Chapter 16

She woke up the next morning and ate a quick breakfast, giving most of it to Miharumon, and left quickly. She went to Tai's apartment, and he said they were going to meet with the others, and to bring their old address book. After finding hers, Yumi went back to find he'd made a complete mess of his room, and hadn't found it. She sighed, and decided to wait outside with Miharumon. Izzy came with Tentomon, who was wearing a 'disguise', and Tai came out. After giving Agumon his own 'disguise', they headed to the park. The first people there were Matt and T.K. Yumi looked around for the others, and saw Sora running up with Biyomon. Then Mimi came up, pushing Palmon in a stroller.

They all sat in a circle, talking about all of the damage from Myotismon's henchmen. "We need to stop him! If we do, then both world's will be saved!" Yumi said, and Matt noticed that she was starting to act more and more like Miharumon. Before Izzy could explain why everybody had brought their address books, Joe ran up, saying, "Wait! Don't start without me! I love Izzy's theories!" Obana was there with Akiramon, and she said, "I like them too, but not enough to scream about them." Akiramon could here the compliment in her words, and saw Izzy's confused look. "She means she likes your theories. Strangely enough, she's complimenting you."

Izzy lightly blushed, saying, "Okay…" Obana was blushing lightly herself, and Akiramon saw it. Izzy said, "We all know that the last Digidestined saw the fight four years ago, so they're somewhere in these address books. So some people will call and everyone else will search." Joe said, "I can do some calling, as long as my folks don't find out, but I need to start studying, so I can't go on the search with you." Yumi sighed, and everyone gave him their address books. Yumi and Obana started walking around the city, holding their Digivices. Akiramon's small tail swished from side to side, and Miharumon was getting bored.

They were walking near the water, and Miharumon perked, and watched a boat going by, and was growling softly. Suddenly, Yumi looked up at a large tower in the center of the city, and her eyes widened when she saw that it seemed to be bending. "Miharumon!" Miharumon's attention snapped from the boat to the tower, and she nodded, understanding. She digivolved to Haramon, and Yumi, Obana, and Akiramon got on her back. She jumped to the roof of the closest building, and ran from rooftop to rooftop, making it to the tower quickly. She jumped onto the tallest building and then onto the top of the tower. "Skullmeramon!" She snarled, allowing Akiramon to jump off.

Obana held the Digivice to her chest, saying, "Come on, Akiramon! Let's do this!" Akiramon nodded, Digivolving to Kazumamon. He shot a Piercing Arrow, but Skullmeramon didn't even flinch…much. Haramon shot a Howling Tornado, not wanting to get too close, because of Yumi and Obana. She noticed Kabuterimon. Skullmeramon shot a fireball at them, but Kabuterimon dodged. It hit the tower, and Kabuterimon went to hold it up. Agumon jumped off, Digivolving to Greymon. He kicked Skullmeramon in the face, making him fall back. Kazumamon shot another Piercing Arrow, and it struck Skullmeramon hard. He got up, and shot a fireball at Greymon.

Haramon snarled, and would have rushed in blindly if Yumi hadn't gripped her fur tighter. She shot another Howling Tornado, and Skullmeramon was distracted as Greymon Digivolved to Metalgreymon.
Metalgreymon jumped into the air, and used Mega Claw. Skullmeramon grabbed onto it with his chain and aimed at Metalgreymon. When he missed, Metalgreymon pulled him into the air, and shot him with Giga Blaster. Skullmeramon was defeated, and Haramon relaxed slightly, still feeling something bad was going to happen. They went back to searching, and Obana and Akiramon left them around sunset to go home.

Miharumon could tell that Yumi didn't want to talk, and noticed that they weren't heading to her house, either. They were walking down an empty street, Yumi's gaze unfocused, until a fog rolled in. Her eyes snapped back into focus, and she asked, "Miharumon, what's going on?" Miharumon was snarling, and said, "It's Myotismon!" Suddenly, a figure appeared in the fog, and Yumi's heartbeat quickened. Miharumon's snarl shot up in her throat, and she stood in front of Yumi protectively. "What do you think you can do, dog?" "What do you want?" Miharumon demanded. "I came for the girl and her crest, nothing more." "Well you're not getting either, Myotismon."

