[TK

I hit the desk with my fist. I still couldn't get into this stupid computer. It was getting the signal from their probes, but it wasn't printing anything out. I at least wanted to know that they were safe. I had no idea what I was going to tell their folks. There was a knock on the door, but I didn't really want to answer it right now.

"TK, it's Mackenzie-sensei." Patamon said.

I got up and walked down, wondering why she was here. I opened the door to see her standing there.

"TK? I didn't think you would be over."

"Is there something you need?"

"I was wondering if you were interested in spending New Years Eve with us, just like with the festival." She smiled so kindly… I couldn't hide it from her. I looked away from her. "TK? What's wrong?"

"They're… not here…"

"Where are they?"

"I don't know… We were attacked by two Deity Digimon and they sent them all somewhere, saying that they can never return to Japan."

She placed her hand on my shoulder, "They'll return. You just have to have faith in them."

"But they said…" I started but her look stopped me from continuing.

"TK, I know that they will return. Everyone will return much stronger than when they left."

"But they were broken when they left."

"Then this is what they needed." She smiled. "Our offer still stays for you. I can understand if you don't want to be alone right now so come over to my brother's home any time."

"Thanks." I tried to smile back.

She then took her leave and I watched her walk away.

"TK?" Patamon asked quietly.

"Yeah?"

"Are you going to go?"

"I don't know…"

"I think you should. There's nothing we can do here."

I looked down for a moment, "I better go do the thing I'm most dreading."

"Okay."

"I understand. They won't be coming home for a while." The Shuni's grandmother said after I told her that I don't know where they are.

"I'm sorry I don't know more." I looked at the ground.

"Things were getting tense around here," I looked at her, "This might be something that they needed. I had feared that their suppression would come out very violently."

"Why did you allow Tim to control them so strongly?" I had always been curious about this.

She closed her eyes, "Tim won't allow me to control them. Ever since their parents' death, he hasn't been the same kid. He once believed in the mystical world." I was shocked to hear that. "He was always bright, but his parents were mystics in their own right. My son, their father, was very strong in this. He could see the ghosts and his mother could host spirits. They never told him any negative story, but they did allow him to know what they did. He was able to see dragons when he was younger." I couldn't help but smiled. "Damon was much like his mother, able to host spirits. Nereida was too young and too much under Tim's wing to show what she was able to do. I have been teaching her how to tell someone's fortune, which has gone well."

"How did their parents died?"

"They died doing their jobs. My daughter-in-law was hosting a spirit, but that spirit had buried hate that was unknown. When the spirit struggled to take full control, she fought back. Her spirit had survived, but her body was really damaged that she didn't live long. Unfortunately, Tim was been watching and became terribly afraid of spirits. His father worked as hunting down rogue spirits. He was killed hunting down a very powerful one. They were so young, Damon and Nereida, that they can't remember their parents.

"Tim had told me not to interfere with his siblings. I guess he considered me responsible in someway for their death. He has never told me his reasons, but I listened to what he said because he threatened to run away with them if I hadn't."

"So Tim has been carrying unnecessary burdens all his life?"

"Yes, he has. He believes that everything has to be on his shoulders."

"So he never really learned to be a kid, huh? He had grown up when his parents died."

"Yes, so Damon and Nereida learned to be close. But I finally saw hope when they came to you." She opened her eyes. "They were all smiling and having just a good time that I thought that they will finally be able to put the past behind them."

"I think that Tim not talking about it with them has made them bitter towards him. Then, of course, the other will have to take a side."

"Yes, they had had many arguments, but none have ever been serious. I have a feeling that this fight isn't like the others."

"I don't think so."

"When they returned, they will want to work everything out. Tim loves them with everything he is. He would have nothing more than their happiness."

"Thank you for understanding." I bowed before getting up.

"TK," I looked at her from the door, "Never give up hope."

I nodded, "I want all of them to come back." I smiled before finally leaving. I was wondering why this was the second time that I was told to keep up my hope. It was kinda weird, but I couldn't really think about that right now.

Stan looked down at nothing. He was doubly worried since he has to worry about both Lily Dawn and Panther, maybe Ryan and Ceres as well. Since he knew more, I could explain what actually happened to them like I could with Mackenzie-sensei.

"I'll keep waiting for them. They have to come back home."

"I hope so too."

"TK… Letting you know that Lily Dawn was recently crushed. We found out that Apollo was really a Deity Digimon and it seemed like he wanted to use her in some way."

I was glad that it came out, but I could see that they weren't taken it like it was supposed to be taken. Apollo loved Lily Dawn more than anyone else, but I couldn't tell them that since it would reveal the story that Matt was doing, "I'm sorry to hear that. He seemed to be a really good person."

"I know. I thought she went for a walk or something since her coat wasn't here. Thanks for at least letting me know something."

"Everyone needs to know something."

"Then let me tell Ryan's father. I've known him longer than you have."

"Thanks… I need to get going. I still have two more stops to make."

"Right." He smiled as I got up and left.

Neon's mother understood and told me that she was going to tell Don's father about it. I told Ken's parents that he will be staying with me, since they don't know that he has picked back up the duty of protecting the Digital World. I figured that this was the best excuse I could give since they seem to buy this every time.

"All those went well… You're not going to tell Tai, huh?" Patamon asked.

"I don't really want to… Not with how they've been acting."

"Then what about Mackenzie-sensei's offer?"

"I'm thinking about it."

"I think you should go. It would do some good to be around them."

I smiled, "Okay, I'll go." There wasn't much else that I could do anyway.

The next day, I went to Matt's house. I was calmly looking around on the computer.

"What are you looking for?" Patamon asked.

"Anything. I want to see if there's something here that can help me." I had never looked through Matt's computers fully before, so I thought that this would be interesting. Ironically, this computer had a lot of his old music. It also had some pictures when he was performing. They were really good, something that I noticed that Kari can't do yet. I remembered that he had a computer in his basement that I had never checked out. I got up, "I'm heading to the basement."

"Why?" Patamon was taking a nap on Matt's bed.

"I remember that there was a computer down there that they couldn't really understand… or something like that."

"Oh, you mean the one that had those unexplained pictures?"

"Yeah."

He got up and flew over to my shoulder, "Let's go."

I smiled and went down to the basement. I turned on the light and I noticed the cleanness of the place, the computer and the bike. I uncovered the bike, wanting to get a look at it. It was green-blue, much like the car. I took a closer look to see that it was customized, much like the car, but I could tell that experiments were done on it. I also felt like I should know this bike, like it had some significance.

"I believe you're feeling the same way with this as with the car, huh?" Patamon said as he flew down to sit in it, "But I don't think that I've ever rode this before."

"I think… it was a gift… because the owner couldn't have it for some reason…" I placed my hand on the handles, feeling sad for some reason, "The owner spend a lot of time on this to make it their own."

"Want to see if you've ridden in it before?" Patamon flew up.

We both agreed, along with Ken and Wormmon, since the car was so familiar to us that we had to have ridden in it before then. I got on it and didn't feel the same thing as with the car. So I knew that the car was mine and this bike was Matt's, if that makes any sense. "I haven't."

"I guess that means that you just know a lot about it." Patamon dropped onto my shoulder.

"I guess… Maybe they really weren't meant for us… but given to us because the owner couldn't use them anymore…"

"You really think so?"

"I'm not sure how to explain it, but this bike feels like there would be sadness with it. Like it was a life long dream and now it can't be fulfilled." I got off and bent down to show Patamon what I meant, "These things here aren't supposed to be on this kind of bike. It's meant to go faster, but I can also see that it hasn't really been tested on. It's been driven… maybe once or twice."

"How can you know that?"

"I've been looking at motorcycles for a while for one of my novels and manga. I've also been looking at different cars for the same thing. With all these improvements, it seems to be in a realm of logic, where the car is more scientific."

"Wow… I think I finally know what Ken feels like."

"What do you mean?" I looked at him.

"I understand what you're saying… but I don't know where you got it."

I had to laugh, "Sorry." I got up and walked over to the computer. "Now let's see what this computer holds."

I logged on and went searching around. There were all the pictures and sound-bits that they mentioned in "One Saturday's Adventures". I also saw all the emails and I knew that Kitty was on the receiving end. So that has to mean that Diana was at this computer. That she was the one that used it to contact her sister. I guess they couldn't really understand it since a lot of it was cut off. I can see that clearly.

"Are these the emails that they mentioned?" Patamon asked.

"Yeah, and it was between Diana and Kitty."

"Who was using this computer then?"

"Diana was."

"Do they hold any clues?"

I started to read one that was pretty long,

"How can you stand him now? He betrayed you!" It was sent to Diana, this was at the bottom. "He didn't betray me. How can you say that about him?! Sure… he's with someone else, but that doesn't mean anything." It sounds like they're talking about Matt. "Of course it means something! I can't even believe that he's doing this to you, but you shouldn't have to face it! He's not worth it." It sounds like Kitty was pretty mad. "He's worth it. He's always been worth it. You understand this better than anyone else I know. You went through it before I have. Was it worth it for you to keep on fighting? How can you stand to watch him? You can see him slipping away and you're powerless to stop it. But I'm not like that, I'll keep on hoping. I'm not about to give up." Was this when Matt was dating Sora? "So you're just going to lie to him and to yourself? At least I told the truth so he knows my feelings. Do you not have the courage to do that?" I was wondering whom Kitty was talking about. "We have an agreement that we made a long while ago, before you were born. I can't blame him for anything he does pass that agreement, because that's all I had asked of him." Agreement with Matt? I wondered what that was. "So all he has to do is fulfilled that agreement and everything else is free game? What about your feelings? Does that now mean nothing? Does that photo now value nothing? Does our past with them hold no memories? You're much, much stronger than me. It's painful to see you like this." That seemed familiar somehow. That phrase "it's painful to see you like this" somehow holds something over me. "Oh, my dear, you have much more strength than I when it comes to these matters. You might not be too vocal in other areas, but you are in these." I just now became impressed that they can talk like this and know who they're talking about. "Thanks. Oh, I'm coming over, but I'll stay at my usual. See ya soon!" "Okay! Can't wait." And the email ends there.

"They can talk in code without knowing it."

"Why say that?"

"Because they never give a name for anyone whom they're talking about. I can guess at what they're talking about, if I'm right about the people involved. Diana was talking to Kitty about Matt going out with Sora."

"Oh…"

I looked around some more to see that there were documents that didn't seem to belong to Matt. It was a list of things to buy from an art store. It also had locations, but not of any art store I know. Though looking at them again, I can see that they were locations of an old art show that now is cancelled because they didn't have enough artists. I know that I wasn't interested in art when this was around, so I wondered why it was here. It could be that Diana or Kitty was interested in art so they attended this show. I wondered if Ryan had ever attended this before. Since I remember how Matt described Diana, it won't be that hard to find out. After all, how many people had silver hair back then?

But then I noticed how the pictures were taken. They were nearly the same as the ones on his computer. Not as in the same pictures, but at the same level. There is improvement, but only slightly. That means that Diana had to be really talented. I can only guess that it was her since Matt had the camera. I wondered what other things she was able to do. She seemed to be able to manage money and take really good pictures.

"Anything else?" Patamon asked.

"Yeah, I think that Diana was the one that took the pictures. I can tell since these are at a level that Kari hasn't even reached yet."

"You can tell that by looking at them? You're really good with your art."

"Thanks. Yeah, these ones are a bit better than the ones upstairs. That means that Diana is really talented."

"Yeah, that is talent. Didn't Ceres say that someone that can take a good photo is also wise?"

"Yeah, something like that. We don't know if she's wise yet, but we do know that she's able to handle a band and take really great photos."

"I wondered if her grades were okay. I mean, she seemed really busy so I wondered if she had trouble with it."

Patamon thought up something really important. If she was this good, what happened to her grades? Were they bad? Were they good? Above or below average? All these things we can't know, that or can't remember. "I wish I knew"

"Maybe in one of the emails it'll say?" Patamon offered as he flew to the bike.

"I'll see." I went back on the emails to see if any of them mentioned how they did during school. I happened to find one:

"I hate my school." Kitty started. "Then you should just run away. You always can go to his house. You know that you're always welcome there." "Oh, and I'm not at your place? If I run anywhere, they'll just find me. I'll be putting him in more danger than I would want. They would hurt him… Then there's Rini to think about…" Rini? That's the name I used in my play. "Who cares about her! You have very right to get out of that school. You shouldn't even be there." "But it's where I belong. I can transform like the others, so I belong here. It's the only place where I won't be thought of as a freak." "Has Rini been telling you that again? She's another thing that you have to drop like a bad habit." "Isn't that an English phrase?" "It is. Why are you asking?" "Oh, because I know that you couldn't have learned that anywhere." "Are you still going on about how we can pick up other languages better than others and that our grades are always top notched?" "Yep! You must've tried to speak in another language by now." "Sorry to disappoint you, but I haven't." "Then you must! It's a lot of fun just speaking it even though you know that you were never taught it. Not to mention that you can speak it like a native." "I do think that's interesting, but I'm not going to try. There's no need to." "Whatever you say." And it ended there.

"I now know. They had excellent grades and it seems like they don't have to study as much as we do."

"That sounds like Ceres." Patamon commented curled up in a ball.

"And Panther. Are you really tired?"

"Nah just bored."

"Then just look forward to tomorrow."

"I am."

"Well, here might be something that gets you up. They mentioned the name Rini in this email and it seems that she's the same type of character of the one that I made in my play."

"Really?" That got him up.

"Yep."

"So that is proving it even more that your memory is coming back!"

"I guess so, but I wonder why I'm remembering more and not Matt. I mean, if Diana was the one that held Virtue and Matt is the leader of this group, then why am I the one that all the memories are returning?" Even Ken has something of Kitty and he's not remembering anything from the past.

"You can ask Date-san tomorrow."

"I guess I could… Do you think he would help?"

"Yea, he has helped out before so why should this time be different?"

"That's a good point." I could only hope that this was true. In either case, another opinion couldn't hurt.

"We should get going. Don't you have to clean your house for New Years?"

"Yea… I can always check these out later." I shut everything down, including the computer upstairs before leaving for my own house to clean it up.

"Welcome TK and Patamon. Layla told me about the others." Date-san said as he allowed me to come inside.

I smiled as I stepped inside and took off my shoes. I just realized that this is the first time, other than when he was in the parade, that he wasn't wearing something western. He was dressed in a traditional wear. I wasn't dressed as formally, since I wasn't sure how he holds his parties. I did check up on the other Digidestined, and they were still recovering.

"You're earlier than expected." Lita said from the kitchen. "OH! I just remembered that I have something to pick up! I'll be back in a bit." She took off the apron she was wearing and went out the door.

"She's living with you?" I looked at Date-san.

"Not yet." He smiled, "You already know my house so make yourself comfortable."

"I thought you were going to stay "at home"." I smiled as I went over to the couch.

"Your home is away at the moment." I looked at him, then down at the floor, "Want something to drink or eat?"

"I'm fine… How early am I?"

"It is morning." He smiled.

"Has any of those pictures come back yet?"

"Not yet, but there is some improvement."

I got up and went over to one with Patamon. There was some color for one person, but the outlines of the others were still there. I walked over to the one that had one of his brothers and it didn't have color. Meaning that this brother wasn't remembering, but one of his others were. "This is a good sign! That means that one of them is remembering more." I smiled.

"Yes, it does mean that." He smiled.

"Hey, TK, you better ask him now." Patamon said.

"Oh, yea, Date-san," I looked at him, "I have a question that I want your opinion on."

"Okay, I am listening." He leaned against the wall.

"Yesterday, I was looking through my brother's computer when I discovered that I'm remembering more than my brother. What I'm remembering has some bearing on his team so I was wondering why I was remembering more than him."

"Maybe it is more important that you know than your brother right now. One person can not know everything."

"But it's more important that he knows since it's his group that this information affects."

"It might be a way for you to know that it does not affect that group as you think it does. If you are remembering, it might just have to deal with you two and no one else."

"But it doesn't just affect us. It seems to be bigger than that. You know the last part of the play that I wrote? That seemed to be something from our past."

That put a smile on his face for some reason, "Are you afraid of what you might find there?"

"I know that two people that Matt and I care really deeply for are there… His is much easier since the person he liked was reincarnated into someone that he likes now…"

"So the person you like might, or does, affect your relationship with Kari."

"She does…" Patamon went over to the couch and curled up. I went over with him and sat down next to him. "I like both of them."

"Your heart will tell you whom you love more." He smiled.

"What if my heart can't decide?"

"It will decide. Is there anything else?"

"Not really… do you need any help?"

"Nope. Lita is making the meal and she does not want any help."

"Then what are you going to do?"

"I was planning on reading, but if you need me, just call. Otherwise, you are again free to look around."

"Okay… Hey, did you ever like cars?"

He looked at me like that was an odd question, "I do like cars. I like motorcycles more, but I do like cars. Why?"

"I was wondering what kind of car to use in my next novel."

"Oh? Do you have something that I can look at or are you going to tell me the model?" He walked over to me.

I opened my backpack and brought out the photos of the cars that I was thinking about using. "The person that's going to be using it likes to race and has a daring personality."

He took both and looked at them. He seemed to be thinking over this greatly, more than what Matt or anyone else would've done. It was like he was going to be the one writing it.

"I would say this car, but there was a year when the model was really something." He pointed to the silver car.

"Really?" I didn't really do that much research.

"Yes, I will get you a picture of it." He walked off somewhere. I wasn't thinking about it too much, but I guess I should've since the people are really into cars in my story, though this is my first time including something like this. He came back with a magazine in his hand and sat down next to me. "Here." He opened it and handed me it. The style was a lot better than the one that I was thinking about using. "What do you think?"

"I believe this is perfect. Thanks. May I keep this?"

"Sure, just return it at some point." I put it in my bag.

"Is it okay if I draw while I wait?"

"Sure." He got up and went to the table. I brought out my art things for my manga and started drawing.

Lita came back after a while, but her presence didn't interrupt anything that we were doing.

"TK, I hope you don't mind not having something to eat until dinner." Lita said.

"I don't mind."

"Good." She smiled before returning to the kitchen.

Getting closer to evening, Mackenzie-sensei and Mina arrived. I put away my manga since I didn't want Mackenzie-sensei to know that I'm doing two jobs and I'm sure that Date-san didn't notice what I was drawing. Then later, his other friends arrived. They brought something for the dinner and everyone was talking. No one seemed to mind that I was here, and they also included me into their talks. I didn't talk much though, not really feeling up to it.

"TK," Patamon whispered, "You should probably ask Rowen about checking Neon when she gets back… or something."

"She doesn't want to see a doctor about it, remember?" I whispered back. Kento was loud enough so they wouldn't hear.

"Oh yea… But it's still a good idea, right?" Patamon had been doing his own research about human births. I could understand why, since he was fond of the baby Digimon in the past.

"It could be… But that's not what Neon wants."

"But even in the past they had someone stay with the mother during her birth-giving."

"Oh.. okay… want to ask?"

"Rowen?" Patamon spoke up, having everyone turn to face us. "Do you know anything about the delivery of babies?"

That seemed to shock everyone, though I wasn't sure if it was because Patamon was asking or the topic. "I do, why?"

"Neon is getting closer to the time when she has to deliver her kids so I was wondering if you would like to check up on her when she does."

"Does she not trust Joe or Ceres?"

"She trusts Ceres, I believe and I think she doesn't like Joe too much. But I think it would be better to have an actual doctor there instead."

"Okay, I will. Just call the hospital and ask for me. Better yet," he got out paper and pen, "I'll give you my pager so you can contact me." He wrote something down and handed it to Patamon.

I looked at it to see a number on there, "Thanks." I said.

"No problem." He smiled.

Later on, we had dinner. It was peaceful in the fact that it was refreshing and relaxing. The New Year's Eve dinner I'm used to is one that's really loud and noisy. I was wondering what the others were doing right now. I was hiding my sadness, hoping that it was working.

It was a minute until midnight. Everyone was excited, also getting me excited as well. I do remember around this time that something similar happened. We had to go around the world to take out the Control Spires that were popping out everywhere and sent all the lost Digimon back to the Digital World.

"Three, two, one, Happy New Years!" We all yelled. Kento cheered as he released some streamers into the air along with Cye. Ryo and Mia were passing around the wine they brought, and they allowed me to have some. Date-san was making a small joke about Lita having too much.

After about an hour, everyone went up to a guest room to sleep. I didn't want to stay so Date-san was willing to take us home. Though we ended up walking since everyone was out by the time he realized that the buses weren't running today. Patamon drank too much wine and was now sleeping it off in my hat and coat.

"Does Patamon like babies?" Date-san asked.

"He does. He was really fond of the Baby Digimon in the past. Did everyone think it was weird that he mentioned it?"

"Yes, since Rowen figured that you would be the one to ask him and not Patamon."

"He was waiting for me to ask? Why?"

"I told him what Neon told Layla. He was worried about her wellbeing." He smiled.

"You once told me that your friends couldn't be trusted… Is this an improvement from that time?"

"It is. How they act now is what I wished they acted in the past."

"How did they act in the past?" I was getting the feeling that this was going to be similar to what we're going through now with our friends.

"They were not too keen on the idea that I was leaving the group. I was not leaving as in leaving forever, but I did not want to live with them anymore. They also hated anyone that I became friends with. They even did not like my brothers too well. But I can see now that the spirit that took hold of them has left completely and they now care about the other people that I can bring in."

"That kinda sounds like what's going on between our friends too. They don't like the Neo group members, even though they don't know that they are the Neo group."

"So in a way, it is symbolic even if they do not see it."

"Yeah… Weird, huh?"

"I consider it interesting. I am sure that everything will be fine in the end."

"I hope so for Ken and Kari's sakes."

"Why is it not the same for you and Matt?"

"Because all I have is Matt… and Matt cares a lot about this group… he can leave our old groups behind and start over if he wanted… But Ken and Kari can't. They have strong feelings towards people there that they can't leave."

"So you are not attached to anyone there?"

"No…"

"But you have spent so much time with them, there has to be someone there that you are also close to."

"Well… maybe Cody…"

"You should keep that friendship strong. I am sure that Cody needs it more than ever."

"Why think that?"

"It is a feeling that I am getting."

"Oh… But I don't like how they're acting. The ones that are older than me, minus Yolie, know about this group and they know the reasoning behind it, and they still like the person the Neo group wants to take down."

"I thought that you were apart of the group."

"Nope, I'm just there because of Matt, Ken, and Kari."

"I bet that you are still an important voice within the group." He smiled.

I know that I was, but I didn't really belong there… "I don't really belong anywhere."

"Why do you believe that?"

I looked at him, "I don't belong with the Neo group and I'm leaving the other groups behind."

He placed his hand on my shoulder, "I know that you belong somewhere. I might not know where that place is, but it is out there waiting for you to come."

I smiled, kinda glad to hear that. "Thanks."

"You do know that you are welcome to stop by any time, right?" Date-san asked as I was walking up to my door.

"I know."

"Good night." He walked away as I went inside.

As I lay down to go to sleep, I hugged Patamon lightly and allowed the tears that I held come out.

When I went back to school, I was thinking about the weird dreams that I had. My first set had Don, Panther, Damon and Kari in them. They seemed to be in some kind of trouble and I brought up some old conversation that we had. I wrote them down so I wouldn't forget them. The second had Matt, Neon, Lily Dawn and Nereida. I was doing the same thing, giving them some encouragement through old conversations we had. I didn't even realize that I remembered them. I was kinda hoping that I would have the same kind of dream for the rest, but I didn't. Patamon and I couldn't figure it out.

