Children of the Digital

by Debbie Dai-chan

Part Fourteen: Get a comfortable seat and popcorn, people, because this chapter is a longie. You probably want to take a couple of breaks in between. :p The Nature Children go off to talk with Holy Beasts and Oikawa and Seijamon have their moments.

13. Time to Fight

Author's Note (Man, I blame Dr. Pepper on that.)

Dai-chan and I walk in, carrying a large box. They put it down as Demy enters, struggling with a large slingshot. He couldn't carry any further and he drops along with it to the ground, panting.

Dai picks it up and grins at the poor bat. "Tryin' to prove your wimpy strength?"

Demy glares hotly as he wobbly takes to the air. "Don't make me give you another beauty mark, you evil duplicate . . ."

"Stop, you two," I scold as Dai dodges under the Digimon's swipe. "It's bad enough having to listen to you bickering all the time off-screen. Save it for later."

"Yeah, well, you can't blame us," Demy says as he perches on my shoulder. "You haven't been working on the saga for a while. I'm surprised that you even got a flame - MFMH!"

Demy chokes on Dai's hat, in which I managed to jam it in his mouth.

"Hey! How dare you get that bat slobber on my hat!" Dai howls, stomping her foot. "Gimme! I feel naked ALREADY!"

"First, finish setting the slingshot and I will even clean your hat," I grin as Dai scowls back.

"What will we do now, anyway?" Dai says as she neatly sets the slingshot. She then wrinkles her nose in disgust at the angry choking sounds Demy muffles in her hat. Demy is held in my hands, kept a distance to avoid his struggles to claw at my neck.

"We will answer the reviews," I answer as I walk to the box.

"Oh, great!" Dai claps her hands in glee. "It's such a while since you answered the reviews of Friends of the Stones. Heh, I even thought you've lost your sense of humor - GCK!"

"Shut up, sister," I hiss as I then shove her hat in her mouth.

Dai flashes me a white-hot glare. "Mf mf, mfph mfphmf, mf mf, mfh MOPH! Mfph mf mf Mmoph!"

"Sorry, I'm not fluent in the Muffled Language," I admit. "Now, can we begin this?"

"Mph mphmf mm mf mm." Dai then spits out her hat, putting it on despite her and the bat's spittle, and stands behind the slingshot. "Ready."

"Demy! Pillow!" I order. Demy digs in the box and gets out a pillow with the world first picture of Prophetmon on the pillowcase. I grin. "Kyer, here it is, for your screams." I then throw it to Dai.

"Heads up!" Dai hollers as she slings the pillow right out the screen. It's unknown if Kyer gets it or not. I'm just an author. :)

"Demy! My dictionary!" I then duck as Demy badly aims the red-covered dictionary at me. "Nice throw, Batman." I pick up the dictionary and looks up the right page I need. I then tear it out.

Demy blinks in surprise. "Debbie? What're you doing, tearing out a page from your dictionary? You always have this murderous gaze in your eyes whenever I try doing that!"

I wave the page, grinning. "This is for another reviewer." Then it hits me. I scowl at my Digimon. "You tried to tear a page out of my dictionary?"

Demy tries to hide his growing sweatdrop from me. "No! Honestly!" He hurriedly throws it in the box, momentarily dampening the stuff inside.

Not noticing the bat, I crumble the page into a ball and throw it to Dai, which, in turn, slings it out the screen. I say, "Hey, gerjomarty, if you hear me, here are the answers to your questions. The question with Nikhai's Heart Name of Mask is kinda obvious. Just look up the meaning of the word. It should give you an idea why she has it. And, no, Cleo is not trapped in the garden. She's trapped in her mind. The Garden is actually a memory from Nikhai, which, yes, the First Battle occurred." I grin. "I like you, gerjomarty, you're a brilliant guy. Also, the name Eugene should be obvious. Someone has a nickname out from that name."

Demy begins to poke me with one of his mauve talons. My warning glares have no effect on him. "Would you please stop poking me?!"

"Don't forgot the title you promised gerjomarty," Demy says as he waves a new paper in my face.

"Right." I dig in the box and gets out a small card that is a nice yellow color with green lines running across. There are black words stamped on the front. 'The Most Inquisitive Official Reviewer of FanFiction.Net' "Congrats, gerjomarty!" I make a cool Gambit-like throw with the card that flies prettily out the screen.

Meanwhile, Dai appears to muse on one of the suggestions I made for the readers, then gasp in realization. "Eugene! You mean it's actually - " Her next word is cut off by the throw of my dictionary. The force knocks her out of her insane consciousness.

Demy watches as she makes a nice slow collapse. You know, one of those cool anime falls? He then holds up a Eight sign for the flashy background. He turns to me and says, "You ARE watching too much Anime, Debbie."

"Rassum frassum . . . " I stick my tongue at him, then turn to the screen. "Hey, sailormoonshadow, I'm glad you like my fictions. I would give you a kiss, but I won't." I then order Demy, "Batman, give her a kiss for me."

"What?!" Demy gasps. "There is no way I will kiss anybody! I'm a Viral Digimon, come on! I'm *supposed* to be evil!"

"Demy, I would give her a kiss, but it will bring up some issues that I wish not to discuss. You're male, so it makes sense."

"So?!" He flashes his talons in what he hopes to be a threatening position.

"Kiss her!"

"Make me!"

Demy flees from my wrath as I chase after him out of the screen. After a moment, Dai wakes and clumsily sits up.

"Ow . . . That's it. No more Mountain Dew with added cinnamon for me." She notices that she is alone and feels a bit lonely. She goes to the box and checks if there is any more review. Sure enough, there is! Dai takes her time reading the review, having a bit of difficultly, despite that she was the altered personality of this author. *sighs* She then faces the screen.

"Victorious Light, you won't have to wait for any more. This is the next chapter of 'Children of the Digital'! I'm so excited because of this new discovery . . ." Grinning like the devil she is, Dai quietly hisses to you, "If you want a mysterious character, try Eugene. I found that he's really-"

My Japanese fan once again flies out and slaps her out of her insanity.

"No one CAN overcome the author!"

"Oh, yeah? Well, you can't make me kiss her!"

"It's only textual!"

The Disclaimer, yes? Yeah.

Children of the Digital

Chapter Thirteen: It will be the time to fight.

By Debbie (Dai-chan)

The small shrine was tended with affection.

She didn't know that there was a shrine in the Digiworld, didn't know that the Digimon would use a shrine to give thanks to spirits. She always thought that if there were spirits inhabiting the world, they would be Digimon, for she saw them as just digital spirits came to life by dreams and wishes of the humans. But maybe, then, there were spirits after all, watching over the Digimon. Everywhere in the Digiworld, there was something from the Real World that seemed out of place. These places were known as places of worship, places of respect, set by the ancient folk to hold spirits, fey folks, ghosts, such in respect.

Sand paintings and totems of Native American Indians, even though they were altered to fit the views of the Digimon. Circles of stones hidden somewhere in the jungles or inside buildings; for instance, the Friends of the Stones. Even these small Asian shrines.

She didn't know that Destiny Island had one. It already held several places that appeared to be from everywhere on the Real World. The Villa that was European, gigantic, and yet built with Japanese sliding doors, wide round roofs of African huts, and English furniture inside. A garden nearby that was wide and winding, full with wild Earth plants and flowers, so thick that no one could walk through without the danger of scratches and itches from thorns and twigs. A Zen Garden was set within the jungle. She was sure that there were more to see on the island.

When she found out about a shrine hidden under vines and dead leaves, it was from Daisuke.

She was very surprised to find that Daisuke was the one who found it. Standing amidst undergrowth and the towering jungle trees, Hikari watched as Daisuke silently cleaned the tiny well in the center of the altar before he added crystal clear water in it. He looked so calm, deep in though, which was rare for the wild boy. Maybe there was a side to him that she didn't see before. He sounded very blithe, even his eyes were bright when he told his friends that he found a neglected shrine somewhere in the jungle. To his slight disappointment, none of them sounded as enthusiastic as he was. Even the Buddhist Iori just smiled and nodded.

Daisuke didn't look hurt at all; he just shrugged and departed. Hikari, although, followed after him, curious. And now that she watched him pulling the vines off the stones and brushed off leaves, she found herself growing fond of him. She saw a new light in his eyes. Pride burned in his tawny eyes, but not the kind of pride that spoke of arrogance and vanity. No, that pride had changed into a new pride, humble and honored, that he held highly. He was proud of himself, and only because he was befriended, respected, and loved. He kept these traits valuable than his own pride.

She almost could see the white cloak swaying from his shoulders (it only appeared when he summoned on his power), adding its magnificence to his self. He looked marvelous with his two swords, when he summoned on his power to show them off. With the white cloak, his bronze hair free from the goggles, and the shining nightblade and fireblade in his hands, he looked like a gallant knight. She thought he was handsome. And that, she was surprised to think that way. She knew she denied that he looked handsome, rather seen him as a reckless, gawky boy who was a clown . . .

And she liked it . . .

A new level of affection warmed in her chest, and Hikari shyly smiled. She was glad that she encouraged Gatomon to get Veemon out of the way. The Cat Digimon looked slightly appalled for having to be stuck with the cheeky blue beast, but she had fondness of him, and she didn't hesitate to take him away. Veemon was more than happy to do so; he was bored watching his Partner cleaning the bored shrine.

She made sure she didn't hear any more rustling from the Digimon and eyed Daisuke. He didn't even notice that Veemon was gone; he was engrossed with the shrine. She was surprised to see that he was tending to a sacred place, but then once he had his mind set on something, it was impossible to shift it away. He showed devotion to it, nursing and rearranging the fallen stones back in place. She waited until Daisuke knelt in front of the shrine, despite the snow-lined grass. He didn't bow or anything else, just looking upward, his lips moving soundlessly. She wondered what he was praying for.

She lifted the hem of her pink robe and stepped into the sunlight. "Ohayou, Davis."

The tawny eyes actually brightened when he noticed her. A wide, friendly grin appeared on his face. "Ohayou, Kari!" He stood up and beckoned her closer. "How did you get here? Did you follow me?" His eyes twinkled with mischief.

