Disclaimer: Takuya + Kouji = Takouji = me no owning Digimon.

Author's Notes: Okay, so now that you guys know why I've been absent from this fic recently ::gulps nervously:: But here's the deal with this fic and what's going on at the moment. I did put two chapters up for you guys to enjoy to your hearts content...however...this chapter didn't quite go the way I wanted it too...I wanted it to be much longer, but I had to stop where I stopped for one reason...I...um...somehow lost the document that I had on my computer that obtained all the information that I had for season 04 (including all the Digi Destines Digimon Evolutions and their attacks, as well as those of the villains). This is where I need you guys to come in and help me, because I have managed to find all the information for the human spirits of both the Digi Destined and the Evil Hybrids and the human spirit attacks, but I need their Beast Spirit attacks...(I've got the names, I just need the attacks) so if any of you still remember what those attacks are (as it's been awhile since I've seen the show since they don't show it anymore ) or have a web site that's got the necessary information, can you please let me know in a review or send me an email? My email account is on my author's page...I thank anybody in advance who helps me! Now, that that is all done, let's get on with this fic...

Warning: If you don't like the thought of Takuya and Kouji being together then I suggest you leave...now...you've been warned...and warned...and warned...and warned...=P And also, I MIGHT have Kouji a little OOC in this chapter.I hope I don't.I try not to do that.

Rating: PG13

Pairings: Takuya/Kouji (That's the only definite couple in this fic for the moment)

Chapter Summary: Kouji manages to avoid the Digimon who want him so that they can give him (and the rest of his friends) to Grumblemon so he can stop terrorizing their village that the Digi Destined were staying at. With the help of the Gatsomon who helped bring him and Takuya back together the first time. Kouji's on the hunt to get the other Digi Destined-and Takuya-back, but when the time comes for him to get his Beast Spirit, can he control it?

Different Journeys

Author: Angel Spirit

Chapter 15: KendoGarurumon

Kouji's breath hitched for a moment and he held it, hoping and praying that he hadn't been caught by the enemy as the glowing red eyes grew closer...and closer...

Until he felt a hard hand upon his shoulder, causing him to jump and he hissed in pain as the sudden movement jarred his ribs, and he watched while the owner of the red eyes came out of the darkness, revealing himself. Kouji let out his breath that he'd been holding, and then glared at the Digimon in front of him.

"Don't...ever...do...that...to me...AGAIN." He commanded, feeling a bit jumpier then usual, and the Gatsomon did look sorry while he apologized.

"I was only hoping you weren't really going to run." The Gatsomon declared, as Kouji looked at him for a moment before realizing that he was that one Gatsumon who had brought him Takuya. For a second, Kouji's glare hardened as he realized another thing.

"You've been spying on us!" Kouji declared angrily, and the Gatsomon shrunk back a little into the shadows, which let Kouji know that he was right.

"Why have you been spying on us?" Kouji demanded, wanting to know what the Gatsomon was up too.

"I...only want to help." It replied, and Kouji sighed and shook his head. It was too dangerous...he didn't even think that the Gatsomon could help him this time. For what he had to do now he was on his own...he was going to have to track down those Digimon who now had his friends, and he was sure when he did that, he'd also find Grumblemon shortly thereafter.

"I can help." The Gatsomon declared, his own red eyes glaring back straight into Kouji's as he held his rock head up high. Kouji just snorted though, as he heard the sound of struggling and turned to look to see Takuya being brought out of the inn and taken away, his anger about their situation returning as he watched from his hiding spot. He had thought that they'd left by now...and it only hardened his resolve to track his friends down and eventually free them from the enemy...broken ribs or no.

"You can't help me...you'll only get in the way. This is something I have to do myself!" Kouji hissed, not wanting to chance getting caught. He strained to hear what was going on as he waved a hand quickly at Gatsomon, and the Digimon hushed for a moment as he realized Kouji's intentions. The dark haired teen held his breath as he overheard at least a little bit of what was going on by the inn.

"Your stubbornness isn't helping you, you should know that...nor is it helping your special little friend who has seemed to have avoided our clutches for the moment. When we find him, he'll be punished..." The snake like Digimon hissed as Veggiemon dragged Takuya along, and laughed a harsh, evil laugh.

"This one's gonna get punished at the moment for not talking...it's obvious that he knows where his 'friend' is, and yet he thinks he's protecting the brat by not telling us where he is...?" Veggiemon's voice faded away as the two Digimon crept away into the night. Kouji knew that he'd have to move now or he'd loose sight of Takuya. And that was not what he wanted to have happen.

