Mother's Day With Kouji

by dragonsunlight

[Three part oneshot] The one day Kouji resented shows him that the one thing he always felt was missing is actually complete, despite the fact that it's still split. [Intro, Ending: Kouji POV]

2. Impersonating, Contemplating

Disclaimer-I don't own Digimon.

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Part 2: Impersonating, Contemplating

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With an impatient sigh, Kouji brushed a stray strand of hair out of his eyes. Where was I? Twelve bottles of milk on the wall, twelve bottles of milk...take one down, drink it all down, eleven bottles of milk on the wall...eleven bottles of milk...oh screw this. Kouji stood up and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I'm going for a walk," he muttered, "I'll be back in a few."

His father acquiesced. "Alright. Ten minutes maximum, and then we've got to get some rest! What with all the partying coming tonight and all!"

Is that all he thinks about? "Whatever..." Kouji slouched his shoulders a bit.

"Kouji, make that twenty minutes. You really look like you need the rest, but some fresh air would do you some good," Satomi called out.

Thanks, Kouji thought, and broke into a run. Enough time to murder Takuya.

His jog to find Takuya was a short one, mainly because he didn't have to go any further than the park. The rest of the gang was there as well, supervised by a complaining Yutaka.

"First off, you're all old enough to take care of yourself!" he snapped, sitting on the swing and folding his arms with a glare. "Second, I have people to call!" His gaze narrowed on the other five children, all of who were sitting on the platform and blocking the slide.

"Yutaka's got a girlfriend!" Tomoki sang.

"And a life!" added the frustrated Himi.

With a snicker, Takuya, spotting Kouji, sang, "Kouji's got a girlfriend!"

"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? GET DOWN HERE AND SAY THAT!" Kouji barked, fisting his hands and marching towards the ladder and stopping there. No, Kouji, don't lower yourself to this. He stood there, glaring up at Takuya. Maybe this is more lowering...

While he was busy pondering these facts, Takuya looked at Izumi. "Hey, did you-" he started, but was cut off with a quick, firm nod.

Kouichi rolled his eyes and muttered something about being inconspicuous, earning a silent hit on the arm from Izumi. Tomoki continued to jeer at his brother, and Junpei, who had fallen asleep against the smooth backing of the balustrade, continued to snore away.

Feigning innocence, Takuya jumped down from the top of the stairs into the tanbark ground, accidentally toppling over at his landing. When he sat up and grinned, he asked, "So what brings you to these parts, stranger?"

As he helped Takuya up, Kouji ran these words through his head again and again. Stranger, he told himself. Yeah, you still are. Shrugging, he murmured, "I had time."

Seemingly out of nowhere, Kouichi pulled on his blue baseball cap and murmured, "Time...? You can get the flowers, can't you?" His head was bowed so his chin was tucked to his chest, and Kouji couldn't make out his expression.

"Yes," the younger of the twins answered automatically, biting the tip of his tongue as he shut his mouth.

"Forget the vases. Or-Tomoki, do you need the vases?" Kouichi looked up, face void of emotion.

He's doing this on purpose, Kouji thought, frowning in annoyance while Tomoki answered with a cheerful, "No! Junpei, Yutaka and I came up with another plan of action! Right, Junpei?"

Junpei answered with a grunt and sat up, eyes opening for the first time in minutes. "If Izumi's okay with it, that is."

Sending a glare in his direction, Izumi snapped, "No, I'm not okay with it. Takuya's doing it!"

"Oh, right..." Junpei leaned back against the wall of the walkway and shut his eyes again.

Below, Takuya let out a nervous laugh and rubbed the back of his neck. "Me...?" A forced smile strained his face as he looked up to Izumi and asked, "Why me?"

"Because, it was your idea in the first place!" Izumi said.

"No! Tomoki thought of it, not me!"

"Take credit for your actions, Takuya," Tomoki reprimanded, waving a finger at the boy.

"Since when were you my mom?"

"Your mom tells you that?"

"No duh?"

"And I thought I was alone," muttered the boy, adjusting his giant orange hat and gazing down at Kouji through the green bars. "Hey, Kouji, why are you here at the park, anyway?" he yelled down.

"I can hear just fine," Kouji muttered through gritted teeth.

"Sorry."

Kouichi answered before his brother had a chance to open his mouth again. "Dad's got a few friends throwing parties around today. Isn't that right...?"

Again, Kouichi's head was bowed, and Kouji wasn't sure if the shadowed look was directed towards him or someone else. It seemed angled, and the stifled laugh from Izumi didn't help, what with Takuya next to him making the most ridiculous faces.

