Chapter 2: Pick of the Litter
A feral grin appeared on Gatomon's face as she studied her opponent. The other cat was wounded severely, and there was no way for her to steal this victory. The battle would soon be over.
With an angry cry, she lunged forward, planning to pounce on her enemy and take her out with well-timed Lightning Claw.
Only it didn't really work out that way.
Instead, there was a blur of movement, followed by a shout of "Cat Kick!"
Gatomon yowled in pain as something slammed into her back, and she hit the dirt face first, unconsciousness taking her instantly.
Some time later, she woke up to find Lord Myotismon standing over her, his cruel laughter echoing off the cavern's high walls. But that wasn't what hurt the most.
Standing proudly by his side was DarkGatomon, once again the victor. But, as always, the celebration didn't quite reach her eyes. Instead, her golden gaze was fixed solely on Gatomon, filled with nothing but concern.
Not that it mattered much.
All Gatomon saw was pity, which she didn't need or want. With as much dignity as she could muster, she quickly got up, ignoring the pain in her back and the prickling sensation behind her eyes. She moved from the cavern with incredible speed, Myotismon's laughter and DarkGatomon's eyes following her as she fled up the staircase.
By the time she reached the tower and slammed the door behind her, tears were flowing freely from Gatomon's bright blue eyes. She wiped them away furiously, knowing it was useless but still feeling the need to be proud, strong, and invincible…everything she wasn't when she sparred with DarkGatomon. Sighing angrily, she threw herself onto the bed and buried her face in the pillows.
Ever since they'd both digivolved, Lord Myotismon had demanded that they fight each and every day. DarkGatomon always won, no matter what the conditions. She was clearly and naturally stronger, and the environment only enhanced her abilities. Myotismon favored her, of course, so even if Gatomon ever won, she would probably be punished worse than usual.
After an hour or so, the door creaked open, and a gentle paw came to rest on her head. "Gato?"
"Go away!" Gatomon sobbed, covering her ears. "Just…leave me alone!"
Still, the voice echoed inside her head. "You know you can't ignore me. Talk to me, Gato. Please?"
"NO! I HATE YOU! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"
The paw was drawn away in what she hoped was extremely painful shock, and she had a moment's peace.
"Gato…kitten…please. I'm so sorry. You know I am. Why are acting like this?"
"Because it's not fair! You always win! You were always his favorite! You never get punished!"
There was a patient sigh behind her. "Gato, we've been over this. I have to win, for both our sakes."
"No, you don't! Maybe you should get hurt sometimes! Then you'd know how it feels to be me!"
"You don't know what he'd do if I ever lost. You can't understand what would happen…"
Gatomon turned over and glared at DarkGatomon. "It can't be any worse than what he does to me for losing EVERY SINGLE TIME!"
DarkGatomon sighed again. "I said I was sorry, kitten. What else can I do?"
"You can lose!"
"No, I can't," she replied quietly, looking away. "Just trust me when I say that losing a fight is the worst thing I could do, in Lord Myotismon's eyes."
"Lying to me is the worst thing you can do to me in my eyes. Except for maybe when you're beating the crap out of me in front of him!"
DarkGatomon gave her a pained look. "I hurt you because I love you, Gato. You must know that by now."
"You don't love me! You just say that so I'll put up with you and your lies!"
The black cat just gazed at her for a moment. Then she climbed onto the bed. "Tell me where it hurts."
Gatomon blinked and looked up at her in surprise. "What…?"
"Tell me where it hurts," she repeated, looking at the white cat expectantly.
Gatomon felt a blush creeping up her neck. "What are you going to do if I tell you?"
Instead of answering, DarkGatomon seized her paw, caressing it gently. Slowly, she raised it to her mouth, staring into Gatomon's eyes as she lovingly licked the wounded flesh.
Gatomon shivered, though whether it was from DarkGatomon's penetrating gaze or her pink tongue, she couldn't be sure.
"Is that better?" DarkGatomon asked softly.
It was, but Gatomon didn't plan on encouraging her efforts. "I hate you," she muttered half-heartedly, yanking her paw away.
DarkGatomon stretched out beside her on the bed, entwining her black and violet striped tail around Gatomon's white and blue one. "Oh? Why?"
"Because every time I convince myself you're evil and mean, you do something like that."
"I see." She rubbed her cheek against Gatomon's. "I love you, too, kitten. But at least I can say it."
"No," Gatomon said stubbornly. "Because if I say it, then I'll start believing it. And then I wouldn't be able to fight you."
