Disclaimer: The muses would like to remind everyone that Angel Spirit doesn't own Digimon, just the plot of the fic and any OC's floating about.

Author's Notes: Heya! (waves to everyone) Thank you guys for being so patient with this update, I know it probably took me forever, and I apologize immensely for having taken so long, but it was one of those chapters that I wanted absolutely perfect you know? In case you're wondering why the title of this chapter sounds so familiar, I was actually listening to Christina Aquilera's 'Fighter' while I was starting to work on this fic and I don't know, for some reason I just thought it fit-so there's the explanation for that but, it took me awhile to write this chapter all out. But a bonus for you guys for having waited so patiently for me to work this one all out is that it's a really, and I mean really long chapter. I just couldn't find a good place to stop, so I just kept on going until I felt comfortable enough to come to a stopping point. I want to say it's not a cliffhanger…but…I'd be lying. You guys will probably be screaming at the end of this chapter so I thought I'd warn you all in advance: BIG cliffhanger here! The next chapter is in the works, but once again it's one that I want to have perfectly done since this fic is finally starting to come to an end…I want to say that there's only going to be two more chapters (I know, I changed my mind, but since I'm the author I can do that right?). I just didn't think that what I plotted out for the ending would be this long, so yeah…(smiles mischievously) that's what up with this fic at the current moment…now I'm off to work on one of my others and take a small break from this one so I don't drive myself crazy…hehe. (And don't give me that look, yes, I know I'm crazy enough to write a fic like this…you don't have to go reminding me…LOL!)

A shout of thanks out to my beta reader, Sailor Epyon who was ever so kind enough to once again go through this incredibly long chapter, and make sure that there weren't any huge mistakes I missed…you're an awesome set of second eyes girl. Thanks!

Rating: PG13 (or M or whatever calls it now…)

Time Setting: Five years after Eternity-the first fic to this

Warning: This fic contains slash/yaoi/yuri…I suggest if you're not a fan of male/male pairings then you should hit the wonderful back button to the top left of your page there and run far, far away.

Pairings: Takuya/Kouji, Kouichi/Izumi, Taichi/Yamato, Rei/Katsume, previous hints of Ruki/Juri, and some Tomoki/Shinya to come…if I forgot any of them, you guys know the drill by now I'm sure!

Forevermore
Author: Angel Spirit

Chapter 19: Fighter


Rei was struggling…he watched as she continued to struggle for what seemed
like several seconds, before she passed out completely from whatever it was
that Hirotaka had given her. He was still pretty dazed himself…he could
feel the chloroform taking him over, putting him to sleep.


He willed it away, but it didn't seem like that was going to happen anytime
soon. He felt his eyes slowly starting to slip shut when a pair of strong
arms grabbed him, and started carrying him bridal style out of the elevator.


When had the elevator stopped?


His mind started to panic as he realized what was going on, that Hirotaka
was taking him away. He couldn't allow him to take him away. If he was
taken away, he might never come back…


And that thought scared him more than anything. He felt the tears prickle
in the corner of his eyes, and he wanted to angrily brush them away-he
couldn't move though, his body felt paralyzed-his mind numb. He could
barely think as it was…he was trying to remember why he was crying now.


"Shhh…it's only the effect of the chloroform. People react differently to
it, Rei's pretty much not going to come back to the land of the living
anytime soon…and you…you're just lying here in my arms completely unaware of
the danger that you're in. I wish that this didn't have to happen Kouji, I
really, really wish that it didn't. But…it's the way it has to be. More
for my safety than yours, let me tell you. I wish I'd never gotten myself
into this mess in the first place, mind you. But now at the moment, it
doesn't seem as though I have much of a choice. Either I bring you to him,
or I'm a dead man. No offense Kouji, I still think you're beautiful and
all, but my life isn't worth trying to get you to love me when it's obvious
you love him more than you'd love anyone else…ever."


He was rambling…Hirotaka was rambling, and that usually meant that he was
nervous…nervous about what though?


Kouji's mind started screaming at him, telling him to stay awake, to not
fall asleep…he willed himself to stay conscious as long as he possibly
could


Long enough for him to dazedly witness Hirotaka practically dumping him in
the backseat of an old car, and placing a blanket up over his limp body. He
wanted to tell him to stop…wanted to tell him to leave him the hell alone,
to take him back.


Instead, his dark blue-gray eyes slowly slid shut…the last thing they saw
was Hirotaka's cold, hard eyes…

"How do you remember everything?" The question came quietly, after havingrode for several minutes in silence. Takuya fidgeted in the back seat of
Katsume's car, while Rei sat in the passenger seat in the front-Katsume
having nearly pushed her into it after having opened the door and telling
Takuya that he was being moved to the back seat.

Sensing an impending argument between the two, Takuya didn't bother to try
and argue with Katsume just then. So he did exactly as she had told him to,
and moved from the passenger seat that he had originally started out into
the back.

Which, was where he was now as he sat listening to Katsume's tense question.
He shut his dark brown eyes, wishing that the two of them could fight
later. Right now, all he cared about was finding Kouji. Kouji was all that
mattered-everything else could wait until after they found Kouji, and he was
safe in his arms once again.

"I don't know." Rei responded coolly, her arms crossed over her chest as
she glared out the window-realizing that once again it looked like it was
going to rain, as dark storm clouds hovered above them.

A bolt of lightning shot through the sky and Rei forced herself not to jump
in her seat when thunder rumbled in the distance afterwards. However, from
the corner of her eyes, she saw Takuya jump-ever so slightly so that one
probably wouldn't have seen it if they hadn't been paying attention…and Rei
realized that he was probably on edge. More so than she herself was at the
moment.

"The serum was supposed to-"

"Make me and Kouji forget everything about that night?" The long haired
brunette finished for Katsume, and she snorted.

Forget angry-she was beyond angry now.

"Some girlfriend you're turning out to be!" Rei snapped, finally loosing
it. Suddenly she didn't care anymore. All she wanted was Kouji safe-back
with Takuya where he belonged. Whatever happened afterwards, happened…and
she was suddenly doubting that she would be back in Katsume's arms after all
of this.

She wasn't looking at Katsume when she'd declared that, she'd been looking
out the window still. Or else, Rei would've seen Katsume's eyes widen.
With rage, horror, maybe both…one would never know maybe, but the tone of her
voice was the iciest towards Rei that it had ever been.

And their argument was putting Takuya even more on edge than he already was,
making him want to scream at them to shut up and concentrate on what was
important…Kouji.

He chanted Kouji's name over, and over again in his mind as he tried to
block out the girl's fighting in front of him, closing his eyes so he
wouldn't have to see the anger displayed in their faces and eyes. They
should be lucky that they were safe, that they weren't in a situation like
he was with Kouji now. What would Katsume do if Rei had been in Kouj's
place? Or vice a versa…definitely not fight…

"What in the hell do you mean by that?" Katsume snarled, whipping her
head around so that her dark blue-green eyes were glaring right at Rei-full
of fury. She wanted nothing more than for Rei to turn her head around and
face her, looking her in the eyes. But it seemed as though Rei had a different
plan-and it was starting to get on Katsume's nerves.

"Let's see…" Rei started off dryly, finally twisting around so that her own
angry orbs met Katsume's as she started to make a list, using her fingers to
emphasize it.

"First, you kiss me in front of the whole entire cheerleading
squad-therefore getting me kicked off the squad since it's very apparent
that they all seem to be major homophobes. Second, you then had to go ahead
and proclaim your love to me, but instead of spending time with me so that we
could actually develop a relationship, you go ahead and stick your nose in
the books and then go off to 'work'-which, we both know by now that you were
really undercover and 'work' means that you were actually 'working' on this
stupid case that's gotten everyone into some major shit. Thirdly, you
drugged Kouji and myself and expected us to believe that during the night that we
didn't remember, we went out drinking and had a major hangover the next
morning! Couldn't you and your idiotic squad mates have come up with a
better story line than that? Please…" Rei snorted, and Katsume found her
hands tightly gripping the steering wheel-thanking god that she was driving
at the moment. She was afraid of what she'd do to Rei if she hadn't been.
But…in many ways, Katsume could clearly see that Rei was making sense.

