Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story but the idea.

A/N: Oh my, what is this? A second upload in just one month?! Trying to get back into the swing of things and I'm seriously excited I was able to get another chapter done so soon!

xXx Koh xXx

7 days left.

Well the specific time left was 6 days, 13 hours, 18 minutes, and 28 seconds.

Hard to forget when both Union Rooms won't quit displaying the counter, down to second, on their main screen. While the rest of the Digital World has remained fairly quiet the city has been on the fritz. With Tamers and Digimon continuously running around fulfilling quests and intel gathering it was a wonder as to how neatly all the information could be gathered and delivered to the Chiefs. But nonetheless it all got to them without problem and here we all are: at another meeting and debriefing.

Fun times.

"-and as you can see," the projection screen clicked to the next set of data as Touma continued, "everything has been extremely stable in the areas surrounding the Union. And while the fluxes are rather alarming at first glance, they die down without much trouble and need of interference on our part, in the areas we are keeping under observation. There hasn't been anything else coming from Shadow Abyss since we got the digivice trace. Transfield is still under heavy monitor and the members of DATS back home are working on keeping a close eye out for data signatures that are foreign and not in your system. We are also keeping an eye out for Sayo's soul signature in case it appears." my eyes shot straight up as soon as Sayo's name left his mouth. "We've been tracking it and its residual traces around the Digital World. However, because of the fact that residual signatures can be anywhere from 3 months to 2 years old we are still working on sorting through it."

Well that was new.

And I apparently wasn't the only one thinking that as a round of murmurs erupted from the Sun Shine side of the table as well as from the lower ranked Tamers on Dark Moon's side.

"This information shouldn't be new to you all," Raigo had entertained himself this meeting by bringing along some snacks and intermittently munching on them through the majority of the meeting, as of right now he was twirling around a lollipop and using it to point to the screen, "it was in the handbook that I'm 99.98% certain no one actually reads in depth. You'd think more people would be curious at how it all works and what we can do with it considering we all run around using it so often." cue everyone pulling up the handbook digitally on their digivices. Litton's snort from across him didn't go unnoticed as he slid his eyes to the Chiefs as if asking for permission to continue.

All he needed was an eyebrow raise from Chief Julia and Touma taking a seat for him to take control. "Well, seeing as how that book is old, outdated, and thicker than some people's skulls...there's a section that talks about the use of your digisoul-which I'm sure you all read at least that much-we all know the basics; uses, how it correlates to digimon evolutions, yada yada yada. Now you all read the section down to probably, what? The foot notes and references right? No one actually reads that part, was guilty of that myself when I first started, but if you kept reading past that you would have seen the further readings and explorations of the nature of digisoul section. Which there is a note for at the bottom of the page. Now if you turn to that section, it was section 8.3-"

"-page number 203." by now Litton had taken it upon herself to throw her copy of it on the screen and show us which parts Raigo was talking about. I wasn't too surprised that even her digital version of the book had highlights and marking in the margins. She always did like to make sure she could refer back when she needed things, I'm sure that she was well on her way to being as much of a workaholic as the Chiefs. Speaking of which, the Chiefs were looking absolutely amused at how naturally the two of them took control. Neither Raigo or Litton spared the Chiefs a glance as they continued with the impromptu lesson.

I'll be damned if they weren't Chief material already.

"You can all read it after if now you're interested in what else digisoul can do, but for the sake of this meeting and the vital information present we'll give you a quick rundown of the residual digisoul you all leave behind." Litton wordlessly expanded the data sets on the page for Raigo to use. "Digisoul as we all know is a manifestation of your abilities to connect with and improve the digimon you partner with. Now, every time you activate and use your digisoul for battle and evolution a little blip appears in the grid. Normally in the human world the signal is harder to trace because of the interference of the surrounding technology and what have you, but here because the digital airspace is kept constant and variables can be separated and extracted we can track it much better. But the life of digisoul trace varies depending on how much used and on what magnitude since we all exert it no matter if we are walking around or battling. However the half-life of digisoul trace is fast enough to have all traces erased within a 3 month period."

A girl across from me raised her hand and Raigo tilted his head in her direction.

