Disclaimer-I don't own Digimon.
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Renewed Crisis, Revealed Resolve
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The days passed and they all found themselves in school again. Kako and Kouji hadn't talked to each other for days, Kouichi occasionally walked to school with Kako for fear she'd do something rash, and Shinya was back to his normal, hyper self. Yet tensions still existed in the air, and Kouichi felt as if he was caught in the middle of it.
"Is Kako awake?" Kouichi inquired, stepping inside as Hideki motioned him to come in. He had grown slightly accustomed to coming into the house. Now it was more of the thought of Kako that scared him.
Quietly, Hideki nodded. "She's pretty bummed out still," he muttered, shutting the door.
Kouichi let out a sigh. He allowed a hand to slip into his pocket. "I know."
"You're helping her out a lot."
"I guess..." His eyes lowered to the ground.
Leaning back against the wall, Hideki grinned and asked, "So when are you two going out?"
"WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?"
"Morning, what's all the yelling about?" Kako mumbled, walking out of the hall. She was rubbing her eyes, trying to stay awake.
Reddening, Kouichi cleared his throat. "Sorry, did we wake you up?" he asked instead of answering her question.
Kako shook her head. Just as she turned around and marched straight back to her room, she said, "No..."
Silence followed as Kouichi gazed at the ground with great discomfort. Hideki was eyeing him almost curiously, and the sound of several doors opening and closing could be heard.
"Oh, Rai, you're up!" Hideki suddenly exclaimed, prying his eyes off of Kouichi.
There was a sound of someone choking. The two adults turned to Kouichi. One hand rested on his throat, while another was extended with a finger pointing at Rai. "M-Ms. Kawai...?" he stuttered, gazing wide-eyed in disbelief.
"You didn't know...?" Kako walked out, eyes dull and void of emotion, just as they had been seconds before. "They're starting to annoy me, but that's okay, I guess."
Ms. Kawai just laughed. "Do you two want a ride?" she asked, smiling at Kouichi and waving.
Composing himself, Kouichi shook his head. Noticing Kako, he added, "Unless Kako does...?" There was a hint in his voice that clearly revealed he hoped her to say no. Hideki must have noticed this, and Kouichi only guessed he could by the amused look he sent in Rai's direction.
Much to Kouichi's relief, Kako shook her head. She picked up her backpack and headed straight for the door. "We'll walk," she whispered, not meeting their eyes at all.
Waving goodbye to both Hideki and Ms. Kawai, Kouichi followed Kako outside, smiling as the warm rays of the sun hit his face. He kept his pace just one step behind Kako's. "It's...a beautiful day," he commented, hoping to start a conversation with the girl.
"Hmm..." came Kako's response. Her eyes were glued to the ground.
A small frown appeared on Kouichi's face. Again, he tried, "So how's life?"
"Mmmh..."
"Did you finish your homework?"
"Mmmhmmm..."
"Uh...Kako?"
"Hm?"
One eyebrow rose, and an annoyed look was fixed on his face. "Can you speak in words I can understand?" Kouichi demanded. He halted and held his ground.
Kako stopped as well. She took one good look at him before answering, "No." Wordlessly, Kako continued walking, ignoring the fact that she left Kouichi behind.
Without another word, Kouichi ran after her, picking up his pace so he was one step ahead of Kako and looking at her. "What is with you, Kako? It's like you're a zombie. You can't reduce yourself to this!" he snapped furiously.
It didn't take any more words to get to her. "You know, Kouichi," Kako began, drawing herself up to stand up straight and gaze into his eyes, "I never asked you to baby-sit me. I can take care of myself. Don't say you aren't babysitting me!" She cut him off before he could protest. "Why else would you be coming to pick me up every morning for the past week? I'm not blind, Kouichi. I don't need your help, okay? Piximon's gone, that's fine. But maybe you should think about the people who actually need help, like your stupidly insane brother!" she yelled, storming off.
I'm not babysitting you, Kako, Kouichi thought, scowling and kicking the cement ground. He dug his hands into his pockets and continued his way to school. Am I?
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School had become routine again for all of them, mostly for Kako and Kouji. The rest had a difficult time settling in knowing very well that the two would be at each other's necks (at least Kako) if given the chance. Kouji used every possible excuse to avoid the girl, ranging from having to make up a test and missing lunch to having to go to the bathroom.
Kouichi, not wanting to be the middleman but wanting the two to be on good terms, was completely unsure of what to do. Duskmon wandered off most of the time, Lowemon was busy doing things Kouichi was unsure of, and that left Kouichi to talk to Takuya, Izumi, Junpei, Tomoki and, of course, Shinya. Talking to Rai and Hideki would, while producing results, worry the two even more.
Lunch was completely dedicated to discussions about the two. Kako ate with Naoko, Kouji cloistered himself up in the classroom (which was Ogata-less during lunch hours), and Kouichi worried over issues that didn't necessarily concern him.
"What if Kouji becomes a serial killer because of this whole thing?" Kouichi wondered aloud, twitching nervously at the thought. The silence of that lunch had gotten him thinking, and at the moment, thinking wasn't good for Kouichi.
