Disclaimer: The muses would like to remind everyone that Angel Spirit doesn't own Digimon…just the plot of the fic…
Author's Notes: Thanks guys for the reviews! Hugs everyone…I know it was a LONG time since I'd last updated, and it was nice to know that there are people still reading this fic! I appreciate you guys for being as patient as you all were, I really do! Grins…I can assure you all, that it won't take me as long to update again as I've got the plot down now for what I want to do for the next several chapters, so this fic will be updated more frequently now. I was also taking time off from it to work on Forevermore-and now since that fic is near completion, I'll be able to work harder on this fic and Confessions as well. For those of you who are reading Forevermore, I'm stuck on it for the moment…for the most part the next chapter is written up, but I'm working out the kinks from it…it just doesn't sound as good as I want it to be, so I'm improving it and making it better-hopefully sometime real soon I'll have that up and running for you guys to read…so that's what's going on with that fic. I just thought I'd let you all know what was up with that one there…
Some of you might be wondering exactly what it is I'm up to with this ongoing fic of mine…gives readers evil grin While I can't tell you exactly what I'm planning, let me just say that from here on out, things are going to really start being very different from that of the actual season 04 plot. Of course, this fic has to live up to its title, right? Winks. As I'm sure all of you have noticed, that the title for this chapter is a title off of one of the episodes from season 04…"Welcome To My Nightmare"…it was a Tomoki based episode…however, in this fic…I'm going to take that small plotline that they started with…and…twist it into something so much more…that's all I'm going to say here, as I don't want to spoil the next few chapters for everyone. This chapter will explain a little bit as to what's going to happen…and now I believe I shall depart so you guys can all have a good read, and I'm glad that everyone seemed to really enjoy the fluff in the last chapter! (And this angst author has to admit…even she had fun writing it, and you all know how I like my angst…but, sometimes a little fluff here and there is all one needs for inspiration to continue…winks)
And I know that some people in their recent reviews were telling me that it was confusing since I'd switched from the English dubbed names to the Japanese ones…I do plan to eventually go back and change all of that. It'll be my next big project I think once I'm done with Forevermore, is to go back and revise all my older stuff. The other thing that I realized people were mentioning is that you guys seemed to want more from the whole Takouji relationship deal. While I don't write lemon (or lime, and probably never will, but I've got nothing against it as there are some awesome writer's out there who do a wonderful job with it) I'll try my hardest to give you guys a bit more!
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Slash/yaoi…male/male pairings abound…if you're not a fan of that or the pairings listed below, hit the wonderful back button to the top left of your page and run far away now…
Pairings: Takuya/Kouji with strong Junpei/Izumi hints scattered throughout (though that might change in the future…who knows…)
Time Setting: AU, rewrite of season 04 with everyone's favorite yaoi pairing…
Different Journey's
Author: Angel Spirit
Chapter 22: Welcome to My Nightmare Pt I
A few days later, saw Takuya and Kouji fit to travel again.
The two teens were standing with the others at the entrance to the Mothmon's healing facilities, saying their goodbyes. The Mothmon that had taken care of Takuya and Kouji told them to never hesitate to come again, should they require their healing services in the future…and the small group promised to do so if they were in the area.
Though they all knew deep down inside that they had to travel on.
So late in the morning, the five youths were on their way again. Junpei and Izumi surprisingly led the way, with Tomoki following closely behind…and Takuya and Kouji trailing along in the back, as Takuya wanted to stay with Kouji so that he could keep an eye on his raven haired koi.
Oh, he knew that for the most part, that Kouji was healed…and looking better than he had in days. But still…Takuya couldn't help but be a bit overprotective of Kouji with all that had happened recently. And who could blame him? Izumi sure didn't…she kept on glancing behind her every so often, and was fighting the urge to smile every time she saw Kouji leaning into Takuya for comfort, and the fact that they were holding hands just seemed to make everything feel so very right.
It sure didn't seem as though Kouji was afraid to show his affection for Takuya in front of the other's anymore.
And Izumi couldn't be happier. She was truly glad that Kouji was starting to be a bit more open-admittedly, he was more open to Takuya about his thoughts and feelings then any of them, but it was a start.
