Saburo: Hello all! Welcome to the Here's to the Night Double Feature Chapter Extraordinaire! Now, since the chapter before last was about me, Akira and my family, the authoress has decided to let me come out and talk with you all before this chapter.

First of all, I just want to thank you all for the love! I didn't know I was such a popular character! I've heard I'm even more popular than some of the main characters.

(Kouji: Hmph.)

And seriously you guys, thanks for that. It really means a lot. Buuuut. That's all I've got to say.

Oh, wait! I forgot. Natalie wants me to let you all know that she thanks you all endlessly for the positive feedback on this fic, because without you all, there would be no story. She writes this all for you fans, you know!

So sit back, relax, and please enjoy this chapter of Here's to the Night.

"How's work treating you?"

Keiko shrugged. "It's not bad. It's a pretty chill environment."

"Good." Keiji took a sip of his coffee.

"You okay? You look tired?"

He put the cup down and looked at Keiko right in the eye. "I'm thinking about moving."

Keiko's eyes widened. "Moving?"

"Moving somewhere with Ayaka," he murmured.

"When?" she asked. "And where?"

"I still want to live in Shibuya. I just can't live in that house anymore, Keiko. Not with Aya there."

"B-But-"

"You need to understand. What kind of lovers live across town from each other?"

"Then have her move in with us! Please don't leave."

Keiji sighed and rubbed his temples. "Keiko-"

"What'll we do without you?"

Keiji didn't answer.

"Hey, Keiko. Come on up, we've got customers!"

Keiko turned and saw her boss waving her over to the counter, where Atsuko was currently serving a customer. "I have to go." She stood up.

"I'm moving tomorrow."

Keiko paused and stared at her brother. "What?"

"Tomorrow. I'm moving out of the house tomorrow."

Keiko took a deep breath. "Okay."

"Hey, Michiko?"

"Yeah?"

Junpei tilted his head to the side. "We're… still cool, right? I mean, after everything I've told you?"

The auburn haired girl nodded. "Of course."

"I just feel like you don't believe me."

"I believe you," she said. "I mean, everything you've said has made sense. The way all of your moods changed after that one day. It all adds up. I just… I think it's so weird that I can't remember him. I remember having a friend who was just like Takuya, but… It's so hard to explain. It's like déjà vu."

"I get what you mean." Junpei sighed. "I guess I'm just glad I remember."

Michiko smiled lightly and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad you remember him, too."

"Oh, Kouji. What brings you here?" Izumi asked, feeling dread when she realized she was still in her pajamas and her hair was a wreck.

"I came to bring you your homework."

"Oh…" Izumi smiled awkwardly. "I thought Keiko was going to."

"She ended up having to work today. Sorry to disappoint."

"Oh, no! You're not a disappointment. Uh, come on in."

Kouji shook his head. "No, it's fine, I've got shit to do anyway."

The blonde blinked, surprised at his coldness. Usually, he treated her nicely, but now… "Oh, alright then. Thanks for the work."

Kouji handed her the papers, ripping his hand away when their hands touched, accidentally dropping the papers all over the porch. Izumi blinked in surprise, staring up at the raven haired boy. "Kouji…?"

He took a deep breath. "Sorry, I have to go."

"Wait, Kouji!" She stared sadly at his retreating form. "What's wrong with him?"

"I know you're probably mad at all of us," Kouichi said quietly. "And you have the right to be, just… I don't think any of us have really thought much of it, because we figured you had friends your age, and we have out friends, and…"

Tomoki stared at Kouichi. "And?"

"Did you hear that?"

Tomoki rolled his eyes. "I get it. You're trying to change the subject so that-"

"No, I really heard something."

"I didn't hear a thing," Tomoki replied sharply. "Thanks for trying to apologize and all, but-"

"Tomoki."

The younger boy narrowed his eyes. "What?"

"Something is here."

"What are you talking about?"

"The Demon Lords."

Tomoki's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm sensing traces of them…"

"But they're all locked up, thanks to Takuya. You think it's another one of their traps?"

Kouichi nodded slowly. "Yeah. Yeah, I think that's it."

