Author's Notes:
I know I know…it's been awhile, but unfortunately real-life, other fics, and lack of inspiration played a HUGE role in the delay of this chapter. However, I'm going to buckle down and try to finish this fic, cause I can't stand when authors give up on a fic, so why should I??!? Anyways, I not really happy with this chapter, but I do know one thing…THERE ARE ONLY 2 CHAPTERS LEFT!!! So, get to reviewing before you miss out! ^_~
Disclaimer: I never have, do, or will own Digimon. That great honor belongs to Hongo Akiyoshi, TOEI, Bandai, and FOX.
DEDICATION: I would love to dedicate this chapter to my wonderful editor…ANNABELLE MANIX!!! Even though she's having PC troubles, she is still helping me and I truly thank her for that! Arigatou tomodachi- chan!! ^_^
"dialogue"
~thoughts~
Back to the Middle (formerly Contradictions)
by Dream-chan
Rating: R (Dai-chan gets ANGRY ^^;)
Editor: me, myself, and I (cause my editor is having difficulties ^^;)
Email: dream_chan@hotmail.com
Takeru
"Daisuke." I repeated again, happy at how my voice didn't shake like last time.
"Takeru, welcome back" came the hesistant response. I wait for him to say something else, but after minutes pass by, it seems that the wait has been in vain.
That's all he can say...'Takeru welcome back?!?!?!??!'
Right now, I want to scream at him...I want to punch his lights out...I wanted to hurt him like he hurt me....
I wanted.........I wanted........
To pin him to the wall and kiss him senseless. To feel those warm lips against mine. For those arms to wrap me up tight and never let go.
Not trusting my mouth to screw up, I decided to keep my response short and sweet. "Thanks."
I don't know how long we stood there, each of us looking at the other's reflection, but I didn't care. I was looking at what I have been only to see in my dreams this past year. If he felt uncomfortable...tough shit. "Well, I'll be going..." he says softy, making his way to the exit.
Now see a normal person would be relieved to see an ex scurry off somewhere, never to be seen again, but not me. I don't know what it was, but I just felt this anger begin to swell up within again, blocking out normal thought patterns. I mean, it just wasn't fair that I was still in love with him and he was so happy with someone else. I figure that I can be a bit mean if I want to.
"That's right. Don't want to make your precious Ken suspicious..." I muttered, not being able to keep the venom out of my voice, although I didn't try that hard.
"Look Takaishi-san, if you have something to say, just get it off your chest..." he says in an off-hand manner, although I could tell he was trying to hide his annoyance.
"All I said was that you don't want to make Ken upset, seeing how you're in the bathroom with your ex-boyfriend." I said sarcastically, feeling my mouth twist into a little sneer.
"And whose choice was that?" he spits out, returning the glare with one of his own.
Ignoring him, I decide to go the sarcastic route. "C'mon Daisuke. Do we really need an answer to that question?"
"I'm not too sure about that. All I got was a funny rendition of 'wham bam thank you mam' " he laughed bitterly, his eyes beginning to twitch.
"Huh?"
"Oh, now you forget that we made...I mean had sex?" he snapped, his features twisting into something that I hope never to see again.
Was he about to say 'made love'?
Not backing down, I continued to stare at him. "Look, I don't want to go through this right now. I refuse to get into this discussion in a public restroom. Besides, you have some nerve acting like the victim. I wasn't the one that was caught ramming their tongue down a friend's throat."
Even though he didn't say anything, I could tell that I had pushed him to his limit. He is ready to explode. If he thinks that I'm going to budge, he's sadly mistaken. I'm stronger now. Let the countdown begin.
5
4
3
2
1
"FINE! Shut me out! Just like the rest of them did. Fuck them and FUCK YOU!", and with that he slams out the restroom, almost taking the door off it's hinges.
Gripping the sides of the sink, I take deep breaths, letting out all the tension that had been building since I locked gazes with him. Replaying the argument in my mind, I began to wonder about some of the things that he said. Especially when he screamed how the 'others' shut him out. Realistically, I knew that there would be fallout from our breakup, but could it have been more severe than what I thought? I'll just have to ask Yama-niichan about it later.
Ignoring the whispers as I pass by, I lock eyes with 'Kari-chan, letting her know that I wanted to leave. Hurriedly, she gets up and meets me at the door. With a small smile of apology we walk out, but not before looking back and seeing a smug look of satisfaction on Ichijouji's face.
Yamato
That telephone call from Teeks has been really bothering me. The way he asked about what happened when he left. Damn! I wish I was there to see what happened.
"Yama?"
Could we have been wrong in blaming the whole mess on Daisuke?
"Yama are you listening to me?"
Did we accuse, judge and convict without finding out what really happened?
"Yama, I am leaving you and going to make beautiful children with Sora..."
Did I -wait what the HELL is going on? Is Taichi cheating on me with Sora?!? I'll kill them both! That red-headed twit!
"N-nani?!?" I yelled, Tai-chan's statement finally making it through my cluttered brain.
