Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon. If I did, well, it wouldn't be a kids show.

Now that that's out of the way, read on.

EDIT: Chapters one and two have been combined. If you pay attention to the beginnings after each dotted line break, you should be able to figure out how much time has passed.

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Months had passed since Takuya and his friends had managed to stop Lucemon from destroying the Digital World and all of their friends who made their home there. Life had gone back to normal for the six of the kids, them still retaining their friendship that had been created in the time spent on the adventure. Kouji and Kouichi had been trying to get to know each other better, catching up on important events and any other brotherly things that they needed to know. Takuya and Tomoki had been spending a lot of time on the soccer field, the goggle-wearing brunette more or less teaching the younger the basics. Izumi would make a point to be a cheerleader for the two while they played, Junpei bringing snacks and drinks for a half time break.

Days had gotten colder, jackets and long sleeves needed if one didn't want to catch a cold. The brown eyed leader of the group had finished running an errand for his parents, on his way back home with a plastic bag hanging off of one wrist. Shoes crunched as he passed over packed snow on the sidewalks, a thick red and black jacket protecting him from the piercing cold wind and tidbits of snow that fell from the dark grey clouds above. Goggles were pulled down over his eyes to keep them protected and him able to see.

Takuya let out a sigh, clenching his hands inside the pockets of the jacket. Even with his gloves and the jacket, the tips of his fingers were starting to get cold. The straps of the bag didn't help much either, only letting the nippy air get at his wrist. He turned a corner, the memory of how he had almost gotten ran over my a truck on his way to the train station still fresh in his mind. The corners of his mouth drew upwards into a smile, a small laugh leaving him. Looking farther up the path he had chosen for himself, Takuya stopped in his tracks at the sight before him. The familiar black form of Cerberumon stood before him, blocking Takuya's path. A small smirk was stretched over the Digimon's face, as if he knew something Takuya didn't.

Immediately on alert, the brunette drew his hands out of the pockets, eyes focused only on the dog-like creature in front of him. The last time he had seen this Digimon had been when he received the Spirit of Fire at the Fire Terminal. Without the spirit, there was no way he could defeat Cerberumon now. "What are you staring at, Dog Face?"

Cerberumon just turned, leaping away from Takuya's view point. "Hey!" He ran after the Beast Digimon, trying to keep the dark hued digital creature in his sight. It was strange how Cerberumon would glance over his shoulder, slow his pace or speed it up depending on how far away Takuya was. 'Is he trying to lead me somewhere?' the brown eyes boy asked himself as the Digimon slowed his pace once more.

Takuya stopped as he lost sight of the first Digimon he ever fought. He snapped his head around this way and that, trying to find Cerberumon as quickly as possible. "Over here, human!" A gasp left him as he was forced to the ground, the wind knocked out of him and a scream of pain leaving him from the pressure and impact on his shoulder. Cerberumon didn't move, only applying more pressure and increasing the pain for Takuya.

"My master wishes to see you."

Darkness started to surround the two of them, cutting off any visibility of the two anyone in the area might have.

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"We're sorry. You have reached a number that has been disconnected or is no longer in service."

Kouji blinked down at the cell phone in his hand. For two weeks he hadn't heard or seen Takuya. And now, something had happened to his phone. Takuya's parents didn't even seem to know where he had gone at all, both parents and the younger brother being in a depressed state of panic. Kouji knew his friend. The goggle-wearing Digi-Destined wouldn't just up and leave without good reason. The only reasonable explanation would be kidnap.

"Stupid phone," he growled, shoving the piece of technology into the closest pocket.

"Kouji, is something wrong?" asked Kouichi from ahead of him.

Snapping out of his own thoughts, the ex-Warrior of Light looked up at his twin. He couldn't force himself to smile and pass it off as nothing like Takuya could do. Instead, he sighed, shoving his hands into the jacket pockets and continued walking forward, soon passing Kouichi. "Everything's fine," he replied, not even looking at the other boy. Nothing had been going right since Takuya's mysterious disappearance. Kouji spent most of his time trying to figure out what could have happened, becoming more and more distant without realizing it. And with no word from Junpei for days, and Tomoki, who had been keeping up with daily calls for any news, hadn't been heard from since yesterday.

