Disclaimer - What do you think?

A/N: *apologizes profusely* It's been too long, and I haven't exactly 'tried' to write any more to this - I've been procrastinating for some reason. You can all feel free to pester me about writing more of this at any time - if you feel the need. Because I know I won't do it on my own.

I think the last time I looked at this had to have been a little under two months ago; the only good thing about that fact is I'll come up with better ideas now, but I know I shouldn't take months to get a chapter written.

Oh, and one more thing - if anyone would be interested in being a beta for me, it would be much appreciated... Or even just reading over it and letting me bounce ideas off of you (or you throwing ideas at me), y'know? Because I don't know how many taisukes I've started to write, but then blasted them to the recycling bin.

Okay, I guess I'll shut up now - since I feel a little better. X.x;;

Caribbean Cruise
Chapter Three

"After the awkward silence there was just more awkward silence," Daisuke told Ken, his face lightening up enthusiastically. Ken nodded, but didn't make an attempt to reply. "But, then you know me--right? I got so nervous that I just started rambling. I don't even remember what I was talking about. I couldn't stop myself though, the words just kept coming and coming."

"Breathe, Daisuke," Ken interrupted. Listening to the boy babble about nothing at all made Ken breathless. "You've got all day, take it easy." Daisuke sighed.

"I know, I just feel like... I don't know. I feel weird," Daisuke couldn't really explain himself, though he was pretty sure that Ken got the gist of what he was trying to say. Ken knew him pretty well, but it felt like a dream. He wanted to be pinched; so he could make sure it was real. "Could you do me a favor?" Ken looked at him intently and nodded. "Can you pinch me?"

Ken gave Daisuke a weird look, as if he thought the boy was joking. The look on his face told Ken otherwise. So he reached out and pinched Daisuke's arm, feeling kind of foolish afterwards.

"Ouch," Daisuke said, rubbing his arm. Then he grinned widely at Ken. "It's not a dream! Thanks!" Ken shook his head and laughed.

#$#$#$#$#$

Ken laughed to himself as the events from the day played through his head. The Taichi-guy that Daisuke had talked about all day had really triggered something in the red-headed boy. He was grateful, but felt a little bit of penitence. The way the boy had acted before meeting the brunet - had it been partially Ken's fault? Ken was always being praised for almost everything he did, which gets rather annoying after while - and half the time didn't even do anything important, and Daisuke was just kind of there for comic relief. But, Ken never thought of Daisuke like that; it was always everyone else.

He sighed as he stared at the ceiling. He was happy that Daisuke was happy though, don't get him wrong on that. But, how could the short boy put up with everything Ken's done or lack there of and not be resentful towards him - or even flat out hate him. Who knows, maybe Daisuke did feel a little bit of resentment, Ken wouldn't be surprised. He never once asked Daisuke how he felt about anything, but he never thought he had to - Daisuke was always blunt and straightforward. You had to know how he felt at all times, so he never really gave it a second thought.

He sighed again and decided not to think about it anymore; he shouldn't have to worry about it while he was on this cruise after all.

"Why am I trying to defend myself anyway?" he muttered to the empty room. "It's not like someone's pointing a finger at me telling me it's all my fault." He knew better than that though - the finger pointing at him was his own. He just couldn't figure out why it had taken him so long to figure this out. Sighing was again, he closed his eyes.

The next time Ken opened his eyes, Daisuke was staring down at him. "Are you okay?" he asked, his expression serious. Ken nodded.

"Of course - why do you ask?" Daisuke shrugged.

"You were being all weird - talking in your sleep and stuff. I was kind of weirded out; you've never done that before." The mahogany haired boy shuddered for an added effect.

"Well, don't worry about it. I'm sure it was nothing."

The two boys sat in silence for a few minutes before Daisuke spoke.

"We should go down to the restaurant. I'm starving." Ken nodded, laughing lightly.

"Okay, I'm kind of hungry too."

"I'll eat what you don't, so it's all good."

Ken shook his head as he got off of his bed, laughing. "Wow, I'm glad I have you around - food never goes to waste." Daisuke smiled proudly, and nodded.

"You know it."

#$#$#$#$#$

This time there wasn't as many people occupying the restaurant, and the boys found a table easily.

"You know what happened last time I was in here?" Daisuke asked, sitting across from Ken. The blue-haired boy smirked, shaking his head. "I ate with Taichi - though I really didn't do all that much eating."

"You? Not eat!?"

Daisuke laughed. "Shut up, Ken. I was worried about more important things." Ken smirked.

"Like the way he would smile goofily?" he replied, mocking the boy by repeating something along the lines of what Daisuke had said earlier.

"Shut up, Ken. You don't have to make fun of me," the mahogany haired boy whined, smiling despite himself.

"I'm not making fun of you, I'm... Okay, I'm making fun of you - but in good nature. I would never make fun of you to hurt your feelings."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

The two boys stopped joking around when the waitress came and asked them what they wanted to order. They ordered their food and were told it would be about twenty minutes.

"Twenty minutes?! But, I'm hungry now. Don't they know a starving person when they see one?" Daisuke rambled on. Ken laughed.

"Dai, I promise you won't starve to death. In fact, I guarantee it." Daisuke huffed, crossing his arms over his chest, pouting. Ken just shook his head, smiling.

"Hey fellas," a voice interrupted. "How's it going?" Ken stared at this new person, who was now grabbing a chair and pulling it up to the table, straddling it backwards, and resting his arms on the back of it. Daisuke stared at the person as well, his voice caught in his throat. "Oh, did I catch you at a bad time? I'm sorry; I guess I'll talk to you later, Daisuke."

At first, Ken couldn't figure out how this guy knew Daisuke. But, as he glanced at Daisuke and seen the look on his face - it clicked in his brain and he knew he had to say something.

The guy started to get up from his spot, when Ken found his voice as well.

"Wait!" he nearly yelled. Clearing his throat, he said, "Taichi, right? It's fine, you didn't catch us - er, uh - him at a bad time." Taichi sit back down, grinning at Ken. Finally finding his voice Daisuke laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

"Hey, um, what's up?" he said. He glanced at Ken, making sure he caught his thankful look. "This is my friend, Ichijouji Ken. Ken this is... uh... erm..."

"Yagami Taichi, good to meetcha," Taichi said, saving Daisuke from another embarrassing moment. Ken nodded, giving Taichi a smile.

---

So maybe it's a little short, but I had to stop there because it was just PERFECT! Hope it's not too horrible, even though I'm in the TaiDai groove. *cough* Yeah, big dork. ANYWAY, it would be nice of you to leave a review. ^^ They're much appreciated! Oh, and excuse any grammar/spelling mistakes because I'm sure there's a few. ^^;;