Kitty: Oh no!*blink* I don't remember when I last updated. The weeks are flying by so fast! . Hmmm, so all the fun stuff happens now. I'm hoping my boulder will come crashing down the hill, aided greatly by gravity.

Here's my excuse AND warning: It's been a long time finishing because I've come to ending and now I don't like the ending. As I've already told you. It's so cliché, I swear. I did my best to uncliché it, but it's still got classic soap opera. *sigh* I see about two more chapter and the story closing. I hope I can pull off an okay ending. *sigh*

Chocolate Covered

Chapter 23

Chocolate Covered Morning

Tai's eyes opened slowly. He closed them immediately and groaned. The world was spinning dangerously on the other side of his eyelids and his head was pounding even worse now. God, what happened? I feel like I tried to kill myself and failed miserably. My mouth tastes disgusting! What the hell did I do? Tai reached up with one hand and dragged it through his thick, brown hair. His arm felt so heavy he just let his hand fall to the pillow as he slowly opened his eyes again. As the world spun out of control, he felt a rising nausea in his gut, but it wasn't too bad, and he didn't feel like moving, so he stared at the white ceiling, pressing his lips together tightly. Beside him, Izzy stirred. There was a gentle brush and slide of hair over his chest and Izzy's slender arm tightened around Tai's waist. Tai pulled his arm up off the pillow, because the other arm was pinned under Izzy's shoulders, and reached over to Izzy. Tai sighed softly as Izzy's smooth, bare shoulder slid under his fingertips like silk. God, he loved to touch Izzy, and smell him… and…

Tai frowned. There was something wrong with the smell here. Izzy's room was always so clean; it always smelled of air freshener and his computer was always humming in the corner. But this room was not only completely silent, but it smelled kind of… musty… and old. There was no gentle "Spring Rain" or "Clean Linen" scent to caress his nose like usual. And Izzy…Izzy smelled… kind of girly. Izzy always smelled like regular, old soap, but today… he kind of smelled like peaches… or apples or something. Tai moved his head slightly, to bury his nose in Izzy's hair to sniff closer, and Izzy shifted closer, pressing his body against Tai's. Tai's eyes widened; his nose, his eyesight, all his senses were failing except for where his skin burned. He wanted to close his eyes again and wake up in Izzy's room. But he suddenly knew he wasn't in Izzy's room and Izzy wasn't the one lying naked and warm beside him.

"Shit." Tai whispered as the girl belonging to the breasts pressed against his ribcage yawned.

"Wh-what?" mumbled a husky, rough voice at his side. "How are you feelin', Taichi?"

Tai slowly turned his head, fighting the urge to close his eyes, like a child who doesn't want to see the mess he made and therefore not clean it up. His "mess" was smiling up at him with Izzy's shy smile. If it wasn't for the long length of hair and the feeling of breasts on his skin, he would've sworn this girl was Izzy. Which made her a very familiar face.

"Amaretsu!"

She blinked at him.

"What?"

"Isn't your name Amaretsu?" Tai asked, his eyes narrowing. There can't be three Izzy-look-alikes out there!

"No. I already told you, you don't know my name." She sat up on her knees, bringing the blanket up with her. Tai scrambled up to a sitting position, still in shock. "The name I gave you when we me the first time wasn't my name. It's kinda my nom de plume."

"Your what?"

"An alias, stupid! My real name is Koushiko! Kou-shi-ko, got it? Jeez." She slumped back against the wall and crossed her arms over her chest. "Stop looking at me like that!" She snapped.

"Why am I here? What happened? We didn't... did we?" Tai stuttered. Koushiko rolled her eyes.

"Gawd, you're hopeless. Look here, boyo, we did do the nasty, or whatever you wanna call it. I led you away from the party when you were smashed out of your mind. This is my apartment, stupid." Koushiko frowned. "Hey, you hungry? I think we have some eggs."

"No, I'M NOT HUNGRY! I gotta, shit, no way... I gotta call Izzy. I gotta... shit..." Tai leaned over his lap, clutching at his head. "What the hell am I gonna tell Izzy?" He whispered. "He's going to hate me."

"Then stay with me." Tai's honey eyes looked up, wide and surprised. Her voice sounded so desperate.

