Disclaimer: The muses would like to remind everyone that Angel Spirit doesn't own Digimon…just the plot of the fic…
Author's Notes: Oh, this authoress feels so very evil at the moment…bwahahahahahahahahahaa…and I'm not even gonna tell you guys why…I'm just going to sit back, relax, and let you guys have fun and enjoy the read. Remember when I said awhile back, when I was just getting started on this fic that it was going to take a completely different turn at one point then the way it was on the actual anime itself? Wellllll…this is that official turning point ladies and gentlemen! The villains will pretty much be the same for the most part, but the plot itself will be changed drastically-and I do hope that it's to everyone's enjoyment as I know many of you have had a good time reading this so far. So as I said before, sit back, relax, and allow your imagination to go wild. This authoress is outta here for now…
Oh…and one more quick thing-Kudo's to my new beta reader…Sailor Epyon…you're awesome girl, and I totally appreciate you double checking me on this!
Rating: PG13/R (not so much R, there's just really one chapter in here in the past that could be considered R for those picky people but for the most part this has all been PG13)
Warning: Slash/yaoi ahead. If you don't like male/male pairings, then you might want to hit the wonderful back button to the top left of your page and run very far away.
Pairings: Takuya/Kouji with strong Junpei/Izumi hints scattered throughout
Time Setting: AU, rewrite of season 04 with everyone's favorite yaoi pairing…
Different Journey'sAuthor: Angel Spirit
Chapter 23: Welcome To My Nightmare, PT II
It was cold. That was the first thought that came to Kouji's mind as his dark blue gray eyes finally snapped open. He found himself lying in nothing but sheer darkness.
And he was alone.
That thought scared him more than the darkness did at this point. The fact that he was alone…
He didn't realize just how much he had hated being alone, until he'd come here to the Digital World. Now, being all by himself in this darkness…it made him realize just how much he valued the friendships that he'd started forming with Izumi, Junpei, and Tomoki. Not to mention the love that he and Takuya shared.
Slowly getting up to his feet, Kouji wrapped his arms around himself as though he could use them to help shield the cold away.
It helped…but only a little bit.
Kouji felt weak…drained. And he couldn't quite understand why he felt that way. He felt empty inside.
And he knew that he mustn't stay here. A part of him suspected that the darkness was what was affecting him. But he couldn't understand why.
So he started walking. He just picked a direction, not really caring which way he went, hoping that eventually he'd find a way out of the darkness.
He stumbled a few times, feeling waves of nausea and dizziness starting to overcome him-but he knew he had to press on. He didn't know why he felt so sick and alone all of a sudden. He wanted it to go away.
Kouji had fallen to his knees for probably the fifth time when his Detector went off, and he clumsily pulled it out of his pocket. Ophanimon's voice suddenly called out to him…it was soothing, and as he listened to her orders he felt a little of his strength return to him.
"Kouji…you are the child of light. You must help conquer this darkness or else it will consume you all. Only your light can defeat it. But you must not allow it to defeat you. You must continue to be strong. Find the others, and they will help you find the strength that you need to overcome this obstacle. I wish I could guide you more…but I think that this should help…follow the light Kouji…"
Kouji blinked as a harsh, blinding light suddenly escaped from his Detector…and he realized instantly, that it was forming a path.
A lighted path for him to follow…
Sighing, Kouji got up once again and this time started to follow the path that his Detector-with the help from Ophanimon-had created.
With any luck, it would lead him to one of the others.
"You're worthless Junpei, that's all you ever have been. Who would want to be your friend?" This was one of those times where Junpei Shibayama just wanted to curl up and die…well, maybe that was being a little too extreme. So maybe what Junpei really wanted, was for a hole to open up underneath him and swallow him up…to take him away from all the accusations and sneering comments that he was getting from all of those who surrounded him.
Everyone…his mother, his father…his friends…those who he had once called his friends, they were all there, tormenting him.
He didn't want this; he didn't need this.
Junpei's breathing hitched up a notch as Izumi-or who was supposedly Izumi, started to slowly walk up to him-giving him such a fierce look that it caused Junpei to cower. Deep in Junpei's heart, he knew that Izumi and the others would never do this to him…right? It wasn't in their nature…these people surrounding him were not real…
Or so he thought.
Maybe he had been wrong all along.
