Hey guys. Here we are again. I've noticed quite a few new faces reading with us and I'm glad to welcome all of you aboard. We hope to hear more from you guys and from all of our regulars too.
"Firehedgehog" - They are a bit rough huh? You'll have to wait and see what happens with them but I'll tell you, it gets complicated.
"LightFire" - Yeah, torturing Takuya has been so much fun, and it's going to keep getting fun.
"The Keeper of Worlds" - With everything Takuya's been through, he really does deserve the comfort of his friends. And don't worry about his parents. We got that covered.
"Spirit Dragoness" - Happy hunting. Be sure to leave some for Takuya.
"Kameo1" - Yeah, it really is sad what happened with Takuya's family. Hard to say when good things'll happen but who knows, right?
"Flaming Platinum" - Thanks for pointing all of that out. We'll double check our work to keep from making silly mistakes like that. Hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
"Fanime-club" - More coolness, coming up. Enjoy my friend.
"ifrisdragneel" - Wow. That's quite a compliment. It's great to hear that you enjoy this fic (AND Kouichi) so much. We'd appreciate any imput you got from here on out.
"Digidestinedkid6" - Uh... can't say they can do much. I mean, they'll try to help but they're kinda out of their league here. Then again, who knows? Anything can happen.
"NatNicole" - We planned on making Takuya's dad like this. ANd it gets more intense with time. As for Shinya, he'll play his part soon, kid's just confused is all and has no idea what to do about it.
Whew, that was a lot to go through but very well worth it. Okay, I won't keep you guys waiting any longer. Let's get on with the show.
Chapter 22: Conquering Your Demons.
Kouji woke up bright and early, something he had become accustomed to for a while now. He looked over to his friend who was sleeping in his mat on the floor. He double-checked to make sure his friend was asleep before getting up and going with his morning routine.
Once he left his room, he decided to dial his brother up to try and work out their deal with the Minamotos' leave for the holidays. "Mmm… Kouji? What time is it?" Kouichi asked.
"It's about seven in the morning. Look, there's something I need to talk to you about." Kouji told him, getting right to the point.
"Yeah, what is it?"
"Well, we told my parents about Takuya's predicament. They know about the whole Digimon thing." Kouji started. "They're okay with it so we're in the clear here." He added before his brother could ask.
"Wow, that's a relief. I'm glad they were understanding about the situation." Kouichi replied and sighed afterward. "If only Takuya's parents could be a little more understanding too."
Kouji huffed, "Well they're not. Anyway, I have a huge favor to ask you. I told you that Dad, Satomi- er, Mom, and I are going to visit Mom's family this Christmas, right?"
"Uh huh," Kouichi replied with a yawn, "So?"
"Takuya."
Kouichi didn't respond right away. "Yeah..."
"He'll be all alone!" Kouji snapped, hoping it would rouse his brother's tired mind.
"Oh. OH... I got it now. What can I do?"
"That's the thing- I don't know... I feel horrible for leaving but we had this planned for months- I mean I'm sure Mom and Dad would understand, but I've bailed on it three years in a row now..."
The elder twin sat up n his bed, "You know he's welcome here."
"I know- there's the matter of Wolf though. Takuya was originally going to dog-sit for me-"
"But Wolf hates Takuya's Digimon half- I remember. And it's not ideal to have Wolf at our house, there's not enough room."
Kouji sighed in aggravation. "There has to be something we can do…"
"Maybe we can house sit or something." Kouichi offered.
"You would do that?" his brother asked. While it would give Takuya the company he needed and make sure Wolf was attended to it would also mean that Kouichi and their mother would leave their house unattended.
"Yeah, I'm sure Mom won't mind and our place doesn't need much tending to so it's really nothing to worry about." Kouichi answered. "I would have to talk to Mom about it first though."
Kouji thought on the option a little more. It didn't seem like it would be much of a problem. "I'll talk to my parents about it too to make sure it's clear with them."
