Flowers Are Blooming

Sequel To Puzzle Pieces

Main Characters:::

Matthew (Scope) -14 - 8th grade - BlackAgumon - Strength

Taichi (Romeo or Romie) -14 - 8th grade - Guilmon -Trust

Ryo (Hazy) -14 - 8th grade - SnowAgumon - Compassion

Kanaye (Soldier) - 13 - 7th grade - Terriermon - Dreams

Sakura (Shy-Shy) - 13 - 7th grade - Lopmon - Innocence

Maro (Sunny) - 12 - 7th grade - Koemon – Peace

May – 14 – 9th grade – Gekomon – Kindness

Daniel – 12 – 6th grade – Peckmon – Bravery

Noah – 14 – 8th grade – Commandramon – Light (Evil)

Haru – 13 – 7th grade – Dobermon – Hatred (Evil)

----------------------Chapter Twenty-Four – Innocence ------------------------

Takashi Household…

T.K. waved in thanks to Tai, who just dropped his four teenagers off. It was around 10 o' clock at night. If this was a school night, he may have had a cow, but it was Friday night. T.K. shut the door to find his kids already in the kitchen. "You guys hungry?" He asked. "Mom's asleep, but I can make you some leftovers."

Taichi's eyes widened and he nodded. "Yes, please!"

Matthew sighed deeply, running his dirty hand through his hair as he went towards the sink to wash his hands. "I would be totally grateful, dad."

Sakura had already washed her hands at her uncle Tai's, so just sat down on a barstool. "Please."

Kanaye followed Matthew's lead and then looked to his dad. "Yes, sir."

T.K. smiled. His children looked exhausted, but this was the first time he was going to make them a meal in so long…even though it was leftovers from Kari's amazing cooking. "We have meatloaf, spaghetti, or I can make you a pack of ramen." T.K. looked to his kids. "What'll be?"

"Meatloaf."

"Spaghetti."

"Meatloaf please."

"Both." (Can you guess who wanted both?)

T.K. chuckled. "Alright, but Taichi, wash off those hands. They're almost black."

Taichi shrugged. "It's a manly thing to have dirty hands, dad. It means you been working your butt off all day." He grinned, but turned to the sink when his dad gave him a look saying, 'just shut up already'. "Gosh, dad, make me be a girly guy like Matthew." He mumbled, smirking.

Matthew, who was standing by his sister, growled. "What did you just say?!"

Kanaye and T.K. hit their foreheads with their palms. "Oh, man." Sakura stayed silent, not really paying attention.

Taichi rolled his eyes. "Get over it, Scope." Then he flicked his wet hands at his twin, still smirking.

"Okay, that's it!" Matthew suddenly lunged onto Taichi, who managed to not fall back.

T.K. immediately ran to pull Matthew off of Taichi and sighed. "You kids are going to be the death of me."

Taichi laughed. "Hey, that's what we're here for, father!" Then he winked.

Matthew calmed down when T.K. released him. "One of these days, Romeo, you're going to wish you kept your mouth shut." He threatened, walking back to sit next to Sakura.

Taichi yawned playfully. "Yeah, yeah. Blah, blah, blah. All sounds the same in my ears."

Kanaye was helping his dad, put away the food when he was done with them. T.K. smiled at him. "Thank you, Kanaye. So I'm guessing by your condition that the search didn't go well?"

Kanaye shook his head. "No. To be truthful, dad, I don't know how we're going to find MidEvilGallentmon…or SnowAgumon." He admitted quietly so his two arguing brothers and sister wouldn't hear. "There's nothing. No leads. No help. No clues. Nothing."

T.K. took a deep breath then exhaled. "It doesn't sound to good from where I stand…but just remember, Kanaye; you're a digidestend. You don't ever lose hope."

Kanaye grinned weakly. "Ah, but dad, I'm not the keeper of Hope. That's YOUR job. Not mine."

"Yes, but it's not only about your titles." T.K. told him. "You were chosen because you're strong and you never give up. Correct?"

"Wrong."

"Eh?" T.K. stopped as he stirred the spaghetti.

