Frontier 02: Rebirthing – Chapter 13: Torn
madjack89: Last time on F2R…
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Zoe: I'd never given much thought to how I would die.
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JP: It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
Dai: Hit it!
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Nanami: If you go, where shall I go? What shall I do?
Shino: Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.
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Duskmon: I'll be back.
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Wizardmon: Avada Kadavra!
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Kouji: Life is pain. Anyone you says differently is selling something.
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Takuya: Believe it!
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madjack89: And now for the thrilling conclusion…after reviews.
Everyone: …
Kouji: Thank you for not hitting me with a Star Wars reference.
madjack89: Trust me, I'll get you later.
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GoldenDragon326: Yeah, Kira can be a little gullible, but then again, so can Taki! So they're still perfect for each other! And yeah, Kouji probably wouldn't have fallen for it, but he's not there, so we'll just see how it turns out! Thanks for reviewing!
Aldamonburst: Wow, that was freaking hilarious! I could actually see that happening! Ilsemon probably would stab herself! Thanks for the great laugh and thanks for reviewing!
Dawn of Glory: It's not exactly a fake PERSON Zoe, but sorry anyway! And don't get angry, here's your darn update…thanks for the review!
DigiBleach: Aw, no problem, I always answer all my reviews! Glad the drama pleases someone and I'm glad your brother likes my You Tube video! Thank you both!
apapa155: Oh, it's all good, Eva! But wow, Pokémon…wow. Good luck with that! Thanks for the review!
garnettfox: Wow, have fun in Germany! (Say hi to Tokio Hotel for me! lol) I'll check out your updates while you're gone! Thanks for reviewing!
zandermon: I'm sorry, I didn't want to do it to her either! But I gotta get at least some drama in there! Darn, you didn't get my message? I'll have to send it again, I suppose. Thanks for reviewing!
hazeleyedharmony: Sorry…wait, why should I apologize, you got two updates! (lol)
intro- Hee hee hee…so I'm not the only one who noticed the chocolate inconsistency in the show? I'm gonna make sure that doesn't happen in MY story! If anyone gets hungry, all they'll have to do is ask JP for some chocolate! (JP: sigh)
part 1- Indeed it is, my friend, indeed it is!
part 2- Chivalry will never die in fictional characters! Never!
part 3- Yup, very creepy. (And yup, you're right. Not much of a secret anyway.)
beybladeingninjaprincess: Nice reaction! That's probably what Taki's face looks like right about now! Thanks for reviewing!
fg1fg: Well, Kira and Taki were feeling kind of bleh, so we can excuse their inattentiveness! And that was a very bad pun. Thanks for reviewing!
blossom1animefreak2: Hooray, you guys got an account! And we haven't yet made the plans for Taki's funeral, but you never know…anyway, yeah, poor Kira! And Taki! And might as well tell you it's not Zoe because you'll find out now anyway! But yay, Kouichi and Zoe kissed! And yay, I'm your hero! I'm flattered! Thank you! And thanks for reviewing! Yay! (lol)
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madjack89: Okay, NOW it's time for the thrilling conclusion!
Zoe: Wait, what about my complaints about the last chapter?!
madjack89: Oh yeah…Kouichi, you're her boyfriend, listen to her complaints!
Kouichi: sigh
—
"Don't worry, guys, we're back!" Zoe called, approaching her friends with Kouichi in tow. "We must have gotten you pretty worried by how long we were gone."
The others stared at Zoe, confused looks on their faces. "Uh, Zoe, we weren't really worried about you guys at all," JP said, smiling apologetically. "Did you want us to be?"
"You mean you guys didn't even care that we've been gone for hours without a single word?!" Zoe cried, slightly angry and annoyed.
"Well…there weren't any explosions or cries for help, so we figured it was a slow night and you guys were just taking your…sweet time," Shino muttered, struggling with the last two words.
"Zoe, it really isn't that big a deal," Kouichi began, trying to prevent an argument.
