(A/N) This story was written about two years ago and has not been proofread, so expect grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and the whole jest of it. I 'would' edit it, but if I did I don't think I'll have time to edit my other stories before my last school year begins. Another reason why I'm not editing this is because this story was written when I was going through a hard phase of depression; therefore I wrote it with a whole lot of emotion and negativity. I don't plan to revise it again, so I hope you understand my decision...
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Lone Wolf's Burden
CHAPTER 5
By flipstahhz
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My eyes stared directly out the window of our cabin. Snow drizzled down the campsite, and I found it more comfortable inside with the fire's heat against my cold skin. Even though Takeru, Sora and I had been out almost half an hour ago constructing a snowman, I was still chilled to the bone.
I glanced at the other people in the cabin.
I never like to refer them as companions, since I didn't want their pity nor friendship.
Izzy was on his computer trying to get some Internet connection. Mimi seemed to be preparing what clothes to wear, for she seemed like she had brought her whole wardrobe with her. Jyou was sitting with Sora and my brother. They all kept on passing swift glances at me; I avoided their looks. While Tai, was…
"It's snowing again…"
I could see his reflection through the glass as he stood beside me, his face pressed against the window with excitement. It was like he was a little kid, not knowing the reality at all.
" The canoe races are canceled," the brunette called to the other remaining people in the cabin. " So let's have toboggan races instead!"
Overjoyed with energetic enthusiasm, he sped out…leaving a freezing breeze to come into our cabin. Takeru bounced after him.
"I'm gunna build the biggest snowman!"
I frowned and shook my head to myself. " Hey, T.K! Be careful! Slow down!"
It was strange how he could still be so hyper, after he had already made a snowman a while ago…
I followed after my brother, as my feet crunched into the ice with every single step I took, deciding to stay a couple of paces away from him. Soon, everyone was out of the cabin - even Izzy who I thought would still stay in the stuffy place with his eyes still glued to the computer screen.
"Ahh! Wow! Why didn't I pack my fluffy pink snow boots?"
I rolled my eyes. This Mimi, cheerleader, was irritating. I was fighting the urge to scream in her face and tell her that everything wasn't based on her life and that the world didn't revolve around her. That it revolved around other people as well…
Suddenly, the group let out sighs of awes. I followed their eyes to observe a startling light playing out in the sky. Even though they thought it was pretty and all, a hunch in my stomach told me that everything wasn't close to well.
Green lights appeared in the sky, and then beams of light were aimed for the seven of us. We stood in awe as they sped towards us specifically, as it came closer I automatically shielded Takeru and myself from the blinding light.
Loudly, objects crashed into the snow beside each on of us.
"Everyone, are you all right?" asked Sora's worried voice.
Not knowing that anyone would answer I spoke up with a slight shrug, gesturing to my brother behind the other beings and me scattered in different places. " We're still here."
Absently, I felt for the object in the icy snow and found some strange device…what was this? …
Izzy's voice broke into my head, " My guess is some sort of miniature remote digital apparatus."
I gazed back at the object in my head in wonder. Where did these 'so-called' remotes come from? And why did we each have one? Was this a game or somethin-
"Surf's up!"
A large wave, out of nowhere, suddenly swelled over our heads picking each of us and bringing us down some endless whole. I closed my eyes, as I heard some screams and curses. I didn't really care. If this was death - my fate…then I'll admit to it…
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I opened my eyes and observed that I was in some jungle-like place. Large trees bursted from the ground as leaves cascaded on top of each other cascading a shade over me. I brushed myself as I got off from the filthy ground.
Where's Takeru? Where am I? Must be an idiotic dream of some sort…
I paced around, still taking in the humid surrounding with my stern eyes darting everywhere. I felt eyes on me back, and swiftly I turned around. The creature, or the thing wasn't there anymore. Giving a deep sigh, I turned back around to meet a pair of wide eyes on an orange bouncing face with a horn on top of its head…
What the…
"Matt!" the thing giggled as it bumped itself towards me.
Hesitantly, I took a step away.
"Greetings, I'm Tsunomon."
I raised my eyebrow, probably some figment to my imagination…
"Well," the high pitched voice screeched, " I've heard that you wouldn't speak much…"
"Huh?" I queried as I let a look of confusion escape me.
"Whatya know!" Tsunomon giggled. " You're my partner and we're going to work together to conquer all the evil in the Digiworld!"
