Hey all. I know it has been a while, but luckily this chapter will prove to be well worth the wait. Life has been both kind and cruel to me lately, but things are getting themselves worked out now.

Enjoy. This is where the story truly begins.

"Are you out of your mind?"

Kazu winced at Shun's harsh words. Even so, he couldn't argue with them. He bit his lip and tried to form some kind of response.

He had never felt so stupid in all his life. How could he have just let Naomi slip away like that? She was practically handing herself to him, and he slapped it out of his hands for some reason. Why? He didn't know.

"I don't know what happened," Kazu finally replied to the Kido boy, frustrated with himself. "I screwed up. What can I say?"

Shun groaned loudly and paced back and forth in front of Kazu, who sat on the grass under a shady tree. They both waited at the spot in the courtyard at the Kamiyas' apartment; they and the rest of their childhood friends decided to meet. Their parents were having another one of their private meetings regarding the Digital World today - Why when they were not at all involved anymore was beyond him.

The blonde bit his lip, worried about what the teenager would shoot out this time.

"Are you a masochist or something?" Shun asked. "Do you just enjoy sabotaging yourself? Kazuma, I told you everything you had to do and you pushed Nomi away when you had the chance. What she was asking wasn't unreasonable either."

"Shun, it's a much different ball game when you're staring her down right there in front of you," Kazu said in defense. "Anyway, I get the point. I messed up. What more do you want from me?"

The teenager suddenly grabbed the sides of his head and pulled him in where their foreheads were touching. His hot breath smelled of fried rice and miso soup when blown directly into his nostrils.

"What more I want is you telling me what your problem is," Shun snarled. "What is going on in that head of yours? Because of your idiocy, Naomi's now off prancing around with Yuki Kamiya of all people!"

Kazu had nothing to say. He sat hunched over with his head between his knees, his hands covering his eyes. Shame washed over him. No matter how much he didn't want to admit it, Shun was right. The Kido boy always knew what had to be said, no matter how anyone thought about it. Some would balk at that, but Kazu and the rest of the former Destined Jedi's children knew him long enough to know it meant he cared.

"I'll take that silence to mean you've got nothing to say," Shun said as he plopped down beside him. His tone sounded disappointed and detached. "I should rub it in your face and say that I told you so, but I'm not going to. There's no point in it. All that I'm going to say is that you have no one to blame but yourself, Kazuma."

Kazu stayed in the same position and drank in a deep breath, then released it. He had to fix this. How he regretted everything he said and did that day. The shame grew each time he thought about calling or texting her and the longer he waited the worse it was going to be when Naomi showed up with Yuki.

He knew that yesterday in a moment of weakness she had broken down in front of Yuki and said yes. It was yet another instance of his best friend not thinking straight when emotionally overwhelmed - and this time it was his fault.

"Help me," Kazu weakly asked.

"How?" Shun shrugged his shoulders. "She won't listen to me."

Kazu peeked up from his knees. "But she always listens to you."

"Kazu," Shun sighed. "I'm not going to break them up if that's what you're asking."

The blonde growled. "I'm not asking for that!"

Shun matched his energy and bit back. "You know exactly what you have to do! Keep that jealousy in check and apologize to her! If she decides to give you a second chance, and that's a big if, you'll have to deal with Yuki too then."

Kazu huffed, crisscrossing his legs and folding his arms at his chest. "I'm not an idiot. I'll fix it."

"When?"

"Next week," Kazu answered sarcastically. "Today, Shun."

"No, you're not. The rest of the gang is coming soon. You're going to keep the peace."

"I screwed up once. I'm not going to do it again."

Shun shook his head and insisted. "Not today. Don't you see? You'll try to apologize. Yuki will get defensive at the thought of her being swayed by your apology and interfere. You'll lose your cool and the two of you are at it. Not only will Naomi be upset again, but the rest of us will be uncomfortable. Not to mention how it'll scare Ryuji. And once that happens, Masato is going to step in."

Kazu waved a hand dismissing him. "I screwed up yesterday. I won't today." He frowned with a snort. "I guess I am a masochist."

Shun eyed his friend with a smirk. "I've never heard truer words."

A sad chuckle escaped Kazu's lips. "Hey, I'm glad we're friends."