"Not even you were worried, Kouji?" Zoe continued, ignoring Kouichi. "You're the paranoid one of the group! What, did you not sense a disturbance in the force?" (Told you, Kouji.)
"If you were Takuya, I'd be angrier, but since it's you, Zoe, I shall keep my composure despite the Star Wars reference," Kouji said, glancing at me. (Ha ha ha!) "However, I will say that yeah, I'm a little paranoid, but it's not like I think of possible horrible things that could be happening when any one of you goes away for periods of time. I'm not that crazy."
Zoe paused, narrowing her eyes at Kouji and his logic. Then she sighed, hanging her head. "You guys were trying to come up with what we could be doing on our own, weren't you?"
"No!" Witchmon replied, shaking her hands and forcing a smile. "Well…maybe."
"It was mostly those two," Kouji added, pointing at Witchmon and JP.
"Bokomon kept covering my ears, so I guess they were coming up with romantic stuff you guys don't want me to hear about yet," Tommy said, glancing at Bokomon sullenly.
"Young man, we can't have you hearing such things," Bokomon replied sternly.
"Yeah, we have to keep someone's innocence alive since we found out Dai's worse than some of us," Kouji added, rolling his eyes.
"Yeah, maybe," Dai muttered, grinning sheepishly.
"I blame anime," Hotaru said, glancing at Dai.
"You know what, guys? You're all perverts," Zoe said, glaring at the group. "What do think Kouichi would do, sweep me up, pull me in, and start a full blown make-out session?"
"Okay, if that really is what you guys thought, now I'm a little insulted!" Kouichi said, blushing but at the same time looking annoyed at the others. Though that kind of happened...without the full blown part.
"Actually," Witchmon began cautiously, "we sort of thought that you'd start something like that, Zee."
"WHAT?!" Zoe exclaimed, shocked. "How could you guys think I would do something like that? I mean, what am I to you, some slut that goes after every guy she sees with ravenous hunger?!"
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"You slut!" Kira ran through the forest, leaving that horrible scene behind her. Her boyfriend…Takuya…Taki…was kissing…
"Traitor!" She dashed through a bush then leaped over a log. Her agility wasn't decreasing, only growing. She found this odd, because usually her agility and strength would decrease when she was distraught. Just like that time in that closet when she'd let her guard down.
You never told me how you felt about your mom's death…
"Why did you care?!" Kira was getting angrier, hands balling into fists as she ran. "If you hadn't cared, I could have moved on, but you did! Now look where we are! It's your fault, damn it! It's your fault!"
Kira slowed to a stop, adrenaline still pumping. She punched a tree to let some of it go, but all that did was make her knuckles bleed. She winced, surveying the damage to her hand. She smirked, muttering, "And this is only data. Just data. Just fake. Just like half of him. Like half of all of us."
Kira clenched her jaw, tears forming at the corners of her eyes. "Are we even real? Were we just created from data and placed in the human world, left to some unlucky families to support? Are we all just fake?"
Kira finally let a tear fall, unable to contain it anymore. "He'd have to be emotionless and fake to betray me that quickly!"
Kira fell to the ground, letting the unbearable pain overtake her. But this time, Takuya wasn't there to make her smile again.
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"Okay Zoe, that's taking this a little out of proportion, don't you think?" JP said.
Zoe glanced at JP and then at the ground. "Yeah, I guess," she muttered. "I just felt kind of weird knowing you guys thought that I would start something before Kouichi would."
"Oh, we didn't count Chief out completely," Witchmon said, correcting Zoe. "After all, every guy has a true guy side!"
"A guy side?" Kouichi asked, cocking his head.
"I like to call it the pervert lobe," JP said, tapping his head. "You see, when a male goes through puberty, a certain lobe is formed and is attached to his brain. This lobe triggers the dirty, dirty thoughts that his mind has been storing up since he was born. Ergo, the pervert lobe."
Kouichi just stood and stared at JP, speechless.
"Of course, some guy's have a larger one than others, but the same basic principal still applies," JP continued. "Yours is probably pretty darn small, but it's there, every time you look at Zoe."