Keiko sighed as she walked into the kitchen, taking off her boots and dropping the heels she was forced to wear for work next to them. Naoki would probably bitch at her, since he was a neat freak from hell, but she wasn't worried about that at the moment. She was thinking about Keiji.

Keiko whistled. "Pacino!"

The Siberian Husky came running into the kitchen, tail wagging.

"Could you do me a favor and grab me my slippers and bring Lopmon down? I need an ear."

The dog went trotting out of the room and Keiko grabbed some instant ramen from the cupboard, not in the mood to make anything else.

Nobody else was home. It was just her, the dogs, Mister Boots, Blue and Lopmon. Which gave her some time to brood. Or go out back to the flower field, since the snow was oddly late for December.

The door swung open, and there Pacino was, slippers in his mouth and Lopmon on his back.

"Good boy," Keiko said, grabbing a treat from the dog's jar next to the microwave and tossing one to him. "Thank you Pacino."

The dog barked and headed off.

"Hi, Keiko," Lopmon said, smiling and jumping onto the counter. "How was school?"

"It was good," she said, putting a pot of water on the stove. "Did you have fun at home?"

"Uh huh!" He began fiddling with his long ears. "I watched TV, I took a bath with Blue, I-" Lopmon stopped suddenly.

"Lopmon?" Keiko tipped her head to the side. "Something wrong?"

"The Demon Lords. They've created a new trap."

"What?"

"It's upstairs."

Keiko jumped up. "Pacino! Sam!"

Both dogs came running in, tails wagging excitedly.

"Sam, go upstairs and get Mister Boots and Blue and then get outside. Pacino, take Lopmon outside. Wait out back."

The dogs took off, Pacino grabbing Lopmon and doing as he was told, running out through the doggie door while Sam ran alongside Keiko, breaking off from her once the dog got to Saburo's room, where she scooped up the duckling and ran towards the living room.

Keiko paused at the bottom of the stairs that led to the third floor, her heart stopping when she heard slow footsteps going down the hall. She wanted to run up and attack whatever was there, but her heart was racing for some reason, and she had a sense of dread.

Two feet appeared at the top of the stairs, and Keiko's eyes went up a pair of black boots and long, leather clad legs. Curved hips turned into a flat stomach turned into a bountiful chest turned into a face she had never imagined seeing again, especially not at such a different age, especially not with such an evil look in her eyes, and especially not with a long katana strapped to her back.

"Ayame?"

"What's going on?"

"I'm not sure," Michiko said breathlessly, leaning forward and putting her hands on her knees. "Junpei wanted to go see, so he ran off. I got lost in the crowd."

"Are you alright?" Kouji pulled her off to the side, sitting her down on a bench.

She nodded "I'm okay. I think I twisted my ankle though."

Kouji could barely hear himself think over the screams and cries of the crowd, which was herding through the streets in a panic.

Kouji groaned, deciding to help Michiko out. "Look, I'm going to get you to safety. Junpei's probably got a good hold on things over there."

Michiko nodded and wrapped her arms around Kouji's neck when he lifted her off the bench. "Thank you," she murmured.

Kouji shook his head. "No problem. Hang on to me."

"You think Junpei's going to be okay?" she asked.

"Junpei should be fine. He'll be able to get out of there when things get bad."

"No, I mean when he fights it. I… he told me everything. All the Digimon stuff. And he told me about Takuya."

"He… told you about Takuya?"

Michiko nodded slowly. "And I'm so sorry, Kouji."

"I…"

"I should be fine at this restaurant," she said softly. "You should go give Junpei a hand."

"Right." Kouji set her down in front of a restaurant, where an owner immediately lifted her up and took her inside.

Kouji spun around and ran back to assist Junpei.

"I wish there were something I could do to help," Izumi said softly, staring out the window worriedly.

"If you as a person are weakened, your spirit is as well," Salamon said. "I'm sure they'll be alright."

"I hope so." The blonde sneezed again and Salamon sighed softly.

"You should really get back into your blankets. You'll only get worse."

Izumi sighed and nodded. "Right. Thanks Salamon."

"Hmm." Salamon's ears perked up.

"What's the matter?"

"Something bad's here," she said softly, looking up at Izumi. "We need to hide."

