Frontier 02: Rebirthing – Chapter 14: A Few of My Favorite Things
madjack89: Hello, all!
Takuya and Kira: Madjack…
madjack89: Guys, are you mad at me?
Takuya: Always.
Kira: I'm giving you one more chance to redeem yourself.
madjack89: Well, that's something, I guess!
Shino: You know, I think I'm a little mad at you too.
madjack89: Okay, if anyone else is mad at me right now, please speak up!
Zoe: I'm pretty ticked off!
Kouji: I'm wary of you, but not mad yet.
Kouichi: There's no point in getting mad anymore.
Hotaru: Occasionally.
Dai: I don't get mad, I get even!
Hotaru: You never get even.
Dai: Then I do neither! Yay!
Hotaru: sigh…
Tommy: You haven't done much to me yet.
JP: Eh, it depends.
madjack89: Well, that's about what I expected, so it's okay!
Dai: Yay!
madjack89: Alright, now that that's taken care of, I've been asked to name all the references I made in the beginning commentary in the last chapter. If you don't remember what they were, go back to chapter thirteen and check. I'll wait.
Several moments later…
madjack89: Oh good, you're all back!
Kouji: You didn't have to wait, technically.
madjack89: Shut up, Kouji.
Kouji: One of these days, Madjack…
madjack89: Okay, here's what all the references were from in order: Twilight, Blues Brothers, Gone with the Wind, The Terminator, Harry Potter, The Princess Bride, and Naruto. Congratulations to Jaymon who guessed all but one of them correctly! claps
Everyone else: …
madjack89: Clap!
Everyone else: claps
madjack89: Yay! Alright, time for reviews!
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apapa155: Oh, don't worry, Eva, I won't let Kira become a murderer at the age of 13. When she's 16, perhaps…just kidding! And Taki's not dying NOW, so please don't curse me! does 100 apologetic bows back Wow, now I'm dizzy. Thanks for the review!
beybladeingninjaprincess: Hooray for fighting! I've actually been looking forward to putting some tension in the group, too! I'm weird like that! And Star Wars puns just never get old, do they? Especially when they're used on Kouji. (Mua ha ha…) I'm very sorry, but sadly those flowers do not exist anywhere except in the confines of my insane mind (lol). Thanks for reviewing!
Jaymon: Like I said earlier, congratulations, you named almost all of the references! I was really hoping someone would know what Blues Brothers is (because it's amazing)! And long live Star Wars and all the jokes it brings us! Thank you for the review!
JewelledTears: Hooray for Twilight! I expected a lot of people to guess that one! That's an interesting guess about Shino but sadly, I'm not always a very literal person, so I meant he was drowning metaphorically. My bad if I didn't make that clear! And Kouji can't hog the spotlight constantly, plus Hotaru is usually too serious of a person for the funny dialogues and conversations I give the others. But I guess he's the new Hotaru for now! Oh no, Ultra Squid! Grab the children and run! (lol) Thanks for the review!
GoldenDragon326: Ah, irony. Yeah, poor Kira. But yay Star Wars! Yes, Kira's Beast Spirit shall indeed be a blast (possibly a literal one). Awesome, you got those three right! Good job! I'm glad I'm not the only one that watches the Naruto dub (I want Shippuden!). If we're talking about dreams, I've had them with all sorts of characters, but mostly they're with people from Digimon Savers, Naruto, or Buffy the Vampire Slayer (don't ask me why). I'll update as fast as I can, alright? Okay, thanks for reviewing!
DigiBleach: It is cute! I personally think he would do that in the actual show! Hooray, three correct reference identifications! Good job! Man, everybody loves the Star Wars references! If there is ever to be a GOOD Digimon Frontier abridged, I'd have to suggest Star Wars references for Kouji! Alright, thanks for reviewing!
zandermon: Yay cat fight! Looks like we have a bet for Kira in the polls! (lol) I'll get the message to you soon, don't worry. Thanks for the review!
Aldamonburst: Yeah, and apparently a gay b**tard because he made out with Taki. (I officially have a sick mind…) (JP: Pervert lobe…) Shut up, JP. And there will be KoujixOC, we just haven't gotten there yet. (And it's not Zoe, she's with his brother!) Alright, thanks for reviewing, Burst! (Heh heh, Kouji Wan Kanobi!)
fg1fg: Kouji has changed, and emo Kouji won't be here for a little while longer, so be patient! Yay, now everybody has a Beast Spirit and I don't have to worry about it anymore! Hooray! Thanks for reviewing!
Dawn of Glory: Your four guesses are correct! Good job! I'm sorry that I'm being mean to Taki and Kira, but it had to be done…well, actually, I just wanted it to work out like this. I'm so sadistic (though you knew that already)! Now now, don't you two start fighting too, Sakura and Nausicaa! (Sorry Sakura, but I have to agree with Nausicaa. Taki rocks!) Alright, thanks for reviewing!