"What?" He breathed. She leaned over and brushed hair from his eyes.

"Don't go back to him. Stay with me. I'll be your Izzy, Taichi. I want you so much. You have no idea... how much I need you, Taichi. He doesn't. He has a life that he doesn't need you in. I need you, Taichi. I need you so much." Koushiko begged, her black eyes boring into his. "Don't go back. Stay with me."

"I-I... n-no, I can't! I don't even know you! What the hell do you want from me!? Why'd you do this?" Tai exclaimed pulling away from her. He flinched as her black eyes flashed with pain and then shuttered closed.

"Then go. Go back to your perfect boyfriend. Give him everything he wants and doesn't deserve. What has he done for you, huh? Let you sleep in his bed and not sleep with him? Let you go out to parties where you can get smashed and kidnapped and raped?"

"Are you saying you-"

"Shut up, idiot!" She jumped up and walked away from him, trailing the blanket. "You go back to your perfect boyfriend and you don't have to tell him about me, all right? I don't even exist anyway! He's taken everything and you just give him one more thing! Go on, go!" Koushiko screamed, her finger pointed to the door.

"I... I need my clothes... what the hell are you talking about? Who are you?" Tai asked getting off the bed. "Why do you look like Izzy? How do you know him?"

"I don't know him, damn it! Get out!" Koushiko reached down and grabbed a pair of jeans. She threw them at Tai's chest. "Here, take 'em!" A shirt followed, then his boxers. "Take 'em and get the fuck out!"

"What the hell! Koushiko!"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!" She screamed. "Get your phag-ass outta my apartment!"

"HEY! You can't just-" Koushiko ran into another room and slammed the door behind her. Tai sighed, pulling on his pants, and went to the door. "Koushiko..."

"Get out, Taichi."

"Talk to me, what the hell is going on? Why did you bring me here? Why are you angry with Izzy?"

"I don't know you or Izzy, so go stuff it."

"Why'd you bring me here? Why'd you say all that stuff earlier?"

"Because... I meant it, Taichi. I don't..." There was a pause. "I need to be awake. I need help keeping my eyes open." She whispered.

"What's that supposed to mean? You're just confusing me more."

"Go away, Taichi. Go back to Koushirou and tell him you love him. Pretend like last night didn't happened, because it never did."

"Koushiko, please."

"Go."

Tai stared at the door and then pulled his shirt on. Koushiko sobbed silently into her hands as the front door closed behind him.

"I'm so stupid. Why did I think this would work? Why did I think that I could exist by taking away what he already had? I'm crazy, I'm going fuckin' crazy." She whispered under her sobs. "I'm falling asleep again and nothing's going to stop it, not even taking away Taichi. How could I be so stupid? Damn you, Koushirou, damn you for existing when I can't."

&&&

Miyako twirled on her computer chair letting her hair fly around her. Hikari had texted to say she was on her way over and Miyako couldn't wait to tell her the good news.

"Me 'n Ken, yeah, that Ken- Oh, I love saying his name!" Miyako squealed behind her hands. "Oh, right. So, me 'n Ken are a couple now!" She squealed again as she said it. "I can't wait to tell her! She'll be so surprised. I've never been so happy!" Miyako paused, her eyes darkening and her hands falling to her lap. That's not exactly true. I was happy with Daisuke. I... I felt really happy with him. And comfortable, too. It felt nice being with him. I never had to try hard... until the end. I knew he loved her, and that's when it started hurting. Her hands squeezed together on her lap. Can three years mean so little? I saw the guilt and pain in Daisuke every day and I know how badly I was hurting. And Ken... Ken really loved her. He tried so hard, I'm jealous. But what about Hikari? Did she spend those three years just missing and loving Daisuke? Did she feel for Ken at all? How could she be with Ken for three years and never love him? How could she be with him for three years if she didn't love him? All she ever does is hide. How can I really call her my friend... if I don't even know if she's really smiling or not?

"Miyako, Yagami-chan is here." Miyako glanced up, smothering the guilty look on her face, to see her mother and Hikari standing in her doorway.

"Ohayou!" Miyako jumped to her feet. "Thanks, mom."

"Of course. Try not to wake up your sister, okay? You know how she hates waking up before noon on Sundays."

