Disclaimer-I don't own Digimon.

Dedication- Secil! It's nowhere near close to your birthday, I know, but let's just get through the year together (safely), okay? I wish you luuuck, everyone taking the CAHSEE. Also, dedicated to The Light's Refrain. I very much loved pouring into all those possibilities with you of Haru's existence. Jason as well, because talking to you was awesome. We got a lot done. But most importantly, Charlie. Jello to you, too.

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One And A Half Very Confused Antagonists

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Ai furiously shook the chair in front of her. There was no one in it, but in her head, she imagined it was Kanaye, tied to the chair and begging her to stop hurting him. If she could even start to inflict pain...

"But no, I had to be with him. I had to choose him as my partner. I could have been paired with anyone. Anyone. I chose him, and this is what I get!" she screamed. Angrily, Ai picked up the chair and threw it at the closed door. "I could have even chosen Duskmon!"

"Duskmon wouldn't have agreed," came the annoyed tone of a girl. Naoko pushed the door open, kicked the chair aside, and walked in, slamming the door shut behind her. "I swear, who does that damn Fujita think he is?" she scowled.

Gracefully sitting down on the desk, Ai asked, "Again?" Her eyes were vacant of emotion although the rest of her features gave her a bored look. One hand was on the desk, while the other was just above her shoulder, close to her ear, twirling a strand of hair. She had grown accustomed to hearing Naoko's complaints about Fujitaka.

Bringing the chair upright, Naoko sighed. She sat down in the chair and explained, "I've just...I don't know! He was exercising, and I just pointed out everyone could do better than he could, especially Kouichi. And he blew up at me, screaming about how he'd kill the 'bastard.' I just don't understand! He's so stupid!" Her hand connected with the flat surface of the door.

Crossing her legs, Ai smirked. "Well, Ranny-" she started.

"-I told you not to call me that!" Naoko snapped.

The first girl rolled her eyes. She folded her hands neatly in her lap and said, "They all hate Kouichi. You know that. He's too nice, and he's easy for us to use. Of course, he realizes it a minute or two after it takes a normal boy to, but he's still nice about it." She motioned for Naoko to move to the side when she heard screaming.

Curiously, Naoko stood up and opened the door. When she peeked her head out, she discovered a flustered Kanaye racing down the stairs after Ritsuo. "Oh, Ai," Naoko sang quietly, laughing a little.

Smirking, Ai hopped off the table and walked over. Naoko opened the door a bit wider to allow Ai space. Ai's arms folded across her chest as she murmured, "Well, well, well..." Her eyes followed Kanaye as, minutes later, he stormed back up stairs and shut himself up in his room.

Naoko applauded, making sure to muffle the claps. She shut the door and turned to Ai, smiling. Her eyes revealed her much obvious delight. "Well, looks like someone's plan didn't go accordingly."

The other girl just opened the door and walked outside, heading straight to Kanaye's room. Softly, she returned, "Oh, but my plan is right on track." Putting on her most innocent look, Ai knocked on Kanaye's door.

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Kanaye sat at his desk, eyes shut. Both hands rested on his temples, elbows were propped up on the desk for support. A knock on the door snapped him out of his concentration. Cursing through his gritted teeth, Kanaye's eyes flew open. "Come in," he growled icily.

He didn't have to look to know it was Ai. Seconds passed, and soon her arms were wrapped around his neck lovingly. Kanaye completely ignored her, knowing all too well it was an act. "So, what went wrong?" Ai gently cooed, brushing past his ear. When he didn't answer, she just smiled.

From the reflection on the computer screen, Kanaye saw this. He sneered as he inquired, "Are you here just to laugh at me? Go ahead, Ai. What, did you tip him off?" His voice betrayed his annoyance with a growl in the end. Noticing the indignant snort that came from beside him, Kanaye pried Ai's arms off of him and stood up.

"I've had enough," he snapped.

Ai's eyes went wide. "And I haven't?" she practically shrieked. Angrily, she took a swipe in his direction. When she missed, Ai pushed the chair over in his direction.

Kanaye quickly steadied the tilting chair and glowered at Ai. After several deep breaths, he made for the door, completely ignoring her as she yelled, "You think you know everything! You don't, so don't forget it, Kanaye! Not everything's going to plan and it's your fault!" There was the sound of a slam of the door; as to who shut the door, Kanaye was unsure.

