Chapter Fifteen
Distinct Anger: The Prophecy Begins
"So...where's Sora?" Eri asked trying to break the silence that followed Miyako's outburst.
"I'm pretty sure she went back to him." Yamato growled, stabbing his eggs.
"It's okay though. We Digimon installed a tracking device-"
"You didn't answer my question, Daisuke-kun." Miyako ground out, interrupting Tentomon.
"Aaauuggr." Daisuke choked uselessly.
"Oh my god, Kami's finally taken the rest of his brain." Miyako gasped.
"MIYAKO!" Daisuke shouted. "I STILL HAVE A BRAIN! I JUST WALKED IN-" Taichi slapped a hand over Daisuke's mouth quickly. Everyone stared at Yuuta and Koushirou who had tried to jump to the other side of the table, their arms outstretched, blushing vividly.
"Eh heh heh..." Yuuta's mouth twitched.
"Why is-was Daisuke reduced to gurgled...noises? What did he walk in on?" Miyako narrowed her eyes.
"NO WAY!" Iori, Eri, and Ken exclaimed staring at the blushing couple.
"Yes, Eri-chan, friend whom I love so much?"
"That's so my line." Eri crossed her arms over her chest.
"Onegai?" Yuuta pleaded.
"How much you willing to fork over-ITAI! Ken." Eri whined.
"You can't blackmail them."
"That's a criminal act." Iori agreed with Ken. "Of course, what happened was criminal, too." He glared pointedly at the two.
"You don't understand, Iori-kohai." Koushirou shifted uncomfortably.
"It was all my fault! I swear!" Yuuta stood, her palms flat on the table.
"Honto?" Iori raised his eyebrow.
"What are you, their parent?" Taichi asked Iori dumbfounded. His comment went unanswered as Koushirou stood also.
"It was not your fault, Yu-Koki. I easily could've walked out."
"Right, while I blocked the door, oh, and locked it?" Her brown eyes were green.
"I could've unlocked it. I'm a genius, I'm sure I could have figure out how to use a simple lock."
"While I had you pinned-"
"If I remember correctly, I had you pinned-"
"I still threw myself at you! You kept on asking, and I kept on saying 'yes', if I had said 'no' you would have backed off. My fault."
"Yuuta!" Koushirou dragged a hand through his hair exasperated. Hikari coughed delicately.
"Er..." Yuuta blushed, her hands clasping together as the green faded away. "Did I really just say all that?"
"Ano...yes...we both did."
"That was pretty interested. Breakfast and a show for free." Takeru calmly took another bite. Chidori rolled her eyes and propped up her book.
"At least my parents weren't here for this."
"Now, let me get this straight...you," Miyako pointed at Koushirou, "Slept with you." She pointed at Yuuta.
"Is there anyway we could deny that?"
"Nope! I WIN!" Miyako cried. Her finger thrust into the air.
"I DON WANNA GIVE YOU MY CHOCOLATE!" Daisuke cried forcing away Taichi's hand.
"Give it over, rainbow boy! Muahahahahaha!" Miyako laughed evilly, one hand under her chin, and her other fist propped up on her hip. Hikari twitched.
"What did I tell you about the evil laugh?" Hikari murmured, gritting her teeth.
Miyako stopped abruptly. Her eyes glittered.
"I don't remember. Should I laugh again and make you remin-" she was cut off as Hikari jumped on her and they fell with a loud thud. Everyone blinked.
"Okay." Ken scooted over.
"This doesn't mean anything, Motomiya. I still want my chocolate. I won the bet." Miyako got to her feet. "Where are my glasses?"
Hikari whistled from the doorway, swinging rimless round glasses from her fingers.
"If you really want them..." Hikari ran from the room.
"GET BACK HERE-OOF!" Miyako ran into the wall and landed hard on her back. Hikari's giggle was heard from the hallway. Miyako got up and managed to get through the door. Moments later, something else crashed to the ground.
"Oh god, my sister is as horny as I am." Taichi gripped his hair and laid his forehead against his knees.
"It's okay, Tai-koi. At least you don't have to give Miyako all...your choc-choc-CHOCOLATE!" Daisuke bawled and his arms slammed against the table, his head falling on his arms.
"What bet was Inoue-chan talking about?" Yuuta asked Chidori. Chidori set down her book.
"While we were out last night Daisuke and Miyako made a bet. They all, besides Iori and myself, participated. They bet their most valuable possession to whomever won. It was whether or not you two would take Nekomon's advice or not. Daisuke's stupid and called you and Izumi-san...prudes. Miyako, Takeru, Taichi, Yamato and Ken all voted against him. Daisuke, Eri, Hikari, Jyou, and Mimi owe the others chocolate, some choice jewelry, edible underwear, pictures of Yamato and a free facial."
"Of course, we're mainly boys, so it kinda sucks." Takeru frowned. "I don't really want pictures of my brother."
"I can't believe you bet those!" Yamato cried.
"They're the most valuable possessions I owe." Jyou muttered. "What was I supposed to bet, my anatomy books?"
