First I'd like to say that I'm very, very sorry that I took so long to get this chapter out. I didn't mean to, but I got so caught up in other things that for a long time it took a backseat to everything else. However, I've always intended to finish it, and I will. I've barely even started yet! ^^
Let me know if you have any questions...I realize that a certain...event that took place in the previous chapter isn't mentioned in this part, but trust me, I didn't forget. There's a logical reason for my insanity. (Well, not really, but it sounds cool, ne? ^^;;)
Since I'm sure it's been a long time since most of you read the Prologue and Chapter 1, here's a (very) brief synopsis:
The digidestined are lost in a huge, seemingly never-ending pine forest. The weather is getting colder, and there's little food or water. As if that wasn't enough, Tai has been seeing strange shadows, and something visited the kids in the middle of the night, not that they were aware of it; they were all asleep at the time.
Yeah, I know, it was lame. Hey, I never said I was good at summaries...-_- Anyway, I hope that refreshed your memory, for those of you that already read it. If you haven't read the previous parts, I strongly suggest you do, so this will make more sense. (Of course, I'm pretty sure no one would be here if they haven't read the first two parts, but you never know...^^;)
Well, enjoy!
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"How could you fall asleep on guard duty?!"
"Well, it's not like it's my fault I'm so tired!"
Sora let out a small groan under her breath, hiding her face in Biyomon's soft pink feathers as she tried in vain to go back to sleep. This was getting to be too much. The last few days had been a vicious cycle of incessant bickering or dead silence. Sora was well aware that she wasn't helping matters with her own melancholy silence, but somehow she couldn't quite make herself care all that much.
With another small sigh, she reluctantly abandoned her quest for peaceful oblivion and sat up to watch the argument. At least this one was on a relatively new theme; Mimi usually managed to stay awake for her watch. As far as Sora knew, anyway.
On one hand, she agreed with Tai; in the Digiworld, it was dangerous to not have someone keeping a look out for hostile intruders. But then, they had yet to see a single digimon in this blasted forest, so it probably didn't make much of a difference. Still, better safe than sorry.
But then, on the other hand, Mimi's complaints about being tired were something Sora was sure everyone could sympathize with, even Tai, if he ever got off his permanent adrenaline-rush long enough to think about it. Getting lost in an endless forest, having a drastic lack of food and water, no shelter, and cold weather - complete with snow - had a nasty way of wearing people out. Sora shook her head, letting her mind drift back to Mimi and Tai's "discussion".
"What if something had happened?" Tai continued angrily.
"Lay off, Tai. Obviously nothing happened, so it's not like it really matters."
Sora turned and quietly regarded the owner of the voice as the blonde approached his two bickering comrades.
Matt favored Tai with an icy blue glare before continuing. "Maybe if you'd open your eyes for once you'd actually notice just how exhausted everyone is!"
Tai narrowed his eyes slightly. "Of course I can see that!" he snapped. "But that doesn't mean she can skip out on her watch!"
"I didn't do that on purpose!!" Mimi fairly shrieked.
Sora was just annoyed enough that she was about ready to go stop the fight herself, if that's what it took to shut them up, when someone did it for her. And, in her present mood, Joe was probably a lot more tactful about it than she would have been.
The tall blue-haired boy stepped between his younger friends; even though neither really looked like they were ready to come to blows, it couldn't hurt. For a moment, Sora was reminded of that time before when Joe had stepped in. That time, the argument of choice had been climbing Infinity Mountain. It seemed like such a long time ago, now...and, she recalled a bit wistfully, there had been a lovely hot spring, a refrigerator full of eggs, and a conveniently placed cave. Too bad they hadn't been as lucky this time.
"Calm down, you guys. I think since everybody's up now, we might as well get going. We aren't doing any good standing around fighting." Joe absently pushed his glasses back up on his nose as Tai and Matt each gave an almost grudging nod, still shooting glares at each other.
