Disclaimer- Digimon and all it's characters are not copyright me, but copyright Toei Animation/Bandai (there probably are others, but I can't remember offhand). I wish they were, but sadly, not all wishes come true. The only thing that's copyright me is this fanfic, so no stealing, kiddies.
Author's Notes- Gah..I don't like how this chapter came out at all. But it was the best I could come up with. You should have seen the first version of this chapter I wrote. You'd be reeling in pain from how bad that was. I probably should have called this chapter "Of Plot Holes and Horrible Characterizing" ;). Anyway, sorry for the wait, I'm an incredible procrastinator, so don't beat me! *hides*
"Irashi-san!"
"Hai!"
"Sakamoto-san!"
"Hai."
"Motomiya-san!"
There was silence as the instructor, Izuhara-san, peered into the class, looking for the missing student. "Motomiya-san!"
"Um…Izuhara-san, Daisuke's absent today.", A student said, as Hikari slowly sank into her seat. Again…It was three days after that 'incident', and Hikari felt just as distraught as she did when it happened in the first place. She just didn't know what to think anymore. She supposed Daisuke was at home right now, because whatever she had done to him must have taken a lot out of his system. He was vomiting…blood…Just thinking of that made her sick to her knees. She had quickly retreated after that, unable to face both Yamato and Daisuke. This was probably a good thing, for if she would have stayed she might have learned some unwanted information…
Although, today she was about to find out just what information that was.
—
Why do I feel so cold..?
Isn't that how you normally feel, Motomiya Daisuke?
Who are you?!
That's not important. What is, however, is you. You're running away again.
Running. Maybe I am, but it's for the best. I'm not going to loose myself again.
For the best. Indeed, you think so. But really, is it? You can't hide forever, under Yamato's arms. You can't run away, because your lust for the very thing you despise will lead you back on the trail to destruction.
Where am I?
We are within your mind, Motomiya Daisuke.
Why is it so dark?
Because this is you. This is how your mind projects your soul into itself.
Daisuke could feel his self-control shattering. Although he could not see in this place…his mind, he felt around, trying to find a way out.
This isn't me! Let me out! Yamato? Where are you?
Again, you cry for him. What is it about this being that makes you want to hide within him? Don't you realize what you think is 'protecting' him will just destroy him along with you?
I don't understand.
Of course you do.
Why can't I leave?
You can, but you don't want to. There are no limitations to one's mind, Motomiya Daisuke. You control anything and everything here.
Show me who you are. I want to see who I'm talking to!
Very well.
The darkness subsided in one corner of Daisuke's mind to reveal…
…himself?
What the hell?!
Ask and you shall receive, The other Daisuke spoke, his darker eyes flashing. Before you ask, I am nothing but your inner savior from darkness. Or maybe, conscious, I do not know.
But, you're…you sound…I don't act-
His mirror image chuckled, flashing a grin that reminded Daisuke of his own, down to the very fangs that protruded through it. He seemed almost as if the darkness within his mind dressed him…it appeared to wrap around his body like a cloth.
I suppose you mean that I don't act like you. Of course, when sending signals to the brain, one must be very accurate in their speech.
You're the one who translates my thoughts? But you said that you're my conscious. My darkness. I don't understand.
You don't need to. I'm here to warn you…if you don't learn to control yourself, the consequences will be dire.
And how do you know this?
Look. The Future.
Daisuke could feel the scenery around him change within one blink of an eye. He was in a dark cell, he could tell, for the humid dampness of the room was the first feeling he could produce from being there. He stared around, feeling as if he had been there before. A small sound gained his attention, and he flipped around. Only to pale at what he saw.
"Yamato-chan!" His voice materialized into, not just a thought, but a real sound as it echoed over the moist walls. There was Yamato, only lightened by the small light outside in the corridor. His wrists were reddened with blood as Daisuke noticed chains bordering each of them, biting viciously into his skin. His head was down, as if he had not heard Daisuke, and as Daisuke touched him, he found he could not feel him.
It was as if he wasn't there.
Daisuke's eyebrow furrowed with fury as he screamed, "Who the hell did this to you?! Dammit, Yamato, can't you hear me? Who did this to you?! Yamato!"
You did.
Daisuke's mirror voice wrapped around his ear, as he saw Yamato faintly smile weakly towards the exit of his room. Daisuke could hear footsteps making their way to the room, and stiffened. Although he thought, no, he knew this wasn't real, he could still smell this person…and it smelled exactly like him. Yet another me? But…
Yamato's smile disturbed him. He looked ill…pale, and this particular smile lacked something within it.