"Okay, so you talk to them, I'll talk to Mom, and we confirm with each other." Kouichi planned out.
The younger twin nodded. "Sounds good. I'll call you later then."
"Gotcha. See you later bro." Kouichi hung up, leaving it at that for the moment.
Kouji sighed with relief, feeling much better now. He would talk to his father before Takuya woke up- but first, shower. He felt like he deserved it after fussing almost all night about what to do. Once he was clean, he got dressed and descended the stairs to find his father and stepmother.
His parents were in the kitchen, sipping their morning coffee and tea. They were talking about something, upon further investigation; it appeared to be about Takuya.
"That poor child... I wish we weren't going away- I would hate to leave him all alone," Satomi said softly, putting Takuya's best interest before her family's plans.
Kousei nodded, "We could cancel this year-"
"My mother would throw a fit if we didn't come" Satomi pointed out, causing Kousei to shudder at the thought.
Kouji entered the kitchen quietly. "Kouichi said he and Mom could look after Takuya, Wolf, and the house," he suggested, sitting down at the table.
"Tomoko is really offering to watch over the house?" Kousei asked, not sure how to feel about the suggestion.
"Kouichi said he'd talk to her about it but I know she'd definitely be okay with it. She knows everything about what's happened with Takuya and really wants to help him." Kouji explained to his parents.
Satomi nodded in understanding. "Kousei dear, I think letting Tomoko watch over Takuya and the house will be a good idea."
"Very well." Her husband turned to their son and nodded to him. "We'll call Tomoko and ask if she's willing to watch over your friend and the house."
"Thanks." Kouji replied, relieved to know that everything was okay with his end. And knowing his mother, she'd be okay with it too. They would be good for when they would have their family leave.
Takuya didn't take the news of Kouji's upcoming departure well. "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving!?"
"In all honesty, YOU'VE been keeping my mind very occupied!" Kouji hissed, shutting the brunette up.
The boy looked nervous, "But Dracmon..."
"I know- I'm sorry, I can't bail this year." Kouji explained, "Maybe he's gone back to the Digital World-"
"No. He's here... I can feel it..." Takuya interjected, "He's waiting."
Kouji sighed, "Takuya..."
"He's looking for an opening! Something to destroy me- I just know it!" The brunette exclaimed as his voice strained with anxiety.
Kouji held his friend by his shoulders in attempt to keep Takuya from freaking out anymore. "Takuya, you need to calm down. Getting stressed out is not going to help you here."
"What am I supposed to do Kouji? He could show up anywhere! I can't let my guard down!" Takuya was on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
"Takuya, you can't let this get to you." His friend tried reasoning with him. "We need to keep calm and collected. Stressing out will make it easier for that thing to attack us."
Takuya knew that Kouji was right about freaking out but with what Kouji just told him about the Minamotos' vacation plan he felt completely off his guard. His best friend and partner for the battle with Dracmon would be gone during the holiday.
The brunette sank in his seat, shoulders slumping. "Kouji..." He was frightened of Dracmon, and what he could do.
"Takuya." Kouji didn't know how to reassure the boy. "I know you're afraid of Dracmon, but you can't let it control you."
"It's not my fear! He can literally control me- make me do things against my will...I'm terrified Kouji! I could hurt someone," the boy said with a whimper.
Kouji sat beside the boy, wrapping an arm around him. "It'll be okay- we'll beat him. I won't let him destroy your life anymore. It'll work out, okay?"
Takuya mumbled something under his breath but nodded slowly, "If you say so Kou."
"Don't call me that!"
Takuya stifled a chuckle though he wasn't feeling much better. He'd just have to trust in what his friend's words.
Kouji smiled in response. At least his friend was in good humor enough to call him by that ridiculous nickname. That had to be a step in the right direction. "We're going to be ready for him."
"Yeah." The goggle head replied. He took a breath and allowed himself to relax.
"You know, we're planning to gather everyone for a day off." Kouji brought up to continue to try and lift up his friend's spirits.
