A/N: I know I said I was going to post this chapter sometime this weekend, but I was so excited with completing Lost Data that I just jumped right on board onto completing this chapter. Besides, I rather write this than the papers I still have yet to complete for my classes. Anyhow, if you're new and wondering what's going on with the many things I mention in this chapter, please stop and take a look at Lost Data first. I'm too lazy to give a summary about what happened. You'll have your questions answered. Now if you've already read Lost Data, welcome back and thank you for deciding to give this sequel a chance. My updates will be spaced as always since I'm in college, but just know I'm excited to write this. If you have any ideas that you wish to see explored, don't be hesitant to pm me. I look forward to seeing any ideas anyone might have.

Chapter 1

Gatchi! Gatchi! Gatchi! Gatchi! Gatchi! Gatchi!

Haru slowly opened his eyes as the sound of his alarm roused him up. He tiredly reached forward towards his alarm that laid right next to him and turned the annoying sound off as he closed his eyes, trying to catch the remaining glimpse of his dream. Realizing that he could no longer grasp it, he opened his eyes, immediately closing them again as the streaks of sunlight that penetrated his window was too blinding. Despite that, he allowed his body to soak in the warmth of the light as it touched him. He had missed waking up to its warmth.

"What kind of alarm is that! It's annoying!" A voice remarked above him in an annoyed tone.

"No, its not! It's the alarm I set for Haru!" A second voice said, offended by what the first voice called the alarm.

"Well change it! I don't want to wake up to that every morning from now on!"

Haru sighed as the two above him continued to argue back and forth on his loft about the alarm on his phone. Since arriving home, the two had gotten in constant arguments, bickering back and forth. Haru had initially thought that the two would eventually grow out of it and make conversations that wouldn't lead to arguments, but the more arguments they began to have, the less he began to think that would be possible. He was happy that his mother couldn't hear nor see the two. He was sure he would put a stop to their bickering in an instant. Though he wondered how he could even focus with the amount of bickering that was constantly persisting around him.

"Good morning Haru!" Haru heard above him.

He looked up and smiled as Gatchmon waved at him. Right next to Gatchmon, Onmon gave a silent nod at Haru, mumbling a barely audible good morning. Haru didn't mind in the slightest at Onmon's behavior. Unlike Gatchmon, he was shy. Something Haru had not fully realized until they had returned back from the Deep Web.

"Good morning." Haru said as he lightly rubbed his knuckles on his eyes. He stretched his arms and moved the blanket off of him, allowing his legs to dangle above the floor. As he stood up, he he felt his eyes trailed over to the Appli Drive and Appli Band that laid on his desk. He walked over to them and traced the Appli Drive with his fingers as he stared at its glowing words. It had only been a few days since after he had woken up in Cyber Kowloon and yet, it still felt like he was still there, trying to find his way around. It was nice to be finally home, but oddly uncomfortable, like he couldn't fit in. The only source of normalcy he had was his friends, but even so, it didn't help with the fears that he woke up to in cold sweat every night ever since he returned. There were many things that Haru couldn't forget during his time at the Deep Web. Although he had been able to reclaim the memories he had lost, it did not matter in the slightest. He was too shaken to think it could ever go back to normal.

"Haru?"

Haru blinked out of his thoughts and hastily moved his hand over to the blue Appli Band that laid by his device, picking it up and fastening it over his wrist. He remembered how it had turned from white to blue after he had exited the Deep Web with the others through its entrance. Haru wanted to take his Appli Band's sudden change as a sign that Minerva was still watching him. He was worried why she had never attempted to make contact with him during his time in the Deep Web, but never talked about it to anyone. Besides, he wanted to know why Minerva made contact with him in the first place. He wanted to know why him when there were other Appli Drivers Minerva could have contacted first.

Pushing that thought aside, Haru looked up to the two Appmon that were staring at him worriedly now from above his loft, and smiled, hoping that they wouldn't question him further. There were many things he didn't want to tell them. Not yet, at least.

"Hey, Haru? Aren't you going to meet someone today?" Onmon asked as he jumped off the loft and landed onto Haru's bed, followed by Gatchmon.

Haru nodded at the Appmon. "Yeah! Eri-san told me how worried Yuujin was when I was gone for so long without telling him anything. I texted him yesterday and he said it was okay to meet up."