A part of her longed that Rei wasn't though, and that the brunette was just
being irrational. But…she wasn't, that was the thing. She was completely
on target with each and every thing that she was telling her.

It made Katsume furious…not at Rei, but at herself. She wanted to cry, but
she couldn't…not now anyway. Maybe later, when she was alone she'd cry her
heart out. But now, she had a job to do.

"Shall we go on? Oh, yes…let's. So, we've gotten up to the part where you
drugged Kouji and me, spread that wonderful story about us being
'irresponsible' and going out and getting drunk on a 'school' night. Then
let's see…oh, right if I remember we had all those fights in between in
which Kouji comforted me and you got jealous, and then the whole stalker
crap started happening. Yamato gets hit by a car that I still believe was
meant to hit me no matter what he says-and you're hardly there to comfort me
throughout it, later on Alec and I find Kouichi nearly stabbed to death in
an abandoned dormitory-oh, and yeah, where were you Katsume? Working…"
Katsume had long since stopped glaring at Rei, but now Rei's eyes were
narrowed into little slits.

She was seething, and it was very apparent in making her point.

Katsume Monroe knew that it was one hundred percent of the way legit. She
made one lousy girlfriend…

Rub it in some more, will you Rei…? Katsume thought miserably, bringing a
hand up to her forehead so that way her fingers could massage her
temples-she was starting to get a headache from all of Rei's anger.

"And now, you're not even listening to me! You know what Monroe, after this
if I never see you again, fine so be it I-"

"SHUT UP!" Both girls gasped as Katsume's eyes flicked to the rear view
mirror to see Takuya-his dark brown eyes narrowed just like Rei's, filled
with just as much hate as Rei's were. But…at the moment, both girls had the
feeling that Takuya was angry about something completely different.

And suddenly, Rei felt horrible, as dread swept over her and she started to
visibly shake. What in the hell had she been thinking?

She should have left her ranting and raving for after this was all done and
over with, for after Kouji was safe and sound…how could she have allowed
herself to go off on Katsume like that?

Rei licked her dry lips and turned so that her eyes-now full of sorrow and
apologies-could look into Takuya's, but Takuya was having none of it as he
shook his head before Rei could open her mouth to speak.

"No. Not another word, I don't want to hear it! We need to be focusing on
finding Kouji, you two shouldn't be arguing-and Katsume don't you dare
defend yourself, because if I hadn't stopped Rei when I did you, would've
retaliated sooner or later-enough is enough! You two can have your lovers
spat after Kouji is safe and in my arms…got it?" Rei nodded mutely,
looking away from Takuya-but he'd briefly glimpsed the tears in her eyes.

He knew that she was sorry, he knew that she truly hadn't meant to go off on
a tangent as she had. But it wasn't fair…not to him, not to Kouji-not to
Kouichi or any of the others who wanted to see Kouji back home, and safe as
well. Rei could fight with Katsume (and vice a versa) after this was all
over and done with. A part of him was slightly apologetic, because he
hadn't meant to yell as loud or as angry as he had. He really hadn't, but
hearing the two of them squabble up in the front seat…

"You two should be lucky that you both still have each other." Takuya
murmured finally, saying sorry in his own little way. There was nothing but
silence in the car afterwards, each of them lost in their own thoughts and
wrapped up in their own little worlds.

For Takuya, it was praying that Kouji was still alive…and well…and that they
could live happily ever after, as images of the past started to take over and
soon, the wavy-haired brunette was lost in the past…full of memories. Some
good, some bad…

Katsume herself was quiet as well, biting softly on her lower lip, as in her
mind, she debated two things. One, how they were going to rescue Kouji from
Hirotaka's clutches, and two-her situation with Rei, and what she was going to
do about it. She flicked her dark blue-green eyes over to her 'girlfriend's'
direction and saw that she was hunched miserably in the passenger seat next
to her. Rei's dark eyes were looking out the window once more, but this
time they weren't filled with the same hate and anger that had been there
before Takuya's outburst. Now they were filled with remorse…and a bit of
sadness.

It looked to Katsume that Rei was trying her hardest not to cry, but she
didn't want to bring it to anyone's attention, so she allowed her own mind to
wander to more important things-like thinking of a plan to save Kouji.

And Rei…

Rei was feeling miserable. She couldn't believe that she had lost control
like that-it was as though she had completely forgotten about Kouji, and
Takuya had been in the back seat listening to her whole speech. She
suddenly felt like a spoiled brat…and she bit her lower lip to keep it from
trembling.

When this is all over…I think I'm going to take a vacation…and do a lot of
thinking. Rei thought silently to herself, shifting her eyes slightly
towards Katsume's general direction before quickly adverting them back to
looking outside. She suddenly wished that a big, black hole would open up
underneath her and swallow her whole…so she wouldn't have to deal with the
consequences of her outburst.

But…

She had to.

She had to admit that things between her and Katsume weren't going well
between the two of them, and that it seemed like with each and every passing
day that they were growing further and further apart.

It was sad to admit, but Rei wasn't sure how much longer she wanted to hold
onto Katsume. It seemed as though Katsume was going in a completely
different direction…and it was breaking Rei's heart. Rei didn't want to see
Katsume go-she'd fallen in love with her, without realizing it until it was
too late. At first…at first, she'd thought that it had just been a crush.
But now…now, it was so much more.

Was she jealous that Katsume's job and career took precedence over loving
her?

Yes.

But this could wait later. They could talk, and fight about this all later…

For right now, they needed to find Kouji, and rescue him…bring him back
where he belonged.

Rei prayed that they weren't too late…and she knew within her heart, that
Katsume-and especially Takuya-were both thinking the same thing…

"You said that you wouldn't hurt him!" Hirotaka raged, only to receive a
smirk from the one hiding in the shadows. It wasn't a scene that Hirotaka
had wanted to walk into when he'd gone to make that 'mysterious' phone call
that he'd needed to make.

"I lied. He's…so…vulnerable lying there like that. Besides…" The figurestepped out of the darkness and into the small patch of light where a limp
figure lay, still unconscious and unaware of his surroundings and what was
happening.

"He's going to wake up in pain, you said-"

"I don't give a shit what I said, alright! Plans have changed now. I want
him to feel pain…remember who's orchestrated this whole ordeal Hirotaka,
huh? I don't think that it was you, was it? WAS it?" Feeling numb as he
stared down at Kouji's body in shock, Hirotaka slowly shook his head so that
his bangs fell into his face.

He hadn't orchestrated any of this….it was true. None of this was his
planning-he was just along for the ride…all because of a simple thing called
blackmail.

"You know, they're going to find him, and they're going to find you, and
then where will you be?" A snort followed his question, and a few minutes
of silence before:

"Well, the answer to that Hirotaka, is quite simple. I will be away…and
you…you will be here…taking my fall." This time, it was Hirotaka who
snorted, as he took a step back from the sight before him. He had to
admit…it was rather…disturbing, and terrifying at the same time.

"As if. Just because you-" But the figure from the shadows stepped out
suddenly and shushed him with a quick kiss…one that Hirotaka quickly and
quite angrily pushed away from.

"Not again…never again…" Hirotaka threatened, his eyes narrowing as Sen
laughed at the sudden coldness that Hirotaka seemed to possess, as he reached
over and put his arm around Hirotaka's shoulders, causing the other to
tense.

"You say it, but you know that every time we kiss you love it…just like I
do." He slurred, and Hirotaka shook his head as he tried to duck out of
Sen's slight embrace, but Sen only tightened his grip…and Hirotaka sighed in
defeat.

"Fine…fine…what do you want me to do while you're playing your little cat
and mouse game with him?" Hirotaka murmured, gesturing towards the
warehouse where Kouji currently lay unconscious. Sen's smile made Hirotaka
feel even more uneasy…

"You, my dear, kind friend are going to keep a certain detective and her
girlfriend a little…shall we say…tied up?"

Hirotaka listened to Sen's plans after that…

And gulped nervously.

"We're here." Katsume muttered softly as she parked the car, after having
pulled it up in one of the few parking spaces in the warehouse district.

Rei wanted to say 'well duh', but somehow managed to keep her mouth
shut…having the feeling that even though she was angry about their current
situation, saying snide things like that…probably wouldn't help.

