Hey guys. Another chapter, updated in under a week. For those of you who are reading this far and really like this story, I ask that you please R&R to keep me motivated (Takaro the Dreamer is doing the best, and thanks).

Inversely, could you please R&R if you don't like the story to tell me how to improve. Im tolerant to flames, but it doesn't matter. If its a flame that I think is not necessary, I will reply back. Thanks, and enjoy this chapter. Next one should be up soon!

So it didn't go as well as I would've liked. At least I got a kiss out of it. And, he's gay, right? But, what if Davis actually likes him back? Ahh, damn it I don't know what the hell to do. On the plus side, Davis is madly in love with Kari.

I mentally argued with myself for quite sometime, sitting up at my good old laptop in my room.

"Izzy, you have a call!" I heard my mom call from downstairs.

"One moment, mom! Who is it?" "It's Mimi!" Mimi? I thought that was strange, I hadn't seen her since she moved away to America. "Hello?" I answered the phone.

"Izzy!" she cried, her normal cheery voice.

"Hey, Mimi, what's up? Long time, no see, eh?"

She giggled. "Well, Izzy, I've missed the whole team. America's cool and all, but I really miss Odaiba and all of you. I'm coming back soon for a visit, and I've heard about the Digital World," she said, a mile a minute.

"Okay that's great! Yeah, um, that Digimon Emperor has been doing a number on the World. We need all of us here to help out, so I'm glad you're coming back,"

I loved that girl, she was always so fun to talk with. Before Takeru, you could say that she was the only person I had a normal conversation with.

"Oh, is Palmon ok? Please look out for her until I get back,"

I nodded. "I haven't seen her myself, but Tentomon and the others assured me that she's doing fine."

"That's great. Hey, Izzy, I have to go- long distance phone bills, ya know? I'll be there as soon as possible! Try not having to much fun without me, bye!" And she clicked out.

I laughed. I was glad she was coming back- I was rather sad she left in the first place. I sort of slept it off that night, my thoughts having a tug of war between Mimi's return and Takeru's "friendly" kiss. I eventually fell asleep, my dreams proving the same war.

The next morning was rather dull, school, yada-yada. But afterwards, I headed back over to the Middle School, where, surely enough, the new DigiDestined were all assembled.

"Hey Izzy!" Takeru, Yolei, and Kari shouted simultaneously.

"Hey guys." Sora was also there. "You going along today?" She nodded.

I went over to that single computer that allowed the Digi-Port, working on the map that Yolie's D-3 had picked up on. "Interesting," I muttered. The rest asked me what was up.

"By my calculations, there are only so many Control Spires left, and the Digimon Emperor is apparently not attempting to rebuild them. Oh, and I have news for you all," I said, planning to tell them of Mimi's visit.

"What?" Sora asked, curious as she ever was.

"Izzy, I'm not news! I'm a surprise!" Mimi said, walking through the door. "Mimi!" Sora, Takeru, and Kari all said at the same time and jumped up.

"You always were good at ruining surprises," I chuckled at her. After introductions were done, the eight of us and the new kids' Digimon all went to a Spired location inside of the Digital World. It was inside of a forest, as usual.

"Aw, I'm sick of these forests!" Davis complained. Typical. I noticed Takeru just grinning whole-heartedly at him. Upon entering, Tentomon, Biyomon and Palmon found their way to us. Mimi and Palmon shared an embrace that was long enough to write another story about.

"According to my D-3, there are numerous control spires in the area. Four to be exact." Cody said, staring down at the little device in his arms. Truth be told, the kid reminded me a lot of myself at that age- always full of wisdom. He was probably the most mature one out of the new Digi-Destined.

"So? What are we going to about it?" Yolei asked, staring up at Hawkmon, who flew above her.

I took this coincidental opportunity to my advantage. "How about we split up? Four groups of two. You guys should be able to do it with that many people now that you're more used to it. And if anyone needs help, call for back-up." Then I remembered that TK liked Davis. So guess who he would pick?

"I'm going with Kari!" Davis was quick to call, grasping the poor girl with dear life. I saw TK mellow a bit. "If it's ok with TE."

"It's TK, Davis," Kari was quick to correct, but looked to TK to see if he complied.