In front of them, Bokomon and Neemon were bickering quietly between themselves, and every so often one could hear Bokomon snapping Neemon's pants…
Izumi sighed and shook her head. Well, for the most part, they were all getting along…
They started out slowly, not wanting to exhaust Takuya or Kouji too quickly on their first day on the road. But at one point when Takuya encouraged them to pick up the pace Izumi, Junpei, and Tomoki did so willingly.
"You know, it's strange…there doesn't seem to be another village for miles…" Izumi commented softly, glancing about her as Junpei and the other's nodded in agreement with her assessment of their surroundings.
"It is strange…seems like we're going to be camping out underneath the stars tonight." Takuya said brightly, and Izumi sighed as she quickly glanced back at Kouji. He seemed fine…but she wouldn't be surprised if the raven haired teen was feeling at least a little tired. It had been quite a long day-and at least the weather was pleasant. There wasn't a cloud in sight, and the sky had been a dazzling shade of blue, getting darker as the day soon turned into night.
The setting sun looked gorgeous as the first of the digital moons started to rise in the twilight sky.
They all knew that by the time the third moon rose, that they'd have to stop for the night-it would be too dark to travel. And from their past experiences so far, the Digimon that roamed the night were none to friendly.
At least if they stopped to rest and build a fire, the light from the fire would scare off anything that would think about attacking them…though, they also had their spirits so they could fight if need be. But the other nice thing about a fire was that it would bring them a little bit of warmth as well. Even though the day itself had been warm, it was starting to cool off quite a bit since the sun had set.
Izumi shivered and Junpei noticed, wishing that he had a coat or something that he could loan to Izumi.
Both were quite surprised when Izumi felt a gentle poke at her backside, and she turned-along with Junpei-to see that Kouji was holding out his windbreaker to her. She blushed in embarrassment, and glanced sideways at Junpei as she noticed the older teen frowning a little bit. Was Junpei jealous? Probably…but then again, the brunette knew that Izumi liked him…and that Kouji was with Takuya. But still, Kouji's actions surprised her just as much as they did Junpei and Tomoki.
"Well, are you going to take it?" Kouji muttered, and Izumi snapped out of her trance and nodded as she gratefully accepted his windbreaker, putting it over her shirt and vest with a nod of thanks-which Kouji merely shrugged at as they continued on for a little while longer.
Izumi had to admit, Kouji's windbreaker did help keep out the cold…she only hoped that Kouji wasn't cold in just the yellow and blue T-shirt that he was wearing…though, Izumi also noted that Kouji was walking a lot closer to Takuya than he had previously.
It wasn't too long before Takuya reached out a tanned arm, and placed it around Kouji's shoulders-drawing him close to him and Kouji found himself relishing in the warmth that radiated from his koi.
He knew that it wasn't the smartest thing in the world to have given Izumi his coat. But she had looked cold. And besides, he thought to himself it's only out of sheer politeness…maybe…maybe friendship? Nah…
Kouji didn't want to believe that he was slowly starting to befriend the others. If only because he'd been alone without friends for so long…
And now, since they'd come to the Digital World, he had a boyfriend…
But could it be true that he had finally found people his own age that he could finally, truly call friends? Unbeknownst to many people, friendship was important to Kouji…it always had been. He valued it just as much as any other person did…but he also found it hard to trust people as well. And who could blame him, with the numerous amount of times that his father had moved, and Kouji himself had transferred from school to school…
Friendship had almost become an unknown thing to him. He didn't make friends, because he didn't want to be even more emotionally hurt then he already was…but maybe, just maybe…
Kouji was so wrapped up in his thoughts that he hadn't quite realized that they'd stopped for the night, until Takuya gently squeezed one of his shoulders and he stopped with the rest of them to look around at the area they'd chosen for the night…frowning slightly.
If only because the area was pretty out in the open…but at the moment, considering the fact that they'd been walking in open territory for most of the day. It was really their only option, still though…
It made him feel slightly uneasy.
Though, when Takuya's stomach growled in complaint of emptiness, any tension felt within the small group of travelers vanished as Tomoki and Izumi both giggled, and Takuya had the decency to blush a little bit as he put a hand on his stomach.
"Man…I'm not that hungry!" He protested, and even Junpei joined in on the laughter as he gave Takuya a light pat on the shoulder.
"Sure Takky, sure…" Takuya found himself grinning at the nickname Junpei gave him, and Kouji only rolled his eyes slightly.