…happiness.
The footsteps became gradually louder as Daisuke's form reached the door. Yamato's smile widened as the younger boy came closer. Daisuke studied his form as his other self paused at the doorway. "Yamato." Was all that he said, and Daisuke shivered at the sound. This isn't me! This can't be me!
It was obvious that this Daisuke was hungry, and he had been using Yamato just for that…just like Daisuke had feared before. Just a meal…nothing more…
The darker Daisuke slowly made his way, leaning downward to place a delicate hand on Yamato's cheek. "I see you've missed me?"
Yamato nodded, silent. Daisuke felt his knees go weak. Like a dog…
The blonde shivered as his dark vampire slowly slid a tongue over his neck area. "And I'm so very hungry…you like it when I'm hungry, ne?"
Another nod.
"Are you sure you have enough to please me? Or should I go elsewhere?"
There was a frantic shaking of head, as Yamato heard that question. Daisuke looked on, frightened and sickened at the same time, but unable to turn away. His counterpart only smirked as he took Yamato's fingertip into his mouth, piercing the tender skin and licking away the crimson blood that seeped out of it. "You're growing dry." He began to head towards the neck area, saying no more, just feeding.
This…isn't ME! I wouldn't do that to Yamato…I wouldn't! I wouldn't!
"Soon I'll have no use for you." Daisuke could faintly hear himself say as he let go of Yamato, staring coldly at the older boy.
Yamato…say something! What are you, a doll?
And that's exactly how he looked. Just like a doll. Daisuke could feel himself crumble down, as he chanted to himself,
That wasn't me…that wasn't me…that wasn't me…that wasn't me…
It could be.
Why did you do this? I didn't want to see that! Why can't I just wake up?!
You could make the same mistake if you run, Daisuke. I'm just protecting you, protecting you from the darkness that will pull you in. It doesn't care how good you were, it will convert you. You don't know yourself, and that's just what it wants.
How can I avoid that?
Find your true self. And you won't have to run anymore.
Why?
Because, if anything, you need yourself for the future.
What? What do you mean? Wait!
WAIT!
—
"I wonder when he'll wake up." Yamato quietly said to no one but himself. He was sitting on the edge of the bed Daisuke resided in, and watching the boy in slumber. It had only been a few days since that odd incident…what had happened anyway? I need to talk to Hikari. His eyes hardened. He wasn't sure what to think, nor what to say. Daisuke had mentioned to him shortly after he had lapsed in deep slumber that he didn't want to go home. There was no one there for him, and when Yamato had asked about Jun, he got no reply.
What happened? Does she…know?
What scared Yamato the most was the fact that someone could find out Daisuke's secret. And it wouldn't be pretty…not at all. He sighed, stroking Daisuke's hair. Hikari left so quickly…I just don't understand this. Maybe I don't know Daisuke like I thought…
Really, as he thought of it, he didn't know Daisuke at all. Even before they had become so close, he didn't know him. They were just like workers in a building; they knew each other, yet they didn't know each other. Yamato gave a small smile as he stared down at Daisuke's now peaceful face. That doesn't mean I didn't think he was adorable.
"What's it about you that drew me so quickly? We rarely talked that much, but…I feel so connected." He trailed a finger along his neck yet again. Like candy…funny how the weirdest things make you feel good. A bite from you is like a drug, but not dangerous. It feels safe.
Before he knew it, he had bent down and gently kissed Daisuke's sleeping lips.
—
Hikari stumbled out of class, her thoughts elsewhere. She felt drunk on her own thoughts of confusion, and lost beyond measure. Takeru had tried to talk to her, but she couldn't look him in the face. She, like many others, just didn't know what to think.
"Maybe…I should go visit Daisuke. But could I look him in the eye? Would he hate me even more than he did before? You just keep making things worse, don't you Hikari..?" She slowly made her way out of the school, dragging her feet listlessly forward.
She was too distracted to notice two people following her. Both, very familiar.
It was too late when she figured it out, as two pairs of hands, one human and one digimon, grabbed her and shoved her into an alley.
"What the-?! Jun…? And…YOU!"
The taller one smirked. "Ah, Hikari. We meet again. And this time, there's no one to help you, dearie. Now come along, like a good Chosen Child. I promise, this won't hurt…too badly."
Hikari could hear Arukenimon's echoing laugh wrapping around her like a serpent as she fell into darkness.
"Let the games begin."