Note to disclaimers: I do not and never will own Digimon so please don't sue me. This is the second chapter. Same info applies. ~SAMENIA~

Cold Empire (Chap. 1)

"AHHHHHH!" I jolt up in bed, instantly wringing the covers around me. I grope for my light, shaking the entire time. "What the hell was that? Weird dream." The pounding in my head starts to fade and I relax. 'I should see Kari tomorrow.' I glance at my clock, taking in the time. 'Wow! It's already 10:00! Gee, I must have eaten something bad.' Groggily pulling on my sweater, I open the door to my closet in search of my running shoes. 'Where did I put them?' Finally, after what seems like ages, I snatch them from the side pocket of my shoe holder. After I'm ready I head out and go to meet Davis and the others at the school. 'I wonder if Izzy is there yet?' It had been a while since Davis, the others and I had gone to the digital world. I remember a while back that I started taking a liking to Izzy. Every time I saw him, it was if I couldn't speak. 'Just like it is when I see him now.'

Surprise washes over me as I notice that the school doors are wide open. As I strut in I see Davis and T.K. giving each other death glares. Poor Kari is off to the side, shaking her head in sorrow. I walk up to her. "Hi Kari. What's up?" I ask cheerily.

"Doesn't Davis get it? I like T.K. and that's not going to change." Kari seems upset that Davis persists, as does T.K. by his obvious irritation. "Besides, it's not like-"

"And where have YOU been? We were supposed to have left HOURS ago Yolei!"

"Please shut up, will you Davis?" I wave his voice away with my hand. "Go bug someone else with your stupid lectures on punctuality."

Davis is dumbfounded. I sigh with exhaustion as I plop down on the seat next to Cody. Before I know it, four figures have walked in. I look up and feel my heart beat faster. 'Izzy.' Tai, Sora, Mimi, and Izzy are standing next to Kari, talking happily. My eyes take on a dazed look, seeming as if they are going to pop out of my skull. I silently make my way over to Tai and Sora. "Hi! How's everyone been?"

"Oh hey Yolei." Sora greets. "We've all been pretty good. How have you been?"

I think for a moment to tell them of my recent dream but push the thought back when I look at Izzy. "I've been great, I guess. Hey, why are you guys here?"

"Well, for one, we were around the neighborhood and decided to drop in on you guys. Secondly, Davis kinda requested it." Tai replies.

"Why is that?" I ask puzzled.

"I suppose it could be that Davis just is unsure about defeating the Digimon emperor and he did notify me about Tentomon looking for me." Izzy speaks suddenly.

"R…Really?" I smile at him. "Well, then let's go help Tentomon."

Izzy nods and shoots me a cool grin. He then turns to Mimi and begins discussing something with her. I brush it off and take no notice of their conversation. From my eyeshot view, I can see Kari pushing Davis away from T.K. I want to laugh but hold it back as Tai and Davis begin to argue. 'Sometimes I wonder who is more of a kid.' The touch of someone's hand on my shoulder causes me to jump. "It's ok Yolei. It's just me, Kari."

"Oh. Sorry. What is it?" I question.

"Can you help me get numbskulls to go into the digital world already? We're wasting time." She states.

"Sure." I turn to them and get ready to yell. "SHUT UP! Now, will EVERYONE just get ready to go? Tentomon has been captured and we need to save him! Now can we get going?"

"I thought I'd never hear you say that." Davis says to me. He points his D-3 at the computer screen. "DIGI-PORT OPEN!" (AN: Ok, all that cool stuff happens. They change clothes, their Digimon turn to rookie level, and the others guys go in too.)

Once in the digital world we all begin to scan the area. Our D-3's tell us he's off somewhere in a forest terrain, with many trees. 'This could take long.' I jog up to Davis and tap his shoulder. "Hey Davis, did we bring any food? Since Tentomon is kinda far, don't you think our Digimon will get hungry?"

"Nah. They'll be fine. Besides, we can always go back to Digitammomon restaurant if we get hungry." Davis assures me. "Stop worrying Yolei?"

"Who says I'm worrying?" I say. Retaking my spot next to Kari and T.K., I begin to ponder the meaning of my dream. 'Is it a premonition?' As my thoughts deepen, almost to the point of figuring out what the meaning is, I hear Cody yell. 'Great, just ruin my though process. I join the others as we head into the forest. "Are we near Tentomon?"

"Yes. We are very close. I'd say about 2 kilometers away." Izzy says.

