Disclaimer: The muses would like to remind everyone that Angel Spirit doesn't own Digimon...save for all the OC characters that appear in this fic...
Author's Notes: readers watch as author quietly creeps out of hiding spot and glances around, hoping not to be seen and sighs as she checks reviews to see that readers-well-aren't too thrilled for what she did to Koichi in the last chapter…gulps nervously and hides behind Takuya and Kouji using them as a shield from protesting readers
I'll say it one more time-all I like doing is torturing characters… gives a guilty grin to readers but I can never kill them off!!! (I hate death fics myself) So have no fear you guys, both Yamato and Koichi are going to be okay!!! pats Koichi lovers on the back reassuringly and gives hugs out to everyone It's all just part of my (and my muse's for this fic of course) evil plot for this fic…I did warn you guys that the twists and turns for this fic weren't quite over yet…(why is it that no one ever seems to believe me when I say things like that?) And I can't quite promise anyone that there will be no more character torture in this fic, as…well…it's not over yet. starts to back away from readers So for the character torturing to come to a close, I guess I'd better continue writing on this fic and let you guys loose to read the next chapter eh? Just…promise that you won't want to hurt this author at the end of it, okay? dashes off to another hiding spot to contemplate quite possibly another cliffhanger…
Rating: PG13
Warning: As always, Yaoi/slash-male/male pairings, and hints of yuri ahead…don't like there's the nifty back button up to the top left of the screen for you to use…
Pairings: Takuya/Kouji, Koichi/Izumi, Taichi/Yamato, and previous hints of Ruki/Juri and Rei/Katsume
ForevermoreAuthor: Angel Spirit
Chapter 14: Tell Me Where It Ends
Kouji Minomoto let out a frustrated sigh as he slammed a fist against the wall of the hospital waiting room that he was stuck in for the second time that month-successfully scaring the daylights out of the other's who all sat waiting as he was.
And the wait was killing him-or so he thought. But nerve wise, he knew they were shot…he was angry that he'd allowed something like this to happen, that something like this had even happened to someone so close to him-none the less his own twin.
To make matters worse, Kouji knew that the person who had done the terrible deed had done it intentionally.
He glanced over to where Rei was sitting with Takuya and Alec-realized that his petite friend had fallen asleep against Alec's shoulder.
It hadn't taken a doctor to tell Alec and Rei that Koichi had been stabbed…
But the one thing that no one could figure out was why. But Kouji had the damndest feeling that what had happened to his twin was his fault. And he couldn't figure out how…
Why would someone want to stab Koichi?!? It just didn't make sense, Koichi hadn't done anything to anyone.
Unless if someone mistook Koichi for you… A small voice murmured in the back of his mind, and Kouji felt his eyes open wide at this new revelation as his dark blue gray orbs searched out those who were in the waiting room with him. From Izumi, to Kai and Kita, to Junpei…Alec, the sleeping Rei, and finally Takuya…who's eyes were the only one's to meet his. And Kouji found that he had to look away.
In fact, he felt like he had to get away. He had to get out of here…now.
Quickly spinning on his heel, he headed out of the room and almost ran into one of the doctors in the hallway but he paid no heed, even though the still-rational part of his mind told him that it was the doctor who was probably coming to tell them more about the condition that his twin was in…but Kouji just didn't think that he could hear it right then.
He allowed his feet to carry him, until he reached an all to familiar hallway as he entered a room that had also become quite familiar to him-and to the other's as well.
When Taichi glanced up from his usual sitting spot next to Yamato's bed, he had to admit that he was a little surprised to see Kouji standing there-looking like he was about ready to start crying any minute. The teen's hands were balled up into tight fists, and his body was starting to shake.
For Kouji, he'd figured out that if anyone would understand what it was he might possibly be going through at the moment, it had to be Taichi-and he was so very right.
The moment Taichi got a good look at Kouji, he instantly stood up and opened his arms.
And Kouji couldn't hold himself back as he ran straight into Taich's embrace. Remembering that Taichi-at the present moment-had no idea what was going on. He didn't know that Koichi had been stabbed…
So all Taichi could do was hold Kouji while he sobbed into his shirt, as he guided him to sit down after he pulled another chair next to his.
It was quite awhile before Kouji calmed down enough for Taichi to ask him what was going on.