"I can! I know I can because I know where it is!" This statement caused Kouji to turn back around to face the Gatsomon as he raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Know where what is?" Kouji hissed, and again the Gatsomon shrunk back. He had thought that Kouji was nice when he had first met him, but now...now he wasn't too sure.

"I...I know where the spirit is that you're looking for. But maybe I don't want to help you now." Kouji groaned and waved the Digimon away as he turned back to watch as Takuya disappeared with the other evil Digimon.

"Fine, then don't help me...I could care less. I've got to go now, cause if I don't then I'm going to loose their trail." The Gatsumon let out something of a snort as Kouji stayed hidden within the shadows as he crept slowly along the village, catching up with the struggling Takuya and staying well hidden, keeping Takuya and the other evil Digimon with him well within his eyesight, keeping his left arm around his ribs as he grimaced with the pain. He knew they'd have to be bound in order for them to heal, but at the moment he didn't have the time to do that.

Kouji knew that the Gatsomon had chosen to follow him, and at that point in time he really didn't give a damn. The only thing-person-that was on his mind now was Takuya. He'd just found the brunette again and there was no way in hell that he was going to loose him this time. This time he was going to stay hot on those other Digimon's tracks...and hopefully when the time was right get Takuya away-before they met up with Grumblemon. Kouji knew that Grumblemon was powerful...even more powerful then his human spirit...especially with the condition that Kouji was in now, he doubted that he'd even have a chance against the evil Hybrid. He had the feeling that if he wanted to beat him-and Kouji did want to beat him-badly...then he was going to have to find that Beast Spirit Bokomon had been talking about. And if the Gatsomon knew where it was, and wanted to follow him...then by all means.

They traveled out of the village and were heading back into the mountains, and Kouji frowned. Why hadn't they caught up with any of the others yet? He had chosen to stay a little behind...mainly because his ribs and chest were bothering him so much, but he also didn't want to risk having himself be found out. Didn't those Digimon who now had Takuya say that they had the other's as well? And if that was true, why had he only so far seen Takuya and not the others?

Just as Kouji was thinking this, a clearing came into view and they reached the spot where the other's were. He saw Izumi glaring fiercely at a Lizard type Digimon to her right who held three Detectors in his hands...three Detectors that belonged to her, Junpei, and Tomoki. Kouji recognized the colors all too well. But when the Veggiemon came up and dumped Takuya unceremoniously onto the ground, and tossed Takuya's own Detector toward the Lizard Digimon, it caught it swiftly-and Kouji's blood boiled. Without his Detector, Takuya would have no way of protecting himself...and as Kouji got a better look at what was going on, he realized that Takuya also didn't have his sling either, an groaned softly. How was his shoulder supposed to heal if he didn't wear the blasted sling?

A small voice told him in the back of his mind, but Kouji ignored it. Now was not the time for that.

As the Gatsomon caught up with him, he remained quiet next to his side. Bokomon and Neemon were with the other's as well, caged up in a cage that barely fit the two of them-and Bokomon was complaining rather bitterly at the whole ordeal of having to be so close to Neemon...declaring that the other Digimon had yet to bathe. The two retorted back and forth, until the snake-like Digimon (who Gatsomon told him was called Viperomon) with the Digi Destined told them roughly to shut up. And he said it so fiercely and menacingly that they actually did shut up.

Takuya was glaring at any of the Digimon surrounding them (besides Bokomon and Neemon) who caught his eyes, and Izumi looked defiant, while Junpei was being rather rebellious. Tomoki had his own fair share of things to say as well and suddenly the whole camp was in argument. At this point in time, Kouji accidentally slipped in his hiding spot as his foot had found a patch of mud from the rain a few nights ago, and cursed softly at his stupidity as he whimpered and cradled his chest with his arms. Realizing what he had done all too late, held his breath and hoped that no one had heard him throughout all the arguing that was going on. While none of the other Digimon heard him, Izumi's head snapped up as she looked around for a moment, and then squinted in Kouji's direction, her eyes opening wide. But Kouji placed a finger to his lips, and she gave a very slight nod to the head, understanding that she was not to give away his position. But when Takuya was kicked roughly in the ribs for being too rebellious, it took all of Kouji's will not to go running out and giving himself away.

He commanded himself, and took a deep breath as he stayed where he was, wondering what on earth the Digimon were waiting for. Until another Lizard like Digimon (known as Lizarmon) came flouncing through the foliage around the mountain range, declaring that they were to take the 'prisoners' to Shallow Point.

Takuya, Izumi, Junpei, and Tomoki were pulled roughly to their feet, having been tied by the Veggiemon's vines, and led away. When Kouji was sure they were gone, he stepped out of his hiding spot and growled darkly as he looked into the Gatsomon's direction.

