Disclaimer-I don't own Digimon.
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Confrontations
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Kouichi threw the door open, walked in, and dropped his bag down. He turned to Arata. "Do you want anything to eat?" the boy asked in a blunt manner.
Swallowing, Arata shook his head no.
He looks pale, observed Kouichi. Frowning, he walked into the kitchen. Minutes later, he came back out and handed Arata a mug. "Hot chocolate. Drink it. You're skinny." That comment left Arata blinking. A small but wry smile appeared on Kouichi's face as he picked up his bag and walkd up the stairs. "I suggest you hurry up so we get as much as possible done," he said in a loud voice, not bothering to wait for Arata.
Flustered, Arata raced up the stairs. "R-right!"
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The two boys both stopped to take a break after going through the first lesson of math. Kouichi had called for it, slowly becoming worried (though he wouldn't dare show it) that Kouji wasn't home yet. It all disappeared with every drop of fatigue he encountered at the sound of heavy footfalls. Whispers were approaching his room, and although Kouji knew better, Kouichi could be positive that his twin would open the door.
"I don't think he's in there," whispered the familiar (and annoying) voice of Hotaru. Inside, Arata shot Kouichi a puzzled look.
Kouichi shook his head. "Wait," he murmured. One hand was held up in front of Arata, another clenched by his side. There was a thin smile of amusement on his face and his eyes were glittering wildly.
There it was, the sound of Kouji's hand on the doorknob. The older twin nearly laughed as Kouji declared, "I'm breaking in, then!" The doorknob turned slightly.
Sumi voiced her hesitation, "Kouji...I don't think-"
The door opened. Arata jumped to his feet, squeaking slightly. The other boy dropped his hand (which, as with his other hand, fell promptly into his pocket) and stood up, walking up to his brother, who had fallen on the floor while attempting to 'break into' the room. "What was that about?"
"N-nothing!" Kouji jumped to his feet, laughing lightly. The laughter quickly subsided, replaced by a silence pregnant with confusion.
The reactions after that were quick. Hotaru raced out with wide eyes as if something obscene had taken place. Equally as confused, Kouji and Sumi stayed in the room. Sumi did her best to keep calm, and seemed to be having an inner dispute of going after Hotaru or staying in the room. The latter side one out, and she stepped up towards Kouji to finalize her decision.
"Who is he?" Kouji's eyes narrowed on Arata's, whose eyes glittered angrily. The bandana boy didn't like the look of him one bit. And what was worse was Kouichi seemed to be enjoying that fact.
Clearing his throat, Kouichi introduced the two boys. "Arata, meet Kouji," the older boy said, his tone bored. He pointed to his brother, who stood only a few feet away. "And I'm tutoring Arata."
The brown haired boy averted his gaze to the paper in his right hand. Looking up, he spoke his first words in a bare whisper: "Was that Hotaru?"
"Yeah, do you know her?" Sumi asked with a sudden curiosity.
"Oh...uh, we're neighbors," Arata explained weakly.
Shivering, Kouji shifted his weight around from one foot to the other. He shut his eyes and tried to calm his nerves. "Well," he declared, "I really pity you, then." It was a start at accepting the boy in front of him, or so he thought.
Puzzled, Arata turned to his tutor. "I do too," Kouichi said solemnly, nodding.
"She's not that bad," Arata said slowly. He noticed Kouji's eyes on him and stepped back. "Wh-what?"
"How long have you known her?" Kouji tried to suppress a wide grin, but it slowly seeped out. The gears were turning wildly in his mind, making connections quickly.
Arata shrugged. Not seeing the harm in the question, he replied, "Since kindergarten." His eyes were still slightly wide, betraying his confusion (not that it seemed like he was trying to hide it).
Kouji chuckled, "I see. Sumi, we should work on the project now, huh?" He turned to the girl behind him.
Sumi nodded. While following Kouji out, she hissed, "I know what you're thinking, but leave her alone!" The girl grabbed his arm, deciding he wasn't paying close enough attention. "Kouji!"
Smiling, Kouji replied, "She likes him, doesn't she?" His grin was revealed by now, and laughter quietly racked through his body.
The brunette silently glared at Kouji. Leaning forward, Kouji gave her a quick kiss. "Hey," he murmured, "I'm not going to do anything. I promise."
"Okay..."
"I'm not," he insisted.
