Hello, hello, hello! Here's another one-shot for you. I hope that this is in character, since this is my first time writing something involving Adventure 02.

REVIEW!

Season: ZeroTwo

Character Focus: Ken and Iori.

Time Period: Somewhere in the season where Iori still doesn't trust Ken.

POV: Ken Ichijouji -swoons-

Mourn

This is the worst day of the entire year.

Really, the anniversary of my brother's death almost unbearable. Mom was weeping, my father was sulking. Me? I was laying in my bed, mentally beating myself up like a punching bag.

"C'mon, Ken," Wormmon nestled into the crook of my arm. "You know it's not your fault."

I just sighed. Of course it was my fault. Throughout everyone's life they've been told 'be careful what you wish for because it might come true.' Those words have a horrifying truth attached to them. Even though I was just a little kid and didn't know any better at the time, I still can't forgive myself.

I'm the one who should've died.

Osamu had so much going for him, he could do anything; I was just in the way. That stupidly selfish grudge I had against him ended up being his death.

If I could trade places with him right now, I probably would. I know that's what my parents would want. Every time they look at me, they think of him. Every time my mom hugs me, she wishes it was him. All I am is a grim reminder of the son they lost.

From what I'm saying, you probably think that my parents are terrible and selfish people. They're not. In fact, they're probably the greatest parents anyone could ask for. They love and care about me to an extreme point. I'm all they have left and they're not planning on letting anything happen to me.

The reason behind their actions is simple; they miss him.

I do too.

"You should pay him a visit." Wormmon crawled onto my chest, his many legs slightly tickling me. I thought about it; I should pay him a visit, that would be the right and respectful thing to do. But I haven't been to my brother's grave since his death, how will I react once I get there? Will the grief and guilt be more overwhelming than it already is?

This is the worst day of the entire year.

I jumped off my bed, cradling Wormmon in my arms. My partner hopped down to the carpet. "Are you going?" he asked.

"Yes," I said, putting on a jacket. "But it's something I have to do alone. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, I understand. Just be careful."

I forced a tiny smile, then patted his head. "I'll be fine."

"If you're sure..." he responded.

As I walked out the door to my room, I called into the living room: "Mom, dad, I'll be going out for a bit."

The streets weren't a mess with people like they usually were, probably because all of the increasing 'monster' incidents. The air had a certain chill to it, but it wasn't the kind of chill you get from the cold. I was on the same street Osamu was when he was hit by that car...

I shivered, continuing on. The Tamachi cemetery was in eyeshot. I walked up to the black rod-iron gate, scanning the headstones for my brother's name. Sure enough, 'Ichijouji Osamu' was engraved near the back row.

Someone was gazing down at the tombstone next to Osamu's.

I thought the short figure looked quite familiar. I entered the cemetery gates with a bit of curiosity and headed towards the person who was obviously pained, his head hanging low.

It was Iori.

What was he doing here? He lives all the way on the other side of the bridge.

I was hesitant to make myself noticed, since he still sort of hates me, but then I sucked it up and walked right to my brother's grave... And right to Iori.

He seemed startled to see me there. "You shouldn't sneak up on people like that, Ken."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

And that was that. For the most part, we just silently mourned our losses. I couldn't help but wonder if Osamu would've been proud of me after all that's happened. I was the reformed villain who tried so hard to let go of what he's done and all the damage he's caused. That was worth something, right?

I suppose he'd just smile and say "You've come a long way, Kenny-Boy."

I smiled a bit, almost hearing his voice ringing in my ears. Then I frowned, realizing that it was just my imagination and knowing all too well that he was six feet under the ground I was standing on. I sighed, depressed.

This is the worst day of the entire year.

"Ichijouji Osamu." Iori read the headstone.

"He was my older brother."

He looked at me, interest flashing in his eyes. "I didn't know you had a brother."

I looked at the headstone he was in front of. "Hida Hiroki." I read.

"My father." he said, almost nostalgically. "He was a police officer who died in the line of duty."

I could admire that, I had a certain respect for people who put their lives at risk just to ensure safety and peace. Mostly because I know how hard it is.

There was silence hanging in the air between us like a thick fog. I have to admit, it was a little awkward; Iori and I still weren't too comfortable around each other and I could sense some hostility towards me.

"If I may ask," the younger boy started politely. "how did your brother..." He trailed off, obviously trying to choose his words carefully. "What I mean is, what happened to... pass him on into the other life?" I inhaled, which he took the wrong way, quickly adding "If you don't feel okay talking about it, then I understand completely."

"He was hit by a car."

I saw the boy wince, as if actually feeling the impact of a vehicle striking him. "I-I'm sorry." Iori choked out.

I inaudibly mumbled "I am too."

The whole thing was explicitly brutal; I remember Osamu's face, once a face destined for remarkable things, grotesquely disfigured. I remember his body, bloody and bruised. I remember weeping in my room that night, crying out apologies and screaming for my onii-chan to come back...

"We have more in common than we think." Iori stated. "I didn't realize until now that we share the same pain. We're both haunted by loss."

If what I'm hearing is correct, then I believe that Iori had a newborn respect for me.

He turned to me and extended his hand. I shook it.

He smiled. I smiled.

At least something good came out of the worst day of the entire year...