Author's note: Did you enjoy the previous chapter? Like the KouKou-ness?? So adorable=) Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the last one you've read!!

THE REAL YOU- I Know You Do Care

Kouji and Kouichi sat there for a while in silence. At last, Kouji stood up and said, "Kouichi, let's go back to the others, or else they'll think we're lost. Besides, you should take a rest." Kouichi pulled himself up and replied, "OK then, Kouji." The brothers slowly walked back. Kouji could still see that Kouichi was pale, obviously not recovered yet.

Takuya looked up as the both of them approached their direction. Junpei looked away and Kouji just walked straight pass the group with Kouichi behind him. "Now, lie down and have a good sleep. It will make you feel better," Kouji said to his brother. Kouichi just nodded and obeyed Kouji. Soon when he closed his eyes, he fell asleep.

Izumi got up from where she was sitting and approached Kouji slowly. She sat down next to the boy and said, "Kouji, I'm sorry for what Junpei said to you." Kouji shrugged and replied, "Why are you saying sorry? You didn't do anything at all and besides, I don't really mind what Junpei said...because.." He fell silent and stared at his sleeping brother.

Izumi cocked her head and asked, "Because what?" Kouji whispered, wilth his head down, "Because..it is true. It is true that I didn't care much about the other people around me. It is true that I didn't even realise Kouichi was sick because I was too busy thinking about Lucemon. All of these are true because I am thoughtless and selfish." Izumi shoke her head. Kouji looked at her. Izumi replied, "No, it is not true, Kouji. In my eyes, you are not selfish and thoughtless at all. You do care about us and especially Kouichi. I know you care and you've shown me in a number of times."

Kouji stared at the blonde girl for a moment. Izumi continued, "Like when you help us to fight. You could easily just walk away as if nothing happened, but you didn't. You fight with us, side by side, because you care about us, Kouji." She then chuckled and said, "When I first met you, I didn't realise how much you care for us. When I get to know you better and explore your inner-self, you are not like what I thought of you at first." Izumi smiled warmly at him. For the first time, Kouji blushed. "Oh man, why am I heating up?" He asked himself. Izumi realised. "Kouji looks so cute when he blush!!" She screamed in her head and her cheeks were pink without herself realising it. Then, they turned away from each other. The both of them fell silent for a long while.

Junpei stood up and said, "Hey, Tomoki. Let's go and pick some fruits for lunch. I'm dead hungry!" Tomoki nodded and followed the elder boy. Takuya muttered, "I wonder of he ever feels sorry for what he said. All he cares is his stomach." He sighed and watched Izumi and Kouji in the distance. Takuya twisted a smile and said to himself, "Have a better look, Izumi and Kouji make a perfect couple. Kouji is way better than Junpei. Hmm, I wonder if Kouji likes Izumi or not."

As time passed by, it was now nighttime. They circled around a fire for warmth. Kouichi was asleep a while ago. Junpei started, "Izumi, guess what I have behind my back?" He looked at the girl who was sitting beside him. Izumi rolled her eyes and replied, "A stupid thing." Junpei shoke his head proudly and replied, "Nope." He drew out his hand from his back and revealed a beautiful red rose. He continued, "Oh, Izumi. Would you marry me?" Izumi's eyes widened with dislike, but before she could say anything. Kouji stood up immediately and walked away with his hands in his pockets. Izumi pushed Junpei away and yelled, "No way!!! I'm not going to, Junpei. In your dreams!" Takuya and Tomoki shoke their heads in unison and sighed.

Kouji stopped as he leaned on the tree trunk, a distance away. He asked himself, "Why do I act like this anyway? Why would I care if Junpei successfully lay his hands on Izumi? Or..do I really care about Izumi? But it's obvious that Izumi is Junpei's crush and she'll be his sooner or later. Do I care? I mean, why should I? Oh, Kouji. You don't really know about yourself that well, do you?" He sighed as he slid down along the tree trunk and sat on the grass. He closed his eyes and whispered, "Yes, I do care if Junpei gets Izumi. But why? Do I like her or something? It feels different from what I've experienced before......" He reopened his eyes and asked, "Wait a minute.., is this love?"

TO BE CONTINUED..........

Hmm, interesting. Is this love? Kouji is very confused with himself and surely love drives him crazyo Please review and tell me what you think about my fanfic!!!!!!!