As I said at the end of the last chapter, you'll hate me for this one but I used it to add conflict and drama. *grins and adjusts goggles* I'm just a little over dramatic when it comes to life so hell lets turn it into a soap opera.... kidding.

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Chapter Three

The train ride was long and boring, though only a few hours long it gave me to much time to think. I was traveling with my step mom. Dad had already gone ahead with out boxes and furniture. I leaned against the big awkward chair, and closed my eyes. I wish I could have cried it might have made me feel better, but I couldn't, no more tears could come.

I hadn't talked to Takuya since the park. I tried to forget about him. He was like something foreign, something I wanted but couldn't have, why torture myself. I had talked to Kouichi, he had suggested throwing me a good bye party, but as soon as he mentioned Takuya I turned the idea down. He had been confused and asked me what was wrong, I had snapped at him to, telling him I hated him, telling him to tell Takuya I hated him to. I hated everyone. I had thought I had figured out what love was, I was finally learning how to be whole and then it was all taken away from me. I had a chance to speak no more then a few words with Mom. He eyes had filled with tears when I had said good bye, I promised I'd see her again. I watched Kouichi in the window as he watched from it me. Our eyes had locked and I wanted to apologize to him but I couldn't bring myself to it.

The scenery flew by the window. I watched as Shibuya slowly sunk away from the train. I glared and jumped as the woman that was apparently 'Mom' placed her hand on my shoulder.

"You Okay hunny?" I nodded, realizing that she wasn't the bad person it this situation, she was perfectly nice but I hated her for taking by Dad away from Mom.

"I've been better." I admitted bluntly, then turned back to the window.

I had hurt Takuya, I knew I had for I had watched him from across the street. He had sat very still staring for along time, I couldn't tell if he was crying but it seemed like hours before he had stood up, grabbed his soccer ball and went home, if that's where he had gone. I shook any negative ideas of where he had gone from my head. He was reckless but not stupid, I was nothing, to take his life over. I shook my head again. He's still alive I said firmly I would have known if he had forever left me. I closed my eyes again, this time falling into a deep sleep.

~~

I had gone to the park every day since Kouji had left me that morning, I had hoped he would change his mind about me, but he never did, or at least not that I ever saw. I no longer cried, what was the point? My tears weren't helping anything but make me feel weak. Maybe Kouji had been right, maybe I couldn't do everything. I missed him greatly. My heart longed for him, I wanted to have him with me forever. I had thought of taking my life, but that was much to cowardly, I knew he wouldn't have wanted me to.

So here I found myself once again on Thursday morning with my arms wrapped around my legs and my head against my knees, waiting for him.

"I see you finally changed your clothes." I looked up knowing that it wasn't Kouji, but still a familiar voice.

"Yea, unfortunately my mom said I was starting to grow a smell of my own." Izumi laughed and sat down next to me. She looked pretty, for a girl. She wore a white tank top with purple outline and a pair of purple board shorts. Her blonde hair cascaded down her back, and her blue eyes sparkled. Kouji had blue eyes, they were so deep that it made you feel you could honestly get lost in them.

"You look sad." I shrugged not wanting to branch off. "What happened? Where's Kouji."

"He left." Her face seemed to twist as if something excited her yet she hid it with sympathy.

"Oh."

"Yea." She placed her hand on mine the same way I had to Kouji. I shook it off, sitting upright and leaning against the tree. "I miss him Izumi. We had a fight before he left, he moved because his dad and Kouichi's mom." Once again her face worked hard to show sympathy I decided I would ignore it.

"How about we get some lunch?"

"Okay," I said realizing how hungry I was. She reached out for my hand but I pulled it away. She turned away pretending like nothing had happened. I didn't understand girls.

We walked past the hospital, past the ice cream shop where Kouji told me he had gotten my ice cream and through the town. There was a noodle place that she took me to, saying it was the best around. It was pretty good but not the best. I paid for our lunches not wanting to seem cheap she thanked me and blushed, I shook it off. Why were girls so strange. Afterwards I walked with her to her house, she smiled and said good bye.

"Pretty good for our first date Takuya, but aren't you going to kiss me good bye?" I looked at her eyes wide with shock as she kissed me on the cheek and ran up the steps to her apartment.

On the way home I tried to figure out what had happened, what did she mean by 'date'? To me it had been to friends going out to buy noodles?

