X-X-X

We landed, and I carefully jumped down from BurningGreymon shoulder as he kneeled down on the ground behind me. I barely had time to get my legs back before Lorna ran over to me, digging into the bag on her side, and inspecting the wound on my shoulder.

"What happened to you!?" the shock in her voice was evident as she pulled out a pair of scissors, as well as other medical bits and pieces. She began cutting away at the shoulder of my shirt. Wincing slightly in pain as it was pulled away from the wounds, gasping through my teeth, bearing through it, letting her do what she had to – obviously having some form of medical understanding.

"I thought I saw someone in the school house, another person" I indicated over to the now burning wreckage of that building, the smoke billowing high into the air, as the sound of burning wood echoed through the abandoned town. "Once I got inside though, I found it was a Coredramon, he attacked me, trying to drag me away" indicating down to the wounds I have inflicted, which Lorna had now progressed to cleaning with some form of liquid, applying it carefully with cloth, feeling the pain from the wounds begin to subside.

"We told you it was dangerous!" she scolded me, hearing sincerity behind it though. I hung my head down slightly, and sighed

"I thought I could help someone, I thought someone was in danger. I just..." I decided it was best toi leave it there. I just wanted to help someone, if someone was in danger it was only natural to help, right?

Lorna continued cleaning and patching up my wound, thankfully it wasn't deep and within a few minutes she had expertly cleaned, and bandaged up the injury. Applying it firm, but comfortably around the claw marks.

"Thanks Lorna, you're pretty good at this" moving my shoulder the pain was still there, but at least it was much more manageable, feeling more like a dull ache than a piercing stab. Same couldn't be said for my shirt however. Looking down at where she had cut, there would be no way to mend that, and after the blood stains too, probably for the best...although what I was going to do for a shirt was lost on me right now, I hadn't exactly packed much in the way of spare clothing.

"Yeah Lorna! That's impressive, you a doctor or something?" Regas piped up, seemingly excited by the prospect of having a doctor in the group couldn't say I, or my shoulder disagreed. Lorna just chuckled at shook her head.

"No, but my dad is a surgeon, so he taught me a thing or two. Basic stuff you know like cuts, grazes, broken bones. Nothing special" packing up her bag she put it back over her shoulder "Just don't be getting yourself into too much trouble, these supplies won't last forever!" pointing over at Regas with a playful glare, he just laughed and gave her a thumbs up.

"No, no don't worry! But! Whilst we were looking I did find something we can use tomorrow though!" he pointed down the dirt road to a small building, which looked more like an old metal hanger. "I found a land boat inside! It looks in pretty good shape too, runs on wind! So tomorrow we can use that to get to the mountains! No walking for us!" the excitement in his voice was almost to bursting,

"Wait, a land boat? How does that work?" I added, slightly confused. The image in my head of a cruise liner running along the land, although amusing was not entirely practical. I did welcome the thought though if it meant we wouldn't need to walk all over the place, and sounded different too.

"Well..." he rubbed the back of his neck, 'oh, here came the but...' I rolled my eyes figuratively

"...it's more a raft than it is a boat! BUT! It's in pretty good shape. I bet if I give it just a little bit of TLC it will be working in no time! See if it's not!" pulling out a tool which looked like a spanner from his belt, he twirled it in his fingers "Leave it to me and Guilmon! Engineering Extraordinaire!" striking a pose, I couldn't help but laugh, as too did Lorna at his bravado – he had spirit at least, and I suppose with enough of that you can do anything.

We all noticed though it was beginning to get late, the sun was cresting the horizon and the last few slithers of light were beginning to fade in favour of the vibrant stars and moons above us...a pair of beautiful moons at that, one glowing white, the other an equally radiant, but slightly duller blue.

"Will you be all right though, I mean, in the dark?" I asked, remembering my own ill fated encounter

"Yeah! Course! Guilmon here will be with me! Don't worry I got this! When you wake up in the morning it will be ready to go!" he gave a short wave to us before he ran on off down the street, Lorna just shook her head with a smile

"Always tinkering is that guy" pausing, she made her way back to the door, before turning back to me "You should get some rest though in one of the inn rooms, third on the left is free, room for both you, and well...Agunimon – also should be a spare shirt in the laundry room that you can use. Get some rest and I'll wake you both in the morning" she bowed "Sleep well you two", and with that herself returned into the Inn, Renamon just behind her.