"I don't know if that's sad or sweet." Yamato sighed. "At least my guitar is safe from those people."
"You bet against me, Eri-chan?" Yuuta asked wounded.
"I didn't think you were like that! I've known you forever!" Eri jumped up and grabbed Yuuta. "My baby has left the nest! WAAAAAHHHHH!" Eri sobbed loudly.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU PEOPLE!" Koushirou shouted. Everyone stopped, looked ashamed, and then continued their conversation.
"How about we split of the prizes. I'll get some chocolate, and the most embarrassing pictures of my brother. I'll spare him pain."
"Thank GOD!"
"I want the other pictures of Yama!" Taichi exclaimed.
Everyone stared at him.
"What? I saw them, he looks hot up on stage. Really, dude, you and a guitar, phew." Taichi fanned himself. Eri snickered.
"I can't believe you're so gay." Eri said. "I'll give you this awesome necklace that has barbs and maybe a bracelet with spikes. Or my handcuffs."
"Jewelry, Eri." Chidori interrupted.
"They're pretty, shiny bracelets." Eri said innocently.
"I'll go for that!" Daisuke agreed.
"Kill me, Koku-" He stopped with wide eyes.
"Ooo, can I see the pictures of Ishiida-san?" Yuuta asked eagerly.
"Sure, too bad we didn't include you in the bet. You probably have something good."
"Up, I have a plushie of every single one of you, a poster of Yagami-san, an Agumon T-shirt, Ishiida-san's tank top when he was eleven-"
"How the hell-why the hell do you have my tank top?"
"Izzy-sempai's shoes when he was eleven-"
"MY SHOES?"
"OOOhhhh! I have your wristband, Yagami-san."
"My wristband?"
"Or is it a wrist guard? You know that black thing you wore on your wrist? Oh, and Motomiya-kun's soccer ball. Inoue-chan's red hat and Hida-kohai's kendo sword...um, I have something of Tachikawa-chan and Takenouchi-chan and the other's, but I cannot, oh, I remember, the white Gilligan hat that used to be Takaishi-san's-why are you all staring at me?"
"Are you a FRIGGIN STALKER?" Yamato cried.
"No. An obsessed fan, but not a stalker. You were supposedly dead, remember? It took me all my life to get all the stuff I do. Oh, my happiest moment is when I managed to get Izzy-sempai's shoes." Her eyes shined. "You should have seen that man's face. He was crying. How many seven year olds have over 75, 000 yen?"
"WHAAA?"
"My shoes cost over 75, 000 yenn?"
"How much did my guitar cost?" Yuuta's eye glinted.
"I won it."
"What?"
"Your guitar was the prize of a karaoke contest when I was five. Had to sing every single of the Teenage Wolves, give the name of the members and what their instrument was, what was your first instrument and which song you played it in, and how your fame was connected to Motomiya-san, meaning his sister, of course. I got a perfect score. You should have seen the judges and contestants faces." She giggled evilly.
"She was majorly obsessed. Isn't she sooo cute?" Eri snuggled Yuuta's hair.
"OOh, and I had Ichijouji-san's bunk bed!" Yuuta exclaimed proudly. Ken fell over. "But I gave it to Eri-chan a couple years back. She broke hers."
"I like jumping."
"And for Tsumi-chan's birthday, I gave her Mimi's cowgirl hat and gloves. She never did wear those gloves."
"I don't blame her. I can't believe I wore them." Mimi said with disgust.
"I...your dress...your dress was bought by was sleazy old man with asthma!" Yuuta hid her face in her hands and sobbed.
"Oh, it's okay, come on, girl. I thought you were finally over that?"
"B-but he had asthma."
"Oh, it's okay, Yuuta, I'm sure you tried your best." Mimi rubbed her back comfortingly.
"Mimi, you realize she bought your clothes and is crying because someone else got your dress."
"Of course, I'm not stupid, Jyou-kun."
"What do you have of mine?" Takeru asked.
"Takeru!"
"Don't encourage her."
"I want to know."
"Well, I have your hat, like you know. I have your green hat, too. And a photo album. They had an open house thing because they were re-constructing your apartment building to make it an orphanage. I managed to smuggle out an early photo album and your baby book. Your first word was 'Yaba'." She giggled. Takeru laughed.
"I forgot. I used to call Onii-san that. Do you still have it all?"
"Yup. I will give it all back, if you guys want. I will give back not your shoes, though." she told Koushirou. "I spent over 75, 000 on those purple pieces of leather, they are mine."
"That'd be great, Yuuta." Takeru intervened.
"I really miss my guitar. I'm surprised they didn't throw in my harmonica in that contest of yours. You know a lot about my band."
"I was hoping you would not say anything. You can have it back, too." Yuuta sighed. Yamato blinked.
"You're as scary as Jun."
"Oh no. Honto?" Yuuta asked horrified.
"Hai." Said Taichi, Koushirou, Yamato, Jyou, and Ken.
