Disclaimer: Since this fic contains the sweetness of Takouji, then I obviously don't own Digimon...(pouts)
Author's Notes: And yet once again another replayed episode of Frontier makes me want to work on this story...just to get to that point so I can rewrite it my way! And for those of you who want to know what that episode is, it's Ice, Ice Baby...that's right, the one where they totally screwed up Ice Devimon's voice...ugh! I couldn't stand it! It might've worked for Etemon in season 01, but it so doesn't work on Ice Devimon!-He's supposed to sound a lot more...um...meaner (okay, not the BEST word to use, but hey, you guys know what I mean, right)? Then what he sounds like! Watches as author starts to fume. Okay, I'm done now-sorry, I just can't get over the voice deal...otherwise then that, I really actually like the concept of that episode drools at all the Takouji hints (Kouji saves Takuya and takes the ice bind for him! Kawaiiness or what? -) ANYWAY...clears throat-as I am yet to be NOWHERE near that part sighs-it just makes me more determined to continue working on this fic...and I've got no idea just how long this fic is going to be-it's already pretty long (my longest fic yet, yeah!) So, I thinkith that I'll go now and let you guys read and enjoy...and thankx to all of you who've been keeping tabs on this fic and leaving reviews! You're all very much loved by this author-I promise when this thing is done, there will be a long, long list of people I need to thank...and I'll thank you all individually then! However, until then, please continue to review...they really keep me going-I always enjoy seeing a review pop up in my inbox every once in awhile for this fic...it leaves a smile on my face when I see just how much someone's enjoyed reading it. -
Story Rating: PG13
Warning: If you still haven't figured out that this fic contains yaoi/Takoujiness, then this isn't the place for you...(however, I'd be amazed if you've gotten this far and haven't figured that out yet! :P)
Pairings: Takuya/Kouji
Time Setting: An AU rewrite of season 04...with everyone's favorite kawaii couple together throughout
Chapter Summary: Hmmm...last time the DD's made it to Ogremon's palace, where they got their 'fortune's' all told...some of them weren't too bad (like, Izumi's-she found out she's going to meet a mysterious dark stranger who she must learn to trust) other's however, were quite upsetting (like Kouji's...he wasn't in very good shape when we last left him actually...). Now the question is, what was it that Ogremon told Kouji that caused him to be so upset? And Kouji's about to find out just how Takuya felt when Kouji got his Beast Spirit...
Different Journeys
Author: Angel Spirit
Chapter 18: Fire and Ice
He was in Takuya's arms...he should've felt warm. But instead, he felt cold...too cold. He tried to suppress his shivers so not to worry Takuya, but he couldn't help it after awhile. He was already wearing two blankets, and also had Takuya's body heat...yet he felt like ice was crawling through his veins. And he didn't know how to get warm.
Takuya stirred, and Kouji immediately felt bad for waking him up.
They'd managed to find an inn that had a couple of rooms and once again they split up within the group so that Takuya and himself could have a room to themselves. Which, was nice to have some time alone together...
"You still cold?" Takuya's whispered voice startled Kouji for a moment from his thoughts, and even though he wanted to lie to Takuya and tell him that he wasn't cold, he knew that Takuya would know that he was lying. So he gave up on any thoughts of trying to tell him that he wasn't and only meekly nodded his head.
The night was warm-warm enough for Takuya to have taken his two shirts off, along with his gloves which were on the chair next to his bed. But since Kouji hadn't stopped shivering since they'd left Ogremon's palace, he'd left on his windbreaker and then had gratefully accepted the two blankets that Takuya had managed to find in the room. His long hair was out of it's ponytail, and he'd taken off his bandanna-or had Takuya done that at one point during the night?
"Is something wrong Kouji?" Kouji shook his head this time, wanting to sleep, but he felt too cold to sleep. He also felt cold enough at this point, that if he closed his eyes, he wasn't sure if he'd wake up.
"You're awfully quiet...I wish I knew..." Takuya sighed and rubbed his hands up and down Kouji's arms, and Kouji leaned in against him.