"You're not exactly endangering my win streak now, Gato," DarkGatomon reminded her.
"I almost got you today!"
DarkGatomon looked embarrassed. "I wouldn't say that too loudly to anyone else. I'm afraid that was…well…an illusion."
Gatomon frowned. "You used Hypnosis on me?!"
"I'm sorry, kitten. I didn't want to have to hurt you as much."
Gatomon wanted to be angry, but she didn't have the strength. "You'll always be better than me."
"Perhaps," DarkGatomon whispered, nuzzling her neck. "But you will always have my heart, Gato. No one else can say that. Ever."
Gatomon closed her eyes. "Careful. My neck's sore, too." She sighed and went limp at DarkGatomon's touches.
"Relax," DarkGatomon purred into her ear. "Let me take care of you, like I always do."
Within seconds, Gatomon was asleep.
"Sweet dreams, kitten," DarkGatomon whispered, resting her head on Gatomon's paw.
* * * * *
Gatomon woke up to find DarkGatomon gazing at her unashamedly. "You…watched me sleep?"
"You know I don't sleep at night. What else would you expect me to do?"
Gatomon blushed and sat up. "Something that wasn't totally creepy?"
"I thought watching over a loved one was a sign of loyalty. And if it was so creepy, why are you blushing?"
"Um…whatever. You can stop staring at me now."
"Yes," DarkGatomon agreed, "I can. But I don't think I will."
"Okay, now you're being creepy. At least blink!"
"No. I don't want to stop looking at you, even for a second."
Gatomon looked away. "You're embarrassing me!"
"No, I'm adoring you." DarkGatomon covered Gatomon's paw with her own. "I have to go for a while."
Gatomon instantly turned to look at her. "Why?"
"Myotismon," she replied simply. "It's big this time, I think."
"How big?"
"I would be gone…for a while. Maybe even a few months."
Gatomon's face fell. "Oh."
"I am sorry, Gato. I should've told you sooner…"
"No. Then I would've been mad until now. It's better this way. I guess."
"Will you…miss me?" DarkGatomon asked.
Gatomon appeared to be bored and studied her claws. "I might find time for that."
Though she knew it was Gatomon's way of putting up a brave front, DarkGatomon couldn't help wincing a bit. "Well, if you do…you can remember me with this." She opened Gatomon's paw and pressed something cold into it.
Gatomon blinked in shock. "Your tail ring? But you said you'd never part with it!"
"I won't. This is a copy, identical in every way. They came as a set. I want you to have this one."
"But…you're only supposed to give it to someone you-"
"Kitten," she interrupted gently, closing Gatomon's paw around the ring. "Keep it. Please."
Gatomon stared at her, then nodded. "You'll…come back, right?"
"I hope I never see this castle again. And I hope you find your way out as soon as I'm gone. There's nothing here for you, Gato. You can't grow here." Then she noticed Gatomon's worried expression. "Don't fret, kitten. I promise I'll come back to you one day. That's what the ring is for, after all."
Gatomon's grip on the ring tightened considerably. "Well…you'd better go, then."
DarkGatomon reached over and stroked her arm. "Gato…"
"Go," Gatomon said stiffly, not looking at her.
DarkGatomon sighed, then gently licked Gatomon's cheek. "Goodbye, kitten. I love you…"
Once she was alone, Gatomon brushed the tears from her eyes and carefully touched her cheek. "Bye."
* * * * *
DarkGatomon kept her eyes on the floor as the carriage finally came to a stop.
Myotismon shifted slightly. "Well, here you are. I expect you to serve Piedmon well."
"Yes, Lord."
"You might want to go ahead and digivolve now. If he sees you like this, he might be tempted to play with you."
DarkGatomon nodded and closed her eyes.
"Wait."
She froze. "Yes, Lord?"
"I don't have to ask what you think about when you digivolve, do I?"
DarkGatomon frowned. "No, Lord."
"You'd better do it outside. Your wings and all."
She nodded again and stepped outside, only to feel his icy grip on her arm.
"One more thing, my precious kitten."
DarkGatomon's eyes widened in shock.
"My old threat still stands," he hissed in her ear. "If I learn that Piedmon is displeased with your service, I think you know what will happen to your little friend."
She nodded slowly.
"I thought so." He released her. "Get on with it."
DarkGatomon's golden eyes flashed, and she could almost see Gatomon, anxiously awaiting her return.
The carriage flew off without warning, leaving her at the foot of the mountain. She glanced upward, then stretched her wings, testing them.
