Author's Notes: I'm leaving for Florida this coming Sunday, so there will be no updates next week. However, I will still be writing while I'm in FL, so expect new chapters after July 29, when I come back! *grins*
To Reviewers: *cries* I love all your reviews! Each and every one of them! You guys are unbelievably great and amazing!! Some people are saying that this is one of the best SM/Digimon crossovers they ever read. That makes me so proud! *sobs* You guys are too kind!!
"You should sing like no one's listening, dance like no one's watching, and love like it's never going to hurt..."
*********************************
The Right Kind of Wrong
Chapter 8 - Reunion Bliss
Author: Krys Yuy
*********************************
"She's gone! Again!"
"............................"
"Umm... Jyou... are you there?"
"Okay, we have to stay calm about this, Koushiro..."
"Really?"
"Iie! WHERE DO YOU THINK SHE COULD HAVE GONE?!"
* * * * *
"I already told you, your highness," he answered, much to her shock and surprise. "You are the Crest Keeper, Princess Serenity. Destined to wield power unimaginable to protect the Digital World and the universe."
"How do you know who I am?!" Serenity demanded, stamping her foot.
The man turned his head for a second, before looking back at her. "I just know," he replied mysteriously.
Serenity crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him defiantly. "You didn't answer my previous question," she pointed out. "Just who are you?"
"That is of no relativity right now. You must realize the importance of your existence and learn to accept destiny. You have to uncover what lies within you."
The moon princess blinked and just stared. "You do know that you're confusing me."
"You see, you have a duty. A life mission. You are a Chosen One. Except for the fact that you don't have a Digimon partner like the other Chosen Ones. There are many Digimon out there for you."
"What are Digimon?" the princess asked curiously.
"These," Gennai began as he pressed a button on the wall, "are Digimon."
Princess Serenity watched as lights suddenly flashed from the sides of the walls and at each insignia. Several images were then projected from them, showing strange looking creatures. Then, in the middle of every two symbols, there appeared more strange creatures, except for the middle of the seventh and eighth symbol. In the center of the images of the three Digimon that just appeared, one last Digimon was shown.
"By the moon..." Serenity breathed as she studied each of them. "They are all so... unique and interesting. How kawaii..."
The man smiled at her reaction. He cleared his throat, breaking her trance and getting her attention again. "These are the Digimon of the leaders of the Chosen Ones. There are many Chosen Ones scattered around in your world with Digimon of their own, but they have not yet met them. You have the power to call upon any of the Chosen One's digimon."
"Who are the leaders of the Chosen Ones?" she inquired, eyes unreadable.
"I'll show you," he replied, and pressed another button.
Several more images appeared beside each Digimon, except this time, the pictures were blurry and not clear. She stared at each one of them and they looked to all be around her age, some older, some younger, and some the same. Then the insignias in the background flashed brightly, and all the images disappeared.
"What happened?" she asked.
"You have seen the leaders of the Chosen Ones, and now you must find them," he stated.
"Nani?!"
"Every time you find one, you will find another, until there are twelve. At a simple hand contact, something incredible will happen."
Instead of protesting, the young princess found herself eager to start on this adventure. "Hai," she replied timidly.
"Find them... find the crests, your highness," he whispered, pressing one more button. A portal appeared right next to her. "Go through."
Just as she stepped through, she turned around quickly. "Wait! Please tell me who you are, kind sir," she requested.
The man lowered his hood as the portal began to close. He had brown hair and deep eyes. They twinkled as she smiled at him. The portal closed, but not before he answered her.
"My name is Gennai, always at your service."
* * * * *
Nancy smiled as she heard the voice of Mr. and Mrs. Yagami's daughter answer the phone on the other end. 'Such a polite girl,' she thought. "Hello, Hikari-chan."
"Oh! Hello, Takaishi-san," the bearer of Light replied, still worrying about Gatomon.
"I'm sorry to sound so direct, but I need to ask you and Taichi-kun a favor," Nancy said.
"What is it?"
"Could you call all your friends and tell them to meet here at my place for a get-together? I know it's sudden, but it's really important."
"All right, Nancy-san," Hikari consented. "I'll tell oniisan right away."
"Thank you so much, Hikari-chan. Ja ne," Nancy said.
"Ja ne, Nancy-san," she replied.
As she turned off the phone, Nancy got up from the couch and glanced around. "Now let's see... where are the decorations?"
* * * * *
"Kaasan! Gomen nasai I didn't get home yesterday. I got so sidetracked," Usagi apologized at once to her mother.
"It's really no problem at all, Usagi," Ikuko smiled. "Now, it's time to go."
"Nani? I just got home," Usagi blinked.
