During Kousei's explanation, Hanarei slightly twitched when he mentioned the previous generation's dark sides coming out. She ignored it but Hisennyumon, who was close enough to clearly see the twitch, was eyeing her partner.

Hanarei watched Shireika walk off away from the group and down to the beach. "Looks like her Highness still has some fire in her," said Hanarei.

"And Enma, you're right. What was I thinking? It would feel better if we did tear into him with our own hands." She glanced down at Kousei. "Just another helpful warning as to what will happen if you double-cross us." She leaned closer to Kousei's face. A sneer was on Hanarei's face as she looked down on him. "You have no idea how much pleasure I am getting by looking down on you. The powerful Akurei practically begging for forgiveness."

"Don't you think you're going a bit overboard here, Hanarei?" Hisennyumon whispered into Hanarei's ear.

"After everything he's done," she said as images passed through her mind in rapid fire, "he deserves it."

***

Shouki remained quiet during Kousei's explanation. A part of him couldn't help feeling sorry for the guy. "So you did all this because...," he said slowly, "you were trying to find a loved one that you lost?"

Reimumon was close to whapping his partner with his sash again but held back. He understood why Shouki would bring up a question like that.

"Trying to find someone you lost is indeed something anyone would do, but to do it the way you did was unacceptable," Shouki said in a calm voice.

Shouki turned to watch Shireika walking away to the beach. Personally, Shouki agreed with Shireika and figured they would have to trust Kousei's word. "Shouldn't someone go talk to her? She looks upset." Reimumon looked up at Shouki as though signaling for him to go. Shouki was slightly shocked by this. "But, but I'm not that good on talking about... this sort of thing."

***

Wrapping the raincoat around her, Asayake half-smiled at Tomeo. Her gaze, however, had followed Shireika to the beach, and she looked after her sadly. The redhead knew exactly how she felt -- betrayed, hurt, used, all of that -- but she felt unable to talk about it so freely. She felt a shiver run through her again, and pulled the jacket coser to herself. At first, she had wanted to chew Kousei out until her throat was raw; that had faded to being annoyed, which then became a slight feeling of unease. Now, however, she felt as if they'd just broken something that had only begun to mend. Casting a glance at Kousei, something in the back of her mind told her they had. "I don't know what I expected to happen here," she mumbled, staring at the ground, "But I certainly don't feel any better for it."

But was it possible that Kousei had actually started to care about Shireika? It didn't seem likely at all. Asayake felt like she wanted to cry, but she really didn't know why; maybe all of this was just too familiar. She inhaled deeply, in an effort to calm herself down, when she caught a whiff of one of the foulest substances in the world; tobacco. Her heart raced as she whirled around, looking for the source of the cigarette smoke that invaided her lungs, but the fog was far too thick to see much of anything. A dull, red pinpoint of light ignited in the distance, but it disappeared soon after, leaving her senses in a whirlwind. It wasn't him; he couldn't be here; it was just someone walking through the fog with a cigarette, nothing more. Unconsciously she moved a little bit closer to Tomeo, still tossing skittish glances over her shoulder, until she felt their shoulders bump together. Startled, she took a step back from him, her face frowing slightly pale. "S-sorry," she stuttered, trying to gather more non-existant bollows of jacket to her chest, "Uh... Sorry."

***

“That’s better.” Tomeo said in satisfaction to Kousei, and then considered Shouki’s words. “Kousei, maybe you’ve got it wrong. The Fates might have told you to recover something you lost, but it doesn’t mean it was your powers. It could mean something else, or someone…” He was cut off from saying anything else as he felt someone bump into his shoulder.

"That's okay..." Tomeo said, after Asayake apologized for bumping into him, and smiled faintly at her. Before, he had been satisfied with the thought that Kousei had finally answered and sworn not to go after his powers. He still seemed persistent in getting them after expressing his wishes that the digidestined would grant him his powers someday; 'Fat chance...' he had thought to himself.

Now, however, he couldn't help but feel a little crestfallen. Hearing Shireika talk openly about being used by Kousei, he couldn't help but feel sorry towards the girl. Kousei he could care less about, his past and actions during the present had brought more than enough pain on himself, but Shireika was his friend and he didn't like seeing her get hurt like that.

And being nudged gently out of his thoughts by Asayake, he could see that now she looked like she was a little disheartened as well. He could see signs of the beginnings of tears in her eyes, and hear it in her voice.

"Hey." he said softly, and with little hesitation and a little bit of bravery stepped behind Asayake and rubbed her shoulders lightly, in an attempt to comfort her and warm her up at the same time, but mostly for the former. He did not bother to ask her what was the matter; he knew better this time that he wouldn't get a complete answer, and words weren't needed in a moment like this. Leviamon, who had remained beached in the water, glanced after Kousei and then, Shireika. She did feel a little compelled to smash Kousei into little bits for what he had done to Shireika, but she wasn't without compassion and felt the human had suffered enough. Instead, she looked at Tegiwa, who was closest to her.

"Tegiwa, you should go talk to her." she said, egging him on after Shireika. "Go on, apart from Ravenmon you're the one she trusts the most, but I think she'd appreciate hearing it from you."

***

"Okay, we'll trust you as long as we can keep an eye on you, but as far as I'm concerned the day you get the key is the same day the Pope becomes a Jehovah's Witness." A sidelong glance at Shireika reminded him of who would decide that bussiness. Or, likely would. "What I really want to know is: if you just plucked the prophecy from the book, then where is the real theat that triggered the digimon. Normally, we'd have Gennai to instruct us. Now we seem to be on our own if you aren't the an with the answers." Tegiwa couldn't decide if he wanted to look at his feet or Shireika instead of at Kousei as he spoke.

A harsh laugh sounded from behind the group as a tall woman with long black hair strode toward Kousei. She was stern looking, but her amethyst eyes held a sparkle of golden mirth. "Well, if it isn't little Kousei playing in the dirt with his friends. Aren't you a bit old for this sort of thing?" The woman offered him a hand to stand up. "It's not diginified to be seen like this." she whispered to him. She gave him time to right himself and

"Obasan..." Tegiwa whispered.

"Now, quit shoving him around. You have your promise. No one in Kosei's family is know to have gone back on a deal. We've done bussiness for years. Akurei kept his word from what I hear." She stared at the others in a no-nonsense manner which said she'd kick their asses if they started something now. She set her attache case on the ground and rumaged for something inside.

"Obasan why are you here exactly."

"I was worried..." she mumbled, "Besides, you need a witness that isn't a kid and a notary...I'm both."

"For what exactly?"

Robotmon pointed to the case. "For a contract you need a witness and notary. The witness must be over 18"

"I can't believe I lost something I just printed." She had already removed three ets of blueprints, a portable coffee maker, something that looked like a rayguy, and a rubber duck from her case. "Ah, here it is. Kousei, minna, read this over and see if i transcribed the agreement right."

The papers she handed out had a much nicer and cleaner sounding agreement than what SHireika had asked, not to mention more legal in style; however, the contents were the same.

"If it's okay, then everbody come here and sign everyone else's copy in from of me. Then, prick you finger and seal it in blood...hehehe....I'm only kidding. Just stamp your seal in ink and make your signature offical."

"Obasan, how did you know..."

"Dumb question. I've been following all this for some time. And, yes, I was listening in from a distance so I could type up the aggrement...or call an ambulance. Whichever was needed."

"Your Aunt's been following us, Tegiwa? That's just wierd." Naoko read over the agreement and signed it.

"My entire family is wierd."

"I would have never guessed."

Tegiwa sidled over to Shereika. "You did well. I think we stand a ghost of a chance of trusting him if he makes this deal legal. He may be Akurei, but without his powers all he has is his family name. I don't think his pride would allow him to break any oath, but this should keep....others in line as well." He put his arm around her. "Just let go of it. He used all of us. It' over now and we know the truth. You were right; we were stupid to believe him from the start. If we hadn't fought him we would have been dupes." Tegiwa got the idea this was touching Shireika on a whole other level. It was a heart wound for her and it would take time to heal. "You can always count on me if you need to talk in private."

***

"I can never her again," Kousei said to Shouki and Tomeo. "She's been gone since my days as the White Dragon, and I can never find her again. Never." He didn't want to talk about it anymore. Her horrible death would haunt him until the Fates let him rest his soul, and all the events that happened afterwards. It was far too complicated for these young protectors to understand. Besides, he had given up on finding her ever again. All he had left was a sense of revenge and honor, which he now had to give up. There wasn't any point to it anymore.

Hanshin grabbed the papers from Tegiwa's aunt and looked them over. He glared over at Kousei and thrusted the set of legal papers at him.

"Sign it," the child of light demanded. "Sign it, or she'll need to call an ambulance for her."

"He's so much like his parents," Kousei mumbled as he took the forms.

"Shut the fuck up. You're the one who's messed up, remember? You're the one who tried to kill people. Who's the reborn Akurei here? And don't forget what you did to my sister!" He pointed in the direction that Shireika had left in. "You dare touch her once more, and I swear I'll have your head on a platter. She doesn't need someone like you. I don't care if you supposedly care about her now. That's doesn't excuse the fact that you've hurt her."

"You have, too, Hanshin."

"That's beside the point. At least she knows that I still care about her. At least she knows that I will do anything to protect her from people like you."

"She doesn't need you to protect her. From what I can tell, she doesn't need you, period."

"Just sign the stupid forms, and stay the hell away from my sister," Hanshin ordered. He looked at Tegiwa's aunt. "If you can some sort of restraining order put on him, do it. I want him as far away from Shireika as possible."

"Here," Kousei said as he showed Hanshin his signature and handed the forms to Tegiwa's aunt.

"Good," Hanshin growled as he left the meeting. He stopped as he looked on at Tegiwa and Shireika. He was relieved that Tegiwa was supporting her. She needed someone like Tegiwa to take care of her, not that she really need to be taken of much, but she needed someone who would admire and respect her. Kousei hadn't. He had used her and had meant to from the beginning.

***

Shireika looked towards Tegiwa, tears falling her eyes. She brought up a hand to cover over her mouth. She didn't say a single word. She had none to say anymore. She had said everything she had wanted to already: tell Kousei that he had hurt her. She leaned forward, letting her head rest on Tegiwa's shoulder.

"Just tell me that this will all be over, that everything will be all right," she whispered. "That everything will work out like it's supposed to."

***

Hanarei practically jumped at the sudden appearance of Tegiwa's aunt. "Gah, where in the world did you come from?" she hissed once the shock wore off. Hanarei was even more surprised by the fact that she had documents for the oocasion. "You're kidding me. You actually went to the trouble of making that?" She turned to Naoko. "He's right; the entire family is weird."

Hanarei wasn't entirely happy with Kousei signing the documents. She still wanted one more fight so she could digivolve and have another go with the images. Still, she didn't mind that one of their enemies, or past enemy, was now defeated. "I wonder when our next challenge will rear its ugly head," she said.

***

"No," Shouki said in a gloomy tone, "you can't find her again. The best you can do is honor her memory and never forget her."

Shouki was also surprised by Tegiwa's aunt but, in a way, was glad to see her. When Kousei signed the papers, Shouki felt as though the ordeal was over with, for now. He remembered the Dark Queen that kept being mentioned and wondered when she would appear before them.

***

Enma rubbed the bridge of her nose as Tegiwa's aunt showed up. "This is like something out of a bad TV show." She mumbled to herself. She stretched and looked around. "Well, if we're done here, I have stuff I've got to do." She said, watching Kousei sign the papers. "This whole thing has been like some major acid trip." She cracked her neck, turning to Hanarei slightly. "Well, maybe we'll get to tear someone a new one together some other time." She pushed a chunck of red hair out of her eyes.

***

Asayake shivered again, leaning back into Tomeo's chest. "I'm okay," she mumbled, gasting a nervous glance behind her; the light was gone, "I just thought... Whatever. It doesn't matter." Relaxing a little now that her overactive imagination had calmed down, Asayake turned around an pinned Tomeo in a loose hug. She burrowed her cheek into the crook of his neck, and forced a small laugh. "You're always around to help me out, aren't you?"

"Asayake, your Raspberry is goign crazy again!" Rogishimon cried, fishing it out of Asayake's bag and nudging her with it in the side of the head. Asayake swatted at her, but laughed and took the mini-computer from her.

"It's called a Blackberry, but thanks anyhow." She flipped it open, and frowned. "I don't recognize this address...?" Scanning the message once over, her eyes grew wide. "Oh, no way." After three more read-throughs, Asayake typed a furiously short message in response, sent it off, and smiled until she thought her face would break. "Suki's coming back. Suki's coming back!" Feeling little bubbles of joy travel up from her stomach, Asayake began what could only be called a rather idiotic happy-dance, grabbing a hold of Roshishimon and twirling her around over her head, laughing all the while. "She's coming back from France! She'll be here in five days! SUKI'S COMING BACK, WAHOOOO!"

***

"Please, Kousei. You shouldn't look so shocked. You'd remember who I am if youc came to more board meetings like your dad wants. I'm Fuhen Trinity of the Desu Cartel. Y'know....Your Group and my group have had little companies together....Well, I heard about this meeting and couldn't let my nephew and these kids make some sort of pact with the Devil without me making sure their names were spelt right and their rear ends covered. Uh-hum" Trinity gave Kousei a cunt smile.

"As for the rest of you, namely Hanshin and Tegiwa, you aren't to bother him either. Both sides in this agreement are leave each other alone. Period. I think you guys are old enough to be able to do that right? I thought so..." Trinity didn't exactly sound convince. "Well, Kousei-san, call me if the runts bug you. I'll box thei ears. Hehehe, Imagine that, Kousei was once Akurei. You know, your father is the only one who would consider that a step down. Ja na minna. Play nice kids." Trinity gathered up her items and tossed them back in her case before wandering off into the fog.

Tegiwa was mildly amused when he realized she counted Kousei in her "kids" remark. Kousei only had a few years on them afterall. He hoped the peace they had forged would last a while. He felt Kousei would keep his part of the bargain. Kousei seemed to have lost everything including the will to live. "Yeah, Shireika, I think everything will workout now the way it's supposed to. Hanshin may need sedating, but th others will calm down now. I think I can trust Kousei just a little as long as I have you...guys with me." He started to glow red again under his tan.

Robotmon grated out a comment, "How else can things turn out than the way they are meant? Or, how would we know the difference?"

"Egad, what a scene your aunt made Tegiwa. Was that really necessary? I could have done as much...." Naoko folded her arms arcoss her chest, pouting.

"But, you're too young right, Aneeki?" Tetsumon inquired.

"Too young for a lot of things, but that never stopped me. Anyway, I like how Trinity came prepared with all that stuff, just not the flashiness of it all. Boom! Here I am! Whoosh! Whoosh! Sign these! then out. Tacky." Naoko grimaced.

"But, Aneeki, you do that all the time. You are kidding right.?"

"Of course, I'm kidding you 500lb paperweight. She's great! I wonder if she needs a assistant." Stars flashed in Naoko's eyes. "I could learn alot from a woman like that. And, she looks pretty good for being that pale bitch's sister. Don't you think?"

Tetsumon shook his head. He doubted the woman would want Naoko's kind of assistance.

***

Shireika sat by a window in a classroom by herself as she ate her lunch. It had been nearly two months since the ordeal with Kousei had ended. It seemed that her heart had mended, or, at least, she was covering it better now. She had begun smiling more often now, and she seemed ready to move on. Since returning to school after New Year's, she had begun to wear her old uniform shirts which were tighter on her figure. Her skirts were a little shorter than they used to be, and she had begun to wear a little make-up to school now.

She looked around the room and smiled a one of the boys from the soccer team who had been staring at her. She knew that her classmates were starting to look at her more often now, which made her feel a little uncomfortable. She picked at her lunch until she sensed someone standing next to her and looked up at the person who had joined her.

"Oh, hi, Tegiwa," she said cheerfully as she stuffed a bit of rice into her mouth. "What's up?" She pointed at the desk in front of hers with her chopsticks, signalling that he should sit down with her.

***

Hanshin walked down the hallways at Tokyo Academy with Hiroshi and Yukio in search of their usual group for lunch. Though, it was most likely that they would just have to find a room and wait for others to show up.

"Is it just me, or did your sister suddenly get hotter after Winter Break?" Yukio asked after they had passed a classroom. "She was already hot to begin with, but she's done something. The guys are still talking about it in the locker rooms after PE."

Hanshin looked back quickly, seeing Tegiwa standing next to Shireika. He was relieved to know that at least most guys were leaving her alone. He knew that his male classmates had taken particular notice of his twin sister recently. She had been spending more time getting ready in the more lately. He hadn't asked her about it yet, but he supposed that she was probably trying to move on from the Kousei ordeal. After all, he had hurt her badly. Still, he wasn't sure what was going on in her head, but she didn't seem to mind the attention she was receiving with her new look. She just seemed a little more girly than she used to be - more of a woman.

"She might have made a resolution to try a new style or something," Hanshin suggested.

"Well, whatever it is, don't let her stop," Yukio replied as the three of them sat down in another classroom.

***

Hanarei was walking down the school hallway, glancing every now and then into a room. She noticed Shireika and Tegiwa and quickly looked away. Hanarei was still able to notice the way Shireika was wearing her school uniform. 'Well her Highness seems to be showing more of her highness these days,' Hanarei thought. She walked by the room since she needed to get a few things from her locker. That and allow Himotomon to breath fresh air again.

A part of Hanarei kept thinking Kousei would double-cross them somehow and attack at any moment so she decided to keep Himotomon with her. Himotomon was thankful since the one time Hanarei left her at home, Yume decided to play with the digimon for an unforgetful hour (unfortunately).

Hanarei opened her locker and Himotomon fell to the floor along with a few books. "We really should rethink this plan of me staying in there every hour," Himotomon panted. "Although I did hear a bit of good gossip of some girl named Kyoko."

"I know already," said Hanarei. "She's not a real blonde. Listen, you didn't happen to see or hear anything about Yuki, did you?"

"Still nervous about the dinner party thingy?"

"How can I not?" Hanarei's eyes suddenly looked glazed. "The boy of dreams coming over to my house for dinner. I couldn't believe it when I my dad said he invited Haru and her family to dinner at home. If I wasn't angry with my dad before that, I could have kissed him."

Himotomon was getting tired of this convesation with Hanarei as the girl kept bring it up almost every time they talked together. "For your information, no, I haven't seen nor heard Yuki this entire time."

"Hmmp, well, I may as well sit down somewhere and eat lunch before I go off to find him and talk to him." She put away her books and tried to close her door. Himotomon signaled she wanted out and jumped into Hanarei's bag before the door was closed.

"I'm gonna look for Enma," said Hanarei as she walked down the hallway. "See what she's up to."

***

"C'mon, lighten up," said Kirimon as he rode in Shouki's bag. "How many people can actually say they have a stalker?"

"Quite a few and that's usually not a good thing."

"At least you kept it together during that concert when that girl threw her pant-."

"Please don't repeat that incident," Shouki moaned. He was trying to look for Hanshin and the rest of the band for a few minutes. Shouki tried to look for a crowd of fans surrounding them but that idea had failed so far.

Shouki had just walked around a corner when he saw three girls standing before him. He almost jumped until he realized who the girls were; Mika, Kumiko, and Kinoha. "Oh, hi," he said, giving a small sigh of relief.

"Hi there yourself," Kumiko responded. "You've been quite busy these days."

"Yeah, we almost rarely see you," Mika added. The two friends glanced back at Kinoha and frowned. Kinoha was remaining her quiet, way-too-shy-for-her-own-good personality. "You haven't even seen Kinoha's new look." Both Kumiko and Mika stepped back and bumped Kinoha. Kinoha let out a small yelp out of surprise and stumbled forward into Shouki.

