Chapter Eleven

Note: This is the REAL chapter eleven. Damn typos…. -_-' I hope you are enjoying this story so far. I am planning on writing a sequel to Black Rose, White Sakura (preview on the bottom), but this story is my main focus (BTW, try reading Black Rose, White Sakura, it's kind of like Street Fighter and Kenyako fans would enjoy it). All right, on with the story then!



Davis grumbled to himself as he gazed out at the expanse of the desert plains in front of him. A small blot on the horizon was his destination. Sighing deeply, he trudged on after Ken, who had started to walk at a fast pace.

That night, not daring to light a fire, they talked quietly.

"So this sword you're after, do you know anything about it?" Ken asked, taking a draught from his waterskin.

Davis shrugged. "Only that it's ancient, magical, and is here."

Ken yawned. "It's about two more days of walking. If only we had horses." Muttering, the thief turned over and slept in his bedroll.

If only this, if only that… Davis sighed and sunk into a dreamless sleep.

Koushiro urged his horse on a little faster. Iori had gone before him. He looked up to see a large hawk swooping down. As a reflex, he flung his wrist up as an offering of a perch to the large bird. Luckily it was clad in a long leather gauntlet and thus was protected from the sharp talons of the bird of prey. It landed with some grace on his arm and eyed him with intelligent amber eyes, ruffling brown and copper tinged feathers.

"So should I assume your soulkin sent you?" the shaman asked the bird and slipped a folded piece of parchment in a pouch attached to its leg. Shrieking a cry, the bird then took flight again. Koushiro watched it for a moment before riding on.

"There it is," Davis said, pointing to the building in front of them. It was old obviously, and built along the lines of a temple. Both boys walked inside. It was cool and dark, a faint ghost of incense in it.

Davis murmured a spell for light but it flickered out. "Apparently this place doesn't approve of magic," came Ken's wry voice in the darkness. Then a half choked yell that was cut off halfway filled the air.

"Ken!" Davis screamed, trying to find his friend. The exit was now gone, and he was left in total darkness.

He groped through for hours, silent tears running down his face as he hoped fiercely that there was some chance, however slim, that Ken may be alive. Stumbling, Davis found himself in a vast chamber dimly lit. Ken was unconscious in a corner. Running to his friend, he found his way blocked.

'He has not passed his test and neither have you.' A booming mental voice filled his mind.

"Please, he's my friend, just let him go," Davis said.

'All who enter must take a test. Do you not want the Eye of the Dragon?'

A pedestal appeared. On it was a sheathed sword, three gems glittering on the hilt, a ruby, an emerald, and a diamond. A sense of power radiated from it.

"Just let him take the damn test," Davis said flatly. "He just came along, I'm the one who wants the sword."

The voice sounded slightly taken aback. 'Fine.'

After a few moments, Ken stirred and got up. "What the hell?"

'Your heart is shadowed, but has compassion, mortal,' the voice said. 'You passed your test. Now it is your friend's turn.'

Ken watched as Davis prepared himself the best he could. Then he cried out in pain as invisible knives and daggers slashed at him, his scarlet blood trickling out.

"Ken!" he cried but something stopped him.

'You have two choices, your friend's life, or the sword.'

Davis stopped. Without the sword he was an oathbreaker, for he promised he would bring it back. He would never be considered a true warrior if he did not complete his mission. On the other hand, he would also be breaking the oath of a friend if he turned his back on his friend. What kind of a heartless bastard did that? Ken screamed as the wounds became more critical, his clothes torn and covered in blood. His mind finally chose, though without reluctance.

"Just spare my friend," he said. "No sword or title is as important as the trust and bond between a friend. Only an oathbreaker or a bastard would leave his friend to die while gaining glory for themselves." He clenched his fists. "You are so heartless. I thought that if there was a test, it would force me to become stronger, to become more mature, not this. Damn you!" He screamed the last part, and twin orange and blue lights erupted from his chest.

It swirled around Ken, and his wounds vanished. Then, the blue dominating, the light formed a dragon.

'I've been waiting for you,' it told him, eyes filled with sparks of eagerness and kindness. 'Take the sword, you deserve it.'

Davis walked over to Ken and helped him up. "You alright, friend?"

"I owe you my life," Ken whispered.

"Nah, that's all about being friends, right, shield brother?"

"Right, shield brother," Ken grinned. "Take the damn sword and let's get out of here."

Davis then walked to the pedestal and picked up the sword. A surge of power filled him as the dragon then unfolded his wings.

'The bearer of the swords has come!' Then the light disappeared. Both boys walked outside, slightly dazed. In front of the temple then, was a very large blue dragon.

"What?" Ken sputtered.

