Frontier 02: Rebirthing – Chapter 30: Take My Hand
madjack89: Good news, everyone! We're at chapter thirty!
Dai: Yay!
madjack89: More good news! I've gotten over 300 reviews for this story!
Dai: Yay!
madjack89: More good news! I'm gonna make fun of Sasori!
Dai: Yay!
Sasori: What?
madjack89: You see, I've been watching the dub of Naruto Shippuden on Disney whatever it is now. Anyway, we FINALLY got to the part where Sasori jumps out of his little puppet shield thingy…
Pein: Hiruko.
madjack89: Does it matter?
Pein: True.
madjack89: And unmasks himself. Want to know what my brother thought of him?
Kira: Yeah!
Sasori: No!
madjack89: My brother's first impression of Sasori, and I quote, was, "He looks like a girl."
Everyone: …HA HA HA HA!
Sasori: You can all drown in your own misery!
Takuya: Like half of us haven't already done that?
Sasori: That's it; DIE! *takes out puppets*
madjack89: Uh, while we duck and cover, enjoy these lovely answers to your gracious reviews!
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Aldamonburst: I didn't know there was such a thing as fish fu. Fascinating! (lol) Poor Haio though, getting smacked with a yellowtail. I feel no sympathy for Night, however, because he's a meanie! Alright, thanks for reviewing, Burst!
garnettfox: Hm…that's a very interesting idea. I could probably use parts of this! Great idea! Oh, and sorry Dragramon hasn't done much yet. However, her time will finally shine in this arc! Okay, thanks for reviewing!
DigiBleach: (Duskmon: Thank you! Finally! *stomps off*) Don't mind Mr. Grumpy over there. He's just mad because he got a glimpse at my notes about him for upcoming chapters. (Duskmon: *glares*) Alright, thanks for reviewing! Go angst!
GoldenDragon326: Yup, Taki got a couple good lines in that chapter! Yay! Thanks for reviewing!
13wolfsbane: Aw, I knew you didn't really hate him THAT much, Yin! Just enough to rough him up a little! Now Hotaru, talk to your fans! (Hotaru: Uh…thanks again. Wow, an idol…and I thought Kira was the only one.) (Kira: See, you are awesomeness personified!) (Hotaru: *slightly embarrassed*) Thanks for the review, guys!
61wisampa: Heh, I am pretty evil, huh? But, since my conscience is ten times the size of a normal one, I will of course end up resolving everyone's issues so they can be happy again! Yay! Okay, thanks for reviewing!
beybladeingninjaprincess: Sounds good! Beam up the angst, Scotty! (lol) Thanks for reviewing! (Nina: I'm just so lovable!)
apapa155: Don't fret, I won't let Sasori hurt or otherwise maim Allen! And sorry about the twin separation, but it's for the sake of plot and character development! Alright, thanks for reviewing!
fg1fg: If you thought Kouichi was evil THERE, just wait… (Kouichi: Madjack, what are you going to do to me?) You'll see…anyway, even MORE snow came after the initial downfall, so we got a heck of a lot of snow! It's probably the most snow I've physically seen in my life! Well, thanks for reviewing!
Kirae-Remi: Heh, Kouichi is kind of a wimp, but he's OUR wimp! (Kouichi: …I'm not sure whether to be insulted or not…) Oh, don't worry, Taki will have quite a big roll to play in the next arc…anyway, thanks for reviewing!
TobiGB: Bad Madara, bad! *squirts Madara with squirt gun* (Nina: *blushes and giggles* Wow, how flattering!) Oh boy, this can't end well. Anyway, thanks for reviewing!
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madjack89: *avoiding poison darts* So, let's get the chapter rolling while I try to calm Sasori down!
JP: Uh, Madjack, why is there a person in our closet?
madjack89: Oh, that's just Allen!
Allen: Um, hi.
JP: *closes closet door slowly then finds another place to hide*
—
"Shut up, Nina," Kouichi said for about the fiftieth time, keeping his eyes firmly shut so she wouldn't be able to try any more eye tricks.
"I really don't understand why you're so against me still, kitty," Nina, despite Kouichi's many protests, continued her arguments. "Your brother hates you for loving someone. He's been jealous all along! It's probably because he lost his own love…"
"You don't know anything about that," Kouichi interrupted, sounding adamant.
