Kyuuketsuki: Illusions of Blood and Darkness
Co-Written By: Dana-cha' and Ice-cha'

 

Chapter 6

    Tentomon sighed and his eyes locked with Gomamon's. Takeru's reassurances did nothing for the sea Digimon it seemed.. Walking up to the other Digimon, he placed a claw on Gomamon's back. "Just keep hoping.. Never give up hope. We'll find Jyou. I promise.."  The question was, would he be in one peice when they finally did find him..?
    Sora glanced towards them, and wished that Gomamon could have the hope he needed. If they didn't keep a cheerful look on it... Then Jyou and Koushiro could very likely end up... The thought made her ill.
    The next sound made her even more so, as the distant sound of Koromon's voice echoed through out the trees, screaming Taichi's name.
    Sora stood quickly, but the force of it sent her tumbling, and Yamato caught her as she fell, "Taichi!"
    Mimi's eyes grew wide, "Oh God..."
    Yamato sighed, fear clenching him, "It... It..."
    Sora broke away from him, and was running in the way of the voice. Yamato cursed and took off after her, "Sora!"
    Piyomon paled, as much as she could O.o, "Sora! Oh no..."

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    The struggles paused as the two appeared again, and Taichi came face to face with a drop that sent cold shivers down his spine, "What are you..Who...?"
    The voice laughed, a melodic sound, cold yet beautiful. "I'm playing with you..."
    "Let me..." His voice stilled. But she grinned, and a giggle drifted in the cool, high air.
    "Of course..."
    With that, she let go, and he was falling, spinning wildly towards the earth...
    Closer and closer, spinning. The fear finally gripped him, and he cried out, screaming in pure terror. Closer and closer... He stopped, as she caught him, so close to the ground... They faded away before slamming into the earth...
    Only to reappear in a dark copse of trees.
    "Are you ready to play?" She asked, giggling, as she pressed her lips to his in an all invading kiss. Dazed, he didn't resist.
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    Running, running, he'd never ran so fast in his life. Behind him, he could hear haunting laughter... It made him ill. To know it came from Jyou... This had to be some sort of freakish dream. Despite the fact that the pain was all to real to be anything but reality...
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    Palmon's face mirrored Piyomon. "Oh... Oh no!"
    Mimi grabbed Palmon, and clutched the little Digimon close, "What are we supposed to do what are we supposed to do?" As she spoke, Piyomon lept up and flew after her child...
    "Oh Sora..."
    Palmon hugged back, and looked up at Mimi. "I don't know.."
    Tentomon watched them leave with alarm. No! They had to stay together!!!
    Hikari moaned weakly, but did not awaken.
    Takeru gasped and ran after the girl as well as his brother. "SORA! YAMATO!!!"  Fear gripping at his heart, he raced after his two main sources of comfort, wanting to know where they were, always...
    Patamon flew after his child, quickly followed by Gabumon.
    Quickly, Gabumon Digivolved into Garurumon and easily caught up with Takeru. "Grab on!" He shouted, quickly bending down so the little boy could scramble onto the wolf Digimon's back, and Takeru gripped Patamon as the flying Digimon came to him. Again they were off and racing through the forest, until they came up Yamato.
    Slowing down, Garurumon trotted next to the running boy, waiting for him to grab on.
   Yamato did grab on, and pulled himself up behind Takeru. His eyes were on Sora, who was dipping and darting through narrow shortcuts. She let out another strangled cry, and he could hear the tears in her voice, helpess tears, "TAICHI!!!"
    He held onto Takeru, so he wouldn't fall... This day was becoming a living hell.
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    Running, running, he was still running. The tunnel curved sharply, and he turned with it, slipping and falling.. He stumbled down the rocky way, crying out in pain as he tumbled down and down... The voice followed him, reveling
in each cry of pain... Blood and tears splattered the stone, and he lay still... He was too tired to rise. But the footsteps were drawing closer... It hurt. He hurt... Everything hurt so much. Somehow he pulled himself to his
feet, clinging to the rocky wall.. Before stumbling forwards, wincing at the
pain he put on his now wounded ankle.
