Disclaimer-I don't own Digimon.

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Intellectuals

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"Who's at the door?" Hideki called from the couch. Much to Kouichi's amazement (as well as everyone else's), Hideki had left Rai alone the entire time.

Gen stood at the doorway, completely still. All Hideki could see was Gen's knuckles whitening as he clenched the doorknob tighter. The man was blocking the doorway, silent, almost visibly shaking.

Rai seemed to be having a hard time hiding the smile that occasionally appeared on her face. Suddenly raising an eyebrow, Hideki turned to Rai and asked, "Expecting guests?" She nodded, trying harder to suppress the insistent laugh.

A wary feeling cast a heavy fog over the room. It was an unbreakable spell of silence. Kouichi could practically taste it.

"Do you guys want anything to eat? It would have been nice if you br-why are you all so quiet?" Kako suddenly asked. She peered her head out from the kitchen, staring at Gen. "Well, let them in! Whoever it is...I mean, you don't want their legs to lock, do you?" The girl walked towards the door, opening it fully and pushing Gen aside. "Oh, hi Mr. Saito. Did you hurt your leg?" Kako asked, walking back to the kitchen.

Hideki turned a furious shade of crimson as he faced Rai. Eyes wide, he turned back to Mr. Saito. The young man sank back in his seat and groaned, "Rai, you're trying to kill me, aren't you? Why do you do this...?"

The wary feeling in Kouichi was replaced by a freezing storm. Immediately seeing who it was, he rose to his feet. He was numbing over, slowly, but surely. Mr. Saito looked different. Limping, an aged look-but his eyes...Kouichi understood now. What they had said, what he was seeing...it all pieced together.

Another piece of the puzzle fit beautifully, revealing the horrific truth. It was only one of the many he had suffered, and yet this one had a certain foreboding to it.

Bowing stiffly, Kouichi murmured, "M-Mr. Saito. It's...nice to see you."

Awkwardness filled the room. Rai broke it, standing up and turning to Kouichi's previous mentor. "I believe it's time," she said bluntly.

Mr. Saito nodded. "Very well, very well. Everyone sit down. Gen, you'll have to excuse me for intruding. You see, your children play a very important role in our meeting, and what with there being the two of them in the same house, why not hold the meeting here?" the man said in a soft voice, a kind smile coming to his lips.

There was a twist to it, and Kouichi wondered if he was the only one who could see. Everyone else seemed to be staring blankly. He found himself joining them, staring into Saito's seemingly endless eyes and trying to pry out the secret of this change. Or was it a change? He wasn't sure about anything. All he knew was Kouji would know. But why Kouji? Kouichi frowned as if trying to recall something.

"Well, I'll go get Kako and-Kouichi, you do know you can sit now, right?"

Rai's voice pierced through Kouichi's thoughts. Embarrassed, he nodded and took a seat, sinking back to hide his flushed face.

Mr. Saito took Rai's seat. "Very well. Where shall we begin our math lesson for the day?"

The youngest boy present jumped to his feet. "MATH?" Shinya screamed, "I thought this was an important meeting! You know, those secret agencies, all those cool stuff! Why math?"

Takuya chuckled and folded his arms across his chest as he lay back on the couch. Obviously amused by his brother's behavior, he situated himself beside Izumi and shut his eyes. "Tell me when they're done, will you 'zumi?" he murmured.

Rolling her eyes, Izumi whacked Takuya's arm. "Shinya, come back. You'll get something informational out of this," she told him.

"That's what you said about the lion, and Takuya and I nearly got eaten," the boy returned in a disappointed voice, sulking back to sit beside his brother.

Walking to the center of the room, Mr. Saito placed on a pair of glasses and cleared his throat. "Alright then. Who knows why we determine the axis of symmetry for a parabola by the formula negative 'b' over two 'a'?" he asked.

