Chapter 16

"Look at him! Just look at him TK!" whispered Kari into TK's ear as they sat hiding in the bushes. TK looked over at Kari and gave her a funny look. It wasn't like Kari to spy on anyone. But currently, Kari and him were hiding in the bushes of the park.

Yolei and Ken were sitting on a bench next to a tree not very far away. They were laughing and enjoying each other's company.

"What am I looking at Kari?" he asked.

"Ken! Look at him. Look at how skinny he is!" Kari cried.

"That's what this is about?" demanded TK.

"Yeah, I'm worried about him TK. Haven't you ever seen him at mealtimes. He hardly eats anything!" explained Kari.

TK nodded. She was right. Ken hardly ate anything these days. Not since he was released from the hospital three days ago.

"Why don't you just tell Wormmon. He'll make sure Ken eats more" TK suggested. Kari nodded.

"I'm going to have to" she looked back at Ken. "Because he's turning into a toothpick."

Ken smiled as Yolei finished her joke. "Well Yolei. I'm afraid I'm going to have to go home now, okay?"

Yolei nodded, standing. Wormmon and Hawkmon were both still asleep on the bench.

"Yeah, its getting late and I have to work tonight" replied Yolei. Ken smiled and leaned in for a kiss, which Yolei gladly took. It lasted longer than any they had had yet. Ken couldn't let go of her, so he put his arms around her.

That was when they finally parted, both smiling.

"Wow" The breathed in together.

"See you" said Ken.

"Later."

Ken picked up Wormmon and watched as she left. He smiled. His chest suddenly ached, but he didn't lose his breath. This has been happening lately. And Ken knew it had something to do with the spore. He would get this tired feeling, and a few times, the spore was able to take control for several minutes before Ken got control.

Ken walked into his apartment and took off his shoes and hour later.

"Hi Mom! I'm home!" greeted Ken. he walked into the kitchen to find a note saying they left for their trip early. Ken shrugged. He would have gone to Davis' anyway.

He walked into his room and flipped on the light, only to see that the light wouldn't turn on. He looked around his room and his eyes landed on a dark figure on the other side of the room.

"Who are you?" demanded Ken.

The figure laughed. "Why Ken, don't you know me? I am your darkness. You're other self. Your TRUE self."

Ken fell to the ground in pain, making Wormmon wake up.

"Ken!" he cried.

Ken's chest was killing him. The pain was too much. Within seconds, Ken blacked out.

Erica - I could be evil to you Breezy, and stop here, but you've been really nice to me lately, so I'll continue!

Voices. He could here voices.

"He didn't do it okay!"

"Yeah...well I don't trust him, never have really."

Ken slowly opened his eyes to find that he was lying on his bed fading the wall. Yolei, Davis, Kari, TK, Cody and all their digimon were in his room, waiting for him to wake up.

He listened as his friends argued. Yolei, Davis, and Wormmon were defending him. Saying that he hadn't done something, while everyone else was saying he did. Finally, he spoke.

"What did I do?"

All eyes went to Ken, who sat up and looked at them.

"ken...you...or the Kaiser, who was controlling you, nearly burnt this apartment. Your house is a wreck. The kaiser had gone berserk" explained Yolei.

"More like him going berserk. Please Yolei. How can you defend him like that?" demanded Cody.

"I didn't do it!" screamed Ken. "Listen Cody Hida, I've given you a chance, but you wasted it. I hate you Cody Hida! I didn't do it and you know it! Now if you don't get out of my house now, I'll call the cops!"

Nobody said anything as Cody left.

"I'm sorry" said Ken. "But I didn't do it."

Everyone smiled.

"It's okay Ken. Its just hard for us to believe is all" said Kari. Ken sighed at her words.

"Yeah, we believe you. And we'll help you in any way we can!" said TK. Ken smiled.

"Great, now, may I go back to sleep?" asked Ken. Everyone nodded and left the apartment, leaving Ken and Wormmon to sleep.

"Ken...?"

"Yeah?"

"You won't ever become him again, will you?" asked the little worm, scared of the answer.

Ken gave a false chuckle. "No. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Ken."