This creature was pretty close to a little kid…it kind of reminded me of Takeru in some way. Perhaps the innocence of it…
So, if this thing were like Takeru…it wouldn't hurt to be off my guard for some while…
"Can I," Tsunomon started shyly, " Can you carry me? It's quite hard, when you have no legs, like you do…ya know?"
I gave a small lopsided smile and picked up the thing into my arms. "So what are you? For a small thing, you pretty weigh a lot of a miniature load."
"I'm a Digimon," it poked it's tongue out then his cheeky face became suddenly serious. " You know Matt, you don't have to hide from me. Truthfully, I know a lot about you than you would expect. I know what happened…but you've got to try and get over it."
Suspicion crawled into me as I glanced down at the Digimon. " Who are you? Who are you to say that?"
"Let's just say, I'm the only one who knows and the secret is safe with me," Tsunomon gave a tiny wink.
I felt my tense body become serene. This thing meant no harm…but if it does know…
"Secret?" I acted a bit dumb. " What secret?"
"The secret of how, that happened," the creature's eyes stared directly at the scars situated on my hands and on other parts of my fragile body. "And that."
I gazed down to see that his horn on his head was now motioning to my heart as he mimicked 'emotionally.'
"We are linked Matt, I know all you're problems since you were born."
I frowned.
This creature knew more about me, than I knew about myself. How did he? And why do I believe him when I'm not even sure and have no core evidence? Weary questions filled my head.
"Matt! Look at…look at my new fwen!"
A young boy with blond hair started running towards me with a pink thing bouncing after him. " His name is Tokomon!"
My guard came back, and my feelings were suddenly shielded behind my eyes.
"Be careful TK."
Takeru was presently paying attention to the other supposedly Digimon, embracing it. " Don't worry about Matt, my brother! He's like that sometimes."
I rolled my eyes, with Tsunomon still being carried.
"Matt, wait up!"
"We're going to find the others."
"Awww…but Matt I want to play!" TK pleaded with his blue pouting eyes.
"No TK, " I responded firmly.
"You're so unfair!" he exclaimed as he carried Tokomon in his arms, I could hear his footsteps running after me.
" You shouldn't be really hard on him, Matt," whispered Tsunomon to me so I could only hear. " He's only a boy."
And so am I…
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After a while, my brother and I met up with the rest of the group and found ourselves into a huge lot of trouble with Shellmon, and luckily for us we escaped from the monster. It was already likely, that Taichi was leader since he was directed and telling us what to do most of the time.
Altogether this group was harmless…
And loosening up wouldn't be too bad, since I hadn't done it in a long time and since Sora swore me to promise her not to make everyone else's' lives crap…well not exactly in those words, but close enough. It also felt strange, being one of the group. I had forgotten how it was like…socializing and everything. Working as a team, it was much easier to do tasks as I had expected. We worked together and could do anything. Though I had to admit that it was really weird…weird how everyone reacted to specific things and how you could hear what everyone else had to say.
After blocking myself from everyone and not letting anyone else in, talking didn't seem that bad at this time. I had forgotten how it was like to have a good time, I had forgotten what it was like to be with many people…Being away from companions and humans something I was used to since I was young, but I had changed…for when I was in trouble, they weren't by my side to support me. I always would never forget the time when they let me fall…and cared for nothing but themselves. Maybe that was why I had changed so much…but it wasn't only that that troubled me.
This group seemed different…
Yet I wasn't going to take any risks and let my guard down that easily.
We now all accepted and came to a conclusion that we were far away from our home and were here for some specific reason. Even the genius of our group admitted it…but it was quite obvious anyhow.
Hours had passed, with our Digimon fighting for us…though I could feel guilt swell in my stomach since we could do nothing to help them…only shout with support. Then another fight had come to us, all our Digimon had become weak…but since Taichi had fed Agumon he was able to digivolve, this new process making these creatures rather stronger, and defeated the enemy instantly.
Occasionally, I felt Taichi glare at me…supposedly thinking I was against him or a threat. Even though I 'so-called' loosened up, I was never going to show my emotions to anyone. I noticed that sometimes someone would whisper comments about me, behind my back, but they weren't offensive or anything…it was just that I found it real annoying since I was a couple of steps away and how I had sharp hearing. It was also irritating how Tai kept on acting like the 'hero' and it seemed like he was thinking that the world revolved around him. Maybe I was thinking wrong…but truthfully, I really didn't care. If he thinks I'm some jerk, let it be…he can think whatever…
The grip in my hand tensed up.
