Hey guys, we're back with another chapter. Hope we didn't keep you waiting. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy yourselves and remember to read the author's note at the end of the chapter. With that said, enjoy.

Chapter 14: Little Talks

The twins went home soon after that, leaving Takuya to recuperate as everyone came home. The gogglehead had managed to hide the bandages by staying in his bed saying he wasn't feeling well and that he was tired.

Mrs. Kanbara allowed for her son to turn in early but had occasionally checked up on him but the boy managed to hide his wounded arm from the worried mother. The rest of the day managed to go without incident thankfully.

By the time morning came Takuya noticed that the wound on his shoulder had healed to an extent but was still painful to the touch. And it burned worse under the shower. On the bright side it was something he could hide while he was at school. He would just have to be careful as to not hurt himself.

School was dreadful as always. Despite Ayumi's help the other day, many of the students stayed clear away from the boy, still scared of the possibility of his monstrous abilities.

Takuya did his best to get through the day. The school day was almost over. He would just have to bare with a few more minutes and he'd be able to go home or call someone up. Just find some way to raise his spirits from yesterday's fiasco.

He sat up suddenly, with a sudden feeling of dread and anxiety. Something bad was about to happen.

The fire alarm went off a minute before the final bell rang. The teachers, thinking it was likely a prank ushered their students outside, annoyed that now they would all be held until the culprit was found. The culprit however, would not be a student as they would like to think.

"Goblin Strike!" Fire erupted in the ground floor hallway. Fortunately, all of the occupants of the building had appropriately evacuated. Takuya had vanished from the crowd of onlooking students and faculty. He slipped away, behind the storage shed and transformed into Flamon.

He reentered the burning building, searching for the Digimon he sensed earlier.

Takuya instinctively crouched low as he prowled down the hallway. He could definitely feel that something was in there. The boy continued on his way down the hallway, carefully peering into ever joint corridor for signs of the assailant who caused the fire.

"Goblin Strike!" Takuya jumped backwards as flames erupted around him. He followed the direction of where the flame originated from and found the Digimon. It was a small green goblin with a heavy wooden club. Goblimon as he remembered. Takuya growled and ran at the Digimon, his fists ignited.

He leapt at Goblimon, thinking he had the element of surprise. Goblimon swung his club, colliding into Takuya's body at high speed. He crashed through the wall into one of the science labs. He staggered to his feet, glaring at the green Digimon that lumbered through the hole in the wall.

"I'm gonna skin you alive rodent!" the Goblimon declared, "Gobli Bomb!" He threw a small flaming fire bomb at Takuya.

Takuya quickly rolled away from the fire bomb and took cover as it exploded, causing wood and glass to fly everywhere.

He had to get Goblimon out of school grounds before it could cause anymore damage. If he could get it out to the soccer field then he'd be able to handle things more easily.

"You're not getting away!" the goblin barked and charged forward, swinging its club wildly intending to bash the boy to oblivion. Luckily, Takuya was just a little more agile and so he was able to dodge most of the club swings. However, he was slowing down, his wounded arm taxing him by limiting his movements.

He sprinted down the hallway. "Catch me if you can ugly!" Takuya called over his shoulder. He got Goblimon's attention as he turned a corner, narrowly missing being struck by another fire bomb. Takuya crashed through the door, into the open soccer field.

Shocked gasps greeted him. The fire department had arrived and ushered everyone into the sports field while they extinguished the blaze. Takuya's eyes widened, this was so bad.

"I have you now rodent!" Goblimon lunged at the boy and dropped his club down, aiming to bash Takuya's head open.

The fire Digimon rolled out of the way as the club came down and split the asphalt from its force. Takuya knew that they would draw everyone's attention in no time. He'd have to get them away as fast as he could or risk making things far worse.

Takuya grabbed the Goblimon by its vest and threw the goblin as far as he could away from the building as best he could before lighting himself ablaze to hide his form as he tackled the Digimon farther away from everyone gathered at the field. He would continue to push until they were well out of sight.

People immediately backed away, frightened by the two brawling Digimon. Takuya was doing everything in his power to keep Goblimon away from the students and faculty, and somehow not get killed in the process.

