Disclaimer: The muses would like to remind everyone that Angel Spirit doesn't own Digimon, just the plot of the fic.
Author's Notes: You know, the only thing I don't like about Open Office, is that it tends to try to automatically place words in while you're typing-it tries to 'guess' the word-and it also tends to smash everything together until you scroll all the way down the whole document so that it can fully read it. Okay, I liked...LOL!...that was two things I don't like about Open Office. So there's a heads up for anyone interested in getting it-but that's just my opinion, and luckily the only time I have to use Open Office is when I'm at work-most times, I use MS Word ! Anyway...so the only mistake that I still have from the last chapter is that I accidentally left something in bold print and I realized that after I'd put it up...blah. I'm sure I'll go back and fix it later, but for the most part I feel like I'm flying through with editing/revising this fic so it's all nice and pretty! And a good thing too, because as I'm doing this I'm getting my spark back for the plot of this fic-so hopefully that'll mean an update soon with a new chapter! The only thing I'm not sure on, is how to spell Kouichi's last name...I'm not sure if it's Kinmura, or Kimura...on most websites I'm finding that it's spelled Kimura...so that's how I'm going to spell it until I find out differently.
Like I said earlier, yay for spring fic cleaning! LOL. I've been told two things about this chapter for those who are new to it-one, is that it's made people cry (and I swear I didn't mean to do it! Really!) and two-is that everyone seems to love the flashbacks that I've got going...I admit, it was fun to write them! Eventually with one of the flashbacks I've got, I might make it into a one shot...but you didn't hear that from me! (Winks)
Rating: PG13
Warning: This fic contains slash/yaoi...if you don't like male/male pairings or the pairings listed below, then I suggest that you hit that wonderful back button now to the top left of your page...
Pairings: Takuya/Kouji, Izumi/Kouichi/Junpei triangle, and maybe some Shinya/Tomoki at times
Time Setting: Four years after season 04 Ages go as follows: Takuya, Izumi: 14; Kouji, Kouichi: 15; Junpei: 16; and Shinya, Tomoki: 12
Confessions
Author: Angel Spirit
Chapter 3: Memories
It was still raining outside. And it matched everyone's moods.
To Takuya, he felt like he was falling with the rain.
He fell wordlessly into a chair when he heard when Tomoko had told him the news that the other's had found out a few minutes before he had...he couldn't believe it. Kouji…his Kouji…might not wake up…and if he did wake up, the doctor's weren't sure if he'd walk again…
His body was trembling, and he had a hard time keeping his hands from shaking as he clasped them together to keep them still.
He didn't want to let the other's know how distraught he was. In total truth, he was a complete wreck. Takuya bit back the sobs that threatened to escape, and blinked his eyes several times to try and clear the tears. But his efforts to keep his emotions intact weren't helping much.
Glancing around the waiting room that he, his friends, Kouichi and Tomoko were all in, he saw that he was pretty much the odd man out-or so that's what he felt like.
Kouichi had Izumi's arms wrapped around him, and he'd managed to fall into what Takuya knew was an uncomfortable sleep...tears still staining his cheeks. With all that was happening, Takuya wondered if he would even get to sleep that night…or if he'd ever have a peaceful night of sleep again.
His mother had taken Shinya home, as Shinya had fallen asleep and had been asleep for quite awhile. She had wanted to bring him home with her as well, but Takuya had refused to leave the hospital.
In all truthfulness, he didn't want to leave until Kouji woke up. Even though he knew that the chances of that happening (at least according to the doctors) were slim to none. He wanted to stay here though...even until the end. That sudden, harsh thought that had unwillingly made it's way through his mind caused Takuya to fight back the sob that threatened to make itself known.
Junpei had gone home…he hated hospitals, Takuya and the other's knew that. Takuya was surprised that the light haired brunette had mustered the courage to come. He fought a small smile that slowly appeared when he thought that that just meant just how good of a friend that Junpei really was.
He'd have to tell Kouji that Junpei braved his fear of hospitals to come…
And he would be able to tell Kouji that…right?
Thoughts of doubt were slowly starting to swirl through his mind, and cloud through all his hopes and high dreams that Kouji would somehow wake up...soon.
Kouji would never give up...that much of a thought stayed with Takuya. Takuya knew Kouji too well...Kouji wouldn't go down without a fight. And a part of him strongly believed that Kouji was in the ICU ward that the doctor's had put him in, continuing to fight...fate couldn't be cruel now. Not after everything they'd been through. Takuya just wished that he could be there to help Kouji fight-just like the way they'd fought side by side in the Digital World against Cherubimon and Lucemon.
