Hey guys, Amaterasu here. I'm so sorry for such the long wait for this but I fell on some bad times finishing up the past year of college and went through some serious stuff. I ended up having to take a break due to medical reasons for a few months and then after that I had no motivation to finish this chapter which I had started all the way back in august. There is no excuse for the poor quality and the spotty uploads I've given you with no explanation. With the help of some fellow writers here on the site I've found some new motivations. Thank you for anyone sticking with me at this point of time, all of your reviews have been such a blessing and have been what's kept this story alive in me. Thanks, you guys are the best. I'm going to try to update more than every 6ths months I promise but that doesn't mean it will be a weekly thing like it used to be, college sucks and so does life. Thank you for the patience and kindness you've all shown me, you'll never know how much it means to me.

Chapter 14: Beastie Girl

"Bye!" I cheered with my friends as we waved our final goodbyes to our digimon friend. "Thank you so much!" I cried afterwards and gave a soft sound of satisfaction as I put my hands in my pockets, loving the smell of the sea and the feeling of the sun on my face. Anything was better than being inside a Whamon's mouth…no offense to Whamon.

"Welp, there he goes." Koji pointed out with a grumble as Takuya lowered his hand to glare halfheartedly at him.

"You don't have to point out the obvious." He sighed at him.

"Don't be such boys!" Zoe cheered loudly from next to me, causing me to jump a bit. She was absolutely giddy…it was actually really scary.

"My dear Zoe just what has gotten into you?" Bokomon asked her with a raised eyebrow.

"You can't blame a girl for feeling so good on a beautiful day such as this!" She cheered striking a pose as she lifted her D-Tector into the air. "Especially a girl who has her spirit back!" She giggled and I took a few steps back.

Ever since coming in contact with that mysterious digimon Hakanimon I haven't felt completely 100% myself. It was probably just the stress of everything that had happened, what with this digimon having a specific goat to pick with me despite never even stepping foot in the digital world before. Not to mention I had a minor seizure a few days ago. All of that just left me feeling a little less chipper than my usual self. But so far I don't think anyone has taken specific notice. I'll have to watch my stress levels more closely from now on, I can't be a burden to everyone.

"And let's not forget who has a beast spirits now!" JP cheered and lifted his D-Tector and slung an arm around me. I couldn't help but pull myself from my thoughts and smile.

"Aw shucks your makin' me blush." I joked with them as Zoe called for a round of cheers.

"Let's hear it for JP the Princely Beast of Thunder!" She giggled and I got scared all over again. "And the lovely Lady of Melodious Music herself Neru!"

"How 'bout no." I murmured a bit.

"And let's not forget Zoe, Princess of the Summer Breezeee" JP said in a voice that was kinda creepy.

"And Takuya, King of I'm Gonna Be Sick!" Takuya chimed in with a sarcastic tone.

"Hey…how come you're all royalty and I'm just a lady." I complained suddenly and they all gave me a look.

"I thought you didn't want a part of this." JP said crossing his arms.

"….it's the principle of the thing."

"Really?" Koji scoffed. "You'd never be a princess, you're to klutzy and loudmouthed to be a princess. You're lucky to even be a lady." I puffed my face up.

"Oh you meanie." I grunted as a slapped his back, though not hard enough to really hurt him. "If I'm lucky to be a lady then you must be a stable boy because you are no prince charming!" I huffed at him and Takuya put a hand to his mouth.

"Ohhh I'm the spirit of fire so I officially declare that…a sick burn." He snickered giving me a high five, Koji scoffed a bit and crossed his arms.

"I don't want to be a prince anyway." He huffed obviously going into one of his moods again.

"Sure you don't…" I said to him sarcastically and laughed when he shot me a glare, I never knew getting under someone's skin could be so much fun.

….

"You know I couldn't help but notice that its summer and that we are at a beach." JP said in a hinting manner causing me to smile as I tied my jacket around my waist, it being way too hot, even for me.

"Yeah I noticed that!" Zoe laughed, having become much more tolerant of JP as times passed. Sure it wasn't the relationship he wanted but at least she didn't ignore every casual conversation he tried to start with her anymore.

"Yeah and you know what that means!" Tommy prompted for us all. We all shared smiles, even Koji, as we spouted out or most favorite time of year.

"Summer vacation!" We laughed.

