Disclaimer: Nope...I'm still writing this fic, so therefore I don't own em...sighs
Author's Notes: I'm so sorry for how long it took me to get this chapter out...and I do hate making excuses, as all of us know how busy life can get. Anyway, I actually made a special trip to the library for you guys so I can update all my stuff as I don't have the internet at my place at the moment starts to whimper I'm so internet deprived...seriously, today I'm going to be saving all the fics that I possibly can get a hold of and storing them on my comp upstairs so that way I can read them and have a bountiful of them so I don't get too fic deprived... sighs So for those of you whose fics that I normally review on a constant basis whenever they're updated, I do apologize for that...hopefully when I get my net connection back up and running again with a new service, I'll be able to catch up in reviews and other such wonderful things that the internet provides us with... sniffs sadly So, anyway, enough of my sad sob story and let's get on with the story shall we? As that's what you all came in here to read, right? winks
Rating: R (Yes, I know I completely upped the rating on this, but it's for my own personal safety measures if you guys look back a chapter or two you'll see what I mean ...as I'm sure you all know what I'm talking about and I don't want to get into trouble with anyone.)
Warning: If you've gotten this far without managing to figure out that it's Takouji-therefore meaning slash/yaoi-than I'm assuming that you have no problems with that kind of stuff once so ever. However, once again just to be safe if you don't like that kind of stuff, than hit the back button and forever hold your peace.
Pairings: Takuya/Kouji
Time Setting: AU rewrite of season 04
Different Journeys
Author: Angel Spirit
Chapter 20: Uncertainties
Izumi had never felt so tired in her life. She wasn't quite sure what was wrong with her, but she knew that she couldn't hold onto Kazamon's form any longer. Glancing down at the sleeping form in her arms, she realized that if she didn't want to drop him, then she'd better descend. Beetlemon was already carrying Takuya, and they were so close to the Digital Village...but she knew that he was also tired and doubted that he could carry both Takuya and Kouji.
Before she realized what was happening, she'd dropped a few feet, and gasped in surprise-almost loosing her hold on Kouji. Beetlemon, having heard and seen what was going on, came closer to her.
"Is everything alright Z?" He asked, and Izumi shook her head.
"No...everything isn't alright...I...I need to land, I can't hold onto Kazamon's powers much longer Junpei..." Junpei had no clue just how close to fainting Izumi was feeling at the moment, but he knew how tired she was-he also carried Bokomon, Neemon, and Tomoki on his back as well.
So he followed her down to the ground where she all but nearly crash landed, still somehow managing to keep a tight grip on Kouji so not to jostle him or disturb him as Kazamon disappeared-leaving behind a devastated Izumi.
By the time that Junpei had managed to devolve from Beetlemon and thoroughly wake up Tomoki as he asked him to look after Takuya, Izumi was on the ground, Kouji still clutched tightly in her grasp-it wasn't hard to hear the soft sobs that came as she buried her face into Kouji's bandana.
"Z? What's wrong?" Junpei felt worried about his friend as he went over and placed a gentle hand onto her shoulder, and gasped when she looked up at him with watery eyes and a trembling lip, looking very much like a lost child.
"I...I can't feel Kazamon's spirit anymore...it's...it's like she's vanished-gone...oh Junpei..." And with that she collapsed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably into them as Junpei could only slowly piece together what was happening as he glanced over at Bokomon for questions who walked up to them and put a gentle hand on Izumi's head, trying to calm her. He knew what was going on-and she wasn't going to like what he had to tell her.
"Izumi...I was even amazed that you were able to still evolve into Kazamon once Grumblemon took your spirit..." He murmured gently and both teens stiffened at this. It was almost as though they'd completely forgotten that Grumblemon had taken Izumi's spirit. And with all that was going on lately, it was a wonder that they hadn't.
Junpei growled low in his throat as Izumi choked on a sob, her tears suddenly turning into anger.
"I almost forgot...Grumblemon...damn him..." She murmured as she pulled herself away from Junpei and angrily wiped the tears away from the back of her hand.
