Ominous Flame

Chapter 23

Author Notes: It's flashback time gang. We shall go...go to like ten fifteen minutes before the end of the last chapter. As per usual the italics will be used to help emphasize the flashback scenario. We good? Alrighty, let's get this going. I do not own Digimon.

3rd P.O.V

Honestly her mind was blanking, is she really about to do this? It was too soon. "You..." She had no way of getting her words out, no plan or time to prepare. "Me?" But she had his attention...and was alone. It was now or never. "Do-do you have a girlfriend?"

Internally she wanted to scream. She did it! She actually managed to ask him. Was it originally what she wanted to? No. But considering how awkward she was making this, it was an achievement.

"No." Even better she had gotten an answer. Though his face was still filled with confusion. One more step. She could do this. Taking a deep breath she looks into his eyes. Mesmerized in the red amber. "Will you go out with me?" There. She said it.

And now she stands there, exhaling as she waits his his answer. Feeling like she had a heavy weight flee from her shoulders. "Sorry..." But the way he was looking at her...saying that, brought upon a new weight.

One twice as heavy. "Wh-what?" His expression is apologetic, sad even, but he continues. "I don't like you that way Zoe. You're a great friend, an amazing ally and an incredible person, but I don't have romantic feelings for you."

It hurt. "Why?! What's wrong with me?" Her heart felt like it was being shredded to pieces as she grabs his arms, desperate for his answer. "There's nothing wrong with you Zoe." He tries to calm her down.

Gently placing his hands on her bare arms to keep her in place, for her to look at him and listen to what he has to say. "You're beautiful, smart, strong, kind...any guy out there would be honored to be your boyfriend. But I don't feel that way for you. There's nothing wrong with you." She didn't believe him.

No matter how sincere he sounded, she couldn't take his words to heart. "If there is then why don't you like me!? What can I do to get you to love me?" Desperately she stared into his gaze, using her tip toes to plant a kiss to his lips.

"It's not you Zoe. There's...already someone that has my interest. And i've already decided I wouldn't tell them how I feel." Her attempt was for nothing as he gently pushes her away, keeping her distant.

The kiss meant nothing to him. "Takuya. Please." Tears were pouring down her eyes, and they wouldn't stop. "I'm not going to go out with you when I don't feel that way. Please accept that." She couldn't. She wouldn't...

"But you've already decided you weren't going to ask out the person you like!" Takuya sighed. "We're done Zoe." At that he releases her, deciding to walk away. Ending the conversation. "No we're not!" But there was no way she would give up just like that.

Not after coming all this way to confess her feelings. "I'll do anything Takuya! If you don't like something about me then tell me! I'll change. If there is something you like-let me know!" This...was getting ridiculous now.

And the pyromancer was starting to lose patience. If anything he was appalled. "You shouldn't have to change yourself just to catch my attention Zoe. You're more than that." Yet despite that he still wouldn't look her way. "If it means having you then I'll do whatever I have to." He shook his head.

"So what-it's ok for you to ignore JP and his feelings for you, but I can't tell you no?" At that she flinched, feeling called out. "He has nothing to do with this." He technically doesn't, she had a point.

However...this is something that's been bothering Takuya for awhile now. "I'm bringing him into this. Because unlike me you haven't given him any sort of answer to his feelings. And I'm not going to stand here arguing with you when I've already made my feelings on the subject loud and clear."

Despite all those positive qualities he said a minute ago, he wasn't afraid to call her out. He always thought it was somewhat cruel how she always ignored his advances. Not even bothering to give him an actual yes or no on his proclamations of love. If you love someone either tell them or don't advance on them.

Don't string them along when you have no intentions of actually being with them. She let him follow her like a lost puppy while complimenting her to the moon and back...Did she even thank him when JP risked his life(and theirs) to return her lost spirit after defeating Grumblemon?

Honestly Takuya doesn't think she ever did. "You're being a hypocrite. And a cruel one at that. You don't need me to make you happy and you shouldn't have to change just to try and achieve that. Because that just makes you insincere."

He was sounding harsh now, his emotions starting to bubble to the surface. But she needed a reality check. She was stronger than this. Or...maybe he didn't truly know her after all despite working alongside her all this time.

"How could you say that? Has anything I said mean anything to you!?" A retort was on the tip of his lips-immediately he wanted to throw that question right back at her. But he knew it was meaningless. Nothing was breaking through to her.

So...he crosses his arms. His eyes glowing. "No. Not one bit. Go find someone else to whine to. I'm sure JP would volunteer." With that he leaves, heading for the forest area beyond the beach...he needed to be alone.

