Sunrise Reflections

Chapter 2

By: FortressMaximus

'We need to talk'.

There are many phrases that-over the years-through writing, T.V. and other forms of entertainment that have come to hold the dubious pleasure of being sayings that you just...don't...use because it's simply asking for trouble. 'What's the worse that can happen?' is-of course- one of the Big Three, along with 'We should be safe now' and last but not least ' Let's split up to cover more ground'.

But for a teenager, no set of words can strike as much pure fear as the four Henry had just heard. Frozen in his chair, he looked at his father trying to keep the fear out of his voice. To be honest, Henry wasn't sure what he could have done to warrant such a gruff command from his dad but whatever the problem was it didn't bode well for him.

((Oh...God...what if he knows about Renamon?!)) thought the boy to himself as a lighting bolt of ice ran down the length of his spine.

Janyu didn't want to do this; he really didn't. While many father/son relationships were sorely tested through the teenage years, he and Henry had-so far-come through fairly intact; well, save for that time after the defeat of the D-Reaper. After losing his best friend because of the necessary alterations to Terriermon's digital code, it had taken the return of Terriermon a few months later to finally bridge the gulf that had grown between them.

However, deep down, Janyu knew he had no choice. He was the father, Henry was the son and no matter what a line had to be drawn on what was acceptable behavior in their home.

"Henry...?"

"Uhm...yea dad?"

"First off, I'm not mad at you. I want you to know that."

"O..okay...".

"I am concerned about some of your recent actions, but I want you to know that I do remember what it was like being a teenager and I'm more than willing to admit I'm being something of a hypocrite here."

The youth went to reply, but quieted when the caught the look on his dad's face.

"But being a father means you get a limited privilege to be a hypocrite so I'm using that now. I hope you understand this is not something I want to come between us. I respect you Henry, and all the good you have done; I know I haven't said it enough but I am very proud of you."

"Dad...I...uhm, thanks."

"Be that as it may..." Janyu started, his gaze falling squarely on Henry's form, causing the teen to feel about an inch high..."I have to say I do have...concerns... about you sneaking out after bedtime."

A pall fell over the room as father and son sat there, each staring at the other in strained quiet until the teen found his voice. "Dad, it's not...I mean..."

"I hope you're not going to say it was your duties as a Tamer that pulled you away, because we both know that'd be-at the very least-a stretch of the truth and perhaps outright lying at worse."

At that Henry narrowed his eyes, fixing his father with a hard gaze. "And what does that mean?"

Wincing slightly at the tone, Janyu ignored the growing worry this was all going to go to hell rather quickly and forged ahead with his plan. "It means Henry that if you were going out to battle rogue Digimon, you would have taken your Digivice and Terriermon with you..." he paused, looking at his son over his glasses..."since it would be hard to fight a foe without your partner or your equipment."

"Dad, it's not really anything to worry about. Honest..."

"My son is sneaking out of his room at God-knows hours of the night, and it's nothing to worry about? Try being me and hearing that from your son; it doesn't work that way and you know it."

"Are you...are you spying on me??"

The accusation hit home with Janyu, forcing the elder to remove his glasses and rub the bridge of his nose. Trying to find a few seconds to formulate an answer, he did his best to avoid the accusatory look on his son's face.

"At first Henry, no. I was going to the bathroom, saw your window was open and went in to close it. Terriermon and your Digivice were still in your room but you weren't in the apartment at all.

"I could have just stepped out for some air; those placement tests really frazzled a lot of guys. I was up studying to after midnight a lot remember?

"That's what I thought at first. Then it happened again a few night later...and then a few nights after your final exam. Pretty soon it was at least two to three times a week Henry. Once or twice I could overlook, but not that many times son."

Janyu paused once more, putting his glasses back on and fixing his son with a direct look. "Is it drugs?"

The teen blinked. "DAD!"

"I'm your father Henry; I have to ask these questions!"

"No, it's not drugs! Seesh! You think I'm dumb enough to fall into that trap!? You and I talked about that last year, remember?