Kouji and I have something in common and we never realized it. Junpei thought to himself miserably as he found his dark brown eyes staring up into Izumi's bright blue ones, shining with an emotion that Junpei couldn't quite detect. We've never fully trusted people before…not like we've started to trust our friends…or people who I thought were friends. Friends to torment friends like this…
Junpei hated it. He hated it all…all this tormenting brought back bad memories. Terrible memories that he just wanted to forget, to make it go away. But every time he thought that he succeeded in doing so, it just caused him to remember everything all over again.
"It's okay Junpei…I've got something here that'll make it all better…go on, take it, you know you want to." The object that Izumi held out to him nearly caused Junpei to scream as he tried to move away from it, but others blocked him from doing so. So many others that Junpei was now having a hard time determining who was who…but Takuya, Izumi, and Tomoki were the most vivid one's, his parents closely following.
Junpei didn't even realize that Kouji wasn't even part of his distress. His clouded mind wouldn't allow him to dawdle on that small realization.
"Take it Junpei…you know you want to, just like you wanted to back then. There's nothing to be afraid of." Takuya. Takuya's voice caused Junpei to look up into a pair of dark brown eyes that caused his skin to crawl. The look that he saw in the other brunette's eyes didn't seem like Takuya at all.
Izumi prodded him again, and Junpei shuddered as he reached out and accepted what it was she had given him.
A razor.
A simple, sharp, clean razor was what he now held in his shaking left hand…
One little object that brought back so many terrible memories…
"You did it then Junpei, when things got so bad-why don't you just do it now, huh? Make it all go away like you tried to do, you know suicide was never the answer to any of your problems? That's what your mother and I always tried to teach you Junpei, but you just wouldn't listen. That's why we found you lying on the floor unconscious and bleeding to death-having cut both of your wrists-almost two years ago, right Junpei? That's why we had to send you to counseling, but even the counseling didn't help…not until you saw one of your friends die from cutting, right Junpei?" His father's accusing voice was what caused Junpei to finally break down as he dropped the razor and buried his head into his arms.
"No…no…I wanted to stop, I did…it…it was so painful…but I wasn't perfect, I couldn't be perfect…and I know that now but I'm trying…" He whispered, and everyone around him laughed as it suddenly started to grow dark around him, and the people slowly started to fade away.
Even Takuya, Izumi, and Tomoki disappeared…leaving him with just the razor…and a strange dark Digimon standing before him.
"Your fear is what makes you weak-don't try to fight it. Give into it…and you no longer have to worry about it." The masked Digimon bent down and picked up the razor blade, holding it in his own hand for a moment before gently placing it into Junpei's hand again.
As Junpei forced himself to look into the Digimon's eyes, he gasped as he saw the Digimon seemed to be half human…and his eyes looked very familiar. Almost too familiar, as a set of dark blue gray eyes looked back into his own. Junpei found that he had to look away. The dark power that he felt from the Digimon was too much, and caused his mind to spin.
He felt like he was going to be sick, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could hold onto his will.
"Make it all go away Junpei." The voice was soft, but commanding and Junpei fought it. Fought it so hard that his tears were flowing faster now, and his body was shaking with the sobs that he tried to stifle. He hated appearing weak…but this was always his worst fear. He had fought so hard to conquer his own demons, and he was so sure that he had finally put most of them all to rest.
Maybe he shouldn't have been so sure.
"Give in Junpei…just give in…you know you want to make all the hurt and pain go away. The fact that you don't have any friends, the fact that you lost all the trust that your parents had in you, you're useless Junpei…admit it and do what you've been wanting to do for so long now…" Junpei felt his body shaking as he tried to block out the dark Digimon's voice.
He willed himself to be stronger than that hypnotizing voice, telling him what to do-and even though he admitted that a small part of his mind agreed with the dark, unknown Digimon-he also knew that he was a lot tougher than that. He'd conquered this terrible fear once, and he'd do it again.
"No." Junpei murmured, slowly shaking his head as he forced himself to look into the dark Digimon's dark blue gray eyes that were now opening wide as he appeared startled at the fact that Junpei was trying to free himself of the terror that had lay in his mind for so long.
"What did you say?" Came the soft demand, and Junpei found himself smiling a little as he slowly started to stand.
"I said…NO." He started walking toward the dark half-human Digimon who seemed to step back with every step that Junpei took forward. Junpei smirked…good. That meant that he was starting to scare the dark Digimon to at least a certain extent.
