Note to disclaimers: Konnichiwa minna-san! I do not own
Digimon or anyone of its characters…*weeps* but if I did, you could bet that I
would change the ending. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the second chapter. ~Samenia~
COLD
EMPIRE (Chapter 2)
Twisting
over in the silk sheets, I hang my head low. 'What have I done? Sleeping with
the Emperor?' Water forms in my eyes as reality slams my head. Twining my hands
in the soft material, I place my head in my solace. 'What have I done?' Sobs
rack my body as hurt and confusion fills me. The feeling of fingers on my
shoulder causes me to shiver. 'Oh, what have I done?' His arms wrap around me,
caressing my shoulder blades all the while.
"Yolei,
what's wrong?"
"What
have I done?" I pry his arms off me in a futile attempt to run away. "Let me
go! What have I done? God, help me!"
I
harshly throw him off me and bolt towards the door. Sounds the rushed footsteps
come after me. Knowing it is the emperor coming after me, I push myself even
harder. Just as I have reached the exit, I trip on the remainder of the sheets.
'Just great!' Fueled by determination, I jump back up only to be caught by
Ken's vice-like grip. "Let me go!" I shout.
"Yolei,
what is it?" His question goes unanswered as I elbow him in the gut. "YOLEI!
DON'T LEAVE!"
Ignoring
his anguished cries I make one last break for the door. Horror washes over me
as the doors slam in my face. Slowly I turn around to see him standing there, a
few feet away from me. He is shaking and appears to be angry. The tone of his
voice makes my blood run cold. "I said..." He looks at me. "Don't leave."
Fresh
adrenaline pumps through my veins. The emperor makes his way closer to me, his
hands balled into tight fists. An odd look runs through his eyes before he
reaches his out and grabs me. "Where were you going Yolei? Didn't I say for you
not to leave?" His touch sends chills down my spine. "Come Yolei. We have work
to do now."
"No."
I shake my head, refusing to comply. "I can't."
My
muscles tense as his grip tightens. "I'm not asking."
"But..."
I begin but he cuts me off.
"I
SAID I'm not asking!" He yanks me forward, a red mark forming on my pale skin.
I
cry out briefly as the burn courses up my arm. "Ouch, that hurt! Jerk..."
Luckily he doesn't hear me. As we walk down the desolate hallways. When we
arrive at the rendezvous point, he roughly throws me to the floor. A pair of
clothes flies at me as I sit up. "What an asshole!" I yell as he disappears.
"Get
ready. We have business to discuss." He says. "Be sure that you are ready when
I come. From now on, you will call me master or have a whipping every time you
disobey my command."
"Yeah
whatever." I say. A sharp pain on my arm quiets me. I see his whip fling back
into its holder.
"Say
that again." He demands.
Mustering
up some courage, I stand and ball my fists. "I said, whatever."
"That's
it." He says. His whip lashes out at me. The stinging pain spreads throughout
my body. "I'll be back later."
The
slamming of the big oak doors makes me jump. I look over my arms and legs,
numerous redlines appearing. I weakly sort the material, noticing the clothing
is a bit more revealing than I thought. After I am done dressing, I regard my
reflection in the mirror. I frown with slight disgust. A red silk tank top
covers me chest area, simple yet scanty all the same. Adorning my legs is a
long black vinyl skirt, along with a pair of stiletto heels. 'Thank god these
aren't too high.' Selecting a ponytail, I wrap my hair in a bun, a few tendrils
falling to the side of my face. When done I drape the sheet across my
shoulders. Taking in my surroundings I see a chair in the corner of the room.
'Guess I'll sit there.' The chair is made of complete steel, some remnants
colder than others are. 'Just lovely. There's no heater either.' Since the
chair is vast, almost like a lounge chair, I curl into a ball and sleep.
ONE
HOURLATER...
"Get
up." The emperor's voice demands coldly. "We go now Yolei."
"Stop
pushing me!" I say gruffly. "Ask me why don't you? Jerk!"
He
turns around abruptly, his hand meeting my cheek in a sickening smack.
"SILENCE!" He yells. "I will not tolerate this!"
Furiously
I kick him in the shin and make a dash for the staircase. He runs after me, the
patter if his footsteps right behind me. "YOLEI! COME BACK HERE!"
"You're
nuts!" I shout back. "I'm not going to stay here any longer, just watch
me...YIKES!"