"A-Ayame…" Keiko dropped to her knees, staring up at the blonde at the top of the stairs. "You're here."

Her sister stared at her with emotionless green eyes before she slowly pulled the sword off of her back.

"You're here," she gasped. "You're really here."

The blonde said nothing.

"You're supposed to be dead. How-"

Keiko was interrupted by her own gasp as she jumped out of the way of Ayame's attack.

"You've got worse coming."

"That was harder than last time," Kouichi observed, staring at the spot where the monster had been attacking them. "You think that means something?"

Tomoki tilted his head to the side. "It could… And it seems like these things are taking different shapes."

"I've noticed that." Kouichi sighed. "At least nobody got hurt."

"Yeah."

"Tomoki? You okay?"

The brunette nodded. "Yeah. I'm fine, why?"

"You seem… off."

"Not that you'd know," Tomoki huffed. "See you around, Kouichi."

"Please wait. Just talk to me. You're not helping anything by running away."

"You're one to talk. You're the one that's been running away for the last four years. I know that something's wrong with you, but you're not telling anybody. Don't act like I've forgotten about that time when you were holing yourself up in your room, not talking to anybody."

"Tomoki, that's different. Kouji was-"

"It's not different. You know it. Jesus Christ, when are you all going to stop treating me like a child?" he yelled.

Kouichi blinked slowly. "Tomoki, I'm so sorry."

"Save it," he snapped. "Just leave me alone."

Kouichi didn't try to stop him when he walked off.

"Did you see Michiko?" Junpei asked as he and Kouji, merged with their Digimon, leapt across buildings and away from the countless news reporters.

"Actually, I did," the raven replied. The two stopped. "She almost fell over and I caught her. She hurt her ankle, so I carried her to a restaurant."

"She's alright, though?"

Kouji nodded. "She's fine. She said you told her about the Digimon thing. And Takuya."

"Well, yeah."

"She believed you?"

Junpei nodded. "Yeah. She did."

"Huh."

"Which restaurant did you bring her to?"

"Oh." He pointed down the street. "It's that one. Right there."

"Thanks, man. I'll see you in school tomorrow."

"Right. See you."

Kouji jumped down and into an alleyway, turning back into himself. Just as he was about to step out, something crashed into his back. "The fuck-"

"Kouji! Keiko and Izumi are in trouble!" Patamon cried.

"What?"

"They're both being attacked. And if you don't go to get them soon…"

"Where are they?"

"They're both at their houses. I don't know how you'll be able to get to them both!"

"Shit." Kouji put a hand to his head. ~Lobomon. I need your help, now.~

"What is it Kouji?"

Kouji was surprised that Lobomon was actually out. Not only was he there, but he was in a solid form, rather than his spirit form.

"I need you to get to Keiko. She and Izumi are in trouble, and they're on other sides of town. I'm going to merge with KendoGarurumon to get Izumi, alright? You need directions?"

"I know where she is," Lobomon muttered, turning. "I'll come back to you once I get her."

"Thanks."

The two ran off in opposite directions.

Somehow, Keiko had ended up in her room, dodging rather than fighting. She didn't want to hurt Ayame. She was finally back, and the last thing she wanted to do was to fight with her.

"Please stop, Ayame," Keiko wailed as she ducked under the sword and moved backwards into the glass doors leading to the balcony.

Ayame punched the brunette hard enough so that she crashed through the glass, hitting her back on the marble railing and protecting her from a four story fall. Just as she opened her eyes, Ayame hit her with a vicious roundhouse kick that sent her falling off the balcony.

"Izumi!" Kouji yelled, running into the house. Laying on the floor was Izumi, Salamon by her side, weakly getting up from the ground. "Izumi, wake up!" He got to the ground next to her, pulling her onto his lap. "Izumi!"

"I managed to fight it off, but it was too much for me," Salamon said weakly. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay, you did your best," Kouji said. "You took care of it?"

Salamon nodded. "Izumi got hurt. He threw a table at her and it hit her in the head."

Kouji looked down to the blonde. "Izumi…"

"She'll be okay. I think she just needs to sleep it off. She'll probably just wake up with a nasty headache."

"Right. Thank you Salamon."

