Soranomon didn't have to tell Tomeo twice. "What are the odds? I didn't think you were going to show up." he replied to Asayake's comment casually, but side-stepped close to her to show his support. As soon as he watched Tsurumon attack Saiki and with Hanshin and Kanjin safely out of the way, he let go of Takamon and lifted up his digivice. "Okay, Takamon, let 'er rip. Digivolve, and let's get this abomination out of here!" Blinding light shot out of his digivice and into the Rookie digimon.

"Takamon digivolve to.... Leviamon!" The water dragon let out a mighty roar as soon as she had emerged, metamorphising into water. "Deep Tsunami!" she bellowed, flying towards Saiki at incredible speed.

"This is unbelieviable... what a night..." Kanjin groaned, leaning himself agains the wall as he stood up, watching the digimon digivolve. "Okay, where the hell are the special effect cameras? This is one hell of a practical joke, but show's over guys, I'm not falling for it. This isn't real." he said in irritation, mainly directing his thoughts aloud to Kurikmon, pointing at him. "You aren't real."

"Digivolution... so they can all already digivolve... fascinating..." Kurikmon said, paying attention to the digimon, before turning to Kanjin. "That's not true, I am very much the real thing. Didn't someone send you an e-mail to, um, tell you I was coming?"

"Someone sent me a flippin' e-mail alright... bloody Toyogawa." he sneered, shooting a look over at the boy. "I'd love to find out who the hell is the one pulling the strings here on this freak of a puppet show... and if it's Toyogawa, and it probably is, I'm gonna let him have it for letting weight-lifting girl there open a hole in my head... god damn, this hurts..." he groaned, clutching the gash in his head that was still bleeding.

***

Hanabimon stared and frowned at the spot where Jet had left the house. Until she felt like he was gone, she returned back to her forms of Hanarei in her formal dress and Okimon. "Good riddence," said Hanarei.

"What did that guy mean when he said 'we' put his people into the depths?" said Hanarei. "Last time I checked, we didn't do anything to anyone. Not counting the scuffle between the group awhile ago I mean. But that still shouldn't have affected anyone THAT much the way he went on about it."

Hanarei overheard Shireika's question about some Queen Sakkiko. "All I'll say is that I hope Sakkiko isn't another name for a certain you-know-who." She glanced over at Shireika. "Please tell me you don't have any gaps in your memory over the past couple of months."

***

Reimumon oveheard some of Kanjin's comments. He raised his sash ready for a quick jab before he turned to Shouki. "Can't I give him just a little...?" Reimumon asked curiously.

"Maybe later," Shouki moaned. "But are you ready for another try."

"I was born ready or died ready whichever way you look at it. Now c'mon, let's follow Naoko's lead."

Shouki held up his digivice, but something was holding him back somehow. He flashed back to the scene where he was Eikonmon fighting Divinamon. Somehow, the way he acted back then, it still scared him to think about it. He wasn't sure if he would lose control again like that. What if he did? Could he calm himself or would he have to be beaten like last time? The digivice started to glow, but Shouki concentrated hard on the Champion form for Reimumon instead.

"Reimumon digivolved to... Kaishimon!" The large ghost cat looked down at himself then at Shouki. "Um, weren't we suppose to Biomerge?"

"I, uh, I guess I didn't have enough power," said Shouki.

Kaishimon eyed Shouki for a moment but ignored it. There was a battle to be won. Kaishimon ran closer to Saiki and faced her. "Dimensional Spirit!" He clawed the air in front and created a large tear in mid-air. Several large red eyes appeared from the darkness of the tear. One of the eyes grew in size until a large dark ghost head popped out and zoomed toward Saiki.

***

Enma glared at the ceiling and sighed. "My mother is going to skewer me alive." she muttered, before turning to Tegiwa. "Yeah, dad keeps the medkit in their bedroom." She stepped over the rubble and walked into her parents' room. She rummaged through her father's work drawer, before pulling out the kit and bringing it over to Tegiwa. "If you need anything else, I'm sure dad has some other stuff from the hospital, too."

Enma looked up at Shireika and shook her head. "He didn't say that much; he just tried to cut Toshi open. But Toshi was outside with him while I was getting ready." she said as she grabbed a broom and started to sweep up the debris. She looked up at Hanarei. "You're over-dressed for the occasion, aren't you?"

***

Saiki glared around at the digidestined. "Filth," she muttered. "And you call yourself Protectors; how you damned us is beyond my knowledge." She started away, cracking her neck in annoyance. "Violence isn't my forte, and you," she looked at the digimon as she said it, "are no competition. Send for me either when you decide to give up that key or when you become strong enough to fight." She said, before walking away.

***

Tegiwa profoundly thanked Enma for the Fist Aid kit, and started looking around at the wounded people. He was pleasantly surprised most of the wounds were scratches and abrasions. He cleaned up Toshi and covered the wound with a spray on skin replacement bandage. "You got off lucky. Any deeper and you'd have bled to death." He tried to sound nonchalant so not to worry Toshi. "You'll be glad to know there was no sign of venom or poison in the wound, but it you start to feel funny go to the ER anyway."

He tended to anyone else who would let him. "I'm going to help Enma clean up, if she doesn't mine. I need time to think this thing through."

***

Naoko, as Haganemon, was greatly relieved to see Saiki get off Hanshin and walk away. She waited a while before devolving just to be certain. It was annoying though, because as a 10ft tall giantess she couldn't run to Hanshin and hold him. She decided caution was better this time.

When she felt she could finally relax (how she wanted to run to Hanshin!), she devolved after moving over to the side of the group where there was a bit of shadow. The flash came first and then the revolving helix that split into two orbs of light. One orb was suzumon and the other was....

Suzumon changed into a balloon and then a jagged star. "Naoko! Look!"

It took a second for Naoko to make the connection between her now ill fitting clothes and Suzumon's freaking out. "Oh, shit....shit..." Naoko ran into the shadows in an uncomfortable manner moving so that no one would see. Naoko bounded as much as the situation allowed her to bound up the back of the club and into the dressing area. Naoko rummaged through Shouki's and Hanshin's lockers in desperate quest for proper clothing.