Shun raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Why's that?"

"Because us masochists need to stick together."

Shun's eyes widened for a few seconds then looked away with a hint of sadness. "I haven't found the right time to ask Usagi out."

"But taking her to the manga cafe lately isn't good timing?"

The Kido boy playfully elbowed his friend on the arm. "Fix your own problem first, then talk to me."

They both grinned looking out into the open. Some of the others were arriving with Naomi holding Yuki's hand at the back of the group.

Kazu straightened his back at the sight of her. A soft smile grew. He was going to make this right.

"Shun?"

"Yeah?"

"We still have that deal that when I ask her out, you'll ask Usagi out?"

Kazu kept his gaze on Naomi as he felt Shun's hesitation.

"Kazu, I'm telling you, don't do -"

"I've got this," the blonde reassured. "You worry about how you're going to ask Usagi out."

Shun groaned with displeasure. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

Miya, Ryuji, Masato, Kenya, Yuki, Naomi, Shiro, Keiko and Ichigo all walked outside to the courtyard. The group was all together, save for Masato and Shun's older brother and the younger kids as well. They would come later. Akira wanted ice cream. As soon as Hiro and Mei heard, they wanted some too; Airi as well. Makoto volunteered to take them and then bring them back later.

Yuki watched all his friends talking to one another. If Nomi wouldn't have minded, Yuki would've recorded this small group's dynamic on his phone.

Shiro, that little snot-nosed brat, kept glaring at him any time there was a natural pause when talking to Kenya. If Naomi wasn't with him right now, he would've confronted him.

Miya held Ryuji's hand while her brother occasionally looked at her happily. Whenever Ryuji would catch his sister talking to him, he'd stare him down. It was like Shiro and Ryuji teamed up for some unknown reason, except he wasn't sure what he did to Ryuji to deserve those death glares.

Masato must have sensed the tension because he would step in occasionally and have a one-sided conversation with Ryuji. At least it appeared to keep Miya's brother distracted.

Keiko and Ichigo were in their own little world talking non-stop about manga and anime. Anyone could see Keiko had a crush on Ichigo, her best friend, flirting every chance she could find. Ichigo on the other hand was completely clueless and only laughed.

It reminded him of before when Naomi was completely clueless. But now his best friend, his dream girl and now girlfriend, was a reality. She picked him. So what that he was the second choice. Kazuma was an idiot and Yuki was the shiny prince in armor who swooped her up and saved the day.

Yuki knew she wasn't completely in love with him as he was for her. At least not yet. He even said so to her when she ran to him that night. That was completely fine because he promised he was going to help make her fall in love. All it'd take was time. There was no way Naomi wouldn't eventually see they were made for each other.

Part of his plan was having Nomi listen to the old MP3 player his dad once owned and gave to him. He found a website online that worked in transferring songs to the device. After downloading random romantic songs that he knew would make his girlfriend swoon with joy and keep her distracted from being nervous that Kazu was nearby, he accidently dropped it. In a panic, Yuki picked it up to hear something rattle inside. The device wouldn't turn on.

Yuki brought it hoping to convince Miya to fix it for him, but for whatever reason she was cross at him. He was completely clueless. She always fixed whatever he broke before without complaining. What was her deal? Make that three people that had ganged up on him.

"Give me one good reason why I should fix that," Miya fussed as she held her brother's hand.

Ryuji stared Yuki down.

A nervous chuckle escaped his lips. "Are you mad at me?"

"Yes, I'm mad at you!" Miya declared.

Ryuji's stare became even harsher. Yuki looked at Masato for help, who was quick to distract Ryuji again.

"What happened?" Naomi asked with concern.

Yuki watched Miya stop from explaining herself. Instead, she looked away trying to calm and eventually rolled her eyes.

"You didn't come to my science fair after you promised," Miya muttered to him in a hurt voice. "I won second place."

Yuki slapped his forehead. That was yesterday! He forgot all about it.

Masato laughed and poked fun at them. "Oh man! You suck. Trust me. Don't ever break a promise to a girl. They never let that stuff go."

Ichigo turned to Masato with a frown. "Hey. Watch that language."

Masato scratched the back of his neck with a chuckle. "Damn. Okay. I thought I was the oldest here."

