A/N: I know most if not all of you are confused... but think of it this way: you're just reading it... while Iruki and me are writing it! It's harder 'cause there are times we forget to include some of the characters! Anyway, just tell me what I can do to reduce your confusion, then I'll do it for you..

Chapter 2: A crazy adventure begins

As the group wandered into an unknown place, more demons evil digimons came, attacking the group.

"Ack! More demons!" Goku yelled.

"Not more evil digimons..." Takato groaned.

"Well, let's fight!" Natsumi grinned.

Domon lifted a huge rock and threw it at the demons, followed by the continuous attacks of the Tamer's digimons and the frontier group. Aya and Saya transformed into vampires, Kuroshin readied her powers while Yuri prepared the potions she had for healing. Miyuki started casting spells on the demons as Lyrrem took her sword out. Tokiya walked to a spring and placed his psychic device there, wherein his weapon turned out to be a sword made out of solidified water. Sanzo used his gun to eliminate the enemies as Goku elongated his staff to fight. Hakkai formed an energy ball and fired it at the demons with Gojyo behind him, using his own weapon to ward of the creatures. Natsumi made her own digimon, Spifyremon, digivolve by slashing a card through her digivice, then backing up the attacks with those of her own. Iruki took out her katana and helped the others in slaying the youkais. Frillion changed into a dragon and breathed fire at the enemies while Hai Ping turned into a lycan and defeated the remaining demons. Kasumi healed her wounded comrades as they continued to fight, though she was starting to run out of sp, Yuri was running out of potions, while Izumi tried to help out healing.

(I think it was in one of CrAzY-SiLLy-Me's fics wherein Izumi was an acolyte...)

As all seemed to run out of strength to fight, Nuriko perked up and used all his strength to fight the rest of the demons as Kuroshin got wounded.

"We need a doctor!" Yuri yelled as someone appeared. His left eye was covered by his bangs and he immediately treated Kuroshin's wounds.

"We need a doctor!" Yuri yelled as someone appeared. His left eye was covered by his bangs and he immediately treated Kuroshin's wounds.

Kuroshin blushed upon seeing the young 'doctor'. "H-Hatori..."

"Great... another guy whose name starts with 'H'. "Yuri muttered.

"Just don't fight for a while so that this wound of yours won't do further damages." Hatori advised Kuroshin who nodded slowly.

When all the demons and evil digimons disappeared...

"So, you're from the Sohma family." Natsumi said and turned to Kuroshin. "Are you related to this guy?"

Hatori fixed his suit and answered for her. "Apparently, I think she's one of our long lost relatives. Or maybe a close friend."

Yuri then shrugged and began to ask for payment from the others who asked for her potions. "48 zeny each!"

Kasumi and Izumi sat on the ground panting. "Too much sp loss..." Kasumi mumbled. Miyuki, who had fast sp recovery didn't really need to rest. "Tough luck Kasumi..." she said to her friend.

"Are you alright?" Kouji asked Izumi, bending over.

"Yeah, just tired." she said forcing a smile.

"Not bad for a girl." Tokiya told Iruki who retorted, "You're not so bad yourself, but just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't fight!"

"Whatever." Tokiya said, walking away. 'She sort of reminds me of Fuuko.'

"Whoa, that was one cool move!" Aya told Nuriko, who scratched the back of his head.

"That was nothing really..."

Akabane's gaze turned to them. "So, Aya, You're really a good fighter."

Aya nodded and blushed. "Thanks!"

"You really turned into a lycan!" Takuya cried, pointing at Hai Ping who reverted back into a human.

"No, duh..."

Frillion also changed back into her normal form as Junpei stared on in awe. Lyrrem swung her blade victoriously.

"BWAHAHAHA! Nothing can stop a crusader!"

Tomoki sweatdropped and laughed nervously. "Good job though."

Hirokazu clapped his hands at Miyuki's fantastic spell casting.

Domon and Kenta each gave a bottle of water to Kasumi, who grabbed both bottles and drank it in one gulp. "Thanks guys!

"No problem!" they both blushed and grinned.

Sanzo lazily blew the smoke floating away from the opening of his gun as Saya jumped up and down beside him, commenting on how cool and great he fought.

Muraki raised his glasses and forced a grin to the monk.

'I must have Saya... that monk has got to go...'

Hakkai offered to carry Kuroshin on his back, and the girl, of course, accepted.

"So, where to gang?"

Aikawa checked his watch. "Oh man, I have to get back! I've still got a big game!" he turned to the group. "Err... How...?"

"Well, since you don't know how to, why don't you just come with us?" Iruki invited him with a smile. "Maybe we can all get back."

"Sure, why not." Aikawa agreed, smiling back.

