Hey guys. We're back with another chapter. Now, get ready to feel. I felt myself tear up a few times while I was reading this over. Dunno if you'll feel the same way but we'll find out soon enough.
"The Keeper of Worlds"- Glad you enjoyed the chapter and sorry for not mentioning your review on the last chapter. Failure on my part to find it. Won't happen again.
"LightFire"- It's nice to know you're really loving Secrets so far and regarding the T rating I don't think you have to worry about anything. We won't get into anything that would be over the top graphic. T is as far as we're gonna go. (BTW we loved writing the catnip bit, I still crack up when I read over it.)
"Kameo1"- Tomoko is awesome isn't she? She's like the coolest mom ever! Now, if only Takuya could take care of his other issues. May take some time but it'll get resolved sooner or later. With friends like his, anything's possible.
"Fanime-club"- Well, you don't have to wait any longer. It's here. I can't say anything without any spoilers so just be patient my friend and you'll see. We have something planned with the Kanbaras.
"dracomancer6491"- Wow, thanks friend. We really appreciate the sentiment. It's an honor to be considered one of the good ones. Now, I can't confirm anything but I can say that anything can happen. And I'll leave it at that.
Hope you guys enjoy this chapter and hope to hear from all of you next time.
Chapter 21: In My Hour of Need.
Takuya tried to focus on the task at hand- find and eliminate Dracmon, but found it exceptionally difficult to concentrate on the matter.
To start, he was back in school, now enrolled in Kouji's school and attending classes with his best friend. That eased some of the transition problems, but he found that some of his former classmates were now attending the school as well, and they were still whispering about him. He even caught someone saying he had set the school ablaze in passing one day.
On top of that, Takuya made many attempts to sort out his situation with his family, all ending with the door slammed in his face or on the most recent occasion, the police being called. His father refused to listen to anything he had to say. His mother wanted to listen but looked upon him with fear. And Shinya... He had no idea what was going on and just wanted to have his big brother back home.
"Takuya. You need to let your family alone and let them come to their senses." Kouji advised the boy sternly after the brunette's latest attempt went awry, "Even if they did hear you out- Dracmon could come back and make everything ten times worse."
Takuya felt downcast from his friend's words. He knew Kouji was right but it didn't make him feel any better about any of it. No matter how hard he tried, whenever he thought of his family he could only think of how they were towards him now. He only saw the fear in them.
"Come on Takuya, we talked about this." Kouji told him having noticed the look on his friend's face. "You'll be able to make things right with them."
"But what if I can't?" Takuya asked. "Dad called the police on me last time…"
Kouji bit his lip remembering when that had happened. Takuya took that horribly. If it weren't for the Minamotos' hospitality he wasn't sure how much worse it could have been. "They just don't know what to make of everything…"
"Mrs. Kimura took it better than they did…" Takuya responded. "Your mother took it better than my own parents…"
Kouji hated to admit it but essentially what Takuya was telling him was the hard truth. "Takuya, the circumstances were different. Just give them some time. I promise you that they'll take you back."
Takuya didn't respond. He just continued making his way to the Minamoto residence. He was stopped suddenly when Kouji grabbed onto his shoulder. "What?"
"Seriously Takuya. Everything is going to be okay." He answered. Kouji was not going to let his friend self-destruct again. He had enough of that with everything that's happened.
The brunette sighed, "If you say so Kouji..." He adjusted the bag slung over his shoulder, eyes still downcast. Kouji sighed as well, feeling pity for the boy.
They entered the house, depositing their backpacks by the door. "Mom? We're home!" Kouji called.
"Hi boys!" Satomi greeted, "Hungry? I just made some hot tea and I just pulled fresh batch of cookies from the oven." She tried so hard to make Takuya feel welcome and lift his dour spirit.
Kouji dragged Takuya into the kitchen, "That sounds great mom, thanks." Takuya nodded politely in agreement, not feeling very hungry.
Satomi set the tray of cookies down at the table, hoping the wafting smell of fresh cookies would do the trick and get a smile on Takuya's face.
It didn't seem to work though, the dispirited look still shown in his gaze. The smell was heavenly but food really wouldn't help him with his issues. Takuya appreciated the offer and humored Mrs. Minamoto by nibbling on one of the cookies.
