Standard Disclaimer: I just founded a new organization called 'IDOD'. It's an acronym for 'I Don't Own Digimon!'
Author's Notes: Hooray for summer! I've got TONS of time to write! Oh, and s-CRY-ed rocks.
To the reviews (of which there are once more 200. WHOO!)!
feral-halliwell: Parental confusion!
Trey Miller: Ironic that it's called 'ABC Family' when they have a Whose Line host (Drew Carey) who makes porn jokes practically every show. :P
Digi fan: That he will.
Anthony1: Not telling.
Ninetalesuk: Try countering the Egyptian God with a Japanese God. They don't like each other.
Dot Cubed: I'm a first-degree black belt.
BrokenAngel01: Welcome!
Yamimaru: Knew about the first one, knew about the second, did not know (nor do I care) about the third one. :P
Yami Vizzini: And since he's in the city, that means no leaves.
Assamite: Perhaps. But it's harder to spot the politics in the original trilogy (if at all). That's my opinion though.
Inuyasha loves sake: Sake, eh?
Kmoney: It also gives the reader time to prepare for the hilarity.
Chosen Child of Darkness: This is the last time the laxative gag will appear.
sjbaby: It's called 'vengeance'…and Davis will get his own!
ficmaster: …you need help.
duskmon87: Burp.
Silver Warrior: ZIG-ZAGOON!
Bluesv20: Would you be saying that if Davis was doing the pranks? ;)
Angel of Fire: That's the Internet for you: gender-ambiguous!
Anyhow…
1) Darkheart WILL return. And if I mentioned his final form, don't you think it'd make sense for me to show it in some form? As to when…I won't say. :P
2) Not in this story…but in a future one.
3) Favorite Digidestined is Shaun Kamiya (because you kind of get attached to a character you spend a lot of time creating…although Davis, with his lovable attitude, is a close second), with favorite Digimon being Omnimon (do I need to say why? He's OMNIMON!).
4) Definitely Battle of the Angels (although it was sucky that I had to remove the music lyrics). The Digiknight Vs. BelialMyotismon battle was another fave of mine…and I must admit, I enjoyed writing the Mummymon/Pharaohmon battle.
Begin!
xxxx
Chapter 18: Bonding: Chizuru
xxxx
/Sidewalk, Odaiba, 4:19 PM/
Davis walked along the sidewalk, a scowl etched onto his face. Why?
Come on! Do I have to remind you? He just got pranked! Badly! Read the last chapter to remember.
…you back?
Good.
Davis grumbled as he rubbed his head; after returning home to change his underwear – and quickly wash himself – he had left to try and find ideas to get revenge. He certainly wasn't going to take this lying down. No sir!
Okay…so Yolei thinks she can acquire help, eh? Well she's got another thing coming! Davis grinned evilly; he would show her indeed…
He saw someone in the corner of his eye. Someone he recognized.
He looked to the left to see Chizuru Inoue – wearing black sweatpants and a white T-shirt – walking into a Taekwondo dojo on the other side of the street.
Oh yeah…she takes karate! Davis winced as he remembered how Chizuru had flipped both him AND Yolei onto their backs during a heated argument. I wonder what rank she is?
Shrugging – thinking he had nothing better to do – Davis went further down the sidewalk, crossed a crosswalk, walked back, and entered the dojo.
xxxx
/Taekwondo Dojo, Odaiba, 4:31 PM/
Davis quietly took a seat in the spectator seats. The seats were part of the main lobby, and they were separated from the main dojo via a white wall with a see-through panel of plexiglass. The lobby floor was made of finely polished oak, and a former Taekwondo teacher sat behind the front desk, filing the paperwork for the dojo, going through registrations, and taking calls. A number of people sat in the wooden chairs placed in front of the plexiglass, Davis included. Finally, a door sat at the very end of the lobby, leading to the lockers.
However, his attention was on the area beyond the plexiglass.
The dojo itself was easily six times as large as the lobby – the lobby itself being 30' by 90' – so as to accommodate for its large amount of students. The black marble floor was covered by hardened blue foam, thus ensuring more comfortable falls. Two-dozen dummies stood on the front end of the dojo, where a number of green belts were practicing. Near the middle of the dojo were about twenty purple belts. All but five were sitting down, and the aforementioned five were practicing their form: Hwa-Rang Hyung. At the back of the dojo were ten black belts (all female), Chizuru among them. They sat in front of a mirror, which reflected the entire dojo. Finally, a door sat adjacent to the mirror; it led to the locker rooms – separated into male and female zones – where people entered the dojo.