"You've been cold since before we entered Ogremon's palace, and it's just increased since we've gotten out...maybe we should ask Bokomon if he knows anything about it-or at least a solution to help you." Earlier, Kouji would've been stubborn and had told Takuya that he was fine, that he'd get over it himself. But now, as he tried to keep his teeth from chattering, he could only nod at Takuya's suggestion.
Takuya did a double take at this, fully expecting to have had Kouji to rebel and tell him that going to Bokomon was the last thing he wanted to do. So when he agreed as quickly as he had, Takuya knew that something was definitely not right with his koi. And he was even more worried about him...
Reaching out and gently grabbing Kouji's hands into his own, Takuya bit back a gasp of surprise. Kouji's hands were like ice...they were so cold...
Keeping his pale hands in his own tan ones, Takuya started to rub them gently, hoping to at least bring some heat into them. At one point, he heard Kouji whimper and he practically threw himself into Takuya's arms, and Takuya put his own arms protectively around his koi. Oh yes, something was definitely not right on...let's go to Bokomon." Kouji barely felt himself nod as Takuya carried him from their room to the room down the hall where the other's were staying in. He had wrapped his arms around Takuya's neck, and had buried his face into the warmth of Takuya's neck, his legs wrapped around the lower part of Takuya's chest. He could feel Takuya's warmth...so why wasn't it transferring to him and making him warmer...?
Suddenly, Kouji felt like a scared little kid...
And to Takuya, he had every right to be. Shifting a little bit so that he could knock softly on the door, so not to disturb any of the other guests who were staying at the inn, Takuya heard someone moving around, and then some mumbling as that same someone came to open the door.
He blinked at the dim light within the room, and saw Izumi standing before him, her hair tousled as though she'd just woken up-which, she had.
Rubbing her eyes a little, Izumi glared at Takuya for a second, before she also saw that something wasn't quite right.
"Takuya? What's wrong?" Takuya motioned for her to let him and Kouji in, and she immediately stepped aside so that he could maneuver easily enough around her as she gently shut the door behind her.
"Kouji can't warm up...he's freezing, we don't know what's wrong. We were thinking that maybe Bokomon might have an idea." Izumi frowned in concern and nodded as she stepped over the still-sleeping Junpei and Tomoki as she went to wake up Bokomon, who was still sleeping as well, curled up in his own small blanket.
It took only a gentle prod to waken him though, and then Bokomon was instantly on his feet, looking wide awake and alert. When he saw that they weren't in immediate danger, he sighed and looked at the three teenagers in front of him with a look that said 'why the hell did you have to go and wake me up in the middle of the night while there's no danger to worry about...?' and then took in the sight of Takuya still holding onto Kouji.
"Is something wrong Takuya?" He asked softly, the look in his eyes from when he'd been woken up diminishing slightly as Takuya nodded.
"Yeah, there is...Kouji's cold-freezing cold. Has been since we left Ogremon's palace-nothing I do seems to warm him up and I've tried everything Bokomon! We were wondering if you might know what's causing this?"
Bokomon frowned, biting on his lower lip as he took out his book and thumbed through it.
He finally sighed and closed the book, putting it away after what seemed like an eternity of him searching for anything to help Kouji.
"I'm afraid I didn't find anything...at least nothing of value in this case. The best thing we can try to do is try and keep Kouji as warm as we can and then maybe try and find a healer in Fair City who might be able to help him." Takuya sighed and shifted Kouji's weight in his arms as Kouji weakly moaned and started to shiver again.
"Do you guys just want to stay here the rest of the night Takuya?" Takuya looked startled at Izumi's question, but didn't hesitate when he nodded at her a half a second later.
"Yeah...actually, if you guys don't mind. Sure."
Smiling gently at Takuya, she managed to round up a few extra blankets, and gave them to Takuya who gently laid Kouji down and wrapped him within them.