"I bet Miyako would've been psyched hearing someone is an obsessed fan and owns a bunch of her old stuff." Daisuke said.
"I'm surprised you're not."
"Who says I'm not? I'm still mourning my ch-choc-CHOCOLATE!" Daisuke burst into fresh sobs. Taichi sighed and rubbed his back comfortingly, like a good boyfriend.
"How about we clean up and then get ready to go. We have stuff to do today." Chidori stood.
"Hiroki-san is right." Koushirou agreed, relieved.
"Hard to take in your girlfriend's crazy, huh?" Eri patted his shoulder.
"It gets better later. They never get less insane, they just grow on you." Ken advised him.
"Er..."
"KEN ICHIJOUJI!"
"Hai?"
"Are you saying I'm insane?"
"Hai..."
"Oh, good, I thought you've been denying it this whole time." Eri left the room humming 'You Are My Sunshine'.
"I'm going to walk her home. Last I wasn't watching her, she almost walked in front of a car. Come on, Wormmon." Wormmon hopped unto his shoulder. "Gotsumon?"
"I was thinking about staying with Nekomon for a while. Can you tell Eri for me?"
"Sure thing, Gotsumon." Wormmon and Ken waved and went after Eri.
"I'm so glad Ken is watching her now." Gotsumon said. "Maybe she'll calm down."
Everyone split up and did whatever they needed to do.
Up in Koushirou's room, Yuuta was perched on his desk a phone against her ear, and Koushirou was making his bed.
"Gomen nasai, Okaasan. I know I should have called. I was busy, Okaa. ...Iie, Okaasan, I did not get drunk or high. ...No, I did not go to a club or get it on with strange boys...or girls. Okaa. Okaasan! ...I know it is my birthday. I know I am sixteen. I know I have hormones I cannot control."
Koushirou turned and raised an eyebrow. Yuuta was beet-red.
"Hai, Okaasan, he is a sweet boy for a Deity. He is a genius, too. MOTHER! ...Hai? Iie, of course not. Okaasan, is dad there? Mother! ...yes, yes. If you insist. I will be there soon. I will convince the others, too, and get you a nice picture. Well, I do not know if Takenouchi-san will be there. Yes, I will try. See you soon. Ja ne." She sighed and hung up.
"That was interesting."
"Izzy-sempai."
"Why do you have to leave? And convince us to do what?"
"Well, today is the Festival. I always wear a kimono. Pretty much everyone does. Chidori-chan and Eri-chan and Tsumi-chan will tell Takaishi-san, Ichijouji-san, and Tachikawa-san. The others though...Tsumi-chan's going to have a field day. I should just call her to come over and take you all to a store for kimonos. I have to convince you all to wear them anyway. I will go tell Chidori-chan before I leave." She jumped off the table and started for the door. She stopped when Koushirou grabbed her arm.
"Be careful, Yuuta." Koushirou touched her cheek. She took a step forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. A blush bloomed over her nose.
"Chidori-chan and Tsumi-chan can wait a minute." Yuuta rose up and kissed him lightly.
His hand fell from her arm and he gently held her hips. She tilted her head to the side and pressed harder. They separated and kissed again, mouths parting and tongues tasting each other's mouth. He felt his feet shuffling backwards and the back of his legs hit the bed. He fell hard on the mattress. Her hands traveled upwards and rested on his shoulders. She perched on the edge of the bed, balancing on her knees. They parted for breath again, their eyes half-lidded and breathing harsh.
"See, my fault." Yuuta whispered.
Before he could say anything, she kissed him again, one hand tangling in his hair. He fell back and then flipped them over so she was pressed against the bed, legs automatically wrapping around his waist. The door opened.
"Urgglleehhh." Daisuke gurgled. He turned and left abruptly. Koushirou and Yuuta stared at the door Daisuke slammed and blushed bright red.
"So...ano, what did your okaasan say that made you exclaim so loud? Right after you called me a genius." He kissed her swiftly and then took the tender skin of her neck in his mouth.
"Ah? Th-that. N-nothing." Yuuta stammered.
"Koku-kohai, you're a bad liar."
"Um hm. Eri-chan always said-d th-that."
"What did she say?"
"Well, she...she..." Yuuta blushed red. Koushirou stopped his current activity and looked her seriously. "She...she started going on and on about hormones and being sixteen and an older boy." She started nervously pressing her index fingers together and mumbling. "She asked if I at least had...had condoms..." she said in a very small voice.
"Oh."
"Uh huh. Shall I go now?"
"... If you want to. Actually, you have to."
"..."
"..."
"I have hormones I cannot control." With that said, Yuuta pulled Koushirou back down before she can think twice.
After a few minutes, they finally became aware of strange clicking noises. They looked over at the door and stared. Miyako and Daisuke stared back.
"Eh heh..." Miyako hid her-er, Hikari's- camera. "Chidori said something about kimonos."
Koushirou's eyebrows snapped together and Yuuta blushed vividly.
"You were taking pictures."
"Um, what pictures?" Daisuke grinned.