"Don't I?" Nina retorted, her voice echoing painfully in Kouichi's ears. "In case you're forgetting, I lost YOU ages ago! Now, finally, we can be together again, and you refuse to let that happen!"
"How many times do I have to remind you that I'm NOT Lowemon?!" Kouichi shouted, fists clenching. This was the absolute last thing he needed. Nina just wouldn't leave him alone! Not after what Kouji had said…
Go help yourself!
Kouichi's eyes shot open and there was Nina, staring him straight in the eye. He quickly glanced down as Nina muttered, "Kitty, I'm really not trying to hurt you, I'm trying to help. All the Light will ever do is betray you. So please…take my hand."
Once again, Nina offered her hand to Kouichi, grinning broadly. Kouichi glanced at her hand, imagining the possibilities of what she was offering. He remembered what it had been like when he'd been Duskmon. Consumed by darkness. Heartless, soulless, emotionless. Nothing Kouji had said would hurt him anymore. He'd be free…to kill his brother.
"Go away and let me sleep, Nina," Kouichi growled softly, closing his eyes slowly.
—
Kouichi's eyes shot open. From his surroundings, he quickly realized he was back in the cavern he and Zoe had shared the previous night. However, something was missing now. Or rather, someone.
"Zoe?" Kouichi sat up, glancing frantically left and right. This was in vain, though, because Zoe was nowhere in the cavern.
Kouichi shot to his feet and left the cavern, hastily rushing through the tunnels. "C'mon, please be somewhere nearby, Zoe," he muttered to himself. He knew it wouldn't be long before Nina came after him again, and he knew that he'd never resist her on his own. Not now that he'd been abandoned by his only other option. "I need you."
"Kouichi was Duskmon."
Kouichi stopped suddenly, hearing the ear-shattering phrase coming from the cavern to his left. With wide eyes and shaking hands, he slowly approached the opening, glancing around the cloth to reveal what he'd feared.
Takuya, JP, Tommy, and…even Kouji. Then Kira, Dai, Hotaru. The others had told them. They knew what he'd done. They knew everything. And his friends had betrayed his secret to them. Kouji had betrayed him.
Kouichi backed away from the cavern opening, head lowered. Then he walked slowly away, a dark aura beginning to appear around him.
—
Earlier…
"Guys, there's something we need to tell you," Takuya suddenly announced, looking uncharacteristically serious. Dai and Hotaru looked surprised, Shino tried to look surprised, while Kira…
"It's about freakin' time you told us what's what with Chief!" Kira exclaimed, grinning excitedly. "And finally we'll know what ol' Eyeball Guy's deal is!"
"Wait, what?" Hotaru asked, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"Oh boy, story time!" Dai said, excited despite the fact that he was as clueless as Hotaru.
"Sorry Dai, but this probably won't be a very happy story time," JP cautioned, glancing at Shino. "Uh, Shino, why do you have that weird look on your face?"
"No reason," Shino said quickly, turning his head. "I mean, it's not like I already know what Kouichi and Duskmon have in common or anything! Heh heh…heh."
The others gave Shino confused looks. "Um, Shino, is there something you'd like to share with the rest of the class?" Kira asked.
Shino almost tried to continue his clueless charade, but realized it was futile and sighed. "Well, actually, there is something I need to confess. You see, I already know—"
"Shino, I need you! Now!" Zoe suddenly rushed into the cavern, grabbed Shino by the arm, and dragged him out before he could finish his confession.
After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Kira said, "We're gonna have to wait until he gets back, aren't we?"
"He already knows." Everyone turned, surprised to hear Kouji's voice behind them. They hadn't even noticed that he'd come in after Zoe and Shino's exit.
"Where've you been?" JP asked, getting the obligatory question out of the way.
"Around," Kouji replied softly. The others could easily tell that he'd had a rough night, what with his slightly disheveled appearance and bloodshot eyes. They didn't question this, though, and let him continue, "I already told Shino about Kouichi. It was awhile ago, back in the human world."
"Seriously?" Takuya said, surprised. "Then why couldn't you have told Kira too?! She's been picking and picking at it ever since Duskmon showed up!"
"I have a healthy curiosity," Kira stated, smirking.
"I think I'm beginning to develop some curiosity about this myself," Hotaru said, giving the others questioning looks. "What happened to Kouichi that's such a big secret?"
"And what's it have to do with Mr. Creepy Eyeball Guy?" Dai added. (Duskmon: What is with all this name calling? Maybe I should call you names and see how you like it, you little midget!)
