Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: Another chapter done! I'm really excited about the next few chapters coming up, and I hope you all are as well! I will try to get them written up as soon as possible, but until then hopefully you all enjoy this one!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 247: Sam's Confession

Makiya 'Mickey' Takaishi

Odaiba, Japan, Earth

Mickey sat quietly on the floor in Sam's room with Palelymon in his lap, and gazing at the raven-haired Digidestined lounging on the bed, he waited curiously for Sam to speak.

After leaving the Motomiya residence earlier in the afternoon, Mickey had assumed he would be heading home with his family to relax for the evening before going to bed, but for reasons he had yet to explain Sam had asked him if he wanted to spend the night at the Ichijouji residence. At first Mickey had been unsure of whether or not he should go, especially since only he had been asked. That was a tad unusual, since normally when he went to Sam's house both him and Matty were invited together, unless one of them had something going on and couldn't make it. Surprisingly Matty had been the one to convince him to go, and he had agreed at the insistence of his twin, who wouldn't take no for an answer. Sam had apologized to Matty, not meaning any offence for not inviting him, but Matty was quick to dismiss it with a smile and a look of understanding. Mickey had seen the meaningful gaze pass between them, and it was obvious that Matty knew Sam was up to something and was encouraging him to go forward with it.

Thus, it was decided that Mickey would go home first to drop off anything he didn't need and pick up the things he did need for school before heading to Sam's house in the evening to stay the night.

And that was where he was now, waiting for Sam to divulge what was on his mind.

Mickey was sure his brother hadn't known exactly what Sam wanted to say, but Matty had obviously realized it was something important. Mickey had to admit he was a bit nervous, but he wasn't going to show it.

Sam will tell me when he's ready to speak. I wonder what it could be, though?

At the moment Sam seemed lost in thought, his sapphire eyes focused on the ceiling, and his chin was resting comfortably in his hand. His legs were crossed, and a tired Glimmermon was snoozing in his lap, which made Mickey smile. Palelymon was also sleeping, not that Mickey could blame the two digimon. Both had been forced to use up a lot of energy today, and they deserved a good rest.

Unlike Matty, Mickey could be very patient, and he gazed openly at Sam while he waited for his raven-haired friend to work out the thoughts in his head. The silence in the room was peaceful, but even so Mickey could tell there was something troubling Sam.

Something must have happened, something that involves me, and that's why he's having trouble telling me what it is.

As Mickey was contemplating what exactly Sam might be trying to tell him, the raven-haired Digidestined finally moved, his shift in position immediately capturing Mickey's attention. Sam let out a deep sigh, and turning his gaze came to rest on Mickey, who suddenly found himself staring into the raven-haired Digidestined's sapphire eyes.

Mickey wasn't quite sure what to make of the expression on Sam's face, and speaking softly, he said, "You're very quiet tonight."

Sam nodded in agreement, and a sad sort of smile suddenly turned up the corners of his mouth. "You might say that. I assume you've already come to the conclusion that I asked you here for a particular reason?"

Mickey smiled at that, and scratching the back of is blond head, he said, "I assumed this wasn't exactly a social visit. What's on your mind, Sam?"

"I'm afraid you're not going to be very happy with me, Mickey," Sam said quietly, regretfully shaking his head. "And for that, I apologize."

Mickey frowned, unsure of how to respond. It pained him to know that Sam was being entirely serious, and that scared him. Something definitely must have happened, but he still couldn't figure out what exactly. "You can't know that until you tell me what's bothering you, Sam."

"Oh, you won't be angry," Sam agreed easily enough, a hint of amusement in his tone. "You'll be disappointed in me, which is far worse in my opinion."

Mickey quickly got to his feet, and moving over to sit across from Sam on the bed, he said quietly, "Tell me what's bothering you. I can't ease your fears if you don't tell me what's wrong."

Sam hugged the sleeping Glimmermon gently to his chest, and training his eyes on the bedspread, he murmured, "I've been keeping something from you, but with everything that was happening to me I was afraid. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I was frightened to tell you."

"Sam, you know you can tell me anything. You have no reason to be afraid."

"I know that, but contrary to what you might think it's not that simple," Sam replied, his voice a low murmur in the dim light of the bedside lamp. "You see, I think I know the reason why DarkAngelicmon has been so hostile to you lately, and I'm ashamed to admit that it may be entirely my fault."

Sam...

