Hey everyone! What's up? Yeah, I took longer updating this time, so sorry. But yeah, I'm going to try and delve a bit into the heads of the character's we haven't gone into, namely our Rival Trio of Ryouma, Ren and Airu. This uses the prompt 'fortunate' and this chapter gets better. Who wants to yay with me about that? The character 'Koori' belongs to Aiko Isari, who was kind enough to allow me to use him for this fic. Thanks Aiko! This chapter is thus dedicated to you.

Chapter 11: One Step Closer

Ryouma was keeping guard in the forest. They had decided to camp out in the middle of the forest because everyone was tired of walking. He saw Ren talking to Airu, trying to cheer her up while Nene was sleeping, having her head on Kiriha's shoulder. Akari and Zenjirou were also cuddled side by side. A part of Ryouma did wonder how they could be so relaxed at a time like this but at the same time, they needed to relax a little so they didn't fall asleep on the job. It had been tough finding this spot as DarkKnightmon had conquered most areas of the digital world.

He should probably get a little rest too but since he was useless in all other aspects, he should at least be able to warn the others if things went wrong. He heard some noise in the bushes and tensed. Was someone coming for them after all? He made to walk to Ren and Airu but noticed the two had also fallen asleep against the tree.

The silver-haired boy didn't know what to do. He knew he shouldn't leave the others unguarded like this so maybe he should wake Ren up. Ryouma went, shaking Ren a little bit. "Ren…Ren, wake up."

Ren stirred. "Ryouma, what's wrong?"

"I hear something," Ryouma said quietly. "Can you stay and watch guard while I go check it out?"

Ren frowned. "Sure, man but I've got Dracmon, shouldn't I go?"

Ryouma shrugged. "I'm not going to go far. I'll be right back."

Ren sighed. "Fine, if you're not back in five I'll send someone after you."

Ryouma rolled his eyes, a smirk making it's way onto his face. "Hen."

Ren flushed, playfully glaring at his friend. "Yeah, yeah you'll thank me for it later."

Ryouma laughed and went on ahead. He didn't get far when he saw a boy around his age stumbling around. The silver-boy frowned.

The other boy had brown hair and chocolate brown eyes, a tall boy who was slightly taller than him.

"Hey," Ryouma moved towards the boy. "Are you alright?"

"Y-yeah I-I'm f-fine," The boy stuttered. "C-can y-you h-help m-me? S-someone's t-trying t-to h-hurt m-me."

Ryouma frowned. "Who? You don't look so good." The boy had bruises and scars all over his body.

The boy laughed weakly. "M-my p-partner…e-enjoys t-the H-hunt…w-we've b-been h-hiding f-from h-him."

Ryouma nodded. "I'm not all that useful but I'm sure my friends will be more than glad to protect you. I'm Ryouma."

"M-my n-name's K-Koori," The boy stuttered out.

Ryouma smiled. "Follow me then. You'll be safe with us." 'If we manage to stay together for much long' he added in his head but didn't say anything out loud. No need to scare the already worried boy too much. He made a motion and Koori followed him back.

Ren blinked, seeing the new person. "Whose that?"

Ryouma shrugged. "His name's Koori. He's being hunted by his partner."

Ren snorted. "I thought humans were meant to do the Digimon Hunting."

Ryouma twisted Ren's ear, sighing. "Ren, behave yourself."

Ren pouted. "What? It's true!"

Ryouma rolled his eyes, glancing at Koori. "Sorry about Ren. I'm still trying to teach him how to behave in public."

Ren glowered at him. "Oi, I can behave perfectly fine in public!"

Koori giggled. "Y-you t-two m-must b-be r-really g-good f-friends."

Ryouma blinked and then laughed. "We've been friends for awhile so I guess we are. It's definitely fun to tease him."

Ren scowled at him and Ryouma just rolled his eyes again although the two of them went silent as they heard Airu mumbling.

Ryouma frowned, moving to sit besides her and taking her hand. He wasn't the greatest person to comfort someone but he wanted Airu to know he was there. He wasn't Yuu, he knew but he had a feeling right now he didn't need to be. He let Ren deal with Koori for the moment as he allowed himself to get some shut-eye besides Airu.

Yuu fell down exhausted, Tsuwamon catching him. That battle had taken a lot out of him. They had managed to get DarkKnightmon to retreat but he knew there was no way he could defeat the dark knight on his own.

Tsuwamon also dedigivolved back to Damemon and plopped down besides his partner, grinning at him. "We did great Yuu!"

