Chapter 9
They were walking through the desert again, when everyone except Tai and Agumon stopped while talking about the crests. Tai called back, wondering what was going on, when Kuwagamon suddenly appeared, tossing them. Miharumon growled, and Agumon used his Pepper Breath. It didn't affect him as much, and Agumon almost refused to Digivolve. Kuwagamon was about to chomp him in half when Miharumon and Tai both pushed him to the ground. Kuwagamon tried again, and Miharumon, out of anger, shot a Howling Inferno at him. Suddenly, Kuwagamon disappeared, and a small, pink Digimon came, holding a spear. "Piximon?" Miharumon questioned, wide-eyed.
He nodded, saying, "And you are the Digidestined, though from what I hear, I'm not impressed. You, Digimon. You're supposed to be protecting the children, but half the time, their protecting you! The only one I see doing their job is Miharumon. She's the only one with some promise, though her partner needs to get stronger." Yumi felt bad enough, and Miharumon nuzzled her thigh, trying to comfort her, and snapped, "She's strong! She just doesn't believe in herself yet…" Piximon said, "But the news isn't all bad. I'm going to train you!" He started walking. "Follow me." Everyone got into a circle, wondering if they should follow.
They finally decided to, when he shouted for them to hurry up. They were walking for quite a while, but Miharumon refused to complain in front of Piximon. They stopped in the middle of the desert, and Piximon opened a portal to show a rainforest. Everyone walked in, and, suddenly, Sora said, "Watch out, guys! Behind us!"
Everyone turned around to see Etemon's 'trailer', which was drawn by a Monochromon. Piximon assured them that he couldn't see them, and they continued walking. They soon saw flight upon flight of stairs. Piximon said, "You need to climb them to get to my house. It's part of your training." Miharumon sighed as Tentomon said, "It's okay. I'll just fly up there and, before you know it, I'll be chilling by the pool!" "Did I mention there will be no flying during any of my training?" Tentomon fell to the ground, and Miharumon said, "We might as well start." A few hours later, Miharumon was in the lead, not a single complaint had left her lips, and Yumi was struggling to keep up with her.
They soon reached the huge mansion, and were on the top floor. Piximon said, "Before you eat, you need to earn the food." Miharumon sighed, and growled softly under her breath. Piximon summoned buckets of water and rags, saying, "You need to wash the floors, all the floors." Everyone sighed, and Piximon said, "But not you, Tai and Agumon. I have a special chore for you." And they left. They started cleaning, and Matt and Yumi were cleaning the same railing. Suddenly, without their noticing, their hands touched, and they pulled away from the contact, blushing. Yumi, trying to clean a pole, got on the railing to clean it. She lost her balance and nearly fell.
She held out a hand, and Matt grabbed it. He pulled her back up, and Miharumon whimpered, sniffing her and nuzzling her. Yumi was shaken, and Matt offered a hug, to make her feel better, and she accepted. His face was a bright red, but he didn't pull her away. They had dinner, and went to sleep. Yumi woke up suddenly to see Izzy and Matt leave. Matt… She got up, and followed them, and Miharumon didn't even wake up.
She walked behind them, and saw something glowing. It's their tags. Their crests must be nearby! She thought. She didn't have Miharumon's courage to just say she was there, but she thought it was time she became more like Miharumon. "Izzy… Matt…" She said, and they turned around. "Where are you guys going?" "We're looking for our crests." Matt said, still holding his tag. "I'm going, too." She said, as stubborn as Miharumon, and the two boys agreed. They were walking the whole night, and found a well, just outside the barrier, with lights in it. They went, hesitantly, through the barrier, and Matt and Izzy went down the rope, going into the well.
Yumi
stayed outside, watching them in case they fell. They soon got their
crests, and she pulled them up, to have a Tyrannomon appear and roar.
Yumi wished Miharumon had come with her, and stood, frozen in fear.
Matt grabbed her hand, and pulled her towards the barrier. They ran
through, but Tyrannomon shot at the barrier, shattering
it.
Meanwhile, at Piximon's house, Miharumon was looking
everywhere for Yumi, worried sick. Piximon came, and Miharumon pinned
him to the ground. "Tell me where Yumi is, or so help me God, I'll
turn you into a chew toy!" She growled, but he could tell it was
worry and love that was filling her, not anger.
"She went with Matt and Izzy, when the boys went out to look for their crests around midnight." She got off him, and said, "I can't just stay here! She could be in danger!" "She'll be fine. You need to train." He was able to get them to start meditating, but Gabumon kept making funny faces, making Miharumon giggle. Piximon whipped him with his spear, and stopped suddenly, saying, "My barrier has been broken!" Miharumon was already out the door, worried sick, and hoping, praying, that Yumi was safe. She ran into the forest, and saw Yumi running with Matt and Izzy. She saw Tyrannomon, and shot a Howling Inferno, making him stop.
Yumi noticed Miharumon, and cried out, in joy, "MIHARUMON!" Matt was still pulling her along by her hand, but she was running now, too. She saw the others as well, and remembered that her and Matt were still holding hands. She let go, blushing, and Tyrannomon blasted them. Piximon made a barrier around all of them, and Miharumon said, "Piximon, I can take him!" "No, this is a lesson for Tai and Agumon! We must give them enough time!" Miharumon understood, but she didn't want her friends in danger anymore. After a while, it seemed Piximon was done waiting, when Greymon tripped Tyrannomon.
Miharumon barked happily, saying, "That's our Greymon!" Greymon defeated Tyrannomon, and Miharumon nuzzled Gabumon, making him blush under his fur coat. She smiled, pouncing on him. They touched noses briefly, both of them blushing, and Yumi called Miharumon. They soon left, thanking Piximon, and started walking through the desert yet again.