He
yanks me back, roughly crushing me against his chest. His hands twist in my
hair, pulling the strands as I struggle. "Didn't I say not to run?" He pulls my
head back. "Didn't I?"
"Let
me go!" I scream. "I'm not staying here!"
"No!"
Violently he turns me around, throwing me against the rock-like wall. His face
is cynical and malicious. "You're not going anywhere!"
I
rub my arms as a scratch mark appears from the rock wall. I see the emperor
walk closer until he is right in front of me. He grabs the back of my neck,
drawing my face nearer to his. "Don't resist me Yolei. You know you can't." Our
lips brush slightly, my drive fueled. 'I can't...' As his arms close around me
I press his lips harder to mine. The rest of the night is a blur, the events
hazy to my mind.
THE
NEXTMORNING...
'Ow...my
head hurts.' The pounding in my head intensifies. I rest myself gently on the
headboard of the emperor's bed. The
silk sheets feel cool and soft against my skin, soothing every crevice with a relaxing
sensation. Aside me the emperor is sleeping soundly, his purple-black spread
across the pillows in sharp waves. His glasses are lying on the floor, along
with our clothes, forgotten and unneeded. Involuntarily I trail my fingers on
his cheeks, admiring the satiny ness of his skin. He twitches a bit, turning
over, facing my direction. I sigh when his arm drapes across my abdomen.
Carefully I stroke his hair as it slips listlessly through my hands. I stare at
him, drinking in his delicately etched features, each detail an addition to his
beauty. "How am I in love with you?"
"I
don't know Yolei...I don't know."
SOMEWHERE...(IN
THE DIGITAL WORLD) {KARI'S POV}
"What
are we going to do about Yolei?" Davis paces back and forth, dust clouds
forming behind him.
"How
about, for starters, you stop pacing?" T.K. points out, annoyance evident in
his voice. "All of the pacing you're doing is making my nose itch."
"Don't
fight please." Cody interjects before a brawl ensues.
"I
think we need to plan this out first." Sora adds in thoughtfully. "We don't
have the first clue as to where she is at. Where do we begin?"
I
sit back, wondering why Yolei did what she did. 'Why would she run off with the
Digimon Emperor? There must be more of a reason than just to save us. From what
Davis told us, she was already going with him when the fight started. In fact,
it was when they wanted to take her back that the battle ensued. Hmm...' My
thoughts of analyzing are interrupted by Tai shouting at Davis. Glancing over,
I see Sora pulling Tai by his shirtsleeves. "Tai?" I walk over calmly.
"Something wrong?"
"Yes!
DAVIS here, MR. LEADER, is being rash and NOT helping the situation!" Tai
glares at Davis.
"Why
is everyone mad at me?" Davis yells. "How come no one is mad at T.P.?"
"That
is simple to explain Davis." Izzy replies. "T.K. is not doing anything, plus,
you ARE being rash."
"It's
all right Davis." Mimi touches his head gently. "We're all a bit stressed out.
Don't mind Tai, he's just a bit frustrated."
"I'll
say." I smile. "No more fighting ok?" Davis and Tai nod. I grin and sock Tai
playfully on the shoulder. "That's the spirit Tai!"
Progressing
on, Tai goes with Sora in the front; Izzy, Mimi, and Davis fall into the
middle. I end up in the back, following in step of T.K. and Cody. It is quiet, the morning air mist-like,
consisting of the dew from the wet grass. Mimi and Izzy chat idly with Davis so
as to not let him feel left out. Someone tugs at my shirt end. "Kari, are you
ok?" Gatomon asks. "You look ill."
"I'm
fine Gatomon." I answer. "Do I really look that bad?"
"Kind
of Kari. Your face is a bit paler than usual." T.K. says.
"Stop
worrying T.K., I'm just fine." I reply. "You're silly."
"I
suppose Kari." He throws an arm around me, his manner friendly and casual.
"Let's keep in check ok? Just in case?"
I
laugh, T.K.'s worry getting the best of mer. Cheerily I slap him a high five,
giggling as he misses. "Ok, T.K.!"
"That's
my girl!" He lifts me from the ground, briefly ruffling my hair. "Now, let's
progress on, shall we?"
"Hey!
There you go again T.Q.! Leave Kari alone!" Davis says loudly from up ahead.
"You're too persistent! Don't you get it? She's had enough of you T.S.!"