Besides, after having gotten a good look at Takuya from the rear view
mirror, Rei knew instantly that he had been correct and berated herself for
having been so self centered…her relationship with Katsume would wait until
later on, for the moment, Kouji was what really mattered now. Everything
else could be put on the back burners until after Kouji was rescued, and
Hirotaka put safely behind bars.

"So how are we going to do this?" Takuya asked softly, as Katsume turned
around to look at him.

"We're waiting for my backup, and then we're going in." She declared
smoothly, as though it would be as simple as that. Takuya's dark brown eyes
widened and he nearly choked on his answer back at her, and one glance at
Rei allowed him to know that she was thinking the same thing as her eyebrows
nearly shot to the roof of the car they were still in.

"If we wait for your backup, Kouji might…might…!" Takuya threw his hands
up into the air in exasperation as he tried to get his point across without
actually having to say it. Katsume only regarded him with a cool and
collective look, while Rei nodded in agreement with Takuya as she undid her
seatbelt.

"Katsume, the longer we sit in this damn car, the longer Hirotaka can do who
knows what to Kouji. Your backup might not even come in time…what if…what
if they're too late and we were just sitting out here the whole entire time
waiting for them? I don't know about you Katsume, but I sure as hell
couldn't live with that on my conscience." With that said, Rei opened up the
passenger door as quietly as she could, and closed it in the same manner…not
wanting to alert anybody-especially Hirotaka-that there were others present
in the warehouse district.

She felt the car shift underneath her a little, and looked over her shoulder
to see Takuya doing the same thing that Rei was doing-Katsume however,
stayed in the car, her hands tightly gripping the steering wheel as she
looked straight ahead. No doubt trying her hardest to not break the rules
that she was so set in following.

After several long and accusingly slow minutes, Katsume herself finally got
out of the car.

"Fine. Fine…I didn't want to do this, I didn't okay to do this." She
muttered as she tossed one walkie talkie to Rei and another to Takuya, both
teens were currently looking at Katsume with looks of astonishment as
Katsume took out her own walkie talkie.

"Channel four isn't in use at all, set them to that and we can holler at one
another through that channel, which I want to be done if either of you two
find Kouji or Hirotaka before I do. No heroics…got it Takuya?" The look
that Katsume gave Takuya made him gulp and shudder slightly…it was a cold
look, her eyes were narrowed and he couldn't tell what other emotions were
running through Katsume at this point in time either, she had them all
perfectly hidden.

It reminded Takuya of the way that Kouji would look sometimes during their
adventures in the Digital World quite a few years back. It also reminded
Takuya of how a person could change in such a length of time as well.

Hang on Kouji, I'm coming…

He thought, as he nodded at Katsume in understanding…but crossed his fingers
behind his back as he did so.

Sure, he'd call for help…but he wasn't going to wait for it if he found
Kouji first. If he found Kouji first, he'd radio for help as Katsume said,
but he wouldn't wait for it. He'd make it his first priority to get Kouji
out of whatever situation that his koi was in. That was the most important
to him.

Takuya managed to catch Rei's eyes as he noticed that she also held a close, guarded look…but he could've sworn that she oh so casually winked at him. It was one of those blink- and-you-miss-it type deals and Takuya wasn't even sure if he'd seen it or not, but he had the feeling that Rei was thinking of doing the same thing as he was thinking. Kouji came first…everything else second.

"Shall we split up?" Rei asked softly the earlier argument with Katsume momentarily forgotten, as they headed into the warehouse district, and Katsume sighed.

She really didn't like doing this…she hated this idea. The warehouse district was nothing but a bunch of buildings created into one big maze. That, and half of the warehouse buildings in the large maze were actually dangerous to be around or even in, since the fire that had torn through the district years ago.

At least it'll help narrow down our search for Kouji a little bit, Hirotaka wouldn't have been so stupid as to hide out in a warehouse that's getting ready to crumble…right? The thought caused her mind to panic a little bit, but she was good enough so that it didn't show to the other two, who seemed to have already made up their minds as to which direction they wanted to go in.

"Be careful." Katsume muttered in acknowledgement, as Takuya went left, Rei went right…and that…left her with straight. Sighing, Katsume clipped her walkie talkie to her pocket and started forward…

"Oh look, someone's waking up I see.' His head hurt, his whole body hurt…but his left arm hurt the worst. Those were his thoughts, as Kouji groggily came too. What in the hell had happened to him, and most importantly, where was he?

He must've voiced his thoughts, because the same voice from before, started answering them. Either that, or the person speaking was a very good mind reader. Which, Kouji's mind felt like cotton and lead at that precise moment.

"You're in the warehouse district, in an abandoned warehouse…and you're with…me…" A figure knelt in front of Kouji, and he shivered realizing that he was missing his shirt, and only wore his jeans and sneakers. The figure reached out and gently pulled out Kouj's hair tie, and he winced at the move.

The only person he ever allowed to do that, was Takuya. Not even Rei was that stupid as to try a stunt like that, she knew how he felt about his hair. He loved it long, but he only allowed certain people to see it down all the way.

Maybe when I get out of here, I'll let Rei see what it finally looks like down…she has been begging me for quite awhile…Kouji thought for a fleeting second and then wondered why he thought it.

"The chloroform knocked you up pretty badly, and you were out for awhile, so you might be feeling some after effects of it." The same low voice from before murmured, and Kouji's head swam as he tried to get up from the sitting position he was in. His legs were stretched out in front of him, and his back was leaning against something. His left arm felt a little on the numb side for some odd reason…

As Kouji's blurred vision slowly started to focus, he started looking around more as well. He was in an abandoned warehouse, the stranger who had him was telling him that much truth. Kouji's eyes narrowed as he remembered that Hirotaka had been the one to kidnap him from the hospital, so now the question he had to find the answer to was: who had him now?

Again he must've voiced his thoughts out loud (and mentally cursed himself for doing so), because the stranger chuckled, and Kouji winced at the strange sound. The stranger made it seem as though he wasn't accustomed to any kind of warm laughter…just the cold kind of laughter that didn't have any feeling or emotion in it once so ever.

"Like I said, you're with me. No worries…yet. I just…want to play a game with you." Kouji's eyes had finally focused, and when he saw who had him, who had been stroking their hand through his hair while he was still waking up, he tried to move back and winced when his back hit rough wood.

Above him, Sen chuckled again, and Kouji groaned and shook his head in quick denial.

"No…no, Hirotaka…" Sen's smile did not match his laughter; if anything it was even more cold and twisted.

"Not Hirotaka my dear Kouji…me…it was all me. Hirotaka was only an accomplice. All he did, was all I told him to." Licking his dry lips, Kouji wondered what on earth it was that he could've ever done to Sen to get him to do something like this…to want to hurt him, to hurt his friends…

And for the life of him, he couldn't even think of anything!

"What have I ever done to you?" Kouji whispered fiercely, becoming more awake with each passing minute as his eyes took in his surroundings. He couldn't find a way out…not yet at least. But he was determined to not let Sen have his way, not if he could hold out long enough to be rescued.

"You took away what was mine, Minamoto." Sen snarled, stepping closer towards him. He moved his booted foot as though to kick Kouji, but Kouji saw the movement and managed to neatly roll out of the way, stifling a groan of pain as he did so, and managed to clumsily get to his feet with the help of some nearby cargo boxes.

"What could I have possibly taken away from you, that wasn't already mine to begin with?" The dark haired teen gasped out, an arm encircling his hurting ribs as he stumbled toward the nearby shadows. The darkness would help hide him. For how long, he didn't know…hopefully long enough…

"Someone whose feelings you didn't return, someone you stole away from me that night you decided to go running into territory that wasn't your own! I guess from what I've heard, that I should blame part of it on Kanbara, since he was the one who started the fight that caused you to run out, hmmm?" Kouji's blood froze as he realized what Sen was talking about…actually not what, but more importantly who.

"Hirotaka." The whispered name echoed off the walls, and Kouji winced as he knew that Sen had heard him, as he managed to make it into the darkened shadows, following them deeper into the warehouse.

