Hi guys, we're back with another chapter. I hope you like 'em fluffy cuz we got some fluff for you today. -grins-
"Angegirlmon" - Kouji's one heck of a mean guard dog isn't he? Tis to be expected I suppose. Hope you enjoy the chapter.
"The Keeper of Worlds" - Bet you weren't expecting a baby to be thrown in the mix huh? Makes you wonder how everyone is is going to take it when they find out. Only time will tell.
"DiaSphere" - Tomoko is pretty damn awesome isn't she? Like, one of the coolest mom's there huh? She's a favorite to write in my book. Anyway, more fun stuff up ahead and a little time with Zoe so that's always a plus, right?
"FlamingWind" - Glad things are looking up for you guys, if only a little, and happy you can all enjoy the chapter. And yeah... that was definitely an awkward moment for those two, I won't doubt that. Glad to have made your week and hope to make your next one too.
"DD Leader Dark Heart of Water" - They do have it a bit rough with the Digimon halves but they're getting there. Mr. Kanbara is seriously trying though, I think, I mean Tomoko seems to trust him enough. As for Kouji's ears being like Takuya's... -looks to the wolf boy- I'll have to find out.
"WaterBendingQueen88" - That is a plus isn't it? Now he just has to find a way to manage it. Glad you enjoyed the chapter by the way.
"the-ice-cold-alchemist" - Yeah, we love to beat him up, sort of our thing. ^^;
"Spirit Dragoness" - Boy still needs some time before he can return to the Kanbara household as we soon shall see.
"Akrisakara" - Glad you enjoyed the chapter. You bring up a good point with Kouji. After what Mr. Kanbara did to Takuya, I think it's safe to say he won't be trusting the old man any time soon.
"Slinking Fox" - Everyone seemed to get a kick out of this chapter huh? It was really awesome getting the twins their bonding moment like that, especially with their mother. We'll be sure to do more but today's focus is definitely on the Takumi as you will see.
"Digidestinedkid6" - Kouji might give them something to worry about but I think everything will be okay with them. And I'm sure Takky's gonna be good and normal in no time.
"Digi-fanCapp" - Wow, I'm honored our story can do that for you. Hopefully you feel the same till we finish this bad boy.
And now, let's get on with the fluffies!
Chapter 39: Little Moments.
The following two weeks went on without much incident, besides Takuya nearly breaking a nurse's wrist when she tried to take blood. This lead up to Takuya's release from the hospital. Regulations require the brunette to be checked out by his parents, but he wasn't quite ready to go home just yet.
"Just remember Takuya, you can come home whenever you want," his father said kindly, trying to give his son the space he needed to adjust.
Takuya nodded and replied quietly "I know... Um... thanks..."
Silence fell between the father and son. It felt awkward to be in a car with his father again. It felt awkward to be human again if Takuya was honest with himself. A little part of him didn't like it in the slightest.
"Alright," Mr. Kanbara parked the car in front of Kouji's house, "the Minamoto's have agreed to let you stay with them until you're ready to come home,"
Takuya nodded again, not sure what else he could say to his father. It was obvious that his father was trying but at the same time he just had trouble accepting all of this. "I… guess I'll… see you later..."
"Of course." Mr. Kanbara replied softly. He wished there was something he could say but he just couldn't find the words as his son opened the car door and stepped out.
Takuya closed the door behind him and gave a half-hearted wave to the man before walking up to the front door of the Minamoto residence. It took a moment but Takuya eventually heard his father start the car and drive away. He sighed, feeling the uncomfortable aura drift away, before knocking on the door.
Mrs. Minamoto got the door and greeted the boy with a smile. "Welcome back Takuya, it's so good to see you again!"
"Thanks, Mrs. Minamoto." The boy greeted back and smiled in return. "I really appreciate you putting me up right now."
"Please, don't mention it. We're glad to have you." The mother insisted and ushered the boy inside. "Now then, why don't we get you all settled before your friends get here. They're all very eager to see you again."
Takuya smiled weakly and went upstairs to where the twins were waiting. "Takuya!" Kouji and Kouichi jumped to their feet to greet the brunette.
"How're you feeling Takuya?" Kouichi asked, "Better I hope."
"Much better," Takuya said with a smile. His voice fully back and finally in good health.
Kouji smiled, "Good to hear." He motioned for Takuya to sit down, "Glad to have you back."
"I'm just glad to be out of the hospital," he admitted, "It was like a prison in there."