"I think in the morning we should do what Bokomon says and see if maybe there's a healer in this city who'll know how to help him. The inn keeper is nice enough, maybe he'll know someone who can help?" Takuya sighed and shook his head.
"I agree with you Izumi...I just...it's almost as though every time we go into a city or something we always have to go and see a healer...and lately it's been Kouji who's been hurt..." Izumi placed a gentle hand on Takuya's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.
"He'll be okay Takuya. Lately everything turns out alright...this is just...a minor setback, but we'll find a way to help Kouji-Takuya, I promise." Takuya reached over and squeezed her hand, giving her a soft smile.
"You know...I never thanked you...for sticking up for us like that with Junpei awhile back." Izumi blushed-hard enough so that Takuya could see it in the darkness, and then she shrugged.
"No biggee. You are both my friends-and besides, Junpei was being a jerk...now he even admits that he was. I think...it just took him awhile to get used to the idea of you two being...together. Actually, I think it's rather cute." Now it was Takuya's turn to blush and Izumi giggled a little.
"It's true, you two really do make a cute couple. Anyway, why don't you get some sleep Takuya? You look really tired...I'll keep an eye on Kouji for a couple of hours if you want to." Takuya hesitated. He knew he could trust Izumi, he just didn't want to leave Kouji alone.
"I'll wake you if anything happens Takuya, I promise." Finally giving her a small nod Takuya went and laid down next to Tomoki, but realized he was still close enough to Kouji, still huddled in the blankets-looking like he'd finally managed to get some sleep himself.
Takuya finally felt his own eyes starting to slowly close and allowed sleep to succumb him. He thought he heard Izumi singing something softly in another language, and reminded himself to ask her what the lyrics were next time he had a chance...
It was early in the morning when it happened...
A loud screaming noise could be heard from Ogremon's Palace...causing everyone in the inn to be wide awake in an instant, scrambling to get their bearings and understand what was going on. The Digi Destined were among the many Digimon, trying to figure out what could've caused a scream like that to echo through Fair City.
"It was Ogremon, I'm telling you." A Frigemon declared as Izumi had asked the question out loud.
"But what would cause him to scream like that?" Tomoki asked, a worried look combined with a look of fear on his face and in his eyes as he held tightly onto Takuya's hand. He didn't know why-he just suddenly felt safer next to Takuya. To him, Takuya seemed more like an older brother to him then his own older brother back home had ever been to him. Maybe that was why he just felt safer next to the brunette.
Even Kouji looked cautious, though his was still cold. At the moment though, the other's seemed to forget about that other fact, as he wrapped his arms around himself-trying to get warm, though he knew that the effort was useless. He debated about going back up to the room to get a blanket or something, and scolded himself for not having remembered to bring one down in the first place.
"That is a good question young one, and we have not the answer to that." A fairymon answered kindly, and everyone in the rooms sighed-until they heard Digimon screaming in the streets. Immediately the Digi Destined headed for the door to the tavern, and Kouji gave up on the thought of grabbing a blanket to help keep him warm.
Though the moment they all stepped outside, he bit his lower lip and rubbed his hands over his arms once more, though he knew that the action wouldn't help-as nothing else had.
"What's going on?" Junpei had managed to grab one of the Geckomon that they'd seen in the palace the other day running through the streets, and it was clear that the little Digimon was frightened...more like scared out of his wits to be exact.
"There's a vicious Digimon on the loose!" He squealed, struggling to be let go, but Junpei only tightened his grip...just enough to hold him, not enough to hurt him.
"What kind of 'vicious' Digimon?" Izumi asked softly, glancing at Junpei as she watched the Geckomon struggle in his grasp.
"B-Burning Greymon!" Was all that he could manage as he let out a small squeal of fright before he managed to get free of Junpei's hold on him and started running-and never looked back.
"Burning Greymon?" Takuya murmured, as he sent a glance to Bokomon-as did everyone else, and Bokomon sighed...and got out his book as he started to look through it once more, trying to find the information that the Digi Destined requested.
