Hello, everyone!

As promised, a new chapter, (much) faster than the previous one. I had most of it in my head already, it was just a matter of getting it out on the paper. Despite it, it still took up a lot more words than I thought it would have, so that helps in nicely hitting a proper cut-off.

It's nice to see interest is still high and continues to grow, judging from the people that favorite and follow the story, and leave reviews. It does me well and motivates me to keep going and to keep doing better. So thanks for that!

That said, I'll stop yapping on now and leave you to it. Hope you enjoy!


Chapter 17: Dance, darkness! Sistermon's Power!


Tobitake had already resigned himself over to fate. Turned out he was overzealous and had now found himself in a position he couldn't get away from. This had never happened to him before. Sure, the chance was always there. There were meaner guys than him around on the streets, but he knew to stay in their good graces and not start anything. Not in the first place because there ways of settling it were through dangerous tools.

His mind had gone blank the very second his back hit the ground. People (his lackeys) joked that he wasn't the smartest, but he'd just shoot off a threat of his own and that was the end of that. But this had nothing to do with smarts. The lead-up to it, sure, but this? How was he even to escape here? He knew of the pocketknife in his pocket and yet it was as if his brain short-circuited trying to calculate how to get it and use it.

At least this was the moment to put his money where his mouth is. He knew that in terms of body, he was blessed. It helped in basketball. It was that very reason that he was able to impose his will on his teammates. Not because of his incredible skills, but because of his large frames that allowed him to push around others. That, combined with his reputation and demeanour, he was top dog. But his face? No idea how well that held up. Especially not in the face of him.

He had guessed his friends were either down for the count or had just made a run for it. Otherwise he'd already be freed from this position. They would have already been well on their way. But now he didn't know where they were, how to get away from it and he was at a point where he didn't even feel his face anymore. Had he broken anything? Was he bleeding? He really didn't know. That was for later to see.

Another punch connected to his face, followed by another one in incredibely fast fashion. There was no mistaking that he made an absolute critical error in judgement. He attempted to pinch open whatever was left of his swollen eye in an attempt to verify if it truly was the guy he thought it was. Looks could be deceiving, but this much so? No way. He had to have made a big switcheroo.

In between the onslaught of punches that made it hard for Tobitake to get a clear look, he ultimately managed to avoid the knockback and got him in his sight. His eye widened and his chest tightened. What was formerly a source of emotion, be it anger, disinterest or anything else, was now a black hole. Tealgreen eyes were void of emotion, the expression that held them completely blank as it was framed by blond hair.

As if he was a robot programmed to do only one task and do it until he was told to stop he continued onwards. Like the world didn't exist, like he didn't experience any emotion or impact himself. The rumours of the delinquent finally made sense. He wasn't one, but when his anger was well and truly triggered, he went way beyond a delinquent. This was akin to a vengeful demon god, who just put whoever dared anger it in their place and then moved on with his day as if nothing happened. All just to prove a point.

Tobitake wondered if he'd even be able to... "Hear me, R-Ryuuji... You win, man... I apolo-" Tobitake was cut off by a right fist that took him by surprise. One that, for the first among them all, seemed like it actually got some power put into it. And that was frightening. The swift and precise cross-counter with which the blond had taken Tobitake by surprise was one thing, but to think the punches he landed didn't even have any proper power put into them was frightening.

His head snapped to the side, finally getting some time to process everything as nothing followed. He felt a weight get off of him, but was unable to find the strength to crawl up. As he stared at the sky with whatever was left of his eye, he heard the sound of footsteps fill his ear, growing fainter as the owner of them was getting further away from him.

"I'm not interested," spoke Ryuuji, coming to a halt without looking at any of the boys, "in this personal war of yours. Stay out of my way, Tobitake-senpai."

Tobitake tried to speak, but couldn't utter anything more than a short groan that couldn't be heard by anyone but himself. The pain was finally kicking in and god, did it sting.

"And don't redirect this personal war of yours on those who can't physically stand up to you, either."

"What are you?" Tobitake scoffed, in between groans and huffs. "Some hero of justice?"

"I don't think I'm a hero of justice or anything of the sorts," the blond spoke. "But picking on people for things like liking whatever they like or however they like to look... Those are the type of people I hate."

As if nothing even happened, Ryuuji took his leave, leaving a trio of groaning boys behind. Tobitake stared blankly ahead, wiping the blood away from his nose before fishing out his phone to observe himself into its screen.

