The
Game that Gods play
Prologue
- Noises in the dark.
Thunder,
rain and lightning…
«CRASH!!»
Danger,
water rising.
"Stop
thief!!"
Clamours,
sirens wailing.
…It's such a bad sign…
"He
took the gem!!!"
"Is it
him again?!"
"Definitely!!
The modus operandi is the same as the other times!"
"AH!
Where did he go?!"
"Look!
Up there! On the roof!!"
Shadows
of dark creatures
Steel
clouds floating in the air…
"What's
that thing?!"
"It's
helping him escape!!"
"It
must be his digimon!!"
"There's
no possibility that thing is a digimon! I've never seen one like that!!"
"Look
out! It's coming towards us!"
People
run for shelter
What's gonna happen to us!?
…
…
…
…
//…Hmpf…fools…how
can they pretend to catch me?//
…
…
…
//
Yamato will be pleased with the result of this mission… I've got the
Aphrodite's eye…//
"…quick…take
me…home…"
"Yes,
Master…"
Ancient city blazing…
Shadows keep attacking.
Little children crying,
Confusion, hopeless anger…
"…Daisuke…"
Chapter
01 - Feelings that Cannot Be Denied.
* Taichi's POV *
The
floor's trembling, rumbling. The walls are shacking, the lights are flickering,
and all around me the building begins to quiver. A sickening roaring sound -as
if billionths of thunders have gathered in this single room- fills the air, and
I'm suddenly tumbling toward the floor, grasping to one of the high marble
column with as much strength as I can muster, doing my best not to roll across
the floor and down to the computer terminal.
At my
aside, Hikari shrieks fearfully, and I reach out to clasp her outstretched hand
and hug her to me. She hugs me back, her cherry hued eyes darting around the
room, like if searching for an explanation in the darkened image of herself
those marble walls reflect back whenever she looks at them.
"What's
happening?!" she finally cries as the tremble subdues enough to convince us to
let the column go.
"I
don't know!!" I shout back, hoping she can hear me over the noise. She nods
and - as if reading my mind - lets go of my shirt, still clasped in her tiny
fists.
Somehow,
I manage to scramble up to my feet and reach the farthest corner of the room,
were a sliding door is waiting for me. It opens noiselessly and I tumble inside,
laying my back against the cold metal of the door for support. The towering
image of the our Central Computer, the DD - Dogma Device - is now in front of me
and -despite my brain asking my throat not to- I'm swallowing soundly.
There's an air about this place…this supercomputer… I shake my head clear
of this thoughts, which I can always pay attention to after the earthquake is
over, and make my way toward the DD on shacking legs. I hit as quickly as I can
the sequence of buttons that will connect me to the central memory and I'm
regarded by the familiar buzzing sound in a less than a millisecond.
--btzzz--
The
computer turns on, and I can't help but get caught in the way those billionths
little red dots flicker and chase one another in the dark field which is the
screen.
--connection
initialised -- scansion retinal pattern --
The
all-too-familiar burning sensation of the ruby laser inspecting my retina sticks
my mahogany orbs and I do my best to hold still even if the earth is doing
cartwheels under my feet. And trembles. And flops. And quivers. And grumbles.
And…
--operation
complete-- Tamer 01 – class A – level Chief – name: Kamiya Taichi-
Welcome.--
The
screen turns black for a millisecond, and when it enlightens again, three
not-so-reassuring-looking old men are staring down at me from the highest
section of the immensely big monitor; they're eyes narrowed in what seems
annoyance and admonishment, and enlightened with that infinite wisdom that only
beings as old as world can held. But then again, they're *not* so old…right?
"Report
the situation! What's the cause of this earthquake?" I practically yell,
fighting to keep my balance and grasping to the cold tower which his the DD for
support. The pale-blue skinned face closes his eyes. A buzzing sound comes from
the immense processor and I've to swallow my nervousness. What's taking so
long???
Then he
opens his eyes again, and they are glowing bright red.
--All
three MAGI systems are now in self-diagnostics mode. Chief 01 is currently being
asked to wait.--
"What?!"
I can't suppress my gasp. I tried to, but it seems it is stronger than all my
efforts.
Besides,
I think I can be excused if I'm but very concerned about the way the MAGI are
dealing with this.
The
MAGI, the highest product of humankind's science, the fabulous machine which
can process in infinitesimal amounts of time incredibly big files; which reduced
the time of the Evolution process of 23 times…has to make me wait?! My fingers
fidget and before I know, I'm biting my bottom lip so hard I fear I'm about
to draw blood out.
Balthasar
closes his red eyes again. And it's time for the lime-skinned one to open his
pitch-black orbs.
--~There's
an intruder in the museum. Sector A-13 of the north area of the town. The gate
generator has been destroyed. The 'Aphrodite's eye' is missing.~--
"What?!
What's the damage report?"
--*That's
a level 3 emergency*-- the reddish pink skinned one explains, resting his
emerald gaze on me. --*Gate generator on level B3 and B2 are destroyed. Area's
sub-systems have dropped 70% from normal.*--
"What
of the intruder?"
I can't
help but be amazed. One man, only *one* man, has been capable to disturb the
endless movement of the wheels of the perfect mechanics that Tokyo is. He
interfered with the MAGI's plan, and –I may add- managed to do it without
alarming us Tamers.
…
…
…No,
on a second thought I'm *not* amazed. There's only one person in Japan…in
the whole world that can do this. And if this 'intruder' or ours is who I
think he is, this means…
Balthasar
lets his lids flutter up, his crimson eyes paralysing me in the spot, turning
the blood rushing in my veins into ice.
--Why,
we believe it's the subject memorized under the code 127-ZX-130027-PW.--
Subject
127-ZX-130027-PW, eh? Well, it seems that I was right after all. But that's
one of the few times I truly can say I enjoy being right. Without my mind
ordering it, my hands clasp around the internal phone, and before I knew, I'm
shouting as a crazy.
"Daisuke!
You specialized kind of idiot!! Where the *hell* are you?! Come here! Quickly!!"
"Tai-chan!!"
The
telephone slides out my grasp and falls on the floor with a noise which echoes
in the air, in a maddening crescendo that soon enwrap around me. And then,
suddenly, it fades, leaving me to blink. Trying to focus on the predicament I'm
in, I swirl around and I'm surprised to see my little sister one the doorframe,
paralysed at the sight of the three Magi. I can see she's shacking slightly
and I can't prevent the hyper-protective-brother side of my character from
getting the better of me. I narrow my eyes in pure concern, pouting slightly and
taking a hesitant step toward her.
