Chapter 16: Late night tales
During dinner not a lot was said. They all got ready for bed and had to change
sleeping orders for Koushiro. He pulled
Taichi aside and told him they needed to start sleeping in the tents with all
those that had their partners and those that didn't. And that watched should start because the voice didn't promise
protection like last time.
"Look it may have to with how he feels about
Salamon, or maybe he isn't here right now. But I have a lot to talk about with Palmon. If we kept first watch, we can look out and talk it over."
"If you say so Izzy. I trust you. But keep the cuddling to a minimum."
"There will not be cuddling." Koushiro glared at Taichi.
"I now buddy. Just joking with you."
"Well tahnks for undersatndign my reasons."
"I trust you. You haven't let us down yet."
Taichi turned to the groups
and announced his decsison. It seemed
all those with partners would have to satart taking watch.
"Tonight there would be four watches. And the same until this was over. Rotation would begin once all the partners
are found."
"Ok Taichi, who is first?"
"Well at his request, Koushiro and Palmon
will take the first watch, then him and Tentomon."
"And after that?"
"Yamato and Gabumon. That should cover the night. Piyomon cant do anything nright now and
Salamon is in no condition to watch. The way she attacked Palmon, she has to calm down."
"Attacked?"
"Yes, Hikari, attacked. You have plenty of time to talk to your
partner about it. Now I want us all to
go to bed. Agumon is in trouble and we
need to find him. We are going to
Primary Village toamrrow as soons as we can."
"You also said you had something else for
me?"
"Yes Izzy, we do, does anybody remember what
he said?"
"I do."
"Ok Salamon what was it?"
"He said: There is. Agumon went crazy after his battle with the virus. He began attacking random Digimon. He could control it for the most part but
Palmon and Hawkmon asked him the wrong question. They asked where Piyomon was. He said she left me and went berserk. That is why those two were easily scared and hurt the cat and wolf. I made sure Agumon was cured of this affliction
after seeing him attack these two. However only Piyomon can mend him."
Koushiro had her repeat is several times to
get it in. He was just as confused as
the rest. He took his laptop and set up
watch. Palmon timidly stepped beside
him. She was still unsure of it
all. She needed him, but she was
scared.
"Palmon…I am sorry. This was not supposed to happen. I need to talk to you. I had a
dream the other night. We were arguing,
you and I."
"What were we saying Izzy?"
"We were talking about reproducing, how this
was wrong and what are the repercussions of what we are doing."
"Is this wrong?" She settled closer to him. She needed his touch.
"In my heart, no."
"Then where is it wrong?"
"To the others, and that voice. He called it unnatural, through your
voice. I understand where they get
it. You are data. Bits of information that are configured to
appear in the form of a being. But I
have to know something. Do you love
me? Is it real?"
"Of course it is. I don't know what else it is. It seems to be like what I feel for Mimi, only differently. Like we are meant for each other. And Izzy, we can reproduce. I just haven't. It takes different means or us, since we are compeltleyl
different. Does that help you
understand?"
"Then that raises so many other
questions. I cannot give that child as
a heir to my parents. It would not be a
human child. No one would understand."
"But it would be our child Izzy. Ours. How can you not want our child around?"
"Palmon it is not like that. You know it. A child of ours would have difficulties growing up in my
world. Here is would be different, we
could adopt a human child, but it is a choice we will make after this all over. I just need to be reassured, that
voice. You don't know. It is so soothing and convincing. I want to hold you. Have you make it better. I want to hold you. I want…"
"I do know that voice. It spoke to me when ehy others found me and
attacked me."
"How did that happen? I am mad at Salamon, why did she do that?"
"I guess if you lost your child you might be
cranky too."
"Yes but she had no right to attack you. That was inexcusable."
"Your right, I did not have a right to. Palmon I am sorry."
"Salamon, how long have you been there?"
"Long enough. You shouldn't worry about it so much Koushiro. She loves you, it is apparent. That voice does not know what it is talking
about. Just go with it. Don't analyze everything."