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There was one thing that Kouichi knew; Mr. Saito knew his math well. He also managed to discover the purpose of the entire lecture. Although the material covered in it was real, it was just a cover. Shinya slowly began to fall asleep, and Gen went to his room immediately. Kako and Rai came back with refreshments, and even Hideki began to doze off. Beside him, Kouichi found his brother nodding off, fighting to stay awake. The effects were interesting, at the least, but ultimately useful.

Eventually, though, the lecture came to a stop and all took their time to observe the outcomes.

"Are we done now, Saito? I think this is enough," Rai commented, frowning at a sleeping Takuya.

Through a yawn, Hideki replied, "We ought to give them a test, though."

Rai returned a sour look. "Like they say-like father, like son." The look of distaste turned into a small smile when Kako shot her a confused look. Can't say, can I? She just shook her head and took a seat.

Annoyed at the message that had gotten through to Hideki but not herself, Kako plopped down on the other side of the bandana boy, awaking both twins fully.

"Eh? Hey, Kouji, what are you doing?" Kako asked as the said boy jumped to his feet.

Wordlessly, Kouji walked over and plopped down by Tomoki, holding his hand out. The younger boy stared cluelessly, hand clutched tightly around the packet in his hand. Kouji pointed to the packet. "What's that?" asked the bandana boy.

"Now, now, let's begin. Wake up Takuya, would you, Izumi? Yes...ah, Tomoki, we'll discuss that later," Mr. Saito suddenly said, striding over to the couch where Hideki sat and taking a seat beside the young man. "Let's see..." His ancient eyes swept across the room, landing on each of the children, Hideki, then Rai. "Wake up Shinya, too. He's a valuable asset to us."

Kako shot Kouichi a puzzled glance. In return, Kouichi turned away, pretending to pay attention to Mr. Saito when in actuality, his mind was continuously running over the awkwardness of the situation. "Mr. Saito-"

Completely ignoring Kouichi, Mr. Saito continued, "Rai we'll also need the digimon. Piximon can get them, in fact." The man turned to the digimon, whom had fallen asleep on the table, next to the plate of untouched chips. "Piximon," he demanded sharply, "why are you asleep?"

Startled, Piximon jumped to his feet. "Homework! Y-er...s-sir..." stuttered Piximon, gazing up at Mr. Saito in fright. "Um, I was...keeping Kako up all night to do her homework..."

Kouichi rose an eyebrow, turning to Kako with an amused expression on his face. "On a Friday night...?" he asked. In response, Kako grumbled and looked away.

Mr. Saito looked impatient. "Yes, that's all well and done, now get Duskmon and the others. I don't know how long Gen sleeps. It's been...what? Over-" The man paused as Hideki entered a violent coughing fit. Getting the message, he waved a dismissive hand towards Piximon. "Hurry, Piximon."

Piximon hurriedly flew out, leaving the humans to stare at Mr. Saito. In a manner similar to that of a professor, Mr. Saito stood up, adjusting his glasses and turning to Kouichi. "You have...that, yes?" Kouichi nodded, gulping slightly. "Keep it. Show it to no one, especially Hideki," warned Mr. Saito. "Let us get to the point. Lucemon has broken through the gateways to come to the real world. Duskmon is on the verge of fading, and we must quickly get several things done."

"Wait, what's 'that' that you're talking about?" Kako asked, a hopelessly confused look on her face. She turned to Kouichi for an answer, only to find that he had turned away quickly, hiding his face from her. "Hideki!" the girl called sharply. Even her brother looked away, pretending to be interested in the ceiling. Angrily, Kako stood up, storming to the door. "You know, keep your stupid secrets to yourself! You're all a bunch of ridiculous-"

The last word remained a mystery. At that precise moment, Kako had slammed the door and, Kouichi guessed, ran off. Knowing her as he did, she probably did.

No one seemed shocked a bit, save Kouichi. For the most part, he was surprised by the calm reaction; Kako compared little to that. "A-aren't you worried, sir?" he sputtered, turning to Mr. Saito in shock.

