Frontier 02: Rebirthing- Chapter 10: Kiss
madjack89: Hi guys! Hey, you know what just occurred to me the other day?
Kouji: That constantly picking on us is probably lowering our self esteem to dangerously low levels?
madjack89: No Kouji. And stop whining.
Kouji: Humph.
madjack89: Anyway, the other day I realized that I've been working on Frontier 02 for almost an entire year now! This story is almost one year old!
Hotaru: …Hooray.
madjack89: Thanks for the attempt at enthusiasm, Taru-kun! Now, how do you guys think we should celebrate this momentous occasion?
Takuya: Wait, you're asking us what we want to do?
madjack89: Well, you guys are the real driving force behind the story. I just sit and write about your antics!
Dai: Oh, oh, I have an idea!
madjack89: What, Dai?
Dai: You remember when we did that entire chapter thing without you in F2HF?
madjack89: Yeah…
Kouji: I think I like where this is going.
Dai: Maybe we could do one of those again! The readers seemed to like it! And it was fun!
JP: Dai has a good point. We had some fun times in that chapter.
Shino: That depends. Do the rest of us get to participate this time?
Dai: Of course!
Shino: Alright, I'm in then.
JP: Sounds good. Anyone else object?
Everyone else: Nope.
Takuya: Okay Madjack, looks like we're doing another commentary chapter to celebrate the one year anniversary!
madjack89: Yay, I get a day off! Alright, with that taken care of, let's get to the reviews!
-
Aldamonburst: Burst, you don't suck, and neither do your stories! But thank you very much for the nice review! (Ryo, you're being very naughty! You and I should have a talk later!)
apapa155: Oh, maybe you did forget JP. I didn't notice either! Heh heh! (JP: Jerks. takes picture of Tomoyo and leaves) Ha, thanks for the laugh, all you other guys!
Kayland Elric: Yeah, I always enjoy a little Kouichi button-pushing, especially when it comes to stairs! Kouji giving advice was odd, but I'm definitely heading for the bunker if Dai ever starts acting normal (lol)! Hotaru giving advice is more common, but still doesn't happen too often. Oh well! Thanks for reviewing!
JewelledTears: Wow, that would be hilarious! And Bella Kouichi in the clumsy department, but it's still fun to pick on him! Actually, I did mention somewhere in the beginning of F2HF that I had only seen the dub of Digimon Frontier, which is why I use the English names. That in no way means that I dislike subs, though. I also don't dislike dubs in any way. I'm pretty neutral on the subject, I just typically watch dubs more than subs! So there's my two cents in the debate! Good luck with those exams! Peace out sucker! (lol)
fg1fg: Yeah, Kouji forgives you, showing he's not a complete jerk! (Kouji: Hmph.) Truthfully, I'm not even sure how I tripped on air, it just kind of happened, cause I was just walking and…I don't know. My dad found it hilarious, though. Yup, happy belated Mother's Day! And the apocalypse may soon be upon us. Thanks!
GoldenDragon326: Like I said, no need to worry about the um for a while. Wicked rocks! And the two that play the Elphaba and Glinda rock! And yup, both me and Kouichi are kind of clumsy! I watch the dubs too, I just like making fun of some of the things in them (like puns). Man, even I was disappointed that the kiss was interrupted, and I wrote it! But Taki will get another chance or my name isn't Madjack! Thanks for reviewing! (Flabbergasted!)
hazeleyedharmony: Almost sweet, hence the title (lol). I'm in AP Lang and APUSH (AP U.S. History), so the tests weren't TOO taxing! Yay for flabbergasted and stairs! Oh wow, thanks for directing me to this site! This is hilarious! All the things I've made fun of for so long…it even made a Kouji Star Wars reference for the episode 27 comparsion (Kouji: What the hell?!)! Thanks for the review, as always!
Dawn of Glory: GASP! I don't want to split up Taki and Kira! I'm just putting a little strain on their relationship is all! Aw, Kouji has good advice occasionally, and it's not like he's inexperienced in the love department. (JP: I'll meet you in the bunker, Dawn. How long do you think we can survive on just chocolate?) Go away, JP. Anyway, thanks for reviewing! (Aw, HinataxNaruto is pretty cute!)
-
madjack89: Alright, time for some new F2R action! Woot!