He found himself outside soon enough, taking a great gulp of fresh air for the first time in hours. The wind felt slightly good. In all his life, Kanaye never imagined himself in the position he was in now.

Alone. Rejected. Hated.

Then again, he thought bitterly, isn't that what this job is about? I should have expected this.

He had prepared for this day since before he could remember. Digimon lore, prophesies of the past, everything from the Digital World that was passed down through his family orally, he knew. He had studied everything from Shakespeare to Macchiavelli. Never once had he been allowed to do as he had liked.

There was a strange feeling that bubbled through him. It was as if he was simply a gentle, bubbling brook...

"Perhaps...a book would help," Kanaye murmured, smiling, much to his amazement. I wonder if this is how he feels every day, being around her. Perhaps...

He could never be free...but...perhaps...

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The park was cold. No, Takuya thought bitterly, pulling his jacket around himself tighter, it's freezing. "Shinya, don't go off too far," he warned his younger brother.

Shinya, only wearing a T-shirt, looked back at his brother with a smile. He quickly nodded and wandered around the park aimlessly, never leaving Takuya's sight. The older Kanbara sighed. How can he stand the cold...? He guessed it to be a trait of young children; almost everyone younger than him wasn't wearing more than two layers.

If that hadn't gotten to Takuya, it was what Hideki had told him over the phone. 'Rai says that your brother might be important to us, even more to Lucemon. Keep an eye on the kid. I kinda like him,' he had said.

"Takuya," came a murmur from beside him.

Startled, Takuya looked up to find Izumi, breathing hard and staring down at him. Her features were flushed slightly with a hint of red. She looked as if she had been running. He sent a questioning look in her direction and motioned for her to sit down on the bench, beside him.

The blond collapsed and slumped against him. All that was heard in Takuya's ears was Izumi's harsh breath, begging to return to normal. When at last she drew one long breath, he turned his head in her direction.

"Kanaye," she told him softly, situating herself so she was no longer leaning on him, "I saw Kanaye on the way here. I...he was smiling. It was weird. He entered Marise's bookstore and..." Izumi said no more. Instead, she clung to Takuya's arm, focusing her gaze on Shinya.

The goggle boy let out a steady exhale. "He's doing pretty well," he murmured. He could feel himself shaking, and Takuya was positive it wasn't because the cold was getting to him.

Izumi noticed and pulled herself closer to him. In a quiet voice she said, "Don't worry, Takuya. Nothing will happen to him. We'll all make sure of it, okay?" He nodded and shut his eyes, and Izumi smiled. "Just go to sleep. You've earned it," she told him with a giggle. Sighing contentedly, Izumi rested her head on his shoulder and glued her eyes to Shinya, who was now chasing the birds.

A laugh escaped him, sounding forced halfway out. Unbeknownst to Izumi, small droplets formed in Takuya's eyes. Please, he thought, don't let anything happen to him. Leave him alone. Whatever you do, please...

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"Stop hogging the blanket, Kouichi," Kako mumbled, tugging sharply on the material in her hands.

A groan answered her. Wide-eyed, Kako sat up, realizing she was on the floor. Kouichi lay to her right, his back to her.

For the second day in a row, she screamed in the morning. For the second day in a row, Kouichi was thrown out of the room. For the second day in a row, Kouji was awakened by this seemingly endless cycle.

As Kouichi's back connected with the wall, Kouji slammed his door shut behind him, storming into Kako's room. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? IT'S FIVE IN THE MORNING AND YOU'RE STARTING A RACKET ALREADY!" he screamed.

Pushing the bandana boy out of her room, Kako returned, "WELL YOU'RE ALREADY AWAKE. WHAT DOES IT MATTER?" She slammed the door in Kouji's face and the bandana boy, seething, turned to his brother with an accusing look.

"I was sleeping on the floor!" Kouichi insisted. "She rolled down." Removing himself from the tangle of blankets, Kouichi stood up and regarded Kouji strangely. "You know she has a point. You're already awake. Why are you complaining?" the older twin inquired. He knocked on Kako's door, blankets rolled up in one hand.

Kouji shrugged. He folded his arms and leaned against a nearby spot on the wall. Instead of answering the question, he asked a question of his own, "You two going to the inn today?"

Kouichi nodded and muttered, "As soon as Kako opens the door." He switched the blankets from one hand to the other and knocked again.

