Y/N: Wow. It's been a long and winding ride throughout Digimon Adventure 04, and I'd like to thank each and every one of you for riding it with us. I hope you enjoy the finale we've assembled. I'm not going to lie. It's the longest thing we've ever done, but a lot needed to be accomplished. Let us know what you think of some of the twists in a review, and be sure to stay tuned after the story for a brief comment about future one-shots. :)

U/N: I haven't actually read Tai's or Iori's but a lot certainly happens in this chapter-and we had so much to wrap up and throw in there, you're welcome :P The chapter has ups and downs and everyone has a part-and the only one i didn't enjoy doing was Willis'-and Hikari's. And you can tell... Sorry about that. But otherwise i hope you like it... you should know that despite the fact that we've been trying to get in line with the epilogue as much as possible-there are things that are too off the wall to put in... and things that just didn't work with the story. Soooooo I hope you like the finale of Digimon Adventure 04... and review and tell us what you thought and... yeah... thanks :D

Title: Digimon Adventure 04

By: Yukira and Urazamay King

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon or its characters.

Part 5: United Front

Chapter 50: Loose Ends

Michael:

My confusion started at the beginning—not long after the others had left. The world shook, and lit up a bright pink colour... what did that mean? I soon found out when the shadows began to scream in pain, and the dampness of the air dispersed, and I was able to breathe clearly again. It was like the world had been lifted off of my shoulders, and I felt like I could fly! And soon our surroundings turned more and more lifelike as some of the trees and things began to fade away. I had my strong suspicions of what was going on, but it wasn't until Tatum muttered "The worlds are parallel again," that I had really taken to what had happened.

After the worlds had finished doing their little jig the shadows left—presumably they were weakened... or perhaps they were going to go help Dragomon, I could only hope that didn't mean too much trouble for the others. Meiyomon sent a pillar of pink light off toward Fanglongmon, but I couldn't be sure why—and I didn't want to think too much about it for my own sanity. But once the shadows had gone from the battle everything had become significantly easier. Meiyomon's army of digimon that he had accumulated was easily beating the other digimon with swift movements.

"NO!" Tatum called loudly, hurrying forward. "Everyone stop! Don't harm them!"

There was a quick and loud swish of the wind as a pillar of pink shot in front of us and Meiyomon appeared once again. "And why not?"

"If you kill them they'll die—forever!" Tatum said hurriedly, "The worlds aren't One mumbled mess anymore—If you kill them... you're a murderer." She was going a little overkill—a tad dramatic, but I wouldn't have her any other way. I looked into my arms at the sound of a small hiccup to see a set of big red eyes looking up at me with a smile. I smiled back down to my partner. I wasn't sad anymore—I supposed it was because there was no reason to be sad. He was in my arms again... I still wasn't sure if I was totally unaffected by the experience, but he was back already, and hiccupping adorably, so what could there possibly be to be sad about?

"Then what do you suggest we do, oh wise one?" Noriko asked with a snide scowl. I shot a look of equal disgust back her way which shut her up.

"We need to get them back to the digital world." Tatum said as if it were obvious.

"How?" Natsuni asked—I was confused why she didn't know, but soon realized she hadn't been around digimon long enough to really know.

"We need a computer...?" Momoe guessed, adjusting the child in her arms as it slept soundly. To be an innocent child—sleeping through all of this danger... the girl was lucky if you asked me. I nodded to her and she smiled. "Jou has one! A laptop. Meiyomon, take me to his house!"

"Please...?" Meiyomon prodded Momoe with his finger and Momoe rolled her eyes as she gently placed her child into Natsuni's arms.

"Please." She shot quickly before turning back to Natsuni. "Be careful—hold her head... Don't drop her and—" Before she could finish her statement she was whisked off of her feet with Meiyomon in his pink lights.

"Let me hold her." Noriko growled to Natsuni as Tatum turned to the battle to make sure no one was killed in the battle. She was really admirable—looking out for even those who were out to get her—to destroy her in fact.

"No." Natsuni said simply as she walked slowly toward the bus that was still parked atop the hill. She leaned against the bus and slid into a sitting position. "Momoe gave her to me."

"But she liked me better!" Noriko said, rolling her eyes, "Obviously. She even gave me advice to hook up with Iori, and it worked. He asked me out. Now who does he hate?" Noriko was speaking in a very irritating voice as she rubbed her new boyfriend in Natsuni's face. "He loves me—not you! ME!"

"Michael can you hold this baby while I slap her?" Natsuni asked simply.

Before I could respond her digimon stepped in and placed his large green hand on her shoulder. "Natsuni—violence is not the answer." Goblimon said with a slow shake of his head. "Turn the other cheek."

"Right." Natsuni said with a nod.

"Noriko, maybe you could calm dow—" Impmon tried as he placed his hands on Noriko's arm, but she was quick to shake him off as she began to dance.

"I win! I win! I really, really win!" She sang, "I got Iori—and Natusni didn't! Why? Because he loves me! He loves and he doesn't love you!" She stopped singing and turned her head sharply toward the other girl, "I guess your sudden surprise attack kiss didn't work out in your favour after all did it?"

Natsuni looked down to the baby and tried to ignore Noriko as she spun in circles. The child began to burst into tears as Impmon apologized to Natsuni about his partner's behaviour.

I tried to turn away from Noriko as she acted like a complete fool but she was just asking for attention and I couldn't help but give it to her. She was the most annoying creature I'd ever seen in my life. I wanted to talk to Iori—tell him what exactly was going on here, and how he totally picked the wrong girl, but it wasn't up to me. I wasn't even Iori's friend—he hated me. I wasn't sure why—I figured it was because I sent out this rather... childish... persona while speaking. It wasn't intentional—but even so, I really hoped that everything would work out with him and Noriko... so long as she calmed down.

Suddenly Momoe was back with a slick black laptop in her arms and Meiyomon standing behind her with a smile. The moment they had landed Noriko stopped her dancing and singing.

"Are we going to do this then?" Meiyomon asked.

"Yup." Momoe asked, flinging the computer open dramatically. We waited in silence as nothing happened.

"You need to open the digi port." I said, speaking in the first time in a while. "Here..." I said, reaching up and setting Zurumon on my head. He gasped dramatically as I brought him up to sit there, and I couldn't help but smile—he was just so freaking cute... I reached out and began opening a search engine on Jou's laptop. I typed away and quickly found the portal and stepped back. "Now, we have to get down there." I looked toward the armies who were still battling. "Mieymon?" I asked him, gently taking the laptop from Momoe as she motioned for me to take it. "Please." I added quickly before he could insist upon it.

Instantly I was engulfed in a pink light and shooting down the hill. As I passed Tatum I reached my hand out and grabbed her tightly, pulling her into the light with me. We were at the bottom of the hill in a few seconds and we landed softly.

"I never should have let you guys know I could do that." Meiyomon sighed, "You're all going to get super lazy..."

I laughed at him as Tatum ran into the battle carelessly and called up to Airdramon to retreat. Her digimon partner glowed for a moment and then reverted to Monodromon before falling from the sky. Tatum caught him in her open arms before running back toward Meiyomon and I. "That was entirely reckless." I told her, "Don't get yourself hurt..."

"I promise I won't." She smiled at me before setting her digimon back and pulling out her digivice. "Ready?" She asked me.

"I'm ready." I smiled.

"Go!" Meiyomon exclaimed excitedly clapping his hands. Tatum shone her digivice toward the computer that lit up immediately and surrounded the digimon, engulfing them in a bright white light. "Thanks for all your help!" Meiyomon shouted to them on their way through, "Sorry you couldn't stay longer! And STOP THE VIOLENCE!" He bellowed as the last few digimon fell through. I smiled and closed the laptop. Assuming Fanglongmon was using his entire remaining army, then the world should have... been safe. From them anyway—Fanglongmon and Dragomon were still out there.

"We missed some!" Tatum pointed out, extending her pale arm toward a pile of black fluff.

"Your siblings." I told Meiyomon who smiled excitedly and turned toward them, before setting off at a run, jumping into the air and clicking his heels.

"You were fighting this whole time?" He asked.

"Yeah!" They chorused, all smiling up at him.

"You're all—" Meiyomon froze. "I have... to go." He said. "I'll be right back."

I nodded at him, but before I could say anything he was gone, spinning into his pink light. I looked down at the army of his siblings and smiled. "Come on," I said to them, "Let's walk up the hill together."

And so we did. They were all talking excitedly about the battle the whole way up—though I had a feeling some of their stories were a little fabricated... "I was so scared, but then I remembered—I'm awesome—so I BIT his head off!" or, "I was so quick and was jumping on their heads, giving them all major migranes!" and my favourite "I killed ALL the badguys!"

Tatum and I walked, hand in hand with Monodromon next to us, and Zurumon still on my head, laughing at them the whole way. But the moment we had reached the top there was a strong gust of wind, and Zurumon let out another gasp before jumping off of my head and to my shoulder and then into my arms. I held him tightly as I looked overhead, the wind blowing like crazy, messing up my hair.

"Eaglemon!" Tatum shouted excitedly, setting off at a run toward the bus where Momoe was standing, holding her baby once more as Noriko hung over her shoulder. There were also four other people this time, and a Meramon. I didn't recognize any of them... I didn't see Natsuni at first, but then I spotted her laying on top of the bus with Impmon and Goblimon sitting silently on either side of her. Monzaemon was leaning against the back of the truck, sitting down and relaxing—having not been in the initial battle. I ran after Tatum, the balls of fluff bouncing eagerly behind me.

It wasn't long before Eaglemon had landed, the wind stopping abruptly as the creature began to glow brightly before shrinking very quickly.

Soon, where Eaglemon had been there were just two very tiny digimon with seven Heroes standing, holding more digimon, a little larger.

Sora and Koushiro rushed forward to school up a black seed like digimon with a sprout growing from her head and a green blob sporting a pacifier respectively.

There was a moment of silence, each of their faces completely sombre and flat. The tension was building, and I wasn't sure how much longer I could wait to find out the fate of the battle.

"Well...?" Tatum asked slowly and quietly, hoping for the best.

"We won..." Mimi gasped, relieved which sent the rest of us into a frenzy of excitement. They had defeated Dragomon! That meant Fanglongmon was all that was left! Tatum had hurried forward and hugged Mimi tightly, being careful not to squish Tanemon in the process.

Taichi and Hikari both ran instantly toward one of the girls who was in the group of four new people. She was sitting by herself against the side of the bus on the pavement. Both of them sat next to her with smiles on their faces, Salamon and Koromon in their arms. They were talking in whispers—but both were smiling now. Willis joined Tatum and Mimi with Gummymon and Kokomon on his shoulders as Jou and Momoe watched each other from across the celebration, both reluctant to smile. And—much to my surprise Sora and Koushiro had come to me.

"Michael..." Koushiro said, staring toward the ground, looking exhausted. "Your information about the evolution was correct."

"Really?" I asked with a grin—though I knew it had been already. I really wasn't as stupid as everyone let on. Sora elbowed Koushiro, expecting him to continue.

"Really." He assured me. "In fact—if I'd listened to you in the first place, it would have saved a lot of trouble with Ghoulmon..."

"Who?" I asked.

"Long story." Sora explained.

"But I guess if I did listen to you, we'd never have met Eaglemon..." Koushiro smiled down at the blob of green in his arm, his other arm hanging limp.

I nodded, unsure really what I was supposed to say to them, and both smiled at me before turning to leave, but before they left Sora turned back to me and said "I'm really sorry Michael..."

"For...?" I asked her.

"For... what I did to Metalseadramon." She said softly, her eyes watering, "I'm so... so sorry—I didn't mean to—I didn't know—but still... I'm really sorry."

"It's okay." I said with a smile. And when she gave me a quizzical glance I held up Zurumon and smiled, "Really, it's no big deal—I mean—don't do it again... but I forgive you!" She smiled half heartedly before hugging me awkwardly, our digimon being squished in the process. And then she was gone, hurrying after Koushiro.

"I kept this baby safe Jou!" The only male in the new group of people said with a grin, pointing down to Momoe's child, "Even though I just got here..." He laughed a little as Jou came closer to the boy who looked enough like him to be his brother, and Momoe.

"Thank you Shuu," Jou grinned.

"So whose kid is it?" Shuu asked slowly.

"Mine." Jou and Momoe said together, both receiving deadly glares from one another. Shuu on the other hand was having a mini-freak out next to them, his hands flying around in a mix of excitement and confusion.

"I'm an uncle?" Shuu asked—so I was right, he was his brother. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It... it's a long story." Jou said solemnly, staring down into the eyes of his baby girl.

"Does anyone know where Ken is...?" An older woman asked slowly, her hand on her heart.

"And Daisuke?" The next girl, who in knew had to be his sister. Her hair was wild, and she had the same expression he always wore. In her arms was a very happy looking Otamamon.

"I honestly don't know." Sora said apologetically. "We were going to go find them and help them fight—but our digimon ran out of energy."

"We're pooped!" Bukamon yawned, hanging off of Jou's shoulder.

"I want to sleep forever." Tanemon agreed, receiving a laugh from almost everyone around her. I guess we were all just really tired... because I wouldn't have laughed normally—not given the circumstances and the high possibility for our friends failure.

But that was proven false almost instantly when, with a swoosh and a flash of light there was another group of humans standing in front of us, Meiyomon in the center. Iori was smiling up at him before realizing that they'd stopped and he ran instantly for Hikari who was running at him excitedly. I didn't have to wait for them to tell us that they'd won—the triumphant look on all of their faces was enough.

But still, other than Hikari hugging Iori and an excited squeal from both Ken's mother and Daisuke's sister, everyone was silent until with a coarse, airy voice Kurayami let out a soft, "He's dead."

And then I couldn't even keep track of people anymore. Taichi excused himself from his friend for a moment, leaving her with Salamon and Koromon, long enough to hurry toward Yamato and hug him tightly. Hikari was hugging Daisuke before being pushed aside by an excited Jun, of course it wasn't rude—Hikari laughed—so it was okay. Everyone was hugging everyone, and for some reason I just couldn't move. My heart was pounding excitedly—but I couldn't express anything... I was just... happy. My lack of excitement changed of course when a pair of lips met with mine for a moment before pulling away.

"Are you alright?" Tatum asked me slowly. I nodded with a grin.

"Yes." Was all I could say before she took my hand and dragged me into the celebration. It felt wrong to be cheering and screaming in the streets in the middle of the night—especially since I was fairly confident that I was going to pass out soon if I didn't get some sleep—but I couldn't stop... I was just happy!

"I've been looking for you everywhere!" I heard Daisuke's sister call out.

"You don't trust that I can survive without you?" Daisuke laughed.

"I just missed you." She responded, receiving another hug from him as he lifted her into the air.

"I'm glad you found the fish." He smiled at her.

"I'm a tadpole!" Otamamon growled angrily.

Daisuke laughed, "I know bud... I know." Then Daisuke stepped aside and motioned toward Kurayami who was trying to pick the remaining twigs out of her hair. "I'd like to introduce you to someone Jun..." I stopped listening then as Hikari let out a loud scream as she almost fell over, but her scream turned to laughter in a moment as Takeru caught her. The two of them stood together laughing as Willis came over and hugged her. Takeru was gone in an instant, hurrying over to Ken and his mother who were awkwardly hugging as Ken tried to escape. Iori was now talking with Miyako excitedly as Noriko tried desperately to gain his attention and Taichi and Yamato had worked their way over to Taichi's friend again. Most of the digimon were bouncing around everyone's feet so I let Zurumon do the same, leaping from my arms. It felt almost... scary to allow him to do that... after what had happened I wasn't sure if I was willing to trust him out on his own—but he was gone now...and I'd have to trust him.

Tatum was suddenly spinning me around and dancing, but I quickly escaped that—I hadn't really mastered the art of freestyle yet, so I left that to Mimi, Sora and Tatum as Koushiro tried to follow suit.

I found myself running into Jou who turned and apologized, as he caught me from falling. "So we're just not sure yet." He was saying to Shuu, Miyako and Iori.

"Not sure about what?" I asked them with a laugh.

"Baby names." Shuu said as Miyako glared at the ground.

"If you don't name her soon, I will." Iori said causing Jou to laugh, "I'm serious." Jou's face fell before he and Iori both started laughing again.

"Iori!" it was Noriko, "There you are!"

"Yeah, hi." Iori said, rolling his eyes—but his eyes were popped open as Noriko spun him around to try and kiss him. "Not here..." he groaned, trying to escape, but she just ran after him. And even though Iori was being chased by a crazy girl, everything was just... happy.

Yamato:

"Everyone!" Suddenly everything stopped as we all spun around to see Hikari standing on the top of the bus, bearing the goggles still, "I think it's time we go home... We could all use some rest." She was met with a collective sigh of relief.

"I actually need to go to the hospital." Jou pointed out, sticking his hand up.

"Why? Are you hurt?" I asked.

Jou shook his head, "Momoe just had a baby." He pointed out.

"You really don't have to come." Momoe said hurriedly.

"I really do." Jou said flatly.

"I should go too!" Koushiro said abruptly, "I'm kind of in pain..."

"My ribs are broken..." Willis laughed nervously, "And as much as I love Mrs Yagami's bandages—I think I should go for something a little more professional."

"I think I should go too..." Tatum said slowly, clutching her head tightly.

"I'll go with you guys." Mimi and Michael said together causing them both to laugh a little.

I was watching the others, trying to decide who else would be going to the hospital and secretly hoping that it would not be Sora... I didn't want her to go because then I'd have to make up an excuse to go with her. But I didn't want that... I just wanted to talk to her... just for a minute...

"Meiyomon," Iori said, tugging at his brother's sleeve, drawing his attention from his other siblings, "Can you take us all home...? Please..."

"Gladly." Meiyomon grinned. "Since you said please. 'Course I should've expected anything less from my little brother!" Meiyomon wrapped his arm around Iori's neck and laughed. Iori's face turned bright red as he pushed away from him with a muttered "I'm older than you..." Meiyomon waved his hands, and was about to scoop us all up, but he froze. "Where to first?" Meiyomon asked as Michael ran from the group and onto the bus. Meiyomon rolled his eyes as Michael came back holding a separate egg.

"Almost forgot this..." he said, embarrassed.

"I don't even have anywhere to stay." Kurayami spoke up suddenly. "I live in America..."

"You can stay with me!" Daisuke said without thinking, but then he shook his head, "Wait I don't live at home."

"I'm sure it'll be alright." Taichi said with a nod.

"Where are we going?" Meiyomon asked frantically.

"The hospital." Hikari said, leading the way off of the bus for Natsuni, Goblimon and Impmon. The moment all four of them had made it to the ground Meiyomon waved his hands quickly, but Ken shouted suddenly.

"STOP!"

"Are we ever going to go?" Meiyomon muttered to himself.

"What is it dear?" Mrs Ichijouji asked, placing her hand on his shoulder

"I need to talk to Miyako." Ken said loudly. "If she'll let me."

Miyako, who had been silent most of the celebration turned toward Ken and nodded before running toward him, he held out his hand for her to take but she shook her head and walked past him. He nodded and turned to his mom. "I'll be home in like an hour—I promise."

"Oh—but—!" Mrs Ichijouji's words were cut off as we were all finally lifted into the air. If felt relaxing to have gravity pull out beneath me after a long day of fighting and walking and... everything else that had happened. I noticed out of the corner of my eye Taichi picking up Rei—which was smart due to the fact that we'd likely be landing in the Hospital parking lot and she'd land painfully on the cement.

Tsunomon nuzzled in closer to me and smiled up at me. I smiled back to him as we landed smoothly, just as I had thought, in the hospital parking lot.

"First stop!" Meiyomon grinned as all of his little siblings began to giggle—except Iori who was glaring toward Noriko as she hung off of him.

