Ominous Flame

Chapter 37

Author Notes: AHHH this new month has screwed me up. I'm way off my schedule...doesn't help that work and school has really made me lose track of said schedule. I haven't even been able to write new stuff in ages and it is bothering me to no end.

So it's time to make myself feel better. And that means I need a new chapter. One full of chaos. One full of fun-and if I can make my characters suffer it's a good night. Let's go, I do not own Digimon.

3rd P.O.V

"Thunder fist!" So there was indeed a reason as to why it was taking Koji, JP, Tommy and Neemon so long to get back. "Blizzard blaster!" And it wasn't really a good one as the four who had met up before heading back to camp found themselves ambushed.

A bunch of irritating pipismon were flying around. "Crazy sonic~" Making sure to mess with the digiwarrior's senses. "Ugh! Lobo kendo!" Between them constantly screeching while moving in the darkness, it was making for a tedious battle. "Grrr I've had enough of this!"

What they needed to do was attack a huge range, this way they could take them out even if they couldn't be seen...but proved much harder as the three digidestin though had good attacks, didn't really cover that type of range.

The best they had was Tommy, and even when he shot out his crystal breathe attack, all that could be heard was snickering from within the trees. These type of enemies would've been perfect for Zoe or Takuya.

"This is getting so annoying." But neither of them were here right now. So the three of them would have to make due. "They keep dodging me...We need a new plan." A thought comes to Koji as he glances about.

Narrowing his eyes. "Let's see if I can flush them out." Both of his companions look at him in confusion. "How?" Lobomon holds out his sword, gathering the power within himself. "Just get ready to shield your eyes."

Not a second after he tells them, the light from his sword grows. Bright and blinding. "AYEEEEEEEE!" Koji wasn't necessarily sure how it was really happening or how effective it would be. He didn't even realize that the kanji symbols on his armor began glowing as well.

But hearing all the irritating pests shriek in agony, collapsing onto the ground made him grin. Just as quick as the light came, it ended, allowing JP and Tommy to strike their immobile enemies. Much to their relief the digibats' fractal code revealed itself.

Allowing for all three of them to scan their data. "Fractal code-digitize!" Sighing each of them, one by one returned to their human forms, absolutely beat. "Let's get going." But unfortunately it wasn't the time to rest yet.

They had to gather all the wood they had dropped before the fight, and make their way back to camp. The sooner the better. "Can't we take a little breather man?" Immediately Koji rolls his eyes. "No. Come on." Though he wouldn't admit it himself he was also tired.

Still, despite that, he was more worried about getting back to the others. "Back me up here Tommy! A minute to rest isn't going to kill us." The boy in question already had his fire fuel in hand. Tight against his chest.

"Yeah but...I wanna see Takuya. He promised me a story when we got back." Another sigh burst through. Though this one was in exasperation as JP picked up his wood in defeat. Once again outnumbered. "With how long it's taken it wouldn't be a surprise if everyone's already gone to bed."

At this point, Tommy was ignoring him. Instead grabbing his glowing moss, and hopping a step or two ahead. "Exactly why we need to move. If the three of us were having trouble, I can't imagine the struggle Zoe and Koichi would be having." At the reminder of his dear crush alone...

Or rather alone...with Takuya, JP started rushed to catch up to Tommy. A million different(dramatic) thoughts and scenarios swirling in the thunder elemental's head. Leaving Koji to roll his eyes as he in turn grabbed Neemon.

Poor guy fell unconscious from all the sound blasts from before, so it wasn't a surprised that he was out like a light. Once the strange pant-wearing digimon was picked up, Koji placed his moss on the pile of branches he collected and ran as well.

It didn't take a minute for him to reach them and together they retraced their steps. Following the footprints that had led them so deep into the forest.

xXxXxXxXXxXxXxXxXxXXxXxXXxXxXx

"Hey guys, what took you so long?" It took a lot longer than planned, but they made it back safe and sound. "We were getting worried." Finding Takuya and Koichi keeping guard over a roaring fire, surrounded by bright moss...it was relieving.

Immediately JP looked all around, searching. "Where's Zoe and Bokomon?" All Takuya had to do was point, everyone's gazes finding the girl and white furred digimon tucked into a peaceful sleep on the other side of the fire. "Try to keep your voices down."

Koji took note of the little campsite they made, before analyzing and his brother and friend. "Any trouble?" Immediately his other half shook his head, calm as can be. "None thankfully." It was reassuring to see there weren't any issues.

Especially after all the trouble he had. "So what kept you guys? We were expecting you ages ago." Tommy didn't waste time gently hugging his surrogate brother. "We ran into some annoying bat digimon." A hum escaped the brunette.

Already having a good idea as to what they dealt with. "Let me guess, big blue bats that love to screech your ears off right?" At that, JP frowns. "You KNEW those things were out there? Why didn't you warn us?!" It was an exhausting day...this was not a good time to argue or point fingers.

"I didn't know if they were still around. Last time I was here, I was a digiminion that had been on a destructive rampage." The pyro user had his hands raised in front of him. He honestly had no idea what to expect in this damn forest.

Yes, he's been hearing noises, but the fire and moss has been doing a wonderful job keeping them away. Many of the creatures at least-as far as he recalled, were nocturnal, and really didn't like bright light or couldn't see period. But again, he couldn't see himself, let alone know if there's been any changes.

If the forest seemed bigger or smaller. Was it still bustling full of feral, rivaling digimon? He couldn't tell. And even then he told them when they all first started their trek that he could hear things. He's not a digimon whisperer.

There was a crap ton of digimon out there that he's probably never seen let alone dealt with before. "Still would've been nice..." It seems heartfelt talk or not, Takuya and JP weren't ever going to get along perfectly.