"Language!"

"Alright. Alright," Masato laughed. "But you have to ask Kei out first."

Yuki watched Kei turn to Ichigo with excitement only to see Ichigo laugh. That kid was so blind.

"No way. Keiko's my best friend."

The group laughed from his ignorance.

Yuki was quick to apologize to Miya. "Why didn't you say something earlier? Miya, I'm sorry. Congratulations. I would have been there if I could. It's just that -"

"Yeah, I get it," Miya replied miffed. "You had something to do with Naomi as usual."

Yuki could've sworn he caught Miya eyeing him holding hands with his girlfriend with disdain for a second or two. Or, maybe that look was only from her being upset about the science fair.

Yeah. It had to be the science fair.

"I really am sorry. I'll make it up to you somehow. But for now I really need you to fix this."

Naomi flicked his shoulder. "How dare you!"

Yuki rubbed the afflicted shoulder. "Okay. I get it. It's not like I did it on purpose. Miya, please fix it."

"Fix what?" Miya sighed and held out a hand, signaling that she was giving in.

Yuki handed her the MP3 player. It was small enough to fit in the palm of his hand.

"It's my dad's old MP3 player," he explained. "Something's wrong with it. I accidentally dropped it and there's something rattling inside. It won't turn on. Think you could get it working again?"

Miya stared at the device for what felt like a long time. Yuki felt the death glares from Naomi and Ryuji pierce through his body. If looks could kill, he would most certainly be a pile of ashes right now. This sucked. He already apologized and promised to make up for missing the science fair. What more did they want from him?

Finally, she sighed and closed her hand around the device.

"Fine," Miya said. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him. "You're very lucky we're friends, Yuki, but be careful to not take me for granted. If you keep doing things like missing the science fair to me, I'm not going to do you any more favors."

"I said I was sorry, all right?" he groaned. "And I promised I'd make it up to you. What more do you want from me?"

"What I want is for you to not take my friendship for granted," Miya shot back. "You're going to lose me if you're not careful, Yuki."

"You know, I didn't know about your science fair, or I would've come," Naomi remarked with a side glance.

The look on her face told Yuki that she was getting a little fed up with Miya's overreaction. He beamed with pride. His own girlfriend was coming to his aid just like he would for her.

"Did you even tell anyone else?" Naomi continued. "Kei? Ichi? Masa? Shiro? Did any of you know?"

The rest of the group shook their heads.

Keiko replied. "I would've gone, Miya. Why didn't you say anything?"

"Oh, um…well, I guess," Miya stumbled on her words.

Naomi pulled her hand away from Yuki, as much as he tried to hold on, and gave her a hug. Keiko joined in after catching on.

"Group hug!" Keiko yelled out.

Ryuji snapped his hand away from Miya and stepped back to avoid any contact from the others.

"Oh, shit!" Masato laughed and joined in with the hug. "Things just got real if we're bringing in a hug. Come on," he motioned to Ichigo, Yuki and Shiro.

"I'm good," Shiro declined. "I'm not a hugger."

Naomi eyed her brother. "Today you're a hugger."

Shiro groaned, but joined the hug after Kenya, Ichigo and Yuki did.

Yuki smirked at Shiro. "What's the matter? Too good to tell our friend we care?"

Before Shiro could respond, Miya spoke over them. Yuki could hear in her voice how much this hug meant to her.

"I'm sorry, guys. I'm so used to not having many friends in school that I forget you guys care about me."

"Of course we care!" Naomi smiled. "How about a girl's day tomorrow? You, me and Kei?"

"Oh! Sounds like fun!" Keiko said with excitement.

Miya clasped her hand together at chest level and beamed. "I'd love that."

Ichigo whined. "No, Kei. What are you doing? You're my best friend. You can't cross over to the girly side."

Keiko scrunched her eyebrows for a few seconds, then laughed. "What? I can't have a girl's day?"

"Nope."

"So I have to always watch action movies and only wear t-shirts and shorts?"

"Yep."

Keiko laughed again and rested her arms around his neck in a flirtatious manner. "I'll be anything you want, but Miya needs us tomorrow. I bet if I come over tomorrow all dressed up you'd catch feelings for me."

