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Disclaimer: Digimon Tamers (c) Yukio Kaizawa
Claimer: Everything else.
Chapter Seven: Confrontation with Ogremon
The next day, Henry and Kori walked to school together, in which Kori confronted him about their growing relationship. She wore a light blue-coloured jacket over her white T-shirt, and wore dark blue slacks.
"It's too risky," she told him, "I don't want to risk your life for mine. I'm going to die anyway."
"I will if I have to," he replied sternly.
She sighed sadly, "Henry, is there any way for you to take back your feelings for me?"
His eyes widened in surprise and it hit him hard. "W-Why?" he inquired, feeling growing rejection in his heart.
She looked at him with sad golden eyes. "Henry, it's not that I don't love you. Believe me, I do. It's because I don't want to see you live through heartache when I have to sacrifice myself. I want to save you a world of heartache," she explained, "Things will end in tragedy if you grow to love someone who's condemned to die."
"Hey, don't be like that," he said, wrapping his arms around her, "There's no way I'll take back my feelings. I love you, and there's nothing in this world that can change that."
Kori smiled, leaning on him as they continued to walk. "Just remember, Henry. Try not to get too attached to me. The less you feel for me, the better for when I die."
He sighed, "Must you be so pessimistic?"
"I'm being realistic, here," she retorted sternly, pulling away from his awkward embrace, "Our relationship will put us both in unnecessary danger, Henry. That's why it has to stop here."
They soon arrived at the school, and were greeted by Takato, Jeri, Kenta and Kazu.
"Hey guys," Kazu greeted cheerfully.
"Good morning," Kori replied.
"Morning!" Takato exclaimed.
"Morning," Henry said, "What have you guys been up to lately?"
"Nothing much, just hanging out before school starts," Kenta replied.
Kori grinned at Jeri. "How was you and Takato's date yesterday?" she inquired, "Did you both have fun?"
She giggled, "We had the best time ever! First we went for lunch, then we went to the movies, then we went shopping, and got bread for Guilmon!"
"So… none of you heard about the disturbance in the park?" Henry asked curiously, a bit puzzled.
"What disturbance?!" Takato demanded, "Was it a Digimon?! Did you guys take care of it?"
"Calm down, Takato," Kori reassured, "It wasn't a Digimon. It was a transmission from the Digital World. Remember that Digimon Empress I was talking about. That transmission was from her."
"What? Who's the Digimon Empress? That's seriously not Rika, right?" Kazu asked, because Rika was sometimes referred as the Digimon Queen.
"No, it's a girl that wants to take over the Digital World and turn it into darkness. Her real name is Serena Hitsumori, and her goal at current is to either capture or kill Kori," Henry explained quickly, "And we've got to protect her."
"Henry," Kori warned, half-scolding, "Don't. Even. Start."
He glared at her with serious grey eyes. "We're protecting you, Kori. Whether you like it or not."
She rolled her own golden eyes. "My fate has been sealed. You've got to understand that. Ugh… anyway, moving on… Takato, can you show me to the classroom? I'm in your class with the teacher called Ms. Nami Asaji. I'll see you later, Henry."
As she began to leave, he grabbed her arm and turned her towards him. "One more thing," he said. Then he gently kissed her and let her go with them. "I'll see you later," he stated.
Jeri, Takato, Kenta and Kazu sighed in awe at the sight before taking Kori with them to the classroom.
"Since when did you two hook up?" Kazu asked curiously.
Kori laughed, "Kazu! We're not actually together. We can't be."
"Why not?" Kenta inquired, confused, "You like him back, don't you?"
She nodded. "I do, but we can't be together, not while Serena is after me. I don't want to put him in unnecessary danger," she answered honestly.
"Aww… that's so sweet of you," Jeri cooed.
She laughed in reply as they entered the classroom. Kori walked over to bow to Ms. Asaji.
"Good morning, Ms. Asaji. I'm Kori Hinagaya," she introduced.
The brown-haired woman looked at her and smiled, offering her hand. "Ah, Kori. It's nice to finally meet you. I'm told you work with the government?"
