Frontier 02: Rebirthing- Chapter 9: Almost Sweet
Takuya: And I'll leave my hat to…eh, I'll give it to you, Chief. You seem to like hats.
Kouichi: I do?
Kouji: Um, Takuya, what are you doing?
Takuya: Kouji, perfect timing! Let me ask you a question: out of all the worldly possessions I own, what would you most like to have?
Kouji: Uh…Kouichi, what is he talking about?
Kouichi: Well, you see, after that last chapter, Takuya realized that his life hung on a very delicate string, so he decided to write up his will now to get a head start on things. He asked me to help him by writing everything down and keeping his will in a safe place.
Takuya: You are such a great guy, Chief! hugs
Kouichi: sigh Takuya, you've told me that at least ten times now.
Takuya: But you are!
Kouji: Takuya, you're not gonna die.
Takuya: Not according to that prophecy of Palmon's!
Kouji: No, I mean I'm not letting you die. End of story.
Takuya: …You're a great guy, too! hugs Kouji
Kouji: Takuya, get off of me!
Kouichi: sigh Where's Madjack when you need her?
madjack89: Howdy guys! Boy, you three sure are early for the commentary today. You even beat me!
Kouichi: Madjack, please tell Takuya that you wouldn't ever let him die and that the whole prophecy thing was just one of those plot devices that keeps the readers hooked.
madjack89: Um…is Takuya going through some crisis I'm not aware of?
Takuya: Why are you killing me off?! I've been a good character, haven't I? Sure, I complained a little bit, but Kouji complained way more than me, and you're keeping him!
madjack89: Oh, I see what's going on.
Kouji: Please get off of me, Takuya!
Kouichi: Just tell him you're not killing any of us off, Madjack.
madjack89: Um…
Kouji: Get…off…of…me…Takuya.
madjack89: Well…I can't exactly say truthfully that no one is going to be killed off.
Kouichi: …What?
Kouji: Takuya, get the hell off me!
Kira: Taki, what are you doing to pretty boy?
Takuya: Kira! runs over and hugs Kira
Kouji: I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I'm glad you're here, Kira.
Kira: Okay…?
Takuya: snuggles against Kira
Zoe: Kouichi, what is going on?
Kouichi: I don't even know anymore…
madjack89: Just forget I said anything, Chief. Alright, time for reviews!
agoodcupoftea: Yeah, pretty much majorly screwed. I liked writing the scene with Palmon, so I'm glad you enjoyed reading it! Thanks for the review!
garnettfox: Yeah, that Dai (he conked out for five hours after he ate all that chocolate). Don't worry, Dragramon, your time is coming! Just let me get through this saga, and then you'll be in the story! Good luck with that novel, garnett, and thanks for reviewing!
GoldenDragon326: Go Wizard of Oz! (lol) Actually no, that movie creeped me out, but I like the musical Wicked, so yeah! Takuya's importance rose approximately five points! (Takuya: Does that mean you're not killing me off?) I never said that! (Takuya: Aw…) And we'll just have to wait and see whether that prophecy involves Seiko or not, won't we? Alright, thanks for reviewing (and yes, they'll wear their pendants during the story so we can identify their bodies). (Everyone: What?!) Kidding!
apapa155: Yay presents! (Dai: More chocolate! gorges) (Kouichi: Ha ha, very funny.) (Zoe: Aw, thank you!) (Kira: Thanks a bunch!) (Tommy: …It's not that big…) (Shino and Hotaru: Thanks.) (Kouji: Hm…this could be very useful.) (Takuya: Thank god, you got me something for self defense!) Fine, I'll take the comic, since Taki's so preoccupied. Thank you Love and Shadow and apapa155 and Eva!
Dawn of Glory: Ha, nice one Dawn! You too, Sakura! (Kouji: Why the hell do all authors feel the need to torture me?) It's called fanfiction, Kouji! (Kouji: …Touché.) Hm, that chocolate fudge will definitely come in handy. But anyway, thanks for the compliment on my prophecy writing! This was actually my favorite chapter so far because of that! And Labramon is from one of the Tamers movies. I can't remember which one, I just remember watching it once (on Toon Disney) and seeing Labramon, so there you go! Alright, thanks for the review!
fg1fg: (Kouji: You are my new best friend.) Fine, fine, I'll let you all have ONE get out of the commentary free card, but that's it! But of course Chief will stay with me! (Kouichi: I only left because Zoe left, anyway.) Aw, why would you want Taki to die? Taki's awesome! But then again, I did want Lucemon back… (Takuya: I knew it!) Oh well, we'll see what happens! Thanks for the review!
hazeleyedharmony: You call this review short? (lol)
~Indeed. Like how Pokemon made me think that anyone could survive falling off a bridge into rushing water.