"There's nothing here on Burning Greymon...wait a minute, never mind...there's a little bit of information here, but it doesn't make sense. It says that he's a very powerful Beast Spirit...and contains immense fire power, but that's about all."
The other's looked at each other, the message sent through their gazes saying one thing, and Takuya was the one who brought it up.
"Bokomon said Beast Spirit-so that must mean that it must belong to one of us." The other's all nodded slowly, and Kouji once again bit his bottom lip as Takuya suggested they go after it. He suddenly really didn't feel very good...especially about the situation at hand.
"Takuya...are you s-sure that it's wise to go after that thing?" He murmured into his koi's ear, as Takuya suddenly focused his attention on him and frowned once more when he saw that once again Kouji was freezing cold.
"It's the only way to stop it-is to go after it. And we can't allow it to keep on tearing apart this city and scaring people. You can stay here-" But before Takuya could finish his sentence, Kouji fiercely shook his head.
"No. No way am I staying here, and you know that there's no way you can make me. I'm going Takuya." Takuya sighed, knowing that Kouji was right- there was no way that he could make Kouji stay at the inn...even if he managed to force Kouji to stay, he knew that Kouji would find some way of getting to where the other's would be at one point.
Pulling Kouji into a small hug and allowing Kouji to rest his head on his shoulder, Takuya nodded.
"Alright...alright, you'll come with us. But promise me you'll be careful?" He whispered, and Kouji bit back a smile that threatened to appear as he heard this.
"You're telling me to be careful? That's a new one." He scoffed, and finally allowed his smile to show as Takuya gave him a small grin in return.
"I know...but just promise me okay?" Kouji nodded as they looked at the others, whose gazes weren't upon the affection that Takuya was showing Kouji, but rather they were focused on the sky above-where the dome to Ogremon's palace had just been blown sky high, and they got their first glance at Burning Greymon.
"Everyone duck for cover!" Takuya shouted as debris from the exploding dome came raining down upon them. Some Digimon managed to get away in time, as Takuya shoved both him and Kouji underneath one of the strong, sturdy tables that earlier yesterday, had been decorated and filled with...well, bizarre things that only a Digimon could really want or need.
He just hoped that the other's had heard his warning and had also found cover.
It took several minutes before the debris stopped falling, and as Takuya checked to make sure that Kouji was alright-which, he was-he crawled out and looked around for the others, Kouji following him momentarily.
They found Izumi clutching tightly onto Tomoki in the doorway of a store that had a low and sturdy enough arc that had protected them from getting seriously banged up. They found Junpei underneath another table a little bit of the ways down, looking a bit freaked out but otherwise fine as Takuya offered him a hand up-and he accepted it gratefully as he brushed himself off, glaring at the sky where they'd seen Burning Greymon pass only a few minutes before.
"I'd like to give that guy a piece of my mind! What right does he think he has doing something as dangerous as that?" Junpei muttered, as the other's nodded in agreement with him.
"We'd better get going then, and find him...anyone have any idea as to how we're going to do just that though?" Kouji asked, brushing dust and small pieces of rubble from his clothes and his hair. He grimaced as he ran a hand through his dark long strands-it was in need of a good washing-again. He hated it when his long hair got dirty-that was the downside of keeping it as long as he did.
As an angry scream echoed through the trees and the city once more, the Digi Destined winced, and Izumi pointed a shaky finger in the direction of where it had come from.
"I-I suggest that we follow that." She murmured, clearly not looking forward to having to go after such a scary sound. But yet, it couldn't be helped-they were probably the only ones who could save the city...and they knew it too.
Neemon hid behind Bokomon each time a deafening roar was heard...and at one point both Takuya and Kouji thought that they would go deaf if they had to hear it once more...the nearer they got to the horrible, terrifying sound, the closer they knew they were to Burning Greymon.
And as Takuya felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle as they started to enter a clearing, they saw him...and before they could do anything do make sure that Burning Greymon didn't see them, it was too late-for he swiftly turned around, and glared at the Digi Destined.