He sat alone in his chair, hugging his knees to himself and feeling even worse then he had earlier when he'd been outside up on the roof.
When Takuya felt a gentle touch on his shoulder, he nearly jumped out of his skin as he met a pair of blue eyes that belonged to Izumi-normally they were bright with laughter, now however they were dull with sadness and fear...
"Kouichi and I are going to go and get some coffee…you're welcome to come with us…do you want some?" She asked quietly, and Takuya sighed as he nodded.
She gave him a small smile as she turned around and started to leave, but when she checked back to see if he was following, he only shook his head.
"If you'll bring me back something…" He murmured, choking on his words as Izumi nodded in understanding.
The pretty blond headed out of the room, and met up with Kouichi in the hallway.
Once he was alone, Takuya managed to scramble quickly out of the uncomfortable plastic seat he was in, and started walking in the opposite direction that Kouichi and Izumi had taken.
Takuya had firmly decided that there was only one place where he really wanted to be right now.
And that one place was right by Kouji's side.
However, that meant, that he'd have to find the twin's mom…as she was probably the only person in the whole hospital who could give him clearance to see him. The doctor in charge had firmly stated that only immediate family were allowed to see the raven haired teen that he'd come to care so much for.
But Takuya wasn't going to leave the hospital to go home and try to get rest until he got a chance to see Kouji with his own eyes. He wanted to make sure that his friend was still breathing, as the doctor had said that he was. He had to see Kouji…at all and any costs. Thinking quickly, he made his way down to where they had first walked in, hoping that that nurse receptionist was still working.
Takuya had gotten lucky-the dark blond nurse (who's name Takuya couldn't remember at the moment) looked like she was organizing things for the next person who was going to take over her shift, and made it appear that she was getting ready to leave.
"Ummmmm…excuse me?" Takuya hated the way his voice sounded…it sounded like he'd been doing nothing but crying his heart out for the past several hours…
Which, in all reality, he had.
The nurse turned around to face the speaker who had tried to get her attention, and when she saw who it was, she smiled softly in the brunette's direction.
"What can I do for you…? It's Takuya, isn't it?" Takuya nodded, thinking that the twin's mother must've told her everyone's names.
"Yeah…is…is Ms. Kimura around?" He murmured, and the elderly blond nurse continued to smile softly at him as she nodded and went to pick up a phone typing in what seemed like an extension number on the key pad.
After talking with someone for a few minutes, she hung up.
"Tomoko will be down in a few minutes. She's looking after one of her patients at the moment. I can't…I can't tell you how sorry I am about your friend." The nurse offered quietly, as Takuya sighed and stuck his hands into his jean pockets and gave her a small nod as the nurse continued to speak and give her condolences.
"I know it's hard…trust me, I see things like this all the time…my heart goes out to anyone who comes in here like that…I always hate having to break the news to people about family members…but I know Kouji's not your family member…you must have a very strong friendship with him." As the nurse moved around a bit, finishing the tasks that she'd been doing before Takuya had interrupted her, he saw the name tag and read it with relief as he saw her name that he'd been trying to remember. It was Judy.
"Kouji's my best friend…I…I don't know what I'd do without him…" Takuya whispered softly, and Judy offered him that kind smile of hers once more.
"From the look in your eyes I'd say that he's a great best friend…maybe something more?" He immediately looked directly into her bright green eyes when she said this, his mouth nearly falling open...not really knowing what to think about what Judy had just said. How had she figured it all out so quickly, when plenty of people were still in the dark about his true feelings for Kouji?
"H-how…?" Takuya barely managed to stammer the question out, and the nurse chuckled softly.
"I see things like this all the time Takuya. If you get the chance to see Kouji-any chance at all…tell him. He might be unconscious in a deep sleep, you might think that he might not hear you, but he will hear you. Somewhere in the depths of his mind he'll hear your voice...they always do, I'm a firm believer of that. Tell your friends to talk to him too…sometimes that helps pull people out of the darkness they become trapped in." Takuya nodded at this, and then turned around as he heard footsteps coming toward him and saw Tomoko standing there behind him, looking rather tired herself.
"Takuya…it took me several attempts through various connections, but I've finally managed to get you clearance to see Kouji. I have to warn you though…" She started, but Takuya shook his head, trying to hold the tears back that threatened to flow once again.
