Since saying that single question, uncertainty and apprehension overtook the group. The others had moved away from him to debate the question amongst themselves, and this time, Masaru only listened on with his back facing towards the group, as a way of giving them a bit of privacy. It didn't change the fact that he could still hear them argue, though.
In all honesty, Masaru was a bit worried. He hadn't gotten off on the best foot during introductions, and it wouldn't have surprised him if they were to say no. He had just met them, after all.
Imagine his surprise when one of them— or Takato to be specific started arguing for him.
"Takato, what if the Ark's not big enough to fit all of us? We already might be cutting it close with bringing Ryo and Cyberdramon, but there's no telling whether there'll be enough room for the two of them!" Jenrya said heatly.
"I know, but..." Takato glanced back at Masaru and Agumon, and looked down. "I guess we'll just have to cut it close, won't we?"
"Takato!"
"I don't really get that guy. He's out of his mind if you ask me," Terriermon added, earning a sigh from Jenrya. "What kind of person would go around punching Digimon? That's just plain crazy."
"Not that I agree with Terriermon, but I don't know about this, Takato." Jenrya folded his arms, giving Takato a terse stare.
"Besides, he said that he's stayed in the Digital World for five years, right? What's worth waiting for a little more?" Kazu interjected. "I'm sure that guy with the lighter can just send in another ark."
"But what if they don't? And did you guys forget about the D-Reaper?" Takato asked sharply, shaking his head. "We can't just leave them both here, not when there's a chance for all of us to go home… besides, there might not even be a next time. Didn't Zhuqiaomon and the other Sovereign tell all of us to go back to our world?"
"'Us' doesn't include someone that just dropped out of the sky, Takato."
"But he's a person, isn't he?"
Stunned, Jenrya and Kazu stared at Takato.
After looking away briefly, the goggle-wearing boy continued.
"They want to go home, right?" He argued heated, voice rising with his determination. "That means that they're just like us, Jenrya. It's only been a month or two for us, but it already feels like it's been forever! Masaru said that they haven't been home in five years… could you even imagine being away from the Real World for so long? We have to take them along!"
"But—"
"Jenrya, Takato has a point." Kenta chipped in. "We can't just leave him here… not with everything that's happening. We're bringing Ryo along, so what's the problem with bringing another person?"
"I'll have to agree with this." Ryo cut in smoothly, much to Kazu's amazement. "Just give the guy a chance."
"…Are you sure about this, Takato?" Jenrya murmured with a resigned tone, rubbing the temples of his head. "Ruki's still on her way…"
"We'll definitely find a way somehow… and I know Yamaki-san will definitely pull through." Takato answered, trying his best not to sound uncertain. He could have almost fooled Masaru with his act, but the next moment, Takato made it clear that he wasn't acting.
In a fluid motion, Masaru found himself facing and being tugged towards the group. Takato stood in front of him with the rest of the kids, and despite the major difference in height, he stared unflinchingly at the nineteen-year old with bright red eyes.
"Do you want to go home?" He asked simply.
"Yeah," Masaru answered slowly with a curt nod. "Yeah, I do."
"Then you're coming along," Takato said with a finality that no one wanted to argue with— or rather, could argue with. "And there's nothing wrong with that."
"So, where is this Ark anyway?"
With the arguments and animosity dispelled, he found himself watching Agumon and Guilmon 'play'. The other kids had opted to crowd amongst themselves and their partners. Guilmon was friendly enough to try play fighting with Agumon, while Takato sat on a nearby rock near Masaru, also watching the two Digimon. Another data stream of a different color was situated nearby, but unlike the one that had sucked in himself and Agumon, it remained stationary.
"Yamaki-san and his friends are sending it over." Takato supplied helpfully. After a moment of rummaging through his pocket, he held out an black electronic device for Masaru to see. A simple timer was lit on its screen— a countdown if he ever saw one. "See this timer? That's how long we have to wait until it arrives."