"No, it's great. I'll just go with Izzy," he said, which made my heart jump.

"Izzy? Why would you go with him?" Sora asked out of pure curiosity. I was kind of nervous myself, but I knew he'd pick me as second choice.

"Ah, no reason. I just thought we could get to know each other a little better," he said. How cute. Cody looked kind of down. I think he wanted to go with me, but Sora, being the good person that she was, offered to go with him. He gladly accepted, probably with a bundle of questions for her.

"Great! Then I'll go with Mimi!" Yolei exclaimed in excitement. And the groups went their separate ways. Takeru and I in particular were headed to a small, yet familiar village. It looked like the ruins that Mimi and I explored years ago, when Centaurumon was still infected by the Black Gear.

Patamon and Tentomon were hovering high above us, which was perfect in case we needed to "talk". Of course, they are our friends for life, and I'm sure neither of them would care.

I was the first to break the ice. "So, Takeru? Why did you let Davis go with Kari?"

He kind of shied away, before opening up. "Actually, I wanted to talk with you some more. I don't think he likes me that much."

"How would you know if you didn't ask him or anything?" I thought I'd be all friendly with him. Kid could use a good friend. Don't worry, not trying to score any points.

"Well, yeah, but…I can't help it. Every time I start to tell him, I chicken out. I'm afraid if he rejects me, I will be broken. I'll have no friends. And he's just…sooo cute! The way he calls me TE or TJ and when he plays soccer…" Takeru went off into such a lustful daydream, I started to get jealous.

"Nah, Takeru, that's not true. Even if he does reject you, you will always have me as a friend. I promise you that. And Matt, and whoever else you decide to tell," I said.

"Thanks, Izzy. You are truly a great friend, and I'm glad we got acquainted. And that reminds me, I was planning on telling Kari, when I ran into Mimi last night. We had a long conversation at my house, and Matt was already there."

"So?" I asked.

"Well, one thing led to another, and I told her that I was gay. And she told Sora, which was fine with me." He seemed pretty happy about it.

"I assume it went well?" I asked, based on my deductions.

"Yeah, they even wanted to throw me a party!" he said, big smile. He chuckled some more as we walked.

"So, Takeru, did you want to be paired with me, or was I seconds?" I said, with taunt in my voice.

"Actually, I knew Davis was going to pick Kari, so I wanted to be your partner as soon as you suggested. Why do you ask?" He said, curiously. Damn, I forgot he doesn't know that I'm gay.

"No reason, just wondering how good of a friend you really are,"

"Oh. Well, in that case, who do you like, computer boy?"

I blushed. "In what case? What I said and what you asked were two completely different subjects!" I said, quickly accusing his randomness.

"I dunno. Just trying to make conversation with my new buddy," he said, putting his arm around my shoulder.

"Well, then, back to subject- no one in particular in this time," I lied. What, do you expect me to say, "Takeru! I'm deeply in love with you and have been ever since we were kids!" I don't think so.

"Oh. Well, did you like anyone back during our adventures in the Digital World?" he asked, with me getting the same response in my head.

"I sort of had a crush on Mimi. She was cute, and still is, and just has that lovely personality," I said, trying to sound as straight as possible.

"Oh, Mimi, huh?" He removed his hand from my shoulder, and nudged me in the shoulder. "You still like her, right?"

I laughed. "Nah, not really. But how about you, who did you like during our DigiDestined adventures?" I asked, not really aware that he was only eight and probably didn't like anyone at that age.

"Actually, I believe I liked Tai…and Joe…I dunno, I was kind of young," he said, looking down.

"Oh. Sorry, if that was sort of a personal question. Just curious," I said, kind of upset that he didn't say me. Oh, how could I forget, I was a nerd back then.

"It's fine. Actually, Izzy, to be completely honest with you, I liked you. I was a kid, and you were really smart. And I was attracted to that. I always wanted to talk to you, but it seemed like you shunned me away. So, I laid off. Actually, I pretty much liked you better than all of them."

He was hesitant. And I was shocked. I couldn't believe he had just told me that. "Sorry if that sounds too gay, but it gets worse," he said, "if I wasn't so sure you were straight, I would like you now instead of Davis."

And then I went crazy.