"The waves!" Tommy pointed as one broke against the rocks, spraying us with sea water and stirring up a fresh beach scent, you can't get on earth anymore. Unpolluted and clean. Zoe picked up a star fish before I could tell her not too. It's actually possible to damage a starfish by doing so, and I've always preferred to play it safe.

"Shell hunting!' She cheered as I walked to her took it gently from her hand and set the animal back into the water, having seen it was still a live one.

"The clean breeze." I tacked on softly as the wind ruffled my hair.

"And lots and lots of sunshine!" JP cheered spreading his arms wide.

"Put it all together and what do you got!? The beach baaaaaa-by!" Takuya cheered and I shot him a look.

"Never…ever say it like that again. It sounded really weird."

"Takuya, Aren't you forgetting-…" Koji said interrupting us all with his serious tone. "We're supposed to be on a mission! We'd be stupid to let our guard down-…HEY!" Koji jumped as I leapt at him from behind and wrapped my arms around his neck. "Tsukineri!" He grunted as Takuya elbowed him in the side.

"You are such a Debbie Downer!" I giggled at him before blowing on his ear causing him to let out an involuntary laugh as it sent a shiver down his spine, Takuya having already started ticking him on his sides. Most people wouldn't believe me when I say Koji is actually extremely sensitive and ticklish. He was screwed as soon as JP joined in.

"H-Hey c-cut it out!" Koji laughed a bit. "I-I'm j-j-just saying!"

"no you not, your being mean." Tommy said his eyes down cast and Koji froze, obviously seeing he had upset him and worry setting in. During the fiasco where we were separated after our first encounter with Grumblemon something must have happened to trigger something in Koji. He was a lot more attuned to Tommy's feelings, and while he wasn't Takuya's big brother status, he seemed to see Tommy as something more than an annoying kid.

"Come on we deserve a little break. We've earned it." Zoe smiled coming up behind him.

"She's right we have earned it." The two other boys agreed with peace signs and thumbs up. I turned my head to look him in the eye, the tips of our noses brushing.

"Pleeeease Koji. We really have been working super hard. And we all need a little break, so not to stress out. Please please please pleeeease." I begged, my lower lip jutting out a bit. Koji's eyes locked on my lower lip in a pout and scowled a bit, face heating up in what I could only assume to be annoyance at my whining.

"F-fine! It's obvious I'm out numbered anyway." He said looking away quickly. Tommy looked up with a grin, showing he was faking it. Zoe gave a piece sign as the two boys laughed. Takuya leaned over to JP and murmured.

"At lease we know how to get him to do stuff now."

"Yeah, Neru is our secret weapon." JP said smirking at me as I slipped off Koji's back with care.

"Huh? I was talking about tickling." Takuya said face dropping.

"You are so dense!" Zoe said hitting him upside the head. "Just like with everything else like that!"

"Hey you're mean!"

"Well now that it's all settled." She said sending Takuya a look. "Everyone in favor say Ey"

"EY!" Everyone cheered.

"ey…" Koji said reluctantly though he was smiling a bit now.

"Oh!" Neemon said tilting his head as he looked off into the distance.

"OH is right." Bokomon said pointing off in the same direction. I walked over to peer around the tree line to see what he was talking about. There seemed to be a hut sitting further down the beach. Was someone living on this island? We haven't seen anyone so we had assumed they all lived further inland.

"Let's go check it out." I said and jumped down from the rock, running across the beach.

"Neru wait!" Koji yelled and I heard him groan as he ran after me.

"Well it's good to know that she has her second wind back." Zoe laughed.

…

I tilted my head to the side as I read the sign onto of the cute open air shack. "Toucan Paradise." I murmured. "That's an animal in our world but I'm assuming that it's some form of Digimon here, like Whamon is like a whale."

"What's a summer vacation without a beach house?" Zoe cheered a bit, nothing stopping her good mood lately. I felt my lower lip slip between my teeth as I bit my lip.

"Seems kinda deserted to me Z." I said looking around for signs of anyone. If this was here shouldn't there be like, tourists or something. Heck workers would be nice too.

"Seems a bit too convenient to me." Koji said his brows drawing together.

"I don't know about that but it looks awfully comfortable." Tommy murmured wistfully and I couldn't help but agree. At least, more comfortable than a Whamon.

"And besides you say that about everything we come across." I said elbowing him.