Kanaye shrugged. "Well, dad, if you haven't noticed, we all have only been chosen because we're your kids. Not to mention, we get in the most danger because we're T.K. Takashi and Kari Kaimya's kids." He stated.

"That's not true…" T.K.'s voice faded as he thought about it. "Okay…but you're still special."

Kanaye sighed. "Maybe. I mean, we're still the chosen ones…sort of."

"That's my boy."

While T.K. and Kanaye were talking, Sakura's big brothers were still arguing over little things that really had nothing to do with anything in the present. Sighing deeply, she went over to the fridge, opened it to grab a cold bottle of water, went back to the boys, and looked to see if her father was looking, and then opened the bottle…can you imagine what happened next?

"HEY!" Both Taichi and Matthew screamed.

Sakura simply put the plastic empty bottle on the counter and looked to her father. "Daddy, I'm not hungry anymore. I'm just going to go to bed." She said timidly and with the approved nod from her dad, she left the kitchen.

Matthew and Taichi's eyes were wide open, jaws dropped, as they stood with their hair and shirts soaked. "DAD!"

T.K. sighed, leaving Kanaye to get the silverware for the food. "Yes, boys?"

"Did you not just see what Sakura did?!" Taichi yelled.

"Must you yell, Taichi?" T.K. asked. "Anyways, I saw nothing."

"DAD!"

"Even if I did see something…" T.K. smirked. "Consider that your guys' early birthday present." Then he gave a wink, just like Taichi had done earlier.

000

Sakura walked from the bathroom in her pajamas and put her hand on her door knob to open it, but then she turned her head to the staircase where the men in the household were currently. She looked the other way towards her parents' room. Letting go of her room knob, she walked to their door and opened it. Her mother fast asleep under the covers. Sakura shyly went up to her parents' bed and climbed in like she always does when she just needed her mommy to hold her at night. Kari felt someone in bed, but a tiny person. She opened her eyes and saw her blonde head, brown eyed daughter making herself comfortable. "Why, hello." Sakura looked to her mom as Kari gave a loving smile. "What do I owe this lovely visit, my darling?" She asked, pulling Sakura closer to her in a tight embrace. Sakura gladly snuggled close. "Are you and your brothers just now getting home?"

Sakura nodded. "Yes."

"It's late. Where are your brothers? And your father too?"

"In the kitchen." Sakura answered simply. "Dad's making them a meal because we hadn't eaten."

"Did you already eat?" Kari asked her, running her fingers through Sakura's beautiful blonde hair.

Sakura shook her head. "I wasn't hungry."

"Alright, love, I understand." Kari kissed her forehead. "You're just so overwhelmed right now, aren't you?"

Sakura gave a shaky sigh, refraining herself from breaking out into tears. "Yes." She said softly. "I'm so worried about Ryo, mom. He's just not the same. Every time we're in the digital world, looking for SnowAgumon's whereabouts, we always end up having to keep moving because he doesn't want to stop. He's so set on finding him, mom. But chances are slim that we will find him or MedEvilGallentmon anytime soon."

"Yes, I know. Aunt Sora and I have discussed Ryo's odd behavior." Kari admitted. "She and Uncle Tai have also discussed it."

Sakura got a curious look. "That doesn't sound good."

"Promise not to tell anyone else on the team? Especially Ryo."

"I promise, mom."

Kari took a breath. "Sakura, your aunt and uncle have decided to put Ryo in therapy."

Sakura's eyes widened. "What?!"

"Yes, I know, but understand, baby girl…he's stressing himself to the bone." Kari told her. "Uncle Tai cannot get him to eat correctly. We have talked to Taichi, since he can't lie, and he's informed us that Ryo's not munching on anything at school."

Sakura's eyes saddened. "He hasn't."

"See? There's just something missing right now, which we all know it's SnowAgumon. And the guilt is eating him alive." Kari said. "Ryo's going to be unhappy for the next couple of weeks…but just remember that this is going to help him."

Sakura nodded. "Okay." Then she yawned.

Kari smiled. "You can sleep with us, baby girl. I'm sure daddy won't mind…too much."