"What's the matter?" Taichi asked, giving me a little nudge.
"Nothing-" I begin, before I feel a finger on my lips, silencing me. "Don't even finish that. You have been spacing out for the past few days and I want to know why." he said seriously, his playful disappearing instantly.
"Have you ever had the feeling that you've been a total asshole, but you're not quite sure how?"
Laughing at my question, he pulls me closer, sensing my discomfort. "Too many times according to you. Why, is something wrong?"
"I don't know really. I was having a conversation with Takeru the other day and he was telling me about the confrontation that he had with Daisuke."
"Oh. Hikari told me that they had seen Daisuke and Ken on their day out but that was all the details I got."
"According to Takeru, things got heated really fast and they started arguing..."
"That's no surprise. After the way things ended between them that was bound to happen sooner or later. I know that Ken being there didn't help matters."
"Afterwards, he said that he left and went back to his apartment and began to think about some of the things that Dais said to him..." I trailed off, trying to make sense of it myself.
"Such as..."
Snuggling in closer to get more comfortable, I relay the information he told to me. "Takeru never fully explaining why they broke up and eveyone else giving him the cold shoulder. How it never occurred to the rest of us to ask for his side of things."
"Those seem to be valid arguments, but why didn't Takeru tell him what he told us? Hell, why didn't he show him?" he argues, looking confused about my brothers' actions.
"He said that he didn't want Daisuke to know just how much he been hurt, so he figured that he would turn the tables and break-up with Dais before he could do it to him. He thought that Daisuke was waiting until he was in the States before he would do the evil deed." I explained to him, thinking back to when Takeru sobbing his heart out over Daisuke's apparent betrayal.
"Damn! Why would he do something like that? I thought that he at least explain things to him."
"I guess we still carry scars from our parents divorce..."
After a long silence, Taichi continues gently, "It's just been so long. Besides, he's with Ken now, so there must have been some grain of truth to what happened."
Looking into his big brown eyes, I can't help but "There just seems that there is something funny to the whole thing..."
"Well, time will tell." He says softly, stroking my hair. Pulling me closer, he whispers in my ear huskily, "Anyway, I can think of something else that we could be doing right now..."
Knowing that I have a goofy smile on my face from Taichi's change of mood, I ask teasingly, "And what would that be?"
Turning my head, he gives me that look that confirms what is about to happen in the next few seconds. "How about I give you a demonstration?" he growls seductively in my ear, making my toes curl. Yeah, I'm easy like that.
"Sounds good to me...." I mummured, and soon the problems of my brother and his ex were forgotten in the hazy feelings of bliss that always with being close to my Tai-chan.
Daisuke
This has been one hell of a week and getting into that little argument with Takeru didn't help matters. Of course Ken tried to cheer me up afterwards, but it was no use. Seeing him again was just to much of an overload on my senses.
I have often wondered how I would react to being face to face with him again.. I was sure that there would be fists flying and such, but as usual I was thrown off-track by the magnetic attraction I still felt for the blonde. As much I wanted to give him a black eye, I wanted to grab him and have fun in one of the stalls, damning the consequences.
~C'mon. You can't think like that now. That's over and done with. You are happy with Ken~
Walking into a familiar apartment complex, I hop on the elevator and ride it up to the floor where the Ichijouji's live. Seconds later, I knock on the door, smiling when I hear Mrs. Ichijouji's hurried steps.
"Why hello Daisuke-kun? Ken told me you were coming over today."
"Yep. We were going to work on some drills and since my ball is kaput for the moment, he said that we could use his."
"Well, come on in. You know where everything is," she smiles, opening the door wider for me to come in.
Quickly toeing off my shoes, I head down the hall towards Ken's bedroom. Opening the door, I can't help but shake my head at the spartan-like appearance of this room. There are times when I wonder if my boyfriend is a robot in disguise. Shaking my head, I walk over to the desk and and kneel on the floor, reaching for the soccer ball that I know is there. Ken lives by the 'a place for everything and everything in it's place' doctrine.
Standing up, I notice that Ken accidently left his computer in stand-by mode. Figuring that it wouldn't hurt to take a peek, I sit in the chair and see what my little genius is up to. Noticing that there's a folder with my name on it, I click to see what's inside. Oddly enough all I see are picture files. Feeling my curiousity rise, I click on one and am almost floored by what I see.
A picture of Ken and I kissing. Looking at it more closely, I remember that was the time when I was still with Takeru and he had come on to me. Of course, after seeing one, I want to see them all. At first, I'm baffled at how he was able to take all these pictures when I remember that his parents had gotten him a digital camcorder that would record using blank DVDs. Using the software to go with it, he could then do whatever he wanted with the footage...including making screen captures.
Of course the question is why would he even have these pictures unless....
Running out of the Ichijouji apartment, I can only feel the sharp pain in my chest as my heart begins to pound with the the rage, anger, and general shitty feeling that now resides there.
Otherwise known as betrayal.