Izumi rolled her eyes. Punching Takuya as he tried to sneak a hand over to grab Kouichi's food (he had forgotten his own lunch), she told the boy, "Kouji won't become a serial killer. I'm sure they'll be fine. I've been talking to Duskmon-"
This caught Kouichi's attention. "HE'S BEEN TALKING TO YOU AND NOT ME?" he screamed.
"Yes...anyway, we've been talking, and your little devil of a friend has a plan. He's not the nicest, but definitely the brightest. Quite unfortunate for some of us," Izumi commented, smiling wryly.
Pretending to be offended, Kouichi snorted and folded his arms. "Well, what do you expect with brains like mine?" he retorted with a grin.
The wry smile turned to a sly smile. Staring Kouichi straight in the eye, Izumi inquired, "When do you plan to use those brains to ask Kako out?" She nearly burst out into laughter as Kouichi's eyes bulged out in surprise.
Nervously, Kouichi laughed. In a desperate attempt to avoid answering the question, he asked a question of his own. "Uh...so...what's Duskmon's plan?" he asked, twitching nervously once more.
Izumi just laughed. "That's for you to find out."
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"What do you want, Duskmon? I'm busy," Kouji spat, not looking up from the computer screen. One percent completed...at this rate, it'll take days. I guess that'll give them enough time to get together.
Duskmon stared silently at Kouji. "I'll be back later if you want me to."
The bandana boy looked up from the screen. With a sigh, he leaned back in his chair. I never liked suspense. "Please, continue," he said, voice dripping with heavy sarcasm.
The digimon nodded. "Very well. I want you to tell Kouichi the truth," he said, calmly staring at Kouji. After all, it wasn't the least bit like him to do otherwise.
Kouji sat up with a start. A furious glare was fixed on his features as he narrowed his eyes on Duskmon. "What?" he demanded sharply. Before Duskmon could answer, Kouji blurted, "NO."
It seemed as if Duskmon had been expecting such an answer. Expert in matters such as this, he turned around, turning his head to the side so he could catch view of Kouji through his peripheral vision. "Then I'll simply have to tell him myself," he told the boy. Duskmon took a step forward and awaited the reaction.
As expected, Kouji jumped to his feet. His hands slammed down on the table on either side of the laptop. He hissed, "You will do no such thing, got it?" After several deep breaths, Kouji closed all the windows and shut the laptop. Then turning his attention to Duskmon, Kouji exhaled heavily. "A deal?" he suggested, hoping he was level-headed enough to get through with making the deal.
"Go on," Duskmon simply replied.
Careful to review the details in his head, Kouji said slowly, "I tell Kouichi...the truth...and...and you get Kako and Kouichi together. Nothing will work if the two don't get together." He gazed up at Duskmon. "So...?"
"Done. You know, you should be on good terms with her yourself," Duskmon replied with a laugh, disappearing into the shadows.
Shaken, Kouji slunk back into his seat. A hand rose itself to place itself on his forehead. Please don't tell me...something bad will happen.
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Kako laughed, feeling carefree for the first time in a long time. The wind blew gently in her face as she chatted lively with Naoko under the pine tree. Yet the feeling that something was wrong couldn't be shaken off. Smiling, Kako stood up and brushed herself off. "One second," she told the other girl. What is this about...? Angrily, she walked off to find a place away from everyone else.
"Alright, Duskmon, what do you want?" Kako snapped icily, feeling irritable.
Slipping out of the shadows, Duskmon smirked at her. "Well...edgy, aren't we?" he questioned, careful not to get to the point too soon. The last thing he needed was an angry Kako on his case.
A shaky sigh escaped Kako. Her eyes shut. Calmly, she murmured, "No. What do you want?" As she repeated her question, Kako's eyes slowly opened, revealing held back anger. Obviously, she was ready to find an excuse to let it out.
He was careful to take it one at a time. "Would you like to know something, Kako?" Duskmon asked, tone completely innocent.
Kako seemed to be catching on. When does he use that tone with me-or anyone for that matter? Curiously, she leaned back against the nearby lockers and demanded, "What?" Her eyes were still narrowed onto the digimon.
The digimon shrugged. Lure her in, he told himself. Aloud, he inquired, "Are you sure you want to know?"
What the hell is he playing at? Raising an eyebrow, Kako returned, "What do you mean...?" Her arms folded and her head tilted down, but her eyes remained on Duskmon.
"About Piximon-oh, I'm sorry...am I pouring salt on wounds?" Duskmon sounded perfectly innocent once more. His face completely matched his tone. When Kako pushed off the lockers and glared at him, Duskmon just smirked. "So sorry...would you like to know the real reason behind your dear plushie's death?" he sneered. I should get paid for this...
Time froze for Kako. Her breath hitched, nearly coming to a stop. Swallowing and trying to breath once more, she demanded in a low growl, "What are you talking about?"
"First, you will do as I ask you to do. After all, there is that favor you owe me from long ago..."
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Kouichi sighed as he sank down against the wall. The morning's events got to him yet again. "What should I do...?" he murmured, lifting his head back to gently collide with the wall. His hand met his forehead soon after. With hope to exhale his troubles away, Kouichi shut his eyes.
Footsteps echoed throughout the hallway, but Kouichi didn't bother to open his eyes. A soft voice murmured, "Hey...Kouichi."
