And now Chapter Three! Hurrah! Anyway, Hello everyone. Thanks to all my reviewers for the commentary. Don't worry, you will find out what's wrong with Ken in about four chapters.
O.k., there is a slice of Ichijouji bashing this chapter, but that's how I feel about them personally. Ken is a bit OOC this chapter, it's not a crime so don't hate me.
Here's the story. Enjoy!

Chapter 3
*******
'I must be crazy," Ken thought. 'It's a Saturday, yet I'm in my room. Studying.'

Exams had begun a week ago and only two days were left. Although these were his best subjects, he still kept up a ruthless schedule.

He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, which ached from staring in a textbook for three straight hours. He took several deep breaths to calm his frayed nerves and return his jarred focus.

"It's time for a much needed break, guys," he said to his books as he stood and left the room. He headed to the kitchen. His parents were out grocery shopping, which accounted for the stillness of the apartment.

He opened the refrigerator and perused its scanty contents. He discovered an apple hiding in the back. He took it then turned to leave. As he passed the counter, he lost his balance. He reached for the counter but missed and fell to the floor. Climbing to his knees, he grabbed for his apple.

'Great,' he thought 'not only am I losing my mind and studying myself to an early grave, I'm turning clumsy too.' Shaking his head in disgust, he got to his feet and left the room.

Back in his bedroom, he collapsed onto his bed. In a few minutes, he fell into a deep sleep.

//an hour later//

Yolei knocked on the door to Ken's apartment. After a while, Mrs. Ichijouji answered.

"Hello Yolei, come in." she said, stepping aside to let Yolei pass. "Ken's in his room."

"Thank you Mrs. Ichijouji," she said and continued down the hall to his room. When she reached his door, she knocked lightly. Receiving no response, she knocked again, louder this time. He still did not answer.

'That's strange,' she thought opening his door. She walked over to his bed and stood gazing down at him.

'He looks so cute and peaceful,' she mused to herself.
And in truth, he did.
His deep, indigo tresses framed his face; spilling across the pillow. His lashes kissed his cheekbones lightly. His lips were curved in a slight smile. A few buttons on his white shirt were open, exposing a tantalizing bit of his chest. //sigh...//

As if sensing her presence, he opened his eyes.

"Miya-chan?" he said drowsily, "What are you doing here?"

She took a seat across from him in his overstuffed armchair. "You look so calm when you're asleep." She said.

"Eh?" was Ken's reply. His brain functions weren't quite up to speed yet. He sat up against the headboard, raking a hand through his already tousled hair.

'When you were asleep just now you looked like you didn't have a care in the world," she clarified. "No exams to worry about; nothing."

"Doesn't everyone look like that when they are asleep?" he asked.

"Hmm. you have a point." She said, gazing into his eyes. They sat like this for some time; each lost in their separate thoughts.

"Oh yes!" exclaimed Yolei, suddenly remembering why she had come. "Everyone's gonna check out that new pizza place by the beach. You wanna come?"

"...No thanks." He replied. "I should probably get back to studying." He glanced at his desk warily.

"Ken, exams are almost done. You can stop running yourself ragged. Besides, it's not as if you have anything to worry about."

"I'm not a human information bank. I don't know everything in the world."

"Well, if you keep trying to become one you are going to make yourself sick; if you haven't already." She said heatedly. He bristled at her tone.

"I can take care of myself. I don't need you to do that for me." He declared.

"Fine." She said. "You can work yourself until you die, Ken Ichijouji. I do not care."

She stood and made her way across the room. In the doorway, she turned back to him.

"When you end up in a hospital bed panting your last breath, I wont be saying I told you so." And she left abruptly.
*******
The Five DigiDestined was at 'Sakumi's Place'. All were laughing, eating, talking and just plain having fun. All, that is, except Yolei.

'I shouldn't have blown up on him like that. After all, I'm not his mother. It shouldn't matter to me if he decides to study away the rest of his life.'

'I'm his girlfriend; I have the right to worry until the cows come home. Besides, if I didn't worry about him, who would? His parents certainly have not noticed anything wrong. As long as their 'darling boy' keeps on raking in the media coverage, and with it the money, he can study until he goes completely bonkers.'

Davis poking her in the head roused her from her mental debate.

"Earth to Yolei, Ya in there? Hellooo??!" he said.

"Davis, if you don't stop poking me, I am going to hit you so hard, you wont even remember your own name." This put an immediate stop to the offending activity. Yolei turned to the others.

"Have any of you noticed how weird Ken's been acting lately?" she asked. The question had been on her mind for some time.

"I definitely have. Yesterday he practically bit my head off because I forgot his Geography book."

"I found him sleeping in the computer lab. But when I asked him about it, he had no idea what I was talking about." Added Kari.

"Maybe he's just stressed about exams." Cody said.

"I thought so at first, but I think it's something else. Haven't you noticed how pale he's been lately? And sometimes it's as if he's not even there, like he's on another planet or something." Yolei said concern clearly written across her face.

"Yolei don't worry. Cody's right; it's exam stress. And if Ken was really sick, I think he'd realize it." Kari said putting a reassuring hand on her shoulders.

Yolei took a deep breath. "You're right Kari. I'm gonna stop worrying about Ken, from now." Smiling, she continued, "Now, pass me that last slice of pizza."

"Hey! That's my slice!" said Davis, indignant that someone would dare to take his piece.

"Dream on goggle boy!! You already had three." Yolei said, reaching for the prized slice.

"You had four slices." Davis said knocking her hand out of the way.

"Yes, but I'm older..."

After a knock down, drag out fight, which ended in the two contenders splitting the 'Almighty Slice of Pizza', the group left, T.k and Kari heading in the opposite direction of the others.

The two walked along, quietly, hand in hand. Two years ago, they had finally acknowledged their feelings for each other and the long time friendship had blossomed into something more, much to Davis's dismay. To be specific, he had thrown a tantrum and called down the wrath of the Gods on T.k.'s head for 'stealing his girl'.

"T.k," started Kari, "Do you really believe Ken's fine? You know him as well as I do, he wouldn't admit to being sick for anything."

T.k drew her closer to him, placing an arm about her waist. "He's fine," he said comfortingly. "He's just tense about finals; everyone is."

"I hope your right," she said, leaning into his embrace.
******
Yolei opened the door to her apartment and went inside. Halfway to her room, her brother stopped her.

"Yolei, this came for you while ago," he said handing her a white envelope. Her name was written in block letters on the front and there was no return address, no indication as to the sender.

Wondering whom it was from; she went into her room and locked the door. Carefully, she slit it open. Written in a clear, flowing hand was this:

Miya-chan,

I'm sorry. You were completely right; I am working myself to the ground. I never should have acted the way I did. Please forgive me; after all, anger only leads to violence and frankly, you're very scary when you're mad. Love,
Ken.

Yolei sighed. It was impossible to stay mad at him for any length of time. It was such a stupid fight, to begin with. She folded the letter, put it back in its envelope and placed it in her dresser. She then picked up her phone and dialed a number.

"Fine Ken, I forgive you. But do not think that means I'm off your case."
******

That's all, folks! No more for this chapter. Reviews, as always, are accepted. See you soon!