The Next Step
* * *
Part 2: Storm Breaking
* * *
Eh, second part, Digimon not mine, angst & family conflict, be warned, etc. Enjoy!
* * *
Daisuke was not a morning person. In fact, simply saying that is like saying the Pacific Ocean is 'damp'. Ken knew this well. Which was why he was so incredibly surprised when Daisuke woke him at 8 in the morning, cheery and energetic.
"Morning, Kenji-koi. I made pancakes." Ken slitted his eyes open, and groaned.
"I'm off work today; let me sleep." Daisuke pulled the covers off, still smiling.
"I made pancakes; you're going to eat them. Now get up." Ken raised one hand febbly into the air.
"Yes, Motimoya-sama, right away, Daisuke." He sat up groggily, grumbling. "Why did you wake me at such an ungodly hour? I know *you* normally wouldn't be caught dead up this early."
"Oh, Kenji-koi, I guess I'm just in a good mood."
"Oh, why, Suke-chan? Does it have anything to do with the fact that you're dating the handsome man in Japan?" Daisuke pulled Ken off the bed and into the kitchen.
"Sure, that's part of it, Kenji-koi, but it's also because I very recently sold 'Birth of Evil', 'cause frankly, that thing freaks me out. Also, I am in a loving relationship moving at a speed comfortable to me. It's a lot of things. So, Kenji-koi, eat." Ken sat down at the table, blushing slightly.
"You don't really need to call me that. Ken-chan's fine." Daisuke sat across from him, smiling.
"But I like calling you Kenji-koi; you're cute when you blush." This elicited yet another blush from the violet-haired man.
* * *
Daisuke unlocked the front door to the building, and led Ken through.
"Ken-kun, remember, I don't want them to suspect until I tell them. It's better coming from me than from any other source, okay? So don't slip."
"Sure, Su-Dai-kun," Ken responded. They entered the elevator, and Daisuke pressed the button for the fourth floor. Ken, grinning cheekily, kissed Daisuke firmly on the lips. Suddenly, the elevator stopped on the third floor, and Daisuke pushed the older man away. An older man, about 50, and with graying hair, stepped in the car.
"Good afternoon, Jinushi-san," Daisuke muttered. The man growled slightly at him. On the fourth floor, they all stepped off, and Daisuke nearly dragged Ken down the hallway to his apartment.
"So, who's your friend, Daisuke?" Jinushi's voice was rough and accusing. "He looks girly."
"Takeshi! You leave that poor man alone!" Kanna stood outside her door, hands on her hips. Daisuke unlocked the door, and pushed it open.
"Kinushi-san, this is my friend Ken, Ken, Kinushi Takeshi, my landlord. Nice to have you all here. So sorry, I've got dinner plans, and Ken agreed to cook for me. Bye!" The door slammed, and Takeshi glared at it for a moment.
"Kanna, I'm a pretty good judge of character, and that boy's lying about something. Hiding something from me." Kanna massaged his shoulders comfortingly.
"Takeshi-chan, everyone hides something. It's probably nothing."
"Hmm...sometimes I wonder why I let him stay. He doesn't stay here half the time, his appliances are always breaking, and he keeps insisting on showing me that freaky art."
"Oh, Takeshi, he pays the rent, and he doesn't bother anybody. Just forget about it."
"Fine, but he puts one more toe out of line, and he's out of here!"
* * *
"Um, Iori-chan?" Takeru asked nervously. Iori turned to him on the couch, smiling warmly.
"Yeah?" Takeru turned so he was facing Iori, and took a deep breath.
"Listen, Iori-chan, ow long have we been together?"
"Two-and-a-half years," Iori replied matter-of-factly.
"And, Iori, in that time, I've realized that I love you, and I couldn't ever imagine being with anyone else." Takeru reached into his pocket and removed a small box. "So, Hida Iori..."
"Oh god," Iori muttered, noticing the room start to spin.
"...Will you marry me?" *thump* "Iori-chan? You know, fainting when I've just proposed is not an orthodox reaction. Iori? Gods..."
* * *
Daisuke, dashing around the kitchen like a madman, suddenly froze when someone knocked on the door.
"Ken! Get that! Tell them anything you want, but I'm finishing up with the-ow!" Daisuke pulled half-a-dozen pots off of the stove as he threw his hand under the cold water in the sink. He heard the door swing open, and the quiet chatter indicating Ken was keeping his parents entertained while he continued the self-destructive activities in the kitchen. "Well, might as get things ready."
* * *
"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Motimoya." Ken bowed slightly to them.
"Oh, honestly, just call me Erika," Daisuke's mother replied. "I hate formalities. So, are you one of Daisuke's friends?" Ken had long decided that Daisuke's personality was primarily inherited from his mother, so he wasn't surprised she didn't recognize him.
"Ichijouji Ken? I used to see Daisuke a lot before he went to college. His best friend?"
"Oh!" Erika exclaimed. "Well, it's so nice the two of you have stayed in touch over the years. I mean, I haven't seen my high school friends since the last reunion." Mr. Motimoya led her to a seat, and then started his own conversation with Ken.
"Well, Ken, why are you over here tonight?"
"Oh, Motimoya-san, I was in the neighborhood, was paying him a visit, and he invited me to stay for dinner." The man nodded, and clapped a hand on Ken's back.