Ken
Today is a good day. It's bright and sunny and I'm going to get to spend it all with my Dai-chan. After that little fiasco at the diner, this is just what he needs. I wanted to kill Blondie for making him so upset, but hopefully that was just the setback I needed to truly make Daisuke mine.
Looking around, I engaged in my favorite of 'people watching'. Even when I was little, I used to just love watching people and figuring out what they were feeling or doing. It's amazing the things that people do when they don't know others are watching. Looking over to my left, I spot a person that has been a thorn in my side since I can remember. Seeing how Dai-chan isn't here yet, I decide to have a little fun.
"TAKAISHI-SAN!" I yell out, knowing that would get his attention. Besides, he's too polite to ignore me…the little goody two-shoes.
"Yes, can I help you?" he asks coldly, giving me the same look he had when he stormed my base long ago. However, that's in the past. It was time to make him squirm a little.
"Can you answer a question for me?"
Rolling his eyes, he gives me an exasperated sigh and then replies, "What is it Ichijouji? I don't have time for your games."
With a Kaiseresque smirk, I throw down my gauntlet. "Doesn't Dai have the cutest birthmark...you know, the one right on his left hip. Damn sexy isn't it?" I goaded, loving the way he praactically turned purple.
Just when it seems that Takaishi and I are going to exchange blows, I can hear Dai-chan screaming at the top his lungs trying to get my attention.
Looking over at Blondie, I give him a triumphant smirk and turn around to greet MY Dai-chan. meeting him halfway, I pull him up in a hug, wanting Takaishi to know exactly who Daisuke belonged to. However, I didn't count on the fact of him pulling away from me. As if I was a rabid animal. Puzzled, I finally take a good look at Dais.
"Ken, we need to talk...NOW!" he shouts, his fists clenching at his sides.
I have never seen him this upset before. I mean, there were those times after Takaishi broke up with him, but I never feared him before.
"I'll just be going now..." I heard the blond bimbo say from a distance, still to intent on the anger I can feel coming off of Daisuke. What happened between my apartment and here to make him so angry?
I was surprised when Dai snapped out, "No, this involves you too, so you might as well stay."
I watch him pull out my camcorder and then an instantly recognizable CD.
Oh Shit.
With a shaky hand I reached out to grab the CD he had in his hands.
Pulling it out my reach, he looks at me with an expression that makes chills run down my spine.
"What?! You don't have anything to say now??! You know, you should really learn how to hide things better Ichijouji", he says haughingly, his face becoming an mask of calm indifference. A mask that I hadn't seen since the battle with BelialVandemon.
Oh Shit. Oh Shit. Oh Shit..
"Daisuke...Dai-chan. I'm so sorry, but can't you see-" was all I could get out before I was interrupted by a very well placed left hook.
"Oh I can definitely see, Ichijouji-san" , he sneered giving me a look of complete disgust. "How could you be so heartless, Ken? What the FUCK were you thinking?!? I thought I was your friend Ken...your BEST friend..." he yelled, his eyes showing the real pain that he was going through.
"Daisuke..." I began, trying not the wince at the pain I felt in my jaw. "Dai-chan...please just listen. Can't you see what I did, I did it for us?" I cried out, praying to every Kami I knew that he would forgive me this one last time.
"This is going to be interesting" he smirks, his eyes frosting over. "You have one minute." he barks out, letting me know that I was treading in deep waters.
Feeling like a bigshot defense lawyer, I begin to plead in earnest. "Look, I couldn't stand how the bastard would hurt you over and over again. Granted, your relationship was fine and dandy, but it was only a matter of time before things fell apart. What I did just proved my point."
I have to admit, I was feeling positive that he would see things clearly, until I felt a powerful slap connect with my face. Cupping my now blazing right cheek, I look at the boy I called my love for almost the past year.
"Daisuke..." I croaked out, trying my damnedest to hold back tears.
"Ichijouji-san..." he says quietly, his face hard as stone. "I have forgiven you many things, but know that I will never forgive not forget what you have done to me."
"Daisu-"
"Shut the fuck up. I don't want to hear or see you ever again Ken. IT'S OVER!"
"A little trouble in paradise?" I hear a mocking voice say and instantly I want to rip the little punk to shreds. How dare he mocks me when my heart is breaking…stupid, dumb blonde bimbo.
Laughing bitterly Daisuke snaps, "We know all about that, don't we Takeru?" and I can see the blonde pale a little underneath his tropical tan.
Now this was an interesting development. It seems that the tables have turned…and quickly too. I think that I'll just fade into the background, sit back and enjoy the show. I have a funny feeling that no one is going to come out a winner from this.
Takeru
"Daisuke, I don't feel like going into that right now-" the I say, before he is interrupted harshly.
"Too bad, because we going to clear this shit up once and for all, and this time you are going to listen to me!" he retorts, his eyes beginning to burn with the same fire he had when we used to fight in the DigiWorld.
"Fine. What do you want to say?" Takeru sighs, assuming his holier-than- thou attitude.