"Kouji," the boy addressed his brother in turn, too tired from thinking to move a muscle.
Beside him, he could hear Kouji sit down. The scratching gave him the image of feet sliding down the ground. "Listen...uh...I..." Kouji fell silent for a while, unsure of what to say. He drew a breath and started again. "Kouichi, I really have to tell you something," the younger twin whispered. He sounded almost afraid and even looked it as he turned to his brother.
By now, Kouichi's eyes were wide open. He calmly gazed in his brother's direction and waited for the boy to continue. Quickly, he prompted the boy to continue by hastily saying, "Go on." While not wanting to pressure Kouji into telling him whatever he seemed to have difficulty confessing, Kouichi wondered if his silence had pressured the other boy.
Kouji looked at the ground between them. Miserably, he murmured, "That day...when I took Piximon...and...well, you have to understand Kouichi, I don't even know why I didn't want to tell you this, but it makes sense in a way. Kouichi, I just...this entire mess is my fault, but I...you see..." His eyes squeezed shut. Kouji drew his knees up and rested his head on them. "I'm really, really sorry," he whispered.
The strange tremble that ran about the younger boy was starting to scare Kouichi. "Kouji, make sense," commanded the older twin, trying to remain calm himself.
"Promises...they say promises are meant to be broken. I know that has nothing to do with this...but..."
The older twin rose to his knees. There was a worried look in his eyes, but only concern showed on his face as he stretched out his hands towards Kouji. "Stop babbling and spit it out!" Kouichi snapped, grabbing his brother's shoulders and shaking him vigorously.
A yell answered him as Kouji finally told him, "Don't you get it? It was Duskmon! I couldn't kill Piximon because I didn't have Lobomon! I asked Duskmon to kill Piximon after I knocked him out!"
Kouichi fell backward as if an invisible blow sent him flying back. After a while of scrambling on the floor, he managed to rise to his feet. I'm at fault, he repeated to himself in his head. It was never Kouji. It was all my fault. No wonder she hates me. It's my fault.
"Please," Kouji whispered desperately, "don't be mad at Duskmon...I'm sorry, Kouichi...say something!" He watched his brother with anxious eyes that widened as Kouichi turned around. I'm so helpless, Kouji thought, wishing he hadn't gotten involved in any of this.
"I..."
Kouji snapped out of his reverie and stood up. "Y-yeah...?" There was a sign of hope. He could almost taste it.
"I'm sorry...Kouji. I didn't know Duskmon..." Is that why he wanted to go to Hawaii...? Kouichi clenched his hands into fists. Kako must really hate me...
The drama of the moment suddenly escaped Kouji. Curiously, he rose an eyebrow and took a step towards his brother wondering, He totally mistook my words, huh? "Kouichi, this isn't-" he started.
Immediately, Kouichi snapped, "NO. Just...forget it!" A hand extended itself back towards Kouji as a wave. "I...uh...I think I heard the bell ring. L-later..."
He's lost it. We have ten minutes. Kouji frowned as he watched his brother walk away. He's going to dig his own grave...I can only hope Duskmon did his part without causing too much damage.
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It was one step at a time. She could handle this. One step. Another step. Stepping forward. Forward. She was going forward, not back.
Did she want to go back? No. The past was the past. She had to let it go. She didn't want to go back, did she?
Of course...she did. Life is too short, Kako thought, wincing as she tripped over a raised tile and stumbled forward several more steps than she had intended to. There was no time to react and she slid onto the ground, hands and feet sprawling out in separate directions. Slowly, Kako picked herself up and winced, rubbing her arms. The sun was shining brightly, but she felt cold.
"Where...is he...?" she wondered aloud. Knowing well that it would take a great deal of time just to find Kouji, she had placed her backpack in her locker. Why am I doing this anyway...? Irritated, she kicked at the ground. Just the memory of her deal with Duskmon irked her.
-FLASHBACK-
"What favor?" Kako asked, masking her uneasiness with a blank look.
Duskmon noticed and laughed. He leered at her and asked, "Afraid I'll ask something of you that you'll be too afraid to do?" When Kako paled, Duskmon laughed once more. "No...I'm not a sadist, Kako," he told her.
Under her breath, the girl muttered, "I find that hard to believe."
The digimon hid a smile. "Oh, that hurt," he said. No emotion was evident. "Let's get to business. You'll do all of the several things I ask of you to. You will accept Kouji's apology for Piximon and hear him out. You will, no matter what Kouichi does, says, or happens to him, keep to Kouichi and not betray him. You will also finish Marise's diary and read it to its end. The last thing we need is an ignorant Ophanimon," joked Duskmon. There was no trace of amusement on his face when he said this though, and that worried Kako the most.
Picking her words carefully, Kako told him, "You know, I granted you one last favor." Automatically folding, her arms tensed.
"I know."
Kako smiled triumphantly, knowing that her point had gotten through. She held her breath as she looked upon Duskmon with a feeling of superiority.
"So I could stay to Kouichi, not talk to Kouji till the end of times and read the diary whenever I want, technically," she told him, eyes narrowing.
