Chapter 1

The day Osamu Ichijouji was hit by that speeding car the whole of Odaiba held its breath. Their local child prodigy was battling for his life in the back of an ambulance. Would he live or would he die? It was only for the love of his family he battled that night, if he died what would happen to his parents? They'd be devastated. What would happen to little Ken? Who would cut his straws and mix the soap into the water so he could blow bubbles? He didn't have a choice that day, he had to live.

            And he did. He made it through the night, he would be fine. His parents were relieved, every one was relieved. Little Ken came in to see him the next day and asked why he slept at the hospital. The boy genius lived on. And what a life it was. His parents were so proud of him, he was sent to the finest schools; his talent fine tuned like a racecar. That, at least, is the way he saw it. He was now truly a slave of society.

            Once this stunning realization hit home he demanded he attend normal high school like a normal teenager. His parents were shocked, every one was shocked. Again the town held their breath. But this time he would not relent. They settled for a high standard normal school, this suited Osamu just fine. He would finally be a normal child. At least that was what he had hoped for.

            Unfortunately his fame and brains failed him. People followed him around like he was a messiah, others gawked at him like he was an animal in a zoo. The famous boy genius Osamu had graced their school with his presence. Even the teachers paid special attention to him, not that he needed it. He thought for sure this gift, this curse, would follow him around the rest of his life. He was just about to give up and return to the 'brain farm' as the children not so pleasantly put it. That was until he met her.

            "Hello my name's Jun Motomiya do you wanna sign my shirt?" She had caught him completely off guard, he didn't suspect anyone to be foolish enough to follow him all the way to the top of the school building. This was really the only place he could be alone, no one annoying him, no one admiring him. At least that's what he had hoped for.

            "No I don't want to sign you're stupid shirt," He replied grumpily, "And I don't want to marry you either. No I don't know what I want to do when I finish school and yes my parents are human. I hope that answers all your questions."

            "Someone actually asked you if your parents were aliens?" She asked innocently spinning her marker around her fingers

            "Yes, now please leave me alone." He replied, a small smile reaching his lips. It was a pretty silly question.

            "I'm leaving this school soon, at least I think I am, my parents still haven't decided. But just incase they do I want all the boys to sign my shirt." She handed him the marker and turned so her back was facing him

            "There's only three signatures on here," He point out as he signed his own name.

            "I only found out two days ago give me time to work," She replied with a snigger, "Not many people really want me to remember them incase I start calling them." Osamu frowned thoughtfully and handed the marker back to Jun.

            "Why don't they want you calling them?" He asked stupidly

            "I thought it would be obvious," She said, her smile slowly fading off her face, "I'll tell you a little secret, but just between you and me, not many people like me very much." 

            "Why not?" He could have kicked himself for that question but to his surprise she smiled once again

            "Because I'm a vampire," She whispered holding her hands up in front of her face like claws and scrunching up her nose.

            Osamu laughed, but it wasn't one of those fake, empty laughs he used to feign happiness, he really laughed. It felt… good. He had been so depressed about this fame and brains situation lately not even Ken could make him laugh and Ken had always been able to make him laugh, especially when he was down in the dumps.

            Jun cocked her head to one side like a bird and squinted as if she were studying him, about to pounce. He felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze but he said nothing, just smiled and blushed.

            "You've got a cute smile," She said closing her eyes and clasping her hands together below her chin, "Not as cute and Yamato's, but still cute."

            Osamu laughed again for no good reason except it felt good.

            "Oh how stupid of me," He said slapping his forehead, "I haven't introduced myself."

            "But I already-" Jun started, Osamu interjected before she could finish

            "My name's Osamu Ichijouji, nice to meet you." He took her hand in both of his own and began to shake it lightly. At that moment the bell sounded but Osamu was reluctant to return to the scrutinizing eyes of his peers. He wanted to stay here for just a while longer with Jun.

            "There's the bell," She said unnecessarily gently removing her hand from his, "Well Osamu-kun it's been nice meeting you, I hope we can talk again soon."

