"Nii-Chan! Hi nii-Chan!" Maki beamed, spotting Takura in the line of parents just outside the door, waiting to pick up their child.
Takura stood fourth in line, he arrived just in time to get her, as he had for nearly a week and a half. Leaving school rather quickly and arriving tardy to any meetings with the others digidestines, always playing it off or coming up with some excuse that wouldn't seem too suspicious; especially for Yamato whom Takura vigilantly avoided his sharp suspecting eyes. So far no one suspected anything, with everyone concerned about the infected digimon he remained undetected, of course having ice-cream promises to seal silence works to.
"Saskai-sensi," He greeted the man as he signed Maki out, "how was she today?"
The man glanced over the girl as she put on her backpack and gathered her latest art project.
"Joyful, chattered on and on about the festival and Ishida-San performing."
Of course, she would, Yamato was the cooler older brother. Takura the fun one, it was hard not to feel a little tinge of sibling jealousy.
"I bet she did. We promised to take her, nii-San did actually, so I won't be surprised if that's all she's been talking about. Today...tomorrow...forever."
Mr. Sasaki chuckled, knowing how true that was. "It's good she has something to take her mind off Natsu-san. How is she by the way?"
For a moment vail of disquieting weighted in his eyes. It was unintentional and he didn't mean for it show especially here of all place and in front of the teacher who grasped right away the effect the question had.
"Nii-chan, I'm ready!" Maki announced hurrying over with all her things. Snapping Takura out and returning his usual smile.
"I see, well then," he placed a hand on her head affectionately, "let's go. Bye Sasaki-sensei!" He waved to the man as he walked out, Maki did the same and her class.
Once outside Takura scooped her in his arms, the moment he did his phone rang. Using his free hand he took it out and flipped it open, it was Yamato.
"Let's let that go to voicemail, huh?" He nervously said sliding the phone back into his pocket when it dinged signifying a text. He took it out see it was Hikari and then Izzy and then Yamato. Again he closed his phone and slide into his pocket. Even when it dinged profusely.
He hadn't the time to answer any of them, he'd answer any questions and grilling they might do when he arrived, after ice-cream.
"Alright, who's ready for some ice-cream?"
Throwing her hands to the sky and big smile covering her face, Maki was indeed. One of the many things she looked forward to, but there was another neither she nor Takura where expecting.
Arriving at the ice-cream store Maki hastily climbed down out of Takura's and ran over the cold glass the separated her from the cream chilled flavor sweet, packed in large white(nearly her size she often believed) tubs stationed netted to one another. Ten, there where ten that could fit, she knew because she, with Takura's help counted. Proudly she got up to eight before he jumped in and helped her finish. Despite her refusal for it, a trait she inherited from Yamato. Something he was proud of and praised her for.
Takura laughed thinking about as he greeted the two familiar workers, Kaori a chestnut-colored hair girl, and Isamu a black shorted hair guy, who's come to expect them. They welcome him and Maki asking what flavor, even though they knew.
"Ummm," Maki pondered pushing a finger on her bottom lip, shifting her bright eyes to each one, crossed on which one even though she had her favorite already selected.
Luckily everyone was patient. Especially Isamu, who always took over, knelt down with his scooper ready for her choice pick.
"Decisive as ever," Kaori jested, softly chuckled to Takura.
He nodded agreeing, opened his mouth to comment when another text came. He ignored it the same with familiar walk in.
Finally, Maki chose, "That one! That one!"
"Please, Maki-chan," Takura playfully scolded her.
She said it and was rewarded with a scoop. "Nii-chan, can I get two?" she asked hopefully.
He thought about it, pretending to take his time. "I don't know.." he hummed, smirking a little. Which she saw, nerving her, he couldn't help to laugh. "Alright, I guess you can two scoops," he gave in poking her nose. Getting a giggle in return.
Isamu scooped in a bowl, adding toppings of whip cream, crushed cookie, and sprinkles. He then scooped Takura's, just one, and handed them both off to Kaori to ring up.
"$9.45."
It would normally be more but now they gave Takura a discount. Which was good because always had enough.
"Thank you," she gave him back his change.
"Thank you," he said taking the two treats handing Maki hers.
She wasted no time indulging in it. A bright and happy smile shone on her.
"Thank you!" She beamed to them, then turned to Takura to do the same exposing herself. "Thank you nii-chan for our secret treat!"
"You're welcome-"
"What secret?" Yamato asked, sending a sharp chill down their spines.
"Nii-Chan!" They shrill turning around finding him standing behind them over Takura's shoulder more so. While casting a heavy shadow over Maki, how now peeped when he rested a stern hand on her head as he did Takura's shoulder.
"Let's go." He said with a faint hardness in his tone. "Now."