Mickey was shocked and unable to help himself from staring in stunned disbelief. He wanted to deny it, but he could tell by the look on Sam's face that the raven-haired Digidestined was telling the truth. The words were there, and he wanted to speak, but all he could manage was, "Go on."

Only Sam didn't go on. Instead, the raven-haired Digidestined looked directly into his eyes and said, "I wouldn't blame you if you hated me. It wasn't my place to speak for you. And for that I am truly sorry."

Sam's heartfelt words seemed to snap Mickey out of his dazed trance, and letting out a soft gasp at the harsh words the raven-haired Digidestined had turned on himself, he immediately felt his heart go out to his friend. "Oh Sam, don't be silly. You know I could never hate you!"

"You're right," Sam agreed, smiling slightly. "And you won't change your mind on that whether I deserve it or not."

"Sam, tell me. Why would you think such a thing?"

"Right from the beginning it seemed as if DarkAngelicmon couldn't really decide whether he should tell me the truth about my father, even if the truth came from somebody else," Sam said quietly, looking lost in thought again. "In the end it appears that he finally decided I needed to know, as it turns out it was the very thing that helped me to activate my Spirit Chip. My feelings for my father were the key to opening my heart, and sensing that DarkAngelicmon chose to do what was necessary for the sake of the Spirit Chip. But, that being said...I don't think he really intended to tell me quite so soon or in the manner that he did."

"What do you mean?"

Mickey had to admit he was curious, especially since it involved DarkAngelicmon. Just the name alone was enough to make his heart pound with fear and anxiety, and it made him want to see the fallen angel again.

He seems so lost and alone. I just want to help...

"We were both in the World of Darkness, and there was danger all around us," Sam continued, his expression sober. "DarkAngelicmon risked his own life to save me, even going so far as to hurt himself by using a celestial attack that his kind never should have been able to perform. I should have been grateful, but instead it only made me even more angry. I was hurt and confused, and I couldn't understand why he was helping me. Or was he even helping me? And if so, was it simply for the sake of my Spirit Chip? I couldn't decide, and it was making me crazy."

"I can't blame you for that, Sam. Trust me, I know the feeling."

"We got into an argument, and everything seemed to go downhill from there," Sam said sadly, shaking his head in regret. "I said something pretty nasty to him, and that seemed to be the final straw for him. It was then that he told me that my father was the Digimon Emperor, more out of hurt and anger than anything else, not because he had been intending to tell me right at that very moment."

Mickey could feel a sense of foreboding in his heart, and struggling to get the words out, he stammered, "W-what did you say to him?"

Sam looked at him then, and there was a great sadness in the raven-haired Digidestined's eyes. "I told DarkAngelicmon you hated him."

Oh! Oh no...

Mickey felt the air deflate in his lungs, and slumping in defeat, he said quietly, "So that's why he's been acting so strangely towards me."

"See? You're disappointed in me," Sam sighed, refusing to look away from him. "I told you you would be. But again, I don't blame you. I'll say it again, Mickey. I'm so sorry. It wasn't my place to speak on your behalf. I can't apologize enough. If he refuses to trust you it'll be all my fault."

Mickey was startled by Sam's words, and shaking his head, he said quietly, "No, Sam. If anything I'm disappointed in myself. If I had made my feelings clear from the beginning your words would not have swayed his faith in me. I have no one to blame but myself for that."

"I should have known you would say something like that," Sam sighed, making a face. "You're too hard on yourself."

"No more so than you are."

Sam stared at him in surprise, and then the two of them smiled at each other. It was an understanding of sorts that Mickey knew would only bring them closer together. They shared a moment of comfortable silence, and then Sam spoke again, his tone growing more serious. "Although I regret what has happened, I think some good has come from it."

"How so?" Mickey asked, unsure of what the raven-haired Digidestined meant.

"Don't you see, Mickey?" Sam replied, smiling radiantly at him. "The way DarkAngelicmon is acting towards you, all simply because I told him you hated him. If his only interest in you is your spirit Chip, why would such a thing matter to him?"

"It shouldn't," Mickey whispered, the emotions in his chest beginning to build into something that resembled hope. "It shouldn't matter at all."

"Exactly, but it does matter. And we know without a doubt that it was what I said about you that has been causing him to act like that. We can pinpoint the change in his behaviour from that very moment. It's something worth thinking about, wouldn't you say?"