Soon I was left outside, just me and BurningGreymon. I turned to look at him – he had been rather quiet throughout the exchange. I could tell he had something he wanted to say though, not just by the way he was looking at me, but through the link that we shared I had this, inkling nibbling at the back of my mind. I looked back into his eyes as he knelt there, arm over his knee, for a moment the only sound being the fire in the background, and the wind through the town. BurningGreymon soon broke that though…

"What you did was reckless Snow, reckless and irresponsible" he spoke with a soft growl, keeping his voice low as he stared down at me. Looking in them, the normal gentle blue gone, replaced with one I felt was looking through my very soul. I averted my gaze downwards as his piercing eyes focused on me, feeling my heart sink slightly. "We got lucky tonight – what happened in there could have been alot worse. If I had been only a second later Coredramon would have dragged you away, and I may not have been able to reach you"

I clenched my fist at my side; His words hit me like barbs, like sharp spikes. I knew what he was saying was true, and acknowledged that to myself...I didn't want to hear this from him though! I thought I was doing the right thing – I had seen someone, I was certain of it! I trying to help, I went in there and I was attacked, but I had good intentions at heart...however before I could argue back my side, he continued on,

"This is not the human world, this is the Digital one – The normal rules you know don't apply. Monsters out here won't hesitate to attack you if the objective is to hurt you, or worse – Snow, you just can't run off here without me – You are a human, being that in this world is enough to make you an easy target, but a digi-destined, well, you heard Coredramon. Others will be coming, and we will have to fight them – I can't do that if you run off on your own"

I felt tears in my eyes as I put my arms around my chest, crossing defensively, as if it would protect me from his harsh, but true words. I knew what he said was the truth, but I didn't need to be scolded like some little child! I knew the risks of what I did, and accepted them! I know what happened to me tonight was all my fault...he didn't need to be remind of that, my shoulder did a good enough job of that for me... feeling a cold chill run through my body as we stood in the night air, shuddering slightly.

I kept my gaze downwards, feeling my anger inside me growing, wanting to argue back, to give my point of view! To share my thoughts – that I didn't need him to babysit me, I didn't want him to! I would not be told what I could and could not do! He was supposed to be my partner, not my parent!

The final straw in my mind broke; I looked back up with every intention to argue back my side! In doing so I nearly jumped out my own skin! BurningGreymon had leaned down further, his face on level with mine, mere inches away. Unable to turn away from him now, I shook slightly on the spot I stood. I tried to speak, but hearing a growl from him once more was enough to silence me, almost frighten me...

"Most importantly though..." The look in his eyes softened, the hard dagger like edge they had a moment ago melting away "...you are more than my partner, you are my best friend, like family to me" I saw him beginning to smile faintly "If I lost you..." I could see the outline of tears in his eyes "...I wouldn't know what to do Snow. You are the most important thing to me in either world – I digi-volved to protect you. This was no fluke or accident – this was because of you, because of my fear of losing you, of failing to protect you. I wanted the strength to save you, and here I am. BurningGreymon" he paused once more, his hand touching my arm gently "I don't scare easy, but, I will tell you now. I was scared in there. Not of losing, or being injured – but of failing you" It was his turn to avert his gaze as he looked away, as he did I could see the sadness in his eyes.

"BurningGreymon..." It hit me like a truck, and then I realised in that moment now what he was getting at. He wasn't shouting at me because he was angry at me or mad...but because he cared for me. He cared enough that he digi-volved to ensure my safety. All he wanted was for me to be safe...I felt my anger slip away as quickly as it had come on. Swallowing my pride, I decided to leave well enough alone – he was right, I had been a fool. I had put both myself and him at risk, and in doing so potentially jeopardized everything, it was only with Agunimon's timely intervention that I was saved...he was willing to sacrifice everything to protect me...and I hadn't respected that.

Stepping forward, I put my arms around his neck and hugged him lightly, feeling his arm beside me move and hug me back, I smiled, choking back tears

"I am so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you...I promise, I'll be more careful. I won't run off on my own" I looked up to him, and let out a relieved sigh "Can you forgive me?"

His response spoke volumes; he simply smiled down to me and held me tighter, the cold of the night air being replaced with the warmth of the fire within him.

