Author Note

Another ! . I have finished the planning for this one so it will be from 8-10. It is set two years after the canon,assuming that Takuya, Izumi and the twins were 11 then. Which means they are older than thirteen yet not fourteen(in between).

On another note: In Japan, The Law prohibits employers from employing children until the March 31 immediately following the child becoming fifteen years old. Children thirteen years old or older, however, may be employed if the labor is light and not injurious to their health and welfare.

I hope you would enjoy this one and please tell me what you think about it. Criticism is accepted ^^"

Disclaimer:You know it started to be annoying to mention every time that I don't own whatever I am writing about.


Trust Me

Chapter One

Give Me a Chance

It was the first time they fought as in real fighting. It wasn't that they didn't share some pranks and minor fights from time to time. Those childish fights usually end before they even recognize they were fighting. It seemed as if Takuya had really jinxed them by talking each time they met about how close they were while feeling sorry for his relationship with his brother. Fights are healthy sometimes to rebuild and strengthen a relation but for them they weren't. Kouichi talked once about how strange things were between them. Despite being polar opposite, they match perfectly well with each other but now...

Kouji sighed and stirred in his bed, sleeping on his right side and facing the door of his bedroom.

They really fought.

After their family reunion, they were allowed to sleep over each weekend either at their mother's home or at their father's and today Kouichi was sleeping over at his place.

He sighed mentally, hating the fact that you don't miss something until you lose it. He had taken Kouichi's presence for granted. It just felt that it was supposed to be always there, comforting him and calming his light with his soft shadows but this time light and darkness were different.

Things had escalated between them rather rapidly this time to the extent that they were sleeping in the same bed yet not facing each other. They were always so close while sleeping and in such a cold night, Kouji had to fight the need to look at his brother and to embrace him tightly in attempt to share their body warmth.

He closed his eyes, begging whatever sleepiness to come. The memories of what happened earlier kept flowing and repeating themselves in his mind.

Seeing a thrilled Kouji could be a surprise to anyone who knows the lone wolf mask but none of those had the courage to question the reason beyond his good mood. His friends weren't listed in that list, though. Takuya nudged Kouji in his rips when they were sitting under the big Sakura tree in their school during the break. Izumi didn't hide her giggles at Kouji's not so annoyed whack on Takuya's head.

'What's wrong with you, idiot?'

Takuya rubbed his head sheepishly and answered with a grin,' Waking you from your daydreams. You look so happy today, ne?'

'Yeah, Kouji for someone who doesn't show his emotions, being suddenly happy could really hurt.' Izumi pointed out in a dramatic tone,clasping her hands together to give the effect of her words.

'It is nothing really. And I am not that happy.' A faint blush stained his face.

'Oh come on. Even Takuya noticed that.'

'Hey!'Takuya protested then turned to Kouji,' But she has a point…Kinda.'

'Nii-san is sleeping over. It had been a long time since we last saw each other.'

'Oh. But you were talking on the phone almost daily.'

'It is not enough.'Kouji bit his lip and stared at the sky sadly,' Brothers can see each other whenever they want but us. It is really a pathetic relationship for twins.'

The other two exchanged looks.

'But your relationship is stronger than any brother I know. Come on I see Shinya everyday and we rarely miss a chance to fight each other.'

Kouji shrugged off then smiled,' I miss him.' He murmured as if he was whispering to himself. His friends smiled as well. They knew that the thing which could lead the usually quite twins to smile is each other's presence.

The bell range and for the first time in a while Kouji was happy that time was passing quickly.

Later that day in Kouji's house, things weren't as perfect as he wished.

'What do you mean?' Kouji asked in disbelieve. His voice was weak with a surprised crack and hint of stutter in it. Something he would never show no matter how bad his situation was.

He looked at his elder twin who was sitting on the side of their bed, refusing stubbornly to look at him in the eye.

'You heard me Kouji. '

'Why?' He managed to ask, praying that his voice won't collapse from shock.

Kouichi had came late to Kouji's home, causing the younger twin to worry frantically.

But he came. Finally.

However, the news he brought. No the thoughts he came just to inform Kouji with;not to ask him for advice or future plans. He had already decided. It was matter of telling him. He doesn't have to do that even.

' 'Kaa-san is working too hard. I'm old enough to help her.'Kouichi tried to seem sure in his words but he couldn't stop his voice from trembling in uncertainty.

'By working! You have not even turned fourteen yet. How the hell could you get a job? 'Kouji raised his voice in frustration and left the desk's chair he was sitting on, 'You don't have to work, Nii-san. Otou-san is ready to pay for anything. He told 'kaa-san several times.'