"You won't need those just yet, my dear."
Piedmon appeared before her, smiling mysteriously as he gave her a long, appraising look. "You'll do very nicely," he said at last. "For once, Myotismon chose well."
She said nothing.
"Well, let's go. I'll give you the grand tour." He smiled and offered her his hand. "Welcome to your new home, Lady Devimon."
* * * * *
Kari said nothing once DarkGatomon was done.
"I suppose you want me to leave now," the cat said. "Since you know I was the bodyguard of your enemy."
"Piedmon's gone," Kari replied. "So you're not really his bodyguard anymore, are you?"
"But I attacked Angewomon. You were there."
"Yes, I saw that. But I don't think you wanted to. Did you?"
DarkGatomon didn't say anything.
"Anyway, the Digimon Emperor is our enemy now. So unless you go running off to join him, I think you can stay here."
"Are you so certain, Kari? Have you asked Angewomon?"
Kari frowned. "No. Why would I need to?"
"You said it yourself. I'm different from any Salamon she's taken in. She may not want me here. I'd be shocked if she did."
"Well, if she wants to kick you out, she'll have to go through me."
DarkGatomon smirked. "Are you so determined to anger her?"
"No. But I am determined to make her listen to reason. Anyway, I know you're good now."
"Do you?"
Kari smiled. "Yes, I do. Sally says so. Right, Sally?"
Sally purred and rubbed against the black cat's cheek.
* * * * *
It was well after dark before Angewomon felt brave enough to return to her bedroom. She'd wanted to avoid a confrontation, but whether she feared Kari's wrath or DarkGatomon's presence more, she couldn't be sure of.
As she'd hoped, Kari was fast asleep, and DarkGatomon was nowhere to be found. With any luck, she'd already left, knowing she wasn't welcome.
Angewomon sat down on the bed and simply watched Kari sleep, absently reaching over to brush a loose strand of hair away from her face. It was then that she noticed a pair of gleaming, golden eyes watching her. They were also disturbingly close to Kari's head, and her own hand. With a startled cry, Angewomon drew her hand back, accidentally waking Kari.
Kari sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Angewomon? What's wrong?" She reached over and turned on the lamp near the bed.
Angewomon held in a growl as DarkGatomon neatly slid into Kari's lap, as if she'd always belonged there. She nearly lost it when Kari actually began to stroke the black cat.
"Where did you go earlier?" Kari asked. Since Angewomon was wearing her helmet again, she was unaware of the glare directed in DarkGatomon's direction.
"Out," Angewomon replied stiffly, clearly uncomfortable.
Kari blinked. "Why?"
"I needed to."
Kari frowned. "I thought we agreed there wouldn't be anymore secrets."
Now Angewomon frowned. "We did no such thing. You said you didn't want us to have secrets, and I told you there were some things I wasn't ready to tell you."
"Like where Gatomon's tail ring came from?"
Angewomon didn't speak for a long moment. Then she whispered fiercely, "Who told you that?"
Kari continued to stare at her Digimon partner. "Who do you think?"
Angewomon took a step closer to the bed. "I want her out of my home, Kari."
"Why? Because she's the only one willing to tell me the truth?"
"I have never lied to you, Kari."
"But you haven't told me everything, either! I know you worked for Myotismon, and I don't care! Why can't you understand that nothing in your past could make me stop caring about you?!"
Angewomon crossed her arms over her chest. "And has your precious black cat told you what her digivolved form is?"
"Yes, she did," Kari snapped. "Like I told you, I don't care. As far as I'm concerned, she's as welcome here as I am."
Angewomon hesitated. "Then maybe you both should leave," she whispered.
Kari blinked in shock. "You…you're kicking me out? ME?"
"I won't allow her to stay here, Kari. If you won't agree to that, then I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave, too."
Kari's mouth worked, but no sound came out. Then she cried, "Fine!" She whipped out her D-3 and threw it at Angewomon's feet. "Then you can just find yourself a new partner!" With that, she picked up DarkGatomon and stormed out of the room.
Sally suddenly emerged from under the bed, watching Kari leave, then giving a questioning look to Angewomon, who was staring at Kari's D-3. Finally, she pushed the D-3 over to Angewomon with her nose, purring in what she seemed to think was a helpful way.
Angewomon bent down to pick up the D-3 and Sally. "Oh, Sally," she sighed, "what have I done?"
Sally purred reassuringly and licked her cheek.
* * * * *
Next: Fate's Ball of String – Kari makes a startling choice, and Gatomon learns the truth from an old friend.
