Greetings digi fans. Chapter two. It's strange I know but I'm trying to allow you the readers to really get into this characters head before I broaden the horizon you know. I'm actually pretty proud of this character. He is not the best has a lot flaws someone some people can relate to. Anyway onto the story.

Shadows of the past.

Chapter two

Conflicting Emotions

We had everything ready for the show. Leomon and I managed to convince the others to use some of the songs from our band Metal Zero... Mainly to save time and thankfully we managed to keep our identity secret. All there was to do now was rehearse. The whole thing was coming together better than I thought it would. I was actually impressed how well these guys worked over the past week. They might act like a dysfunctional group, but when a plan is put into motion they work it like clockwork. It was truly amazing. Except for Davis, he wasn't doing so great. The kid knew absolutely nothing about rock. It was a challenge to find a job for him. I eventually had him spread the word with Veemon to get as many Digimon he could find to come to the concert. Strangely enough he was a pretty good salesmen. The numbers were well into the hundreds so far. We had to move the stage to face the plains so the Digimon could gather around it. It was a major pain in the ass to get the big screen TVs and the extra speakers set up around the plains, but Yolei was smart enough to find a solution to all the technical problems. She was truly gifted in that department. Cody managed to put together a stage with head lights, smoke generators, fire pots... hell he manage to get everything we need to make an amazing stage show. The setup was a massive Stonehenge of a lion. The eyes were on fire and the detail was amazing, and the stage was in the lion's mouth... It was pretty bad ass. T.K, Kari, Leomon, and I managed to draw up plans for a wicked stage show. I seriously considered asking these guys to be my road crew if I ever decided to go on tour.

Cody was overseeing the final touch ups on the stage when I walked over and asked him.

"How did you manage this?"

Cody looked up at the stage with that serious look on his face.

"I had Digmon carve the stone while the other digimon placed all the special effect machines."

I didn't think they could do it in this short of a timeline. Then again make the right turn in the digital world and you can find just about anything... Ahh fuck it... They deserve credit for this.

"Well keep up the good work."

Everyone was still working putting the final touches on the stage; making sure everything worked for the show. At some point my mind just wandered. I really missed this world. I started to think back in my earlier days in the digital world... me and my girlfriend would fight massive digimon and always come out on top... good times and bad...

I met Ken shortly after the school year ended. Apparently he is some super smart celebrity or something. I half expected him to be a self-absorb asshole, but he is just the opposite. He did have some brilliant ideas that would help improved the show.

I never spent a lot of time with him so I decided to go see what he was up to. I had to do something; Yolei would go nuts if she saw me standing there not doing anything... again. The whole week she has been on my case. Calling me lazy, saying I was slacking off while they were hard at work... Most of the time she was right. What can I say? I am a lazy person.

After walking for a bit I started to hear singing, really good singing. It baffled me. I could tell it was coming from the woods and I felt an overwhelming urge to investigate. I rushed into the woods and I ran into Kari... literally.

"Eep" she squeaked as she drops a massive stack of papers.

"Oh Kari. I didn't see you there." I smiled hoping she would not be upset... strangely enough we had a pretty bad track record of "Running into each other" ever sense we met. We ran into each other in the hallways at school, on the sidewalk, and just about everywhere we went. Thankfully she has been pretty cool about it...so far. I quickly tried to gather up the scattered papers and chased down the ones that were flying away.

She just smiled and laughed. She helped me pick up the mess I made.

"We have to stop meeting like this."

I couldn't help but smile. She has a weird ability to put a smile on my face.

"Maybe we are just attracted to each other." I said jokingly.

It took me a moment to think about what I said. When I realized how it sounded I felt a sudden rush of heat to my face. I must have been blushing a little bit.

Wait why was I blushing? I wondered.

"So...um...Need help with anything? I mean besides gathering these...posters?" I inquired.

"Yea I need help carrying the posters to the messengers." She said sweetly.

"Messengers?" I asked.

"Yea T.K. had the Idea... A flock of Birdamon offered to help. We give them the posters and they spread them around."

"Well... we are going to have a massive crowd... this is going to be fun." I confidently chuckled.

We eventually finished gathering all the pages and she handed them all to me.