"And I mean no." Each time Junpei said no, he felt stronger.
Slowly the darkness started to lift, and Junpei suddenly felt light…somehow at peace with himself. As all he had really needed to do in the first place was to just find the power and the courage to say no in the first place.
"I will not give in!" He shouted, and the dark Digimon grimaced.
"JUNPEI!" The new voice startled them both, as Junpei and the dark-Digimon looked in the direction from where the voice had come from.
Junpei had only to look forward, while the dark Digimon had to turn slightly-his eyes opening wide again but this time, Junpei actually saw true fear in them. And his smirk widened into a smile. The dark Digimon was afraid now…good.
He couldn't quite find his voice yet-at least, not enough to yell back to who had called his name out. But he felt relief flood through him as he recognized it. It was Kouji…and the light that was lifting the darkness was coming from the direction that Kouji was coming from.
Sooner than either of them expected, the darkness was so much lighter than before, and Junpei sighed with the relief that he felt as Kouji came dashing up to them-stopping short when he saw the dark Digimon covering his eyes at the bright light that seemed to be emitting from Kouji himself.
"Child of light…" the dark Digimon hissed, and Kouji glared as his hand gripped itself tightly around his Detector.
"And what's it to you?" The raven haired teen sneered, taking a fighting stance as he held out his Detector, which seemed to grow even brighter with the pure white light-causing the dark, half-human Digimon to hiss and shield his eyes completely.
It was the first time that Junpei had seen that the dark Digimon had a staff with him, and it seemed to help ward off some of Kouji's light…causing Junpei to be bathed in shadows again and he felt cold once more, without have even realizing that he had been cold in the first place.
Suddenly, Junpei longed to be with Kouji in his light…to bathe in it…to be cleansed by it…
"You will be destroyed!" Kouji only scoffed at the dark Digimon's words, and prepared to Digivolve. He was more than ready, but without warning…something…happened…
The dark Digimon muttered something, and Junpei saw him raise his staff-pointing it towards Kouji.
"Kouji, look out!" Junpei managed to holler out a warning, but he wasn't fast enough. A blast of dark light hit Kouji, and sent him flying through the air-causing him to land on his back a few feet away as he skidded to a halt. His light dimmed, and it seemed dark all around once more as Kouji lay seemingly unconscious on the ground from the harsh blast.
The dark Digimon smirked triumphantly as he turned to face Junpei-and to Junpei's surprise, he saw exhaustion in the dark Digimon's eyes. Eyes that reminded him a lot of Kouji's own dark orbs…
"You're so lucky your little friend came to save you. But at what price…? Were you really worth it?" With the last feeble attempt at Junpei, the dark Digimon vanished-without so much as giving Junpei a name to call him by.
Which, was fine by Junpei. He didn't want to ever meet up with that Digimon again.
Junpei had fallen to his knees when the darkness had taken over again, and it took him several minutes to regain his strength. And when he finally seemed to feel like his normal self again, he realized that Kouji still hadn't gotten up yet.
Standing and heading quickly over to his fallen comrades side, Junpei knelt down next to him to see that the raven haired teen was indeed unconscious, his face a bit on the pale side-but his breathing was steady and as Junpei checked Kouji over for any injuries, he slowly started to come around.
"Junpei…?" Kouji groaned, and the brunette nodded.
"Nice save Kouji." Softly biting down on his lower lip, Kouji tried to sit up but groaned softly again as Junpei caught him before he could fall back down to the ground again.
"How do you feel? You got hit pretty hard…I just wish I could've done something to prevent it instead of just stand there." Shaking his head, Kouji looked into Junpei's eyes and saw that much of the fear that he had seen in there when he had first arrived had almost completely vanished, and that Junpei was looking-and acting-like his old self again.
There had just been something about seeing Junpei in the way that he had, that Kouji hadn't liked.
It was almost as if Junpei was someone else entirely when he'd been surrounded by that darkness.
"Who was that Digimon…?" Kouji whispered, as Junpei shrugged.
"I truly have no idea. Can you stand…? I think we should probably get out of here." Nodding as he accepted Junpei's help up, he tested his footing. When Junpei (and Kouji himself) found him fit to walk, they started off.