Ichigo laughed and pulled away. "You're funny. Yeah, right."

Yuki shook his head trying to hold back his laughter. How could Ichigo not see it?

Yuki turned his eyes and saw Shun and Kazu in the distance already at their meeting spot. He pulled Naomi close and whispered in her ear.

"I'll be next to you the whole time. If he makes you uncomfortable, just tell me."

He watched Naomi look over his shoulder only to realize Kazu was already there. She looked away in shame. Oh no. Yuki wasn't going to let his girlfriend take the burden of what happened on her shoulders.

"Hey," he hugged her. "It's not your fault. I bet he knows it too. We're not going to make it a big deal. If he bugs you, I'll take care of it."

"But I don't need you to take care of it," Naomi said. "We just need time to cool off -"

Yuki flashed his goofy smile. "Start leaning on me for once, will ya?"

She giggled. "You're right. Okay."

Yuki heard Shiro making puking sounds. He turned to him annoyed.

"Get over it, Shiro. I'm here to stay."

"Yeah, and it sucks," Shiro barked back.

Yuki felt Masato swing an arm around his shoulders and watched him do the same to Shiro.

"Alright, you two," Masato said with a grin while guiding them to the meeting spot. "We're all going to get along. We just hugged it out. Don't make me make you two do a hug out too."

A hug out? With Shiro? Anything but that.

"I'm good," said Yuki with a sheepish grin, then addressed Shiro. "You good?"

Shiro responded the same way. "Yeah. I'm good."

"Good!" Masato said. "Drama-free is what I'm looking for. Right, Ryuji?"

Ryuji was already back to holding his sister's hand as he nodded in agreement with a bright smile.

Oh, great. Ryuji was staring him down again. What was with everyone today? Somehow Yuki had a feeling a drama-free day was not in the cards for him today.

"I'm absolutely certain that's what Airi told me," Tai repeated for the fifth time. His face was visibly agitated at having to do so. "She said that she saw this dark figure with a scary mask in our room the other night."

The rest of the group responded with silence. His face darkened even more.

"How many different ways do you want me to tell the same story?" he snapped. "That's it."

"Look at it from our perspective, Tai," Ken responded. "You didn't see anything, there was no trace of anyone else being in the apartment, and you're taking the word of a six-year-old girl who has a history of being very imaginative – not a bad thing at all, of course – at face value. Forgive me if I don't sound convinced."

"Ken, Airi was absolutely terrified," Sora said. "She wouldn't speak for quite a while. You can't fake the look my daughter had on her face. It was genuine terror. Somebody was in our apartment the other night. I really believe that."

Tai squeezed his wife's hand. He saw his sister and her husband looked troubled by what he said. Davis as well. Even Izzy and Mimi squeezed each other's hands. Tai knew that they were worried about their children as well. Whatever this thing was, he didn't have a good feeling about it.

"Tai, it's been twenty years now," Matt said. "Don't you think it's time that we let this sleeping dog finally lie? Our time is over. We've been through enough. It seems the adventure has never left you, so it's time you make peace with the fact Homeostasis did what it did and move on. Our families are what is happening now."

He frowned at the blonde.

"I know you guys want to just move on and forget about what happened in the past, but I have a feeling that the past is not going to leave us alone," Tai replied. "Whatever this thing was that came into our house, it must have a connection to the letter I got. We can't just brush this off."

His gaze turned back on Ken. It had been two hours at this point, and there was still no progress being made. He wanted to put this whole thing to bed right away. Looking around the room, he saw many of the others felt the same.

"What if Homeostasis meant it was going to bring only you back, Ken?" he said. "I mean, you are the one who is supposedly meant to bring balance to the Digital World. Even though our power was taken away, there might still be a way for that to happen."

The raven-haired man frowned. "I've had that same idea over the years," he said with a hint of hesitation. "But nothing has happened. I don't think it ever will."

Yolei rubbed his arm affectionately.

Tai sat in silence. A part of him felt a sense of foreboding that something would happen soon. He stood to his feet and approached Ken.

"Put your feelings aside in regards to everything to do with the Digital World. What does your detective gut say? Is it a coincidence about what Homeostasis said, on top of the letter I got and now with Airi?"