Sora glanced down as Biyomon yawned hugely beside her. "Good morning, Sora," she said cheerfully, if somewhat groggily. The bird digimon grinned hopefully, earning a small smile from her human partner in return. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
***
The day seemed to be passing with agonizing slowness, and Matt felt as though he'd explode from the strain. They had run into a bit of luck earlier, however; the group had run across a small stream, so they were able to replenish their dwindling water supply. Near the stream several straggly bushes grew, and although they had few berries to offer, it was enough to get them by for another day or two, if they rationed it out just right. Still, the seven kids and their digimon were falling deeper into despair with every step they took. They'd fallen on tough times before, but it had never been quite this bad. Matt's lips twisted in a sardonic smile. How ironic it would be; the legendary digidestined, who had survived countless battles against evil digimon, would meet their tragic ends at the hands of nature itself. He almost laughed at the thought, but the sound stuck in his throat, which was probably just as well, all things considered. The last thing he needed was everyone thinking he had snapped - although truthfully he wasn't sure he'd deny such an accusation - when they were already feeling so down. He especially didn't want any more trouble from Tai.
Tai. Matt was sure he felt his blood pressure rise as he thought about his long-time rival and "leader". Matt snorted derisively, ignoring the concerned look Gabumon shot him. "Leader", indeed. How could Izzy call that...that nuisance their leader? A small part of his mind told Matt he was being unfair, that he was just tired and irritable because of their current situation, but he roughly shoved that part of his conscience aside. No, Tai was the one who was irritable and irrational! Look at the way he'd been treating Mimi the past two days! He had no right to yell at her like that. Tai knew they were all tired, so was it really such a surprise that Mimi had fallen asleep? Besides, Palmon had drifted off before Mimi did, yet Tai never yelled at her. Matt sighed and shook his blonde head angrily, once again drawing his digimon's attention.
"Matt? Is something wrong?" Gabumon's quiet, gentle voice penetrated the boy's inner monologue, and with another sigh Matt looked down at his dog - or perhaps lizard - like companion, forcing a tiny smile.
"Just thinking, Gabumon," he replied. He fell silent, listening to the crunch of dead pine needles and snow as the group walked wearily through the forest. The trees were thicker here, he realized; it was harder to see very far ahead. The sun had sunken low in the horizon, barely hovering above the tops of the tall pines. Soon they would have to stop for the night; once the sun fell below the tree line, what little light that managed to penetrate the thick green boughs overhead would be cut off completely. Matt estimated they had another hour at most.
Several minutes later, the group of dispirited digidestined and digimon came across a long, narrow valley. The sides were a bit steep, but nothing they couldn't handle. Well, Mimi might have a little trouble, in that ridiculous pink dress of hers...
Matt was near the back of the group, so by the time he reached the slope's edge, most of the others were already making their way down. Not surprisingly, Tai and Agumon were already waiting impatiently at the bottom. If he wasn't so irritated with the other boy, Matt might have allowed himself to be impressed by the sheer level of energy Tai seemed to possess. Even with all the strenuous conditions as of late, the kid could still run down a steep hill like this without even running out of breath. It was almost amazing. Almost.
Looking around, Matt made the startling observation that Mimi was nowhere in sight. He looked again, taking a mental count as he spotted his friends. Tai and Agumon were at the bottom of the ravine; Joe, Gomamon, Izzy, Tentomon, Sora, Biyomon, T.K., Patamon, and even Palmon were still climbing down the hill. But no Mimi. Where was she...?
His question was answered a moment later when something pink latched itself to his arm without warning, causing him to jump. He turned towards her, a scowl forming on his handsome features - he didn't like being caught off-guard, after all - but his irritation quickly dissolved when he saw the panic and fear glimmering in her hazel eyes as she gulped down breaths of air, looking like she'd been just finished a marathon. "Mimi? Are you alright? What happened?" he asked, concern now setting in.
Mimi's lips quivered slightly, and she had to draw in several deep breaths before she had enough air to speak. "I saw...something...someone! Over...over there!" she gasped, pointing wildly behind her, the direction she'd apparently come running from.
Matt raised a skeptical eyebrow at her, glancing back into the shadowed trees. "Are you sure?"
The girl flushed angrily. "Of course! I know...I know what I saw, Matt! There was a guy, watching us from behind some trees over there! I thought I heard something, so I went to see what it was, and there was this guy with blue hair, staring right at me! Then he was just...gone! He was there one minute and gone the next, just like that!" She snapped her gloved fingers once to illustrate her point. "Matt...what if it was some sort of digimon? I mean, he looked human, but Myotismon looks sorta like a human too..." she shivered at the name of their current nemesis, "...or maybe he's like Gennai...Gennai's not really a digimon or a human..."
Matt was about to cut off Mimi's speculative chatter when someone else did it for him. Not that he was any happier to hear the new voice.