A feral grin appeared on Gatomon's face as she studied her opponent. The other cat was wounded severely, and there was no way for her to steal this victory. The battle would soon be over.
With an angry cry, she lunged forward, planning to pounce on her enemy and take her out with well-timed Lightning Claw.
Only it didn't really work out that way.
Instead, there was a blur of movement, followed by a shout of "Cat Kick!"
Gatomon yowled in pain as something slammed into her back, and she hit the dirt face first, unconsciousness taking her instantly.
Some time later, she woke up to find Lord Myotismon standing over her, his cruel laughter echoing off the cavern's high walls. But that wasn't what hurt the most.
Standing proudly by his side was DarkGatomon, once again the victor. But, as always, the celebration didn't quite reach her eyes. Instead, her golden gaze was fixed solely on Gatomon, filled with nothing but concern.
Not that it mattered much.
All Gatomon saw was pity, which she didn't need or want. With as much dignity as she could muster, she quickly got up, ignoring the pain in her back and the prickling sensation behind her eyes. She moved from the cavern with incredible speed, Myotismon's laughter and DarkGatomon's eyes following her as she fled up the staircase.
By the time she reached the tower and slammed the door behind her, tears were flowing freely from Gatomon's bright blue eyes. She wiped them away furiously, knowing it was useless but still feeling the need to be proud, strong, and invincible…everything she wasn't when she sparred with DarkGatomon. Sighing angrily, she threw herself onto the bed and buried her face in the pillows.
Ever since they'd both digivolved, Lord Myotismon had demanded that they fight each and every day. DarkGatomon always won, no matter what the conditions. She was clearly and naturally stronger, and the environment only enhanced her abilities. Myotismon favored her, of course, so even if Gatomon ever won, she would probably be punished worse than usual.
After an hour or so, the door creaked open, and a gentle paw came to rest on her head. "Gato?"
"Go away!" Gatomon sobbed, covering her ears. "Just…leave me alone!"
Still, the voice echoed inside her head. "You know you can't ignore me. Talk to me, Gato. Please?"
"NO! I HATE YOU! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"
The paw was drawn away in what she hoped was extremely painful shock, and she had a moment's peace.
"Gato…kitten…please. I'm so sorry. You know I am. Why are acting like this?"
"Because it's not fair! You always win! You were always his favorite! You never get punished!"
There was a patient sigh behind her. "Gato, we've been over this. I have to win, for both our sakes."
"No, you don't! Maybe you should get hurt sometimes! Then you'd know how it feels to be me!"
"You don't know what he'd do if I ever lost. You can't understand what would happen…"
Gatomon turned over and glared at DarkGatomon. "It can't be any worse than what he does to me for losing EVERY SINGLE TIME!"
DarkGatomon sighed again. "I said I was sorry, kitten. What else can I do?"
"You can lose!"
"No, I can't," she replied quietly, looking away. "Just trust me when I say that losing a fight is the worst thing I could do, in Lord Myotismon's eyes."
"Lying to me is the worst thing you can do to me in my eyes. Except for maybe when you're beating the crap out of me in front of him!"
DarkGatomon gave her a pained look. "I hurt you because I love you, Gato. You must know that by now."
"You don't love me! You just say that so I'll put up with you and your lies!"
The black cat just gazed at her for a moment. Then she climbed onto the bed. "Tell me where it hurts."
Gatomon blinked and looked up at her in surprise. "What…?"
"Tell me where it hurts," she repeated, looking at the white cat expectantly.
Gatomon felt a blush creeping up her neck. "What are you going to do if I tell you?"
Instead of answering, DarkGatomon seized her paw, caressing it gently. Slowly, she raised it to her mouth, staring into Gatomon's eyes as she lovingly licked the wounded flesh.
Gatomon shivered, though whether it was from DarkGatomon's penetrating gaze or her pink tongue, she couldn't be sure.
"Is that better?" DarkGatomon asked softly.
It was, but Gatomon didn't plan on encouraging her efforts. "I hate you," she muttered half-heartedly, yanking her paw away.
DarkGatomon stretched out beside her on the bed, entwining her black and violet striped tail around Gatomon's white and blue one. "Oh? Why?"
"Because every time I convince myself you're evil and mean, you do something like that."
"I see." She rubbed her cheek against Gatomon's. "I love you, too, kitten. But at least I can say it."
"No," Gatomon said stubbornly. "Because if I say it, then I'll start believing it. And then I wouldn't be able to fight you."
