I appreciate every single review I get, and I have noticed that a LOT of them have something along the lines of 'Kouji is the type to fight back'. Well, why didn't he with Scott, or Kousei, do you ask? Well, at first, I was like, "Uh...actually, Kouji, why don't you?" and then I remembered. Anyway, here is:
Chapter 6
Fact of Life
Kouji's head pounded in his skull as he lay on his bed that Tuesday, his headache increasing as the harsh sunlight burned his eyelids. His bruises hurt, and his face still throbbed from the night before.
And worst of all, his throat was parched.
Kouji, not able to stand the burning dryness in his throat much longer, slowly steadied himself to a sitting position, then managed to get out of bed. He was still wearing his clothes from the day before, but that didn't bother him. Before walking downstairs, he rolled up his sleeves and pant legs to survey the damage. There were several purplish marks imprinted on his skin, all over his arms and legs, like a disease. He could feel more on his shoulders, back, and hip from where he fell on ice on the way home, and from being the victim of Scott and Kousei.
Damn...I will just have to wear jeans and my windbreaker all day tomorrow. No one will notice...besides, if my father said I fell down the friggin' stairs, who's going to stop me from sitting out at gym?
He limped tiredly down the stairs, each thump on the wood his heavy step. Shadow was lying gloomily my her favorite rug by the staircase, and she looked up Kouji stoically as he came pounding down. She was normally a happy-go-lucky sort of dog, but even cloaked in the bright rays of sunshine she bore no sparkle in her eyes.
Kouji would have normally given her a pat, but couldn't suffer the pain of bending over, likewise, she would have followed him with the kitchen if she wasn't so upset. He opened his cabinets and reached in for a plastic cup, then limped over to the refridgorator to have the dispenser spit out ice cubes and pour water. Then, just as slowly as he had came, he returned to his room, having as little water in the cup as he had to begin with.
What a boring day...Kouji thought tiredly. He lay back in his bed, and the last thing going through his mind before he drifted off again was,
This is worst then Thanksgiving.
-o-o-o-
It was Thanksgiving.
Kouji had just arrived at Tomoko's house from the bitter cold, unwrapping his scarf as he came in. The entrance to the small condo was literally the kitchen, and Tomoko was already preparing the dinner. She greeted him and Satomi warmly, and paused at the sight of Kousei. His face was expressionless, and Tomoko returned the glazed stare.
"Kouji!" called Kouichi, who was getting up from the couch by the television. He was wearing baggy jeans and a navy sweatshirt, like any other day, opposite from Kouji, who was wearing his best slim jeans and gray shirt. His newly cut hair hung in wisps around his face, whipping into his eyes as he and Kouichi retreated to Kouichi's bedroom, leaving Kousei, Satomi, and Tomoko alone to get accustomed to each other.
Kouichi's room was small, only about half the size of Kouji's. He had a small bed shoved in one corner, and a space-consuming corner desk in the other. A meek bookshelf was nailed onto the wall, and a squat dresser was seated below the one large window on the wall opposite of the door. Kouichi slumped on the bed, thinking, and Kouji sat at the computer his older twin had received from his mother after the purchase of her laptop.
As Kouichi began searching his room for reasons Kouji didn't know, he decided to see what anime he could watch, since there was no cable at his own house. Fruits Basket...Naruto Shippuden...Wolf's Rain...he scanned YouTube for anything, anything he could watch. Fruits Basket he knew nothing of, Naruto wasn't interesting him at the moment, and Wolf's Rain seemed a little dark for his taste, although maybe he would research it.
In the end, Kouji decided to pass on anime.
"Nii-san...what are you looking for...?" Kouji asked his brother curiously as he swiveled in the chair. Kouichi triumphantly pulled out an envelope that he had pulled out from in between his mattress, and strode over to Kouji at the desk.
"Move over," Kouichi order dismissively, and Kouji slid to the side of the swivel chair so Kouichi could sit. He then opened the envelope on the birch, pulling out two photos, crisp as the day they were taken.
"Found these in Mama's drawer," Kouichi explained mischievously.
Kouji stared at the photos, pulling the chair closer to the desk. One photo was of Kouichi, maybe at four or six years old, sitting on the floor, smiling, petting a dark gray tabby with green eyes. His wide, deep ocean blue eyes overflowing with innocence.
'We had a cat when I was younger...it ran away when I was nine, though. Mama wants to get another one when we have time to look at the pet stores..'
The other photograph surprised him so much Kouji nearly fell off the chair. The second one was of Kouji himself, also at four or six, leaning against the wall of what seemed to be a house. He was hugging one knee to his chest, the other straight out, and his unsmiling face seeming to just have turned to the lens as the photo was taken. His hair, only a bit shorter than what it was now, whipped around his face wildly, but he could still see the rebellious blue eyes through the black.
And to think I used to be like that, just a year or two ago, Kouji thought to himself. Now I just have a temper.
"Isn't that amazing? Photographs of us! The same age, after we were separated!" Kouichi interrupted his thoughts, gathering the pictures.
"When were we separated, again?" asked Kouji. His mind flashed with the image of the small boy he once was.
