Family History

Author's Note: Sorry its taken so long for an update. This week is my final week, and my teacher's are trying to cram a month's work of material into a couple of days. I'm just a little overwhelmed, and haven't been able to do what I want. But next week school will be over, and then I will be able to update faster. On a happier note, I was very pleased with the reviews I have gotten, and the suggestions have given me some great ideas. Well, on with the story.

Important Notice: There is a small part that mentions rape. There is no details on it, and it is really only mentioned, so I'm not going to change the rating, but I felt that I should warn you guys incase it bothers you. If anybody feels like the rating should go up, please let me know in the review, and I will change it. Again, I will apologize if this bothers anybody, but it is so small that I really don't think that it should be a problem, but please correct me if I'm wrong.

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.

Part Seven: The Final Attack

Mr. Ishida rubbed his temples, applying just enough pressure to relieve the headache that refused to let him concentrate. Matt had gotten home from the hospital in the morning, but as much as Mr. Ishida wanted to stay and take care of his son, he wouldn't allow another reporter to work on the story of his son's attacks. The last reporter that was supposed to follow Matt's band throughout the tour, had feed him the bull that the manager tried to pass off as true, and Mr. Ishida had no choice but to take over. All the attacks that had been carefully hidden to the public were going to be exposed, and Mr. Ishida felt he was the only one that could pull it off without embarrassing or ruining his son's life. "A gas leak indeed," Mr. Ishida growled looking at the excuse the manager had drawn up for him. The theatre was old, and wasn't up to the city's safety standards, but the gas in question was far too lethal to have gotten past the inspection. "Even if the inspectors are dumb brainless fools," Mr. Ishida thought shuffling through the other paperwork on his desk. He had studied the police reports, and had discovered that the first attack with the electricity was supposed to have killed Matt, but someone had somehow managed to stop the majority of the electric current, this meant that not enough electricity traveled through Matt on contact to deliver the final blow. And from what Mr. Ishida had gathered from TK, on the other two attacks, there was someone who had warned them about the attack, giving them just enough time to survive. "Sounds like someone is doing a better job watching over Matt then me," Mr. Ishida thought turning to look at the family photo sitting on his desk. It was a picture taken just before the divorce, when they had been a complete family. Matt stood in front of him and Nancy, while TK sat on his shoulder waving innocently at the camera. "How could I have screwed up so much?" Mr. Ishida wondered opening up the fame, and pulling out the picture to reveal another one behind it. It was an antique looking picture, with the form of a slender women wearing a bar girl dress. Her hair was twisted up in a extravagant bun, with a few strand of curls reaching her delicate shoulders. Mr. Ishida's hand wandered up to trace the lines of the women's almost angelic face before his eyes wandered to the inscription written in the corner of the photo. To my beloved digidestined of independence. I will love you forever, Kung. Mr. Ishida read the words, while his mind wandered to the first time he had met his first wife.

They were eleven, when they met in a strange green valley with six other kids. But even though there were other kids around, the moment the two of them saw each other, they were drawn toward each other. He found a need to protect the blonde beauty, and she the need to feel wanted. It was that day that Mr. Ishida had first been to the digital world, and just like his sons, it was a day that changed his life for ever. They had come with the simple task of preventing a war that was beginning in the upper three quarters of the digital world. But before the last battle, a man wearing a white robe came, and took Kung home. Mr. Ishida could remember the look of disbelief and sadness that crossed the girl's face as she left the world that brought her some relief of her nightmare at home. Three month's went by in the digital world, when four more kids joined the adventure, and then the problem was resolved, and the eleven kids returned home.

Mr. Ishida remembered how he had begun searching for Kung, and eventually found her in the Odaiba Orphanage, where the girl was later on adopted by her foster parents. It was after the adoption that the girl began to look broken and abused, and once again Mr. Ishida felt a need to protect her. During their teenage years, Kung would often sneak to his house, just so she could get some sleep and food. Mr. Ishida remembered how the girl would always show up bleeding at his window sill, and he would feel his heart beat painfully in his throbbing chest as he carefully cleaned her wounds. When Kung was sixteen, her foster father's abuse began to take a turn to sexual abuse, and when Mr. Ishida found out that the man had raped her, he had enough, and began researching ways to save his friend. It was through his research that he began to understand the power of the press, and was soon able to manipulate the system enough to get the girl away from the abuse, and also save her privacy. Kung returned to the orphanage, but she continued to come over at night; more as a way of comfort and habit, then protection, and Mr. Ishida never objected, or tried to take advantage of her weak state. After high school, he went to a journalism college, while Kung took up modeling. When he finished, he got a job at the same news station that Kung was currently modeling for, and they started to openly express their feeling for each other.

