Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or Sailor Moon whatsoever. The characters and series belong to the owner(s) and creator(s).
Author's Notes: Japanese words used. Japanese and American names of the Digidestined are listed in Chapter 2.
Dedication: To the best oneesan out there, and also mine, Usa-oneesan!
************************************
The Right Kind of Wrong
Chapter 5 - Hidden Rivalry
Author: Krys Yuy
************************************
"Tai-kun?!"
"Hai, Tenshi," Tai smiled.
Usagi smiled back, the surprise fading from her mind. "It's good to see you again..." she murmured before fainting.
"What do you think you're doing, Taichi?" Yamato demanded. He stood near the two, for he was about to catch the fainted girl, when Taichi had appeared.
*Flashback*
"We'll go through first," said Miyako and Iori.
"All right," agreed Sora.
As soon as the two disappeared through the television, Daisuke stepped forward. He nodded to his older friends. Koushiro supported Taichi, while Jyou was going to go with Daisuke and Sora.
"Are you sure?" Jyou frowned. "I don't want you to bite off more than you can chew."
"No, I'm fine, Jyou," Koushiro reassured.
"If you say so," Jyou shrugged and faded into the television with Sora and Daisuke.
Suddenly, Koushiro felt the heavy weight that was leaning against his shoulders become lighter. "Whoa! Where do you think you're going, Taichi?" he demanded.
"I have to find her!" Taichi broke from Koushiro's grip and started to run.
"Iie! Matte!"
Taichi kept running, letting some kind of sixth sense guide him to his long lost friend. The first thing he saw was a blinding flash of light, then it dimmed. When he could see clearly again, he noticed Usagi was about to collapse. He got there as quick as lightning, just before Yamato could reach her.
*End Flashback*
"I'm bringing her to my house," Taichi said without even looking at him.
Yamato quickly had a tight grip on his left arm. "You're not taking her anywhere," he replied angrily.
"Yes, I am," Taichi said, trying to shrug his grip off.
However, Yamato didn't back down. "Let her go," he hissed.
"Never," Taichi whispered inaudibly.
"Did you hear me, Taichi? I said let her go," he repeated.
"Iie, she needs her rest," Taichi said.
"Hai, but she needs to go with me," Yamato retorted.
"You act as if she's your girlfriend," Taichi commented with a glare.
Yamato colored slightly, but snapped back. "So do you."
"I just care about her, all right?!" Taichi hissed. "Let me go, for the last time!"
"Not until you give her to me!" Yamato said.
"I can't do that," he replied, just holding her closer.
Unconsciously, Yamato stretched his other hand to brush a lock of hair away from her face. "Please just give her to me! She's my best friend!"
Those words hit Taichi like a ton of bricks. His stern mood wavered, but didn't crumble like the last time. "She's mine too," he said a bit weakly.
Before either knew it, Usagi wasn't even in Taichi's arms anymore. She was a few feet away, resting comfortably in the arms of Koushiro. Behind him were the forms of Hikari, Takeru, and the original digidestined's digimon. Takeru and Hikari were glaring daggers at them, but their eyes softened as they fell upon the unconscious girl. Unbeknownst to any of them, Gabumon and Gatomon were in the back, shaking their heads slightly.
"So, you remember?" Gabumon asked the feline softly.
Gatomon licked her paws, while staring at him through her blue eyes. "Hai, I do," she said. "I was going to give the princess back her memories-"
"What?!" Gabumon interrupted but quickly lowered his voice. "Why did you do that for? It is not yet her time to awaken!"
"I didn't know, all right?" Gatomon retorted, irritated. "Besides, the Queen interfered. She told me it was not yet time, but that it was near."
"Soo ka?"
"Hai."
"I guess I should've seen it coming," Gabumon stated with a soft sigh. "Do you see the signs?"
Gatomon pointedly studied the two fourteen year olds staring daggers at the other. "Hai, who wouldn't?" She laid on all fours. "Is it going to be the same as the last life?"
"I sincerely hope not," Gabumon replied, his eyes downcast. "That would be terrible."
"Do you remember who the princess chose?" Gatomon questioned curiously. "I can't seem to remember that time. It's all fuzzy and unreadable."
