"Oh..." Ken whispered softly. Hikari turned her head to see the look of contented surprise on Ken's face. He'd continued walking but was looking downward with great interest.
"What is it?"
He blushed. "Nothing."
"Huh?" Daisuke fell back to talk to them. "What's up?"
"Nothing's up."
Koushiro frowned. "You might as well tell us what's wrong. We're going to find out anyway."
"Ken chan?" Wormon rubbed against his leg. Ken's blush deepened.
"Nothing's wrong. Sam just uh... kicked me is all."
"Sam..." Miyako said taking a moment to register the thought. "Oh, how sweet. You named the baby Samantha after your brother Sam?"
"Ano, no. I just named her Sam."
Miyako gave him a puzzled look. He was so simplistic sometimes.
Hikari smiled and held her finger up. "The name Sam indicates that she'll be very responsible and independent."
"Soo da ne, she'll be Iori." Daisuke joked.
"She'll be herself. That's all that matters." Sora insisted.
"Sora doesn't believe in that kind of stuff. She's a... whatsit? Nurture person." Miyako explained.
"Nurture?" Ken replied. "Oh you mean behavioral socialization. Well, I'd have to say I agree with you, Sora kun. A good deal of a person's personality comes from his or her surroundings. However, I'd have to say that inert nature is a strong part of it as well. Otherwise, Yamato kun would be just like Takeru kun"
"They do have a lot in common." Hikari pointed out. Ken shook his head.
"That's only because they're close. I think Takeru kun and Yamato kun have very different personalities, even when it seems they're acting the same."
"So you're alright?" Koushiro demanded. Far be it for him to neglect his duty. He promised Jyou he'd look out for Ken after all. Though it seemed Hikari was doing most of the job.
"I'm fine."
"You look tired." He accused. Ken rubbed his forehead.
"I am tired. And my head hurts. And I was still completely nauseous this morning. Do you need a more detailed report or should I just send Jyou an email?"
"Ehh, that won't be necessary."
Miyako giggled. "I'll end soon, Ken chan. I'm sure."
"It hasn't since the project began. I'm getting used to it actually. Jumping dimensions throws me off a bit though." Sam squirmed inside him, trailing the inside of her environment with one hand. Exploring.
Miyako moved closer to Ken and unabashedly felt his stomach. After a weak flutter, Miyako pressed inward a bit. Sam gave a strong whack in response.
"Waaa. She's really smart."
Ken chuckled. "I'd imagine."
"I bet she's cute." Miyako said beaming. "I bet she'll be the cutest baby I'll ever seen. So cute it makes you barf."
"I'm not sure the world is ready for a Ichijoji like that." Ken replied. "Cute and smart? It could get scary."
"Oh, that wouldn't be so much different from the Ichijoji we already have." Hikari put in, bumping against Ken teasingly. Ken pushed his hair around his ears anxiously.
"Yare yare, and look where that one got you."
Tailmon smiled impishly and stuck her foot out in front of Ken. He flailed for a moment before crashing into Hikari's arms.
"You okay?" She smiled at him as he tried to regain his balance enough to stand on his own. Ken flushed a little and rolled his eyes.
"Eh heh. I guess I would be okay if I could figure out how to walk." Ken joked. Sam refused to settle down after the sudden movement and Ken resigned himself to rub her little apartment until she let him walk comfortably again. She had gotten awfully strong over the past few days, which was odd since they'd only been in the Digital World a short while. It was probably his imagination, but it seemed like his pants got tighter by the day. "Thanks Hika chan."
Veemon frowned over at Tailmon, who stuck out a little pink tongue.
"You play dirty."
"Tell me about it, stud." She wiggled her tail and pranced up to Ken and Hikari, who were walking a little closer now. Hikari was afraid that with Ken not being quite himself, he'd fall again and get hurt this time. Ken seemed in a better mood than before, but since that monster attack, he'd been kind of gloomy. She wanted him to open up to her, and explain what was going on.
"Are we any closer to that castle?" Daisuke asked, realizing that was probably close to a version of 'are we there yet.' Tailmon looked around.