"Yes Kouji, you guessed it right. Hirotaka was mine, ismine, and no one, not even you, can take him away from me! I won't let you!" Kouji gasped as he stumbled, and caught himself.

"I don't love him…I don't love him, I love Takuya…I love Takuya, I love Takuya!" Nothing but Sen's laughter came back at him.

"But Hirotaka loves you, you know, whether you love him or not. And I've finally figured out, that the only way to get him to love me back, is to get rid of my competition." Dark blue-gray eyes widened in the darkness, and even though Sen couldn't see Kouji, he smirked at the other's sudden quietness.

"Yes Kouji…you're smart. Nearly as smart as that stupid bitch you hang out with, and that damned detective who keeps on trying to get in my way. Now though…now that they've been…taken care of…all I've got to worry about, is you." Kouji felt his heart start racing as Sen talked about Rei and Katsume.

"What did you do to them?" He whispered, his breathing coming out in light pants…and Kouji knew that he was going to hyperventilate if he wasn't careful.

"They're…a little…tied up, so to speak. But if my guess is correct right now, your best friend is soon to be your ex-best friend…as I do believe that she's halfway down to the bottom of the ocean by now." Sen let out a smile…a real smile. He didn't know why, but having Kouji's 'friends' taken care of suddenly allowed him a bit more freedom. Maybe now, since Kouji's rescuers were taken care of, he could play with his prey before finishing it off. Making a sudden decision, Sen sighed and Kouji's head snapped up to attention from the shadows he was hiding in.

"I've changed my mind Kouji. Since Katsume and Co. seem to have been taken care of, I think that a little game is in order." Biting his lower lip to refrain from speaking, Kouji shook his head as his pulse raced. Sen's new idea sounded like a bad one…a very bad idea…

"I think I'll try and give you a chance to escape before I kill you. Ever hear of the game, cat and mouse? Well…I think the rules are quite simple, and as for who's the cat and who's the mouse…I think that you've already gotten that one figured out. Time to play Kouji…" Thinking quickly, Kouji continued to move in the darkness, hoping beyond belief that the darkness would help him as it had Kouichi back in the Digital World.

"This mouse isn't going to get caught." Kouji whispered, before finding a pile of crates to hide behind, so that he could catch his breath and access his injuries…

Rei turned around to look behind her for what had to feel like the millionth time. Either she was way too paranoid for her liking, or someone was following her, because she didn't feel like she was quite as alone out here as she should be.

Calm down Ashia, it's just your nerves…it's been a long week, and an even longer past couple of days…focus on helping Takuya find Kouji. Your best friend needs help, focus on that…

But even as she tried to calm herself down with those thoughts, she whirled around again. This time though, she decided to stay turned around for a couple of seconds longer, thinking that maybe whoever was following her would be caught off guard and give up the ghost.

As if… Rei thought, hoping that some good luck would come her way.

Good luck did…in the sense that Rei did manage to bring out who was following her. Just…not in the way that she would've liked it to have been.

"Time to die." A chilling voice whispered behind her, and before Rei could turn around, she felt something slip around her neck and tighten. She choked as whatever it was, and whoever it was continued to cut off her air supply until she started to see black spots in her vision.

"And now, you're mine." The same voice taunted as Rei felt herself slip into a light unconsciousness, gasping for breath as the thing that had been cutting off her air supply was removed from her neck, allowing her to breathe once again before she passed out…

Katsume's walkie-talkie crackled to life, as she fumbled with her cold hands to bring it out of her trench coat pocket. Yes, her hands were cold…she'd admit it to herself, but never to any of the others-which was one of the slightest reasons why she was partially glad that they'd decided to separate. They hadn't seen her rubbing her hands constantly together to try and keep them warm.

Her hands had been cold quite a bit lately, and Katsume couldn't quite decipher why. Well, actually a part of her might have known why but she dismissed the thought as quickly as it came.

"Rei? Takuya?" She murmured, pressing the talk button as she figured that it had to be one of them; she just didn't know which one.

Katsume froze into place as she heard a voice that she knew didn't belong to her girlfriend, or Takuya Kanbara once so ever. But she'd heard the voice before…and her heart started pounding in her chest when she quickly figured out who it was.

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty…I do believe I have something of yours." Biting down on her lower lip to keep herself from cursing a million times over, Katsume turned around and headed back in the direction that she'd come from.

Letting Rei and Takuya go out alone had been a big mistake. And now she was paying for it.

"Hirotaka…damn you…I don't even want to guess who you've got because I know I'll be right.
Damnit!" As her finger clicked off the talk button, she heard Hirotaka chuckle softly over the link, and Katsume pursed her lips together-partially praying that her instincts were wrong. But they were never wrong…for all of her life, her instincts had guided her in almost every situation, and they'd always been right one hundred percent of the way, without fail.

And so Katsume Monroe doubted that they'd fail her now.

"You know, your girlfriend smells like-"

"Cinnamon and chocolate." Katsume whispered, her face paling as Hirotaka laughed once again. The laughter wasn't a friendly one, and Katsume almost shivered at the hint of madness that she heard in it.

"Just what I was going to say Monroe, cinnamon and chocolate. You know what else she's going to smell like very, very soon?" Shaking her head, Katsume didn't want to know. Hirotaka told her anyway.

"Blood. Tick tock, Katsume. I think you know where to find me…look for me where the gulls always fly." He whispered, before the walkie-talkie went dead. Katsume froze for a minute, trying to think of the meaning to Hirotaka's riddle. It was actually a really easy one…he wanted her to find him. He wanted her to come and rescue Rei, and even though warning bells started to go off in her mind, she knew that she had to do what had to be done.

"The sea…gulls always fly near or over the sea…he's by the piers, or on them." Katsume muttered as she started to make a mad dash towards the piers, not quite sure how far away she was from them, as it had been quite awhile since her last visit here.

I'm sorry, Takuya…good luck… Katsume thought, knowing that the brunette had to have heard the conversation she'd just had with Hirotaka over the walkie-talkie systems; it had been set to channel four…meaning that even if Takuya hadn't participated in the dreaded conversation itself, then he would've at least heard it. And now, he'd know that he was on his own.

Katsume was filled with a horrible sense of dread.

This was exactly what Hirotaka had wanted.

They'd played right into his hands.

Takuya had heard the conversation all right. And now his mind was racing with the reaction to it all. Katsume would go and help Rei-he knew that she would. Which meant that it was up to him to find Kouji.

Damn you Rei for getting into trouble… came Takuya's snarled thoughts as he rounded a corner, desperate to find some kind of clue as to Kouji's possible whereabouts. He had to be in one of the warehouses…but there were so many of them and Takuya knew it was impossible for him to search them all before something bad happened to Kouji.

Forming a tight fist with his left hand, Takuya took out his feelings of anger and frustration on the nearest wall of the nearest warehouse, feeling a light stinging in his knuckles afterwards as he shook his hand out, grimacing.

It was his own fault…he shouldn't have let Kouji go off on his own…

It wasn't Rei's fault for getting into danger either; the three of them had known that by coming into this without Katsume's so-called 'back up' that had yet to show up (from what Takuya knew anyway), that it would be dangerous.

Besides, Takuya thought bitterly as he continued searching for Kouji, Hirotaka probably had this all planned out, being the scum bucket that he is.

Takuya didn't know it, but a clue was about to make its way known to him. Something fluttered in the wind, heading in Takuya's direction. A bandanna. One that looked exactly like the one that Kouji had been wearing earlier when Hirotaka had taken him in the elevator at the hospital.

Letting out a sigh of relief, Takuya reached up and grabbed the flying object, grinning a bit. It was a sign…something told him that this was telling him that Kouji was nearby. He had to be in one of the warehouses close to him, Takuya didn't explain how he knew; he just did. He knew…

Closing his eyes, Takuya breathed in Kouji's scent off of his bandanna, and narrowed his eyes in determination. He would find Kouji, and he'd find him quickly, and get him the hell out of here. After all they'd been through…

Takuya shook his head.

If anyone deserved a happy ending, Kouji did. And Takuya was going to make absolutely sure that Kouji got that happy ending.

"I'm coming Kouji." He whispered into the wind, and started moving forward.

