The Return to the Digital World

Lupine Laser: I do not own Digimon and never will. Thank you koujiluvr again for reviewing!

Aimi still used 'Draining Rain' and 'Dark Vapour'. 'Draining Rain' did not do much to a rock because rocks do not have energy. 'Dark Vapour', an acidic cloud, melted a little bit of the rock. After practicing those two attacks once each only, Aimi started becoming hyper again that she was beautiful, yet powerful. I sighed and managed to tune her out after a while. At least this Ranamon does not like to use the word 'sugar' to address people.

Chapter 27: Training (Part 3)

KOUJI'S POV

I looked for a small clearing where I could train by myself. I hoped that the others did not notice me leave. After five minutes of searching, I found a clearing that was quite far from the rest of the group while big enough for me to train. I thought, 'I should train with Lobomon because it takes less energy to become my Human Spirit. If I need to fight fast, I have to have as much energy as I can and be strong at the same time. Besides, Lobomon is supposed to be the weakest. Once I'm stronger, I'll train with KendoGarurumon.'

I transformed into Lobomon and used my light swords to practice. I decided to attack a tree so I started using 'Lobo Kendo' on it to test my strength. It took me three slashes to chop down the tree. Not good enough. A tree trunk was hard, so chopping it down with three slashes should be considered good, but I wanted to be stronger. I practiced more until I could slash the tree down with one slash.

I found some big rocks on the ground too. The rocks were much harder than tree trunks. It took me five slashes. Still not good enough. I had to be much stronger if I want to have any chance in beating Lilithmon. I practised my Kendo skills in the clearing using my light swords too.

I swung the swords around and tried cutting through the rocks. I put in everything I could in each slash and the number of slashes I needed started to decrease. I started panting so I stopped for a while. That was when I heard the snap of a twig.

ZOE'S POV

I followed Kouji through the thick forest but he was fast. I soon lost him and started walking straight. Then I heard a tree being smashed. I crept over and indeed it was Kouji, who had become Lobomon. What was he doing here alone?

Kouji proceeded to smash more rocks. He practised for about fifteen minutes and decided to stop for a while. By then, my legs were getting numb from squatting in the same position for such a long time. I shifted my right foot back but accidentally stepped on a twig instead. 'Snap!' The twig snapped and I cringed at the sound. Did Kouji hear it?

Apparently, he did, because the next moment, Lobomon was right behind me, keeping me in a headlock while one if his light swords was threateningly near to my throat. "Kouji, its just me," I said. He blinked twice, then slowly let go of me.

"Oh, sorry," he apologised while keeping his light swords while he turned to leave again.

"Kouji, wait!" I stopped him. He sighed and turned around, waiting for me to continue. "I er... Why are you training alone her and not with the others?" I asked.

"Do you think I can train properly with people jabbering about? I can't keep focus like that," he said, though I knew that that was not the reason he left the group.

"I don't think that's the reason. You seemed more distracted since this morning as compared to other days. You are normally not this distracted," I persisted asking. I knew that something was up with him. "What's bothering you?" I asked.

"Nothing. I just wanted to train more," he told me straight in the face. I knew that Kouji was good at hiding his feelings. What was wrong with him? This morning, at breakfast, he was tuning in and out of different conversations at times and he kept on glancing at the forest as if something might pounce out at him or something. "Don't bother following me anymore. I will go back to the group later, but now I just was to go train by myself," he said again.

I did not have anytime to respond before he leaped up and dashed further into the forest and I lost him again. Not surprising. The Spirits of Light were made for speed. I waited at the same spot to see if I could hear Kouji again but I guess he went too far because I could not hear a thing. So, I decided to go back to the group to assist the others.

NORMAL POV

It was afternoon when the four newcomers had mastered their Human Spirits. As they were preparing for lunch, Kouichi noticed that his brother was nowhere in sight. "Where's Kouji?" he asked. Everyone was so busy in helping the four newcomers that they did not notice Kouji leaving.

Zoe said, "He left to do some training by himself but when I followed him, he ran away and told me not to follow him. He said that he will come back later."

"That's weird," Kouichi said. "It's not like him at all to run off like that." Zoe nodded. Instead, they rested for a while and ate more meat apples.

Aimi asked, "I wonder how our clothes materialize once we are back in our human forms." Everyone shrugged. She asked again, "Are meat apples the only things you guys eat here in the Digital World? I'm getting bored of this!"

Takuya said, "No. There are other stuff but meat apples are the most common in the forest. Don't be picky. Once we are back in the human world, you can eat whatever you like!" She gave a 'huff' sound but continued to eat her apple.

The same afternoon was spent teaching the four how to control their Beast Spirits.