The tamer nodded, taking and shaking the hand. "Yes. My position is in regards with the Digimon that appear and have appeared in our world. The principal has given to you my note, correct?"
"Yes, and I'm fine with giving less homework," Ms. Asaji replied, handing her a small pile of books, "Now, you can take a seat near the window, and here are all your books."
"Thank you," she said, accepting the books and taking the window seat, taking off her jacket and setting it on the chair.
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Hour by hour, the subjects passed, and it was math now. She looked outside the window and saw another class having gym. She watched as they ran laps around the field. Her sharp eyes caught Henry within the group, and she smiled. He was wearing the boys pure white gym uniform with a collar and shorts.
Hmm... cute, she thought smugly. Suddenly, her cell phone rang in her pocket.
Immediately, Ms. Asaji went silent and looked at her, as did everyone else in the classroom. Kori looked upon the caller ID and recognized the number. She got out of her seat and said, "I've got to take this." She exited the classroom and flipped open her phone. "Yamaki! This had better been important. I'm in the middle of class!" she hissed.
"Kori! There's a Digimon heading your way. By my calculations, it's a big one. It's going to bio-emerge soon! Be careful!" he told her desperately.
Suddenly, she heard a cry from inside the classroom, and she ran back in, just to see that everyone had gathered around the windows. Outside appeared to be foggy, and instantly she, Takato, Jeri, Kazu and Kenta knew what it was.
"Too late," Kori told Yamaki on the phone, "We'll handle it." Then she hung up and took out her D-arc. "Patamon! Gatomon! If you can hear me, which I know you can, get Terriermon and get over to the school as fast as you can! There's a Dark Digimon on the loose here!"
Then she ran over to them and moved her way to the front, opening the window wide. A large dark shadow could be seen, and the students having gym were unaware of it, all except Henry.
Kori turned to Takato and the other tamers. "Do you guys have your Digivices?" she demanded.
Only Takato took out his. Kori gritted her teeth. "Call Guilmon," she ordered him, "Get him to come as quickly as possible. He's closer than the others."
Down below, the wild Digimon could now be seen as tall, green skin, large sharp teeth, and holding a huge one-sided-spiked club. A dark purple and black aura was floating around him, and Kori knew the Digimon's power had been increased.
"Ogremon, Champion virus level. Special attacks, Pummel Whack, Bone Cudgel and Strong Maul," Takato stated, looking at the picture and info on the projection provided by the D-arc.
"Argh… not him again…" Kori muttered, "This Digimon just doesn't know when to quit."
"Where's Kori Hinagaya?" Ogremon demanded threateningly. Then his blue eyes fell upon Henry, who gasped in surprise. "Ah… a tamer… The Digimon Empress told me about you… Tell me… where is Kori?"
"Like I'd tell you!" he shouted in reply.
"He's going to get himself killed!" Kori hissed angrily.
They watched helplessly as Ogremon slowly advanced on Henry, wielding his club. All of a sudden, Henry stopped and stood his ground, setting himself into a defensive martial arts position.
"What is he doing?!" Kazu exclaimed.
"Henry!" Kenta called, "Get outta there while you still can! He's gonna kill you if you don't move!"
The half-Chinese boy didn't listen, and kept his ground, eyes narrowed at the enemy.
"That's it," Kori determined, jumping onto the windowsill in a crouched position, "I can't stand here just watching. I've got to do something."
"Kori! What are you doing?!" Jeri cried worriedly.
"I'm going to stall until our Digimon get here," she explained quickly, watching as Ogremon raised the club above his head. In one fluid movement, she leaped from her position on the window and down towards Ogremon with her foot out.
"No! Kori!" Takato shouted, an instant too late.
As Ogremon lowered his club towards Henry, Kori's foot connected with the Digimon's cheek, and sent him flying to the side, crashing into the dirt. She landed swiftly on her feet in front of Henry.
"Are you okay?" she asked him.
"Uh…" he stammered, taken aback at what just happened, "Yeah."
She glared at him. "Don't ever dare to do something like that again," she scolded, "This guy is dangerous, and should not be taken lightly."
