Me: Finally, chapter 12! that took too long for my own comfort.

Davis: ooh! can i sing my turkey song?

Me: no. i'm saving that for my 02 fanfiction. but don't worry, Sparkles, only 38 chapters to go! (not including the epilogue)

Davis: i sill don't know why you call me that.

Me: and you don't need to know, either.

Chapter 12

I was filled with unmatched anger, hatred for Lekismon for callously wiping out an irreproachable being of its own kind. It was a Digimon like her, not deserving such a heartless fate for trying to defend others. And this Digimon was someone close to me. I would not let this go unpunished for such a coldhearted deed.

I rose to my feet, not feeling any physical pain. It was the pain in my heart that burned inside me, pain even through merciless revenge couldn't fix, but this pain didn't outmatch my loathing that was coursing through my veins. It was demanding for vengeance, and it would without a doubt get more than it ever desired.

Lekismon seemed to notice my aggravation, but paid no mind to it. In fact, she seemed to enjoy seeing it. "Oh, was the little child's heart broken into many little pieces? More can easily be arranged, I can assure you."

I tried to hold in my rage, but it felt impossible—it was impossible. "You…" My voice began soft, but then instantly, I lost hold on my fury, "You mercilessly destroyed another living creature! To find compassion for such an act is unfeasible! "

She laughed like all of this was all just one big joke. "All those unworthy of life lose it. For intervening with my plans, he had proved unworthy. Either way, no matter if he was here or not, he would have been destroyed nonetheless. And you, annoying human, shall be next."

I balled my fists and struggled to keep them at my sides. "I don't care what happens to me. But I will not stop until you pay for what you have done! For killing DemiVeemon—" I felt myself choking up. "—I will never forgive you!"

She crossed her arms and smiled devilishly. "That would hurt if I had cared in the first place. Though thanks for trying!" She acted pleasant in her voice, but I remained unfazed. "Ya know, at first I thought you little humans would be some sort of change of pace, but alas…" She cast me a look that said 'become more to my expectancy and give me, the spoiled brat, some worthwhile entertainment'. "You have proven to be as weak and demeaning as the rest. I am utterly appalled."

I shook my head, provoked by Lekismon's unsurpassed egocentricity. "Do you care about any more than killing innocent lives?! I've never seen such malicious a creature in my life, you vindictive subeta!"

Lekismon let out a small 'ha!' and questioned, "You don't care for any of the Digimon in this world, do you? It's all a deception created so everyone accepts you as one of the good guys here. You don't belong here, nor do you care about the things that do."

I completely lost all of my self-control with that statement. "None of this is a façade! I wish to help the Digital World in this time of crisis. I know that's what we humans were taken here for, to help fight the likes of you! DemiVeemon looked up to me as a responsible figure that gets work done! And now I'm going to take care of it for his sake! Execute!"

My D-Tector, by some unknown force, was pulled out of Lekismon's grasp and soared into my own. I held it before me and yelled, "Spirit Evolution!" I was cocooned in an encasement of blue Fractal Code, feeling the power of Gryphanimon combining with the strength of my own rage and darkness. "Gryphanimon!"

I glared at Lekismon. "How can I not care remotely for a being that I can become? Answer me that," I demanded, not necessarily meaning literally, but still not rhetorically. It was a serious question that I wanted some sort of response to.

She sent me a small grin back. "Hmph! This could turn out to be slightly amusing after all. Though now I'll have the chance to take your Spirit from you by brutal force!" She leapt up. "Moon Night Kick!"

She descended rapidly in attempt to wallop me with her leg, but I shielded myself with my wings. "Strike of Thoth!" I thrust my leg and cut into her skin deeply with my claws. I readied myself for another attack. "Strike of Thoth!"

She bent backwards and narrowly avoided another attack. "Tear Arrow!" A spear of ice was thrown forth and struck my chest. I stumbled back, shaking off the pain.

I cast myself into the air, readying myself for what my instincts told me was my most powerful attack. "Burning Oras!" I was veiled in flames that weren't at all hot to me as I dove down and struck Lekismon directly.

She stumbled to the ground, covered with bruises and the slashes I put into her chest with my claws reddening. But not bleeding, because Digimon didn't have blood. But I had to wonder if I did when I was part Digimon.

She was breathing deeply and hard, but it suddenly turned to an evil chuckle. That soon became a loud, maniacal laughter that echoed throughout the entire area. "I congratulate you, Warrior of Time! You have put up quite the fight, but you surely have not won. As the tides turn, so shall the tables of our battles. This, my adversary, is not the end." She then leapt up, disappearing out of sight.