"I know son, and I'm proud of you for not getting involved with that mess. It's a long trip down a bad road...".

"Good, we agree! Can I go now?" Henry asked through clenched teeth.

Ignoring the question, Janyu sighed. "However, since it's not drugs, and it not due to Digimon rematerialize in the real world, that leaves only one option then...".

"And that is...?"

"I have to assume it's a girl."

Despite his best efforts to maintain a mask of pure emotionless, Henry could feel the color drain from his face.

((Damm...)) thought Janyu as he truly hoped there was some other option he had missed that could have solved this easily.

"Am I right Henry? Are you sneaking out to see a girl?"

"Dad...listen, it's not what you're thinking. You trusted me when I was battling the D- Reaper; why won't you trust me here?"

"I want to son, and to some degree I do! But remember I know what it's like being a teenage boy; the churning hormones, the need to do something to find out what all the other guys in the locker room are talking about. I know it's tough Henry, but sneaking out to spend some time with a girl...".

"It's not like that at all! I'm just..." at that the teen paused, trying to reign in his emotions before something was said he couldn't take back. After a few minutes he continued..."Dad, you're right; it is a girl. But nothing bad is going on!" he said, trying to reassure his father of the fact. To him, nothing bad was going on as he and Renamon-despite the incredible night they had just shared-were still going to be friends and part of the team. .

"So what's going on then?"

Henry sighed, shaking his head and wishing this conversation was over already. "She came to me for advice as her sister was having a baby. She wasn't sure how to help and felt that . having a baby sister I could at least tell her what not to do at any rate. Meeting late at night was the best time for her and it didn't bother me. Besides, has anything bad come of me talking to her? Have my grades slipped, or my chores around here been neglected?" he countered, putting his dad on the spot for once in the conversation.

"That's not the point Henry..."

"It's got to be the point Dad! There's nothing else it can be! She needed advice and I was one of the few people who's opinion she trusted! We met, we talked, I came home." The teen knew that was barely skirting the line where a incomplete truth stumbled into a pure lie, but only in the last two months or so had his relationship with Renamon started to become more physical. At first all they did was talk and that was the honest truth.

"The point Henry is that my teenage son is sneaking out to see a girl who's name he has yet to use..." commented the elder as he caught the son's shocked glance that he had picked up on that little omission..."and that he's coming back several hours after he leaves!" said the exasperated Janyu. "Do I need to spell it out for you Henry?"

"Please do, because I sure as hell can't see where this is going!" seethed the youth, his anger growing at his father's unwillingness to just trust him on this matter like he had done with so many other things.

Standing up, Janyu leaned over the table, palms push firmly down on the smooth wooden surface. "Fine Henry! You want it spelled out for you then here it is--my son is sneaking out and possibly having sex with some girl who he doesn't even bring home to meet his parents!"

"It's not like that at all!" yelled Henry, mimicking his father's position so they were now face to face over the center of the table. Lost in anger, the teen was oblivious to the fact that it indeed was exactly like that, but deep down the boy's pride would not give his father the satisfaction. This was his life; he could make the choices on his own!

"Then tell me the truth son! What else can it be!?"

"Why won't you just drop this?! There's nothing to worry about!"

"I can't accept that Henry! I will not sit by and watch you throw your life away!"

At that the boy blinked. "I AM NOT throwing my life away! You don't even know what's going on! You're just assuming it's bad when it's not!"

"Then tell me what's going on!"

"I will when it's time..."

"Henry, I love you but don't...force...this! I know you don't understand this now, but I have a responsibility to protect you from harm, even if it's protecting you from yourself! You're smart Henry, and I am so proud that you've turned into a strong and independent young man! But you have to trust me on this! This behavior...this girl will only lead you into trouble!"

"You don't know anything about her! For all you know she could be the girl I want to spend the rest of my life with!" shouted the teen, striding around the table to meet his dad face-to -face. "You can trust me to save the world, but not fall in love?!"