"Do you have any idea what's going on here Kouji?" Junpei whispered as they continued their way through the darkness, the soft light that radiated from Kouji helping as much as it could. Junpei noted sadly that it was still quite a bit dimmer then before. He was still in awe that a person could shine that much…
Kouji shook his head.
"I've got no idea. Lady Ophanimon just said that I had to use the light to find you guys…I wish that I'd arrived sooner Junpei." Junpei only shrugged.
"No harm done. I'm…okay actually." The two paused and smiled at each other for a moment as Kouji got a glance at their surroundings.
Before…
"Do you smell something?" Junpei looked up, and sniffed the air.
"You know, now that you mention it Kouji…I do smell something. But hey, now that I think of it what did the Digimon mean by calling you the child of light?" Junpei hated to change the subject, but his curiosity was getting the better of him.
Unfortunately, Kouji didn't have an answer for him.
"I wish I knew." Was all that he replied with, and shrugged. Junpei was about to open his mouth to ask the raven haired teen another question before a scream pierced through the air that caused both of them to look at each other with horror in their eyes.
"Izumi!" They both yelled in unison before they took off running in the direction of where Izumi's scream had come from, with Kouji leading the way…
Izumi let out another wail as she realized exactly where she was.
This couldn't be happening to her…it wasn't happening to her. It was all some kind of horrible nightmare and she'd wake up from it any minute now. She continued telling herself this as she hugged her arms around herself and took in her surroundings that she'd suddenly found herself in.
A dark alleyway…the scents of Italy filled her nose and her mind seemed to play the scenes before her over and over again, like a broken record…tormenting her.
It was horrible…she had never thought that she'd have to relive this moment. And it had all happened because she'd been stupid.
Izumi remembered that awful night. She'd gotten an invitation from some of the older girls at school to go and 'hang out' for the night, and she'd been so excited at having been finally allowed in the 'popular group' that she really hadn't thought of anything else.
Knowing her parents probably wouldn't be too happy if she told them that she would be hanging out with a bunch of older kids on a Friday night, she had taken the low road…and had lied to them.
Izumi swore that after what had happened on this night that seemed to be playing before her very eyes, that she'd never lied to her parents or anyone else again. Having learned that lesson the hardest way anyone could've ever learned it.
She'd told her parents that she was going to a study group…and had taken a change of clothes with her, having no idea what the older girls had in mind…she was kind of hoping that it would just be a sleepover and they would watch movies and have a huge gossip session.
But a part of Izumi had known that that would not happen-that she shouldn't go, she should stay home and study…or hang out with her other friends that she knew really well. Friends that wouldn't put her in danger. Yet, despite the warning bells that were ringing in her head, Izumi went anyway.
So she'd found a public bathroom to change in, changing out of the nice jean skirt and tang top that she'd had on, and into a pair of tight fitting black jeans, and a dark purple halter top. Something she knew her mother would probably throw a fit over if she'd ever see her wearing the outfit. Izumi hadn't known what had possessed her to buy the halter top when she'd seen it on sale awhile back-maybe the color or something.
She had to admit, that a part of her felt uncomfortable wearing the new style that she'd chosen for the night. But those thoughts all flew out the window when she'd met up with the older kids later on at the designated meeting spot, in front of one of the many theatres that Italy had…
"Wow babe you really know how to clean up!" A blonde who Izumi remembered was nicknamed "Nails" exclaimed, as she moved towards her to look her over. Even as Izumi looked at her she could see why-her nails were incredibly long. Izumi felt herself blushing with the compliment, but instantly tried to squelch it, remembering the crowd that she was hanging out with. Admittedly there were mostly girls, a few guys here and there, but mostly girls.
Izumi felt glad that she'd gone with the decision to change into the outfit that she was wearing now, she mostly matched everyone else and would fit in, instead of looking like the outcast that she suddenly felt.
"So, what're we up to tonight?" Izumi asked, trying to ignore the stares she was getting from many of them…they were reminding her of a hungry pack of wolves with the looks in their eyes.
"Well, we were thinking of going underground." One of the taller, dark haired males declared, and Izumi's eyes widened as some of the older kids merely laughed at the shocked expression on her face.
"G-going…u-underground?" She stuttered, not quite comprehending what they were really telling her. One of the girls, who Izumi knew was on the High School's cheer squad, came up to her and placed an arm around her shoulders. Izumi tried not to wrinkle her nose as she smelled the dark blonde's strong perfume.