Kouji glanced at Takuya, JP, and Tommy. "You're going to tell them the truth, but why now?"
"Because of your argument with Kouichi," Takuya stated, still a bit angry at Kouji for his supposed outburst.
Kouji flinched, confirming Takuya's suspicion. "Wait, you and Chief got in an argument?" Kira asked, astonished. "Is that even physically possible for you guys?"
"Apparently," Takuya muttered, glaring at Kouji. "Listen Kouji, I don't know what set you off or what the hell happened between you two, but you really hurt Kouichi last night."
"I know," Kouji said quietly, eyes downcast. "I know that I hurt him, more so than you probably even realize. I said horrible things to him…and I want to make up for it. If you guys really believe that telling these three about Kouichi's past will help him, then I'm in."
Takuya smiled slightly. "Sounds good. Alright, who wants to start?"
"I will," JP said, clearing his throat. "It was a dark and stormy night…"
"Tommy, why don't you start?" Takuya suddenly said, cutting JP off.
While JP sulked in a corner, Tommy began, "Okay, do you guys remember how we said we found Kouichi on the Dark Continent the last time we were here?" The three nodded. "Well, we didn't exactly find him. He found us."
"That's not such a big deal," Dai stated, cocking his head. "Why was that a secret?"
"That wasn't the secret," Takuya explained impatiently, taking up the story telling. "Alright, you know that Duskmon attacked us a few times throughout the Dark Continent. What you don't know is that he started paying a lot of attention to Kouji after our second encounter, when he almost killed me and Kouji…took the bullet for me."
Takuya glanced at Kouji before continuing, "Anyway, he couldn't finish Kouji off for some reason. When he saw Kouji's face, he suddenly couldn't bring himself to do it."
"Wow, Dusky's a pansy?" Kira asked incredulously. "Who knew?"
"It wasn't because he was a pansy," JP said flatly, joining the others again. "It was because he recognized him."
Kira's, Hotaru's, and Dai's eyes all widened in confusion. "But Duskmon is a Digimon," Hotaru muttered thoughtfully. "He couldn't have seen Kouji before…what does Kouichi have to do with this?"
"He has everything to do with it," Takuya replied. "You see…Kouichi…well, he was…he wasn't thinking straight, so…"
"Kouichi was Duskmon," Kouji stated simply, saying what the others couldn't.
No one said anything for several long minutes. Takuya, JP, Kouji, and Tommy were anxious for the others' reactions, while the others were just trying to process the new information.
Finally, as was her habit, Kira broke the silence. "No way…not Chief…he wouldn't do that…"
"Now you see why we didn't tell you before," Kouji muttered. "If you'd known what he did before you actually got to know him…"
"How?" Hotaru asked, interrupting Kouji. "How did it happen? I can believe that it happened, but how?"
Kira turned to Hotaru, looking horrified. "You can believe that Kouichi could be…how the hell could you think that?!"
"Because he's done horrible things, too," Dai said quietly, turning to the others. "So, how did it happen?"
"We'll take over from here, Kouji," JP said, glancing at Kouji before facing the rest of the group. "Well, here's how it started. Kouichi was feeling pretty miffed about the whole 'OMG, I have a dad and twin brother' thing. Then, as you know, he followed/stalked Kouji (Kouichi: Fine, I'm a stalker. Is that what you wanted to hear?) (It's a start!) (Kouichi: *sigh*) and ended up falling down some stairs."
"Like we told you before, he did wind up in the Digital World after that, and he was just a spirit," Tommy continued. "But he wasn't exactly on the Dark Continent yet. He was in the Dark Area."
"I've heard this part before," Kira muttered, still feeling slightly shell-shocked. "Dusky told me a little of this story when he came after me at my house. He said Chief was all upset and stuff and then Cherubimon showed up."
"Exactly," Takuya said, confirming Kira's statement. "He'd kept all his emotions bottled up inside him, and in the Dark Area, they all burst out. Cherubimon saw it as the perfect opportunity to manipulate Kouichi, so he did."
"Meaning?" Hotaru asked, getting slightly impatient.
"Meaning Cherubimon gave Kouichi Duskmon's spirit," Kouji said, jumping in. "He was corrupted and lost his human memories in the process. Then, after some battles with him, he slowly regained his memories, told me I was his brother, tried to kill me, and finally got purified by me and joined the group."
