Hi there everyone. Good to see ya all. I'd like to take the time to thank you all for bringing this story up to 400 reviews! You guys are amazing! This story is easily the biggest piece of work that either myself or FernClaw have worked on before and I hope it continues to grow as we move on.

"Angegirlmon" - Well, Takuya's still got the scars so it's not going to go away so easily. As for the scientists, I'm not really sure what'll happen but we'll be sure to leave no loose ends what so ever. As for Tomoko adopting Takuya... sorry, that's not gonna happen. You'll see soon enough.

"The Keeper of Worlds" - Yeah, he really is messed up from that experience. Hopefully the others will be able to fix things.

"Imagine-Davekat" - I guess we do kinda put those two on the sidelines sometimes... It's unintentional but we'll try to fix that. I mean, there's still some stuff that needs to be taken care of so maybe? We'll work on it. Thanks for bringing that up.

"Twistedmind64" - Poor guy really can't catch a break, huh? Don't worry. He's not going to be alone through this.

"Grave10der" - We're going to touch on everything that happened while Takuya was under captivity. Don't worry. We're not going to let that go so easily. Just keep on readin' and you'll see.

"DiaSphere" - We really do know how to change the mood with the snap of the fingers, huh? As for your question, I can't really say much but we'll be touching up on what's going on soon enough, promise. We just gotta be a little patient.

"Fanime-club" - It's still going to be a little bit before we can get to Takuya's family but we're throwing in bits and pieces there. Bare with it and you'll see just what we have going on with them.

"Fun hammer" - Well, let me tell you, we do have an ending set in mind and we will be reaching the end point soon enough but we still got a bit to go before we get there so, yeah, that's as much as I can tell ya. Glad you love the story so far. Happy to have a lot of people enjoy our work.

"Akrisakara" - Wow, that's a pretty deep analysis there. -grins- Really got it nailed on the head there. There are still problems for Takky to deal with and we still got quite a bit planned so I hope you enjoy where we go with everything.

"Digidestiendkid6" - Um... I'm pretty sure Takuya knows but that doesn't change the things that his father did in the first place. As for his problems, well, you'll just have to wait and see.

"fighterofflames" - Sorry, but I can't really say much in regards to what's going to happen or not. FC would kick my butt if I give confirm anything or not.

With that said, let's get to the new chapter, shall we?

Chapter 41: Opening Up.

The next few days went awkwardly for the group of friends. After what happened Takuya had reverted back to his reserved personality, something that did not settle well with the others. He was comfortable with them but he would suffer from panic attacks whenever the laboratory was brought up.

Takuya began to slip as he began withdraw into his mind, worrying his friends further. Takuya just remained silent as his friends made desperate attempts to make him feel better. No matter what any of them tried, Takuya pushed them away.

Tommy hated to see his friend and surrogate brother fall apart at the seams. "Takuya... Takuya please..." he pleaded with the boy one afternoon. Kouji called the younger boy after he failed to pry the brunette from his bedroll.

The elder boy didn't respond, exhaling a shaky breath. Tommy bit his lip, frustrated with his idol. This had to stop.

"Takuya!" Tommy shouted, startling both Kouji and Takuya. "You need to stop! You need help! Let us in! We can help you! You just need to let us in Takuya!"

Kouji stared at the young boy in awe. Maybe he could have pulled that on Takuya once, but he didn't have the heart to push him anymore. But maybe that's what Takuya needed, a push. He admired Tommy's bold words and prayed they would get through.

Takuya looked up at Tommy in surprise. He never expected Tommy to raise his voice at him before. Tommy was always soft spoken. Even when he first stood up to him as BurningGreymon, Tommy was gentle.

"Please Takuya, you have to snap out of it! We don't want to lose you again! Please, let us in!" Tommy pleaded and shook Takuya. "We want to help you Takuya!"

Everyone just continued to watch in awe of the boy. Tommy sniffled and wiped his teary eyes. "We don't want to see you like this anymore. We can help you Takuya but you gotta open up to us."

"Tommy, I… I just… I can't…" The Digimon boy just couldn't find the words to speak.

"We can make things better than they were. You just can't bottle it all up. You can confide in us." Tommy insisted, looking to the others seeing if they would help him in convincing their friend. "We're all here for you."

"He's right Takuya." Kouji spoke up, joining the youngest. "Talk to us. It'll help. Trust me. It will help."