The twins shrugged in response. From their personal experiences hospitals weren't so bad but then again, they were never kept for over a month. They couldn't begin to imagine how it felt to be stuck in a hospital bed for so long.
"If I don't ever go to a hospital again for the rest of my life, I'm not complaining." Takuya added and folded his arms across his chest.
Kouji rolled his eyes and sat next to his friend. "Well, you don't have to worry about that. You're out of that place and back to normal now."
"Thank god for that." Kouichi said under his breath and sat down at Takuya's other side. "We really are happy to have you back."
"I really appreciate all the help you guys have given me." Takuya replied and rested his hands on his knees. "These past few months… were hell. They were pure hell but you guys saved me. I don't know what would have happened to me if you guys weren't there."
Kouichi put a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder, "Don't think about it, trust me."
"Gotcha," Takuya leaned back, "I owe you guys my life."
"Oh stop Takuya," Kouji said with a smile, "Let's forget all that, okay?"
The brunette nodded, "Alright then-"
"TAKUYA!" Zoe burst into the room, followed closely by Tommy and JP. Zoe tackled the boy onto the bed, hugging him tightly.
"Um, hi Zoe," Takuya gasped.
Tommy and JP helped pry the girl off Takuya so he could breathe, "How're ya feelin' Takky?"
"Better than ever!"
"That's great to hear Takuya! We were so worried about you!" Tommy said brightly, "We're so glad you're okay now."
Takuya grinned at the younger boy and sat up straight. "Thanks! I really appreciate it."
"It really sounds like you're all better now." JP mused happily and patted the boy on the back.
"It's great to actually be able to talk again without the coughing and using short sentences." Takuya responded with pep in his voice. "I never thought I would miss talking so much. It's great to finally be back!" The others cheered happily for their friend. They all felt right with the world. Takuya was back. He was home and he was safe.
"So you're going to be staying here for a while?" Tommy asked from his spot.
Takuya nodded. "Yup. They were really nice to let me stay here. I'm just not ready to go home yet. It's been so long since I've been home; I'm a little scared that it might have changed since then."
"Well, like my parents said, you're welcome to stay here as long as you want." Kouji responded and put a hand on Takuya's shoulder. "You're always welcomed here."
"And with the rest of us too." Zoe added with a small smile.
"Thank you guys, you all have been so supportive- you're the best friends a guy could have!"
"Spare us the sap Kanbara," Kouji quipped,
The boy grinned and laughed, "Only when you stop being such a worrywart Kouji."
Kouji tackled the boy, "I'm only a worrywart because of you!"
"Ah, Kouji get off of me!" Takuya yelped, struggling to break free. The boys wrestled, both grappling to get the upper hand. Their playful shouts turned to growls and light snarls as their Digimon halves began to bleed into their human form.
"Hey, knock it off!" Kouichi called, trying to prevent them from getting overly violent.
There was a brief flash of light and the group knew instantly what was happening. On the ground, where the boys were, were the two Digimon Flamon and Strabimon wrestling.
"Uh… this is kinda getting out of hand." JP muttered to the others.
"Come on you two! Stop it!" Kouichi called again to get their attention.
Zoe sighed. "I got this." She stepped out for a moment, leaving the boys with the Digimon momentarily. She returned swiftly, a spray bottle in hand and sprayed at them like disobedient pets.
Takuya and Kouji stopped their fighting and cowered away as the water was sprayed at them by the blond. "Hey! What're you doing?! Stop that!"
"You done now?" she asked them, disregarding the way they were snapping at her. The two were disgruntled by the spray but dared not utter another word in resistance for fear of being sprayed again. "Good."
JP turned to Kouichi, looking skeptical"Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"At the moment? No," Kouichi replied with a chuckle, "They're like little kids."
"They're worse!" Tommy laughed, looking at the sulking Digimon. They were glowering at each other and Zoe with her spray bottle.
Zoe raised it, "Now, behave will you?"
The two boys shrunk away from the bottle and nodded vigorously, not wanting to be sprayed again.
"Good." She smiled and put the spray bottle away on a bookshelf, much to the two Digimon boys' relief. "I won't be needing this then."
"That was so not cool." Takuya muttered as he and Kouji reverted back to their human forms. He growled and dusted himself off to get the water off.
Kouji grunted, doing the same. "She's your girlfriend."
Zoe rolled her eyes at the two. "Anything to keep you two from tearing this place apart or causing a ruckus."