"I think so. But I don't see why we haven't reached it yet."
"Probably because you were flying when you saw it. We're on foot." Hikari pointed out. Sora shrugged.
"Either way, keep in mind our date with the others back at camp." She reminded them. "We can schedule it so the Digimon fly us back, but we have to make sure we get there. I don't know if Tai kun will wait to go looking for us if we're late."
"Sounds like Taichi kun, but remember he has Jyou kun, Iori kun and Yamato kun with him." Koushiro added. "I'm actually surprised we haven't heard from them yet. I wonder if Patamon has gotten there yet?"
"Well, they're on the move after all." Tailmon said, brushing against Hikari's legs to tickle her. Hikari subconsciously moved closer to Ken. Veemon snuck up behind Tailmon and pulled her tail. "Oi!"
"Be nice, Veemon." Daisuke admonished. Veemon rolled his eyes and looked over to Wormon who was trying not to laugh.
"We may have a long journey ahead of us." Ken told them. "So try to get along."
"Don't worry about it." Wormon whispered to the little lizard Digimon.
"Ano, anyway." Koushiro muttered, confused but not really intrigued by the exchanged. He opened his D-terminal and began composing an email to the others. "I'm going to tell the others that Patamon is on his way, and we're hunting down some leads as to the nature of our summoning."
"Good idea." Sora said, looking around them. "We've been in this forest for an awfully long time."
"It all looks the same to me." Miyako replied, adjusting her glasses.
"I think we've passed that rock a couple of times." Tentomon ventured.
"What, we're lost?" Sora sighed. She looked down to her Digimon, who seemed content chatting away with Hawkmon. "Biomon, would you mind going up with Hawkmon and checking this area out from the air? We need to figure out where we're going."
"No problem" Biomon said.
"Off we go." Hawkmon called, launching into the air. Sora stopped walking.
"Let's wait on them. No point wandering around if you don't know what direction to go in."
"Not like we haven't done that in the Digital World before." Koushiro mentioned. Sora smiled.
"Remember Mimi's 'watches?' "
"Do I ever. My goodness, I wasn't sure we were going to find our way out of that desert." Koushiro looked up. "I don't think they're getting our message."
"Really, what's wrong with it?" Miyako asked, leaning over his shoulder. Koushiro tried to brush her off unsuccessfully.
"I don't know. It says the recipient is unknown."
"Computer gibberish." Miyako concluded. "Try again."
"I tried it three times. Unless you have a new method of sending email."
"I think the enemy is deliberately blocking our communications. With Dark Magic." Ken said gravely.
"Tai kun and the others could be in trouble!" Daisuke gaped. Ken nodded.
"Biomon!" Sora called. "What do you see up there?"
"Forest. Miles and miles of forest. I don't even see where we came in."
"Come on down. We need to make a plan."
The two bird Digimon fluttered back down.
"What was that you were saying about Dark Magic, Ken kun?" Koushiro asked. Ken held his arms and tried to think of the best way to put this.
"When we were attacked by that monster, I felt... something was off in this world."
"I felt it too." Hikari concurred. "When that boy Yugo was using his magic, almost everything around us seemed to warp."
"And... there was this... coldness." Ken said. "Bitter coldness."
"We've got to get out of this forest." Miyako said.
"It wasn't like this when we were here before." Sora pointed out. "We wandered for awhile, and Yama kun noted the mixed up signs, but we found a desert eventually."
"I think we're going in the opposite direction now, actually." Koushiro said seriously. "Biomon, Hawkmon, when you were up there, did you see Infinity Mountain? All indications point to us being back on File Island."
"We saw it, but it was really far away." Biomon said hesitantly. Hawkmon nodded.
"Across the ocean."
"How is that possible?" Miyako demanded, shaking him for all his feathers worth.
"I do not know, Miyako chan, please calm down."
"First things first." Sora said loudly to get everyone's attention. "We need to get out of this forest."
"I could use a trail of breadcrumbs right now." Miyako grumbled. Sora put her arm around her and smiled.
"Exactly. We need to start marking our trail, so we know where we've been."
Tailmon nodded. "I'll put claw marks along as we go, so we don't get followed by any bad Digimon that see it."
