( Dude, I have been urged to finish this story by a few people through reviews, and I guess that I should, shouldn't I? I mean, I did ask people to vote so I could continue, right? Okay then, let the story begin. Um, wait, I should warn you, when I tallied up the votes, it was a Kensuke wash out. 12 to 6 I think. But even if that depresses you and you're now thinking of going back to the list of stories, please don't! I promise this will be good! Just give it a shot, please? Anyway, I hope you enjoy, and thanks for voting to all those nice people who took the time to vote! It was well appreciated! )
Shelter: Part 3
" Daisuke, how can you be so stupid? Language and History are not hard classes! I can't believe a son of mine can't pass two simple classes. Let alone the rest of his courses that should be easy enough! ", Mr. Motomiya exclaimed angrily, slamming the boy's report card down onto the table. He glared furiously at his son, his eyes burning down at the young man who could only stare at the floor in shame still too afraid to say anything. " Can't you even try, Daisuke? "
" But I've been trying as hard as I can, Dad! ", he finally protested, meeting his fierce eyes finally, shrinking back just a little. " It's just I don't get what the teachers are saying and when I ask them to explain it they don't make sense! "
" No, you're not trying! Trying would at least get you a C! You're too busy day dreaming and chasing girls to even try and think! ", His father cried, slapping him across the face for looking at him and speaking to him that way. " I knew I shouldn't have let you join that soccer team, I knew it would take up what little room you have in your head! Why on earth was I stuck with such an idiot for a son? Jun can at least make passing grades, but you're too stupid even for that! "
Daisuke was angry. He was sick of being treated this way, so he shoved his father, and started to run for the door, but his father caught his wrist before he made it there throwing him to the floor. He rolled, now winded, trying to make it to his feet before the man towering over him could hurt him again, but he didn't make it. His dad kicked him in the stomach in mid-roll thrusting him back onto the carpet, this time on his back. Panting, in a swirl of pain and anger, Daisuke struggled to get up, only to have a foot come crashing down upon him hitting him directly in the ribs. The agony was too much, he had to scream.
" Shut up you little brat! ", Mr. Motomiya hissed in a rage, kicking his son in the face, which sent him flying back into the wall behind him. The brunette boy tried to get to his face but his father took his shoulder, roughly throwing him back against the wall taking his pocket knife off the table where he set it after work, producing the blade and holding it near Daisuke's face. The child was sobbing and trembling, and begging to get out of the man's crushing grip. Suddenly, the knife was at his throat, and he let out a whimper as it harmlessly traced down to his shoulder, then to his arm, stopping at his wrist. " Stop that crying, Daisuke, do you like being weak? I should teach you not to screw up you little… "
The blade began to press into his wrist, cutting into him…
" Noooooooo! ", he screamed, tossing and whipping to his right, promptly falling out of the bed. Before he'd dozed off he had still been chained to the bedposts, the Kaiser must've released him in his sleep. But none of that was on his mind now, for he was absolutely terrified. The dreams had always come and gone, reminding him that his father hated him, but this one was one of the worst. He could still see his mother in the background, doing nothing but cooking dinner for their dysfunctional family, acting as if she couldn't hear or see what his father was doing to him. Or maybe she just didn't care. And Jun, she was so clueless; she's been in her room, while DemiVeemon was told to never come out of his room unless he was told he could. No one helped him; no one had ever helped him.
He was screaming and sobbing on the floor, not really understanding where he was or that he was going hysterical over a nightmare. Arms slowly wrapped around him, pulling him to a comforting form that cradled him close trying all they could to calm him down. He fought back, screaming to be released, that he was in pain, that someone had to help him. Was anyone going to ever care? Was his father right; was he a stupid, no good punk that wasn't worth the light of day? Was he worthless? A voice was in his ear telling him he was okay, that he was safe now, but he wouldn't listen, he could only fight the hold someone had him in. He didn't want to hurt anymore, he didn't want to be worthless. Why wouldn't someone help him?
" Daisuke, it's all right… it's okay… you're safe. It was only a nightmare, no one's going to hurt you while I'm here. Open your eyes. ", the voice insisted calmly as lips kissed his tear streaked cheek and a hand went through his spiky hair. " I'm right here, Daisuke, just open your eyes. You're safe, I promise. "
His breathing was ragged and he still had sobs caught in his throat, but he managed to open his eyes, one after the other, to see the Digimon Emperor, minus his visor, looking down at him with a warm expression on his face. The brunette boy gasped, but Ken just pulled him a bit closer letting the Digidestined's mind take in all that had just happened. He was still frightened, not so much by the dream anymore, but by the fact that Ken was right therewith him now, being so gentle and caring, holding him in his lap as if it were perfectly normal to him.
