Hey guys. SOrry about the late-ish update. Been kind of a rough day. Won't be doing my usual bit today but hopefully you'll all enjoy the long chapter. We'll see you guys next week. Later everyone.

Chapter 44: Open Wounds.

Takuya grinned, stretching out under the warm sun in a pair of swim trunks. The pond looked so inviting. This was a brilliant idea. He looked back to his friends with an eager look on his face. "You guys ready to have some fun?"

"Oh definitely." JP answered, wrapping his arm around the boy's neck. "This is gonna be sweet!"

"Better than the Toucanmon beach house I hope." Kouji remarked, standing at the edge of the pond and looking down at the water.

Takuya and JP looked at each other and grinned evilly before approaching the bandanna wearing boy. "You were quite the stick in the mud back then too." Takuya observed, appearing at Kouji's side as JP appeared at his other. "You need to loosen up buddy."

"Don't even think of it Kanbara." Kouji growled. "You too Shibuyama."

The elder twin sighed. "Well, it seems like Takuya's really turning back to his old self."

Zoe crossed her arms, shaking her head, "I'm not so sure that's a good thing here..."

Splash! The two boys pushed Kouji into the chilly water, earning a death glare. "I'm going to kill you two!" the younger twin snarled and took a swipe at Takuya's ankles, pulling him into the frigid water.

"Ah! Kouji! It's so cold!" Takuya howled, splashing his friend in retaliation.

"How do you think I feel!?" Kouji shouted, splashing Takuya back.

JP retreated back beside Kouichi, Zoe, and Tommy, watching and laughing. "At least they're both having fun right?"

"They're going to kill you, you know right?" Kouichi said lightly, chuckling to himself as he watched Kouji chase Takuya about in the water.

"You boys..." Zoe said with a soft laugh, "Always stirring up trouble."

Tommy laughed, "Just Takuya!"

"Someone help me!" Takuya called out to them as Kouji continued to give chase.

"Get back here Kanbara! I'm not done with you yet!" Kouji roared out at the boy, paying no mind to how wet his bandages had gotten since he was pushed into the water. "And you're next Shibuyama!"

JP chuckled nervously. "Looks like we got Kouji all fired up huh?"

"We?" Zoe asked.

"Takky and I." JP corrected.

Kouichi rolled his eyes and called out to his brother, taking mercy on the goggle headed boy. "Hey Kouji! Come out of the water real quick! You're getting your bandages too wet!"

The bandanna wearing boy growled but reluctantly relented, wading his way back to where the others were waiting. "You got lucky Kanbara. Next time you're toast."

"Thank you Kouichi! I owe you one!" Takuya waved at them.

"I'm not saving your skin!" Kouichi called back, "I'm making sure Kouji's wound doesn't get infected!"

Takuya rubbed the back of his neck nervously. JP shrank away from Kouji as he passed and gave him the most devious look. He, Tommy and Zoe eased themselves into the cool water while Kouichi bandaged Kouji's wound again.

"You are such a trouble maker Takuya..." Zoe chided.

"I can't help it sometimes..." Takuya replied sheepishly.

Zoe sighed, "One of these days Takuya, you're going to get the bull's horns."

"That'll be the day," JP laughed.

"You're just as bad!" Zoe shot back.

JP laugher turned into a nervous chuckle as he held his hands up in defeat.

"At least we can say we had fun." Takuya offered though that didn't seem to make it any better for them. JP just sighed in response and Takuya sighed himself and patted the guy on the back. "No worries buddy."

"What're we going to do with you two?" Zoe asked, shaking her head at the two.

Takuya shot her a bright smile, hoping to earn some sympathy. "Protect us from the scary wolf boy?"

"Cute Taku. Very cute." The blond rolled her eyes.

"I don't think Zoe's gonna be able to save you from Kouji's wrath." Tommy observed, noticing the scathing look on the younger twin's face.

JP waved nervously at the twins, trying to pay no mind the glare sent to him and Takuya. "We are so doomed."

"You don't know the half of it Shibuyama!" Kouji shouted, glaring daggers at the pair of trouble makers.

Kouichi chuckled and finished with Kouji's bandage, "You may now go murder them,"

"'bout time," Kouji muttered before running after Takuya and JP who both took off screaming like pansies as Kouji caught up to them with ease.

Zoe and Tommy laughed until their sides hurt as Kouji managed to successfully take down and tickle torture the two of them at once.