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madjack89: Alright, let's get to the chapter and maybe get some of you less angry with me!
Zoe and Kira: We'll see.
—
"Hey Taki, what's your favorite animal?"
Takuya looked up from his ice cream, confused by Kira's seemingly random question. "Where did that come from?"
"Eh, just curious," Kira replied, shrugging. After a brief silence, Kira added, "Well, there is another reason I asked you that."
Takuya didn't say anything, just stared at Kira curiously. In actuality, he was more frightened than curious. This was the first actual date he'd had with anyone, let alone the critical Kira, and he didn't want to screw it up. She had already paid for the ice cream, after all.
Kira took a breath and said, "I want to get to know you better, and asking you about your favorite things seemed like a good place to start, so…" Kira glanced at Takuya, waiting for an answer.
Takuya paused, still staring at Kira. Then he smiled, feeling relieved. I guess I haven't made an idiot of myself yet, he thought. Though with Kira's personality, I may not be in the clear.
"So, my favorite animal…" Takuya muttered, pondering Kira's question and pushing his other thoughts to the back of his mind. "I think I'd have to go with…a squirrel."
Kira stared at Takuya in disbelief. "A squirrel? Your favorite animal is a squirrel?"
"Well, yeah," Takuya said, as if it were obvious. "They're really fast, they're great tree climbers, and they have those awesome bushy tails! If I could, I would get one as a pet!"
Kira paused, and then began to laugh hysterically. Takuya glared at her, offended. "What's so funny about that?! You asked me a question, and I answered it!"
"It's not the answer, it's you!" Kira replied, loud enough to make several other people in the park turn and stare at her and Takuya.
Takuya didn't notice them, though. He was too busy trying to figure out what Kira was trying to say. She was laughing at him, but not because of what he'd said? What did that mean? Was he not taking this seriously? Or…?
"Taki, stop thinking so hard. I can practically see the smoke coming out your ears." Takuya looked up and saw Kira smirking, but no longer laughing, at him.
Takuya watched Kira's expression mellow out as she stared at him longer. "You're really freaked out about this, aren't you?" she said, referring to their date.
Takuya blushed, embarrassed that she'd figured it out. "I am not!" he retorted defensively.
"Then why are you all red, buddy?" Kira retorted back, mocking Takuya.
Takuya was about to reply, but decided it wasn't worth it and sighed, lowering his head. "I'm not freaked out, I'm terrified," he said softly.
After a brief moment of silence, Kira said, "Taki, I was laughing because you're such a huge squirrel fan. I didn't mean to put you down. Sorry."
Takuya nodded, not saying anything. Then Kira continued, "You're fun, Taki. That's why I like you so much. This isn't boring at all, it's fun." Kira paused before adding, "You're not doing anything wrong."
This perked Takuya up, and after looking at Kira a moment, he smiled. I'm in the clear!
"So, what's your next question, Kira?"
-
Takuya sat on the ground, leaning against a tree. His knees were up and his arms rested on them, hanging limp and lifeless, just like how he felt. His eyes were closed, but he knew his friends were surrounding him, trying to figure out what to do.
"Uh, does anyone not have a clue what the hell is going on, or is that just me?" he heard JP ask sarcastically, probably trying to lighten the mood a bit.
"No, I'm feeling pretty clueless myself," Kouichi said slowly. Takuya could almost picture Kouji nod in agreement while staring curiously at him.
"Well, we know it has something to do with Kira, or else she'd be back by now," Hotaru pointed out, adding his share of dialogue to the discussion.
"And with Zoe," Shino muttered, trying to make it so Takuya wouldn't hear him. But he heard what was said anyway, and once again just the mention of Zoe's name caused him to flinch. At the same time, though, he couldn't help but feel a pang of longing, which just made him feel sicker with himself.
"Jeez, the only way to get a reaction out of him is by mentioning Zee, isn't it?" Witchmon said, sounding a little annoyed. "Hey you little goggle head, just tell us what the hell's going on."
"That won't work, Witchmon." Takuya's eyes shot open when he heard Zoe's voice. He looked up and saw that she was on the other side of the camp, trying to stay as far away from him as possible so she wouldn't cause him harm.
Takuya's eyes narrowed as he continued to stare at Zoe. But who did this to me in the first place? The little bitch has just been playing all of us this whole time! And Chief…damn it all!
Zoe noticed Takuya's change in expression and for a moment looked hurt, but quickly pushed her hurt feelings to the back of her mind. "Guys, Witchmon's right," Zoe continued, talking to the others. "Something's wrong with Takuya, and it seems like the best way of figuring out what happened to him is if I talk to him."
"But—" Kouichi began, but Zoe held up her hand to cut him off.