Ikuko slipped out the front of the house. "Come on! I can't wait all day for you!" she exclaimed as she approached the car. "Don't forget to close the door, Usagi!"
Her daughter just stared dumbly, before snapping out of her trance. "Hai, kaasan," she replied. She followed her mother's example and got into the small car.
"This is going to be very exciting," Ikuko murmured with enthusiasm.
"What is?"
"Oh, nothing... nothing," her mother replied too quickly.
Usagi stared at her mother suspiciously. "Kaasan... what are you planning?" she demanded, narrowing her eyes.
"Why musume-chan, what makes you think I'm planning something?" Ikuko said, her eyes dancing with laughter.
"All right, have it your way," Usagi sighed after a moment or two of glaring. "I guess I'll just find out sooner or later."
* * * * *
Takeru practically ran in through his mother's front door, skidding across the floor as he slid into the large living room. "Okay! I'm here! What's the emergency?!" he asked urgently. His eyes roamed from person to person as he realized all the Japan digidestined were there, except for Mimi.
"Slow down, otooto," Yamato said, crossing his arms over his chest. "No emergency. Kaasan called all of us here for some reason. No really big thing though."
Jyou sighed and fingered his jacket. "We really don't have time..."
"Is something wrong?" Sora asked, her eyebrows creasing in worry.
Koushiro paled slightly, but not enough for them to notice.
"Iie, there's nothing wrong," Jyou squeaked out, panic hidden in his voice.
"Matte..." Hikari said, looking from him to Koushiro. "Something is wrong, isn't it?"
"Everything is fine," Koushiro said a bit too quickly. He fingered his school jacket nervously.
Taichi looked up from his position by the wall. He stared at his friend through half-closed eyes. "Koushiro... what is it? What's the matter?" he inquired, never moving from his position.
Jyou quickly jumped to his defense. "You guys, nothing is wrong," he repeated, holding his arms out. "Let's just find out what Takaishi-san wanted."
"Iie..." Taichi whispered. He stood and his form straightened. "Tell me what happened." It was more of an order, not a statement.
Koushiro opened his mouth to speak, but Yamato's mother brushed in, holding trays of snacks and goodies. Daisuke, Miyako, and Iori stood behind her, also carrying sweets and what not. They laid it all on the tables lined against the wall, trying not to knock down the decorations.
"I hope you guys are having fun," Takeru's mother smiled. She brushed her hands on her apron.
"Actually, Takaishi-san, we were wondering what we were all doing here," Hikari stated as she crossed the room to stand in front of her.
"Just wait a little longer," she replied, her eyes twinkling with something... She walked out the door and into the hallway disappearing.
"Well?" Taichi asked, not backing down from his former resolve.
Jyou replied with a frown, "Taichi, we already told you-"
"That nothing was wrong," Takeru finished for him with a look of disbelief. "You guys are hiding something. Tell us the truth."
Hikari stepped up and placed a hand on Koushiro's and Jyou's shoulders. "I mean... we are all friends, are we not?" she asked with a bright smile.
"It's Usagi."
All eyes were turned on Yamato as he stared back at them. He was in the same position as before, like he never had moved at all. Koushiro and Jyou were staring at him in shock, but at the same time relief. Taichi had stood even straighter, if that was possible, and was now glaring at the two in anger. Sora, Hikari, and Takeru were speechless, blinking and not knowing what to do. Daisuke, Miyako, and Iori were looking back and forth from friend to friend.
"Did someone say my name?"
* * * * *
Usagi's eyes narrowed as she neared a familiar building. 'Oh no... Oh no... Oh no!' she thought frantically, beginning to panic. She glanced at her mother from the corner of her eye, and saw her smiling mysteriously.
"We're here," Ikuko said, parking the car outside the apartment complex.
"Kaasan... what are we doing here?" Usagi asked as she unbuckled her seatbelt.
"Nothing too important." Her mother replied softly, following her daughter's example and getting out of the car.
'She planned this!' Usagi thought as they walked towards the doors and onto the elevator. 'She wanted this...' She scowled and tried to clear her head.
'But you wanted it too,' whispered a voice in her head.
'What?! I do not want this. I can't handle this,' she replied. 'It's too soon. I can't face them again...'
'You want to. You love them.'
Usagi didn't reply and forced the voice into the back of her head. She sighed as the elevator dinged and she stepped onto the floor with her mother in front. Ikuko quickly moved ahead, leaving her daughter behind, and knocked on the door of the Takaishi residence.
Nancy quickly answered the door, and ushered her in as Usagi was still trying to make time slow as she walked. "So, does she know?" Takeru's mother whispered excitedly.