He picked the girl up and shifted her to one arm for a moment. "Get on my shoulder, Salamon. I'll bring you upstairs."

"Thank you, Kouji," Salamon said, climbing onto the raven's shoulder.

Keiko cried out in agony when she hit the ground on her back. Nothing was there to stop her.

Ayame landed right next to her and kicked her across the lawn and over the steel fencing around the pool.

Keiko struggled to get up off of the marble floors, her lip bleeding heavily onto the tile while her arms shook violently. She couldn't even fight back, and she never had a chance to transform. ~I can't do this…~

Just as the thought passed through her head, she felt a kick go straight into her ribs, and she cried out when she was sent into the fence, landing on her back. She coughed up blood and could only watch as Ayame came closer, ready to finish her off with the katana. ~No…~

She shut her eyes, preparing for the worst pain of her life, but nothing happened. She opened them again, her eyes widening when she saw a light sword pushing against the staff and keeping it away from her.

"Kouji?" Her voice was slurred and rough.

"Lobomon," was her answer.

She blacked out for a while, but when she woke up, she was being held up by a pair of strong arms, and her head was laying up against metallic armor.

The brunette opened her eyes and was shocked to see Veenomon there, looking at Lobomon with wide green eyes as he spoke.

"I'm not sure if Takuya and Agunimon are still alive, but they may not have completely destroyed the seal. I'm not certain though. I can't sense either of them."

Veenomon nodded. "How did you know to come here and save us?"

"Kouji told me. Patamon told him."

Veenomon smiled shyly and tucked a piece of blonde hair behind her ear, looking down. Keiko furrowed her eyebrows when she saw a blush across her cheeks. ~Veenomon… likes Lobomon?~"Hey, you're awake!" Veenomon looked thrilled. "Are you okay? I managed to heal a lot of your wounds, but there's nothing I can do for your cheek. I'm sorry."

Keiko reached up and touched her cheek gently. It felt swollen, but it wasn't too bad. "It's fine. Thank you for healing me. What happened?"

Lobomon opened his mouth to speak, but another spoke first.

"You guys alright?" Kouji was standing there, his hands in his pockets. "Izumi's okay."

"Good." Veenomon looked relieved. "Was there much of a fight?"

"No, Salamon managed to fend whatever was attacking Izumi off. What about you guys?"

"I had to fight a little bit. Veenomon came out and helped. Then she healed Keiko up. She had a cracked rib and some pretty bad cuts and bruises."

"You alright, Keiko?" Kouji asked, looking down at her.

Keiko nodded. "I'm okay."

"I'll carry her to bed," Veenomon offered. "You're probably tired, Lobomon."

"I can walk," Keiko argued.

"Not after the healing process. It's best to just not move for an hour or so."

"I'll carry her, it's fine," Lobomon replied, standing up and taking Keiko with him. "You know how much the healing drains you."

Veenomon flushed and lowered her eyes. "Okay…"

"So you have a crush on Lobomon?" Keiko asked softly as soon as the two males left.

Veenomon's eyes widened. "What?"

"It's obvious. Don't lie to your other half."

The blonde sighed. "Yeah… I do. I think he's with Agunimon though."

"…What?"

Veenomon giggled. "It's weird. You'd have to be there to understand."

"What was Lobomon saying about Takuya and Agunimon?"

"Oh… Um, it was nothing."

"Veenomon, please. Just tell me."

"Well, I just don't want to get your hopes up, Keiko."

"Please tell me."

She sighed. "Well, to be able to send things out at the power level they're being sent out at, the seal must be broken."

"But with the human seal-"

"The Demon Lords are the strongest things we've ever encountered." Veenomon pushed a piece of long blonde hair behind her ear. "With them, anything is possible. But with the human seal, the actual things inside are sealed for nine months to a year. Their powers are able to be sent though. It's strange, I know, but the seal has been broken and it only took six months."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that in two to six months, they'll be back."

"And what does that mean for Takuya and Agunimon?"

"It means that they've been destroyed, since they were the seal, and the seal is broken."

"But Lobomon said that-"

"The chances of Takuya and Agunimon being alive is about one percent."

"So… they're dead?"

Veenomon sighed softly. "I'm so sorry, Keiko."