Chapter Eleven
Always and Forever Little Kitten
> Two Weeks Later >
"I'm so excited." Yukina whispered, brown eyes dancing.
"It's been two weeks since we've seen any of them...what if they don't feel the same?" Melina said, just as quiet.
"Melina, remember your Crest. Plus, we've been emailing all of them constantly." Shizuko rolled her eyes.
"Motoko's here." Tsubaki interjected.
"About time! She's always late!" Melina complained.
"It's not my fault! Koushiro and I almost had a breakthrough...it was a dead-end...DAMN!"
"You realize your research is going to take you all your life? This is the Digital World we're talking about." Shizuko reminded her with a raised eyebrow.
"Then he'll never leave me." Motoko smiled softly.
After leaving the Digital World, the girls had found themselves back in Tokyo. Luckily, they got to keep their D3's. They frequently corresponded via email with the other Digidestined, but, finally, they were about the meet face to face, for the other girls, for the first time.
The one who really changed was Motoko. Though Tsubaki did look up and spoke a lot more, she still remained soft-spoken and mainly silent, her eyes lowered by sheer habit. Motoko wasn't the boy-crazy idiot they all used to know. She practically ignored boys and didn't do any clubs but Computer Club. She actually had to buy glasses because she stayed glued to the computer and read in the dark, too absorbed to turn on the light, or realize it was dark. She started throwing herself in her schoolwork, baffling her teachers, who were used to her missing assignments, or turning them in late, too preoccupied in boys to actually apply her intelligence. She managed to complete two courses within the two weeks she had been back. She was trying to graduate early so she and Koushiro could go to college together, or at least a year or so apart. Taichi often joked she soon would be spouting off four syllable words when she could use two-syllables, like Koushiro. She didn't force herself to be happy, either, and seemed rather sad a lot.
"Is...Touji coming?" Motoko asked hesitantly.
"Yes." Shizuko answered. "I think it'll be good for him." The girls nodded.
Touji went to a center for abusive teens, a rehab, kind of. He didn't like how violent he had become and put himself in. They hadn't seen him since, but he emailed Yamato, though.
"Let's get ready to boogey!" Melina said breaking the stiffened silence.
"That's right. It's time to celebrate." Motoko grinned.
They were all on thier way to a Teenage Wolves concert, starring in Toyko. Shizuko wore a black tank top with a long-sleeve mesh dark-red top. She wore long black pants with a silver-studded black belt. Her hair was pulled into a high pony-tail, her eyes shadowed light red. She also wore black boots with skull-and-cross bones snapping the straps over her feet.
Melina wore a loose blue skirt with a white long-sleeved loose shirt. A lavendar vest was fitted over it. She wore see-through blue sandals with clear heels, with tiny siler buckles at the side of her ankle, and her toes painted shiny lavendar. Her chin-length strawberry hair had barrettes holding back her hair.
Tsubaki wore faded blue-jeans, white sneakers with faded red laces, and a pink T-shirt. Over it she wore a green blazer Taichi had sent through mail. It hung over her fingers and reached her knees. It succeeded it only maker her cuter. She had braided her long blonde hair.
Motoko wore loose, dark blue jeans, low on her hips. She wore a thick green belt and a long-sleeved forest-green top, the cuffs rolled up. She also had on a loose Slytherin tie, much to her friends' amusement. She seemed to like anything Western Hemisphere. She let her hair down, as usual, and it often hid her eyes. She wore scuffed up, high-top Converses.
"I can't wait to see Iori again." Shziuko admitted blushing as they walked out her apartment door.
"It's been so long since you've seen him. He might have even grown a few centimeters!" Melina gushed tautingly.
"SHUT UP!"
"Fight already, girls? I see things haven't changed that much." Taichi waved. He wore loose black jeans and a baggy blue shirt with a soccer jersey design in yellow, his favorite. His pants fell over old running shoes.
Tsubaki ran and flung herself at him.
"OOF! HEY!" Taichi gasped. "I think you broke my ribs, Tsu-chan." Tsubaki tightened her hold, let go, took a step back and glared at him.