"I don't know," Ikuko smiled. "But she'll figure it out by the time she gets in there." She gestured to the living room.
"Why don't we give them some privacy?" Nancy suggested while returning the smile, and snatched her purse from a table. She then quickly grabbed a notepad and wrote something on it with a pen. She pulled on her coat and turned back to her friend. "Let's go. I know this kawaii chibi cafe on the street."
Ikuko nodded her head, smiling at her long lost friend. "I haven't gone out in the longest time. This should be fun."
Nancy laid a hand on her shoulder. "You have no idea," she grinned.
The two walked out into the hallway just as Usagi was about to enter through the door. She jumped a little, surprised at their sudden exit. "Kaasan, Nancy-san, where are you going?" she asked, raising her eyebrows as if scrutinizing them.
"Nowhere important," Ikuko replied, looking anywhere else but at her daughter. She knew that if she did, she would burst out giggling.
"Just close the door when you get in, okay ojoo-chan?" Nancy asked, suddenly dragging Ikuko with her down the hall. "Ja ne!"
Usagi opened and closed her mouth, realizing she didn't get to reply to Ms. Takaishi's question. She shrugged her shoulders and entered the apartment, closing the door quietly. She heard voices in the living room and tiptoed cautiously toward them.
"Taichi, we already told you-"
She let a small smile escape past her mouth as she heard her 'oniisan's' voice. She hadn't seen him in what seemed like forever. She wondered what he looked like now.
"That nothing was wrong. You guys are hiding something. Tell us the truth."
"I mean... we are all friends, are we not?"
She heard her younger siblings' statements and pondered on why everyone seemed to be on edge. What were they talking about?
"It's Usagi."
The cool, yet confident voice made her breath in sharply. Yamato was there too. She peeked around the corner and realized everyone was there, except Mimi but including three more who looked distantly familiar. She noted that everyone's gaze was on Yamato who stood by the sound system, his side to her face. They had not yet noticed her presence. 'Might as well make myself known,' she whispered in her head. She leaned against the doorway casually, making her face look indifferent.
"Did someone say my name?"
* * * * *
"The crests?!" Gatomon yelled out, her fur sticking on end. "They gave up their crests, remember?!"
"Hai!" Patamon agreed, his wings flapping furiously. "First with that evil Digimon that turned us into data! He destroyed them! Then they get them back, only to give them up so that the Digital World can be reconstructed! In turn, us Digimon had lost our ultimate forms, therefore losing a part of ourselves."
Gennai did not flinch at their furious reactions. He knew that was what they were going to do. He would have done it himself if he were in their skin. "There is a way," he stated seriously, staring at them intently.
"Nani?!" exclaimed Gatomon, extending her claws.
"How?" Patamon demanded, his eyes squinting.
"It will come in due time," he said, before turning around and facing a computer that appeared out of the wall. He typed in a few keys and was sucked in.
"You know, I hate it when he says that," Gatomon complained, glaring at the empty space where he had been.
"I hate it when he does that." Patamon gestured to the computer, sighing as he landed on the ground.
* * * * *
There she was.
The one who had caused so much chaos in their lives in the past twenty-four hours. They all felt a mix of emotions as they stared at her. The one that stuck out the most was happiness. They were happy she was back. She had not even kept in touch with them, yet they were still willing to be her friends. However, three of them studied her in wonder and curiosity, trying to figure out how she had managed to change the lives of their closest friends. They also couldn't shake off the feeling that they knew her from somewhere... somewhere in the past...
Usagi stood in the doorway, leaning against the wooden frame casually. Her streamers of silvery-gold hair fell to her ankles, falling behind her. Her white shirt and blue sailor collar showed a bit of her skin. She had a long blue pleated skirt that went just past her knees. She wore white socks and brown shoes. Some of them faintly noticed it was the same thing she was wearing yesterday, except cleaner. Somebody must have cleaned it for her so she could wear it again and they assumed it was her school uniform. A necklace sparkled in the lights as she tilted her head to the side, studying them. Her eyes were impassive, showing nothing as she gazed from person to person. Then she smiled faintly. Her sapphire orbs cleared and showed signs of amusement and laughter.
"What? No hug?" she asked, pouting slightly.
Taichi had a brief flashback, stepping backwards as it hit him.
'Usagi hit him in the shoulder playfully. "Are you saying I couldn't be an angel?" she pouted adorably.
Taichi smiled as he brushed a hand through his hair. "Kawaii..." he breathed, repeating what Usagi had commented earlier, without realizing he said it aloud.'
He turned away from her slightly, his emotional pain becoming too much too soon.
