Disclaimer: Obviously since I'm writing a yaoi fic containing Takoujiness, I don't own Digimon...right? Right.

Author's Notes: Another update on this one...::grins:: working on this one after putting up the not so well written chapter of Different Journey's made me feel better...=^-^= and for those of you reading that fic I do apologize again...the next chapter will be much longer and better! Promise...scout's honor...but this isn't Different Journey's, it's Eternity, a completely different fic where I don't have to write any battles and I can just concentrate on the fluffiness and angst of Takouji...^-~ I'm sad though cause I think my fishy isn't doing to good...- _-;; I've cleaned out his tank and everything...(I've got a beta that keeps me company while I write (hehe...get it..? Beta...I crack myself up! Okay, I'm done...you guys can all groan and moan at my corny pun now...^-^) and do my homework...=P he's a gorgeous fish really...) darn it all, I think I'll have to get a new one...and I've had this one for almost two years too... okay, enough on my poor fishy...;-; Let's do some good old angsty Takouji, shall we? (It'll make me feel better...^-^)

Story Rating: PG

Warning: Slash/Yaoi...if you don't like the thought of two males being together then I suggest that you leave now or forever hold your flames...you HAVE been for warned! For Takouji lovers only! =P

Yaoi: Takuya/Kouji Non Yaoi: hints of Izumi/Koichi, there is some Junpei/Izumi friendship in later chapters though.

Now for some notes to the reviewers.::rubs hands mischievously::

Kelly Q- As I said in the email I sent ya. Don't go saying that I'm a better writer then you are! If it hadn't been for you and Splash-Yaoiluv, and my best friend in the whole wide world, I don't think I would've gotten hooked on Digimon and all the wonderful goodness of Taito, Daiken, Leekato, and Takouji.^-^ By the way, when ARE we going to see the next chapter of The Fading Touch anyway? Let me know when you update cause' I want to know what happens next!!!! ^-^

Kioko of grunge- Hehe.don't worry about it, I think we all think that we loose ourselves every once in awhile.^-~ No worries! I'm glad you reviewed! And as for everything working out.well now...::gives a nervous laugh:: You'll have to go and check out my author's page...cause' I'm not sure on the ending JUST yet.but there will be PLENTY of Takouji angst and fluff along the way!

Eyriess- Aw.but you SHOULD support Yaoi! It's a good thing.^-~ But that's okay if you don't 100 percent of the way support it.hey, if this fic gets you hooked on it, bonus points for me!!! BTW, if you want to read some other good yaoi stuff that just makes you want to go 'awwwwwwwwww, cute' go and check out Kelly Q's and Splash-Yaoiluv's stuff, it's really good! (as I said before, they got me hooked on it.)

Redrum- Well but of course! ^-^ Someone HAS to be supporting!!! And I think you'll like this chapter as much as I liked writing it because there's someone ELSE who also supports Takuya and Kouji's relationship in here! I know what you mean by wishing that more people were supportive like that.let's just say that even though I'm NOT sure of the ending, Kouji's stepmother and Takuya's grandfather will have major impact on what happens.and that's ALL I'm saying! (You really think that I'd give the ending away THAT easily?!? Hehe, you'll just have to keep on reading to see what happens. ^-~)

EjqHorseLady- ::gulps, and turns an embarrassing shade of red:: heh.^-^;; SO SORRY about misspelling your name! I don't think I had my glasses on when I was reading reviews or something.won't happen again, I PROMISE! (see, see, I got it right this time!) ::bows at the compliments though::.thank you, thank you very much! I enjoy writing fluffiness.it's always fun especially when it comes to Takuya and Kouji! This chapter has plenty of that, and just a few touches of angst to finish it off nicely.enjoy!

Skittles the Sugar Fairy- Definitely more fun when they're so cute as a couple...to me that's the whole point of writing Takouji is for just that!!! And here's another chapter for you to enjoy.

Kagami Onna- ::turns an embarrassing shade of red as well:: I apologize again! ::bows down to reviewer:: Bad me screwing up people's names.lol.but this time I DO have my glasses on! And I'll remember that next time.heh...^-^;; To make it up to you and Ejq, Takuya and Kouji plushies!!! Muah.as soon as I find them that is.hehe.anyway, here's some more Takouji goodness!