"What is so romantic about noodles!?!" I asked out loud ignoring an old lady that shied away from me as I walked along. I decided I would do my best to ignore Izumi from now on. I felt guilty, like I was betraying Kouji, but I didn't love Izumi, I loved Kouji.

Friday morning was the last morning I waited for him, I knew he had left the day before, but a small amount of hope remained desperately in my heart. I hoped Izumi wouldn't come along, and thankfully she didn't. It was a hot day, I debated taking off my shirt but decided against it and instead went to get some ice cream.

It was hard deciding what I wanted so remembering Kouji I smiled and asked the lady behind the counter for one of everything.

"You're the second one this week." She had laughed but went a head coming back with a very colorful creation. "Here you go, one of everything." I thanked her paying for it and leaving. On my way out I nearly ran into Kouichi who was heading for the hospital.

"Takuya!" He said with sheer delight.

"Hi Kouichi, what are you doing here?"

"I have a check up appointment with the doctor. Want to come with me and then we will talk." He added carefully, almost silently like saying it too loud would be harsh. I nodded, then followed him to the hospital.

The check up was quick. I waited in the lobby licking my ice cream and watching as people checked in and left. I hated being alone now, even more so then I used to, it gave me too much time to think and I was thankful when Kouichi came back with a smile on his face.

"Do you want to go over to the park?" He asked gently.

"Alright, but what's up?"

"Lets talk about it when we get there." I nodded and led the way across the street.

We found a shady spot, across the field from Kouji's and my tree. I thought about swimming and the lying in the sun with him. I shook my head and traced my thoughts over to Kouichi who was monitoring the ground carefully.

"Apparently Kouji hates you." I was taken back by his words but swallowing a lump in my throat nodded. "I don't understand it though." He added after awhile. "I saw you two under the tree over there." He pointed to our tree. "The day I was in the hospital, you were leaning against his legs and well, I don't get it what happened?"

"He told me there was nothing I could do about him moving away, he told me I was just a kid and he said that he was giving up trying." Kouichi nodded quietly his black hair falling into his eyes.

"I talked to him yesterday. He came by to say good bye to Mom and me." Kouichi told me what had happened and it ended in both of us sighing deeply.

"Well there's only one solution." I said with determination.

"What's that?"

"We have to get him home."

"But-"

"No Kouichi, not you too. Remember who we all once were, we single handily saved both worlds. Surely no one can come and tell me that I can't get my best friend." I stood up proud that I had made a stand, with even more determination I turned back to Kouichi. "What ever needs to be done I'll do it."

And that was that Kouichi and I decided that no matter what it took Kouji would come home.

Saturday morning I had made plans to sleep in but I was awoken early by my mom hovering above my bed.

"There's a girl waiting for you." She said almost gleefully. "She said her name is Izumi, she's a nice girl I like her, why didn't you tell me about her sooner?" I groaned and told her to leave me well I got dressed.

"Morning Taky!" She sung out to me, using a nick name that Junpei had given to me in the digital world.

"Morning Izumi." I grumbled running my finger through my hair then pulling on my hat.

I decided it would be best it we went for a walk, that way my mom wouldn't get ideas.

"You know it's been one week since we all went to the digital world."

"Yea in human days, really it's been months." She nodded.

"But all the same I though, me and you could do something special."

We went out for lunch and then the park, she attempted to grab hold of my hand again, but I shook my head. She led me towards Kouji's tree. And leaned against it. I sat beside her but she pulled me down so I was lying on her legs. Deja vu.

Instantly I flash of remembrance hit me. During the battle with Cherubimon, Kouji and I got hit hard with an attack that had hit me out of my senses. It had been a summer day just like this and I was lying on her legs half a sleep, she had promised me a date after we had saved the digiworld and here it was. The birds were singing. Kouji had run by with the others chasing him and Kouichi had sat thoughtfully on a bench across from us. I shook away the thought and looked up at Izumi who was smiling sweetly, her hair fell from her shoulders as she smiled sweetly at me. Maybe this was what was supposed to happen I thought, I mean come on. I felt almost embarrassed, awkward, I'm a guy, I shouldn't like other guys.

"How did you find my house anyways?" I asked.

"It's a secret." Though I had a sneaking suspicion that she had followed me home after the noodles. I shook it off and smiled at her.