Suddenly, Junpei-and Tomoki-both felt like they just wanted to flee the scene and let the other's fight. But when Junpei turned a little to see Izumi standing her ground-and not looking half as scared as she probably felt, he felt some of his own courage return, and glanced down at Tomoki who glanced up at him. With that look the two boys shared, they both nodded at each other, their courage heightening a little more.
Takuya realized that Kouji was shivering yet again-but he doubted that it was from anything but fear...the two of them had been through too much lately for something this big to really be frightening to either one of them. No...he knew that Kouji was probably still cold, and it made him ache inside to know that there was nothing he could do to warm him up...he hated seeing that pained look in Kouji's eyes-it was barely there, and he knew that the other's couldn't see it, but he could. It made him realize just how close that he had really gotten to Kouji over the past several days of their stay in the Digital World...and it also made him realize that he wouldn't want to go through with this adventure with anyone else but.
And he knew that Kouji felt the same way...he got that much from the small smile that Kouji gave him when he reached out and grabbed a hold of his hand and squeezed it tightly.
"Hey there big fella...we...we don't want to hurt you..." Takuya said, feeling a large amount of nervous energy course through him. He had never thought in a million years that he'd face something this big.
"HELP ME!" It was a piercing scream, that none of the Digi Destined were able to stand, but instead had to shield their eyes and faces as a tremendous wind ripped through the clearing, tearing at their clothes and hair.
Again, Burning Greymon roared and the Digi Destined started to move backward as the evil Digimon seemed to get upset...and swiped it's tail toward them. Everyone managed to get out of the way at Izumi's startled cry of warning...however, one of them was not so lucky to dodge the monstrous tail.
As Kouji was thrown through the clearing, Takuya dashed after him, not caring about the danger-only praying that Kouji was alright.
He was...just a little winded, and winced a little as Takuya managed to get toward his side and help him sit up.
"Are you okay?" He asked, concern obviously showing in his dark brown eyes.
Kouji nodded, and sat up the rest of the way with Takuya's help, glaring at Burning Greymon as he took out his blue and white D-Tector.
"Yeah...I'm fine...let's put his fire out!" Takuya nodded as he got out his own D-Tector, and everyone else followed suite.
Within minutes they were evolved, and standing before Burning Greymon-who looked as furious as ever.
Only this time, they were able to hear the cries of help from within, and Agunimon's eyes opened wide.
"W-why does that sound like Ogremon?" He stammered out, as Burning Greymon's tail powerfully whipped around once again-this time though, all the Digi Destined managed to avoid getting knocked by it-even Kouji, as Lobomon glared at Burning Greymon.
"Maybe because it might be Ogremon?" Neemon whimpered out softly as he peered from behind the tree where he had ran to out of fright when Burning Greymon's tail had come around the first time.
Agunimon and Lobomon glanced at one another, and nodded as they decided to try and reign in Burning Greymon, and attacked at the same time.
Their mission was partly successful, as one could say that it knocked some sense into Burning Greymon as he toppled over at the impact of Agunimon's and Lobomon's attacks as they backed off, standing next to Kazamon and Beetlemon.
"I am Ogremon!" Burning Greymon's deep voice grumbled out as he stood...and looked like he was fighting within himself.
"Y-you can't be Ogremon!" Kazamon gasped out, horrified at the thought of what could happened to him. As though he knew what she wanted to ask, Ogremon/Burning Greymon continued.
"I found the Beast Spirit Burning Greymon hidden within my Palace early this morning...it took me over, I'm not able to control it...it...it controls me..." And then Ogremon let out a terrified scream, and Burning Greymon clutched his head as he let out howl, after howl.
The Digi Destined all glanced at each other, wondering what to do.
"We can't hurt him..." Kazamon murmured, as the other's only stared at her in wonder.
"What do you mean we can't hurt him Kazamon? Look at all the damage that he's done to Fair City!" Beetlemon declared, and Kazamon only shook her head.