I didn't bother following, as the last attack had taken much of my strength, and the chances are, she was going back to somewhere that had too many evil Digimon that I could not possibly dream of facing all at once. I was playing smart, making sure I was always in a good state to fight at all times. This world had too many things that were wicked to drop my guard for even a second.

I De-Digivolved, falling to my knees, panting. I decided I would not us Burning Oras unless it was a dire life or death moment. It cost too much energy to use without any reason behind it. I would be foolish as to waste needed power, throwing it away like it was of no use to me whatsoever. No, it could prove to be a great weapon.

"Well, then…" I glanced around, the silence getting to me mentally. "I must find everyone else. I would be a moron to stay alone…" I got to my feet and began the search for Takuya and his group, no matter how reluctant I was to do it.

I soon came to a small village, filled with people that claimed to be able to tell the future, tell your fortune, make you stronger by waving a stick in the air a lot, and Kamisama knows what else. But the one thing that really stood up was the demolished temple a ways away from all of the tents and buildings on top of a hill. I wondered what could have happened there, and who the hell Takuya pissed off this time.

I looked back and forth between all of the Digimon that were claiming to be able to see the future and considered it all just a load of kuso. The future is in the future, it can worry about itself without anyone else trying to see it before it comes.

I made my way to the demolished temple, ignoring the Digimon that kept trying to lure me over to them. I saw the entire area surrounding the temple was ruined as well, making me assume a battle had gone on here.

A Digimon with a club and Mohawk approached me, staggering most of the way. "Young human!" he cried out, "I am Shamanmon and I have met with your friends. The leader—" I assumed he was speaking about Takuya. "—has found the Beast Spirit of Flame."

I sighed in annoyance. "I knew that he was the cause of this…" I looked back at Shamanmon before questioning, "And I'm guessing that he was the one that destroyed everything…?"

The Digimon with the club nodded partially. "A familiar foe attacked with new friend. Warrior of Flame lost control and fled to forest."

I glanced at the pretty much burnt down forest before me. Smart, Takuya. If you can't control your Beast Spirit of Flame, where do you go? The forest, that's where! "Well, then, I'm going there." I bowed slightly. "Thank you."

Before I got a response, I ran for the forest. It was sudden that I felt so passionate about saving this world, I didn't know when that feeling of accountability for the Digital World had first started. Maybe when I saw how much better it was than the real world and then seeing it in danger and on the brink of being completely ruined. I just didn't want to see another Earth being formed from a place so perfect…

The forest was destroyed all around me, charred and cut down trees and the strong smell of burnt pine filled the air. Destruction. So much destruction. How, Takuya? How did you cause so much destruction? You always had such good intentions…

I figured this was more than just Takuya's doing, there was too much damage to the forest for just him to make. Gigasmon is here, I knew. He had readied his stance, took the chance he got of everyone's weakness. Evil did such things, strikes when you have nothing to defend yourself with, but so much at stake…

I soon reached a part of the forest that hadn't been burned to a crisp. Though I could hear shouting and an on-going battle nearby. That only made me sprint all the faster. I didn't want fighting, I didn't want destruction.

"Hey, you okay?!" I questioned approaching everyone but Takuya, and all who were present aside from Tommy were stuck in a large pool of mud. Everyone turned at the sound of my voice, probably all wondering exactly who I was speaking to.

I stood near the edge of the mud pool, momentarily taking in the situation. "Well, there's only a few guesses I have to how this occurred," I mumbled to myself, walking over to Tommy, who had gotten a vine to help pull them out.

"Kazuma!" Zoe squealed, as if it was some sort of miracle that I had gotten here. "Takuya is fighting Gigasmon! You have to Spirit Evolve and help him!" Aww, you care so much for the goggle-headed idiot…so if you care so much, get the heck out and help him yourself! I'm not going to take orders from someone like you.

A scowl was plastered onto my face. "I play by my own rules, thank you," I snapped back, making an annoyed look come upon her own face. "You should just be thankful I even decided to come." I wrapped the vine around my wrist and gripped it with both hands. "Kid—" I gestured to Tommy, catching his attention. "—when they get close enough, grab their hands and pull."

Surprisingly, I got a small smile and a nod. I held my stance secure and locked my position into place as one by one, they were pulled out. But when Tommy grabbed JP's hands, he was pulled into the mud as well. So then, Zoe, leaned over to help and ended up falling in as well.

