Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon plain and simple.

LunaOp AznG3: I am so glad that my fic is actually getting reviews! Thanks everyone who reviewed! Usually, stories either get hundreds of reviews or barely any. I think I'm falling in between. Anyway, read this chappie and review!

Chapter 6: Meet Mrs. Tachikawa

(Kouji's p.o.v.)

Boring day, what a boring day. Now that the holidays are over, no one seems to be happy anymore. I can't trust the fact that they're just cheerful during Christmas either. Hmph, I hope Izumi comes home soon too. She's been gone since 2:00, probably with Junpei. He better not be dragging her around the city. He knows today is special.

(Izumi's p.o.v.)

I feel so full now! Who knew a chocolate milkshake and a strawberry sundae could be so… much! 'How can I get home now?' I suddenly realized that I spent all the subway money on treats. 'Oh man! Now I've gotta walk back.' I thought miserably. I lugged myself towards Kouji's house.

(Kouji's p.o.v.)

'Where is that girl? She should be back by now.' Suddenly, the door opened. Izumi walked in and plopped herself on the couch.

"Where were you?" I asked, obviously sounding a bit annoyed. I tried to hide it but I couldn't.

"Oh? Hi Kouji. I was out with Junpei," she replied, half-asleep.

"I thought so." I felt inclined to know what made her so tired.

"Did anything happen?" I asked. She explained the whole thing to me. Turns out she just ate too much.

"I'm sorry Kouji, I know you were waiting for me here," she said suddenly.

"Really? From what today is like, I thought you'd forgotten." There I go, hurting her with my sudden coldness.

"Forgotten! How could I? Today is your… what is today?" she asked sheepishly while sitting up.

(Izumi's p.o.v.)

'What is he talking about?' I didn't know today was special. I hope it's not anything too important. I'd hate to forget something like that.

"You did forget. Never mind," he replied coldly. I couldn't believe how mean he was being. I really don't know what he's talking about.

"Kouji! What? What did I forget?" I asked, hoping he would tell me and not hold a grudge; because when he gets mad, he can stay that way for a long time.

(Kouji's p.o.v.)

I felt bad about being so mean right then. I didn'twant to. It's just me.

"Izumi, it's…" I hesitated to tell her. A part of me didn't want to, but my heart told me she honestly didn't know about today.

"It's my mom. We are supposed to meet her this evening at 5:30, but it doesn't seem like you're ready," I continued. Again, my coldness slipped through.

'What are you doing? She's your friend, you moron. Quit acting like this,' my conscience yelled.

"I- I didn't know that. I couldn't have forgotten it either," she stuttered.

Izumi could be right. It's not like her to forget about important things. I scolded myself mentally for losing my temper.

"You never told me, Kouji. I don't remember you telling me," she said firmly.

I tried to find a time where I told her, and then I realized that I never did.

Not really wanting to admitI was mistaken, I reluctantly said, "I guess I never did. Sorry." It's still hard to apologize to people, but I'm getting the hang of it.

"It's okay. Look, we still have time to meet your mom. Come on, we might be late but we'll make it. I'll go get ready right now!" she jumped up from the couch and headed upstairs.

(Izumi's p.o.v.)

On the streets, we walked silently again on the sidewalk. "Why are we walking?" I asked.

Kouji pointed to a little restaurant sign a few blocks down. "My mom's right over there."

I could see the restaurant from here. Its lights were warm yellow and the little neon letters on the roof spelled out, "Mocha Palace." The entire place glowed with heat that immediately pushed away the chill of winter winds. I could tell why Mrs. Kimura picked that place.

"Come on." Kouji tugged my arm lightly to get me going again. I had slowed down to observe the restaurant.

Suddenly a big whoosh and then a colored blur brushed against my vision. It was a car, an expensive one too. It had screeched to a stop. The license plate read, "Tachikawa." I sucked in a breath of air.

"Izumi! What a pleasant surprise." Out popped Akihiko! I groaned inside. Junpei said I was supposed to stay clear of him, and I promised I would. A little talk can't hurt, though, can it?

"Akihiko! Hi! I didn't expect to see you today," I said politely. Trying to hold my tongue was a big problem now because I didn't want to spit out the things Junpei told me.

"Yes, well I'm just driving back home with my wife. Izumi, meet Asura."

A young lady, about Kouichi's age stepped out from the passenger side.

"Hello, nice to meet you," I said automatically. "I'm Izumi Orimoto."

"So, you're the woman who Akihiko keeps talking about at work. I'm his wife, Asura Tachikawa," she said, emphasizing, "wife."

Kouji stood there silently. I hit my head for forgetting to introduce him.

"Here, this is Kouji Minamoto. He's one of my best friends." I pushed him towards Akihiko and Asura.

"My, my. I should think that you were a movie star with the way you look," she said.

Somehow I felt that Asura was kind of strange. She acted pretty shady to me. Kouji shrugged.

"Well, Kouji and I are going to see his mom. So if you'll excuse us…" I said, knowing that we had to hurry because we were already late.

"Yes, of course. Um… I think we should all go out one night to get to know each other. Sounds okay?" Akihiko asked.

I agreed while Kouji nodded his head slowly as if he was trying to think about it for a long time. I expected he'd act like this. He's not one to trust people easily, even though he's improved since then.

"Excellent! How about this time two days from now?" he exclaimed.

"No objections here," I replied. I glanced over at Kouji to see what he'd say. Nothing.

"Okay. Goodbye! It was nice meeting you, Kouji!" Akihiko yelled as they left in their car. Kouji and I started walking away.

"Hey, what's the matter with you?" I asked right away as soon as the car disappeared below the horizon.

"Nothing. You know how it is with me and strangers," he replied, obviously trying to get away from the subject.

I opened my mouth to reply but he interrupted, "Listen, let's just go see my mom, kay? We'll talk about this later."

I nodded and shifted my vision to Kouji's mom standing there at the door with her coat and her arms held out to greet us.

I guess I should forget about things for now. Mrs. Minamoto will get my full attention.

But maybe, we could discuss Akihiko with her. It would burden her. I have to do it because she deserves to know what's going on with Kouji's life and mine.

(No one's p.o.v.)

Inside Tachikawa's car.

Akihiko felt a bad vibe resonating within the car. Asura was more quiet than usual. It was if she was planning something inside that little head of hers. She was deep in thought.

'So Izumi is the one. Hmmm… I wonder if she'll actually be the one to take my Akihiko away. I'll kill her if she does. And that Kouji, such a good looking guy. What a waste that he's with her.' Asura pondered. These violent thoughts continued to flood her mind over and over throughout the night. Something was wrong wither her and soon, Izumi's world will be shaken once more again.

End of Chapter 6

LunaOp AznG3: Yay, something's stirring in the plot now! Finally, ne? I didn't know what to name Akihiko's wife so I just used a word that popped up. I 'm not sure if it's Japanese, but I think it sounds close enough. Anyhoo, review please!

Edit 8/2/05: Turns out that the name Asura is part of Indian mythology or something like that. Sorry for so much dialogue in this chapter. I will fix it soon.