She snarled, shooting a Howling Inferno. He blocked it with his cape, and said, "That futile attempt won't stop me." Yumi held her Digivice tight. "Let's fight, Miharumon!" Miharumon nodded, Digivolving to Haramon, and Yumi jumped onto her back. Haramon shot a Howling Tornado, and he dodged. He used Grizzly Wing, and Haramon shot a few Howling Tornado's, destroying the bats, and saw, out of the corner of her eye, Myotismon use Crimson Lightning. She used Slashing Fangs, destroying the Crimson Lightning. Haramon said, "Yumi, find the others. I'll hold him off for as long as I can." "But I can't just…" "I'll be fine."

Yumi stayed silent for a moment before sliding off Haramon's back. "I'll be back as soon as I can." She promised, and ran down the street. Myotismon tried to catch her with Crimson Lightning, but Haramon used Slashing Fangs. Yumi ran as fast as she could, looking around frantically for her friends. She saw Matt and T.K., and called out, "Matt! Over here!" He looked up in surprise, asking, "Yumi? What are you doing here?" "Matt, I need your help! Haramon's holding off Myotismon, but she won't last long! You've got to hurry!" He seemed confused at first, but followed her as she led the way.

She ran the whole way back, to see Myotismon throw Iinomon to the ground. "IINOMON!!" She called out, running to her unconscious partners side. She lifted Iinomon gently into her arms, tears stinging her eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't come in time. I'm sorry." "Yumi, WATCH OUT!!" She heard Matt's warning too late, because, the next moment, her arms were pinned to her sides by a Crimson Lightning. "How pathetic, just like your Digimon." Yumi had dropped Iinomon, and struggled against the Crimson Lightning, wanting to break free and comfort her partner, her friend…. her best friend. Gabumon Digivolved to Garurumon and shot a Howling Blaster.

Myotismon's attention switched to Garurumon, and his Crimson Lightning weakened significantly. It suddenly disintegrated, and Yumi cradled Iinomon in her arms, moving away from Myotismon. She has a powerful crest…I can't allow her to find it's true strength! Myotismon thought as he easily defeated Garurumon. I need to either separate her from her Digimon, or destroy them both. He thought, looking down at her. And to destroy her would be such a waste. Yumi stood up, stepping away from Myotismon, holding Iinomon to her heart. Garurumon Digivolved to Weregarurumon, and used Wolf's Claw.

Myotismon found this becoming quite troublesome, and said, "I'll leave, but I'll be back. You can't defend her forever." "Yes I can!" Matt countered, as Myotismon disappeared. Yumi looked down at Iinomon, and ran her finger over the symbol on Iinomon's collar. Matt came up to her, asking, "Yumi, are you alright?" Yumi nodded, and said, smiling weakly, "Thanks." After a moment of thought, she kissed him on the cheek. "And there's your reward." She said softly. Both of them blushed as T.K. ran up with Patamon. Matt thought it would be best if he walked her home, seeing as Iinomon couldn't defend her. Yumi didn't object, but they walked in silence.

Gabumon and Patamon were worried about Iinomon, since she hadn't awoken yet, while Yumi just couldn't find anything to say. They soon reached her apartment, and she smiled, saying, "Thanks for walking me home. Bye." She went inside, and closed the door behind her. She got plenty of food from the fridge, and went into her bedroom. Iinomon woke up, and Yumi set the food before her. Iinomon ate plenty, and she soon started sleeping on a full stomach. Yumi smiled, but worry soon crossed her face, and she absentmindedly washed the dishes before taking a hot shower and going to bed. She didn't go to sleep at once, she was too worried.

But when sleep began to cloud her mind, she asked herself, Why was he after only me?