~I like it too, so it's not too creepy!
~Eh, maybe he's just learned to deal with them (or not).
~Everyone seemed to like these prophecies! Thank you!
~You can try to decipher all you want, but I'm still not telling you what happens! You'll find out in time whether you were right or not.
~Wow, that gave me an interesting mental picture! (lol)
Thank you for the review!
madjack89: Okay, it is time for chapter nine of F2R! Woohoo! And by the way, Taki, stop glomping Kira. It looks awkward.
JP: Hey guys, sorry me and Tommy are late, but…whoa, Takuya, whoa!
Tommy: What is it…Takuya?!
JP: Shield your eyes, kid!
madjack89: Chapter time!
--
Later, as the sun began to set, the gang, minus the two couples and Kouji, trudged through the mass of fortune teller tents, looking for their missing companions.
"Zoe, Taki, Chief, Kira, where the heck are you guys?!" JP called, checking behind a small green tent for his friends.
"You left out Kouji," Shino said, glancing at JP.
"Yes, I did," JP replied, searching behind another tent. "But then again, he's the one that ran off today, so if he gets lost, I say let him find us on his own."
"Found you." JP jumped, recognizing the voice behind him as Kouji's.
JP slowly turned his head, smiling nervously at a smug-looking Kouji. "Oh, hey there, Kouji. What've you been up to on this fine day?"
Kouji shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "I just felt like taking a little walk by myself." Better not tell them about this prophecy thing yet. No need to scare anyone, especially Takuya.
Suddenly, something occurred to Kouji. "Um, where's Takuya, guys?" he asked, looking around for his missing friend. "And for that matter, where are Kouichi, Zoe, and Kira?"
"What, she's not just Yankee now?" Hotaru asked, chuckling.
"I'm still not completely clear on what this whole 'Yankee' thing is about," Bokomon muttered.
"I'm still not completely clear about anything," Neemon added listlessly.
"From what I understand, it's kinda like an underground army or group of mercenaries," Witchmon said, glancing at Hotaru. "Good thing we have two on our side!"
The others sweatdropped, flabbergasted (I love that word!) by Witchmon's definition.
"Not…quite," Hotaru said slowly.
"Hey guys, what're we sweatdropping about?" Kira suddenly popped up behind Shino, causing him to jump.
"Howdy there, everybody!" Takuya soon appeared next to his girlfriend, grinning. "Just wait until you hear what that fortune teller told Kouichi!"
"Why did you have to sneak up on me?" Shino muttered, glaring at Takuya and Kira.
"Because you're easy to startle," Kira said, smiling. "But that's beside the point! Taki's right, you guys gotta hear this fortune Chief got!"
"I can only imagine what a fortune teller would tell Kouichi," JP said, rolling his eyes. "Something about death and doom and despair?"
"Not even close," Zoe replied, suddenly standing beside JP with a sullen looking Kouichi to her right.
"That fortune teller can go screw himself," Kouichi muttered angrily, crossing his arms.
"Geez, what'd he say?" JP asked, surprised by Kouichi's uncharacteristic sullenness.
"Well, you see…" Zoe began.
"He said that Kouichi should beware stairs!" Takuya and Kira blurted at the same time. They then burst into laughter, followed quickly by Witchmon, JP and Dai. Tommy, Bokomon and Shino chuckled, while Hotaru merely smiled. Neemon was staring at a butterfly(mon).
"I swear to god…" Kouichi mumbled, covering his face with his hand.
"Well, you are kind of clumsy, and it's not like you haven't tripped down stairs before," Kouji said, smirking.
Kouichi's face turned bright red, feeling completely embarrassed at this point. Zoe placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Oh, c'mon Kouichi, there are plenty of clumsy people out in the world. I mean, look at Madjack! She once tripped on air. Air!" (I did.)
"Somehow, that really doesn't make me feel better," Kouichi said. (Humph!) Then he added quietly to Zoe, "But thanks anyway."
Zoe smiled back at him brightly. "You're welcome."
Kouji watched their exchange while the others continued to joke about Kouichi. For a moment, his thoughts began to darken. Then he remembered what Palmon had said: Don't let your anxieties weigh you down like this. Remember to look on the bright side of things.
He took a deep breath, calming himself down. I don't need to be acting all jealous right now. I have more important things to deal with.
He glanced over at Takuya, who was joking and laughing happily with everyone else, unaware of his fate.