Ryo offered a hand to Ruki, who took it hesitantly. "Only because I'm tired Ryo." she muttered.

"Takato, Guilmon, are you alright? Juri asked.

"Yeah, we're fine." Takato said smiling at the girl.

"Guilmon hungry though." The red dinosaur whined.

Kouichi and Jenrya went over to Natsumi and asked how she was doing.

"Fine." The girl replied, smiling brightly making the two boys blush.

"Can you stand up?" Kouji asked Izumi, who nodded.

Yuri counted the money she had collected. "Aya! You still owe me!"

"Huh? What? I do? Oh fine..." Aya grumbled.

After a few hours of wandering around, aimlessly, people started complaining.

"Hey Takato, Guilmon tired and VERY hungry!" Guilmon started whining again.

"Guilmon, I already told you, we don't have any food..." Takato said, trying to calm his digimon partner.

Guilmon's stomach could only grumble in reply.

"Hey, Takato, why don't we stay there for a while?" Juri suggested, pointing to a nearby inn.

"Yeah! That's a great idea Juri!" Takato said, blushing.

"Yeah... good idea... I... must... rest..." Junpei said panting.

"C'mon, you really need the exercise." Frillion said, smirking.

"We may as well rest there as long as we need to. Kuroshin is still injured and needs to rest, and Iruki looks exhausted. " Aya said, nodding towards Iruki.

"Considering all her weapons, she should be..." Natsumi muttered.

"Need help?" Aikawa asked, offering a hand to Iruki.

"N-no thanks... It's just a short distance more." Iruki said, smiling and slightly blushing as Natsumi smirked at the two of them.

While walking to the inn, Hai Ping suddenly stumbled. Takuya, who was walking beside her, jumped in to break her fall, 'accidentally' kissing her in the process. It took few seconds before the two of them broke away from the kiss, and when they did, both of them were blushing madly. The entire group, who saw what happened, was staring wide eyed at the couple.

Natsumi, Aya and Iruki, who were the fastest to recover from the shock, all burst out laughing.

"Aww... how sweet..." Natsumi teased.

"What a cute couple!" Aya exclaimed while Iruki smirked.

"S-sorry Hai Ping..." Takuya apologized.

Hai Ping slapped Takuya and walked away grumbling.

Takuya held his face. "Ow... I already said I was sorry..."

"Suuure you did..." Kouji said, patting his best friend's shoulder while the rest of the frontier group tried to hold their laughter.

"That was an experience..." Hai Ping muttered.

"Oh for - I've got a backpack with me!" Iruki yelled and placed all her guns inside. "There!"

"That's a lot of explosives." Aikawa said, staring at the load.

"Well, if you're an assassin, you'll need to be prepared." she replied.

"Welcome!" greeted the innkeeper, who had a bushy mustache. "Room for how many?"

"Umm..." Takato did a head count. "Well, 1 room for Ruki and Juri, another for Kenta and Hirokazu, and then Kouichi and Jenrya. Me and Ryo may as well stay in one room, Takuya and Kouji, Tomoki and Junpei, Miyuki and Lyrrem, Frillion and Kasumi, Kuroshin and Yuri, Saya and Aya, Izumi and Hai Ping, then Natsumi and Iruki."

"So, 12 rooms then" said the innkeeper as he handed a key to each pair.

"No wait! There's still Nuriko and Akabane, Domon and Goku, Sanzo and Muraki, Hakkai and Hatori, Aikawa and Mikagami, Gojyo and - "

Takato stooped and faced Gojyo, "Guess you're alone."

"What! That's unfair!" he turned to one of the girls. "Couldn't I stay with Ru-"

"What?" Ruki asked, glaring.

"Um.." he turned to Izumi, "I meant Izu-" he stopped as he caught sight of Kouji glaring at him. "No.. Actually I meant.." his eyes scanned the room for some willing girl in their group, but then changed his mind, deciding he'd rather have his nose intact, seeing that the girls seemed ready to punch him.

"Argh! Fine! I'd rather have my own room!"

And thus in Gojyo's room...

Silence...

"I can't believe I'm alone in my room!" The red-haired groaned.

Elsewhere...

"Helloooo?" Is anyone here?" Kiyo yelled frantically. "Stupid portals... stupid digimon people... stupid everybody! Argh!"

Kiyo sat down on a rock and tried to think. Suddenly a huge group of gigantic digimon started to pass in front of her, one accidentally stepping on her. Once they had all passed, squished but still very much alive, Kiyo tried to get up. "I hate digimons... all of you will pay..."

"So, you hate them too?" asked a mysterious figure.

"It's pretty obvious."

"Would you like to join forces with me?

Kiyo looked at him. "And do what?"