"No, we can't. Ogremon is innocent in all of this, none of this is his fault! It's all Burning Greymon's doing...we've got to find someway of getting Ogremon out of there, and then take care of Burning Greymon from that point on!" Lobomon glanced at Agunimon, who slowly nodded.
"She's got a point. Ogremon is innocent in this." Agunimon mused, and Lobomon snorted and crossed his arms.
"True-but how are we going to get Ogremon away from being possessed by Burning Greymon's spirit?" The other's only looked at each other with dismay in their eyes as they couldn't come up with anything. Their conversation was interrupted when Bokomon called out a warning to them, and they barely managed to avoid another attack from Burning Greymon.
"I-!" Ogremon hollered, and then Burning Greymon's eyes changed in a flash and the Digi Destined gasped as they realized that Ogremon had been completely taken over by the Beast Spirit.
"Let's take him down...now." Lobomon growled, and the other's nodded.
"There's got to be someway to save Ogremon though!" Kazamon added as they attacked once more.
The fighting continued...until the other's got knocked away and Agunimon was the only one left standing. When Lobomon finally caught his breath and realized that Burning Greymon had Agunimon pinned down, he let out a warning growl and immediately decided to digivolve once more.
"Lobomon...spirit evolve to...Kendogarurumon!" He let out an eerie howl, that caused the other's to shudder.
He tried to knock Burning Greymon away from Agunimon, but he got sideswiped by one of Burning Greymon's powerful claw attacks, and ended up being knocked against a tree, loosing his balance for a few seconds-but that was all that was needed.
Burning Greymon took the distraction, as did Ogremon...and switched places...
As the other's went to make sure that Kendogarurumon was okay, Burning Greymon sought the power that Agunimon held...and wanted it. Wanted it more then Ogremon.
Finding that Ogremon was no longer worthy, Burning Greymon's spirit practically spat him out.
The other's saw what was happening too late, as Agunimon's form vanished, leaving Takuya-who's eyes were wide open and filled with terror. The other's covered their ears at his scream of sudden pain, and Kendogarurumon watched horrified as Takuya vanished-becoming one with Burning Greymon.
As the other's shielded their eyes from the brilliant flash of light that occurred at the time of the transfer, Kendogarurumon suddenly whimpered.
When the light faded, all they saw was a furious looking Burning Greymon before them...his dark red eyes glaring angrily at them (if looks could kill, they'd all be dead already-or so that's what the Digi Destined felt as they stared into those hideous red eyes). What scared them the most though, was that they saw no trace of Takuya once so ever, especially in the eyes-it was as though he was gone...like he really had vanished. And while the thought terrified the Digi Destined, it scared one of them more.
The whimpering from Kendogarurumon grew louder, and as Kazamon knelt down next to him to make sure he was alright-as she realized that he had fallen back down after Takuya had vanished into Burning Greymon-Kendogarurumon suddenly let out an ear-splitting howl of pain.
As the other Digi Destined covered their ears once more at the horrific sound that came from Kendogarurumon, they had to shield their eyes once more as soon as the howling died down...and when the light ceased to exist, they saw Kouji slumped in Kazamon's arms-barely conscious, beads of sweat rolling down the sides of his face-which was much paler then Kazamon or the other two Digi Destined remembered it being.
To make matters worse, Kazamon felt Kouji trembling-quite fiercely-in her arms as she brought him close to her, shaking him gently as she tried to get him to stay awake, realizing how cold Kouji felt-and knew why Takuya had been so scared last night when he'd come knocking on their door, seeking advice from Bokomon.
"Kouji...Kouji, are you okay?" She whispered, watching as Beetlemon and Kumamon guarded the two of them, watching for when Burning Greymon would stop fighting with himself to get himself under control and realize that they were still standing there...a little too close for comfort-or so Beetlemon thought anyway as he glanced over his shoulder, worried about Kouji. Though he didn't want to admit that he was worried-but their friend and fellow teammate really didn't look too good at the moment, and as Beetlemon heard Kouji's breathing become much harsher and unsteady, he winced. Something had to have happened to make him this way-and Beetlemon had the strangest feeling that that something had to do with Takuya and Burning Greymon merging as they had.