Takuya shrank away from his friends in shame. His body trembled as he fought back his emotions. To his friends he looked like a wounded and cornered animal. "I..." he whimpered softly, curling into a protective ball.

"Guys..." JP started, feeling guilty for making Takuya recall those painful memories.

Zoe wanted to pull Takuya into her arms and never let him go. "Taku..." He looked like he could fall to pieces again at any given moment.

Tommy went to Takuya's side, "Please Takuya... Please... "

Tears slipped down Takuya's face. "I'm sorry..." he whispered, "I... I can't..."

"Takuya…" Tommy felt unsure of what he should do. He wanted to help his friend but at this rate they were doing more harm than good.

"Just… leave me alone… I… I don't want to talk about it…" Takuya asked, trying to keep from breaking down in front of everyone. He's been crying so much already, he didn't want to keep doing this to them. "Please… just… no more…"

They weren't sure of what to do for their friend. Just seeing the look on his face disheartened the group. He was practically begging them to stop.

"Taku…" Zoe tried to reach out and embrace the boy, though she was afraid that he would reject her advances.

Takuya didn't resist though, he let Zoe pull him into her arms. Right now he just wanted a safe place to hide away from his pain. He sniffled, trying to keep any more tears from shedding.

"It's going to be okay Taku… It's going to be okay." Zoe tried to assure him, running her fingers through his hair trying to calm him down.

Kouichi exhaled, expecting this much to happen. He nodded to the others to back off as Zoe consoled the brunette. Kouji leaned back against a wall, frustrated that they couldn't get any answers from Takuya. At the same time he knew his best friend had suffered something truly horrific.

Tommy took a seat by JP, feeling like their progress had evaporated into thin air. JP patted him on the back. "It was a good try Tommy," he encouraged. Kouichi nodded lightly, gazing at Takuya sadly.

The boy clung to Zoe as though she would vanish into thin air. He tried his hardest to not break down sobbing yet again. He shivered as Zoe pulled him closer.

"Why won't he let us in..." Zoe asked quietly.

Kouji muttered, "He's still scared- and ashamed."

"What're we supposed to do? We can't just leave Takuya like this." JP moaned to himself in frustration. "This is just…"

"We know JP…" Kouichi spoke up softly and glanced over to the whimpering boy. There must be something they could do to help Takuya. There had to be something they haven't thought of that could make a difference. "There has to be something we can do…"

Kouji sighed. "But what? It's not like we can take him to a professional. We're the only ones he can talk to."

"Maybe Mom can try talking to him?" the older twin offered. "She's been awfully supportive."

"You really think your mom can help him?" Tommy asked hopefully.

The twins nodded. "We think so," Kouji said quietly.

"I'll call mom now," Kouichi offered taking out his phone. He rose to his feet and placed his call while the others waited patiently for his return. "She'll be here in a bit- she just has to turn over the shift to the next supervisor."

"Excellent," Kouji said with a hopeful smile.

JP smiled as well, "It's lucky your mom's a nurse."

Kouji snorted, "No kidding."

They didn't have to wait long for Tomoko to arrive, much to everyone's relief. She understood the urgency of the situation and was prompt to arrive to help.

"Thanks for coming over so quickly Mom." Kouichi ushered his mother inside and to the living room where everyone was staying.

"Of course. Just, give me a moment with him." Tomoko asked and approached the boy in Zoe's embrace.

Takuya looked up at the nurse. She was still in uniform which made him uncomfortable but since he was able to recognize her and was further reassured by the concerned look on her face.

"Everything's going to be okay Takuya. I'm here to help you." Tomoko spoke to him sweetly.

He sighed softly as she sat down beside him. The others stood and retreated into the kitchen to give Ms. Kimura the space to work with Takuya.

"Alright sweetie, just lie back and close your eyes," Tomoko instructed kindly, laying a pillow out for him to rest his head. Takuya laid back on the couch, feeling exposed, like he was lying on one of the metal examine tables back in that lab.

Takuya whimpered softly as Tomoko gently touched his arm, "It's alright Takuya. You're safe here, you know that."

"I... I know..." Takuya replied meekly, "I just.. When I close my eyes, I'm back there... and..."

"Easy Takuya," Ms. Kimura soothed, "You don't have to relive that. You can overcome this."