Taichi was a bit puzzled as to why Kouji had come to him this way instead of going to Takuya-wouldn't his koi be a better person to comfort him at the moment for whatever was going on?
But the moment he asked Kouji what was wrong, and the news of what had happened earlier that night came tumbling out, Taich's eyes opened wide and a hand flew to his mouth in shock…and he realized that his own body was starting to shake a little bit as he fought back his own tears.
Someone else had been hurt-and now, quite possibly by the same person who had hurt Yamato-for to Taichi it only made sense that it was the same person. What kind of a coincidence was it, that both Yamato and Koichi were hurt-quite possibly intentionally-in such a short amount of time?
For another several minutes, Taichi and Kouji didn't say anything-just drinking in the comfort of one another's presence, until Kouji brought up the thought that had been running through his mind non stop since earlier that evening.
"This is all my fault." He murmured, and it took Taichi a moment to realize what Kouji was saying before he moved himself out of their embrace, and held Kouji out at arms length.
"Kouji, listen to me right now when I tell you that none of this is your fault! How can you say such a thing? You're starting to sound like Rei now!" The brunette said, lightly scolding him as Kouji held back a sigh as he remembered that Rei still partially blamed herself for what had happened to Yamato.
"How can you be so sure Taichi, huh?" Kouji snapped back, recoiling as Taichi reached out a hand to place on his shoulder in hopes to soothe his distraught friend, but at the moment Kouji would have none of it.
"Firstly, Rei and myself supposedly have 'a drunken night out' when both Rei and I know that that is not what happened! We just can't remember what really did happen for some reason! And then some creep comes after me with a knife that one afternoon in the bathroom in the coffee shop-easily threatening me and scaring the shit out of me!-Not to long after that incident, Yamato's hit by a car that was meant to hit Rei on the same night that a message is painted on the wall of my dorm room that's now shared with Takuya…and finally this…Taichi, I don't know how much more of this I can take!" Sighing, Taichi knew that in order for his friend to actually listen to anything that he was going to say to him, he had to get him to calm down first.
He nibbled on his lower lip as he tried to think of the best way to calm Kouji down before he had a complete nervous breakdown-not to say that it wasn't already happening…but…
However, before Taichi could say anything that would be of help, a soft moan came from the bed they were sitting next too, and all thought's of the distraught Kouji before him instantly vanished as Taichi's dark brown eyes opened wide and he turned to face the occupant of the bed, gripping Yamato's hand hard to let him know that someone was there.
Taichi nearly cried out in relief when he felt Yamato squeeze his hand back, as it had been the first movement that his koi had made within the past four weeks or so since the accident.
"Yamato! Yama-kun, please…wake up! I need you to wake up, please, please, please…oh god…" Taichi knew he was begging and that he probably sounded pitiful. But his hopes of Yamato actually waking this afternoon after that one slight movement had risen to great and he wasn't one for disappointment.
"Come on Yamato, listen to my voice and open your eyes! Please…I miss those bright blue orbs of yours, come on Yamato…love…"
Another soft groan came from the bed, and Kouji could only watch and silently prey as Taichi encouraged his boyfriend with everything he had, as he was now clutching both of Yamato's pale hands into his own tanned ones.
"Koi, you've slept too much…come on now…I love you so much I can't live without you-as corny as it sounds, it's true!" Kouji found that in spite of the situation he really couldn't say anything-even though he wanted Yamato to wake up as much as Taichi. In fact, at the moment he felt as though he were intruding.
A cry of happiness threw Kouji out of his thoughts when he glanced down to see that Taichi had enveloped a tired-looking Yamato into a hug, and Kouji was also incredibly glad to see a pair of tired looking blue eyes staring back at him.
"Welcome back…" Kouji whispered, as Yamato nodded and smiled sleepily as Taichi continued to sob into Yamato's shoulder.
Deciding that the couple needed some space, Kouji silently got up and left, heading back out into the hallway and the way he'd originally come.
At least there was some good news that he could handle with all the bad things that had been happening lately. Yamato had finally woken up-making Taichi a very happy boyfriend once again, and Kouji knew that that information would help lighten his other friends hearts as well.