They were married not too long afterwards, but he had to screw things up by getting into an affair, and messing with his first wives already fragile mind. She had begun to abuse Matt, and Mr. Ishida found himself at a loss of what to do. He knew that abused people often ended up abusers themselves, but he never expected Kung to become one too. She had always seemed sweet and angelic, but when the abuse was occurring, she almost seemed demonic, and she even began to look differently. The change was so small, that it was almost impossible to tell the difference, but Mr. Ishida was able to see the small physical changes. He remembered how her flowing blonde hair began to get a tint of red to it, and her sky blue eyes had darkened and dulled, while small red dots appeared mixed in with the blue. The change was frightening, but Mr. Ishida had still tried to deny that something was wrong. His sweet angel couldn't do such a thing, but eventually his ignorance and denial almost cost him his son's life.

He was the last person to see her, before she disappeared. She had showed up during the night that Grandpa Kouji had gathered his friends together. Mr. Ishida remembered well how Kung wore a look of disbelief in her eyes, and how her angelic sadness had returned. She no longer had the small darkness that she had before, and for a second Mr. Ishida had wondered if the whole thing was just a bad dream. But the sadness that radiated from her was overwhelming, and her eyes watered up with despairing tears. "Masaru, I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me," she had sobbed, but Mr. Ishida didn't make a move to comfort her. "I…I couldn't stop myself. It was like someone else had control of my body, and I had no way of stopping it. I can't stay here. If I do, I might hurt Matt again," Kung said pushing her golden white strands out of her eyes, while she seemed to curl into a shaking protective ball.

"Where are you going?" Mr. Ishida asked unsure of what to do. His whole life was crumbling in around him, and he had no idea how to stop it.

"I don't know. But I can't stay here," Kung said standing up and looking at the cold look on her husband's face. "I'm not trying to run from the consequences of my actions, I just need to know why I would cause such pain to the ones I love," Kung said getting an understanding sigh from Mr. Ishida.

"Go Kung, I'll cover up the abuse, so that the police wont hinder your search, but understand that I'm doing this only because I don't think that you had any control over what you were doing, and because I really do love you," Mr. Ishida said as his wife fell into his embrace.

"Thank you Masaru. I will never be able to redeem myself for this, but maybe I will find the answers I want, so that we can put this to rest. Take care of Yamato for me, and never ever break his heart. Be there for him like we should have been, and love him like the angel he is," Kung said pulling away, and disappearing in the dark hall outside.

"Goodbye my love, I hope you can find the cause of your pain," Mr. Ishida said before turning back to the seat in the small waiting room.

It was the last time that Mr. Ishida had ever seen of her, but over the years he had learned to stop thinking about her, and Matt had no memory of his real mother. "So why am I suddenly thinking about her," Mr. Ishida wondered. "Because you haven't been able to keep your promise," Mr. Ishida's mind pointed out as he growled in frustration. It was true, he had broken Matt's heart by taking him away from his brother, and then he had ignored him by hiding behind work. "Why?" Mr. Ishida asked out loud, looking at the two photo's in front of him. "It's because he reminds me of her," Mr. Ishida told himself looking at the same angelic built that his son and first wife had. "But Matt doesn't have her eyes or hair," Mr. Ishida pointed out to himself mentally as his eyes looked at the small difference that made his son even more unique then his mother. "But they have the same angelic voice," Mr. Ishida thought remembering how his first wife had a voice that could calm a troubled soul just by whispering a kind word.

A knock on the door tore Mr. Ishida from his thoughts as he looked up from the photo's with a lost look on his face. "Come in," Mr. Ishida said while trying to get his composure back. The door opened to reveal a tall women wearing a dark blue trench coat that looked almost black from a distance. Her hair was hidden underneath a black scarf, and she was wearing sunglasses. Mr. Ishida had to smile a little, thinking that the women looked like she had come out of a spy movie. The women gracefully made her way across the cluttered office, till she reached the desk.