"Hey
pal, the name is T.K. and she's my best friend." T.K. shouts back. "We like to
hang out!"
"That's
enough you two!" Cody states. "Davis, T.K., we can't afford to be making
enemies right now! Get it through your thick heads already!"
"I'm
not putting up a fight Cody." T.K. says innocently. "Davis is the one being
obnoxious."
"T.K.,"
I place my hand on his arm, encouraging him to be silent. "It's all right.
Davis is just upset since the Tai thing."
"Kari,
do you think we're getting closer?" Mimi asks me. "I can't help but feel a
sense of dread for this dilemma."
"Mimi,
do you know if Tentomon is around?" Palamon asks. "I'm looking for him."
Mimi
shakes her head. "I haven't the slightest clue."
"Sora,
how can you say that?" Tai is upset.
"About
Matt? What do you mean? He's my boyfriend after all." Sora's response is
uneasy. "Why are you so edgy?"
"I'm
not." Tai ignores her, turning towards Agumon who is chatting with Biyomon. "I
was just saying."
"Tai...let
me explain more." Sora starts.
"No,
I think we've finished our conversation." Tai says.
'Not
you too Tai!' I think sadly. 'I feel for you Tai...' The world around me spins,
chaos everywhere. People are hurting each other left and right. I rub my
temples in a slow rhythm, hoping to rid myself of the throbbing in my brain. To
my side T.K. is adjusting his sleeves, which appear to be a bit long. The
frustration in his eyes is apparent. With expertise I reach out and pull the to
slight perfection. He gives me a goofy grin. I smile in return, a light pink
staining my cheeks. "Always here to help T.K."
"Thanks
Kari." He squeezes my hand lightly.
"Izzy,
don't you think that Yolei would have contacted us if she were hurt? She does
have her communicator. I don't think the Emperor knows about it, or else he
would've taken it away." Mimi says out of the blue.
"You
think so?" Izzy concentrates. "I wonder..."
"You
wonder too much!" Mimi hugs Izzy affectionately.
I
laugh, my eyes dancing with joy for them. 'They really are an interesting
pair.' Suddenly, my laughing stops, shock overwhelming me. 'Could it be? Does
Yolei like Izzy? Oh no!' I run over to Tai, attracting his attention with
rushed words. "Tai! I know why Yolei left us!" Tai looks at me expectantly.
"What I'm going to say isn't going to change anything about our search, but I'm
sure she went with him willingly."
"WHAT?"
Everyone gasps.
THE
EMPIRE...
"Yolei,
where do I begin?" The Emperor begins.
"I'm
not sure what you mean but I shall leave master." I reply while picking up my
clothes.
He
sits up quickly, instantly taking me back. His arms wrap around me in a secure
hug. "No...Don't go."
"Master?"
I question unsure of his actions.
"I
have something to confess." He stands, a sheet around his waist, our eyes
meeting. "I think that I'm in love with you Yolei."
"W...what?
But how can that be Ken?" I ask, sadness and confusion glistening in my eyes.
"It's
easy, no it's complicated...oh shit! I don't know anymore!" He stands; the evil
glint of the emperor runs through his eyes. He turns to me, anger in his indigo
orbs. He points at the door. "Get out..."
"But
Ken..." I begin.
"GET
OUT!" He screams. " DON'T EVER CALL ME THAT AGAIN! MY NAME IS MASTER YOU HEAR?"
"But..."
I attempt again. I cry out as his whip lashes my cheek. Seeing the anger in his
eyes I flee the room, back to my chamber. I dress quickly. 'I love him...I
can't leave him, but I must.'
KARI'S
POV...(DIGITAL WORLD)
"Tai,
maybe we should rest for a minute." I say, exhaustion claiming my legs. "We've
been walking for a long time now."
"If
we stop then we'll lose some hours." He waits as I collapse on the ground.
"Kari,
I'll help you if you want." T.K. kneels next to me and helps me stand. "You can
lean on me...or I could carry you for a while."
A
light pink blush creeps into my cheek. "Um...ok."
We
are about to leave when a figure comes into view. The person seems to be tired;
each step that he or she takes is slow and heavy. We wait patiently, bewildered
to see another life form coming our way. I gasp as a strand of lavender hair
catches my eye. 'YOLEI!' I jump up, the soreness in my legs gone, running to my
friend. I embrace her as she falls to the floor. "Yolei? Are you ok? Yolei?"
