Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Harsh Memories ❯ Confusion weakness and dreams. ( Chapter 14 )

A/N: This is the last chapter in Harsh Memories. Its only taken me about 2 months to write this 1/3rd of the overall story. Look for the next story in the series (as discussed on my bio page) in about a week. They will probably be about as long as this (Consequences might not be as long but Regrets will probably be twice as long as it will finish the story.) Anyways I would like to thank Energy for Beta reading my story so far and I hope he will do the other two stories as well. Anyone who wants to send any particular comments on whether or not you enjoyed this... or what could be improved upon in future fics, please email me.

Second A/N: I was half fired today. My college took half of my workload from me because our school president cut the Distance Education Boards budget. This means I will have more time for fics but my financial status has dramatically fallen. Oh well.

Hida Iori stiffened as he felt one of his best friends attempting to kiss him rather passionately. He began to struggle... attempting to flee from Takeru's arms. < What the heck does Takeru think he's doing? Why is he kissing me? This isn't right! I only wanted to make sure he was all right, > Iori finally managed to break free of Takeru's grasp as T.K. broke their kiss. What Takeru saw reflected in Iori's eyes froze him to the core however. Instead of the love and respect he expected he found only pain and confusion. Iori immediately moved to leave Takeru's side.

T.K. attempted to react and began to sit up. However Iori was faster since Takeru was still weakened from his nightmare. Iori scurried across the room to his bed. He stopped at the side of it and turned to stare at his friend. " What in Kami's name did you think you were doing Takeru?"

Iori's voice came out in a choked whisper. Takeru stared down at his hands for a few moments before turning tear-covered eyes towards his best friend. "Gomen Iori. I have been thinking about you more and more lately... and I have come to realize that I like you as more than just a friend. I know you probably don't feel the same way as I do but... When you fell on top of me... I had just had a horrible nightmare where you had been really hurt and I couldn't do anything. When I found you lying there in my arms I just didn't want to think that I could lose you! I wanted you to know exactly how I felt in case either of us died because of this. I know we're both fine now but the dream unsettled me. Again... Gomen about kissing you. It was just a reaction to how close you where, coupled with the effect that dream had on me," Takeru finished the speech he had been rehearsing in his head in a thin whisper. He felt completely drained as he waited for Iori's response to his revelation.

"Takeru-san... I don't know what to say. I'm only nine. I don't really know what I want in life yet. I can't say whether or not I'm attracted to you... since I don't know myself. This is all so confusing to me. Besides I didn't even know you were like that."

"Does that make a difference in how you see me Iori? Remember I am the same person whose Digimon DNA-Digivolved with yours."

"I know and in most ways it doesn't really matter to me. But in one way it does. I don't know whether or not I like you in that way so I don't know how I should react to what you've told me. I appreciate the fact that you care about me but I don't know if I am ready for any form of relationship." Iori stared down at the floor as he said this.

A million things flashed through Iori's mind as he thought about what had happened during His and Takeru's short relationship. They had fought together, and when the fighting ended they had managed to hold on to the tenuous friendship that their battle created. Takeru and Miyako where the only Digidestined other then his two crest predecessors that Iori still kept in contact with. Iori did not want to lose Takeru's friendship... but he also didn't know how he felt about the older boy.

Finally Iori felt he couldn't remain silent any longer. "Takeru-chan? I am sorry to ask this from you but can you give me some time to think things over? This doesn't mean that I either like you in that way or that I don't. I just need some time to work through my own feelings. Is this okay?"

All Takeru could manage was a short nod of his head while he fought desperately to hold back the tears that had been forming since Iori had run from his embrace. He slowly lowered himself back onto his bed and fell asleep.

Over the next few weeks both boys attempted to recover from their various injuries. They were lucky that they had not had any spinal damage from the accidents. Iori slowly regained his strength, and began to eat and drink normally once again. Takeru however seemed to turn most of his food away, or when Patamon had been visiting he had left the largest portion of his meal for the small Digimon. Iori watched Takeru's condition worsen as the older boy continued to refuse food and began to sleep more and more. Iori knew he had been too harsh on his older friend when he had asked for time to think over his feelings, but he still couldn't think of any way to explain how he felt. It was like he was teetering over a cliff. On one side he had been feeling very close to Takeru and he knew that he could very well be in love. On the other he also knew that he couldn't afford to lose Takeru's friendship. He valued the relationship that he had come to have with Takeru a great deal. It was hard for him to make friends with the other children his age since they tended to treat him as if he would be too fragile to do very much. After his O-Tou-san died he had been treated as if he couldn't be around those who still had both their parents.

