Well... chapter focuses more on dialogue then action, because action is coming in the next three chapters. lol. anyway, you find out a bit more info in this chapter, and I hope it doesn't get too boring. lol. jk jk. anyway, please R&R!
Disclaimer: Digimon Tamers (c) Yukio Kaizawa
Claimer: Kori, Hikari, Kokuei, etc. (c) me
Chapter Nine: The Visit
"Kori? You awake?" Ryo implored quietly, peeking into her room.
She was staring outside her window into the bright blue sky, then she looked at him and nodded. She didn't look at terrible as before, and the older tamer could see faint scars on her cheeks now. She was healing better than expected, and a lot quicker than most doctors could foresee.
He brought in a tray with a bowl of soup on it. "Lunch's here," he half-joked, Monodramon hobbling along beside him, "I hope you like chicken noodle soup.
She chuckled. "Thanks, Ryo," she told him, then she looked at the IV's in her arms, "The nurse said I could take these out if I wanted to. Man… I hate needles."
The reddish-brown haired teen laughed and walked over to her, sitting on her bedside and placing the tray on her lap. "At least you're not still hooked up to that heart machine."
"Yeah, too bad I still had it connected last night or else I would have slept like a rock," Kori retorted.
He chuckled, "Correction, you did sleep like a rock. They drugged you, remember?"
She rolled her golden eyes at him. "Right…" she agreed, "Now, did you two already eat lunch yet? I can't let you two go hungry now can I."
"Don't worry," Monodramon reassured, "We've eaten."
She dipped her head in satisfaction. "Excellent," she said, carefully spooning up some soup, "Mhm… it's delicious!"
Ryo smiled as he watched her eat the soup. As she ate, he told her of his whereabouts ever since the Digimon first left. He told her his history with Rika, and how she has come to dislike him.
"So that's why she doesn't like you," Kori commented.
Ryo laughed. "Yup. Truth is, though, I kinda like my Wildcat Rika," he admitted.
"Worse yet, you admitted to it," she replied, grinning, "Don't worry, I won't tell."
Monodramon blinked at Ryo. "Really? You like her?" he asked.
He blushed, nodding. "But you'd better not tell, 'kay?"
The Digimon nodded as Kori yawned tired. Then she realized what she just did. She glared at Ryo. "Don't tell me, the doctors put sleeping pills in the soup," she guessed, feeling her eyelids grow heavy.
Ryo leaned forward and kissed her on her still-bandaged forehead. "I love you, little sister, though we aren't actually related," he muttered, helping her slide down more to rest.
She chuckled quietly. "It has a nice ring to it, right big brother?" she mumbled, closing her eyes.
"Sleep tight," he replied, removing the tray from her lap and setting it aside. Then he and Monodramon got up and moved into the comfy chairs at the corner of the room next to the windows. An oaken round table lay in between two of the three chairs, and on it, were two books.
"Now we wait?" Monodramon asked quietly.
Ryo nodded, and the two picked up their books and continued to read.
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Somewhere along the way, both Ryo and Monodramon fell asleep themselves, but quickly awoke to a light rapping of the door.
A nurse peeked in and, seeing that Kori was still asleep, motioned Ryo over. Monodramon stayed for Kori's sake. Ryo exited the room and the nurse informed him, "A few of Kori's friends are here to visit her. Shall I fetch them?"
Ryo nodded. "I think she'll want to see them."
A few moments later, the nurse returned with Yamaki, Takato, Henry, Terriermon, Guilmon, Gatomon and Patamon. Then the nurse left them.
"Hey guys," Ryo greeted coolly.
"Hey Ryo," Takato replied, "How is she?"
He dipped his head. "She's recovering well, not to mention faster than the doctors expected," he replied. Then he chuckled, "You can thank Monodramon and I for that. She's asleep right now, but she'll be awake pretty soon. Come on in."
They went into the room and Henry could not help but feel bitter guilt clawing at his heart as he saw bandages around her arms and forehead. Patamon and Gatomon immediately went to their tamer.