Blackout12- ::pokes right back at author:: HEY U! I end fall quarter sometime in early December, so hopefully I'll c ya more on IM!!! Hope all goes well in your neck of the woods.and if not, here's some wonderful Takoujiness for your pleasure! ^-~

Nick- ::Author continues her round of bows:: Gracious!

Chi and Jack Scarlett Wow, two more new readers!!! Hands out updated chapter III-there you go! Enjoy!

Paige Minomoto- ::can't.breathe.too much.glomping between you.and.Kagami.:: *sweatdrops* hehe.it's all good though.I'm glad you guys like it when I update my stuff, I do too! And I'm glad you're working on another Takouji fic!!! YAYNESS!!! ::glomps Paige right back:: Hehehe.and in this chapter I DID try hard to make Kouji a little more uke instead of the strong one.so you guys kind of get the best of both worlds.lemme know how I did.kay? (And I know, I hate dubbed names too, but as I said at the bottom of this fic, it's just easier to type that way.I promise I'll spell it right in Different Journey's though when Kouichi comes into play.and actually, I didn't know that that was how his name was spelled until reviewers started to tell me.but now I know! ^-^)

Hmmm.I don't think I left anyone out above there.if I did, I'm sorry and thankx so much for reviewing! (I'm also hoping I didn't misspell anyone's name up there either.heh.-_-;; still sorry bout that you guys.) I really do love it when you guys review and let me know how well I'm doing.so read on and enjoy this wonderful chapter!

Eternity Author: Angel Spirit

Chapter III: Takuya's Anger and Kouji's Nightmare

Takuya hadn't been looking forward to taking Shinya back to his grandparents, but it had to be done. Kouji had joined up with them at the entrance to their grandparents place, and Takuya was surprised that Kouji had remembered where his grandparents had lived. As he commented this to him while they headed into the elevator, Kouji just shrugged.

"I have a good memory?" Takuya smirked at Kouji, as the elevator rose to the floor where his grandparents were, and heard Shinya sigh and look out the elevator, as it was mostly glass and metal, so they had a good view of the city as they rose higher above the ground.

"Something wrong Shinya?" Kouji asked gently, and Shinya shook his head, though Takuya knew his little brother looked like he was ready to cry. As the elevator dinged, signaling their arrival, the three boys stepped out, but Kouji hung back, staying near the shadows of the elevator.

"I'll stay here if that's okay with you Takuya..." Takuya nodded, understanding why Kouji wanted to stay there in the shadows-a part of him would rather hide in the shadows then have to deal with his grandmother...for he was late bringing Shinya back by about an hour, they had lost track of time...when Kouji had called asking where they were, Takuya realized his mistake too late and was now a little afraid of knocking on the door of his grandparents apartment.

Shinya realized his hesitation and looked away.

"I don't wanna go in anyway...Oniichan, I wanna stay with you..." Takuya sighed as he lowered his left hand that he had balled into a loose fist to knock on the door and looked at his little brother, not knowing what to say to that.

"Shinya..." As Shinya launched himself at Takuya unexpectedly, Takuya almost lost his balance, be regained it as he glanced down at his little brother while he started to sob into his chest.

"I don't want you to stay at Kouji's, Takky! I want you to stay with me!" Takuya was a little shocked as Shinya exclaimed this and bit down a little on his lower lip as he knelt down so that he was at Shinya's level, and looking straight into his brown eyes.

"Shinya, it's not that I don't want to stay with you, Grandma and Grandpa, but..." Takuya continued to nibble his lower lip. Had his mother told Shinya about the fact that his father wanted to battle for his custody right over him? Probably not...and he didn't really want to tell Shinya about it now, he was already upset about it the whole divorce situation as he already was...but...he didn't know how to explain to his little brother that even though he loved him with all his heart-and he did-he just had a feeling deep down in his gut that he had to spend time with Kouji now. For later might be too late...

"I understand Takuya...you like Kouji better, and hate Grandma so you don't want to stay." Shinya said this with such an edge of hatred in his voice that Takuya did a double take...he'd never heard Shinya speak to him like that before! He felt like smacking some sense into his younger sibling, even though he knew that that wasn't going to help the situation any further. Instead, he chose to grip his little brother by the shoulder's and shook him fiercely.