"You don't have to warn me Ms. Kimura…I…I still want to see him, no matter what. I don't know how to explain it, but I have to see him!" He insisted, determined to see his secret crush no matter what, and Tomoko let out a soft sigh and nodded as she motioned for him to follow her. Waving slightly at Judy, as Takuya had the feeling she probably wouldn't be there when he returned, Takuya followed Tomoko into the nearby elevator. It was just the two of them, and several moments of silence before the twin's mother finally admitted to Takuya what had been on her mind for quite some time.
"Takuya…you and Kouji are...really close...aren't you?" She whispered as she wrapped her arms tightly around herself, and he hesitated before he nodded as he cast his vision down to the floor-not quite wanting to look into Tomoko's eyes. They reminded him to much of Kouji's own dark blue gray orbs...a set of eyes that Takuya wasn't sure if he'd ever get to see again.
"You know Takuya, you've changed Kouji so much…from what I...used to...hear from the twin's father, every time you call him, or every time the two of you just hang out for a day he says that that is always when Kouji is the happiest. It was pretty hard on him I believe…being led to believe that I was dead-that he didn't have a brother-none the less a twin. A lot has changed for him, and yet you've been there all the way through it. I want to thank you for that." Tomoko was shaking slightly as she tried to get her words out, and Takuya nodded gently in understanding nibbling softly on his lower lip, not quite knowing what to say in return.
"Takuya...promise me one thing...please?" The twin's mother asked this question with such emotion that it caused Takuya to glance up from the floor and finally look into her eyes.
"Anything." He whispered, wondering what kind of promise that Ms. Kimura could possibly have him make to her.
"Promise me that you'll always, always be there for Kouji. I think without you his life would probably fall apart-and I couldn't stand seeing that happen to him with everything that's going on now. When he wakes up and finds out what's happened, he's going to be devastated. Promise me that you'll never leave his side, and that you'll look out for him? I know that between you and Kouichi, you two can help him more then anyone else can. Please?" Takuya was shocked at Ms. Kimura's request, and wasn't quite sure what to say to it. But as they continued to stare into each other's eyes, Takuya suddenly knew that he had to promise…and that he would keep that promise no matter what. He was so close to Kouji already-and he wouldn't allow something as horrible as this to tear them apart-no matter what happened next.
When he nodded, it was all Tomoko could do to keep from crying herself. She knew that if Kouji woke up, that he would need all the strength and support-and the only two people she knew who could constantly help keep him going were Takuya and Kouichi. Without thinking, she kneeled down and pulled Takuya into a big hug. Knowing that he needed the comfort as much as she did. A part of Tomoko knew that after this Takuya would always be a member of her family-no matter what-he was just as much of a son to her now as Kouichi and Kouji were and for Takuya to make such a promise...
"Thank you Takuya…that means a lot to me." She whispered, and felt Takuya nod into her shoulder as she felt his body shudder. She herself, felt her own tears start to fall again but started wiping them away when she stood up a couple of minutes later when the elevator came to a stop.
Managing to take a deep breath, Tomoko glanced down at Takuya, who was wiping his own eyes with the back of his hand before the elevator doors opened.
They remained quiet as they headed down the hallway, and Tomoko nodding a greeting to a passing doctor along the way as she led Takuya to the room in the ICU ward where Kouji was being kept. As they neared the door, Takuya suddenly paused and glanced around him-a feeling of apprehension coming over him as he suddenly realized just how nervous and scared he really was.
"Do you want me to come in with you?" Tomoko asked softly, and Takuya shook his head. He wanted to see Kouji by himself-he could do this. Kouji was his best friend…
Not saying another word to the twin's mother he twisted the doorknob and stepped through the small crack that he allowed himself as he shut the door gently behind him a few seconds later.
And what he saw in front of him, made him want to cry…
Flashback
"I thought I'd find you here, why did you run off like that?" A soft snort came from the figure who was leaning up against the tree, arms crossed over one another and his legs pulled up to his chest."Because they're all acting like a bunch of idiots, that's why." Takuya frowned as the other said this.
"And why do you say that they're all acting like a bunch of idiots?" Kouji let out a low chuckle at Takuya's question, as he shook his head and stood up-brushing himself off as he did so and looked Takuya directly into his dark brown eyes. The look caused Takuya to shiver a bit.
"Because…they can't make up their minds and we're wasting time here! Who cares which ride we go on first? We'll go on all of them eventually! And it's not like we don't have all night." When Kouji said this, Takuya found himself agreeing with him wholeheartedly.
This was the last night of the carnival, and it had been the only night that the small group of Digi Destined could be able to make it altogether.
