Hey guys, we're back with another chapter for you guys. Now, before we get started, my co-writer and i would like to share something with you. So to share the big news, I have a message for you guys brought to you by my partner in crime, FernClaw.

"Hey guys! As it is drawing closer to Christmas, RedPage and I decided to have a little Q 'n A sessions with you guys! We'll answer the questions as best as we can on December 24th without giving too much of the story away. Pitch us your best questions and theories with your Comments/reviews! We'll pick ten we like the best and post them with Chapter 15 on the 24th!"

Hopefully that's got you as excited as I am for it. So we hope to hear from you guys and with that we give you the next chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 13: Something's Always Wrong.

Takuya made his way down the hallways of the building and kept a watchful eye out for Shinoba, not wanting to get involved in another fight like back at the café. The air felt ominous as some of the students started whispering and giving Takuya weird looks as he passed by.

The boy shrugged it off and continued on his way, trying to act normal. As curious as he was he didn't risk using any of Flamon's abilities to listen in, as to not draw anymore attention to himself.

"Hey Takuya!" Haru greeted as he made his way to his new friend.

Takuya waved to the younger boy. "Hey there buddy. Good to see you."

"You too." Haru replied, his attention turning to the way the other students who were whispering amongst themselves. "You know what's up with everyone?"

The brunette grimaced, shaking his head. "I haven't the slightest clue... I'm starting to get the feeling it's me everyone is talking about..."

Haru looked around at the gossiping students, all of them glancing at him and Takuya nervously. "Haru!" The boy jumped as a female voice called his name. Both he and Takuya turned to see a tall girl heading towards them from down the hall.

She looked to be an upper classman, given her uniform- maybe Shinoba's age. "Haru- there you are. You left your lunch at home again. I wanted to make sure you got it." She held out a bag with Haru's name on it.

"Thanks sis," Haru replied, taking his lunch from her.

She smiled, taking notice to Takuya, "Hi, Are you one of Haru's friends?"

"Ayumi! This is Takuya! He saved me from Shinoba!" Haru exclaimed happily.

The girl raised an eyebrow, but smiled. "Oh really? You stood up to that stupid twat all alone?" Takuya nodded, finding it hard to find words to reply. "I owe you. Shinoba wasn't too thrilled I dumped his sorry ass and was going to take it out on my baby brother."

"I am not a baby!"

"Whatever you say squirt." Ayumi replied and ruffled her brother's hair, flustering him even further. "Anyway, thanks again for helping him out with Shinoba."

Takuya scratched the back of his neck bashfully. "Well someone has to stand up to that creep, you know?"

"Definitely." Ayumi answered and folded her arms across her chest and grimaced. "He really needs to get off that high horse of his and start acting like a human being."

"No kidding." The gogglehead took another look around at the students who were watching them. "Hey, you have any idea what they're all gossiping about? Those stares are really starting to make me nervous."

The older girl looked around and noticed the stares as well. "Hmm, not really sure. Maybe word spread about how you stood up to Shinoba. I could ask around if you'd like."

"It's alright. You don't have to do that." Takuya sighed. "I'm sure I'll find out sooner or later."

She smiled again, "I need to get back upstairs before homeroom begins- You two had better get to class yourselves."

The boys nodded and the girl made her way back down the hall to the stairwell. Takuya and Haru parted ways and the brunette found himself sitting in homeroom. People were still staring. Still whispering. Takuya began to get really nervous.

Things didn't improve as the day continued. People were giving him a wide berth in the hall- like he would reach out and choke anyone who came within arms reach. The cafeteria fell into near silence when he entered for lunch. Even his lab partner- a boy he'd known for years- seemed skittish around him.

It became apparently obvious why as Takuya approached his locker at the end of the day. Someone had carved the word FREAK into the paint on the metal locker door. So that's what had everyone spooked. Shinoba must have told people about yesterday and gotten them to believe him.

