Well here is the next chapter. I hope you all enjoyed the last one. That was a lot of emotion in there! I promise there is some action coming up! Now to get started.

I do not own Digimon.

Chapter 13: Separate Ways

Joe had returned shortly after Ken and Yolei had walked off to talk. Cody was not thrilled about her being alone with him but he knew that he had to learn to control his emotions. He figured Ken would now join their team and he had to get used to the idea. He knew his best friend liked him but that didn't mean he had too.

Just as the rest of the team finished setting up sleeping bags and blankets around Ken and Yolei returned but with some wood for a fire. They decided it would keep them a little warmer during the night. Izzy thought it was a great idea and asked Agumon to light the fire. Once it was started Kari sat down next to Yolei.

"So how did it go?"

"Everything is fine. He said he would have fallen in love with me if we didn't have this past. I told him the same thing. So I guess we are going to give this a go."

"Yolei that is great! I am so happy for you."

"Has he said anything about joining us?" Sora asked joining the girls with Mimi right behind her.

"He still wants to work alone. I told him that if he did that then I would help him."

"You mean leave us?"

"Only for a little while Mimi. Just until he was ready to join the team. It isn't fair for him to try and cover a lot of ground alone. He needs help."

"That is brave of you. I am certain you will have others trying to stop you."

"I don't care Kari. They can try but this is my decision to make."

The girls knew they weren't talking her out of it. So without a final word they decided to call it a night. When everyone was sleeping a figure was watching them. He wanted so desperately to kill them all while they slept but he knew his master would then kill him in return. He couldn't let that happen. So he watched like he said he would.

The next morning the kids were packing everything up. The older teens had returned the to Real World and Mimi back to New York. Ken had said he was going to stay and destroy some more Control Spires before returning.

"Hey how about we help? We can do it together now that we are all a team."

"I never said I was joining you Davis."

"Huh? But yesterday?"

"What about yesterday? That doesn't take away what I have done. I'm sorry Davis but I am not ready."

"But,"

"Davis drop it."

"Kari?"

"If he isn't ready then he isn't ready. Just leave him be. We will be a complete team when everyone is ready."

"But everyone but Ken is ready!"

"No they aren't Davis! When the time is right everything will fall into place."

"Okay I guess you are right Kari."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome Ken."

"Well fine we will go in our own direction and take down our own Spires!"

And with that Davis had turned and started to walk away. Cody was not far behind him. T.K just walked up to Ken and held his hand out. Ken took it. T.K said they will be around when he is ready. Kari looked at Yolei who just nodded at her. T.K saw the interaction and knew Yolei would not be going with them. They both turned to catch up to Cody and Davis.

"Aren't you going with them?"

"Nope. I am going with you."

"Yolei..."

"Don't start with the whole "protection" and "responsibility shit. I told you yesterday that I wanted to help you and I would leave my team to do it. They will understand."

"Not all of them will," Ken decided to ignore her choice of words.

"And Cody will come around. Until then he can hate both of us. Now let's go take down some Control Spires before that witch gets to them." With a kiss to his cheek they turned and walked out of the forest.

A couple days have passed and Cody was not speaking to Yolei. She knew it would happen but she also knew he needed to grow up. He was acting like a child when it came to Ken joining them. She would hope that eventually he would come around. Yolei was finishing up a test and went to hand it to the teacher. It was her last period so she when she turned it in he said she could go. Being the first one done as always the rest of the kids glared at her. Yolei walked into the computer lab when her D-Terminal went off.

"Entering the Digital World in five minutes. I will be at these coordinates. I will see you soon.

Love, Ken"

Yolei smiled at the message. It had only been a few days but she knew there was no one else for her but Ken. She was opening up the gate to the Digital World when the door opened. Standing in the doorway was Izzy.

"Izzy I thought you might have been a teacher. What are you doing here?"

"I was hoping to talk to you privately."

"Oh, about what?"

"You coming back to us."

"Did Cody want you to talk to me?"

"What? No of course not."

"Don't lie to me Izzy! Did Cody ask you to do this?"

"Maybe might have mentioned it in passing. Look I have wanted to talk to you too. I know you want to help Ken but if he wants to do this alone I say let him. Allow him to come to us when he is ready."

