Author's Note: Sorry for the delay in getting this out. I've had tons of homework, and some other stories I had to finish. I've changed the story line around some, so ignore the first warnings and all. Thanks to all the people at the HTLoZ message board (http://www.htloz.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/Ultimate.cgi), you guys are my best friends! And thanks for the reviews!^^
The Digimon Princess: Chapter 3
Ken felt the familiar feeling that came with traveling between the worlds. After a few moments he found himself standing in the middle of his bedroom, landing on his feet like always. Dressed again in his gray school uniform, without his Kaizer clothes and different hairstyle, he felt his anger at the real world for making him leave his realm. Like always. But he shoved that out of his mind and looked down at Ariel, who was also now in her green school uniform, and saw she was still breathing. But only small, shallow gasps. He had to get her to the hospital now. Walking swiftly to the door, he shifted Ariel in his arms and opened it.
Peering out around it, there was no sight or sound of his parents anywhere. Ken stepped out quickly and shut his door before starting down the hall. He made his way down the stairs, at the bottom he again checked for his parents. But the house was silent and dark. Finding the living room in the dark, he flipped on the lights before walking in. Carefully laying Ariel on the couch, he picked up the phone next to it and dialed a number.
It rang for a moment before a woman's voice answered, "Dr. Tanoshii's office."
"This is Ken Ichijouji. Is Dr. Tanoshii there?" he asked in his usual voice.
"Just one moment please," said the woman before there was a pause. After another moment, a warm male voice answered, "Dr. Tanoshii speaking."
"This is Ken Ichijouji," said Ken again.
"Ken! Hello! I haven't seen you in awhile. I trust you have been well. Wait, you wouldn't be if you were calling me!" Dr. Tanoshii said as he laughed.
Ken didn't even smile, "Actually, one of my friends is the one that needs medical attention." Friend? Where did that come from? Ken thought. He sighed silently, I'm becoming too nice. Something I shouldn't do. After all, I am evil.
"Ah, I see. What is his name and what is wrong with him?"
"She's a she," Ken corrected.
Dr. Tanoshii laughed again, "Sorry. Okay, what's her name and what's wrong with her?"
"Ariel Star. She has a gash on her forehead; I don't know how she got it. Also she just fainted a few minutes ago."
Tanoshii suddenly became all business like, "Right. That sounds serious. Is there anyone that can drive you over, or do you need me to come?"
"My parents aren't home, and I don't think it would be wise to catch a cab with Ariel like this, so yes."
"Right," said Tanoshii again, "I'll be there soon. Sayonara."
"Sayonara," echoed Ken as the line went dead. He walked back over to where Ariel lay, and knelt beside her. He brushed back her hair from her face as he waited for Dr. Tanoshii to arrive.
Dr. Tanoshii's arrival was announced with a knock on the door. Ken got up from his kneeling position and went to open it.
"Ah, hello Ken!" said Dr. Tanoshii as the door opened. He was a short man with black hair and twinkling black eyes. His face gave the impression he was always smiling, even when he wasn't. He was middle aged, yet he had the energy of a kid. Tanoshii was one of the few people Ken actually admired a little, for though he was always cheerful, he knew what he was doing. Ken stepped aside so he could walk in. "Thank you," said Dr. Tanoshii as Ken shut the door behind him.
Walking over to Ariel, Dr. Tanoshii quickly checked her over, then looked up at Ken. "She's got a serious concussion, but I don't think that cut is bad enough to get stitches. Just a bandage and something to keep the infections away. If you want, I could take her to my clinic and fix her up, or I can do it here," he told him, patting the black bag next to him.
"Here," Ken replied quickly, not wanting to put off her treatment any longer than necessary.
"As you wish." Dr. Tanoshii opened his bag and took out a clean, white bandage and a small jar filled with a creamy substance. He hummed as he opened it and dipped his fingers into it. His fingers covered in the white substance, he smeared it across the cut delicately. Ariel moaned, twisting her head slightly away from his touch before becoming still again. "Sorry, but I have to use this to stop infections," he soothed. He finished, and after wiping his fingers on a towel, he picked the white bandage up. "If you could, lift her head up a little please," he directed at Ken.
