Hey, guys, GaeaChronos here.

Okay *deep breath*

I have no excuses. I forgot about this fic. Really sorry. Not sure when the next one will come out, but this fic ain't dead. This is the first story I ever wrote in my life, and I won't give up on it.

With that said, on with the chapter!

Chapter 3

I walk around Rai's house, messing with a few trinkets here and there.

Mrs. Nakamura left to get groceries once I let her know I was staying here a while, so it's just me, Rai, Haruka, and our partners in the house.

Passing by his room, I could see, through the open door, that he was still unconscious, but I managed to stop the overflow of D-Energy from his eyes.

By the side of the bed, Haruka fell asleep watching over him. She was seated on a chair I got from the dining table.

Sighing, I walk off into the living room to process what had just happened at the memorial.

-LINE BREAK-

After fighting that strange Greymon, I saw Haruka kneeling over an unconscious Rai. I quickly ran to their side to help, but I froze when I saw his eyes. Or rather, what was flowing out of them.

Excess D-Energy.

His fingers were slightly twitching, and his eyes were scrunched up in pain.

"Well, shit." I said aloud.

This was the same with Yuuichi.

I knelt next to Haruka, and rolled up my sleeve. She stared curiously at the gauze wrapping my arms as I took them off one arm. I could feel my eyes start to tingle as I took it off.

The D-Energy was very slowly starting to seep out with part of its limiter removed.

The sensation was unbearable, but Rai had to come first.

I wrapped the gauze around his left arm, his eyes already starting to slow down their release of excess as I applied the restraints.

Once I was done, it had stopped overflowing and his expression calmed down.

Sighing in relief, I pulled out a hanky and wiped the remaining excess off his face.

"That should hold for now."

"But... what just happened...?" Haruka asked, confused.

"I'll explain everything later. For now, let's get him home."

-LINE BREAK-

I lay on the sofa as I process what Haruka had told me on the way back

Apparently, Yuuichi's phone had turned into a Digivice for Rai.

This is quite strange, as there hasn't been a new DigiDestined ever since that stupid app came into existence.

From what I heard, Haruka also uses the app, which is where she got her Moonmon.

I feel bad for the little thing, but it looks like it's in good hands, since Haruka seems to take care of it.

"Junya." I hear my partner call me.

I stand and stretch.

"What is it, Partner?"

"Another new one." Dracomon turned to the bipedal beetle sitting on one of the chairs, eating at the dining table.

"Easy, Partner. That's Rai's Digimon."

"Yup! I'm KoKabuterimon, Rai's Digimon, and he's my Tamer!" it proclaimed, fist up in the air.

"I didn't think we'd meet again." I smiled at it.

KoKabuterimon was Rai's best friend as a kid. They weren't partners back then, and before Rai could receive his Digivice, it happened.

KoKabuterimon was one of the many casualties in the battle.

"Oh, yeah. That reminds me." I thought aloud as I reached for my phone, and dialed a number.

It rang for a few seconds before a voice answered:

"Hello?"

"Aria. Sorry to bother you. It's Junya."

"Junya? This better be important. I haven't gotten any sleep for a couple days now, and I have a meeting with the record company in four hours."

Yikes. Is the deadline for her new album that close?

"Sorry about that, but I'll be quick. It's about Rai."

I hear shuffling on the other line.

"Why? What happened to Light?"

"Don't worry, it's nothing life-threatening. But..."

"But what?"

"He's got a Digivice now."

I hear her mutter something incomprehensible as she shuffled around her bed.

"Did he...?"

"What? Just like Yuuichi? Yeah. Exactly that. I did what I could, but it's only temporary."

"... Do we have to... talk to her?"

"... Looks like it."

I could practically hear her cringe on the other side.

"Can't you guys find another way? There has to be a better way."

Sounds like she really isn't looking forward to what we're gonna do. I don't blame her. This is hard for me too.

"Look. I don't like our options either. But, we have to do this sooner or later."

"Do you think... you could wait till I get back to Japan? I want... no... I need to be there when we do this."

"I'll hold off as best as I can, but for only about two weeks."

"I'll beg my agent if I have to. But I'll let you know in advance."

"Thanks. I know you're busy and all, but..."

"Nonsense. I'll always make time for Light. I made a promise to Yuu, after all."

Right. Promise.

"Thanks, Aria. Let me know as soon as you can, okay?"

"No problem. By the way, Junya, could you say hi to Light for me when he wakes up?"

"Sure. I'll even put in a couple 'I love you's from you."

"Please do. And tell him... If he needs someone to talk to, his Big Sis is just a call away, okay?"

"I always remind him everytime you tell me, but from the sound of it, he hasn't done it yet?"

"... I miss talking to him, Junya. I haven't heard his voice in literal years. I want to be there for him, but..."

"Just focus on attaining your dream, okay? Rai'll come around. And if he doesn't, I'll steer him in the right direction."

I hear her laugh softly.

"I'm sure you will. Look, I need to get some rest."

"Sure, sorry for bothering you. Take care."

"You too."

"Oh, and say hi to V-Mon for me."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

And with that, I ended the call.

"Was that Aria?" a voice asked from a distance.

I turn to my right, and see Rai. Wide awake, and leaning on the wall for support. Looks like he didn't wake Haruka with his movements.

"Yeah. She asked how you were doing."

"She did, huh?"

"You never called her once, huh?"

"It... slipped my mind." he answered, looking away.

"Rai..."

"Look, I forgot, okay? If it makes you both happy, I'll call her at the end of the week."

"Do I need to tell you what she said about you?"

He scowled deeper.

"She said she misses talking to you. And that she'll try to be here in two weeks."

Now that got him to look at me straight.

"She what?!"

"She'll try to be here in two weeks. And I'll make sure you don't run off into the next town."

"I won't."

"But I bet the thought crossed your mind once?"

He looked away again.

"Besides, her presence won't be unwarranted."

"Why?"

"Because need to get you your own special gauze."

His eyes widened, and he seemed to grow pale.

"No... Don't tell me..."

I look at him dead in the eye with the most serious expression I could muster, though even I don't think this is a good idea.

"We're going to pay Anko a visit."

And that's about it! I ended up removing details, so the chapter ended up being much shorter than I hoped. But I promise it won't take me two years to get the next one out.

GaeaChronos is out. Peace!