Apparently, not only had she come out of the digievoloution as a guy, she was a few inches taller besides. She had no idea how to explain this. Stupid DNA digivole.

***

"Give it a rest, Kanjin," Hanshin barked at the complaining newcomer. "Get over whatever it is you have with Tomeo. He wouldn't have had any idea about what was going on, just as much as the rest of us did." He paused. "And who the hell sent you an email? It wasn't someone by the name of the Watcher, was it?" He hoped that Kousei had resumed his post as the Watcher. Then again, Kousei was Akurei, and Akurei was a slimy, cheating bastard who would break his word if it was to his benefit. So, it could be likely that Kousei was back on track to getting his key back. He probably thought that the digi-destined would have forgotten all about the deal they had made two months. Hanshin would make the bastard pay one of these days for his crimes.

***

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Shireika asked Hanarei. "Another name for who - Kousei? I highly doubt that. Kousei was Akurei before and that was it, right? So, this Queen Sakkiko is probably someone else entirely." She paused. "What was that prophecy again? That there's some dark queen on her way, right?" The others hadn't really told her all the details they had found, and Hanshin and Tegiwa had been brief in explaining everything after they had finished with Kousei. They hadn't really shown her any of the library information they had found.

"Didn't Tomeo email everyone saying that someone else was getting attacked?" she continued after she shook her head. "I wonder if they had someone working for Sakkiko show up too."

***

"Jet!" Sakkiko demanded once more. "Do you have that key? And why are you back so early?" Her light gray eyes began to turn a shade of red as she became impatient with him.

***

"There's Kousei," Hanarei said in an off-hand voice, "and I was thinking about the possibility that you could have been taken away and Sakkiko could be your Dark Side just like what happened to your mother. But from the sounds of it, it looks like choice two is a no. I've sorted out some images over the last month or so," Hanarei added. "Still, I'm not ready to throw out the idea Kousei is in on this."

Hanarei listened to Enma as the girl started to clean up some of the mess. "I was at a dinner party and dressed formal for it. I got two emails and made my way here as quick as I could. I put in too much work getting ready for tonight to undo it and come here." Hanarei started to adjust her clothes. "I had no idea it was so hard to run in a dress."

Hanarei looked around at all of the damage in Enma's house. "Um, maybe you could tell your mom... um, wow, I can't even think of a lie that would cover for all of this."

***

Shouki stared in wonder at Saiki walking away from the battle without so much as a scratch on her. "Something is definitely wrong here," said Shouki. He glanced over just in time to see Kaishimon starting to make his way after Saiki. "Kaishimon, wait!"

"Oh c'mon!" Kaishimon shouted. "With that attitude she's just begging to be hit. Trying to treat us like we're lower than dirt...."

"Kaishimon, please...."

"All right, fine." Kaishimon returned over to Shouki, sat down, and dedigivolved back into Reimumon. "Still, it bothers me that our attacks didn't do anything to her."

Shouki glanced back up to the spot where Saiki walked off to. "It bothers me what would have happened if she decided to fight back with that kind of strength." Shouki turned back to the rest of the group and noticed something; Naoko had disappeared from the group. It was pretty hard not to notice a giant missing from the group. "Um, wasn't Naoko just here a moment ago?"

***

"Yeah, look who's running..." Leviamon growled in agreement with Reimumon, and de-digivolved back into Takamon as soon as she had sensed that Saiki had gone. "What was she? Do you think she could have been another biomerge herself? She's not digimon, and she's not human... she's something alright, and I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of her..." Tomeo almost shook his head in disbelief at what he was hearing. Did Hanshin actually, in some small way, stick up for him? It seemed like only yesterday he was on the receiving end of Hanshin's fists. He decided not to make say anything, savouring the moment and storing it away in the back of his mind for later. He shook his head at Shouki. "I saw her de-digivolve in the shadows over there, but... I dunno where she went. Maybe she forgot something back in the club." He shifted his attention on Kanjin, who was still clutching the back of his head, blood slickened in his oily hair. "Hey... are you... alright?" he asked hesitantly, moving forward. "It... it looks bad. Maybe we better get you to a hospital..."

Before he could say anything else, Kanjin had lunged forward and swung a fist into his gut, making him feel a blinding stab of pain before he crumpled to the ground on his knees, the wind knocked out of his lungs as he gasped for air. Only then had Tomeo realised the irony that now he had become someone else's punching bag instead. "Put away your hanky, Toyogawa." Kanjin said, not moving to help the boy up as he stepped away from the wall he had support himself on. "I'm not something to be cried over, so don't go wasting your girly tears and stay the hell away from me. I know it was you that set this whole thing up." He looked up at Hanshin, glaring at him menacingly. "And you, so-called star player of the band, you've had it in for me from the start, probably had Toyogawa here whisper sick little delusions of revenge into that thick head of yours. Do you think I really believe this little stunt you've all pulled here tonight? All this smoke and mirrors? All this stupid little baby monsters crap? It's all a load of bull, I'm smarter than that. All that money and effort you've made... you've just wasted your time."

"You jerk!" Takamon screamed, and lunged at him in retaliation, but Kurikmon stepped in her way and caught the brunt of her bite attack, catching her off guard and forcing her to the ground with his heavy insect body. Takamon roared angrily as she was pinned to the ground, but Kurikmon didn't release her, looking to Kanjin as if about to ask what to do next, but Kanjin made no such order to him.

Instead, he chucked heartlessly at the show and shook his head at Hanshin as he started walking away from Tomeo. "I've never heard of whoever this 'Watcher' guy your talking about, probably another one of your sick little playtime creations, I don't want a part of it. So, is that it? Weren't filled in on all the details at the nerd convention?" he suddenly snickered, stopping to shoot a look at Tomeo who was still kneeled over clutching his stomach. "Looks like Toyogawa here didn't fill you in on all the gaps. Allow me to make things clear to you. Someone... perhaps not Toyogawa, but someone associated with him... sent me an e-mail, by the name of Masero, or Matseru, or whatever. Here, lemme read out what they wrote to me, and see if Toyogawa can remember the penmanship, shall we?"

From his pocket, he received his own small-personalised computer, but it looked damaged, worn and tattooed with various writing and symbols in black marker, as if it had been vandalised. "Let's see..." Bring up the e-mail from his trash bin, he read it out loud, pulling every word that didn't seem right to him out in a increasingly condescending and mocking tone.