"Yeah, yeah, go on, mom." Miyako pushed her mom out the door and closed it. "Right, so...you skipped the concert? Naughty, naughty." Miyako teased.

"Oh, shush. Daisuke came over and had dinner with my parents and we watched a movie. I don't have to go to every concert, you know. I usually go to rehearsals anyway." Hikari shrugged, smiling.

"I'm sure Daisuke loved that. Eating your mom's food, I mean." Miyako laughed.

"We all managed to convince my mom eating out was a much better idea." Hikari laughed, too. "I heard from Takeru-kun you skipped the concert, too. He made it sound like a big mystery, so now I'm dying to know. Why?"

Miyako flipped her hair over her shoulder. "I hung out with parents last night, too."

"Eh..."

"In Yamamoto."

"Wh-what!?" Hikari jumped up. "What do you mean?"

"I met Ken-san's parents last night and had dinner with them. Hikari-chan, we're dating now!" Miyako hopped up, too, her face shining with happiness. Hikari looked flabbergasted.

"B-But... you hated each other..." Hikari stuttered.

"Well, yeah. It was a big misunderstanding and... well, a whole lot of pigheadedness. But, really, I've been in love with him for years." Miyako smiled softly. "Stupid jerk."

"Then... then, why did you date Daisuke?" Hikari hissed lowly. Her hands were clenched at her sides.

"What?" Miyako stopped smiling. Hikari was facing the floor so Miyako couldn't see her face.

"You... you were in love with Ichijouji-kun this whole time, but you dated Daisuke? Why? Why would you do that?" Hikari repeated.

"Why would I do that? I loved Daisuke!" Miyako exclaimed, jumping to her feet, her hazel eyes flashing. "I loved him so much it hurt. I wanted to erase his feelings for the girl that broke his heart, you. You know how I met him, don't you remember? He was sitting in the rain, just sitting! You broke him, Hikari, with all those secrets and lies! You never showed him how much he meant to you, not even when it mattered, and I saw what that did to him! Maybe I loved him out of pity, but DAMN IT! I wanted it… I wanted it to work so much." Miyako's face fell and her purple hair fell to frame her face. Hikari stood just in front of Miyako, her tanned-face pale.

"M-Miyako-san…" Hikari stammered. Miyako shook her head quickly to stop Hikari from speaking.

"Yes, Hikari, I love Ken, and I've loved him for years, but I put that love aside when I realized-no, believed, that nothing would come of it. Loving Daisuke was a surprise and… a compulsion, I couldn't have stopped it if I wanted to. But…" Miyako hazel eyes glistened. "I let him go, for you and for him, because you two are… empty without each other. I couldn't fill him up, no matter how much I tried. Though a part of my heart will always love Daisuke, I was… I was so glad that you two could be happy. And who knew that I would find my true happiness because of it? I did my best to be selfless, for him, and what have you done? Who are you to point fingers?" Miyako snapped, anger filling her again. "You used them both up Hikari, and then spit them out! Both of them loved you, while I left to look on and wish I could be just a little bit more like you."

"No, Miyako! You don't want to be like me! You're right. I messed up. I hurt them and told myself that it'd be okay, they knew what they were getting into." Hikari clenched her fists tightly. "I'm so used to hiding in myself, it's so hard to let someone else in, so I fight it. Then… I hurt someone who just wanted to care for me. I learned my lesson, Miyako." Hazel met amber. "I am so sorry. Please… forgive me for hurting you, too."

Miyako rubbed her eyes and ran the few steps to Hikari and threw her arms around her. "Yes, yes, I forgive you! I'm sorry! I shouldn't have… all those awful things I said…" Miyako began to sob and Hikari felt her own eyes begin to overflow.

"No, you were right, Miyako. We needed this. Now-Now, I think… we're going to be…real friends." Hikari choked out.

"Best friends!" Miyako exclaimed. Hikari and Miyako began to laugh as they stood in Miyako's room, holding each other tight.

&&&

Jyou knocked on the door, the scents of flowers filling the air around him. I should've taken Benadryl before coming here. Jyou thought as he felt his sinuses clog.

