Smile.

That's was it. Just smile and everything would be fine, no one would notice much. And if they ask any questions just give a passive direct response. That's what Maiki suggested. Act like nothing was seriously wrong, despite your prolonged absence. All that mattered was...was you finally appeared.

And it seemed suddenly out of thin air, Daigo wanted to say but didn't. Honestly, he wasn't sure what to say except remain puzzled as an agent, though glad as a teacher.

"Natsu-san...umm it's good to see you," he blinked a few times. Stuck his head out into the empty hall, finding no one. Classes started an hour ago and no student was insight. "shouldn't you be in class?"

His teacher side asked just in case a Faculty member might turn the corner. Luckily one didn't. Which allowed him to ask his agent side question

"Where have you been? What's going on?"

You smile but didn't answer, "Can I come in?"

"Oh umm...sure." He steps aside letting you in, shutting the door.

You quickly sit in the first chair you saw and wait.

He comes and sits across from you.

"How are the renovations coming along?"

"Very well."

"Ah, uh, okay good. Will they be ready soon?"

"No. Wow I can't remember the last time I've been in here."

His brow arched slightly, he wanted to say something but held back. "Does Ishida-san know your back?"

You shook your head. "Nope."

"What about, Taichi?"

Your lips quivered quietly, "No and it's alright for them not to know. I prefer it."

That surprised him. Noticing you quickly smile reassuringly even broke out into a brief laugh. "Forgive me," you clear your throat, "that was inappropriate. If it's alright with you and I understand your concerns with informing the others. But, it's quite alright really, I'll let them know I stopped by. It's just right now I believe it's best they don't, there's much more to worry about right?"

He adjusted himself, carefully treading his words and response, assessing you with a puzzled look. "Yes."

"Right! The infected digimon have been popping up more and more recently. Crossing over into the human world and infecting the others."

"The others?"

You stiffen for a moment, realizing what you just said clasp a hand softly over your mouth flicker your eyes downward woefully for a moment. "...The digimon, our digimon partners. I fear for them and if they might become infected."

He leaned back a little pinching his chin looking up, "That is something to think about. Then again it's been discussed," he said, locking eyes with yours the moment they returned from the floor. Catching the subtle surprise glint, which you quickly replace with solemness. "Izzy's found a way to keep the digimon so far safe from becoming infected, keeping them in his server back at his place. You know where Jaspermon is."

You perk up, delighted to know. "That's wonderful! I'm glad their all safe, it's a good thing Jaspermon is over there she'll be safer and cared for too. She has all her friends with her. I know they'll take great care of her, they'll make sure nothing will happen to her."

"Happen to her?" he repeated catching what you just said.

You brush it aside and continue talking. "When we were younger I had a habit of leaving and well abandon my digimon, the others would watch them. Until of course they tracked me down." You laugh behind your hand. "It happened quite often more times than I can count really. Though I know I shouldn't have done it, I was.." your voice cracked a little, "was always to know my digimon were safe. Who knows what horrible things could have happened to them, I could have lost two instead of one."

"That's good to know, so are you going to visit Jaspermon any time soon?"

You adverted answering the question fully, laughing while clenching your school skirt tightly you heard soft tears of the fabric. Damn, it was acting up...you were losing concentrating from that question. A breath, you needed to take a deep breath... as Maiki told you...but it lodged itself in your throat like a clogged sink, backing up every honest word you wish to say. To scream...to..to..

No! You snap yourself away from that, still gripping your skirt, shuffle through your foreboding thoughts and weeping nerves trembling silently from the icy grip you dreaded never to feel again of an ashamed lineage. Their dark shadow cast itself over you, swallowing you up monstrously with sweet poisonous glee glinting on their vile thin smile. Just like before...so many years ago...that same smile fang smile that sunk right into your neck shooting you seething pain you thought for a moment you had died. Your tormenting screams...you could hear them echoing in your mind taking deafening you to all your senses and surroundings casting you back into that darken abyss you remember...though paralyzed for pain begged to be let out. Tears...hot tears that came from the buried part of you of loneliness that too consumed you...turning you into...into what gripped you fear presently...the tears that produced shame shaken up with guilt that chained your very essence...the first time it was felt...was so many years with Jimmy and again with Emeraldmon...both lost..gone because of you...because of...of...

Realizing what was about to erupt you quickly, with what strength you had, snap yourself back from the abyss and stand suddenly slam a hand on desk, breathing heavily. Startling the man, splint it from the force exerted from the strike. Seeing what you just did quickly, though not before Daigo caught a glimpse what was ailing you, to make sure he does a double-take finding you drew your hand back behind your back the same with your other hand, with a forced smile that quivered with every second.

"Natsu-san! Natsu-san!" Daigo said worried took a step to you, you step back insisting he not come any closer. He didn't and kept his distance, knowing you'd most likely flee if he took another. He had to prolong your time here as much as he could. The faint ticking of the clock hung on the wall filled the silence. Thinking assiduously on the right choice of words and action, he found them. "You know the school festival is coming up," he devoid his voice of any concern you might pick up, and remained cemented where stood, presented you with a friendly smile, "have you thought of maybe showing off your martial arts? For everyone to see? I know Yamato-san is performing with his band."

Your heart squeezed, your smile flinched for a moment, "I almost forgot about that. Just been too busy with the renovations and all the permanent changes happening. And no I won't be showing my skills, I'm tired of fighting really. It's good he's performing, I often.."you voice softens with a broken fondness for a moment, "enjoyed his music. Once when I was sick he played the harmonica for me, even before that...that was one of the few things that well...that worked for me. As much as I would enjoy that...I won't be able to see it this time."

He stuck his hands in his pockets, "Oh, that's a shame. Mimi was hoping you'd help her and Meiko out with their thing."

Your heart thumped painfully, but you remained willing, and smiled looking to the side, "Yes, well..." you shrug trying hard not to show the seething regret, "Mimi-chan knows sometimes that...that I don't really like things like that. It's good that she's hangout with Meiko-san. That girl is so meekish, but kind. Jaspermon really likes her and her digimon. Jaspermong, I've never seen her light up so much before, Meiko...Meiko.." your words tremble and knees, "it's happy to know she can be joyful again."

Again, he wanted to question, instead, "Well, that's good to know." He threw out a fake chuckle,"guess Meiko-san might as well be Jaspermon's partner, huh?"

A small chuckle slips from you, "Yes, I couldn't agree more. Jaspermon" the softest of tears wept over her name from your voice momentarily, "Takura...Hikari-chan..."you began naming off as if mourning remembrance, which you mask with a delight warmth tone, "Izzy-chan...Sora-chan..Meiko-chan...Joe-chan...Tai-kun..Mom..Maki-chan.."

You pause for a moment and close your eyes, reflecting on each and every memory you found, each one flashed before you. From years before when it all started...focusing on the good and only good through each one you could find. They were like a flipbook...those memories, it brought a broken serene smile on your lips..it peaceful. Tragically peaceful from Daigo's perspective. Remaining still he waited for you to open your eyes, you did so right when the bell rang. Find yourself still in the classroom which you gaze thoroughly taking in every bit of it. Even the sound of the students in the clustered in the hall.

"Sensei."

He listened and what you said, he had to hold back his initial reaction and let you walk away. Stepping out of the building, you cast your eyes up to the bright sun, shield your eyes with your hand as the rays sizzled your now sensitive paler skin. The sky was so blue today and the clouds seem whiter and fluffier, one for some reason looked like...

"Wizardmon?" you gasped, shaking your head, look again find it gone. Just to be sure you look away and back once more...the cloud was gone. Oh, how you wish it wasn't.