"Yeah, that's it in a nutshell," JP added, glancing warily at the pained look on Kouji's face.
After a moment, Takuya turned to Dai, Hotaru, and Kira and asked, "Well, what do you think?"
—
Earlier (again)…
Shino was too confused to say anything or try to pull away as Zoe yanked him from the cavern and dragged him down the various twisty tunnels of the Resistance base. Finally, when he got his thoughts back in order, he realized what Zoe had said before she'd grabbed him.
Shino, I need you! Now!
"You…need me?" Shino hadn't realized he'd said this out loud until Zoe glanced back at him.
"Yeah," she replied, not noticing the acute blush on Shino's cheeks. "Or, to be more accurate, Kouichi needs you."
"Oh…" Shino's face fell as he realized that, once again, Zoe was acting on behalf of Kouichi, just like she always did. Like she always would do. Trying to hide his disappointed expression, he said, "What does he need me for? Why not ask Takuya or JP or…someone else?"
Zoe finally stopped in the middle of an empty tunnel, turning to face Shino as she said, "You know that Kouji and Kouichi had a fight last night, don't you? Otherwise, you would've suggested I get Kouji's help."
Shino cocked his head. "That's pretty perceptive of you."
"Yeah, I guess it is, but that's not what I wanted to talk to you about," Zoe replied, talking slightly faster than normal.
"Zoe, are you okay?" Shino asked, growing concerned by Zoe's behavior. "You seem a little twitchy."
"I feel a little twitchy," she replied quietly, glancing over her shoulder. When she turned back to Shino, determination lit up her eyes. "Shino, I'm going to tell you a secret, but only if you promise not to tell anyone else. Can you do that?"
"Zoe, I already know about Kouichi and Duskmon," Shino confessed, head lowered as if he were in trouble.
"You know about that…?" Zoe asked, looking momentarily confused. Then she shook her head and continued, "Well, that just makes this easier to explain. Okay, you know how Duskmon stabbed Kouichi and we thought he was dead but then he got back up and seemed like he was fine?"
Shino nodded. "Well, he wasn't," Zoe said flatly, eyes looking troubled again. "For lack of better phrasing, Duskmon's attack sucked the light out of him, leaving only his darkness."
"But he's the Warrior of Darkness," Shino commented. "Darkness is his element. Can't he handle it?"
Zoe's expression suddenly turned cold. "You don't understand darkness, Shino. It's unstable. It'll consume anything, anyONE, in its path. I think the only thing that was keeping Kouichi stable before was his connection with Kouji, and now that it's gone…"
"Wait," Shino said, still trying to process all that Zoe was saying. "So you're saying that Duskmon's attack brought out Kouichi's darkness. Why would he do that? Why not just kill Kouichi? It's pretty obvious they don't like each other."
"Nina," Zoe stated simply. "A personification of Darkness. I know it's hard to wrap your mind around, but Nina is Darkness. And she's invaded Kouichi, trying to corrupt him so he can…" Zoe didn't seem able to continue her sentence. She covered her mouth as a single tear managed to escape her eye and roll down her cheek.
Without thinking, Shino stuck out his hand and brushed the tear gently off Zoe's cheek. Then, smiling slightly, he said, "I think I can guess what he'd do. The real question is, what does he need me for?"
Composing herself somewhat, Zoe continued, "All those times that Kouichi and I went off alone were actually times when I was keeping him from submitting to Nina. I think that being around friends helps him resist her, but after Kouji yelled at him last night, it's been getting harder for him."
"Why'd Kouji yell at him, anyway?" Shino asked curiously. "You know, don't you?"
Zoe nodded. "Kouji…got mad at us…"
"Us?" Shino's eyes narrowed slowly. "As in Kouichi AND you?"
Zoe nodded again, eyes welling up with tears. "Kouichi tried to ask him for help, but he refused because he's…jealous of me."
"Really?" Shino asked skeptically. "I didn't think Kouji rolled that way…"
"This is serious, Shino!" Zoe shouted, glaring harshly at him. "Kouji thinks that I'm more important to Kouichi than him and now he refuses to help Kouichi! If something happens to Kouichi, it'll be my fault!"
"No it—"
"Yes it will, Shino!" Zoe interrupted. "That's why I need your help! I need you to help me find a way to fix Kouji and Kouichi's bond. Without it, they'll both…I don't even know!"