"Oh, Kido-san, konnichi wa! Ogenki desu ka?" Takenouchi-san, Sora's mother, exclaimed delightedly when she opened the door.

"I'm good, thank you. I went to Mimi's and her parents said she spent the night here?" Jyou asked quickly. "They said she's been feeling poorly."

Takenouchi-san sighed. "Yes, she's here. And she is very sick, poor dear. I heard her puking this morning. She wasn't even well enough for breakfast. Sora-chan is with her now with some chicken broth and orange juice. Why don't you come in and I'll tell them you're here?" Takenouchi moved to the side and ushered Jyou in.

"N-No, I got it. I really need to see her. If you'll excuse me, I'll see myself up?"

"Oh, yes, of course." Takenouchi let Jyou run past her up the stairs with a bemused smile on her face. "Finally getting his priorities right, I see."

Jyou raced through the hallway, following the sound of soft whispers.

"Mimi-chan, is it worse? Should we go to the hospital? Maybe we should tell your parents, now?"

"N-No! Please, S-Sora-chan, you promised! Please!"

"I…Okay, but what about Jyou-san? He works for the hospital, he can help and he needs to know, Meems." Sora said soothingly.

"I… I can't worry him, Sora…not yet, please?"

Jyou felt his heart squeeze at those quiet words. She can't even tell me how sick she is because she doesn't want to worry me? She's being so considerate of my life, and I barely even notice hers. What happened to being love? Of watching every graceful movement she made and rushing to her house between classes and surprising her with gifts just to see her smile? Is my life so important I can't make room for her anymore?

Jyou knocked softly and then pushed open the door. His dark grey eyes skipped right over Sora and met Mimi's shining chestnut gaze. Her brown hair was hanging limping around her pale face and sweat glistened on her forehead.

"J-Jyou! Oh, Jyou! I didn't…" Mimi stuttered, struggling to rise. Jyou hurried to the bed as Sora scrambled away.

"No, lay back. You look like hell, Meems." Jyou whispered. He pushed her back onto the pillows and kissed her lips softly. "I know what you didn't want to do, but you should've Mimi. You mean more to me than my internship. I've been working so much overtime, and I should've been with you instead. I'm not even a doctor yet." He grinned lopsidedly. Mimi pressed one hand to her mouth and shook her head fiercely.

"N-No! That's not true! Your internship and classes, they're difficult and important and I couldn't bother you with this, not if I could help it! I have no idea what it's like to be in your place and… I didn't want to add just one more worry to your life, because you worry about EVERYTHING!" Mimi wailed. Jyou chuckled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"True enough. But from now on, worry me, Mimi. I want you to be there, mixed in with classes and hospitals and homework. I almost forgot how much you mean to me." Jyou stopped and frowned softly. "Actually, I don't want you just mixed in, I want you at the top of my list, Mimi. I want you to come first, so don't let me forget it. I love you, Mimi. Please forgive me?" He asked earnestly.

"Jyou! Stupid Jyou! You're so stupid!" Mimi threw her arms around him and laughed. "Of course I forgive you! What kinda heartless teenager you take me for?"

"Thank god." Jyou sighed. "Now, let's see." He pulled Mimi away, holding onto her upper arms. "Sweaty, pale, vomiting, and slightly feverish. Are you taking any medication? Did you see a doctor at all?"

"N-No…Jyou…" Mimi looked over at Sora with wide eyes. Sora nodded encouragingly. Jyou watched the exchange, his brow furrowing.

"Is there something I'm missing?" Jyou asked, fear lacing his voice.

"Jyou, please, please, promise me you won't panic. You sound like you're about to freak, baby." Mimi begged.

"What's going on, Mimi?" Jyou demanded. "What don't I know?" Mimi flinched as his fingers dug into her arms before quickly relaxing.

"It's… Jyou…I'm not sick." Mimi whispered. Jyou's eyes widened.

"M-Mimi?" He whispered.

"I-I'm…" Mimi took a deep breath and, suddenly, her eyes widened. "SORA!"

"Mimi!" Sora raced to Jyou's side as Mimi screamed, curling around her stomach.

"What's happening? Sora?" Jyou shouted as Mimi screamed.

"She's been in a lot of pain all morning and for the past couple days. I think there's something wrong with the baby."