"Who is this Yuujin anyway?" Onmon asked, turning towards Gatchmon.

"He's Haru's best friend." Gatchmon explained, watching as Haru walked over to the door and opened it, walking out as he headed towards the bathroom. "From what I've heard, he's been worried about Haru. I'm glad that Haru is at least going to meet him. He's been..."

"Distant?" Onmon said, looking away from Gatchmon towards the now opened door. "He's been acting act of character ever since we got here."

He paused and looked back at Gatchmon. "I mean I know you've known him longer and know much more how he usually acts, but this isn't how Haru usually is, right?"

Gatchmon nodded, surprised at Onmon's statement. He hadn't expected Onmon to be so observant of Haru already. It was odd seeing this considering he had only just met the Appmon not too long ago.

He opened his mouth to speak more, but closed it upon seeing Haru walking into the room. He would talk more later about Haru to Onmon, but for now, he would stay by Haru's side and continue to give him support. It was all he and Onmon could do for now for Haru.

"Wow! I didn't realize how big the real world is! Look how tall that building is!" Onmon exclaimed, pointing to a large building that stood not too far away. "I didn't know buildings could be that tall!"

"Aren't buildings that tall as well in Cyber Kowloon?" Gatchmon said, looking unimpressed with Onmon's enthusiasm.

"Yeah, but this is my first time seeing a real tall building here. It's different than what you see in the internet." Onmon explained, slightly glaring at Onmon for trying to ruin his fun.

Haru chuckled at the two that were floating near him. Last time he remembered, Gatchmon had just been enthusiastic as Onmon when he got to experience the real world for the first time.

"Haru!"

Haru turned away from Gatchmon and Onmon, his mouth forming into a wide smile upon seeing his best friend running towards him, his hand up waving at him. He watched as Yuujin stopped by his side and raised his hand ready to do their signature greeting. Haru stared at the Yuujin's hand for a second and slowly raised his hand, exchanging the greeting with him that they both knew by heart now.

"Sorry, I'm late Haru. Hope you weren't waiting too long for me."

Haru shook his head as his partners near him smiled at Haru's uplifted behavior. "No, it's fine. I just got here actually before you came."

Yuujin smiled, his eyes glistening from the sunlight as he found himself lost in Haru's bright smile. It had been so long since he had seen Haru and he had wondered if he had been doing okay. He had questioned Eri and Astra when he could not get Haru by the phone and found out that Haru had been away helping them with things. He knew it was a lie though. Haru wouldn't stop talking to him for such a long time, which was why he pushed to find out what had happened to Haru on his own, no longer asking for others for help. Just as he was about to take drastic measures, he finally received a response from Haru. He didn't question him further though. All that mattered to Yuujin was finally being able to spend time with Haru and show that he was there for him. He knew Haru would tell him what really happened to him when he was ready to.

"So where do you want to go today?" Yuujin decided to ask, as he and Haru began to walk forward in the crowd of people that surrounded them.

"Anywhere is fine." Haru answered, slightly not paying attention to Yuujin. He found most of his attention was towards a group of people that was near him talking about a visit to the doctor. He felt himself grow cold at the mention of shots, not realizing that he had stopped walking and now had his hands grasping at his arms, at the scars he knew that were there under his sweater.

"Haru?"

Haru blinked, shocked out of his panic attack and looked back towards Yuujin, trying desperately to hide what had just happened with a tight smile. He tried to ignore the calls behind him from Gatchmon and Onmon, as they tried to ask him if he was okay. Knowing them, it wouldn't be difficult for them to understand what had shaken him enough to make him freeze.

"Sorry. I…"

Yuujin shook his head, knowing full well what had just happened to Haru was a panic attack. Whatever had happened to him in the short amount of time he had lost contact with him had been enough to give him panic attacks. He had no idea what had caused it nor any idea how serious it was, but he understood that it was deeply hurting Haru. And judging by the dark spots underneath Haru's eyes, Haru hadn't been getting much sleep either. He was worried for his friend and wondered if there was anything he could to help him. Haru had changed in such a short amount of time and Yuujin wanted to know why.

But still, he decided he wouldn't press his friend to talk to him about that.