            "So do I," He whispered to her retreating back, "So do I."

            He returned home that afternoon with the highest spirits in a while. His mother was impressed, Ken wasn't, but Osamu didn't notice. He was so absorbed in his elation at finally finding a friend that didn't care about his fame or brains. He couldn't help but sing in the bath that night.

            His high spirits continued on to the next day, it was a Saturday and he had to go to school, but he couldn't have been happier. He hoped he would see Jun. Ken grumbled to himself the whole morning and didn't hold the elevator doors on the way down. Osamu found this slightly strange but passed it off as nothing, he was in too good a mood to let Ken's morning grumpiness dampen his spirits. He whistled all the way to school.

             Jun greeted him in the halls and he was so close to hugging her he could barely restrain himself. Instead he laughed and smiled and she smiled back.

            "You sure are happy today," She stated pulling a few books out of her locker. She wasn't in his class but he could get past that.

            "Yeah," He said, the smile gradually fading off his face. What was he supposed to say? This girl had made him happier than he had been in ages and he couldn't think of anything to say to her. He had to thank her, that's what he had to do but wouldn't he sound stupid thanking her for no reason, "Are you doing anything tomorrow?" He asked hopefully

            "Not that I know of," She replied her smile broadening and her eyes twinkling

            "Do you want to do something; you know maybe see a movie?" he asked scratching the back of his neck nervously

            "I'd love to; I'll meet you at the train station at 11:00 okay." She smiled again and slammed her locker shut

            "Okay, I'll see you then," he smiled at her and she smiled back, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.

            "Jun, oh my god, we heard the whole thing!" As soon as Jun turned her back on him she was bombarded by a pack of screaming girls.

Maybe if he could just change who he was it could be a beautiful friendship. He was starting to greatly regret coming to this school at all, what would Jun think of his fame? Would she just think he was using her to stop all the other girls from falling all over him? Would she think he was only playing with her?

            He sighed dejectedly; he needed some friends to tell him otherwise. He needed some friend's full stop, but the way these people looked at him, skirted around him, he knew none of them had it in them. He couldn't seem to make friends in his old school either, they were all too uptight. Up themselves really. The boys all glared at him when he passed, he knew they thought he didn't deserve the praise he got. They didn't know he'd give it up to any of them in a heart beat. The girls were the same; they'd whisper behind their hands and giggle. It was all very unnerving. And the teachers made you feel like you were under constant surveillance, how was anyone supposed to do any work with that kind of pressure?

            Then again, it was much different here; the girls still whispered and simpered and the boys still glared. There was one significant difference that shone like a beacon, Jun. What he wouldn't give for a friend -a group of friends- like her. She was the epitome of perfect. He wasn't quite sure at the moment but he got the distinct feeling he was developing a crush on the wild haired girl. But it was just a feeling.

Sunday rolled around with all the grace of a hippopotamus. He didn't see Jun at all after their meeting in the hall and he began to fret. Walking home he wished he had gotten her number, at least then he could confirm their plans. At home Ken shot him dirty looks and refused to speak to him at all. It would have bugged Osamu more if he hadn't already been preoccupied fussing over his 'date.' He passed it off as the beginning of puberty, it happens.

            He barely got two hours sleep that night, but in his partial insomnia he discovered that, yes, he had formed a crush on Jun Motomiya. It wasn't as bad as he had imagined, the way those cheesy soap operas portrayed them they were things people would kill themselves over. As much as he tried Osamu just didn't understand some people.

            Upon waking, at 6am, he set to finding her number in the phone book. Once he had located who he presumed was the correct Motomiya he sat down and waited. Ken woke up an hour later, got himself a drink of water only sparing Osamu a withering look, then retreated back into their room. Again Osamu shrugged it off and continued his waiting.

            At eight o'clock he decided he simply couldn't wait any longer and proceeded to call her, or he would have if the phone hadn't rung at that precise moment. Slightly startled he picked it up

            "Hello?"

