Sorry its been so long, but I wrote this to go along with Crescendo's chapter 10. Enjoy, and please review!
-N
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Reviewers (AKA, My Favorite People):
Fluffeh the Great: Happy to hear your power's back up. I was scared you didn't read/like Chapter 5. :D Glad you're back!
John on 'da John: Mine too. Thanks for the review!
BloodyKitsune: Thanks! It's going well, just lots and lots of reading. About non-fiction related things. Can you believe that?
The-3-Amigos: Glad you liked it! It's looking like Rika and Takato won't have very large appearances in each other's stories for now, but that Ryo should be in both. It sort of makes sense. I'm very tired, though. Anyways, hope you like this chapter!
iamkagomeiloveinuyasha: Updaaaaaated! Thanks for the nice reviews, I enjoyed them :p
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I count him braver who overcomes his desires
than him who conquers his enemies;
for the hardest victory is over self.
……….Aristotle
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When Jeri accidentally squeezed Takato's hand, she regretted it. She always did—it always felt like he was squeezing hers back. She sighed. It had been two days since they found Takato and the monster in the park. He'd been unconscious, and the monster had been standing over him. Her eyes watered whenever she thought about it—thought about what might have happened if they were even a few seconds later. She tried not to think about it, but she just couldn't help it. Everyone had been on-edge for the last two days. Jeri herself had spent the time next to Takato. Henry, Kazu, and Kenta stopped by frequently to check on Takato; they'd been spending most of their time keeping their partners busy so they wouldn't worry about Takato or Ryo.
Guilmon was sleeping in a small bed near Takato—he'd wake up quite excitedly every fifteen minutes—give or take a few—sniff Takato, poke him in the arm, then go back to sleep, disappointed. He'd spent the entire time in the room, as Jeri had, and she felt horrible for him. Cyberdramon hadn't said anything since they got to the Hypnos building. Jeri usually didn't feel like she could understand very closely what people were going through, but she was certain she felt the same worry for Takato as Cyberdramon was for Ryo. Mr. Yamaki said much to anyone since they arrived, which bothered Jeri; but it had been Rika who was even more offended than she was.
Rika had a confrontation with Takato back in the digital world. Jeri had heard it from the cave before the Devimon attacked. It helped piece things together from what she already knew from what Takato told her, and what she overheard from his conversation with Rika. Jeri assumed Rika had figured out Rika knew it was Yamaki who had been keeping Takato ahead of everyone. She was probably been waiting for an explanation. Jeri sighed as she thought of Rika. Rika had left a few hours ago, and nobody had heard from her. The night before, there had been another appearance of the monster, and Rika had gone off to fight it. When she came back, she checked on Takato, which is the last time Jeri had seen her. Rika had said she was going out for a while—Jeri had thought she meant she was going for a walk, not that she was leaving. Renamon was gone, too, of course. Jeri wished Rika had left at least a note or something—she was very concerned for her friend, and she certainly didn't enjoy the added guilt.
The only other visitor Takato had other than Mr. Yamaki, the doctors, and the other Tamers was a man who introduced himself to Jeri as being named Kurogawa. Kurogawa was someone who worked in the Hypnos building, and stopped by frequently to see if Takato had woken up yet, or if there were any other changes in his condition. Jeri was confused as to where his concern came from, but appreciated the company nonetheless.
Mr. Yamaki's doctors had said Takato would be fine. But that was two days ago, and he hadn't woken up yet. She, on the other hand, hadn't slept since Takato was moved to the room. Deciding she needed to sleep, she lay her head down on his hand, and sighed when she accidentally squeezed it, leading to the same reaction that she got an uncountable number of times in the last two days.
Wait a second—
She lifted her head nervously, and saw that Takato's eyes were partly open, and he was smiling at her.
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Takato would have expected to be more refreshed after being asleep for two days. He had been filled in on everything that had happened—Ryo still hadn't been found, Rika had apparently run away, the monster had attacked again, and they were running out of time. The latter piece of information was disclosed to him by Yamaki, while the other Tamers had told him the formers. Takato had woken up a few hours ago, to find Jeri keeping him company. He definitely didn't mind that. When he got out of his bed, he went over to shake Guilmon gently to wake him up. As it turned out, Guilmon required more than a little shake to be roused from his sleep. Guilmon was happy to have his friend awake again.
Cyberdramon was the only one Takato hadn't been able to talk to—it wasn't like Cyberdramon was the greatest conversationalist to begin with, but when he wouldn't say anything to Takato, Takato just told him that he was going to find a way to get Ryo back. Presently, Takato was on his way to speak with Yamaki. Takato expected this to mean that Guilmon was to be left downstairs, but he was beyond caring—he slid the card he was given through the reader, and headed into the elevator once it opened. He stepped in, and pushed the number "16".