Both Kinoha and Shouki blushed under the circumstances. Mika and Kumiko were giving each other a behind the back low-five for their well planned bump. Kinoha quickly stood up and stepped back a few paces. "S-s-sorry about that, Shouki," she said.

"It's-it's okay," Shouki responded. He then noticed Kinoha's new look. She grew out her hair quite a bit and had tied it into a braided, single ponytail that hung over her right shoulder and down her front. "Um, I like the look."

"T-thanks."

There was some silence between them until Shouki spoke up. "I was just going to find Hanshin and the rest of the band. I better get going."

"Can I come too?" Kinoha quickly asked. "It's just that I... want to meet the rest of the band members."

"Sure, I guess. I'm pretty sure the others wouldn't mind. They can be a little out of hand but they're nice so don't worry." Shouki led the way with Kinoha following behind him.

As soon as the two were out of sight, Kumiko threw her fist into the air while Mika leapt in the air for a job well done.

"Yes, we did it. We got Kinoha to go hang out with Shouki." Said Kumiko. "And nice job on the hair style."

"It wasn't much. I got the idea from an old web comic."

"Let's just hope Shouki starts to notice Kinoha a little more than that Yuu girl. She seems to be getting to close to him if you know what I mean."

"We can only hope for the best here. Now come on, let's get some lunch."

Meanwhile, Shouki and Kinoha made their way over to the classroom with Hanshin and the rest of the band. Shouki, in his usual tone, said hello to the group while Kinoha said a nervous, "H-h-hello."

***

Enma's locker door was pulled open quickly, and the girl glared at the books cluttered around. "Stupid history test...who cares about what happened hundreds of years ago, anyway." She muttered. She let her backpack drop to the floor, and her books fell ungracefully out. Enma pulled out the books she'd need and put them on the floor, before picking up the ones that had been in her bag previously. She searched around in her locker for a few minutes before grabbing her small bento box. She opened it and made a face. "Who in their right mind puts cauliflower and strawberries together?" She groused, closing it.

Slamming her locker door shut and grabbing her bag, Enma started down the hall. She sat down on a window ledge and opened the bento box again. Her bag slipped down onto the floor, but nothing fell out. Enma closed her eyes and tilted her head back, before opening her eyes and looking at her watch. She winced. "Great, I barely have time to eat." She used her chopsticks to pick through the cauliflower and take the strawberries out.

***

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” Toshi spoke quietly to his self as he sat at his desk. He was staring at the letter that he’d printed out not to long after he’d received it. His bento box laid at the edge of his desk forgotten and a milk bone shaped cookie was dangling from his mouth. “Whoever said that couldn’t have meant this.”

[Dear Gunshin Toshiwakai,

I am Professor Yasuragi Matsuro, from Tokyo University. I am also in contact with a group of entities called the Fates, who are all-powerful controllers of the universe. It is extremely difficult to explain all of this, and it will take much explanation and time before you believe any of this. You are a part of an elite group in the universe called the Protectors. Many call will call you a digi-destined, for you bear powers from this world and the Digital World. If you do not believe me, refer to the list of other digi-destined I have included. Those in your generation are also at Tokyo Academy as well. Please, as a former digi-destined, I request that you contact them and ask them what this all means. They can explain it better than perhaps I can. However, if you want to ask me questions, I am available for that. Do not be frightened, and do not ignore any of this. This your destiny, as the child of honor.

Dr. Yasuragi Matsuro]

“I’m a Protector of the universe, go figure.” He swallowed his cookie and then quickly polished off his lunch. “All right. I’ll bite.” Toshi stood up, stuffed the letter back into his pocket, and pulled out another sheet of paper. This one contained the list of other digi-destined. “Let’s see. Who do I know?” His eyes ran over the list several times, but nothing was clicking upstairs. He knew of some of these people, but new guy or not, who at this school didn’t? Did he know them, though? “Absolutely no-stinkin’-body. Oh well. A little investigating never killed anybody…Well, never killed anybody I know.”

With that decided Toshi stepped out into the hall and grabbed the first random student who crossed his path. “Hey, could you do me a favor? This ring any bells for you?” The boy stared at the list Toshi had shoved in his face and with a slightly confused expression pointed out a girl. “Her, huh? Which one?” The boy placed his finger over a name. “Thanks, I owe you one.” Toshi released him and shuffled his way towards the girl. He stopped right in front of her, watched her for a moment, and then with a bright smile said, “I guess you’re not a big fan of strawberries, huh?” He immediately clamped his mouth shut. That hadn’t been what he’d wanted to say. “I mean, are you Kodomojimita Enma?”

***

With Asayake’s arms clasped tightly around him again, Tomeo couldn’t help but return the embrace even if the entire group was watching them, pressing his head against hers. “Yeah, I guess…” he said sheepishly in reply to her, before she let go to answer her e-mail. He almost let out a yelp when he felt her slip away and overheard someone was coming; quickly the image of a boy visiting Asayake and sweeping her off her feet suddenly developed from within his paranoia in the back of his mind. “Oh, no, what if it’s her boyfriend!?” he was about to seriously consider, feeling like if he was in an anime he was about grasp his heart as if having a heart attack, turn completely white and fall over from the shock. When his insecurities finally shut up for half a second, he finally heard Asayake’s friend was a ‘she’ and let out a shallow sigh of relief, followed by a rapidly growing grin.

“That’s great! I dunno who Suki is, but I’m happy for you!” he said, and when he looked towards the group to see if he had drawn too much attention to himself, he realized the meeting was over. Which was good, because to be honest he hadn’t entirely looked forward towards the idea of killing Kousei. He looked towards Leviamon, who had still regained her Champion form, splashing her tail behind her as she looked at Tomeo as if eager to go. He nodded to her, and looked at Asayake. “Hey, Leviamon won’t be de-digivolving for a while, so you wanna come with us out on the water? It’s great, we might as well get out there while the weather’s still foggy.” He took her by the hand and pulled her gently towards the waves to persuade her, turning to look at his partner. “Okay, Leviamon, let’s roll!”

***

It had felt like forever since Tomeo had been back into Tokyo Academy, and though he had regretted having to have school and home work again, he had looked forward to it for a number of reasons. First of all he would get to see the other digidestined together more regularly than he had over the break period; and track tryouts were being held again for the school’s sprint team, that would go on to competing for the regional championship, followed by the national championships. After getting various heavy textbooks and notepads out of his bag and into his locker, which Parumon expressed how glad she was about it since it gave her more room in her hiding place, he shut it and went about looking for the others during break. He spotted Hanarei leaving her locker and quickly upped the pace behind her, catching up to her down the corridor. “Hey Hanarei, how’s things?” he asked, which was followed by a small “Hi!” whispered from Parumon as she caught a glimpse of Hitomomon in Hanarei’s bag.

“Hey, what’d ya know? I’d never thought I’d see you hanging around a girl. Is she your bird?” came a voice from behind him, a deep and sultry one that made Tomeo pause on the spot, before he slowly turned around to face the boy who had addressed him.

Tomeo narrowed his eyes into a scowl. “You…” he said with some disappointment, eyeing the other boy up and down as he compared to the memory of seeing him last, and couldn’t help smothering the distaste in his tone as if he was cursing some swearword. “… Kanjin.”

The blue-eyed, brown long-haired boy gave a smirk towards the two digidestined. “Aren’t you gonna say hi to me, Toyogawa? It’s been so long since we last saw each other, I thought you’d be happy to see me.”

“You didn’t say hi to me, so why should I?.” Tomeo said blankly, and looked with some shock as he registered that Hanshin was wearing the school uniform. “You’re a student? I thought you went to that high school downtown… you know, that one with the metal detector and the security wardens?” he said amusingly, noticing how Kanjin’s hair had grown out and he had tied it back into a crude ponytail, with what looked like a rubber band, in an attempt to look neater.

“Funny, Toyogawa.” Kanjin snickered again, this time exchanging glances with Hanarei as he spoke. “As a matter of fact, I got transferred here thanks to a friend of mine up in high society, so I’m here to stay. It’s good to know people up the corporate ladder… but you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you Toyogawa?” he chuckled, giving Tomeo a hard slap on the shoulder.

“Stop calling me that…” Tomeo mumbled, rubbing the spot on his shoulder, and looked around to make sure no-one else was overhearing them. “So, apparently, you’re… you’re one of us, one of the new digidestined…” Again, he spat it out as if he had tasted something bad.

“Digi-what? Oh, so you were the one who sent that elaborately childish e-mail, eh? I thought you were better than that, Toyogawa… not surprisingly, I was wrong. Anyway, we’ve got a lot to catch up on regardless, eh?” Kanjin grimaced, and turned his attention on Hanarei again, completely ignoring Tomeo as if he wasn’t even there. “So, what’s your name, beautiful? Care to take me on a private tour of the place? We can do anything you want, and I mean anything…”

“Shut up, Kanjin.” Tomeo interrupted, who by now had his hands by his sides and was furiously clenching and unclenching his hands into fists. “She’s not my ‘bird’, but she’s taken. Go find some other chick, there’s plenty around here that would suit your tastes.”

“Fine, whatever!” Kanjin barked in half-laughter, holding palms out in front of him as in mock self-defense, but shot Tomeo a dark look as his laughter died down. “Suit yourselves, I’ll go do just that; plenty of fish in the ocean. See you around, Toyogawa.”

“Sorry about that,” Tomeo apologized to Hanarei immediately, as soon as Kanjin was out of ear-range, a distressed expression remaining on his face. “He’s such a jerk… you’d want to stay away from him as much as possible... so, have you seen any of the others around?”

Unnoticed by anyone else in the corridor, as Kanjin turned around to walk off on his own, a small pair of beedy eyes watched him from the air vent in the wall. As soon as the young man was out of sight, the beedy pair of eyes glinting in the darkness took pursuit and disappeared.

***

Asayake's hand shook slightly as she struggled with her locker; it was as if the combination kept slipping from her grasp, like the lock did, and it was beginning to press her nerves. A tired growl and a punch or two later, Asayake stuffed her books inside of her locker and tried to calm herself down. Over the past month or so, after Suki had left, it seemed to be getting worse. She was having a harder time trying to keep her stomach settled, she was developing one of the worst cases of insomnia she'd ever had, and to top it all off, when sleep did bless her with its presence, it brought a friend with it; nightmares. They were so vivid, and so real, it was as if she could taste the cigareete smoke, smell the stench of alcohol, and feel those cold, unforgiving hands...

The redhead gave her head a frantic shake. Not at school. No fainting spells at school; she'd never be able to explain them away. Taking a shaky breath, Asayake opened her bag and smiled down at the little bird sitting next to her lunch. "Hey, Ro'. You getting hungry?"

"I'm always hungry," stated the little bird, looking up at her digi-destened. Rogishimon had watched Asayake over the past month and a half; she knew why, numerous times, the redhead woke up drenched in a cold sweat and shouting for someone to stop. More than once she'd slept over the girl's forehead, in hopes that having a friend near by would calm her down, but nothing seemed to work. The digimon may not have been much more than an In-Training, but she wasn't stupid; Suki's visit, although it only lasted three weeks, had triggered something in Asayake's memories, and now it simply wouldn't leave her alone.

"Touche," said Asayake brightly -- a little too brightly, in Rogishimon's opinion -- as she closed her locker, "I think lunch is in order then, hm?" She shouldered her backpack, and went off in search of a place to eat.

***

"No, no the charges have to be set under bridge supports A, C, and D as well as on the cable anchors. The cables carry the load. If they don't fall then the rest is moot...Get it?" Tegiwa looked at his classmate.

"I guess. I'm glad you know this stuff or I'd be lost."

"Well, dad is in the Denfense Force. I grew up with stuff like this."

"I just don't get how we both got put in Physics for Military Science."

"I waited too long to sign up for my last science credit. This was all they had left."

"Ah...but I got mine in early....I wanted Chemistry. I wonder what happened? "Bad luck?" Tegiwa figured it was more like Naoko shuffling her classes again. She liked to be with friends. Mainly Hanshin, but others would do. Why did she think she had a right to mess up everyone elses schedule? The girl was so selfish if only in some ways. He hated to admit he ran into her a few time over the break and did some things Shireika would kill him for again. He didn't understand it himself. Naoko did care for him in the odd way she cared from guys other than Hanshin, but she would never love him. Now, his biggest worry was Shireika again. She had been inconsoleably depressed for the first few days, but she had brightened up by the time school resumed. However, now she was more radiant and beauitfl than ever. What was worse, the other guys were noticing too.

He thought things would be smooth sailing for him after Kousei turned out to be such a jerk Now, it looked like half the male population was drooling over her? What was he going to do? How could he find the courage to ask her out? What if it ruined everything between them. No, he had to try...He must.

***

Naoko bounced up behind Tomeo and hung an arm aroun his neck. "Hey, Tomeo, who was your rough looking friend? I'd like you to introduce us."

***

"Yo, Shouki, you psyched for tonight's concert?" Yukio asked. "New club this week." He glanced over at Kinoha and then back at Shouki. He gave Shouki a thumbs up and a grin.

Hanshin was relieved that things had settled down since their ordeal with Kousei. That meant more time for concerts and practicing, and for Naoko, she had run around to get better gigs for the group. He was glad that she willingly volunteered to take care of the business end of things. He hated it with a passion.

"Yeah, at that new club downtown. I've forgotten the name," Hanshin added. "Hey babe," he said softly as Ami joined them.

"I hate it when it rains. It means I have to wander all over the building just to find you guys," she replied as she sat in Hanshin's lap. She looked at Kinoha. "Well, you're new here. I'm Ami. And you are?" she asked as she held out a hand towards her younger classmate.

***

Tegiwa sat down obediently, but looked a little agitated. "Oh, nothing as usual, Shireika. I want this year to be different than all the others. I'm tired of drifting, you know. Well, different than digimon diffferent. School is almost over for us...." He was rambling. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but couln't bring himself to do it. This wasn't the time or the place. His inner voice was screaming at him to just do it, if he waited for the perfect and the stars to align then he'd be asking her out in the nursing home. "I'm tired of drifting...." Okay idiot you've said that twice now. "Fate or no fate I want to take action for a change. I've always taken your friendship for granted, even though you've been their for me the whole time." Dammit. Grow a spine or join the monestary. This was agonzing for him. He had to keep his resolution. "Shireika, forgive me for keeping this to myself. I...I...love you. I always have. I don't want to pretend otherwise from now on. I want you to be with me!" Open your eyes girl and see me for what I've always been, the guy who love you screamed his inner voice.

"Sumimasen, that all came out suddenly." He glanced around the room. "The idea I might lose you without saying those words has been overwhleming. I wasn't trying to startle you. I've...disturbed your lunch....shall I go?" Tegiwa folded his hands in front of him and made no effort to leave. His chestnut skin glowed a dull red on his cheeks. He managed to look her in the eyes the whole speech, unusal for him. He had been very silly, but it felt so good to tell her all that. He didn't care if it earned him a cuff on the ear. He had said it.

***

"I'm his what?" Hanarei said slowly in disbelief at Kaijin's statement. 'Is this guy even for real?' she thought. She was glad to see him leave and go out of sight. Hanarei looked at Tomeo and she showed how surprised she was by the way he acted. "That has got to be the first time I have ever seen you act like that." she said to Tomeo. "Keep it up."

Himotomon said a quiet "Hi" to Parumon in return.

If possible, Hanarei was even more shocked when Tomeo pointed out something about Kaijin. "He's one of us? You've got to be kidding me. I've just meet the guy and already I want to pound him into left field. By the way, I appreciate you standing up for me like that," Hanarei said, smiling. "Just remember that I'm a big girl and I can stand up for myself as well should there need be. Oh, and to clarify...."

"Please don't let this lead to what I think it will," Himotomon moaned.

"Yuki and I aren't exactly a couple. I've just been in love with him for several years now."

"Here we go."

Hanarei, despite her digimon's comment, continued, unphased. "But I'm hoping we'll be a couple right after a dinner party I'll be having with him. His family will be coming over for dinner sometime (my dad is friends with his mom) and I'll be with him for the whole night. It's going to be wonderful."

"She said for the thousandth time this morning," Himotomon said in a tired voice. "What I don't get is why haven't you told him earlier? Like, say, before I came so I could avoid this whole thing."

"Well, it's just that... I...." Hanarei was twidling with her fingers.

Himotomon, staring at her partner, was slowly getting the message. "You mean to tell me that you are willing to beat up random strangers, fight against digital creatures, digivolve, try and put together pieces to some unknown images, and yet you have difficulty telling a boy that you like him?"

"It's a little hard to explain."

"Apparently so."

Hanarei loudly cleared her throat in hopes of changing the subject. "Anyway, I haven't seen anyone else yet, but I was just looking for Enma. I thought I'd hang out with her a little bit. Y'know, ever since the groups joined forces two months ago, I've been seeing some of them in a whole new light." Just then, Naoko appeared around Tomeo. "And then there are others...."

"Naoko," Hanarei continued, "why don't you give it a rest with that guy already. He's new. There's no reason to scare...." She glanced over at Tomeo. "On second thought, have fun. Do whatever you want with him. I'm sure you have some sort of torture technique."

***

Shouki looked from Yukio to Kinoha and back again. Shouki had noticed the thumbs up sign but thought Yukio must have misinterpreted. He blushed and quickly tried to clarify. "Oh, um, everyone, this is Kinoha," said Shouki. Kinoha bowed politely to everyone. "She's a friend of mine and she said she wanted to meet the band."

"How do you do?" she said nervously. She shook hands with Ami. "I'm a first year here. I've been to all of your concerts." Sheepishly, she glanced over at Shouki, blushed, then looked back to the group. "I, uh, um, thank you very much."

Shouki nodded to everyone after Yukio mentioned the club. "Yeah, I know, the new club and everything. I've been practicing and everything so I'll be ready."

"You weren't ready when that girl-." Kirimon never finished what he whispered as Shouki dropped his bag, which contained Kirimon, down onto a desk with a loud thud.

Shouki sat down, soon followed by Kinoha. "So," said Shouki, "any new songs or are we going to start playing at the club with old favorites?"

***

Enma put a piece of strawberry into her mouth. "It's not that I don't enjoy strawberries." She said, not looking up. She held up a piece of cauliflower. "It's when my mother decides to leave her day job and become her inner cook that I don't like." She blanched and put the cauliflower to one side.

She looked up at Toshi, blinking slightly in suprise. "Yeah, I'm the one and only Kodomojimita Enma, at your service." She realized what she said and shook her head. "Don't take that the wrong way, or anything." She pulled her knees up to her chest and resituated herself on the window. "Here, pull up a piece of window; what do you want?" she asked.

***

"Ah, it’s a good thing that you don’t dislike them. Being a berry head myself I would have had to take offense to that. Though since you're a berry head too that would be like insulting yourself." He took the offered seat. "Kodomojimita Enma. Heh, and I thought I had a long name. This one's Gunshin Toshiwakai, but I prefer just Toshi. I’m also at your service and you can take that any way you want." Toshi shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned back against the window so he could stare up at the ceiling. "What do I want? Oooh, that’s a tough one, but I like a challenge." He really hadn’t thought that far. He couldn’t very well say, 'Hi, I’m a Protector just like you. Care to tell me what the hell this all means?' It even sounded dumb to him. Time to improvise, it seemed.

"Well actually, I lost my teddy bear so I was wondering if I could sleep with you instead." Toshi’s eyes widened in horror and he slapped a hand over his mouth. Too much improvising! "Uhh.. That’s not what I meant. Not that I wouldn’t want to." The last part he said more to his self than to Enma "S-Sorry. My mouth and hormones got away on me. Let me try that again." He opened his mouth to speak, but he was drawing a total blank. "Okay I give up," he said, standing up. "I think I know another way to salvage this conversation." Toshi ran back to his classroom, grabbed the little tin container in his backpack, and then sprinted back to Enma. "Could you give me a honest opinion of what you think of these?" He opened the container and held it out to Enma. "I know they look like dog treats, but I made them myself and I can ensure you that they’re safe for human consumption."