He'd forgotten that when he'd left the waiting room, that he'd run into the doctor who'd been tending to Koichi…and only now remembered as he entered the waiting room he'd previously left earlier to see Takuya waiting there for him, breathing out a sigh of relief upon his return as he stood and headed toward him-a small smile on his face.
"Kouji! Don't run off like that again, you gave us all a big scare actually…" Kouji sighed and shook his head.
"Sorry Takuya…I just…with all the stuff that's been happening lately, I really don't think that I can handle much more…" Takuya's light smile faded away into a look of concern as he pulled his koi into a tight embrace-one that Kouji gratefully welcomed as the pair stood there for a few seconds, enjoying each other's warmth and comfort.
"I've got some really good news though." Kouji finally murmured into Takuya's shoulder, as Takuya pulled away and gave him a slight look of surprise.
"Really? Well, I've got some good news for you too-but how about you go first because you look like you're just ready to burst with the information!" Chuckling at this, Kouji headed out of the waiting room-having enough of the enclosed space for one day-and Takuya followed him, grabbing a hold of his hand and not letting go of it. Glad of the reassuring presence, Kouji lightly squeezed Takuya's hand back.
"Well…I actually ended up going to see Taichi…and while I was there…well, let's just say that Yamato's no longer sleeping!" Takuya's smile reached his eyes as he suddenly picked Kouji up and spun him around. After regaining his breath from the surprise spin, Kouji laughed.
"That's awesome! It seems as though this day is just full of good things happening then-because Kouji, when you left the doctor came and said that Koichi was going to be alright. The knife wound wasn't too deep and it was easily stitched-Koichi just lost a bit of blood of course but with plenty of fluids and nutrients the doctor said that he should be back up on his feet and moving around within a few days!" Kouji breathed out a sigh of relief as his knees nearly buckled on him.
Not expecting that kind of reaction from his koi, Takuya instantly grabbed a hold of him and helped lower him to the ground, glancing at him in concern.
"Kouji?" All Kouji was able to do was to let out a soft sigh as he buried his head into Takuya's chest as the brunette wrapped his arms around him, holding him close.
"Kouji, are you okay? Come on Kouji, stop scaring me like this!" Takuya begged and Kouji only shook his head, trying to find his voice. And when he finally did, it didn't sound like him at all-but more restrained and tired.
"I don't want anybody else getting hurt because of me Takuya-I-I don't think that…that I can take much more of this…" Kouji murmured softly, and Takuya shook his head.
"Kouji, you'd better not be blaming yourself! None of this is your fault Kouji, do you hear me?!? Kouji?!?" Kouji hadn't heard Takuya, because shortly after he'd murmured his small confession his eyes had gently slipped closed and his breathing became soft and irregular.
Panicking, Takuya scooped Kouji up into his arms as he headed for the area where the twin's mother had said that she'd most likely be able to be found should they need her…
"I can't believe that Rei thinks that what had happened that night was really her fault." Yamato protested weakly as he and Taichi watched the doctor who had come to check in on him walk out of the door.
Taichi shook his head and sighed.
"I've tried to tell her time and time again that it's not her fault…but even though she says she believes me, I don't think that she fully accepts the truth-that it wasn't her fault…the fault of what happened that night lies in the crazy driver of that god damned car!" Yamato frowned.
"And they haven't been able to find the car?" Again, Taichi shook his head and leaned back in his chair looking deep in thought.
"No-and the sad thing is that none of us were able to get a look at the license plate number either…there was too much going on at the moment for any of us to pick up on it. If we had, we would've been able to figure out the creep behind all of this!" This time, it was Yamato who sighed.
"Taichi, we don't even know if the person who 'accidentally' hit me, is the same person who is after Kouji!" But Taichi wasn't going to listen.
"No…Kouji was in here when you woke up, and before you did he gave out some good points…like the night he and Rei came back supposedly 'drunk', and they protested all along that they weren't-but couldn't remember what had happened to them. Or the fact that Kouji gets stabbed while trapped in the guys bathroom in a café by a rampaging lunatic who scared the shit out of him, and within a short amount of time period from that you get hit by a car that was aiming for Rei-and it would've hit her, if you hadn't pushed her out of the way! And now Koichi gets stabbed-" Taichi was cut off when Yamato's azure eyes opened wide, and he grabbed at Taichi's hand.