And now they were-or had been-spending most of their time arguing over which ride to go on first. Tomoki was too scared to go on the upside down, wild and fast rides…he and Shinya wanted to go on the slower ones, but Takuya didn't want to two running off on their own and getting into some kind of trouble if he or any of the others weren't there to help them get out of it.
It hadn't been until a few minutes ago, that Takuya had realized that Kouji hadn't taken part in the argument and in fact, was nowhere to be found. So he had left the argument as well, and had gone in search of his secret crush.
"So what do you want to do?" Kouji's head jolted up and his eyes widened a bit, as though he hadn't been expecting Takuya to ask him such a thing-which, in all honesty he hadn't. He found it very rare that Takuya actually cared what he wanted to do. None of the other's had actually asked his opinion-even Kouichi, his own twin. He had felt like a ghost just standing there and listening to everyone squabble, knowing that if he had even tried to say anything on the situation that no one would have probably listened to him anyway.
He was so stunned that for a moment he couldn't think, nothing could come to mind. But Kouji knew exactly what he wanted to do...
The reason why he had come in the first place, wasn't to spend the evening with their group of friends-he had come here to spend the evening with Takuya-Takuya had been the one who had invited him to come along, and when the other's had heard of their plans they'd wanted to join in. At first, Kouji had been fine with it. But back there as he listened to them constantly argue, he realized that suddenly he hadn't been fine with the other's tagging along...that in all reality, he'd just wanted it to be just him...alone with Takuya. But how to tell Takuya that without sounding jealous, or making a big fool out of himself?
"I…I…" Before Kouji could say what he had really meant to say, he heard their names being called out and silently cursed his dumb luck. Kouji looked up at the same time Takuya did, to see Izumi dashing up to them with the others trailing behind her, Izumi out of breath as she bent over and put her hands onto her knees.
"Kouichi says that he's willing to go with Tomoki and Shinya on the slower rides, that he doesn't mind…so that's all taken care of Takuya, so you don't have to worry about Shinya and Tomoki going off on their own! Which means that it's just you, me, Junpei, and Kouji of course." She said with a sly grin as Takuya heard complaints from his younger brother and Tomoki about having to have a 'babysitter'…even if that babysitter was Kouichi. Takuya flashed a thankful grin at Kouichi who only smiled back…Takuya had the feeling that by the end of the night, Tomoki and Shinya wouldn't be minding that Kouichi was tagging along with them-he had the feeling that Kouji's twin brother had something planned up his sleeve for the three of them that Tomoki and Shinya would probably agree to-whatever that sneaky plan of Kouichi's was. Kouichi most certainly wasn't as angelic as he usually appeared to be. That much Takuya had learned after he'd started hanging out with him and Kouji after they'd returned to the Digital World. There had been quite a few times in the past where Kouichi would do something and blame the end results on Kouji-often making Kouji the culprit..and the rather unhappy twin at that. But usually, Kouichi made it up to Kouji in some way...and Takuya had the feeling, that Kouichi was going to 'babysit' Shinya and Tomoki as one of those small favors. To the both of them this time...not just to Kouji. It made Takuya wonder what it was Kouichi had planned as payback.
And, speaking of Kouji…as Takuya glanced behind him, he saw Kouji staring wistfully off in a certain direction, but he couldn't quite place what he was looking at. However, it wasn't until he saw a couple of guys a few years older then them walk past their small group, holding hands. The taller guy-a handsome looking brunette-leaned into the pretty blond who's hand he was holding onto tightly as he pointed into one direction, a mischievous look on his face.
The blonde's face turned into one of horror and he started to protest, but the brunette only gave him a maddening grin and started to drag him off in the direction of the roller coaster that went upside down. Even Takuya had to chuckle softly at this, as he watched while the brunette got tired of the blonde's ceaseless struggles, and lifted him up and brought him over his shoulder. The blond glared at the brunette and said something that only made the taller teen laugh as he continued off in the same direction as the blond struggled to get down...Takuya thought he heard the blond teen say something rather inappropriate, and when the brunette replied back to it, the blond blushed furiously. Takuya had to say that the blush was probably from embarrassment, rather then anger.
And suddenly, Takuya seemed to know exactly what it was that Kouji wanted without the raven haired teen having to even say anything. Sometimes, Takuya loved it when he was able to read minds...and he had a good idea as to how to turn this situation around without embarrassing Kouji...but by making him incredibly happy with him instead. All he wanted to do was to see Kouji smile at one point tonight, and he knew that by doing what he was just about to do, that he'd get to see that rare smile of Kouji's-one's that Takuya had quickly noticed were usually reserved just for him.