"What's wrong TK? Are you tired?" I asked.
"No," he smiled cheerily though I could tell he was lying.
"Then what is it?"
"I'm just happy I'm here with you Matt!"
I gave a weak smile. "Same."
It scared me how we were brothers, not that I loathed it or anything. It just scared me how different we really were from each other. His personality was so bright and happy, while on the other hand I felt like the complete opposite to him.
Soon enough, we'd finally found a place to camp for the night. There was a mysterious lake and some trolley car, where we could sleep. Though the accommodation was not the best, it was much better than nothing.
Agumon lit up a fire for us to roast some fish. And Tai was in an idiotic state, for he was using his own fingers in roasting the fish…
Nodding my head I spoke to the brunette next to me. " You're about to lose your fingers. Why don't you use a stick?"
"Thanks."
Gratitude was something I didn't expect, but with a grudge I pulled off the fish from the stick and began to munch away.
Taichi went off and talked with Sora, I was pretty sure they were talking about me since I could tell the way in which they both exaggerated my name.
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I was in a bad mood…I hated being in arguments; this was why I hated in being in a group. Arguments and fights always seemed to come…
" No, you're too young and you need your rest!" I shot back to my brother who was forcing me to my limits for he wanted to stand guard…while I was here, I was definitely going to make sure he wasn't. It was probably best if I stayed awake and guarded him instead of my younger brother guarding me.
Then Mimi began to complain how it was cold…making Tai began with a lame joke…
" Hey Gabumon! Watch it, Mimi may sneak up on you and steal your fur! So if you feel a little tug, it might be her about to cut your tail off!"
" Stop, Tai! That's not funny!"
Instantly, Taichi made a grab for my friend's fur coat and wrapped it around himself mockingly. Enough was enough; he had gone too far. Why was he forcing it?
"Quit it!" I growled.
"Ooh! What are you bugging about?"
He was so immature. Was he still thinking that we were brought to this place because it was a game of some sort? Why couldn't he take it seriously and know that it wasn't time for playing around while we could be actually be thinking of strategies to get us out of this insanely bizarre world.
"Gabumon told you to stop! So knock it off!"
"Hey, you can't tell me what to do!" he still objected.
Tai grabbed my shirt and I grabbed his too, my cold eyes were blazing in fury.
"You guys!" Takeru cried. " Stop fighting!"
Listening to my brother, I let go of his shirt with my arms crossed. I let my anger take the best out of me. Great, now I was showing my brother what to do when he got angry…it was more like I was learning from him, than I was teaching him.
It turned out that I was on guard straight after Tai for our idiotic bicker. We were all now settled in the trolley car, or what ever it was, trying to sleep. It was hard with everyone talking the whole time…or in the other hand how Mimi kept on whining.
I was cold.
Though I was used to it
Even though Gabumon was next to me, with his fur coat…it wasn't doing anything. I regretted how I wore a sleeveless turtleneck. But then again it wasn't my fault since I didn't know what was going to happen…I turned over to my side and got a glimpse of Takeru without no blanket but Patamon, resting near him.
"Gabumon?"
"Yeah?"
"Go over and lay down with my brother," I ordered.
"Why, Matt?" my fur coated friend asked.
I already knew that he had known my answer, but I still lied anyway. " Because your fur's making me sweat. Now, go!"
"Because you want to keep T.K warm."
"Hey! I didn't say that!"
"You just don't want to admit it," he sneered cheekily.
"Whatever," I had enough of these tiny fights.
I made sure that Gabumon curled himself around Takeru until I heard that my brother had said thanks to me. I turned around, to avoid everyone's stares. Even though I was freezing, I didn't really care. At least I knew that someone else was warm.
Minutes later, everyone seemed to be asleep.
I quietly exited the snoring zone and walked out into the colder fresh air of night. The full moon shone gloomily in the deep colored sky. I always liked the night; it concealed many things and made me feel comfortable in some way. I leaned back on a tree and absorbed the silence around me. It wasn't complete dark, for I could see Taichi still on guard with Agumon through the flaming fire far away, across the water.