[Dear Kanjin,

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 Truth.

Dr. Yasuragi Matsuro]

"Heh. I've never heard of this Matsuro guy, or a bigger sod story in any case." Kanjin commented, folding up his computer and putting it away. "And you all believe in this, and expect me to join your pathetic little club, just because of some bad acting and a few holograms? Please. 'Digitaldesignated', or 'datadestined'... what a bunch of crap."

"It's digi-destined, you moron." Tomeo said, after having lifted his head up, catching his breath. The clenching with his hands had started again, making a fist into the ground.

"Destined to be losers, more like." Kanjin retorted, resuming his pace. "All of you... just stay the hell away from me. And that includes you, you freakshow." he said, pointing at Kurikmon, who had let go of Takamon at this point and was following him.

"But Kanjin... I'm your partner." Kurikmon begged, his antennae sagging slightly.

"The only partner I'll ever have will be human, and a girl at that rate." Kanjin replied, turning his back on him. "Oh, and Toyogawa... you'll pay for this. I'll see to it. Can't hide behind your little playmates forever." He walked away from the group in the opposite direction from Saiki, sinking into the shadows of the night.

Tomeo didn't say anything as he remained clutching his stomach with one arm, and just looked into the ground with a hard angered expression, not moving to stand up. Then he said, starting to get up as he still felt stabs of pain in his abdomen, "Enma... she sent us an e-mail about another attack. We've got to send her a message... see if she and the others are okay." He still felt dizzy from the blow and lost his balance, but leaned onto a supportive Takamon as she came to his side, giving her a reassuring scratch across the scales on her back.

***

Enma scratched the back of her neck as she checked the hall clock. "They'll be home in about an hour, too...shit." She made a face. "'Hi, mom...there was some crazed maniac that destroyed the living room...' I can't even see me living through that sentence." She smiled thankfully at Tegiwa and nodded. "Maybe if you're here, too, when the parents show up I won't be in as much trouble." She said. She looked at the others. "Unless you guys want to stay to hear another infamous Kodomojimita family yell-athon, then you should probably go." she said.

***

Saiki stepped lightly, trying to gather her thoughts. She had placed a small leatherbound book into a tree before she had arrived, and she was writing down what she had found out while she walked towards the throne room. She was in no particular hurry to get there, as she could already hear Sakiko yelling at Jet.

***

"Tomeo!" breathed Asayake, torn between fear and angry as Kanjin stalked away. She tossed a glare at his retreating form before lifting Tomeo's arm over her shoulder, so he was using both her and Takamon for support, and slipped an arm around his waist. "Breathe deep and slow, okay? And try t'stand straighter." Sighing heavily, Asayake could almost feel her nerves unwinding; she was suddenly more relaxed, and it was a welcome feeling. Leaning her head back against Tomeo's shoulder, she unconsciously tightened her grip on his hips. "I almost didn't come," she mumbled, so that only Tomeo could hear, "I didn't think I could, but it almost felt like I had to -- like if I did, something might change, and I'd be different. And something is different; I just don't know what yet."

Shogaimon rolled her shoulders, as if squaring off with Saiki hadn't rattled her in the slightest. On a whim, she walked over to Kurikmon and smiled down at him. "Don't worry about him too much quite yet, little one; he will come around in time. Right now he needs to understand, and then he will accept his duties." She offered the smaller digimon an encouraging nod, and nothing more.

***

“I would have bleed to death.” Toshi hesitantly touched the bandage. “Well, looking on the bright side I’d say that getting my throat slit is better than dieing by losing the family jewels. Ah this digi-destined stuff is hazardous to one’s health.” He inspected his shirt a second time before deciding that it was unsalvageable. “Hazardous to your clothes too.” He looked back at the wall he’d been pinned to. “Oh… Ouch and your house.” Toshi walked off to survey the damage of Jet’s entrance. “That’s a big ‘ole hole. Tell you what though Enma I know someone who can fix that window on the cheap.” He walked back and started picking up knives. “I’d have the world’s biggest guilt trip if I just left with things like this. Not getting rid of me that easy strawberry. Wait..” Toshi turned to Tegiwa and Shireika having just realized that he didn’t know who they were. “Who are you, who’s this Kousei or Akurei guy you keep talking about, and what’s with these guys getting bigger?” He pointed to their digimon.

“They digi-volved. I can do it too provided you have your digivice. You have it, don’t you?” Toshi shrugged and pulled it out of his back pocket. “What was it doing in there!? You could have sat on it and squished it!”

“Aw come on. If this little thing is so important I doubt me putting my skinny butt on it is going to make it flatter than that cat I saw a couple blocks back.” Goirumon hiccupped and started to shake. “What? What I say?”

“That poor kitty. It never saw that big loud thing coming.” Obviously Goirumon was crying.

“Fuck me Freddy.” Toshi slapped his forehead. “I didn’t get the short end of the stick. I got a splinter.”

***

Tegiwa retorted Toshi's comment, "Don't mind the kiddie forums. Even your digimon can put big holes in things if he's given the power. Oh, Just FYI, watch certain expressions around one of ours called Naoko. She'd view it as an invite."

He surveyed the damage. "No, you parents aren't going to be happy, but I'll do my best to prevent your immediate demise. Besides, your mom's been through this...well, sort of. However, I don't we can send a bill to the Queen of the Damned."

Tegiwa was cleaning up when Hanarei and Shireika got into it. "Hey, easy you two. I think Saikiko might be that threat we were warned about. I can' see Kousei going back on his word, but we should speak with him. Akurei was a might dark ruler. Maybe he was in the same country club or union as Saikiko."

He nodded at Shireika's comment about the other fight. "It could be over by the time you get there, but you guys could compare notes.

***

Naoko took the stolen clothes and tired to make the best fit of them /he/ could. "I don't get the crap I'm getting these days. There is no excuse for this. I'm going to sue someone or something. That's what. Dammit." She kept pulling the pants up too far and the underwear situation was less than comical too.

"I'm sorry Naoko. I didn't mean to mess you up like that." Suzumon had wilted into a chrome heap.