Dang…this place is big. Davis counted the number of instructors in the room; a 5th-degree black belt – with three 3rd-degrees as his assistants – was speaking to the five 1st-degrees and the five 2nd-degrees sitting down. Three 4th-degrees were in charge of the purple belts, and two 2nd-degrees were in charge of the green belts.
Davis Inoue noticed Chizuru's belt had two gold notches on it. Huh…she's pretty high up. The two notches meant 2nd-degree status.
Finally, the 5th-degree instructor yelled out something. Davis couldn't quite tell what it was; the plexiglass panel blocked out most of the sound. The only way to actually hear what was going on in there was to actually be in the dojo.
Davis blinked as he watched the three 3rd-degree assistants put on red pads to protect their arms, shins, legs, and head. After putting a mouthpiece in, they all gathered in a circular formation about twenty feet away from the other black belts. Chizuru stood up next, walking into the center of the ten-foot circle. Unlike the assistants, she wore no pads. Huh?
"Ah…self-defense course."
Davis turned his head to see an elderly woman sitting a few seats away. "Pardon?"
The old woman gazed at Davis with narrow and dull, yet wise eyes. "Well…today is the weekly self-defense course for female black belts. I always come to watch…after all, SOMEONE has to teach today's young women to defend themselves, wouldn't you agree?"
"Sure, I guess," replied Davis. It was sort of a half-hearted answer; he was wondering what Chizuru was capable of. After all, she HAD given him and Yolei a beat-down (of sorts) before…
One of the assistants charged, left arm outstretched.
Chizuru calmly waited until he was within striking distance. She immediately grabbed the fist, twisted it around, grabbed the arm, and pinned it to his back. Without hesitation, she pushed the assistant into the second one. She quickly kicked backwards into the gut of the third assistant, who had been charging at her. Immediately afterwards, she brought her arms up in a defensive stance.
Davis blinked. "Man…what's with those assistants? Aren't they a higher rank than her?"
The elderly woman replied, "Well, those assistants aren't fighting like actual Taekwondo black belts. They're fighting as if they were street thugs…for the purposes of the lesson."
…okay…I guess. Davis just sat down and watched.
Next came an assault with actual pocketknives, much to Davis' horror. However, Chizuru was quite adept at evading the blades, using quick evasive maneuvers to avoid the lunges. After using disabling techniques on the assistants, Chizuru quickly – but lightly – struck their vitals. Not enough to send them down…but if it was real life, it would be enough to put a thug down for the count.
"Ah…I always enjoy watching that young girl practice," commented the elderly woman.
Davis curiously asked, "Why?"
"I'm not quite sure…perhaps it's her lack of emotions in battle. It enables her to fight quickly and effectively." A wry smile came to the woman's face. "I'd hate to be the guy standing against her in battle."
After an hour of watching Chizuru spar, practice her form – Choong-Jang Hyung – and watching her fellow students practice what she had just done, Davis noticed that the session had ended. He stood up as all of the students in the dojo walked into the locker rooms to change and leave.
Chizuru was the first one out, wearing her black sweatpants and white T-shirt. She raised one eyebrow at the sight of Davis. "Oh. Didn't know you were here."
xxxx
/Sidewalk, Odaiba, 5:35 PM/
"Nice moves there," commented Davis as he walked beside his older sister.
Chizuru calmly shrugged as she wiped some droplets of sweat off of her brow. "It's nothing really. I just go to keep my skills honed."
"So…how long you been doing karate?" asked Davis as both of them paused at an intersection, waiting for the light to turn green.
Chizuru sighed before answering, "About seven years now. Made it to second degree in three years."
Man, that was quick. "But if that's true, getting to third degree must be something tough, eh?"
The light changed.
As the two crossed the street, Chizuru replied, "Nope. I just haven't gone to the tests ever since I made it to second-degree."
"WHAT?" yelped Davis out of surprise. "But WHY? You kicked butt in that dojo! Why haven't you advanced further?"
"For one, there's an age limit to higher black belt ranks…but that's not the main reason." As Chizuru and Davis turned a corner, she said, "It's because I didn't really need to. I learned what I needed to learn, and now all I do is come to keep my skills sharp."
