Again, she awoke before dawn, rolling over on the battered but comfortable sofa Chuchidarumon had given her for the night. It made a wonderful change from hollowed out trees and blankets on floors. She made a mental note to demand her own room from Myotismon if she dared to be so forward when she got back.

Stretching, tail swishing, she rolled onto her back, tucking her paws behind her head. It was something almost delightful to be able to do now her arms were long enough, and her legs could lay flat.

Laying in silence, counting the hairline cracks in the ceiling, she waited until she heard Chuchidarumon move in the next room before getting up.

'Will you stay for breakfast?' he asked.

She shook her head, admittedly not having too much of an appetite this morning, probably due to nerves, she put it down to.

'I should be on my way,' she told him. 'Thank you for putting me up last night.'

'It's no worries,' he told her before quickly shuffling around the kitchen.

A few moments later, he gave her a folded napkin.

'Take that for the journey at least,' he insisted.

'Thank you, again.'

As she headed out, the sun was beaming in the sky, a warm, dry air lingering. It would be hell in this heat navigating herself back to the castle, she knew that, but she knew she had to get back. There might even be a chance no one had noticed her absence yesterday but two days would be pushing it.

Weaving her way through the back streets, she found herself at the town walls, stopping for a moment, thinking how easy it would be to stay here, live with the Chuchidarumon as their protector. It had felt almost right, comfortable even, to protect someone even if it resulted in the death of another. It made her heart ache, like something or someone was missing. It had been a long time since she last remembered feeling that ache, but she knew she was missing something in her existence.

'What could it be?' she asked herself aloud, sighing as she turned away from the town once last time.

'Excuse me miss?' a high pitched voice called from behind her.

She turned back, finding a young Chuchidarumon running towards her, a backpack slung over his shoulder.

'My mama told me to give you this,' he told her, out of breath as he handed over the backpack. 'As a thank you for saving everyone last night.'

She frowned as she accepted the gift, cocking her head at the child.

'What's in it?'

The Chuchidarumon shrugged his shoulders.

'All I know is, mama was up all night working on it.'

'Well, thank you,' she said, bowing her head.

'Good luck on your journey,' Chuchidarumon said with a wave.

Gatomon nodded her head, opening the backpack only to put the food the elder Chuchidarumon had given her in the top before putting her arms into the straps.

'Good bye, stay safe.'

She turned again, tucking her paws into the straps of the rucksack, drawing in a long breath and finally stepping over the town line.

Looking out over the expanse of forest before her, the walk back to the castle seemed daunting, but it had to be done. Whether she was punished, killed, or praised for her new state, she had to return. She didn't feel like she belonged anywhere else other than in the castle. She had things there she needed to do, points to prove, promises to keep, including kicking Phantomon's butt now she was the same size as he.

As she set off, a thousand scenarios played out in her head, resulting in her getting lost a lot, the morning slipping away quicker than she had anticipated.

Stomach rumbling suddenly, she sat by a stream, dipping her paws in the water for a drink before she sat with her toes in the water and opened the rucksack, unfolding the napkin next to her on the riverbank.

She was surprised to find, amongst the food, a folded piece of paper with strange lines on. Taking it and straightening it out, she realised it was a map, not that she knew how to read one.

Slowly, she began to understand it, finding her position by the stream, still a good few hours from the hill that Myotismon's castle sat atop. How had she travelled so far in one night as Salamon? She swore she must have moved whilst she'd been asleep.

At least the route back was pretty straight forward.

Folding the map back up, she delved deeper into the rucksack and found something fluffy at the bottom. With a frown, she pulled the item, or rather, items out.

She recognised the colourings immediately. The orange and gold brindle stripes of SaberLeomon's fur. It had been fashioned into gloves of some sort, his giant claws still attached.

There was a feeling of unease, knowing how these had to have come about, not taking the Chuchidarumon as the sort to skin a fellow Digimon.

She hesitated before slipping one over her paw. Even on the inside, they were soft, having been lined with leather or short haired hide. But still, even if killing SaberLeomon had been the right thing to do, she tucked the gloves back in her rucksack and tucked into some of the bread Chuchidarumon had given her, pushing the thought of the gloves to the back of her mind.

The rest of the day passed with no event, surprisingly the road she took was devoid of any other life forms, but in a way, she was thankful for it.

By nightfall, she had reached the base of the hill to the mountain. The way she approached was blanketed by a deep thicket, and she tore her legs several times on thorns almost as big as she.

Of course Myotismon would have something like that protecting his castle.

Having navigated the hill, she found a monned gate, a Dokugumon halting her in her tracks.

'Who goes there?' the spider asked, crawling from the cover of the guard room.

The small portcullis was lowered halfway, the spikes of the gate almost at Gatomon's head height. How easy it would be for Dokugumon to cut the rope holding it up and crush Gatomon.

'I wish to see Lord Myotismon,' she told Dokugumon, hoping her voice didn't betray her nerves.

'He isn't taking drop ins. Beat it puss.'

'He'll want to see me.'

Dokugumon's bottom set of eyes narrowed.