"Wait a minute, Taichi…Koichi was stabbed?" Looking away guiltily, Taichi nodded.
He supposed that he shouldn't have really told Yamato that yet-he was still tired-that much was evident. And Taichi didn't want to stress his koi out anymore then his body probably already was. But in all reality, Taichi also knew that Yamato would've found out eventually. Either by him or by one of their other friends-as news traveled fast in their small group.
"Yeah-he was. They brought him in really early this morning. Apparently from what I know from what Kouji had told me earlier, Koichi went missing at one point the other day and so Izumi-who was incredibly worried about him-decided to start searching for him and the other's all helped…splitting up in the process and searching the campus and some of Koichi's favorite hang outs. In the end it was Rei and Alec who found him in one an abandoned building-one of the old dormitory's that's no longer in use. Rei had stayed with Koichi while Alec had dashed off back into the storm to go find a phone to call for help, as their cell phones weren't working. As soon as they'd gotten to the hospital, Rei called Kouji. They've been here ever since." Yamato laid his head against the pillows, a look of shock upon his face. This was definitely not news that he'd been expecting to hear when he woke up.
"So, he's going to be okay right? Do we know anything about Koichi's condition?" He asked, flicking back a piece of blond hair that suddenly fell into his eyes and Yamato made a face-it needed to be washed…he hated it when it was dirty like it was now. In fact, he really felt like he needed a shower…he hated smelling like a hospital. But until he was released-which the doctor said probably wouldn't be for a few days-he was stuck.
Taichi shook his head.
"No, I don't know anything-Kouji took off…I think he thought that we needed some time to ourselves. I can always go and find out I guess-" Another voice interrupted their conversation, and the two teens looked up to see a familiar looking woman in the doorway. Though, how she looked familiar they couldn't quite place it.
"There's no need for that Taichi. Koichi is going to be fine-the stab wound wasn't as deep as everyone originally thought that it would be, and all he needs are fluids and rest. He'll be up and moving around by the end of the week." She told them and both of them sighed as she came over to check Yamato's chart.
Taichi couldn't hold off his question any longer as the woman's dark blue gray eyes scanned the documents in the folder. He quickly realized that she was wearing a white coat with a name tag that he couldn't quite read from where he was sitting-so that much gave away that she was a nurse here-or so Taichi presumed.
"I really do hate to sound rude…but…who are you? Why do you look really familiar to me…and probably Yamato too?" He said, gesturing toward his koi who nodded in indication that he was also thinking along the same things.
The black haired blue eyed woman gave a soft laughter as she shut Yamato's file and placed it back where it belonged.
"I've been getting that a lot around here." She told them, the laughter causing her eyes to twinkle as she came over to check on Yamato, who let out a frustrated sigh.
Hadn't he just been checked on not less then ten minutes ago? He was really starting to hate hospitals…
"I'm Ms. Kinmura-I'm Koichi's and Kouji's mother. You can call me Tomoko if you wish though-I hate formalities…especially when I'm around my sons friends." As she introduced herself, she let out another soft laughter when she got a good look at Yamato's face.
"I can see that Doctor Jin has already been in here to check on you-don't worry Yamato, it's not the full deal here-I just want to make sure that I know what to tell everyone else when they all come badgering at me for questions!" Yamato chuckled and shook his head-he was actually wondering why no one had come to see him at the moment.
Taichi must've read his mind, because when he cleared his throat the next question that he voiced was quite like the one that floated through Yamato's mind-except worded much better.
"You know, I was actually wondering where Kouji had taken off too-he didn't really stay to see if Yamato had actually woken up-and the poor guy was pretty shaken up over what happened with Koichi…and I know that wherever Kouji is, Takuya's probably not far behind!" He added with a small chuckle as the twin's mother joined in with that laughter with a nod of agreement before her laughter quickly faded away and she sighed, shaking her head while she stepped away from the two lovers and wrapped her arms around herself looking serious.
"Whatever is going on around here I'm afraid that it has taken a toll on Kouji. He…he collapsed in the hallway on Takuya after Takuya told him that Koichi was going to be alright. From what I've heard it sounds like all these 'mishaps' as you can call them for the moment-have all happened one right after the other. I just don't think that Kouji's handling this all too well. According to what Takuya told me, he feels like he's putting you all in danger-but he wouldn't tell me why. I can't talk to my son at the moment because he's out cold. It's only shock," she explained, as Taichi and Yamato's eyes opened wide with worry and concern.