Endless depths narrowed onto her. Lifting up a blade and gazing at the mirroring metal, Duskmon replied lazily, "And just as technically, I could...'accidentally' let loose my blades on someone through Kouichi." He smiled wryly as Kako turned pale again. It was almost as amusing as reading Kouichi's mind. "I may be fading, Kako, but I still have power over him," Duskmon told her calmly. This was hardly the time to laugh, especially when there was the possibility that his plans would go awry.
Would he...? Kako shivered at the thought. Better to not risk it than to experience and regret, she decided, lifting her foot and stomping viciously on a runaway flier for the upcoming junior prom. "Fine," Kako snapped, venom dripping as she continued, "but hurt anyone and you're dead, got it?"
"I'll be checking up to make sure you do this, Kako," Duskmon murmured as he slipped into the shadows.
-END FLASHBACK-
Of course right after she had cursed loudly and received the attention of several schoolmates, all upper classmen and boys much to her chagrin. There wasn't much to say after that.
Kako's eyes narrowed on the hall ahead of her. To apologize to Kouji and accept his apology, she contemplated, or to read the rest of the diary...? A smile formed on her lips.
"I'm off to read the diary, the wonderful diary of-oh, what am I doing?" Kako muttered when she realized what she was singing. "It's way off beat."
She shrugged and spun around, heading back to her locker. It wasn't so bad if she was doing things out of order. Duskmon just wanted to make sure she got everything done. Reading the diary first wouldn't affect Kouji's apology. What difference did it make?
A light, carefree feeling carried Kako the rest of the way; she even skipped the remainder of the distance, smiling all the way.
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Kouichi spent the hours between school and the supposed training at the bookstore locked up in his room, staring endlessly at the blank paper before him. There was no hint of feeling, no hint of emotion. Every few minutes, he would groan as he shifted positions and tried to not think about Kako and Piximon. He could almost see Duskmon carry through with the strike.
Emotionless. Deadly. Evil.
Was he evil, too?
Patamon had told him that inheriting the spirit of Darkness didn't mean he was evil. It was what he did with it that mattered.
But what am I doing with it? Nothing. Nothing useful, Kouichi argued with himself, slamming a fist on the table in front of him. It was Duskmon, wasn't it? Duskmon and not Kouji that I should be worried about. And yet, all this time...I thought...
He had the pieces of the puzzle, but he hadn't placed them together correctly.
Quietly, Kouichi slipped out of his room. Maybe I can get there early, he decided. Kouichi slipped on his shoes, put on his jacket and headed for the bookstore.
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The next morning, Kouichi didn't go to Kako's house to wait for her. The next morning, Kako wasn't in the unusual mood she had been in for the past few days. She was almost cheerful and, surprisingly, had stopped by Kouichi's place in the morning.
"Is Kouichi still here?" she asked Miss Kimura, smiling. It wasn't the biggest smile, but a smile nevertheless.
Returning the smile, Miss Kimura nodded and stepped to the side to let Kako in. "Kouichi," she called out. "Kako's here. Wake up!" She walked over to go check on her older son.
Lazy, thought Kako, stepping inside. Her smile faded when she caught sight of Kouji.
Kouji was sprawled on his stomach down on the floor. The video game controller was in his hands, and his eyes were focused on the TV. He was completely oblivious to the fact that she had entered.
Kako's promise to herself clicked into mind. The entire day had been swarmed with homework that she had forgotten. Well, I might as well start now, even though I haven't gotten a chance to look at the diary, she decided, gently lowering her bag to the floor and walking up to Kouji.
"Hey."
His head turned her way and a startled look was his greeting.
For a while Kako stood there, unsure of what to say to him. It seemed pointless to talk at all, but eventually, she did and said, "You're up early."
Her lousy attempt at a conversation worked. However slow it was, Kouji eventually responded, "I guess..." Yet in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but wonder, What is she doing...? The thought that she was talking to him was frightening, and Kouji could only suspect Duskmon was somehow involved.
"Kouichi's being lazy...?"
"Hm..." Kouji shrugged and reached over to turn off the console. There was only silence as he sat up and began winding up the controller.
Again Kako tried, "Was he up all night?"
The silence lasted until Kouji rose to his feet and shrugged. "I...guess," he murmured. Their eyes met and locked.
"Accepted," Kako said, casually waving towards the boy.
Kouji blinked. "What?"
"Your apology."
"Uh..." For lack of anything to say, Kouji stood there, staring at Kako. I'll never get girls, he realized.
"No time for breakfast, bye Mom!" came a yell. Kouichi dashed out from his bedroom, jacket halfway on and backpack slung over his shoulder. He was about to race straight out of the house when he caught sight of Kako and skidded to a stop.
Returning Kouichi's blank look with one of her own, Kako murmured, "Morning to you too..."
His response came quickly. "I wasn't oversleeping," Kouichi protested.
"I...never said you were..."
"I wasn't up late last night!"
"I..."
"So, how was your morning?" Kouichi suddenly asked. He walked into the kitchen to get his lunch.
The younger twin rolled his eyes. "Kouichi," he muttered, "why are you going insane?"
There was confusion evident in the air. Putting on his jacket properly, Kouichi said, "I...I'm not going insane..." He pulled his backpack on.
Kouji just shook his head. He was about to say something when Kako interrupted.
The girl was at the door, pulling on her backpack. With a sigh, she said, "Let's get going. We have five minu-"
"FIVE MINUTES?" Kouichi yelled, bolting out the door.