The boy moaned and gently banged his head against the locker. He knew Shinoba would come after him but he never figured like this or that people would actually believe such a ludicrous story. Sure it had really happened but it was too far fetched to be believable.

Maybe he just needed some time and everyone would drop it off as a false rumor. How he hoped that was the case. Takuya couldn't take school as it was, he didn't need this on top of it. At least the school day was over. He wouldn't have to worry about it until the next day.

Takuya took a deep breath to get him through the gate without losing his cool. "Come on Takuya, just keep on going. You're almost there." He muttered to himself as he took what he needed from his locker and made his way out of the building.

"Hey look, it's the freak show."

The gogglehead stopped in his tracks once he saw that the door was being blocked. He grimaced when he realized it was Shinoba standing there. The boy cursed fate for this predicament. He was really hoping to avoid another confrontation with the bully.

"I'm not in the mood Shinoba." Takuya said curtly, trying to go around him.

The elder boy growled. "Oh really? What're you gonna do about it, ya freak?" he sneered, testing Takuya's temper. The brunette swallowed. He was cornered again and this would only end badly for him.

"Shinoba- move."

Takuya turned. Ayumi stood behind him, clearly unamused by Shinoba's actions. Shinoba almost lost his cool there for a moment at her presence.

"Stay out of this Yu, this doesn't concern you."

"I think it does! You're going out of your way to torture this poor boy because he thwarted your plan to beat up my little brother. THIS IS WHY I DUMPED YOUR SORRY ASS." She snarled like an angry panther. She kinda looked like Zoe when the blonde got fired up.

"The guy's a freak Yu! He almost killed me yesterday!" Shinoba retorted and glared at the boy in question. His lackeys nodded in agreement, backing him up.

The girl scoffed at the bunch. "You're full of bullshit aren't you? Do you honestly expect anyone to believe that?"

The bully's temper grew worse with her comment as he stared at her in disbelief. He then raised his arm showing bruises and small burns, something Takuya recognized as his hand when he kept Shinoba from hurting Zoe at the café. "Look at what he did to my arm!"

There were collective gasps and murmurs once the injury was shown.

Ayumi still didn't buy it. "You are disgusting you know that? You hurt yourself in order to make someone look bad? So pathetic!"

Some of the students seemed to agree with Ayumi, but others still stared at Takuya with fear. A few people knew he had a temper, and it was likely that word of it had gotten spread around.

"Don't believe me? Put his hand over my arm- It'll be a perfect match."

Takuya swallowed, he was doomed now. His hand would fit perfectly. Shinoba will have turned the whole school against him.

"I'm not going to put his hand on your arm Shinoba just so you can try and get back at him for standing up to you!" Ayumi objected. "I'm not going to let you antagonize him anymore!"

Shinoba growled and walked closer to them. "Hey, if you think he didn't do it then put his hand on it. He should have nothing to worry about."

Everyone just watched the two heatedly argue with each other. By now a whole crowd had gathered in the hallway to see the commotion.

Takuya bit his lip. He knew that he would look suspicious if he didn't comply and he knew he would be found out if he did. Both of his options weren't looking good for him. Takuya prayed for a miracle. He needed one if he were to get out of this.

"I've heard enough Shinoba. You're such a lowlife." She took Takuya's hand, "We're leaving, that's final. You want to try and stop me, let the security cameras in the hall remind you that you can't."

Shinoba growled back backed down, allowing the girl and Takuya to pass. "I'll get you, you mutated freak of nature!" he snarled at Takuya. Takuya remained silent trying to ignore the jerk.

"Thank you- God I thought he was going to kill me." Takuya said gratefully once they were outside of the school gate and Haru was collected.

Ayumi smiled, "Of course. But I have to ask, is Shinoba right? Did you hurt him?"

Takuya hesitated, "I um... Yeah... But he was trying to hurt another friend of mine! I was trying to protect her."

