Title: Always Follow the Rabbit
Author: Mrpointyhorns aka Blemery
Rating: R
Status: In Progress
Part: 1
Pairings: Taichi/Koushiro, Augmon, Tentomon, Kei
Warnings: Slash
Spoilers: Season 1 and 2, plus some of the movies (nothing blatantly but there)
Summary: Taichi's has started to settle in his life, and while that can be quite nice, he and Koushiro have never been better, it can also be a bit disappointing, especially his dead-end job. The only thing interesting that ever happens is when he has to babysit his nephew. Until Koushiro detects a disturbance that is about to give Taichi the adventure he craves.
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by someone else. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
A/N: I think I will post quickly what I have written and edited. Then more slowly with what is written, but not edited. Then probably horribly slow because I never have enough time to write. Sorry. Thank you for reading!
"Shiro…" Taichi called when he arrived home the next day. He shrugged out of his jacket dropping it on the hook. Unlike the day before he was feeling less drained from work. Tomorrow was Saturday and that meant he could spend the next two days at home. He always looked forward to the weekend no matter how awful work was on Friday everything was better because he wouldn't be back until Monday. He realized that if his job was so bad that he looked forward to the weekend this much that he really should find another job. Yet, since it was the weekend he just didn't care. Another reason why he was happy, he didn't like admitting this, but the problems with the Dark Ocean had filled him with purpose. He craved being needed and useful. It had been a long time. Despite the fact that this could be a dangerous situation he couldn't help but be revived by it. He really should find a different job.
This time he was careful to put on his slippers, before heading towards the kitchen. He could smell something cooking. Was it chicken and rice? "Kou, I'm home." Tai called again.
"Uncle Tai! Uncle Tai! Uncle Tai!" Taichi looked down the hall as his nephew came running in from the back room. Augmon behind him. Kei was nearly five and he had light brown hair and hazel eyes. He looked like Hikari at that age, with long arms and legs, but a cubby little tummy that still held some baby fat. Kei's father was Mantarou, Miyako's brother. The relationship they had was long over and the two had joint custody of Kei. Kei launched from the floor and onto. Taichi who caught him, easily. He held him in his arms, after adjusting Kei so that he wouldn't fall. "You're home!"
"Kei." Taichi hadn't been expecting to see Kei that night. However, he wasn't surprised. Sometimes when it was Hikari's turn with Kei she would need Tai and Koushiro to watch him. In the last six months or so, sometimes had become frequently, Taichi loved seeing his nephew, but Hikari was really starting to take advantage of their help. Even though he was annoyed he couldn't help smiling at how happy and excited Kei was at seeing his Uncle. Tai kissed him on the cheek and hugged him. Augmon hugged his leg.
"I didn't know you have a dinosaur!" Kei squealed. He kicked his legs against Taichi's thighs barely missing Augmon's head.
"You've been playing with Augmon?" Taichi asked. Taichi didn't want to explain to Kei what Augmon was. It was too confusing for a kid his age, besides no one would believe him if he said his Uncle had a dinosaur. Kei had seen Augmon before, but he had been much younger, maybe two. He continued to the kitchen, limping, because Augmon was still attached to his leg.
Koushiro was standing at the stove reading a textbook, while he was cooking. It looked like chicken with peppers and onions. There was rice in the rice cooker. On the counter, a bottle and two glasses of red wine. Neither of them looked like they had been touched. Tentomon sat on a barstool near the stove. He seemed like he was watching dinner more closely than Koushiro.
"Tai!" Tentomon launched off the stool, almost knocking it over. He flew over to Taichi and hovered next to him and Kei.
Taichi smiled, he couldn't think of a better way to come home, to happy children and digimon excited to see him. "Hey, Tentomon."
"Augmon is so cool! We've been playing all day." Kei explained. Taichi set him down on the barstool that Tentomon had vacated. "Your beetle is okay." Kei squirmed on the stool.