Kouji sighed and took a cookie himself. He really wished he could do more to help his friend. He hated how things were always conspiring against the boy despite their best efforts to raise his spirits. Satomi sighed and went on with her day, not sure of what else she could do for her guest.
The bandanna wearing boy excused himself from the kitchen and decided to dial everyone up to see if they can figure out a way to cheer Takuya up.
"Hey Kouji, what's up?" Kouichi asked, picking up the phone.
"Hey, look I need some help. Takuya's really down today and I don't know what to do. I figured I'd call everyone and see what we can do." Kouji answered, getting to the point.
The elder twin thought about Kouji's plea for help, "Do you know what specifically is bugging him today more that usual?"
"No..." Kouji admitted, "But it's pretty bad- Mom made cookies, he's barely finished one."
"That is bad. Satomi's cookies are to die for."
"Will you focus Kouichi?" Kouji snapped, "Takuya's depression is only getting worse!"
Kouichi paused. "Is he still trying to make peace with his family?" he asked, remembering Kouji telling him something about the Kanbaras calling the police.
"He's determined, but it's just breaking him apart further with each rejection..." Kouji replied sullenly.
"Any sign of Dracmon?" Kouichi asked, switching gears, "That might give him a confidence boost knowing he's gone."
"No signs so far. I don't like it. It's been weeks now and we haven't even seen a trace of it." Kouji answered. "It couldn't have given it up after what happened."
"It's bound to show itself eventually. We just need to keep an eye out." His brother told him. They both knew they couldn't afford to let the guard down even for a moment.
Kouji signed and nodded in agreement. "We'll be ready for it. Right now we need to figure out how to help Takuya."
"Why don't we take him out? Go somewhere to take his mind off everything for a little while."
The younger twin was skeptical about the idea. "Is getting him away from everything really going to help him?"
"Well, it'll take his mind off everything. Get everyone together, do something fun, you know." Kouichi explained, trying to explain himself. "A get away, see?"
Kouji took a moment to consider it. He wasn't sure if it'd work but at this point he'd be willing to try anything. "Alright, let's try and get in contact with everyone and see if we can schedule a day out of town."
After a few calls to the others, Kouji was able to set up the weekend as a day out of the city in the coming days. They all agreed getting Takuya away from his troubles might do the boy some good and give him a fresh take on everything.
"Takuya." Kouji prodded the boy, who sat at the kitchen table doing his homework.
The brunette looked up at Kouji, "Yeah?"
Kouji took a seat beside him, "Talk."
"about what?" Takuya asked, not much in the mood for Kouji's prying.
"We want to help you Takuya but we need you to talk to us. You can't keep bottling everything up." Kouji answered.
Takuya sighed. "There's nothing to say… you know what happened Kouji. I just feel like crap about everything that's happened." He sighed again and rested his head on the table, forgetting about what he was doing. "My life just keeps getting worse by the day."
"You can't keep thinking like that Takuya." Kouji told him, not liking one bit the way Takuya was talking.
"Look at everything that's happened… I was poisoned, bullied, beaten… manipulated… kicked out of my house…"
Kouji stood up from his seat, interrupting Takuya from his self-destructive rant. "Stop. Thinking like that isn't going to help you Takuya."
"And what is Kouji?" Takuya shot back heatedly, facing his friend, "I'm a freak of nature! I hate being half Digimon- it's tearing my life apart at the seams!" He was upset, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. "I know you guys just want to help but you can't fix this!"
Kouji sat back down, "Look Takuya. I know things seem bleak and all right now, but, and as stupid as it sounds, You need to be positive. You have friends who are going out of their way to help you, my parents who are worried about you, and a safe place you can go and feel welcome. You're not alone."
"It doesn't make it any easier Kouji... I know that- I just... I wish..." he clenched his fists, trying to fight back the tears. "You weren't there when my father threw me out Kouji..." Takuya trembled, the tears he fought to hold back fell freely down his cheeks.
"He used a fire extinguisher on me… I was just some THING…" Takuya admitted and buried his face in his hands.
Kouji's eyes widened when he heard what Takuya told him. The large bruise on his arm when he came here; it must have been from his father and the extinguisher. "My god… Takuya…" His father had actually hit him, trying to hurt him.
"He… he hates me… I'm just a monster to him Kouji… even my mom was scared of me…" the poor boy continued through muffled sobs, remembering the look on Yuriko's face when she saw him.