            "Hiya, this is Jun Motomiya, I was wondering if I could speak with Osamu."

            Osamu stared at the receiver for a moment before answering,

            "It's me,"

            "Oh, great, I've been up for ages but I didn't know if you'd be awake or not until now. I didn't wake you up did I?"

            "No,"

            "Okay good, anyway I was wondering if you were still up to that movie?"

            "Of course!" He burst out before he had a chance to restrain himself. He felt his cheeks grow hot, but Jun only laughed in response

            "Okay, well then can we meet at the movie theater instead?"

            "Yeah, of course." He was still blushing and he stuttered slightly before he spoke

            "Great, I'll see you there at about ten o'clock then?"

            "Okay." He went to hang up the phone but her voice stopped him, she sounded slightly exasperated

            "Oh, and is Ken there? My brother wants to talk to him."

            "Um.. yeah, I'll just get him,"

            "Okay, thanks, I'll see you later."

            "Yeah."

            Since when had her brother known Ken? Since when did she have a brother? Shaking the thoughts out of his head he went to retrieve Ken. When he entered the room Ken sighed and turned from his computer to meet his gaze. Saying he looked annoyed would be an understatement, he looked genuinely pissed.

            "What is it Osamu?" he sighed rolling his eyes. Osamu was slightly stunned by his attitude

            "There's someone on the phone for you."

            "Who is it?" He shrugged and Ken sighed again. He stood up and brushed past him without another word. Osamu blinked owlishly at his retreating back, wondering idly when this phase would pass.

            The time from then to Ten o'clock seemed to drag out painfully. When it finally came, however, the waiting was justified beyond extent. The movie may have been boring and clichéd but Jun seemed to enjoy it and that was good enough for him. She was only slightly disappointed he didn't make a move. Truthfully, he didn't know what to do, this was the first time he had been on an actual 'date' but the thought crossed his mind more than once.

            Afterwards they got ice cream and Jun told him all about her little brother Daisuke

            "He can be such pain, especially lately; he's going through that stage. You know which one I mean, he thinks he's the king of the world and if you try to tell him otherwise he'll throw a tantrum." Osamu nodded, he was beginning to understand Ken's mood swings a little better

            "He's friends with your brother right? Ken. As a matter of fact, I think Ken is his only friend. He used to have lots of friends; they'd always be around our house making mess and lots of noise. Now it's just him and Ken and they sit there and talk quietly. I mean, I don't exactly miss the mess and noise but the way they just sit there and talk together freaks me out. He should be making lots of noise, this is Daisuke we're talking about."

            Osamu couldn't say he knew Daisuke, he'd never seen the boy before. But he somehow got the feeling Daisuke was the source of Ken's recent attitude, or it could just be puberty. Most likely puberty, but that still didn't rule Daisuke completely out. He would have to ask Ken when he got back.

            For the moment, however, he was willing to let it pass. There was really no room for Ken in his mind while he was with Jun.

            Since meeting Jun everything seemed to gain a certain clarity. The days were brighter and the nights weren't as dark. He could even manage to ignore his peers and teachers while they fawned and stared and whispered behind his back. There was only one outstanding burden on his otherwise perfect life. Ken

It took him a while, and after days of struggling to ignore it Osamu noticed the drastic change in Kens' attitude. He was becoming more and more… introverted. He had been such a loud and bright child, always managing to cheer Osamu up. Now it seemed he was fading into the tapestry.

He never spoke, especially not to Osamu. He spent hours on their computer, whiling away his time on the internet. He had even given up soccer which he loved more than life itself. Osamu also noticed a radical change in his grades. It was, however, for the better. His marks were slowly going uphill, at least they couldn't complain about that.

            Today wasn't exactly different. Ken was already home when he arrived, he never seemed to attend club or anything; he just came home and surfed the web or was at Daisuke's house. Osamu still had never seen Daisuke before; Ken obviously refrained from bringing him over.

Ken glared at him when he entered the room then, as quickly as possible, left. Muttering how he was going to Daisuke's and didn't know when he would be back. There was definitely something wrong with his little brother and as a big brother it was his duty to pry.