"Yolei!"
Hawkmon. "Yolei! What's happened to her? Wake up Yolei!"
"What's
wrong with her?" Davis asks.
I
look at him helplessly as she lays unconscious in my arms. Davis reaches over
and takes her, shaking her shoulders gently in a futile attempt to stir her. I
hear Cody groan as we all notice the various scars and cuts on her pale skin.
Her clothing is tattered, no doubt from whatever she went through. Hawkmon
flaps above us, his eyes teary with worry. I frown. 'What could've happened?'
T.K. and Davis are about to escort her to safety when a name leaves her lips, a
name that makes us all gasp. "Ken..."
THE
REALWORLD...(JOE'S POV)
"Joe!
I've been looking all over for you!"
I
look up, blond hair entering my line of sight. "Matt? What's up? What are you
doing here?"
Matt
stops in front of me, panting heavily. "I'm l...Looking for T.K." He says.
"Have...you...seen him?"
I
shake my head. "I haven't seen him exactly, but I did hear that Izzy and Tai
were going to the digital world. Most likely, he is with them."
"Oh.
Is Tai there? Do you know if Sora is with them?" Matt asks suspiciously.
"I
don't think that Tai would try anything Matt." I reply, confident in Tai's
loyalty to his friendship with Matt. "He's your friend. He wouldn't try
anything with Sora."
"It's
not that." Matt answers. "I have something to discuss with Sora. It's crucial."
"Well,
I suppose we could go to the digital world. Of course, we'd have to contact one
of the others first." I say packing up
my belongings.
"Well,
what are we waiting for?" He asks. "Let's get a move on it!"
DIGITAL
WORLD...
Steadily
I open my eyes, a rush of fresh air hitting them. My head rolls over to the
side. 'Where am I?' My question is answered as I see a group of people sitting
by a fire not too far away. 'Why can't I move my hands?' I feel the blanket
heavy over my body. 'Oh, that's why.' It appears that everyone is talking
quietly. I sit up, gathering myself together, gingerly walking over to the
group. "Is there something amiss? Why is everyone so quiet?"
They
all turn to me, their eyes a mixture of surprise and relief. Cody is the first
to jump up and hug me. "YOLEI! YOU'RE OK!"
I
peer down at him, confusion in my eyes. "Of course I'm ok. Did I miss
anything?"
Kari
stands, her cinnamon eyes full of disappointment. "Yolei, I hate to have to be
the one to say this to you, but, you aren't exactly ok." My face twists in
uncertainty, which she continues speaking. " Do you remember going with the
Digimon Emperor?"
I
take a step back. "I did what? You've got to be joking!"
"She's
not." Sora adds. Sora turns to the group. "Guys, I'm going to have to ask you
to leave. This is girl business. You too Cody."
After
they have gone, I seat myself across of Mimi, Kari, and Sora. "So, what did you
guys need to tell me?"
"Yolei,"
Mimi's look is uncomfortable. "How do I put this...um, you are a virgin right?"
"What?!"
I ask in surprise. "Why are you asking me that?"
"Because
Yolei," Sora finishes. "You aren't anymore."
Kari
hugs me. "It's ok Yolei. We're not upset. Are you going to be ok?"
I
throw down my handkerchief. "NO! I'm NOT going to be ok!" I yell in fury.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" I ignore their cries as I run off, trying to escape the truth
that I know exists. I've been running for hours when I finally trip over a tree
root and fall into a lake. The cold water makes me shiver but I don't care. 'I
know...I know.' Even though I'm afraid to be alone I don't go back. 'I have
nowhere to go.' I think miserably. 'They won't accept me. I've slept with the
enemy.' I look up, sorrow in my soul. 'I know where I must go." Wiping my tears
away I progress to the place where I must go. When I arrive I place a knock on
the huge oak doors.
"Mistress
Yolei? Why have you returned?" Wormmon asks.
"I
have my reasons Wormmon. "Where is the emperor?"
"He's
in his quarters. Would you…like to see him?" Wormmon looks afraid of my answer.
I
nod. He shudders and leads starts into the base. I jump a little when the huge
oak doors slam behind me. Darkness covers us, the feeling of cold seeping
through my clothing. 'What is it with evil people and cold places?' Once we
arrive at his quarters, Wormmon lets me in. The emperor's spiked hair protrudes
from behind his chair. I stand in the corner, waiting for him to acknowledge my
presence. "So you've come back? Why did you leave?" His chair spins around so
that he is facing me. "I don't recall saying that you could leave."