The stranger grinned. "Whatever you wish for to happen."

Back to the inn...

In Izumi and Hai Ping's room...

"Whoo... That was one refreshing shower!" Izumi exclaimed as she dried her hair with a towel. Her gaze followed Hai Ping who still wore a frown on her face and had her arms crossed, as she sat on the bed.

"Cheer up Hai Ping! At least it wasn't Junpei."

"Yeah, but I don't like that... that... gogglehead..."

"Why not?"

"He's annoying..."

Izumi giggled at this. "You know what? Try being the one annoying him. You know, show him how you really mean it when you say 'Get away from me' or something like that."

Hai Ping raised an eyebrow at her.

"Well, I learned that from Kouji." The blonde grinned and blushed a bit.

"Uh... Is he your um..?"

"Boyfriend? Well, unfortunately, not yet..." she sighed.

"Yet?"

"W-well, you see it's like this. I admit that I really like him, but I don't think he feels the same way."

"It doesn't look like it."

"Yeah, maybe I should tell him." Izumi thought, then turned back to her roommate. "Anyway, enough about me, let's talk about you. Why do you hate Takki so much?"

"Let's just say, I still feel a bit uneasy around him. He sort of freaks me out whenever he stares or gawks at me."

"I see..."

In Ruki and Juri's room...

"Hey Ruki! What's up between you and Ryo?" Juri asked, while brushing her hair.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Ruki turned to her friend.

"You know very well what I mean..." Juri giggled, as she turned to face Ruki.

"But there's nothing between me and Ryo."

"Yeah right.."

"What about you and Takato?"

"We're friends!"

"Then why are you blushing?"

"I'm not blushing!"

"Yes, you are!"

"No, I'm not! You were the one blushing when I mentioned Ryo!"

"No, I wasn't!"

"Yes, you were!"

In Kenta and Hirokazu's room...

"Hmm... How do I get Kasumi to go out with me?" Kenta turned to his best friend. "What do you... Kazu?"

"Miyuki... Miyuki..." Hirokazu muttered in his sleep.

"Um... never mind..."

In Kouichi and Jenrya's room...

"I can't believe I'm stuck with you!" Jenrya said to Kouichi who ignored him, thinking the very same thing.

"Do you think I wanted this?" Kouichi questioned.

"Hmpf." Jenrya lied down and stared at the ceiling. 'Of all people...'

An image of Natsumi suddenly appeared in his mind, as the boy smiled, unaware of Terriermon, waving his big, wide ears in front of his face.

In Saya and Aya's room...

"Hey Saya, I'm going for a walk okay?"

"Sure..."

"Not coming?"

"Nah... I'll pass..."

"Okay... if you're sure..."

In Nuriko and Akabane's room...

Nuriko came out of the shower, got into his clothes and went out of the bathroom.

Akabane sat on one of the beds with his 'killer' smile on his pale face.

"You know, there's something about that smile of yours that really annoys me. It's like you're mocking me."

Akabane's smile just grew wider as he tilted his 'infamous' hat up a bit.

"Don't worry, I'm not mocking you at all."

Nuriko just shrugged and left the room. "I'm taking a walk."

When Nuriko was outside, he caught sight of Aya leaning on a tree and staring at the night sky.

"Hey Yanagi." Nuriko greeted.

Aya smiled at him " Just call me Aya."

He smirked and stood beside her. "What're you doing out here?"

"Star gazing..."

"I see." he said and also looked up. "Beautiful aren't they?"

"Yeah." Aya said, sighing.

Nuriko turned to her and smiled.

In Natsumi and Iruki's room...

"Those are a lot of guns Iruki..." Natsumi sweatdropped.

"Actually, this isn't even half of what I have back home."

"Eh!"

"You're a Tamer, I'm an assassin, you have all those D-tector cards and I have all these guns. And since some people know I'm an assassin, they end up giving me guns for Christmas." She explained, reloading some of the ammo she lost after fighting the demons.

Natsumi just twitched. "O-okay..."

In Sanzo and Muraki's room...

"Hey Sanzo, what do you think of Saya?" Muraki asked.

The monk just ignored him and continued reading the newspaper as he lit another cigar. "Urusai..."

Muraki decided to let him be as he smirked. 'I thought so.'

In Aikawa and Mikagami's room...

Aikawa tossed the ball at the wall and caught it as it bounced back at him. He made a shooting position and shot the ball into an invisible ring.

"Would you stop that, it's so annoying." Tokiya said.

His roommate just laughed and sat down.

"Sorry Mikagami, I just miss practicing basketball."

Tokiya just stared at him with a blank expression, so Aikawa decided to change the subject.

"Hey Mikagami, you sure fight with Iruki a lot. Why?"

