A/N: Gomen (Sorry) it took so long....I was temporarily suffering from
Massive Writer's Block.....Anyways, thank you again for your reviews! I
can't get enough of your comments, you guys are sooooo sweet! It took all
my will power to limit myself on how much Takuminess I could put in this
chappie! This chapter will hopefully shed some new light on some of the
confusions of the Lodestones (black stones; holding new powers for Takuya
and Izumi).
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, Digimon Characters or any other related subjects that are directly copyrighted towards Toei Animation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Pure of Heart: Netherworld Journey {I}
In Dedication to Christina..."MY TOM IS BETTER!"-Christina (Like my stories of dragons, floating bears and battles with unearthly creatures....this statement is FICTION!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Lodestones -Chapter 6-
The soothing silence in the air finally settled in for the night. Each and every Mahonmon had slept exceptionally well that day, considering their previous ordeal with Kukuthmon. Though there were still ones awake, away from their cozy beds and away from their warm cavern rooms. They had stepped away from these tempting comforts and ventured into the breezy winds of the outdoor evening. They--Takuya, Izumi and Galen--stood quite still with one another gazing downward from the pantry balcony. Each one suspiciously spying the valley's darkened scenery. Kukuthmon's warning of Nagamon had made the night's cool, serene atmosphere seem severely tense. However, at the instance of an uneasy hesitation of conversation Galen's ever placid voice had cut through the tangible silence.
"Nuskumon, the Digimon captured within the Samurai Warrior beset with the spirit of fire...Takuya, you possess the Lodestone that these powers are bestowed within." said Galen, his large, iridescent eyes peered wide- eyed with wonder at him.
Takuya let these new revelations sink in as he focused his sight to the deep, compelling colour of the Lodestone he held; it was an alluring black and seemed to hold much more mystery than his inner strength of Nuskumon. Izumi had been doing quite the same silent pondering.
Galen, without taking his gaze away from avidly watching the full moon's enchanting glow, spoke once again with his somber tone. "Yonhamon, the Digimon captured within the Samurai Warrior that tames the Western Gales...Izumi, your Lodestone endows you with the powers of the fierce winds."
Galen slowly and finally turned to Izumi, his eyes larger than before and filled with the same glint of wonderment. "The Agate Amulet has been activated by your bond with one another. The Amulet must have sensed your strengths...strengthening...and the unspoken promise you made to assure your safety for one another."
Izumi, still intently listening, found herself being flustered with many questions. In her hand was her own Lodestone, just as deeply black as Takuya's own and even more so as compelling to gaze upon. The two children remained silent while occasionally lifting their eyes only to study the starry sky above them.
"The Agate Amulet was strong as one jewel, though, the Lodestone separation made its powers in yourselves and your capability with telepathy... stronger." said Galen, sounding as if he had memorized this eloquent speech.
"But--how--" said Izumi, finally averting her watchful trance from her Lodestone.
"The prophecy speaks of the Legendary Warriors connecting with three special bonds. The trust, the friendship and the love..." Galen explained slowly.
Takuya stifled a rather noisy choking sound; he reacted in alarm by hearing Galen's last words. A mounting heat had begun to burn his cheeks. Izumi caught his eye but quickly looked away, she too had felt startled by Galen's statement.
"With these three bonds...you two are inseparable with power." Galen continued, ignoring Takuya's abrupt choking sounds. "This is how you summoned your new strengths."
"And...what about Nagamon?" asked Izumi, the redness in her face subsiding. "Kukuthmon said he would be after us, too."
"Nagamon. Kukuthmon's partner. They were both loyal followers of Hisamemon. He is a vicious Digimon--" Galen began.
"And probably just as ugly." Takuya snorted. "They're all the same."
"Right." Galen smothered his chortle with a more stern tone. "But nevertheless a dangerous Digimon--even more so than Kukuthmon. Nagamon is a deadly serpent Digimon that also collects data for Hisamemon."
"So basically, Nagamon isn't going to be any easier to defeat." Izumi said, her eyes wistfully roaming among the stars above.
"No one every said any of this would be easy." replied Takuya, sighing. "Galen, where is Nagamon now."
"He resides within the Ruins of the Fijian Tribes....southward of our Caverns to the Isle of Mae," Galen started, his voice grew softer as he then began to reminisce. "years ago it was a wonderful tribe that lived in peace with our kind..."
Galen heaved a heavy sigh to continue, "Lucemon had changed however...and with that came the Netherworld he had created...changing, too. All of us-- the Mahonmon...Kukuthmon...Nagamon...and even Hisamemon--have completely altered our existence here--our way of life. We were never this quarrelsome before. This land was a paradise not a divided misery."