Instead, Yuujin walked forward to Haru and grinned, taking Haru's hand into his and began to guide him out of the crowd.

"Let's go to the arcade then." Yuujin suggested. "Or we can go see a movie if that's okay with you?"

"That sounds nice…" Haru replied slowly, smiling slightly at the idea.

He opened his mouth to ask more about Yuujin;s idea, but a loud beep from his Appli Band made him pause. Frowning, he asked Yuujin to let him have a moment to take the call and walked away towards the fence that overlooked the path below it with his Appmon not too far behind him.

"Hello?" He spoke at the band, listening as Eri's voice came through from the other line.

"Haru, are you free right now?"

"I…" Haru looked back at Yuujin and frowned, looking back at the band on his wrist. He couldn't say no to Eri.

"Yes, I am. What's wrong?" He asked.

"I started an Appter account today and it has been posting with false information I never even wrote! I think it might be the work of an Appmon."

"That could be a possibility." Gatchmon remarked, turning towards Haru, wondering what his buddy was going to do.

"Anyway, please help me out. I know you've just got back, but you're the only one who can help me. Can we meet up now if that's possible?"

Haru widened his eyes at her request, but nodded, knowing he couldn't say no. He had to help her. Especially when it could be a problem concerning Appmon. It was his job as a fellow Appli Driver to stop Appmon that were causing mischief in the real world. Even if that meant sacrificing the time he wanted to use to spend with his best friend.

"O-okay…" Haru answered. "I'll be there."

"Thank you, Haru. I'll text you my location." Haru heard Eri say, as she ended the call. After she did, Haru turned his Appli Band off as he felt his facial muscles formed into a sullen frown. He moved to turn around and make his way back to Yuujin, but froze when he heard his best friend's voice right behind him.

"You have somewhere to be, right?"

Haru turned around in surprise as he stared hesitantly at Yuujin, wondering what he would think. He didn't want Yuujin to think that he didn't care about him. But he couldn't ignore his duty as an Appli Driver. It was disheartening to choose especially when Yuujin was his best friend. Haru had really wanted to spend time with him.

"Yuujin…" He said, watching as his best friend gave him an understanding smile.

"Don't worry about it. Let's hang out when there's a better time."

Haru nodded at Yuujin's reassurance, but he didn't want to believe that Yuujin was okay with this. How could he when Haru had asked for them to meet up only for them to separate before they could even attempt to do something together.

"I'm really sorry, Yuujin." Haru decided to say quietly, guilt clearly shown in his down casted gaze.

Yuujin simply shook his heard. "I understand, Haru. Now go on."

Haru felt a sudden warmth erupt from inside his chest that quickly spread throughout his body. Pushing aside of how much that warmth made him want to stay with Yuujin, he moved towards the flight of stairs that was right next to them and began to make his way down. As his foot made contact with the middle of the flight of the stairs, Yuujin's voice from behind stopped him in his movement.

"Hey, Haru!"

Haru blinked and turned around, staring silently at Yuujin as he gazed down at him with a worried expression.

"I know this is coming from nowhere, but… Are you sure you're okay?"

Haru said nothing as his eyes widened at what Yuujin had just asked. He knew he couldn't hide anything from Yuujin, but he had hope that he could at least try. He should have known that it was useless. Yuujin was his best friend and should easily seen what he had tried to mask earlier.

"I didn't want to press you earlier about what has happened to you, but you've changed since the last time I saw you. Before you were gone, it always felt like you were thinking really hard about something. But now, it also feels like you are also afraid. As if you've been hurt from whatever you're dealing with."

Haru stared at Yuujin's bright green eyes, speechless as he slowly processed what Yuujin was telling him. Even though he hadn't tell anything to Yuujin about Appmon and his role of an Appli Driver, Yuujin knew that he was dealing with something serious. And now that he had seen how it had affected Haru, he was finally telling him what he thought. Even though Haru wouldn't be able to tell him anything, Haru felt his heart thump rapidly from inside his chest. Yuujin was worried him and it clear now how worried he was and how much he had thought about whatever Haru was dealing with.

"But Haru, don't forget." Yuujin continued, closing his eyes and reopening them as his mouth formed into a warm smile. "I'm here for you. I'll listen to anything that you have to say. As I promised years ago, I am and always will be on your side."

