A/N: YES!!! Exams are finally DONE!!!!!! ^_^ OMG! I'm free.....*clears throat* Ah, yes....and thanx for the reviews again! You guys are so sweet ^- ^... Um...lets's see....okay well I'm in the mood for some sweet, kawaii...Takumi scenes for this chapter.... so....keep readin' I'll try not to make it so long this time ^_^;

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, Digimon Characters or any other related subjects that are directly copyrighted towards Toei Animation.

Note to QueenL1129/ Tubtub10 (more inside jokes): Hey, you still haven't time to read a story for your cousin, eh? :( Well I'll be waiting for a review....or a reply at the very least....hmph!...lol....(Ticker Tape...Ticker Tape...lol *whispers*--- tuck the chairs in...lol) GOOD TIMES, GOOD TIMES!!!

Note to Anime Master ZERO: I appreciate the suggestion of using the Japanese names of the Digimon. However, I was thinking since it's my take on the whole story (check the **note** below the jap vs. eng names) I thought I would use a type of (Digimon names/Names of characters) cross- over for their names, terms, attacks etc.(using Japanese + English)--This is because I'm accustomed to watching the English Version...Anyway, just to say...it's not a deliberate mistake...so sorry if you don't like it...^_^ hope you'll enjoy it for the plot, at least...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Pure of Heart: Netherworld Journey {I}

"This Chapter is Dedicated to QueenL...Superstar Diva and #1 Cuz"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Encounter with Deception, Kukuthmon's Ruse -Chapter 4- [Part 1]

......"It's true...Di-Cangmon has prophesized your coming." Galen ignored her, his eyes began studying them more thoroughly. "You are not here for your mere support."

"What are you trying to say?" said Takuya, standing upright again.

Galen paused once more, glowing even more with delight and awe.

"You are the Pure of Heart...the Digi-Destined... Your powers are unprecedented, your hearts of pure, your strength in battle surpasses many... You are the Legendary Warriors..." Galen smiled brightly.

"There are only the two of us, though." Izumi frowned in realization.

"We got separated from the rest." Takuya added.

"Yes...and so the prophecy says." Galen promptly replied. "The promised ones come to liberate our kind in... only.... one pair...no more, no less." .......

***

"You mean to say that...it would be just the two of us...fighting for you." Izumi found herself feeling unconvinced by this. "That can't be right, we fight united with our friends...any other way would fail to be suicide."

"It is what our ancestors believe to be your destiny." said Galen, composedly. "Do you know your destiny?"

"Yes." Izumi replied and unflinchingly stared him in the eyes. "I--We- -both know our purpose here. Though, we were never told of this one."

"Then...you do not want to help." Galen lowered his head sadly, he was left wringing his paws nervously.

"That's not what she means, Galen." Takuya stepped forwards, past Izumi. "She only means we don't understand--or know--of this prophecy. We were only aware of Ophanimon's mission and guidance to our destiny already told."

"That's right, I'm sorry Galen." Izumi quickly followed after Takuya. "I only meant to be confused in questioning your tribe's prophecy."

"It's quite alright." Galen lifted his head once more. "I didn't expect to find eager and willing warriors to surrender or even risk their lives for us, so quickly too."

"But that doesn't mean we're not willing...because... we are." replied Takuya, his glance shot towards Izumi in mutual agreement.

"And so we start a new journey, do we?" Izumi fully turned to Takuya, posing her question.

"It's just another obstacle we need to clear before rescuing Tomoki, that's all. And if we succeed, we may be able to save a few more lives along the way." Takuya turned to her, too, his eyes shone a sudden determined glint.

Takuya strode towards the stone pagoda temple to retrieve both Izumi and his' D-scanners. They would not budge from the stone temple. "What the-- ?"

"I'm afraid there is another side of the prophecy that I still have not mentioned." Galen sighed, sounding almost regretful. "To fight the battle against Hisamemon and her minions you must find your new strengths within another part of this netherworld. When you have finally fulfilled the prophecy you will then be restored back with your original devices."

