Disclaimer-I don't own Digimon. In fact, I don't own a lot of things.
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Falling
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"I'm not getting out of bed! You can't make me," Kouichi groaned, covering his head with his pillow. "I'll kill you if you bug me now."
The knocking on his door stopped. "Kouichi, Baku'll skin us if you don't get up!" Itsuma snapped.
"Then I'll skin him. Go away!"
"Get up or I'll send Yumena in!"
"Go ahead!" Kouichi shouted, pulling the covers over his head. "Lousy people…waking me up at seven…I have a good thirty minutes!" Kouichi muttered before trying to fall back into a comatose state.
Just as his eyes were drooping, Itsuma knocked again. "She's coming in…"
Kouichi stuck a hand out, rolling over onto his stomach and reaching to his right. He placed a hand on the cards that were stacked on his desk and muttered, "Chuumon."
The mouse appeared by his bedside, unaware of Kouichi. "I'm free!" the digimon sang, "Free!!! Now…where's…Sukamon?"
"Shut it," Kouichi snapped, his words muffled by the bed sheets.
Chuumon looked appalled. "H-huh? Who said that? I-I'll have you know, I–"
"WAKE UP KIMURA!" Yumena shouted, throwing the door open. "I'm going to–" Yumena suddenly came to a stop, scared speechless by the sight of Chuumon. "I…I-I…"
"'I'm going to' what?" Kouichi scowled, throwing off the covers and sitting up. "I'll let you know what I'm going to do. Chuumon, take it away."
"EEEEEEK!!!" Kouichi covered his ears with his pillow and the blanket, and it still wasn't enough to escape the shrillness of Yumena's scream. She didn't stop screaming either, but kept at it as Chuumon approached her, until finally she just ran out of the room, slamming the door shut.
"Come on!" the mouse cried. "Just one kiss…"
"Chuumon, get back into your card, Kouichi snapped, throwing his pillow back on the bed. "I'd kind of like to sleep."
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It wasn't too large, perhaps twice the size of him. It was red, green plates lining its spine. Black stripes covered red along the bottom of the dinosaur's feet and forearms.
Kouichi had never seen teeth so large.
A giant Tyrannosaurus Rex, saliva dripping from its somewhat pearly-whites.
Kouichi woke up with no complaint, sitting up and throwing the covers forward. His eyes opened immediately, he held his breath.
"Dinosaurs…I never liked them," he muttered. Maybe it was a bad idea to oversleep.
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"I hear you caused quite the ruckus in the morning," Arata laughed.
Kouichi just scowled. "Get a bag, would you?" he asked, looking at the oranges skeptically. To get or not to get…?
Handing him a bag, Arata told Kouichi, "I'm amazed Yumena even let you sleep in. Last time Itsuma tried, she nearly murdered him."
"Let's say…it pays to be friends with a mouse," Kouichi said, not in the mood for idle chatter. He picked up an egg carton and frowned. No good. Milk expires too soon, too. I picked a bad day for shopping, he thought, reaching out to place the carton back.
Someone bumped into him, causing the carton to fly out of his hand. Kouichi winced at the sight of the carton in a puddle of broken eggs. Pick up on isle…what isle is it? Never mind that, he thought, eyes narrowing. Who did that? He turned around to find Arata on the floor.
"What happened?"
"Those guys…" Arata stood up slowly and shook his head. "Never mind. Let's hurry."
Kouichi nodded, staring at Arata, then at the group of boys turning into the baby food section. "So…who are they?" he asked quietly, pulling out his wallet and handing the money for the eggs to the employee cleaning the mess (and it took a while before the man finally accepted the money; Kouichi had to threaten him several times).
"No one," Arata insisted. "Let's just go."
"Yeah, no one…let me just get some baby food," Kouichi snapped, storming over to the said section. "Hey, moron! Yes, you ugly!" Kouichi spat. "Get over here. I have something to tell you." His blood was in a boil, and he didn't even know why.
There were four boys. One of them turned around, smirking at the sight of Kouichi. Grinning back at his friends, he stepped forward. "Sorry, didn't hear ya. What'd you say?"
"Moron," Kouichi repeated heatedly, throwing a punch at the boy and hitting his cheek, sending him staggering back to his friends. "Listen up. You owe me for the eggs. No use crying over spilt milk, they say, but this isn't milk, it's egg. They alley behind the candy store, midnight!" Kouichi snapped, pointing at the boy. He dropped his hand and looked at passers-by, quickly bowing in apology. "Sorry to bother you all. Good day," he said quickly before dashing to Arata. "Let's go," he said, not waiting even a second for the boy to catch up to him.