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    Garurumon sped up, as Takeru yelled, "SORA!!!"
    Patamon clung to Garurumon, trembling fearfully. When was all this going to end...? Was Taichi going to be alright..? Why was all this happening at once..?
    As Takeru continued to scream out Sora's name over and over again, Patamon began to silently cry, fear gripping his little body.
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    Mimi sighed softly, but it was Gomamon who spoke. His voice was weak with despair, "It's happening again... If we just stay here, we'll never see them again... No, they're already gone..."
    Mimi looked at him, sadness in her large eyes, "Gomamon..."
    Palmon frowned. "You just can't GIVE UP!"  She walked right up to Gomamon and stared down at him. "If you just give up, then we'll *NEVER* find Jyou or Koushirou or Taichi!  We don't know if they're truly gone until we look, do we?!" The usually calm Digimon sighed in frustration. "If you even care for Jyou you would at least keep some hope..? What if he just got lost and is all alone, trying to find you..? Maybe he just lost his way! Maybe he's stuck somewhere and needs our help!  We can't just give up on them! What if they're still alive..? Huh? And what if they die because we were too depressed to look when we could have save them..?! Have you ever thought of that?!"  Sighing, the plant Digimon looked down to the ground, bowing sheepishly. "I-I shouldn't have s-said that...... Gomen nasai...."
    Gomamon pulled himself from his rut, at least for them. He moved towards Palmon, and sat beside her. "I... You're right, Palmon. I can't give up. Jyou's alive... I can feel it."
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    "Please! Leave me alone!" The boy had been backed into a dead in, a smooth carved room at the end of the curving slope. Pressing up against the  wall, the pains of his body forgotten, Koushiro prayed, wished, hoped against anything that Jyou would stop... That this was just a dream. A nightmare more realistic than being awake.. "Stop..." The foot steps came closer and closer, and a dark form was silhouetted in the doorway."Please... Please..." The form took a step closer, and a malicous look spread over Jyou's face... A face that shouldn't look that way at all. Koushiro lost the ability to speak, then, and all he could do was sob.
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    She didn't stop until she found the lake. And when she did, her eyes, tears streaking down her cheeks, locked on Koromon. He was alone.. Taichi?! Where was Taichi? She stumbled over, and picked him up, "Koromon.. wha.. What happened?"
    Koromon let out a hopeless sob. "I-I don't know! One second Taichi was here getting fruit, the next this woman comes and grabs him. T-then they both disappeared!! Why, why Taichi..?!"  Wrapping his small ears around Sora as much as he could, the little Digimon began to sob.
    She held him, and felt her knees give out beneath her... Falling to the ground, she sobbed into Koromon's side. "Taichi..Taichi.." She couldn't bring herself to do anything else. Just cry...
    Koromon cried with her, huge sobs wracking his small, little body..
    Garurumon slowed down to a trot upon reaching the lake, and blinked in surprise as he saw both Sora and Koromon crying... But most of all, where was Taichi?!  Where could he be?  Sighing, the wolfish Digimon stopped a few yards
away from the girl and the Digimon, waiting for the people riding on him to get down.
    Takeru also blinked, realizing the same thing.. "Y-yama..? Where did Taichi go..?"
    Patamon stopped crying and rubbed his eyes with his paws when he heard Takeru asked the question. The blue orbs of his eyes widened in surprise upon noticing what everyone else had already observed. Taichi was gone.  Without a trace.
    "I don't know." The answer was bleak, numb. Vague images blurred in his mind.. Gabumon and Takeru was crying. So was Taichi... Why would Taichi be crying? Wait, they were crying over him... Why would Taichi be crying over HIM?
