Another chapter is up! This one is also in Matty's POV but it'll change to Daichi's in the next chapter, with the Digital World coming into play. I do intend to include all the Digidestined and their kids in this story in some way, so no one will be missed. I've also given you the name of Davis's wife! Did you already guess who she was? Thanks to Dark Qiviut (I do intend to read the story you suggested), Dark Lotus (nice comment, I think I'm going to like you!) and Catwarrior (I'm so glad at least someone sees it my way!)

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, sad but true. Enjoy! (Again, so sorry about grammar and spelling. Can you believe I had as high as 85 in English once? In English! My teacher must have been on drugs.

Following The Footsteps Of Destiny

Chapter 2: Daichi And The Gang

Masato "Matty" Takaishi

The twins quickly started off down the sidewalk at a fast pace. Fortunately, it was a less then five minute walk to the school, so if they were lucky, they might just make it on time.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Mickey yawned. He chewed on his fruit and blinked, trying desperately to keep his eyes open.

Matty grinned and put an arm around him. "You looked so peaceful all curled up like that. I didn't have the heart to wake you."

Mickey blushed and smiled shyly at him. "Oh you," he said softly and Matty smiled back.

"Can you believe Mom and Dad?" Matty complained, changing the subject. "Why do they always have to make me look bad! You heard them; it's like they're already expecting me to get into trouble!"

"They were talking to me too," Mickey pointed out.

"Yeah, but they ment me," Matty grumbled. "All because of the stupid garbage thing."

Mickey gave him a sympathetic smile. "Look on the bright side. At least they didn't ground you."

"Only because they were using me for a good laugh!" He kicked at a stone in frustration and sighed. Mickey does have a point. It could have been worse. They could have grounded me.

"Well, maybe you shouldn't be so lazy," Mickey said; he sounded amused.

"Not you too!" Matty cried and Mickey laughed.

"I'm just telling you the truth," his twin said with a smile.

"You could be a little more tactful about it!" Matty muttered and gave his brother a sullen look.

Mickey reached out and gave him a warm hug, his amber eyes filled with affection. Despite the fact that he was dressed in light blue jeans, a long sleeve white shirt, and a forest green t-shirt over top, he didn't look at all like he was suffering from the heat. "Don't worry, I'm still on your side. I knew you were the one doing it and I didn't tell Mom and Dad on you; not that it helped. They found out on there own anyway."

"Oh, okay then!" Matty happily hugged him back and the two started off again. Mickey always knew how to cheer him up and Matty was thankful to have such a great brother. Mickey was very loyal and Matty returned it. At least someone understands me! He knew Mickey would never get him into trouble on purpose.

"Bad luck they found out," Matty sighed. "I hope we don't have to work on those chemistry projects today."

"No kidding! Mrs. Hanari will kill me if I break anymore test tubes," a carefree male voice behind them laughed. Both twins turned to find a striking boy, with auburn hair and rich maroon coloured eyes, smiling at them. He was dressed in dark blue jeans and a red long sleeve shirt with a white stripe on each arm. Perched on his head were a pair of old, very familiar goggles. With a devious smile, fantastic soccer skills, and a knack for getting into trouble, it wasn't too hard to figure out who's son he was.

"You got that right!" Matty laughed. The young blond gave one of his best friends, thirteen year old, Daichi Motomiya a bright smile. Daichi had been a friend to him and Mickey since they were babies. Dai's parents, Davis and Noriko Motomiya, had been friends with Matty's parents since they themselves were young. As a result, they had spent a lot of time with Daichi and bonded quickly becoming fast friends. Because of that, the twins knew Dai almost as well as they knew each other.

"Hey, Dai. How come you're so late today?" Mickey asked; he sounded curious.