Tugging on his bandana, Kouji contemplated his possible actions. Finally, his eyes settled on the blankets in Kouichi's hands. An amused smile formed on his face. "Those are my blankets, technically. If all you're bothering Kako for is that, you might as well spare yourself the trouble," the younger twin pointed out. He hid his smile with a mask of his own indifference.

Kouji nearly laughed as his brother reddened. "I-...I wasn't...that's not-..." He eventually headed for his brother's room and stopped talking altogether.

Half an hour later, Kouji and Kako sat at the table in the kitchen, absorbed in a heated argument while Kouichi made breakfast.

"Piximon isn't a plushie! Take that back!" Kako yelled, trying to cover Piximon's ears and hold the digimon back as he attempted to squirm out of her grip and attack Kouji.

A smirk was evident on Kouji's face. Tauntingly, he continued to chant, "Plushie," all the while pointing a finger towards Piximon.

Growling, Kako yelled, "Just wait! When he becomes famous in the digital world, you'll regret it! He'll train the best, and they'll all beat you up!" The girl let go of Piximon, crossed her arms and looked away from Kouji.

Kouichi walked over carrying the pan and three bowls stacked up on each other. The top bowl held three pairs of chopsticks. With Kouji's help, he managed to set the bowls on the table and place one pair of chopsticks in each bowl. "Scrambled eggs, enjoy," Kouichi murmured, tilting the pan over the bowls one by one and filling them.

"Couldn't you make a rainbow burger or something?" Kouji asked, staring at the bowl distastefully.

The older boy took a seat and shrugged. "There's soy sauce if you want," he offered.

Snorting, Kouji remarked sarcastically, "Yes, I'd love to drink soy sauce."

"Actually I meant add it to the eggs."

"WHO ADDS SOY SAUCE TO THEIR EGGS?"

"The same person who adds hot sauce, ketchup, mustard and cucumber to their scrambled eggs," Kouichi replied, spearing a piece with his chopstick. "Shinya." He lifted the chopsticks to his mouth and stopped. "Kako, aren't you going to eat?" he inquired gently.

Kako turned to the boy with a surprised look on her face. "What?" she asked dumbly. The girl returned the questioning look on Kouichi's face with a blank look of her own.

The bandana boy pointed to her bowl. In a loud voice, he answered, "FOOD. You know, the stuff you eat?" As he said this, he picked up his chopsticks. "Yeah, you pick up the chopsticks, pick up the food, then you eat the food," he said slowly, demonstrating his instructions.

She reddened considerably. "I'm...not that hungry," Kako confessed to Kouichi, ignoring Kouji's smirk that was directed towards her.

"Stick," Kouichi replied, pointing his chopsticks toward her. "Eat, or I'll feed you," he warned her. A snort escaped from Kouji, but was cut short when Kako did as Kouichi instructed.

The rest of breakfast was uneventful, composing mainly of Piximon sitting on the windowsill, glaring at Kouji and planning revenge. No one said a word. All concentrated on their food.

After breakfast, they all went out for a walk on the beach. Piximon, wearing the hat that Kako bought, enjoyed it the most. Carried by Kako, he was completely protected from the vicious wind on all sides. Kouichi's hat barely protected his face from the sting of flying sand particles, and Kouji, who was the worst one off, cursed every other second. Kako noticed this and, since it was only a few feet away when Kouji began to curse louder than ever, suggested they go into the inn.

Not much to anyone's amazement, the inn was open, bustling with customers checking in and out. At the front desk, Ichiro was helping the first person of a long line. A loud bell rang and Ichiro yelled, "Excuse me, everyone, it would help if you all sat down and I called you up, thanks. Please, silence is necessary." Immediately after that, everyone fell silent.

It took twenty more minutes before they were able to talk to Ichiro. During the while, Kako, who had unsuccessfully tried to take a peek at the diary, sat down and played with the hat. Piximon slept in her lap, enjoying the cool breeze Kako created while waving the hat around in small motions. The twins engaged in several rounds of staring contests. After they were unable to break the tie, they sat down and muttered the first thing that came to their head, taking turns.

"Albatross," Kouichi started.

Kouji immediately returned, "Citadel."

"Imp."

"Ogre."

"Beanstalk."

"Steel."

"Sagittarimon."