The brunette in front of her frowned but it was barely recognizable as one-he felt a bit dismayed when Izumi had pulled back. He realized that he enjoyed the close comfort that he had had with her for those few precious minutes. And he was starting to wonder if he was liking Izumi for more than just a friend...
"So why was she still able to spirit evolve, even though Grumblemon has her spirit?" Tomoki asked, puzzled over the fact that Bokomon had yet to fully explain.
"I'm not sure Tomoki, I'm assuming though that she was able to still digivolve because she had the determination and courage within her to keep on fighting. However, I think she must've completely depleted any energy that she had left within her from Kazamon, and until we get the wind spirit back to Izumi, then she probably will no longer be able to evolve." Izumi sighed and hung her head so that her hair hid her face and the troubled look in her eyes.
"Then that's it, huh? I'm officially of no use to you guys..." This time when Junpei frowned, everyone saw it as he gently gripped her by the shoulders and gave her a slight shake, causing her to gasp and look up.
"Stop talking like that! That's not the Izumi I know! The Izumi that I know would continue to fight to get her spirit back no matter what! Do you understand me?" Izumi nodded, a small smile appearing on her lips as the anger she felt drained away and turned into sheer determination.
"Right...thanks Junpei, I needed that...now what do you say to getting to that village so that way Takuya and Kouji can get the care that they need?" Junpei nodded, glad to have the old Izumi back once again and gently placed Takuya onto his back so that he was carrying him that way instead of the old bridal fashioned way as he had when they had been climbing those long treacherous steps to the Underground City. At least this time they weren't walking down stairs...all they had was a path that they needed to follow. One that would lead them directly to the village.
"Do you need help with Kouji, Z?" Junpei murmured, as Izumi shook her head and held back a giggle.
"No, he's really light...I think he needs to eat more!" They both chuckled at this as Tomoki went to help Izumi the best way he could, and they set off, noticing the glorious sun rise as they continued to trek along the well used path before them...
He wasn't exactly sure what time it was when he first woke. All he knew was that he was warm...and that he couldn't see. It was so dark...
Panic began to consume him as he felt his body start to thrash around, his uncertain mind trying to figure out exactly where he was and what was happening to him. The last thing he could remember, was Takuya gaining control of his Beast Spirit...and now he wasn't even sure what happened to Takuya. Or what had happened to himself for that matter.
His panic slowly began to lessen...especially when he heard a soft, familiar voice telling him that everything was going to be alright. That he was being well taken care of, and to just rest and not worry...but the best thing of all that that soft, familiar voice told him was that Takuya was alright.
And something made him believe in that familiar voice. As the reassurance that Takuya was alright slowly started to filter through his panic-stricken mind, he found himself falling back asleep once more into the dark warmth that surrounded him...
When Kouji had started to react to his surroundings, no one was sure what to do. It was Izumi finally, who had started to slowly talk to him-telling him that he was alright, that he was being cared for...and that Takuya was alright. She continued to softly murmur this until the healer in charge of Kouji told them that he was asleep once more-this time truly asleep-not unconscious or having been put to sleep by some kind of medication.
She heard Junpei sigh behind her and watched out of the corner of her eyes as he gently shook his head. Tomoki was off in the room that the villagers had been so kind to give them, fast asleep. And while she knew that Junpei-and herself as well-were just as tired as he was, they weren't going to leave until they were positive that their friends were going to be alright.
It was quite a sight to see actually-and yet it horrified Izumi at the same time. The population of the village that they had found was small, but made out of a variety of different Digimon. So exotic, that Junpei, Izumi, and Tomoki had never seen before-and others who were just your basic average Digimon.
At the sight of the chosen children the 'elderly' Digimon of the village had instantly come to welcome them-having already heard tales of the wonders that the Digi Destined had already done for the Digital World, and the mission that they still had yet to accomplish, they were more than willing to have them stay. When they saw that Takuya and Kouji were still out of commission, they'd immediately rushed them to the healers...