"Damn it... There goes my chance at finding a new girlfriend..."


Sistermon's bullets got met in the air by needles shot from Ajatarmon's vinehair, exploding as the two Digimon maintained distance.

"You are behaving out of line, Sistermon," Ajatarmon spoke. "There is no need to fight. You got what you need."

"There ain't no line 'ere!" Sistermon protested. "And if there's one, yer can't even get out of it, yer can only cross it!"

Without warning, Ajatarmon threw the hatchet at Sistermon with a spinning motion, causing it to boomerang her way. Through quick-thinking, she managed to dodge it by cartwheeling out of its trajectory, retracting her head quickly as she heard it spin back from behind her. Getting up from her position, she spun the two Antony guns, grinning.

"What's wrong? Yer afraid to come closer?" she asked. "We've been playin' this game of cat and mouse for too long, yer know."

"That is because I do not wish to fight," the Plant Type Digimon responded.

"Should've thought of that before yer decided to kidnap Dorucchi!"

"Like I tried to exp-" Ajatarmon was immediately cut off by the presence of someone else, noticing a yellow kitsune land next to Sistermon.

"Aw, man. Renamon's here..." Sistermon mumbled. "Well, guess solo playtime is over. Three makes a party!"

"Ruki has informed Ryuuji," Renamon informed. "She suspects he's on his way. He immediately hung up the phone. Ruki is also seeking a way out of school."

Sistermon grinned, bracing herself. "Alright! Then we just gotta stall 'im until Jijicchi's here! Can yer get- Oh."

Renamon stared at Sistermon as she kneeled behind her, putting Dorumon at a safe distance to make sure he wouldn't be caught in the fight. "Ryuuji would not be happy with you if he knew you engaged in a fight while Dorumon was in the midst of the battlefield."

"We weren't goin' all out. We've just been gaugin' each other," Sistermon shrugged. "Let's just overpower Ajatarmon for long enough for Jijicchi to show up."

The yellow kitsune's eyes narrowed, but she remained silent, joining Sistermon's side nonetheless.

Ajatarmon lamented the situation before it, slightly extending its vines and prepared itself. "If this is how it has to be, then let's do this."

Its vines shot off at Sistermon, catching her off-guard as she got caught in its grasp. Squirming to break free, she began to growl. "I thought we were goin' to fight?!"

"We are," Ajatarmon answered. "As such, all is fair."

"Fox Leaf Arrowheads!" sharpened leaves rushed down at Ajatarmon from the air, who reacted quickly. "Shotgun Moss!" Like with Sistermon's bullets earlier, Renamon's leaves got met mid-air by grass needles shot at them, causing them to explode.

As Renamon landed, Sistermon followed suite. Ajatarmon realized Renamon's purpose was not to wound it, but to set free Sistermon. It's own desire led to this becoming a hard task. It did not wish to fight and merely do as told, yet here were two Digimon pressing it and engaging in battle. If it wanted to get away in one piece, it seemed the best was to overpower them with everything it had.

Emphasis on seemed. Cause the entrance of a new factor changed all of that.

Sistermon grinned in delight. Just in time. "Jijicchi!"

"That was fast," Renamon added.

The blond stoicly glanced at Ruki's partner, though Renamon could sense some sort of anger. The boy remained silent, turning his attention to the creature before it.

"So this is the one," he hissed, stepping forward. "Who are you working for?"

"Step back, Ryuuji," Renamon warned. "We do not know it's intentions."

Sistermon sighed. "Leave it, Renamon. There ain't any stoppin' him."

Instead of answering, Ajatarmon shot its vine at Ryuuji, who's eyes widened slightly before he got swept away by Renamon, leaping him off to safety.

"I am simply returning something to you," Ajatarmon stated, using the vine to attach something to its hatchet. It weakly threw the hatchet towards the boy, who caught it, noticing his Digivice attached to it.

Removing the small vine used to keep it on the hatchet, Ryuuji put it in his pocket, burying his hands in his pockets. "You must have a grand scheme, right? You return Dorumon and then my Digivice and you don't seem to want to fight either."

"I simply do as I've been hired for," the masked Digimon replied.

"And that included knocking me out too?"

"That was simply improvisation on my part," the Digimon admitted. "It was not the intention or expectation for you to take notice of me."

