AN : Hi, minna. Sorry for the long delay. Maybe a lot of you already lost interest in this story. You know, everytime I decide to write a story I already know where would the story go. I mean a whole story, from the beginning till the ending. I just couldn't put them in English so easily. English is not my first language. The poor grammar really makes me frustated so in the end I let any others things distract my attention. Like reading and reviewing many good stories that I find. Sorry…. _

I must say my grateful for Wormonsoul that never tired to encourage me to keep continue typing and also become my beta reader. Believe me, this chapter would be totally a mess like my first story, Broken Angel, if it is not for her help. Also for CC Phoenix and neo-chan for your support.

I also want to thank everyone for the reviews. Wow, never thought that I could get more than 30 reviews for my second fic. And it's only just two chapters! I know that it wouldn't be possible if Annonymon didn't become my beta reader for those chapters. Thanks a lot, Annonymon! How are you? It makes me worry that I couldn't contact you anymore. Well, I hope you are fine no matter where you are.

The most surprising thing for me is to have reviews from Butterflie dan Crysie. It's really touched me that my favourite authors actually like my story. Not that I underestimate any other reviews. It just that I feel touched that the authors whose works amazed me from the first time I knew FFNet and made me wanted to write my own fics could like my pieces of trash.

I think I must stop now before this AN becomes longer than the story. ^_^

Disclamer : Still don't own digimon… _

Chapter 3

Day 1 : The Right Thing To Do or To Do The Right Thing?

He looked at the boy who was still unconscious. There was a rope that tied the boy's arms behind his back to the chair. A chain was circling his right foot, tying it to the floor. He knew he should take care of the boy's bruises but there's something he needed to do first.

He took an instant camera and started to take pictures of the boy. Then he noticed the boy's eyelids twitch. The boy was finally awake. The boy looked at his surroundings with confusion clearly written on his face. Then the boy recognized him and his eyes just turned wide with fear.

Yamato

Somewhere in the darkness of my surroundings I could feel light coming over and over. Like when there would be a heavy rain or even a storm. I felt like my body wouldn't listen to my command but at least I could finally open my eyes. After they adjusted to the light, I looked at my surroundings.

I was in a room with wooden walls, the floor only furnished with cement. There was a window with iron bars. I could see the trees and the blue of the sky. It was daytime already? Then I saw him, still with the clown mask covering his face. And I just remembered about what happened that night and how my savior turned out to be another bad guy.

I saw a camera in his hand. I knew that my face lost its color. The man is not a child molester right? Oh God, please don't let it be true. The man suddenly left the room. But before I could let out a sigh of relief, he returned again. He took my face with his left hand. I flinched and tried to turn away but I couldn't escape his grip. Then I felt something sting at my face.

That's when I realized that he was just treating my wounds. I was so puzzled. Everything the man did was so contradictive. He rescued me but then he kidnapped me. And now he took care of my wounds. But I just knew I couldn't trust him.

"Why?"

I didn't expect him to answer my question. I just needed to ask. I want to know the reason why I must experience all this. So it really took me off guard when he told me the truth.

The man's pov

"Because your father knows too much for his own good. He was investigating some case for his news when he found something out. Now he is a vital witness for the case. A lot of people will be unhappy if he gives his testimony. So I was hired to make sure it wouldn't happen."

"So you have kidnapped me to blackmail my father. But how would you tell him about me? I suppose that a vital witness would be under the police's protection in some place that nobody knows about."

I smile. He really is a smart kid and he really is good at hiding his emotions. After hearing my explanation, I couldn't see his fear anymore. Instead he put a cold expression on his face.

"You don't need to worry about it. They have a way to contact your father." I paused and looked at his eyes that were just blank. "Don't worry, kid. After your father fulfills our demand, I will let you go."

He just smiled after he heard what I had said, a sad smile. His eyes were full of emotion that I couldn't understand.

"He wouldn't do it. You are just wasting your time."

"Of course he would do it for his only son!"

He just looked out of the window and didn't listen to me anymore. His eyes… How could I describe them? They just seem so empty. Of course that Ishida guy would do it. No parents wouldn't do anything for their children, right?

Yamato

I don't know what time it is now. I think I just lose track of time. I keep thinking about what the man said. Why didn't my father just tell me the truth? Then I would understand why he wanted me to stay at Taichi's house. So if someone wanted to use me as a bait, they would have a hard time finding me. And has he already told my mother to be careful for her and Takeru?