"Do you know where that is?" Kouji demanded softly, and the Gatsomon sighed and nodded his head, looking forlorn...and yet, unless if Kouji was mistaken, he was also looking a bit excited as well.

"Yes, I know where that is. It's down by the water...they've got to hike most of the night to get there. I can show you and trust me, you'll want to go there." It was after he said that that Kouji realized the Digimon wore a red jewel around his neck, and when he asked him about it, the Digimon just brushed the question off, saying it was none of his business. But a part of Kouji felt like it was his business however, the pain in his ribs forgotten again for the meanwhile.

"Alright, then if you know the way to Shallow Point, lead on...I'll be more then happy to follow." Kouji grunted as the Digimon did what it was told and led the way and Kouji followed him. The trail was steep at one point, and it started to rain, making it slippery. There were a few times where Kouji lost his footing, and banged his knees and elbow more times then he cared for groaning at the pain at one point, that caused him so much trouble he actually had to stop and rest, much as he hated to admit the fact that he needed it. Finally, when he was fed up with the long hike, he saw the water from a distance...but saw no signs of the Digimon who held his friends and Takuya captive.

"Where are they?" Kouji murmured, surveying the area his breathing heavy from the hike and the pain he felt, and was surprised when he didn't get an answer back. He looked around with a groan-realizing that the Gatsomon was not there with him anymore. Somehow he'd managed to slip away.

"Damn." He muttered, heading straight into the direction where he could see the water. The Gatsomon had said that Shallow Point was by the water. So Kouji could only follow the trail that led directly too it.

When he got to a ledge though, he felt dismayed when he didn't find much...only when he heard someone talking angrily-and that someone sounding like Takuya-did he kneel to look over the cliff, making sure that he wasn't caught in the process of doing it. He gasped as he saw his friends hanging from one of the high ledges of the cliff down below, their bodies dangling in the air as their arms were tied above their heads, keeping them in position. Takuya was the last one being tied and was putting up quite a fight...he hadn't joined the others yet. Kouji winced at their rough treatment as Takuya protested and the others shouted up insults of fury at the Digimon for putting them there. It was then that Kouji realized that they looked rather beaten...bruises and cuts all over them. Kouji narrowed his eyes and his left hand closed tightly into a fist when he saw Takuya finally tied and ready to go...and then was thrown off the ledge, allowing him to fall a bit before the rope halted his fall.

As it did, he heard Takuya yelp in pain and he winced, then got angry again as he heard the Digimon laugh and start to leave, declaring that they were history once Grumblemon got to them.

Using his Detector to make sure the Digimon were gone, Kouji looked down to his friends, amazed at the height.

He thought, gulping a little as he felt small beads of sweat trickle down his neck. He wasn't a big fan of them...but Takuya was down there. Kouji felt himself start to shake a little, as he pulled his head back up, and bit his lower lip wondering what to do. None of the other's knew that he was afraid of heights...and he sure as hell wasn't about to let them know now.

"Afraid?" A smug voice asked as Kouji whirled around in a fighting stance to see that the Gatsomon who had deserted him earlier was back. Kouji growled darkly at him...but by now, the Digimon was used to it and only shrugged.

"I saw that look...it was a look of fear...someone here doesn't like heights, and it's sure not me." Kouji sighed and shook his head...little did that Digimon-who had rocks for brains-know, that Kouji had every right to be afraid of heights.

"You don't know why...nor am I willing to tell you...just tell me this-is there a way to save my friends that doesn't involve climbing down a mountainside?" The Gatsomon looked thoughtful at Kouji's question for a moment, before finally shrugging, giving Kouji a nonchalant look and Kouji threw his arms up in the air in frustration.

"You know, you're not really that much of a help! You said you wanted to help me...so help already! All I want is a way down." For a few seconds, the Gatsomon made no effort to reply-in fact to Kouji it looked as though it was ready to turn around and walk away from him.

"A couple of miles away from here, there are some stone structures created by Digimon long ago. All I know is that by taking this gem that I have and placing it in the right eye of the main structure, it'll give you great power. A part of me is telling me to give it to you and let you take it-but a part of me isn't." Kouji eyed the little Digimon, wondering what it was getting at. Luckily for him, the Gatsomon decided to explain itself.

"I've always wanted a way to help my people...and I always thought that this gem would one day allow me to become a hero and protect them from the Dark Warriors tirades upon our city...our people live in fear-have for many years. The first peace we have had was when you and the other Digi Destined appeared. I thought that by following you I'd be able to find the stone structure that our history books have talked about so much. I did find it...but now I'm having second thoughts. I believe that that power isn't meant to be for me, but for you. And I think that you're supposed to have this...not me." With that, the Gatsomon took the red gem off the chain from where it was hanging from around his neck and gave it to Kouji.