"Hikari?"
She
swallows soundly, and her eyes dart from the screen straight into my own eyes,
so similar to hers. She's suddenly reminded of her place and straightens,
nodding her head to me.
"Chief
Kamiya," she says, and I can see she's doing her best to conceal the brief
flickers of confusion and fear that ripple her eyes. "Tamer Motomiya has been
dismissed for today."
"What?!
He must be here 24/7!"
She nods
again, a knowing smile curving her lips. "I know. He's not here, anyway. And
you're the one who signed his permit." I blink. Once. Twice. Three times.
And her smile changes into a smirk for a brief moment before turn back to her
usual angelical smile. I blink again and, as realization dawns on me, I narrow
my eyes, pointing a menacing finger to her face. "I thought we already
discussed about this. You can *not* sign official papers with my name,
Hikari-chan. No matter how much I love you, I'm still the Chief here."
Despite the situation, and the fear still clear in her eyes, she smiles, titling
her head to a side, plastering on her face that irresistible innocent look which
always makes me do whatever she wants me to. I wave her away, looking away from
her adorable face before it's too late. Mental note: let's remember mom to
never gave birth to such diabolically cute child again.
"We'll
deal with this later. Now rush gathering all the Tamers available from level E
to level A and send them to…" I turn hopefully toward Melchior, which nods
politely and turns toward my sister with a blank expression. --*North Area.
Sector A-13. Possible location of the intruder: the basement. Level 2.*--
She nods
again, and then stops, smiling hesitantly at me. I smile back and her hesitation
seems to melt. Nodding once again, only more cheerfully this time, she turns on
her heels and dart out the Control room. I smile at her dashing form and shake
my head, amazed with how stubborn she manage to be when it comes to her mahogany
haired friend…
--~Alert!
It seems the individual has escaped to the number 34 roof and is now flying away
on an unknown digimon! ~-- Caspar yells suddenly, usually black eyes glowing in
silver.
"Goddamit!"
A red spot starts to blink at me on the portion of screen that's usually
filled with flowing data, and the three heads stops every possible move they
were making. "What the hell is happening *now*?!"
--Data
contamination alert in the Central Unit-- a white dot travels through a field of
wavering ruby lights. --7th wall is deteriorating, releasing data…Permission
to access accorded.--
--*Current
used genome restructured. Confirming data replacement...*--
What?
The genome…restructured?
--Corrosion
of the protective walls is spreading. 50, 28, 19, have been all shut down.
Data's still leaking through. The speed is incalculable. System overwhelmed.
Waiting further instructions.--
--~Switch
to information delivering mode. Caspar confirming transfer of downloading
coordinates.~--
Information…delivering
mode?! What the…
--…--
--~…~--
--*…*--
--~*…Access
granted.*~-- Three pairs of glowing eyes open at the same time and the
flickering spots on the screen intensifies. Then, they all disappear, only to
make room, after few seconds of maddening darkness and silence, to a phrase that
glows in a sickening blood red, repeating itself over and over in the blackness
of the monitor.
You
shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You
shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You
shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You
shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You
shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You
shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You
shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You
shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You
shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You
shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods. You shall not act as Gods.
"Daisuke!
Where the *fuck* is Daisuke?!" I yell with all the strength I've in my body.
"…Daisuke…"
* * * *
*
*
Daisuke's POV *
"D'suke!!!!!!"
"Mmhhh…"
incoherent groans are all that can escape my lips, now.
"Get
up!! Get up! Get up! Get uuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!!!" every scream is accompanied by a
weight bouncing on my back. I roll over onto my back, casting an arm across my eyes in an unconscious effort to shield them from the
sunlight peering through the blinds. The weight on my back rolls
off and crushes against the wall, yelping.
"…Mmmmh…"I'm
sleepy…" I manage to say. I don't wanna get up…I've got this feeling.
You know something's about to happen when your heart races, you start sweating,
and you feel like you've a weight on your heart.
"D'suke?"
Chibimon crawls over me, and bounces on my stomach.
"…What?"
"Weren't
you supposed to meet Taichi at the base today?"
Something
at the mention of this name clicks in my mind.
Taichi...?
The
base?
A...meeting??
Yeah…I
think I remember something like this, but…I'm still *so* sleepy...
"Yeah…"
"Why
are you still here, then?"
//Still? What does he mean with *still*?// Somehow I manage to
crack one eye open. Plump, cute face, huge
mouth puckered in something that resembles confusion and big ruby eyes.
Blinking down at me. "…Still…?" I let loose a tired yawn. Turning my
head slightly, my gaze falls on the clock on the wall. "…it's nine-thirty…"
And I go
back to sleep.
//…It's…nine…thirty…//
Shaking my head, I shoot up in a sitting position, sending Chibimon flying down
to the floor. //Oh, dear Mother of God...// "I'M
LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
I
quickly run to the bathroom and get rid of my pyjamas so fast I think I've hit
a new record. The icy shower clears my mind and frees me of every sleepiness,
but I still have this bad feeling at the bottom of my stomach. I hope this
doesn't mean Taichi will kill me...I like my head in the position it is *now*.
Unconsciously
rubbing the back of my neck, I reach out for the shower curtain to get out until
I get a glimpse of lavender hair.
"AAAAHH!!!!
What the hell?!" I scream, getting back into the shower and quickly shutting
the curtain.
"Good
morning Daisuke."
"GOOD
MORNING?! What the *hell* are you doing here?!" I rage, opening the curtain a
little and peeping out the narrowed opening.
I can
see Miyako wiping the steam from the bathroom mirror and running a hand trough
her hair, flashing herself a satisfied smile.
"I
came to take you at the base." she leans close to the mirror, moving a lock of
purple hair --limp and flat for the fluffy steam-- away from her face. "Your
sister let me in." she adds, as if reading the question ringing in my mind. I
quickly shut my mouth and look at her as she takes a step back, still running
her fingers through her hair. Then she nods -satisfied with how she looks- and
cocks her head slightly, looking at me sideways. "You're the one who asked
me to come and take you there" She casts a quick glimpse at her reflection on
the once again fogged mirror. Puffing out her cheeks she takes care of another
fallen lock, ignoring me completely, as if she's the bathroom rightful owner
and I'm not here at all.
"Couldn't
you have waited just five minutes?! I'm taking a shower for God's sake!" I
rage, quite embarrassed, but her only reaction is a slight shrug.