"I've got it!" Takuya suddenly announced, shooting his fist in the air. "Let's all walk Kouji back!"

Kouji paled. Mouth open and jaw hanging in shock, he whispered, "No."

Everyone, even Junpei, had began the descent from the top platform, but now stopped in the middle of where they were. What he had said came out so suddenly and quietly that Tomoki, who had been climbing down the ladder, lost his balance and fell on top of Takuya, knocking the goggle boy forward.

"I'm okay," came the muffled reply from Takuya.

"N-no, that's okay," Kouji said quickly, turning around and reddening. I'm DOOMED! Doomed, I tell you. Doomed. They're just trying to kill me. Quickly, he added so no one would suspect anything, "I'm...here for a walk! You know, to enjoy the...the fresh air!" He silently thanked Satomi for telling him that earlier.

"Liar."

This came from Kouichi, and both brothers locked eyes. "So are you going to tell us what's wrong, or do we have to tickle it out of you?" The bandana boy's twin jumped off from where he was on the stairs and gazed at his brother and curiosity.

The look of discontent was obvious on Kouji's face. In an even voice, he declared, "I'm not ticklish, you know."

"I know."

"It's useless to threaten me with tickling."

"I know."

"Stop moving towards me. I'm claustrophobic."

"I know."

"THEN WHY ARE YOU SCARING ME?"

From the swings, Yutaka yelled out, "Has anyone else noticed that none of the little kids who should be playing on this playground are here?"

"I am!" Shinya popped out from under one of the structures, pointing furiously at Takuya. "Liar! You said you had to go to the bathroom!"

"I...uh...I do!" Takuya insisted. He grabbed Kouji's arm. "But first, we've got to drop Kouji off!"

Placing his hands on his hips, Shinya growled, "You're a bad liar, Takuya..."

"RUN!" Without warning, Takuya dashed forward, dragging Kouji with him. The two embarked on a journey that led them to the halfway point between the park, and the barbecue Kouji's parents were attending. Junpei and Tomoki followed just a few feet behind, and caught up with the two seconds after they stopped. Yutaka came next, running and yelling about how he was responsible for all of them, and that they had no right running off like that. Junpei countered smoothly with the fact that he didn't like the job and they could take care of themselves (which was perfectly true, and Yutaka would have to agree if he knew of their adventures in the Digital World).

Last to the finish line were Kouichi and Izumi, conversing in low voices. All the boys watched Takuya in amusement as he began spurting nonsense about how he was just as good as Kouichi. When the two approached, Kouichi and Izumi stepped aside from each other revealing Shinya, who let out a squeamish growl and pounced on his brother.

The two boys continued their violent scuffle and Kouichi and Izumi turned to each other and shook hands. "A deal's a deal," Kouichi said solemnly, and Izumi just laughed.

Kouji rose an eyebrow in suspicion. "Deal?"

"Nothing," Izumi murmured with a smile.

"Speaking of-Leggo my goggles, dweeb!" Takuya grabbed his brother's hands and twisted the boy's arms painfully behind his back. "Speaking of deals...what happened to that one where you promised to take me on a date?" he asked with a pout.

Izumi opened her mouth and hesitated. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said, turning away from Takuya.

"Hey! The one when Kouji and I went to-" He stopped, noticing the glares from nearly everyone, the clueless look on Kouji's face and a confused stare from Yutaka. "-to...to...oh, you guys all suck!" he exclaimed angrily, jumping to his feet. "Kouji, you're a loser."

The bandana boy merely rolled his eyes. "Says you," he countered.

Angrily, Takuya grabbed Kouji by the lapels. "I know what you have planned!" he snapped. "It won't work!"

Kouji's mouth went dry. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said weakly.

"You're all against me! And Kouji's the leader, huh?" Mercilessly, Takuya shoved the startled bandana boy back behind the nearby bathroom building until everyone lost sight of him.

Junpei gave Kouichi a troubled look. "Is this part of the plan?" he asked dumbly, but was quickly hushed by Tomoki, Izumi and Yutaka. Shinya had disappeared, presumably to help Takuya (or Kouji). Confused, he cast a glance at the pavement ahead. A man whose face was all too familiar to him was walking up to them.

As if on cue, Kouichi pulled down his hat and cleared his throat. "Uh, hi...Dad." He said this in his most awkward imitation of a Kouji voice.

From behind the building, they could hear an indignant voice yell, "My bandana-"

"Hello, Mr. Minamoto," Junpei said quickly, grabbing the man's hand and shaking it vigorously. "I'm Junpei."