"If you say so. Where did Hotaru go?" Sumi looked around before descending the stairs and calling out Hotaru's name.
Hotaru stood by the couch, flushed red. "Th-that was him, huh?" she asked softly.
"I was right!" Kouji declared. When Sumi shot him an angry glare, he cleared his throat and continued, "Now on with the project!" Hotaru looked at the two, looking confused. "We can spy on them later," Kouji muttered.
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"And I'm sure they fell asleep again," muttered Kouichi as he and Arata made their way downstairs. Sure enough, Kouji had fallen asleep again, head rested on the arm of the couch. Only Hotaru and Sumi were awake, quietly discussing something that Kouichi decided only concerned girls. Kouichi purposely pushed Arata before him, causing the boy to stumble down the stairs loudly. Sumi and Hotaru looked up.
Kouichi reached the bottom just as Arata was getting up. He regarded Arata strangely and inquired loud enough for both girls to hear, "Not hurt, are you?" Arata shook his head and Kouichi continued, "Good. Would you like to stay for dinner?"
"N-no, that's okay," Arata stuttered. "Er...I need to go now."
A smirk appeared on Kouichi's face as his eyes darted to the side to catch the girls' expressions. Hotaru sat on the couch, barely meeting his eyes. "A pity. It would have been nice if you could," the boy commented loudly. Hotaru sank even lower in her seat. Chuckling, Kouichi shook his head and turned away from Hotaru and Sumi. Putting on a small smile, he led Arata to the door and told him, "You know the material just fine. All you need to do is check how you place your numbers and keep track of the negative signs. We'll work on everything else some other time." He opened the door.
Arata nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Kouichi," he murmured before dashing out.
Kouichi shut the door and headed to the kitchen. "Sumi, could you wake Kouji up? He was playing video games until two this morning," the boy told her from the kitchen.
"What was his excuse?" Sumi called back, staring at the comatose form of Kouji.
A snort was emitted from the older twin. After a few seconds of silence, he replied, "He claimed he couldn't sleep. Do you two want hot chocolate?" Kouichi came out of the kitchen with three mugs on a stainless steel tray.
At this point, before Sumi could say anything or Kouichi could move, Hotaru snapped, "What's your problem? Do you enjoy torturing people? And what did I do to you?"
"Uh..." Kouichi placed the tray on the table and pretended to think, even going so far as to strike a thinking pose. "Let...me...see...oh! You mean other than digging into my business, which doesn't concern you?" he spat.
The two locked furious gazes. Smoothly (yet without much contemplation), Hotaru grabbed a cup of hot chocolate, stood on her tiptoes and dumped it over Kouichi's head. He stood unmoving, his eyes glued to her as the warm liquid travelled down his body, soaking his clothes and mostly his hair. "I. Didn't. Dig. I pointed out a fact. You're the one who's digging!" As she said this, she screamed each word louder than the one before it.
"Do all girls have tempers like you?" Kouichi finally asked after a deadly silence, catching a few drops of the hot chocolate in his hand as it dripped from the ends of his hairs. "What a waste," he continued, knowing all too well that Hotaru wouldn't speak. "One mug of hot chocolate wasted. That won't do." Calmly, he took the other two mugs and poured them over Hotaru mercilessly. "Enjoy," he stated, "I'm going to take a bath." The mugs were dropped by his side, and Kouichi allowed them to crash to the ground, where they lay shattered in shards.
Hotaru swallowed as she gazed at the broken mugs. Trembling, she turned to Sumi. "S-Sumi..."
Sumi silently watched Kouichi ascend the stairs and slam the door to his room shut behind him. Letting out a sigh, she placed a hand on Kouji's shoulder. "Are you happy now?"
"No," came the dull reply. "What the hell is wrong with him?" Kouji sat up, suppressing a sigh. "Hotaru, there's a bathroom over there if you want to wash off. I'm sorry he's being an unbearable jerk. It's probably my fault," he muttered, "and anyway, I think it's better if we work over at Takuya's from now on."
Sumi nodded. "Agreed." Standing up, she pulled the still stunned Hotaru to the bathroom.
In the meantime, Kouji looked at the door. Whoever you are, Arata, he thought, eyes fixed into a glare, don't do what I think you're going to do.
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A young boy who wasn't so young ran. He kept running until he stumbled over his own feet. Slowly, his pursuers walked into the picture, proceeded by a giant black dog. "P-please," the boy begged. "Don't make me do this!"