Though my dream with Matt was different than all the other ones. His ghost came to get me, allowed me to watch as Matt was seeing when the Dark Being had taken over him. He looked like he was losing hope, losing faith in himself. I could see it in his eyes. Gabumon wasn't with him and he was giving up bit by bit. He knew that he shouldn't be, but he was. Once he was done looking at those and called my name, she allowed me to go to him. I encouraged him again, glad to see him. I didn't know why I didn't ask when I had the chance where he was. I guess it wouldn't have mattered, being a dream and all. Then he fell as the place collapsed and I just smiled as he smiled at us. I looked at his ghost girl, and she led me back somewhere before I woke up. That was seriously weird, and for that one, I wrote down everything that I told Matt.

I wasn't looking forward to today, either way. I mean, no one would really be glad to go to school, but now I would have to face Davis and Cody and the teachers. Tai had been calling nonstop since New Years and I just knew that Davis was going to hound me today. I didn't want to face it, since I wasn't sure where they were. I mean, sure, I dreamt them, but that doesn't mean anything. The only reason I'm going is because I wanted to know if the Deity Brothers were going to be here. If they were, I would finally have some answers. If not, then I can go to their place to see if they were there. Whatever is going on with them is staying on the computer, which I don't know why I thought it would print since we have to do that ourselves.

I walked into class with only a minute to spare. I didn't want any chance of talking to Davis before lunch. That would be when I would know if they were still coming. Our Japanese teacher was surprised that the others were here. I didn't know what to say in their defense, but was really glad that she didn't ask.

Mackenzie-sensei didn't even call roll. She looked at the room and marked down who wasn't here. She wasn't even asking how our vacation was, but she didn't start teaching something new, either. She was just giving us busy work. I was really glad that she understood.

"TK, if you want to bring your lunch here, you can." She offered once the others were heading off.

"I might do that.. But I need to see if Fuhai is here."

"Okay." She nodded.

I started to head to lunch, walking fast so I didn't have to deal with Davis. When I got into the lunch room, I didn't see him anywhere. I knew a few people in his class so I asked them if he was in class. They told me that he and his brothers were pulled out. They couldn't understand it, but they figured it had to do with the fact that they were transfer students.

"TK, we need to talk." I turned around to see that Davis was there. I could see it in his eyes that he was mad, "Where are Kari and Ken?"

I walked passed him. He followed and only stopped me when we were outside of the lunch room. "TK!"

"I don't know!" I got him to let my arm go.

"You know so tell me. Tai is worried sick about his sister and Yolie is worried about Ken."

I didn't look at him. "I at least know that they're okay…" I was hoping that they were.

"Then you know where they are, so tell me."

"I told you I don't know." I took off again. I got to Mackenzie-sensei's room and closed the door. Davis opened it and was about to say something but Mackenzie-sensei cut him off.

"Excuse me, but you're not one of my students and I would appreciate it if you didn't come inside. I have to assume that this is your lunch period so please return." She said in her stern voice.

Davis shot me a nasty look before walking away. I didn't want to think of what else he might be thinking since I have to see him once more before the day is done.

"TK, are you hungry?" I looked over at Mackenzie-sensei to see that she had a lot of food. "Lita was over at my house this morning and went a bit overboard with her cooking."

I pulled up a chair and sat down, "Thanks."

"No problem. Patamon, you can join us."

He flew over from my bag and sat down on her desk. She gave us some chopsticks, as if knowing that she had to do this. I smiled as we sat with her in silence.

"TK, take this." She handed me a pass as the others were leaving to their next class. "Just incase you need to relax."

I took it, "Thanks. I'll probably use it too."

"It's my free period so you can." She smiled.

I smiled back and went over to my next class. I never realized how much I loved my classes. All but one of my classes had someone I cared about in them. I couldn't concentrate on what was going on in class, thinking about tomorrow. It was really hard to hold onto my tears in first period and I would have to do the same for lunch tomorrow.

I went quickly to PE. I knew that I couldn't avoid Davis here, since it was a free day and all. I was just glad that he got out late so that he was forced to sit down for the roll call. The other two brothers weren't here, so I knew that they were pulled out. So after they complete their mission, they're allowed to leave. I was hoping that they were more loyal than that. I mean, they helped them out when Demeter was mad, why couldn't they stay and tell me how the others are?

"TK, tell me something." Davis said as we were choosing what we wanted to do.

"I don't know anything.."

"By the way, why aren't the annoyances here? Now that I remember, Tai also wanted to know where Matt is. Surely you know where he is, since he is your brother. Tai was really surprised that he couldn't get a hold of him."

I didn't say anything. People were calling me over, to play with them. I didn't want to go anywhere. I wanted to get away. I wanted to find them.

"Damn it, TK, I'm not talking to a wall. Say something!"

I walked over to the teacher, "Sensei, I have a pass to go see my math teacher for extra help."

He looked at it, "Okay, you may go."

"Thanks." I went back to change. Davis didn't follow me to the locker room.

Patamon didn't have to ask what Davis was asking since he could hear from where he was. "V-mon was asking me too." He said as I finished. "I'm glad that we're leaving because I didn't know what to say."

"Neither do I, Patamon." I left the locker room.

"Hello, TK." Mackenzie-sensei said as we came in. "If you want, you could stay at my brother's house. At least until they get back."

"That's okay, but thanks." I said as I sat down.

"Okay." She went back to what she was doing.

"How do you think they are?" I asked after a while.

"I'm sure they're making their way back to you. They're also worried about the others."

"But they were split up before this."

"Why?" She stopped what she was going to look at me.

"Tim didn't want Nereida and Damon to be with the group and it all just fell from there."

She nodded, "I'm sure that it wasn't anything that a good talk wouldn't cure. I'm sure you'll see a different side to them when they come back."

"I hope so." I rested my head on the desk that I was sitting at. The bell rang then.

"Keep the pass. Incase tomorrow proves more of a challenge." She smiled at me.

I smiled back, "Okay." I got up and left.

After getting something to eat, I went home. Tai and Agumon were standing down the walk way that I take to get to my house. I wanted to go around him, but Sora and Biyomon was there on his right and Izzy and Tentomon were on his left.

"TK, we need to talk." Tai said in a firm voice.

I held Patamon in my arms as I started to back up.

"You're not going to go anywhere, TK." I heard Mimi say behind me. I looked to see that she, Palmon, Joe, Gomamon, Yolie, Hawkmon, Cody, Armadillomon, Davis and V-mon were all there. They had us surrounded.

"Tell us where the others went." Tai said as their Digimon took a step forward.

I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I couldn't even understand why they were doing this. It was like some nightmare that wasn't getting any better or not allowing me to wake up.

"I'm telling you I don't know where they are. I wish I did." I wanted them to get away from me. I didn't want to attack them. Sure, I couldn't trust them, but that doesn't mean that I want to hurt them.

"You know where they are, so tell us." Sora said. "Why do you want to keep something like this from us?"

"I'm not keeping anything from you! I don't know where they are! Believe me."

"Agumon." Tai said in the coldest voice I have ever heard him use. Agumon was powering up for his attack.

"Pepper Breath!" He yelled as he launched it. I moved away from it. Once it passed, I knocked down Cody and Armadillomon to get out of their attack circle and took off. They ran after me, their Digimon attacking us. I wouldn't allow Patamon to fight, so I had to believe that I could out run them. I needed a safe place to hide from them. I needed a place where they couldn't find me.

I didn't know how I ended up at Date-san's dojo. I don't even know if he was in there. I didn't know how I lost the others, but I ran to where his class would be. I opened it to see that he was there, sitting where he always does. I dropped everything on me, including Patamon, and ran to him. I collapsed onto him, burying my head into his stomach and wrapped my arms around him as I cried.

He placed his arms around me and I was really afraid that he would shun me too. "Class, that's it for today. You may all leave early today."

I heard his students doing so as if it was something normal. Once they were all gone, I tighten my grip. I cried even more as he placed a comforting hand on my head.

I started to open my eyes, noticing that I wasn't with Date-san, but in one of his beds.

"TK?" Lita asked. I looked to see that she was holding Patamon. "How are you feeling?"

"What happened?"

"You fell asleep on Date-san." Patamon said, "I told him what happened as we were waiting for Mackenzie-sensei. Once they got you here and Mina came over, they three left to go do something."

"Do you know what they're doing?" I looked at her.

"I don't. Would you like something to eat?"

"No.. I'm fine…"

"Is he up?" Date-san asked as he came into the room. He smiled at me, "How are you feeling, TK?"

"I'm good. What did you do?"

He walked over to me, sitting on the bed, "I went to go find your friends."

"Why?" I was wondering if he found them.

"I wanted to talk to them."

"Did you find them?"

"Yes, and I think that I gave them a good lecture. TK, I know that you did not need that and I doubt that they will stop."

I looked away from him, knowing that he was right. "I know…"

"You are welcome to stay here until they come back. I also mean that you do not have to go to school. It is completely understandable."

"Can I think about it?"

"Of course. Lita, let us leave them alone."

She nodded as she placed Patamon on the bed and they walked out.

"TK, why did you not take it?" Patamon looked at me.

"I wanted to know what you think."

"I say that you should. It would be better than having Davis know where to find you. No one else knows of Date-san or this place and Mackenzie-sensei won't tell them anything."

"Okay… Then we'll stay."

"I'll go let them know that we are and what to get from your house." Patamon flew away.

I turned over, wishing that they would just come back. They don't realize how much I'm feeling alone right now. I never realize how much I needed them, but I did.

The next morning, Date-san was cooking breakfast. I looked at the time, seeing that he should've been at work right now.

"Good morning, TK and Patamon. Would you like something to eat?"

"I would!" Patamon flew over to him and started to request things as he got the things to make them. "Well, ask for something." Patamon looked over at me.

I found it funny that he was the one telling me to do something. "Why aren't you at work?"

"You work this early in the morning?" Patamon looked at Date-san. I kinda thought it was funny how comfortable Patamon was around them. He was on Date-san's shoulder and yesterday he was in Lita's arms.

"I normally do because Layla has to drop me off." He smiled, "But I let them know that I could not make it in today."

"Why?"

"I had some difficulties this morning so I thought it was better if I stayed home today."

"What kinds of difficulties?" I asked, "You mean with your leg?"

He looked like he wanted to hide that fact, "Yes, it is nothing serious, though. Oh, and did you two check to see if we got all the right things from your home?"

"You did." Patamon answered. I feel asleep when Patamon left so I didn't even notice that they had gotten them.

"Thank you for your trouble." I said.

"It is no trouble at all." He smiled, "You can use that room until they get back. So, what would you like this morning?"

I went over to the table and sat down, "The same thing that Patamon is having." I smiled.

Patamon came back over to me as he started making our breakfast.

Once done, he sat down with us as we ate it together. After that, I started to organize the room so that it didn't look like a mess if someone were to come over. Patamon was staying with Date-san. I didn't find it a bother, but I did think it odd that Patamon was so comfortable around him. I guess we never allowed them to have that chance with many people because we've always kept them to ourselves, never allowing anyone else to know about them.

But still, we've only met them a few times and it seems nearly natural that Patamon can be so close to them. I looked out of the window here, and noticed that it faced the forest. I wondered how Matt could change the password so quickly. He only went up once, and it wasn't that long for him to do anything to it. It takes a while for them to start up. I wondered how he was doing.

I'm also worried about Ken and Kari. They're still recovering from their side effects. No one, but me, could read Ken clearly. I could even read how much he does hide. It's not like he's out-spoken, but he doesn't like to complain much either. I figured it was due to the fact that he thinks that he still needs to atone for what he did as the Digimon Emperor. Kari is normally shy and meek, but without her eyesight, she's even more because she's uncertain.

The others were relatively okay. Even though Ceres looked like she gotten through some major improvement, it didn't shake anything else. I lay down on the bed, wondering how the others were fairing. When I saw them in my dreams, they all needed help. They all needed something and I gave it to them a long time ago. It wasn't as if I had planned on it or anything. But when they were facing whatever they were facing, I remembered something that I once said to them. I haven't seen Ken, Tim, Ryan or Ceres in my dreams yet, but I have a feeling that I will. Maybe if I see them, I'll get to know where they are.

I looked at a picture of Neon and Don's wedding. Neon was out there somewhere and she's getting closer to when she needs to deliver. I know that she wanted this to be as natural as possible, but she could be put under some stress that could make things difficult for her. If she's not careful, she could end up delivering wherever she is.

"TK, want lunch?" Patamon asked as he came into the room.

"Sure." I smiled at him as I got up. He came to my shoulder and we headed down.

After lunch, I went back up to the room. Patamon was learning how to play chess, not doing too bad in it either. I opened my cell phone, noticing that tomorrow was Saturday. I sighed as I closed it back up. It was going to be boring since Date-san has to go back to work.

I then started to wonder why he had always been there for us when we needed some help. I even wondered why I cared about him so much. I mean, I wasn't even the first person to meet him and yet I can't seem to pull away from him. It's not like he's pulling us in, but there seems to be something about him. He cares a lot about the people around him, but I don't understand why. I don't understand him too well, and yet he's the only person I can run to. I ran to him when my friends were attacking me.

And I don't even know what made them do that. It was totally out of the blue and unlike them. I don't even understand why their Digimon went along with it. They didn't look like they were confused. It was all clear on their part. They not only wanted information that I didn't have, but they also wanted to hurt me. Or maybe they were willing to hurt me if they couldn't get it.

If the others were here, would they stand for that? Would Ken and Kari still be willing to be around them? Though, if they were here, then that wouldn't have happened. They made it seem like I didn't care about them, that they were the only ones that did. I don't know why they would think that, but I didn't care. I missed them more than anyone else right now.

I started to feel something shaking my shoulder. I was on the bed and didn't even notice that I had fallen asleep. I turned to see Date-san smiling at me, "I thought that you might want some dinner."

"They're going out to eat." Patamon added, who was on his shoulder.

"I'm not too hungry. Patamon, you can go if you want."

Date-san didn't change his smile, "Goodnight then. I will keep Patamon safe for you." He pulled over the covers for me, before they left the room.

I didn't even know why I didn't argue against him doing that. I also found that I wanted him to treat me like Matt would if I was sick. He would tuck me in and kiss my forehead like a father or something. I also found comfort in that, especially after our parents died. I don't even know why we couldn't live together afterwards. We did until I was able to pay for my own place. Matt didn't mind at all, as if somehow understanding that this is what we needed to do.

I don't understand how it could be something we needed. We still need each other. We were all we have left in the world. I mean, when I wanted to be with someone, I would always go over to his house. I normally went back there. I don't understand why I wanted to move away from him.

I then started to think about Ken. He normally tried to come with us. I would sometimes allow him if I thought it was okay. And now, it seems like I get angry if Matt pays attention to him. I know that Matt is just being himself and Ken is just being himself, but I don't like it. I don't really want to share Matt with other people. Even with Panther and Ceres, there's some tension that I know I have with them. It's like an itch with them and a scratch with Ken. The others are good at keeping their distance from Matt.

And I found comfort knowing that Panther and Ceres stay to themselves when Matt's not here. While he was in space, you could see how close they were getting. It was like they were sisters or something. They still have some secrets they keep, but for the most part, they're open with each other. Though, when Panther got sick during school and Matt came rushing over to her side, I couldn't help but feel jealous. I found myself half wishing that I got that worried over everything so Matt would be by my side, like he had always been. I don't want him to move away from me.

"TK, you shouldn't stay up in the room all day." Patamon said when I got back from taken a shower.

"Why?" I started to change.

"You just shouldn't. It's saying to Date-san that you don't care for his company."

"I don't mind his company…" I sat down on the bed.

"But you need to do more than think all day." Patamon was on the pillow.

"I can see that you're not as worried about them as I am."

"Because I know that they have their Digimon with them. They're not alone and I know that they're going to come back."

"But how can you be sure? Aphrodite said that they won't be able to."

"When has that stopped us before?" Patamon smiled, "We have done impossible things before."

There was a knock at the door. "It's open." I announced.

Date-san came inside with a smile, "Are you hungry?"

I don't know why I was finding that his kindness was annoying. I know that I should be grateful for it because I know of other people that wouldn't take the time to really care. "Not really."

Patamon pulled on my arm, pulling me down the stairs, "I thought you would be better than that." He said as he did so.

"What's up with you?" I asked as I tried to pull my arm back, but it wasn't working. I never knew that he was this strong.

"You're being rude to Date-san. All he's trying to do is cheer you up and you're just firing it all back to his face."

"Oh, so he stayed home because of us, is that what you're saying?" I finally got him to stop pulling me, "I'm grateful and all but…"

"But what? You don't want to cheer up? You don't want to stay here?" Patamon asked angrily.

"I want my brother back. It seems like Date-san is trying to replace him."

"Oh, so that's who you're worried about the most. And here I thought it was for everyone."

"I'm worried about everyone else."

"Would you be happy if only Matt came back?"

"I would be and I know we would have a better chance of finding the others."

"What about if Ken came back?"

I didn't know what to say to that. Somehow, I couldn't give Patamon the correct answer. I wanted to say, 'I would be, but not as much as if Matt came back'. That goes with all of them. I would be happy if all of the returned individually, but then I would still long for Matt to return. Had I always felt this way?

I ran into the nearest room, not caring what it was. I locked it, not knowing why I didn't want to speak to Patamon anymore. I noticed that I was in his private dojo before sliding down the door, crying softly to myself as I did.

I opened my eyes, seeing that I was back in the room. I looked over, seeing that Date-san was there. I didn't see Patamon anywhere. He was looking at the picture of me and Matt when I first started high school. We were having a blast that day because we did things that we wanted to do. We didn't care how much it cost or anything. It was a day just for me and him.

"It is hard to keep on believing when it seems like you have lost everything." He set it down, as if knowing that I was awake because he didn't turn to look at me. "I am sorry if my kindness was overwhelming for you." He looked at me.

"Where's Patamon?"

"He is fighting in the dojo. He could not think of any other way to get out the anger he was holding in." He sat down on the bed, "He was worried that you were not allowing yourself to believe. He was telling me of the time when you two had other fights. Your first one mirrors this one slightly, so it must have hurt when Tai attacked you."

I was surprised that Patamon had told him about it. I looked away from him, realizing that it did. It hurt when they didn't come up to me saying that they were willing to help me look for them. If I had their help, maybe they could come home faster.

"And your second fight mirrors this one too, because you got angry at him when you wanted to be with your brother a little longer."

That was true too, since we were talking about him.

"But in both accounts, Patamon has seen you when you are alone and when you are with Matt. He knows how strong you want to appear and he knows how sensitive you are about your brother. I am willing to bet that Patamon has seen those reappear when they left. He is worried about you because he can see that you were hurting when they did not help. So now, you feel even more alone than you have ever felt in your life." He placed his hand on my leg, "But you still have Patamon with you right now. I am sure you have other people you can turn to if you ever needed the help. It might not seem like it, but you are not alone."

I gripped the sheet. I knew that I was alone, but somehow, hearing him telling me that I wasn't was comforting. I didn't want to be alone. I got up and hugged him, as if he was my brother, as if he was Matt, and cried on him. He hugged me, like a brother would, and allowed me to cry on him. I didn't understand why he could bring me comfort when hardly anyone could. When Matt goes up to space, leaving me on Earth, I stay to myself a lot. I only allowed Ken or Kari to stay near me; Cody as well, when I couldn't avoid it.

But I couldn't understand why I was allowing him to get close to me. I figured that I was pushing Patamon away because I didn't want him near me either. I didn't want to depend on anyone else but Matt, and yet, I'm dependent on Date-san. I needed him near me for some reason.

"Why do not you spar with Patamon? Sometimes, fighting makes everything clearer." Date-san offered once I calmed down.

I nodded, knowing that I should say sorry at least. We got up and he brought me over to him. I noticed that the dojo was a lot heavier, realizing that the gravity machine was on. Patamon wasn't doing half bad either.

I walked in without staying a word. I didn't want to say anything as Patamon looked at me. I looked at the weapons that were out and grabbed one. Patamon smiled as he picked up another. We took a stance and went at each other.

After we had fun fighting each other, we took a bath together.

"I'm sorry Patamon." I said as I hugged him.

"It's okay." He smiled. "Just come out of the room okay?"

"I will… I guess we should practice during the day. After all, his dojo is a bit better than Matt's." I smiled back.

"Yeah! We should see if we can get that in Matt's."

"Where did you go for dinner yesterday?" I was curious.

"Oh, we went to this really great restaurant that Kento knows!" He said excitingly, "And the food there was really good! It was Date-san and his friends that went. They didn't seem to mind that I was there and I did join in their conversation. They did ask about you."

"Where there other people there?" I was wondering why they allowed Patamon to talk when there was a possibility that he could be discovered.

"Yeah. The place was full."

"Date-san promised to keep you safe."

"He did… What's wrong?"

"Why did you talk when others were around?"

"… Oh, you're right… I don't know why. They started asking me direct questions and I kinda just forgot. I'm sorry."

I then knew that there was something up with Date-san. He should've known that we don't' want our Digimon to be discovered. He had seen it before many times. Patamon knew that he shouldn't talk when in such a high risk. "Was he hiding you from other's view?" That was the only way that we would allow it.

"Not really.. I mean, he allowed me to stay on his shoulder and gave me food to eat while there."

There was a knock at the door before I could decide what I should do. "TK, there is a guy here looking for you. He says his name is Seto Kaiba."

"How did he know where I was?" I asked.

"I am not sure. Do you want to see him?"

"Yeah! We'll be out in a moment."

"Okay."

We got out of the bath and dried off quickly. I went into the room to get on something else. I remembered that Kaiba was really smart and had a huge network that we could use to find them. Not only that, but he was also with Matt when he went to the conference and I never got to find out why. I figured that Matt went to go see him, but I don't understand why.

When we got downstairs, Kaiba was at the table and Date-san was making tea. Kaiba seemed ticked off for some reason. "How did you know where I was?" I asked as I went over and sat down.

"I called your cell earlier and I got him instead." It was now clear that Kaiba didn't like Date-san, but Date-san wasn't giving off what he thought of Kaiba. "Why are you here?"

I started to tell him what happened to the others and also that my own friends had attacked me. This was the only place that I could be where they couldn't find me. When I told Kaiba that they had disappeared, he seemed really stressed, but didn't show it too much as he listened to the rest of it.

"Did Matt get any tea before he left or some rest?" Kaiba asked when I was done.

"No because he wanted to hear what was going on… The group was broken by the time he got back home." I looked at the table.

Kaiba hit the table. I looked at him, seeing that he was more stress than I was. "Do you have any idea where they were sent to?"

"I don't… what's wrong? Was something wrong with Matt?"

He looked like he didn't want to mention it, "He came over to my office when he returned at my request… He didn't look well so I had him promise that he would get some rest."

"Kaiba-san, you're not telling me something. What is it?"

"I promise that I wouldn't say." Kaiba was clearly stressed out. He hid his face with his hands.

Date-san brought over the tea, "He was really ill, was not he?" Kaiba looked at him. "You are worried about whatever he told you in your office or what you saw happened to him while he was there. You saw how ill he really was, knowing how he was playing it off as something not as serious. Matt did not want the others to worry about him, because he believed that he could get through it on his own, like he always does. I believe that Matt wanted to keep his promise to you about making sure that he got better, but circumstances did not allow it. He has a lot of pride in himself and he feels that he has a lot more on his shoulder than he really does. He would be grateful that you kept your promise of silence, but this is his brother, who is worried about him just as much as you are. I am sure that Matt is getting well, so he will be fine when he returns, but TK needs to know."

I was impressed by Date-san right there. I couldn't figure out why he was coming in, giving Kaiba such a lecture. I looked at Kaiba, seeing that he was moved too. He also seemed surprised. "Matt was sick. He told me that he had to use some powers of the Jewels to keep everyone safe. He had used Friendship, Kindness, Courage, and Reliability. As he was leaving, he was coughing up blood."