"Good idea Tailmon." Hikari petted her head. Tailmon purred.
"I know."
Miyako looked over her koi with a certain smug satisfaction. Sora was wearing her white shirt with the red interlocking female symbols and her matching black belt and high cut boots. Those broad, swinging hips clothed in snug figure-fitting jeans were accompanied by a plump rear which Miyako was altogether very familiar. She wished they could get alone together. Maybe Koushiro's company would take off, and they wouldn't have to talk about it.
"What are you smiling at?" Koushiro asked curiously. It was illogical to be smiling. It was freezing, and they were still prospectively lost. Miyako smirked and leaned over to him.
"Sora chan's fine ass." She whispered in his ear. Koushiro's ears turned red.
"Sorry I asked." He murmured.
"Don't you think it looks great? She's so built."
"Um, I suppose so."
"Or is Mimi chan more your type."
Koushiro opened his D-terminal and began working furiously. Miyako squealed.
"That's it!" She hissed. "You're crushing on Mimi chan!"
"I most certainly am not." He insisted, looking around to see if anyone was looking. "I have a girlfriend."
"Online?"
"Shut up."
"I really think Sora has the best ass here. What do you think? Sora chan or Ken chan?"
"Ehh... tough call." Koushiro looked up at the sky trying not to laugh. Miyako rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"It is. Oh well. We'll have to line them up when we set camp so we can decide."
"Of course. The most logical solution." Koushiro returned sarcastically. "You might want to put it off so Yamato kun and Mimi san can participate. They'd be jealous."
"You're right." Miyako chirped. "Their asses are pretty sweet too. But I still think Sora's is the best."
"Miyako chan. I hate to interrupt." Hawkmon intervened. "But what are you talking about??"
Miyako waved her hand dismissively. "Saaa nothing important."
Sora looked back at her quizzically, but smiled warmly at the blush on her face. How cute.
"There." Tailmon said sharply. "My claw mark. We are going in circles."
Miyako practically fell down. Daisuke jumped up.
"Let me take the lead for awhile!"
"Ch', great, then we'd really be lost."
"I don't agree." Ken said, looking over at her nonchalantly. "Daisuke is a pretty good tracker. He might have a better chance of recognizing different surroundings as we pass by."
Miyako opened her mouth to protest but Sora put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "He's right. When I thought we were in the Signs Forest, I was the best leader, because I remember how to get out of there, but we aren't there anymore, and we need someone more experienced in camping than me. Go for it Daisuke kun."
Miyako crossed her arms irritably. No one understands my koi.
"If we can't make any progress by nightfall," Sora continued reasonably. "We should set camp, and in the morning try to get out of here by air. Birdramon, Aquilamon and... Stingmon, the rest should just stay undigivolved and ride with the others."
"A logical course of action Sora kun." Koushiro noted, doing his best to analyze the area.
Daisuke marched on proudly ahead, making sure to note their surroundings as he went.
"Oi, Ken chan, thanks for sticking up for me."
Ken shrugged. "Well, it's not like you're lost all the time. Though you're going to be when we get back."
"Why's that?"
"We've going to be here awhile it seems." Ken pointed out. "You're going to fall behind on all your classes."
"Unnn... whatever." Daisuke poked Ken's side. "I bet Doctor what's-er-face is going to be mad at you."
"Eto, I bet she is. She'll probably lock me in the lab for the duration." Ken admitted looking forward. "Is it me or does everything look the same here?"
"Everything looks the same." Daisuke muttered. It was true; each tree seemed to have the same branches, same leaves.
"There's my clawmark again." Tailmon said in support.
"What are we going to do?" Hikari asked. Tailmon looked up anxiously.
"This is weird. I've never been this lost before. I say we stop now and try to get out by air in the morning."
"I agree." Tentomon said. "We need to scrounge up some food anyway."
"That sounds great!" Veemon cheered. Wormon nodded.
Koushiro sighed heavily and looked to Sora.
"You're guess is as good as mine. Let's go ahead and set camp?"