There were two boys behind the black dog, both of who wore hooded robes. The taller one walked forward and leaned down to yank the fallen boy up off the floor by his collar. "We told you Baku doesn't like to be kept waiting. He wants his new recruits on time. Now make sure you don't screw up, kid. You've come through before, haven't you?"
"B-but-"
Kouichi rolled out of bed. Don't tell me, he thought, suddenly growing angry, that that's who I think it is.
"Kouichi! Dinner!"
"C-coming!" Kouichi called back, furiously racing down the steps. He slowed his pace as he approached the table, noticing Hotaru and Sumi were still here. Frowning, Kouichi tried to recall what had happened before he had fallen asleep.
He wished he didn't.
Uncomfortably, Kouichi took a seat and fell quiet, half alert to the conversations that took place at the table.
"So, you three have a project?" Kousei asked Sumi.
Sumi nodded and put on a smile. "Yes," she answered politely, going on to add, "I hope we aren't being too much trouble."
He caught the look in Hotaru's eyes. Trouble. Kouichi panicked. Standing up, he mumbled, "I'm not hungry. I...have to finish the rest of my homework." It was a lie. He had finished it while tutoring Arata.
Coldly, Hotaru muttered, "I bet you do."
The boy said nothing, but raced back to his room. He couldn't understand it before, but he did now.
The more he discovered about himself, the more he wanted to die.
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The weeks passed quickly, or so it seemed to Kouichi. Since that day, Kouji hadn't invited anyone over, not even Sumi. Kouichi kept himself locked in his room, whether there were people inside the house or not. He seldom tutored Arata, always went to school, and (other than for important matters) refrained from talking to anyone or eating with the family. His hours of sleep were cut down, and the days always ended with a midnight dinner.
He began to wonder if it was really worth it.
It was a rather rainy day when Kouichi decided to go for a walk. He said nothing, but just walked outside, knowing very well that Kouji and his father, both of who sat in the living room, thought he was crazy.
The rain was hardly gentle, pounding on Kouichi. Maybe I'll die of pneumonia, he thought hopefully, pulling his jacket closer around him and inserting his hands into his pockets.
It began to rain harder.
Kouichi wasn't sure how to think anymore. The dreams came less frequently now; he hadn't had one in at least the past week. He was grateful for the possibility of being normal again.
But something felt terribly wrong at the same time.
As if on cue to what he was feeling, a terrified scream split the air. A woman's voice, Kouichi guessed. Miserably, he shut his eyes. He knew exactly where it would lead. The boy ran down three houses and turned to the direction of the scream as it sounded again. Kouichi was surprised the neighbors hadn't come out by now. "This one," he muttered, racing into the house he was by.
The door was open, as he expected. But that was the last thing he remembered from his last dream. The rest he was fairly sure he could manage.
"Get away from her!"
Kouichi winced. So I was right. Realization of whose house it was made him worry all the more. Hold on. It wasn't too hard to find his way to the source of the action with all the clatter. Stopping at the threshold to the kitchen, Kouichi let out an exasperated sigh. It was like his dream after his fight with Hotaru. There were only a few differences; they were inside, there was a fourth person, the moster dog was gone, and the boys really seemed to mean business.
"Arata, you're a lot of trouble, you know that?" snapped Kouichi. The two boys stopped approaching Arata and the woman who Kouichi guessed to be Arata's mother. Instead of continuing towards their victims, they turned to him. He couldn't get a clear view on the two. They wore hooded robes as they did in the dream (rather strange attire for the modern world in his opinion), and only the taller boy had pulled his hood off, revealing his sinister smirk. "Would you really stoop so low as to pick on a woman?" Kouichi asked, eyes narrowing on the two as hate flew through his veins.
The taller boy laughed, "Nothing matters so long as the job's done. And Baku was right." His grin widened.
Instinctively, Kouichi took a step back. The second boy (shorter than his companion) allowed a hand to slip into his pocket. When he withdrew it, a card was in his hand. Kouichi squinted as the shorter boy's hand disappeared into his sleeve. "Cerberusmon," the boy called softly.
Cerberusmon? But that means-
Kouichi had no time to react as the dog pinned him down. Each one of its three heads bared their teeth, ready to tear him apart on the spot. Eyes wide, he whispered his conclusion aloud, "Digimon..."