"Hey, you guys! Are you coming or what?" Tai bellowed up to them. "We'd like to find a camp site before dark, you know!"
Gritting his teeth, Matt tried to block out the annoying voice, but with little success. Maybe if he closed his eyes and counted to ten, Tai would be gone by the time he opened them...
"Hellooooo! HEY! Are you even listening to me, Matt?"
No such luck.
Gabumon cleared his throat to get his partner's attention. "Matt, we should catch up to the others, don't you think?"
Matt sighed. "Yeah, I guess." He started down the steep slope, Mimi and Gabumon in tow. He heard Mimi slip on the slick snow a few times, but otherwise the quick jaunt was uneventful. When they reached Tai and the others, Mimi immediately launched into her story, earning a mixture of surprised, nervous, and disbelieving looks.
Tai looked decidedly unsettled by the strange tale. His brown eyes clouded over briefly, but then he shook his head. "Mimi, we haven't seen any signs of life since we've been here, and we've been here for over a week. Are you sure you weren't just seeing things?"
Mimi turned on the boy furiously, obviously fed up with him. Matt couldn't blame her; he'd had more than enough of Tai's attitude as well.
"I know what I saw, Tai!" she spat.
He frowned at her, then smirked. "You're probably just seeing things...although you of all people should have gotten enough sleep last night..." he remarked. Mimi flushed and stuttered angrily, but no words came.
"That was hitting below the belt, Tai," Matt growled lowly in Mimi's defense. He smiled in satisfaction as guilt flashed briefly across the shorter boy's face.
Tai shook it off, and continued as though nothing had happened. "Anyway, I have something to tell you guys, too." He looked a little sheepish as he said this, shooting an almost apologetic glance in Mimi's direction, not that she was even looking at him. She was too busy silently fuming. "I think someone, or something, has been following us." He stopped when he saw the looks the other digidestined were giving him, then hurried on. "It's not like what Mimi said she saw. It's more like...shadows...that keep appearing everywhere, like they're watching us or something."
Matt snorted, throwing Tai a dirty look. "And this is supposed to be more believable than Mimi's story? Shadows? Honestly, Tai, you're such a hypocrite!" No one else said anything, watching the developing fight silently. Matt didn't really care one way or the other, so he just ignored them for the moment.
Tai clenched his fists in angry frustration. "I've seen them more than once, and they're not like normal shadows. They're...I don't know...darker, like they suck in all the light. And the way they move...they're really fast; they dart around all over the place. I know they're not natural! I just know it!"
Mimi cut in, "Yeah, well I know what I saw, too! There was a guy, with blue hair!" She blinked, then added, "Or maybe it was more purple...I'm not sure, it was kinda dark..."
Tai jumped on her mistake before she even realized she'd made one. "If it was so dark, how can you be sure you even saw anything? I've seen these shadows more than once, sometimes in broad daylight, so there's no way I can be imagining them!"
Before either Matt or Mimi could retort, a soft voice broke in. "Tai, we need to find a camp site soon. It will be dark in less than half an hour, now," Izzy said, his voice betraying little emotion. The others still hadn't said anything; fighting was becoming all too common, and no one seemed to have enough energy to join this argument. They were listening, though. All the talk of strange people and shadows lurking about left them a bit nervous; several were glancing about timidly, as though afraid they might actually see something.
"Ok," Tai nodded at Izzy solemnly, "but I think we should go that way." Tai pointed down one side of the valley, where the trees were clustered together thickly, leaving only small paths to get through their bulky mass. The snow there was thicker, gleaming a dull gray in the fading light. All in all, it looked like the typical haunted forest out of some old fairy tale. "The last time I saw one of those shadows, that's where it went."
"Then why would you want to go there?" Biyomon asked, clearly frightened. "Shouldn't we avoid them?"
"We don't know what these things are gonna do. I say we find them before they find us again."
"You would say that," Matt scoffed. "Always thinking with your fists instead of your head. Although, I guess there's not much in your head to think with, is there, Tai?"
Unprepared for this verbal assault, Tai stiffened, then spun back to face his rival. "What is your problem, Ishida? I wasn't even talking to you!"
"My problem? Well gee, I don't know...maybe just that I think chasing shadows through some godforsaken part of the forest is a waste of time? Or it might be that I think you're being a real jerk, not that that's anything new...take your pick." Matt glared at Tai fiercely, a challenge written in his ice blue eyes. "I think Mimi's story is worth checking out, but I think you are just delusional."