Not that his cautious action brought any results. The man just appeared when I was in danger. Didn't it show that the man had already known where I was all that time? I remembered what the man said. He really didn't know my father. Of course Otousan wouldn't do what they ask of him. As much as I want to believe that my father would do anything for my sake, I know it is just the same as to expect the sun to rise from the west.

I don't mean to say that my father doesn't love me. Oh, I know that my father loves me. Not that he actually says that, he is just not that type. But I can feel his love for me. Just as I never say I love him. But I know that my father knows it. So maybe we are not the people who can express their feelings to others so freely. I guess it's already in the blood.

But Takeru never has any problem to express his. Maybe he inherits it from Okaasan. Thinking about them makes me feel so sad. Would I have a chance to see them again? And Otousan? I remember that I still didn't tell them that I love them. Do they already know? But maybe Otousan would… No, don't keep your hope high. You only will feel pain in the end. Beside, you are not the Keeper of Hope. Takeru is.

The door suddenly opens. The man enters with a tray. He pulls a chair and sits in front of me. He puts the tray on his lap and starts to cut the steak into tiny pieces. He uses the fork and tries to feed me but I just turn my face to refuse. He frowns.

"You know it's silly to refuse eating right? The only one who will suffer because of it is you, not me."

"I… I don't eat meat," I whisper.

There's silence in the room. Then the man leaves the room with the tray. A few minutes pass then I hear the sound of the car leaving this place. Tears start to flow down my face. I feel so stupid. Here I am in a place God knows where. I don't know if I would leave this place alive and all I said to him was that I don't eat meat. The man must be furious to see his captive so full of demand. Maybe he has just left and wouldn't come back. But… But I…

Taichi

We are at the police station now. Takeru is arguing with the police, his voice is almost breaking into hysterical squeak. But who can really blame him? His brother is somewhere out there, and only God knows if he is alright.

I just stay quiet cause I can't trust myself to talk. I just know that I would be crying like a baby if I force myself to speak. It is my fault, I know it is. If only I could control my hormones, if only I didn't kiss him, if only… There're so many "if" that make me sink into depression.

After telling Takeru everything, I accompanied him to the police station. He called his mother but couldn't contact his father. He already tried to call the TV station after failing to contact his father's mobile. But nobody could tell where he was now. Then I called the others, I guess their presence could give moral support to Takeru… and to me. Now we were just waiting.

Then I saw two men in formal black suit came and spoke to Ms. Takaishi and Takeru. Takeru looked confused and so did his mother. But then Takeru argued with the men until finally they nodded reluctantly. Then Takeru walked to us.

"What's happened? Did they have any information about him?" I asked hopefully.

"They said… They said Oniichan's disappearance has a connection to a case that involves Otousan. They asked us to go with them to meet Otousan. I said we would go together, all of us."

"But they objected," I finally understood.

"Yeah… But at least they agreed to let me inform you about this before we'd go. I… I know that you worry about Oniichan too, Taichi."

I couldn't say anything. The last thing I wanted was* to be left behind in the darkness. I wanted to know what was going on. And I wanted to know if Yamato was alright.

"Maybe I could arrange something about it."

We both jumped at that. I turned and saw Koushirou standing beside us with a serious expression.

"But first I would need your digivice and your hat, Takeru."

"Huh? My what?"

But Takeru gave them to Koushirou anyway. Koushirou seemed to type something on the digivice.

"Takeru, not a word okay?"

Takeru looked confused but then his eyes went wide when he saw that Koushirou had made a little hole in his hat. He almost yelled at Koushirou but he remembered what Koushirou said.

"What was that for?" he hissed.

"I changed the digivice a little so that it could function as a camera for us. We would wait at Taichi's house and watch. I could put it on Patamon's neck since you would carry him with you but I think the view would be better if I put the digivice inside your hat. Here, take my laptop. We would let Taichi's computer on so you could come to our place with my laptop."

Takeru's face lightened after he heard that. I admitted that I felt the same too. Now we would know what would happen. Koushirou put the digivice inside the hat while Takeru put the laptop inside his bag.