"Come out, you stupid bastard." Katsume muttered, trying to keep her teeth from chattering, as the winds blew fierce and strong along the waterfront. She tightened her coat around herself, as she continued forward against the winds, continuing to mutter further things…like how knotty her hair was going to be after this.

Rei had better appreciate all I'm doing for her! She thought with a sigh as she heard a sound up ahead, and stopped in her tracks…her dark blue-green eyes narrowing, as she was pretty sure that whoever had made that sound, had to have been either Rei or Hirotaka.

"Hirotaka? Show yourself…I want to see my girlfriend in one piece!"

"Gee, thanks." Came a wry voice from somewhere ahead of her; it seemed to float with the wind, as Katsume crossed the last few paces until she got to the pier that she found Rei standing on. But Rei wasn't standing on the pier alone…Hirotaka was behind her, a gun in one hand-his arm wrapped around Rei's waist, successfully entrapping her arms within his grasp.

Rei looked fine…a bit weary, but besides being a bit tied up-as Hirotaka had somehow managed to tie her hands behind her back (Rei would admit later that she believed he'd done it while she'd been somewhat out of it, after he'd nearly choked the air out of her), and it seemed as though she'd been struggling because Hirotaka did not look happy.

"Well, well…what do we have here? Nice of you to finally join us, Monroe. You know, your girlfriend is quite the pain in the ass, right?" Sure enough, as soon as Katsume nodded at Hirotaka's comment, Rei started struggling. Katsume bit down on her lower lip when Hirotaka jerked Rei back towards him, and the gun went out of Katsume's sight.

"None of that now." Hirotaka hissed out, and Rei went still as her eyes suddenly caught hold of Katsume's dark blue-green orbs, and Katsume mentally swore when she saw the terrified look in them. It took a lot to get Rei scared these days…

"Hirotaka…" But he only shook his head, and Rei whimpered at one point. Katsume stopped moving forward as she had been, trying to erase some of the distance between herself and Rei, but Hirotaka seemed to not quite like her idea.

"Choices, choices, Monroe…you see, I'm sure that there's still time left to go and help rescue Kouji. You'd be put on the front page for sure! Isn't that what you want Monroe? Fame? To be recognized for once for all the hard work you do? Put Kouji's stalker behind bars, and I'm sure that that's what you'd get. Why risk loosing it for her?" Hirotaka whispered, as he edged closer out towards the end of the pier with a frightened Rei in tow.

"Because it's not worth it." Katsume replied smoothly as she slowly and steadily followed Hirotaka, taking care not to slip on the wet wood beneath her feet.

"Not worth it? You want to pass up fame to save your pathetic little girlfriend here?" A soft chuckle escaped Katsume's lips as Hirotaka's eyes widened with realization.

A realization that he was going to lose…perhaps he'd been counting on Katsume going after the fame and fortune that putting Kouji's stalker away would give her…

Wait a minute…Katsume's eyes narrowed and she stopped dead in her tracks, her head snapping up so that her eyes were now locked with Hirotaka's dark ones.

"Wait a minute. You're not Kouji's stalker!" She gasped out, and even Rei went completely silent and motionless in Hirotaka's arms, as Hirotaka grinned.

"Wow the great detective finally figured it out…a bit too late though, hmmm? You're out here on the pier with me, and Kouji's still in his stalker's hands. I was merely a pawn…someone to help distract you long enough so that what had to be done tonight, could be done and over with-" Hirotaka stopped suddenly, his breath caught in his throat and he shook his head.

"I don't want it to happen…I…I really don't…Katsume…" It suddenly seemed as though Hirotaka was a completely different person altogether, and Katsume wondered how it could be so, as she slowly continued forward once more.

"I never wanted Kouji or anyone else to be hurt, I…I can't help it…it's…it's his fault, I swear it to god, it is! I didn't want to have anything to do with this, I swear! He made me!"

"Who made you do all this, Hirotaka?" Katsume whispered, determined to get to the bottom of this whole mess.

"Who made you do what you have to do?" Again, the question was nothing but a quiet whisper, but Hirotaka winced like a gun had been fired off…which, luckily for both Katsume and Rei, that had yet to happen.

"Him…he did it…he doesn't even look like me!" Hirotaka's grip was loosening from Rei, as he was obviously confused and in denial about everything going on around him. But if Katsume could get the truth out of Hirotaka, it might help finding Kouji-once she got Rei out of this mess-a lot easier.

"NO! I can't tell you, I won't tell you!" Hirotaka seethed, suddenly becoming himself again-the fiery look of hardcore determination was back in his dark eyes, and now Katsume wasn't sure if she could get the needed information out of Hirotaka or not, as he tightened his hold on Rei once more, and she winced as he did so.

"So what's it going to be, Katsume? It's your choice now, you know…help your fair damsel in distress here, or go and save your bounty." Katsume froze, suddenly unsure of what to do, and the wild look that had appeared in Rei's eyes wasn't helping any. Katsume knew that if she allowed any kind of terrible harm to come to Kouji, that Rei would never forgive her-and neither would Takuya for that matter; but Takuya was hopefully getting closer to Kouji's whereabouts, and he'd be fine…right?

As though he was reading her mind, Hirotaka chuckled softly-but since the wind had picked up; Katsume was still able to hear it as it was thrown in her direction. In Hirotaka's arms, Rei struggled once more, and the two of them slipped back on the pier a little bit-the wood slick from the falling rain while the old wood rocked harshly underneath them from the waves that were starting to form from the stormy ocean below them.

This was not a good predicament to be in…two choices, both that could or would affect two completely different people so closely connected that if she allowed something to happen to one, and the other came out without a single scrape, she'd still probably be on their number one most hated list.

After tonight, Katsume thought bitterly as Hirotaka watched her weigh her decisions in her mind-he could see her thoughts like a book through her dark blue green-eyes, I'm so going to be sleeping on the couch…

Rei would probably never forgive her after the events of tonight. Too many things all happening at the same time; that were too hard to explain at once. Katsume would have to take weeks to explain it all to Rei, Kouji, and Takuya as well…even Kouichi probably, since he was Kouji's twin. Hell, might as well make it one big group meeting while they were at it, so Katsume wouldn't have to explain everything several times over.

Taking a menacing step forward, the look in her eyes hardening, she saw Hirotaka giving her a feral grin.

"So Monroe has made her choice…but now here's the number one question: was it the right one?" Before Katsume could answer, Hirotaka seemed to get an extra surge of strength, and managed to toss Rei over the edge of the pier…Rei's scream pierced through the night before her body hit the cold water beneath them, and Katsume-for the first time in a long time in her life-panicked. Rei still had her arms tied behind her, from when Hirotaka had nabbed her back in the warehouse district…and Katsume knew that there was no way Rei could swim with her hands tied behind her back. No matter how good Rei was…and with the currents getting as strong as they were, there really wasn't much of an option.

And with the option so heavily set in front of her, Katsume threw off her leather trench coat, kicked off her ankle high boots and dove into the water without a second thought…hearing Hirotaka's hoarse laughter behind her, as she crashed into the water in a nice, neat dive…

What neither Rei, Katsume, Hirotaka, or even Kouji and Takuya knew, was that help was on the way. Not in the form of Katsume's squad…because see, even though Katsume had sent the call to her squad-Hirotaka had made sure that they had never received it. But he had had help with that little side project as well; it just hadn't been himself. And that helper was currently with Kouji.

But the help that was on the way currently, were in the forms of a certain Taichi Yagami, and Yamato Ishida. Who had been only a few minutes behind Rei, Katsume, and Takuya-but had actually ended up being a bit tied up themselves when Taichi got pulled over for speeding.

"Of all the god awful times to get pulled over…and the guy wouldn't even believe our story!" Taichi wailed, as he thrust the ticket in Yamato's direction, after having pulled up next to Katsume's car in front of the warehouse district.

Yamato snickered as he stashed the offending yellow and pink slip into the glove compartment-figuring that Taichi would probably want to worry about the eighty-dollar fine later.

"I can't believe he almost arrested you too!" The blonde added teasingly, almost forgetting about the 'crisis situation at hand', as Taichi had so bluntly told the officer who had pulled him over for going a good 20 miles over the speed limit of the highway they were on. Yes, Yamato knew his boyfriend was a speed demon at times when it came to driving…it was more often then not, one of the reasons why he drove most of the time actually.