What was even more startling to Daisuke was the fact that he liked how safe he felt in the Kaiser's embrace, like the promise of safety that Ken had made seconds ago would never be broken if he stayed in the strong arms. The indigo haired young man's hand stroked the other's cheek wiping away the tears that still clung to his skin as he leaned down and pressed his lips to Daisuke's, kissing him softly. At first the Digidestined of Courage/Friendship's mind was screaming that he should pull away, but part of him… a small part of him, wanted him to embrace it. It felt so strange, and even if right then Daisuke wouldn't admit it to himself, it felt right somehow. He began to gently kiss back, to the Emperor's surprise.
' I don't know what's going on anymore, but I'm so scared… ', the brunette thought to himself as he felt Ken's hands pull him even closer, of possible. ' And when he's around… holding me like I mean something… I'm not scared anymore. '
* * *
Their search of the Digital world had been unsuccessful, as well as trying to look for help. It wasn't until the next day that any of them were able to do anything. DemiVeemon had stayed with Kari in the hopes that she might be able to do something to cheer him up, but nothing had worked. They met the next day, Saturday, at Izzy's apartment to work out a plan before sneaking onto the school to use the computer. The only older kids that had had been able to make it were Tai and Izzy of course, other than that it was the younger kids that had to sneak into the school instead of watching cartoons like normal kids on the weekends.
" I hope the Kaiser hasn't hurt him. I mean, he might have just spent the night in the Digimon Emperor's dungeon with hundreds of digimon slaves. ", TK implied as he watched Izzy type something onto the computer. He then turned to look at Tai. " What do you think he wants with Daisuke anyway? Do you think he's hurt him, or maybe he has something planned to try and take us all out? "
" I'm not sure we'll ever know what the Kaiser is thinking, but I do know one thing, we have to get Daisuke away from him, and fast. There's no telling what he could be doing to him. ", the older boy remarked looking at the floor with a small sigh. Kari set DemiVeemon down with the other digimon, but the small blue creature didn't join in the frantic gobbling up of the goodies that Yolei had brought for them. In fact, he didn't touch anything. Tai rested his hand on the back of Izzy's chair. " Anything yet? Should we just look for some sort of base? "
" As usual, I'm way ahead of you. ", the red head replied with a small grin tugging at the corner's of his lips. " I had Tentomon scope out a few areas where I thought the Kaiser would have his base. And he found it, right here. "
He pointed to the screen, his finger right on a space that made Tai's eyes go wide. He shook his head in disbelief. " Izzy… you don't mean that… that he built his base… right where-right where… Spiral Mountain used t-to be?
" I'm sorry, Tai, I didn't want to believe it either, but Tentomon swore that that was where he saw the Kaiser's castle. If we want to get Daisuke back the only chance we have is to sneak in there and bust him out. ", the former bearer of Knowledge reported in a solemn tone shaking his head. " I'm going to stay here and try to get a hold of some of the others, if anything I can be back up, but you guys will have to go in. Tai, you're going too, right? I have Augumon waiting there. "
" Yeah, I'm going. But we'd better get going now. ", the brunette teen retorted as he shoved Yolei towards the computer. " Open the gate already! "
" Digi-port open! ", she said reluctantly.
* * *
He couldn't believe it. No more chains, no more being locked onto a bed. He was still locked in the Kaiser's room, but that had a little freedom to it. After the nightmare he had had, Daisuke was convinced he had not been thinking straight. Every inch of him was screaming still that he had returned the Emperor's kisses, clutching onto Ken as if he were life support. How could he have been such an idiot? The Digimon Kaiser's goal had to be to get him to turn his back on his friend, but then why had he been so caring when he had been in a fit of tears? Was Ken really trying to win him over? When Wormmon knocked on the door and told him that the Digimon Emperor wanted to see him, the bearer of Courage/Friendship was surprised to be led so freely down the corridors to the huge, well decorated room the Kaiser was waiting in. But when he saw him, he almost didn't recognize him.
Ken wore his hair as he did when he was the Emperor, but he did not wear the regalia he was known for. Instead, he was wearing no visor, but a white button down dress shirt, and black pants and was staring out the window at the far end of the room. Daisuke, gulped down his nervousness as he heard Wormmon shut the huge door behind him leaving him alone with the indigo haired dictator that seemed to be having a good time deciding his rival's fate. As Ken turned to face him, the boy dressed in black leather stepped closer to the center of the room, not wanting to seem like he needed the space between them, even though his whole being was telling him he did. The look in the Kaiser's eyes was mysterious as he came closer to his captive wrapping a gentle arm around Daisuke's slender waist. The Digidestined felt his heart skip a beat as the other leaned closer to him, plant a sweet kiss on his neck, sucking on his skin ever so gently, making him moan just loud enough for Ken to actually hear and make him smile as he moved his kisses to the brunette's lips.