"'Hand over your obsessions,'" Kouji snickered.

Grinning as well, Kouichi corrected, "Possessions."

"Bandana."

"Banana."

"Monkey Kouji!" Kako sang.

"Stay out of this!" the twins snapped, turning to her. In return, Kako stuck out her tongue and hit Kouichi with the hat, as he was closest to her.

Ichiro thanked the last customer for their patience before he cleared his throat and walked over to the three humans and Piximon. "Well, what can I do for you?" he asked, snatching the hat and placing it on Kako's head.

Kako grabbed a hold of the hat and pushed it up to see Ichiro. "You said something about Hideki calling...?"

He snapped his fingers and gestured for Kako to follow. "Right," he agreed, "This way." Ichiro motioned to the twins. "You too," he added, grabbing a hold of Piximon and plopping the digimon on his head.

They followed Ichiro to a small room cluttered with papers. Ichiro hopped over a box that lay in the middle of the room and pressed for the speakerphone. He then proceeded to dial a number. Although the twins were clueless, it only took Kako three seconds before she realized whom Ichiro was calling. Curiously, she asked, "Why are you calling Hideki now?"

Instead of answering her, Ichiro grinned. He leaned against the wall behind him as an annoyed voice answered the phone, "Hello bastard."

The twins stared at Ichiro. "HIDEKI," Kako growled menacingly.

A surprised Hideki choked. He let out a nervous laugh. "Oh, Kako...it's you? I could have sworn it was Ichiro..." he swore, adding a string of curses after that.

"Your brother...is so weird," Kouji told Kako aloud.

Hideki was the one who answered. "I HEAR TWERP TWO!"

"Yeah? That's cuz it is twerp two you're speaking to!" Kouji screamed in return.

Kouichi shook his head and remained silent. Instead of staying quiet, Ichiro burst out into laughter. An indignant Hideki screamed, "ICHIRO, I KNEW IT! Was this a stupid call just to interrupt my time with Rai? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT TIME IT IS OVER HERE?"

"Wait-Rai?" Kako exclaimed, dropping the crumpled paper she held in her hand. She had been preparing it to throw at Ichiro, but Hideki's words got to her first. "Rai's over there?" she asked.

There was an annoyed sigh, obviously female. "Idiot. Way to go, Hideki. Now please, shut up. Hello, Kako. How's Hawaii?"

The girl's jaw dropped. "WHY ARE YOU THERE? I THOUGHT-YOU-BUT-WHAT?" Kako screamed.

"Is it that great? Well, we'll call you later. Ichiro, another call like this-"

Ichiro smoothly cut Rai off. "Oh, I'm sorry to interrupt your making out session, but-"

Clearing his throat, Kouichi turned around to head out the door. "I think...I'll wait out here," he decided, quickly running out of the room before anyone had a chance to stop him. Piximon followed him, snorting in disgust.

Almost reluctantly, Kouji left as well. Before he left, he murmured to Kako, "Have fun talking to Mr. Pervert." A quick wave and he was off.

Kako stood unmoving, too startled to talk. If Rai is with Hideki, she thought, eyes wide, then...

Ichiro must have noticed Kako's shock because he quickly said, "'Night Hideki, Rai. Uh, we'll call you back later. Bye!" Ichiro quickly reached over and turned the speakerphone off. "You didn't know?" he asked Kako.

She shook her head and tried to get over the daze. It's good. They're together. But why do I feel so weird...? Kako stumbled out of the room and rested against the wall, taking deep breaths to calm herself.

"You okay?" Kouichi asked, walking over with two cans of soda. He tossed one to Kako and opened his own. "Kouji took Piximon. They're supposedly heading back home, despite the fact that they're going the other way." He shrugged and took a sip of the soda, awaiting Kako's reaction.

There was an odd quiet as Ichiro stepped out of the room and felt Kako's forehead. "She isn't sick," he announced, "but why don't we go sit down in that meeting room we all love so much...? There are a few things we ought to go over."

Kouichi felt slightly misplaced. Soda still in hand, he turned his lower body towards the exit and suggested, "I could come back later if you want me to." He would have continued, but Kako grabbed his arm firmly.

"Basically, this concerns you, too," Ichiro told Kouichi, emphasizing Kako's point. "Let's go." He walked straight down the hall and took a left, not bothering to wait for Kako or Kouichi to follow him.