"This is going to be ree--ally interesting." Takuya heaved a wearisome sigh and cast a uneasy glance towards Izumi.

"So, you will help us then?" Galen cried out hastily after hearing this. "We are already within your debt, children!"

"No debt needed." Takuya waved off casually. Though at that precise moment his stomach gave a distinct grumble. His face reddened. "On second thought, maybe you can treat us to lunch?"

Izumi irritably rolled her eyes, "You're hungry already?"

"No, bother. Come, I'm right about craving for some food as well." said Galen as he escorted them out of the chamber and back to their cavern room.

~~~~~~~~~

Takuya, Izumi and Galen sat down to their midday meal. There, where they sat at a small, crude rendition of a wooden table in a high-rise pantry of the tribe's caverns, they were lively conversing. The pantry area protruded upwards from the below caverns to create a loft-like appearance above the trees in a nearby valley, its height was mostly defined by the mountain the lofty pantry was situated within. A splendour from all sides and angles of the pantry could be seen from the stone-carved window opening in front of them. To their left was the towering sight of a waterfall glistening as the sun's rays reflected off its plunging waters. To the middle was the boundless scenery of a valley full of lush translucent- leafed trees and luridly coloured blossoms--the blossoms were colossal in height compared to its neighbouring trees. To their right was the foreboding forest they had just recently escaped danger from.

"The food is wonderful, Galen." said Izumi, her face lit up as more Mahonmon came with another assortment of food trays.

"You are most welcome, child." Galen chortled in reply.

"Cheif Mahonmon, Sire." a tiny laurel-decorated head had suddenly appeared at the side of the pantry's doorway. "You are urgently needed below ground...Akio has news from the above land."

"Very well then." Galen coolly answered, he turned to Takuya and Izumi. "This will only take a few moments. I will briefly return. Enjoy your meal."

As the last hem of Galen's cloak swiftly disappeared from the exiting doorway, Takuya exchanged a curious glance towards Izumi. "What was that all about?"

Izumi shrugged her shoulders. Takuya, after a few minutes of curiosity, shrugged it off, too.

"Takuya?" Izumi lowered her chopsticks to face him.

"Yeah," Takuya leveled his eyes to meet hers.

"I was just thinking of Tomoki, again." she said placidly.

Takuya stayed silent for a moment, thinking longingly of his dream earlier that morning.

"I--I just wondered if he's still alright...If we did the right thing in delaying his rescue, again." said Izumi, her eyes averted from Takuya's. "It's just that he's so young and--and--"

"Strong." Takuya gently interrupted her. "He's been through a lot...helping us fight...fighting on his own..."

"It's just that Lucemon could be torturing him...and we can't even help--" said Izumi cut him off.

"He's been through so many tests with us, Izumi." it was Takuya's turn to cut her off. "He had so many fears when he entered the Digital World...and yet he stayed by our side to battle...even risking his own life for his friends. Even when he was possessed--you remember, right?"

Izumi nodded.

"Well, he fought the urge to give into the dark...he could have really hurt us...we could have hurt him...but he came through, didn't he?" Takuya said. "He's a lot more stronger and grown up than you think, Izumi."

Izumi nodded silently, again.

"I just know he'll survive..." said Takuya, gazing into the scenery beyond. "I know it..."

"You really think the best of everyone, don't you?" said Izumi, causing Takuya's thoughts to stir.

"I do." replied Takuya earnestly. "Like I know we'll all make it through...even if we do seem really lost right now."

Izumi bowed her head dejectedly. Takuya felt rather than saw her eyes water.

"I know it's hard just guessing whether he's alright or not." replied Takuya. "But you've got to have faith in Tomoki's strength, Izumi. I do... in yours, too..."

Izumi's face ascended, her startling emerald eyes put on a fierce battle with the tears.

"Listen, I know its hard...with the luck we've been having since Lucemon escaped and all. But...I still believe we can make it. I know--you--can."

'Takuya..." Izumi breathed, the tears had surrendered from falling. "I'm trying...it's hard...but I'm trying."