"B-baby?"

"S-Sora, J-Jyou, please… oh… oh no, oh no, no, no, NO!" Mimi began to scream even louder as she pressed her hands to her abdomen. "Jyou, Jyou! Help me! The baby…" Jyou quickly threw aside the blanket and Sora gasped as Mimi wailed. Blood was spreading over the mattress and caked her thighs like gory paint. "Jyou!"

Jyou swept her up into his arms, his grey eyes steely and his face white as a sheet. "Sora, the door! Get your mother in a car, now!"

Sora scrambled to the door just as Takenouchi-san opened it. "What's going on, So- Oh my god!"

"She needs to go to ER now! She's miscarriaging." Jyou barked. Takenouchi nodded and raced down the stairs as Mimi wailed again.

"The baby, Jyou, I'm sorry, our baby." She sobbed hysterically.

"Shh, koibito, it'll be okay. I'm here now." Jyou whispered, pressing his lips to her forehead as he ran down the hallway to the stairs. Mimi nodded as she sobbed brokenly. His grey eyes seethed angrily as he felt her body shake with pain and sobs. Someone has some explaining to do.

&&&

Koushirou opened his eyes groggily as the front door slammed shut. He rose up and immediately winced. He had fallen asleep at his desk, something he hadn't done in months… since Taichi moved in, really. He rubbed his neck, grimacing. His blurred, black eyes glanced over at his alarm clock and frowned at the time. Nine 'o' clock in the morning? He rose slowly. He looked down to see he was still wearing the clothes he wore yesterday and his computer was purring quietly, obviously in hibernation mode.

"H-He… never came home?" Koushirou whispered into his empty room. Abruptly, he remembered hearing the door close and he raced out of the room. He made it to kitchen and skidded to a halt. On his right the living room was empty and on his left, so was the kitchen. No Taichi drinking out of the orange juice carton grinning guiltily, no sound of cereal pouring into the bowl because Taichi was too lazy to cook eggs for himself. Koushirou shuffled into the kitchen, unable to believe his eyes. Was he so angry he never came home? He pulled a chair out from the table and fell onto it. His elbows thudded on the tabletop and his face fell onto his open hands. Stars burst behind his eyelids as he pressed his eyes to the heels of his palms.

"What are we doing, Taichi? Why are we falling apart? Isn't love enough? Does there always have to be more? I loved you so long, Taichi, but was it only a dream? Is something as stupid as sex going to take you from me? I don't… I don't understand. Aren't I enough?" Koushirou whispered. For hours, it seemed, he sat there, silently waiting for the front door to open again.

Koushirou twitched slightly as the front door opened and closed softly. There was a quiet release of breath and a muffled thump. Then, shuffling footsteps came over the threshold.

"Izzy?" Taichi's voice broke through the silence like a gunshot. "Izzy, what happened? Are you all right? Did something happen?" Tai started toward Koushirou, fear making his heart pound.

"You didn't come home last night." Koushirou whispered. Tai pulled up to a stop just inside the kitchen.

"Y-Yeah…I…"

"Tai… are you that angry?"

"No, no, Izzy, it's not because of the fight I didn't come home." Tai exclaimed. "It was an accident. I wanted to come home right away!"

Koushirou slowly raised his head and turned around in his chair. "Really?" Koushirou's face, so weary and grey, brightened slightly.

"Really, I swear." Tai took two large steps and then knelt by Koushirou's chair. "I got stupid and drunk some spiked punch without meaning to and got smashed outta my mind. I didn't even know where I was by the end of the night. Izzy, about the fight, I was real dick. But, Izzy, there's something really important I have to tell you. And… I'm… I'm really sorry, Izzy. I'm really sorry." Tai whispered, his honey eyes dark. Koushirou looked into those eyes and felt his stomach plummet to his shoes.

I don't want to know! Don't tell me, Taichi! Please, Taichi, don't tell me. Koushirou screamed in his mind. His voice was with his stomach, however, so he could only stare with dark eyes at Tai's tortured face.

"Know how I said I got really drunk, Izzy? Well, it was really bad. I didn't know up from down and suddenly, you walked up to me."

"W-What? B-but-" Koushirou forced out past numb lips.