***

Shireika looked around the room nervously when Tegiwa had finished. Cool a cucumber, she packed up her lunch and grabbed her bag."Let's go somewhere a little more private," she whispered as she took his hand and pulled him along. She ignored a wave from a few of the boys who had been watching her all through lunch as they left the classroom. She dragged him along as she walked to her locker, knowing that most people wouldn't be in the hallways during the lunch hour designated on Saturdays. It was generally believed to be social time at Tokyo Academy during this time of the day. As she put her bag down, she looked back at Tegiwa."You love me?" she asked.

"Yeah, I guess that was a rather sudden annoucement. I've only been around you for years, so I've had plenty of time to come to appreciate you. I was going to tell you Freshman year, but I never got the nerve. You never seemed to need anyone anyway. Especially, not a guy like me. We were too different; it was so apparent that saying anything then was pointless. I would have only ruined what we had, so I just didn't say anything. Then, as time went by I was happy just being beside you. Really happy. I thought we could stay like that forever. You were happy alone. Now, School is ending, things are changing. We don't know the future.I had to tell you. I was afraid you see, of losing my chance with you by forefit. Shireika, I haven't know anyone remotely like you. You are better than the other girls in so many different ways. Maybe its because you don't need me, yet chose to rely on me. I don't know. ...yes. I love you. I'm sorry I didn't say this years ago.

Tegiwa leaned gainst the wall and looked at her. Now, she's going to chew me out for saying such things in public. Ah well. I can live with it. Teiwa already felt like a ton of lead weights had been lifted from his chest. He managed an easy smile for the first time in a long time.

"But, I do need someone," she said softly as she leaned against the wall next to Tegiwa. "I need someone like you, to listen to me and to take care of me, like you did you when we were dealing with Kousei. I need someone to support me and to let me be vulnerable. Everyone needs someone in their life like that." She reached for Tegiwa and touched his cheek. "And, so, I have you, don't I?"

Tegiwa was a little shocked, but managed to place his hand on her neck in a gentle and unawkward fashion. "Of course, did you ever doubt? You can take refuge in me, always. I love you." He leaned forward to give her a kiss. This would be the test, he thought. Could dream meet reality?

Shireika glanced around, making sure no one else was around. She grinned a little when Tegiwa leaned closer to her. Grabbing a hold of the front of his shirt, she pulled him against her as she leaned back against the wall. She fingered the front of his shirt as she bit her lower lip.

Swept away in a torrent of hormones, Tegiwa wrapped his arms around her and kissed her for long time. He put one hand against the wall as he leaned closer to her. Why had he waited so long? "Shireika...you mean the world to me. I'll do my best for you."

"I trust that you will," she whispered as she ran her hands through his blonde hair. She kissed him softly on the lips and then glanced down at her watch. "I have a preseason practice for tennis at that club downtown soon."

"Stay safe. You want me to pick you up after?"

"No, that's okay," she replied with a smile. "I'll be fine. Besides, I've got my rackets." She snuck out of his grasp and grabbed her bag from in front of her locker. She opened her locker and bent down to pulled out her tennis bag. "But, I'll see you later. We're studying together tomorrow, right?" she asked as she adjusted the bag on her shoulder.

"Of course." Tegiwa slipped out of his dream as easily as he fell into it, but the feeling left him lightheaded. It seems the more things changed the more they stayed the same.

***

Naoko stuck her tongue out at Hanarei being sure to keep Tomeo between herself and the volitile girl. "I'm full up now, but if you love me that much I'll leave a space for you." She indicated the space below her belt line which was low in any case. "Just let me know. Now, sweet Tomeo, please introduce me to that hunk of a friend you have. He's new here isn't he?" Naoko was coiled around Tomeo like a snake. "Um, please?"

***

Yuu walked down the hall towards her locker. She'd finished her lunch, or most of it, as she was just about to take some to Kuinamon. But just as she reached the locker with the sleeping digimon inside, she saw a boy she didn't recognise coming down the hall. A new student perhaps? Well, Kuinamon's lunch could wait for a polite welcome.

"Hello" she said brightly as the boy walked by. He had a loose ponytail and very blue eyes, she noticed. "You look like you're new here. Ah, I'm Shimakoto Yuu" She smiled and held her hand out to him. If she'd been listening closer to her locker right then, she might have noticed that the faint whistling snores had just ceased. Something was nearby-- he could sense it. What was it?

***

"Bye," Shireika said as she kissed Tegiwa quickly on the lips. "Don't get in trouble, all right?" As she walked off, she looked back at him. "And get a little work done today, okay? Who knows how much we'll get through tomorrow. I'll you tomorrow, Tegiwa-kun." She winked at him as she continued down the hallway. She turned around a corner and ran into someone. "Oh! I'm sorry!" She looked up at the classmate she had run into and then at Yuu. "Hey, Yuu." She bowed to the new student with the messy ponytail. "Sorry about that, again." She smiled quickly. "I've got to get to this preseason practice for my team. Maybe I'll see you guys around later." She turned away and hurried down the hallway.

***

"Nice to meet you," Ami said sweetly. "You'll have to hang out with the other girls and me more often, since you seem to know Shouki so well." She grinned. "We can even get you access backstage if you want." Ami wasn't dumb like the boys in the band, with exception to Hanshin perhaps. Ami was also female too - she could tell what was on Kinoha's mind. None of the other girls were successful in getting any of Shouki's attention, and all the girls figured out that he had no interest in anyone, not even Naoko. Naoko simply hung out with him out of pity.

"Just the set we've been using for the past month," Hanshin said to Shouki. "I haven't been inspired lately to write anything new. Same for Hiroshi. He's still stuck trying to even come up with any new lyrics."

"Sorry! I'm in a slump again," Hiroshi complained when he heard Hanshin.

"I bet a nice view of Hanshin's sister would be quite inspiring for Hiroshi, huh?" Yukio suggested.

"Will you shut up about that?" Hiroshi asked. "We all know that you just want to nail her, and we also all know that she wouldn't even give you the time of day."

"Come on. I'm only talking about her - no harm in that. You've seen her lately. Something about her is just different," Yukio explained. "She's like a Naoko or Ami, only more clothed. She doesn't need to show off skin to turn heads - no offense, Ami." He looked towards Shouki and Kinoha. "You've seen her lately, haven't you?"

***

“Thanks…” Tomeo said to Hanarei somewhat gratefully, his mind still on Kanjin, but then completely focused again as he smiled at Hanarei. “I know you can stick up for yourself, you’ve proved that several times over. But, I’m your friend and even if we weren’t digidestined, I’d still stick up for you against guys like… him. Just don’t expect too much of it. Trust me, I know Kanjin. He won’t learn unless there’s a guy there to fight him off, because he doesn’t consider girls a threat like I do, but he’ll learn eventually. As for saying you’re taken… I just said that to drive him off. He hasn’t sunken low enough for cheating… yet, I think.” He made a smirk at Hanarei. “Although, thanks for trusting me enough to clarify your love life, even if it wasn’t important for me to know… I’m glad you’re ready to tell Yuki how you feel, good luck with the dinner party… ahh!”

Tomeo leant over forwards uncontrollably and suddenly as Naoko seized him around the neck, fighting off a sudden urge to push Naoko off him in retaliation out of sheer revolution. The only reason that stopped him was that he realized he hadn’t been given the opportunity to make amends with her since the battle to decide the fate of the key, and decided to make an effort to apologize before she ran off to pursue another one of her personal flings. “Naoko, Hanarei only likes boys, so I’m sure you’ll never see her… down there… anytime soon. And yeah, yeah… okay! But, listen for just a second. Before you go off jumping into his pants, Naoko, I know it doesn’t mean much to you at all… but, I’m sorry for the things I said before when we were fighting over the key. Whatever you want to do in life is fine by me, because it’s what you want to do and it’s none of my business. I’m just not comfortable with some of your views on… stuff, but as long as you’re doing what you are now by not coming onto me, I think we can learn to get along.” He said this as best he could, with Naoko’s arm clasped around his neck as if she had put him in a headlock.

He didn’t know that he’d ever been so glad that Naoko was ignoring him for once for the attention for another guy, but figured this was normal for her. “And as for Kanjin… you don’t want to know him. He treats women like he’s on the set of a porno flick, he’s not your type…” He trailed off for a moment, looked at Naoko, and couldn’t help but chuckle at realization to what he was saying. “You know what, Naoko? Maybe he is your type. All I’m saying is, if he gets… um, too violent with you for his own good, tell me or Hanshin, or Hanarei so we can kick his ass. That’ll put him in his place. If anyone I would want here to have lay with him, I’d want it to be you so he’s not breathing down the neck of the other gir… hey! Not again… can’t he learn to keep his fucking pants on!?” He yelled angrily, and pulled Naoko’s arm off him this time, pushing through the students in the corridor to get to the scene he just saw.

“Hello there, Red, how’s it goin’?” Kanjin grimaced, having rounded up on Asayake and was leaning against a locker to block her path. “What's your name? Listen, I was looking for a pretty girl like you to show me around campus, y’know, maybe see the sights and, uh, get better acquainted, if you know what I mean…”

The euphemism was cut off as Tomeo suddenly appeared between him and Asayake, Kanjin’s vision of Asayake’s face replaced by the furious expression of Tomeo’s, the boy’s arms crossed. “Stay away from her.” he said bluntly, staring Kanjin down.

“Fuck off, Toyogawa, I’m working here.” Kanjin warned him, his tone taking on more annoyance this time. “You already saved your chick for the day, now step aside…”

“Hanarei is not my ‘chick’.” Tomeo said flatly, stepping close enough to Kanjin that he pushed him back a little, not braking eye contact. What came out of his mouth next was hard for him to say, especially in a corridor full of students, but he felt Asayake would appreciate the exaggeration. “… S-s-she is.” He indicated with a thrust of his head backwards at Asayake, broke off the stare he was giving Kanjin, then turned his attention on Naoko while shaking off his embarrassment. “Kanjin, Naoko. Naoko, everyone, meet Kanjin.” Again there was bitterness as Tomeo said the boy’s name, shooting him a devilish look. “Naoko said she’d like to meet you, Kanjin, ol’ buddy. I’m sure she’ll be happy to show you around and tend to your… needs.” The last word he said with some disgust, but didn’t break his stare away from Kanjin as he shot him daggers through his eyes.

There was some tense silence as some other students looked at them as they passed, expecting a fight. Tomeo almost looked like he was fighting against everything he had to give Kanjin a quick punch to the jaw. Then Kanjin said in a low voice, “You’re lucky I’m enough of a gentleman I don’t flatten you now in front of these ladies, Toyogawa. But If you get in my fucking way again, you’ll regret it, understand? So go take your redhead and make the most of it, you’ve already shown how much of a man you are and I doubt that’ll last long. We’ll talk later.” He snickered, stepped away from Tomeo and Asayake, and walked over to Naoko, putting an arm around her. “Hey, I didn’t know they had beautiful women at this school, too. So Naoko, want to show me around the grounds? I was hoping to get to know someone well enough to show me everything, tell me who’s who and maybe even get me some, uh, private tutoring…” he grinned at her, following her lead. The beady eyes in the ventillation shaft followed him closely, the flicker of insect wings drowned out by the noise in the corridor.

Tomeo watched him and Naoko move away until they were gone, his muscles tense and the expression on his face in pure fury. “Prick…” he said under his breath, and turned slowly to Asayake, his anger melting into an expression of worry. “Are… are you okay? He... he didn’t hurt you, did he?”

***

"Believe me," said Himotomon, "if Hanarei had a mega-phone in her hands, she would shout it out to people, so don't feel too honored by her telling you about Yuki. Her little sister is tired of hearing it herself and she's the cheerful one of the family."

Hanarei stared blankly at Naoko and then snapped her fingers together as she realized something. "That's who you remind of; someone by the name of Jin. And sorry, but chances of you and me getting together for... that are about as likely as Shouki becoming a womanizer. Oh, and Tomeo, I wouldn't give that guy too much credit. If he were in a porno movie, he'd probably be the guy who just sits there cause no one wants him."

Hanarei saw Tomeo react to something down the hall and turned her attention to find Kaijin trying again on someone else. "This guy doesn't know when to stop, does he?" Hanarei marched after Tomeo and Naoko toward Kaijin. Again, she gave Kaijin an odd look when he referred to her as "Tomeo's chick." She didn't even say hi or nod when Tomeo introduced Kaijin to the group. She was glad to see the guy walk off with Naoko and away from the group. "Tomeo, just say the word and I'll take care of him for free. Then again, I may just decide to do it if I feel bored and need a punching bag."

***

Kinoha blushed a little from everything that was happening. "T-thank you very much," she said to Ami. "I'll be sure to drop by sometime before a concert.

'Please don't corrupt her,' thought Shouki.

"Everyone has those kinds of moments," he said to Hiroshi and Hanshin. "I'm sure you'll get out of your writer's block and will think of something. Just try writing out phrases of how you deeply feel about something and start from there."

Shouki blushed a little as he remembered the few recent times he had seen Shireika. "Well, um, yeah, she does look pretty," he said to Yukio. "I guess she has changed noticablly within the past two months."

***

Enma froze mid-bite at Toshi's comment. She closed her mouth and put her chopsticks down, eyeing Toshi. She watched him run down the hallway. "Who's that?" Mitikomomon peeped from his place on the side of Enma's backpack, pretending to be a keychain.

"Weren't you paying attention?" Enma asked.

"Nope, there's this really cool-shaped piece of gum under here and I was staring at that."

"Figures." Enma stretched and watched as Toshi came back. "Now shut up and act stuffed." she whispered to Mitikomomon. She stared at the container Toshi had handed to her, and with a raised eyebrow she took a piece out. She stared at it for a moment, before breaking off the edge and putting it in her mouth. She chewed slowly, and nodded. "Well, it's a lot better than Kodomojimita Megami's infamous cauliflower and strawberry disaster." She said with a small smile. She cocked her head, the smile replaced by a puzzled frown. "So, I don't remember ever really seeing you around before." she said.

***

“Sure, I can arrange a little tour of the school, while I show you a few of the ins and outs of the place. I’m the one to talk to about any tutoring; I’m really good in several subjects, but I’m guessing you are proficient in one or two of my favorite areas.” Naoko had wound herself around his right arm and was pulling him down the hall toward the stairs. She looked up into his blue eyes as they walked. “Now the school layout is simple. Classes there, theatre there, stairs and bathrooms, the school is very symmetrical and each floor is the same. You need more than that, get a map. Outside is nice in the spring. All those nifty bushes burst into green, the grass grows, and the sun makes you nice and warm. There are a bunch of places out there if you need privacy. I constructed most of them. Hehehe.

“The thing you most need to know are this school has the same kinds of girls every school does: 1) Those that don’t, 2) those that do their boyfriends, 3) is just like two but they change boyfriends regularly, and 4) those of us girls who do. Of the last type, some want something in return and other’s who don’t. I’m a bon vivant myself. I’m sure you can fine enough of us type 4’s to fill your days here. Heck, the easiest way to get laid is come to a Wild Stallions concert. No type ones in that crowd.”

“Now, the advice. You won’t get far with girls like Hanarei or Asayake. They seem to want a full fledged relationship. That’s a lot of work to fake, and I don’t want to see you tied down….well, with someone. You are much too cute not to share. Also, Hanarei’s Dad is administration here so you have to be careful. She’d want to kick you ass herself, but having daddy toss your butt out of here is an option.”

Naoko paused for a minute. “I’m talking too much again.” She pulled herself up by his shoulders and on tiptoe, kissed him.

Kanjin raised an eyebrow at Naoko in some surprise, looking at her. "Wow, you really know your stuff, huh? I'm really interested to see one of these private places you've constructed... care to show me?" To indicate further what he meant, he slid his hand further down her waist and smiled suggestively.

“Well, the girl’s bathroom on the fourth floor has an interesting feature. I think you’ll enjoy the view too. So, while we head up there, tell me about yourself a little.” She grinned back hungrily at him. He was quite the stud, this fellow.

"Girl's bathroom, eh? What an honor... haven't been in one of those for a while." Kanjin chuckled, following alongside Naoko, but the chuckling ceased as soon as Naoko had asked her question. "About myself? Well, what’s there to say? I used to go here, then I dropped out and when to the Tokyo District High School downtown, then some big-wig uptown decides to put me up here with all the fancy smart people… like you, in fact. I think I’m going to like this school. But, enough about me, what do you do around here, besides the obvious, babe?” he asked tenderly, boldly giving her a soft kiss on the cheek.

“I do a lot of things. I take care of that band for one thing and I dance… but, I like to welcome new guys like you so you’ll have fond, hot, steamy, sweaty memories when you remember your days here.” She shoved him playfully. “By the way, I’m Hanashi Naoko. Do you have a names or am I going to have to scream ‘new guy’ in about forty-five minutes?”

A black haired girl came storming up to Naoko. “Hey, I want a word with you. What were you doing with Tegiwa all break long anyway? Now he’s hooked up with Shireika. You told me to stay away from him for my own good; now look what happened!”

Naoko rolled her eyes. “I just coached him and held him together between nervous breakdowns. He’s a friend. Good Lord, I never thought he would actually wind up with her. I must be too good at what I do.” She stared back at the girl. “For the record little sister, he did dump you. You found him in my bed, why be surprised he came back?”

Kanjin snickered in amusement, pulling Naoko back to his side. "Obviously sweetheart, you were paying too much attention checking out my hot bod to have heard when that runt Toyogawa introduced us. I'm Kanjin, remember? Jicchoku Kanjin. You're almost as forgetful as some of the blondes I've been with." He looked up as a unfamiliar girl approached them, skipping the names for the moment.

Whenever a new girl had graced his presence, flirtation wasn't too far behind, but he had learned from one or two outings that girls with him got jealous when he paid attention to others, resulting in him not getting any. Instead, he gave the girl a flick of his head upwards casually and repeated, "Hey there, I'm Jicchoku Kanjin. You don't know me, and your sister here doesn't quite either... yet.

"... But trust me, whoever this Tegiwa guy is, he obviously hasn't noticed how beauty runs in your family. He'd be desperate to come back to you, so I'd wait around for him if you want a go at him... or, y'know, whatever you prefer. In my opinion, I wouldn't waste my time. I'd find somebody else that'd make me happy, right babe?" he chuckled lightly, giving Naoko a tight squeeze.

"Hanashi Mariko, yoroshiku." Mariko blushed at Kaijin's words. Guys, didn't call her beautiful, or her sister for that matter. They both shared similar lean builds without the huge breasts that fascinated guys. "I thought he might return, but not now. I'll talk to you later Naoko. I don't remember what I was mad about...." She bowed to Kaijin and floated off down the hallway. "Yeah, she has it rough. That idiot Tegiwa seems to have snagged the campus prize. I'm sure that’s an omen for the end of the world. Not that I care, but as a Protector I guess I'd need to save it. C'mon Handsome, one more flight before paradise. Be thinking how you'd like me." She flashed him a curious look.

Questions and unknown names here fleeting; Kanjin only wanted one thing and one thing only, and he could feel the tension pulsing through his veins. "Oh, I like you plenty alright, love. If you're on your way to paradise... well, lead the way." He stroked a stray bang of black hair from her face, touching the soft pale skin on her face with patient anticipation.

"You are so funny," Naoko said as she pulled him into the girls room. "This is a little place the girls and I fixed up for ourselves. Along with a bit of ambience and a sofa, there's a lock for the door. Welcome to Paradise." She pushed him down the padded vinyl bench that was the sofa then unbuttoned his shirt so she could run her hands over his chest. "Tell me, are you the kind of guy who likes to lie back and enjoy...things, or do you like to take control. What turns you on? Tell the truth now."

