Weel, here's chapter four. Sorry for the delay in getting it up. Schools a pain and working on this chapter was a bit hard with a small writers block and all. But here it is. Enjoy.

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"Kouji," Ohanimon greeted, coming up to the small band of friends. "I am glad that you are safe. The Digital World isn't safe for humans anymore. It's a miracle you got this far without your spirits."

Shrugging off Takuya's arm, Kouji looked up at the celestial Digimon. "That's what we came here to talk to you about, Ophanimon. We need our spirits."

Silence stretched between the group. Seraphimon and Cherubimon looked over at the female Digimon, waiting for her next words. Even Terriermon didn't open his mouth, looking intently at the Mega leveled Digimon. Finally, she nodded in understanding. "I see. Yes. With Cerberumon spreading lies throughout the Digital World, it would be best to have your spritis for protection when finding your friends." The confused look that corssed Kouji's face got a small smile stretched across hers. "Takuya told me."

The boy mentioned grinned, putting his good hand behind his head and leaning to one side. "And after I told them about Liomon, Seraphimon sent Sorcerymon to help you out."

"It's a good thing he did show up," mumbled Kouji just loud enough for the Digimon gathered around him and Takuya to hear. "Liomon was about to finish me off. If Sorcerymon hadn't shown up, I wouldn't be here right now."

"If Cerberumon has Digimon like Liomon on his side, then the others are in trouble," Cherubimon voiced, looking worridly at the two others of his rank. "We cannot risk losing the children."

Another nod left Ophanimon. "Then we really have no choice."

Kouji and Takuya pulled out their cell phones now turned D-Scanner, looking at the colored casing before holding them in front of them. Ophanimon stepped in front of Takuya, Seraphimon in front of Kouji. Cherubimon took a place behind, the trio forming a circle around the humans. All three celestial Digimon held out their hands in front of them, small orbs of light drifting from the Digimon to the Digivices. Ten of the orbs went to Takuya, ten to Kouji. The rush of power that came with the Spirits was familiar to Kouji. Expecially the all so wonderful feeling of warmth that came with the Spirits of Light. "Lobomon. KendoGarurumon," Kouji recited, smiling as the faces of the spirits flashed across the screen.

Takuya was doing the same, almost litterally jumping for joy. "Yes! I got my Spirits back! Agumimon and BurningGreymon! Bad guys beware!"

"You also hold the Spirits of the eight other Legendary Warriors," spoke Ophanimon. "Though, Unified Spirit Evolution wouldn't be a wise idea until you find your friends."

Blue eyes continued to look at the blue-gray device in his hand. He couldn't get Kouichi out of his head. What if something had happened to his brother? Again and again that thought popped up in his mind. Still, Takuya's energetic behavior helped rid him of that thought for a while. Not to mention that his arm was still busted up and all the jumping probably hurt like hell.

Sure enough, Terriermon decided he wanted to know what everyone was so happy about and jumped up onto the wrong shoulder. Takuya let out the loudest yelp Kouji had ever heard come from a human being. His shoulder dropped and the manila rabbit went tumbling onto the ground. Takuya's free arm insantly went to grip at the other, his D-Scanner dropping to the ground.

All three of the Mega Digimon looked worridly at the Warrior of Fire. "The sooner Sorcerymon gets back, the sooner we can have your shoulder healed, Takuya."

For once, he didn't reply to the statement. Was Takuya really that hurt? Kouji wondered there was something more to it. The only time he had ever seen the brunette this quiet, or depressed looking, was when his friends were in danger. Not even being pissed could stop Takuya from talking. So, that had to be it. Though, Kouji didn't ask if he was right. The topic of their friends was a sensitive one at best. Both boys knew they had to find them and quick.

Takuya picked up his D-Scanner, giving them a quick grin. "Well then, we better hurry!" What was he talking about? Hurry to where? "Kouji can Spirit Evolve and help Sorcerymon out with Liomon! And that big cat gets what he came for and more!"

"You shouldn't underestimate Liomon, Takuya," warned Cherubimon. "He's been known to destroy Mega Level Digimon. One Human Spirit might not be enough. Even with the Beast Spirit it will be a tough battle."

"He's right, Takuya. We should just wait for now." No matter how painful it was to. "Sorcerymon can take care of himself. His spirit did defend the castle's fracal code from the Royal Nights."

"I guess," mumbled the goggle-wearing boy.

Terriermon grinned, looking up at the two humans. "Don't worry! If that big bully tries to come near here, I'll protect you!"

Smiling, Kouji looked over at Takuya. "Why do I feel even more worried knowing that?"

"Hey!"