The blond scoffed, stepping forward again. "People are really deadset on testing my patience today," he muttered underneath his breath. "Sorry, but I'm in a bad mood. Tell me who you work for and what they needed Dorumon for."

"That is not possible."

"Noir."

The Puppet Digimon jolted up, exclaiming, "What is it?"

"It's time to fight."

"In case yer hadn't noticed, we've been tryin'!"

"Then we try harder."

"Renamon!"

"Ruki," Renamon noted, turning around to see Ruki running up to the them. "You managed to sneak out."

The redhead nodded, panting lightly. She then noticed Ryuuji, who paid her little mind. "You could have at least said 'thank you', Lashes!"

"I could have," he admitted. "But the job's not finished yet. We still have to deal with this bastard here, so good timing."

"Good timing for what?" Ruki's eyebrow shot up, being answered by Ryuuji's smirk.

"To fight, obviously." Ryuuji waved Sistermon over to his side, who twirled around her guns with a grin. Renamon looked at Ruki, who begrudgingly nodded at her. Renamon leaped up again, unleashing a wave of leaves at Ajatarmon again. "Fox Leaves Arrowheads!"

"Bless Fire!" shouted Sistermon, leaping off at Ajatarmon, assaulting it from the air and the ground.

Using the vines from its hair, it swept away Sistermon's bullets, and quickly leaped away from Renamon's attack, expanding the distance. Then, it immediately rushed off at Sistermon, slicing at her with its satchet.

Sistermon managed to barely dodge it with gritted teeth, attempting to use the opening left to shoot at it. However, Ajatarmon had already seen it coming, once more using its vines to its advantage and knocking Anthony away. As a result, the bullet fired, but at Renamon, forcing her to dodge it. Ajatarmon had already anticipated on it and headed for the same direction, inching closer on Renamon.

"Hm?!" The vines entangled Renamon, throwing her overhead and smashing her into the ground behind Ajatarmon. As Sistermon attempted to blindside it, Ajatarmon quickly threw its hatchet at Sistermon. She quickly kicked it away, throwing it off trajectory, causing it to land next to Ryuuji, who despite all of it, seemed pretty unfazed.

"Was this part of your grand plan, Lashes?" Ruki retorted.

The blond pulled Ajatarmon's hatchet out of the ground, closely inspecting it as he raised his arm up before lowering it a couple of times, trying to guess the weight of it. He then stepped forward, much to Ruki's surprise. Ruki's eyes widened slightly, calling out to the blond. "Hey, don't tell me that you're going to do what I think you're going to do!"

"Then stop thinking so you won't think it." He said it so nonchalantly that it angered Ruki even further, but she also knew there was no point in dwelling on that and called for the one capable of preventing a disaster from happening. "Renamon! Stop him!"

Ryuuji ran off at Ajatarmon, slashing its own hatchet at it. However, as a Digimon, Ajatarmon's reflexes and speed far outdid the boy's and it evaded without issue. Not leaving it there, the blond made another attempt, this time getting blocked by Ajatarmon's vine.

Ajatarmon then used it's other vine to entangle Ryuuji, using the second vine to take the hatchet off of him. Then, he held Ryuuji firmply in place, holding him in front of him, preventing Sistermon and Renamon from taking action at Ajatarmon.

"Jijicchi!"

"Great going, Lashes." Ruki rolled her eyes. "Now we're in even more trouble."

"Noir!" Ryuuji called out. "Just attack!"

"Attack?" she repeated, astounded. "Are yer an idiot?! Don't dare call me an airhead ever again!"

Then, from behind Ajatarmon, Renamon came rushing in, slashing at Ajatarmon. "Fox Flash Attack!"

Ajatarmon then turned around, holding the blond up again, forcing Renamon to cancel her attack. Sistermon, however, had already leapt off, deciding to come from the air and strike from right above it. However, she scowled deeply, seemingly fed up with it all. "I've had it with yer! Striking with Fists!"

Throwing all of her strength into it, Sistermon threw a punch at Ajatarmon, who just barely managed to shield itself by using its hatchet to block the punch. However, despite Sistermon's small size, Ajatarmon found trouble completely blocking the punch, finding it to shake in its grip. Pushing it higher slightly, it created a minor opening to get away, extending the distance once more.