Ogremon rose, and grinned at Kori, re-weighing his club. "So, finally, Kori, you reveal yourself to me."
"I know what it is you seek," she hissed, "and you're not getting it, either." Her hands shot out and immediately, bands of air wound around Ogremon, but were easily dispatched by a swing of his club. He slowly began to walk back over to them, quietly chuckling. "I cannot hold him off for very long," she murmured to Henry, "Get into the building as quickly as you can. I've already called for Terriermon, Gatomon and Patamon. Takato has called for Guilmon. They should be here soon. I'll hold him off. Go!"
"I won't leave you," Henry told her.
Roughly, Kori pushed him out of the way as Ogremon's club smashed down upon the dirt in which they had just stood. Kori rolled out of the way and quickly jumped to her feet, lashing out in a roundhouse kick, in which the Digimon blocked with the smooth side of his club. Immediately, he retaliated, flinging her away so that she crashed into the side of the school wall and landed on the ground painfully.
"Kori!" she could hear her friends cry. But she was weakened by the impact to move. Ugh… this is so ridiculous… she thought.
Ogremon walked over to her and grabbed her by the throat, smashing her against the wall. Blood dripped from the corner of her mouth as she weakly stared at her enemy. "Who is the second child you've chosen? Tell me, or I'll-" he raised his club to her throat.
"NO!" Henry screamed, and immediately, the Crest of Hope burst into a golden light.
Ogremon grinned evilly and let Kori go, and her body crumpled to the ground. She struggled to her elbows as she watched the Ogre Digimon walk towards Henry, death raging in his blue eyes.
Henry slowly backed away as Ogremon grinned evilly. The Crest of Hope had ceased glowing, and now rested uselessly against Henry's skin. Ogremon raised his club so that it would swing him away, where he could claim his prize. Henry closed his eyes in defeat and waited for the pain to come.
"So you're the one whom she chose. Pitiful little tamer," Ogremon hissed, and he swung the club.
All of a sudden, Henry felt himself pushed to the ground, and a cry broken off as the club impacted another. When he opened his eyes, he saw Kori lying not far from him, her eyes half-open, and her body still. Blood slowly spilled from a deep cut in her side.
"Filthy human," Ogremon hissed, raising his club over Kori, "Now you must pay."
"No! Kori!" Henry screamed, struggling to his hands and knees, "Please! Don't do it!"
"Celestial Arrow!" A bright pink arrow made of light flew from out of the fog and hit Ogremon in the chest, making him falter backwards and falling onto his back.
Immediately, Angewomon, Angemon and Gargomon appeared from the fog, and Ogremon turned on them.
Henry quickly scrambled to Kori's side and took her into his arms. "No… Kori…" he whispered, tears streaming from his eyes, brushing blood away from her lips. Gently, he leaned down and kissed her softly.
"H-Henry…" she breathed, staring up into his grey eyes, "It's okay. I'll be alright."
He pressed her tightly against his chest, sobbing, "I'm so sorry, it's all my fault."
Angewomon and Gargomon quickly went over to them as Angemon held Ogremon off.
"Are you two okay?!" Gargomon demanded.
"Oh no, Kori!" Angewomon exclaimed, seeing the deep wound in her side, as well as the blood leaking from her.
"I-I'll be okay," she reassured, "Take care of him first."
"Pyro Sphere!" A ball of red flame was shot towards Ogremon and hit him in the chest.
"Guilmon!" Takato shouted as he ran out from the building. The red dinosaur appeared and quickly ran over to his tamer.
"Takatomon!" he shouted.
"It's time you digivolved!" he yelled, pulling out a modify card, "Digimodify! Digivolution activate!"
"Guilmon digivolve to… Growlmon!" Immediately, Growlmon ran to tackle Ogremon, in which he evasively dodged.
"You can do it Growlmon!" Takato yelled encouragingly.
Kori tensed at a spark of pain as she tried to adjust to the position on Henry's lap. "Ugh…" she groaned, "It feels like my wound is burning."