"I am not doing this to push him to join the team if that is what you mean. I am with Ken to help him. I told him I will come back to you guys when he is ready to join us. That is all. So when he comes to you guys I will be there too."

Izzy knew it was best not to argue with her. Apparently she had her mind made up and was not changing it. He just hoped things would go back to normal soon. He watched as she entered the coordinates from her D-Terminal to the computer. The next thing he knew she was gone. He knew Cody was not going to be happy with this news. He was wondering if he should even tell him.

Yolei was walking the rest of the distance to where Ken was waiting. She saw him sitting on a fallen tree branch. When he heard her footsteps he stood up. He leaned down a little to meet her half way when he got on her toes to kiss him hello. Wormmon and Hawkmon greeted each other. They were off to where there were about 10 Control Spires in the surrounding area.

"You know I was thinking."

"About what Ken?"

"That I would like to see you. I mean aside from here in the Digital World."

"Are you trying to ask me out on a date?"

"Yeah. I guess I could have just asked normally huh?"

"Yeah but you're handsome so I will let it slide."

"Well how about Friday?"

"Sounds like a great idea to me."

"Well I will pick you up at your place then. Say around 6? Dinner and a movie sound good?"

"Sounds perfect."

When they reached the first Spire Wormmon and Hawkmon Digivolved to Stingmon and Aquilamon. Little did they know someone else was already over by two other Control Spires that was close to them. They started to glow and then they transformed into a Digimon.

Davis and the others entered the computer lab and saw the gate already on the computer. Kari knew it was Yolei going to meet with Ken. She hoped things would change soon but with Cody's mind not changing it seemed that Yolei would never rejoin them.

"You know we could just go to where they are. It would just be a coincidence that we were there."

"I don't know Davis. I think they might see right through that."

"Aw come on T.M! Just this once!"

"I think Davis is on to something. It would be nice to see them. We could just say we are in the neighborhood."

"See Kari agrees with me. But I think it is because she misses Yolei."

"Well I agree with T.K. And besides Yolei left us. We shouldn't be bothered."

"Well I didn't mean it that way Cody. And Yolei didn't really leave us. She will be back."

"Not as long as he is on his own."

"Okay let's not fight. We need to take our anger out on that woman who is making Digimon out of Control Spires."

"Kari is right. We need to cover ground before she does."

"Alright lets go!"

The five entered the Digital World. Kari noticed that they were in the same coordinated that Yolei had entered on the computer. She looked at her D-3 and saw two red dotes to the north of them. She looked to Davis.

"You never changed the coordinates Davis."

"Oops...well we can just go in a different direction from them. We never have to see them."

"Okay Davis. You are forgiven this time!"

"Aw Kari you are the best."

The kids went east. When they reached an area where there was supposed two Spires there but they weren't any. They figured Ken and Yolei might have taken them out so they were going to head to the next one. That was until they heard an explosion coming from the north. Where Kari had seen where Yolei and Ken had been. She turned to the others. Davis nodded and already taken off. Veemon Digivolved to ExVeemon and Armadillomon to Ankylomon. Kari and T.K had Gatomon and Patamon Armour Digivolve. They headed towards Ken and Yolei to help.

Yolei didn't know where it came from. One minute they are making great progress taking down Spires when suddenly an Okuwamon attacked them. Stingmon and Aquilamon were holding their own but this was an Ultimate and they were just Champion forms.

"Spiking Strike!"

"Blast Rings!"

"Double Scissor Claw!"

"Rosetta Stone!"

"Vee-Laser!"

Those two attacked brought Okuwamon down. As it was falling to the ground Ankylomon was ready. "Tail Hammer!" Yolei and Ken both turned and saw Davis and the others coming towards them. Kari immediately hugged her friend she hadn't seen in days.

"Why are you guys here?"

"We were in the neighborhood."

"Davis! We heard an explosion. We figured we should go and check it out and help anyway we could."

"Thank you."