Goblimon swiped at the boy, grabbing Takuya's injured arm roughly. Takuya yowled in pain. Goblimon threw the boy to the ground, bringing his club around for a finishing blow.

Takuya lifted his foot back and kicked the Goblimon in the stomach, instinct taking control of him as he managed to push the goblin to its back. He then breathed a billow of flames at his enemy, to push the Goblimon into the defensive.

The goblin cried out in pain and rolled away from the flames before managing to get back to its feet. Takuya got to his feet and pushed forward, making the Goblimon back into the streets to avoid being further burnt.

Goblimon took up an offensive stance, swinging his club wildly at Takuya. Takuya was exhausted, he needed to end the fight, and now if he could manage it. "Flame Toss!" He summoned small fireball and flung it Goblimon's feet. Takuya's arm smarted more with the attack.

He snarled wildly at the Goblimon, mostly in pain. The Goblimon swung his club around wildly, approaching the flame Digimon slowly.

Takuya continued unleashing flames at the goblin's feet making the enemy Digimon dance around with hot feet. It was buying him some time but not enough for him to think of a proper strategy to overcome this wild Digimon.

Goblimon weren't this strong before but before he was a more powerful Digimon. If only he had that extra boost of power.

Takuya tried crawling backwards and continued heating the ground at Goblimon's feet to keep it from properly approaching him. As long as the Goblimon was unable to walk across the ground to meet him, he would be safe from the club.

The green goblin Digimon seemed to realize Takuya's strategy. He glanced around, spotting a fire hydrant. He lunged for it, whacking the top off and directing the explosion of pressurized water at Takuya with his club.

The water drove Takuya to the ground, and soaked him to the core as he struggled to stand. He felt like he was drowning, choking and sputtering on water.

Goblimon watched Takuya in glee as he struggled against the torrent of water. The boy suffered as he tried to push himself away from the water. The gleeful smile was soon replaced with a scowl upon hearing the sounds of sirens.

Takuya was finally let up, the water no longer aimed towards him with Goblimon running away as the fire trucks approached.

He needed to run. Letting the authorities see him would be a really bad idea. The weakened fire Digimon tried his best, scrambling away from the school, looking for a safe place to hide.

He was weakened. He couldn't get very far in his current state. He found his way into a narrow alley, finding a few trashcans to duck behind. He panted, shivering from the water. Takuya closed his eyes, just taking a few moments to rest.

This wasn't adding up. This was the second Digimon attack in about a week. Nearly four months of nothing. Not a peep, then suddenly he turns into a Digimon and four appear in the human world. This didn't make any sense.

Takuya moaned weakly feeling sore, cold, and alone. How he wished he had his friends with him. Someone to help him. He contemplating calling the twins again. But there's not much they could have done to help him.

The boy looked to the D-Tector in his pocket and he decided that after he had caught his second wind he would call them up and tell them what happened. Right now he just wanted to rest.

He leaned back against the wall. Takuya nodded off, feeling drowsy. Blaring siren horns woke him, as one of the firetrucks pulled out. He jumped up, nearly hanging off the brick wall. He dropped to the ground, taking a calming breath. He changed back to his human self.

Takuya cursed to himself as he attempted to blend back in with his classmates. There was no letting anyone inside so the students and faculty were dismissed. He easily slipped between a few students heading his way home.

The boy crashed hard on the couch as soon as he made it back home. His body ached like mad, his wounded arm especially. It was practically guaranteed that nasty bruises had formed under his clothes from where the club connected.

He moaned again and didn't resist when he nodded off again but it was short lived when he felt his D-Tector vibrate. Someone was calling him. He wanted so badly to just rest but Takuya knew better than to ignore it.

Takuya cursed and pulled the device from his pocket and examined the screen to see who was calling. Kouji. "Hello?" he answered groggily.

"Takuya, are you okay? We heard there was a fire at your school. What the hell happened?"

"Hello to you too Kouji." Takuya replied sarcastically. "I didn't do anything."

Kouji snorted, "Didn't accuse you."

"I'm fine. Just had another blast from the past."

"WHAT?! Who was it this time?!" the younger twin exclaimed, "Are you hurt?"

