Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Harsh Memories ❯ A permanent visitor ( Chapter 9 )

A/N form now on I will have to use some kind of text hint to show the passing of time. I will be using the following --------- (some passing of time reference)---------

This is similar to the way in which I have given both A/N's in the middle of the chapter, and also how I have done flash backs.

Takeru was practically giddy this morning. For the first time in what seemed like months, he would have someone to talk to for an extended period of time. He fidgeted gently as he waited for the nurses to bring Iori into their now larger joint room. Takeru glanced over at the other bed that occupied his room. It was identical to his with the slight exception that it still had several IV hooks arranged around it. < I guess Iori-chan hasn't been taken off of medication yet, > Takeru sighed mentally as he attempted to find a more comfortable position to lie in. He straightened however when he heard the door open.

Takeru's eyes widened in surprise when he saw Iori. The small boy was still extremely pale and seemed to be in pain from the short trip he had undergone. Takeru noticed that Iori seemed to be fighting to remain conscious as the nurse began to prepare his wrists to insert the catheters into him. As T.K. continued to stare worriedly at his friend, Iori managed to turn his head to the side and give his friend a slight smile and wave of greeting. Takeru swallowed hard in an attempt to work a sudden lump out of his throat. He had never seen any of his friends like this; let alone Iori, who seemed to be impervious to injury. The waves of guilt that suddenly hit Takeru forced him to bury his face into his pillow.

Iori noticed this however and interpreted it wrong. <Why is Takeru-chan acting so strange lately? He keeps either staring at me or turning away from me! I am starting to think he doesn't want me sharing this room with him, > Iori's thoughts were destroyed as the slight pain from the IVs made him yelp in response. This gained another odd response from Takeru as Iori watched him stiffen then stand. Iori was confused as T.K. walked slowly over to his bedside and began to stroke his hair gently while murmuring soothing noises. Iori's body initially stiffened at the contact but soon began to relax under Takeru's ministrations. Iori smiled up at his friend and murmured an apology before slowly fading off into sleep.

As Takeru stared down at his youngest friend the nurse walked by him heading out of the room. As she passed, she stopped, and placing a hand on T.K.'s shoulder spoke softly, "Thank you for trying to make this as comfortable as possible for him." With this she smiled and walked out the door. Takeru stood for a few moments longer, staring down at Iori as he slept, smiling to himself before returning to his bed with a soft grown of pain.

---------(Five hours later)---------

Takeru's eyes fluttered open as he noticed the sound of someone else's breathing in the room. He remained still however as he realized that Iori was still sleeping and that it was his snores he was hearing. He listened quietly to the even sound as he began to relive the accident in his mind once again. He was desperately searching for anything that could help either himself or Iori. He still couldn't remember anything about either the car or the man who had driven it though, so he began to become more and more frustrated. He sighed softly and rolled onto his side. Once there he found himself locked into a staring contest with Iori who had woken up during Takeru's contemplation.

"Ohayou gozaimasu Takeru-kun. Are you doing all right? You seemed to be struggling with something," Iori's soft voice sounded. Takeru noticed that there was a certain amount of strain to Iori's voice.

"I'm okay Iori-chan. I was just trying to remember anything that could help the others. You know, I was trying to remember a license plate or our assailantÄes features or... something that could help you," Takeru admitted.

"Gomen... but I cant really remember anything other then the smile that the man had... and that his car was... black I think," Iori spoke while wincing slightly.

"You've got more then me at least, " Takeru began while eyeing Iori suspiciously, "by the way, how are you feeling? You look like you're in a lot of pain over there."

"I will be alright Keru-chan, I am just getting over the trip down the hall." Iori sighed deeply suddenly, "Takeru, can I ask you a serious question?"

"Sure, what's on your mind Iori-chan?"

"Do you hate me?" Iori asked the now shocked Takeru.

T.K. blinked in surprise. < Why would he think I hated him? I've never tried to be anything other then a friend to him. I wonder what's brought on this sudden change in Iori-chan.> "Why would you think I hate you Iori-chan?" Takeru finally asked the now silent Iori.

"It's just that you've been acting so strangely around me for the last few days. Like a few hours ago when the nurse was placing the IVs in, I was watching you and suddenly you turned away from me as if you didn't want to see me. I just thought that maybe you were angry about something I've done. I know I haven't been around as much these days but I have had to travel further to practice my Kendo. I just kind of feel guilty about it," Iori finished as he began to turn away. Iori had been attempting not to cry as he said this. In truth it had taken a lot of courage to admit his feelings to Takeru like this and Iori suddenly felt drained and saddened at the same time.

Takeru watched as his friend turned away, and saw his small shoulders begin to quiver. Immediately he began to rise despite the pain he had been feeling recently and walked over to Iori's side. He pulled a nearby chair over to Iori's bed and sat silently, watching his youngest friend as he sobbed. "Iori, I have never... and will never... hate you, " Takeru began, " The only reason I turned away this morning is because I heard you crying in pain... and I felt responsible for it. I couldn't stand thinking that you where in pain because of me. As for the other day, I was just worried about you. It was the first time you had been awake in days and I wanted to make sure you were okay." As Takeru spoke these last words he gently leaned over and embraced his smaller friend.

Initially, Iori stiffened at the contact. He wasn't sure exactly why Takeru was fretting so much. It wasn't like they had been really good friends before this. He had talked with T.K. more then anyone other then Miyako... but Takeru couldn't know that. Iori shifted softly till he faced Takeru. He saw that T.K. was smiling at him and he suddenly felt glad to have the blond staying in the same room as he was. He began to smile as well, and spoke gently, "I'm sorry if I upset you with my questions Takeru-chan, It's just that I haven't been able to think too clearly in the last few days. I've either been forced into a drug-induced sleep, or Miyako has been asking me all kind of questions, or O-Kaa-san has been in and I've been forced to hide my pain."

"Why are you hiding your condition from your mother?" Takeru asked shocked.

"Well, one of the nurses was talking about how frazzled she looked, and when I focused on her she did seem to be pretty upset. Also she seems to be pretty much living here these last few days. I am worried whether or not she will lose her job if she keeps this up." Iori's voice dropped to nearly a whisper near the end, but fortunately since Takeru was still holding Iori's body he heard the soft voice. Takeru tightened his grip on his small friend and began to whisper into his ear attempting to use the same soothing voice his O-Nii-chan had used back when he was scared in the Digital world. As his voice began to penetrate Iori's defenses the small boy buried himself into T.K.'s arms and began to drift back into sleep.

A/N: Well, unlike what I said, I will be adding more chapters to this (yes its not done yet). I will just ignore the Gaiden until I get the responses to my question (see the last chapters mid-story A/N).

Thanks for reading thus far:

Yoshiki