A/N: Tada! Chapter 12 is up!
And of course THANK YOU to everyone who reviewed (and those actually still reading this chapter):
Dark Qiviut: Thank you so much for your reviews! I always feel bad when I get writer's block because I know I get a little irritated when it takes forever for a new chapter to get out, so I feel extra guilty! Hope you like this chapter as much as you've like the others.
Nimbirosa: Awww, you're so sweet! I'll let you have all the sugar you want!
Kaeera: Thank you! I kind of like the interaction between Daisuke and Miyako. (It reminds me of me and my brother!) It's fun to write and I'm glad it came out well.
Sammarby: Wow, thank you so much! I'm glad you're liking the story and hopefully you'll think this chapter is just as good.
miricles-3: I'm glad you're liking it. I think quite a few people can actually relate to some of Daisuke's feelings cuz I wrote some of them from actual experience. As for where this stories going…
…
I don't know either.
yuffiegal23: Thank you, glad you liked it!
Cruel Kindness: I'm glad you're liking the story. Thanks for your review.
clzh and clzh-x: Yeah, Hikari is definitely way over her head. But I don't think she's the stalking type. But you'll see what happens in this chapter…
Sutzina Zion: Cookies! Yay! I hope they were chocolate chip! I'm glad you're glad that I updated. Here's another one!
LegendarySilverX: Hahahhaahahaha! I love reading your reviews, it's like reading a story in itself. And I totally forgive you for not reviewing if you can forgive me for taking so long to update. And the Daikari is (FINALLY!) coming along, but it's been hard to write since it's not my usual pairing. I hope you recover from Ruki's pounding.
Ficmaster: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked it.
Welcome
to My Life
Chapter
12
Daisuke lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling. He was bored and stuck in his room since his father was home. Bored was not a good state for him to be in. When he had nothing to do, he started to think. And thinking was bad. It was amazing how on any given day he could be incredibly carefree in the morning, but by evening be ready to jump off the roof. It didn't make any sense. Maybe he should go talk to Ken about depression. But then Ken would know that he was depressed. Screw it, Ken was a smart guy. He'd probably figured it out anyway. But then again he didn't even know if he was depressed. Which was an even greater reason to ask Ken since he would know. But if he was depressed Ken might try to get him to see a shrink. He hated shrinks. Ken hated shrinks too, so he might not force him to go.
Daisuke was saved from his circular thinking by the doorbell ringing. His sense of relief quickly turned to a sense of dread. Someone had rang the doorbell. And his father was home. Daisuke swore and jumped off his bed and swung open the door. He ran to the front door but realized he was too late. His father had just answered it. He hid behind the corner and peeked out to watch the exchange. He was trying figure out who the poor unsuspecting visitor was, hoping it was a salesperson. His hopes were crushed when he recognized a voice. It was Hikari.
Throwing aside all consequences he stormed up to the door, stopping when he was behind his father. "Dad?" he asked sternly. "Who is it?"
His father turned his head to glare at him. "Don't use that tone with me, boy. It's one of your damn friends." He started to move away from the door, advancing on Daisuke. Though Daisuke's heart was ready to jump out of his chest, he showed no sign of it. His father stopped and leaned in, inches away from his face. Daisuke almost choked on the strong smell of liquor coming from his father's mouth. "Next time, teach your fuckin friends to have some respect. I got a headache and I don't need that damn doorbell ringing every ten seconds." He then pushed past Daisuke and stormed to his room, slamming the door behind him.
Daisuke took a moment to regain the breath he'd been holding and slowly turned to Hikari. She was staring at him with wide eyes, tears threatening to fall. She drew in a shaky breath and attempted to talk. After a first failed attempt, her voice came out quiet and meek. "I'm sorry Daisuke. I didn't know not to use the doorbell. And I…I…."
It didn't take a genius to realize Hikari was about to break down. In his house. That was definitely not a good thing. He silently cursed his father and rushed to the door, closing it behind him. He then pulled Hikari to him and let her cry on his shoulder. He gently stroked her hair wondering what on earth his father had said to her. He didn't have to wait long. "He yelled at me for ringing the doorbell and when I tried to apologize he wouldn't accept it. So I asked if you were there and he called me a…a…a whore and that you didn't need people like me hanging around you. Then he said he'd call the police and then you showed up and…I thought he was going to hit me!" Daisuke glared at the air in front of him as he thought of the number of ways he could get his father back for this. Threatening him was one thing. And his sister, well, she was still his daughter. But one of his friends? Hikari had done nothing to deserve that kind of treatment.
Hikari must have realized that she had indeed just complained about the father of the one comforting her, for she pulled out of Daisuke's arms and wiped her eyes. She refused to meet his eyes. "I'm sorry Daisuke. I know that's your father and all, it's just—"
"That man is not my father," Daisuke said, cutting her off. When she gave him a questioning look he sighed. "Let's go to the park."