"If digisoul decays at such a quick rate doesn't that mean traces of Sayo's digisoul should be gone by now? If what you're saying is all true and fact then we should have almost nothing to trace back to Sayo. I don't mean to be rude..." she was a mousy girl, from what I could see. She was a little flustered from talking and it looked like she wanted to sink back into her chair, either that or for it to swallow her alive.

"You, Alise, are quite right!" Raigo was wearing a rather shit eating grin and I almost groaned, contrary to his laid back and chill mentality Raigo was obscenely smart. His memory and data knowledge was top notch, I am sure he saw this question coming.

More data charts appear on the screen as Raigo turns to face Litton, she quirked an eyebrow and cleared her throat.

"Digisoul is hard to trace if we don't have a DNA signature to tie it to. If a human uses their digisoul and doesn't have a known identified signature there isn't much we can do, that's why we take samples and catalog you all when you received your digivice. That digivice provides us with the ability to trace and trace digisoul outside of its normal limitation. This is how we, the Union, keep track of who has been where and for cases of emergency when a Tamer goes missing or even on the rare chance rouge. As long as you have that digivice we can track you without a problem."

Unwrapping another lollipop and sticking it in his mouth Raigo jerked a thumb at the screen just as it was flipped to a map of digital areas with rough lines traced all over it. "This is a physical analysis and trace of Sayo's digisoul, we've been sorting through her traces to see if she has been anywhere recently or if she has been to areas where we have no record of her being to in the time before she went missing. So far nothing that wasn't archived in the system from when her digivice was still active with the Union, however since Koh is in possession of her digivice we have to work fast as the digivice slows the decay rate of residual digisoul, without it anything previous of 3 month's worth of activity is gone. All in all we currently have just about jack shit in terms of leads. Which brings me back to the reason for this meeting, since we are presumably quickly running out of time and need to get leads fast; we'd like to extend to you all this opportunity to gather information and leads anyway you wish. Even though we're making progress it's slow, and we're tight on time on top of it so if you all can be more creative and get what needs to be done, done we'll let you all show your skills."

"But as a reminder, keep it civil and safe with the native digimon. We're still on their territory and we need them on our side." Litton interjected as soon as she saw some eyes light up.

"Since we've all gotten side tracked with this new information I'll take this moment to switch gears and go back to the topic at hand, we have new reports to listen to. Thank you, you two." Chief Julia gave a knowing smile to Chief Glare as they sat down and Yoshino took their spot at the head of the table.

xXx

"Ah, damn that was a lot longer than I expected, didn't think there was that much information to take in." I sighed as I stretched my arms toward the ceiling, seriously, sitting in those chairs had to be bad for our backs no matter how many cushions were on them.

Kenpa giggled as she stretched and let out a content sigh, "Well at least it is over now, just in time for a late lunch too. We've been in here for over 3 hours."

"Ugh, I know. I'm kind of dying for some food. I didn't eat too much this morning." Barone piped up from her side of the table, "Me and Newton were going to meet our teams and a few others for some food in Dark Moon. Do you two want to join us? The more the merrier." Newton beside her had an expecting looking, almost as if daring us to decline their invitation.

"Sure." I shrugged. I'll grab my team and we'll meet you there. Send me the name and place of the where you guys'll be at and I'll see you in a little bit."

"Same here please." with a nod of approval from Newton he pulled out his digvice and before long both mine and Kenpa's digivices beeped with the incoming message.

"We'll head out first then, see you soon!" Barone left with Newton in tow leaving me and Kenpa alone.

"It'll be nice I think," she spoke as soon as they were gone and after we had forwarded a message to our teams, "it's been a while since all of us got together and with everyone working so hard I bet none of us really even see our teams. It'll be a good destresser and a fun time to catch up. Let's go wait for everyone in the Plaza."

It didn't take too long to reach the Plaza from the Union room, since it was the afternoon there were plenty of Tamer and their Digimon hanging around and taking a breather. The two of us found a bench to wait on and made small talk while people watching. Apparently Cheetah had tried for the Platinum Tamer Exam and failed so now he was going to have to wait the minimum 3 months before trying again.

No doubt he will just as soon as they let him.

Though I don't blame him, so few people pass it in their first 3 tries that if he made it he would have bragging rights for ages; not like he'd let us forget anyways. I've already made 2 attempts and failed, and am still waiting for the lift on my buffer time to try again. Though, I think some training is due if I want to try again. No questioning that the Union will shuffle the Digimon and send me a curve ball on my third try.