"What was the damage?" Yamaki implored quietly.
"Deep cut in her side, head trauma, 29 fractured and or broken bones, only 16 of them serious, and cuts and bruises all over," the tamer listed, "Believe me, she looked a lot worse yesterday."
Takato cautiously touched her arm gently, afraid to hurt her. "I honestly can't imagine her looking any worse."
Guilmon whimpered slightly as he gazed at her. Terriermon felt a bit sad at the sight.
Henry went over to her and sat on her bedside, leaning down to kiss her lips. "I love you…"
Kori's eyes slowly opened. "Eh? Wha? Whoa… when did you all get here?" she inquired.
"Kori!" Gatomon and Patamon cried, pressing themselves against her without hurting her.
She gently hugged them against her. "Hey guys. I've missed you too."
Yamaki smiled. "How you feeling?"
"I've been worse," she replied, grinning.
Terriermon, Guilmon and Monodramon joined in the hugging as the rest of the tamers, and Yamaki, watched.
"We thought we almost lost you when we felt our bond break," Gatomon spluttered, tears dripping from feline eyes.
She tensed at a brief spark of pain in her side. The Digimon backed off and she sighed, "It really sucks when you've broken ribs. In any case, I'll be fine." Then she looked at the others. "Was anyone else hurt?" she implored worriedly, looking directly at Henry, "Or just me?"
"Just you," Henry replied guiltily, "I'm sorry. It's all my fault."
She shook her head. "It's not your fault. I don't blame you for what happened."
"And as we've said before, neither do we," Patamon added, leaning against Kori.
Takato shuddered at the sight of the IV's in her arms. "Don't those hurt?"
She blinked and looked down at them, then gently pulled them out, tensing slightly. "Thanks for reminding me I had those in. Oh don't worry, the nurse said I could take them out. They are rather annoying."
"So what's broken?" Guilmon inquired curiously.
"Some ribs, a few bones in my arms and legs," she replied, "the rest is more fractured rather than broken."
As Kori lay there in a patient's gown in a hospital bed, bruised, torn, and battered, Henry noticed that her golden eyes were the only thing that weren't wounded. He did, however, notice the slight pain and the weary in them, and felt guilt engulf him once more. As he sat on her bedside, he reached up to stroke her face.
"Hmm… you two do look cute together," Ryo commented.
Yamaki nodded in agreement, then said, "Kori, I have to warn you about something. There may be a chance of a security breach in Hypnos. I've been told that there's a spy that's target is you. So be more careful from now on."
"I've never really let my guard down before, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem," she replied.
Terriermon scratched at his ear. "Do you have any idea why this spy is after her?"
"Not exactly," he admitted.
"The Guardian of the Digital World," Kori said enigmatically, "the chosen protector of all the Digimon who reside in the Digital World, and the chosen one to die for the world."
Henry shook his head furiously in disbelief. "No, it can't be," he breathed, "It just can't be."
She nodded.
"What are you talking about?" Takato demanded, worried now at Henry's tone.
"In order to restore light back to the Digital World," Gatomon began in monotone, "she must forfeit her life in order to spread the light of the Digi-eggs within her heart back into the Digital World."
"What?! No!" Guilmon exclaimed, "We don't want to lose you!"
Kori closed her eyes, resting her head back against the pillow. "If I don't, light will never be restored in the Digital World ever again. I can't let Serena win. Once she conquers the Digital World, our world will be next."
Ryo opened a window to let some cool air blow in. Then he went and embraced Kori into his arms. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, "I didn't think it would be so soon…"
She smiled, pulling away and leaning back onto the pillow. "I know. But there's not much neither I nor any of you can do about it," she murmured.
Without warning, DemiDevimon flew into the room through the window with a syringe in one claw, inside filled with green liquid. "Demi Dart!" With blind skill he threw the syringe and the sharp point sank into Kori's heart, and the liquid was injected. Kori's breath held still, and with a sigh, her eyes closed and her body went limp.