"Well, I can't say I didn't see that one coming..." Kouichi said lightly as he joined Zoe and Tommy in the water.

"We all saw this coming- except JP and Takuya," Tommy said with a grin.

"Oh god, someone please help us!" Takuya called out pleadingly despite the laughter that erupted from his mouth. "I-I-I'm begging you!"

"S-stop it, please, I-I-I can't take it anymore!" JP pleaded to Kouji, who not for an instant relented in his tickle torture. The elder teen did his best to kick and flail, anything to get away but found that Kouji's grip was too tight on them. "I-I'm choking on water!"

"Wow, you two are pathetic. It's just sad." Kouji rolled his eyes at the two and took a moment to decide to himself if they'd had enough. "What do you think, guys, think they've learned their lesson?"

The pitiful looks from his victims' faces seemed to sway the blond and younger boy. Kouji had been at it for quite a while, perhaps the boys had had enough. "Okay, you can let them go now!"

"Congratulations, seems as if fate has decided to give mercy to you two." Kouji told the two and got off them. "I suggest you don't blow it."

Takuya heaved, trying to catch his breath. "Ugh… that was… terrible…"

"I think I swallowed… like, a gallon of water…" JP coughed and laid back in the water and burped.

"Charming." Takuya muttered and got back to his feet.

Zoe and Tommy laughed lightly as JP and Takuya retreated, sitting away from Kouji's grasp.

"You know you were asking for it," Zoe chided with a huge grin on her face. Takuya stuck out his tongue and JP scowled at her.

Kouji snorted. "Ask and thy shall receive," the younger twin remarked, justifying his actions.

"You've had your fun now brother, let them be," Kouichi taking pity on the boys' bruised pride, "I think you popped their inflated egos."

"We don't have egos!" Takuya objected.

JP nodded, "Takuya does, but I don't!"

"Hey!"

"Okay boys, that's enough." Zoe got between the two before Takuya could pounce on the larger teen. "Let's just calm down and enjoy the rest of the day."

Kouichi rolled his eyes at them and turned back to his brother. "Way to rile them up."

"Not my fault they make it too easy." Kouji's responded before he went to find a place to sit down and relax, away from the noisy people.

Takuya snorted as Kouji walked away. "Way to kill our fun."

"Oh come on, let's just enjoy the day." Zoe insisted, taking Takuya's hand and dragging him along the lake. "Let's see, where's a good place to enjoy ourselves…"

"Anywhere's good I guess." The boy answered, glad to have the distraction from Kouji's teasing.

Zoe smiled at the boy, "Don't let Kouji get to you Taku."

"I'm not... am I?" Takuya said quietly.

"Just a bit. But I know you know he's just playing around. You both really needed a chance to unwind."

Takuya sighed, "I guess so... I still feel tense though..."

"Everything's still bothering you, isn't it?" The blonde asked quietly, stopping. Takuya turned and looked at her, a sad hollowness lingering in his normally bright eyes. "It'll get better, Taku. You know that."

"We don't really know that… I mean, yeah, everything gets better eventually… but they usually get a lot worse before they do." Takuya replied sullenly and sighed. "Though, I guess I already hit that lowest point."

Zoe shook her head and reached out for him. "Don't say that. Taku… just, I thought we made a lot of progress since we got you back."

Takuya frowned, hating himself for making her worry like that. "And we have… I-I do feel a lot better than I did before. I'm not that quivering lump of fur that was afraid of everyone who got near me. After everything, I'm really starting to feel like me again… like the real me."

"But something's still holding you back." She pointed out.

"I don't know why. I mean, I have my friends, my humanity…"

'But not your family.' She wanted to say but decided against it. Zoe felt that bringing them up would just open old wounds. Takuya was still hurt from what happened. Anyone could tell with how nervous he was in front of his father, despite the man's attempts to right the wrongs he's done.

Takuya groaned and looked out to the lake. "Let's just forget about it. Come on, we were having fun before. Let's get back to that."

The blonde smiled softly, "Oh like this?" She reached out and pulled him into a gentle hug,

She felt him relax in her arms. Takuya wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "this is nice..." Takuya murmured dreamily.

"You gonna start purring on me?" The girl asked lightly, smiling warmly.

"And If I do?" the boy replied slyly.

"Then I'll do this." Zoe took the boy's face in her hands and kissed him, catching Takuya off guard before he reciprocated and kissed her back. She pulled back gently and smiled widely at him. "Because I think it's so damn cute when you purr."