"Hai, an effect so we can't mess with the timeline," he commented. "The princess must choose her own path."
"But will it be the right one?" the feline voiced aloud.
"The ring will show the truth of her soul," Gabumon said mysteriously.
"I can't believe either of you!" Hikari scolded, fury in her eyes.
"We were just reunited with her today, and you're fighting over her?!" Takeru exclaimed in disbelief.
"I just-"
"We don't need any of your excuses, oniisan," Hikari interrupted with a frown. "Takeru and I saw your fight. It was pointless."
"You treated her as if she was a possession!" Takeru exclaimed.
Both teenagers immediately hung their heads in shame and guilt. They looked all around them, except at each other and at the unconscious girl. "Gomen nasai," they both murmured.
"She's not even awake," Koushiro pointed out. "You both are going to have to tell her what happened while she was out." He walked away with the girl in his arms.
Taichi immediately turned on Yamato. "That was all your fault!" he accused.
"My fault?!" exclaimed Yamato. "I didn't even do anything!"
"Sure," Taichi agreed sarcastically.
Yamato glared at him, then stalked off to rehearse at band practice. Taichi could have burned holes through the Yamato's back with the look he was giving him. Hikari and Takeru looked at each other uneasily.
"You know, if looks could kill, both of our older brothers would be dead," Hikari commented.
"Hai," Takeru agreed.
As the two friends watched their brothers leave in opposite directions, they both realized what it meant. "We have a problem," they groaned.
* * * * *
Yamato glared at the ceiling as he laid on his bed. His mind was swimming with thoughts and feelings he couldn't decipher at the moment. 'What the hell is wrong with me?!' he screamed in his mind. He sat up on his bed and leaned against the headboard. 'It just doesn't make any sense...' He grabbed his guitar case from under his bed and took out the well kept instrument. He strummed a few strings and let the music soothe his nerves. 'I mean, I can't be in love with her...' he thought. 'We were seven years old when we last saw each other. Taichi mentions her once and I start freaking out!' He let his fingers run across the strings once more. 'You could tell Taichi loves her. I shouldn't stand in the way,' he tried to convince himself. 'Besides, we're best friends... We're more like brother and sister. It would be... wrong. Just wrong.' He played with a few more keys.
'A right kind of wrong,' he thought absently without realizing it. Then his fingers began to play a tune which voiced out all his thoughts. Yamato sang to himself the lyrics which first came in mind, unknowingly predicting the future effects his long lost best friend would have on him.
* * * * *
Taichi slammed his fist against his desk, but immediately regretted it. He cradled his right hand in his other, while blowing on it softly. "Kuso," he cursed. He collapsed backwards on his bed with a sigh. 'Usagi... Tenshi... what have you done to me?' he asked. He closed his eyes and thought about how much she had changed since he had last seen her. 'Is it possible that I- that I-' he paused, unsure if he should say it, even if it was only in his mind. 'Iie,' he denied. 'I just care for her a lot, that's all. Like I do for Hikari.' He groaned buried his face in a pillow. 'We haven't even properly reunited yet, and I'm going crazy!' As his hands clenched the soft fabric of the sheets, he shook his head. 'Why is it so hard?!'
Taichi turned on his bed to stare at the photograph on his wall. It was of Usagi and him as kids. They were both smiling brightly and Taichi had his arms around her small form as a friendly hug. Little did he know that Chibi-Usagi had put bunny ears on him, which was why she looked a little flushed from giggling. Taichi grinned softly to himself before letting fatigue take him over.
"Ai shiteru," he mumured unconsciously as he dreamt of figure with golden hair and deep blue eyes.
* * * * *
"Oh god... what hit me?" Usagi groaned as she woke up and held a hand to her forehead to feel a wet cloth.
"You shouldn't move, you know," a voice scolded lightly with a hint of amusement, which sounded vaguely familiar.
"Izzy?" she questioned hesitantly.
The voice chuckled. "Hai, Gi-chan," 'Izzy' replied. "No one has called me that in years."
Usagi opened her eyes and winced slightly at the bright light. "Why not?" She saw the figure of Koushiro shrug.
"I don't know. I guess you're the only one who called me that," he suggested.
"So... where am I again?" Usagi inquired, glancing around.