Kouji clenched his fist, feeling determined. That won't happen to you, Takuya, he thought. You won't die! Even if I have to sacrifice myself in your place, I won't let that happen to you. I swear it!
--
Awhile later, after the sun had set, the gang sat around their small fire located on the fringe of the woods. As they watched the fortune teller Digimon retreat into their tents for the night, a conversation ensued.
"So, what were you guys up to all day?" Zoe asked JP curiously.
"Well," he began, taking another bite of his chocolate bar, "that drunken Gekomon kept following us around and trying to get us to give him money for booze. But then we unleashed Dai on him, and he ran away."
"I haven't had to get that annoying in a while! I even took his picture!" Dai added, grinning.
"Wait a second," Kouji said, joining the conversation. "I don't recall that Gekomon being drunk in any way, shape, or form."
"That's what the dubbing company WANTS you to think," JP said ominously.
"Great, now they're invading our minds," Kouji muttered.
"Speaking of dubbing edits, why is it not okay for Zoe to be wearing a skimpy bikini, but it is okay for her to be wearing pretty much nothing at all when she's Kazemon and Zephyrmon?" Witchmon asked.
"What?" Zoe exclaimed, blushing slightly. "I'm wearing things as Kazemon and Zephyrmon!"
"Yes, things that barely manage to cover your breasts and…other girly parts," Witchmon retorted.
While the debate continued, Kira stared listlessly at the fire, still pondering what the fortune telling Labramon had said to her. My beloved having more than friendly feelings for another…
She glanced up, searching the clearing for Takuya. Her eyes widened when she realized that he wasn't where he had been a moment ago. "Where did he…?"
"What's bugging you, Kira?" Kira turned, startled by Takuya's sudden appearance to her left.
She looked down, not wanting to meet his eyes. "Takuya…" she began.
"Oh boy, this can't be good. You called me Takuya instead of Taki," Takuya interrupted, staring curiously at Kira.
"Well, you're probably gonna think this sounds completely ridiculous, but…I was thinking about what that fortune teller said to us earlier and, I don't know…" Kira explained hesitantly.
Takuya's expression grew somber as he said, "Do you really not trust me, Kira?"
This statement brought back the memory of what the fortune teller had mouthed to Kira. Don't trust him.
No! Kira thought stubbornly, pitying the pained expression on her boyfriend's face. Look how upset he is! There's no way this is some sort of act. It's too real!
"That's not it," Kira said out loud. "Maybe I'm just…jealous."
"Jealous?" Takuya asked quizzically. "Of what?"
Kira smirked, staring across the fire at the hot debate still going on between her friends. "Zoe doesn't have problems keeping friends, or making friends, for that matter. The only thing keeping her from being the popular person she was meant to be is the fact that every girl in school seems to be too blind to see past her differences from everyone else. They use the fact that she happens to be blonde and beautiful against her.
"But here I am, just your average girl, give or take a few violent tendencies here and there, and I can't keep one damn friend until I meet you guys, and I know that I was forced on you anyway," Kira continued, staring at the flickering tendrils of the fire. "I just wish sometimes that I could be more like Zoe. Then maybe you guys would have a friend, or girlfriend, to be proud of, because I'm just…"
"Kira," Takuya said quickly, causing Kira to look up. She instantly noticed the serious tone of Takuya's voice, the tone he seldom liked to use.
"Maybe you were forced on us," Takuya continued, staring at Kira intently. "Maybe, if you didn't get Ranamon's spirit, we never would have met. Maybe if Kouichi hadn't shown up, I'd be with Zoe. Maybe, maybe, maybe; there are too many maybes in what you're saying. Maybes aren't reliable, they only weigh people down.
"Yeah, I liked Zoe. Heck, I might have really loved her. But I'm not with Zoe now, I'm with you." Takuya's expression softened as he said, "I love you, Kira. I really, truly do. Do you believe me when I say that I would never dream of being with anyone else but you?"
"Yes," Kira said, knowing that she really meant it. She trusted Takuya and believed in him more than she had anyone else in her entire life.
Takuya's expression instantly changed to one of complete relief. "Thank you," he said, smiling.
Kira was about to reply when Takuya's expression changed again to something Kira couldn't describe. Her heart began to beat faster as Takuya leaned closer to her, and…
"Takuya, Kira, I need your opinion on this!" Takuya and Kira turned quickly at the sound of Zoe's voice across the fire.
"Guys, please tell Witchmon that she is wrong!" Zoe continued, pointing accusingly at Witchmon.
"If I am wrong, then why do I have these guys on my side?" Witchmon retorted, gesturing to Dai, Hotaru, and Neemon.
