Ominous Flame

Chapter 25

Author Notes: Well boys and girls it's time for part two of the showdown against Ranamon. It's time to see what exactly happens as our fluttering butterfly comes to Takuya's aid. I do not own Digimon.

Last time on Ominous Flame

"Queen? Don't make me laugh, you're just something to throw soy sauce on before grilling. May want to work on the makeup job." Apparently wind and water mixed even less than fire and water as sparks began to fly between the two females.

With him of course smack dab in the middle, powerless to do anything. "Prepare to get those wings clipped girly!" Zoe was just barely able to dodge her, moving them higher into the sky. As grateful as Takuya was for her helping him...they were sitting ducks.

3rd P.O.V

They needed a new plan. "Zoe I need you to drop me." She dodges again at another attempt of getting slapped by a wave. "Are you crazy Takuya? I drop you and you'll fall right into the water." He knew that.

"Look Zoe, you can't fight like this, it's only a matter of time before she gets a hit on us, then both of us are going down. If I fall you can counter her better." Even though he couldn't see her gaze, she shook her head.

There was no way she would do it. "All you need to do is use your flames. I can use my wind to make them stronger and blow her away." If only he could. "I can't summon them, all I got is steam. And even if we try to wait for me to dry it'll be too late. I'll be fine."

He could feel her hands that gripped tightly onto his tremble. Though one could say it was probably from anger at his idea or fear...he knew it was actually because she was holding him. From what little times he's seen her carry someone, it was always either one of their digimon friends.

And on one other occasion Tommy in his digiform. All three were small and relatively light. Takuya in his form was taller and heavier than her. It was a miracle Calmaramon missed them twice.

Zoe needed to fight-was the only one that really could right now, and in order to do that she needed to let go of the extra baggage. "But..." He shoots her a thumbs up with his free hand. "Trust me. I'll be ok." He would say whatever he needed to.

"Ok." Besides even without his elemental he didn't plan on letting her handle this alone. He could distract the oversized squid and use his martial arts. "Here we go." Despite everything within her saying not to, she releases her friend.

Zooming right past his falling form to strike. "Hurricane Wave!" Growling Calmaramon counters with a wave of her own, destroying it in a snap. Ill prepared for another unwanted kick from Agunimon. "Hya!" Cherubimon's warrior was really starting to hate these two.

Though she stumbled she stayed upright this time. "You little brat!" Retaliating by smacking Takuya, sending him several yards away before colliding into the sea. "Agunimon!" Zoe didn't have much opportunity to worry about her friend as she quickly tried following him only to get hit herself.

The only difference being she landed towards shore, groaning in pain. "Time to end you honey! Once I'm done with you, your little friend is next." With an evil laugh Calmaramon rose into the air, right above her opponent.

"Titanic Tempest!" Her body spins, moving like an organic drill...ready to slam right down at the immobile wind digimon. "Wahaaaaaaawaawawaaa!" Only to spin completely out of control. "Huh?" Kazemon looks up, surprised as her latest threat starts flying away.

If she nearly didn't die, she would've laughed. "I-I'll g-et yo-u f-or th-issssss!" Within a matter of moments she was gone. Stopping the battle before it got really bad. Zoe sighed in relief as she gingerly got up from the sand, her gaze searching. "Agunimon?! Agunimon!"

But no matter where she looked that striking shade of red armor or yellow hair was nowhere in sight. Nor did he respond. Immediately she took off into the sky. "Oh no." Even with Calmaramon gone, the waves were relentless.

"Agunimon!" She scoured, still searching, rising higher in the hopes of finding him. "Takuya!" And it paid off. Her eyes widened in shock finding him in human form, trying to fight the current. "Hang on!" She drop down head first, tucking her butterfly wings to pick up speed.

She reaches her hand out, watching him determinedly extend his despite the rough tide. Just barely she grabs him before a wave drags him under. Both of them a breathless mess. "You alright Zoe?" She frowns as she flutters them back to dry land.

Considering how things played out she should be the one questioning him. "Are you seriously asking me that? You nearly drowned just now." He shot her a grin. "You were the one going toe to toe against Calmaramon just now...where'd she go anyways?"

She wanted to argue, but could feel him shaking in her grip...at this rate he was going to get sick. "Don't know. She flew off trying to use a move on me. Good riddance." He laughed at her comment, before sneezing. Fortunately away from her.

Cute or not she did not want his germs. "That's good. Phew." The wind elemental agreed, she was exhausted. With her eyes on the island she flaps her wings, heading back. It was a few moments of peace. Yet, much to her surprise, Takuya speaks up.