'I know!' Kouichi snapped in rare anger and looked at him, tears flowing freely.

'Kouichi.'

'I am doing this for everyone's sake. 'Kaa-san shouldn't know neither Otou-san. It is my own decision and I will take full responsibility.'

'Damn it! Stop considering yourself as a never think about yourself but others' problems and lifes. That's unfair. I would never le-''

'I am doing this for myself too, Kouji.'

The soft whisper interrupted Kouji's angry roaring.

'What?'

'I-I want to depend on myself for once. I want to prove to myself at least that I can take care of myself.'There was a heavy pause then a tired sigh,' I want to help my mother. She never allowed me to work or to even think about it. I can't risk her Knowing. She would feel that she weren't able to take care of me.'

'You don't have to, Kouichi.'

Kouji walked slwoely towards his brother and sat beside him,'You are strong enough to prove that without hurting yourself or others' feelings. If 'kaa-san or Otou-san knew that you are thinking about having a job, they will be really mad and…depressed. You don't want them to feel that, ne?'

'That's why I told you. I could have kept it a secret from you too but you would feel something eventually,'Kouichi smiled weakly.

'You want me to lie to them.'

Kouichi looked at the floor, ashamed,'You won't lie. It is just that my work hours start after school and I wouldn't be able to come to your home in weekends. 'Kaa-san usually have night shifts on weekends so she wouldn't expect anything however if she knew that I always came late to your home, she would be suspicious.'

'I…I don't understand.' Kouji's head started spinning with the shock's effect, taking place.

'I won't be able to come to your home on weekends. Your parents will be suspicious if I always came after 9:00 p.m. I will tell 'Kaa-san that I can't come to your place as supposed because of homework and exams. If you told her that you understand and nothing is wrong then she won't feel anything wrong.'

Kouji was just looking at him as if it was the first time he saw him. He gritted his teeth angrily, narrowed his eyes and clenching his hands into fists.

That can't be happening. He was loosing him…slowly but simply. Kouichi took his decision. He was informing him nothing more.

He wasn't satisfied with few meetings monthly but now…there wouldn't be any. Kouichi was ready to lie, to sacrifice their time together just to have a part-time job. Was he in need of money this much? What was he supposed to do? Accepting this rift in their bond, allowing his nii-san to be on his own in a place he doesn't know and people he can't even trust. Anyway,what kind of people allow a thirteen year old kid to work for them? They must be heartless and just wanted to take advantage of him. The thought that his brother would get hurt without him even knowing was killing him.

'Kouji.'

There was a hand on his shoulder before it started shaking him as if he was asleep. How much he wished that it was a nightmare…that he would just wake up as if nothing had happened.

'Kouji!'

This time the voice was panicked, forcing him to return back to reality. He looked at the pure blue eyes of his twin, feeling his pain and anguish in these glimpses of his irises.

'Kouji.'Kouichi called him with apparent fear and worry. Looking at his lap, he muttered,' I know that you won't like it but I have already taken my decision and nothing will stop me. I found the job and will start working from the beginning of the coming week.'

How he felt all that anger he didn't know. Kouji never believed that his frustration would lead him to more than verbal fight. He was boiling inside and needed to get that anger out on something…or someone.

Before he realized what he was doing, he gripped Kouichi by his shirt's collar and pushed him to the opposite wall.

'You don't understand, do you? It is not about you. Stop being so damned selfish. You want to satisfy yourself by feeling that you have done something by yourself, ignoring others' feelings. You claim that this is for out mother's sake yet you are terrified to tell her about your honorable decision.'His sarcastic tome increased dangerously,' You blamed Otou-san for leaving you two in the past and when he is trying his best to help you, you refuse.'

'Kouji.'

'I wouldn't lie to 'Kaa-san. I will tell her. I would never let you do something like that. Ever.'

'It is my decision.'

'I don't care. I won't allow you to hurt yourself because you were so damned stubborn.'

'You have no right to take my own decision. This is my life not yours.' Kouichi snapped, with streaming tears on his cheeks. His words came too harsh…burning even. Kouji just stood there, looking at him, processing his words in his mind before exploding once they reached his comprehension,'It is not my fault that you walked in my life! Your decisions were always suicidal. You decided to be Duskmon once. You hid the truth of your existence there. You decided to sacrifice yourself in the sake of us. How could I trust your decision when they were always wrong and harmful? Damn it!'

It was Kouichi's role to collapse. He didn't fight Kouji's grip on him nor did he reply to his words.