"You know, that theory actually makes a little sense," Zoe said thoughtfully.
"What?!" Kouichi exclaimed, staring incredulously at Zoe. "You think I'm like that?!"
"Oh, it's alright, Kouichi," Zoe said, grinning. "I just think JP has a huge one is all!"
JP sighed. "Thanks, Zee."
"JP, never become a doctor," Kouji said flatly. (Digital Clue, Kouji.) "Damn!"
While the talk of Kouichi and Zoe's relationship continued, Shino sat in the shadows, listlessly catching bits of the conversation. He bit his lip, trying to force himself to stop feeling so hopeless every time he looked at her. But he couldn't.
I'm drowning in her, he thought fearfully. Just like when I was drowning back then…
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He felt as if he were drowning and couldn't find his way back up for air. But finally Takuya regained his bearings and managed to pull back from Zoe. He stared at her for a moment, eyes wide. Zoe smirked back at him and leaned in again.
"No!" Takuya cried, shoving Zoe away from him. She stumbled back a few steps and tripped over a root, falling to the ground.
Takuya watched, not making any move to help her up. He was still trying to process what had happened.
A year ago, this had been a dream of his. He would have given anything to have this moment, but now it was different. Things had changed. Zoe had broken everything just now, shattering it. Shattering him.
"You kissed me," he said, confirming it to himself. "You…kissed…me. You, Zoe, kissed me, Takuya."
"Are you gonna keep repeating it like that before you realize what's going on?" Zoe asked sarcastically, brushing dirt off her pants as she stood. "By the way, it's not very nice for a guy to shove a girl to the ground like that and not even attempt to help her up."
Takuya stared at Zoe for a moment, not knowing what to say. What was there to say? Zoe smirked at Takuya and said, "I was a fool back then, you know?"
"What?" Takuya asked, confused.
Zoe let out a breath and continued. "I didn't see what was right in front of me. I chased after something that I couldn't ever have, and ignored you. Kouji was never meant for me, I knew that. But with you…I shouldn't have rejected you, Takuya. I'm sorry."
Deep inside himself, Takuya knew he was happy about this. What Zoe had said was what he'd always wanted to hear…until a few months ago. "What about Kouichi?" Takuya asked quietly, not sure he wanted to hear the answer.
"I don't know," Zoe replied softly, a tear running down her cheek. "I can't do this to him. It would break him for sure. And I do love him, but I love you, too. What do I do?"
"How should I know?!" Takuya exclaimed angrily, glaring at Zoe. His gaze softened when he saw Zoe flinch. "Sorry," he said, looking down. "But, this is just way too sudden. I mean, you wait until now to realize you like me? When we both already have relationships?"
"Do you love Kira?" Zoe suddenly asked, wiping away her tears and staring hard at Takuya. "Look at me and tell me you love her, Takuya."
Takuya did as she said, staring her straight in the eye. "I do, Zoe. You're too late. I'm in love with Kira, and as far as I'm concerned, this little incident never happened. I'm sorry."
Takuya turned and was about to leave when Zoe grabbed him by the sleeve of his jacket. He turned his head and was about tell Zoe to let go of him when he was suddenly blinded by a pink cloud of powder. He coughed and fell to the ground, feeling slightly faint.
When the cloud finally dissipated, he opened his eyes, seeing Zoe standing over him with a small purple flower in her hand. But as Takuya continued to stare at her, he realized that something was wrong. He was feeling…odd.
Zoe held out her hand and Takuya took it without thinking. Zoe heaved him to his feet and half held him up in his dazed state. "What do you feel?" she asked, smiling cockily.
Finally, Takuya was able to pinpoint the emotion that he felt as he stared at Zoe. He hadn't felt it for her in so long, it had taken him awhile. "Love," he said softly. "I'm in love with you."
"That's right," Zoe said, chuckling. Then she leaned in and kissed him again, not forcefully this time, more like brushing her lips against Takuya's. But this time Takuya brushed back.