XxXxXxxXxxXxXxXxxXxXxXXxxXxX

Nothing was going right. "Where are they?" Takuya stood there, resting his(probably) bruised back against the walls as the rest of his male warriors searched through their bundles of clothes. "It's not here!" It's been five minutes now.

And their d-tectors were nowhere to be found. With the exception of Takuya's that is...who never left his in the beach house. "So...looks like i'm the only one here that has mine." And it was a small saving grace as it was one less missing.

"What about Zoe? Think she has hers?" Not that anyone felt too happy about it. "Yeah...she had it when I found her on the other side of the beach." Despite things happening the way they did, with Zoe running away, she did take hers with her as well.

Clutching it to her chest as if holding onto it would relief her heartache. JP was scratching his hair in frustration. "Man what a day." Wincing as he stood up from his kneeling position. His stomach was no doubt black and blue...probably looking as bad as the mark on Takuya's cheek.

Though if it hurt the pyromancer has showed no sign of it. If anything he closed himself off since the fight between him and JP. Not showing a hint of emotion in his face or posture as he watched on. And even if he did, those fleeting moments of expression was reserved for Tommy, and Neemon.

Though that was to be expected, Tommy was essentially his little brother and Neemon...was well, Neemon. "Where could it be!?" What wasn't expected was him completely ignoring JP AND Zoe. He wouldn't even glance their way, refusing to meet their gazes.

His distance from everyone made it feel like shit hit the fan days ago instead of an hour or so...though Koichi couldn't blame him for reacting this way. Especially since he knew the true purpose for him concealing his feelings. He was probably mad at them sure...but there was more.

"There was some personal stuff...and well. It shouldn't have bothered me to this degree." Dark blue eyes glance as tanned fingers brush against the beads. "I think Cherubimon's influence is growing...I'm starting to lose myself." His voice was so quiet, barely heard in the wind. But Koichi still heard it.

And his gaze turned determine. "We won't let him win Takuya. Don't give up." Relief coursed through him seeing his companion's mouth twitch into a smile. "I didn't plan on it but thanks." Still that didn't stop him from sighing as dull red eyes glanced towards the sky.

"I'll be right back." Pushing himself off the wall, Takuya leaves, not giving any of them the opportunity to stop him or ask where he was going. Leaving JP to be on the end of a very mad looking glare. "You owe him an apology."

Who would've thought a little kid could be so intimidating. "Yeah yeah I know." Bokomon pipes up, knowing exactly what Tommy was about to say. Considering he was more than prepared for JP's answer.

They've gone through this song and dance already. "You have a lot of work ahead of you. Between what happened at Shamonmon's temple and this-you have a long list of things to apologize to Takuya for." At that the thunder elemental sulks.

"I know. I know. Geez Bokomon. You don't need to remind me. I messed up." Koichi opens his mouth, before closing it. Not exactly sure what was stopping him from voicing his thoughts on the subject. However...his brother was not like him.

Saying exactly what he wanted to without any remorse whatsoever. "With your track record it's no wonder he's not talking to you." It stung that it came from Koji of all people. "Shut up." But JP started this shit...no matter what he was going to fix it.

And the legendary warrior of light was going to drive that into his thick, idiotic skull. And he did it the only way he knew how. By being as blunt as humanly possible...something that if it were anyone else, would result in a deck to the jaw.

"Hell no. You can say what you want about me. I know I'm not the most likeable person or the easiest to get along with-but at least I admit when I've screwed up. Not once have you told him sorry, and now it's finally come to bite you in the ass." He was easily able to maneuver out of JP's range.

His kendo training coming in handy even without his digimon form. "That's enough now. There's been plenty of arguing for the day." And now Koichi stood, becoming a physical barrier between the two hot heads.

Honestly it's been an exhausting day. Couldn't they knock it off...or put that frustration to better use? "Guys!" And it seemed like it would only get more tiring when Takuya rushes back in, looking absolutely furious.

"What's wrong?" Tommy was the only one there able to look his surrogate brother in the eyes without fear. His irises were glowing red again. "The Toucanmon are gone! I can't find them anywhere." If there were any doubts before...this proved it.

They took the d-tectors and ran for the hills. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go after them." But they wouldn't get far...not if they had anything to say about it.

to be continued

Author Notes: And there we go. Some tension for the crew to deal with as we now have two d-tectors, and a lot of anger. Honestly it was only a matter of time before I forced these guys to further descend towards the spiral of pain.

I got plans my friends. Oh the plans~ But that will be it for now everyone. Thanks to all for reading. If you'd like to show support please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean so much to me! Tchao for now.