"Her? Oh!" Ayumi grinned, "Girlfriend?"

The brunette blushed, "Um.. no.. I uh..."

She laughed, "You're cute when you're flustered. Just tell her how you feel!" Takuya couldn't believe this girl; first she stood up for him against Shinoba and now love advice?

"I-I can't… I mean… I don't… I mean…" The boy moaned, feeling like he was making a fool out of himself. This girl was talking about his relationship issues like it was easy and he couldn't even finish a sentence without stumbling with his words. "It's complicated…"

Ayumi laughed again, amused with Takuya's behavior on the subject. "Wow. You really need to relax. It can't be that hard to tell her how you feel"

"Can we please change the subject?" Takuya asked, blushing furiously. He wanted desperately to change the topic. He would have preferred talking about what to do with Shinoba then talk about his feelings for Zoe.

"Alright, alright. I'll drop it." The girl patted Takuya on the back. "Well, I gotta go. Stuff to do and all that. See you in school tomorrow." Ayumi waved to the boy before parting ways but stopped to say one last thing. "And hey, if Shinoba gives you anymore trouble just come and find me! I know how to deal with that creep!"

"Um… thanks! See you later!" Takuya bid her farewell before making his way home. He decided to pick up the pace a little, not wanting to give luck the opportunity of having him run into his bullies again. Knowing his luck that day, it could very likely happen.

Luck turned out differently however, when Takuya continued on his way home and he heard something. There were the sounds of struggles. The boy followed the noise down the street. The noises became clear as sounds of someone shouting as he approached a small store at the corner.

Takuya's eyes widened when he realized what was going on. Someone was robbing the store. He could make out the robber's demands and the nervous pleas of the clerk.

He glanced around quickly before ducking down an alleyway. He quickly evolved into Flamon, sort of feeling like a superhero as he did so. He darted out of the alley and towards the store.

As a Digimon, Takuya could enter the store front with such speed the robber didn't even see the door close all the way before Takuya had tackled him to the ground. The robber struggled under Takuya's weight, reaching for a handgun that he dropped. Takuya snarled wildly, biting down on the thief's arm.

The clerk meanwhile phoned the police and sirens could soon be heard in the near distance. The thief kicked Takuya off into a rack of assorted snack products and made a dash for the door, snatching the gun from the ground. Takuya launched himself at the thief, tackling him once again.

The gun went off loudly twice. Takuya pulled back reeling from the loud bang and a severe stinging sensation in his arm. The thief hadn't gotten away unscathed either, his leg bleeding badly. The sirens drew closer and flashing lights could be seen now. Takuya quickly pulled himself to his feet, fleeing before anyone else saw him.

The Digimon ran and jumped to the rooftops nearby, staying close enough to see the police quickly make their way inside and take the thief in. Once he was sure that he was in the clear, he allowed himself a breath of relief but grunted, still feeing pain in his arm.

Takuya took a look at his arm and saw that it was freely bleeding. He had been shot! The boy whimpered and tried mending his arm to stop the bleeding. This was bad. If his parents see this they'd completely flip out at him.

He whimpered and sat down against the ledge and held his arm tight as the blood began to clot and as the pain began to fade away. The bullet had grazed his arm so he could be thankful that it wasn't as serious as it could have been but the pain was still intense.

The boy stayed on the rooftop for a while, allowing himself the time to collect himself. The wound was still bleeding but due to Takuya's Digimon abilities it had significantly lessened. He would still have to find a way to clean himself up and tend to the wound so it wouldn't hinder him.

He carefully took his hand away from the wound to inspect it again. It looked nasty and hurt like hell, but he could manage, maybe. The adrenaline in his system from the struggle had ebbed away and the pain spiked. He winced, gripping his arm again.

Takuya stood slowly, feeling lightheaded. He went to the other side of the building bordering the alleyway, and went to fetch his things. His arm screamed in pain as he tried to put weight on it to climb down the wall. He ended up dropping to the ground about 20ft from it, just to ease the pain in his arm.