Jou was the first to jump out of the group, followed by Momoe who was following behind with her baby. Mimi, Michael, Willis, Koushiro and Tatum all followed the two of them out all of them holding their digimon. Jou's brother Shuu looked like he wanted desperately to follow, but decided to stay. Monzaemon however took a different route and hurried out of the group to stand with Momoe and the others.

Hikari hurried forward and threw her arms around Willis, "I'll see you tomorrow?" She said quietly and he nodded before she stepped back into the group.

Kurayami was fidgeting next to me as she stared at the group. I wasn't sure why she was so nervous, there was no one there that she had an overly close bond with as far as I could tell, but before she could say anything everyone had started shouting out.

"Bye Jou!" Iori called over the other goodbyes as Sora hugged Koushiro awkwardly receiving a well deserved glare from Mimi. So did she like Koushiro now? Was that a thing? She was over rock stars and onto computer nerds...? I could do that—I could be whatever she needed... I guess.

Before the goodbyes could get too carried away Meiyomon waved his hands once more and we were surrounded again by a pink light.

"Where are we going?" Meiyomon asked loudly.

When no one spoke up Shuu raised his hand, "You could take me home—Me and Jun."

"You two live together?" Daisuke shot in aghast.

"Not yet," Jun said, her face turning red slightly, "I'm moving in next week..." Jun was adorable—and I had to admit that I was happy to have her in love with someone that wasn't me. Shuu manoeuvred his way toward Mieyomon, pushing through Meramon to do so, and instructed him on exactly where to go to get home. Soon we were saying goodbye to Jun, Shuu and their two digimon.

And then we were once again, in the air.

"I'm taking Iori home next." Meiyomon said with a grin.

"And why is that?" Iori asked, practically pouting as he held Upamon close to his chest.

"Your mother is probably worried." Meiyomon said softly. "I don't want her to be upset..."

Iori smiled, "You miss her don't you?"

"No!" Meiyomon said, though he was clearly lying.

We landed on the curb of a dimly lit street and Meiyomon was looking eagerly into the house windows, but the curtains were pulled closed on all of them. "Tell her I'll be right back." Meiyomon told Iori as he patted his head.

"We can get out too." Natsuni said to Goblimon.

Noriko however mistook that as her talking to her. "Ohhh!" She complained loudly, "I don't want to walk!"

"I'll walk you." Iori said with a groan.

"Oh good!" Noriko cheered, latching herself to Iori's arm almost causing him to drop Upamon. Iori held Upamon tighter as he looked back to Natsuni and Goblimon.

"Iori—" Natsuni said quickly, "I was just thinking... the movie theatre gives a discount on Wednesdays, so I was thinking maybe we could go then instead of Friday?"

"That's tomorrow..." Iori said slowly.

"Yeah..." Natsuni said, confused as to why it mattered.

"I kind of already have plans." Iori said softly.

"With me!" Noriko cheered excitedly, sticking her tongue out to Natsuni.

"I was also thinking of throwing some sort of party...?" Hikari suggested, "I don't know—just a thought. You're welcome to come Natsuni."

"We can go to the movies on Friday though—like promised." Iori smiled.

"No," Natsuni said, shaking her head, "That's alright. I'll just go alone." And with that she turned and took Goblimon's hand before walking down the street the opposite way Iori and Noriko were headed.

"Wait—!" Iori tried.

"Let her go." Noriko shot before dragging Iori with her down the road forcing Impmon to have to run to keep up.

"Bye guys!" Iori called over his shoulder hastily. "Bye Hikari... stay—stay safe."

"I promise." Hikari giggled as Meiyomon waved his arms one more time.

"Where to now?" Meiyomon asked.

"Rei's house." Taichi said quickly. "I'm way too tired to keep holding her here."

"Flattering Taichi..." Rei scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"I didn't mean that you were heavy!" Taichi tried, but Rei just laughed. Taichi relaxed a little as Rei shot out an address. It wasn't until she said the apartment number that I remembered that she lived across the hall from me. That meant that it was my stop too... and potentially Sora's. Her stuff was there anyway... she would probably want it—which meant it was my chance to talk to her.

Meiyomon landed on a balcony which was barely big enough fit all of us.

"Just open the door." Rei said quickly. Sora reached behind Taichi and turned the golden knob and let the glass door fling open wide enough for Taichi to fall through. Thankfully he caught himself in time, and spun around, balancing himself.

"Is it alright if I just... go through your house?" Sora asked. "I need to get my things from next door."

"Yeah." Rei smiled, "Go ahead—if my mom stops you tell her that you're here with me. If my brother stops you, just... run." She laughed nervously as Taichi dropped her gently onto the large bed in the center of the room.

"Hurry Sora," Daisuke moaned, "I'm so hungry..."

"I will," Sora smiled at him before opening the door into the house.

I moved quickly to get around Taichi, but Takeru placed his hand on my arm. I spun around a little impatiently until I saw the look on his face and I suddenly decided that Sora could wait.

"What's wrong...?" I asked him slowly as he held his tears back.

"I want to stay at your house tonight." Takeru said slowly. "Please... I don't want to go home... alone."

Suddenly my insides began twisting and I threw my hand over my stomach as I looked to him and nodded. "Absolutely." I said. "Come on."

"Bye Yamato!" Taichi said quickly.

"Takeru..." Hikari tried, but he didn't turn around. I shot an apologetic look over my shoulder to her and she nodded in understanding as I followed Sora through the house. She was already gone it seemed, so I made my way toward the door that led to the hallway.

"Hey!" I turned in surprise at the sound of the voice. I saw Neo Saiba, Rei's brother sitting in a chair at the dining room table. His hair was white blonde and his voice was cold. "Who was that extremely attractive young lady who just walked through here?"

"She's nobody." I said flatly, my heart clenching up with my fists in a jealous rage.

"She's Sora." Takeru said slowly. "If you want her then you have to give her the choice Yamato."

I looked to him and nodded—he was right. He was pretty mature for his age... I turned back to Neo and nodded. "But she's taken."

"Doesn't sound like it." Neo said with a grin.

I turned away from him and ignored whatever it was he said next, opening the front door and letting Takeru go first, closing the door behind me. I followed him into our own apartment and relaxed a little. The light to the guest bedroom was on and Takeru immediately went to the fridge to find food. I set the now sleeping Tsunomon on the living room couch and then slowly worked my way through the house and toward the guest bedroom where I slipped inside and closed the door as I turned to Sora who was sitting on the floor packing her things, Nyokimon sitting next to her fighting her drowsiness. "We need to talk." I told her causing her to jump in surprise.

Jou:

"Hi, I just had a baby."

That got the nurse's attention. She looked up to Momoe with wide eyes and then stared down to the baby.

"My ribs are broken." Willis smiled with a wave of his hand. The nurse looked over to him and nodded.

"We're pretty full right now." She said slowly looking around to the crowded waiting room. Was she really going to make us all wait? Everyone else here looked fine—other than one girl who was holding what looked to be a broken arm. Fanglongmon's army had tried to attack people, but in all seriousness they didn't do a good job. Everyone had locked themselves into their houses. The only digimon that could have hurt them were ones with opposable thumbs to open the front doors, while we had all been in the heat of battle the whole time. No one knew that though and I couldn't really expect them to give us special treatment. The nurse looked to us, worried. "But I'm sure we can squeeze you all in somewhere," She smiled and motioned for us to follow her. She led us through the crowds of sobbing people which only made me feel worse for expecting to go first. All of them were huddled in groups, but it made me smile to know that the worst was over for all of them. "We've been swamped ever since the first earth quake." The nurse explained.

"What earthquake?" Koushiro asked, "I don't remember one..."

"When the sky turned dark." The nurse clarified, trying to get him to remember, "and the clouds turned black—and when vegetation started growing at random."

"Oh." Koushiro said nodding, "I get it."

"When the worlds combined." Tatum agreed proudly.

"When what combined?" The nurse asked, "Sorry dear I didn't hear you,"

"Nothing." Koushiro and Tatum said as one.

If the humans of the world really had no idea what had happened... how were we supposed to fix anything? They'd just think it was natural disasters—I wonder what they thought of the digimon... it was a good thing we'd left our partners outside. Monzaemon, Bukamon, Gummymon, Kokomon, Zurumon, Monodromon, Pabumon and Tanemon were told to play outside, but I had a feeling that Bukamon, if not the others, had settled on sleeping instead.

Mimi was holding hands with Koushiro as the two of them walked next to the nurse while Tatum and Michael followed behind, also hand in hand. Willis was walking by himself toward the back of the group which left Momoe and I to walk next to each other. Even if she was ignoring my existence. She was gently rocking the sleeping child in her arms while pretending I wasn't there. I didn't mind though. Watching the baby swing back and forth as it opened and closed its mouth was adorable. It almost felt wrong—like she wasn't mine... she couldn't be. I wasn't a dad—was I ready to be a dad?

"You and your husband can wait inside here," The nurse said with a smile, motioning into a room to her left.

"Oh we're not married," I corrected with a smile.

"He doesn't even have to come in." She said simply.

"Uh, yes, actually, I do." I told her flatly. Momoe turned her head but I could see that she was smiling as she walked into the hospital room. "Thank you," I told the nurse as I slowly backed into the room, "Mimi, I'll meet you outside with the digi—with the others... and we can just go home?"

"Sure," Mimi winked at me before heading off down the hallway with the nurse and the others. I spun on my heels and turned to Momoe.

I was about to ask if I could hold our daughter, since I'd actually not held her yet—not including the whole birthing process, but Momoe spoke first. "Mimi lives with you?" She asked me, pretending she didn't mind.

"Yes..." I told her, moving over to sit in the chair next to her. "She lives in the second bedroom."

"Oh..." Momoe said, looking toward the door, anxiously awaiting the doctor. I wasn't sure why I couldn't just do it—I knew how to. I was almost done all of my schooling—I knew enough about babies to be able to help Momoe out even if she was a rare Amazonian tiger. But I figured we may as well wait for the doctor. For a brief panicked moment I thought that the doctor might be my father and I was willing to pick up and leave, but I remembered that my father specialized in brain surgery and not babies, so I knew I could relax.

"She moved from America, but her parents weren't supportive so I said she could stay with me." I explained slowly, "She's been there for about a month..."

"That's nice of you." Momoe smiled, still staring at the baby.

I was too tired to keep my brain focused on anything for too long—I didn't want to fall asleep, so I thought back to Momoe's baby names. "Akla...?"

"Aki." Momoe said, unable to fight a grin. "Is that what her name is going to be?" Momoe seemed more than unsure about the statement.

"I don't know." I responded. "We had a deal. She is a girl... you get to name her Aki if that's what you want." Momoe looked down to the child, unsure.

"Jou we need to talk." Momoe said slowly.

I nodded and reached into my pocket, pulling out the note. It was crumpled to the point where it could have fallen apart at any moment, and it was ripped toward the bottom. "About this?" I asked her, but before she could respond, I began to read aloud. "'Jou, I'm so sorry... I'm leaving. I mean, I'm sure you already noticed that by the fact that I'm gone while you're reading this—but I have to do it'—You were so right Momoe, I did realize that you were gone. And when I did, my heart broke. Into a million pieces and it has yet to be put back together."

"You don't think it broke my heart too?" She asked, finally making eye contact with me. Her eyes were watering, but she refused to let the tears actually fall. "I cried for weeks Jou. It killed me to leave you."

"Then why?" I asked her simply. "Why go? Oh wait—I know... 'have to see the world, and if you won't let me do so, then I'm going to have to do it without your permission.' And the next part! The next part is a kicker—'And I really love you, but if this means goodbye... if this means that we have to breakup then I understand.'

"I thought that I had to go!" Momoe said loudly startling the baby in her arms. She shook the child again and hugged her closer to her. "I thought that it would be my last chance for happiness. You know what they always say! Being a parent means that you don't get to have fun—you don't get to be happy—or crazy or exciting—it's your child's turn. You don't get that turn. I needed to feel happy."

"So you weren't happy with me...?" I asked her slowly. "Then why... didn't you leave."

"I was happy with you." Momoe said, shaking her head, "I just didn't realize it. I thought that the only way to be happy was to see the world, and be excited or whatever—go on adventures... but I never once stopped to realize that the real adventure wasn't in Canada or Spain or Rome—it was with you. You are the adventure—and you are what makes me happy."

I froze, and tightened my grip on the note, and swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat. "I..."I shook my head and read more of the note, "'If, when I get back, you aren't seeing anyone... and you want me back... then perhaps we could start over...'" I read slowly. I looked up to Momoe who was staring at me with glossy brown eyes filled with hope. I shook my head and looked down to the note, and tore it in half before tossing it into the garbage at the other side of the room.

"I understand..." Momoe said slowly.

"Do you?" I asked her. "I don't think you do. You broke my heart Momoe. And—"

"I'm sorry—"

"Let me finish..." I told her. "You broke my heart. And I waited for three months for someone to come and help me... someone new to fix the problem—to fill the void that you left. You left such an impact on my life that I actually at one point vowed never to be in a relationship again. I chased you between worlds and dimensions to save you from an evil monster and then finally I did... and in the span of ten seconds you had managed to fix every piece of my heart—repairing it as if it had never been harmed... and now we're sitting here, with our baby... and you're asking me if I want to start over."

Momoe mouthed the word 'yes' but no sound came out as she nodded, still holding back her tears.

"No..." I said shaking my head, which caused Momoe to turn her head away from me as she stared to the tiled ground and nodded. "No, I don't want to start over with you. I can't just pretend none of that ever happened. I can't just forget it all and start over."

"I understand." Momoe said again, "I made a mistake."

"I'm not talking about your mistake." I told her. "I'm talking about the way you smile at me whenever I walk into the room—and the way you pretend that you made the food that was clearly store bought—and the way that you always purposely forget something at home on your way to work just so you can come back in and kiss me one more time... and the way your nose crinkles when you smile, and the way you add 'digi' to everything, and how on our first date you were so nervous and so flustered that you made everything go wrong—and the way you would tell me that you loved me at every opportunity." Momoe slowly looked toward me, her face in a state of confusion and shock, "And now our baby. I can't forget her—I can't forget you, and I can't forget our adventure's together. So the answer is no. I don't want to start over Momoe... but I would love it... if you would come home."

Momoe was biting her bottom lip and then nodded quickly, letting tears fall finally as she leaned forward and kissed me. I cupped her face with my hand and kissed her, her tears staining not only her face, but mine as well. I heard the baby in her lap make a strange gurgling nose which caused both of us to smile into the kiss as we pulled away and looked at the baby.

"I suppose I could get use to Aki..." I said with a smile, using my finger to trace my baby's face.

"No." Momoe said flatly. "I want you to name her."

My mouth opened in shock as the door opened and my phone began to vibrate. The doctor walked in and smiled at us both before sitting down across from Momoe. I recognized him—he was one of my father's friends. I pulled out my phone and saw that it was a text message from Iori.

Have you named the baby yet? If not I think I've thought of the perfect name...

"Jou?" I looked up suddenly to the doctor who was staring at me in a blank stare. "I-Is this your child?"

I looked to the baby and then smiled and nodded. "Yes... she's ours..."

"Your father never mentioned—"

"He doesn't know yet." I said quickly. "Don't tell him! Please..."

"Patient confidentiality..." The man nodded, looking suspicious.

"Thank you..." I smiled.

"Alright," The doctor said, "When did you give birth?"

"Tuesday—August the fourth." Momoe said quickly. "Eleven twenty three am." I looked to her with a surprised smile—I didn't know she had been keeping track so well.

"Alright," The doctor said, scribbling down some notes. "I'm going to have to give the baby some routine checkups." The doctor reached forward and took the baby from Momoe who was nervous to be handing the baby off once more. "And what's the name?"

"Oh she doesn't—" Momoe started.

"Emiko." I said flatly, looking to Momoe for agreement. "Emiko Kido." Momoe looked from me to the baby, and back to me with a smile, she nodded quickly.

"Pretty." The doctor nodded as something at his belt began to beep. He motioned for me to take Emiko from him and so I jumped to my feet and took her with a smile. She was so small... so soft... so cute... she fit perfectly in my arms—and she was mine.

Oh crap. This was mine. I had a baby!

"I'll be right back." The doctor informed us, "I'm sorry," he said as he excused himself from the room.

"Pretty name," Momoe smiled at me, "Where did you get it from?"

"Iori." I said flatly, "Momoe, I can't hold her—take her." I said as my breathing began to get heavier. "Oh my God... Oh my God... oh my God..."

"What's wrong?" Momoe asked, jumping to her feet and taking Emiko from me. "Jou, what is it?"

"I'm a dad." I spun around and began to pace the room, listening to the soothing sounds of my shoes click against the tiled floor. "I'm a father Momoe—I don't know how to be a dad—my dad was a terrible father! And my mother died! If I follow their lead I'll either die or be an ass!"

"Jou," Momoe tried to calm me down.

I was breathing quickly as my chest began to seize up and cramp. "Oh my God Momoe! I suck! I can't do this—I really can't do this..."

"Jou..." Momoe said loudly causing me to stop walking. "You said it yourself. You traveled across dimensions to save me from a giant monster. You risked your life to save me and all of your friends... and even your crest thing—it's Faith. It's reliability. If you love this child even half as much as you love me or your friends... then you will be the best father ever. You have nothing to worry about."

As she spoke I slowly began to calm down until I was breathing normally again.

I smiled down to Momoe as she stared at me with a very serious expression before standing on her toes and kissing me.

"Now hold your daughter." Momoe said smiling gently reaching forward and placing Emiko into my arms. "We're a family now."

Koushiro:

Jou and Momoe got to see the doctor first. I wasn't bitter about it though. It was incredibly important that their daughter got looked at. And the fact that Mimi was clinging to my hand made the wait rather enjoyable. I almost didn't believe it, that she was pleased to find out that I liked her. I was even more surprised to find out that she liked me back. I felt like a child, the giddiness I felt over that fact, but I couldn't help it.

"Don't worry," Mimi was saying. "You guys will get checked out soon enough. It's not like anyone else here really needs it. Cuts and bruises are child's play compared to mutilation, broken bones and head trauma."

"Way to make us feel so much better with your labels," Tatum told her with a groan, while Willis flashed a boyish grin at the other patients waiting who were glaring at Mimi for trivializing their aches and ails.

"Do you guys have anywhere you can stay?" Mimi asked. "I mean, there's no way that hotels or inns are open right now, and you guys didn't make any sort of plans before coming over, and there's not a chance that you'd make it back to America before crashing."

"Probably not," Willis agreed.

"Good, so you're staying with Jou and I then," she said happily. Michael looked at her with suspicion, but decided that sounded fantastic. "You'll have to sleep on the floor though. There's a couch, but it doesn't turn into a bed or anything. Tatum can stay with me, but we'll be sharing with a baby, since my bed is in the nursery."

"The floor sounds like heaven right about now," Michael joked.

I couldn't help but agree with him. I was passed exhausted, and I still had to discover where my mother was. I doubted very much so that she stayed where I'd last seen her. She had too much fight in her, too much of a desire to help people. I had no doubt she'd be alive though. Dad on the other hand… He hadn't been there when I'd visited, and Mom didn't seem to have any idea where he was either.

"I can't wait to go to sleep," Mimi groaned, leaning her head on my uninjured shoulder.

"You can go now if you'd like," I told her softly. "You don't have to wait."

"Don't be silly. Even if I had my key and didn't have to wait for Jou, I'd still wait with you," she promised. "I have to be sure you're okay. You could lose your whole arm if it gets too bad."

"I doubt there's an infection, but it hasn't had any time to heal," I said. "It's been ripped open again and again. I don't think there's been time for it to worry about infection yet."

"That's good to hear," a man said from behind me. I jumped and was quick enough to stop my fist from flying. Honestly, did people really think it was a good idea to sneak up behind tired—or even traumatized—people? We'd just brought about the victory that stopped the attacks and devastation that the digimon brought to the world. We were a little jumpy. Or I was at least.

