Six Paths

Now for some author's notes to start things. To tell you the truth I really love digimon so here's another story but this is an alternate universe where there is no digimon. Almost redundant if you think about it. This will focus on the digidestains. In fact, kind of a three story thing. I've noticed that I start off doing a little about the characters then souly sticks to the couple. Then I had an idea, I have ideas for coupling that this story was for. Sure I try my best on Hearts of 02 but I ended up doing one couple. Sure there was Tai and Yamato and Hikari and Takeru then Daisuke and Ken but sticked with one in the end. So now I have form a plan on 3 couples and no more hints on whom. I always say that I won't give you hints but I mean through this not inside the story, if you pay attention. Hehehehe but I will warn you that there will dark parts to the story that will have death. Yes there will be death. Who will it be, you will see soon enough. Now on with the story.

Chapter 1: A Tragic Beginning

Through the passing of time there is great tragedy. From great tragedies comes great sorrows, from sorrows comes different feels. From joy, to anger, to self loathing, to fear, to even more sorrows. These are the links from sorrow. Here in this story we will look at the hardships of 6 teens facing sorrows or fears as they try to be with the ones they love.

The wind blows through the trees fiercely as the storm continues. A young teen named Takeru Takaishi was studying not worried about the storm as he studies in his room. He just finished dinner that he made for himself. He lives with his mother and sometime she comes home late so he ends up eating alone. The routine was the same as far as he remembers. You see his parents devoiced because of differences and disagreements they had. But if she would to come home early or came home just in time, they would have a great meal together and talked about their day. Three hours has passed and it was 11 o'clock. He wasn't worried that his mother might be late and the storm was making her take long but he always waits for her and tries to make something for her before he goes to bed. He went to the couch and waited for her. She works really hard to support the two of them so the least he could do for her was to cook and also do well at school. Takeru was watching TV trying to keep himself occupied as he waits. His eyes were beginning to drop and then finally he fell asleep.

Takeru awoke to a light hitting him. He opened one eye and saw the window. The light was coming out of it and that made Takeru fully awake. He slept through night; he got up from the couch and went to his mother's room. The bed looked made which wasn't too surprising since his mother always made her bed. He then went to the calendar to see what time she was going to get out of work. When Takeru looked at the calendar and saw her schedule, he was surprised to find out she was off. He looked at the time at the microwave and saw it was 10 am. He was lucky that today was Sunday because he would have a panic attack just thinking about how late he would have been. Takeru begins to worry, his mother should have been home. She can't be out get groceries because she went days ago. Something wasn't right. If they called her in to cover for someone or something then she should have put a note say that. He has no idea what's going on and he was getting worried. Maybe he's just a little paranoid because he broke the routine when he fell asleep. He managed to calm himself and stop thinking negative. Just then there was a knock on the. Takeru smiled to himself think that his mother came home and was going to explain when she was there. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see that it was his brother.

"Yamato!? What are you doing here?" asked Takeru looking puzzled.

Yamato looked him with a sad look at his face. "I am here to pick you up." said Yamato not sounding happy.

"Pick me up? I don't remember having plans with you big brother." said Takeru looking confused.

Yamato let out a sad sigh and went inside. Right now he really don't want to say anything but at the look of things, he's going to have to. He sat down at the couch and noticed the was TV on. He turned it off and started to think about what to say. Takeru sat next to him wondering what his big brother thinking about. Sure he sometime comes unexpected but usually he doesn't look gloomy. He always looks happy to see his little brother. Takeru placed his hand on Yamato's lap and looked at him with a worried face.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" asked Takeru trying to help Yamato.

Looking at Takeru just breaks his heart. He feels that only lying to him will hurt him much greater than telling him. He finally got his thoughts organized and knows what to say.

"It's about mom." Yamato started as he waited for a reaction from Takeru.

"What about mom?" asked Takeru with a hint of worry in his voice.

"You see, she was driving through the storm last night. The roads were slippery that she and another car hit each other." Yamato paused for a moment then continues. "After she was hit her car spinned out of control and hit an edge of a building on her side of the door."

Takeru's eyes showed disbelief on what he is hearing. Their mother got hurt and he didn't know until now. "Is she alright? Why didn't you call earlier?" asked Takeru franticly wanting to know.

"Dad found out an hour ago and told me to get you." said Yamato only answer one question.

Takeru didn't know what do to. The information was taking it's time to sink through. Yamato place his hand on Takeru's should. Takeru look at him still feeling shocked and disbelief.

"Takeru, please get ready. We have to get to the hospital." said Yamato sounding much more serious.

Takeru finally had the feeling of hope that their mother is alright. He just nods and hurried to his room and changed to different clothes. Despite what his brother mood might be, Takeru just believed that their mother is alright and he was just worried. That spark of hope didn't fade. After Takeru got ready, they went to Yamato's car and head to the hospital. The ride was grimly silent. Both brothers didn't say a word to one another. Yamato didn't want to talk to Takeru right now because he wasn't sure what to say at this moment. As for Takeru he was still worried but still hoped that their mother is alright.