"I know that he thinks I did something or other to him, and all I seem to be doing is making whatever this is worse, but…" Zoe paused briefly, then said with confidence, "if I don't do this, then Takuya will be lost."
For a moment, the clearing was silent. Takuya's expression softened a bit, feeling moved by Zoe's little speech for a moment. Then he remembered what that was an effect of and his expression darkened once more.
Tommy happened to notice Takuya's change in expression, causing him to feel even more unnerved than he already was. "Let Zoe talk to him," Tommy said firmly, surprising everyone.
Zoe smiled slowly at Tommy. "Thank you," she said softly.
Takuya glanced at Tommy, feeling ashamed that he had to see him like this. He wished he could just erase this day and start everything over; go back and get away from Zoe before it had become to late, find Kira…
"Hey, Takuya." Takuya jumped, realizing that Zoe was now crouched down right in front of him. Everyone else was standing about a foot away, tensed as if ready to tackle Takuya if anything went amiss.
Takuya returned his gaze to Zoe, going stiff with apprehension. If she tried to kiss him again, he didn't think he'd be able to stop himself from kissing back. And Kouichi…everyone would be here to witness it.
"You sure are jumpy," Zoe said, chuckling half-heartedly. Takuya didn't respond. Zoe sighed and continued more solemnly, "Listen, Takuya, we just want to help. But if we're going to help you, you have to help us out, too. You have to tell me what's going on so that we can help you. Okay?"
Takuya looked away, trying not to be swayed by Zoe's caring voice that he loved so much. HAD loved so much.
"Kira," he mumbled, shutting his eyes tight.
"What about Kira?" Zoe asked, leaning closer. "Do you know where she is, Takuya?"
Takuya shook his head jerkily, keeping his eyes firmly shut. If he looked at her again, he knew he'd betray something for sure. Then he would look like the bad guy. It would probably fit right into Zoe's plan, whatever that may be.
His strategy shattered when he felt Zoe's hand rest on his shoulder and squeeze it gently. He couldn't help but look up at her and see all that compassion and love in her gaze. It didn't look fake at all. She did care about him.
Before he could stop it, Takuya felt his cheeks grow warmer, and he knew his blush couldn't be mistaken for anything other than what it was; pure infatuation.
Zoe looked confused by his blush, but Takuya had expected that. He glanced quickly at the one person he knew wouldn't confuse this with anything else and would know instantly what this was.
Kouichi was staring at Takuya with a shocked, wide-eyed expression on his face. Then as the realization of what he was seeing kicked in, his expression became more pained and, just as Takuya had feared, betrayed.
"NO!" Takuya clutched his head, lying on the ground with only his elbows propping him up. "Please don't, Kouichi, I'm begging you! I'm sorry! It wasn't my fault!"
"Takuya!"
"What's wrong?"
"Chief, what'd you do?"
Takuya heard bits and pieces of what was being said around him, but they all began to blur as he retreated into himself yet again, overwhelmed by the prospect of betraying one of his best friends.
-
"Let's see," Kira muttered, pondering her next question carefully. After throwing out the remains of their ice cream, Takuya and Kira had decided to take a stroll through the park together.
Takuya glanced at Kira, preparing for whatever the next question would be. With a question like what's your favorite animal, this could be anything!
"I've got one!" Kira finally declared, stopping abruptly and pointing ceremoniously at Takuya. "Alright, here it is! Takuya, what is your favorite…number?"
Takuya stared at Kira exasperatedly. "All that anticipation and showiness for a question like that?" he asked sarcastically.
"Do not question my methods!" Kira exclaimed, glaring at Takuya huffily. "Just answer the question!"
"Alright, alright," Takuya muttered, thinking for a moment. "Um, how about…50."
"Why 50?" Kira asked curiously.
"It's half of 100," Takuya replied. "Plus, it's the number of episodes Digimon Frontier has."
"I see," Kira muttered thoughtfully. "Well, I guess if I had to choose, my favorite would be…13."
"You picked the unluckiest number ever as your favorite," Takuya said, sighing. "I really wish I understood your punkish way of thinking."
"I can't help feeling bad for poor 13 is all," Kira explained. "It's always judged because of the way it looks, just like me."
Takuya flinched, realizing that he'd said something completely along those lines without thinking. "I'm sorry," he said quickly. "I didn't mean that about you."
Kira smirked. "I know that," she said reassuringly. "You say things without thinking, like me."
Takuya mocked annoyance for a moment, then chuckled at Kira. "We're both just pig-headed, I guess!"
"And proud of it!" Kira added, holding up her hand for a high five. Takuya smiled and returned it, feeling better and better about this date as it went on.
-
Takuya snapped back to the present, not by choice, but by the sudden downpour of water that seemed to have come out of nowhere. He uncurled himself slowly and looked at everyone else. But they weren't paying the slightest bit of attention to him anymore, and when he looked in the same direction they were, he found out why.
