Frontier 02: Rebirthing – Chapter 18: You Make Me Weak
madjack89: Howdy, everyone! It's time for (drum roll…) Frontier 02: Rebirthing! Yay!
Dai: Yay!
Kouji: Boo.
madjack89: Shut up, Kouji!
Kouji: Hmph.
Zoe: So, can we get to the chapter already?
madjack89: Aw, Zoe's anxious about what's gonna happen!
Zoe: A little bit…
Kouichi: Don't worry, it can't be that bad. Besides, it involves me too, so she'll probably just concentrate on making me miserable.
JP: Yeah, that sounds about right.
madjack89: Hee hee!
Takuya: …So, is it review time?
madjack89: That depends on fanfiction and its various glitches.
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hazeleyedharmony: Aw, thank you!
I think I may just have to agree with you. He and Seiko are my favorite OCs to write for (if only Seiko weren't dead…)
If Kouichi had punched Zoe in the nose, he probably would have been mortified all chapter! (lol)
They sure are! They're my favorite couple to write for, always!
Yeah, they just can't let the clumsiness thing go.
Actually…I guess I didn't make it clear, but that wasn't Ilsemon. It was Duskmon's true master. My bad! (I'll have to reveal her name soon so there won't be any more confusion.)
I always used to let my attention drift when Taki gave a speech. Sorry Taki!
Man, I gotta stop torturing Shino at some point…in the future. (Shino: Of course.)
Ha ha, I didn't even think of that! Nice! (Kouichi: That's not what I meant.) I know, but it's funny! (Kouichi: sigh)
Thank you once again!
TobiGB: Yes, what does Duskmon have up his sleeves (though he doesn't even have hands)? Kouichi knows a way in because of his time as Duskmon, nothing weird. All he can do is try to be careful, especially with me for an author (mua ha ha…)! Thanks!
GoldenDragon326: Yay, you guessed the coupling (not that hard to guess, though)! Yeah, Kouji would do that, which is why I wrote it! Thanks!
DigiBleach: Hope you have (or had) fun in Arkansas! I've never actually been there before. Oh well, maybe someday. Thanks for the review! (Yay Kouizumi!)
Kayland Elric: Oh, it's fine! I'm glad you're still enjoying the story! I probably could make an amv like that (I actually thought of that when writing the commentary, too)! Thanks!
garnettfox: I'm glad I did! I took at least twenty minutes writing her part so that I could get her right! (Plus I kind of used Shedra as a reference.) Thanks again for letting me use Dragramon, she's gonna be fun to work with! And thanks for reviewing!
Aldamonburst: I'm still sorry, so I've been trying to brainstorm ways to put Sakkakumon in somewhere. I knew the first fact, and probably could have guessed the second (episode 7 lol). Aw, poor Strabimon. I guess that Kouji would be the most likely to be gay… (Kouji: Don't even think about it.) Alright, alright…thanks for reviewing, Burst!
shadica: Really? Wow, I can't believe you like my stuff that much! Thanks! And thanks for reviewing!
CHIBI-CRAZY: I'm sorry I pick on them, but they just make it so easy! I can't really tell you quite yet what that last dream was about, but I can tell you you'll find out in the next chapter arc. Sorry about the cliffhanger, I really just can't help myself! (Dai: Yay, donuts!) I'll take those! (Dai: Aw…) You can have one. (Dai: Yay!) Alright, thanks for reviewing! Just stick with me, and all your questions will be answered!
61wisampa: Don't worry, Chief's not gonna DIE. (Kouichi: …Something about the way you said that is getting me worried, too.) Believe it or not, I do feel bad doing all this stuff to Shino, but it's all necessary for his character development. Thanks for reviewing!
JewelledTears: Everything I'm doing to these guys is necessary to further the plot! I'm sorry! And I'm sorry if Kouji seems a little minor, but like I said, he can't have the spotlight all the time. Thanks for reviewing!
apapa155: Don't worry guys, I shall warm you! Taki! (Takuya: What?) Evolve into Agunimon and get these guys nice and toasty again! (Takuya: Alright…Spirit Evolution!) (Agunimon: Pyro Darts!) There you go, nice and warm! Thanks Taki! (Takuya: No prob.) You want to put a Digimon in, too? Then by all means, submit it! There's a 97.8% chance it'll end up in the story! Thanks for reviewing, guys!
fg1fg: I've never tested how long I can hold my breath and, quite frankly, I don't really want to. But enough about me! You are half right about the whole Shino manipulation thing. Thanks for reviewing!
