9.

"Ken-chan, you could have just told me a friend was coming over instead of sneaking him in..."

Ken flushes and that face reminds Takeru of Yamato whenever Gabumon says something embarrassing. "I'm sorry, you all were asleep..."

Takeru bows his head. "I'm sorry for barging in on you like this, ma'am. Something came up at home. My mother knows I'm here." She had no idea but he would message her since he didn't have a house key. "Or, she knows I'm at a friend's house anyway. I didn't think I'd come all the way out here."

"I see. Well!" She claps her hands and her eyes are still a little moist. "Let me just get you a sleeping bag! You'll get to sleep in for a while, as tomorrow is your day off. Would you like breakfast?"

The thought of him being served breakfast in the middle of (former) enemy territory made him uncomfortable, but she looked so earnest. "I-I would appreciate that. Thank you..." He trailed off, seeing the woman bubble over.

"That's wonderful. Let me just get you a futon!"

He bows to her back. "S-Sorry for intruding!"

She bustled away and Takeru stared at her back. "She's… friendly."

"I worry her," Ken says in a soft voice. "And Dad… I'm all they have left now." He pauses and this one lasts a little longer, but not long enough for the mother to return and force the awkwardness away. "Sometimes, there is this voice. In my head. It talks in my voice and… maybe it's me and maybe I am as bad as it says..."

"Ken-chan..."

Wormmon's voice hurts.

"And, the proof of that Is the pain I caused you. So… please let me fix it." Ken looks, not at him, there's no way that's going to happen any time soon, but in his direction. "Maybe if you show me, you and your friends, where I was doing these things, maybe I can think of a way to reverse it."

"Reverse it?" Is there even a way? This is different from Agumon, where they could see the spiral. They can't see it, they don't even know if it's still there.

Ken nods. "Maybe there is something but I don't know. You all know what I've done and I don't remember anything from… from about..." He shivers suddenly and his blue eyes turn purple. "Not since Ryo-san left..."

For some reason, the name makes him feel sick. He is relieved to see Ken's mother return. He doesn't want to think about this anymore, not any of it.

Not even Patamon.

A/N: Hey guys, it's back! Sorry for the delay. Been backlogging things. Anyway, onto the next story chunk! Thanks and catch you later!