I nod and we keep walking. Behind me I can hear Tai and Sora joking about something at school. "That's mean Tai." I hear Sora say. "Yeah, but not as mean as what Sabora is going to do to Davis." Tai answers. "Should we tell him?" Sora asks. "Later, we will." Is Tai's reply.

'What are they talking about? It's not like Davis likes Sabora. He's still waiting on Kari…isn't he?' Tai and Sora's conversation fades as we reach the spot where Tentomon is. I look up to the sky and see him sitting on a tree. "Izzy! There he is!"

"Izzy!" Tentomon shouts happily. "I though I'd never see you again!"

"It's great to see you're still functioning. Prodigious!" Izzy responds. "Thanks for finding him Yolei."

"Uh, yeah. Anything...to be of h...help!" I stutter mindlessly.

As we continue on, I find myself following directly behind Izzy. 'Am I in love? Or am I obsessed?' My head spins with the question, a dark plague that causes me illness. The feeling is too real to be an obsession. 'Plus, Izzy is very cute. Who wouldn't like him?' My thoughts wander to the road in front of me, tracking the dirt that blows in my face. Up ahead of me, Cody and Davis begin to argue over what strategy to use when we face the Digimon Emperor. 'There so much like children still.' I know Izzy is 22, but when he's around, it seems like I'm not so young anymore. A sudden shout shakes me from my thoughts. I glance up and see him. 'The Digimon Emperor.'

"You again! Annoyances! When will you ever learn that you cannot defeat me? You are beyond pathetic!" The Digimon Emperor says. "I'm a reasonable fellow though. If you're willing to give up...them maybe I'll go easy on you."

"Hey asshole, what makes you think we'd give up so soon? It's not like we're afraid of you!" Davis shouts.

'Why is Davis so thickheaded? That guy never thinks to not run in without thinking.' I bow my head in anger. 'He's going to get us killed!' When I glance back up, Davis has already begun to attack. "DAVIS! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!'

"FIGHTING! WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE GENIUS?!" He yells back.

'Dumbshit!' I think and turn to Hawkmon. "DIGI-ARMOR ENERGIZE!"

"Hawkmon digivolve to...Halsemon, the wings of love!"

"Now go help Davis Halsemon!" I say to my partner.

"Armadillomon digivolve to...Digmon, the drill of power!"

"Patamon digivolve to...Pegasusmon, flying hope!"

"Gatomon digivolve to...Nefertimon, the angel of light!"

I watch in hope as they attack the Digimon Emperor. "Tempest Wing!" "Rosetta Stone!" "Star Shower!" "Gold Rush!" "Fire Rocket!"

It almost seems possible until I see the smoke clear and the Emperor still standing there, yawning and sighing. "Really now, the same attacks as always? You should give up already!"

My anger gets the best of me and I run in front of Davis and the others. "HEY KEN, WHY DON'T YOU COME DOWN HERE AND FIGHT LIKE A MAN? OR ARE YOU SO PATHETIC THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN DEFEND YOURSELF WITHOUT DIGIMON?"

"Yolei. what are you doing?" Davis asks.

"Shut up Davis!" I reply. I turn back to Ken. "COME ON HOTSHOT! SHOW US WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF!"

"That is something you're going to regret." He says, his eyes closing in on me. "GET HER!"

"Huh?" I stand dumbfounded as a Seadramon comes towards me.

"YOLEI MOVE IT!" Kari yells to me.

'It's too late!' I think as I stand frozen in place. 'I'm going to die!'

"TEMPEST WING!"

A blast blurs my vision, throwing me backwards. As my eyes focus I see the Seadramon lying on the ground. Hawkmon de-digivolves back into Poromon. I run to my fallen friend and hold him. "Poromon, you'll be just fine. When we get back to the real world, I give you some rice cakes ok?"

"Ok Yolei." Poromon says quietly. "But I don't think that I can help right now."

"What?" My eyes widen as My Digimon partner falls asleep. "POROMON!"

"Now is not the time Yolei!"

"Izzy?" My eyes meet his for a brief moment.

"Come on! Davis and the other have started to hide! We HAVE to follow them!" Izzy grabs my arm and drags me into the forest terrain, where we eventually find the others hiding from the Emperor. Once we are settled I sense Izzy's gaze on me. "Are you sure you're all right Yolei?"

"Y...yeah Izzy. Thanks." I answer unsure of myself.

"So, we're all camping out here for tonight then?" Tai asks.

"Since I'm leader, and I am, we are going to spend the night here and we're not to split up. Got it everyone? Oh and since it's dangerous out here, I need everyone to look out for Kari ok?" Davis says.

