Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Harsh Memories ❯ Daring entrances and painful revelations ( Chapter 21 )

A/N: Once again we will be skipping two months of Iori and Takeru's lives. I have also decided to give Iori the birthday of Nov. 15th. If you can guess where the date comes from email me and I might give you a prize (read gift fic).

Yoshiki.

Nov. 10th.

Iori sniffled softly as he made his way down the shadowed street. He began sniffing as his mittened hand went unconsciously up to his nose. <Stupid cold, > Iori thought numbly as he began walking up the steps toward his apartment building. As he approaches the lobby, he saw his koi standing a few feet away. With a short wave, Takeru began slowly making his way towards the shorter child. Iori smiled for the first time that day as his koibito fell into step beside him. "Hey Io-chan. How has your day been? I thought you had Kendo practice tonight. Didn't you go? " Takeru asked, as a small hint of concern hit his voice.

Iori stared up at his koi for a few moments. He hadn't really intended to tell Takeru about the cold that had developed seemingly overnight. He didn't want to ruin the "surprise" party that he had already figured out. Iori sighed softly as he began, "Gomen Takeru-kun but for the last six hours I have had a horrible cold. I didn't think I could even lift my Shinai today... let alone get through a whole session," Iori's voice dropped softly as he hung his head.

Takeru instantly stopped moving and stared at the younger boy. He finally noticed both Iori's slumping shoulders and the redness around Iori's eyes and nose. Takeru stooped down, and quickly snatched the smaller boy into his arms. Iori squeaked as Takeru managed to crush his smaller body in his stronger grip. As he settled Iori back onto the ground Takeru broke out in a large smile. "You didn't have to hide it from me Io-kun. I know there will be times when you're not feeling good. That's what I'm here for, to make sure you get through it."

Iori began to sniffle softly once again. This time however it was from the tears that had started to form as a result of Takeru's "speech". The younger boy ran forward, leaping into Takeru's arms, effectively knocking the wind out of the taller boy. They stood together for a few moments, till they decided to return to their apartments. Takeru walked Iori to his door and before turning to walk up the flight of stairs to his apartment, gave Iori a soft kiss on the cheek. The younger boy broke out into a fierce blush as his koi laughed gently.

Iori paused for a few moments, waiting for his face to return to a normal color before entering his apartment. He shuffled into the apartment's alcove, stopping by the raised spot so that he could deposit his shoes. He called out for his O-Kaa-san but as expected, received no answer. He shrugged, and moved of towards his room. The first thing he saw as he entered his room was the small cream-colored blob bouncing constantly on his bed. He chuckled softly as Upamon launched himself towards Iori. The small boy caught the energetic Digimon easily, displaying the reflexes he had developed over the years of training.

Iori sighed as Upamon began rubbing himself against Iori's chest. "Upa-chan... What have I told you about coming out of the closet while I was at school? "

"Gomen Iori-kun... I was just too excited... your O-Kaa-san was bringing in some weird boxes today... and when I peeked inside I saw all these sticks. You know... like that sh-shinai thingy you use!"

Iori froze as he listened to Upamon continued to ramble about the "special boxes". Iori's blood began to cool as he realized exactly what was in those boxes. < I knew we where having trouble financially, but she wouldn't sell O-Jii-chan's gear would she? > a small tear began to run down Iori's face as he thought this. This sight was enough to stop even Upamon's energetic bouncing. The small blob stared upwards as his partner began to shiver softly.

"Iori-kun... what's wrong?"

"Gomen Upa-chan... I-its just that I wanted t-to keep O-Jii-sans gear. I-I think that might be what you saw today.... I can't believe O-Kaa-san wouldn't tell me about this. She knows how much O-Jii-sans gear meant to me. He even willed that one Shinai to me... you know Upa-chan... The old one with the dragon case. I wondered why she didn't give it to me." Iori slowly began to cry as the memories of what had happened flooded back to him. He dropped Upamon rather roughly as he flung himself onto his bed, trying to control the sobs that wracked his young body. This proved futile, however as he was finally forced to let the tears flow down his cheeks.

---------(Takashi residence ahhh, the first time/place change of a new fic.... feels good.)---------

Takeru slowly placed the manga he had been reading down. He had thought he had heard something weird. He cocked his head to the side, trying to find the source of the noise. Patamon looked up from the book he had been reading and forced himself to stifle the laughter that rose from the sight. Takeru moved quietly towards the balcony ignoring his snickering partner as he attempted to locate the sounds he was hearing. < I am almost certain that's crying... and if it's who I think it is...> Takeru's thought drained away as he moved out into the midday air. He distinctly heard the sound of Iori sobbing from below him. Leaning over the balcony for a moment he studied the drop from his apartment.

