Authors note: Sorry about the delay, usual author excuses: life, work etc.
So here's the next chapter, getting harder for me to stick to my promise of no lemons. To be honest I was scared to write one but each time I come back I keep getting closer…maybe next time haha. Anyway pretty fluffy chapter so I do hope you've all had your shots. Once again sorry for the lateness I'll try to get the next one up faster!
Chapter 12: Misunderstanding
Mimi scowled up at Centarumon, so far all he had done was stand there as Koushirou sent wave after wave of those things through the portal. She didn't understand why he hadn't gone through yet, he was the leader right? Surely he could trust one or two of those things with the task of guarding her and head through himself. To be completely honest that's what she was waiting for. Those things were stupid, slow and unorganised; she and Koushirou would definitely have a better chance of getting away from them.
The last of the creatures went through the gate as Koushirou let out a tired breath. Mimi continued to scowl at Centarumon, hoping against hope that maybe he would let them go now.
"I am afraid I haven't been completely truthful with you. I will need you both to accompany me." Centarumon stated flatly.
"You lied then. You wouldn't have killed Mimi?" Koushirou asked in a quiet voice.
"Kill? That would be against my orders. However I only need to bring you both back alive, it is up to you whether that is in one piece." Centarumon answered mildly.
"I suppose you still won't tell me who is giving these orders. Can you at least tell me where it is you want us to go?" Koushirou's voice was even, he wanted to get as much information as he could though the chances Centarumon would actually give him a straight answer were slim.
"You will see it for yourselves. There is no need for me to explain."
"…I won't."
"Resistance is truly moronic at this point. You have no choice."
Koushirou bit his lip, he was scared. Terrified, to be more precise. He had never come up against anything like this in all his adventures, being separated from the others with no help on its way. He glanced at Motimon; the poor digimon was still knocked out cold. He bent down to scope him up.
"That will not be necessary. Your defender will remain here." Centarumon stopped him before he lifted the unconscious digimon. He sighed and left Motimon where he lay, took Mimi's hand in his own and began solemnly walking toward the cave per Centarumon's directions.
Zui was screaming something but Tai couldn't quite hear over the deafening roar the creatures let out all at once which was forcing him to cover his ears. He suddenly found himself falling backwards, landing on his back he was about to ask what the hell had happened when he noticed there was a strange translucent arm hovering in the space he had just occupied. He turned to see Takeru crouching beside him and realised he must have kicked out his feet from under him.
"Hah…you're actually really good at this T.K."
"You're just waaay too spacey." MetalGreymon rumbled in the back of his mind.
Tai quickly rolled away from the creatures arm. Jumping back to his feet he brought his blade down slicing the things arm clean off with one swing. The sliced portion fell to the floor exploding into a jelly like substance while the portion still attached retreated back to its owner.
The creatures advanced surprisingly quickly after that. Tai continued to slice and cut at them but they just continued coming. He saw arrow after arrow fly past him as Takeru tried to help him maintain a defensive position around the others.
"Cut at the head! That won't grow back!" Zui shouted. She had created a barrier around herself again, it kept her save from the ever advancing army but it looked like it was tiring her out.
"How do you know that exactly? What are these things!" Tai managed to yell back at her as he followed her instructions, the creature he had just beheaded exploding into jelly before him splashing his upraised shield and exposed skin.
"Ewwww…" MetalGreymon complained.
"Tell me about it." Tai grumbled as he sliced through another creature sending yet more sludge into the air.
"I know because that's what I've been doing! I have no idea what these things are!" She shouted back at him. Every few minutes a bolt of black lightning would shoot from her shield and strike a creature in the head.
Bastard was standing beside Zui within the shield. He winced as the creatures started to gain the upper hand with sheer weight and numbers causing the shield to shrink and Zui to start panting.
"Perhaps we should retreat? Things haven't gone quite as planned after all." Bastard whispered into Zui's ear. Zui bit her lip as she debated her options. She tried to see Yamato through the mass of creatures exploding and being thrown back by Takeru and Tai. They were doing a pretty good job of keeping the things at bay but she could tell they couldn't last for much longer.
"We have to get off the roof!" Tai barked.
"Yeah but how! We've got too many people; I can't carry someone and attack at the same time!" Takeru responded.
Sora bit her lip and cradled Yamato's head closer to her chest. The creatures kept getting closer, Tai and Takeru were losing ground fast. She glimpsed Zui through the mass of creatures separating them into two groups on either side of the roof. Sora thought she looked torn yet again, indecision recognisable even as Tai and Takeru darted in and out of her line of vision.