"So how many more trips do we need to make?" I asked.

"None. This is the only stack."

Of course I carried everything... Then again I haven't been doing much, so I was in no position to complain. I followed her carrying the massive stack of papers.

"Hey Kari... was that you singing?" I inquired.

She smiled and said.

"Yup."

I had a crazy notion. If she can sing... maybe she can sing metal... or something like that... I knew some songs that she could sing.

"Say... you want to try singing in the concert?" I asked.

She stopped and stared at me with those big brown eyes, twiddled her thumbs and blushed a little.

"I don't think I can."

I smiled and gazed at her.

"Come on I know some songs that you could sing, and trust me singing in a rock concert is much easier than singing in others."

She continued walking down the dirt path. As I followed she eventually asked.

"What makes it easier?"

That sparked hope for me. Maybe she is considering it.

"Well for one the crowd isn't focused on just you. They are focused on the stage show... bright lights, the smoke, the fire pots, and besides if were doing it right they will all be head banging getting lost in the glorious sound of metal." I couldn't help but laugh. She must think I'm a real doofus now.

"Try it in rehearsal just once. I'll even let you pick the songs you want to sing and I can couch you... trust me you would rock the house."

She laughed and smiled.

"Sure I'll give it a go."

Sweet... This could turn into a real show I thought. Only time will tell; we had a whole week to work out the bugs so I wasn't worried.

After we dropped off the posters we started to walk back we made small talk on the way.

"It seems like you have done this kind of thing before." Kari observed.

I looked at her and smiled while stuffing my hands in my pockets and replied.

"Nah... Not exactly, But I have gone to a lot of concerts and stuff like that. I have always enjoyed the raw energy in a heavy metal concert. It's really something else."

She still had that sweet smile on her face... It was strangely heartwarming.

"I wouldn't know. I have never been to a concert before."

I looked at her with a surprised look and chuckled lightly.

"Tell you what if you manage to rile the crowd up before I come on stage. I'll take you to a real concert." I felt confident and proud...

Wait why did I just make that offer? I wondered.

She stopped walking and turned to me smiled.

"Is that your way of asking me on a date Jason?"

I instantly froze up. I couldn't speak, make a sound, or anything. My mind went blank. I didn't even realize my jaw dropped. I must have looked ridiculous.

She had a good laugh at my expense.

"I'm just teasing you. Besides what makes you think I would want to go anywhere with you?" She said still smiling. She raised an eye brow and continue to stare.

Ouch... that one cut a little deep.

Wait why did I care? Why is she looking at me like that?

"Well... you know it might be a fun experience." I stuttered.

She giggled and gave me a light push on the chest.

"I don't know I'm pretty hard to please you know." she continued giggled

What the fuck was going on? Is she flirting with me? I wondered.

I rearranged the dumb look I had on my face and held my bearing. I stared at her I gave her a small smirk and smoothly replied.

"Trust me I am loads of fun."

WHAT THE FUCK!? Why am I flirting back? I was screaming at myself in my head like a crazy person.

She just smiled and continued to walk down the path.

"We will see Jason."

I chuckled softly and continued to walk with her.

"So is that a deal?" I asked.

What am I doing? I thought.

She held her hand out waiting for me to shake it.

Do not shake her hand. I kept telling myself over and over do not shake her hand, but for some reason I ended up shaking her hand and smiled at her.

Why am I doing this? I tried rationalizing that it was just between friends, but I knew this was leading somewhere else.

"If I were to win, what concert would you take me too?"

That sly fox. I'm almost positive she is toying with me.

"I think I would take you to Oz fest." I replied.

"Oz fest? Who is playing?" She inquired.

"Five fingered Death Punch, Manowar, and the Prince of darkness himself Ozzy Oz Bourne... there are a few others, but I can't remember the rest. They are playing in two weeks, thankfully I got two tickets well in advance... I was actually pretty happy when I learned they were playing in Japan."

"Why two? Who else were you going to bring?"

I chuckled and replied.

"Just in case I met someone that wanted to go with me."

I gazed at her for a long while without really realizing it.

I could see a soft tint of red flushing her cheeks. Kari was a charming girl I kind of liked her...as a friend... I think. I don't know.

