Disclaimer-I don't own Digimon.
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Ruined Souls
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Kouichi shut his locker with a sigh. "This makes me wish I never followed Kouji that day," he murmured to himself.
"What?"
Looking up, Kouichi winced. "Hey...Kouji. What's up?"
Ignoring his aching arms, Kouji shrugged and muttered, "Nothing." The two brothers fell silent as Kouji opened his locker and threw in his books. Then Kouji sighed and looked at Kouichi as he shut his locker. "Sorry."
"What?"
"I'm sorry."
"Why?"
"For refusing your help."
Kouichi swallowed with some difficulty. "It's...fine," he lied.
"I'm really sorry."
Stop sounding so miserable...idiot, the older twin thought. "Don't worry about it."
"Kouichi, weren't you paying attention?" Kouji snapped. His face fell as he continued, "You're still hurting..."
Kouichi shook his head and forced a smile, "Nope. I'm fine. So...um, Izumi? Are those gumdrops?"
Shoving the DNA model at him, Izumi begged, "Please keep it out of her reach!"
Kako's eyes widened as she ran over. "But that isn't fair!" she declared, pointing at Kouichi. "He's too tall!"
Kouichi put the project in his locker. "Anyway, later," he said, a smile still on his face.
Kako pouted and muttered, "But I'm hungry."
Stopping and opening his locker again, Kouichi took out a small bag of candy and shoved it at his brother, warning him, "Make sure she doesn't eat too much."
Kouji's hand tightened around the bag as he watched the older twin walk off. "Damn him..."
"Candy! Chocolate! FOOD!" cheered Kako, happily holding out her hand and waiting for Kouji to give her candy. When she saw he made no motion, she sang, "Gimme, gimme, gimme!"
"Take it," the bandana boy muttered, shoving it at her and storming in the opposite direction. For the first time in a long time, Kouji truly wished to be alone.
And he couldn't understand why.
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'Dad won't talk to me. Hideki keeps yelling. I don't understand. Mom wouldn't want us to move. Why are we moving?'
Kouichi shook his head and shivered, his eyes shut. A pained expression appeared on his face. "Why did she move?" he whispered, opening his eyes and pulling his jacket closer around him.
It was an unusually sunny day in February, but the winds were still blistering cold. Leaning against the wall, Kouichi sighed and muttered, "I've been thinking...if Kouji's feeling so down, wouldn't Lobomon have appeared by now? And...why does everyone want me to read the diary."
Lowemon shook his head. He made a note to himself to keep from answering the first question. "It makes one wonder. No matter how you build them, destinies intertwine, becoming something you can't always control. Your destiny may be determined by the simplest of actions. Think about it. Kanaye never said how much you had to read," he said slowly.
Snapping his fingers, Kouichi slung his backpack to the ground, digging out the diary. "Duh, that was obvious! I just read the first entry!" he exclaimed. He felt light once more, as if the chains had been lifted.
Then they came back.
"B-but...it's...still wrong."
"Would you rather her life be at stake?"
Point taken, Kouichi thought dismally, flipping the notebook open. "Random page...appear! Oh...cool. This should be informative," he muttered, scanning through.
'Hideki told me today. Since Mom died, Dad's been growing grumpier. He hardly talks to us. He ignores me completely. It's strange. He's our dad. Shouldn't he take care of us? Like Mom made him promise...
Dad's been yelling at Hideki more often, too. He won't take me anywhere, either. I miss Mom...
I still remember what she told me. Then...it's my fault she died, isn't it? I wonder how Izumi is. And why did she have me pick them? But...why did she have to die? Stupid parallels.
Hideki even thinks it's my fault. He told me, yesterday. And then Dad came in and started yelling. And...I think Hideki's starting to drink. His girlfriend...what's her name...? Um...whatever it is. She told me he is. But Rai came over yesterday! She had a project with Hideki! She gave me chocolate, too...but...but Dad threw it away last time that happened...So I hid it under the bed this time!
I miss everyone back at Shibuya. Dad won't even let me use the phone, so I can't even call Kouichi. Sheesh, and what about Izumi? No contact! And Gramps...'
The page cut off there. Kouichi let out a sigh and shut the book. "Key words are parallel, pick, promise, Rai, Izumi, and...even back then she couldn't not mention chocolate. Good grief!"
"Hm...she didn't forget to mention you," Lowemon observed in an amused tone.
Kouichi shrugged indifferently, "Well...we talked a lot back then. Her mom was really nice. I never saw her dad, though..."