If he changed back now, the pain would be worse for sure, and he'd get blood on his school uniform. Takuya slumped against the wall, trying to sort this mess out. Zoe crossed his mind but she was too far away to help him any. He then thought about Kouji and Kouichi- they were a lot closer and could offer him some help.

Takuya carefully pulled out his D-Tector and after a moment of fidgeting with the device he was able to dial up Kouji's number. The boy waited a good moment for his friend to pick up.

"Takuya? Let me guess, you want to hang out?" Kouji answered.

"I need your help…" Takuya replied and winced feeling and upsurge of pain shoot through his arm.

"Takuya what's going on?" his friend asked, hearing the pained moans coming from the Digimon.

Takuya took a breath to calm himself. "Kouji… I… got shot." He decided to answer, not wanting to waste words and just get help as fast as possible.

"What!? God Takuya! Where are you? Where were you hit?" Kouji's protective instincts took over, drowning out his typical cynical behavior, "H-how bad is it?"

The formerly brunette boy gasped in pain, clamping his hand over the wound. "N-near that corner store we like by my house. I'm in the alley behind it."

"Stay put- I'm calling Kouichi and I'll be there as soon as I can." the younger twin said firmly, though his voice was shaky. He was terrified for his friend's life now.

"Wasn't planning on moving," Takuya replied through gritted teeth, "Just hurry."

Kouji quickly hung up leaving Takuya to deal with the pain while waiting. He took several deep breaths to try and relax himself but the shooting pain wouldn't allow it.

It took what it seemed like forever before Takuya picked up a few noises. "He's over here!" it was Kouji. The Digimon turned his gaze and saw the twins hurry over to his side.

"Takuya! Hey… oh man… Kouichi, you need to take a look at this." Kouji called to his brother and turned his attention back to Takuya. "Takuya, we're here now."

The older twin made his way to Takuya's side and inspected the wound, grimacing at the sight of it. "Damn… okay. I can fix this." He muttered to himself and dug into the first aid kit he brought and pulled out materials to clean the wound. "Takuya… this is going to hurt but I need you to bare with me."

Takuya nodded slowly. The pain was making him dizzy. His breathing hitched as Kouichi began to tend to the boy's injury. Antiseptic stung as the elder twin cleaned the wound, but is was nothing compared to the original pain from the gunshot.

Kouji held Takuya down, knowing he was bound to fight once Kouichi began to bandage the bullet wound. He was right. As soon as Kouichi put pressure on the wound, Takuya yelped in pain, thrashing wildly.

"Settle Down! This will only take a moment more!"

Takuya just continued to struggle against them. The pain was too intense. His arm sent a great upsurge of pain with every movement as Kouichi tried to bandage the wound.

Kouji held the boy down as long as he could; his strength managing to hold the weakened Digimon down. "Kouichi! Are you almost done yet?"

"I'm working on it!" The older twin replied while managing to wrap the bandages around the wound. Takuya would fidget and make it difficult for the boy to wrap the wound properly but after a few tries he was finally making progress.

Takuya whimpered softly, eyes shut tight. Never in his lift had he experience pain like this- Well one other time came to mind. The time ShadowSeraphimon tried and nearly succeeded in killing the brunette.

Kouichi finally let go, satisfied with his work. "You need to keep that on. And don't get it wet!" the elder twin instructed. Takuya nodded numbly, letting a wave of nausea pass before opening his mouth again.

"What the hell happened Takuya?" Kouji asked, worried. "You could have gotten yourself killed!"

Takuya took a long while to regain himself, nausea still flooding his senses. He remained speechless for a few minutes before finally speaking. "I had to help… the man was being robbed... the crook… he would have gotten away if I didn't…"

"But attacking an armed man? That's insane! Even for a Digimon!" Kouji replied but relented after seeing Takuya shrink in his spot. "God Takuya…"

"Kouji… he's been through a lot." Kouichi stated and washed his hands clean with a somewhat clean rag. "Cut him some slack."