"I thought you were reduced to senseless babbling a while ago?"
"I got over it?"
"Inoue, Motomiya, be very glad I don't believe in violence. Please, exit my room. Now."
"Right-o." Miyako quickly backed out.
"And I'm informing Hikari and Taichi about this."
"Eek!"
"PLEASE! Anything but that!" Miyako begged.
"Please, close the door on the way out."
"Koushirou, you can't tell Hikar-"
"Out." The door closed.
Yuuta giggled. "Time for me to go, definitely."
Koushirou stood and helped her up. She straightened out his grey-long-sleeved, red shirt with thin black lines across the red.
"That's my favorite shirt. That's the shirt I was Awakened in. You are not allowed to keep it."
"But, Izzy..."
"No buts, Koku."
Yuuta pouted. "At least I have your shoes." She pushed her hair behind her ear and walked to the door. Koushirou hugged her from behind.
"I meant what I said before. Be careful." He released her and turned to his computer. "I'll see you at the Festival."
"Ja ne."
& & &
"Girls look so much cuter in kimonos then boys." Daisuke whined walked into the fair grounds.
"Maybe you should have worn a girl's kimono then. You're pretty much a girl anyway, rainbow boy." Miyako told him wryly.
"I AM NOT A GIRL!"
"Demo my Hikari is looking beautiful, unlike you awkward looking boys." Miyako rubbed her head against Hikari's shoulder like a cat, her arms wrapped around one of Hikari's. Hikari smiled slightly.
"We now know who the butch is in that relationship." Daisuke muttered.
"I HEARD THAT, MOTOMIYA!" Miyako and Daisuke glared daggers at each other. Their significant others pulled them away from each other.
"It must suck having your...partners...constantly fighting with each other and you two being siblings." Yamato noted, smirking. Jyou and Yamato were walking so close, their hips or shoulders bumped against each other, but they didn't really care.
"Nah, it's okay. Since we're so close, we know when to pull them apart at the right moment without speaking and warning them." Hikari grinned.
"Yeah, plus, we're never going to double date, so I'll never feel awkward. It was weird double-dating with Hikari and Takeru." Taichi mirrored Hikari's grin.
"Looks like homosexuality is in the genes." Jyou whispered to Koushirou and Yamato. They grinned.
"Where's Eri and Kokubunji?" Ken asked suddenly.
"I don't know. Rokunda-chan did say she was going to walk Koku-kohai here, but I haven't seen them."
"We agreed to meet at the front." Chidori looked at her thin, gold, chain-link watch.
"Hey, I think I see them." Takeru was standing on tip-toe looking over the crowd.
"I'll help, T.K." Patamon flew over his partner's head and narrowed his eyes.
"Did you see them, Patamon?" Mushroomon asked.
"Yeah, Eri's wearing-"
"Patamon, don't tell us. Eri will get angry. She wanted her new kimono to be a surprise." Tsumi interrupted.
"Oh, I love surprises. 'Specially when they involve new outfits. I want to see Yuuta-chan all dressed up." Mimi was actually hopping in excitement. Not big hops, but hops, nonetheless.
"Hey guys! We're here!" They heard Nekomon announce. Nekomon and Gotsumon edged through the crowd first quickly being surrounded by the other Digimon.
Koushirou's eyes widened as Yuuta shuffled forward, Eri pushing her.
"So, cute, right?" Eri flashed Ken a half-grin, flipping back spiky purple hair just below her ears. She wore a peach silk kimono with black outlines of water-painted mountains. Purple-lined clouds shimmered over the peaks and koi fish swam in the clouds. "Been saving big time just for this kimono." She held up her hands and spun on her toes.
"You look great." Ken gave her small smile, which was saying something. He was still pretty expressionless most the time. She grinned and tugged on Yuuta's arm.
"Come on and raise your face, dingbat. Your mom and I spent hours on your pretty face and hair."
"I am not that pretty. It is just make-up."
"Come on! I wanna see!" Mimi exclaimed.
Yuuta raised her head a bit, looking at them from under smoky lashes and dark brown bangs falling stubbornly in her face. Her hair was twisted up in a large, horizontal ivory clip, the ends spiky out the top. Her lips were shimmering lightly and lavendar eye-shadow was barely smoothed over her eyelids. Her kimono was lavendar as well, waves water-painted on the ends of the sleeves and skirt. She had a dark purple obi and white rope around her waist. A purple dragonfly was wrapped around the whole kimono the green-tinted wings flaring on her back. (A/N:The wings aren't like angel wings, they're kinda vertical, like a dragonfly was flying past her, it's stomach facing her back, get it?)
"My Chichi splurged on me." she mumbled, blushing vividly -using the endearing term for 'father', like saying 'daddy'.
"You looked awesome, Yuu!" Daisuke cried. "I get dibs on first snuggle!" Daisuke quickly glomped her burying his nose in her hair.
"Eek!"
"You smell gooood."
"What are you, a dog?" Miyako grabbed him and pulled him back. "My turn!"