"…Takuya? Earth to Takuya!" Takuya blinked once, then twice again, before noticing that Izumi was waving her hand in front of his face and tapping her foot impatiently as she tried to get his attention.
"Come on, we don't have all night! It's already starting to get dark!" She protested, and Takuya grinned and nodded as he slowly headed back over to where Kouji was had gone to sit down on the bench nearby...it was clear that he was rather agitated with their friends, even if he wasn't showing it. Takuya knew just by how tense Kouji's shoulder's looked, that he wasn't happy.
"You're right Izumi, it is getting dark. And if I'm not mistaken, I think I recall that I only invited Kouji to come with me tonight-the rest of you pretty much invited yourselves…not like I don't mind hanging out with you guys, but…" And with that, he extended a hand out to Kouji, who looked up at him with a shocked expression shining clearly in his blue gray eyes.
From the corner of his own dark eyes, Takuya saw Kouichi nodding his head in approval and giving Takuya a small smile of encouragement before turning around to Shinya and Tomoki-asking the two younger boys what they wanted to do first.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Are we getting out of here or what?" Takuya saw Kouji gulp as he extended a hand and he grabbed it quickly before the raven haired teen could change his mind as he hauled Kouji to his feet.
"Takuya…what are we doing?" Kouji asked in a nervous whisper as Takuya headed off in the same direction that the dark haired brunette and the blond had gone earlier.
When he pointed a finger in the direction of the roller coaster, Kouji's eyes opened wide and he slowly started to shake his head and backed up away from Takuya. The brunette grinned upon seeing this, for some strange reason he knew that he'd get this kind of reaction from Kouji.
"Oh, what's the matter? Kouji's scared of going upside down?" Kouji gulped and barely nodded his head at Takuya's light teasing, before Takuya reached over and grabbed him by the arm as he started to drag him along-for Kouji had stuck his heels into the dirt, trying his hardest to not be moved. However, Kouji's plan wasn't working as well as he thought that it would...he sometimes forgot that Takuya was stronger then he looked.
"Or is it that maybe you're just scared of sitting in my lap?" Takuya whispered again, quite seductively if he thought so himself-and he saw Kouji shiver as he whispered this into the dark haired teens ear after having pulled him close enough to do it. Sure enough, the closer they got to the roller coaster both teens could see that the taller of the two sat in the actual seat, as the other one would be pressed up firmly, yet comfortably against him-sitting in the front in the small compartment.
Now Takuya could see why the other brunette had wanted to go on this specific ride-and he couldn't blame him. Turning around to Kouji, he put his hands onto his hips and gave Kouji a playful if not teasing look.
"Well? This can't be any scarier than defeating Lucemon-right!" Even Kouji had to chuckle at this.
"Alright, I'll do it…if and only if we go on the ride of my choice next!" Takuya grinned as he reached out and Kouji took his hand.
"Deal." They shook on it, and before Takuya could react, Kouji had bolted off in the direction of the roller coaster, looking over his shoulder and grinning mischievously at Takuya.
"Last one there has to put up his ticket's for this ride!" This brought Takuya out of the sudden reverie that he'd sunken into, and he shook his head as he chuckled and dashed after Kouji.
"Oh, you're so on!"…
Takuya smiled softly at the memory he'd just gotten finished telling Kouji as he reached over and softly brushed back some fallen strands of dark hair that had fallen into his pale face."I think, if I do recall, that I ended up loosing that little bet of yours-but…it was worth it Kouji. To have us as close as we were then…of course, it didn't really help that you pretty much lost anything you'd stomached before the ride after we got off it."
And once more, Takuya allowed himself to be swept away into that recent memory from that night…
"Oh Kouji…I didn't know…" Takuya murmured, as he held back Kouji's hair while the other pretty much rid his stomach of anything prior to the ride they'd just gotten off of in the bushes nearby.
"It's…not…your fault." Kouji wheezed out, as his heaving finally slowed down enough so that he collapsed against Takuya's chest so that his back was to it, feeling Takuya's strong athletic arms wrap themselves protectively around him. As Kouji fought the blush that was creeping up along the bridge of his nose, he turned to look Takuya in the face while the said teen brushed away sweaty strands of hair from where it had fallen loose from his ponytail and Kouji mentally reminded himself to fix it once he could.
"Why don't we take a break from anymore wild rides for awhile eh?" Takuya whispered, and Kouji nodded as the two of them stood together-Takuya supporting Kouji as they made their way over to the park bench and sat down for awhile.