"So, what do you do for a living?"
"I'm a stockbroker."
"Playing the market, eh? Got any hot tips for me?" the elder Motimoya asked slyly.
"You know, I think I'll go help Daisuke with the food," Ken said hurriedly, and vanished. Daisuke's father wandered over to the couch and sat next to his wife.
"I can't believe he lives here," he muttered, looking at the art supplies and various sketches, abandoned works, and paintings in various states of completion, scattered in the room. In addition, there were the normal elements of any cluttered apartment. "And it seems so odd he gave up a soccer career for art. I mean...I never even knew he had talent!" Mrs. Ichijouji hit him lightly.
"Now, come on, Hoshi, these look pretty good. Just give him a chance."
"Dinner!"
* * *
"So, Dai-kun, I see you've taken up art. I think your pictures are very nice."
"Terrible business; you never have a stable income," Hoshi muttered.
"Well, I sold a piece yesterday. $500," Daisuke pointed out.
"What? How did you sell it?" The elder man's face registered shock.
"Actually, I was trying to throw out the piece, and a woman wanted it for her husband."
"Ha! If you can get $500 for stuff you throw out, imagine what you could make off of the stuff you like! I, personally, will buy a piece from you."
"No, Otousan, that's all right..." Daisuke began.
"Oh, Dai-chan, I'd love to have something you painted!" Erika proclaimed. "I saw some of those paintings; they were very nice." Daisuke blushed at his parents' praise, but suddenly focused himself.
"Listen, 'Kaasan, Otousan, I have something important to tell you."
"Yes?" Erika asked, grabbing her husband's hand nervously.
"You see, I sort of lied to yu about Ken. The reason he's over here is...we're dating." He sighed deeply, and closed his eyes tightly.
"Oh. Is that all?" his father asked. "Jun told us last week. You know, she calls us every other day. We haven't talked to you in a month." Daisuke shifted nervously in his chair.
"Gomen, I...wait a minute! 'Neechan told you we were dating?" His mother nodded. "She is so dead..." Then, he glanced up at her shyly. "And you two are okay with it?"
"Yes," his father muttered. "But you'll be on thin ice if you start dressing like a woman."
"Oh, stop it! We're happy as long as you're happy." There was a pause. "You *are* happy, aren't you?" Daisuke nodded eagerly. "Well, then! Ken, as long as you're dating my son, you're a part of the family. Feel free to call me if you need someone to talk to...and if you want to hear what your boyfriend was like as a baby, I've got books full of his baby pictures."
"Gods, this is a nightmare," Daisuke muttered, holding his head in his hand. Suddenly, the phone ring. "I got it!" he shouted, leaping for the phone. He picked it up, and stepped into the kitchen with it. "Hello?" There was a long pause. "Oh, hi, Take-chan! Uh-huh...uh-huh...oh my god!" He stepped back into the room, and spoke again. "Sure, Take-chan; we'll talk to you later. Ja!" He hung up the cordless, and turned to Ken. "Well, Takeru and Iori are tying the knot."
"What, one of your friends?" Erika asked.
"The short brunette and the blonde I hated," Daisuke responded cheerfully.
"Oh."
* * *
"Um, hi. My name's Shiro Koga. Do you by any chance know where a Motimoya Daisuke lives?" The brown-haired man shifted nervously under the landlord's scrutiny. "Um...sir?"
"My name is Jinushi Takeshi. I am the owner of this building. And why, might I ask, are you seeking out Mr. Motimoya?" Koga looked around the hallway vaguely.
"Well, you see, Jinushi-san, a friend of mine recently acquired a very...unusual piece of art, and I learned from his wife that she had procured it from a Mr. Motimoya. So I have tracked him here, and I would like to know where he lives, so that I may buy a piece of art for myself." Takeshi nodded, and gestured upwards.
"Top floor, last door on the right. But he might have company, so don't blame me if he gets snippy." The white-haired landlord watched the brunette walk up the stairs, his face puzzled. He still felt there was something odd going on here, something no one was telling him. Sure, Daisuke was an artists, and artists were weird, but...He shook his head. "Get ahold of yourself. You're just getting paranoid."
* * *
"Jun, could you get that, please?" Daisuke pleaded. His older sister complied happily, swinging open the front door.
"Hello. My name is Shiro Koga. I am an...artistic anquisitionist."
"Acquisitionist?" The man pushed his way into the apartment.
"Yes. I have come in search of the artistic stylings of Motimoya Daisuke. The breathtaking colors, the vivid presentation of the surreal images, left me speechless. I would like to know where and how I may acquire a piece of his artwork. Where is he?" He dashed about the small entryway frantically. When he stumbled into the living area, and its abundance of scattered artwork, he nearly swooned.
"Uh, hello?" Daisuke asked cautiously. The brunette bowed, almost falling to the ground. Then, without speaking a word, he hurried about the small area, pulling pictures aside, staring at them, and then pushing them aside.
"This work, it is all wonderful, such detail, but-ah!" He pulled out a canvas, and continued looking at it. "What do you call this one?" He turned the image, of Daisuke and the Kaiser hanging onto a desperate Ken. Daisuke glanced at it, and thought for a moment.