Renamon landed down in a kneeling position next to Ruki, keeping her eyes on Ajatarmon. "What do we do, Ruki? As long as Ryuuji is there, we can't do much."

Ruki clicked her tongue and balled her fists. This guy was going to get it when this was over. His recklessness brought this upon himself but also made it more difficult for them to resolve this all. Ajatarmon had swung the blond back over its head, clearing its field of vision to keep proper track of Renamon and Sistermon while Ryuuji dangled behind it's back.

"You can let me go," he growled. "If someone accidentally cuts my hair off because you keep using me as a meatshield, I'll kill you."

"You were the one who swung at me with the hatchet," the Digimon countered. "Tell them to lay down arms and I'll let you go."

"Are you going to speak on Dorumon?"

"I will not."

"'No' can do, then."

"You are just as stubborn as Sistermon," Ajatarmon sighed.

"It's my second name," the blond joked, suddenly getting swung around around as Renamon blitzed by, temporarily locking eyes as she attempted to turn and strike at Ajatarmon again. However, Ajatarmon's speed outdid Renamon's and with a well-placed punch, hit the kitsune in the gut, sending her flying.

"Renamon!" Ruki called out, while coming from the sky, someone else shouted loudly.

"Now yer mine, Jijicchi!" Sistermon landed on Ajatarmon's vines, doing her best to unleash Ryuuji from its clutches, but found the vines to be stronger than they looked. Additionally, the thorns did not make things easier. Ajatarmon then swung them around, sending her flying, much to her own dismay.

As she landed on her butt next to Ruki, she grinned her teeth in anger, scowling as she picked herself up. "'Ey, Jijicchi. Remember what yer said 'bout just attackin'? Well, guess what!? 'Ere I come!"

"About time you did!" he called out in annoyance. As if he wasn't the one who get them in this situation in the first place.

With a loud battle cry, Sistermon ran at Ajatarmon the fastest she could. No pistols, no elaborate tactics, just her powered up by annoyance. Ajatarmon lifted Ryuuji around once more, holding him in front of itself like a plush doll. However, Sistermon continued to come near him, no signs of slowing down. Much to Ajatarmon's own surprise, the blond said nothing and didn't struggle to try and escape Sistermon's charge. Instead, he smirked almost unnoticeably.

"Unleash..." she began talking, ceasing her shouting, "Jijicchi!" As soon as his name left her mouth, she swung with her left fist at Ajatarmon, but as she did so, her body disappeared in a glow of light that disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

And what emerged from it, was not Sistermon. While still clad in black, whatever came out of it now had long, flowing white hair. As Ajatarmon flinched from surprise, from the side, a giant claw struck at his vines, the red nails cutting them off.

Ajatarmon uttered a whelp of pain, while Ryuuji immediately undid himself from the vines, quickly quicking them at Ajatarmon's face as he fell to the ground. As one of the vines hit Ajatarmon's face, temporarily obstructing its field of vision, the new Digimon threw iron chains at Ajatarmon, returning the favor it did for Ryuuji the entire battle.

Tightening the chain, Ajatarmon's body squeezed itself together and it found itself unable to properly stand on its feet again. As a result, it fell on its side, unable to escape the chains.

Huffing in triumph, the owner of the chains placed her foot on the bundled Digimon in front of her, declaring, "That's what yer get for angerin' me!"

"That's..." Renamon muttered, one eye pinched close as she got helped up by Ruki. "LadyDevimon," Ruki finished.

"Nice arm," Ryuuji quipped, glancing at her left arm.

"Don't look at this form!" Sistermon exclaimed. "My pistols are gone and I look like..." she then gestured over at herself with her free hand before ceasing. "this!"

Then, from her shoulder, popped up what seemed to be a piece of her shouldercloth, making a peace sign gesture at the blond boy with a friendly grin. The blond sweatdropped, not sure what to make of it. "Nice to meet you, too? I think?"

Ryuuji then crouched in front of Ajatarmon, blankly staring at it without doing or saying anything. Ajatarmon stared back, knowing the position it was in.

"So," the blond began. "Still unwilling to talk?"

Ajatarmon stayed silent, prompting Ryuuji to rise to full height. Hands still in his pocket, he stared down at Ajatarmon. "Just tell us why you kidnapped Dorumon. That's all we want to know."

"I can not say," Ajatarmon responded. "If I reveal that, my reputation as mercenary will take a hit."