Digital Fan93: Oh wow, this was your first review? I feel really grateful that you picked my story to review, and that you like it, and that you put this much time into helping your friend help me! Just…thank you so much! I am honestly completely flattered! And a big thanks to Nightmare Soldier! (BTW, if you like Dragramon, compliment garnettfox!)
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madjack89: Okay, it is time for chapter 18! Woot woot!
—
"Why does he have to go and do something like this?!" Zoe cried in frustration, continuing the rant she'd been on for ten minutes.
"I don't know," Takuya replied listlessly, speaking for the rest of the gang, who had mostly started tuning Zoe out.
"It's just," Zoe began, finally beginning to cool down after her anger-filled yelling, "we talked, because I was worried about him, and he said he was worried about Duskmon, and he was worried that Duskmon would come after me, and I was worried about him, and we both had mutual worry, so why the hell would he go on a stupid scouting mission?" Zoe stared at the dirt wall in front of her, biting her lip in frustration. "It's stupid."
"I wouldn't say stupid," JP said tentatively, hoping Zoe wouldn't turn on him next. "He just wants to help out is all. You know Kouichi."
"Yeah, but it's that selfless attitude of his that's beginning to annoy me," Zoe muttered.
"Well, you could talk to him instead of us," Takuya said, trying to hide the hope in his voice.
"Why are you talking to us, anyway?" Shino asked, quickly adding, "Not that we don't want you to talk to us, but this seems like more of a…girl issue."
"Kira's checking out the tunnels," Takuya said. "It's kind of weird that she would be into this set-up more than Dai."
"I think it's cool!" Dai said. "I'm just gonna check out the tunnels with Dragramon later!"
"In some ways, Dragramon is like a female you," Hotaru stated, sighing at Dai.
"And in other ways, she's like a dragonoid Witchmon," JP added.
"Guys, focus!" Zoe yelled, getting the guys' attention back. "I don't want to bother Kira with these kinds of problems right now, especially after…" Zoe paused, not able to say 'after what happened with Calmaramon.' "And I definitely can't talk to Kouichi about this. He'd just worry more about me, which is the last thing I want."
"So you're just gonna take all the worry on yourself?" Tommy asked quizzically. "Relationships are complicated."
"Amen," Takuya and JP said at the same time.
Suddenly Kouji, who had been listening silently to the conversation the entire time, got up and stalked out of the room, training his eyes on the floor.
The others watched him leave, and as soon as he was out of the cavern opening, Takuya said, "What's up with him?"
—
Kouji breathed a sigh of relief, glad to be out of THAT conversation. He didn't want to talk about relationships at all, particularly Zoe and Kouichi's. All that did was make his frustration that much worse.
It wasn't like he didn't try. He didn't want to feel so angry at Zoe. He loved Zoe. Not in the way his brother did, more in a friendly way. They'd been through a lot together. But…she'd gotten close to Kouichi.
Kouichi was his twin. They'd been close ever since they met. It was hard to explain, especially with Takuya's "twin power" theories. It wasn't exactly like that. He and Kouichi had just always…clicked. But now, Zoe seemed to be tearing that apart. Kouji wasn't even sure if either of them realized that they seemed to be slowly shoving him out.
It scared Kouji to think that one day, he and Kouichi may no longer be close, and these years he'd spent with him would just be a happy memory. It would be more than that for Zoe.
"Kouji?" Kouji's head shot up when he heard his brother's voice. Kouichi was standing in front of Kouji, looking a bit concerned.
After a few tense seconds, Kouji said, "Hey Kouichi."
Kouichi frowned in return. "Kouji, what's wrong?"
Kouji turned away, pierced by Kouichi's stare. "Nothing you need to worry about."
"Nothing I need to worry about?" Kouichi repeated incredulously. "Last time there was something I didn't need to worry about, you almost killed Takuya."