Daichi rolled his eyes and fell in step beside them. "Actually, funny story that his," he began in a dramatic voice. "I woke up late as usual, but I still would have been on time if it hadn't been for my dumb dog, Shadow. He insisted on having a walk. I tried to get out of it, but mom threatened to cut down my T.V. time if I didn't take him. I swear he's the slowest dog on the planet. I mean, does he really have to sniff everything? Anyway, by the time I got back, it was already getting late, and the dumb dog has to go and pee on our neighbour's leg! The guy yelled at me for fifteen minutes, like it was my fault, as if I'd been the one to personally pee on him or something! I swear Shadow did it on purpose just to annoy me. I bet he's not even really a dog. He's an evil demon in disguise. I finally got back into the house and Dad yells at me for sticking toothpaste in Ami's shampoo! I mean, where does he get off shouting at me? It's not like she didn't diserve it for letting all the air out of my soccer balls yesterday!" Their goggled headed friend took a deep breath and his rant finally came to a halt.

Matty and Mickey exchanged amused smiles and Matty rolled his eyes. One thing was for sure; his friend could be quite the character.

"So that's why I'm late. Do you think Mrs. Hanari will buy the excuse about the dog?" Daichi gave them a hopeful look.

"Um...I seriously doubt it," Matty grinned.

Dai's face fell and Matty patted his shoulder in sympathy.

"Stupid Ami, this is all her fault," Dai grumbled. "Now I'm grounded for two weeks!"

Ami Motomiya was Daichi's fourteen year old sister. The two of them constantly fought. They made Davis and Daichi's Aunt Jun look like best friends. Often Dai and Ami's parents yelled at them for the never ending pranks they pulled on each other. The two hardly ever got along, but Matty knew Dai loved his older sister and would stick up for her in a heartbeat. Ami was the same way. She might treat Dai like an annoying little brother most of the time, but if anyone tried to hurt him, she could be very protective of her younger sibling.

"I know how you feel, Dai. My day hasn't exactlly started off on the right foot either," Matty complained.

Mickey gave him an adorable smile and patted his shoulder. "Yeah, but in your case, it was entirely your own fault!"

"Hey!" Matty shouted, looking indignant. His friends and family often reffered to him as the black sheep of the Takaishi family just because he was the one who was always getting himself into trouble. This was entirely unfair. I might not be the little angel Mickey is, but that doesn't mean I'm a bad person. Not that he held any resentment towards his brother. That was just the way Mickey was. He couldn't help being sweet, good, and caring. The truth was, Matty wouldn't have had him any other way.

Dai grinned. "At odds with your parents too?"

"You could say that," Matty grumbled.

Daichi laughed and put an arm around each twin. "So why were you guys so late today? It's not exactly your style. I told you my story, now I want to hear yours."

"Later," Matty replied. "Right now we've got to hurry."

The elementary school came into view and the trio quickly headed for the door only to be stopped by a male voice. The tone was mildly amused. "You're late."

"Move it, Ishida, or you're going to make us even later," Dai snapped, looking angry.

Leaning against the door, and looking very much his father's son, was the Takaishi twins cousin, thirteen year old Ryoko Ishida. The only child of Matt Ishida, former lead singer of the rock band the Teenage Wolves, raised a blond eyebrow at them and smiled slightly. The bright morning sun reflected off his golden blond hair and made his gorgeous sapphire eyes sparkle. He was dressed in khakis and a deep blue shirt that matched the ocean blue of his gaze. Combined with his mother's finely shaped nose and high cheekbones, he made quite an amazing sight. There was only one way to describe Ryoko Ishida; stunningly handsome. According to Miya, Ryoko made the twins look like a pair of ogres. I'll have to remember to get Miya back for that one. Currently, Ryoko was blocking their entrance into the school and their last chance of making it to class on time.

"I can't say I'm surprised to see Daichi late, but the two of you?" Ryoko shook his head in disappointment. "Now that's something you don't see every day. I wonder what Uncle T.K. and Aunt Kari had to say about that!"

"Can it, Ishida and get out of my way! If I'm late because of you I'll-"

Matty sighed and put a restraining hand on Dai's arm. We don't have time for this right now! When is Dai going to learn to keep his mouth shut!

"Sorry, Ryoko, don't mind him. He's just having a bad morning," Mickey said, sounding apologetic.

