I do not own InuYasha or Digimon Adventure in any way!
Speech Key:
"The" – Oral/Normal Speech
'The' – Thoughts
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE BEGINNING!
AN: This is once again going to sound WICKED choppy, so just bear with me for the time being, I'm just going through a weird phase right now where I want to write and yet at the same time I don't, so I've been playing at it by ear, writing a little whenever something hits me and so as a result, my writing's all over the place.
Review, but if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all!
-The Ninth Child-
xX-Heartbreak-Xx
-Digital World; Desert Area-
"That's the last of the Control Spires in this area," Kari commented as she stood with the rest of the DigiDestined and their Digimon. She gazed at the fallen black structures that lay nearly half-buried in the sand.
The preteens, their Digimon, as well as Cody broke out into grins and cheers at the proclamation.
"But we can't celebrate yet," Kagome reminded them, "This is just one area, and there are still a lot of Control Spires left to take down, even with Ken and other Digimon helping us."
"I say we call it a day," T.K nodded up to sky, noting the pale-orange hue that was creeping into the blue, "If we stay any longer, our parents'll start to worry."
-Earth; Hamasaki Acamdey; Computer Lab-
"Well, you go, junk food from the vending machines," Cody laid the plastic bags he carried on the floor, "Candy, potato chip, cheese crackers and everything in between. Bon appétit!"
As soon as the bags were let down, the seven Digimon tackled the bags, eagerly digging into the food contained within.
"Yummy in my tummy!" DemiVeemon squeaked as he munched on a chocolate bar.
"Slow down, guys!" the young boy reprimanded. "You'll get a stomachache!"
"Is eating that much junk food really good for them?" Kagome asked worriedly, looking at the sugary snacks within the bags. She liked sweets as much as the next person, but even she knew that it was important not to rely totally on sweets for nourishment.
"Well, I managed to get some sushi and rice balls, too, if that helps," Cody informed the older girl, pointing to how Kudamon was happily nipping at a riceball with grilled salmon filling with Gatomon finishing up a sushi roll.
"I guess that's better than nothing," the raven-haired girl conceded.
"Hey, look, another area's been freed of Control Spires!" Yolei commented, pointing to the once black square on the map of the Digital World she'd pulled up on the Computer Terminal.
"Looks like Ken's working overtime," Davis blinked, "I thought he'd be home by now, what with his parents and all…"
"You never told us what it was like when you DNA Digivolved with Wormmon," Upamon bounced over to DemiVeemon, getting the DigiDestined's attention.
"It was really weird," DemiVeemon popped the last of his sushi into his mouth, "But I felt like an action star in one of those big movies!" He hopped around excitedly.
"Was it like when you Digivolved from Rookie to Champion?" Poromon squeaked.
"Nope," the small blue Digimon shook his head, "Bigger than that!"
"Well, what creeps me out the most is having two minds in one body," Gatomon commented, "We already have to deal with enough voices in our heads; I can't imagine adding a whole new one to those!"
"But the thing is," DemiVeemon spoke quietly, "It didn't really feel like there were two minds, instead it felt like—like our minds merged into one super brain…"
"Sounds weird, if you ask me," Patamon commented, "But I wonder, can you only do it with Stingmon?"
"I was just wondering about that," Davis spoke up, "I know that the DNA Digivolving thing was weird enough for me, but I can't imagine what it must've been like for DemiVeemon."
"You mean you and Ken were connected?" Kari asked, tilting her head a little.
"Yeah!" Davis grinned. "Cool, isn't it? I know it sounds weird, but I could feel Ken's heart beating right next to mine!"
"So that means that you two were synchronized," Yolei looked at the maroon-haired boy with an amazed grin.
"You mean like those goofy swimmers in the Olympics?" Davis made a face.
Cody chuckled. "No, she means that your hearts were beating together at the same time!"
"Just when you think we think we've got this Digivolution thing figured out," Kari sighed, "Something new pops up. It's definitely something worth thinking about, though. Like if ExVeemon and Angemon were combined, they'd make one powerful winged Digimon, or even a Gatomon combo! I'd dare someone to put that cat into a cage."