At this, Mr. Saito laughed, "Not at the least! If Kako's anything like Harumi, she'll be perfectly fine! Anyone who decides to bother her will be beaten to a pulp, and she'll be in the back of the bookstore, crying!" Kouichi's eyes grew wider. "But now, business. Piximon seems to have gathered everyone. Duskmon, as useful as it is for you to cross through shadows, it's quite useful for us to see you in your state, as miserable as it may be," the man suddenly commented, turning to the growing shadow of the table.

Duskmon slowly took form out of the shadow, looking morose. "I'm solid. No ghostly form. I'm solid. I feel weak, Marise. I demand a redo! I refuse to become him again!" the digimon growled, withdrawing a blade.

What Kako had told him. 'He could become physical, you know? So, it's best not to even test it,' she had said. If Duskmon was real, the damage he dealt would be equally real. If he hurt Mr. Saito...

No, he's Marise, Kouichi told him. But Marise's a ghost. He said so in his diary, didn't he? Technically, he doesn't have a physical form, the boy reasoned, watching his old mentor hold up a hand.

"Duskmon, what are you thinking? That wouldn't do any damage to me. In the end, the only person who you would hurt the most is Kako, seeing as how there are so many people she loves in this room." Marise Saito chuckled, seeing Duskmon glower furiously before lowering the blade. "Very good." Marise turned to the children and cleared his throat. "The reason this meeting was called was for no reason. Actually, let's get off with some introductions to make it meaningful!" the man suggested, sitting back beside his son. "Of course, you all know me."

'NO, I'M STILL CONFUSED!' Kouichi wanted to scream. Grabbing a hold of himself, he asked, "Can't we just...introduce ourselves so I don't become confused any more than I need to?" He felt stupid. He wanted to crawl into a hole and never see the light of day again.

Marise just nodded. "Marise Saito, age unknown to even myself. You know Rai, Hideki, Kako, and I'm positive you all know yourselves. Now, all but Kouichi and Tomoki may leave. Respective digimon included. Rai, why don't you and Hideki go out somewhere? Yes, a fancy restaurant or somewhere that you two can't bother us. Yes, yes, now move. Hurry! Piximon, make sure Gen's shoulder is treated properly. Do it while he's asleep. That way he won't scream. Hurry, hurry!" Marise ordered sharply.

Everyone scurried around quickly, as if afraid to find out what would happen if they should cross Mr. Saito. Kouichi watched, confused, as very soon, he and Tomoki were the only two left alone in the room.

"I'm assuming you know why you two are the ones who I wanted to talk to," Marise said softly. He held out a hand, facing Tomoki. "The package, please?" Tomoki automatically complied, seeming frightened that he hadn't refused. Marise just smiled. "Don't worry," he assured the boy, "I'm not going to burn it. You do know what this is, don't you?"

Tomoki shook his head slowly. "All I know is that it's got something to do with the Digital World," he answered slowly.

Nodding, Marise affirmed his suspicions, "Correct. And I'm leaving you in charge of it. Make sure it does not fall into the wrong hands. We've had a bad habit with that in the past, but I'm sure you'll take good care of it. And keep your D-Tector with you at all times. You may need it." Although he looked amused, the note in Marise's voice and the glint in his eyes were enough to convince Tomoki that he was serious.

"I...I will," he mumbled, looking down at his feet. Can I? Everyone else would do a better job, he thought miserably, failing to summon up the courage to truly accept. A hand laid itself on his shoulder, and Tomoki looked up to find Kouichi smiling at him. A bit more confident, he nodded and turned to Marise. "I will," he confirmed again.

"Good." Marise held the book out for Tomoki to take. "Then we'll have another meeting some time soon. Kouichi, you will come with me. Tomoki, you are free to leave."

Tomoki practically raced out of the house after grabbing his book. Kouichi could sense that, despite his earlier confidence, Tomoki was still worried about the burden that had been placed on him. He'll do fine, the boy assured himself. Tomoki's brave. He turned to Marise and inclined his head. "Sir."

"Kouichi, I have a lot to talk to you about. How about...a slow walk to the bookstore?" suggested the man as he stood up, a small smile on his face.