"Bone Cudgel!" Ogremon smashed his club against the ground, and the whole floor vibrated. Pain shot through Kori's body as the sudden tremor caused her broken bones to cut into her flesh.
"Kori!" Henry shouted as her body ceased to move. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was both faint and shallow.
Angewomon bent down right next to her. "I think she's broken a few bones. We need to get her to a hospital as soon as possible."
"But first we need to take care of Ogremon," Gargomon added, blasting away at Ogremon.
"Hand of Fate!" Angemon shot a beam of sacred energy from his fist and it hit the Digimon against the wall, rendering him defenceless. "Pyro Blaster!" Growlmon shot a huge fireball out of his mouth. "Gargo Lasers!" Gargomon shot lasers from the Gatling Arm gauntlets on his arms. "Celestial Arrow!" Angewomon shot an arrow of pink light from her glowing bow. As all four attacks made a direct hit on Ogremon, he screamed and began to turn into data, which disappeared. The fog also began to clear.
"It's all over now," Gargomon sighed, de-Digivolving back into Terriermon.
Tears streamed down Henry's face as he stared at Kori's unconscious form, gently stroking her cheek with the back of his fingers. She was right. I shouldn't have grown so attached to her. Because of me, she was put into unnecessary danger. Because of me, she got hurt. If Angewomon hadn't of interfered, Ogremon would have… killed her… and it would have been all my fault, he thought miserably, Now I understand what she meant by our relationship would put us in unnecessary danger. "Kori, I am so sorry," he whispered, kissing her gently before cradling her close, "I love you…"
"Henry! Kori! Are you okay?!" Takato shouted as he ran over to them with Guilmon.
Angemon and Angewomon de-Digivolved back into Patamon and Gatomon and quickly made their way over to them.
"I'm fine," Henry said, looking up at Takato before gazing back down into Kori's face, "But she's not. We have to get her to a hospital as soon as possible."
"Takato!" Ms. Asaji yelled from the window, "Are you guys okay?!"
Takato looked up. "Kori's hurt!" he shouted back, "Otherwise the rest of us are fine!"
Suddenly, a black car skidded to a stop just on the sidewalk. Yamaki stepped out and ran over to them. "Are you kids okay?" he demanded. Then his eyes fell upon the blood staining Kori's white shirt, as well as her blood staining Henry's white uniform as he held her against him. "Are you both okay?!"
"Henry's fine. Kori is hurt," Guilmon explained, "We have to get her to a hospital."
"Come. I'll take her there in my car. Henry, do you want to come along?" Yamaki replied quickly, "The police and government agents are on their way here, and so your school will be let out early anyway."
He nodded gravely, then cautiously lifted her into his arms. Terriermon sat on his shoulder, and Patamon and Gatomon followed them to the car.
"I'll explain everything to Ms. Asaji. Guilmon will help me," Takato said, running back into the building, "Take good care of Kori!"
Quickly, Yamaki drove them to the hospital, where paramedics took Kori out of Henry's arms.
"Now what?" Patamon inquired worriedly.
"We have no choice, but to wait," Yamaki said, "I would stay here if I could, but I've got to return to the Hypnos building. Henry, it's best if you return home for how. I've told the doctors to give me a call after the operation. I'll let you know when you can visit her. It's most likely you won't be allowed to visit her until at least tomorrow, and so, it's best you return home. I can give you a ride, if you want."
"Can we stay here with Kori?" Gatomon asked.
The government agent shook his head. "I'm afraid not, it's too dangerous for you Digimon to stay here alone. Even if someone were to stay here with you, you can't see her until tomorrow."
Henry smiled sincerely at them. "You both can stay with me until Kori gets better," he offered. Then his expression dropped as he thought guiltily, After all, I was the one who put your tamer in the hospital in the first place.
"Yeah! It would be like one of those sleepover-things!" Terriermon exclaimed, trying to lighten the mood.
"Sure. Thanks Henry. Thanks Terriermon," Patamon and Gatomon agreed.
Yamaki smirked. "Then it's settled, I'll take you home now," he said, leading them out of the building, where they re-entered his car and drove off.