Who were also known to the villagers as Mothmon-they used cocoons for healing purposes, transferring different types of energy into the one who was wounded or sick...depending on the status of the Digimon-or in this case, person-so as not to transfer the wrong type. The Mothmon in charge of Kouji had been quite surprised when he'd started to rouse the way he had, and hadn't known what to do. But she had been glad when Izumi had helped, calming Kouji enough so that he could continue to heal.
Izumi started when she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Junpei.
"One of the Mothmon told me that Takuya and Kouji are pretty much out of danger...they're just both in a healing sleep and they should stay that way for the rest of the day. They also told me that Takuya will be the first one to wake up, as he wasn't as badly hurt as Kouji was...even though Kouji wasn't hurt that badly. I have the feeling they probably mean emotional damage more than bodily damage." He said, trying to lighten the mood a bit, and Izumi found a small smile caressing her lips as she nodded at him.
"I hope they'll be okay..." She murmured, and Junpei nodded as he put his hands on her shoulders and gave them a gentle squeeze.
"They will be okay Z! They've come out of worse messes than this one I believe...remember, we have no idea what these two went through before we all ran into each other. It'll be interesting to find out though...I have the feeling that their time here in the Digital World before we met up with them will probably have been rougher than our time. Remember, they were the one's who ran into Grumblemon first." Izumi shuddered, not really wanting to think about the evil Digimon who had her spirit at the moment.
"Come on Izumi, let's get some sleep-we won't be doing any good to Kouji or Takuya if we fall asleep on them when they might need to count on us the most...and I'm sure that when they're both awake they're probably going to want to have some time to themselves anyway. Something tells me that they've got some things they're going to need to sort out between the two of them, without our help." The bearer of the spirit of wind looked up into Junpei's dark brown eyes, surprised at the understanding and kindness that showed in them.
She remembered that it hadn't been too long ago when she'd had to smack some sense into him when they had found out that Takuya and Kouji were together as a couple. And now...
Now it seemed like Junpei was changing into a completely different person-one that Izumi felt like she might want to get to know a bit better...and knew that she would. So in reply to what Junpei said, she offered him a small smile as she reached up and grabbed the hand that he had offered her and stood, swaying a bit as she realized just how tired she really was.
Junpei chuckled softly as he allowed her to lean in against him and he guided her back to the hut where they'd left Tomoki. Not seeming to mind their closeness once so ever...in fact, it was just the opposite. If Izumi only knew that she was the first girl who Junpei had true feelings for in a very long time...his first relationship with a girl hadn't been all that great, and neither had the second. So he'd decided that girls hadn't been worth his effort or time-Izumi however, was slowly starting to make him change his mind on that decision.
"There's two double beds here...I can sleep with Tomoki if you want one to yourself." Junpei murmured, knowing that Izumi liked her space. However, as he helped her down onto the mattress and started to head over to the other one; he was quite surprised when her hand reached out and gently grabbed his wrist. When he glanced down at her with a raised eyebrow, Izumi held a sheepish look on her face.
"I-I'm feeling a bit cold...and...and besides, Tomoki's also got Bokomon and Neemon sleeping on that mattress with him..." She nodded over to where Junpei had headed off too, and he gave a wry smile when he saw the three figures sprawled out all over what could've been called a queen sized mattress on Earth.
He let out a low chuckle, and shook his head as he looked at Izumi with a questioning glance in his eyes.
"Are you sure that it's okay? I mean...?" He wasn't sure what he meant, but he didn't want to ruin any chances he had with Izumi.
But when she nodded and patted the space next to her, Junpei smiled as he crawled onto the other side of the mattress-and was surprised yet again when Izumi rolled over and curled up next to him. She was asleep in an instant, and Junpei found himself closely following as he held her protectively close to him. Now he was starting to understand the protectiveness that Kouji had over Takuya-and vice a versa depending on the situation. If anything, he knew that Izumi was probably just uncertain of herself and her surroundings at the moment and he couldn't blame her.
She couldn't spirit evolve because the hideous Grumblemon had her Spirit, and after what had just happened with Takuya getting his own Beast Spirit and the condition that he and Kouji were now in...well...he could understand the fact that Izumi probably wanted someone close. And if that someone close was him, then he definitely didn't mind-not once so ever.