"Calm
down Dai!! It's not like I'm interested in seeing you like that. Even if I
didn't think that naked you'd look so good..." she giggles, raising her
eyebrows at me repeatedly.
"Ha.
Ha. Ha." I fake a harsh laugh hoping my tone is not giving out anything about
my blush. "Now, get out of here, Inoue." I growl, and she can't stop this
stupid grin from twitching her lips.
"You
first!"
"MIYAKO!!!!!!"
"Alright,
alright..." She rolls her eyes and opens the door to leave, lavender hair
dancing around her head as she shakes it. "Oh yeah, wanna know why Taichi
wants to see you?"
"Why?!"
God, couldn't she just *leave*?! I'm already late as this for Chr—wait. I *know*
that grin. I know it all *too* well. I blink quickly and she just let her grin
grow wider, biting her bottom lip –I presume– to prevent herself from
bursting out laughing, prior to exiting the room.
"...he
has raised you from the case you're working on..." she says causally.
"What!?!"
I lose my grip on my towel and let it slide into the puddle of water at my feet...luckily
enough Miyako is already gone.
But...did
I hear right??
Taichi
wants to...what?!
…raise...?
...Oh,
my.
I have
to blink a few times before daring to breathe. Is this really happening? My
heart, thumping wildly in my rib cage, and my palms, all sweaty and shaky, are
telling me it is, yet my mind just
can't process the information. I have to repeat Miyako's words in my head over
and over for a few dozen times before I can actually catch on.
"NO
WAY!!!!!!!" I yell and before I know it, I'm running wildly towards the front
door. I don't care if he is the chief: Taichi won't survive this. Oh, no...
*
* * * *
* Ken's POV *
I cannot
help but notice how sad and boring this place is without Dai… there is none of
the noise, none of the laughs and jokes that fill the air whenever he is around.
Without him everything is still, quiet…even the air is immobile and thick.
In a
word, it's *boring*.
My eyes
shift around, in a useless attempt to find something *interesting*, and I can't
stop wondering why, while almost everyone in the room is silently taking notes,
I'm unnaturally restless. I'm this strange just because Daisuke isn't here
with me…?
Naa…it
can't be.
I
quickly cast a glance at my clock.
Nine-thirty.
I let
loose a discouraged sigh. Last time I checked, it was nine-twenty nine.
It seems
that time lacks the spirit to move, when Dai isn't near…I know he had a
meeting with Chief Taichi this morning, but I can't help but wish for him to be
near me…
Dai
where are you?
Why is
it taking you so long?
I can't
suppress another sigh thrusting to escape my lips, and I look back up at the
teacher in front of me. The school I've been selected to go to is…
'special', to put it lightly. I would say it's a prison with golden bars
where we're forced to learn how to consider living beings as mere weapons; but
that's just my opinion, something that only few people deem important. And
people that consider *their* opinion important are even fewer.
My mom
thinks I'm actually lucky to be here. I mean, the son of a *Lamb* permitted to
enter an Academy for Seraphs… one of million, I suppose. Then again, they need
my innate ability to synchronize with Minomon, so I don't think the fact that
I'm a low level citizen really matters to them. The public opinion talks about
this School as the best one in the whole world –Seraphs or not Seraphs. As
some kind of heaven where every dream can become true. I suppose I'm lucky,
then…
…
…
…
What *on
earth* do they think?! Are they blind or what?!
But I'm
forced to admit it's normal that they don't know. This place floats in the
skies, separated from the rest of the world by dimensional distortion fields
known as 'Gates'. Passing between the Academy and the rest of the world requires
special means of transportation... such as an airship. Or a flying digimon. The
gates make of this place a completely autonomic microcosm. And a completely
autonomic microcosm where a few selected people happens to be playing Gods, too.
Where is
the sense in considering digimon as objects and not as living beings?!
Where is
the good in playing with their lives and using them as weapons?!
It seems
absolute nonsense to me, but I keep playing the part of the good student as
actively and faithfully as I can. For my and my family's sake.
On
instinct I stop gazing around to cast a glimpse down at the greenish ball curled
at my feet, and I can't stop my lips from curling up in a smile. He is looking
up at my teacher with big, shining eyes.
I think
he is fascinated.
Maybe by
the teacher's voice, that's rather deep and gentle, or maybe by the ease he
shows while explaining such enormous nonsense as the lab-digivolution. Minomon
looks up at me, blinking his wide eyes quickly, and twitching his little ears. I
giggle and pat him on the head.
Why not?
He jumps
in my arms and rubs his chubby cheek against my stomach, triggering a giggle I
can hardly suppress.
I'll
never let them lab-digivolve my Minomon.
I'd
prefer to die rather than to let them touch him.
So, I
decided to pretend I'm incapable of understanding and completing the process,
when there's nothing farther from the truth. I could easily explain it to the
teachers better than how they do. And Minomon could digivolve into a wonderful
rookie and then in an amazing champion, but I don't want him to.
It was
truly hard work at first. Playing dumb is *not* something I'm accustomed to
do. But some time ago, with all my efforts, I've been able to convince
everyone here I'll never be good enough to train my Minomon to the level
necessary for the lab-digivolution. And now they leave me alone.
"Tamer
number 13??"
Err…sort
of.
I look
up to meet the sight of Higemi-sama -my teacher- with his hands behind his back,
looking down at me like I'm a some sort of alien specimen.
"Yes?"
I reply, as politely as I can, putting up the angelic look Daisuke taught me to
use in situations like this.
"Tamer
13…" He pauses, hoping to see me break down crying and begging him to
forgive my inattention, but I just blink again, smiling politely. "…were you
paying attention?"
"Of
course, sir." He grimaces, as if knowing I'm having a lot of fun with him.
"So,
do you care to explain to the rest of the class the nature of digimon and the
process of the lab-digivolution?"
I can't
help it, I run cat-like the tip of my tongue over my lips. I tilt my head so
that my hair fell in front of my face and covers it as a dark curtain. My smile
widens as I glimpse down a Minomon, who is looking up at me with equal amusement.
He nods and I nod back, before look back up at my teacher.
"Of
course, sir." I reply - much to his dismay - and I slowly rise up from my
chair, carelessly playing with loose strands of purple hair.
"The
name 'Digimon' stands for 'digital monsters'. Living beings made of
data, they've been created nearly 100 years ago and considered as domestic
animals since then. In recent years, however, some experiments have been run,
apparently without the consent of the government, and digimon have been
discovered to hold various powers. Therefore, they've started to be considered
as weapons."