"Sorry," I muttered at his surprised expression. Mimi was giggling at my side.

"Don't apologize, I should have thought of that. It's been a rather trying time for all of us," he said as if he actually had to face the battle. He'd probably been inside this hospital the entire time, putting bandages on minor cuts. I was getting bitter. I really needed sleep before I started patronizing everyone. "Let's get this looked at, shall we?"

I nodded, and let Mimi drag me off behind the doctor—or nurse, I couldn't tell at the moment—down the sterile smelling hallway. I couldn't stand the feeling of hospitals, the aroma in the air, the sounds of coughing and complaints. I much preferred libraries. The silence was satisfying, with only the sounds of turning pages or the clicking of computer keys to break it, and the smell of old books permeated the air. Not that I had my laptop to bring with me anymore…

The only part of the meeting I cared to remember was when the doctor recoiled when he got a look at my shoulder. It was pretty disturbing to look at, mostly because it hadn't been properly cleaned. I just knew he was expecting a simple cut like all of the others. I couldn't describe how much better my shoulder felt when it had been cleaned and bound. It was as if I was a new person.

"You should take something for the pain," the doctor said when he'd finished. "At least the first night or two. It will help you sleep, and sleep will aid your body while it tries to recover."

"I won't need anything to help me sleep sir, trust me," I said. I'd gone far too long without sleep. My mind was feeling foreign to me, not nearly smart enough to be proud of. I'd sleep for an entire day if my mother would let me. She wouldn't. But how much would I love her if she did?

He nodded and looked like he might have pressed the issue, but he had a long line of people waiting to come in, and had to let me leave.

"There you are," Jou called as we stepped outside to greet our digimon partners.

"What's the scoop?" Mimi asked him immediately.

"The baby and Momoe are both fine," Jou said sounding relieved. "I knew they were theoretically, but to have a licensed doctor say the same was definitely a relief."

"I could have told you I was fine," Momoe said rolling her eyes. Jou put his arm around her, and smiled down at his small daughter. Mimi squealed happily.

"You've fixed your problems?" she exclaimed. I was too tired to care that I didn't know what she was talking about. With Mimi that was often the case anyway.

"We did," Jou said with a smile. "Meet Emiko by the way, officially at least."

"That's so pretty," Mimi cooed.

"Iori thought it up," Momoe said dryly, giving Jou a pointed look. He looked sheepish but shrugged.

"It's beautiful, just like her," he said.

"Who's beautiful?" Willis asked loudly, which I was thankful for. He'd been coming up behind me and I didn't want to attack him too.

"Emiko," Mimi said dreamily.

"We were thinking you might be the godmother, Mimi," Momoe said cautiously.

"And Miyako too," Jou said. "We couldn't decide on either of you, and no guys came to mind instantly anyway."

"I'd love to," Mimi said tapping her newly appointed goddaughter on the nose. "She'll love me most, 'cause Mimi's going to spoil you!"

"Not too badly I hope," Jou joked.

"Someone's got to," she pointed out.

"So, uh, where do you live Jou?" Willis asked.

"The east side of town… why?" he answered suspiciously.

"I offered them the floor," Mimi admitted. "I didn't want them on the streets."

"It's fine," Jou said, used to Mimi's action by now.

"There they are!" Michael exclaimed. "We were worried you might've left without us. Tatum's test took awhile."

"But I'm fine," Tatum said quickly when Mimi was about to ask. "They needed to be sure I didn't have a concussion, but I don't. I've just got to take it easy the next few days. The scrapes and bruises will fade on their own."

"That's what you get when you're thrown into a house," Willis told her.

"You would know," she retorted cheekily, motioning to his broken ribs.

"I'm to the south," I said, before they could all walk away. "So I'll see you later I suppose."

Mimi looked back at me and smiled shyly. "Bye, Koushiro."

"Bye Mimi," I said back. She hesitated but turned to continue with our friends. "Mimi, wait."

"Yes," she said running the few steps there were between us, ending up right in front of me.

"I swore I'd do this if I lived," I told her before leaning in and kissing her right on the mouth. I'd thought about this so much over the last few days, but I'd never imagined it to be so nice. It was especially great when she started kissing me back. I held the back of her neck with the only hand I could lift high enough, thanks to the wrappings on my shoulder, and placed the other on her lower back. She seemed rather enthusiastic about it, because she threw both hands around my neck, pulling us closer together. She then ran her hand down my neck, to my shoulders, where she unfortunately squeezed as she tried to get to even ground.

I may have let out a strangled yelling sound that made her pull away, interrupting the whistling Willis was doing.

"I'm so sorry," she gasped.

"Honestly, I don't mind," I said a little breathily. "See you soon?"

"Maybe even tomorrow, if I wake up," Mimi said with a wink. I waited until they reached the corner before I started walking with Pabumon in my arms. He looked up at me, head tilted.

"Did I miss something?" he seemed to be asking me.

"No," I told him. "I'm just in love with that girl."

He tilted his head again. Confused.

"It was kissing. Mom and Dad do it all the time," I explained.

He huffed, seemingly saying, "How am I supposed to know that? I'm a digimon."

"I might explain it later, when I'm actually awake enough to understand what I'm saying," I promised.

He bounced around impatiently.

"Just another block," I said. "I can't wait to go to sleep."

His stomach informed me he was more excited about food, as we turned the final corner and came up to my apartment building. The elevator was thankfully working. I almost fell asleep in it, as it was the first time I'd stopped moving in a long while. Pabumon had to shake me when the door slid open, he mostly just slid his way up my arms and jumped on my good shoulder.

My front door was unlocked, which I should have found odd, but didn't bother to question as I walked in.

"Koushiro?" Mom called. "Oh thank the stars. I was so worried. Yuuko sent me home because I was no use to her in the state I was in. Darling I made brownies. Would you like some?"

"Sleep," I said sounding ridiculously like a zombie. "Maybe tomorrow."

"Alright," she said with a sigh. "What about you?"

Pabumon made some sounds of agreement and I handed him to Mom.

"You okay bud?" Dad asked, surprising me when I walked past the living room.

"m'fine," I mumbled. Thankfully he understood, and let me go to my room. He was talking with Andromon—which I realized I'd have to figure out, but decided to wait until morning to dwell on it. Just before I hit my pillow, I saw my alarm clock telling me that it was only seven o'clock with it bright red numbers. I couldn't care less as I fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Sora:

I didn't even look back to Yamato as he stood there, practically lurking in the doorway. "What is there to say?" I asked him as straight faced as I could manage. I didn't want to panic—I had to keep strong, and collected in this. I had to keep my thoughts in order and not do anything rash.

"Us." He said simply, moving across the room and falling to the floor, on his knees in front of me. I looked up to him and there was the most intense look of sorrow in his eyes as he stared through my eyes and into my soul. I coughed nervously and turned away from him to continue packing my things. Daisuke was hungry after all. "Sora, listen to me."

I looked toward him and waited for him to start before continuing my packing, trying to avoid eye contact. "Sora... I know you probably don't care about this—but I'm sorry. I'm so... so sorry. I shouldn't have done what I did. I went behind your back—I left you after you said that you didn't want me to. I joined the forces of darkness and literally fought against you. And I'm sorry."

"Mm..." Was all I had to say. I couldn't form words—what did he want me to do? Forgive him so we could kiss and live happily ever after? Because that wasn't going to happen.

"Sora I'm sorry." He said again.

"I think you should leave me alone for tonight. Let me think." I told him.

"You're not listening!" He said, almost angrily, "I'm sorry!"

"I am listening Yamato." I said loudly, slamming a pile of my favourite books into my suitcase, startling Nyokimon and waking her up. "You just keep repeating yourself. 'I'm sorry, I'm sorry' but I'm not willing to forgive you. Not yet. I need time!"

"Time shouldn't influence your opinion." Yamato said flatly. "Do you love me?"

"Yes." I said without thinking, "But you said it yourself—you lied, snuck around and fought against me and everything I believed in, leaving me to fight alone."

"You found Koushiro out of it all." Yamato pointed out simply as I spun around and jumped to my feet to clear my things from his desk. There were tears stinging at my eyes as I roughly scooped everything I could together.

"Because he stayed by my side." I said through gritted teeth. "Something you should have done." I spun around and dropped to my knees again, tossing everything into the suitcase.

"Sora, I'm sorry..." Yamato said again. I could tell he mean it as I stared into his eyes... but that didn't change my stance. I wasn't willing to forgive him. Just because he was sorry didn't mean he wouldn't do it again. He did all those things—and was so easily influenced by Fanglongmon—what about another girl? He could easily be just as influenced by them. He was just a stupid boy after all... He cleared his throat and shook his head. "You're right... I'm sorry—I should go. I need to leave..."

He stood up and I wanted so desperately to ask him to stay... I wanted to forgive him, but I didn't. And I couldn't.

I heard the click of the door, and waited for the second click as it shut but it didn't so I glanced over my shoulder and saw that he was lingering in the doorway. "Does... this mean we broke up...?"

I mouthed the word, trying to find the courage to spit it out until finally I clamped my eyes shut and nodded, "Yes..."

Then there was a second click... just like that? That's all he had to say? I jumped to my feet and stormed around the room, tearing all of my clothes from the closet and dropping them into my second suitcase before opening my tote bag and throwing in all of my materials and sewing equipment as well as my tennis racket and uniform.

I slung that over my shoulder to join my backpack and then picked up both of my suitcases. Before noticing the carving in the wall above the bed that Yamato and I had done together. It was a mix of our crests. I shook my head and scanned the room for anything else that I might have forgotten. When I was sure I'd gotten everything I set my suitcase down and opened the door before picking it back up and stepping out.

Someone was standing just outside the door, and at first I thought it was Yamato, but looking him over for a moment I saw that it was Takeru. He was smiling kindly as he reached forward and took my two suitcases.

"Sora..." Takeru said slowly, his eyes puffy and red—he'd been crying, "Thanks for moving out of my room." We both laughed a little before I awkwardly threw my hands around his neck and hugged him. "But honestly... I'll miss you here Sora. I won't miss sleeping on Yamato's floor—but I will miss you."

"I'm not disappearing from your life Takeru..." I told him with a smile as I let Nyokimon leap out of the door before closing it and picking her up. "I'll still see you."

"But now I don't have the concept of you being my big sister to look forward to." Takeru said jokingly, but then he stopped smiling when he realized how it just... wasn't funny to me. He nodded, "But you're always going to be my sister." He told me with a smile.

"Takeru..." I said, not able to hold back my smile.

"Come on," He said, shaking his head and motioning toward the door. "I'll help you carry your stuff." He smiled at me, but didn't say anything more as he led me through the house and into the hallway. I shut the door behind us and then opened the door to Rei's apartment which thankfully wasn't locked. I stepped back and let him go in before me and then followed him through, closing the door behind me. I looked over to the dining room table as I did so... I could have sworn there was someone there, but when I looked I saw that all four chairs were empty.

I shook the thought and hurried after Takeru who was already standing in the doorway to Rei's bedroom where Taichi was sitting at the edge of her bed talking to her with a smile on his face. There was no way I was going to not shoot my arrow of love at each of them. They were so going to be my next target. I smiled as I passed them and stepped onto the Balcony. Taichi took one of my suitcases as he held Koromon in his other hand as Daisuke hurried forward and took the other one, holding Demiveemon in his other arm.

"Bye guys." Takeru said, waving with a smile, "Bye Hikari. Bye Sora..."

"Bye Takeru." Hikari and I said together as Taichi said his quick farewell to Rei. Daisuke waved as well as he could to Takeru before Meiyomon waved his arms in a very graceful, dancing way and we were surrounded by pink lights again, heading toward my house.

We landed smoothly outside my house... the home I hadn't been to in so long. I wondered for a moment if my mother would be home—how I would react—how she would react... but honestly I was too tired to care. I stepped away from the group that was clustered around the greenhouse before turning around and taking my suitcase from Daisuke. I tried to take the one from Taichi too but he shook his head and started walking with me.

I nodded and let him lead me toward the porch my father had built.

"You okay?" Taichi asked me in a whisper. I nodded but said nothing. "You and Yamato... I heard you yelling."

"You heard the whole thing?" I gasped, my face turning red as I bit my bottom lip. That was embarrassing...

"No. I just heard yelling. I couldn't make out what you were saying. I tried to drown it out from the others." Taichi said simply.

"Thanks..." I smiled at him, feeling relieved. I wasn't sure if he wanted me to elaborate on the yelling or what the reason was exactly that he brought it up at all, so I nodded and said. "We broke up."

"Figured as much." Taichi nodded, "Guessed that a few hours ago... when he joined the dark side in the first place." I let out a laugh which confused Taichi. "What's so funny?"

"It was only a few hours ago." I told him as I let him go up the stairs first. "So much has happened in the last few days."

"That's true." Taichi said with a smile. "So much drama..."

"That too," I smiled at him as we paced the deck toward the front door which I could only hope would be unlocked.

"So how does it feel to be home?" He asked.

"I haven't really thought about it." I lied. Of course I had. I needed to hide my feelings from Taichi and even from myself. I was honestly terrified of what my mother would think about me coming home... what if she was mad at me like I'd been to her? What if she wasn't ready to forgive me like I was here to do with her...?

"You want to go out sometime?" I let my eyes pop open as he said it and tried to shake it off but he quickly put his hand on my shoulder and shook his head as his face turned red. "N-Not a date. I just want to be friends again. You know? I think it's about time you and I caught up..."

"I agree..." I said a little too quickly, nodding with a grin on my face. "Can't believe I actually thought that you meant that we should go out..." I said, looking away as my face burned.

Taichi laughed nervously, "Pshh! That would be bad—remember last time we tried that?"

"What do you mean?" I asked him slowly.

"A chain of events that resulted in a demon." He winked at me before opening the front door. I gasped, as it swung open. I wasn't ready—were they even home? Well all of the lights were off so I knew that they weren't home yet... which was probably a good thing. Taichi smiled at me before setting my suitcase inside the door and turning to me to hug me. He tried a few times, finding himself unable to with all the things in my arms and settled on patting my head. I couldn't help but feel that it wasn't enough... but that was all I had. He turned and ran off toward the others. I watched them go as Meiymon swung around his arms one more time to head to his last stop.

I turned into the house and closed the door before walking toward my room. I reached for the handle, but my hand hovered for a moment. I was so used to walking into this room... but I hadn't been here in so long—was it still even my room...? Had they set it up for something else?

I couldn't wait anymore. I pushed the door open and sighed. There was everything I'd left behind. My bed was in the center of the room, made perfectly, the drapes were pulled closed, the way I liked them and my closet door was still painted the way Taichi and I had done the summer before the digital world had called to us. There were boxes in the corner of all the things I was willing to give away, but apparently my mother hadn't bothered to give them away yet...

I smiled as I dropped my suitcase on the floor and piled everything else on top. I set the sleeping Nyokimon down on my bed and turned toward the boxes of old things. I opened the box on the top and sighed. The first thing on the top was a picture of my mother and father in a heart shaped picture frame. I instantly set that on my sewing desk, taking it out of the boxes. I looked in the rest of the box and found my two favourite hats from when I was a child. I smiled at them and pulled out the one I'd gone to the Digital World in, placing it on my head. It was a tight fit, but it brought back memories. But I pulled it off when I spotted something else. I reached my hand in and pulled out the hair clip that Taichi had gotten for me.

I turned it over in my hand a few times before clipping it into my hair and sighing.

There was a knock on the door which almost gave me a heart attack, but I quickly jumped to my feet and rushed toward the door. What if it was my mother? No—it wouldn't be my mom... why would she knock?

I flicked the light on and pulled the door open to reveal a man and a woman. Both of them were dressed rather formally, and looked rather tired—but nowhere near as tired as I felt.

"Where is Mimi?" The woman, supposedly Mimi's mother, asked me.

"What do you—?" I froze. Mimi had told her parents she was staying with me to avoid conflict with them about living at Jou's house—I had almost forgot. But I wasn't in the mood for lying or arguing so I shook my head. "She's not here. Go to Jou Kido's house. She lives with him—but go in the morning. They're at the hospital right now." And with that I slammed the door. I just didn't care to be totally honest.

I picked up the last suit case and flicked the light off before bringing the suitcase to my room before opening it. I was almost asleep as it was, but I wasn't going to go to bed as dirty as I was. I pulled out a fresh pair of pyjamas—though I'd have to use whatever was in the bathroom—I hadn't remembered to take any of my bathroom supplies from Yamato's house.

I entered the bathroom and smiled. My robe was still hanging on the hook by the shower, and as I hurried over to inspect it I noticed that it was clean... my mother had been cleaning my laundry even though I wasn't here. I honestly didn't know what to think about that... but it made me smile.

I practically ripped my dirty clothes off at this point. They were covered in blood, and sweat and dirt and grime and anything else humanly possible—so I was going to throw them out. But just as I was about to turn the shower on I froze. I heard someone walk in the front door.

I nervously grabbed my robe and threw it on, tying it tightly and walking slowly toward the door. As I did I heard my phone vibrate. I looked at it, sitting on the counter.

New Message: Yamato

I stared at the phone a moment before deciding that whatever it was, was going to have to wait, and throwing the bathroom door open.

"AUURGH!" My mother screamed as she slowly advanced upon the bathroom with Dad right behind her holding a strangle looking digimon with a pink belt like thing. I figured it must have been Centarumon, but... smaller—I remembered Koushiro talking about him before—it was a Bokomon, and in his other arm was a green bud digimon. Dad was smiling at me, but as I turned to Mom I saw that her face was very solemn.

"Mom, I—" I tried to explain but I was cut off by her hugging me tightly. I threw my arms around her and smiled. Dad was here... they were together... they were in love. So no matter what happened... love was always existent...? I thought about my buzzing phone, and then to the clip in my hair and smiled. "I love you."

"I love you too..." Mom smiled hugging me tighter as my dad said "Aw," and tried to join the hug.

"I'm going to have a shower now though," I said with a grin.

"You smell so bad," Dad joked, causing us all to start laughing.

Ken:

Watching them leave in a burst of pink light was nerve-wracking. I hadn't thought too much of what I'd do when I was alone with her. I knew what I needed to say. But could I say it?

Wormmon was already asleep, curled into my chest. Poromon was as well. He'd fallen asleep before he could digivolve back into Hawkmon.

"What do we need to talk about?" Miyako asked me. But I could tell from her voice she already knew some of it. How could she not? We needed to talk about where we stood.

"Are we okay?" I asked. I knew the answer was no, but they was the only words I could force out of my dry mouth.

"You know we're not," she said softly. "I want us to be, but we aren't. You were against us, Ken."

"I'm not even going to pull the 'I was being controlled' card. I know I was against you. And at the time, with him in my head, it was thrilling. And that scares me. But I know with a clear conscience I'd never be able to fight against you, Miyako. I'm sorry."

"You didn't do anything wrong though," Miyako told me sadly. "You were under Fanglongmon's control. You don't have to be sorry. The fact that you're willing to be makes me so happy, you have no idea. But you don't need to be. He attacked your point of weakness. Daisuke told me all about it."

"Really?" I asked confused. None of what she was saying made any sense to me. We weren't okay, but I didn't do anything wrong? It didn't add up.

"What are we doing?" she asked. I could hear tears in her eyes, but she refused to look at me. She was just staring at the trees in the distance. "We were the fairy tale couple, you know? Taichi and Sora was a train wreck, and Sora and Yamato were conflicting with each other to the point where he voluntarily joined Fanglongmon's side. Hikari and Willis are doomed—yes, I say so only because I'm rooting for Takeru—but Jou and Momoe don't even speak to each other really when they're together. We were it for our friends. And we don't know where we're going."

"What are you talking about? We're still perfect for one another. We compliment each other's personalities. My calm collectiveness to your eccentricities," I reminded her.

"But you've got a goal for the future. I don't," she told me. "You're going to go off and become what you've always dreamed of, and I'm going to stay here in Odaiba and take over my parents' store or something else that is equally depressing."