"She started it."

"She's not that bad." Aikawa contradicted and gave another smile. "You're just being mean, that's all."

"Shut up and mind your own business." He replied looking away.

In Junpei and Tomoki's room...

"Frillion is soooooo cool! Junpei said with hearts in his eyes.

"Geez, that's the 10th time you've said that today..." Tomoki groaned.

"But, she is soooooo cool..."

In Takato and Ryo's room...

"Ryo, got any sevens?" Takato asked

Ryo shook his head and placed down a card. "Go fish!"

"Oh man!" Takato whined a he drew a card.

In Takuya and Kouji's room...

"Damn! That girl slaps hard!" Takuya cried, touching his cheek.

"No duh. You kissed her." Kouji answered,

"It was an ACCIDENT!

"Yeah right!"

As the night progresses...

The innkeeper hummed a pleasant tune while washing the used dishes. When he was down to the last one, he suddenly dropped it as his stomach began to ache. Beads of sweat came rolling down his cheeks and his eyes were slowly turning red. His once short nails grew longer while those pointy-teeth of his began to show.

He turned into a demon...

"I'm thirsty..." Hai Ping muttered. "I'm gonna go get some water, you coming?"

Izumi sat up and yawned. "Sure."

The two went downstairs, chatting merrily until...

"Rawrgh!" the demon growled.

"Ah!" the two screamed, backing away until they reached a wall.

"It was nice knowing you Izumi.." Hai Ping cried.

"Yeah, you too..." Izumi replied, as the demon was about to eat them up when...

"Hai Ping!" a voice cried.

"Izumi!" came another voice.

The two turned to the voices and saw Takuya and Kouji staring at the scene before them. The demon turned towards the two boys and went straight for them.

"Kouji lets digivolve!"

"Right!"

"Execute! Spirit Evolution!" they both yelled.

"Agunimon!"

"Lobomon!"

The demon dived for the two digimon and was met with a series of attacks.

"Wild Fire Tsunami!" Agunimon shouted.

"Litch Kugel!" Lobomon yelled, but it was no use, the demon just absorbed the attacks.

With one swift move, he had knocked both Agunimon and Lobomon down, and had them reverting back to human form.

"Kouji!" Izumi cried. Rushing over to the injured boy.

"Takuya, you idiot..." Hai Ping muttered.

The demon was just about to deliver an attack on Takuya, when someone intercepted the attack. Takuya sat up and turned to the demon, which was struggling with a lycan. The demon pushed the lycan away, making her hit the wall and slowly transform back into an unconscious Hai Ping.

Takuya crawled over to her. "Hai Ping..." Takuya whispered, cradling her head in his arms. He glared at the demon. "You will pay..."

The demon turned away from Hai Ping, and went for Kouji, who was on the floor, unable to move with Izumi beside him.

"Rargh!" The demon growled, heading for the couple. Izumi looked at the demon and then at the defenseless Kouji and knew what she had to do.

"Execute! Spirit evolution! Zephyrmon!"

Zephyrmon jumped up and defended Kouji from the demon. Kouji stirred and looked up at Izumi, who was now Zephyrmon, and muttered "Izumi" before his eyes closed as he went unconscious once again.

"Hurricane Gale!" Zephyrmon cried as she threw the demon one of her attacks.

"Grr..." the demon growled and swished its claws at her. Zephyrmon evaded them, however did not see the demon's tail, which hit her. Zephyrmon dropped to the ground and shook her head, glaring at her enemy.

"You hurt my friends," she said turning to Takuya and Hai Ping. "And you also hurt Kouji... So, now you're dead!"

The digimon gave everything she could until the demon slowly backed away, giving one last ferocious growl. A whistle was heard and the youkai ran to it, not realizing it had dropped something.

Zephyrmon dedigivolved and picked the item up. "Windy...?" Izumi read.

"Drop that card!" A boy yelled, startling her.

Takuya carried Hai Ping, and turned to the newcomer. "Who are you?"

"That's none of your business goggleboy."

"Syaoran!" a female voice cried. "Don't be rude!"

"... whatever ..."

The girl smiled apologetically to them and walked towards Izumi.

"I'm Sakura Kinamoto, and this is Li Syaoran." she introduced.

"Oh, hi. I'm Izumi, that's Takuya and Hai Ping and this is Kouji." Her eyes widened. "I forgot Kouji!" Izumi handed the card to Sakura and ran to Kouji's side shaking him.

The boy flinched and opened his eyes. "I - Izumi..?" he sat up and placed a hand on his head as he turned to her. "What happened?"

The girl didn't reply, but tackled him into a hug. He blushed and turned to Takuya, looking for answers. "Why the heck is she crying? And what's -"

"Well, you went unconscious and Izumi saved you, while Hai Ping got hit by the demon so she's unconscious now."