Kouichi nearly smacked his forehead out of exasperation. His willpower remained strong, and he kept his head down. "Uh...anyway..."

Mr. Minamoto opened and closed his mouth several times before nodding. Quietly, he said, "You changed clothes?" more a statement than a question, but for the sake of conversation, a question.

The two began conversing in low voices.

"Yeah."

"In five minutes?"

"I've been working on running...?"

The man nodded slowly. "I see..."

"Yeah."

"No bandana either."

"I thought it was time for a change in head gear."

"About time."

"Yeah, bandanas are getting a bit old. I gave mine to an idi-I mean, some guy."

"They're very informal, but so are hats."

"Like goggles," Kouichi agreed.

Why are they talking about things like this? Izumi quickly cleared her throat. "Has Kouji told you about the party we're having tonight, Mr. Minamoto?"

Kousei smiled and inclined his head. "I'm afraid we won't be able to make it," he said.

Bang. Kouichi hid his smile. It was getting harder by the second to control himself. "Sorry about that, Izumi," he said in his most sincere, apologetic voice, not bothering to sound a bit like Kouji.

"I'm sure Takuya won't mind." There was meaning in the smiles that were exchanged.

"Well, Kouji, ten more minutes and we're leaving," Kousei told 'Kouji.'

"Right."

"I'll leave you here then."

"Okay."

"Alright."

"You can go now."

"I can, can't I?"

"JUST GET GOING!" Takuya shouted from the corner of the building, pushing his brother away. "I DON'T NEED YOU BUGGING ME WHILE I'M TYING SOMEONE UP!"

"I'm your cover!" Shinya insisted.

"NO."

Shinya turned around and ran. "I'm telling Mom!" he called out.

"N-NO! SHINYA, WAIT! HOW IS THAT FAIR! I DON'T HAVE ANY DIRT ON YOU!" Takuya screamed, chasing after his brother.

Bad sense of justice there. Kouichi shook his head. "Uh...I'll...go check on him!" he said quickly before spinning around on his heel and dashing off, everyone else on his heel. Yutaka was the last to leave, caught in a confused daze until it occurred to him that his charges were running off again. With a polite bow to Mr. Minamoto, he ran after them.

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It was well past four, and everyone was seated at the benches, enjoying some ice cream.

"I just realized," Takuya suddenly commented, "that we should untie Kouji now!"

Junpei's spoon fell into his ice cream. Swallowing, he asked in a small voice, "What?"

Kouichi's reaction was worse. In unison with Yutaka and Izumi, he asked in a loud, demanding voice, "YOU DIDN'T UNTIE HIM?"

The ice cream began to melt as Takuya held up his hands in front of him defensively. "Ah, don't worry, I'm sure he's fine! We only left him out in the sun for five minutes!" he tried to reassure them, but by that time, Kouichi had run off to see if his brother was still tied up. The goggle boy paused, then examined Kouichi's untouched ice cream. "Hey...do you think he'd want that?"

"Takuya, you're disgusting," Izumi muttered, shaking her head.

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Kouji cursed the strength of embroidery floss and spat out the thin threads that made their way into his mouth. He had managed to chew his way through the 'ropes' Takuya had tied his hands with, and then undid the ones binding his feet. Never before had he felt so humiliated...moreover, like a mouse. With a wry laugh, he thought, Why didn't I just digivolve? Oh, wait, because it's broad daylight, and a bunch of little kids are already staring at me when they pass me. A giant wolf that's armed with guns and swords won't help.

He stood up and picked up his wet bandana, staring at it distastefully. I really should wash this thing now. If Takuya ever stuffs it in my mouth again, I'll make him choke on his own goggles, the boy vowed, and was about to head back to his parents when he heard someone call out his name.

"Hey, wait up!" Kouji turned around and blinked as he saw his brother stop a few feet in front of him, collapsing back onto the cement ground and trying to catch his breath. "I thought...Takuya...tied you up."

After pondering how to answer the question, Kouji shrugged and answered honestly: "I chewed my way out."

His brother looked surprised. "Really now? From wolf to mouse, eh?" Kouichi broke into a smile. "So, you'll be getting the flowers?" he asked.

An irritated look graced his features as he thought, How many times have I been asked that question? "For goodness sakes, yes. Stop asking me!" Kouji scowled, narrowing his eyes into a glare.

Kouichi fell into a short period of laughter. When all sounds subsided, he pushed himself to his feet and nodded. "I'll see you tonight?"