The two moved slowly, Kako still clinging to Kouichi. Slowly, she told him, "I...I read Marise's diary in the middle of the night. It wasn't a dream." She looked to him with wide, child-like eyes.

He tilted his head to the side and waited for her to continue. They had made some progress and were now turning left.

She stuttered the same words again and again, saying, "I-It said...It said..." Kako tried to get the words out, opening her mouth and closing it again and again.

Finally, Kouichi took one last gulp of his soda, swallowed, tossed the can in a nearby trashcan, and placed a finger on Kako's lips. "Don't force yourself," he told her. "Tell me when you can say it without stuttering. Okay?" He halted and waited for her answers, a gentle smile on his lips.

Kako nodded, lowering her head. "I'm worried," she confessed.

"Me too," Kouichi told her in a grave voice, "Me too."

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Kouji ignored all of Piximon's questions as they boarded the tour bus. Even after they got off by the forest, he made sure not to volunteer any information. He was perfectly aware of what he was doing and knew the consequences.

No one would ever find out. He was sure of it.

They walked past the countless trees to the main tree that stood tall and grand, shimmering like a jewel in a sea of pebbles. Kouji walked up to the tree and examined the bark. It was there, just like in the pictures.

"What are you doing?" Piximon demanded sharply.

He sighed softly, running his hands over the ancient carvings. Never in his life had he imagined himself in a position as he was in now. Even when he was fighting Velgemon...

Kouji continued to stare endlessly at the engraved runes. "Piximon, now isn't the time to lie," he whispered softly. He felt a loss of weight on his head. "What do the runes say?" The boy turned his head to catch sight of Piximon on the lowest branch.

There was a furious glare on Piximon's face. Obviously, the digimon understood Kouji's intentions. In a low voice, he growled, "I'm not going to tell you, traitor." He was on edge. Agreeing to stay with Kouji was a mistake. He still had yet to finish his promise to Marise.

The bandana came off. Kouji pocketed the cloth in his pocket and looked at the tree. His eyes were void of any emotion. In this case, emotion would only make things worse. He had to clear his mind if this was to work. "Are you sure, Piximon? You're only hurting yourself by not saying," said Kouji, voice soft. It echoed through the silence of the woods.

Piximon continued to glare in his direction. The digimon growled menacingly and kept a tight grip on his staff.

Kouji continued, not the least bit daunted, "I know how to use this gate. There are a few fools who decide it's interesting to post this information on the Internet. Of course, most of them are never seen again after they do. You're like the keeper of the gate, aren't you Piximon? Like Nefertimon was the key to getting all the fractal code at Ophanimon's castle.

"The way to get through the gate is if you or some other gatekeeper chooses to open a gate. If you wanted, you could have opened the gate for Kouichi and Kako yesterday. Why didn't you?" Kouji regarded the digimon with a bitter smile on his face. "You knew I was coming, didn't you?"

He knows too much. Forgive me, Kako. "PSY BOMB!" Piximon yelled, springing off the branch.

It was an easy attack to side step for Kouji. What was hard was the frontal attack thrown at him by Piximon. Weaponless, it wasn't easy to defend himself. A nearby branch aided his effort to stay alive. "I'm sorry, Piximon," he muttered, sliding back and bringing up the branch as Piximon swung his staff towards Kouji, "but it'll be better if you're gone."

"P-PSY BOMB!" Piximon yelled again. His eyes widened, frightened by Kouji's words. He had no time to get away as Kouji swung the branch downwards. His promise...he had to keep it. Please, Marise, forgive me, Piximon thought as Kouji's branch connected with his side. Piximon flew down into the mix of grass, dirt and leaves, breath shallow. There was a shadow above him; he knew it was Kouji.

No emotion. Not a tear, not a sorry, nothing. Kouji stared down at Piximon, face blanker than ever. "Believe me, Piximon," he said softly. "Believe me. Everything's better off this way."

The last thing Piximon heard was fading footsteps before he succumbed to darkness. Marise...I'm sorry. Maybe...later...after this sleep...

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Marise quietly accepted the jolt that passed through his heart. It caused him to lean forward against the counter, and Kanaye must have noticed. "Boy, shouldn't you be at home?" the bookstore owner demanded.

"Please, Seraphimon. Spare me the act. It's what...? Two in the morning? No one's going to hear," Kanaye retorted. He paused, taking in Marise's position. "So, how does it feel?" the boy inquired.