Takuya grunted, "'m fine- I've been better. It was a Goblimon- Got me real good too."

"How bad is it? Did you beat it?" Kouji asked quickly.

The gogglehead just sighed. "I'll be fine by tomorrow… but I didn't beat it. It ran away by the time the fire department came… jerk pelted me with water from a fire hydrant."

"Damn… " the younger twin muttered. "And that thing is still on the loose?"

"Yeah, it is." Takuya mumbled. "I have no idea where he went… and I'm really worn out from the fight."

Kouji just sighed. "Well, I'll try to let you get some rest. Though Zoe'll probably call you the moment she hears about what happened."

The D-Tector buzzed again. "Speak of the devil," Takuya muttered. Kouji snickered on the other end. "Oh shut up Kouji."

"Good luck man. Call me if you need to talk," Kouji replied before hanging up.

Takuya sighed, fiddling with the device in his hands. He managed to figure out how to contact Zoe and call her back. "Zoe? You called?"

"Oh thank god, Takuya are you okay? I heard about the fire at your school! Did something happen?"

The brunette winced at her pitch, "Zoe calm down. Sensitive hearing remember?"

"Sorry,"

"I'm fine- there was another Digimon attack though. Goblimon," He sighed softly, pain rising in his chest, "It was stronger than the ones before."

"Are you sure you're okay? You're not hurt are you?" Zoe asked, worried for her friend.

Takuya took a moment to let the pain fade before he responded. "I'm just a little sore. It's nothing to worry about." He replied knowing though that it wouldn't be enough to ease her mind. "I just need to get some rest."

Zoe was silent or a moment. She was probably debating with herself on whether or not to believe him he figured.

"Really Zoe. I'm fine." The boy reassured.

She sighed. "Alright. If you say so." though she still didn't sound convinced.

"Zoe please don't worry about me. I'm okay, really." Takuya persisted. He sat up, trying to ignore the aching pain in his body. He gasped softly, lifting up his shirt to examine his chest. Large, dark purple bruises were forming.

"Takuya." Zoe sounded really worried.

He sighed again, "I'm fine!"

He didn't hear Zoe respond. Takuya felt a little guilty for raising his voice to her especially since she was just voicing her worries for him. "Look Zoe… I'm sorry. I'm exhausted. I didn't mean to snap at you."

"I just can't help but worry… I don't like being this helpless while you're putting yourself through all of this." She replied after a moment. "I really wish I could do more than just watch."

Takuya bit his lip unsure of what to say. He felt bad for making her feel this way. He understood that his friends wished they could help him; that they could fight by his side, but it just wasn't a reality. The boy didn't like it either but he was in these fights alone.

"Zoe..." He started but didn't know what to say.

She sighed softly, "Takuya. I'm coming over. You need someone there for you. Physically there." He started to object, "I'm not going to take no for an answer Taku! I want to be there for you."

He sighed again, "Alright Zoe, just be aware my mom is going to be in hysterics when she gets home."

"I don't doubt that. Look, I'll be there soon. Try to relax in the meantime, alright?" Zoe asked.

"Yeah, I hear you. I plan to get as much sleep as I can before my mom bombards me." Takuya answered and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "So, I'll see you when you get here."

The two bid each other farewell for the moment and Takuya collapsed back on the couch after pocketing the device. How he wished he could get a good long nap; just some kind of rest before he caved in from exhaustion. Takuya was finally lulled into slumber. He could finally rest.

"Mom! Takuya's here on the couch!" his brother's voice screeched almost right in his ear.

Takuya nearly fell off the couch. Startled by his brother. "SHINYA!"

"Takuya! Oh thank goodness! I was so worried!" Mrs. Kanbara pulled her eldest into a tight hug, practically crushing the air out of his lungs. Takuya yelped in pain.

"Mom! You're crushing me!" He whined, pain welling in his chest.

She released him from the hug, still holding him close. "I was so scared. Are you hurt?" She pulled away, looking at him intently.

Takuya shook his head,"I'm okay mom. um... Zoe insisted on coming over. Is that okay?"

