Now before you guys read this, I know this may seem completely irrelevant to the One-shot collection, but trust me, it fits. By the end it will all make sense, okay?

Salamon didn't know why she always followed the big, terrifying monster in front of her. She had never questioned why she did, as she had always felt compelled to do so. Perhaps in her life before, when she was a Digimon of some significance (or at least, she thought she was) she had known the beast. However, she did not know the creature now, but stayed within twenty feet of it at all times.

The monster was a quadruped– correction, a natural biped that walked on all fours for whatever reason. It had a single eye which was empty of a pupil and bloodshot at all times while its other eye was slashed out of its socket, leaving a nasty scar behind. Its body was covered in dull grey armor, except for its hideous face. The long muzzle extending from beneath a mess of greasy black hair had wicked teeth protruding from both the bottom and upper jaws, while its mouth was covered with stitches, as if it needed to be silenced. Three spikes jutted out of the hair crookedly, while a large pair of ears lay limply on either side of the row. Finally, a dirty grey tail drug in the mud behind it, and a pair of bat-like wings rested at its sides.

The creature never spoke, only growled and grunted. Whenever the beast encountered another Digimon, it usually resulted in death. Salamon was afraid of the monster, yet at the same time intrigued by it. How could something so powerful live such a pathetic lifestyle? It wallowed in silence, bathing itself in the blood of the innocent, slowly becoming a filthy abomination.

So, as the beast trekked on through a forest, Salamon, with her Holy Ring jingling loosely around her skinny neck hopped after it. She tried her best to be bright and cheery, despite the fact that occasionally the almost cat-like monster would glance back at her. They were both alone, after all.

Hours past and still the beast continued. Its head was hung and its paw-hands drug in the dirt, staining its once magnificent armor. The tan dog behind it suddenly twitched its noise, letting out a sneeze. Immediately the monster swung its large maw around, allowing its bloodshot eye to stare at her. Salamon cringed, taking a step backwards.

"H-hello, mister monster," she stuttered, her body trembling with fear. The creature turned around completely and sat down on its haunches. After scrutinizing the Digimon now, Salamon felt her pelt prickle with embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry, I m-mean miss monster."

The creature dropped back down on all fours and stalked around Salamon, sniffing her with her large, dry nose. The dog tried her best to contain her shaking and keep it to a minimum, but when a killer is right in your face, you tend to panic.

Eventually she withdrew and began to return to her original route, her back once again turned towards Salamon. The dog blinked out of confusion, then after a few seconds began to jog after the brute. The monster seemed to not mind having Salamon behind her. Perhaps she was all right to stay for now.

Darkness fell quickly, as it always does when your mind wanders. The creature had traveled through the entire forest and was now sleeping beside a large rock, the moonlight making her dirty pelt glisten grossly. Salamon, however, had not fallen asleep yet.

The dog stared at the beast, wondering once again why the powerful Digimon would choose this lifestyle. She was an excellent fighter, but at the same time she was a ruthless killer. Was it because she was a Virus? Or was it something else…?

Shaking those thoughts from her head, Salamon stood up and trotted over to the monster's side. When her single eye opened up and began to observe her, the dog simply smiled and curled up against her flank. Almost instantaneously a surprised rumble echoed from the brute's throat.

"You looked so lonely, I thought I would keep you company…" Salamon began as she looked up into the beast's eye. She blinked it slowly, showing obvious confusion. The dog narrowed her eyes with determination, showing that she wasn't about to freak out and not continue speaking.

"No one deserves to be alone, and that's just what you and I are. We've got nobody but each other. Now I don't know why you've been moping around and such, but it needs to stop! You hear me?"

The beast seemed to be taken aback by this statement, and she blinked her eye a few more times. Tears gradually began to collect on the side of it as a frown began to form on her lips.

"I deserve to be alone."

Salamon cringed at the deep, gravelly voice that came from the beast's mouth. It was to be expected – the creature hadn't spoken in ages. Before the dog could give her response, the monster continued.

"Do you know why you follow me around? It is because you knew me in your past lives. I knew you in your first and second ones, and now your third. You trusted me in all of them, so you feel compelled to stay with me…"

"Well, what's so bad about that?" Salamon asked, the answer only confusing her more. With a sigh, the beast began once more.

"Because I killed you in your second life. You… You left me alone… Everyone left me alone… I felt so sad, so abandoned that I drove myself to destroy both you, your friends, and… and…"

"And what?"

"And the Digimon that drove you and I apart without even meaning to… The male you fell in love with…"

"Oh…"

Silence was cast over the two of them like a blanket. The beast lowered her head and covered her face with one of her hand-paws, soft weeping escaping from her lips. Salamon stayed in the position she was in as she stared down at her paws. So that was why she followed such a terrifying monster around.

"What's your name?" Salamon inquired suddenly, causing the beast to look at her mournfully. Assuming the worst, the creature closed her eye and hung her head in shame.

"My name… I have many different names. In this form, I am a Demon. In another, an Angel. But the name that I am centrally known as... Well, that would be Virus Gatomon…"

The dog nodded, her suspicions confirmed. The Digimon was indeed a Virus. However, she was a regretful Virus, a creature whose actions troubled her. With a small smile, Salamon placed a paw on Virus Gatomon's shoulder.

"Well, that's a long name. How's about I just call you Onee-Chan?"

This was written just to get everyone in the spirit of Christmas, which is in four minutes according to my clock (That is, four minutes to midnight)! I know it may be hard to find in here, but the point I was trying to make was that on Christmas, you shouldn't be concerned about yourself, but instead you should worry yourself with the troubles of others.

Instead of focusing on the fact that Virus Gatomon had done such terrible things to her in the past, Salamon saw the deep remorse that the monster felt and decided to put it all behind her and give the cat just what she needed: a friend. So this Christmas, remember to put others first.

Also, for those who may be interested, as a Christmas present to you guys who read this story, I will take requests for the next few One-shots I type in this. Try to keep them appropriate for the rating if you do make a request, and make them related to the main characters. Sol does count, just for the record. You can put it in a review or just PM it. I don't care either way.

Oh, and for those who didn't pick up on this, Salamon is actually a really young Kazemon. Just thought I'd put that out there.

So drop me a review to let me know how I did (or leave a request)! Merry Christmas!