I turned to Koji, who had a rather WTH? look on his face. "Please tell me we can just leave them here," I inquired, crossing my arms and reluctant to help them. In fact, I just wanted to turn and walk away without a word and enjoy the hushed, complaining-less serenity of the Digital World.

He shrugged, sighing quietly. "No matter how tempting that sounds…" He walked over to the mud pool and gestured for me to help. It was rather obvious that the extra work irritated him as well.

After a bit of difficult pulling and unwanted physical contact, we had resolved this presented difficulty and gotten everyone out of the mud. I sat down in the grass, rejuvenating lost energy from this demeaning struggle.

"Now we have to go help Takuya!" Tommy exclaimed, slightly pumping his fist to just below his shoulder. Apparently, getting his friends unstuck was some sort of inspiration for the small Warrior of Ice.

Him, JP, and Zoe began their trek to find the Warrior of Flame and I heard Zoe shout, "Don't worry, Takuya, we're coming!" as if he could by some weird chance hear her and get even a little reassurance by it.

I stood up at my own pace, seeing Koji standing nearby, not looking at me, but not exactly in a hurry to help Takuya. "Hey, are you okay, Koji?" I questioned, walking up to my favorite Warrior.

He turned to me, a tiny scowl on his face. "Yeah, I just didn't want to be grouped up with them," he replied, gesturing to the figures that had already disappeared into the wood.

I nodded slightly, understanding what he meant. "You're a wolf for a reason, Koji." I shoved my hands into my pockets and began after the other three Warriors in a walk. "Someone of solitude and independence. It suits you…" I stopped, turning back and casting him a small grin that was hardly noticeable. "…but you look better smiling."

His frown was morphed into a sweet smirk that didn't look fake, but with his skills, could easily have been without my knowing. "Are you happy now?" He crossed his arms and awaited my response.

"Quite." And with that, turned and continued on.

In mere minutes, we came to a clearing, of which I saw Gigasmon shadowed and visible Spirits emitting from his body. He was standing in the middle of a fairly large, circular break in the earth and before him standing a dragon-like Digimon colored with shades of red, gold, and white that stood easily fifteen feet tall.

"Who is that?" I questioned aloud, hoping Koji knew the identity of the unknown Digimon.

"BurningGreymon," Koji answered quickly, not even bothering a look at me when replying. "Takuya's Beast Spirit."

I shrugged, thinking to myself of Takuya's achievement that was actually probably worth some sort of credit. So Shamanmon was right. The goggle-head did manage to get his second Spirit. Controlling it pretty well. I'm surprised he was able to so quickly. Though he always did have a big head…

He leapt up and flew over to the Spirits, grabbing one. Bokomon said something about Gigasmon as he got another. He threw it to Tommy, who said it was better than Christmas and Birthday combined. Such a child…

"Now for Zoe's Spirit…" BurningGreymon flew over to retrieve the small, lavender, butterfly-like figurine, but just before he could do so, Grumblemon's form appeared and burrowed into the ground.

"No!" Zoe wailed, "He still has my Spirit!" What a deductive observation, kid. I'll love to see what you come up with next.

Nightfall soon arose, and the three moons, colored in a golden yellow, a sea blue, and a rusty maroon, shone brightly in the night sky. The stars glittered and sparkled like millions of diamonds as we stood upon a cliff overlooking the ocean of trees. All was quiet and tranquil, well, aside from the chatter of the other Warriors around me. It seemed like only Koji could truly know how to admire such radiant beauty, but he should know.

"Isn't that pretty?" Tommy questioned, gazing up at the moons that seemed like colored bubbles floating in the sky.

Zoe was next to reply, but in a depressed this-voice-means-you-have-to-feel-sorry-for-me tone that annoyed the kuso out of me and made me just want to walk up to her and punch her lights out. "Yeah, I guess…"

Takuya, at least, stayed on track somewhat, a firm expression pasted onto his face. That is, as firm as Takuya could get without looking like an idiot. Wait, too late. "C'mon guys, we got a long road ahead of us."

Tommy put on a somewhat confused look. "But wait a minute. Kaz, wasn't DemiVeemon with you? I thought you found him," he stated, making the exact statement I didn't want to hear right then.

I crossed my arms and turned my face away as everyone laid their eyes on me. I couldn't hold it in any longer, I couldn't keep up the strong façade. I felt myself welling up, and so darted away from their view. I heard shouts for me to come back, but I ignored them. The bandage was ripped off and the wound underneath was exposed.