For the next several minutes not much was said, as Kouji was still trying to decide if whether or not his stomach had finally settled back down and didn't want to accidentally throw up on Takuya.
Now he knew why his twin didn't like the high impulsive rides that the carnival held-and why he had chosen to go with Tomoki and Shinya.
But now that he thought about it, it was his turn to pick out the next ride…or whatever it was that they were doing to do next. Giving Takuya one of his rare smiles, he stood suddenly and reached out to grab Takuya's hand as he hauled the brunette to his feet…and Takuya gave him a puzzling look in return.
"What?" Kouji only grinned at Takuya's question.
"If I do remember correctly, I get to pick what we get to do next, right?" Takuya groaned in reply-he really didn't like the mischievous look that Kouji had in his eyes. Why had he ever agreed to that deal earlier?
"Right…" Takuya muttered as a slightly better response, allowing Kouji to drag him deeper into the carnival…
"I still can't believe that you made me get that fake tattoo! Remember how long that damned thing lasted Kouji? I swear that my mother practically flipped out and went nuts when she saw it…and you just had to pick the most visible place for it, didn't you?" Takuya lightly scolded the raven haired teen, who was still unconscious on the bed as he reached out and tightly held his pale hand.
"I still think that your tattoo looked better then mine though-it suited you more. But I'll admit that that was a wicked idea. And the look on my mother's face when she saw it a couple of days afterwards by accident was priceless. So I'll definitely give you credit for that." He mused aloud, grinning as he sat back in the chair, still holding Kouji's hand as he ran his thumb along Kouji's motionless fingers.
He was quiet for awhile, thinking of more memories to tell as stories to Kouji. Hoping that his voice would bring Kouji out of the deep sleep that he was in. He wasn't going to call it a coma-not yet…he wasn't going to give up on Kouji. Not now, not ever. He knew that was part of the promise that he'd made to the twin's mother-and he'd also made the promise to himself-and to Kouji as well.
Lightly squeezing the other's hand, Takuya fought back the tears that threatened to flow once more as he looked at Kouji's peaceful face while he slept-oblivious to what was going on around him.
"The nurse receptionist on duty-Judy I think her name is-is nice. She…she told me that if we talked to you while you were asleep that you might come around. I…I know you're not in a coma Kouji, you can't be in a coma. You're too strong for that! And I know you won't give up! All those times in the Digital World that we had together, all those evil Digimon that we fought and purified…you're not going to let something like this beat you in the end, are you?" Takuya whispered, clutching onto Kouji's hand now as though it were a lifeline between the two of them.
"You're the warrior of light Kouji…so follow the light back home, please. We all need you…oh, who the hell am I kidding Kouji? I need you…and there's something that I really need to tell you when you wake up, so you'd better do it soon Kouji Minamoto! I promise you that I won't leave your side until they make me do it tonight and then I'll come back again…and I'll keep on coming back until I know you're safe Kouji!" He knew that he was practically begging Kouji, but he couldn't help it.
He didn't want to picture what a life without Kouji would be like.
"Fate brought us together Kouji, you know that? They brought us together for a reason…" Sniffing back the tears that threatened to fall, Takuya found another memory…and he smiled softly at this as he gently laughed.
"I-I know that one of Izumi's cheer leading friends had that big crush on you-except you didn't want to have anything to do with her…and she was driving you crazy…and the way that you found not to go to the dance with her, was probably one of the craziest ways that I'd ever seen or heard of before! Let's just say, that that one went down for the record…but I think that you surprised me as much as you surprised yourself…" As his soft laughter melted away the tears, Takuya found himself lost in yet another memory…a very recent memory in fact…
Takuya glanced up as Kouji dumped his messenger bag down on the table in the cafeteria that he was sitting on and let loose a low growl of frustration.
"What's up Kouji?" Takuya asked, trying to keep a calm, unknowing look on his face. Though deep inside, all he wanted to do was burst out laughing. Kouji was having a really bad week…and everyone in their small group of friends knew that.
It had actually started earlier in the month when one of Izumi's newest friends from the cheer leading squad had started to flirt with Kouji-but there was one little problem with that idea-Kouji wasn't interested. And it made a lot of the other guys in the school completely jealous of him, because the girl happened to be one of the prettiest girls out of the whole school.
"Izumi's bitch of a 'friend' won't leave me alone, that's what! I can't believe that Izumi told her that I was single! And from what I've heard from Izumi, the brat's planning on asking me to the Homecoming dance that's coming up next weekend-and I've already told her that I've got no plans to go to that stupid dance once so ever! Especially with a girl like Kitty!" Takuya chuckled as Kouji shuddered when he said her name as he opened up his lunch bag.