"If that could happen," T.K added, "then think about the other possibilities! ExVeemon and Aquilamon; ExVeemon and Antylamon; or even ExVeemon and Reppamon!"
'I don't think it works quite like that,' Kagome shook her head, keeping silent for the time being, 'I don't really understand this DNA Digivolving myself, but what I do know is that it can only happen between certain Digimon and only those Digimon.' She watched as the preteens became excited about the new Digivolution, while Cody asked for them to be cautious. 'I won't ruin it for them; this is something they need to learn for themselves.'
The raven-haired girl thought back to the two unknown Digimon she saw in her vision just before they left for the Digital World today. One Digimon seemed to be a human-bird hybrid while the other seemed to be a large ornate doll with wings and the Crest of Hope on its skirt-like bottom. It had been obvious to see who the first Digimon was and from that Kagome was able to deduce who the other Digimon had been.
'It's odd, though,' Kagome's brow furrowed, 'I have the feeling that those Digimon won't be appearing any time soon, and yet there I Saw them…I usually only see what'll be happening on a certain trip, no more, no less…I wonder just what's going on…'
"We should probably get going now," Yolei commented, looking at the time, "So it's agreed that we'll come back tomorrow so we can get a little more of our job done?"
"Yeah!" the preteens and Cody nodded in agreement.
"Actually," Kagome spoke up, "I have something I need to do tomorrow, so I won't be able to come and after that I'll be gone a few days."
"Huh?" Davis scratched his head. "But where're you going?"
"Grandma's house," Kari answered for her sister, "She's been a bit sick lately and Grandpa's not as young as he used to be, so since Mom and Dad can't go, Kagome offered to go in their place to look after them."
"So then what do you have to do tomorrow?" Yolei blinked.
Kagome winked. "That's a se-cr-et!"
The~Ninth~Child
"So what are you really doing tomorrow?" Kudamon asked quietly as Kagome walked a few paces back from T.K and Kari. The young blonde had offered to walk his girlfriend home, even though she'd be walking with her sister.
'They're absolutely adorable!' Kagome inwardly squealed, watching the young couple whisper back and forth, holding hands. She glanced at Kudamon when she heard his question. "Actually, Sora's invited me over to her house tomorrow for another baking session. She wants to learn how to make cupcakes this time."
"To give to the boy she likes?" the fox-like Digimon guessed. "Is this the same boy she gave the cookies to?"
The raven-haired girl nodded. "Sora said that he really liked the cookies so she wanted to try her hand at something different this time around."
"She seems very determined about this boy," Kudamon commented, "Do you still not know who he is?"
Kagome shook her head as she looked down at Sora's gift wrapped around her wrist. "She hasn't said anything, not yet anyway. I guess I'll have to either weasel it out of her, or give her time to tell me on her own…"
'Weasel it out?' Kudamon sweat-dropped. 'Do I want to ask?'
-Hamasaki Academy; The Next Afternoon-
"I won't say much," Kagome told her sister, "Just that sound will be the beginning and sound will be the end."
"Are we supposed to know what that means?" T.K scratched his head in confusion.
The raven-haired girl could only giggle. "No, but just remember what I told you and everything should be fine."
"Are you sure you can't come with us?" Kari looked up at her sister with large puppy-dog eyes. T.K flushed and glanced away from the adorable sight, trying hard not to just grab his girlfriend and cuddle her to death. 'Do not touch…do not touch…ARGH! Why does she have to be so cute?!'
"You know I would if I could," Kagome ruffled the younger girl's hair, getting an indignant squeak in return, "But I promised Sora that I'd help her out and you know I don't go back on my promises. Besides, when I go off to Grandmama's, I'll have my laptop with me so I'll be able to go to the Digital World whenever I can, and if I need to tell you all something, I'll just message you through my D-Terminal."
"Okay," Kari pouted before stepping up to hug her sibling tightly, "I guess I'll see you in a couple days then…"
Kagome smiled down at her younger sister before turning to look at T.K. "Take care of her while I'm gone or I'll be using you as target practice, you hear?"
T.K snapped up straight. "Yes Ma'am!" he saluted the raven-haired girl.
