A/N: Sadly haven't had time to write any Gaiden chapters since last September, because of other fics (namely D-Reaper's Fury, House of Madoka and Battle of Digital Gods) and other commitments.

Gonna try updating this consistently, because I have a ton of shorts and mini-arc plot bunnies I want to get out of my head.

Anyway, I return with a small one-shot. Junpei and Norn get their turn.

Enjoy.

xxxxx

Unshackled

xxxxx

Shibuya Park

It's been one month removed from the all-out war with Valmarmon and Paradais. Most of everyone has fully recovered from the biggest battle we've ever had. It's a nice and beautiful Sunday today, a perfect setting for our picnic.

"Norn?" I asked the most beautiful girl I've never laid my eyes on sitting right in front of me. The gentleness in her eyes and radiant smile brought comfort to me. Whenever I've had a crappy day, I'd come home and she'd welcome me with a smile and a 'how was your day, JP?'

Norn faced me with her gentle smile. "Yes, JP?" She sat down on our picnic blanket wearing a cute white summer dress with sunflower embroidered designs. "Are you ok?"

"Whenever I'm with you, I am," I took her hand. I had my eyes on our wedding rings. How could I forget? Our wedding day took place shortly after we defeated Paradais and at the Hikawa Shrine. We were wedded with two other couples. The setting was perfect and my friends couldn't been happier for us both.

But, it's surreal to believe we only just meet a little over a month ago. It all started during my mission with Himura and a few of our Digiteam members looking for the Eye of Valmarmon. Poor Norn, who at the time I didn't know had special powers, was on the run from a feral DarkTyrannomon. Good thing we stepped in and we rescued her before she would've gotten gobbled up. Of course, Inumon himself had to go feral and obliterated that DarkTyrannomon. I tell you for a cool but perverted hellhound, he can be scary sometimes when pushed over the edge... but that's for another time.

That moment I looked at Norn Mikihara, I instantly fell in love. Something I used to do with Izumi, Granted that's not to say I don't find Izumi an attractive girl, but she's already been taken by my friend Takuya. I had just about given up. But, it's like fate had taken pity on me and then Norn appeared in my life. When she first met our group, she was shy. The only friend she had up to this point was her Digimon partner, Ryudamon.

Though, the first person she hid behind was me. Maybe because I was the big boy of the group and I provided enough of a barricade to protect her. I don't know. I became more fascinated with her when she exhibited special powers. Her first demonstration was having the ability to suppress the dark influence of each Valmarmon piece.

We learned she happened to be on the run from a despicable Demon Lord named Barbamon. I wish I could forget that disgusting creep's face. He wanted Norn for her power and to give me control over the Valmarmon pieces. Me and my friends weren't giving up Norn without a fight!

I wanted to know where and how she was ability to do pull an amazing feat. Initially I thought there was more to Norn than I was led to believe. And I was right. She was used to power this machine that contained the Valmarmon pieces we collected. I wanted to protect so I volunteered to stay with her before Madoudramon and his cronies invaded the Central Realm.

It was because of her powers that me and the other Legendary Warriors, excluding Takuya and Kouji, were able to become Z-Hybrid Level Digimon. Her powers augmented our D-Scanners and the Spirits. I never would've believed we'd gain Z-Hybrid levels. Norn made the impossible possible for me, Izumi, Tomoki, Kouichi, Dimitro, Vega, Jaarin, and Sam. Norn was so awesome for doing that.

I remember staying and her telling me about her back story when we returned home after Valmarmon was revived. I asked her about her upbringing and what she told me was gut wrenching to say the least.

To learn she was an orphan from her world and having no recollections of her parents, it was saddening to hear. She was barely just an infant when she was left at this orphanage. I can't really judge Norn's real parents, but shame on them for their selfish decision. No matter what, you never abandon your child.

Then, to have the other kids refuse to play with you or fear you for having special abilities really must've been hurtful. I know what it's like to have no one try to be friends with you. I was alone for as long as I can remember.