"Zui! Get us off the roof!" Sora hollered. Hikari gaped at her in disbelief. Tai and Takeru didn't have time to react since they were struggling against the tide of creatures.
Bastard laughed wholeheartedly, throwing his head back enjoying what he thought was a ridiculous plea. Zui stood completely still with a smirk slowly spreading across her face. Bastard stopped laughing to give her a quizzical look as she walked forward toward the team, sending creatures flying and bursting into jelly in her wake.
Tai braced himself as the shield came within inches of him but to his surprise instead of repelling him it engulfed him and the others. Tai was glaring at Zui and Bastard as they stood in front of them, Zui looked exhausted but smug and Bastard was very disinterested. The creatures were still pounding on the shield and had now surrounded them on either side.
"Hah…so you are willing to accept my help? I thought I wasn't worth it, you know hands stained in blood and all." Zui attempted to keep her haughty air but the words came out in pants.
"It's your stupid fault all of this happened. You want forgiveness? Help us get off this stupid roof and I will think about considering it." Sora seethed as she swung Yamato's arm over her shoulder and struggled to her feet.
"Guh!" Zui fell to one knee as the armies' attacks become more vicious. She could feel her shield growing weaker by the second. "These things…they shouldn't be able to weaken me this much!" She thought angrily. "Ok…give me Yamato…You just need someone to carry the third person right?" She wheezed.
"Yeah but there's no way in hell you get to touch him ever again. You can carry me." Sora proclaimed confidently.
"Sora! That's insane! What if she tries something, we have no proof she is reformed besides her poor excuse for an apology!" Tai objected. Sora rolled her eyes and shoved Yamato into Tai's free arm.
"It's just to get down from here. Besides we just jump down right? She can't do that much from here to there." Sora argued, hooking Yamato's discarded weapon on her belt as she did so.
"Let's just get off this roof before I no longer can!" Zui screamed, she grabbed Sora roughly by her waist and jumped off the roof with Takeru carrying Hikari, Tai carrying Yamato and Bastard carrying his wife not far behind.
They skipped between the buildings until they hit the ground. Hard. Zui dropped Sora immediately turning her attention to maintaining the shield directly above them as the creatures fell after them in droves.
"Run! Get Shin to open you a stupid port somewhere! I'll hold them off for as long as I can." Zui grunted through gritted teeth.
"That's it. I'm out; I have what I need from you." Bastard said coolly. He ran past her breaking a small hole in the barrier. The creatures seemed to ignore him as he darted past.
"That's the thanks I get! Screw you!" Zui yelled after him. Sora scrambled to her feet and took Yamato from Tai as he readied his sword just in case the things chased them.
"Right. Sora and Hikari will carry Yamato, I'll lead. T.K. you provide backup. Anyone sees a tv or computer let me know, we'll head for our original entry point just to be sure." Tai ordered.
Sora glanced back at Zui; she was struggling to keep the shield up. It rippled looking weaker by the second and few of those things arms could be seen creeping through small holes in the black veil. Sora saw her look over her shoulder at them.
"What are you waiting for? An invitation!" Zui roared.
Tai ran forward, sending several creatures flying with a mighty swing of his sword. He brought it down on another creatures head as he pushed on. Sora and Hikari tried their best to keep up with him but even with both of them combined Yamato was proving difficult to carry since he just hung between them like a dead weight.
Takeru whipped back and forth firing arrow after arrow, hitting creatures coming from the sides or behind them. He was walking backwards, trying his best not to trip Sora and Hikari up.
"Shit!" Tai had impaled a creature but that had turned out to be a foolish decision, the creature healed over his blade. He placed his foot on the thing's stomach and pulled as hard as he could.
"Let me go if you have to Tai!" MetalGreymon growled.
"No way! I've almost got it!" The blade started to give as the creature raised both its arms for another pounding attack.
"Tai!" Sora cried.
"Onii-chan!" Hikari cried simultaneously.
Tai grit his teeth in preparation for the impact still refusing to release his grip. He felt a small shock singe his cheek as a blue sphere flew past him colliding with the things head, it burst sending him skidding backward sword still in hand. He whipped around to see the smoking barrel of Yamato's gun; he was still leaning heavily on Sora for support.
"Looked like you needed some help." Yamato smirked cockily at Tai who returned the look.
"Nah, could have taken it easy. Just thought you could use a free hit."
"You didn't even know I could move."
"Yeah well…I gambled."