"Wh-what'd I do?" SMACK!
"That was for when you and Motoko kissed a long time ago. Now, you're forgiven." Tsubaki kissed his red cheek, and hugged him again, a smile making her pale face glow. Taichi blinked and held her tight.
"Okay. Good."
"No fair. She gets to cuddle with her guy first." Melina pouted. Another door opened and Jyou stepped out, tripping as he tried to keep a horrendous amount oftrash inside. He wore cotton pants that fit, but didn't really show off anything, and a long-sleeved, buttoned-up shirt with a loose blue tie. Obviously, his college clothes. His nice shoes, barely scuffed, gave it away.
"Just stay in there!" Jyou cried vainly. Yukina and then ran towards him.
"JYOU!" She tackled him around the waist and his head hit the roof of the car. Papers slid out and Jyou's glasses almost fell off.
"Ow!" Jyou muttered. Everyone laughed as Yukina quickly dropped down and started grabbing frantically at flying papers. Jyou grabbed her hand. "It's okay, they can wait a minute." Yukina looked up at him, her face tomato-red.
"I-I'm sorry!" Yukina stuttered. Jyou smiled, one hand rubbing the bump on the back of his head.
"No problem. I've seen much worse, and I'm still a med student." Jyou joked. Yukina flung her arms around him.
"I've been waiting forever!" Yukina exclaimed, her nose buried in Jyou's buttoned shirt.
"And so have I! I WANNA MEET DAI-CHAN!" Melina whined. Tears started swimming in her eyes.
"Let's go!" Motoko suggested, a large grin on her face. She immediately became animated and chased after stray papers with the others. Shizuko and Tsubaki noticed the careful way Taichi and Motoko avoided each other.
By the time all the papers were collected, everyone was red-faced and laughing. They piled in Taichi's car and argued loudly over the radio station.
"We're going to get pulled over if you all keep bouncing around like this!" Jyou said nervously.
"Oh, stop being a worry-wart!" Motoko giggled.
Tsubaki and Shizuko eyes met. She's acting like old Motoko again. What's she hiding behind the mask? Their eyes asked each other. Tsubaki looked over at Taichi, as did Shizuko. His shoulders seemed tight. Their eyes met again. What are they hiding?
"We're here." Taichi announced.
"YES!" Melina scrambled over Motoko's lap and opened the door. She fell out the door and landed hard on the cement, her lower body still on Motoko's lap. "OW! OW OW!"
They heard loud laughter and Melina looked up as the others looked over her butt.
"H-hi everybody." Melina sputtered, her face flaming. Digidestined all laughed.
"Need a hand, Faith?" Daisuke asked, tears in the corner of his eyes. He was wearing a dark orange T-shirtand dark pants, a little too low on his hips, showing off the top of blue and green plaid boxers. The infamous goggles still adorned his fuzzy head. He wore the same old running shoes as Taichi...a soccer thing...
"That would be nice, Miracles." Melina muttered. He held out his hand and hoisted her up quickly. Their eyes met and sparks were seen. Everyone blinked as Melina and Daisuke were suddenly engaged in tonsil hockey.
"Um, okay..." Motoko tried to push herself out and cursed realizing her seatbelt was still on. Everybody laughed again as she struggled valiently with the plastic and metal contraption.
"H-here." Taichi choked out bending down to help. "It's broken." Their faces were already red from laughing, for Motoko irritation also, and they noticably flamed redder.
"Th-thanks." Motoko muttered. She stumbled out the door as Taichi pulled away. She tugged her hair and looked away, the air clearly tense btween them.
"Motoko?" She visibly relaxed and turned.
"Izzy-kun!" She hugged him tight, his face turning blue. "I've missed you."
"We were just having a conversation online less than an hour ago." Koushiro pointed out breathlessly.
"That so doesn't count." Motoko pouted. His face was slowly turning blue
"He can't breathe, Motoko-chan!" Sora laughed.