However, when Junpei's stomach started grumbling in its own complaint as well, it sent Takuya into a fit of laughter as Junpei's dark brown eyes opened wide in astonishment as he glanced down at his belly…and then proceeded to glare at it. Causing Izumi and Tomoki to laugh almost as hard-if not harder-then Takuya currently was…Tomoki was nearly rolling on the ground as the youth clutched his stomach and tried to catch his breath.
"Hey, you, you're not supposed to agree with his stomach!" Junpei declared, entertaining the group slightly as he poked his belly, which grumbled in response once more and Junpei fought the urge to blush as he caught Izumi wiping away tears of laughter.
This kind of laughter, Junpei didn't mind…if only because he was now laughing with the others-instead of having them laugh at him. He had to admit, it was a very nice change…
No one really noticed when Kouji started walking off on his own, feeling that heneeding some time to himself. He still wasn't used to spending large amounts of time with other people he couldn't quite trust. Even though he knew he could trust Izumi, Junpei, and Tomoki by now, it still felt a little strange…
A part of him truly wished that they were wandering around in a forest or something instead of out in the open. At least if they were in a forest it would be an easier place for him to go off and hide for awhile and come back when he was ready.
For some reason, he was feeling a bit agitated tonight. He sensed danger…but as he looked around, he didn't see a single Digimon in sight for miles. All he saw was the vast grasslands that they'd been travelling through all day, and a blanket of stars above him that lit up the dark nighttime sky. It was just the five of them out here. So why was he feeling so edgy…?
It didn't take Takuya long to notice that his boyfriend had wandered off into the night, and he frowned in concern. He believed that they should all stay together. But then again, Takuya also realized that maybe Kouji might still feel uncomfortable around the others. It would make the most sense as to why his koi had gone off to be by himself…he probably felt like he needed some space.
That was one of the things that made him and Kouji complete opposites-while Takuya was more open to people and willing to trust, Kouji wasn't. It took awhile to crack open Kouji's shell that he had built so strongly around himself-Takuya knew that, as Kouji had admitted to him that he'd been the first person in years to succeed in doing so. The others had just barely tapped the surface…they only saw a small part of the Kouji that Takuya knew…
But then again, how could the others truly get to know Kouji as he had gotten to know him when they were either fighting an evil Digimon, running away from them; or healing from any injuries while dealing with said evil Digimon?
Takuya sighed softly and shook his head, as he left the other three to their laughter as silently as Kouji had. And Takuya noted that as he walked quietly up to his koi that it seemed like the raven haired teen had something on his mind-he hadn't even turned around to greet him yet-and this caused Takuya to softly bite down on his lower lip in concern. Kouji was sensitive to his surroundings…surely he would've heard Takuya coming up on him by now…something had to seriously be bothering him.
"Kouji…?" For Kouji's part, he didn't jump when Takuya lightly placed his hand on his shoulder. Even though Kouji hated having to admit to himself that Takuya had actually startled him.
What's wrong with me? Why am I feeling so off tonight…? Kouji wondered, and a few more moments of silence went by before he felt Takuya slowly start trailing kisses up and down his neck as his hands managed to find a way underneath his yellow and blue T-shirt…damn…he'd forgotten that Izumi still had his windbreaker.
Maybe he'd just let her have it for the night…
Besides, the alternative seemed to be better anyway…if he was cold he knew that Takuya would let him snuggle up next to him by the fire for the night-that was, if they could find any wood around them once so ever-and he could be warm that way.
Kouji smiled to himself…oh yes…Izumi could keep his coat.
"Are you okay Kouji?" The raven haired teen nodded at Takuya's question while he moaned softly as Takuya kept on kissing him gently, and Kouji turned around in his koi's arms and caught Takuya's lips with his own.
"I think I am now…" Kouji murmured, as he deepened their next kiss…and was rather dismayed when they had to break apart for air. Takuya grinned as his forehead pressed up against Kouji's own.
"You've wanted to do that all day, haven't you?" The brunette asked, and Kouji nodded with a small smile of his own.
"How could you tell?" All Takuya did was shrug as he turned around and held out his hand to Kouji-who grudgingly accepted it as it only meant one thing. Going back to the other's meant the end to their 'alone' time…and Kouji liked their 'alone' time…
In the end, they hadn't found wood for a fire-and they hadn't found any food in the area as well. So they had ended up munching on some of the food that the Mothmon had given them before they'd left. They had to ration it, as they weren't sure when they'd find another source of food and water.