"Kori!" they exclaimed as DemiDevimon cackled.
"What have you done to her!?" Patamon yelled accusingly.
The Digimon fled, shouting, "I just killed your tamer, that's what!"
Ryo pulled out the syringe and threw it aside. "No! Kori! Kori! Wake up!" he shouted.
"No…" Takato trailed off, "DemiDevimon's Demi Darts are suppose to be deadly to humans. And he shot it straight into her heart…"
"Isn't there anything we can do?" Monodramon inquired desperately.
Immediately after she was shot, Henry cradled Kori into his arms, and tears streamed from his eyes. No… you can't be dead… he thought bitterly.
Gatomon and Patamon stared out the window, making sure DemiDevimon had left, then they turned to Kori.
"Okay, Kori, he's gone," Gatomon informed.
Kori opened one eye and looked at them. Then she blinked open both her golden eyes. "Ow… you didn't have to pull the syringe out so hard," she told Ryo, then she adjusted herself in Henry's arms and half rotated her neck, "Ow… I really hate those stupid syringes of his. They give me a terrible aching afterwards."
"What? I don't understand," Terriermon said.
"Kori, what's going on?" Yamaki demanded of his fellow government agent.
"I've been attacked by those syringes before. More than once, in fact. He's tried to kill me many times before, on behalf of his master and Serena. In the Digital World, I managed to create a serum for myself so that I would eventually become immune," she explained, "The first time he shot one into me, it proved nearly fatal. It was just a miracle that I could survive the first one."
"Kori, you're smart," Guilmon complimented.
"Why thank you," she replied, cuddling closer against Henry, "You were all such wonderful actors. Especially you, Henry."
Henry cradled her even closer, afraid to let her go. "You scared me there," he whispered, "I love you so much. Don't you dare scare me like that again."
"I love you too," she whispered, reaching up to kiss him, "I'll try not to."
"So will the toxin in the syringe have any affect on your body?" Ryo asked worriedly.
She nodded. "At times I may seem a little ill, but that will only be a side effect. I think there shouldn't be any other side effects."
Henry pressed his cheek tightly against her forehead, and he kept her ever so close to him. She tensed against him, and he loosened his hold on her, still refusing to let go. Suddenly, her head fell back into the crease of his arm and her eyes closed, and her breathing ceased. Henry could feel her heart stop beating.
"Kori? Kori?! Kori!" he shouted, "She's not breathing!"
Both the Crest of Light and the Crest of Hope suddenly broke into a bright incandescent light, and a small light floated from Kori's chest, and it floated over her.
"W-What is that?" Takato breathed.
"This is amazing," Yamaki murmured, "This is entirely against logic."
The light separated and transformed into two glowing eggs. One was glowing brightly with white wisps of light, and the other was engulfed in black and purple flames.
"The Digi-eggs of Light and Darkness," Gatomon breathed.
"But this isn't right. This shouldn't be happening, not with the key separated," Patamon muttered, "Not now, not here."
Henry knew was what happening, and a single tear dropped from his eyes and fell onto the Digi-egg of Light. "I love you…" he whispered, choking slightly on his words. He leaned down to kiss her lips, and the two Digi-eggs transformed back into two wisps of light and connected together again, and it floated back into her chest. Instantly, she breathed in Henry's scent, and her eyes fluttered open to meet Henry's silver ones.
"H-Henry?" she rasped, "W-What happened to me?"
He tightly held her against him as Gatomon and Patamon went to her side. "The Digi-eggs were released," Gatomon informed, "but I don't know why and how it could have happened. It shouldn't have, but it did."
"I-I think I understand now," she whispered, still looking up at Henry.
"Understand what?" Takato inquired.
"Yeah. What's going on?" Guilmon implored.
She chuckled quietly. "Apparently even Azulongmon and the other Sovereigns couldn't have predicted this. The Digi-eggs can only be released by the two keys in their separate forms," she explained, gazing up at Henry, "and the two people chosen to bear them."