We finally made it back to the stage and began our warm ups.

We played what I called a practice song. There were no vocals to it. It was mainly for getting us loose and wake up out music playing muscles. After that we began rehearsing the songs we were actually going to play. We played three songs before Kari finally built up the courage to get on stage.

The rehearsal went well and I was right Kari can sing, but she was missing that special something. She didn't express the fire needed for this kind of music...but still she was good... I'm willing to bet when the time comes the fire will ignite... It's not like we had anything to worry about. Davis sounded pretty confident that Imperialdramon would be able to smoke check this monkey we were facing, so we might as well relax and have fun. I mean honestly how often we get a chance to have fun while beating a bad digimon without fighting them

After the rehearsal when we were about to go home when Yolei gave me a strange look... It was creepy; she was really peering into my soul.

"Can I help you Yolei?"

She continued to just stare at me.

"The way you played...seemed really similar to Matrix Zero's style." She said suspiciously.

Instantly a jolt shot up my spine. Say what you want about her she was sharp. Then again I have been pretty carless. I tried hard to keep a poker face. Then I turned and smiled.

"It just seems that way because we were playing all their songs and stuff." I said carefully

"Maybe he is just talented like T.K." Patamon interjected.

"Come on Yolei he can't be one of those douche bags. Jason is to cool to be in a metal band." said Davis.

At that point I almost lost it. How dare that creep insult the glory of metal? But I'll let it slide this time sense Yolei was already screaming at him. It was also funny as hell watching Ken trying to hold her back and trying his best to calm her down.

"So Davis, what kind of music do you listen to?" I inquired

Davis threw his hands behind his head and replied.

"I listen to Rap mostly and some hip hop."

Yolei scowled at Davis.

"Rap is the ass end of the music industry." she snarled.

She took the words right out of my mouth. I was starting to like this Yolei I don't even have to say anything and she blurts out what I was thinking.

"Really? Then why is it so popular?" Davis smugly asked.

She glared daggers into his face.

"Because it relies on beat and nothing else. The lyrics can make absolutely no sense and yet it still can be a hit. Most rap songs have no real meaning behind it." Kari pointed out.

I was really starting to like Kari a lot more, but I stand by what I said. She doesn't have the devilish look in her eyes, so she wasn't my type... I think anyway...Why the hell am I putting so much thought into it? I thought I made the decision final when I first met her. She must be a succubus or something... Using her unholy demon powers to manipulate my mind... That sounds pretty badass actually, but still... I WILL NEVER SUBMIT... I am like 90% sure I won't...85%...65%... You know what I'm just going to play this by ear and see what happens. DAMN YOU SUCCUBUS POWERS.

"Hey come on guys why don't we head to that new diner that just opened for dinner before heading home." T.K. interrupted.

"YEA! Davis said they had something called milkshakes there. I want to try one." Veemon said.

"We can't buddy we have to help sis pack for her summer vacation." Davis said.

"Aww man why can't she do it herself?" Veemon whined.

"Cause she's a lazy good for nothing." Davis growled.

"I can't go either. I have to go straight home, mom and dad are going on their date night, so I have to watch the store." Yolei said.

"I'm going to keep Yolei company at the store." Ken said.

"I have to go home too. Mother will throw a fit if I'm late for dinner." Cody calmly said.

T.K. turned and smiled at me.

"What about you Jason? You up for it?"

I chuckled and nodded.

"Sure I could go for a milkshake."

"YAY MILKSHAKES!" Zurumon shouted.

We ported into Davis's room. Messy as all bloody hell and it smelled horrid. Cloths were scattered across the floor and on his desk. Little model car parts were scattered across his desk along with completed models. He had a knack for making models but for crying out loud; clean your damn living space. Why the hell do we keep going to his place to go to the digital world is beyond me. I quickly grabbed my backpack and bolted. I was all too happy to get outside into fresh open air. Yolei and Ken took Cody home and Kari, T.K., and I walked down the street to this diner. Zurumon was jumbling in my backpack searching for the stash of candy I had for him, but he doesn't now that I left it back home.

T.K. and Kari were chatting the whole way there. I just tuned them out and just kept walking in utter silence. I felt a little jealous, and I had no idea why.