Wordlessly, Kouichi nodded, knowing very well Duskmon would be following along the shadows, Lowemon right behind him.

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"So, you've read the diary?" It wasn't so much a question as a statement. Nevertheless, Kouichi nodded silently, eyes glued to the sidewalk just ahead of him. Marise chuckled deeply, "So, have you asked Kako anything?"

At the mention of Kako, Kouichi's brain began to wander. He managed to pull himself together to admit, "She's...quite confusing. I'm barely putting together all the facts. If you don't mind, what exactly is the entire shadow system?"

Had Kouichi looked up, he would have noticed the dark shadow that seemed to come across Marise's face. Quietly, Marise whispered, "The shadow system is incredibly complex, even with its simplicity. It can change at it's own will. You see, its complexity is why Kako was unable to explain it correctly. The shadow system is simply existent because the Digital World is parallel to our own world. This parallel is existent not only because the worlds themselves are parallel, but also the inhabitants are. Each digimon has a parallel human, and vice versa.

"That is the simplicity. There are an equal number of inhabitants on each world. What makes it so complex are the babies that are born each day and the number of deaths. For example, we can take Hideki. Angemon returned to be reborn, but he remained unscathed. Even the shadow system has its glitches. There are times when one isn't meant to die. In that case, the shadow switches; although the digimon or human dies, its shadow remains. In the case where the human dies, a newborn baby will receive the digimon as their shadow. In the case where the digimon dies, the human will have the same digimon shadow that will be reborn as a digi-egg. That is Hideki's case.

"Many times, the shadow system is a complex and changing system. It is unpredictable. I cannot be sure that I still hold Seraphimon as my shadow, nor can I be sure that Kako is a Gatomon's or any form close to Ophanimon's. There can be signs, such as the feathers in Aizawa's office. I warned him not to go that day, and he's been at home ever since, claiming he has a cold. Well, he's never been too fond of me..." Marise paused. "But forgive my babbling. Is there anything else you wish to know?" he inquired.

"No matter what," Kouichi said slowly, "there are always the same number of inhabitants? Everyone has a parallel?" He looked up and Marise nodded. "And Duskmon and Lowemon?"

A chuckle escaped Marise "An irregularity on your part. Not many people have split personalities that can become dangerously real," he told the boy with a hint of amusement.

Kouichi reddened visibly and turned his gaze back to the ground. "Okay," he mumbled. "Then...your diary. Um, would you like it back, sir?" He couldn't anticipate the answer. All Kouichi wanted to do was get the diary off his hands. His mind steadily chanted for Marise to affirm the question.

The chant died as if a giant wave crashed down on Kouichi, drowning him. "No, keep it," Marise had told him as soon as they stopped in front of the bookstore. "And about Kako...do you honestly plan to date her?"

If Kouichi had been red, he was beyond crimson by now. Dating had never been what he thought about. Starting to think about it made him feel dizzy. "I...uh...well, see, sir, um..." he stuttered, unsure of what to say. No, his head suddenly told him. No, you have to wait. Wait, Kouichi. We have to be sure. All hesitation ceased to exist for a mere moment. He looked up at Marise and shook his head. Although he wasn't hesitating, his breath hitched as he confessed, "I don't think...not yet. Maybe...soon."

"Brilliant decision. Yes, yes, and she can go to Hawaii."

"Isn't that technically Hideki and Mr. Sakai's decision?" Kouichi asked curiously.

Marise laughed at this. "Yes," he admitted, "but Hideki would let her if I told him to and as for Gen...well, I'll deal with him later! Now...where is that girl...?" Frowning slightly, Marise opened the door and walked inside, not bothering to wait for Kouichi to follow him. "Ah, Kako, there you are. I didn't know you were interested in any of my books."

Kako put the book in her hands down and crossed her arms, shrugging. "I guess...I was just bored," she mumbled, not meeting anyone's eyes.