Despite the obvious, Mr. Saito continued to play innocent. "What?" he returned.

Kanaye was quiet for a while before he asked, "Losing a follower. What's it like?"

"Piximon wasn't so much of a follower as a dear friend, Kanaye. It hurts, but I've suffered worse. After a while, the pain numbs, and you must accept it," Marise told him firmly.

Friends, Kanaye repeated in his head. He had never really had any. Perhaps the works of Macchiavelli affected him most. A kind ruler verses one who induces fear among his subjects. He had been the latter. He hadn't lost anything, but only because he had nothing to lose.

Marise shifted so he lay back in his chair, trying to catch his breath. He noticed Kanaye's confused look. Chuckling, he asked, "Devimon, are you letting human emotions get to you?"

The boy looked up, startled. "I...suppose," he answered slowly. "Tell me, Marise. Is it worth it to have friends if you'll only end up losing them?" Kanaye's eyes focused on Marise, piercing through the man.

Mr. Saito remained unaffected. A deep sigh ran through him and his eyes shut. A smile formed on his lips and he murmured, "It's worth every moment. Devimon-no, Kanaye. Kanaye, my boy, you never really lose your friends. You die, but your spirit lives. You of all people should know this." Marise's eyes opened, and he chuckled. Maybe he'll learn, the man thought, watching as Kanaye continued to look through the shelves. Not as Devimon, but as Kanaye. Kanaye Chijou.

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Ichiro stood at the window, allowing the breeze to brush against him. "Let me introduce myself again," he murmured, turning to face Kouichi and Kako. Both sat down at the end of the table close to the door opposite of each other. "I am Ichiro Egawa. I am also Bokomon's shadow, as Marise would say," he told them. His hands were clasped together behind his back and a solemn look stood fixed on his face.

"Known," Kako muttered.

The young man shook his head. "Kouichi doesn't know, you forget," he told her. After a hesitant nod from Kouichi, Ichiro continued, "You read the prophecy, right? Yes, you did. Well there's a second part to it." He eyed them with a great deal of curiosity. "You two are trustworthy enough. I can't exactly trust Ryu. He'll go blabbing."

Kouichi interrupted Ichiro before he could continue. "Who is Ryu's shadow?" the boy inquired. It was a sudden question, Kouichi knew, but he was curious. Quickly, he added, "Not meaning to be rude or anything, I just-" Kouichi leaned back in his chair and looked at the table, embarrassed.

Laughing, Ichiro told him, "...that's a funny question! Not because of the way you asked it, but because his shadow is...well, it's not as funny as Hideki's shadow, but that's later. Ryuusei's shadow is Sorcermon." Ichiro shook his head and continued, "So anyway, the next part of the prophecy deals with that egg you two secured..." Ichiro trailed off once more, noticing the doorknob shaking.

A sigh was emitted from Kako. "Continue," she murmured, waving a hand towards Ichiro.

He made it quick. "Basically, it's got anything and everything to do with Banana boy. Yes, I mean banana," he confirmed, staring in Kouichi's direction.

Banana? Bandana-Kouji! Kouichi nodded in understanding and stood up. He opened the door and nearly got hit as Ryuusei, thinking the door would never be opened, was about to kick it open. Thinking quickly, Kouichi moved himself behind the door.

Ryu stared blankly as he realized the door was open. "Oh, I thought you guys were-never mind," he muttered, walking over and taking a seat beside Kako. "So, what'd I miss?"

"Nothing you need to know," Ichiro scowled, walking outside the room.

Kako smiled and followed, dragging Kouichi along. Ryu trailed behind them, hands stuck in his pockets. Sighing, Kako removed her hat and looked at the ceiling, noticing the random colors that were painted on it. Like a road of life, she thought. A sharp jolt ran through her and she nearly collapsed. The only reason she didn't was because Kouichi was right beside her. Without warning, she toppled against him, eyes wide. A familiar, nauseating fear overcame her, reducing her to a simple girl, unable to do anything.

The moment he felt himself pushed to the side, Kouichi figured something was wrong. "Ichiro!" he yelled, grabbing a hold of Kako as she sank to the ground. "Something-"

"I know," Ichiro murmured, running over. Ryuusei was already by Kako's side, a hand on her forehead. "Is she heating up?" the older Egawa inquired.