The diner we went to was an early 70s American style joint. I hoped they would have good burgers. We walked in and quickly grabbed a booth. The place was nearly deserted. Then again I doubt it would be crowded the first week it opened. I opened my pack to let Zurumon out Kari and T.K. did the same for Gatomon and Patamon.

A man came over to our booth... This man was my dad. Six four well-built giant. I inherited his crystal blue eyes. His hair was jet black and he had a thick scar over his right eye.

"Hey Jason welcome to my new restaurant!" he said.

I looked at him in awe.

"How did you get this place? We have only been in Japan for a week in a half?" I questioned.

He laughed and replied.

"I bought this place before we came here so it was ready to open as soon as I fixed up the place. Pretty wizard huh?"

I hated it when he said wizard. He wasn't even old enough to use that phrase.

Kari was chuckling in her chair.

My dad looked over at them and smiled.

"Aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?" He inquired.

I sighed and made the introductions.

"This is Hikairi Kamyia and her digimon partner Gatomon. This Is Takeru Takaishi his partner Patamon. Guys this is my dad John Rourke."

They looked at me like I was nuts. They were probably wondering why I just flat out told my dad that they had digimon. I guess I never mentioned that my parents knew everything about the digital world already. Kari quickly readjusted her face.

"Pleased to meet you. Please call me Kari."

T.K. did much the same.

"Everyone calls me T.K it's nice to meet you Mr. Rourke."

My dad chuckled and waved his hand.

"Call me John. I am no that old." he insisted

"Then maybe you should stop saying wizard like some nerd from the 70s." I snapped.

He patted me on the head as if I was a small kid.

"Yeah funny Jason. I'll say whatever I want." He said playfully.

He took our orders and retreated to the back.

I didn't think dad would get his business up and running so fast. Then again he did have a supernatural way of getting things done quickly and in a hurry.

"Hey Jason I don't mean to be nosey or anything but how did your dad get that scar?" T.K. inquired.

"He was a Marine... When he was deployed in Afghanistan his convoy got hit by a massive I.E.D. it destroyed the entire convoy... and he was the only survivor." I explained.

A frown spread across Kari's face.

"That's awful." she said sincerely

Almost on queue my dad brought out our milkshakes. Kari, Gatomon ended up getting a strawberry milkshake while the rest of us got chocolate with extra whip cream. It was delicious. Zurumon leaped up and planted his face in the milkshake and began to guzzle it.

"War is not a pretty thing Miss Kamyia. In fact that's pretty much how my entire deployment was; things got really bad…and lot of people died, but I always survived… Funny thing is my father's deployment in Vietnam things were the same, Things take a turn for the worst, but no matter how bad things got he would always come out alive. There is a legend in the Marine Corps. They say the men in my family cannot be killed." My dad chuckled softly.

"And after what my boy went through I believe it to be true." With that he retreated back to the kitchen.

Zurumon stopped guzzling his milkshake for a second and a sad look was plastered on his face that and a lot of whip cream. Me... I turned to stone.

Why did he have to bring that up? That manipulating bastard. I was sure it was his way of getting me to open up about that day... But I suffer in silence... I wasn't going to divulge anything about that day.

"Jason?"

I forced a smile on my face.

"Excuse me for a second."

I got up and walked behind the counter and into the kitchen. I saw my dad cooking on the grill. I just stood in the doorway glaring at him.

"What's on your mind son?" He asked.

"Why?" I asked

He sighed and turned to me.

"You still haven't come to terms with what happened Jason. I may not know the exact details, but I know when someone is suffering."

I smashed my fist against the wall.

"So you would try and manipulate the situation? Try to get me to open up? You have no right!" I snarled.

He wiped his hands off with a grease covered towel and approached me.

"It's been 2 years Jason... I'm worried about you. I know the pain that's eating away at you. You can put a mask on, fake happiness, and try to bury it all you want, but you can't fool me. That pain is festering within you its rotting you from the inside out. I have seen some of the strongest men in the world destroy themselves, because they never came to terms with that pain."

"It's nothing I can't handle." I snarled.

"You shouldn't have to handle it alone." He said sternly.

He was trying so hard to get through to me. He tried to be a good father and help me, but I am a stubborn teenager. I thought I was indestructible.

