Ominous Flame

Chapter 29

Author Notes: Chappy time~ And after that delightful tense discussion between the group, it's time to...stir things up again. Unsurprisingly for me, this was like two or so chapters that had to get split up so editing took a bit longer than usual. As always I do not own digimon.

3rd P.O.V

New place, fresh faces, same situation as the group of humans and their friendly digimon companions find sanctuary in the kind EbiBurgamon's home and family business. Food, safety, a roof over their head...all of them were extremely grateful.

But even with the turn around of luck they still found themselves unable to fully cheer up. There was still one member down for the count...his injuries not showing any signs of recovery despite the time that has passed.

It was getting to really get concerning especially with the fever. "Leave everything to us!" But EbiBurgamon and her family were keeping their spirits up. Distracting them with the promised free food and stories.

Though one was unaffected. Still keeping a close eye on his unconscious friend. Now granted all of them have been a series of worried mother hens hovering over his sleeping form...but Koichi stuck to the boy like glue.

Were it not for his brother and the eager little TorikaraBallmon, the ravenette probably wouldn't even leave his side if given a choice. "Koichi...why don't you head downstairs and get some food?" And now Bokomon was added to that really short list.

"I'm not that hungry Bokomon..." He was given a look, one that felt like when his mother was ready to give him a lecture. "Koichi..." One of those looks that had a stern intimidating aura backing it. Preventing any sort of argument or protest.

Though Koichi wasn't sure if the little digimon before him always had that expression and it was just the first time it was sent his way or if it was developed with the responsibilities of raising a digiegg. "Go eat. I'll be right here watching over Takuya."

He didn't doubt Bokomon, he trusted him to do as he promised, but that didn't stop Koichi from glancing back. Hesitant. "But..." He gets a small pat on his legs. "It'll be alright. Go on." In the end Koichi just couldn't win.

"If you're sure." His miniature companion snorts, looking absolute exasperated as he rubs the egg. "Please. Before your brother and the others ruin the kitchen...they're tearing it apart trying to help create new burgers." Guess he had to do damage control.

With a small nod and smile Koichi waves as he makes it out the door. "Finally...poor thing." Bokomon takes a seat, just tall enough to be able to see Takuya from above, breathing slowly. "You better wake up soon young man, the others desperately need you to brighten their day."

If he were being honest, all of them did. Even dealing with Neemon's idiotic antics were halfhearted without Takuya shaking his head or making some form of comedical comment. So wanting to pass time, Bokomon takes out his giant, green book.

Over the years he's probably read it hundreds upon thousands of times, practically memorized the pages. But right now there was a sense of purpose. Not only as a distraction but also to find out as much as he can about the legendary warrior of fire. To see if he could somehow help...

xXxXXxxXXxXxXxxXxxXxXxXxxXx

Voices mingled and mashed together. "-let this happen!" It was hard to pick out what was familiar and what was not. " -we do?" It reminded Takuya of when his brother had to participate in chorus and he was trying to find him in the crowd...just with sounds.

"Cherubimon must be stopped." Why couldn't he recognize whoever these people are? "But the cost-" And more importantly why the hell were they so fucking loud? "We can't afford this to keep going." Everything hurt and frankly he just wanted to go back to sleep.

Not that these spirits-wait. "-is innocent! I refuse to agr- your decision." Why did he think they were spirits? "Think what you will...n-ot stand down on this." Actually now that he was actually trying to pay attention what were they talking about?

Takuya was really getting really sick of having questions. "This is for the sake of the Digital World!" If only he could open his mouth to tell them to shut up, maybe his head wouldn't hurt so much. "If that is the price then I will give him my power. It is the least I can do."

He tried to open his eyes. But it hurt too much to, it was like they were glued, keeping him trapped in his blackhole vision. "Ugh..." Not that it mattered. As he raised his hand, he felt wrappings both on his hands and over his eyes.

"What?" Placing his shaking palms on the soft fabric and a familiar sounding squeak. "A bed?" His mind was in a fog, his memories hazy...only for cold dread to encase his being. His body and mind jumpstarting with a kaleidoscope of images overloading his black vision.

'You may've gotten your wish now Shagumon. But this isn't the end. You WILL return to me. And my first order when you've become my faithful servant once more is the execution of your precious little friends.'