"You're too young to understand Henry! This...this isn't love! Sneaking out all hours of the night, not bringing her home to meet us! You haven't even said her name Henry; what am I supposed to think?!"

Disgusted, Henry turned away. "Think whatever you want! I can save the damm world, but I can't be trusted enough to find someone special! You're not being a hypocrite Dad, you're being Grandpa!"

The barb stung deeper than Henry intended, but the damage was done. It was no secret that several members on both side of the family objected to a mixed marriage; most vocal among both sides had been Janyu's father. After the marriage it was rare for the two to speak for more than a few minutes. Even before he died several months earlier, only Henry and Suzie had been welcomed for a final visit with their Grandfather. Long ago Janyu had come to uneasy terms with his father, but the relationship between them never fully recovered due to the elder Wong's stubborness--despite the fact the union brought him such wonderful grandchildren.

But for Henry to compare him to his Grandfather--well, that was the last straw. Grabbing his wayward son's arm, Janyu spun him around to face him. "You can not see her again." he commanded, his voice low and in no way leaving room for discussion.

"You can't tell me..."

"Yes, I can Henry! This girl is using you and I will not see you throw your life away on some...whore!"

He never meant to say it.

It was his frustration talking; picking the wrong word in a moment of anger.

Janyu never saw it coming.

In the blink of an eye, the man found himself rammed up against a wall, his son grasping at the poly/cotton blend of his dress shirt. Fists balled with material trapped within, Henry shook with a rare that would have made a Sovereign cower.

And in what would be the first-and only-time in his life, Janyu Wong became afraid of his son.

"SHUT UP!! DON'T YOU EVER SAY THAT ABOUT RENAMON AGAIN!!"

To an outsider watching the exchange, he or she would have been hard pressed to judge who was more in shock; Henry for revealing his secret love and-even more unnerving-what he had just done to his father, or Janyu himself, who's mind would not yet let him believe who Henry had fallen in love with.

Still shaking, Henry slowly unclenched his fists. Now born of fear and self loathing, the teen finally realized how close he had come to actually hurting his dad. With fingertips still frozen in place, he backed away as tears started to flow down his cheeks.

God, what have I done?? his mind's eye cried out as the staggered back away from his stunned dad. He looked up at his elder and tried to speak but no words would come out.

Janyu slumped against the wall, shaken to his soul by the revelation. ((My son is in love with...Renamon??)) he thought, not quite realizing yet his son was pale beyond belief. It was only after a few more seconds passed before he began to focus on his child and saw the look of agony in his eyes. It was then he realized he had gone too far and had ignited the dark anger that his son tried so hard to keep in check. "Henry..." he whispered softly, reaching out towards the youth

Henry backed away, out of reach of his father's comforting embrace as he knew he didn't deserve it. "Daddy...I'm..I'm so sorry!" he blurted out as his fight-or-flee instincts kicked in. Scrambling out the door in his pajamas the teen ran blindly, tears now flowing unchecked as the horror of what he had done to his dad replayed in his mind over and over.

"Henry...? Henry!" he called out as the boy darted into the afternoon, making it downstairs in record time and practically shoving his way through the crowd. Watching from the doorway, Janyu could only watch numbly until his son disappeared into the wooded area across the street that lead to the park.

"Don't worry son..I'm coming..." muttered the man as he paused only long enough to grab his keys and dart out the door, determined to reach his shattered son and try to repair the damage their pride had caused.

And God help anyone who got in his way...

To Be Continued...

Authors Notes:

Hello! Welcome to chapter 2 of Sunrise Reflections, my Henry/Renamon story that takes place within the 9 month time frame of Rika's pregnancy over in Cave of Wonders. Renamon went to see Henry at first for advice on how to deal with Rika being so different after becoming with child, and the pair wound up falling in love!

But can their love survive Henry's revelation? And just what does Rika's grandmother want to talk to Renamon about?? Maybe their secret love isn't a secret anymore??

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. If I did, they'd be in nice season-long box sets on retail shelves by now!

Thanks for reading!!

FM