Ryo's eyes turned grave. "Now you two are in more danger than ever," he said.
"But there's not much that we can do about it," Yamaki said, "What Kori said was right. If Kori is not willing to give up her life, then both our world and the Digital World is doomed."
"And I'm determined not to let that happen," Kori declared. She twiddled her thumbs together. "I don't mind sacrificing my life for the good of both worlds."
"But I do," Henry retorted, "I'm not just going to sit back and let this happen."
"Neither are we," Terriermon determined, grinning, "Momentai."
"Uh huh…" Kori said sarcastically, half-jokingly, "Go momentai yourself. You're not risking the whole world on your life."
"Henry and Terriermon are right," Takato agreed, "We can't just let you get yourself killed for the good of both worlds."
She sighed. "Well… you're gonna have to. It's either that or let both our worlds, including everything and everyone we love, be destroyed."
They bit back a remark, knowing that she was right.
"But we can't just sit here and do nothing," Ryo retorted.
Kori slid back up against the pillow, and Henry released her, but remained by her side. "Then help me defeat Serena." She gently reached out to touch Henry's cheek, before patting the Digimon on the head. Then she cringed her arm back as she felt pain shoot through her arm.
"We'll help you," Takato said reluctantly. "and we're going to try and find a way to save you along the way."
She gave a light shrug. "You can try, but thanks a lot. I really appreciate it."
"We'll all help out," Yamaki added, "I've invented a new communication device that should get a better signal if you kids are going back to the Digital World."
"We will," Kori determined, "There's no way we can attack here without putting anyone in danger."
"But not while you're still healing," Terriermon determined.
She snickered quietly. "Of course not," she replied coolly, "I'm not planning on returning until at least after Spring Break. I'd like to stay here for a few more months."
Henry gently folded his hand over her warm one. "That means I get more time to spend with you."
As she smiled back at him, Patamon flew and sat upon Kori's head. "We're running out of time, Kori," he informed her, looking down with worried blue eyes.
The bedridden girl sighed, reaching up and patting him on the head. "We can handle this, especially if we're all working together on this. We've just got to stall for time and hope that Serena's power weaken before we attack." Gatomon placed a paw on her lap, and she reached out and touched the Digi-kitty's cheek. "Don't worry. I believe in you all, as I believe in myself." She placed her palm against her chest, closing her eyes. "And together, we'll all defeat Serena together."
Takato gently took her head. "But at a great price," he said.
Ryo placed his hand over theirs. "Everything has a price, Takato," he replied sadly, "And Kori is willing to do this."
Guilmon whimpered, ears drooping. "But I don't like it Takatomon," he whined quietly, tugging on Takato's leg.
Yamaki turned away and began to make his way out the door. "I take my leave now. But Kori, remember, be careful," he announced, "Do you still have that shotgun?"
"Yes, but I've had no need for it in months, Yamaki. It's safely at home, and only I can access it," she explained, "Don't worry about me, just take care of finding the spy."
He nodded gravely, leaving the hospital room.
"You own a gun?" Terriermon demanded in wonder.
"Yes, it was given to me by the government when I joined Hypnos, and thus, the gun is standard government issue," she explained, "I've only had to use it for self-defence, and when the US and Canadian government assigned me briefly to the Crisis Negotiations Unit. Well… let's just say I have had no need for it for the past few months, considering I'm not dealing with any criminals."
"That's insane," Ryo breathed, "You've got to be joking me."
She shook her head. "Nope. I have my own license and everything," she told him, "Believe me, for a while, I've had no real need for it. It would prove useless against Serena." She closed her eyes, breathing in and out slowly. I have a much better weapon that will prove against her, as she has one against me, she thought.
Gatomon and Patamon leaned against their tamer.
"We love you, Kori," Patamon mumbled.
"We'll never ever forget you," Gatomon added affectionately.
Terriermon's eyes grew worried. "You make it sound like you're about to lose her," he commented, "Why do you make it sound that way? Is something bad going to happen?"