"He wanted me to fly him around on my back. Maybe if I evolved I could do that, but I can't fly straight with him. He's too big." Tentomon landed next to Taichi. He was obviously really upset that Kei didn't like him as much as Augmon. His eyes were even really watery. Tai felt bad for the bug, he was really sensitive sometimes.
Augmon got off Tai's leg and stood next to Tentomon. "I think you're cool, Tento."
Taichi was sure that Tentomon was referencing the event that led to Kei only thinking he was okay. However, he really wasn't sure what he should do about that. So with arms and legs free he turned to Koushiro instead. He hugged him from behind and leaned over to kiss his cheek. He would have been more intimate, but Kei and the digimon were watching them. "Koushiro, I'm home."
Koushiro nodded absently. He reached up to pat Taichi's arms around his waist. Taichi wanted to groan at that. Koushiro was obviously interested in his book that he was putting everything else on autopilot. It was probably why Tentomon had been watching the chicken. Koushiro could still function on autopilot, but not very well and often he wouldn't remember how he had done certain tasks, like cook dinner, later. Taichi squeezed tighter, and tried to break Koushiro's concentration. Usually talking to Koushiro helped, because Koushiro had to think about his responses and he couldn't think about his responses and think about what he was reading at the same time. "When did Kei get here?"
"His father dropped him off this morning. It's Hikari's week with him," Koushiro answered without looking up. "I started dinner."
Okay, that question was too easy. "And where is Hikari?" Taichi asked. He stepped back from Koushiro, moving over to the stove. He didn't want their dinner to be burnt and wasted. He stirred the contents around a little and then went over to the cabinet because he needed to add garlic, lemon and basil.
"Dunno know. I tried calling her and left a few messages. I talked to your mom. She said Hikari took off yesterday. She didn't know where she was. She offered to take Kei, but I don't mind if he stays here."
Taichi hesitated as he took out the lemon. That really ticked him off. How could Hikari just take off like that without even telling them? She was always doing things like this, leaving Kei with them at the last minute, or just having Mantarou drop him off. Hikari was really starting to take advantage of them. Taichi loved Kei and wouldn't say no to taking care of him. If she would just ask them, that's all he wanted was to be asked! Taichi didn't want to seem angry in front of Kei so while he was getting ingredients from the cupboard he tried to calm down.
When he was sure he wouldn't seem angry he turned to his nephew. "Have you been behaving for Uncle Izzy?"
"Yup! We went to the park!" Kei looked excited. He was now on the floor with Augmon and Tentomon instead of on the stool.
Taichi returned to the stove and started to add in the seasonings that he pulled out. "That's good. Why don't you take Augmon and Tentomon into the bathroom and make sure they wash their hands for dinner."
Kei had a demonic look as he turned to Augmon. "Come on Augmon."
"Uh…"
"Let's go." Tentomon ushered Augmon and Kei away realizing that Taichi wanted to talk to Koushiro alone.
"I can't believe she forgot about Kei again! I don't mind watching him, but she skipped town without even asking. That bothers me! Kari's dark side is a pain," Taichi whispered as soon as he heard the bathroom door close. His voice was a sharp angry hiss. Taichi was so frustrated with this he wanted to hit something or cry.
He didn't know what had gotten into his sister lately. She used to be so good with Kei always listening and paying attention to him. She hardly ever got upset with him. However, since High School she had been a bit rebellious hanging out with people that Taichi didn't like, dropping out of school, partying and drinking. Even hooking up with Miyako's brother and having Kei, although they stayed together for a few years their relationship was only ever a fling and it was always toxic. They were just bad for each other. Since their split Mantarou was much better, although not the greatest person in the world he had a job and never shucked off his responsibilities to Kei. Hikari had got better too, until recently; she was falling back into her old ways. She was still good with Kei when she was with him, but when she wasn't it was just like before. Tai didn't mind giving her a break sometimes which is how this started, but it was getting to be too much for Tai. Not only was he mad at Hikari for acting this way he was also really worried about her!