"What? All I said was that friends of ours were in terrible danger, and I mentioned Katsume's name and the guy went all freaky on me." Taichi grumbled as they got out, and Yamato shivered at the winds that seemed to pummel them the moment they closed their car doors. He immediately wrapped his warm coat closer about him, putting up its hood to help shield the rain that had started to come down in torrents.

"Where could they be?" Yamato hollered over the winds, and the speeding ticket was instantly forgotten as the situation at hand pressed close. Both Yamato and Taichi felt an instant danger nearby, knowing that tonight would probably be the night where everything went down, and would end in one big finale.

Yamato was convinced that Hirotaka had to have help staging all of this. There was no way in hell's green earth that he could've done it all by himself…and Taichi agreed with him.

"Do you think that they split up?" Taichi asked, having come around the car and stood next to Yamato, as they started walking towards the district-and shelter…or whatever shelter the abandoned warehouses could provide for them anyway. Taichi wasn't seeing much…and his hair was already starting to droop and plaster to his face since he'd forgotten to bring a hooded coat, and all he had was his own trench coat. He made a face as multiple strands of dark, brown hair got into his eyes, and Yamato chuckled softly as he glanced over at his partner.

"That's what you get for keeping that mop of yours." He said, giving Taichi a sly look as Taichi only grunted and pushed the strands away with his right hand.

"Yeah, well…at least I don't look like a girl." In response, Yamato stuck his tongue out at the brunette, and Taichi grinned back playfully.

"Now, now Yamato, it's not the time for that…later however…" Taichi's dark brown eyes sparkled mischievously and Yamato nearly choked on his laughter. Then both seemed to suddenly remember the task at hand, and the playful bantering stopped almost as soon as it had started.

"Split up or stay together?" Yamato whispered, shivering slightly in his coat. He hated the cold weather…

"I have the feeling they split up, but something's telling me that we should stay together." Taichi murmured, and Yamato nodded as they started forth together to explore the warehouse, and hopefully find their missing friends and help rescue Kouji from the clutches of his stalker.

But the two hadn't gotten very far into their exploration before they heard a strangled cry-from two different directions. Taichi cursed softly and Yamato nibbled worriedly on his lower lip, as he sent Taichi a look…one that Taichi returned.

"That…didn't sound good." Taichi breathed out, and Yamato sucked in his own breath as he nodded.

"Not good at all." He replied in agreement, as they both eyed each other-communicating silently as crystalline orbs stared into a set of chocolate brown.

"Right or left." Taichi murmured, knowing that they had to split up-and hating it. So far he hadn't seen head or tails of Katsume's squad that she'd supposedly called according to Kai…some backup, he thought wryly as Yamato nodded his head to the right in the direction of the piers behind the warehouses. Taichi grimaced…that had left him with actually going further into the warehouse district to seek out the other scream that had happened. But in all honesty, he'd rather be the one doing it than to let his boyfriend take on the ugly task. But whether or not the piers were that much safer…

"Be careful." The brunette whispered as he reached out a hand and stroked his lover's cheek as Yamato nodded and brought his own hand up to meet his, grasping it gently and bringing it down to their sides as he squeezed it tightly in reassurance.

"I will be, I've learned how to fight as well as you, you know." Taichi only gave him 'the look,' and Yamato sighed and shook his head.

"Fine, I'll be careful…I promise. But only if you promise as well." Instantly Taichi nodded and the two let go of each other. Yamato turned and started heading swiftly towards the piers, but not before casting one last glance behind him-seeing Taichi just standing there with his arms crossed one over the other-looking rather defiant about the whole situation. Yamato sighed…he knew that Taichi absolutely did not like what was going on at the moment, but there was nothing to be done about it until this whole ordeal was finished. So he raised his hand and waved Taichi off…turning around once more-this time. he headed out in a sprint, and when he made a sharp turn around the corner, he didn't look back.

Kouji huddled in the corner as far as he could push himself, his arms protecting the front of him to the best of his abilities, despite the pain he felt. He could swear that there was something wrong with his left arm, though he wasn't quite sure what it was. The pain had now died down to a nice, numbing sensation, but Kouji had the feeling that if Sen was going to do what he thought he was trying to do, that the numbing sensation would probably erupt in nothing but the fiery pain that it was before.

It was also cold…he hadn't thought that it was this cold in the empty warehouse…but of course, now he was without his shirt, only wearing his jeans and the socks that Sen had thankfully left on. His bandana had gone missing a long time ago, as well as his hair tie, so now his hair was loose and flowing about him as well. Sen was staring hungrily at him-the hunger for him shining eagerly in his eyes like that of a wolf on a hunt, and Kouji shivered again as he moved to cradle his injured left arm to his chest.

Takuya…oh gods, where are you…? He thought, panicking as Sen continued to close in on him. Sen couldn't see him…the corner that Kouji had himself backed up in was dark and forbidding…the shadows hiding him and covering him-protecting him. For how long though, Kouji had no clue. He wished with all his heart that the darkness would protect him until Takuya-or someone-arrived to help him out of this miserable situation that he was in. Deep in his mind though, as much as he didn't want to admit it, he knew that that probably wasn't going to happen. That Sen would find him before Takuya did and then…then…

Kouji closed his dark blue-gray eyes tightly, fighting the panic and fear that swelled through him as his breathing grew steadily worse…broken ribs from Sen's last beating? Probably…Kouji hadn't even had the time to take in the injuries that he'd sustained while fighting off Sen-something that had happened only a mere few minutes ago, now seemed like hours ago in Kouji's mind.

He wondered how long he could keep up this game of cat and mouse that he'd started with Sen.

"Come out, come out wherever you are…you know you want to play, Kouji. I know I want to play with you before I allow you to die slowly…shall it be while I'm holding you in my arms, or lying bleeding to death on the cold hard floor of this warehouse?" Kouji bit his bottom lip to keep himself from whimpering, trying not to make a sound. The longer he stayed hidden…

"I know you're around here somewhere Kouji…somewhere in the sweet darkness that will soon be your savior when you're closing your eyes for the last time." Kouji's breathing quickened as he fought the tears that threatened to fall, as he fought the exact image that Sen was projecting into his mind: him lying on the floor, white as a ghost with blood seeping through the knife wound that Sen was sure to give him with the wicked blade that he kept on playing with in his hands…lying there lifelessly as Takuya came too late…too late to save him and to only watch him die…

Kouji's dark blue-gray eyes snapped open, and he swore to himself that that was not going to happen. He'd fight his way through this…it wasn't his fault that Hirotaka had fallen for him so long ago, and had left Sen when Hirotaka had realized exactly what kind of arrogant bastard that Sen really was. But how Sen had managed to rope Hirotaka into his scheme…it was beyond Kouji's imagination, but it all screamed blackmail of some kind. The question was though, was what kind of blackmail was Sen using against Hirotaka to make him do such awful things?

Licking his lips, Kouji realized suddenly that he'd formed a plan in his mind.

Keep Sen talking…while continuing to move in the darkness so that Sen couldn't see him…if he kept Sen talking long enough, maybe Sen would get too distracted and hold off on trying to kill him…or worse…

Kouji shuddered at the thought, and tried to block Sen's previous 'suggestions' from his mind. It was true what he'd said earlier…that he'd rather die then allow Sen to rape him…the only person he'd ever wanted to have him was Takuya, and that was that. Simple and easy…too bad Sen didn't seem to want it that way. But Sen seemed to think that if he broke Kouji, then Kouji would be 'tainted'…and no one would want him, not even Takuya.

It was a harsh thought, but Kouji wouldn't abide by it. He couldn't allow himself to think that way; he had to think strong and positive, because that was the only way he was going to get out of here as unharmed as he possibly could…well, save for the injuries he already had of course. But a broken arm was mend-able…if Sen succeeded in his plans…rape wasn't an easy thing to mend. And he couldn't be brought back from the dead either.

No…the only way out of here was alive…and Kouji had to stay alive and away from Sen's clutches as long as he could. Licking his dry lips, Kouji coughed a little to clear his throat, and was surprised to see blood in his hand.