"I know you're stronger than this." Takuya convicted genuinely.

A long pause had followed afterwards, Izumi's free hand had slowly reached over to Takuya's, their faces alike; both looking brightly red. Takuya soundlessly opened his mouth, his stomach gave a few odd flips and he dearly wished that this strange feeling would stop making him act so stupidly mute. He kept avidly watching her eyes as if battling to win a staring contest and eventually another odd flip in his stomach was evidently caused by Izumi's widening smile. Takuya, aside from hearing the frantic beat of his heart and feeling the nervous beads of sweat that had suddenly trickled at the side of his face, couldn't help but feel touched by the warm smile she gave him. The smile that radiated of warmth and made her eyes dance. The smile that, he regretfully had soon been aware of, became even less seldom than before. And as if Takuya had felt a sudden inclination to confess something, he opened his mouth again. Nothing was said.

"Let's...erm...stop acting so glum all the time...I'm real tired of crying." a flustered Izumi said, her face looking rather red again from embarrassment.

In time, through yet another eventual awkward silence, Takuya began to rethink his last thought of confession.

"Yeah," Takuya replied, "That's good." The sides of his face felt rather damp from nervous sweat.

What's more, they still held each other hands. Izumi stared at this and felt another blush creeping up her neck. She turned the other way and they soon, both, abruptly let go.

Then as she turned to face him again, her eyes began to brighten as she suddenly came into realization. "I've got something for you."

Izumi went to the back of the pantry. As she approached him once more, her hands to her back, her face broke out into another heart warming smile.

Izumi's hands revealed two items in which Takuya had graciously took from her.

"How did you--" Takuya started.

"Chiara is wonderful at mending broken things. Before we left I quickly gave them to her to find a way to stitch, knit, tape, glue...whatever it took to restore them." Izumi explained, looking extremely proud of herself.

"They look newer than I last had them!" Takuya exclaimed. "Thanks, Izumi."

Izumi beamed.

Taking his hat placing it backwards and fastening the goggles on top of his backwards cap, Takuya quickly stared out at the outdoors' scenery where something eerily strange materialized out of nowhere.

"Izumi!" Takuya nudged her arm and pointed towards a dark patch in the valley bellow. "What's that!?"

Deep within the fairly wooded area of the valley, Takuya motioned his finger towards a large beast-like figure. It sprinted in a fast and unnatural way, as if it could fly rather than run.

Seconds later Galen came looking horror-stricken and frightfully aghast. "Kukuthmon is attacking our caverns...you must flee from here!"

"What!" Izumi cried. "Where are all the Mahonmon! Are any of them hurt?"

"No. We are all taking refuge in Di-Cangmon's Chamber keep. You must leave this place, we will all be found out. And if we are found by Kukuthmon you will be found out as well. If you leave now you'll at least be out of sight." Galen said all of this in panicked rush.

"No!" Izumi cried, again. "We can't just leave you here!"

"You must!" Galen was near screaming. "You must not be found, Kukuthmon will surely kill you if you do not leave now!"

"Izumi, come on!" Takuya finally spoke. "They'll be safe in the inside that chamber. We'll be back to save them. Galen's right, if we're found we won't be able to fight without our D-Scanners... we have to find another hideout."

"But--" Izumi looked frantically to Takuya then back to Galen. "Galen, what if we're too late in helping you...what if Kukuthmon finds you first!"

"NOW!" Galen thundered, his paws raised towards them. Each paw emitting a blinding light that soon swallowed both Takuya and Izumi.

Both felt a consuming, exhilarating sensation washing over their bodies; twisting, whirling and elevating farther upwards into, what seemed to be a portal.

~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: YAY! Finished this chapter without making it into a novel itself...though it is kinda short...ah well I'll compensate for it NEXT Chapter ^_^! OooooooOOOooooOOO......where are Izumi and Takuya going to end up??? Keep reading to find out!! ^-^ R&R! PLEASE!