Kouji just mouthed an 'oh' and turned back to Izumi. "Hey Izumi, it's alright. I'm fine."

The blonde girl broke away from him and looked up at the blue-eyed boy. "You had me worried!"

Kouji blinked and then blushed. He turned away from her gaze. "Th-thanks and sorry."

"That's it!"

They all looked at the now conscious Hai Ping and their jaws dropped.

"And put me down you freakin' gogglehead!" she yelled and Takuya nodded, nervously settling her down.

"Uh... what do you mean by 'that's it'?" Kouji asked raising a brow.

Hai Ping sighed heavily and slapped her forehead. "You're so slow," she muttered, "Izumi likes you!"

Izumi blushed and looked down whilst Kouji and Takuya's eyes widened.

"Oh for-" Hai Ping yelled. "UH! Izumi has feelings for-"

"Okay! Okay! You need some rest!" Takuya said, smiling at Hai Ping and pulling her upstairs. "Hey Sakura, Syaoran, come on, it's getting late so why don't you two get some rest as well?"

Sakura and Syaoran nodded in agreement and followed the noisy gogglehead, leaving Kouji and Izumi behind.

Silence engulfed the two as they avoided each other's gaze.

Izumi slowly got up and turned around. "Um... Takuya's right. We should get some rest..."

"Yeah..." Kouji answered, also getting up.

"Alright, let's go..." Izumi said and was about to walk away when Kouji caught her arm.

"Is it true?" he asked "Is what Hai Ping said true?"

She stopped and slowly turned to him "Y-yeah... it's true..."

Kouji just looked back down, not knowing what to say. Izumi hoped that he wouldn't reject her but something in her just wanted to leave it as it is.

'It's better for me not to know the result.' She thought and just ran back upstairs leaving Kouji behind, staring at her departing figure. He then sighed and walked back up as well.

"Ow! Takuya! I'm capable of doing it myself!" Hai Ping yelled.

Takuya placed the cloth on the bump Hai Ping had on her head.

"Oh, come on, you had me worried back there."

"Geez... it's not my fault..." she mumbled while Takuya just grinned.

The door then opened, and in came a sad Izumi.

"Hey Izumi, Are you okay?" Hai Ping asked

She quickly forced a smile. "Yeah. Hey, Takuya, you can go back now, I'll take care of Hai Ping."

The gogglehead nodded and walked outside, back to his room.

"What happened Izumi? Did he..."

"No. He didn't say anything. I ran away before he could."

Hai Ping frowned. "Now why did you do that!"

"Because..." she answered. "I think I'm better off not knowing it. How he feels that is..."

As the time passes... Morning finally comes as the group started their journey with two new friends, Sakura and Syaoran.

"So, you're collecting magical cards that were stolen?" Aya asked.

"Yup. They're the Sakura cards, originally called the Clow cards, but now I own them."

Iruki stared as Aya and Sakura talked about the Sakura cards and sighed. "Natsumi, what's wrong with those four?" she asked gesturing to Takuya, Kouji, Izumi and Hai Ping, who all this while had been so quiet.

"I don't have a clue." she answered, watching two guys who were glaring daggers at each other. "Will Kouichi and Jenrya ever stop?"

"I don't know..." Iruki shrugged and looked at the smiling Aikawa who chatted with an annoyed Mikagami. "Looks like some people woke up on the wrong side of the bed..."

Frillion was one of those people since Junpei had been bugging her all morning. As for the rest, it's pretty much the same, only with Saya, it was her annoying the corrupt monk, Sanzo but Muraki seemed to enjoy her high-spirits.

"We're one weird group..." Natsumi murmured to Iruki who nodded. Yuri pulled her cart with Kuroshin at her side, who was clinging to Hakkai who didn't seem to mind at all. Hakuryu, the white dragon, was resting on his shoulders.

Kiri walked alongside Iruki as they marched on to uh.. wherever they're going.

After a few hours, some of the teens started complaining.

"I'm so tired..." Takato sighed.

"Yeah, me too.."

"Why don't we take a break?" Lyrrem suggested.

"Good Idea." Says Tomoki.

So they all sat down under the shade of the trees. Soon some were asleep while some talked to their seatmates.

"Hey Frillion! Want to see a magic trick?" Junpei asked, taking a deck of cards out.

"No.." Frillion replied, bored.

"Aw, c'mon! please! please!" Junpei continued on for minutes.

"FINE!"

And so, Junpei started his boring card trick while Frillion yawned.

"How's your bump doing?" Takuya asked.

Hai Ping leaned her head on a tree. "Fine..."