Kouichi had to pick up his pace to catch up with Kouji. "Something's bugging you."

"Nothing is bugging me, alright? Just drop it."

The bandanna wearing boy had to stop to keep himself from running into his brother, who had stopped right in front of him. "I'm your brother, Kouji. I know when something's bothering you." There was a moment of silence. Kouji turned his gaze to the ground below him. "It's Takuya, isn't it?"

He had hit the nail on the head. "Not just him. Junpei and Tomoki too. Something's happening, Kouichi. Something we have no control over. Our friend's are slowly disappearing and we have no idea who it is or how they're even going it!" Frustration set in. Kouji clenched his hands into fists. His anger died down as he felt pressure on his shoulders. Looking up at the face of his brother, surprise clearly evident.

"I know how you feel Kouji. And we'll find our friends. But right now, we need to go meet with Izumi."

That had taken Kouji be surprise. He let his body relax, unclenching his hands. "You're right. Thanks, Kouichi."

Kouichi just smiled, removing his hands from Kouji's shoulders. "I didn't do anything. We should go before Izumi starts thinking we disappeared."

Nodding, a small smile spread over Kouji's face. "Yeah."

"There you guys are!"

Surprise spread over both of the brother's faces as they turned, looking over their shoulders at the familiar long blonde haired girl running towards them. "Izumi!" the lone wolf of the group stated. "What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting at the cafe you mentioned."

She stopped in front of the two, hands on her hips as she seemed to glare at them. "You were taking too long! I was waiting for over ten minutes for you two to arrive! So, I decided to come and look for the both of you." The glare disappeared, replaced by a content smile. "Besides, you were heading in the opposite direction."

"I told you it was the other way, Kouji."

"Shut up!"

"Arguing among friends?" A cold laugh met the ears of the three. "In a time like this, are you sure that's wise?" Cerberumon stalked up behind the group, his giant claws clicking against the hard pavement. A large smirk was stretched over his jaws as he stopped only feet from them.

Kouji was immediately ready for a fight. "Who are you?" he demanded. "Are you the one who took our friends?"

More laughter left the canine-looking Digimon, earning a growl of distaste from Kouji. "You catch on quick, human. I took your friends to see my master. They are now resting in the Digital World under close surveillance. Though, who knows how long they will be kept alive? My master seems generous towards you pathetic worms!" He leaped towards the group, sending all three humans back away from his point of landing.

Claws swiped at Kouji's chest, fangs aiming for his arm soon after the first attack. All the boy could do to keep from being torn to pieces was continue to back up, farther and farther from Kouichi and Izumi. Cerberumon just kept up the attacks, leaving no room for a counter from the human. Eventually, Kouji tripped over his own feet, letting out a howl of pain as the jaws of the Digimon locked around his ankle.

"Kouji!" Kouichi and Izumi yelled, watching as their friend was dragged back towards them.

Kicking did nothing to dislodge the fangs from his flesh. Every time Cerberumon turned, it caused more pain to shoot up Kouji's leg. The rough ground did nothing to help, only scrape up his back and add more stinging pain to the mix. As the sharp teeth left his foot, Kouji drew it back, grabbing at the pierced flesh to stop the bleeding that had started. It would be trouble to stand until the pain died down and the blood stopped flowing freely from the wounds.

Cerberumon looked over his shoulder at Kouichi and Izumi. "You three shall make a nice gift for my master." Shadows and darkness surrounded the four, the cold that would have followed being nothing colder than the winter air already was. No one could see no matter how hard they tried to, where they were headed, a completely mystery.Chaptah 2. I could seriously not ask about this chapter. Just a small intro to a new character and Kouji. Yeah.