Davis frowned as he thought about it. Sure, it made sense…but come on! If you were still going, you might as well advance for the heck of it! "I still think you should try to advance."
At this, Chizuru smiled slightly. "Then YOU, my dear little brother, don't get it. I know how to defend myself. That's all I wanted to learn when I joined."
Self-defense? It was then that it suddenly clicked. "…so…why'd you want to learn self-defense?"
A small smile came to the older girl's face. "Some bullies decided to speak with their fists. Soon after that, I made the decision to learn Taekwondo…so that I wouldn't be caught unprotected again." As she talked, she accidentally bumped shoulders with someone.
You know how fate sometimes send trouble your way just because you mention that specific kind of trouble in a casual conversation?
"HEY! You bumped into me!"
Say hello to the bullies!
Chizuru ran a hand through her blonde hair as she gazed at the person she had just bumped into. It was a high school student, judging by his gray uniform and his boyish appearance. His face was rough and angular, his eyes dark…but the defining factor was his blue mullet. Behind him stood several other guys wearing school uniforms, varying in appearance…but it was obvious the one with the blue mullet was in charge.
Blue Mullet roared, "HEY! Where's your apology?"
Chizuru's eyes hardened momentarily before she calmly replied, "Sorry about that. Wasn't looking. If you don't mind, I'll be on my way." With that said, Chizuru calmly walked around the large group, with Davis warily following her. As they walked away, Blue Mullet grumbled to himself. "That girl…where've I seen her before?"
When Davis and Chizuru were some distance away, he asked, "Chizuru! Who were those guys?"
"Don't know the goons, but I do know the guy with the blue mullet. His name's Matsuo Saito." As they neared the Inoue Convenience Store, Chizuru said, "He used to go to the school I went to…bit of a jerk."
"…he was the bully, wasn't he?"
Chizuru smiled; Davis could be quite intuitive. "He's their ringleader. Bullies have a tendency to get under my skin…"
Davis frowned…and it was all due to his confusion. After all, he WOULD'VE taken the opportunity to exact payback on a bully who had done him wrong.
So why hadn't Chizuru? "How come you didn't do anything?"
"Because he didn't try to attack," replied Chizuru.
Davis blinked. "…and?"
"Taekwondo is the art of self-defense. Unless they attack, I cannot take the offense. Simple as that." With that said, Chizuru walked into the store, leaving Davis behind.
So she's unwilling to fight…because it goes against what she's been taught. At this, Davis smiled. Sounds stupid…but I like it.
xxxx
/Warehouse #7, Tokyo Bay, Odaiba, 7:07 PM/
Warehouse #7.
During the events leading to and during the Odaiba War, it was a safe haven for Gennai and the Digidestined's families. Without it, the body count would've included more than just Davis and Jun's parents, not to mention Cody's grandfather.
But alas, the war was over. Gennai had returned to the Digital World, taking all of his equipment with him. Warehouse #7 had once again become an abandoned warehouse.
Now…it had new owners.
Matsuo Saito snorted as he kicked away an old box. Feh…who was that girl? I know I've seen her before…
Saito had found the old dump after the Odaiba War. He had liked it so much, he had turned it into a hangout for his gang. Out of the way, mostly out of sight…it was perfect!
Now there was just the matter of figuring out who that girl was. Hmm…
Then he remembered. Several years ago, in 3rd grade; he and two former goons had roughed up a blonde-haired girl who had spilled juice on them (she had CLAIMED it was by accident. Like he was going to fall for that old excuse!). He and his two goons had been suspended…but it was worth it.
"Chizuru…Inoue…" Saito grinned; he finally remembered the little jerk's name. Perhaps another beat-down was in order… "Boys! File in!"
All of Saito's goons gathered in a large group around him. The total number of goons that belonged to his gang numbered 14. Enough to make Seiji Waya sweat, in any case.
Speaking of Seiji Waya…he was the newest member of the gang. After his suspension, he had been down on his luck. He had no more goons, and no more credibility with the other gangs in Tokyo.
But Saito knew of Seiji Waya's reputation. He knew he could scruff with the best of them…so he recruited the former gang leader as a goon. Sure, he knew the orange-haired bully didn't like it…but life wasn't fair to failures, now was it?
"What is it boss?" asked a black-haired teen who had more acne than skin.
Saito grinned as he ran a hand through his blue hair. "I ran into an old target earlier today…she said she was sorry for bumping into me…but who else saw that look in her eyes?"