"I trust you'll find it in enough time to save your friends." He murmured, and Kouji nodded feeling a little relieved that he didn't have to climb down after all. Maybe once he had his Beast Spirit, he'd figure out a way to save his friends.

"I will...and thank you...I appreciate what you've done...do me one more favor?" The Gatsomon sighed and nodded.

"Keep an eye on my friends down there...and come and get me if any trouble arises...I shouldn't be gone very long." The Digimon was about to protest that a couple of miles would take him longer then he thought, and Kouji knew that he probably wouldn't be able to make it in the timing he wanted with the way he was feeling currently. But when he brought out his Detector and Spirit Evolved into Lobomon, the Gatsomon thought better of it, and just nodded his head as Kouji took off.

"Good luck..." He whispered, and continued to keep an eye on Kouji's friends until he returned.

~***~

The way to the stone structure that the Gatsomon had told him didn't seem too long at all. Kouji DeDigivolved and looked around his surroundings in awe-feeling a little more energized as being Lobomon had granted him a bit more energy then what he had started out with-and his hand reached up to the red gem that he'd placed around his neck with the chain the Gatsomon kept in on, so he wouldn't loose it. There were wild vines growing everywhere, and the grass was as tall as his knees. As he walked toward the stone structures, that looked like faces now that Kouji got a much better look a them, he had to swat away several of the tall grasses, some nearly being as tall as he was. In a way it was a good thing- it kept him hidden.

For a few minutes all Kouji did was look. Indeed it was a truly gorgeous place...the facial like stone structures were jagged, and yet one could still see the eyes, nose, and mouth carved into them...they were huge too. Kouji gulped as he finally got a look at one of them-there were four altogether, with their being two in the front and two in the back, spaced out so one could actually walk around them. The one he wanted was on the right in the back...it was missing an eye...and Kouji had the feeling that he had to actually get up there and put the gem in it's eye...an eye for an eye. Kouji smirked at this, but then faltered as he realized that getting up there actually meant that he'd have to climb up...and he wasn't sure if he was in the condition to do that at all, even with the little bit of extra energy that Lobomon had left him.

Shaking off his fear, he headed over to where the stone structure was looking up at it for a moment, before he allowed his fear to overtake him and he groaned, falling to his knees and putting his face into his hands.

"I can't do this." He mumbled, looking up at the structure and wondering why in the hell he thought that this would be easier then the climb down that it would've taken to just release his friends...he thought that maybe, just maybe if he had Takuya there with him and cheering him on, that he might've been able to do it. But there was no way in hell...

His thoughts were interrupted by a rustling in the grass, and Kouji looked up startled as he saw a familiar figure leaping from rock to rock with an unsteady grace so it wouldn't have to travel through the grass.

"Me's a in the mood for a snack...me's a think that the brats who've got the Spirits will provide that tasty snack!"

Grumblemon.

The thought flashed through Kouji's mind, as he debated what to do. He knew that Grumblemon was too powerful for his own human spirit...and after what he had heard had happened with Takuya and the others when he had been gone, he also knew he might not be able to defeat him by himself-no matter how badly he wanted to do so. But therein lay the fact that he was heading for Takuya...and Kouji wasn't about to let his koi get anymore hurt then he suspected he already was.

Kouji thought bitterly, and with that fueling his anger, he made up his mind as he forgot about his beast spirit and DigiVolved into Lobomon, the wind that appeared as he did so causing Grumblemon to loose his stability on one of the rocks that he had just landed on....and when he fell backwards, he caught a glimpse of Lobomon and smirked, cracking his knuckles for a moment as he stood up.

"So...you a wanting a fight with me? Me's a remembering the last time you fought! Not very good if me thinks so myself!" Grumblemon growled, but Kouji didn't flinch or back down. He needed to buy the other's at least some time.

"If it's my friends you want, you're going to have to get through me first!" Lobomon howled, and Grumblemon grinned nastily and nodded as he took up his club, giving it a few practice swings.

"Me's a ready whenever you's is! And something tells me that you're not ready, and you're not going to beat me! I'll have your spirit as a first snack!" Lobomon glared, and then the two Digimon charged at each other. Lobomon got in a few good hits before Grumblemon clubbed him hard, causing him to slam into one of the stone structure's. He fell to the ground, feeling out of it for a few minutes before Grumblemon came dashing toward him again, and Lobomon knew that he had to move with speed-and fast.

"Lobo Kindo!" Using an attack to try to help him gain some leverage with the fight, he hit Grumblemon squarely in the shoulder, causing the evil Digimon to fall back for awhile, grunting in protest before he glared at Lobomon, who had decided to hide for a moment behind one of the statue's, taking it for a refugee as he thought about the best way to defeat-or distract-Grumblemon. But what he heard Grumblemon declare next, caused his breathing to hitch, and his courage to slightly lessen.

"What you don't know, is that if me's a go and destroy these stones, Beast Spirit be no more! All four stones must be in contact! And then wolfie no longer see the one he loves!" Kouji felt himself biting down on his lower lip (and figured that it was starting to become a habit) as his hands balled into fists. He couldn't let Grumblemon do that...he needed his Beast Spirit. But...yet...he knew he also needed Takuya more. Much more.

"If you lay a hand on Takuya again, I'll make sure that your data is history!" Kouji growled, still hiding and sidestepping in the shadows, buying his time.

"Oh...so now me know the best way to get at wolfie boy! His little...friend." Kouji glared to where he knew Grumblemon was, and took a deep breath as he got out his Kendo sticks again, lighting them up with his power as he charged forth...

~***~

"This is a stupid, stupid thing for me to do." Gatsomon found himself muttering as he was climbing down the rock face to where Kouji's friends were hanging, quiet now that the evil Digimon who had captured them from the village were gone. They were silent, lost in their own thoughts...Takuya being the only one who still really struggled against the rope that bound his arms and hands tightly together, even though they'd already bitten into his skin, causing it to bleed slowly. At the moment though, Takuya could care less.

It was during his struggling attempt (at one point in which Junpei had told him that the more he struggled the more he probably made the knots tighter so it was helpless to do so) that he saw the Gatsomon out of the corner of his eyes, and they opened wide with surprise. What was the Gatsomon doing here? Had he been following him and Kouji that whole entire time they'd been travelling from the last Digimon village?

The Gatsomon was agile in his climbing abilities and was soon standing on the ledge that the others were hanging off of, giving a small sigh.

I can't believe I'm doing this...but hey, if I can't be the hero by making myself stronger with that spirit, then I can at least say that I helped the Digi Destined...right? Gatsomon thought as he tugged a bit on Takuya's rope, letting the brunette know that someone was up there, and dark brown eyes focused on red ones.

"What're you doing here?" Takuya asked sharply, causing the other three Digi Destined to look up, fear-and maybe a bit of relief within their eyes as they saw that someone was up there-someone who might help them.

"Your friend's a bit...how do we say...occupied at the moment? And he told me to keep an eye on you...but I just don't see the sense in letting you all hang here when you could be helping him." Takuya's stomach twisted for a moment, and he knew that the Gatsomon was talking about Kouji. He craned his neck a bit more so he could actually see the Digimon while he was talking to him.

"Kouji?!? Kouji's here?!?" He gasped and the Gatsomon nodded, confirming what Takuya knew-and what Izumi already knew.

"Are you going to help us, or what?" Junpei hollered, getting fairly sick of just hanging around and doing nothing. The Gatsomon nodded and started pulling Takuya up. Once the brunette was up, Gatsomon undid his bindings, and Takuya groaned in a bit of pain as the circulation eased it's way back through his bleeding wrists.

"Let's get the others up." It was an order-not a question, as Takuya reached down and grabbed a hold of Tomoki's rope, but the Digimon stopped him by laying one of his rock hands on his shoulder and shook his head lightly.

"No...I'll finish here, you've got to get to Kouji. I'm not sure if he can finish the task that was appointed to him without your help. It's courage he needs, and you'll be able to give it to him." Takuya looked back down at his friends, and with a nod of understanding from Izumi, he nodded back at the Gatsomon and dashed over to the rock wall, having retrieved his Digivice from where the evil Digimon who had taken them had left it in a bag made of netting and tied to one of the rocks.

He thought and then Digivolved, leaving the other's behind as he scoured the wall easily and leapt over it, the pain in his arms and shoulder forgotten as he headed off in the direction that he somehow seemed to know that Kouji had gone off in. It was weird how he knew...but at the moment, all that really mattered was getting back to Kouji.

~***~

It happened so quickly that Kouji couldn't move fast enough, and couldn't think properly. He felt Grumblemon's club smash hard, right into his rib cage...and he gasped in pain, finding it too hard to breathe. When he hit the wall for what felt like the millionth time (though in truth it had really only been the fourth or fifth maybe, but Grumblemon-who had seemed to have some strength behind him, had thrown him harder and harder each time) Kouji felt weary. He stayed against the wall, his back wedged in, his body sore...and found that he couldn't move even if he wanted too. He closed his eyes for a moment, regaining his strength...and wished he hadn't done so. For the moment he did, Grumblemon seemed to...change. And it was there that Kouji witnessed the Evil Hybrids Beast Spirit Evolution for the first time, and wished that he hadn't. The others had seen him do it before...from what Takuya knew of what Junpei, Izumi, and Tomoki had told him while he had been separated from the brunette. But Kouji had yet to see it...and now he was. In the state that he was in, Kouji was positive, that he could not defeat Grumblemon as Gigasmon while he was still in his human spirit form.

"It's time for me to have you's a spirit now..." Gigasmon declared, Kouji cringed and tried to move from where he was stuck, but he found that he didn't have the energy...and as he thought this, he closed his eyes tiredly and groaned as he cradled his ribs with his arms. His data appeared, causing him to groan again. This was not how he had wanted his day to end...

"Good...it's all-" Before Gigasmon could say anymore, Kouji heard a voice that he did not expect to hear-that of Agunimon's. He managed to snap his eyes open to see Takuya, in his human spirit form, standing before him, and he managed a sigh of relief.

"Mine?" Gigasmon finished, turning around with an angry, astonished look as he saw Agunimon shake his head.

"Not if I can help it...you're not going to touch him again!" Takuya felt angry at seeing Kouji hurt this way...and he was going to keep Gigasmon busy until Kouji's data restored itself.

"Takuya..." Kouji whispered, as Agunimon led Gigasmon enough out of the way so that he wouldn't be able to reach Kouji's data as it swarmed around him. Then, before Kouji knew it, he was no longer Lobomon, but himself again and he cried out in pain as he fell from the rock that he had been smashed into to the ground, watching as Agunimon took on Gigasmon...though from the way things look, Kouji doubted that Agunimon would be able to last much longer then what he had...they needed help...now.

Standing up and clutching his right shoulder with his left hand, he gritted his teeth. His right hand still had his Detector in it, though he knew that if he Digivolved now, he'd still be in a weakened enough state for Gigasmon to do him in. As much as he hated admitting defeat...

"Lightning Blitz!" The attack happened right as Agunimon took another pummel from Gigasmon that sent him flying to the ground, taking refugee in the tall grasses. Kouji saw his koi's data appear, and looked frantically to his right where the attack had been called from...relieved to see Junpei, Izumi, and Tomoki all there in their human spirit forms. If they could distract Gigasmon long enough, he'd be able to get to Takuya and get him away from Gigasmon in enough time so that Gigasmon wouldn't be able to steal his spirit.

"Snow Bomber!"

"Tornado kick!" Both Kumamon and Kazemon attacked at the same time...and for a few seconds, Gigasmon seemed baffled by their attacks, and Kouji narrowed his eyes, a thought coming to him.

"JUNPEI!" He hollered, and Beetlemon turned to him with a questioning look in his eyes.

"Attack Gigasmon together, with all three of your attacks! Maybe it'll help slow him down a bit!" Beetlemon nodded slowly, understanding what Kouji was saying.

"Alright...good idea! But get to Takuya! Now!" Kouji gave him a brief nod as he bolted to where Takuya still lay, groaning as his data slowly disappeared. By the time it was gone-back into his red and black DigiVice, Kouji was next to him, on his knees his breathing harsh...suddenly all he wanted to do was pass out as a nauseating feeling came over him.

"Takuya? You okay?" He breathed out, the brunette gave him a small grin and shook his head.

"I should be asking you that question...are you okay? And why am I even asking when you don't even look okay!" Kouji sighed and nodded as he reached out a hand to help Takuya stand. But as soon as Takuya's hand gripped his own, Kouji found his mind reeling as he stifled a groan and started falling into Takuya's arms. Takuya, seeing this, caught him, making it so that he only fell a little, and then managed to stand on his own, bringing his koi with him. He was a little alarmed at how suddenly pale and tired Kouji looked.

"You took quite a beating out there...I'm sorry." Takuya glanced at Kouji and shook his head again-clearing the dizziness he had felt from earlier away, but the pain was still there. Takuya thought it was from the battle with Grumblemon now Gigasmon, and Kouji sighed. Should he tell Takuya he had been hurt much earlier? He decided against it, it'd only get Takuya upset.

"No...you shouldn't be sorry. You were hurt...you are still hurt..." Kouji replied, surprising himself when his voice cracked with the strain he was feeling. Takuya's dark brown eyes were looking at Kouji's bleeding shoulder-which he was still clutching with his left hand-and down to where his right arm was protecting his busted ribs.

"It's nothing...just...a scratch." But as Kouji said that, he knew that it was quite a bit more then just a scratch-but they had no time to mend wounds now. He noted that Takuya had a couple of bruises forming on his right temple, that his wrists were bleeding from where the rope had cut into them.