Hikari had to make a smile; he would do anything to see her smile. "Well, I was thinking that I could pay thanks to the spirits of the Digiworld, if they exist. Mind if I join in?"

Suddenly, Daisuke was the knight, gently taking her hand and guiding her to her seat. She felt lightheaded, blushed at the gallantry. Where was that Daisuke hiding all the time? She sat on a bench she almost missed from underneath surrounding plants. Daisuke carefully brushed them aside and let her sit. Spreading her robe around her, she removed the cowl from her head, ignoring the mild bite from the coldness on her neck and ears. She then glanced up to the shrine. Already, she could feel wisps of invisible ghosts floating toward it, pleased to find it finally tended. She wondered if Yamato would see them with his second sight. She whispered, careful not to disturb whoever was present, "I didn't know you are asking for help from the spirits."

He gazed upon the shrine with deep respect. "I just thought we could use some help."

"What kind of help?"

"Courage, strength, and faith."

She smiled. "Those are good. We need them for the future."

"Yeah . . . I know that we can do this, but it won't hurt to ask for more help . . . So that's why I'm asking." He flung a hand upward. "Whoever that is listening up there."

She glanced upward and saw nothing, but grey clouds, framed by swaying colorful leaves. It wasn't snowing and not as freezing as yesterday. "Oh . . ." She gathered her robe around her to keep warm. "I've never seen that in you, being so eager to help out."

He leaned back on the headboard, resting his arms on the edge. "Maybe you're not looking hard enough." He meant to be teasing, but there was a stronger emotion underneath that she didn't miss.

Hikari shifted her gaze back to the shrine, heat suddenly coming in her cheeks. She was abruptly timid, not because of his presence, but because of that tone in his words. It could be her imagination, but she thought it was an ache, a wound made from betrayal. She was afraid to find out what - or who - caused it. She hoped it didn't apply to her. If it was so, she would be very shamed. She still felt guilty for what she had done to him before.

She almost jumped at the curious tone from him as he pointed down to her hands. "What's the rose for? Is it for Mimi?"

 The budding rose that was resting in her hand was really an Earth rose, grown in the maze garden. The pale yellow petals still had the sparkle of morning dew, frozen by the sudden coldness. Mimi once explained to her that Americans used yellow roses as a gesture of forgiveness. It seemed to suit the moment. She shook her head at his words; Mimi was still sore from the odd burst of energy that left her breathless, but not as sore as Taichi. "No, I have something that I would like to have help with."

"What is it?"

She fingered the petals, voiced quietly, "You said we need strength, faith, and courage. How about love?"

From the corners of her vision, Daisuke  gazed back with curiosity. "Why is that?"

"Maybe we need help to love each other." Her tan eyes met his gaze. "To strengthen our bonds."

He seemed to consider it, studying the rose. " Yeah, we need help for that. Love is much like loyalty and friendship, right?"

Close enough, and Hikari nodded. "Pretty much, yeah."

"It's a good idea," he grinned, gesturing toward the shrine. "Go ahead."

She didn't make a move. Not yet.  "Actually . . . I want to talk about that . . ." She didn't stop the timidity in her voice.

She felt his hand resting on her shoulder. She was very surprised to find it startlingly warm as Taichi's warmth. Yet, it was a different warmth. While Taichi's warmth was blazing, almost unbearable like the sun, Daisuke' s warmth was soft and mellow, like a candlelight, giving out just enough warmth to be comfortable and not too much to being smothered by the heat. She fought an urge to lean toward the warmth like a moth. Not yet. He needed to hear what she had to say.

She turned to flash a reassuring smile to a concerned Daisuke. "It's alright, Davis . . ." She brushed back few hair strands from the barrette, hoping that he didn't notice the redness in her cheeks. "I hope it's not that personal or silly . . . Do you remember your crush on me?"

The Brother blinked in astonishment, then gave out a surprised laugh that even amused Hikari. He didn't sound uneasy or sheepish or even bashful. Just surprised. "I'm surprised that you still remember it!"

Hikari relaxed slightly, smiling. "It's hard to forget your goofiness about it."

A deep blush came in his face and he almost giggled. "Eh, sorry about that."

She quickly shook her head. "No, it's okay."

He gave her one of his goofy grins that she had grown fond of, then curiosity smeared his face. "So . . .why do you ask?"

"I want to know . . ." she kept her eyes on the rose, her words coming our rapidly, "doyoustillhaveacrushonme?"

"What's it? I can't hear you."

Hikari blushed as his head came closer in order to hear her soft voice. She was nothing like Miyako and Mimi, who would fall over heels if a cute boy turned eyes on them.  She was surprised that she blushed. The spiky bronze hair was shiny and rough. She was curious of the texture, wondering if it felt like rugged rocks that the spikes appeared as or as smooth as real bronze metal. The color was so strange, the bronze color dark enough to be purple. It was unique and she often liked to gaze upon the hair.

The tawny eyes turned upward to her and she was awed at how golden they could be. Like everybody else, he had his own inner light shining through his eyes, altering the color to somewhat match the light. Takeru's eyes may be the color of the blue sky, but his inner light made his eyes like orbs of the sky itself, crystal clear and pale, pale azure to match a summer sky. Even her tan eyes appeared like brass, almost gold, as her DNA Partner once told her. In return, she told Miyako that even though that her eyes were colored pale tan-grey, the grey flecks almost sparkled like diamonds within mud.

Daisuke's tawny eyes were the only eyes beside Sora's eyes that shone pure gold. Not molten golden like Sora, but solid gold, wild gold that wasn't yet polished and cut. He was like a body of metal with the bronze hair, tawny-golden eyes and the dark skin.

His lips pulled up to reveal white teeth and his voice pierced through her thoughts. "I think you are staring at me too long."

Hikari jolted and laughed to cover her blushing. "Ha, you dream!"

"You are blushing!" He again leaned more, his finger tickling at her cheek. She playfully slapped at his hand and pushed it aside.

"It's the coldness. It's natural for my face to redden to protect from the cold, right?" She was so glad she thought that up that quick!

Daisuke pouted childishly, "If you say so." He then sat back, still grinning, "Well, what do you want to ask?"

Here it goes. She inhaled and said slowly, "Do you still have a crush on me?"

His face changed from the playful facade into a wistful expression, mixed with seriousness. He seemed to muse over something, then shook his head. "Not exactly."

Her heart almost flattened at the words. "Not exactly?"

He kept his eyes on the shrine, spoke honestly, "Well, yes, I do have a crush on you, but it's not the 'she's my girl, keep your dirty paws off her!' crush anymore." She hid a affectionate smile at that. "I just like you as a close, dear friend. I value your friendship and sweetness, and it's hard not to like you." The grin returned. "I realized that it was so silly of me to think that you are my girl when you clearly are independent and don't need me."

She tilted her head in question. "Why do you think that way?"

"You are experienced. You don't need me to protect you. You do it just fine. It's just silly that I have to protect you and impress you all the time. My crush was silly."

The sincerity in his voice somewhat dampened her spirit. Was her former attitude toward him really that bad and affected him? She didn't mean to, she wanted to tell him. She was just shy and would react just like any other girl.

She felt the tawny eyes on her and heard the sincere concern in the voice. "Kari?"

"I don't think it was silly that you like me," she whispered, lightly reddening. "I thought it was sweet."

Daisuke was surprisingly mellow as he shrugged. "If you thought so, you definitely didn't show it."

She felt a flinch jerking her limbs. There was the betrayed ache again. The way he used it affected her, too, feeling the soreness pulsing in her chest, her throat drying. "That's harsh, Davis."

His tawny eyes didn't remain golden, but darkened into tar-black that boiled and bubbled. "It did hurt me when you ignored me and 'played' with my head."

"I'm sorry . . ." Her head drooped.

"It's okay. I got over it. Why are you sorry for, anyway?'

She absentmindedly rubbed few dusky hair strands. "I'm sorry that I didn't notice that you like me at first."

He waved a hand, as if brushing away his harsh words, smiling with forgiveness. "What did I say? It's okay, really."

How could he be sounding like he didn't care? She knew him well enough to know that the little crush will not go away. He did bother to show his affection through ridiculous actions and amusing efforts to get her attention. And it worked. She wanted to tell him that. She took a look at the yellow rose and shook her head toward him. "No, it's not. At first, when you got that crush on me, I was flattered. I thought it was cute and funny and that you would do anything to impress me. But then . . ." She formed a soft smile. "I found that I like your attention. I didn't have as much attention as before."

He arched one of his eyebrows in puzzlement. He didn't hide the slight disdain in his tone. "What about TK? He gave you the same amount of attention as I did."

Jealousy. An ugly face to turn upon affection. She sighed. "Oh, Davis, how many times must I have to say this? TK is my best friend, that's all. We are friends because we lived through thick and thin and have many things in common. We are like one soul in two bodies, like twins, but I see him as a friend, nothing more."

"Nothing more?"

"Nothing more."

"Oh . . ." Daisuke looked a bit confused as he watched back, then to the shrine. "So why did you ask me about my crush, then?"

She felt more confident. "Because I want to tell you that I like it that you like me. In fact, I did have a crush on you."

He was certainly astonished, his eyes widening on her. He spoke, hesitantly, uncertain, "You did?"

Again, the reddening came in her cheeks, warming the skin. "Yeah . . . I was too shy to tell you . . ."

He blinked, making certain he heard it right. Apparently, he did and blushed underneath his tan skin. "It's a big surprise . . . I didn't know that at all." He abruptly leaned toward her, grinning playfully. "Well, do you still have a crush on me?"

She quietly smiled at the tawny eyes, glad that they were back to the admirable golden color. "Yes, I still do."

He felt silent, eyes wide. He slowly returned to his seat, the astounded gaze on her. Hikari held up the yellow rose and his gaze shifted to it. She said, "That's why I ask for help about loving each other because I don't know how to tell you that I still like you. I like you a lot."

His gaze turned back and it was full of gentle warmth. "Really?"