After exchanging looks with Kouji, Kako followed, leaving the bandana boy alone. What's Duskmon thinking? The boy wondered, kicking the nearby cover of a game.
"Kouji, shouldn't you be going to?" his mother called out.
Snapped out of his contemplation, Kouji looked in the direction of the kitchen. "Y-yeah...I'm going now. Bye!" he yelled, grabbing his bag and racing out the door.
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-FLASHBACK-
"You really should ask her out by now," Duskmon commented, allowing a ghostly blade to go through a nearby candle. It passed straight through the object, leaving the candle unaffected.
Just ignore him, Kouichi told himself. He sat down in the chair before his desk, elbows rested on the counter and hands clutching the sides of his head. Dark eyes focused on the table space in front of him. What will you tell Kako? How will you tell Kako?
Duskmon smirked as he caught up on Kouichi's thoughts. Again he repeated, "Ask her out. Kill a few birds with one stone." His smugness intensified when Kouichi groaned. So easy to pressure him into these things...
"I don't need your help!" The words slipped out of Kouichi's mouth of their own accord. He soon matched the mood when he stood up, clenching his fists. "I'll do it my way, got it?" the boy spat, glaring daggers and wiping the smirk off the digimon's face.
Suit yourself, Duskmon thought to himself. The smirk had turned into a frown. As Duskmon slunk back into the shadows, he smiled inwardly. A fish like that always took the bait.
-END FLASHBACK-
Last night's events kept replaying themselves in Kouichi's head. Eventually he realized Duskmon had been right. The only way to sort things was to ask Kako out.
Of course, it won't be a date kind of date, he reassured himself, gazing at the cement pavement as he walked in step with Kako.
The sigh that escaped him didn't go unnoticed by Kako. Curiosity getting the better of her, she turned in his direction and cocked her head to the side. "You seem to be thinking hard."
He was taken aback by the sudden choice of a conversation. "Uh...?" was all he could say.
"You seem to be thinking hard," Kako repeated. "Something on your mind?"
"Uhh..."
Out of sheer annoyance, Kako threw her hands up in the air. "What is with you, Kouichi? You're spacing out today!" she yelled, stopping in front of him. Their eyes locked briefly as she told him in a quiet voice, "Don't tell me to smile if you're going to space out when I do." She was shaking with anger as she turned around and was about to walk off.
"N-no, wait," Kouichi blurted, reaching out to grab her shoulder. "I didn't mean it like that." Seeing he got her attention, Kouichi continued to explain, "I was just thinking...about...things from yesterday. It's been pretty hectic, I guess. B-but...at the moment...I wanted to ask you something..." He swallowed, awaiting her okay.
The girl rose an eyebrow. "Yeah?" She prompted him to continue with an absentminded gesture of her hand.
Taking several deep breaths slowly, Kouichi asked, "D-do you...want to go out after school?" He paused for a split second, recognizing the look on her face. "N-not like a date, you know, but just go out to...to sort things out!" he said quickly, looking at her with panicking eyes.
There was an incredulous look on Kako's face. "That's it?" she asked bluntly.
"Yeah..."
Kako burst out laughing. "Sure, why not?" she cackled, unable to stop. Once more, she began walking, leaving Kouichi behind, gazing wide-eyed at her.
Do I sound that stupid? the boy wondered, shaking his head glumly. "...Duskmon must be laughing at me too." I hate it when he's right.
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"Kouichi, you're ready to be sent back to Ogata's class!" Rai announced that day, punching her right fist into the air.
Kouichi, who was absorbed in one of his books, completely ignored his teacher.
Noticing this, Ms. Kawai dropped her hand to her side. Let's try this again, she thought, eyes narrowing on the ignorant pupil. Smirking, she slammed her hands down on the textbook Kouichi was looking at, startling him and causing him to look up, mouth open in protest. "GO BACK TO OGATA'S CLASS," she yelled.
A scowl appeared on his face. Crossing his legs on the chair, and then his arms, Kouichi said one word: "NO." After that, the words that followed were more hesitant and carried his worry. "Y-you can't make me!" Kouichi shouted childishly.
"You wanna bet?" she returned, drawing back up to her full height and glaring down at him. As she placed her hands on her hips, Ms. Kawai breathed, "God, this is ridiculous," and with a sigh, she gazed up at the ceiling. "You win," she muttered.
The boy smirked and held his ground. No duh.
The smirk faltered when Rai turned around and began, "So..." The note hung on edge, irking Kouichi beyond belief. Blood pounded in his ears while Ms. Kawai remained silent. It was impossible to anticipate a hint of what she was saying. "Then, we'll send you back tomorrow!" Rai finally announced, laughing triumphantly.
Uncrossing her arms and legs, Kouichi slumped forward until his chin rested on the table. Corrupt teachers that are used to getting their way. I hate them, he thought with a heavy sigh. But Ogata was the least of his troubles now. More important things were about. He would have to face Ogata sooner or later anyway, he realized, and so he accepted it.
Ms. Kawai took a seat in a nearby chair and regarded Kouichi with a strange look on her face. It was a while before she spoke, and when she decided to, she was slow about it, carefully choosing her words. Kouichi wouldn't be set off she knew, but it was better to be cautious than not.