Takuya bit his lip, unsure of whether he believed Tomoko or not. He wanted to be able to overcome this; to get rid of those nasty thoughts in his mind that haunted him so. "I just want it to go away…"

"I know Takuya; that's why I want to help you. I want to help you so you can let it go." Tomoko replied and brushed his bangs out of his face. "We're all here to help you Takuya."

The boy nodded weakly, knowing well that all his friends wanted to be there for him.

"Just take your time. There's no need to hurry or to push yourself. Let's just go at our own pace, alright?" Tomoko asked kindly, her gentle touch soothing the boy.

"O-okay…" Takuya bit his lip, feeling nervous and scared again.

She smiled softly, "Go ahead Takuya, start wherever you'd like."

He swallowed slowly. "I..." he hesitated, closing his eyes tightly. His breathing hitched. "I... They..."

"Take a deep breath Takuya, just let it come when you're ready," Tomoko said quietly, sensing his fear holding him back again.

"I can't do it..." Takuya murmured after a long silence. Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke softly.

Tomoko smiled. "That's okay sweetheart, you tried..."

He shook his head. "It hurt... It... It won't go away... they're always there... haunting me..."

"You're not alone in this Takuya. You know you're safe here, with us. You have so many friends that'll go to the ends of the world for you. We won't let you go through this alone." Tomoko assured the boy, gesturing to the children. "We're all going to try and help you through this."

Again he shook his head. "I-I don't know… I don't think… I don't think it'll ever go away…"

"Taku…" Zoe bit her lip, not liking where this was going. Everything was going a down spiral.

"I just… I can't do this…" Takuya sat up and rubbed his eyes tiredly.

Tomoko rubbed the boy's shoulder, trying to comfort him. "Takuya, we can make things right. We can help you through this, sweetie."

The boy shook his head. He drew his knees to his chest, effectively shutting the woman down and withdrawing again. Tomoko looked to her sons and their friends sadly. Kouji huffed in frustration when she entered the kitchen to join them.

"You need to give him time still...His mind is in a very dark place right now, you just need to help him see the good things again."

Kouichi sat up straight. "I think I know what'll get through to him..." he said softly, rising from his chair.

Kouji nodded, "Then do it."

The elder twin nodded back to his brother, and went out into the other room. Kouichi sat down next to Takuya. The brunette didn't acknowledge his presence as he hugged a pillow tightly to his chest. "Takuya…" The elder twin prodded him gently, "Hey…"

At first his didn't move, intent on ignoring Kouichi.

"Takuya… I know it might not be the same…. but I think I know how you're feeling right now…" Kouichi began softly, "The pain, the anger… the humiliation? I know what that's like."

That's when he looked up, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears and fear. "You… do…?" he asked softly, his voice cracking.

"I do… Just… hear me out…" Kouichi took a breath to steady himself. "When… When I was Duskmon… I wasn't myself… I was a prisoner in that body… Constantly tormented by my guilt and fears… Cherubimon hurt me in ways I never thought imaginable… I almost lost myself in the darkness."

Takuya whimpered softly, clutched the pillow tighter. "I…."

Kouichi smiled kindly, "I have to live with that Takuya… It haunted me for a long time too, but I was able to move past it because of you, Kouji and the others…. You all helped me overcome that experience, and we can do that for you too Takuya."

A few stray tears slipped down Takuya's face. He kept his head down as he spoke quietly, "I… they hurt me Kouichi… they…. they…" He whimpered again. Kouichi rubbed his back gently. "They took blood… they electrocuted me… "

The elder twin nodded slowly, feeling pity and horror for the scared boy. What kind of person would force someone to undergo such terrible abuse? Kouichi continued to rub Takuya's back, trying to comfort him as he relived his pain. "It's alright… just keep talking when you feel ready…"

"They… they made me take these tests… and they shot at me… it hurt… it hurt so much…" Takuya felt himself shudder at the thought, his hands running over his shoulders and his back; places where welts used to be when he tried curling up to protect himself from the rubber bullets.

Kouichi chewed at his mouth, taking in the information. He felt like he could understand Takuya's pain; to feel like there was nothing you could do as someone was hurting you.

"…they made me kill." Takuya muttered softly, almost too faint to hear.

Kouichi stared in shock, taken from his thoughts. They made him kill something? The boy couldn't believe what he just heard. "They… they made you… kill something…?"