Yamato shook his head with his grin still stuck firmly in place and shot three more rounds at several creatures closing in behind Tai. They continued forward, the creatures kept coming but their numbers were definitely diminishing. Eventually their goal was finally in sight and there were only ten or eleven creatures left.
"Hah…about time…" Tai panted. He was tired of cutting through those things, each hit felt like he was cutting through taffy, it was hard to do.
Yamato continued firing shots at the remaining creatures, he couldn't tell if they were getting faster or if he was getting slower since most of them missed. The two deep gashes on his forearm Zui had neglected to heal ached with each shot fired making him wince. Several arrows flew past him colliding with the two creatures he had been trying to hit, he gave a tired wave of his gun as a thanks.
Sora was holding on to the dagger, carefully holding it in front of them just in case those creatures got too close. She didn't have to use it as they finally reached their destination passing by the grotesque pile of heads, she felt Yamato tense as they passed. "That's right…he doesn't know just how bad it is." She thought sadly.
The last creature finally exploded with a final arrow from Takeru. They all breathed a sigh of relief and limped toward the closest television in the store.
"Hikari…its time to shine." Tai said as cheerfully as he could manage.
"Digiport open!" Hikari stuck out her digivice toward the screen. Nothing happened at first, then a shaky image of Shin's home flashed on the screen just before they were bathed in the welcome light and vanished from the city.
"Welcome back!" Shin bounced about giving them pats on the back and, in the case of Hikari, a massive bear hug. Joe congratulated them and gave Yamato's shoulder a brief squeeze before his face turned serious.
"I wish we could rest but there's more trouble." Joe sighed.
"What? Please tell me you're joking Joe." Tai said as he collapsed onto one of the cushions.
"It's Mimi and Koushirou." Joe continued unabated.
"Yeah I know. We didn't seal Zui so Palmon's still trapped right?"
"Well that too but there is far more important things to deal with now. Mimi and Koushirou were taken by a very unfriendly Centarumon."
"What?" The group yelled in unison. Tai sat up abruptly and immediately regretted the decision; his body refused to comply anymore and seized up with fatigue forcing him back down. He saw Takeru and Yamato have similar reactions as Hikari tried to sooth him.
"There's no point in going after them in your condition. You need some rest." Shin stated flatly.
"We can't do that! We need to get to them asap!" Tai demanded.
"But…you three are the only ones who can fight since our digimon are out of commission. There's no point in going if you are unable to move." Joe agreed sadly.
"Our digimon…aren't we short one?" Hikari asked as she stroked Tai's back.
"Ah! Motimon! Man I am really having trouble keeping track of things…Shin can you send me to the cave entrance? Last we looked he was still there." Joe said as he clambered to his feet.
"Sure!" Shin complied happily. Yamato raised his hand shakily; this action was only observed by Sora and Takeru.
"Um who's the girl? And where exactly is this place?" He asked sheepishly.
Yamato was trying as best he could to digest all the information he had just had the privilege of receiving for what felt like hours on all current events. He was currently reclining across two cushions Sora had pushed together for him; she was seated beside his head at the table along with Hikari and Takeru. He raised his gun limply; it shaded his eyes from the soft light that was disturbing his attempt at rest.
"Gabumon can you hear me? If you are ignoring me now would be an excellent time to stop." He whispered to the unresponsive weapon. After being informed rather emphatically by Shin exactly how the weapons worked and how they came to be he had been trying to get Gabumon to talk to him, she had said he may not be able to talk to him due to the way Zui changed him but she couldn't be sure.
"Tai! Would you at least try to chew with your mouth closed, I am rapidly losing my will to live let alone eat." Sora complained.
"I jjmumph wmanmt tomph humphry." Tai attempted, causing the three digidestined seated opposite him to dodge and duck various bits of what once could have been referred to as food.
"I'm ashamed to call you my brother at this moment." Hikari said in a very even tone as she wiped a piece of food off her face. Her expression at that moment caused both Tai and Takeru to go blue, Takeru inched away from her and Tai slammed his head into his plate to escape the glare.
Yamato sighed and placed the gun on the floor next to him. His arm still ached, Joe had bandaged up his wounds with some linen Shin had provided but the cuts were pretty deep. Joe had suggested stitches' but Shin insisted that if it was a wound made by Zui then Zui would be the only one who could fix it. Sora had apologised to him repeatedly since she had punched Zui before they could convince her to finish the job. Yamato had forgiven her immediately since there was no way she could have known.
He peeked up at Sora by leaning his head back; she had finally resumed eating and was listening to Shin try to help Joe figure out how to work Koushirou's programme to release the other digimon.