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Hard ground was the first thing that came to mind as he slipped back into consciousness. The coldness of the winter days being replaced by warmth the second thing. Something wet dropped on the tip of his nose, getting his full attention. Kouji gathered his arms underneath him, pushing up and rolling over into a sitting position. The uninjured knee was brought up, an arm resting across it as the other went to his head. Something was wrong.

Blue eyes went wide, the hand falling down close to his side. Kouji looked around frantically for Izumi or Kouichi. Neither of them met his gaze, only trees and the grassy area that surrounded them. Sunlight came down through any open area in the branches, giving the forest good light. He was alone. Kouji made to stand and get a better look around. His plan backfired as too much pressure was put in the bitten ankle. Kouji kept as little weight as possible on the injury, using a nearby tree for support as he stood.

"Looks like I'll have to limp for a while." He tested how much pressure could be put on his ankle before the pain grew too much. Keeping off his injured foot for now, Kouji once again looked around the area, only this time actually taking it all in. "Most likely the Forest Terminal."

"Jeeze, what gave you that idea? All the trees?" Kouji snapped his head around, trying to find the source of the voice behind him. "And talking to yourself makes you sound pretty weird." A little manila and green rabbit-looking Digimon made himself visible, coming out from his hiding spot behind a tree. One paw covered his mouth, obviously trying to hide the snickers. His large ears dragged behind him as he walked out to the front of the tree.

The surprise of seeing the small bunny-Digimon left Kouji feeling a bit glad that the others weren't around to see him act so jumpy. "Who are you?" The words came out more demanding than the had wanted them to be. This Digimon hadn't tried to hurt him, but that didn't mean he wouldn't try.

Walking up to Kouji, the little bunny poked his bleeding ankle, more small laughs coming from him. "You must feel silly to let yourself get hurt like that."

"Hey! Back off!" barked the human, drawing his leg away from the Digimon and taking a small hop backwards. "I asked who you are."

"Well now, that was rude." Little hands went on his hips, head turning to look up at Kouji. "I'm Terriermon, if you must know."

An exasperated sigh came from Kouji, lowering himself back down to the ground. He wasn't going anywhere soon with Terriermon around. The bunny was almost as annoying as Neemon, if not more, if that was even possible. "Kouji," he replied, watching the Digimon. Something then clicked in his head. Maybe Terriermon could help him find Izumi and Kouichi. Maybe he had seen Takuya as well! He opened his mouth to ask only to be interrupted by the small Digimon.

Terriermon circled around Kouji, jumping up and hanging himself off of the shoulder of the human. "Looking for your friends?" His words were followed by a small smile.

"You've seen them?" Kouji turned around so fast that Terriermon fell to the ground with a small thud. So much hope had come with those four words.

Rubbing his sore bottom, the Digimon stood, not happy with how he was tossed to the ground evident on his face. "Nope. But every Digimon is looking for you. Cerberumon told everyone that you were to be handed over as soon as you were found." He crossed his arms over his chest, nodding with every other word that was spoken in a matter-of-factly sort of way. Terriermon uncrossed his arms as the black haired boy stood, turning to face the human completely. "Hey! Didn't you hear a word I just said?"

Turning his back on the two-toned digital creature, Kouji lifted a hand in a small wave, the other hand going into the pocket of his pants. "Yep. See ya."

Frowning, the little Digimon ran after him, leaping up onto Kouji's shoulder. With one paw he tapped the human's shoulder, the other gripping at the blue and yellow jacket. "Are you crazy? Without a Digimon to guard you, you're dog food!"

Kouji stopped, turning his head ever so slightly and looking at Terriermon from the corner of his eye. "Are you volunteering, then?"

"You don't see anyone else around, do ya?" He smiled to add emphasis on the words.

Looking back forward, he picked up the pace. "Good. Then you can tell me where to find Seraphimon's Castle."

"Why do you want to go there?"

"It's the only place I can think of that the Celestial Digimon would go to now that the Venus Rose was destroyed."

