Okay, I'm back. Er, not much to say today. Anyway, let's begin.

Warning: Kiss between two girls in this chapter.

-Kouji Tamino

-----

About a day or two after the first use of Behemoth, all three Hypnos Tamers were called to Haburi's temporary office. The only member of the group not there was Impmon, who was still being cared for and his condition was unfortunately and progressively growing more severe. They had no idea what was causing his illness, but it was worrying them a lot. They walked down the halls of the formally very tall building, entering the office. "Mr. Haburi, you called us, sir?" Takeshi asked, standing up straight.

"Yes I did." The head of Hypnos, sans shades and wearing an eye patch to cover up the empty eye socket that resulted from the attack on Hypnos, replied sternly. "Kids, I have a very important announcement. Please don't get upset, but…" he began, leaning back in his seat.

Takeshi growled, getting impatient and letting his temper once again get the best of him. "Damn it, Haburi, get to the point!" He gasped, ashamed at his outburst. The others gasped in shock as well. They knew Takeshi had a bit of a temper, but he had never flown off the handle like that before. "I-I'm so sorry, sir!" He apologized frantically, bowing very low several times. He was very ashamed for getting so upset like that. "I didn't mean it, I-- You know I only have the most upright respect for you, and--"

Jin laughed, amused. Still, he waved his hand to silence him. "Still have that fiery temper, I see…" Digging in his ear with his pinky finger, he cut to the chase, leaning forward. "Well you see, with the introduction of the 'Behemoth System', the Hypnos Tamers have become, shall we say, obsolete." He sighed, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, but your services are no longer required."

-----

Digimon Tamers: Outbreak

Episode 9: Return to the Simple Life

All three kids and the one present Digimon gasped, not believing what they were hearing. How could this be? The Hypnos Tamers were being… disbanded? Takeshi clenched his fist. "Y-you're kidding, right?" Silence. He glared, gritting his teeth together. "You said that I could make a difference! How the hell can I do that if I'm not out there, FIGHTING?"

"But you did make a difference, Takeshi…" Haburi replied. "But now you've done all you can. I thank you all for your hard work. I'll send some people over to pick up your uniforms, but you may keep your D-Powers and your Digimon may continue to stay here, if your parents won't allow them in the house."

Takeshi reluctantly nodded and bowed. "Y-yes, sir… I understand." Taking off his goggles, he set them on the desk. "Thank you sir. It was an honor working for you."

"Keep them." Haburi said with a smirk. "You've earned it."

-----

A few days later, on a Saturday evening, Takeshi was waiting at the bus stop. He had yet to get a new bike, as punishment for being so irresponsible with the last one. Dressed in his civilian clothes and no longer wearing the goggles, he stared at his watch. "Damn it, the bus is late again…" Crossing his arms, he scowled. "You know, mom really ought to drop me off on these trips. She hasn't visit Sakuya in like--"

"Hey, who ya' talking to?" Suzie asked as she walked up behind, interrupting his audible thoughts. Resting on top of her head was Lopmon, looking a bit annoyed. She giggled, poking him in the forehead. "Daddy tells me that people that talk to themselves in public are nut jobs!"

"Your dad is a bastard." Takeshi snapped. "He shouldn't judges people like that."

A shocked Suzie held back tears, choking up as she spoke. "W-well, I'm pretty sure he was just kidding…" Why would Takeshi say something like that, she wondered.

Takeshi sighed, feeling like the biggest ass in the world at that moment. "Look, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I think it's because I've been having a bad week." He paused for a moment, before continuing. "Hypnos ditched us. We're just plain old, normal citizens again."

"Oh, I'm so sorry…" Suzie frowned, tilting her head. "What will you do now?"

"Don't be sorry…" the former leader said bitterly. "With Behemoth completed, we're pretty much useless and inferior now." Kicking a rock casually, he sighed again. "As for what I'll do now? Be normal kid, of course… I guess that's one good thing that came out of this."

"So…" the girl began, slightly tilting her head. Lopmon had to quickly catch her balance. "Where's Kasaimon?"

Takeshi was silent for the moment, looking around at random objects before finally answering her question. "We decided that it would be in everyone's best interest if Kasaimon stayed at Hypnos for the time being."

"In other words", a familiar voice called out, "The apartment doesn't allow animals!" The trio turned around to see Henry and Terriermon heading toward them.