Not good, so not good…

The dark haired teen thought dread filling his entire being. Coughing up blood was a bad thing, right?

"That didn't sound too good." Sen crooned, and Kouji cringed at how close Sen's voice suddenly seemed to be, as he started to edge silently away. Times like this, he wished desperately for his spirit from the Digital World once more…

Lobomon would kick his ass to hell and back, and play ping-pong with him that way. Kouji thought wryly as a small smile escaped his lips for the first time in awhile.

I wish you were here Lobomon…I could use your strength now more than ever before, I believe. Closing his eyes and sending out a small prayer, Kouji set his plan in motion.

"So Sen…how did you get Hirotaka to do it…?"

By the time the two girls broke the surface for air, Hirotaka was gone.

It had only taken Katsume a mere few minutes to find Rei, struggling under the water as she had been trying to get herself back up to the surface…and also making sure that she didn't sink any further. She'd quickly pulled Rei into a mind-blowing kiss…effectively giving her air at the same time (but, Katsume had to admit that the kiss itself really wasn't that bad either for the situation that they were in…in fact, it reminded her just how good of a kisser Rei was…). She'd used a pocketknife that she always had on her to cut the ropes around Rei's wrists, allowing her free movement, as she started swimming up to the surface holding onto Rei until she got her own momentum.

Now the two of them eyed each other warily, Rei still inhaling gulps of air, as she brought a hand out of the water to push away several dark strands of hair that had fallen into her eyes. Katsume gave her a small, sheepish smile…

And was a bit surprised to get a look of thanks and gratitude from Rei in return; Katsume's smile must've been a contagious one.

"You okay?" Katsume murmured, since Rei was close enough to hear her, so she didn't have to yell out the question over the winds from the storm. Rei nodded, treading water as Katsume was doing, but Katsume could tell that her girlfriend was starting to tire.

"I'm…fine. Thanks to you…but…why?" The blonde tried to hold back her look of surprise at Rei's question, but it wasn't to be helped. So she sighed as she pushed back her own locks of hair that had fallen into her own eyes, before eyeing Rei with a look of love…and a look of honesty at the same time, knowing that she needed to be more truthful with her partner.

"What do you mean why?" Rei shook her head.

"Why did you come after me? Hirotaka was there, Kat, you could've had the arrest of a lifetime, and you would've been all over the papers and the news…so why choose to save me instead of nabbing someone like Hirotaka and putting him away behind bars for good?" She whispered fiercely, a small flicker of hope inside of her believed that she already knew Katsume's answer.

"Because even though it would have been an amazing capture…I couldn't have done it…I couldn't have gone after him knowing that you were down in the water struggling to reach the surface. It was my choice…my choice between him or you…and I chose you." For several minutes the two of them didn't say anything…all they could do was look at each other.

And then Rei let out a soft sigh of relief, and a warm look flooded into her dark brown eyes.

"And here I was thinking that all you cared about was your job…" She muttered, allowing her voice to trail off as Katsume smiled once more at her, before closing the distance between them and offering her a helping hand back to the pier. Rei accepted it gladly and with Katsume's help, made it to the wooden dock, allowing Katsume to haul herself up first as she held onto one of the pier's boards until Katsume was able to pull her up. She didn't think that she'd be able to do it herself.

"Here, come on…we still need to find Kouji, and help him. I only hope that Takuya's managed to find him." Rei nodded and grabbed a hold of Katsume's hand, as Katsume tightened her grip so that Rei wouldn't slip back into the water, while they both struggled to pull Rei up.

An unexpected hand suddenly thrust itself in front of Rei, and she gratefully accepted it…looking up in surprise into a pair of azure blue eyes that stared determinedly down at her.

With Yamato's help, Rei was safely on the pier in no time at all, and both Rei and Katsume thanked him. Yamato only shrugged, and Katsume pointed to a spot underneath his left eye.

"What in the hell happened to you?" She demanded; as Yamato sighed and brought his right hand up to tenderly investigate the huge bruise that was starting to form.

"Let's just say that I had a run-in with Hirotaka's fist…I somehow have the feeling that he didn't quite like that I was coming to help you guys. That and he seemed to be in an awful hurry to get the hell out of here! If it's one thing I've got to say, is that that guy sure has a tough fist…that, and this bruise is sure going to leave one hell of a mark. I think I might have to borrow some of Rei's foundation for the next few days." Yamato muttered, looking rather sheepish as Rei only chuckled and shook her head, as she accepted Katsume's help in standing up, leaning against her. They were both wet and cold…but they both knew that there was more to be done before they could get to shelter, dry clothes, and something warm to drink.

"We've got to go after Kouji…Hirotaka said something about having an accomplice; I really doubt that he's doing all of this by himself!" Katsume hissed out as she slipped her boots back on and tossed her trench coat to a shivering Rei. At least the inside of it was still dry and would keep her warm until the situation at hand was taken care of…permanently.

"Did he tell you anything Rei, before I came, and he threw you over the pier?" The blonde asked as Yamato took Rei from her, while she finished lacing up her boots before she stood up. Rei warily shook her head, looking glum.

"No. I'm sorry, I wish that he had, if he had, I'd tell you in a heartbeat. But, something tells me that Kouji can't be far from here. Hirotaka did this to grant whoever is with Kouji more time. Let's just hope that-like you said earlier-Takuya's gotten to him. If Takuya's with him, hopefully this ending will be a happy one." Rei murmured softly, as Yamato gave her a sideways hug and nodded in agreement before giving Katsume a look of his own.

"Go." Katsume raised an eyebrow, and Yamato waved in the direction of the warehouses before them.

"Go now, go after them Katsume, and nail this son of a bitch for all he's worth! I'll take care of Rei, we'll be right behind you, but you'll be the quickest one out of the both of us…that…and…" Yamato's voice trailed off as his eyes trained themselves on her gun, and Katsume nodded as she allowed her fingers to gently brush the weapon clasped on her belt.

"That, and I've got the power to stop whatever is happening, and end it as quickly as I can, if necessary." Katsume finished, reaching out a hand to tuck a strand of hair behind Rei's ear, but Rei batted her hand away and pointed in the direction of the warehouse.

"I'm fine, Yamato's here with me, go…Kouji's much more important now." Nodding, Katsume turned tail and started running off the pier and into the maze that was the warehouse district.

"I love you…" Rei whispered, allowing Yamato to help her weary body off of the pier as they followed as quickly as they could behind the blonde detective.

Little did Rei know that Katsume heard her, as the wind blew her soft words directly into her ear, and she nodded at them but didn't dare take the time to turn around.

"Love you too, more than you know." She whispered, knowing that when this was all done and over with, that she'd be able to show Rei just how much.

"What in the hell do you mean by that question, Minamoto?"

Kouji once more licked his dry, chapped lips and tried asking his question again.

"I mean, how did you get Hirotaka to help you? You must have some kind of hold over him, right?" The closer Sen's voice got to him, the farther Kouji tried to hide in the shadows, moving slowly as he tried not to trip over anything-least he give his position away.

He swore he could see Sen's evil, maniacal grin on his face as he answered Kouji's question. Kouji only prayed that he'd be able to get himself enough time so that hopefully Takuya would be able to find him, and rescue him before Sen managed to find out where he was hiding. Somehow, in his heart he knew his koi was nearby...he didn't know how to explain it, he just knew.

"You really want to know?" When Kouji didn't answer, Sen assumed it was a yes…so he started in on his explanation of 'how he did it'.

"It's all pure and simple actually. See, when you're stuck with someone for so very long, it's kind of easy to find ways to…how do we say…get them to do something for you." Kouji's breath hitched, and Sen let out a soft laugh.

"You can't play this hide and seek game with me forever, Kouji. Eventually I will find you…and when I do…" Sen allowed his voice to trail off, giving Kouji lots of time to figure out how he would have finished that sentence.

From his hiding spot, Kouji mentally cursed himself for having breathed so loudly, and moved a little more over to the right, into the darkest part of the shadows. He shivered when he heard the winds howling outside, and brought his hurt arm-which he was more than positive was broken-closer to him wishing that he had something warmer on than just his jeans.