"You...and Kako aren't exactly together yet, huh?" she asked. Her head was slowly tilting to the side, as if Kouichi had grown a head out of his neck.
He was growing uncomfortable. She could tell just by the way he immediately sat up. In a low voice, Kouichi murmured, "We're...going to sort things out today after school." He felt obliged to tell her more, but his better judgment advised against it.
Clapping with delight, Ms. Kawai exclaimed, "How cute! Hideki should videotape you two!"
"NO WAY!"
"Oh, come off it. You know, you're being too stiff about this," she commented, leaning back in her chair once more. "You can't play a lawyer in love. Lawyers deal with cases, not love. Love isn't a case. That just isn't what it is."
Miserably, Kouichi sank back in his seat. I know...
She seemed to guess what he was thinking. "You know that, sure, but you aren't showing that you do, Kouichi. As far as Kako is concerned, she thinks you think you two are just really good friends. No, that doesn't mean you have to declare your love and propose or something stupid," Ms. Kawai added quickly. Kouichi's mouth shut and she continued, "Right now, Kako's just a bit insecure. She doesn't even know about Duskmon killing Piximon. All she knows is Kouji's a murderer. She knows you're Kouji's brother. The rest of us are coping with Piximon's death and trying to move on. But Kako isn't like that. Kako holds onto death. She can't let it go. It took her forever to get over her mother..."
Furiously, Kouichi rose to his feet. "You can't say that! She had every right, and she still does! It would be nice if she wasn't...so...insecure about it, but that's who she is. It's not like she can change for you!" he snapped.
Taken aback, Rai blinked a few times. Wow, Mr. Misinterpreter, she thought, hiding a smile as he continued. It was almost amusing to hear him argue for Kako. His words barely made it to her ears, but the last sentence did.
"-and as far as I know, you're not much of a role model yourself!" shouted Kouichi, storming out of the library.
Rai burst out into laughter in Kouichi's absence. Seconds later, it subsided into chokes and chuckles. Good digimon, she thought, wiping her eyes as a chuckle escaped her, he knows how to get to people. Maybe he really does know how to actually love...he just doesn't show it around her. A giggle bubbled to the surface. Hideki and I apparently have a job after school.
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Kouichi sat down on the bench. His hands were beside him, clutching the wooden edge of the seat. The sun was beating down on his back, and a sharp wind blew directly in his face. Ignoring the sting of his eyes, Kouichi continued to wait for the bell.
Five minutes...no, wait...four minutes and forty-five seconds. Now eighteen. Hey, it's a butterfly. No, that's a moth...? No, it's a butterfly. Three minutes, twenty-two. Twenty. I don't want to wait anymore. This is annoying. Hurry up and ring!
As if on cue, the bell rang and dozens of students poured out of the school. Kouichi stayed in his seat, warily watching the passerby for any sign of Kako. He finally spotted her laughing with Izumi, Takuya and Kouji. Junpei was a few feet behind the four, and they were all straight in front of Kouichi.
Anytime, he could have gotten up and stolen Kako away. Anytime, he could have waved. The entire time, Kako's eyes were glued onto him, sparkling like none other. He couldn't move. Rai's words hit him like a soccer ball to the stomach. 'You can't play a lawyer in love,' she had told him. And he began to wonder, Am I really playing a lawyer?
He sat there, spacing out with his eyes glued onto Kako. Even with that fact, he didn't see her approaching and waving a hand in front of his face. "Kouichi...are you okay?" Kako asked, gazing down at him. She was genuinely concerned.
I'm playing a lawyer...? Kouichi didn't even know the meaning of the word 'lawyer' anymore. Everything seemed a hazy blur. The heat was getting to him, and the icy wind just gave him a headache. It was all one big mess.
He had put together the puzzle incorrectly. There was a false piece. That was his relationship with Kako. For so long, he thought that part of the puzzle was fine. It wasn't. The piece had gone in too easily.
He finally stood up and shut his eyes. "Let's go," Kouichi whispered and opened his eyes to find Kako looking up at him.
There was something about the heat of the day that made him wonder if everything would go as he wanted. He should have known.
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"We haven't talked the entire time," Kako finally said as they walked down the road.
Their first stop had been Kouichi's house to drop off his backpack, and then Kako's house to drop off hers. Hideki hadn't been home, but Kako was hardly worried. What worried her more than anything was the fact that they had been walking in silence. Even in her more moody of moods, whether it was good or bad, Kouichi always had something to say. Now, he looked more troubled than calm.
When he turned to her, Kouichi forced a smile. No matter how forced it was, it felt like a conditioned reaction. Part of him wondered if he had hurt her all this time. Quietly, he told her, "I know. I'm sorry."
Not again, Kako thought disgustedly. First Kouji, now him. Twins are just weird.
Kouichi continued, unaware that Kako rolled her eyes, "I know you think I'm apologizing for nothing, but I...I really am sorry. Kako, this entire time before this...did you really think I just considered us really close friends?"
And it hit her. She had been preoccupied with Piximon's death and other matters and being with Kouichi just seemed normal compared to that. Guilty, she looked away and returned, "No. I...took you for granted, I guess." She stood still and snuck a peek, praying he wasn't upset.
