The Pieces Of You

Samsara

Chapter Two: Across All Bridges

Ken stared sleepily out of the train window, hoping that the train would miraculously speed up and he would be home soon. The train from his cousin's hometown was late, like, 2 hours late. Ken hated being alone at night in moving vehicles... it reminded him too much of Sam. Sam had died in a bus crash, at midnight, leaving Ken alone. A single tear slid down his cold cheek, making the boy feel even more uncomfortable. Instead, he directed his thoughts to Daisuke...

The name sent shivers of happiness down his spine as he repeated the name. Daisuke. No matter how many times Ken tried to put the boy out of his mind, it wouldn't work. He couldn't help it. Those warm and inviting fudge colored eyes, that sweet mess of brown hair, no it was simply impossible to forget Daisuke. Bitterly, Ken turned his gaze from the window to stare at the priest who was sitting opposite of him. ' If Only you knew, what would you say? What would you do if I suddenly blurted out that "I'm gay and I'm in love with Dai"? ' Ken thought, while staring intently at the cloaked man. Of course, the question would go unanswered.

Four hours later, Ken pulled the warm bedclothes over his head. The train ride had proved uneventful, as had the metro ride home. His parents were already asleep by the time he reached home. Not that it mattered. Even though Mr. and Mrs. Inchijoji had sworn to become better parents, they still lacked off. But Ken was used to it, so he could always care less about them. Daisuke and Wormmon were they only ones he truly cared about.

Dai understood his pain, in every way that he could, and if he didn't understand, he would still cheer Ken up. Daisuke knew all too well what it was like to be left out. Hadn't his relationship with Takeru, Hikari, Miyako and Iori proved that? They simply hate him because they don't / won't know Daisuke. Everyday Ken witnessed his friend's pain and anguish, that was only seen by Ken. That was probably the main reason why Ken stayed away from the other DigiDestined. If they didn't accept Daisuke, who was their so-called "Leader", then why should he even bother trying? Daisuke did know what it meant to be a friend, so Ken stuck with him. Sam had always said that Ken had good judgment.

Ken enjoyed every minute he had with Daisuke, taking it to the point where he savored every drop of Daisuke that he could get. They both needed help, so they helped each other. A mutual agreement. Sighing in deep content, Ken rolled over and slept, dreaming peaceful dreams of Daisuke.

An annoying beeping noise woke Ken from his deep slumber at 4 a.m. Groaning, the boy rolled over and hit the alarm clock on impulse. Of course, the stupid noise didn't stop. Slowly, Ken's face appeared over the deep blue sheets, his eyes dazed in confusion. A few more moments of unknowing, and Ken realized that it was his D-Terminal that was ringing. Groggily he sat up and groped around for the device.

Ken, please save me

-Daisuke

Ken stared at the message, a mixture of adrenalin, fear and curiosity sweeping through him. Blindly, the boy got up and began to pull on a pair of khakis and a black tee shirt. After fixing his sneakers at the door, Ken rushed down the street, running as fast as he could towards Daisuke's apartment. Panting heavily, Ken hurried across the large ped bridge that separated Tamachi from Odiba. There! Up ahead was Dai's apartment building. Using the last bit of the energy that he could muster, Ken stormed up the stairs and knocked on the Motomoyia's door. After three or four knocks, a brown-haired head opened the door.

" Daisuke! What's wrong?" Ken asked, his voice horse from running.

" Please help me," Daisuke asked, his gaze never leaving the floor.

" You know I will. What's wrong?" Ken repeated his question, and gently forced Daisuke to look up at him. Ken was almost startled when he saw his friend's eyes were brimming with tears.

" I... it was... horr..ible..." Daisuke whispered, the tears finally falling from his once warm chocolate eyes. Softly, Ken reached his thumb up and wiped his tears away.

Rapidly, Daisuke moved forward and buried his face in Ken's chest, and cried his heart out. Ken tenderly held him, and moved farther into the dark apartment, comforting the boy. Ken kindly rubbed his friend's back, but was surprised by all the lumps he found there.

" What happened?" Ken asked, staring intently into Daisuke's tearful eyes.

" Three days ago... I was walking down the street when I was surrounded... they beat me. It hurt, so much..." Daisuke told Ken, his voice barely audible.

" Dai..." Ken began, but Daisuke continued.

" They...10 men, they dragged me back into an alley...and... They... raped me," Daisuke sobbed uncontrollably, the cries rocking him back and forth.

" Dai... shhh...I'm here now, they can't hurt you anymore, " Ken rocked the boy in his arms; tears rolling down his own cheeks.

" They... wouldn't help me," Daisuke continued to sob, soaking Ken's shirt.

" Who wouldn't?" Ken asked, feeling the anger rise in his throat. If there were witnesses, wouldn't they have the heart to at least call the cops?

" Takeru... Hikari, Miyako and Iori..." Daisuke choked on the names, each time his voice filled with sad hate.

Daisuke had just confirmed Ken's worst fear. Ken's arms around Daisuke tightened, pulling him closer.

" Those... bastards..." Ken whispered, his voice filled with disgust.

" I left the DigiDestined, Ken... I need you here. I don't want to pull something stupid again, and leave you," Daisuke said, and slowly slipped to the carpet, with Ken following him.

" What do you mean?" Ken asked gently, cradling his best friend. He wasn't too surprised that Davis was out of the DigiDestined, after all, Ken would do the same.

That's when it dawned on him. Davis had called him because he didn't want to commit suicide in the heat of the moment.

" It's alright, I'm here, and I won't let you," Ken replied and lifted Davis's head up to look deep into his eyes, making sure that his crush knew for sure.

" Thanks," Daisuke muttered, and clung onto Ken, snuggling up close.

" No problem. What else am I here for?" Ken chuckled in spite of the situation. Lightly, Ken lifted Davis up and carried him into his bedroom.

" You need sleep," Ken murmured, softly placing Daisuke down on his bed and tucked the covers over him. Daisuke opened his mouth to answer, but was interrupted by Ken's D-Terminal ringing. Bothered, Ken opened it up and read the email.

" It seems they want to have a meeting about you leaving the DigiDestined. Even Mimi's gonna be there," Ken informed his depressed friend.

" I knew it," Davis muttered, almost laughing.

" I'll bet anything that Takeru and the others will lie about what happened," Ken thought out loud.

" True..." Daisuke agreed, eying his crush.

" I'm gonna go, and make sure they tell the truth. Can you stand me being gone for 15 minutes?" Ken asked thoughtfully.

" I think so... please hurry," Daisuke approved, closing his eyes to be ready for sleep.

" Okay, I'll be back soon," Ken replied. After a moment's hesitation, he leaned down and kissed Davis lightly on the forehead and stalked out of the room.