The bashfulness in his voice widened her smile. "Yes, I like you ever since we met. I thought you were cute and nice, though clumsy." She added an giggle. "And I still do, now. I admire your loyalty and determination. I like that. And I thought you are handsome and . . ." the deep red blush on the Brother's face almost matched his hair and that made her laugh. "You are blushing!"

"N-no! No, it's the coldness!" He quickly rubbed his cheeks, grinning bashfully. "The reaction and all, you know."

"Nice try, Dai-kun," she smirked. "It's my excuse."

He muttered, keeping his eyes on the rose instead of her. Then his face softened and, smiling, looked back. The warmth increased in his eyes. "I have to admit that . . . I like you back, too. I don't think my feelings for you will go away. You are a special girl and I'm very glad to have met you."

Hikari's heart hammered. It was a relief to tell him about her liking and a gladness to hear that he still liked her back. "Me, too . . ." She slid her fingers over his hand, feeling the soft warmth underneath the skin. She heard stammering from him and laughed at the comical face. "You are just like the old Davis!"

The comical appearance evaporated and a bold grin was back on his face. His hand tightened around her hand gently. "And what do you want the new Davis to do?"

Her tan eyes met his tawny eyes. "How about helping me putting the rose on the shrine? I would like it . . ."

His grin softened and he nodded. She thought any other moment would be not as perfect as this moment. Again, the knight took her hand, holding it high, and led her to the shrine. She was engulfed by his gentle warmth, welcoming it, wanting to keep it close forever. Standing side by side, his thick hand veiling over her small hand, they placed the yellow rose on the surface of the well. Ripples gently billowed from the rose, then the water stilled, disturbed only by a breeze pushing the rose around. The pale yellow color added a mellow air to the plain grey shrine, like the sun and the grey sky above. Again, as before, she felt gossamer fingers tickling her face and hands, as if the spirits were thanking her for the flower.

His fingers entwined around her fingers and held them tight. He dipped his head closer to hers and whispered, "I think they heard us . . ."

Hikari just smiled and nodded. She was glad that the spirits or whoever that was listening helped out. She could do it on her own, but even the Digidestined needed a bit of help once in a while.

Then he again spoke, this time eagerness in the tone, "So . . . if you don't mind . . . If we ever finish the Final Battle, would you like to go out with me? For dinner?"

Same old Daisuke. "If you can flatter my brother into letting you take me, sure."

"Aw, I forgot about Tai!" A hopeful light shone on his face. "Would he . . .?"

She flashed a sly grin. "He will have to learn to live with it."

His laugh was booming and playful, but it also held deep passion and affection for her. "That's my girl!" He pulled her into his embrace and she basked in the wonderful warmth he radiated. She didn't correct his words this time. 'My girl.' His girl. She wanted to be his girl. She wanted it ever since she met him. And she wanted him to be her knight. She had him, then.

She couldn't ask for more.

***

(Aiee. Another romance . . . and it's Daikari! Aiee again.)

***

Of all the absurd things he had to said . . .

Why did he do that to her? She hoped that she heard it wrong, maybe he was just delirious in his words, but more she thought of it, more true the words sounded.

It was a mistake. It had to be.

Miyako was seated in a comfortable armchair that was set around a wide low table. The living room was enormous; it would comfortably fit an Ankylomon and a couple of Wargreymons inside. The decoration was varied and mixed culturally. On one side, several craved masks of an African design were hanged beside a French painting that was unrecognized by anybody. At the far side, beside an opened entrance, the fireplace was decorated with a plastic fish on a plaque that sang a drunk song that made Michael and Willis flinch and puzzled the rest. It was hurriedly removed and now picked flowers in vases rested on the shelf. There were a couple of chairs and a long sofa, extremely soft and fluffy.

Miyako didn't care about the sights of the strange, diverse Villa, kept on staring blankly through a wooden Russian doll sitting on the table. Around her, Takeru, Ken, and their Digimon patiently waited, resting on the sofa, chatting like nothing serious had happened. They already knew and they acted like it wasn't a big deal. She was surprised at the reaction, but didn't say anything else. It seemed useless to argue because they were really certain and sincere. Hawkmon was perched on one of the arms, kept silent, looking slightly nervous at his Partner. Serves him right. It was his fault to caw it to the rest.

She heard soft footsteps closing in, along with louder footsteps. Iori and Armadillomon slid open the porch doors and let Michael, Willis, and their Digimon to hurry inside before the coldness filled the room. Luckily, it wasn't snowing, no wind carrying snowflakes. But the coldness was so sudden and freezing that none of the Digidestined and Digimon were prepared for it. Only Frankie wasn't disturbed of the coldness, though there was a distracted look in his face, puzzled at the suddenness. Betamon, being an Ice Elemental Digimon, was unaffected. The Shelled Digimon, Vesamon and Armadillomon, were also unaffected, although they preferred to stay inside. The Fate Digimon were completely untouched by the coldness, walking through the snow and icy winds without flinching.

The boys and Digimon stomped their feet to keep the warmth moving through their bodies. "Where are the rest?" Iori asked.

"Kari and Gatomon went to find Daisuke and Veemon, must be at that shrine he talks about," Takeru responded. "They should be back soon."

The body of Willis came in her vision as he knelt by the other arm, crossing his arms on the cushion. His cobalt eyes were gentle and concerned. "You okay, Yolei?"

The Mistress mutely nodded, kept on staring.

Takeru was closest to her from the sofa's side and he gave her a patient, calm gaze. His voice held slight exasperation, however. "Why are you that quiet? You know it's true. You are meant to be our leader."

Leader. He used the words with ease and certainty that annoyed her. "So you say," she muttered, not bothering to hide the ire in her voice. "I want to know why. Why me? You are a better leader than I am."

The blonde quickly shook his head to deny the words. "No, no, I have my reasons."

Her dun eyes rolled upward. "What are your reasons?"

Takeru smirked, waving the left index finger, winking, "Be patient, Jewel. We will explain."

Miyako bit off more hot words, grunted instead, closing her eyes, burying herself deeper in the cushions.

She heard her Digimon speaking somewhat hesitantly, "Yolei, it will be okay."

He received a piercing tan-grey glare. "You know, it's your entire fault to tell them about me."

"Tai has a good reason," Hawkmon dared to argue.

"He was delirious!" Even though she again scolded herself for suspecting her leader delirious, she denied that Taichi wanted her to be the leader of the New Kids. What was he thinking? She expected a brief talk with him when she visited him, making sure he was doing okay from the unusual collapse that left him sore and weaker. His brief words surprised her, saying that he was looking forward to see how she worked as a leader. A leader?! She as the leader? Not happening. Why did he think that she would make a good leader? Why did he even pick her?

"He wasn't thinking straight, saying that to the wrong person," Miyako said aloud her thoughts.

The black-haired Friend quietly shook his head. "I don't think you were the wrong person." He sat upright, faintly smiling. "Even if Tai doesn't think so, we would still pick you, anyway. I would."

She eyed him for a moment with puzzlement and uncertainty. The bold conviction unnerved her. "I don't see the point . . ."

The boys and the Digimon simply watched back with grins that further worried her. Why were they looking at her like . . . like they wanted her to be the leader? They looked so certain and serious . . . that scared her. Did they know something about her that she hasn't notice yet? She was ready to demand the reasons why they would pick her as the leader, when a shuffling sound of the sliding door opening turned her to Daisuke, Hikari, and their Digimon entering. A look at the goggles resting on Daisuke's head and she was triumphed. Taichi said that the goggles had become an unofficial symbol of leadership, in which he passed it down to Daisuke.

"Oh, Davis!" Miyako rushed to his side and grasped on his shoulders, forcing the surprised boy to look in her eyes. "Come on, explain to them why I ain't your leader!"

He blinked, taken back, then removed her hands off, but then held her hands. He appeared to be frowning in puzzlement. "Getting to the point, huh, dachi?"

Miyako yanked her hands away and stood there, arms akimbo. "I'm very astonished that you aren't mad that you didn't get the leadership role after all."

She was extremely disappointed that he responded with indifference. "I'm not. Why should I?"

She pointed toward his goggles, "Well, obviously, you are the leader here."

His hand went up to touch it and an understanding smile appeared. "Honestly, Jewel, have you seen me ordering you all around?" He then looked at his friends.

"No," Hikari responded simply.

"Not often," Ken mentioned after a brief thinking.

Takeru shrugged, "Not that I can think of."

Willis, Iori, and the Digimon just shook heads, grinning, as nearby, Michael laughed heartily.

"Gee, I really feel loved here, guys," Daisuke sniffled, although he was grinning, too.

"Ask a simple question . . ." Ken pointed out.

"Stop sounding like TK!" Daisuke chuckled as he gave his best friend a teasing bonk on his head.

"What a flatterer!" Takeru chirped in a playful tone that earned him another bonk.

Miyako nearly swelled with frustration. "You aren't being serious about this!" she growled. She couldn't help it; the very idea of being a leader befuddled her. Sure, she had dreamt of fame and attention from people, but being chosen by her own friends as their leader confused her. She didn't see why she should be one.

The laughs quieted, although, not completely. "Let me tell you why Davis is not the leader," Willis voiced, not moving from his seat next the chair. He rested his head on his crossed arms, eying her with something that appeared to be fond recognition. "Yes, he was 'leading' us when I first met you guys, but eventually, I noticed you took up the role and helped us."

"It doesn't mean anything!" the Mistress mumbled, disregarding sudden memories that could correct his answer. "Davis is loyal."

Daisuke stood up and leaned on the back of the sofa, gazing with calm knowing. "I may have the Crest of Loyalty, but it doesn't mean that I'm supposed to have the role. I simply hold loyalty for all of us." He shrugged. "No, I don't want the leadership."

Gritting her teeth, Miyako couldn't think of more arguments to defend her denial of taking the leadership. Her gaze shifted to Michael, held his gaze, looking at him expectantly.

Michael, who was grinning the whole time as if he was amused, faded his grin and shook his head, holding his hands like a shield. "Oh, no, don't look at me. I'm already the leader of my group."

"Meaning you is qualified to have the role!"

The charming, chiseled face quietly frowned with disapproval. "Not this time." He didn't look like that he was disappointed of the leadership, but because of her.

