The entire room was filled with laughter, joking, and the occasional cheerful shout. The dining hall of the village was packed with Digimon who lived there, from the young Rookies to the few Champion inhabitants. The six humans sat more or less at the middle of the central table, three on either side. Mikami was on the far left of her side, sitting beside Yoko, who was between her and Daiki. Judai sat uncomfortably in between Shizuka and Tadashi on the other side. Their partners sat a few seats away from them, enjoying the drinks that were served and the food the chef gave them.

Mikami let out a heavy sigh as Impmon let out a shout, raising his glass and laughing. Instead of scolding him, Renamon joined in with his laughter and was soon followed by the others.

"Was a party necessary?" Mikami muttered.

Daiki stabbed at the meat on his plate. "Good question."

"Lighten up, you two!" Shizuka said with a chuckle. There was a loud clank as she stabbed her fork into her own meat, which she quickly took a bite from. "This is a toast to our victory! Enjoy it."

Annoyed by the suggestion, Mikami narrowed her eyes and frowned at Shizuka. Shizuka brushed it off by waving her fork around, and then swallowed her food and chugged the strange orangey liquid in her cup. Considering what had happened to Biyomon, the brunette was surprised that Shizuka was as cheery as she was.

"Fine," Mikami grumbled.

She tossed what looked to be a grape into her mouth and was treated to the single most bitter fruit she had ever tasted in her life. Said fruit soon became a projectile when she violently spat it out. It bounced off the table and smacked Tadashi in the face, earning a glare as he picked the mushed fruit off. Before she could help it, and surprising everyone around her, she burst out laughing. Soon enough everyone else was as well. Even Daiki began to laugh.

"Hey, 'Kami!" Impmon shouted, leaning over the side of the table to look at his partner. "Come here!"

Letting her laughter trail off, Mikami stood up and strolled over to Impmon. Daiki followed, as per usual, to see what the small purple imp wanted. Once the duo came to a stop beside him, Impmon stood up on his seat and motioned to the lion sitting across from him with a grin.

"Ya never got formerly introduced, so here ya go!" He waved his hand to the lion. "Leomon, this is Mikami," he began, pointing to her. "And this is Daiki," he finished, nodding towards the tall teenager. "Mikami's my partner."

"Daiki is my partner," Renamon added. She calmly sipped at her drink.

Leomon smiled and stood, offering his giant hand to the two. Smiling back, though somewhat forcibly, Mikami shook his hand. Daiki did the same soon after.

"So you've made a full recovery?" Mikami asked.

"Perhaps not a full recovery," the lion admitted, "but I feel much better."

"Don't push yourself. Wouldn't want to be back in bed, would you?"

Leomon chuckled.

~0~

The dinner had long been over by the time the sun had fully set. Mikami was relaxing on the steps of the guest housing, staring up at the collection of stars in the sky with a contemplative look. The others had already gone to bed, while Daiki had promised her that he would wait inside until she came back in. It had been quite some time since she had first told him she was going to sit outside; she wondered if he was still sitting in the little "lobby" by himself.

She had been unable to sleep, which was the only reason she had come outside. The chill in the air wasn't helpful either, but she felt cooped up being in the small building. The fresh air, despite the fact that it nipped at her skin, was more than welcome.

It was hard to admit to herself that she was actually worried. Not about the others; it was clear they could take care of themselves rather well, as had been evident by the short time they were apart. No, she was worried about the enemy that Impmon had told them about. None of them, not even Leomon, knew who the "Master" was, except the fact that it was a Digimon bent on taking control of the Digital World by any means necessary. Who was the Master? Were they the one who had been sending so many Digimon at them since the group had arrived?

"Is everything alright?" a gruff, husky voice asked.

The interruption of her train of thought made Mikami jump slightly. She never had been one to enjoy being startled, and she found herself spinning around to glare at the offender. Instead, she found her gaze softening as her eyes landed on the hulking form of Leomon. The lion quietly sat down beside her, resting his arms on his knees. She readjusted herself, staring past the buildings into the woods.

"I guess," she muttered.

An almost expectant grunt came from him, as if he knew she was feeling uneasy. Shifting slightly, she turned to look at him. There was no way she would be able to hide her worry even if she wanted to, so she decided that she might as well confide in the bipedal Digimon.

"Just…I don't know," she said with a sigh. "Not even a week here and we've been attacked so many times…I'm worried. Maybe I just think that we're not really meant to save the entire Digital World from an enemy that we don't know anything about."

"It is best if you do not dwell on it long," Leomon rumbled, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "You and your friends are strong. Together I know that you can get through this. You must simply believe in yourselves."

"Do you really think we can do it?" she whispered. "I've never been so unsure about anything in my life. This is all a little much for even me."

"I know you can," Leomon replied. "You have proven yourself a true leader, and your friends have shown they are strong. Keep that close to your heart; it will help ease it."

Mikami closed her eyes smiled. A yawn followed, however, as she stretched out her arms. "Thanks, Leomon. I'm going to head off to bed." She stood, shoving her hands in her pockets. "Really…thank you. Good night."

"Good night, Mikami."