Joe had found Motimon very easily when he went through the portal but was surprise to find the little mon was fully animated and extremely worried. Since Motimon had insisted it was Koushirou's programme that revived him Joe had to go all the way back to the original port they used when they escaped the ooze the first time. He really didn't seem to mind as long as the digimon may be restored. Unfortunately Koushirou wasn't around and figuring out how to use it without him was proving difficult.
Yamato smiled weakly when Sora noticed him staring at her. She smiled back and patted his forehead. He wondered if she was mad at him for what he said to Zui, she hadn't seemed very happy about it when it came up. He really wanted to talk to her alone but that was impossible thanks to the small quarters and the fact he really didn't think he could stand just yet. Sora seemed to realise something was bothering him and leaned over him so her eyes were parallel to his. "What's the matter? I mean beside the obvious." She smiled coyly as she spoke.
"Oh its nothing…I just wanted to tell you that I didn't mean what I said."
"Hmmmm? What you said…?" Sora pondered this for a moment, then her previously quizzical expression turned to disappointment. "Oh…well yeah it was a little sudden so I can understand if you just said it to confuse her."
It was his turn to look confused as she pulled away and started fidgeting with her fingers in her lap. "Well its just…I don't see how I could possibly feel that way, even though it shouldn't it makes me ashamed to have to lie like that."
Sora's disappointment turned to anger and the others watched on with no clue what was happening as she poured what remained of her ramen over Yamato's head.
"Sora! What did I do?" Yamato said with more surprise then anger as he shot up rubbing the sauce out of his eyes.
"You jerk!" Sora stood up and stomped out of the room into the garden leaving a perplexed Yamato to meet the gaze of the rest of the group.
"…I'll get a towel!" Shin ran to a nearby cupboard to retrieve the object and threw it over Yamato's head.
"What did you say to her?" Takeru asked as he tried to suppress a chuckle.
"Whmamph dph ymomu domph?" Tai added incoherently.
"I don't know! she just exploded." Yamato sighed.
"Well you definitely did something." Hikari accused in a friendly manner.
"Ha so much for Casanova over here. You're back to normal for less then half a day and you already strike out." Tai laughed as he finally finished swallowing.
Yamato glared at him. "I didn't strike out; I don't even know what I did!"
"Sure just like the rest of us buddy, just go apologise and hope for the best."
"And you would know about this kind of thing how? Last time I checked you were still single."
"Oh yeah? You saying I couldn't get a girl?"
"Nah I'm saying when you do you'll screw up ten times worse then anything I could ever do."
"Say's the man who has just offended the girl he practically confessed too not four hours ago."
"What? When did this happen?" Hikari's eyes sparkled as she clasped her hands together and invaded Yamato's personal space. He continued to glare at Tai who just smirked back at him.
"Yep, our blonde haired Casanova performed the literally dying art of 'death bed confession'!" Tai grinned manically at Yamato who narrowed his eyes giving him the 'don't you dare' look which Tai promptly ignored. Tai's eyes grew wide and he made a kissy face as he spoke. "I could never love you because I'm already in love!"
The colour rose to Yamato's cheeks as he felt four pairs of eyes on him waiting expectantly for him to deny or confirm. He just coughed into his fist.
"Well it's about time." Takeru smiled at him from behind Hikari.
"Really? You and Sora? I really need to pay more attention." Joe said.
"That's great! It took you long enough! Geez why does it take near death experiences for guys to be honest about their feelings." Hikari giggled.
"Hey I told her before that happened!" Yamato protested. Immediately all eyes were back on him and the faint tinge in his cheeks turn bright crimson.
"…Come again?" Tai deadpanned.
"Ok when and how, I'm going to need the details." Hikari beamed.
"I better go talk to her." Yamato edged backward before summoning energy he didn't realise he still had to run out into the garden.
"Sheesh so much for your cool guy image." Tai chuckled as he shook his head.
Sora sat staring out at the unnatural but beautiful pond on the far side of the garden. She was sitting on the porch, hugging her legs and resting her chin on her knees. "Jerk…why tell me that now?" She pondered angrily while fiddling with her shoelace with one hand. "I mean I know we haven't even confirmed anything out loud and it was pretty embarrassing…but I really believed him."
"Can I sit here?" Yamato asked cautiously. She tilted her head toward him and made a 'humpfh' noise which he took as a yes. He sat beside her and dangled one leg down bringing the other one up to rest his arm on. They sat there in silence for a few minutes until he couldn't stand it anymore. "Why are you mad at me?" He asked quietly.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "You know you really lack tact. I thought you would be pretty good at this kind of thing."