Koushiro book snapped shut making Taichi startled in surprise. Taichi felt Koushiro put a gentle hand on his shoulder. He was offering Taichi comfort, but still allowing him to have space. Tai was grateful that Koushiro was giving him the choice. "It bothers me too. He's such a good kid."
"That's what I don't get. Don't moms want to spend as much time with their kids as possible?" Taichi voice remained low. He didn't want Kei to hear him accidentally. He stirred the ingredients in the pan turning the stove up. He watched the same pepper being turned over and over.
"I don't believe that is exclusive to mom," Koushiro replied. Taichi felt his hand squeeze his shoulder before letting it drop. Koushiro started to pull out the dishes and silverware to set the table. "It's nice having him around. Good practice."
Taichi grumbled. He had to admit it was nice to having Kei around. He was so cute and Tai thought he was at the perfect age. He was still a kid, but he wasn't a baby anymore. He loved the funny things that came out of his mouth. Plus, Kei was old enough to really start to play soccer. He didn't think his frustration with Hikari would ever extend to Kei, but when it came down to it, he was Kei's uncle not his parent. Taichi sighed there wasn't anything he could do about it now. Hikari was off someplace and they couldn't do anything until they could confront her. He'd worry about it then.
"Hey what were you reading anyway?" Taichi asked picking up the book moving it away from the stove and putting it on the island counter between the kitchen and dinning room.
"Computer's still tied up with the tests. So after we went to the park we went to the library. Got some books on dinosaurs and large beetles for him and I picked up some on parallel universes," Koushiro explained. He held up the book so Taichi could look at the title. "We've been home about an hour."
"Isn't that Hawking guy a friend of yours?" Taichi asked. He knew he had seen the man on the cover before, but he didn't know where. It wasn't one of Koushiro's work friends, but Taichi was sure he recognized him because of Koushiro.
Koushiro laughed lightly. "Not really. I met him a few times in school. He wanted me to get into physics, but I ended up declining. I love physics, but this nano technology is interesting to me too. So I promised him that I would return to physics if I ever got tired of it," Koushiro explained.
"So that's not a friend?" Taichi asked. He wasn't sure if that was a no or yes in Koushiro's book. Taichi considered some old professors and coaches as friends, although he hadn't seen or talked to any of them in years.
"You are a closer friend to David Bechamn." Koushiro put his book down.
"We played on the same team!" Taichi blushed at his response. He sometimes would point that out to people if he was talking about his soccer career, but he didn't really do that anymore.
Before either of them could continue, Tentomon buzzed in. He flew behind Koushiro and hugged him around his head and shoulders. Koushiro didn't flinch, but he did try to glance back at Tentomon. "I told them not to."
"Not to what?" Koushiro frowned. He set down the dishes. He glanced towards the bathroom. Taichi couldn't see the bathroom from the stove, but knew Koushiro could from his angle.
Taichi rolled his eyes. It wasn't uncommon for Augmon or Tentomon to get into some sort of trouble while they visited. So he was use to dealing with it, although it was more annoying now that he was an adult and it was his apartment that the digimon were destroying. "Tentomon will you dish out dinner and help Koushiro set the table."
"Sure." Tentomon let go of Koushiro and flew over to the stove.
Taichi wiped his hands off on a kitchen towel. Then, he went back to their second bathroom. He didn't notice anything right away he even heard Kei and Augmon laughing as he approached. As he got closer he saw a puddle of water seeping out from the bathroom. It was a big mess, and somewhat expected when sending children and digimon to wash up.
"Pepperbreath!" Augmon's voice floated through the door and Taichi had to duck as a fireball whisked over his head hitting the wall that separated the hall from the living room. It turned black instantly, but Taichi didn't worry about it catching fire. Augmon's attack had never done so before. Although it left a big black burnt mark on the wall and sometimes bled through to the other side of the wall.
"Do it again!" Kei giggled his eyes were lit up, more excited about Augmon than before.