"My place," Koushiro answered.
"How'd I get here?"
"I brought you here."
Usagi tried to remember the last thing she saw. She vaguely remembered a soft voice with brown eyes and hair... "What happened to Taichi?" she asked suddenly. Then a teenager with blonde hair and blue eyes looking panicked flashed through as well. "And Yamato?" she added.
The younger teen's eyes darkened slightly. "They're fine, Gi-chan," he half-lied.
Usagi saw right through him. "Iie, something's wrong. What is it?"
Koushiro sighed as he pulled up a chair to sit beside the bed Usagi occupied. "Well..."
"Izzy..." Usagi said with an impatient look.
"I think they better tell you," he replied quietly.
She stared at him hard and realized how uncomfortable he must be. "Gomen nasai, Izzy," she apologized. "That's all right if you don't want to tell me."
Koushiro smiled gratefully. "Arigato."
"No problem," she replied, flashing him with a brilliant smile. She didn't notice as a light tint covered his cheeks. "So... how's life been for you? Oh, gomen, that's really lame-"
"Hey, it's okay," he interrupted. "I guess it's been fine. I have a 4.0 grade average and I'm a computer geek. You?"
Usagi frowned at his words. "You're not a computer geek, Izzy. You shouldn't call yourself that."
"Yeah, well..." Koushiro trailed off with a strained laugh.
"Izzy, look at me."
"................."
"Izzy? Izzy?! Koushiro!"
The computer whiz whirled to face her, a little shocked she had called him by his first name. "Nani?" he asked softly.
"Why do you allow others to influence you?" she asked, looking into his eyes.
Koushiro shrugged lightly. "I guess... I feel insignificant."
"You? Insignificant? You really must be joking, Izzy!" Usagi giggled. "Remember when we were kids? You were always so daring, willing to do anything! At the same time, you had a love for computers and knowledge. A curiosity with no bounds," she commented. "Now, I just see someone buried away in studies." She lifted his chin so that he would again look at her. "What happened to the friend I had all those years ago? Have things changed so much?"
Koushiro stood up shakily, breaking from her grasp, frightfully wondering how someone could interpret that much, which hit home exactly. "I'll get you something to eat, Gi-chan," he suggested, trying to change the subject.
It worked. Usagi's eyes lit up. "Hai!" she agreed immediately. "Arigato!" Yet in her eyes lingered an emotion which said that their conversation would be continued another time.
"I'll be right back," Koushiro promised as he left the room. He vaguely wondered why he was blushing as he left the room.
* * * * *
A dark purple feline jumped up onto a brick fence. Its red eyes flickered across the crowded streets of Juuban, wandering from each female to the next. For some odd reason, it held an air of intelligence as its head turned this way and that. It suspiciously looked like the feline was looking for something... or maybe someone. It seemed to shake its head and actually sigh unconsciously. Then it leapt from the fence and into a deserted yard. The sunlight hit a certain spot on its forehead, where it glinted off... a crescent moon?
* * * * *
For some reason, Usagi suddenly felt tired again, as if drained of energy. She yawned and fell back against the comfortable sheets and pillows. As her sleepy eyes opened and shut, her gaze locked with a picture on Koushiro's wall. It was a picture of him and the rest of her friends with strange creatures, which she figured to be digimon. Her eyes found the leader of the digidestined, grinning goofily at the camera, Agumon at his side. She smiled softly as sleep claimed her once again.
The ring on Usagi's necklace glowed softly from a navy blue to a semi-dark orange. The sapphire on the ring winked out of existence as a topaz insignia took its place. A figure watched from the shadows, taking in every feature, every line. Red eyes flashed dangerously as a ball of energy gathered in its palm. It advanced towards the sleeping girl with soft steps. Suddenly, Usagi's eyes snapped open to meet that of the intruder's, returning from the dream world, faster than she had come. Her blue eyes held shadows of fear, but traces of defiance.
The figure smirked at her expression. "It's good to see you... Neo-Queen."
End Chapter 5 - Hidden Rivalry
Coming Next - Chapter 6 - Awaken & Return
Yes, I know I'm evil. Questions that you should ponder: What exactly are Koushiro's feelings? Is it a love for an older sister or something more? Why and/or how did the ring change? And just who is the intruder?