Tears streamed from my eyes, blurring my vision. I tripped over something and fell facedown into the dirt. I didn't bother moving, I just let out everything then and there in full sobs. I couldn't bring up the strength to lift myself up and keep going, I didn't want to have the strength. I just wanted to lie there and die.

I heard footsteps, only one pair, approach me. A soft, honey-sweet voice soon followed, the words flowing like a gentle breeze. "Mirai…if you want to talk, I'm here."

I picked myself up, wiping my eyes, but more tears kept coming. I wrapped my arms around him, tear-staining his shirt with all of my emotions. "I was supposed to look after him! He was my responsibility and I let him down! It wasn't Lekismon's fault, it was mine! I shouldn't have taken my anger out on him in the first place and now, he's not even here for me to apologize! He was taken from me! I could have done something to protect him, but I didn't! I just watched as I let him die!" I choked up and couldn't get any more words out.

Koji's voice came back, comforting and light. "It's not all your fault. He was my responsibility as well, there was much more I could have done. You don't have to take all of the blame yourself. You don't deserve all that guilt."

I shook my head, inserting words in between loud sobs. "Yes, I do! I found his DigiEgg, and he looked to me to take care of him! Some guardian I am! If I was sent here to protect and save the Digital World, then some help I'll be! I couldn't even take care of one, little Digimon, so how can I help an entire world?!"

He lifted my head and looked upon my sodden face, wiping my tears with his warm, soft fingers. "You help just by proving that you care…"

Those were words I wasn't expecting to come out of his lips. Koji, like me, indeed was changing from being here. The cold, distant person he was had been overshadowed by this nice, caring figure. Maybe that was part of our purpose here as well. Not only change this world's future, but our own as well by evolving who we were.

"Koji…" It felt soothing to me just to whisper his name, knowing that he was right here in my arms, always ready to be of assistance when I was in need. "…Koji…thank you." I looked into his eyes that out-glistened all of the glowing enmities in the sky. They were filled with rich, amorous emotions that they had never held when I first laid my eyes on him. He had really changed, and I knew that I had too by just noticing that he had.

Suddenly, I heard voices calling to us, telling us to come back. I glanced at Koji and said, "Go, I'll catch up." And as he departed, I knelt down into the dirt and began to carve the lyrics, 'I used to cry out in the middle of the night. Baby, hold me tight. But there was nobody beside me when I opened my eyes. Now I've turned a corner on those days and nights and something inside me is changing. I think I might be staring over, and I don't wanna run.'

I straightened my stature and began walking in the direction of the voices. How they could ruin a perfectly serene night. I think even the stars are scowling at them. I made myself smile a little, just to lighten my mood.

As I neared, I saw a figure, easily distinguished as Takuya, waving to me and calling, "C'mon, Kaz, you wanna be left behind? Hope you're not afraid of the dark!" The last part, I was sure, was a taunt, and I was sure he was smiling, too. One of his most famous combinations, and after all this time, I should know.

I shook my head, not really minding whether or not they should choose to leave me. "Whatever," I mumbled, practically dragging my feet out of lack of inspiration to move faster. "You wait for me for what reason?"

Zoe crossed her arms and sent me a scowl that was easily recognizable on her face as the one she always used. "Hey, you gotta learn that you're part of the team, too, Kazuma, no matter if you like it or not."

I, too, crossed my arms. "Really? So now this is a hostage situation?" I questioned, putting on a scowl identical to hers, but still keeping my voice rather flat and emotionless. If they were going to capture me by force, I wouldn't let them take me alive. Well, unless Koji was in on it, too…

Zoe glared at me, her face inches from mine. "If you really want it to, then—" Takuya cut her off, pushing her away from me.

"C'mon, guys, don't fight. Save your energy for Grumblemon," he advised, as if somehow, by some, dumb chance he was made the voice of reasoning here. "Besides, we gotta get to Forest Terminal…That is, unless you've forgotten about it already." He looked back and forth between Zoe and I, as if he was seeing if we were about to pounce on each other at any given moment.

I put on a small, devious smirk. "I'm up to it, but is the little princess? Or does she need her little magical pumpkin carriage to take her there with her Prince Charming?" When I had said the last bit, I cast a glance at Takuya, seeing how he would react to my words.

After I had finished speaking, both Takuya and Zoe had matching, pissed off expressions plastered on their faces. It seemed as though they were on the edge of tackling me to the ground and beating me to death. Though, I didn't really have many doubts that they didn't want to. I convinced myself already I could take them single-handedly, but when I had persuaded myself, I didn't really think of a reason why they would do so.