"Ah! There they are!" Kenpa shot to her feet and waved at her team, my own arriving not too long after. With all six of us gathered we made our way to Center Bridge, deciding that a walk and some chatter before lunch would do us some good. As we passed the threshold into Dark Moon's Terminal a strange shiver went up my spine, shaking it off I slowed and glanced around to see if there was anything setting off some sort of innate response. Nothing but a bunch of Tamers and their digimon.

Strange.

The only actual thing "out of place" was a group of Phantomon and DemiDevimon gathered off in a far corner, it looked like they were having a serious conversation but then again it could be nothing. DemiDevimon were known to cause a lot of mischief and for all I knew the Phantomon could be reprimanding them for something or other. It happened more often that you'd think.

"Koh? Helllllooooo?" Pulsa was all up in my face in the next second and I had to keep from jumping back. "Anyone home? You stopped, something the matter?" he waved a hand in front of my face and I could only offer a weak grin.

"Sorry, got distracted for a moment." we quickly caught up with the rest of the group before warping into the City, but I still couldn't shake the feeling of something was off. Maybe I really do a need a break.

The place that Barone and Newton had picked was a nice little place on the northern side of Dark Moon. It wasn't super huge but it was on the bigger side for dining areas, considering that there were literally entire rows of restaurants along some areas of the Cities. The six of us were shown to a large Round table that the aforementioned Tamers and their teams sat along with Kakumi and Lyla. The corner where we were seated in wasn't as full as the front and it gave us all plenty of space to stretch out and conversation without worrying about being too loud.

"Great! Looks like everyone is here!" Dorothy passed us the menus as everyone exchanged greetings and pleasantries. I took a seat between Pulsa and Dorothy before flipping through the small booklet, despite its looks the restaurant offered a little of everything, from vegetarian dishes to exotic foods it even offered sushi.

"Feel free to order whatever you guys want, I'm paying." all heads turned to Kakaumi as she continued perusing the menu. She didn't even like up at the rest of our gaping faces.

"A-are you serious? Do you know how much this could ring up to?" Gutts hadn't missed a beat in asking, this place wasn't cheap and while we all had probably more than sufficient funds for ourselves all of us combined would ring up a pretty hefty bill.

"Totally. Don't worry about it okay? I've got way more than enough bits to pay for us all, besides think of it as your senior treating you all for all your hard work. I know it's been tough on you all and you haven't exactly been doing this type of work until recently so it was probably a huge shift." she twirled the straw in her drink around a few times before taking a sip. "And y'know it's also our way of saying thanks for the hard work, especially on the Team Leaders, Sukikiyo couldn't come but he sends his thanks for your work."

"That's, awfully generous of you Kakaumi. Thank you, for this and your guys' faith in us as Tamers." Tonpei didn't speak a whole bunch but when he did he definitely hit the nail on the head.

"Mhmm! So, everyone ready to order?"

xXx

The food was great and Kakumi as promised took care of the bill without even so much a looking at it. None of us were able to steal a glance either since she slipped the receipt into her purse quicker than humanly possible. But just by doing the math on our entrees alone she was in the hundred thousands, counting dessert and drinks, well that was a number most would shy away from. We stayed a little longer than necessary enjoying the company of friends we didn't realise we had become too busy for. It was in actuality did a lot of rejuvenate us and we all left much happier-and fuller-than when we came in.

We had split from the Dark Moon crew as soon as we got to the warp pad leading to the Terminal, since none of us really had anymore pending quests it was rather unanimous that everyone wanted the rest of the day to do some self care and maintenance. Crossing the bridge didn't take much time and by the time we had gotten to Shine Terminal Pulsa and Cheetah were engrossed in a conversation over their recent Rank Examinations.

"-and that's why I lost! It was a total blind sighted move. I could have totally made rank if it wasn't for the paralysis kicking in." Cheetah threw his hands up to exaggerate his point and I could tell that Pulsa was trying so hard not to roll his eyes.

"All you can do now is train and make use of your buffer time. You can train with us since Koh and Pulsa will be able to retake the exam soon." Komachi offered, glancing at the rather exasperated Kenpa and Tonpei.

