I didn't expect this story to attract allot of interest so I'm just happy with the number of readers so far. Thank you to everyone who's enjoyed it but special thanks to Komamura's son for the reviews... I appreciate comments...

Disclaimer... I don't own any digimon and this story takes place in alternate universe and do not reflect the views of the actual creators...

CHAPTER 10: FOUND YOU…

Laying in wait inside the cave was frustrating as I hid impatiently under a bed of leaves proud of the decoy I made. I draped half of my white undershirt over a rock that's size could be mistaken for my injured friend. Berry juices stained the cloth shaped liked stripes helped create the illusion of a resting Gabumon. Hopefully it's convincing enough.

I held two smoke bombs waiting for Grumblemon and Haremon both of which I knew were still in the area to arrive. After the day ended, I lit a fire hoping its light would attract them and returned under my bed. The ground rumbled as Grumblemon appeared at the mouth of the cave followed by Haremon less than a foot behind him.

"They in cave," Grumblemon said confidently.

"Hm. Wait it might be a trap."

But the gnome ignored his friend's warning and entered the cave. The rabbit reluctantly followed. I held my breath as the gnome approached knowing he could sense vibrations in the ground.

"Didn't you hear me," Haremon reiterated his concern. "It might be a trap."

"O what? Yo hurt Gabumon good; eh human weaker tan us."

"Maybe but there's something interesting about him and there's that Kabuterimon to contend with now," Haremon reason. I hate to admit it. His reasoning was sound. "He may prove to be a thorn in our side yet."

Luckily Grumblemon did not heed his partner's advice. "'ook Gabumon."

Haremon grabbed the gnome's arm, "Wait he's just lying there and where's his friend?"

"Yo hurt Gabumon eh friend out get food. See bed," Grumblemon passed pointing to the grass above me.

"Maybe," Haremon said stepping beside him.

"His fur mine," Grumblemon hurried to the rock. The gnome tugged the shirt springing a mini spear trap I set. Some of the sticks imbedded in Grumblemon's skin causing the digimon to scream while another one of the spears forced Haremon to move.

I tossed the bombs into the fire and ran. The billing column of smoke engulfed the cave's entirety disorienting my navigation toward the exit. I heard Haremon and Grumblemon bumbling around.

'If it's this bad away from the fire pit, I'd hate to be in the thick of it.' I thought exiting the cave. "Tentomon Digivolve and get us out of here," I shouted at the top of my lungs.

"Copy that," he yelled back as I passed him. "Tentomon Digivolve to Kabuterimon!"

I got inside the tree peeking my head out watching Tentomon transform. It was amazing and depressing all at once. It changed the tiny beetle into an enormous flying insect with a stinger but also…

"Gabumon's got another level like that," I whispered. "A level I'll never be able to get him too."

I pulled a palm leaf to conceal my exposed face when Kabuterimon took to the air. Haremon and Grumblemon staggered from the cave trying to shake off the smoke's effects. They looked as Kabuterimon lifted a white purplish striped lump straight up into air until he was out of sight. It was another undershirt covered rock.

"There they go," Haremon said.

"We follow?"

"Can you see them?"

"No," Grumblemon replied.

"Nor can I," Haremon added sort of happily. "Told you that human was clever; they could have gone in any direction. Who knows where to start looking?"

"Huntsmon not be happy," the gnome growled. "Me not want tell him."

"Agreed. I'll go with you."

"Tanks," Grumblemon vanished underground.

"Sure pal," Haremon seemed to hesitate looking in my direction but ended up running after his friend.

I withdrew into the tree and turned to the sleeping digimon. "I think it worked Gabumon."

My routine became changing Gabumon's bandages, catching fish, fetching fresh water from the lake, and gathering berries for food. I cooked the fish in the cave's fire pit. I figured it could give us a chance to sneak away or at least keep Gabumon safe for a while if I got caught on my own.

Unfortunately, Gabumon continued to sleep inside the tree which made it a challenge to feed him. I mashed the berries and was able to get him to swallow them. At least he was eating something right? Other than Gabumon's murmurs that tricked me into thinking my friend had finally awaken, I had to find other ways to occupy my time.

I learned to weave baskets from some of the reeds in the lake. One basket to help hold and carry the fish while I used the other for berries. I, also, found myself talking to the sleeping digital monster as if he was awake. I studied his alleged indestructible fur until a thought occurred to me.

"Hey Gabumon," I directed toward the sleeping animal during one of those one sided conversations. "Tentomon said your fur was indestructible but it's not is it?" I focused on his horn. "The fur is ragged at the base like the horn torn through it."

However, Gabumon just laid there night after night. Suddenly on one particular day when the sunset, my friend started shivering despite still wearing his fur, my hoody, and my socks. I did my best to warm him but it became a regular occurrence.

The last few nights I've been stripping and layering Gabumon in the clothes I had worn even my underwear. However, his fever hasn't broken. Each night before falling asleep, I prayed and cried a little, "Come on Gabumon. I need you to wake up. We need to find Matt. Please wake up."

The temperature dropped over night and I slept as best I could curled in a ball for warmth. In the morning, I woke to find Gabumon sitting up and staring at me.

"Gabumon, you're awake," I hugged him. "I was afraid you'd never wake up."

"Baldo," he looked shyly at me. "You're naked."

"I'm sorry I got you hurt," I ignored his comment.

"Baldo," Gabumon whispered.

"I'm glad you're awake."

"Baldo-."

"Gabumon, I'm sorry I'm so weak."

"Baldo," Gabumon continued before I could interrupt him again. "You're not weak."

"But I got you hurt protecting me," my eyes burned from the tears I tried withholding. "I understand if you don't want me around anymore."

"Baldo, I chose to protect you. That's friendship not weakness," Gabumon countered. "Besides you promised to help me find Matt or were those just empty words to you?"

"No, I meant every word," I wiped my face. "You still want my help?"

"More than ever my friend."

"Thank you, Gabumon," I said sneezing.

"Oh Baldo your clothes," the digimon looked down.

"You kept saying you were cold and I didn't have anything else to keep you warm," I wrapped my arms around me as I realized the euphoria of Gabumon's reawakening started subsiding.

Gabumon's eyes started glassing over. "You gave me your clothes?"

I nodded. "Except my shoes. They didn't look like they'd fit."

Gabumon wiggled his clawed toes. He smiled, "Sorry about your socks."

"Doesn't matter as long as they kept your feet warm."

"Nice and toasty," Gabumon grinned. "I'm feeling better now. You can have your clothes back."