Shizuko and Tsubaki crawled out of the car and Jyou helped Yukina out of the front of the car were she squeezed in between him and Taichi. Shizuko's black eyes swept over the faces and met Iori's.
"Konban wa, Shizuko." He wore normal fitting jeans, a dark-tan T-shirt, and well-kept tennis shoes.
"Konban wa." She kissed his lips softly, bending over slightly. Iori blushed as Miyako nudged his ribs.
"OH MY GOSH! I've missed you!" Miyako cried. They all seemed toconverge at one time and hug in a large huddle. Miyako wore khaki knee-length shorts, and an yellow elbow-sleeved shirt. A Happy-Bunny told everybody "You suck and that's sad" from her chest. On her feet were white socks and blue sneakers, her hair was in a loose ponytail. Miyako's glasses were knocked askew. (Motoko had put them in their case and were residing in her pocket...poor things.)
"So this is Ichijouji, Ken?" Yukina asked.
"Konban wa." Ken bowed quickly, slightly blushing under Melina and Motoko's stares. Ken had on black pants and white tank top with a short-sleeved blue shirt over it, a silver dragon on the back. He had black Converses.
"We're missing Touji." Motoko said suddenly.
"Where is he?" Shizuko asked, her eyes searching the group again.
Sora wore light jeans, a thin belt, and a tank top with a heart on it. Mimi short a short skirt, a spaghetti strap pink shirt that matched her hair, andshort-heeled leather boots. Hikari wore a pinkshort-sleeved dress with a long-sleeved, white, button sweater, and the top button done. A camera was hanging around her neck. She had a pink headband on and white sandals.
"He's backstage with Yamato and Takeru." Kari said quickly.
Motoko looked at Koushiro, startled as his grip tightened. She smiled softly. She kissed his lips and met his eyes.
"It wasn't his fault, Izzy-kun." she whispered. His eyes softened at her smile, mask-free.
"It's going to start without us!" Mimi said suddenly.
"YES! My first concert! Awesome!" Melina cheered.
"I can't believe you still have breath." Shizuko said sarcastically.
"JERK!" Shizuko's eyes spun as Melina stomped away, leaving a large bumpon Shizuko's head.
"Wait up, Mel-chan!" Daisuke chased after her and everyone followed.
Motoko blushed vivdly as she and Taichi bumped against each other and were forced through the crowd pressed against each other. They gasped and pushed away from each other, panting, as they got to the opening in front of the stage.
"What's wrong with you two?" snapped Shizuko.
Motoko and Taichi's eyes finally met and they looked away, still red. Motoko looked down and pressed her index fingers together. Taichi looked up at the stage, hands clasped behind his head.
"Um...well...I kinda..."
"Yeah...it's nothing really..." They looked at each other again.
"You, too?"
"Yeah." Taichi nodded, hands dropping.
"Oh good."
"What are you talking about?" Koushiro asked, his eyes hardening. Taichi gulped.
"Well...ya see...um..." Taichi trailed off. They took a deep breath and spoke at the same time.
"Thekisswasreallynice." They forced out. Suddenly, they stopped blushing.
"That feels so much better!" Motoko laughed relieved.
"Yeah, feels like a weight went off my chest."
"Friends?" she held out her hand.
"Of course." They shook and hugged briefly.
Koushiro's mouth moved uselessly and Tsubaki looked from one to the other.
"That's it?" Tsubaki asked.
"Yeah. I kinda didn't want to say anything, it was so weird. I felt really guilty about it, too." Taichi admitted.
"Me, too. I thought it was only one-sided, too. I was the desperate one, ya know? I'm glad we said it out loud. Now, I think it was kinda wrong... I don't really like you that way." She tilted her head looking up at him.
"Same here. You're like my second sister. Koushiro and I are too tight for that kinda thing."
"You liked kissing Taichi?" Koushiro finally fought out.
"We are so past that." Motoko said confused.
Her eyes widened as he grabbed hertie and tugged her to him. Their lips collided as Yamato struck the first chord. Her eyes closed and she sunk against him, heart thrumming louder than the guitar.
