I'm back, and I'm sorry it took a while. I'm going to be gone for two weeks coming up soon so I won't be able to update for a while. Thought I'd let you know if you're wondering what the heck happened to me!

To, Helena: Thanks again for helping me fix my mistakes. It's great to have a second opinion when it comes to proof reading!

To, Azure Rose: Thanks for the message. I guess I was a little disappointed by the lack of reviews, because I really love this fic, and I thought it was one of my best so far. That's okay though. I'm glad you like it, and I hope you do well on your exams! Good luck!

To, Tabbycat: I hope this chapter equals the others!

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, and I have never claimed to.

Don't forget to review!

One World Away From Darkness

Chapter 8: The Eyes Of Darkness

Ken Ichijouji

"Ken, is there something on your mind?" Wormon asked. The two of them slowly made their way through the trees at a slow pace. A warm wind rustled the leaves around him and Ken stopped in a large patch of shade.

"No, not really," he said quickly.

Wormon gave him a look, and Ken sighed. He should have known. His digimon knew him better than he knew himself, and Wormon could always tell when something was bothering him.

"I'm not really sure," he finally said. He seated himself by a tree and gently stroked Wormon's head with affection. Wormon climbed into his lap and the digimon rested his head against Ken's stomache.

"You've seemed troubled ever since you got here," Wormon said. The digimon gave him an encouraging look as if it would help him to speak about his fears.

Ken smiled slightly and hugged Wormon tightly. The warmth of his digimon's small body nestled against him was a welcome comfort. At least someone cares about what's happening to me. The thought made him frown. I guess that's not entirely true. How can the others show concern if they don't even know what's going on?

"I know," he said softly. "It's just...I don't know. Maybe I really am getting sick or something. I just don't feel right."

"Whatever you do, Ken, don't bring your lunch up in this direction!"

Ken laughed. Wormon always knew how to make him feel better.

"Are you sure that's all it is?" Wormon looked up at him. The digimon's large eyes were filled with concern, and he seemed anxious.

He nodded, but his heart was filled with guilt. Earlier, he had been ready and willing to tell Wormon. But seeing the digimon now, he just could not bring himself to make his partner worry.

There was a sudden soft sound behind him, and Ken froze. He quickly jumped up and turned to stare at the trees off to his right.

"Did you hear that?" He whispered. It took tremendous effort to keep the fear out of his voice, but somehow he managed it.

Wormon frowned in confusion. "Hear what?"

The woods remained silent. "It was probably just the wind," he said after a long moment. There was a slight tremble in his voice, and he quickly closed his mouth. What if it's that voice I heard yesterday? Could it have followed me here to the Digital World? The thought made his heart race, and he backed up away from where the sound had come from.

"Ken-" Wormon started to say, but Ken held up a hand for silence. That sound. He had heard it again. It sounded like someone was creeping through the trees towards him.

"...Ken..."

Ken swallowed a gasp. The eerie voice seemed to be coming from all around them. He was trapped.

"Did you hear it that time?" He hissed. He took another step back and gazed fearfully around him.

"What are you talking about? I didn't hear anything," Wormon insisted. The little digimon was starting to sound very frightened.

"You must have!" Ken quickly shut his mouth when he realized that he was starting to sound hysterical.

Wormon gaped at him with a startled expression. "Ken!" His partner whispered in horror. "Are you hearing voices again?"

They stared silently at each other, and Ken shivered.

"Ken?" Wormon said timidly.

Ken ignored him and gazed nervously around at the woods. Is it just me or are the woods starting to grow darker? He slowly started to edge further away from the trees his breath coming in short spurts. The shadows around him seemed to grow thicker, and yet the sun's position had not changed. Even the air was starting to feel colder. His heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest, and his knees almost gave out.

"...Ken...Emperor...join us..."

"No," he whispered. I won't! Never again. Please don't let this be happening. Please let this be a nightmare. He took several more steps back, and he walked into something that was warm, solid, and alive...no!

He let out an eardrum shattering scream and whirled around. He fully expected to see some horrible apparition from the bowels of hell reaching towards him so it could suck out his soul. Instead, he found himself gazing at a familar face and froze.

"T.K.!" He gasped.

T.K. turned his head to one side and regarded him with a level blue gaze. "Is something wrong?" The blond asked. His tone was mild, and his expression was hard to read.

Ken felt himself turn bright red in the face. "N-noooo...," he stammered and winced at the stumble. He could have kicked himself. He hated the way he blushed whenever he was embarrassed. It made him feel extremely vulnerable.

T.K. didn't reply. His ocean blue gaze began to sparkle with amusement, and he started to smile.