A pause
- in which I can sense Higemi-sama's confusion. I bet he didn't expect me to
know so well this bunch of lies.
"However,
some of this powers of theirs --as the ability to digivolve—can't be used
willingly by the digimon if they're not near their human partner. Unluckily,
only 7% of the children that are
born every year have the ability to synchronize with a digimon. The Tamers
School has been instituted to find and gather together all this children,
usually known with the name of chosen children, and train them to become digimon
tamers."
He
swallows, and I can sense his discomfort in the air, it's like a bittersweet
scent that engulfs my nostrils and tickles them.
Scent of
fear.
I love
it.
"But
after further experiments, some scientists classified digimon in three
categories: data, vaccine and virus. Virus digimon are rebellious, naturally
inclined
to be evil, so the government started a project to…how can I explain this?"
I tap my index finger on my lips, looking thoughtful for a moment. "…well I
think to say that they wanted to erase this kind of digimon explains what
happened quite well. Anyway, that's one of the reasons that convinced the
government to provide this School with a digievolution lab: to prevent any
digimon from digivolving into a virus. This digievolution lab' is for
digivolving digimon with a still experimental process. It recombines their DNA
with a process similar to the 'specializes transduction' that combines viral DNA
with the chromosome of the host cell. Obviously, their final purpose is to erase
completely the virus-kind digimon, but another and notable reason that forced
the introduction of the lab-digivoluton --as the forced digivolution is normally
called-- is that digimon seem to have lost the natural capacity to digivolve.
Digimon can digivolve after developing a strong link with their partner, and
earning enough physical and mental strength to go to the next form. A digimon
digivolves in the order of Rookie, Champion, ultimate and Mega forms. But only
certain digimon -now nearly extinct- can digivolve to Ultimate and Mega forms."
Now
comes a pause of five minutes, during which I observe all my classmates blink in
surprise and share amazed looks. One of the young ones even whispers "How
shocking!!" and my lips curve in a small smirk.
Higemi-sama
is in a loss of words. He is blinking his eyes quickly - eyes which went wide
during my explanation- and gazing around to make sure he has listened well. Now
he clears his throat, a nervous gesture that makes me narrow my eyes in dark
pleasure.
"Yes…that's
correct Tamer 13…now sit down, please." I do as I've been told, bowing
slightly before sliding noiselessly into my seat and taking my digimon in my
arms.
"But
you all have to remember the government has been forced to put a stop to the
reproduction of the virus-like Digimon because it was a *necessity*. It was
something no one wanted to do, but it *had* to be done. It has been decided to
proceed with this project of erasing them, only because this will assure the
safety of the population. And us tamers are needed to take care of the
occasional wild digimon and to prevent evil guys from using those creatures for
evil purpose. Being the only ones that can control digimon, we've the moral
obligation to use their powers to
protect
innocents. Got it?"
With
this sublime conclusion, Higemi-sama adjusts his glasses on his nose, then pats
his shirt, as if to clean off imaginary dust, and mutters something under his
breath. Everyone nods, and I smile again, amused by the ingenuity of this man in
front of me. So wrapped up in these convictions of his that are all just lies…he
resembles a child. A child whose hopes are about to be crushed. It's amazing
how not even he knows the truth that hides behind this thick blanket of lies
which has been placed in front of our eyes by the government.
Amazing,
in a sad way, but still amazing.
Sighing
heavily, Higemi-sama resumes his explanation, and I'm finally left free to
daydream of Daisuke once again…
…Daisuke…
*
* * * *
*
Daisuke's POV *
Now that
I'm standing in front of Taichi -and I'm not even late I should add- I'm
quite happy Miyako managed to calm me down enough to make me get rid of that
towel and wear *something*. Not that when you're in front of your boss
completely drenched and dripping water on his favourite carpet being naked or
not makes much of a difference, but I think that having some clothes on can
help.
At least,
he won't denounce me for indecent exposure…
He
arches an eyebrow, quite amused by the little puddle that's in the process of
forming at my feet. He tentatively raises a finger, but I cut him off.
"Yeah,
I'm *wet*." I grumble, abruptly shoving away a wet lock plastered against my
forehead. He blinks a few times,
and then shakes his head, relaxing on the back of his chair.
"So…"
he starts. "what bring you here in such…" he waves an outstretched finger
in front of me, with an amused expression on his face.
"YOU
KNOW IT VERY WELL!!" He winces. I know I'm not allowed to raise my voice at
him, but… "HOW DARE YOU RAISE ME FROM MY CASE?!" I can't help it. I slam
my hands on his desk, leaning closer with every clashing word that leaves my
lips. "THIS CASE IS MINE!! IT'S MY LIFE!!!!!! YOU CAN'T JUST TAKE IT AWAY
FROM ME WITHOUT EVEN HAVING THE DECENCY TO TELL ME!!!!!!!"
We stay
like this for what feels like eternity, too much similar mahogany eyes linked.
Mine are narrowed in outrage and barely concealed sorrow, while his are wider as
ever, rippling and wavering with emotions I fail to recognize. Then, shattering
the tension, he blinks. Owlishly.
"Raise?"
He blinks again. "I didn't do anything like that."
I
swallow. "W-What? But Miyako said…" I quickly swirl around, only to face a
lavender haired girl giggling like a damned fool. Realization hits me square in
the head, making me reel backward like if I've been hit by a physical blow.
"YOU!!" I try to step toward her, but she immediately hides under a
chair, giggling like she's just heard the best joke of her whole life. I'm
suddenly tempted to strangle her, really. I can picture in my mind an image of
myself shoving her out her hiding spot and torturing her till I grow tired. But
I don't even have the time to move a single finger, that I'm paralysed by
Taichi's words.
"But I
*did* assign you a partner."
"YOU
WHAT?!"
No, no,
no…
I turn
toward him with a slowness that –to a bystander- can remind a slow-motion. I
feel my throat go dry… and even swallowing isn't of any help. I blink, like
if this could help me get rid of the hold Taichi's auburn eyes have on me. My
fingers twitch unconsciously, and once again I swallow, staring dumbly as my
brown-haired chief places his elbows on his desk, entwining his hands together
and placing his chin on his linked fingers.
"Face
it, Motomiya." He says in this low, deep voice that startle me back to reality
and bring time's flown back to its real speed.