"Um...'Kindness' Lovers'," Daisuke muttered. "It's an early-"
"I love it!" The man grinned, and then suddenly bowed again. "Gomen nasai, Motimoya-san. I did not introduce myself. My name is Shiro Koga. I heard of you through a friend, who owns one of your paintings. I wished to buy one, and this one has caught my fancy. I shall pay top dollar for it." Daisuke blushed.
"Listen, no, it's not that good..."
"No, it's perfect! I-how does $750 sound for this?"
"I-"
* * *
Ken edged past the man in the narrow hallway, and noticed the medium-sized canvas the man held. He nodded to the brunette and passed into the upper stairway. There, he ran into Takeshi, the white-haired man glaring after the visitor.
"Hello, Ichijouji-san. I am simply making sure this-artist does not overstep his bounds. He fawns over Daisuke like some sort of-fangirl. And I hope you don't mind sharing your friend with his sister. That woman can talk, you know."
"So can you, Jinushi-san." The man growled. "I think I'll get going." Ken hurried up the stairs before he could be lectured at by Takeshi. He knocked on the door, rewarded by Jun's presence.
"Hello, Ken-kun. You'll have to forgive Daisuke; he's absorbed with another piece. You know, he doesn't have a proper easel; he works off of any flat surface he can find." Jun stepped aside and allowed the raven-haired man to enter. "And tell him I have to get back home. The kids will drive Hiro nuts if I don't. Ja ne, Ken." She dashed out the door, and hurried down the hall. As she passed Takeshi, he stopped her briefly.
"You told me someone was sitting your kids," he whispered accusingly. She smiled guiltily.
"But Ken doesn't know that. And, Jinushi-san, they deserve a little privacy."
"Why?" Jun blushed nervously.
"I-no reason. But I really do need to go. Ja!" Takeshi stared after her, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
* * *
"Suke-chan?"
"Hm?" Daisuke responded, glancing up from his canvas.
"Ai shiteru," Ken responded, grinning. He glanced over Daisuke's shoulder to see what he was painting. A conclave of men and women were dancing in a huge church, wearing smiling masks. There was the instinctive feeling that there was more to them than meets the eye. "What is that?" Daisuke didn't turn around when he answered. His voice was almost trancelike, but he still sounded rational.
"Bakemon, celebrating their most recent acquisition. Sora and Jyou are tied on the altar." Ken looked closer and saw that it *was* them.
"But when was this?"
"Years ago, when the first problems with the Digiworld began. Devimon separated them, and these two were attacked by Bakemon." He shook his head a little, as if to clear it, and then looked up at Ken. "I sometimes make pictures like this; it's a residual psychic power that I can see those things." He grinned, and stepped back from it. "Just be lucky I didn't totally focus on it, or there's nothing you could do to get my attention." Ken smiled coyly and leaned his head to Daisuke's ear.
"Nothing? Are you sure?"
"Yes, Kenji-koi," Daisuke muttered, batting him away. "But it doesn't mean I'd mind you trying."
* * *
"There's something I'm missing; there's something people aren't telling me," Takeshi muttered. "I mean, why would she act like it was some sort of social obligation to give them privacy?" He continued pacing in his own apartment. Suddenly, a hand rested on his shoulder.
"Takeshi, I'm sure it's nothing. I mean, they are friends, and she's his sister. She might think she'd be a third wheel."
"No," Takeshi muttered, shaking his head. "There's something that's just odd."
"Ah," Kanna muttered. "Well, I have to get down to get the groceries. Ja, dear!" She hurried out the door, and Takeshi watched after her.
"You know something I don't, Kanna. Why are you hiding it? Unless...you think I wouldn't like it. Ooh, Motimoya, I'm going to find out what your secret is. If it is the last thing I do, I will."
* * *
~Private Chat~
-Holylight25 has entered-
-Purelove2713 has entered-
-IoriT has entered-
-Hopeful_Angel has entered-
Hopeful_Angel: So, did you see the newspaper? Daisuke's become famous.
Holylight25: It's local fame. And yes, I saw it.
IoriT: Takeru shoved it in my face first thing in the morning. And by the way, koi, *no* one should be moving before 9 in the morning.
Hopeful_Angel: But you can't complain about the *way* I wake you up.
Purelove2713: That is classified as too much information.
IoriT: Okay, we'll drop it. Djf e ud!
IoriT: Sorry. Takeru was
Purelove2713: Drop it!
Holylight25: Why can everyone do that? Koushiro won't return my E-mails and
IoriT: Anyway, Hikari, I wanted to ask you and Miyako something. Would the two of you like to be a part of my half of the wedding party?
Hopeful_Angel: Wait a minute; I've known Hikari much longer than
Purelove2713: But it's nearly guaranteed that you're going to ask Daisuke and Ken, and besides, Hikari likes Iori better anyway.
Holylight25: Miya!
IoriT: You do and you know it.
Hopeful_Angel: Does everyone around here hate me?
Hopeful_Angel: hfbhf aoi fgiw
Holylight25: Takeru?
Hopeful_Angel: hbobgobofiioo sahiowf fhafmffji
Purelove2713: I do not even want to know what's going on.
Holylight25: And it can only get worse. I mean, what happens when Ken and Daisuke start acting like that?
Hopeful_Angel: fha hfosff fghdg shsd hogshg jkdbkjgo ghosh gho ghosdioo hjdsvn vhdv nvvooisd hoisi jioiowj dsddjsv
IoriT: Whoo! What a rush! Well, that's a story to tell the grandchildren.