    "I... Stay here, Takeru..." He spoke, his voice numb, and slipped off of Garurumon, walking over to Sora and Koromon. He knelt, and put an arm around her shoulder.
    "We'll find him..." He murmured, lost.
    Takeru looked at them sadly, and clutched his little fingers into Garurumon's fur. "I hope Taichi's okay...."
    Garurumon nodded silently, and had Takeru get off of him. "Remember, Yamato said to stay here."
    "Hai.." Takeru replied, as Garurumon nuzzled his cheek. Without turning around, Takeru stroked Garurumon's muzzle as Patamon landed on his head.  He waited for his brother, like he said to, and tried hard not to cry. So many
things were happening today, so many things. Why couldn't they for once have a break from the everyday events of the Digital World..?  And why did this all have to happen while Hikari was unconscious...? The little boy frowned, worried for his little friend and for Taichi, Jyou, and Koushirou all at the same time.
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    Palmon smiled slightly looking up. It seems like she did help after all. "Right." Nodding, she affirmed Gomamon's statement.
    Tentomon sighed and looked up. Palmon was right. He needed to have hope. Deep inside, he knew Koushirou was still alive... But he wasn't okay..
    Unknown to either of them, Hikari moaned weakly, squeezing her eyes shut even more..
    Tailmon nuzzled against her child, wishing she knew what troubled her so. Even in slumber, the girl wouldn't let go of the worries of the others... "Hikari..." She murmured, holding onto her with her small arms.
    Mimi looked away from the Digimon, to Tailmon and Hikari. "Ne, Tailmon, what happened to her, anyways?"
    Tailmon was almost bitter as she spoke. "Yamato nearly died saving his dull witted brother, and Hikari saved him!" She regretted her words as soon as she spoke, but no one else mattered. Only Hikari...
    Mimi winced, "Oh Tailmon..." So much was happening. She didn't feel good about it at all. She couldn't even bring herself to defend the sweet boy that Tailmon had spoke of..
    Hikari moaned some more and slowly opened her eyes. "Tailmon..? Where am I..?" She looked around, confused by the change in scenery.
    Palmon looked at Tailmon sadly.
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    He was sliding down the wall, small sharp bits digging into his back. He wanted to close his eyes, and never open them again, as long as he didn't have to look at the look in Jyou's eyes. The tears were burning his eyes, and he felt someone near him. Someone kneeling. A hand caressing his cheek, then grabbing his wrist and pulling him close.. His eyes snapped open, and he was face to face with Jyou. He tried to talk, but all he could do was sob... The other leaned close, licking away a bit of his tears.. Smirking, he twisted the already sore wrist, smiling in silent triumph as Koushiro cried out...
    "I don't have to be sad. I caught you... Now we can play." He stood, yanking on Koushiro's wrist as he pulled him up. He tried not to cry out again, and he nearly suceeded, but then harsh nails dug into still fresh cuts... Dry blood melted away as fresh replaced the old.
    "Jyou..."
    No answer, as he was twisted about in the others hold, arms that were two strong holding him close. Fingers trailed over his stomach, under his shirt, and he felt queasy. "Jyou.." He pleaded. No answer. No answer except bloody fingers trailing over his cheek... He was too weak to pull away. He hurt to much to run any more.
    So he sat.
    He was being kissed, shivers on his shoulder. Jyou was.. Jyou was... His head was spinning.
    Jyou...
    He closed his eyes, fresh tears spilling down battered cheeks. He shifted, trying to turn towards the other, trying to find some way to make him stop... To figure out why... Anything...
    Those same strong arms caught him, and held him, pulling him close. Fingers once again dipped into the blood that streak his face, licking his finger clean. He smirked then, fear in Koushiro's eyes. And then, he brought his lips close, covering the others with his own... A kiss that was more invading than anything the other woman had forced, before.
    He couldn't resist.
