Disclaimer: I own nothing. I use licensed characters in ways they probably weren't intended to be used. Feel free to sue, but you're not getting my Patamon plushies! ^^;
Author's Notes: What you are about to read is a Kenato, with TaKen elements. If either of those couplings offend you, then stop here and read a Taito instead. ^.~; Reading a Taito always makes everything better. As of the initial posting, it's a standalone story, although I'm sure I could continue it if people actually like this (Gasp of gasps~ ^_^;;). Honestly, if you're looking for a good Kenato, I recommend AimeeKae's "Flutter". She's great. ^_^
Rated PG For a Reason: This story involves homosexuality, homophobia, nonconsentual.. *cough* relations, and underage shounen-ai. If you're offended by any of this... Erm.. Maybe you -shouldn't- go read a Taito.. ^^;
~A Kenato by Jessie
"GARURUMON!!!!"
The shout was loud enough to be heard over the ruckus of battle as the young blonde dashed towards his fallen comrade. Golden locks of hair flopped over his left eye as he knelt by the fallen wolf. Compassion shimmered in icy blue eyes that scanned for anything more than superficial wounds. The boy's arms wrapped around a furry body, nuzzling the beast and whispering calming words into its ear.
Combat continued. Shots were fired. A villain was defeated. There was much rejoicing. Wounds were assessed, and the group of children began home, giggling and chatting about the day's events. One hung back from all this, however. His eyes remained fixed on one member in particular.
"He's beautiful..."
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Ken Ichijouji bit down on his lower lip, more than a bit nervous. He glanced towards his backpack, where Minomon subtly struggled, motions slow and deliberate, as though he thought moving at a slothlike speed wouldn't alert anyone's attention to the noticeably shifting lump in the bag. Ken grinned despite himself, taking a small detour into a darkened alley. After a short glance around to make certain no eyes were upon him, he unzipped his bag and allowed Minomon to come out for a breath of fresh air. The in-training Digimon leaped out, giggling cheerfully.
"Thanks a million, Ken!" He exclaimed in that adorably childlike voice which always made the Keeper of Kindness smile. "It was really stuffy in there... I wish I could travel with you without hiding like that!" Ken nodded.
"I'm sorry about this, Minomon... I mean, I would have left you at home while I ran this errand, but I want someone around. You know, moral support." Minomon's eyes widened at that.
"Support? I don't know what kind of support moral is... Should I digivolve to Wormmon so I'm better prepared?"
Ken only barely suppressed a chuckle at Minomon's efforts to be by his side eternally. Even when the little Digimon hadn't the faintest idea of what the subject was about, he was prepared to give his all to make his partner happy. Even when Ken was the Kaiser, his partner stood by his side with a loyalty unmatched by any others Ken had encountered before. If he had nothing, he at least had his Digimon. He patted Minomon's head obligingly, before holding out his bag again.
"Now, come on... If we don't get to Takeru's soon, they'll start dinner without us!"
"No food?" Minomon dived back into the backpack frantically. "Hurry, Ken!"
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"Pass the salt, Ken?"
Ken could have killed Takeru at that very moment. It had taken him a week to get his mind off of the dazzling blonde he'd caught a mere glimpse of in the Digiworld, and now he found himself seated at the same dinner table as him. He was still as gorgeous as Ken recalled, with honey-blonde tresses styled just so, and a demeanor which was aloof, and yet fragile. From his breathtaking eyes to the darling way in which he stuffed his face, he was perfect.
"Etouuu... Ken?"
And he still needed his salt. Ken blushed lightly and passed over the condiment desired by the object of his affections.
"So, Ken..." Yamato smoothly began to make polite conversation. "What do you do with your free time these days? You know, now that you're not plotting to take over the Digiworld anymore?" Ken flushed heavily at the bluntness of the question, eyes wide. Takeru chuckled lightly as he passed a large chunk or rice to the pair of Digimon patiently waiting underneath the table.
"Real smooth, 'Niichan." Takeru grinned. Yamato responded with a sly smile.
"What? It was a simple question..." Ken suppressed the urge to crawl into a hole and die of the embarrassment of being put on the spot like that. If only Yamato didn't seem so sure of himself, so playful, so very wonderful... Ken shifted in his seat uncomfortably, staring down into his food to avoid eye contact.
"I.. Erm.. I play soccer more... And, being Digidestined takes up a lot of free time as well... Of course, you'd know about that, wouldn't you?"
Yamato smiled, as though Ken's answer was acceptable enough for him. He then took a final swallow of his drink, and rose from the table. He gave Ken a beckoning motion with his hands, and Takeru took the hint to begin clearing the table. Ken gulped, his eyes wide. -The- Yamato wanted to have a word in private... He could hardly believe his fortune... What could he possibly have to say that required privacy?
Perhaps Yamato had developed a similar crush, Ken mused between the flutters of his heart. Maybe his manners and shy glances had proven to be Yamato's type. Maybe...