"EEP!" Yuuta squeaked again.
"She does smell good. What's that smell?"
"Va-vanilla...and blackberries. Er-Eri-chan bought me some. The blackberry is the body wash, though."
"I wanna eat you." Miyako proclaimed.
"Um...eep?" Yuuta gulped, brown eyes wide.
"You're scaring her, love." Hikari laughed.
"Um...Kou-kun?" Poke. "Kou-kun." Taichi repeated more firmly. Poked harder.
Koushirou shook his head.
"You do look...prodigious." Koushirou grinned.
Yuuta beamed, a blush still covering her nose.
"Awww, you're so cute." Hikari finally gave in to her girlfriend's urging and snapped a picture.
"EEK!" Yuuta covered her face, flaming red once more. "No pictures! I look horrible in pictures!"
"Nah, you just need a good picture buddy." Daisuke threw his arm around her making her drop her hands. He grinned and threw a peace sign. Yuuta looked over and blinked as something flashed in front of her. "Gotcha!"
"You are cheating!" Yuuta couldn't help but giggle. "My mom wanted pictures of everybody separately and all of us together."
"That sounds fantastic." Hikari gave her a thumbs-up.
"Who's going to push the little button?" Taichi asked concerned.
"...Isn't that obvious? I'm the one with the camera." Hikari pointed to said object.
"Hikari! You just have to pose with me!" Miyako whined.
"My Okaasan wanted pictures of all of us, including you, Yagami-chan."
"I'll take it. I'm not really part of the group anyway." Chichi spoke up from Iori's side.
"Or me."
"Oh, hush, Alan." Mimi ordered. He did, smiling at the same time.
"You are one of the group now, Chichi-kun. You're Iori-kohai's girlfriend, which makes you one of us. Just like Yuuta-chan's Koushirou-kun's girlfriend."
"Yuuta-chan's also the Crest of Light, Jyou-kin." Yamato sighed.
"Oh right, forgot that." Jyou put his hand behind his head and half-smiled in embarrassment.
During this, Iori and Chichi had exchanged embarrassed looks.
"We're not really dating, Kido-san." Chichi spoke up.
"Oh right, Iori is one of the shy ones. I would say like Yuuta and Koushirou, but they went out and had se-"
"SHUT UP, YAGAMI!" Koushirou slapped a hand over his brunette friend's mouth.
"We still don't know who's going to take the picture." Takeru said.
"And my mother wanted Takenouchi-chan in the picture." Yuuta sighed sadly, chewing her lip.
"I can help you out on the first count, but I have no idea where Takenouchi-san is." said an almost forgotten voice.
"Y-Yomoki!" Yuuta cried delighted. She spun around and fell to her knees. "Gazimon!"
"Yuuta!" Gazimon quickly stepped into her waiting embrace. She petted his long ears fondly.
"I have missed you, my friend. You, too, Yomoki." She looked up and smiled.
"Yeah. I steered clear after that last...argument."
"I'd like to apologize for that, by the way. I wasn't, I haven't been, myself due to..." He and Yuuta glanced at one another, "...certain circumstances. I am Izumi, Koushirou." He bowed lightly and held out a hand.
"I'm Fujima, Yomoki. Apology accepted, dude." He skipped the bow and shook Koushirou's hand.
"Um, please don't refer to me as 'dude'. Dude means an elephant-"
"Izzy-sempai, why don't we go get our picture taken, seeing as Yomoki-kun has graciously volunteered to take it."
"Sorry bout eavesdroppin'. Couldn't help but hear, well, I probably could have, but I wanted to talk to you guys, anyway."
"How...how much did you overhear, Yomoki-kun?" Yuuta asked, her mouth twitching.
"...Enough."
"YOMO-KUN!" Yuuta cried. He laughed.
"I didn't hear anything besides something 'bout a picture needin' to be taken and Takenouchi-san supposin' to be in the pic."
"Oh...okay." Yuuta patted Gazimon's head. "I will be right back, okay? I am going to get my pictures taken and then I will walk with you two to the temple." She promised. She got up and dusted off her kimono.
"Thanks for the help, dude." Daisuke grinned.
"Hey, no prob." Yomoki shrugged.
"Do either of you know that the definition of dude is-"
"Just don't say it, Izumi-sempai. It's not like it will matter." Chidori interrupted. Koushirou sighed.
"Okay, pose!" Yomoki ordered.
(From right to left looking at them.) Mimi and Alan were at the right end of the picture, Alan waving with Betamon on his shoulder. Tsumi was standing next to Mimi, their arms interlocked and blowing kisses to the camera with a wink. Chidori stood next to her friend, blushing lightly with a small smile. Takeru was holding her hand and raising their entwined fingers up level with their shoulders, a silly grin on his face and bright blue eyes glinting. Patamon was sitting on his re-found Gilligan hat, matching Takeru grin for grin.