Sakura smiled back. "Thank you, mommy."

"I love you, Sakura."

"Ditto." Then shutting her eyes, Kari's youngest child was asleep.

The door opened and closed quietly. T.K. was thinking that his wife was asleep, but only to find that his wife was awake and holding their sleeping daughter in her arms. Changing into sweats, T.K. sighed. "Nightmare?"

"No." Kari said softly, still running her fingers through Sakura's hair. "She's worried about Ryo."

"Ah." T.K. nodded in understanding as he got under the covers, careful not to disturb his only daughter. "You're letting her sleep here again, aren't you?"

Kari giggled. "No harm done."

"You're too soft on these kids." He said before giving his wife a kiss.

"So? You're too hard on these kids." Kari fought back as T.K. gave his daughter a kiss on the forehead.

T.K. grinned. "Touché." He laid his head down, as did Kari. "Haven't we already had that argument?"

"Yes, like about a few hundred times."

"Oh, is that all?"

"I love you, T.K. Takashi." Kari ended the conversation, closing her eyes.

"Love you, Kari Takashi."

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"Hazy, slow down!" Taichi yelled from a few yards back. Ryo, who wasn't planning on slowing down, kept going. "Hazy, we got to take a break!"

Kanaye and Sakura nodded. "I don't know how much longer we'll last, Scope." Kanaye told his older brother and leader, as Sakura silently agreed.

Matthew nodded. "Hazy, we're stopping for a couple minutes."

Ryo shot his hands in the air out of frustration. "Why?!"

"You're walking us to death, that's what!" May yelled back at her friend. She put an arm around her brother to make sure he was okay, since he had asthma. "You are doing okay, Danny?" He just gave a nod.

Maro came by Sakura and Kanaye. "What's going on with Hazy?" He asked, motioning towards Ryo, who was currently in a heated argument with Taichi. Matthew was trying to calm them both down.

The two didn't get a chance to answer when an explosion came, pushing them back. Ryo's eyes widened. "This is it! I'm going to find SnowAgumon now!" Ryo ran to where the explosion was created.

The rest of the team's eyes widened as Ryo disappeared. "Ryo!" Matthew ran after him quickly, Taichi following behind.

Kanaye hesitantly let his sister go. "Sakura, I have to go help." Sakura gave a nod and Kanaye reluctantly left her there, alone.

May, Maro, and Daniel came up next to her. "What do you think is going to happen?" Daniel asked.

Maro shrugged. "Beats me. All I know is that Hazy is causing quite a bit of trouble lately."

Sakura would've stuck up for her best friend, but she didn't feel like getting into a discussion with them. Another explosion happened and Sakura got beyond worried, so she ran towards to the location of her brothers. May, Daniel, and Maro following. "Kanaye!" She screamed through the smoke. Coughing up a storm, she kept walking. "Kanaye!"

"Sakura!" Unfortunately it wasn't her brothers' voices or the others.

Sakura coughed a bit more. "Lopmon! Help me!" She coughed. "I can't see anything!" Suddenly she was grabbed and picked up into someone's arms. Antylamon.

"Stay with me, Sakura!" Antylamon ordered, but Sakura couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. "Sakura!"

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"Whoa!" Maro yelled as he was thrown into the cell, along with the others…except Sakura.

Kanaye got back up and faced the henchmen. "Where's my sister?!"

The Kiwimon growled in frustration. "Truthfully, child, we could not locate the child of Innocence." Then he shrugged. "She's probably gone."

Matthew had enough. "Shut up!"

"Oh well. I guess that makes life easier." Another Kiwimon joined in. "One less digidestend to dispose of."

Kanaye's eyes widened as he fell onto his butt. "No! Stop telling us this!"

"We'll leave you to your misery of losing your sister." Then the Kiwimon left.

Kanaye suddenly got tears rolling down his cheeks. "Sakura!" He cried out.

Maro ran to him. "Knock it off, Soldier!" He yelled. "Shy-Shy is too strong to die! I bet she escaped! I bet anything!"

"This is my entire fault." Everyone looked in silence towards Ryo, who stood in a corner, facing the wall. "First I practically let SnowAgumon get captured; now I led Sakura to her doom."

