Disclaimer-The more I see it, the more I wish I could, but I don't own Digimon, sorry.

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Wishes, Regrets, And More Arguments

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"I'm home!" Kako yelled, shutting the front door behind her. "Hideki?"

"What is it?" her brother snapped irritably, covering his cell phone. "Bug me another time, kid." As Kako's face fell, he sighed, "Just...one second, okay?" Beaming, Kako nodded and pulled up a chair to wait. Quickly apologizing and saying his goodbye, Hideki hung up and turned to his sister. "So, kid, what?"

Kako quickly made her point, "Your dream. Tell me."

A look of confusion was replaced by amusement. "So, that's it, then? Before we start off with that, tell the twerp to stop doing things I don't approve of him doing, aka being ten feet near you, and two, the next time that Kanaye bastard hurts you, I'll...well, castrate him."

"R-right. Umm...so...dream," Kako said quickly to avoid any oncoming (and possibly disturbing) rant. She swallowed the urge to gag at Hideki's last comment.

Hideki nodded. He sat down in a nearby chair and shut his eyes as he began to tell her his dream. "So, well, it started with you and Kouichi being attacked, but since I knew you wouldn't get hurt, I let things be. Best if you alter as little as possible. Then...well, something that doesn't concern you happens. But...before that, the twerp was mo-"

"Hideki..."

"...Okay, fine, trying to make ou-"

"Hideki," growled Kako for he second time. "Does your name mean pervert or something?" How does he get so out of hand...? It makes me wonder if he's really my brother, she thought dismally, thinking of how he could go on and on about the strangest matters.

"He was trying to freaking make out with you, okay? Okay!" her brother snapped in return. "And then...the part that doesn't concern you...and then the dance. Oh, which reminds me. For the certain events that happened where the twerp and Kanaye were involved, you may not go to the dance."

Kako's jaw dropped. "WHAT? Just because Kouji was being weird and Kanaye nearly murdered Kouichi?"

Not quite, but she can believe what she wants, Hideki thought with a quick nod. Opening his eyes, he sighed, "That's when Dad's coming back, too. And you know he doesn't like you going to any dance, much less a masquerade, so forget it. Not that you yourself want to-"

"But I actually wanna this time! Ahhh! This isn't fair!" Noticing Hideki's puzzled look, Kako explained, "Kouji's getting Kouichi to sing!"

"Oh...are you two dating? Didn't see that coming..." Hideki frowned as he squinted and rubbed his head, trying to recall his dream.

"NO! I'm still...g-going out with Kouji."

Her brother's face fell. "Still with the twerp...well, anyway, you can't go."

Glaring at Hideki, Kako stood up. "That wasn't useful, and I'm going to the dance! So tough!" she yelled before racing out of the house.

Hideki shook his head, chuckling, "Whoever said you aren't going?"

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Kako sighed as she leaned against the door of the room Kouichi occupied. For some odd reason, she couldn't get herself to go inside. Shutting her eyes, she whimpered to herself, "God I feel stupid. Damn you, Kouji! I can't do this. But it's so quiet...gaaah..." Someone has to check on him, she thought, opening the door. "Kou-oh...he's still here," murmured Kako in surprise. Quietly, she made her way towards his side. "Sleeping. Wonder what he's thinking..."

Kouichi murmured something and turned to his side, his face now facing Kako. "No...uh...leave my sword alone," he yelled, his hand hitting the air in front of him.

Effortlessly, Kako sidestepped the hit, curiously moving forward. "He has a sword? Someone has weird dreams," Kako giggled as she edged towards him, inches from his face. Sighing, she murmured, "Kouichi, you're such a dork sometimes..."

A really cute dork.

"Gah!" Kako yelped, falling backwards. Kouichi awoke at the sudden noise of a stool clashing to the floor. "Ow...stupid voices in my head," whined Kako, rubbing the back of her head. "Ah!" she yelled, seeing Kouichi awake, "Kouichi! Go back to sleep!"

Kouichi sat up, blinking as he looked over at Kako. "You're on the floor...again. Why-"

"Don't ask," Kako replied dryly, standing up and brushing herself off. "Just...don't ask."

"Okay...why are you on the floor? This is the second time in two days that you've fallen on the floor while I've had my eyes closed or was sleeping. I think I deserve an explanation," he chuckled, resting on his side.

"Uh...uh..." Kako stuttered, unable to find a suitable excuse, "I just...got...scared out of my seat."

"By...?"

"People...and...uh...squirrels."