Koushiro nodded. "I'm going to stay here and lay out some leaves to sleep on, then I'll try to contact the others again, though I doubt it's possible."
Sora nodded. "I'll go over this way and forage for some berries or something."
"I'll come with you." Miyako offered. Sora shook her head firmly.
"No, you go with Hikari chan and Tailmon. I'll be fine. I have Biomon with me."
Miyako frowned and turned to Hikari, who was already heading in the opposite direction of Daisuke and Ken who were discussing about trail making techniques that she didn't get. Hikari was walking swiftly with her head down. She almost ran into a tree.
"Are you mad Hika chan?" Miyako asked with concern.
"No. I'm just trying to act mature. And failing."
"Oh. Well, join the club."
"There's no time for this silliness." Hikari scolded herself. Tailmon rubbed her leg.
"One walk in the woods isn't going to send him into Daisuke kun's arms." She said firmly. "Don't give up yet."
I'm not. I'm just trying to keep things in perspective."
Miyako whipped her head around as she saw something bright green dart around them.
"What was that?"
Hikari stopped sniffing berries on the bushes and looked up curiously. "What was what?"
"I thought I saw someone." Miyako said softly. A chill ran up her back and she edged closer to Hikari. "Don't call me a chicken. But don't let me out of your site, okay? And same with you for me."
Hikari nodded seriously and narrowed her eyes in concentration. Listening hard as she gathered the berries.
wonder....Daisuke..... cold...
Hikari listened harder.
cold... somethings here....
What is that? She thought to herself, keeping a pleasant expression on her face. It's like someone talking in my head.
"Whoa, careful there, mommy!" Daisuke called as Ken lost his footing grabbing fruit from a tree. Ken smiled down at him.
"I'm okay. It's under control." He tossed down few melon-like fruits.
"Yeah right." Daisuke grumbled trying to catch them as they rained down. How did Ken manage to get me to let him go up there? "Wormon, watch if he falls okay?"
"Absolutely." Wormon's eyes were already keened for trouble. Daisuke knew he could Digivolve pretty fast to catch him should the worst befall them.
I wonder what Dai cjam is thinking down there. Ken anchored himself on a branch and looked down at his friends. They looked like little toys. It's so cold here. I'm glad I decided to wear two sweaters to the party. Well, for that reason, and to better cover up my little bundle.
"You almost done?" Daisuke demanded.
Protective as always. Ken mused. "Almost. Hold on."
He reached over and thought he heard Daisuke gasp as he made a precarious stretch for a fruit that was bunched like bananas, but from his own experience was more like citrus. They'd need the energy from these little suckers to go on.
"Ken chaaaaan, get down now!"
Ken looked at Daisuke quizzically and dropped the bunch down to them.
"What's wrong?"
"Just do it." Daisuke ordered, his head darting around nervously. Ken turned to get a good grip on the tree and began his descent. The bark was rough, and his fingers weren't really accustomed to this anymore. He hadn't counted on getting so tired on the way up, though he really should have considering they way he'd seemed to be feeling lately.
His foot slipped. He frantically grasped with his raw fingers for a branch or the smallest deviant in the tree's surface. His rapid glide down the tree wasn't giving him any time to think and he was fast approaching the ground.
Finally a branch. He grabbed it and it held, for a moment.
Ken wrapped his legs around the tree quickly before the miraculous safeguard decided to break, and completely winded, inched down the trunk to meet the group, who had probably wet their pants on his account. He released himself when he was a foot or two from his goal and turned to face Daisuke.
Who wasn't there.
"Dai chan? Wormon?" He panted. Dammit. He took a deep breath and slid to the ground, using the tree as a support. A hand flew to his sore stomach. That hurts! I've got to be more careful.
Sam whacked his insides for his carelessness. He shivered as he tried once again to placate his daughter.
It's so cold. He thought again. Is it because I feel so weak that it seems so much colder than it was a minute ago?
Something very fast caught his eye.
Someone's here. Something's here? What is that? Ken struggled to get to his feet but hissed through his teeth as he found the exertion impossible. If Dai chan and the others were okay, I wouldn't have slid so far down that tree. Something has them. I bet it already knows I'm here.