"Mercenary?" Ryuuji repeated, turning to Renamon and LadyDevimon. "You have such an intricate society in the Digital World that you have mercenaries?"

"Ah, that's right!" LadyDevimon remembered. "I forgot to tell yer! I'm a mercenary, too!"

"You're a what?" Ruki asked.

"And she's a good one, too," Ajatarmon added. "Renowned around the Digital World. She's one of the Three Musketeers."

"Did you know this, Renamon?" Ruki wondered. Renamon shook her head, lifting her weight off of Ruki to somewhat weakly stand on her own. "This is the first time I hear of this. It's not out of the ordinary that a stronger Digimon makes a pact with another one in exchange for something, but mercenaries are something I have not heard of."

"When were you going to tell us you were such a big deal?" Ryuuji asked, frowning. "You said I couldn't call you an airhead anymore, but with this, that is cancelled! You're an airhead!"

LadyDevimon playfully used her free hand to hit her head with her fist softly, sticking out her tongue. "Tee-hee!"

Ryuuji's eye began to twitch, pinching the bridge of his nose shortly after. "We're saving this for later. Back to... you." He turned back to Ajatarmon. "I can respect that you are a man of your word. Or is it woman? Fine, Digimon of your word. As someone who doesn't like to break a promise, I won't hold it against you."

Ajatarmon's eyes narrowed. "What is the catch?"

"None." Ryuuji shrugged. "But did anything happen to Dorumon? Was he harmed in any way?"

Shaking its head, Ajatarmon finally gave something of an answer. Ryuuji smirked, turning away. "Alright, then. Then you're free to go."

"Excuse you?" LadyDevimon deadpanned, while Ruki nearly exploded. "They are what!? After all this you're just letting them go!?"

"I'm not in the mood to deal with this. It's not going to speak and break whatever pact it made, so might as well run with what we can get," the blond answered, glancing at LadyDevimon. "Let them go."

LadyDevimon glanced at Ajatarmon and back at Ryuuji, before sighing. "Well, if yer sure about it." She took the chains back to her side, wrapping them around her right arm.

Ajatarmon got up, keeping eyes on everyone to make sure this was not some sort of surprise attack or part of a stealth kill. However, from the looks of it, that did not seem the case. The boy had already long turned his back and made way for Dorumon, LadyDevimon had easily complied with his wishes and followed the boy, while the girl glared at the boy.

"Are you just going to let me go?" Ajatarmon questioned.

Ryuuji stopped and glanced back at the Digimon with his hands in his pockets. "That's right."

"Why?"

"You returned Dorumon and you claim nothing was done to him personally," Ryuuji sighed. "Even if I don't know for what reason you'd otherwise want him, I'll take your word for it that you simply delivered him and know nothing else."

Ajatarmon's eyes narrowed as Ryuuji began to walk again, but not without leaving Ajatarmon with some final words.

"But if it turned out you lied about it, next time l see you..." he then stopped and turned to Ajatarmon, glaring. "I'll kill you. Do you understand?"

The Plant Type Digimon nodded, and bowed shortly. "Thank you very much. You will not regret this." With those parting words, the Digimon left the group by themselves, continuing to be as dysfunctional as they seemed.

"Lashes!" Ruki called out. "What were you even thinking attacking it!? Is this just a game for you!?"

"Hm?" Ryuuji lazily raised a single eyebrow, waving off Ruki's annoyance. "I was never in any danger of getting hurt, anyways."

"That doesn't mean you get to walk onto a battlefield and swing at a Digimon by yourself!" Ruki protested, balling her fist. "Behaviour like that is going to get not just you, but also others, in trouble!"

"I'll admit it wasn't my finest choice, but it was also pretty clear they had no intent to harm us," Ryuuji shrugged. "I apologize if that's what you want. Can't promise it won't happen again, though."

Ruki opened her mouth to speak again, but Renamon prevented her from doing so. "Leave it, Ruki. I suggest picking it up a different time. Ryuuji's attention is elsewhere and he'll continue to turn it elsewhere."

The blond had kneeled down before Dorumon, LadyDevimon looming over him with a smile. LadyDevimon glanced at Ryuuji, asking, "So how do we wake 'im?"

"No idea, actually," Ryuuji admitted. "Let's just take him back home and wait for him to wake u- Oh, never mind."

