I know that it has been more than a month since I last updated but with the holidays, home life and a bit of writer's black I slacked off. This chapter will be a little short since it is mostly just a prelude for the tournament that will be happening for the next couple of chapters. So, enjoy and and I don't own digimon.

Chapter 5:
Tournament Matches Set

Daisuke's POV...

Two Days Later...

The day had come. The second annual Combat Tournament has arrived. We soon left to reach the destination of where it was to be held. After a few hours we arrived and after saying our goodbyes to Hikari and the others, who were going to their seats, me and Takuya went to where the others fighters were suppose to be. With two hours until the tournament began me and Takuya stood back and looked at some of the other competitors.

In the far corner were two men that were about our age and appeared to be brothers. One had blonde hair and green eyes while the other had red hair with blue eyes. Strapped on both their waist were a basic sword and on the other side was a dagger.

On the other side were three more people. One was older girl with long black hair tied in a simple ponytail, with black eyes. She was wearing a red form fitting ninja outfit and on her belt were two nunchukus.

The other person was a boy who was looked slightly younger than us. He had the same hair and eye color as Takuya only his hair was shorter. The only weapon I could see on him was a kodachi that was strapped to his back.

Last and certainly less was Shiro Muro, the man that me and Hikari unfortunately met two days ago. He was still wearing the same dirty gray kimono that he had on when we met. In his hand was the same staff with a blade on the top.

Including me and Takuya I could only counted fifteen people. Which meant that one person was missing. Before I could think about it any further the lead tournament official entered the room. "Welcome men and ladies. Most of you are here so we will start the drawing of lots to see who will face who in the first round."

Pulling out a clipboard he began to look at the list of names. "First up is Rikimaru Shinko." Stepping forward was the boy with blonde hair. Reaching into the box he pulled out a piece of paper and gave it to the official. "You drew number nine so you will be in the fifth match." Turning around he wrote Rikimaru's name on the tournament bracket wall.

"Next is Shiro Muro." To my disjust it was Shiro's turn to draw. "You picked number six. That means you'll be in match three." Like before he wrote Shiro's name on the board. "Jinto Godo, it's your turn." The apparent youngest competitor in this tournament reached into the box and pulled out a slip of paper. "You pulled out three; you'll be in the second match."

"Tao Shinko, it is your turn." I guess I was correct in guessing that the blonde and red hair boys were brothers as I saw Tao go draw his number. "It is number one, which means you will be in the very first match of the first round. Next up is Takuya Kanabara."

Hearing his name I gave a side glance at him and saw that Takuya was a bit nervous. To help calm him down I placed a conferring hand on his shoulder which was able to him relax. Putting his hand in the box he gave the piece of paper to the official without even looking at it. "The number that you drew was thirteen. It means that you are in the seventh match."

Getting back he let out a sigh as he lean back on the wall. "I'm glad that's over. I now know that I am in the second to last match, which will give me enough time to prepare." "Daisuke Motomiya, please come over and pick a number." announced the official. Walking over I reached into the box and quickly pulled a paper. "You got number five. That puts you in the third match against Shiro Muro. Okay, next is Mari Akito."

On my way back to Takuya a figure stood in front of me. It didn't take long to realize that it was Shiro. "So, I will be fighting you in the first round. I must say that I am glad that I will be the one to take you out of this tournament." "Glad to see that you're eager about the match. It could mean that I might get an actually challenge from you." Not even looking back I went to stand next to Takuya.

"I see that you got what you wanted." mentioned Takuya who saw my little encounter with Shiro. "I might have got what I wanted but it doesn't mean that I will be taking him likely." "I'm just glad that we weren't match up against each other early on in the tournament." "That only means that we will have to meet in the finals. But you first you have to beat your first round opponent."

Motioning over to the tournament hoard it showed that Takuya's opponent in the seventh match would be Mari Akito. Looking over at the girl who was wearing the form fitting outfit we noticed that she was looking at us. To be more precise she was looking at Takuya. Noting was said between us but before she looked away she gave Takuya winks which caused him to blush a bit. "It seems as though Izumi might have some competition if you know what I mean?" Before Takuya could get out any kind of remark, the official yelled out for the next competitor.

For nearly an hour more competitors were called and drew their slots in the first round matches. Soon everyone was set except for one person who has of yet to even arrive to the building to draw him number. Not waiting long the official called us all over. "If I could please have all of you gather over I can begin."

We did as were told and stood in front of him. "As you could probably tell by the tournament board we have all but one slot filled. Since it seems as though the last competitor is not here I have no choice but declare him to be disqualified and declare the empty spot as a bye." Before he could make it final though we all heard someone coming from the entrance way.

Walking in from the shadows was a figure that was completely covered by a black robe. "I believe that I am fighter that you were referring to." "Ah yes, since theirs only one spot remaining it is easy to see that you will be in the eighth and final match."

Writing the name of the mystery fighter I caught a glimpse at the name. *Jin Kata. Something tells me that he should be kept an eye on.* "Now that all of you are here I will explain the rules." announced the official which caused me to snap out of train of thought.

"You will be in a full combat match with no time limit. The ways to lose are to either surrender or being unable to get to your feet at the count of ten. Any type of weapon is allowed in the matches and you are allowed to conceal them. However, using any type of rifle or fire arms is not allowed. You can also be lose if you hit your opponent below the belt or killing them. Doing so will result in an automatic disqualification. Now I will announce what the matches will be in the first round and they are:"

Match 1: Tao Shinko vs. Sanzo Hitomi

Match 2: Jinto Godo vs. Kinji Kaido

Match 3: Daisuke Motomiya vs. Shiro Muro

Match 4: Tara Okita vs. Kaz Akio

Match 5: Rikimaru Shinko vs. Hitoshi Hino

Match 6: Toshiro Hashimoto vs. Nori Kada

Match 7: Takuya Kanabara vs. Mari Akito

Match 8: Akira Ando vs. Jin Kata

"Those are you matches. If you would now follow me I will take you to the waiting area where you will be waiting for your matches. Remember to fight your best and give these people something that they will not soon forget."

Pushing off of the wall I followed the others to the area that we would wait until our match took place. With the exception of a few, the fighters didn't look all that out of the ordinary. I guess I would have to wait and see as the tournament progresses to find out if the person that I was looking for was here.

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It was a short chapter with no action but like I said before the chapter it was just a prelude. Before I go I want to thank both FireSamurai626 and Agumon 2003 for helping me come up with the names for the made up characters that are going to be in the tournament. Until next time I update (which I promise will be sooner than this one), see ya and please review.