School. The future. I should have known she'd bring them up. She always managed to bring it back to this. I never talked about it. I couldn't. It was too hard for me to imagine a future where she wasn't with me. I felt like she was my reality and everything else was just a dream, a vague image of what my perfect future could be. I didn't like to think of what it would cost to make that dream a reality too. I might lose her in order to make our future brighter. But without my dream girl, did I really want to worry about my dream career? I couldn't win either way.

So I never thought about it. Never talked about it. Unless I had to.

"I got accepted," I said quietly. "To the academy. My parents were thrilled. They have me down to go to the Police Academy next fall."

"Just a month from now," Miyako corrected. I sighed. She sighed. "That's not very long. You could have told me."

"I didn't want to make you upset," I told her.

"So you thought you wouldn't tell me until you had to leave? That it might soften the blow?" she said incredulously.

I wouldn't have told her. I would've debated the pros and cons until it was too late. She thought I was being purposely cruel. I didn't want to hurt her, but I had to think of myself on this one. Which path was actually right for me…and why couldn't I have both?

"It might actually have been a good thing," Miyako said. "This rift in our relationship that Fanglongmon caused. It'll get me used to the fact that you're gone."

"I'm not gone yet though," I protested. "And what about long distance? We could try that…right?"

"I don't think it would work for us," she said, turning to face me for the first time. She was crying, silently. This was hurting her as much as it was hurting me. She was never very good at hiding her emotions. "Not now. Not with this between us. It might have, before this adventure happened. But not now. I can't, we can't fix this when you're so far away."

"So we're breaking up?" I asked, my voice wavering and betraying my emotions to her.

"I guess," she said crying harder now, and not so silently. "I don't see any other choice."

"Okay then," I said. "Do you still want me to walk you home…or?"

"Yes. Just one more time," she said sobbing.

I didn't know whether to put my arm around her to comfort her in her tears, or to hold her hand so I could savour the feeling of it in mine, or even to just have no contact at all, because we weren't… dating… anymore.

We walked through the ruined streets. The asphalt was clear of trees now, and the colours were brighter, even in the growing darkness. There was nothing sinister about it anymore. It was comforting to know that the world was healing despite my broken heart. Cars still littered the streets though, looking for all the world as though they crashed into thin air, now that the trees they hit were gone. Many shop windows were smashed, and a few windows of houses were as well. All things considering, it wasn't as much damage as I'd once thought.

Miyako's sobs slowly got smaller, until she was only sniffling ever once in awhile by the time we reached her apartment building. I didn't want to let her go.

"This is me," she said awkwardly, as she did on our first date so long ago.

"I know," I said reluctantly.

"I'll see you around then," she told me.

"Until September," I reminded her.

"Yeah," she choked out. "Right."

"Goodbye Miyako," I whispered, leaning in and kissing her cheek, just so I'd remember what it felt like, what she smelt like. She cupped my face as I pulled away and kissed me softly on the lips. It was so much better than my idea.

"I still love you," I said before I could stop myself. It was as if I had to remind her desperately that I did, just in case she forgot.

"I still love you too," she said, dropping her hands. "Goodbye Ken."

"Bye," I said again as she backed up to the door, and slipped through it, not looking away from me until she had to. And then she was gone.

Gone from view, gone from her place in my life. I didn't have her anymore. I continued a similar mantra as I walked home. I'd forgotten that buses wouldn't be running, and neither would the subway. I was exhausted, and I wasn't sure at first if I'd even make it home, or if I'd fall asleep in the middle of the street. But I made it.

Mom wasn't waiting at the door like I thought she would be. She had a tendency to be overprotective, in a sweet way, but I was glad she wasn't waiting to attack me with hugs and kisses and love and affection. I didn't want it. I was miserable, and I was exhausted. And I wished I, like Wormmon, had slept through that whole conversation. Then it would just be a dream, and not my new reality. The reality I didn't ever want to live in.

We'd just saved the world. Did we really have to go through a breakup too?

"Are you hurt?" I heard my mother ask. I sighed, ready to answer that no, physically I was not hurt, when I heard my dad answer her instead.

"I told you," he said softly. "We barricaded the doors as soon as the attacks started. We were safe. I was more worried about you and Ken then myself. I didn't know if you were safe."

"I was plenty safe," she said. "I had Hiroaki Ishida and Toshiko Takenouchi and Rei Saiba to keep me company, and we met up with a young couple, Shuu Kido and Jun—Daisuke's sister. We helped save the world dear. And I did nearly die, when Wisemon got me, but I wasn't wiped out of existence or anything. You worry too much."

"I worry too much!" Dad shouted. Even his loud voice wasn't enough to wake Wormmon. I decided at that moment to let my presence be known. I didn't want them fighting. Not in front of me.

"I'm home," I called. My voice sounded dull, depressed, and I hoped they would chalk it up to my exhaustion. I didn't want to talk about Miyako just yet.

"Good," Mom said happily. "Oh look at you. You get to bed young man. I'm sure you're tired. Do you want me to make you something to eat first, or are you just going to sleep?"

"Sleep," I said.

"Alright dear. I'll make breakfast late tomorrow. Maybe I'll even make brunch," Mom decided.

"Sounds good," I said.

"Ken," Dad called. I looked to him. He looked fine. I felt guilty that I barely thought of him at all, but was definitely pleased to see he looked well rested and fed and not torn to pieces. "I'm glad you're safe."

"You too," I told him, before dragging myself to bed. I welcomed sleep with open arms, and it didn't take too long to come to me either. I wouldn't be plagued with thoughts of Miyako at least, while I slept.

Hikari:

I slowly opened my eyes and stared at the alarm clock that sat on my bedside table. It was ten thirty... that wasn't such a bad sleep really. I stretched my arms and let myself yawn before throwing the sheets aside and getting out of bed, being as quiet as I could to not wake the sleeping Kurayami in the cot on the other side of the room.

It was going to be a fun day today. Doing whatever I wanted—not having to run around and risk my life—not having to do anything at all! Plus I wasn't sick... I could eat candy! I hadn't eaten candy in three years! Takeru would be so proud of me that my first thought was to eat candy.

I smiled as I opened my closet door and began humming. I picked out an outfit before heading out of my room and toward the bathroom. The door was wide open so I stepped inside and turned on the shower.

About half an hour later I was stepping out of the shower and wrapping a towel around me as I stood and stared at my blurry reflection in the foggy mirror. I sighed dramatically as I took a deep breath in the steaming room. I reached forward and wiped my hand across the mirror to clear some fog and saw the reflection of a boy standing behind me.

I screamed and spun around quickly to come face to face with the dark haired, mysterious boy standing in the bathroom.

The bathroom door flung open suddenly and I turned to look at Daisuke as he barged into the room wearing nothing more than one sock and his underwear.

"What's wrong?" He asked quickly before noticing that I was only wearing a towel. His face turned red quickly as I looked away from him to the place where the boy had been standing.

"Nothing—I thought I saw something." I told him. "Now... go away..." I laughed nervously as he nodded and backed out of the room.

"Where are you?" I asked flatly.

I felt a tapping on my shoulder. I spun around to look at him. He was smirking as if what had just happened was funny—but I couldn't say that I agreed.

"Who are you?" I asked him, "I want to help you."

"You can't help me." He said with a sigh. "I'm sorry, it's just not possible... I think."

"You don't know?" I asked, "Just tell me what you need... I will do my best to help you."

"I don't remember what I need." He said slowly, "I'm looking for someone..."

"Lopmon?" I asked quickly and excitedly, but he shook his head.

"No... It's a person." He said slowly, but then he shook it off, "No matter... My name is Yukai." He said, showing me his hand and hoping for me to shake it. I reached forward and tried to take it but my hand went straight through his. I gasped but was not overly surprised. With everything I'd been through in my life, I wouldn't even be shocked if he transformed into a giant killer robot to destroy New York—I'd been watching too many movies with Takeru. "Sorry... I always forget that I'm..." he shook his head. "I'll see you around Hikari." He said, waving to me as he vanished from the bathroom.

I continued my morning ritual as if nothing had happened, excluding the medicine, but I couldn't get the boy off my mind. He had very blue eyes... and his hair was so dark...

I was soon dressed, with my hair clipped back—still wet—and having had my teeth brushed. I opened the bathroom door and set off down the hallway. I heard voices though so I slowed a little—who was it? The closer I got the more sure I was that it was Taichi and Daisuke.

"You snore though," Taichi was saying, "Which is fine—I do too I think—but just make sure that I fall asleep first."

"I can try..." Daisuke said slowly.

"And try to wear clothes." Taichi added—that one I agreed with. "But other than that—I guess you can stay."

"Thanks..?" Daisuke said slowly. I heard the sound of cereal being poured into a bowl at the kitchen table. "I feel so naked."

"That's because you're not wearing clothes..." Taichi pointed out.

Daisuke laughed, "I mean without the goggles." He clarified.

"Well if you win the vote, then you can have them back." Taichi said.

"And when is this vote going to happen?" Daisuke asked.

"How about today?" I suggested, butting into their conversation, and revealing that I'd been eavesdropping on the two of them... again. "I was thinking of inviting everyone down to the new cafe down the street—we could have a celebration party and vote then if you'd like."

Taichi and Daisuke looked to me as one and then to each other and nodded. "Sure." They said together.

I moved to sit down at the table but jumped in surprise at the sight of a man standing next to the television in the living room. At first I thought it was Yukai and I remembered him standing in the bathroom. I blushed slightly, shaking my head and realizing that it was actually my father.

"Dad?" I asked, "When did you get here?"

"Few hours ago," He said with a grin. "Do you mind if they watch your movies Hikari?" I gestured toward the couch where Salamon, Agumon, Veemon, and Kamemon were sitting. I was happy to welcome Kamemon to the family—especially because he was adorable. "You're the only one with child movies."

I nodded as Daisuke snickered and sat down, my face turning red again just as the door flew open.

"Phew!"

"Mom!" I smiled, jumping to my feet and hurrying toward the front door where my mom was standing, wiping the sweat from her brow.

"Kids!" She gasped excitedly, rushing forward and throwing her arms around me. "You're home! I was afraid you'd still be out there risking your lives for us all."

"Nah," Taichi said with a grin, "Been there, done that." He and Daisuke laughed as the movie started playing.

"Oh!" Mom smiled, "What're you watching?" She stepped into the kitchen and let her face fall at the sight of Dad in the living room. "Where have you been?"

"I was imprisoned by a clown." Dad said, smiling awkwardly.

"Yeah?" Mom said, rolling her eyes, before replying with an equally bizarre statement, "And I threw exploding muffins at a giant parrot." Both of them stared at each other for a moment before laughing and rushing toward each other. Dad lifted her off of her feet and spun her around as he kissed her and she giggled until her feet were back on the ground.

"We should let everyone know about the voting party." Taichi said to me as he stood up with his empty bowl of cereal and giving Mom and Dad a very disgusted look, "Text them," He told me as Mom grabbed him and brought him in for a hug.

"You know you're happy to see me!" Mom laughed as she hugged him tightly.

"Okay okay!" Taichi said loudly, pushing away from Mom embarrassed as Daisuke and I laughed at him. He straightened his shirt and cleared his throat. "I am happy you're okay though Mom." He said before walking off. Mom smiled and put her hand over her heart as if Taichi had just said the most touching thing imaginable—which he actually kind of had... for Taichi anyway.

I slipped past Mom and Dad and down the hallway into my bedroom where I picked up my D-terminal before typing in a very quick message to everyone except Yamato. Takeru was at his house and so I didn't have to send two.

I heard a knock on the door and quickly responded by pocketing my D-terminal and rushing to the door. I pulled it open and smiled at the boy who stood on the other side.

"Hey Iori," I said to him with a grin Iori looked surprisingly good for what he'd just gone through, "Hi Armadillomon," I said with a smile to the digimon at Iori's feet. "Come in," I stepped aside and they both hurried inside. Iori looked fairly worried as he spun around to face me. "What's wrong?" I asked him.

"I have a date with Noriko today." He said, panicked. "I can't do this! How am I supposed to go on a date with someone I can barely stand to look at?"

"I don't know..." I told him slowly, "Wait! Why don't you have your date at the group thing I was planning today? That way you won't have to be alone—but it'll still be a date."

"What group thing?" Iori asked as his D-Terminal began beeping. He pulled it from his pocket and smiled, "Oh." He had just gotten my message. "That will do." he chuckled.

"Come into my room." I told him as Daisuke began dancing in the open doorway of his room. Iori looked confused until I led him toward my room where he spotted Daisuke. He laughed a little before I pulled him into my room where Kurayami was now sitting on the floor, staring at my open closet. I spotted Armadillomon turn to see the other digimon.

"I'll be... back." He said to Iori as he ran to watch the movie with them. Kurayami jumped when he spoke and turned to look at us.

"Oh—sorry..." She said nervously, "I... like your clothes."

"Thanks," I told her with a smile as Iori sat down at the computer chair and spun around a few times.

"You know..." He said slowly, "I had two super awkward kisses yesterday..."

I laughed, and then froze, "Wait me too." I told him slowly.

"At least yours were with the same person." Iori said.

"I had my first kiss too." Kurayami said, moving closer to us. "But Fanglongmon had his before I had mine." It took a moment to understand for me, but I picked it up from the stories Daisuke had told me the night before, and I suddenly started laughing with the others.

"Hikari..." I looked up quickly to see the door cracked open and Willis stepping into the room. "Taichi let me in."

"Hi!" I smiled brightly, waving to him. "We were just—" Before I could say anything else Iori and Kurayami jumped to their feet and left the room together. "Or not..."

Willis moved across the room and sat on the bed next to me. He sat in silence for a moment before looking up to me and staring into my eyes. I was nervous... I wasn't exactly sure what was happening, but I felt as if it were very serious.

"Have you talked to Takeru lately?" He asked me slowly.

"Not since last night... why?" I asked him.

Willis looked to his hands that were folded in his lap and said "Because he's in love with you."

"What?" I asked, my mind entirely frozen. "No he isn't."

"Dammit..." Willis muttered. "I promised myself I wasn't going to say that." He stood up and started pacing as he bit his lip.

Takeru didn't like me that way. We were just best friends—that was all. Nothing more... Willis had to be wrong.

"I'm such an idiot!" he said kicking the air before falling back onto my bed and laying down. "I'm sorry—I didn't mean to say that. It's not fair to him..."

"He doesn't—" I tried.

"Good. Think that." Willis cut me off, growling at himself, "I'm so sorry..." There was a silence in which I tried to figure out why Willis thought that Takeru liked me... perhaps he did. Maybe I was just really bad at reading boys emotions... "Do you love him?" Willis asked me.

"What?" I gasped. "No, I don't."

"Are you sure?" He asked me, sitting up and staring at me. I nodded firmly, not breaking eye contact. Because I wasn't in love with Takeru—I didn't even know what love was like. Everyone described it as a bubbly warm feeling that spread through your body that made you want to do stupid things to make the person smile—but I couldn't say I'd ever felt that way... "How can I be sure you don't love him? You spend an awful lot of time with him..."

"He's my best friend." I told him slowly. "But I don't love him."

"Then who do you love?" He asked me.

"I love you." I said as firmly as I could, but like I said, I didn't know what love was. I couldn't make sense of my feelings anymore than I could make sense of my math homework—but I knew I felt something for Willis, and they say that love is different for everyone—so there was a high possibility that it was love that I was feeling. I wanted to be around him... I felt safe when he was near, and I couldn't help but smile every time I saw his face...

"But...?" He asked me.

"But nothing." I said flatly.

"But something...?" He tried.

"No buts." I confirmed with a grin.

"Yes buts?"

"No buts."

"But, what?"

"But this," I said, leaning forward and kissing him with such force that I pushed him back into a laying position. I laughed and rolled off of him, without realizing he was at the edge of my bed, and fell straight to the floor only to laugh harder.

I stopped suddenly when the door opened. I looked toward the door and saw my mom's feet. "Hikari—you can't be in your room alone with your boyfriend..." She said slowly.

"Right... sorry mom." I said slowly.

"And there's someone here to see you all." She said before her feet retracted, back out the door. Willis jumped to his feet and helped me do the same before we walked out into the hallway. I saw Taichi, Iori, Daisuke and Kurayami sitting on the couch in the living room, so I took Willis' hand and dragged him toward them, passing Kamemon, Mom and Dad who were sitting in the kitchen.

When I walked through the door I froze. Agumon was sitting on the floor in front of the couch with Veemon, Lopmon, Terriermon, Armadillomon and Salamon. But on my dad's favourite chair sad a very elegant looking lady in a long princess cut green dress. Her hair was dark and her skin was tinted green—but the strangest part was that she had large wings.

"Who... are you?" I asked slowly.

"She's a Fairy Queen that I saved from Fanglongmon's palace." Iori smiled to me. For a brief moment I hoped that she would be Kurayami's mother—that would be why I couldn't find her—but Kurayami was looking at the woman with the same expression as everyone else, and also the woman was a fairy. I moved forward and sat on the floor, lifting Salamon and Lopmon into my lap as Willis sat next to me, allowing Terriermon to climb onto him as well.

"Greetings," The Queen said with a simple wave of her hand and a bow of her head. "I have come to speak to you, Iori... but I suppose it would be best if Daisuke and the others were here as well,"

"She knows my name!" Daisuke said excitedly as if she were some sort of celebrity. I noticed thankfully that he was wearing clothes now though.

"What can I help you with...?" Iori asked.

"With your permission I would like to modify the memories of the humans who witnessed anything unusual in the past few days." The Queen said with a very solid amount of confidence.

"You can do that?" Taichi asked.

"Of course I can," The Queen said, smiling. "I can do many things. But at the moment, all I wish to do is convince the humans that a very natural disaster happened here and harmed them all rather than let them all live in fear of digimon. They were not acting of their own accord, and thus I do not wish for the humans to judge them too harshly." Her voice was bubbly and high, and it made me smile more than the conversation required.

Iori looked to Daisuke and Taichi for confirmation of what to say and both of them shrugged their shoulders and nodded.

"You may as well." Willis inputted. "It will save them all a lot of trouble—and save us a lot of explaining."

"But not us." I clarified quickly.

"Oh of course not my dear," The Queen smiled to me.

"Or our families and close friends—like Rei and Iori's friends who's names I forget.." Taichi said thoughtfully, "My dad would forget about his new partner Kamemon—that would suck."

"Indeed that would, as you say... suck." The Queen bobbed her head slightly on the last word. "I promise not to affect them either, nor others in this world that have found and accepted their digital partners because of these events. It simply would not do to cause them hardships in their already progressing unions."

"What about recordings and whatnot?" Daisuke asked.

"The humans will perceive recordings differently after I cast my spell." The Queen smiled.

"You're pretty." Veemon blurted out randomly causing both Lopmon and Terriermon to burst out in laughter. "Well she is!" Veemon said, joining them in laughter.

"Are we all agreed?" The Queen asked us. And when we all nodded she stood from her chair and smiled. Slowly she brought her hands together into a clap and then let them fall gracefully. "The spell has been cast."

"Thanks—" Iori tried, but before he could even finish that word the Queen had started walking from the room.

"I have many things to get done my friends, I shall see you at a later point in time." She smiled at us and waved, "Specifically you Mr Iori. I must commend you for keeping Miss Yagami safe. I am proud of you."

She was the one who told Iori to keep me safe? I looked from her to Iori whose face was a little red, and then back to the Queen, but she was gone.

"I'm hungry..." Agumon said as if the Queen hadn't even been there.

"You're always hungry." Taichi noted as he patted his partners head. "Come on though. We can make something for you..."

"I can make noodles!" Daisuke said excitedly.

"YAY!" Veemon cheered, jumping to his feet and following the two boys out of the room.

"That Queen saved your life didn't she?" Salamon asked me, looking up at me with big eyes. I nodded slowly.