His friend just sat there and absorbed the information. Takuya never told him the details of what happened. He never told them about what his father did to him. "God Takuya... I... I had no idea..." he whispered in disbelief.
"They'll never accept me..." Takuya added softly, "They don't see me as their son... just a monster..." he broke down completely at this point, reliving the horrendous night in his mind again and again.
Kouji gently pulled the boy into a hug, feeling the need to make the boy feel safe and loved. "You're not a monster Takuya, they just don't understand..." Kouji soothed softly as Takuya cried softly into Kouji's shoulder.
He held Takuya until the boy had calmed down enough to be clear minded to go get himself cleaned up. Kouji stayed at the table, rethinking his plans. Was it such a good idea to try and force him relax? He wasn't so sure.
Takuya's current state of mind wasn't well enough that relaxing would help. If anything he would just dwell on his problems further. And with finals fast approaching and the holidays- "Damn it." Kouji cursed to himself. They were going away to visit family this year. Takuya would be all alone.
What was he going to do? Takuya was in a delicate state and he needed his friends around now more than ever. Maybe he could stay at Kouichi's. It was an idea he had to run by his brother when they meet again. Right now, he just had to worry about helping Takuya right now.
The brunette returned, still sniffling softly. "Feel any better now?" Kouji asked, still concerned for Takuya.
He shrugged in response. "Not really..." he admitted softly, eyes downcast.
Kouji pulled a chair out for Takuya, gesturing for him to sit. "Is there anything I can do Takuya?"
"No, I couldn't ask anymore of you or your family, Thank you for letting me stay here." Takuya replied.
"You're my best friend," Kouji insisted, "It's no trouble at all- though I would like to be straight with my parents about why you're here."
"You want to tell them about me?" Takuya asked, not sure about whether it would be a good idea. Satomi was really understanding but he wasn't sure how she'd react to knowing all of this and he wasn't sure how Mr. Minamoto would either.
"I think it'd be a good idea. Look, I promise you my parents aren't going to freak or anything like that." Kouji answered.
Takuya bit his lip, not sure what to say. Kouji seemed to think this would be a good idea. "I…I don't know Kouji…"
"Trust me. I can talk to them about this." His friend replied and sighed. "I can handle my parents about this. Of course, it's up to you if you want to tell them. I just think it'd be a good idea."
The brunette still looked really uncertain. "I don't know Kouji... I..."
"Look, it's one less thing you'll have to worry about. You won't have to hide anymore. You could tell Satomi first- I know she'll understand. Trust me." Kouji finished, recalling his stepmother's theory about Takuya.
"Kouji..." Takuya was still reluctant, not wanting to be thrown out of another home and be seen as a monster by more people.
"I swear Takuya, they're not going to be afraid of you." Kouji told him, trying to reassure his friend.
Takuya still seemed hesitant but stopped when Kouji held him firm by the shoulders, getting his full attention. "You can trust them Takuya. Satomi's not going to think any different of you. She's pretty understanding."
"How do you know that?" Takuya asked, still not feeling confident with his friend's suggestion.
His friend didn't know how to answer him at first. "We talked earlier the other day." He started, remembering how the conversation went. Takuya gave him a look telling him to continue. "And when we talked, she was really sympathetic." he answered, hoping it'd be enough.
Takuya bit his lip. If what Kouji said was true maybe Satomi would be accepting, but does being sympathetic really mean she'll understand if she sees his Digimon form. "What did she say exactly?" he asked, wanting to know more to help him decide.
Kouji blushed recalling his Stepmother's words. "Uh... well-"
"Kouji please?"
The boy sighed, "She was under the impression you were gay."
There was a long silence between them. Takuya just gaped at Kouji who twiddled with his bandanna, "You're...kidding... right?"
Kouji, whose face was bright red with embarrassment by now, nodded. "Yeah. Asked about me and Kouichi too." He shook his head, trying to rid his mind of the mental images, "Apparently she has a brother who is gay and their parents didn't understand at first or something like that- hence her assumption."
The brunette just continued to stare at his friend, not sure how to respond in the slightest. "Seriously?"
"Seriously. There's no way I can make this stuff up." Kouji answered, still completely red in the face.
Takuya continued to simply stare at his friend in disbelief; his previous chain of thought just completely put aside for the time being. "She really thought I was gay?" he asked.
"Yes." Kouji replied, wanting to drop the subject right there.