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"You what? Baku is going to kill us!" Yumena screamed. "First you wake up late, then you challenge our best assassin to a midnight duel? And for goodness sakes, why did you ask Baku for groceries?"
"Does it matter? Yes, I challenged the moron, and I never asked Baku for anything. I've never talked to the guy. How could I ask someone I've never seen for groceries, or a kitchen or new furniture?" Kouichi snarled. "You're all really getting on my nerves. It's tempting to think about decimating the place with Duskmon!" He drew a deep breath, then let it out through gritted teeth. "I swear, bother me one more time…"
"I'm telling Baku!" Yume screamed.
Perhaps he was really just crying over spilt milk. But what mattered was that it was his spilt milk, no one else's.
"That's it!" Kouichi pulled out his deck. "Ogremon!"
Yumena's eyes widened. "Lillymon!"
"I'm not done! Vegiemon! RedVegiemon! Impmon, Chuumon, and Sukamon! Make her life miserable!"
Yumena shrieked. "You wouldn't!"
"I AM!" Kouichi spat, turning around and heading for the door. The digimon were back to cards, safe in his hands. What is wrong with me? I need to calm down…
…I think that is happening again…
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He had been reading for three straight hours without a thought to himself. It was only another twenty minutes later, when Kouichi finished the book, that he thought anything. And it wasn't very nice, either.
Stupid Nathaniel. Trying to play hero, that's dumb. If he hadn't tried being nice, then maybe…
Kouichi put down the book and frowned. Standing up and leaving the book lying there on the table, he muttered, "Stupid book."
Continuing down the stairs of the library and approaching the exit, he decided to come to terms with himself. He had had a somewhat enjoyable time reading, but that didn't make up for the foul mood he was in now, especially when he realized he was somewhat like the main character of the book he read, only more annoying, less 'romantic,' and less selfish (of course, this part was debatable).
"I better find out what I should use against that guy," he told himself with a sigh, digging his hands into his pocket as he walked out of the library. Although, now that he thought about it, it would be fun to just fall asleep and not go, just to tick Yumena off.
"Hey!"
Why can't people just shut up? Honestly, yelling in public…
"Excuse me!"
Kouichi froze at the sight of a smiling girl standing in front of him, eyes shut. You've got to be kidding, he thought, the edges of his mouth twitching as he fought back the urge to laugh. Nevertheless, he felt compelled to answer. "Yes?"
She opened her eyes, and Kouichi was immediately reminded of Yumena. "I was wondering if you could help me."
A sigh escaped his lips. Kouichi folded his arms. "With what?" he asked, trying to sound patient.
"Well, there were these guys picking on me…" Her pointer finger was running across his arm. "And I figured someone as strong as you could stop them," she added.
All in all, Kouichi decided if she wanted to act as Yumena, he might as well treat her like Yumena. It was only fair to Yumena. He smiled (but smirked inwardly), grabbed both of her hands, pulled her towards him.
"Flirting will get you nowhere."
The smile on her face fell while his grew into a smirk. She didn't give up, though.
"Well, are you going to help?" she asked, pulling her hands away. She took two steps back and glared at Kouichi.
"I don't like the look you're giving me. Moreover, there's a fee of one thousand yen per person I have to beat up," Kouichi joked (though he sounded completely serious). His expression had been serious until the last few words, at which he had to turn himself around so as to not give himself away.
"Let's cut to the chase, boy."
Oh, she was finally serious.
"What do you want, kid?" Kouichi retorted. He could really care less if she was older. She was shorter than him, and that was all he took into consideration while thinking up his retaliation.
"The boss wants me to put you in your place. We don't care if you're in Yumena's talon. We're under Heima. Keep that in mind, boy," she snapped.
Kouichi just snorted. "See if I care," he called back, digging his hands in his pockets and walking away.
"I'm challenging you and you're walking away?"
He stopped. Really, the girl was pushing it. Having already punched someone, yelled at Yumena, then having realized he was no better than a lousy book character, Kouichi wasn't in the best of moods. He didn't care if she was a girl. He needed to hurt someone.
And he guessed he realized his problem.
