Ominous Flame

Chapter 36

Author Notes: Hey...hey boss wake up.

Mako: *sleeping peacefully*

Mako's Brain: You got uploads to make. I know you're tired after hanging out at the ren faire with your cousin but...you said you wanted to make posts.

Mako: *Still sleeping*

Mako's Brain: Ok...it's been a day, you're awake. Time to upload.

Mako: *busy helping with family-driving-going to the store* time for a nap.

Mako's Brain: ok...i see where this is going. *leaves*

Mako: *sleeping*

Mako's Brain: *smashes stick against a gong*

Mako: OH CRAP MY STORIES!

Mako's Brain: There we go, we don't own digimon.

Last time on Ominous Flame

However there was no point. The warrior of darkness knew this for a fact. "Mind escorting me a bit further into the forest Koichi?" His friend was stuck in an endless cycle of pain and worry. Takuya wants to live, but not if it means Cherubimon can take control of him.

His wounds weren't healing, he wasn't sleeping and barely eating. No one else had really noticed with the exception of Bokomon and himself. It was a downward spiral of insanity. And the fire elemental was well aware of not only that...but the fact that Koichi has his dagger.

Right now...Koichi was really wishing he could argue with Bokomon about Takuya's bandages getting changed. Because he really wasn't looking forward to what little chit chat the two of them were going to have.

3rd P.O.V

What the hell could Koichi say? Bokomon expects him to try and keep Takuya's spirits up as well as keep him from doing something stupid. "So what exactly did Bokomon mean Koichi?" Way easier said than done.

Especially as glazed, dull red eyes blankly stare his direction. The owner of said eyes has his arms crossed, with his back nestled against a tree a good several yards away from him. Currently none of his clothes or bandages-minus the eye ones were removed.

"I think we both know what it means Takuya. You're trying to kill yourself in the most painful way possible. Must you be so hard on yourself?" The brunette's smiles sadly, blood coursing down his cheeks.

Again was it tears? "It's not that. As easier as it would be I'm not trying to be suicidal or overly difficult to deal with." Or was it his injuries? Even without the wrappings now Koichi couldn't tell.

The raw, jagged lines were trying to crust up, showing signs that it WAS in the process of healing, but blood still trickled, especially with Takuya trying to move them. At least it seems like it wasn't intentional(or so he says) but his words couldn't be trusted.

There have been too many times where his words were taken for granted. Secrets and lies mixed into his sincere truths. "If that is the case then why are you being so stubborn with receiving help?" His behavior in general has been out of sorts since entering the forest.

One moment he'll be fine, seemingly acting normal, but then he'll say something. To the others it was easy to miss. But again, Koichi(and Bokomon) have been keeping a much closer eye on their friend. And it's clear that there's something off.

"I'm used to being the one giving help, not getting it. Besides...in the end it doesn't matter." There it is again. "Why doesn't it? We're your friends Takuya. We help each other." His smile dims. "Because they're not ever going to heal. One way or another i'm going down." He was contradicting himself.

Not making any sort of sense. "Has Cherubimon been trying to speak with you again?" He receives no answer, confirming the warrior of darkness's worries. "Is that why you haven't been sleeping?" Again his friend says nothing. At least when it comes to answering his question.

"Wonder what's taking the others so long. They should've shown up by now." Koichi narrows his gaze, his lips pursed. "Once again you're doing a poor job in trying to avoid questions." Takuya shrugs his shoulders as he tilts his chin to the sky, resting his head against the trunk.

His hands going into his short's pockets. "Takuya. Please...talk to me. The others may have not really noticed but this-this façade of you being ok, it hurts to watch. We're well passed this...aren't we?" Were they? The memory of when Takuya woke up flashed in both of their minds

"I'm so so sorry Takuya." He didn't want to hear this. "Don't apologize. I don't deserve it." Let alone from him of all people. "You've been holding on to all this for a long time, and none of us noticed."

That's because he didn't want them to. He's caused more than enough issues for a lifetime. "I didn't want you to. Stop Koichi. Let me go." The tears were welling up again, and it didn't feel like they would stop if he starts.

Takuya's smile morphs into a grimace, his attention still off his friend, his face more towards the sky. "Being honest would only scare the others Koichi. Makes them more anxious and upset than they need to be." Immediately he shakes his head, long black hair flies.

"We'd rather know than be left in the dark Takuya. If there's a problem talk to us, if you need help ask. We're here for you." His response is a sigh. Those blind eyes lost in the vast, blurry, blue sky.