"I mean, what kind of a name is that anyway? Kitty…ugh…and she won't leave me the hell alone either, she follows me around like a little lost puppy dog that won't be kicked away!" When Kouji sent a glare Takuya's way after he was done ranting, Takuya went silent as he took a big bite of his sandwich to keep from laughing. He couldn't help it-Kouji's situation was too hilarious.
"And to make matters worse, since Kitty's also going to be homecoming princess for her class, that means that if I turn her down for the dance all the stupid jocks at this school are going to pound me down to the ground!" Now it was Takuya's turn to glare at Kouji as he quickly swallowed the big bite of sandwich that he'd just taken.
"Hey! Watch who you're calling 'stupid jocks'…" Takuya protested, and Kouji hid a blush as he remembered that Takuya was on the school's soccer team, and only chuckled.
"Sorry Takuya-okay, maybe not all the jocks-so how about one out of how many jocks will pound me to the ground if I turn Kitty down? I swear Takuya, if I tell her 'no' in the way that I'm planning on telling her, then she's going to go running up to that ex-boyfriend of hers on the football team that she dumped because she thought that I'd actually fawn all over here like half the other guys do in this school-and I'll have the whole team after me!" Takuya sighed and gently shook his head as Kouji seemed to be giving up on the situation at hand.
The second Kitty Yin had laid eyes on Kouji, she'd all but dumped her recent boyfriend-the star football player-the next day…and had constantly gone after Kouji since.
He watched as Kouji placed his head in his arms and softly groaned.
"I don't know what I'm doing to do Takuya-you've got to help me find a way out of this!" Kouji mumbled, and Takuya grinned as he patted his secret crush on the shoulder. Takuya had to admit to himself that he wanted so badly to beat Kitty down and tell her to leave his Kouji the hell alone ever since this whole fiasco had started and have it firmly implanted in the girl's head that Kouji was his. But he couldn't do that without admitting to Kouji that he was head over heels in love with him.
"I'm sure we'll think of something together Kouji, no worries! If not, you could always just sick Wolf on her." Kouji slightly lifted his head out of his arms, and managed to grin at this as he pictured the situation Takuya had painted in his mind.
"Yeah, that might actually work…" He agreed, and they both laughed as they imagined Kouji's German Shepherd-loveable mutt that he was-chasing Kitty away…for Wolf was very overprotective of Kouji. It had taken Takuya only a few visits to Kouji's place to get the dog to like him-but Takuya had the feeling that it was because Kouji completely trusted Takuya-and vice a versa. For poor Izumi on the other hand…well, let's just say that she very rarely went over to Kouji's house-save for when Kouichi was there to protect her from the overprotective Wolf-who always seemed to try to bite her hand off whenever she walked by him. It would usually cause her to squeal and jump in fear, and was always great amusement for Kouji whenever Izumi came by to visit Kouichi...no matter how often Kouichi would scold Kouji for enjoying the fact that Izumi and Wolf didn't get along to well.
The topic of conversation led off to another different subject altogether, and Kouji had almost completely forgotten about the whole Kitty ordeal…thanks to Takuya of course.
Unfortunately for Kouji, the next day was just as bad as the previous day had been…with Kitty following him around everywhere he went, giving him those damning puppy dog eyes of hers wherever he went, no matter how many times that he said 'no' to her and shook him off of her whenever she got to clingy. She was even immune to his icy glares by now-glares that usually scared anybody away who tried to get too friendly with him. She'd just giggle at him and latch herself onto his arm, telling him how cute he looked when he did that…and he'd always shoved her off of him…but no matter how hard he shoved, he couldn't seem to get rid of her.
It wasn't until much later on in the day after Kouji had had a confrontation with Kitty's ex-boyfriend about the whole ordeal (with the ex-boyfriend threatening to do some serious body harm to Kouji) that Kouji had finally decided that he'd had enough and that he was going to take matters into his own hands. Even if it meant coming out with the truth…something about him that very few people knew…basically only his family and Kouichi knew his deep, dark secret. But if it would get Kitty off of him and back to her macho boyfriend, and guaranteeing his safety, then so be it.
It had happened right after school that day…Takuya had caught up with Kouji at one point and the two friends were walking toward Takuya's bus, as Kouji was catching the bus with Kouichi because it was one of the weekends that Kouji spent over at his twin's place to spend time with him and their mother.