She hurriedly looked away, didn't look at anybody else. She was at a loss. She still didn't get it. Why must she be the leader? Why can't Daisuke be one? Who cares if he was reckless and loudmouthed? He was a good leader once he learned his mistakes. Anybody can be a good leader. Anybody can be chosen to be the leader. Why in the blasted world did they pick her for?! She muttered, sitting down heavily in her chair, narrowly missing Terriermon and Lopmon from being crushed. She rubbed her cheeks, and then looked up as Iori stepped up to her.

He peered back with his eyebrows slightly crossed, his face stern as always, touched with concern. "What's the matter, Miya-sama?" She was never called that way and it surprised that her best friend suddenly chose this time to call her with great respect she didn't deserve. His emerald eyes darkened. "Why are you so anxious about the leadership?"

"I just don't understand why I must have to be the leader. It's not . . . me!"

Iori tilted his head a bit. "I do believe that you have leadership qualities."

"So do Davis, TK, and everybody else here!" she snapped. Iori didn't look hurt, but sighed, watching back.

"Yolei." Then she heard an arm resting around her shoulders. Hikari. "Can I explain the reasons?" The pink-robed girl sat on where Hawkmon had perched and the touch somewhat calmed Miyako. Miyako tightened her lips, but forced herself to listen to what Hikari had to say. She just wanted to know the reasons. Those boys didn't help out.

Hikari sounded so confident and sagacious that Miyako felt silent, growing meek and astonished at the honesty. "Miya-sama, I know that you don't look forward to accept the leadership. Any of us would accept the leadership if it's given to us. We do have some leadership qualities to take up the role, yes, but the leader is not picked on what the qualities are. It's the faith and trust of the followers that picks the leader. Let me tell of the qualities that we have."

Her tan eyes turned over to the Brother and Miyako thought she saw strong affection in them. "Davis is loyal, the most devoted person and, with the leadership, he will certainly protect us and keep us safe with his life. He would not hesitate to fight whenever one of us is hurt. Right?"

Daisuke smiled and nodded.

"But . . . being loyal is not the only quality," Hikari continued. "It's clear that Davis is meant to be a protector, not a leader. He would rather protect than lead." She then looked to Michael. "Michael, yes, is the leader of his group and has great leadership skills, but right now, we do not ask him to be our leader. He needn't to be a leader twice and he prefers to have someone lead him instead.

"Ken could be a good leader, but . . . to be frank, he is just soft-hearted. He is an excellent helper and comforter, and he doesn't like to fight back." Hikari then smiled somewhat apologetically to Ken. The Friend simply grinned, not bothered by the words, he already knowing who he was. Hikari turned to Willis and Iori. "Wonderful Dream and Pebble, I'm glad we have their judgment and wisdom. They think ahead and think up plans to keep us prepared. They are thinkers, but not leaders.

"TK and I - of course, we could be leaders with our experiences, being older Digidestined." Her head shook in unison with Takeru's. "It doesn't matter, this time. We may know what to do, what to expect, but it doesn't mean we know everything. Now you, Miyako -" she patted on her shoulder. "I see you as a combination of our qualities. You are a protector, a helper, a guide, and you are certainly a natural leader, even though you aren't aware of that."

Impressive, she had to say, but it wasn't enough. Miyako needed to find more. "I don't understand. Why me?"

"Don't you notice that we are following you recently? You gave us orders and took the role with natural ease. As I said before, a leader is not picked for the skills, but from faith and trust. Tai is picked not because he is a natural leader, but he is the one who keeps encouraging us to move on. He carries courage for us. I pick you because I trust you. You carry purity, which means you are here to remind us that we need to be pure in heart and mind to face the darkness. I have faith in you and if you have doubt, I'm here to guide you."

"As will I," Takeru spoke up with a wink. "I will help you keeping hope for us. I wouldn't ask for a better person than you as my leader."

"Loyalty, to me means to keep courage in friendship. I have courage in you and I cherish you as a friend," Daisuke voiced with a wide grin.

Iori was nodding at the words, adding his, "You are my best friend and I know you more than you know yourself. I often see a leader in you, beneath that stubborn, hyperactive character." His face softened into a childlike, sweet smile. "You are my leader, Miya-sama."

The Judge chuckled, resting his hand on his cheek thoughtfully. "What can I say? They already told what I want to say, but there is one more thing. You are the Mistress, a woman of authority and respect. I will follow you."

The twilight eyes of Ken were on her as he spoke, "I will follow you to the ends of the worlds. That's my faith in you and my decision." The deep and gentle tenderness he held for her made her blush, but she gave back a quiet smile.

Michael was nodding his head, his ice-blue eyes almost bold in color and sparkling. "And also, a leader can recognize a leader." His grin deepened, uncovering a dimple in his left cheek. "Yolei, I see great expectations in you, but don't let us press you into being the perfect leader. Be yourself. We're here for you. Just do what you know you can do and you will be fine."

The ever strong-minded Mistress was silent, her spirit heavily humbled by the words her friends spoke. She saw nothing in their eyes but honest respect and fondness. Her dun eyes lowered, speechlessly, and she felt her Digimon touched on her arm, puzzled.

"Yolei?" Hawkmon murmured.

"I think we overwhelmed her with our praises," Takeru said and she wasn't sure if he was humoring or concerned.

She shook her head, sincerely bewildered and meek. "No, you didn't . . ." She was surprised to find her cheeks wet with tears, and then she thought it wasn't that surprising. She was just astonished that her friends, the friends who had been 'chosen' to fight along her side and she along with them to protect a world they once never knew that existed, her own friends had expressed their feelings of her. "I never had this much . . . respect and trust . . . I always dream that I'm respected as a great woman and now . . ." She formed an amiable grin. "As I see that from you . . . I'm glad that I have great friends that see me as just Yolei."

Willis grinned up to her. "So you do accept the leadership."

Her cheeks again reddened. "It will take time getting used to . . ."

Hikari wrapped her arms around her shoulders, grinning. "Don't worry. We will help you, too."

"As will I!" Hawkmon cawed proudly as the other Digimon cheerfully agreed.

Miyako looked at each face of her friends and saw nothing but friendship and trust radiating. She smiled. "Thank you . . ."

"Come on, group hug!" Daisuke hollered.

Miyako only managed to cry out a strangled protest as the enthusiastic Daisuke, Takeru, Michael, Armadillomon, Veemon, and Patamon pounced on her, arms and laughs tickling, pinning her in the chair. The rest later joined in, and soon, the chair was a pile of arms, legs, and laughter.

"Help! I'm being smothered!" Miyako's voice squealed from somewhere beneath Daisuke.

"It's one of the tortures of leadership!" Takeru snickered, refusing to give in to his newfound leader.

Suddenly, Daisuke yelped and glared down. "Stop pinching me, Yolei!"

"Your leader wants you to get off her!" she ordered with a cackle.

As the rest continued their merriment, letting Miyako getting free from the tackles, she felt strong warmth inside her chest. She was prideful, and it wasn't because she was chosen as a leader. It was her friends. She was so proud that she had such wonderful friends, glad that she got the chance to become their friend, as well. She mentally promised to herself that she will serve them well.

***      

Four years ago, the young Digidestined thought that they will never return to the Digiworld to relive their adventures and meet their partners that they had developed an unbreakable bond with. They were greatly saddened, of course, but they still had hoped that they might come back. If the Digiworld needs their help, they will answer its cry of help in a flash. They knew that they were chosen and every day, their hearts yearned for the wild travels and friendships they earned. Even so, they were patient, knowing that the Digiworld was at peace and didn't need their help by then.

A year later, they began to notice that there was something wrong with the Digiworld. It became weaker bit by bit, and the Digidestined got concerned. They attempted to return, but the ways into the Digiworld were closed, unable for them to pass. They knew that the Digiworld has been rebooted in order to gather lost data so it can be renewed once again. For some reason, the 'doors' between the worlds were gone, and their Digivices were useless to let them to enter. But then soon later, Gennai had opened a door on his own, requesting their presences immediately. The Digidestined, of course, did what they were told, and for several moments, as they arrived in the middle of a flower meadow, they were thrilled to see their partners back.

After they settled down, sitting in a half-circle around Gennai, the oldster finally explained what happened. It wasn't just that the Digiworld was getting weak. The balance was broken. It had been since the Dark Masters and the battle with Apocalypmon. So much data were destroyed and even useless for the Digiworld to reboot that the world was losing its identity, losing its life. It needed a new balance, new data to fill in the holes between the written data so the Digiworld can become stronger. In order to do this, Gennai asked the Digidestined to give up all their crest powers to restore the balance.

The Digidestined still had their crests, dead and lifeless, because they already have the crest powers inside them. Gennai explained that if they can focus all their crest powers back in the crests, it was a possibility that the crests would become alive and send out their data in hopes of restoring. The only negative thing about it was that the Digimon would no longer digivolve to Ultimate. At first, the Digimon protested and hesitated against the idea, but they were quick to understand that it was necessary to keep the Digiworld alive. The Digidestined didn't take long, either, for they had learned that every positive opportunity always comes with a disadvantage. Gennai mentioned that they didn't need to give up all the crest powers, just enough to reactivate the crests.

And so, the Digidestined did, holding their crests in their hands, and focused all their energy, all the crest powers in the tiny crests. In their mind's eye, they began to see their crests changing shapes, shapes that appeared suitable to fit to their nature. They called them Shields, because it made sense that the Shields were meant to protect the Digiworld and keep the balance right. They knew that they must hide the crest-Shields so no evil power would seek and destroy them, and so they mused on places where they had treasured experiences that had impacts on their lives.  They were satisfied with their choices and so, they sent the crests away.

The crests shot upward in the sky, where they glowed with colors for a minute, then shot in different directions toward their resting places. A moment later, the world was restored and everything was beautiful and full of life. Gennai was grateful and told the kids that he needed to depart for a brief time while the kids remained with the partners. A couple of hours later, he returned and left the kids instructions. The instructions were crucial and explained what to do if the Shields were found, weakened, or destroyed. He spoke about four Holy Beasts, four of the highly powerful Mega Digimon existing, who watched over the Digiworld with wisdom and power. The Holy Beasts were not seen, almost never around, believed partly as gods, and Gennai appeared to have a friendship with them! He had asked them to help protect the crests in addition in watching over the Shields and the Holy Beasts were willing to do so. The kids now knew what to do, know where to find them, and their names. Gennai told them only to find the Shields if they were in utter danger.