"And you too?"
The bandanna wearing boy moaned in response. Kouji figured he should have known that the topic wouldn't be dropped so easily. "Yes, she thought I might be gay. Kouichi too." He added in case Takuya decided to ask about his brother as well.
Takuya's cheeks turned red at the thought, flustered by this revelation. Kouji regained his composure, and tried to return to the issue at hand. "R-regardless, she is really accepting and understanding. She won't think different of you Takuya. You can trust her."
Takuya sighed and nodded. "I-If you think it's okay Kouji, then I'll do it."
Kouji smiled a bit, "That's better. We can tell her later, after we get this homework out of the way."
"Workaholic." Takuya muttered, a soft smile spreading across his face.
"Ah, I got you to smile though- who's the fun twin now?" Kouji retorted, grinning smugly.
Takuya swatted at him, "still Kouichi."
Kouji rolled his eyes at the goggle head and went back to work on his homework. He actually got a good response from his friend. Takuya actually smiled for the first time since this happened.
Takuya thought more on telling Satomi and the more he thought about it he felt like he could really trust her. Satomi had been really nice to him, even letting him into her home. Kouji kept an eye on Takuya as they worked, gauging his well being as they did their work. The boy seemed to be in a bit of a brighter mood, even snatching a cookie or two from the tray.
As time passed by, Takuya was beginning to feel nervous. They would go and explain the situation to Satomi any minute now, most of their work already finished. He knew he could trust Satomi but he still felt nervous about revealing himself.
"Well, that's it. You finished?" Kouji asked, putting his homework aside.
Takuya nodded and put his stuff away in his bag. He took a breath to calm himself before speaking. "Yeah, let's go find your mom."
Kouji smiled, getting up from the table. He stowed his homework in his bag and led Takuya into the living room, "Mom?"
Satomi who had been reading a book, looked up, "Yes Kouji?" She saw the nervous expression on Takuya's face, "Is everything alright?"
"Yes- Takuya just has something he wants to say," Kouji explained quickly, moving to his friend's side for support.
The brunette looked at Mrs. Minamoto, gathering his courage, "I... Um... uh, thank you for letting me stay here Mrs. Minamoto. I really appreciate it."
"Of course Takuya, we love having you here." Satomi replied, smiling warmly.
Takuya smiled back weakly. "Well... I-I... I can't go home..." he started, trembling with anxiety. Kouji urged the boy to continue as Satomi watched. "B-because of what I am..."
"It's alright Takuya, I know what you're dealing with my brother-"
"No! I mean- Kouji told me what you thought, but it's not that!" Takuya interjected, feeling his face flush again. He paused, "It's because of this..." He swallowed and closed his eyes, taking on the form of Flamon. He heard Satomi gasp and braced himself for an attack, be it verbal or physical.
She stared at Takuya, taken aback by his transformation. She never saw anything like this before. The mother approached Takuya slowly and got a better look at him.
Takuya just waited, tensed with dread, and expecting the worst.
"How is… how can you do this?" Satomi asked, still shocked and examining Takuya closely.
"I…it's just… something I've been able to do…" Takuya answered slowly, still scared.
Kouji watched them, waiting to see how his stepmother would take the information. He could see the shock but she didn't look like she was terrified by his appearance.
Satomi tentatively reached out and ran her fingers through his hair, mindful of the short flat horns sprouting out in front.
Takuya tensed up really tight on contact but relaxed when she started to stroke his mane. "You… you're not freaked out?" She shook her head. She'd admit to herself that Takuya had startled her but the look on his face, the fear in his stature; she couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor boy. He was completely terrified about showing this side of himself.
"I take it your parents took this badly." Satomi said softly. The boy nodded slowly, he could feel tears building up again. He felt relieved and at the same time, hurt. Why could other people accept him, but not his own parents? His body trembled again as he fought back his emotions.
"Who else knows?" Satomi asked, more to Kouji as Takuya was on the verge of another emotional breakdown.
Kouji took a breath, feeling relieved as well. "Besides you and me; Kouichi, JP, Tommy, Zoe and my birth mother all know- well and Takuya's parents but..."
That was enough. Takuya felt the tears break through again. He sank to the floor, shoulders shaking as tears slid down his face. He transformed back to his human self, recalling the look of disgust his father had, or the one of fear worn by his mother.