That was when Takuya remembered another person's lips, one's he hadn't even tasted yet. "No," he said, turning his head quickly away from Zoe's. "Kira…"
"You're still worried about Kira?" Zoe asked, glancing at the flower in her hand.
Takuya noticed this and asked suspiciously, "Where did you get that flower?"
"I found it," Zoe replied, smiling in a dark way.
"What does it do?" Takuya asked after a moment, glaring at it warily. "What did you do to me?"
Zoe chuckled, looking smug. "There are a lot of interesting things in the Digital World, Takuya. One of them is the powder produced by this flower, which causes temporary feelings of infatuation to the person infected toward the first living being they set their eyes on. Nifty, huh?"
Takuya stared at Zoe, horror-struck. How could she have done this? How could she toy with his emotions like this? He may have a temporary love for Zoe now, but he also still loved Kira, and those feelings were beginning to take their toll.
"Ow," he couldn't help but say, putting a hand to his chest. He could feel himself ripping apart, torn between these two loves.
"Just let go and the pain will go away," Zoe said softly, placing a hand on his shoulder the way she always did with Kouichi.
"Get away!" he cried, turning and dashing through the woods, barely comprehending where he was going, yet at the same time not caring. He just had to get away from her. He had to find Kira. He had to remind himself who he really loved, now.
—
"Guys, is anybody else getting the feeling that something's wrong?" Zoe asked suddenly, sitting by the fire JP had just started.
"Who's sensing a disturbance in the force now?" Kouji said sarcastically. A quick glance from Zoe shut him up, though. (Ha ha!)
"What do you mean by wrong?" Kouichi asked, wanting to take this more seriously.
"Kira and Takuya," she replied, staring out into the forest beyond. "I'm just beginning to get uneasy since they still haven't come back yet."
Suddenly a figure crashed through the trees to their right, skidding to a halt when he realized who was around him. He looked at everyone in the clearing, eyes blood shot and breath coming in short gasps.
"Takuya?" Tommy was the first to speak, cautiously walking up to Takuya. "Are you okay?"
Takuya stared at Tommy for a moment, seeming like he was trying to comprehend what Tommy had said. He didn't say anything, just continued to flick his gaze at everyone.
The others stared warily at Takuya, concerned expressions on their faces. "Hey Taki, you alright?" JP asked, also making his way toward Takuya.
Takuya took a few steps back until his back was against a tree. He looked as if he were being cornered by all of the others with the fearful expression he had.
"Takuya…" Zoe put a hand in front of Bokomon's face before he could continue.
"What did Kira say, Takuya?" Zoe asked. "You did find her, didn't you?"
Zoe's voice seemed to get a bigger reaction from Takuya, for he turned his head and stared at her for a long moment, eyes wide. Then he suddenly sank to the ground and clutched his head tightly in his arms as if he were in pain, resting his arms on his raised knees.
"Just shut up!" he cried, tears streaming down his cheeks now. "It's all your fault! You did this!"
"Takuya, what are you talking about?" Kouji asked, walking over to Takuya and joining JP and Tommy who were already crouched down next to him.
Takuya lifted his head slightly, looking in Kouichi's direction. "I feel so bad for you, Chief. So freaking bad…"
Kouichi narrowed his eyes, giving Takuya a questioning glare. "What is going on, Takuya?"
"Takuya, where's Kira?" Zoe asked, suddenly fearful that Kira was in the same state as Takuya somewhere in the forest.
Zoe's question seemed to set Takuya off again, for he clutched his head tighter and yelled, "Will you just stop talking?! As if seeing you in my head weren't bad enough, now I have to hear you too?!"
Zoe flinched, stung by Takuya's sudden rage. "I…I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"
"JUST SHUT UP!" Takuya screamed, digging his fingers into his hair and straight to his head to try to stop the noise. Then he remembered what was really causing him pain and his hands went to his chest, right where his heart was. He then began to scratch at himself, trying to stop all the pain.
"Takuya, stop!" Kouji said forcefully, grabbing Takuya's arms before he hurt himself.
Takuya went limp for a moment, then flung himself into Kouji's arms, looking for the nearest source of comfort. "I can't, Kouji, I just can't."