Maybe he had come a long way from sorrow, but the feelings that he had experienced during his mother's death were still there. He had hurt other people with hopes they would understand how he felt. They didn't. Somehow, he must have changed, but seeing Arata on the floor awoke the old feelings of vengeance. He didn't know who to direct his feelings of hate at. Those who hurt people he knew…loved…were just outlets for his anger.
And he had the power. He wouldn't waste his chance. Not this time. He wanted to crush them, send them away forever.
That girl…and his feelings.
"So little boy, are you ready to fall to your knees?" she sneered.
Kouichi just chuckled. "You're in the assassin group? Pitiful really…" Slowly, he turned around, meeting her eyes with a baleful look of his own. "Don't you know how to do your job correctly? If you're going to attack someone in broad daylight, you can't do it where there are going to be witnesses."
She just smiled sweetly and walked up to him, placing a finger on his lips. "But you said flirting doesn't work."
"Mm…" He pushed her hand away. "It doesn't."
She let out a sharp laugh and walked past him. "Better keep up."
Kouichi's expression darkened. There won't be any trouble there.
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"How much time did I waste on her?" Kouichi wondered aloud, yawning as he entered the mansion.
Yume was seated in the middle of the room, arms folded. "You beat Eri?" she asked, trying not to raise her voice.
He could only smirk as he walked down the steps and stopped in front of the girl. "Oh, yeah…Eri. We had a lot of fun together…" Kouichi trailed off, leaning down slightly. "We're going out again tonight. Want to come?"
She shrieked and batted him away with her hand. Kouichi could only laugh, seeing her redden in rage.
"No," he finally said after things quieted down. "I pretended to follow her for a while before I got bored, went home to watch TV, then came here." Without the TV of course, he thought. But obviously, she'll buy that lie.
Yume's eyes were narrowed onto him. "What were you thinking? We needed you for a mission and you decide to run off?"
"Yeah, so?"
"You'll be staying here for the rest of the month," she announced, rising to her feet.
"Actually, I'll be taking my leave today," Kouichi retorted. "Tonight, really, after I cream the moron. Doesn't really make a difference to me, though."
She gritted her teeth. "Baku insists."
"He can come here and tell me that himself." Kouichi turned around, heading back towards the door.
"Kouichi, you leave now, and you'll regret it."
He stopped. Not this.
"Why?" he asked aloud.
Yume rose to her feet. She took her time, walking over to him, then took one of his hands in her own. "You know I could give Heima the word anytime and your family would be gone. I know how you work, Kouichi…" She lifted his hand up, examining his palm.
After a moment of silence, Kouichi shrugged. "Okay. Kill them," he told her, taking his hand back and moving closer to the door.
She stared at him, a look of stupor gracing her features. "R-really…?"
"No, not really!" Kouichi spat, turning around in annoyance. "You do that and I'll kill you with Duskmon." He opened his mouth to add more, but simply shrugged and left it as it was.
"Fine! You win against Eri and Ringo, and you can go home. You lose to either of them, and you stay for the rest of the month." Yumena smirked to herself, although Kouichi couldn't identify the reason. "Why not just try right now?" I can assure you that you won't beat them, Yumena thought to herself, seeing Kouichi nod with an arrogant look on his face.
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It was a large empty room, probably the twice the size of the indoor basketball courts at his school, Kouichi noticed. There were seats on the side, arranged as they would be at a football stadium. There was a platform that rose at least two feet off the floor in the middle of the room, a yard away from the walls and seats.
"Well, well, this should be easy…"
"Eri, is it?" Then I have to agree with such a pretty girl like you. It will be over soon," Kouichi said, smirking because Yumena was glaring and…just because.
Eri just kept shuffling her deck, eyes glued on Kouichi, a smirk of her own gracing her lips. Her hands stopped their movements, and Kouichi tensed.
"MarineAngemon!"
His entire body stiffened in anticipation of what to expect. What to expect…? He wasn't sure. Something large, something to do with water. Kouichi tightened his grip on his cards. Should I get Gatomon out…?
The digimon Eri had summoned slowly materialized above her head. "Pi!"
Kouichi rose an eyebrow. His cards slipped out of his hand, and for the first few seconds, all he could do was stare. Staring led to twitching. Twitching led to full out laughter. The small digimon cocked his head to the side, gazing at Kouichi in confusion.
"That?" he cackled, bending down to pick up his cards. "That's just…you've got to be kidding!" Straightening himself, Kouichi looked through his deck. "Gatomon! Here's the little fishy you wanted!"