The boy hung his head, "I'm sorry... I know it was reckless- I didn't even know he was armed to be honest."

Kouji massaged his temples, irritated with Takuya's insanity, "You need to think Takuya. That guy could have killed you. You're really freaking lucky."

Kouichi laid a reassuring hand on Takuya's shoulder, "It's okay now though. What's done is done. You just need to be really careful from now on."

Takuya just nodded his head and tried to get himself up to his feet but the nausea had him on the floor.

"Easy Takuya. You're still weak from what happened. You need to take it easy." Kouichi warned the boy and kept him steady so he wouldn't fall and hurt himself. "You still need time to recover from this."

"Come on let's take him back to your place. Let him rest up there without anymore trouble." Kouji suggested and taking Takuya's other side to help him up to his feet. "He should be fine there until he'll be good on his own."

Takuya shook his head weakly, "can't- my mother..."

Kouji sighed, helping the boy back to the ground until he got his bearings. "We also can't drag you through the streets as you are."

"We can't stay here though," Kouichi argued.

"I wasn't suggesting that!"

The twins sighed simultaneously in aggravation. Arguing would get them nowhere.

"What do we do then?" Kouichi asked and looked around to take in everything. There was nothing useful to them. Nothing that could help him.

"This would be so much easier if we could drive." Kouji muttered and sighed again. "We wouldn't have this problem if we had access to a car or something like that."

Kouichi shrugged and took a seat beside Takuya, "Let's stay with him until he's up to moving again."

Kouji looked like he was about to object but shut his mouth and sat beside Takuya as well. Takuya closed his eyes, breathing deeply to calm himself down and get a grip on his pain. He had to or he wouldn't be able to change back let alone go home.

It took the boy several minutes to feel okay enough to stand upright, and several more to change back to his human form. "You going to be alright Takuya?" Kouji asked, "We can walk you home and stay for a while."

"I appreciate it guys but I'll be okay. I just need to get home and crash early." Takuya answered and tried at walking. He was sluggish in his movements but he continued in that pace, trying to appear normal.

The twins sighed together, not buying his act. They walked over to the boy's side and helped him walk. "Come on Takuya, you look like you can barely walk. Let us at least help you back to your place."

Takuya reluctantly nodded and allowed them to help him make his way home.

They continued on a snail's pace and were careful not to look awkward or draw anyone's eyes. They eventually made it to the Kanbara household. Takuya took a breath to calm himself. He'd have to get through the rest of the day as to not draw his family's attention.

"So how do you plan to keep this from your mom?" Kouji asked, once the boys were inside and settled in Takuya's room. Takuya laid sprawled across his bed tired. He mumbled something into the pillows. "Say again Takuya?"

The brunette moaned, "I dunno- My mom finds out everything I try to hide."

Kouichi smiled, "She still doesn't know about your Digimon half."

Takuya rolled onto his side scowling, "Give her time."

"So what do you plan to do? Unless you plan on wearing long sleeved shirts until your arm's fully healed there's not much else we can do." Kouji stated and folded his arms across his chest.

Takuya moaned and laid face in his bed. "Can't a guy catch a break? I swear this day has gone from bad to worse…"

"What do you mean?" Kouichi asked, perplexed by what Takuya said.

He just moaned again in response. He began retelling the incidents that began the previous evening with Shinoba and Zoe, then about how Shinoba told the school about it, and how Haru and Ayumi had stuck up for him.

"So this Shinoba guy knows?!" Kouichi gasped.

Takuya nodded, "I didn't have a choice! He was choking Zoe! I... I just snapped!"

"He didn't see you transform though... Right?" Kouji asked, trying to clarify the situation.