Yamato

I don't know what time it is now. It's so quiet here. This silence makes me mad. I feel like I'm drowning, just like I felt when I was in the cave of darkness back in the Digiworld. But back then I had Gabumon at my side. It's scary you know? To feel that you are drowning into a hole of nothingness and nobody cares.

I felt tears start to wet my cheeks again. Damn it, Yamato! Stop it! It's not time to pity yourself. You're supposed to be strong! Where's all the courage that you had in the battles before? But the thought makes me think about the bearer of courage. Taichi…

I left him after saying harsh words to him. Yes, he did make me mad. But it doesn't mean that I hate him or won't speak to him anymore. Is there any chance to get out of this mess alive? If I don't, all he remembers about me would be the harsh words I said. Knowing him, he would blame himself.

The sound of the car stopped outside brings me out of my thoughts. A part of me is glad that the man has finally come back. That he didn't abandon me just like I thought. But another part of me is afraid. Cause I don't know what he would do to me. I hear something happening outside my room but still no sign of him.

Then the door opens. He comes back with a tray. He puts the tray on the floor and begins to untie the rope. I slowly stand up and massage my wrists. No use to try to run away for there's a chain that ties my right leg to the floor. I look at the tray. To my surprise, there's salad, French fries and some toast. I'm speechless. The man went away just to buy them for me?

"Eat!"

The man's pov

I looked with satisfaction when the boy finally reached for the food with his shaky hands. He ate it slowly. He still refused to look at me, he just set his eyes on the floor.

"I just don't understand. Why does a young boy like you become a vegetarian?"

I was not really waiting for an answer. So it took me a little off guard when he spoke. His voice was barely heard and I had to concentrate to hear it all.

"A year ago, my school arranged a study tour to Sapporo. To see a farm's life closely they said. It was so much fun. We helped to feed the chicken and the pigs, rode a horse, and drank fresh milk that we squeezed ourselves. Then I remembered to call…"

There was a brief pause before he continued his story.

"To call my dad. So I walked to the farm's house to borrow a phone. On my way there, I heard a sound of animal in pain. I followed the sound. I know I shouldn't do that. Taichi… My friend… he always said that my curiosity would kill me someday. But because the words came from him, it really didn't mean much."

I couldn't help but smile. From my own observation, the boy with bushy hair was a very noisy and curious boy who will stick his nose into everything. The kind of boy who acts first and thinks later. So I could understand why this boy chose to dismiss his best friend's warning.

"There was… they were…"

Another silence. From my experience, the first silence meant that he hid something. But this time… It seemed that whatever experience he had that day really haunted him.

"They slaughtered it… The cow… It was crying… I could see the tears falling from its eyes… Just a moment ago, I was drinking milk from one of them… And then another one was killed…" he choked. "I just… I couldn't… I couldn't forget its eyes that kept looking at me even after it was dead. And the tears…"

"So since that day you never eat meat."

It was a statement. The boy just stayed silent. I couldn't see his face but I knew his eyes had reddened with unshed tears. He was really a soft and kind-hearted boy. So much like… No, don't think about that again!

The boy stopped eating. There were some eggs from the salad left. And he didn't drink his milk. I frowned.

"Don't tell me that you don't eat eggs too and don't drink milk."

He just stayed silent.

"I think I understand why you stopped eating meat. You don't want to hurt another living being just for food. But first let's look at the definition of living being. Plants are living creatures too, you know. They grow and are alive. Just like animals. So in another words, you still have to hurt a living creature for food."

He stared at me shocked.

"But… But that's different!"

"Why? Because the plants couldn't scream in pain? Cause you couldn't see them cry when they are cut?"

He couldn't say anything. He seemed like he wanted to debate me but couldn't find the words. I smiled.

"Because the definition of a living creature is that it doesn't only have a will to live and an ability to grow. But to have feelings too. That's why you could eat vegetables and fruit and don't have to feel guilty about it."

Yamato

I almost told him that I was trying to call Takeru back then at the farm. Couldn't let him know that I had a little brother. That is, if he hadn't found out yet. But then he began to talk about those living creatures things. I looked at him confused. Why was he telling me all this?

"So I think you can't put eggs under the category of living creatures, ne? And milk… You can have milk without killing a cow right?"