"And I'm usually right." He grunted in my ear as his eyebrows furrowed some more. He's going to have major worry lines when he is older. Suddenly four toucan digimon came bursting out from hiding spots within the hut. I scream and hide behind Koji. The four little buggers really did look much like toucans from their world with the addition of a red, shell like covering on their lower half's. Like they had never fully hatched. And I got the distinct feeling that maybe their heads were the same way.

"Welcome!" They all yelled towards our group. "Hello honored guests we welcome you to Toucan Paradise!" The one in front said giving a bow with his wing. Oh how gentlemanly. I smiled at them as I poked my head back out.

"Thank you Mr. Toucanmon." Tommy said with a confused look. "We're honored you're honored."

"Yeah honored but also broke." Koji grunted again as his hands shoved themselves into his pockets.

"You are now both a Debby Downer and a Negative Nancy." I grumbled to him with a pout. "And of course a Captain Obvious. So many titles you have…and genders." I smirked as he glared at me.

"Oh please what's a few digi-sheckles among friends?" Another Toucanmon piped in as he flew up a bit to be seen over his….brothers? Is this a family unit or a flock…gaahahha so many questions. "And it just so happens that today everything is on the house! And by which I mean free, not served on the roof." He chirped before going down into a bow like the rest of his flock.

"Convenient…" Koji whispered to me and I slapped his arm.

"Be nice." I hissed as he rubbed the spot I hit.

"We know what on the house means." Bokomon said seriously and the littlest Toucanmon went into a panic, flaying up to be seen.

"Sorry so sorry! It was just a joke a very small joke!" ….She said? Is it a girl or a boy? More questions with no answers. Are they like the flower digimon in that village Zoe and Koji saved? All one gender? But if that's the case how do they reproduce? If one digimon species is one gender does it mate with a different kind? Can all digimon do that? Gahahahahah my head hurts!

"It's okay." Tommy said though he looked unsure if he should say this to the Toucanmon freaking out or me freaking out internally. It must be showing on my face then. The one gender ambiguous Toucanmon lowered into a bow next to the others while the fourth freaked out next.

"Oh nonono! There is absolutely nothing we will not do to make it up to you!" He said and I lifted my hands.

"Hey, it's cool really. I thought it was cute and funny." I smiled trying to appease the little things. But of course my friends had other plans.

"Really?!" Zoe, Takuya, and JP chimed pushing me out of the way.

"Really really really!" The Toucanmon chanted for us. Wow they are really eager to please. But then again most friendly digimon they've come into contact with have been. It just seems in their nature.

…

We all stood in amazement as the Toucanmon set to work in making us all a meal. I had tried to help on multiple occasions but they would simply shove a tropical drink in my hand and send me on my way.

"Are you sure? I love to cook it would really be no problem at all." I said about the fifth time.

"No no no that wouldn't do. We are the hosts and it's almost done anyway!" He said as he shoved another drink in my hand and pushed me out of the kitchen. Sure enough 5 minutes later out came a large variety of traditional food we would see on our own tables at home. "A little bit of this, and little bit of that and wola! Ladies and Gentleman your lunch is served." The leader announced as they motioned for us all to sit. I sat down with a smile and said my thanks. I picked up my chopsticks and began on the fried rice, always being a favorite of mine back home. I smiled, it wasn't the best but it sure did taste like home.

"Delicious!" We complimented the cooks for our meal.

"Man I am loving these overcooked noodles and rubbery egg!" Takuya cheered loudly as he slurped up more of them into his already full mouth.

Zoe was across from him as she ate on her curry. "And this is the best lumpy curry I've ever had!" She smiled brightly.

"You guys are weird. Were those supposed to be compliments?" Koji asked his eyebrow raising. JP laughed and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Don't you see?" JP said trying to explain. "It's real food. Like back home, not some weird meat tasting rabbit food that Neru experiments with."

"Hey!" I said narrowing my eyes. "I try my best!" I pouted.

"It is what it looks like, every lump and all!" Takuya cheered. "And come on buddy! It's a beach house. The food could have sand and bugs and stuff in it and no one would care."

"I would care." I tacked on. "I would care very much."

"Bring on the bugs!" Z and JP cheered together and I shook my head.

"You guys call me weird." I scoffed as I continued eating.

"And sand!" Neemon said picking up on it. "Lots of sand!"

"and stuff, bring on the stuff!" Bokomon tacked on.

"Now you have them doing it!" I sighed with a shake of my head.

