~k2: I must start by apologizing to pappy yokum, Marika P, and venus9814 for not updating Saturday. I had promised them, the second two my only reviewers via pm (though Marika let me post her review), that I would have it out last week. Well, the intent was there. I was gonna work on it after work on Friday, then all day Saturday because it was my day off. Then, Mom surprised us with a spur of the moment camping trip to the coast. I forgot my notebook. I was gonna do it after work on Sunday, but had to download all my files to disk because I was loosing my laptop. My...precious laptop. (proceeds to pout in the corner)
Mewkit: (having watched silently shakes her head) It's a sad, sad development. However, on the bright side, yesterday, after work she finally finished, not only the 5th chapter, but the missing chapter (whose ending has had a major change) as well! (flings arms in the arm) YAAAAY!
~k2: (sniff) it's true. And today, I did the final proof read on both and submitted them for your enjoyment.
Mewkit: We're both pretty sure that we have characterization snags and errors, so if you please review with constructive criticism we would be most grateful.
~k2: I also wanna know what your thought a and opinions are on this as well. I'm flying by the seat of my pants here, I'm not sure where I'm going in the later chaps. I have a few more chapters before my general plot disintegrates. I'm hoping to get a well spring of inspiration by then. (glares at Mewkit) Some Muse you are.
Mewkit: Can I help it if I get tapped dry now and then? Sheesh.

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Darkness Dawns a New Age
ch.5-Don't Stress Takeru
PG-13
General/Drama
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Daisuke stared at Takeru's front door as his mind ran over his speech. Now that he had a semblance of the situation he was sure he'd be able to continue their chat from before. He wasn't about to give up and walk away.

Behind him Ken was knocking on Miyako's door; Hikari stood next to him. It had taken some convincing, but he and Ken had finally managed to convince her to wait until Daisuke was done with the hopes that Takeru may be more willing to confide in her.

The sound of Bamako's older sister reached his ears and he looked over his shoulder to see Hikari and Ken disappearing into the apartment. Taking his cue from them, he faced Takeru's door again and proceeded to knock. Thirty seconds later Takeru's mom Natsuko Takaishi was answering the door.

"Oh, hello Daisuke. If you're here to see Takeru, I'm afraid he isn't up to seeing anyone right now."

"Yeah, I kinda figured he'd feel that way, but I really need t talk to him. It's very important."

Natsuko furrowed her brow uncertainly. Normally she would say no and stand firm, but if Daisuke said it was important it probably was. She understood that important for them was usually the start of problems. And Daisuke knew how Takeru was doing. He probably wouldn't be bothering him if he had any choice.

She sighed. "I'll go ask him. But don't expect a positive answer."

Daisuke grimaced, but nodded his head.

"You can wait in the living room, if you'd like."

"Thanks." Daisuke followed her inside and sat on the couch. As he waited he noticed a few pamphlets laying on the coffee table; the one closest to him read 'Psychiatry For Your Child'. A bad feeling came over him and he reached out to grab another. From what he could tell, it was a directory for psychiatrists.

"uh, oh," he murmured. That was the last thing Takeru needed; they would think he was insane!

Daisuke quickly put the directory down, uncertain Takerus' mom would appreciate him looking at them. As if on cue Natsuko returned, uncertainty still reflected in her eyes.

"Takeru says he's willing to see you, but I want you to promise me you won't upset or excite him in anyway."

Daisuke tried not to grimace. He didn't want to upset Takeru, but he was sure the conversation was going to be difficult. Despite his misgivings, though, he promised anyway. With that, he went to Takerus' room and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Daisuke entered the room and took a good look around. It was your average small apartment room, though it differed from Daisuke's because it was cleaner. In fact, it was well organized. The desk against the far wall was clear of debris and a small bookcases sat next to it. His dresser was against the left side wall and his bed against the right side near the window with the head board up against the wall. A tv tray with an untouched bowl of soup stood next to the bed. Takeru himself was half laying on the bed, propped up by pillows. He held a book in his hands and wore an unreadable look on his haggard face.

"You don't look any better then you did before." Tact was not Daisuke's strong suit.

"What's Hikari doing here?"

Daisukes' eyes widened in surprise before understanding set in. "She's visiting Miyako"

A sigh of resignation, then "What do you want?"

"I want to talk."

"About?"

"You know what about. What happened in the school bathroom."

Takeru grimaced, visibly irritated. "I can't-."

"I know you can't talk about what's wrong with you." Daisuke interrupted. "But I'm sure we can talk about what we can do about it.

"Do?" Takeru shook his head and sat up. "What could you possibly do? What can any of you do?"

"Urgh!" Daisuke sounded. "Why are you being so difficult! I'm sure we can do something to help you!"