By that point Takuya's face was completely flushed red. He got chills every time she kissed him like that. "Wow…" was all he could mutter before she kissed him again.

It didn't take but a moment before he started to kiss her back.

"Hey Takuya, Zoe, you guys wanna…" Tommy was about to call to them but stopped himself when he noticed the situation.

JP quickly whisked Tommy under one of his arms and carried the boy away. "Later Tommy boy." He muttered to the youngest as they gave the couple their space. "I'm pretty sure those two are gonna wanna have some time to themselves."

Tommy didn't resist. Quite honestly, he agreed.

"So how're you feeling brother? That arm of yours treating you any better?" Kouichi asked his brother. They were both sitting under a shady tree away from the noise, just how Kouji liked it.

Kouji shrugged, mindful of his arm. "It's been worse. I'll be fine Kouichi. Don't worry."

The older twin rolled his eyes at his brother. He had some questions about what had happened earlier but decided against it after seeing how comfortable his brother was. It could wait till after they got back. Thinking about that though, brought up a different question.

"Hey, Kouji?"

"Yeah?" the boy opened one eye and looked up at his brother.

"What're we going to do about when we get back?" he asked and glanced to where he saw Takuya and Zoe together. He couldn't make out what they were doing but they were close together.

Kouji sighed. "You mean about the family reunion? I'm not sure… I mean, it's kind of out of our control there. The best we can do is hope that things go for the best."

Kouichi nodded in response. "I can understand that but at the same time… you think he'll be ready for it?"

"I hope so." The younger twin sighed again. "Just can't help but think that Dad's got some rotten timing."

"No kidding."

The trip home from the cabin remained fairly uneventful. Takuya had fallen asleep in the back seat with Zoe sound asleep on his shoulder. Yutaka and Tommy couldn't help but smile at the pair of them. The sun had set by the time the group arrived back in the city.

"Takuya, Zoe, Wake up!" Tommy prodded them upon reaching the Orimoto residence. The blonde shifted, waking up after a moment.

"Home already?" she smiled softly, and gathered her things.

Takuya stretched and helped her with her stuff, "Seems so... This was a lot of fun."

Zoe grinned. "I'm glad you think so Takuya," She hugged him gently, "I was worried about you."

"I know, I'm much better now thanks to you guys," the brunette whispered as he hugged her back.

They broke apart as Zoe's father came out to help Zoe. He gave Takuya a deadly glare, making the boy shrink away. They waved goodbye and Takuya got back in the car to head back to the Minamoto's.

The drive didn't take long. Yutaka pulled up, seeing the twins already waiting for their friend. "Alright Takuya, Here's your stop," he said in a light joking tone.

Takuya smiled and got his bag from the back of the car, "Thanks for the ride Yutaka."

The elder boy smiled, "Anytime."

Tommy hugged Takuya before climbing back into his seat, "See ya later Takuya!"

"Bye Tommy!" Takuya called back. He turned to see Kouji and Kouichi standing in the lawn. Something about their stance made Takuya uneasy, "Guys…?"

Kouji glared at a car parked in the driveway, one Takuya recognized immediately as his father's. He took a hesitant step back, "no..."

Kouichi nodded solemnly, "Your dad is here to take you home Takuya..."

"What the heck is he doing here? I thought he was going to wait until I said I was ready!" Takuya asked of the two, finding it hard to control his voice. He was nowhere near ready to go back home. He hadn't seen his mother or Shinya in months; he had no idea how to even confront them, much less stay in the same house as them. "I can't go home now!"

The older twin walked up to Takuya and placed his hand on the boy's shoulder, signaling him to calm down. "Okay, look. There's a reason why he's here."

Takuya gave Kouichi a questioning look, imploring him to go on.

"You see… our dad's family is having another get together since last time was cut short." Kouichi explained, feeling uncomfortable under his friend's gaze.

"What?! You never told me about this!" Takuya looked to Kouji and scowled. "When the hell were you planning on telling me?"

Kouji sighed. "We wanted you to have fun. If you had known, you wouldn't have enjoyed yourself at the cabin. You would have been stressing out like mad." He muttered. "We were trying to avoid that and help you have some fun."

Takuya frowned. "I don't know… this is just… I would have liked a warning!" he groaned. There was really no point in fighting it. His father was already here to pick him up. It wasn't like he had anywhere else to go.