"Shinya! Enough! Just because I like Kouji in that way doesn't mean that I don't love you, Grandpa or Grandma any less! DON'T EVER THINK THAT! It's just that...that...I..." Takuya saw his little brother flinch a little as he yelled at him, but he couldn't finish his sentence or apologize before the door opened and he glanced up in fear of his grandmother standing there. Instead of his grandmother though, his grandfather stood there, his gentle brown eyes looking down at them.

"Is everything alright out here you two?" He looked from one Kanbara to the other, from Takuya's angered yet now softening expression, to Shinya's saddened look and knew that something was wrong.

"I...I've come to bring Shinya back...I...I've got to go I have a friend waiting for me and..." Takuya stood, not knowing what to say. He'd just been yelling at his little brother...something he hardly ever did...in fact, the only time he remembered ever really yelling at Shinya was that one rainy afternoon when he had gotten mad at his little brother for taking over his video game...and he'd yelled at both his mother (for saying that he was being an unreasonable older brother) and at his little brother as well for hogging his new game...so he'd run out, forgetting a coat and an umbrella, as the rain had stopped for awhile and he hadn't thought that it was going to rain again...but he had been wrong. And as he had headed home, it had started to downpour...but before he had known it, he had been sheltered by an umbrella and his little brother standing there holding one, looking incredibly sorry about the incident...

Takuya shook his head and brought his mind back to the present as he realized that his grandpa had started to talk, and that he wasn't paying attention to him.

"Your grandmother's taking a rest..." His grandfather said suddenly out of the blue, but Takuya nodded, in a way understanding what his grandpa was telling him. If he had woken with his grandmother now with his yelling at Shinya, she'd be even angrier at him then she would be for just bringing him home late. Takuya sighed and stood, keeping his gaze focused on the ground. He licked his dry lips and glanced over to the shadows of the elevator, where he knew that Kouji was waiting patiently for him.

"Shinya, I've got to go, I'll...I'll come back tomorrow and we can hang out more then..." But Shinya shook his head, his arms crossed defiantly over his chest.

"Don't bother...you want to spend more time with Kouji anyway..." With that Shinya headed into the apartment, past their grandfather who looked back at him and then faced Takuya again, his expression still gentle and kind as always.

"I don't know what's wrong...and I don't even really want to get involved with this...Takuya, I know this is hard for you..." his grandfather started and then changed his mind as he stepped outside the apartment and closed the door behind him. Takuya sighed...as much as he loved his grandpa, he really didn't want to talk about this now...not with Kouji waiting for him.

"It's not easy, I know what you must be going through, but you have to realize that Shinya..." Takuya's anger flared up, and rarely did he get angry at his grandpa...very rarely. But now he just didn't believe what he was hearing...his grandfather was sticking up for Shinya?!? Didn't he realize what kind of situation Takuya was in? If his father won the custody battle over his mother and took him to the United States with him...he'd be moving away from his whole life...and that included Kouji.

"You DO NOT UNDERSTAND!" Takuya found himself yelling, his hands balling themselves up into tight fists as he blinked back tears that threatened to fall. Before his grandpa could say anything else, as he was opening his mouth to speak, Takuya continued on, his energy focused on nothing but his anger.

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND AT ALL! IF MY FATHER WINS THAT CUSTODY CASE...IF MY MOTHER LOOSES...I LOOSE EVERYTHING! Shinya doesn't loose anything! I DO! I LOOSE MY HOME, SHINYA...KOUJI...I LOOSE IT ALL!" Takuya was loud enough to wake the dead, he knew that, and at the moment he didn't care. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kouji step out of the shadows of the elevator and come toward him, a look of deep concern on his face.

"I DON'T WANT THIS! I NEVER WANTED ANY OF IT!!! WHY ME?!? WHY NOT SHINYA, HUH? WHY CAN'T THEY FIGHT OVER SHINYA, WHY DO THEY HAVE TO FIGHT OVER ME? I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE...I can't leave..." Takuya whispered that last part as he heard Kouji come up behind him and reach over and grab his hand and hold it tightly. He saw his grandpa looking over at the dark haired teen who had swiftly become nothing but a life vessel for Takuya over the past day or so and didn't really care what the old man thought about him...or any of it. Before Takuya knew what was doing, he turned and buried his head into Kouji's shoulder and started to sob, feeling Kouji place a hand on his back as he gently rubbed it up and down, trying to soothe him.

