Chapter2

"Gatomon! What are you doing out here!"

Veemon looked up quizzically. She was just as surprised to see him.

"Wha... hey what do you mean 'What am I doing out here!'? What are YOU doing out here!"

Veemon looked at his feet as he rubbed his tummy.

"Well...we ran out of junk food so I came out to get some...but..."

He looked back up at her with a grin.

"Say Gatomon, you wouldn't happen to have a few hundred yen would ya?"

She jumped down so she was right in front of him.

"Does it look like I have pockets? Besides, why didn't you bring your own money if you were coming to buy stuff? Sounds kind of silly to go all this way for nothing."

"I did bring money, it just wasn't enough."

She impatiently facepalmed and walked past him. He was pretty annoying and not too bright but at least he was honest. And hanging out with him beat being alone.

"Coming?" She said with a motion of her paw.

"Where are we going?"

"To get some snacks. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Of course...but how can we get snacks without money?"

Gatomon answered, "I have my ways..."

She got on all fours and grinned back at Veemon. "Race ya!"

Before Veemon could respond, she was off. The blue dragon had to harness all his ability to keep up with her cat speeds. Around corners, down streets, past shady looking pedestrians, the duo made their way to a shack of a convenience store.

One light bulb flickered from inside as the two looked through the front window, which was facing the street. Gatomon nodded and proceeded inside. Veemon was still panting and quite tired from having to keep up with his friend. She turned around.

"Jeez Veemon you need to get in shape! You sure you want to be eating junk foods when you can't even keep up with my 'slow' speed?"

Veemon looked up and gasped, "T...That was your slow speed!"

She didn't answer but smiled and began again towards the glass door, which, along with the window, had metal bars on the inside to prevent theft and such. Veemon finally regained himself and positioned himself beside her as the two pushed open the door.

Veemon whispered, "So do you know the owner or something?"

Gatomon shook her head slightly and looked at Veemon, "I saved him from a mugger one day. He was so happy that he said he'd give me free stuff whenever I needed it."

Veemon beamed and his eyes glinted with excitement, "FREE STUFF? WHENEVER YOU NEE..."

His statement came out as a shout, and Gatomon jumped forward to cuff his mouth. The man at the counter, who was previously asleep, jolted awake. He squinted at Gatomon, and realizing who she was, smiled and chuckled.

"My good friend, Gatomon!" The man spoke with a thick Arabian accent; indeed, the man was obviously from that area of the world, and wore a pale red turban. He was in an old, white (now more yellow) buttoned shirt and what appeared to be loose, black silk pants. A shaggy, black and grey speckled beard hung from his chin.

"Hello Abdul. It's good to see you again!"

The man stepped out from behind the counter and walked up to Gatomon, petting her gently on the head. He pointed at Veemon.

"Who's this one here? A friend?"

Veemon stepped forward to respond, "That's right! I'm Veemon, a Digimon like her! Please to meet you mister!" He held out his hand, and the shopkeeper shook it with a laugh.

"V-Mon! Hah, what a name! It's nice to meet you too little guy."

Gatomon questioned, "Sorry to come so late Abdul, but we were wondering if we could take some snacks? We have no money and we're a little hungry."

The Arab was still laughing a bit as he answered, "Oh—yeah! Take whatever you two need! I am forever in your debt, my friend." He returned to behind the counter and folded his hands together on the top. He watched the two with a grin as they each picked out what they wanted, Veemon drooling thinking about how good all of it was going to taste.

There were chips of all different flavours, chocolate bars, candies, beverages (including fruit juices, soda pops, and a bunch of other Japanese things), and some wrapped up sandwiches in a freezer. When they were finished, Gatomon had a can of carbonated lemonade and a fish sandwich. Veemon, on the other hand, had three bags of chips, eight bars of choclate, two packs of licorich, an ice cream sandwich, and half a frozen pizza.

Abdul looked at Gatomon with wide eyes and the cat Digimon could do nothing but smile sheepishly back at him. Veemon started to leave, but Gatomon caught him with a tug. She turned him around and nudged him in the side. Realizing what she meant, he bowed forward. She did the same.

"Thank you very much, sir.", they said in unison.

Abdul began to laugh again as he talked, "See, this is why I love Japan. You're all so polite, even the little Digimonsters, or whatever they call you!"

Before she left, Gatomon waved goodbye and the man returned the gesture. Out on the street the two ate their snacks sitting on the curb. Gatomon finished before Veemon, and she watched him with a curious expression while he ate. She couldn't fathom how he could fit so much food into him at once, though after remembering how Agumon could do the same, she didn't think it was all the uncommon among other Digimon after all. Once he had finished, he looked at Gatomon, and the two met eyes.

Veemon asked, "So what's the plan now?"

Gatomon looked up at the night sky, and then the ferris wheel, "I'd really like to ride it."

Veemon followed her eye and was hypnotized by the sight as well, "Yeah...it's so pretty, and the view is probably out of this world!"

From behind them, Abdul came out from his store. He stood behind them for a moment, then knelt down.

He whispered into their ears, "Do you want to go for a ride?" Both Digimon nearly jumped out of their hides and turned around to behold their friend.

"Y...yes..." they managed. Abdul reached into his pocket. He pulled out a few bills and handed them to Veemon. It totalled 800 yen, enough for a two person ride. The Digimon's face lit up.

"I don't go on it, because I'm afraid of the heights. But it is a very rare beauty, yes? And the view of the sea must be amazing." He patted both of them on the head before returning to his home.

Gatomon stopped him, "Wait, Abdul!"

"Hmm?"

"Thanks a lot for being so generous, and also, I hope you will one day ride the wheel."

He smiled, "Ah, but I don't need to ride it to know its beauties. From where I stand, looking up, and seeing the faces of those who have experience it, I can tell it is a grand trip."

"Goodbye Abdul"

"Until next we meet, Digimon Gato." With that, the man went inside. Veemon and Gatomon looked at each other and smiled.

"Let's go" said Gatomon

"Mhm!" replied Veemon.