“Nice… a lock, you say? Half the fun’s the risk of getting caught, isn’t it? But, I suppose I could do with a bit of privacy, that’s how I like it…” His hands moved slowly up Naoko’s waist as she started unbuttoning his shirt, feeling her skin with his hands underneath hers and wondering if he should reply in kind, but he was focused for the moment on her question.

"Well, I'm not a picky guy. I like to take charge, but I don't mind sitting back and letting you do your thing, either." He rubbed his hands over her skin, enjoying its silkiness for the time being. “You’re the lady. How would you like it, for a change?”

Naoko removed her garment playfully then to relieve him of his encumbrance. “Well, that is a nice switch. I can see why Tomeo dislikes you, you have better manners than he does. Let’s just keep things as they are. I’ll let you relax and enjoy.” She straddled his waist, and bent forward to kiss him. “You are really sweet for such a bad boy.”

"Well, Tomeo..." he said softly, looking at Naoko's top as he spoke slowly, "...wouldn't know a woman if it landed on top of him.” He made himself comfortable as she straddled him, running his hands up her bare torso. "Oh, maybe now, but you don't know how bad I can really be..." he replied, returning her kiss in full.

Later, a little flushed and disheveled, she emerged form the room with him in tow. “That, was… very good.” She pale skin was aglow. “Welcome to your new school. I’ll be happy to help you anytime. Call me.”

As he emerged from the bathroom, Kanjin had a satisfied expression on his face. "Hey, you were really good too, sweetheart. Don't be so surprised by me, though. Some guys don't know what they're doing with a girl, but you know now I'm familiar with the G-spot on a woman, so I'm happy to help." He pulled her close, and kissed her cheek. "Same here. I can give you a rub, anytime.”

In his case, G stands for goddamn! She smiled. “Gekigaiou."

***

Asayake tried to remember how to breathe as Kanjin retreated with Naoko, but it seemed to be rather difficult. Wave after wave of nausea throttled her stomach, but she kept as much of her discomfort as possible hidden; that, however, was also very hard. Even as she struggled with her gut, she knew her eyes were unnatually wide, and that most of the blood had drained her face, but all that did was reinforce the need to smooth over the fact that she'd nearly screamed out loud when she saw Kanjin's face. She knew that face; that smile, that voice, that hair... But it couldn't be; Tomeo knew him, so he couldn't be... "No," she mumbled, trying to look at anything but Tomeo, "No, he didn't... He... I'm fine." Why couldn't she finish her sentences? Asayake stared angrily down at her hands, but they were shaking so badly that she found herself stuffing them into her pockets to hide them. "I'm okay," she said again, but whether it was to convince Tomeo or herself she had no idea, "He didn't do anything. I'm fine. I... I should probably..."

Half of her wanted nothing more than to simply storm off and hide somewhere, but the other half insisted that Kanjin was off somewhere, and going anywhere alone would instantly trigger Murpy's Law. So, rather than leave, Asayake simply stood where she was, staring at the ground with her hands shoved in her pockets.

***

"I may just take your offer up on that sometime soon, Hanarei." Tomeo nodded to her with a definate look to his face, then turned to Asayake. "Okay, that's good..." He was definately getting the familiar vibes off her now that something was wrong, something he generally alone was good at picking up first. Seeing that she needed some sort of comfort, he pluckered up his courage and swept her into his arms, giving her a tight hug. "I'm glad to see that you're okay. That Kanjin's a real jerk. Doesn't know how to treat women with proper respect." He let her go after a moment, looking at Hanarei.

"Hey, you were looking for Enma, right? Let's go and find her together; maybe we'll see some of the others along the way. You lead, Hanarei." He took a look at Asayake. "Are you alright to go? C'mon, let's move. We're blocking the corridor enough as it is."

***

Tegiwa wandered to the school foyer and looked out the multi-paned window that dominated the interest. "My life is amazing. I never thought this could happen." He was talking to himself again he'd have to watch that. "I'm worried a meteor is going to strike earth now. Hehehe." He was grinning because the warmth of Shireika's kiss had not yet left his lips. He felt carefree in spite of his paranoia.

A soft voice answered his rhetorical remarks. "If you want instant karma, look no further. I can undestand why you'd dump me. Especially, for that creature Shireika. She's perfect and unobtainable. I'm nothing compared to her. I know that But, do you have to keep screwing my sister too? I thought I loved you, you know! I thought you were different." Mariko was glaring at hime.

Tegiwa had blanched considerably. "I left you because we couldn't trust you. Things changed so quickly then. Naoko and the others decided to work with us. But, by then, I asked out Shireika. I couldn't imagine her saying yes, but she did. I could have come back to you; that just never happened."

"We couldn't trust. Who is we?"

"Shireika and the rest of the group. After my plce was broken into, we figured you were a spy or a leak. I decided it wasn't fair to you..."

"Nice thought. Nothing's been fair lately. Well, I'm happy for you."

"I'm sorry I hurt you. I can't undo what has happened. It's not your fault. I thought you were a pretty wonderful girl when I met you."

"Nice. Maybe, I'll just folow after my sister. Thanks for the thought." Mariko turned to leave. He let her. "No, not even that could spoil today."

***

"You like them? Coolness. My mother nearly yanked my ear off when she saw what I did to the kitchen to make those." Toshi frowned. "Then she and Kimi ate all the chocolate ones." He dropped back down on his seat. "I'm kind of the new kid on the block so it's no surprise that you haven't seen me before. Some doctor dude got me transfered here. In the middle of my senior year. Hah, at first I thought it was one of my Dad's sick jokes." He grinned and puffed out his chest proudly. "You know, one of these days everybody will have heard of me. I plan to be the infamous Prankster Prince. I had a pretty good rep going back at my old school for that whole turing the swimming pool into a giant bowl of jello and sneaking laxatives in the cafeteria food." His grin turned sheepish. "Speaking of pranks, how would you feel about taking a robotic cobra off my hands. She's really a work of art. She looks and moves just like a real snake and I spent months working on her. Unfortunately I had the bright idea to use her on my little sister's friend a coulpe days back. Now Kimi's pissed because her friend won't talk to her anymore and I have to get rid of her. So how about giving a metal monster a home?"

***

"That does it," Hanshin said as he got up from his place, nearly letting Ami topple to the floor from his lap. He glared down at Yukio. "Didn't I say Shireika was off limits?"

"Dude, she's your sister," Yukio replied. "She can do whatever she wants, clearly. You've seen her lately too, and you know half the guys here have been talking about her."

"And, all the girls have been chatting about her lately too," Ami added. "She's done quite an excellent job on improving that image of hers. She was kind of -" she waved her hands around. "She was pretty before and seemed to hide. She's realized what a beauty she can be, and she's not afraid of it. She did inherit your mother's good looks, you know."

"He's just jealous that everyone's talking about his sister more than him," Hiroshi explained. "Isn't that it?"

Hanshin grumbled something and stormed out of the classroom and ran into a flushed Naoko and Kanjin outside the classroom. Hiroshi got up and ran after him.

"Yo, they're only talking," he said, trying to defend himself. "Your sister is hot, and you know that. You can't expect to protect her from guys if she stands out." He looked towards Naoko. "Naoko, help me out here." He pointed at his good friend. "Explain to him that his sister has her own life and doesn't her overprotective twin brother keeping guys at bay. She had handle things herself. She clearly has been since school started again."

"He can't handle the fact that his sister can be sexy, that's what," Yukio interrupted. "She's changed. She's different, and she makes it work, right?"

Hanshin shook his head. It wasn't that he was jealous; he really cared about his twin sister. Shireika didn't need horny classmates chasing after her, especially Yukio and some of the other boys that seemed to talk about her now that she had changed her style. She didn't need to deal with anyone who didn't actually love her for everything that she was. Who she needed was Tegiwa, the one guy in the entire school who treated her like a regular person. Everyone else either overly admired her or feared her, and now that she had changed her style, the boys were losing their fear of her strength and independence.

***

"So, are you and Tegiwa going out now?" a teammate asked Shireika as they headed into the indoor tennis club downtown.

"Something like that," Shireika replied. "It made sense, since we're such good friends."

"Do you love him?"

"I don't know yet."

"Well, you should. You guys have practically been dating since the beginning of high school."

"It's not like that." She looked around the lobby as she headed to the locker room. She smiled briefly at someone in the lobby. "We're just really good friends, so dating each other seemed like the next logical step." She shrugged and headed into the locker room to change.

***

"You know where to find me should my services be required," Hanarei said to Tomeo. "And by services, I don't mean the same as Naoko's."

Hanarei started to notice that Asayake looked upset about something but couldn't quite put her finger on it. It was probably something personal. At least Tomeo did something to try and comfort Asayake.

"Alright, I'll lead the way in search of Enma. Asayake, you can come along too if you feel up for it." Hanarei leaned close to Tomeo to whisper in his ear. "Tomeo, I suggest you stay with her depending on her choice. She looks like she needs some company."

Hanarei led the way down the school hallways and didn't look back to see if Asayake and Tomeo were following. Finally, Hanarei spoted Enma sitting by a window with someone else. Like Kanjin, this guy looked new. "Oi, Enma," Hanarei called. "How are you?" She glanced down at the food Enma had with her. "I take it your mom has been preparing your lunch again?" Hanarei turned to see the new guy sitting next to Enma. "And I take it your new around here, correct?"

***

Shouki looked rather uneasy as Hanshin stormed out. "I guess we touched on a delicate subject," he said.

"He reminds me of how you can be with your younger sister," said Kinoha, "only more, um, direct."

"Yeah, I guess you're right." Shouki went to join the debate over this. "Hanshin just wants to make sure that his sister is with someone who he can trust with her. I'm sure it's nothing personal or anything like that, right Hanshin? He just wants to make sure his sister is safe and all."

***

"Yukio! Hiroshi! C'mon you guys. How long have you been in the band? Shireiki is and always will be offlimits to you two," She glanced meaningfully at shouki, " no matter how she looks or dresses. Besides, the best pickup line you guys ever came up with is 'Wanna fuck?' and, to be honest, if you weren't in the band it wouldn't go over too well with me. Now, with Shireika, she may look all Cosmo now, but asking her out would earn you spots in the Vienna Boys Choir. The Wild Stallions have no plans to do a cover of 'Ave Maria'." She grasped the two musicans by their wrists and pulled them away from Hanshin. "If you two are getting ideas like this I must have neglected you too long. Come with me both of you, and I'll make up for it." She smiled and waved to Kanjin as she moved away with the horny duo.

***

Tegiwa wandered by the impromptu meeting of the digi-crew still lost in the dream-like fugue he'd been in since he had starting receiving Shireika's afffections. The fog had usually surrounded him most of his life though. He was a dreamer by nature, but now, it was considerably thicker. He'd have missed the group except they were blocking the corridor again. As it was, he stood there for a few minutes staring past the group. The other might have wondered if he had fallen asleep on his feet, but he soon alayed any suspcion when he said:

"Hanarei....who is this Jin you mentioned to Naoko?"

***

Kanjin had to stand back for a moment and listen to the argument within the group that Naoko had just pulled him into, and watched with vague amusement as she pulled two of the band members away, realizing he had just stumbled onto the Wild Stallion band themselves. By the looks of things, she would be a while before he could have her again. “So, you guys are that band everyone’s been talking about, huh?” he asked as he looked away from Naoko leaving, looking between Hanshin and Shouki. “Star player of the Wild Stallions… I’ve heard that you’re quite the player, Hanshin… now I can see that goes both ways.” He said with slight euphemism in his tone, chuckling. “And you must be the base player. Kanjin’s my name, Jinccoku Kanjin.” he said to Shouki, and spread his introduction so he was facing Hanshin again as well.

“So, this Shireika’s your sister, right? I’ve heard quite a bit about her too… it’s only my first day here, but I’ve heard she’s the hot item among the guys now. Too bad for those guys I’ve also heard straight from his ex-girlfriend that a guy called Tegiwa’s going out with her now… I bet its old news though, since she must’ve already told you that, being her big brother and all, right?” He paused to see if he had hit a nerve in Kanjin’s expression, amused at the thought if this was new to Hanshin, but kept going when he didn’t see the reaction he was expecting. “It’d be quite interesting to see the girl herself, see if there’s any reason to what all the guys are talking about… I haven’t had the chance to see her quite yet, been too busy getting myself… acquainted, with some of the others girls around here, if you know what I mean. But I’m sure she must be quite pretty, if she’s your sister. Naoko’s sister was just as pretty, so I don’t know why that wouldn’t hold true in the slightest in your family. Mind if I put in my two cents about your problem?”

He went on, not pausing to let anyone say otherwise. “I don’t know what your sister’s like, but I don’t see the harm in other guys checking her out, if she’s already going out with someone who’s looking out for her. Who wants to go out with a girl that other guys don’t want? I’ll remind that Tegiwa guy what he has, and make sure he looks after her right like a watchdog, and that’s what you want for your sister, right? What better to remind him than what kind of competition he’ll have if he lets her go? She can keep herself off limits to other guys, if that’s her deal. And they can tell any guy staring at them to bugger off. So I’d chill Hanshin, and just let things work themselves out. Whatever happens, happens. I’m sure your sister’s a grown woman that can look out for herself. You should look out for her as a brother, true, but you can’t look after her one hundred per cent of the time.”

With that said, he took an interested look behind them at the room they came from, with Ami and Kinoha, feeling like another round with a girl again. “So, are you guys going to introduce these gorgeous ladies, or not? Despite the hype, I wouldn’t overlook how special those girls are. They could probably start their own word of mouth, couldn’t they?” he asked flirtatiously, shooting a grin off at them.

***

"... and some more of those umeboshi things, those are really tasty!"

"All right, all right," Yuu answered with a chuckle, "Consider your lunch order taken, Kuinamon. Although I'll have an odd time explaining to my mom why I suddenly need several more plum onigiri in my lunchbox tomorrow."

Yuu was currently wandering down the hall trying to make conversing with her bookbag look as normal as possible, but since there were only very few students around due to it being lunchtime this wasn't all that hard. She'd been surprised when Kuinamon insisted on coming with her after she fed him, saying that he'd felt something strange when that new boy walked by. She half suspected that he was just bored from spending all day in her locker and wanted an excuse to get out, but you never knew.

Just then, she turned a corner and saw Enma, Hanarei, Asayake, Tomeo, and a boy she didn't recognize all together down the hall. Happy to find such good company, she hurried down the hall towards them. "Hello!" she announced cheerfully. Then she turned and bowed to the new boy. "Ah, hello, I don't believe we've met. I'm Shimakoto Yuu, it's nice to meet you" she said to him.

Remembering something that had been on her mind, she turned to the more familiar members of the group and asked "By the way, has anyone seen Shireika-san around? I bumped into her a little while ago, and she seemed really pleased about something" And that wasn't all. She had always been pretty, but it seemed like she was letting it show more these days, not to mention she seemed more outward and cheerful than usual. Yuu was glad for her, of course, but she was a bit curious as to what had spurred this change of character.

***

"Oh, you can take care of him," Hiroshi said sweetly to Naoko as he wrestled himself loose. He was not one for threesomes, especially with Yukio. "And we all know that he is the one who would use a horrible pick-up line like that." He pointed at the band's drummer. "Now, if you will excuse me. I've got music to practice and write."

"Such the serious type," Yukio said with a grin. "He's not into pre-concert relaxation." He smiled again. "Though, I'm all for it, if you want to."

***

Hanshin gave Kanjin a cold stare.

"Don't tell me what to do," he hissed. "She's my twin sister, and she's technically older by a couple minutes. And she doesn't tell me anything - we just don't get along very well." He paused. "And she's dating Tegiwa?" He seemed to settle down a little. "Finally. You do can do whatever you want, as long as you leave her alone. From what I can tell, you're no different from Yukio, who just wants to feel my sister up." He pointed back towards Ami and Kinoha. "They're Ami and Kinoha. I'm sure you're heard about Ami by now - just don't fall in love with her." He glanced back, motioning for Ami to come join them. "All she cares about is getting a guy to do her the way she wants it."

She excused herself quickly from Kinoha and Shouki, winking at Kinoha as she left.

"Hey, sexy," Ami said as she strut out of the classroom up to Hanshin. She ran her hands over Hanshin's shoulders and arms as she stood next to him. "And who are you?" She grinned devilishly. "Are you one of the new students?"

"Ami, this is Kanjin. Kanjin, meet Ami," Hanshin explained.

"Pleasure to meet you," Ami said as she held out a hand. "We'll have to spend a little time together sometime and get to know each other."

***

"Hmm? Oh, hi Tegiwa and Yuu," said Hanarei. "Her Highness? No clue," she answered Yuu. "The last time I saw her, she was with you." Hanarei was now pointing to Tegiwa. "Yeah, she does seem like she changed her image quite a bit. She must being trying to get over the whole Kousei incident. But I figure if we need an update on her Highness, we can always ask Tegiwa over here."

It was then that Hanarei noticed the glazed look over Tegiwa's face. She waved a hand in front of his face to see if he was all there (mentally). He did have enough sense to ask a question. "Jin? She... I think she was from one of the images." With it being two months since the battle, Hanarei had been able to sort out some of the images in her head. There were still gaps in it but it was better than before. "She had a similar personality, very similar. And...." Suddenly Hanarei shuddered. "I think I just stumbled upon something very disturbing." She couldn't tell, but she somehow had the feeling Jin once hit on her and the feeling sent shivers down Hanarei's spine.

***

As Kanjin spoke, Shouki put his hand over his face to his embarrassment of the situation. It seemed like this Kanjin guy was digging himself a deeper grave by the second with Hanshin.

Kinoha quickly hid behind Shouki as Kanjin started making advances on her and Ami. Kinoha was never used to it. "Um, are they always like this?" she asked Shouki.

"You don't know the half of it," Shouki answered.

"Then, um, Shouki, with all this... stuff going on in the group... are you still a...." Kinoha was blushing feverishly at asking such a personal question.

Shouki started blushing out of fear of a certain personal question. "Am I still a what?" he asked uncertainly.

"Virgin?"

As he thought, Shouki's face went bright red at that word. "Y-yes, I-I-I haven't b-been with Naoko yet. I mean, we haven't... nor do we plan to...."

Kirimon was biting his tongue to keep from laughing out loud while in Shouki's bag.

Still the color of a stop light, Shouki turned to Kanjin. "Y-yeah, I'm the bass player. S-shouki Houzuru. Nice to meet you."

***

Enma smirked at Toshi, and nodded to her bag. "Drop it in." she said. "My brother Kou's a mechanic; I can drop it off there and no one will be the wiser. Just go by and pick it up after your sister cools down." She pointed to her bag. "Just put it in there when you want." She looked up when she heard Hanarei call to her. "Hey, Hanarei." She made a face. "Grief-councelor surprise." She muttered to herself, before putting her bento box away.

She looked around at the group, before looking at Toshi. "Toshi, this is Hanarei, Tomeo, Asayake, and Tegiwa...and Yuu." She said, noting everyone that had appeared. "Everyone, this is Toshi." She looked over at Yuu and shook her head. "I haven't seen either Shireika or Hanshin today, sorry." Enma pushed her hair out of her face, before looking at Toshi, something he said ringing a bell. "A doctor? Like a doctor of medicine or a guy with a PhD?" she asked.

***

Tegiwa mused momentarily, "I thought I heard that name before...from that time. I hope the resemblance was only superficial." Any thing that suggested Naoko was anything like even the worst aspect of his mother gave him the shivers. "As to Shireika, I believe she disappeared out to the field house with the rest of the team. Practice."