The ten laughed before reaching out to pat the younger boy's head fondly. "Don't be so stiff, and make sure you take care of yourself, too."
"I will, Kagome," T.K relaxed with a smile, "Thanks!"
Kagome waved to the preteens as they walked off for the Computer Lab while she walked out the doors of the school.
"Hey, Kagome!" the raven-haired teen heard from behind her. 'Oh no, please don't let it be—'
"Matt!" Kagome forced a smiled, all the while stifling a blush that threatened to make its way onto her cheeks. "What a surprise! So what's up?"
"Nothing much," the blonde shrugged, "Just wanted to know how you were doing since I don't really see you much anymore. Is everything okay?"
"Is everyth—I mean, everything's fine, just fine!" Kagome said quickly. "You don't have to worry or anything, I've just had a lot to do lately, that's all!"
"You sure?" cerulean eyes narrowed on the raven-haired girl with him. 'Something's…off about Kagome, I think. But what? And why won't she tell me? Heck, has she told anyone yet?!'
"Definitely," Kagome nodded, giving the blonde she liked a soft smile, touched by his concern, "you really don't have to worry. Now, if you don't mind, I have plans with Sora, and I'm not about to be late."
"Oh, uh, yeah, sure," Matt nodded, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. 'Maybe I was wrong? Maybe there really isn't anything wrong after all…Oh!' "Before I forget, would you mind if I asked you to tell Sora 'Thanks' for me?"
"Not at all," Kagome shook her head, all the while wondering what Matt was thanking the orange-haired girl for. She looked ahead to see that they came to the edge of the school grounds. "Well, I guess this is where we say goodbye!"
"Yeah," Matt agreed, "I've got to get to band practice soon, too. We've got a concert coming up in a few days, so we're trying to get as much practice in as we can."
"Well, good luck, then!" Kagome waved to the blonde as he did the same before the two parted ways; Matt to band practice and Kagome to Sora's home.
'Well that went well,' Kudamon huffed inwardly.
-Takenouchi Residence-
Kagome stood before the door to the Takenouchi Residence and raised her hand to ring the doorbell before standing back to wait. 'I wonder what kind of cupcakes I should teacher her to make…hm, the traditional vanilla might be a good way to start, though chocolate is a favorite, too…decisions, decisions!'
"Hey, Kagome!" Sora grinned when she opened to door.
"I'm not late, am I?" the raven-haired teen asked as she slipped into a pair of guest slippers.
"Nope," Sora shook her head, taking Kagome's bag and blazer to lay them out on the couch, "Actually you're," she glanced quickly at the flowery wall clock, "half an hour early."
"I figured it would be best to get here quick so I have more time to figure out what you want to make and what I should teach you to make," Kagome grinned sheepishly as Kudamon sat up on Kagome's shoulders.
"Kagome," Kudamon nudged his partner, "Remember the message."
"Oh yeah!" Kagome shook her head before looking at Sora. "Matt asked me t o tell you 'Thanks'; I think he would've done it himself, but since he's got a concert in a few days, he and his band are trying to get in as much practice as they can before then."
"W-Well, that was nice of him," Sora stuttered as she led Kagome into the kitchen. She cleared her throat, "Anyway, I think I have everything here, baking pans, and I went out to buy the rest of the ingrediants and supplies that we didn't have." She gestured to the kitchen countertop, pulled open the pantry, and pointed to the refrigerator.
"Well," Kagome went over to the kitchen counter and looked over everything on it before turning to the refrigerator and taking stock of what was in it, "You seem to be pretty much prepared, though I brought a few things of my own I thought we could use."
She walked over to get her bag and pulled out a few small bags, each filled with something different. "Like I said, I didn't know how you wanted to make your cupcakes, so I kind of just brought a little of everything. I have some cocoa powder here if you want to make chocolate cupcakes, some food coloring if you wanted to make vanilla cupcakes but with a little something added to them, and some traditional ingredients like matcha. Oh and I brought some baking cups and boxes, too, since I forgot to mention them to you."
"Well, then I guess we'd better get started," Sora clapped her hands.