"I don't blame you, Suzy. It's the whole digivice thing. It seem to thing my life is a Rumiko Takahashi manga or something."

"Anooo, The DNA digievolution links our dna, combines them, and separates us again. You and I biomerge into one creature so, it could very well be my fault."

"Dna huh. We really combine....I still think it’s the digivice." Naoko looked very worried now.

/He/ tied his hair back in long queue, before emerging into the common area." He saw Kinohara waiting there. "Hello, miss. Are you waiting for someone?" He intoned in a voice that was smooth, almost lyrical. At least she/he had lost that whiskey quality to his speech.

***

Jet dropped to one knee. "No, mistress. They refused to hand over the key or acknowledge their sins. Also, they are stronger than we thought but not as strong as we feared. They can achieve immediate Biomerge status. They seem to come quickly to aid each other as well. I must have met half of them while pursuing one. A girl seems to be their leader, but I only saw her bio-form. I feel she'd be the one to know the whereabouts of the key. Additionally, They accused me of working for someone called Kousei. If this Kousei is after the key maybe he can serve our purposes." Jet hoped the info collected would save his skin.

***

"Augh, wha' IS this chick?" Kamomemon whined, having de-digivolved soon after Saiki strolled away without so much as a bruise. "There's NO way she's human, she'd a'been steam-rolled... No offence to th' species, mind ya." He turned to his partner as he said it.

But Yuu was looking furtively around the remaining group. "You're right, where IS Naoko-san..?" she mused in response to Shouki's question. There, she thought she saw something as her eyes passed over a shadowy corner... but then Kanjin started getting rowdy.

"Jicchoku-san!" she exclaimed, but couldn't think of anything else to say to him. How could he think this was all just a trick?

Kamo, on the other hand, had plenty he wanted to express. "Ooooh, let me at 'im" he growled, rubbing his knuckles. "Stupid little sot, I'll show 'im what sorta smoke'n mirrors we're REALLY made of..."

"Don't, Kamo" Yuu said firmly, and then stepped forward to see if Tomeo was alright.

***

"I'm sorry," Shireika said as she smiled at Toshi, who seemed rather confused. "I'm Ishida Shireika." She pointed at Tegiwa. "He's Itoh Tegiwa. As far as Kousei and Akurei are concerned, from what I undersatnd..." She glared briefly at Tegiwa for having been so briefly and incomplete in updating her back when they did the research. "Before our time, Akurei was an evil being who intended to destroy some of our parents. My parents were digi-destined, as were some others, and Akurei was their main enemy, I suppose. Kousei is his reincarnation and was determined to get the key." She glanced at Hanarei. "And, Kousei would never break his word, especially since he knows that he is completely powerless right now. There's not a lot that he really can do to get the key back except hire people, but who would work for an ex-evil king of the universe who offers very little?" She paused. "Sakkiko's a new threat, which means we have research to do, and Kousei may have some information which might be useful." She took a look around. "Well, things don't look very good here. I hope Hanshin and the others are all right. We probably should regroup with them, right?"

***

Hanshin grumbled something softly. If Kanjin was a part of this group of digi-destined, Hanshin was going to make sure the newcomer was going to undertand that this was all reality. He jogged after Kanjin and pinned the classmate against the building.

"Look, buddy," he growled. "That email is my mother's cousin, Professor Yasuragi Matsuro. He was once a digi-destined, too, and I am not going to put up with this attitude of yours. You're one of us, and you're going to have to live with it. You were probably put in Tokyo Academy because my uncle wanted you to go to school with us. And you have a digimon partner." He sighed and let go of Kanjin while taking step back. "I know you're suspicious of Tomeo and me, since we had a bad start. I will always be protective of my sister, and I suppose it runs in my family. Whatever, I know you think this is all crazy, but if you want to check with someone about anything, it's my sister. She absolutely cannot stand me, and she wouldn't do anything for me, even if I asked nicely. So, if you want to confirm all this nonsense, talk to her. She can explain things to you, and you can trust her. The only person she'd ever want to her is me. Understood?"

***

"Well, of course, they're not going to hand the key over," Sakkiko hissed at Jet. She seemed to calm down a little as she paced her room. "Unlike the digi-destined, you have your own powers, and you're supposed to use them. I don't care if they digivolved to biomerge or whatever. You guys have the strength to stop them before that." She threw her hands up into the air and looked around the room at the four vampires she had brought with her. "You guys are protectors, just like them. You have as much power as they do. Don't forget, you don't need digimon partners to fight," she spat angrily. "Change in plans. Go ahead, kill if you have to. It'll be worth it. We can find that key and make them pay." She looked to Tantalus and Rumal. "Don't fail me next time." She grabbed a black coat from the room as she walked away. "I'm hungry. Anyone want to join me for an evening snack?"

***

"As much as I'm tempted to compare yell-athons between our families," Hanarei said to Enma, "I do believe I'll be stepping out early enough to avoid that event."

Hanarei rolled her eyes a little at Shireika defending Kousei. "It's not like your ol' Lover Boy hasn't tried weird tactics before. Ya never know," she shrugged. "I'm not taking him off my suspects list just yet no matter what you say."

"Wait, do you mean regroup tonight?" Hanarei asked. "If you suddenly plan this for tonight, I'm afraid I'm gonna leave you to figure things out on your own and ask about the details later. I'll be with someone very important to me tonight and I'm not going to let something like this ruin it."

It was Okimon's turn to roll her eyes. "Her dinner party," she moaned. "Don't get her started. She'll go on about Yuki until your bored out of your skull." Okimon's comment allowed her to receive a small thump on the head from Hanarei.

***

"Oh yeah, we're gonna have extra fun with this one," Reimumon said sarcastically, referring to Kanjin. "One big, happy family that always yells."

Meanwhile, Shouki reached into his pocket and pulled out his mini-com to write an email to the others.

[Hey guys, Shouki here.

We just had a run in with someone who was... very strange. Our digimon attacked her but they didn't even phase her. We started to suspect whether or not she was human. Everything is fine for now over here. The person, Saiki, left awhile ago. We received an email from Enma about an attack at her house. Everything alright over there?