"No," Gatomon said, "We just want to remind her of that. We love her a lot."
Patamon snuggled closer to her. "We've just come close to losing her, and we don't want it to happen again. And if it does, I don't know when will be the last time we can say that to her."
Henry leaned closer and ran his lips over hers. "I love you too, you know," he whispered.
She smiled. "I love you too," she mumbled, "I know this seems completely irrational, but please, renounce your love for me. It will save you much pain later."
He shook his head, running a hand through his blue hair, a grin on his face. "You know I would never do that, nor can I ever do that. You mean the world to me."
"Remember what I talked to you about, Lover Boy," Ryo warned, playfully punching him on the shoulder.
Kori raised an eyebrow. "Is there something I've missed?" she implored.
Monodramon, Guilmon, Takato, Terriermon, Gatomon and Patamon all nodded in union.
The small dinosaur grinned. "Ryo threatened to break his arm if he broke your heart," he explained.
"He what?" she emphasized, glaring at the older tamer.
"I can't bear to see you hurt, Kori," Ryo explained, reaching up to stroke her face, "You're like the younger sister I've always wanted. I can't bear to see you in pain. Especially if it's from the one you love."
"But to break his arm?" she asked.
"What? You want me to send Cyberdramon on him?" he retorted.
"If he truly loves me, I know he won't betray me," she replied sternly, "and if he ever does renounce his love for me, then it would be the best for the both of us. Both you and I know that Serena is after me and Henry, because we both have the crests. If we are infatuated with each other, as can see we are, Serena will use that against us."
The 16-year-old sighed. "You're right," he admitted, " But I just can't bear to see you hurt."
She smiled at him. "You're the best big brother ever," she told him, "thanks. Just… promise you won't do anything rash, right?"
He nodded. "Not without your permission, at least."
Kori shook her head. "You can be such a hothead sometimes," she commented. Then she yawned tiredly and sighed, slipping back down so that her head rested against the warm pillow. She closed her eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.
"Good night, Kori," Guilmon said quietly.
Takato said to Henry, "Henry, you can stay with her tonight. Tomorrow is Track and Field Day at the field just nearby here. I'll let your parents know everything and bring you what you need for tomorrow."
"Thanks Takato," he replied, gently brushing away black bangs from Kori's face before looking up at Ryo, "I guess you can take tonight off then."
He chuckled. "Yes, I suppose so. I'm trusting you to defend her."
The half-Chinese boy nodded. "Of course. Don't worry, Terriermon, Patamon and Gatomon will be here with me."
"Of course we will," Patamon agreed, "We wouldn't leave our tamer completely vulnerable!"
Suddenly, Guilmon began to sway from side to side and fell back onto his tail. "My head hurts, Takatomon," he said.
"Are you okay, boy?" his tamer implored worriedly.
The red dinosaur quickly recovered and got back up onto two feet. "I think I'm fine now, Takatomon. Don't worry. Maybe I'm just hungry, or I need to sleep."
"Maybe," Ryo said.
"When do you suppose she'll be let out?" Terriermon asked curiously.
"According to the doctors, at least by early next week," Monodramon informed.
Ryo smirked. "That is, of course, unless she is somehow miraculously healed."
Henry shook his head, smiling down at the sleeping girl. "Thanks, but you and Monodramon have done enough. We'll just let Time heal her wounds."
"Are we going to be sappy all day?" Terriermon commented, sighing.
"Nope," Guilmon said, grinning widely, showing of sharp white teeth, "It's already the afternoon!"
"Guilmon," Takato laughed, patting his partner on the head.
Gently, Henry stroked Kori's cheek and patted her on the head, kissing her gently on her forehead. "Please, recuperate as soon as you can. You have no idea how much it hurts me to see you like this. To see you suffer, and I'm sorry."
Gatomon sighed and scowled to Patamon, "We're running out of time. Kori needs to start practicing with Hikari again, as Serena practices with Kokuei, or else Kori will not be able to match wits with her."