Dorumon groggily awakened, his vision hazy and his head spinning. He didn't recall having been outside. What had happened? Who was this before him?

He blinked a couple of times with his eyes, the figures gaining a more solid form as he slowly proceeded to take a stand. He was still a bit shaky on his feet, but the fact he truly seemed unharmed did Ryuuji well, evidence by the smile on his face. LadyDevimon grinned along, pumping her fist in the air a couple of times. "Alright, Dorucchi's back!"

"That voice..." Dorumon cocked his head to the side, finding a tall Digimon with a giant claw on her left arm looking at him, causing him to flinch.

"Relax, Dorumon. It's Noir," another familiar voice assured. Dorumon's eyes widened, his ears perked up and memories flooded back. The memories of that dream he had. That awful dream. He quickly diverted his attention to Ryuuji's legs, both in tact. His face was free of any blood or damage and still looked as well taken care of as he remembered before the dream.

It brought tears to Dorumon's eyes, who crashed into Ryuuji, catching him by surprise and knocking him to the ground.

"Your legs! You got two legs!"

The boy raised a single eyebrow with an amused smirk, placing a hand on top his head. "Did I use to have four legs before? Of course I have two."

"Unlike my pistols!" LadyDevimon wailed. "I hate this form!"

"I had a dream! An awful dream!" Dorumon explained. "Everyone was dead and you were crushed underneath rubble and-"

Ryuuji held his mouth shut with both his hands, eyes closed as he breathed out. He then pushed Dorumon back with his bodyweight while getting up, undoing Dorumon's snout of his hands.

"Whatever bad dream it was, we'll talk about it later," he said. He then kneeled down, balancing himself on one knee. He stared Dorumon straight in the eyes with a serious expression, before huffing out through his nose. Dorumon blinked twice and Ryuuji began to speak. "Don't ever leave again. Even if it was for a short time, I realized how boring my life is without you and for how long it used to be without you. From here on out, I'll fight with all I have so we can stay together. And from here on out, too, I'll give my everything to you. Until the final embers of my life burn down, I'll be be your side. All I ask in return is for you to stay by mine, too."

Dorumon gaped at his partner, unsure of what to say. LadyDevimon listened with a smile. This was probably the first time the boy had been completely honest about how he felt. Renamon and Ruki listened, but did not interrupt. Ryuuji's eyes narrowed as he grew unsure, suddenly standing up as he rubbed the back of his head. "I guess that was kind of lame to say, huh."

"Yer watch to many shows, Jijicchi," LadyDevimon grinned, crossing her arms. "But yer were honest with yerself. Words spoken from the heart are never lame."

Dorumon agreed with a nod. "I don't really know what to say, but I'd like to stay by your side forever too." He then gazed at the ground, what he assumed to be a dream still fresh in his head. And yet, he could not shake it was a premonition more than anything. "What if fate wants something else?"

"Then I'll change it."

"Huh?"

Ryuuji smirked at Dorumon, eyes filled with confidence, not a single bit of doubt in his expression. "Whatever fate wants, I'll break it. I'll make my own path."

"And what if someone far stronger than you stands in your way?" Renamon asked, inserting herself in the conversation for the first time. "Fate can be a powerful adversary."

"Then I'll beat them." Ryuuji said it so nonchalantly that Ruki had trouble deciding if he was joking, being serious or if he had lost his mind. Or everything all together. She had guessed all together, probably. Renamon wished to question him, but the look he gave her spoke more than words ever could. "Very well, then."

Ruki then crossed her arms, swaying one hip to the side, raising a single eyebrow. "Well? Don't you have anything to say?"

"Yeah, thanks for letting me know about Dorumon," Ryuuji nodded, annoying Ruki. This was not what she was getting at.

"Not that," Ruki spoke.

The blond now raised an eyebrow of his own, cupping his chin. He then pretended to be shocked, eyes widening. "Ah! Don't tell me you expected a confession! I'm sorry, but I can not respond to whatever feelings you have."

Ruki growled, whacking him in the head, earning a soft grunt. "Would it kill you to be serious for more than a minute?"

He then rubbed the part that was hit with an awkward laugh. "Yeah, guess I deserved that. I apologize for getting myself held in a position that I functioned as human shield. I won't apologize for the actions I took that got me there."

Ruki wished to interject, but Renamon stopped her from doing so with an arm movement. "Leave it, Ruki. This is the most you'll get. It's good enough."