"Of course. Is she already on her way here?" His mother asked to which he responded with a nod. "I think having a friend will do you some good after what happened. And that girl's a good influence on you. I'll just have to set one more spot at the table."

"Takuya's having a girl over?" Shinya asked.

"That's none of your business." Takuya barked at his younger brother, just completely irritated with how Shinya has so rudely woken him up. It didn't help when the little boy was making faces at him behind his mother's back. "Stop that you little brat!"

The little boy feigned fear and turned to his mother, getting her attention. "Mom! Takuya's yelling at me!"

"Takuya stop yelling at your brother." She chided, having been used to them argue and tattle on each other. She wasn't in the mood for the two of them to be at each other's throats; not after her scare. "And Shinya, stop bothering Takuya. He's had a traumatic day."

She shooed Shinya into the kitchen to get his homework started, leaving Takuya alone to rest. Takuya dozed off, thoroughly exhausted.

Zoe arrived a good bit later, greeted by Mrs. Kanbara at the door. Neither woke Takuya from his slumber, both women feeling the boy just needed to rest a while. Zoe didn't mind, opting to assist Mrs. Kanbara in the kitchen.

Takuya woke up on his own, feeling better than he had earlier. His chest was still sore and his body felt like lead, but it was a major improvement.

"Hey there Takuya. You have a nice nap?" Zoe asked after the boy made his way to the kitchen. She giggled at how he sheepishly scratched the back of his neck in response to her question.

"Yeah… um… yeah. I feel a lot better than before." Takuya answered after finally gaining his composure. "So, did you just get here?"

Zoe shook her head. "I got here a little while ago but you were asleep so and we didn't want to disturb you."

"Zoe's been a dear helping me around the kitchen." Mrs. Kanbara stated, a pleasant smile on her face.

"Well, don't let me bother you. I'm sure you'll want to do something fun before your father comes home. He'll be worried about you."

"I guess." Takuya mumbled. He didn't like the idea of facing his father. Not yet anyway.

Zoe dragged the boy upstairs to his room, forcing him to lie back down. "Details. Now." She insisted, finding a seat on Takuya's desk chair.

"Could you be a little less rough?" Takuya asked gingerly, wincing from his bruises.

"So you were hurt." Zoe started, sounding annoyed, "How bad?" Takuya grumbled softly, before showing her the massive bruise across his chest. She gasped, "My god... Takuya..."

"It's not that bad." He tried to convince her, gritting a smile.

"Not that bad? Takuya… look at this bruise…" Zoe bit her lip and couldn't stop looking at it until Takuya pulled the shirt back down over it. "Please… don't try to fake it Takuya… you're in a lot of pain…"

"Really Zoe… it's not that bad…" Takuya tried to reply but the look in her eye told him that she wasn't going to buy any of it. "Really… I mean, I'll be able to heal really fast."

"Takuya…" Zoe still sounded worried or her friend.

The boy got up from his spot, albeit pain tried to restrict his movements, and moved over to the blond and placed his hands on her shoulders to reassure her. "Trust me. This is nowhere near as bad as what happened with that toxin and I got over that fast I think."

"What about being shot? Hmm? How quickly did you overcome that?" She asked accusingly, "Kouichi told me- by accident, but I know about that Takuya! Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't want you to worry about me!" Takuya snapped heatedly, "I.. I know you care and all, but I hate to make you worry!"

She looked hurt, "I already do worry Taku. That's not going to change. But it really upsets me when you keep secrets! I just want to help you..."

"Zoe…" Takuya backed away and sat back on his bed feeling guilty. Just the way she looked at him made him feel horribly for everything.

She lowered her gaze, unable to look up at him. "Why do you keep everything to yourself like this?"

"I just… I don't…" The boy fell silent, unable to come up with an excuse for her. "I'm sorry Zoe… I… I didn't want to do this to you…"

"Takuya." Zoe looked up. She looked upset. "I want you to be happy and safe. I really like you Takuya... But you're self destructing. You need to talk to us, not bottle your emotions."

He was at a loss for words. Here was a girl who cared so deeply about him and could understand his predicament, that he constantly tried to push away. Because he wanted her to be happy, not worry if he was dying in an alley somewhere. Takuya wanted to tell her that- That her cared too much for her to involve her.