The Digimon were trying their best but it just wasn't enough. Okuwamon was stronger than all of them. All their combined attacks was not enough. Ankylomon went in for an attack but missed. Okuwamon attacked and hit head on. Ankylomon reverted back to Armadillomon. Pegasusmon and Nefertimon tried to stop Okuwamon from attacking by using their "Golden Noose" but he threw the Digimon to the ground. Then they were Patamon and Gatomon again. All that left was Stingmon, ExVeemon and Aquilamon.

"Grand Horn!"

"Vee-Laser!"

"Spinning Spiking Strike!"

"Double Scissor Claw!"

The attack hit Aquilamon. He fell to the ground and reverted back to Hawkmon. It was now up to Ken and Davis. Ken didn't know what to do. He never really worked with someone else. Other than Yolei but he was comfortable with that. He knew Stingmon was holding back a little but that was because he could tell Ken was nervous about working with the others. Stingmon really want to fight with ExVeemon and the others but as long as Ken didn't want to he would respect that.

"Ken we need to attack together! Maybe that is the way we can bring him down."

"Davis Okuwamon is an Ultimate and they are just in Champion form. Even with combined attacks it wouldn't be srtong enough."

"You don't know that Ken. Have faith in your Digimon!"

"I do!"

"Then have faith in us! Let's do this together! As a team! As friends!"

"Friends?"

Then both of their Digivices started glowing. Both Stingmon and ExVeemon started to glow. The next thing that happened the Digidestined didn't know what to say.

"ExVeemon..."

"Stingmon..."

"DNA Digivolve to...Paildramon!"

"Paildramon?"

"Amazing! How were they able to do that?"

Ken just stared in wonderment. He didn't know what to say. How were they able to Digivolve like that? Not that it mattered. Paildramon was an Ultimate level Digimon. Now they might have a chance to defeat Okuwamon.

"Double Scissor Claw!"

Paildramon moved quickly before the attack could hit him. Okuwamon went to attack again but was still too slow to get Paildramon. Paildramon then moved behind Okuwamon. The Digimon was looking for Paildramon and before it had to chance to find it Paildramon attacked.

"Desperado Blaster!"

That one attack was enough to destroy the Digimon. It dissolved into a million pieces. Paildramon reverted back to Chibimon and Leafmon. Both baby Digimon were tired so Ken and Davis walked up to retrieve them.

"You did great pal."

"Thank you Ken."

"Yeah you were amazing."

"Thank you Davish."

"So Ken are you ready to join us now? Obviously if this woman is going to be creating stronger Digimon we need to be together."

"I don't know Davis."

"Come on dude! Are you serious? Don't you see you belong here?"

"Davis leave him alone."

"Yolei maybe you can talk to him..."

"No. I told him I will not make him do this. He will when he is ready. Stop trying to make him join!"

"But we need to be together. All of us. If this is proof then I don't know what is."

"I'm sorry Davis. Until all of you are ready," Ken paused and looked at Cody, "I will not be joining you."

Ken holding a now sleeping Leafmon turned and walked away. Yolei gave one last goodbye to them and a glare towards Davis turned to join her boyfriend. As the others watched them go Kari took a small glance to Cody. She didn't miss Ken look to the boy. Cody almost looked sad. He never said two words. But by the look in his eyes now he knew he missed having Yolei here. Maybe Cody was slowly warming up to the idea of having Ken with them. Even if it was to only have Yolei back with them permanently.

Yolei knew she couldn't go back to the computer lab. Going back to the Real World with the others would be awkward. Ken had offered she go back with him but that would mean she would be back in his apartment.

"Don't worry. Today is my mother's shopping day. I could always say we showed up at the apartment while she was out. We can tell her we were studying."

"You thought about this."

"I had a feeling it might have happened sooner or later. I kinda had an excuse working in my head for a day or two."

"I knew there was another reason why I loved you."

Ken smiled down at her. It made his heart skip a beat every time she mentioned how much she loved him. He never knew he would know what love with another person would be like. Now he didn't know what he would do with it. Without her. When they reached the TV Ken came through they both held up their Digivices and went back to the Real World. Hawkmon and Poromon again. Ken put his sleeping partner in bed. Ken had a sliding door that lead out to a small balcony. Yolei decided to open it and step out. It was a cooler night meaning that fall was upon them. Ken followed her out. She was holding Poromon to her.