"To be perfectly blunt, Ken tried to break us up and he succeeded."
Trying to mask my confusion, I ask "What are you talking about?"
"You see, this little disk has a very interesting vid file on it. Would you like to take a peek?"
"What do you think that is going to do?"
"You owe me this at least. Just look at it DAMMIT!" he pushes the camcorder in my hands again, forcing me to grab it so that it won't drop.
"Fine. Don't get your knickers in a twist." I say dryly, trying to hide the apprehension I was feeling right now.
Slipping on the headphones, I began to watch and listen. I could hear Ken telling Daisuke how he felt like an outsider...I could see the way he played on Dai's emotions, using them to get the result he wanted. It was hard looking at them kiss, but then I saw what was left out the little package of photos Ken sent me.
Daisuke pushing Ken away and saying that he loved me.
Only me.
The tears that had been hovering in my eyes for the last few minutes made their way down my cheeks, following the previous path of those that went before them.
~What the FUCK have I done?!?!??!?~
Gathering up the courage, I look directly at him, knowing he at least deserves an acceptable apology. That is probably the only thing he'll take from me now.
"Oh Dai…I'm so sorry for not-"
"Believing me?!? Is that what you were about to say? If so, you can shove it!" he snaps, cutting him off vehmently.
"Please, let me explain..." he pleads, trying again to get his side out, but I think that Dai has had enough of listening to the big mouth.
"Just like you let me?!? You thought that I would just jump back into your arms and forgive you for the pain you put me through. Hell, you are even more guilty than Ken..." he sneers, giving me a look of complete disgust.
"How in hell do you figure that? Besides, there were pictures and everything. How was I supposed to know that this was all part of an elaborate scheme for stalker-boy to steal you away from me?" I yell back, not happy with the comparison to the walking mental disorder that is Ken.
In a more neutral tone Daisuke whispers, "Why didn't you show me the pictures Takeru?"
"Because, I ripped them all before you got there....I could stand to look at them..." I sighed, already the tears beginning to roll down my face.
"So, instead of telling me the truth and showing me the evidence, you decide to come up with the brillant explanation of just telling me that it's over?" he asks softly, coming closer. Stopping a few feet in front of me he continues, "You were supposed to love me. If you loved me as you say you did, you would have told me the real reason, instead of brushing me off like yesterday's trash or at least given me a chance to defend myself..." his voice rising on his last words.
I could do nothing but stare at the angry man before me, feeling like the utter and complete fool that I was. There was nothing that I could say or do to defend myself, because all his accusations were true.
"I was devestated....FUCKING devestated over what you did to me. After all that talk about how we were going to keep in touch and stay together, you decide to just dump me. I mean, was it so hard for you to just tell me?" he rants, his hands clenched at his sides.
Praying for patience I give as good as I got. "What was I supposed to think? Just a couple of weeks before that, you tell me that Ken had kissed you and the next thing I know I have pictures and a letter that are telling me a lot more went on...you know the saying...A picture is worth a thousand words." I tell him, not being able to resist putting that little barb in for effect. I figured if he wants to deal out verbal abuse, he won't be the only one.
"Dais...I am so sorry. I didn't know...I didn't know." And that was my only defense. It sounded lame to my own ears.
"Maybe if you asked, you would have. Now, I want you to show the rest of them that, because frankly I don't think I'll be able to stand the sight of anyone right now." he mutters hotly, shoving the cd in my hand. Turning around, he begins to walk away, when suddenly he stops and turns around giving me a glare as cold as Antartica.
"One more thing, you let the others know that as far as I'm concerned they can take the Gasoline Trail down to Hell. You and Ken included."
"What do the others have to do with all this?" Why does he always mention everyone else? What did they do to him? Why is Yama hiding it from me?
"Like you don't know that after you left, your brother comes to my apartment and tries to kick my ass, or how about everyone gave me the cold shoulder leaving me alone to feel like complete and utter shit?"
"I didn't -"
"C'mon Takaishi. You knew that something like that would happen. I should have expected as much. If I'm accused of something, I am immediately found guilty and sentenced, especially seeing how the accusations were brought about by Mr. 'Perfect Chosen' himself…" he sneers, his mouth curling up in an expression that looked foreign on his beautiful face.
That hurt me. I would do anything to make it go away.
"Daisuke please-"
"You know what it's thanks to all of you that I realized that friendship and love is for the birds. So, now that you know that remember one thing…"
"What?"
"Stay out of my way!" were his last words to me before he abruptly turned around and began running from the park.
Standing there watching him grow farther away, I couldn't help but think that once again I was watching my life slipping through my fingers.
And this time, it was no one's fault but mine.
tbc...............
Well??!?!? What do you think? Now that the truth is out, what is Takeru going to do? More to the point, will Dai learn to trust anyone ever again? To find out, stay tuned!
Sorry about any spelling/grammar/plot mistakes there are, but I just wanted to get this out…I felt that you had waited long enough! ^^
Ja ne minna!