The goons that had been with Saito grinned wickedly; they knew what was next. "Yes sir!"
"Then it's settled; we look up a phone book, find her address…and then plan an ambush!" His face suddenly softened, as if he were now a peaceful missionary. "But do be careful…we're NICE guys. Fists and feet only; nothing naughty."
The goons had a momentary chuckle at that; to hear their boss act noble was a hilarious act he would put on to emphasize what to do and what NOT to do. It was amusing…but then again, it made their boss unique.
Saito cleared his throat before loudly saying, "Our target is a girl named Chizuru Inoue!"
The name 'Inoue' caused Waya's face to tighten out of anger. Inoue…
"Waya. You look tense."
Seiji Waya glanced up into calm, dark eyes of his new boss. Matsuo Saito asked, "Have you met this girl before?"
"I did meet her sister…she's one of the kids who led to my downfall." Waya snarled as he rubbed a sore spot on his arm from the beat-down Yolei had given him and his goons. He didn't know who was more dangerous; the girl or her Digifreak! "Not only that, but she and a bunch of her friends have Digimon partners."
Saito arched an eyebrow out of surprise. The rest of the gang members made their disapproval noticeable via shouts and angry curses.
Now, unlike Waya, Saito had not been deprived of anything personal by the Digimon attack. Sure, his house had been destroyed…but it had been fixed. He hadn't lost any family members. He had lost none of his friends. And, perhaps most importantly to him…his subordinates were okay.
But speaking of his subordinates…they had all lost something. Parents. Friends. Pets. That alone made Saito angry against the Digimon…because they deprived HIS gang members of their happiness!
"Boys…change of plans." Saito calmly walked over to a crate he had brought over from their old hideout…and it held special cargo. "We're upgrading this mission into a Class A."
A whooping holler erupted from the goons…save for Waya, who just smiled wickedly. Although he was fairly knew, he knew what it meant.
Class A. A…for Arson.
Saito popped the lid off the crate, revealing green Vodka bottles that had been filled with petrol, rags, and lighters. "Make yourselves a Molotov cocktail boys…we're about to give the firemen something to do."
As a raucous bout of laughter erupted from the gang, a narrow pair of dark eyes watched them from a window. "Hmm…"
xxxx
/Davis and Mantarou's Room, Inoue Apartment, 10:06 PM/
"Mantarou…"
"What is it bro?"
Davis sighed as he fiddled with the Veemon's floppy ears, who was sleeping right beside him. "Why is Chizuru so…emotionless?"
"What brings this up?"
Davis sighed. "Well…earlier today, I met her on the way out of Taekwondo practice…and on our way home, we encountered an old bully that beat her up once."
"…and?"
"She didn't do anything! Not so much as one punch! She said 'sorry for bumping into you', and then walked away!" Davis groaned irritably. "It just bugs me…she had every right to get some payback, but she didn't do anything…she didn't even get angry or anything!"
Mantarou poked his head over the side of the bed, looking down at Davis with a calm smile. "Chizuru's sort of the odd duck of our family when it comes to emotions…"
"What do you mean?" asked Davis.
"Well…I think she didn't get angry because those guys weren't WORTH it."
Davis blinked out of momentary confusion…and then it registered. "I see…heh. A well-conceived insult…"
"More than that," countered Mantarou. "The only time I've seen Chizuru get emotional in the last several years is when family is involved…because we're the only ones that matter to her that much. Get it now?"
The thought was actually quite touching. An emotionless shell…one that can't be penetrated…save by the family. "…heh. Yeah…"
xxxx
/Street, Outside Inoue Convenience Store, Odaiba, Wednesday, November 30th, 1:09 AM/
Matsuo Saito, Seiji Waya, and the other thirteen goons smiled as they held their Molotov cocktails in one hand, with the lighter in the other. It would be a tremendous blaze that would all but put the Inoues out of business.
"Waya…will you do the honors?" Saito stepped out of Waya's way, a satisfied grin on his face.
Seiji Waya smirked as he stepped towards the store, bottle gripped tightly in one hand. "Of course I don't mind…" A sadistic grin crossed his face as he popped open the lighter, clicking it repeatedly. The girl…those Digifreaks…they ruined me…so I'll ruin THEM!
The lighter lit up with a tiny orange flame. Waya lit the rag that now lay in the Vodka bottle…and threw it as hard as he could.