He was far from upset. Letting out a relieved sigh and halting on the spot, Kouichi hung his head and slowly began to laugh. Eventually, he threw his head back, laughing loudly and throwing his troubles away. It was almost refreshing. When his laughter slowly faded, he caught the look on Kako's face.
"Equal ignorance," he told her, chuckling one last time before he sighed again. "We were equally ignorant of our relationship. It was more of a normal routine to us than something important. I guess..." He scratched his head and grinned as he presented his analogy, "we're like drugs! Can't get enough of each other!"
While he burst out laughing again, Kako twitched. "That was lame, Kouichi!" she retorted, playfully hitting his arm. Even then she couldn't help but smile as he continued to laugh and cry at the pain of his arm. In the back of her mind, she began to wonder, Was this what Duskmon was talking about? He could be a little more specific. Not like it would kill him. Yet her discontent was not shown. Instead, curiosity replaced it. "So what are we now?" inquired Kako, standing on her tiptoes and covering his mouth with a hand.
Kouichi brushed it away and stopped laughing. For a while, he remained silent and contemplated the question. He finally admitted, "Good question. I have no answer. What do you want us to be?" While he looked at her, Kouichi tapped his head with one finger while the other hand rested in his pocket, seemingly attempting to get his brain working again.
Noticing this, the girl stared at him with an eyebrow raised. "Hopping digimon," Kako replied sarcastically.
Grinning, Kouichi pretended to wince. "Ooh, all hopping digimon are insulted!" he told her, a mock frown on his face.
Going along with the act, Kako clasped her hands together and exclaimed, "I'm so sorry to all the bunnies out there! Not to mention the kangaroos! And all other hopping animals!"
"You're cruel," Kouichi suddenly commented, completely seriously.
Kako just laughed. "Thank you."
"Want to head to the bookstore?"
"Sure...I was thinking about reading something anyway. And if Rai's there with Hideki like the note said, I can ask her about something. Say, Kouichi?" Kako suddenly asked as they changed their course to .
"Hm?"
"Never mind. But Kouichi?"
Kouichi stopped walking and regarded Kako almost condescendingly. Exasperated, he told her pointedly, "You just said never mind!"
"Yes, but this question is different!" Kako insisted, jumping up and down.
He continued walking and waved a dismissive hand in her direction. "What is it?" the boy inquired.
Kako ran to catch up to him and asked, "Really, what are we?"
"Uh...a couple?"
"...oh, okay."
"That is, if you want to be."
"You realize how lame that sounds."
"This is awkward. Sue me if you have a problem with it."
She burst into laughter and proclaimed, "I'm suing you!"
"I WAS KIDDING!" Kouichi growled as they entered the bookstore. He waved to Mr. Saito and bowed respectfully. "Mr. Saito," he addressed the man, careful not to let his tongue slip around Kako.
Kako waved as well before dashing off to a random bookshelf. Instead of following her, Kouichi stood rooted to the same spot for several minutes before he began to walk up to the desk Mr. Saito sat behind. Someone reached it before him, and the person was all too familiar.
"Kanaye...?" Kouichi murmured in disbelief. He staggered back several steps and shook his head to clear it.
Kanaye stood there in front of him, glaring coldly. "If you have a problem, Kimura," he said coolly, "I suggest you bother me later. I don't have time for this."
Troubled, Kouichi nodded. "Yeah, but since when do you come here to...buy books? Or are they on world domination?" he asked jokingly.
Looking back at his books, Kanaye shook his head. Instead, he cleared his throat and muttered, sounding almost embarrassed, "Actually...they're tips on gardening."
"You garden?" Kouichi asked, raising an eyebrow. Actually, he does seem the type, he realized.
"Yes, do you have a problem with it?" Irritably, Kanaye turned back to Mr. Saito. "How much?"
Kouichi tried not to gawk as Kanaye actually bought the books. It was an almost strange sight. The boy whom he had thought cold and unfeeling actually came to the Saito bookstore of all bookstores in town. To top it all off, he bought books on gardening tips.
I wonder what he grows, Kouichi thought, wandering off to find some books for himself. He ran into Kako halfway to the shelf he had aimed for and accidentally knocked the book out of her hand. "Sorry," he quickly murmured, picking up the book and stopping at the title. World Domination for Dummies...? You have to be kidding me, Kouichi thought, twitching slightly.
Kako snatched the book from his hands. "Don't say a word," she growled, running to the counter and stopping when she saw Kanaye. Suddenly she yelled, "What's he doing here?"
"Did you two switch tastes?" Kouichi inquired, snatching the book from Kako. It wasn't the regular 'Dummy' book, but instead some book about the misadventures of a man who wished to take over the world. Who writes these things? Kouichi tossed the book back to Kako.
Mr. Saito just smiled and handed Kanaye's books to the said boy. He finally confessed, "But the book is actually very interesting, despite the title." Still smiling, he took the book from Kako and scanned it.
An overwhelming feeling overran Kouichi. What does it feel like to see your own daughter and not be able to let her know you're her father? I'd feel pretty lousy, he thought, sulking on the spot.
"Kimura."
Kouichi looked at Kanaye blankly as the boy continued, "Does her brother still hate me?" He pointed in Kako's direction as he said this.