"You know, you're cute and definitely act way older than some of the other girls your age…but you really need to get that head on your shoulders, you know?" She half suggested as she twirled a strand of Izumi's light blond hair around her finger and Izumi fought to relax…she wanted to fit in so badly, but she suddenly wasn't really liking where this was starting to lead, and was really starting to wish that she hadn't lied to her parents like she had.
"Come on, we're outta here…let's get going before the place fills up and we're not allowed in." A long, dark haired male responded with and led the way as the other's followed. Izumi was one of the last few to follow after much hesitation, debating on whether or not she should just turn around and go home. But the dark blonde haired girl from behind didn't seem to want to let go of her anytime soon and kept one of her arms around her shoulders and steered her towards the direction where everyone else was going.
'This is ridiculous…I…I don't even know anybody's names…' Izumi suddenly realized and hadn't known she'd voiced her thoughts out loud until the dark blonde next to her laughed softly and continued playing with Izumi's own light blonde hair.
"My name is Trista." Was the smooth introduction and Izumi found that she was shivering despite the warm weather.
"I'm-" She started to say, but Trista only laughed and shook her head.
"Izumi. I know who you are silly, we all do…"
Izumi blinked for a moment as the sound of a door opening and closing brought her back from her memories. Such horrible memories…
And being here only caused her to drive deeper into them. She needed to get out of here, needed to get out now. Izumi was starting to get a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach-telling her that something bad was going to happen.
A sob escaped her, though she'd been trying so hard to not let the tears flow…she was scared, and she knew it. The tears only proved it. It was when another sob echoed her own, that she stood up a bit straighter and headed toward the direction that she thought she'd heard the soft cry. It was by the door…
Before she could reach the door though, it opened…and whoever had let out that other cry had disappeared, Izumi knew it. She wasn't sure how she knew it, but something deep inside her told her that it was all happening again.
"Why? Why is fate torturing me so?" Izumi whispered, and hugged herself as she looked up at the figure standing in the doorway…and screamed.
"I think it came from over there!" Junpei was panting, not used to doing all the running that he and Kouji had been doing for the past many minutes. He'd lost track of the time since they'd come to…wherever it was they'd come too. Kouji had guessed France, but wasn't certain. The place they were in had a distinct smell to it…and Kouji had pointed out that they weren't necessarily in the nicest part of the town either.
So what in the hell were they doing here anyway?
Because they'd just heard Izumi scream…and Junpei reminded Kouji that Izumi had traveled abroad and had once lived in Italy for awhile-something Kouji had admitted that he'd forgotten.
"Maybe…maybe something bad happened to her in Italy?" The brunette heaved again as he continued to follow Kouji, who threw him an undecipherable look over his shoulder.
"Why would you suggest that?" Kouji murmured, starting to feel uneasy about this whole situation as Junpei shrugged.
"I…I don't know. It just…seemed like the right thing to say. I mean, Kouji when you found me…I was once again living through what had had to have been the worst time in my life. More terrifying than any nightmare anyone can have when they're asleep. Maybe Izumi's going through the same thing; maybe that dark digimon we ran into is doing this to us for some reason and he's our next big challenge." Junpei's voice suddenly started to sound different, far away…and not like him at all. It was a lot deeper than Junpei's voice was, and it caused Kouji to suddenly stop and whirl around to face the brunette.
But as he did so, whatever had just happened seemed like nothing had happened at all and Junpei was back to his normal self as he pretty much plowed into Kouji-not having noticed that the dark haired teen had stopped moving.
"Ouch…Junpei…get off!" Kouji scowled, as Junpei apologized several times while he helped Kouji to stand and Kouji only sighed and shook his head as he brushed his pants off.
"It's okay…you…are you alright?" Junpei nodded, giving Kouji a weird look.
"Yeah, I am…why?" The answer caused Kouji to bite down on his lower lip, wondering if he should tell Junpei what he had thought had just happened or not.
"Do you remember what you were telling me, what we were just talking about?" Junpei nodded again, and Kouji sighed with relief. Maybe he wouldn't have to explain anything after all.
"Yep, you'd commented on the fact that we might be in France and then I remembered that she had toured in Italy and that maybe something bad had happened to her here, and…and…" His voice trailed off as he suddenly got a puzzled look over his face.
"And then I remember…running into you…" Dark brown eyes opened wide with confusion and horror.
"Kouji, I can't remember something, why can't I remember something?" Kouji groaned at this. Great…he'd freaked Junpei out. That wasn't exactly what he'd had planned…
Sighing, Kouji only shook his head and laid a hand on Junpei's shoulder as he bent over a little bit, trying to regain his breath. Getting knocked down by Junpei hurt…Kouji wasn't sure why, either Junpei was so much stronger then he'd thought that he was, or something was wrong.
"I'm not sure Junpei, but at the moment we need to find Izumi!" Junpei nodded, feeling a little bit renewed as he remembered the 'mission' that they were on, and then suddenly got a good look at his friend who still had his hand on his shoulder…
"Kouji?" Kouji lifted his head as Junpei called to him, and heard Junpei inhale sharply.
Kouji winced at the sound of surprise that Junpei had emitted…did he really look as bad as he suddenly felt?
"Kouji are you alright?" Junpei's voice rose in alarm as he noticed how pale Kouji suddenly looked, and the little beads of sweat that had formed on his forehead…Kouji also seemed to be trembling a little, as though he couldn't hold himself up anymore. Maybe that was why Kouji's hand hadn't removed from his shoulder.
Finding the strength to shake his head at Junpei's question, Kouji felt scared suddenly. He didn't know what was wrong with him…and…he suddenly wanted Takuya. Wanted him oh so much…he had the feeling that Takuya could make it all better, could make the pain and hurt go away. Maybe even explain why he was hurting…
Another scream ripped through the foul smelling night and before Kouji could do or say anything, Junpei had grabbed him and threw him behind him so that way he was now clutching desperately onto Junpei's shoulders. For Kouji the world was now nothing but a haze, and he thought that he dimly heard Junpei's concerned yet comforting voice telling him to hold on…
And while Kouji hated to admit it, he truly wished that it was Takuya carrying him piggyback style instead of Junpei. He had to give credit to Junpei though-Kouji hadn't thought that Junpei could ever be as caring as he was now.
Maybe he'd been wrong about everyone else all along as well. When he and Takuya had first agreed to travelling with the others, Kouji had been unsure. He'd enjoyed the time alone with Takuya, and thought that the others would just get in the way. And while it had seemed that way for a while…now…now he wasn't so sure. Now he was starting to feel just the opposite.
Junpei stopped suddenly, and before Kouji could ask him what was wrong he was gently laid down.
"I think we've reached our destination…" He mumbled, and as Kouji tried to blink away his hazy vision he found that he could make out the stretch of an alleyway before them. A dark, and haunted looking alleyway.
"Why in the hell would Izumi be down here of all places?" Kouji mumbled, letting out a soft sight as he used his fingertips to gently rub his aching temples-he suddenly had a pounding headache.
"Kouji?" Junpei asked, concern filling his voice once more as he knelt down so that he was facing Kouji directly-looking into Kouji's normally dark blue gray eyes, which seemed to now be bright with pain and something else that Junpei couldn't quite pick out as he placed one of his cool hands on Kouji's forehead and winced. Kouji was burning up…and it had all happened so suddenly that Junpei wasn't exactly sure what was wrong with him.
Lifting his head enough so that his eyes met Junpei's, Kouji wasn't sure what to say for a few minutes until:
"I don't feel very good Junpei." He mumbled, and before he knew it, Junpei was brushing back the fallen strands of hair out of his face, as he was too busy being sick in the entrance of the alleyway to really care.
Another scream echoed through the night and Kouji fought the urge to be sick again. Junpei tried to help him up, but Kouji shook his head.
"No…go…go get Izumi she needs help, I can feel it!" He managed to protest, but Junpei shook his head vehemently.
"I'm not leaving you here as sick as you are Kouji! I can't!" Kouji only managed to push him away though. It was a weak little shove, but it got the message through to Junpei.
"Go get her Junpei…I…I have the feeling I'll feel better once Izumi's safe…go…please…I'll…I'll be fine." Even though he'd never felt this way before and really doubted that he was fine, Kouji was making Junpei leave. For Izumi's sake-for his own sake. He had no idea why but he truly believed that once Izumi was with them and as safe as she could be, he truly would feel better.
Junpei only nodded and hesitantly turned around to leave, sending glances behind him every once in awhile as Kouji seemed to fade out of view. Before Kouji faded completely, Junpei thought he saw him heaving again, and closed his eyes tightly-hating the fact that he was leaving a sick friend to go help another.
"Hang on Izumi…I'm on my way." Junpei murmured, as he braved the darkness…only to suddenly come upon a sight that he wished that he never had to see as the darkness lifted.
"Izumi!" He dashed toward her, grabbing her nearly unconscious form in his arms reminding himself to be a bit more gentle as she softly groaned her eyes fluttering as though she was debating whether or not to open them.
Junpei had never seen Izumi look as she did just then. She was wearing a completely different outfit, one that Junpei admitted she probably would've looked pretty hot in, if it wasn't for the circumstances that they were in. But the dark purple halter top she was wearing had started to come undone and was falling apart around her, and her jeans were even halfway undone…
Suddenly, Junpei didn't want to know what he'd intruded on and felt very much like tossing his cookies as well…
"Izumi?" He asked, his voice a bit softer this time as she stirred once again while he picked her up. She cried out and clung to him, tears starting to fall.
"I…I didn't mean…for any of this to happen, I…I…oh god mama…" Izumi sobbed, and Junpei only shook his head as he managed to get a good yet gentle grip on her so he could carry her back to where he'd left Kouji.
"Shhhh Izumi, shhh…it's alright." Junpei murmured, and instantly Izumi's eyes shot wide open in horror and nearly succeeded in having Junpei drop her.
"Junpei?" She questioned, and Junpei nodded. Knowing eventually that he and Kouji would find out what happened to Izumi-why he found her crying in a dark alleyway in Italy partially…(Junpei felt a nosebleed coming on as he thought of this)…partially undressed, looking a little worse for the wear. Like she'd fought off whoever had been 'attacking' her and won. But Junpei realized suddenly, that he didn't want to know what happened-if only because he had a pretty good idea of what it must've been.
"What're…what're you doing here, what did you see?" All the brunette did was shake his head as he looked at Izumi with such a sincere look, that Izumi knew that he was telling the truth.
"Nothing, I saw nothing Izumi. I…Kouji and I heard screams and I came to get you and found you as you were." Izumi sighed in relief and nodded…leaning weakly against his chest as she buried her face into it, trying her hardest not to cry.
"I…want to get out of here…and…Kouji's here too? Why isn't he here?" She whispered, and Junpei sighed, not quite wanting to tell her the reason why and hoping that Kouji was true to his words…that he'd be better with Izumi safe with them.
"You'll…see when we get there." He told her, and she only nodded as she continued to rest against him while he made his way back through the darkness, leaving the horrible alleyway behind.
At first, Junpei almost missed the spot where he'd left Kouji completely.
If he hadn't nearly tripped over his friends legs, he probably would've. Junpei's eyes opened wide with horror as he saw that the light that had once guided them to Izumi and had helped Junpei out of his own scrape had diminished greatly, and that darkness was starting to slowly take over the dimming light.
"Kouji!" Placing a half-unconscious Izumi down to the ground so that she was close to Kouji's prone figure, Junpei checked Kouji over, and sighed in frustration.
He couldn't carry both of them! Kouji had said he'd feel better once Izumi was with them! So why wasn't he?
"KOUJI!" Junpei tried to get Kouji to waken, but the dark haired teen wouldn't respond, his body limp in his arms.
"What's wrong with him Junpei?" Izumi's voice startled him, he had thought that she was sleeping…but instead she was kneeling next to him, having placed a gentle hand across Kouji's forehead and wincing at the heat that radiated from it and the shallow breaths that Kouji was now taking.
"I…I don't exactly know Izumi. I wished that I did know. Something's not right here; I've got a very bad feeling about this and…hey! Your clothes have changed…" Izumi blushed a little as she had realized that she was back into her lavender skirt and blue and white three quarter length shirt with her lavender vest over it. It felt good to be in these clothes again, and she shivered at the nightmarish memory that now haunted her once more.
But at the moment, she was more concerned about Kouji. He looked awful.
"I think we need to get him out of here Junpei, and maybe you can try and explain what's going on once we're in a safer place?" She suggested, and Junpei agreed as he gently scooped Kouji up into his arms. Their friend didn't even stir at the sudden movement. Looking at Izumi and making sure that she was alright, she nodded and gave him the thumbs up signal.
Together they continued to move away from the alleyway, and as they did so, the scenery around them changed once again…as Kouji suddenly cried out in pain…
TBC