But, what really pissed me off was knowing she was raised by a man, who was supposed to be her foster father. Iyashii Mikihara... screw it, I'm calling him a rat bastard as far I'm concerned! This freak couldn't find himself a decent enough job so he adopted Norn just so he could profit off Norn's clairvoyant powers. The only good to ever come out of this was Norn given her name, named after the all-seeing sisters of fate in Norse mythology. But, treating like a servant and dressing her like a maid?! Shows the kind of sick and perverted creep he is! Doesn't help he was abusive to her.

Of course, that is what lured Barbamon to her and took her away from that rat bastard.

She hasn't had any true friends she can stay in the company of. And she didn't know about true love until she met me. I listened to her without passing unfair judgment on her. What was telling of her faith in me and my friends was choosing to come to our world. Huanglongmon gave her a choice between her old world or mine. She obviously went with the latter.

"JP, I really love the wedding ring you gave me," she referred me by her chosen nickname for me and showed off her ring to me. She put on a smile and leaned her head against my chest. She then placed her hands on mine on my lap. "I'm very gracious to chose living here, because I can live happily with you and your friends."

"Same here. You're better off here than where you came from," I smiled to her and stroked the side of her face.

Getting Norn's wedding ring was a hassle because we had our wedding on such short notice. After introducing her to my parents, we rushed to find a perfect wedding ring. I almost didn't have the finances to afford one, but sure enough I did.

xxxxx

Flashback/Day before the wedding

Introducing Norn over to my family's home was a pleasant but sometimes a bit awkward experience.

"Well met, Mr. and Mrs. Shibayama," Norn gave a polite bow to a middle-aged round man and his thin wife. "I'm Norn Mikihara." She raised her eyes to their level, broadening her smile to them.

Mr. Shibayama nodded and replied. "You have polite manners, young lady. You parents must've raised you well."

Norn refrained from speaking and lowered her head.

I quickly intervened and put a hand on her arm.

"JP?"

I remember whispering. "You don't have to tell them anything you don't feel comfortable revealing."

Norn nodded to me and turned facing the couple. "Yes, I was taught good manners, but that was a long time ago... something I really don't want to talk about, if you don't mind."

Mrs. Shibayama replied. "It's ok. Did your parents pass away, Norn?"

"Something like that, yes."

"Mom, dad, Norn and I have gotten to know each other for quite a short time," I intervened, keeping an arm around Norn protectively. "This is such short notice, but we've decided..." I refrained from showing any anxiety and grinned. "We've decided to get married!" As soon as I said that, the reactions from my parents' was priceless. They couldn't believe their own son, just one year fresh out of high school is already considering marriage.

"Son, is this what you really want?" Mr. Shibayama asked me directly.

"Without questions asked." I veered over to see my mother starting to tear up, but not out of grief. These were tears of joy. "Mom."

"You're my growing boy. Oh, Junpei, at least you won't be living alone at your apartment."

"Mr. and Mrs. Shibayama, I promise to take good care of Junpei," she reassured them and took my hand. "Even during the short time we spent together, he brought me happiness. When I'm around him, I get much comfort from him. He treated me like a human being."

I noticed my parents exchange smiles and nod. Looks like they approve of her.

Then, I noticed Norn lean over to my ear and whispering. "And it's you who freed me from my shackles. Thanks to you, I am free."

We gripped each other's hands hard and smiled as we carried on our conversation with my family. It wasn't long until the news spread to my other immediate family members.

xxxxx

Shortly thereafter, we arrived at a jewelry store my mother had suggested we go. According to her, they offered the best prices for a wedding ring. Fortunately, I had saved up enough money to buy myself a car, but that can wait. I didn't mind taking the public transportation system anyway.

Well, when we got to the store, I was shocked the prices for the wedding ring I wanted to buy was still barely out of my price range. Just when it looked like our luck ran out, I was gracious enough to have friends willing to pitch in.

"Junpei!" I spun around seeing Takuya, Kouji, Kouichi, Izumi, and Tomoki approach us.