Swallowing, Kouichi murmured, "If you could, Kako, would you really...go to Hawaii for me?" he suddenly blurted, hands clenching by his sides nervously. He met Kako's eyes, determination shining in his own while hers seemed blank and withholding more meaning. Kouichi could tell she was definitely considering the question-a good sign.

"Y-yeah, I guess. Hideki has a friend there. And-and...well, I don't know. I guess," she replied lamely. Her gaze shifted from Mr. Saito to Kouichi, unsure of why Kouichi was asking now. The look on both of their faces didn't help ease her worries either.

Kouichi turned to Marise, a triumphant smile on his face. "So Hideki would let her go?" he asked eagerly. Marise nodded. "Good. Have fun at Hawaii, then," Kouichi told Kako. "I'll get the ticket to you on Monday."

Horrified, Kako gazed at him. "W-wait! Hideki said I could?" she asked, shocked. When Kouichi nodded, Kako let out a curse and raced out the door. "Where the hell is he?"

Alone once more, Marise and Kouichi exchanged glances. "Was her mother this violent?" Kouichi asked, amazed.

Marise let out a laugh. "Harumi was definitely energetic!"

"And they say 'Like father, like son,'" Kouichi muttered. Making a face, he muttered, "What about 'Like mother, like daughter?"

Marise laughed some more before he made his way behind the counter. "Anything else you'd like to know?" he asked, chuckling slightly.

"Yeah...about...that light when Kako and I went out to the restaurant," Kouichi asked slowly.

Shutting his eyes, Marise replied, "My doing. I told Rai to do it, anyway. You see, we had business to discuss about you. And, seeing as she wasn't getting my point, I told her to send a small concentration of light at you two. Kako magnified it, and let's just say your second self was more clear to her."

"Oh...I get it," Kouichi mumbled. "Girls are weird."

"I agree, very much."

"They're almost all alike. Well, Kako and Ms. Kawai, anyway."

"Yes, that's true-Kako and Rai, that is."

"They're confusing."

"That they are. Strange to marry them."

"Hideki's just weird, too."

"That, I cannot deny."

"And his methods of training are, too."

Again, Marise nodded in agreement.

The two sighed and stared blankly at the counter they stood by. Finally, Marise stood up straight, cleared his throat and asked, "So...shall we give your new abilities a test?"

A grin replaced the poker face Kouichi had previously put on. Nodding, he murmured, "I'm ready to win this round."

"Alas, I doubt you'll win. Even with my little age trick wearing off, you don't have half the skills," Marise challenged. He smiled as Kouichi just grinned in response. Marise chuckled, "Then, let's go."

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Tomoki tightened his grip around the square package in his hands. He knew what it was. He knew what it contained. As to whether he could still read it, he knew not. Tomoki wanted, more than anything, to be fearless and not worry about taking care of it, but the fact was, he was scared. The prospect of a job such as this aroused the childish cowardice in him that he had always had. Yutaka was right, the boy thought glumly, sitting down on a swing, hands tightening further around the package. They spoiled me too much.

He always thought he had changed. I'm still the same, though, Tomoki realized. Despite his want to change, his mind remained as it did four years ago. Four years had done nothing to change him. Four years...and Tomoki Himi was still a baby.

But he had to have changed! Why would Takuya trust Shinya around him so often if he hadn't? Nothing seemed to make sense. He was feeling burdened by the task. He wanted to be free.

"Hey."

"T-Takuya," Tomoki stuttered, looking up to find his idol staring down at him. Nothing really had changed much these past four years. He always had looked up to Takuya since the Digital World, and he still did. The cowardly feeling throbbed, evoking guilt and tears. "I...I don't want to do this," he confessed softly.

Where there was Takuya, there was Izumi, and almost always Shinya. Tomoki could be sure Izumi had seen him and asked Takuya to talk to him. It made him feel even worse. He was weak. He was probably even weighing them down.

Takuya just shook his head, removing his goggles and placing them in Tomoki's hands. "Put these on," he ordered. Tomoki gazed blankly at Takuya, blinking through his tears. Takuya scowled, "I know they might be sweaty, but just put 'em on, I swear, it'll help you!"