"And you thought me and Daisuke were bad?" Melina gestured with her head. Shiuzko turned and saw Koushiro and Motoko gripping each other's shirtsleeves, almost melded against each other like Play-do figures.
"Wow..." Daisuke whistled. "I thought he was just a nerd."
They all laughed as Motoko flipped him off over Koushiro's shoulder without opening her eyes or stopping. They parted for breath, promptly blushing vividly as their eyes met. Her eyes caught movement from her peripheral vision and turned. She stiffened, and quickly shook her head. Koushiro turned and his grip reflexively tightened.
"Hi, Touji." Motoko shouted over the music. He gave her a small smile and stayed near Takeru. He wore black jeans and a black long-sleeved shirt with 'Teenage Wolves' printed on the front in silver. He wore regular black and white tennis shoes. He had grown out his hair to its normal shade of dark brown. Takeru wore the same shirt, only a T-shirt. He had onbaggy, blue jean shorts, and blue and white sneakers. He wore his Gilligan hat.
"Hey, guys!" Takeru shouted. His hand and Kari's automatically met and held. "Hey, Kari." He kissed her quickly. "You guys recognize Yamato's outfit?" He yelled.
They automatically looked up. The Toyko girls, besides Melina, and the original Digidestined's eyes widened in surprise. He wore the same outfit from summer campeight years ago, only...not small. The only things missing were the brown gloves. He looked down at them and grinned with a wink.
All of the Digidestined hollered until their throats grew hoarse and they danced without shame or self-consciousness. Tsubaki looked up and Taichi's honey-brown eyes danced close in his arms. She quickly looked down, and leaned against his chest, too short for looking in his eyes to be comfortable.
"Are you okay?" Koushiro whispered in her ear. Motoko looked at him surprised.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"You reacted when you caught sight of Miyazawa." He said. Motoko looked down and then up.
"I meant what I said back in the Digital World. Just because he was a puppet doesn't make it less traumatizing. I may be able to get close...but I'm ready to go much farther than this." she looked up worried. He blushed, but smiled.
"You're fifteen, it's against the law, Subaru." Koushiro said, eyeborw rising. Her eyes widened.
"You-you jerk! I just-" His finger fell over her mouth.
"I don't really care anyway. If you're not ready, you're not. Sex isn't love."
"So...you'll wait for me to catch up?" she whispered. He smiled, nodding. He leaned close to her ear.
"Always and forever, little kitten." he whispered, his arms around her waist. She buried her face in his shoulder, smiling widely.
"Thank you." She whispered. "Aishiteru."
"Aishiteru."
Seven Years Later
"It's for you, Doctor." Green eyes looked up. The woman huffed, making hair fly up in the air.
"I'm coming...damn it." She rose unsteadily, pushing her roller-chair from under her. She walked out from behind the partition. She wore a long, white labcoat andgrayhigh heels. A gray skirt with a light green shirt was underneath the coat. "Is this even worth my time?"
"It's Dr. Izumi, Dr. Subaru." the intern said, amused at her young boss, younger than herself.
"Really?" Her dark green eyes lit up. She dived for the phone. "Hullo, love."
"Konban wa, Motoko." said the amused voice on the other line.
"It's evening?" she asked amazed.
"Yes, you were off work two hours ago. You forgot again, didn't you?"
"You shouldn't talk. You stayed a whole twenty four hours in your little cubicle." Motoko snapped, her own tone laughing.
"Yes, but not on an important day like to-"
"AHHH! I'll be right home!" She slammed the phone down and raced towards her desk. She grabbed her briefcase, jammed a peanut butter covered oatmeal cookie in her mouth, and ran towards the time clock.
"I warned you, ma'am." Ms. Hiroshi said.
"Mmmph! Mphmm mm!" Motoko yelled from behind her cookie, smearing peanut butter on her upper lip.
"Of course, Dr. Subaru." Ms. Hiroshi giggled
Motoko raced down the hall, her coat flapping around her heels.