"Don't let it go to your head." Kari responds. "And, I don't need people to look after me Davis. Thanks but no thanks."

"But Kari..." Davis starts. I see Kari turn in T.K.'s direction. "Oh never mind."

The feeling of laughter comes to my throat but I hold it back. 'I can't laugh at Davis.' The stars shine brightly in the sky. I see Izzy, Tai, Mimi, and Sora talking by the fire. 'When will the Digimon Emperor strike again?' To my other side, is Davis, steaming as he watches T.K. and Kari sleep. Cody seems unnaturally calm, as usual. His eyes are empty. 'Maybe he's tired.' I scoot over to him. "Hey Cody, what's wrong?"

"Nothing Yolei. I'm just tired and worried." Cody says. "And cold. I wish my parents were here."

"Don't worry Cody, everything will be okay." Sora's voice enters the atmosphere. "Besides, you're almost grown. It will be okay."

'Sora is so perfect. No wonder Tai likes her. Does she even know that?' My mind drifts away, leaving me baffled from various situations. I think back to my dream and shutter a bit. 'That was a totally out of the norm dream. Me, in love with the Digimon emperor?' I feel my insides twisting. I know I can no longer lie to myself. 'You're in love with him all right Yolei Inoue. But how is that possible? No no no! I LOVE Izzy Izumi!' As my thoughts battle, I take a bit of time to rest. I have the feeling that tomorrow is going to be a long day. Finally, my wary brain rests, enjoying the sleep that accompanies it.

THE NEXT EVENING...

'Where am I? Is anyone there?' Slowly but steadily I sit up, the darkness that surrounds me opening into light. "Hello? Anyone? Davis, Kari? Hello?"

"Something wrong Yolei?"

"Izzy? Where is everyone else?" I ask.

"Mimi, Kari, Tai and I are here." Izzy says. "Did you have a bad dream?"

"No." I reply trying to hide the fact that I did. "Have I really been sleeping for a day straight?"

"Yes." Mimi enters. "Izzy and I have been waiting for you to wake up."

My blood boils as Izzy slides an arm around Mimi's waist. He gives her quick kiss on the cheek. "We were worried."

"Oh." Is my bland answer. 'Have I been that blind? Does Izzy really like Mimi?' Hurt creeps upon my soul. Deception enters my heart as I think of how Mimi has taken Izzy away from me. 'She was my role model.' Carefully I stand and ready myself to leave. With a heavy heart I begin to walk away from the camp. His voice stops me, momentarily pulling me back into reality.

"Where are you going Yolei?" He asks.

"I'm going for a walk. Some fresh air if you will." I respond. "Tell Tai and Kari that I'll be back soon." He nods, confirming my permission to leave. The air is crisp, yet damp with the smell of death in it. 'That's weird. How did I get to this weather?' Cold air nips at my skin, pinching my nose with an evil force. The presence of another enters my senses. I spin around, facing my assailant with curiosity. "Who's there?"

"No one that will hurt you."

My head snaps as the voice registers in my mind. 'The Digimon Emperor...' I start to back away, my brain filling with so many possibilities of horror. "What do you want?"

"It is very simple." He says. "I want you."

"What?" I feel the color from my face drain to almost white. "Then...that dream...it wasn't..."

"That wasn't a dream." His laughter fills my ears. "You are going to come with me, whether you like it or not."

"No I won't!" Stubbornness takes over me and I prepare to fight. "I'm not an object to be coveted!"

Everything moves in a spiral as I look up to see him right in front of me. "Who said I'm coveting you?" His eyes are malicious. "I don't have to demand, but simply ask if you'd like to come with me."

"I...I..." Confusion fills me as I debate whether to go with him or not. "I don't know."

He takes my hand. "You don't have to. Come with me."

Finally, as if a spell has been cast on me, I take his hand and follow him. We're almost at his chariot or a Seadramon rather, when I hear voices. "YOLEI! GET AWAY FROM HIM!"

I turn around to see Davis and Cody running after us. "Are you nuts? Yolei, that's the Digimon Emperor!"

My eyes glaze over and I scoot closer to him. "I know. I think you guys should back off. This is my business, not yours."

"But Yolei...He's the DIGIMON EMPEROR!" Davis repeats in distress. "He's evil! He's our enemy!"

"SILENCE!" The emperor shouts and sends a herd of various Digimon to attack my friends.

"Just take me! Don't hurt them!" I tug at his sleeve. "Please! I'm begging you! I'll do anything!"