We remained like that for a while before finally letting one another go. I stepped back, looking over his form, and then back at the door to the Inn "So...how do we get you inside big guy? I dare say the door is a wee bit small, huh?" I looked back, seeing him shake his head in amusement

"I don't imagine it will be too much longer before I return to being Agunimon"

"Oh? You guys don't keep your forms?" I asked, a little confused, realising that I had not really the faintest idea on how digi-volution worked!

"We digi-volve for many reasons, in this case it was a reaction, so I was granted the power temporarily to change, however that power is already beginning to slip away and so..." with that I saw his form begin to glow bright red, and re-take a form which I immediately recognised "...I will change back, for now" he stepped forward, looking down to me and then placed his hand on my head, ruffling my hair playfully "Now, about that door?"

"Hey! Cut it out!" I laughed, ducking out the way as he chuckled too, looking to the door I grinned "Race you to the room!" wasting no time I took off in a sprint towards our room, Agunimon right behind me.

X-X-X

Meanwhile...

I sat on my dark throne, and looked over at the image of Devimon, stood there in the audience box, his image flickering slightly "So I heard your initial plans met with little success?" staring him down, I could feel his anxiety from here...it was delicious

"My Lord, my initial scout attempted to kidnap Snow, however, his partner interfered" he put up a good confident front, but under the talk I could sense his desire to be anywhere but here right now. He feared reprisal, which was good, he knew how I felt about failure all too well.

"You underestimated the abilities of the chosen, you were careless Devimon, however...all is not lost, so long as they are dealt with before Central Terminal..." I smirked as I stood up, and stepped forward "...and to that effect, I have someone very special in mind to help you, Ladydevimon"

"Yes, My Lord?" another image appeared within the audience box beside Devimon, whose expression changed, mildly, ever so much towards disappointment.

"How go mining operations?" I crossed my arms, already frustrated it had taken as long as it had; however, her laugh of confidence gave me some hope.

"Oh! Progress is steady, we should soon have what you seek – the locals are sensibly keeping out of our way after the last 'lesson'."

"Excellent, then I have another task for you – one, where your 'unique' skills will come in useful – Devimon here is having issues with the destined, and more precisely the chosen." In front of me a holographic map appeared, pointing out the current location the destined, and a red line drew across to Central Terminal. "They must pass through the mountains where we are mining to reach their final destination...ensure to it they don't – remember however, Snow must be taken alive. Report to Devimon for the duration of this – and report back to me only your success"

"Why of course, My Lord, consider it done" her image faded from the box, leaving only Devimon, whom I glanced to once more, a malicious warning in my voice.

"Do not fail me again, is that understood?"

"Perfectly, My Lord" he bowed and his image also faded from the box leaving me alone once more in my chambers.

"The pieces are coming into place, and soon...my final one will be set...for a checkmate" I chuckled darkly as I returned to my throne, awaiting the next stage to begin.

X-X-X

After swinging by the laundry room and actually being able to find a shirt my size in the piles of clothes I quickly got changed and made my way to the room Lorna had said was free. Opening the door and looking inside, I stopped for a moment, and just stared.

I had to admit, I was surprised – these rooms were surprisingly large! Stepping inside I saw two large beds on the far wall, easily big enough for Agunimon to use, and certainly more space than I could ever use, large windows down the side and on the roof, as well as several dressers and cabinets.

I ran on over and jumped onto the bed closest to me, pressing my face into the clean sheets – it was so nice to just lie down for a moment; I could have fallen asleep just like this! I turned around onto my back; putting my arms out as I stared up at the ceiling, a skylight looked out into the sky, and I could see all the stars...it was beautiful!

Back on Earth I had lived in the city all my life, so I had never really being able to see all that many stars, aside from the occasional camping trips I used to go on. Right now though, just staring up I could see more than I had ever seen back home! So clearly too, some of them duller than others, but entire colours in the sky – purple, blue, greens. I was so entranced I didn't noticed Agunimon come sit alongside me.

"Stunning, isn't it?" I nodded my head in response, my eyes fixed on them

"I never imagined so many could be up there! I suppose living in the city I never really got to see a proper sky like this...so many colours!" I heard him chuckle, obviously amused by enthrallment by just the sky.

"It's like this all over our world. I remember travelling before I met the elder, at night I would just lie under the sea of stars, watching them for hours" I turned my head, seeing a glint in his eyes as he spoke about his past "Seeing shooting stars, comets, all manner of things just flying on by – it reminded me of my own freedom, but also my yearning for more"

"I guess you found that now, huh?" turning to face me, he gave me a nod,

"That I have, and I would never give it up" he stood up and moved over to the other bed, as I sat up from my bed and crossed my legs, watching him for a moment.