"You're not going anywhere. You're just making us waste precious
time…"
"So
sue me." I grumble under my breath. It's not my fault if I'm working on
the case of a thief that happens to be the brightest evil mind to ever walk the
earth and –obviously- always manages to escape from our rather ingenuous traps…
"What
was that?" Chief Taichi Kamiya questions, his anger flaring in his eyes –now
so dark that I can't see any hint of colour. And I don't need to know what's
lurking behind the flash in his eyes to shiver. Breaking my eyes from his, I nod,
feeling his gaze pierce my now bowed head to take a good look of what's inside
my mind. Is always like this. It seems like he can see things he shouldn't. Or
couldn't, put it as you prefer.
Dropping
caution since there was no need for it, not barrier against a look whose focus
seems somehow not right, whose burning intensity creeps inside your mind to take
residence there, I raise my chin and without too much thinking I link our gazes
again. I don't say anything, shifting uncomfortable in the now palpably thick
silence. Then Taichi shrugs it away, reaching
out for a folder of documents and dropping it under my nose.
"He
has stolen millions in jewels, art and more ancient relics than I care to admit
exist. Last night he stole the Aphrodite's eye, and where were you exactly?!"
My
shoulders straighten and I can feel the red hue tingeing my face. A soundly
breath fills my lungs sibilating thought puckered lips and I can just stare as
my chief smile knowingly, that kind of smirk that I always picture blossoming
over the Cheshire's lips. As his smile grows wider, his eyes squint and I find
myself grumbling something under my breath, pouting like a child and giving my
head a slight toss so that our eyes aren't linked anymore.
Somehow,
he seems to find this slightly bewildered countenance of mine amusing, and his
smile widens a little. I can only stare, puzzled as always by his strange
behaviour, and bit my bottom lip to keep my tongue from began moving without my
brain's permission. "I won't question further." He states with a grin,
and to me it seems he's conveniently keeping the 'because I already know
everything' part to himself.
"Anyway,"
He says with an annoyed huff, leaning back against the back of his high-backed
wooden chair, waving his hands dismissively. "Even if he hasn't damaged
anything or anyone, he is still a great danger, mostly because his partner is
such a rare and powerful digimon, but you…" My boss stops, massaging the
bridge of his nose with a hand and waving the other one in my direction with
such a fake annoyance that could buy him an Oscar. Really. "…you just waste
time, playing tag."
"But,
chief--"
He cuts
me off before I can even think about a reply. "No 'buts' Motomiya, meet your
new partner." He slowly raises one finger, tilting his head to a side to look
at someone behind me, and then looks up at me, motioning me with his head to
turn around. I'm silently begging whoever up there that can listen that it is
*not* Miyako.
//Not
Miyako, not Miyako, not Miyako…//
I slowly
turn around and swallow.
//Not
Miyako, not Miyako, not Miyako…//
I shut
my eyes and grit my teeth, preparing myself for the bow, and only when I'm
facing the door I dare to crack one eye open.
"Greetings,
Motomiya."
Is this
the sound of my jaw hitting the ground? 'Cause I swear that's where my chin
is right now. Taichi's crimson carpet.
"Wa—Wa—Wa—Wallace?!"
Oh, my…
He is
standing in the doorframe, knocking lightly on the wooden surface, with a shadow
of a smile curving the corners of his lips. Miyako opens the door slowly, giving
the fair-haired boy access to the office. They nod a polite greeting to each
other and then she quietly shuts the door behind him while he, just as quietly,
reaches over and collect my hand in his. I can see Miyako grin at me behind his
shoulder, but I can't emit a sound, too busy staring at Wallace. He is a
relatively slim boy, with delicate but handsome features. His golden, perfectly
smooth hair frames his face, falling down his forehead to brush his eyebrows and
ears. I almost forget the original resentment I should feel, getting lost in his
pale indigo eyes, which seems to shift colour with every second that passes, as
if not sure which shade of blue is more fascinating. An uneasy feeling wells up
inside me and –just like when Taichi or Lord Van look at me- it seems like
he's looking through me, scrutinizing me, analysing and committing to memory
each and every details of my being, seeing me with something else other than his
eyes.
His
eyebrows furrow, but his relatively serious countenance breaks after a mere
second, for the radiance of a smile that lights up his whole face.
"It
has been a long time, Dai-chan."
"Indeed."
I raise my eyes to his, watching the irises shift to a soft shade of turquoise,
and shake his hand with renewed vigour. So *he* is my partner…
"You
two already know each other?" Taichi questions, and I can hear Miyako cheering
from a corner, evidently interested in Wallace and the strange reaction he's
eliciting in me. I'm sure she'll question me afterwards, but right now I
don't care. I'll deal with her and her enthusiasm later. There are more
serious problems to take care of right now. Like this unexpected partnership
with Wallace.
"Yeah.
And very well." his quite voice distracts my thoughts, and I blink rather
owlishly as one of his eyebrows curves up half-mockingly. Or really mockingly,
I'm not sure. "So…*you* are the idiot that can't arrest that stupid…"
"*cough*
Tamer 125?" The chief coughs politely, cutting my blonde companion off a
millisecond before I try to strangle him. You ought to know that I'm pretty
touchy when it comes to this argument. My enemy is definitely *not* stupid. He
is intelligent and skilled, a praiseworthy rival; one worth of all the respect
one can manage. He's evil, yeah, and with that? He's intelligent and strong.
Capable and in posses of a strong will. A will to succeed, to conquer, to win.
He has this energy… this kind of light that radiates from his body, this
barely subdued strength streaming off his body in huge waves with each movement.
He's *not* stupid. He's worth of every ounce of respect that's inside me.
Try to contradict me if you dare! Then I'll show you!!
…What?
Wallace
has called me 'idiot'?
…really?
I
hadn't noticed that…
"Yes?"
Wallace's clear gaze moves from me to focus on our Chief, who's glaring up
at him from his seat.
"Shut
up." He says rather harshly. A flash of hurt ripples those big blue eyes and a
troubled shiver run down my back. It's not very pleasant watching someone
getting hurt, even if you should be mad at those above-mentioned someone. At
least *I* can't stand it. Ken always says my sense of Friendship and my
Courage will lead me high through unexpected paths, but I barely understand what
he means. I'm me, nothing else and no one else. Daisuke. Daisuke Motomiya.
Aspirant Tamer. Level E. Still a student. Me.
"Yes."
He nods, the little word sliding out of his lips with barely masked reluctance,
and tinted with a hint of sadness.
"Chief!!"
I shriek almost crazily. I have to say something!! I have to stop this madness!!!