"It was actually Iori of course—but I think..." I turned to Iori for confirmation, and he was nodding, so I continued, "She sent him a message in a dream to save me."

"That's so kind of her!" Salamon smiled.

I felt a tap on my shoulder so I turned to see Kurayami, motioning for me to follow her. I nodded and jumped to my feet before following her into the hallway where she spun around and stared at me.

"I need your help..."

Takeru:

I knew I was awake, but I could still remember my dream so clearly I could almost see it... Patamon and I had been on a roller coaster while Hikari and Gatomon waited for us... I knew how much Hikari hated Roller coasters—my dreams were so accurate. Suddenly though I remembered what had happened next. Piedmon had appeared on the tracks, stopping the cart from moving further using his foot to stop it easily. In his left hand he held a long silver sword, and in the other sat a human head. Slowly he turned the head around to me to reveal that it was my mother.

I tried to open my eyes but they wouldn't let me—I was too tired—and I ended up falling out of bed with a loud crash.

Well that opened my eyes. I sat up and looked around, rubbing my eyes. Where was I?

Right... I was in Yamato's house. I was here because I didn't want to go home to a house that I lived with my now... with my mother.

I jumped to my feet and quickly made the bed. I didn't want to mess up this room—not after Sora had worked for so long keeping it clean. I noticed the carving on the wall—the mix between the crest of love and the crest of friendship. I had stared at it until I fell asleep—which was about five full seconds.

I looked to the pillow I had set out for Tokomon the night before, and saw that he was gone and the door was ajar. I slipped out of the room and smiled. I smelled food!

I hurried toward the kitchen where I slid across the floor in my socking feet and sat down at my regular seat. Yamato was sitting across from me staring at his phone that lay on the table in front of him as food sizzled in the frying pan behind him. I loved food. That along with comic books was the only thing that could really keep me from going insane—it always kept my mind off of the harder things in life. Like Hikari—or my... mother's passing.

As I realized that I was replacing my mother for food I practically disowned my own mind. Firstly—that was the rudest thing ever. And second—if I kept doing that, I'd eventually get fat.

"Hey Takeru!" I turned to see the excited Patamon running into the room. "You sleepy head!"

Gabumon ran in after him as I hugged Patamon. "No fair you can't hide with Takeru!" Gabumon said, "I can't catch you if you're there!"

"We're playing tag." Patamon explained as if it were the silliest fact on the planet. "I'm winning so far."

"Yeah," I laughed, "Because Gabumon can't fly!"

"Yup!" Patamon laughed as he spread his wings and flew from the room. Gabumon turned quickly and chased him. I smiled, watching them before turning to Yamato.

"I'm making eggs if you want some." Yamato said without taking his eyes off of his phone. "I did make bacon but Patamon and Gabumon ate it all."

"Isn't that a form of cannibalism?" I asked.

"I'M NOT A PIG TAKERU!" Patamon laughed as he flew around the living room. I turned back to Yamato who had smirked, but then returned to his solemn expression, staring at the phone.

"Waiting for Sora?" I asked him. That got his attention. He looked away from the phone and up to me and nodded. "I'm really sorry about your break up and all." I told him honestly, "I was really routing for you two..."

"Because you and Hikari have a bet running." Yamato said in passing, "Whoever is first to be Sora's sibling wins—of course you want me to marry her... so you would win."

"There's that." I told him, "But honestly, you two were my favourite couple. I mean you didn't have much competition—Ken and Miyako were like a married couple and half the time I forgot they were even together... Willis and Hikari suck together, and Koushiro and Mimi still won't accept that they are in a relationship..."

"You only think Hikari and Willis suck together because you're in love with her." Yamato said, staring right through me.

I shook my head quickly and then looked back to him. "Correction... I was in love with her. I'm over Hikari."

"Three years, down the drain?" Yamato asked, "Just like that?"

"Just like that." I nodded.

"I wish it was that easy..." Yamato said reaching forward and clicking a button on his phone to turn the screen back on.

"You need to give her some time." I said as I jumped to my feet and strode across the room toward the stove to turn the heat down and finish Yamato's cooking, noticing that it was 1:34... I slept in for quite a while... "She'll either realize that she misses you and wants to be with you, or she won't."

"Gee thanks..." Yamato sighed.

"I know it's blunt, but it's the truth." I told him honestly. "You didn't really handle yourself very well in the breakup anyway..."

"You're on her side?" He asked me sharply.

"No," I said shaking my head. "I'm on your side for sure. But the fact is... You joined the dark side after she explicitly told you that if you did that the two of you were over. You left me, and Sora to fight for peace, harmony, love, and the lives of all the humans of earth, while you fought against us. Against all of those things, and when we tried to talk to you, you turned us down and made us leave so you could keep fighting for evil. And Fanglongmon wasn't even in your head. He didn't even affect you like he did the others. You did this all on your own free will." Yamato's mouth was hanging open a little as I continued, "Then in the breakup, you accepted the fact that you were broken up and left without another word. You should have told her that you loved her. That's what I would have done. And that you'd fight to get her back, and you'd do whatever it took—it's romantic..."

"You've been watching too many movies." Yamato said shaking his head. "I'm not a romantic person... besides—even if I did say all of that it wouldn't change anything... she wasn't willing to talk—she wasn't willing to change her mind."

"Well then," I said taking the scrambled eggs off of the burner and dumping them onto the two plates that Yamato had laid out, "As Michael would say it... 'Sorato is done-zo'... or something—what does done-zo even mean?"

"Sorato...?" Yamato asked as he figured out the meaning of the word in his mind. "No... We're not done. We can't be done... not yet."

"That's the spirit." I told him with a smile, placing the plate with significantly less food on it in front of him, "Just get out there and get her back. Don't let her go on without you—but don't hold her back—that would be bad. But give her time. Give her space. She needs to feel independent. You need to make sure that you two being together is right for the both of you... not just you. Maybe she's ready to move on... and you have to accept that."

"Since when do you know so much about girls and relationships?" Yamato asked, his eyebrows rising.

"Since ever." I told him. "I lived with a single mom Yamato. I'm romantic and sensual. It's unavoidable really." We both laughed before letting it fade away as we both thought of Mom.

There was a knock on the door as I slowly began to eat my eggs. Yamato jumped to his feet and left the room to answer the door. Before he got there I heard a loud banging, but I ignored it.

I wondered if Mom had a will... did she have anywhere she wanted to be buried? Of course I didn't know where her body was, but that didn't mean I couldn't place a stone—or a pretty tree with a memorial plaque on it. Was I to live here now? I was sure dad would allow it... especially since Yamato was moved out...

"Takeru!" Yamato called. "Come here for a minute will you?"

I pushed my chair back and stood up before straightening my hair as best I could and stepping from the kitchen. "What is it?" I asked him before looking up to the front door and gasping. My dad was standing there, with Wizardmon sitting in a wheelchair, which was all very strange—but it was nothing to the sight of the blonde woman clinging to Dad's arm with a smile.

"Takeru!" She gasped, running toward me and throwing her arms around me. I didn't move. I couldn't move. I was frozen. "I was so worried—so much had happened and I..."

"You're... dead." Was all I could say. It was enough though. My mother pulled away from me and kept her hands on my shoulders, staring into my eyes.

"What are you talking about?" She asked.

"I'm talking about that moment yesterday when Piedmon threw a sword at you!" I said loudly. I didn't understand—I was confused... nothing made any sense. I had seen Piedmon do it! He had thrown his sword—I saw the look of panic on her face as it happened... I couldn't get that out of my head—she couldn't be here looking unscathed.

"Takeru..." Patamon said flying over to me, landing on my shoulder and breathing through his nose. "She smells human. Dirty—but still human."

"What are you saying?" I asked him quickly.

"I'm saying that perhaps Piedmon tricked you." Patamon said in my ear, "It's his specialty after all—the other two were just imposters... maybe the third was too..."

I looked over to Patamon on my shoulder and then back to Mom who was standing in front of me, still looking confused. "The last thing I said to you... was to lay off and stop trying to help—but I don't want that. Talking to Yamato a moment ago... I realized how much you taught me and how much I learned from you—how much I need you... I need you to remind me to change my underwear and to eat vegetables and to watch out for wild animals—because even though you warned me I didn't do any of those things in the past three days. And I almost died multiple times—and I even watched you die. I need you Mom—and you're not ever allowed to die on me again."

Mom stepped forward and threw her arms around me again, sending Patamon flying off. This time I hugged her back, unable to keep myself from doing so.

"I'll... go give Rei her wheelchair back." Yamato said with a quick nod.

"Me too..." Dad said, spinning it around and pushing it through the door.

"Where were you?" I asked mom suddenly, pulling away from her.

"Well your father didn't show up to our... meeting—" Mom started.

"I know it was a date Mom... its okay. And I'm happy for you." I smiled at her, receiving a very welcome smile of relief back.

"And I thought he was standing me up—but it turns out the whole world was in danger. I was fighting to be honest... and then my cell phone finally got a signal so I texted your father and he came to pick me up right away. And the two of us stayed at my place last night."

It was as simple as that? She was just... fighting? Alongside the rest of us? I knew I shouldn't have doubted her—well I didn't know... but I did then. I knew that I could always trust my mom to pull through in the end...

"What's that noise?" Mom asked, bringing me from my thoughts. I listened and heard the faint sound of a vibration.

"It's Yamato's phone." I said, "Wait right here—don't leave—stay safe." I felt like an idiot saying it, but I just had to be sure she'd be there when I came back. I ran into the kitchen and picked up his phone and saw that the text message was from Hikari.

Meet us down at the cafe—and bring Takeru, he isn't answering his phone! See you guys there ~ Hikari

I smiled knowing that I'd have some text messages from Hikari to look forward to, even if they weren't anything special. And then, without any control of myself I was opening Yamato's sent mail and opening one he had sent to Sora last night—I couldn't help it... I was curious.

Sora... I'm so sorry about everything that happened... and I know you don't want to forgive me—and that's because I don't deserve it. I just... I can't let you leave my life that easily. I love you so much... and if you won't let me be the man in your life... will you at least let me be your friend...?

And she hadn't responded? Well I knew I had to talk to Sora later today... that was for sure.

Willis:

"Did you talk to Hikari?" Terriermon asked me, looking up with his big round eyes. I nodded slowly and awkwardly as I looked around the room to Taichi, Daisuke and Iori not to mention all of their digimon partners, all of which were staring at me.

"What did she say?" Lopmon asked, bouncing up and down. And dancing around the kitchen floor. I ignored her as completely as I could as I dropped the spoon into the food that Daisuke had prepared. He headed back into the kitchen—was making more—though I wasn't sure if anyone really wanted any more.

It was really good though—and honestly I'd never pegged Daisuke as one to cook but it was certainly better than Hikari's mother's cooking—which I wouldn't have insulted had I not already knew that everyone including her mother herself knew she was awful.

Lopmon and Terriermon grinned to each other as they successfully embarrassed me.

"Taichi, why don't you know how to cook?" Agumon asked suddenly.

"Because I have a terrible role model." Taichi joked.

"Daisuke is really good—maybe he could teach you!" Agumon said as he poured more of Daisuke's food into his mouth just as Daisuke entered the room again.

Daisuke and Taichi exchanged long a long glance before turning away. "I dunno," Taichi said, "Cooking just isn't my thing."

"Mm..." Daisuke said with a nod before turning and heading back to the oven.

"What did you and Hikari talk about anyway?" Iori asked me, looking to me, simply curious. I looked toward Hikari's closed bedroom door where she and Kurayami were hiding for some reason before turning back and seeing that Daisuke and Taichi were both looking at me with wide eyes. Daisuke's eyes almost looked hopeful in a strange way, but Taichi was giving me a look that made me want to run away and hide.

"We were talking about... us." I said as vaguely as I could, but that apparently wasn't enough for the hungry eyes that were still locked to me. Daisuke hurried back and sat down in the fourth chair at the table.

"It was about love wasn't it?" Daisuke asked, fairly accurately. "How did it go? I once told Hikari that I loved her—"

"Wait, what?" Taichi asked, but Daisuke ignored him.

"And she totally blew me off! Ignored me!" Daisuke raged. "Did she... did she say she loves you back?"

Daisuke had told her that he loved her too...? I vaguely remembered something about that—and she ignored him too... just like she'd ignored me. I wondered if Daisuke had been as persistent as I had been... would she have told him the same thing she told me? I shook my head and looked to them. "Yeah she said she loves me and stuff."

"And stuff?" Taichi asked with a slight growl. "You don't seem overly committed."

"Taichi," Iori said, "You're just being protective."

"And you know this how?" Taichi asked, his eyebrows raised.

"Because I have a little sibling too." Iori said flatly. "And I love Hikari like a sister too. And I almost died trying to be protective—I do know how that works you know."

Taichi nodded slowly and looked up to me, about to say something but decided against it and stood from his seat. "Thanks... Daisuke." He said awkwardly before heading to his room with Agumon running behind him. Agumon turned back suddenly and grabbed his noodles off of the table before running after Taichi again.

"It's really good." Iori said, smiling at Daisuke, "You know, when you said you wanted a noodle cart, I have to admit—I was a little sceptical. But honestly... I think you could pull it off."

Daisuke was smiling more than I'd ever seen him smile before as he stood up and rushed over to Iori and hugged him tightly. "That's the first nice thing you've ever said to me!" Daisuke grinned.

"I'm sure I've said something nice—" Iori gasped as Daisuke held him tightly.

"No, he's right." Armadillomon nodded, "You really haven't... not that I've witnessed anyway."

"Okay—you're welcome then!" Iori said, embarrassed as he tried to pull free of Daisuke's grasp. Daisuke released him and rushed to the kitchen as there was a knock on the door. I jumped to my feet and hurried toward it, grabbing it and pulling it open.

At first I was smiling at the sight of Tatum and Michael, but their expressions told me something wrong was going on, and I was soon discovered to be correct as my Mother stepped into view.

"I'm sorry..." Michael mouthed to me.

"She found us at Jou's house—but you were gone," Tatum explained, "She wanted us to take her to you... we couldn't really deny her. Not when Michael's dad was on her side."

"He's our ticket home." Michael said slowly, motioning to the right as his father dramatically stepped into view next to my mother, both of them were staring down at me, one with a simply dramatic gaze, and one with the look she gave me whenever I was in trouble.

"Guys I have to go." I said back to the others without taking my eyes off of my mother. "Tell Hikari I'll see her later... at the... at her party." I stepped out the door and reached back to pull it shut, but before I could Terriermon and Lopmon slipped through. I'd almost left them there.

"Oh, they can stay." Mom said, her lips pursed and her arms crossed. Her eyes flicked over to Tatum with disgust where Monodromon was standing holding Zurumon in his arms. Michael was holding that egg that no one knew what to do with, still staring at me apologetically.

"Its fine," I told him, ignoring my mother's suggestion. I knew it was a demand, but I wasn't about to obey, so I tried to convince myself it was just a kind suggestion.

"Mom," I said to her, "Let's go talk outside... Alone."

"Sounds peachy." She said with a slight smile, her eyes mocking Terriermon and Lopmon.

"No," I told her simply, "I meant with them."

She rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips before walking off down the staircase to the apartment building. "I'll be back Michael," She said to Michael's dad as I rushed after her. Terriermon and Lopmon climbing my legs in a desperate attempt to get to my shoulders.

The very second she reached the bottom step she rounded on me and exploded. "You need to stop undermining me Willis! I am your mother and you will do as I say! Those abominations are not welcome in my home, and you need to accept that or you will be grounded for the rest of your life."

I took a deep breath, trying to keep from replying as viciously as she was making herself seem. I had to keep calm and collected—just like Hikari always told me to. "Firstly, those 'abominations' have names—and they saved your life. So you could try being grateful for a change instead of always doing what you want and not thanking anyone else who makes your life better. Second—I'm an adult man and I can—and will do as I please without your permission. And thirdly, you can't ground me."

"I'm your mother." She said flatly.

"In my house." I growled.

"I bought that house!" She gasped accusingly.

"With my money!" I said as calmly as I could manage. "You didn't think I'd realize? I was getting money for being a genius mother. Literally—you think you could outsmart me? You quit your job and started sleeping around with random guys and suddenly you had enough money to buy all of these nice things? I obviously knew it was my money you were spending—but I didn't care—you'd worked so hard the whole time I'd known you—which by the way, was since birth—and I wanted you to have a break."

"I never took your money." She lied through gritted teeth, shredding any last bits of trust or bond that I had so desperately been clinging to.

"Well here's the thing," I told her, "You're being a total... bitch." She gasped loudly at my language which, I had to admit, I wasn't proud of but it had to be said.

"Fine." She said with a roll of her eyes. "But even if I let those creatures back into my house."

"They have names." I shot again. "And there is no 'if'! The only 'if' here, is the debate whether or not I kick you out onto the streets or not. You will let my friends come into my home and you will like it—and you will like them. You will treat them with respect—like your very own children. Lopmon's a girl—you always said you wanted a daughter."

"I had a daughter." She said before looking toward me in a panic. "Never mind."

"What?" I said loudly, "You what?"

"It was a miscarriage!" She shouted loudly, throwing her hands up into the air. It was clear she didn't want to talk about it, and I couldn't force her to...

But I couldn't help myself.

"With dad?" I asked her. She nodded, and I smiled in return... at least she'd had enough decency to have it with the same man—though I couldn't help but wonder if it was before or after me...

"Will you just come home...?" Mom asked me.

"Not yet." I told her flatly. "I have a party to go to. I'll come home tomorrow—or this weekend or whenever. Why? Because I can. It's summer—I just saved the world, I have my two best friends back—I'm an adult with a beautiful girlfriend and I don't have to listen to anyone's rules."

"Hmph!" Mom huffed as she turned to walk away.

"Mom wait!"I shouted after her, "Wait... I want to introduce you to them." Mom turned to me, a look of shock spread across her face. "This is Terriermon... and this is Lopmon."

"Nice to meet you," Lopmon said, "Formally."

"Speak for yourself..." Terriermon said rudely, receiving a well placed swat on the back of his head from Lopmon. Both of them stuck their hands out to shake my mothers and for a moment she looked like she might actually bother to try and make peace with them, but she spun on her heel suddenly and stormed away.

She was pushed out of the way by Tatum as she ran down the stairs toward me and hugged me tightly. "I'm sorry." She said.

"For?" I asked.

"Your mother is awful." She said, shaking her head, "I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this."

"I love my Mom..." I said, my eyes closed, and my head tilted toward the ground. I heard Michael and Monodromon's footsteps as they neared us, and so I looked up. "Don't worry, I'll deal with it later. Are you guys coming to Hikari's party?"

"Wouldn't miss it." Tatum smiled.

"Do you think there'll be cake?" Terriermon asked.

"Probably..." I told them as I turned and led the others down the street.

"Dibs!" Terriermon shouted out, trying to beat Lopmon, but she wasn't even paying any attention. "Lopmon...?" Terriermon asked worried, "You've been really off lately... you okay?"

Lopmon nodded slowly and smiled before saying, "I think I know what I'm looking for now..." I didn't know anything about this—all I knew was that it had to do with what she and Hikari kept talking about, but either way, I was happy for her.

Mimi:

I awoke to the sounds of a crying baby. I was furious for a few seconds. Why wouldn't the baby's parents get it already and let me sleep. But only for a few seconds, like I said. It took awhile for me to wake up enough to realize it was baby Emiko in her crib beside me. I looked around for Tatum, but found that she was already gone. I sighed as I scooped my little goddaughter into my arms and bounced and rocked her until she quieted down some. I figured I'd let Jou and Momoe sleep a little longer. I wasn't going to be there forever, so I'd let them catch a break while I was.

