Digimon belongs to Toei! *sob* <BR>
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Advance warning! My boyfriend is graduating tomorrow night, and I'll be attending his prom as well as the ensuing party. So you can expect (a) no writing from me for the next couple of days or (b) several one-shots drunkenly typed out on a laptop. I'm sure everyone understands. ~^_^~<BR>
Last time on <i>Tomodachi:</i> Ken and Miyako are left behind as the others are forced to flee the girls' school! Will the others make it out alive?<BR>
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In response to reviews:<BR>
A <u>lot</u> of people reviewed last chapter who'd NEVER reviewed this story before. Hey, keep that up!<BR>
*ducks straw wrappers*<BR>
A lot of people guessed what's to come. Maybe I'm getting predictable...onward!
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Tomodachi<BR>
Chapter 10<BR>
~By Shimegami-chan<BR>
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The group was silent and tense, listening to the footsteps draw alarmingly close until Daisuke heard a twig snap inches from his face. He held his breath and prayed that the source would move away, but an instant later he felt pressure as the stranger tripped over his foot.
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Growling, Daisuke rolled over and was about to jump up and attack when his 'assailant' fell <i>on</i> him with a shriek. The redhead froze as the other's body fell heavily against him before scrambling to climb to his or her feet. Spying an opportunity, Daisuke grabbed both the stranger's arms and held them tight.
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There was more commotion that he could not see, shuffling on the part of the older boys and muffled noises. Daisuke concentrated on keeping his attacker still.
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To their credit, the newcomer did not scream but went rigid, lifting their head away from Daisuke's shoulder. Tendrils of hair brushed his cheek, and there was a pressure against his chest--a girl? 
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Although he could not see her in the darkness, she relaxed. "Daisuke."
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He blinked, not recognizing the strange voice right away, but quick to judge from her thin frame that it was Taichi's sister. "Hikari?" [I do so love being predictable. -Shi]
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"I'm so glad we found you!" She moved back as he released his grip on her arms. A microsecond later another pair of arms was wrapped around him, and he breathed the gentle scent of Ken's shampoo as inky-blue hair brushed against his face. Neither boy spoke but relaxed against each other. Hikari was gathered into an enthusiastic hug by her brother and Takeru at the same time.
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"What happened?" Yamato questioned, and in the darkness Miyako's voice came back to Daisuke. "We got off scot-free! Man, the teachers there are as bad as ours--they didn't even realize we weren't students!"
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Taichi, in the meantime was berating Hikari. "You could have been attacked by Osamu's gang! You should have stayed with Mimi and Sora!"
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"And let you go home without me? I don't think so, Brother."
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"They thought you and KEN were students?" Takeru asked, replying to Miyako.
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"Uh-huh. With that hair of his, they must have mistaken him for a girl."
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"Well, it saved our lives," Ken said with a smile, his arms tightening around Daisuke. 
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Koushirou had opened his laptop, letting light spill out over the area. Takeru and Hikari were locked in an embrace, with Iori looking enviously on. Miyako was still laughing at their good fortune, and Taichi and Yamato had locked hands. Jyou was actually smiling.
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"We got <i>so</i> lucky," Daisuke said, picking himself up off the ground. 
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Koushirou nodded, looking in much better spirits. "We ought to get moving again--you gave a quite a scare, though, Miya-chan."
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"Well, we wouldn't have if we'd known you were there." Her boyfriend blushed lightly at the comment, and took the lead once again until they were away from the trees and walking on asphalt. Daisuke and Ken silently hung near the back.
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Daisuke tentatively let his hand slide into Ken's, feeling the other boy tense. Ken looked over at his friend. "Daisuke..."
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Daisuke smiled to himself, looking straight ahead. "Did you mean what you said back there, Ken?"
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"Yes." The reply was simple, emotionless.
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Daisuke halted abruptly, forcing the indigo-haired child to stop as well. Without speaking he brought his hand to Ken's cheek and cradled it in his palm, meeting the other's violet eyes. He moved closer; slowly, tentatively, and for a brief moment they shared a gentle kiss. 
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It was unlike anything Ken had ever experienced before--so very different from the rough caresses he had had forced upon him during his time in Sekitomachi. Daisuke's lips were pliant and smooth,  parting to allow him entrance. It was a new experience for Ken; being asked instead of offering.  He hesitantly slid his tongue past Daisuke's entrance, winding his arms around the bigger boy's waist. Daisuke responded in kind. 
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The feeling was euphoric. Daisuke had never kissed a boy before, but he decided that it was well worth it. Ken tasted sweeter than he would have guessed; <i>like berries,</i> a thought that pleased Daisuke. <i> And Ken's lips are as red as raspberries,</i> he thought giddily. The others continued on ahead, oblivious to the exchange that was taking place behind them. When the boys had finally pulled apart, they locked eyes for a long moment before either spoke.
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Daisuke was the one who broke the silence. "Ken..." He cupped the other boy's cheek in his palm, cradling it. "Ken, I...I really like you. And, um, if we make if home, would you like to...go out somewhere