'What makes you so special?'

Smirking, deciding to push her luck, she thought of an answer.

'You mean you haven't heard of the master's lap kitty?'

Dokugumon chortled at this.

'Yeh, but if I were that lap kitty, I'd turn tail and run the other way if she found out that Lord Myotismon had vowed to rip her ears off if she was ever stupid enough to return.'

Gatomon bit her lip, glancing around, cockiness turning to doubt. Dokugumon's chelicerae pulled back into something of a smirk.

'But by all means, go find him, pretty kitty.'

She'd come this far, she couldn't turn back now. Taking in a breath, she nodded her head to Dokugumon and entered, ducking her head under the gate instinctively even though as she got closer, she realised it was at least a foot higher than her head height.

Finding herself at the back of the castle, knowing the kitchens were ahead of her, she slipped in through a side door, keeping to the back passages as she wove her way up and through the castle.

Finding his study empty, as well as the library, her next thought went to the self claimed throne room.

There were the usual Gazimon at the doors, who, after a glance between themselves, let her in.

Myotismon was sat in his throne, ankle propped up on the opposite knee. His elbow rested on the arm of the chair and his chin rested on his fingers.

Hesitantly, Gatomon approached, stopping halfway down the room to bow.

'My Lord, it's me, Sala-'

'I know who you are. I could smell you a mile off,' he interrupted in a hiss.

She squeezed her eyes shut, keeping her head lowered.

'Do you not remember what I said to you, when I showed you the kindness of saving your useless life all those moons ago?'

'Yes my Lord.'

'Did I give you permission to speak?' he roared.

She was shaking now, a cold sweat running down her forehead and the back of her neck.

'Unless I give permission, you do not leave the castle grounds. One absolute rule. After I gave you the run of the castle, after I bestowed my trust in you to make the right decisions without my constant guidance and reprimanding.'

She stayed silent, doing her best to still herself. This had been a stupid decision. Of all the idiotic things she had done, coming back was the worst.

'If it were anyone else, you would have had a pack of Devidramon at your heels the moment your feet crossed the outer walls.'

'So why am I any different?'

The words left her mouth before she could stop them. Daring to glance up at him, she found Myotismon at his feet.

'You want to be treated like the rest of those fools out there?' he asked, almost dumbfounded at her words.

'I don't want to be your pet. I don't want to sit in your office all day. I don't want to be useless and scared and I don't want everyone thinking I'm unable to defend myself.'

A thought crossed her mind and she took her backpack from her shoulders, pulling the gloves from the bottom and tossing them at Myotismon's feet.

'I did that,' she told him. 'I took on a Digimon five times my size and two levels above me and I made clothing out of him.'

Myotismon's eyes flickered down to the gloves but his expression remained stony and unimpressed.

'I want to be an officer, you promised when I digivolved-'

'I said there was a possibility.'

She stumbled, thinking back and realising he was right.

'And look at you. Still so small, and what of your attacks?'

She swallowed.

'I can defend myself,' she said through clenched teeth.

Myotismon let out a snort.

'Fantastic, exactly what I need in a soldier, even better for an officer.'

His sarcasm made her cringe. Why did she even think there was any point in talking to him?

'Give me a chance to prove myself,' she asked finally.

'You have had several chances. Each time you've screwed up and proved yourself unworthy and a disappointment. This week you have been the epitome of disloyal.'

'You sent me on a recruitment mission and I enlisted double what SkullMeramon usually drags back. I destroyed someone who openly opposed you. I've consistently proved myself in training with Phantomon. And I even survived a round with Piedmon!'

'Piedmon?' Myotismon spat, glowering.

She bit her lip, shrinking back.

'He was the one who told me to leave. He said he'd kill me himself if he ever saw me again.'

Myotismon took in a long breath, chin jutting out as he exhaled.

'You have far to go before I will even consider making you an officer. You have one more chance to impress me. Mess it up, and you won't have the opportunity to let me down again, understand?'

She bowed deeper, hiding a gleeful smile.

'Thank you my Lord.'

'Go find Phantomon, he will find you a suitable room.'

'Yes my Lord.'

She straightened and turned.

'No more leniency, Gatomon.'

Her eyes widened momentarily as she snapped back round to face him.

'How did you?'

As far as she remembered, she hadn't told him her new name yet.

'I know a lot more about your kind than you will ever understand.'

She swallowed, nodding.

'Of course Master.'

Again, she turned away and exited the room, throwing the Gazimon a cocky smile as she left.

As the doors closed behind her, she heard a curse on Piedmon's name and then something shattering. Shaking her head, she set on.

Walking the opposite way to where she'd come from, she headed for the mess hall, guessing Phantomon would still be in there after today's training.

She found the spectre sat at one of the head tables, paying her no attention as she sat down.

'Lord Myotismon sent me.'

'Of course he did,' he sighed. 'What does he want me to do? Hang you by your dew claws above a cauldron of burning oil?'

'Huh? No... You recognise me?'

'The air about you is still the same and probably always will be.'

'I smell?'

His shadowed eyes rolled and he shook his head.