"Alright." I paused. "You are beautiful." I couldn't believe I had just said that. She smiled and blushed in response. I closed my eyes and fell asleep. I dreamed again of Kouji except now he was more faint and I couldn't hear what he was saying. When I awoke I hardly remembered the dream.

The summer days went on from that. School was only a couple of weeks away. I hadn't talked to Kouichi lately and I was starting to wonder if I could get over the loss of Kouji. Izumi and I met up often and I had atlas let her hold my hand. I liked her touch, not like I loved Kouji's but her's was delicate, soft and gently. I saw the other digidestined once in awhile but both had been busy with their new friends. One night Izumi came over for dinner and I guess that's when any relationship we had became official.

Still I felt guilty, though how could I have betrayed Kouji? He had left me with hatred, he would have to understand.

It was Kouichi who suggested a reunion, just days before school. It wasn't big but apparently he had a surprise for me so it was exciting. He didn't know about Izumi and I so I thought it best not to tell him. Junpei and Tomoki were expected to come. We were going to all meet up at the park, Izumi had prepared food and Kouichi was bringing dessert.

The night before I dreamt. I was overwhelmed with emotion. Everything I had been holding back since Kouji left came out now. Izumi had been a great replacement but she wasn't Kouji, I didn't care if that made it wrong, I loved him! I wanted everyone to know. I couldn't believe we were having a reunion without him, but he hated me, right? I fought against my feelings because our adventure was over, because lately I had been thinking about Agunimon and the spirit of fire and how it was all over, all those times I had wanted to come home, now I wanted to go. Just me and Kouji. Together we would help restore the digiworld. I shook my head, but it was all impossible now.

I had fallen a sleep in my clothes and when I awoke the next morning my eyes were still red from the tears that had fallen. Izumi came by to pick me up and together we left.

I decided it was best to ignore my feelings. When we arrived, Junpei and Tomoki were waiting for us. Junpei was slightly distressed by the sight of Izumi and my locked hands. But Kouji was more upset.

So this was Kouichi's surprise, I felt awful, I wish the ground would swallow me up on the spot, Kouji watched angrily as I let go of Izumi's hand and rushed over to him. I didn't try to embrace him, I only watched. He had his arms crossed against his chest and wore an expression that I couldn't identify, though sadness lingered in it. I bowed my head not knowing if I should apologize or what. There was a coughing and behind me Izumi was looking thoroughly fed up.

"Takuya." She seemed to whine, "we're here to visit everyone." I hated her, I wanted to lash out and do something mean that you aren't aloud to do to girls. Instead I just turned around and glared with my fists clenched.

"Go and meet up with the others, I'm busy right now." I said through clenched teeth. She let out a frustrated noise and spun around whipping her hair behind her.

"Yea, so I see you've been keeping busy." Kouji said drawing my attention back to him. Kouichi stood beside him and watched me with disappointment. How did I get myself into this mess?

"Listen Kouji, I'm Sor-"

"No you're not. If you had been you wouldn't be going out with that 'witch'!" His arms were still crossed and my heart sank. How did he know if I was sorry or not?

"I am!" I shot back viciously. "I missed you, I wanted you so bad! And then she came along and comforted me, things turned into other things, but she is nothing to me compared to what you are." I wouldn't cry, I refused to, I didn't want Kouji to know I was weak. He knew me to be strong and secure but now I wanted to run away from all of it. He still stared at me speechlessly, his look made me queasy. I wish he would have yelled at me or said something but he just stared.

"Kouichi?" I asked, but as I did something hard hit me in the jaw. I swung back around to Kouji who was breathing hard with his fists in the air. I glared and punched him back. He swung his fist hitting me in the head, I blacked out for a second, but when I came to my senses I threw myself at him punching whatever I could get a hold of. Kouichi was the one who eventually pulled me off, though it was Izumi who held my arms around my back, well Kouichi grabbed hold of Kouji. I could have easily pulled away from the girl, but what was the point.

My left eye was bruised and lip slightly swollen. I had left the park on my own, I couldn't bring myself to say good bye, especially when I saw Kouji's black eye and bleeding nose. It made me feel even worse, how could hurting Kouji possibly make things any better?

I ignored my mom when she later came in saying there was a phone call for me from Izumi, I went to my room early that night without eating, for fear my mom would see me and ask me where I got the bruises from. I didn't feel like explaining it to her and even worse I didn't feel like explaining it to myself.

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I'm sorry. That is all...