When Dasalmon finally showed up at Destiny Island with fright about witnessing the destruction of Blaze Mountain and told of what happened to the Fire Pillar, the Digidestined were now determined to go find the Shields. So far, the Shields of Fire and Earth were destroyed and Taichi and Mimi sincerely wanted to go out and heal their crests so the Shields can become stronger. The other kids were worried about their Shields, as well. The Shields appeared to be destroyed in order of the circle of the Friends of the Stones. Despite the fact that the Spirit Shield should've been destroyed because of its position in between the Fire and Earth Shields, the Kids believed that the Outer Shields were likely to be destroyed first. The Outer Shields, which held the elements of Fire, Earth, Water, and Air, were more powerful and easily to be seen, which the Inner Shields were extremely hard for anybody to see unless any of the Digidestined pointed it out.

The destruction seemed ridiculous to some of the kids because if this person was attempting to destroy all the Shields, he/she will not be able to find the Inner Shields. The Shields were linked to each other and were made so that if any of the Outer Shield were destroyed, the Inner Shields became more invisible. If all the four Shields were gone, the other four will remain but out of sight, out of hearing, even hidden from divine eyes. Only the Digidestined can find them.

At any rate, the Shields were being destroyed, and the Water Shield might be next. The Nature Children knew that they needed to go find the Holy Beasts and attempt to heal their crests. The only problem was that the Nature Children cannot bring any of their friends to the Holy Beasts. Azulongmon may be the only Holy Beast who was known among the Digidestined, but only the Old Kids knew where he lived and they can't take the rest to him. It was a good thing that the Gijinka Digimon decided to go out and search for Gennai, taking the Armor Children and Digimon with them for protection. The Old Kids can now safely and secretly go to the secret places and talk with the Holy Beasts about healing their crests. The other Digimon chose to stay at Destiny Island and watch over Cleo while work can be done.

Knowing about the determination in the kids and Digimon, the Fate Digimon decided to ignore their oaths not to muddle with Fate with their destiny-changing powers, and helped them out. Akemimon, being the computer genius, had worked on one of the ancient computers found in the office of the Villa and gathered data of the Digiports. He managed to form a Digiport that worked differently from the other Digiports. The Digiport can be opened with a Digivice and can connect to any computer in any region for ease of transportation. It will be greatly helpful with the traveling, knowing how little time left to use.

Already, by the eleventh day since the arrival to Destiny Island, the Gijinka Digimon and the Armor Children and Digimon had departed for File Island in hopes to find clues in the search for Gennai. Ruigumon had left with them, glad to have something to do. The Nature Children remained at Destiny Island, still planning for the journeys to the Holy Beasts.

Finally, all the Digidestined and the Digimon had something to do beside sitting around and fidgeting. They felt better having a goal to work toward. They only hoped that their efforts would better their chances to defeat Daematermon, even if they still didn't know how. They just knew this: Vampdevimon and Daematermon needed to stop.

***

Raindrops filled the sky like a silvery curtain.

Mimi had to admit that the sight was surprising beautiful. It was a while since she could sit and watch the rain. She wasn't the kind who would dream and fantasize as she watched the rain, but the water kept reminding her of her boyfriend. She liked to imagine that whenever rain came, she liked to think that Jyou was thinking of her at the same time. The rainstorm recently arrived with a sudden downpour that startled all the Digidestined and Digimon, who had rushed in the Villa or the cabins to avoid the wetness.

Of course, Jyou wouldn't resist standing under the rain!

Mimi couldn't help it but glared at her boyfriend from under the sheltered patio. Some of her friends had joined her, but shook their heads in astonished amusement at how silly Good Old Joe can get and left her alone for the warmth of the Villa. Mimi would choose to leave Jyou alone, but for some reason, the sight of him standing in the middle of rain both fascinated and scared her.

It was so odd that the Jyou she knew, the accident-prone Jyou, who would jump out his skin at the sound of a lizard crawling on a rock, was truly changed into this calm, almost neutral Jyou. His dusky eyes were half-closed, as if was in bliss, his face upward, the rain drawing streams on his cheeks. His long hair was free and soaked, curling around his shoulders. He even didn't notice his wet clothing at all! Then he turned to grin at her and he'd never grinned like that to her before. It was almost sly and shrewd, as if he was thinking differently from the usual Jyou.

Mimi ignored the sudden shivers up her spine and crossed her arms, pouting. "Why won't you get out of here? You will get sick!"

Jyou chuckled and his grin softened. "Calm down, Petal. I'm Water incarnation. Water can't hurt me."

Mimi rolled her eyes in surprise, wondering how much he was truly changed. "You've grown bold, maybe daring."

Jyou's dusky eyes were suddenly soft, but firm, as he thought of something. His voice was low. "Maybe I'm . . ." His hand ran through his hair, his gaze shifting upward. "All my life, I was too afraid, too helpless. I panicked over everything that might hurt us in the smallest degree possible. Why can't I be bold? Why can't I be daring?"

Mimi smiled, leaning against a wooden column, resting her cheek on it. "Joe, I love you the way you re. You don't have to prove yourself. Just be yourself."

"Hmm, and who am I, Mimi?"

"What are you talking about?"

Jyou looked like a statue in the yard, his face chiseled and his body unmoving. Only his dusky eyes were piercing and held her gaze in place. "I can see that in your eyes and the others. I'm the one who are changed the most from my power."

The Guide sighed softly, understanding. It was true that Jyou was really changed that much. True, all the Old Kids were changed by their powers, but Jyou seemed to be a complete different person. No longer panicking, Jyou radiated calmness. No longer distracting, Jyou was seriously focused.  The Old Kids had mentioned that there were two Jyous now; the normal Jyou and the Reconciler. The Reconciler was rarely seen, but when he did show up, the kids would fall silent and listen fully to him. It seemed eerie to some. Mimi never liked it when the Reconciler was there. The cold calmness and impassivity unnerved her.

Jyou must seen the words in her eyes as he nodded, sighing. "I'm changed so much that I no longer know who I am. Am I the Reconciler, the one who is calm and controlled, or Good old Joe, who is everything the Reconciler isn't?"

"Oh, Joe . . ." Mimi murmured. "I know that the way you acts scares some of us, but I don't think you have to be someone else. Be yourself. Be their friend and helper, as you've always been." A tender smile came on her lips. "Be my Jyou."

Jyou looked back and grinned. The grin also showed his love. "Who is your Jyou?"

"The man who stole my heart."

Jyou whistled with affection as he moved closer. "You know, you're changed, too."

"What?" Mimi was curious, still smiling.

"You used to sugarcoat us to get your way -"

"That's not true!"

"And now you're telling the sincere truth."

Mimi tossed her honey tresses, smirking. "Anybody can tell the truth."

Jyou shook his head, waving a finger. "Not my Petal. She tells it so beautifully." He closed his fists under his chin, sighing dreamily. "I just love it."

"You are a terrible liar," Mimi muttered, but a blush came on her cheeks.

Jyou arched his eyebrows and continued, "And do you know how she shows her care for me? She would do anything for me, even dance with me in the rain." There was a playful twinkle in his eyes.

Mimi gazed back in faint puzzlement, and then squealed, trying to get away. "You wouldn't!" But Jyou moved fast, his wet hand grasping on her arm, and pulled her out into the rain. Mimi screamed with delight as the rain soaked her in a second, her hair going flat on her face. "You fiend!" But she couldn't stop laughing as Jyou began to frolic her around, his feet causing great splashes in puddles. Mimi was mirthful as she chased after him and joining in his goofy dances. That was the Jyou she missed, the Jyou she had lost her heart to. After several moments of playing, Jyou silently wrapped his arms around her and planted a kiss on her forehead, keeping her close. Mimi hugged him back, feeling completely contented, once again wondering how she ever fell for him and delighting at how lucky she was to have him. In the rain, the Reconciler and the Guide remained in their arms, and Mimi thought the moment would never go away.

Just then, she felt his body slightly stiffening and a faint groan escaping from his throat. Extremely worried, she looked up and blinked at the soft pale blue aura that was coming out from within his body. A dreadful thought appeared in her mind and she shook her head in disbelief. His Shield . . . it was destroyed . . .

"Joe?" Mimi voiced, looking up to his face. "Your Shield . . ."

Jyou weakly smiled back and sighed. "Don't worry, Petal. There's nothing I can do right now until we find the Holy Beasts." But she could see the hardness and anger just under his composure. He was angry.

Mimi was angry, too. Why would Vampdevimon destroy the Shields for? Especially, when I feel sadness from him . . .

***

Carefully balancing a tea tray, the Seer entered the cottage. Not surprisingly, her heart didn't sadden at the sight of Cleo simply because she now knew that the Watcher wasn't in a coma, but just sleeping. Her brown eyes gazed around. Koushiro was at the right side of the bed, sitting on a cushion, busily typing on his old laptop. She was astonished to see that he still had the laptop, didn't know that he carried it in his backpack. Of course, Koushiro won't be seen without his trusty Pineapple PC. He didn't even look up at her entrance. The other temporary resident, Sanimon, looked up to her from her seat on the window slit, her hood down to reveal her curly silver-grey hair. Strangely, Sanimon looked childlike when the hood was up, but the curly hair seemed to age her or perhaps made her look ageless.

Sanimon smiled at her. "Good afternoon, Seer."

Kimika beamed back and putted down the tray on the table in a corner. "Good afternoon." She then looked around. "Where is Ruigumon?"

Sanimon sighed and gestured toward outside with her head. "Somewhere . . . The poor thing is still upset."