Maro growled. "That's thinking positive!" He said in a sarcastic way.

"I agree with Maro, guys." Matthew said, but everyone could see he was trying to convince himself of that then the others. "Sakura is okay. I just know it." He sighed. "For now, we have to think of a way to get out of here."

May whimpered. "They blindfolded us, Matthew." She pointed out. "We don't know how to get out of here or where we are exactly."

"Well, we gotta try!" Maro said, trying to desperately keep hope in his team.

Daniel walked to the bar door and looked down each hallway. "It's dark."

"And this is scary." May said. She looked to Matthew. "Is this what you guys have dealt with all along?"

Matthew shrugged. "I guess you can say that."

May sighed. "Great."

Daniel walked back to May. "I'm so tired."

"Well, guys, try to get some rest." Matthew said. "It's not like we're going anywhere." He walked to Kanaye. "She's okay, Soldier. I promise."

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"Are you kidding me?" Sakura gasped. "This can't be happening!"

Lopmon sighed. "Unfortunately, Sakura, this is real. You're team has been captured."

Sakura began to panic. "Oh, man, oh man!" She looked to Lopmon and the other digimon. "What do we do?"

Terriermon gave her a "wth?" look and said, "Isn't it obvious?!"

Sakura threw her hands in the air. "What is?!"

"Sakura, you have to save Kanaye and the others!"

"Alone?!" She asked, in shock.

Lopmon sighed. "You wont be alone, Sakura. You have us there to protect you."

Sakura took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay…okay, I think I can do this."

"Hey!" Sakura and the digimon turned to see BlackAgumon freaking out. "The egg is going crazy!" He exclaimed, holding Koemon's egg for Maro. "I hope it doesn't hatch!"

Sakura blinked. "Me too. Maro wanted to be here for it's hatch."

"I'm praying it doesn't!" Gekomon yelled. "We're not babysitters!"

Peckmon rolled his eyes. "Get a grip on yourself, Gekomon. It's not hatching."

"Anyways," Lopmon let out. "it's time to go, Sakura. Are you ready?"

Sakura took another deep breath. "I think so."

"Okay, lets go save your team!"

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The door to the prison opened and the digidestend stood on their guard. Kiwimon came back into their sights. They had no strength to fight back, depressed because they didn't know if Sakura was alright or not. "We've discussed this with each other and with our bosses." The head Kiwimon started. "And we're decided to tell you the "good" news."

Matthew sighed. "What good news?"

"The keeper of Innocence is alive."

Kanaye sighed in relief. "Thank you, god!"

"She's on her way to save you as we speak."

Taichi groaned. "That's not good."

Matthew gripped the iron bars. "Why are you listening to Noah and Haru?!" He asked. "They're evil! They're only controlling you!"

"Our reasons are none of your business, child." The Kiwimon said. "I'm tired of you guys talking so much." They began to walk away. "Just wanted to inform you of that." Then he turned to face them. "Once she arrives you will all be united…but then destroyed." With that, he was gone.

Kanaye began to pace. "There has to be a way to tell Shy not to come…"

"But that's their plan, Soldier…they want us all together to kill us all at once." Matthew informed him.

Taichi sighed. "Well, crap. We're screwed."

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Back in Japan…

Micah just got done dropping Kira off at her parents' house and was now heading towards his sister's home. Sure, he had to tell his father and brother, but Marisol was the one he would get the most emotional with. Once the taxi dropped him off at Marisol's, he paid him then walked up to the front door. Her SUV was in the driveway, but Kiyoshi's police car was gone. After taking 2 deep breaths, Micah knocked on the door.

"Coming!" He heard footsteps. "Who is it?"

"Your favorite brother in the whole world!" He shouted. Suddenly the door swung open and a pregnant 26 year old Marisol lunging onto him, making him almost fall backwards. "Haha, I guess I was correct about that one!" He said, holding her tight. "How are you?"

Marisol released him and kissed his cheek. "I'm great! How are you? You look more buff." She smiled brightly.

Micah grinned. "Well, I am in the army."