"I think she knows that," Patamon replied sternly, "She'll probably be up and at it right after she's healed enough to."
"What are you two talking about? Who's Hikari and Kokuei?" Takato implored.
"Not who, but 'what'," Gatomon corrected.
Patamon blinked large blue eyes, and then flapped onto Guilmon's head. "They're swords. Hikari belongs to Kori, and it means 'Light'. Kokuei means 'Dark Shadow', and thus belongs to Serena," he explained, "Kori has not practised with Hikari since a while before we came here to Japan."
"When did this happen? And why?" Henry demanded.
"A long time ago," Ryo answered, crossing his arms and closing his eyes, "Like Kori and Serena, Hikari and Kokuei are polar opposites. One is the sword of light, the other one is darkness, so they belong to their respective owners."
"Wait… so you knew?" Takato implored.
He nodded. "Apparently Kori's sword can vanquish the darkness that possesses any wild Digimon. Her sword is not designed to actually kill any one or Digimon, but only to vanquish the darkness within people's hearts. For example, if one of us was possessed by one of Devimon's Dark Gears, all Kori would have to do is stab us with Hikari, and the gear should be destroyed," he explained.
"Luckily, the blade would not hurt us, you'd only feel warm healing light. If she stabbed you through the heart, you would still be standing and walking away like nothing happened. The sword is only deadly to those who are truly filled with darkness and confusion. Otherwise, the sword will heal some of your most serious wounds. Only Kori can use Hikari, and only Serena can use Kokuei, but anyone else can handle them, just not use. The moment a person tries to draw them from their sheathes, well… actually… they can't, that's the point. And if the sword was already drawn, they will find it so heavy that it's useless," Gatomon added.
"Unless, of course, Kori or Serena gives the person temporary permission to use their sword," Patamon said, "Then the person can use the blade as Kori or Serena would."
"Only if they had the skill to use a sword," Monodramon commented.
"Where did Kori learn how to use a blade then?" Terriermon inquired curiously.
"In the Digital World," Gatomon answered, scratching her pointed ears, "At the same Dojo in which she was taught martial arts."
"So just how long were you guys in the Digital World then?" Guilmon implored, "It seems a long time in order for Kori to have mastered both sword skills and martial arts."
"Seven months," Patamon replied, "Six of the seven was for hard, intense training. You have no idea how many injuries she received from both of her sensei's."
Henry gently stroked her cheek, then kissed her gently on the lips. "She can't have looked any worse than she does now."
Gatomon smirked, blinking big feline eyes. "Believe me, she has. You should have seen the bruises, more or less, the sprains and cuts."
The half-Chinese boy cringed at the thought. Look any worse? I don't ever want to see that. I promise I won't allow that to happen… I can't… I love her too much, he thought. Then he shook his head. What's happening to me. I've never felt this way towards anyone before. Ugh… if this is what they call Love, I can see why it can end in tragedy.
"Earth to Henry," Takato said, gently shaking his friend on the shoulder, "Earth to Henry, wake up."
"What's wrong with you?" Ryo added, "I know there's much we need to discus, but we'll talk about this later sometime." Then he yawned, "Okay, I'm outta here. Gotta get home before my dad tells me I'm worrying too much."
"Okay, see you," Guilmon said.
Then Ryo and Monodramon left.
Takato then looked at Henry. "It's beginning to get a bit late. We'll see you tomorrow," he said.
"'kay. Thanks Takato," he said, "Bye you two."
"See ya Guilmon!" Terriermon exclaimed, waving with an ear as the two left.
"Okay, well… now it's just us," Patamon said, "What do you want to do now?"
Terriermon's stomach rumbled and the little rabbit flushed. "How about call up some dinner?"
"Sounds good," Henry agreed, "I'm beginning to get a little hungry myself."
"Wow… that's a first," Gatomon commented crudely, rolling feline eyes.
"Hey!" both Henry and Terriermon exclaimed quietly.
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