Ranamon was standing on the far side of camp, a look of pure anger and hatred on her face. Takuya shivered, frightened by her expression. It was way too dark for Kira. It wasn't in her nature.
Takuya glanced back at his friends, noticing that they were all soaked. He was soaked as well, but he had thought that was because Kira had exclusively attacked him. When he saw the others, he realized that Kira had attacked all of them. But…that didn't make sense. What had the others done?
"Uh…" JP began uncomfortably, being the first to speak. "Not to be rude or anything, Kira, but have you gone insane like Takuya?"
"JP!" Witchmon hissed, elbowing JP in the side. "This is serious," she muttered, for once being completely serious.
"I'm not insane, and I guess this is serious," Ranamon suddenly said, turning everyone's attention back to her. She smirked at their confused expressions until she noticed Takuya sitting behind the others, looking worse for wear.
Takuya saw her expression soften for just a second when looking at him, then harden again into that frighteningly evil look. "Hey Taki," she said softly, though not nicely. It actually sounded like a threat.
"Kira." Takuya got to his feet, not once taking his eyes off of Kira. He was afraid that if he did, she would disappear, and this Kira was better than no Kira.
"Kira, what happened?" Zoe suddenly said, causing both Takuya and Ranamon to turn their heads and look at her. "Why are you two acting like this?" Zoe continued. "And…how am I involved?"
Suddenly Ranamon began to laugh hysterically, almost in a crazy way. The others stared at her warily. JP lifted his finger and began to twirl it near his temple, glancing at everyone else. "JP!" they hissed angrily.
"Oh man, Zee, you are a good actress, I'll give you that much!" Ranamon finally said, still chuckling slightly. "But wow, what in the world did you do to Taki? You're calling me insane, but just look at him!"
"Kira!" Zoe yelled, beginning to get angry. "I'm sick of all this crap you two are giving me! I haven't done freaking anything! I have no clue what any of this is about!"
Ranamon stared curiously at Zoe for a moment. Then, smiling sadly, she said, "So you want me to tell them what happened, huh? Fine." She glanced around the clearing at everyone, pausing for effect. "Alright, I'm not gonna give a big long speech, cause that's just not my thing. I'll just come out and say it; Zee kissed Taki, in front of me, and now it's payback time."
With that, Ranamon attacked. "Draining Rain!"
Suddenly everyone's vision was blurred by a massive amount of water dropping down on their heads. Takuya fell to the ground, knocked into a state between consciousness and unconsciousness. Before he slipped into another of his memories, he saw Ranamon step up to Zoe and grab her by the collar of her shirt, lifting her into the air.
-
"Okay Kira, I think that my favorite color would be obvious," Takuya said, smirking.
"I know," Kira said, sighing. "I've run out of things to ask."
"Well, that's good timing considering we're at your apartment," said Takuya, stopping and looking at the apartment complex where Kira lived.
Suddenly a rat scurried out from under the stairs leading to the front door. Takuya yelped, jumping back a pace as the rat ran past him and made its way down the darkening street.
Takuya stared at Kira, wide-eyed. "Your apartment is rat infested?"
"Occasionally," Kira mumbled, looking down. "We've learned to deal with them."
"Kira, rats are disease ridden!" Takuya said exasperatedly. "You could get sick! Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"I'm sorry," Kira muttered. "But I didn't want you to worry."
Takuya paused, his anger subsiding after that comment. "Kira, you can tell me anything," he said softly. "If you ever have a problem, I want to know about it so I can help you. Don't bottle everything up."
Kira looked up at Takuya, moved by what he'd said. Then she hugged Takuya tightly, smiling. "Thanks, Taki," she said.
Takuya hugged her back, happy that she was starting to trust him. He never wanted to betray her trust. He never wanted to hurt her. When it all came down to it, Kira was Takuya's favorite thing.
"No Kira. Thank you."
—
madjack89: And cut!
Takuya and Kira: How is that supposed to get us less mad at you!
madjack89: Just be patient! You can't rush things like this!
Kouji: Hey, wait a second, I didn't get any lines in this chapter at all!
madjack89: So?
Kouji: Hotaru got a line!
Dai: I didn't get any lines either!
madjack89: There's an explanation for that! Uh…Kouji is pondering the prophecy and blah blah blah, and Dai…is confused!
Dai: About what?
madjack89: You're not good with women issues.
Dai: Well, I guess that is my Achilles Heel.
Witchmon: You have problems with your heel, too! God, you're sickly…
Dai: …
Shino: Witchmon, someday you're gonna have to learn the meaning of tact.
Witchmon: The meaning of what?
madjack89: Alright, time to end the chapter!
Kouji: I didn't even get to call JP an idiot, and there were two golden opportunities!
JP: Hey!