Hopeful_Angel: Wait-what does that mean?
IoriT: Well, I sort of thought that...maybe, after we got married, you know, not right away, maybe we could, adopt a kid. I just hoped...Takeru.
Hopeful_Angel: Oh, listen, I have to think about this.
-Hopeful_Angel has signed off-
IoriT: Oh, I have to go, girls. Takeru sounds upset, and-dammit! He left the apartment. I have to go!
* * *
"So he's gay."
"Well, he is in love with another man. I do, however, think he sometimes makes eyes at me." Takeshi glared at his wife.
"He's gay, Kanna. A damned faggot. And I will not stand for someone-like him living in my apartment complex."
"Takeshi-"
"Listen, Kanna, I don't care that he's like a son to you. Hell, I wouldn't care if he *was* your son. Kanna, I will not have a faggot in this building, much less next door! And don't argue that this is discrimination, because you know as well as I do that he has been flagrantly violating several of our fire-safety laws in his apartment, and he has been using his apartment as an art dealership!" He smirked at her. "He is only remaining a tenant at my sufferance, and I don't want gays in my apartment complex. If you want, you can inform him of his eviction. I don't want to have to deal with him." Takeshi stood up and stormed from their apartment, slamming the door behind him. Kanna held her head in her hands.
"This is not good."
* * *
"Takeru!" Iori hurried after the blond, swearing under his breath as he stumbled on the pavement. "Damn it, Takeru, slow down! I'm shorter than you!!" Takeru stopped on the sidewalk, laughing. Iori caught up to him, smiling. "I knew that would work," he muttered. Takeru stood up straight, frowning slightly.
"Iori, why did you have to just surprise me with this?" he asked scathingly. "Can't you ever try talking to me aout these things beforehand? Why would you even think I'd want kids?" Iori looked down, eyes sparkling with tears.
"Takeru," he began. "Why do you think that I'd be willing to marry you, but have no interest in ever having children? I mean, I know we can't biologically have them, but Take-chan...one of the reasons I agreed to marry you is because I could imagine the two of us raising a little boy or girl together. I hoped that you and I could share the joy of having a kid. But, if that's a commitment you wouldn't want to make, then I don't think this is a commitment I'm ready to make." Iori slipped the thin gold engagement ring from his finger, and handed it to Takeru. "I'll be at my mother's if you decide to talk." Iori turned, and stalked down the road towards the bus station. Takeru could only stare after him in shock.
* * *
"Daisuke, I have something very importnt to talk to you about," Kanna said quietly, placing a hand on the redhead's shoulder.
"What, Kanna-kun?" She smiled faintly at the familiar name, but sobered quickly.
"Daisuke, my husband is evicting you."
"N-nani?" She sighed.
"You can no longer live here."
"Why?"
"Do you want the given reason or the actual one?" Daisuke sat down on his couch, and glanced up at her.
"Both."
"Well," Kanna began, folding her hands in front of her, "you've been violating several fire safety codes, your apartment seems to break constantly, and you're selling artwork from your apartment. If you weren't gay, he'd overlook it all."
"Ah. He'd be willing to make an exception for me if I weren't a faggot, is that it?" He forced a smile on his face, and glanced up at her. "So when should I be gone by?"
"Tomorrow," Kanna replied. Daisuke nodded.
"Could you help me pack?"
"I-hai."
* * *
"I don't know what I'll do without him," Takeru moaned, holding his head in his arms. "I-how am I supposed to be involved with anyone else? I FELT HIS HEART BEAT IN TIME WITH MINE! You don't have a relationship based on that sort of bond every day. Hell, it barely comes around once in a century." Ken handed him a cup of tea, and sat down next to him on the off-white couch in his living area.
"Takeru, it's just a fight. You'll get through it. Can't you just apologize?"
"No," Takeru muttered. "The thing is, I don't really know if I'd ever want to raise children with him. And that's the basis of the whole arguement."
"Then I suppose you have to figure out what your priorities are before you try to fix anything. But if that lonely apartment makes you uncomfortable, you can stay here. I've got an extra room or two you could use." Suddenly, there was a frantic knocking on the door, followed by the unmistakable sound of several large boxes hitting the ground. Ken hurried to the door and opened it. Daisuke stood outside, surrounded by a sloppy pile of cardboard boxes. Daisuke threw himself into Ken's arms.
"Ken! My Kenji-koi, I got evicted, Takeshi didn't like us, and I didn't know what to do, so I brought all my stuff over here, and please, let me stay here at least over the night?" Ken rubbed his back comfortingly.
"Sure, sure, Suke-chan. Just come in and calm down. I'll pour you some tea, and then you and Takeru can compare bad days."
* * *
Yes, that's all to this part. It really is. And before you go, I've got a semi-important rant. I'd just like to make a note about Takeshi. He is not evil. He does not hate Daisuke. I don't really want to make him an antagonist except in the strictly literal case. I do not intend for you to hate him. He's just the sort of person who's a nice person, but with a major failing. A tragic flaw, if you will. I am making this note because I try not to hate people, and so I want to make a special effort that unless I go out of my way to make someone completely evil, that my readers don't develop irrational hatreds for them. Now that I'm done, you can go.