"Hey, guys," I sounded bummed.

"Well meet everyone!" Norn greeted them being her overly enthusiastic self.

"Hi, Norn! Seems you two have been busy out on the town?" Izumi said.

"Yo, is something wrong, man?" Takuya asked me.

I went and explained about the lack of funds to buy a ring.

Takuya nodded as he listened to my dilemma. "So, you still don't have enough to buy that ring?"

"We'd be willing to pitch in and help you buy it," Kouji offered.

I politely declined. "It's ok, guys. You don't have to go outta your way..." I paused seeing Izumi sitting with Norn.

"No, we're your friends, Junpei. We want to see you two have a wonderful wedding and you can't have a wedding with a ring!" Izumi said.

"Please accept our money, Junpei," Kouichi pleaded. "We're doing this out of the kindness of our hearts."

"Like they said, we're friends and want to see you happy," Tomoki said with a cheery disposition.

Upon my friends' constant insistence, I couldn't refuse. I accepted the money and vowed to repay them. Though they did tell me I didn't need to, I had to. I'm so thankful to have friends like them. And to see them happy for my marriage with Norn made me smile. It'll be great to have my friends and family see me get wedded.

Then, the very next day, the big day came: our wedding.

xxxxx

I took a deep breath dressed nice for this sacred ceremony. Thankfully since the weddings were so last minute, we didn't need to wear tuxedos. I'm glad for that.

To be honest, I never felt more nervous than I was before the ceremony. If someone told me I had thousands of butterflies in my stomach, they'd be right. I was sweating. My mouth was so dry I drank a dozen bottled waters to calm me down.

However, Takuya, Kouji, Kouichi, Tomoki, and Ryudamon being my groomsmen helped relax my nerves. Ryudamon gave his final stamp of approval of me marrying his partner.

As soon as I stepped near the altar with Rio Kuroshishi and Mako Tsunami, we watched our soon-to-be wedded wives walking down with their bride maidens. Rio and Mako's brides were Minako Aino and Makoto Kino. As beautiful as they looked, Norn was in a whole league of her own. When I locked eyes with Norn, I became enamored by her mere presence. She wore a beautiful white dress and had the wedding ring we picked out tied around her neck. Rika, Izumi, and Jaarin accompanied Norn and served as her bride maidens.

It was hard to imagine out of us guys in the Legendary Warrior group, I'd be the first to get wedded. Heh, looks like I beat out Takuya after all and had my wedding before his. I guess that's something I could brag about it. Nah.

I can remember looking at Norn, even past her veil. Undoing her her veil, I was looking at the woman who I'd be spending my life with. She's my moral support, someone who can nurse me to good health, and provide for a shoulder to cry on.

When asked if I'd cherish and love her, I replied earnestly with grin. "You bet I do."

And Norn's response was a meek but sweet. "I... I do." With her face flushing. It was too adorable. Then, after we put the rings on each other's fingers, we sealed the deal with a kiss and became the wedded couple we are know.

xxxxx

Present/Shibuya/Meiji Shrine

"JP?" I heard Norn call to me as we were both gazing at the Meiji Shrine.

"Yeah, Norn?"

"Thank you."

I turned to her and watched her gripping my hand. "For?"

"For liberating me from my shackles," she replied genuinely and leaned her head on my shoulder.

"You're welcome." I said, taking her hand and snapped a few quick pictures of us standing near the shrine.

As long as you have that ring and our love remains, you'll never be shackled by anyone ever again.

xxxxx

A/N: Ah sweet love. "Well meet everyone" is a nice nod to Nia of Gurren Lagann as I see hers and Norn's personalities being a lot alike.

This was something sorta requested by someone out there, but I wrote this of my own accord. It's also an excuse to jump right back into Gaiden (for however long that lasts...) and post some kind of short but sweet entry.

Hope everyone liked this short. I might consider more for other couples, but not anytime soon. I have other Gaidens I want to get to.

See you on the next Gaiden update!