"You were?" Takuya asked, having not been aware of what they were planning.
The bandanna-wearing boy nodded. "Just the six of us."
"Why didn't you tell me?" The boy whined softly, an exaggerated pout forming on his face.
Kouji raised an eyebrow, "You're ridiculous."
Takuya huffed, "I am not."
"You are too."
"Kou."
"TAKUYA."
The brunette grinned, ducking away from his best friend's reach. "Still too slow." Takuya taunted, in a better mood than before. He was smiling as Kouji went after him again.
"I'll make you eat those words Kanbara!" Kouji declared, just missing the boy by inches.
Takuya laughed and continued to taunt his friend as Kouji tried in his failed attempts to catch him. "Oh, almost had me! Nope, got to be quicker than that!"
"Boys! No running in the house!" Satomi called out to both of them, warning them.
Both boys stopped in their tracks, shuddering at the warning tone in her voice.
"You're lucky she's here to save you." Kouji told Takuya. He rolled his eyes when Takuya stuck his tongue out in response. "Real mature Kanbara."
"Kind of failing at trying to be the fun twin." Takuya replied a grin forming on his face.
Kouji snorted, "I will get you Takuya, just you wait."
"Yeah yeah," Takuya said dismissively. He sighed before speaking quietly, "Now what?"
"Think of ways to keep you out of trouble for two weeks?" Kouji suggested with a slight grin.
Takuya growled at him lightly. "I still can't believe you're going to be gone for two weeks..."
"Kouichi and mom- well, my birth mom- they'll be here with you. You're not going to be alone." Kouji said, trying to lift the brunette's spirit once again. "Besides, Kouichi is the fun twin as you put it."
"Yeah but you never know what to expect with that guy. The guy's an evil mastermind." Takuya explained.
Kouji raised a brow at the boy. "No comment."
"It's true and you know it." Takuya told him.
"My mom's going to be there too so you don't have to worry much about Kouichi and any insanity that he could have in that head of his." Kouji responded and looked to his friend. "Just try not to make a mess here while we're gone."
Takuya rolled his eyes. "You don't have to worry. We'll be good."
"I'll hold you to it."
"I know you will" Takuya muttered under his breath.
–
The rest of the week went by uneventfully and with no trace of Dracmon to be found. Takuya started to relax, believing that the little demon Digimon would leave him alone. The weekend came and the little group of Chosen decided to meet up at Shibuya to go Christmas shopping.
Takuya was smiling brightly for the first time in what seemed like forever in Kouji's opinion. The younger twin exchanged a smile with his brother, glad to see Takuya in higher spirits. They rode the train to the station in silence, but their mood was light and cheerful.
"I can't wait to see everyone again and have some fun." Takuya stated breaking the silence and stretched comfortably in his seat. "I'm even okay with the shopping."
"I'd hope so." Kouji replied. "Because there's bound to be a few of us dragging everyone from shop to shop." He teased, glancing over to his brother as he spoke.
Kouichi grinned in amusement. "If you'd like, I could do some lousy Christmas shopping and get you lousy gifts."
"No way. I heard you give great gifts." Takuya stated smiling widely.
"How would you know? This is our first Christmas together!" Kouichi said with a bright laugh.
Takuya just grinned, "Mrs. Kimura."
"Blast." the elder twin muttered mischievously. Kouji rolled his eyes.
The train slowed, lurching slightly before stopping completely. The trio stepped off the train, blasted by the frigid winter air. The twins shook it off and moved forward towards the station's entrance. Takuya however remain rooted to the spot. His body tensed as he shivered in the chilly air.
"Takuya?" The twins had stopped, noticing their friend's absence.
The boy shook his head, eyes wide with fear. Kouji and Kouichi knew immediately something was wrong and they raced back to the brunette's side. "Dracmon- he's here." the boy whispered.