I couldn't say a word. His words were reasonable enough. Silently I took the milk and drank it. Even though I couldn't see the face behind the clown mask, I knew he was smiling. And it annoyed me. Never say I'm the obedient one.

"Have you ever read The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling?"

"Huh?" The question really took me off guard.

"No, I don't think you have. It's not the kind of book that kids at your age would read. But if you have time and enough patience to read Old English, you should try to read it. One of the parts that I like is the rule of the hunters. The hunters would hunt and kill for the living. They kill to eat. When the time comes, it is their turn to be eaten by kites. The greatest shame for them is if the kites refuse to eat them when they die. Because it would mean that they are not worthy enough. A shame for their kind."

"That's… That's so…" I couldn't finish my sentence.

"But in a way, it makes sense. Don't you think so? True, humans kill other living creatures. As long as they do it just to fulfill their need, not just kill uncontrollably, why not? And when their time comes, they would fulfill their role in this circle of life. To feed the plants that would be eaten by animals and so on. The circle would continue and never break. Surely you have learnt this at school."

Of course I had learnt it in Biology class. But I never really thought about it before. Just some theory that I needed to remember for the tests.

"If you still want to be a vegetarian, just do. But I suggest you to make an appointment with a doctor. You must have protein as well as vitamins from meat as you undergo a period of intense growth. The doctor could help you to be a vegetarian with a healthy eating habit."

With that speech, he just walked out of the room. I don't understand. He keeps telling me I have a chance to escape this mess. Does it mean he wouldn't hurt me? Or he just assumed that my dad would do what they want? He would… Right?

Takeru

So we all went with those men. They used another car from the police station which they had checked even before we got into the car. Those men drove really carefully. I kept seeing them checking in the rear mirror to make sure nobody followed them. And the route was so awfully long and was complicated. I noticed that we passed some areas more than once. This really made me so nervous.

Finally we arrived somewhere out of town. I couldn't see any more houses in that neighborhood. The place was so isolated. They led us inside. And there, sitting with a depressed expression, was my dad. He seemed like he was ten years older. I couldn't help but run to him.

"Otousan! Oniichan… he…"

"I know, Takeru. I know." He sounded so tired.

"Huh? But how? And what is the meaning of this? Why couldn't I contact you before? And who are these guys anyway?"

"Masaharu, is this the reason of Yamato's disappearing? Is that why you told me to be careful and never let Takeru go alone? These people, they are from government right?"

I had never heard my mom speak in such a calm and cold voice. I saw my dad shift uncomfortably on his seat.

"I could explain, Natsuko. You see, I was working on a story, a very big story. I found something that could end this Aoyama's clan for good. So I told everything to the police. It was supposed to be a secret. They shouldn't have known that I would be a witness until the court. Somehow they found out. So the police put me under protection. I thought Yamato would be alright. I sent him to the Yagami's house. I never thought… that they…"

"Aoyama like in Aoyama Hideo?" My mother's voice was shaking now. "You got involved in Aoyama Hideo's business?"

So finally the puzzle is put at place. This Aoyama Hideo seems like a scary person to me. And Oniichan…

"So this Aoyama has Oniichan?" My dad nodded his head in defeat. "How do you know? Maybe it hasn't got anything to do with your problem!"

My dad just simply pointed at the table with a shaky hand. I rushed to it and saw some pictures. I felt a stab in my heart as I saw Oniichan's battered body tied to a chair. He seemed unconscious and awfully pale.

"How… When did you receive these?"

"Just a moment before you arrived. The pictures suddenly were there. No one had seen anybody put them there."

"Doesn't that mean this place is not totally safe? Someone must have put them there. One of your protectors!" Mom raised her voice with rage.

"Please calm down, Ms. Takaishi. What you say is true. And because of it, you and your son must stay here. We will replace all the guards and double the amount. We can't risk letting both of you go after what happened to Ishida-kun." One of them, the leader, spoke calmly even though my mom glared daggers at him.

I didn't give a damn about what they were saying. All I thought about, all I saw, was the pictures of Oniichan. He was somewhere out there, hurt. Oniichan was always there for me. He helped me every time I needed him. And now there was nothing I could do for him! What kind of brother I am?

"What really matters now is Oniichan! You said they have him. Surely there is something they demand!"

"Takeru, I…" My dad couldn't find the words. But I won't back away. Oniichan is not the only one who inherits my dad's stubbornness!