Kimika didn't say anything, knowing that a few comforting words won't help Ruigumon that much. She glanced to Koushiro and felt suddenly nostalgic, remembering her old adventures when Koushiro silently typed at the keyboard, trying to decode the mysteries of the Digital World. She had a sudden vision of a younger Koushiro sitting with the yellow-and-white laptop on his knees and happily chattering in computer talk that she barely understood, but nevertheless, patiently listened and smiled whenever his eyes sparkled with bliss. She kinda missed the silent, composed Koushiro.

She gestured to the tray, saying to Sanimon, "Help yourself with the tea." She didn't notice the knowing smile on the Guardian as the red-robed Digimon nodded.

She took a seat on another cushion and carefully, without startling him, looked over his shoulder. All she saw on the white screen was texts of digicode, filled from top to bottom and so complex that she stared at them in blank confusion. Then she noticed the odd excitement on his freckled face, an almost mad grin that she hadn't seen for days. She wondered what he was thinking about. She spoke softly, "What're you doing?"

After a moment of rapid typing, Koushiro stopped and turned to her with a wide grin. "Working on the riddles."

"Riddles? Oh, the riddles Prophetmon left us?"

Koushiro nodded. "After the shield discussion, I assume that the riddles might have something that might help us defeat Daematermon."

The excitement in his voice somewhat roused her. "You've solved them?"

"No, no, only decoded them." Kimika's spirit didn't slack, not when the excitement was still there. "They appear ambiguous, so I'm attempting to solve them. Bit luck there, but going nowhere." Then his grin widened. "And this's where you come in."

"Hmm?"

"You're the expert in solving riddles, right?"

She blinked in surprise, then flushed as she shook her head, "I don't know . . . I may enjoy solving riddles, but . . ."

His hand went on her hand and she was surprised to see the pleading and tenderness in the piercing black eyes. "You only can try . . . Time is running out."

She simply smiled, already knowing it. She knew that time was running out, and she personally pondered how much time left for the Digidestined to stop Vampdevimon and Daematermon from destroying the worlds. As she mused on this, she knew that she can do this, can try her best to solve the riddles. Her actions would be valuable in the shortage of time, perhaps even to help stop the Villains. She merely nodded and said, "I know it, Kou-kun . . . Go ahead and tell me the riddles."

The riddles had an interesting rhyme. They weren't rhymed in words, but in numbers. There were five separate sections, individual in each and yet linked to each other, and each section had five verses. Every verse seemed to have a profound meaning, have something to tell that she couldn't understand, couldn't grasp on the meaning immediately. She found herself drifting in her mind, vaguely listening to the voice of Koushiro as he recited the riddles, feeling the greyness coming around her, knowing that she had experienced this before, but couldn't recall it well.

Then it happened. Flashes came past her eyes, and they came so sudden that Kimika blinked, thinking she was just daydreaming. But she saw them, as if she was watching a movie played in high speed, scenes flashing past with an instant of clearness and recognition before they came into blurs. She knew she had her eyes wide opened, but the way she was looking at the flashes, she felt like she was watching the movie on a window while she still could see other things through the window.

A soft twinkle of an object. It is a sword, but not a sword. So colorful that it seems chiseled out from a rainbow. It spins in a circle, forming a pattern of the rainbow, as well, before it vanishes.

A feather drifts past. A kind of feather that might be aquiline, but might not. It is black and it looks like a raven's feather.

As it floats away, there is a flash of a soft, beautiful light that is colored a light purple. It looks so familiar. The light only blinks once before it's gone. Then . . . then . . .

Nothing . . . There is a sense of Nothingness, a sense of Oblivion . . . A sense of emptiness.

Her heart pained with dread, Kimika gasped, not knowing that her hands has impulsively grabbed on the redhead's arm and tightening their holds. Koushiro yelped in surprise and was trying to soothe her and trying to peel off her fingers from his arm at the same time. "Kim! What's the matter?!"

His voice jolted her out of the dreadful sensation and Kimika blandly looked at the worried face before glanced down. Removing her hands, she noticed that her hold had left red finger marks on the white skin. Koushiro rubbed it, trying to ease down the soreness. Kimika buried her head, rubbing her cheeks, not quite believing what she had seen. "I'm sorry, Izzy . . ."

"It's alright . . ." Koushiro waited until Kimika calmed and gently asked, "If it doesn't bother you . . ."

Kimika smiled and shook her head. "It's just sudden, that's all." Then her face changed into bewilderment as she recalled the flashes. "It's strange . . ."

"What's it?"

"When you . . .  spoke the riddles, I saw images . . ." Kimika again shook her head, wondering if they were just daydreams or hallucinations. Yet, the images looked real, were real enough. "It might sound odd, but I think I'm looking in the future . . ." 'Or in the past?'

He looked thoughtful. "Well, it wouldn't surprise me. After all, you're the Seer."

She knew that she had an ability to see things when she touched an object, much like clairvoyance, often vague. Never like this . . . never so real, so lifelike that she was there, living the scenes she saw. "But it never happened to me before."

"Maybe it's another part of your power that you haven't discovered. What did you see, Kim?"

She paused for a moment, trying to recall the sudden images and spoke slowly, having to make sure that what she saw was what she said, "I saw a sword, but it doesn't look much like a normal sword . . . It's funny-shaped, and . . . and it's made of many colors. Like it's made of a rainbow. Then, for a short time, I saw a feather floating in front, black and a raven feather or of a black bird . . . Then a pale purple light. It just flashed once at me, and then it's gone. And . . ." She paused, uncertain of what she was feeling. She only remembered the odd and dreadful sense that forced all the life out of her, emptying her, hollowing her, making her nothing, a part of nothingness.

"What did you see?" Koushiro gently persuaded.

"I feel nothing . . . no emotions, no life, no death. Nothing. Oblivion. Emptiness." She knew it was different from what she experienced from her dark self. The Stranger may not use her emotions, but the emotions were still there, stirring somewhere inside the hollowness she was. She may be impassive, but impassive was an emotion. This sensation of nothing . . . it had nothing.

He said nothing, carefully watching her face, then grimaced, speaking, "The end of the worlds?"

She felt a twang of dread in her chest and she tucked her fists under her chin in a reaction of worry. "Oh, I hope not." The images of Earth and the Digiworld gone, leaving nothing of their traces of life . . . She hoped not.

He quietly sighed, his fingers then typing at the keyboard. As she looked the screen, he was adding notes to the riddles, seeing the words of her descriptions of the images. "Are there more images, Kim?"

Kimika paused at a new idea and of course, she waited to make sure that the idea made sense and could be helpful. If this new ability did help her see in the future, maybe, just maybe, the verses that seemed linked to the sections and yet had their own meanings could give new images, images that might help . . . She then said, "I don't see more, but if you recite each riddle at a time, maybe I could see more specifically."

"Are you sure?" Surely, he was still worried about her sudden grasp on his poor arm.

She managed a confident smile and nodded.

'One to bear a heart, one to bear no heart,

Together, you shall heal.

One to bear no blade, one to bear a blade,

Together, you shall harm.

You alone decide the fate.'

Blast it. Kimika frowned at herself, couldn't see any images as she listened to the riddle. She had heard it before when Koushiro first decoded the first riddle and reported it to the Old Kids. She recalled that she was a bit spooked at the words, wondering what did it mean, but as she knew of, she saw no images at all. "Nothing."

He raised an eyebrow in puzzlement, and then said, "Maybe you are trying too hard?"

She doubted it. She might see nothing, but she did feel something. There was a sensation that the riddle was meant for someone else to solve. Maybe she imagined it, but the sensation was still there. She only shrugged to him and gestured him to continue to the next riddle.

'Divide not the Heart,

Lest you divide us.'

An image of a perfect-shaped heart floats in the sight. Then a new sound, the sound of something creaking. Bits fall off from the heart, spidery creaks spilt down the heart, splitting it in half. Then the broken heart crumbles into bits, and then fades out.

Kimika softly groaned as she experienced tiny needles of pain tearing inside her chest. The pain was light and brief, but that was all she was aware of, surprised at the false sensation that her heart was ripping apart.

She felt his hand on her shoulder. "Kim?"

She didn't bother to reassure him; the pain must mean something. "I see a heart, which is breaking apart."

"A broken heart . . ." Koushiro's face again contorted in careful musing, the face she was used to see all the time. "The Crest of Heart."

Kimika considered it, then wasn't that certain of the image she saw looked like the Crest of Heart's symbol. It just looked like a normal heart. "It might mean more than just the crest . . . And when you said 'lest you divide us', my heart suddenly hurt. It feels like it is ripping apart . . ."

"How can you symbolize it?"

Once again . . . the sight of cracking through the heart, splitting into two . . . it did look a bit like the crest's symbol. The symbol was a half-heart, so . . . "Something happened to the Crest of Heart," Kimika spoke her thoughts.

The Warder nodded. "It could be . . . I did find it broken, and I mended it with my blood . . ." She secretly smiled, knowing the story of how Koushiro met Cleo. She never knew that the computer whiz can be romantic. However, her smile faded at his serious face as he continued. "Also, Daematermon did say that the crest isn't Cleo's but to her child . . . Lucy."

"And this Lucy was her Digidestined, Mask, which is the girl, Nikhai all along," Kimika recited the words she and the others already knew, a few pieces of the huge puzzle finally fitted together. The only pieces that made sense! There were pieces missing, pieces that didn't have sides to match the others, and even so, no one have seen the big picture at all, and so it was already frustrating. Kimika and Koushiro just moved around the new pieces in hopes that they would find more pieces that might fit in.

"And Nikhai is a younger version of Cleo . . ." Koushiro concluded, not thinking of something else.

Kimika sighed, resting her chin in her hands. "I just don't get it. Why is Cleo carrying the crest? What for?"

"Gennai told her to find it."

"Only so she can heal herself. She doesn't need it anymore."

"Well, she's now a Digidestined, so it makes sense that she is carrying the crest, still."

"What for? The crest is not hers."

Koushiro sighed, shaking his head. "I won't repeat the same words. Doing that won't solve anything, so we need to continue. Hopefully, we will find something."

"Hopefully," Kimika muttered.

'Lose not the Faith,

Lest you lose us.

You alone decide the fate.'

