Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Harsh Memories ❯ First visit ( Chapter 7 )

A/N: Angst, Angst, and Angst! This is another chapter that features Iori and his memories about his father! Don't we all just love torturing the poor little guy? Anyway here you guys go... and that message in chapter six about the speech, goes for the whole fic okay?

Iori was glad, that at the moment he couldn't talk. He smiled however, as he watched Miyako running around the room franticly, trying to make sure he was more "comfortable". He watched as she proceeded to fluff the pillow he was laying on for the third time in as many moments. < I guess she has always done this. I remember when I was a little kid Miya-chan used to fuss over me whenever I would even skin my knee. Its been this way since O-Tousan died, > Iori thought as tears started to well up from the corners of his eyes. Unfortunately for Iori's sake, Miyako

noticed this.

"My god Iori-kun... I haven't been bugging you have I?" Miyako asked suddenly feeling massively guilty for seemingly keeping him awake.

Iori began to slowly shake his head as he winced at the pain in his chest. The doctors had told him that his body would still ache for about a month after the incident since he took most of the attack in his chest. He groaned softly from the pain.

" Iori... are you okay?" Miyako asked suddenly as she noticed the pained grimace that crossed her best friend's face.

Iori's body shuddered from the pain as he tried to force his body to relax. He hated being like this since it meant he had to rely on others to do things that he was normally capable of doing. He disliked the feeling of helplessness and the suspicion that he was causing trouble for everyone. The thing Iori hated the most though was the fact that he had caused Miyako to think that it had been her fault that he was uncomfortable. Iori slowly shook his head in an attempt to convey that it was not Miyako's fault that he was uncomfortable and at the same time, to attempt to alleviate her fears of Iori's discomfort.

This however had the opposite effect on Miyako. While Iori was trying to tell her that he wasn't in pain from her actions Miya thought that his pained head shake meant that he was either angry with her or that she had been annoying him. " Iori-kun... I am so sorry that I have been keeping you up... but if you want to see Hika-chan, and Take-chan you'll have to try and stay concise. They are still trying to get a wheelchair around so that they can bring Take-chan in here. Unfortunately he still can't move around unassisted." Iori shifted softly as Miyako began talking about Takeru and Hikari Iori had been worried over the last few days as to exactly how bad off Takeru actually was. He began to once again mentally run over the accident as Miyako stared down at him.

< It's weird to see Iori-kun in such deep thought. I wonder exactly what he's thinking about. I hope he isn't stressing over the accident. I remember when he was younger and his father died...>

----------Flashback to four years prior---------

The rain pored down on the small apartment complex as Hida, Iori lay curled into a tight fetal position. A few hours ago he had been at the hospital with his O-Ka-san and O-Jii-san. He still remembered how his stomach had suddenly lurched when he saw the doctor come into the waiting room, and told the expectant family that his O-Tou-san hadn't been strong enough to survive the attack the assailant had made. He had felt extremely angry at that moment as he thought of the fact that his father had been killed while trying to protect someone else. At the time Iori had been too young to form his now cement code of honor and duty.

Iori began to cry again for the hundredth time as he remembered how his O-to-chan had looked when the doctor had let them see his body. He remembered the look of absolute peace that his O-to-chan wore, and he wondered now whether or not the doctors or the staff had "arranged" that look on his O-to-Chan's face. Iori began to sob harder as he thought this, and his small body began to twist itself further.

As preoccupied as Iori was he failed to notice his bedroom door begin to open. Inoue, Miyako silently stole into Iori's room and stared at her new friend. They had met about a week ago, in Odiaba Park when a local bully was picking on Iori. After Miyako had come to his aid, they became quick friends and had been nearly inseparable ever since.

Miyako frowned as she watched the small boy sobbing into his mattress. His mother had explained the situation to Miyako only a few moments before, but the story had been on television for a few hours so Miyako had in fact been waiting for the Hida's return.

Miyako slowly advanced on the small form, until she was standing beside Iori's prone huddled body. Softly she lowered herself and, before Iori could protest, scooped him into a tight hug. Instead of shying away from the embrace... Iori found himself seeking comfort in it and began to sob more readily as Miyako gently stroked his back.

---------Back to the present---------

Miyako stared softly at her young friend as her memories began to fade away. Iori still seemed to be in a world of his own however, which further worried Miyako. They both were startled when the sound of someone clearing their throat was heard above the near eerie silence that had fallen.

" It is my great pleasure to announce the arrival of the newly mobile Takaishi, Takeru," Hikari said somberly as she wheeled a slightly flustered Takeru into the room.

" Sorry I am so late guys," Takeru began, " you wouldn't believe all the paperwork you have to fill out to get one of these things." As Takeru finished he patted the chair's side softly.

The first thing Takeru noticed was Iori looking thoughtfully towards him. For some reason this began to make T.K. very aware of himself as he quietly wheeled himself over to Iori's side.

" And how are we doing?" Takeru asked softly as he reached down to ruffle Iori's bowl cut hair.

Iori tried to struggle away from Takeru's ministrations but T.K. had a tactical advantage since the chair gave him more mobility then Iori's bed. Thankfully, Miyako intervened in time as she snatched Takeru's hand away, chastising him for bothering Iori. Iori sighed softly as he sank back into the mattress blissfully. However he couldn't help but smile at the familiar way in which Takeru had greeted him. A few years ago before he had gone through the digital world with the other Digi-destined he would have shied away from any contact with new people whenever socially acceptable. Now he actually found himself sometimes seeking the comfort of his newfound friends.

As both Takeru and Iori seemed to become lost in their own worlds, Miyako softly nudged Hikari in the ribs. The two friends shared a soft smile as they watched their mutual best friends bonding with each other.