The flaming bottle of Vodka went sailing towards the window. The moment it crashed, it would ignite in a wave of flame that would destroy anything it touched.
So imagine Waya's disappointment when a golden blur grabbed the bottle and took the fiery rag out. The other goons gaped as he stepped on the rag, dousing the fire. Saito frowned as he then let the petrol-filled bottle drop to the ground, shattering harmlessly into pieces. The ringleader demanded, "Who are you?"
The figure stepped forward into the light of a lamppost. The goons gaped, Waya froze, and Saito snarled.
The being was an otherworldly figure, standing with a solid, muscular 8'6" frame. It easily towered over all of them. Golden armor covered the head, the body, the arms, and the legs, and where it did not cover, dark gray skin could be seen. The feet had only two toes, and the hands had only four fingers. By far, the most alien feature was the jaw, splt into four teeth-lined mandibles that, when opened, formed an 'X' shape. Its dark eyes glared at them quietly…and the slash mark on its golden helmet gave it a distinguished, warrior's aura.
Finally, the creature spoke in a deep, intimidating voice that was obviously masculine. "The son of my partner is a friend to those who live here…mind telling me why you were about to burn it to the ground?"
A blonde goon yelled, "W-Who are you?"
"I am Futa Ishisamee, a proud Elitemon warrior…and I suggest you flee."
The black-haired kid with the acne wailed, "NEVER! NOT TO A DIGIFREAK!" He popped open his lighter-
CHOOM!
Just in time to see a turquoise-colored blade of energy pop into existence out of a small metal rod Futa held in his right hand. The goon (who shall henceforth be known as Acne. The author has spoken!) – to his embarrassment – wet himself at the sight of the blade and Futa's dark eyes. "Uh…"
Futa leered into Acne's eyes with a killing intent that would've sent most sensible warriors into retreat. Acne was too gripped by fear. "I suggest you drop the lighter, lest I accidentally slip and shave your face."
"AGGGH!" yelped Acne as he dropped his inert lighter and petrol bottle onto the ground, running like the dickens. The other goons paled at the sight of Futa's blade. The Elitemon growled, "Anyone else want to test me?"
The goons all ran…save for Waya. Only he and Saito were left.
Futa calmly flexed his neck, saying, "Please don't tell me you wish to fight me…I thought you were more sensible."
Waya scowled. "Why should I be afraid of a Digifreak like YOU? I'm gonna-"
"Calm down Waya," interrupted Saito, who dropped his lighter and his Vodka bottle. As he pulled out a small slip of paper, he commented, "Getting yourself killed now won't prove anything…Futa Ishisamee, you said?" The golden Elitemon nodded. "Then if you don't mind…give this paper to Chizuru Inoue. Waya, we're off." He threw the paper at Futa before taking off with Waya.
Futa snorted as he held the paper in one hand, deactivating his plasma sword. "Scum." He glanced up at the second story of the apartment complex…and to his surprise, he saw someone staring at him.
He quickly jumped high into the air, grabbing onto the windowsill. The person staring at him was a girl, who quietly opened the window. The Elitemon asked, "Is there a Chizuru Inoue in this house?"
"I'm her," calmly replied Chizuru, standing in a white nightgown. She calmly grabbed the piece of paper, saying, "I saw what happened."
Futa nodded, taking note of the flash of anger in her eyes. "Know this though…if you wish to exact vengeance, then you'll tread a bloody path." With that said, Futa dropped back to the ground, running off into the nearest alley…keeping a watch over the city he now called his home.
Chizuru calmly closed the window, clutching the paper angrily…and she calmly muttered to herself. "I don't care if it's bloody…" She walked to the bathroom to read in the light.
She could not believe how low those thugs had sunk…willing to destroy her family's only source of income just to pay her back. Scum…no. LOWER than scum.
They WILL pay.
The legendary female ire of the Inoues had finally risen in Chizuru.
xxxx
/Davis and Mantarou's Room, Inoue Apartment, Odaiba, 6:54 AM/
Davis groaned as he stepped out of bed, quickly scrambling to the bathroom. Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go…
He stepped into the bathroom and flipped on the light. He quickly flipped the toilet lid up and let a sigh of relief escape as he did his business.
"Ah…" He took a casual glance around the bathroom, just for the heck of it. Imagine his surprise to see a crumpled piece of paper sitting on the counter tile. "Huh." Out of curiosity, he used one hand to smoothen it out and hold it.