As Takeru continued to degrade, Iori began to obsess over his condition. Iori began to force Takeru to eat a larger amount of food each day till Takeru could manage to stomach a full meal again. Iori also began to ensure that Takeru managed to get some form of exercise each day. As Takeru slowly regained his strength Iori found himself going to extreme lengths to spend time with the older boy. He seemed to find some reason to spend most of his time either pampering the boy or doing a mutually enjoyable activity. Eventually one day, he caught himself staring longingly at his older friend.

---------(Three weeks afterwards)---------

It was their last night at the hospital. They both dreaded returning home. Takeru disliked the idea of leaving Iori who he had become more and more accustomed to. He enjoyed the fact that even though Iori didn't seem to like him in the same way, he still ensured that Takeru was all right. Iori was dreading returning home because he didn't want to leave Takeru before he told him of his decision. Iori was still trying to find the perfect moment to tell his friend that he had discovered that he felt the same feelings that Takeru felt for him.

After packing up the few belongings that they had, they were finally left with only one option. They both returned to their beds. Iori watched carefully as Takeru snuggled down against his blankets. Iori began counting down in his head. After three weeks of caring for the other boy he had managed to time the amount of time Takeru took to fall into a deep sleep. <175, 176, 177, 178! There, he should be sound asleep now, > Iori moved silently, using all of the lessons his O-Jii-san had taught him. He carefully moved towards his friend's sleeping form. As he reached his *friend's* side he slowly uncovered the corner of Takeru's bed. Slipping in quietly Iori proceeded to hug his older friend gently towards his body. Takeru stirred once while he was led to Iori's waiting chest. He rubbed his head gently against the mattress as Iori froze. Once Takeru had settled again, Iori continued his slow process of moving the taller child. Finally Iori was cradling Takeru gently. Iori had been planning his next move for the last two weeks now. He very slowly moved his head upwards till he was looking into Takeru's lidded eyes. He slowly leaned forward till he captured his best friend's lips with his own.

Takeru was only half aware of the pressure against his mouth. He moaned in a half dream (once again the dream about the field) as he pressed himself further against his love. Suddenly he noticed the fact that he didn't have to bend his back like in the dream. His eyes shoot open as he realized the real Iori had been kissing him. His mind whirled softly as he leaned gently against his best friend's prone body. In moments he was deeply into the kiss and had begun to moan softly. Slowly he broke their kiss looking into Iori's clouded eyes. Iori was smiling softly as he blushed.

"Gomen Takeru. I would have told you sooner but I wanted the time to be as perfect as I could manage it. I just wanted to tell you that I think I also have feelings for you. "

Takeru could only stare in disbelief as Iori said that. He smiled suddenly and wrapped the

younger boy into a tight embrace. "Aishiteru Iori-kun!"

Iori chuckled softly as Takeru said something that he realized he had been wanting for a long time. He leaned his head down into Takeru's neck as he whispered gently. "Aishiteru Takeru-kun. Aishiteru. I hope it was as good as the dream."

Takeru smiled gently, and then slowly took Iori's chin into his hand. He pressed their lips together for the third time and slowly nibbled at Iori's lower lip. He smiled when they broke and after leaning into Iori's arms he whispered, "Now its better then my dream... since this is real. "

Iori laughed gently at his older friend as he relaxed his body. He began to slowly drift off while Takeru hugged him gently.

A/N: Well? What did you guys think of this part's ending? Don't worry their will be more of this. The next part deals with what happens when Iori returns home and finds something he never wanted to face. Takeru is forced to try to calm and comfort his new love before Iori simply losses control.

Second A/N: I am massively depressed now about my job so I probably wont be starting Harsh Consequences today.

Ja Matta

Yaegashi Yoshiki

Confusion, weakness, and dreams

P.S. Aishiteru = "I love you"

(just for those that did not know already.)