"I promise you Z, I'll get your spirit back to you...no matter what it takes..." Junpei whispered as he gently stroked her cheek and she let out a soft sigh as he finally allowed his dark eyes to fall shut and drifted off into slumber...
(Quick AN: Hehe...sorry, couldn't help myself had to put some Junzumi stuff in here...my bad...so on with the Takoujiness as promised!)
The bearer of fire softly groaned and slowly opened his eyes...feeling like he'd just been run over by something really big.
As his hazy vision slowly cleared, he wasn't quite sure what to think of his surroundings. He was in a low cave, a really well sheltered area...and there were cocoons that surrounded him in every which direction that he looked-all of various shapes and sizes.
Needless to say, Takuya was just a bit startled to look down at himself to find that he was in one of those many cocoons. Which, would explain the reason why he couldn't quite move his arms and legs...
He still felt a bit out of it when a strange Digimon approached him, and introduced himself as a 'Mothmon'...and Takuya gladly accepted his help out of the cocoon that held him as he stumbled out of it. He would've lost his balance if the moth-like Digimon hadn't helped him remain standing.
It felt awkward standing...almost as though he hadn't used his legs in a very long time. They were stiff and sore...as were his arms-and every other part of his body it felt like. Glancing up at the Digimon with questioning eyes, he laughed softly.
"Don't worry too much young one, you'll soon be back up on your feet again...you're still recovering from what happened to you. Now come, and I'll see to it that you're given a comfortable bed, and a bit more TLC." Takuya nodded, and started to follow the Mothmon, but not before his fog-filled mind told him to stop. He felt like he was forgetting something...
"Is everything alright?" The Mothmon called out to him as it turned around to face him to see what was keeping him.
Not being able to remember what it was he could be forgetting, Takuya shrugged and decided to continue following the Mothmon to the promises of a soft bed and more sleep...
"What do you mean he woke up! And you didn't wake us when he did!?!" Izumi screeched as both Junpei and Tomoki covered their ears. They still had yet to get used to Izumi's screeching...which, she only seemed to do when she was very angry-like now for example.
They'd woken up late one morning to find that Takuya had woken sometime during the night, and was sleeping quite peacefully in another room.
But even Junpei had to admit that it would've been nice if the Mothmon had actually done what they'd told him to do in the first place-and that was to come and wake them should Takuya or Kouji waken.
All the Mothmon could do was shrug at Izumi, as though her screaming at him was accomplishing absolutely nothing-which, was probably quite true, as he seemed unaffected by the blonde's temper.
"How's Kouji doing?" Tomoki asked, finally speaking up as the Mothmon directed it's big dark eyes at him.
"He's still stable, but still asleep...he hasn't shown any signs of improvement, or consciousness." There was a touch of sadness in his voice, and the other's sighed.
"Might I interfere in this conversation?" The female Mothmon who had been looking after Kouji asked, and everyone nodded their heads at her as she gently cleared her throat and looked at her partner.
"You know, it's almost as though he's waiting for something...usually by now most of our patients would have wakened with the kind of treatment that we've given your friend." As the Digi Destined sat there lost in their own thoughts, the male Mothmon went out to check on Takuya...who was still fast asleep, huddled underneath a mass of blankets.
Making sure the brunette was sleeping peacefully, the Mothmon turned to leave but stopped at the doorway as he looked at Takuya for several seconds.
"I wonder..." The Mothmon murmured to himself as he headed back to where the chosen children were still standing, though the little one had managed to escape off to who knew where. But no one was too worried about him-there wasn't much trouble Tomoki could get into in a place like this.
In truth, Tomoki had actually followed the Mothmon to Takuya's room and was now sitting with him-waiting for him to wake up so he could see for himself that his 'big brother' was okay.
"Well, in any case will you please remember to let us know when Kouji wakens?" Izumi murmured, coming out of her thoughtful trance as the female Mothmon nodded at her.