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    Sora sniffled, rubbing against Koromon's fur, then lifted blood shot eyes, tears streaking her face, gazing at Yamato.. somewhere within his calm, she found a hold, and clung onto him, pressing herself and Koromon against him.
    "But how? How?" She asked, desperate.
    "We..." He spoked slowly, winding his arms around them both, so she wouldn't fall. "Let's go back to camp. Being split up like this won't help... We'll decide a plan of action from there... all right?"
    She nodded, slowly. "'kay..."
    He stood, and helped her to her feet, then wiped at the tears that stained her cheeks. "You shouldn't cry... Taichi wouldn't want you to."
    She nodded, slowly, wiping at more tears, "I'll try not to... 'kay?"
    He nodded, "You too, Koromon.. We'll get Taichi back. I promise."
    Koromon sniffled, looking up at Yamato. "I sure hope so...
    Garurumon licked Takeru's cheek as he looked up, his eyes meeting with Yamato's.  'He'll be okay.. Don't worry Yamato,' Garurumon thought to himself, as he felt Takeru try to climb onto his back again. Kneeling down, he helped the boy onto the back with a butt of his muzzle against the boy's bottom.  And once the boy was situated, he stood up and walked over to Yamato, Sora, and Koromon quietly, not showing his worry as best as he possibly could.
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    Tailmon smiled with relief as Hikari opened her eyes, "You're all right! I was so worried about you, Hikari..." After her small arms had taken there fill of hugging her child, Tailmon looked up and met her gaze, smiling.
"We're back at camp." - How am I supposed to tell her her brother could be in trouble? I.. I don't want to make her sad... - Yet that sadness showed in her eyes...
    Hikari blinked and noticed the sad look in Tailmon's eyes... Then it dawned on her. "Tailmon..? Where's m..my 'N-niichan..?"
    Mimi clutched Palmon, Tailmon hadn't meant that. She was sure... It was just hard to hear. Takeru was such a sweet little boy.. He whined, she whined, they all whined once in a while... Maybe not Hikari, though. 'I don't think I've ever heard her complain...'
    Which was because she rarely did.. She was always too worried about everyone else and felt badly about being sick, because then she was in the way. And her logic was that if she didn't complain, she'd stay out of the way... Hikari hugged Tailmon closer, waiting for the dreaded answer.
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    If Garurumon was trying to show not his worry, then Yamato was doubling his own efforts to remain cool and calm. He helped Sora up onto Garurumon, he didn't want either of her or Koromon out of his site for the time being... If something happened, and she got hurt, he was quite sure Taichi wouldn't forgive him.
    I wonder what he'd think if I got hurt...
    Didn't he already know?
    His head hurt, and he was tired. Dazed, he hopped up onto Garurumon, behind the others.
    Garurumon started off again, and hurried off back to camp with a quickened pace. He didn't like the feeling the storm was giving him, and he wanted his friends to be safe and sound with the others as soon as possible.
    Patamon clinged to Takeru's shirt, trying hard not to cry because of the turn of events.
    Koromon sighed sadly. Where did that woman take Taichi..? *WHY* did she take Taichi...?
    She at last had completely stopped crying, at least for now. He was right, Taichi wouldn't cry if something like this happened to one of them. He might yell, and be mad, but he wouldn't cry. I wonder what would have to happen to make him cry...
    She didn't want to think about that.
    They were nearing the camp... Garurumon was faster than any run.
    Yamato repeated, to her, to them all, "We'll get Taichi back. I promise."
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    Tailmon winced ever so slightly, "Yamato and the others went to get him..." And they had. She couldn't mention that  something might of happen. No, she couldn't lead the girl on. False hope only caused more pain. "Something... Something may have happened to him. So... You're going to have to be strong, okay?" Please, Hikari... She nuzzled into the girls arms. Please...