His gaze drifts towards me, our eyes meeting. "Anything?"

"Yes." I say warily. "Anything."

"Very well." He grabs my hand in a rough gesture and slings me over his shoulder. Turning to my friends I hear his voice ring out loud and clear. "I will be waiting for you all. I am pleased to announce that nothing shall come of your friend. She is mine! HAHAHA!"

'What have I gotten myself into?' I lay helpless against him, my eyes burning with tears. Involuntarily I wrap my arms around his neck as we head towards his main base. 'What have I done?' Suddenly I feel an arm wrap around my waist. I look up and see him, staring intently in my eyes. An eerie glint flows through his eyes for but a moment before disappearing.

"Do I scare you?" He asks suddenly.

"Yes." I say honestly.

"Do you think I'm evil?" He questions.

"I...I don't know." My glance drops to the floor. "I don't really know you. But judging from a first impression...I'd say you are the epidomy of evil."

He looks insulted by that thought but brushes it away. "Well, you are correct in a sense Miss Inoue. I have been watching you for some time now...A fine specimen you are."

As if on impulse, I feel my ears prick up a bit. 'A fine specimen? That's what he said in my dream! Could it have been a premonition?' With weariness I shake my head. "No..."

"Do you speak to yourself often?" He asks.

"No! Stop! Let me go!" I try to pry his hands off of me. "I made a mistake!"

"You came with me willingly!" He yells in anger. "I will not let you go!"

With my free hand I hit him a good one on his jaw. "LET ME GO YOU FREAK!"

I cry out as his hand connects with my cheek. "SILENCE! I WILL NOT LET YOU GO!" His voice lowers to a dangerous whisper. "I will not tolerate this any longer. Silence yourself now woman or you will be punished."

Touching my aching cheek, I comply with him and stop struggling. As we arrive at his base, I feel as though I've given up. 'This isn't like you Yolei.' Tears burn my eyes, demanding release. Wiping at them furiously, I place a distant mien on my face. Gently, Ken's fingers begin to caress underneath my chin. The sensation of his skin on mine makes my heart beat faster. He lifts my face and brings it closer to his, just until our lips our inches apart. "You are a beautiful woman Yolei Inoue. I believe I have chosen well, if not wisely."

"Excuse me?" I hesitate to move away. "What do you mean?"

My question is answered as Ken leans over and presses his lips to mine. My senses go haywire as I melt into the kiss. 'What am I doing?' My reflexes are forcing me to push him away but my heart makes me do otherwise. My arms fly around his neck, instantly pulling his face closer to mine. 'I can't do this?' Finally finding my senses I roughly push him off and step back, trying to sort out my thoughts. 'Oh god...what am I doing?'

"What is it?" He asks, his voice a mixture of harshness, confusion, and upset. "Is there something wrong?"

"It's nothing I just...I, what am I doing?" I ask myself more than him. "I must be crazy."

He pulls me into his arms. "No you're not."

I ignore him and continue speaking to myself. "I'm in love with Izzy. I love Izzy. I can't love the Digimon Emperor, I can't."

"You love whom?" He asks cynically, his indigo eyes penetrating mine with an odd emotion.

Without my permission, both of my hands bury themselves in his purple-black hair. Instinctively I pull his head closer to mine. As I gaze into his beautiful eyes I feel myself drowning in them, engrossed with his handsome face. "I...I don't know who I love..."

His grip becomes tighter, his arms crushing me to him. I smile oddly as I see him lean closer. Our lips touch for the second time. This time I do nothing. I run my hands through his hair. The same question runs through my head. 'What am I doing? I'm in love with the enemy...' My thoughts fade as I continue to kiss Ken. 'I am afraid of him still...but yet, I am in love with him.' My mind races, confusing my every thought as the whole process goes further than I thought it would. My mind fazes out as the light becomes distant and everything disappears into darkness. (Ok, since I'm not courageous enough to write a lemon/lime, I just thought I'd make it fade away to the next part ok? You'll get it later!)

A COUPLE HOURS LATER...

A sigh escapes my throat as I turn over. I'm about to pull the covers closer when my hand comes in contact with something warm, yet somewhat cold. Remembering where I am, I freeze, my eyes widening at what I have done. 'I just...and the Emperor...Oh my god...' I peer to my side. I gasp as I see Ken's, the Digimon Emperor's, face come into perfect view. My heart feels as though it has stopped beating. 'What have I done?'

(OK, that was a bit weird people. Not the best but I hope you'll like it. Ok, that's it for now. Later! ^_^) ~SAMENIA~