Tai watched Ken struggle with his thoughts. It appeared he hit the right buttons.

"Tai, if it's true and I screw up again-"

"You won't screw up."

"How do you know that? Look at my track record." Ken exhaled sharply. "Anyway, you don't find King Drasil. It finds you. Remember?"

Sora stood to her feet. "Ken, that's the problem. Something found us, and we'd all be idiots to not be ready when it comes again." She turned to face the rest of the group. "It's not just ourselves we're protecting. Our families are at risk as well."

Tai scanned the room and saw everyone were starting to sway to their side. Finally, they were seeing it his way.

"Then let's think of a plan to be ready," Tai declared.

Masato Kido sat on the grass content, watching the rest of the group sitting in their own groups conversing. It was always his and Makoto's responsibility as they were the oldest to watch the others whenever their parents had another meeting.

Whenever Yuto Kamiya wasn't there, that is.

When Yuto was, everything felt like it was turning in its natural way. Without him there, it all felt weird. He and Makoto looked up to Yuto tremendously. It was no secret he was the precious prince to every one of their parents, but he was the most down-to-earth person Masato had ever met.

It felt out of left field when Yuto told him he was going to Australia for college because he wanted the opportunity to experience another culture. At the same time, Masa respected what his friend wanted. He deserved the world and to explore all it had to offer.

Too bad Yuto was going to miss the awesome prank he was going to pull today. Makoto needed to hurry up with the rest of the kids, or he'd never hear the end of it if he started before Makoto could witness it.

Every one of the kids present were so diverse in personalities that it always proved to be entertaining. Plus, these were the times he used to sharpen his prank skills.

He wasn't without class though.

Whenever he saw one of them not having a good day, they were always exempt - partly in hope that it would cheer them up. His gut said to leave Naomi and Kazuma out of it as he watched Naomi sneak longing glances Kazuma's way while the blonde hung around with Shun, Shiro and Kenya wearing a defeated expression. Masa hoped they could find their way to being friends again.

Well, it was time to lighten the mood. Who would be his first victim? Ichigo could be fun. But then again, sometimes his cousin could get paranoid.

What was he thinking? Kenya was the best one today. He could see the chain reaction. Oh, the glorious reactions that were about to occur!

"Whatever you're thinking, Keiko is the right choice today."

Masato gasped and jerked away from the voice. Who whispered in his ear?

Then he saw who it was.

"Yuka!" Masato growled in annoyance. "What the hell, man!"

Yuka laughed and sat next to him. Masato watched some of the kids notice and wave to her as they went back to their conversations.

"Isn't it obvious?" Yuka lowered her voice as she nodded in Keiko's direction. "She's directly under that branch. It has a lot of acorns. You're going to do a prank that has you sitting farther away than normal. That tells me you're going to aim."

Masato sighed. Great. Other than Makoto, Yuka was a close second in being able to read him and know what he was thinking.

"Yuka," Masa warned, "don't you have somewhere else to be?"

"Nope," she replied with a mischievous grin. "I was heading to the store and I bumped into Makoto. He then told me where you were."

"That no good, four-eyed freak!" Masato growled. "I'm gonna beat his ass when he gets here."

"Besides," Yuka laughed, ignoring his outburst, "I miss watching your pranks."

Masato scoffed. "When you don't ruin them. Get lost, Yuka."

"Are you seriously still holding that against me?" Yuka said glaring at him. "I was ten, and I could never hide a secret from Yuto."

He returned the glare. "You still can't."

"But it's Yuto," Yuka whined after a split hesitation.

As much as Masato wanted to chase Yuka away, a chuckle escaped his lips. "Yeah, he still has that effect on everyone."

She grinned and rubbed her hands together in anticipation. "So what's the plan?"

Masato raised an eyebrow. Did she honestly think he would let her stay here to out him early?

"Hell no. Get out."

"Aww, Masa. Of all the days to be mean to me, don't let it be today," Yuka whined again.

"Why?" he snapped.

"Two reasons. One," she counted, raising an index finger, "because I miss being your friend. All I've been to you the last few years is someone to push away like the plague. We were so close in elementary school."

"That's your own damn fault," Masa frowned, folding his arms. "Do you really think it's funny chasing after me, and then crushing me with that freakish strength you have?"