Upon reading it, he gaped. Oh no…
After finishing his business, he snuck a peek into Jun, Momoe, and Chizuru's room…and to his horror, Chizuru wasn't there.
He quickly scampered back into his room, shaking Veemon. "Veemon, wake up. We've got a problem!"
xxxx
/Outside Warehouse #7, Tokyo Bay, Odaiba, 6:59 AM/
Saito glanced up as he watched Waya and seven other goons walk towards him. "I trust you got enough sleep?"
Waya nodded. "It's a shame I couldn't be homeless…I'd rather live here." Seeing as how some of the goons were left parentless – and unwilling to become foster children or going to an orphanage – they opted to live at the gang's hideout. Six of them lived in Warehouse #7.
Matsuo Saito shrugged as he commented, "Oh well…we can't all get what we want." He then walked towards the warehouse's door, saying, "Let's go inside…I wonder if she'll arrive on time."
Saito, Waya, and the seven goons walked inside. The ringleader flipped on the lights…and he gasped out of surprise.
Six goons – Acne among them – moaned out of pain, laying on the cold hard floor of the warehouse. They were bruised and rendered immobile or unconscious by blows to vital spots.
Sitting on top of crate was Chizuru…wearing her dobok: the Taekwondo uniform. She also wore her black belt…and her eyes were filled with obvious rage.
Saito glared Chizuru. "You came early."
"The letter said to be at Warehouse #7 by 7:00 AM. I HAD to come early…it was these guys' misfortune to be here when I came." Chizuru stood up, glaring at the nine thugs. "If you had thrown those bottles into the store…the flames would've engulfed more than just the store…you incompetent idiots."
Waya chuckled at the sound of Chizuru's anger. "Heh…you angry? Well you SHOULD!" He the orange-haired goon charged at the black belt, fist outstretched. "EAT THIS!"
Chizuru quickly knelt down and thrust her palm into Waya's abdomen. Without even pausing to hear his breath escape his lungs, Chizuru flipped him over and dropped him onto the hard floor. Waya's groan of pain was filled with agony and anguish.
Saito frowned. His seven goons paled at the sight of Chizuru's ruthless strike. The female Inoue calmly readjusted her glasses…and then glared at the thugs with a rage she had never dare feel before. "RAAAAAAAAAH!"
She charged.
Chizuru slammed her elbow into the face of the first goon, sending him falling to the ground unconscious. Saito roared, "SWARM HER!"
Two of the goons rushed around to get Chizuru from behind, whilst the other four charged straight at her.
What followed next was a flurry of moves that lasted ten seconds.
Chizuru immediately swept her legs forward, tripping the four in the front. She swept her left leg into the air, performing a roundmoon crescent into the chins of the two rear goons. The blows were successful, and she followed them up with palm thrusts into the chest, causing the air to rush out of their lungs. They fell to the floor out of pain.
Chizuru turned around to face the four goons that had now gotten up. Without pause, without qualm, without mercy, she charged at them.
A punch to the gut, a kick to the back of the knee, and a karate chop to the back of the neck knocked out one goon. She quickly ducked under one punch and flipped the second goon over, slamming into the ground. The black belt held on tightly to the second goon's fist while she delivered a swift sidekick into the belly of the third goon. Finally, she elbowed the second goon in the gut, causing him to clench up out of pain.
Only the third and the fourth goons were left. Chizuru quickly dealt with the fourth one with a swift kick to the head, sending him into the wall with a smack.
The third one – who had been sent backwards by the sidekick – stumbled forward, dazed by the hit.
Chizuru effectively ended the bout with a front kick to the gonads. The goon squeaked as he fell to the floor, voice now higher in pitch than a whistle.
Ten seconds.
Chizuru turned around-
SLAM!
She grimaced as Saito blindsided her with a punch to the face, sending her glasses clattering into the ground. Thankfully, they weren't broken.
Not that it mattered to Chizuru now, who was too fueled by anger to notice. She quickly charged back at Saito, delivering a high kick to the chin that sent the ringleader backwards.
"Hurk," stuttered Saito as he brought a hand to his chin…and then the back of his head was clutched by Chizuru's hand. The next thing he saw was the wall.
SLAM!
"AGH!" Saito gagged as blood poured out of his nose; vertigo gripped him as he was tripped by a sweep kick from Chizuru.
BAM!