Mickey returned Sam's smile, and feeling more hopeful than he had in quite a while, he said, "Yes, it is. Thank you, Sam, for telling me all of this. Thank you for being honest with me."

"It wasn't easy," Sam murmured, his smile fading. "I caused a lot of trouble for you, and I want to make up for it. You should think less of me because of what I did, and yet I can see in your eyes that you don't. I am very lucky to have a friend like you, Mickey."

Mickey reached out to pull Sam into a hug, and speaking softly, he said, "I'm just as lucky to have one like you. I'm so glad you're okay again. I was so worried about you."

"I know, and I'm worried about you."

Mickey pulled back to gaze at the raven-haired Digidestined, and feeling uncertain, he said, "What do you mean?"

"I said I'm going to make it up to you, and I mean it," Sam said firmly, refusing to let himself be distracted. "You helped me, and so did Matty, and now it's my turn to help the two of you. I won't let you guys drift away from each other, especially not because of the darkness in your own hearts."

Mickey knew his mouth was hanging open, but he did not know how to respond. Even being lost in his own darkness, Sam hadn't forgotten, and Mickey knew the raven-haired Digidestined would make do on his promise.

And Mickey found that he didn't really mind. If anything, he was counting on Sam.

"We should get to bed," Sam suddenly spoke up, interrupting his thoughts and giving him a gentle push. "Go on."

Not knowing what else to say, Mickey scrambled off the bed and quickly snuggled into his sleeping bag, his mind still reeling from everything Sam had told him.

Matty and DarkAngelicmon. He couldn't lose them no matter what.

"You can tell Matty and all the others about this if you want to," Sam spoke from where he lay curled under the blankets. "I don't mind."

Sam, you've grown. You were always one of the more mature ones, but now more so than ever. I could learn a lot from you.

Mickey quietly said goodnight to the raven-haired Digidestined, and Sam responded in turn. With the light now off and the darkness settling peacefully around him, he didn't feel afraid. Thanks to Sam he was now more determined than ever to to help those who were suffering. He needed to be strong like Sam, and if he could do that, like the raven-haired Digidestiend the light would guide his way.

Ken Ichijouji

Odaiba, Japan, Earth

Unable to sleep just yet Ken was making the rounds through the dark and silent house. It was simple tasks like making sure all the lights were off and the drapes all closed, but he relished how normal it felt. It had been a while since he had been able to enjoy the simple things in life.

I'd forgotten how good it feels. Everything seems so new and fresh now. It's like I'm experiencing everything in life for the first time...

He had just finished checking in on Miya and Nao, both of whom were sleeping soundly, and coming to Sam's half-open door, he paused before slipping inside to check on his oldest son and the oldest of the Takaishi twins. The room was dark, and he was careful not to step on Mickey, who was snoozing on the floor. Despite the darkness he was able to navigate the room with ease, and sitting on the edge of Sam's bed, he smiled fondly at his son.

There was still so much left to do. Problems that needed to be sorted out, and an entire world that needed to be saved, but at the moment he felt like everything was alright with the world. Somewhere out there his brother was watching over him, and gazing at his son he knew the young raven-haired Digidestined was in good hands.

It's not easy being a parent. There are so many things that can go wrong, but when something does go right it's like a brilliant light shining in your life. It makes you realize all over again why you're willing to make sacrifices and struggle through the difficult times. It's moments like these that make it worth it, and I would suffer a thousand times over just for a moment like this.

Ken gently placed a hand on his son's dark hair, and he jumped slightly when Sam's fingers suddenly closed lightly around his wrist. He had thought the raven-haired Digidestined was asleep, but obviously he had been mistaken.

"Dad, thank you," Sam murmured sleepily, the pleasant tone of his voice sounding like music to Ken's ears. "For everything."

Ken placed his other hand over Sam's curved fingers, and leaning down to rest his cheek against his son's dark hair, he whispered, "No, thank you."

He felt Sam's hand go limp in his grip as the boy fell asleep, and climbing to his feet he turned to smile at his wife, who was watching him silently from the doorway.

Making his way towards her he kissed her cheek and held her close, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist.

No words needed to be said. They were a strong family, always willing to fight back, never willing to give up. Even in their darkest moments they would make it through the shadow of doubt and uncertainty that often took advantage of a wavering heart.

They might have their moments of suffering, but kindness and compassion would always show them the way, and that was something not even the darkness itself would ever be able to take away from them.