"But with the stress added onto it and the fact that Kouji's blood pressure is out of whack at the moment, I'm surprised that this hasn't happened sooner." Sighing, she sat down next to Taichi in the chair that Kouji had abandoned not too long ago as she put her face into her hands.
"He's been through so much-Kouji has…this just isn't fair to him." She murmured, as Taichi reached out a comforting hand and gently put it on her shoulder as he gave it a small squeeze and gave her a reassuring smile.
"Hey-Kouji's tough. That much Yamato and I have witnessed so far-and with Takuya by his side, he'll be able to make it through. That's what friends-and lovers-" Taichi quickly added, after Yamato poked gently in the ribs, and Taichi grabbed his hand and held onto it tightly "are for. Whatever's going on here Ms. Kinmura, we'll figure it out-we promise. It's getting more and more dangerous for everyone-so no matter what, eventually whoever is doing this is going to slip up and get caught. With all the 'accidents' that have been occurring lately, it just means that our hunter is close by." Both Yamato and Tomoko nodded in agreement…what Taichi said, made sense.
And as much as Tomoko Kinmura hated to admit that she didn't like everything that was happening to her sons and their friends-especially Kouji-she prayed that whoever was doing this would act again soon…so that they could be caught…and life for everyone could start going back to normal.
Letting out another small sigh as she stood and tugged at her lab coat-trying to get out any wrinkles that she had created by sitting down so suddenly-she put a hand on Taichi's shoulder and placed the other one on Yamato's left wrist-as his right hand was still currently in one of Taichi's.
"I want to thank you boys for looking after my sons-Kouji especially. The others tell me that you two were the one's who helped him get out of the café that afternoon…I'm so thankful that Kouji's got people looking out for him. So thank you…and if you ever come to Shibuya for a visit you both are more than welcome to stay in my home with me and Koichi." Taichi and Yamato both nodded, offering her kind smiles of understanding as she left the room, giving them both a small wave before she gently closed the door behind herself to give them more privacy.
Yamato gave Taichi a questioning look.
"Her and Koichi? But I thought that she was a mother to both Koichi and Kouji?" He asked, as Taichi shrugged.
"I don't know-you know, now that I think about it we really don't know that much about Kouji and Koichi-but I bet you that Rei would know!" Yamato chuckled.
"You know, you're probably right? Rei would probably know!" Both boys were so engrossed in their conversation, that they hadn't heard the door open again.
"Rei would know what?" Came a tired voice as both boys glanced up to see Rei standing in the doorway, giving them a small smirk as her arms were crossed in front of her.
Taichi chuckled, as Yamato grinned.
"Well, we already know that you probably wouldn't have known that Yamato's awake!" He said cheerfully as Rei gave a small snort-which was quickly followed by a smile as she crossed the room.
"Sorry to burst your bubble there Taichi but I did know-but to give you at least some credit, it was only because Tomoko just told me in the hallway." She said as she reached Yamato's bedside and bent low to give him a hug-one that Yamato strongly returned.
They didn't let go for several minutes, and as Rei stood up-righting herself-Yamato grabbed a hold of her wrist and forced her to sit down on the bedside next to him.
A startled cry escaped her as she landed softly on the blonde's chest, and Yamato chuckled.
"Better watch yourself Rei, the next thing we know you'll be tripping over your own two feet!" He bantered as Rei only chuckled and smacked him lightly on the shoulder.
"Well, now that you're back in the land of the living, you'll probably be able to actually witness such an event-if it ever happens!" She said as Taichi grinned mischievously.
"Yeah, well…you're not the world's most graceful person Rei!" And as he said this, he gestured towards her arms where the bandages had recently been taken off and the stitches taken out as well. Yamato knew where Taichi was going with that, and he secretly cheered him on-he wanted to get this conversation with Rei done and over with.
And what Taichi had just said, must've hit home as Rei started to lower her head-and when Yamato forced her to look up after placing a finger underneath her chin, he saw (much to his surprise) that Rei had actually started to cry.