"Konban wa, Dr. Subaru. Don't worry, keep running." waved Dr. Kido, Jyou's brother. She waved behind her.
She pushed open a door and checked her watch, hurrying down the walk outside the small building. She rolled her eyes and took a step towards a convient pole.
"Don't, Toko, you'll make us later." A hand grabbed her arm and veered her away from the pole she was about to bang her head against in exasperation. She smiled arond her cookie at her fiancée. He pushed her into the car. "What the hell is in your mouth?" he asked getting in the other side.
"Mpphm-" She grabbed it, taking a bite. She swallowed. "An oatmeal raisin cookie covered in peanut butter. Creamy, peanut butter." She added eyeing it closely.
"Why?" he asked.
"It sounded good. Tastes good, too, surpisingly." she added taking another bite with relish. She almost moanedwith bliss. "Want some?" He rose an eyebrow.
"What is wrong with you? And, no." He reached over wiped off the peanut butter from her mouth.
"That's my peanut butter."
"And it's all over you-" he stopped as she licked it off quickly.
"Don't take my food. Don't you remember that time you tried to steal my chocolate? Big no-no." She sat back and started to take another bite. She turned absentmindedlyas he leaned over. Her eyes widened, and then closed as he once again took her by surprise and kissed her.
"I love you, Toko." he said, a blush covering his nose.
"I know." she smiled at him brightly. "I love you, too. Let's go."
V V V
"Wow...they're all already here." she said surprised.
"We are an thirty minutes late." he pointed out. She huffed.
"Motoko!" She glanced up surprised as she stepped out of the car.
"Melina? I thought you and Dai-chan we going to just going to be here via D3."
"We caught a jet-"
"She means she waved the dough and chartered a private jet...again." Daisuke said walking up behind her. Melina stuck her tongue out at him.
"Duh. What's the use of having money and not using it, noddle-man?"
"You evolved from goggle-boy to noodle-man. Which do you prefer?" Koushiro laughed.
"Ungh." Daisuke groaned.
They stepped inside the large house.
"Oh, good, the last people have arrived." Mimi said. "Come on!" She led them through her large mansion. "Michael and I just finished the repairs to the kitchen. I can't believe he saved that until last! I live in the kitchen!"
"You also live off of it, Miss T.V.-cooking-show-star." Michael said carrying a two-year-old boy.
"Oh, Jeffrey, did you wake up from your nap?" Mimi cooed taking him. Motoko sighed wistfully. Koushiro turned sharply, but Motoko was talking animately with Daisuke about whether noodles or pizza were better.
"Hey, guys!" Taichi waved. He quickly bent down to help a very pregnant Tsubaki up.
"Hey, lover, miss me?" Motoko joked. They kissed quickly and she hugged Tsubaki. "How's it going, preggo?"
"Preggo is rude." Tsubaki said simply. Motoko's eyes glimmered.
"Promise to call me it one day?" she asked.
"What are-" Koushiro was cut off as Miyako jumped on Motoko.
"I missed you, chick! Meet my first, Emiko." She pulled Ken over who was holding a sleeping baby.
"She's adorable! She has your nose." Motoko eyes got all starry. Sora's eyes narrowed in thought.
"Hi, you two. Say hi to Motoko and Miyako, Yuuki." she told her three-year-old.
"Hi."
"Oh, little boys are so cute. I hope-" she cut off abruptly and grinned. "Hi Zuko-chan."
"Tormenting children? Really, Subaru." Shizuko smiled.
"Tormenting your fiancée? Really, Aizuka." Motoko shot back. They hugged.
"She's not tormenting me...much." Iori joked. "Just about invitations, our house, our future children, fianances, a swimming pool, a pet, a new toothbrush..."
"Iori!" Shizuko smacked him lightly.
"Wow, you taught him your sarcasm." Melina joked joining them. "Wine, anybody?"
"Nope, can't!" Motoko said cheerfully.
"You mean I bought all that alcohol and you're not even going to help me drink it?" Taichi joked.
"Sorry, not this time, Taichi." Motoko smiled.