When they got there, Yamato lead the way and Takeru stayed by his side. Takeru looked around his surroundings and saw different room passing by. Some rooms were open and others were closed. Some people going into the rooms and some people coming out. When they got to their mother's room, the sight just broke Takeru's heart. See his mother having an oxygen tube on her nose, bandages on her arm, cuts on her left eye brow, different tubes on her left arm and the sound of beeps on the heart monitor. He walked slowly to her as if he walked too quickly, she would break. He went to her right side and place his hand her. Tears being to fall from Takeru's eyes hoping that she will get well. His mother's eyes opened and moved her head weakly to him.

"Hello Takeru." said Ms. Takaishi as she gave a weak smile to her youngest son.

"Hey mom." said Takeru as he smiled back.

Yamato was going to join but his father pulled him a way by gently tapping on his shoulder. Yamato followed his dad outside the room and Mr. Ishida closed the door enough to leave it open just a crack.

"Yamato, the doctors talked to me when you went to get Takeru." said Mr. Ishida sounding serious.

"What did they say?" asked Yamato sounding concern.

"She has internal bleeding and they can't stop it." he paused and saw Yamato's eyes widen from what he is hearing. "She doesn't have long."

"Wh-what!? She's dying?" asked Yamato as he was close to tears.

"I am afraid that she is." said Mr. Ishida as a tear fell from his eye.

"What about Takeru?" asked Yamato.

"I want you to take him away from the room when she starts to..." Mr. Ishida couldn't bear to say it. After all this times he still loved her.

"I understand." said Yamato as he looks down and tears beings to fall.

The two returned to the room and heard Takeru talking. Yamato wipe his tears and stand right next to Takeru. Mr. Ishida walked and went behind his sons. Takeru talked that she'll get better and he'll try to help out as much as he can. But hearing Takeru say that she'll get well makes Yamato want to take Takeru and shout that she won't be. He knew he couldn't do it. They all had a turn to talk to her and as well as she says that she loved them no matter what. Yamato managed to keep track on the monitor and felt that it was going to be close. So he managed to get Takeru to go with him to buy a soda. Once both of them got their drinks, Takeru finally said something.

"I hope she get better, because I don't know what I will do if something happens to mom." sadly said Takeru as he looks at the floor.

Yamato took a sip on his soda and said "If anything would to happens, me and dad are still here."

"Thanks big brother that helps some of my worries." said Takeru as he gave Yamato a small smile.

Just then they heard foot steps rushing. A doctor and a few nurses rush pass the two boys. They saw that they were heading down the hall to the left close to where their mother was at. Takeru was about to rush but Yamato grabbed his arm and stopped him.

"Yamato, let me go, they could be heading to where mom is at." said Takeru as he struggles.

"Takeru, there's no point in rushing. If they are heading to where she is, then stay out of the way and let them do their job." firmly said Yamato.

Takeru knew Yamato has a point but he can't just stay away and not see what is happening. "Please Yamato, let me go." said Takeru as he stopped struggling.

Yamato let go and wait to see what Takeru is going to do. He just stood there looking at where the doctor and nurses went to. Yamato knew that Takeru must be told on what their father told him. If he tells him, Takeru would rush back to see if she was alright. He was about to say something but then they saw their father walking to them slowly. His head was looking down, which made Takeru look worried. He finally got to them and didn't say anything.

"Is something wrong dad?" asked Takeru.

Mr. Ishida didn't say a word. Yamato knew what this was all about. Unlike Takeru, he was told what will happen.

"Dad, tell me what's wrong." Takeru was getting more and more worried.

Without any warning, he quickly wrapped his arms around his youngest son. "I sorry." was all Mr. Ishida could say as tear fell from his eyes. Takeru's eyes widen from shock. He whole body shook from it own accord.

"No, it can't be." said Takeru as he begins to cry.

Yamato came behind Takeru and rapped his arms on top of his father. Takeru kept on repeating "No, it can't be." until he started to burst into tears right in his brother and father's arms.

The car ride was silent. No one speaking and no radio turned on to distract them. The only sound was the movement in the car and other cars moving. Mr. Ishida looked at his rear view mirror to look at his youngest son. Takeru just sit there with a blank look on his face and looking down. He let out a sigh knowing that it's going to be rough for Takeru.

"Dad, I think I'll stay home tomorrow." Yamato finally said something.

"Yamato, you can't just skip school." said Mr. Ishida.

"I know Dad but Takeru needs us and I don't think he's going anywhere for a while. I want to be there to help him." said Yamato sounding serious.

"I understand." said Mr. Ishida know what his eldest son means.

"You do the funeral arrangements and I'll stay with him." said Yamato as he starts to plan things out.

"You know he's going to have to move in with us right." said Mr. Ishida trying to get things clear.

"Yeah I know." said Yamato sounding a little sad. "That's why I want to be there with him, so that he will be ready."

"Alright." was all Mr. Ishida said. The rest of the way to Takeru's home was silent again.