            So pry he did, and what he found was not very pretty.

            Ken had made special care to lock all his personal files, even when it did require a password to get to them. He certainly didn't underestimate Osamu, but he still wasn't quite up to scratch. Osamu wasn't called a boy genius for no reason, if he wanted to get in Ken's files then nothing was going to stand in his way.

            It took at least an hour for him to hack his way in, and almost regretted it when he reached his destination. Unmistakably, the contents of the folder were designs for towers, machines, glasses, outfits and weaponry of the like Osamu had never seen before. Brutal killing machines, mind controlling devices, power enhancing clothing. What Ken wanted with these supplies was beyond him, but he was sure it wasn't sanitary. It was no surprise he had such heavy security on them.

            A quick skim over the data and sketches Ken had made told him they were programs; quite sophisticated at that. He had to give Ken merit; the kid knew what he was doing. But, if they were just programs they weren't really much to be worried about. Osamu would have simply passed it off as game play if it hadn't been for the mention of the digital world several times in his notes.

            Now, Osamu wasn't an expert on the digital world, but he knew enough to surmise that it was indeed a real place. Not that long ago there had been quite an uproar about the children who were selected to save the digital world and the like. As much as the government tried to cover it up they couldn't readily explain what everyone had seen in the sky that night. There was no doubt in Osamu's mind it was a real, what he couldn't comprehend was what Ken was going to do with it.

            If he was going to utilize these programs and turn them into reality using the digital world there was definitely something to worry about. The question was; why would he do such a thing? Ken wasn't a sadistic megalomaniac, quite the opposite; he had no use for such wicked machinery. Sweet, kind, lovable Ken didn't want to go on a crazed killing spree. It must have been Daisuke's fault, why on earth would Ken want to hurt anyone?

            Osamu's musing was cut short by a soft voice from the hall

            "Tadaima." Silently blessing Japanese custom he logged off the computer and went to greet Ken. He had a few questions for the troubled youth.

            When Osamu first beheld him he could have sworn it was the old care free Ken back. A small smile played across his lips and his eyes were just as liquid and open as they had been before this whole situation began. Once they met his, however, a veil of barely suppressed anger and cold calculating scrutiny replaced it. Osamu blinked owlishly at how easily the transaction had taken place. So it was he Ken hated? But why?

            "Hey Kenny Boy," He said at length, unable to hold Ken's eyes any longer

            "Don't call me that," Ken snapped, surprising Osamu further. Whatever he had wanted to say before flew out his head at that exclamation. This situation was getting out of hand, what had he ever done to Ken?

            "Ken, what's the matter?" Osamu asked, slightly dazed

            "Oh, like you don't know brother." He replied vehemently, slamming the bag he had been carrying down on the bench top

            "Kenny…"

            "I thought I told you not to call me that." Ken began to storm in the direction of their room but Osamu wasn't going to let him get away that easily

            "Ken I'm sorry for whatever I've done." He tried desperately.

Ken stopped and his shoulders stiffened noticeably. Slowly, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides, he turned. There was fire in his eyes and his jaw was clenched dangerously. When he spoke, every word was accented with spite and each word hit Osamu like a dart in the chest.

"How convenient that you should apologize now brother, did Jun tell you to do it or did you suddenly become overwhelmed by guilt? And trust me; what ever you've done can't be repaired by simple apologies." He disappeared into the hall and moments later the door to their room could be heard slamming. The walls vibrated and somewhere a picture fell of its hook, but Osamu was motionless. Staring at the spot Ken had just left, his mind drew a blank.

**

AN: ^_^ Look, chapter two! I was making my webpage yesterday (www.kawaiikitty.150m.com) and I read over the prologue to this fic and suddenly became inspired to continue it! I have quite a few ideas for this (including Kensuke for all those fans out there) and hopefully with enough patience and vigilance I can get it finished… one day… Anyway be expecting the next chapter in the far off future or whenever I decide to finish it. ^_^