Raising an eyebrow, Kouichi echoed her response, "Squirrels? You're...kidding, right?" Kako shook her head. The boy sighed and shrugged as he sat up. "If you say so. Hey, Kako...could you do me a favor...now?" Looking up at Kouichi, Kako nodded. "Um, w-well...could you...ask them to...let me out? I can't stay in here forever, you know."

Kako nodded quietly, then walked up to him. "If I do that...you have to promise me something. ...Do you promise not to make any bets with Kanaye?"

His eyes betrayed his hesitation, but Kouichi nodded nevertheless. "Deal."

Breaking into a smile, Kako threw her arms around him. "Thank you, Kouichi. I'll go ask now!"

As Kako ran out of the room, Kouichi la back on his bed, raising his right arm and examining the long slash that trailed towards his wrist. "Not too deep. Good. I should be able to wield it properly. Hey, Duskmon, Lowemon...do you think I should have told Kako the truth instead of tricking her into getting me out?"

"No duh? Personally, I don't really care," Duskmon muttered as he stepped out of the shadows with Lowemon beside him. The two digimon walked over to Kouichi, Duskmon standing in front of Lowemon. "You know, we're going to have to accompany you everywhere now."

"What?" Kouichi exclaimed in disbelief. He sat up, startled. "NO!" He looked at Lowemon, hoping the warrior of Darkness would tell him otherwise.

Lowemon nodded and grumbled the affirmation, "I'm going to be stuck with this...thing."

"Hey," Duskmon turned around and glared at his companion, "I'm a digimon, too!"

"FOOL!"

"WEAK!

"Be quiet!"

"Shut up!"

"Why you...what should I do to you?"

"WOULD YOU TWO SHUT UP AND HIDE?" Kouichi screamed frantically, hearing approaching footsteps. Duskmon and Lowemon turned their heads to the door, freezing immediately. Kako walked in and looked around. "Uh, Kako...hi. What'd they say?" asked the boy, a forced smile on his face as he laughed nervously.

Kako's eyes lingered on the area that Duskmon and Lowemon occupied for a split second before she turned to Kouichi. "You're free," she stated. "And...uh...Kouichi?"

"Hm?"

"Why...you...who...never mind."

"Uh...okay. And...uh...Kako?" At this point, Kouichi could have sworn that he heard Duskmon snort. There was a slight move that was made by Lowemon, and another noise emitted from Duskmon.

"Yeah?" Kako replied, her eyes glued to Kouichi.

"Where's Kouji?"

Kako looked down, suddenly blushing. Once more, a snort from Duskmon, and then Lowemon moving to elbow him. "I...don't really know. He just ran off after we got you back in the room."

"Oh, okay...thanks," he murmured gratefully, getting out of bed. "Are you going home?" When she nodded, he asked, "Want me to walk with you? I don't really think-"

"It's okay," she interrupted, turning away from him. "I'll be fine."

Frowning, Kouichi nodded. "If you say so."

"I do."

"Okay."

"Aren't you leaving yet?"

I give up, Kouichi thought, heading towards the door. "Um...so...see you tomorrow."

"Yeah..."

Looking at Kako one last time, Kouichi sighed and walked out of the room. Kako then turned to Duskmon and Lowemon, a frown apparent. "You two...shouldn't be here."

"This is our business, kid," Duskmon growled, stepping forward, blade out.

Lowemon held a hand out in front of the other digimon. Then, kneeling, he murmured, "Please excuse us, lady, but it is important that we are here. It may not be understood now, but later, things will be made clear."

Duskmon snorted, "Lady? She's just a kid!"

"Duskmon, would you stop being so blind?"

"I have more eyes than you do. There is no way I can be blind."

"Look at her again."

"I told you, all those so called revered spirits you fools seem to consider so holy and serve...they don't matter to me!"

"Duskmon," Lowemon growled, shooting an angry glance in his companion's direction. "Show some respect."

"I don't care," Duskmon grumbled, kneeling grudgingly. "Just because...she's...you know we need to follow him."

"It can wait."

"Some warrior you are."

Lowemon snorted. "It never occurred to me that you had a heart."

Standing up, Duskmon lifted an arm, allowing the blade to appear. "It's simple loyalty. You're loyal to...herI can only be loyal to those I consider worthy enough."