"I'll be glad to. You all look like you could use something to eat." Junpei nodded and slowly led Izumi, Bokomon, and a tired looking Neemon out-it was strange seeing Bokomon and Neemon acting as quietly as they were. Maybe they weren't too sure as to what to think of this situation either.
It was only when they got to the main eating area that Izumi realized that Tomoki was missing, but Bokomon cleared his throat and stopped her from getting too hysterical about the missing youth.
"I do believe I saw him go to where Takuya currently is-I don't think we need to worry about him too much, he pretty much knows his way around here like the rest of us do. I'm sure he'll come and find us when he's ready." Izumi sighed and nodded, feeling a bit depressed about the whole situation they were in as she headed to grab a plate, Junpei following her with a heavy sigh that could rival the one she had just displayed...
When Takuya woke again, Tomoki almost squealed with delight but instead allowed a large smile to appear on his face as he reached over to wrap Takuya in a tight hug-one that Takuya gratefully accepted.
"Hey..." Tomoki's smile widened when Takuya ruffled his dark brown hair-something he'd missed.
"I'm glad you're feeling better." Tomoki told Takuya in such a serious voice, that Takuya had to blink for a moment.
"Oh...um...thanks. I still feel pretty out of it though...getting your Beast Spirit sure takes a lot out of you." Tomoki chuckled softly as Takuya admitted this, and would never admit to anyone that he himself was now a bit scared to get his Beast Spirit. He just hoped that he wouldn't go out of control as both Takuya and Kouji had done.
And speaking of Kouji...
Takuya's eyes seemed to widen at what he had just said as he remembered that someone else had said almost those same exact words when they'd first gotten their Beast Spirit.
Kouji!
The thought rang through his mind as he sprang up out of bed, and almost crashed to the floor-as he still hadn't quite gained all his strength. He was just glad that Tomoki was as quick as he was and had reached out to steady Takuya before he had fallen completely.
"Thanks..." Takuya murmured as Tomoki nodded at him, giving him a strange look.
"You okay Takuya?" For Takuya had gotten quite pale when he'd realized that he hadn't had any idea as to what was going on with Kouji, or where his dark haired koi even was at the moment.
"No...no, Tomoki, where's Kouji?!?" From the look on Tomoki's face, Takuya had the feeling that the news on his koi wasn't as good as he'd hoped that it would be.
"He's...still...healing..." Tomoki murmured, sending his eyes so that they were looking anywhere but into Takuya's worried dark brown orbs.
"I've got to see him!" He couldn't believe that he'd almost forgotten about Kouji. How could he have?!?
Tomoki nodded and went to help Takuya stand as he wavered for a moment, realizing that he didn't quite have the strength to stand by himself. But he wasn't going to let that stop him from seeing his koi.
It took awhile-with Takuya stumbling even though Tomoki was trying his hardest to help him keep his balance, to trying to figure out where it was that Kouji was being held during his healing process.
The two boys finally ran into the female Mothmon who was in charge of Takuya's dark haired lover, and agreed to let him see him.
"It almost seems as though he's waiting for something." The Mothmon explained to Takuya, who nodded absently as he was slightly lost in his own thoughts. The moment he saw Kouji though, all he wanted to do was hold him in his arms...
Instead, he walked up to the cocoon and trailed the fingers of his right hand down the right side of Kouji's pale face, brushing away strands of fallen dark hair as he did so. From his own experience Takuya knew that Kouji was wearing next to nothing in the healing cocoon, and it made Takuya want him for his own even more.
Tears sprung up in his eyes as Takuya suddenly felt quite selfish. He'd hurt Kouji...physically and emotionally hurt him...and it hurt him as well to know that he'd been the one who had done this.
He wanted Kouji to wake up so he could tell him how sorry he was. He wished that he'd never gotten that damned Beast Spirit-than neither of them would be in this horrible predicament. He'd been nowhere this bad when Kouji had gotten his Beast Spirit.
Takuya hadn't realized that the female Mothmon had left with Tomoki, as Tomoki had suddenly claimed that he was hungry, and the Mothmon had agreed to see to it that he got something to eat before joining up with Izumi, Junpei, Bokomon, and Neemon. In truth, Tomoki really wasn't as hungry as he knew he should've been-he had more or less used it as an excuse to allow Takuya to have some time alone with the still healing Kouji.