There was a tense silence as the two walked. Hikari kept glancing up at Daisuke then quickly staring back at the floor. She had finally recovered from her initial reaction and now berated herself for being a baby. Whenever someone yelled at her she always turned into a crying two year old. She never did take criticism well and Daisuke's dad had been…scary.
They finally reached the park and Daisuke collapsed onto a nearby bench. All the strength Hikari had known her friend to hold seemed to have drained away. Hikari cautiously lowered herself onto the bench. Daisuke was refusing to look at her. She was about to open her mouth to speak when he sighed. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and stared into space.
"I'm really sorry," he finally said.
Hikari studied him in concern. "It's not your fault." He shrugged. Hikari took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to ask what had been bothering her since the encounter with his father. "Daisuke, was your father—was he drunk?"
Daisuke visibly stiffened before shaking his head. "No," he said with a sarcastic smile, "he was hung-over."
At that moment, Hikari realized something had changed between them. She didn't know what, and she wasn't even sure if she was ready for it. But she had started this, and she was not going to back out now.
"Does this happen often?" she asked carefully.
Daisuke sighed. "You know, between you, Ken, and Yamato…." He trailed off.
"We care about you, Daisuke!" she said urgently. She had to make him understand. For some reason this moment mattered more than any they'd ever had.
Daisuke chuckled. "You know what the problem is when people start caring?" He turned to her.
She stared at him blankly. "What?"
"You can't keep any secrets." She smiled but dared not say anything. He sighed again. "Me and Jun guess that he's probably been drinking since the divorce. Before he just hadn't been coming home and we had no idea where he'd be. Jun guesses that he must have been going out after work. While I was away at school he started drinking at home. I came home to find my father had forgotten about me, the apartment was a mess, and me and Jun couldn't even leave are belongings out of our locked rooms." He shuddered. "It's been getting steadily worse since my grandfather died."
Hikari swallowed. "Then your face?"
"He got mad at me when I told him about the electric bill."
Hikari studied him in horror. "Your neck?"
"The night Jun got kicked out."
Hikari sat in silence as she fought the tears trying to leak out. She had known things were bad, but she hadn't imagined anything like this. How a parent could just neglect their kids, it made her sick to her stomach.
"What about your mom?" she asked quietly.
Daisuke laughed bitterly. "Probably doesn't even remember we exist. I stopped talking to her after graduation. As far as I know, she's just like my father but with no job. She ruined my graduation for me. I'm not exactly happy with her."
Hikari bit her lip. She was at a loss for what to say. Daisuke seemed to sense her discomfort for he turned to her. "You did ask." He turned away from her. "I didn't want anybody to know. But everybody's too damn curious for their own good." He sounded angry.
"You can't do this alone!" she cried.
He glared at her. "And what exactly do you suggest, Hikari? I've already told Ken the cops can't do anything and I'm not burdening anyone so I won't move out. It's not like anyone can do anything!"
Hikari forced herself not to look away from his bitter eyes. "Yamato could help," she suggested. He groaned and let his head fall to the back of the bench. "No, really he can! He's been through a similar situation. I know, because I remember overhearing Tai when he was on the phone. Yamato wouldn't let anyone help either, but Tai forced it out of him. And now he's okay. Sure, life isn't all roses, but he's found a way to deal with it."
Daisuke studied her. Hikari tried to mentally force him to see her honesty. He shook his head. "He had Tai. Plus, Yamato's strong."
"So are you Daisuke!" He shook his head and looked away. Frustrated, she grabbed his face and forced it to turn to her. She loosened her grip when she saw him flinch but refused to let go. "Listen to me. You are the strongest person I know. I'm serious," she added cutting off his protest. "And Ken is just as loyal to you as Tai is to Yamato. I know you still trust him and go to him and I know he wants to help. You just have to let him. And Yamato would be more than willing to help I know it. And you could probably help him too. You could work out solutions together! And Tai will definitely want to help, he still thinks of you as his legacy. And Takeru has been worried about you since last summer! You have so many friends willing to help, you just have to ask, Daisuke!"
He looked at her and she watched as a tear slipped from his eye. "And you?" he whispered.
"Of course," she said seriously. "I'm always here Daisuke, and I always will be." She then opened her arms and allowed her shoulder to muffle Daisuke's sobs.
I finally got it up! Sorry it's so short, but that seemed like a good spot to end it. Unfortunately Ti's still on vacation and I lost my notes for the next chapter. So now I have to start all over again! And it won't even be half as good! So though the next chapter should have been up soon after this one, I now have no clue when it will be ready. But in the mean time, please review:Gives best puppy dog impression:
