Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: Another chapter, and yes, it is in a new POV! I've been wanting to do this character's POV for a while now, but I just haven't found the right moment, until now. I know, it's a very short chapter, and I don't really have an excuse for it, so I won't make one. Despite that, I hope you all enjoy this new character perspective!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 147: Cody's Story

Kenzo Hida

Odaiba, Japan, Earth

Kenzo Hida stood quietly next to Taysuke and peered anxiously over Taniko's shoulder at the computer screen, its glowing surface making his eyes sting from staring at it for so long. He could see Tai's group, now joined by Izzy's group, moving slowly closer towards Dai's group, but Sam was still all alone in the forest, and the raven-haired Digidestined's determination to remain apart from the rest of the group was starting to make him nervous. It didn't make any sense. Why would Sam want to hide from his friends?

"Does anyone else understand what's going on here?" Ema asked, scratching the top of her shiny, blue head in confusion. "Before it looked like Sam was heading towards the ocean, so why did he suddenly stop in the forest instead of continuing towards the water? I don't know about you guys, but in my opinion something just doesn't add up here."

Kenzo nodded in agreement, but he did not bother trying to think up a reply. Dressed in dark blue jeans, a long-sleeved tan coloured knit top, and a dark brown vest, he did not stand out quite as much as his other three friends, but despite his less flashy clothing and more subdued personality, he had always been close to his three more rambunctious friends. Though his thick, dark brown hair and dark eyes, which looked almost black in some lights, came from both sides of his family, he had always been more like his dad than his mother, and in many ways he was also a lot like Sam. That was one of the reasons why it bothered him so much to see the raven-haired Digidestined suffering at the hands of not only evil digimon, but also at the hands of both family and friends. Like Sam, and even like Mickey sometimes, Kenzo was much more reserved than the rest of his friends, and more often than not he chose to listen rather than speak when there was a conversation taking place, but despite that, he knew his friends didn't think any less of him than they did about each other, and that was why he didn't feel like the odd one out.

He had always respected Sam, even when they were younger, and it was obvious the raven-haired Digidestined was going to be an excellent role model for his younger brother, which was why it seemed even worse that Sam was giving up on himself so easily.

Unable to watch the screen anymore, Kenzo quickly turned away and quietly sat down between his parents. In response to his presence, he felt his mother's arm wrap around his shoulders, but he barely noticed her gesture of comfort because his attention was focused on his father. Although he didn't know the exact details, at some point in time, about twenty-five years ago, his father and Sam's father had had a bit of trouble becoming friends, which was odd considering his father was the type of person who usually got along quite well with everyone. He could still remember when his father had told him the story, and at the time he hadn't really given it much thought, but now all of a sudden, it intrigued him in a way he could not really explain. As a child, it had been easy to get caught up in the story, and as a result, he had missed a few of the more finer details, but now that he was older, he couldn't help noticing that his father's story had had some major holes in it. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he was both surprised and a little bit embarrassed to discover that he had missed such an obvious flaw in the past.

There were so many things my dad didn't explain, but I never even thought to ask him about them, until now. Why did he and Ken have so much trouble becoming friends to begin with, and why did they act as if they were enemies? I don't understand...why was it so hard for Ken to gain my father's respect? Why was it so hard for my dad to accept Ken when Sam's father seems like such a great person?

They were good questions, and all of a sudden Kenzo was curious to know if Ken had ever told his children the same story. Did Miya, Sam, and Nao know that Ken Ichijouji and Cody Hida hadn't always been the best of friends? He had often thought of telling the Ichijouji children his father's story at those moments when it would suddenly cross his mind, but for reasons he could not explain, he had always held back. There was just something ominous about it that hinted at a lot of pain and sadness, and he hadn't wanted to open old wounds or cause any trouble. At least, that was how he had looked at it before, but now he had a feeling that the story was somehow vitally important with regards to what was currently going on with Sam, and he knew he could no longer let it sit in the back of his mind collecting dust.

But...what if my father doesn't want to talk about it? What if he just tells me his childhood fight with Ken has nothing to do with Sam?

Even so, it was still worth a try.

Taking a deep breath, Kenzo slowly lifted his head and turned to look at his father. "Hey, Dad? Do you remember that fight you had with Ken when the two of you were younger?"

His father must have guessed what he was thinking because instead of trying to change the subject, the youngest member of 'Team Davis' merely smiled and let out a deep sigh. "I was wondering when you were finally going to ask me that. I knew it was only a matter of time before the pieces would finally start coming together. I think Ken feels the same way, but instead of accepting the inevitable, he's letting his fears blind him from the truth. I wish I could be wrong, but by the time Ken finally realizes he can no longer hide from the past, I'm afraid it will already be too late."

But why, Dad? Why was it so hard for you to accept him?

"I wouldn't exactly call what happened between us a fight, and I wasn't the only one who needed some time to mull things over and adjust my way of thinking as far as Ken's role in the group was concerned. We're not proud of it, but only Davis was really able to accept Ken right from the very beginning. He was the only one who didn't question what the rest of us couldn't accept, though in Yolei's and T.K's defense, I will say they were wavering back and forth. Even Kari in some ways. There were times when they believed he deserved a second chance, but there were also times when they would question his motives. I was the most unwilling to change my way of thinking. I admit I'm ashamed of the way I acted, but I think Ken understood my feelings, and because of that he did the only thing he could do to make things right."

"What would that have been?"

His father gently slipped an arm around him and pulled him into a hug. "He made me believe his friendship was worth a little risk."

Kenzo frowned and pulled back slightly so he could look at his father. Keeping his voice low so the others, especially Miya and Nao, couldn't overhear, he blurted out the question he knew his dad was waiting for him to ask. "But...why would Ken need a reason to be given a second chance?"

"The same reason that applies to everyone else who needs to be given a second chance," his mother said softly.

"But-"

"I can't tell you everything, but I can tell you what I think most of you kids are already beginning to understand. It's because of the Digimon Emperor," his father interrupted. "Ken's story and the Emperor's story go hand in hand."

"They weave together," his mother whispered in his ear. "Their story takes both Ken and the Emperor through the darkness and back into the light."

Ken and the Emperor. They don't sound so different from one another. Maybe...maybe it's because their stories are so closely intertwined. Maybe it's because they're not different from each other at all, but how can that be possible unless they were the same person?

The thought startled him so much, he jerked away from his father in surprise and stared at both of his parents as if only now seeing them for the first time.

"Is something wrong, Kenzo?" his mother asked uncertainly.

"There were times when they believed he deserved a second chance, but there were also times when they would question his motives."

"Kenzo?" his mother repeated, peering anxiously into his eyes.

That's it. That's the answer. Ken and the Digimon Emperor are the same person. It explains everything. How could we have been so blind not to see it before?

Kenzo turned slowly to gaze at his father, and he could tell from the look in the man's eyes that his dad knew he had just discovered the truth. "Thanks, Dad and you, Mom. I think I understand now."

His mother stared at him and promptly clapped her hands over her mouth. "Oh no! Ken's going to be so mad at us!"

"No," Cody said quietly, shaking his head. "We didn't tell Kenzo anything. He's a smart boy. He would have figured out the truth eventually, even if we hadn't said a word."

And I won't be the last one to figure out the truth. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if one of the others had already figured it out before me. I wonder if...Ryoko was acting really odd around Sam earlier. Could he maybe have figured out the truth about the Emperor?

Frowning at the thought, Kenzo turned to his parents and let out a soft sigh. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I won't tell anyone."

"Remember, Kenzo, if you don't give the ones you care about a second chance, you might miss out on something really important," his dad said seriously. "Don't make the same mistake I almost made."

Kenzo lifted his chin and smiled at both of his parents. "Don't worry, I won't."

"Kenzo, get over here!" Ema suddenly shouted, waving him towards the computer. "I don't know why Dai, Ryoko, and Mickey have just been standing near the edge of the forest doing nothing for so long, but their dots have suddenly started glowing brighter!"

"And look! Sam's dot it moving towards them!" Mimi gasped.

Kenzo moved to stand next to Taysuke again, but instead of looking at the monitor, he let his gaze travel over Miya's anxious face and Nao's gloomy expression. He was pretty sure he was still in shock, the full impact of what he had just learned not quite hitting him yet, but he knew how he was feeling was nothing compared to what Miya and Nao were going to feel when they finally discovered the Emperor's true identity. How were they going to react? How were they going to accept the truth about their dad?

"Hey, Kenzo, is something wrong?" Taysuke whispered in his ear.

Kenzo gazed thoughtfully at his hands for a moment and slowly shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know. I guess...we'll find out."

Something about the tone of his voice must have given him away because both Ema and Taniko turned around at the same time to gaze suspiciously at him, and Taysuke gave him a look that clearly stated he wanted to know what was really going on. Thankfully, Miya was too busy watching the computer screen to notice anything out of the ordinary, and Noah was too busy watching Miya to bother with anyone else. Ami, though, looked a bit suspicious, but Kenzo was too busy worrying about the Emperor to care. Miya's and Nao's reactions were one thing, but even their response to Ken's past was going to be nothing compared to Sam's.

"I guess Sam didn't want to leave them after all," Jun said slowly.

"Or so we hope," T.K. muttered.

"I knew Dai wouldn't give up!" Noriko said happily.

"Since when have our kids ever been quitters?" Davis snorted.

"Go, Dai!" DemiVeemon cheered, hopping up and down on Shadow's back. Patamon and Palmon were also cheering, and Nao and Rina were gazing eagerly at the computer screen, their gloomy expressions fading away and their eyes beginning to sparkle with excitement.

Kenzo tried to smile, but the effort it took was almost painful, so he let it slip away before it was fully formed. They were all on the verge of something big happening, and when all the walls finally came crashing down, it was going to be interesting, and probably frightening, to see who was still left standing.