A/N: I tried really hard to make this chapter longer but I want to save the exciting parts for the next part! Look forward to it~

Disclaimer: I do Not own digimon!

Chapter 3: The calm before the storm

Thick grey clouds billowed in on the horizon. The air was heavy with the threat of the oncoming storm. The wind had grown still as though it was frozen in the atmosphere. The weather did little to stop Kouji from seeing his family. He, Koichi and their mother sat together around the oak table enjoying a heartfelt meal.

"Thanks mom, dinner was great like always," Kouji beamed a smile at his raven haired mother. He could tell immediately what Koichi was worried about. Dark black circles were under her blue eyes and she seemed a bit unsteady on her feet.

"Yes, mother, it's delicious. Thank you," Koichi nodded in agreement. His eyes kept shifting to Kouji begging silently for him to ask her about her health.

Kouji caught his gaze and took a deep breath before speaking. He wasn't sure this would work. Not many people knew but she was actually quite stubborn. "So, mom, how have you been lately? Is your back still flaring up?"

"Oh? That's very sweet of you to ask, Kouji. I'm doing perfectly fine. My back hasn't been bothering me much at all these days," she giggled a little too forced as she sipped from her ceramic teacup.

Koichi glared at his bowl of half eaten dinner; his lean body tense. "Really? Are you sure you haven't been feeling…different?" Kouji pushed as he nibbled on a piece of tempera.

"Of course not, dear. What brought this on all of a sudden?" she asked her pale eyes hardening as she placed the teacup on the table.

"Ah...well," Kouji gaze flickered to his worried brother. He was positive his mother was hiding something.

"Hmm…are you boys, alright? You both have been oddly quite tonight. Honestly, I'm fine, alright?" she told them sternly her lips twisting into a scowl.

"But mom-!" Koichi suddenly yelled his eyes pleading with her to just confess.

"Enough, Koichi! Please don't worry about me!" the unrelenting woman crossed her arms over her chest.

"No! I won't stop worrying about you!" Koichi bellowed as he slammed his hands on the table and stood up. "When did you plan on telling Kouji that you collapsed at work this week! When did you plan on telling him that the doctor prescribed you another medication that you haven't even gotten from the pharmacy! When did you plan on telling us...that…," Angry tears rolled down the teenager face as he vented.

"Koichi…I…" their mother frowned as she stood up and walked over to her distraught son.

"…Mom…don't you trust me…us? You never tell us anything. You never voice when you're in pain or need help. We aren't kids anymore. We can handle it! So...please…just admit it…please…We can help you…mom…You don't have to provide for me alone…I have a job…I can help you!" Koichi continued his dark bangs covering his eyes as tears speckled onto the table.

Their mother gave him a sympathetic smile, the kind only a mother can give, as she hugged her kind hearted son close. "Please just try relying on us…please." He mumbled letting out the feelings he had been bottling up.

"Mom, he's right. Whatever you guys need let me know. I make a bit of money on my gigs. I don't like seeing you two suffer." Kouji stated leaning forward in his seat. He began twirling the stud earring in his ear out of nervous energy.

Their mother took a deep breath before letting out a heavy sigh. It was clear she was giving into her sons demands. "Boys, what have I done to deserve such good children?" she spoke playfully tweaking Koichi's hair in her frail fingertips. She released him from her arms and sat back down. "Alright, I'll be honest with you both. I haven't been feeling very well lately. The doctor told me I have fibromyalgia."

"Fibromyalgia, what's that?" Kouji asked hoping it wasn't something deadly as his heart started racing.

"Don't get too worked up," she chuckled lightly trying to mask the severity. "It's were I get pain throughout my body mostly in my back muscles and joints. It tends to cause chronic fatigue at times. Honestly it's not so bad yet…I've met others who have it worse." Both boys sat in silence trying to process this information. They could tell she wasn't explaining it all in very much detail.

"Is there a cure or some kind of treatment?" Koichi asked having calmed somewhat and was leaning against the wall.

"No, I'm afraid not. But, don't get upset," she ordered seeing their expressions. "There is medication I can take for the pain. The doctor prescribed me a muscle relaxer. Which, you are correct, I haven't picked it up yet." She admitted shifting in her chair.

"But why not!" Koichi scoffed sternly at her.

She pinched the bridge of her nose for a moment in thought. "…I can't afford the prescription. I'm taking all the hours I can at work …but with the bills and making sure you stay fed is more important to me then some silly pills!"

"Mom let us help you then! Like we said you don't have to work so hard and do everything on your own," Kouji walked over to his mother and gently put his hands on her boney shoulders. "Mom I don't want to lose you again because you didn't take care of yourself. I still…no…I need us to stay as a family." Kouji chocked on his words. The emotions he was trying to force back were rising to the surface.

He had gone 12 years without knowing his real mother was alive or that he had a brother. A twin brother at that. If it wasn't for the Digital World he would have never had even known about them. Sure he had a step-mom and she was cool and all…but it wasn't the same as knowing the one who birthed you into this world. He needed to protect these people. He refused to lose anyone he loved, not after having them missing from his life for so long.

"Exactly! If we all do something to help you then you won't have to force yourself to work so hard," Koichi agreed walking towards them and looking his mother in the eyes.

"Oh…Kouji…Koichi…you two, are too kind to me. What's a mother to do?" she chuckled but in her eyes tears shone. "Alright, if you both want to help then I won't stop you." Her sons looked at each other relief evident on their faces. "Promise me you won't push your selves to hard. If you end up overwhelmed or your grades start declining then I won't let you help anymore, deal"

Both faces lit up as they each promised to work together to get through this trial. Even if they were all living separate lives they would pull through together; because they were…family.

Ruby red eyes honed in on its prey. Two of its targets were within its reach…It would wait…study…they weren't alone in that place. The winged creature wrapped its wings around its body sensing the change in the climate. Its claws dug into rooftop.

Yes, tonight would be perfect. The woman would be sleeping and the boy would be dead. Just…a little longer now…the other boy would have to wait…when it was done devouring the first child…he would be next. The plan was so simple. It could not fail. The beast licked its lips with its snake slit tongue. It could almost taste the fresh flesh in its mouth and the warmth of the blood running down its throat.

Its ears picked up the sounds of the humans moving throughout the house. The female was moving unsteady on weak limbs. The first boy's heart was beating into a normal pulse, instead of the delicious erratic beats of before. The second boy had moved exactly three feet to the left since he had gotten up from the table.

The beast calculated their next movements in a matter of seconds. Thunder roared in the distance. The second child would leave…the first child would do dishes….the female would sit on the couch. Then the child would go to his room….the woman female would go to sleep….but it couldn't attack yet… Its talons tapped on the shingles of the roof as it processed the situation. Once the boy was asleep…when the lovely vein was exposed for the taking would it attack…it was just a matter of time now.

Just as it had predicted Kouji left his mother's house and trekked to get home before the storm hit. The family went about their Sunday night routine. A few hours later the house had grown dark and silent. The family had drifted off into an oblivious sleep. The atmosphere grew heavy as the wind suddenly gust through the town bringing with it a downpour of rain. Thunder roared and lighting flared across the pitch black sky. Now! It was time to begin the master's plan. It was time to kill the first of the DigiDestined!

Wow! Is the suspense getting more intense or is it just me? Please review and let me know what you think! I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

-MyPassionMyHeart