"Everything is going to be okay Takuya. I'm sure it'll be okay." Kouichi tried to lift Takuya's spirits but he had no idea how well it would turn out.

The boy just gave the older twin a larger frown. He felt trapped, back up against a wall with nowhere else to go. Takuya hated that feeling. "Gee thanks guys..." he muttered, lowering his gaze.

"Takuya, this was going to happen sooner or later," Kouji started, "And to be honest, I wish it were later too- but we don't have a choice in the matter this time. I'm sorry."

The brunette couldn't look his friends in the eye. He clenched his hands into fists, fear gripping him like a vice. The front door opened. Mr. Minamoto and Mr. Kanbara came through the door and joined them.

"Takuya!" Mr. Kanbara sounded genuinely happy to see Takuya again, which only made the boy flinch, "Are you ready to go son?"

He nodded weakly, muttering under his breath. "not like I have much of a choice..."

Kouji and Kouichi looked away guiltily. They felt horrible now for not giving the boy a head's up. Takuya looked downright miserable. "Takuya..." Kouji started.

"Just leave it Kouji," Takuya snapped, feeling betrayed by his best friend.

Kouichi looked startled by how dangerous Takuya's tone was. "Takuya… we weren't trying to…" he stopped when the boy glared at him.

Takuya snorted and got to passenger seat next without so much as another word. He tried to pay no mind to the hurt looks on the twins' faces. He didn't even want to talk to them right now.

"Man…" Kouichi murmured, upset with how Takuya was behaving towards them.

"He'll get over it soon…" Kouji told his brother, in hopes of making him feel better. Despite the guilt ebbing away at him, Kouji wanted to believe that Takuya would forgive them eventually. And as much as he still didn't enjoy the idea, this might be the chance for Kanbaras to make things right with each other.

The twins watched silently as Mr. Kanbara got Takuya's belongings in the back of his car and turned to them.

"Thank you for looking after him all this time." Mr. Kanbara told them

"Yeah…" Kouichi answered for them since his brother just turned his head away indignantly. "I guess we'll see you later."

Mr. Kanbara nodded and got into his car, backing it up and taking off down the street. The ride was silent; the father feeling the bitterness and resentment practically radiating from the boy.

"Did you have fun camping?" Mr. Kanbara tried to ease the tension and make some light conversation.

Takuya didn't respond, rather, turned away from his father to face the window. The boy had a whirlwind of emotions raging in his mind. His best friends kept this from him, which made him feel hurt and angry. His father was taking him home, that made him nervous and upset. He hadn't seen his mother or brother in several months, which made him uncomfortable.

He could feel his emotions building energy up around him as his body began to react from the stress. Takuya held his head in his hands, trying to suppress everything to avail. He could feel his Digimon instincts kicking into overdrive. He just wanted to run away and find somewhere safe to hide- but he was trapped.

Hiroaki pulled up to the house, noticing his son's protective body language. "Takuya? What's wrong?"

"I can't do this," Takuya said finally, his body trembling with anxiety.

"Don't be ridiculous, Of course you can," the man said, reaching out to comfort his son. "This is your home."

Takuya flinched away from his father's touch. The brunette looked up slowly, his normally brown eyes now rimmed with brilliant green, wide open, and absolutely terrified.

The elder Kanbara was started by how intense his son's gaze was. It reminded him of what happened back in the city when he was saved, how Takuya took on that form. This time however, he refused to let it scare him. He took a slow breath and carefully took the boy's shoulders in his hands. "It's going to be okay Takuya. I know you're scared right now but… but nothing is going to happen."

"Just… I… I can't…" Takuya shook his head and tried to break free from his father's grip.

"Takuya, I'm not going to hurt you. You can trust me." Hiroaki continued, trying to sooth his son's mind. Takuya looked like he was on the verge of snapping He needed someone there for him.

Takuya didn't want to hear that. Even after his father's attempts to make things right, Takuya just couldn't find himself completely ready to trust him.

"Please, Takuya, just give this a chance." Hiroaki implored. "If not for me… at least do it for your brother. Shinya's always been worried about you… he can't wait to see you again."

That got the boy. He had asked about Shinya before; Tommy had told him about Shinya's attempts to find him. Shinya really was trying to get him back.

"I... I... "He couldn't find any words. He lowered his head, his body still shaking.

His father sighed, "Takuya... what do you want to do?"