"So you blackmailed him to work with you?" Kouji asked in a low voice, glad that his voice left an echo throughout the room, because then Sen couldn't pinpoint his exact location. He had the feeling that if he could keep this up just a little longer…

A snort, followed by a small bark of laughter, as Kouji held back a gasp when he saw Sen's athletic frame come into view, his arms crossing over his chest in a look of defiance. He was starting to get closer...

"Of course, how else would I have been able to enlist anyone's help? I'm known as the 'crazy bastard' by far too many at the University."

"What kind of blackmail did you use to get him to do such hideous things?" Whispered Kouji, and Sen laughed again, throwing his head back as he did so, so that he really did look like a madman. Kouji shivered again…but this time, it wasn't from the cold. Or at least, he didn't think so.

"Many, many things…see Kouji, I know something about Hirotaka that no one else knows…do you want to hear what that is?" When Kouji didn't answer, Sen smiled eerily.

"But of course you do, and I can tell you too because I plan to kill you anyway…so you won't be able to leave this place with my little secret. You'll die screaming out my name." Again, Kouji shuddered, and silently prayed for help. He didn't want to think about what would happen if help came too late.

"I'll tell you how I was able to blackmail Hirotaka so easily…he's my twin." Kouji gasped, his eyes opening wide in disbelief, as he couldn't fathom how anyone could blackmail their sibling as Sen had done. He knew he'd never be able to treat Kouichi like that…he was too much a part of him.

Sen grinned manically at Kouji's shocked silence.

"Surprised, aren't we? Yes…Hirotaka is my dear twin brother. We're much like you and Kouichi in that sense, right Kouji?" All Kouji could do was shake his head and move even further back into the darkness…he knew he was starting to run out of room and soon he'd have nowhere to go. And then, then, he'd be trapped.

"You're nothing like Kouichi and myself…we treat each other with respect, and love-brotherly love!" Kouji spat out, fury sweeping through him as Sen dared to try and compare him and Hirotaka to himself and Kouichi...they were nothing alike. Sen only shook his head though.

"Only because even though you two were separated for so long, you were both still brought up in loving environments. I wish very badly, that things could've been different between Hirotaka and myself…but we only had each other for the longest time…and then…then he had to go and fall in love with someone else. You." Kouji was breathing hard now, if only to prevent himself from being sick right then and there, as he heard Sen's confessions. He really was a mental psychopath.

Sen was coming after him because Hirotaka had fallen in love with him, whereas Hirotaka was supposed to love Sen? But…but…

"But he's your twin." Kouji muttered in disgust, and Sen only sighed dismally.

"I know. It's so hard though, when you're locked up with someone in a single bedroom for so long. I fell in love with him; I couldn't help it. So when Hirotaka came around one day, saying that he'd seen the most handsome guy, I knew I had to check it out. It took me awhile to find you Kouji, yes it did…you know when I found you?" Kouji shook his head, knowing that Sen couldn't see it, knowing that even if he didn't want to know, that Sen would tell him anyway.

"When you were checked into the hospital, that night after you'd cut your wrists so deep that they thought for a little bit that you might not make it…I was envious that someone of your status could get the courage to do such a thing." Kouji licked his dry lips (knowing that it was starting to become a habit now), not quite sure how to respond.

"You don't know anything about my 'status'…I'm not rich or anything, I'd lost the love of my life to his bastard of a father, who took him away to New York, I was depressed and didn't know how to admit it to anyone. That was a long time ago." Sen nodded in agreement, as he started to move forward…looking for him no doubt. Kouji bumped into a stack of crates, thankful that they didn't fall down when he did so, and moved quickly to hide behind them. Crouching down in his hiding place, he allowed himself to peer over the top of one so that he could still see Sen moving around in the shadows.

"You're right again. Five years is a long time. Now you have everything you want, hmmm Kouji? You have Takuya back, you've got great friends, and quite a feisty best friend I might add…one who I do believe should have been taken care of by now." Again, Kouji's eyes widened.

"What did you do to Rei?" He demanded, and Sen chuckled.

"It's not what I did to Rei, my dear Kouji, but what my twin did to her. See, she and that blonde bitch of hers got a little too close…they had to be taken care of. Hirotaka took care of them for me." Biting hard down on his lower lip, Kouji managed to keep himself from cursing out loud. He didn't know whether or not to believe Sen, knowing that he could always be lying to get a rise out of him…to try to get him to blow his hiding spot.

"You're lying." Kouji whispered into the darkness, and saw Sen shaking his head.

"I don't think I am Kouji, see, by now Rei should be halfway down to the bottom of the ocean, I'd suspect…either that, or lying on the ground bleeding to death from a bullet…I wonder which way Hirotaka chose to go." Closing his eyes, Kouji took several deep breaths, as he tried to calm himself down. He couldn't hyperventilate or retaliate…not now. He'd give himself away for sure; Sen was getting closer still...

"I know you're close…I can smell you," Sen started to say, but Kouji didn't get to hear the end of it, as he got distracted, when a hand snaked out from behind him and clasped around his mouth so quickly, that he wasn't able to move…or breathe. He didn't dare struggle, and a part of him thought for sure that it was Hirotaka behind him. He was done for.

"Rei's okay, she's fine…Katsume's fine, trust me, you're fine." The voice whispered, and Kouji's eyes opened wide again, but this time it was in relief as he pulled Takuya's hand away from his mouth, and turned around enough so that he was in the brunette's arms once more. As Takuya's strong arms wrapped around him, Kouji suddenly knew that Takuya was right…he was fine. As long as Takuya was there with him, he was fine.

"Oh god…oh god, oh god, oh gods…Takuya…" Kouji murmured over and over again, enjoying the warmth that flowed off of Takuya, despite the fact that his leather trench coat was dampened a bit by the rain.

"You're freezing…here." Whispering and moving quickly, Takuya had his trench coat off in seconds as he helped Kouji into it, leaving him in just his long sleeved shirt and jeans. Kouji didn't really pull away from Takuya's embrace as they did this, and Takuya frowned realizing what kind of a fragile state Kouji was in at the moment. He knew he had to get him out of there…

"How did you get in without Sen noticing you?" Kouji whispered frantically, feeling a bit warmer now that he had Takuya's coat on.

"There's a back way in, but it's above us…I managed to be pretty quiet, but I think that he was also distracted by you. I'm not sure if we can get out the same way but we can try." Nodding, Kouji knew that he'd try anything to get out of Sen's clutches.

"You're awfully quiet now Kouji, haven't you heard a word that I've said? I wonder what's distracting you so? Maybe you've fallen asleep, and if that's the case then I'll be able to catch you a lot easier…" More laughter followed this, and both boys winced at how much closer Sen's voice sounded than the last time.

"Sadistic bastard." Kouji muttered, loud enough he knew, for Sen to hear it, and Sen continued to laugh.

"Oh yes, so very true, I'll agree with you quite highly, Kouji! Now…let's end this game!" Sen had reached the place where Kouji had just been hiding and crashed the pile of crates all off to one side…cursing furiously when he saw that Kouji was no longer there. And cursed even more when he saw Kouji dashing off with Takuya, their hands entwined together with Takuya only slightly ahead of the dark haired teen, as they dashed off to god only knew where. Sen knew that there was no way out from this warehouse; except for the front of the building…Hirotaka had checked it all out previously so that they both knew that there were no hidden hatches or anything…right?

Sen's eyes narrowed. Had his twin lied to him?

"You're a dead twin Hirotaka, if Kouji escapes…now I'm not sure which one of you to kill first!" He whispered hoarsely as he dashed after the two teens in front of him, readying his gun that he had had in his back pocket. He raised it…aimed…and fired…

And missed. Barely.

Takuya cursed as he pulled Kouji close to protect him from the shot, thankful that Sen's aim had been slightly off…but the brunette was still nervous, it had been way too close

Kouji sucked in a breath of air, fear flowing through his veins as he realized the predicament they were in.

"Only a little ways more to go to get to those stairs; come on…" Takuya shoved Kouji forward, and his weary body was ready to protest. They'd nearly made it to the stairs though, and the stairs led to an above entrance that Takuya had said he'd found, and that's how he'd gotten in…apparently, Sen wasn't as clever as he thought he was.

And that, would be Sen's downfall.

TBC