"How's your shoulder?" Kouji asked, and Takuya shrugged.

"Not as bad as it could be...hey, what's that?" The goggle-wearing brunette was now fingering the red gem that Kouji wore around his neck, and Kouji's eyes widened. He had almost forgotten about his Beast Spirit, with all that was going on.

"It's...something the Gatsomon with us gave me...he said it'd help me get my Beast Spirit." Takuya's eyes shifted away a bit, as the brunette licked his dry lips.

"So does he think that it'll help us with Gigasmon over there?" He thumbed in the direction of where their other three teammates were actually doing not so bad with the evil hybrid. Teamwork it seemed, was the key to their success-for the moment anyway.

"He thinks so."

"Then let's get it already!" Takuya responded enthusiastically, but Kouji stopped him with a shake of his head.

"I...don't know if that's going to happen...or not...Takuya...it involves climbing." Kouji felt his mouth go dry as he thought of the appointed task at hand and suddenly felt like he wanted to throw up-though he wasn't sure if it was because of the pain or his fear. He didn't want to tell Takuya about his fear...but at the moment it looked like he had no choice.

"And there's something wrong with that?" Takuya asked, eyebrows raised as Kouji slowly nodded his head.

"I...in order for me to get my Beast Spirit, apparently I've got to put this gem in that missing eyepiece of that stone face-like structure over there...but it's high...almost too high...and it requires climbing...and...Takuya...I'mafraidofheights." He said it so quickly that he knew Takuya didn't catch it-or so he thought that he didn't catch it. But he must've because he saw Takuya frown and glanced at the structure with the missing eye. And then he glanced back at Kouji and just shrugged and gave him a smile.

"Then we're just going to have to help you along the way, aren't we?" Kouji closed his eyes at this and took a deep breath, knowing that Takuya didn't know how bad his fear of heights really was. All those other times he'd been filled with adrenaline...but now...he wasn't too sure. If he couldn't climb down that ledge to save his friends earlier...what made Takuya think that he could climb that?

But before he could answer that question however, Takuya was pulling him toward the stone structure giving him a boost up so he could start the climb. Kouji started, shakily...telling himself not to look down, not believing that he was doing what he was doing. He felt lightheaded and gritted his teeth against the pain he felt, hoping that he wasn't going to fall off...

Then suddenly there was a hand around his own, and as he looked over, he saw Takuya grinning wryly at him as he helped the hand of Kouji's that he was holding, find the next hold so he could pull himself up more.

"We'll do it together if we have to. I'm not letting you fail." Shocked, Kouji wasn't sure what to say. His body, still trembling with fear and exhaustion, continued to pull itself up with Takuya's help. Takuya was remembering something that the Gatsomon had told him after he'd pulled him up from where he had been hanging on the ledge with his other teammates.

Maybe this was what the Gatsomon had been talking about...maybe he had known that Kouji had a fear he couldn't concur by himself. And while it looked like maybe Kouji might not concur that fear today, at least Takuya would be able to help him through his fear.

Before the two boys knew it, they were at the eye, and Takuya helped Kouji balance himself as they took the gem from around his neck, and gently placed it into the eye.

At one point during his battle with the other Digi Destined, Gigasmon realized what was going to happen as he saw the two teens reach the top...and growled.

"Me's a not letting you get it that easily!" He shouted, and gathering his strength, tried to take down all three Digi Destined who had been-and still were-attacking him. It didn't quite work the way he wanted his attack to go...Beetlemon was down, and didn't look like he was getting up anytime real soon, though his data did not appear as Gigasmon had hoped it would. He managed to club Kumamon with his Shake Eye Break attack...and got some results. His eyes opened wide with pleasure as he saw the Digimon's spirit appear, a twinkle in his eyes as he headed straight for it- and then Kazemon had to get in the way, showing Kumamon out of his reach. In turn, Gigasmon glared at her, and then smirked...she was already weak enough-one good whack out to do it...

Kouji and Takuya slid down from the structure, Takuya managing to land on his feet, Kouji landing firmly on his back, the harsh impact jarring his ribs and causing him to loose his breath altogether as a red haze of pain filtered into his vision while his mind threatened to send him spiraling into unconsciousness.

Takuya, upon noticing the dramatic change in his koi immediately crossed the short distance to the dark haired teen and fell to his knees, calling out Kouji's name when he saw his koi's eyes closed tightly his face masked in pain and his breathing harsh.

"Kouji? Kouji, what's wrong...answer me!" Had Kouji been more injured then Takuya had known? He swore softly and took Kouji's hands into his own...surprised at how cold they felt as he rubbed them to try and get them warm again.