---------(Hida Apartment)---------

Upamon looked up as an odd sound drew his attention. He watched in quit awe as a pair of legs dangled outside the room's glass door. He began to laugh as he recognized the body. < This is just what Iori needs! Takeru will know just what to do, > the small fluff ball thought as he bounded towards the door. With one final mighty bound he managed to dislodge the sliding door, thus allowing Takeru entrance into Iori's room. Takeru placed a finger up to his lips, effectively silencing Upamon. Takeru stalked forward playfully, sneaking towards the sobbing child. He reached Iori's side quickly and before the smaller boy could react swept him upwards and pressed him gently against his chest. Instantly, Iori's small arms wrapped around Takeru as the small child buried his face into Takeru's neck.

Takeru chuckled softly, as Iori's hair had begun to tickle him. He moved slowly, cradling the small boy, till he reached the side of Iori's bed. Very carefully, Takeru eased both himself and Iori onto the mattress. Takeru chuckled softly, as an idea came to him. Putting on as series a face as he could afford, he bent over to Iori's ear. In a soft voice, he whispered, "So, Iori-kun... is this the only way I can get you into bed?"

Takeru was rewarded with an extremely shocked look, as Iori's head shot up to stare at the older Digidestined. Takeru held the serious look for nearly ten seconds before bursting into laughter at the confusion written across Iori's face. The younger boy flushed crimson, as he realized exactly what Takeru had been getting at. "G-Gomen Iori-kun... I couldn't help myself, " Takeru managed through his laughter as he pulled the younger boy into a soft hug.

Once both boys had finished laughing, Takeru sat up, bringing Iori with him. "Now, koibito... you're going to tell me exactly what's bothering you. I didn't climb out of a window for nothing, ne?"

Iori stared at his older love, confused for a moment. He stared at the now open door, then back at Takeru. "You didn't actually climb down from your balcony did you?" the confused boy asked.

"Of course Iori-kun. I heard you sobbing and we both know I can't stand that sound. I had to come down here and see exactly what was up," Takeru had begun massaging Iori's back as he said this, effectively pinning Iori and allowing him no escape from Takeru's questions.

Iori suddenly broke down, sobbing out the entire story, as Takeru listened quietly. He began to tear up as well, as he realized exactly what Iori's O-Jii-sans belongings had meant to the smaller boy. He clutched at the sobbing child as Iori began to break down. They stayed together for almost fifty minutes, not saying a word. Takeru was completely content in supplying the support that Iori needed and he made a silent vow to find some way to cheer Iori up.

---------(Several minutes later)---------

Takeru had almost managed to get Iori asleep when the front door slammed shut. Both boys shot upright, separating at the fear of being caught together. Iori glanced at the door, waiting for his O-Kaa-sans eventual arrival. He did not have to wait long, as Tsuneko Hida came into the room with a soft knock. She starred at the two boys for a moment before greeting her son and his friend. Iori shook softly as he stared back at his O-Kaa-san. Iori clutched Takeru's hand tightly, as he fought to keep the anger from his voice.

"O-Kaa-san... just what have you done with O-Jii-sans things? I thought they were in his dojo but I couldn't find them."

Tsuneko looked like she had been struck. She had not counted on Iori being quite so perceptive. She cursed herself softly for having to do this to her son. "Gomen Iori-kun... you know that we've been having money problems lately... and I just couldn't afford to keep everythi-"

"You might not have been able to keep everything... but what about the Shinai O-Jii-san willed to me! That wasn't even yours to sell," Iori screamed as he finally lost his temper.

Takeru held Iori's hand tighter, trying to calm the smaller boy down. This however went unnoticed by Iori's O-Kaa-san, as she whirled on Iori suddenly. "If it weren't for that Shinai we wouldn't have gotten any money at all! That was the only really valuable thing that Chikara owned! I am still debating whether or not we'll be able to keep the dojo's mats! You have no right to give me any grief. You haven't provided any money into this family, ne? "

Iori stared back at his O-Kaa-san in complete shock. He began to shake softly, as Takeru quickly enfolded him in his arms. Iori began to cry gently as his O-Kaa-san huffed, then stormed out of the apartment. Iori broke down as he heard the door slam behind her. He threw his smaller arms around Takeru's neck, sobbing gently. "Gomen Takeru... It's my entire fault! If I hadn't gotten into that acciden-" This was where Takeru stopped him however, as he pulled Iori into a tight hug, effectively cutting off Iori's guilt trip. Takeru continued to hold Iori till the smaller boy finally fell asleep.