"If I could write a book full of the digimon I knew were loyal to Cherubimon and list every little thing about them I would. But even before I left, there was constant changes going around here. Several digimon allying and fighting against each other and him."

There was no telling who was friend or foe. Which is really what made this place so dangerous. But regardless of the situation, even if he wanted to try and list things now-his penmanship, which before was somewhat hard to read, would be next to impossible now.

So all of them would just have to deal with it. "Lay off him JP. You can't expect him to know every little thing that happens here. We don't get mad at Bokomon when he doesn't have an answer." And Tommy wastes no time going to his defense.

Growing bolder and sassier. "That's enough. We knew there was a chance of hostile digimon. There's no need for an argument over what he knows or not is here. Takuya, what do you know about them?" Koji takes a seat next to his twin.

Impressed with him also being more confident and taking charge of the situation. Knowing that in the beginning, all he would've tried to do was ask for peace. Unsure of what to say to fix the problem or stop the fight entirely.

"I think they're called pipasmon. Really annoying digimon that like to mimic voices. Like real bats they go around using ultrasounds to guide them. Back when Cherubimon first started using me, he would send them out to distract whoever stood in his way." His bandages tightened for a second.

Making Koichi tap him on the shoulder, knowing full well what his friend was doing. "You're going to break the scabs doing that. I understand it's habit, but trying to narrow your eyes is going to make them rebleed." At that Takuya sulked, mumbling a small apology.

And it...stirred something in Koji. Not like an emotional feeling growing within him. But seeing the interactions between his brother and Takuya, made a thought that had been in the back of his mind bring itself forth.

This time however, the thought remained. Not that it ever left, mind you, but it didn't retreat away like before. There was nothing to distract him or put the thought on hold like in the past. So of course...it was time to talk about it.

"Takuya, i'll take over, go ahead and get some rest." And he wasn't going to let anyone have a say against it. "You sure man? I don't mind staying up." JP and Tommy were already getting settled.

Tommy(fortunately for Koji) was too tired to ask for that story he was so excited about. There was no way would let this chance slip. "Yeah, out of all of us, you need the most rest. In a couple hours Bokomon and Zoe will take over."

Both brothers watch as their friend is hesitant to move. His mouth frowning, as if he wanted to argue or protest. But he doesn't even bother, instead sighing. Most likely knowing it would be a lost cause. "Alright..." With a grunt he rises from his seat.

Having spent most of his time circling and memorizing the area, he moves to where he's a bit aways from the fire. Giving his spot to Koji as well as make some distance so they can talk privately. Something Koichi notices with a grateful smile. "Night Takuya." The siblings wait, listening until his breathing evens out.

"That didn't take long at all..." Falling into a restless sleep. "Moron's been pushing himself too much. It's a miracle he hasn't keeled over." Koichi and Koji's gazes met, worry bouncing off each other.

Though the dark elemental decides to start their talk for the night(or is it day?) "What's on your mind Koji?" For a few minutes he remains silent, making sure to glance at everyone to see if all of them were indeed asleep.

He never liked the thought of eavesdropping, and the last thing he wanted was for one of them to put in their two cents. "Have...things changed between you and Takuya?" Poor Koji had no idea how to say it properly.

His lone wolf habits were making him so awkward in asking. "Excuse me?" Not even his brother who he's somehow managed to be in perfect sync with could decipher. "You guys seem closer than usual. You HAVE been getting closer. I wasn't sure if you were-you know."

A blush formed on the light elemental brother's cheeks. "I-" And it didn't take long at all for his younger twin to realize what he was trying to imply. Sporting a matching set of crimson cheeks.

"N-no! We're not dating...if that's what you're asking." There was no way. "Are you serious?" Koji was NOT a romantic. He didn't get the appeal of love and dates and all that cheesy shit-especially after meeting JP and having the unfortunate luck of listening to his soliloquies involving his feelings for Zoe.

Still, he knew WHAT love looked like. He's seen the goo goo eyes his father and stepmother give each other. He's had to deal with so many girls trying to ask him out whenever he's stayed longer than a month at his new schools.

So he could definitely see something going on between his brother and the flaming idiot. "Y-es Koji! What coul-d possibly make you think otherwise?" He was tempted to be mean and point out the fact that his loving sibling was a stuttering mess.

But it wasn't the time to make fun of him. Not with what he was hearing. "But you DO like him right?" He would wait till the two got together before making their lives insufferable. "Wha-I...why are you even asking me this?!" His entire face was red now.

Resembling a harsh sunburn. "Because...as much as the guy gets under my skin, he makes you happy right? At least from where I stand he's been a good influence on you." His brother was gaping at him. Rightfully so considering his personality.

If anyone else heard such a thing they would be accusing him as a doppleganger or some digimon in disguise. Under normal circumstances the idea of being honest with emotions that don't involve anger or frustration would make him want to hurl.

However it hasn't just been Koichi that Takuya's been a good influence on. The brunette at one point or another has shown he cares, and would do whatever it takes to help them, regardless of whatever comes their way.

Over time Koji has looked at this group and consider them family. Quite literally with Koichi(obviously) but he couldn't imagine his life without these people in it. So no matter what...he wants to make sure he does what he can to make them happy.

"Koji..." If that means being a hammer, to nail things into place and stick his nose in personal feelings than so be it. "If you like him-tell him. These days I can't tell if he's dense or hiding it, but-you both look happy together."

to be continued

Author Notes: I have either killed Koji and replaced him with a doppleganger or...this is becoming a much more serious situation for him to bring it up. We have plot, we have a romantic side plot-and I am all for it.

For now anyways...bad times are coming, the storm is brewing. It's going to be so much fun. That is it for now though folks. Thank you all for reading my story! If you like the series please feel free to fav/follow/review as it would mean so much to me. Tchao for now.