Shino watched wide-eyed as tears began to stream down Zoe's cheeks. He'd never seen her this worked up before. He wasn't sure anyone else had, either. "Zoe…why are you asking me for help? Why not ask someone else?"
Zoe managed to chuckle slightly through her sobs. "You have no faith in yourself, Shino. That's a shame since you're such a great guy."
Shino didn't even attempt to hide the blush that crept slowly over his cheeks, warming him. "R-really?"
Zoe smirked. "Of course, Shino. You're a great friend."
Like that, the warmth in Shino faded. Gradually, he lowered his head, keeping his eyes fixed on the floor. "I see," he muttered. I'll never be anything more to you…
"Yeah," Zoe replied, noticing Shino sudden change in expression. Her eyebrow rose curiously. "Shino, what's wrong?"
I'll always be your great friend…
"Shino, why won't you answer me?" Zoe asked, beginning to get genuinely worried.
You'll never love me like you do him…
"Shino, say something!" Zoe demanded, gripping his shoulder with her hand.
Her touch triggered something in Shino. A hidden impulse. A desire he could no longer deny. Shino's hand suddenly shot up, grabbing Zoe's arm and pulling her toward him. Before she could free herself from his grip, their lips had met.
I'll always be used…
—
"I give up," Kouichi mumbled quietly, eyes downcast.
Nina was momentarily stunned. She hadn't anticipated Kouichi's sudden loss of will, despite what they'd both just witnessed. However, she wasn't complaining. "You really mean it, kitty?"
As an answer, Kouichi held out his hand in front of Nina. His eyes were shut tight as if he didn't want to see what he was about to do. "I'm tired of fighting," he muttered, hand shaking slightly. "Just take the pain away before I change my mind."
"Okie-dokes!" Nina said happily, grabbing Kouichi's hand. "Fair warning; this might sting a little."
Kouichi stared morosely at his and Nina's clasped hands as a dark energy began to glow between them. I'm sorry, guys. I…
Suddenly, Kouichi's only thought was of pain. Intense pain.
He dropped to his hands and knees, trembling uncontrollably. His eyes were wide, yet his gaze wasn't fixed on anything. His expression was blank from the pain. He couldn't even scream, it was so severe. Just as he felt that he was about to explode…it stopped.
"I told you it would sting a little," Nina muttered sheepishly. "But there's no time for you to recuperate now. We have things to do and puppies to kill!"
Kouichi didn't reply for several minutes, eyes hidden from view. Right when Nina's patience was about to wear thin, Kouichi chuckled quietly.
"Wow, that really did sting like a bitch," Kouichi muttered, getting slowly to his feet. Nina no longer stood in front of him, meaning he was back in the tunnels. He smirked as he continued, "But like you said, there's no time to recuperate. No rest for the wicked, after all."
Finally he lifted his head, revealing the now cold depths of his usually warm blue eyes. "Well, let's go kill Kouji. Shall we?"
—
madjack89: Oh noes, it's evil Kouichi! We're all DOOOOOOOOOOOOMED!
Kouichi: Heh…it's about time I showed up. All that angst was giving me a headache.
Kira: Wow, everything I know and love has been completely flipped. Shino kissed Zoe, Chief is evil, Taki's being serious for once, what next?!
Sasori: I'm sorry for attacking you earlier.
Kira: …APOCALYPSE!
madjack89: I managed to calm Sasori down and then told him he had to apologize to us. Good boy, Sasori! *pats head*
Sasori: *glares* I only agreed to this because you said you'd tell us what YOU think of the Shippuden dub so far.
Dai: Oh boy, story time! Again!
madjack89: Let's see…Deidara's voice is cool, I always *heart* me some Team Guy, Crispin Freeman FTW, Neji's spinning it right round baby right round (like a record)…
Neji: *glares*
madjack89: …Sakura is no longer Suckura, Chiyo has a funny way of yelling Sakura's name, Crispin Freeman FTW…
JP: You said that already.
madjack89: You can never say that too many times!
Kouichi: Just because your voice sucks compared to mine doesn't mean you have to complain, JP.
JP: …What…?
madjack89: Better get used to Chief insulting you, because there'll be a lot more where that came from in chapter 31! Hooray!
Pein: You didn't say anything about me, Madjack.
madjack89: You haven't done much yet. But your voice is nice, too! And my brother thinks your eyes are cool!
Pein: In that case, I approve of your brother.
madjack89: Um…thank you?