Izumi nodded her head in saddened pity. Hearing the story retold again brought their situation to an even more depressing state. Takuya's brows furrowing deeper, he felt Galen's silent pains fuming inside his veins. They both felt Galen's misery, the tingling sense of his presence engulfing within both Takuya and Izumi's thoughts. This new telepathy had evoked his feelings into a physical connection between all of them. It flowed ominously throughout their minds like stinging memories capturing all the anger, fear, sorrow and compassion of the past. Though these feelings were scrambled, somehow they felt more clear and distinct than words being spoken aloud.
"Galen," Takuya pocketed his Lodestone and finally turned to him, "We're here to change things, too...for the better...We're not going to let you down."
Takuya felt that same warm, pleasant sensation from before. Galen had taken this promise in genuine gratefulness.
"Children, I know your intentions and promises are worthy of my praise and thanks," said Galen. "but I sometimes wonder if we, the Tribe of Mahonmon and I, should be helping you in this battle rather than guide you through it."
Takuya fell silent. Izumi however, decided to speak. "Have you ever tried to fight back?"
Galen paused in thought before answering. "Many times. Though we have failed in all our attempts. We are not strong enough. We cannot digivolve."
"Why not?" Takuya asking him as if this was impossible.
"It is another mystery to our existence here." replied Galen, sadly. "But, listen...you are the true heroes in this fight...in our time of need, it is you who must battle...Our place is to suffer in bondage and wait until we are liberated."
"But--" Izumi began in pity.
"No." Galen interrupted firmly. "You must focus on your departure to the Isle of Mae, not our problems with Digivolving."
Takuya nodded. "How are we going to get there? We don't have any way of crossing the ocean to get to the Isle."
"Ah, there you are mistaken." Galen finally lifted his frown to smile. "Izumi, you will be the one to summon the ancient beast, Yoseimon."
Izumi frowned in confusion. "Who?"
"Yoseimon, the beast Digimon which belongs to Yonhamon...who is you, Izumi." Galen explained. "Your tamed beast which is only summoned by you. You shall ride to the Isle of Mae by Yoseimon's flight."
"But--I--I don't know how--" Izumi began.
"We will begin preparations for Yoseimon's summoning tomorrow." said Galen. "I am sorry children, but the proper hour for this ritual will have to begin at dawn."
"Great." Takuya mumbled miserably.
"So, I suggest we all be getting to bed now. " yawned Galen as he escorted them out of the pantry room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Takuya and Izumi had slipped into their separate beds as midnight approached. Izumi lay aimlessly staring up at the stone ceiling. Takuya lay restlessly tossing and turning in his bed; he was still very much awake. Then, Izumi's startling voice suddenly rang out of the silence and left Takuya tumbling out of bed.
"Takuya?" Izumi turned to her right side. "Are you--"
Takuya waved off her concern as he stopped rubbing his sore head and slipped back into his bed. Izumi awkwardly began her sentence with soundless mouth movements. Takuya stared at her curiously.
"It's about...it's about your aura...I mean, how I saw it." said Izumi.
Izumi went on explaining about her encounter with Di-Cangmon's Dragon, Ryujinmon, and his advice in which she took when she had faced Kukuthmon's shape-shifting form as a fake Takuya. As she finished Takuya remained silent.
"It's true, Takuya." said Izumi, sounding almost pleading for his trust.
"I know...I believe you." he finally said.
"You do?" said Izumi, looking doubtful of his sudden response.
"How else would you know what I was thinking when I finally found you?" Takuya simply replied, he turned his gaze upward and into the shadows to hide his reddening face.
"That you care--" Izumi abruptly stopped herself. "Oh--"
The awkward silence had, again, ambushed their seemingly normal conversation. Little did they know, that during their stubborn silence each of their minds had been set to exact same moment just hours ago. The kiss.
"We don't have to talk about it, do we?" Takuya broke through the absense of speech and brought his question to sound as if he were complaining.
Izumi pursed her lips irritably. He was after all just a boy, she thought rolling her eyes. "I guess not." she finally scoffed.
"I--I--If you want..." Takuya began, once again spluttering nervously.
"I'm sorry I ever did...what I did." she quickly said and looked away, taking sudden interest in staring at the ceiling. "Anyway, we better be getting to bed. We won't have any strength left for tomorrow if we don't rest."
Izumi quickly shut her eyes and turned her back to him. Takuya winced to hear her last words echoing of bitter and spiteful displeasure.
"Izumi...." Takuya called. "Don't be sorry."
Too late. She had fallen asleep hearing not a single word of his remorse or apology.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: AWWWW....I hate leaving their relationship in the cold....but it has to be. All relationships have to suffer during a period of awkwardness and tribulation, anyway....(it would be uncharacteristic to make Takuya gush [as in putting too much mushiness] about how fabulous the kiss was... -__- ;;; that would be horrible!) DON'T WORRY FELLOW HARDCORE TAKUMI FANS... I'll have plenty of kawaii Takuminess to compensate for this horrible ending of a poor excuse of a chapter....sorry again.... hoping you're still here to R&R .......