Kako narrowed her eyes angrily. "Big words for a big coward. You're pathetic. Kouichi doesn't need you two to watch him." A second later, she stepped back, gasping as cool metal brushed against her neck. "Y-what are you doing?" she babbled frantically, squealing slightly as soon as she realized Duskmon was behind her. "I'm gonna tell-"

"Shut up. I'm going to do something I should have done a long time ago. The only person Kouichi doesn't need is you. You and that worthless brother of his, but brothers will be brothers. I'm amazed he still speaks to you after all you put him through, girl," spat the warrior of corrupted Darkness. "This is why I refuse to show any loyalty to goody-two-shoes-stuck-ups like you! This is why you don't deserve anything you're getting."

Shutting her eyes, Kako drew a ragged breath and countered, "I know. I also know what I'm doing. If you two stick around Kouichi, he'll be confident he can beat Kanaye. Well he can't! How many people did it take to beat Dynasmon, huh, Duskmon? Several times, but two people. Just because there's two of you and Kouichi-"

"Do you really lack faith in his skills? All the time I possessed him, he took my skills into mind, learned them, then tried defeating me by using them against me. You think he can't beat a scrawny twerp? Just wait and see, girl. Just wait and see..."

As Duskmon disappeared into the shadows, Lowemon glared at Kako, rising to his feet. "He is right, my lady. As wise as your choice may be, Kouichi possesses great skill that is not to be taken lightly. Were he to reach his full potential, he would surpass even the great swords masters themselves. I must agree with Duskmon. Kouichi awaits," Lowemon said briskly, bowing quickly before going after Duskmon.

Kako's face contorted in anger as she raced to catch up with Kouichi. His plan had fully sunken into her head. Damn him, she swore, pushing through the heavy crowd at the front, he tricked me!

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Kouichi took a deep breath of fresh air, inhaling several times and closing his eyes as he adjusted to the sudden change from the stuffy environment of the hospital to the crisp clean air. "They're still not here," he murmured to himself, eyes still shut. What's up?

"Kouichi? What...? Are...you okay?"

Opening his eyes, Kouichi whirled around to come face to face with Naoko. "Uh...N-Naoko! Hi...what are you doing...here?" he asked awkwardly, pretending to be interested with his feet.

Naoko shrugged and replied casually, "I was going for a walk. What happened to your arm?"

Kouichi looked up, a blank expression on his face. When Naoko pointed to the long tear in the sleeve of his shirt and jacket, the boy sighed and muttered, "It got hurt."

"I can see that. But...whatever. I actually need to ask you something."

I'm going to regret this, his head sang as he let out a small groan. "Okay...shoot."

"Well...there's the Valentine's Day dance..."

"So?"

"I want you to take me. It won't be a date, but...just...make it seem like it? I need to see...someone's...well, two people's reactions," she murmured while blushing in embarrassment.

"Yeah? Whose?" Kouichi asked curiously.

"Um...K-Kanaye's...and...Kako's."

"Why Kanaye's?" he suddenly snapped, seizing Naoko by the shoulders. "Don't tell me you like that...him." As Naoko shut her eyes and nodded, Kouichi let her go and murmured softly, "Naoko, there are nicer people. Kanaye's not going to care the slightest for you or anyone else, you know, right?"

Naoko bit her lip and nodded. "But..."

"Just...be careful if you do choose to get involved with him," Kouichi warned her, "I don't trust him."

Nodding again, Naoko suddenly threw her arms around Kouichi, thanking him before promising, "You won't regret this the slightest bit, I swear. And I promise to be careful." After seeing Kouichi nod, she smiled, waved, then ran off.

Then once more, Kouichi sighed. Where are those two? Impatiently, he exhaled sharply and turned around in time to see a blur move from shadow to shadow, approaching him at a slow, yet careful pace. Duskmon, he thought somewhat fondly, walking into the shadow. "What held you up?"

"Nothing," came the gruff reply. "Lowemon will be over once he's done being Mr. Chivalrous. Are you going to Saito's?"

Kouichi affirmed Duskmon's guess as he whispered, "Yeah. It's pretty crucial I start immediately. But...that all depends on if I have time to go. I have something else to do first."

"Don't tell me..."

"Yeah."

"You're a fool."

"I have to, Duskmon. She can't know."

Growling, Duskmon snapped, "After all she and your idiot brother have put you through, she doesn't deserve it, and you know it!"

With a shrug, Kouichi retorted, "So would you have let Kanaye get his way?" Getting no response from the digimon by his side, Kouichi began to walk and murmured, "I thought so."

"She still doesn't deserve it."

Stopping, Kouichi shot Duskmon a glare. "Think of it this way; you don't want Kanaye to be happy. Kako not doing any of her stupid 'chores,'" seethed the boy, "will only annoy him more. Besides...I owe her a favor."