Once again, Kazamon tried to get a still half-awake Kouji to respond to her...and this time she managed to succeed.
"Kouji? Kouji, please...answer me? Tell me what's wrong."
"Takuya..." Kouji groaned out the one word-the name of the one person he wanted to see the most. It was Takuya's arms who he wanted to be held in right now-not Kazamon's, even though he knew that she was only trying to help. At the moment, he felt as weak as a newborn pup-if not weaker. And he didn't like it.
"It's gonna be okay Kouji." Kazamon said, trying to soothe him as she watched with widening eyes as Burning Greymon finally stopped fighting himself, and turned to face them...setting his eyes on the one person who she held trembling in her arms.
Beetlemon and Kumamon seemed to realize this at the same time...as did Bokomon and Neemon.
"You've got to get Kouji out of here Kazamon!" Beetlemon hollered at her, as she nodded and scooped Kouji up into her arms.
"Will you guys be okay without me?" She asked, her eyes opening wide in fear as Beetlemon nodded at her while Burning Greymon made a sudden mad dash toward them.
"We'll have to be-get him out of here, NOW!" He ordered, and she nodded as she barely took off in time. She glanced behind her shoulder once to see Bokomon and Neemon running out of the clearing...Neemon looking much more scared then Bokomon-but by the look on Bokomon's face, Kazamon could tell that he was getting to the point of being scared. She glanced down at the shivering Kouji in her arms, and sighed. Today was not turning out to be a good day-not a good day at all.
"Oh Kouji..." She murmured as she tried to get as far away as she could. But Kouji actually startled her at one point, when he suddenly cried out in pain and clutched his left shoulder with his right hand.
"Kouji, what is it?" Instead of answering her, Kouji only whimpered, his eyes squeezed tightly shut.
"Takuya...gone..." He said, mumbling it as he buried his head into her shoulder. Kazamon closed her eyes, wondering what was going on between Beetlemon, Kumamon and their fight with Burning Greymon. She only hoped and prayed that what Kouji had just said wasn't what was really going through her mind. With him saying that Takuya was gone, she thought the worst-that Beetlemon and Kumamon had destroyed Burning Greymon-and hadn't saved Takuya. And if that was the case, then they'd be faced with one heart broken Digi Destined.
As much as a lone wolf she knew that Kouji pretended to be, Kazamon also knew that the deep love that he had for Takuya was anything but pretend. And if Takuya was gone and Kouji was in this much pain...
But Kazamon shook her head. She wasn't going to think that way. She couldn't-she had to keep her hopes up...for Kouji. He was in so much turmoil right now.
Hang on Kouji, just hang on...everything will be okay...I hope...she added, and started to pray that everything would really be okay in the end...
He couldn't feel him anymore. Darkness surrounded him, and he was colder then he had ever been before...it was like his light had disappeared-as Ogremon had said that it would. It had extinguished.
And if that was the case...then...
"Takuya..." He heard himself whimper, and heard Kazamon's soothing voice once more.
Not like Kouji didn't like Kazamon-but he'd just much rather be in Agunimon's arms-or even better, in Takuya's arms. But he had to face the possibility, that that might never happen again. Especially if this fight turned out the way Ogremon had predicted it. And if it turned out that way...then Kouji wasn't sure what he'd do.
He heard himself whimper again as he felt Kazamon descend, the wind biting through his windbreaker and making him even more colder.
Kouji was barely aware of his surroundings, only aware of the fact that Kazamon never left his side. Izumi didn't even break out of her spirit form, afraid that if she did, Burning Greymon might arrive and come after them again-or worse yet...Grumblemon.
But this wasn't what was on Kouji's mind at the moment, as he cried out in pain once more and Kazamon rushed to his side.
"Kouji...shhhh...everything's going to be okay, alright? Just hang on a little while longer." She murmured as she held him close, trying to warm him. But he still continued to shiver in her arms.