"So what kind of cupcakes do you want to make?" Kagome asked. "I can teach you a simple vanilla recipe and if you want, you can change it up a bit. Or, you can tell me what you've got in mind and we'll take a whack at making them."
Sora looked at the ingredients that Kagome had brought and thought hard. After a few moments she looked up at her raven-haired friend in askance. "What are you gonna make?"
"Since I'm going over to Grandmama and Grandpapa's tomorrow," Kagome spoke, "I was going to make some matcha and pistachio cupcakes for them. Then I thought that I'd make some chocolate cupcakes for Tai and Mama, some colourful vanilla for Kari, and coffee for Papa, so I'm kinda all over the place." She rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.
"That's a lot of cupcakes," Kudamon blinked, "Will you be able to make them all?"
"Since you have those larger cupcake pans that hold about twenty each, I should be able to get mine in one pan and yours in another and we can then have them bake together," Kagome looked at the pans in question as she spoke.
"But aren't baking times different for different types of cupcakes?" Sora asked.
"Usually," Kagome nodded, "But in this case, we'll play at it by ear and see how long it'll take. Which is why we have these," she took out a small box of toothpicks and shook them.
"What are you going to do with…toothpicks?" Kudamon asked, squinting a little to see the word on the box.
"We'll stick them into the cupcakes after they've been in the oven for a while," the raven-haired teen explained, "if there's any batter left on the toothpick, we'll know that it needs to bake for a bit longer. And if there isn't, then we know they're done."
"So what are we waiting for?" the orange-haired girl winked. "Let's bake!"
And so the girls set off to work, each grabbing a bowl and adding the right amount of ingredients in according to Kagome's instructions. Kudamon, too, helped out by zipping back and forth to give the girls whatever they needed. Soon, the kitchen was full of laughter and the sounds of whisks and mixers.
"Okay," Kagome let out a breath after placing the two pans in the oven, "All we have to do now is wait until the first timer goes off to check on them and if we need a little more time, then we'll wait until the second timer goes off." She took a small hen-shaped timer and set it for ten minutes, while taking another traditional looking timer and setting it for twenty.
"So now we wait?" Kudamon asked, looking at the oven curiously over Kagome's shoulder.
"Now we wait," Sora nodded. "So what do you want to do while these get going?"
"Well…" Kagome looked at the numerous bowls, spoons, and utensils they'd used, "We could start cleaning up and preparing the icing, for one."
Sora tilted her head curiously before looking in the direction her friend was gazing in, only to sweat-drop. "Yeah…we'd better get on that…"
And just like that, the girls set off to washing the dishware and utensils they used with Kagome doing the washing and Sora the drying. The task in itself didn't take very long to do, so they'd gathered whatever they needed from the refrigerator and pantry before setting off to make the icing.
"So do you want a traditional buttercream icing or whipped?" Kagome asked. "I tend to lean more towards the whipped, so I'll be making that. I would suggest cream cheese icing, but in this case it wouldn't taste too good with any of the cakes we made."
"Which one takes less time to make?" Sora asked.
"I don't really know," Kagome looked up from measuring out her sugar, "I've made different kinds of icing, but I've never really had to time them…"
"Then which icing tastes like what?" Kudamon suggested.
"The Buttercream is most commonly used on cakes, it's a smooth consistency…" Kagome trailed off, trying to find a way to explain it better, "Do you remember that cake Izzy's mother made for his birthday last year? The icing she used was a buttercream frosting. Whipped is a little more complicated to make since it has be chilled and whipped until it's stiff. It's usually sweeter than most frostings or icings due to the amount of sugar needed to whip the actual frosting. Mama and I made a whip-frosted cake for Tai's birthday a few months ago."
"Really?" Sora thought back to those particular cakes and events. She remembered the sweet tasting cream on the cake that had the faintest trace of salt (probably due to whatever butter Mrs. Izumi had used) that only seemed to heighten the sweetness of the confection. While the frosting on Tai's cake was unbelievably sweet but seemed to compliment and make up for the lightly sweetened cake. "Uh, then I guess I'll make the buttercream frosting, then…" 'I just hope he likes it…'
DING!
The girls looked up when they heard the first timer go off. "So I guess we check on them now?" Sora asked.