Snickers came from the bunny-Digimon, one paw lifting to cover his mouth once more. "That's silly. Wouldn't you want to look for your friends first?"

Kouji lowered his head at the mention of his friends. Of course he wanted to be looking for them. But he wouldn't be able to do anything if he found them and they were in trouble without getting his spirit back. "I don't know what I'd do if one of them got hurt." Terriermon leaned farther over his shoulder. "But I have to take care of some other business first. I need to talk to Ophanimon and Seraphimon."

Now close to standing on his shoulder, Terriermon smiled at his new friend. "In that case, go left!" Kouji changed his course to the left, receiving a sharp prod in the head by the Digimon. "Not that left! Your other left!"

Rolling his eyes, he did a completely 180 turn, walking the opposite direction he was told. "That's right!"

"That's why I told you to go that way!'

"No. This is right!"

"I know!"

"Just forget it."

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A sigh left Kouji as he dumped more wood onto the small pile already there, a hand going up to wipe the beads of sweat that had gathered during the work off of his forehead. Terriermon had ran off, supposedly searching for food. The little rabbit had been helpful, Kouji had to admit, but there was still a long way to go before they reached the castle. And from what he had been told, every Digimon was on the lookout for his friends and him. They could only go so long before someone got word.

Kneeling down, he began rearranging some of the wood for a fire, setting the other unused pieces farther away so they wouldn't catch from a spark. All they needed was a forest fire starting up. Dried leaves were great for getting a fire going, and soon Kouji had a fire going, licking up towards the darkening skies.

Kouji sat himself down at the base of a close by tree, back resting against the hard bark. Night had covered the forest easily, stars blinking overhead, and the flames being the only noticeable source of light. He had drifted off into his thoughts almost as soon as he had sat down, eyes focused on the dancing light. Takuya, Junpei, Tomoki, Izumi, Kouichi. They all had to be here. But how many knew they were being hunted? How many were already captured?

Danger was lurking around every corner. There were no allies they could trust anymore. Only a handful would even think about defending them. There was so much that could go wrong. Somehow Kouji could have to find the others. Together they could stand a chance. Separation was trouble. His eyes narrowed, Kouji trying to think of what would be better. Look for his friends. Or go see Ophanimon, Seraphimon, and Cherubimon.

He would never forgive himself if something happened to one of them. If something happened to Kouichi, Kouji didn't know how he would tell his mom. On the other hand, if they were captured, he had no way of saving them until he got the spirit back. He would have to get the spirit back first, no matter how much he didn't want to.

"Kouji! Hey, Kouji!"

Head drew back as he came back to reality, not expecting the little bunny Digimon to be standing on his legs, waving a paw in front of his face. Terriermon had a smile on his face, jumping down onto the ground once he noticed that Kouji was now paying attention to him.

"Look!" A small paw pointed to a pile of oddly colored apples sitting by the fire. "Meat apples!" Terriermon moved over to the collection of food, bending over, his back to Kouji. Standing up, he displayed a pointed stick proudly, shoving it through one of the apples. In his other paw was another stick which he gave to the boy.

Kouji smirked, reaching over and plucking an apple from the top of the pile, impaling it on the stick. Shoving the other end of the broken off piece of tree into the ground, he sat back and waited for it to be finished cooking. Terriermon looked content just holding the stick over the fire like he was roasting a marshmallow. Speaking of the little bunny, Kouji had something bugging him for a while now.

Looking at the little creature, he couldn't help but ask. "Terriermon, why are you helping me?"

Terriermon looked at Kouji, taking a bite out of the apple. He swallowed, smiling like he always did at the human. "What would I get for turning you in? Besides, this is much more fun than just being bullied around by that dog-breath, Cerberumon."

"You're not scared that you'll be branded as a traitor?"

"Why should I?"

"You are one strange Digimon."

Terriermon snickered. "And you're a strange human."

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The action starts in the next chapter! I swear!