After my reference to Cinderella, I heard Neemon ask Bokomon, "Bokomon, since when were cabbages made out of pumpkins?" I then heard a *SNAP* and a wail soon follow, signifying the use of the waistband.

"Not cabbages, you ninny! Carriages!" the radish-head Digimon yelled back. "Sometimes I wonder if you even think anything through."

Although everyone had stopped the argument to listen to the conversation between the two Digimon, Takuya was the next one to speak, "You think you're the stronger one here?! No one's ever seen you Spirit Evolve, and no one's even certain if you can!"

I shook my head at myself, thinking, Don't go there, Mirai. It'll only get you into more trouble…But of course, I didn't listen to myself. "Such little trust in me. You think guys are so great! Yeah, I agree, 'cause your Spiritual figures are so powerful! Shorty there turns into a baby polar bear, Jumpsuit turns into a beetle, the little princess turns into a butterfly, and what do you turn into? A hamster-lookin' thing!"

I heard a little bit of chuckling escape from everyone around me, aside from Takuya, when I had noted what Agunimon was based off of. I honestly didn't know what he was supposed to be and the first thing that came to my mind when imagining the Warrior of Flame was a hamster.

Takuya had immediately become hot under the collar, and I had no doubt in my mind that he wanted to kill me. "Just because you aren't sure of the form of my Spirit, doesn't mean it can't kick your butt!"

I grinned rather evilly. "You wanna test that theory?"

We both pulled out our D-Tectors, ready to start tearing each other apart. I would thoroughly enjoy this even, that is, if we even got to do it.

This time, it was Koji that took a stand. "Hey, do you guys really want to fight each other?!" We both gave a nod and he only scowled. "We have more important things to do than beat up on each other, so stop being dense morons and do what we came here to do!"

I was the first to concede and shoved my D-Tector back into my pocket. "Fine…" I sighed, knowing that the Warrior of Light was right. No matter how much I wanted to show Takuya my power by kicking the crap out of him, it wasn't the time.

I crossed my arms as Takuya asked Bokomon, "Okay, so which way to the Forest Terminal?" He put his D-Tector away, keeping his gaze completely off of me. I had to wonder how long he was going to be pissed at me.

From out of his pink waistband, Bokomon pulled his big green book. "Let's see now…we go…" He looked around and then suddenly pointed. "That way! We should arrive at the Forest Terminal in the late morning if we begin now, so chop, chop!" Okay, he uses that way too much…

I lingered behind everyone in the group, as we began our trek for the Forest Terminal. I stayed within sight, but out of earshot. Sometimes, I wondered, though if they were talking about me, like back home. Back there, it seemed like everyone knew me by one rumor or another, and all of the ones I heard were never true. People hated me for reasons I was never sure of. I don't know exactly when I started to lose my friends; my memory failed me that information. Just like I couldn't remember Koichi. I wanted to know what became of him, but at the same time, I wanted to know why I forgot about him.

Bokomon noticed my silence, since I didn't notice that he was walking right next to me. "Kazuma, my boy, what's troubling you? I know that you're usually quiet, but I can just see that you're wondering about something," he stated, as if he somehow knew me back and front, "Maybe I can offer you some assistance."

I let out an exhale, shaking my head. "I'm just a bit vexed about my life back home in the real world, Bokomon. It doesn't matter," I replied quietly, hoping the intelligent Digimon would just forget about it.

But of course, he didn't. "Well, it must be of some importance if it's perplexing you so much. So let's hear it." His persistence was annoying me; I just wanted him to leave me alone to my thoughts.

I crossed my arms, looking down at my shoes. "It's…more of a personal matter, so I'd rather not speak of it. You understand, don't you Bokomon?" I was hoping he would get the message that I didn't want to talk and disregard that I was around.

Before he could reply, Takuya's voice rang out, "Hey, Bokomon! Where do we go now?" He had a look on his face that said 'what the heck are you doing way back there? Get over here and help us out!'

Bokomon ran ahead and joined with the rest of the group and I followed, the darkness of the night seeming to close all around me. I arrived just as Bokomon said, "We just have to follow the tracks and it should lead all the way to the Forest Terminal."

Zoe was the one to answer. "That doesn't seem so hard. We got this far okay." Yeah, a train track. It's gonna try to kill us.

"Okay, then! Let's go!" Takuya began to tromp forward, but Koji grabbed the back of his shirt, causing him to make a 'guh!' noise. "What?"