    Hikari looked down silently and closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around Tailmon. "W-what kind of thing..?" The little girl asked, only a little bit of her fear evident.  Deep inside, she was terrified. What if something really bad had happened to her brother..? What if he was hurt..? What if he was d... She didn't want to think about it, and she clutched Tailmon closer. Oh now she wanted to go out and look for Taichi right then and there, but he would be angry if she did, since she was still weak from saving Yamato.  And she didn't want Taichi to worry... It was best to stay in one place this time..
    She didn't want to answer. She didn't want the little girl she cared for so much to worry again. But she couldn't lie to her. If anything, she had to be as open and honest as possible. "He... I don't know, Hikari. All I know is that it's bad... I... I wish it wasn't so.."
   The little girl hugged Tailmon tightly then, worry showing on her face.. But at the same time.. "H-he'll be alright... H-he's a big kid.. A-and he can take c-care of himself.. R-right..?"
    "Of course he will, Hikari.." She replied, burying her face in the girl's shirt. 'I hope so. I really do. I'd hate to lie to you Hikari...'
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    Koromon nodded silently, and snuggled into Sora's stomach some more. 'Poor Taichi.. I hope he's alright..'
    Takeru blinked in surprise as Patamon clinged harder and began to sniffle. "O-Oh! Patamon! It's okay.. We'll find them, just like 'Niichan said!" Just like Yamato said....
    Soon Garurumon could see the camp in the distance and shouted to the others. "Minna!!"
    Mimi looked up as she heard Garurumon's call, and she stood, looking for Taichi amongst the children and Digimon.. He was no where to be seen. He was gone..
    "It's happening again..." Gomamon croaked. Jyou, it keeps happening...
    Tentomon frowned and looked to the others. "From now on, no matter what, we just gotta stay in one group!"
    Palmon sighed and hugged Mimi's leg. "Yeah.... we don't want to loose anyone else.."
    Garurumon slowed down to a stop a few feet away from the others and crotched, letting the others off.
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    He pulled away from the other, breaking the kiss. Despite the suddenness of it, it had been pleasant, more so than that woman, and even that brought more tears to Koushiro's eyes. "Jyou, please..." His cheek was being stroked, gently.
    "Hmm? I know you liked that, and I have so much planned..." A grin split his features, and he stood, pulling Koushiro up with him. Pain coursed through his system again, and he winced.
    "J..Jyou.."
    The blue haired boy mused over his thoughts, "Maybe we should play something else... Something where the stakes are high." He twisted Koushiro around, and the boy gasped.
    "Please, Jyou.."
    No answer, besides other words, "Oh come on, I know you'll like it... You might even get to end this all..." He pushed him away, and Koushiro tried to keep his footing, but he stumbled and fell hard to the rocky ground. He gasped, breathing heavy, and then his hand brushed against something... His gaze flickered to it, it was a long, slender form... A dark handle, and a long, long rusty blade... He felt ill.
    Jyou's voice was bright, and almost cheerful. "Come on, Koushiro, it'll be fun! If you play well, I'll even give you a suprise!"
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    Mimi nodded, and sat beside Palmon, "Right... So what now? It's like we're being picked off, one by one..." Gomamon tried not to show that he agreed with her.
    "But if we stay together..."
    Yamato helped the others hoff of Garurumon, and squeezed Sora's hand, trying to reassure her. "We'll be alright... And we'll find Taichi."
    He glanced towards Hikari...
    Tailmon spoke again. "We will.. Oh Hikari, we will..."
    Before Hikari could reply, Takeru spoke up. "Yeah, of course we'll find Taichi.. We found Sora when she got kidnapped right..? We just gotta keep our hope up!" He walked up to Hikari, kneeled, and gave his friend a hug. "I know Taichi will fight with everything he's got to get back to us!"
    Hikari smiled slightly, hugging back. "Yeah.. He will... He always does.."
    Sora clenched Yamato's hand, and stumbled against him. She cried out, and he held her up, to keep her from falling. "Sora, are you.."