Five faces floating in the black background. They come and go so fast that the details are unclear. The details that are seen already state that three of the faces are boys and the other two are girls. The ages are difficult to tell, although they look close to each other in years. One of the girl faces is slightly familiar and it's only because the face is often seen everyday. Except for her eyes, which sparkle bright blue . . .

"Five kids . . . Nikhai is there, or Cleo, I'm not sure, but I think it's really Nikhai because of the eyes. Obviously, Cleo doesn't have blue eyes. The other kids are three boys and a girl."

Koushiro remained silent, then said, "The Fallen Children . . . Mask, Chime, Crystal, Smoke, and Tears . . ." Kimika simply nodded in agreement. If the vaguely familiar girl looked like Cleo, then she must be Nikhai, and then, the other four must be the Fallen Children. It had to be. "What were they doing?"

"Just looking at me with a sense of hopelessness."

He glanced to one of the lines. "'Lose not the faith' . . . The Fallen Children must have lost their faith and therefore, they lost the battle against Daematermon."

"Right . . . so it's our responsibility to keep the faith to fight her."

The Warder paused in his typing and turned to eye her with dislike. "Doesn't it strike to you as intriguing? That we are cleaning up their mess?"

Kimika cast him a sharp frown. "Izzy . . ."

He waved a hand. "I apologize. It was inappropriate for me to suspect it, but do you comprehend the concept?"

". . . Yes . . . but maybe they do want to help, too. To make up their mistakes."

"How? Four of them are dead."

She shook her head. "No, only one is dead. That's Nikhai."

"Even so, three of them couldn't remember, lost their memories, thanks to the First Battle."

"This leaves one."

Koushiro shook his head, impressed, and Kimika smiled. She was good at having determination. He rubbed his chin, looking thoughtfully at the screen. "Well, I hope he is still willing to help out."

'One that dies not, you must not end,'

A face appears in the background, a head that is partly covered with flowing black hair, a blindfold tied around the eyes, and a black scarf wraps around the neck and mouth. A girl . . .

"Daematermon." When Koushiro glanced at her with bewilderment, Kimika only shrugged. "That's all I saw."

'One that lives not, you must not end,'

Another face, a face of Cleo with strikingly electric blue eyes . . .

"Nikhai . . ."

'Only with one that severs destiny,'

The rainbow-colored sword that is not a sword.

"The sword!"

'The gem within, you must end.

You alone decide the fate.'

A stone of some kind . . .  It is black, looks much like an ordinary stone . . . It radiates a kind of light that shines dark. Much like that black lighthouse with its dark light, but more . . . evil. Sinister, deadly, and . . . hungry.

She frowned, not sure at what she saw. It looked familiar, like she had seen it somewhere, but . . . the memory kept on disappearing from her mental grasp. "A black stone . . . something like that. It shines darkly. It sucks in the light and changes it into dark energy."

Koushiro had the same look of perplexity. " . . . Why do I have the feeling I've seen it?"

Kimika looked at him in surprise. She wasn't that certain if she had seen it somewhere or it was just imagination, but Koushiro sounded like that he knew he had seen it, but uncertain of the memory. "You have?"

"I know I have, but how did I? I have this memory that I try to grasp on . . ."

"From your past?"

"Probably." Koushiro sighed, shaking his head. "I'm sure I will eventually remember it."

Kimika mentally frowned. Since Koushiro was the Warder and knew everything about the Digiworld and Digimon, should he even remember a memory? Was he really supposed to know everything . . . ? She found it odd since he knew so much about this world and still, he couldn't even recall a simple memory. She put the thought aside as Koushiro recited the last riddle.

'One in the center,

Shall you bear the slayer to end all?'

The rainbow sword is held by a human hand.

'Shall you unite the time to end all?'

Many symbols float in midair, most of them recognized as crest symbols. Only six of them are new. They come in three circles. The outer circle carries the Old Kids' symbols. The middle one is with the New Kids' crests. The inner circle bears four new symbols: an hourglass, three triangles binding altogether, two circles linked with an arc in between, and a triangle with three lighting bolts on it. The circles spin around two crests, one looking like Heart, but with the other half and the other one a circle with a lighting bolt through. Then they mingle into a new crest symbol, which is a perfect circle, the middle twisted, the symbol of infinity, colored as the rainbow.

'Shall you sacrifice the sight to end all?

You alone decide our fate.'

Blackness . . .                                                   

Kimika gasped as the blackness covered her sight and she was truly blinded for a second before it was restored. She calmed down with Koushiro's comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm okay . . . thanks. I see the sword again, this time held by someone . . . Then all the crest symbols - I recognize all but six - mingling into a new symbol."

"Seven?"

She nodded. "Yes, there are seven crest symbols that I don't recognize. I know they are crests, it's just a feeling. Six that mingle with outs and the last one."

"What did they look like?"

"Oh, I couldn't see very well . . . they come so fast, but the last one looks clear enough. It's shaped like an eight, with all the colors."

He again stared at the screen. "Seven crests . . . I guess that five of them could belong to the Fallen Children."

"Wait a minute. I thought Nikhai had the Crest of Heart?"

Koushiro shrugged his hands. "I don't know . . . Maybe it is something else."

Kimika grunted and rubbed her eyes before said, "What about the other two or three crests?"

"They could belong to any Digidestined out there . . ."

The Seer found it irritating that she still didn't understand while Koushiro seemed to know about something. "If the five don't belong to the Fallen, they could belong to anybody."

He remained silent, meditating, and then his black eyes glanced up to the other resident in the cottage: Sanimon. Kimika was surprised that she forgot about her. Sanimon was so quiet and had an ability to 'slide' in the shadows and remain unnoticed. Something that Kimika can do. Sanimon had drunk her tea calmly, watched the two kids with keenness. When Koushiro looked at her, Sanimon faintly smiled and just waited until Koushiro asked. "You know, don't you?" He arched an eyebrow. "After all, you're the Guardian of the Digidestined."

Sanimon simply nodded as she sipped some more. Her golden eyes turned to Kimika and she asked, "Can you recall what the other crests look like?" Kimika shook her head in response. The Digimon understand. "Unfortunately, I don't recognize the symbol. As with the others, I'm afraid I can't help here. I have my limits, though I'm curious."

"Can you help with anything else?" Koushiro asked.

Sanimon moved to sit at Koushiro's other side and peered carefully at the translated riddles, impressed at how well the kids solved. "Now that you discovered the basic meaning of the riddles, you're one step closer to defeat Daematermon, but nothing close enough." Her tiny finger pointed at the line of Daematermon. "'One that dies not, you must not end.' It represents Daematermon, obviously, from the Seer's reading. She cannot die . . ."

Kimika was horrified. "She is immortal?"

Sanimon shook her head. "No, not immortal . . . Trapped by life. She wants to die . . ."

Kimika blinked in surprise, and then looked over to Koushiro as he nodded. "That feeling from her . . . Yes, I feel that from her. Loneliness, anger and sadness."

The first time they met Daematermon, the Digidestined and Digimon had perceived a sensation of anger, along with grief, from her, much like what Apocalypmon had. Several of them felt sympathy for her while the rest were just confused at the feelings. Kimika exhaled, shaking her head, trying to ignore the recall. 'One that dies not, you must not end.' "So we can't kill her."

"No, if you do, the world will end," Sanimon said.

"But she's the one who killed the Digimon and destroyed the Shields!" Koushiro protested.

The Guardian again shook her head. "No, Vampdevimon did that. Daematermon wants nothing of those."

Koushiro gazed to a musing Kimika and said, "Then what does she want with Cleo and the Crest of Heart?" Even though that he was looking at Kimika, his words were meant for Sanimon. Kimika sighed, seeing the emotions raging in the black eyes and risked a glance at Sanimon. She was looking at him with sympathy.

"I'm sure everything will be cleared in time."

"Time?" Koushiro's voice raised an octave as he whirled to the Digimon. "We don't have time!"

Kimika, already knowing what will happen, quickly squeezed her hands on his arm, rubbing it in order to calm him. She felt him stiffening, but then finally relaxed. His head was bowed, keeping his eyes on his laptop. Kimika waited to make sure that Koushiro's emotions were calm, and then asked Sanimon, "Is there another way to save the worlds?"

"Oh, yes, there is a way. I don't know if it's possible to find the place again, but I do believe it's at that temple."

"Which one?" Koushiro grunted, scowling, as Kimika tilted her head. Sanimon just smiled and he continued, "You have too many temples. What do you worship, anyway?"

"You," was the Guardian's simple answer, and her grin widened. "This temple isn't what you think. Warder, do you recall where you first received your power?"

How Koushiro could forget? Kimika thought. It was hard enough not to forget the place where the Digidestined first got their power. The memories were still fresh, and despite that there were a lot of pain and suffering involved, the Digidestined were fond of these moments, remembering when they found that they were chosen to carry powers born out of their crests, proving that they were needed to protect the worlds.

Koushiro nodded as he remembered. "At an old building somewhere deep in a jungle . . . Do you know what that place is?"

Sanimon seemed glad that he remembered. "It was long lost, thought to be lost forever. When you found your power there, I was astonished and excited. The place was called the Central. It's supposed to contain all the data remembered from the Digiworld. The very history of our world. Unmons used to protect it jealously, making sure that no iota of data was deleted. No one knows what happened to it; believed to be vanished after the First Battle and the Digiworld's first rebooting."

" . . . I see . . ." Koushiro crossed his arms. "So, to find a way to defeat Daematermon, we have to go to this Central to find how the Final Battle ended."

"You can find everything that you need to know . . . It would be extremely helpful for our future."

Kimika silently watched, her mind already psychically connected with Koushiro's head, knowing what he was thinking as he said, "So what is the problem?"

Sanimon gave him an affectionate look. "You get on quick. If my knowledge serves me well, I believe that the Central is encoded. You have to set a code to decode the access block."

Koushiro faintly smiled and Kimika knew that he wouldn't turn down a challenge. "Do you think I can decode it?"

"You almost did."

Now Kimika straightened up in perplexity as Koushiro tilted his head toward Sanimon. "I did? How did I?"

The red-robed Digimon chuckled, leaning back. "I suggest that you go there and find it yourself."