But he just couldn't. He instead lowered his gaze, feeling horrible. "Zoe.."'

The girl felt dejected and sighed softly. "I just don't know what to do Takuya… I want so badly for you to let us help you but…"

"Zoe I…" Takuya fought with himself as he tried to find the right words. He wanted so badly for everything to go back to the way they were. For them to be happy again. The boy hated seeing his friends like this; the look on Zoe's face was something he never wanted to see. "Zoe… I'm sorry…" he finally uttered.

She looked to him but he kept his gaze low. "Takuya…"

"I hate doing this to you…" he muttered. "I never wanted to do this to you…"

"I know that Taku..." Zoe replied softly, "Why won't you let me in? Why won't you let me help you?"

He swallowed, "Because... Because I'm afraid..."

"Of?" She pressed, trying to gain some understanding.

Takuya looked up slowly, "I don't want you to get hurt- Any of you guys! But especially you Zoe.. I..."

Zoe looked to him, wanting him to finish what he was starting to say. She was blushing after taking in what he said but paid no mind to that. "W-what?" she asked.

Takuya stopped himself, realizing that he was close to confessing. Part of him really wanted to tell her about the full extent of his feelings but a part of him told him it wasn't a good idea; that it still wasn't right with everything that's happened.

"What?" Zoe repeated, wanting so badly to hear what he was going to say.

"I…" Takuya started looking at everything but the girl in front of him. A great conflict was going on in his mind with what he should say.

She looked crestfallen as he struggled with his feelings for her, "Takuya..."

He looked up, anxiety welling up inside him. He wanted to tell her everything, but now just wasn't the time, "You're a really good friend... If anything happened to you, or Kouji or anyone- I'd never forgive myself..."

Zoe sat back, disappointed. "O-oh... I understand that."

Takuya fell backwards on his bed and covered his face with his hand to hide his shame. He felt like a complete and total idiot. It was like he screwed up royally but there was nothing he could do to fix it at the moment. He clearly wasn't ready to confess so he had to leave things the way they were but that didn't make him feel any better.

The two stayed silent after that, neither of them finding anything to say to the other. They just sat in that awkward silence.

"Hey Takuya, Dad's home." Shinya poked his head into the room and instantly felt the tension that had long since flooded the room. Opting not to make a smart remark, he quickly left the room. The elder brother moaned. He was not ready to deal with his father. He felt horrible as it is, he didn't want to deal with this on top of that. God knows how his father will react.

Zoe looked at him, sensing Takuya's apprehension with facing his father. "Taku?"

"Mmm?" He looked up, stress evident in his eyes.

"You don't want to talk to your dad... do you," she confirmed his fears out loud as delicately as possible.

He nodded slowly, "I'm just going to be interrogated..."

Zoe moved from her place at the desk to sit beside him. She gently took his hands in hers, massaging the tops of them with her thumbs. "It'll be okay. I'll be right by your side."

Takuya appreciated her gesture though he still felt awful for what had happened earlier between them. He would try to let it go for now. Just to put it behind them for the moment. "Thanks Zoe… I really appreciate it."

The blonde nodded and tried smiling at him to make her friend feel a little more at ease.
"Takuya." His father entered the room and spotted the two of them holding hands. He cleared his throat to get their attention.

Immediately Takuya pulled his hands back, feeling flustered and intimidated by his father's stare. "D-dad."

"I wanted to speak to you about what happened at school." Takuya's father stated and turned his attention to Zoe. "Hello Zoe. Yuriko told me you were coming over."

"Hello Mr. Kanbara. Nice to see you." Zoe greeted smoothly, though still blushing a bit.

The man nodded before turning his full attention on Takuya. "Takuya, I don't expect you to know all the answers but I have a few questions about the fire at your school today." He waited for a response. Takuya nodded slowly and his father continued.

"The report on the radio say the police and fire departments are ruling the fire as an act of arson given the ignition point. You didn't see anything suspicious, did you?"

Takuya shook his head quickly, "N-no sir."

Mr. Kanbara raised an eyebrow at his slight stutter. "Takuya."