I couldn't believe it. He had used the powers while there. No wonder he was so sick and no wonder he looked so tired.

"But there is something else too, is not there?" Date-san asked. "Something you fear to believe."

"How can you know?" Kaiba got defensive quickly.

"You mentioned tea. I only know of one case where tea was used to heal someone, and that case was odd indeed, and it was not an afterthought, it was the first thing you thought up."

Kaiba didn't seem to like to be read so easily.

"It's okay, Date-san. I understand why Kaiba-san mentioned it." Date-san looked at me before nodding. "Did he tell you about it?" I looked at Kaiba, knowing that he knew about the demon within him.

"Yeah, which is why I'm worried. He told me that he needs two cups of tea each day and he had run out of tea five days before they landed."

"But he's been fine before."

"He didn't get any sleep this time. I figured that he really needs tea now."

"I do not take Matt to be careless, so did he tell you why he did not have enough?" Date-san asked.

"He said that the other crew members were drinking it too."

"Why did he need to use Kindness?" I just noticed that there shouldn't have been a reason for that one.

"The powder he was using on Gabumon ran out."

"Oh… that would explain that one then… Did you call his house?"

"I figured I would call you first. Matt told me that he would be sleeping for a while, so if that was the case, I didn't want to wake him up."

"Do you think you could find them?"

"If I knew where to look, I could."

I looked at the table, "I don't know where they are… I wish I did." I fell on the table, seeing that Kaiba couldn't help me.

"You told my sister that it was two Deity Digimon, correct? Like the one that we saw when we went to get Panther, right?" Date-san asked.

"Yeah… Why?"

"Well, if they are not in the Digital World, where else would they be?"

"In the Real World." I got up.

"Right, and since they wanted them never to return, they would have to send them far away from Japan, but also making sure that they were not that close to each other. So, what are the areas that are far from Japan?"

"America and Europe would be two." Kaiba said.

"And Africa could be another." I mentioned.

"Then those should be the first places to look." He smiled at us.

"I'll get my men on it." Kaiba got up, "I'm sure we can find them."

"It might not be as easy as you think it will be." Date-san looked at him. "Ceres has traveled all over this world so she knows the back roads to use, not to mention friends she can rely on to help her. Not only that, but she is still running from people so she is not going to make it that easy to find her. As for the others, there is a language problem they could have and if Matt has not used his status as an astronaut or any of them tried to go to a Japanese embassy, then there is some reason for it. They are using ways of getting back as if they did not have that for whatever reason."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Kaiba was looking pissed, but Date-san did have a point.

"Look for things that seem unnatural for this time of year in those regions. Surely, if they do not want them to return, they would make sure of it. And if the Gods are involved, they have the power of nature in their hands."

That seemed to hit some nerve in Kaiba, "If you're so smart then why didn't you think of this before?"

"We did not have the means in order to carry this out. I did not know that TK had such a powerful friend on his side. If you do find them, please let TK know."

"Why not say, 'and bring them home'?"

"They were broken when they left. If they have the time to think, then it is good for them. And if this also proves that they can use this to get stronger, however they need to define stronger, then that is even better."

"I'll let you know if I find anything." Kaiba said before leaving.

"Do you really think that this is good for them?" I asked.

Date-san looked at me and smiled, "In order to know what they need to do, they need to have some clarity. When I talked to them at the cabin, they all were not united then nor were they too clear on what they needed to do. They know that they are needed, but they do not see why they are. They do not see the reason for why they need to be there and fight."

"I thought it was always clear."

"Then what is it? What is their purpose?"

"It's to fight Gennai."

"Why is that?"

"Because he's not as good as we all thought he would be. He killed off Digimon that could bring everyone a better life."

"So this group's purpose is to get revenge."

"No… but the other groups didn't have a purpose to them."

"They are needed to protect the Digital World."

"And so does this one."

"Why can not the other two protect it?"

"Because they're not strong enough."

"Why can not they get stronger?"

"I don't know."

"What makes this group stronger? Is it because the symbols it bears show some greater strength?"

"I don't know… But they are stronger. They're known as the Legendary Crest."

"Think about this for a while, what makes them stronger? It is clear that they are not perfect, and that they might have more flaws than the other two groups. Each had to be found and each member had just agreed to let issues go unsolved. They were unified under an unknown idea that they knew existed and they knew that they were needed. This group has been led on with no clear path."

"But the first group didn't have a clear path either."

"But you did gain one, right? You learned that you needed to protect the Digital World. The second group just carried that feeling. This group does not seem to worry about the Digital World. It seems to worry about the Deity Digimon. They feel as if they are their enemies, not Gennai."

I guess that was true enough. I mean, they didn't have to fight against Gennai and we've been focusing on the Super Levels more. Maybe they were really needed for them. Date-san placed his hand on my head. I looked at him to see him smiling, "You have a while to think about it. Maybe if you can see it as an observer then you can tell them and give them a hope to reach."

"A hope?" I didn't understand what he was telling me.

"A goal would seem to be a too strong of a word to use. The other two groups were hoping for peace for the Digital World, and they got that. Find what this group needs to hope for and you can lead them on the path to get that hope. People need to believe in something before they can act."

That somehow reminded me of what Karu told me. He said that hope was once evil because it made humans bold, but it slowly became something good. I wondered if I could use that as a way to get idea what they needed to do. It seemed to have that theme to it. "Thanks Date-san, you just gave me something to do while I'm here."

"You are welcome." He smiled. "I will make something for you two since you did just spar."

"Thanks!" Patamon said as he went into the kitchen.

"Oh, why didn't you hide Patamon yesterday?"

"Why did I need to hide Patamon?" He looked confused.

"You know that we hide them. It's so that people don't try to take them away or get scared of them."

"It would not have been any fun for Patamon if he just had to listen. After all, Digimon are creatures with thought and the ability to speak and be understood. When someone can not speak, they go crazy because they can not be understood. Do not worry. I was making sure that nothing happened to him while he was with us, as I promised."

I never thought of that before. Yes, we knew that, but we didn't really act on it very much, did we.

After dinner, we went to sleep since we needed rest to start our search.

On Sunday, Patamon and I went to the dojo first. It was a lot of fun working out since we were able to use the gravity machine. After we had something to eat, I decided that I wanted to look at the history book that Kaiba translated for us. Though, I didn't want to bother him with that so I just wrote down everything I remembered that we learned. As I was looking at how short the list was, I knew the only way I could know for sure was to read the stories that were already printed.

"Date-san, I need to head over to my brother's place." I said.

"I am not stopping you. Do you need a ride?" He was looking at me from his book. I noticed that he was on a different book than the one he worked on when I was here last.

"Yeah, kinda. It's more like I don't have cash for a ride." I smiled nervously, "Sorry."

He smiled as he got up, "You have no reason to be. Do you mind if I come along?"

"Nope! Not at all." I smiled.

He nodded as he headed up to his room. I looked at what he was working on, not understanding any of it but what he was writing.

"This one is a Latin version of other philosophers." He said as he was walking over to the table.

"How can you speak it?" I was always wondering that.

"A few people can speak it. It is not as hard as you might think. I must be good at it, though, considering that Ceres can understand me." He smiled.

"Oh, okay…" I guess she would be a good standard for that kind of stuff.

"May I ask why you need to head to your brother's place?" Date-san asked as we were on the bus.

"I wanted to look for some reason for them to fight. I can't remember all that we learned from their past and I don't want to bother Kaiba-san with it."

"So there is something there that will help you?"

"Yep! I'll show you what it is when we get there."

He nodded, "How is Kaiba-san involved?"

"Oh, we found these books that were created during the ancient past of the Digital World. Apparently there was this place that contained a castle big enough to house a lot of Digimon. In this castle, a Digimon was so brilliant and wise that she gave all the names to all the types and learned about the powers of the Digital World, which are now our Crests. There were two books that she created. One of them is an epic like, since it's in poetry form and that's making it hard for Kaiba-san to translate it. Prophecies that we were told came from that book. The other one is the account of the Legendary Digimon and the history of the Digital World within that castle. Since she includes the Legendary Digimon and the war between the outside Digimon, I thought that I could use that as some clue as to why they appear rarely."

"How do you know that they appear rarely?"

"We don't know for sure, but we're positive about it since Gennai had confidence that he could control the Digidestined."

"Does he?"

"He does over the others, but not over Matt, Ken and Kari. Oh, and the same with me."

"When you are searching, always remember to take breaks. If you stay on it for too long, you might not see it at all."

"Do you do that a lot with your translations?"

He nodded.

The rest of the ride was relatively quiet. I was kinda surprised at how empty this bus was. When we got into the city, I was starting to realize how scared I was at being here. It was like the realization that they were also here just hit me and I know that I'm not ready to face them. Date-san placed his hand on my shoulder before smiling, "They will not get near you."

I smiled back, "Thanks."

The bus couldn't take us directly to Matt's house, but it got us close enough to walk. As we were getting closer, I realized that this would be Date-san's first time being here. I showed him where things were, including the dojo that he built in. Every time that I was looking at him, though, he was smiling. I led us upstairs. Patamon wanted to stay behind for some reason, so he's not with us.

"Matt was able to get some probes that his company was experimenting with, and he had the images that it collects sent over to his computers. He has one placed on everyone in the group and me. When Panther came into his life, he got the probes to change the images they saw into words and have each probe go into their minds so he can get their thoughts as well. I don't know how he got that done, but he's been recording everything the group does."

"Why can you not use this to find them?" He asked as I was looking through the folders I created to keep each chapter separate from each other.

"I tried when I was sent back, and he somehow changed the password to get into the computer for me to see." I looked at him, "That's why I'm as worried as I am, because I have no way of seeing if they're okay."

He nodded, "So in one of these records contains what you learned?"

"Yep, though we learned a bit at different periods, so I'm trying to remember all the ones that I need. I know that this one is one that I really need." I held up "Home Sapiens Strikes Three Fold", "Because it was when we met with a survivor of the Ancient past."

"Why is it titled?"

I looked to see that I had placed a title page for it. "Oh… because Matt described it as being a story of the group so I titled them all so far."

"Do you read what happens to the others?"

"Most of the time, but not always. Like with Panther, I sometimes have to stop because I'm following Matt's example in waiting for her to tell us about her past."

He nodded, "Is that the only one you need?"

"I don't know… but if not then I'll just come back later."

"Then let us head back."

"Right." I smiled as I closed the drawer and had the papers in my hands. When we got outside, Yolie and Hawkmon were there.

"You finally show yourself, you coward!" She yelled as Hawkmon launched his attack.

Date-san got in the way of it, his cane now his sword. I thought it was kinda cool how the pins that were nailed to it were on his star guard. "How did you find him?" He asked. Somehow, I could tell that he wanted to attack her, but didn't.

"We're watching everywhere for him." She brought out her D-3.

"Yolie!" I yelled before she could have Hawkmon Armor Digievolve, "They're coming back."

"Where are they?" She demanded.

"They're traveling, but they're coming back. I didn't know that because Matt kept it from me." I figured that was a better lie, since it was something that we figured out yesterday.

She looked at me, as if debating if she could accept it. I thought that was really odd, because I gave an answer to their question. I could feel something happening, though. I couldn't explain it and I could tell that I didn't get through to her when she had Hawkmon turned into Aquilamon.

"Blast Laser!" He called as he launched it.

Date-san placed a shield around us and the house. He looked at me for an answer. I don't know if I had the answer on my face or not, but he grabbed my hand and we started to run. Yolie was on Aquilamon as they were coming after us. I doubted that we could out run them as a car pulled right into our path. I was pushed into the car, "Take him to my house." Date-san said as the car pulled away.

I looked back to see that Date-san was making sure that they weren't going to follow. I looked at the driver to see that it was a blond hair guy about my brother's age. He looked really familiar, but I couldn't place where, but I don't know how he knows Date-san. I looked back at Date-san, only to take a turn which cut off my path to him.

"You betta buckle up d're." He said in his punk voice.

"Who are you?" I did it anyway.

"I'm a good friend." He smiled before taking another turn.

I was watching him throughout the ride. I knew that none of his students talked the way he did and none of the friends that I've seen talked like that. But Date-san trusted him, so I figured that I should too. He did look really familiar, though.

When we got to the house, I remembered that Patamon was inside, "Thanks… how did you know that we needed the help?" I asked as I tried to delay going to the house.

"I was just drivin' by." There was something in his eyes. I couldn't tell what it was though, but there was something there.

"Thank you for bringing TK here." I looked down the hill to see that Date-san was walking up. I couldn't believe that he was here and he looked fine.

"No problem." He said. "I think I need to talk to ya."

Date-san nodded, "It has been a while. TK, we'll be up there in a minute."

I nodded, hating that I couldn't argue. I went up to the house, making sure that Patamon was with me before we hid somewhere.

"How can that just happen?" The guy asked as they came in.

"I wish I knew." Date-san looked sad, "That's why Kaiba told you that." I just then realized that Date-san wasn't speaking in his formal speech.

He hit his fist. "How can ya know if da're gettin' back dir memories?"

"Those pictures over there." Date-san was out of site from me, but I knew which ones he was talking about. Did this guy know his brothers? "The images of them were erased when I lost them, and now they're coming back."

The guy moved over to them, "But only…"

"I know, he knows more but I don't understand why nothing seems to be pushing their memories all the way through." Date-san moved so I hid more. "Is everyone worried about him?"

"Yeah, but I guess if it can't be helped, it can't be helped." He sighed, "Do ya dink dat seein' Yugi would help?"

Yugi? Is that the one that Kaiba-san talked about? "I don't know. It wouldn't hurt. Right now, he's not here so you would have to talk to Kaiba about setting up a meeting."

"He nev'r knew Kaiba, though."

"They've become quite the friends."

He sighed again, "I'll let the rest know, den. See ya around." He walked over to the door and left.

I got up and went over to see that Date-san was walking over to the kitchen, "What happened to Yolie?"

He looked up at me, "I did not hurt her or her Digimon."

"Then how did you get away?"

"I placed a barrier around them before leaving."

"How did you get here so quickly?"

He smiled, "Something I learned from Mina and Lita."

"Does that guy know your brothers?"

"Yes, and he is very worried about them."

"What's his name? Why didn't you ask for his help? How do you know that Kaiba knows your brothers?" I got on the same floor that Date-san was on.

"His name is Joey Wheeler. I do not need help finding them. Kaiba noticed the pictures and realized that he knew them."

I, somehow, didn't believe that. I looked at the ground, "I don't think that's the truth." I looked up at him to see him smiling. "Is it?"

"I can not say for the moment. I am hoping that you will see soon."

I couldn't believe it. Date-san didn't want to tell me something. "Why can't I know? How do your brothers affect me?"

"They do. They affect you a lot. You also might not want to go to the city by yourself."

I suddenly ran to the room that I was using and closed the door.

"TK?" Patamon asked.

"Why can't I know?" I slid down the door.

"It's not your problem, TK."

I looked at him, "Date-san just said that it does affect me. So if it affects me, why can't I know?"

"Maybe he doesn't want to involve you until you're ready?"

"Ready for what?"

"TK?" Date-san asked from the other side of the door.

"What?"

"When you feel hungry, let me know." He then went down the stairs.

"You're acting childish again." Patamon was now on the bed.

I sighed as I got up, "Whatever." I sat down on the bed.

"Well, I'm going with Date-san." Patamon got up and went over to the door.

"What? Why?" I watched him.

"For someone that's been alone, you don't see that in others." He opened the door and left.

I sighed, thinking that maybe Patamon was right. I knew he was lonely, but why can't I know about his brothers? There was something about that that seemed to get to me. I looked at the papers in my hands, nearly forgetting that I had it in my hands. I set it down on the night stand that was near the bed, not really feeling up to reading it right now. I got up and went over to Date-san. He and Patamon were playing chess. They both looked at me when I got to them.

"Sorry…" I figured that was the best thing to say right now.

Date-san smiled, "Patamon is very good at this game."

"Really?" I went over to them.

"Why not pull up a chair to watch?"

I did and sat down. I could see that Patamon was really good at this. They were going at it for hours. I was cooking dinner for us, but they didn't seem to notice too much.

"That was a good game, Patamon." I said as we were heading up to bed. In the end, Date-san won.

"Yeah! That was a lot of fun!" He smiled.

"Date-san, do you have Go?" I looked at him.

"Yes, I do. Do you want to play that when I get back tomorrow?"

"I think that Patamon would like it." I then felt something. My mind was suddenly pulled from my body and I was brought somewhere dark. I looked around, wondering where I was until I saw Ken lying on the ground. I ran over to him. "Ken!" I was by his side by the time he opened his eyes. I smiled at him, seeing that he was okay, "I'm so glad that you're okay." As I was shedding tears, he placed his hand on mine and smiled at me with so much joy. I smiled back as I helped him up. He looked around, not recognizing the place either, "I don't know where we are either."

"Maybe…"

"You can talk?" I smiled, though also quite surprised.

"I guess..." He moved his arm, "I don't feel numb or anything… TK, I'm sorry."

"Why? What's wrong?" I didn't like how he was looking.

"I can't seem to uphold any Crest… The power of Faith didn't activate." He looked at our environment. "Maybe I should just return."

"Don't you dare start thinking that way!" I yelled at him. "You don't belong here! Ken, you've suffered enough for what you did. You don't need to suffer anymore."

"Look around! Why would I be here if I didn't belong here?"

"Because you only became the Digimon Emperor because you lost your brother and because of the Dark Spore. It had nothing to do with your own will. You were lost and easily swayed. But you're not alone anymore. You have a new older brother that does care about you."

He looked surprised. "Who… are you talking about?"

I smiled, "Matt. He's your older brother now."

There was a longing in his eyes, "But I've lost both Crests…"

"You'll get them back. Maybe you just placed a lock on them because you're afraid."

"Afraid?"

"Yeah, afraid that your torment is finally over. Maybe you just don't need to show kindness and faith to others, but to yourself as well. That somehow seems the hardest to do."

"But how?" He had doubt.

"Because you have everyone else and they believe in you. Besides, if you can believe in yourself, then you're even better than Kitty. She didn't have faith in herself and neither did Diana."

"You…"

"No, but I looked up more about them. Please, give it a try just once." It took a moment, before he nodded. I smiled and hugged him, glad that he was willing to try. "Good. Oh, where are you guys?"

"We're in New Mexico."

"Who's with you?" I moved to look at him.

"Ceres, Ryan and Tim."

"Okay, thanks. Have you heard about the others?"

"No, but Ceres has someone checking on that for us. We should know when we get to the Zuni tribe."

"Okay." I didn't know what that was, but I figured it was a good start for Kaiba.

"I better get back to my body, though." He said it as if it was an after thought.

"Why?" I thought it was kinda funny.

"We were being attacked by Kenmon and the other Digital Digidestined."

I nodded and let him go, "Show him that you're not his pawn." I smiled.

He nodded and then disappeared from my sight. I got up and felt myself being pulled back to my body. I looked up to see Date-san and Patamon over me with worry.

"TK?" Date-san asked.

"I'm good… We need to call Kaiba-san!" I said as I got up.

"You just collapsed." Date-san stopped me. I looked at him to see that he was worried about me. He just stared at me and I could tell that he wanted to say things that Matt would.

I smiled at him, "I'm alright. Don't worry."

"What happened?" Patamon asked.

"Ken needed my help… so I guess I was called over to him so he could get what he needed. Ceres, Ryan, Tim and Ken are right now in New Mexico heading over to some kind of tribe there."

Date-san nodded his head, "Do you want to head over to his office?"

I looked outside to see that it was already late. The sun wasn't even out. I moved out of the bed and moved over to the window. I looked outside, seeing the moon.

"TK?" I looked back at Date-san.

"I just remembered that we need to get them back. If they can't heal for this much time, then they just have to heal when they get back."

Date-san got up. "Do you want to go now or head over tomorrow?"

"Can we go now?"

He nodded, "Are you sure you are feeling okay?"

I smiled, "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Okay, I will get a way for us to get there."

"We can take Pegasusmon." Patamon offered.

"Okay, call him." Date-san went to get our coats as I went for my cell phone. I managed to get him, since he was at his office. I felt kinda bad that he was working so hard just to find them. I got Patamon to Pegasusmon before Date-san came back. He not only got us coats, but our shoes too. We went over to Date-san's room and headed out to Kaiba-san's office.

"TK, why can they not have unlimited time to heal?" Date-san asked.

I pointed up at the moon, "Because when the moon hits the new stage, a prophecy will take hold. They need to be here because Matt and Kari are needed. But also, they need to be there so we can get our Super Level."

"Things that give out joy come at cost."

"We know and it's not as easy as I'm making it sound. We're going to face something great before we can get it."

"But, if they do not heal before this then how affective will they be for that threat?"

"I just have to hope that if they're not healed then they'll allow their duty to make their judgments for them. I'm sorry for scaring you. We were on the stairs, right?"

"Yes, we were. I was glad that I was behind you."

"Thanks." I smiled to him.

We got to Kaiba-san's building and Pegasusmon landed a bit away from it so it wouldn't look so odd to those that don't know. We had no troubles getting into the building and one of the guards lead us to the room that Matt normally goes to.

"What is he doing here?" He didn't seem happy that Date-san was here.

"I figured that since you knew one of his brothers that it would be okay." Kaiba-san raised an eyebrow before sighing.

"We found two abnormalities in two of the regions. One was a tornado in Texas and the other one was lightning over in Russia. That's all we have so far."

"I just talked to Ken."

"How?"

"I don't really know how I did it, but we were talking through our minds, in a way. He told me that he, Ceres, Ryan, and Tim were all heading over to a tribe called Zuni somewhere in New Mexico."

"So they're heading west, if the tornado is connected to them."

"Do tornados occur during this time?" Date-san asked.

"No, they don't. The currents don't mix right to create them." I said. "And lightning in Russia is rare around this time of year as well. You're more likely to see rain than lightning."

"But are not they the ones that have Thor?"

I thought about that for a moment, "Do they?" I looked at Kaiba-san.

He sighed, "They do, but that doesn't mean they have lightning and thunder all the time there."

"I was just wondering."

"I'll see if I can find anything on this tribe." Kaiba-san said as he typed away. "They are located in New Mexico, but also a bit in Arizona. They could be in either place."

"It's a good start. We actually do need to get them back soon. There's a prophecy that tells us when we'll be reaching new stages in the Digital Evolutional process."

"How does it go?"

"It has bats, King of the Undead Digimon, moon striking the hour of between, divided powers of Peace and the holders of Courage and Friendship."

"There were two sentences after it that doesn't make sense."

"What were they?"

"Something about recycling and using another weapon." He got up, "I'll show you." He led us back to his lab. He pulled up screens and I sat down to read the legend again and saw what he meant. After "recycle", it says "to be aimed with weapons of novelty". But it didn't fit with the next piece.

"I think it's for the legend I was telling you about." I looked at Kaiba-san, "The 'recycle' part is part of the legend that we know about, so I can only assume that the next sentence is too. It doesn't make sense for the next part of the storyline."

"Then what does it mean?"

"I don't really know… I'll read the legend." I went to look at it, " The wings of the bats will blanket the sky. The rising of the once alive will summon forth by the spoken name of the King of those once living; when the moons strike the hour of between, this King will appear forth to reign over those that have summon thee. The winged humanoid protectors of Peace will shoot its divided power at the protectors of Courage and Friendship; power stages will be reached. Recycle, to be aimed with weapons of novelty. " I looked at Kaiba-san, "Why did you put moons ?" He had translated it into English. I don't know why, though, since the other one wasn't.

"I had to learn a lot about the grammar of this language, more than I cared to really know. But they seem to have markers for number."