"Oneesan!" Takeru and Hikari cried out at the same time. They hugged her fiercely as they had the day before.
Sora snapped out of her trance, and smiled brightly. "Hey, you two! Let her breathe!" she scolded playfully, breaking them apart. Then she gave Usagi a bone-crushing hug as well.
"Look who's talking," Takeru smirked, putting both hands behind his head.
The red haired girl blushed at his comment, and let her friend go. "Gomen nasai, Usagi-chan," she apologized softly. "It's been so long..."
"I've missed you too, Sora..." Usagi whispered, tucking in a strand of her hair. "I've missed all of you..."
Jyou walked up to her and hugged her against him, reveling in her warmth. "It's good to see you back here, imouto," he grinned.
"Same to you, oniisan," she replied, returning his grin with one of her own.
Koushiro was next as he leaned down slightly to whisper in her ear. "What happened to you?" he asked, somewhere along the lines of worry and anger.
"Long story," she replied, some guilt shining in her eyes. "Something big came up..."
Yamato had now made his way up to her. He stood back hesitantly before giving her a hug as well. It was distant and formal, nothing like the hugs she had just received. She tried to hug him closer, offering her warmth, but he pulled away from her. She tried to look into his eyes, but he refused to let her in. "Long time no see," he murmured quietly, looking uninterested.
"Yeah, long time no see..." Usagi repeated somewhat sadly. She opened her mouth to say something else, but seemed to think better of it when she then closed her mouth. She looked past him and toward the immobile Taichi. She winced slightly at his emotional look, but no one took notice as she began to walk to him. She brushed past Yamato, unaware of the pained look that passed through his eyes before he masked it. She approached the slightly trembling teenager, blocking out the noises of everyone starting the party.
"I'll get the music," Miyako offered hurriedly before she ran off to find some CDs.
"I'll help you," Daisuke and Iori said at the same time, running after her.
"You guys don't know your way around here!" Takeru yelled after them.
"Sure we do!" Miyako's voice replied as it sounded down the hallway. "All right, in here!" The sound of a door opening drifted to the living room.
"Miyako!" Both boys yelled at once.
"Nani?" she asked.
"This is the bathroom!" Daisuke's voice echoed.
"Oi..." Takeru chuckled slightly and went to go help his friends.
Sora turned to Jyou, Koushiro, and Hikari with a smile on her face. "She looks so different," she commented as she nibbled on a pretzel.
"Yeah," agreed Hikari as she sipped her punch. "Seven years has changed her, as well as us, a whole lot."
"There's something more about her," Jyou added, fiddling with his napkin. "Something special..."
"She's special to all of us, Jyou," Koushiro said quietly. "She's... her." He blushed lightly, embarrassed and hoping Usagi didn't hear.
Hikari and Sora made eye contact and rolled their eyes. 'Men...'
Meanwhile, Usagi laid a hesitant hand on Taichi's shoulders. He stiffened noticeably but relaxed, still not turning to face her. "Doomo arigato, Tai-kun.." she whispered gently, leaning closer to him. "... for catching me." She laid her head on his shoulder, begging silently for the old days when they had no cares in the world. "I've missed you..." she breathed as she wrapped her arms around his waist in an affectionate hug.
Taichi's resolve crumbled as he found himself dazed with the light and warmth offered from her touch. Instead of rejecting it, like Yamato had moments ago, he accepted it gratefully. He turned so he would face her, and hugged her back with force. "Usagi..." he whispered, almost painfully.
"I love you, Taichi," Usagi murmured in a sisterly way, oblivious to the protests at the back of her mind. "I love you..."
Taichi almost choked on his own tears that threatened to flow. However, he breathed deeply and just hugged her closer to him. A few moments passed before he replied, "I love you too, Usagi. I love you too."
Hikari noticed the hurt and angry look that had made its way onto Yamato's face before it vanished. She then realized that her brother and 'oneesan' were engaged in an intimate looking hug. Before things could go bad, she went up to the two and gently pulled them apart. "Is this a party? Or is this an emotional fest?" she teased as she laid a hand on their shoulders.
Taichi's face miraculously became clear as he brushed a hand through his unmanageable brown hair. "It's a party!" he shouted cheerfully. He kissed Usagi on the cheek and before she could do anything, he left to help Daisuke pick out music.
Usagi couldn't help but feel a tingling sensation on her face, and held a hand up to her cheek as she blushed faintly. She turned away from Taichi and started to talk with Sora.
Yamato scowled as he paid attention to only her. 'God... someone get her out of my head!' he screamed in his mind. 'I can't live like this!!' He growled lowly and stalked away to some corner in his mother's apartment, which happened to be by her computer.