* * *
Part 2: Storm Breaking
* * *
Eh, second part, Digimon not mine, angst & family conflict, be warned, etc. Enjoy!
* * *
Daisuke was not a morning person. In fact, simply saying that is like saying the Pacific Ocean is 'damp'. Ken knew this well. Which was why he was so incredibly surprised when Daisuke woke him at 8 in the morning, cheery and energetic.
"Morning, Kenji-koi. I made pancakes." Ken slitted his eyes open, and groaned.
"I'm off work today; let me sleep." Daisuke pulled the covers off, still smiling.
"I made pancakes; you're going to eat them. Now get up." Ken raised one hand febbly into the air.
"Yes, Motimoya-sama, right away, Daisuke." He sat up groggily, grumbling. "Why did you wake me at such an ungodly hour? I know *you* normally wouldn't be caught dead up this early."
"Oh, Kenji-koi, I guess I'm just in a good mood."
"Oh, why, Suke-chan? Does it have anything to do with the fact that you're dating the handsome man in Japan?" Daisuke pulled Ken off the bed and into the kitchen.
"Sure, that's part of it, Kenji-koi, but it's also because I very recently sold 'Birth of Evil', 'cause frankly, that thing freaks me out. Also, I am in a loving relationship moving at a speed comfortable to me. It's a lot of things. So, Kenji-koi, eat." Ken sat down at the table, blushing slightly.
"You don't really need to call me that. Ken-chan's fine." Daisuke sat across from him, smiling.
"But I like calling you Kenji-koi; you're cute when you blush." This elicited yet another blush from the violet-haired man.
* * *
Daisuke unlocked the front door to the building, and led Ken through.
"Ken-kun, remember, I don't want them to suspect until I tell them. It's better coming from me than from any other source, okay? So don't slip."
"Sure, Su-Dai-kun," Ken responded. They entered the elevator, and Daisuke pressed the button for the fourth floor. Ken, grinning cheekily, kissed Daisuke firmly on the lips. Suddenly, the elevator stopped on the third floor, and Daisuke pushed the older man away. An older man, about 50, and with graying hair, stepped in the car.
"Good afternoon, Jinushi-san," Daisuke muttered. The man growled slightly at him. On the fourth floor, they all stepped off, and Daisuke nearly dragged Ken down the hallway to his apartment.
"So, who's your friend, Daisuke?" Jinushi's voice was rough and accusing. "He looks girly."
"Takeshi! You leave that poor man alone!" Kanna stood outside her door, hands on her hips. Daisuke unlocked the door, and pushed it open.
"Kinushi-san, this is my friend Ken, Ken, Kinushi Takeshi, my landlord. Nice to have you all here. So sorry, I've got dinner plans, and Ken agreed to cook for me. Bye!" The door slammed, and Takeshi glared at it for a moment.
"Kanna, I'm a pretty good judge of character, and that boy's lying about something. Hiding something from me." Kanna massaged his shoulders comfortingly.
"Takeshi-chan, everyone hides something. It's probably nothing."
"Hmm...sometimes I wonder why I let him stay. He doesn't stay here half the time, his appliances are always breaking, and he keeps insisting on showing me that freaky art."
"Oh, Takeshi, he pays the rent, and he doesn't bother anybody. Just forget about it."
"Fine, but he puts one more toe out of line, and he's out of here!"
* * *
"Um, Iori-chan?" Takeru asked nervously. Iori turned to him on the couch, smiling warmly.
"Yeah?" Takeru turned so he was facing Iori, and took a deep breath.
"Listen, Iori-chan, ow long have we been together?"
"Two-and-a-half years," Iori replied matter-of-factly.
"And, Iori, in that time, I've realized that I love you, and I couldn't ever imagine being with anyone else." Takeru reached into his pocket and removed a small box. "So, Hida Iori..."
"Oh god," Iori muttered, noticing the room start to spin.
"...Will you marry me?" *thump* "Iori-chan? You know, fainting when I've just proposed is not an orthodox reaction. Iori? Gods..."
* * *
Daisuke, dashing around the kitchen like a madman, suddenly froze when someone knocked on the door.
"Ken! Get that! Tell them anything you want, but I'm finishing up with the-ow!" Daisuke pulled half-a-dozen pots off of the stove as he threw his hand under the cold water in the sink. He heard the door swing open, and the quiet chatter indicating Ken was keeping his parents entertained while he continued the self-destructive activities in the kitchen. "Well, might as get things ready."
* * *
"Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Motimoya." Ken bowed slightly to them.
"Oh, honestly, just call me Erika," Daisuke's mother replied. "I hate formalities. So, are you one of Daisuke's friends?" Ken had long decided that Daisuke's personality was primarily inherited from his mother, so he wasn't surprised she didn't recognize him.
"Ichijouji Ken? I used to see Daisuke a lot before he went to college. His best friend?"
"Oh!" Erika exclaimed. "Well, it's so nice the two of you have stayed in touch over the years. I mean, I haven't seen my high school friends since the last reunion." Mr. Motimoya led her to a seat, and then started his own conversation with Ken.
"Well, Ken, why are you over here tonight?"
"Oh, Motimoya-san, I was in the neighborhood, was paying him a visit, and he invited me to stay for dinner." The man nodded, and clapped a hand on Ken's back.