Ryoko gave Daichi a cool look. At that moment, he was the spitting image of Matt. "That doesn't mean he has to take it out on me," the blond said calmly.

Daichi looked ready to start insulting him again, but Matty grabbed his friends arm and started dragging him up the stairs. "Come on, if we don't get inside quick then we'll all be late and that includes you, Ryoko! Mrs. Hanari will have a field day!"

Apparently Ryoko had not thought of this because his face paled and the blond sprinted into the building with the others right behind him. The four raced down the hallway and scrambled into the classroom just as the bell rang.

"Safe!" Dai cheered, flopping into his seat and trying to catch his breath.

Mrs. Hanari glared at him clearly disappointed to have missed an opportunity to get him into trouble. Needless to say, she was not a huge fan of Daichi. She and Dai had been at odds ever since the first day he walked into her classroom and set a garden snake loose during a history lesson. There had been instant panic. Guys were shouting while the girls were screaming and scrambling onto their desks. Dai had loved it all. That is, until Mrs. Hanari found out who it was and had given him detention. Noriko had grounded him for three weeks. Since then, Mrs. Hanari had been looking for excuses to get him into trouble. She was forever sniffing out Dai's practical jokes. Matty almost felt sorry for her, almost because of the fact that she wasn't to fond of him either. She seemed to think he was Dai's accomplice, and she was always watching them suspiciously as if she knew they were up to something and hadn't quite figured out what it was yet.

A tap on his shoulder made him turn in his seat between Dai and Mickey. He found himself gazing at the dark haired girl behind him. Her hazel coloured eyes were filled with curiosity. "Hey, cousin, cutting it kind of close aren't you?"

Matty smiled at his female cousin on his mother's side who was sitting with her feet up on the back of his chair. She was dressed in blue jean shorts, red sandels, and a yellow top. Thirteen year old, Takara Kamiya, was a tall girl with long chestnut brown hair, in a high ponytail, and had an easy carefree smile.

"That's an understatement!" Ryoko snorted from his seat beside her and behind Dai.

Daichi turned in his own seat to make a rude gesture at the blond and Ryoko frowned.

Takara rolled her eyes and gave Ryoko a stern look. Ryoko smiled innocently at her in return and Takara shook her head, smiling.

The famous Ishida charm; it never failed. Even Dai wasn't immune to it as much as he liked to think he was. At least, that was what Matty suspected, though he had his doubts.

"Long story," Matty whispered. "I'll tell you later."

"You better," she muttered.

"Now this should be interesting," the boy behind Mickey and to Takara's right said dryly.

They all turned to look at another one of their best friends since childhood. Named after his beloved deceased uncle sat the first born son of former boy genius, Ken Ichijouji. Thirteen year old, Sam Ichijouji, gave the twins a warm smile. His eyes were the same deep blue as his father's, but his personality was more a mixture of both parents. Sometimes he could be shy and reserved, like his dad, but at other times he got very passionate about things, like his mom. Currently, he was dressed in grey pants, a black t-shirt, and a long sleeve green zip up shirt over top.

"It is, trust me," Mickey whispered, laughing softly.

Matty looked around at the group and smiled. His best friends since infancy, the six of them were inseperable. That is, if you didn't count Ryoko and Daichi, but that was a different story.

"Alright students," Mrs. Hanari spoke up. "I want you to continue working on yesterday's math problems. Your test is coming up in a week, so if you have any questions, make sure you ask before then."

"What are you guys all doing after school today?" Matty asked, turning to his friends. His math book lay untouched on the desk. Around them the classroom was filled with the sounds of flipping pages, scratching pencils, and chatting students.

"Nothing!" Dai moaned, letting his forehead drop to the desk. "I'm grounded, remember?"

Ryoko rolled his deep blue eyes. He gave Dai a sharp poke between his shoulder blades with a pencil from behind. "You're always grounded, Daichi," the blond drawled. "It's amazing we even see you anymore!"

"The less I see of you the better!" Dai snapped, his auburn gaze sparkling with anger.