My case… I have to… "I don't need--"
"Please
Motomiya, don't start to argue. You two are partners, and I don't want to
ear any kind of protest about this," He stops, jolting to his feet. "Now get
going. You still have to go to school."
"But
Chief!!!!"
"Motomiya,
why do you have to be *so* stubborn? The decision is made. Now, go."
"No
need to be so bossy and jerky…"
"What?!"
Ooooops…did I say that out loud?! Apparently I did…damn…
My mind
racing, I start to panic, something very un-characteristic of me. "Chief,
there is no need for me to work with Wallace!! You know I'm the only one that
seems to understand what that thief thinks and plans!!!" I hope this will
distract him from my muttering…and, thinking about it, this *is* a good point…
maybe…
My eyes
widen perceptibly as I watch him massaging the bridge of his nose. I sense a
scolding in the air, but… maybe…?
"Motomiya,
*PLEASE*, stop being so stubborn. I don't know why, for what ironic twist of
fate, you seem to understand him, but you do." I grin. WOW! I'm winning this
one!! "…But that you do *not* have the real capacity to come up with a
logical plan to catch him is also a *fact*." My grin fades and my shoulders
hang down. So this means I've no choice?? "So, *PLEASE*, collaborate with
Wallace and be helpful for once!"
No…
no-no-no… my case… my thief… my…
"You
two are free until the evening, use this time to prepare yourselves carefully.
At 1900 hours, we'll assemble in the hall and announce the details of tonight's
mission. And I don't want to ear complains from you, Motomiya."
No…
no… my thief… mine…
"Actually,
there's no need to worry Chief. I had already planned to catch this subject
without any help from Motomiya."
I blink.
"Wallace?"
He tips
his head downward, an extremely disturbing smile playing on his lips. "I'll
catch him. Don't worry." And then, without another word, he brings one hand
to his forehead, salutes us in a military stance and disappears outside the door,
followed by three pairs of wide eyes.
Now I
know what that burning sensation of danger I had this morning was. Wallace is
planning to separate me and *my* thief.
Well, I
won't let him.
Ever.
* * * *
*
*
Ken's POV *
I slowly
leave the building, walking unhurriedly towards the hill behind it. I tuck a
lock of purple hair behind my ear absent-mindedly, enjoying the soft breeze on
my skin. It feels like I've never felt air against my skin before…and when I
take a deep breath, it feels like taking my first breath ever, like welcoming
life into my lungs for the first time.
The soft
sunlight is bliss and the pure air is softly whispering me a sweet lullaby;
their twined spells are creating an atmosphere of timeless serenity which is
whisking me into a peaceful lethargy and leaning my mind a long-awaited break.
Everything
seems beautiful from here.
Everything
shows itself as perfect.
Everything
feels right.
This
hill isn't high at all, but from here I have a good view of the whole base. It
is big. And white. It shimmers like a diamond in the fading light of the evening,
looming before and below me. It seems a vision, a mirage. It feels like
something that doesn't belong here. Something that isn't from this world.
Maybe because it actually isn't.
Minomon
bounces at my side, giggling quietly. When he stops, it's just to bounce in my
arms and rub his cheek against my belly friskily, and the spell somewhat
disperses and loses a bit of control over me. I carefully sit down, my back
against the big cherry tree atop of the hill, and tenderly pat Minomon on the
head, with a gentle breeze making my hair dance in front of my face and tickle
my cheeks. The wind blows stronger for a moment, and now I'm engulfed in an
eclectic dance of rosy petals. They swirl around, rising and falling… only to
rise again. They twist and roll, tracing enigmatic figures in the warm air.
Soon I
have snowy and rosy heart-shaped petals dangling from my hair and Minomon is
enfolded in a thin blanket of flowers. He shifts in my embrace, giggling softly.
"Hey…"
I whisper, afraid I could break this spell of perfect peace I'm in by just
raising my voice. "That tickles…" he giggles harder, and my mouth curves
in an unconscious, yet happy smile.
We stay
like this for what seems like seconds to me, but are in reality whole minutes
and maybe hours to the rest of the word. Minomon is now soundly asleep, curled
in my arms and I've resumed patting his little head. Slowly, the muffled sound
of footsteps approaches me and quietly, it becomes closer and closer. And with
every cautious step that resounds in the air, I feel my smile growing wider.
The
noise stops just as it reaches me and now the soft rustle of cloth sliding
against wood replaces it.
A weight
dropped carefully on the grassy ground.
A
muffled giggle.
And a
soft breath, steady and quiet now comes from the other side of the tree.
I smile,
I can't help it. I'm indescribably and unbelievingly happy. Finally at peace
with the whole world.
"…You're
late…"
A
muffled laugh caresses my ear and I tilt my head to the side, casting a glimpse
at the spiky brown hair peeping from behind the Sakura tree.
"Tell
it to Taichi…"
I notice
a movement in the corner of my eye, and now I can see not only the hair, but the
soft curve of the tan skinned cheek as well. I carefully lay Minomon on the
ground and place both my palms on the soft grass. And from what I hear,
something similar is happening on the other side of the tree.
"Bad
day?"
I crawl
on my hands and knees toward him, and he is surprisingly doing the same. "No.
Not at all."
I look
up, and I'm nose to nose to what I swear is the most beautiful creature on
this world. "Hi, Ken!" he grins. Something that warms my heart.
"Hi,
Dai…"
He
quickly shifts and pops down near me. I carefully sit down at his side, looking
down the hill once again.
"Got
problems?"
He looks
down at his right hand, which is clasping and unclasping a little forget-me-not.
"You know that case I'm working on?" he laughs
bitterly
and I turn slowly toward him, getting caught in the way his fingers dance around
the tiny stem. "I gained a partner. Lucky me." He sighs and plucks the
flower form the ground. "It's not right," he whispers as he brings the
azure treasure held in his hand closer to his nose. "This is *my* case." He
smells the sweet scent and lets loose a soft sigh. "Just *mine*."
"Dai-chan…"
He turns around, facing me fully.
"Don't
worry…" he whispers, and his hand reaches out to place the flower in my hair.
His hand drops and he quickly looks away, a hint of a blush creeping up his
cheeks. "…I'll be the one to catch him. I've sworn this to myself."
All I
could do is swallow, my throat tightening around any kind of 'thank you' for
his little gift.
"…why
do you care about this case so much, Dai?" I ask with an inward sigh. "Why
is it so important to you…?"
He sighs.
One side his lips tilts in a brief smile and then he looks away, sighing
resignedly. I can't bear the way his eyes are evading mine, and I've to
summon every ounce of my willpower not to grab him and turn him back around.