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, Digimon Characters or any other related subjects that are directly copyrighted towards Toei Animation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Pure of Heart: Netherworld Journey {I}
In Dedication to Christina..."MY TOM IS BETTER!"-Christina (Like my stories of dragons, floating bears and battles with unearthly creatures....this statement is FICTION!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Lodestones -Chapter 6-
The soothing silence in the air finally settled in for the night. Each and every Mahonmon had slept exceptionally well that day, considering their previous ordeal with Kukuthmon. Though there were still ones awake, away from their cozy beds and away from their warm cavern rooms. They had stepped away from these tempting comforts and ventured into the breezy winds of the outdoor evening. They--Takuya, Izumi and Galen--stood quite still with one another gazing downward from the pantry balcony. Each one suspiciously spying the valley's darkened scenery. Kukuthmon's warning of Nagamon had made the night's cool, serene atmosphere seem severely tense. However, at the instance of an uneasy hesitation of conversation Galen's ever placid voice had cut through the tangible silence.
"Nuskumon, the Digimon captured within the Samurai Warrior beset with the spirit of fire...Takuya, you possess the Lodestone that these powers are bestowed within." said Galen, his large, iridescent eyes peered wide- eyed with wonder at him.
Takuya let these new revelations sink in as he focused his sight to the deep, compelling colour of the Lodestone he held; it was an alluring black and seemed to hold much more mystery than his inner strength of Nuskumon. Izumi had been doing quite the same silent pondering.
Galen, without taking his gaze away from avidly watching the full moon's enchanting glow, spoke once again with his somber tone. "Yonhamon, the Digimon captured within the Samurai Warrior that tames the Western Gales...Izumi, your Lodestone endows you with the powers of the fierce winds."
Galen slowly and finally turned to Izumi, his eyes larger than before and filled with the same glint of wonderment. "The Agate Amulet has been activated by your bond with one another. The Amulet must have sensed your strengths...strengthening...and the unspoken promise you made to assure your safety for one another."
Izumi, still intently listening, found herself being flustered with many questions. In her hand was her own Lodestone, just as deeply black as Takuya's own and even more so as compelling to gaze upon. The two children remained silent while occasionally lifting their eyes only to study the starry sky above them.
"The Agate Amulet was strong as one jewel, though, the Lodestone separation made its powers in yourselves and your capability with telepathy... stronger." said Galen, sounding as if he had memorized this eloquent speech.
"But--how--" said Izumi, finally averting her watchful trance from her Lodestone.
"The prophecy speaks of the Legendary Warriors connecting with three special bonds. The trust, the friendship and the love..." Galen explained slowly.
Takuya stifled a rather noisy choking sound; he reacted in alarm by hearing Galen's last words. A mounting heat had begun to burn his cheeks. Izumi caught his eye but quickly looked away, she too had felt startled by Galen's statement.
"With these three bonds...you two are inseparable with power." Galen continued, ignoring Takuya's abrupt choking sounds. "This is how you summoned your new strengths."
"And...what about Nagamon?" asked Izumi, the redness in her face subsiding. "Kukuthmon said he would be after us, too."
"Nagamon. Kukuthmon's partner. They were both loyal followers of Hisamemon. He is a vicious Digimon--" Galen began.
"And probably just as ugly." Takuya snorted. "They're all the same."
"Right." Galen smothered his chortle with a more stern tone. "But nevertheless a dangerous Digimon--even more so than Kukuthmon. Nagamon is a deadly serpent Digimon that also collects data for Hisamemon."
"So basically, Nagamon isn't going to be any easier to defeat." Izumi said, her eyes wistfully roaming among the stars above.
"No one every said any of this would be easy." replied Takuya, sighing. "Galen, where is Nagamon now."
"He resides within the Ruins of the Fijian Tribes....southward of our Caverns to the Isle of Mae," Galen started, his voice grew softer as he then began to reminisce. "years ago it was a wonderful tribe that lived in peace with our kind..."
Galen heaved a heavy sigh to continue, "Lucemon had changed however...and with that came the Netherworld he had created...changing, too. All of us-- the Mahonmon...Kukuthmon...Nagamon...and even Hisamemon--have completely altered our existence here--our way of life. We were never this quarrelsome before. This land was a paradise not a divided misery."
Izumi nodded her head in saddened pity. Hearing the story retold again brought their situation to an even more depressing state. Takuya's brows furrowing deeper, he felt Galen's silent pains fuming inside his veins. They both felt Galen's misery, the tingling sense of his presence engulfing within both Takuya and Izumi's thoughts. This new telepathy had evoked his feelings into a physical connection between all of them. It flowed ominously throughout their minds like stinging memories capturing all the anger, fear, sorrow and compassion of the past. Though these feelings were scrambled, somehow they felt more clear and distinct than words being spoken aloud.