"You've got Neemon on your side!" Zoe cried angrily.
"Well you don't have Kouichi!" Witchmon replied smugly.
"I already told you, I'm Switzerland," Kouichi mumbled, covering his bright red face with his hands.
"Yeah, me too," Shino added, also hiding his blush.
"I…don't think I should answer this question," Tommy said, smiling uncomfortably.
"What's the question, Zoe?" Takuya asked.
"Do my boobs stick out too much when I'm Kazemon and Zephyrmon?" Zoe asked.
Both Takuya and Kira's eyes widened at this question. "You know they do," Witchmon said. "Bokomon, pretty boy, and JP are just sucking up."
"Pretty much," JP said, agreeing. "But it feels so much better to suck up, right Bokomon?"
"I am not sucking up, I merely agree with Zoe," Bokomon replied hotly.
"I do not suck up, JP," Kouji added, glaring at JP. "That's your job."
"Uh, can I go be in Switzerland?" Takuya asked, glancing uncomfortably at Kira.
"Taki, it's fine. Zoe just gets like this sometimes. She's stubborn, so if you don't agree with her, this could take awhile," Kira said, grinning at Takuya. "Though I may just join Switzerland myself."
Takuya paused for a second, then nodded. "Right," he said quietly before getting up and joining Zoe's side of the debate.
"Yes! You lose, Witchmon!" Zoe declared triumphantly.
"How did we get into this conversation, anyway?" JP suddenly asked.
"How do we get into any of our conversations?" Kouji replied.
As yet another useless conversation ensued, Kira began to think more about what had just occurred between herself and Takuya. The more that she thought about it, the more it seemed like an actual possibility.
Takuya had almost kissed her.
--
"Damn it, that kid works fast!" the black cat muttered to itself, glaring at Takuya as he got up and walked to the far side of the clearing, leaving Kira far from suspicious about him.
The cat's tail twitched in annoyance as it skulked back into the trees. "I need to do something fast, or my plan will fail."
Suddenly, a thought popped into its head. Something that would no doubt turn Kira against Takuya, Zoe, and all the legendary warriors. The cat chuckled darkly.
"Watch out, little Kira, for your worst fears are about to come true."
--
The next day the gang checked Shamanmon's temple again, but still he had not returned.
"Anybody else beginning to get a bad feeling about this?" JP asked, staring at the big empty room in front of them.
"As I said before, he's probably still taking a break," Bokomon said.
"Think we should just leave?" Witchmon asked.
After considering for a moment, Takuya said, "No, we'll give him another day. Besides, it feels good to just take a break from everything."
"Speaking of breaks," Kira said loudly, "how about us girls take a break from you guys today? You know, just me, Zee, and Witchmon? Without men?"
"What, you've gotten sick of us already?" Kouji asked sarcastically.
"Not really," Kira replied, glancing quickly at Takuya. "It's just that sometimes we girls need a break from all your testosterone and…"
"I think they get the point, Kira," Zoe said, cutting Kira off before she got into anything that would make this story rated M instead of T. "And I think it's a good idea. What do you say, Witchmon?"
"Sounds good to me," Witchmon agreed. "We can finally have an intelligent conversation around here."
"We'd better get out of here now, guys. They've already started insulting us," JP muttered, turning and walking away. He was quickly followed by the others except for Takuya, who hesitated.
"Kira," he said quietly. "This doesn't have anything to do with…you know, right?"
Before Kira could respond, Witchmon blurted, "Take a hike, goggle head! As of this moment, this is a guy-free zone!"
Takuya paused, giving Kira one more worried glance before letting himself be shooed away by Witchmon.
Kira watched him go, feeling both relieved and guilty. Zoe noticed Kira's expression and asked gently, "Kira, what's going on? Did you and Takuya have a fight?"
"No," Kira said softly. "It's nothing like that. Actually, there's a reason I wanted the guys gone today. I need…some advice from the both of you. You know…guy advice."
"Oh boy, what did Taki do to you?" Witchmon asked, shaking her head.
"Well, you see," Kira began, feeling slightly uncomfortable. "I think…I think that, last night, Takuya almost…kissed me."
--
"YOU TRIED TO KISS HER?!" the others exclaimed, staring in awe at Takuya.
"Is it really that hard for you guys to believe?!" Takuya said angrily, blushing slightly.
"Yes!" Kouji replied.
"I think what Kouji's trying to say is that this kind of came out of nowhere," Kouichi said quickly.