Author's Notes: Japanese words used. Japanese and American names of the Digidestined are listed in Chapter 2.
Dedication: To the best oneesan out there, and also mine, Usa-oneesan!
************************************
The Right Kind of Wrong
Chapter 5 - Hidden Rivalry
Author: Krys Yuy
************************************
"Tai-kun?!"
"Hai, Tenshi," Tai smiled.
Usagi smiled back, the surprise fading from her mind. "It's good to see you again..." she murmured before fainting.
"What do you think you're doing, Taichi?" Yamato demanded. He stood near the two, for he was about to catch the fainted girl, when Taichi had appeared.
*Flashback*
"We'll go through first," said Miyako and Iori.
"All right," agreed Sora.
As soon as the two disappeared through the television, Daisuke stepped forward. He nodded to his older friends. Koushiro supported Taichi, while Jyou was going to go with Daisuke and Sora.
"Are you sure?" Jyou frowned. "I don't want you to bite off more than you can chew."
"No, I'm fine, Jyou," Koushiro reassured.
"If you say so," Jyou shrugged and faded into the television with Sora and Daisuke.
Suddenly, Koushiro felt the heavy weight that was leaning against his shoulders become lighter. "Whoa! Where do you think you're going, Taichi?" he demanded.
"I have to find her!" Taichi broke from Koushiro's grip and started to run.
"Iie! Matte!"
Taichi kept running, letting some kind of sixth sense guide him to his long lost friend. The first thing he saw was a blinding flash of light, then it dimmed. When he could see clearly again, he noticed Usagi was about to collapse. He got there as quick as lightning, just before Yamato could reach her.
*End Flashback*
"I'm bringing her to my house," Taichi said without even looking at him.
Yamato quickly had a tight grip on his left arm. "You're not taking her anywhere," he replied angrily.
"Yes, I am," Taichi said, trying to shrug his grip off.
However, Yamato didn't back down. "Let her go," he hissed.
"Never," Taichi whispered inaudibly.
"Did you hear me, Taichi? I said let her go," he repeated.
"Iie, she needs her rest," Taichi said.
"Hai, but she needs to go with me," Yamato retorted.
"You act as if she's your girlfriend," Taichi commented with a glare.
Yamato colored slightly, but snapped back. "So do you."
"I just care about her, all right?!" Taichi hissed. "Let me go, for the last time!"
"Not until you give her to me!" Yamato said.
"I can't do that," he replied, just holding her closer.
Unconsciously, Yamato stretched his other hand to brush a lock of hair away from her face. "Please just give her to me! She's my best friend!"
Those words hit Taichi like a ton of bricks. His stern mood wavered, but didn't crumble like the last time. "She's mine too," he said a bit weakly.
Before either knew it, Usagi wasn't even in Taichi's arms anymore. She was a few feet away, resting comfortably in the arms of Koushiro. Behind him were the forms of Hikari, Takeru, and the original digidestined's digimon. Takeru and Hikari were glaring daggers at them, but their eyes softened as they fell upon the unconscious girl. Unbeknownst to any of them, Gabumon and Gatomon were in the back, shaking their heads slightly.
"So, you remember?" Gabumon asked the feline softly.
Gatomon licked her paws, while staring at him through her blue eyes. "Hai, I do," she said. "I was going to give the princess back her memories-"
"What?!" Gabumon interrupted but quickly lowered his voice. "Why did you do that for? It is not yet her time to awaken!"
"I didn't know, all right?" Gatomon retorted, irritated. "Besides, the Queen interfered. She told me it was not yet time, but that it was near."
"Soo ka?"
"Hai."
"I guess I should've seen it coming," Gabumon stated with a soft sigh. "Do you see the signs?"
Gatomon pointedly studied the two fourteen year olds staring daggers at the other. "Hai, who wouldn't?" She laid on all fours. "Is it going to be the same as the last life?"
"I sincerely hope not," Gabumon replied, his eyes downcast. "That would be terrible."
"Do you remember who the princess chose?" Gatomon questioned curiously. "I can't seem to remember that time. It's all fuzzy and unreadable."
"Hai, an effect so we can't mess with the timeline," he commented. "The princess must choose her own path."