Ken felt his entire body freeze as something dark and shadowy made its way out of the bushes.
Sora picked up the larger branches she found along the ground, hoping she wouldn't find any Digisnakemons as she went. Biomon hopped along behind her, sniffing for food.
I know Yo-yo chan wants to spend as much time as possible together, but this isn't really the best place to be alone. I miss cuddling up next to her and... ohhhh... well, we can cuddle tonight anyway. Sora mused as she went along. We'll need to. It's freezing around here.
I need to talk to her anyway. I hope I get the time soon. I'd give her anything, she knows that. So why does it bother her so much -?
A sudden sound brought Sora out of her revelry. Biomon was gone.
"Bi-chan?" She called. I don't think I want to be alone here. "Bii?"
Where'd the little pink bird get to? She set her load down and glanced over the area. I have no fucking idea where I am.
Her heart began to beat frantically like a scared animal was trapped in her chest. She was alone; she was lost. And she was terrified.
"Anyone? Where are you guys?" She called loudly. A flash of purple caught her eye. Turning around she saw a man dressed in black from head to toe. "Um... hello? Are you a Digimon? Do you live here?"
Sora mentally prepared herself for a fight. Her mother hadn't liked it, but during high school she'd taken up self-defense classes. She'd learned to like it after Sora beat a would-be rapist nearly to death on her way home from a frat party one night in college.
The man said nothing, but walked slowly forward. Sora began a move to launch a kick on the man. She couldn't move.
Panic began to set it. She couldn't even bring her lips to release the bloodcurdling scream she felt rising in her chest. He continued his walk over to her and forced her down to the ground. Scarlet eyes flashing wildly, Sora began to lose it as he began to lick her neck.
He's... he's going to.... why can't I move? Miya chan please come get me!!! WHY CAN'T I MOVE!!! I AM NOT A SHRINKING VIOLET AND I WANT TO KICK HIS ASS!!!
His arms pinned her to the ground, he looked deep into her eyes as she finally regained a smidgen of control.
And screamed for all she was worth. Drowning out the sound of a little purple haired girl giggling wickedly in the bushes.
"Sora chan?!?!" Miyako cried angrily. What's going on for her to scream like that??
"Miya chan wait!" Hikari grabbed her arm before she went running madly into the forest. "Where are we?"
Miyako looked around them, only to find the same woods they had seen everywhere in this godsforsaken forest. And Tailmon's clawmark. But no Tailmon.
"Where did our Digimon go?"
"I think it was a really bad idea to split up at night." Hikari said firmly.
oh.... Sam...
"What is that?" Hikari demanded grabbing her head. Miyako looked at her in alarm. She grabbed Hikari and held her close.
"Don't flake out on me Hikari chan!" She yelled. "I need you to help me find Sora chan, ne??"
Hikari's visage was unreadable. Her jaw was slacked, eyes bright in pain or fear, possibly both.
"Follow me." She whispered taking Miyako hand and walking directly out of the thicket they had been in. Miyako trotted along behind quickly, still frightened, but she had seen Hikari do stranger things than navigate a simple forest.
"Sora chan!! Sora?" Miyako cried in disbelief. She was writhing around on the ground, crying and screaming. But there was nothing there. Miyako ran to her side.
"Sora chan please calm down. It's okay. I'm here. Sora... Umou chaaann...." Miyako whispered cupping her face with one hand and leaning close to her. Sora's eyes almost seemed blind, as though her mind were completely somewhere else.
SAM!!!!
Hikari gasped and grabbed her head again.
"Stay with her Miya chan." Hikari instructed. "I'll be right back."
Hikari quickly turned around and ran in the other direction into the black of the dark woods.
She turned around another thicket and saw Daisuke leaning over Ken, hands almost but not quite touching him. As if he were afraid to help.
"What happened?" She asked firmly. Daisuke turned to her, tears in his eyes.
"Ken chan was in the tree picking fruit. I heard something and asked him to come down... he started to fall, and suddenly I was somewhere else, near another tree. When I finally got back here..." Daisuke motioned to Ken whose face was twisted in pain. He was curled up around his middle breathing heavily. Hikari concentrated hard again.