I know I know…it's been awhile, but unfortunately real-life, other fics, and lack of inspiration played a HUGE role in the delay of this chapter. However, I'm going to buckle down and try to finish this fic, cause I can't stand when authors give up on a fic, so why should I??!? Anyways, I not really happy with this chapter, but I do know one thing…THERE ARE ONLY 2 CHAPTERS LEFT!!! So, get to reviewing before you miss out! ^_~
Disclaimer: I never have, do, or will own Digimon. That great honor belongs to Hongo Akiyoshi, TOEI, Bandai, and FOX.
DEDICATION: I would love to dedicate this chapter to my wonderful editor…ANNABELLE MANIX!!! Even though she's having PC troubles, she is still helping me and I truly thank her for that! Arigatou tomodachi- chan!! ^_^
"dialogue"
~thoughts~
Back to the Middle (formerly Contradictions)
by Dream-chan
Rating: R (Dai-chan gets ANGRY ^^;)
Editor: me, myself, and I (cause my editor is having difficulties ^^;)
Email: dream_chan@hotmail.com
Takeru
"Daisuke." I repeated again, happy at how my voice didn't shake like last time.
"Takeru, welcome back" came the hesistant response. I wait for him to say something else, but after minutes pass by, it seems that the wait has been in vain.
That's all he can say...'Takeru welcome back?!?!?!??!'
Right now, I want to scream at him...I want to punch his lights out...I wanted to hurt him like he hurt me....
I wanted.........I wanted........
To pin him to the wall and kiss him senseless. To feel those warm lips against mine. For those arms to wrap me up tight and never let go.
Not trusting my mouth to screw up, I decided to keep my response short and sweet. "Thanks."
I don't know how long we stood there, each of us looking at the other's reflection, but I didn't care. I was looking at what I have been only to see in my dreams this past year. If he felt uncomfortable...tough shit. "Well, I'll be going..." he says softy, making his way to the exit.
Now see a normal person would be relieved to see an ex scurry off somewhere, never to be seen again, but not me. I don't know what it was, but I just felt this anger begin to swell up within again, blocking out normal thought patterns. I mean, it just wasn't fair that I was still in love with him and he was so happy with someone else. I figure that I can be a bit mean if I want to.
"That's right. Don't want to make your precious Ken suspicious..." I muttered, not being able to keep the venom out of my voice, although I didn't try that hard.
"Look Takaishi-san, if you have something to say, just get it off your chest..." he says in an off-hand manner, although I could tell he was trying to hide his annoyance.
"All I said was that you don't want to make Ken upset, seeing how you're in the bathroom with your ex-boyfriend." I said sarcastically, feeling my mouth twist into a little sneer.
"And whose choice was that?" he spits out, returning the glare with one of his own.
Ignoring him, I decide to go the sarcastic route. "C'mon Daisuke. Do we really need an answer to that question?"
"I'm not too sure about that. All I got was a funny rendition of 'wham bam thank you mam' " he laughed bitterly, his eyes beginning to twitch.
"Huh?"
"Oh, now you forget that we made...I mean had sex?" he snapped, his features twisting into something that I hope never to see again.
Was he about to say 'made love'?
Not backing down, I continued to stare at him. "Look, I don't want to go through this right now. I refuse to get into this discussion in a public restroom. Besides, you have some nerve acting like the victim. I wasn't the one that was caught ramming their tongue down a friend's throat."
Even though he didn't say anything, I could tell that I had pushed him to his limit. He is ready to explode. If he thinks that I'm going to budge, he's sadly mistaken. I'm stronger now. Let the countdown begin.
5
4
3
2
1
"FINE! Shut me out! Just like the rest of them did. Fuck them and FUCK YOU!", and with that he slams out the restroom, almost taking the door off it's hinges.
Gripping the sides of the sink, I take deep breaths, letting out all the tension that had been building since I locked gazes with him. Replaying the argument in my mind, I began to wonder about some of the things that he said. Especially when he screamed how the 'others' shut him out. Realistically, I knew that there would be fallout from our breakup, but could it have been more severe than what I thought? I'll just have to ask Yama-niichan about it later.
Ignoring the whispers as I pass by, I lock eyes with 'Kari-chan, letting her know that I wanted to leave. Hurriedly, she gets up and meets me at the door. With a small smile of apology we walk out, but not before looking back and seeing a smug look of satisfaction on Ichijouji's face.
Yamato
That telephone call from Teeks has been really bothering me. The way he asked about what happened when he left. Damn! I wish I was there to see what happened.
"Yama?"
Could we have been wrong in blaming the whole mess on Daisuke?
"Yama are you listening to me?"
Did we accuse, judge and convict without finding out what really happened?
"Yama, I am leaving you and going to make beautiful children with Sora..."
Did I -wait what the HELL is going on? Is Taichi cheating on me with Sora?!? I'll kill them both! That red-headed twit!
"N-nani?!?" I yelled, Tai-chan's statement finally making it through my cluttered brain.