…

"You ate a lot." Neemon said to his digimon companion.

"Well I'm eating for two, my selfish days are over. If I must pig out then I must." Bokomon said rubbing the egg. I didn't really think it to be wise to point out it didn't work that way.

"Thank you so much!" We all chimed together with bows of our heads.

"Don't mention it! It was our pleasure!" The Toucanmon said with bows in our direction.

"My belly….is like….a melon" Takuya said leaning back.

"And your face is like a baby just learning what a spoon does." I sighed and leaned up to wipe his face much to his protest.

"Did you get enough to eat Tommy?" Zoe asked since I was busy mommy-ing Takuya.

"hmmm hmmm." Tommy nodded as he leaned back in his seat.

"Enough? Enough and more!" JP laughed a bit. Takuya sighed as he finally let me clean his face and gave a grunt as he stood up.

"Welp, I guess it's time to head out." He said to everyone and we all stood with nods and sounds of agreement.

"What?" One of the Toucanmon asked in confusion.

"We've imposed on you enough." Zoe said with a smile.

"Yeah, it was kind enough for you to cook all this for us with no payment."

"Oh no no no go on and impose! We insist!" One Toucanmon said.

"Yeah com on we're just about asking for it! Impose on us already!" Another chimed in.

"But we're stuffed as ticks!" Takuya said rubbing his round belly in emphasis.

"But your growing kids! It won't be long until you are hungry again!" One argued. "What kind of hosts would we be if we let you leave without supper?"

"Supper? Are you nuts? I won't be hungry for hours. I might never eat again." Takuya said. Lair…about an hour from now he'll start wanting something to eat on. I know him.

"You say that now, but after being in the sun…" One Toucanmon said with a shrug to finish his sentence. "I'm sure you will agree with me and might I suggest taking advantage of our Super Value Summer Special!" He cheered and we all made sounds of question. They opened the curtain and revealed a large variety of swimsuits and sporting equipment.

"And by that me means free beach rentals for everybody!" The gender ambiguous Toucanmon said. We all shared a look before we went to look over the equipment.

"Complimentary baskets are provided for your personal belongings! Just go out and have some fun, leave all the worrying to us!" And with that the group split off, boys and girls and rushed to the dressing room. My eyes scanned the racks for a swimsuit similar to the one I had at home while Zoe hummed to her self, taking off her vest shoes and socks. I smiled as I found a suit I liked and striped down.

"Geeze you in a rush or something?" Zoe asked as she moved slowly, simply enjoying the relaxing moment. I slipped my legs into the bottoms before pulling up the black swim shorts over it. I picked up the top with a smile.

"Well swimming is the only sport my parents let me play so I'm always excited to get into the water." I grinned but pouted when I tried to zip the back of the sports bra type top. It was a pretty white and purple one and covered just enough. Bikini's and well-endowed chests don't get along well, so when I find tops like this it's always great. So I'm not squished in a one piece or swallowed within a tankini that fits my chest but billows over my mid drift. Zoe laughed as she stepped over to me and zipped my top for me. I grinned and hugged her. "Thank you Zoe!" I said and went to the door bur froze, looking back at her. Wasn't there some kind of girl code in this type of situation? Wasn't I supposed to stay with her? I never had really a friend to do this kind of stuff with before, so I don't really understand what social protocol is required here. Zoe laughed again seeing my face as it looked between her and the door quickly.

"Go on. I'm enjoying my time in the peace and quiet with a nice tropical drink, and it will only be quiet if you leave." She joked and motioned for me to leave as she took off her last sock. She picked up my clothes and D-Tector and placed it in the end basket near the door so if need be I could grab and go. "I'll be out in soon, besides I've always sucked at picking out swim suits. All of them are so cute!" She giggled. I rolled my eyes, picked up some gear near the door and rushed out to the beach. I grinned as I looked over the sparkling sea with a gleam in my eye. I was about to rush over when I hear the boys cry out.

"Bonzaiiii!"

"Bon-what?" I asked when they ran into my back. I yelped and tumbled over as arms automatically wrapped around my bare waist to keep me from falling, but the heavy gear in my arms pulled him down too.

"Sorry Neru!" Takuya yelled as he ran past, his red trucks with multiple pockets clung to his hips. "Nice suit, very you."

