Bound: I know, I know...I promised this sooner. I have no excuses. You can thank this chapter on my newest story ( a Twilight/KH crossover) because I felt bad for getting so into that and leaving this hanging.

Warnings: mild swearing, but come on Kouji is an angry teen so that shouldn't be a surprise.

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. If I did Junpei would get way more attention. I love that kid!

..11

The next morning Kouichi woke up feeling sore and tired. Even hours of sleep did nothing to rest his mind, and he had dreamed of Kouji all night long. A furry lump beside his head licked his cheek as if to comfort him. He let out a sigh and turned to glance at his alarm clock. He should be getting out of bed but he didn't feel the need. He didn't feel like do anything. He'd been staring at the ceiling for five minutes when his mom came in.

"Kouichi?" She called lightly as she opened his door.

"I'm up, mom."

"Are you okay, hon? You don't look too good."

"I'm fine." He did his best to muster up a weak smile for her. "I just didn't sleep well."

"Hmm, you seemed completely out when I got home. Maybe we should talk to your doctor about trying something new."

He forced himself to sit up and swing his legs over the bed. His hand went absentmindedly to pet Lowe as he addressed his mother.

"I'm really okay. I just had a nightmare is all." The middle aged woman moved into the room and sat on the bed next to her son. She stared at him with worry, they both knew that there was hardly such a thing as 'just a nightmare' when it came to Kouichi. Ever since he had returned from the digital world (just out of the blue for his unknowing guardian) he'd been plagued with horrible dreams of darkness whenever he closed his eyes.

"Won't you tell me whats wrong? You seem so down these last few days."

It was Kouichi's turn to stare, only this time with shock.

"You mean Dad didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"He sent Kouji to live with Aunt Rika."

"Your father did what?!" She tried to keep her voice calm, but the woman was obviously furious. Her anger deflated in seconds as she took in her oldest son's expression. "Oh, Kouichi!" She pulled him to her chest and spent a few minutes just trying to comfort him.

"Stay home today." Her voice was firm. He opened his mouth to disagree with her but then closed it. He honestly didn't want to leave his bed today, it was better not to look a gift horse in the mouth. He nodded mutely, looking down at Lowe instead of at his mother.

"Things will be alright." She patted his head. "I have to go to work, I'll be home as soon as I can." Tomoko Kimura left home wishing for two things. The first is that she could stay with her son. The second is that by some will of god her ex-husband would have a very unfortunate accident.

It was hours later when Kouichi was stirred from his sleep by an annoying vibrating noise. He blindly reached for his cell phone and opened his eyes slowly. Three new text messages. He flipped it open and stared at the tiny clock. School would of just let out. He opened to first message.

'Are you coming to school today? - Junpei' Sent right before homeroom. Next message.

'Kouichi, you're freaking me out. -Junpei' This one was at lunch. Last message.

'I'm coming over -Junpei'

Even though he really didn't want to talk to anyone a small smile broke out on his face. It was nice to know that his over-eager friend was worried about him. Often times Junpei was the only one besides his brother he felt comfortable around. The larger boy understood that he felt awkward during conversations and was content to just sit quietly with him while the others joked around.

With some effort Kouichi got out of bed and went about what was usually his morning routine; got dressed, washed his face, brushed his teeth and so on. He was a clean creature by habit and he felt gross after having slept for so many hours. He looked towards to the shower with longing, biting back another sigh when he realized he didn't have time to take one.

.11.11

Kouji irritably took a deep breath, trying to calm down. He hadn't said a word the night before after his time with Dr. Kamiya. His aunt had taken it all in stride and went about business as usual. Ken, on the other hand, had been eying him all day. The twin knew his cousin wouldn't be able to hold back his questions much longer.

At the moment he was sitting on his bed in his room, pretending to read a worn out copy of 'Wuthering Heights' that he had found in the living room. Generally it wasn't his type of book but it made for a good distraction. He took a moment to glance out his open door , and then down at Lo who was sleeping happily in front of it.

Leaving his door open had not been a choice of his own. Rika had tried to be subtle about it and had made it clear that she would be more comfortable if he left it open while he was awake. He whistled lightly, calling Lo to him. The dog lifted his head and turned happily to its master. With a excited yip he jumped onto the bed, automatically rolling onto his back and exposing his stomach. Kouji chuckled lightly and patted the dog a few times before resuming his lounging position, now with Lo's head resting on his leg.

His arm moved on its own to the cell phone he kept by his pillow. He flipped it open and debated with himself over calling Kouichi. Even after the other day he still wanted to talk to his brother. Kouji told himself that what he was doing was for the best, but that didn't erase the close bond the twins had.

'God damn it!'

He threw his cellphone across the room. It made a sizable noise before falling harmlessly to the ground. Rika appeared in the doorway before he had time to blink.

"Are you okay, Kouji?"

"M'fine."

"What was that noise just now?"

He lifted his arm and pointed to the phone before letting it fall lifelessly against his chest.

"Kouji," her tone was scolding. "I'd very much appreciate it if you didn't abuse this house. Or your phone." She added the last part pointedly.

"Sorry."

"Now, why don't you go wash up. Dinner will be ready soon. Ken's nice friend Takeru is staying as well."

He nodded in a dejected fashion and the woman turned to leave.

"You know," she threw over her shoulder as an afterthought. "I bet he would forgive you."

.11.11

Kouichi was roused from his thoughts by a persistent knocking on the front door. He sat up to quick and stumbled into the table, jabbing his hip painfully.

"Ow, ow, ow," he mumbled, clutching the spot with his hand as he hurried towards the door.

"You don't look so good." Were the first words that escaped the blond boy's mouth. He failed in trying to glare back at him. He moved out of the way in a silent invitation.

"You didn't answer any of my messages."

"I was sleeping."

"All day?" Junpei's eyebrow was raised in a skeptical manner. He looked over his smaller friend for a moment before continuing. "Never mind, don't answer that."

The two teens wasted time the way they would have if both twins had been present. The watched a little tv, made idle chatter about what was going on at school, occasionally reminisced about good times they'd had in the digital world. Before Kouichi noticed almost three hours had passed and it was time for Junpei to head home.

"You didn't ask me about whats going on." It was both a question and a statement.

"Nah, thats not what you need right now. See you tomorrow." With a smile and a wave the bulky teen headed on his way. He didn't catch the whispered 'Thank you.'

..11

Bound: So I took a break from torturing Kouichi. I'm in too good of a mood to write angst right now. Haha, I can't remember any of what I wanted to say, so I guess I'll just ask you to please review!