All I wanted to do was sleep now. I was so exhausted from what had happened just two hours ago, from the severe whipping Ken had given me, from losing as much blood as I did, that all I could bring myself to do was just lay there, asleep. My entire body ached and my back still felt as though a greymon had just hit it with one of its fire attacks.

I knew I was gonna get it when I saw that damn cereal bowl. How the hell did I fall for that trick a second time? I am such an idiot! I knew perfectly well in the back of my mind what was going on, but I just wasn't smart enough to think of it and get the hell out of there when I had the chance—

"Crystal? It's Wormmon. May I come in?"

I heard his voice on the other side of my door, but it took my brain a few seconds to comprehend what was going on. But as soon as I did, I called back, "Sure, c'mon in, Wormmon!" I really didn't want company at the moment but hey, couldn't hurt, could it.

The door opened slowly and the little green caterpillar digimon came in, a sad expression playing itself out on his face. He came up to my bed and stopped when he was right beside it, with me looking down over the edge of the bed at him. He paused for a second before asking, "Are you alright?"

Well, at least someone cares for me. "Yeah, Wormmon. Of course I am." It was a lie, I know, but I didn't wanna worry him by actually admitting that I was in so much pain. I knew he wasn't going to get anything done today if I did; he'd be too concerned about me to get anything done, and then Ken would be really angry again, this time, most likely at Wormmon instead of me.

It was then that I realized that he was carrying something. I must've been more out of it than I'd thought. It took me a few seconds to realize what it was. He was carrying bandages and stuff like that.

He's probably been sent to dress my wounds. ...Or else, ya know, he'd decided to do it without Ken knowing it, which was probably the case. Ken probably didn't want me to have any comfort at the moment and is probably against me being treated, right now at least. Wormmon is so sweet towards me. This is really a stupid thing to do knowing how Ken will probably react, but it's nonetheless very sweet.

"Oh Wormmon, thank you so much. You're the only one around here with a heart," I sighed with relief, but then my thoughts turned more serious. "...But still, you shouldn't be doing this. If Ken finds out—"

"If Ken finds out then oh well," Wormmon only interrupted me, smiling kindly like he always does. "Trust me, I've been through his rages long enough to handle anything he throws my way. I'll be okay, but you should really let me tend to those wounds of yours. Everything's gonna be alright, I promise."

'And you're promises have always been as good as gold, Wormmon,' I thought to myself as the caterpillar-like digimon did as he said he would, being as careful as he could so as not to hurt me, even though it still did sting a little bit as he did it.

Then, as I lay there on my stomach, my head in my folded up arms, a question popped into my head. 'How can such a kind and caring digimon be a partner for such a merciless person, for Ken, the Digimon Emperor? It just doesn't make any sense. How can someone so nice be paired up with someone so cruel and—?'

"There we go; all finished." The sound of Wormmon's voice interrupted me from my thoughts. I sat up and watched him climb off of the bed, making sure to be as quiet as possible as he carried the things he'd brought with him. When he reached the door though, he turned back to me. "I'm glad I could be of some comfort to you, Crystal."

"I'm glad you chose to be of some comfort to me, Wormmon." I returned his kind smile as I said the words.

And with that, he departed, leaving me alone with only my thoughts left to keep me company. He probably had to get back out there before Ken noticed his absence. If Ken ever found out about this, all Hell would break loose; you can be sure of that. This will be the only bad aspect if I leave; I'd be leaving Wormmon alone with that monster, Ken. I wasn't sure if I could do that or not.

'No, Crystal. Don't back out now. You do what you have to do to possibly defeat Ken if need be. And you can't very well do that in your current situation, now can you? No, I didn't think so.' My decision was clear to me...

If need be, I'd get out of there and come back for Wormmon later. If my suspicions were confirmed and Ken is really the monster I'd thought he was, then all I needed to figure out was how to get away from him. 'I'll come to that conclusion that on a later date,' I decided to myself.