'I serve you now, the one of fire,' it said to Davis. 'You may ride on me along with your comrade.'

"Come on!" Davis scrambled on as Ken followed carefully.

'Hold on tightly.' Flapping its wings, the dragon took flight.

Some distance off, Koushiro watched and murmured, "It has begun. The Goddess watch over you, both of you."

On the back of a dragon, travel was very swift and by the time nightfall came, they were at the school. However when they landed, carnage met their eyes. The bodies of students were all over the courtyard.

"What the hell?" Davis jumped down.

"Who could have done such a thing?" Ken wondered, looking slightly nauseous.

'The darkness,' the dragon said, sounding angry.

"D-davis?" a croaking voice whispered from the main building.

"Edward?" Davis turned and ran over to the boy, who was leaning heavily on a pillar.

"It's good you're here," he whispered, his wounds covered with bloody bandages. "Digimon attacked the school three days ago… They took Tai, Matt, Jyou and Sora."

"Damn! Do you know who sent them?" Davis cradled him in his arms.

"I don't know…. Please, Davis, save them, for the sake of us," Edward croaked. "You are the one who can do it. I believe you will do it, do it as my last wish." He smiled weakly and passed away in the warrior's arms.

Davis sobbed, dry eyed but sorrowful. As he set down Edward's body, his eyes were fiery with anger. "Whoever did it will die by my hands," he snarled. "Very slowly and very painfully."

"And I'll help you," Ken said quietly.

Davis managed a smile. "We should stay here for tonight, then we can start tracking in the morning."

'No need, their scent is very strong and it leads to a place not very far from here,' said the dragon.

"Thanks. What can I call you? I mean, I don't want to call you just dragon all the time."

'You may call me Vee.'

"Thank you Vee." He patted the dragon's scaly hide. "Come on, we might as well get something to eat Ken."

Davis slept restlessly as voices cried out to him. Waking up, he then opened the package his mother had given him. Within it was an odd device that could fit comfortably in his hand, colored white and blue. Walking outside, he turned it in his hands. Vee looked at him.

'You couldn't sleep, Davis?'

"Yes, do you know what this is?" He showed the dragon the device.

'It is a digivice, an ancient magical artifact of great power. There were twelve created. Where did you get that?'

"My mother gave it to me before she died."

'Ah, she was a wise woman then, and must have known that you were one of the Chosen ones.'

"Listen, I'm just going to rescue my friends. I don't give a damn about destiny and fate."

'Greatest are the warriors who do not follow the paths given to them, instead they find their own.'

"Thank you."

~*~*~*~*

"You will never get away with this," Sora snarled, pulling at her chains.

"I believe I have," replied her tormenter silkily.

"Damn you to Hell," the red head growled. "He shares power with no one, you're as good as dead when you raise him."

The other person slapped her across the face. "He promised me everything! Silence!" Sora's eyes glimmered angrily, praying inwardly that Davis could come in time.

~*~*~*~*

The next morning dawned late and Davis clambered up onto Vee, Ken following.

"Can you find them?" Davis asked the dragon.

'Of course, I expect a little more faith though.'

"Just get flying, Vee."

'Yes, master.'

The dragon took flight. As Ken felt the wind ruffle his hair, he sensed a shadow lurking not too far away.

"Vee, do you sense something?"

'Yes, it is the darkness that we must fight, Ken.'

"Wonderful," the former thief said dryly.

They set down by a cave. 'I will stay out here but I will come if you need me. I wish you good luck, Davis.'

"Thank you Vee," the brunette said, patting the dragon's head before sliding off.

They wandered through the halls of the cave for who knows how long. Ken narrowed his eyes, not liking it a single bit. Davis's hand was on the hilt of his sword, the gems glowing softly. He made sure his dagger was also in reach as well. A shadow then separated and bound the both of them tightly.

Ken knew better than to struggle then signaled to Davis with his eyes not to move. The brunette looked angry but resigned.

"Well, well, what have we here? The prey is already within the trap." A mocking voice flew to them as the shadow forced them to their knees. "Take them to the cell, the lady will deal with them."

The shadow bonds took over their bodies and had them walk deeper into the caves, throwing them into a cell.

"Great," Ken grumbled.

Davis felt along the cell. "There's no way out."

"You think?" the other boy snapped and the door swung open. Davis turned pale and stammered as he saw the woman standing there.

"Jun?!!!!"

A/N: Cliffhanger! I'm evil.

Ken: Yes you are.

Me: *rolls eyes* Be quiet Ken-san. (although I /am/ older than you.)

Davis: This is good, you insult me in your other stories but now you made me the hero, yeah!

Me: You're not going to be with Kari, end of story.

Davis: Aw…

Ken: *sigh* Please review, she's got the end of her story coming up soon.