Kouji glanced up at Takuya's grandfather, who just looked at the two of them for a second, a deadened look in his eyes...and for a moment Kouji tensed...the display of affection he was giving Takuya...what would his grandfather think of it? He bit his lower lip as his eyes locked with that of Takuya's grandfather, and for a moment they shared words without speaking them, as Takuya's grandfather nodded slowly and put his hand on the door.

"Takuya's going to be going through a rough time lad...if anyone can help pull him through this, it's going to be the one person who he cares about the most. And from what I can see, that one person is you. I pray to god and I'll keep on praying that Takuya's mother pulls through with this..." Kouji just nodded as the old man's eyes turned kind once again and a small smirk played on his face.

"I'm not going to tell...especially not my wife-Takuya's grandmother- she'd blow a fuse...as she's done over many little things in the past...such a proper woman she is..." Kouji heard the old man chuckle and he gave him a small grin. Takuya's grandfather was okay with this...it brought some relief into Kouji, and he knew he'd have to tell Takuya later that his grandpa was fine with them being together like they were...for he knew that Takuya wasn't hearing any of it now.

"Thank you..." Kouji managed to say, and Takuya's grandfather shook his head and held up a hand.

"No, I should be thanking you. It's going to be you, and Takuya's close friends that he always talks about these days who will help him pull through this...keep your friendship and other feelings close...and never loose hope." Kouji nodded, not knowing what else to say as Takuya's grandfather placed a hand on Takuya's back, and Kouji felt the brunette stiffen for a moment.

"Tell Takuya he can come by and see Shinya anytime, and that I'll talk to him...I'm sure he didn't mean any of what he had said." Kouji just nodded goodbye as he watched while Takuya's grandpa entered the apartment and closed the door gently behind him, leaving them alone in the hallway. Kouji sighed. He was glad that he had had Takuya return the scooter...he'd just call for a cab or something...he was positive that Takuya wouldn't want to walk home. They headed toward the elevator, Takuya not saying anything as he had his head leaning on Kouji's shoulder, and Kouji had his arm around his waist, half supporting the brunette. The ride down was quiet, and Takuya looked miserable...Kouji knew there was nothing he could do or say to make him feel any better about what had just happened, or what might happen in the future.

Kouji heard himself sigh as the elevator doors swung open and he started walking with Takuya...maybe the further they got into the busy city, the easier chance he'd have at hailing a cab...his koi was silent, except for an occasional sniffle here and there, as Kouji knew that his mere presence comforted the brunette. He was just about to give up hailing a cab (as many had passed and not noticed his efforts) when a dark blue green minivan pulled alongside the curb, and a tinted passenger window rolled down to reveal none other then Koichi, who grinned down at them.

"Hey guys..." Koichi's grin faded however, when he saw Takuya's glum expression.

"Looks like you need a ride." Kouji nodded at his twin and flashed a small grin at their mother, who nodded back.

"Mom was just picking me up from shopping with Izumi and we were going to go and get my stuff from your place Kouji...hop in." Kouji did so as he pulled open the back door to the minivan with no effort at all and helped Takuya in, who sat down and said nothing until Kouji got in and closed the door behind him. As soon as the twin's mother made sure that their seatbelts were on, she took off back into the light traffic of the city, and Takuya cuddled up next to Kouji as close as he could, and Kouji placed his arm around Takuya.

Minutes later the brunette was asleep, and Koichi turned around with a look of regret on his face.

"I hate to ask...but...what happened? And is Takuya okay?" Kouji sighed and shook his head at his twin's last question.

"I don't know...Takuya got pretty upset...but...I don't really feel like talking about it now...he's asleep for the moment and I don't want him to wake up and find me telling you what happened..." Koichi nodded, understanding completely.

"Tell Takuya later, that we're all here for him." Kouji nodded as their mother said nothing, but instead turned up the soothing music that she had been listening too before Koichi had spotted Kouji and Takuya walking. The car was cool, compared to the warm night air outside as Kouji had his window cracked down a bit, and could feel the breeze playing on his face and in teasing wisps of hair that had fallen out of his ponytail and out of his bandanna. The music was soothing...and before Kouji knew it, his twin was shaking him awake, and he blinked his eyes a couple of times as he saw Koichi smirking at him.

