Takuya almost wanted to yell at something. He wouldn't admit it to the others, especiallay to Tomoki, but he was lost. But, he was the leader and leaders don't admit stuff like that. Izumi tugged on his sleave and muttered, "It would be better if you just say we're lost, Taky."

"We aren't lost, Iz. We're still on the way to the Venus Rose." Takuya pressed. Izumi sighed. "If you say so, Goggle-head."

"Hey, Takuya-oniichan?" Tomoki started. "Yeah Tomo?" The younger boy fixed his hat before answering, "What do you think was up earlier with Calmaramon? She. sort of, froze up before Izumi-chan got her Beast Spirit." 'Oh, bad subject, otouto.*' Takuya had to be careful with what he said, still trying to figure it out himself.

"Honestly, don't know Tomoki. Maybe something we did freaked her out." This earned a glare fron Kouji, but that was normal between the two. Tomoki smiled. "We should remember what we did then! We need to beat Cherubimon's Warriors!"

'That would be awesome but until I figure that out...' Takuya was still trying to wrap his head around the familiarairty in Ranamon's voice, remember where he heard it. He figured it was the day they went to the Digital World but where...? 'Someone I met, maybe? Who did I meet then? Kouji, yeah, but he's here and Ranamon's a girl. Ranamon sounds like a kid and acts like one...'

"Hey, Takuya! Digital World to Takuya!" Izumi poked the Warrior of Flame's arm. "Eh? What?"

Izumi put her hands on her hips and stopped. "You really just zoned out, Taky. What's wrong?" Takuya gave her a grin. "Nothing's wrong Iz. I was just thinking."

"Oh man, Takuya's thinking! It's a miracle!" Junpei joked. Takuya elbowed him in the side, though not very hard. "Shut it, JP." Takuya said, giving a light laugh. At a sudden stop, Kouji stiffened. Tomoki tilted his head. "What's up Kouji-san?"

"I heard something..." Takuya shook his head. "Man, lighten up. We're in the middle of a forest. Nothing's around 'cept maybe some Floramon." Then Izumi piped up, "Wait. I heard something too..."

"It might be Arbormon again. Or maybe Ranamon."

"Junpei, Ranamon only fought us near water, remember?" Kouji remarked. "There's a river over that way." Junpei persisted. "Keyword: river."

"Guys! Be quiet!" Izumi hissed. "What is it?" Takuya asked. "Either we need to get away or Spirit Evolve." "Why, Iz?" The blonde's breathing quickened. "Move!"

"Geist..." Takuya's eyes widened. "Oh no..." "Abend!"

Izumi couldn't believe what she'd just saw. Takuya, who Izumi had seen take on a Cerberumon by himself, as a human and a Digimon, and his own Beast Spirit, had just been blasted away by a suprise attack from the Warrior of Darkness. The Fire Warrior had still been human and Izumi heard a distant 'splash'.

'Oh no. This is so bad... We have to deal with Duskmon, Takuya's M.I.A... Oh, crap!'

"Spirit Evolution!" Fairymon shot upwards to avoid the charging Duskmon, feeling the wind gather at her fingertips. "Brezza Petalo!"

It hit the Warrior dead on, but he barley flinched. Duskmon turned towards one of the other Warriors, Chakmon, his swords raised. Wolfmon intercepted, shielding the younger Warrior, blocking the blow.

"Kachikachi Kocchin!" The frozen blast of wind barely made the Dark Digimon move. Wolfmon and Duskmon still had their blades crossed, neither willing to be the one to back down. Then, with no indacation, the two jumped away from each other, Wolfmon crying out, "What the hell?!"

Duskmon stood still, apparently shocked as well. "What..." He took a step back and gave his head a shake. Fairymon faintly heard him say, "...doesn't matter. I need to protect her." 'Protect her? Who?'

"Lightning Bomber!" Blitzmon charged Duskmon, catching him off guard. The Warrior of Darkness stumbled, electricity jumping around him. He raised his. "We will finish this battle another time, Warriors. Ghost Move!"

And just like before, Duskmon left without a trace.