"What's the matter?" Taichi asked, giving me a little nudge.
"Nothing-" I begin, before I feel a finger on my lips, silencing me. "Don't even finish that. You have been spacing out for the past few days and I want to know why." he said seriously, his playful disappearing instantly.
"Have you ever had the feeling that you've been a total asshole, but you're not quite sure how?"
Laughing at my question, he pulls me closer, sensing my discomfort. "Too many times according to you. Why, is something wrong?"
"I don't know really. I was having a conversation with Takeru the other day and he was telling me about the confrontation that he had with Daisuke."
"Oh. Hikari told me that they had seen Daisuke and Ken on their day out but that was all the details I got."
"According to Takeru, things got heated really fast and they started arguing..."
"That's no surprise. After the way things ended between them that was bound to happen sooner or later. I know that Ken being there didn't help matters."
"Afterwards, he said that he left and went back to his apartment and began to think about some of the things that Dais said to him..." I trailed off, trying to make sense of it myself.
"Such as..."
Snuggling in closer to get more comfortable, I relay the information he told to me. "Takeru never fully explaining why they broke up and eveyone else giving him the cold shoulder. How it never occurred to the rest of us to ask for his side of things."
"Those seem to be valid arguments, but why didn't Takeru tell him what he told us? Hell, why didn't he show him?" he argues, looking confused about my brothers' actions.
"He said that he didn't want Daisuke to know just how much he been hurt, so he figured that he would turn the tables and break-up with Dais before he could do it to him. He thought that Daisuke was waiting until he was in the States before he would do the evil deed." I explained to him, thinking back to when Takeru sobbing his heart out over Daisuke's apparent betrayal.
"Damn! Why would he do something like that? I thought that he at least explain things to him."
"I guess we still carry scars from our parents divorce..."
After a long silence, Taichi continues gently, "It's just been so long. Besides, he's with Ken now, so there must have been some grain of truth to what happened."
Looking into his big brown eyes, I can't help but "There just seems that there is something funny to the whole thing..."
"Well, time will tell." He says softly, stroking my hair. Pulling me closer, he whispers in my ear huskily, "Anyway, I can think of something else that we could be doing right now..."
Knowing that I have a goofy smile on my face from Taichi's change of mood, I ask teasingly, "And what would that be?"
Turning my head, he gives me that look that confirms what is about to happen in the next few seconds. "How about I give you a demonstration?" he growls seductively in my ear, making my toes curl. Yeah, I'm easy like that.
"Sounds good to me...." I mummured, and soon the problems of my brother and his ex were forgotten in the hazy feelings of bliss that always with being close to my Tai-chan.
Daisuke
This has been one hell of a week and getting into that little argument with Takeru didn't help matters. Of course Ken tried to cheer me up afterwards, but it was no use. Seeing him again was just to much of an overload on my senses.
I have often wondered how I would react to being face to face with him again.. I was sure that there would be fists flying and such, but as usual I was thrown off-track by the magnetic attraction I still felt for the blonde. As much I wanted to give him a black eye, I wanted to grab him and have fun in one of the stalls, damning the consequences.
~C'mon. You can't think like that now. That's over and done with. You are happy with Ken~
Walking into a familiar apartment complex, I hop on the elevator and ride it up to the floor where the Ichijouji's live. Seconds later, I knock on the door, smiling when I hear Mrs. Ichijouji's hurried steps.
"Why hello Daisuke-kun? Ken told me you were coming over today."
"Yep. We were going to work on some drills and since my ball is kaput for the moment, he said that we could use his."
"Well, come on in. You know where everything is," she smiles, opening the door wider for me to come in.
Quickly toeing off my shoes, I head down the hall towards Ken's bedroom. Opening the door, I can't help but shake my head at the spartan-like appearance of this room. There are times when I wonder if my boyfriend is a robot in disguise. Shaking my head, I walk over to the desk and and kneel on the floor, reaching for the soccer ball that I know is there. Ken lives by the 'a place for everything and everything in it's place' doctrine.
Standing up, I notice that Ken accidently left his computer in stand-by mode. Figuring that it wouldn't hurt to take a peek, I sit in the chair and see what my little genius is up to. Noticing that there's a folder with my name on it, I click to see what's inside. Oddly enough all I see are picture files. Feeling my curiousity rise, I click on one and am almost floored by what I see.
A picture of Ken and I kissing. Looking at it more closely, I remember that was the time when I was still with Takeru and he had come on to me. Of course, after seeing one, I want to see them all. At first, I'm baffled at how he was able to take all these pictures when I remember that his parents had gotten him a digital camcorder that would record using blank DVDs. Using the software to go with it, he could then do whatever he wanted with the footage...including making screen captures.
Of course the question is why would he even have these pictures unless....
Running out of the Ichijouji apartment, I can only feel the sharp pain in my chest as my heart begins to pound with the the rage, anger, and general shitty feeling that now resides there.
Otherwise known as betrayal.