"Maybe you should have that as a keyword, too?"
"Oh...true...but it doesn't matter. I should give it back, now."
There was a pause before Lowemon murmured quietly, "Kouichi, I think you should read more."
"What?" Kouichi exclaimed in surprise. "Lowemon!"
"Just one more page...the next one...or the one before! Or another random page!" pleaded the warrior of darkness.
Surrendering, Kouichi opened the book. I can't believe I'm doing this...
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Kouji leaned against the wall, gazing at the basketball courts where two boys were playing a game. The thuds of the ball bouncing against the ground echoed into his ears. His eyes were glued on the ball, following its movement. Up...down...up...down...that's all my life is, he realized, shutting his eyes.
"Well, if it isn't Minamoto."
"Yoritomo, I wish," Kouji muttered in turn, cracking an eye open.
"Ah, so you do. Who wouldn't want to be from such a prestigious line," Kanaye sneered. "Other than those who aren't already."
"Shut up and bug someone else."
Kanaye laughed, "Like Kako? I've had my fun with her for the week."
Kouji's eyes narrowed on the boy dangerously. "What? What do you mean?"
A smirk appeared on Kanaye's face. Casually, he answered, "Oh, you'll see..."
"TELL ME!" Kouji shouted, jumping to his feet and preparing to attack Kanaye.
He never got the chance. A second later, he found himself lying on the ground, vision blurry, head hurting as if it exploded. Kanaye's foot was on his stomach. Slowly, Kanaye applied pressure with a smile and said, "Well, that would ruin the fun, wouldn't it? I must say, though..."
Kouji let out a small yelp as Kanaye yanked him up, then punched him down. "Your brother actually proved a challenge and beat me. You...who actually are involved in a martial art, can't even match up to one tenth of my strength. And everyone thinks you can beat Kouichi. Hah, that's rich..."
On one knee, Kouji slowly tried to regain his normal breathing pattern. "Y-You're a liar...I can beat...beat him..."
"Then let's see some proof, Minamoto. Oh, and about Kako..."
Kouji looked up weakly.
Kanaye began to laugh, "I never did anything to her directly, if that's what you thought."
Swallowing, Kouji tried to stand up. "Damn...bastard..." he muttered, collapsing a second later, drained of any strength.
"Kouji, you weren't-" Kako stopped in her tracks at the sight of Kanaye. Her eyes darted to Kouji, who lay on the ground, unmoving. The bag in her hand dropped. "K-...Kouji!" she yelled, running to his side. "Oh...no...Kanaye, dammit! What's your problem?" she demanded angrily, tears flowing.
"I'd call for some help, wouldn't you?" he laughed in turn, walking off.
"H-hey! Get back here!" Helplessly, Kako looked around. The court was now empty. "Kouji...hang on," she murmured. Please...hang on.
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Kouichi began to choke. A sharp jolt of pain ran through his hand. "What the-"
Lowemon frowned. "Kouji, I believe."
Trying not to panic, Kouichi looked around. "Where?" he demanded.
"I'm not sure..."
The boy ran, eyes searching for any sign of his brother. While trying to remain calm, he asked, "You don't think he got hurt, do you?"
"Well, why else would you feel that?" Lowemon snapped.
Even more worried, Kouichi turned the corner to find Kako kneeling by an unconscious Kouji. "Kouji! Kako...what...what happened?"
Kako gazed at him wide-eyed. "I...I think Kanaye..."
Kanaye...? But Kouji should have been able to...but...stop thinking, Kouichi! Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Kouichi snapped, "Go get a teacher! I'll see what I can do here."
"But-"
"Just go!"
Kako nodded and ran off.
Kouichi checked his brother's pulse, biting his lip as he did. "Kouji...you better be okay..."
"Nn..."
"Kouji?"
"L-...leave me alone," Kouji demanded weakly, gasping for breath and opening his eyes. "I don't need...your help!"
"Well pretend I'm someone else, then!" Kouichi snapped. "Save your breath," he ordered as his brother opened his mouth again. "What did Kanaye do to you?"
Kouji drew a breath. "I'm not dying, am I?"
"I hope not. No s-I mean...no knife, right?"
The younger twin's voice was raspy, "No...just knocked the air out of me...he kicks hard."
Kouichi nodded. "Don't talk anymore. Can you stand?"
Kouji attempted to get up, but Kouichi pushed him back down. "Actually, don't. We'll wait."