So, with that out of the way, I tried to relieve my stress until it was time for Ken to go out and see how the slaves were doing with there work. When that time came, I would follow him and see just how he treats others besides me. Until then, I just had to keep myself busy, keep my mind occupied until the time came.

So, after a few hours of reading, drawing, and basically finding anything else I could do to entertain myself, I looked at the clock again. It was nearing lunchtime already. And after lunch was when Ken went out and watched over the slaves for a while. After lunch was when the real challenge starts for me.

With that thought it mind, it became nearly impossible to keep my mind off of everything that was going on. But I managed to do so for a few more minutes until a knock on the door suddenly brought everything back. "Who is it?" I immediately questioned.

"It's Wormmon again." The answer came as my door opened and in came Wormmon. "Ken's sent me to get you for lunch," he told me.

I sighed as I stood up and walked towards him. "Oh, please don't tell me it's—"

"The left over sushi from last night."

"More sushi?! Crap!" I rolled my eyes. "He's really trying to torture me today, isn't he?"

"It looks that way," Wormmon said as he smiled back at me. He followed me as I headed out the door and started down the long corridor to the dining room.

"Do I really have to face him right now?" I turned my head to Wormmon as I said this, though not slowing my pace. "You know what's gonna happen, he's just gonna get on my case about what happened this morning. I hate it when he does that." Wormmon only shrugged and nodded. With a sigh, I walked in silence the rest of the way to the dining room and the really "fun" (not!!!) time I had to look forward to.

As I entered the dining room, Ken just eyed me strangely. He was probably just looking forward to getting on my nerves some more; God, I hate him sometimes. I sat down at my usual place at the end opposite Ken. Immediately, the confrontations started. I wasn't in a very good mood right now, and my facial expression definitely showed that factor.

As I ate the sushi on my plate, trying hard not to gag or to show any sign of disgust at all, Ken started up the conversation, his usual egotistical manner obviously intact. "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't make yourself look so insolent," he said to me, looking heatedly at my angry yet confident expression.

'Yeah? Well, I'd appreciate it if you were close enough for me to kick your a—'

"Alright?"

"Okay." I changed my expression as best I could with the way I was feeling. The rest of lunch pretty much went on like that. Ya know, an occasional comment here and there, me sneaking Ken a nasty look when he wasn't looking, that sort of thing.

Then it was over and Ken walked out the door, leaving his plate and everything on the table. Whoa! Now wait just one damn second! He's never done that before. Does he expect me to clean up both my area and his?! Ah, hell no, he didn't! Why I oughtta...!

I mumbled stuff like that to myself as I did what Ken obviously expected me to do. "Okay, now he expects me to clean up after him? Someone should tell that bastard that I ain't his maid and that he should clean up his own damn messes!" Good thing I was keeping my voice down. Man, if Ken had heard that, it would've gone from bad, like it is now, to way worse.

After I was done, I started back towards my room, when suddenly I remembered what I had to do next. So, with my heart pounding and my nerves shaking, I quietly snuck outside. 'Is this really a good idea?' I asked myself as I reached the doorway.

That's where I stopped. From there, I could see and here everything that Ken was doing. I took a deep breath and slowly looked around the corner I was in and looked out the doorway at him. And what I saw was worse than I had ever imagined it to be...

............................................................................................................

A/N: Well, there it is, chapter 5. Sorry I haven't updated in a few days. I wasn't able to use my computer for a while. There was a problem. But, it's okay, problem all fixed. So, if you liked this chapter, as always, R&R. If you didn't and you decide to flame me, THEN SCREW YOU! Don't even bother. I won't pay any attention to it except I will delete it and pretend that it never happened in the first place.

Digimon Emperor: I seriously worry about you sometimes, Diva'sDream.

Ah shut it! Oh, and by the way, let midnight breezy go, ya loser! (Yay! I updated! Do I get my 10 imaginary digi dollars now?)

Digimon Emperor: Make me! (Sticks out tongue)

Okay. (To reader) Please excuse me while I take care of Mr. Attitude. Sorry all you Ken fans out there! Please don't hate me for this! (Attacks Ken)

Digimon Emperor: Yikes!

Bye!