-Shouki]

***

Kinoha stood in the common area, waiting for Shouki and the others to return from whatever it was they were doing. 'Please don't let it be the worst case scenario that I'm thinking of,' Kinoha prayed. Her train of thought suddenly stopped as someone was speaking to her from behind. She slowly turned around as she spoke. "Hmm? Oh, I was just... waiting... for...." Mouth left open, she became absolutely speechless. That is except for the quiet, surprised whisper of, "Wow!" If possible, Kinoha blushed so hard that her face seemed to glow.

Kinoha shook her head slightly to regain her senses. "I-I-I-I was just, um, doing some... waiting for a-a-a-a friend that's, um, that's in the music, um, thingy, um, band."

***

Rumal fiddled with his necklace as he looked up at Sakkiko. "Of course my Queen," said Rumal. "We'll do our best to retrieve the key from these so-called protectors. And if you ask me, Jet," he said in a cocky voice, now turning to Jet, "you should have skipped the one warning system."

"Still, it's nice to know we can use our abilities now. No hold bars with these brats. And the first chance I get...." Rumal sniggered at the thought of what he would do to those meddling digidestined.

"I'll come along for a snack." He followed behind Sakkiko. "I just hope we find someone who's my type."

***

“Thanks…” Tomeo said gratefully to Asayake, and although he didn’t quite understand what she had meant, the hot flashes he was still seeing every time he breathed gave him little relief to think clearly upon the subject. Instead he gave a weak nod with a breathless "Okay.", and let Asayake and Takamon support him for the moment until the cobwebs had cleared out of his mind. He would have to contemplate upon it later.

“Thank you…” Kurikmon said to Shogaimon, not sure what else to say. Why wouldn’t Kanjin see that he was living and breathing as well as he was? Was it so hard to conceive that there was another dimension out there, containing living breathing digital life? Maybe the human world didn’t know about the digital world as much as the digimon did. “I better follow Kanjin… make sure he’s okay…” he said hesitantly. He didn’t like the idea of being yelled at by him again. Why did he have to be stuck with such an aggressive human?

“Kurikmon… why don’t you stay with me?” Tomeo coughed, looking at the insect rookie. ‘I’ll give you some food and shelter… get you back on your feet until Kanjin learns to accept you…” He coughed again. His lungs hurt like hell.

“Thanks, but… I should be keeping an eye on Kanjin. He doesn’t like you much, so I don’t think he’d like the idea when he does accept it. And I need some time with him. I’ll be alright… sorry that he punched you, Toyogawa.” The insect raised his wings and fluttered off.

“Don’t worry about me, Yuu… though I appreciate the thought.” Tomeo stared up at his friend as Kurikmon moved off, while looking as Shouki wrote his e-mail. “Kanjin is an ass, but as long as some nut has made him digidestined, we’ll have to get along with him. I just want to know if the others are okay… hopefully no-one’s been hurt at Enma’s place.”

“Kanjin can get along with my stomach, after I’ve eaten him for a snack.” Takamon growled, heaving most of Tomeo’s weight onto Asayake as it was proving to be a little too much for her Rookie form. “But everyone can look after themselves, Tomeo. You need to rest.”

Kanjin had no choice but to stare Hanshin squarely in the eye as he spoke. “Well, alright then. Understood. As long as it’s an open invitation… I’ll make myself welcome to find her out. Didn’t think she’d be in on this weirdo fantasy as well… but as long as she’s opposed to you,” he said this with some smug satisfaction, “… it’ll be interesting to see what kind of answers she has in store for me, won’t it? Big sis not approving of little bro’s actions… heh. And I’ll check into this Matsuro guy, see if he actually did pull the strings to get me into Tokyo Academy… now that you mention it, it was kind of strange he’d let a bum like me in. Now, you think I needed a proper talking to ‘cause I threatened your buddy Toyogawa after getting a cut to my noggin’. Yeah, well, I don’t need a baby-sitter, so, um, bugger off.”

He shoved Hanshin harshly off him to walk off, only to run straight into Kurikmon who had flown down the street after him. “I thought I told you to fuck off as well, didn’t I? Are you gonna follow me to the ends of the earth just to prove your point?”

“Umm…. yes?” Kurikmon answered, cowering slightly and hoping he was right, clicking his mandibles. “I am your digimon, after all. There’s a lot we have to talk about, a lot I and the others can offer you…”

“Whatever.” Kanjin rudely interrupted. “Bloody hell, just what I need, an imaginary stalker and a wannabe geek fan-club. What next, are we gonna braid each other’s hair? Fine. Just see if you can keep up with me, bug-boy.” Kanjin looked at Hanshin. “Oh, and until I get to the bottom of this freakishly bizarre barrel, my threat against Toyogawa still stands, so don’t think you’re doing him any favors. Ta.” He continued to walk off again, with Kurikmon following after him in hot pursuit, cursing at the bug digimon as he went.

***

“If you go into the woods tonight, you won't believe your eyes. If you go into the woods tonight, you're in for a big surprise...” a voice sang hauntingly from the depths of the shadows in the room, as the other vampires returned from their outing. As soon as they had entered the room and conversation had begun, the voice stopped his singing and looked at them all with small cold beedy eyes, resuming his pose leant against the wall with his arms folded against his chest. “It’s about time.” he said bitterly. “All that time you spent out there having fun with those digidestined brats, and you didn’t even kill one of them. Pathetic.” He pushed away from the wall to step further into the room, and as he stepped away from the shadows, the legendary vampire known as Tantalus revealed his face in what light was in the room. He had short crew-cut black hair, dark coloured ripped and old clothing, and a thin scar cutting down his right cheek.

He looked at Sakkiko and smirked. “Hey, don’t look at me and say that. They’re the ones who failed you, not me. I would have done a better job, if you had sent me first.” he said with some resentment. He kept it repressed, though, knowing Sakkiko’s power over him, which he did not approve of. Having been brought to a new world, he didn’t like the idea that he had to stay in for the first outing, but he would treasure it if it didn’t mean he would be killed for his insubordination on his first night.