"Who's the prettiest baby in the world," I sang to her as I made my way to the kitchen, so I could find some sort of bottle for the little girl. Jou and Momoe had taken time to set up a few before they went to bed last night. I was glad I had the luxury of a nice warm shower and immediate sleep. I'd wait years before I had kids. I'd have to make sure I had the right guy, and who knew, I might've just got the perfect guy for me, not even twenty-four hours earlier, but I couldn't be sure. Not until we got to know each other even better.

I felt butterflies in my stomach as I remembered our kiss the day before. It was a perfect first kiss, even though I totally ruined it by inflicting pain upon him. Oh well, we'd have loads of time to perfect the technique.

"You hungry baby girl?" I asked. I'd babysat kids before, none quite so new as Emiko was, but I knew the basics. Feed them and change them and put them to sleep. They couldn't do much else yet. Emiko quickly started suckling the bottle's tip, guzzling the milk back. "Are ou a greedy girl? You must be starving."

I kept talking to her and fantasizing about my own distant future when I had a baby of my own, until she was finished with her meal. I decided I'd better change her diaper too, while I was at it. Jou had picked some up at the Inoue Convenience Store on the way home. Momoe had run the cash register, even though she said they could probably just take it. That's what Miyako always did anyway. But Jou was insistent that they pay for everything they got.

I was sure glad they did, because there was no way I was going out to get some. I was quite comfortable in my short shorts and flowing, silk pajama top. My hair was a mess too. I wasn't wearing any makeup either. Not that I usually wore much, but mascara and lip gloss were a must at the very least. I had however thought to put on my short, shiny, gold robe and my pink fuzzy bunny slippers.

I was just finishing up with the straps on the diaper when the door bell rang.

"Just a minute," I said in the same sing-song voice I'd been using all morning. I figured it must be Tatum—and Michael and Willis, who had disappeared as well—and bounced over to the door with Emiko securely in my arms. "You're going to have to be quiet guys, I'm letting Jou and Momoe sleep a bit longer."

But it wasn't them. Not by a long-shot.

"Oh, good morning Mr Kido," I said sheepishly, dropping my sing-song tone. "Sorry, I thought you were my American friends."

"I assumed as much," he said. I totally knew what he meant, but there was no way he assumed I was talking to my American friends. It was just too obscure, so he should have been more specific. Jou was always ranting about how particular he was, so I figured it was definitely something he should have been all over.

"Come in," I said quickly, stepping out of the way. "Do you want some breakfast? I was just about to start making some."

"If you don't mind," he said rather cordially. I couldn't find anything about him that screamed: I'm a terrible father! Jou seemed to think it must be obvious.

"Pancakes or eggs, hash browns and sausage?" I asked.

"Either is fine," he said. I shrugged, and pulled out the ingredients to make both. I found it a little awkward to work while holding a tiny baby.

"Would you mind too terribly if I ask you to just hold her while I get things started?" I asked after a few failed attempts.

"Not at all," he said formally. The only thing I had against him so far was that he was a stick in the mud. He needed to loosen up. Emiko fell asleep in his arms as I quickly went about making breakfast. I made enough for Jou and Momoe whenever they decided to grace us with their presence. "And you live here?"

"Yes," I said, putting the final pancake on a plate and placing it on the table. "Jou was so thoughtful to let me stay here."

"I take it your parents chose to remain in America?"

"My mother is a capital 'A' jerk, and told me that I'd be on my own if I chose to move back home," I told him.

"They are in the entertainment business aren't they?" he asked. I could tell he didn't think that industry provided you with a real day's work.

"Yes, that's where our disagreement started actually," I told him gracefully as I took Emiko back from him. He may be the grandfather, but I was the godmother, and I wanted my turn. "She wanted me to get into acting, and marry a future movie star, but I couldn't handle that life, you know? I wanted to do something where I could find satisfaction."

"That was quite good of you," he said approving of me immediately. And Jou was worried when his father found out I'd been staying with him. "And the baby's father, is he not in the picture?"

I paused, fork halfway to my mouth. What was he talking about?

"Jou is the father sir," I said confused. I immediately regretted my words. Jou should have told him, not me.

"Are you not Mimi Tachikawa?" he asked carefully.

"Yes," I said not understanding where he was going with it.

"Not Momoe Inoue?"

"No, I'm definitely Mimi."

"My son is dating Momoe Inoue," he said. His voice was louder than before. "Are you telling me that he is dating one girl and is living with, and has a child with, another?"

"No," I denied immediately. "I'm not her mother."

"So my son has a daughter," he said angrily. "He went and got her pregnant and didn't marry her immediately to make up for his mistake. Of course he wouldn't. I should've known he would be a disappointment. Shuu was before him. Shin is easily influenced, but at least he's living up to his potential."

"Now wait just a minute," I snapped. "Jou is going through university twice in one go! He's living up to his potential just fine. Don't go telling me he's the prodigal child. So he and Momoe jumped the gun a little. They're happy and in love and we just saved the whole freaking world, so you're welcome! I didn't see you doing anything about it."

"I will thank you not to use such a tone with me, you wretched girl" Mr Kido started, but the door bell rang again.

I got up in a huff—still being mindful of the sleeping Emiko—and stormed to the door. "Hello," I said angrily.

"Mimi, darling," Mom said happily from the doorway. I stared at her in shock.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, looking between her and Dad behind her. They looked so happy and relieved to see me. That couldn't be right.

"Don't walk away when I'm talking to you! I need to know just why Jou's mistress is taking care of his child while he's off gallivanting with his girlfriend!"

"Don't you raise your voice to my baby," Mom shouted at him. "Do you really think she could be a mere mistress? Not on your life. Look at her beautiful golden brown hair cascading in gentle curls, and her gorgeous caramel eyes that dance with her inner happiness. No way is that a mistress. She's the leading lady mister. And no one would need a mistress if they were with her. So you can march your sorry behind out that door until you can talk civilly to my daughter."

"What's going on?" Jou asked wiping his eyes with one hand in the hallway. He looked very dishevelled and was only in a pair of shorts and a white undershirt.

"This…this…abomination! That's what's going on," Mr Kido shouted pointing to his only granddaughter.

"You better not be talking about my baby, Dad," Jou said. "Because there's only one abomination here and I'm starting to think it's you."

Emiko started screaming in my arms, and I tried to bounce her to keep her happy, but she wasn't having any of it.

"Momoe," Jou said as she crept up the hallway behind him. "You might want to take Emiko on a walk. You too Mimi. Dad and I are going to have a talk."

Momoe looked unsure, but saw her screaming baby and her boyfriend's furious father and nodded quickly. "I needed to start working off the baby fat anyway," she said lightly, picking a blanket up off the couch to wrap Emiko in. Mr Kido watched, shaking in anger as she carefully took her baby from me—now that she was toasty warm—and slipped on a pair of sandals. She grabbed her cell phone last minute and slipped out the door.

"I needed to talk with her too," Mr Kido told his son.

"Not a chance," Jou told him angrily. "You've got a problem with me, not them. You'll deal with me."

"Wait outside," I told my parents as I slipped into my room and threw on a sundress and strappy sandals. I ran a brush through my hair, and tossed on a white brimmed sunhat too. I grabbed my purse and ran to the door as fast as I could.

"Mimi, what's going on?" Palmon asked from the corner, making me stop. She, Gomamon and Bearmon—who Monzaemon changed into when we got home—were playing some sort of game with a package of toothpicks and a tube of my lipstick.

"Jou's dad came over and their having a bit of a tussle," I told them as lightly as I could. "You might want to keep an ear out though, just in case. I'm going for a walk with my parents. Do you want to come Palmon?"

"Yes!" she said quickly. She hated fighting as much as I did. I took her hand and ran down the hallway passed the fighting men.

"Good luck," I whispered to Jou as I passed. I could totally see his point of view now. His dad sure blew a gasket. I mean, they should have told someone about the baby, but it was their decision, not Mr Kido's so he should back off.

The second the door closed behind me the yelling started up again. I headed down the stairs, and met my parents at the door. I led them outside without talking.

"Is it safe to leave him alone in there?" Mom asked nervously.

"He's got Gomamon and Bearmon with him. He'll be fine," I said brightly. There was no way Jou was going to get hurt physically. And he hated his dad enough to not get too badly hurt otherwise. I hoped so anyway.

"What are you doing in Japan?" Palmon asked my parents. Mom looked at her in distain for a moment before shaking herself. Something had clearly gotten into her.

"We had to make sure our daughter was safe," Dad told Palmon with a smile.

"I'm your daughter again, am I?" I asked, forcing myself to glare at my mother, instead of expressing the combination of hope and hurt I was really feeling.

"You always were," Dad said pulling me into a hug.

"I love you daddy," I whispered as I hugged him back.

"I'll always love you, Princess," he said back.

"What about you?" Palmon asked Mom, staring at her threateningly. "Do you know just how many times Mimi almost died yesterday alone?"

"Yes," Mom cried out, tears filling her eyes. "Do you know how often I thought about that? I feared for every second that it would be too late, afraid that I'd never see my daughter smile again. The last things I would have ever said to her were so horrible. I couldn't handle that baby."

"You called me traitor until two days ago," I cried.

"I didn't mean it. I just wanted you to be just like me," she sobbed.

"I don't want to be you, I want to be me," I told her. "Why can't you accept that? I want to train to be a chef. I want to start my own restaurant, here in Odaiba maybe. I want to live here, breathe in the culture I've missed since I was eleven years old. I miss it here. But I miss you guys too. I can't win. Not completely. Do you know how hard it was to tell you that I couldn't stay there anymore? That I'd be leaving you behind, going somewhere that I wasn't sure if I could make it on my own!" I was shouting at that point, but I couldn't help it.

"Why couldn't you open a restaurant in New York, be a chef their?" Mom wanted to know.

"You'd be there, every step of the way," I all but screamed at her. "You keep trying to control my life. You made me switch countries, continents even, and took me away from everything that I love. I made new, great friends over there, but nothing was really keeping me there. Willis and Michael come to Japan all the time. Willis loves it here, he'd probably move here in a heartbeat if Hikari asked him to. And Michael has a private jet."

"You don't like Michael," Mom told me.

"Yes, as a friend only," I told her. "I love Michael, but I love Koushiro more than that. I really love him, Mom. He's over here. He could be my future. I would have a restaurant and a little house on a hill with three bedrooms, one could be his office or maybe we'd have a couple of kids. I don't know Mom, but I can see that future here, I never saw a future in New York. Please, you don't have to understand, you just have to let me try."

"I would love for you to try, darling," Dad told me. "I'd even like to sample some of your soon-to-be-famous cooking."

"And you Mom?"

"I doubt I can approve of the boy," she sniffed. "But world-famous-chef sounds almost as good as world-famous-actress. Almost."

"Thank you Mom!" I shouted, tackling her in a big hug. Dad and Palmon joined us. We were a family again. An almost perfect one at that.

"I'm glad you're safe sweetheart," Mom told me.

"Oh, look," Dad said after we'd pulled away. "Do you remember that?"

I looked to see Mom and Dad staring wistfully at a nearby park. A park I knew they spent their first date in a long time ago. They loved sharing those stories when I was a kid. Dad even proposed there six years later. He was romantic like that.

"Mimi!"

I turned quickly to see Koushiro standing at the corner, a Tupperware dish in his hands and distinctly digimon-less.

"Koushiro," I shouted happily running over to him, and giving him a big ole kiss. "Good morning."

"Morning," he said with a smile. A light blush spread across his cheeks. It was adorable. "Brownie?" he opened the container and held it out to me. It was packed with his mother's brownies. I laughed and took one.

"When did your mom find time to make these?" I said letting out a happy moan as the chocolate melted on my tongue.

"Last night, this morning. She bakes when she's stressed. I couldn't do much last night, so she freaked out all night. I think she fed Tentomon six batches. He's a little wired, so I left him at home. Mom will take care of him. It'll give her something to do other than worry over me. I haven't told her about my shoulder yet. I'm afraid she'll assign me bed rest or something. I only just got away. What're you doing out here?"

"Just got away and came all the way to the east side?" I asked coyly. He blushed again making me giggle.

"How was your morning?" he asked instead, trying to change the subject.

"Pretty crazy," I admitted, looking over to my parents, who were still reminiscing about their past. I smiled at them. "But the end was pretty good," I told him.

"That's good," he said. I turned to him with a smile.

"It really is," I said, pulling him down for another kiss. This time though, I'd be careful of his shoulder. I didn't want it to end so soon.

Daisuke:

Hikari and Kurayami were locked in Hikari's room, and I had no idea what they were up to. Taichi and Agumon were hanging out in my room, well, it was really Taichi's room, but I was staying there. I didn't want to interrupt them. Taichi was actually thinking about sharing the room now. He wasn't planning on kicking me out at the first chance. I was just bored.

And when I'm bored, I tend to cook noodles.

I figure it's best to experiment at some point, so I can make my noodles the best they can possibly be. People pay for good food. My noodle cart had fared decently, I suppose, during the few months I had it open, before I signed up to work at camp. I was thinking of reopening it for good the following spring. Things were sort of looking up now that Fanglongmon and Dragomon were gone. I couldn't help but wonder about Daemon though. Did we ever beat him? Or did he leave of his own accord…again.

"Something smells good," Mr Yagami said from the doorway. "Hello Daisuke. Couldn't think of anything else to do?"

"No," Veemon answered for me. "But that's okay, because I really like noodles."

"This isn't your first go at it today then," Mr Yagami said with a smile.

"It's like the fourth," I admitted. "I don't know where he puts it. Do you want some?"

"Why not," he said. I handed him a bowl of noodles, and at Veemon's pleading, tossed the rest at him. "Take a seat Daisuke."

"Okay sir," I said awkwardly. I wasn't nearly as comfortable with him as I was with Mrs Yagami, but I figured it was because I wasn't comfortable with my own father. I was projecting my discomfort onto someone else.

"How are you handling things?" he asked.

"You mean financially?" I asked confused.

"No, I mean the events that recently transpired," he said with a laugh.

"Fairly well," I guessed. "I didn't lose a parent like Takeru."

"What?" Mr Yagami gasped.

"Yeah, Piedmon had his mother tied up and apparently killed her right in front of him. I'm holding onto the hope that Piedmon used a Bakemon to fake it, but until Takeru tells me otherwise…"

"That's horrible," Mr Yagami said aghast. "Natsuko is a wonderful woman and a brilliant journalist. I hope you're right."

"Takeru's the only one without hope on that front," I said with a sigh. The only thing he couldn't summon hope for. He didn't want to hope for it and get let down. "I don't actually know if my parents made it through…"

"Do you want to call them?" he asked hesitantly.

"No," I said immediately. Veemon looked up from his noodles.

"Why not?" he asked, tilting his head in order to further demonstrate his confusion.

"I don't talk to them," I said. "They don't want me. Not me as I am anyway. They want me to be someone else and I can't do it. So I left."

"You couldn't talk to them?" Mr Yagami asked.

"Do you want me to leave, 'cause I don't know where I'll go, but I can if you want me to," I said suddenly scared.

"No," he said quickly. "That's not what I meant. I just wanted to know whether you tried to reconcile with them at all."

"No. They haven't even tried to contact me," I said sadly. "They don't even ask Jun about me. She tells them stuff, because she thinks they need to know, but they never ask."

"Maybe their pride won't let them," he said gently. "It's hard to admit you were wrong, unless someone extends the olive branch first."

"I don't have an olive branch, but I'm not sure what they'd do with one if I did," I said with a sigh.

"It's a figure of speech," Mr Yagami said with a laugh.

"It means to reach out to them, it's a gesture of understanding and peace," Mrs Yagami said behind me. "They are too proud to reach out to you because they were supposed to do right by you, to help raise you to be strong enough to stand on your own two feet. They probably realize that by trying to force you to be something you're not they've stilted that growth. But they won't apologize until you come to them. They don't want to seem like they are weaker then you, but they ought to know that they're wrong."

"I doubt it. I get my stubbornness from them," I told her.

"You're welcome to stay here for as long as you need," Mr Yagami told me.

"In fact, I love having you," Mrs Yagami said. "You make my cooking so much better."

"I just taught you to experiment with one thing at a time," I joked.

"Is she going to be cooking too?" Veemon asked. "I'll eat it if you want to experiment like Daisuke."

"My experiments never turn out so tasty," she said looking at the noodles. "But there are tons of leftovers in the fridge. Knock your socks off."

Veemon didn't need to be told twice. He bound towards the fridge.

"You know he'll eat everything, right?" I asked her.

"I need to go grocery shopping anyway," she said. "Well, when the shop opens again. Until then I've got some meals frozen."

I tried to quell the nervous wriggling in my stomach as I guessed just what horrors were in the freezer.

"Hey, Daisuke," Taichi called as he walked down the hall. "Do you know what those girls are up to?"

"No," I told him.

"Well it's Hikari's party and she's going to be late," he said annoyed.

"I'll go see what I can find out," I said hopping to my feet and running to her bedroom door. I wanted to escape before Taichi started to hate me for taking over his parents like he did with Hikari. We just patched things up somewhat, but I didn't want to test the strength of our new bond.

Taichi shrugged and turned to tease Iori about his nervousness for his upcoming date. The stupid date that Miyako was totally going to make me eat my shoe over. And he didn't like her at all, so that was stupid too.

I walked down the hall and stopped just outside Hikari's bedroom, the former office, and knocked loudly.

"You can't come in!" Hikari shouted.

"Okay," I said awkwardly. "It's time to go."

"We're almost ready," Hikari said. "We'll be there in a bit."

"Go on without us," Kurayami urged. I sighed. I'd really been hoping to walk with her, hand in hand, talk about our feelings maybe, see if we were going to try for a relationship or not.

"Alright," I said reluctantly.

"Ouch!" Kurayami gasped.

"Sorry," Hikari said loudly. "Bye Daisuke!"

"Bye," I said. I went back to the others, and Taichi looked up at me expectantly. "They said to go without them. They'll meet us there."

"If they're late, they're late," he said with a shrug. "Their choice. Let's go guys."

"If I have to," Iori said.

"You shouldn't go out with her if you don't want to," Taichi told him.

"It's just one date because I promised Betamon I'd ask her, and then he died," Iori said. "I can suffer through it."

"Tell her if you can't though. Don't force yourself. And let her know, 'kay? Don't lead her on too badly," I suggested.

"She's already delusional," Taichi said with a laugh. "I think he's already missed the boat on that one."

"C'mon Veemon, stop stuffing your face already and let's hit the road!" I called.

"Coming!"

He came running, with Agumon and Armadillomon tailing behind him at a much more reasonable rate.

"Let's go, let's go, let's go," Veemon cheered.

"You told him there'd be cake?" Iori asked, eyebrow raised.

"I might have mentioned it…" I admitted sheepishly, and I opened the door to let them all out ahead of me. I couldn't wait to hear the results of the vote.

Kurayami:

"You don't think it's a bit much?" I asked, still uncomfortable with what Hikari had done.

"It's really pretty." Hikari smiled at me as we walked down the street. She was smiling brightly, still admiring the work she had done. I was okay with the white dress she had put on me, but I was not willing to wear those shoes she had given me so I was still wearing my high-tops, but I really liked the blue cardigan she gave me—I wasn't used to not having things cover my arms. But the thing that really threw me off was the lightness of my head. My hair had been down to my knees—I honestly couldn't remember ever getting a hair cut... but now it was, as Hikari called it, a "pixie cut"—but I had insisted that she keep my bangs long enough to cover my one eye—in case I needed to glare at something.

Though the glare would lose its affect with the bow Hikari put in my hair...

I was happy though that she'd agreed to help me... I needed a new look. I was after all, a completely new person now that Fanglongmon was out of my head forever. I knew it would be a while until my mind was fully stable and back in place, but the freedom my mind felt now was like nothing I could have imagined. Even during the three years that he and I had been separated by a wall of dimensions, I could still feel his presence, lingering in the back of my mind, but it was clear now. My conscience was clear—my mind was clear—I could do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted to. I couldn't help but smile about all the possibilities, but then I turned to Hikari with a smirk.