There was no time for maybes as Yamato pulled him into Takeru's bedroom. Takeru's Bedroom? Ken felt another blush creep onto his cheeks. Yamato sat on the bed... Ken settled down beside him... This was so very sudden... His mind slipped into a joyous fantasy, drowning out what it was Yamato was telling him. The older boy's voice had slipped into a low, stealthy whisper, as though he was confessing a secret. Ken only heard some of the conversation, slipping deep into a fantasy world where he and Yamato spent an eternity in blissful togetherness.
"... Too shy to admit emotions.. I guess it runs in the ol' genes. It can be a little intimidating, telling someone you've got a crush on them..." Yamato continued covertly as Ken's heart soared. He drew his face closer, inhaling Yamato's scent. He smelled of baby powder, how delightful... Those baby blue eyes, so warm... So captivating... So inviting...
Ken shut his eyes, gently pressing his lips against Yamato's, silencing him thusly. His tongue pressed forward, invading the elder boy's mouth with a gentle passion. Slowly, he pulled away, more than a bit curious as to the lack of response from the former Keeper of Friendship. His eyes opened to a sight that shattered his heart in twain.
Yamato stood, taking several paces back, eyes wide. He stared at Ken for a long while before speaking.
"Why on Earth did you just do that...?" Ken faltered.
"I... I thought..." Ken suddenly found it difficult to catch his breath. "You... And I... And..." It was as though someone had just placed a heavy weight on his chest. "And... And... Oh God..." It was a terrible mistake. A horrible mistake. What had he done?
"Didn't you hear a word I just said...?" Yamato could only stare, pale and aghast.
"I.. I thought you were telling me you... liked..." Ken allowed himself to trail off, realizing how he would only dig himself deeper if he completed that sentence. He shrank back as a fire ignited in Yamato's eyes.
"You... Thought... What..?!" The older Digidestined clenched his hands into tight fists, visibly appalled by the idea. "Look, Kid... Just because you look like a girl does NOT give you the right to.. To... UGH! WHY does everyone think I'm gay?!" He stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Ken stared at his hands, willing himself to not allow the tears building in his eyes to fall.
"...A girl..? I'm not..." He whispered with a quivering voice. There was a soft knocking at the door, and Takeru's head peeked in slowly.
"Ken..? Is everything okay? 'Niichan looked like things didn't go too well... Are you very upset with me?" Ken didn't answer. He merely wiped his eyes, stood, and calmly exited Takeru's bedroom. The Keeper of Hope watched him with brows furrowed in worry.
"I didn't think you'd be that repulsed by me, Ken..." He whispered.
If one had listened carefully that day, they might have heard the faint crashing noise of two hearts shattering beyond repair.
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"I'm a girl, am I?" Ken snarled as he typed viciously on his computer. "He doesn't swing that way, eh?" The keys rattled under the heavy rapping as the boy released his pent-up frustrations on the program he was composing. Minomon crept to Ken's side, whimpering in concern.
"Ken? Are you okay? What happened after dinner? You haven't said a word to me the whole way home... Ken? ... Ken, come on, talk to me... At least get to bed with me.. It's getting really late! .... Ken?" Minomon floated up into the bed, hoping to lead by example. Ken looked up from the computer for the first time all evening.
"Pets don't belong on beds, Minomon."
Minomon gaped at Ken for a long while. He hadn't been called "pet" since Ken's Kaiser days. He slumped back down to the floor, only barely suppressing the urge to sob.
"It's finished!!!" Ken announced gleefully. Minomon's eyes raised, but he didn't dare ask what it was that was finished. Ken smiled broadly and lifted his Digimon off the floor.
"No time to sleep now, Minomon... We've got to get to the Digiworld to prepare!"
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Ken brushed himself off, shouting for Wormmon to follow as he began walking briskly.
Wormmon slinked behind in a struggle to keep pace with the boy. He frowned, noting that, upon entering the Digiworld, Ken had appeared in his old Kaiser costume. What disturbed him further, however, was that the boy didn't seem to mind in the least.
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"So now, what's so wrong that we had to come back here? I don't see any bad Digimon around! I don't see any wounded little fellas asking for help! What was so darned important that it couldn't wait until daylight?!" Daisuke seemed less than pleased about being dragged into the Digital World at three in the morning for an emergency that was less-than-immediate.
"Gabumon wanted us here, we're here." Came the stone-cold reply from Yamato. His eyes ruthlessly scoured the surrounding forest for his companion.
"Well, then how come Ken didn't have to come? Why's he get to sleep? He ain't special or nothing!" Daisuke crossed his arms grumpily. Takeru's eyes shifted downward.
"He.. He just probably isn't feeling too up to it tonight, is all... I'm sure he'll show up when it counts... He wouldn't let us down, right?"
"Takeru's right!" Miyako chirped, giving the saddened blonde a hefty smack on the back. "Ken'll be all mysterious and absent, and then, soon as we get in trouble, him and Stingmon'll show up and--"
"Stingmon and he." Iori corrected.