"Mama says we were about two or three years old," Kouichi explained.
"Then why are we six in this picture?"
Kouichi flipped Kouji's picture to the white backing to reveal a message -
Tomoko -
Kouji at our house in Kyoto. All I can say that our second move in one year has made him a bit impatient with me, but that can't be helped.
-Kousei
"Wow," Kouji murmured. "I knew we lived in Kyoto, but I never knew we had such a small house!"
"That is honestly all you can say?" asked Kouichi in disgust.
"Do you think we'll move to Tokyo one day?" Kouji ranted off subject again. "I've never been to the capital."
"...Yeah, but you wouldn't be here with me. Or Mama. Besides, you're perfectly fine living in Uji."
Kouji froze up suddenly, and then forced a laugh.
"Sorry, just going off in my own world. Being in your house makes me go all over the place."
"Or given you a completely new personality."
They heard footsteps downstairs and Tomoko call them to eat just a moment later. Kouichi seemingly forgot all about the photographs and headed downstairs. Kouji stalled for a moment, then followed after him.
In the dining room was in a small room to the left of the kitchen, and the table probably held twelve people, five seats at the sides and one at each end. Kouji and Kouichi sat next to each other on one side of the table, with Satomi and Kousei straight across. Tomoko came in shortly with plates of turkey and mashed potatoes and other thanksgiving plates, which only the twins commented on.
Tomoko took a seat next to Kouichi, smiling, and folded her hands. Kouichi copied her action, as did Satomi and Kousei. Kouji was very confused, then realized that his brother and mother were Christian and saying grace, and folded them as well.
Kouji knew no words to the prayer, and simply listened intently to them. He really needed a religion, he had realized, but never really thought about it until then. There were so many, though...Hinduism, Buddhism, all those kinds of Christians and Catholicism...
He heard the prayer end at 'Amen' and the five of them dug in. Kouji was not very hungry, but managed a drumstick and some mashed potatoes. Kouichi ate so much Kouji felt his stomach churn sickenly, and the adults were all reserved and ate in small portions. Tomoko and Satomi laughed and exchanged information in a pleasant manner, while the twins complained about school projects and what anime they should put on back in Kouichi's room. Kousei was quiet, but everytime Kouji looked up at him, he saw a dark, ominous glare that bled through his mind like ink.
"Tomoko, what do you do for a living?" he heard Satomi ask Tomoko lightly. She had a dazzling smile on her face that night.
Tomoko took a swig of her drink before answering. "Well, I work at a factory that manufactures private goods, so I work from around seven-thirty in the morning just before Kouichi walks to school to two forty-five in the afternoon, right before he gets home. I was rather sick a while back, but I had to continue work to support the two of us," she replied, gesturing occasionally at Kouichi.
"Well, Kousei and I, as you know, both work as chemists at our companies' science labatories," Satomi said. "It can get tiring as well, but not to such a drastic point! What were you sick with...?"
Kouji didn't bother to listen much longer. He had heard his parent's boring job profile too many times to count.
"Kouji," Kouichi muttered, nudging his twin with his elbow. "Wishbone?"
He held out the oddly shaped bone to Kouji, who braced his little finger on the opposite end. The twins pulled the bone, hard, and in moments it broke.
"Ooh, tough luck."
Kouichi stuck out his tounge.
"Hey, it's not like I get any bad luck. You just get the wish."
Kouji twirled the bone thoughtfully in his fingers. He wasn't sure he believed anything that suggested fuffiling wishes, but he didn't want to be so harsh about the tradition.
Just before he turned twelve and met his twin, he had been a competely different person. Mistrusting of others...solitary...rude...critical...the kind of type most people would stay away from. But after he met Takuya, Izumi, Junpei, Tomoki and Kouichi...he had changed.
Kouji Minamoto was no longer that 'bad seed' the old neighbors spoke of. He was more considerate of other people and their traditions, studious, laid back,and strangely, fairly quiet after the chain of events that changed his life. Not quiet to ignore others, to keep them away. He was quiet now more out of shyness and nothing to say.
I wish...
Kouji glanced up at his father, and how he stared at Tomoko.
I wish we could all just get along.
Kouji reached his hand in his pocket, and kept it there.
"Do you happen to have any beer?" Kousei asked suddenly. It barely sounded like a question.
Tomoko glanced up at him, startled.
"Well, no, actually. I don't drink,"
"Kouichi has enough brains cells to stay sober," Kouji snickered. "Wouldn't want that to happen again..."
"What?!"
Everyone besides Kousei burst out laughing, even Kouichi of his own outburst. Kouji grinned at him, and Kouichi retaliated with a playful punch upside the head. Satomi and Tomoko's calm laughter rang like chimes throughout the small household.
"I left something in the kitchen," reported Kousei coldly as he stomped away from the table crossly. Kouji's laughter stopped as his father pounded out the door.
"Bathroom," announced Kouji.
He sleuthed silently down the hallways, hearing the clinking of glass against each other as he approached the kitchen. He heard his father mutter to himself as he peered through the doorway.