IMPORTANT NOTICE: I kinda messed up a little bit. You see, I've been using the name Dark Area to mean anything within the darkness sphere of the Digital World, but in actuality, I now realize this is incorrect. Now when I mention the Dark Area, it'll mean the spooky place where Kouichi was when he got Duskmon's spirit, and when I mention the Dark CONTINENT, it'll be the actual place the gang went to when they beat Cherubimon, and the place they are currently headed to. Sorry if there was confusion due to my indiscrepancy!
--
"There you guys are!" Witchmon exclaimed, spotting a group of guys standing a few feet away.
The guys turned, seeing Witchmon, Zoe, and Kira, whom they'd been looking for. "What do you mean here we are?" JP asked, glaring at Witchmon. "You just disappeared into thin air today!"
"Part of having a girls-only day is making sure that you stay away from any and all boys," Witchmon retorted, smirking. "Besides, we found this sweet place to camp tonight that's right by this lake! Only downside is all the burned out trees around the for-"
"Witchmon!" Zoe hissed under her breath, trying to keep Witchmon from mentioning the trees. But it was too late for that, because Takuya's face had already fallen.
"It's the same forest I burned up, isn't it?" Takuya asked Zoe emotionlessly.
"Well…yeah," Zoe replied hesitatingly. "But…we don't even have to stay there if you don't want to, right Witchmon?"
"Hey, don't look at me," Witchmon said hastily. "You didn't tell me that's where Takuya went nuts!"
"Witchmon!" everyone exclaimed, trying to shut Witchmon up. But it was once again too late, for Takuya had already lowered his head and looked slightly depressed.
Witchmon's eyes widened when she realized what she'd said. "Oh crap! I didn't mean…I say things sometimes without thinking…I'm sorry, Taki!"
"It's fine, Witchmon," Takuya said, raising his hand to silence her. "And I don't really mind if we camp there tonight. Like you said, it's a pretty sweet place despite the…burnt trees." He added the last part quietly, looking guiltily at his feet.
The others glanced pityingly at him, except for Kira, who instead looked determined. This is your chance, Kira! You can finally pay Taki back for always putting a smile on your face by making him feel better! Plus, he'll be so distracted by his problems that he won't even try to kiss me again! Yay!
Kira smiled to herself, trying to keep her excitement contained. However, while she felt relieved that she wouldn't have to kiss Takuya anytime soon, she also felt slightly disappointed. Unsettled by this, she shook her head and listened as her friends' conversation continued.
"Well, now that that's settled, what are we going to do about Shamanmon?" Bokomon asked.
"We could look for him!" Neemon suggested helpfully.
"We don't even know where to begin looking and in case you've forgotten, our main objective is to get to the Dark Continent and meet up with the Resistance!" Bokomon argued, snapping Neemon's waistband.
"Bokomon's got a point," Kouji agreed, ignoring Neemon's high pitched squeal.
"Maybe we should ask around and figure out what's going on with Shamanmon before we leave," Shino suggested, also trying to be helpful.
"Good idea, Shino!" Zoe said, smiling.
"Really?" Shino said tentatively, turning slightly pink.
"Yeah! You guys can go set up camp while me and Kouichi get information on Shamanmon!" Zoe continued.
"Oh," Shino said quietly, slumping forward anime-style (you know what I mean, right?). "I guess that would be a good idea."
"What do you say, Kouichi?" Zoe asked, turning her attention away from Shino.
"Uh, sure," Kouichi agreed listlessly, glancing guiltily at Shino.
"Alright, the rest of us will go on ahead," Takuya said, walking away with the rest of the group. "C'mon, Shino," he added, grabbing a still sad-looking Shino by the shirt and dragging him along.
JP frowned as he glanced back at Zoe and Kouichi, whispering to Kouji, "You know their not gonna be gathering information, right?"
"What else would they be doing?" Tommy asked curiously, overhearing JP's comment.
"Oh, you know, the standard couple thing," JP explained, shrugging. "Flirting, holding hands, possibly making out, though I still don't know how far they've gotten in that department because Kouichi refuses to tell us."
"They haven't kissed yet, JP," Kouji said. "But I have to agree with you that Zoe probably had an ulterior motive for staying behind with Kouichi."
"Maybe they'll kiss now," Dai guessed.
"You know, it's kind of weird to picture either of those two kissing," Witchmon commented.
"That goes more for Kouichi than for Zoe," Bokomon added. "She's much more confident than him."
"She'll definitely use that to her advantage," JP muttered, smirking.