Somewhat reluctantly, Tomoki slipped the goggles on his head, wincing as they fell down onto his nose. He had intended to put them on as Takuya so often did. But no matter how many times Tomoki pulled up the goggles, they constantly fell back down. "Th-they won't stay up," he stated stupidly.

"Yeah, well, just goes to show, Tomoki. Sometimes, we can't have what we want. We'll be stuck in our situation, no way out of it. Look through the goggles. Can you see clearly?" Takuya asked gently.

It all made sense. What Takuya was trying to say was wonderful. Tomoki smiled. The view was as clear with the goggles on as without them. "Yup!" he replied, cheering up even more every second.

Chuckling, Takuya replied, "So you know what I'm going to say. You just need to adjust, Tomoki. Make the best of your situation. Don't let it get to you." Smiling, he ruffled the younger boy's hair.

"Thanks, Takuya," Tomoki mumbled, suddenly flushing in an embarrassed manner. He was weighing them down by worrying. He wouldn't depend on them any longer. They were depending on him now. He wouldn't dare let them down.

Takuya laughed. "Yeah, no problem. And, um...Tomoki?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I have my goggles back? I'm starting to miss them already," he confessed in a whisper.

Suddenly, Tomoki burst out into laughter as he took off the goggles. Takuya, no matter what the situation, would remain his idol forever. And yet, it surprised him. The boy whom he considered to be the bravest was also a mere boy. Takuya, Kouji, Kouichi, Junpei...all of them were like second older brothers to him. They were as normal as he was. They got through their problems, and he would get through his.

Tomoki was going to make it. He wouldn't let anyone touch the book. They were counting on him. For once, they were counting on him.

He wouldn't dare let them down.

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Kako quietly edged towards the door, careful to keep silent.

"...told you to get it from him!"

"Sorry, not my fault I don't know what he looks like."

Those voices, she knew them. Her breath caught, Kako shifted even closer to the door. Her heart was hammering at her chest, adrenaline was rushing through her. If she could just hear more...

"Hurry up and get it! You know what he looks like, fool! The...the younger boy! I don't care about his name! I've pointed him out to you before and if you make me do it again, you'll regret it, Fujitaka."

Fujitaka? Kako's eyes widened. Fujitaka works for...I think that's Kanaye's voice.

The cold voice continued, "And get rid of the trash. It stinks."

"Y-yes sir."

"No, no, never mind. You concentrate on the book. I'll work on this," he snapped irritably.

Kako withheld a gasp as footsteps could be heard. There was nowhere to run. She was as good as caught. Busted, the girl realized. I should have just stalked Rai and Hideki.

"Hello, Kako."

Kako shut her eyes, not wanting to face defeat. "Nice to see you, too..." Her eyes opened somewhat reluctantly, focusing on the smug figure in front of her.

"Kanaye."

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A/N-

I have no excuse for posting late! Which really sucks. But one, I had no idea what the meeting should be about, two, I didn't start it until about three days ago and three, I was caught up in helping a friend with her history project. Thus, the title 'Intellectuals' for the chapter. Go Russian Revolution?

But I'm back on track! Kind of. I'm ahead in terms of Chem homework and behind in Math, meaning I might have to lay off of writing to catch up. I'm kind of getting sick of failing Math. -.- So...yeah. I'm trying my best to balance everything. Giving up even more videogame time. My mom'll be leaving to visit my grandma on Tuesday, so less naggers! That's bad, because I'm going to have to be in charge. Never trust the boys to do the work (the boys who I know, anyway). Also the reason I'm helping my friend. We finished up her project. And I still have to work on mine! Hahaha-that's bad.

So I'm sorry for my horrid slacking skills! Really hoped you liked this chapter and promise not to make you wait this long again, so hold back your hyenas, please? Save them for when I don't update the next chapter soon enough. (I hope I can update soon enough).

Thank You SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS-

Catwarrior, GemmaniGirl, Winter's Light, WithBrokenWings, YinYang HikariYami

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