"No… but…" Takuya sighed. "But he saw Flamon. And heard Zoe call my name."

Kouji cursed to himself. "That's not good…"

"But you said you had friends at school? Someone who can help you deal with that jerk at school?" Kouichi asked, trying to find some positives.

"Yeah but… I don't want to get them involved in this mess…" Takuya replied, his gaze downcast. "I got to find a way to deal with him… get him off my back… He won't leave me alone otherwise…"

Kouichi nodded, looking thoughtful. "For now, do your best to ignore him and stay away."

"Short of switching schools, good luck," Takuya replied bitterly, "He really hates me."

"Well you're half his size and you kicked his ass twice," Kouji countered, being truthful and trying to lift Takuya's spirits.

Kouji's trick seemed to work, as Takuya smiled a bit. He sat up, "True."

"Right, he's no match for you." Kouichi added.

Takuya sighed. "With that in mind you'd think he would stay away from me."

"The guy's stupid then." Kouji responded with a chuckle. "If he were smart he'd leave you alone."

The gogglehead snorted in response. "Then that guy's a bigger idiot then I am. He's not going to leave me alone. Not until one of us leaves." He sighed again and looked up at the ceiling. "To think school sucked before."

"You never were one for school, huh?" Kouji stated with an amused smile on his face.

The boy couldn't help but laugh a little in response. "Nope. School bites. I'd rather be out playing soccer or something. Not be bored out of my mind for eight hours a day."

"It's only six hours," Kouji said flatly.

Kouichi laughed, "School really isn't his thing- he can't count."

"Hey! I'm right here!" Takuya whined as the twins continued to tease him, "Seriously, I'm going to barbeque you both!"

The twins stopped laughing at Takuya's expense. They all settled down, allowing a silence to settle amongst them. Takuya's arm throbbed with a dull aching pain. He tried to pay it no mind as they attempted to start a new conversation.

"So, you were hanging out with Zoe yesterday huh?" Kouichi brought up, a sly smile growing on his face when he saw the blush on his friend's face.

"W-what about it?" Takuya asked, not liking the way the twins were looking at him when they brought up their friend. "We just hung out yesterday."

The brothers looked to each other and just couldn't help but snicker. "Really?"

"Y-yeah! Nothing… nothing happened." He responded. Takuya didn't want to go into the details with them. And there was no way he was going to mention the kiss to them either. His cheeks brightened at the very thought of it.

The blush didn't go unnoticed by the two and they both grinned in response. "Really? Because that blush doesn't look like nothing." Kouichi stated smugly.

"I'm not blushing! I-I... I'm still not feeling well!" Takuya tried to cover up quickly, flustered.

Kouji smirked, "Come off it Takuya, we know you like her. A lot."

"She's just a friend!" Takuya repeated desperately, blushing brightly. The twins laughed at the brunette's antics. He couldn't lie to save his life.

"So, nothing happened between you then?" Kouichi asked smugly, almost knowing the answer. Takuya's face was bright red now, they had him figure out.

Takuya moaned and glared at the two "I hate you two…"

"So what did happen to you?" Kouji asked, ignoring what Takuya had just said.

"That's none of your business…" Takuya replied curtly, trying to appear calm and collective. The blush on his face was still deep however. "I don't have to tell you guys anything."

"I think something happened Kouji." Kouichi told his brother, still grinning.

"I do believe you're right brother." Kouji replied.

The boy in question growled. "Why the heck am I being questioned about this? First Ayumi starts this up now you guys…" his eyes widened when he realized he said that out loud. "Crap..."

"You have to tell us now Takuya!" Kouichi chirped.

Takuya scowled, "You two are like a couple of teenage girls with your noses in my business like this."

"That may be true, but you still have to tell us now Takuya," Kouichi countered, grinning all the while.

Kouji looked downright amused with the situation. Takuya groaned more, flopping back on the bed, regretting the action as it jostled his injured arm. He winced in pain, "Come on guys... please lay off?"