"Yeah, I mean like we all faced different Digimon so if we work together and pool the knowledge between our tries we might get somewhere." I commented as we stopped in front of the gate. Kenpa has gone ahead and swiped her digivice to activate it and was punching in her Tamer ID. "Besides-" I stopped mid sentence as a dark blur darted behind her, past all of us and up to the platform above. It was almost erratic and I would have let it go if it wasn't for a gut feeling. I tried to follow it with my eyes but it was too fast and has disappeared toward Shine North.

Something wasn't right.

"Koh?" Komachi's worried tone snapped me back and I frowned.

"Did you all see that?"

"See what?"

"There was a shadow, it flew past behind all of you and up toward the Northern Area. Don't know what it was but I had a bad feeling when we were in Dark Terminal and I've got something here too."

"You sure it isn't just your eyes?" Pulsa laid a hand in my shoulder and I shook my head.

"No, something is off. You guys go ahead, I'll catch up." I turned to go up the platform but a hand snatched my wrist.

"No can do buddy," Cheetah, "if something is up we go together. Who knows the kind of trouble you're getting into. Your "feelings" always lead to something or other."

"He is right you know, we'll go with you just in case. Better safe than sorry."

I have never been more proud of calling these people my friends and teammates.

Up on the platform I could see the entirety of the Terminal and the bridge and if I squinted and looked hard enough I could even see Dark Moon's Terminal entrance. The shadowy blur had go straight after making it up here, we followed the pathway straight toward the North entrance and markets. Just before we entered the Northern Area I heard voices. I stopped and ducked behind one of the support pillars, everyone else did the same. Komachi and Pulsa stood behind me as I tried to get a good look around the corner.

Floating in the air was a DemiDevimon and it was speaking quickly to a Penguinmon. The two of them kept looking around as they spoke, the Penguinmon let out a squawk as the DemiDevimon dove for it, just barely missing the head.

"-we don't have time for you to be messing around. Just give me the information."

"Okay okay! The Tamers know that they've only got a week left. They're preparing for an assault and have back-up. The Chiefs are preparing their teams and are going to try and stage as rescue as soon as they get enough intel with their Tamer's gathering more as we speak. They're using the Digimon in the areas to get information and using them for lookout on our activities. As far as I know no one knows we're here. Looks like the information is getting passed around from Tamer to Tamer to keep it circulating. Right now the files are under lock and key in Sun Shine, give me a couple days and I can find out more." the Penguinmon squawked again as the DemiDevimon swung a wing at it.

"Lord Lucemon isn't going to be happy about this." at those words I turned to my team and then to Cheetah's. Wide eyed we kept on listening, "Get more intel fast, I'll report what you've got to Lord Lucemon." a shuffle from Cheetah's side caused them to whip around and thankfully Kenpa had the right idea to slap a hand over his loud mouth. Last thing we needed was to engage in a battle, even if they were spying. "I'll pass on the orders to the ones in Dark Moon while you do it here in Sun Shine. And keep your mouth shut, even if they find you out they don't know anything unless you tell them." with that he flew up and continued toward Shine North.

As soon as we were out of range Kenpa let go of Cheetah and with an anxious look she glanced at me.

"Did you hear that?! We should have taken them right then and there!" Cheetah was heated, he was ready to pick a fight and if it wasn't for Tonpei's hand on his shoulder he probably would have ran back there and fought that Penguinmon.

"We could have but they've got others around and we have no idea who to even suspect. Had we confronted them we might have caused a lot of problems and who knows how much information they have, that Penguinmon didn't know much but you heard him, there are others in Dark Moon too." Komachi reasoned, folding her arms in a manner that left no room for anything but resignation on Cheetah's part.

Everyone's eyes somehow turned to me and I shook my head, "First things first, we have to report to Chief Glare that we've got leaks on our side going to the Demon Lords."

A/N: Officially half way through the story! With this chapter being chapter number 8 I can rest a little easier knowing that I am at the half way mark. It's a litter shorter than I expected but at least the story is moving along.

I know it's been a long ride, it took me over 3 years to just get to the half way point in this book alone and it's been a total of 7 years going with this story. I'm hoping it won't take much longer than another year or two to finish, I'm so thankful for everyone that has come along with me and stayed on board. I know I'm not the best with updating but it means a lot to have the support! I'll catch you all next year with the new chapter!

Love,

Dragon