The boy frowned and decided to leave it at that. "IF you say so..."

Ryo chatted with Cyberdramon while Ruki and Renamon just stayed quiet with the rest of the Tamers..

Junpei continued to show more card tricks, but it only made Frillion sleepy. Domon, Kenta and Hirokazu were amused though.

Tomoki and Lyrrem watched the 'magic show' out of boredom while Aya and Sakura talked to each other.

"So, are you and Syaoran a couple?" Aya asked.

Sakura blushed and shook her head. "Of course not... but I do wish we were..."

"Want me to hook you two up?" Aya asked, giving a wink.

"A-Aya!"

Syaoran turned to the two girls. "Is something wrong?"

"N-nothing..." Sakura said, waving her hands.

As time passes, some were ready to go while others still wanted to stay.

"Oh come on guys!" Natsumi pleaded. "If it gets darker, I won't get to see anymore digimons!"

"Yeah, and I want to be able to get my own one!" Iruki said.

Kouichi walked to Natsumi's side. "She's right, we have to get a move on before it gets darker, because demons or digimons might attack."

"Yeah, but we walked a long way..." Junpei whined.

Takuya sighed and got up. He felt that he was responsible for the frontier group and with Junpei slowing them down, he had to act now.

"Listen, why don't we just split up? You know, I'll stay with those who still need, or want to rest.

"I guess so." Jenrya said. "So, who's staying?"

"Me, Junpei, and I guess Hai Ping should too." Takuya added.

Hai Ping wanted to argue but then decided not to. "Fine."

"I guess I can stay too." Iruki said, leaning on a tree with Kiri beside her.

"Well, if Iruki's staying, I'm staying too!" Aikawa grinned and turned to Mikagami. "And You?"

The blue-eyed teen sighed. "I guess so." And he closed his eyes. "I'll stay."

"Or maybe we could all just remain here and move on tomorrow." Kouji said.

Izumi looked up at him worriedly. "Is something wrong?"

He shook his head. "If we're all going to separate, who knows what kind of danger may lie ahead. I still think it's better if we stay together."

"Yeah, but -"Kouichi argued.

"No butts nii-san." he answered. "Last night, four of us couldn't handle the demon. We were lucky he just ran away."

"Actually, he heard a whistle and took off." Izumi said.

Kouji gave a nod and turned to the rest. "See?"

"I kind of agree." Ruki commented. "Maybe we could defeat the demon if we stayed together. But can't we get a move on?"

Ryo got up. "Yeah, what's the point of staying?"

"The point is some of us can't carry on and not to mention it's getting late." Takuya answered.

Takato thought for a while. "So, lets stay. For those who are getting bored, they can walk around the area a bit, while the rest can gain their energy back.

"And besides, it looks like our digimons are tired." Jenrya added.

"Then it's decided!" Takato announced as some started to light a fire.

"Leave it to me!" Takuya said, getting ready to digivolve.

"NO!" the frontier group yelled, stopping their leader.

"Idiot! You might set the whole forest on fire... again!" Izumi reminded.

"Oh, okay." The gogglehead said, pocketing his D-tector.

"So, who's going to start the fire and scout the area?"

"I'll start the fire." Natsumi said, getting her powers ready.

"I guess Renamon and I will scout the place." Ruki said.

Ryo walked over to her. "Me and Cyberdramon will go with you."

Izumi got up. "I can digivolve and fly around to watch your backs."

"I'm coming with you." Kouji added. "Demons might attack again."

So, the four teens and two digimon started to scout the area, while Junpei continued to bore Frillion with his card tricks.

"Then I do this... then tada!" he said. "It's gone!"

Frillion yawned. "You wanna see a real trick?" she asked, starting to grin.

"Uhh... ok..." Junpei answered.

Frillion stood up, and immediately turned into a gigantic dragon. Junpei stumbled back in shock. The remaining tamers and frontier group gazed up at the creature, while those who were familiar with Frillion's powers just sighed.

"OMG!" Junpei yelled.

"I'm a lot better than you!" Frillion laughed.

Kazemon flew above, scouting around as she saw Ruki riding Kyubimon and Ryo with Cyberdramon. She turned to a human walking around below her, kicking what seems to be a rock as she slowly swooped down, quietly...

Kouji was deep in thought, thinking about what had happened last night and what he had heard.

"Izumi likes you!"

That phrase echoed in his head for the millionth time today. He had no idea why this affected him so much.

"Didn't I seal my emotions a long time ago?" he asked himself as the fairy digimon followed closely behind.

The boy soon halted and looked down. He didn't move or do anything for a few seconds and just when Kazemon was about to approach him, he suddenly let all his anger and frustration, as well as confusion, out by kicking the rock harder. It then flew into the air, smashed against another boulder and broke into pieces.