***

Naoko gaped at Hiroshi. "Yukio, if Hanshin murders him you are witness to the fact I tried to save his life, right? Okay, H-boy, but let up on Hanshin. I'm not resposible if he loses his temper because you kept saying stupid things." She turned to whisper in Yukio's ear. "I think I have that soccer uniform in my bag. Up for a little roleplay?" She tried to lead him to a private place well away from the brooding brother.

***

Mariko kept looking out the window long after Tegiwa had left. She couldn't move because her body had turned to lead. She couldn't see because of rain against the window, but she didn't remember it raining a minute ago. She could feel dampness on her cheeks but those couldn't be tears because her tears for Tegiwa and her sister dried up long ago. She should be resolute when she found only turmoil in her heart. She had know Tegiwa to be a good person, a different kind of person than her sister would bring home. He had changed on some fundimental level tha she did not comprehend. Along with the rain that was tears, the body immobile, and the resolute turmoil, she had to append her wisdom of folly. She kept staring.

***

“Whoever your sister wants to see, I’m sure she’s capable of making a decision for herself. Big sis wouldn’t want you meddling in her affairs if you’re not that close, am I right? Might go say hi to her, see what she thinks of me first.” Kanjin replied to Hanshin with a smirk, half-answering his threat casually, but underneath he was amused he’d gotten Hanshin riled up. He was more interested in Ami as she reached her hand out to him and took it gently, but instead of shaking it he turned it on its side, kissing the back of her hand respectfully. ‘Yes, we’ll have to get together sometime very soon to get to know each other, definitely.” he said, giving her a hungry look.

As Shouki introduced himself, he couldn’t help but overhear his conversation with Kinoha, and barked out in laughter. “You’re in his band, and you’re a virgin?” he chuckled, slapping Shouki hard on the shoulder in amusement. “You sound just like Toyogawa, too afraid to get himself involved with the ladies. I would take advantage of your position, if I were you. You should take your girl there and go make a man out of yourself – you have no idea what you’re missing out on. Trust me, it’ll be worth it.”

Still holding onto Ami’s hand, he pulled her to his side and slipped an arm around her waist. “So, now we’re all nice ‘n friendly, you mind if I burrow this one for a bit? I’ve got a bit of time to kill and I’d definitely want to take up on her offer to get to know her better – I promise, I won’t fall in love with her.” he repeated the words Hanshin said to him jokingly as he looked from Ami to Hanshin, casting him a hopeful look as well as a devilish grin.

***

Tomeo nodded in agreement as Hanarei whispered in his ear; he wouldn’t leave Asayake alone in her condition either way. He gently pulled Asayake with him behind Hanarei, staying by her side, until they had reached the group. Asayake hadn’t said anything for a while and he was worried he hadn’t done anything to comfort her at all, but hoped that his presence near her would break her out of her spell.

“Hi Enma, Tegiwa, Yuu… and Toshi, is it? Nice to meet you.” Tomeo smiled exuberantly, holding out a friendly hand for him to shake. “Nope, sorry, I haven’t seen Shireika yet either. Tegiwa’s right, she has tennis around about now, because I have track practice later, so that’s probably why. What’s with you today, Tegiwa?” he asked, as he heard the boy speak up. “You’re awfully quiet today. Is something wrong? Maybe you should go to the sick bay and get yourself checked, you don’t look yourself. Speaking of which… what’s this I hear about doctors?” He looked curiously at Toshi. “Are you looking for a doctor, Toshi-san?”

***

“Well it’s a pleasure to meet you and no need for the san. I was born in the US of A so I’m not to big on formality. Got anything specific you want me to call you just let me know. ” He grasped Tomeo’s hand and gave it an enthusiastic shake. “And hello nurses!” He said to Yuu, Asayake, and Hanrei. “I should just plop down next to random people and start talking to them more often. I’ve never made friends this…” He paused and ran their names over his head. “Tegiwa, Hanarei, Tomeo, Asayake, and Yuu.” He said, pointing to each one. “Well I’ll be damned!” Toshi started to laugh. “Who knew it would be this freakin’ easy. Man my job for today is pretty much done.” He continued to chuckle and brushed his hair back. It immediately fell back over his right eye.

“Now the doctor thing. I’m not critical enough to need one, but one found me anyway. I’m not too sure how, but Dr. Yasuragi Matsuro arranged…” Toshi caught something grey out the corner of his eye and whipped his head around the glare out the window. There was nothing there, but this wasn’t the first time he’d briefly saw something tailing him. “Could have sworn I saw.. Anyway, he arranged my transfer here.” His grin dropped out his face and he stared down at the ground with a thoughtful expression on his face. “Oh and just a little advance warning. Unless you like getting showered with crap I suggest you keep your time around the garbage cans short. I haven’t decided the day yet, but I think I’ll pull my welcoming prank this week.”

***

"No, Hiroshi wouldn't dare touch Shireika," Yukio said to Naoko and Hiroshi.

"And besides, it's Yukio who says the stupid things about Hanshin's sister," Hiroshi added as he walked off.

"Whatever. Shireika's still one hot babe." He smirked at Naoko. Naoko was known to dress up at Shireika up on the requests of some guys in school since they looked vaguely similar. And, there was no way most guys in school could even get Shireika to give them the time of day. "I'm more in the mood for one of my favorite naughty school girls," he murmured as ran his hand up the back of Naoko's leg under her skirt. "If you know what I mean."

***

"Hanshin, babe, don't worry too much about your sister," Ami said as she slipped from Kanjin's grasp. She was not about to be the one borrowed. Men were there for her amusement and entertainment; she borrowed them. "If you'll excuse me," she said as she kissed Hanshin on the cheek. He looked back at Kanjin as she began to walk away. "If you want alone time, meet me outside." She pointed at the courtyard through the window. Hopefully, he wouldn't mind getting a little wet. "See you out there," she said with a wink and then turned away to head downstairs and outside. As she walked, her skirt swished from side to side, showing off long legs and teasing of a shapely rear.

"Okay, punk, do whatever you want with Ami," Hanshin growled. "But, you better stay the hell away from my twin sister. Shireika's better than you and doesn't need guys like you chasing after her."

***

Hanshin lounged backstage at the new club that Naoko had found for them. It was better than the last place, and the club was geared more for rock bands, his world. The lounge for the performers was bigger and nicer. There were even private dressing rooms, if they wanted to use them.

"I'm stuck," Hiroshi complained as he played a chord on his guitar. "I can't figure out what to do next."

"Well, at least give me something more interesting than that," Yukio replied as he pointed at the music. "I am not playing something as boring as that."

"Hiroshi, just follow your instincts. You're holding back again," Hanshin called from across the room. "That's always your problem. You don't just let the music flow the way it wants."

"Easy for you to say," Hiroshi replied as he rolled his eyes a little.

***

Shireika walked out of the locker room at the tennis club to head to the lobby. She had taken a shower and had changed back into her school uniform. She had spent a little extra time drying her hair and putting on a little make-up before she left the locker room. She looked around as she walked down the corridor to head to the lobby. The lobby was full of her teammates from the girls' and boys' teams, and they were crowded around the entrance.

"Hey, Shireika!" a teammate said as she spotted Shireika. "I hear that you might be playing singles this year."

"I don't know about that," Shireika replied. "He does need good players on mixed and doubles. What's so funny, Keiko?"

"If you play mixed, all the boys will fight with each other to play with you. At least, that's what they've been saying," the younger player replied with a giggle. "Isn't it funny how they're all so worked up over you now? But, you're so cool and all."

"Not really." She glanced around, searching the crowd in the lobby.

"Who are you looking for?"

"A guy," Shireika replied.

***

"Wait a minute," said Hanarei. "Matsuro found you? And you said your job is done after finding us? Specifically us?" Hanarei was starting to guess this Toshi guy might have been a digidestined but she didn't want to be the first to ask in case she was wrong.

"If you're going to pull a prank, don't do whatever it is you're going to do to the garbage can in the teacher's parking lot on the side closest to the gym. My dad parks there and he's bad enough to me without being angry at something else. Oh, you probably don't know." Hanarei pointed to herself and then Enma. "Daughter of the Vice-Principal and the daughter of the Grief-Counselor. But don't worry, we get in trouble on a regular basis too. Although if you pull that nurse line on me again, I may be tempted to tell him about your prank."

Hanarei smiled wickedly but then did a casual grin. "Kidding, I get like this when I'm in a good mood. Speaking of which, I'll be leaving soon to search for Yuki."

***

Compared to her usual casual clothes of a vest, jeans, sunglasses, and a white shirt, Hanarei looked very pretty and formal, almost unrecognizable. She spent the past hour alone trying to get her hair just right in a bun and used a pair of formal chopsticks to keep it in place. She was dressed in a long black dress and wore a thin white blouse over it. She examined herself in the mirror and gave herself a playful wink of approval.

"Whatcha doin'?" Yume asked as she stood by the door. The little sister also wore a black dress but wore a formal red coat on top.

"I'm just preparing for our guest."

"GuestS," Yume corrected. "You know it's Yuki and his family who are coming." Hanarei seemed to be fiddling with some small final details. "But you only seem to be looking forward to Yuki." Yume walked out of the doorway.

"Personally I'll be happy when this whole thing is over with," said Himotomon as she appeared from behind a pile of clothes. "At least you'll be done talking about this thing."

"Don't bet on it," Hanarei said without turning her head toward the digimon. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go help with my parents. I told you Haru is an old friend of my dad's right?"

"About everytime you mentioned the party," Himotomon answered dully.

"Apparently Haru is bringing over her husband, Yuki's father. This is the first time we'll be meeting him. So, you know, I'd like to make a good impression to his parents if we're going to be a couple."

***

After being called Shouki's girl, Kinoha couldn't stop blushing out of embarrasment. Thinking that her face would explode from the heat if she stayed any longer, Kinoha slowly stepped out of the room. "I just remembered I have a-a thing to take care of. I'll see you later at the concert then, Shouki." And in a puff of dust, Kinoha vanished from the scene as she sprinted down the hallway.

Shouki didn't look any better off than Kinoha. He figured he might as well paint his face red to save time for later. Shouki nearly fell into the desk when Kanjin slapped him on the shoulder. "She's, she's not my girl," said Shouki. "She's a friend who I've known for awhile. And also, I w-want t-t-t-to... you know... after marriage."

'At the rate you're going,' thought Kirimon, 'you'll be lucky to date by the time you're 80.'

Shouki listened to Hanshin's orders to Kanjin. "You'd better do what he says," said Shouki. "Believe me, I haven't seen his vicious side yet but from what I've already seen I've seen enough. And Shireika isn't the same kind of girl like Ami and Naoko."

***

Meanwhile....

"Usual spot?" said Mika as Kumiko dragged a red-faced Kinoha out of the girl's bathroom.

"Nah, closest to the door this time," said Kumiko. "Her usual spot was already occupied."

***

Shouki sat there in the room with the others, just pulling a few strings on his bass guitar. He had his eyes closed to help him focus more on the sound of the music and to help him imagine. "Just think of someone you care about and write what you want to say to them," Shouki said to Hiroshi. "Although I did once hear that someone once originally wrote all their lyrics in haiku then altered them a bit to fit into the music."

Shouki continued to play by himself. His mind was on Hikaru and he was play a sweet low melody that started to flow together as he went on. Suddenly, unexpectedly, someone else flashed in his mind; Yuu. Surprised by this, Shouki opened his eyes and hit a sour note. 'Whoa, what was that just now?' he thought.

***

Kinoha had her hair in the same style as last time (to Kumiko and Mika's orders) but had changed out of her uniform and wore something better fit for the concert. She eyed the pass in her hands that she received from Ami earlier that day. Cautiously, Kinoha walked to the back of the club, showed the pass, and walked to the back of the club. "Hello?" she asked to see if anyone was there.

***

"Matsuro-sensei got you moved here Toshi? That's interesting. Did he say why? Or give you any other instructions besides find? Did he happen to give you one of these?" Tegiwa held up his digivice which looked like a silver and purple multimedia unit.

***

Tegiwa decided on the spur of the moment to race over the sports club in time to meet Shireika when she finished. He hoped she wouldn't think he was just being clingly, though he had been her shadow since childhood. He figured they could go to a nearby café and just spend some togetherness time far away from friend and family.

***

Daemon laughed, well you can bet it wasn't angelically, as he typed furiously away at the keys of Sho's old network terminal. "This is just rich. It's perfect for that guy. I bet he won't even know what it means. It's just so him though."

Sho stood behind the little imp watching him fill out an online order form. "WHAT THE HELL...are you doing with my credit number.' Daemon jumped three feet out of the seat.

"Oh, hey Sho. I found da perfect gift for dat stuckup rich kid who used ta be a god or whatnot."

"With my money."

"Of course, I'm sending it your name."

"I'd do this because...?"

"I...well, why do you like this guy? He used to be lord a slime or something."

"If the fates want him to have another chance, I won't agrue. Now, what did I order? What are you going to writing a long in both our names for? Hmm."

"Heh. I sent him an offical Miskatonic University Alumnus Sweatshirt."

Sho grinned. "Nice, but he won't get it."

***

Naoko was triple checking the stage for lighting control and wireless frequency while a couple of the club techs looked on with sour expressions. She didn't want one of the boys instruments fading out or frizzing over just because they jumped off stage by accident or whim. She looked up in time to see a familiar cloud of naiveté floating toward the back of the club. She halted her check and wandered down the steps. She snuck up to give Kinoha a friendly surprize hug. "Easy. Shouki will be so pleased you came. I guess you really like him if you chose to brave the animals in their den. I don't think any of the other would try anything with you, but they sometimes forget when a real lady is around. They talk a bit rude. And, Ami, you need to watch. She can be very domineering and she likes girls too. So, be aware or he might spirit you off and mke you do things. I like girls too. Don't worry about me though, because I won't do anything you wouldn't want done." Or Shouki would kill me. "And, don't worry about Shouki. We like him just the way he is: innocent." Ok, that was a lie, but she had kept him away from the carnal aftershow activities, and somewhere along the way she lost the desire to pry her way into his pants. It had been nice for a change. "Kinoha, after the show I could show you two the nightlife in Shinjuku. I take Shouki there to improve his social skills...unless he or you have other plans."

***

Enma raised an eyebrow at Toshi, trying to surpress a cackle. "Why hadn't I ever thought of that?" she said to herself, whistling to herself. "The garbage cans...they're so..." she was lost in thought for a moment, before she blinked. She pulled through her bag and found a scrap of paper and a pen. "Here," she said, writing something down and handing it to Toshi, "I know some stuff about Dr. Yasuragi, since he was friends with my mother. There's a Wild Stallions gig tonight, so if you come pick me up at my house, I can give you any information you need and we can catch a decent show." She stood and through her bag over her shoulder. It took Mitikomomon all of his stamina to keep pretending he was a keychain and not wince. "I've got to go; get to my house around...six, six-thirty?" She said, nodding to the others as she left.

***

"So...this Toshi guy is a digi-destined, too?" asked Mitikomomon. He was sitting on Enma's bed while she was searching for a sandal.

Enma looked up at Mitikomomon, before shrugging. "Well, I don't know," she said slowly, "he was looking for me and apparently all the other digi-destined, he was transferred to our school because of Shireika and Hanshin's uncle, oh, and he was looking for me!" She crossed her arms, holding her sandal, and stood. "What guy in their right mind would be interested in the grief councelor's daughter."

Mitikomomon puffed up. "I'm a guy and I like you."

Enma rolled her eyes and put the sandal on. "That's because you're my partner and have to." she said. Mitikomomon looked at the sandals as Enma went to her closet to find a jacket.

"Enma?"

"Hmmm?"

"Isn't it too cold out to be wearing sandals?"

Enma shrugged. "Probably." she checked her watch and swore lightly to herself. "It's six fifteen." she muttered.

"Did you even get confirmation that Toshi'll show up?" Mitikomomon asked.

"No, but he's a prankster, and I know prankster's; his curiousity will get the better of him." she said.

***

Rogishimon watched as -- for the seventh time since the two of them got home -- Asayake picked up her guitar, moved to strum it, then set it aside and sighed irritably. The little white bird may not have been the brightest In-Training ever, but she knew anstyness when she saw it. "'Sayake, why don't you just go out an have some fun?" she asked, cocking her head at her digi-destened, "I heard Enma talking about a 'gig' the 'Wild Stallions' were having tonight. Why don't you go? I'm sure someone you know will be there."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Asayake grumbled, throwing herself backwards do she was laying on her back on her bed. She draped an arm over her face, and huffed slightly. "Right now, I couldn't handle that big of a crowd; I'd freak out." Giving the red-haired girl a sad look, Rogishimon cocked her head to the opposite side.

"But you'll go nuts if you coop yourself up in your room forever. It wouldn't hurt to try--"

"It would!" shouted asayake, sitting bolt upright and pinning her digimon with a heated glare, "It would be a total disaster! I'm too fucked up to do normal stuff, okay? I can't go normal places and do the same things that everyone else does anymore -- it's not realistic right now! The minute something triggered one of my anxiety attacks, I'd either go berserk and get angry or make myself sick! I'd ruin everything for everyone else!" Shrinking into her feathers, Rogishimon stared patiently at Asayake as she calmed herself down again. Once she had, Asayake growled angrily at herself for shouting at her digimon partner; she threw herself from her bed and scooped Rogishimon into her arms, hugging her softly. "I'm sorry, Ro', I shouldn't have yelled at you. It's not your fault I'm like this; I had no right."

"It's okay," cooed the little bird softly, snuggling into Asayake's shoulder, "I just don't want you to be lonely." Asayake chuckled, and held the little bird in her arms up in front of her face.

"I can't be lonely anymore, Rogishimon," she said, kissing her on the beak, "I've got you, and you follow me everywhere."

Asayake set Rogishimon down on her perch on top of her desk lamp, settling herself down on her bed and picking up her guitar again; but as the redhead set it back down and sighed again, Rogishimon couldn't help but think that talking birds couldn't keep teenaged humans from being lonely all on their own. There seemed to be no substitute for human company, and that was exactly what Asayake was avoiding; it was a lose-lose situation for her.

***

Yuu walked into the club where the Wild Stalions were playing that night, glasses on and thoroughly pleased. She'd been back in Niigata for most of winter break and hadn't been to one of their concerts in quite a while. And by the looks of this new place, they weren't doing all that bad for themselves.

"Y'sure we shoulda come?" whispered her purse.

Yuu sighed. "Kuinamon, just because two students get transfered to own school on the same day does not mean something 'funny' is going on, you know" she whispered back, nonchalantly as possible.

"But they both had somethin' weird about 'em! I jus' know it!"

"Well, Toshi-san did say that Matsuro-san was the one that transfered him," she pointed out. "You never know, maybe he's a new digi-destined."

"Hmph, yeah righ'."

Yuu smiled and gave the bag a little poke. "You know, I'm starting to think you just don't like new people"

"Oi, I like 'em just fine," the bag muttered back, "'cept when they're all got got something odd about them"

***

"A guy? You mean your boyfriend Tegiwa?" Keiko asked as she pointed towards Tegiwa, who had just arrived. "I'll leave you two alone then."

Shireika smiled as she watchd Keiko skip away from them. Her eyes searched the room quickly before she turned towards Tegiwa and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"And for what reason are you surprising me like this?" she asked with a grin.

***

"Yeah, something like that," Hanshin said with a grin to Shouki. "That's how I'm able to write music. As much as my sister won't believe me, I care a lot about her. She is my one and only sister." He glared at Yukio and Hiroshi. "There's so much I want for her. I wish she realized that I don't really hate her."

"He's the one who screwed everything up," Yukio whispered to Shouki, but Hanshin could hear it all. "He's the one who lost his temper first, when Shireika decided to stop playing music."

"I regret that," Hanshin said to defend himself. "I didn't mean to."