"I didn't see anything sir." Takuya answered again without stuttering. "It happened really fast…"

Mr. Kanbara gave his son an inspecting look. The boy wouldn't make eye contact with him and it gave him the feeling that he was hiding something from him.

"It was a traumatic experience Mr. Kanbara." Zoe interrupted softly to defend her friend. She felt tense under the man's stare but didn't falter.

The father decided to let it slide for now and proceeded to further interrogate his son. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

Takuya just shook his head, still keeping his gaze low. "I'm just a little tired sir."

Mr. Kanbara nodded. "Just stay out of trouble. Got it?"

The brunette nodded again before his father left the room. Both Takuya and Zoe breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your dad is frightening Taku." Zoe whispered, moving closer to Takuya.

The boy just nodded numbly, unable to find words. She took one of his hands again, repeating the soothing massage she'd started earlier. Takuya heaved a heavier sigh, pulling his hand away.

"Taku?"

He looked up at her. "Should I tell them?" he asked, voice softly and scared, "Mrs. Kimura seems to think I should tell them… but I don't know... I'm scared…"

Zoe bit her lip, not sure of what to tell him. She felt that his mother would be understanding; that she'd accept Takuya no matter what. It was his father that worried her. His father seemed like a cold demanding man; someone who wouldn't be so accepting of anything he wasn't comfortable with.

Takuya took the silence as a bad sign. Maybe he shouldn't tell them. Yes Mrs. Kimura was accepting of his situation, she even looked after him while he was sick; but his parents were different.

"I'm not sure Taku." The girl finally answered after failing to come to a conclusive answer in her thoughts.

He carefully drew his knees to his chest, resting his chin on his arms. "I don't know either Zoe... I just... I feel like I've been backed into a corner almost- And we know how that ends."

Zoe grimaced a bit, but tried to keep a positive front to cheer up her dour friend. "Now's probably not the best time Taku. I know you'll tell them one day, but only when the time is right." She said with a smile, wrapping her arm around his shoulders.

"I guess so... I just... Thanks Zoe." He finished, losing his train of speech.

She smiled, and hugs him gently, "It'll be okay."

"Takuya! Zoe! Dinner is ready!" Mrs. Kanbara shouted up the stairs.

"Come on, let's go to dinner." Zoe told him. "I love your mom's cooking."

Takuya tried at a smile himself and nodded with her.

Dinner with the Kanbaras was uneventful; the air thick with tension making it uncomfortable for the children. Mrs. Kanbara had tried at a bit of small talk, asking Zoe about the new year at school and of her family. Takuya had remained quiet for the most part as he still felt tired and unnerved by his father's presence.

"That was a wonderful dinner dear." Mr. Kanbara stated while the tableware was put away. "It was a pleasure having you Zoe."

"Thank you for accommodating me on such short notice." She replied pleasantly.

Before any of the other Kanbaras could get another word out, both she and Takuya slipped back upstairs away from prying eyes and ears.

She made him lie back down and get comfortable. "You still need to rest. I don't want to see you get hurt anymore than you already are, okay?"

"No promises Z." Takuya yawned, "I mean Goblimon is still out there and I-"

"Sleep Takuya. Worry about him tomorrow."

Takuya sighed knowing that he wasn't going to win this battle. "Alright. I'll try."

"Good." Zoe smiled at him as he leaned back down in his bed. "Just try to relax and recover. The twins and I still aren't back in school yet so don't be afraid to give any of us a call okay?"

The boy nodded, knowing that they would want to do what they could to help them. He would at least give Zoe that.

It didn't take long for Takuya to begin showing signs of drowsiness. In truth Takuya was still worn out, like he could fall asleep within minutes. His eyelids became heavy and he was slowly drifting off to slumber.

The girl sat at the edge of his bed and waited before her friend to fall asleep before finally deciding to get up and leave. "Good night Taku." She whispered softly before leaving to go home.

Well guys, we just reminded you about the little Q&A session we have going on. Remember you have till the 24th to ask any questions you might have. We'd really like to hear from everyone so be sure to leave a comment in a review or PM. Hope to hear from you guys. Later.