Yeah. It had been his decision to get rid of his pain in the digital world. No matter what Kouji or the others say, it was his fault. He could have refused but instead he wanted to be numb. He had wanted to eliminate the painful light. It had been his decision to betray Kouji's trust in him when he refused to tell him that he was a spirit. And it had been his decision that brought Kouji to callapse, to hate and to be burn with killing desire of getting revenge after his decision to sacrifice. He built the hatred in his brother's eyes that day… His decisions always hurt others but for once he wanted to do something for them, for hismefl.

His poor mother was working extra hours to prepare herself for his growing needs. He will enter the high school two years from now. Taking care of a baby was exhausting enough but now she was alone, taking care of a teen. Kousei had tried to help but she stubbornly refused. Kouichi was her responsibility and as long as she can offer what he needs, she would never ask anyone for anything.

If he manged to save enough money for two years then he might be able to…to attend Kouji's school. The high school Kouji is going to attend will be too expensive for him. But if he worked hard, they might be together for longer time.

He wanted to do something…Anything.

Kouji who felt Kouichi's surrender left his collar and was shocked to see Kouichi's form leaning bonelessly on the wall till he bent against it. Kouichi didn't look at him but kept staring to the floor with weak audible sniffles.

Kouji had just left the room, leaving his brother to cry alone. He never did something like that before…but he felt that he would be forced to do so many things he had never done before in dealing with his twin. When he came back to the room two hours later, Kouichi had been already asleep...

He sat from his bed as sleepiness ignored his need to sleep. Kouji crossed the room towards his desk. He sat, gazing at his sleeping twin.

'I went too far. 'he muttered bitterly.

His feet carried him weakly to his brother's side. There was enough space for him to sit beside Kouichi and to be able to look at him directly.

His fingers moved unconsciously, touching the other's soft, wet cheek, 'He cried himself to sleep.'

Kouichi had winced at the touch for brief moment then lent to it. Kouji's lips twitched into a smile upon seeing his brother's unconscious reaction. He continued rubbing his brother's warm cheek again and whispered, 'I am sorry, nii-san. I should have found another way to talk to you'.

Deep in thoughts, he didn't realize the blue eyes that started staring at him with surprise that turned into embarassemnt.

'It is weird you know. To stare at someone's asleep face.'

Kouji was about to jump, withdrawing his hand hurriedly and blushing anxiously. However Kouichi surprised him even more, taking Kouji's hand and placing it again against his cheek before smiling softly at him,' I didn't say I don't like that.'

'Huh?'

Kouichi chuckled,' Your staring at me when I am asleep. It makes me special you know. You never care to return anyone's look but when it comes to me, you do more than returning my glance.'

'Yeah.'

Kouichi sat slowly on the bed then joined him on the edge. He rested his head on Kouji's shoulder sleepily. 'You were right.'

'What?'

'My decisions always brought sadness and worry to those around me. But I want a chance.'

'Nii-san.'

'I am not as strong as you. Not physically at least but that would never stop me from trying to help 'kaa-san.'

'I can't let you hurt yourself,'Kouji said in concern.

'I won't I promise you. Just trust me. I would be careful. It is not that hard job anyway.'

Kouji's eyes widen in realization. He hadn't asked Kouichi about the job till now. He asked about the job in tense calmness.

'A bookshop?'He repeated in surprise upon hearing Kouichi answer. What Kind of bookshops allow a kid to work there. Beside it is illegal unless the owner is ready to take the responsibility.'

'It is a good job. I am sure of that.'Kouichi said sleepily in Kouji's jacket.

'Where is it?'

'Can't tell you.'

'And why?'

Kouichi grinned, 'I can't trust what would you do. You might go there and cause troubles so I would be fired.'

The younger twin pouted at his brother's ultimate trust before sighing in defeat,' Promise me that if someone hurts you , you would tell me. And I will try to come to your home more than before as you won't come here.'

Kouichi raised his head to look at Kouji's eyes,'You mean?'

The long haired twin forced a smile, 'Yeah. I don't like that at all but I will respect your decision. However if I knew or felt that you aren't doing well or that your study was affected, I will tell our parents.'

Kouichi felt hot tears in his eyes, 'Kouji…I-I don't…'

'Shh. It is a promise.'

There was a short silence between them before Kouichi mumbled between his tears, 'Hai. I promise you.'

It wasn't the best deal Kouji would have but it was better than nothing. Knowing Kouichi , he expected him to do what he had planned so having such a promise and a possibility to be able to protect him if needed was the only thing he can get.

He would just wait and see…The problem was that he wasn't patient enough to wait.