"Guys, we should probably stop this conversation for Shino's sake, cause he looks like he's about to go jump in a lake," Takuya said, gesturing to a very depressed Shino.
Everyone gave Shino reassuring looks as JP apologized sheepishly. "Sorry there, Shino. Didn't mean to bring up touchy subjects."
"It's oka—wait a second." Shino stared at everyone curiously and asked, "Does everyone know about the crush I have on Zoe except for Zoe?"
"Pretty much," everyone replied, nodding.
"Don't worry, we're keeping her in the dark," Witchmon added. "Pun sort of intended."
"How did all of you find out?" Shino asked nervously.
"Trust me, it really isn't that hard to figure out," Kouji said, smirking. "Zoe's just really bad at knowing when someone has a crush on her unless they come out and tell her themselves."
"You've got a point there," Shino mumbled.
While everyone else moved on to a new topic of discussion, Kira stole a quick glance at Takuya, who was trying (but failing) to look like he wasn't staring at her out of the corner of his eye.
Kira turned back around, feeling flustered. Why do I feel so awkward around him now? How am I gonna make him feel better when I feel so suckish myself?
Kira sighed. Love sucks.
--
About an hour later, Kouichi and Zoe had asked just about every Digimon they could find, but no one seemed to know of Shamanmon's whereabouts. Defeated, they left the village and were heading through the woods to the spot Zoe remembered Witchmon had bragged about.
The sun had set a while ago, leaving the forest feeling dark and foreboding with its many shadows. Zoe shivered, stealing a glance at Kouichi. Unlike her, he didn't seem worried at all by the darkness surrounding them.
Well of course he isn't worried; he's the warrior of darkness! Zoe thought, smirking slightly. But as she continued to stare, she noticed that Kouichi also seemed to be deep in thought about something, which explained the lack of conversation that had been going on since they'd entered the forest.
I wonder what he's thinking about, Zoe wondered to herself. Sometimes it's so easy to know what's going on in his head, but other times it's like trying to figure out a brick wall's thoughts. I envy Kira for getting a guy that's so easy to read.
This thought reminded Zoe of the conversation she'd had earlier with Kira. Takuya had tried to kiss Kira, but Kira didn't feel ready for that.
What would I do if Kouichi suddenly tried to kiss me? Zoe felt her cheeks grow warmer as she thought about this. Maybe…I'd let him…
"Zoe." Zoe jumped, but relaxed when she realized that Kouichi had said her name and not some random evil Digimon. She stopped walking when she noticed that he had stopped, stepping back a pace or two until she was next to him again.
"Yeah?" Zoe asked, trying to look through Kouichi's neutral expression and tone.
"I need to ask you a question, and I need you to answer it truthfully," Kouichi stated, staring ahead instead of at Zoe.
"Yeah?" Zoe repeated with more emphasis. Just let me know what you're thinking, she added to herself.
Kouichi took a deep breath, for the first time that night looking troubled by something. Then he asked quietly, "Do you like Shino?"
For a moment, there was complete silence. Then Zoe replied, "Well, yeah, he's my friend. Our friend, right?" What in the world is this about?
"Of course," Kouichi said quickly, still not looking at Zoe. "It's just that…no, I can't."
"Are you okay?"Zoe asked, confused by Kouichi's behavior now more than before.
Suddenly, Kouichi turned his head, staring directly into Zoe's eyes. Zoe felt paralyzed, stunned by the intense force of his stare. She began to lose herself in his eyes, their overwhelming depth almost intoxicating.
Kouichi's eyes began to soften as he slowly began to experience the same overwhelming feelings as Zoe. The effect her eyes had on him was just as powerful, perhaps more so, than his effect on her. He mentally kicked himself for almost asking whether Zoe really loved him or not; the answer was obvious.
They continued to stare into each others eyes, and without realizing it they were now standing so close together they were practically touching. Realizing this after a moment, they twined their arms around each other, never once breaking eye contact.
"Kouichi?" Zoe asked softly, gazing lovingly at her boyfriend.
"What?" Kouichi replied, equally soft.
"Did you plan this?" Zoe smiled, knowing that this was the moment. And she would definitely let him.
"Not at all." Kouichi smiled back, dazzled by how beautiful she looked in the moonlight. He knew as well as she that it was time, but he didn't feel at all nervous like he thought he would.
Then they finally closed their eyes and leaned toward each other. Their lips met, and their worlds stopped, at least for the moment.
