Note to disclaimers: Konnichiwa minna-san

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~