Kouji flinched, remembering what had happened a few months ago. Kouichi's eyes softened. "I'm sorry, Kouji, but I just want…I NEED to know if there's anything wrong, so that I can help you. You know that's all I'm trying to do."
Kouji nodded slowly. "Kouichi…"
"Yeah?" Kouichi said hopefully.
Kouji thought for a moment, and then said, "Zoe's worried about you. She's afraid of what will happen on this scouting mission you have. You should talk to her before you leave."
Kouji noticed Kouichi's expression change from concern to anxiety in the blink of an eye. "She's worried about me?"
"She didn't want to talk to you, but I think you should," Kouji continued in a monotone. "She's a little ways down the tunnel, in the room Gotsumon put us in."
Kouichi nodded quickly, taking a step down the tunnel. Before he took a second step, he turned back to Kouji, still looking slightly concerned for him. "Are you sure you're fine?"
"Yeah," Kouji replied, shrugging Kouichi's help off.
"Alright," Kouichi muttered, turning back around and heading down the tunnel.
As he watched Kouichi walk down the tunnel, Kouji was filled with a sudden dread. He couldn't pinpoint it, but he had a feeling that something was about to happen. Something bad. "Kouichi!"
Kouichi turned instantly. "Yeah, Kouji?"
"Just…be careful, okay?" Kouji said, unable to put into words the feeling he'd gotten.
Kouichi smirked slightly. "Will do." With that, Kouichi made it to the correct cavern entrance, entered, and was out of sight.
Kouji stared down the tunnel for a moment, then quickly turned and ran down the hall. He didn't know where he was going, he just ran. First Palmon's prophecy, then Zoe and Kouichi, now I'm getting this bad feeling that Kouichi's going to…I can't handle all this!
Suddenly, Kouji slammed into something solid, knocking whatever it was over as he fell on top of it. He shook his head slightly, regaining his bearings. Then he looked down and saw that he was lying on top of…
"Uh…nice of you to drop in, pretty boy," Kira said from under Kouji, seeming a little flustered. "You might want to, I don't know, get off of me?"
"Sorry!" Kouji said quickly, jumping up and taking a few steps back. He lowered his head, looking embarrassed.
"Wow, did anyone sense the sexual tension in that scene?" Witchmon asked sarcastically, staring at Kouji and Kira. "Does Taki perhaps have competition?"
"Hell no!" Kouji and Kira exclaimed at the same time.
(I'm not hinting at anything, calm down.)
—
"I just don't know what to do," Zoe muttered, back turned toward the cavern opening. "I mean, if this is what Kouichi wants to do to help out, I should stand by it…"
"Um, Zoe," Takuya said, trying to get Zoe's attention.
Zoe ignored him and continued, "But…I know this is an irrational fear and that he couldn't possibly be thinking this…"
"Zee," JP said a bit more urgently.
"I just get the feeling that Kouichi's trying to…look for Duskmon. You know, seek him out. That's not the scariest part, though."
"Zoe," Shino said loudly.
"I've got this feeling that Kouichi is going to face Duskmon and…sacrifice himself in order to kill him."
"That's what you think?" Zoe's eyes grew wide when she heard Kouichi's voice behind her. She turned slowly, knowing already what she would see, yet unwilling to see it. Kouichi was standing right in front of the cavern opening, looking pained. "You think that I'd go that far?"
After a moment of silence, Takuya suddenly exclaimed, "Well, it looks like we're not needed anymore. C'mon guys, let's go be…somewhere else!"
"I concur!" JP said, shuffling out of the room along with the others.
Before leaving, Shino glanced one last time at Kouichi and Zoe standing there, Zoe looking so hurt and guilty. Because of you, he thought, glaring at Kouichi before exiting the cavern.
As soon as Shino was out in the tunnel, though, he instantly regretted having this thought. Oh god…what the hell was I thinking? Oh no…what if Wizardmon is…?
"Thank god Chief showed up," Takuya said, breaking Shino out of his thoughts momentarily.
"Got that right," JP agreed, sighing with relief. "That was beginning to get pretty tense."
"I do feel kind of bad for Zoe, though," Hotaru muttered.