"What?" Duskmon was shocked. "Why?"

As he began to walk once more, Kouichi sighed and explained, "It's...from the end of fourth grade. She...helped me with a few things."

"Like?"

"None of your business!" he snapped, breaking into a run. Just leave me alone. I have to do this, thought Kouichi, determination flashing in his eyes. I have to.

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Kouji paced around aimlessly in the park, staring at the sky. "Takuya's not picking up his cell, Kouichi's in the hospital, Junpei's busy with a project, and Tomoki's brother's back home for a week...they're all gone. And I'm an idiot. God, I feel stupid. Kako must hate me," he ranted to himself, bitterly. "Why the hell do I have to be so damn stupid? And the song...I thought I didn't give it to him. But it's like...it went to him...on its own..."

With a sigh, Kouji dug into his pocket, producing a key. "Maybe...I'm just...home sick." Quietly pocketing the key, Kouji headed straight to his father's house, praying he wouldn't see anyone he knew. For at the moment, he didn't feel very social.

Only a few steps within distance of the front door, Kouji whirled around, eyes searching for something. Finding nothing, Kouji strode up to the door, unlocked it, and pushed it open, breathless for some unknown reason.

What now? That was what seemed to echo throughout his head. Yet, for some unknown reason, he knew exactly where to go first.

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"Damn, this place feels like one of those haunted houses," Kouji shivered, stepping into his room and opening the windows. Dust flew everywhere, visible as the light flooded in. Smiling, the bandana boy removed his bandana and draped it over the picture of Kouichi, his mother and himself. "New bandana time. Maybe I ought to use the one with banana people all over it...nah," Chuckling, Kouji opened his closet, pulling out all his boxes of bandanas.

Kouji...

Looking around, Kouji frowned. "What the hell?" he muttered. "Okay, well," the bandana boy shrugged and turned back to his bandanas with a sigh, "which one first?" He looked at the box in front of him fondly, then dropped to his knees and carefully opened the box.

For a second, all was quiet.

Just as Kouji reached into the box, however, a bright column of light shot out of the box, breaking through his window and disappearing into the distance. Kouji tumbled back, barely stopping before he hit his bed.

"God...damn it," he hissed, scared out of his wits as he shakily rose to his feet. Walking over to the window and examining it, Kouji's eyes widened in surprise as he jumped back. The window was flawless as if nothing had ever gone through it. He yelped, "What? I-It-there was a crash...wasn't there?" After several seconds of staring, Kouji gave up and went back to his bandanas.

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"Guh..."

"Kouichi! Wake up! It's 6:45!"

Kouichi sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes. He groaned, "45? Wh...you're kidding, right?"

Opening the door, Kouji tossed a piece of toast at his brother, hitting the older twin's forehead. "No, now get going! I have to plan the-hey, you weren't supposed to get out of the-oh, never mind! HURRY UP!" Kouji snapped. He shut the door and ran off.

After quickly changing, organizing his backpack and making sure all his homework was done in a matter of ten minutes, Kouichi slipped on his shoes then ran outside where Kouji waited.

However, there was one difference.

"Takuya!" Kouichi shouted in surprise. A pained expression appeared on Takuya's face as he turned to Kouichi. "What...are you...?"

Takuya silently tossed his goggles over to Kouichi. Then, glaring at the younger twin, he hit Kouji in the jaw, then silently walked off.

Kouichi chuckled lightly as he watched Kouji writhe in pain. Duskmon's rubbing off on me, he thought, walking up to Kouji. When his twin shot him a look, he simply said, "Well, let's get going."

"Wh-what? No remorse? Nothing?" Kouji cried. Kouichi said nothing and kept walking. Damn him, Kouji whimpered in his head, Takuya did that on purpose.

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A/N-

...it's short. Well, shorter than other ones. Forgive me. So...improvement from the last chapter? Oh, I was looking over previous chapters when I realized I made several absolutely stupid errors that...will...:grins sheepishly:. be corrected! I have a reason for everything I do, I swear. As a fellow writer, and all of you are writers, professional or not, you have to understand the reader pretty much knows nothing unless they guess correctly.

Yeah, so that's what a fellow fanfic writer (who is a friend of mine) and I were talking about Tuesday after school. So, before I forget, I hope you all have a very happy TURKEY DAY! And if you find any good Digimon music sites, that would be a great Xmas present. XP I'm at sixty something songs with a lot of help from a friend. Not having DSL stinks.

I promise, no more sucky chapters from now on!

Review or Flame.