--
madjack89: Heck yeah! I've been waiting forever to write this scene! Woot! Alright, back to the story!
--
"Kira, we need to talk," Takuya stated, staring at Kira intently.
Kira nodded, glancing at the others in the clearing, who all seemed to be staring at her and Takuya. "Um…me and Taki are gonna take a little walk," she said, perplexed by everyone's sudden fascination with the two of them.
"Go have some fun, you crazy kids!" JP said, chuckling.
"Cut it out, JP!" Takuya yelled, glaring at JP and, to Kira's surprise, looking embarrassed.
"Looks like it's couples night in the Digital World," Witchmon said as Takuya and Kira left the clearing, Takuya glancing angrily over his shoulder.
JP sighed, watching the two disappear into the forest. "Ah, young love. So beautiful and poetic."
"JP, shut up," Kouji said, hitting JP hard in the back of the head.
"You think they'll be okay?" Tommy asked tentatively, ignoring JP scowling and rubbing his head. "Takuya seemed really sad before…"
"Don't worry, Tommy, they'll work everything out!" Dai said cheerfully, slinging his arm over Tommy's shoulders.
"Yeah, they'll work it out, while the rest of our love lives suck," Kouji muttered sullenly.
"Speak for yourself, oh King of the Lone Wolves," JP said mockingly, chuckling at his own joke.
"Do you want me to hit you again?" Kouji asked, holding up his fist and glaring at JP.
"No," JP muttered dejectedly, lowering his head.
--
Takuya and Kira trekked through the woods for a few minutes, not saying a word to each other. When Kira couldn't take the silence anymore, she finally said, "Taki, I'm pretty sure that we're far enough away from the others to not be spied on, so maybe we should stop."
Takuya turned and stared at Kira for a moment, expression neutral. Then he nodded his head and stopped next to a large tree, followed by Kira.
There was another moment of silence. Kira watched Takuya warily, wondering what was about to happen. Takuya was staring blankly at the ground, almost like he'd forgotten Kira was there.
Once again not able to be patient and wait for Takuya, Kira said, "It wasn't your fault, Taki."
"What?" Takuya's head shot up as he looked at Kira inquiringly.
"You know, the Beast Spirit thing. It wasn't your fault," Kira repeated, clarifying herself.
Takuya's expression darkened. "Then whose fault was it, Kira? I'm the one that couldn't control my own spirit."
"Um, hello? Kouji? JP? Tommy?" Kira said, ticking the names off on her fingers.
"Zoe? Kouichi?" Takuya retorted sarcastically. "And now even Shino and Dai have gotten their Beast Spirits without any problems whatsoever."
"That's just the way things worked out," Kira said firmly, determined to convince Takuya that the fault wasn't completely his. "You guys told us that Beast Spirits are hard to control, and you guys were just newbies back then yourselves. You didn't know any better."
"You didn't see me, Kira," Takuya muttered, expression growing pained. "I couldn't control myself at all! I could've killed Kouji and JP, and I DID almost kill Tommy! It scares me to think about it, even now…"
"You wouldn't have killed them, Takuya," Kira said slowly, shaking her head.
"How do you know that?" Takuya asked softly. "You weren't even there, so how could you possibly know that?"
"Because I know you, Takuya," Kira said, putting emphasis on the word you. "You're not a killer."
"Then what am I?" Takuya asked, narrowing his eyes at Kira.
Kira paused, and then said with a smile, "You're a goggle head, Takuya. A foolish, stupid goggle head."
Takuya stared quizzically at Kira, not knowing whether to be angry with her or not. "And that's a good thing?"
Kira nodded, still smiling coyly. "You epitomize everything a goggle head is, and that's exactly why you're not a killer. You're too good for that. You're nice and sweet and just plain great to be around. How could a person like you be a killer at heart?"
Kira watched as Takuya's expression changed from a wary curiosity to a surprised hopefulness.
"You really think that…about me?" Takuya asked slowly.
"Yup!" Kira said, nodding enthusiastically. "You're the first guy I've ever felt this way about. I…" Kira stopped, not quite able to say 'I love you' for some reason.
"You what?" Takuya asked curiously.
C'mon Kira, say it! You've said it before! "Well, I…really like you," she said weakly, plastering a smile on her face.
"You really like me?" Takuya said, a knowing smile on his face. "I think I know what you wanted to say, so just say it."