Sadly for Kouji, Kitty also took the same bus that Kouichi did…and Takuya was on a different bus. Meaning that unless if Kouji was really lucky and managed to grab a seat with Kouichi-who, was nowhere to be found at the moment-it meant he'd get Kitty-torture treatment all the way home. Unless if he did the unthinkable…
Which, was exactly what he had decided to do.
Completely catching Takuya off guard as Kitty came bounding happily up to the two, Kouji pulled Takuya closer up to him and smiled seductively at him, reaching down and gently grabbing one of his hands into his own and squeezing it tightly.
"I'm so sorry about this Takuya...really..." Kouji mumbled, and Takuya raised his eyebrows at the soft apology, wondering what in the hell Kouji was talking about-though he was going to find out real soon.
"Kouji!-I've got the best plans for what we can do after the dance, I-" Kitty started to squeal as she finally made her way up to him, and Kouji shook his head. He hated the fact that he had to do this-and that Takuya had to be the victim, but he had the feeling that Takuya would probably be the one who'd be the most understanding about it...once he got a chance to explain it to the brunette. Luckily for Kouji, it was the weekend...and that meant that he'd have two whole days before he had to talk to Takuya after this.
Again, he apologized to Takuya, who looked as confused as ever, before his dark brown eyes opened as wide as saucers when Kouji suddenly pressed up against him…standing on his tiptoes, Kouji stole Takuya's very first kiss away.
Though little did Kouji know, that there was no one else who Takuya would've wanted to have stolen his first kiss. Lost in the moment, Takuya allowed the kiss to deepen as he responded to it…greatly enjoying it. Not knowing that Kouji was as well.
However, they had to break off the kiss when a scream of rage was heard from behind them, and both boys broke apart, staring at one another in the eyes for a moment of realization before they turned to see several people holding a furious looking Kitty Yin back as she looked like she was ready to kill Takuya any minute.
"You-you…you!" She screamed, pointing in their direction, and Kouji only chuckled and shook his head as he walked up to her.
"I tried to tell you 'no' Kitty, but you wouldn't grasp the simple concept of the word-and now I'm almost positive that you do understand the meaning of the word 'no'. So next time when someone tells you 'no' Kitty-take it as an affirmative answer, and leave things be! Now be a good girl and go back to your boyfriend who still loves you and leave me the hell alone!" With that, he sighed-and glancing apologetically at Takuya stuck his hands in his pockets and headed for his own place-he could go to Kouichi's later on that day…he needed some time to think to himself…and he didn't think he could survive a bus ride with an enraged Kitty.
"All I could do was watch while you walked away, stunned…by the time Kouichi got there he ended up having to drag me to safety as Kitty was pretty much telling her ex-boyfriend turned back into her boyfriend to beat the shit out of me!" Takuya chuckled, and then sighed.
That said event had actually happened much earlier that day-the same day of the accident that had taken the life of Kouji's father and stepmother…and left Kouji's own life hanging in the balance.
Takuya had called Kouji over so that way they could 'talk' about what had happened…for unbeknownst to Kouji, Takuya had planned to tell him that very night that he loved him-for so much more then a friend. And Takuya had had the feeling that Kouji felt the same way especially after the incident.
The kiss had been much to powerful for Kouji to not think of Takuya in the same way.
"And now I can't really tell you what it is that I wanted to tell you that night Kouji-I-I never got the chance to tell you…" Takuya murmured, as he allowed the tears to fall once more, not realizing the tight grip on Kouji's hand.
"But I-I think I'm going to say it now, because you mean so much to me and I want you to know that. I want you to know that you really have something to fight for-a reason to come back." Taking a shaky breath, Takuya buried his head against Kouji's chest for a moment as he gave his would-be dark haired lover an awkward embrace.
"I love you Kouji Minamoto…by the gods, I love you so much…and that is what I wanted to tell you the other night, that is why I wanted to see you. I wanted to see your reaction, I wanted to know that you felt the same way-after our kiss that afternoon Kouji, I realized I couldn't keep lying to myself about it anymore-that I wanted to kiss you again and again and hold you in my arms and keep you safe. I love you so much that it'd break my heart if you were to never wake up again Kouji, so please…" Barely able to keep himself intact any longer, Takuya allowed himself to crumble against Kouji's body, his own body shaking from the sobs that wracked his athletic frame as he held Kouji as close as he dared to.
He was so wrapped up in his own emotions however, that he didn't see Kouji's hand-the same hand that he had been holding a mere few seconds ago-twitch just a little…
TBC