"Huh." Masaru hummed, whistling as Guilmon managed to throw Agumon into the crater of sand where they had initially landed. Funny how something as friendly as Guilmon could be so vicious in battle— "It's going to arrive soon, isn't it?"
Soon, as in thirteen minutes... Talk about timing and coincidence. What were the odds of him being dropped so conveniently in front of the Tamers?
"Yeah... I hope she gets here in time." The red-eyed boy murmured as he gazed intently out towards the desert. "…I wouldn't want to leave without anyone." Which apparently included Masaru, despite only knowing each other for a grand total of ten minutes or less.
"She?" Masaru asked interestedly.
"Her name's Ruki, and her partner is Renamon." Takato said informatively. "They both already left before we ran into you."
"And you're sure that she'll be back?" Masaru felt a bit stupid after asking that question; he had the feeling that he already knew the answer.
"Positive." Takato nodded. Despite this, his worried expression never left. After a couple of seconds, darkness fell over the desert, causing Masaru and Agumon to both look up towards the sky in awe. In response, Takato chuckled.
"You two really aren't from around here, are you?" He asked with a easy-going tone.
"I guess not." Masaru shrugged. "This is the first time me and Agumon have come to the Southern Quadrant."
"Seriously? Does that mean you've been to the other ones like Ryo-san?" Takato asked curiously, glancing up at him from where he sat.
"Beats me. I've never been one to remember locations or places that aren't in my territory. Besides, me and Agumon don't usually stick around in one place for long." In response to this, Takato gave him a baffled look, to which Masaru replied by simply mussing the boy's hair. After a moment, he refolded his arms and also stared towards the distance.
"Why did you come out here then?" Takato asked quizzically.
"The truth is, a Digimon asked me and Agumon to come here." He admitted. "I figured, 'Why not?', but that data-whatever probably threw us off course. Come to think of it, that stupid guy wasn't very specific on where the we were supposed to meet in the first place."
… Unless, this was Gallantmon's intention to begin with— was that it?
Did he do this to get him to meet these kids?
"I hope he'll still be here for you when this is all over." Takato mused, bringing Masaru back out of his thoughts. "I know the Sovereign want us to leave because they want to save their own world, but what do you think?"
"I don't know what to think, really. If I could, I'd find these Sovereign and give them a speech with my fists about how humans and Digimon should work together to defeat threats! But the green dog-bunny— Terriermon is right," Masaru shrugged, feeling a little somber. "The more I think about it, the less I understand what's going on... But if you're talking about that Digimon I was talking about earlier, I wouldn't know either."
"Why's that?"
"I haven't talked to the guy in years." Masaru replied offhandedly. "Last time we met, we were kinda trying to kill each other."
At this, Takato gave him a horrified look, causing Masaru burst into laughter.
"...That's not funny." Takato mumbled, face slightly red.
"I know, know. But I kinda forgot to mention the part where we ended up being on the same side." Masaru grinned nostalgically, lifting up his hand to muss Takato's hair again. "So you don't have anything to worry about, Takato. After all, no one picks a fight with the ultimate fighter, Masaru Daimon!"
"I guess…" Takato smiled, but his curious expression came back. "But can I ask you a question, Masaru?"
"Shoot."
"Does that mean you've had all sorts of adventures too?"
"Well, yeah." Masaru answered with a lit voice, and in turn, Takato beamed excitedly. "But it's a long story that I can tell you it some other time," Masaru said, looking up at the globe of light above them, and the pillar connecting their spot to the real world.
"I wanted to thank you for giving me a chance."
Takato blinked at him, before understandingly. "Well... you're welcome."
After passing a smirk to the ten-year old, Masaru looked back up to the pillar; something was approaching them. Visibilty was low and it didn't help that the winds had apparently picked up, but Masaru could see the Ark dropping down from the sky.
"It looks like our ride is here."