"Why is it in English?"

"Japanese couldn't capture it right. Is it different than how you heard it?"

"Yeah… But if it's a better translation then that's okay."

"You also missed a part." He walked over, " To be seen more than once, the markings of the danger that will lie upon the land. " He read that before the beginning of the legend.

I looked at Date-san, "What do you think?"

"That means we have to be looking at the sky for the bats when the moon strikes that hour. It mentions twice that it will happen more than once, so perhaps more updated weapons have to be used."

"Did you ever come across the word for arrow?" I looked at Kaiba-san.

"Yes."

"And it wasn't in here?"

"Should it have been?"

"The second time we heard it, it had arrow in the translation."

"I do the translations myself."

"Okay… Let me know when you found anything else about them."

"Which translation do you trust?"

I smiled at Kaiba-san, "I trust yours. After all, you don't have anything to compare yours to so you're a lot more pure. I hope you're not overworking yourself, though."

"I'll get my rest later."

"Don't start acting like Matt." I got up.

"Date-san," Kaiba-san looked over at him, "I heard from an annoying monkey that I've been right all along."

He smiled, "If you mean about knowing my brother, then I believe so. He should have explained everything surrounding my brother, correct?"

"He did."

"I am glad. I hope that means that we can be on reasonable terms in the future." He kept on smiling.

"As long as I can have you under my experiment list."

He looked like he was concern over that, "We will see, though I do have to say that since TK and his brother seem to have a lot of faith and trust in you that you must not be all that bad as I first feared."

"I'm glad to hear that."

"Kaiba-san, how will you bring them home?" I asked.

"I'll be sending my helicopters to pick them up as soon as we have a solid fit on their location."

"Thank you for your help, Kaiba-san." I bowed to him. When I looked at him, I could see that he wanted to say something emotional, but didn't. I smiled at him, "Let me know of anything you find."

"If you can get to the others, let me know what you find."

I nodded, "Right."

Date-san and I walked out and got Pegasusmon out once again.

"You do understand that he is more than willing to do this for your brother." Date-san said as we headed back.

"I know… He's not the emotional kind, though."

"I see… Though, it is a good thing that he is a loyal friend."

"Yeah, it is." I smiled.

The next morning, Date-san went to his dojo. Mackenzie-sensei came over to pick him up, also giving me my work from school. I got through that once Patamon and I spared. I now understood, though, why Matt always made sure that we did the work first before we trained because it really did make you not want to study.

It was noon by the time I finished with everything, including the notes on the ancient past. I was bored, since it was nearly everything we learned about the past itself in that one chapter. Everything else was either inferred or mentioned in fragments. I sighed since Patamon was learning Go from a book that Date-san left him. I realized that I should probably work on my jobs, but they were all at home. I looked over at the clock, wondering who would be out at this hour. They should all have class or a job, right? It was nearing one, so it should be safe, right?

I got up from the couch, and went over to the door.

"Where are you going?" I looked at Patamon, who was looking at me from the book.

"I need to be productive while I'm here."

"And you're going outside?"

"I need my laptop and art supplies."

"What about the others?"

"They should all be doing something by now. I should be safe. I wasn't planning on leaving you here, either." I smiled.

He placed the book down and came over to me, "Okay, let's go!" He landed on my shoulder.

I wanted to see what the gravity machine could do so I ran instead of taking the bus. I found that I was a lot faster, nearly as fast as I could go with my jewel. I managed to get to my house in no time. I went inside to get my things, since I figured I shouldn't stay here for too long incase I was wrong about their schedules. I made sure that they were secure before heading out. This time, it was Sora and Biyomon who were waiting. I closed the door. "Yolie should've told you that they're coming back." I walked down the steps with no confidence whatsoever.

"Why didn't you tell us before?" She asked, though something still wasn't right. I could see it in Biyomon's eyes.

"I didn't know until recently."

"I know you're lying." She said, getting out her Digivice.

"You think you're the only ones that have someone missing? Everyone that I care for is missing." I yelled, "Matt isn't yours anymore! He never was yours to begin with!"

That made her stop and stare at me for a while. "We've dated for years."

"But you didn't get farther than that. He loves Styxmon, in case you've forgotten."

"No.. he will love me."

That caught my attention. That just made it seem like her goal is to make Matt hers. I didn't understand why, though. Sure, he's cool and all, but he doesn't go around for a second helping in dates, considering he only loved Styxmon and Diana before her.

"Why do you want him so badly? He doesn't love you. When you started to hint at marriage, he called it off. He never wanted to go that far with you." Matt had told me about all the obvious hints that Sora was giving him. I gave him no advice on it, but told him to do what would make him happy. I also told him to not worry about the group, since this shouldn't have any bearings on it. Two days afterwards, they broke up. Matt told me that Sora took it as a defeat, that she lost something. The next day, she was back with Tai. Matt was happy for them, not bothering to hang out with them. Kari was telling me how happy they were together. "What happened to Tai? You're engaged to him. You're hurting him by still loving Matt."

"He knows that I love Matt… And he will be mine again." Biyomon then went to Birdramon.

I was kinda glad that this wasn't a crowded street as I stared at her Digimon. They seemed like robots now, something without a will. I didn't even notice that Patamon went to Angemon until he was blocking the Meteor Shower. I looked at Sora, seeing that she was holding her Digivice, about to send more power and her Crest.

"You think that Matt will care about you if you kill me?" I asked.

"Styxmon's family was willing to do so."

"You think you're on the same level as her? You're not even in the same league. She's everything that Matt wants and all that he needs." I knew that even though I was talking about Styxmon, I knew that she carried the soul of Diana, meaning that no matter what, Matt would never have to choose who he loved more.

She stood there as our Digimon took their battle to the sky. I fear that someone would capture them like that, but was more worried about leaving like this. Something in her eyes told me that they needed help, much more help than I ever thought they needed. Were all of them like this? Did my anger toward them blind me and the others to knowledge that the change wasn't their choice? "He will love me. Styxmon is dead and is never coming back. He will be mine again!" She yelled, making Garudamon appear.

"Wing Blade!" She yelled, launching the attack from her body onto Angemon. He managed to send it back to her, knocking her out of the sky and onto the road, since there were other homes on the other side. She went back to Biyomon as Angemon came back over to me.

I looked at Sora, who was still staring at me. Angemon returned to Patamon, landing on my shoulder. "Sora, get over Matt. He doesn't want you back." I said before walking away.

"Why? Because he now has two girls to please him?" She asked hatefully.

I stopped before turning towards her, "That's not even worth the effort to answer. Sora, you know the answer to that already." I continued back to Date-san's house. When I was good enough away, I made sure that I ran all the way back so that they wouldn't follow me if they were planning to.

I watched the news as I was writing, hearing about the fight that Angemon and Birdramon had. After it came on, the phone started to ring. I went over since Date-san wasn't here. "Hello?" I asked, knowing that everyone that he knows would know that he wasn't here.

"TK," it was Ryo, "What happened? I just saw the news and realized that it occurred near your house."

I, for some reason, was taken back by his consider, though knowing fully well that they all like to help us out. "I went home to get some things to work on while I'm here and one of my friends came by. I'm not sure if you know the story…"

"Patamon told us, which is why I'm calling."

"So she had her Digimon evolved into the bird like one and Patamon went to his next stage to defend against her. Patamon won and we left soon after. I don't think she or anyone else followed."

"So nothing serious happened?"

"Nothing I couldn't handle."

"Though you did make it sound like you were attacked before."

"I was… but Date-san got me out of there in time. So I can't really go back into the city without someone with me for protection."

"Do you have a pen or pencil and paper with you?"

I went over to get some, "I do now, why?"

"Take down these numbers. Incase you need to go back into the city when Date-san isn't with you, call someone to see if they can give you a ride or something."

"Patamon would be with me." I pointed out.

"What if they gang up on you? We can at least make sure that you two get away. It's more important that you two are safe."

I looked at Patamon, since I knew he could hear it from my shoulder. He nodded. "Okay, what are the numbers?"

He gave me his first, the hospital that Rowen works at and also his pager, Kento's cell phone and restaurant's phone numbers, and finally Cye's cell and vet's numbers. "I would give you Mia's, but she won't be much help against Digimon."

"Thanks, that's okay. I really do appreciate the help."

"Any time. I'll call the others so they don't start calling you as well."

"Would Date-san call?"

"He doesn't watch the news when he's working. And even so, he would ask about it when he gets back. Are you worried?"

"He was the one that suggested that I don't go out unless I had someone with me."

"You did. Don't worry about that."

I smiled, "Okay. Thanks again."

"Any time." He hung up and I did as well. I went back to typing up what I needed. Seeing that other side of Sora, the other side to them all, I was beginning to add that element to my story. I've never seen something like that before, except for when Ken was the Digimon Emperor, but that had its reasons. This seemed to come out from nowhere and was taking hold of them so completely. It's like nothing we can say would ever get them back out of it.

Date-san came back with Lita and Mina coming with him.

"I'm glad that you're okay." Mina said as Date-san and Lita were cooking.

"You watch the news while at work?" I asked.

"On our breaks. We didn't tell brother since I thought that you were okay. Ryo did call us, saying that you were, though."

"Then why did you doubt him?"

"I didn't, but I'm glad to see with my own eyes." She smiled.

"Why didn't you tell him?" I was wondering why everyone was keeping this away from him. I mean, it's not like I wouldn't tell him what happened anyway.

"He can over worry sometimes." She smiled.

"He's pretty good at reading people, though."

"I know, but I know how it works." She laughed.

"What's so funny?" Lita asked as she was placing the food on the table.

"Nothing." She got up, "So, what are we having tonight?" She went over to the table.

I saved my stuff before heading over. I helped with the setting, so once all the food was out, and Mackenzie-sensei came over, we were all eating together. It felt weird, since it didn't feel like I was out of the loop. I mean, I've been to Kari's family dinner nights and I felt so out of place. I know her family pretty well, understanding them and getting their jokes and what not. Her parents don't mind me and, back then, Tai didn't either. But it wasn't the same as now. I just noticed that eating with Ken was similar to this, that there was just something there that told me that I belonged, even though I envied him for having his parents. I remember those times when Panther and Ceres and Matt and I were hanging, eating some meal together, be it McDonalds or other, and it felt like this too. I felt like I belonged here, that I wasn't being judged or anything. I just remembered that I used to spend a quite of bit of dinners over at Cody's, and it felt like Kari's place.

After we were done, Mackenzie-sensei, Mina, Patamon and I were cleaning up. I understood that we should give Date-san and Lita alone time, since they are engaged and all. I told Mackenzie-sensei what happened, so she would know. She was glad that it was settled peacefully, and also allowed me to know that our assignments would be given to us when we returned. She explained to the school that she was good friends with Matt and that he had taken them with him on a trip as soon as he got back. Since he wanted to spend time with everyone, saying that since they were friends with Panther, he wanted it to be something she would enjoy, that they were allowed to come along and he didn't want to place any stress on her so he didn't say when they were coming back. Of course, since the school was harsh on her, they had to let this slide.

After they all left, which Lita was the last to leave for understandable reason, I wanted to know what Date-san thought about Sora.

"Date-san?" I asked as he was translating. I really think he needs glasses for it, since it would be perfect.

"Hm?" He looked over at me.

"Have you ever encountered someone that was dead set on loving someone and no one else but that person?"

"That is called true love." He said with a smile.

"I mean the opposite. When it's becomes annoying and the person refuses to let go even though the person they like has no interest in them."

"That is called lust."

"Have you ever encountered someone like that?"

He thought about it for a moment. "I was fortunate not to have met people who were lusting after a person they could not have, though I have encountered people who were lusting after power, but I know that is something that is not of interest and I am sure that you are familiar with that in any case."

"So you never encountered someone like that?"

"I have not. What brought this question?"

"I went to the city today so I could get my laptop and some other stuff that I should be working on. Patamon went with me and we met Sora. She used to date Matt, but once she started to push towards marriage, he called it off. She still wants him, even though she's engaged to someone that loves her so deeply."

"That would be Tai, right?"

"Yeah… how did you know his name?"

He looked like he was cornered, the first time that I have ever seen him like that. And in the next moment, realized what must be on his face so that whatever he would say next would definitely sound like a lie. So he ended up sighing in defeat, "Would you be able to accept that I know all of your friends' names?" His expression was also asking us.

I looked at Patamon, both of us in shock. How could he know our friends? We don't talk about them, so how would he know? As a matter of fact, how would he know what they look like? We never shown them, never had a picture of them. I wasn't sure how to take this.

"How can we just accept it?" Patamon asked. "Do you know their Digimon too?"

He nodded his head. "It was not by any means something that would show I have ill intentions towards you and your friends. I know because I had met them all at one point and their Digimon. I can not reveal much more than that, though."

"Why not?" I got up, "What are you hiding from us? Why can't we know?" This was bringing back up his brothers, who were somehow connected with us.

"If I told you now, this and more would be the reaction I would get." He said seriously, "You would not believe me, even though I told you the truth, and would distance yourself from here and my sister. There are times when it is better to wait for the answer than to have it when you think you should. The answers that are being sought are not always easy to understand when you first learn it. It might take a few tries before you can fully understand what is being told to you."

"Keeping secrets is what got the Neo group split up." I pointed out, now getting sick of this.

"Secrets and lies can do that, but only when they are kept when they shouldn't or should be told because it is important at that moment. I have told you that I know your friends and their Digimon, and that I know them through the mean of meeting them in person. So, I have let you know that I know them, not keeping that a secret, and how I know them, not lying about that either. The only thing I can not tell you is why I had to know them and meet them before, though I am promising you that you will know it one day, just not now." I found that explanation, though very precise, annoying. He sighed for some reason, getting up from the couch, "Then how about we have a match. I will fight both of you and if you manage to beat me, I will tell you everything. If I win, you have to accept what I know about your friends and want to understand the why."

I found that a lot more pleasing. As we were walking over, I felt my soul leaving my body once again. I went to Tim this time, like all the others. He was in a forest area in Japan, running somewhere. He came to an old house and there were spirits flying around, saying not to come any closer. He turned to see his parents coming down with a little him. He looked so nervous, seeming to listen to what they were saying.

"Mommy, don't go. Mommy, daddy, listen to me. You can't go." He begged as the spirits surrounded him, chanting what they were saying before.

His dad smiled to him and patted his head, "We have to." He opened the door to the house and they all walked inside. His mom went to the center of the room as soon as they were in, chanting something in a language that I didn't know. His dad was watching, getting ready for any attack that might come. I looked at Tim, to see that he was fearing over at the door. The Tim that I was with was watching this with a calm mind. I thought it was impressive, knowing what this was. Then something happened to his mom. It was like something came over her, figuring that Tim and his dad understood what this meant, since the little Tim was trembling and going pale as his dad was staring at her.

"Where's your wife?" He asked as he stepped closer to her. I wondered what had just happened, since it seemed that the person he was now addressing wasn't his wife anymore.

"She's here… and here is where she'll remain!" His mom yelled in her voice, but I could tell that it wasn't her now. It reminded me of when the dark being took hold of Matt. Some kind of energy was coming out of her.

The ghost of a woman appeared and his dad went after her as his mom struggled to keep the person she had in her under control.

Little Tim ran over to his mom. She started to scream as the female ghost went into her as well. It was a scene that no child wants to see. His dad had the gun he was using aimed at his wife. "Yuiko! Get her out!" He ordered. His mom just kept on screaming until her body dropped to the floor. The scream was heartbreaking, as if she was being torn apart. I looked at Little Tim, wondering how he was during this, and he was on a phone, it seemed. He held wild eyes, though.

The spirits came out of his mom and his dad was shooting wildly at them. They merged together and swirled right through him, like a drill through a board. He coughed up blood and fell to the ground on his stomach. The blood was coming from his month and pouring slowly onto the floor. The ghosts looked at Little Tim, who was still at the door, that fear never leaving his face and came at him. Little Tim started to glow, reminding me of the picture of Date-san and his sisters. I looked at Tim, seeing that he was surprised to see himself glowing, saying that he didn't remember this. I was wondering why this was important for him to know this. Why couldn't he be shown this before? I mean, this is probably the powers that he had that Persephone mentioned that they all had, something that was theirs that didn't have any connection to the Digital World. If he knew about this earlier, maybe he wouldn't be so against magic.

He yelled something in a language that I didn't know, which was weird since I know all the languages that they all know. He shot something from his hands toward them. The blast hit them and opened a portal to which they were sucked into. He ran over to his parents, who were still breathing, surprisingly. When he had reached them, he passed out.

We still remained here, though I knew it was because he still needed to realize something. Something that maybe I needed to tell. He walked over to their bodies and I followed. His dad was dying slowly, though I have to say that's tough since not many would be alive after having blood pouring from their mouth. I would say that he was nearing his end, though. Tim tried to touch him, but went through him. I could see it now in his eyes that this was the moment, maybe not the exact moment, but the moment, nonetheless, where he lost his belief. He started to blame everything and everyone older than him for their deaths. Was it right? Did it make the situation more able to be dealt with? I guess I might never know. But now is his chance to forgive what he needs to and start over once again.

"You know, it's easy to blame things when everything seems to go wrong." I started to say. For all the others, I was the one talking my lines. I do remember them pretty well, but the precise words I used come back to me when I'm here. He looked around, not seeing me. I smiled since everyone does this, kinda. They talk to me, as if I'm there. "I know that when I was little, I blamed myself and my parents for the divorced." He now remembered when we had this. "I bet that's how Damon feels. He wants to blame something and the clearest thing he sees is you." This conversation took place some time after Damon told Tim about how he doesn't like that Tim is governing their lives. "He seems to be like you in the fact that he cares a lot for Nereida and he has say in what she does when they're at school. So, seeing Nereida falling away from you two is worrying him just as much, but he can't blame the group because he understands them and stuff… I say don't let it get to you, because in the end, they'll always love you."

As he was pondering something, his dad died and his Grandmother came in. She was so horrified as she ran over to them. There were others with her, getting my mom and Little Tim; trying to save his dad. His mom became conscious and was able to tell their Grandmother what happened. On the way to the hospital, she died. Their Grandmother wasn't able to keep back her tears, something I can see that Tim never realized that she did. We were following them as if we were watching a movie or something. She then started to say to Little Tim's sleeping body that she would be stronger for him and his siblings, explaining why she wasn't crying around them. She also said that she would make sure that they were happy and well. She said it all with tears coming from her eyes.

Tim tried to touch her, going through her as well. Some thought came to his mind, making him look around for it. I figured it was Shendramon since normally they call for their Digimon. Even Panther before she started to run. Another thought came to him, making him realize that he needed to be back. I hoped that they were okay, seeing how panic and hurry came into his eyes.

"Tim," his Grandmother said to Little Tim, "It's in your blood to protect others, whether it be strangers or loved ones. It's in your blood, so don't let this scare you."

I looked at Tim to see that he was surprised to hear that. He then thought about it, and thought about it deeply. This is how I know they are willing to change. They care a lot about this group. Did Date-san care about us as well? I know he cares for me, but what about the others? He then came to a resolution. He looked at his mom, nodding his head. His spirit then went away, probably back into his body.

I was then brought over to Ryan. He was floating in a bubble and the new Digimon were in the same kind of bubble. The place I was floating, since I don't need to be in a bubble, was dark. Ryan sat up, seeing what I was just seeing.

"Breomon!" He yelled before floating over to him. I followed him, seeing that Breomon looked like he was asleep. Ryan looked at the others, noticing the same thing.

"They're all waiting."

We turned around to see this cat that looked like Gatomon, but could only walk on four legs and the claws were longer on the gloves. The color scheme made her look like a painted cat rather than a real one. Though, I do have to add that there was something familiar about her, like I should know her from somewhere before this time. She looked sad in a way, but very regal.

"Waiting? What can they be waiting for?" Ryan asked.

"For when they will be needed." Her voice sounded familiar too.

He looked at Breomon before looking at her, "They are needed. We're still here and we need them."

She shook her head, "They are waiting for the time when they are called to help the Digital World once again."

"I'm telling you! They're needed! Don't let them be like this! They don't deserve it." This was scaring Ryan more than he was letting on.

"I'm waiting too. I am part of this group. We need to wait until the time is right to come back."

"They're needed. I'm telling you. Let them go so they can be with us."

"They need to wait."

"But why? Don't let them be like this. Don't let them be lost."

"They are not lost. They can't be found. They need to wait."

"Why can't they be found?" Ryan didn't like that thought one bit.

"They must not be harm before their time. If they are found, then they will be destroyed."

"They found us, though. We need them. They're our friends."

"Maybe they will be your friends, but they will not remember. Once they have fulfilled their duty, they will come back here. They will wait again for the time they will be needed."

"Why won't they remember?"

"It will affect their duty. If they were to remember their past, then they will always be affected by it and will be sad for what they can't have."

"But we gave them a home." He looked at Breomon, "They chose us. Let them stay with us."

"Destiny brought you together."

He looked at the cat, "They chose us."

"It is destiny."

"How can you know? What do you know?"

"I have known it before. I was there when they were first alive and I was there when they were dying."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You're Thunmon?"

"Yes."

"Let them go! They're your friends, right? Let them be happy."

"Happiness can only be hold by those not of us. We suffer where the others are nearly spared."

"What? That's insane."

"Destiny might be fought, but not forever. It will come." She then disappeared.

As he looked at Breomon, touching his bubble lightly, I was thinking about what she said. Our Digimon were the ones that are nearly spared from suffering. Why do ours get to be the ones that are happy? What does that mean for this group? Can they never be happy? Somehow, her saying that their memories will be erased was getting on my nerves. Why shouldn't they remember? Why couldn't they move on, though still knowing them? I mean, this is the first time that they've been outside of the Digital World, the first time they knew they had a propose to their lives.

I looked at Ryan, seeing that he was really saddened by this thought that Breomon wouldn't be with him. It was like this time, there would be no way of reuniting, like with his sister. I could see that not being remembered by people, leaving your mark so you can always know and have other people know you was something important to him, much like with Neon. Though, with Neon, she tried so hard for everyone to know her. Ryan didn't care about everyone, only those closest to him.

"People leave all the time." I started to say, "No one can stay around forever. Even those you love will eventually have to go away from your sight."

"That doesn't mean that I have to like it. I don't want to disappear."

"No one ever really dies. Because, even though they're not with you, you hold them in you. As long as you are remembered, you're alive for that moment. Even if there is no one around to remember you, your pillar will still be there. People leave all the time, but what makes them died or alive is how they impact others. No one can ever disappear."

He looked at Breomon. "Even with them? They won't forget about us?" He looked around, making me noticed that there was a horse here too. Remembering that this was supposed to be where the Neo Digidestined Digimon stay, I assumed that this was Horsemon. Though, also figuring that most of the others are of the future or their futures or their past, I would have to assume then that Horsemon won't always be of the living.

He looked back at Breomon. He smiled to himself at some thought, or maybe realization. "Breomon, I'll make sure that you have good memories with me." He, too, left the area. I smiled to myself as I watched him leave, glad that now everyone is back on their own two feet. Maybe that's all they needed.

When I came back to my body, I noticed that I was on the couch. I just right then thought that I probably scared Date-san again. I remembered being angry at him, but I kinda forgot why I was standing up. I looked over to where he would be, but only found Patamon there. He smiled at me, "I'm glad that you're okay."

I smiled back.

"I am glad as well." I heard Date-san say from above me? I then noticed that I was lying my head on his lap. I looked up to see him there, wondering why for a moment, before he started to answer, "I could not get you up the stairs this time."

"Why is my head on your lap?" I got up since I was no longer unconscious.

"You moved there on your own." Patamon said. "Date-san had you leaning on his shoulder and was about to get up when you fell onto his lap."