The first boy came over and kneeled down by Kouichi. "Is he the one, Dai?"
'Dai' nodded. Turning to Arata, he tilted his head to the side. "He doesn't seem like much. Why did you bother trying to help him?" he queried in a voice that, despite his helpless situation, made Kouichi (who couldn't help but think) draw the conclusion that the second boy was a good deal younger than the first. Arata, unable to bear looking Kouichi (or anyone else for that matter) in the eyes, hung his head low. "Itsuma, what now?"
"We clean up," Itsuma replied, standing up. "Get Arata and his mom. And tell the dog to take the idiot. I'll clean up here." He was about to turn away but stopped. "First thing's first." A sickening grin (worse than the one before) appeared on 'Itsuma's' face.
Pain coursed through Kouichi's body. Even as he tried to fight it, darkness slowly overcame him, embracing him warmly.
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Arata shivered as he sat down to wait for his judgement. Kouichi lay unconscious to his right. The two were surrounded by gray stone walls, stone steps in front of them leading to a plain door, just as the steps they sat upon did. Arata guessed just beyond the giant door many yards in front of them was where Baku resided. Behind him was obviously one of the many maze rooms that (with the right choices of doors) led to the entrance hall. The doors to his right and left, he guessed to be prisons or something else. No piece of furniture or decoration filled the room, making Arata feel as if he was in a prison already.
The thought made him shiver slightly. He began to wonder, Will I go to the prisons? A sorrowful look donned his face. "Kouichi, I'm really, really sorry," he murmured miserably. He was a walking mess. That was what had brought him here. A loud groan startled Arata out of his misery.
Kouichi rolled over, falling out of his make-shift bed (which was in actuality merely a step in front of the door behind them). The dull thud from the fall echoed throughout the large, empty room.
"No wonder I didn't get anything on this," Kouichi mumbled, rising to his feet and gingerly feeling the bruise on his head. "It was a dream of me being knocked out. What kind of cra-" Silence overcame him as he looked around at his surroundings.
The gaze soon fell on Arata. In response, the boy winced and shut his eyes, bracing himself for a hit or a thread of never-ending insults. None of that came. Only a hand on his shoulder (which still caused him to jump) did. Arata's eyes widened fearfully as he turned to Kouichi in shock. "Why-"
"Your mom," murmured Kouichi immediately. He sounded urgent. Tightening his grip on Arata's shoulder, Kouichi asked, "Is she okay?"
Arata shut his eyes and drew a shaky breath. "I don't know," he confessed. "It depends on my judgement."
"Your judgement?"
"Arata, show some respect!" a girl snapped.
Cringing, Arata stood up and bowed low. "Lady Yumena."
Startled, Kouichi rose to his feet and turned to the girl who had spoken earlier. He nearly let out a laugh. Kouichi snorted, "Lady? She's a whole head shorter than you and hardly older."
The girl sent him a glare. Even as she walked up to him, Kouichi kept up his best poker face. 'Yumena,' as Arata had called her, inquired, "He's the new one?" When Arata nodded, a smirk appeared on her face. "In that case, Arata, I wish you the best of luck. He may get you out of trouble, but Baku might think of him as a great...replacement." She trailed off and took several steps back, examining Kouichi.
Kouichi took some time to make his own observations. Yumena's black hair was done up in a bun; he wagered it was longer than Sumi's own shoulder length hair. He couldn't be sure of the exact color of her eyes in the poorly lit room, but guessed them to be dark brown or perhaps black. In fact, he guessed black to be her favorite color; the cloak she wore was black, as was the skirt that reached to her ankles. Only her shirt, mostly hidden by her cloak (which Kouichi found ridiculous to wear), was white. Kouichi guessed her to be his age or a year or two younger. She was probably a head shorter than Arata. He found her strangely familiar, but as to where, he couldn't put his finger on.
It was several more seconds before Yumena turned around and kneeled down. Head bowed, she murmured, "Master Baku."
Icy wasn't the word to describe it. As the large door opened, a shivering gust of wind blew towards the three. Kouichi felt his blood turn to ice as a robed figure stepped out from behind the door. The hood was pulled well over his head, and Kouichi couldn't make anything out, especially due to the lack of light. Yumena spoke again: "Master Baku, you will have to excuse Arata's foolishness, but we have the new recruit as you asked." Slowly, she looked up, as if she was afraid. "Your judgement, Master?"