Ken
Today is a good day. It's bright and sunny and I'm going to get to spend it all with my Dai-chan. After that little fiasco at the diner, this is just what he needs. I wanted to kill Blondie for making him so upset, but hopefully that was just the setback I needed to truly make Daisuke mine.
Looking around, I engaged in my favorite of 'people watching'. Even when I was little, I used to just love watching people and figuring out what they were feeling or doing. It's amazing the things that people do when they don't know others are watching. Looking over to my left, I spot a person that has been a thorn in my side since I can remember. Seeing how Dai-chan isn't here yet, I decide to have a little fun.
"TAKAISHI-SAN!" I yell out, knowing that would get his attention. Besides, he's too polite to ignore me…the little goody two-shoes.
"Yes, can I help you?" he asks coldly, giving me the same look he had when he stormed my base long ago. However, that's in the past. It was time to make him squirm a little.
"Can you answer a question for me?"
Rolling his eyes, he gives me an exasperated sigh and then replies, "What is it Ichijouji? I don't have time for your games."
With a Kaiseresque smirk, I throw down my gauntlet. "Doesn't Dai have the cutest birthmark...you know, the one right on his left hip. Damn sexy isn't it?" I goaded, loving the way he praactically turned purple.
Just when it seems that Takaishi and I are going to exchange blows, I can hear Dai-chan screaming at the top his lungs trying to get my attention.
Looking over at Blondie, I give him a triumphant smirk and turn around to greet MY Dai-chan. meeting him halfway, I pull him up in a hug, wanting Takaishi to know exactly who Daisuke belonged to. However, I didn't count on the fact of him pulling away from me. As if I was a rabid animal. Puzzled, I finally take a good look at Dais.
"Ken, we need to talk...NOW!" he shouts, his fists clenching at his sides.
I have never seen him this upset before. I mean, there were those times after Takaishi broke up with him, but I never feared him before.
"I'll just be going now..." I heard the blond bimbo say from a distance, still to intent on the anger I can feel coming off of Daisuke. What happened between my apartment and here to make him so angry?
I was surprised when Dai snapped out, "No, this involves you too, so you might as well stay."
I watch him pull out my camcorder and then an instantly recognizable CD.
Oh Shit.
With a shaky hand I reached out to grab the CD he had in his hands.
Pulling it out my reach, he looks at me with an expression that makes chills run down my spine.
"What?! You don't have anything to say now??! You know, you should really learn how to hide things better Ichijouji", he says haughingly, his face becoming an mask of calm indifference. A mask that I hadn't seen since the battle with BelialVandemon.
Oh Shit. Oh Shit. Oh Shit..
"Daisuke...Dai-chan. I'm so sorry, but can't you see-" was all I could get out before I was interrupted by a very well placed left hook.
"Oh I can definitely see, Ichijouji-san" , he sneered giving me a look of complete disgust. "How could you be so heartless, Ken? What the FUCK were you thinking?!? I thought I was your friend Ken...your BEST friend..." he yelled, his eyes showing the real pain that he was going through.
"Daisuke..." I began, trying not the wince at the pain I felt in my jaw. "Dai-chan...please just listen. Can't you see what I did, I did it for us?" I cried out, praying to every Kami I knew that he would forgive me this one last time.
"This is going to be interesting" he smirks, his eyes frosting over. "You have one minute." he barks out, letting me know that I was treading in deep waters.
Feeling like a bigshot defense lawyer, I begin to plead in earnest. "Look, I couldn't stand how the bastard would hurt you over and over again. Granted, your relationship was fine and dandy, but it was only a matter of time before things fell apart. What I did just proved my point."
I have to admit, I was feeling positive that he would see things clearly, until I felt a powerful slap connect with my face. Cupping my now blazing right cheek, I look at the boy I called my love for almost the past year.
"Daisuke..." I croaked out, trying my damnedest to hold back tears.
"Ichijouji-san..." he says quietly, his face hard as stone. "I have forgiven you many things, but know that I will never forgive not forget what you have done to me."
"Daisu-"
"Shut the fuck up. I don't want to hear or see you ever again Ken. IT'S OVER!"
"A little trouble in paradise?" I hear a mocking voice say and instantly I want to rip the little punk to shreds. How dare he mocks me when my heart is breaking…stupid, dumb blonde bimbo.
Laughing bitterly Daisuke snaps, "We know all about that, don't we Takeru?" and I can see the blonde pale a little underneath his tropical tan.
Now this was an interesting development. It seems that the tables have turned…and quickly too. I think that I'll just fade into the background, sit back and enjoy the show. I have a funny feeling that no one is going to come out a winner from this.
Takeru
"Daisuke, I don't feel like going into that right now-" the I say, before he is interrupted harshly.
"Too bad, because we going to clear this shit up once and for all, and this time you are going to listen to me!" he retorts, his eyes beginning to burn with the same fire he had when we used to fight in the DigiWorld.
"Fine. What do you want to say?" Takeru sighs, assuming his holier-than- thou attitude.