Hikari was leaning against his shoulder, both her hands caught with Miyako's who was leaning against Daisuke. Their faces were turned the camera, Miyako grinning ear to ear and Hikari smiling serenely. Salamon was perched on her shoulder, forepaws balanced on her head. Hawkmon hovering over Miyako's head, his wings outstretched. Daisuke was giving the camera a peace sign with his left hand, and his other arm around Taichi's waist. Taichi had his right hand giving the camera peace sign, and his other arm around Daisuke's waist. Both were flashing the infamous goggle-headed leader grin, though only Daisuke was wearing the goggles.
Koushirou was standing next to his taller, tan friend one arm around Yuuta's shoulders while both her arms were around his waist as she stood next to him. Her head was resting on his shoulder and both were blushing lightly and smiling widely (with mouths closed). Tentomon was hovering over Koushirou's left shoulder, waving one claw. Eri was standing next to her best friend, thumbs-upping the camera and smirking, Gotsumon standing in front of her legs. Ken had his arms crossed over her chest, one corner of his mouth turned up, Wormmon on his right shoulder.
Jyou was kneeling in front of Yuuta, adjusting his glasses and smiling happily, Nekomon bracing her front paws on his shoulder. Yamato had one arm thrown over Jyou's shoulder lazily, his other hand was in the shape of a gun pointed at the camera as he grinned and winked, as cool as ever, one leg kneeling on the ground, his left foot flat on the ground. Chichi was sitting down next to Yamato, her arms wrapped around her knees, the ends of her hair curling around her chin, Wizardmon kneeling between Yamato and Chichi. Iori was holding Armadillomon on his lap smiling slightly while his exuberant yellow partner grinned widely with both claws in the air. Palmon, Gizamon, Mushroomon, Veemon, Agumon, Gomamon, and Gabumon were sitting in the front waving and grinning.
Click!
"That was great, you guys!" Yomoki grinned at them. "One more time! Make it fun!"
It looked like everyone surged forward. Eri was giving Ken bunny ears while he was punching down the top of her head as she laughed. Taichi was dipping Yuuta and her nose was bleeding, Koushirou grabbing onto Daisuke as he started falling when Taichi threw him aside. Miyako and Hikari were making out, rimless glasses flying towards the camera. Hawkmon was holding Salamon in his talons hovering higher above their partners.
Takeru had Chidori swept up in his arms, her glasses falling off one ear as she yelled up at his grinning face. Patamon was wearing Takeru's hat and perched on Takeru's head on his back legs with a snotty expression on his face. Mimi and Tsumi were both kissing Alan on each cheek. Jyou was face down on the ground, Gotsumon and Nekomon falling on top of him. Yamato was having his mouth stretched by Veemon while Agumon and Gabumon were holding him down and Chichi had jumped on Iori making him lie flat on the ground kissing his mouth, his green eyes wide and his face tomato-red. Wizardmon had his face covered by one hand in mortification. Armadillomon was sticking his tongue out at the screen and Tentomon's claws were seen right in front of the camera at the very top showing how he'd panicked once more and tried to fly away. Palmon and Gizamon and Mushroomon were blowing kisses at the screen making fun of Mimi and Tsumi, winking and hands-er paw...claw...viney-things…boxing gloves- on their hips, or where their hips would've been. Gomamon was right in the middle in front of all the bedlam bowing, one claw-paw-thing flourishing.
Click!
With his job finished, Yomoki burst into laughter holding his sides.
"Oh, I'm soo sorry, Yagami-san! I got your yukata all bloody! And you're face, too!" Yuuta was wiping his laughing face with a handkerchief her mother insisted she bring.
"YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO THROW ME, YAGAMI!"
"You can stop making out now, you guys. You guys? YOU GUYS?" Daisuke tried without success to stop Hikari and Miyako.
"Put. Me. Down. Takaishi!" Chidori ordered grabbing her glasses.
"Nope!" Takeru held her tighter as she kicked and flailed angrily.
"I'm a pimp, right on." Alan joked.
"You're so lame, Alan." Tsumi giggled.
"But he's the cute kind of lame." Mimi defended, giggling also.
"Nice lipstick shade, by the way, very becoming." Tsumi pointed to his face.
"Geroff of me!" Jyou cried.
"Get off of me, Gotsumon!"
"I don't think I can!"
"I'm going to kill you three!" Yamato screamed.
"Run, you guyth! Yama-kun is gonna get uth!" Veemon lisped.
"Hoyo, Iori-kun!" Chichi giggled.
"Ah...er...um..."
Chichi giggled again.
"Next time, I'm getting in the picture." Gazimon said with a firm nod. Yomoki laughed harder.
"Oh, I promised to take you two to the temple." Yuuta said after quickly escaping from Koushirou and Taichi.
"Isn't it kinda pointless? I just took pictures of the Chosen Children, plus Alan, Tsumi, the new little girl, and Eri. Why should I go pray to some out of date pictures?"
"We have to pay our respects to Gennai-sama, too." Yuuta scolded him. She turned and looked at Koushirou.
"WHY THE HELL DID YOU THROW ME?"