Kagome nodded as she pulled on a pair of oven mitts. She went over to the oven and carefully took out both trays of cupcakes and placing them on the counter. Sora went ahead and took a toothpick to each cupcake, seeing that a majority in both trays still had a little longer to go.
"So who exactly is this boy that you're so determined on winning over?" Kagome asked casually as she slowly added sugar to the heavy cream she was currently whipping with a hand mixer. "Is it someone I know?"
Sora blushed as she mixed together the butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar. "Y-Yeah, you know him…"
"How long have you liked him?" the raven-haired girl asked as she turned up the speed on the mixer just a bit.
"I don't know, to be honest," Sora admitted, "I just know that I started noticing him a little while ago…"
"Does this boy have a name?" Kudamon pressed on.
"Mmphmhf," Sora mumbled.
"Sora, no mumbling," Kagome drawled, "No take a deep breath and just tell us who it is, you don't have to be scared; we won't make fun of you. If it helps, this can stay between the three of us."
Sora glanced at the raven-haired girl out of the corner of her eye. 'I guess it wouldn't hurt to tell her…and I know I can trust Kagome…' She took a deep breath just like her friend told her to and with eyes closed she said, "It's Matt!"
Kagome's eyes widened as she temporarily lost control of the mixer in her hand. Quickly, before any cream shot off around the kitchen, the raven-haired girl lowered the speed and gripped the bowl and mixer tightly, trying to regain her composure. 'S-She likes Matt?!'
Kudamon stifled a gasp as he gaped at the orange-haired girl. 'Oh…this won't be good…'
"Kagome?" Sora asked worriedly. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Kagome shook her head, "I was just…surprised, that's all. So Matt's the one you gave those cookies to?"
The orange-haired teen nodded, with a blush, "I really wanted to give him something for his birthday, but I just didn't know what, so I came to ask you for help. I was scared when I gave him the cookies! I thought he wouldn't like them, but he took one bite and gave me the biggest grin I ever saw!"
The raven-haired teen felt her heart sinking with each word her friend uttered. 'I never really had a chance then, did I?' "That's great!" she exclaimed, blinking away the tears that threatened to fall. "I know you'll make a wonderful couple!"
"You think so?" crimson eyes looked into icy blue, reflecting nothing but hesitance and vulnerability.
"I know so," Kagome spoke softly, her heart breaking with each word she voiced. She stopped the mixer and set the beaters in the sink for washing, the frosting having been finished.
"You're a great friend, Kagome," Sora put down her spoon, her frosting done as well, and caught the raven-haired teen in a tight embrace, "Thank you."
"It's nothing," Kagome murmured, managing to hug her friend back, "It's nothing at all…"
'But it isn't really, is it?' Kudamon's eyes paled in sorrow. 'You've found love, but received heartbreak instead.'
The~Ninth~Child
"Are you all right, Kagome?" Kudamon asked quietly as his partner walked home with two medium-sized boxes in her hands, one to take with her to her grandparents' home and the other for her family.
"What do you think?" the raven-haired girl smiled bitterly. "I've just found out that the person I loved is also loved by one of my friends…How do you think I feel?"
'Hurt, heartbroken, conflicted, the list is endless,' Kudamon shook his head. "What will you do about this, then?"
"I won't try to compete with Sora, if that's what you're asking," Kagome spoke softly. "I'll just cheer her on and wish them both all the best because what matters the most to me is that my friends and family are safe and happy. Besides, I wouldn't have had a chance anyway; when she gave those cookies to Matt, he probably realized why and judging from Sora's story, he didn't refuse her."
'Such a selfless young woman you've become,' the fox-liked Digimon gazed at his partner, seeing the unshed tears glazed over her eyes. "But what about your happiness? Don't you deserve to be happy, too?"
"If everyone else if happy, then I'll be fine," Kagome replied after a moment, "And I'll do everything I can to make sure that that happiness stays." 'No matter how much it'll hurt…I'll just hide my feelings for Matt and cheer him and Sora on.'
"Kagome…" Kudamon whispered softly as a lone tear made its way down her cheek.
Ciao,
TsukiyoTenshi