'I am glad I don't have to burn you alive. The smell of burning flesh always makes me want Oinkmon and Babamon never orders any.'

'Even for you that's dark.'

'So, what is it?' Phantomon asked, pushing his bowl away.

'Myotismon ordered for you to find me a room.'

'About time,' he muttered.

'What?' she growled.

'Nothing,' the spook chuckled as he reached for his scythe which had been jammed between a crack in the stone work until now. 'There were rumours… if you catch my drift.'

'Shut up. And if I hear anyone else saying that crap I'll rip their ears off.'

Phantomon chuckled again.

'Well, someone's evolution came with an extra side of balls.'

She gritted her teeth.

'Just follow your orders.'

Phantomon sighed, nodding.

'Yes ma'am.'

'Why "ma'am"?'

'Well, you're a womon aren't you? Or was my previous statement more true than I thought?'

'I'm not anything. But "sir", not "ma'am".'

'Are you even an officer?' Phantomon asked, twirling his scythe between his hidden fingers.

Gatomon stayed quiet at that one, making Phantomon chuckle again.

'Well then, let's find you a room.'

She followed him through the castle, watching him deliberate over doors, tapping the back of his scythe blade on one finally, the door creaking open.

'Home sweet home,' Phantomon told her.

She looked in the room, grimacing. It was small, cold, with a battered set of shelves to one side, a small desk and chair opposite, and across from the door was a full sized bed, with a straw stuffed mattress.

'There's a wood shed by the stables for the fireplace. Enjoy.'

'Fireplace?'

She stepped into the room, finding an alcove with an ashy grate between the bookshelf and the bed.

'How do-?' she asked, turning to find Phantomon had already scarpered.

Shutting the door, thankful she now no longer had to stand on tiptoes to reach the latch, she looked up and around the room. It was colder than Myotismon's study, and had the same dusty smell as the library. She didn't even have her familiar blanket anymore for the sake of comfort.

There was a barred window a few meters above, but the glass was grey and she figured that even in the daytime it wouldn't let much light in.

Sitting on the bed, she found the mattress more comfortable than she expected. It might have been just because she was exhausted, she realised as she lay down, nuzzling her nose into the pillow, sighing as her tail wrapped around her.

Shivering, she did her best to ignore the cold, and soon found herself drifting into sleep, finding herself dreaming of running, calling out, desperately searching high and low for something she was missing. A shadow chased her as she searched, singing her name but still she kept searching.

She awoke several times that night in a cold sweat, tucking her tail tighter around her every time.

After the third time, she was almost tempted to go and demand her blanket from Myotismon, but the fact she didn't want him knowing she already resented her request for her own room kept her glued to her mattress.

There was only a few hours until sunrise, a few hours until she could go out and do… what was she going to do? She wasn't an officer. Myotismon hadn't made it clear what her role here was now. Was she a soldier? Would she train dawn until dusk with the others? She guessed she would have to swallow her pride and ask Myotismon later. Or now.

She was too restless to go back to sleep now, that was for sure.

Sighing, making up her mind, she climbed off the bed and headed out her room, making a mental note of every turn she took so she knew her way back.

It took her a little while, but finally she found Myotismon's study, standing at the door, every instinct telling her to turn and go back to her room.

Before she could make the decision to knock or run, the door opened, a disheveled D'Arcmon stepping out and half tripping over Gatomon.

'Hey!' they complained in unison.

Her neck and head scarf were both tucked in the crook of her arm and her bare neck had a crescent shaped red trench on it, two darker imprints about an inch and a half apart. A trickle of dried blood pooled in her collar bone and Gatomon immediately guessed what had occured.

'I said you can leave,' Myotismon's voice ordered from inside.

D'Arcmon glared back into the room.

'I would but your rat catcher is in the way.'

'What?'

Gatomon heard the chair creak as Myotismon rose, coming to the door.

D'Arcmon leant herself against the doorframe and smirked as Myotismon glowered down at Gatomon.

'You, leave,' he told D'Arcmon. 'And you, you had your own room for a reason. Get out of my space.'

'I needed to ask you something,' Gatomon told him.

D'Arcmon let out a giggle as Myotismon's glare deepened.

Quickly, the look turned to the taller womon and Gatomon cringed as Myotismon grabbed her wrist, turning her round and shoved her hard enough to send her stumbling halfway down the corridor.

'I'm not in the mood for anymore of your demands,' Myotismon growled at the feline.

'Not a demand I promise,' she said quickly, changing her approach for fear of ending up like D'Arcmon.

'Then what?' Myotismon sighed, stoney expression breaking and shoulders slouching.

'I… My blanket,' she said.

'Your-?'

He tutted, turning back into the study, returning a few seconds later with the balled up rag.

'Thank you.'

He tossed it down at her with almost enough force to knock her over, huffing and dismissing her as he did.

Deciding it would be unwise to ask anything else, Gatomon bowed and left, thankfully remembering her way back and tucking herself back into bed under the warmth of the blanket.

The familiar smell apparently did wonders for soothing her nightmares and she was able to get a restful sleep until sunrise.