I've written a lot of fanfiction, but I've never posted here before. I started writing this quite a while ago, but decided it was worth giving another go. Let me know what you think.
Warning: This story will contain yaoi themes and violence in later chapters, but it's rather light for now.
Storyline: The story is set somewhere before they all meet Duskmon, but after they all have their beast spirits. Just assume that they've all gotten semi-close to each other.
Atonement
Chapter 1
"Remind me again, why are we crossing this deathtrap when there's a new bridge two miles downstream?"
"Because Kouji, this way is faster and it is NOT a deathtrap. This bridge is perfectly safe."
Kouji sighed as he looked down on the fraying ropes and rotten boards of the rather decrepit looking bridge that the digidestined had decided to cross. Actually, it was more like Takuya had decided and, surprisingly, Kouji was the only one who objected to the idea.
"Come on Kouji," said Junpei, who was, along with Izumi, being dragged onto the bridge by Takuya. "So long as we don't rock it or anything, It'll be fine."
Kouji watched them bungle across the bridge with little Tomoki following carefully, trying to keep up with his older comrades. Kouji sighed in defeat and began to cross as well. He stepped cautiously, noting the obvious cracks in the warped, wooden planks. The others were not being nearly as careful, trudging along as if they were on solid ground.
Fate was very obviously against him, because Kouji's fears were soon realized as he heard a loud crack and looked up just in time to see Tomoki fall through the rotten boards. He rushed to the side of the bridge and watched Tomoki disappear beneath the waters. The others had made it across the bridge and were just realizing what had happened. Knowing he was the only one in any position to do anything, Kouji leaped over the rope railing and dived headfirst into the water.
He let out a small gasp as he hit the water. It was freezing and the waves on the surface were rough. Kouji dove below the surface and began his search for Tomoki, hoping that he hadn't already been washed downstream.
Back up on the bridge, the three remaining dig destined were panicked. They leaned over the rope railing, looking earnestly for any sign of their missing friends. They all breathed a sigh of relief when Kouji resurfaced, gasping for air.
"Kouji!" Takuya yelled, "Are you okay? Where's Tomoki?"
"I'm fine!" Kouji yelled back, struggling against the current that seemed to grow stronger by the second. "I don't see him, But I'm going back down!"
With that, Kouji disappeared beneath the water again, this time leaving his striped bandana to float downstream. He dived down as far as he could and looked around quickly, fighting his body's natural urge to float. It was then that he spotted Tomoki a couple of meters away. He was struggling weakly, caught up in some vegetation on the river bottom.
Swimming over quickly, Kouji tore at the water plants around the boys legs. His body was craving air and he knew that Tomoki would not last much longer. When the small boy was freed, Kouji took him over his shoulder and pushed off towards the surface. Swimming as quickly as his legs would propel him, Kouji rocketed towards the surface. His lungs were empty and he was getting weaker.
Meanwhile, the other children had finally gathered their wits together and were looking on with worry. A second sigh of relief and then a cheer could be heard when Kouji finally resurfaced with Tomoki. Izumi, being the most level-headed of the three, realized first what was needed and spirit evolved to Fairymon. Flying down to the two figures in the water, she gently took the sputtering Tomoki into her arms. She tried to raise Kouji as well, but he stopped her.
"You can't carry both of us. We'll all end up drowned that way. You just take him and I'll swim to shore."
Fairymon nodded her agreement and Kouji watched her take off with Tomoki before starting for shore. It was difficult. The current hadn't grown stronger, but he was tired from the rescue efforts. He watched Fairymon land on shore and devolve to look after Tomoki. Takuya and Junpei were also hurrying to the water's edge. They looked as they were yelling something to him, but he couldn't hear them over the crashing water around him. He had no time to react before he felt something hard hit his head and everything went black.
It was Takuya's turn to save the day as he spirit evolved and leaped into the river where the log had hit Kouji. He spotted his unconscious friend being washed downstream, tumbling against the rocks at the bottom. He kicked his powerful digimon legs and propelled forward like a torpedo. Taking Kouji into his arms, he pushed off of the river bed, rocketing towards the surface. Yet another cheer was heard on shore as Agnimon exploded out of the water and landed on solid ground.
Takuya carefully laid the unconscious boy down and devolved. The others rushed over, including Tomoki, who had hitched a ride on Junpei's back. Looking his friend over, Takuya could tell that the rocks on the river bottom had done a fair job of abusing the lithe body. Leaning over to brush a wet lock of hair off of Kouji's forehead, he discovered something terrible.
"Oh, shit! He's not breathing!"
Izumi yelped, Junpei gasped, and Tomoki started to cry. "What do we do?" they all exclaimed in perfect unison.
Takuya started panicking, racking his brains for an answer to everyone's question. He had never had any type of CPR classes, but he knew he had to do something, so trying his best to remember the hospital shows his Mom liked to watch, he started moving Kouji into a better position. Tilting Kouji's head back and pinching his nose, he hesitated for only a second before bringing his lips down to Kouji's and breathing into him.
Pulling back, Takuya checked for signs of breath, ignoring the shocked expressions on friend's faces. There was nothing. He repeated the process two more time, but there was still no change. Takuya began to panic again.
"Come on, Kouji! Breathe dammit!"
Takuya breathed into Kouji once more, but this time with different results. In mid breath, Kouji's eyes snapped open wide for a moment before he rolled over and coughed up the water in his lungs. After a few minutes of hacking and sputtering, Kouji laid back with his eyes closed, still breathing somewhat shallowly.
"Well," Izumi started after a long spell of silence, "Something tells me that we won't be going anywhere tonight. We should go and find a place to make camp.
The rest of the children agreed and started off while Takuya leaned down to help Kouji to his feet. A look of surprise appeared on his face when Kouji suddenly spoke.
"Don't touch me!"
Takuya pulled back, surprised and somewhat hurt. Kouji hadn't acted that way towards him in a long time. They had actually become quite close over their time spent in the digital world.
"Come on, Kouji. I saved your life! The least you can do is let me finish the job."
"I know it's hard for you, but think for a minute," Kouji said. He was slowly getting to his feet, using a nearby tree for support. He stood unsteadily for a moment before he continued.
"Whose fault was it that any of us were in danger in the first place?"
Takuya suddenly felt a wave of guilt and anger towards himself surge through him, but before he could do anything, he saw Kouji sway. The boy was exhausted and standing had taken the last of his strength. He suddenly pitched forward into Takuya's arms. Takuya looked down tenderly at the now unconscious boy for a moment before carefully lifting him over his shoulder and following the others to their camp for the night.
Review please!
