A/N: Hi there! First of all, I want to say welcome mikiyagami to my fic and I'm really glad you like it so much. Means a lot to me and I do hope you continue to leave me your feedback. Same goes for the rest of you. Feedback means a lot to me :) I don't find this chapter as well, still working on my description skills.
Chapter 4: Harass
Taiki glanced back once at the rest of the group, seeing Tagiru and Yuu reach a distance away before looking at Hideaki.
"So, are you going to tell me why you were looking at Tagiru that way or am I going to have to persuade you?" Taiki asked casually. His expression was calm but his eyes were focused and surging with protectiveness. No one would hurt Tagiru and Yuu as long as he were around. They may not be his brothers but they were as good as.
Hideaki snarled at this.
"I can do whatever I want!" he snapped defensively. "Don't meddle with things that don't involve you, Taiki-san."
Taiki did not seem bothered by the harshness at all and simply glanced his way. He saw the threat in the words. There was something more to this. Hideaki wasn't working alone, not completely. However, whether his intentions with Tagiru were his own feelings or the result of someone's control was another matter entirely. He shrugged.
"Suit yourself then," he replied simply and continued walking.
Suddenly, Taiki stopped causing Shoutmon to almost bump into him and might have if Taiki hadn't been thrown back, crumpling to the ground roughly.
"Hideaki-kun, your methods are such a bore sometimes," A young boy appeared. He had light blue hair and was quite well-dressed. He wore a suit and bow tie, having a wide smile on his face.
Hideaki stared, his eyes widening.
It was rare for Kuro Sakai to wander out, he always remained indoors observing everyone. He shivered a little. Even though he looked up to Kuro as a teacher due to his methods, he made his plans look like those of a harmless little kitten.
"It's strange to see you here, Kuro-sama," Hideaki admitted. "Kaito and Taico usually don't let you out of their sight."
Kuro pouted.
"Well, they're just too grown-up," The blue-haired boy huffed before blinking and reappearing behind Taiki grabbing him.
Shoutmon hissed protectively, before making to attack but a needle came flying in his direction, stabbing itself inside him. He felt his vision blur. He wanted to move but he couldn't. A sharp pain moved through his body and he felt like someone had placed him above an oven that was burning inside and out.
"Shoutmon!" Taiki cried, ignoring his own pain of being blasted back and making towards him but Kuro's grip tightened around him.
"Don't worry, he's just paralysed!" Kuro assured him brightly. "Though since he's the king, I'm sure he'll be wanted actually. But I find you much more interesting."
Taiki grimaced in the iron-like grip which made it hard for him to do anything. He reached for his X-Loader but Kuro slapped against his arm so roughly that he lost grip on it causing it to hit the ground.
"Let go!" Taiki cried, squirming although Kuro placed some cloth over his mouth. He felt his vision blur although he continued squirming until he went limp.
Kuro glanced at Hideaki.
"Go ahead Hideaki-kun," Kuro said softly, grabbing Taiki's X-Loader and trapping the paralysed Shoutmon in a net. "They'll forgive me once they realise I brought the King." He headed back to headquarters.
Tagiru and Yuu were heading to look for clues to enquire more about the digital world situation on what exactly was going on.
"Yuu?" Tagiru asked, causing Yuu to look at him. "What was all that about? Why was Taiki-san so suspicious of Hideaki?"
Yuu frowned a little, remembering Taiki's reaction and shook his head.
"I don't know the exact reason," Yuu admitted. "But I think he felt Hideaki might want to hurt you."
"Why would he want to hurt me though?" Tagiru asked, baffled at the very thought. He and Hideaki were good friends after all.
Yuu sighed. A part of him wanted to be honest with his best friend but the other part wanted to protect his innocence. He knew Tagiru should be prepared for whatever came next and he was definitely strong-willed enough to handle anything that came their way but at the same time, this was different. It was different precisely because Hideaki was a close friend of Tagiru's, rather than an open enemy for them all to face. He opened his mouth to make an excuse to why Hideaki might want to hurt him but a voice cut through them.
"Exactly, why would I?" Hideaki's voice resonated from around them and suddenly hands grabbed hold of Tagiru.
Tagiru squirmed at the grip, before coming face to face with Hideaki Mashimo.
"Oi, Tagiru reload me!" Gumdramon cried from inside the X-Loader.
"Me too, Yuu!" Damemon agreed.
Tagiru elbowed Hideaki in the chest, managing to catch him off guard.
"Reload Gumdramon!"
"Reload Damemon!"
The two digimon came out in action ready to fight. Hideaki raised an eyebrow, reloading Dobermon as well as five other digimon. DarkTyrranomon, Devimon, SkullSatamon, ShadowWereGarurumon and WarGreymon along with Dobermon made up Hideaki's collection.
Yuu stepped in front of Tagiru protectively, not wanting Hideaki to hurt him. He glowered at the other.
"Where's Taiki-san?" Yuu asked defensively. Had Hideaki hurt Taiki? He would never forgive him if he had.
Hideaki hummed as if thinking of a fond old memory.
"He needn't get involved with something that's between Tagiru and I, should he?" Hideaki replied easily. "Yuu, get out of my way. I only want Tagiru."
Yuu outstretched his arms in front of his best friend.
"Never!" Yuu snarled, bristling in protective rage. He could see the look in Hideaki's eyes. It was the look Airu often gave him. Yes, she was his girlfriend but lately he had begun feeling, she had more of a physical attraction towards him. Her lust was harmless though but he felt Hideaki's wasn't. "Damemon, super-evolve!"
"You too Gumdramon!" Tagiru said immediately.
Arresterdramon and Tsuwamon appeared beginning to fight the army.
"Dobermon!" Hideaki cried. "Dark evolution!"
Dobermon began to change form, beginning to change it into a wolf-like creature called Anubismon.
Anubismon moved quickly and slashed his sword down Yuu's chest before the other two had a chance to move.
"Yuu!" Tagiru cried, catching his best friend. "Oh god, Yuu..."
Anubismon made to slash through again. Tagiru moved to shield his friend, crying out as the slash marked across his arm. Blood trickled through the wound but Yuu looked much more.
Blood was spilling fast out of the wound and the blond's breath was getting weary. Pushing his own pain aside, Tagiru knew enough to know that Yuu needed help or at least Cutemon's healing abilities. He laid his friend down against a tree and looked up.
"Hideaki stop!" Tagiru cried, trying to talk sense into his friend. "Please! If Anubismon strikes again, Yuu could die. The friend I remember wouldn't sacrifice another friend's life for his own selfish desires."
A flash of Hideaki's old self sparked in him for a moment before his eyes glowed red.
"I can have Cutemon heal him," Hideaki replied dismissively before his voice turned cold. "But you need to come with me. Surrender yourself and Yuu gets to live. Continue to hide behind him for protection and Anubismon will strike again."
Tagiru felt his blood turn cold. He didn't want to surrender. He really didn't. But at the same time, he couldn't just let Yuu die. He felt as if he were being crushed between two walls. If he went with Hideaki, there was no guarantee that he'd uphold his promise and have Yuu healed anyway. But if he didn't...oh god, what was he supposed to do? It was a double-edged sword.