"Hey, if anybody can work out relationship problems, it'll be those two," JP said firmly. "Have you seen them? They're completely head-over-freakin'-heels for each other."
"JP's got a point," Dai said, glancing at his camera. "Out of all the pictures I've taken, more than half of them have Kouichi and Zoe together in them."
"Since when were you taking pictures of us?" Tommy asked. "I don't remember you telling us to pose for the camera or anything."
"Uh…" Dai mumbled, shrinking under the others' suspicious gazes. Suddenly, he said, "Oh, hey Kira! You're back!"
Everyone turned to see Kira walking toward them, dragging Kouji along behind her. Witchmon was also with her. "Howdy, boys," Kira greeted the others, holding up Kouji's arm. "Look, I found a little lost puppy! Can we keep it, Taki?"
"I don't know Kira, puppies are a big responsibility," Takuya said, chuckling. "I mean, you have to keep a constant eye on them to make sure they don't run away."
"You two can shut up any time now," Kouji muttered, annoyed.
"Fine," Takuya and Kira said, still smiling mischievously.
"Man Kouji, I think I have to agree with you on this particular flight," JP said, addressing Kouji. "Zoe was beginning to get pretty darn deep."
"I guess," Kouji mumbled, not willing to admit the real reason he'd left.
"Anyway," Kira said, getting back to her original point, "I just came to drop pretty boy off with the rest of you guys. I want to show Taki something."
Takuya gave Kira a quizzical look. "What do you want to show me?"
"It's a surprise," Kira replied, smiling coyly.
"Uh, alright then," Takuya agreed nervously, following Kira as she began walking down the tunnel. Takuya turned back to the others for a second and added, "See you guys later, I guess."
"Good luck is all I can say," JP said as Takuya and Kira disappeared around a fork in the tunnel. Then he turned back to the others and said, "So now what do we do?"
"I could give you guys a tour, too," Witchmon offered, shrugging. "I'll just be sitting here bored anyway, what with Gotsumon and Dragramon off doing something-or-other."
"I guess we can take you up on that," JP said.
"I got my camera poised and ready!" Dai added happily.
Everyone chuckled at Dai, turning and following Witchmon down the tunnel the opposite way that Takuya and Kira had gone. Shino, however, remained where he stood, unaware that the others had left.
Deep in his thoughts, Shino was beginning to realize something that had been nagging at the back of his mind since Witchmon had explained about the mark Wizardmon had given him. Months earlier, he'd been so distraught over losing Zoe to Kouichi that he'd just wanted it all to end. He'd been at such a low place, he'd wished for death.
But soon after that, instead of feeling depressed, he'd felt angry at Kouichi. So angry that he'd formed a plan to try to break Kouichi and Zoe apart. At times, though, he'd been scared of his own thoughts and wondered how he could be so demonic. He'd wondered how he could hate Kouichi so much, so suddenly.
I'd been stressed to such a high level, Shino thought, forming a scarier conclusion than all that evil being a natural part of him. Wizardmon…was controlling me.
"What are you doing here alone?" Shino jumped, startled by the unfamiliar voice he heard. Then he noticed a Digimon standing in front of him, arms folded across its chest. He stared curiously at the turtle-like Digimon, confused by the angry expression it wore.
"What, can't you talk?" the Kamemon asked meanly, still glaring at Shino.
Shino didn't know why this Digimon seemed so mad until he glanced around and realized his friends had gone off somewhere, leaving him alone and unguarded. "I-I'm sorry," Shino stuttered, trying not to meet the Kamemon's gaze. "I didn't know they left…"
"Who, your friends?" The Kamemon laughed darkly, causing Shino to back up until he was against the wall, feeling cornered. Kamemon stepped forward threateningly. "A likely story coming from you. I honestly don't see why we're taking such a huge risk by keeping you around. We'd be just fine with nine Legendary Warriors, if you ask me."
Shino was about to reply when Kamemon held up its arm to stop him. "Actually, that's not a bad idea. You'll turn on us at some point, so why not just get rid of you before that happens."
Shino's eyes grew wide in horror as a compartment on the Kamemon's helmet opened, revealing a green arrow-shaped missile, pointing directly at his chest. His heart.