"You're not exactly endangering my win streak now, Gato," DarkGatomon reminded her.
"I almost got you today!"
DarkGatomon looked embarrassed. "I wouldn't say that too loudly to anyone else. I'm afraid that was…well…an illusion."
Gatomon frowned. "You used Hypnosis on me?!"
"I'm sorry, kitten. I didn't want to have to hurt you as much."
Gatomon wanted to be angry, but she didn't have the strength. "You'll always be better than me."
"Perhaps," DarkGatomon whispered, nuzzling her neck. "But you will always have my heart, Gato. No one else can say that. Ever."
Gatomon closed her eyes. "Careful. My neck's sore, too." She sighed and went limp at DarkGatomon's touches.
"Relax," DarkGatomon purred into her ear. "Let me take care of you, like I always do."
Within seconds, Gatomon was asleep.
"Sweet dreams, kitten," DarkGatomon whispered, resting her head on Gatomon's paw.
* * * * *
Gatomon woke up to find DarkGatomon gazing at her unashamedly. "You…watched me sleep?"
"You know I don't sleep at night. What else would you expect me to do?"
Gatomon blushed and sat up. "Something that wasn't totally creepy?"
"I thought watching over a loved one was a sign of loyalty. And if it was so creepy, why are you blushing?"
"Um…whatever. You can stop staring at me now."
"Yes," DarkGatomon agreed, "I can. But I don't think I will."
"Okay, now you're being creepy. At least blink!"
"No. I don't want to stop looking at you, even for a second."
Gatomon looked away. "You're embarrassing me!"
"No, I'm adoring you." DarkGatomon covered Gatomon's paw with her own. "I have to go for a while."
Gatomon instantly turned to look at her. "Why?"
"Myotismon," she replied simply. "It's big this time, I think."
"How big?"
"I would be gone…for a while. Maybe even a few months."
Gatomon's face fell. "Oh."
"I am sorry, Gato. I should've told you sooner…"
"No. Then I would've been mad until now. It's better this way. I guess."
"Will you…miss me?" DarkGatomon asked.
Gatomon appeared to be bored and studied her claws. "I might find time for that."
Though she knew it was Gatomon's way of putting up a brave front, DarkGatomon couldn't help wincing a bit. "Well, if you do…you can remember me with this." She opened Gatomon's paw and pressed something cold into it.
Gatomon blinked in shock. "Your tail ring? But you said you'd never part with it!"
"I won't. This is a copy, identical in every way. They came as a set. I want you to have this one."
"But…you're only supposed to give it to someone you-"
"Kitten," she interrupted gently, closing Gatomon's paw around the ring. "Keep it. Please."
Gatomon stared at her, then nodded. "You'll…come back, right?"
"I hope I never see this castle again. And I hope you find your way out as soon as I'm gone. There's nothing here for you, Gato. You can't grow here." Then she noticed Gatomon's worried expression. "Don't fret, kitten. I promise I'll come back to you one day. That's what the ring is for, after all."
Gatomon's grip on the ring tightened considerably. "Well…you'd better go, then."
DarkGatomon reached over and stroked her arm. "Gato…"
"Go," Gatomon said stiffly, not looking at her.
DarkGatomon sighed, then gently licked Gatomon's cheek. "Goodbye, kitten. I love you…"
Once she was alone, Gatomon brushed the tears from her eyes and carefully touched her cheek. "Bye."
* * * * *
DarkGatomon kept her eyes on the floor as the carriage finally came to a stop.
Myotismon shifted slightly. "Well, here you are. I expect you to serve Piedmon well."
"Yes, Lord."
"You might want to go ahead and digivolve now. If he sees you like this, he might be tempted to play with you."
DarkGatomon nodded and closed her eyes.
"Wait."
She froze. "Yes, Lord?"
"I don't have to ask what you think about when you digivolve, do I?"
DarkGatomon frowned. "No, Lord."
"You'd better do it outside. Your wings and all."
She nodded again and stepped outside, only to feel his icy grip on her arm.
"One more thing, my precious kitten."
DarkGatomon's eyes widened in shock.
"My old threat still stands," he hissed in her ear. "If I learn that Piedmon is displeased with your service, I think you know what will happen to your little friend."
She nodded slowly.
"I thought so." He released her. "Get on with it."
DarkGatomon's golden eyes flashed, and she could almost see Gatomon, anxiously awaiting her return.
The carriage flew off without warning, leaving her at the foot of the mountain. She glanced upward, then stretched her wings, testing them.
"You won't need those just yet, my dear."