Yuu managed a small yet weary smile. "Yeah we did, didn't we? But…he's not gone. And we still haven't found Tagiru. We're not even halfway."

Damemon pouted. "Yuu, didn't Tagiru teach anyone about thinking positive? We forced DarkKnightmon to retreat! We'll save Tagiru too!"

Yuu laughed a little at the pout on Damemon's face. Although he did have a point, Tagiru always thought positive. Taiki-san too…just because his friends weren't here didn't mean anything.

I'm not going to give up! Yuu thought firmly, clenching his fists. His thoughts then drifted to his sister. He shivered, remembering the helpless look in her eyes. He had to go back to her, to apologise to her, to Airu. But at the same time, Tagiru needed him.

I don't want to fight alone, I don't want to be alone anymore. He let out an exhausted yawn. He needed help. He couldn't fight alone anymore. Xros Heart was a team after all. Even if they were separated right now, they could become united as one if they just tried.

"Damemon?" Yuu said quietly. "I want to go back to Neesan. I need to apologise, tell her about the power of the Dragon Phoenix and we can find a way to save Tagiru with our powers combined."

Damemon beamed at his partner. "Finally you come to your senses! I thought I'd have to hit you with my tonfa's to get you to stop being so down on yourself."

Yuu turned pink, pouting at his best Digital friend. "Not nice, Damemon."

Damemon just laughed. "Let's go!"

The two began searching for the others. It took a lot of walking and even though Damemon was trying to sniff out constantly. Apparently, his sister's scent was harder to track then he had thought. The two of them just arrived to the scene as soon as the others were waking up. There was also a new person there but Yuu took no notice of him as he cleared his throat.

Nene turned towards him, her eyes widening and she stepped forward slowly. "Y-Yuu?"

Yuu rubbed the back of his head, giving her a sheepish smile. "S-sorry Neesan." His voice choked a little as he said this.

Nene shook her head, before walking over to Yuu, raising a hand and striking him across the face.

"N-neesan," Yuu choked out, touching his cheek and making to apologise again when Nene pulled him into an embrace.

"Idiot," Nene said, her eyes watering, a few tears cascading down her cheeks as she stroked her brother's hair gently. "You ever scare me like that again and you're grounded."

Yuu returned the embrace, tears falling down his own cheeks and he shook in the hug slightly. He managed a weak nod. Being in his sister's embrace made him feel like a small child again. He felt protected, safe. Like no one could reach here and hurt him or throw him to the darkness.

Nene pulled away slightly and took out issue, drying her little brother's tears. "I'm glad you're back. I thought…"

Yuu shook his head. "I'll always come back to you, Neesan." He smiled a little. "But I won't leave again, Neesan, promise."

Nene smiled. "Good. How did you come back?"

Yuu suddenly turned white. "Oh god, Hiroya-kun and the others…they were blasted back by DarkKnightmon during the battle, I hope they're okay. I was so exhausted from the battle that it just slipped my mind."

Nene frowned. "Hiroya-kun? He isn't a General or a Hunter. What is he doing here?"

"They were kidnapped from their own homes for some sort of experimentation," Yuu said, recalling. "I wasn't too sympathetic back then due to the darkness but I do remember that. They escaped though and…" His voice choked a little as he said the next part. "Tagiru helped them."

"Tagiru?" Ryouma said stepping forward. "Is he alright?"

Yuu shook his head. "I don't think so…Kiichi-kun said to save him before there's nothing left to save."

Kiriha grimaced. "Then we need to hurry, maybe find Hiroya-kun and the others too so they can help us."

"They're hurt already," Yuu said shifting. "Kiichi-kun looked terrified as well." He exhaled through his nose, before finally looking at Airu. "Airu…I'm sorry."

Airu gave a weak smile. "You were just worried about Tagiru right?"

Yuu nodded. "Yeah, I still am but it's not just that…Tagiru, he sacrificed everything to make sure I wouldn't die and before he was taken away, he…he kissed me." He touched his lips, remembering Tagiru's lips on his own. It was the last time he had seen him, felt him that close to him. His face flushed a little, just thinking about the kiss.

"Oh Yuu," Nene murmured, pulling him close again.

Airu's face seemed to be unreadable. "Oh. Do you love him then?"

Yuu's face flushed even more and he curled in closer to his sister. "I don't know, I think so. I always think about him. Even before all this, I always worry about whether he's okay or not. I worry about others too, but he's always the first person on my mind." He didn't really understand the concept of romantic love. He had cared about Airu definitely, but enough to call it love? He didn't know if he could say that. "Neesan…"

Nene couldn't help but giggle despite the situation. "You love him but don't let me tell you that. When you hold him in your arms, you'll feel the passion." She winked at Kiriha. "Personal experience talking."