Still feeling tired from his own healing process, Takuya sat down on the floor next to Kouji's healing cocoon, and placed a gentle hand on it as he slowly felt his eyes closing, feeling quite miserable.
Kouji wasn't really sure what it was that had made him wake as he did. But suddenly something felt different. Sure, he still felt exhausted, and his body ached with various pains...but he felt a presence near him that he hadn't felt in quite some time.
He barely managed to turn his head a little bit to the left-into the direction of which he had felt the presence. And a small smile graced his lips as he saw Takuya lying against the cocoon that he was wrapped up within, one of his arms extended over the front part in a protective manner.
So he's okay now... Kouji thought tiredly, wishing that Takuya was awake so that they could talk...so that he could make sure that it was really Takuya, and not just his imagination.
Feeling like he was ready to fall asleep any minute, Kouji was surprised that he was still awake when one of the strange Digimon that he'd seen before in his foggy, haze-filled sleep enter the room and look at him with a mixture of both surprise and kindness.
"You're awake! Your friend here will be very happy...how do you feel?" Kouji licked his lips, not sure if he could trust himself to speak or not.
"Horrible." He finally managed to struggle out, as the Mothmon nodded.
"Yes, I assume that you probably would feel like that...however, lots of fluid and nutrients, as well as some natural rest will help you feel better." The Digimon called out into the darkness as another one of her kind appeared, and gently removed Takuya away as the Digimon from before released Kouji from his cocoon. He felt himself falling...
And then it suddenly all stopped as the kind-looking Digimon stopped him before he hit the floor, allowing a soft laughter to echo through the cave-like room they were in.
"I have forgotten that you humans do not regain your strength as quickly as Digimon do. The same thing happened with your friend over there...though...a part of me tells me that you two are more than friends?" Kouji blushed, but nodded as the Mothmon swept him up into her arms and carried him into a different part of the cave altogether. In fact, they weren't even in the cave anymore...and Kouji also noted that he wasn't wearing anything-and his blush deepened even more.
However, at the moment he was really too exhausted to protest...and he was still having a hard time keeping his eyes open. He couldn't even remember the way back to the cave that they'd come through, as they entered a small hallway that led into a room where Kouji found himself being gently deposited onto a large bed-big enough for two people. He was ever so happy to see his cloths folded neatly on a chair next to the bed-but felt too tired to get dressed.
The female Mothmon chuckled as she gently wrapped blankets about him, and told him not to worry.
"You'll get your energy and strength back soon enough." But as she turned to leave the room, Kouji managed to stay awake long enough to inquire about Takuya once more, and as she turned, she gave him a smile that reached her dark eyes.
"You should worry about yourself at the moment..." She said with another soft peal of laughter, and than slowly walked out.
"But I'm sure he'll find his way to you with no problems." Kouji wanted to protest and tell her that he needed to see Takuya now, that he wanted to be next to him right then...not later.
He knew he had drifted off to sleep rather quickly thereafter, and so he didn't see the same Mothmon enter the room once more-this time carrying a still-sleeping Takuya in her arms as she couldn't help but grin a bit more while she laid the brunette next to the other dark haired teen.
"I have the feeling that you two make quite a pair...sleep well." She murmured, as she left the room to go and check on the other legendary warriors...
TBC
End note: Wow, chapter 20... eyes start to glaze over ...I was bored at work one day so I just randomly started writing down possible chapter titles for the next several chapters that I've got plotted out...and I think this fic of mine is going to turn into an epic or something! sweat drops ...I'm being very serious when I say that this fic might possibly be more than over fifty chapters... twitches nervously ...I was kind of astounded when I figured it all out, but as long as you guys are more than happy reading this, then I will be more than happy to continue working on it! And once again, thanks so much for all of your reviews, they really do keep me going! A big hug and a thanks to all who have reviewed so far, and I definitely plan on a 'big thank you' note to those of you at the end of this fic...
