have my older brother beside me. So, I'll definitely make sure that you could go back to your mom!"

Koichi could feel Takeru's hope overflowing inside him, and for the first time he finally had a definite purpose to live. He was no longer searching aimlessly for Riku, but now heading on towards her with a clear goal in mind.

'Definitely. Riku, wait for me. It took me a while, but whatever caused the Darkness to get to you, I'll definitely take you back. I'll help you in your misery. And mom, I definitely can't wait to see you. I'll go home, I have to be with you and I still have to meet you, Koji.'

And that concludes this chapter! Once again, we're still not out from the Gennai arc hahaha! But, next chapter for sure, I'll end the Gennai arc! I just didn't expect this chapter to cover so much already that if I finish everything now it would be like info overload hahaha!

Nonetheless, I hope that you enjoyed this chapter! (to be honest, I had a HARD TIME to execute this chapter hahaha XD in like how I'll write it and what style of writing should I use. It was just bleh. I'm just happy I got through it :p)

Anyway, do look forward for the next!

Please do review! Your thoughts are welcomed and highly appreciated!

Ps. Any of you here aware of the game, Angels Online?