" Daisuke… I know what he's done to you… ", the Emperor whispered after a moment. The entire time the shorter young man was going to try and pull away, but when he said that, Daisuke scrambled backwards, ending up on the couch behind him, something he had not seen there a moment ago.
" How do you… know about that? ", the keeper of Courage and Friendship demanded quietly, his breath now shallow gasps, his brown eyes watching the other fearfully as he sat down next to him, their gazes never wavering. Daisuke couldn't help but be pulled into the Digimon Kaiser's eyes, for the color seemed to demand attention from anyone that looked at him. His hand cupped the other's trembling cheek as Daisuke was sure tears were going to come from his eyes. No one had ever known his secret, he hadn't wanted anyone to know. It made him seem helpless, weak, like he had no idea how to take care of himself in his own home, and he hated it terribly. " Please… just leave me alone… please… I need to be… "
" Do you really want to be alone, my Daisuke? ", Ken retorted.
A heavy sob escaped the chosen child's throat, and the dam of emotions he had held back so long finally broke, letting him cry freely for the first time on years. Ken pulled the boy into his arms, cradling him as he had before as Daisuke whispered in his ear through his tears. " Please, Ken… I don't care what you want me as… I'll stay… just can't go home… I can't take it… I don't want to be alone. "
" Shhhh, you won't ever be alone, not anymore. I'm here. And despite what you think, I want you, and I need you, Daisuke. I won't let anyone hurt you anymore. ", the Digimon Emperor told him softly in his ear. He rocked him back and forth with the utmost care, trying only to calm him down, but was surprised when the brunette pressed his soft lips to his, kissing him hesitantly at first, but then almost as if he needed it. When Daisuke broke the lock, Ken ran his fingers through the other's spiky hair and gave him a small smile. " I am your shelter, Daisuke. "
" Can you… Could you… " He couldn't finish the sentence until the indigo haired young man brushed his lips against his cheek as if to assure him that he could ask anything of him. " Can you make the pain… go away? "
" I can do that, my Daisuke, and I will make the ones who have hurt you pay for what they have done. ", Ken remarked, his voice turning cold at the last part of his comment. He then pulled Daisuke even closer, pressing their bodies together, glad to hear that the other was now only sniffling, finally calming down a little. " I told you I didn't want to hurt you, so now I will make sure no one else can. "
" I don't know why you want to do this… ", the boy in his arms rasped as he gulped down the lump in his throat. " But… Thanks you. "
Suddenly, there was a large crash that shook them both off the couch, Ken landing on top of a startled Daisuke. They both scrambled off the floor just in time to watch Wormmon scurry in with a horrified look on his face. " Master, the-the Digidestined are trying to break into the castle! They're destroying the gates right now, and without your commands your servants can't counter act them! "
" I should have known they'd try something so foolish. Wormmon, take Daisuke back to my quarters and make sure to have guards around that area of the castle for our guest is staying. ", The Digimon Emperor, now back in full swing of his roll, stated in his authoritative voice, helping the brunette to his feet. He then wrapped his arms lingeringly around the other's waist, and the chosen child leaned into the hug almost desperately. Ever so delicately Ken cupped Daisuke's chin, making brown eyes meet his violet ones for an intense glare that the bearer of Courage/Friendship never wanted to pull away from. " I won't let them take you back where they will only stand by and watch you be hurt, my love. "
" Be… careful, Ken. ", he whispered softly as he was led away.
* * *
" Okay, we're in. now all we need to do is find where he's keeping Daisuke. Kari, you, Yolei, and I will go for his throne room to find the Digimon Emperor and keep him occupied while Cody, you and TK try to find our friend. ", Tai ordered from his spot on Greymon's back. He then hopped down to meet with all of the younger kids on the ground. " That sound okay to everybody? "
" But we have to remember that this is strictly a rescue mission. Once we find Daisuke we need to get out of here and fast. There's no telling how angry we will make the Digimon Emperor by ruining his plans, and we don't need a huge war. ", Cody reminded everyone in his soothing voice as he looked over at the rest of the group, including Kari, who was holding DemiVeemon in her arms. He had not gone to the rookie level because Daisuke was not there, and it had worried everyone. He then looked up at the wild haired boy in charge. " Right, Tai? "
" Right, so everyone be careful. ", the former bearer of Courage nodded as he started towards the castle. " Now, let's get going. We have a friend to save! "
To be continued