He dropped them back out in front of the apartment building, and then he left. Henry sighed and went up to his floor, then looked at his bloodied uniform and thought, What's Mom going to think when I come home looking like this?
He opened his front door and shouted, "Mom! I'm home from school!"
"Hi Honey! Why are you home from school so soon?" she called back.
"A Digimon attacked at our school. I'm okay though," he replied.
She walked over and saw that he was still wearing his gym uniform, and there was dried blood on it! "HENRY!" she screamed, "OH MY GOSH!"
"It's okay, Mom!" he yelled back quickly, "I'm fine! This isn't my blood! I'm not hurt!"
Instantly she calmed down and ran over to him, hugging him tightly. "Thank goodness! You scared me for a moment there. And who's this?" she replied, looking at Patamon and Gatomon.
"This is Gatomon and Patamon. They're Kori's Digimon partners, and they're going to be staying with us for a little while," Terriermon explained.
"Why? Where's Kori?" Mrs. Wong inquired.
Patamon's blue eyes were cast downwards. "She's in the hospital," he said sadly.
"What?! What happened?!" she exclaimed.
"She was injured during the fight against the wild Digimon," Gatomon replied, "Henry and Yamaki took her to the hospital, and we don't know how she's doing right now…"
"Oh my goodness! Is she going to be okay?" she asked worriedly.
"We don't know. They took her to the emergency room after we got her there," Henry said, eyes sad, "It's all my fault. If only I had listened to her instead of staying to let her get herself nearly killed."
"It's not your fault, Henry," Patamon reassured.
"Patamon's right," Gatomon agreed, "It's in Kori's nature to protect those she loves and cares for."
Mrs. Wong looked at her son with peculiar eyes. "Did you tell her, Henry? Did you tell her that you loved her?" she asked curiously
He nodded. "She feels the same way," he replied sadly, "The problem is, we can't be together. Or else it puts us both into extra unnecessary danger. And after what happened today, I realized just how right she was about it. She nearly died because of me."
"Oh Honey…" she sighed, embracing him, "I'm sure she'll be alright."
"After all, it's not your fault," Patamon assured.
Gatomon nodded and smiled warmly. "We don't blame you for what happened to her, Henry," she added, "We blame Ogremon and most of all, Serena. She was the one who sent him after her in the first place."
"Thanks guys," Henry sniffed.
"Now, let's get you changed," his mother said, "and I'll get that uniform washed for you."
"Thanks, Mom," he replied, running over to his room and changing into a fresh pair of clothes, handing the bloodied uniform to his mother.
Suddenly, the phone rang.
"Henry, will you please get that?" she implored him.
He obliged and went over to pick up the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey Henry, it's Rika. Me and the rest of the guys are at the hideout right now. They explained to me what happened, is Kori okay?" Rika stated.
The half-Chinese tamer sighed with a heavy heart. "I don't know. They took her to the emergency room once we got there. Yamaki told me he'd give me a call after the operation. And are you ditching school?" he replied.
"I guess so. Well… apparently Takato called my house, in which my Grandma called my school and allowed me to be excused, so thank her," she explained, "In the meantime, get over here. We're waiting for you. Are Gatomon and Patamon with Kori in the hospital?"
"No, they're staying here with me until she gets better," Henry told her.
"Good," she said, "Bring them with you. Get here as soon as you can."
"Okay, see you," he replied, and they both hung up. "Um, Mom? I'm going to go out to meet up with the other tamers. I'll be back before dinner," he called.
"Be careful!" she called back, "I don't want you to end up in the hospital like Kori. I'll let you know if Yamaki calls."
"Thanks, bye!" he shouted, opening the door and allowing Patamon and Gatomon to leave first. Then he and Terriermon followed, closing and locking the door after him.
"So, where are we meeting up with the others?" Gatomon inquired curiously, her cat ears twitching.
"At Guilmon's hideout," Terriermon replied, "It's big, it's dark, and it's spoooky."
Patamon rolled his eyes. "Right. We've probably seen worse," he commented.
"Let's go," Henry said, and they all headed off to Guilmon's hideout.
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