I thought that was weird. "Where is there a pen and paper?" I looked at Date-san.

He got up and got them for me. I wrote down everything that I learned about Tim, then about what Ryan saw. I also wrote up conclusions to them, since I would be able to ask them later about this. I went to my laptop and placed them in my laptop under their document. I didn't want to forget it as I was logging back into it so that's why I wrote it out first.

"What were we doing as I was standing up?" I looked at Date-san once I was done, seeing that Patamon was with him.

"I was about to fight you two for a deal."

I thought about it for a moment before remembering, "That's right!" But I thought about Tim, how he didn't know until now what was going on. Was it that important that we wait until we're ready? I'm now thinking probably. Our memories were erased much like our Digimon's memories will be erased one day. I sighed as I thought about the second prophecy that Styxmon gave to Matt, thinking about the last bit. "But you're right. We should wait." I said in defeat.

"Would you like to spar anyway?" I looked at him. "It seems like you are getting mad a lot."

"Can I not be mad?" I asked, now noticing what he meant. It was like Matt how when the dark being was starting to show up. "What's going on?" I looked at him.

He sat down beside me, "I am sorry that I can not do much for you, even though I understand what is happening. You might not be too fond of the idea, but you need to fight for a while. Anyone will do, just as long as you train or fight. That is all you have to do to control it."

"What's happening to me?" I wondered why mine could be known and yet Matt's couldn't. Would Date-san know what was going on with Matt when he went through his period of change as well?

He placed his hand on my shoulder, "There is an alien race that has a few survivors from their destroyed planet living here on Earth. Some of them are born with the blood in them, and the others were given the blood by the race or someone with the blood. I am telling you the truth." I nodded, "Now, when someone is given the blood, that blood has to mix with the person, because they are now given the abilities as the race. It is not a violent process, as I am told, but it can take a while before it starts to kick in. I believe someone had given you that kind of blood, and it is now starting to mix with you. Because of this, you will tend to get more unsettling about things. You would also have the tendency to fight, because it is part of their blood. They are warriors, and as long as you train, you will keep that side down."

"What would happen if I don't?" I was curious.

"Maybe you will become very violent, or you will start to transform like they do. The ones that I know has the same thing as you never allowed it to control them, but allowed it to mix into them. So I do not know if you do not try to tame it what will happen to you."

"What if you ask one of the people you know?"

"Are you not going to try and tame it?"

"I just want to know the other side, incase I can't."

He smiled at me, "You will, TK. You are not alone in this. My family is of that race, and Lita was given the blood."

I was surprised. "What is the race called?"

"Saiyan. They come from the planet Vegeta, and they were a strong race. The ones on Earth are peaceful for the most part."

"Does that make us related in some way?"

He shook his head, "No, that blood does not link us."

"So you want to fight so I can get it out?"

He nodded, "I have been told that is the best way of going at it. By the way, Saiyan skin is pretty tough, so you can go much higher on the gravity machine."

"I'm worried about Patamon."

"What do you think?" He looked at him.

"Let's make it higher!" He smiled.

I laughed, "Okay, let's." We got up and my cell phone rang. I picked it up, seeing that it was Kaiba, "Yes?"

"I just got some weird weather over the Pacific Ocean." He mentioned, "It's abnormal for this time of the year."

"Maybe that's one of them! I mean, Australia is still far from Japan."

"I'll have my men on it." He then hung up.

"Kaiba-san just might've found one of them!" I said to Date-san and Patamon.

"That's great!" Patamon said. "Where?"

"In the Pacific Ocean. I hope they'll be okay."

"They will be." Date-san said. "But anyway, I also just remembered what brought out our decision to fight. Was there something about the way Sora is acting that is making you worry?"

I almost forgot about that. "Yeah, she was telling me that she will be with him again. It's like his feelings don't matter. And that she's the only one that can be with him, but she knows of one of the people that he loves more than anything." I wondered if he knew who Styxmon was.

"So she is just refusing to let him go?"

"I guess so."

"The advice I can give now is that Matt talks to her. If she does not understand after that, then he would just have to keep his distance and ignore her. If she believes that Matt is the one for her, Tai will need to prove that this is not the case and they should be together." He smiled, "If they do not have faith and hope, then they do not have much to keep them together."

I found myself smiling back, though I didn't know why. His smile right there reminded me of Matt, like he was my brother. He's been acting like that for a while. I hit my fist to my palm, feeling like I could control this part of me that's rising, "Okay! I totally feel like I can do this."

"I am glad. How would you like the fight to be structure? I will also not go easy on either one of you." Date-san said as we headed over to his dojo.

"Battle Royale!" Patamon said.

I laughed, "Okay! Patamon, you can use your attacks. Do you want to evolve first?"

"I probably won't be able to fit if I do." Patamon flew into the dojo as we got there.

"What setting do you want it to be?" Date-san asked.

Patamon went over, telling him what level we were at and Date-san made it heavier. He also opened all the hidden parts, revealing the weapons that were there. "We will be able to pick whatever weapons we want as we fight." He said, getting into a position. Patamon and I got into one as well, before we all launched at each other.

Afterwards, we all took a bath together. It was really relaxing. I wanted to ignore it, but it was getting to me at the same time. I noticed what Date-san was talking about, at how fighting was now pleasing to me. It was now becoming fun, and I knew that wasn't a good thing. So maybe all I need to do is train so that it won't over power me.

"Date-san, does Lita still train?" I wondered if I had to train for the rest of my life, not finding that a scary thought, though.

"No, she does not. Once you have gotten comfortable with it, and it is done mixing, then you can use it for whatever you want. It does not come back if you stop training or fighting after that."

"What doesn't come back?"

"The feelings and emotions you are having right now, at least not in the same intensity that it has."

I nodded, "So I guess I just have to keep training until then."

"Right, but once it is done, you do not have to."

"Thanks." I smiled.

Afterwards, we went to bed.

"TK." I heard someone say. I looked out the window to see that it was still dark outside. "TK, wake up." I looked to see Date-san.

"What?" I asked, wondering what time it was.

"Something is outside. I have not checked yet, but I thought it was better to get you up in case it is something." He moved over to the window, making me get up. I looked at the time, seeing that it's two AM. He then opened the window, "I will be at the front door." Date-san yelled before closing the window. He sighed before looking at me, "It is Killer and someone else."

I blinked, "How can that be?"

"Get dress. I am sure you will have lots of questions." He smiled at me before moving out. I then noticed that Patamon was up too. I got dressed quickly. I remembered that he was allowed to stay with Hades and his wife. Maybe he could tell me something. I ran down the stairs, seeing him and Ilpalo at the table with muddy and torn up clothes.

"What happened?" I asked as I went over to them. "How did you get out?" I stayed standing, not really sure if I should be sitting down. I heard Date-san making them something.

"We found a portal that got us here." Killer said with a smile. "And trust us, we didn't want to do this to the clothes. Anyway, we're crashing here for the day, until we can get over to Hecate."

"But, of course, we wouldn't come here with empty hands." Ilpalo said.

"But, before you can tell TK anything," Date-san said, coming out with food, "Eat up, and the two Digimon can come out too." They looked at him and he smiled, "Patamon is out, if you are wondering how I know." He went back into the kitchen.

"I thought the Digimon were a secret or somethin'." Killer looked at me.

"He knew about them from the start. Panther and Ceres met him and he was able to see through the disguises very well." They looked at each other before nodding. Then Endmon and Eternalmon came out.

"Hi ya!" Eternalmon said, flying around me. "My name is Eternalmon!"

"He was there when we first race into them, stupid." Endmon said. "Is this guy safe?" She looked at me.

I nodded, "Yeah, he's safe." I smiled. He has never proven otherwise. I looked at Killer, and he was eyeing the kitchen particularly. I wasn't really sure what that meant, though. "Is something wrong, Killer?"

"Not particularly." He said, though not taking his eyes away from the kitchen. Ilpalo hit him on the head. "What…"

"Don't be rude." He responded before looking at me, "What are your plans for today?"

"I haven't formed anyway yet. I guess help you guys out. Do you need to rest?"

They both had a question on their faces as Date-san came out with their drinks. Ilpalo looked surprised, though, "How would you know about this?" He pointed to his drink. He set something out for me and Patamon too so I sat down. Eternalmon was already at the table, eating with Endmon.

"My fiancée and I went on a trip through Europe. You looked like you are from Spain, so I thought that this would be more to your liking than tea would."

"Yet, I'm a gangsta and you know that, so why give me tea?" Killer asked, though still drinking it.

"Panther likes tea." He smiled as he sat down. Killer looked away, being defeated. "Some of the food is from Spain as well, so I do hope that you do not mind the taste."

"Thank you very much. Yeah, Ceres never really cooked Japanese food and you wouldn't believe some of the crazy stuff we had to eat." Ilpalo laughed. I then remembered that Ilpalo was allowed to stay with them too.

"You know Ceres?" Date-san asked, making me remember that he didn't know.

"Oh, yeah. I'm her only boyfriend…" He paused before starting talking to Killer about trying his food.

Date-san closed his eyes for a moment, "I am sure she still thinks about you." He said as he opened them, "But, in either case, eat up. If you would like some rest, I will get a room ready for you."

"We could probably use the rest." Ilpalo said, "We'll explain everything afterwards."

He nodded, getting up, "Please, make yourself at home. TK and Patamon know the house, so they can help you." He went upstairs.

Ilpalo went back to cheering up Killer, who was accepting it.

"Anything you want to tell me without Date-san knowing?" I asked. "Though, he is a trustworthy guy."

"We have a Pandora's box that needs to go to Hecate." Killer said, "But, other than that, I think it's safe to say that he can know everything else."

"What does Ceres think of him?" Ilpalo asked.

"I think she likes him. When we got back from getting Panther, she had him place on her bus so she could talk to him in Latin and Ancient Greek." I only knew that because Ceres was commenting how nice it was to be able to talk to someone in those languages.

"He knows Latin?"

I nodded, "He's even been translating books that he got from Germany for some time now. He's also thinking about comparing his translation with what Ceres thinks, though probably doing so when they get back. And his sister, our math teacher, has also been kind to Panther." I looked at Killer, "When the school was hard on her when Matt left, she gave Panther a place to breathe." I figured that they didn't care about me, considering that they don't know me at all.

"And what about the others?" Killer asked.

"Um… yeah, she helps out the others too, when they need it. She's also another one that Ceres has fun with on an intellectual level. Those two have even made the course harder because she wants to challenge them."

"That doesn't sound bad to me." Endmon said. "Digimon do that all the time."

Killer still looked like he was debating something in his mind. "The rooms are ready whenever you are done." Date-san said as he came down.

"TK just told us that you know Latin." Ilpalo said.

"Yes, I do." He blinked.

He went to the bag that Killer had on him, pulling out a scroll of some kind. "Could you translate this for us?"

Date-san walked over, taking it in his hand carefully to look over it. "It seems to be a bunch of spells." He said after taking a glance at it. "Though, I guess the powerful ones would be in Greek and the lesser ones are in Latin."

"So, you can translate it for us?"

"I will have it done before I leave for work." He smiled.

"Thank you." He went back to eating, trying the Japanese food. I don't know why, but they did remind me of Panther and Ceres, making me realize that I do miss them, and everyone else, just as equally as Matt. Date-san place his hand on my shoulder and gave me a smile before heading over to the couch. I was eating along with them, figuring that I wouldn't be able to get any sleep as they did.

"Are the dead able to get new clothes?" I asked as I led them to their rooms.

"We were made these." Killer said.

"By whom?"

"The Fates."

"I thought their threads were only used for lives, though." Patamon said.

I looked at them, seeing that they were quiet now, "What's wrong?"

"Is this the room?" Ilpalo asked, pointing to the right one.

"What's wrong?" I didn't like how they were avoiding my question.

"See ya when we get up." Killer said as they walked in, closing the door.

I went over to Date-san, "Date-san, can the Fates' thread be used to make clothes?"

He looked up at me, "I do not think so.. At least, no one had ever described them as doing such. That is something that Athena would be called for."

"They just told me that the Fates made their clothes." I was getting more worried, "And they wouldn't tell us the importance of that."

"That probably means that those threads were made from other's fates." He said truthfully, "I am sure that your friends are still alive." I looked at the stairs, "Let them rest. Killer seems to suspect me of something, so this break might help him gain courage to ask me directly."

I nodded, sitting down next to him, "What does it say so far?"

"They do not invoke gods, for one thing. Though, considering where they were, I can assume that the gods would not need that. Latin parts are for commands that are within some kind of box. The Greek portion is for opening that box and allowing people to use it. There are blanks in here, though, that makes it unclear as to who controls it." He said as he was transcribing the translation to Japanese.

"Why not translate it to English?" Patamon asked, "After all, I'm sure that Japanese can't capture it right."

"And also it doesn't really matter, since they're going to take it Hecate." I informed him, since he was working so hard on it.

"It is part of their test of trust. And I do not know if they know English. I am nearly positive that they are not, but I will ask them before handing one. And you are right, Patamon, Japanese will not be able to capture it right since Japanese does not have a general plural for our words." He smiled.

"How do you know it's a test? Are you really going to work?" I was wondering if his curiosity was getting to him like it was with me.

"Since Killer does not trust me, and I know the signs of Ceres pretty well, I can see it in Ilpalo's eyes that he handed this to me as a way of testing how much I know Ceres. She trained him well at hiding his true intentions, and getting information from someone indirectly."

"Really? She does that?"

He nodded, "She did it when they first talked to me. She always does it with someone new she meets. That is how I noticed it since she did the same thing with my friends."

"And work?" Patamon asked.

"I have not made up my mind yet, though, I probably should for my students. But, if they need to get things done, then do not wait up for me. Have one of my friends help you travel. Or, if you feel comfortable around them, you can travel with them." He smiled.

I lay back, thinking about that. I knew that I could, but I wasn't sure whether or not I should. After all, there was a chance that the others would come, and I didn't want Endmon and Eternalmon to be in danger because of it. "What time do you get off?" I looked at him.

"A bit after school."

"If they wake up before that, then we'll ask one of your friends." I said.

"Okay." He finished up. "Have them check it with Hecate, though."

"I don't know if know if she knows Japanese though. Only one Deity really knew Japanese because Nereida taught it to her."

"What happened to that Deity?"

"She probably left with the Brothers… After all, they were sent here to do something for Zeus, so they probably accomplished that with this." I sighed.

"You will never know until you ask." Date-san smiled, "Go ahead and ask them when they wake up."

I nodded. He and Patamon played Go for the remainder of the time. Mackenzie-sensei came to get him. I finished my assignments and cleaned the house to keep myself busy. I also practiced with Patamon in the dojo around lunch time. When I went by their room, I didn't hear any talking, though that doesn't really mean anything, considering who they are and who they know.

Date-san came back before they woke up. I was getting kinda worried about them, so I had Date-san go check up on them. "They are still asleep." He said as he came down.

"They've been sleeping the whole day." I pointed out.

"Let them sleep. Sleep is a way of reviving yourself, sometimes." He smiled. "Even the Digimon are resting peacefully, so they must have been through quite a lot."

"I know that Digimon are after them. That one Digimon at the festival was after them." I said as I set down the food on the table.

He nodded, "I am glad that they can feel safe here, then."

I smiled, not really thinking of it as that way, "Are your sisters coming?"

"I told them that I have guests over. I do not want to scare them away." He smiled, "My family can be overwhelming with their openness, and when we are all together, it is harder to contain that."

"Why is that?" Patamon asked. "I don't think that we ever felt that way before."

"Well," He sat down, "Everyone had a sense of the kind of person I was when I talked to Panther and Ceres. And then you met Layla through school, so you got to know her as well. You two were around all three of us at one point, so you probably got some sense how we were when we were together. Of course, when we all were together for a longer period, my friends were a counterbalance for us."

I was thinking about it. That was true. Matt and I also met Mia, so we kinda got something from that too. It's kinda weird how we keep bumping into him. "It's kinda weird how our paths keep crossing." I commented as I sat down.

"I think it keeps life interesting." He smiled.

"Hey, we smell food." I heard Killer said, as they came down the stairs. Ilpalo pushed him down with his foot.

"Don't be rude." He said as he stepped over him. "How far did you get?" Ilpalo looked at Date-san as Eternalmon flew over to Date-san, sitting on his shoulder.

"I got it all translated, though, I would suggest that you take my translations to whomever you were sent to give the box to. If you would need an English version, I can also produce that one quickly, since I was not sure who among you knew English."

Ilpalo looked at Killer, who was carrying Endmon in his arms, "Do you know English?"

"Never thought it would be useful for anything."

He looked at Date-san, "Could you produce a Spanish one?"

"I am not familiar with that language." He said.

"I could give it a shot." I offered. "Panther and Ceres were teaching us Spanish since they were taking it as a class."

"Why would Panther take that as a class?" Killer asked me.

"Matt gave her the option of having a class without me, and she picked a few of them. That happens to be one of them."

"Okay, would you mind?" Ilpalo asked.

"I might not be very good at it, though." I said, since that would be the truth.

"That's okay. As long as it's not horrible, I should be able to understand it." Ilpalo smiled.

"Okay, but before that, I'll get you guys something to eat. You sure did sleep a lot." I was about to get up when Date-san got up instead.

"Ilpalo, Killer, and Digimon, what is it that you would like to eat?"

"Something from my country." Ilpalo said, taking a seat.

"What do you two want?" Killer looked at Endmon and Eternalmon, who was still on Date-san.

"I know! I know! How about that one meal that smelt very, very, very good!" Eternalmon said happily, though that didn't help any at to what it was.

Endmon agreed, jumping on the table and heading over to Date-san. "We'll help you make it."

Date-san picked her up carefully, then looked at Killer, "Would you like anything?"

"I'll have what you're having."

He nodded and headed to the kitchen with Eternalmon cheering.

"Why were you about to make us a meal when this isn't your house?" Ilpalo asked as Killer sat down.

"I'm just comfortable cooking, sometimes. I don't always." Patamon and I don't if Lita is over. Otherwise, Date-san doesn't mind that we cook. "Why were you guys sleeping for so long?"

"Just needed it. We don't get much sleep when we're down there." Killer said. "And since we got bodies, we have to take care of them for the period that we have them."

"Why not try to find Panther and Ceres? I'm sure that you would much rather see them than see me."

Killer looked away from me for some reason. "We're watching them so we're okay with just seeing you. After all, we're here on a mission so our personal lives need to be put on hold."

"Oh… Who sent you?"

"Hebe, though I think you guys know her as Heka."

I blinked, "What?"

"Yeah, she's been watching them as a punishment for not revealing the group. Another deity was punished recently because she helped Panther. So, as a reward, we're taking her powers to Hecate so that her powers can be protected."

"What happened to the brothers?" I had thought that they all just left because they were finished with their plans. Could I be wrong?

"Brothers?" Ilpalo blinked.

"There were three brothers that were living here and attended school with TK." Date-san said as he came back out with their food. Eternalmon and Endmon were helping him. "I do not know their Deity names, but one of them liked Kari."

They were thinking about that. "Do you know their Deity names?" Killer asked me.

"Thanatos, Hypnos and Aither."

"Thanatos came to us before!" Eternalmon said before he and Endmon started eating.

"Yeah, they're there, but only Hebe is punished." Killer said.

"Is Heka watching me too?" I was wondering that.

"No, but she can know how you're doing through him." He pointed to Date-san. He was eating and the same with Ilpalo. "Oh, so I guess I better give you the report." Killer ate a bit before clearing his throat, "Okay, Matt, Nereida, Neon and Lily Dawn are all traveling in China right now by train, though where they will land, I don't know. Ceres, Ken, Tim and Ryan are all in America, somewhere. We couldn't really tell what was going on. Panther, Kari, Don and Damon are on a boat somewhere in the ocean. Panther is glowing right now, so it should be easier to find her."

"Why would she be glowing?" Date-san asked.

"They have something called Jewels that gives them power. Hers is the ability to turn into a shadow, or something like that, but she glows afterwards." Killer said, as if having familiarity with it.

"Will her glow last as long as your side effect, TK?" Date-san looked at me.

"It'll only last a week."

"Maybe this should be told to Kaiba-san? After all, it would help him locate them."

I nodded, "I will," I looked at Killer, "If you want to ask Date-san anything, now would be a good time."

He kinda looked like he didn't want to, and for someone who was a gangster, I thought it was funny. "They're not always fortunate in having help with no strings, so what's your angle?"

Date-san smiled, "I am also experienced in the life style that they had picked up. I wish to aid them whenever they need it. My sister has already been a big help, since she has covered for their group many times. My family and friends are what I like to call protectors, and we all understand how little help protectors get. I am sure that TK can recount moments when guidance and aid would have been helpful, and I know I can recount many as well. So, for them not to be lost in the darkness, I am offering them a light." I don't know why that seemed to be right or even funny, but it was.

"They seem fine right now being on their own. I'm sure you're not a Digidestined." Ilpalo said.

"I know that they do not need our help always, but whenever they need it, they know where to turn for that help. Sometimes, the help is not related to group, sometimes, it is. But just letting them know that they have another place to be safe at is more comforting than actually going to that place."

"What are your strings? There has to be some catch." Killer said.

"I am still searching for my missing brothers, and they happen to know people who can help me find them. Those would be the only strings."

"Why did you lose them?" Ilpalo asked.

"There was a force so powerful that it made me nearly lose all my family. I managed to gain back my sisters and my love, but my brothers have been proving harder to gain back."

"Though, you're not doing much to find them." Killer pointed out. I don't know why I want to jump in, though Patamon made a motion for me not to.

"During the first few months since I lost them, I was searching everything I could to get to them, but fate proved otherwise. Now, I am just waiting for them to come find me, since I believe that once they are ready to remember everything, that they will come back to me."

"What if they get killed before coming back?"

There was a heavy silence in the room afterwards. Ilpalo felt embarrassed, but Killer didn't. I guess Date-san always tried to look on the positive side, never thinking that he would lose them before seeing them. "I will then go to wherever they are. I won't be able to stay, of course." I just realized that he lost his formal speech again, making it the second time. "But, if I lost all three of them, I would doubt that I would be as strong as you and Panther."

Killer was shock before looking away. "What do you mean by that?"

"Moving on, not staying where they were… I would probably join them, despite all their pleads. I don't know how you convinced Panther, but I know I'm much more headstrong and I can be more irrational than rational."

"But, you said that you have your family and friends here. Wouldn't you want to stay for them?" Ilpalo asked.

"I care about my friends, but I could so easily leave them behind again… My sisters would understand, but I don't know whether they would join me or stop me. They would be the only ones that could stop me. Lita… Maybe she could as well… If I don't join them, I won't ever be complete."

With another heavy silence, Patamon and I cleaned up the table. Date-san helped after a while, since he was getting Ilpalo's and Killer's plate.

"Is dying a bad thing?" Endmon asked as they were hanging on Date-san's shoulders.

"It is supposed to mean that you can no longer see the ones you care for. It is supposed to be the end." Date-san said in his formal speech.

"But Digimon come back all the time when they go away." Eternalmon said.

"Digimon are much different than humans, I am afraid." He smiled at Eternalmon.

"Can they be the same?" Endmon asked.

"I do not think so." With all this dread, I was beginning to wonder if he lost someone already.

"Did you lose someone?" Patamon dared asked.

"As of late, no… At least, not to my knowledge… I have also lost friends at the same time that I lost my brothers, and I have not heard from them for just as long."

We finished up, "Let's go over to Kaiba-san." I said, thinking we should head that way before going over to Hecate.

Date-san nodded, "Do you know where Hecate is?"