"Too many late nights with Takuya huh?" He asked, and Kouji glared, as Koichi just smiled and stepped out of the van and pulled the back door open.

"You fell asleep awhile back...want some help with Takuya? I think he's out like a light..." Kouji nodded as he scampered out of the car and with Koichi's help, got the light weight brunette out of the car. Before they went any further though, Kouji scooped up his koi and carried him the rest of the way, Koichi grinning behind him at the sight of his twin carrying Takuya like he was. (AN: Kawaii, no? *^-^*) But Kouji really didn't care what his twin thought of them at the moment, as he motioned for Koichi to hurry up and get the door. Koichi obliged and soon they entered the house, realizing that no one was home. Kouji sighed.

"Mom must still be at work, and dad probably is too as she said that he'd be working late...let me get Takuya into bed and I'll help you with your stuff." Koichi nodded as he followed Kouji up the stairs, and headed to the guest room where his packed duffel bag was waiting and ready for him.

Meanwhile, Kouji had gently placed Takuya down on the bed and had taken off the brunette's shoes, and was now gently placing a light sheet over him. He heard Takuya muttering something in his sleep, and gently brushed his bangs out of his eyes and then frowned as he reached over and felt Takuya's forehead again. He cursed softly and headed out of the room, to where Koichi was waiting at the foot of the stairs. His twin was about to hand him his pillows when he saw the look on Kouji's face and frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"I think Takuya's sick...he's burning up with a fever..." Koichi cursed softly and dropped his duffel bag as he followed Kouji back into the room and felt Takuya's forehead with his cool hand. Sure enough, Takuya was burning up.

"It's probably from all that's been happening...he's stressed out..." Kouji nodded as he heard Takuya moan a little in his sleep.

"I'm going to call mom...and then dad...and let them know what's going on." Koichi nodded as Kouji went to go and grab the cordless phone in the hallway.

"I can stay here another night or so if you want..." But all Kouji did was shake his head.

"No, you don't need to stay...I...I think we're going to be okay...besides, mom's waiting for you downstairs..." Koichi just shrugged as Kouji followed him out after opening the two windows to the bedroom and grabbed his twin's pillows as he helped Koichi out to the car, where his twin informed their mother of what was going on...she looked genuinely concerned for Takuya and shut off the engine as she undid her seatbelt.

"Mom...the traffic..." Kouji protested, but his mother shook her head.

"I'm a registered nurse Kouji, remember? That's my job? Let me at least look at him...was he feeling alright this afternoon?" Kouji nodded as he followed his mother back into the house, Koichi-after putting his bag and pillows into the car-followed in tow.

Back in Kouji's room, the twin's mother felt Takuya's forehead and frowned.

"I'm sure you two are right when you said that it was just stress...Kouji, you know what to do for a fever, right?" Kouji nodded, his eyes filled with nothing but concern...how could Takuya have gotten sick so quickly?

"The only thing that I am thinking is that he might not be feeling well from the heat...keep him hydrated and give him plenty of water..." Kouji nodded again and felt his twin place his hand on his shoulder, giving him a small grin.

"He'll be okay Kouji." Kouji gave him a small smile in return.

"I know..."

"Especially with Kouji looking out after him, I'm sure he'll be fine in a few days no problem." Kouji's smile broadened a little as his mother's words...she could turn any 'bad' situation into something that was not so bad after all...maybe she was right, maybe it was just the heat.

"You two had better get going or you're going to be stuck in traffic for hours." Kouji reminded them, and both his mother and twin smiled.

"Alright...take care...call me if you need anything...your stepmother's going to be here soon, right?" Kouji nodded as he followed them to the front door.

"Yeah, she should be and I have her cell phone number and everything too...don't worry, I'll be fine till' someone else gets here and I'll get Takuya a cold compress or something." His mother nodded and gave him a swift hug and kiss goodbye as he nodded at his twin.

"I'll see you in another weekend or so?" Koichi nodded and gave him a thumbs up at this as he headed into the car with their mother. Kouji watched as they drove off and sighed as he watched the sun set, and then closed the door and decided to go and check on Takuya...maybe it was all just the stress...