"Yeah sorry, see you in the water." Tommy said his green trucks complimented nicely with the yellow tube her carried over his head. By far JP had the most interesting suit, a pink and yellow stripped one piece, but it was definitely him. He shot me a look, a smirk on his lips as he gave a wave.

"Be careful you two." He said before running off. I tilted my head before I remembered the only boy left in our group. Koji must have been the one to catch me then. I felt my face warm up as I felt one of his arms still wrapped around my bare waist. His hand rested right on my rib cage and I'm sure he could fell my racing heart echoing within it. I peeked over his shoulder to see him leaning up on one arm glaring at JP's back. I blushed harder as I became hyperaware of everywhere our skin was touching. My bare shoulders and lower back against his chest and stomach. Our legs were tangled together, and of course that hand, lazy flopped over me.

I felt my self-allowing my green eyes to trail along his figure. I had to admit he looked really good in a swimsuit, the dark blue trunk clung tightly to his hips, framing his flat stomach. He wasn't muscly per say but one could see his skin was drawn tight over the coil of muscles beneath the epithelial layers. He had to play some kind of sport. Finally I looked up at his face, framed loosely by his ebony hair, free from his bandana. His cobalt blue eyes shifted from JP's retreating figure to look down at her, blue clashing with green. I blinked up at him, trying to for some kind of words as he looked at me in confusion over my gaping. Slowly his eyes drifted downward and the farther down they went the darker his cheeks became finally he looked away and let me go, standing in a hurry. Koji grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet, refusing to look in my direction. Oh he probably is mad at me for staring isn't he? God you're such an idiot Neru.

"Put a jacket on." Koji murmured as he went to pick up our similar gear, apparently we both wanted to snorkel for a bit. "Y-You'll catch a freaking cold you idiot."

"But it's like 90 degree's out here." I murmured at him. What was he doing?

"But your anemic right. You get cold easily. Put on a jacket." He said nudging me back to the changing area.

"W-What no! Then I can't swim." I pouted moving away from him. He sighed, his face red from the heat himself.

"F-Fine! Get hypothermia for all I care." He scoffed and pulled her over to the water. He is so weird and the oddest times!

…

I took a deep calming breath as I came up for air, my red hair plastered to my forehead and cheeks. "It's amazing down there." I gasped a bit. My parents had always been surprised when I was young that I had the ability to calm my breathing while snorkeling. A lot of people have trouble doing that but I took to it like a fish does to water…excuse the ironic example.

"It'd be more amazing if you didn't talk to your self through your snorkel, I keep thinking your drowning idiot." He laughed and splashed my face, over his fit from earlier. I laughed and jumped at him trying to push him under when the peacefulness that had settled over us was broken.

"AHHHHHHHHH!" A high pitched, horrified scream sounded from the shore. I all snapped to attention.

"Zoe!" I cried and began swimming towards shore, the boys right on my tail. We all raced up the beach. Takuya and JP rushed into the dressing room before I could stop them. "Guys!" Another scream sounded from inside, this time enraged and panicked.

"Get out get out get out!" Zoe yelled at the two as I stood frozen in the door, gaping at the sight before them. That is before an anything Zoe could get her hands on hit them in the face. I pulled them to safety and shoved them towards Koji.

"Take them." I sighed. "I'm going to calm Zoe down and get her dressed. Then we need to figure out what happened."

….

"I'm so sorry." Zoe apologized to Takuya and JP who had red marks all over their faces now.

"Well they should have known better than to barge into a lady's dressing room, even if she screamed. At least call out ahead of your-self guys. Goodness gracious-"

"So what happened?" Koji asked interrupting me before I could rant anymore. "Why did you scream earlier?"

"Other than Takuya and JP?" I grumbled hands on my hips.

"Neru not the time." Koji sighed tugging on my braid to shush me.

"Because someone is a peeping Tom!" Zoe said her hands on her hips and I blinked, shocked at her answer.

"For real!?" Takuya asked in outrage. I felt my face grow warm. A peeping Tom? Had…had they been there while I changed. I felt tears fill my eyes in embarrassment, just the thought of that made me feel so violated. I felt Koji tense and his arm automatically come around me pulling me close to his side. Tommy backed up against me, his hand taking hold of mine.

"Where is that creep?! How dare he?!" JP said and the other boys gave him a look. I was too busy worrying about if anyone had seen me change. "What? Why are you all looking at me for?"