“Excuses, excuses, Jet.” he mocked, in a tut-tut sort of voice, turning his attention to him before Sakkiko could make anything else out from it. “I would have used my abilities anyway, but now knowing we can use them just makes it all the more juicier. But, I wouldn’t be surprised if Queen-o here punished you for your obvious failure.” He looked darkly from Jet to Sakkiko, throwing his own black coat on around him. “Yes, about time. You’re not going anywhere without me.” he insinuated to the big-brained queen who had been behind his liberation. “Need to find me someone to quench my thirst until I can have a crack at those digi-destined myself. I think I'll start with twins. I just love a woman with nice, ripe thighs…”

***

Jet looked worriedly as the others trouped off after their queen. He didn't want to wind up on the menu, so he exited via another door to hunt for his own food. He couldn't stand the smell of decay pervaded the throne room, the queen, and even himself. It was the must and odor of their putrid little world shut off for aeons from all others and left to molder.

On this world the air was fresh and clean, he savored every breath of it. The blood, too, had a sweetness and cleanness that was wholly without the taint of the Underworld. There the blow flowed thick and stagnant, and it's favor lingered on the lips like some awful balm that possessed little vitae. The generations had become anemic locked away in their incestuous feeding while their slumbering lords were fed by the blood of intrigues and wicked sacrifices. At least, that’s how things were before SHE was Queen. Now, the door to Nirvana was open and they had crossed through. Win or lose, revenge or no, Jet would never leave is land again. The worm eaten Underworld be damned.

Now, to find a willing vessel to slake his thirst. The night was far from empty.

***

Naoko watched with amusement as Kinoha changed several different colors and wae about animatedly. "Well, we are all friends here. I'm..." He took her by the hand. Damn, Naoko wouldn't cut it...Need a guy's name. "I'm Naoko's cousin, Hiraku...Ichiju Hiraku. Call me Ricku, if you like."

***

Enma and Tegiwa both opened their minicomps to read the message from Shouki.

"Sounds like the others are ok." Tegiwa grabbed the broom and started sweeping.

"I wouldn't have minded feeling special just this once. There are likely more than two weirdoes out there who are super strong and looking to do us in." Enma piled the dozens of knives safely in the corner. "What was this guy? The king of cultry. He has a future in door to door if he chickens out of being a bad guy."

***

"I don't know, but we will get to the bottom of all of this," Shireika said as she took a final look around. "Whatever it is, we're going to have to stick together and keep each other safe. By the looks of it, if we didn't have each other, some of us could have been dead. Anyway, I guess we'll have to check in at school to figure out a time to sit down and figure things out." She shrugged as she looked at the gaping hole in the ceiling.

***

Hanshin grumbled softly to himself as he watched Kanjin leave, but he reminded himself that Shireika would be able to take care of herself. Kousei was far more dangerous than Kanjin ever could be. Besides, Shireika knew how to instill fear into any male, including the most arrogant at Tokyo Academy. She was beautiful and smart, and no one pushed her around. Ever.

***

"Just stay somewhere safe, okay?" Hanshin begged as he adjusted the backpack on his shoulder.

"Why is this such a big deal?" Shireika demanded as she shut her locker. "I can take care of myself. You're just like Dad." She began to walk off.

"I just don't want the bastard to hurt you," Hanshin explained as he followed her along.

"Since when did you start caring?"

"I always did."

Shireika stopped walked and raised an eyebrow while crossing her arms.

"Shireika, please. I just don't want anything bad to happen to you. You haven't had to deal with this because you've either scared them off without trying or I've threatened them."

"Great, Hanshin. Just great. Look, Kanjin just said he wanted to talk about this digi-destined stuff. So, back off."

"I'm sorry."

"You take care of yourself, and I take care of myself. I don't need you to protect me. Bye." Shireika stormed off down the hallway. Kanjin had mentioned earlier this week about wanting to meet about this digi-destined stuff, and she had said she would on Saturday, which was today. Where was he anyway?

***

Hanshin stood alone in the hallway as his classmates passed him. There hadn't been any signs of their attackers from the previous week. Perhaps staying in groups at night had helped, but he wasn't sure. Maybe the attackers had found someone else to target. He wasn't sure.

Though, staying in groups was certainly a good idea. There had been attacks from vampires all week in the news. It was the best way to stay safe. Fortunately, Shireika had Tegiwa as her boyfriend, and he followed her everywhere, if he could manage to keep up with her.

***

"Well, if that's you're plan, I guess I'll be going then," said Hanarei. "Enma, Tegiwa, as much as I would like to help, I'm busy tonight so I'll wish you the best of luck." She took one last look around the room. "A whole lot of luck. Come on Okimon. We better get going." Okimon dedigivolved into Himotomon and hopped into the bag. Hanarei picked her up and tried to get back home as quick as possible.

***

Hanarei walked to the back of the flower shop to her home. Her hair was slightly messed up from trying to get back home in such a rush. She figured dinner had already started since Hanarei saw several extra pairs of shoes laying near the back entrance. As she started to climb the stairs, Kosame ran over to her.

"Hanarei!" she said sounding excited. "Oh you're back. You have to come see this. You won't believe what's happened." Kosame ran back into the living room, not noticing Hanarei's tired and confused face. Slowly, the girl climbed the rest of the stairs and entered the room.

Nikko was busy chatting away with another man and Haru while Kosame went back to join them. Yuki and Yume were sitting together listening to the adults. Hanarei couldn't see the face of Haru or her husband, but she could see Nikko's and he looked the happiest Hanarei had ever seen him. Still confused at what happened and since no one seemed to have noticed her entering, Hanarei decided to speak up. "What's going on?"

"Welcome back," said Nikko. He stood up and walked over to here. "You won't believe this. It's like something out of a drama. But do you remember how I've told you in the past that I never knew my father and how I once tried to look for him?"

"Yeah. But I still don't know what you're getting at."

"For awhile I have been wonder if he had another child. And then... here, you know about our eyebrows, right?" He pointed to his which had the unusual characteristic of turning upward at the ends like horns.

"Yeah, I have those too." Hanarei pointed to hers.

"So does he." Nikko was pointing to the back of the other man sitting by Haru. The man turned around and, to Hanarei's horror, looked similar to her father. The only exceptions were that his hair wasn't in the same style nor had any gray hairs in it and he looked several years younger than Nikko. "I noticed them at first since I haven't seen anyone else with eyebrows like that. We started talking and it turns out we have the same father. Can you believe it?"