Of course. Not. Kouji tried to hide the smile from appearing that he looked pained as he replied, "See you tonight." He waved as his brother turned around and dashed off, making sure Kouichi was at a distance before he burst into his own laughter. Stupid. My plan is going to work!

It would have helped if he hadn't been preoccupied by Takuya.

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Kouji took the moment to reflect on his entire, pointless day. As usual, it was just another Mother's Day, just as he expected. There was nothing special about this one, other than the fact that he had been accused of having a girlfriend twice, had been hinted to that all boys thought of girls, had been caught in embarrassing situations with roses, had choked on a burger, and had been tied up with embroidery floss, not at all in that order. Other events came flooding back into his memory bank, overflowing his head until he decided to end it and sleep.

It was quiet and peaceful. He needed the sleep anyway; even Satomi agreed. With the heavy feel of the heat in the air, despite the fact that the shades were drawn and his window was open, Kouji felt his eyelids slowly close, and felt himself caressed into sleep.

The events that decided to overflow his head with thoughts came spilling out, slipping into his dreams to haunt him.

It was a peaceful day, anyone could agree. There were too many flowers and butterflies and too little trees for Kouji's liking. The fact was, out of the entire park, only one tree was large enough to shade the three of them: Kouichi, their mother, and Kouji himself.

"More mashed potatoes, Mom?" asked Kouji, holding out a bowl of mashed potatoes. This struck him as strange. Why would I be offering anyone mashed potatoes? he wondered, but continued to delve deeper into the dream.

At this time, his mother's back was turned to him. The second she turned, Kouji froze, eyes widening in fear.

That isn't Mom, he realized as the mashed potatoes spilled onto the picnic blanket beneath them. He scrambled back, unsure of what to believe. That's Satomi.

"What's the matter, Kouji?" Satomi asked, now standing. There was a change of scenery from the meadow of the park to a more drab room. The colors seemed to melt from the wall. She took a step towards him.

Stay away! Kouji wanted so desperately to scream this, but his voice wouldn't work. His mouth opened furiously and noiseless words spilled out. At a loss, he stepped away from her, determined to stay away.

It suddenly occurred to him he didn't know what he was doing anymore. Immobilized, Kouji stared intently at Satomi. Why was he running? Did he hate her? Shouldn't he be a better son?

What is going on? Nothing makes sense! Someone tell me what's going on, begged the bandana boy, unable to control himself as he continued to back away. He hit something and whirled his head around, mouth opened to the shape of an 'o' in fear. Dad! Swallowing, Kouji turned his body fully and backed up towards where Satomi had been previously. Between the torment from his father or Satomi, he preferred the latter, as Satomi couldn't do much.

He continued to back away, hoping the dream would provide him with some weapon or another. Instead, he bumped into something else. Satomi, he guessed, and was disappointed when he turned around. Where Satomi had been stood Kouichi, backed by Takuya, Izumi, Junpei, and Tomoki. They all seemed to be in a trance, save Kouichi, staring at him with a crazy smile on their face.

"Come on, Kouji," they told him, "You have to come."

"You can't. Satomi is your mother," his father said.

"Come, Kouji."

"Will you hurt her?"

"Kouji..."

"Kouji..."

"Come."

"You are my son."

"NO!" Kouji screamed, sitting up in his bed. The covers were gripped tightly in his hands, his pillow lay on the floor, and he could make out his toes on the other side of the bed. Frowning, Kouji slipped out of the bed and began to straighten things out.

Satomi had rushed upstairs at the sound of Kouji's scream. Not bothering to acknowledge the fact that he was tidying up, she stuck a hand on his forehead and murmured, "Do you have a fever? You seem a bit sick to me."

Flushing red, Kouji replied in a squeak that he was perfectly fine and just tired. Satomi left without a fuss, and Kouji was left in his room to think again.

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Izumi bit her lower lip in worry. "Do you think he'll-"

Quickly and smoothly, Kouichi interrupted, "Of course."

Did he just read my mind? Again, Izumi tried, "But how can you be-"

"He's my brother," Kouichi replied.

"Nevertheless-"

"Believe me."

"Takuya...?" Izumi turned to the goggle boy, desperate and out of ideas.

Grinning, the goggle boy leaned back on his arm. "Trust him, Izumi." After a pause and staring at the ice cream cone in hand, Takuya added, "After all..."

"This is Kouji we're talking about," Kouichi reminded her.

Boys, Izumi thought, shaking her head in dismay.

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A/N-

Part 2 done.

Review or PM or Flame.