"Let us go now while everyone is occupied." Yuuta suggested sagely. Yomoki snorted. The two turned and walked quickly past the pandemonium. A large crowd was watching fascinated. A few more pictures were being taken. Gazimon, Nekomon, and Tentomon quickly followed.
"Do you think this is a good idea, Partner? Lowvell could be anywhere."
"He prefers to be called Momiji if you don't mind." Sora said walked forward. She was wearing a simple pink kimono with a blue obi, the bow in the back looking like blue butterfly wings, only in the middle of her back instead of by her shoulder blades. Little yellow Japanese characters were water-painted into the silk, making them hard to see, let alone read. Her hair was straightened and loose.
"You look pretty, Takenouchi-chan." Yuuta smiled softly.
Sora smiled back, softly...sadly.
"Doomo, Yuut-pin."
Yuuta's smiled widened at the nickname. "Do you want to walk together?"
Sora's smile seemed to get sadder. "Sure." Yomoki's eyes narrowed in thought.
"I saw you guys taking the picture." Biyomon spoke up from her place flying beside Sora.
"It was fun. I was hoping that you would be in it, both of you." Yuuta said pointedly.
Sora ignored the hidden question.
"We came a little late. I only saw the silly picture and what happened afterward. I can't believe you still get nosebleeds." Biyomon giggled. Yuuta blushed.
"His face was so close, and he is so cute. I could not help it. I have a weakness for tanned, soccer playing, goggle-headed leaders." The three girls, including Sora, giggled while Gazimon, Nekomon, Tentomon, and Yomoki rolled their eyes. Well, maybe not Tentomon, his eyes can't do that.
They started up the steps without words, saving their energy.
"I. Hate. These. Stairs." Yomoki huffed.
"You are in tennis." Yuuta watched her feet, clad in high wooden sandals, carefully. "I do not lose my breath until maybe the one hundredth step." She lifted her tight skirt a little higher.
"There's a hundred steps?" Sora exclaimed.
"No, I was joking. Only about fifty." Yuuta smiled at her red-faced friend.
"I feel like I passed fifty about ten steps ago."
"You. Prob...ab...ly. Did. There are. Way more. Than. Fiddy-step." Yomoki gasped.
"Fiddy?" Yuuta glanced back at him. "I think you mean fifty. You caught me. There is about... seventy...two."
"About? Isn. Tha. Esak?" Yomoki panted.
"It is getting harder to understand you." Yuuta frowned. Sora let out a breathy giggle. "We are here." Yuuta announced. She went through some simple stretches and flapped her kimono. "Hot."
"Yes. And sweaty, achy, pointless." Sora added.
"I've got some more, but they're not fit for ladies' ears." Yomoki said his nose in the air a bit.
"Oh, shut up." Sora hit his shoulders. He lost balance and fell. Sora and the Digimon laughed mercilessly at him.
"Are you okay?" Yuuta asked, her own mouth twitching as she extended a hand.
"Yeah."
"Not for long." said a jolly voice. They turned, startled, to see Keramon hopping excitedly.
"That was so cliché." Nekomon stated.
"Yup." Gazimon nodded in agreement.
"Who cares? Now that the Life is here, we can...save her." Keramon cackled happily.
"You idiot. You don't even know the whole prophecy." Nekomon snapped. "All you know is that if Yuuta 'dies', notice air quotes, please, she'll give the colors back their power."
"Why are you air quoting 'dies'." Momiji asked lowly.
"None of your beeeezz wax." Tentomon buzzed.
"I'll show you, you overgrown red bug." Keramon rose its hand.
"Ru-Fly, Tentomon. Go get Izzy-sempai!" Yuuta pushed him away from the temple.
"I'll be back in a flash!" his voice quavered through the air.
"All the other Chosen Children will come with him." Yuuta turned back to the four in front of her.
"Then we'll have to take you somewhere safe in the meantime." Keramon hopped side-to-side grinning.
"You're not taking her anywhere." Yomoki moved in front of her and held up his fists.
"Here's another cliché, you'll have to get through us, first." Nekomon moved in front of Yomoki, Gazimon, and Gotsumon stepped up to her side.
"I get to have fun today. Hee hee hee." Keramon raised his long-fingered hand.
"Back Lash!" Nekomon whipped around and slapped Keramon around the face with her extended claws on her back paw. A long gash opened along Keramon's bluish face.
"You'll pay for that kitty."
"Meow." Nekomon licked her paw unconcerned.
"Stop acting tough, Keramon." Momiji interrupted. "The Chosen Children will be here soon. We need to get to the Digital World."
"He's right...Digimon." Sora cast a look of loathing at Keramon. 'He' hissed and wiped at his face.
"KOKU!"
"Izzy!" Yuuta ran towards the steps.
"Get out of the way." Sora grabbed Yomoki's shoulder. Red-brown met black in an instant.
"It won't end the way you think." He whispered. Suddenly, he hit the ground, hard.
"Biyomon!" Sora called.
"Spiral Twister!"
"Ah!" Yomoki cried.