"O-oi," Kiriha muttered, flushing red causing Nene to laugh more.

Yuu smiled and shook his head at them a little before turning back to Airu, his face falling slightly. "Sorry Airu…"

Airu shook her head. "I'm fine. Really I'm fine, Yuu-kun. I can handle myself, don't worry about me."

Ryouma hesitated before reaching over and taking her hand whilst Ren followed and took the other. Airu rested her head on Ryouma's shoulder, not noticing the way Koori glowered at her especially when Ryouma blushed at the action.

Yuu gave Ryouma a half-smile before nodding. "That's not all, Neesan. We have a new power."

"A really strong power!" Damemon chimed in.

Yuu quickly gave a brief of the power of the Dragon Phoenix. Both Kiriha and Nene were staring at him, their eyes wide.

"That power sounds incredible," Kiriha said. "It may be just what we need to turn the tide of the battle in our favour, very fortunate. And bring Taiki to his senses."

"D-do y-you m-mean K-Kudo T-Taiki?" Koori stuttered out, finally speaking.

Ryouma blinked. "Yeah, why?"

"I escaped the scientists who have him captured and brainwashed," Koori said, managing to talk without stuttering for the first time, although his gaze was directed at the floor. "Y-your partners are prime targets for the ADO scientists."

"Wait, what?" Nene said. "ADO?"

"Anti-Digimon Organisation," Koori replied. "The Anti-Human Organisation is working to find a way to the real world to extract r-revenge. That's why…that's why my partner wants to kill me."

Yuu grimaced. "And Hideaki's working for the ADO too."

Koori looked up, blinking at Yuu. "You don't work for the ADO."

Yuu looked befuddled. "Eh?!"

Koori shrugged. "They're using him because he has some kind of power. T-they don't just hire anyone."

Kiriha's eyes narrowed. "How do you know so much about them anyway?"

Koori flinched back behind Ryouma at the coldness of the other's tone and Ryouma frowned.

"Kiriha-san," Ryouma said. "He's trying to help us."

Nene reached over, taking Kiriha's hand and Kiriha stopped. He caught the look in her eyes. She didn't trust them either but it was the best they had right now.

"Tagiru-kun and Taiki-kun need our help, remember?" Nene said and Kiriha sighed.

"Right. Sorry," Kiriha said motioning for Koori to continue.

Koori looked at Ryouma who nodded.

"I can lead you guys there," Koori offered. "Ryouma did save me from my partner after all."

"That would be great," Ryouma said, absently playing with Airu's ponytail without realizing it.

Yuu nodded as well. "It really would be." He didn't know who this person was, but at the same time, the thought of seeing Tagiru again outweighed that above anything. Hang in there, Tagiru. I'm almost there.

"I did it!" Kotone said happily managing to pick the lock successfully.

"Shhh!" Gumdramon hushed her. "Someone will hear us!"

Kotone gave a sheepish grin. "Sorry, got excited. Haven't seen Niisan and Neesan in forever. They probably think I'm dead or something!"

Gumdramon stared. "How can you be so casual about that? Your sister probably misses you a lot."

Kotone shrugged. "Neesan has Yuu. It was her choice to save him over me. But it's ok. I don't hate her for it or anything." A flicker of sadness appeared in Kotone's eyes but she pushed it away. Now was not the time to think about stupid things. She needed to save Yuu's boyfriend or whatever he was.

"You ok?" Gumdramon asked, noting her silence.

Kotone grinned. "I'm always okay! Let's go." She turned to Gumdramon. "So where's your friend?"

Before Gumdramon could say anything, they heard guards coming.

Kotone grabbed Gumdramon, pulling him back into the room they were in and crouching low to avoid being seen. Fortunately, the guard walked right past them in his usual monitoring.

"Stay really quiet and lead me to your friend," Kotone said in a low voice.

Gumdramon just nodded, doing so and they had almost made it in when Hideaki appeared in front of the door.

"Trying to be cheeky again aren't we?" Hideaki said humming.

Kotone bristled. "Back off. That's my big brother's precious person in there, you jerk!"

Gumdramon didn't say anything. Not this time. He simply raised himself up ramming his tail roughly into Hideaki's stomach.

Hideaki gasped, coughing, disoriented clearly having not expected the hit. He made to send an attack but Kotone jumped up, striking him in the neck.