The question caught the boy off guard, "huh?"

Mr. Kanbara lifted Takuya's face to look at him, "What will make you comfortable Takuya? I want you to be happy, and I want you to feel safe. What can I do to help you feel better about this?"

"Dad..." Takuya looked lost and frightened. The green in his eyes seemed to intensify for a fleeting moment. "I... I don't know..."

"I see. If you need anything Takuya- I want you to tell me, okay? This is your home and I want it to feel like that for you," Hiroaki said in a comforting tone.

Takuya didn't know what to say. This was a side of his father he's never seen before. "Dad… I… I…"

"I just want us to be a family again." Hiroaki smiled weakly at the boy. "We can make things better Takuya. I promise you that."

Takuya bit his lip and looked out the window, taking a moment to think it through. He had to hand it to his father that he really was trying. Maybe it was worth a shot. He had to admit that there was several times where he wished things could go back to normal for him.

The boy sighed weakly. A large part of his mind was still screaming at him that this was a bad idea; that this would only end in disaster and that he should run while he still had the chance. But another part really did want to try, especially after being moved his father's words.

"Are… you going to be okay?" His father asked after several moments of silence.

"I… I'll try…" Takuya responded hesitantly. "I just… need a moment."

Hiroaki nodded. "Take as much time as you need Takuya."

Takuya nodded and tried to calm himself down while his father got out of the car and began to take Takuya's belongings inside. "Yuriko? I'm back!"

Yuriko appeared at from the kitchen, cradling he youngest child in her arms gently. She looked distressed. "Where is he?" she asked nervously.

Shinya appeared beside her. "Is Takuya back?" he asked excitedly. "I bet he'll just love Yuuko!"

His mother tightened her hold on her baby daughter. "Is this such a good idea? What if he hurts her!"

"Mom? How can you say that!?" Shinya accused, "Takuya cares about us! He was trying to protect us!"

"Yuriko, sweetheart, you need to try to calm down." Hiroaki spoke softly to his wife and looked down to the babe in her arms. "I know Takuya wouldn't do anything to hurt her. He saved my life, Yuriko."

Mrs. Kanbara shook her head. "But that thing he turns into…"

"He saved me in that form." Her husband interrupted, countering her argument. "Look, I know you're worried but he's still our son. He's scared and really just needs to feel safe at home here. And don't you remember how worried sick you were when he ran away?"

"But what if another one of those monsters come here?" she continued to argue leaving her husband feeling exasperated by her reluctance. Her worry for the child in her hands had taken top priority over everything else. "Yuuko could get hurt…"

Shinya frowned up at his mother. "But Takuya would protect us from them. He's like a hero."

"Regardless, he's here now. Let's make him feel at home." Hiroaki told them and made his way to the front door. "I'm going to go see if he's ready." He poked his head out, finding that his eldest son had got out of the car and was now sitting up on the hood of the car.

He just needed some fresh air. Takuya sighed and noticed that his father was looking at him. It was either now or never he supposed and got off the hood of the car.

"Takuya? Why don't you come inside?" Hiroaki asked softly.

The boy looked at his father. He still didn't feel ready to go inside and face the rest of his family just yet. "Dad... I really don't think I can-"

"Takuya! Takuya you're home!" Shinya had come out behind their father and was racing over to his brother. He wrapped his arms around Takuya's chest and hugged the elder boy tightly. "I'm so happy to see you!"

"S-shinya!" The younger boy caught Takuya very off guard, causing him to yelp in fright. "H-how're you?"

The younger boy looked up, "Me? I missed you like crazy! What happened to you?"

"I uh..." Takuya faltered, "It's a long story little buddy."

"Aww... Are you still that thing? Can you still do that?" Shinya persisted.

Takuya stepped away, "Uh... yeah...I can... I still am I mean..."

"Can I see?" Shinya asked excitedly, stunning the boy with his eagerness.

"Y-you want to see my… other form?"

His younger brother nodded. "Yeah! I really wanna see it! I think it's so cool you can shape shift like that! It's like you're a super hero or from one of those sentai shows we used to watch!"

Takuya was completely astonished with his brother's interest in Flamon. He never really thought his brother would be that interested considering his lack of experience with the Digimon.

"Can you show me? Please?" Shinya asked again, looking up at his brother with big eyes.