Hanarei felt happy for her dad but something then struck her. She couldn't believe it at first. Slowly, she tried to piece it together. "So, then that means Haru and...."

"Adachi," said the man. "It's very nice to meet you Miss Hanarei."

Hanarei continued. "That means they're, they're my...."

"Aunt and Uncle," Haru answered. "Who knew that I would enter in the family this way?" She winked at Kosame who already knew about Haru's childhood crush on Nikko.

Then, with a shaking hand, Hanarei pointed to Yuki, who was sitting quietly with Yume. "Then, then that means that-that Yuki is my... is my...."

"Our cousin!" Yume shouted as she playfully hugged Yuki.

At those very words, Hanarei's world seemed to have shattered into a million pieces. For the rest of dinner, she was very quiet and didn't move very much while everyone else was very talkative. Those last two words were echoing through her mind even after the dinner party was over and the two long lost brothers promised that they would again talk to each other sometime soon. Yuki, being clueless as usual, figured Hanarei was always nice to him because she somehow sensed the connection between them. As for Hanarei, she couldn't believe that after all this time, after years and years, the person she loved turned out to be a member of the family, and she was left in shock.

***

For the past week, Hanarei had acted like anything but herself. She was quiet, listless, she even looked depressed. She didn't tell the others about what happened and told Himotomon not to mention it either. The threat of the attackers would have left her mind if it weren't for the news broadcasts.

Hanarei slowly put her books away in her bag as though the energy was sucked out of her. Himotomon had been worried for her partner ever since that night but didn't know what to do to cheer up Hanarei. "Why don't we go look for some of the others?" Himotomon suggested to Hanarei in a semi-cheerful voice.

"'k," was the response she received. Hanarei hurled the bag over her shoulder and left the classroom, not really heading in any certain direction.

***

Kinoha could have sworn her heart stopped there and then when the mystery boy took her hand. 'Who is this person?' Kinoha thought. She received her answer soon afterward. "Hi Ric-k-k-k-k-k-ku," she stuttered. Still blushing over the fact that he was holding her hand, Kinoha attempted to get her name out of her mouth. "I'm Hanoki, I mean, Nokiha, ah, Nomikai...." She mentally hit herself for stuttering like this. "Kinoha. My name is Kinoha."

***

Back at school, Shouki was walking by in the hallways in search of someone from the band or group. School was about the only moderately safe place he felt being in since there were so many people and he figured the attackers wouldn't come whlie it was crowded. He and (secretly) Kirimon had been watching the news reports of the attacks. His mom and dad told him and his little sister Narumi to never walk around alone at night especially when it was late because of the attacks.

"Something just doesn't seem right," Kirimon whispered to Shouki.

"Oh? About what?" Shouki replied.

"Well, these attackers. They come to us and demand the key, right? They seemed to know who we were and who was a digidestined. Why are they going after other people?"

Shouki shuddered slightly but enough for Kirimon to notice. "Do you know what vampires are?"

"Sort of. I only know from the news what they are but not what they do."

"Vampires... well, they kinda sorta eat people."

"... Eat people?!"

"I guess it's more like sucking out their energy or blood. It's their form of nutrition."

"Well tell them to change their diet. That's disgusting."

Just then, Shouki saw Hanshin standing alone in the hallway with Shireika in the distance but in view. "Um, did you guys have another arguement?" he asked.

***

Things had felt a little darker during the week since Tomeo had spotted Kanjin getting attack. He was glad that everybody had gotten out of the fights alive, but with the news reporting about attacks from 'vampires' and all the digidestined having to group up late at nights to avoid being attacked alone again, he had gotten nowhere near to easing up. He felt tense almost everywhere except when he was out with the others, even at home, and felt like he had to flinch every time he heard some strange noise outside the window, much to Parumon's amusement. And Kanjin had only seemed to make things worse, insisting that he could go outside after dark alone which was fine with Tomeo, but strangely enough he had become more docile since the attacks. And thanks to the grouping up, he'd managed to avoid being alone with Kanjin long enough to let him hound any revenge upon him. Even Kurikmon seemed to be prospering, as Kanjin had no choice but to have the Rookie stick to his side.

Walking down the hallway of the school with Parumon stowed safely away in his bag, he kept an eye out for anyone familiar, and to his luck he managed to bump into Hanarei again as she came out of a classroom. "Oh, heya, Hanarei." he said casually. He had noticed she had been strangely quiet for the past week, and had asked about if there was anything bothering her in particular, only to be met with anything short of a successful answer. He didn't want to go there again, so couldn't think of anything else to say that hadn't already happened that week. "So, what's up? Going... to your locker?" he asked in meek interest, quickly noticing the books along with Hitomomon in her bag. "I'm heading there too. Care to walk with me?" Parumon slowly stuck her tail out of her bag, waving it lazily around to catch Hitomomon's attention without flagging anyone else's.

***

Kanjin strode around a corner, feeling the back of his head. Luckily, he hadn't received any stitches from the incident outside the club the week before, but he still had to receive a bandage over the wound he had received or else he was told it would scar. And also adding to his luck, the bandage didn't seem too obvious covered by the long locks of his chestnut-brown colored hair. Kurikmon, for the moment, was out of sight and rummaging his way through the ventilation system again, keeping silent watch over his digi-destined.

"Hey there... well, well, I was wondering if I was going to see you." Kanjin grimaced, as he came face to face with Shireika. "Without the others crowding around us and your brother breathing down my neck, of course. But honestly, with the way some of the guys on the campus were talking about you, I would have thought you were a ghost. Y'know, the stuff of legends that only comes out to haunt the school at night?" He chuckled at his own joke, but pressed on. "Although this place doesn't deserve to be haunted by a beauty such as you... guess the lads were right. Allow me to formally introduce myself... I'm Jinccoku Kanjin."