Ken found himself stammering out an explanation. "You- you startled me, that's all. I-" He broke off and stared at the ground. His face felt like it was burning up, and it was all he could do not to run in the other direction. I don't even want to know what he's thinking. I'm such an idiot. Why can't I ever just act like a normal person for once!

Normally T.K. was very open about his feelings. That was why it made him so nervous that T.K. kept thoughts about him so hidden. It had to be because T.K. hated him and didn't want the others to know. Tears stung his eyes, and he quickly turned to gaze at the trees. They were silent, but they still made his skin crawl. It was better than looking at T.K. though.

T.K. leaned against the trunk of a tree, and Ken finally looked at him. T.K.'s blue gaze was focused on his face and they appeared serene. "What are you doing out here? I thought you went with Davis and the others to play soccer," his friend said evenly.

Ken just stared at him. Is he actually trying to have a conversation with me? He never has conversations with me! In fact, now that I think about it, I don't believe we've even been alone together since we were fighting in my base... He blushed at the thought and was thankful that T.K. could not hear the things his mind came up with. The thoughts made him sad. The only times they ever hung out together was when their other friends were with them. In that moment, he wanted more than anything just to talk with T.K. without the others always being around.

Ken realized that he should probably say something and blurted the first thing that came to his head. "I didn't feel like playing so I went for a walk instead."

T.K. nodded and turned away from him to gaze at the sunny sky.

"What are you doing here?" He blurted before he could stop himself. I thought he went to play hide-and-seek with Kari.

T.K.'s eyes roamed back to his face and the blond smiled. "Hiding. I guess those little digimon are still looking for us."

"Yeah. We're good at hiding!" Patamon laughed. The little digimon flapped his ears and gave Ken an adorable smile.

"Oh," he said lamely, feeling self-conscious.

An awkward silence fell, but T.k. didn't seem to notice. The blond stepped closer to him and gave him a warm smile. "Have a nice walk?"

"Huh?" Ken stared at him in confusion.

T.K. raised an eyebrow. "You know, the walk you went on earlier?"

"Oh, right," Ken stuttered. "It was...nice." He watched the shadows roll across T.K.'s face and shivered.

"What?" T.K. asked and gave him a curious look.

Ken glanced once more around the clearing and rubbed his arms. "Nothing," he said softly.

A twig snapped nearby, and Ken leaped back nearly stepping on T.K.'s foot.

"You sure are jumpy today!" Patamon laughed. The little digimon jumped onto his head, and Ken stared at him in shock. Usually Patamon only reserved this much affection for Kari or Cody, other then T.K., of course.

He glanced at T.K., but to his complete shock, T.K. gave Patamon barely a glance. The blond didn't look at all surprised by Patamon's behaviour.

Ken didn't have a chance to analyse it though because Davis and the others suddenly stepped out of the trees. They were followed by a group of baby digimon who squealed in excitement at the sight of T.K.

Davis and the others halted and stared at them in surprise. It was obvious that they had not expected to find him with T.K. Ken couldn't blame them. He was just as surprised as they were.

"T.K.! Ken!" Kari blurted out. "Is everything alright?"

Before Ken could answer, T.K. stepped up beside him and gave Kari a smile. "Of course. Why wouldn't things be alright?"

The others exchanged looks. "Well, we heard someone scream, and we thought maybe someone was in trouble," Davis said. He gave T.K. a suspicious look.

"Really? Well, I didn't hear anything," T.K. replied innocently.

Ken's mouth fell open, and he gaped at T.K. I don't believe it! T.K.'s lying for me!

"Are you sure?" Kari asked and glanced between the two of them.

"I'm sure," T.K. replied. He gave her a smile that could have lit up a dungeon. Unbelievable. T.K. was not only lying for him, but he was lying to Kari of all people! He felt a sudden need to sit down.

T.K. turned to him and gave him his most angelic look. "Did you hear anything?"

"No," he managed to squeak.

Davis didn't look convinced, but his best friend shrugged and turned towards the trees. "Come on, guys. We better head back if we want to be home in time for supper."

They started off back through the trees. Hesitant to follow, Ken turned to find that T.K. was watching him with a smile on his face.

"Next time try not to scream so loud, okay? We don't want the others to think that the Digital World's being invaded again, do we? Then again, that would be funny. I can imagine the look on Davis's face when he finds out it was all a mistake!"

Ken blushed and lowered his eyes to the ground. "Um...thanks, T.K...for...you know..."

"What? Saving you from utter embarrassment?" T.K. laughed and then smiled softly. "Don't mention it." He turned and started after the others with Patamon trailing behind him. At the edge of the clearing, the blond stopped and turned to face him again.

"By the way, you owe me," he teased and continued on again.

Ken watched his friend disappear and found himself smiling. He felt like he was in a daze. That's when he realized that T.K. had given him his full attention twice in the same day. It was a record.