Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: I know it's taken me a while, but the new chapter is finally here! Also, for those of you who are interested, I've started a bit of a contest with this story that you can view on my forum Digital Connections if you're interested. The thread is called, Your OC Digimon in FTFOD! For those of you who have been reading this story for a while, you already know a little about Tal Kuroki and his gang of Digidestined. They will be appearing in the story again, but four members of Tal's team need digimon. What does that mean? Well, this is your opportunity to give them one! As I stated in the story, Kenji already has a Halomon, but Tal, Mai, Inca, and Seta all need partners! Have any OC digimon lying around? (Come on, I know you've all created a few of your own at some point!) This is your opportunity to get one of your creations into my story! Full credit will go to you, of course, and I'm planning to do a one-shot story about Tal's gang where your OC digimon will also appear. Maybe even more than one. Full details are on the forum. Check it out if you want to contribute!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 172: Ambush

Daichi 'Dai' Motomiya

File Island, Eastern Hemisphere, Digital World

Carefully picking his way over the loose gravel littering the hard ground beneath his feet, Daichi Motomiya slowly began to climb the uneven path circling its way around the rocky slopes of Infinity Mountain, and although he did not know for sure, he assumed the path would eventually end once they reached their final destination, the very peak of the mountain, which according to his D-Coder Digivice appeared to be where the Spirit Chip was located. Walking at the head of the group, the only exceptions being Embermon and Veemon who had taken it upon themselves to lead the group safely to the Spirit Chip, Daichi was trying valiantly to watch his step, but unfortunately there were so many thoughts running through his head, he was having a difficult time trying to keep his mind focused on the task at hand.

I have to stop thinking about the Spirit Chip! Vampiramon and her buddies are the real problem and if I let my guard down, this whole mission could end in failure. If that happens, Takara will be so disappointed in me...

Frustrated by his inability to concentrate, Daichi wrinkled his nose, and shaking his head in annoyance, he frowned at the sea of small rocks crunching beneath his feet, the sound ringing almost painfully in his ears. If he were alone, the echo bouncing off the side of the rocky wall to his right wouldn't have bothered him so much, but with so many Digidestined and digimon travelling along behind him, all of whom were making just as much noise as he was, he couldn't help thinking they were walking right into a trap. The echo ringing in his ears was so impossibly loud, there was just no way DarkAngelicmon could miss hearing their footsteps. Whether he was close by or not. At least, that was how it sounded to Daichi, but perhaps the echos of their footsteps weren't really as loud as they sounded in his head, and instead of having a huge crisis on their hands, he was merely acting just a little too paranoid for his own good.

I wish it could be that simple, but somehow I don't think my over reactive imagination has anything to do with this fear I suddenly have of being caught by our enemies. It's always when I think I'm overreacting that bad things tend to happen, and when they do most of the time it turns out I wasn't imagining things after all...

On the contrary, it was then when things he thought were merely just a figment of his imagination would suddenly become much too real for his liking, but despite his resolve to remain calm and focused, he couldn't help glancing suspiciously at the cliff looming above his head over the right side of the path, and without even realizing what he was doing, he began to glance anxiously in all directions, including back towards the gate, hoping in vain to spot any sign of danger before it could reach them.

Beside him, Takara had a firm grip on his hand and together they were able to help each other over some of the more difficult obstacles blocking their path, which included a large variety of jagged rocks and some rough terrain where one could easily slip and slide right over the edge of the cliff if they weren't careful.

Much to Daichi's surprise, as he had noted earlier, Embermon had immediately taken the lead with Veemon almost as soon as the two of them had reached the base of the mountain, and thanks to their draconian nature, both digimon looked quite at home amongst the rocks and cliffs sprouting from the ground on both sides of the rough, uneven path. The endless amount of energy they appeared to possess was enough to make Dai feel extremely exhausted, despite not having done much walking yet, and although Embermon's desire to be at the front of the group wasn't exactly unusual in itself, the fact that both he and Veemon had taken their positions with an almost obscene amount of enthusiasm, more so even than usual, was suspicious enough to make Dai secretly suspect they had taken the lead to put themselves in the line of danger if anyone tried to attack him.