Little did she know, that even though she had thought that the area that she'd landed in had been clear, that there were a pair of dark eyes watching them curiously from one of the higher trees.
The battle seemed to go on and on forever. And at one point Beetlemon knew when to give up-they were getting nowhere, and Kumamon looked exhausted. It was time to high tail it out of there and find out where Kazamon had taken Kouji. Hopefully somewhere safe, where Beetlemon had told her to-but he knew that it would be impossible for them to be safe with Burning Greymon on the loose-sharing power and energy with Takuya.
"Great...now we've got him and Grumblemon to worry about!" Beetlemon shouted as he and Kumamon dashed throufh the trees as they tried to evade Burning Greymon's angry, thundering feet as they crashed through the forest.
"Don't even say Grumblemon's name! He'll hear you and appear, and then we really will be in big trouble!" Kumamon stammered as he tried to keep up with Beetlemon. But it was getting harder and harder, as he was running out of breath-and besides, his legs were much shorter then Beetlemon's were.
"Junpei...please...I've got...to stop." Kumamon wheeze out, and as he put his hands to his knees, he suddenly turned back into Tomoki. Glancing over his shoulder and seeing this, Beetlemon only groaned as he headed back to where Tomoki had stopped.
"We've got to keep on going, we have to get ride of Burning Greymon...if only for a little while." With that, Beetlemon scooped Tomoki up and placed him on his back as he continued running. He would've taken off into the air, but then they'd be an even easier target for Burning Greymon.
At least down at the ground level, they couldn't be detected as easily.
By the time Beetlemon evolved back into Junpei, Junpei was exhausted, and he leaned up against a tree.
"You know, now we're all separated again...Izumi's with Kouji-hopefully somewhere safe-I really did not like the look that ugly back there gave him. And we're together, and we don't know where Bokomon and Neemon are...today has really turned into a big mess." He sighed as he sat down onto the ground, clutching at a stitch at his side.
Even Tomoki looked miserable.
"I don't know what we're going to do Junpei-Takuya's...in...in that thing...and Kouji looked so hurt..." Junpei nodded, and closed his eyes. He felt so tired at the moment.
"Let's just...rest okay? Only for a little while, and then...then we'll do something. Find Kazamon...or Bokomon and Neemon...we've got to find a way to get back together and defeat Burning Greymon without hurting Takuya." Tomoki agreed as he got down next to Junpei and curled up in a tight ball, suddenly feeling a little helpless.
"Junpei...Takuya will be okay...and so will Kouji, right?" all the dark brunette did was let out a small sigh.
"I hope so kid...I hope so."
TBC
AN2-hmmmmmmm...oh yes...I think that's the perfect place to stop! (Looks around at readers shocked stares at the cliffhanger that was left for them, and blinks innocently.) Ahhhh....I think I can practically hear you guys screaming at me now and throwing those hideous glares in my direction for leaving you all like that...- HOWEVER... You all do know the way to get me to update sooner, right? Esp now since I've got a lot of spare time on my hands to write...- So please review, please? I'm in dire need of a boost me up for this fic...and the more encouragement I get from you guys, the harder I will continue to work on this. I know that there's tons of people out there who're reading this fic and totally enjoy it-don't hesitate to drop me a note through an email or a review! Some of you have even emailed me with ideas that you thought would be good to be used in this fic...and I love it when you guys do that, I really do! And I'll seriously try to incorporate those ideas into my fic, as many of the ideas were really good! As long as this fic is going to get, fresh ideas are welcome, so once again don't hesitate to email me if you've got something on your mind (or up your sleeve!) that you think would work in this! (And also let me know if you noticed any mistakes, though I don't think I did in this chapter...shrugs)
Have I also mentioned just HOW MUCH I REALLY don't like the new edit/check system? sighs-or maybe it's because my internet access is acting stupid and doesn't want to seem to work with well...hop you guys enjoyed this...grins
And, as always, Takoujiness rules...