***

Ami walked out of the shadows. She too had changed for the occasion. She approached Naoko and Kinoha and put an arm around Kinoha's shoulders.

"You're welcome to join anyone else if you want," she said as she glared a little at Naoko. "Naoko, don't have you equipment to check?" She smiled sweetly at Kinoha. "So, you want to see Shouki and the other boys? Naoko has things to take care of on stage, but I can show you around."

***

Hanarei was finished helping set the table with her mom. Nikko was busy in the kitchen trying to finish up some last minute cooking.

"So Hanarei," said Kosame, "anything new you want to talk about that happened at school?" She was trying to make some small talk.

"Hmm? Not really. Although I did meet two new kids who joined our school."

Nikko overheard this and turned to them. "Oh yeah, Toshi and Kanjin I believe. I was a bit surprised when Matsuro himself gave a recommendation."

"You and me both," said Hanarei. She still didn't know if Toshi was a digidestined but didn't want to bring the subject up before the dinner party. Plus, Kosame and Yume didn't know about digimon yet.

***

Kinoha was surprised by Naoko's sudden appearance that she let out a small squeak. While Naoko talked, Kinoha tried to get in a few words but couldn't help stuttering and was unable to finish a sentence until Naoko finished and she regained her senses. "Well, I just thought I should stop by and... wish him luck and everything," Kinoha said nervously. "But, um, n-no, S-shouki and I don't have plans for later. I-I-I haven't even thought about that...."

Unfortunately for Kinoha, her optimistic side tend to lean in the wrong direction. "A-ami may not be that bad or tr-try anything," she said. 'I hope,' she thought.

Just then, Ami appeared behind her and Naoko. Glancing over at Naoko, as though asking for some sort of help on what to do, Kinoha turned to Ami. "Um, s-sure, but I just want to pop my head in and say to him and the band before the concert. I-I won't take long."

***

Shouki slightly nodded at what Yukio and Hiroshi said about Hanshin. "Still, he acknowledges the fact so there's probably no need to keep bring it up again," he said calmly. "It's probably a touchy subject too."

***

“So, are you gonna go?” Parumon asked, as she suddenly submerged from underneath the water of the pool behind the Toyogawa residence.

Tomeo’s parents were inside watching a movie they had rented out, and Tomeo had made the excuse that he had gone swimming, which was one of his chores anyway, to allow Parumon some much needed time and freedom in the water without his parents finding the upstairs bathroom suspiciously flooded. The dark-haired boy had to move around as much as he could to keep himself warm in the freezing cold water with only his swimming trunks on, and had now collapsed exhausted up in the shallow end of the pool, leaning his head and arms back over the side to rest as he looked up at the dark sky. “What? The Wild Stallions concert?” he answered Parumon midly, remebering that he had mentioned it to her briefly. He lifted his head up and shook it, looking out at Parumon, then thoughtfully into the rippling water as he answered. “Nah, Asayake didn’t say anything about going, and I felt bad going without her; besides, the concert is more Kanjin’s sort of scene, and I don't want to have to put up with him again today.”

“What was that deal with you and that Kanjin guy, anyway?” Parumon questioned, drifting over the surface of the water now with little effort. “When I was saying hi to Hitomomon, you were going all out at him when he was talking to Hanarei and Asayake, like you’d seen him before. You know him? Is he your rival, or something?”

“Oh yeah, I know him, unfortunately.” Tomeo sighed annoyingly, looking back up into the sky as he laid his head backwards. “And are we rivals? Yeah, I guess you could put it that way. We used to be friends, that’s all.” Bitter memories surfaced in his mind, forcing himself to bite his lip to stop an oncoming wave of depressing nostalgia. “But that’s all in the past, and I don’t want to talk about it right now. I don’t like him, and after meeting him you’d know what I mean, so let’s just leave it at that.”

“Okay then,” Parumon said, circling around in the water to face him again, this time with an amused grin. “Then let’s talk about how you feel about Asayake, then, instead."

Tomeo bolted upright in the water this time, looking panicky this time, and felt his face going red. “I don’t…” he started to babble, but rephrased his words and tried again, feeling his throat going dry. “Asayake… is my friend. That’s all. Will you stop asking me about this? This is, like the umpteenth time you’ve asked me about this today. So leave it, end of story.”

“Don’t give me that!” Parumon giggled, swimming up to him and looking him squarely in the eye, but then took on a more serious tone. “Nobody else notices how obvious you are, but I do ‘cause I’m your partner. You can’t deny about that time you she invited you over to her house… and today when you were fending Kanjin off her, I would have thought you were fighting to save someone’s life, by the tone you were talking to him. And just now, Asayake was the first thing on your mind when I asked if you were going to the concert tonight. So, spare me the cutesy boy crap and spill the beans. I’m your partner, Tomeo! I want you to be happy. I won’t say anything about this, you can trust me. If you can’t tell me about Kanjin, you can at least share that you like Asayake, and not only as a friend.”

“You really like the phrase, ‘Spill the beans.’ Don’t you?” Tomeo tried to change the subject, but Parumon kept staring at him expectantly until he couldn't take it anymore. “Oh, alright. Don’t you tell anyone, or I’ll strangle you, got it? I guess… I dunno, maybe… I might… like her, yeah…” he felt flushed again, looking down into his lap as he struggled getting the words out, but gradually his expression turned into frustration. “But, but... oh, what’s the use? She wouldn’t talk to me since Kanjin made his move on her today. I’d like to know what he said to her to make her feel like that… that little punk, thinks he can waltz around and do whatever he wants… and she was withdrawn for the rest of the day, like, like…”

“…Like she was reacting to a bad experience?” Parumon finished his sentence, stepping past Tomeo to get out of the pool. “Don’t sweat it Tomeo, it happens. She was just suffering from shock, the poor girl. That Kanjin must be one rough customer, but I bet you she’ll be feeling better now. Why don’t you e-mail her, and tell her how you feel about her? I bet you she’d be flattered you thought of her. Rogishimon’s a good digimon, but she’s not exactly human company, is she?”

“What? No, it wouldn't be right...” Tomeo shook his head nervously, diving into the water for one last swim to avoid Parumon. He surfaced a moment later, and clambered out to fetch his towel. “...I couldn’t tell her how I feel over an e-mail! It’s less demeaning than if I said it face to face. Unless, say, I hadto go far away and never see her again. But I mean, what would she think of me? She can’t even talk to me right now.”

“Then just invite her to that concert so you can tell her face to face!” Parumon practically begged, fetching his mini computer out of the school bag he had dumped near his belongings. “You don’t even have to tell her, just do something to show that you care, you big friggin’ idiot.” She harshly shoved the mini-computer in his leg, forcing him to kneel down to get it. “If you don’t say something, someone else will. And we don’t want that your rival Kanjin to be the first one to speak to her, do we?” she smirked. Using Tomeo’s hatred of Kanjin to trick him into doing something couldn’t have been easier.

“Yeah, you’re right. I guess that she’ll find it easier to reply by mail than talking to anyone; at least then she can go at her own pace.” He flipped open his mini-computer, and started writing out an e-mail. After checking it over and making sure it was sent only to Asayake’s address, he felt satisfied and sent it, gathering his clothes to change upstairs.

[ Asayake,

Do you want to go to the Wild Stallions concert tonight? I bet everyone will be there now we’re not fighting amongst each other anymore. If you don’t feel like it, I don’t mind; maybe I can come over to your place, and we can hang out instead? I hope you’re feeling better. I’m worried about you, and I just want to make sure you’re okay.

- Tomeo ]

***

Kanjin narrowed his brow as Ami pulled away from him and kissed Hanshin, almost thinking he was going to miss out on getting lucky a second time that day, but was pleasantly surprised at Ami’s invitation to join her outside in the courtyard. “Be right there with you, love.” He called after her eagerly, watching her backside as she left.

He turned to Hanshin and Shouki, and after listening to them, gave a hearty laugh as he stepped up to Hanshin boldly. “Look, I ain’t scared of you, band boy, so you can just quit while you’re ahead. I’ll do what I like, thanks, and I don’t care if you get your prissy little band members together to beat me up. Wouldn’t look good if the star player of the Wild Stallions was responsible for beating up the new kid on the first day, would it? Word might get out, and you couldn’t afford to have your precious reputation damaged, lose sales to your concerts, would it? So I’d step off if I were you. As for your sister, since you’ve gone so far out of your way to make it obvious you think of me as a threat… and I’m flattered, by the way… I might make it in my interests to see if there’s any truth behind what the boys have been saying, eh? But all this threatening isn’t helping me take my mind off it, is it? Let’s see what your sister has to say about it. Until then… see you around, Hanshin, Shouki.” He snickered, and went downstairs, following the direction Ami had gone outside. It was good that he was in a good mood, so it wouldn’t spoil his time with Ami. Regardless, he was going to take all his frustrations out on her, one way or the other.

***

Kanjin arrived at the club where the Wild Stallions were playing, wearing some neater casual clothes than the uniform he had worn earlier that day, and this time he had let his wild, stringy brown hair down. He removed his own pair of sunglasses and looked around, checking out all the numbers of girls that were there and grinned inwardly to himself in anticipation. Eventually he noticed a girl he had seen earlier that day in the halls of the school, and moved over to her slowly.

“Talking into your bag, huh? Do you always do that, or are you just seeking some much needed attention?” he asked interestingly, then smiled broadly. “My name’s Kanjin, Jinccoku Kanjin. I’m the new student at your school, I saw you in the hallway today. I remember, because you were one of the pretty girls there. ”

He hadn't noticed Kuinamon in the slightest, his attention more focused on his conversation with Yuu. He hadn't noticed the mysterious pair of beady eyes that had been following him around all day, either, that had now familiarised itself with the use of ventilation ducts, peering in from one of the smaller vents in the ceiling.

***

"Aww, come on. Hello Nurse was hot. It's a compliment and I'll take the garbage can warining to mind." Toshi scrathced the back of his head and turned to Tegiwa."Uh actually I've never met the good doctor.The first and only time I've been in contact with him was the email he sent me." He looked at the device Tegiwa held out. He had one of those in his room somewhere. He still wasn't sure what was so important about it. It looked like a pocket game to him. "Huh, he didn't give me one." Toshi absently took the paper from Enma. He was still trying to figure out the mystery behind the devices."Sure I'll come by at six-thirty."

***

"I don't know why I just don't come right out and say it. I'm a digi-destined. Not that hard to say." Toshi sighed and pulled the towel off his head. His hair, now dry and free of gel, was back to its usual spikey state. "Why was I being so vague." He slipped his headband on and grabbed a random shirt out of his closet. "Ah I'll figure it out tonight." Toshi butttoned his shirt while he ran out his room.

"Going somewhere Pinky?" Hissori asked when his little brother raced past him heading for the front door.Toshi stopped and looked down at his shirt. It was very much pink. The only difference in color was the black Batman insignia on the back.

"No time." A quick glance at his watch showed that he wouldn't have time to change his shirt."If Mom gets back before I do tell I went to a concert."

***

"Hope I got the right house." Toshi said to his self as he knocked on Enma's door.

***

Tegiwa couldn't hold a deadpan look to save his life, not with Shireika's arms around him. But, he tried to sound serious anyway. "I'm sorry, I wouldn't have come if I had known you required a reason....I thought your being the most important person in my life would be enough. Actually, there is this little café down the road. I thought we could spend a bit of time away from the others. Maybe, look at the shops too. Sound good?"

***

Naoko stood a little closer to Kinoha. "I just finished the stage, but feel free to look yourself. That Samoan tech out there just seems to love our second uessing him." Naoko motioned toward the rather cubic looking individual whose build made him appear six feet wide and thick, as well as six feet tall. "I'm sure he'd welcome your input." Naoko gave a sarcastic smile. "I'll take her to Shouki, because I have to make sure the things are ready for 'after'." She led Kino-chin down the hall to the back. "Ami is ok, just don't get caught alone...you know? I had to find out the hard way. She likes others pain and submission, so just stay near Shouki. I'll be prepping things for the aftersho party." I'll be damned if I let ami mess with Shouki or Kinoha. That bitch Ami trys to grab all the cute ones anyway.

***

Ami grumbled under her breath as she watched Naoko drag Kinoha off. The girl needed to learn to quiet interfering with other people's lives. True, Hanshin needed a good manager like Naoko, but the way she micro-managed was absolutely over the top. Did Naoko actually believe that by doing everything Hanshin wanted that the lead singer would fall in love with her? The girl was a fool to believe that Hanshin could even consider Naoko material for a real relationship, not like Hanshin was even interested in a real relationship at all. Hanshin was a free spirit, with his eyes on enjoying his youth, and Ami understood that. She had no interest in attempting to tie Hanshin's soul down. He was a stallion, born to be wild and free.

***

"He's also mildly jealous of his sister, but you knew about that," Hiroshi explained.

"Yeah," Shouki replied softly.

"Hey, is your girl Kinoha coming tonight?" Yukio asked. "I swore that Ami mentioned that she had given her a pass to get back here."

Shouki turned a nice shade of red at the mention of Kinoha.

"Uh," he studdered. "Well, she's not exactly my girl."

Yukio and Hiroshi glanced at each other, silencing saying "Denial" to each other.

"I'm sure she'll be here. She seems to care about you a lot," Hanshin said.

***

"Ami really doesn't seem that mean, you know," Kinoha said softly. "I mean. She's really friendly and nice to me." She didn't really understand what the big deal was. "What do Shouki and the band do after their concerts anyway? Like, what usually happens?"

***

"Sounds fine," Shireika replied as he removed her arms from around Tegiwa's neck. She took him by the hand and pulled him along. As they left the lobby, she glanced back at the crowd briefly. "Come on, you slow poke," she said cheerfully. "You're no fun when you stare off like that." As always, she seemed to lead the way, even though it was Tegiwa who had come up with the idea to head to the cafe down the street, but that's how they always were. Shireika used to always tease Tegiwa that whenever he tried leading the way, he would always get lost. She knew Tegiwa had a habit of zoning out in his dreams, but she did the same thing. Fortunately, it was whenever she was sitting down. "So, why don't we get something warm to drink and do a little homework here, okay?" she asked as they entered the little cafe. "We're here anyway, so we might as well get something done, right?"

***

A shadow creeped in the shadows toward the boy at the door. It had been followng the young lad since he had left his house and remeained out of site the entire time. The human shadow was not exactly human. Jet was the name of this obfuscated racker. He was a protector of his world who had come to even the scales of fate. If he was luckly, he might get to have some fun too.

He let his shadow fall across Toshi as he made a quick motion and an object whizzed by Toshi's neck. The object thunked into the door and quivered. The thing was a medium sized knife. "Pardon me," said a small guy who seemed to peer with amber eyes behind a curtain of dense curly banges held down by a top hat. He got up right next to Toshi and pushed him aside. "Are you Toshi? I'm looking for you and Kodomojimita Enma. I'm here to collect on an overdue debt." His white shirt sleve bellow a bit as his had shot forward seized the knife from the wall and let the blade glisten in the light. There was a thin line of blood on the blade. Then the short, long haired appartion liked the blade clean in a flash.

"Yeah, you are Toshi alright. Now, I'm going to be nice... But, only once. Sakiko-sama knows you have a certain key. Give it to me and I promise your death will be swift and painless. We and our kind would much rather see you suffer in torment for ages for the crimes you have commited agained the world. For mking things easy, a mercy killing is more than you merit, but I'm generous. This offerexpires in thrity seconds. What say kid? Hand over that key?"

***

Noako looked at Kinoha. "After the show they relax, party with some fans, do the things your are afraid Shouki's been doing. Sex, drugs, and rock and rock...except no drugs. Normally, I take Shouki out when clothing starts to be removed, and he gets the heebee jeebees. You can stay or join in if you like, but I figure Shouki won't stay long."

***

"You are so diligent with your studies Shireika. So, what would you like to do for the est of the evening? The others planned on going to your brothers concert. We might try yo find the new kids there after the concert. Finf out more about them. Untill then, we could stroll the streets of the shopig district or the mall. I Just like being with you. You know that.

***

Saiki stared at the club with distate. "Sakiko better apreciate this." she muttered to herself. With a resigned sigh, she crossed the street and slipped into the club. There were more people than she expected, and she recoiled back for a moment, trying to get her bearings. She scanned the surroundings, before her frown deepened. She had found who she was looking for.

And he was with someone else.

She had realized it wouldn't be easy to get to him. She ran a hand through her hair and set her mind into getting him out of the club where she would have an easier time getting what she wanted.

Saiki slipped through the crowd and held out her hand. When she reached him, she curled her hand around his shoulder. "Jicchoku Kanjin?" she asked, her voice low. "I need to speak with you," she glared at the girl he was with. She caught sight of the creature with the girl and her look hardened. "Alone." She hissed; she'd deal with the girl later. She pulled Kanjin out of the club and, once she was safely away from the other...people within the club, she pushed him up against a wall. "Sakiko-sama and I would like to know where you have put a certain key." She told him. She smirked, and her green eyes glittered as she cocked her head to the side. "And don't do anything foolish, boy." she whispered to him.

***

"Can I come too?" pleaded Mitikomomon.

Enma rolled her eyes and held out her purse. "Fine, but be a keychain." she demanded.

"Again?" He pouted.

"Yes, again; I can't have Toshi freak out because of a talking stuffed...thing." she said. Mitikomomon latched himself by the tail to the extra keyring on Enma's purse. She flung it over her shoulder and headed towards the door. She opened it, smiling. "Hey, To...shit." Enma stared at the boy behind Toshi, and her eyes automatically went to the knife in the hand. She heard the stranger mention something about a key, and her eyes narrowed. "Oh, hell no." She said, pointing at him. "You get off my property and keep away from any and all keys before I take that little knife of yours away."

"Probably not the best thing to say, Enma." Mitikomomon said. Enma clapped a hand over her mouth and hit her head against the door panel.

"Probably not." She grabbed Toshi and pulled him onto the other side of the door, before closign it and locking it. "Who is that and why is he at my house?" Enma demanded, spilling out the contents of her purse.

"Ow, Enma...that hurt!" Mitikomomon said, rolling across the floor with her compact.

"Not now..." she said, rummaging through her things to find her mini computer.

***

"Huh?" Yuu turned to the boy who had spoken to her. "Oh, ah, no, I was just talking to myself" she responded quickly. She recognised him as the new boy from school even before he mentioned it. "Ah, I'm Shimakoto Yuu" she replied, flushing a little at the compliment. Kuinamon, meanwhile, was resisting the urge to leap out of the purse give the sap a sound bite in the nose. But then something else happened.

Yuu was taken aback a little by the glare she received from the strange girl who had just come up to Kanjin. His girlfriend maybe? But then she gave a significant glance at Kuinamon... a little too significant.

But before she could even get a word in, Kanjin and the girl were gone. Yuu simply stared. What was going on here? "I won' say I told y'so" said her purse.

***

Kinoha blinked silently as she listened to Naoko's explanation of the ongoings after the concerts.

"That really happens?" she asked curiously. She seemed to pale. "I, um, don't really want to stay after the concert, unless Shouki does. What do you and Shouki do?"

***

Shireika looked up at Tegiwa from her books.

"I don't mind studying here," she said. "You know me - I don't have a fondness for shopping like Naoko does. Besides, it's a nice place to study." She glanced out the window and then back at Tegiwa. "Unless you had some other grand plan in mind."

***

“Key? What the hell do you want a key for…? Oh, I see.” Kanjin realised, after he had been shoved outside against the wall, a grin spreading across his face as he looked at Saiki. “You want to play rough with me, huh? Have a little word-play? That’s fine with me, love… whichever way you want to play it. And one of your friends is coming to play, too? Excellent. If you want my ‘key’ as you call it, all you have to do is reach your hands down my pants. Go on, help yourself and I’ll repay you in kind. I’ve gotta say… never met a girl like you before, so eager to get it on before the concert’s over, and on the street too... what a night.” His wide grin came back and looked a little more eager this time, naively waiting to receive what he thought he was getting.