"Shinya, leave him alone. He's had a busy few days." Hiroaki told his youngest son, amused with how excited the boy was getting. And looking at Takuya, Hiroaki felt he could see just the faintest of smiles on his face. "Let's go inside, shall we?"

Shinya nodded and looked back to his brother. "Can you show me later?"

Takuya scratched at the back of his neck awkwardly. "I guess…" he just couldn't find the heart to say no to his brother; not after how welcomed a greeting he received from the boy.

Their father led the boys inside the house. Mrs. Kanbara had taken a seat in the living room, rocking Yuuko gently. Takuya froze upon entering the room. His eyes fell upon his mother, at first he felt happy to see her. Then he saw the baby girl in his mother's arms.

"W-what..." He felt confusion rising and knotting up in his chest. He looked back at his father.

Shinya looked up at Takuya, "Dad didn't tell you? We have a baby sister!"

Takuya took a step away, "No... he didn't..." His mother's look was deadly. Like she dared him to come any closer. He looked away uncomfortably, feeling like he just didn't belong there.

"Takuya…" Hiroaki placed a comforting hand on his son's back, trying to give him the motivation to walk forward while also looking at his wife. "Takuya, I want to properly introduce you to your sister…"

Takuya flinched at his father's touch and noticed the sharp look his mother just gave his father. She clearly did not agree with this. She didn't want Takuya anywhere near the baby.

"Come on Takuya, Yuuko's really cute. She'd love to meet you." Shinya tried to encourage his brother after taking notice of the fear rooting itself in his brother.

"I… I don't think…" Takuya swallowed nervously, feeling the impulse to bolt from the house as fast as he could.

"Takuya, she's your sister; your family. I want you two to be a part of each other's lives." His father insisted, trying to help Takuya overcome his sudden fear. He met his wife's glare but did not hesitate. "Yuriko, please."

She remained silent, guarding the child protectively.

He just couldn't do this. His mother clearly wanted him to stay far away from his baby sister. And to be honest with himself, he wasn't ready for something like this. Takuya turned and ran for the stairs, disappearing from sight in an instant.

Takuya fled to the safety of his old bedroom, finding it had changed since his last visit. The wreckage from Dracmon's attack had been cleared and a second bed added. He guessed this was to make room for the new baby and Shinya had moved in.

This whole baby thing set him on edge. He wasn't ready for something like this. He wasn't really ready to come home, and now... He just felt like he was an outsider. Takuya curled up on his bed, feeling more vulnerable and upset then he had since Kouji saved him from the laboratory. He didn't belong here...

The door creaked open, "Takuya?"

Shinya had come up to check on him. Takuya's voice cracked as he answered "...yeah?"

"What wrong?"

Takuya sat up and wiped his eyes, clearing away any tears that may have welled up in his eyes. "I-it's nothing. I'm fine…" he answered while trying to keep his voice from wavering.

Shinya easily saw through his brother's attempt to hide how upset he was and sat next to him on the bed. "You know we missed you… things just haven't been the same since you were gone…"

"Mom doesn't seem to care…" Takuya found himself saying before he realized it.

Shinya frowned. "Mom's just worried about Yuuko. She's been really overprotective since she was born."

"W-when did they… have her?" Takuya felt hesitant to ask.

"Mom didn't realize she was pregnant till after you left." Shinya answered, thinking back to it. "She was born about a month or two ago."

The older brother couldn't believe it. She was just a few months old.

This information did little to comfort him. He still felt out of place, like his mother wanted no parts of him being here. He clenched his hands into fists, feeling sad and in pain.

"Mom was really worried about you when Dad... Ya know..." Shinya tried to soothe, "She wanted him to reconsider so badly... then she found out about Yuuko... "

Takuya looked at his little brother sadly, "And she gave up on me..."

"No! It wasn't like that Takuya-" The younger boy tried to argue back.

"What would she need me for... I'm just some dangerous freak to her..." Takuya muttered, feeling tears well up in his eyes again. He turned away, feeling more and more isolated and lonely.

Shinya tried reaching out for his brother but was shrugged off by the sullen boy. "Takuya… that's not true… we don't think you're a…"

"Who're you trying to kid? Did you see the way she looked at me?" Takuya snapped bitterly at his brother while keeping his back to him. It hurt seeing that look on her face. Not once had she ever looked at him like that. It was just like the look his father had when he attacked him with the fire extinguisher.