The twins instantly went on their guard. This was bad. If Dracmon attacked, they wouldn't be able to fight back with the terminal so tightly packed. There'd be too many witnesses and too many people in the way.
"Takuya, we need to move. It's too crowded in here." Kouji told him, trying to guide him out to an open area. Somewhere they could fight.
Takuya tried his best to keep calm and keep up with his friends as they pushed themselves through the herd of people. He was afraid to look around and find the enemy. He couldn't afford to without the chance of falling prey to Dracmon's hypnotism.
"Kouji… there's nowhere we can go. There're too many people everywhere…" Kouichi whispered to his brother.
The younger twin nodded grimly. "He's been waiting for this… damn it…"
"What're we going to do?" Kouichi asked.
"Call the others. Tell them what's happening. Takuya, keep your gaze low and follow my instructions." Kouji replied, giving orders to the both of them.
Both nodded, letting Kouji take charge. He removed his bandana and passed it to Takuya, who tied it around his head loosely, ready to pull it over his eyes should the need arise. Kouichi tried to guide Takuya and Kouji to a secluded location to give the brunette a chance to evolve and fight back.
There was nowhere they could go where there weren't a huge amount of people. The terminal was one of the busiest in the world and given the holiday season, it was ten times worse.
A devilish laugh echoed though the station. Takuya tensed, a growl rising in his throat.
"Easy Takuya." Kouji instructed, laying a hand on the boy's shoulder.
Kouichi looked around, "What do we do?"
The younger twin looked thoughtful, "Wait. Let him make the first move."
The three stopped in their spot, letting the crowds pass by them. They waited, Kouji and Kouichi turning their gaze in every direction, leaving nothing out of their sights while Takuya used his heightened hearing and senses to feel out Dracmon's presence.
There was another wicked laugh echoing faintly all around them. It seemed like Takuya was the only one to hear it; everyone around them going on with their day as if they haven't the slightest clue of the evil creature. "He's waiting. Trying to psyche us out." Kouji muttered, keeping his sharp stare ever vigilant.
Takuya growled, feeling the threatening presence grow closer.
"Undead Fang."
In an instant, the boy felt two clammy hands wrap around his leg. He jerked his leg free before he could feel the small vampire's bite in his calf.
The twins turned their attention to Takuya and tried to look for what attacked him but there was nothing. Dracmon must have attacked and vanished within an instant.
"What's a matter freak? Can't fight me? Too many witnesses?" a sinister voice cooed in the boy's ear. Takuya snarled, swinging his fist around to strike at the demonic Digimon, only to strike Kouichi instead.
"What the hell Takuya?!" Kouichi yelped, holding his head gingerly.
Takuya opened his mouth to apologize. He yelped and fell to his knees, holding his head in pain. Dracmon was trying to influence him as he felt himself losing control over his body. Both Kouji and Kouichi knelt by the boy's side, "Fight it Takuya!"
He nodded weakly, pulling the bandana over his eyes. The darkness brought welcome relief and he felt more in control of himself. "Kouji... I... I need to evolve. Now." the boy breathed, frightened.
"Kouichi, Take off your coat." Kouji instructed, doing the same. His brother nodded, realizing what he was up to. They would give Takuya literal cover to transform and fight back. They quickly draped their coats over the boy and embraced him, completely covering Takuya. "Now!"
The was a brief flash of light and the twins pulled apart. Takuya snarled, now Flamon- frightening several commuters.
"M-monster!" someone cried out at the sight of the boy and causing many to panic. And at the sight of the flames licking at Takuya's hands and feet, many started to flee from the terminal.
Takuya tried paying no mind to the frightened panic of the crowd. He winced from the high pitch of their screams but he did his best to keep from letting it deter his determination to deal with this current threat.
The twins had kept close to their friend, keeping a watchful eye for anything while the herd of bystanders disappeared from the station. Until they were gone and their cries muted, Takuya could not rely on his hearing to its full extent.
"Getting a kick from scaring the humans?" Dracmon laughed.