Takuya rounded the corner of the train station, hoping the elavater was still there. He saw the doors of it closing and made a mad dash for it. Takuya managed to dive through the doors, hitting his head on the wall. Rubbing his head, Takuya looked up and saw a girl around eleven with short brown hair, a navy blue shirt, pink jacket and a lighter blueskirt holding her hand out.

"You okay? You almost got havled there."

'That's it! Ranamon's voice!' Takuya lurched forward, coughing up water. "Wh-What the heck? What's with the water?"

"You were unconsious in a river. Duskmon's attack, I'm guessing."

The Warrior of Flame stiffened. "Ranamon." The aquan Digimon was sitting across from Takuya, and the human finally noticed the blue-ish coloring of the rocks.

"Where are we?" Takuya asked.

Ranamon shifted a little, her gaze locked on the ground. "A cave. I found you in the river near here, and it looked like you were drowning, so..."

Takuya blinked. "You saved me?" A nod from the Warrior of Water. "Why? We're supposed to be, y'know, enemeis."

No response at first. "I don't know. We are supposed to enemies. But I couldn't just leave you there." 'So you don't remember... Crap...Wait. If she found me in water...'

"Do you have my D-Tector?" Ranamon's eyes widened. "I figured you still had it and just chose not to Evolve." She looked back down. "I'm sorry. Duskmon's attack might of blasted it away."

Takuya's heartbeat quickened. 'Duskmon's attack... The others! They could still be fighting him!...But... This could be my only chance to talk to her without fighting happening.'

"Can I ask you something, Takuya?" Ranamon asked, breaking into Takuya's thoughts. "Eh? Oh, sure." He replied.

Ranamon looked up at him and asked, "Do I know you? Before we fought."

Takuya bit his lip. 'Watch what you say, me. I can't tell her everything...' He sighed. "It's kinda complicated, Ranamon. But, yeah, we do know each other. You, kinda, know Kouji too."

"You mean... I really am-" "Human."

Ranamon pounded her fist. "Cherubimon, that son of a... he really did..." Her eyes shut and she trembled a little. "Takuya... Thank you." The Warrior of Water stood up and shook her head. "Can I ask one more favor?"

"What is it?" Takuya asked, tilting his head. Ranamon clenched her fists. "Let me come with you and the others. I want to make it up to you guys!"

Taken aback, Takuya argued, "No way, Ranamon. You do realize that if you come with us, Cherubimon's Warriors will probably think of you as a enemy."

"I know that! And I don't care!" She looked up at Takuya again, fire in her eyes. "The only good thing that was there...is gone and it won't be back. And I couldn't even if I wanted to. I can't fight you guys knowing that I really am human and that Cherubimon lied! ...Please, Takuya. I want to help."

'I am so going to regret this, aren't I?' Takuya sighed. "Ranamon... Alright. You can come."

Ranamon's face lit up and she walked forward a little. "You really mean it?! Thank you, thank you, thank you Takuya!" The Warrior rushed forward and embraced the Flame Warrior. "I won't let you down, I won't!"

'Geez, she waaay hyper. Well, she is near Tomoki's age, so...' "Okay! Would should head out and find the others!" Ranamon stepped back and nodded. "Right!"

The pair trudged out of the cave, into the red light of the outside. "Okay... Now which way should we go?" Takuya muttered. "Maybe their still downriver? They might be nearby still." Ranamon chided.

Takuya nodded and turned. The forest wasn't as thick as it was when he was with the others, so he thought that was a good sign. 'Just wait for us you guys...We'll get there in no time!'

OHMYGOSHIMSOSORRYTHISTOOKSOLONG! Some major things happened with my family and friends, and with the holidays I couldn't find much time to write! Gomen'nasai! I'm so sorry!

*exhales* Okay. Onto some things to mention. Near the beginning, Takuya calls Tomoki 'otouto' which means 'little brother' going off what Tomoki calls Takuya 'oniichan' which means 'older brother' There will be more instances of this (two more, specificly) and I will try to stick with the honorifics that the characters use in the anime.