"So, what do you do for a living?"
"I'm a stockbroker."
"Playing the market, eh? Got any hot tips for me?" the elder Motimoya asked slyly.
"You know, I think I'll go help Daisuke with the food," Ken said hurriedly, and vanished. Daisuke's father wandered over to the couch and sat next to his wife.
"I can't believe he lives here," he muttered, looking at the art supplies and various sketches, abandoned works, and paintings in various states of completion, scattered in the room. In addition, there were the normal elements of any cluttered apartment. "And it seems so odd he gave up a soccer career for art. I mean...I never even knew he had talent!" Mrs. Ichijouji hit him lightly.
"Now, come on, Hoshi, these look pretty good. Just give him a chance."
"Dinner!"
* * *
"So, Dai-kun, I see you've taken up art. I think your pictures are very nice."
"Terrible business; you never have a stable income," Hoshi muttered.
"Well, I sold a piece yesterday. $500," Daisuke pointed out.
"What? How did you sell it?" The elder man's face registered shock.
"Actually, I was trying to throw out the piece, and a woman wanted it for her husband."
"Ha! If you can get $500 for stuff you throw out, imagine what you could make off of the stuff you like! I, personally, will buy a piece from you."
"No, Otousan, that's all right..." Daisuke began.
"Oh, Dai-chan, I'd love to have something you painted!" Erika proclaimed. "I saw some of those paintings; they were very nice." Daisuke blushed at his parents' praise, but suddenly focused himself.
"Listen, 'Kaasan, Otousan, I have something important to tell you."
"Yes?" Erika asked, grabbing her husband's hand nervously.
"You see, I sort of lied to yu about Ken. The reason he's over here is...we're dating." He sighed deeply, and closed his eyes tightly.
"Oh. Is that all?" his father asked. "Jun told us last week. You know, she calls us every other day. We haven't talked to you in a month." Daisuke shifted nervously in his chair.
"Gomen, I...wait a minute! 'Neechan told you we were dating?" His mother nodded. "She is so dead..." Then, he glanced up at her shyly. "And you two are okay with it?"
"Yes," his father muttered. "But you'll be on thin ice if you start dressing like a woman."
"Oh, stop it! We're happy as long as you're happy." There was a pause. "You *are* happy, aren't you?" Daisuke nodded eagerly. "Well, then! Ken, as long as you're dating my son, you're a part of the family. Feel free to call me if you need someone to talk to...and if you want to hear what your boyfriend was like as a baby, I've got books full of his baby pictures."
"Gods, this is a nightmare," Daisuke muttered, holding his head in his hand. Suddenly, the phone ring. "I got it!" he shouted, leaping for the phone. He picked it up, and stepped into the kitchen with it. "Hello?" There was a long pause. "Oh, hi, Take-chan! Uh-huh...uh-huh...oh my god!" He stepped back into the room, and spoke again. "Sure, Take-chan; we'll talk to you later. Ja!" He hung up the cordless, and turned to Ken. "Well, Takeru and Iori are tying the knot."
"What, one of your friends?" Erika asked.
"The short brunette and the blonde I hated," Daisuke responded cheerfully.
"Oh."
* * *
"Um, hi. My name's Shiro Koga. Do you by any chance know where a Motimoya Daisuke lives?" The brown-haired man shifted nervously under the landlord's scrutiny. "Um...sir?"
"My name is Jinushi Takeshi. I am the owner of this building. And why, might I ask, are you seeking out Mr. Motimoya?" Koga looked around the hallway vaguely.
"Well, you see, Jinushi-san, a friend of mine recently acquired a very...unusual piece of art, and I learned from his wife that she had procured it from a Mr. Motimoya. So I have tracked him here, and I would like to know where he lives, so that I may buy a piece of art for myself." Takeshi nodded, and gestured upwards.
"Top floor, last door on the right. But he might have company, so don't blame me if he gets snippy." The white-haired landlord watched the brunette walk up the stairs, his face puzzled. He still felt there was something odd going on here, something no one was telling him. Sure, Daisuke was an artists, and artists were weird, but...He shook his head. "Get ahold of yourself. You're just getting paranoid."
* * *
"Jun, could you get that, please?" Daisuke pleaded. His older sister complied happily, swinging open the front door.
"Hello. My name is Shiro Koga. I am an...artistic anquisitionist."
"Acquisitionist?" The man pushed his way into the apartment.
"Yes. I have come in search of the artistic stylings of Motimoya Daisuke. The breathtaking colors, the vivid presentation of the surreal images, left me speechless. I would like to know where and how I may acquire a piece of his artwork. Where is he?" He dashed about the small entryway frantically. When he stumbled into the living area, and its abundance of scattered artwork, he nearly swooned.
"Uh, hello?" Daisuke asked cautiously. The brunette bowed, almost falling to the ground. Then, without speaking a word, he hurried about the small area, pulling pictures aside, staring at them, and then pushing them aside.
"This work, it is all wonderful, such detail, but-ah!" He pulled out a canvas, and continued looking at it. "What do you call this one?" He turned the image, of Daisuke and the Kaiser hanging onto a desperate Ken. Daisuke glanced at it, and thought for a moment.
