Chapter Six
The sounds of crackling fire and Matt's harmonica filled the night air in the Digital World. The Digidestined gathered around a warm fire, all silent and brooding on the day's events, Jon being the quietest of all. After Jou had done what he could with the medical kit they had, Jon had chosen to stay beside Janeene's unconscious form. His thoughts were with what had happened to the young girl, and the things she had told him those many nights before at Gennai's place.
"I found out later that my family isn't even my real family. I was adopted at six months, just left on these people's doorstep in the rain. So I guess for that, I always felt like an outcast among all these preps, so it was kind of my choice to get so wrapped up in my schoolwork. When I was pulled here three days ago, I was scared at first, but then…I don't know. It was like I felt like I belonged. Something I haven't felt in a long time…"
"A penny for your thoughts?" Sora's voice floated from above Jon. He glanced up to see the red haired tomboy gazing down at him sympathetically.
"Mmm?" Jon mumbled.
"Just wondering if you were okay. You've never been so quiet. Can I sit?" Sora asked, gesturing to the ground beside Jon. Jon just grunted.
"Free world." Sora frowned and took a place beside him, folding her legs under her.
"You're worried about her." Sora stated. Jon slowly nodded, brushing a strand of hair out of his eyes.
"She did a brave thing back there, standing up to MetalSeadramon like that. I've never seen anyone girl as brave as she was. Well…except for Kari. Any girl her age that can stand to be in place like this has got to be brave."
Sora smiled and nodded in agreement.
"They are both brave in their own way." She added, looking at Jon out the corner of her eye. She noticed the wistful look Jon had and wondered what he was thinking.
There's something about the way that he's looking at Janeene…I wonder does he like her?
Jon glanced up again and saw Sora divert her eyes quickly away from him.
Sora was looking at me funny. I wonder if she knows, or even has an idea what I'm feeling right now…I feel so bad about what happened. I should have gone out there and saved TK. I should have taken that hit, not this innocent girl. The Digital World needs her…and it doesn't need the likes of me…the Lone Wolf…
And with those thoughts Jon made up his mind to no longer burden the rest of the team and part ways with them. As he leaned back against the tree he was sitting near, listening to the easy sounds of Matt's harmonica, he had to admit that he would probably never find another group of kids quite like the Digidestined.
Later that night…
"And just where do you think you're going?" a firm voice sliced through the night, stopping Jon right in his tracks. Jon spun around angrily, his fists down at his sides.
"Do you ever sleep, Ishida?" Jon snapped at the blonde, blue eyed boy, who was currently grinning at Jon's distress.
"Nope. What do you think you're doing?" Matt demanded again. Jon crossed his arms over his chest and mocked, "Since when do you care about my well being?" Matt pretended not to notice what Jon had just done.
"Since Gabumon made me realize that just because we're complete opposites doesn't mean we can't be friends." Jon felt his heart sink, and his shoulders slumped in defeat.
"All right, you really want to know? I'm leaving." Jon stated.
"WHAT?!" Matt hissed, trying hard not to wake the other sleeping kids.
"Yeah, you heard me. Don't act so surprised, Ishida. You knew the day would come sooner or later. I'm not one of you guys. I never have been. Gabumon was right. All I'll ever be is a Lone Wolf…and never any help to you guys. I don't deserve to be a Digidestined." Jon said sullenly, taking his Digivice out of his pocket and tossing at Matt's feet. Matt stared at the blue object, completely confused.
"I don't get it! I thought you were doing just fine!" Matt cried out.
"No you didn't! You hated me the first moment you found out that Gabumon was ours and not yours!" Jon retorted, finally meeting Matt's gaze, his eyes burning with regret and self-pity.
"Yeah, but I'm over that now! What does that matter! The other's liked you!"
"Tolerated, you mean." Jon muttered, turning on his heel to leave.
"What about Janeene?" Matt asked, causing Jon to halt.
"What about her?" Jon's voice quavered as he looked over his shoulder and through his black bangs at Matt.
"You two really hit it off. And I saw how you were looking at her when she put herself out there for my brother. Personally I think she needs you just as much as you need her." Matt countered, folding his arms across his chest as if to dare Jon to deny his words. For a while the only sound in the night was the light breeze blowing through the forest trees and tousling with Jon's long hair.
"Hrumph…" He finally grunted, then walked off in to the night. Matt started to follow but felt something tug on his pant leg. The blonde looked down only to see Gabumon shaking his head.
"Let him go. He needs time to make up his own mind about where he's going." The Digimon explained. Matt started to protest, but felt Gabumon tug harder on his pants and grunt in annoyance. Matt sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets, watching the long haired boy walk off in to the night alone.