Any other thoughts or words were inturrupted by nothing, everyone's attention turning to the forest. Everything had suddenly grown quiet, that calm quiet right before a storm. Kouji didn't dare to breathe, let alone move, during that time period. The air was thick with tension and the possibility of a fight. Glancing at Takuya, he no better, with a nervous smile on his face, hand gripping the D-Scanner for dear life.

Finally, after what seemed like years of suspended silence, a loud roar ripped through the forest. Tensing up, Kouji prepared for a fight, D-Scanner held at the ready for quick use. "Stay back, Takuya," he warned, knowing that the more hotheaded one would throw aside the pain to fight if it got bad for him.

Liomon came out of the trees, calm looking for a Digimon about to engage in a fight. He padded forward, stopping with some distance between him and Kouji. "Are you ready to fight now, human?" His claws scraped against the ground, a low rumble forming in his throat as eyes remained focused on the target in front of him.

And all Kouji did was smirk. "Maybe."

The golden furred digital creature started running towards Kouji. Trust me. A giant clawed lion running at you full speed is not a plesant expecience. As Liomon leaped forward, jaws parted to expose rows of deady fangs, Kouji still just smirked.

"Execute! Beast Spirit Evolution!"

Light and fractal code surrounded his form as the familiar change took place. A tingle ran down his spine as it began, this becoming so familiar in the time he was at the Digital World the first time. Finally, both disappeared, leaving not Kouji, but a wolf meeting Liomon's attack head on. KendoGarurumon let out a howl of his own, leaping forward and slamming his shoulder into the chest of the cat. Paws touched ground, momentum bringing the canine Digimon forward more, a few small marks in the dirt from where his own claws had scraped up.

Getting to his paws, Liomon smirked. "So this is the power of the Legenary Warrior of Light."

The white armored lupine bared his fangs, golden eyes watching the feline's every move. They just stared at each other, the other waiting for the other to make the first move. Body moved closer to the ground. Both of the Digimon moved at the same time, passing by with centimeters between the two of them. Their bodies paralell with the other, KendoGarurumon locked eyes with Liomon.

"Lupine Lazer!"

"Thunder of the Kings!"

The two attacks collided, thunder sparks zipping down a small course of the light attack before disappearing. A small explosion was created, dust and dirt being picked up to create a smoke and dust feild. KendoGarurumon look this as his chance. Both would be blind and the smoke would act as a barrier until it cleared out. Not even a canine or feline nose would be able to pick up a scent. He rushed forward into the cloud. He could hear still, at least. Those earrings of Liomon's would be the downfall of him. The small chime as the lion tried to see where he was coming from was all he needed.

He snarled as he leaped, barreling into the surprised Liomon. KendoGarurumon had one giant paw on the lion's shoulder, getting ready to launch another Lupine Lazer attack. Before he could, Liomon kicked upwards with his mind paws, sending the wolf over his head and crashing onto the ground above his head. Getting to his paws, KendoGarurumon shook his head to stop the ringing in his ears. Golden eyes opened and looked for the feline Digimon. Confusion washed all over the Beast Warrior of Light. Liomon was walking away. Actually walking away.

"Hey!" the light colored wolf called out. "Where do you think you're going?"

Liomon stopped, looking over his shoulder at the other Digimon. "Don't get so cocky. I saw what I came to see, and now I'm leaving. And don't think you won either. I went easy on you."

"Aren't you working for Cerberumon?"

"Did I ever say that?"

Watching the lion pad back into the forest, KendoGarurumon returned to being just normal Kouji, still as confused as ever. "What just happened?" asked Takuya, running over to his friend's side.

Still lost into trying to figure it out, Kouji couldn't reply with much. "I think... I was being toyed with. He was just testing me, toying with me the entire fight." Now, normally, he would be mad that someone had toyed with him and would have easily won, but he was a little stunned at the moment.

"Liomon is a proud Digimon," explained Ohpanimon. "He wouldn't be the type to follow orders given to him. If anything, you found a new alli."

"So, where's Sercerymon then?"

Terriermon had now joined the small group, along with Seraphimon and Cherubimon, looking up at Kouji with his usual grin. "Who cares? That was the coolest fight I've ever seen! Not anyone could take on Liomon and live to talk about it!" He continued to ramble on, making random hand gestures with his words.

Kouji sighed. Apparently, win a fight and you have Terriermon on your side. "I didn't do anything, Terriermon. He was toying with me, okay? I lost that fight. He was just messing around while I ran around in circles trying to land a blow." He clenched his fists, turning his back on the bunny Digimon, facing the forest. "If he would have been serious, I doubt I'd be standing here right now."