And they're not the only ones. If Agumon tries to get any closer to me, he'll be stepping on my heels! I guess they were serious when they promised the adults they would protect both me and Ryoko, Gomamon having spoken for all of them.

Smiling slightly, Daichi couldn't help rolling his eyes in exasperation, but despite how frustrated he was, their behaviour was at least understandable, which most definitely wasn't the case when it came to Takara, who was still holding his hand.

After giving his fingers an encouraging squeeze just before the group had set out for the base of Infinity Mountain, Daichi had been sure Takara would drop his hand, choosing either to join her father or to mingle with the rest of the new Digidestined, but instead she had continued to walk beside him, her fingers grasping his hand in a firm grip, and despite his efforts to understand her motives for remaining close to him, unfortunately the expression on her face did not give him any indication as to what she was thinking, nor did it explain the reasoning behind her actions.

Don't be an idiot, Daichi! She's probably only holding your hand because the path is so rough. It doesn't have anything to do with you. And why am I even having this stupid conversation with myself? If Mickey and Matty were the ones standing next to her instead of me, she'd probably even hold their hands just to stay upright. It's not because she has any...feelings for me, and even if she did, why should I care either way?

It was a good question. One he did not have an answer for.

Ryoko pretty much said outright he only likes Takara as a sister, but why should it matter so much to me? Why does the news make me feel so happy, and why do I so badly want his approval? Why does it hurt so much to think Takara could possibly have feelings for Ryoko, even though he clearly likes her only as a friend? I'm so confused. I know I tried to deny it earlier, but...maybe...could Ami possibly be right about me? Do I really like Takara more than I think I do? I can't! I mean...she's my friend...

Although he would die before he would ever admit such a thing, truthfully he felt a bit nervous holding Takara's hand, especially since he could feel Tai watching him, the former leader's dark gaze practically burning into the back of his skull, but despite the rather unfortunate situation he had inadvertently placed himself in, through no fault of his own, somehow he managed to summon enough courage to glance over his shoulder at the former leader, his stomach fluttering anxiously at the thought of what Tai's reaction might be to the image of a young male hand wrapped securely around Takara's fingers.

I'm so pathetic.

Angry at himself for acting like such a coward, Dai boldly gave Kara's hand a tight squeeze, but to his surprise, instead of looking ready to strangle him to death, Tai merely glanced curiously at their intertwined fingers before turning to gaze thoughtfully at the sunny sky filled with white puffy clouds, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Even if I do sort of like Kara, it must just be a phase I'm going through. This kind of thing probably happens to a lot of guys who have female friends. It probably won't last. I'm sure things will go back to normal in a few weeks, and once they do, I'll forget any of this ever happened. Maybe hanging around in the Digital World for too long has got me imagining things that aren't true. Maybe I only think I like Kara, but I'm really just worried about her. Besides, it would be stupid of me to start having feelings for my closest female friend. That's how friendships get ruined, and more importantly, Kara would kill me if she ever found out I was thinking about her in such an embarrassing way. Then again, it worked for Tai...

And yet, if his feelings were merely just a figment of his imagination then why couldn't he seem to forget the words he had spoken to Tai about Takara the day before?

"I told you, we're not talking about anything and there's nothing going on. At least, not yet."

Did I really say say all of that? I must be going crazy...

"Dai, you've been awfully quiet this afternoon. Are you sure there isn't anything wrong?" Takara asked quietly, lowering her voice to prevent the others from overhearing.

Pulling gently on the female Digidestined's hand, Daichi helped her over a particularly large boulder blocking their path before mumbling, "I'm fine. I just...I have a lot on my mind right now."

"Don't we all. Everyone has been in such a bad mood lately, it's really starting to bug me. It's...depressing, and I'm so worried about Sam..."

"Same here, but he's not the only problem we've got on our hands right now."