"Oh yeah? Well I think you just can't accept the fact that I might be right!" Tai raised a white-gloved fist in front of him, as though preparing to strike.
Matt's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I thought I told you not to raise your fist to me, Tai." The words were no less menacing for the quiet tone they were delivered in.
The brown-haired boy glared at him in outrage for another moment, then turned away, scowling ferociously. "Whatever, Matt. I'm going that way. You can come if you want, I really don't care."
"Fine with me," Matt snapped, then looked at Mimi, who returned his gaze questioningly. "I'm going to go check out this guy that Mimi saw."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Really, Matt? You believe me?" The blonde nodded, and Mimi gave him a quick, appreciative smile. "Thanks." She glanced down at Palmon, and asked, "You believe me too, don't you, Palmon?" The plant digimon nodded once, refusing to meet Mimi's gaze. Mimi looked a little hurt at this, but Matt paid it no mind. Now was not the time.
Tai stared at them, then started walking off, without another word. Agumon immediately followed, and Sora and Biyomon trailed after them.
"So, I guess that's that, then," Izzy stated quietly. He shot an apologetic look at Matt and Mimi, then he and Tentomon turned to follow Tai. "I hope we meet up with you again, Matt. And I hope you find what you're looking for."
Before he got very far, Joe stopped him. Digging into his bag, Joe brought out two of the four plastic bags of water, and half of the berries they'd collected earlier. "Here, you'll probably need these," he said, smiling softly.
Izzy blinked as he took the offerings, then looked up at Joe quizzically. "You're going with them, Joe?"
Joe nodded his affirmation, then said, "Someone has to keep on eye on them, right?" He smiled weakly.
"Yeah," Izzy replied. He looked at the food and water in his hands uncertainly. "But where am I supposed to put these? It's not like I can store them in my computer..."
T.K. giggled, startling what remained of the group slightly, since most of them had forgotten he was there. "You can borrow my bag, Izzy," he offered. The young boy took off his green backpack, making sure to unclip his digivice first, which he then reattached to the waistband of his shorts. "You can give it back when we meet up again!" he said optimistically.
With a thankful nod, Izzy took the backpack and placed the berries and water carefully on top, not bothering to look through the bag first. He didn't want to intrude on T.K.'s privacy, and Matt respected him for that.
"Well, I better catch up with Tai and Sora. Ja mata
ne," Izzy said meaningfully. Not "sayonara", Matt noted;
"ja mata ne". That meant Izzy didn't expect the seperation to last
for too long. Or at least, the young genius hoped it wouldn't.
With that said, they parted ways. Tai, Sora, Izzy, and their respective digimon went one way, while Matt, Mimi, T.K., Joe, and their digimon went another. Matt couldn't say he was all that surprised, really. It seemed as though the group of digidestined could never stay together for very long. Maybe that's just how it was meant to be.
The sky darkened, as twilight faded into night, but neither of the two groups stopped for a while. When they finally did, very few managed to fall asleep for the remainder of the night, caught up as they were worrying about shadows or unknown humans or digimon stalking about in the pitch darkness, ready to pounce at any moment, without warning.
And somewhere, in the black abyss of the night-cloaked forest, something was watching...and waiting.
To be continued...
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Well, minna-san, there it is! I hope eveyone enjoyed it as much as the last chapter. Please, don't hesitate to let me know what you thought of it! Authors live on feedback, you know. ^_^
In case you were wondering, in Japanese, "sayonara" means goodbye, but on more of a long-term basis. You'd say that to someone you aren't expecting to see for at least a few days or longer. "Ja mata ne", on the other hand, is more like "see you later"; this is used for short-term partings, like only a day or so. ^^
The characters might seem a bit OOC, but given their rather trying circumstances, I don't think it's out of line. And I wasn't trying to pick on Tai, either; I just wrote the way I think Matt would be feeling at this point. ^-^
Once again, I'd like to thank Nexis, and also Cres, Angel,
Chrysalis Raina, Maki, Kira, and everyone who's ever emailed me with support,
encouragement, or a nice kick in the butt to get me moving. Thank you so much!
I couldn't do it without you guys. ^^
Ja ne! And please visit my homepage at
www.angelfire.com/anime/starfrostpalace. That's the first place all my fics
will be posted, as well as the fics of my friends and anyone else that wants to
send me something. (Hint, hint. ^~)