Marisol rolled her eyes as she led him inside. "I've missed you and Kira so much!" She exclaimed, hugging him once again.

Micah smiled, but slowly that smile turned upside down. "As much I hate to say this, Mari…I have some news."

Marisol frowned and got concerned. "What is it, Micah?"

He led her to her couch to get her comfortable, just in case. "Promise me you wont have a heart attack?" Sadly, he was being serious.

Marisol sighed and nodded. "I promise."

"Mari…they've called us to help the Americans." Marisol gasped at Micah's news. "Kyle and I leave in 5 days."

Marisol's tears Micah prepared himself for came streaming down. She couldn't speak.

"I promise I'll be okay, sis." Micah comforted her. "I've promise Kira that, and I'm going to promise you the same."

Marisol sniffled as she hung onto Micah for dear life. "I am so proud of you." She sobbed out.

Micah smiled weakly, but couldn't stop his tears. "Thank you, Mari." He sighed. "Mari, just so you know…I would still choose you over Keiko any day. Thank you for all you've done since I was eight." He said with seriousness and a strong tone.

Marisol tried to wipe her tears away, but only more came down. "Wow…it's already been almost 15 years since mom left…and I'm glad I got the chance to raise you." She smiled. "Thank you for telling me this alone, because if this was in front of anyone else, I would've been embarrassed."

"Why?" Micah grinned. "Crying or smiling, you're still the prettiest girl in the world…next to Kira."

"How is Kira taking this in?"

Micah sighed again. "At first…she collapsed. Kira couldn't take it, but in the end, she was strong." He told her. "She gave me and Kyle her blessing."

"Is Kyle here?"

Micah nodded. "Yes, but he's getting choked by his mother and sister right now." He frowned. "I heard that May and Daniel are in the digital world, but hopefully they'll be back before we have to leave."

"When's that?" Marisol asked, sad.

"Tomorrow night." Micah answered. "I have to pack and everything, not to mention talk to the professors."

Marisol nodded. "Do dad and Marc know yet?"

"Nope." Micah sighed. "I plan on calling them and getting them together. You should come."

Marisol smiled and shook her head. "Nah, this is a guy talk moment."

"Oh great." Micah joked. "How do you think dad will take it?"

"He'll be so proud, Micah." She told him. "He'll just proud." Then the tears came back. "I'm going to pray for you every second of the day." She put a hand on her tummy. "You probably wont be back in time for your niece's birth, huh?"

Micah snorted. "You kidding?!" He exclaimed. "I will swim through the oceans and walk a million miles to see my first niece be born! I want to be one of the first 5 people to see her!"

Marisol giggled. "I make sure you're first in line…well, after Kiyoshi and dad."

"Of course." He kissed her forehead. "I'll be okay, big sister. I promise. I'll come back safe and sound."

"Just don't forget." Marisol told him. "This baby only has 14 weeks to go, so hurry back."

"Haha, I'll be there." He grinned. "I have to see you in agony and see Kiyoshi dying because you're breaking his bones in his hand into a thousand pieces."

Marisol rolled her eyes. "Now that's the younger bratty brother I know."

"And that will never change."

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I didn't add the last preview thingy from the last chapter because…I just didn't want to. ;) Anyways, I hoped you liked it. I may have been slipping here, but you'll get over it. Hahahaha.

Thank you for reading! Come on guys, I am making these chapters long to try and make up for abandoning my story for SOOOOOOOOOOO long...

PLEASE REVIEW, but please be nice!

Laterz. Digidestend Angel.

PREVIEW for Chapter 25: Start The Commotion!

"Keep cutting, Matthew!"

"I am, you idiot! I'm going as fast as I can!"

"…that's what he said."

"ROMEO!"

---

"Uhh, was that button supposed to do something?"

All the lights went out.

"Yup."

---

"The digidestend are in the room together! Kill them now!"

---

"Well, dang, dude. Get all moody, why don't you."

"Shut up, Romeo!"

"Sorry, but it's not my fault your PMSing."

"Okay, that's it!" Suddenly Taichi was in the mud, with Ryo on top.