"I am sorry about Davis. He needs to learn to think before he speaks."

"It is okay. No need for you to be sorry. I know he means well."

"That is no excuse."

Ken looked at her. It was almost dark out and he knew she had to get home soon. He offered to walk her home. This time she didn't refuse. Ken and Yolei walked back in and left his room. His parents were in the living room. They heard the door to their sons room close. When they turned and looked they saw he wasn't alone.

"Oh Ken I didn't know you had company. Hello again Yolei."

"Hello Mrs. Ichijouji."

"Dinner is almost ready if you would like to stay."

"Thank you but I should be getting home."

"Why is she here son?"

"We were studying. We planned to do this weeks ago. I forgot to tell you. And when we go home you were still at work and mom was out doing her shopping."

"Oh well she is always welcome here honey."

"Thanks mom." Ken blushed at his mom's words. She could have waited to say that until Yolei was gone. "Well I will be back. Don't wait for me to eat. I will when I come home."

"Oh are you sure honey?"

"Yes. I am just going to make sure Yolei gets home okay."

As the two teens walked to the door Mrs. Ichijouji didn't miss their hands intertwining. She smiled and started to cry. Mr. Ichijouji went up to his crying wife.

"What is the matter?"

"Oh didn't you see it?"

"See what?"

"It isn't my place to tell you but all I will say is she is a very special friend to our son."

Mr. Ichijouji just watched his wife walk into the kitchen to finish dinner. He wasn't sure if she was just overly happy their son had a friend and she was seeing things or had Ken really found a love to call his own. He would definitely have to have that father/son talk with him later.

As Ken and Yolei walked they talked about their date on Friday. Where they were going to eat and what movie to watch. Yolei had said no romance movies. Ken had to laugh. Usually girls go for romance movies. Than again Yolei wasn't like most girls. That is another thing Ken loved about her. When they reached her door they had finally decided on a small cafe near the theater and said that he would surprise her with the movie. She had made him promise it wouldn't be a romance movie.

"Well I will see you Friday night."

"I can't wait."

Yolei could tell her was nervous to kiss her at her door. The last time they were together her sister had opened the door and surprised them. Yolei had decided to take the lead. She put her arms around his neck and slowly lifted herself on her toes. His hands had found her hips and held her. Once their lips met he felt a little braver. He completely wrapped his arms around her waist and brought her as close as he could. Yolei smiled against his lips. They were so lost in each other they never heard the door to the apartment open.

"Yolei!"

The teens broke apart blushing. Yolei turned to see her mother standing there. "Mom. Where are you off too?"

"To help your father in the store. This is the night we place the order. You know that."

"Right. Yeah I did."

"Um. I met your husband already but my name is Ken Ichijouji..."

"I know who you are. My eldest daughters are infatuated with you."

"Did you say Ken was here again?"

"Oh my gosh really here at our door?"

Out of nowhere the two older girls were there. Both were talking at the same time. Wondering which one he was here to ask out. He definitely couldn't keep up with their conversation that was quickly turning into an argument.

"Well it was nice to meet you Mrs. Inoue."

"Yes, you too. Maybe next time we meet it will be on different terms."

"Of course ma'am," and with that Mrs. Inoue headed to the family store. She couldn't help but smile and be happy for her youngest daughter. "Yolei I will see you on Friday."

Both sisters stopped their talking when they heard something about Friday but it was their baby sisters name they heard him say. Yolei had said something on how she couldn't wait. What really shocked them was when he leaned down a placed a quick kiss on the lips. He said good night to Yolei and her sisters and made his way home.

Yolei was completely blowing off her sisters questions. She made her way to her room and shut the door in her sisters faces. Once the door was closed she could hear her sisters saying how lucky she was to have a date with the most sought out boy in Japan. They were right. She is lucky. And she also realized, with a laugh, that she should probably stop having Ken walk her home.

Well that is chapter 13. Hope you all enjoyed this! Finally DNA Digivolving! Next we find out about the woman making Digimon and the man who was watching them at the camp! I really hope my readers are still liking this story. Please leave a review and let me know how it is going!