Kouji grinned as he started to get an idea, and he knew it would have to be when Takuya was better...besides, he had to call Junpei and Izumi, and even his twin to tell them his plans. After all, he was going to need their help...maybe even Shinya's and Tomoki's too...

~***~

Takuya groaned as he opened his eyes a little bit and glanced around him...he was back in Kouji's room, in the bed that Koichi had given him...and one look at the clock caused him to sit up abruptly and he wished that he hadn't as the world spun about him and he groaned again and slumped back against the pillows. It was one o' clock in the morning...how long had he been asleep? He heard someone mumbling in their sleep and turned his head a little to see Kouji, asleep in the bed next to him...and was it just his imagination or had Kouji pushed his bed much closer to his then it had been earlier? Takuya grinned...that he didn't really mind.

When he sat up again he sat up a little more, and then shivered a bit as the covers fell off. Earlier he had remembered being too hot, and now he was too cold...he rubbed his hands up and down his arms, trying to get some heat into them, when his eyes caught sight of Kouji's black zip up the front sweatshirt hanging on the desk chair across the room. Grinning to himself, Takuya padded softly across the room and grabbed the sweatshirt as he pulled it on and savored Kouji's sweet smell...and then headed back to bed, now feeling much warmer as he huddled in Kouji's sweater and pulled his covers over himself, and glanced at the dark haired teen in the bed next to him.

Was it just his imagination, or was Kouji tossing and turning in his sleep? Takuya frowned as he watched his koi for a few minutes, and at first it had seemed like it was just Kouji's imagination...but now...now he was positive that something was wrong.

Climbing out of bed again, Takuya inched over to Kouji's bed and leaned over so he could get a good look at Kouji's face...it had suddenly gone very pale, and sweat was beaded on his forehead. He seemed to be mumbling something, and his face was screwed up in a look of absolute fear...Takuya bit his lower lip, debating about whether or not to wake Kouji up...his decision was made though, when his koi started to thrash in his bed, muttering something about 'not loosing you...'

"Kouji...Kouji-kun, wake UP!" Takuya said, louder then he wanted too...he didn't want to wake Kouji's parents, but sometimes Kouji could be the stubborn one when it came to waking up from a deep sleep. Takuya grabbed a hold of Kouji and held him at arms length by the shoulders as he shook him gently-but hard enough to shake him back to reality...and away from the nightmare he was having. The effort exhausted Takuya, but he was relieved when Kouji gasped as he eyes snapped open and stared around the room for a moment, as though he was out of sorts...and then Kouji saw an incredibly tired looking Takuya holding him with a look of worry and concern etched into his dark brown eyes. Suddenly the dark haired teen showed one of his uncharacteristic displays of emotion as he launched himself at Takuya and held him tightly.

"Kouji-kun...can't...breath!" Takuya gasped as he felt Kouji loosen his grip a little...was it just Takuya's imagination playing around with him again, or was Kouji crying...crying into his chest as Takuya felt his own grip around his koi tighten a little and sat on the bed next to him.

"Kouji...Kouji, what's wrong please? You're scaring me." And it was true what Takuya was saying...the dark haired teen in front of him was scaring him...the only time he had seen Kouji cry, was that time when they'd all first gotten back home after the final battle with Lucemon, and they'd arrived at the hospital to find Koichi...dying on the hospital bed...and Kouji had cried then, because he had thought that he had lost his twin. In the end though Koichi's spirit had been returned to his body, and he hadn't left Kouji...but Kouji had cried then too...out of relief and happiness...and that was the only time Takuya had seen tears from his koi...until now.

"Kouji...?" Takuya asked again as he rubbed his hand up and down Kouji's back, trying to get the teen to calm down. It took awhile, but eventually Kouji's sobs lessened as he buried his head into Takuya's chest, holding him tightly again.

"I...don't...want to loose you..." He heard Kouji mumble, and Takuya raised his eyebrows.

"Loose me? But Kouji, I'm right here...with you." Kouji nodded, but didn't look up.

"I...know. But...in the dream...the nightmare...you weren't...and it was all too real...so real...it...actually scared me." Takuya frowned. This was a stange turn of events...normally Kouji was the one who had been comforting him lately, but now...now he was the one comforting Kouji.