Takuya follow the sound and turned to where he heard it.
Kouji saw this and turned with Takuya, scanning around for the small imp. He spotted something, two eyes; one green and one read. "Up! Right! Fire!"
The small fire Digimon took the information and hurled a large fireball, and given his friend's directions, aimed right at the two eyes. "Flame Toss!"
Dracmon cried out, not expecting to be hit. He shook his hands, burned by Takuya's flames. "I'll make you pay for that you little brat! Undead Fang!" Dracmon lunged at the boy.
Kouji was ready though. "Roll to the left! Fire right!"
Takuya rolled out of the way, shooting fire in the place he just stood. Dracmon howled in pain, recoiling from the flames' intense heat.
Sirens wailed in the distance. Takuya's head jerked up, as Dracmon laughed. "Looks like those humans called for back up!" Takuya swiped at him, missing.
"We need to hurry guys!" Kouichi called.
Kouji nodded and kept his gaze on Dracmon. It had grown wise to their strategy and made hitting it much more difficult.
Dracmon was stalling now. It wasn't attacking them directly. Dracmon kept its distance from Takuya and was easily dodging each flame shot at it. "Can't hit me now can you?" it laughed.
"Damn it. We just need one good shot." Kouji muttered, watching every movement their target was making. There had to be an opportunity to land a descent attack. Noble Heart or Baby Salamander, either would be powerful enough to destroy this thing.
"Up! Fire!" Kouji commanded, a plan formulating in his mind. The fireball shot in the air, colliding with the ceiling lights.
The sudden flash and falling of debris made Dracmon recoil, the eyes in the palms of its hands going blind from the bright light.
"Give him everything you've got, dead in front of you!" Kouji ordered. Takuya snarled wildly sensing the urgency of the situation, and unleashed a massive wall of flames at the downed demon. Dracmon realized what happening a moment too late and was swept up in the wave.
His cries of pain were loud and terrible as his body burned in the white hot fire. Takuya felt safe enough to remove the blindfold and watch as his tormenter withered and perished in the inferno. It mildly disturbed him with how satisfying it was to see Dracmon suffer like that, and yet it felt too good for him to worry about it.
"Takuya! Time to bail!" Kouji called, breaking the boy from his trance.
The flame Digimon looked up to see armed officers coming up the very same stairs that Kouichi had fallen on months earlier prior to their Digital World adventures. The twins were immediately pulled back by the officers and out of "harm's way."
Takuya gulped and backed away from the officers, not wanting to get shot again. He learned from last time that even as a Digimon getting shot hurt a great deal; even one well placed shot could do him in.
"Stay right where you are!" One of the officers ordered, taking aim at the boy.
He yelped in response and jumped away from them towards the tracks. It was out in the open; a good place to run away. Takuya did his best to keep from becoming an easy target, moving in a serpentine motion as several bullets shot at him.
The twins watched anxiously as the police shot at Takuya. It didn't look like he was getting hit but until he was in the clear they couldn't relax.
Takuya made it to the rails and looked back to the officers who were trying to follow after him. Before they could get too close however the boy leapt up into the air, landing on the rooftops. Kouichi sighed in relief. There was no way the police would be able to catch their friend now. He could easily outrun them from the rooftops.
Kouji pulled his brother away, "Come on, we need to catch up with Takuya."
They slipped away from the officers easily, still trying to fire at the long since gone Digimon. The twins ran in the direction Takuya had disappeared to, hoping to meet up with the brunette. They stopped running, slowing to a brisk walk as they called to their friend.
The boy appeared before them after a moment, shaken up but unharmed, "Hi guys."
"You're really freaking lucky Takuya." Kouji chided, sighing with relief.
"Yeah- I know. I really don't like being shot at," Takuya replied, trying to make light of the situation.
Kouji snorted, "Who does?"
"How are you going to explain this to Zoe?" Kouichi asked innocently.
The three all paled at the thought. "She's going to kill us."