"Kouji...I know you're tired and when this is over I promise, promise you, that you can rest. But now is not the time..." Takuya murmured, using one of his trembling hands to gently swipe away the bits of hair that had fallen from Kouji's ponytail and into his face. At this point Takuya frowned...was it his imagination or did Kouji feel hot to the touch? He felt his koi's forehead again and was startled when Kouji opened his dark blue gray eyes, only to find that they held nothing but pain.

"Takuya...it hurts..." Kouji whimpered, unable to withstand what he had put his body through anymore, he closed his eyes again as Takuya pulled him up into a sitting position and Kouji cried out in pain.

"Kouji? What is it, did I hurt you?" When Takuya saw the tears start to fall, he immediately knew that something had to be wrong.

"Kouji, you've got to tell me what's the matter!" He hollered, and Kouji opened his teary eyes-glazed in pain, and nodded slightly in understanding.

"Ribs..." He managed to croak out as Takuya's still trembling hands gently lifted Kouji's shirt and he gasped in dismay. His rib cage and part of Kouji's chest were covered in black and blue marks. Closing his own eyes for a moment, Takuya sighed and gently lowered Kouji's shirt back down.

"Kouji...I think that some of them might be broken...even cracked...but I'm not a doctor." Kouji felt himself nod, and then forced himself to open his eyes as he heard crackling noises. The gem was coming to life, the stone figures were moving. But he had to turn away from the awesome sight when both he and Takuya heard a scream of terror, and both of them knew it belonged to Kazemon.

"Me's a not full! I'm gonna get all you brat's spirits!" With that said from Gigasmon, the two saw Kazemon get hit, protecting an injured Kumamon, and Kazemon rapidly turned back into an injured Izumi-falling to the ground. Both Takuya's and Kouji's hatred turned toward Gigasmon, the look of triumph on his face brighter then before as he glanced around to his newest opponent-or snack as he preferred to call it. Kumamon had turned back into Tomoki...lying on the ground without much energy as he watched with a horrified look in his eyes while Izumi had her spirit taken away. Junpei was struggling to stand up-also having De-Digivolved, and started heading toward Izumi's unconscious figure.

"I've got to distract him!" Takuya whispered standing up and accidentally letting go of Kouji as he whimpered while he fell to the ground. Takuya grabbed his Detector and he twirled it around in his hand, but was stopped when he heard a soft noise behind him, and gasped when he saw Kouji struggling to get to his feet, despite the pain it must've caused him. When he was finally up and on his feet, Kouji put a hand on Takukya's shoulder (for support mainly as his body swayed a bit, feeling weary) and squeezed it tightly to restrain him. Takuya looked at him, as Kouji shook his head and saw the look of determination on his koi's blue gray eyes...and understood. As much as he hated it, and hated seeing Kouji this way, he understood perfectly.

"This is my fight Takuya...I don't want you or anyone else getting hurt anymore." Kouji sounded confident...more so then he had just recently...and as he turned around, Takuya turned with him and saw Kouji's Beast Spirit hovering in mid air in the center of the four stone structures that had moved slightly for Kouji to claim the hovering spirit it as his own. Takuya glanced back at Gigasmon, who saw them and started to bound right toward their location...an evil gleam in his eye as he hungered for more data-more precisely, Kouji's new Beast Spirit which still hovered in front of them. Takuya took a breath, and nodded at Kouji who had glanced back at him for a second as he got out his blue and white DigiVice, a look that held pain in his blue gray eyes, and yet a look that also told Takuya that he was looking for support...confidence...security...and almost as though he was also looking for approval in a way.

"Go for it...but you'd better hurry, cause here he comes...just know that I love you." Kouji grinned weakly, and nodded as he turned fully away from Takuya and held out his Detector as he felt his Beast Spirit come rushing toward him...and then he knew no more...

TBC

AN 2- OK...::cowers and hides from glaring audience:: I know, I know, I'm a horrible, awful, evil person for leaving it there! And if you guys see any mistakes in there, let me know so I can eventually fix them because I added in some stuff before I actually put up the chapter, and I went over it a few different times myself, so I don't think that there are any mistakes.BUT.. Anyway, if you all read the first author's note above, you'll know why I had to leave it there! So help me out! PLEASE? The sooner I get the information I need, the sooner I can plug it into the next chapter I'm working on and I can get it out for you guys to enjoy! ^-~ Hope you guys liked the last two chapters though...cause I certainly had fun with them, and I actually think that these past couple of chapters are my best yet...but I'll let you guys be the judges!!! Hope you enjoyed it!