"No, if anything, he might end up being the least of our problems," Takara sighed, shaking her head. "Dai, somewhere along the line we're going to have to do something about Mickey and Matty."

"I know, but what are we supposed to do? We can't force them to get along."

"That's the thing, I have no idea."

Slipping his arm around Takara's waist, Dai frowned in annoyance, and shrugging his shoulders he gave the female Digidestined a quick smile. "And then there's Ryoko, but in my opinion he's been an issue ever since this whole Digital World thing started!"

"Only because you refuse to tell him how you really feel," Takara scolded, giving him a light push. "Don't you think it's about time you said something to him? After what happened with Sam, it might cheer him up a little."

"You've got to be kidding me! If anything, it'll make him feel even more depressed."

"Dai!"

Letting out a soft laugh, Dai lifted his arm, giving his female friend's shoulders a quick squeeze, and to his surprise Takara suddenly slipped her arm around his waist. "Fine, do what you want, but just so you know, you can't hide from your feelings forever. One of these days they're going to catch up with you and when they do I hope you're ready to face them with no regrets."

"Hey, Kara? Um...how...I mean...do you..."

"What is it, Dai?" Takara asked curiously, her hazel eyes lifting to meet his gaze.

"It's nothing, only...um...how do you feel about Ryoko?"

Although Takara looked a little confused by his question she nevertheless smiled and said, "It's like I have two brothers instead of just one. Like you, Ryoko has been one of my best friends since we were babies. He knows me so well, and I know him as well as I know Taysuke, which is why I don't think you should dismiss his feelings so easily. You may be surprised by what might really be going on in his head."

She sees Ryoko as a...brother?

Leaning close to the female Digidestined, Dai whispered, "What about me? Am I like a brother to you, too?"

For some reason Takara's cheeks suddenly turned a deep shade of red and turning her face away she mumbled, "No. You...you're different."

Dai had no idea what she meant by that, but at the moment he didn't really care. The only thing that mattered to him was the fact that Takara did not, in fact, have feelings for Ryoko after all.

She only likes him as a friend and a brother, and judging from the way Ryoko acted earlier, his feelings are pretty much the same as Kara's. Is that why he was encouraging me to...to...

"Dai? Dai, are you okay?" Takara asked anxiously, reaching up to take his hand again. "You look a little dazed."

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine. All this walking must be affecting my brain, especially with the heat and all. Maybe I'm just tired."

"Dai, we've only been climbing Infinity Mountain for about twenty-five minutes," Takara said gently.

"Um...well..."

"Time must have taken its toll on this mountain because the path is a lot harder to travel than I remember," Tai said cheerfully, coming up suddenly behind them, and yet despite his words he didn't seem to be having any trouble avoiding all the dangerous obstacles blocking the road himself. "It's definitely a lot easier to get yourself into trouble on this path than it used to be. I don't blame Dai for being tired already."

"Maybe," Takara said slowly, though she didn't look convinced. "Are you sure you're okay, Dai?"

Feeling suddenly as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders, Dai flung his arms around Takara, and hugging her tightly against his chest he said, "Don't worry about me, Kara, I feel fine. Actually, I feel better than fine. I feel great!"

"Oh. Um...how come? Did I do something?"

Smiling he whispered softly in her ear, "Don't worry about it."

"Huh?"

Instead of replying, Dai glanced over his shoulder, his gaze coming to rest on Tai's face, and beaming at the former leader he said softly, "Thanks."

"For what?" Tai asked, raising his eyebrows. "I didn't do anything."

Dai gaped at the former leader in surprise, but before he could come up with a coherent reply, Tai smiled mysteriously at him, his dark eyes sparkling in the light of the sun, and turning on his heel the former leader dropped back to join Matt in the middle of the group, the expression on his face giving no indication as to whether he approved of what was going on or not.

He must have heard our entire conversation! Well, maybe not the whole thing, but at least most of it...