Masa was quick to wave a dismissive hand to stop her from joking. He found her sheepishly grit her teeth. Yeah. He thought so and rolled his eyes.

"Come on," Yuka said with a guilty shrug. "Don't tell me that if you watched anyone else go through that, you wouldn't fall to the floor cracking up laughing."

"Nope."

Denial was his best answer. Truth be told, hell yeah, he would.

She smirked. "I don't believe it.'

He smacked his lips frustrated and looked away. "It may be funny to watch it on TV or with other people, but when someone says enough is enough, Yuka, learn some boundaries."

Yuka pouted and fidgeted. He rolled his eyes again. As much as he didn't want to admit it, Masato still held a soft spot for her.

Loosely holding Yuka by her waist, he sighed. "Stop crushing me and we might be able to try to be friends again."

Yuka gasped and attempted to swing her arms around him for a bone-crushing hug - until he swatted her away.

"See!" he shouted in frustration.

"I'm sorry!" she pleaded. "I didn't mean to! I'll try again. Besides," she held up her index and middle finger to indicate her second reason, "reason number two: you need me for this prank."

He did? He squinted his eyes, intrigued.

"Why?"

"Using me as your cover that it couldn't be you is perfect. There's no way you can prank while talking to me," she smirked, wearing an angelic expression, "right?"

"Holy shit," he grinned, impressed.

"Well then," said Yuka. "Get started."

Masato's eyes widened with joy. He took out the staw and a piece of paper. Chewing on the paper, a thought came to him.

"You're thinking of keeping it to the acorns? Let them think it's squirrels?"

"Yep."

He stuffed the staw with the spitball and aimed. "After Kei calms, aim for some acorns above me to rule us out."

As Masa expected, Yuka nodded, gamed for today's prank. He watched as she already pretended to be distracted by picking at her fingers. Out sailed the spitball to the branch above Keiko. It was enough force to cause the branch to shake and a few acorns drop.

Just as planned, Keiko shrieked, not knowing what went down her shirt. Everyone looked her way concerned until the acorns fell from her shirt. Ichigo pointed at her laughing for freaking out, causing the others to join in.

Masa gave the straw and paper to Yuka.

"Make sure no one sees you," he whispered with excitement.

"Obviously," she chuckled.

"Hey, by the way, not Nomi or Kazu."

Yuka scrunched her eyebrows. "I remember your rule. They got into a fight?"

A sad smile showed. "Yeah. Something like that. Our goal is to cheer them up."

"Roger, chief," Yuka said.

He watched as she casually looked around the group waiting for her perfect moment to strike. For an annoying girl like Yuka, he forgot how close they used to be. She was still cute -

"So, are you going to the bonfire with me this year?" Yuka asked with a smirk.

Scratch that. Nope. Not cute. What was he thinking? Before he could decline, Yuka sent a spitball to the branch above him knocking acorns down. Masato had no choice but to play along.

"Damn squirrel!" he fussed at the branch waving a fist in the air.

The kids fell for it, laughing at him as he turned to Yuka trying to control his emotions.

"You timed that," Masato said through gritted teeth.

Yuka beamed. "You're always too quick to answer when I ask you out. Think about it. I think we belong together."

"Shit, woman," he blushed. "Give up already."

"Let's make a deal," she said, sneaking him the straw and paper, to which he took back. "I'll do my best to tone back my excitement, and you have to start hanging out with me again. By the time the school year is over, you'll have fallen for me so much that when I ask you out again, you'll say yes."

Masato chewed on the paper with a smirk. "I'm gamed. When I turn you down, I'll make it a huge scene."

Yuka leaned in, returning the smirk. "And when you fall for me, you're going to kiss me in front of everyone."

That tenacious spirit of hers was always kinda attractive. He aimed for a branch above Kenya, who sat next to Shiro and Yuki and let another spitball fly.

"It's on," he agreed, enjoying the kids laughing again.

The more he tried to push the thought away, the more the challenge was thrilling. Even more so when he caught Yuka surveying the next victim.

"Kei again," he directed, handing over the straw and paper.

"You got it, chief," she winked, accepting the objects.