"Ken,
I…"
* * * *
*
*
Daisuke's POV *
"Ken,
I…"
I
swallow and clutch some blades of grass in a tight fist. I feel them crushing
under the pressure of my fingers and a wet slickness slides down my palm. But I
don't care. I don't care that I'm virtually killing something alive; I don't
care at all that I'm looking at this greenish moisture sliding down my skin with
blank eyes that hold no sight. I don't care if I look like a total fool. I am
too busy trying to subdue the burning desperation that's searing in my throat. I
shake my head. What else can I do? My case… my thief… I am… I am nothing
but…
"It's
my case, that's all…" I mull slowly.
I feel
it more than actually see it but Ken shifts against the tree, and I don't dare
to look up. I am too upset and I fear I'd end up yelling at my best friend over
nothing. And no matter what, I can't hurt Ken-chan. I would never forget myself
if I caused him any pain. He's too important to me. Maybe… even more important
than life itself. But then again, he *is* my life.
My best
friend, my confidant, my brother, my weak point and my force. My everything. My
Ken. Even more important than my thief. Than my case.
My Ken.
Mine.
My Ken.
"So…what
do we have here?!" I look up in confusion, glancing at Ken who has jerked to
his feet and backed away from whatever -or better whoever- is in front of him. I
try to see who it is, but with not a lot of effort, for my mind is too focused
on following the forget-me-not as it slides noiselessly to the ground and ends
its existence beautifully under Ken's uncertain step. I blink and look up, now
dimly aware that someone has been talking to me.
"…This
once, Motomiya."
"Hun?"
I blink quickly, trying to hide how startled I am by the abrupt return to
reality. I had been in my own world for the last few minutes and I've been
shaken awake by a sharp voice, dripping evilness and amusement. "What?"
I look
up slowly, breath coming out in deep, laboured gusts, designed to keep my now
scared heart under control.
My view
obstructed by Ken's form, I can catch at glimpse at him -whoever he is-
shaking his head. And I can barely make out the gesture where he places one of
his hands on his hip. "I said, I know who you are Motomiya, so I'll forgive
you for being with him this once…" my eyes widen and before I know what I am
doing, I am on my feet with my fists balled at my sides. It takes a moment to my
dark eyes to focus on the cadet standing in front of me, and my face contorts
with a frown. The guy's
impressive, I've to admit it. He's wearing leather breeches, his unnaturally
white skin nearly glimmering, his impressively muscled torso stretching taunt
under a bit-too-tin uniform jacket. Blonde hair dance in the wind whenever his
speaks, and the fake smile plastered on his lips makes me feel sick.
"Care
to explain?" Ken backs away on hesitant legs, looking at me with concern and
another emotion I don't have the time to register and recognize showed over
his rather beautiful features.
…
…
…'Rather
beautiful?!' Where did that come from? Am I crazy or what to think *that* about
him?!
…
…
…
…Well,
heavenly beautiful describes him better though…
ARGH!
It's official: I'm going crazy.
I shake
my head once again, forcing myself back to reality. What the *hell* is wrong
with you Daisuke Motomiya, uh?!
"Daisuke,
go away…I don't want you to get hurt because of me…"
"Get
hurt?!" something inside me clicks. Those words have hit some sort of hidden
button in the back of my head. "Have they ever hurt you, Ken?" I glare at
the bullies [three] and then look at him running his tongue over his lips
nervously.
"I…"
The
brainless blonde mass of muscles standing directly in front of me laughs and my
gaze soars back to his in a millisecond. "Of course! Loads of times!"
"What?"
my breath is quickening with each second that passes and I can literally feel my
blood boiling in my veins, as the twisted sound of my teeth grinning hard fills
my hears. I have just enough time to blink once before that muscleman darts
forward.
Toward
Ken-chan.
Do I
even need to say what I'm doing now? I leap at him with a nearly beastly roar,
delivering my strongest punch straight in his stomach.
He falls
backward, yelping as he lands unceremoniously on his ass, curling in a heap of
hurting flesh and messed up hair. "What do you think you're doing Motomiya?!"
A gurgling sound escapes his lips as he heave himself to a standing position,
glaring at me with green eyes reduces to cracks leaking anger. I don't even
deign to reply him as I just take a couple of steps backwards, coming to an halt
only when I feel the gentle pressure of Ken's chest against my back. I spread an
arm out, shielding my purple-haired friend.
"Leave
Ken alone. He's my friend. Mess with my friends, mess with me."
"Hiromu!"
the other two guys rush at the blonde's side. He roughly pushes both away and
straightens up, still holding his stomach. "Friend?" he shouts,
raising a finger toward Ken. On instinct, I shift and hide him from view. "How
can you be friends with a failure like that?! He's worthless! He can't even make
his Digimon reach the rookie stage."
"So?"
I blink slowly, talking at him like he's a brainless idiot. And that's not
too far from the truth, I may add.
"So?!
He brings shame to the whole Academy!!"
"Just
because he's a kind-hearted person, doesn't give you the right to make fun of
him!"
"Kind-hearted,
uh?" Hiromu says with a grin, a blonde eyebrow curving up and the other down.
"Face it Motomoya." He spats venomously. "Your precious jewel here." He
points my Ken-chan with a huge grin spreading over his now flushed cheeks. "Is
nothing but a worthless Earth dweller! A crass *Lamb*!!" Behind me, Ken shifts
and I feel his fists ball around the fabric of my jacket. "We Seraphs need no
special reasons to beat one like him! It is our divine duty to rule these
brainless Lambs!"
"Why?
How are they different from us Seraphs?"
"Why
do you even question? Our superiority is *SO* obvious!"
"And
this 'so obvious superiority' of ours gives us the right to harm who's
weaker?" I smirk back at him, turn my head to a side and spit on the ground,
eyes never leaving his. "If that's superiority," I gesture at him. "Then
I'd rather be an inferior."
"You…"
"Disappear
'superior creature"." I smile just as venomously as he has done before.
"Now."
"WATCH
THE WAY YOU TALK TO ME!" he darts forward again, his teeth bared and his eyes
wild, but I stop him by dodging his attack and driving my shoulder in his chest.
He doubles over, leaving himself open for me to vent my anger.