"You have to admit it does look a little suspicious, you are the most likely subject." Bokomon said. God I felt like I need to take a shower or something. I wrapped my free are around my bare stomach, feeling self-conscious suddenly of the exposed skin.

"He makes a good point, why don't you just admit it?" Takuya asked, eyes narrowing.

"Because I didn't do it!" JP snapped at him, obviously hurt at the assumption.

"Guys cut it out." I said wiping my eyes as Zoe stroked me hair. Her hands were shaking too. I knew she understood as I took her hand as Tommy let mine go.

"Yeah, besides JP was swimming with us the whole time remember. And He was in the change rooms while Neru was too."

"JP isn't that kind of guy." I said with conviction. Sure he was a bit obsessed with impressing Zoe but boys get like that all the time without peeping on them. He was too nice and noble for that.

"Thanks Neru." Jp sighed in relief, obviously happy someone believed in him not to do such an act. Koji's arm around Neru tightened.

"We all have the same alibi." He grumbled, hand to his chin in thought.

"So by process of elimination it was no one?" Bokomon asked with eyebrows raised.

"You calling Zoe a liar!?" JP asked enraged all over again.

"Of course not!" Takuya said calming him down. "It just means we're not alone on this island."

"Of course we aren't, Einstein." Koji said his eyes narrowing. "Did you forget the Toucanmon?"

…

"Where did they go?" Tommy asked as we walked around the main sitting area.

"This is suspicious." Takuya said gripping the back of a chair as he glared at the table, obviously still upset as he glanced at Zoe in worry.

We had searched the entire beach hut and they were nowhere to be found. Don't tell me! Koji and my eyes met as we came to the same conclusion.

"Oh no!" Koji hissed as he ran off to the boy's locker room.

…

"Those bird boys tricked us!" He hissed, venom in his voice as he tore through his basket. The others were doing the same, looking for their missing D-Tectors. I had checked and while Zoe's was still there mine was gone, since it had been put in the cubby near the door and Zoe still had her basket next to her. I hit the side of the wall in frustration. How could I be so stupid? My embarrassment and violated feelings disappeared when I realizing I hadn't been peeped on, but stolen from. Now they were replaced with a white hot anger.

"My D-Tector is gone!" JP exclaimed.

"Mine too!" Takuya growled as he tossed his basket aside. "This is awful."

"This goes way beyond awful young man, how could you let those Toucanmon trick you like that?" Bokomon scolded.

"Hey! They tricked all of us." Koji said with sharp eyes.

"Now we need to focus on getting them back." I said crossing my arms.

"Right!" Takuya and JP said and without thinking pulled their suits down to change. Zoe and I blushed darkly. I squeaked and closed my eyes trying to run away, only to run face first into the wall. Koji caught me and quickly saw me out as Takuya and JP realized their mistake and threw things at us girls.

"Get out get out get out!"

Koji sighed as he turned to me and placed his hands on my shoulders. "Get changed and ready for a fight." I nodded and was about to leave when I was pulled into a sudden hug.

"Koji?"

"Shut up. Just so you know…I'd punch the living hell out of anyone who would dare peep on you. So hard they'd never see anything again." He murmured softly and squeezed me tighter before letting me go. He slipped into the changing room without a glance or word to me. I stood there for a moment before Zoe came and pulled my arm.

"Lucky."

…

"Well at least they're loud and stupid." I muttered no longer feeling nice toward the bird digimon. We followed the loud obnoxious tracks in the sand after the thieves. We came upon them as they sang about some Ranamon.

"Hold it Right there you thieves! What do you mean Ranamon the ravishing?" Takuya snapped as we came to a halt. Ready for a standoff.

"Give us our D-Tectors back right now!" Koji snapped at them.

"No way no how!" The leader said. "These little babies are our ticket to go on a date with Ranamon!"

"Take it from me guys, your delusional!" JP yelled to him.

"Trust us, she's nothing but a selfish sea witch." I said stomping my foot. "Now give them back!"

"You can't make us! Now scram!" The leader ordered and I growled taking a step forward.

"Maybe we should be doing the scramming." Said another and there was a pause as they looked at us. "…Scramming!" They all yelled and took off.

"Hey! Get back here!" Tommy yelled as we chased them down.

"This is soo dumb!" Takuya groaned. As we chased them down the beach the sound of splashing reached our ears. We turned to sea pillars of water raising up "Oh this cannot be good." He said as he spotted who was causing the anomaly.