"But will it be the right one?" the feline voiced aloud.
"The ring will show the truth of her soul," Gabumon said mysteriously.
"I can't believe either of you!" Hikari scolded, fury in her eyes.
"We were just reunited with her today, and you're fighting over her?!" Takeru exclaimed in disbelief.
"I just-"
"We don't need any of your excuses, oniisan," Hikari interrupted with a frown. "Takeru and I saw your fight. It was pointless."
"You treated her as if she was a possession!" Takeru exclaimed.
Both teenagers immediately hung their heads in shame and guilt. They looked all around them, except at each other and at the unconscious girl. "Gomen nasai," they both murmured.
"She's not even awake," Koushiro pointed out. "You both are going to have to tell her what happened while she was out." He walked away with the girl in his arms.
Taichi immediately turned on Yamato. "That was all your fault!" he accused.
"My fault?!" exclaimed Yamato. "I didn't even do anything!"
"Sure," Taichi agreed sarcastically.
Yamato glared at him, then stalked off to rehearse at band practice. Taichi could have burned holes through the Yamato's back with the look he was giving him. Hikari and Takeru looked at each other uneasily.
"You know, if looks could kill, both of our older brothers would be dead," Hikari commented.
"Hai," Takeru agreed.
As the two friends watched their brothers leave in opposite directions, they both realized what it meant. "We have a problem," they groaned.
* * * * *
Yamato glared at the ceiling as he laid on his bed. His mind was swimming with thoughts and feelings he couldn't decipher at the moment. 'What the hell is wrong with me?!' he screamed in his mind. He sat up on his bed and leaned against the headboard. 'It just doesn't make any sense...' He grabbed his guitar case from under his bed and took out the well kept instrument. He strummed a few strings and let the music soothe his nerves. 'I mean, I can't be in love with her...' he thought. 'We were seven years old when we last saw each other. Taichi mentions her once and I start freaking out!' He let his fingers run across the strings once more. 'You could tell Taichi loves her. I shouldn't stand in the way,' he tried to convince himself. 'Besides, we're best friends... We're more like brother and sister. It would be... wrong. Just wrong.' He played with a few more keys.
'A right kind of wrong,' he thought absently without realizing it. Then his fingers began to play a tune which voiced out all his thoughts. Yamato sang to himself the lyrics which first came in mind, unknowingly predicting the future effects his long lost best friend would have on him.
* * * * *
Taichi slammed his fist against his desk, but immediately regretted it. He cradled his right hand in his other, while blowing on it softly. "Kuso," he cursed. He collapsed backwards on his bed with a sigh. 'Usagi... Tenshi... what have you done to me?' he asked. He closed his eyes and thought about how much she had changed since he had last seen her. 'Is it possible that I- that I-' he paused, unsure if he should say it, even if it was only in his mind. 'Iie,' he denied. 'I just care for her a lot, that's all. Like I do for Hikari.' He groaned buried his face in a pillow. 'We haven't even properly reunited yet, and I'm going crazy!' As his hands clenched the soft fabric of the sheets, he shook his head. 'Why is it so hard?!'
Taichi turned on his bed to stare at the photograph on his wall. It was of Usagi and him as kids. They were both smiling brightly and Taichi had his arms around her small form as a friendly hug. Little did he know that Chibi-Usagi had put bunny ears on him, which was why she looked a little flushed from giggling. Taichi grinned softly to himself before letting fatigue take him over.
"Ai shiteru," he mumured unconsciously as he dreamt of figure with golden hair and deep blue eyes.
* * * * *
"Oh god... what hit me?" Usagi groaned as she woke up and held a hand to her forehead to feel a wet cloth.
"You shouldn't move, you know," a voice scolded lightly with a hint of amusement, which sounded vaguely familiar.
"Izzy?" she questioned hesitantly.
The voice chuckled. "Hai, Gi-chan," 'Izzy' replied. "No one has called me that in years."
Usagi opened her eyes and winced slightly at the bright light. "Why not?" She saw the figure of Koushiro shrug.
"I don't know. I guess you're the only one who called me that," he suggested.
"So... where am I again?" Usagi inquired, glancing around.
"My place," Koushiro answered.