"You usually down it like water. I thought you'd take on Taichi for another competition just to see him sloshed like New Years." Yamato added joining the enlargening group. Motoko just smiled, postively glowing.
"Hey, can I squeeze in, you losers?" Touji asked. "I brought stuffed caps."
"Is there any spinach?" Motoko asked excitedly.
"Yes..." Her eyes glinted demonically.
"Put the tray down or suffer." She growled.
"Wha!" He shoved it at her and they stared as she shovelled them down.
"Did anybody wan some?" She asked swallowing. They shook their heads.
"Hey, everybody! Time for meeting!" Hikari cried. Takeru joined her as her face went pale. "I'm okay, just dizzy." She assured him.
Motoko moved to join Koushiro, popping the last few mushrooms in her mouth. He blinked.
"Motoko, are you okay?" She nodded vigorously.
"It's the seven year anniversary! We all come here to see how our lives have been progressing, to make any news announcements and to visit the Digital World...so, let's go!" Hikari ended the traditional, short, speech. "Digivices everyone!" Everyone held them out and soon everyone was greeting their digimon.
"Okay...Tsubaki and me have the first announcement! We got the ultrasound, it's a boy!" Taichi said proudly.
"WHEEHOO!" everyone cheered as Tsubaki blushed. So did Taichi, actually.
"Um...Jyou and I are moving to America in three months. He's going to study abroad for a while and I'm going with him. My firm doesn't mind." Yukina said. She worked as a fashion designer.
"Aww...but..." Motoko trailed off pouting.
"Um...Daisuke and I...we're going to get married." Melina said blushing.
"About time!" Shizuko crowed.
"SHUT UP!"
"Um...me and Hikari...I mean, she's pregnant." Takeru said, blushing. Hikari giggled. Everyone whooped.
"So am I! I'm pregnant, too!" Motoko waved happily.
"Wha-wh-" Koushiro fainted.
"Oh my, Izzy?" Tentomon asked anxiously poking him. Motoko leaned over him, Cubmon in her arms.
"Did I say something wrong, Tento?" she asked confused.
"Go Koushiro!" Taichi laughed. A shoe connected with his head.
"I helped, pervert!" Motoko snapped. Everyone laughed.
Touij leaned back, his eyes gazing at the blue sky. He turned, startled, hearing something.
"Wha-what are you-"
"PARTNER!" cried the small ball-like form.
"What?"
Everybody turned. In Touji's lap was a Circusmon, cuddlingagainst his stomach.
"I didn't do it1 I swear!" Touji cried.
Motoko got up and walked towards them, her labcoat swishing over the grass.
"Hello." she said evenly. Koushiro blinked and looked up and turned to where everyone was looking. He quickly lept to his feet.
"I'm Circusmon! I'm his partner!" Circusmon laughed happily. Motoko's eyes widened.
"You aren't him." she whispered, falling back on her butt.
"I'm Circusmon!" She looked at Touji.
"That's not him. That's really your partner, Touji." She smiled. "Thank goodness. You're so lonely." She glanced up surprised as Koushiro grabbed her shoulders. She let him help her up.
"You mean...he...he isn't evil...?" Touji whispered.
"I'm your partner!" Circusmon looked up at him. "Do you not want me?"
"No, no! I want you. I really want you, too." Touji whispered hoarsely. He heldCircusmon close, tears falling. "I've missed you...partner...the real you."
Everyone looked on, contentment in the silence.
V V V
"Izzy...?" Motoko whispered.
"Hm?" He played sleepily with her hair.
"Will you marry me?"
"WHA?" He shot up, shocked. She giggled.
"Do you want your child a Subaru? Well, if you insist." She shrugged and snuggled against the pillow.
"I never said that! You just surprised me."
"Mm hm." She closed her eyes and pulled the covers closer. She bit back her smile as he flopped back down.
"Yes."
"I know." She opened her eyes meeting his. "How long will you love me, Izzy-love?" she asked playfully. He smiled back, recognizing the game. He kissed her gently.
"Always and forever, little kitten."
V V V
THE END!