Kouji then glared at the now dark sky above. "What the hell is happening to me!" he yelled.

Ryo stopped and turned to his right, only to see Kazemon immediately fly upwards with incredible speed.

The blue-eyed boy gave a sigh and walked over to where Kazemon had left. There he saw Kouji looking up and staring into the endless sky.

"Hey, what's up with you and the girl?"

Kouji turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "I'm all alone here."

"No, you weren't. I saw Kazemon fly, coming from this spot." He said pointing behind Kouji.

"What are you talking about? She was -"

"No, she was here. My eyes, as well as Cyberdramon's aren't fooling anyone.

Kouji looked up as a cool breeze blew. "Izumi..."

Ruki got off Kyubimon, stretched her arms and yawned.

"Now, where did Ryo go?" she said looking around.

"Ruki," Kyubimon called. "It's Izumi."

"Huh?" the red-haired girl walked over to where the blonde was, only to see her on a rock, head hung low, crying.

Ruki pitied her. Even if she was once the ice queen, there were now times when her heart softened. She placed a hand on Izumi's shoulder, and the blonde looked up at her smiling face.

"Hey, something wrong?"

"Ruki..." Izumi said, looking up at her friend. "It's just that..." but she couldn't continue as she broke down crying all over Ruki.

"Hey, it's okay." Ruki assured her, patting the crying girl's back.

But before Izumi cold tell her why she was sobbing,

"Ruki! Izumi! Watch out!" Kyubimon yelled and pushed them away. An attack was hurtled to Kyubimon and she reverted back to her rookie form.

"Renamon!" Ruki yelled. Izumi looked up at the digimon and her eyes widened with surprise. "Icedevimon..."

Renamon sat up and extended an arm to the two girls. "You again..."

"Yes. Me." The devil digimon sneered. "It's good to see you again, Digiqueen, Renamon." He turned to Izumi. "And the fighter of the wind."

"You should've stayed as a digi egg instead!" Izumi yelled, getting her D-tector out. "Execute! Spirit evolution!"

"And here I thought you were gone for good..." Ruki muttered, slashing a blue card. "Renamon, warp digivolve now!"

Renamon digivolve to... "Taomon!"

Izumi reappeared in her B-hybrid form. "Zephyrmon!"

"Symbols of Truth!" Taomon chanted

"Plasma Pods!" Zephyrmon yelled.

Icedevimon just waved his hand and mirrored their attacks as it shot back at them.

"What the -! W-why aren't our attacks working?" Ruki asked.

Icedevimon just laughed at them. "Fools! I am not as weak as I once was!" he said, shoving the three of them with his hand as Taomon reverted back to Renamon and Zephyrmon back to Izumi.

Icedevimon then grabbed the two girls in each of his hands. "Now you will both die!"

"Howling Laser!" (aka Lupine Laser)

"Erase Claw!"

Icedevimon released his grip on the two girls as Ryo jumped to catch Ruki and Kendogarurumon caught Izumi.

Cyberdramon extended an arm to Renamon and helped the digimon up. "Thanks" she said.

"Missed me?" Ryo asked, grinning.

Ruki blushed and turned away, "Shut up Akiyama!"

The boy placed her down and turned to Icedevimon. "No one hurts Ruki and gets away with it!"

"Kendogarurumon..." Izumi whispered as the wolf digimon placed her down as well. "Stay here alright?" he said

She nodded and he turned, glaring at the digimon. "We should've smashed your digi egg when we had the chance!"

"The warrior of dark isn't here, so light replaces him" the digimon sneered. "I almost killed you back then, but I guess I can finish you off now."

"Not a chance!" and Kendogarurumon and Cyberdramon fought.

"Speed Star!"

"Erase Claw!"

It only made a scratch at the Ice digimon. "My turn..."

He formed ice particles and threw it at them. Kendogarurumon dedigivolved back to Kouji and because of their connection as tamer and digimon, Ryo got hurt as soon as Cyberdramon felt pain.

"Now, I will enjoy torturing you by..."Icedevimon grabbed Izumi and Ruki once again. "Causing pain to those close to you."

"Ah!" the girls screamed.

Ryo tried to get up, glaring at the digimon. "Let them go..."

"Forget it Ryo! Kouji! Just get out of here with Renamon and Cyberdramon!"

"No Ruki! I'm not leaving you!" Ryo yelled back.

"Just go!" Izumi cried as Icedevimon tightened hid grip on them.

Kouji looked down and clenched his fists, hearing Izumi yell.

"I..." He locked eyes with Icedevimon, glaring at him.

"What's with the look?" the digimon smirked.

Kouji and Ryo got serious as they took a step forward.