"Um...'Kindness' Lovers'," Daisuke muttered. "It's an early-"
"I love it!" The man grinned, and then suddenly bowed again. "Gomen nasai, Motimoya-san. I did not introduce myself. My name is Shiro Koga. I heard of you through a friend, who owns one of your paintings. I wished to buy one, and this one has caught my fancy. I shall pay top dollar for it." Daisuke blushed.
"Listen, no, it's not that good..."
"No, it's perfect! I-how does $750 sound for this?"
"I-"
* * *
Ken edged past the man in the narrow hallway, and noticed the medium-sized canvas the man held. He nodded to the brunette and passed into the upper stairway. There, he ran into Takeshi, the white-haired man glaring after the visitor.
"Hello, Ichijouji-san. I am simply making sure this-artist does not overstep his bounds. He fawns over Daisuke like some sort of-fangirl. And I hope you don't mind sharing your friend with his sister. That woman can talk, you know."
"So can you, Jinushi-san." The man growled. "I think I'll get going." Ken hurried up the stairs before he could be lectured at by Takeshi. He knocked on the door, rewarded by Jun's presence.
"Hello, Ken-kun. You'll have to forgive Daisuke; he's absorbed with another piece. You know, he doesn't have a proper easel; he works off of any flat surface he can find." Jun stepped aside and allowed the raven-haired man to enter. "And tell him I have to get back home. The kids will drive Hiro nuts if I don't. Ja ne, Ken." She dashed out the door, and hurried down the hall. As she passed Takeshi, he stopped her briefly.
"You told me someone was sitting your kids," he whispered accusingly. She smiled guiltily.
"But Ken doesn't know that. And, Jinushi-san, they deserve a little privacy."
"Why?" Jun blushed nervously.
"I-no reason. But I really do need to go. Ja!" Takeshi stared after her, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.
* * *
"Suke-chan?"
"Hm?" Daisuke responded, glancing up from his canvas.
"Ai shiteru," Ken responded, grinning. He glanced over Daisuke's shoulder to see what he was painting. A conclave of men and women were dancing in a huge church, wearing smiling masks. There was the instinctive feeling that there was more to them than meets the eye. "What is that?" Daisuke didn't turn around when he answered. His voice was almost trancelike, but he still sounded rational.
"Bakemon, celebrating their most recent acquisition. Sora and Jyou are tied on the altar." Ken looked closer and saw that it *was* them.
"But when was this?"
"Years ago, when the first problems with the Digiworld began. Devimon separated them, and these two were attacked by Bakemon." He shook his head a little, as if to clear it, and then looked up at Ken. "I sometimes make pictures like this; it's a residual psychic power that I can see those things." He grinned, and stepped back from it. "Just be lucky I didn't totally focus on it, or there's nothing you could do to get my attention." Ken smiled coyly and leaned his head to Daisuke's ear.
"Nothing? Are you sure?"
"Yes, Kenji-koi," Daisuke muttered, batting him away. "But it doesn't mean I'd mind you trying."
* * *
"There's something I'm missing; there's something people aren't telling me," Takeshi muttered. "I mean, why would she act like it was some sort of social obligation to give them privacy?" He continued pacing in his own apartment. Suddenly, a hand rested on his shoulder.
"Takeshi, I'm sure it's nothing. I mean, they are friends, and she's his sister. She might think she'd be a third wheel."
"No," Takeshi muttered, shaking his head. "There's something that's just odd."
"Ah," Kanna muttered. "Well, I have to get down to get the groceries. Ja, dear!" She hurried out the door, and Takeshi watched after her.
"You know something I don't, Kanna. Why are you hiding it? Unless...you think I wouldn't like it. Ooh, Motimoya, I'm going to find out what your secret is. If it is the last thing I do, I will."
* * *
~Private Chat~
-Holylight25 has entered-
-Purelove2713 has entered-
-IoriT has entered-
-Hopeful_Angel has entered-
Hopeful_Angel: So, did you see the newspaper? Daisuke's become famous.
Holylight25: It's local fame. And yes, I saw it.
IoriT: Takeru shoved it in my face first thing in the morning. And by the way, koi, *no* one should be moving before 9 in the morning.
Hopeful_Angel: But you can't complain about the *way* I wake you up.
Purelove2713: That is classified as too much information.
IoriT: Okay, we'll drop it. Djf e ud!
IoriT: Sorry. Takeru was
Purelove2713: Drop it!
Holylight25: Why can everyone do that? Koushiro won't return my E-mails and
IoriT: Anyway, Hikari, I wanted to ask you and Miyako something. Would the two of you like to be a part of my half of the wedding party?
Hopeful_Angel: Wait a minute; I've known Hikari much longer than
Purelove2713: But it's nearly guaranteed that you're going to ask Daisuke and Ken, and besides, Hikari likes Iori better anyway.
Holylight25: Miya!
IoriT: You do and you know it.
Hopeful_Angel: Does everyone around here hate me?
Hopeful_Angel: hfbhf aoi fgiw
Holylight25: Takeru?
Hopeful_Angel: hbobgobofiioo sahiowf fhafmffji
Purelove2713: I do not even want to know what's going on.
Holylight25: And it can only get worse. I mean, what happens when Ken and Daisuke start acting like that?
Hopeful_Angel: fha hfosff fghdg shsd hogshg jkdbkjgo ghosh gho ghosdioo hjdsvn vhdv nvvooisd hoisi jioiowj dsddjsv
IoriT: Whoo! What a rush! Well, that's a story to tell the grandchildren.