"Yeah, I know, just listen, okay?" Tai ran his hand through his hair and stared at the kitchen tile. "Anyway, I thought this person was you. You came up to me and said you were glad you found me or something, I dunno, I can't remember properly. I knew something was wrong. I kept staring at you, but I was too drunk for it to click. Then… I followed you home." Tai came to a stop, his jaw tight.

"T-Taichi…" Koushirou whispered. Tai continued, his voice rough and harsh.

"I woke up this morning feeling like utter shit and… and… in some girl's bed." Koushirou stood abruptly and walked towards the sink and Tai fell back on his heels. His honey-brown eyes stared at Koushirou's back warily.

"Y-You… followed… some strange girl home… and y-you thought I was her? A girl? Don't give me that bullshit, Taichi!" Koushirou shouted at the sink, his shoulders shaking. "I'm not the most masculine guy out there, but there's a difference in anatomy!"

"Damn it, I was too drunk to even notice! I don't even remember that part!" Tai exclaimed.

"Oh, is that supposed to make it better? Because it doesn't!" Koushirou retorted.

"No, it's not supposed to! I'm not making excuses for myself, Izzy. I know I fucked up, but at least I've the balls to tell you!"

"Kudos, Taichi." Koushirou snapped bitterly.

Silence fell between them. Tai shifted foot to foot and ran his hand through his hair once more.

"What now… Izzy?"

"I…I… don't know, Taichi. After… after everything these past few weeks… maybe… this is for the best."

"Izzy…?"

"You should leave, Taichi."

"Izzy, not again!" Tai exploded. "Don't you even care enough to make it work? You always look for the next excuse to break up with me! I'm fucking tired of you acting like… like a saint or those idiots that burn for Christianity!"

"Matyrs."

"Whatever!"

"I'm not acting like a matyr, Taichi! We've been trying to be a couple for the past three years and failed!" Koushirou finally turned around, his black eyes bright. "All you want is what I can't give! I tired of fighting and the guilt! I'm just so damn tired! Aren't I enough?! Do you always have to have more? Apparently you couldn't wait long enough so you picked up some random redhead, got yourself drunk enough to think she was me-"

"It didn't fucking happen like that! She looks just like you, Izzy! You have to meet her, Izzy. I swear, she know-"

"HA! You want me to meet the slut that-"

"Don't call her that!" Tai exclaimed. He immediately regretted his outburst at Izzy's face, but he couldn't help but remember the ache in her voice when she had pleaded with him just hours before.

"Don't call her… that?" Izzy whispered. "For some random girl, you sure seem to care about her."

"No, wait, I didn't mean it like that. It's… god, Izzy, it's complicated, let me explain."

"NO! Just get out! I'm tired of listening! You're making it worse, Taichi! Go back to her, then! You wanted a girl Izzy, didn't you!? Well, you got it! Enjoy." Koushirou hissed as tears slipped over his cheeks.

"Izzy-" Tai reached forward and Izzy jerked away.

"LEAVE ME ALONE! Don't you touch me! You wanted to have sex, she's obviously willing. You wanted Izzy and she looks just like me. You're getting everything you wanted, so go back and live it up!"

Tai let his hand fall to his side. "You're right, I should go back. You never wanted me to stay anyway. You're getting your wish, Iz-Koushirou. No more drama, no more sex, no more Taichi. Enjoy living alone and feeling like you're the better man because I fucked up. I tried my damnedest to work with you, how much have you given for me?"

Taichi spun on his heel and walked away. The front door shut and Koushirou fell to the tile.

How much have you given for me?

"Nothing… I've given nothing at all." Koushirou whispered. He drew his legs up to his chest and curled around his knees. Distantly, he heard his phone ring, but he ignored it as he sobbed silently.

Tai strode down the sidewalk, his eyes burning as his long legs ate up the sidewalk. Within the hour he was back in Tokyo and pushing open a white-washed door. Inside, two girls sat, smoke wreathing their heads. The smaller, redhead stood.

"Taichi?"

"You shouldn't smoke, Koushiko-san."

"Taichi!" Koushiko rushed forward and threw her arms around his neck. "You came back.?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry."

"S'okay. S'okay now. Thank you."