Takuya took a sip from his canteen as he glanced around the small circle that they'd all sat in.
Izumi was falling asleep…her head was resting on Junpei's shoulder, and he had his arm wrapped around her own shoulders, holding her close. Takuya had to smile-he admitted that Junpei and Izumi made a very cute couple. He wondered if Izumi felt more for Junpei then just friendship. On some days, it seemed like she did…and on others it looked like she didn't. Maybe she just wasn't sure…
Junpei himself seemed to be having a hard time staying awake, forcing his brandy brown eyes open every once in awhile. Tomoki had fallen asleep a long time ago, using his hat as a pillow for his head. Every so often the youth would murmur in his sleep and roll over into a different position as though he were trying to get comfortable. Though, Takuya doubted that any of them would find comfort in this place. He had to confess that he was starting to miss the comfort of the beds that the Mothmon had provided back in their healing quarters.
They'd been spoiled without realizing it.
Takuya's eyes wondered from Tomoki's restless figure over to where Kouji was…and smiled again as he gently shook his head when he saw that his koi had fallen asleep sitting up. It seemed like Neemon had taken a liking to Kouji's lap and had managed to somehow secure himself in it and was now curled up in a tight ball…Bokomon right next to him.
It made the brunette wonder how the two had managed to do that. Kouji wouldn't have let that happen in a million years if he'd been awake, but maybe at the moment he was just too tired to give a damn.
Sighing softly as he realized that the position that Kouji had fallen asleep in would only cause his body to be sore-and that he'd probably be even more tired in the morning; Takuya got up and stretched as he moved his koi, sitting down behind him as he gently pulled Kouji towards him.
As the sleeping teen moved, it jostled Neemon and Bokomon-both who glared at Takuya, who only shrugged an apology as he adjusted Kouji a bit more against him so that they were both comfortable. Hearing Kouji let out a soft sigh of happiness as he leaned up against his chest and used it for a pillow, Takuya nodded in satisfaction and gently ran his right hand through Kouji's ponytail.
It seemed as though everyone had decided to let him take the first watch for the night. That was fine with him, for some reason he didn't really feel as tired as he should have anyway. So he'd let the other's sleep for now.
Noticing that Junpei was still forcing himself to stay awake, Takuya chuckled softly.
"Hey, Junpei?" The teen in question gazed up to look into his eyes.
"Go ahead and get some sleep…I'll take first watch. I'll wake you in a couple of hours and you can take the next shift, and then Izumi…okay?" Junpei nodded and gave Takuya a grateful smile as he readjusted his and Izumi's positions before he finally allowed his eyes to close for the final time that night-at least, until Takuya woke him up for his shift…
True to his word, Takuya woke Junpei up some time later and the brunette awoke as soon as he touched his shoulder.
"Get enough sleep?" Takuya murmured, and Junpei shrugged as he glanced around the camp.
"Yeah, enough so that I can take my shift…get some sleep yourself Takky you look like you need it more than I do." All Takuya did was shrug as he headed back to where he'd left Kouji, and curled up with his koi once more. Kouji mumbled something inaudible as he turned over to face Takuya while the brunette wrapped his arms around him, and got comfortable once more.
Then his own eyes closed…and all was quiet…too quiet…
Tomoki woke suddenly, unsure of why it was that he had woken up or what had caused him to do so. But as he sat up, he suddenly felt that something wasn't quite right.
On the contrary…something was wrong…very, very wrong.
Instead of the grasslands that he had fallen asleep in with the others-he was now standing in the middle of a very dark forest. It was silent-no noise could be heard-and suddenly Tomoki felt very much alone.
Shivering a bit as he reached down and picked up his hat and placed it back on his head, he turned around and around a few times as he tried to figure out just where he was…and why the other's weren't there with him anymore.
"Takuya…niichan…?" Tomoki called out, softly at first, and then a bit louder as he started to stumble around the unfamiliar territory that he knew he was lost in.
"TAKUYA? KOUJI?" It had felt like he'd been calling everyone's names out for hours, and still Tomoki hadn't gotten a response from any of them.
He felt his stomach tighten in fear, and he let out a soft whimper.
Why was he all alone? How could they just leave him here…
But then again, Tomoki remembered that he was in the Digital World…and that nothing here was as it seemed. So it could very well be that the others hadn't left him here, but that something had somehow happened to them while they were all asleep and now he was here. So if he was here without the others…it made him wonder what happened to everyone else.