"Just be more careful next time," Ruki scolded. "One more trick like this and there might not be a next time anymore!"

"Yes, yes, Ruki-sensei," he joked, causing her to roll her eyes. Then, realization seemed to hit him as he fished his phone out of his pocket. Pushing the button on the side, the screen lit up, letting him read the time. "I got to get back to school."

LadyDevimon lightly tilted her head to the side, raising her equivalent of an eyebrow. "After all this? Just skip."

The blond shook his head. "I can't. I promised myself I wouldn't skip school anymore. I can't be an educational failure for ever."

"Educational failure?" Ruki repeated.

"Dorumon, go home with Noir and get some rest," the blond spoke, turning on his heel. "I'll be back later. I have to make a run for it now."

With that, he took off again, leaving Ruki and the three Digimon to watch him leave.

"What about you, Ruki?" Dorumon asked, waggling his tail slowly. "Don't you have to go to school, too?"

The redhead shrugged. "Now that I snuck out, I think I'll stay out and go home. School's boring anyways."

"Do you think he will be alright, LadyDevimon?" Renamon asked, causing everyone to prompt their attention to the kitsune.

"What do yer mean?" the Fallen Angel Digimon asked.

"Ryuuji seemd rather unnerving when he got here. The look in his eyes, as well as the aura he emitted," Renamon clarified. "Besides that, it seemed he got in a fight beforehand."

"A fight?" LadyDevimon questioned. "Jijicchi? With a pretty face like 'is? No way. He's too vain to risk a deck to the chin."

"As much as I agree it's impossible, I did see him swing a hatchet at a Digimon without thinking twice," Ruki scoffed.

"Did you not see his knuckles?"

"Knuckles?" Dorumon asked.

Renamon nodded, and Ruki began to frown. "What about them?"

"They were bruised," Renamon simply said. "Since he did not aim a punch at Ajatarmon, it means he must have gotten in a fight with someone else."

Her partner shook her head, crossing her arms. "No way. There were no bruises on his face."

"Maybe he just punched a wall in frustration or somethin'," LadyDevimon imagined. "Then again, he thinks thrice about almost every move he makes, so I don't think he'd punch a wall for no reason."

Ruki's eyebrows then both shot up, her entire body language going along with her emotion. "Thinking thrice? Lashes? Are we talking about the same person?"

LadyDevimon shot her a look of confusion, cupping her chin. "That reaction does tell me what I've been thinkin'..." LadyDevimon's mumbling didn't reach Ruki's ears and after realizing she was talking out loud, she quickly waved it off. "Ah, sorry! It's nothin'!"

Renamon said no more, but kept the image of a tense Ryuuji in her mind. Signs were there, but at what point would they become alarming? She still remembered Impmon and the path he ended up on. If he was helped earlier, perhaps a lot of what happened could have been prevented. What if, by any chance, Ryuuji would fall onto a similar path? Would she feel guilty for not helping him when the signs were there? Even if he was Dorumon's partner and not necessarily her responsibility, there was still something within her that wanted to do something.

Feeling someone's eyes burning, Renamon glanced to the side, noticing Dorumon quickly looking away, trying to play it off. Renamon said nothing of it, but realized Dorumon seemed to be on the same level of thought.

"Well!" LadyDevimon called out. "It was fun fightin' with along with yer, Renamon, Ruki, but I gotta do a lot of laps to fall back into my cute form! This giant claw and the lack of guns is annoyin' me! Come on, Dorucchi!"

"Ah, you can go ahead!" he began. "I'll stick around for a bit longer!"

LadyDevimon frowned, not sure what business he would have on his own or what he would be doing with Renamon or Ruki, but she shrugged nonetheless. "I'm kinda... not sure since yer got kidnapped before when I left yer alone for a short while last time..."

"It's okay," Renamon nodded. "We'll take responsibility over him from here for now."

Grinning, LadyDevimon nodded. "That eases this maiden's heart! Well then, see yer in a bit, Dorucchi! See yer, Ruki, Renamon!"

With it, LadyDevimon left in the opposite direction of Ryuuji. Ruki watched it, not sure what to make of it. A Digimon resembling a fallen angel dressed in leather with a familiar around their shoulder area running around without a purpose certainly was something that people would be alarmed about. People that practiced religion would probably get an aneurism.

