Ominous Flame

Chapter 35

Author Notes: School is officially in session...for me. Goodie goodie. Well at least it's for writing lol, maybe I'll learn some new things that will help me out. But of course that means uploads may not be consistent.

Case in point...I was SUPPOSED to upload a bunch of stuff friday-but I was too tired and forgot all about it till-five minutes ago. So please be patient with me. I'm trying, and i do not own Digimon.

3rd P.O.V

"Brr it's chilly here." Zoe rubbed her arms as she sat on the log. Her eyes squinting as she tried seeing through the brush. It's been a few days since they first began their trek into the unknown realm of darkness. And so far...so good. "I hope the others get back soon."

It was dark(what a surprise!). It was spooky(shocker!). Like something out of a horror movie or video game, but nothings come after them so far. By this point they would've been ambushed by one of the other legendary warriors or found some angry digimon on a vendetta for them to handle.

But nope. All was well and good. The group even managed to find some glowing moss to guide them through the forest. Hell they found so much of it that they were even able to use it to illuminate their little camping site until they can get a fire going.

The worst thing they've had to deal with is being unable to tell the time of day since it was pitch black twenty-four seven. Frankly Takuya will take it. Sighing in relief as he patted the ground and gently lowered himself next to his friend.

Currently they were the only two that were there, their tasks already done as the others search for fire wood and food. Their favorite buddy system at play once more. "Sorry Zoe. I'd light my palm but..." Immediately she shakes her head.

"No no! Don't worry about it. How are you holding up?" All she gets is a small thumbs up. "Doing fine." Though he was ready to sleep, wanting a quick nap, he knew it was a terrible idea. Their luck wouldn't last forever.

It was only a matter of time before they ran into trouble. They were in the heart of Cherubimon's lair after all. Though he had no idea where exactly they were in the celestial digimon's vast territory...he could sense his presence.

His influence was strong, stronger than it's ever been before, making it all the more uncomfortable for Takuya. Especially when all of his companions decided to follow the buddy pair system. Anywhere else he was ok with it...really he was(so long as he was out of the equation.) but here?

Not a good idea, too dangerous. But of course it didn't help that he still couldn't do so much as walk by himself. Having to be treated like a child and guided through by Tommy or Koichi who have at this point forced themselves to be his assistants.

Man, it really made him feel like shit that he had to keep relying on them. Doesn't matter if they told him it wasn't a big deal or that they wanted to help. It didn't get rid of the guilt or the sense of being a burden. He couldn't even defend himself like before.

But this was the price he had to pay for his rash decisions-it could be worse. So accept it he must. His fingers(damn he really missed his gloves. He felt so bare without them.) pulled at the moss clump in his possession.

Stretching it as to distract himself. "Whoa!" He flinched, not realizing how close the warrior of wind was to him. "What's up Zoe?" He waits a moment, tilting his head. She didn't sound scared, or make rushed movements from her little wooden seat. So at least it wasn't from an ambush.

"Your moss is glowing brighter!" Was it? Humming to himself he played a bit more with his moss. Though now he could hear the shuffle of movement. She was closer, watching intently as he twisted the strange material. "Weird."

Despite being moss it wasn't falling apart, it was soft, like a fuzzy marshmallow. "Just like those meat apples right?" A huff escapes her but he could tell she was smiling. "Everything's weird here." Which was way better then the anxiety she was radiating earlier.

Though it returns in full force a moment later as Takuya tilts his head, listening. "What is it?" She whispered the question, but considering his sensitive hearing on top of being so close it was loud, making him wince. Still, he let's it go, more focused on the sounds going off within the trees.

"Someone's stepping on branches." A smile forms onto his lips, recognizing the footstep patterns. "It's Koichi and Bokomon." Sure enough not even a few moments later Zoe heard the snaps of twigs too. "We're back." With the perpetrators sporting smiles with their bundles of wood.

Happy as can be. "The others have not returned?" The blond girl rose from her spot. Rushing to grab the heavy looking logs. "Here let me help!" Takuya's smile widens a bit more. Able to easily hear and imagine Koichi's struggle.

Poor guy wasn't very strong. "N-no I got it Zoe." He couldn't tell exactly how many chunks of wood there were in the warrior of darkness's arms, but if Zoe was huffing at his reluctance to hand them over and prove he was capable of putting them in the fire pit that was made earlier then it was probably a lot.

While the two of them were bickering, Bokomon took Zoe's original seat next to Takuya, rubbing Seraphimon's egg. "Have there been any issues Takuya?" He simply shook his head, his illuminated moss forgotten.

