A few miles from Vamdemon's castle a group of eight Humans and Eight Digimon were sleeping. Six of the eight humans were sleeping that is. All of the Digimon were asleep while two Humans Taichi 'Tai' Yagami and Yamato 'Matt' Ishida were sitting around a fire guarding the rest of their group.

Tai sighed leaning back and staring at the stars of the Digital World. By now all the members of their group had memorized the constellations with help from their partners. 'Speaking of partners. . .' He thought turning to his little sister Hikari. She slept near Matt little brother Takeru she was holding a small worm digimon like a teddy bear while Takeru was doing the same with Patamon.

Hikari did not have a partner like the rest of the group did. When they first came to the Digital World they had all met their partners but when Hikari approached the only digimon who had not yet claimed one of them to be their partner she asked if she was Wormmon's partner the little Mon had sullenly replied that she was not his partner. This had distressed him at first sense Hikari did not have a Digmon to protect her if they ever got separated. But soon after their adventure began Wormmon promised to protect Hikari as if he was her true partner until they both found their true partners.

Hikari sometimes called Wormmon her Knightmon is shining armor. But she said that she knew her true partner to be a Guardian angel rather than a brave Knight. Taichi frowned worriedly as Wormmon shivered whimpering soundlessly. The Poor Digimon constantly had nightmares about never finding his true partner. Wormmon had been separated from the others for a short time that was how he managed to Digivolve to rookie before the others. The Loneliness of that separation haunted him to that day.

Hikari tightened her hold on the Digimon and shivered rolling closer to Takeru so that their foreheads met. The two without partners fell into a peaceful sleep as Wormmon's nightmares died down. Now they knew who Wormmon's partner was, the mysterious Ninth DigiDestined. They were certain that when they found him they would Find Hikari's partner. And Wormmon would be able to Digivolve for the first time.

Matt smirked watching the two youngest members of their group. "They are so going to end up together when they're older."

"I guess there isn't anyone I'd rather have her end up with the Takeru." Tai chuckled quietly before turning back to the night sky of the Digital World. "Hey Matt, How long do you think we've been gone in the real world?" He asked turning to the blond thoughtfully.

"I don't know we should ask Izzy tomorrow morning though." Matt shrugged. Tai nodded in agreement the two leaders sat in silence for a while listening to the wind blow tensing whenever a twig cracked or a tree moved.

Soon their thoughts drifted too their adventures thus far. Their adventures had turned them into warriors and forced them to grow up before their time. Never again would they be the same children that were forced into the Digital World by an unknown force. No now they were the DigiDestined forever bound to protect and fight for the safety of both worlds. Even when they returned home they would look over their shoulders and stay in a battle ready frame of mind. Never again would they be normal humans they would never be able to joke and play as they had before not when another world needs their help.

Life is short but for them it was even shorter before they even had a chance to grasp it their childhood had been robbed from them when the responsibility of protecting the Human and Digital Worlds was thrust upon them unexpectedly and without warning. Thus far they had triumphed they had lost they had sacrificed and they had grown not only as people but as friends as comrades as family. They were now nobler and more brave then others there age they were more grown up and mature then most hardened warriors. They had seen unspeakable things and even killed another living being. They were no longer children. Yet not adults or teenagers even. No they were chosen they were and forever would be The DigiDestined. No one nothing no event or action could change this. Even if they could it was far too late to try.

Suddenly a twig cracked more loudly then the other times this gathered the attention of the two Human guards. The two older brothers jumped to their feet as soon as it was head. Tai hurriedly put out the fire while Matt surveyed the area looking for whatever had caused the noise. Once the fire was out they awakened their companions who quickly snapped into a battle ready state of mind their partners in front of them Digivices in hand Hikari stood behind everyone Wormmon in her arms and TK standing next to her Patamon on his head. Then they saw them, a group of Meramon lead by a SkullMeramon coming towards their camp.

Tai motioned for everyone to be quite as he and Matt held a Silent conversation. Then with a confirmation nod of his head Matt began leading the group away while Tai and Agumon remained behind to ensure their friends escaped even if it meant their capture. Suddenly burning chains wrapped themselves around him he screamed but not one of agony though there was much of that in his tone, what he had screamed was a warning.