The hours went by faster for all of the Chosen Ones. They laughed and partied like there was no tomorrow. They practically danced the night away. But, in reality, it was six o'clock when their happiness was halted.
The Keeper of Friendship almost had a heart attack when a strange light was emitted from his mother's computer. The all too familiar form of their guardian could be seen materializing on the screen. All twelve Chosen Ones gathered around the computer as best as they could.
"Gennai! What's the matter?" Koushiro asked earnestly, staring at the mini form of the man.
"Yeah, what's up?" Yamato inquired, his eyes serious.
"I'm here on dire business, as you have already guessed," said the figure in the computer. "The threat in the Digital World is considerably growing."
"What's happening?" Hikari frowned, and brought her hands up to clutch her camera.
"That I do not yet know," Gennai lied. "But it's something big."
"Is it the Kaizer?" Daisuke frowned, dismissing the fact that he didn't know the man on the screen.
"Wait a minute... are you the Gennai that the others have told us about?" Miyako inquired, studying him closely.
"Hai, I am, and iie, it is not the Kaizer," he answered. "Look, now is no time for questions. This evil must be defeated before the Digital World is swallowed up in darkness."
"All right, we're ready," Takeru stated, eyes gleaming with determination as he clenched his fists.
"Only two of you are going into the Digital World at this moment," Gennai said, waiting for their reactions.
"What?! Why?!" Taichi demanded, his face blazing.
"I am sending all of you on a mission." Gennai sighed wearily. "... to retrieve your crests."
"B-but th-they're gone!" Jyou stuttered shocked.
"Not entirely as you may think," he replied. "There is someone here who will be able to help you."
"Who?" Iori asked, coming forward.
"Me." Usagi stepped forward to stand directly in front of the computer.
"Usagi?" whispered a confused Sora.
"What are you doing?" Yamato hissed, looking angry but really fearing for her safety.
Usagi turned to stare at them with unreadable eyes. "I am one of the two going into the Digital World. One more of you will come with me. When we are done, I will come back for another. The one who had previously been with me will be transported somewhere else. This cycle will continue till the end." She paused, staring at their faces. "Do you understand?"
The digidestined were silent, all pondering the change in the young woman before them.
"They understand," Gennai answered from behind her. "You must choose the one who will go with you first."
She glanced at him over her shoulder. "And how am I supposed to do that?!" she demanded lowly.
Gennai was unfazed, only staring at her blankly. "Concentrate." He stated the one word simply, giving no other clues.
She glared at him, but turned once more to face her newly recovered friends. She gave them a small smile, reassuring them. They were still frozen, no one daring to even breathe. She closed her eyes, breathing steadily. She began to be enveloped in a majestically bright glow.
"Usagi!" Taichi shouted, his eyes flashing with concern.
She couldn't hear him as all sounds failed to reach her ears. Her eyes closed and when she opened them again, they were a bright all-knowing silver. Her friends gasped and stepped back instinctively. She saw their auras shining brightly. Colors of all kinds were shining through: orange, blue, gold, violet, pink, red, gray, orange-blue, red-green, and violet-gray. She felt the presence of the green somewhere near, but yet too far. Something then snapped in her mind. Another color was missing...
Suddenly, an aura flew up brighter than the others. Gold. A rush came over her body as she bent low, clutching her chest in pain.
'Usagi!!' Four teenagers screamed in their minds as they watched helplessly.
She stood up straighter, eyes shadowed, and no longer feeling any pain. As she raised her head, her eyes had changed yet again. They were back to their deep penetrating sapphire, but there was something different. They held more wisdom and awareness, but were filled with playfulness. She smiled radiantly, the effect making the occupants of the room smile back unconsciously. She continued to say nothing, clutching the necklace she wore.
It was enveloped in a gold light just as Takeru was. The necklace changed shape as the light brightened. The glow surrounding Usagi became a solid gold. The pre-teen gasped as he felt a warm sensation run through his body. He felt a part of him stir, but did not awaken.
Usagi spoke in a slightly different voice, a little lighter, a little softer. She was staring in Takeru's eyes. "Kibou..." she whispered. She held her hand out, palm facing up.
Takeru walked forward, drawn by an unseen force. He placed his hand in hers.
A tornado of gold lights erupted from their feet, circling them. They dissolved into the lights themselves as they were sucked into the computer. The digidestined gaped once they were able to see again.
Taichi stomped forward and glared at the mini Gennai still on the screen. "What the hell just happened?!" he demanded.
"Nothing that you need to know," Gennai replied, eyes now hard and emotionless. He sighed regretfully, shaking his head. "Except that the past is repeating itself." Then he disappeared in a flash of light.