"Yamato-you're an idiot…you know that right? You shouldn't have done what you did that night! Why in the hell did you do it?!? You risked your own god damned neck to save mine-when it's plainly seen that everyone would miss you if you were to go in such a way!" The reaction that Taichi and Yamato got from Rei, was something that neither of the two were expecting from her.
"Rei…don't you dare go there." Yamato threatened lightly, but Rei shook her head and Taichi saw that her hands were starting to shake a bit as more tears fell.
"No-you don't understand Yamato. Everyone was so worried about you-you know, it actually made me jealous of you? If only because people actually care about you!" Rei's words were rushed and she looked like she was ready to bolt out of the room any second-and she probably would've, had Taichi not grabbed a light hold of her shoulders and kept her sitting there, even though she twisted and tried to get out of his grip.
"Let me go Taichi!" She demanded, and the brunette only shook his head.
"No Rei-we're going to get this all out right here, and right now alright? What in the hell makes you think that you're not loved and wanted here, huh? Do you know what would probably have happened if it had been you instead of Yamato right now? Kouji would be in pieces! Not to mention the fact that everyone-Yamato and myself included-would have been equally as worried! Rei…remember that both Yamato and myself know about your past while the other's don't-we've kept our promise not to tell anyone! But you've got to stop beating yourself up about it, alright? None of that was your fault-your father was a bastard, and you can't keep on thinking that what he told you for so many years is true!" Rei sighed, trying to calm her trembling body.
They'd had this talk before…and each time that they'd told her this she'd always agree with them and listen to what they had to say. But with Katsume having left…
Before she knew it, she started to cry again and buried herself into Taichi's chest as Taichi tried to soothe her in the best way possible as he shot a look of concern in Yamato's direction. Yamato nodded and he took Rei's hand-knowing the only way that would snap her out of this. Because what usually worked-wasn't working at the moment.
"Rei…Rei, you've got to be strong, okay? Forget everything that's happened in the past and concentrate on now! I don't know if you know this but Ms. Kinmura came and visited with us-Rei, Kouji collapsed on Takuya this afternoon in the hallway of the hospital-his mother said that it was purely from stress and the shock of everything that's happened in the past several weeks. Rei, if Kouji sees that we're all collapsing underneath this weight that we're carrying he's gong to continue to blame himself-apparently he thinks that this is all his fault! And I know that you understand where he's coming from Rei, which is why you're the only one who can convince him that it's not." Yamato said this as gently as possible, but Rei's face paled when she found out what happened to Kouji while she wasn't there. She'd left with Alec to take a walk and get some tea.
And she let out a soft sight as she shook her head.
"I don't know if I can do it…I…" But Taichi gripped her shoulders.
"Rei, you can do it! You're Kouji's best friend-you and especially Takuya are going to be his stronghold until this bugger who is causing these horrible things to happen is caught! Hopefully it'll be soon…but until it does happen, we've all got to be strong together-whoever is doing this to us can't see that we're buckling under the pressure. Got it?" Rei nodded and lifted her head, her tears now gone as she brushed off the remaining liquid underneath her eyes with the back of her hand and she stood.
"I think I need to go and check on Kouji…and talk to Takuya for a bit…I'll come back though, okay? I-I'm really glad that you're awake now Yamato." She said with a small smile as Yamato reached for her hand and she gripped it as tightly as his hold was.
"Come back and keep me company Rei-I think Taichi needs a shower-he's starting to stink up the place a bit." He said jokingly as Takuya cuffed him gently alongside the head and Rei chuckled as she threw Taichi an 'I told you so' look.
"See-you should've listened to me when I came by that day and told you that you needed a shower and some rest yourself!" She said, sticking out her tongue at him as Taichi took one of Yamato's pillows that he wasn't lying on and tossed it at her.
Rei ducked and it hit the door instead and she chuckled softly as she headed out of the room, promising to return to relieve Taichi of his 'Yamato watching' duty so he could go take care of himself for a bit.
Takuya sat patiently by Kouji's bedside, relieved that Tomoko hadn't actually admitted her son into the hospital. They'd just found a spare room that wasn't being used, and had decided to just keep Kouji here until he woke. And when he did wake up, Takuya knew that that would be the deciding factor if his koi could leave or not.
Hearing the door open slightly, he saw Rei pop her head in and he gave her a small smile as she entered, carrying a couple cups of coffee with her.