"I have a pretty good idea where she is. Though, I'm not really sure." I wondered if Heka thought that I actually knew. I went over to them to see that they were silent themselves. I guess even the dead reflect heavily on those they left behind. "Um." I said, getting their attention, "Did Heka give you something to find Hecate or does she think that I know where she lives?"

They looked at each other before looking at me, "You don't know?" Ilpalo asked.

"I have a general idea on where she lives, since I would think that she would live in near Heka and I kinda know where she lives." I could say that I knew where she lived, but then they would start thinking.

"We would just have to go on that, then, because it's better than having nothing."

I nodded, "Okay, let's head over to Kaiba-san then. You two can give him as much information as you can on them."

"Why would we do that? Wouldn't he ask how we know?" Killer asked.

"Yes, but you can tell him the truth. I mean, there isn't a point to keep something from him since he is trying to find out where they are so he can bring them back home."

They looked at each other and nodded, "But…"

"If you're worried about us, we can stay here." Patamon said, "I'll protect Eternalmon and Endmon, since we're not sure how trustworthy Hecate is."

"We're not worried about Hecate." Ilpalo said, "It's this Kaiba-san that we're worrying about."

"And we know that he's trustworthy. So I guess that there's nothing to worry about."

"I like meeting new people!" Eternalmon said from Date-san's head. Endmon went over to Killer.

"What do you think?" Killer looked at her as he picked her up.

"Does he know about you?" She looked over as us, though probably addressing Patamon.

"He also knows about Gabumon, Fiterimon, Plantmon, and probably knows about the others." Not everyone was present at the study session, but he probably still watches Matt from time to time when he was here.

"He also thinks of Matt as a friend, so he is trying his hardest to bring everyone back." I added, "Plus, he's also working hard on translating the books for us."

"We're wasting time sitting around." Ilpalo said, "So let's get going."

Date-san led us to the bus that we would take. Ilpalo and Killer were in one booth, with Endmon and Eternalmon with them. They kinda reminded me of Panther and Ceres at that moment. Date-san had given them the translation for them to look at. I was going to do a Spanish version, but I would have to use the Japanese version or English version that Date-san would have provided. I called Kaiba-san to let him know that we were coming, though I was going to explain everything when we got there.

"Don't they remind you of Ceres and Panther?" Patamon asked.

"Yeah, they do." I laughed, "It's kinda funny how similar, and yet different, they are." I said with a smile.

"I guess I can not see it too well since I have not been around them for so long." Date-san said, "Though, I can see traits of them within them, but I can not say that these two behave the same as them."

"Yeah, it's not always obvious," I leaned in closer to Date-san, "Though, it also helps that we can read the interaction between them when I'm not around them."

"I guess that would be greatly helpful." Date-san smiled.

"By the way," Killer asked in his gangster way, though the only way I could guess that was because it was much different from the way he had been speaking, "why don't ya have car? Ya live so far out from the city."

"I guess you two are not as insightful as everyone else." He smiled. It was right then interesting to hear the two styles of speech spoken with no hint of degrading in their voices, since Killer was more casual in his speech.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ilpalo asked.

"I am only six years older than TK." He smiled. They widen their mouths, as I kinda just gawked. I didn't think he was that young. He laughed at our expression warm-heartedly.

"So wait, why the cane then? It makes you look tens years older."

"I like it when people guess at the cause." He smiled, also hinting at me to not tell them.

They were coming up with all the wrong reasons, to bad bones, to making a statement of looks. I never knew there could be so much in between until now. I was laughing at some of the things they were coming up with. After a while, they just made it into a contest on who can get it right first. When we got there, Mokuba was waiting for us.

"Thank you for meeting with us so late." I said as we were getting off the bus.

"No problem. Follow me." He led us inside.

"Is Kaiba-san getting sleep?" I wanted to make sure.

"Yeah, he comes home every night and gets up at his usual time. Everything gets done before he works on the translating." He smiled at me.

"Good, I didn't want him to be overworking himself."

"He knows not to, but he does get done with everything faster because of it."

"So he spends most of his time on translating and looking for them?"

"Yep, but so far, we haven't found anything new, so it's a good thing that you can help."

"I want them back just as much." I smiled.

We entered Kaiba-san's room and I felt something behind me. I looked at Ilpalo and Killer, seeing that Killer was holding his face for some reason. It was like he was ready to fire back if Kaiba-san fires first.

"Who are these two?" Kaiba-san asked, though not getting up from his chair.

"This is Killer, Endmon, Ilpalo, and Eternalmon. The Digimon are part of the Neo group and the humans are the boyfriends of Panther and Ceres, respectively. They've been dead for a while, but they have been watching them since they departed?" I looked at them for the confirmation. "Yeah, since they departed, so they have a better idea on where to send you to look."

Kaiba-san looked at them, "Speak."

"Matt, Neon, Lily Dawn and Nereida are in China, heading over to the coast. They landed in Russia and started to head that way. They are protected by the Chinese Deities, which two of them are traveling with them. We don't know where the train that they're on is heading, though." Ilpalo stated. "Panther, Kari, Don and Damon are in the Pacific Ocean. They landed in Australia and have only recently been on the boat that they were on. They also have passed over a huge storm not too long ago. Panther is also glowing, so she might make it easier to spot them." And then he was silent.

"And the others?" Kaiba-san asked after a minute of silence.

"Ceres will get them home, one way or another." He stated.

"You do know that they're on a time limit, right?" Kaiba-san seemed to be trying to keep his annoyance out of his voice.

"Yes, we do, but I also know that Ceres will get them home. She has more connections where she is right now than you probably do."

"I'm a very elite businessman. I have my hands in multiple things all over the world." He stated.

"But they're not going to be using your people. Ceres wouldn't trust them."

"Are they still in America?"

"Yes."

Kaiba-san looked at me, "The epic is making me question the grammar I thought I knew, so I'm going to look at it again and maybe even redo it."

"Really? Why is that?"

"Would you like some help?" Date-san asked, "I am no expert on any language, but I am very familiar with Ancient Greek and Latin."

"I think it's in the structure of those languages, but I'm not really sure." Kaiba-san admitted. "Since I don't have anything else to find the structure for it." He went onto his computer and printed something off before getting up. "Have a look at this." He said as he walked over, handing it to Date-san. "This is the original text, so let me know if you can find anything from it."

Date-san took it, looking over it for a moment, "I will try my best to help." He looked at Kaiba-san. I, for some reason, felt like Date-san was being given another test. He looked over at me, "TK, would you also fill me in later of what you know of the history of the Digital World?"

I nodded, "Sure thing!" I smiled, glad he was asking for my help. I looked at Kaiba-san, "Okay, we have to head over someplace else before they can go home. Thank you for your help."

"Do you need us to drive you over?" Mokuba asked.

"I'm not totally sure where the place is located, and I don't want to have you guys running around for nothing." I just didn't want them to reveal about the probes.

Kaiba-san nodded, "We'll start searching for them then."

"Thanks." I said as I led everyone out.

"Why did you offer if you didn't know anything about the Digital World?" Endmon asked.

"I do want to learn more about it, and the best way to learn about a world is to look at their literature and learning their language." He smiled.

"Did Ceres tell you that?" Ilpalo asked.

"I learned that from my Greek courses."

We got off near the place where Apollo and they lived. I don't remember how I knew where Hecate lives, either by Nereida or Heka, but I could already feel the magic around here. It was quite heavy. As I looked at the place where we needed to head, since she was kinda far from them, I could feel my fear.

"I like this place." Killer said. He looked at me, "Where do we need to head?"

"That way, I think." I pointed to where we needed to go, but wasn't willing to move over there. Date-san placed his hand on my shoulder, smiling at me. I took a deep breath before heading over there. "By the way, Killer, do you know Kaiba-san?" I looked at him. "You were quiet while we were over there."

"Yeah, I know him. Years ago, I ran into him and got into a fight…" He ended it there.

"You lost to a businessman?" Ilpalo laughed.

"You wouldn't think he was a businessman if you fought him on the streets!" He said in his defense.

"That is the best thing about a fighter." Date-san said, "They can be anything they want, and you would never know what they are capable of. Even those with disadvantages can be the strongest fighter if they train themselves to overcome that disadvantage."

"What? You're a fighter too?" Ilpalo asked.

"Yes, and a very good one at that. Though, I do have a specialty for swords."

"Do you know a lot about swords?"

"I would say that I do."

"Take a look at these for me then." He pulled out the swords from his back. They looked to be ninja style since they were light and thin, but they weren't in any Japanese style that I knew of.

Date-san took them in his hands, "I see that the craftsman knew a lot about his manner. He knew to make it light and to make it short, but I can see that he could not give up his own style, the style of his learning."

"What learning is that?" Killer asked.

"One of the West, but not too modern, at least, though, the method he used made the blade easily breakable. The Japanese style, and even the Chinese style, would at least allow the sword to be able to hold a lot of pressure before breaking." He handed it back to Ilpalo, "If you ever plan on using it, I suggest that you make sure that you know you can win. Otherwise, it could break on you during the match." I was actually impressed that he could tell all that much by touching it and looking at it.

"How can you tell?" Ilpalo asked as he placed them back.

"My family comes from a samurai branch, so I happen to learn a lot about swords as a hobby of mine. Though, it has also become a hobby of my students to get swords and test me on what I know. I have students from all kinds of background, and different families, so they are able to test me from all over the world. I am much more familiar with Chinese and Japanese sword making than I am with the rest of the world, but I have practiced with all the kinds of swords out there, so I have some vague idea on which ones are better to use for a person."

"That's so cool!" Patamon said.

Then we reached her house. The feeling I was getting was coming from here. I kinda wondered if it was from her and if she knew that we were coming. I knocked on her door and it opened. I looked at Killer and Ilpalo, "Do you mind if we're there?"

"If there's room." Ilpalo said.

I nodded as I headed inside. I remember reading that she only had one room and it was up the stairs. I noticed the stairs immediately, and went up them. The only room in the house was on the left and it was opened. She was sitting there in a mediating stance.

"Welcome." She said in a haunting voice. "There's room for all." She smiled at me. I nodded, walking in and taking a seat. Killer, Ilpalo, Endmon and Eternalmon were on the opposite side of Date-san, Patamon and me. Killer brought out the box and the scroll, including the translation that Date-san provided. She looked over at them, "They are correct." She handed the translation to Killer, "You can trust him."

Killer nodded. "I guess you know what we're here for."

"I do, though, you would need something for me to place her powers in."

"We didn't bring much, though." Ilpalo said.

"Let me look at things first before I make a choice." She brought out things, chanting something as she was doing various things. I couldn't really follow too well, but she was using incense, water, salt, and drew symbols from time to time as she was chanting. I could feel something surrounding us, or floating above us. No one else seemed to be bothered by this, though. I kept my eyes above us, though not seeing anything around there. "You must carry her powers until the time comes to transfer it over." She pointed over to Date-san.

"I doubt I will live for the duration of her punishment." Date-san said, "But, will there be a way for me to know when that time comes?"

"Yes, there will be, but you must master her darker half before that time."

He nodded. I was taken back at how brave he was. I mean, it kinda reminded me of the Dark Being, but this seemed to have more weight on it. I wondered if he could handle it. "What shall we place it in?"

"Your orb. It is connected to your armor, which will be infused with her dark energy. Whenever you wear your armor, her darkness will be present and you must overcome it. If you do not, you will be consumed by it."

"Why not separate her power? Give someone the light part and someone the darkness?" I asked, after all, that's what happened before with the powers that Matt has.

"TK," I looked at Date-san and he smiled at me, "I will be fine. Powers that have been together should not be separated without a good cause." He lay down his cane near Hecate, "I will try my best to let my warrior spirit overcome the darkness that will exist."

She nodded, "You will know the time, though make sure that your successor will have the power to overcome it as well." She then took the cane in her hands, chanting something as the box opened. I could sense something horrible inside, holding onto Patamon for some reason as the box was shaking. Something that would be like a spirit without solid form came out from the cries of the box. It made its way slowly over to Date-san's cane, entering the orb. The orb glowed brightly as it was entering. When everything was done, the box closed and the feeling was gone. I looked at his cane, seeing that it was containing the power within it, being shown as a swirl of white and black. But, I only could guess that since his orb is colored green. She handed it back to him. "It is not an easy task."

"Such things never are nor should they ever be." He took it back and bowed.

"How are you two going back?" Hecate looked over Killer and Ilpalo.

"I don't think we should die again." Ilpalo said with a laugh.

"Can we stay here until the honey runs out?" Killer asked.

"It wouldn't until she reverses it."

"We'll think about that later. We would have to do it secretively anyway." Ilpalo said.

She nodded, "Good luck."

We all bowed before getting up. I found us a bus station that couldn't take us close to Date-san house, but actually there.

"Why are you willing to do this for someone you don't even know?" Killer asked as we were waiting for it to arrive.

"It is rare for a group of protectors to find help and people so willing to sacrifice themselves for that group. I would rather be one of those people than one of the people that stands by and watches. I am, after all, capable of helping out when needed." Then the bus came and we got on. "You are also welcome to stay for as long as you like."

"Thank you, but we should get back soon. Two Digimon are taking our place and we need to return the box." Ilpalo said. "By the way, is there any way to make my swords stronger?"

"What are you using them for?"

"I'm using them as protection. Not really for myself, but for Deities."

"And that would mean that you would be going against Digimon." He closed his eyes. "I would say that you should break those ones and have the person make you a new one, or coat it in ChromeDigizoid." I hid my shock. If he knew about that, then that means that he has deep understanding of what goes on in the Digital World. Sure, he can know that there are creatures call Digimon and he can know what some look like, but knowing about the metal is like being one of us.

"What's that?" Killer asked.

Before he even answered, Date-san moved all of us to the ground, covering everyone as the bus started to flip. I immediately felt a familiarity to this, and the oddest thing is that I'm sure it was from Date-san. We were on the roof of the bus by the time that it stopped, meaning that we were all on Date-san. "Are you okay?" He asked the driver, his arms around all of us.

"Yeah…" He said in a daze voice. I then noticed that they two were protecting Endmon and Eternalmon.

Date-san let go of us, sliding over to driver quickly. "Grab your seat so you don't fall." He said as he unhooked him. He looked over at us, "Move out."

We crawled out from one of the windows that Killer broke. I was getting a bad feeling about this. I looked around to see that we were in a remote place. The driver started to walk away as Date-san came over to us and I noticed that he forgot his cane. None of us had it. I looked in the bus and went back for it.

"TK!" Date-san yelled as I took hold of it and seeing a light coming over to the bus. I noticed the attack as well. Before I knew what happened, Angemon blocked it and Date-san pulled me out of the bus. "Take him back to my house." He said to Killer and Ilpalo.

"What's going on?" Killer asked.

"Finally found you!" I heard Davis say from the sky. I looked up to see him and XV-mon there.

"X-Laser!" XV-mon said as he hunched to power it up, blasting it at us. A shield of electricity formed around us, protecting us. Angemon then took them out of the sky, making them land far away from us on the ground. I had the immediate instinct to go see if Davis was okay, but Date-san had his arms around me.

"Can you find where my house is?" He looked over at Killer and Ilpalo.

"What are you going to do?" Ilpalo asked.

"Make sure that he does not follow. Can you make it back?"

He looked at Killer. "Maybe. I'm not familiar with that area."

"Hide for now, then." He pushed me over to them as XV-mon got up. "Angemon, I can take care of it from here."

He nodded as he floated lower to us. Date-san jumped onto the bus, making me realize that I still had his cane. "Keep it with you so I can find you. After all, Killer knows the back alleys." He smiled at me before looking straight ahead.

Ilpalo grabbed my hand before forcing me to follow them. I didn't like how I was leaving Date-san to fight my battles. Was I really not strong enough to face them?

Killer was leading us, and Angemon turned back into Patamon so that he wouldn't be so obvious. We were taking back alleys, though I didn't like how they were so narrow. I was then beginning to wonder how they can find me. It's obviously not so easily since they don't attack once I enter the city, but I haven't been able to avoid them the times I've been in the city since their initial attack.

"What was up with that?" Killer asked when we stopped in an old building. "That was a Digimon right? So that means he's a friend of yours."

I looked at the ground, "I really wish I knew what's up with them…"

"Why is Date-san fighting your fight?" Ilpalo asked.

"Even though they are willing to fight against me, I don't want to. And he knows that so fights them for me.. whenever he's around, of course."

"You should learn to fight your own battles." Killer said, staying near the window. "It makes you a lot stronger that way."

"I'm sure he already knows that, Killer. It's not easy fighting against your friends though."

"Of course it is. If they attack you, you have every right to attack back. That's the way that world goes."

"If your heart is not into it, then you should not do it." Date-san said at the stairs. "It will do you no good if you attack when you do not want to."

I brought him his cane and he smiled. "Are you okay?" I asked.

"I am." He took his cane. "I do not know how safe it is, though."

"We're safe right now." Killer mentioned.

"Yes, but does nothing for us when we get out of here."

"We can travel through the Digital World and then bring you two back here." Endmon offered. "Though, it would have to be tomorrow since Eternalmon already used his power to get us here today."

"We can only do the traveling once a day." Eternalmon said happily.

"And I'm sure that as soon as we enter the Digital World, we have to head back. It's the only fair thing to do." Ilpalo said.

"But, there are portals that you can use. They're supposed to bring you close to a Digidestined." Killer added.

I thought about it for a moment, knowing that Date-san was waiting for my answer. I know that I would like to go back to the Digital World to see how everything is going, but what is worrying me is that they seem to know when I come away from Date-san's house, so it is a good thing that I go into the Digital World where Gennai can watch me? That was something I didn't know, and I didn't have an answer to ease my mind of it, either. "Okay, let's go." I smiled. I wanted to see Kitty anyway, so this was probably my best chance to do so. Endmon closed her eyes, creating a portal, similar to the ones that the amulets create, in front of her. Ilpalo and Eternalmon went in first. Patamon and I went in then Date-san came through before Killer and Endmon.

"What are you two going to do?" Killer asked.

"I'm going to go look around. I know a few Super Levels so I can ask them about the portals." I answered.

"They don't sound too easy to find, though." Ilpalo mentioned.

"It'll keep me out of their way for a while." I smiled. "Stay safe."

"We will." Killer said before they started to head in some direction.

"You did not want to tell them about your trick?" Date-san asked.

"With the Jewel? Not really… I actually want to check out the Primary Village. And we can also visit Horsemon." I did remember where we landed and where we got out, since Ken reviewed it with me when we got back.

"Okay, then lead the way." He smiled. I thought it was kinda funny how he made it seem like he knew what I was talking about, but I knew that he had no idea. I remember him showing a lot of faith in Panther, wondering if he had that kind of faith in me and my abilities around here.

I brought out my jewel, "DigiArmor Energize!" I yelled.

"Patamon Armor Digievolves to………………………………… Pegasusmon! Flying Hope!"

I got on him then Date-san. Pegasusmon headed off, away from the Super Level area. "We're heading over to Horsemon. He's a very old Digimon that knows the context in the books. He's also the Digimon of Faith."

"Digimon of Faith?" He asked.

"Yeah, he's the original Digimon that had the Crest of Faith. Patamon is known as the Digimon of Hope, and all of our Digimon are called that, since in the ancient past, they were the carriers of those Crests." Though, even though I'm sure that they're not really called Digimon of the Crest, that's my name for them. "In the book, I think they're called Champions, instead."

"TK." Pegasusmon called, "Do you know where I need to head?"

"Yeah, it'll be over there." I pointed to the west. I had a lot of reference points from Ken.

"Alright." He headed over there, and was going really fast. In no time, we were coming upon the wall. I didn't realize that it was that high, though I was kinda surprise that you only notice it when you're about to hit it.

"See if you can go up." I suggested, glad that Pegasusmon could stop before hitting it. He headed up, getting tired before even reaching the top, though we still couldn't see it. Then I noticed that it was much lighter so I looked to see that Date-san was floating next to us.

"I will carry you two the rest of the way." He smiled.

"How are you doing that?" I asked.

"I can do this with my energy. Mina and Lita taught it to me." I took his hand and Pegasusmon went back to Patamon. I took him in my arms and Date-san got a better hold on me. He then moved much faster than Pegasusmon was, reaching the top in a few seconds. I looked out towards where we came from, I could see much farther and it was quite the sight. He went over the top and started to fall head first. It was much worst than a roller coaster. He started to slow down when we got to the trees, coming to an easy landing. He let me down afterwards.

"Horsemon." I called, not really wanting to get lost in here.

He came from our left, "How did you get inside this time?" He asked.

"We managed to get over the wall this time." I smiled, "How should we come in?"

"I now made it so that only the Generals and those at the Midnight Meeting can enter here. So, that means that Lord Patamon can come inside and you have to be touching him in some way to come inside too. The same way for leaving."

"Thank you. Oh, this is Date-san. He's not a Digidestined, but he's a friend of ours."

"My name is Horsemon, and I protect this land." He looked over at him.

"Thank you for allowing me to enter." Date-san bowed. He then brought out the paper that Kaiba-san gave him and walked over to Horsemon, "TK was telling me that you might be able to read this?"

"Only the Consul could read what my mother created." He said without looking at it.

"Can you provide us how your language was structured, then?"

"What do you mean?"

"For example, Japanese sentence structure is that the subject of the sentence comes before the verb; the direct object of that sentence comes in between the subject and the verb. In English, the direct object is after the verb."

He closed his eyes for a moment, before opening them, "It's an SOV language."

"Thank you. What words are inflected?"

"Nouns, verbs and adjectives, though, do note that word order isn't very important, and I'm sure that mother used that rule in her story book than the other one."

"How are they inflected?"

"Nouns have number and gender; adjectives have gender; verbs have number, person, tense, voice and mood."

"What are the genders?"

"Digimon and things that aren't Digimon, though adjectives have different endings to denote the two."

"Please explain the verbs."

"Number is singular and plural; persons are first, second and third; tense is present and future; voice is active, passive and middle; mood is indicative, imperative and subjunctive."

"Thank you very much." Date-san bowed. Though, they kinda lost me after Date-san asked about inflection.

"Is that all?" Horsemon looked at me.

"How are you holding up?"

"I'm still going strong. You don't have to worry about me for a while." He smiled.

"That's good. Okay, we better get a move on. I don't want Gennai to know that this place is still here." I said to Date-san.

He nodded, looking over at Horsemon, "Were Digimon able to have babies in the past?"

He shook his head, "I call Thunmon mother since she took care of us."

"I did not know Thunmon too well, but I had seen her before. She does seem like a caring person." I looked away. It was really starting to get to me that he knows so much inner details about the Digital World then just knowing who protects it and who their Digimon are.

"She is very caring. Don't stay too long here."

I walked over to the wall, soon having Date-san touch my shoulder as I walked through with ease. I wondered if there was a sense of awe when Tim first learned that he could walk through things. I was getting that feeling as I looked up at the solid part of the wall. I kinda wanted to stop to see how it would feel like, but it wasn't just me walking through so I didn't stop. When we got outside, it was really late. Though, as we were flying over, the sun was setting. I looked at Date-san, "What do you want to do?"

"Let us move away from here before we rest."

I nodded and brought out my Jewel again. "DigiArmor Energize!"

"Patamon Digievolves to…………………………………… Pegasusmon! Flying Hope!" We got on and Pegasusmon took off.

"Do you have anything to do tomorrow?" I asked, since I figured that he would probably need to work.

"Work is the only thing that I have tomorrow. But, do not let that stop you from accomplishing what you need to do here."

"Would you mind if we don't rest then? We can head over to the Primary Village to check up on the progress there."

"That would be fine." He smiled.

"Pegasusmon, can you handle that?" I looked at him.

