"Life is like the weather, Kazuya. It's dangerous and cruel. It's unpredictable yet predictable. And at times it is worse than your worst enemy."

Those were the words his mother told him with tears still on her cheeks and emptiness in her eyes as Tamachi grew smaller and smaller the farther away as she drove in a drunken haze. His mother had never spoken to her brother since the fight during Osamu's birthday party. The division was too deep, the hate too great.

Back then he couldn't understand why siblings who were once so close could hate each other, treating each other like strangers. He couldn't understand why he and his single mother couldn't live with his uncle and cousins anymore.

Now he knew.

It wasn't that Haruto Ichijouji hated his elder sister. He wasn't the heartless monster his mother described him as, uncaring if she one day dropped dead in the streets tomorrow. He just couldn't afford her being a bad influence around his children anymore. And who could blame him?

His mother had a terrible alcohol and drug addiction that always ended with her being in a dangerous, violent rage. He and Osamu knew when to stay out of her way, knew when to hide and stay quiet when she got wasted on one too many sakes. But Ken…Ken had only been a baby at the time. He hadn't known any better. He didn't deserve to be beaten and injured on his first birthday celebration.

Haruto and Mina Ichijouji should not have left them alone with her. Osamu should have never heard his brother's frightened cried, not seen his precious younger brother so motionless, so vulnerable as his aunt stood above the infant with a bottle of sake in her hand. He should never have witnessed his father in a heated argument with his drunk, elder sister as Osamu's mother ushered them out of the kitchen, with tears in her eyes and her youngest held gently in her arms.

Kazuya closed his eyes and sighed. This wasn't the first time he allowed his cousin to get injured. The first time had been completely out of his control. What could two kids do against a woman in a violent rage? But that didn't stop Osamu from putting the blame solely on himself. He was the big brother. It was his duty to protect the younger.

Kazuya held his cousin's hand in his own. Osamu wasn't here now, was he? He was at home preparing for an upcoming exam. He wasn't even aware that his brother, cousin, and secret boyfriend were in another world.

He wasn't aware that his precious little brother that he swore to protect was in a coma. He wasn't aware that Ken may never wake up from his coma. And if by some divine miracle he did wake up it was very likely he would never remember their names.

Kazuya shook his head vigorously, hating the depressing thoughts that were invading his mind. He can't think that way. Ken was a tough kid. He'll pull through just fine. And if he ended up not remembering them as Bancho Leomon's warned, then so what? The three of them had a very strong bond, despite only communicating through emails and letters and the occasional phone calls over the last seven years.

"But… is that enough…?"

"What's enough?"

Kazuya jumped in his seat, not expecting someone to answer him as he sat in the infirmary alone. Glancing over his shoulder, Kazuya saw Ryo standing by the doorway. It had been four agonizing days since they made the slow walk from the desert to Bancho HQ on the other side of Server. Despite staying at the Bancho HQ for three days now, he doubted anyone, besides the Digimon, got any decent rest.

The Legendary Tamer looked exhausted and drained, defeated and guilt-ridden. Kazuya could understand why the other was so tired. They all spent what must have been months in the Digital World, fighting an evil that no normal kids should have to deal with…fighting in an endless, almost senseless war between Virus and Vaccine. Millenniumon may be gone for now, but it would only be a matter of time before he returned. He always did.

Until then, they must protect the weak and the injured. They must be prepared for the worst. Huh, easier said than done, especially with one down and the others uncertain of whom to trust anymore.

"What you doing here, Ryo? I thought you'd be with all the others." They had decided to take turns scouting the area for Millennimumon's followers. While Bancho Lilymon and the others assured them they were safe, they couldn't take the risk, not after the things they'd been through.

"Naomi thought it'd be better if I stay here." He shrugged slightly as he sat in the chair next to him. "How is he?"

"No change." His voice was suddenly very quiet and reserved. "Do you believe in fate, Ryo?" He raised a brow at the sudden question. "Do you think it's impossible to change one's destiny, no matter how hard you try?"

Ryo was silent for a very long time. As the silence stretched on with Ryo gazing at the wall in front of him, Kazuya regretted the stupid question.

From what Ryo told them, he had disproven those who thought lowly of him. He'd given others hope when there was none. He gave them courage when the Digimon were too scared to fight back. He fought against destiny with everything he had when facing off against Millenniumon. If Ryo could do all that, was it possible to prevent Wisemon's prophecy?

"No, nothing is set in stone. We shape our own path, carve our own destiny. Nothing is impossible if we face our fears, our struggles head-on." Ryo returned his tired gaze to him. "Why do you ask?"

"When we were separated, we came across this strange Digimon."

Ryo frowned. "What did he say?"

Kazuya signed. "He prophesied that I would lose someone close to me."