Satomi got down to Takuya's level and pulled him into a tight hug, letting him sob into her shoulder. She wanted to reassure him that everything would be okay but she wasn't sure herself. The Kanbaras and what they've done to their son appalled her.
Takuya just continued to cry, burying his face in her shoulder to hide his face. "You poor boy…" Satomi muttered softly and continued to try and sooth the weeping child. They sat there for a while until she was sure Takuya had stopped crying.
"Takuya… everything is going to be okay… we're all here for you." Kouji spoke up trying to help cheer his friend up.
The brunette sniffled, looking up at his best friend and the stepmother. He was still very upset, but their support made him feel a little better. Satomi helped him to his feet and led him to the bathroom to get cleaned up again. Kouji stayed by Takuya's side while Satomi went to make some tea, hoping it might help.
Kouji led Takuya back to the living room, sitting him down on the couch. Satomi returned with tea for the three of them, setting the cups carefully on the table before them. Kouji passed a cup to Takuya, who took it into his hands carefully.
He heard Satomi gasp and he looked up. The tea was steaming still and both she and Kouji were holding their cups by the handles. Takuya was not. The heat didn't bother his hand. It didn't even feel that hot to him.
"Did we mention Takuya could control fire too?" Kouji asked his stepmother sheepishly.
"Is there anything else I should know?" Satomi asked, wanting to know everything so she wasn't caught off guard again. She did not want any more surprises.
Kouji and Takuya looked to each other. They knew more than anything that there was a chance that there could be an attack at the house that would drag Kouji's parents into the fray- Especially with Dracmon on the loose. It would be better if they knew as well.
"There is a few more things." Her stepson answered, albeit hesitantly. "You see… there are other things like what Takuya can turn into. And they're the things that have been causing trouble around the area."
The mother gasped. "You mean the wreck at the mall and at Takuya's school…"
The two kids nodded. "Yeah… and Takuya... he's the one who's been taking care of them."
Satomi looked at the boy, in shock again. "How on earth can you handle this Takuya? You're just a child!"
"Ms. Kimura said the same thing..." Takuya said softly, "I have to- there's no one else who can fight those things. And if I don't fight, people could get hurt..."
"So could you!" she exclaimed.
Takuya flinched at her pitch, "I'll still fight, I have to. Besides, I heal fast..."
Satomi looked to argue but relented, not wanting to work thy boy up further. She sighed, "You poor child... How long have you been doing this?"
"A couple of months now," the brunette admitted, "Kouji, Kouichi and the others have been helping me cope with everything. They'd take a bullet for me."
The mother smiled, "I am glad you had someone to turn too, even if it was just your friends." She stood up, taking their cups into the kitchen.
Kouji smirked, "I believed I'm the only one who took a bullet for you Takuya. Several. A sword too."
"Yeah, aren't you badass?" Takuya replied, rolling his eyes though he did have a small smile on his face. "I don't remember bullets though."
"Maybe not bullets but I took projectiles for you. I know I took lightning." Kouji replied, recalling using himself as a shield during the battle with Cherubimon. "He really packed a punch with that stuff."
"I remember that." Takuya stated, also remembering the battle himself. "We were a kick butt team back then. We still are."
Kouji nodded, approving of Takuya's words. "No doubt about it. We'll be ready for anything."
Takuya smiled at his friend and nodded. He felt quite a bit better after everything. He still felt bad about how horrible it had gotten with his family but he knew he could count on Kouji and the others for help. They make a great team.
The rest of the evening went on without incident. Dinner was pleasant and filling. Kouji and Satomi managed to talk Takuya into revealing his Digimon form to Mr. Minamoto after.
Mr. Minamoto took Takuya's Digimon well overall, minus the cursing and freak-out at first. He got over the shock pretty fast though. Kouji knew his parents would understand. Satomi took Kouichi's sudden appearance well, and Kousei was trying to be more open-minded about things.
Still, Kouji was worried. He lay awake as Takuya slept on the bedroll on the floor beside him. He didn't know how to break it to Takuya that they were to be away for ten days once the holidays came. Takuya needed the love and support the Minamotos had to offer. He was in a very delicate state of mind.
He rolled onto his side, looking down at the sleeping Takuya. He felt guilty, like he would be abandoning his friend when Takuya needed him. He would have to call Kouichi in the morning, and try and come up with a plan