"Augmon!" Taichi scolded. The digimon were not supposed to use their attacks in the house, barring extreme circumstances. What surprised him was that now that he could see into the bathroom he realized why Tentomon had run. The bathroom was a mess: the towels were ashes on the floor, the once white sink and counter were now completely black and the toilet was split in two. Is sprayed water everywhere. Augmon and Kei stood in the water getting their socks and feet soaked. "Augmon!" Taichi yelled this time. He couldn't believe this. Augmon or Tentomon sometimes got excited and accidentally used one of their attacks, but this was ridiculous. Obviously, Augmon and Kei had been up to it for a while. Sure, when Taichi was that age he would be encouraging Augmon too, but now he couldn't help but be angry. The first thing he did was go to the toilet and turn the water off. The water stopped spewing, and the bathroom was quiet.
"Uh, Tai. Sorry." Augmon blushed at his mistake. He looked around the bathroom and his eyes widened at seeing the damage. He turned on his best apologetic expression and looked at Tai. "I didn't mean to."
"Your dinosaur breaths fire!" Kei squealed. He had still had a huge smile on his face. Obviously, the fire breathing dinosaur was just too cool. Kei didn't even realize that he might be in trouble to. "Did you know that?"
"Yes." Taichi said. He felt the anger leaving him the more Kei smiled. Augmon even looked a little tore as though he realized he was in trouble, but he was having a hard time not being excited by Kei's excitement too. Taichi sighed maybe this was why children became chosen not adults. "You are in trouble." Taichi looked sternly at Augmon. He couldn't let that slip by even if he was having trouble staying mad.
"The first one was an accident! I thought I saw Cherubimon in the mirror," Augmon confessed.
"Cherubimon? Wallace's partner?" Taichi picked up his nephew. He carried him into the kitchen with Augmon following him. He wanted to get them out of the way before he attempted to mop up the water. "In the mirror?"
"Well, not Wallace's partner. It was Cherubimon, well at least I think I saw him. Tentomon said he didn't see anything," Augmon explained he sounded like he wasn't really sure if he had seen anything. Taichi wanted to give him the benefit of the doubt. It was the digimon's job to watch out for them. If he said he sensed danger and acted, then Taichi believed it.
Taichi put Kei down on the booster seat in the chair next to Augmon's. He looked over a Koushiro who was looking at his book again. "Did you hear that Kou?"
"Huh? No sorry, I was distracted." Koushiro looked up. He looked at Taichi and then Augmon.
"Augmon, massacred the bathroom." Taichi looked at Augmon sternly. "But he said it started because he saw Cherubimon in the mirror."
"You saw Cherubimon? Wallace partner?" Koushiro asked. He ignored the first part Augmon was Taichi's partner so he was Taichi's responsibility. Also, Koushiro was much more lenient with the digimon. He always said that all they could expect was for the digimon to be careful. However, sometimes accidents happened with them and they should be punished for their nature. Taichi could agree with that most of the time, but knowing that Augmon had purposely shown off his attacks because of Kei's encourage was the real bother.
Augmon quickly related what happened, again. Koushiro frowned then he stood up. "I'll be right back."
Taichi started to follow him, wanting to know what was on Koushiro's mind. He stopped though; the digimon and Kei were sitting at the table ready to eat. "What's wrong with Uncle Izzy?" Kei asked. Taichi and Koushiro always sat together with Kei when they had dinner no matter how busy Koushiro was with work. So Kei really didn't know how single-minded Koushiro could get when he had a problem to deal with.
"Nothing you need to worry about." Taichi sat in his normal spot. He handed Kei his chopsticks. He took his own but only picked at his foot. He didn't like having dinner without Koushiro either, and he didn't like not being able to help him.
"I didn't see him, Tai. I was drying my hands, but I don't think Augmon would make that up," Tentomon explained. He and Augmon were looking at Taichi with concern. Tai wasn't sure if Tentomon was trying to make him feel better or not.