The hit against his pressure point was too much for Hideaki as he swayed backwards and forwards before passing out.

Gumdramon whistled. "Nice shot there, Kotone!"

Kotone snorted. "You weren't too bad yourself. Let's go." She had caught Hideaki's body dragging it inside with her and setting it down so it wouldn't make much noise.

Gumdramon followed, his eyes widening as he saw Tagiru lying there. He was covered in a thin white sheet and even that was stained with blood. He rushed over to his friend. "Tagiru…"

Tagiru stirred a little, opening his eyes. "Gumdramon…"

"Hey man," Gumdramon said with a weak grin. "What? Did you think I'd never come back?"

Tagiru's eyes watered. "H-he did it again, Gumdramon. I wished you were there to stop him…"

Gumdramon flinched. "He's a coward. He locked me up in another room."

"He's a big coward," Kotone said crouching down besides them.

Tagiru blinked blearily at her, subconsciously tightening the white sheet around his body. "Who…who are you?"

Kotone laughed. "I'm Kotone Amano. Your boyfriend's little sister." She winked.

Tagiru subconsciously flushed. "He…he's not my boyfriend."

Kotone blinked. "Oh? But you love him."

Tagiru shook his head. "I dunno what I feel anymore…Yuu never…he never mentioned you."

Kotone shrugged. "Niisan probably thinks I'm dead. Long story. But forget that. We're going to try and get out ok? Gumdramon will fight off the guards and I know good techniques to knock people out."

Tagiru blinked but didn't ask although his eyes lit up a little. "Can we really get out? Last time I tried…Hid…he punished me for it a lot."

Kotone winked. "You didn't have my help last time." She smiled. "Look ya may not be sure of what you feel for my dopey brother, but if you're his friend, you're important to him. So yer important to me too cause of that. I know you're thinking…why didn't he save you?" She shrugged. "I dunno but he probably couldn't. But I bet you he'll still try. He's silly like that."

Tagiru stared at the little girl. For such a small child, she sure was wise. Finally he let a small, weak smile appear on his face. "Ok. I wanna get out anyway. But…I can't really walk." His face flushed in shame as he said this.

Kotone frowned. "That is a bit of a problem. Can you crawl on your hands with your friend's support if you fall?"

Tagiru blinked at the idea of crawling. "I can try to."

Kotone grinned. "Good, let's get to it then!"

Mizuki coughed as she regained consciousness. The battle's impact had sent her and Kaoru flying in a different direction from the others and now they were in a really dark area with mini-TV creatures walking around almost looking like zombies.

The redhead shivered. The sight looked horrible. She wished Submarimon were here with her.

Mizuki pushed this thought aside, forcing herself to her feet to check on Kaoru. The girl was unconscious and a rather nasty gash running down her leg. That wasn't good…it didn't look like Kaoru would be able to walk on that leg for a good while. The redhead ripped off the sleeves of her shirt, using them to pressure Kaoru's wound. The zombie-like TV creatures weren't doing anything to them so that was good. Mizuki really didn't want to tempt fate and have them be attacked while they were defenseless.

"Awww feeling worried little girl?" A voice said and Mizuki looked around as Taico appeared in front of her.

Mizuki tensed, recognizing him as the person who had kidnapped her from the safety of her own home. She shifted into a protective stance in front of Kaoru wincing as a sharp pain ran down her own body. Ok, maybe she wasn't as uninjured as she thought.

"What do you want?" Mizuki said trying to keep her voice firm although it shook. She couldn't help it! The guy terrified her to the core, considering all he had done to her and her friends.

Taico stepped closer, grasping a hold of Mizuki by the chin. "You, my dear."

Mizuki shuddered, yanking herself away from him. "Keep your grubby hands off of me!"

Taico seized her by the wrists with both hands, pulling her closer again. "Don't worry Mizuki-san. I won't kidnap you right now." He leaned closer to her, so close that she could almost feel his breath tickling her ear. "You will serve an amazing purpose for me after all. But don't worry, you'll be in so much power then, that you won't even question it." He let go of her wrist with one hand, using that hand to pull down her ponytail and stroke her hair. "So pretty."

Mizuki flinched violently at this action, her body kicking and thrashing at her tormentor. However, as suddenly as he had grabbed her, he let her go causing her to lose her balance and hit the ground.

Taico laughed. "See you around, my princess." He then disappeared.

Mizuki wrapped her arms around herself to try and get the fear away as well as to get her racing heartbeat under control. Nothing happened. I'm fine. If she was fine though, then why did she feel so uneasy?