I was going to tell him the
same thing. I feel you are going to
kill me Salamon. I understand.
"I am getting tired of this. He needs to leave us alone. He said we will meet him soon. So leave it at that."
"I agree, but that gave you no right to
attack her. She is your friend. Or was."
"Look, don't tell me what to do. I acted on the hunt, I just reacted."
"She could have been hurt. I would not have been very happy." Koushiro glared, his eyes dark.
Neither one had ever seen that look on him
before. Salamon backed off. She still liked them both. She truly was sorry. She teared up and fell to her knees. Palmon went and put a hand on her friend.
"Salamon I know this cannot be easy for
you. Koushiro has just been under a lot
lately. I think that being has really
done a number on all of you. Maybe we
will get answers when we meet him. I
need to finish talking to him though. I
accept your apology. You need
rest. Go to Hikari."
With that Salamon looked at her friend and
realized she was being truthful. Wiping
her tears she nodded and walked back in. Palmon smiled. Izzy stood up for
me. HE knows it.
Yes my child. The Child of Knowledge is very much in love
with you. You seem to understand. Take care of him. HE needs you right now.
Who are you? Why all this secrecy?
I need to make sure you all
are worthy. I am breaking many rules to
do this but I need you all and have to make sure you are capable of helping me.
You are gojg nabout it in a
strange way.
I know. Salamon was an accident. I did not know she was with Tama.
Well get rest. You sound tired.
Thnak you my child. You msut rest too. You are wounded.
The voice disappeared and Palmon walked over
to Koushiro. Resting her head on his
shoulder she began to close his laptop. She gazed in his eyes and smiled. He smiled back.
"I missed you. I have been under a lot of…"
She put her finger to his mouth. "Shh. I know. The way you acted when
Salamon was here. I know." She kissed him. The kiss lasted for a moment and they both sighed. Things were returning back to normal.
In Camp at the same time:
The Chosen were laughing and grouped in small
clusters. Takeru was eyeing Daisuke
carefully. He wondered how he could
just ignore them after what had happened. Hikari got his attention by grabbing his arm. He looked at him and then a Daisuke and shook her head. Yamato shook his head as well and returned
his conversation back to Gabumon and Mimi.
Taichi, Jyou, and Sora were monitering
Piyomon. She had leveled off and her
breathing returned to normal. She still
had to rest. Taichi looked at Sora and
smiled. She was acting normal despite
everything. The voice still bothered
him. They were walking into a
trap. He knew it. It was too easy. Agumon…had went crazy. This was getting worse all the time. First Salamon's Tama, then Piyomon devolving, and finally Agumon. He hoped the being had not killed his
partner. He furrowed his borw.
Miyako noticed the groups looking at them and
back to themselves. Ken was shifting
uncomfortably. He never fully aclamated
himself to the group. Daisuke wanted hi
mto make new friends. Ken was content
to these two. No one else understood
him, nor did they want too. As the
Kaiser Takeru had beaten him, humiliated him. Then as a member of the Team, no one really paid him mind. Daisuke had to force them to acknowledge
him. Daisuke did so much for him. He turned to look at Hikari stroking
Salamon.
Hikari had asked Salamon about the
attack. Salamon coolly told her it was
just the hunt. Hikari still felt she
should go apologize to Palmon. Koushiro
could not be happy. She scooted Salamon
in the direction of the door. Salamon
left. Hopefully things would be
better. Salamon walked back in ten
minues alter spooked.
"What happened?"
"Koushiro might snap. He just got a look that scared me. He is mad at me for attacking Palmon. It was freaky. He never has gotten that
look."
"Whoa. If it scared you, I don't want to look at it."
"That voice talked to us again. I am getting tired of him. I cant wait to meet him."
"Ok everybody. Lights out. We got a lot
to do tomorrow."
Palmon walked in and got Tentomon to go out for watch, and curled up next to Mimi. Taichi's last thought was tomorrow would never get here.