"What is she doing here!?" The group stiffened, not used to hearing such venom in Elecmon's voice. They had come to help rebuild Primary Village after the fight with Apocalymon had left it in near ruins.
"Eh?" Tai followed Elecmon's glare. "Oh, Elecmon, this is my little sister Kari. Turns out she's the eighth-"
"I'm not talking about the girl! I'm talking about Myotismon's minion!" The air turned tense as Kari, in her eternal innocence, smiled.
"Gatomon's my partner. You don't have to worry."
"She's one of Myotismon's most loyal minions! Do you even realize how much she hurt us!? Some of the former residents are traumatized by all the destruction she caused under Myotismon's hand!"
"But she's not like that anymore. She's changed. She helped destroy the Dark Masters and Apocalymon and even Myotismon himself."
"And how do you know she didn't help destroy Myotismon just cause she wanted to take over his army!? Huh!?"
"Oh come on Elecmon. That just sounds ridiculous." Sora snapped.
"Digimon don't just change overnight kid! That cat is evil, and she'll never be welcome in this village for as long as I live!" Gatomon, who had been completely silent, stood up and walked away, not even bothering to look at anyone as she left. "That's right! Get out and don't come baaaahaaa..." Elecmon trailed off as he was practically paralyzed by a rare angry glare from Kari. She huffed.
"Well then you won't get any help from me either!" The Digidestined of Light snapped, turning and stomping off in the direction Gatomon had gone.
"Don't come crying to me when she turns on you!" Elecmon cried. "It's inevitable I tell ya! People like her NEVER change!" He looked around, noticing the rest of the children and their partners were glaring at him. "What!?"
Kari walked until she found Garomon well beyond the border of Primary Village. The small, cat-like Digimon sat on a rock with her back to her partner.
"Aw, don't listen to him Gatomon. He's just being a jerk. Tell you what, let's go fishing while we wait. You always loved fishing-"
*Sniff*
Kari stopped, moving closer. It was then that she noticed the fur of Gatomon's cheeks were wet and matted. Kari opened her mouth, but no sound came out. In the time she had known Gatomon, she had never once seen the Digi-Kitty cry.
"Gatomon, you shouldn't let Elecmon get to you. You've done so much to help the Digital World. I know you're good."
"The past doesn't just go away Kari." The cat croaked. "He's right, I've done terrible things under Myotismon. No matter what I do, no matter who I save, there'll always be Digimon who'll hate me. That will never change..." Kari wrapped her arms around her feline friend, pulling her close.
"I like you Gatomon." The eight year old stated. "You're my friend, and you always will be. Isn't that enough." Gatomon took in a a sharp breath of air, before her body relaxed and she buried her face in Kari's chest. Kari smiled. "You don't have to worry. We'll always be together, even if we're worlds apart."