Hopeful_Angel: Wait-what does that mean?
IoriT: Well, I sort of thought that...maybe, after we got married, you know, not right away, maybe we could, adopt a kid. I just hoped...Takeru.
Hopeful_Angel: Oh, listen, I have to think about this.
-Hopeful_Angel has signed off-
IoriT: Oh, I have to go, girls. Takeru sounds upset, and-dammit! He left the apartment. I have to go!
* * *
"So he's gay."
"Well, he is in love with another man. I do, however, think he sometimes makes eyes at me." Takeshi glared at his wife.
"He's gay, Kanna. A damned faggot. And I will not stand for someone-like him living in my apartment complex."
"Takeshi-"
"Listen, Kanna, I don't care that he's like a son to you. Hell, I wouldn't care if he *was* your son. Kanna, I will not have a faggot in this building, much less next door! And don't argue that this is discrimination, because you know as well as I do that he has been flagrantly violating several of our fire-safety laws in his apartment, and he has been using his apartment as an art dealership!" He smirked at her. "He is only remaining a tenant at my sufferance, and I don't want gays in my apartment complex. If you want, you can inform him of his eviction. I don't want to have to deal with him." Takeshi stood up and stormed from their apartment, slamming the door behind him. Kanna held her head in her hands.
"This is not good."
* * *
"Takeru!" Iori hurried after the blond, swearing under his breath as he stumbled on the pavement. "Damn it, Takeru, slow down! I'm shorter than you!!" Takeru stopped on the sidewalk, laughing. Iori caught up to him, smiling. "I knew that would work," he muttered. Takeru stood up straight, frowning slightly.
"Iori, why did you have to just surprise me with this?" he asked scathingly. "Can't you ever try talking to me aout these things beforehand? Why would you even think I'd want kids?" Iori looked down, eyes sparkling with tears.
"Takeru," he began. "Why do you think that I'd be willing to marry you, but have no interest in ever having children? I mean, I know we can't biologically have them, but Take-chan...one of the reasons I agreed to marry you is because I could imagine the two of us raising a little boy or girl together. I hoped that you and I could share the joy of having a kid. But, if that's a commitment you wouldn't want to make, then I don't think this is a commitment I'm ready to make." Iori slipped the thin gold engagement ring from his finger, and handed it to Takeru. "I'll be at my mother's if you decide to talk." Iori turned, and stalked down the road towards the bus station. Takeru could only stare after him in shock.
* * *
"Daisuke, I have something very importnt to talk to you about," Kanna said quietly, placing a hand on the redhead's shoulder.
"What, Kanna-kun?" She smiled faintly at the familiar name, but sobered quickly.
"Daisuke, my husband is evicting you."
"N-nani?" She sighed.
"You can no longer live here."
"Why?"
"Do you want the given reason or the actual one?" Daisuke sat down on his couch, and glanced up at her.
"Both."
"Well," Kanna began, folding her hands in front of her, "you've been violating several fire safety codes, your apartment seems to break constantly, and you're selling artwork from your apartment. If you weren't gay, he'd overlook it all."
"Ah. He'd be willing to make an exception for me if I weren't a faggot, is that it?" He forced a smile on his face, and glanced up at her. "So when should I be gone by?"
"Tomorrow," Kanna replied. Daisuke nodded.
"Could you help me pack?"
"I-hai."
* * *
"I don't know what I'll do without him," Takeru moaned, holding his head in his arms. "I-how am I supposed to be involved with anyone else? I FELT HIS HEART BEAT IN TIME WITH MINE! You don't have a relationship based on that sort of bond every day. Hell, it barely comes around once in a century." Ken handed him a cup of tea, and sat down next to him on the off-white couch in his living area.
"Takeru, it's just a fight. You'll get through it. Can't you just apologize?"
"No," Takeru muttered. "The thing is, I don't really know if I'd ever want to raise children with him. And that's the basis of the whole arguement."
"Then I suppose you have to figure out what your priorities are before you try to fix anything. But if that lonely apartment makes you uncomfortable, you can stay here. I've got an extra room or two you could use." Suddenly, there was a frantic knocking on the door, followed by the unmistakable sound of several large boxes hitting the ground. Ken hurried to the door and opened it. Daisuke stood outside, surrounded by a sloppy pile of cardboard boxes. Daisuke threw himself into Ken's arms.
"Ken! My Kenji-koi, I got evicted, Takeshi didn't like us, and I didn't know what to do, so I brought all my stuff over here, and please, let me stay here at least over the night?" Ken rubbed his back comfortingly.
"Sure, sure, Suke-chan. Just come in and calm down. I'll pour you some tea, and then you and Takeru can compare bad days."
* * *
Yes, that's all to this part. It really is. And before you go, I've got a semi-important rant. I'd just like to make a note about Takeshi. He is not evil. He does not hate Daisuke. I don't really want to make him an antagonist except in the strictly literal case. I do not intend for you to hate him. He's just the sort of person who's a nice person, but with a major failing. A tragic flaw, if you will. I am making this note because I try not to hate people, and so I want to make a special effort that unless I go out of my way to make someone completely evil, that my readers don't develop irrational hatreds for them. Now that I'm done, you can go.