Were they in the same position that he was…? Stuck in this horribly dark and scary forest without any way out?
It felt to Tomoki, like he'd been going around in circles…everything all around him looked so much alike.
"Junpei…?" Tomoki whispered again, wrapping his arms around himself as he suddenly felt cold.
A strong breeze had suddenly come up and made the forest even colder than it already was. Tomoki suddenly jerked to a halt though, when he thought he had heard something in the wind. A voice…a whispering voice that sounded oddly familiar to him, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to rise each time the wind brushed across his hearing range…
"Welcome to my nightmare…"
Izumi found herself in the same position as Tomoki did-and wasn't exactly sure of what to think of her current situation. Wondering if any of the others were going through what she was going through.
It was cold…she was still glad that she had Kouji's windbreaker on, but at the same time she also felt bad. Because that meant that if Kouji was in the same place that she was-all he was wearing was his T-shirt and capri's…
He would probably be the most cold out of them all, having as little protection against the elements that he did.
"Why are you worried about him? Why aren't you worried about me?" The jealousy that roused in Junpei's voice caused Izumi to whirl around and come face to face with him. She hadn't heard him come so close to her until he had spoken up.
In all honesty, she felt a bit dumbfounded as to why Junpei sounded so jealous.
"Junpei…what…?" All the brunette did though, was snort in disbelief and cross his arms over his chest as he gave her a look of defiance.
"Here I go thinking that you actually care about me…I should've known all you were doing was playing me for a fool!" Izumi gasped, as her hand flew to her mouth in shock. Junpei didn't really think that way about her…did he?
"Just like all those other guys who you probably play for fools, huh?" The petite blonde shook her head though, tears brimming in her eyes.
"No…Junpei, that's not true! I do care for you…maybe more than just a friend, I don't know! Things like this…take time…and we've got a lot of time here in the Digital World! I want to get to know you better, I do!" She stammered, but Junpei shook his head-not looking as jealous anymore, just angry.
"Yeah right, I know the person you really want to be with is Kouji. Too bad Kouji's with Takuya and you'll never have him…or have you forgotten that already? I thought you were cheering those two on." Izumi shook her head again.
"No Junpei, you don't understand…I like the thought of Takuya and Kouji being together, I think they make a really cute couple!" She insisted, and Junpei took a step back from her.
"Ha…then why are you so worried about whether or not Kouji's cold…?" Biting softly down on her lower lip, Izumi suddenly didn't know what to say…and yet…she did.
"Because I do care about him Junpei-but I care about him as a friend. I haven't had very many friends…and then I came here and I met all of you…and…"
"And you played us just like you played everyone else in the past, huh Izumi?" Izumi gasped. What was Junpei talking about?
"I don't know what you mean Junpei, but if you're going to continue acting like this then I'm just going to ask you to leave me be!" Izumi had finally had enough…but it didn't seem like Junpei did, as he shook his head.
"I'm sorry Izumi, I don't think I can. I'm here to remind you why you don't have any friends, why you choose to not get close to anybody again." He whispered, and before Izumi could say anything in response, the scenery around them changed completely.
And suddenly they were standing in an alleyway…the heavy sound of techno-dance music playing nearby as the scents of Italy filled her nose. Izumi's bright blue eyes widened. She knew where she was…and she had hoped to never revisit this place ever again, she had hoped to forget about it entirely.
So why was she here now?
Izumi shivered as a sudden chill seemed to come over her…the wind was getting strong and suddenly all she wanted to do was run. But she seemed rooted in place.
"Welcome to your nightmare…" Junpei whispered into her ear, and as she turned around to reply-she gasped instead. For Junpei was no longer there. Just her, in a deserted alleyway…watching her own nightmare come to life once again before her eyes.
TBC
End note: Ugh, now looking at this I realize how short that this chapter is…but I'll make it up to you guys in the next chapter! It's just that if I continued on from here with what I'm planning this chapter is going to go on forever with no ending! But then again, you guys probably wouldn't mind that, would you? LOL! Don't forget to review and let me know what you think, and I'm working on the next chapter now so it'll be out soon! Oh, and did anyone else notice a famliar yet different scene in this chapter? Let's just say it all has to do with a certain coat...bwahahahahahaha...kudo's to Sailor Epyon for that one!