"It'll all have been an accident," the Kamemon muttered, preparing to launch its attack. "Pointer—"
"Back off!" Suddenly, JP and Hotaru slammed into the Kamemon, knocking it to the ground and halting its attack. Meanwhile, Witchmon, Kouji, Dai, and Tommy rushed over to Shino.
"Are you okay, Shino?" Tommy asked anxiously, noticing Shino's wide-eyed expression.
Shino blinked, looking at his friends crowded around him. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said softly, lowering his head. "I'm sorry."
"What?" Witchmon asked, confused. "If anyone should be sorry, it's this guy," she added, pointing at the Kamemon that JP and Hotaru had in their grips.
"Speaking of which, what should we do with him?" JP asked, glaring angrily at Kamemon. "If it involves some sort of torture, please tell me I'll be able to administer some of it."
"Better find Gotsumon and ask him," Witchmon replied. "He's the only one who'll give this guy a sensible verdict."
"Let him go," Shino suddenly spoke up, head still lowered.
"Uh, Shino, he kind of tried to…K-I-L-L you," Dai said gently, spelling out the word kill.
"Just let him go," Shino repeated, this time with more conviction.
"How about hell to the no?" Witchmon said sarcastically. "We're not letting this guy go."
"Please, just let it go! It's not as if I don't deserve it!" Shino yelled angrily, suddenly glaring at the others.
JP and Hotaru were so surprised, they did as Shino commanded and released Kamemon, who glanced quickly at Shino, then sprinted down the tunnel, away from the others.
The gang didn't really care, though, because now they were completely focused on Shino. "What do you mean you deserve it?" JP asked, confused. "You didn't do a damn thing."
"Yes I did," Shino said adamantly, hands shaking.
"What do you mean by that?" Kouji asked, eyes narrowing. "What did you do?"
Shino wanted to tell them, but was afraid of his friends knowing the truth. They may not hate him for being controlled by Wizardmon, but that was what he wanted them to do. They would never do it, so he'd just have to hate himself for being as weak as he was. So weak, that he'd believed Mai's lies…
Shino shook his head, calming down. "It's nothing," he muttered, putting on a fake smile to fool the others. "I guess everyone hating me for no reason is just taking its toll."
"Alright," JP said slowly after a moment, grabbing Shino's arm. "But from now on we gotta keep a closer eye on you."
"Right!" Dai agreed, grabbing Shino's other arm. Then he looked up at Shino and added, "We'll be like your bodyguards, like a V.I.P. would have!"
I'm not very important at all, Dai. "I guess," Shino said, forcing himself to chuckle along with the others.
"Well, let's get a move on with the tour," Witchmon exclaimed, making her way once more down the tunnel.
Shino let the others drag him after Witchmon, for the first time in a long time letting his memories resurface slightly.
It's not that I don't like you, Shino, it's just that…you're not good enough.
—
Moments earlier…
Zoe looked down, not able to look into Kouichi's eyes any longer. Neither of them spoke for a few minutes, not knowing exactly what to say. Finally, Kouichi broke the silence and said with conviction, "I wouldn't do that, you know."
"What?" Zoe shot her gaze back up to Kouichi, who was staring intensely, yet at the same time pleadingly, at Zoe.
"What you said before…" Kouichi paused, trying to hide how much her comment had bothered him. "I'm not out to get killed, okay? Believe it or not, I actually kind of like my life, disaster-strewn as it is."
"That's not…" Zoe began to speak, but Kouichi held his finger to her lips gently to quiet her.
"I know what you meant," he said softly, dropping his hand. "If it came down to an all-out fight between Duskmon and me, and if you, or anyone else for that matter, were somehow being put in danger, I'd choose the option of taking myself down along with Duskmon in some heroic way as long as it meant saving you."
"You've done it before," Zoe mumbled, flashing back to the time Kouichi had sacrificed himself in the battle with Lucemon.
"I thought I was dead already, but now I'm sure I'm not," Kouichi said firmly, grabbing Zoe by the shoulders. "If you told me to, I'd run. I wouldn't let Duskmon have the satisfaction of killing me, nor would I kill myself."
Kouichi stared at Zoe a moment longer before lowering his head and letting his arms drop to his sides. He took a breath and said in a voice barely above a whisper, "But that's what you think I'm capable of. You're always worried about me because you think I'm a mess."