Meanwhile, the glittering eyes that had followed Kanjin all day through the ducts had their eyes focused completely on Saiki now, a hum of insect wings filled the night air as a small shadowy body scuttled vertically down the wall of the club building, unseen right above the two.

***

Driving down the street towards the club, Tomeo parked his car outside and looked a little hesitantly at his mini-computer to check his e-mail, and flipping it closed. “Stupid Kanjin. This better not be a trick. I swear, if that e-mail he sent me about him with 'my red-head girl' and ' that Shireika girl from school' is just some joke to get back at me, I swear I'm going to mop the club floor with him. Kanjin couldn't get either of them even on a good day, but I'll teach him my friends aren't people to mess with..."

“Me too.” Parumon mused from the passenger seat, leaning on the car door to peer outside. “And no offence Tomeo, even if it isn't a joke, you don’t exactly qualify for digimon company. It’ll be nice to be reminded I’m not the only digital creature being forced into hiding to avoid mass hysteria among the human population. I'm sure some of the others will be there to help us pound him into submission.”

“Touché,” Tomeo agreed, lifting up the bag Parumon was in and lifted it over his shoulder, stepping out of the car. As he did, he heard voices outside the club and upon recognising them looked up instantly, his ears pricking at the mention of a certain word. “Key?” he whispered to Parumon, eyes switching back and forth between Kanjin and the mysterious-looking young woman. “Parumon, get my mini-computer quick, please.” he said quietly, realising he had reached into his bag for it and found Parumon’s little head instead.

“Ahh - !” Parumon almost yelped, but bit her lip to keep herself quiet as she eyed the two outside the club. “Careful with those fingers, you almost poked my eye out… there.” She passed Tomeo the mini-computer, which was covered a little bit in reptile saliva.

“Thanks…” Tomeo said reproachfully, and while hidden for the moment out of sight behind his parked car, he started typing out a quick, brief message to the rest of the digi-destined. He didn’t send it yet, glancing over his computer every now and then to check that he hadn’t jumped the gun and misinterpreted what the girl had said to Kanjin. “Figures… Kanjin’s always getting himself in trouble, baka…” he muttered, glancing back at his computer and continued to type away at his message irritably. A little part of him was relieved that someone else was equally as pissed off at Kanjin as he was.

***

Toshi saw the knife fly by him and the pain of the cut came a mere second after it. “Ouch! What the hell?” His hand flew to his neck just as he was pushed aside. “I hate to tell you this, but that’s hardly hygienic.” Toshi said with a grimace as he watched the boy lick the knife clean. He listened to him talk about some key Toshi was supposed to have with a frown. “I see someone escaped from the loony bin and with weapons no less. Look pal, I’ve been through my own little hell with knives so save the death threats. I don’t respond well to them and even if I remotely knew what you’re talking about or had this key you want I sure wouldn’t give it to a psychopath like you.” It was at that moment that Toshi felt himself being pulled and he yelped from the sudden movement thinking he was being attacked again. “Oh boy.” Toshi said, sighing. One minute he was staring down a knife totting maniac and the next minute he was in Enma’s house and being interrogated by said girl. “How should I know who that lunatic is? He attacks me, says he’s looking for us and wants this key for somebody named Sakiko.” Toshi raised a brow and looked down at Enma’s purse. “Did your keychain just talk?”

***

Saiki stared at Kanjin in utter disgust. "Why would I want to even touch one of your kind?" she demanded. With one finger, she lightly outlined his jawline. "I wouldn't want to put my whole palm on you unless you were of the deceased persuasion." she grabbed his neck and pushed it back against the wall. "Normally I don't condone physical violence, but for you I may make an exception." She said. "Now, stop pretending to be stupider than you actually are and tell me, where is the key?"

***

Enma sideglanced the door as she finally found her mini computer. "Eh...long story short, that's Mitikomomon, not a keychain." She said, as she fumbled with the buttons. She finally found the "ALL" button, and clicked it, before typing up her message.

[Psycho talking about the key - well, a key - with a knife attacking me and Toshi; we're at my house. Help would be apreciated. - Enma]

She looked up at Toshi and rolled her eyes. "Okay, considering that it was Yasuragi Matsuro who got you transferred to my school, and the fact that psycho-boy out there wants to skewer you alive to get the key...yeah, all things considered, I'm guessing you're a digi-destined; or...um...a protector." She pulled out her digivice. "In short; digivice, digimon," she pointed at Mitikomomon. "Those are the only weapons we have. It's kind of the short end of the stick, really." She grimaced at Toshi and pulled herself up, leaving the spilt contents of her purse on the ground. She looked out the window and sighed. "Well, ugly's still there."

***

Jet stared at the door the children had rudely slammed in his face. "Oh, dear! They have impose an inch thick piece of wood and plastic between them and me. How ever shall I get them now. Wood and molded plastic is my weakness. I guess I will just give up!" He stated this as if he were reading word by word from a script, pausing at each word for sarcaistic emphasis.

Stupid brats. Why couldn't they just hand over the key so he could take it to his Queen, and then get around to his hobby of flaying people alive. "I bet they left the back door open!" He said loudly, but not as loud as the other and in a nomal tone as well. He backed away from the front door and into the shadow of the house. He waited two minutes.

He took a run at one of the front windows situated far from the front door without light coming through it. Pulling his blades, one in each hand and covering his face with his forearms, he slammed his shoulder into the window full speed. He rolled his body forward through the shower of glass while his cloak protected his back from abrasions. He followed through the roll when his shoulder hit the floor and popped up on his feet.

He tore through the house headed for the foyer. When he spotted Toshi and Enma he shouted, "Now, I am mad. No amnesty or grace for you stupid Digidisaters. Not that your kind deserve mercy. Terran Proctors are known from their savagery and spite in my realm. Now, give me the key or tell me where it is. I don't have all night for this shit."

***

Tegiwa looked at Shireika. She looked happy working in the café. He didn't want to spoil that. But,why didn't she see how nice it would be just to stroll around as a couple. No, he couldn't think of a way to change her mind. "That's okay. Let's just finish up here then head home. Your borhter and the gang are doing their concert thing. We should grab a movie chip or download something. Unless you had another idea."

***

Naoko shrugged. "I drag Shouki to various clubs and places downtown. There's lots out there even at night. All night clubs and stores. I take him out under the guise of getting him used to socializing while I'm really keeping the girls hear from raping him. Shouki is so uncomfortable I do need to help him relax, but its just fun. Ya'know?"

***

"Not really," Shireika said when her computer beeped that she had new messages. "Interesting," she murmured as she looked at the computer and pulled up her inbox screen. "I take that back. We've got problems over at Enma's and at the club." She thought quickly. "Come on, we got to get to Enma's place." She packed up her books quickly and threw the bags over a shoulder. "Someone's threatening her and some kid named Toshi, and he's asking for the damn key." She hoped that Hanshin had put that key somewhere safe and in a place that he could remember in his mess of a bedroom. She stood up and grabbed Tegiwa by the sleeve as she began to head out. "Come on." They needed to get moving so they could get their partners and head over to Enma's before the psycho did anything bad.

***

Hanshin nearly leaped from the couch when his computer beeped that he had new messages. He read the two messages from Tomeo and Enma quickly. The idiot head named Kanjin was getting jumped outside the club right now? He glanced at the clock - they had an hour before the concert. And then he remembered, Koumamon was back at home. He had begun to leave his partner at home now that the Kousei ordeal was over.

"Shit," Hanshin mumbled.

"What's up?" Yukio asked.

"It's not over," Hanshin replied as he looked towards Shouki.

"Huh?"

Neither Hiroshi nor Yukio understood, but Shouki did. He leapt into the air, grabbing his bag.

"I got to take care of something," Shouki studdered as he bolted out of the room.

"Hey, Shouki!" Hanshin called as he ran out after him. He glanced back, hoping that Yukio and Hiroshi weren't following them. "What's up?"

"I've got my partner right here," Shouki said as they headed out the back entrance.

"Yo," Kirimon said with a grin. "What's up?"

"We've got problems outside of the club," Hanshin explained as they exited the building. "Though, it seems that Tomeo's not quite sure what's actually happening." He looked around for Tomeo, hoping that the other boy would notice that he and Shouki were ready to help out.

***

Kinoha looked worriedly at Naoko, but her attention was drawn when she saw Hanshin and Shouki quickly leave out of the club.

"Hey, where are they going?" Kinoha asked as she pointed. Hanshin wouldn't be getting Shouki involved in something bad before concerts, would he?

***

“What the fuck!?” Kanjin spat, as Saiki seemingly refused his offer and shoved him up against the wall with inhuman strength. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m not letting you have my keys at any rate.” He tried to pry her fingers away with his neck, but they wouldn’t budge, as if they were as strong as steel. “What the hell’s wrong with you, do you eat steroids for breakfast!? Let me go!”

[Guys,

There’s an attack here too, some woman has grabbed Hanshin outside the club where the Wild Stallions are playing and is shoving him against the wall asking about a ‘key’. I’ll fend her off best I can, but something tells me I’m going to need some backup from anyone who can lend it.

- Tomeo ]

Tomeo sent his e-mail, skipping minor details he was unsure of so he could get it out quickly. “Parumon, get my digivice, quickly." he said to his partner, who dived into the bag to retrieve said device. When he received the e-mail from Enma immediately after, he knew something was up. This was no random attack – someone was coordinating this.

He stepped out from behind the car and crossed the street towards them, clutching the only weapon he felt he had, his digivice, in his hand. As soon as Kanjin could see him from over Saiki’s shoulder, he started spluttering. “Wait a minute, it’s all been you, hasn’t it Toyogawa!” he accused, pointing at Tomeo to draw her attention to him, and noticed Hanshin and Shouki arriving at the scene as well. “You’ve had it in for me since I got into your school, wanted to settle the score for that e-mail I sent you tonight as well, didn’t you? You and this digi-crap I got in my e-mail, you’ve even brought your friends from the Wild Stallions to have a go at me. I’ll fucking kill you, Toyogawa, get your bitch off of me!”

“Now now, Kanjin. Settle down.” Tomeo spoke calmly and with some mocking in his tone, quite liking the idea of seeing Kanjin squirm, stepping slowly towards the two. “You’re in no position to threaten me. This seriously isn’t a prank of mine, Jincchoku, not even I would sink low enough to your level. I assure you, this is all very much real…” He zipped open his bag to allow Parumon out, who seemed to get the idea as she slinked down towards the ground, allowing Kanjin to get a good, long look at her as Tomeo settled his sights on Saiki. “You there. I don’t know who the hell you are, but if you know what’s good for you, you better get off him, now. He doesn’t know anything about this. If you’re looking for the key, I’m the one you want to talk to. Now, back away from the boy, slowly.” He saw Hanshin and Shouki coming out of the club, calling over to them. “Guys, over here. Be careful… I know Kanjin’s pretty strong, but this girl’s keeping him pinned against the wall, so don’t underestimate her.”

Kanjin’s eyes went wide, in disbelief at what he was seeing; he seemed to be in a loss for words as Parumon started speaking. “You heard him. Hands off the jerk now if you want the key, or I’ll digivolve.” She sniffed for a moment, taking in too peculiar scents. “Tomeo, this human doesn’t smell right. There’s definitely something different about her… something definitely not human. And there’s something else…”

Suddenly, the glimmering eyes belonging to the shadowy form that had been perched above Saiki and Kanjin jumped off the wall, a humming coming from its wings as it glided down towards earth. The spotlight from the street revealed what it was; it looked like a giant insect, namely a beetle or a ladybug of some sort, with a carapace protecting it’s moth-like wings, stubby legs, long stick-like arms and a short horn on it’s forehead. It flew in a direct path down at Saiki’s head, made contact with her shoulder instead and seemed to trip in mid-air on it, falling down to the ground and spinning awkwardly around on it’s folded carapace. After some effort, it heaved itself onto it’s feet and looked up at Saiki, speaking rather timidly. “Um, if you would k-k-kindly get off my digidestined, if you may, I won’t have to hurt you either, um, please…”

***

Enma looked at Jet. She told herself that it probably wasn't the best idea to go after him, but instinct had taken over from thought a long time ago. "Look, we don't have the key and Toshi doesn't even know what the hell you're talking about, so get out of my god-damned living room and get that sorry ass out of my face, or I'm going to have to hurt you."

***

Saiki let go of Kanjin after hitting his head against the wall. She picked Parumon up with the tips of her fingers, and scowled. "You are not frightening." She said, before throwing Parumon at Tomeo. "Please, have at me. I don't condone physical abuse, so I won't hit back." She said. She flexed her hand and looked around at the digidestined surrounding her, smirking slightly.

***

“You’re not exactly Prince Charming. It’s not like having to deal with you is some kind of treat for us.” The guy was deranged, Toshi decided. He was deranged and a horrible actor. Toshi couldn’t help but wonder what the deal was with him slaughtering all that was good and decent in drama out there. “Like I said outside, even if I understood one iota of what you’re saying I wouldn’t give you what want.”

“And if you’re thinking of taking it by force I got one thing to tell you.” The glimpses of grey Toshi constantly caught out of the corner of his eye dived through Jet’s newly made entrance and ran through the house. “Over my cold, clammy corpse.” The little creature came to a stop in front of Toshi and Enma. “I’ve been tailing him for too long to let it end like this.”

“Wah?” Toshi looked down at the creature, which now with a closer and non-moving look he could see was actually slate in color, in confusion. “You’re planning to protect me?”

“Well duh,” he said, rolling his eyes. At least Toshi thought he rolled them. Through that shaggy blue mane is was impossible to really tell. “The name’s Goirumon and I’m your digimon. It’s kind of my job to protect you.” Toshi raised a skeptical brow and turned to Enma.

“How’s your home owner insurance ‘cause I’m thinking saying we got the short end of the stick is the understatement of the year.”

Goirumon looked at Toshi and in a quivering voice yelled, “You’re mean!”

***

Jet's amber eyes blazed behind his greasy, curly bangs. His visable face was mostly aqualine nose and pointy chin. His cloak was pushed back to show his whitish shirt and wellworn leather pants that bloused into cuffed thighhigh boots. He had probably been living in that outfit for a while; he looked like some kind of courtier from a shabby kingdom. Numerous sharp and pointy things peered out from various hidden recessed of his garments.

Jet looked at the two childern who rebuffed him. "Look, I'm here to get the key and get a little revenge on you Guardinas for making my life a living hell. If wonderboy there doesn't know anything then he can be my breakfast."

"Oh, a mouse and a mop for partners. Somehow, I expected more. Sakiko insists the earth gaurdians screwed us over, but you four don't look threatning." Jet pivoted and side-kicked Toshi, launching him into the air to slam high against the wall and slide down. Jet then became a blur of hands and steel as a barrage of knives came at Toshi. None of the knives hit the boy but he was well outlined in metal handle and his clothing was pinned to the wall in 54 places. "Breakfast." He pointed to Toshi. Turning to Enma, "Okay, if I've made my point....You gonna tell me about the key, or are you dessert?"

Tegiwa jumped out of Shireika's ride as soon as it stopped. They had aquired both car and digimon partners before showing up here. "Looks like we don't have to knock. I'm going in." Tegiwa ran with Robotmon toward the broken window and carefully climbed in. It wouldn't do it get all cut up before I meet the madman now would it, he thought. The psycho was making enough noise he didn't have to look long for him. "Aiya...he seems to have an advantage. Robotmon...do your thing."

"Robotmon Digivolve to Orenjiimon!"

Tegiwa strode cofidently into the room behind Jet with his mechical owl on his shoulder. "You want the key?"

Jet half-turned toward Tegiwa, "Yeah, who told you?"

"A litte bird..." Tegiwa hoped his voice wasn't breaking.

"Shit, you goona die for that smart ass remark." Jet made another quick motion with his hand, but nothing was evident until Oman blasted a trio of spikes fom the air with his eye beams.

Tegiwa remember to start breathing again.

***

Naoko smiled at Kohina as she read her email on her ring interface. "No, this is something good.....but I need to go help them. Stay here with Ami. It's safer." She toreoff toward the paking lot and the seen of the conflageration.

***

Yuu was still staring perplexedly after Kanjin when her computer started beeping at her. She pulled it out automaticly and read the message.

Half a moment later she was bolting for the door, her mind racing to match. How long would it take to get to Enma's from here? How long could Aoiromon hold him off? Would she be in time? What could she even do when she got there? And how had this guy found out about the key?

She was terribly relieved to see Hanshin and Shouki run out ahead of her, but as she caught up with them she saw the scene they were really heading toward. It was Kanjin and that girl that had pulled him aside, and... a digimon?

"What's going on here?" she said aloud.

***

Shireika hurried out of the car after Tegiwa. Was he trying to get himself killing - running into a room with a madman who had knives and had been threatening Enma and Toshi. She ran to the window and looked in, seeing Enma, Toshi, Tegiwa and Jet all in the same room. They had to get out of the house, especially if the digimon were going to be able to do anything.

"If you want a fight, quit looking like a coward and attacking the defenseless," she hissed through the window. "Come out and fight like a real man, unless you're a chicken." This guy was a maniac. How the hell did he know about the key? Kousei wouldn't have done anything. He was through. He promised. He signed an agreement. Kousei wouldn't have broken that.

***

"What the hell do you want?" Hanshin demanded of Saiki. "And who the hell are you anyway?" He began to approach her, cracking a couple of knuckles on the way. If she gave him the wrong answers, he'd pound her himself. She wanted the key, and there was only one key that he could think of. Thankfully, it wasn't here. It occurred to him that Kousei might be behind this: the punk, going against his word to not try to get the damn key.

"Uh, Hanshin," Shouki studdered, but he shut up. Hanshin wasn't going to listen to anyone when he was pissed.

***

"Bloody hell!" Kanjin whined, slumping down to the ground and holding the back of his head, which was bleeding. The insect digimon which had appeared by his side hobbled over with a concerned look on his face, but Kanjin waved him back with his free hand. 'Stay away from me, you little freak! I don't want to be a part of your sick little puppet show, whoever you are!"

"But Kanjin..." the insect digimon pouted, but was hit backwards in the face by Kanjin with the back of his hand. He wobbled over, regained his footing, and crawled back up to him. "I, uh, I'm sorry I've picked the wrong time to introduce myself, but I'm Kurikmon, and I'm here to help..."

"I said stay the fuck away from me!" Kanjin repeated again, shoving himself up against the wall he had slouched on and pushed himself backwards along the wall away from Kurikmon and Saiki, the shock still registering on his face as he was absorbing everything that was going on - including the live, larger-than-normal lizard that the girl was picking up that was talking and swinging it's fists in anger.

"How dare you, touching me like that!" Parumon spat as she dropped to the ground, glaring up at Saiki. "You think you can throw me aside like a rag doll, huh? Well, looks like you're not familiar with the concept of digivolving, so I'll demonstrate our powers to you, since you don't mind have your ass kicked..." The light from Tomeo's digivice glowed as Parumon started glowing. "Parumon digivolve to... Takamon!" A larger crocodile dropped to the ground on her long hind legs, then lowered herself on all fours to the ground, giving a loud crocodile hiss at Saiki. "And there's plenty more where that came from, so if you'd rather not have me shove you down my throat for dinner in my next form, you'd better start talking."