Koushiro resisted from rolling his eyes and pressed on, "Would it demand us too long? Have all of us go together?"

Kimika broke her silence by shaking her head. "No, we don't have to. We can just go on our own."

He looked at her in surprise. "You wish to go along?"

"Hey, I helped with the riddles! No way that you keep me away," Kimika flashed a soft smile.

Sanimon suggested, "It's better to take those who had gone with you. Better to keep the Central hidden." There was light concern in her face. "I don't know what anybody will do to it . . ."

The redhead nodded. "Agreed. We will convoy Matt."

"Take Frankie, too."

"But he doesn't know anything about the Central," Koushiro protested.

"You trust him, don't you? Remember, Frankie and Cleo are new Digidestined and so they replace TK and Kari in their places, respectively. TK and Kari belong to the Armor Children."

Kimika understood what she meant; she always understood. Frankie and Cleo were already known to the group before Takeru and Hikari joined with the New Kids, so it was like that Frankie and Cleo took up their positions to 'balance' it out. It did make sense.

Koushiro leaned back on his hands, his mind busy with the planning. "Ok, so we can't tell anybody else."

Sanimon looked lightly relieved. "They will know about it later, just not now. The Central, now that it's found, is too valuable to us."

Kimika smiled to herself. Finally, something to do! She didn't look at it as an adventure, but as an opportunity to find more information on Daematermon and hopefully, something that will help stop her. Anything will be very helpful! She cleared her throat to get Koushiro's attention. "Izzy, do you think we can do this after we meet up with the Holy Beasts? I know that we can do it while the others go talk with the Holy Beasts, but would that be better if the others finish talking and return here while we find the Central?"

Koushiro considered for a moment, and then looked over to Cleo with hesitance in his face. Kimika held her breath, hoping and knowing that it wasn't good for him to stay and brood over this too much. He needed to do something and this was his chance.

Sanimon voiced, "Don't worry, we will watch over her, too."

Koushiro chuckled and nodded "I know you will. But I worry about the absence of time. Do we have time?"

"No, and that's why we need to hurry."

"No time to waste . . ." Kimika silenced, waiting for his answer. Koushiro peered at his computer for a moment, thinking, and then a wide grin crossed on his face. "Izzy?"

The black eyes gazed over to her. "Kim, I have confidence that we might be able to do this."

Kimika's grin matched his. "Is there any doubt?"

"Yes, there is," Koushiro responded seriously, then smiled, "and I still have hope."

"Faith, Izzy." Kimika corrected him. "Faith."

"Yes, faith . . ." Kimika thought the smile on his face made him more handsome and cheerful. He shut down his laptop and stood up. "Come on, let's tell Matt and Frankie about our new plans!"

***

"Look, they begin to have faith."

"Your faith."

A soft, almost shy chuckle. "Not mine. I only carry it."

A loving smile toward him, then she sighed. "Still, even with faith, there's bound to have doubt present. My only concern is that they might lose faith long before the Battle."

"The Battle isn't theirs. It belongs to the Fallen." A tilt of his head. "Has your student gotten the rest ready?"

Silence.

"Soul mate?"

"It's so long since I hear the word student. I no longer see him as my student, but as my son."

"You love him as a son and so I understand. His pain is your pain."

"But my hope is not his hope . . ." Bitterness fouled her voice. "I departed this world before I could give it to him."

He carried hope in his voice. "He still keeps on living, doesn't he?"

"Only because of her."

". . .  which is fortunate, for if it wasn't for her, all the battles the Digimon and the Digiworld, me including, have fought and suffered would be in vain."

Another span of silence, which later was broken by quiet cries.

"Oh, soul mate, I'm sorry I made you cry."

"No it's not your fault." A sigh whispered. "He's not ready, nor the others, I fear."

"They will be."

" . . . I only hope."

***

"Clever little Seeker . . . hiding your Shield here." Vampdevimon allowed a smirk on his black face as he admired the sight of countless windmills.

The hills were covered with windmills of every kind, lazily spinning in the gusts that were famous in the Windy Hills. The windmills were of every kind, wooden ones with whitewash paint peeling off, metal kinds that span silently, rounded and modern, and there were even pinwheels standing among the giants, their colorful blades flashing against the green landscapes. Vampdevimon was surprised that it was the first time since his odd dark mood that he admired the sight. He didn't know why the windmills pleased him, but perhaps it was just because of human nature.  He had learned much more than enough about humans from his former 'visit' to Earth during Myotismon's reign. Mostly, he just sneered and looked down to the ant-like people from the tops of the buildings, but he found humans interesting. For instance, humans loved to hide things in obvious sight.

He was supposed to seek for the Air Shield here. He assumed that the Shield would be in a fashion of something related to the element of air. The Windy Hills in the middle of the Continent of Cipher was a place mostly likely to hide the Air Shield. Also, the Shield could be in the shape of a windmill or a pinwheel, and not to his surprise, it was a windmill. So easy to hide and so hard to find. Vampdevimon enjoyed a challenge, even though that he knew he could figure the enigma quick enough. The only obstacle in his way was which one.

His golden eyes scrutinized the area carefully, picking up anything that might look out of place. A glimpse of red and he found it. It wasn't hard at all, but he knew that he could overlook the tiny simple-looking pinwheel standing in between of gigantic metallic windmills. Any less-experienced observers would miss it if he hasn't noticed that the blades weren't moving in the winds. The pinwheel was dark red, contrasting against the grey-blue metal windmills, its body white with light orange lines spiraling downward. The blades remained unmoving, like was in dead air. How unusual for the Air Shield.

Well, he knew the Seeker pretty good, more than any other Digidestined, for he was the one who followed and tricked her into losing her faith in her crest. He knew how she thought, how she acted. She had an air of politeness, although her roughness can often fool any spectator. Protective and motherly, he found himself growing closer to her than he expected. Not in this lovey-dovey mushy stuff that those humans held highly, but a definite affection that he'd developed from his annoyance and disappointment when he failed in attempting to make her forget. She wasn't stubborn or determined, but she knew who she was, and she was willing not to give her identity up to anybody. She was proud. She had all this love for her friends and family that he could almost see it glowing.                                      

And he was jealous of her for having love in return. Vampdevimon scowled, growled. Where did these thoughts come from? He watched the pinwheel, almost wishing it to spin, watching to see some life in it. It was ironic in some way to him that the pinwheel was the same color as the Seeker's crest and yet there was no life moving in the pinwheel, no gusts strong enough to move the blades an inch. He stared at it for a moment until it appeared to him that the pinwheel was like him. Energetic, eager for battles, and searching for life to move on, and . . . he had no life of his own. His life belonged to his mother, to Fate, to Death. He had no control over his life. He was resurrected, but only to serve his mother and face the Digidestined. Was that supposed to be his life? Fighting and serve one another? Was he supposed to be his own master?

No . . . If he was his own master, he wouldn't stand here, staring at the damned pinwheel, wasting his time! Destroying the shields meant nothing to him now . . . The world was already weak! What point was to destroy the shields, only to weaken the world far more? What was it in for him . . . ? Vampdevimon sighed, sitting down, cursing his thoughts, but the feeling of loss was still there. Was that the punishment to be alive? It was fated. He will face the Digidestined. He will fail to them, as his mother said. And he will die to Oblivion . . . That wasn't right. It was not right . . . He wanted to know why. Why was he brought here for? Why was he chosen to fight against the good forces? Why? Why? He wanted answers, but he knew that he won't get them from Daematermon. She was too preoccupied right now even to express her 'motherly love'.

Motherly love . . . Vampdevimon was startled, seeing the face of the Seeker. The girl had showed motherly love to her friends, as much as his mother showed it to him . . . Has he really wanted motherly love . . . ? No . . . That wasn't it. That wasn't what he wanted to know. Just about his existence. He could ask this little Watcher, but he had no clue to her whereabouts. Prophetmon, the legendary prophet that predicted the legends of the Digidestined? Doubt it. Maybe . . . Maybe the Unmons? They knew pretty much about the histories, and probably had lived through the First Battle, and so they might know about Daematermon. But how and who to find?

Vampdevimon faintly smiled. Gennai Unmon . . . the only Unmon who was often seen by Digimon and was the Mentor for the kids. He must have answers . . .

He stood up and began to walk away before he stopped and turned to look down at the pinwheel. He then reached down and plucked it out. His movements had triggered the pinwheel into spinning its blades, but only for a second. He absently stroked the blades before his other hand sent tongues of black fire to burn it down.

Fate will not control me . . . Nor you . . .

***

(Ha! I was totally unexpected when I wrote this about Sora. Have I actually developed a fondness for her? Have I actually overlooked her outward appearances and accepted her personality and pride? Have I?! Oh, god, I don't know! I know I write her so bloody good, but . . . Oh, god! *breaks down in tears as Defy comforts me* No offense to Sora fans, even though you probably are. ^~;; )

***

A thin line of blood-red dashes past, pulsating as if by heartbeat, and a voice . . .

Nor you . . .

She quietly gasped in start as faint agony stabbed within her chest, just where her heart was. The pain was not terrible, but just painful enough to jerk her into gasps and tensing of her body as she attempted to ease it down. Her skin became feverish, and not even the icy-cold breeze could soothe her. Just now, a thin outline of her red aura appeared around her, illuminating the small area, revealing her sitting on a rock in the Zen garden, just after the sun set, Frankie sitting by.

She could see the utter concern and worry reflecting in his face as he noticed the agony on her face and the aura. "Sky . . ." As quick, his strong arms came around her, surprising and warming her, she feeling heavy protection in the muscles. The warmth somewhat cooled down her feverish skin and she allowed herself to settle in his arms, waiting for the agony to fade away.

She barely heard the voice of Frankie, "It'll be alright. We will stop him. We will."

Sora said nothing, closing her eyes, bewilderment and sympathy coming in replacement of the vanishing pain. Stop Vampdevimon? Will we? I heard his voice . . . I felt his heart beating with mine . . . Was . . . was he thinking of something when he destroyed my Shield? Was it . . . desire? Of what? . . . And why I feel pity for him . . . ?

To be continued!