Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Harsh Memories ❯ Removing the restraints ( Chapter 6 )

A/N for Chapter six.

Well, surprisingly, I forgot to add the obligatory "I Don't own" speech to the beginning of this story. Since I have already re-uploaded that one chapter about 7 times trying to get the stupid A/N right... I have decided to add it here before any other A/N message.

"I do not in fact own Digimon or any of the characters therein. "

Well, that wasn't too hard.

Anyways I thought I would respond to a few key reviews now (I just

feel so happy that people actually seem to like this ^_^)

Tamagochi - actually I haven't "seen" the original series.

I can read Japanese and I have bought the "film" manga.

These are Japanese comic books with the art lifted directly from the

series. I have to say that it's a great way to "see" the

original series.

Fabi-chan - Actually yes, both Iori and Takeru will make it out

reasonably O.K. however... there will be at least one Gaiden (side

story) that will involve someone's death. If you read the fic

carefully you can guess whom.

Recnamorcen - Yes, I know it was a bit slow in the last chapter but

these two chapters are just trying to establish Takeru's sense of

guilt, which will be pivotal later on (for some reason this looks to

be a long fic {especially if I decide to add the Gaiden in here

instead of as a separate fic.}) Since I realize that these next two

chapters aren't really very "action" packed, I am trying to

make up for it in chapter 7, which is already complete.

Energy - I am REALLY honored to have you review my work since I am

actually a fan of yours (as you could see by my favorites list). Also, thank you for offering to be a Beta reader. I hope to take advantage of your kind offer.

The next two days seemed to fly by as Takeru lay in contemplation of the accident, successfully complemented by his guilty conscience. Finally, the day came when both the I.V.'s and his arm restraints would be removed. Takeru sighed in relief as he imagined what it would be like to actually change positions in his sleep. < It's odd how something so simple as being able to turn over can seem like such a blessing, but I suppose you need to have the ability taken away to really appreciate it. > T.K.'s mind snapped back to reality when he noticed that the nurse who had been assigned to him came in, carrying a pair of sharp scissors, a small table with surgical tape and cloth bandages. His eyes must have displayed his confusion, as the nurse suddenly smiled, " Don't worry about the gauze and tape, we just have to tape up the spots where the I.V.'s had entered your body so that you won't bleed for very long, " the nurse explained.

Takeru winced slightly, as the I.V.'s that where placed within his body were slowly withdrawn. It wasn't that there was a lot of pain, it was just that he had gotten used to the painkillers that had been keeping him in a constant state of comfort. T.K. stared dully at the small amount of blood that had seeped up from the small cut into which the I.V.'s catheter had been placed. The nurse tried to reassure him as she bandaged his wrists. She began to tell him step by step the procedures she was following. It only took T.K. three minutes before he began to tune her out.

The whole procedure took less then twenty minutes. As Takeru flexed his sore wrists, he contemplated how good it actually felt to be able to rub his wrists. He relaxed softly, trying not to concentrate on the incredible urge he had to scratch at the bandages. Eventually however he gave into the temptation, and began to rub his wrists together, in an attempt to gain some relief from the itching. It progressed horribly from there, until when Hikari came into the room, she found him nearly gnawing the bandages off.

" So, to recap, last time I came in here, you ended up squirming around for twenty minutes while trying to shrug off one of my comments. This time I come in here to find you with one wrist stuck between your teeth, and both bandages nearly ripped to shreds," Hikari exclaimed with a short laugh.

" It's not that funny! Besides, you can't imagine how much these things itch, " Takeru snapped back as he removed his left wrist from his mouth." So, what are you doing here so early? "

" Keru-chan, you really need a window in this room, " Hikari laughed, " Its nearly three in the afternoon. I see that your wrists have been freed, now, how is the mental adjustment going? "

"What do you mean by that, Hika-chan? "

"I was just wondering whether or not Yamato had told you about poor Iori-chan, and what happened after you blacked out? "

At this, Takeru sighed softly and rolled over so that Hikari couldn't see his face. As he thought about everything his Niichan had told him, his face flashed signs of remorse and guilt. " I just don't understand why the driver did that to Iori. I mean, what did he think he would accomplish by killing either of us? Also, I still don't understand why he ran away, " Takeru admitted, as he tried to shield the sorrow from his voice.

" I don't know about those first two questions, but the ambulance driver told me that the second the driver saw the flashing lights from their siren, he ran back to his car and drove off. "

" I guess that makes sense Hikari, but I still feel responsible for the whole incident. Have they told you anything about Iori-Chan's condition yet, or are they still giving everyone the silent treatment? "

" They said that he still hasn't returned to consciousness, but that it should be any time now. Miyako has already made arrangements, so that they will move Iori into this room once he wakes up. That way she will be able to look after both of you. I am still amazed at the fact that her parents have allowed her to stay here nearly twenty-four seven. I always knew that Iori-chan and Miyako were close, but this goes far beyond mere friendship, " As Hikari finished talking, she finally sat down on the chair that rested beside Takeru. However, to do so, she had to disturb a very comfortable Patamon.

" Keru-chan! " The little pot-roast exclaimed as it flew into Takeru's open arms, " When were your arms freed? "

" About an hour ago, Pata-chan, " the blond sighed as he held the little angel type in his arms, " Sorry Hika-chan had to disturb your peaceful slumber, though. "

" it's okay, I was planning on getting up sometime soon anyways, " The small digimon replied, as it flew upwards to perch onto T.K.'s head.

For a few blissful moments, the two old friends remained silent. Hikari was watching Takeru out of the corner of her eye, trying to catalog every movement that caused her old friend pain. Takeru was meanwhile still dwelling on his feelings of guilt. He still felt as if needed to do something to repay Iori-san's actions. While he thought this' he began to lower his body until he returned to a reclining position. Slowly Patamon slid from T.K.'s side and scooted to his right side.

As both children were thus occupied, they were extremely surprised when a flushed Miyako burst into the room. " He's finally woken up, " the girl screamed to her two best friends, not noticing the odd glances Hikari and Takeru shot at each other.