"I bet Embermon will look really amazing when he digivolves to the ultimate level," Takara said excitedly, her arm tightening around his waist as they walked.

"If he digivolves to the ultimate level."

"He will. It'll be him for sure," Dovemon said firmly, fluttering happily in the air just above Takara's right shoulder.

Dai took a moment to gaze fondly at his partner before turning his attention back to Kara, and feeling suddenly guilty for his earlier behaviour he mumbled, "Hey, Kara? I hope you don't think I'm mad at you for the whole thing with your D-Coder and the Spirit Chip. If the Spirit Chip of Bravery really doesn't belong to me then I'd want it to belong to either you or Ryoko."

"Silly leader! Don't you think I know that? I never thought for even a minute you were mad at me. I know how much you want the Spirit Chip of Bravery, so it's only natural for you to be worried. If it doesn't belong to you, you should feel disappointed. The rest of us won't blame you for being a little bit upset."

"Thanks, Kara. I was afraid I might have come off sounding a little bit selfish earlier, but I should have known you would understand my feelings."

"Ryoko understands, too. You're not alone in how you feel, Dai. We'll support you no matter what."

Even Ryoko?

"Hey, Dai? I know this is kind of sudden, but I think maybe you should have a talk with Matty, and the sooner the better. He won't admit it, but I can tell he's been feeling really insecure lately, and I don't think Mickey is the only reason for his sudden odd behaviour. Actually, if you want to know the truth, I think you might have something to do with the way he's been acting lately, too."

"You mean because of Ryoko?"

"Dai, Matty thinks very highly of you," Takara said softly, her fingers once again curling around his hand in a tight grip. "I think he's afraid you might forget about him."

Matty, you...you idiot! Do you really think I could ever replace you? How can you be so stupid?

Without even thinking about what he was doing, Daichi spun around, nearly tripping over a rock lying next to his foot, and clenching his hands into tight fists, he glared furiously at Matty, his face turning an angry shade of red. Sensing his gaze, Matty looked up in confusion, obviously searching for the source of his sudden discomfort, and as soon as their eyes met the younger twin blushed, knowing instinctively he had done something wrong.

Matty, have you really lost all your faith in me? I thought you were the one who understood me the best...

"Don't be too hard on him, Dai," Takara suddenly whispered softly in his ear, interrupting his thoughts. "You should be flattered. He obviously cares about you a lot. Why do you think he's so afraid to lose you? You'll talk to him, won't you? Please?"

Letting out a deep sigh, Dai quickly turned his back on Matty, having come to a decision about what he was going to do. "Yeah, I'll talk to him, but if he tries to turn his back on our friendship, I'm going to hit him over the head with one of my soccer balls."

Takara started giggling, and cuddling her cheek against his shoulder she whispered, "Thanks, Dai."

She feels so nice and warm against my side, and her hair is so soft and shiny. I wonder what it would feel like to really kiss her...

"Embermon, stop!" Angelicmon suddenly shouted from the back of the group, his golden spear materializing suddenly in his hand.

"Everyone, stay where you are!" Angewomon commanded, the tone of her voice leaving no room for argument.

"What's going on?" Alopemon demanded.

Crouching next to the little rookie, Gabrielmon frowned, and he glanced suspiciously at the cliff on his right. "DarkAngelicmon's presence has grown stronger. He's somewhere close by."

"Very close and I don't think he's alone," Angewomon said calmly, summoning her bow and holding it steady in her hands, a glowing arrow already in place and the string held taunt.

"Where?" Mickey cried, tugging anxiously on Angewomon's wings. "Are they in front of us?"

"No," Gabrielmon said quietly, his blue eyes growing suddenly wide with horror. "They're behind us!"

Pulling Takara tightly into his arms, Dai instinctively whirled around, and letting out a loud gasp he nearly stumbled over the edge of the cliff in shock. Standing directly in the middle of the road behind their group, conveniently blocking their escape path, stood two of the last digimon he was hoping to encounter on Infinity Mountain.

Vampiramon and DarkAngelicmon.