"How'd I get here?"
"I brought you here."
Usagi tried to remember the last thing she saw. She vaguely remembered a soft voice with brown eyes and hair... "What happened to Taichi?" she asked suddenly. Then a teenager with blonde hair and blue eyes looking panicked flashed through as well. "And Yamato?" she added.
The younger teen's eyes darkened slightly. "They're fine, Gi-chan," he half-lied.
Usagi saw right through him. "Iie, something's wrong. What is it?"
Koushiro sighed as he pulled up a chair to sit beside the bed Usagi occupied. "Well..."
"Izzy..." Usagi said with an impatient look.
"I think they better tell you," he replied quietly.
She stared at him hard and realized how uncomfortable he must be. "Gomen nasai, Izzy," she apologized. "That's all right if you don't want to tell me."
Koushiro smiled gratefully. "Arigato."
"No problem," she replied, flashing him with a brilliant smile. She didn't notice as a light tint covered his cheeks. "So... how's life been for you? Oh, gomen, that's really lame-"
"Hey, it's okay," he interrupted. "I guess it's been fine. I have a 4.0 grade average and I'm a computer geek. You?"
Usagi frowned at his words. "You're not a computer geek, Izzy. You shouldn't call yourself that."
"Yeah, well..." Koushiro trailed off with a strained laugh.
"Izzy, look at me."
"................."
"Izzy? Izzy?! Koushiro!"
The computer whiz whirled to face her, a little shocked she had called him by his first name. "Nani?" he asked softly.
"Why do you allow others to influence you?" she asked, looking into his eyes.
Koushiro shrugged lightly. "I guess... I feel insignificant."
"You? Insignificant? You really must be joking, Izzy!" Usagi giggled. "Remember when we were kids? You were always so daring, willing to do anything! At the same time, you had a love for computers and knowledge. A curiosity with no bounds," she commented. "Now, I just see someone buried away in studies." She lifted his chin so that he would again look at her. "What happened to the friend I had all those years ago? Have things changed so much?"
Koushiro stood up shakily, breaking from her grasp, frightfully wondering how someone could interpret that much, which hit home exactly. "I'll get you something to eat, Gi-chan," he suggested, trying to change the subject.
It worked. Usagi's eyes lit up. "Hai!" she agreed immediately. "Arigato!" Yet in her eyes lingered an emotion which said that their conversation would be continued another time.
"I'll be right back," Koushiro promised as he left the room. He vaguely wondered why he was blushing as he left the room.
* * * * *
A dark purple feline jumped up onto a brick fence. Its red eyes flickered across the crowded streets of Juuban, wandering from each female to the next. For some odd reason, it held an air of intelligence as its head turned this way and that. It suspiciously looked like the feline was looking for something... or maybe someone. It seemed to shake its head and actually sigh unconsciously. Then it leapt from the fence and into a deserted yard. The sunlight hit a certain spot on its forehead, where it glinted off... a crescent moon?
* * * * *
For some reason, Usagi suddenly felt tired again, as if drained of energy. She yawned and fell back against the comfortable sheets and pillows. As her sleepy eyes opened and shut, her gaze locked with a picture on Koushiro's wall. It was a picture of him and the rest of her friends with strange creatures, which she figured to be digimon. Her eyes found the leader of the digidestined, grinning goofily at the camera, Agumon at his side. She smiled softly as sleep claimed her once again.
The ring on Usagi's necklace glowed softly from a navy blue to a semi-dark orange. The sapphire on the ring winked out of existence as a topaz insignia took its place. A figure watched from the shadows, taking in every feature, every line. Red eyes flashed dangerously as a ball of energy gathered in its palm. It advanced towards the sleeping girl with soft steps. Suddenly, Usagi's eyes snapped open to meet that of the intruder's, returning from the dream world, faster than she had come. Her blue eyes held shadows of fear, but traces of defiance.
The figure smirked at her expression. "It's good to see you... Neo-Queen."
End Chapter 5 - Hidden Rivalry
Coming Next - Chapter 6 - Awaken & Return
Yes, I know I'm evil. Questions that you should ponder: What exactly are Koushiro's feelings? Is it a love for an older sister or something more? Why and/or how did the ring change? And just who is the intruder?