    She gasped, breathing hard. "I.. I'm fine.. Tired, I guess.."
    He nodded, "I know how you feel.."
    The sky was darkening. Night was falling.
    "Maybe we should all get some rest before we plan what we're going to do..."
    Tentomon nodded. "Sora has a point there... We won't be able to help the others if we don't get adequate rest.. We'll be able to search for them better in the morning.."
    "Oh..." Hikari's little smile faded, and she looked down sadly at Tailmon.
    Takeru sat beside her, clutching Patamon close. "Don't worry, we'll find him..."
    "Y-yeah... I know.. I'm just so worried..." Hikari replied, not meeting his gaze..
    "It's because you love him.." The little boy stated. "I'd be the same way if my brother was the one missing.. I've been seperated from 'Niichan and I'm still here, right..? And 'Niichan too..?"
    Hikari smiled slightly again and nodded. "Yeah.. I guess so... I'll keep my hope up. I know we'll find him.."
    'Hopefully in one peice..' Tentomon thought grimly, overhearing the little ones' conversation.
    After that, they went to sleep. Not with a happy outlook, but with one that was at least better than the alternative...
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    Her wings were tired. Oh, why couldn't she find Sora? "Sora!" She called... Maybe I should have stayed and waited for her. But I was so worried... Oh, who's that? It's not Sora.. Taichi?
    She fluutered to the boy, "Taichi!"
    He turned, and looked towards her, eyes dull.
    "Sora was so worried about you, are you all right?'
    He made no reply, he grabbed her and slammed the small form of the pink bird against the nearest, large tree. She cried out, then crumbled to the ground.
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    He pulled away from the handle, and pushed himself back across the ground. Jyou walked forwards, and Koushiro whimpered as the boy knelt and picked upo the knife, rusty blade scraping across the rock. "It's getting dark, Koushiro... The best time to play."
    He pushed up against the wall, and once again found himself pinned. Pushing up to his feet, he watched with tear filled eyes as Jyou walked forwards... He closed his eyes, not wanting to see it when it came.
    Not pain, though, but the light rusty feel of a cold blade tracing lightly across his throat... He opened his eyes, slowly, as the blade was pulled away. Touching his hand to the line.. The slight feel of blood.
    The other descended upon the cut, licking away at the line, then pulled away, grinning. A dark cold look... But a look that said, You can end this... Please, Koushiro, for both of us. He then trailed the knife down upon the boy's shirt, and Koushiro reacted, not thinking, grabbing the hilt. Jyou grinned, triumphant. "So you really want to play.."
    "I..." Koushiro pushed him away, and backed away along the wall.. The knife tight in his hand. "I... Just.. leave me alone..." Tears spilled again, as Jyou began to advance on him.
    "Can you make me?" Taunting him.
    "I.. I don't want to..." Koushiro whimpered.
    "But you have to, or I'll end the game.."
    The blood drained from his face, and Koushiro knew that he wasn't lying.
    "I.. I.."
    Closer, closer.
    "I... Don't.. I.. Please.. Jyou..."
    Closer, closer.
    "Don't... I can't.. hurt you..."
    He hurt so much. He was so tired. Maybe it would be better just to end this. But he couldn't hurt Jyou. No matter what, he couldn't hurt Jyou.
    He began to plunge the dagger in. To his own chest.
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    Something was wrong. Someone was calling her. Try as she might, she couldn't find sleep. All she did was stare up at the dark starry sky, wishing for something better. Yet the sense of something wrong would not leave her alone... 'Piyomon, you never came back. I... You can take care of yourself, can't you? I know you can... You take care of me all the time.' Still... She felt guilty. First Taichi, and now Piyomon. She'd never come back. 'You protect me, I have to try and protect you this time..'
    She stood, and moved away from the camp, careful not to make any sound. 'Piyomon, I'm going to find you...'
    'Taichi, too.'
End of Chapter Six