"Hey Zoe...I know the others aren't here yet...but before we meet up with them, I wanted to talk to you." She gazes down at him, startled. He sounded unsure, lacking the confidence he usually displays. What did he want to say?

It made her nervous in all honesty. Despite that she would hear him out. "No time like the present Takuya. We're still going to be a few minutes before hitting the island." Just to give him those extra moments she slowed down her pace.

Something he took note of and was grateful for. "I wanted to apologize for being mean to you. No matter how mad I was, I shouldn't have said what I did or ignored you." Honestly...she didn't expect that.

"I wanted to say sorry too. I didn't respect your feelings. I'm grateful to have met you, and though it hurts, I'm more than happy being your friend." Ever since their little spat both of them took what time they had to think back on what they said.

Both were in the wrong, though Zoe knew that she was more at fault in it. She had been wanting to apologize in general, but didn't want to admit that she was wrong, nor give up her crush. Yet...seeing him fight a losing battle against Calmaramon terrified her.

She could've lost him, without having the chance to try to clear the air. And that was why she was honest with him now, deciding to let things go. Even though his smile towards her was one full of gratefulness... there was still tension in his frame.

"Takuya?" He looked like he was deciding something...what Zoe wouldn't give to delve into his mind and figure out how he ticked. Seconds went on with him looking like that. But then she hears him take a deep breath.

As if he was preparing himself for another battle. "Zoe...as much as I appreciate you confessing... I don't like you that way. But that's how I feel about girls in general." Oh...oh! Well, that certainly explains a lot.

Not that she would've ever been able to guess that. "Yo-you're gay?" He flushes, unable to look her in the eye. Unable to see just how...astonished she was. Suddenly EVERYTHING he said to her made sense.

Why he said that nothing she could do to change would change his mind, why he had no intentions of telling his actual crush. Now she felt foolish. "I'm so sorry for how I acted Takuya." It was no wonder he felt nothing from that kiss.

And now she felt horrible because up until now she had been hoping that maybe she could catch his interest. "No one else knows Zoe. Not my parents, not my brother or friends and not our group." Not even Tommy, and suddenly she was overwhelmed with what he was saying.

"No one?" He felt so bad about what happened that he just revealed to her a huge secret. Something he's kept near and dear to his heart. He was trusting her with such a huge secret despite their little spat that happened only a few hours ago.

It touched her, and she didn't feel like she deserved it. "Is your crush someone in our group?" She knew for a fact it wasn't JP. Up until now, the two were neutral with each other. Not really showing any signs of interest other than the fact that they were traveling.

Tommy was way too young and reminded Takuya of his little brother so he was out. That left only two. "I'd...rather not say. But it doesn't matter either way." Yep...definitely one of the twins. That answer though...

"Why not? We live in a day and age where those from the LGBT community are more open and accepted. And I don't think anyone you like would reject you. You're a great guy Takuya." Her statement brought a smile to his face.

It was small, insecure, but real. "Not so long as I'm still under Cherubimon's influence. Even if the person I like is in our group-which he isn't. I'm too dangerous. If I become his lackey or lose control of my emotions I could hurt him and that'd be the last thing I want."

As much as that saddened her, she could understand why. "We'll stop Cherubimon Takuya. Stay strong." He was starting to see a pattern. "I will..." He never planned otherwise, but was hard to stay negative or fearful when he had so much support from his friends.

"Maybe after...who knows. But right now I'm content with how things are." It felt like a huge weight lifted off both of their shoulders as they finally hit dry land. The moment Zoe let Takuya go she returned to her human form.

Sighing. "So...does that mean we're ok now?" A little part of her still felt unsure and worried. "Yeah. At the very least I think so. Still not forgiving JP just yet though." On one hand she was surprised with how nonchalant he was in admitting that.

On the other she wasn't with what went down between them. "Guys! Are you ok!?" But before she could comment, the pair hear shouting. The group was reunited...and it was time to hunt down some Toucanmon.

to be continued

Author Notes: That ended on a much happier note than originally planned. But you know what-nostalgia gives me a bit of a soft spot for Zoe. Plus she saved Takuya's ass, gotta give it to her when credit is due.

But whoo boy, been waiting to drop the bombshell. Of course most of you were already letting you're little intuition voices whisper in your ear. So...reality for me is, this wasn't a bombshell-especially since I have done other yaoi stories.

Now the only question is who is the lucky boy lol. Guess we have to wait and see. However, with that note, we are done for the day. Guys thank you all so much for reading my stories. If you like it please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton to me. Tchao for now!