My fingers dug in my pockets for warmth. My hand, placed in the right pocket of my pants, felt something hard. I pulled it out.
My harmonica…
Wherever I went, I always made sure I brought this small instrument with me. Even though it was small, it still could produce quit an exotic tune. I couldn't believe that I had almost been unable to recall placing this unique object in it.
I closed my eyes.
I felt the breeze steer by me as my lips crawled onto the object playing a mysterious tune. It was a song from my heart, a song how I felt presently - confused. I proceeded, with the rhythm now going into some technical note. Then someone broke my concentration…
" Huh? Who's there?" called Tai, then his eyes narrowed as they rested on me, "Oh, Matt. Don't you think I can handle this?"
"I... couldn't sleep," my head thrusted for the correct answer.
" Oh? And why not?"
He didn't need to know…why couldn't he just mind his own business for once…
" Look, I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to get so mad. It's just being here, and having to watch T.K..." the wrong words came out. Maybe I just wanted to get over this settlement with Tai and start all over.
" Do you guys even live in the same house?" he queried.
What was it with him and these questions? Where did he come up with all of them?
" Not anymore. We're half brothers, " I lied, "And we don't get to see each other much."
I couldn't tell the whole truth to a rival who was suddenly changing and trying to act nice…he was evidently hiding something from me as well.
"Well, that explains a lot."
Suddenly, there was a longing for me to be alone. I didn't want to waste sometime with a guy who was making a jeer out of everything I said or thought. I avoided him. I felt the cold object press against my lips as I began to play a sorrowful, yet a furious tune.
"What a wonderful sound…"
His raspy, but friendly, voice took me back. Gabumon was so sneaky. I stopped blowing into the instrument.
"Don't stop, Matt. I didn't intend to," Gabumon spoke up again.
I gave a deep sigh, then continued. I didn't feel like talking that moment…most of my words came out of the music I was playing anyway…
" Watch out for the fire sparks!"
Tai again…
What did he want?
Gabumon and I looked across the water to notice the ground, which Tai and Agumon are situated onto, shaking vigorously.
"HEY!" Tai yelled.
Some wave begins to form in the water around them and from the wave emerges the huge yellow head of a green sea monster.
Tai and Agumon's stood next to each other in wonder. A sea monster towered over the beach.
"Oh no! Seadramon," Tentomon cried.
From what I could see and hear, the others were now awake in frightened awe. 'Seadramon' then raced through the water and began to take the land with it.
Gabumon and I helplessly watched as Tai, Agumon and the rest of the crew are pulled along behind Seadramon.
Matt and Gabumon watch as Tai, Agumon, the others and the trolley are pulled along behind Seadramon. The creature unexpectedly whipped its tail, causing Tai, Izzy, Agumon and Tentomon to fall on the ground.
"We're going to crash into the shore!" Jyo exclaimed in terror.
Before I knew it, I saw my brother's body being tossed into the air and landing into the watery surface of the lake.
"TK!"
Unaware of my actions, I dived into the freezing liquid as I swam towards Takeru. I didn't need to turn around, for I already knew Gabumon wasn't far behind…following me.
I could hear the rest of the Digimon trying to tackle down Seadramon with their weak attacks. Somehow, Agumon still wasn't able to Digivolve and destroy that monster yet… They were giving me time to find Takeru…I wasn't going to fail or lose any rare chances.
"TK OVER HERE!" I called as the water cascaded over me, while I was bobbing up and down in search for my brother.
"MATT!" his gurgled scream alerted me. " Be careful! Or the monster will get y- Ahh!"
The water blurred my vision, but I still could see Gomomon dive after my drowning brother. He was safe. I gave a wry grin. Though it was blurred, it was obvious. I could see a splash of blond hair on top of Gomomon and I let out a satisfied sigh as my body relaxed, though my hands were still paddling in the water. I felt the some of the cold liquid absorbing my body escape down my throat…making me choke a bit.
"HURRY UP MATT!" I could hear Tai's voice far away.
" Get out fast, it's Seadramon! He's back!"
Ignoring them, I turned towards Gomomon, who still had Takeru perched in his shoulders. " I'm counting on you Gomomon, you can do it!"
"Right!" he answered back with enthusiasm.
I watched as Gomomon sped back swiftly to shore and knowing my duty, I swam the opposite direction. It was one of my first times I had let someone take care of my brother's life. Maybe it was because this was a life or death situation or it was the basis that I had learnt to finally trust someone.