"Terriermon!" Henry shouted, scolding the Digimon. He chuckled nervously as he waved toward Takeshi. "Eh, sorry about that…"

"It's okay…" the red eyed boy replied, chuckling back.

Terriermon waved his arms in defense. "See, Henry! Moumantai!" Crossing his arms, he pouted. "Besides, I was just joking…"

"Well, some people might not find that funny!" Lopmon shouted, hopping off of her Tamer's head.

"H-hey!" Takeshi said anxiously. "Don't fight! I really don't mind…" He smiled, walking over and patting Terriermon on the head. "In fact, it was pretty funny…"

"Nyaha!" Terriermon stuck his tongue out at Lopmon, savoring this victory.

"So, what bring you guys here?" Takeshi asked. "Me, I'm going to visit my older sister in the hospital."

"Oh, we were just regrouping after going our separate ways." Henry explained. "I was practicing my martial arts, while Suzie was hanging out with friends at the mall."

"Takeshi…" Suzie began in a worried tone. "Why is your sister hospitalized?"

Takeshi froze up, clenching his fist. "She's… got the D-Virus."

"How horrible!" Suzie shouted. "I'm so sorry…"

"No, it's okay…" Takeshi replied, forcing a smile. "Besides, I've got to stay strong for her, right?"

Henry smiled at the younger boy. "That's very admirable, Takeshi…" Snapped his fingers, an idea coming to mind. "Hey, how about we go visit her with you, if that's all right?"

Takeshi shook his head. "No, I wouldn't want to trouble you."

"It's no trouble at all!" the purple haired girl said cheerfully, her eyes lighting up. "We got done a lot earlier than expected, so we have plenty of spare time!" She made a quick pause before continuing. "Besides, we'd love to meet your sister!"

"Thanks guys…" the former goggle boy said humbly.

-----

"Hey, sis…" Takeshi said softly opening the door. "If you're awake, I'd like to tell you that you got some extra visitors today…"

"Hey, come on in…" Sakuya replied in raspy voice. In the past couple of months, Sakuya's condition had slightly worsened. The splotches on her face had grown bigger and blacker. A good 30 percent of her skin was covered in it.

Takeshi let them in, then motioned towards his older sibling. "Guys, this is my sister, Sakuya." He then looked to her and motioned towards the others. "Sis, meet Suzie and Henry Wong, along with their…" he paused for a moment, gulping. "…Digimon partners."

She slowly smiled, her gaze focusing on Henry. "Oh, so you must be one of the Tamers that saved the world from the D-Reaper." Turning to Suzie, she squinted. "And you were involved, too, weren't you?…" She chuckled lightly. "Wow, you've both grown up quite a bit!"

"You're so pretty, Sakuya!" Suzie suddenly exclaimed.

Taken aback by that comment for a moment, especially with how scarred her face was now, she smiled warmly. "You're so sweet, Suzie…" Turning to her brother, she laughed. "Why didn't you tell me you had such a cute and polite girlfriend, Takeshi?"

Both kids blushed heavily, Suzie putting her hands to her cheeks. "Oh, do you really think so?" she squealed.

"Saakuuyaaa!" Takeshi screamed, stomping her foot. "She's not my girlfriend!"

"Waaah! Takeshi hates me!" Suzie whined.

"No, I didn't mean it like that!" Takeshi shouted, getting flustered. "I do like you!"

"Yay!" Suzie cheered, hugging him. "In that case, I accept your proposal to me!"

"WHAT?" Henry screamed at the top of his lungs. "WHAT PROPOSAL?"

"Just kidding!" Suzie said, giggling.

Sakuya laughed heartily. She hadn't had this much fun in a long time.

-----

"Well, that was pretty fun, meeting your sister." Henry replied, as they waited at another bus stop. "She was pretty cool."

"Hey! No cheating on Rika with other girls!" Suzie shouted.

"Now don't you start!" Henry shouted.

"You mean she's not your girlfriend?" Takeshi asked, walking with his hands behind his head. "Huh. I sure see you two together a lot, though…"

"We're just friends, nothing more." Henry replied, calming down. He waved to Henry as a bus arrived. "Well, that's our ride. See you later, Takeshi. And stay strong."

Takeshi nodded. "Right."