He just shrugged. Turning his gaze to the ceiling, Kouichi rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't know. Probably. Why?" Kouichi inquired with great curiosity.
Without talking, Kanaye pointed to the door, where Hideki and Ms. Kawai stood, laughing.
She said something about Hideki taping me! Alarmed, Kouichi edged behind Kanaye, hoping that was enough to keep him out of his insane teacher's view.
"Hey, it's Kouichi," Hideki suddenly exclaimed. Quickly, he cleared his throat and corrected himself, "Er...that is...twerp one. And twerp three is here, too..." Less enthusiastic as he said this, he looked in Kanaye's direction, glaring murderously.
Rolling her eyes, Rai gazed at Kouichi. Almost expectantly, she tapped her foot. When nothing was said, she asked aloud, "Well...?"
Confused, Kouichi repeated, "Well?" Am I supposed to tell her something?
She let out an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. Throwing her hands in the air, Rai yelled, "Yes! Now spill!" Again, her hands dropped and she waited for an answer.
The boy jumped away from Kanaye and glared at his teacher. "I'm not telling you anything! You're a lousy teacher!" Kouichi blurted, pointing an accusing finger.
"Oy, watch where you point that thing!" Hideki spat, walking forward and glaring down at the boy.
Kouichi glared back, and Kako ran to Ms. Kawai, book clutched to her chest. "Pst, Rai!" Kako whispered, motioning for the young lady to lean down. "I need to ask you something," Kako told her aloud before whispering into Rai's ear.
Hideki and Kouichi were too preoccupied with their glaring contest, but Kanaye was able to observe as Rai's face turned from pale to a dark crimson. Angrily, she pulled herself up straight and marched straight towards Mr. Saito. At this point, Hideki and Kouichi stopped, feeling the aura in the air.
Wide-eyed, Hideki turned to Kako and hissed, "What did you tell her?" He was shaking almost visibly, trying to mask it by rolling back his shoulders and walking over to Rai in hopes of calming her down.
"You. Filthy. Liar," Rai spat, slamming her hands down on the counter. Mr. Saito remained calm, holding up a hand to silence Hideki when he tried to interrupt. Angrily, Rai continued to rant, "You think just because you're a dead man, you have every right to give your damned diary to your daughter and allow her to read the contents? What, did you also say, 'Oh, yes, and Hideki and Kako are my children. I married Harumi. I'm Seraphimon's shadow. I know the future. I know everything. I even know the outcome!' Well guess what?" She paused briefly to inhale. "You don't know everything! You don't know how this will turn out, and I'll prove it to you! You're a damn idiot, Marise! I'm not letting your stupid predictions come true!" she screamed before whirling around and storming out.
Clenching his hands into fists, Hideki swore aloud and sank down in the chair by the counter. "Great. Kako, what did you-oh...holy..." Again, Hideki swore, noticing the tears that crept down his sister's face. Beside her, Kouichi stood, eyes shut. There was a pained expression on his face that soon transferred to Hideki. Nervously, he rose to his feet and walked over to his sister. "K-Kako...?" he called out, forcing a smile.
Gaze set hard on the carpeted floor in front of her, Kako clenched her fists. She had dropped the book in her hands long ago. "You...I hate you..." she whispered, gazing up slowly at her brother.
There was a sound of protest beside her. Kouichi opened his eyes and gazed desperately at Kako. "Kako, please," whispered the boy, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder.
Angrily, Kako pushed it away. "And you knew too! That's why you gave me the stupid diary, isn't it? I hate you! I hate you all!" she screamed, pushing Kouichi away as she ran out the door.
Again, Hideki cursed. All this time, no one cared that Kanaye had disappeared long ago at the first sign of this bubbling anger of Rai's. Instead, all eyes were on Marise as he calmly walked from behind the counter and picked up the book Kako had dropped. He handed it to Hideki. "See to it that she gets this," he murmured quietly.
"She'll hate you for a long time, you know," Hideki told him, taking the book.
"I know. Kouichi..."
Guiltily, Kouichi looked up, trying to make eye contact but failing miserably. "Y-yes...?" he asked in a quavering voice.
"Would you see to it that she gets home safely?"
In that same voice, Kouichi repeated affirmatively, "Y-yes..." Without another word, he ran out, knowing very well that when he got home, he would lie down on his bed with a bowl of soup and pray his headache went away.
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A/N-
Yes. Yes, I know it took forever, but this chapter was important (I actually plotted it out) and I wanted it to be done properly. I am forever sorry. It pains me to say this, but I won't be updating or writing all week (hopefully) due to an essay, a thesis, a TKD pre-test I must work hard for, and other school work. But I really have to thank you all, because you reviews came right on time. If you don't get my meaning, just when I felt down, my inbox was flooded with reviews. To me, flooded is getting over three e-mails. XP But I enjoyed reading them all, and I hope you'll like the next chapter. It's more informational (if the plan works). I would have had this up earlier, but my sister came home from college and slept like crazy, so because I use the computer in her room to type...and then yesterday when I tried to update, I couldn't upload the document. KH2 is tomorrow, isn't it? .:depressed sigh:.
THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS! THEY MADE ME FEEL BETTER-
GemmaniGirl, Winter's Light, The Light's Refrain, Snowy Leopardess
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