"Yeah, so Primary Village it is." And he took off faster. As we were approaching it, there was something in our path. As we were getting closer, I noticed that it was my Digital clone. He was on his Angemon Digimon. We stopped a good distance away from him, not wanting to lead him to the village.

"So, we finally meet, TK." He said with my voice. It was kinda creepy since it was pretty similar to mine. "I only came here to talk." He had his hands up.

"I doubt that." I was looking around carefully, remembering who else was with his group.

He smiled, "He's not here. I came on my own."

"What do you want?"

"Like I said, I just want to talk. Letting you know, I was the first one that Gennai created. We were supposed to be your replacements."

"So why create clones of Davis, Cody and Yolie?"

"Everyone was going to be replace, why would they be any exception?" I thought that was weird, since they were loyal to Gennai still. Did that mean that Gennai thought that everyone would turn on him? "And as he was making the others, I had a chance to go watch you."

"Why would you want to? If you were supposed to follow Gennai, then it didn't matter if you acted similar to me or not."

"I was curious about my original, that's all. I was wondering why Gennai wanted us to be your replacements."

"When did he start this project?"

"Does that really matter in the end?"

"Is there anything important you want to mention or are you trying to get me to let my guard down?"

He smiled, "I'll be back to put a damper in your life. You see, as I was watching you, I noticed how carefree you were. You seemed to have everything you ever needed right with you. I mean, I know that you weren't all cheer and smiles, but at the same time, you were able to keep your sanity. Even now, you have your sanity."

"Why don't you?"

He started to laugh, "You want to know why? Because I was incomplete. There's something about the Crest of Hope that you can't quite copy. You would think that Light and the others would be the same, but no. It's only Hope. At first, I thought it was because I didn't have a partner like Patamon, so I had Gennai create us Digimon. Once we had them, it still wasn't enough. So, I went searching around to see if anyone had the answer. I learned from Megamon that you all have things that we don't, things that could make me feel whole, so I convinced Izzymon that we should try to absorb you into us. Unfortunately, the idiot talked to Gennai and he didn't like the idea, saying that it was our mission to destroy you all. I didn't want that, so I told everyone what I learned, convincing that they were all incomplete. You know the rest, right?"

"You joined up with Megamon and are working for him so you can have a chance at getting at us."

"You are smart." He laughed, getting me worried. He also wasn't acting like he was insane, but you could get that feeling from his words. "Now, tell me, I must know. I convinced the others that we needed you all for your Saiyan blood, or whatever other abilities you have, but I know that that wouldn't make me complete. What allows you to hold Hope? Tell me what makes my Hope so incomplete from yours? I was created from your Crest, so tell me, what separates us? Ken looked like he had an answer to this, so tell me, what is it?"

"How am I supposed to know? All I know is that this Crest chose me when I was little and that I was destined to have it. I don't know what makes me able to have it completely and not you. Maybe it's because you're a clone that you can't have it completely."

"No, they all are complete. I can see it. I know that they're complete. They have no doubt, they have no torment. I'm in pain from this incompleteness." He seemed to mean it. I mean, I could kinda feel it. He looked at me, "I will come for you later, but for now, I'll let you go. Since you don't know the answer now, I will let you reflect on it. Rest assure that I will return." He then took off.

"TK," I looked at Date-san, "Do not worry over this. Someone will be with you whenever he returns. You will not have to face him alone."

I smiled, "Do you think he meant it? That he's really incomplete and he just wants to know?"

"I know that he is pain because of this, but whether he would convince the others to stop after he learns the reason is another story. I do not believe that he would have them stop."

I looked at the ground, "Should I learn all I can about him before I decide something?"

"Sometimes, that is the best choice to make." I looked at Date-san, "But, on the other hand, that is your choice to make. If you are curious enough and you want to learn more about yourself, then maybe it is best. If you care not to know, then you probably should not."

I nodded, "Okay, we should head over to the village." And Pegasusmon took off.

Artmon and Biyomon greeted us warmly. We were told that the Digital World was getting calmer. Super Levels were still causing trouble for the lower levels, but there was a rumor running about a big clash. They were now choosing either to pick sides, to stay neutral or to be our friend to be on our good side. Also, the name Neo Digidestined was circulating throughout the Super Level area, and slowly seeping into the lower areas, thanks to the Baby Digimon that get sent to their villages. I thought it was good that their name was getting out there.

"Letting you know that most are partnering up with Megamon or are forming their own groups to fight you guys. The Mysterious Group has put out a claim that they have a plan that will soon take fold, so everyone is waiting to see what that is. It's supposed to be really big and kill most of you." Artmon stated.

"All the lower levels want to come to your defense." Biyomon added. "They know how much you suffered to protect our world."

"Thank you, but you should convince them not to. We don't want you to die. Super Levels are powerful as it is. It's hard for us to defeat them."

"We're not afraid of Super Levels!" A Tsunomon said. "We're ready to fight them any time!"

"It is best to know when to fight and when not to fight." Date-san said. "It is great that you have the spirit and the courage to fight a foe greater than you, but you must also have the wisdom and the patience to know when is the right time for you to fight."

"Why?" A Koromon asked.

"It does not hurt to get stronger to make sure that you can defeat your foe. Also, giving yourself time allows you to know what it is that you are fighting for. I know that it seems clear right now what the cause is, but it could become cloudy."

"Are you suggesting that we don't fight for our home?" A Tanemon asked.

"Of course not. Your home is the most important thing that you must always protect. But, is it not their home as well? Are not the Super Levels Digimon as well? I understand that you have seen evil Digimon trying to overtake this world, but the evils in the Super Level area seem very capable of doing so without much effort, so I doubt that that is their goal. It is honorable that you wish to help the Digidestined in their hour of need, but it might also be important for them to have that hour with only themselves for strength. They carry the symbols of the Digital World itself, so you will be with them in spirit, and that can give them the edge they need to win."

I was moved by what Date-san was saying, and so was everyone else. I mean, I know that we could use the help, but we wouldn't want the lower levels to help because we don't want them to die for us. We've experienced enough of that as it is, and I don't want to go through it again.

"Thank you." Artmon said once we were in our sleeping quarters. She created this for us, incase we needed it. "I've been trying to convince them to not fight against the Super Levels. I might be one myself, and I'm not saying that I'm loyal to my kind, but I know that most don't care what happens to those that get in their way. I don't want to see them get hurt for being so rash."

Date-san smiled, "Sound wisdom and the right combination of approving their courage and giving another outlet for their courage are all that is needed to keep those you love in safety. But, also remember that they should not always be in safety."

She nodded, "I can tell you this much. Megamon isn't gathering a group of low power with no potential. The other groups aren't hiring either."

"Why is Megamon gathering a bigger group when he already has a large group as it is?" I asked.

"For more security? I'm not really sure, but I do know that he's planning something big as well.''

I nodded, "Night."

"Night." She left.

"Are you going to talk to Kitty?" Patamon asked as we got in the bed.

"Yep." I smiled.

"Let me know how it goes then." He yawned before curling up.

I smiled as I closed my eyes. When I opened my eyes, I saw a girl that looked a lot like Matt and Kitty. She had silver hair and had a soft presence about her. She smiled at me kindly, like a sister or a mother would. "Hello TK, I'm sorry that you won't be able to talk to Kitty, but her host is not sleeping and it is a bit more important that you help Ceres right now."

"Ceres? Why? What's up?" I figured that this was Diana, since she knew about Kitty, though I wondered how she knew that I talked to her if she's supposed to be a ghost or not even here.

"Just like the others needed help, she does too." She extended her hand towards me, "And you're one of the people that can help her."

"Why one of?"

"She's a stubborn one, and knows that she needs more than the word of one to believe it."

I took her hand, realizing that my questions were getting in the way, "Well, if I can help her, then let's go. I shouldn't be wasting time with my dumb questions."

She smiled softly before making us fly really fast. I looked around me, wondering how she was able to do this. When we got to Ceres, she was thinking about how she hated the fact that everyone was getting better. She was also thinking about Panther and how she seems to have all of Matt's attention. I had to admit, even I notice that. But, when I needed him, he was always there for me. He was there for everyone. When she thought about his return, and his tone with her, I decided that I should get her attention. I never realized that she could be hurt that much.

"Ceres." I called, having her look up and noticed that she was no longer where she once was.

"Where am I?" She stayed in the position she was in when we came to her.

"I think we're in your mind." I smiled, figuring that's where we were since that's where I went for everyone else.

"Who's that?" She looked at Diana, though there was a look in Ceres's eyes that I've never seen before.

"This is Diana."

"Diana?"

I nodded, "I'll give you more when you guys get back. Oh, are you guys still traveling in America?" I thought that I should give Kaiba-san a better report, if I could.

"… Why?" She got suspicious of me.

"Kaiba-sama is looking for everyone so I want to know how fast he can get you guys."

Ceres was about to speak but then looked a bit annoyed. I noticed that she was looking at Diana, rather than at me during this. "We're in Los Angeles, but we're doing something so I don't want to head back just yet." Her tone said that she was annoyed.

"Okay. Oh, the reason I'm here is to help you."

"I don't need any help." She looked away.

"Everyone needs it. As a matter of fact, you're the last one I need to get."

"I'm fine, TK. Take your noble act somewhere else." She looked at me with an attitude in her eyes, like daring me to push her.

"I don't think it's possible for a rain check, so sorry." I smiled at it, "I'm sorry I can't get anything about… Well, I don't remember any dialogue that Matt had, but I'll explain him after Panther." I did that for everyone else, but I know that I didn't have any direct dialogue with her about this topic. She really did keep a lot to herself, so it was hard for me to see what she needed to talk about. Plus, she hardly talked to me unless someone else was with her. We rarely had one on one talks.

"Why would I care about those two?" She tried to play.

"You do. Okay, these ones with Panther are when we went to get you." I looked over to my left, seeing that the image was forming. I was using my memory to form it.

"We better get Ceres back before any war breaks out here. Not only for her own safety, but for everyone. I don't remember if I told you guys this, but she has the power to unite or break up any group she wishes."

"Ceres would never allow herself to be used like a puppet! She's stronger than that so don't you ever think that Ceres can't handle herself." Panther yelled. I was, at the time, very taken back by that. There was real anger in her eyes, none that I have ever seen before with her.

"I believe in her, Panther. I really do. I have every confidence that she can escape her kidnappers, but even she can get tired."

"Don't start thinking about a big war then." Panther calmed down a bit.

"I was just stating their motive for taking her."

Then we came to the entrance to the tunnel. "This is as far as I can take you. I wish you luck on your journey." Persephone said.

"Thanks for all your help." I said.

"We wish for you to bring peace to this land, Neo Digidestined." That reminded me that I should tell everyone that their name is being spread across the Digital World. I kinda wondered what they would think of that.

"This next one is when we were fighting Maeve." I mentioned as I changed to that scene.

"Power here? Hun, I'm talking about all over. I have learned of her abilities and I'm not about to let the Greeks have her." Maeve said.

"She's not an item that you can use and toss away!" Panther yelled, and again that same look in her eyes when she yelled at me was there.

"And now for Matt." I looked at her, not really wanting to see that look in Panther's eyes. "He wouldn't have gotten you into the school and given you a home if for a moment he didn't want you apart of his life." I smiled, admitting the truth, "You felt like you didn't get the same feelings that Panther got from him because you allowed yourself to be closed off from them. He cares about you just like he cares about Panther." Though, this was making me wonder how much he cares about them. It's been obvious from the start that these two had some special spot in his heart the moment he met them.

"He's the same to everything though." She pointed out.

"No, because not everyone needs that. He's kind to everyone, but he's not the same towards everyone. You'll see when you guys come back that I'm right." I could see how she could think that, but Matt hasn't changed that much. I knew that there was still a part of him that held people at a distance from him. Ceres looked over at the image again, since I was allowing it to play. I looked to see that it was at the part when we were fighting Maeve. "Another thing too. Panther has also gotten a lot closer to you now. Lily Dawn is quite jealous of you." I did manage to read some of what happened at the cabin.

"What?" Ceres was in disbelief, like she couldn't believe that someone could be jealous of her.

"Yep, Panther tells you things that are on her mind, but she doesn't tell Lily Dawn or Ryan like she used to in the past. So you're not rejected by them in any means."

"But that doesn't say much about the group." She pointed out.

"True.." I didn't realize that she also wanted the group to accept her, "Well, Lily Dawn's anger isn't a group related thing, and it doesn't really affect the group on the whole."

"Whatever, it's not like they would care."

Diana went over to her before I could counter. She placed her hand on Ceres's shoulder, "Ceres, didn't they all come to get you?"

"They probably…"

"No, you saw it in their eyes. They consider you their friend, and a dear one. Do not fear them, and don't close them off. You need them as well, maybe now more than ever."

"I've been alone my whole life…"

"But you found happiness once, and you want that again." I wondered how Diana knew this. It was just as creepy when Date-san was able to give detail information about the Digital World.

"I'm not allowed to have it anymore. I'm a murderer and everything else that's bad." I noticed how she was talking. It was becoming something like a child.

"Ceres," I got her attention, "Panther was in a gang. She was known as the toughest gangster around, and look where she is now. What makes you think you can't have the same thing?"

"Ceres," Diana said, "You deserve so much more, not because you suffer more or less, because you're a human being, and human beings always deserve more than what they have. It's their character that tells them which end they should get. And we all know that your heart is pure and noble and just, so you don't need the negative end."

"How would you know what's me?" Ceres didn't sound angry, as I thought she would be, but more curious.

"I know a good heart when I see one. And you still have that good heart. That's why you're hurting so much." She was kinda reminding me of Date-san. I wondered if Date-san and her had met before. I'm already having hints that I should know Date-san, considering he knows the stuff that I'm heavily involved with, and they were apart of that adventure.

When Ceres lowered her head, Diana pulled her in a comfort embrace. It took Ceres a moment before she rested her head on Diana's shoulder, as if being totally safe at that moment. I don't think I've ever seen her so at ease before.

Ceres lifted her head after another moment, "How does that make us alike?"

"It's one way, but there are other things. Virtue is complete, but unity is the ultimate oneness. I bring the others into the bigger circle, and you are the center of that circle." She had something in her hand that was in front of her body so I couldn't see what the item was. Though, by Ceres's reaction, it was something awesome. "Before I died, I completed this. This one was given to me by my father. He told me that this was my destiny. And this one was when I learned about my deeper connection to everyone. And the last ring connects me to you guys."

"It's beautiful. But why did you remake it?"

"I wanted something physical to remind me where I belong. But now, I know where I belong, so I'll give this to you so you can always remember."

Ceres looked at it before looking back at Diana. "But it's important to you, right?"

"It won't do anyone any good if it stays with me. It would honor me if you did. You don't have to share it, because I'm only giving this to you."

Ceres looked at it again before taking it, "Thank you."

"I'm always here."

Ceres nodded before looking at me, "Thanks."

"I just wish I knew when it would be okay to get you guys." I said with a smile.

"I think I have a way. Just tell Kaiba that he needs to keep his lines open for Pegasus and that the password will be 'Mon, mon Digimon, Digi-mon, mon'."

"Pegasus?"

"He knows."

I nodded, getting used to not knowing everything, "Okay. I'll see you when you guys get back then." I then was heading back.

"TK," Diana said as I stopped, "Do not let this discourage you. Even though everyone can rely on you when they need help, you have them as well whenever you need it."

"You seemed to have handled that better than I did, though." I wasn't jealous or angry, just stating it.

"But I couldn't have done so without your help. I was just watching her before I came to get you, so I knew what not to say, that's all." She smiled, "TK, just remember that you're not alone."

"Can I talk to Kitty now, though?"

She closed her eyes for a moment, "Her host is still awake. I am sorry."

I sighed, before nodding, "Well, at least Ceres is healed. I'll see you around, Diana." I smiled before heading back to my body.

I woke up and noticed that the sun was coming up. I looked to where Date-san was and he was already up. He looked over at me and smiled, as if knowing that I was up. I looked at Patamon, who was still asleep. "I'll need to head back to Kaiba-san."

"Do you want to leave now?" Date-san asked.

"I kinda don't want to wake up Patamon."

"He has been up the whole time."

Right then, Patamon moved towards me and smiled. I smiled back. "Why do we need to head back there?"

"I talked to Ceres instead. I need to tell him something that she told me."

"Did she give her location?"

"She said that they were doing something so she didn't want to be brought back yet. But, she apparently knows someone in America that knows Kaiba-san that she wants him to keep an open connection with."

"Then we should head out." Date-san said, getting up from his bed. I had to admit that he didn't look to be in his twenties.

I got up and we headed out. Artmon was already there, playing with the baby Digimon. I'm glad that we found her, and also glad that she's enjoying her job. She turned around as the babies were running over towards us.

"Where's Biyomon?" I asked over the little voices.

"She always checks around in the morning." She smiled, "I'll let her know that you say goodbye."

"Thanks. See everyone later." I smiled at the babies. They then started to say their goodbyes as we walked away.

"I am glad that no matter what, babies are always cute and can bring a smile to your face." Date-san said.

I smiled, "Yeah." I brought out my jewel, creating a portal once we were faraway. I hoped that it would bring us to Kaiba-san. Date-san went through first, and then we did. We did end up at Kaiba-san's building. We were able to meet with him when we walked inside. I told Kaiba-san what Ceres told me.

"She knows Pegasus?" He asked.

"Apparently. Who is he?"

"He's the creator of Duel Monsters." He sighed, "Have you had any chance to figure out the text?" He looked at Date-san.

"We happened to visit a Digimon that was live around the time that they were created, and told us that only a selected few were able to read this language. Also, their sentence structure is similar to Japanese, but a bit more similar to Latin because it has no strict word order that it always has to follow. Nouns, verbs and adjectives are inflected."

"How are they?"

"Nouns denote things that are Digimon and things that are not. My guess, since all Digimon names end in 'mon' that that is how they denote whether something is a Digimon or an object, meaning that the names of Digimon could also be a noun on its own. Adjectives also show Digimon and non-Digimon, but they have different endings to do so. Verbs have person, number, tense, voice and mood. Persons are first, second and third; number is singular and plural; tense is present and future; voice is active, passive and middle; and mood is imperative, indicative and subjunctive." I should probably make a mental note right here that I have no idea what he was talking about, but it seemed that Kaiba-san did since he nodded his head.

"I was able to figure out the nouns and the adjectives and some of the verbs. Can you get the morphemes for those as well?"

"If there is a chance to meet this Digimon again, someone will ask."

"Shouldn't the translation thing help with all of that?" I asked, knowing that it probably should.

"It's more like a sound dictionary. It has words on there and their relative meanings, but nothing on their grammar or on Digimon names." Kaiba-san explained, "And some of the words in the poetry book can't be matched up to anything."

"Have you been able to retranslate any of the other ones that were translated by someone else?"

"Using those translations were a waste of time, so I don't know if I have or haven't."

"TK," I looked at Date-san, "We should start heading back as well. I do have work to go to."

"Oh, I'm sorry." I looked at Kaiba-san, "Thank you for your help."

"I'll have my guards give you a ride." He said as he picked up the phone. We were ushered down afterwards, getting into his limo. I didn't feel right about this, but I guess it might be better than a bus. They dropped us off at Date-san's place so he could get his things, but I knew that was just his excuse to make sure that I was alright throughout the trip.

"How's your leg?" I asked, since I'm not sure how well it was because of everything we've been doing.

He looked at me with a smile, "It is fine."

"Okay. I thought that maybe all the things we did might've strained it."

"It would be noticeable if that occurred. Well, I must be off."

"See you when you get back." I smiled and waved as he headed out. When he was gone, Patamon and I went to train. After taking a shower, we were laying on the patio. "Patamon."

"Yeah?" He asked. We were enjoying the fact that it wasn't really cool outside.

"Did you think it was creepy that Date-san knew all that he did about the Digital World?"

"He said he knew of the Digidestined."

"But knowing who they are and knowing about the Digital World are two different things. He knew about the metal that exist and about Thunmon. I mean, we're just learning about her and he met her before. How does that happen?" I looked at Patamon.

"He could be the missing link." Patamon offered. "To remembering your past."

"Maybe…" I looked ahead, "But does this mean that we can trust him?"

"Again?" I looked at Patamon, "What has he done that would make you doubt that he's trustworthy?"

"Because he knows things, things he shouldn't know. I don't know why you're not crept out, but I am."

Patamon sighed, "He hasn't done with anything with that information. He knew that we were alive, and with this that means that he knew we were Digimon, and he didn't do anything with it. He even played along with it when we were around them. I don't understand why you think he can't be trusted."

"It's creepy. It's like he has all the answers, but for some reason, he's not telling me them."

"You can always ask him, you know."

"I guess so…" I got up, "Want something to eat?"

"I'll help." Patamon got on my shoulder and we headed inside. When Date-san came back, he didn't look so well. "Are you okay?" Patamon asked a he headed over to him.

He smiled, "I'm okay. My leg is just hurting a little."

"Then it wasn't fine this morning, was it?" I asked, wondering if he was lying to me then too.

"I promise that it was fine this morning. It was just acting up again." Before I could say anything, his phone rang. He went over to pick it up, seemingly not caring that Patamon was with him. "Thank you. I will be there shortly." He placed down the phone before looking at me, "Rowen has something for me, and you are welcome to come if you want."

"What is it for?"

"It considers my leg."

"I'm going." Ironic, isn't it?

He smiled, "Let me call Lita before we head out."

I nodded as he picked up the phone again. I headed upstairs to get dressed. When I was downstairs, Date-san was waiting near the door.

"Is she here?"

"She will not be able to come since she just got into work."

I nodded, "Was she there before?" I asked as we headed out.

"Yes." We got onto the bus.

"Why not wait for her?"

"I suggested that we would do such a thing, but she did not mind not coming this time." He smiled.

I nodded, wondering why. If I was being checked up, I would want someone else with me. Though, I guess since I'm going, Lita might feel that she doesn't really need to go… But they're engaged, so it doesn't make sense… Grr…

So we got to the hospital without any troubles. Rowen took Date-san to a private room. I thought that this was kinda weird. "What do you think they're talking about?" I asked Patamon as we waited outside.

"About his leg." He stated from my head.

"I wonder if he'll tell us."

"Maybe.. though, I think Rowen only did this because we weren't there at the first check up."

"Probably…" And then they came out. I stood up and Date-san smiled at me. For some reason, I got the feeling that this wasn't a happy smile, but I couldn't really see that on his face. "Well?" I asked as they came over to me.

"The knife hit a sensitive nerve that causes spasms every once in a while." Rowen said, but it was obviously a lie.

I looked at Date-san, "Can I know?"

He sighed, "Let me think about that… I will tell you, but I am not sure if you should come before Lita."

"If it were me," he looked at me, "I would probably tell Matt first before Kari, but since I'm not related to you, I say that I can come after your family." I smiled. "Something as important as this needs to be told to family and close friends before other people."

Even though what I said was meant to be encouraging, it didn't seem to work the way that I wanted it to. He even had a sadder smile under his mask. "Okay. Let us head out, then." He moved down the hallway.

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked Rowen.

"Not really… Be sensitive for a while, will you TK? It is something very serious."

I nodded, "I will. Have you been looking after him since his accident?"

"Only recently, I'm afraid. Hurry up, I don't think he's paying much attention to his surroundings."

I nodded and went after Date-san. He seemed to be thinking pretty hard on something serious as we walked back. I figured that he wanted to have the time to reflect. It was silent. I wondered if whatever I said made his situation even worst. It seemed to be that way, anyway. Did I take something away from him?

"TK," I heard Izzy's voice call when I was going to say something. I stopped to see that Izzy, Tentomon, Cody and Armdillomon were beside us.

"And Date-san is with you, perfect." Cody said as he brought out his kendo sword.