"Um…" What's this uneasy feeling I'm getting? I do love him, don't I?
Takuya's curious look turned to one of worry. "Don't you? You know…love me?"
"Yes, but…" Kira said abruptly, not able to express exactly what she was feeling, for she couldn't put a name to it herself.
After a slight pause, Takuya said softly, "I love you, Kira. I love you so much. Does that help any?"
Kira shook her head slowly, covering her face with her hand. God, what's wrong with me? Why can't I just say it? I'm making Taki upset…
Suddenly Kira felt someone's arms wrap around her, pulling her into a tight hug. She opened her eyes, staring over Takuya's shoulder at the forest beyond. "Taki…"
"I don't know what's been going on lately with our relationship, Kira," Takuya whispered softly. "I've actually been racking my brain trying to come up with a reason why. Could it have been something I'd done? Did I make you upset?"
"No," Kira said quickly.
Takuya chuckled, placing his hands on Kira's shoulders and standing in front of her, staring at her. "Well, that was just the product of me trying to think again. But while I was trying to come up with something, I realized something else."
"Yeah?" Kira asked, trying to seem nonchalant even though she felt as if a thousand butterflies were fluttering around in her stomach.
Takuya took a deep breath, then said clearly and plainly, "I love you, Kira. And not just in some cute little crush way. I really, truly love you, from your overconfidence that's eerily close to my own to your rough and tumble attitude to your best defense is a good offense attitude. I love you so much, and it hurts to even think that I'm making you upset, and I'm so, so sorry if I am, but I had to tell you how I feel, even if you don't feel the same way…"
"I do love you, Taki," Kira said, smiling genuinely. But still…
Before Kira could work out the thought she was having, Takuya rose on his tippy-toes (in case no one's noticed, Taki's kinda short compared to the rest of the gang, including Kira, who is about as tall as the twins) brushed her hair gently out of the way, and kissed Kira gently on the forehead.
Kira stood stock-still for a moment, stunned. She came back to her senses when she noticed Takuya lowering himself until his lips were right in front of hers.
"No!" Kira exclaimed, shoving Takuya back roughly. Takuya stumbled backward a few steps, quickly regaining his balance.
"Kira, I'm sorry, I didn't…" Takuya said quickly, pain flashing across his face.
"It's happening too fast," Kira said to herself, finally realizing what her unease had been about. "It's all just way too fast. Good relationships are slower, they take time."
Kira snapped her head up, staring at Takuya with a frightened expression. "This isn't permanent, is it? I'm just a passing infatuation, nothing more."
"That's not true," Takuya said firmly. "This isn't just some one-night fling or whatever you're imagining. I really do love you."
"Stop!" Kira cried, getting slightly angry now. "How can you possibly love me so much when you haven't even known me a year yet and you've known Zoe way longer?!"
Kira stopped suddenly, realizing what she'd said. Takuya looked at her, several emotions playing across his face, with pain being the foremost. "You're still worried about Zoe?"
Kira took a step back, overwhelmed by the pain shown in Takuya's expression. "I have to go," she said softly, turning and running quickly through the trees, leaving Takuya behind.
--
madjack89: Man, I hate to do this to Kira and Taki, but at least I get to move Zoe and Kouichi along, right?
Silence…
madjack89: Um, guys? Where'd you go?
Kouichi: Uh, don't shoot the messenger or anything, but everyone but me, Dai, and Hotaru decided to get out of this commentary to prepare for the next chapter.
Dai: Hi hi, Madjack!
madjack89: Those jerks! I can't believe they ditched me! I should go give them a piece of my mind!
Hotaru: Before you go kill them, you might want to try this cake they made you.
madjack89: Cake?
Kouichi: Well, the anniversary of this fanfiction is also the anniversary of your "writing" career, so we made you a cake. Congratulations.
Dai: Don't worry, we didn't let Takuya and Kouji near it!
madjack89: Aw, that's so sweet!
Dai: You're welcome!
madjack89: But I'm still going to kill the others after I have some cake!
Kouichi and Hotaru: …
Dai: Don't shoot the messenger! Hee!
madjack89: Alright, I guess I'll see ya the chapter after the next! Have fun with the gang!
Takuya: pokes head through door Hey guys, did the cake get her to forgive us?
madjack89: Die, goggle headed shorty, die! lunges for Takuya
Takuya: Ahhhh! runs
Kouichi: Uh…see you in the next chapter?
Dai: Bye bye!