Piedmon appeared before her, smiling mysteriously as he gave her a long, appraising look. "You'll do very nicely," he said at last. "For once, Myotismon chose well."
She said nothing.
"Well, let's go. I'll give you the grand tour." He smiled and offered her his hand. "Welcome to your new home, Lady Devimon."
* * * * *
Kari said nothing once DarkGatomon was done.
"I suppose you want me to leave now," the cat said. "Since you know I was the bodyguard of your enemy."
"Piedmon's gone," Kari replied. "So you're not really his bodyguard anymore, are you?"
"But I attacked Angewomon. You were there."
"Yes, I saw that. But I don't think you wanted to. Did you?"
DarkGatomon didn't say anything.
"Anyway, the Digimon Emperor is our enemy now. So unless you go running off to join him, I think you can stay here."
"Are you so certain, Kari? Have you asked Angewomon?"
Kari frowned. "No. Why would I need to?"
"You said it yourself. I'm different from any Salamon she's taken in. She may not want me here. I'd be shocked if she did."
"Well, if she wants to kick you out, she'll have to go through me."
DarkGatomon smirked. "Are you so determined to anger her?"
"No. But I am determined to make her listen to reason. Anyway, I know you're good now."
"Do you?"
Kari smiled. "Yes, I do. Sally says so. Right, Sally?"
Sally purred and rubbed against the black cat's cheek.
* * * * *
It was well after dark before Angewomon felt brave enough to return to her bedroom. She'd wanted to avoid a confrontation, but whether she feared Kari's wrath or DarkGatomon's presence more, she couldn't be sure of.
As she'd hoped, Kari was fast asleep, and DarkGatomon was nowhere to be found. With any luck, she'd already left, knowing she wasn't welcome.
Angewomon sat down on the bed and simply watched Kari sleep, absently reaching over to brush a loose strand of hair away from her face. It was then that she noticed a pair of gleaming, golden eyes watching her. They were also disturbingly close to Kari's head, and her own hand. With a startled cry, Angewomon drew her hand back, accidentally waking Kari.
Kari sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Angewomon? What's wrong?" She reached over and turned on the lamp near the bed.
Angewomon held in a growl as DarkGatomon neatly slid into Kari's lap, as if she'd always belonged there. She nearly lost it when Kari actually began to stroke the black cat.
"Where did you go earlier?" Kari asked. Since Angewomon was wearing her helmet again, she was unaware of the glare directed in DarkGatomon's direction.
"Out," Angewomon replied stiffly, clearly uncomfortable.
Kari blinked. "Why?"
"I needed to."
Kari frowned. "I thought we agreed there wouldn't be anymore secrets."
Now Angewomon frowned. "We did no such thing. You said you didn't want us to have secrets, and I told you there were some things I wasn't ready to tell you."
"Like where Gatomon's tail ring came from?"
Angewomon didn't speak for a long moment. Then she whispered fiercely, "Who told you that?"
Kari continued to stare at her Digimon partner. "Who do you think?"
Angewomon took a step closer to the bed. "I want her out of my home, Kari."
"Why? Because she's the only one willing to tell me the truth?"
"I have never lied to you, Kari."
"But you haven't told me everything, either! I know you worked for Myotismon, and I don't care! Why can't you understand that nothing in your past could make me stop caring about you?!"
Angewomon crossed her arms over her chest. "And has your precious black cat told you what her digivolved form is?"
"Yes, she did," Kari snapped. "Like I told you, I don't care. As far as I'm concerned, she's as welcome here as I am."
Angewomon hesitated. "Then maybe you both should leave," she whispered.
Kari blinked in shock. "You…you're kicking me out? ME?"
"I won't allow her to stay here, Kari. If you won't agree to that, then I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave, too."
Kari's mouth worked, but no sound came out. Then she cried, "Fine!" She whipped out her D-3 and threw it at Angewomon's feet. "Then you can just find yourself a new partner!" With that, she picked up DarkGatomon and stormed out of the room.
Sally suddenly emerged from under the bed, watching Kari leave, then giving a questioning look to Angewomon, who was staring at Kari's D-3. Finally, she pushed the D-3 over to Angewomon with her nose, purring in what she seemed to think was a helpful way.
Angewomon bent down to pick up the D-3 and Sally. "Oh, Sally," she sighed, "what have I done?"
Sally purred reassuringly and licked her cheek.
* * * * *
Next: Fate's Ball of String – Kari makes a startling choice, and Gatomon learns the truth from an old friend.