"Hanshin?" Tomeo said, looking at the other boy as he approached Saiki. He wasn't one of his band members, so unlike Shouki, he wasn't familiar with the fact that if he talked to Hanshin while he was angry, t would end up with another fist in his gut. "Let the digimon handle this. There's something wrong about her. I'd trust what Paru... Takamon said. She's not exactly a digimon herself, but I don't think she's a frail little human, either." He looked towards Saiki. "But I'd consider answering him, since you're pretty much outnumbered. And don't look so smug, you don't know what we're capable of and I'd thnk you'd rather avoid finding out. So, who are you? Did Kousei send you?" He had suspected the reincarnation of Akurei, but then again, Kousei had gotten the information about the key from resources the same as they had. Just about anybody could have stumbled upon it. "And what do you want the key for? For this 'Sakiko-sama' person?

***

Saiki watched Parumon digivolve into Takamon, unimpressed. "Me?" She asked, smiling demurely as Tomeo and Hanshin asked for her name. "I'm Saiki. And I know nothing about any human named Kousei." she said, waving a dismissive hand in Tomeo's face.

Saiki turned to Hanshin and watched him approach. She cocked her head and gave him a sultry smile. She walked over to Kanjin and touched the back of his head. She turned back to Hanshin.

"I've already told your friend what I want." She said, before walking over Hanshin. With the hand that hadn't touched Kanjin, she pushed Hanshin onto the ground. With one leg she stepped on him, then knelt down so that she was eye-level, her long black hair covering the space between them. "I will get that key." she whispered, licking the blood off of her hands. She looked at her hands, and watched a small light flicker on her fingertips. "Tisk, you've made me mad now." She said, sitting up, still kneeling on Hanshin.

***

Hanarei could feel her lungs burning, but she didn't dare stop running; she rounded yet another block, where Enma's house loomed before her. Pausing to take a few quick breaths, Hanarei took in the state of the house, and felt a slight lurch. "Fuck!" She shouted, ripping Himotomon off of her back and out of the bag, "Whatever it is is inside the house! Hurry up!"

"Okay, I'm out!" Himotomon squeaked; she still wasn't sure why they were here. "Hanarei, what's going on?"

"Something's attacking Enma and the new guy, Toshi," she explained softly as she ran, carefully pulling herself through the broken window, "And now it's in here with them somewhere. Can you digivolve?"

"Okay." Hanarei put Himotomon on the ground, who digivolved and moved through the rooms quickly, until she spotted Toshi, Enma, Shireika, Tegiwa and their armed attacker.

"Back off, psycho!" Okimon shouted at the greasy-looking man in the living room, Hanarei not far behind her. Hanarei spotted Toshi skewered to the wall, and hurried over to him.

"You better thank your lucky starts he didn't aim for you," she said, pulling out the first few knives keeping the boy stuck, "I wonder when the last time he bathed was?"

Okimon frowned deeply at Jet, attempting to keep his attentions away from Hanarei and Toshi so she could free the boy, "Listen, we haven't got the key, so I suggest you put down those overgrown butterknives and get out, before I get really mad! Warm Kiss!" Okimon aimed the little flamethrower directly in the centre of the attacker's chest, and kept it searing at his clothes. She hoped her disctraction would be big enough.

***

"Asayake, this is stupid!" Rogishimon shouted angrily, struggling with the mini-computer inside of Asayake's backpack, "You have two messages now, and if you don't read them, I will, no matter what they say! These could be important, and you can't let the fact that you don't think you're normal or whatever stop you from your responsibilities! besides, we've wandered so far away from your house that we might as well do something else!"

"Fine, fine, God damn it, Rogishimon!" Asayake tore her backback off of her back and yanked it open, snatching at the mini-computer and opening it. She poured over both messages silently, but her eyes gave away her feelings; they were clouded with a mixture of anger and worry. "We've gotta go; there's trouble at Enma's house." She tossed the mini computer to Rogishimon so she could read the messages herself, and broke off into a run, grabbing her digivice out of her pocket and pulling up the map; the club was closer to her current loaction, if she took a bit of a shortcut, so that's where she decided to head. She veered sharply down a sidestreet and pulled herself over a high fence, struggling slightly -- thick-soled boots don't exactly make scaling chain-mail fences easy.

Not too much later, Asayake skidded to a hault a stone's throw from where the others who had gathered there were; she felt her skin prickle at the sight of Kanjin, but the strange new digimon beside him made her feel slightly more at ease. She carefully pulled Rogishimon from her backpack, and gave the digimon a sincere look. "We need Soranomon; you up for a digivolve?" Rogishimon wondered momentarily why Asayake didn't approach the group further, but decided that getting her here was a big enough step for now.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

"Good," Asayake said shortly, putting the little bird on the ground, "Have at it, then." Rogishimon nodded once, taking a deep breath and flying as fast as she could over to Saiki. "Get off him! Rogishimon, digiolve to Soranomon!"

As soon as she'd digivolved, Soranomon slammed into Saiki's back, but did little more than nudge her; she was frigteningly stronger than Soranomon had anticipated. "Oh, damn." She flew high enough to be out of physical range, then aimed again. "Falcon's Cry!"

***

Jet looked around the group. "I bet all of you don't know where the key is. Am I right. Well, Queen Sakiko is just going to love me if I come back saying I met with half the protectors of earth, and none of them effing knew." He spun to point at all of them. "Ain't none of you harmless, defenseless children. Ain't none of you innocent. I knpw what you can do to a place. I know what you did to my effing homeland!" He fixed on the direction of Shireika's voice "I can see you’re the smart one. Well, you sound like it. Hand over the key because you wrecked our world. My queen demands it of you, or I swear I will kill one human for every year of our imprisonment." Damn, there were far too many here now. What was he going to do?

When Okimon can up to him and blew her attack, he reachin in his cloak pocket and produce a pack of Lucky Strikes. He lit one off Okimon and blew smoke out his nose at her. "Sorry, kid. You ain't in my league."

Tegiwa signaled omon and the little owl let loose a "Ocular Blast" right at Jet's back. Jet ignored this attack as much as he had Okimon's.

"Hell no, Lady! I'm staying put until someone gets me the Key. Hey, one of you live here? Is there any wine in the place? I could use some wine. I like drinking red stuff. Maybe I sould open up one of you. Hmm?" Like hell he was going outside. He knew he coul fend off the little monsters, but the big ones were trouble.

***

Naoko came running over to Hanshin with Seidomon at her side. "What the hell do you think you are doing to Hanshin you bitch!"

"Yeah, get off him or all leave some toothmarks in you!" Seidomon croached and barked in her Saiki's face. He lunged for he hand and seized her by the wrist. "Metal Bite!"

***

"Your queen?" Shireika retorted. Her eyes narrowed as she pulled out her digivice. "You're asking for it, buddy," she hissed. A large raven could be seen floating down behind Shireika. "Biomerge digivolution..." she whispered as her body dematerialized in energy. Ravenmon's body also dematerialized at the same time, and their two energies melded into one outside of Enma's home. The bright light formed into the figure of a woman with large bird wings sprouting from her back.

"Divinamon," the new being muttered as the light faded, revealing Shireika and Ravenmon's biomerge form. She spread her wings and propelled herself through an already broken window towards Jet. "What the hell do you want with some key?" she hissed as she held Jet against a wall. "And who the hell is Sakikko?"

***

Hanshin cursed softly under his breath. What were they thinking, attacking her while she was on top of him like this? He attempted to shove Saiki off of him.

This all puzzled him. Who else knew about the key? How did people hear about it? Was it common knowledge that the key was in this world and that the digi-destined were protecting it? Furthermore, the crazy woman had to be lying. There was no way Kousei wasn't involved in any of this. Kousei knew everything because he was the source behind it all: he was Akurei. Akurei would do anything to get his key back, and Saiki was working for him without realizing it, probably.

"Don't lie," he threatened. "Or we'll hurt you worse than you can possibly imagine. If you've never heard of Kousei, who are you working for?"

***

Takamon growled at Saiki through clenched crocodile teeth, but Tomeo pulled down a hand to hold her back. "No, not yet." he said quietly to her. "If we hurt her too much, we won't be able to find out who sent her. Plus, we'll hurt Kanjin." He watched the attacks of the other digimon on Saiki, glad to see Asayake had turned up. He didn't want her anywhere near Kanjin, but he wasn't as dangerous at the moment as Saiki had proven.

"Kanjin will understand. And I won't hurt her too much... just let me digivolve, I'll show her to strut around all casual like that, like she can't take us seriously..." Takamon growled, kept at bay only by the hands Tomeo had clasped down on her shoulders.

Kanjin was still in some disbelief at what he was seeing. He didn't know if he was just still dizzy from the massive headache he was feeling right now, but the strange little creatures around him were way too bizarre to be believed. And he had to keep shoving away the beetle one that kept insisting on seeing the wound on his head. "Ahhhhhh! Bloody hell, that hurts, you know!" he shouted at Saiki, who hadn't seem to have heard him. What was even more crazy was watching her lick his own blood... he clutched his head again, thinking he must have hit it way too hard. Who the hell would like the taste of someone else's blood? It was disgusting, not to mention unhygenic.

"Don't touch him!" Kurikmon spat, fluttering his insect wings furiously to propel him off the ground, and not being restrained like Takamon was, lauched his own attack to join the others. "Mud Swat!" he called, flinging snowball-sized spitwads of mud at the vampire.

***

Hanarei was able to pull a few knives from the wall from around the pinned Toshi. There was a small pile next to her. "How many of these things does he have on him?" Hanarei grunted.

Okimon felt rather insulted that Jet thought of her flamethrower as a mere cigarette lighter. She snatched up the flame in her hand and it went out. After not knowing what to do next, Okimon noticed that Divinamon had appeared in the battle and pinned Jet against the wall just like Toshi. "Hanarei, we have to Boimerge," said Okimon. "I'm not sure if it will help but it's better than the level I'm in now."

Hanarei pulled out one last knife, allowing Toshi to move one of his arms again. She heard Okimon and nodded. "And the rest is yours," Hanarei said to Toshi. Moving to stand behind Okimon, Hanarei glared at the pinned Jet. "I have a very important dinner party tonight and I'm not going to let you ruin it." Part of Hanarei's hair was coming out of its bun and her dress was a little off center from running to Enma's house. "So either get lost or die quickly."

"Okimon, Hanarei biomerged to... Hanabimon!" The fire fairy girl appeared where Hanarei and Okimon once were. They quickly rushed over to Jet and Divinamon and pinned one of Jet's hands against the wall as well, trying to prevent him from using a knife again. Hanabimon was so close to Jet that he could see himself in her big black oval eyes.

***

"We're still trying to figure that out," Shouki said to Yuu as she joined in the group.

Shouki wasn't sure what to do with Saiki and everything that was happening around him but he felt he should act instead of just standing there. "Kirimon?"

"About time you called," said the digimon. "Are you ready to do what I'm hoping you're ready to do?"

Shouki nodded and then set Kirimon loose. "Protect our friends!"

"You've got it. Kirimon digivolved to... Reimumon!" The ghost cat shook his fur a little before jumping unto action. "Grapple Sash." He knew Hanshin was just under Saiki, but even if the sash did make contact with Hanshin, it wouldn't hurt him. The sash grabbed the arm that Seidomon wasn't munching on and tried to pull Saiki off. Something felt very wrong when Reimumon tried to pull her arm with all his strength but wasn't getting anywhere.

***

Kinoha stared at Naoko as she ran off to apparently join Shouki and Hanshin. She had no idea what was going on. Kinoha felt slightly odd that Naoko suggested staying with Ami after what she said earlier about the girl.

Still, not wanting to make a bad impression on one of Shouki's friends, Kinoha went to the backstage of the club although she was still curious as to what was going on.

***

Soranomon hadn't thought her attack would do much, but as she watched it do little more than what Saiki would probably feel as a ghosting touch. Soranomon flew back over to Asayake, who was standing as close to the area as possible without actually being out of the vicinity. "Asayake, I'm too weak at this form to do anything to her, and not even Reimumon can get her to budge so my chapmion form won't be of any use! What can we do?" Asayake's eyes widened as she stared at the strange woman currently perched on Hanshin's chest and felt a shiver run down her spine.

"She's not human, but she's not a digimon either. What the hell is she, then?!" she mumbled angrily, furrowing her brow slightly. "Maybe if you could digivolve higher, that would help."

"But I've never gone higher than champion before!" Soranomon groaned, "That may not even help! Besides, neither you nor I has got any idea of how to digivolve to that level yet."

"We'll have to learn, then," said Asayake shortly, "And that means that I've got to get in to this. Soranomon, become Shogaimon; you're going to have to force me over there, because my legs and brain seem to be disobeying a direct order to move right now." Slightly chilled by the icy tone in Asayake's voice, Soranomon gave a brief nod before digivolving to Shogaimon.

"Here, then." Said the bird hybrid, gathering the slightly smaller girl to her, "I'll get you over there, and keep an eye on you. I won't let anything happen; there's nothing to worry about." she spread her wings and flew back over to the fray, setting Asayake down next to Tomeo. Before she took off to join the fight again, she whispered something in Tomeo's ear. "Keep an eye on her for me; don't let her run off, because God knows wher she'll end up."

Asayake shivered slightly as soon as Shogaimon left her side, but was happy to see she was at least beside someone she knew would help her if the need arose. She could feel the blood draining from her skin and her gut clench at being so close to Kanjin, but she forced out a shaky smile at Tomeo anyhow. "F-fancy meeting you here."

With her message deilvered, Shogaimon positioned herself behind Saiki in an attempt to formulate some sort of plan. Any of her attacks would probably harm Hanshin as well, so Hanshin would have to be unpinned by Saiaki before she could really do anything. With the knowledge that Saiki was far too strong to be pulled off of Hanshin, Shogaimon decided to try something else. "Hiding on the boy, are you?" she drawled in the haughtiest tone she could muster, "Pure cowardice. Leave the children out of this; they cannot fight you. We, however, can. Or do we frighten you that much?"

***

Enma stood up and glared at Jet. "Will you stop ruining my god-damned house?" she demanded, hands on her hips. She saw Hanarei leave Toshi's side to biomerge, and she moved over to him, pulling out the daggers that Hanarei had left in. "So...having fun yet?" she asked him as she pulled a stubborn dagger out of the wall.

***

Saiki looked at Hanshin, pulling out of the attacks of the digimon easily. "I told you, I do not know who Kousei is." She said, getting closer to his face. "And I think I told you; I do not listen to humans." She turned to Shogaimon, green eyes flickering over the hybrid. "I am not scared of you." She said. She got off of Hanshin, sending him one last glare, before walking over to Shogaimon and circling her. "Do I look scared?" she asked, smirking. She stepped away, into a small area not occupied by the digi-destined, and bowed her head. "Please, attack me. I'm sure it won't hurt." She flexed one hand and watched the digimon mildly.

***

Jet danced away from Hanabimon with a series of twists and flips "I'm far too fast to be pinned by the likes of you, o hot headed girl." He would have managed a more jaunty retort, but she nearly snagged his sleeve. That sort of thing was not supposed to happen. He was quicker and more nimble than anything…. He took another look at Divinamon and Hanabimon . Combined forms. This was just what he needed Time to exit quick he thought.”

“Girl, I would worry about more than a few holes in your walls. And, Bird-lady, Sakiko is my Queen. She is supreme monarch of the Underworld. But, you should call her Queen of the Damned, Protectors, since you put us in Hell. She wants the Key… Because. Now, I say you owe us that much for you sins. Tell, you what….have the babe her send a bill for her house and I’ll send you a bill for my dimension, sound fair. I bet that Key to the Great Power would cover the difference. Think about it, Smart Ladybird. . We’ll be in touch.

“Now, I’d say it’s been fun, but it hasn’t. So, Ja!” He took off running and jumped straight up through the Living room after the fashion of a vertical flying kick. He disappeared in a rain of plastic metal and glass. In the darkness he made his way home from shadow to shadow and rooftop to spire to alley. Yes, these local guardians were powerful, but not as powerful as memory held them. And, for some odd reason there were more of them.

Tegiwa could not believe something like Jet could exsist. He was neither Digidestined or Digimon, yet he seemed able to match a biomerge, perhaps two of them. But, if he could handle two he wouldn’t of run would he? Either way, this guy was as strong as their limit. Tegiwa had no idea how many levels of power they had left, but their opponents were dead even with them now, or a little bit ahead. This wasn’t good. Look’d like they’d be going in pairs for awhile.

“Whooot. Is everyone ok? Tegiwa you tend to their bumps. Enma. Dooo yoou have a medkit or something? Teiwa will need it.”

“Yeah, I don’t have my fight bag this time.”

***

Seidomon was casually flipped aside by the dark woman. He yelped as he hit the ground by Naoko. “Sorry, nee-chan she’d too powerful,,,,,”

“Seidomon….Hanshin! We have to save him. I need your power!” Naoko leaned over the digimon with a determined look in her eye.

Seidomon struggle to his feet hesitantly. “Ok, akneeki, I’m here….for you.”

“Naoko and Sedimon: Biomerge to Hangemon “ The two beings dissolved to light beams that swirled around the point where their matter selves had been. The two puple lights chased each other in a double helix pattern before coming together with a flash. The column of purple light faded as a giant Amazonian warrior strode forward clad in Spartan gear, She placed the tip of her spear to the vampress’ neck and growled on word. “OFF!” and looked at Hanshin.

In the back of her mind, she wondered why she was a girl giant this time when she had been a guy giant at the library. Something told her it was just the way she was.

***

“Oh, I am having loads of fun.” Toshi used his free arm to help pull the knives out and grimaced at every new rip in his clothes. “Next time we see steroid boy I’m breaking his nose. This was one of my favorite shirts and Protectors sentencing them to the Land of the Damned or not there’s no excuse for this kind of vandalism.”

“You are eerily calm if you consider your situation.” Goirumon said before locking his mouth over a knife imbedded in Toshi’s pants leg.

“I could have been castrated. I’m not calm. I nearly pissed my pants. The only reason why I’m still dry is because I don’t have enough liquid in me to pee.” Toshi groaned and had his body not been still mostly pinned to the wall it would have sagged. “Does this happen often?”

***

Yuu had hardly moved since the start of this skirmish. Who... what was this girl? The attacks just slid off her like water, and she was keeping Hanshin pinned down like it was nothing. And what about the key? She'd said that Kousei wasn't behind her intentions, and frankly Yuu believed her. He'd seemed so broken the last time they'd seen him, not to mention he'd signed the contract. So then, who, or again, what behind all this? She was getting very worried.

Kuinamon had already squeezed out of Yuu purse and digivolved, and as Saiki stepped away from Hanshin he looked up and over his feathered shoulder at her. "Oi, Yuu?"

Yuu knew just what he was asking. Soranomon and Reimumon had barely scratched this girl, and they needed more firepower. She nodded to him.

"Awright," he grinned and turned back to Saiki, "Y'can't say ya didn't ask for it! Kamomemon digivolve to... Tsurumon!" Even before he'd finished evolving he was powering up for his attack. His draconic whiskers glowed brightly as he leveled his beak at Saiki. "Energy Flow!" he cried as he shot the blue-white beam of force directly at her.

***

"No, this is new," Shireika said after Divinamon had digivolved to rookie digimon and digi-destined. She sighed and shook her head. "And this can't possibly be good." She looked to Toshi and Enma. "What exactly happened before we arrived? I'm just curious. Did our new steroid boy say anything in particular? Anything in terms of his queen Sakkiko - that was her name, right?"

***

Hanshin stood back up and brushed himself off. This chick wasn't like any other human, that was for sure. She was strong and well trained.

"You should be scared," he growled at Saiki. "You're dealing with the digi-destined. You shouldn't have even tried to attack us to get that key. You're in above your head, lady."

***

Sakkiko's eyes narrowed when she saw Jet return. She was a young woman with long white hair, light gray eyes and pale skin. Like other queens of her world, she commanded respect and strength in her presence, but unlike them, she was determined to have her revenge. She'd cure her people.

"Do you have it?" she demanded when she got up from her chair.

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