"Damn bitch...doesn't even buy beer...sittin' there laughing at me..." he grumbled as he pulled out a canteen from his jacket, previously hung in the kitchen. He gulped it down ravenously, droplets splattering and dripping down his face.
"They weren't laughing at you, Dad," said Kouji darkly as he revealed himself, stepping out onto the kitchen tile. "I just said - "
"You embarrassed me in front of everybody, boy!"
"It's only me, Nii-san, Mom, and Tomoko-chan - "
"Don't you dare call her that! The bitch is not your friend!" Kousei snarled, chugging down more alcohol.
"Maybe not yours, but she's still my Mom!" screamed Kouji, snapping. "You may hate her, but I don't!"
Hurried footsteps raced down the halls.
"Hey, Kouji. What's going on, Pa -!" Kouichi began breathlessly.
"Argh!" screamed Kousei. He brought back his fist and prepared to make contact with Kouichi's face.
"Stop!" cried Kouji, blocking the fist with his palm. He felt like his bones had shattered, but he didn't care. He was angry, rightly furious.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, you worthless son of a - "
Kouji never finished because before he knew it, he was on the floor, his forhead throbbing. Kouichi, previously frozen in terror, leapt at the chance to help.
"Kouji?! Oh, my God!"
He pulled up Kouji to his feet and feevishly glanced at Kousei.
"Papa? What are you doing to -!"
"Shut up, punk!"
Kouji watched helplessly as Kouichi was sent stumbling backwards into the counter. He slumped on the floor, tears forming in his eyes from hitting his head onto the granite.
"What do you think you're trying to pull?! He already has hurt his head enough!" Kouji seethed as he knelt down besides his older brother.
"Nii-san? Are you okay?" asked Kouji quietly, putting his arm around Kouichi's shoulder. His brother nodded stiffly, sniffling. He lifted his head toward the door, glancing back at Kouji with his dark navy eyes.
Kouji's sky blue eyes followed his and heard and saw Satomi and Tomoko racing down the hall. Tomoko came in first, her neat bun bedraggled and ruined. She only need one look at her two sons, crouched and pathetic on the floor, to twist her frightened face into rage.
"Get out." she hissed darkly. "Get out of my house, Kousei!"
Satomi had come in right after her, kneeling down to comfort Kouichi, feeling his head for a bruise. Kouji shut his eyes tightly, preparing for the worst.
"Fine. Don't want to be in this shitty house anyway!"
"And stay out! Anyone in your family but you are allowed in my house again!"
"Mama, don't -!" whispered Kouichi. Kouji was frozen in terror, not believing such a wonderful night could go this wrong.
"Kousei! Out!" shrieked Satomi as she shoved her husband out of the opened door. She looked back at Tomoko, the only apology she could ever give written into her face.
Kouji leaned against Kouichi's shoulder, tears already streaked down the older boys face, as he stared at the confused Tomoko. She stood in a cowered stance in front of her kitchen, a meek defence to her home.
Kouji stood up numbly, pretending one of his step-mother's screams were made out to be his name, and stumble over to hug Tomoko tightly. She squeezed him back, repressing tears.
"I'm so sorry," whispered Kouji as his went out the door, too quiet for only his own ears to hear.
-o-o-o-
Ten-thirty.
Kouji held his knees to his chest as he sat on top of the covers of his bed, wearing pajamas he had layed out on his chair. He could still hear screams from Satomi and his father, all the way downstairs in their master bedroom.
"...no right...Kouichi...Kouji...beer...terrified..."
"Damn you...bitch and...assholes...have to listen...me!"
Something shattered.
Kousei smuggling beer. Tomoko distressed past her breaking point. Satomi part of a problem she never was.
Kousei hurting Kouichi because of Kouji.
Kouji choked, and then before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face.
He was crying. He had been holding it in all night, not finding the final push needed just to let go. All it took was one thing, one fact of life.
Kouichi was hurt because of him.
Kouji, sobbing, pressed his face into the soft pillow in his safe, locked room, where nobody could come in and hurt him ever again.
Until when the sun rose again on the harsh, cruel world that was undeserving of the light.
About Uji and Kyoto: Japan is divided into 47 Prefectures, which are a bit like States. Kyoto is one, and the capital city is named after it. Uji is a smaller prefecture, a bit closer to the Tokyo Prefecture. In Adventures 02, Yolei went on a class field trip to Kyoto, so I knew that the Digi-Destined live near there. So, I chose Uji because of the cute name. :)
Also, a sweet video on YouTube of Kouichi and Kouji: (Never Too Late- Kouji and Kouichi). The song playing is Never Too Late by Three Days Grace. My fave song with my fave characters. Awesomeness.
Chorus:
Even if I say,
It will be alright
Still I hear you say,
You want to end your life.
Now and again we try,
To just stay alive
Maybe we'll turn it all around cause it's not too late,
It's never too late
SO...LONG chapter, LOTS of readers, LOTS of reviews. One of those missions accomplished!
Until Chapter 7 (which could take from a couple of days to a couple of weeks!):
WingsOfSilverSorrow
P.S - Review, please!