"Stingmon and he..." Miyako continued, passing Iori a glare. "...will come along, and help us out like always!" Her grin returned to punctuate her optimism. Daisuke gave a grumble.
"So, where is Gabumon, anyway?? I wanna get back to bed already!"
As if on cue, the wolf Digimon poked his head out from a bush. His soft, serene voice called out a greeting to Yamato. The lupine's partner was at his side in a moment, ruffling his fur and exclaiming joyfully.
"Gabumon, you're okay!! From your message, I wasn't sure what had happened - you seemed so panicked!" Gabumon nodded calmly.
"Yamato, I need you to come with me. Just you."
"Waitasec... Just me...?" Yamato blinked, confused.
"You're the only one needed for this." Gabumon confirmed in a tone which made Yamato squirm with unease.
"Gabumon... Are you feeling all right?" Yamato ran a hand through his partner's fur cautiously. He froze when his fingers met with cold steel. Gabumon growled as Yamato's eyes widened.
"...A dark ring...?"
The phrase was barely out of his mouth before he was swept up into Garurumon's powerful jaws. In an instant, the unprepared Digidestined found himself being carried off at an alarming speed, too aghast to do more than stutter in confusion.
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"How long do you think they'll be?" Hikari asked, not quite stifling a yawn.
"Too long..." Miyako responded, glancing at her watch. "But, at least someone's getting some use out of this.." She gestured to Daisuke, who had snuggled up against a rock with Veemon and proceeded to fall asleep.
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Yamato glared darkly as he struggled against the twin black rings keeping his hands bound behind his back. His cheeks flushed a deep red at the embarrassing green sundress he'd been forced into, not to mention the humiliating pink bow now adorning his hair. He'd die if anyone saw him like this. He would simply have to fall down and die.
"You've got a LOT of explaining to do, Ichijouji!" He snarled contemptuously. He was greeted with the blank gaze of eyes hidden behind sunglasses. The Digimon Kaiser stepped towards him, smirk never leaving his face. Stingmon followed, moving as though he regretted every step he took behind Ken. The Kaiser reached Yamato, and simply grinned.
"Now, Yamato..." He crooned into the elder boy's ear. "Just who is it that looks like a girl, hmm?" The Kaiser grasped the taller boy by the shoulders and roughly ran his tongue in sensual circles around the blonde's neck. Yamato squirmed distastefully, struggling against the younger boy's superior strength.
"S.. Stop that!" The holder of Friendship demanded, attempting to not allow his voice to display any of the helpless terror welling up within him. "I already told you - I'm NOT like that!!"
"Shut UP, Yamako..." Ken shoved Yamato down beneath him, tearing at the blonde's dress. "I'm only going to hurt you as much as you hurt me... Unless it's more fun to hurt you more, that is... STINGMON!!!!"
"Please, Ken..." Stingmon pleaded. "Don't do this... It's not like you anymore.. Don't go back to evi--"
"DON'T CALL ME KEN!"
"......... yes, Master." Stingmon bowed his head. "But... Must I...?
"I COMMANDED it, didn't I?!" Ken tightened his grip on the boy below him, causing Yamato to cry out in pain. Stingmon kneeled next to Yamato, carrying what appeared to be a large Dark Ring in his hands.
"Yamato... I'm sorry..." He whispered, shifting the ring in his hands apprehensively. He lowered his voice to a level Ken couldn't hear at. "Just hold on as long as you can... I'll find a way to fix this... Somehow..." The Kaiser glared, silently demanding to know the reason for Stingmon's delay. The Insect Digimon whispered a final apology as he slipped the ring around Yamato's neck. Yamato shrieked for a moment afterward, causing Stingmon to excuse himself and flee from the room momentarily. Ken merely smiled.
Kneeling atop Yamato's prone form, the Kaiser nuzzled his face into the other's neck. His tongue again began to explore the span of Yamato's neck, sinking down into his chest. Spirals and hearts were drawn as Ken reveled in the other's taste. The Kaiser paused as Yamato stirred.
"Yes, Yamato..." The Kaiser grinned in excitement. "It took me so long to discover a way to control Humans in the Digital World... So different from controlling Digimon... But, for you... To make you feel the pain I felt... To give you just a sliver of the humiliation... It was worth every drop of sweat."
While he was speaking, Yamato's eyes had fluttered open. The elder boy's arms reached up to grasp Ken, pulling him down into a long, passion-filled kiss. Their tongues combated with each other furiously as they grasped for each other. Ken broke away first, grinning as wildly as ever.
"It's nice to see you know who you belong to now, Yamato.." The Kaiser chuckled as he ran a finger along the thin black collar around Yamato's slender neck. The boy beneath him responded with a short nod.
"Yes, Master... I understand completely. I'm yours now... For all eternity." Yamato ended his statement by pulling Ken back down for another kiss.