"I know." Augmon looked relieved to hear that, but then Taichi added, "But what about the additional fireballs?"
"Uh…opps." Augmon stuffed his mouth with food.
"Uh-huh. Well, after Koushiro is done investigating you can start by mopping up the bathroom." Taichi instructed. He wasn't sure if he could think of another way to punish Augmon. He didn't like doing it. Also, Augmon knew better, so punishing really wouldn't correct the behavior.
Augmon nodded he looked glum and embarrassed still. However, he probably didn't care about cleaning up the bathroom. The thing about digimon was that the only real punishment for them was to not feed them. Taichi wasn't about to do that. The digimon needed to be feed so that they could be ready to evolve when they needed to.
"I'll help." Tentomon replied.
Taichi looked at him suspiciously. Tentomon looked away with a guilty expression too. Before he could say anything Koushiro returned to the dinning room.
"I think the story holds up Augmon." Koushiro said taking his seat at the table. He picked up his utensils. "The mirror is shattered. I couldn't really do any tests on the bathroom because my computer is still tied up. By the time, it's finished the gate will have been long closed."
"You think it was a gate?" Taichi asked. He didn't know much about gates. He never had to learn about them. So he wasn't sure how they worked, but he didn't remember one ever being in a mirror before.
"I think so. I can't be sure, but I am pretty sure I can see residue of a gate that was open." Koushiro shrugged. He took a bite for his meal chewing slowly.
"I mean I didn't know mirrors could be gates." He started eating more after seeing Koushiro start. Although, he really didn't taste what he was eating.
"Many cultures talk about the mirror as a gate to other worlds. I think it is just easier to make a mirror into a gate." Taichi wanted to ask him more questions, but Koushiro nodded at Kei and the digimon who were looking bored with the topic. Taichi let it go with only a small pout.
Koushiro turned to Tentomon. "I, also, saw residue of your attack Tentomon."
"When the mirror shattered I reacted!" Tentomon blushed. He apologized to Koushiro and then to Taichi.
"It was so cool!" Kei said. "We were just splashing the water a little. Then, Augmon said, 'Pepperbreath.'" Kei said Pepperbreath almost exactly like Augmon did. He paused and frowned when it didn't work for him. "I didn't know what that was, but it was like a big explosion! It hit the mirror and that broke. Then Tentomon, yelled…wait what did you yell?"
"No, Tento," Koushiro warned. The digimon could say their attacks without attacking, and they could attack without saying them, but they tended to do both at the same time. "Go on Kei."
Kei pouted, but continued. "That was like lightening. It bounced off the faucet and then hit toilet! That exploded too."
"Where you scared?" Koushiro asked, sounding very interested in the story like the recanted from Kei's point of view was explaining something that Augmon had failed to explain in the first telling of the story.
"I wasn't scared! At first, I didn't know what was happening. I thought I could get hurt, but they said that they were protecting us." Kei explained. "So then I wasn't scared."
"So you were going to help Augmon, because you felt guilty?" Taichi looked at Tentomon. Augmon hadn't said anything about it either so that meant that Augmon hadn't thought that Tentomon was really at fault. He obviously knew that protecting them was okay even if it messed up the bathroom, but showing off was not.
Tentomon nodded looking guilty again. "I didn't show off like Augmon did though."
Taichi laughed. Taichi smiled at the digimon. He really couldn't be made at them when they thought they were protecting them, but Augmon had still continued to use his attack afterwards. So he would make sure they still helped mop the bathroom. He leaned over and rubbed Augmon's head though to make sure he knew that he wasn't mad. "It's fine. You two will just have some cleaning to do. Tomorrow, Kei and I can go pick out a new toilet, mirror and towels."
"Cool!" Kei agreed. "Can it be purple?"
"I don't know a purple mirror wouldn't be very shiny." Koushiro replied looking thoughtful as though he was wondering if they sold purple toilets.
"Not the mirror." Kei laughed.