Dorumon's eyes then got a sharp glint to them, the tone of his voice following. "Can I speak to you seperately, Renamon?" He then looked at Ruki, ears drooping a bit. "It does not mean I don't trust you or don't want you to be here, but-!"

Ruki smiled faintly at Dorumon, finding him somewhat endearing even. He was such a far cry from his human partner. "It's alright, I understand. I'll be going ahead, Renamon."

The yellow kitsune nodded and watched her partner disappear, leaving just herself and the purple beast.

Silence filled the area, only the breeze giving any sign of life. The silence was not awkward or tense, because they both knew what was coming.

"This concerns Ryuuji, does it not?"

Dorumon nodded. "I think... we need to talk about him for a bit. It seems we both think the same thing. I'm new to this world and humans so I wish your help."

"Why specifically mine?" Renamon asked. "There is Sistermon, as well as Guilmon and Terriermon. Even Ryuuji's parents could help you, assuming you've met them already."

"Because you seem the wisest and most aware of humans and their customs out of the three," Dorumon explained. "I also don't know anything about Ryuuji's parents. He never talks about them. I only know what they look like when they were younger from a photograph."

Renamon's eyes narrowed as she heard another detail that alarmed her. Well, although that was a private matter and truly none of her business. It was just that it was another one put on a pile that was building up.

"Very well, then. Let's talk, Dorumon."


Strabimon kept his guard up, keeping a close tab of everything going on in the area. His partner stayed quiet, rooted on the spot, almost as if knowing exactly where they would end up showing up.

"Are you sure the other Tamers are not necessary?" Strabimon enquired. "In my current state I can not do much agai-"

"It's okay, Strabimon," Alice assured, smiling softly. "There's nothing dangerous coming. You won't need to protect me."

Strabimon frowned lightly. She was a nice girl and he knew she had premonitions, but surely not this detailed? Did all the humans have some sort of sense like this? He would have to try and find out.

"Do you intend to work closely with the other humans, Alice-ojousama?" Strabimon asked. "I think having friends would do you well."

She smiled dejectedly, turning her head to look at her new partner. "I don't think that's alright for me... After all, he's not here anymore..."

"He?" Strabimon repeated, noticing the sadness in her eyes. As such, he swallowed off any words he wanted to speak. He was not quite sure about human etiquette yet and from what he had seen, there were various types of humans out there. And quite frankly, he still had to get a grip on how to go about handling his own partner. Until that time, it was fine to leave it like this.

It was then that mist began to envelop the area, prompting Strabimon to close the distance between him and the blonde. "Alice-ojousama, get behind me!"

Perking his ears, Strabimon picked up the sound of footsteps. They weren't loud and the pace of it indicated a regular march, opposed to some sort of rush or rampage. Despite it, he still found himself with his arm thrown to the side, keeping Alice behind him. His body shifted, crouching forward slightly as he brandished his claws, ready to strike if need be.

However, from the mist, emerged something that caused his guard to drop. There was no hostility and the size of it... certainly took him back. It was small, probably around Dorumon's size, and with a similar bodyshape too. While it lacked the fluffy tail, it did have a tail of its own. It's head, all the way down the end of its tail, was covered in a Japanese-styled armor with as most eye-catching feature the same red crystal on its head as Dorumon.

The beast came to a halt, staring at the duo with its green eyes, armor glistering within the light.

"I ask of you... are you my Master?"


And scene! A new player enters the game. Not one people couldn't have seen coming, since it was as clear as day, but that did not mean it was any easier to get him there. I still have some other plans up my sleeves (not for him specifically, but also for other characters), and like is the case with everyone else, I just got to find a good moment to make it happen.

Will Ryuuji and Ruki ever properly get along? The world will never know. I was initially not sure to include the first section or to just off-screen it, but in the end I decided to include it. Even if it's a fairly generic set-up and may be brutal to some, I feel it's needed to properly unravel the mystery that is Hoshizora Ryuuji. It's now up to me to convey it properly in a way it's able to be unraveled by you.

Hopefully you enjoyed this chapter (or parts of it). Feel free to leave a review, leave DMs or anything else providing feedback. It helps and I like to read people's insights/thoughts regarding events that are happening. It also helps me improve and think about things, which always helps the quality.

That said, have a good day and until next time (hopefully at the same pace as this chapter opposed to chapter 16's).

See ya!