"That was lame…and you interrupted my nap," Gatomon sniffed. The digimon stood up and narrowed her eyes on MarineAngemon. "That's no fish."
Kouichi bit back a groan. "Just…beat him up, would you? Please?"
"Pathetic!" Eri shouted. "A disobedient digimon?"
"FYI, a digimon has its rights too!" Kouichi snapped.
Gatomon turned her head to look at Kouichi. Pointing to MarineAngemon with a claw, she asked, "Does this mean I don't have to fight him?"
He didn't bother to conceal his anger now.
"No, that means you fight him and PROVE HER WRONG!"
"MarineAngemon!" Eri shouted.
A cry of delight escaped Yumena, who was seated beside the sleeping Itsuma. "Get him, Eri!"
Kouichi threw a glare in her direction. "Shut up!" he snapped. He opened his mouth to say more, only to pitch forward. His eyes widened in confusion.
What the…did the runt…do that?
As he fell, he glanced sideways at the girl's digimon, only to discover it was in the same place it had been before. "Wh-what…?" Kouichi gasped, feeling a blow to his stomach before he hit the ground. He was sent flying back up in the air.
"Gatomon! A-Attack MarineAngemon already!" he managed to yell, screaming a split second later from the pain that coursed through his body.
It can't be that runt! She's cheating! She…or…Yumena! Kouichi had a thousand and two possibilities running through his head. And yet, the only conclusion he could come up with was that she was cheating.
Cheating. He hated cheaters. They were cowards who were well aware they couldn't win without the use of tricks.
"Damn it! Play fair!" he snapped, swinging his foot forward and hitting something hard.
But he was in the air. There was nothing to hit.
"Now, now…don't be afraid to play dirty…!" Eri let out a small laugh full of contempt. "If that's the best you can do…" –she paused as Kouichi was hit again, this time from the back, causing him to land roughly on the platform– "…you're as good as dead."
If she weren't a girl, I'd pummel her now. "Sorry, I don't hit girls," he murmured, slowly rising to his feet. His body was aching everywhere; he wasn't sure how long he would last. He needed to finish this quick. "So…who's the lucky digimon I get to pummel? Obviously a sad, brainwashed little thing."
She just smiled as MarineAngemon returned to his card form. "My little secret is about to be revealed. Be patient. Tyrannomon!"
"Gatomon, what are you doing?" Kouichi snapped, glaring at the form of the cat digimon.
Another laugh from Eri. "Look again. Do you think she can fight when she's paralyzed with fear? Tyrannomon, get rid of the cat."
Kouichi looked at Eri angrily, mouth open to retort. Instead, he found a large red tyrannosaurus with red stripes along its legs and arms looking at him with bloodlust obvious in its eyes. Kouichi swallowed. He had liked being at the top of the food chain.
"I…I'm not even warmed up and you're trying to finish?" But Gatomon…Damn. Just a week…no. The rest of the month. I'm so sorry, Kouji. Kouichi winced as he found himself springing forward towards Gatomon. Now what?
The girl smiled. He could hear Yumena laugh; the girl had a sick sense of humor, he decided. Itsuma was asleep; he would be a blundering idiot if he tried to help anyway, or so Kouichi reasoned. And Arata…
…Arata hadn't come for reasons Kouichi thought were obvious.
He was helpless against the giant digimon's claws. He'd never really expected it to hurt so little, but he supposed he should have, what with his body numb from all the other hits.
"You're a fool," Eri laughed.
"I…I'll…" Kouichi collapsed, letting out a breath with great difficulty. I'll cream you soon. You and every other underling of Heima's. Drawing another breath, Kouichi slowly brough his right hand up, laying the cards on the ground as he tried to sort through them. There…! Crying out weakly, Kouichi grasped Duskmon's card.
"D-Dusk…" The words were at the tip of his tongue.
Eri frowned. "Tyrannomon."
He was at his limit. Darkness eagerly embraced him.
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A/N-
HOLY SHOOT THAT'S IT?! I guess it is. I've changed the story title to Cursed Gifts: A Pandora's Box. Sorry for not changing it earlier.
I didn't especially like this chapter. It felt weird, typing it up. I changed a more things than usual, too. I might have to rewrite a lot more now. Yikes.
Thank you for the reviews: GemmaniGirl, TrialAndError123456
Review or PM or Flame!