Ken moved around till he was standing at the head of the couch. He slipped his fingers under her head as gently as he could before, her soft hair falling through his fingers, lifting her head slightly.
Dr. Johanson carefully wrapped the bandage around her head, then tied the ends together securely. "There we are," Dr. Tanoshii said cheerfully, "all patched up."
Ken lowered Ariel back to the cushion, taking extra care not to touch her newly bandaged forehead. She still looked pale, but he noticed her breath came easier. He looked up at Dr. Johanson, "Thank you," he said quietly, the words coming out a little forced, but he said them.
"You're welcome, Ken. And it was my pleasure," the doctor smiled down at the still Ariel, "is she staying here?"
"Uh…" Ken hadn't thought of that. "It would be better if she did, but I'm sure Ariel would want to return to Rosegrove."
"The orphanage?" Dr. Tanoshii asked sharply.
"Yes, why?"
"I was just there a week ago to treat a sick girl. I found she was covered in bruises, and she looked as if she had been worked like a slave. I of course questioned her, but she said she got it from playing sports. I wish I could have looked at more of the children, but the mistress, Jess Taylor, rushed me out. I suspect there is more going on there then she lets on." It was obvious that he disapproved.
Ken had heard such stories, but never really paid attention to them. They didn't concern him in the least bit, so why worry what happened too someone you didn't know? But the thought of Ariel growing up there, possibly being abused, did not settle with him. He had told himself over and over that he had no feelings for her. He was doing this because he didn't want to see a sweet person like Ariel to get hurt. But he couldn't lie to himself forever. He did have feeling for her. And that scared him more then he would admit. He squeezed his eyes shut tightly, trying to block out these strange new feelings. Ariel's peaceful and beautiful face still appeared in his mind. His angel. "What's happening to me?" he whispered to himself.
Dr. Tanoshii glanced over at Ken, "Did you say something?"
The dark haired boy quickly opened his eyes, "Uh, no. Why?"
The doctor shook his head, "I must be hearing things then. So, Ariel is staying with you? I would feel much better if she did. I don't trust that orphanage or its mistress."
Ken sighed, thinking of what his mother would say. Knowing her, she would be delighted to have someone to pamper and take care of for awhile. "Yes, she will stay here." Even as he said it he glanced down at the unconscious girl. Without thinking he reached out and touched her soft cheek with a finger. He smiled when she turned slightly towards him.
Dr. Tanoshii watched quietly with a small smile on his face. Ah, to be young and in love again, he thought to himself with a chuckle. He smiled even more when Ken jerked his hand back quickly, a guilty look on his face, when he realized that he was still here. He doesn't want to admit he cares for her, Tanoshii noted with some surprise. Interesting. He would have to find out more about this later. He stood up, brushing out his pants from where he had been kneeling on the floor. "It gets harder and harder to get up, it seems," he told Ken, "enjoy your youth while it lasts!"
With Ken's help, he gathered together all his equipment, then with some last minute instructions, he made his good-byes and left. He watched him drive away from the door, before turning around and making his way back to Ariel. Dropping to his knees again, he reached out and touched her check gently. She sighed slightly, pressing against his hand without waking. A smile graced her lips, and Ken stared at them, fascinated. Slowly, without thinking, he leaned over and softly pressed his lips to hers. After a moment, he pulled away, gazing down into her smiling face.
"Why do I care for you," he asked her still form, "I'm not suppose to love, that is a feeling that has no meaning to me. You shouldn't have any meaning to me. But you do." He pushed back her silky hair, loving the feel of it against his skin, "My precious angel," he whispered before getting up and walking to his room. The DigiWorld didn't stop just cause he left. Maybe working on a new evil plan would help take his mind off of Ariel. Either way, he wouldn't let her stop him from achieving what he had fought so hard to obtain.