"Like what?" Takeru snapped

"Anything!" Daisuke snapped back. He grimaced as he realized he was getting loud and continued in a lower tone, "It's better then nothing! I mean...your mom's looking at mental health pamphlets! You know what could happen if they psycho...psycho...gah!"

"Psychoanalyzed." The steam seemed to leak out of the blond and he turned his head away. "I know."

"You know?" Daisuke was incredulous. "Don't tell me you've come to terms with it!"

"It...it's...safer."

"Safer how!"

"You know how hard it is to explain."

"Takeru, this is ridiculous!" Daisuke hissed, straining to keep his voice low. "This won't help you! They'll put you in a straight jacket and throw you in the mental ward!" When Takeru didn't answer Daisuke said, "At least let us try something first! You don't know if it's hopeless yet!"

Takeru snapped his head towards Daisuke, his brow furrowed and a frown on his face. "I know it's not hopeless! I just feel that this will be good step for me! It's like I'm going insane Daisuke! Something bad will happen if I don't! I'm hearing-." Takeru grimaced as a lance of pain shot through his head and his hands grabbed hold of his blanket.

"This is exactly what I'm talking about!" Daisuke's voice was harsh as he tried not to yell. "Something is causing you to be silent about this! You're not the only one being affected either! We all need to sit down and talk!"

"I-I can't!" Takeru managed to ground out. He relaxed his body as the pain ebbed away. "You still don't understand, Daisuke. It can happen at anytime in anyplace."

"What can?"

Takeru opened his mouth to say something, but the words died on his lips and his eyes widened.

"No. No!" He flinched and grabbed his head, his knees pulling up. "Stop it. Go away! I won't. I won't! You're-you're not real!"

Daisuke stared and Takeru in shock. His friend didn't look like he was in pain this time, but something was definitely wrong. Daisuke approached hesitantly as Takeru's head slid down his arms into his waiting knees.

"Stop it!" Takeru's voice was muffled and strained. "I don't want to see it! That's not me! That's not me!I won't! Can't!"

"Takeru?" Daisuke slowly reached out and touched Takeru's shoulder. The blond yelped and jumped up, over balancing and falling to the floor."

"Takeru!" Daisuke quickly knelt down. Takeru was laying on his side, facing his bed. Daisuke placed his hands on the others shoulders as Takeru slowly began to rise. When the bedroom door suddenly opened Daisuke, guilt written on his face, turned to see Takeru's mom standing in the entranceway with worry etched on her face.

"What's going on in here?" She demanded. When she saw her son holding his head on the floor with Daisuke half supporting him, she ran to his side and began checking him for injuries. "Are you okay? What happened here? Daisuke, I told you not to excite him!" she gave the brunette an accusing glare and he backed away.

Takeru groaned and held onto his mom for support. He mumbled that he was fine and slowly began to rise. "I-I'm tired. I want to sleep. Natsuko looked at Daisuke coldly, "I think it's time for you to leave, Daisuke."

"R-right." Daisuke murmured. "I'll...show myself out." He watched as the woman pulled Takeru's covers back, then turned and left the room.

'He wasn't in pain this time,' he mused silently. 'Hikari mentioned he was having nightmares while he was awake as well, maybe this was one of them. But..what is he seeing that's getting him so worked up?"

When he left the apartment he was surprised to see Ken and Miyako standing with Hikari in the hall. She had her arms wrapped around her with tears in her eyes.

"I have to talk to him." her voice was cracking. "I have to talk to him now."

Daisuke shook his head slowly. "I don't think that's a good idea right now."

"Why not!" She demanded. "Something is shutting me out and it's not just Takeru! I have to get close to him! I-I have to be by his side!"

Daisuke felt a stab of pain rush through his chest and a brief wave of envy swept him off his feet. It quickly followed up with guilt, knowing this was not the time or place to be thinking like this.

Then a beeping at his side alerted him to an e-mail. He looked from his pocket to Hikari, then back to his pocket. Feeling it may be important, he checked the sender and saw Takeru's name. Opening the file, he read the short contents.

::Mom told me about Yamato. Against my better judgment, I'll give it a chance. What do you propose?::

Daisuke grinned and looked up. "It wasn't a waste."

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~k2: Sorry it's rather short, but up next, More Yamato goodness.

Mewkit: We know a lot of people read this. With as many people that do, someone must like it. If so, why not tell us?

~k2: As odd as it sounds, I consider reviews like a rating system. I see all these fics with five reviews for each chapter, some even more. Oh, how I envy them. They must be very popular.

Mewkit: Ok. That's it for the whining. This is the last time we whine and appeal for reviews.

~k2: But not the last time we ask for them. Like everyone else, that's a chapterly occurrence. C;