"Mr. Ishida, I have something for you," the women said putting a file on the desk. Mr. Ishida looked confused before he reached out and carefully scanned the contents inside the folder.

"What is the meaning of this?" Mr. Ishida said looking up suddenly catching the women by surprise as she reached hesitantly toward the two photo's laying forgotten on the desk. Her hand drew back suddenly, and she gave Mr. Ishida an apologetic smile as she turned her attention back to the reason of her visit.

"The man in the folder is a hired hit man who is currently working for a band called 'The Night Stalkers'," the women said pausing to let the information sink in as Mr. Ishida sat back thoughtfully.

"I remember this band. They were one of runner ups on a band festival held a couple of years ago. From what I remember, they lost the competition to my son, and have held a grudge ever since," Mr. Ishida said watching fascinated as the women's soft pink lips curved up into a proud smile.

"Correct. After the competition, this band lost their popularity, and have vowed to get revenge against Matt, whom they blame for their misfortune," the women said stopping to see the understanding look cross Mr. Ishida's face.

"So that band hired this hit man to get ride of Matt. So they are the ones behind all of the recent attacks?" Mr. Ishida said feeling relief and horror at the sudden discovery.

"Yes, but the worst part of the whole thing is that the hit man has been working for your son for the past year and a half," the women continued pulling out a worn out photo. "Here are the most recent pictures that I have of him before he went undercover. Recognize him?" the women asked watched the color drain from his face. A shaky hand reached for the picture, taking the picture from the women's gloved hands.

"He's…he's the manager for my son's band," Mr. Ishida said taking in a shuddered breath, before he shook his head, and looked at the women with a thoughtful look. "How did you find this information?" Mr. Ishida demanded watching the women's reaction carefully. The women looked up at him, and Mr. Ishida tried to find some sort of recognition of who the women might be.

"That is not of you concern. Right now you have a son to protect from this band, while I work on an even more pressing matter. The hit man already suspects that I'm on to him, and I fear that his next attack will be soon," the women said showing no emotion in her body movements, making Mr. Ishida wish that he could at least see her eyes.

"Tell me who you are, and why you are doing this," Mr. Ishida demanded causing the women to sigh in frustration.

"You know exactly who I am, and once you remember me, then you will also understand why I'm doing this. But until then, you can think of me as Matt's guardian angel, and that I'm protecting him because it's my job," the women said turning and leaving the tired reporter before the man could stop her from disappearing again.

Mr. Ishida watched her leaving with only one thought crossing his mind. "It can't be. It just can't be her," Mr. Ishida thought before he looked back down at the information he was given. A determined look crossed his face, as Mr. Ishida raced out of his office. If what the women said was true, and the attacker was really the manager, then Matt was in even more danger then he had originally suspected. "Hold on Matt, I'm on my way home," Mr. Ishida thought as he made his way past his startled co-workers and employees.

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Matt groaned as the sound of knocking woke him from his exhausted slumber. He had gotten home from the hospital only a couple of hours ago, and was still exhausted from the side effects of the gas. "Well at least I don't have to go to school like TK," Matt thought pulling himself out of the covers rather reluctantly. It was slightly chilly in the apartment, and the floor was almost ice cold feeling to his bare feet. "I'll be right there," Matt yelled, but he doubted that the person would have heard him. His voice was still not functioning correctly, but Matt was thankful that at least his voice was back. instead of the raspy croaking noise he had when he first tried to talk. But his voice was soft, and didn't carry across the room like it normally did, making it very hard for others to hear him. The knocking still continued, so Matt knew that whoever was there would probably wait a little. Shaking his head to try to clear the grogginess, Matt began to put on some decent clothing, and made his way toward the door.

Matt opened the door, and let out an annoyed groan. Standing in front of him was the manager, and the look on the man's face clearly said that he wasn't happy about something. Stepping aside, Matt silent offered the man entrance to the apartment room. "How are you feeling Matt?" the man asked closing the door behind him, and looking at the blonde boy in front of him.