The young boy was staring at his brother, alarmed by how his brother had changed. He had never seen Takuya like this. He was always so energetic; Takuya had that sense of happiness that seemed contagious. Now here he was, drowning in self-loathing.

"I should have just stayed at the Minamotos…" the older Kanbara muttered.

"Don't say that!" Shinya shouted, not at all happy with his brother's sudden change. "We want you back home Takuya… you're my brother…"

Takuya shook his head, "Shinya... this... You're too young to understand."

"I am not! If Tommy can understand, so can I!" Shinya countered, "Why are you so afraid to be home again!?"

That got Takuya's attention. He turned back to face Shinya. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You're acting like a scaredy cat! Or like someone is going to lash out at you at any given moment. How bad is this that you're so afraid!?" Shinya shouted, glaring at his brother.

Takuya stared at his little brother. The smaller boy looked fierce as he spoke, his fists clenched and eyes fiery. Takuya felt intimidated for a moment.

"Maybe this will explain everything," Takuya said quietly. He turned his back to his brother again and slowly pulled his shirt over his head, exposing the vast assortment of scars that adorned his back. He heard his brother gasp.

"What... How did that happen?"

Shinya had no idea how to react to seeing his brother in such a state. Puncture holes, slashes, just about any kind of wound you could think of; the scars left behind were innumerable. What made the boy cringe were the long slashes over his brother's shoulder.

"You know what happened to me while I was away?" Takuya started, getting Shinya's full attention. "I've fought those other monsters and… and after what happened at the city…"

The younger boy watched in horror as he pointed to the faint scars around his neck.

"The military found me… and hurt me…" he shuddered, going back to the memories. "They've done things I can't even bear to tell you."

"Is… that why you're like this?" Shinya asked. "The military took you away? Why would they do that?"

Takuya pulled his shirt back on and sighed weakly. "I was a Digimon… the military wanted to experiment on me… they wanted… something..."

"But why would they hurt you!?" Shinya asked softly.

"Because I looked like a monster to them." The elder boy murmured

Shinya lowered his gaze and moved next to his brother. "I don't think you're a monster Takuya."

Takuya looked up slowly, "Shinya..." Takuya felt his little brother wrap his arms around his chest. He smiled weakly; touched to see how much Shinya cared about him. "I.. thank you... Shinya."

"It's what brothers are for Takuya," Shinya told him, hugging him tightly. "I really missed you."

"I missed you too Shinya," he replied, ruffling his brother's hair. "Heh, I owe you one little buddy."

Shinya grinned up at his brother. "It's what I'm here for."

Takuya rolled his eyes at his brother, amused by the grin on his face. It reminded him of how he used to grin like that. That alone oared him a bit of comfort. "So, what have you been up to squirt?"

"Eh, nothing really. I hang out with Tommy a lot. Sometimes we'd go to the arcade or to the soccer field but we usually tried to find clues about where to find you." Shinya answered with a shrug. "It was different without you here. I'm really glad you're back. Things can finally go back to the way they're supposed to be."

The elder Kanbara did not want to ruin his brother's bright mood but he felt like it would be a good long while still for things to really go back to the way they were, especially with his mother.

"Hey, you wanna go downstairs and play videogames? I've improved my game." The younger Kanbara suggested, getting up off the bed.

"Why not?" Takuya responded though, felt nervous about another possible encounter with his mother. "Is… Mom still downstairs?"

Shinya frowned. "Does it matter?"

"She doesn't want me anywhere near…"

"She just has to hurry up and get over it." The younger boy interrupted, knowing what Takuya was going to say. "The sooner she goes back to normal the better."

Takuya looked away guiltily, "I know, I just... don't want to force the issue, that's all."

"Alright Takuya, if that's what you want," Shinya relented, not pushing his brother into anything he didn't feel ready for, "What do you want to do then?"

"Honestly Shinya? I'm exhausted, I kinda want to go to sleep," the elder brunette admitted tiredly.

Shinya nodded, "Well it is really late."

"Yeah," Takuya nodded, yawning.

"You look beat bro."

Takuya snorted, "I blame Kouji. He tried to kill me by tickling earlier."

"I thought you said Kouji was harmless," Shinya said nonchalantly, lying down on the bed across from Takuya's.

"Most of the time," Takuya replied with a small smile, "Just don't tease him about his hair."

Shinya laughed, "Right. Good night Takuya."

"Good night Shinya." Takuya laid back on the bed as his brother turned the lights out. He sighed softly and let the darkness take him.