"You're only saying that because you did it!" I laughed at her.

"You really do look good though." Hikari said confidently, smiling at me and nodding encouragingly. "Doesn't she Salamon?"

"She sure does!" Salamon giggled, "She looks like great! I mean she did before... but she was a little... rough. Geddit? Ruff?" Salamon started laughing at herself, "And when she gave me that look, I was petrified. Pet—rified!"

"Enough with the puns..." I said slowly as Hikari rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Girl, you are barking up the wrong tree!" Salamon roared with laughter this time until she noticed the look Hikari and I were giving her. "What?" She asked, "I've run out of cat puns, and this is a perfect chance to use some of the dog puns I've come up with!"

We both laughed at her as she skipped merrily ahead of us.

"You have a pretty laugh." Hikari said slowly, not making eye contact with me.

"Thanks..." I said, "You too...?" I wasn't sure how compliments were supposed to work just yet but I knew I'd get them eventually. Hikari began to walk faster to catch up with her partner, so I copied her, unwilling to be left behind.

"Salamon wait up!" Hikari pleaded loudly, as her partner slipped through the people on the side walk. I supposed it was a good thing she looked so much like a real dog, otherwise people would be concerned since the Queen had cast her spell...

"Hey Salamon!" I called loudly, "How do you get a dog to stop moving?" She froze and looked over her shoulder, "You press paws."

Salamon's face lit up as she began to laugh again giving us time to catch up to her. Hikari scooped her into her arms and turned to me with a smile, "You're funny," She laughed a little before setting off toward the cafe again.

It seemed almost wrong to me to be celebrating though... there was something missing, and I knew what it was. It was my mother. We still hadn't found her... so why had the balance not been shifted? Something was clearly wrong but no one else noticed it and I wasn't about to bring it up to ruin their fun... I didn't want that to be the thing on my mind anyway... I wanted to think about literally anything else... fun things—happy things.

Like the expression Koushiro and Mimi were giving me at that moment. First Koushiro had seen me and he had to take a double take, not sure if it was me or not, but it was, and my face turned red instantly when I watched his jaw drop. Mimi however just curled her lips into a smile before running toward me.

"Kurayami—your hair is adorable." She said as she ran her fingers through the back of my hair, causing me to blush harder. "Who cut this?"

"Me!" Hikari grinned, "Mom has some pretty good tools—she cuts my hair because I wasn't allowed out of the house much." Hikari was speaking as though it were obvious. Her hair, I hadn't ever noticed, but it was cut nicely too... she had it pulled back in a tiny ponytail at the moment, which I found to be rather adorable. Of course the goggles on the head added to her look in a strange way... Mimi dropped her hands to her side and smiled.

"It's cute." She assured me with a nod, before reaching down and taking her digimon's hand again. Palmon I believed her name was.

"Thank you Tachikawa." I said, folding my hands and bowing slightly.

"Mimi." Mimi said flatly, "I'm Mimi." She said, throwing her hand out in front of me for me to shake. I slowly took her hand and gripped it firmly as we shook hands.

"I'm Kura." I said with a smile. "It's very nice to formally meet you."

Mimi and Koushiro smiled to me and motioned for me to follow them into the cafe that was next to them. I followed them down the stairs but stopped when I heard a gasp come from Salamon. I turned back in time to see her glow and shift into Gatomon in Hikari's arms.

"Oh I'm back!" Gatomon said with a sigh of relief, relaxing in Hikari's arms, "I was so worried I'd reached the tail-end of my days as Gatomon."

Hikari rolled her eyes again as she stepped inside with me as Koushiro held the door open. Suddenly all eyes were on us and I was holding my breath. Jou was sitting with his wife and child at a table in the corner with Miyako sitting across from them. Mimi sat down next to her as Koushiro stole a chair from a separate table and pulled it up to sit with them, all of them staring at me. I looked over to the next table where Willis was smiling at us, motioning for Hikari to come sit with him. Taichi and Sora were sitting off in a corner by themselves near Iori who was sitting at a table alone, likely waiting for the annoying girl whose name I refused to learn. Yamato, Takeru, Michael and Tatum were all sitting a corner bench seat with two empty chairs on the other side of the table. None of them thought to say anything, afraid of embarrassing me it seemed, but that was better.

"We could sit down now..." Gatomon said, "I'm not really in a hurry... I've got nine lives you know... but I'm kind of hungry." Hikari smiled down at her.

"Not yet... there's one last thing I need you to see." She said, setting Gatomon down.

"What is it?" Gatomon asked as Hikari cleared her throat loudly. Suddenly a door to the left opened and a man walked through with a smile on his face before stepping aside and motioning toward a smaller man—who, upon second glance was a digimon. A wizard.

Gatomon froze, and I could actually tell her mind had stopped trying to come up with more cat puns as her eyes glossed over in tears.

"Gatomon..." The wizard said in a soft voice as Gatomon ran toward him and leapt into his arms. "Gatomon..."

"Wizardmon!" Gatomon managed to say as she sobbed in the arms of the digimon. Hikari walked toward Willis after giving me a wink and high fiving the man who was the wizard's partner on the way by.

I smiled at the apparent reunion between Gatomon and the Wizard before turning and walking over to sit down across from Tatum, Michael, Yamato and Takeru. There wasn't anywhere else for me to sit really, but I didn't want to think too much of what they'd think of me sitting with them, because I knew if I lingered on the thoughts I'd probably just leave for fear of them hating me.

But Takeru was smiling at me as Yamato ranted about some car. Tatum was speaking with Michael as he held tightly to the digiegg that he'd been carrying around. I couldn't take my eyes off of it as he spoke, but I eventually tore my eyes away. There was something about that egg...

"I really see you with a motorcycle though." Takeru sighed to his brother, "I really think you should stick with that."

"But I want to mature. I need to grow up and become a man, suitable to be married." Yamato nodded.

"Where did the fun Yamato go?" Takeru asked with a huff.

"To the bottom of the bay. With my motorcycle." Yamato said with a raise of his eyebrows.

"You can't change your personality." Gabumon said from next to Yamato, "You need to keep your options open, always—but don't force maturity."

"A very wise digimon once told me that forcing maturity upon yourself is a sign of immaturity." Takeru nodded.

"Who told you that?" Patamon asked from Takeru's head.

"You silly!" Takeru smiled.

The two boys continued to talk about their motorcycle and car debate as I trailed off into my thoughts. Partners were so... wonderful really. They were always by their friends sides keeping them safe from danger, and always doing what is right no matter the consequences. Demiveemon had stood up against Daisuke though—but he was just trying to get Daisuke to do the right thing... which was to leave my side... so it was my fault that partnership had been failing for a little... but other than that they were loyal and friendly and helpful—they were everything one would want or need... I reached into the bag Hikari had let me borrow and wrapped my hands around my digivice and crest before pulling my hand out once more, shaking my head lightly.

"Has anyone seen Kurayami?" Daisuke's voice cut through my thoughts quickly as he sat down next to me, "Hikari is here, but—" He turned his head toward me and his eyes popped open, "I'm sorry—I just—you're so... wow!"

"Wow, good?" I asked him.

"Wow—awesome." He corrected me with a smile, staring at me with a shocked expression.

"Daisuke thinks you're pretty," Veemon said, popping his head around his partner, only to receive a smack on the back of the head from Daisuke subconsciously.

"It's vibrating again." Michael said loudly to Tatum as the blob on the table in front of him hiccupped. He was holding the egg up in his hand as Tatum placed her hand on it.

"Then hatch it." Takeru said, turning mid-sentence from his brother.

"How?" Michael asked.

"Just rub it!" Takeru smiled, "It's like a di-genie." He smiled at his pun as Michael made to rub the egg.

"Can I?" I asked suddenly causing Michael to stop in his tracks. He looked toward me and then to the egg and nodded, handing it to me.

"I don't see why not..." He said with a shrug as I took the egg from him. It felt warm in my hands like it had when I had held it for him yesterday. I closed my eyes and I could feel a heart beat coming from inside, and the strange connection I felt with the egg was stronger than ever...

Slowly I opened my eyes and rubbed my hand up and down the side of the egg. With a sharp noise, a crack ran through the center of the egg and suddenly the top was flying off of it as a white ball of fluff with pink ears rolled out of the egg shell. It had a pink ball shaped tail and a large tuft of fur on its forehead as it kept its eyes shut tight, shaking. Slowly it opened its eyes and looked up to Takeru with a smile before looking around to the others. Finally though, the digimon locked eyes with me and smiled before leaping toward me and into my arms, replacing the remaining egg shell that I held.

"It likes you," Daisuke said with a smile.

"It's my partner." I said slowly getting a few strange looks from the others. I was shocked myself, but I knew what I had said was right. There was no denying the connection I had with this tiny creature...

"I thought your partner was Apocalymon...?" Yamato asked, "Who we killed—sorry..."

"No... I was his partner. There was a difference." I told him, "I never really met my partner... Gennai told me that when I found my calling I'd finally get to meet her... and then when I thought I was following the right track Apocalymon showed up—we were searching for the same thing... and I thought he must be the partner Gennai spoke of. But I was wrong... I know that now. Because this... whatever it is, is my partner."

"Paomon," Tatum said as if it were a very obvious fact. "I've never met one before... do you mind if I draw her sometime?"

"Anytime..." I smiled at her, "We both live in New York anyway—it won't be too long of a drive to meet up... we could be... friends." I felt more than awkward trying to spit it out, but once it was out there, I felt as though I'd done the right thing... I had to start trying to make up for everything wrong that I'd done... and that just meant I had a lot of work to do.

Tatum looked shocked for a moment and then nodded quickly with a smile, "Yes, I'd like that."

"Can we talk...?" Daisuke asked abruptly, standing up and staring at me. I nodded and followed him, jumping to my feet and retracing my footsteps back outside, holding onto my partner—Paomon tightly as Veemon followed behind.

The moment we were outside he spun around and got straight to the point. "I'm sorry I kissed you."

"Are you?" I asked him honestly, my heart sinking slightly.

"Yes." He said flatly, "You were under Fanglongmon's control and I didn't want to do it without your permission but it was the only way to help you—and I wanted you back with me—I wanted to you to as far away from Fanglongmon as you could be."

"Daisuke," I said, placing my hand on his shoulder. "I don't mind."

"You don't?" He asked, looking up from the ground looking hopeful.

"No," I smiled at him, "In fact, I actually kind of liked it."

"But it was the worst first kiss you could imagine." He groaned, "Girls like romance, and cheesy lines and cute flowers—and I kissed you while you were being controlled by another man..."

"Daisuke, it was the best first kiss ever." I told him quickly, trying to keep his attention—I knew how hard it could be sometimes, "It was perfect because it was with you."

"Wait what?" He gasped as I leaned forward and pressed my lips into his as smoothly as I could. I had no idea what I was doing here—kissing was a virtually foreign subject to me, but as he kissed me back with a strange force I knew I was doing something right. We both laughed and came out of the kiss as Veemon whistled from next to us.

"Was that romantic enough?" I asked him. I wasn't big into the romance thing—or good at it... but it was clear that Daisuke was, and I'd be willing to try. For him. "Technically that's our first kiss as a couple."

"Couple?" He asked, a grin on his face.

"Oh—" I stuttered, "I-I mean if you... you want."

"Oh I want." He said, his smile growing larger as he threw his arms around me into a hug. When he pulled away we both stared up to the sky for a moment, the clouds blowing softly across the blue canvas as the sun beat down on us. "Hang on..."

"What's wrong?" I asked him.

"Nearly four days ago you told me that you were allergic to sunshine." Daisuke laughed. I couldn't help but laugh with him as he threw his arm around me and led me back inside, motioning for Veemon to come stand by his side. He was so good with his partner... just like the others... I could only wish that I'd be that good, that nice, that loyal to my own partner.

Which for now didn't seem too difficult as the baby fell asleep in my arms.

Taichi:

It felt good to be alive. I was well refreshed after hours and hours of sleep, and though my body hated me for all I put it through in the last few days, I felt happy. Food helped fuel that happiness. Daisuke had made noodles—which were delicious—and now I was at a little café or diner or whatever that Hikari discovered, and I was going to be eating again.

I hated our adventures sometimes because of the lack of food.

"How's Rei?" Sora asked at my side. It was nice, trying to return our friendship to its former glory. Dating her was nice, but it strained things. We'd had time to recover from it, and now we were fixing it. I was kind of excited to have my childhood best friend back.

"Fine," I said. "Her mom won't let her out of the apartment until school starts, and maybe not even then, but she's happy with how things turned out. She got to walk again, even if it was only for a short time."

"That's good," she told me with a sigh.

"What's up with you?" I asked her.

"Yamato," she said rolling her eyes. "I love him. I do. But I can't be with him anymore. Not after all he did. You understand right?"

"Of course I understand," I told her with a wink. "I felt the same about you after all."

"Really?" she asked sounding so hopeful.

"Yeah," I said. "Took awhile to get over you too. But I knew it wasn't the right time in my life for the relationship. I didn't like what I turned into because of it. I couldn't handle it then."

"Do you ever think you'll be ready?" she asked looking at Yamato and then turning back to me.

"Maybe," I said with a shrug. "I won't know until I try. But I think I am ready to try. Something more than just a single date with one of Rei's dorm mates. I'm ready to try for a girlfriend. I haven't had one since you, you know?"

"I didn't realize I was such a demon," Sora teased. "Stunting your dating life like that."

"You're the queen of them," I promised with a little laugh.

"Everyone," Hikari called loudly. "Can I have your attention? Good. Okay. I know you didn't all like him all that much, especially lately, but I think it needs to be said. Gennai was a great man—digi-man, maybe—and we all owe so much to him. Without him we never would have been invited to the Digital World in the first place."

"We never would have known about our crests, or any of the battles we needed to fight," Koushiro added.

"We wouldn't have done our part, and the worlds would have been destroyed," Jou included.

"We wouldn't be the people we are today, all because of him," Takeru said solemnly.

"I wouldn't be alive," Iori concluded.

"I propose a toast," Hikari declared. She raised her glass of water high into the air. "For Gennai, to thank him for all he's done, and will continue to do through us and all those he touched in his life."

"To Gennai!" everyone cheered, copying her actions.

My sister was so thoughtful. I couldn't believe I'd never thought to do that. I'd been rude and cruel to Gennai in the time leading up to his sacrifice. I should've taken a leaf out of my sister's book and seen passed his front, seen what was behind the stress and struggle. But I hadn't. And I'd never get to make it up to him. I'd have to live with it.

Mimi was sobbing into Koushiro's shoulder mumbling something about Jerk-nai. She was worse than I was to him, everyone knew that. But we'd all cheered her on because she was the only one brave enough to tell him what we were all feeling. Was she going to be able to live with it right away? Probably not. Mimi took everything to heart. It would be awhile before she could truly put it behind her, but someday, maybe years from now, she too would move passed it. Hikari and Takeru were right though. Without Gennai, we wouldn't be who we are. He was imperative to our personalities.

I sent silent thanks to Gennai, hoping he'd be able to hear me. I kind of hoped that like Oikawa—Iori's father's friend—he would be spread throughout the Digital World, helping to keep everything running, just as he did while alive.

Sora burrowed herself into my chest, crying silently.

"I feel so bad," she said.

"We all do, we treated him so badly," I whispered.

"That's not it," she said. "I feel so guilty because I can't help but be thankful that it was him, not Iori. I'm a horrible person. Maybe I really am a demon."

"Gennai himself preferred it this way," I promised her. "Or else he wouldn't have done what he did. Gennai was the only one with a solution. He was willing to follow that solution. It doesn't make you a terrible person to wish for our youngest to live."

"You don't think I'm a demon?" she asked sniffling.

"You know where I stand on that," I teased. She punched my shoulder but let out the laugh I was hoping for. The light caught something in her hair. I recognized it immediately. "You're wearing my hair clip."

"I remember you giving it to me," she said. "Therefore it's mine."

"You kept it? After all this time," I murmured.

"Of course," she said. "It was a reminder why boys were stupid, and it was pretty."

"Can we get on with the vote?" Daisuke groaned. "I can't wait anymore. I need to know now."

"Momoe, would you do the honours?" Mimi suggested.

"Alright," she said, looking to Jou who nodded. "What are you voting for?"

"Who gets the rights to the goggles," Yamato supplied.

"It's between Daisuke and me," I told her.

"I'm voting for myself," Daisuke said, starting us off in his favour.

"I'm voting for you too," Kurayami told him smiling shyly.

"Taichi," Yamato declared.

"I agree," Jou added.

"Taichi," Hikari said, sending an apologetic look in Daisuke's direction. He shrugged it off, but I could tell the fact that I was already winning was getting him down.

"Daisuke," Miyako threw out there. "But you already knew that."

"I vote Daisuke too," Ken said avoiding Miyako's eyes.

"Sorry, but I'm voting Taichi," Michael said.

"Me too," Takeru and Willis said at once. Takeru forced himself not to glare at him, and stared at the table instead.

"I thought Daisuke yesterday, and I'd be rude to switch now," Sora said. "So I pick Daisuke."

That was a low blow, but I didn't care about this as much as Daisuke seemed to. He lit up like a Christmas tree when Sora chose him instead of me.

"Koushiro?" Mimi prompted.

"Tachi," he said. "I'll always follow Taichi. He needs his brain."

"Thanks," I said wryly.

"I pick Daisuke," Mimi said sheepishly.

"Daisuke," Iori said firmly.

"That ties it up," Momoe said.

"I guess we know the winner then," Daisuke said with a disappointed sigh.

"Here Taichi," Hikari said, holding out the goggles she'd been wearing earlier.

"No," I said, as I took the goggles. Everyone stopped and looked at me. "Daisuke led his team strongly and managed to lead them through the defeat of Fanglongmon. I let my little sister get captured by Dragomon. Again."

"But you did your best," Hikari said. "I didn't need your help, but I was happy that you were there."

"Maybe," I allowed. "But I didn't win the fight, I didn't even lead you to it. You did it on your own. Daisuke showed more leadership than I did. I vote for him."

Daisuke's eyes widened comically.

"You're serious?" he asked.

"I'm serious," I said with a small laugh. "You deserve them."

"Thanks," he said catching them when I threw them at him. He put them on like an old pro, and I had to admit, he looked a lot more like the Daisuke I remembered. And it wasn't just because of the goggles on his head. He was lit up. He was happy. And because of that, I knew I made the right choice.

"If I didn't deserve them, at least they get to stay in the family," I told him.

That did more to him than the goggles ever did. He was stunned. He couldn't honestly have believed I'd be angry with him forever could he? The misty look in his eyes told me differently. He was beyond happy. He belonged somewhere. I'd already forgiven him when I heard him and Dad talking earlier. He was more than a friend now. He was a little brother.

"I always wanted a little brother," I said. "Instead I got Hikari."

"Hey," she joked. But she started laughing when Daisuke pulled her into a hug, and she reached over and pulled me into it too. Our friends decided to be cheesy and clap and cheer for us.

"I've got three brothers now," Hikari said to me. "Iori's the youngest, not me."

"Okay," I told her. "Whatever you say."

"Whatever I say is right," she joked.

Daisuke pulled away and ran over to Kurayami, and pulled her to her feet, dancing around and swinging her in circles. Her baby digimon was bouncing around their feet, and Veemon was trying to catch her so he could dance too

I looked around to the others. Hikari had gone over to hug Willis, prompting his digimon to make it a group hug of their own. Takeru and Yamato were talking excitedly about something (it sounded like their mother) and were carefully avoiding Hikari and Sora's gazes. Iori was tapping his foot and fiddling with his napkin, looking at the clock as though it offended him. Michael and Tatum were stealing kisses when they thought no one was looking, and chatting with their digimon, though neither could speak. Ken had cornered Miyako, and they were talking quietly about something serious. She nodded to him anyway. Jou and Momoe were staring into each others' eyes. They were clearly in love. Whatever was between them earlier must have been dealt with, because the tension was gone. The baby—who Jou declared Emiko much to Iori's glee—was in Mimi's arms. She was cooing at her every adorable move. Koushiro rolled his eyes, but he was happy because she was.