-----

Later that night, Rika stared into a mirror, dressed in her blue pajamas. Lying on a guest mattress was Jeri, who was dressed in a red hip-length nightgown. "Thanks, for inviting me over, Rika! It was getting kind of boring lately."

The red-head smiled, sitting down on her own bedding. "No problem. Although…" Rika's smile slowly turned into a stare. "I have to exactly why you're wearing such skimpy nightclothes." She laughed a bit. "I nearly had a heart attack when you took that thing out of your bag with my mother in the room. I mean god, that's practically lingerie!"

Jeri pouted. "Well, I was hoping I could show it off to Takato and see his reaction… But he still hasn't come back."

"He will." Rika replied plainly. "I just know he will." She sweat dropped. "But I'm still really surprised at how much you've changed, Jeri… Are all American girls as open as you are now?"

"It's crazy down there." Jeri giggled, sitting up. "You wouldn't believe it. Couples make out wherever they please, there are no public baths, and they keep their shoes on in buildings!"

"…I actually kinda knew all that already." Rika muttered.

"Oh!" the brown haired girl exclaimed, smacking her forehead and sticking her tongue out. "Silly me! My mistake."

"Now I definitely think Takato will return." Rika replied. "He'd be an idiot to not return to a girl as cute as you."

"EH?" Jeri's eyes widened in surprise. "Rika, what are you?--"

"Relax, I didn't mean it in that way…" the tomboy replied. "Although… have you ever kissed a girl? As an experiment, I mean?"

"Um, n-no…" Jeri replied nervously, staring . "Some of the girls I hung out with did it on occasion, but I was always too shy…" She looked back up to her female friend. "What are you trying to--" She gasped as Rika leaned in and kissed her on the lips. She was wide eyed for a moment before slowly closing her eyes and falling into the kiss. She parted her lips slightly as a foreign tongue slid it's way into her mouth. Feeling playful, she sucked on it for a second before pressing her lips back against the other girls. As they broke away, she blinked rapidly, her cheeks an interesting shade of red.. "W-wow…"

"I know…" Rika smirked. "Wasn't it kinky?" She stood up, stretching. "I felt so ALIVE!" She laughed, turning to the girl, her hands still in the air. "Anyway, I just wanted to see what it was like." She raised an eyebrow as Jeri glared at her. "…What?"

"You stole my first kiss." She said in an angry tone. "I was saving myself for Takato."

"Fair enough…" Rika shrugged, grinning and lowing her arms back to her sides. "But that was my first kiss too, y'know…" There was suddenly loud rustling in the bushes, effectively knocking away her 'fun mood'. "Stay here, Jeri." Grabbing her cards and D-Power, she slowly walked towards her door, opened it, and took a peek outside carefully. She stared up at the tree. "Renamon, be on alert… I heard a noise from the bushes…" she said quietly. The watched as the fox nodded. Gasping as a Digimon popped out from the bushes, obscured by the dark night, she prepared her self. "Get it, Renamon!"

"Diamond storm!" Renamon, sending a barrage of shards at the enemy.

"Wait, wait! Ow! Ouch!" the creature shouted. "I'm not a bad guy!"

"Huh?" Rika titled her head in confusion. "Renamon, stop!" As her partner stopped the attack, a familiar looking dragon tilted his head, groaning in pain. Rika raised an eyebrow. He looked like Guilmon, but he wasn't. He was navy blue, and had his own physical differences. He even had a different voice. She snapped her fingers in realization. "You're Kasaimon, that new kid's partner, right?"

Kasaimon nodded, smiling. "Yep! Takeshi is my Tamer!"

"Awwww, so cuuuute!" Jeri shouted, running over and hugging him. "Wow, you remind me of Guilmon…" She began to frown. "Which… reminds me of…" She began to cry out, tears flowing freely. "Takaatooo! Waaah!"

Rika rolled her eyes. "Oh, now you've got her started again…"

Kasaimon stared at the ground. "Sorry…" Although, he didn't even know what he had done wrong…

-----

Meanwhile, at the park, the 'Corrupt' Tamers and their Digimon were all gathered in a circle and staring at a small crystal ball. The image being displayed was a tall humanoid Digimon, obscured by darkness. "The time has come to strike…" he said in a deep, raspy voice. "We will attack in a week."

"Yes, Master…" the kids and Digimon responded, speaking in unison.

To Be Continued…