Ryoko gave the goggle headed boy a nasty smile. Disgusted, Dai turned back to face the front of the room and promptly began to ignore him.

Takara sent Daichi a sympathetic look and turned to the rest of them. "My soccer game was cancelled today, so my calender's free. Any suggestions?"

Takara was the captain of their elementary school soccer team and a bit of a tomboy. The best thing about her was that she was really easy to get along with. Even Ryoko got along with her. In fact, Takara was the only person Ryoko ever listened to. Matty was pretty sure it had something to do with the fact that their father's were best friends and so were their mother's. Ryoko seemed to feel it was his duty to protect her or something, as if Takara's parents had personally appointed him. They were actually more like brother and sister then they were friends; the two were very close. Takara was the only one Ryoko appeared comfortable telling his secrets to and Takara always told Ryoko hers. For some reason, this always seemed to annoy Dai and he was constantly glaring at the two of them. Poor Takara. She was always getting stuck in the middle of their fights, but she handled it well. A combination of her father's laid back attitude and her mother's sensible good natured personality made her one of the most easy going people Matty knew. Nothing seemed to faze her.

"Why don't we all go for ice cream?" Sam suggested.

Mickey smiled, his amber eyes lighting up. "That's a great idea!"

"If Ishida's going them I'm not!" Dai said stubbornly and crossed his arms. "I've had just about enough of him today!"

"Good. You'll only embarrass us anyway!" Ryoko said nastily. "Besides, you can't go. You've already gone and gotten yourself into trouble again!"

Matty tried desperately to stop him, but unfortunately, he was too late. Flaring up, Dai turned and punched Ryoko hard in the chest. Matty's heart sank. Mrs. Hanari had turned just at that moment and seen him.

"Daichi Motomiya! What do you think you're doing punching other students in my class! Detention after school, three-thirty sharp, and you'd better not be late!" The rest of the class started snickering loudly, including Ryoko.

"What! That's not fair!" Dai shouted. "Ishida's the one who-"

"Young man, you keep your voice down in my class!" Mrs. Hanari looked very pleased to have gotten Dai into trouble after the first missed opportunity. "I don't want to hear your excuses and you will treat other students in this class with proper respect when speaking their names! You learn to behave in my class or it'll be the principal's office next!" Dismissing him, Mrs. Hanari turned back to the chalkboard. Her face was filled with the delight and satisfaction of sweet revenge.

"I'd hate to see how she treats Dai on a bad day," Sam muttered, shaking his raven head.

Matty had to agree. That had been Mrs. Hanari in a good mood. He shuddered to think what she would be like otherwise, especially towards Dai.

Dai lapsed into a sullen silence fuming, and he turned to find Ryoko smiling sweetly at him. If looks could kill, Ryoko would have dropped dead on the spot.

"Don't let her get to you, Dai," Takara said, leaning over Ryoko's desk to whisper in his ear.

Dai appeared determind to sulk, but at her words, he turned and gave her a warm smile.

"I don't know why you bother with him," Ryoko muttered. He rubbed his chest where Dai had hit him and gave Takara a dark look.

Takara blushed and refused to meet Ryoko's gaze. Matty glanced curiously at her, but Kara wouldn't meet his eyes either. The young blond frowned thoughtfully. What's up with her? She usually doesn't get embarrassed so easily.

"Because, she has a heart, unlike you!" Dai hissed at Ryoko, without turning around. Ryoko's pale creamy cheeks turned red with rage, his sapphire eyes sparkling dangerously.

Takara put a hand on Ryoko's arm which stopped the words that looked ready to explode out of his mouth. "You were the one who started the fight this time," she murmered softly.

"I didn't do anything of the sort!" Ryoko snapped, low enough so that Dai wouldn't overhear. He leaned closer to Takara and whispered in a harsh voice," But I will be the one to finish it!"

Matty rolled his eyes, sighing again, and exchanged one of his signature twin looks with Mickey. His twin had overheard as well and he didn't look at all happy about Ryoko's words; neither did Takara. It looks like today's going to be a long day...