"Yuujin…"

Haru felt his mouth curved into a smile as his chest began to flutter with emotions that seemed to chase all the deep-rooted fears away. He closed his eyes as he curved his hand into a fist and placed it over his heart, allowing his head to lean slightly forward before opening his eyes and gazing back at Yuujin once more. He was happy what Yuujin said, but he still couldn't tell him what happened. Not him.

"Thank you, but I'm okay." Haru decided to say, watching as Yuujin continued to smile at him. He really hated lying to him.

"I see…" Yuujin said. His smile grew wider and he nodded at Haru, fully trusting that Haru will tell him in time. "Okay then. Let's talk more later, okay?"

"Yeah!" Haru replied, nodding in agreement. He turned around and ran down the rest of the flight of stairs, moving forward down the path that led from it. Before he took off, he stopped to look back and wave at Yuujin one last time, calling out to him to thank him once more. He didn't see the look Yuujin gave at him when he turned and ran, not catching the worry that was present in Yuujin's expression.

Haru continued to run down the path towards the location Eri had sent him, not listening as his Appmon called out to him. He felt a sharp pain erupt from his chest as it quickly spread throughout the rest of his body, eating away at him and pestering him. He could feel the guilt flowing through his veins and deadening his mind, settling in and weighing him down, refusing to shift. No matter how bright it was, it couldn't change how empty Haru felt for lying to Yuujin how he really felt.

"Haru."

Haru stopped running and stood still, allowing the wind to gently caress his face as it whipped his hair wildly around his eyes. He heard the cherry blossom trees sway back and forth by him as the cherry blossom petals began to dance lightly in the air around them. He stared at them longingly as he opened his mouth to speak.

"I've never lied to Yuujin before…" He said quietly as he saw Gatchmon and Onmon move closer to his side.

"We've always told each other things, never keeping secrets from each other."

He paused and looked over to the cherry blossom trees, gazing at their beauty as his chest began to tighten with pain. No longer being able to continue looking at them, he casted his gaze onto the ground as his eyes darkened.

"If I'm being honest with myself, I want to tell him everything and be with him…" He murmured.

"Then go back to him and tell him. What's stopping you from doing that? He's your best friend, right?" Onmon asked, hating how sad Haru looked. He didn't like the way Haru's eyes darkened with pain and wanted nothing more than to make Haru happy. It was confusing how he felt this way when days ago, he would have not cared about anything to do with humans and their emotions. Haru had certainly given him a brand new insight on humans and now, he didn't want to think about allowing Haru to experience emotions that made him look sad and in pain. It wasn't right.

"Haru wants to protect him." Gatchmon spoke up, as he stared attentively as it his partner, not allowing his sight to move elsewhere. He was worried seeing how hurt Haru was. It wasn't like him to become so sad so quickly.

"By knowing about us, it will put him at a greater risk for danger." Gatchmon explained to Onmon.

"Screw that!" Onmon retorted, turning away from Haru at Gatchmon with annoyance. "Haru has been in the middle of all this danger! If Coordemon had been going through hard times, I would want to know so that I can be there for her! It's only right that Haru's best friend can do that as well!"

"But Coordemon is capable of protecting herself! It's not the same for Yuujin!" Gatchmon argued, yet fully understanding what Onmon was getting across. But even so, humans and Appmon were different. And in this fight against Leviathan, innocent humans like Yuujin could severely get hurt just by knowing. He knew that rather than letting that happen to Yuujin, Haru would rather lie to him. But even so, it couldn't change the fact that it was breaking his buddy's heart by doing so.

"I guess… I can't really tell him." Haru murmured as he looked up towards the bright blue sky silently watching the large fluffy white clouds that moved slowly past him. He continued to look at them in deep thought as both of his Appmon looked on to him with concern until a familiar female voice calling out his name snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Haru!"

Haru turned away from the sky towards the direction the voice came from, seeing Eri wave at him to come towards her. He ignored the looks Gatchmon and Onmon gave him as he moved forward. For now, he would shove the guilt and regret that were crushing his chest. Right now, he had to focus on being an Appli Driver and helping Eri. That was all he could do.

But even so, it couldn't change of how much that role weighed heavily in his mind.