"We'll make you regret this." Ryo said, holding up his digivice. "Cyberdramon, ready?"

"Yes, Ryo..." his digimon answered.

"Matrix Evolution!" Ryo yelled.

Monodramon digivolve to... "Justimon!"

"Execute! Fusion evolution! Beowolfmon!" Kouji turned to Izumi. "I'll do anything to make sure you're alright."

Justimon took another step forward. "Hang in there Ruki!"

"Do you really think that you will be able to stop me?" Icedevimon jeered.

"We don't think, we know!" Justimon said as the two digimons threw their most powerful attacks in him.

"Renamon, Get Ruki and Izumi!" Beowolfmon said and gave another attack as the fox digimon caught the two girls.

Icedevimon backed away a bit, felling himself turn in to data.

"Impossible! How can these mere humans defeat me!"

"This is one thing you should learn Icedevimon." Justimon took a few steps forward. "It's not about being the strongest digimon, but,"

Beowolfmon followed. "It's about the will to fight and how much you want to win to protect the ones you love and care for."

And they once again attacked the evil digimon, Justimon loading the data.

Ryo and Cyberdramon separated as Beowolfmon dedigivolved.

"This time he's gone for good." Ryo muttered as Kouji nodded.

"Not bad Akiyama." Ruki commented and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Thanks a lot Ryo."

"Anything for my Ruki." The boy teased. Ruki just laughed.

"Um... Kouji?"

He turned around as Izumi approached him. "I..." she wasn't able to continue because he pulled her in his arms, hugging the girl tight.

"I'm sorry..."

"For what?" she asked.

"For making you wait this long."

"Stop going around the bush Kouji, just tell her." Ryo yelled making the two blush.

"Oh come on Ryo leave them alone. And isn't it beating around the bush?" Ruki smirked.

"It's just the same." The boy reasoned but Ruki just kept teasing him on and on.

"You know, those two make a good couple." Kouji muttered.

Izumi laughed and nodded. "You got that right." She turned back to him. "What were you going to tell me?"

He blushed a bit and avoided her gaze. "Um...well, you see..."

"Face it Akiyama! You're only human and you made a mistake!" Ruki yelled.

"Geez! All this for just one statement?" Ryo pointed out, crossing is arms and turning to the other pair. "Just say it man!"

"I will if you stop bothering me." Kouji retorted, smirking.

"Okay Ryo, let's leave them alone alright?" Ruki said, pulling his ear.

"Why? So you can finally confess your love to me?"

"Shut up! That's not gonna happen!" Ruki pinched his ear making the digiking yelp in pain.

Cyberdramon and Renamon sweatdropped and followed their partners walking, at the same time bickering like arguing lovers for no particular reason, away, back to the campsite.

"That was weird." Izumi mumbled.

"Well, look at it this way, they won't be bothering us anymore."

Izumi raised a brow at him. "What is that supposed to mean?"

He smiled and lifted her head. "This." And his lips met hers for the first time.

That guy sure is lucky." Ryo whispered behind the bushes and sighed.

"What's your problem Ryo?" Ruki asked.

"Well, he's got a girl who doesn't mind if she was kissed. " he hinted.

"Dream on Ryo." Ruki said, getting up and walking away.

"Can't you take a joke? Ruki? Ruki!" he ran after her, followed by the two digimons.

Ryo sighed once again. 'I don't get it. I've got the looks, the smarts, and she still isn't attracted...' he thought

Ruki smiled glancing at him. "Are you that desperate to get to me?"

"Gee, let me think..." Ryo answered. "Yes."

"Oh alright, I'll give it a thought." she said.

The blue-eyed boy stared at her. "You're kidding!"

"Nope, I'm not." Ruki raised her head high, stating her point.

"Okay then!" Ryo ran to her side and placed an arm around her. "Let's go!"

To his surprise, Ruki didn't shove his arm off, nor did she glare. She only smiled and stayed quiet as they walked back to camp.

"Frillion look out!"

Demons had come back and attacked their camp.

"Darn it!" Takato cried. "Where's Ryo and Ruki!"

Takuya slammed his fist on a rock. "Kouji, Izumi! Get back here..."

"Ruki..." Renamon suddenly called.

"Yeah?" Ruki answered, turning to face her partner digimon.

"There's another evil presence nearby..." Cyberdramon muttered.

"In that case, we'd better run back to camp!" Ryo said, grabbing Ruki as they both ran back to their group.

"K-Kouji..." Izumi stammered, as the two broke away from the kiss. But before either of them could say anything, a nearby crash followed by desperate shouting attracted their attention.

"Looks like trouble..."

"We'd better go back."

That's it for now. Sorry for the long update! Don't forget to review!