"No. You've always supported and protected us. This time it's my turn. You don't have to fight this alone. Me and the others...we're here for you." They shouldn't be. His fingers instinctively reach for his necklace.

"I won't let him win Takuya. We're all going home together. No matter what whether you're in a hospital or at home with your brother I'll find you." Another pathetic, choking sob comes out.

There a few minutes of silence, but then Takuya answers, looking his companion's way. "Would it really help if I told you how much pain I'm in Koichi? Where it's taking all of my will power just to walk without crying out in agony? Or wishing I still had my knife?"

Setting off the waterworks once and for all. "Koichi...promise me. Promise me that Cherubimon no matter what happens to me goes down. That I won't be forced to hurt you guys."

Dread starts to form in the pit of Koichi's stomach. "Takuya?" Another sigh escapes the brunette. "Come on, let's get this over with and head back to the others. Last thing I need is Bokomon chewing both of our asses...again." Without another word Takuya takes off his upper layers.

Sticky brown and red are scattered throughout the wrappings. So he did reopen them. "I'm going to have to clean these." There was an underlining warning in that tone in Koichi's voice. "It's fine." It was going to hurt.

But it's not like either of them when seeing(or in Takuya's case-feeling) the damage had expected any other outcome. For a few moments there's only the sound of slight hisses from Takuya and the rummaging of medical supplies. Tension in both boys frames.

"I'm sorry you gotta deal with this Koichi." Ointment coated palms pause. "There's no reason to be sorry Takuya, even if Bokomon didn't say anything I would've volunteered to go with you." That wasn't what he meant.

Not at all. "I don't just mean you playing doctor for me. I'm talking about all of this. Knowing what you do. Having to deal with my constant secrets and lies...I've made things far harder for you than it needed to be."

Now it was Koichi's turn to sigh, though it wasn't loud or drawn out. It was almost...relieved sounding. "Perhaps, but again don't apologize. I'd rather know the truth than be ignorant due to said lies. I care about you Takuya. I want to be there for you." For a moment both of them stiffened.

Takuya especially felt like a stone statue as he took in those words. "There are limits to dealing with bullshit, especially mine." A blush was most definitely not forming on Koichi's face. Nope not at all.

"I take it no one back home tolerated your antics?" Grateful for the topic switch...or rather the ignoring of those last two sentences, Takuya hums. "Not really. You got a glimpse of my mom and brother. Neither really can stand me in long doses. Too much to handle." Their muscles relax as Koichi snorts.

The previous conversations were not forgotten, but they were pushed aside. For now. "I think I'd tolerate you over my brother. I have the feeling he's going to get permanent frown lines from scowling so much."

Wouldn't be a surprise at all if it happens. "Dude needs to lighten up more. But at least he has you to keep him in check." Koichi wasn't too sure about that one. "If we see each other when we return home, maybe." At that Takuya turns around, wincing as his back cracks from the movement.

But thankfully, no more blood or burn blisters popping open. "What makes you think otherwise? With how close you guys are, I'd assume you would want to keep in touch." Actually now that he thinks about it...what was the situation between him and Koiji?

"Up until now, we didn't even know we were twins. Our parents I guess had split up when we were born. I only knew because right before my grandmother passed away she told me I had a brother. I found him as he was entering the train that led us here to the Digital World."

To think that it's already been several months, at least half a year since then. Their families' must be worried sick. "Do you think your parents are going to keep you separated?" That was the big question.

One he wasn't sure had a good answer. "According to Koji, our father said mother passed away, he's currently married to another woman. And mother never told me anything..." It wasn't looking good.

"Yikes. Ok, so yeah, they got problems with each other. Still, it's not up to them whether or not you and Koji hang out and stay in touch. If you and Koji want to stay connected, you got to tell them that and fight for it." At that Takuya receives a deadpanned expression.

Koichi looking exactly like his brother. "What?" But he couldn't hold the face for long, smiling fondly while shaking his head. "Let's worry about your issues first. Starting with can I help you stand? Or do you want to get up yourself?" Honestly...this guy was going to be the death of him.

In more ways than one.

to be continued

Author Notes: Was my earlier author notes funny? I thought it was because it's essentially what happened. All day I was planning on uploading the moment I got home and of course forgot the moment I hit my couch.

So, yeah, it's a day late than what I planned so...uh apologies. Thanks for reading guys, hope you guys like the chapter. If you did like it please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton to me. Now...i'm off to sleep.

Mako's Brain: *narrows gaze*

Mako: Nah just joking, I'm actually off to read lol. Tchao for now.