Ryuusei shook his head. "But just in case...I think...it...but..." Brokenly, he looked up at his brother with worried eyes. "You think she'll-"

"Don't be stupid, you idiot! Kako's not going to die today," Ichiro yelled, whacking his brother on the head. He let out an exasperated sigh and motioned to Kouichi. "Can you carry her? We can use one of the spare rooms I use," he suggested.

She can't die, Kouichi thought, gazing wide-eyed at how easily Ichiro brushed it off. He nodded quickly, realizing Ichiro was talking to him. And still, as he managed to carry Kako on his back, he realized it made sense. Kouji, Piximon, the egg, the diary. The diary, Kouichi realized. He could read the diary. There was a reason this was happening. Kako isn't going to die, he told himself. It hardly reassured him.

Nothing did anymore.

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Kouji collapsed onto his knees, breathing with great difficulty. He had done it, but even though he had masked any sign of emotion...

It was coming to haunt him. Piximon's terrified look, his own ruthlessness. He had done it all willingly. That was what bothered him. He had done it all willingly.

Yet what he said had been the truth. Without Piximon, things would be easier. Kouichi would probably never trust him and Kako would hate him forever, true, but the price was small to pay compared to the results he would get. Or is it, Kouji wondered bitterly, is it all that I think it is...? I'm just as blind as they are. I'm just the only one looking for an alternate way out of this.

He stared at Piximon's limp body. No, even if he murdered Piximon, even if Piximon would probably disappear after he left, even if he hated Piximon, it wouldn't be right to leave the body lying there like a dead bird. Kouji quickly set his priorities on making a burial ground for Piximon. At the base of the tree, he decided, spearing the branch in his hand into the ground and lifting it up at an angle.

It took minutes of hard work. Kouji wanted it to be deep. He wanted Piximon to be buried deep; in his memories, too, he wanted the moment to be buried deep. Piximon would never be forgotten, but...

Gently, Kouji picked up the tiny body and lay it in the hole very carefully. He filled in the dirt, finding that his own tears were joining in the effort. All the while Kouji found himself thinking, Please, Piximon, I'm sorry. I really am.

Was he really saving everyone a bit of pain?

He had taken a shortcut back to the start of the long road he had walked during his adventures in the Digital World. After all the progress he had made, after all that he had gone through...

Kouji Minamoto was back at the start.

Once more, he was alone.

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Kanaye sat down on his bed. Not one ounce of fatigue existed in his body. Not one drop was shown. He was alert, awake, ready to read. The book in his hand was written by Marise himself, and yet he didn't care. He was happy. For the first time in a long time, he was happy.

"Minoru: Le Patron," he chuckled to himself. Minoru: The Boss. Marise must really want me to get my act together, he thought with a smile.

Even his enemy was aiding him. Why weren't his followers? They weren't his friends, technically, and neither was Marise. Yet Marise, who wasn't close to him at all, was helping him. Ai and the others...

It was a rather refreshing night. There was no need to worry about cloaking the main computer room with a hologram device. There was no need to appease Ai through praise and gifts or kisses or expensive dates. There was no need to think about Ritsuo or Kimura or Shinya or Naoko and Fujitaka. There was no need for any of them. There was no need for anything except time and a good book.

Echoing throughout the house was the laughter of Kanaye. And for once, it wasn't the cold heartless laughter that usually echoed throughout the halls. For once, true, genuine laughter filled the house and rid the boy of his troubles.

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A/N-

You know, just before the Kouji and Piximon scene, I stopped writing. I went online, and I was bombarded by e-mails from four people. Three from school, and one being The Light's Refrain. Only two really helped me move with this chapter. For almost over an hour, I talked to those two about two totally different plots. Today morning I was worrying about my writing. After talking to them, I felt a lot better. I explored things I never really could before, not alone, anyway. Jason, thanks a lot. You come up with awesome plots, and they're a hell of a lot of fun to write. And Haru's character was great to develop, The Light's Refrain. So thank you two a lot (even though Jason doesn't read this XP).

If I take a while to update, forgive me. I have an essay, a thesis, a book to read and a 'book report' to do. Basically, three essays and a book. Not to mention Chem and stuff, but I bs that.

THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS AND PMs-PrincessYami, GemmaniGirl, The Light's Refrain

Review or PM or Flame.