It was silent, not a word coming from anyone. Terriermon looked down, a frown across his face. "Well, I still thought it was cool." He looked over at the three Celestial Digimon. "Is he always this mad?" Terriermon pointed at Kouji. No one bothered to reply to the small Digimon's question. "Fine then. Be rude."

Blue eyes closed as Takuya began trying to explain to Terriermon why everyone was so tense. "It's difficult, Terriermon. Kouji and I were here before with four of our friends. We fought against Cherubimon, Lucemon, the Royal Knights, and in the end, we won to save the Digital World. Now, when we come back, the whole of the Digital World think we've betrayed them and are the enemies. For us to find out that someone was just messing around in a fight is pretty upsetting. Do you get what I'm saying?"

"So, Kouji's just mad that he was beaten in a fight."

"Ugh. It's more complicated than that."

"How?"

"It's hard to explain."

"Why is it hard to explain?"

"It just is, okay?"

If he was in a better mood, Kouji would have normally smiled at the small attempt to get the Digimon to understand and the small resulting fight. However, he just opened his eyes, continuing to stare into the forest. He didn't even more as the familiar white form of Sorcerymon came into view. The sorcerer Digimon stopped at seeing the looks he was getting from the ragtag group. There was no sign that he had ever been in a fight on his body.

Sorcerymon, with slightly wie eyes, began his small explination for letting Liomon get to the castle. "I'm sorry. but when I heard Liomon's reasons for coming here, I had to let him fight you, Kouji. It could have meant the difference between an alli or an enemy."

There was a small moment of silence. Finally, Kouji spoke. "It's alright. I understand. You had no choice." His gaze was adverted away from the Digimon that had saved him.

Surprised by the amount of understanding Kouji had towards the sitation, the white cloaked Digimon blinked a few times. "Yes. Well, I should start healing Takuya's shoulder."

Kouji only muttered a small, "Yeah," in reply to Sorcerymon, shoving his hands in his pants pockets and heading out towards the trees. He needed time to think and to get away from everyone else.

There was just to many distractions when you were with other people and nothing ever got done. That's why Kouji had to find a quiet place to think. Now that they had their spirits and Takuya was getting his shoulder healed, they could go look for the others quickly. But at the same time, Cerberumon said they were under close surveylance with his master. Then, the giant canine was working for someone. That could mean trouble if so far the only one working for the mysterious Digimon they had seen had been him.

He sighed. Things just kept getting worse. Why was it they always got the bad stuff? Somewhere, there must be one very happy Digimon dancing about because of his good fortune. Nothing else could possibly go wrong for him that day.

"Kouji!"

Besides maybe Terriermon ruining his one chance to think without staying up all night. Kouji stayed quiet, hoping that maybe, just maybe, the small bunny would walk right by him. No such luck. Terriermon was already standing right in front of him, paws behind his back in an attempt to either look innocent or adorable. either way, it wasn't working. "Terriermon, what are you doing?"

He just flashed Kouji one of his smiles. "Following you, of course!"

"Go back."

The little Digimon didn't flater in his smile. "Nope."

"I came out here to be alone, Terriermon. I can't be here alone with you here too."

"But you wanna talk, don't cha?" He did a small half circle around Kouji's legs, looking up at the human with a possibly bigger smile. If that was even possible.

Why would he talk to a Digimon he met a day or two ago about his problems when it was Takuya he would talk to about this normally. Or better yet, Kouichi when he could. Kouichi. He hadn't thought about his brother in a while. Knowing only a little about what was going on in this world didn't help him try to calm his nerves one bit. Seeing that Terriermon was waiting for an answer, Kouji turned his back on the green marked rabbit. "No."

He couldn't see the taken aback expression on Terriermon's face, but Kouji knew it was there. Kouji wasn't trying to be purposly be mean or nasty, but it was the only way to get Terriermon to listen at the moment. He didn't know what it was that was making him go back to his old lone wolf days, however, Kouji had his suspicions about it. things were just was too stressful as they were now. Feet started carrying him deeper into the forest, leaving a srunned Terriermon in his wake. He would go back in a few minutes, Kouji decided, knowing that everyone would worry about him if he didn't come back for a long while.

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Okay, just so everyone knows, NO Kouji will NOT be captured/knocked unconscious/attacked/or injured, killed, maimed, taken, and go insane in any way shape or form in the beginning on the next chapter. Because I all know you're thinking it with this ending. Oh Noez! Something bad is going to happen to Kouji!

No. For once, he actually catches a break. howevershortthatbreakis

Well, R&R if ya don't mind.