"Awh!" Gazimon fell back, slashed across his chest. Blood slipped down Keramon's pointy fingers.
"Grrr." Nekomon fur rose on end. Her fangs glinted and her lavendar eyes narrowed.
"Her eyes are freaky. Let's gouge them out." Keramon shrieked in laughter. Gotsumon clenched his stoney fists and stepped up next to her.
Yuuta pulled up her skirt and started down the stairs. The others were near the middle. Tentomon and Hawkmon were already at the top.
"Hurry, help the oth- LET ME GO, TAKENOUCHI!" Yuuta cried out. Her voice bounced down the steps, the sunset behind the Chosen Children.
"Sora?" Yamato whispered.
"PUT ME DOWN OR I'LL JUMP OFF THE STEPS AND TAKE YOU WITH ME! I WON'T LET YOU SAVE ME, DAMN IT!" Yuuta screamed. Her crest flared and her digivice vibrated where she tucked it behind her obi.
Nekomon digivolve to...Cabbimon!
"C-Cabbimon?" Yuuta whispered, turning her head because Sora still had her arms pinned to her sides. "Do it, Cabbimon!"
Cabbimon turned lavendar eye with dark purple pupils towards her captured partner. Her tail was still a small fluffy bunny tail, and her back legs were still shaped like a rabbit's. Her face and paws were catlike, but her ears had gotten even longer almost touching the ground even though Nekomon had more than doubled in size.
"Paw Swipe!" Her large paw swiped down and flung Keramon away, making him slam into Momiji.
"Biyomon!"
"Sora, she's a Champion!"
"Please, Biyomon, at least hold her off. I'll get Yuuta-chan inside."
"Okay, Sora! Spiral Twister!"
Cabbimon spun around and kicked it aside with her back foot.
"Cabbit Back kick!" Both feet slammed into Biyomon.
"Biyomon!"
"I'm okay, Sora. Sp-Spiral Twister!" Once again, the attack was batted away.
"Keramon, help her!" Momiji ordered.
"Why? Just grab the girl. Let's go."
"NOW, Keramon!" Momiji shouted.
"Have you forgotten us? Gazimon, hit it."
"Right, partner."
"Keramon!"
Keramon digivolve to...Kurisarimon.
"No." Yuuta exhaled. Sora's grip loosened. Yuuta's eyes narrowed and she elbowed Sora hard. "Tentomon!"
"Grab on! Quick." Tentomon held out his claw. She reached out and a blast of power behind her tripped her.
"YUUTA-CHAN!" Sora screamed. "NO!"
"Yu-Yuuta...YUUTA!" Koushirou exclaimed.
Fingers skimmed past black talons.
"Ten-tentomon?"
"I've-I've got you!" At the last moment, he reached out with his other talon and grabbed her hand. Or tried to, his talon pierced through her hand.
"A-uck." She bit off her scream and grabbed him around his round body with her other hand.
"Yuuta, I'm so sorry!"
"Panic later." She gritted her teeth. Blood slipped down her arm to stain her kimono and small droplets fell to the stone steps below. Her eyes widened and she turned.
Cabbimon was held by dozens of string-like arms with pointed blades at the ends. Yomoki was unconscious with Pagumon lying in a gray lump next to him. Sora was stared up at her from her place on the stone where she had fallen, her red-brown eyes horrified. String-like arms were wrapped around Yuuta's ankles and creeping up her lavendar silk skirt.
"Let Cabbimon go!" Yuuta demanded.
"If you agree to come with me, Life, and I will let your precious partner go. But beware, my patience is only so thin."
"ARRGH!" Cabbimon let out a noise between a groan and a scream as the string arms tightened, tiny blades sinking into the thick fur to the skin beneath.
"Cabbimon!" Yuuta exclaimed tears falling. She looked up at Tentomon. "I have to go."
"I won't let you. Izzy would never forgive me!"
"I would never forgive myself. My Digipartner needs me."
"Izzy needs you." Yuuta smiled, tears streaming down her face like tiny waterfalls. She shook her head.
"The Crest of Knowledge and Life make a formidable team. If anyone could find me, he could. Tell him, we are in the Digital World." She pulled her hand away, a tiny cry escaping her lips as fresh blood poured to the ground. Her other hand let go.
"Yuuta!" Koushirou's eyes finally cleared the top step, thought he was still on the fifth from the top.
He, and the others, watched horrified as she fell into the net of arms. She tore the string off her neck and reached in between her obi and kimono and threw her Crest and Digivice over the side of the temple. Cabbimon devolved into Usamon and fell with a thump unto the ground. The Chosen Children were frozen by horror as Sora caught the weakened and bleeding Yuuta. Yuuta's eyes turned and met wide black ones. Then, they closed as she fainted.
"Sora, come on." Momiji grabbed her arm. Sora turned and started running.
She looked back once, too see the looks of betrayal, and tears falling from black eyes...
"Yuu-Yuuta." Koushirou fell hard on his knees, his palms slapping on the ground to hold him up.