The Digimon boy nodded slowly and looked up at Kouichi, looking like he could break down again. "…t-they made me… they starved me… a-and they…"

The elder twin felt his blood go cold as Takuya fought to explain. This was just too horrible for words.

"They left a… a rabbit in my room and…" Takuya couldn't take it anymore and let out a great pained wail. He collapsed back on the couch and screamed into the pillow he had.

"Oh my god…" Kouichi stared blankly at the wall, trying to process what Takuya had just told him. They made him kill a rabbit; they forced him to a point of starvation and drove him to hunt in order to eat. Just knowing that made Kouichi feel sick to his stomach.

"I didn't want to do it! I didn't want to kill it!" Takuya cried out, turning to his friend. "…I didn't want… I-I just… I…" he just couldn't find the words to voice his horror and his disgust in himself for doing such a thing.

Kouichi pulled the boy closer, taking pity on him and held him in a gentle hug. Takuya broke down, sobbing. His body shook with each pained cry as he clung to Kouichi. The elder boy let him cry, staying silent; though it wasn't like he could find any words to say in this situation.

Back in the kitchen the others looked at each other in confusion after hearing the brunette cry out. "Kill?" Tommy whispered in disbelief.

"Those bastards..." Kouji growled, clenching his fists.

JP and Zoe said nothing, in too much shock to verbalize their thoughts. Tomoko shook her head in disgust, "How terrible..."

"Poor Takky..." JP finally mumbled, looking back out at the boy still crying in Kouichi's arms.

"Takuya?" Kouichi asked after a while as his friend's crying softened.

Takuya didn't look up. He felt sick to his stomach. The experience pained him so much. Now his friends knew what sort of monster he'd become.

"Takuya." Kouichi called him again, trying to get the boy to look up at him.

Takuya shook his head, unwilling to meet his friend's gaze. He closed his eyes shut and tensed up as if preparing himself for anything his friends might say. No doubt they were as disgusted with himself as he was.

The older twin took Takuya's shoulders in his hands and held him at arms length to try and get the boy to look at him. "Takuya… I'm sorry… I'm sorry for what happened… what happened to you was absolutely horrible. As Duskmon…" Kouichi sighed weakly. "I mercilessly attacked you guys and other innocent Digimon. In a way… I know how you feel."

Takuya looked up at him, taken by Kouichi's words. It wasn't the same with Digimon but the way Duskmon fought, it was too brutal for words. Kouichi did seem to feel like he really understood.

"You all saved me from that. I'll never forget it but… but thanks to you guys I'm able to move on from it." Kouichi continued, offering the boy a faint smile. "If you could help me then I know we can help you."

Kouichi let Takuya sit next to him, huddled up against his side like a frightened child. In Takuya's defense, he was just that. He shivered, trying to comprehend everything.

"It'll be alright Takuya. You'll see," Kouichi soothed with a warm smile.

The others breathed a sigh of relief. "Kouichi is a godsend," Kouji whispered, watching his brother comfort Takuya from the doorway.

"No kidding..." JP replied quietly, "Takky's really having trouble acclimating to being human again and forgetting that place."

Ms. Kimura sighed, "I don't blame him... the poor thing... He's very fortunate to have such caring friends."

"Thanks Ms. Kimura," Zoe said softly smiling a bit.

Tommy nodded, "We'll always be there for each other."

Kouji smiled a bit, "Like you guys were there for me when I became Strabimon... I don't think I ever thanked you guys properly."

"Ah, we knew you were grateful regardless," JP said with a small grin.

"Now if only we could help Takuya overcome this..." Zoe whispered, her eyes downcast. "He's really traumatized..."

The others nodded with her. Takuya has been put through so much, it was obvious that he needs a way to get away from it all; to just leave all of this behind and just come to terms with everything without the stress bearing down on him.

"…we need to get him out of this house." Tommy muttered. "It can't be good being cooped up with this kind of stuff."

JP sighed, nodding in agreement with his friend. Some time away would do Takuya some good. Just getting out of the city should at least help him feel more at ease. The eldest was lost in thought before an idea popped in his head. "Let's take him camping!"

Everyone turned to him, startled by his sudden suggestion. Kouji raised a skeptical brow at JP. "Camping? Are you serious?"

"Yeah! Seriously, taking him camping could help. Just to get away from the city without any worries or stress. Camping's a great way to relax!" JP explained his idea.