Make up your damn mind, Kouji thought, feeling his vision fade. "If that's the case...wake me up when someone comes..." he whispered, shutting his eyes.
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"Is he okay?"
"I heard he got beaten up."
"You don't think the upper classmen-"
"No, someone from our class."
"Kouichi?"
"He's too weak! Sheesh, have you ever seen him even kick?"
"No, but they're brothers."
"Do you want to stop talking about people behind their backs?" Kouichi spat venomously.
The two boys froze and turned to him, laughing nervously. "Er...sorry?" the first boy offered.
Kouichi walked past them, his blood boiling. I'm not weak, he told himself, trying to register the recent happenings into his head. And I was just finishing the second page...oh...great, the diary! I have to give her back the diary. Now they can call me weak.
He groaned, rubbing his head as he entered the nurse's office, taking a seat beside the bed. "Kouji...and I thought he wouldn't have to ever get stuck in the hospital...or nurse's office," he muttered to himself.
"Is...is he okay?" Kako asked tentatively, walking into the room.
Kouichi nodded. "I'm pretty sure. And...um...Kako?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you carry your diary around in your backpack?"
"N-no..."
"Then how did Kanaye get his hands on it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow as he tossed the notebook to her.
Kako's face paled. "TH-that...he..."
Kouichi plugged his ears as Kako screamed.
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"Yeah...he's fine. No, Mom, don't come over. I'll take care of it, I promise!" Kouichi said hastily as soon as his mother offered to come home to pick them up. "Yes, I'll call if we do need help...bye. Yeah, I know...bye, Mom."
He sighed and hung up the phone when the reason of her worry hit him; Kouji was probably the only link to their father. She doesn't want a replacement...but there's no way that's going to happen, Kouichi swore, walking into the main classroom, thankful Rai was teaching. His jaw dropped. Furiously, he walked over and hissed to his brother, "W-wait...Kouji! Get back in the office!"
Kouji shook his head. "Shut up. You're giving me a headache."
"Kouji...if you get any worse...you have to promise to go back!"
"I will, now shut up!" Kouji growled crossly.
Kouichi nodded awkwardly and sat down. Maybe it's because I'm acting like I'm actually older by a few years? Oh well, he sighed, glancing out the window. Brothers...are brothers?
"Okay, hand the projects in, then get to your music class. I'm too lazy to bother teaching right now," Ms. Kawai snapped. Noting the stares she received, she added, "Besides, I need to grade these."
The class handed in their models. Izumi had managed to break into Kouichi's locker by observing his careful precision when opening it, and gotten her project out. While she teased him of this, Kako pestered her for the combination, swearing she saw more candy in there. Kouichi ignored them both and walked past Takuya, murmuring, "You know you were supposed to play..."
Takuya nodded slightly. "Junpei," he muttered back.
Returning the nod, Kouichi walked over to his brother. "Junpei's taking Takuya's place for the wonderful performance you plan to put on."
Kouji managed a smirk as he added, "Where you're singing."
"Kouji..." Kouichi sighed. Shutting his eyes, he nodded, but stated his conditions quickly before Kouji could say anything else, "As long as you lip sync and I sing backstage. Izumi has to announce, and...most importantly, we're using Takuya's drum set. End notes have to be in drum, played incorrectly. Abide by those rules and I'll gladly sing."
It took a while before Kouji caught onto what his brother had planned. "Smart, aren't you?" he chuckled. "Fine, fine. Race you?"
"No. You'll overexert yourself."
"No I won't!" Kouji insisted angrily. I will beat him!
"Later."
"Fine!"
"What is it with you two?"
Kouji froze and turned around at the sound of Kako's voice. "Nothing," he snapped.
"Yeah? Well...um...something!" she countered lamely.
The boy stared at her for the longest time. "That was..."
"Lame," Kouichi finished mercilessly. "Can you start moving in the room? You're holding everyone up..."
Kako pushed Kouji in, and Kouichi quickly followed. Before any of the class could reach their instruments, however, Mrs. Nakamura snapped, "Sit down, no questions. There's a contest coming up, and you'll have to win if you want an 'A.' Otherwise, the highest grade will be a 'C.' Now, it can be any song, but it has to be in piano, and someone has to sing."
The class fell silent. Immediately, Kouji yelled, "Kouichi singing!"
"I second!" Kako cheered.
Ai snorted, "Kanaye's obviously better."