"Don't look back! Go get out of here before its too late Agumon can handle this g-!" He was cut off by the chains tightening the pain bringing the DigiDestined of Courage to his knees. Agumon cried out in protest of the abuse being given to his partner. Tai's digivice began to glow and Agumon Digivolves to Greymon. The large Dino Digimon breaks the chains holding Tai with his claw effectively snapping it in half.

Taichi quickly climbs onto the Digimon's shoulder. Greymon sends a Fireball at SkullMeramon the force of the attack sends the more powerful but smaller digimon back but it also alerted the Meramon to their position Greymon saw that he was at a disadvantage and quickly ran from the battle field. Once they were a safe enough distance away Greymon Digivolves back to Agumon. They began the search for their friends while avoiding the Troops of Meramon scouring the forest for them all. Tai sighed in relief when they finally find their friends in a cave. As soon as he sets foot in the cave Joe is upon him like a hawk their medical kit in tow. He drags the protesting leader into the back of the cave too inspect the burns.

"Joe I'm fine really there's no need for this! We should be saving those supplies for when someone else gets hurt, don't waist them on me!" Taichi protested as usual not thinking of himself one bit. His only thoughts are about his friends his comrades and his team as leader he had a responsibility to them and he could not let them down. If he did the cost would be dire. Joe gave Tai a disbelieving look.

"Tai you've got second degree burns and your acting like it's nothing!" The older boy snapped. Taichi glared at him.

"It's not! Listen Joe we don't know how long the battle against Vamdemon is going to take or who's going to get hurt. Medical supplies might be less hard to find in the human world but we probably won't have much time to stock up. We're low on Medical supplies as it is so save what we have left for the others." Tai said heading for the front of the cave sense it was still his and Matt's shift as guards. But Joe grabbed his arm to pull him back. Taichi winced as Joe grabbed him he had grabbed the part of his arm that had been burned.

"See! You're not fine Taichi either you let me bandage them or I tell Hikari how bad the burns are." The older boy threatened. Tai sighed in defeat. He did not want Hikari to know when he got hurt it would just worry her.

"Fine Joe you win." The Goggle wearing leader sighed and reluctantly let Joe bandage the burns on his arms. Tai looked around the cave and saw that Hikari Wormmon Takeru and Patamon were awake and muttering amongst themselves. Izzy was hard at work on his laptop Tentomon flying and looking over his shoulder giving suggestions every so often while Mimi and Palmon were half asleep. Sora and Biyomon were talking to Matt and Gabumon about something. Agumon walked over to Tai.

"Are you okay?" The Digimon asked worriedly sitting down next to the goggle wearing Human, His partner and the DigiDestined of Courage.

"Yeah just fine Joe's already seen me." He assured his partner that he was fine but the Dino Digimon did not seem to believe him. Tai sighs leaning back against the stone wall of the cave and began to assess their current situation.

"Alright everyone listen up!" He said a few minutes later. "It's almost morning so let's get a fire going and go find some breakfast and make sure everyone's okay. It's been a long night and we've got a long day ahead of us so let's take a break before figuring out a plan for when we get to the Human world." Tai ordered. The rest of the DigiDestined nodded in agreement with his plan."Okay then those of us that will go out looking for food will be Matt Sora Joe Gabumon Gomamon and Biyomon. Izzy Tentomon Mimi and Palmon will stay here and guards our camp while Takeru Hikari Agumon Wormmon Patamon and I will scout out the rest of the cave too makes sure we're alone." Tai gave everyone their assignments.

This was one of the reasons Tai was their leader he made sure everyone did their fair share of work and made sure that no one was doing more than they could handle. Matt's group exited the front of the Gave while Tai's group when into the back tunnel. Izzy and Mimi moved closer to the front of the cave while Tentomon got a fire going and Palmon went to check how much food they had left in hopes of making a breakfast for when the others returned. Mimi went o help her partner a few minutes later.

Note!

Okay thanks to lack of reviews I'm just going to keep posting these chapters.