Tomoko nodded, giving the idea some thought. "Fresh air would do him some good. After being cooped up in the hospital and here at the house for so long, I think it could help getting outside."

"It doesn't seem like a bad idea. Kind of reminds me of better times, you know?" Zoe asked, recalling their days in the Digital World where they camped out in the forest, roasting meat apples in the fire and talking.

"I suppose it could help." Kouji mused to himself. Camping did sound like a good idea but he wasn't sure if it was him or the Digimon in him talking.

JP grinned. "Just think about it. The six of us, out of the city and roughing it woods for… let's say a week. Nothing to worry about but the camping experience itself."

"Where would we go?" Zoe asked hesitantly, not sure if she wanted to be truly roughing it with the guys again.

Tommy's eyes lit up, "My parents have this cabin we used to go to all the time! They mostly rent it out to other people now cuz they're too busy and Yutaka's in college, but it's nice and up in the mountains, and really far away from the city."

Kouji smiled, warming up to the idea, "That's so prefect. That and Takuya and I can let loose a little without the risk of being seen."

"Which you both need," JP said with a grin, "You both need the fresh air and exercise."

"Are you saying I'm out of shape?" Kouji shot back heatedly, glaring at the elder boy.

JP held up his hands defensively, "as a Digimon? Yeah. You kinda suck at it. Takuya's got you beat by a mile."

Kouji sent JP an evil glare, making the elder sweat in his spot. "I'm still good enough to take you down. Care for a demonstration?"

"You boys will not be fighting in the house, thank you. Your father would have a heart attack if sees the mess you'd make of his house." Tomoko told her son, making sure he didn't start to rumble.

JP quick gave Tomoko a thankful smile and rubbed the back of his neck. "So… camping sounds good then?" "Yeah! I'm gonna tell my parents about it as soon as I get home!" Tommy replied eagerly, enjoying the idea of going back to the cabin.

"I hope they're okay with it." Zoe stated and folded her arms across her chest. "I hope my parents will be too. I don't know if they'd approve of me camping with a bunch of boys."

"I could talk to your parents later and try to convince them if you'd like." Tomoko offered to the blond. "I'm sure they'll understand."

Zoe smiled, "You are talking about the same boys I am right? My parents HATE Takuya for whatever reason. They're not too fond of the rest of these idiots either."

"Hey!" JP pouted.

"You're pissing off Kouji- is that a smart thing or a stupid thing?" She shot back. JP grinned sheepishly and said nothing in response.

Tommy spoke up again, cell phone in hand. "When would you guys like to go? I want to call and ask just to make sure the cabin's available."

"By the looks of things, sooner rather than later..."Kouji remarked looking back out to where his brother and Takuya sat.

"Right." Tommy went off to the side to call his parents.

JP sat back, thinking. "Hey Kouji... Has Takuya evolved at all since... ya know...?"

Kouji shook his head, "No. I think he's afraid too..."

"Well… maybe camping will help Takuya out of his shell." JP offered and looked back into the hallway to where Takuya and Kouichi were. "You think we should tell Takuya or keep it a surprise?"

"I'm not sure if keeping it a surprise is such a good idea. Besides, it might give him something to look forward to." Kouji replied after giving the question some thought. "I'll pitch the idea to him later when he's settled down."

Everyone else nodded. "Sounds good to me." Zoe sighed and took out her cell phone. "I suppose I should try talking to my parents. Yay."

"So your parents really don't like us?" JP asked the blond.

"Well… their only daughter's best friends are all boys so…" Zoe started, hoping JP would understand.

"Yeah, they're concerned. That and Kouji kinda scares them. No offense."

The younger twin shrugged. "None taken. I know I scare people."

"Painfully aware of that." JP added in earning another evil glare from Kouji. "See?"

"Stop pushing your luck then," Kouji stated coolly.

Zoe rolled her eyes. "I just hope Takuya will like this plan. He needs to de-stress."

Everyone nodded. "It just takes time," Tomoko said kindly, "He'll come around..."

"We're good! My parents said we can go whenever we want in the next three weeks!" Tommy exclaimed cheerfully.

"It's settled then. In three weeks, we go camping." Kouji confirmed with a smile on his face. "I'll talk to Takuya about it tomorrow when he's settled down. Right now, he needs to rest."

Everyone nodded with Kouji's suggestion. Takuya looked exhausted and just needed some time to calm down. With everything that's happened today, he could really use a break.