"We can't just go walking out in the open with our guard down! We could get attacked and we wouldn't be prepared for it!" Koji snapped, instantly noting Takuya's unwariness. He seemed like the only one here that actually thought on his feet.

"C'mon, Koji, lighten up! Nothing ventured, nothing gained, buddy!" Takuya was being stubborn and ignorant, two characteristics that could get us all killed. And I didn't exactly want to be the one to take the fall for his rash actions.

"But have you ever heard nothing dared, nothing to kill you?" I retaliated, referring to me trying to kill him when something bad happens. And quite frankly, in the right situation, I would enjoy the homicide quite a bit.

Takuya gave me a hard slap on the back, grinning his head off. "Oh, don't be a stick in the Raremon, Kaz! We're Legendary Warriors, what could go wrong?—" Says you. "—Besides, with your temper, you could have the enemy shredded in no time!"

I mentally rolled my eyes. "Is that supposed to be supportive?" I grumbled, mostly to myself, since I then realized he wasn't paying attention anymore. Easily distracted, that was another attribute of him I despised.

He put his hands on his hips momentarily, looking about out our tiny group with a bit of expectation in his eyes. "Any more objections?" he questioned, his voice opposing the smile on his face.

This time I literally rolled my eyes. "Even in the dark he looks like a moron…" I sighed to myself while watching him pace back and forth like a general of some, demented sort. Honestly, I wasn't sure if he thought he was a good leader or just toying with the small minds of the majority of the group.

I decided that I wasn't going to pay any mind to Takuya and proceeded to talking to Neemon, "Hey, Lemony Bunny."

Even in the darkness, Neemon's cherry red pants could be seen in full color. "I can break dance!" he exclaimed, looking as though he was about to bust a move or two. I'd enjoy seeing him spin on his head.

I crossed my arms. "Well, then…Can you show me?" I was curious to know how this would develop, and if he was even any good. Though there was a little voice in my head that told me that he wasn't.

He started hopping around weird, like he was a dying fish or something, making these sounds effects to make what he was doing sound dramatic, "Dum daadaa brroom! Huchaa wahha! Fwaa!"

In his bouncing around, he just so happened to nail Takuya, knocking him over and causing his goggles to go flying off his head. It landed right before my feet and I looked down at them long and hard.

After a few moments, I bent over and picked them up into my hands. At that second, a memory from a few years back began to play in my mind:

"Check it out, Miri!" Takuya walked over to me, grinning his normal, sweet smile that always seemed to be pasted on his face. On his head, were shiny new goggles that reflected the light in my eyes multiple times.

I smirked back. "They're awesome, Taky! They look really cute on you." That was the time I both smiled and outwardly admitted things that I liked or enjoyed. Two things I mostly refused to do now.

My comment made Takuya blush a bright crimson, but then he changed his smile to a prideful grin. "No, it makes me look like a man!" he declared, balling his fists and gritting his teeth, though still smirking.

"Sure…" I walked up to him and took the goggles off his head, putting them on my own. I had a sense of pride wearing them. "Hey, now I have ski goggles to go skiing with!" I slipped them over my eyes.

"C'mon, give 'em back, Miri!" Takuya reached for the goggles, but I knew by the way he was beaming that he didn't mean it harshly.

So I took that fact to my advantage. "You're gonna have to catch me first, Taky!" I took off down the walk and who was at that time my best friend at my heels, laughing my head off the entire way.

He easily caught up to me and knocked me down into the grass of the park, pinning me down under him, panting hard. We were grinning back at each other, like always, finding enjoyment in our immature games.

"Hey," I began, "I dare you to kiss me." I was hoping he'd be grossed out by my words and get off of me right then and there.

But instead, he moved the goggles off of my eyes, letting them rest up on my forehead, and leaned down toward my face. His auburn eyes shined in the setting sun's light as his warm lips brushed against my cheek…

"Kaz! Kaz! You okay?"

I shook my head, snapping out of my mind. I looked down at the goggles still in my grasp, the same ones from way back then. I couldn't believe I remembered that just from holding them in my hands.

I handed them back to Takuya, sighing, "Yeah, I'm fine…"

FYI, Mirai and Taky don't actually like each other in the book, but they did in the past. Just thought that I'd mention that...Oh yeah, and lots of people asked me about the beach episode. Well, I'm not going to say anything about it, aside from saying that Mirai's cover will NOT be blown in that chapter. Well, anyway, thanks for reading (well, you must have read it to be reading way the heck down here) and please review.