Takato inhaled slowly as the elevator started moving. He wasn't sure what he was going to be told. Takato dreaded the meeting—Yamaki was always ahead of everyone else, so Takato was scared to hear something about Rika or Ryo that he wasn't ready to hear. He knew that Yamaki was ready to tell everyone about their investigation into the monster, as the situation had become too risky not to. What Takato didn't know, though, was just how much they were going to tell everyone. Some of the secrets Takato didn't want the others to know—that the monster was really Dr. Nonaka, and that Ryo was infected with the same virus.
Takato silently decided that the worst part about being knocked out by a monster and being put into a coma was that he lost two days he could have spent trying to find a way to help Ryo.
The door opened, and Guilmon and Takato stepped to Yamaki's office. Yamaki turned and headed towards them, ignoring Guilmon's presence. Takato was almost glad, as it would save time, and Yamaki could get to whatever it was that was making Takato so uncomfortable.
"So, how much do you want to tell the others? I stalled them as long as I could while you were out." Yamaki asked.
Even though Takato was expecting it, he was still surprised.
"I don't want anyone knowing about Dr. Nonaka." Takato replied firmly.
"Fair enough."
"Or Ryo."
"So if he mutates fully, you'll keep his identity a secret?"
"He won't."
"Entertain the possibility."
I don't want to.
"I will."
"Good. Now how much are you comfortable telling everyone about your own involvement?"
Takato hadn't thought about that. He had no idea how they might react. "Give me an hour, and then we'll tell them." Takato wanted the hour so that he could tell Henry himself. He owed him that much. Henry's dad was doing well. He was still hospitalized, but there was no permanent damage.
"Alright. Now, I'm sure you've been told there's been another appearance of the monster." Yamaki asked, business-like as ever.
"Yeah. Over on Ross Street, right? They said a lot of people got killed."
"I know. Rika saw it, and it could have affected her mental state."
"What?"
"She was uneasy when she came back. I know she's seen battle before, but she clearly saw something different there. And now she's left, and we can't find her."
"Do you think she's alright?"
"I have no idea. For all we know, Valn could have her."
"So what do we do?"
"We've got a few possible locations of Valn's base of operation, or at least, where he keeps Dr. Nonaka. Nothing certain, but some decent leads based on the times a sighting has been reported, where he's been moving, and how long between. I've some men prepped to go—"
"We'll go." Takato said, indicating Guilmon, who was sniffing a potted plant, ignoring the conversation fully.
"Alright." Yamaki responded. A year or so ago Yamaki wouldn't have trusted him to do something like this.
With his meeting with Yamaki finished, he headed not to the elevator, but to the stairwell in search of Henry. He figured taking the stairs would give him more time to think of what he'd say to him. Upon leaving the room, though, he bumped into a tall, slim man. Takato noticed the word "SECURITY" on the man's shirt.
"Oh, sorry." Takato mumbled.
"Hey, you're Takato, right?" the man asked.
Takato looked at the man in confusion. "Yeah, who are you?"
"My name's Kurogawa. I met a friend of yours, Jeri? It's good to see you're up and about." He looked to Guilmon, "And it's good to see you again, too, Guilmon." He scratched the side of Guilmon's head, making him laugh a little bit, which forced a little smile out of Takato.
Takato remembered Jeri mention the man, saying he was one of Takato's visitors. Takato was a little uncomfortable at the thought, and was eager to get out of the stairwell.
"Thanks," Takato said hurriedly. "I've got some things to do, but it was nice meeting you." With a quick smile and a wave, Takato hurried down the stairs.
He found him reading a book on the second floor, with Terriormon nearby watching some TV. Henry smiled at him as he approached, and closed his book.
"Hey Takato, what's up?"
"Hey, Henry. Uh, I was hoping I could talk to you."
"Sure thing, everything alright?"
Takato ignored the last question, and indicated for Guilmon to sit with Terriormon, which he complied to. He beckoned for Henry to follow as he walked down the hallway.
"Takato, what's wrong?"
Tell him.
"Henry, I knew that your father was going to be attacked by the monster." He said quietly. He hadn't looked at Henry while he said this, but when he didn't get a response, he looked up to see pure confusion on Henry's face. He had to continue, though. "We knew that your father was going to be attacked, and we let it happen so that we could follow the monster. I invited you to see a movie so that you'd be busy when it happened."
"W-What? Why?" Henry asked, the look of confusion still present.
"It was the only way to find out where the monster was. I'm sorry, Henry."