It was amazing as it was confusing and astonishing, Maki wasn't sure what to make of what she was looking at right now when she along with her brothers arrived at Izzy's. Who was shocked Yamato brought her like the others.
"What are you?" She blinked bemused, smiling at Agumon. "Are you a dinosaur?"
He would have answers but his attention fell on her ice-cream.
"Ah, you gonna eat that?" He pointed a claw.
"Ah.." she looked it then back to him, "do you want to try some?" He nodded. "Okay! Do you all want to try some?"
Patamon landed on her head, "Yes, please! It looks so good!"
They cheered agreeing. "Okay!" Maki gushed scooping out a spoonful, "who wants to try it first?"
While she fed and befriended the digimon, except for Palmon and who were nearly her size except for Patamon, they gladly welcomed her when she arrived, the others minus Joe and Gomamon, berated Takura.
"This whole time, I can't believe you didn't say a single thing!" Mimi was the most adamant about it, she stood before him shaking a finger before him clearly upset if not hurt with her own personal feelings directed from you. "Ama-chan was contacting you this whole time and you said nothing! Do you have any idea how long I've been trying to get in touch with her? You could have at least said...something!"
Takura sunk a little in seat, being wise not say anything afraid of what attack she might use. Luckily for him, Sora managed to break it up, moving Mimi away. "I'm sure he didn't mean it, whatever the reason or case maybe I'm-"
Mimi whirled around huffing, showing her singular emotion, "It doesn't matter!" She wipes a hand through the air, eyes filled with confusion anger that softens to quiet confusion and worry, "I just don't understand...somethings wrong. I know, somethings wrong with Ama-chan."
Sora wrapped a comforting around her, sharing her concern. In a mature way, "It's alright, you're not the only one. I'm sure Amane is just...well we know how she can be sometimes and-"
Maki gasped amazed seeing Tentamon flying.
"-I'm sure when she's ready she'll be here." Sora continued. "I highly doubt Takura even knows what going on, so getting upset with him isn't going to do any good."
Mimi knew she was right, that didn't stop her from shooting Takura a glare with a small growl. Scaring him a little he flinched, Hikari laughed. But she too was worried, looking over at Maki now with proudly showing the digimon her abstract artwork which they applaud her, just what was going on with you Hikari wondered. She could feel it was something...just like Takura no doubt. Switching her eyes to him, it weighed hidden in his eyes she saw it. It was the same he had when they were kids whenever he became worried about you of course he hid it better now. Just as she did but it was there, as she hid her welling concerns she wondered...taking a quick glance at her brother..how he felt. So far he hasn't said anything about you, whenever she brought you up at home or his mom he adverted the question or just went silent. The biggest surprise to her was when Daigo had informed them you went to see him and what he informed everyone on what you said and how you looked. It ran ice through her...pointy nails Daigo said, your hair was longer to passing your shoulders thicker, your complexion...paler...chalky like...he said...her heart thumped...Daigo wasn't able to get a good look at your teeth...as you kept it covered but Hikari knew...she knew...your eyes they were...they seemed normal Daigo said those hadn't changed..which was good. But, there was something sullen and anguishing about them he said. No roughness nor playful snide or stoic warm charm...something was happening but what...that's what everyone was told.
And her brother...Tai's reaction was not what she or anyone suspected...he simply said, you'd get through it and it was best to leave you alone.
He said those words, she hadn't expected him to say, him of all people because...before he'd never say anything like that. He'd refuse to believe and do everything he could to figure out what was wrong and pull you out from it. But he just...
Didn't.
What was going on?
A question that came across Joe's mind when you stood a few feet before him on his way home, dressed in a dark oversized hooded jacket, concealing your face except for the few long strands of lavender hair that hung out. You said nothing, something he found odd. You were clearly here for a reason, he got that much...but for what? That he tried to get but just as he thought of a question and blinked you where gone.
Vanished.
Tempted to inform the others, his hand on his phone, released it, and continued on his way home. He had studying to do. Whatever it was you wanted to say wasn't his concern at the moment. That though didn't stop Meiko, while making her way home with Meicoomon who was admiring her...questionable drawing of her done by Maki which was nothing more than two orange circles colored in with orange-colored in triangles for ears and black lines for her stripes and circle green eyes, came across you seemingly waiting for her a block from her apartment complex. It startled her and oddly Meicoomon seemed hostile for a moment then frighten, for some reason a dense chilling fog enveloped around you and you looked or seemed...she wasn't sure sick..maybe. All she knew..you muttered something to her that she could barely make out but she was sure she heard Jaspermon and then you were gone.
Once again for the hundredth time, Izzy lost count, debated, or not whether to call you or text. Eventually, he conceded and called. After the last ring, he waited for the voice mail when suddenly that polymorphic code appeared and he hung up. No sooner had he done that, the code went away. Luckily though he managed to get a slight read on it. With it, he began his autopsy on it.