"Hold it!" Kouichi suddenly snapped without a second of thought. "I'm not a recruit! I'll decide when and where I want to be recruited, thanks!" He could feel Arata's eyes on him, wide and frightened. It only seemed right to make a stand for the poor boy.
The figure (Baku, Kouichi guessed) simply dropped an item to the floor before turning around and walking back through the doors he came from (they shut automatically, making Kouichi wonder if he was just dreaming). Yumena stood up and rushed up the stairs to retrieve the item. As she picked it up, she calmly walked halfway down the stairs before sitting down on a step and eyeing Arata. "Arata," she said softly, "you were reluctant. Why?" Kouichi's outburst wasn't bothered to be addressed, angering the boy slightly.
Arata trembled and dropped to his knees. "Please," he sobbed, "don't hurt her..."
Kouichi felt himself flinch at that moment. An annoyed growl escaped his lips. "Listen, you stupid girl," he snapped, feeling only slightly guilty for calling her stupid, "What'll it take you to get off of Arata's back?" He knew exactly why he was doing this. Yet at the same time Kouichi wondered if he really did.
"Let me see..." An amused smile formed on Yumena's lips. Kouichi didn't like her immediately. The tone of her voice, the way she smiled...everything about her screamed for him to keep far away from her.
He knew it wouldn't be possible.
Before she continued, Yumena turned the package over in her hands. "Kouichi Kimura, I presume?" Kouichi said nothing, simply keeping his gaze on her. "Well, Baku knows you won't join willingly..." Yumena chuckled before she declared with a hint of amusement in her voice, "In exchange for Arata Miyahara and his mother's life, you will work for us. Do we have a deal?" And yet the tone in her voice made Kouichi doubt her every word.
It wasn't as if Kouichi didn't have his own tricks. "Of course that's the deal I want. Question is, do you plan to uphold your part?"
His hopes wavered when she smiled and replied, "Of course."
Stumped, Kouichi gazed at the stone floor. "Fine. You stop bugging Arata, leave his family alone, don't bug any of my family and their relations, and we have a deal," he agreed, looking up with his gaze fixed onto her. Still, he was wondering if he had forgotten to mention any other conditions for her to abide by.
Yumena snapped her fingers. "Done. Itsuma, Daisuke, take care of Arata and his mother. You, Kimura, will come with me," she ordered, walking past Kouichi and opening the door.
Eyes narrowing, Kouichi followed her without a word.
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A/N-
BIG FAT NOTE: The following in italics is important to the stories progress: I'm going back to edit chapters one and two due to the fact that I want this story as close to how it would be in an actual…Japanese story. That means in terms of school, etc. I should be finished by the time I put up chapter four. Thank you for bearing with me.
(…you can skip the rest.)
Anyone want to help me what category this story falls under? (I add a little bit of everything...it's so hard to decide...) So...it really starts STARTS now. (I'm sorry if you don't like it...) I've read through a few times, and it seems fast-paced. I'll attempt to answer questions to the best of my ability. Um, as the great Hiro Mashima said (in response to fanmail, but who cares!)…:
"Certainly, anything could happen. In this manga, you never know what'll happen week to week…I try."
I know over half the people reading this will hate me for such a long A/N, but I just want to let you know what's frying my brain: SCHOOL. I have seven classes. Japanese is first with an awesome teacher and (some) hilarious people. Math is second, and the teacher renewed my history book and math book, so she's awesome to me. My Art teacher is stricter this year. AP US History is homework central. The teacher for Physics can't explain. My French teacher is so cool, 'encourages' us to speak French in class, and I think I'm actually getting how to properly pronounce the words (It's my fifth year, too!). Literature is okay. Homework is a sea, so please understand the lack of updating if it happens!
A while ago, I revered Wada Kouji for his awesome voice. Still…no real plot in lyrics, so….:scratches Wada Kouji from idol list:. (Kidding). Seriously, check out Hiro Mashima. I've only read Rave Master, but he's totally awesome. In terms of plot, I totally want to have his brain.
I'm sorry for the long A/N. I know it's totally unnecessary info for you, but I don't want to remain an anonymous, cold, unfeeling figure. I save that for the evil people (and I fail). I'll update sometime soon (no set date this time, sorry).
Thank you: GemmaniGirl, ri-kun
Please review, PM or flame!