Ominous Flame

Chapter 20

Author Notes: Time for a change of pace boys and girls. It's summer time-meaning we need to have some fun. So let's go, I do not own Digimon!

3rd P.O.V

It had been so long since they found themselves under the beaming sun. "Wow it's the ocean~" Let alone find themselves relax. After the Trailmon dumped them in the middle of a cavern, they had to deal with a crying whalemon who nearly destroyed them along with the cave they were trapped in.

And on top of that Grumblemon and Arbormon had finally caught up to them. It had been pure luck that JP's beast spirit was in whalemon's stomach, and they graciously took advantage of that luck to destroy Grumblemon once and for all.

Their luck was turning for the better. "Welcome to our humble beach shack." But frankly all of them were exhausted. "Please feel free to eat your fill~ We have plenty for travelers." Which was why all of them(even those who would forever deny it) were eager to accept the Toucanmon's generous offer.

"Thank you so much." A small sigh escapes Koji as Takuya drags him to the table. "Eat up man, I think we're all due for a mini vacation." The warrior of light grumbles, however he didn't argue.

Even if he wanted to, his stomach betrayed him a minute later. "We're only staying for a little while. So don't get carried away!" Koji tried to remain the voice of reason, to keep everyone on track. But they all knew that wasn't going to happen.

After fighting and running for so long, after their failure in helping Seraphimon...they desperately needed a break. "Once you're all nice and full, feel free to try out our luxurious swim gear~ We got everything from rafts, snorkles, swim fins and of course swimsuits!"

It didn't help that the toucanmons were VERY persuasive and hospitable in treating them. Originally they were going to leave after they ate, but who were they to deny such a kind offer? "Let's go get changed!" Tommy especially was excited as he dragged Takuya away.

"Wa-wait! I'm not done yet!" Koichi couldn't stop himself from chuckling, catching the utensils that flew out of the pyro's hands so they wouldn't clatter onto the ground. "Should we join them?" JP was still eating, savoring the delicious meal to the point where he didn't even hear the question.

He was off in his own little paradise. "And get a headache? No thanks." Koji took a sip of his drink, in no rush to leave. Especially since Takuya was the one who forced him there in the first place. Why would he want to leave the peace so soon?

Still, that didn't mean his brother had to wait for him. "You go on ahead, I'll catch up in a bit." Already Zoe was gone, probably to get dressed as well, so with his twin's permission, the dark warrior makes his way to the boy's changing room.

Stopping in place the moment he entered, his gaze on Takuya's uncovered upper body, the only thing remaining from his previous attire was his necklace. "You sure you're ok Takuya?" Deep jagged white scars, wounds that, were he not part digimon, would've never healed as cleanly, as quickly.

A sickening feeling overwhelmed the raven haired teen. "Yes Tommy, and even if I wasn't I'd take it easy alright? Stop worrying." Immediately Koichi found his reality shifting. He was no longer at the toucanmon's beach shack. Rather he was in a different place, where things were going horribly wrong.

"Ebony Blast!"

That was the attack that broke the camel's back as Takuya returned to his human form. Even more broken and battered than when he arrive. Especially as large, heavy paws still pushed roughly down onto his flesh.

It was there, the two's eyes met. "Don't be like me Koichi...Don't lose yourself." Suddenly the necklace around Takuya's neck began to glow. The jewel engulfing the two of them in a red light. "Ah!" Blinding everyone for a few moments.

When their vision clears, Takuya is unconscious, unable to handle the wounds he gained any longer. "No...no! I-I'm sorry!" And Koichi back to normal, holding his face in his hands as he sobs his heart out. "Takuya!"

Warm hands grabbed his shoulders, bringing him back. Only to gaze at deep crimson eyes. "You still with me?" Koichi's mouth opened, but no matter how hard he tried, no words would come. Leaving him looking like a gaping, pale fish.

Their faces were only inches away from one another, making it easy for Koichi to see his friend's face shift expressions. What was concern turned to understanding. "There's no need to feel bad Koichi. Breathe." How was it he was able to tell what was wrong so quickly?

Tommy glanced between the two, worried. But within a few seconds of watching, helped his surrogate brother in calming Koichi down. With all of them managing to muster a small smile as the tension fades away. "Th-thank you."

It took another minute for Takuya to feel confident to let his friend go and take a step back. "No problem." Only to put his shirt back on when he was sure Koichi wasn't going to have another panic attack. "T-Takuya?" Both boys questioned what he was doing.

"Aren't you going to swim?" Immediately Koichi was able to connect the dots, frowning. "Yeah. Who says I can't?" He didn't need to do this... "Takuya." He just smirks as he tilts his head to the door. "Race you to the water!" Tommy could only laugh as he chased the older boy out the door.

Leaving Koichi there. If the ice warrior had stuck around for a second longer or even turned his gaze behind him before leaving, he would've witnessed a faint blush color Koichi's otherwise pale cheeks.

Though for the life of him the warrior of darkness couldn't figure out why.

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"Jeeerrrrrroniiiimoooooo!" Laughter rang out on all sides as Tommy curled his body before jumping for what must've been the tenth time since they started swimming. JP was blinking, holding onto his tube just until the water around him settled.

Only to shriek when he feels something tickle his toes. His movements causing him to tip over. "Whoopsies!" Neemon, the culprit was forced away from the harsh splash, getting caught by Takuya before he could drift too far out to sea. "NEEEEEMOOOONNN!"

With a small squeak the dopey, rabbit digimon dives, trying to flee as far as his lanky body could take him. Giving Tommy the opportunity to steal the tube. "Koichi, Koji come on~ The water's great!" The yin yang duo despite putting on swim trunks, had decided to take shelter under the umbrella.

Quietly conversing with one another while watching the chaos unfold. "Maybe in a bit Tommy." Takuya couldn't be sure what exactly the two were discussing, but he only had to take a quick glance at their somber faces to know it was important.

"Hey why don't we play some volleyball?" It wasn't his business to intrude if they were talking. And though his surrogate brother wouldn't intrude on purpose either...he's currently in vacation mode. Not even aware of the serious discussion going on.

So if he could buy them a few more minutes before Tommy decided to mess with them, then he would. "Sure sounds like fun." JP frowns as he stares at the shore. Not happy with what he was seeing.

Or rather what he was Not seeing. "There'll be uneven teams. Bokomon isn't going to want to join due to digiegg duty, and Neemon's gonna get trampled." They needed one more person, and she STILL wasn't here.

She had left before all of them, so theoretically she SHOULD'VE been here first, soaking up some rays or diving into the sea. But when Tommy and Takuya arrived she was nowhere to be found.

"Think she's still changing?" That was really the only logical conclusion. "Girls...Guess I'll go ask to see if she's interested." Shaking his head, his hair and the water connected to it goes flying before he starts walking out. "Tommy go see if you could go get a volleyball from the toucanmon!"

A plan was in motion and the sun was still high in the sky. So...why did things feel off?

To be continued

Author Notes: Foreshadowing...big fun~ We'll be sticking around for a good couple chapters, so we'll see what happens with our friends. But that is it for now guys. Thank you all for reading! If you like the series so far please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton to me! Tchao for now.