"They want me to back off. To not give the testimony."

"And if you refuse?" Mum's icy voice made me wince. Surely Otousan would do it for Oniichan, right?

"Natsuko, I…"

"What happens if you refuse?" My mum yelled at him.

"They'll kill him." He whispered.

Dad put his hands over his head and hung it low. He looked so broken. I didn't understand. All he had to do was… The realization hit me.

"Otousan, you would do it, right? You will do what they ask of you, right?"

"Takeru, I…"

"He wouldn't do it, Takeru." My mum said tiredly.

"How could you! You know what'll happen to Oniichan if you refuse! How can you do it to your own son!"

"Takeru, there's no guarantee that they would release Yamato even if I did what they asked me to do."

"But at least try! Isn't it what father should do for his child?"

"Takeru, it's no use to waste your energy on him. Come!"

My mum took my hand and pulled me into a room that they prepared for us. She locked the door.

"How could he do that to Oniichan? How could he?"

"Please don't be mad at your father, Takeru. It is the way he is."

"I don't understand. Okaasan, are you defending him?"

My mum sat on the bed with a sad expression on her face.

"No, I'm not defending him. I don't understand him but at least I understand why he chooses to do it. We have been married for eight years, weren't we? Your father is always confused about the right thing to do and to do things right. He always cares about what people think about him. And that's the reason why we got divorced."

I looked at my mum confused. I couldn't really understand what she said. My mum smiled sadly at me.

"When it came to something principal, your father would do it no matter what it cost. Cause he couldn't bear the thought that people would think less of him. Like in this situation. The right thing to do is to obey them so that Yamato would be safe. But he can't do it because people would think he's a coward. So he's trying to do what people expect him to do. To stand boldly against the bad guys."

"Even if it costs Oniichan's life?"

"He would be blaming himself if it happens. He would drown in his own guilt. But, yes, he still would do it. Because he is just that kind of fool. And that's why I love him."

My mum laughed softly to see my confusion.

"It's not that hard to understand, Takeru. He is like a knight that would fight the world for his belief. And that's why I admired him. But he never changed. Even after he had children of his own. He still put his principals above all. He didn't realize that it wasn't enough in a family. You should put your family as your first priority. We started to argue but we couldn't find a compromise. So finally we decided to divorce."

My mum took my hands and looked straight into my eyes.

"That is so sad. A man trapped in his own principals. He stubbornly steps into his own down fall. You are the one who can stop it. Please, help your father, and help Yamato. I have faith in you and the other children. I know it's dangerous. But I believe your digimons would help you, right? Yamato… he is alone out there. Please, Takeru, I don't have anyone else to turn to."

Her voice broke with tears. I hugged my mum tight.

"Don't worry, Okaasan. I'll do it. The others will too. We will get Oniichan back to safety."

"Thank you. And stay safe for me, alright?"

"Hai."

"I believe you know how to escape from here right?" I nodded. "Since there's a bathroom in this room, we don't have to go out much to them. But you should come back here to eat or they would know that you disappeared."

"I know. Don't worry. I'll remember that."

I took Koushirou's laptop from my bag. With a last look at my mum, I was gone.

Taichi

'We must find him! We must find him!"

I kept repeating those words before they finally succeed in calming me down. Those pictures… I don't think the others noticed it. The red mark on Yamato's neck… Like someone sucked it… The others only thought that the kidnappers would kill him if Mr. Ishida refused to fulfill their demand. The thought of what they could possibly be doing to him right now while they were waiting for the decision was sickening me. Oh, God, if something happened to him it would all be my fault! Oh, Yamato, please be safe!

Of course Taichi didn't know that the mark wasn't caused from the kidnapper. Didn't I evil to torture Taichi like that? ^_^ Sorry for babbling about the vegetarian things. I read somewhere about it and couldn't resist to put it here. So sorry if I make you bore because of it. And about the cow, it did cry when it was slaughtered! I saw the video about it. And there's too a reason why I made Yamato a vegetarian.

Just one thing, could anyone tell me if Mr. Ishida's name is Masaharu or Masaru?

Till the next chapter, minna. Don't forget to tell Wormonsoul what a wonderful job she did. She could changed this piece of trash to be a more readable and much more interesting story (even for myself) than the original one that I type. ^_^