Handing one to Takuya, she wordlessly pulled up a spare chair that was in the bedroom and came to sit down next to him, reaching out and taking Kouji's hand gently into her own.
It was quiet for awhile as the two sat deep in thought, sipping on their coffee. Until Rei let go of Kouji's hand and sat back into her chair, looking deep in thought.
"I can't believe that Kouji thinks that this is all his fault." It took Takuya a moment to realize what it was that she was talking about, before he glanced down at Kouji's sleeping face and gave a small nod as he suddenly understood what it was that she was talking about.
"He didn't ask for this-any of this. If anyone should be to blame for this, I think that it should be me." Rei only shook her head though.
"No-I don't think it's anybody's fault…at least, not within our circle of friends. The fault lies in whoever it is that's after Kouji. At first I know that a lot of us all thought that it was Sen-but…lately, Sen's been leaving Kouji alone. And seeing the way that he was looking at Hirotaka, well…" Now, it was Takuya's time to sit back deep in thought.
"You know, I remember Koichi telling me that Hirotaka forcefully kissed Kouji-that it happened before we got back together, a few days after he was attacked in the bathroom of the café." As Takuya told Rei this, she felt like they were trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, but something was missing.
Getting up, she put her coffee down on the nightstand next to the bed as she headed out of the room.
"I'll be right back." She told him, and Takuya nodded.
True to her word, Rei was back within seconds with a pad of paper and a pen-and Takuya assumed that she'd borrowed it from the nearby nurses station-he was right. But what he didn't know, was why she had them.
However, Rei answered that shortly after she sat back down in the same seat that she'd left.
"I've just got the feeling that we're so close to finding out something important-like a key as to what's really going on here. So I figured that what we can do is we can write down all the facts and information as to what's happened within the past few months and maybe it'll help us see if we're forgetting something." Takuya nodded. It sounded like a plan.
"I feel like a cop doing this." He muttered as Rei chuckled and started to make the list with her neat handwriting.
"Yeah, I know-it's a pity that the cops aren't actually paying more attention to this case…well, save for the fact that now since Koichi's been stabbed they've obviously got to start thinking that something is really going on here-and it's not just a bunch of teenager's imaginations." Takuya snorted as Rei said this in the most sarcastic tone of voice that she could muster.
"Okay, so what's first…?" Rei murmured to herself as she started jotting down notes onto the pad.
And that is how Takuya and Rei pretty much spent most of the night as they waited for Kouji to wake up so they could be sure that he would be alright…
It was much later on in the morning when a bunch of tired looking teenagers finally came tramping through the front door of their dormitory at Shibuya University.
Rei was first, trying to stifle a yawn as she stretched and happened to get a glance at the clock on the nearby wall-mentally cursing her dumb luck as she realized that she was missing History-again. Shaking her head and rubbing her tired eyes, she debated about whether or not to actually attempt to get to class and at least attend part of it and explain to their history teacher what had happened-and why Kouji wasn't in class, when she turned to see Takuya supporting a half asleep Kouji through the door.
Deciding not to tempt fate, and that it would probably just be better off sleeping the day away like she knew many of her other friends were planning on doing (as Kita and Kai had come back much earlier, and knowing how the twins liked their sleep she had the feeling that they were both still sleeping in their respected rooms) she went to help, slinging Kouji's other arm over her shoulders as Takuya sent her a grateful look, while Kouji sent her a glare.
At that moment though, she didn't really care-she was also one of the few people here that Kouji's glare didn't have any effect on her once so ever, as she was quite used to it by now.
"Don't give me that!" She lightly scolded him, and Kouji just shook his head with a sigh.
"I can walk you know-" He started, but didn't get to finish as Takuya snorted and shook his head, causing Kouji to look in his direction with another one of his infamous glares and Takuya chuckled.
"My, someone's cranky when he doesn't get his much needed beauty sleep!" Takuya teased lightly, and even Rei had to chuckle softly as Kouji growled softly underneath his throat and attempted to push the two of them away-but, unfortunately while he might've dislodged himself from Rei's grip, he wasn't so lucky with Takuya's.
"Hey! Cut that out, alright? Forgive us if we're only looking out after you Kouji!" Kouji looked slightly startled by this, and sighed as he leaned wearily against Takuya and Rei-deciding to be smart-stayed back and remained silent.