The boys lowered their heads, "Sorry" they mumbled apologetically as the blonde placed the spray bottle on the table.
"Why do you even have a spray bottle Kouji?" Zoe asked curiously.
The boy glared, "For my hair. Geez."
"Brother, you are such a girl," Kouichi teased, earning a snicker from the other boys.
Kouji glared more, "Oh shut up."
"It's nice not being the only girl in this group..." Zoe said with a wide smile. The boys laughed more at Kouji's plight as the boy growled softly.
"Ha Ha! Very funny!" Kouji growled and got up to leave the room in an attempt to get away from the humiliation.
The older twin continued to laugh but he chased after his brother. "Aw come on Kouji! Don't be like that!"
Everyone else had to take a moment to recover from their laughing before getting up to go and follow after the twins. Takuya and Zoe were the last to leave but the blonde stopped them before they could leave the room. "Zoe? What's up?"
Instead of answering she quickly pecked the boy on the lips, startling him.
"W-what was that for?" Takuya asked, blushing brightly.
"Just consider it my way of saying I'm glad to have you back." Zoe answered, smiling happily at him.
Takuya touched the spot where she kissed him, "Zoe... I..." His cheeks burned as he fought to find the words to speak.
She stopped, "Taku?" She felt her cheeks heat up as she turned to face the boy.
The boy blushed more, "Can I... I mean... can we..." He missed her affection in his absence.
"Taku...?" She tilted her head to he side lightly, "Oh! Of course, I mean..." she giggled nervously, stepping closer to him.
Takuya felt butterflies in his stomach and his face had turned completely beet red as Zoe wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. It didn't take long for him to remember how to kiss her back as he timidly pulled her in close against his chest.
Zoe girl pulled for a brief moment and smiled at him again before kissing his cheek.
The boy smiled and felt the urge to purr suddenly but refrained from doing so. He wanted to enjoy this moment as a human. "Taku? Are you okay?" she asked, noticing his distracted look.
Takuya shook his head and laughed nervously. "It's nothing."
"Taku..." she persisted, "What's bothering you?"
He lowered his gaze, trying to avoid her eyes. "It's noting Z," he insisted.
She pulled away, trying to catch his gaze. "You can tell me Takuya... What's wrong?"
"Zoe..." he sighed, knowing he'd never get her to drop it. "I just... I want to enjoy this moment- but as me... not... ugh... I don't know Zoe..."
Zoe furrowed her brow and tried to make sense of what he was trying to tell her. It took her a moment to try and figure it out before she spoke. "I think I understand what you're trying to say."
"You do?" he asked, lifting up his gaze to look at her.
"You don't want the Digimon part of you to have any influence on you… like you want this to be a special moment for just you and me and nothing else." Zoe tried at explaining her idea.
Takuya nodded, knowing that she was right in her guess. "Yeah… I really want this to be special but… I just felt that sudden urge to… the Digimon side of me was getting involved… and I don't want that.
She nodded in understanding, and took his hands in hers. "It's okay Taku. I don't care whether your Digimon side comes out- it's just a part of who you are."
"I know... I just... I want to be me..." the boy murmured.
"You already are you," she reassured, "Just do what feels comfortable for you, okay?"
Takuya nodded, and pulled the girl closer, "Alright..." he whispered, resting his forehead against hers.
Zoe smiled and kissed the boy lightly, "Better?"
"Much better." He replied softly, a smile once again gracing his face as he kissed her back. "Thank you Zoe." The boy whispered to her as he held her close to him once more, his arms around her waist.
"I just want you to be happy Taku. That's what matters to me." Zoe responded and looked into his eyes. "I love you."
"Zoe... I don't know what to say…" It felt like it had been an eternity since Takuya heard someone say those words to him. After everything that's happened, to hear her say those words now, Takuya felt like he could burst into tears any second.
The blonde shook her head and rested it against his shoulder. "You don't have to say anything. I know."
Takuya felt tears well up in the corners of his eyes but kept them from spilling free. "But still… I-I want to… at least say… Zoe, I love you too."
The couple stood there, holding each other close and enjoying the other's embrace. "Zoe! Takuya! Are you guys coming?" Tommy called from downstairs
The two broke apart, blushing lightly. Takuya took Zoe's hand and lead the way downstairs. "Coming!" They joined everyone in the living room, still hand in hand.
"Enjoy yourselves?" Kouichi asked knowingly, grinning widely.
Zoe smiled, "Wouldn't you like to know."