That's right. Cherubimon tried to...he had to calm down. A deep, shaky breath burst through his mouth as he tried pushing himself up. "Ah!" Emphasis on tried. He was so weak, his arms unsteady, let alone able to help him sit up.

His body flopped right back onto the mattress, increasing the squeaking sound. "?" His ears pricked up at the sound of movement before something loud collided onto the floor. "Takuya!?" He flinched as a sharp shrill of a voice echoed right into his ear.

"Bokomon?" A sigh is heard right next to him as he felt soft fur glide across his hand. Not enough weight to bother his burns, but it was there. Despite his best attempt...he was still in the world of the living.

Right now, he wasn't sure how to exactly feel about that. "How are you feeling? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?" He was very tempted to say everywhere. But he could tell his friend here was borderline panicking. It didn't seem appropriate adding to that.

So Takuya does what he does best, grin and bear it. "Peachy. Where are we? Are the others ok?" That was his biggest concern right now. He wanted to hope that since he was still in human-or what felt like human(he didn't feel any metal or heavy weights pressing on him at least.) that Cherubimon didn't get him.

But he wanted to make sure he didn't do anything while unconscious. That he wasn't turned into a literal puppet on magical strings. "Everyone's fine, very worried about you, but unharmed." That...was exactly what he needed to hear.

Er, not the them worried part. "Good...that's good." He didn't even realize he was holding his breath until he released it, sagging further into the soft pillows. "I need to get the others-stay there until I return!" No. No he didn't want that at all.

"Wait-not yet Bokomon!" If he could move he would have tried to physically stop him, but he couldn't see. And even if he could, there was a sharp, intense, throbbing pain going all throughout his frame the moment he tried jerking to a sitting position.

So he had to hope he could convince him with his words(and the undertone of anxiousness.) "Why not?! I just said everyone is waiting for you! They've been worried sick for weeks now!" Was it truly that long?

And he still felt like a wreck, well he had a pretty good idea why. "Please. I-i'm not ready to face everyone right now. I...I actually had some questions for you, questions I don't feel comfortable sharing with them."

All he got was tense silence. He didn't hear footsteps walking away, so he figured Bokomon despite his eagerness to head out and share the good news(was it really good?) was still there. Was he just watching him? Or was he thinking in that typical rational pose he liked doing.

"Fine...but not long. I know Koichi and Tommy have been by your side nonstop and would want to especially see you." A grimace formed on his face hearing that. No matter how much he appreciated the sentiment, knowing that they cared...

They shouldn't be. Not with what he knows. So for the moment at least he had to ignore the swell of emotions he was feeling. He had to keep breathing, this wasn't the time to break down. He had questions that could make or break his next set of decisions.

It could always be done later when no one is there. "Is it possible for one person to be in the human world and Digital World at the same time?" Takuya could imagine the look on his face now. Bewildered with just a hint of nervousness.

He was hoping the white furred bookworm could knock off one concern off his huge ass list. "N-no. I've never heard of such a thing. Why?" He should've known to get his hopes up. "Takuya?" Why...was this happening? "I failed..."

He didn't know what to do anymore. "Is it possible for Cherubimon to have taken my soul or a part of me after running me over?" At this point it didn't matter if he seemed crazy or made no sense.

There had to be something the pyromancer could cling to. "Takuya what are you-don't grab your head!" Some sort of hope. Something to keep him from losing his sanity because it felt like his head was splitting apart.

A hiss passed through his lips, his eyes stinging. "Please Bokomon...if there's anything you know please. Please...I need something. Could Cherubimon split me in two somehow? Am I really here?"

To be continued

Author Notes: Muahahaha! Suffer and face my spicy puns as I throw Takuya into a spiral of paranoia and anxiety! In all honesty I guess having him wake up after like two chapters seems a bit too soon but I be an impatient lady and demand more angst for my favorite pyro.

Plus I feel like it's now or never to address certain concerns that have been brought up throughout the series. Get ready to join me on the drama train because it'll be quite the bit of time before we get some pep in the step.

But that is it for now everyone. As per usual thank you all so much for reading my story~ If you like it please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean the world to me knowing that I am not the only one reading this lol. See you next time-tchao for now.