"I-I'm sorry…it's just that, with all that's been happening lately…I just don't want anyone else to get hurt on my account." He murmured, sending an apologetic glance in Rei's direction, and she nodded back at him in understanding.
"Kouji, none of this is your fault! Alright? They'll catch the creep who stabbed Koichi, okay? And Koichi's fine…you saw him before we left, he was awake and responsive!" Biting his lower lip and nodding at what Takuya was saying, Kouji sighed again as he leaned even more into Takuya's strong, protective embrace…wishing to never leave it as he buried his head into Takuya's shoulder and fought the tears that threatened to flow.
He felt himself start to sag in Takuya's grip, his knees giving away underneath him as he silently cursed their sudden disobedience.
Instantly Rei was there to help Takuya support him, as she gave him a worried look that he returned.
"Come on Kouji…let's get you upstairs to bed, alright?" Kouji only nodded, not trusting himself to speak as he felt Takuya lift him off the ground completely and start carrying him up the stairs.
Kouji sensed Rei following them, but when he peeked over Takuya's shoulder for a moment, saw that she was heading off into the direction of her own bedroom-looking just as tired as the rest of them all felt.
"I'll see you guys later alright? Take care of yourself Kouji." He heard her murmur as he nodded at her and gave her a thumbs up sign that she smiled at before she opened her door and disappeared into the room within.
A few minutes later, the two teens were in their own dorm as well and Takuya gently placed Kouji on the bed, helping him take off his shoes so that he could lay down properly. His own pillow had never felt so good…and he was incredibly glad that his mother hadn't forced him to stay at the hospital so she could keep an eye on him. Luckily for him, she trusted Takuya-and Rei-to do that for her.
He stifled a yawn, and Takuya chuckled as he saw him take off his shirt and his own shoes and motioned for Kouji to roll over as Kouji eyed the clock with his dark blue gray orbs and realized the time.
"Aren't you going to class?" Kouji murmured softly as Takuya laid down next to him and put an arm around him, drawing him close to his warm body.
The brunette chuckled softly as Kouji cuddled up close to him, savoring the warmth and protectiveness that he always felt around felt around Takuya, as he rested his head on Takuya's chest.
"Mmmm…yes, but this is a lot more appealing to me at the moment then sitting in boring classrooms all day long. Besides, your mom did tell me to keep an eye on you, right?" This time it was Kouji who chuckled as he nodded-his soft laughter being cut off when Takuya kissed him long and deep.
Several minutes later when the two parted, Kouji was smiling softly as he got more comfortable within Takuya's embrace and sighed happily.
Within seconds Takuya felt Kouji's steady breathing and as he glanced down at his koi he realized that Kouji had fallen asleep. Laughing quietly to himself at how adorable Kouji looked just then, Takuya reached out and gently untied Kouji's hair from the band that he used to keep it up in it's usual ponytail. As the raven locks of hair tumbled down to Kouji's shoulders, Takuya started to brush the dark hair with his fingers and heard Kouji sigh in content.
Takuya decided then and there, that there really wasn't any better way that he could've chosen to spend the day no matter how hard he would've tried. Lying there with Kouji in his arms fast asleep-safe and sound-was everything and anything that he could've wished for. A part of him still felt like it was a dream come true that they were finally together again. And speaking of dreams…
Feeling his own eyes starting to softly fall shut as the long night had finally taken it's toll on him, Takuya clutched Kouji a bit tighter to his chest-as though to never let him go…like he could protect him from anything and everything-and finally fell asleep himself.
TBC
End Notes: So there you have it...a bit more Takouji fluff in there for you guys! And I PROMISE that there will be more of Koichi (and Izumi) in the next chapter! Lol...I actually wasn't intended on getting hit by things by certain reviewers....(Hmmm, Naruto Kaiba?--lol, though I think I might have some of those plushies you threw at me on my bed still...so...grins ) ANYWAY, Sailor Epyon has agreed to be my shield so she's going to help me fend off everyone from now on...((huggles Sailor Epyon-my net is back up and working now, so we can chat again!)) ah, but expect another update from me hopefully soon-the quarter is finally ending at school so as soon as finals are officiallydone and over with,I'll be able to concentrate more on my writing...ah, well,see you allin the next chapter...