We were happy, despite the near death of everyone in the room, everyone in this world and another. We found happiness in the end. It was a really good feeling.

"We did good, huh?" Sora asked at my side.

"We sure did," I said, slipping back into my seat. "Better than good even."

Miyako and Ken stood up awkwardly, slipping out of their seat at their table.

"Where're you going?" Daisuke asked, stopping his jumping momentarily.

"We have something to discuss," Miyako said reluctantly.

"We'll see you soon, Daisuke," Ken said rolling his eyes.

"It's raining cats and dogs out there," I told them. Kurayami, Hikari and Gatomon all giggled at this, though I couldn't imagine why. "You'll need this."

I picked up the frog umbrella my mother had given me for Hikari, just in case, and tossed it to them.

"Thanks," Miyako said, pulling Ken outside.

"Well, they're downers," Daisuke decided, before swinging Kurayami around in a big circle, causing her to laugh happily.

"We're lucky the rain held off," Jou commented. "Usually we aren't that lucky."

"True," Takeru said with a laugh.

"Excuse me," a man said behind me.

"Sorry?" I said unsure. I wasn't even in his way. Why did he ask me to move?

"Are you Taichi Yagami?" he asked.

"Yes," I said. I was on edge now. He knew who I was. He wanted to talk to me.

"Are you the leader of this resistance group?" he asked. I noticed he was wearing sunglasses, a black three piece suit and had a communications device in one ear.

"Who wants to know?" I asked.

"I'll take that as a yes," he said. He put his hand up to the communicator. "We've got him."

"I'll have you know," I told him. "That Daisuke is our leader now. We voted and everything. It's legit."

"The boy jumping as though he's eaten too much sugar?" the man asked raising one eyebrow.

"Yep," I said realizing how un-legit that sounded. "How do you even know about the 'resistance group'?"

"A few of our own have acquired digimon partners," he said. "We need someone to represent all of digimon kind. Act as a go between. An ambassador if you will. We've discovered you have the ability to move between worlds. We feel as leader of this group you are suited for the job. If you would prefer this…Daisuke to take your place, we will understand."

"No, no," I said quickly. "I'll do it."

"Meet us at this location tomorrow at four. We'll discuss further details then," he said nodding to me formally before walking off, disappearing into the streets.

Things just got even more interesting for me.

Iori:

"Ri-Ri!"

Why did I ever decide to come on this date? Taichi was right. What I was doing wasn't right. Jou had taught me that there were times when you had to do what was right rather than worrying about keeping promises or lying. I was missing a movie with Natsuni for this stupid thing. I never missed movies with Natsuni. She was my best friend. We did all sorts of fun stuff together. I could be having fun, rather than trying to stop the clock by glaring at it.

"Ri-Ri!"

Couldn't someone answer her? Her voice was grating on my last nerves. I was freaking out about this thing. Hikari kept sending me reassuring looks, but they didn't make me feel any better. She'd lectured me all morning about the dos and don'ts of dating. I didn't want to be rude, but I couldn't help but wonder where she got her information. She and Willis hadn't gone on a date yet. She'd never gone on any dates. She had however decided to keep Armadillomon with her, so that he could 'ruin' things. In case I cared about that happening.

"RI-RI!"

I started to rub my temples. I was not pleased with the way this day was going at all.

"Iori Hida, you listen to me!"

"Dear God, she was talking to me," I muttered, noting that Takeru and Yamato were laughing at my new nickname. They'd better not start calling me that. I turned reluctantly and noticed Noriko was standing in the doorway. Her hair was curled—but no overly so. It was…wavy? It was pretty, so was the dress, but not even her pretty face could cover up all that crazy.

"Hello Noriko," I said as cordially as I could.

"No, no," she said. "You need to call me a nickname."

"I don't use nicknames," I told her. "I also don't answer to them."

"But Ri-Ri," she whined. "I spent a long time coming up with something cute enough."

She thought it was cute?

"What would you like me to call you?" I asked her.

"No, you have to come up with it," she insisted. "What do you want to call me?"

Several things actually, that wouldn't be gentlemanly of me to say.

"Natsuni and I call you Harpy sometimes," I offered.

"That's not very cute, try again," she ordered.

"We also call you the Psycho Stalker," I tried again.

"That's not cute either," she sighed. "Okay, try this. Pick an adjective and a dessert."

"What? Like Fat-Cake?" I asked for clarification more than anything. I didn't exactly think it through. I was so used to talking with Natsuni about Noriko; it was hard to keep things to myself. It was like I wanted to be talking to Natsuni. I wanted her to be there instead of Noriko.

"No," she whined. "Like Sugar-Pie or Sweet-Cakes."

"Sorry," I said. But I wasn't really. I was still off in a world where I was having dinner with Natsuni instead.

"Aren't you going to pull out my chair?" she asked.

"No," I said. "I thought you could do it."

"I can," she said with a sigh, doing just that. "You just always pull Natsuni's chair out at school. You should do it for your girlfriend if you can do it for her. I'm totally more important now, you know."

She 'totally' wasn't.

"I want you to order for me," she said. "So you can show me how well you know me."

"What?" I asked confused. I didn't know her at all.

"I'm going to the lady's room to powder my nose while you do it, so I can be surprised," she told me, grabbing her purse and heading off to do so.

"You bagged yourself a crazy," Takeru snickered.

"I know," I groaned.

"Have you worked out your order yet?" the waitress asked.

"Uh," I stammered. Okay. What did girls eat? I only really ate with Mom, Natsuni and Hikari—but she was sick most of those times. Natsuni loved pasta actually they had her favourite on the menu. "The Bok Choy and tofu pasta? Probably two."

"Okay," she said taking pity on me. "I'll be back."

"She might not like that," Yamato told me.

"I don't care," I said. "Natsuni would eat it."

"She's not Natsuni," Takeru reminded me.

"I've noticed," I sighed.

"Have you ordered? Good," Noriko said coming back to the table. "I just know you chose the right thing. I can't eat a lot of food, but you already knew that."

"You have allergies?" I asked hesitantly.

"No," she said. "I can't eat food that'll make me fat. I'm not like Natsuni, you know. I actually care about my weight."

"Odd how Natsuni's smaller than you then," I muttered.

"Anyway," she said, ignoring my mumbling. "It's raining really hard. I almost didn't make it to here, because I didn't want my hair to get ruined by walking in the rain. But I had to brave it to meet you here. I couldn't leave you disappointed. My plans for the evening are destroyed though."

"I thought you told me to plan it," I protested.

"Did you come up with anything romantic?" she asked excited.

"No," I said. "It was just dinner."

"That's hardly a date. You do that with friends too," she said with a sneer. "I've seen you do it with Natsuni you know."

She just admitted to following me. I couldn't help but focus on that fact. What else in my life did she spy on?

"I was hoping we'd be able to go for a nice stroll through the park in the moonlight," she continued. "Hold hands and whisper sweet nothings to one another as we walked. Doesn't it just sound divine? But it had to rain. Why don't we go to a movie instead?"

If I wanted to go to a movie—and I did—I would've went with Natsuni.

"We can hold hands in the dark and you can put your arm around me and it could be super romantic too. Well, only if we watch something I'd actually like. What do you think about that new romantic comedy?"

"The plot was slow to start, and the guy was a moron, but Natsuni swears he's attractive. The girl could've done better and didn't really learn the moral lesson by the end. Overall, I'd give it a pass," I told her.

"The lead actor looks a lot like you too," she said. As if I hadn't said anything. "I get to sit with you and watch you on the screen. Wait. You've already seen it?" she complained.

"With Natsuni, last week," I said. I flushed a bit at the memory. Natsuni thought he looked like me too.

"But I wanted to see it with you," she said. She was getting angry at me over something I couldn't control. "Oh well. You can just watch it again."

"I don't want to watch it again, one time was enough," I protested.

"You're willing to watch it with a loser, but not your girlfriend?" she demanded.

"You're not my girlfriend," I said lowly. "And Natsuni is not a loser. She's my best friend."

"You aren't supposed to talk about another girl while you're on a date with your girlfriend," she informed me. "Unless it's to rant about someone she dislikes. And I dislike Natsuni. You know, now that we're dating, you're going to have to spend less time with her. It's not proper to be seen alone with her."

"Good God," I snapped. "Do you even think about anything before you say it? I'm not dating you. It's a single date, which I've made clear from the very beginning. I don't like you all that much. I typically can't stand your presence, but there was one moment during the last couple of days when I thought, maybe, just maybe there was something likeable beneath your exterior. But there isn't. You're cynical. You're a flirt, and you stalk me. There's nothing attractive in that."

"You are my boyfriend," she told me with a glare. I couldn't even bring myself to feel bad about what I'd just said, unable to hold it back any longer. She just wouldn't listen. Why couldn't she understand what I was saying?

"No, I'm not," I said firmly.

"Hey, Iori," Yamato called. "We're leaving now. Have…fun on your date?"

"Bye," I told him a little harsher than intended. Noriko was ruining my patience.

"Good," she said. "Now we're alone. It'll be much more romantic that way."

"Noriko, listen to me. We aren't dating, we're just on one date," I pleaded, but I was interrupted.

"Here are your meals," the waitress said pleasantly, placing one plate of noodles in front of me.

"Oh, what is this?" Noriko asked looking at me in horror. "Noodles. Do you know how many calories are in this? I can't eat it. I'll get fat."

"Shut up," I told her. "You told me to order you something. I ordered something filling and healthy."

"But fattening," she sniffed.

"I'll just take it back," the waitress said, sounding frightened.

"No," I told her. "You're doing enough as it is, working right after the disasters of yesterday."

"I won't eat it," Noriko shouted at me.

"Then starve," I yelled back.

"Oh you," she screamed, picking up the plate of hot noodles and dumping it on the waitress.

"Noriko, stop being childish," I snapped, trying to help the waitress clean up. She started crying instead, and ran off to the kitchen. "Look what you did!"

"You liked her better than me," she hissed.

"I like everyone better than you," I told her. "Why can't you be more mature? Why can't you be more like Natsuni?"

"Because you wouldn't like me as much if I was like her," she hollered. "You like me. That's why you're here instead of with her."

"I wish I was with her," I said honestly.

"What?" Noriko said with a harsh laugh. "You think she'd be a better girlfriend than me?"

"I know she would be," I told her.

"How is that?"

"Well, for starters, I actually like her," I said.

"But you love me," she said crossing her arms.

"No," I promised. "I don't."

"Are you saying you love her?"

"That's ridiculous," I said. But as I said it I realized it wasn't as stupid as I thought. Who was wishing Noriko could be like? How many times had I fantasized about being here with Natsuni instead? Who did I want to impress with my gentlemanliness? Who's favourite foods do I know without hesitation? Who did I join Fanglongmon's henchmen to find, at risk of my own life?

I'd even compared Noriko's kiss to Natsuni's soft lips…

"Exactly, that's why you're with me," she decided.

"No, I was wrong," I whispered. I threw some money at the table, leaving a pretty big tip for the poor waitress. "I have to go."

"Where are you going?" Noriko demanded.

"I've got a movie date I'm late for," I told her. "With Natsuni."

I could hear her shrieking behind me as I ran out into the rain. I wasn't far from the theatre, and I was sure she would be there. I was soaked seconds after leaving the restaurant.

How could I have missed it?

Was I stubborn enough to push away all of my feelings, just because I'd decided at a depressed moment that love didn't exist? I couldn't understand why I could have been so blind. She'd been there all along. She'd agreed to help keep potential girls at bay so that I wouldn't be forced to participate in the trivial art of dating. All because my first crush broke my heart. I wasn't going to marry my first crush. It wasn't a strong enough affection. We wouldn't have made it past a couple of months. Especially once she revealed her crazy side.

I could spend forever with Natsuni and never be bored, and always want more.

Maybe what I'd been passing for friendship wasn't exactly what I thought it was. Maybe I'd blurred the lines, trying desperately to keep a promise to myself that couldn't be kept. You couldn't control love. Sora had taught me that much. So why did I think I could force it to stay away?

The theatre was in my sights, looking a little worse for wear, but was still intact. All I needed to do was buy a ticket to that action movie and find her inside. I could do that. I didn't know what I'd say to her when I found her, but I had to say something. My epiphany was making me dizzy.

I ran up to the ticket vender.

"The action movie," I said. "Do you have any tickets?"

"The doors are closed," he said. "You'll have to wait until the late showing."

"I'm looking for someone," I told him. "Someone that was supposed to meet me here, but those events happened and I'm not sure if she came. But I need to find her. It's important."

"Iori?"

I spun around immediately. Natsuni was standing there, her hair was plastered to her face, as she waited in the rain.

"What are you doing here?" she asked me.

"I'm sorry I'm late," I told her. "I had something to take care of first."

"You're girlfriend," she said a bit bitterly. "I guess I understand. Well, no. I don't. You can't stand her. But I can try, if this is what you really want."

"I don't want that," I told her. "I don't want her. I…I didn't know what I wanted until I was with her tonight. Something she said, and suddenly fireworks went off. I. You. You're important. I need to be with you, or else the world seems duller."

"What are you talking about?" she yelled over the rain.

I sighed, and ran my fingers through my wet hair.

"I want to be with you," I shouted.

She stood there, gapping like a fish, and I felt like I'd said something wrong. Maybe I shouldn't have told her any of that. She probably didn't want to be with me anyway. I'd made her promise she wouldn't try when we met. And she knew how I felt about promised.

"Okay," she said, thankfully ruining my train of thought. "I can do that."

"Oh thank God," I said, pulling her into my arms. We were both soaked, and frozen, but it still felt nice. She looked up at me, and wiped her hair out of her face.

"I thought you didn't believe in any of this," she said.

"I was lying to myself," I told her. "I really want this."

"I do too," she admitted. That was enough for me. To know she was willingly doing this, not just doing it for me. I couldn't keep myself from leaning closer to her. She seemed to understand what I was unconsciously doing, and leaned in as well, meeting me halfway.

Her lips were as wet and cold as the rest of her, but they were still amazingly soft as we shared a kiss. The first of many that night.

"Do you want to go get something to eat?" I asked. "You know, before the late showing?"

"I'd like that," she said with a bright smile. "We could get a burger, maybe?"

I smiled and nodded. My world had been turned on its head so many times over the last few days, but things were finally making sense. Everything had fallen into place.

Miyako:

I was nervous. I wasn't sure where the two of us stood exactly, but I didn't know if I was ready to be alone with him in our current situation. Especially when we'd be huddling under a tiny, green frog umbrella. Why Taichi even had that thing, I didn't know.

"I was a little surprised by Taichi there," Ken said awkwardly. He was nervous too. Suddenly, I felt a little more at ease. I wasn't alone in that feeling.

"Daisuke deserved it though," I told him. "He really proved himself when he led us to defeat Fanglongmon. He's a great leader, and a great friend. Taichi was just finally able to see that again. I hope they dealt with all of their problems."

"I wish Daisuke had bothered to tell me that he was having problems at all," Ken said with a sigh. "We've been best friends for years, but he stopped talking to me. Well, about the important stuff anyway."

"It's probably because the two of us spent all off our free time together. Maybe he didn't want to 'burden' you with his problems," I suggested.

"He should know he's not a burden," Ken told me. "He helped me so much when I went through all of that stuff back when I was the Kaiser. Why wouldn't he let me help now?"

"I don't know what it is, exactly, but I'm fairly certain it has to do with his parents, Ken. You have wonderful parents, that support you in everything that you do. They were more worried about you coming home than what you were up to when you were the Kaiser," I reminded him. "Maybe Daisuke's aren't nearly as supportive?"

"He didn't want to tell me in case I rubbed it in his face?" Ken asked sadly.

"Maybe. So, when are you heading off to school?" I asked, though it pained me to do so.

"I want to go, I want to start my final leg of schooling before I reach my ultimate goal: my career," Ken started. "But I don't know if I'm really ready."

"What do you mean?" I asked worried.

"When I think about school, it doesn't make me happy," he said. "Taichi and Yamato didn't even pick their courses for themselves, and they still find something to enjoy, something that draws them into the idea. I don't have that right now."

"But why?"

"I…I've been thinking about it. I just…I don't want to leave you behind," he whispered. It was hard to hear him over the rain drops that landed heavily on the frog umbrella.

"I don't want you to either," I told him honestly. "But you have to."

"What?" he asked unsure of himself.

"You want to be a detective. Think about the goal. You won't become a detective if you just wait around here with me. I've been looking into schools you know. Maybe I'll find something to do with myself. I'm good with computers. I'm not Koushiro here, but I know what I'm doing. I especially like audio work," I said. "Maybe I'll find something I can use that for. A future career. I'm jealous, you know, that you've figured out your life already and I'm stuck here in the past. You have to work toward your future, and I'm just…not in it."

"I want you to be," he said with a sigh.

"I've been thinking," I said sounding deceptively reluctant. He cast his eyes downward preparing for the worst. "That I do too. But it doesn't matter. There might be a time in the future we're actually able to get together, or maybe you'll meet another girl in school and forget all about me."

"Don't cry," he whispered right in my ear, wiping a tear off of my face. But I couldn't help it. I was trying to tell him to live his life, and if he couldn't do it for himself, he had to do it for me. And the very idea that he might find some other girl that was prettier than me or smarter than me or richer than me or didn't have to wear stupid glasses, made me feel as though I was the one who had taken Piedmon's sword to the chest instead of Iori.

"Sorry," I muttered through my tears. "I just love you. And they say that if you love something, you have to let it go."

"You're not mad at me anymore? About Fanglongmon," he elaborated.

"I'm not pleased," I said. "But I've been thinking we've been broken up for awhile now and I just wanted to die instead of continuing to feel that stupid dull ache in my chest. And here I am, being the better person, and trying to get you to move on, and I'm just ripping that wound open further."

"Don't be the better person," he said. "I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you. You know, I haven't been able to think about my future at all since we… uh… 'broke-up', because everything suddenly shifted. I was going to have to deal with it all alone. You weren't going to be there beside me like I'd always envisioned."

"You thought we'd be together forever?" I said surprised. "That's just the most romantic thing I've ever heard you say."

"It's true though. I've never been so lost before," he said. "What schools were you looking into?"

"I didn't look into yours, silly. Yours is a police academy," I told him. "I want computers."

"Oh," he said. I couldn't tell where he was going with this. "So we might not even be in the same town?"

"Chances are that that is a very likely situation," I said.

"Any chance you might change your mind about that?" he asked.

"You want me to go with you?" I asked surprised.

"I want you to be with me forever," he admitted. "Do you?"

Oh. My. God!

Was he asking what I thought he was asking?

"I don't know," I said evasively. "Are you going to ask me to?"

"I…well…yeah," he said. "Miyako, you're the most beautiful girl I've ever met." That was a lie, but it was such a sweet one. "You brighten up my day with every kiss, every smile. I can talk to you for hours and not realize how much time has passed. You make me want to be a better person, and I'd love to spend forever just trying to learn everything about you."

"What are you asking?" I asked tentatively.

"I guess, I'm asking…wow. This was not planned, can you tell?" he said with a laugh. "Well, I'm asking you, Miyako Inoue, if you would do me the honour of marrying me."

I couldn't help it. I gasped.

Next on Digimon Adventure 05: That's right, the update isn't just about the one-shots, or even about the six-chapter break story between the bigger ones. This is also to let you know that a third and final instalment of our journey to the epilogue will take place. It's going to take awhile to get it ready for updating, but we won't leave you hanging, we've got plenty of one-shots to post weekly, and then we've got that six-chapter story, similar—yet very different—to that of How Iori Met Their Mother, in its light and fluffy sort of tone. We're hard at work plotting and planning for 05, and we hope to see you there!