What Takato saw on Henry's face then was not confusion, but betrayal. They stared at each other for some time before Henry took a few steps backward—still staring at Takato—and turned and walked away. Takato wanted to follow, but knew Henry didn't want him to, so he didn't. As much as he hated it, he would have to leave it at that for the time being. He sighed, suppressed his guilt, and went to find the others to let them know of the meeting in Yamaki's office.
He found Kazu and Kenta watching—surprisingly—a news report on the 'strange occurrences' in the city for the past several weeks. Currently, a theorist was being interviewed who blamed the events on alien life. His thoughts were cut short, and the next theorist attributed the events to divine intervention. Takato sighed.
As if the alien guy is closer.
He told them to come up to Yamaki's office for the meeting at 8:00. They agreed to, and chatted for a bit. Takato hadn't gotten much chance to spend time with either of the two in longer than he'd like, and he made a mental promise to talk to them more. He headed downstairs in search of Jeri. He found her making beds on the basement level.
"Hey, Takato." She said, looking up.
"What are you doing?"
"A lot of people got hurt the other night. I'm guessing some people are going to be needing these beds. I thought I'd get them ready. The doctors told me that it was a good idea."
Takato smiled at her, though she wasn't looking up to notice it. He was so proud of how strong of a person she was becoming—how strong she already was. He wanted to spend more time with her, but realized he had another stop to make. He told her of the meeting at 8:00, and headed upstairs.
It took him a while before he found Cyberdramon. He was sitting—perching, rather, half out a window on the 3rd floor. Takato sat down next to him.
"Hey, Cyberdramon."
Takato wasn't expecting a response, which was good, because he didn't get one. He simply sat with Ryo's partner a few moments before he spoke again.
"I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to do everything I can to find Ryo and to bring him back." Again, no response. Takato smiled weakly.
"You know, before all of this, Ryo would always tell me all of the stuff he wanted to show you when you came back. He had no doubt that you would, either. He just knew, you know? I just—it's just that this isn't the way any of us expected it to be. He wanted to show you all sorts of stuff—movies, sports, music—he had this weird notion you'd be a big country fan. You'll understand why that's such an appalling thought when he gets back and you find out what country music is. Ryo's—he gets ahead of himself, you know that. Don't tell him, but I've always looked up to him. He gets in over his head in so many things, but then he always knows how to deal with it. I wish I could do that." Takato paused a moment. "You know, back in the digital world, thanks for looking out for Jeri. I appreciate it."
Takato stood up, hoping that Cyberdramon was at least listening to what he was saying.
"We're meeting in Yamaki's office on the sixteenth floor at 4:00. We're hoping we have a plan to find Ryo. Please come."
Takato had fifteen minutes, but he hadn't anything better to do, so he headed to Yamaki's office early. When he got up there, he still had 10 minutes before 4, but Yamaki was there at his desk. Takato entered, and headed toward him. He was prepared to greet Yamaki when the door burst open behind him, causing him to spin around, and Yamaki to stand up in anger.
Takato saw Kurogawa, the man he'd met in the stairwell, but this time, he shoved Takato violently backwards into Yamaki's desk. Yamaki stormed towards the security guard, but stopped still when Kurogawa pulled a pistol, moving it between Takato and Yamaki.
"What the hell are you people doing?" Kurogawa almost screamed.
What are we doing?
"Just calm down." Yamaki said.
"Shut up! I know you people made that thing."
"No, we didn't. We're trying to stop it, Mr. Kurogawa." Yamaki said very slowly.
"I know you did! Don't you dare lie to me!" the security guard screamed, shaking the gun accusingly at Yamaki.
Takato had been in life-or-death situations before, but it was somehow very different then, when the person controlling his fate was a person, rather than a monster. Takato didn't dare move—he had no idea how to behave in this kind of situation. Takato was busy piecing together things—Kurogawa must have been waiting for Takato to wake up so he could listen in on Yamaki talking to him, since Yamaki wasn't speaking to anyone until Takato was there.
"Just put the gun down."
"Don't tell me what to do!"
"You're going to hurt someone."
"You deserve it!"
"What do you want?"
"I want the weapon you used to knock that thing out before!"
"It won't work anymore—that was strictly a one-shot chance we took—it was a chemical; even though it worked before, the monster has surely developed a resistance to it now."
"Just give it to me!"
"It won't do you any—" Yamaki started, stepping forward, in front of Takato.
"Stay the hell back!"
"What's going—" Takato heard a voice speak that he did not want present. Takato saw the door open from the elevator open; Kurogawa's response to this was a bullet pointed in that direction—
—and Yamaki charged forward, and tackled Kurogawa to the ground
—and Jeri stumbled backwards into the elevator, looking down at the hole that just appeared in her shirt, that was starting to turn red.
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Okay, I hope it was entertaining enough to read 'til here. Review, please!
-N