"A
brainless…" I punch him square across his jaw. "….Jerk like you…"
Hiromu limps over and I kicked him in the shin. "…Will never be able to
understand…" Abruptly my body calms down, my muscles relaxed and my mind
opens. I'm taming my fury somehow, washing away every incertitude in a tide of
controlled rage. I hear the guy moan in pain and I kick savagely him in the
other shin. Lucky for him I'm not using all my strength. Stumbling backward he
loses his balance and rolls down the side of the little hill, offering us a
quite amusing performance. The two nameless jerks follows their friend as
quickly as their boots can carry them and I look down at them, pointing a
sweat-covered finger at them. "…What Ken feels…" they all look up at me
for a moment before rushing away in an indecorous and unorganised retreat.
Retreat?!
Have you
ever lifted a rock and found a nest of insects below it? Have you ever been
fascinated by the way their unorganised rush manages to carry them to a safe
place? And by how they gather together in a single place, not even knowing where
they were going in the first place? Well, the three chickens are running away so
frantically and aimlessly, that I can't help but compare them to worthless
insects rushing.
Well, at
least I feel better now. I throw my head back, ready to laugh until I cry, but
as soon as I move my head, something trickles the side of my neck. I carefully
look down and notice soft purple hair spreading all over my left shoulder.
"Hey..."
I whisper, before I lean downward and place my cheek upon Ken's head. "It's
alright now..." he nods, his purple hair tickling the side of my neck and
triggering a soft giggle. I mange to suppress it in a second and rub my cheek
against his head, my voice back to its previous, concerned tone. "Does this
happen often?"
He nods
again and I start to like the sensation of silky hair brushing my skin in a
faint caress. "Yes."
"Why,
Ken?"
"Because
they all hate me. For my weakness..."
"You're
not weak, Ken-chan... you're just… different from them all. But just because
you're kind and caring. Besides..." he shifts, tightening his grip on my
jacket. "I think they're jealous they could never wear their hair
shoulder-length and look half as good as you do."
He
smiles, I know because I can feel a change in his breath, which playfully teases
my shoulder. His head moves slightly and his arms let go of my jacket, gently
sliding around my chest, enclosing me in a gentle hug. "Daisuke?"
"Hm?"
"I
love you."
I close
my eyes, resting my head on his. The wind blows, whipping his hair against my
cheek. The sunlight feels warm against my skin and the soft breeze caressing my
face his just cold enough to make a pleasurable shiver run down my spine. I feel
a smile curve to my lips and I let my own hands slide down his arms and close
over his slender fingers, allowing them to entwine together. "I love you too."
* * * *
*
*
Ken's POV *
I'm not
supposed to feel like this. I have been trained not to feel like this. But I do.
I feel happy and safe in my best friend's arms. That's how I feel. My whole
world revolves around the times I see him, touch him, hug him.
I can
feel at peace only when he's around. He's the only one that can tame the
wild beating of my heart when I'm scared. His face is the face I summon
whenever I'm scared, lost or confused. Whenever I'm alone and feel like
walls are closing around me. His is the heartbeat I dream to feel beating in
unison with mine. His are the chocolate brown eyes I dream of every night. "Daisuke?"
"Hm?"
"I
love you."
I close
my eyes and let a soft smile to curve my lips. His head slowly rest on my own
and I can feel the gentle trickle caused by his fingers running down my arms.
His hands slowly reach mine and cover them. Then he moved his fingers away, only
to entwine them with mine in a soft grasp. "I love you too."
I smile
softly, cherishing the illusion that he means 'I love you' the way I do. But he
doesn't. I know he doesn't, but I can't stop from hoping.
For
wishing he feels the same. For dreaming of us being together. What's wrong
with cherishing this wishful thinking, if in the end the only one that suffers
is me?
Nothing.
I'm
the cause of the pain and the only one who's hurt.
No one
else's affected by my dreaming.
That's
why I won't stop.
I rub my
cheek against his shoulder and he laughs softly, tightening his grip around my
fingers. He let them go, running his thumbs over the backs of my hands and then
clasps our finger together once again, letting loose a soft moan.
"You're
my best friend Ken, you mean so much to me... I love you," he tilts his head
and places a gentle kiss on the top of mine. It has always been like this, ever
since childhood. Every time we fought he would threaten me to stop loving me and
I would do the same. It was a trick to calm each other down. We'd be so scared
of losing the other, we forgot we were angry in the first place. And whenever we
made up with each other, or whenever we wanted to tell the other how we felt, we
would just whisper a sweet 'I love you'.
But one
unexpected day, when he moved closer to breath those words into my ear, I found
my body shacking. A long, scary and yet pleasurable shiver had run down my
spine, like a current of electricity. His soft breaths teased my earlobe and the
sensation had been something unbearable. It was maddening. Scary. And so, so
wonderful.
When he
moved away, I had had this sudden need to hug him and beg him to tell me it
again, over and over in my ear, loud enough for just me to hear. I slowly open
my eyes and notice the sun has nearly ended is journey to the horizon. A
bittersweet smile finds its way to my lips. I sigh and reluctantly let him go,
knowing that I need to go.
"I
have to go Dai-chan…" he nods, without even turning around and I slowly
slid down the hill, pacing quietly toward my home.
I can
hear steps quickly approaching me and I swirl around only to see Daisuke running
after me. "Ken-chan!" he reaches out and grabs me by my shoulders.
"Promise me you'll meet me tomorrow!"
"What?"
"After
school! Under this tree! Promise!" he starts to shake me, doing something
you'd expect Chibimon to do. He's tossing frantically, repeating this word
over and over without even taking a pause to breath. "Promise! Promise!
Promise! Promise! Promise! Promise! Promise! Promise! Promise! Promise! Promise!"
I hear
myself giggle as I place a loose hand on his. "Of course Dai-chan. But now I
really have to go," he nods again, his eyes sparkling. He has this cute look
on his face... almost as if by me agreeing to meet him tomorrow I saved his life
without even knowing it. He quickly lets go of me and waves me his goodbye,
running back toward the hill and yells an excited "See you tomorrow, Ken-chan!"
I shake
my head, shifting my attention back to the quickly setting sun.
No,
Daisuke... we'll see each other sooner than that.
A lot
sooner.
I'll be
paying you a visit... tonight.
Farewell
my friend.
Until
the night comes.
*
End of chapter 01 *
* * * *
*
Final
A/N = Phew! For better or worse, that was my attempt at a futuristic,
religious-kinda-related decent Digimon fic.
If you are reading this it probably means that you read the entire thing,
(LOOOOOOOONG!!!!!!!) and for that I am very flattered =)
I
would like to thank you for checking this story out and –true to my character-
encourage you to drop me a review if you have any comments, suggestions, insults
or compliments =)