"Yeah, it came out of nowhere for me, too," Takuya muttered, looking down. "It's just that I couldn't help myself. When I was talking to her last night, I realized something."
"And that would be?" JP asked.
Takuya took a big breath. "I'm really in love with Kira. Not just in some little crush-type way, but really in love with her. And when she said all that stuff about not being good enough for anyone, I just couldn't stand it! I had to make her feel better. I had to let her know that she's special, too."
"She said she wasn't good enough for anyone?" Shino asked, surprised.
Takuya nodded, still looking down. "But now I think I've screwed things up even more. She hasn't talked to me since last night, and now she's come up with some excuse just to get away from me."
"I think you're giving yourself too much credit," Kouji said suddenly, causing everyone to give him quizzical stares. "Maybe Kira did just want a girls' day out, and even if she does feel a little awkward around you right now, you just have to give her some space to figure things out and she'll come around."
"Kouji, did you just give Takuya advice on girls?" Shino asked, wide-eyed.
"The apocalypse is upon us!" JP proclaimed sarcastically.
"Very funny, guys," Kouji grumbled, glaring at the two.
"Thanks for the advice, Kouji," Takuya said, smiling. "It did make me feel better."
Kouji looked slightly surprised for a moment, then he smiled in return. "No problem."
"So now what are you gonna do about Kira?" Tommy asked innocently.
"Maybe he needs to tell her what he just told us," Hotaru suggested.
There was a pause until JP exclaimed, "Now Hotaru is giving advice on women?! What is going on today?!"
"Hotaru's right," Takuya said, suddenly looking determined. "If I want to fix this, the best policy is probably honesty. So later, I'll tell her everything and hope she doesn't kick my ass because of it!"
"Aw, that was almost sweet," Dai said.
--
"So you're saying that all I have to do is tell Taki that I don't think I'm ready for that level of our relationship yet and he won't try to kiss me again?" Kira asked, repeating Zoe and Witchmon's advice.
"Definitely," Witchmon said, nodding.
"Don't worry, he'll understand," Zoe added, smiling at Kira reassuringly. "I know Takuya, and he is not the type to get discouraged by this kind of thing. He'll bounce right back and be his goofy self again before you know it."
Kira forced a smile, muttering, "You sure do seem to know a lot more about Taki than me."
"Huh?" Zoe cocked her head, not having heard what Kira said.
"Nothing," Kira replied quickly, plastering a big grin on her face. "Well girls, now that that's done, we can finally enjoy our boy-free day!"
"Heck yeah we can!" Witchmon exclaimed excitedly, pumping her fist in the air. "God, sometimes you just need a break from those boys!"
"Try living with them for two years," Zoe retorted, chuckling. "I haven't gotten a girls day out in a long while!"
"Then let us begin!" Witchmon said, leading the other two through the mass of brightly colored tents before them.
--
Wizardmon leaned against a tree, enjoying an apple. And…wait, that's all you're doing right now? Don't you have, like, an evil plan or something?
"Nope," Wizardmon replied, taking another bite of apple.
Well that's kind of lame! I mean, you guys are trying to take over the world or something, right?
"Sure," Wizardmon replied nonchalantly.
Sometimes I wonder why I bother giving people a peek at what you guys are doing…
--
madjack89: Sorry it took so long, but here's your new chapter!
Takuya: Woohoo!
madjack89: Yeah, we managed to calm Takuya down after his little freak-out earlier.
Takuya: Whatever will be, will be.
madjack89: That's the spirit! Now it's time to celebrate Mother's Day with a Mother's Day end commentary!
JP: Oh yeah, it is Mother's Day. Good for our mothers.
Shino: Actually, we kind of ran away, so this is probably their worst Mother's Day ever.
Everyone: …
Kouji: Oh crap, he's right!
Zoe: What do we do now?!
Kira and Dai: Ho hum, our mothers are dead…
madjack89: Cool it guys, I'll just let you write them all a letter!
Takuya: It's better than nothing.
Kouichi: So what do you think we should say, Kouji?
Kouji: Sorry for running away and freaking you out with the whole Digital World thing?
Kouichi: Sounds good.
Tommy: I'm…so…sorry…Mommy…
JP: Enclosed is a piece of chocolate, with all my love…
Zoe: If you even thought for one second that I ran away with Kouichi…
Shino: Please don't let my disappearance distract you, especially when you're working a defibrillator…
Takuya: At least now you don't have to worry about me and Shinya fighting…
Hotaru: …Love you.
madjack89: Wow, these are gonna be awesome letters.
JP: I believe I detected sarcasm there, Madjack.
madjack89: You did. Alright, happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there! See ya later!