I looked at Date-san, seeing that he didn't seem to care too much that they were there. It was like he was in a daze or something. I got in front of him, staring them down, "What is this really about? Obviously this isn't just about the others disappearing."

"It's all about that." Cody said.

"I don't understand how that could be. You're not even that close to the ones that disappeared, Cody. Sure, you would be worry over them, like everyone should be, but not like Tai should be, or Davis, or Yolie. Izzy has more reasons to be worried than you do." Cody just stared at me, as if dumbfounded. I looked at Izzy, "And if your concerns do lie in their safety, then why not believe in them? Why not believe that wherever they are, they'll come back home?"

They were just staring at me now. I remembered that TKmon told me that I have something within me that makes Hope work. Maybe I could use that to advantage now. I did lose hope in them, and then they all started to turn this way. Maybe I needed to believe in them again. I smiled at them, fully believing in the person that they were. "Guys," I extended my hand to them, feeling my Crest shining within me, "don't let go of your hope for their return."

Right then, something came out of them and they fell to the ground. I ran over to them, wondering if they were alright. Before I could reach them, TKmon spoke, "Now that's what I'm talking about!" I looked beside me to my right. He was alone up as he floated there. "That's what I don't have. So, I guess I better find out what that is." He smiled as he flew right at me. I managed to dodge him, surprised that I could move that fast. I looked over to Date-san, seeing him fighting his Angemon Digimon. Patamon was helping him too.

He managed to pin me against a building. I was bit far from the others, now. He smiled at me, "Now, tell me what you were doing. I need to know."

"I'm not about to tell you."

He leaned in closer to me. "Then I guess you'll just have to suffer my torment. Let me know when we meet next how eternal insanity feels like, okay?" He said in such a happy tune. He brought out a needle and jabbed it into my neck. "Sweet dreams, TK."

As the liquid went inside me, I could feel it taking affect immediately. I started to scream, feeling it taking over me.

When I got back my senses, I felt really weak. "TK?" I heard a familiar voice call. I opened my eyes to see Date-san. He looked really worried again, so I smiled at him to let him know that I was okay. He gathered me up in his arms, pulling me tightly close to him. It took me a moment to realize that words couldn't express how relieved his was that I woke up. I looked around, seeing that I was in a hospital room.

"Why…" I wondered why I felt so weak.

"Whatever TKmon did to you," Date-san didn't move from his position, "it made you lose your mind. All you thought about was killing everything in sight, starting with the strongest and aiming for anything that got in your way… Rowen and Izzy managed to find something that got you to calm down, and back in control, but how long it will last, they wouldn't know."

I lay my head on his shoulder, "Sorry for worrying you."

A tear escaped him, "How do you feel?"

"Tired… and extremely hungry." I laughed a bit, "How long have I been out for?"

"Two days." He said as he lay me back down, smiling at me. I wondered where his tears went. "I'll go let Rowen know that you're up. Patamon is with him and Izzy."

"What happened to them?"

"You freed them. That mist that came out was that spirit. It might've gone into someone else, making them more hateful, but at least these two are completely freed." He brushed some of my hair out of my eyes, "You have quite a power within you."

"It's that power that TKmon wants, though."

"And that should make it less impressive?" He smiled, "Powers can be used for good or evil, depending on whose hands they are in. And since they're in your hands, I know they'll always be used for good."

"But what if this can make him an ally instead of an enemy?"

He shook his head, "Giving evil what it wants doesn't make them kind. Showing them how they can be and help them become that is what turns evil good." He removed his hand, "Take a nap as I get them, okay?"

I nodded, closing my eyes for a moment. In another moment, I felt something. It was so frightening that I stood up, panting. Somehow, I knew this raw emotion, this senselessness and uncaring for everything was me two days ago. Could I really be that kind of person? I then felt that urge to kill, to destroy anything I could get my hands on, anything I lay my eyes on. I looked at my hands, wondering if I did kill someone before they could stop me.

"TK?" I looked up, seeing everyone walking in. Date-san sat down next to me, "What's wrong?"

I curled into a ball as he lifted up his hand, "Don't touch me!" I yelled.

He pulled me over to him, hugging me, "Shh.. it's okay, TK. It's okay." I started to cry, wrapping my arms around him. "No one got hurt, TK. No one got hurt."

"What do you remember?" Rowen asked gently once I calmed down.

"I'm not remembering anything…" I said as I didn't move. "I was feeling some raw, mad, killing feelings… like anything that my senses could pick up, I wanted to destroy it."

"Maybe we should make a stronger batch." I heard Izzy suggest. "It might resurface if he's feeling it now."

"But too strong might not be too safe either, since we don't know what this will do to him otherwise." Rowen argued.

"TK," Date-san interrupted them, "What do you want to do?"

"How long will it take to make more?" I asked.

"A few hours." Rowen said, "Of the one that we've been giving you, we made a good amount, but if you feel like you can't rely on that, then we'll go ahead and get a stronger one made."

"Do you know what was injected into me?"

"No, and since this is a Digimon's doing, I probably will never know, but that doesn't mean that I won't try to find out."

"And I'm going to be helping too." Izzy said.

I smiled, "I'll see how this one holds out, okay? If I need something stronger, I'll let you know… Don't tell the others, okay?"

"I won't." Rowen said.

"Why don't you want them to know?" Cody asked.

"I don't want them to worry… I want to be able to handle this, if I can."

"Do you want to eat here or do you want to get out of here?" Date-san asked after a moment.

"Leave, if I can."

"I'll take care of the release form as you change." Rowen said before standing up. They all walked out, except for Date-san and Patamon.

"Did I really not hurt someone?"

"I was able to prevent you."

"But doesn't that mean that I hurt you?"

"You didn't, though. Nothing I couldn't heal from in a day."

"… Did you tell your family whatever Rowen told you?"

"Not yet. I didn't want to leave your side until you woke up… I didn't get my leg injured in an accident. I was protecting one of my brothers. The metal that was used is supposed to kill Saiyans, but since it was an alloy I believed I was spared. But, since it's so deadly to me, it has been slowly killing me from the inside. My attacks are my cells fighting off the radiation that's coming from that wound. It seems that particles are still in that wound, so that's why it's going slowly and why it has never healed over."

"How long do you have?"

"That can't be determined… But I guess until I find a successor." I could feel his smile. He wrapped his arms around me better, "I'm a fighter, and I'm not about to let this beat me, okay? I'll be around for quite some time."

I closed my eyes, feeling his fear. "I know. And I won't let you give up either."

He nodded, rubbing my head, "I'll get your clothes."

"Are they in this room?"

"Yeah, but I don't want you to stand yet." He let go of me before standing up. He grabbed my clothes from a bin, placing them on the bed. "Do you want me to tell Layla?"

I nodded, "Incase something happens at school."

He touched my head, "Where did all that hope go?"

I smiled, "Nowhere."

He smiled back. Once I got my clothes on, the IV was taken out and I was able to walk fine. Rowen drove us over to a place so I could eat. I didn't want to waste a lot of his time, so I didn't order a lot. I figured that I would eat more at Date-san's house. Izzy was going to stay to monitor me for a while. With him doing so, I felt like a lab experiment.

"Why are you going in there?" Izzy asked as Patamon and I headed over to the dojo.

"So I can a big, strong boy!" I said with a smile before recoiling. That would be something that Ceres would say. Sure, I can kinda act like her sometimes, but I wouldn't say that.

Izzy stared at me for a moment.

"Shouldn't you fill your stomach before hand?" Date-san asked.

I went over to the table, really fast too, "Yes! And add lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of candy!" I said with a smile and in a child like manner before standing up. "What's wrong with me?" I went back to normal.

"TKmon told us that even if we cured you," I looked at Date-san, "That you still will not be whole… It could be that and the antidote." He smiled, "But being like that is not a bad thing. Ceres does it all the time, does she not?"

"And you can act like her sometimes." Patamon added.

"But you don't seem to be in that mode all the time." Izzy stated. "How are you feeling right now?"

"Stressed out." I looked at him.

"How about when you were in the other mode?"

"Relaxed.. normal… like how I normally am."

"So maybe only when you're in an extreme or out of your normal state do you have normal control."

"It'll stress you out to a breaking point if you tried to stay in the extremes, TK." Patamon stated, as if reading my mind. "So don't do it."

"But then they'll know."

"You're pretty wild sometimes, so this won't be too different from that. If you need to be serious, I'm sure you'll go to that emotion naturally."

"Patamon is right." I looked at Date-san, "If you wear yourself out, you might just make the antidote's effectiveness shorter."

I nodded, took a deep breath and sat down. "Are you going to be giving me more later?"

"If you're at school before I can hand them to you, then Cody will."

I nodded, "Are you going to stay?"

"Date-san is a really good cook." Patamon said with a smile.

Izzy smiled, "Okay, we will." They came to the table and Date-san started to make something. I was becoming comfortable with this side of me. It was like I wasn't really in control of myself, but I was at the same time. I was coming up with jokes, taking life as something wonderful and worry free. It was quite the feeling, I must say, though. Like everything that happened over my life was slowly going away into something more positive, something that I could just laugh at and be glad that I'm here right now. Maybe this side effect wasn't so bad after all.

Tentomon was surprised to be included so much, something that Date-san held mostly on. I could now see that, in reality, he probably didn't know all the Digimon personally, and maybe even some of the others too, since he was asking a lot about Izzy himself as a person. Though, I guess there's no other way of himself, since he isn't an alien. After dinner, they left, and they seemed a lot more at ease.

"So you really don't know them too well, huh?"

Date-san looked at me, "Did I ever say I did?"

"You gave that impression more than once."

He smiled, "You found secret number one."

"There are more secrets?" I asked in an eager way.

"Yep, but they come with patience."

"I'm not Panther." I jumped on his back, "So tell me now!"

He laughed, "If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret, now would it?" He started to walk up the stairs. "So, are you too wired from your sugar high to sleep?"

I smiled, "But it was the best kind of candy ever!" He had made it all from scratch, which was impressive in itself since I know that Matt never did something like that.

"That doesn't mean you didn't get high from the sugar." He sat me down once we were far from the stairs. "What do you think, Patamon? Is he too high on sugar?"

Patamon looked at me in deep thought, with me making signals that I was no such thing. "I think he's not. He looks so tired. I guess that means that he can't stay up and watch a movie with us."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Date-san said, looking at me, "And such a shame, since we were planning on watching a mecha anime too."

"I want to watch too!" I whined.

"Nope, you're too tired. I can see you dozing off." He started to push me over to my room. "You must go to bed."

"But I want to watch the giant robots!!" I yelled before the phone rang. We all raced down to it, with Date-san getting to it first.

"Hello?" He asked with a bit smile on his face, "You did? That is great!" He looked over at me, "Kaiba found them. All of them are coming home."

I stared at Date-san, "When and where?"

"When will they be arriving and where will they be landing?" He asked. "By his private runway. He's sending people to pick us up."

I smiled big before getting off the floor, hugging Date-san, "Thank you, Kaiba-san!"

"Just hurry up and get ready." He then hung up.

A knock came to the door, "Let's go. We'll deal with your things later." Date-san said.

I nodded as we went over to the door. I couldn't believe it. They're coming back home.

I got out of the limo, half noticing that it was pulling out once we were out. I looked at the sky, wondering who would arrive first. I saw two helicopters coming in and I started to notice a plane as well. The airplane touched land first, coming to a stop nearly close to me. The helicopters landed right beside it.

"TK!" Kari yelled as she held onto the inside of the helicopter. Once it was safe to jump, she did and ran over to me. I ran over to her as I was seeing that everyone else was coming out. "TK!" She jumped on me, hugging me tightly and buried her head on my shoulder.

I hugged her back, "Kari." She then started to cry. "I'm so glad you're back."

Kari nodded. I looked up, seeing that Panther, Lily Dawn and Ryan were hugging each other. The siblings were crying on Tim. Neon and Don were in heaven. I noticed that Matt was hugging Ceres and Ken was near them. I could tell that something was still not right with Ken. Kari could see.

I started heading over to them, "Ken?" I asked as I got closer.

He gave me a smile, one that told me that he was okay. I touched him, and he blinked for a moment, "My voice is back…"

I hugged him, "I'm so glad." Someone else touched my shoulder, and for some reason I thought it would be Date-san. I looked to see that Matt was smiling at me.

"I'm glad you're alright."

I smiled, "Yeah…" I looked where I was, seeing that Date-san wasn't there. Everyone was looking our way and I made my way back to Kari.

"Is everyone alright?" Matt asked, looking at everyone.

"A few good days of rest should do the trick." Panther said. She looked at Ryan, "Don't you agree?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"What?" Lily Dawn asked, "Not going to agree."

"Ryan used his Crest powers." Ceres said to everyone, "And apparently his two best friends want to torture him for it."

They laughed, "It's not everyday that he can tell a lie, you know." Lily Dawn said.

"Kaiba-boy." Someone said. I looked at the plane to see someone coming down from there. Kaiba and Mokuba were already out of the helicopters. Was that the person that Ceres was going to contact? "It's so good to see you again."

"What are you doing here?" Kaiba looked pissed off.

"I invited him." Ceres said. "I know you're not on good terms, but he wanted to meet everyone."

He smiled. I then remembered his name. It was Pegasus. Kaiba sighed, "Fine." He looked at Matt, "I'll get everyone home." He picked up his cell phone.

"Where do you want to go?" I asked Kari, the only one in real danger. I haven't freed Tai.

"I'll go with you." She said with a smile, laying her head on my arm, "I really missed you."

I smiled at her, touching her face. In the end, only Kari and Ken came with us. Everyone else went home. Everyone had grown, I could see that. Kari went right to sleep when we got back, I was kinda wondering why they all didn't.

"Patamon," I looked at him, "Did you see Date-san leave?"

"No… should we go back over to his house?"

I sighed, "We should…"

"TK," Matt came over, "How did you hold up?" He sat down beside me, "I was worried that you wouldn't have turned to anyone for help."

I smiled, "I did alright. Izzy and Cody went back to being themselves so I was with them a lot." I placed my head on his shoulder, "I'm glad everyone is back, though."

He wrapped his arm around me, "I'm glad too." There was a knock on the door and before Ceres could get to it, Matt got to it first. "May I help you?"

"I'm hoping to see Ceres."

She moved away from the kitchen. "Mother?" Panther, Ken, and I also moved over to see who this person was. She was really beautiful. There was another lady with her, someone not equally beautiful, but beautiful nonetheless. Ceres was hugging the stunning one, but they looked nothing alike.

"Please, come inside." Matt said as he stepped aside.

"Do not worry about the Digimon." She looked at Matt, "I've heard everything about them."

Matt just smiled, "That's good to hear." He closed the door, "Would you like anything?"

"Tea, I believe, is the specialty." She smiled as she sat down.

Matt went over to the kitchen and Gabumon went with him. Ceres brought them over to the table. "What brought you here, mother?" She asked.

"This is Hiwatari Miako, one of my daughters that's about to have a son."

Ceres bowed to her, "Congrats."

"Thank you." She bowed back.

"So I guess some fortune-telling is wanted?" Her mother nodded, "Panther would be much better at that then I would."

Her mother looked at Panther, "Would you mind? Just something for a name and nothing more."

"Why look at all?" Panther asked.

She looked at Ceres before sighing, "I guess our appearance doesn't make it obvious. We're geisha. I'm sure you've heard of such rituals as naming, and I would like to make sure that his name is accurate to his life. You only have to look enough to know how many strokes we need."

All of us looked at Ceres. She smiled at us, "You never asked. So, do you want to do this for her?"

Panther got up and walked over to her. She smiled at the girl before touching her swollen stomach. Panther pulled her hand away quickly, but I knew that we all noticed that there wasn't a shock like there normally is. "I'm sorry to say, but you're not going to see your kid grow because you die at childbirth." She said with a sorrowful look.

Hiwatari-san looked terrified, but holding onto most of it. "And… my son?"

Panther closed her eyes, "He'll live." She opened her eyes, "But now knowing, you might be able to change that."

She placed her hands on her stomach. "I don't want my son to be alone… like my mother…"

"I could take care of him." Matt said as he brought out the tea, "If you don't have any relatives that you trust."

"That might be a good idea." Ceres's mother suggested. "I know that he's trustworthy and will raise him well."

"You should name him, though." Panther said, "That way he'll still have something that you gave him."

She looked at her stomach. "I'm giving him my family name, right?" She looked at Matt.

He nodded, "He also will know what happened to you, though I don't know much."

"When he is ready, he can come visit." Ceres's mother said, "So what do you want to do about the name?"

"Give him something that deals with fire… I have a feeling that he'll be quite the trouble in the future." She smiled.

Matt nodded, "Though, I really hope that you can make it through."

Hiwatari-san looked at him and smiled. "Thank you."

"Now, relax and enjoy yourself. After all, it's not everyday that we get to meet someone that Ceres knows."

So, they stayed for a while, with all of us talking. I could see that Matt just wanted to ease Hiwatari's fears about giving birth. As it was getting late, they took their leave. Ken was staying in Ceres's room and Ceres was sleeping with Panther. I, of course, slept with Kari, who was still fast asleep, along with Salamon. Right before I fell asleep, my cell phone rang. "Hello?"

"Sorry for waking you," Lily Dawn said, "But I wanted to tell you that you're not to tell Matt about the prophecy."

"Why?"

"We don't want to worry him about it. None of us told him about it while we were traveling with him. So, please tell Panther, Ceres, Ken and Kari so that they know."

"Okay, I'll try to get them in the morning."

"Thanks, I'll let everyone else know. Night!" She hung up and so did I.

"What was that about?" Patamon asked.

"Lily Dawn just told me not to tell Matt about the prophecy." I curled back up with Kari.

"Is that a good idea?"

"I don't think so, but they don't want to worry him."

"I guess that's a good point, but once he's done with the others, we should probably tell him."

"Agreed."

"So, you're not worried that this new addition is going to take Matt's full attention?"

I looked at Patamon and smiled, "I think I'm over that, finally."

Patamon smiled, "Good, because I would hate you if you hated a baby."

I giggled a bit, "I guess I should be grateful that you're not like Gabumon?"

"That's right." He curled up, "Night TK."

"Night Patamon."

In the morning, I told everyone what Lily Dawn told me.

"That doesn't seem fair though." Panther said.

"That's what she told me. I figured that once he gets things cleared up with everyone else, that we could tell him." I was also putting up a heavy seriousness since I didn't want to act up right now.

"I would agree with that," Ken said, "After all, he could probably reason with the older Digidestined better than we could. He might be able to figure out what's up with them."

"Fine, but I still don't like it." Panther said.

"Ceres?" Kari asked.

"Well, we have to make sure that we have another look at that prophecy anyway. Apparently, Collect Soulsmon's group has a different translation that we do." She sighed.

"Unfortunately, Kaiba-san needed to look at it again since he started to question his translations. But, as for the prophecy part…"

Right then, the phone rang. "Hello?" Matt asked from the top of the stairs. "We'll be there." He hung up and came down the stairs, "Miako is having her son." He said as he went to the door. Ceres and I got up. Panther had told us this morning that she had done similar things with people in her gang, so she didn't really want to go see it. Kari and Ken didn't really want to see it either. I probably would've joined them, but I wanted to see the new addition to our family. I figured that Ceres considered Hiwatari-san someone close since they come from the same geisha house.

Matt got us there quickly, and the nurse took us to the window to see the birth. Ceres's mother was there as well. She looked at us as we came up to her.

"How's she doing?" Matt asked.

"She's in a lot of pain. A lot more than what she should be in." She looked back into the window. "But, she told me that she will not give up on her life."

"I'm glad." Matt looked inside, "I hope that I don't have to look after her child."

"Let's hope for that."

I looked inside, wondering if my powers could help her. I wondered what Date-san would've told me to do if he was here. In that moment, her baby came out, but he was covered with blood.

"That's too much blood." Patamon whispered. As they were cleaning her baby, they were trying to save her. They had cut her open, but apparently, that wasn't enough. She held on long enough to hold her baby and smiled at it. She said something to him, and passed him to the doctor. She then closed her eyes and her vitals signs were a line. There was a heavy atmosphere now.

"Gushitaka-san," the doctor came out once the baby was placed in the caring unit to be looked after, "Hiwatari-san told me that you two had made arrangements incase something like this happened."

She nodded her head slowly, "Unfortunately, yes… Her son will go with Ishida Matt."

He looked at Matt and nodded, "I would… need you to fill out some papers, so you could be the legal guardian."

"When should I do that?" I could tell that Matt was being very sensitive to the situation, not that he wouldn't have been before.

"She requested as soon as possible."

Matt looked at her body in the room before nodding, "Okay."

"Follow me." He started to walk and Matt followed.

"Matt is a very kind fellow." Ceres's mother commented.

"Yeah, though I think he likes taking care of people." Ceres said, though I was kinda surprised to see nothing on her face. She was reminding me of Ken when he was mute. "Want to go look at her son?" She looked at me. I nodded, seeing a deep scare in that face. We paid our respects to her first before heading over. Her son seemed to be doing well. "What are you going to do with her body?" Ceres looked at her mother.

"I'm going to find the family to which her mother belonged to. They would probably like one of their family members to return back home."

"Why weren't they an option?" I asked.

"She didn't know them and she didn't want her son to be alone." I could see that there was something more that she didn't want to tell us. That wasn't really a good answer, for one thing.

"How is he doing?" Matt asked as he came up.

"He's fine." Ceres's mother answered. "When will he be able to leave?"

"In a few hours, though they advised that I bring him here every few weeks."

It was clear that her mother didn't really like that idea too well. "Tell them that we have our own personal doctor that he can see." I looked at Matt.

"We do?" Matt gave me this odd look, like saying that Joe doesn't know anything about babies.

"Yeah… One of Date-san's friends is a doctor and he has agreed to do Neon's check up when she delivers so I'm sure that he wouldn't mind checking up on him as well. In fact, you already met him. He was the one that took care of you when you were sick. I'm sure it would be easier for us to see him than to come all the way back to Kyoto, anyway."

"I will let the doctor know." Ceres's mother said, leaving without letting Matt the chance to respond.

"So, when will I meet this Sensei?" Matt looked at us. I couldn't tell, though, if he was jealous or not. "And who do I have to meet?"

"Well, we pretty much know all the people that are close to him, except for his brothers." Ceres said, "And it's much easier to call him Date-san than Sensei, since you can confuse that with its other meanings."

"Then I'll call him Date." He smiled, "So, why is your mother so against her family knowing about his birth?"

"She's going to give her body to her family, so I'm sure she'll tell them."

"It seems like she's trying to hide him from someone."

"I write to her. She doesn't write back."

"The doctor has agreed." Gushitaka-san said as se came back. "And you may bring him home sooner than a few hours. He's in perfect health."

"Why are you trying to hide him?" Matt looked at her, "I'm not going to break my promise, but I'm curious."

"Her father wasn't a very kind man. Her husband is one of his clients that got promoted to a higher status once her father knew that she was pregnant. She also didn't want her father to have her son, so was very grateful to you, Matt. I couldn't have kept him since he knows where the house is."

"But…"

"I lied about when she got pregnant." She smiled, "I am one of Ceres's teachers, after all."

Matt smiled, "Okay, so I'll make sure that I do everything I can to keep Kai out of his hands."

"That's a fine name for him." She reached into her kimono and pulled something out. She walked over to Matt, "This is an image of the guardian to our house." She opened up her hand to show us a pendent with a phoenix on it, "Let him keep that so he knows where some of his heritage lies."

Matt took it, "I will. Does the guardian have a name?"

"Dranzer."

Matt nodded, "Okay."

She went over to Ceres, giving her a hug. When she pulled out of it, she smiled to us before leaving without a word. In a few more moments, Kai was released to us.