"Kouji...I'm here, and I'm not going to go away..." I Takuya silently added, and then tightened his resolve on what he had just told his koi.

Takuya thought bitterly as he hugged Kouji tighter.

After what seemed like an eternity, Kouji lifted his head and sat back a little as he used the back of his hand to wipe the remaining tears from his eyes. Takuya grinned a little...at the moment Kouji looked like nothing but a forlorn child...with his hair up in a high ponytail to keep it off his neck from the heat of the summer night, and the dried tears on his cheeks...

He suddenly started to laugh, without knowing why. Kouji looked at Takuya for a moment, wondering what on earth the brunette was laughing at...and then found himself blushing when he realized what it was...he probably looked like a mess...having spent the past hour or so sobbing into Takuya's sleep shirt, which was now spotted with tear stains...Kouji rubbed at his cheeks for a moment, and then sighed as Takuya's laughing ceased, a silly grin still plastered on his face.

"I'm glad you're feeling better...you've been out of it for a couple of days now you know." Kouji said, suddenly acting like his old self again as Takuya's grin slowly faded and he nodded.

"Yeah...um...hey Kouji?" Kouji looked directly into Takuya's brown eyes and found nothing but sincerity in them.

"Thanks...I mean it." Kouji nodded and used his right hand to massage his neck a bit.

"Hey...no problem...I'm here for you...in more ways then one, trust me. But you also have to remember, that we've got friends who're there for you too." Takuya nodded, knowing what Kouji was saying.

"You know...I...don't think that I can sleep anymore..." Kouji grinned and tossed his pillow at the brunette, who caught it with a smile.

"No kidding, you've slept for two days in a row...you actually really did have me worried there for awhile!"

"Sorry, won't happen again I promise...but I really do feel much better." Kouji shook his head.

"The things I do for you...and I don't think I can sleep anymore either now...why do I put up with you as my boyfriend again, remind me?" Takuya grinned madly as he scooted closer to Kouji.

"Because you love me?"

"Haha..." Kouji started, but before he could say anymore, he found Takuya's lips on his own, and gladly returned the kiss.

"Mmmm...I think...I know...how...we can spend...the rest of the night..." He heard himself mumble as he rolled over so that Takuya was underneath him, and he had his arms pinned above his head. Takuya smiled broadly, and for once the smile reached his eyes so that they sparkled. Kouji smiled back...it was the first true smile he'd seen from the brunette in a couple of days.

"Hai, Kouji-kun I'll never leave you...I'll make sure of it..." Takuya mumbled as Kouji leaned down for another kiss.

Later in the early morning, Kouji's stepmother went to go and check on the boys before leaving for work, and she grinned at the sight she saw. They were both huddled next to each other in Kouji's bed, Kouji with his back against Takuya's chest, and Takuya had his arm wrapped around Kouij's waist, holding him close as he had his head partly on the pillows, and partly on Kouji's shoulder.

"See Kouji? I told you that it wouldn't hurt anything if you told Takuya your feelings...in fact, it hasn't hurt at all...all I think it's done is help the both of you...and if the saying is true, and I hope it is, then love will conquer all." She nodded her head as she softly closed the door behind her...she'd let the two sleep...after all, it was their summer vacation, right? Right.

TBC...

AN: Phew...::silly grin:: I actually really liked writing this chapter...=^-^= I couldn't tell you why...maybe it's because there were plenty of fluffy moments in there, along with the angsty ones as well...^-~ Ah, but now I'm in the mood to write some more Takoujiness...so off I go!!! (Hmmm...Different Journeys, or another chapter of Eternity? Maybe another chapter of Eternity and then Different Journeys...yeah...that sounds good...) As always, PLEASE don't forget to review? ::sees authoress get down on her hands and knees and starts begging with puppy dog eyes::

PS-and I know that SOME of you guys want me to spell Koichi's name Kouichi, but as the spell checker goes batty with Kouji's name and other Japanese names, I just decided to give the poor thing a break and just go with Koichi.besides, it's easier to type.^-^;; I know, I don't like most of the American dubbed names.but.it's close enough.right? Right? Heh.I promise though that in Different Journeys I WILL spell it Kouichi.if that helps at all.^-^;; well, ja ne.till' next chapter anywho, which *is* in the works as we speak.um.type? ::blushes:: Whatever works I guess.hehe.