"You wish," Takuya suddenly blurted. Quickly, he added, "I mean about Kouichi. He wouldn't sing."
"Well, then we go with Kanaye?" Mrs. Nakamura asked, raising an eyebrow.
Kouji elbowed his brother. "You have to."
Drawing a breath, Kouichi nodded and croaked, "Fine...I'll...um..."
Mrs. Nakamura nodded. "Okay, since we have two nominees, we'll see how your voices are. First...pick a song."
Again, silence.
"Butter-Fly!" Kako shouted happily.
"Wh-" Kouichi started, turning red. That's not fair!
Again, Mrs. Nakamura nodded, affirming, "Yes, that's a perfect song. Kanaye first. Izumi, can you play it?" Izumi shook her head. "Alright, Kako, you're on piano."
Kako stiffly walked over to the piano. Ew...Kanaye singing? That's disgusting, she thought, beginning to press her fingers on the keys gently, allowing them to float across the piano.
Kanaye began, starting off at the proper note. He never missed a beat.
Worried, Kouji glanced at his brother, who leaned back in his chair, eyes closed. Don't lose, dammit, Kouichi, don't you dare lose.
As soon as Kanaye finished and Kako finished up the last notes, Kouichi rose to his feet. "Kouji can sing that."
"What?" Kouji blurted, staring in shock.
Kouichi nodded and repeated, "Kouji can sing that. Just have him try."
"I'm more of a guitar person, Kouichi," the younger twin snapped. "Sing yourself!"
So much for getting out of that, Kouichi thought glumly, drawing a breath. "Ready."
Kako stared at him for the longest time. "Uh...okay," she muttered, beginning to play again. Should've slipped up while playing for Kanaye, she thought disappointedly. Quietly, she repeated the words in her head.
"'Gokigen na chou ni natte kirameku kaze ni notte
Ima sugu kimi ni ai ni yukou
Yokei na koto nante wasureta hou ga mashi sa
Kore ijou shareteru jikan wa nai
Nani ga wow wow wow wow wow kono sora ni todoku no darou
Dakedo wow wow wow wow wow ashita no yotei mo wakaranai
Mugendai na yume no ato no nanimo nai yo no naka ja
Sou sa itoshii omoi mo makesou ni naru kedo
Stay shigachi na imeeji darake no tayorinai tsubasa demo
Kitto toberu sa on my love...'" Kouichi finished softly, opening his eyes. "Happy?" he asked his brother.
"Yes!" Kako interrupted any chance of Kouji's speaking. "Now who's singing?" she asked Mrs. Nakamura.
The teacher frowned. "Well..."
"Well?"
"No one. Ms. Kawai just wanted me to record Kouichi singing."
Kouichi's jaw dropped. Kouji stifled his laughter, then ran out of the room, laughing hard. Kako swallowed a smile, staring at the ceiling innocently. The rest of the class stared at the red-faced Kouichi before they, too, burst into laughter.
Trying to calm himself, Kouichi muttered, "Always me. They always pick on me..." Growling, he pointed to Kako and snapped, "This is your fault for telling her!"
"What?" Kako asked, startled. "Well...so what if I did?"
"Well-...uh...it's embarrassing?" he retorted.
She made a face and said in a sing-song voice, "Live with it!"
Kouji walked in, smiling serenely. "Anyway, I told you he was good!"
Fuming, Kouichi took a seat. Darn manipulative teachers, he thought grumpily.
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A/N-
And I'll cut it short there. I could write more, but...man, at the time I'm writing this, I'm three chapters ahead of what I'm posting! .:innocent smile:. So, I know it seems a bit jumpy this chapter, and Kouji apparently recovers fast, but hey, if the wind is knocked out of you, you really just feel uber weak and if you're me, hungry!
Butter-Fly lyrics, not mine. I stole part of the lyrics from Animelyrics and edited it to fit the piano version. I just realized, Wada's voice is almost always croaky during slow-ish, ballad-ish songs. It's amusing, though. Not all the time, but most of the time.
Away from that! I do find it amusing to have that last part. Poor Kouichi was duped into singing. .:grin:. Man, I didn't think I could come up with that. I really didn't want to have a contest...it would be too much.
Ah, this was more of a filler, although I attempted to include some info. Random, jumpy, unclear, I know. Excuse me for that. I should be updating on Wednesday. Hopefully.
Thank You for the reviews-
PrincessKaze, Snowy Leopardess, GemmaniGirl, Winter's Light
Review or Flame.