"You're
too ignorant for my purposes." I answer haughtily. "Besides, you kicked me
out."
A
sting across my cheek reprimands me from speaking further. "You'd do well to
learn that I don't tolerate that backtalk." He sits up and in an instant he is
in front of me. He pulls out his whip and lashes at my legs. I fall to the
floor from the impact. "Next time you're going to leave, tell me, so I won't allow
it."
I
cough, causing pain to go to my surge through me. "Jerk..." I mutter. "You said
for me to leave. I did as told...master."
He
grabs my shirt collar, lifting me from the ground. "That is true, but I did not
say to leave the base."
"I..."
I want to retort but he is right. "I...well you didn't seem to care that much!"
He
sets me back down but does not release my shirt collar. "I would rather you
stay and be my slave...in more ways than one."
I
snort. "Is that all I am?" My eyes feel teary. "Am I just your toy?"
"Isn't
that what I've made you?" He answers.
'He
wasn't like this...he's NOT like this.' I reach up and slap him. Stunned, he
drops me to the ground. I rub my sore bottom and scoot back, expecting another
lashing. When I get no reaction I dare to look up. He's standing there, his
hand on his cheek, looking at me with bewilderment. Deciding that now is a good
time to give him a piece of my mind, I get up and face him. "So I'm your toy?
You just use me for your pleasure? Where's the real Ken? All this shit about
being the Digimon emperor is starting to tick everyone off! I'm tired of this
having to be this way! Can't you see Ken? I don't want to be your enemy!"
His
expression does not change nor does his body make any movement. Instead his harsh
voice responds. "Did I not warn you about
your sarcasm towards me?" He throws me backwards and raises his whip.
Taking
my chance, even though I know he will whip me, I snap back at him. "No,
actually you didn't."
In
a flash his whip lashes out and hits my shoulder. The lashing is so hard that I
fall to the floor, cradling my shoulder in pain. I gasp as I hear his footsteps
coming towards me. I lift my head, barely enough to see his shoes stop right in
front of me. I shake, pain coursing through my arms as the old cuts from my
previous stay begin to burn. "Now look what you've made me do? Do you think I
enjoy hurting you my dear Yolei?" His voice is taunting, each word a reminder
of my horrible mistake. "I won't lie and say having you here isn't a pleasure
but, I really do wonder what to do with you when everything I have planned has
been carried through."
"How
about you just let me go now?" I spit back bitterly. "You seem to want me as
nothing more than a toy and I am human. I don't like being treated as a toy."
"I
can arrange OTHER types of ways to make you happy here, since you aren't going
to leave." His whip rests on my back. "Why don't you come to my quarters after
you have cleaned up your…attitude? Then… we can talk."
I
nod quietly, knowing it is futile to argue with him. 'He still is in his
emperor form. I guess even though I've returned, it wasn't going to change
anything.' On my way to the room where I am to stay, a voice stops me. Curious
I walk over to where the source appears to be. "Is anyone there?" I ask, hoping
that someone will answer me. "I repeat is anyone there?"
"I'm
here." A voice replies. "I have something for you Yolei Inoue. Won't you join
me?"
"Who
are you?" I ask.
"Just
follow me and you will find out soon enough." The voice answers, its texture
rich and comforting.
I
follow, ending just in front of a dark cherry wood door. Tentatively I push it
open, the smell of dust and rotted wood pouring into my nostrils. 'EW!' I
sneeze quietly before entering the room, watching my feet for rats and such.
The voice leads me to a jewel that lies in the middle of a table. The jewel
shines with such luster that I have to reach out and touch it. When I do, I
feel a force enter my fingers. "Huh? What's this?" I begin to panic when the
force gets cold and stronger. "STOP!" I scream trying to pull my hand away.
Finally I collapse, the overwhelming sensation of invasion present in my mind
as I pass out.
TBC…
(Yeah,
ok, so it's kind of a cliffhanger, but I hope you liked this chapter. Anyway,
please review this chapter. I've had no reviews and I'm beginning to
wonder…anyway, thanks. Also, sorry if there is so much extra space but the html
messes up when I post it. Well, Ja ne!) ~Samenia~