Kouji glanced at the others, then wrapped his arms around Takuya. "It's fine, Takuya. Just tell us what happened. You look terrible…" Is this what the prophecy was talking about? Is Takuya supposed to die now?
"Is this my fault?" Zoe asked softly, so that no one but Kouichi heard her.
"I'm sure it's not," Kouichi replied, hugging Zoe tightly. "I'm sure it's not…"
—
"What do you want, Zoe?" Kira asked menacingly, getting to her feet and glaring at the girl standing before her. "Come to tell me what a good kisser my boyfriend is? Or did you bring him with you? Hey Taki, how's the Italian slut treating you?"
"Angry much?" Zoe asked sarcastically, chuckling. "As if you didn't know this was coming."
Kira flinched, knowing that Zoe was right. In all honesty, she had expected this, but at the same time she hadn't. She had trusted both Takuya and Zoe. She hadn't thought they would betray her so quickly and easily. Shows just how much I know, she thought bitterly.
"So what do you want now?" Kira asked, getting back to the point. "What else could you possibly take from me?"
"Kira, I'm honestly not here to take anything from you," Zoe said, and because of the kind tone of her voice, Kira almost let herself believe Zoe again. Then she remembered the kiss she saw and her distrust came flooding back.
"What are you going to do, then? Get rid of me so you can have Taki all to yourself?!"
"First of all, I've had just about enough of that ridiculous nickname you gave him," Zoe said, eyes narrowing.
"It didn't seem that ridiculous when you called him that before," Kira retorted smugly.
"Kira," Zoe said through gritted teeth, still trying to keep her cool. "I really didn't want it to be like this. I wanted to tell you in private about us…"
"You think that would have made it better?!" Kira practically screamed. "You stole my boyfriend, Zoe! What could you possibly have said to make that okay?! I love him!"
"Did you even begin to wonder what made Takuya kiss me?" Zoe asked, sounding annoyed now. "It was that distrust you had of him! You didn't believe that he really meant what he said, that he didn't actually have feelings for me and that he really loved you. He came to me for comfort because you made him feel miserable!
"Well, one thing led to another, and finally Takuya let go of the pain you caused him and chose me. And I won't make him miserable like you did." With that, Zoe turned and walked away, leaving Kira behind.
Kira stood there, in the middle of the forest, just letting her tears fall to the ground. She had already known that it was her fault. She had been the one to push Takuya away because she hadn't been willing to trust him. But there was someone else that she shouldn't have trusted all along. One person she had dismissed as being too nice to betray her, too in love with her own boyfriend…
"Zoe," Kira growled menacingly, filling up with hatred at the name. She wanted her revenge. She wanted to make Zoe suffer for taking away her happiness. She wanted Zoe dead.
Suddenly Kira's D-Tector lit up, and she took it out of her pocket. She looked at the screen and saw a new Spirit, revealing itself to help her with her revenge. A Beast Spirit. Her Beast Spirit.
Kira clutched her D-Tector, smiling slowly. "Not yet, baby. Soon you'll get to smash her into little bits, but not yet."
—
madjack89: I sense a cat fight!
JP: A cat fight to the death.
madjack89: Yup!
Zoe: Well, at least now everyone knows that that wasn't really me.
Kouji: Better tell Kira that before she smashes you into a bloody pulp.
Kouichi: She'll have to go through me to get to Zoe.
Zoe: Oh, Kouichi! hugs
Kouichi: blushes
Zoe: Is there ever going to be a time when I won't make you blush?
Kouichi: In all honesty, probably not.
Zoe: Oh well, it's cute!
madjack89: It is!
Kouichi: blushes more
madjack89: Alright, we'll all see what happens next time!
Shino: You were using foreshadowing of my past earlier with me, weren't you?
madjack89: Yup, even you have a slightly dark past, Shino!
Shino: Oh boy, can't wait to expose that.
madjack89: Yup! Alright, laters everybody!
(And feel free to try to name all the references I made in the beginning commentary!)