The memories of earlier began to flood back to me, and the cries of Coredramon as BurningGreymon had defeated him, echoing around in my head. Now the danger had passed it began to tug at my feelings once more, leaving a guilty pang in my soul,

"Agunimon" watching him turn to me, I looked down to my hands, clasping them open and shut as I tried to find the right words, "Earlier, with Coredramon...when you, well, y'know...defeated him" choosing my words carefully, I saw him tense up slightly at the mention of what happened earlier, obviously having dreaded this conversation himself, "Is it, all really going to be like that? I know you said the human and digital world are different but...is there no room for, diplomacy? To talk through the differences we have?" I sighed, shaking my head. I accepted that things had to be different here, and the law of the jungle was king...but still they were obviously intelligent beings, capable of rational thought – surely not everyone we came across would want to fight us. There had to be those who would listen to reason!

I wanted to live, but at the same time I didn't want to leave a trail of sadness behind us, remembering the photo of the family earlier on – did Coredramon have one? Did he have loved ones who were going to miss him? Had we inadvertently left a hole in the heart of someone far away?

"Oh, Snow..." he sat on the corner of his bed closest to mine, and gave a warm smile "Not everyone we come across will want to attack us, wild ones and the servants of the dark lords, definitely – but for as many digimon that do wish us harm, there are many others who will want to help us, and are friendly" looking back on over, I smiled slightly, giving me some hope at least

"I hope so; I just don't want to hurt anyone, if we can help it..." I trailed off, not really sure how to finish that sentence, the same circular logic running through my mind.

"How about this then..." he paused, putting out his hand "We will fight those that wish us harm, and, we will only fight to protect ourselves, and our friends? But, we will always offer them a chance; offer them the opportunity to stand down, to see the error of their ways". Looking down at his hand, I took it as he spoke and we shook

"Agreed!" that did make me feel a bit better, at least now if we came across anyone we might be able to resolve it without it coming to violence. I knew we would have to fight, and would always be those who had no interest in listening to words though, but we would deal with them as came at us. After seeing what Agunimon could do today, and how ferocious in combat he was, I had no doubt we would win – if Coredramon was any indication they had better watch out!

Before all that though, I could feel the night and the days actions beginning to catch up with me, shuffling up I curled up on the bed and closed my eyes "Well, guess better get some...shuteye" yawning mid sentence, my head felt heavy the moment it hit the pillow. Feeling myself already falling into the land of sleep "Goodnight...Agunimon" and soon after that was out like a light.

X-X-X

Watching Snow fall to sleep almost instantly on his bed, I regarded him for a moment. There were many reasons why I thought he was the perfect partner for me, some less obvious than others. One of those reasons however was his love of life, and protection of it. He wasn't a pacifist in the classic sense; he knew that fighting was a way of life for not just digimon, but all living beings – however he also recognised that fighting was not the only option, that you could rationalise and compromise.

For the longest time, before I met Snow, before I knew he would be my partner, all I ever believed in was brute strength and power. My enemies would face me in combat, and I would win – every time. When the digi-elder first approached me and told me I would be a partner, all I could think about was the opportunity to become more powerful, to be the most powerful digimon.

Then as I watched Snow over the years though, and got insight into how he lived his life, and dealt with problems, I began to change the way I thought – seeing him confronted with problems where I would have jumped in and defeated my foes, he challenged them with his mind and words, talking his way through it, and most of the time the solution he came to was equal, if not more beneficial overall. Slowly over time I learned that, sometimes fighting was not always the only answer – and although I struggled sometimes to put that into practice, now Snow was here, I may well finally learn when to fight, and when to talk.

Standing up, I silently walking over to him, pulling the cover over him – despite his turbulent first day here in the Digital World, he had handled himself well and come off better for it, a few scratches here and there, but he would learn overtime - Sometimes it took a few knocks to get the message through.

Stepping back, I decided would be best if I too retired – we were relatively safe in this Inn, and although Snow may be a heavy sleeper, I wasn't; if any danger did come at us in the night I would know about it, as no doubt would Renamon and Guilmon.

With that in mind, and knowing this might be the last chance in a while to get a relatively peaceful sleep, I too laid down, and caught some rest.