He looked at her, that same questioning expression on his face. "What kind of thing?"
"Relationships, talking to girls, being charming you know all the usual pick up routine." She responded nonchalantly.
"Oh…so you're mad because I'm not charming?"
"Yes Yamato I'm mad because you're not charming." She deadpanned at him, when he didn't seem to realise she was joking she sighed. "Look I know that kind of thing is hard to say to someone and it's not like we've been together for a long time. In fact I don't think we have been together at all yet, I mean not really. I'm glad you did what you did because it worked and you are safe and alive…but even so it was a really cruel lie."
He looked hurt which surprised her; he then bit his thumb and shook a little as he spoke. "I know…I meant what I said when I told her she was lonely just like I used to be. When I was under her control I could feel it…her feelings and her fear. But still I don't think I can, after everything she's done I don't see how I could ever view her as a friend. Even now just thinking about her makes me mad, I really don't think I could forgive her and yet I gave her false hope. I feel sorry for her sure, but sorry enough to forget what she's done? I don't think so."
Her eyes widened gradually as he spoke, when he was finished he gave her a sheepish look. She burst out laughing which only baffled him further. "That was the lie? Guess this one's my bad."
"…Hah?"
"I thought you were talking about something else. Pretty stupid of me I know." She continued to giggle.
He looked at her incredulously for a moment, then the conversation he had just had with the others crept into his mind. "Oh...I see." He blushed again as he finally caught on to what had upset her. He was surprised yet again when she continued to laugh and jumped at him causing them both to land on their backs.
He looked up at her as she straddled him, their bodies not quite touching as she propped herself up with her knees and elbows. He felt slightly awkward with his legs dangling off the side and Sora practically lying on top of him. She smiled wistfully and lowered her face toward him; he stared up in anticipation and excitement as she gradually came closer. He prepared himself for the kiss he was sure was on its way when she surprised him yet again by lowering her lips past his and tilting her head toward his ear, he felt her hair tickle his cheek as she spoke. "Me too…even though you aren't that charming."
A faint blush rose to both their cheeks as she pulled back again. She smiled slyly at him before crashing her lips into his. Once again he was lost in the blissful sensation and he realised just how much he had actually missed her. She pulled away gently, biting his lower lip so lightly he wasn't sure if it really happened.
She locked her eyes with his, reddish brown eyes boring into sapphire blue ones. To him they sparkled with promises and unending comfort, he could have remained staring at her until he breathed his last but something else was evident in those beautiful orbs that caused him to press his hand against the back of her neck and force their lips together again. He wanted her, all of her. He suddenly felt possessive and a little afraid of how much he really wanted her; he wouldn't let her go now. She was permanently stuck with him.
His hand found its way up her shirt, caressing her shoulder blade and sliding slowly down until he hit her bra strap. He hesitated before making small circular motions on her spine just before the strap, almost as if he was begging for permission. Yet again this wonderful girl who he couldn't get away from even if he tried surprised him as her hand snaked its way up her top and grabbed the latch herself. He smiled into the kiss moving his hand around expectantly which aroused a muffled giggle from her.
"Well well I stand corrected Casanova."
They both froze instantly, Sora quickly redoing the already halfway undone strap. They both remained in place as they slowly turned their head toward the doorway. To their shock and horror Tai was standing there with his arms crossed and tapping his foot with a playful smirk on his face. If that wasn't bad enough they could also see Takeru and Hikari peeking their heads around the corner.
It was at this point that Yamato realised Sora was still on top of him and his hand was still halfway up her top. He pulled his hand out of her top as she quickly clambered off of him and straightened it out to fully cover her stomach. He remained stationary before looking up at Tai guiltily. "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough." Tai replied obviously trying to keep a straight face.
"Hey Nii-san I thought you said those kind of things are inappropriate for minors." Takeru jibbed innocently.
"I'm sure he did." Hikari agreed, with an evil grin on her face.
"I'm not a minor." Yamato stated defiantly.
"Oh right…so when I turn sixteen-" Takeru may have said something else but he was cut off by Tai's fist colliding with his face.
"What's that? You're going to wait until you're married? That's very noble of you." Tai said nonchalantly as he examined his fist as if he hadn't done anything.
"Onii-chan." Hikari said exasperatedly.
"Come here guy's you'll like what you see!" Joe called from within the house.
Yamato shook his head and took the hand Tai held out to him. "Guess it's time to go complete our group, you ready?" Tai stated his tone serious but laced with excited determination.
"Sure, it's about time I did my share." Yamato grinned back.