"To be perfectly blunt, Ken tried to break us up and he succeeded."
Trying to mask my confusion, I ask "What are you talking about?"
"You see, this little disk has a very interesting vid file on it. Would you like to take a peek?"
"What do you think that is going to do?"
"You owe me this at least. Just look at it DAMMIT!" he pushes the camcorder in my hands again, forcing me to grab it so that it won't drop.
"Fine. Don't get your knickers in a twist." I say dryly, trying to hide the apprehension I was feeling right now.
Slipping on the headphones, I began to watch and listen. I could hear Ken telling Daisuke how he felt like an outsider...I could see the way he played on Dai's emotions, using them to get the result he wanted. It was hard looking at them kiss, but then I saw what was left out the little package of photos Ken sent me.
Daisuke pushing Ken away and saying that he loved me.
Only me.
The tears that had been hovering in my eyes for the last few minutes made their way down my cheeks, following the previous path of those that went before them.
~What the FUCK have I done?!?!??!?~
Gathering up the courage, I look directly at him, knowing he at least deserves an acceptable apology. That is probably the only thing he'll take from me now.
"Oh Dai…I'm so sorry for not-"
"Believing me?!? Is that what you were about to say? If so, you can shove it!" he snaps, cutting him off vehmently.
"Please, let me explain..." he pleads, trying again to get his side out, but I think that Dai has had enough of listening to the big mouth.
"Just like you let me?!? You thought that I would just jump back into your arms and forgive you for the pain you put me through. Hell, you are even more guilty than Ken..." he sneers, giving me a look of complete disgust.
"How in hell do you figure that? Besides, there were pictures and everything. How was I supposed to know that this was all part of an elaborate scheme for stalker-boy to steal you away from me?" I yell back, not happy with the comparison to the walking mental disorder that is Ken.
In a more neutral tone Daisuke whispers, "Why didn't you show me the pictures Takeru?"
"Because, I ripped them all before you got there....I could stand to look at them..." I sighed, already the tears beginning to roll down my face.
"So, instead of telling me the truth and showing me the evidence, you decide to come up with the brillant explanation of just telling me that it's over?" he asks softly, coming closer. Stopping a few feet in front of me he continues, "You were supposed to love me. If you loved me as you say you did, you would have told me the real reason, instead of brushing me off like yesterday's trash or at least given me a chance to defend myself..." his voice rising on his last words.
I could do nothing but stare at the angry man before me, feeling like the utter and complete fool that I was. There was nothing that I could say or do to defend myself, because all his accusations were true.
"I was devestated....FUCKING devestated over what you did to me. After all that talk about how we were going to keep in touch and stay together, you decide to just dump me. I mean, was it so hard for you to just tell me?" he rants, his hands clenched at his sides.
Praying for patience I give as good as I got. "What was I supposed to think? Just a couple of weeks before that, you tell me that Ken had kissed you and the next thing I know I have pictures and a letter that are telling me a lot more went on...you know the saying...A picture is worth a thousand words." I tell him, not being able to resist putting that little barb in for effect. I figured if he wants to deal out verbal abuse, he won't be the only one.
"Dais...I am so sorry. I didn't know...I didn't know." And that was my only defense. It sounded lame to my own ears.
"Maybe if you asked, you would have. Now, I want you to show the rest of them that, because frankly I don't think I'll be able to stand the sight of anyone right now." he mutters hotly, shoving the cd in my hand. Turning around, he begins to walk away, when suddenly he stops and turns around giving me a glare as cold as Antartica.
"One more thing, you let the others know that as far as I'm concerned they can take the Gasoline Trail down to Hell. You and Ken included."
"What do the others have to do with all this?" Why does he always mention everyone else? What did they do to him? Why is Yama hiding it from me?
"Like you don't know that after you left, your brother comes to my apartment and tries to kick my ass, or how about everyone gave me the cold shoulder leaving me alone to feel like complete and utter shit?"
"I didn't -"
"C'mon Takaishi. You knew that something like that would happen. I should have expected as much. If I'm accused of something, I am immediately found guilty and sentenced, especially seeing how the accusations were brought about by Mr. 'Perfect Chosen' himself…" he sneers, his mouth curling up in an expression that looked foreign on his beautiful face.
That hurt me. I would do anything to make it go away.
"Daisuke please-"
"You know what it's thanks to all of you that I realized that friendship and love is for the birds. So, now that you know that remember one thing…"
"What?"
"Stay out of my way!" were his last words to me before he abruptly turned around and began running from the park.
Standing there watching him grow farther away, I couldn't help but think that once again I was watching my life slipping through my fingers.
And this time, it was no one's fault but mine.
tbc...............
Well??!?!? What do you think? Now that the truth is out, what is Takeru going to do? More to the point, will Dai learn to trust anyone ever again? To find out, stay tuned!
Sorry about any spelling/grammar/plot mistakes there are, but I just wanted to get this out…I felt that you had waited long enough! ^^
Ja ne minna!