No.......sam......can't....take you.......
The disjointed thoughts floated into her consciousness, making very little sense but fear and anger. Hikari knelt beside him and put her hand to his temple. A horror raged inside Ken's head.
"Illusions, deceptions. Can't you do any better than that?" Hikari accused irately. Her voice was almost a maddened snarl and Daisuke stepped back, wondering if he could actually do anything to help Ken.
Illusions? So maybe Ken chan will be okay... maybe... GODS I hope so... oh Ken chan.
Hikari looked up at Daisuke in sympathy. His frantic thoughts echoed in her head. He really loves him.
She removed her hand from Ken's forehead and took Daisuke's hand. "Try to uncurl him. I don't think the baby's hurt, but she could be if we don't get Ken chan out of this. He thinks the enemy is hurting her and his intense reaction to that illusion could trigger a real problem."
Daisuke nodded and following her instructions joined Hikari in laying him flat on the ground. Ken moaned softly as they moved him.
Hikari chan was wrong. Ken chan has hurt himself, but if we don't get him to wake up, it'll be worse! Daisuke thought. Hikari looked up at him severely then dropped her head to analyze Ken again. Once again she put her hand to his temple.
The dark man is here, he's reached inside me... has his hands on Sam... inside me... the beating of dark wings...
"It might as well be happening." Hikari whispered fearfully.
He's going to corrupt her.... he's going to make her pay for the things I've done!
"Snap out of it Ken chan!!!" Daisuke screeched angrily. Ken cried out pitifully.
Ripping... taking....
Hikari watched in horror as the illusionistic man dug another cruel hand into Ken and proceeded to rip the child out of him. She had no time to even gasp.
A dark wave of energy blasted forth and knocked both Daisuke and Hikari far away from their fallen comrade. Daisuke couldn't even stand to see what had happened, but he could crawl, and crawl he did. Creeping along the ground like Ken's Digimon Daisuke made his way over back to Ken's side.
"The forest..." Ken whispered weakly. He rolled his head over to Daisuke. Hikari looked up from her position. A huge black circle marked the earth where the dark wave had come forth, breaking the illusion.
"The forest is gone." She said in disbelief. She grabbed her own knee and began forcing herself up. A gloved paw helped her.
"You couldn't see us." Tailmon told her surprised girl.
"He's gone..." Sora said laughing hysterically. Tears wet her face as she rocked back and forth. Miyako forced her into a warm embrace and began whispering soothing messages into her ear as she pet her beloved's sweat soaked hair.
"We are still on File Island." Koushiro cried. "This is the area just below Infinity Mountain!"
"No one can break my illusions." The conscious members of the scouting party found themselves looking at an enraged little girl. Baring her teeth, eyes the color of diseased blood bore into them accusingly. She raised her round little bauble and whipped her hair back. "No one.
She hissed coldly at them and suddenly relaxed her face and began to giggled. "That was so much fun Sora chan. You've got a great body and I want to play with you again and again and again."
"Why you!" Miyako growled. The girl raised her hand so an obvious violet barrier formed in front of them. She shook her head dismissively.
"Now now, Miyako chan. You think you can stop me? I had you guys wandering around in my maze like brain-damaged little rats. Even your great white princess couldn't see through the all the illusions, knowing they were there. Right Hikari?"
Hikari tried to think of something biting to say; instead she walked silently over to Ken.
"Are you okay?"
Ken felt his belly cautiously. "I think so. It was all in my head wasn't it?"
"You didn't know that a minute ago." Hikari said severely trying to determine how much of his panting was from residual fear rather than an actual wound. I wish I knew more about babies. Then I could make sure Sam was alright.
"Right now I kind of wish you did too." Ken replied, not even facing her. His eyes were focused on his stomach, straining his senses to feel life inside. A kick, a roll, anything. "Ohh... please do something..."
The girl began to walk forward again. Ken's head snapped up to face her. She stopped.
"You're Ichijoji Ken. The dark wind knows about you. It knows about Sam too. I didn't realize she was here too." The girl said with half-lidded interest. "You stopped me. No one stops me. Though admittedly, I wasn't expecting a master of the Darkness to come along."