"Not a chance." Kouji said firmly, his grin just and maniacal as Kouichi's.

"I swear… I'm never going to hear the end of this…" Takuya muttered after getting a look at their expressions. "Alright! Fine! But you got to swear not to say another word about this!"

"We're not making any promises" They said at the same time, only irking the boy further.

The boy moaned and ran his fingers through his hair. "Okay… yesterday… when we were saying goodbye…"

"Yes?" Kouichi asked, wanting to know what happened desperately.

Takuya mumbled something but he was asked to repeat it for them. They weren't going to stop until they knew as much as Takuya knew. "She… she kissed my cheek…" he muttered and covered his face with his palms.

"That's so cute!" Kouichi squealed happily, "Congrats man!"

Kouji raised an eyebrow at his twin, "Bro- seriously? That was over the top feminine."

Takuya laughed lightly as Kouji and Kouichi bickered about how feminine Kouichi could be. He did tend to be more flamboyant than his twin brother- then again, just about everything was more flamboyant than Kouji.

Kouichi threw a pillow at Kouji to shut him up before turning back to Takuya. "It's about time you two got together."

Takuya's entire face went a deep shade of red as soon as those words began to register in his mind. "Whoa! I-I didn't say we're together! S-she just kissed my cheek! I-it doesn't mean like… it doesn't mean anything like that!"

"So you're not together?" Kouji asked Takuya. He moaned when the boy shook his head vigorously. "Damn you're dense… Takuya, you know when a girl kisses you on the cheek that's a strong signal saying she likes you."

"You don't know that!" Takuya screeched, completely lost in denial. "I-it was just… uh..."

Kouichi gave Takuya a look that was partly disappointed and annoyed. "That is so lame."

"Screw you guys!" Takuya barked at them.

Kouji rolled his eyes, "Stop being so thickheaded!"

Takuya's anger flared, "What do you know Minamoto? Last time I checked you hated just about everyone who breathes!"

"You're a real ass you know that?"

"Will you two cool it!?" Kouichi shouted over them, "Look Takuya, we're just trying to help. It's clear Zoe REALLY likes you. Do you return those feelings for her?"

"I uh…" Takuya lowered his gaze but nodded slowly.

"Then why don't you just tell her? You two like each other so there really shouldn't a problem." Kouichi stated in reply to the boy's answer. "Honestly, it's not like she's going to turn you down."

Takuya kept quiet, unable to respond to the elder twin's words.

"You'd be doing you both a favor. Telling her would be the best thing to happen to you guys." Kouji added on. "I'm positive Zoe would be ecstatic."

"I dunno, guys... I mean I really do care about Zoe... I just- with everything that's happened... I don't know. It doesn't seem right." Takuya countered, lowering his gaze.

Kouichi smiled a bit, "Takuya, We were all warriors once. Zoe will still want to be with you. Probably more so now than before."

"Just man up and give it a chance." Kouji finished.

"And just how much do you two know about romance? You hate everyone and you're really shy around everyone." Takuya shot back, looking at Kouji then Kouichi.

"That's pretty harsh." Kouichi muttered, taking offense to what Takuya said.

Kouji rolled his eyes instead. "Well, apparently we know more than you do. Just trust us on this. Honestly, would it kill you to just listen to us?"

Takuya bit his lip. "Look, now's just not the right time okay? Maybe when I get the hang of everything but… right now… there's too much crap going on."

The twins looked to each other and sighed in unison. It just sounded like an excuse to them but they chose not to say anything. It was already pretty touchy and Takuya seemed set on not doing anything yet for better or worse.

Hey guys. Just wanted to remind you about the little Q&A thing we have going on. Be sure to leave any questions or inquiries you have with a review or a PM. We'd love to hear from you and see what kinds of questions you have. The deadline's the 24th. Hope to hear from you guys. Later.