"No. I've been hearing digimon beyond our circle, but they haven't done anything." The digihen found himself giving the brunette a critical eye, not that Takuya could really tell. "And what about your injuries?" His answer came too quick. "Fine." Too vague...

There was no way it was true. "Have any of them been changed since this morning?" Bokomon was taking his parenting(worrying) duties very seriously. Especially since it was hard to get the patient to cooperate in being careful or getting support.

Instead of asking for help he had been trying(and failing) to do it himself. "Hey Koichi, do you have Koji's lighter on you?" And having the digidestin ignore him on top of changing the subject spelled bad news.

Very bad news indeed. "? No. But that's fine, my grandmother that taught me how to start a fire without one." Zoe blinked as they drop the bundles harshly onto the ground. "Seriously?" Not even a moment later Koichi goes to his knees.

Taking the pieces, he stacks them into a pyramid shape. "It's nothing special really. Takuya can you rip some pieces of moss off?" Bokomon was glaring now as Takuya does as he was told. "Takuya..." The fire warrior would ignore Bokomon's question till the moons dropped into the digital world.

"Is moss flammable?" A low growl could be heard to the pyro user, but it was fine. There was no need for him to worry about his wounds. There was no point. "It can be, yes." Bokomon would NOT tolerate this childishness. "Takuya, your bandages NEED to be changed. They're never going to heal this way!"

It's been awhile since the bookworm found himself angry. And for once it wasn't sent Neemon's way. Making all three teens flinch. However Takuya recovers quickly enough, stubbornly keeping his face towards the fire pit. Unaware that Koichi had a perfect view of his expression.

To see him grimace. Crossed arms revealing insecurity. "There's no need to worry about my bandages Bokomon. We need to get this fire started, the temps starting to drop and Zoe's already cold." It was an excuse.

A reason to keep all eyes off him. "It is with the fact that they're not healing. If they aren't changed a few times a day, they can get worse! Ebiburgamon said as much." And it wasn't working.

"Understand this young man, your health is just as important as everyone else here. I refuse to let you slowly torture yourself like this!" It was a good thing it was only Zoe and Koichi here to see this. No doubts if he were here, Koji would happily agree.

Throwing his two cents(and maybe two fists) into the mix. Or Tommy giving that sad, kicked puppy dog expression that could easily manipulate Takuya even without his sight. However it seems Bokomon was far from done as he places his claws on his hips.

"If you're so concerned with getting the fire started, then Zoe and I can work on it. Koichi can redo your bandages and then come help us if there are problems. Regardless you have no say because you are a danger to yourself!"

Takuya flinches once more. And...Koichi found his eyes going wide. Despite the dim light from the moss, the raven haired boy could see something red trickle through bandaged eyes, descending down tan cheeks.

Were those tears? Or was that from the wounds reopening? "Fine." It was difficult to tell. As was Takuya's mental state as he rises from his seat, twisting away from everyone. Carefully he makes his way towards the edge of the camp circle.

"You coming Koichi?" It...was honestly so painful hearing Takuya pretend that he's fine. Because he knew for a fact that his friend was not. Especially after that blowup from Bokomon. "Just a sec." His fingers grasp the bag full of medical supplies Ebiburgamon gave them, the straps sliding slightly.

Only for him to freeze as stubby claws land on his arm. "Talk to him Koichi. Out of all of us, he listens to you best. He has to understand that this cannot go on." Bokomon's voice was low, but something told Koichi that Takuya heard him anyway.

However there was no point. The warrior of darkness knew this for a fact. "Mind escorting me a bit further into the forest Koichi?" His friend was stuck in an endless cycle of pain and worry. Takuya wants to live, but not if it means Cherubimon can take control of him.

His wounds weren't healing, he wasn't sleeping and barely eating. No one else had really noticed with the exception of Bokomon and himself. It was a downward spiral of insanity. And the fire elemental was well aware of not only that...but the fact that Koichi has his dagger.

Right now...Koichi was really wishing he could argue with Bokomon about Takuya's bandages getting changed. Because he really wasn't looking forward to what little chit chat the two of them were going to have.

to be continued

Author Notes: Bokomon laying the hammer on bullshit. And I love him for it. I always liked him since he was serious and he had his big book of stuff, but even after all these years, that love hasn't changed.

Will admit it was a bit weird seeing him do mommy talk to the egg-but it makes sense and I can happily ignore it in fanfiction lol. Next chappy Takuya and Koichi get to have a nice little chat. Fun times await.

But that will take place next time. Guys thank you all so much for reading. If you like this series so far please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean a crap ton to me. I'll see you all soon. Tchao for now.