"Oh dear it's Ranamon!" Bokomon said pulling his book out as the southern witch of the sea greeted us. "She is the warrior of water and very evil."

"Nooo really?" I asked obviously still in a snippy mood.

"Hi Y'all!" The southern bell of a digimon chirped out as she sent us a way. Yeah, like she totally didn't want to kill us. Bokomon pulled out his book and began flipping through it to give us any information he could that could help us in this fight.

"She's the warrior of water and very evil." Bokomon read out seriously. I resisted my urge to take that book and just flat out punt it into the head of Ranamon. It'd be more useful that way for sure.

"Well of course she is!" Takuya pointed out.

"She sure has lousy timing." Koji scoffed already on the defensive.

"More like perfect timing for her." I tacked on, clenching my fist tighter, what good would I be in a fight without my spirit?

"Well," Ranamon started. "What a pleasant surprise! I had hoped I would see y'all again!" She said raising her hands. "I had wanted my beat spirit to show you first but everything happens for a reason," she cooed and began twiddling her fingers motioning, for us to give her our spirits. "we can't have everything! Now be good little children and hand over your spirits. I'd love to stick around and chat but quite honestly you bore me to tears!" She giggled and put her hands behind her back like an innocent child would. "How does that sound to you lot?"

Zoe, frustrated and determined, stepped forward with her hands clasped at her hips. "Sounds stupid to me!" she scoffed.

"But we don't have our D-Tectors." Koji hissed to her.

"I'll handle her!" Zoe said waving him off.

"Zoe!" JP said trying to get her to see reason. There was no way she could take on Ranamon right? I mean we barely could as a team and we had outnumbered our opponents.

"Don't worry about it JP," Zoe huffed as she crossed her arms defiantly. "I'll beat her no problem!"

"Zoe don't act cocky!" I yelled at her seriously.

"Oh goody goody!" Ranamon sneered, face like a beautiful demon right before she slit your throat. "This is going to be fun!" she cackled and the water spouts all shifted at her telepathic command. Soon winds gusted as they swirled around each other, causing a sudden and isolated tropical storm. We all struggled to stay on our feet, the winds almost sending us tumbling.

"Oh man this was supposed to be a vacation!" Tommy yelled as I took him into my arms and knelt down to the ground, trying to anchor myself better with him and shield him from any possible debris.

"This is very very bad," Bokomon yelled over the winds, somehow still reading that stupid book. "as long as she is in or near water her offensive capabilities exponentially increase!"

"That might have been good to know earlier!" I yelled to him.

"I'm guessing that's bad?" Neemon asked slowly.

"I just said this is very very bad!" Bokomon snapped.

"That water sure has a nasty temper." Zoe quipped as she pulled out her D-Tector.

"Zoe, look, you can't do this!" JP begged her.

"I need to make up for lost time, from when I wasn't able to spirit evolve." Zoe said seriously.

"Goody goody!" Neemon cheered for her.

"I never felt this helpless before." Jp groaned as he looked over at us struggling to stay up right.

"Just leave it to me! Execute! Spirit Evolution!" Zoe yelled, barely heard above the howling wind as she evolved into her human digimon spirit. "Kazemon!"

"Really Sugar do you seriously think you can take me on by yourself?" Ranamon mocked her as the two female digimon faced off.

"That's a stupid question, of course I do, sugar." Kazemon mocked right back at her.

"So now you're going to mock me?!" Ranamon said in sarcastic gall.

"I wouldn't dream of it, I'd rather fight!" the fairy digimon growled and threw the first punch, only to be stopped by a wall of water. A chase ensued, pillars of water darting at Kazemon who flew at her top speed to avoid being hit and possible drowned. Eventually she was able to break apart the perusing water by sharp turning up the cliff side, causing them to collide. The rest were easily taken out by a Hurricane Wave attack. But of course Ranamon could just summon more water, being in her element and all, literally! But right when a new round was about to start it just…didn't.

"What's going on?" I asked my friend worriedly as the water broke apart and fell back into the ocean. "Why is she stopping?"

"I don't know, I can't hear them, they're too far out now." Koji grunted, vibrant blue eyes now dark in thought, trailing Ranamon as she suddenly dove into the water. Moments later loud laughter can be heard all around us, echoing with maniacal glee.