"Urg…" moaned Saito as Chizuru put a foot upon his head. The black belt snorted. "Is that all? Don't tell me your pathetic, hate-filled existence stretches THIS short…after all, you hated me so much that you were willing to TORCH MY HOME!"
Saito spat out some blood onto Chizuru's foot. "Only…because my goons were wronged by Digimon…otherwise, the only to suffer would've been you…"
"Groveling? Shifting the blame? Doesn't matter now…you're nothing but a stain." Chizuru raised her foot. "You tried to kill my family…so I'm going to try to kill you…but I'll stop short. You're going to be in pain for a LONG…LONG…TIME."
CRASH!
Chizuru tilted her head upwards to see a blue dragon with white wings fall down, landing with a thud on the hard floor. It was XVmon.
And leaping off his back was Davis, wearing nightclothes. "HOLD IT!"
SLAM!
Chizuru, shocked by Davis' sudden appearance, couldn't think in time to block his punch to her face. The black belt groaned as she was sent crashing into the floor, astonished by the Child of Miracles' sudden blow. "Davis…wha?"
"Davis found your note in the bathroom," said XVmon as he looked at the unconscious goons. "Eesh…you really did a number on em'!"
"Why not? They tried to incinerate the store…it would've KILLED US!" Chizuru snarled as she stood, glaring at Davis. "They challenged me…I had to teach them a lesson."
Davis scoffed. "…you told me that Taekwondo is the art of self-defense. How come you decided to attack on your own?"
"It was a challenge…and I had to DO something to repay them for their attack on our home!" roared Chizuru.
"The attack failed. We're fine. So what if they're low-life thugs? You're violating your teachings…are you really saying you don't care about that?" It was odd…for all the times Davis seemed like an idiot in the eyes of many, he could prove to be awfully insightful. After all, he WAS the leader of the New Digidestined.
As odd as Chizuru found it, she didn't have a reply. Her ironclad resolve was already weakening. "…"
Davis sighed, staring at Chizuru with melancholy eyes. "You told me yesterday…that you learned Taekwondo so you could defend yourself." Those brown eyes hardened into a glare. "Well, SISTER…I didn't know you also took it…so you could become a low-life thug like these punks."
That statement was the clincher. Chizuru stared around the warehouse, gazing lifelessly at the bodies of the beaten thugs. A lone tear escaped her eye; a sign that what she had done had finally kicked in. A sob only got as far as her throat before she bitterly smiled. "Hmph…I told you…that bullies tend to get under my skin…"
Davis smiled, satisfied by the answer. He then turned to Saito, who just glared at them quietly. "Don't even try to attack us again in the future…or else I won't come to your rescue."
"Heh. Hypocrite…" Saito smirked as he rubbed his bloody nose. "I can see it in your eyes…you hate us…I bet you'd LOVE to let her finish me off…or better yet, to do it yourself."
Davis shrugged. "Of course…but I wouldn't anyway."
This answer seemed to surprise Saito. "Why?"
"Because Davis is a nice guy!" exclaimed XVmon. "He's not like you punks!" At this, Saito was silent.
Davis calmly walked towards his partner, talking as he did. "You've been given a second chance…don't waste it." XVmon grabbed Davis in one hand, and Chizuru in the other. "XVmon…let's go home. We've gotta get ready for school!"
"You betcha Davis!" XVmon flapped his wings, ascending through the hole in the warehouse roof. In moments, the Champion and the two Inoues were gone.
Saito glanced around at his unconscious subordinates…and sighed ruefully, thinking of the odd boy he had just met. Davis…Inoue…
In the sky above Odaiba, Chizuru calmly glanced at Davis, squinting to avoid the light of the morning sun. "Hey...thanks for saving me bro."
Davis raised an eyebrow. "Saved you? Huh?"
"You saved me from me. That's all I need to say." Chizuru, having said that, resigned herself to waiting until the flight ended.
As a result, she didn't see Davis smile.
xxxx
To be continued…
Next time…
Chapter 19: Revenge of the Prankster
xxxx
Author's Notes: GAH. Sorry for the wait. It took me FOREVER to get past the dojo scene. By the time Saito was introduced, I finished the rest in one day. Stupid writer's block. X.x
Just for the record, Matsuo Saito WILL appear again…but he won't be the same as former bully-turned-nice guy Daichi. Two similar guys so quickly is a boring approach. ;)
Next chapter…the pranks return! And board games!
See you soon, and please review!