I waved my arms at Seadramon, " Hey! Over here, you overgrown water lizard!"
I noticed that Gabumon tried to put up a fight for me, but he was tossed somewhere. Looking around helplessly I tried to swim away, then I was pulled like a ragged doll under water. Seadramon's tail was recoiled around me. It lifted me up with such speed that I could barely see anything.
"Oh no!" I heard someone curse.
"Matt hang on!" I could hear TK scream.
I gave a weak smile. Right now, all I wanted to say was 'don't worry' to reassure him. For I certainly thought that all was lost. But I wasn't going to give up that easily. In determination, a tried to put my best fight and wriggle myself out of his tail, which was now wrapped tightly around me than it had before.
"GABUMON!" I shouted.
I need you…I need your help…
Another strange move from me…I was asking someone for help. It was very weird how a day here had already changed me, making me rather weak and relying on others for my own safety. Or then again…it probably was because I was in a 'near to death' experience.
"Gabumon Digivolve to Garurumon!"
Garurumon?
Suddenly, the new creature that used to be Gabumon, appeared beside Seadramon and myself and without hesitation, slashed the digimon's tail, making me crash back into the chilly water. I free-styled myself back to the island and dropped onto it with exhaustion.
"It's all my fault!" sniffed a tiny tone of a voice. "Matt, are you alright?"
I looked up to see Takeru. His similar, yet different, blue eyes were dancing with happiness and regret.
My thoughts were suddenly changed as I dodged the question. " Where's Gabumon?"
Mimi gestured to the two large Digimon quarreling against each other a couple of metres away. Now, I could see them still attacking each other. Then suddenly Garurumon fought an extreme attack that caused Seadramon to fall in defeat. I cracked a grin.
He digivolved back into Gabumon and made his way towards our group.
" You digivolved into Garurumon just in time!" I announced.
" Aw, Gabumon, thanks for saving my brother!" TK exclaimed in thanks.
"Any time, little friend, any time," Gabumon beamed back.
" Matt, you were so awesome against that monster!" TK praised.
I chuckled back, " Matt: You think so?"
Instead of TK replying back, Gabumon responded. " You know, you were the man!"
"And you're the wolf-man!" I shrugged back, not knowing what else to say back.
Everyone laughed. I had forgotten it wasn't only TK, Gabumon and me on the island… I joined in the laughter and couldn't help but notice that I was real close to tears. My motion swiftly became serious again.
I was still trying to find and to get to know about myself. Who was I really? Was this my true self? It had been such a while ago…
"You did a brave thing, back there."
I shifted myself back to reality. It had been a while, since I had dozed off into my own world again. Everyone else had already made it back into the trolley car. Only Tai, Agumon, TK, Gabumon and Patamon still were awake - but they were by the newly lit campfire. But the person who had spoken was Sora.
Not knowing what to say back, I didn't answer at all.
" You should be proud of yourself. Matt, you've changed. I thought you were one of those stuck up jerks. Back at school…but now I, and everyone else here, are getting to know the real you."
"The real me?" I repeated with distaste. "What are you on about?"
"Stop hiding yourself in there," Sora spoke back and walked away.
Girls…what was with them?
I found myself walking towards the same tree, where I had played my music before.
"Matt, wait up! I want to come," TK ran after me with his hand tightening around my arm.
"Sure."
We both settled ourselves into a comfortable position, and I dug myself onto the bark of the tree. TK lay down on to me, with his round eyes dazzled at the stars. No matter where you were, it seemed like the stars always followed you.
Then realization struck me…
My hands dug into my pant's pockets to reveal my wet harmonica. In procedure, I spilled out the water contents and dried it on the grass because my clothes were still damp from my swim and the fire didn't do any good.
Before I knew it, I found myself absorbed in my own tune making again. I didn't like to be one of those cheap artists that sung words that meant nothing to them or that they had never experienced. I was blowing the tune from my heart and soul. And maybe one day, I'd make the lyrics to the mysterious music.
"Ahh, big bro, you're the best."
I hid back a smile, and continued with the flow of rhythm gliding gracefully in the air. And I know, that behind the tree I was leaning on…was Tai.
Perhaps, Taichi Kamiya wasn't a bad guy after all…
I had put the night to rest.
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