"Shut up." Ken hissed. "Get out of here before we decide to tie you up and drag you along behind."
"It's only fair you know me, since I know about you. I'm Shoujo. I had another name once, but I lost it." She said proudly.
Hikari gave her a condescending look. "Why should we care?"
"Know your enemy." Shoujo told them, raising a finger proudly. "I'll be going now, but let me warn you, I'll be back soon. My black beasts will be waiting, and next time, win or lose, I'm taking sexy Sora chan with me. She'll fly with Shoujo in the sky."
Shoujo giggled, flipped her shaded mane and swung her arm around in a circle, disappearing once the bright green trail hand come full swing. The Digidestine tried not to look at one another, for fear of admitting they were sorely outmatched at the moment.
"Oh..." Ken said in relief, rubbing his belly and releasing some of his stress through tears. That little flutter inside him had never seemed so magical. "Sam you scare me sometimes."
"Sam?" Daisuke practically roared. "You scared the piss out of me in that tree! Not to mention when I found you here out of your mind!"
"We are in so much fucking trouble." Koushiro said finally, crouching down and putting his head in his hands.
"You'll think of something, Koushiro chan." Tentomon assured him. Miyako continued petting her lover's hair. Sora was still rocking back and forth, muttering pieces of nonsense.
"Ken chan did you really stop her?" Miyako asked. Ken was still leaning back against a rock, savoring every little movement that made him believe that miracles did indeed happen.
"I think so. I... couldn't let that creature take Sam."
Sora burst into a tearful giggle. "Stupid little bitch!"
"Sora chan please." Miyako held her tightly. Sora continued to laugh clumsily.
"Don't mess with motherly instinct. The kid didn't know that much." She continued. "She didn't know that."
She's coming apart. What did Sora see? Koushiro wondered. "Well, we have a place to stay for the night."
"But it's freezing here." Miyako said. Koushiro picked up his supplies.
"Not here. We're close to a collection of hot springs. We'll be warm enough there." Koushiro explained. He looked over at the weakened trio. "Do you feel strong enough to move, Ken kun?"
"Ano... if I can get up." Ken said uncertainly. He put a hand to the ground to force the move and found that Daisuke was worming his way under his other arm.
"Come on." Daisuke remained there and after a little more panting, Ken managed to get to his feet. Though he was a little uncertain if he could stay there. However, Daisuke refused to leave his side until they'd reached the springs and practically carried his weight the whole way.
"Rest up." Sora muttered. Miyako looked into her blearily sad eyes. "Make a plan in the morning. Find the others."
"Shh... relax." Miyako helped her down onto a soft bed of leaves. She looked over worriedly as Hikari and Daisuke were doing the same for Ken. He'd given up pretending he wasn't extremely uncomfortable and had to allow them to help him. They'd all seen the frightened look on his face, dreaded the horrible idea that his daughter might not survive. But at least for the night, she and her father were safe, if a little sore.
Not a good place to be when carrying a baby. Miyako thought, laying next to her koi, determined never to leave her side again until they were securely back in their own world, or that Shoujo bitch was dead. Not a good place at all.
Sora's eyes soon closed heavily and Miyako curled herself around her lover, petting her hair, admiring her strong face.
You're strong for everyone. You're mother to everyone, but you don't have to be strong for me. I love you as you are. If you feel weak, I'll be the strong one. If you don't feel up to leading, I'll lead. Just don't shut me out.
Miyako noted with amusement that Ken had Daisuke and Hikari sleeping on either side of him, all of their Digimon piled around like a group of particularly fierce hamsters.
One of them will be very good to him. And to think, if it weren't for that sweet night a few years ago, I might be curled up with them, hoping just like them, to find the happiness and equality I have right here.
She smiled and cuddled up to Sora, who finally broke a smile in her sleep and, purring a little, curled her head into Miyako's breasts.
There's more than one thing Shoujo doesn't understand. Miyako mused as she drifted into sleep.
If you like, email me and let me know. I'm vain and like to know if yall like what I'm doing.