"It's all over now!" Ranamon cackled as the water began to glow a white light.

"What's happening?!" Koji yelled in panic.

"I think I might have an idea, and you are not going to like the answer." I said staring at the glow, the gears in my brain slowly grinding out an answer. The water erupted upward, something large emerging from the ocean.

"Here I am! In all my radiant beauty!" Ranamon announced, "Aren't ya'll impressed?"

My jaw dropped as I took her in. Well, it was an…impressive difference that was sure. Now, I hadn't thought Ranamon was as beautiful as others made her out to be, maybe because I knew just how rotten she was on the inside. But this appearance really showed her true colors some would say. No longer an innocent almost childlike appearance with big baby blues and charming smile. No now a monster stood in her place. Well, not really stood considering she had no legs, just a squid…octopus…thing. Her top half wasn't that bad looking actually with long purple hair and glowing red eyes. What made it bad was that it looked like someone's demented version of Ursula from The Little Mermaid. Where those eyes around the top of it?! God had someone just stuffed a mermaid down the beak of a squid?! Ewe ew!

"I can tell my your faces you still need convicing!" the squid lady said. "Maybe you just need a closer look at the sweet Calmarimon." Calmarimon…like calamari? ….Nope, never eating that again. "I'll be more than happy to oblige!" she laughed and marched over the water with her two longest tentecles and onto the beach.

"No…No you can stay over there! Far, far, far over there!" I cried backing away from her as she began her rampage.

"That is one ugly…" Takuya started but trailed off, not knowing what to call her.

"…Cecaelia?" I offered. "Half human half octopus. I mean if you count her two arms she does have eight limbs-…"I ranted with wide eyes not moving from her large form.

"And she is not nice." Tommy mumbled from my side, still pressed close under my arm.

"And she smells like fish." JP added.

"OH~!" Calmarimon growled. "Who do you think you are? You can't insult Calmarimon and get away with it!" She cried and started attacking once more.

"Scatter!" I yelled and we all took off separately. Kazemon stepped in with a flurry of kicks to fend her off and away from us but got batted into the ground by the much bigger digimon.

"Oh I'm sorry sugar," Calmarimon mocked. "Are you not enjoying our little dance? Maybe I should turn up the music."

"Zoe!" Takuya yelled in panic, seeing her pinned. "Look out!"

"Tata honey!" Calmarimon laughed and pushed herself into the air were her squid half seemed to twist into a drill like form. "Titanic Tempest!" She cried and we all gave a scream as she came down. But the squid drill flew off course, going this way and that. We all couldn't help but look on in confusion. What was going on? Did she get dizzy or something?

"Umm, okay?" Kazemon said getting up to watch her enemy disappear into the horizon, spinning like a top.

"What just happened here?" Takuya asked.

"Well, it would seem that she has just the same amount of control over her beast spirit as you lot." Bokomon explained as Zoe dispirit evolved.

"So I guess," JP started.

"We're okay." We all chimed in together in relif. I sat down on the ground to take a short breather. I never felt so helpless before, not since getting my spirit. It's kind of scary to see now how dependent we've all become on being able to spirit evolve. This must have been how Zoe felt these past few weeks after Grumblemon took her spirit.

"Um guys," Zoe said approaching us. "What happened to the Toucanmon?" We all froze and turned our heads, only to be meet with foot prints and long gone digimon.

"No!" I groaned falling back into the sand. "No, no, no, NO!"

"We forgot all about them." JP sighing running a hand through his short hair.

"Those bird brains still have our D-Tectors!" Takuya yelled out, fists clenching.

"With the way they waddle they couldn't have gotten far!" Koji said and grasped my hand. Before I could tell he had yanked me from the ground and took off into a run, dragging me along with him.

"Then let's go get them!" Takuya ordered everyone and followed after us.

Let's pray we don't run into anything else before we do. Or else we're sitting ducks. I thought to myself. I could almost feel hidden eyes boring into my back, targeting me in this moment of vulnerability. She could attack me right now, Hakanimon would have no problem eliminating me this time.

She'll find me, and more than likely, she'll kill me the first chance she gets.

There we go guys. Seems like little Neru is growing up. When put under pressure it's time to give up or own up and thankfully she's done the latter, but will it be enough? With a homicidal Digimon out for your blood specifically, being spiritless is not something you want to be. Find out if she survives next time on Digimon Frontier: Pounding Rhythms.