I tried to calm myself before going back. Before I left my father had to say one last thing.

"Jason... No one can help you if you don't let them in."

I turned and left him standing there. I walked over to the booth and sat down. I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly attempting to bottle up my anger.

"Jason? Is everything ok?" Kari inquired.

I forced myself to smile and said.

"Yeah, everything is fine. You guys excited as I am about this concert?"

I was deflecting. I hoped they wouldn't bring the subject up again... The last thing I needed was old demons ruining my day.

"Yea it looks like it's going to be fun!" Patamon shouted.

"Do you think Metal Etamon will keep to his word and give up evil?" T.K. inquired

I snorted and laughed.

"No... That guy is rotten to the core." I said confidently.

Kari sat there staring at me with a concerned look on her face. It tore me apart... I could tell she was the caring type. Hopefully I won't say or do anything to hurt her. Especially when she is just trying to be a good friend

"So who is going to play the opening act?" Gatomon inquired.

"I was thinking Kari would."

She looked up at me and blushed.

I couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't worry Kari you'll do great. Everyone knows you are the best singer the school." Gatomon reassured.

She looked down at her milkshake shifting around in her seat.

"It's different then singing in a play Gatomon."

I smiled and tried to reassure her.

"Kari take it from me. I am probably the biggest metal head in Japan. Believe me when I tell you. You mi 'lady have the talent for this."

She giggled and smiled. T.K. placed his hand on her shoulder. She then turned and made eye contact with him.

"You're going to do great Kari." He said smiling

That sat there a good minute staring into each other's eyes. Jealousy started to burn inside of me. It confused me beyond all measure. I tried to think about something else but I honestly cannot stand awkward moments especially when I'm on the outside looking in. So I did what came naturally.

"So are you two dating or something?"

That was not natural... Why the hell did I ask that?

They instantly turned away from one another there cheeks were already red. I couldn't help but laugh at them.

"No...We are just friends." Kari muttered

"Yeah. Just friends." T.K. muttered.

I'm such an asshole sometimes.

We quickly changed the conversation. T.K. and Kari were telling me stories about the times when they were saving the world. I told them a few stories of my own, but only the happy ones. It was really nice... I guess Zurumon was right... Going to school that day even though there were only five days left. As it turned out; it was be worth it.

Once we finished up we started to head back home. T.K. was first to go and Kari and I lived in the same apartment building. We walked in comfortable silence. Well mostly comfortable. Until she finally asked.

"Jason... Are you sure everything is ok?"

I sighed deeply and tried to remain calm. Nothing pissed me off more than people trying to dig into my past. It wasn't their fault. I know most of the time they do it because they cared, but it still made me really angry.

"Yeah... everything is fine Kari."

I knew that wouldn't satisfy her. I could only hope she wouldn't push until I snapped.

"What did your father mean by "What happened to you." she inquired.

I could feel my blood boiling. I was on edge and ready to snap. I could never understand why, but when people started asking me about what happened that day that changed everything for me... it just drove me insane. It made me furious.

We must have been walking in silence for a while. I was trying to calm myself. She was a nice girl and she didn't deserve to be yelled at.

"Jason?" She finally said.

I sighed again. I must have been really depressing and here I thought I finally got away from it all, but the past had a funny way of coming back to bite you on the ass.

"Kari... I really don't want to talk about it... I'm sorry, but it's a part of my life I don't like to talk about." I calmly replied.

She placed her hand on my shoulder. I turned and looked at her.

"We are here for you Jason. You don't have to bottle everything up." she said sincerely.

All I could do was smile and thank her. It was strange everyone telling me the same thing, but I was too stubborn and I continued to suffer...alone... and in silence.

LOL He is trying so hard not to like Kari. I only do this because I'm not sure if I want her to get with T.K or Jason… I'm still working it out. Question for all you. Why hasn't Etamon tried to sabotage them yet? What happed to Jason two years ago? How will Kari preform at the concert? Why is Jason such a stubborn moron? oooooo questions questions. Find out maybe next time in Shadows of the past chapter three Calm before the Storm. Oh and review come on people share your thoughts. I shall give you a gold coin with no money value for them