"I'll be fine, and don't worry, the doctors say I will be in perfect health by Saturday," Matt said watching as the man nodded, but the unhappy look still remained on the man's face. "What's wrong sir?" Matt asked watching as the man began to pace the small room.

"The guitarist has quit. He says he wont come back until these attacks end," the manager said while Matt stumbled back and clutched the wall in surprise.

"But… I never thought he was the type of person to be scared into leaving like this," Matt mumbled while the manager growled and looked at his singer.

"We need to find a replacement guitarist by Friday, but fortunately for us, there is someone I know that will be able to fill in until we get this whole thing cleared up," the manager said looking at Matt hopefully. "The problem is he wont do it unless we can convince him that there is no real threat, and since the accidents all have happened to you, you can convince him that they really aren't attacks, and that he will be safe," the manager continued watching Matt give a weak but agreeing nod.

"Okay, so where can we find this guy?" Matt asked heading toward the diner table, where he began to write a real rough note to his father.

"This guitarist lives at the other end of Japan, but I have made arrangements with the airport. We will take a private plane to the city, that way we can get this whole thing cleared up as soon as possible," the manager said opening the door to the apartment again.

"Of course," Matt said putting on a jacket, allowing the man to lead him toward the parked car outside.

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Mr. Ishida fumbled with his keys, while he unlocked his apartment door, and made his way inside. "Matt?" Mr. Ishida yelled once he was inside. Mr. Ishida remained silent as he listened for his son's reply, before he yelled again. "Matt, I'm home!" Mr. Ishida said making his way toward his son's bedroom. "He's asleep, that's all," Mr. Ishida told himself, but when he got to the room, he found an empty bed. "Matt!" Mr. Ishida yelled as panic overwhelmed him, and he began searching the apartment for any sign of his son. "Common Matt, where are you," Mr. Ishida thought frantically as he pressed the answering machine to see if it held any news of where his son was.

"You have one new message," the machine said before the annoying beep.

"Hey Matt, are you alright? Are you still going to be able to perform on Saturday, or is the concert cancelled? Well give me a call soon, alright man. Bye," the voice of Matt's guitarist said before Mr. Ishida hit the delete button.

"Damn it, I should have asked Nancy to watch him while I was gone. I don't care if Matt doesn't feel comfortable around her, at least he would have been safe," Mr. Ishida scolded himself as he collapsed in one of the chairs surrounding his small diner table. "Wait a second," Mr. Ishida thought as he noticed the small slip of paper lying on top of a stack of books. Quickly, Mr. Ishida reached for it and scanned the writing.

Dad,

I went with my manager to get a replacement guitarist. I guess these so called "attacks" are starting to scare off my band members. I should be back by tonight, and don't worry, I'm feeling much better.

Matt

Mr. Ishida barely finished the letter before he was on the phone dialing for the police. The hit man was taking Matt to who knows where, and if what that women said was correct, then the hit man wont hesitate to finish the job.

TBC.

Author's Endnote: Well, how was that, I hope that it is a bit more exciting then the last chapter. And don't worry, this story is far from over. Well, I added a little history on Matt's mother, and I hope that she doesn't seem as evil as many of you think. There is a really good reason why she was abusive, and that reason will be explained later. Okay, here are the three questions for this chapter. Just like last time, I will update according to how many people answers the questions right, or if I get fifteen reviews. BUT, please forgive me if I'm late. School is killing me at the moment, but I have a really bad habit of putting it aside even though I know I shouldn't, which means I still might update. You'll just have to review and see.

Questions:

1. Who was the women that paid Mr. Ishida the little visit?

2. What do you think of Kung? (I want an honest opinion, and why. So do you still hate her, do you feel sort of sorry for her, or are you just completely confused on what to think of her?)

3. Who was behind the very first attack. NOT the electricity one, but the attempted kidnapping that occurred in Matt's apartment before his band went on tour. (Remember that the attacker made some reference to TK's and Matt's crest. Do you think that the manager was still behind it, or someone one else. Give out a wild guess, and explain why you think that way.) [Hint: Remember that Matt had a sleeping problem at the beginning of the fic, and there was that mysterious black cloud.]

Well good luck. ^_^