Zoe's eyes widened in shock. "What are you saying?"
Kouichi took another shaky breath and continued. "I'm saying that all I ever do is drag you down because you think I'm a complete emotional wreck. At one time, I would've wholeheartedly agreed with your assumption. But…" Here Kouichi lifted his head and gave Zoe one of his rare, genuine smiles. "I've changed, Zoe. I'm not gonna let my past rule me. In fact, I think after I get back, I'm gonna tell the other four about me and Duskmon. No more secrets. Would that make you feel better?"
"Kouichi…" Tears were beginning to well up in Zoe's eyes. How long had Kouichi thought this? It was true that at first, she had thought Kouichi was a complete and utter mess and had only wanted to comfort him, but she'd seen the strength he possessed, and had never thought of him as unstable. She'd said what she said because she knew how self-sacrificing Kouichi could be. It had nothing to do with thinking Kouichi was weak in any way. She thought he was too strong.
"Zoe?" Kouichi watched in confusion as tears began streaming down Zoe's face. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"
"Taking all the blame on yourself," Zoe choked through her tears, interrupting Kouichi mid-sentence. "Why do you have to do that? Why can't you see your own strength? Why…?"
Suddenly, to his complete surprise, Zoe wrapped her arms around Kouichi and kissed him almost forcefully, putting all her emotion into this one gesture. Kouichi could barely react, he was so confused.
After a moment, Zoe pulled back and took a steadying breath, trying to calm herself down. Kouichi just stared wide-eyed at her, looking completely flustered, along with blushing insanely.
Finally, Zoe turned around, no longer able to face Kouichi. "I think it's probably about time for you to go," she said quietly, without turning around.
Zoe heard footsteps behind her, but instead of retreating footsteps, they seemed to be coming near her. Then she felt Kouichi place his hand in hers and squeeze tightly, probably trying to reassure her. It worked a little bit.
"I think we need to talk," Kouichi stated.
"You're right," Zoe agreed, still not turning around. "We can talk when you get back."
"We will talk," Kouichi said firmly, squeezing Zoe's hand once more before letting her go. She listened silently as the cloth over the cavern opening rustled, indicating Kouichi's departure.
"Good luck," she said softly, though she knew he could no longer hear her. But it was the thought that counted.
—
Kira's head began to swim from lack of oxygen so, reluctantly, she lowered her face from Takuya's, taking a few gulps of air. Takuya was breathing a bit hard, too.
"Okay, not trying to be rude or anything, but what the hell was that for?" Takuya asked between breaths, referring to the kiss they'd just shared.
"Haven't you been keeping track of the days?" Kira said, shaking her head in mock chastisement. "It's August 12. Your birthday. You're thirteen."
"So what, this is like the initiation process for a thirteen-year-old?" Takuya asked sarcastically.
"No, I didn't have a present and figured this would be just as good," Kira replied, frowning. "And here I thought you'd like my surprise."
Takuya smirked. "I never said I didn't like it." With this statement, he leaned toward Kira and they continued where they had left off.
A second later, Dragramon poked her head into the cavern Kira and Takuya were in. She stared wide-eyed at them before saying, "Two of the Legendary Warriors are making out in my room…you don't see that every day."
—
madjack89: And we end it here!
Takuya: You know Madjack, I'm beginning to like this story.
Kira: I gotta agree with Taki on that one.
Kouji, Zoe, Kouichi, and Shino: glare at me
madjack89: Heh heh…you guys aren't mad, are you?
Kouji: Let's just think of it as us coming to expect things like this from you at this point.
Zoe: And you always have to make me the love interest in your sick games.
madjack89: It's either you or Kira. Does anyone but Taki have any romantic feelings for Kira?
Everyone: …
Takuya: …I do.
madjack89: Okay, now you're just acting dumb.
Takuya: Yeah, a little!
madjack89: sigh Dai, take us out.
Dai: With pleasure! In the next chapter, Duskmon's plan is put into action, but who will he go after first? It's a mystery…mua ha ha.
Hotaru: No more late night Death Note for you.
Dai: Awww…
JP: Good bye and good night.