Kouichi rolled his eyes at the couple and turned back to the brother he's been playfully torturing for the past few minutes. He grinned and received a snarl from the longhaired boy.
"Don't tell me you're still picking on him." Zoe spoke up, somewhat amused with the older twin's actions.
"It's what brothers do. We make each other's lives hell," Kouichi's reply to her statement. He suddenly yelped when his brother wrapped an arm around his neck. "What are you doing?"
Kouji chuckled and ruffled his brother's hair roughly. "Making your life hell."
The others laughed as the twins pulled away from each other and joined in the laughter.
"Kouji let go!" Kouichi yelped, laughing.
The half wolf released his brother, grinning. "Sorry brother," he laughed, backing away as Kouichi fixed his hair.
Takuya smiled as he took a seat with Zoe at his side. He couldn't help but feel good. His friends surrounded him, everyone was in good spirits and he had his long time crush at his side. He couldn't help but grin.
"You look happy Takuya!" Tommy commented lightly.
"I am Tommy," Takuya replied "I'm so glad to be out of that hospital and human again. It's kinda weird though."
JP looked at him, "What is?"
"Being human... like... everything feels fuzzy..." The boy stated, trying to convey his point.
The others looked confused by Takuya's words. They couldn't comprehend what he was possibly referring to.
Takuya sighed and scratched the back of his neck, trying to think of a way to possibly describe what he was talking about. "Like… as a Digimon everything was so much clearer. But now… after just being human again, it feels like I lost that."
"Right, I remember you talking about that." JP stated to the others. "Your senses were sharper as a Digimon."
Kouji nodded, knowing that his senses became immeasurably sharper when he evolves into his Digimon form. "That does make sense. It happens with me."
"So your Digimon form made things clearer? Like HD?" Tommy asked.
Takuya nodded. "Yeah, something like that."
"Whoa." Tommy said in awe.
The brunette smiled and ruffled his younger friend's hair, "It's alright, just weird to get used to again..."
"It'll be fine Taku," Zoe reassured, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.
"Maybe you can give Kouji some pointers about controlling Strabimon," Kouichi said lightly
Kouji glared, "I can manage my Digimon form just fine."
"You can't evolve under any sort of duress and you let your temper get the better of you," Kouichi stated bluntly.
Takuya laughed lightly, "Sure, I can try at least."
The younger twin rolled his eyes. "I'm doing fine thank you very much." He continued to deny the accusation. "It's fine Kouji. You get the hang of it pretty quick." Takuya told him, grinning.
"He's been trying for six months." JP stated to Takuya earning a snarl from Kouji.
Takuya was surprised by this information and looked to Kouji in disbelief. "You've been trying for six months? And you've gotten nowhere with it? Seriously?"
"Shut up." The younger twin snapped, shooting daggers at the boy.
"Wow. That's just… wow." Takuya held a chuckle after letting this register.
Kouji glowered, but conceded and sighed. "I can't get it to cooperate- I was lucky I could evolve when I rescued you..."
Takuya nodded, "I think I know how to help. We can try to practice tomorrow."
"You owe me at least that," Kouji said with a smile.
"Deal."
The rest of the evening went on with more light teasing, laughter and smiles. Takuya felt like things were starting to fall back into place for him. Mostly. After everyone left, he and Kouji went back upstairs to settle in for the night.
"So... Um... Thanks Kouji... For letting me stay here," Takuya said softly, trying to get comfortable on the bed roll on the floor.
Kouji smiled, "You're like family Takuya. You're always welcome here."
Takuya smiled in appreciation. "Thanks…" his smile faded shortly after a thought came to his mind. "Hey Kouji…?"
"Yeah?"
"What do you think I should do… about my family…?" Takuya was nervous to ask. He was still confused and scared about his inevitable confrontation with his family.
Kouji was silent for a long time. He didn't know what to think at first about this sudden question. He still found it hard to trust the Kanbaras even after the talk with his mother. "My mom thinks you can trust them. Your dad came over a lot of times asking about you, it looked like he was really trying."
Takuya nodded slowly. "I guess… I'm just really scared still…"
"I don't blame you." Kouji murmured and looked over his bed to his friend. "But whatever happens, we're here for you. You're our friend. Whatever happens we'll be there for you."
"Thanks Kouji."
The elder boy smiled lightly, "Now stop your worrying and try to get some sleep okay?"
"Alright," Takuya replied with a tired sigh, "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