Makoto Kido adjusted his glasses as he stopped the group just outside the Kamiyas' apartment complex. Kenji Ichijouji clung to his shirt as he carried him in his arms while all four young kids happily ate their ice cream. Makoto was struggling to hold onto his cone of matcha ice cream while holding Kenji as he squirmed like a typical three-year-old.

"Want me to take him for you?"

The oldest Kido son looked to his left at Raiku Ishida, whom he happened to run into while bringing the munchkin parade to the ice cream shop.

"If you could, please," he smiled sheepishly.

"I've got him," Raiku replied, taking Kenji in his arms.

Raiku was the younger half-brother to Matt Ishida and TK Takaishi; the son of their father, Hiroaki, and his second wife Rumiko. He was twenty-six and attending law school at the University of Tokyo. Raiku's hair was light brown like his father, as were his eyes. The so-called "Ishida Charm" that Matt and TK had also passed to Raiku as Makoto had to admit that he was a good-looking guy.

"So, Makoto, how is school?"

Makoto shrugged. "It's fine. I'm still top of my class, but my brother is doing everything he can to catch up to me." He smirked. "I've got to stay one step ahead of him."

Raiku chuckled. "Good for you. I'm sure you're going to be a great doctor someday like your dad."

"I hope so."

After a few minutes of chatting, the oldest Kido son finished his ice cream. After scanning the kids, he saw that they were largely finished with their ice cream as well. He wanted to get them back with the rest of the group as soon as possible so that they didn't get into any trouble. Mei almost ran off on him a couple of times while Airi was trying to get Hiro into mischief. Raiku had been a large help in keeping them in line.

"Are we all done here, guys?" he asked them.

"Yes," the four children responded in kind.

Makoto smiled. "Then let's go back in and have some more fun. Our parents shouldn't be too much longer."

The four children followed him and Raiku like a row of ducklings behind their mother. It was quite a cute sight to see as they went through the front lobby and toward the doors that led to the courtyard.

Makoto's jaw dropped as he stood frozen at the threshold.

"What?" Raiku asked. "What's the matter?"

The teen didn't answer.

The entire courtyard looked like it had been trashed by a herd of wild elephants. Something pink coated the ground and stank up the entire courtyard. Was it...poop? Makoto thought he was going to be sick as he covered his nose.

"Ew! What stinks?" Hiro cried.

"Stinky!" Mei echoed, sounding like she had plugged her nose as well.

But that was not even the worst part for Makoto.

"Kazuma?" he heard Raiku cry out.

The eldest Kido looked across the way and saw the blonde twelve-year-old, covered in the pink stuff covering the ground, step through something that began to vanish. Before he could completely disappear, Kazu turned at the sound of his uncle's voice.

Raiku shot past Makoto after quickly putting Kenji in his arms as the remaining four younger kids clung to Makoto from fright. The young man's expression was of pure fear and desperation. His arm shot out to grab Kazu, but Makoto watched helplessly as the gash in space closed around the blonde before he could reciprocate the action.

The courtyard was now completely deserted.

"Kazuma! Come back!" Raiku cried.

Still carrying Kenji, Makoto bolted towards where he knew the adults to be meeting at, gasping heavily as he tried to wrap his head around what he saw. He could hear the kids and Raiku on his tail as he passed residents exiting their homes to explore the stench.

Makoto bolted through the apartment door, interrupting the meeting. His mother and father were by his side in a second as he desperately drank in oxygen. Kenji cried from fear. All he could do was urgently point outside as Raiku ran in from behind, explaining what they saw.

That couldn't be a Digiportal, could it? It looked similar to what Mr. Takaishi drew in the manga. Whatever was happening couldn't be good - not with the Digital World coming back into the picture.

His brothers and cousin were in grave danger.

All the kids were.

What the heck just happened? Find out next time on Destined Jedi: Next Generations.

Hope you all enjoyed that. Like I said up top, you guys are getting back to back weekends for the first time in a while because I had to separate one section (can probably guess what it is) into its own thing because it got real long. That will be up next week. You won't want to miss that.

After all this exposition and establishing the characters, the story is now finally starting to turn in motion. You won't want to miss out on all the great stuff that is coming. Be sure to leave a review and subscribe.

See you guys next weekend.

Tootles.