"Galen," Takuya pocketed his Lodestone and finally turned to him, "We're here to change things, too...for the better...We're not going to let you down."
Takuya felt that same warm, pleasant sensation from before. Galen had taken this promise in genuine gratefulness.
"Children, I know your intentions and promises are worthy of my praise and thanks," said Galen. "but I sometimes wonder if we, the Tribe of Mahonmon and I, should be helping you in this battle rather than guide you through it."
Takuya fell silent. Izumi however, decided to speak. "Have you ever tried to fight back?"
Galen paused in thought before answering. "Many times. Though we have failed in all our attempts. We are not strong enough. We cannot digivolve."
"Why not?" Takuya asking him as if this was impossible.
"It is another mystery to our existence here." replied Galen, sadly. "But, listen...you are the true heroes in this fight...in our time of need, it is you who must battle...Our place is to suffer in bondage and wait until we are liberated."
"But--" Izumi began in pity.
"No." Galen interrupted firmly. "You must focus on your departure to the Isle of Mae, not our problems with Digivolving."
Takuya nodded. "How are we going to get there? We don't have any way of crossing the ocean to get to the Isle."
"Ah, there you are mistaken." Galen finally lifted his frown to smile. "Izumi, you will be the one to summon the ancient beast, Yoseimon."
Izumi frowned in confusion. "Who?"
"Yoseimon, the beast Digimon which belongs to Yonhamon...who is you, Izumi." Galen explained. "Your tamed beast which is only summoned by you. You shall ride to the Isle of Mae by Yoseimon's flight."
"But--I--I don't know how--" Izumi began.
"We will begin preparations for Yoseimon's summoning tomorrow." said Galen. "I am sorry children, but the proper hour for this ritual will have to begin at dawn."
"Great." Takuya mumbled miserably.
"So, I suggest we all be getting to bed now. " yawned Galen as he escorted them out of the pantry room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Takuya and Izumi had slipped into their separate beds as midnight approached. Izumi lay aimlessly staring up at the stone ceiling. Takuya lay restlessly tossing and turning in his bed; he was still very much awake. Then, Izumi's startling voice suddenly rang out of the silence and left Takuya tumbling out of bed.
"Takuya?" Izumi turned to her right side. "Are you--"
Takuya waved off her concern as he stopped rubbing his sore head and slipped back into his bed. Izumi awkwardly began her sentence with soundless mouth movements. Takuya stared at her curiously.
"It's about...it's about your aura...I mean, how I saw it." said Izumi.
Izumi went on explaining about her encounter with Di-Cangmon's Dragon, Ryujinmon, and his advice in which she took when she had faced Kukuthmon's shape-shifting form as a fake Takuya. As she finished Takuya remained silent.
"It's true, Takuya." said Izumi, sounding almost pleading for his trust.
"I know...I believe you." he finally said.
"You do?" said Izumi, looking doubtful of his sudden response.
"How else would you know what I was thinking when I finally found you?" Takuya simply replied, he turned his gaze upward and into the shadows to hide his reddening face.
"That you care--" Izumi abruptly stopped herself. "Oh--"
The awkward silence had, again, ambushed their seemingly normal conversation. Little did they know, that during their stubborn silence each of their minds had been set to exact same moment just hours ago. The kiss.
"We don't have to talk about it, do we?" Takuya broke through the absense of speech and brought his question to sound as if he were complaining.
Izumi pursed her lips irritably. He was after all just a boy, she thought rolling her eyes. "I guess not." she finally scoffed.
"I--I--If you want..." Takuya began, once again spluttering nervously.
"I'm sorry I ever did...what I did." she quickly said and looked away, taking sudden interest in staring at the ceiling. "Anyway, we better be getting to bed. We won't have any strength left for tomorrow if we don't rest."
Izumi quickly shut her eyes and turned her back to him. Takuya winced to hear her last words echoing of bitter and spiteful displeasure.
"Izumi...." Takuya called. "Don't be sorry."
Too late. She had fallen asleep hearing not a single word of his remorse or apology.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: AWWWW....I hate leaving their relationship in the cold....but it has to be. All relationships have to suffer during a period of awkwardness and tribulation, anyway....(it would be uncharacteristic to make Takuya gush [as in putting too much mushiness] about how fabulous the kiss was... -__- ;;; that would be horrible!) DON'T WORRY FELLOW HARDCORE TAKUMI FANS... I'll have plenty of kawaii Takuminess to compensate for this horrible ending of a poor excuse of a chapter....sorry again.... hoping you're still here to R&R .......