He paused for a moment, almost reaching out a hand for her to shake, but since when did he ever shake hands with a girl? It wasn't gentleman-like. Instead, he kept his hands pinned to his sides for the moment. "So, apparently your brother, apart from telling me you're off limits, you're not that sort of girl, blah blah blah, he said you would vouch for him about this digi-crap that's been going on, on account of the fact you won't do anything he says? Believe me, this is hard enough to believe as it is - the move here, the attack on me outside the club, and now I'm supposed to swallow this tripe about these things called digital monsters, that's were Protectors and digi-destined, and oh, by the way, steroid-girl that ripped the back of my head open is still out there doing god-knows-what. It's a little too much to take in, don't you think? So I wouldn't be surprised if I got down to the bottom of this and found out Toyogawa is behind it all, and you're all in on it with him, laughing at the new kid behind his back in some grand twisted candid camera joke. So, down to business... and maybe if you feel like it afterwards, get a bit more personal with each other, if you know what I mean."

He mischievously raised an eyebrow slightly at this comment, hoping Shireika would get the hint and played along. There wasn't a girl yet that could resist his charm, beside the ones Tomeo had gone out of his way to stop him hitting on. Then again, he remembered he had told him not to go after Shireika too, but like he'd ever listen to him or Hanshin, or any guy for that matter. "So, you detest your brother, even though he's fiercely looking out for you? You're pretty, but I'm not one to be played. And he also says that the guy who sent me the e-mail is the same guy who arranged to send me here to Tokyo Academy... Matsuro, your uncle. Is that true, too? Only the truth now, no games."

***

Cold hands grabbed at her wrists, forcing her into a standing position and tugging her... which direction? She was sure that it mattered, but it was one of many things she couldn't seem to find a connection to. Among the other things were her feet, which seemed to ignore any messages she sent them; no running, no kicking, no thrashing. Her head felt like an overstuffed pillow, a sort of feather-soft pressure against all points of her skull that would cause it to burst if too much more pressure was applied to it at all. She soon discovered that her entire body seemed to be ignoring her instructions, for no matter how she tried her eyes refused to open, her voice refused to cry out, and her body remained limp and heavy. Her nose and ears were the only remaining vigilantes, other than her sense of touch, and she heard a door open, then close. Heavy boots clumped across a floor of some kind, and then another door swing open. Had ber body been responding she would have shivered as a cold wind engulfed her bleeding, swollen skin, and the door clicked shut. More boots, more walking, and she felt herself be dropped roughly on what felt like asphault; tiny rocks embedded themselves into her shoulder and arm, and the battered side of her face. After a brief struggle with what sounded like keys and another door, she found her body leaving the stony ground in exchange for a cushioned seat. More doors, and then the most horrifying sound she'd ever hear; the turning over of a hover-car engine.

Panic swallowed what remained of her senses, and the smell of cigarettes and alcohol invaded her nostrils, choking her already laboured breathing. She heard a distant chuckle, and a muffled voice from miles beside her. Looks like there's still some fight left in you, beautiful. That's what I've always liked about you; never say die, huh? Well, you've always said you wanted a tattoo; how about I give you a pair of souvenirs? Well, Asayake, how about it? Asayake? Asayake...

"Asayake? Are you okay?"

A head of shocking red hair emerged from the dented locker, green eyes shocked wide and breath coming in short gasps. A worried glance from the white feathered creature on the top shelf of the locker looked down at her with concern, but as Asayake composed herself the look turned to one of defeated sadness. Asayake took no notice of it, focused on that... Dream? Surpressed memory? Result of insomnia and too many God damned reminders of just how fucked up she was? Asayake's head pounded softly, reminiscent of the feeling she'd had only moments before of being stuffed with pillow fibre. It couldn't have been a dream... It felt too real. And it had been getting longer; at first it was only the cold hands, but it had progressed into a little, pictureless movie, taunting her whenever it saw fit. And, oh, how she wished it would stop.

But the reminders were everywhere. Actually, the rational portion of her mind argued, there were no real reminders, simply tricks her exhausted mind played on her for revenge. Still, the simple sight of Kanjin brought a rush of memories back to her, and each time she saw him she'd find herself drifting off into that horrible place where the only thing she had on her side was touch, smell, and that dry, alcoholic chuckle. It was hard to believe that Kanjin could look so much like him that her mind sometimes thought he WAS Ken; that at any moment he'd take her wrists again, drag her through some unknown hallway to the heavy clunk of his boots, and she'd hear an engine turn over and smell cigarettes and cheap beer. She let her head fall back into her locker, resting her head against the cold, forgiving metal of the inside wall. She pulled her hands in with her, staring down at the pinkish spidery lines that turned into one, twisted circle in the center of her palms. Her souvenirs.

Roughly, Asayake gathered everything she needed from her locker and slammed it shut, spinning the lock before stalking off down the hallway. Sometimes she wondered why she kept them; the technology for scarless healing was available, but she'd denied it. As she walked her fingers curled into her palms, rubbing against the raised, uneven flesh they found. Unfortunately, she was so absorbed in her thoughts that it was far too late to stop herself when she walked headlong into somone in the hallways. Taken completely off guard, she leaned precariously backward a moment before falling to the groung completely. Winded and surprised at her absent-mindedness, Asayake looked up at the person she'd used as her buffer. "Oh. Err... Sorry, Hanarei. I was... Yeah." She picked herself up off of the ground, rubbing the back of her neck as she came face-to-face with Tomeo as well. "Hi."

***

Tegiwa materialized from somewhere behind Shireika and began to address Kanjin's questions, "Yeah, buddy, you got all of right. I hate to break it to you, but this Digidestined thing has been running on for generations now. Why you were suddenly picked I can say, but it's sort of like a job and sort of like a family. It's a responsibility, an honor (look it up), and you can't pick your teammates. So, let's all try to be a happy dysfunctional family. And a word of advice, if you mess with any of these girls you are in for a surprise. They can take care of themselves. But, mess with them and I will find the back of your head with a tire iron in some dark alley. Above all others, Shireika here," he placed his hand lightly around her waist, " deserves your respect and awe, so save your slimy, smarmy lecheries for someone who will appreciate them....

"Speaking of which...where /is/ Naoko. She's been gone all week."

At that moment, Tegiwa felt a slender hand grab his ass. It was a disconcerting familiar sensation. "Nao...oh? ko?" He blurted as he jumped reflexively. But, behind him was only Mariko with her bag and that guy who Tegiwa had seen hanging around. Ricku had one arm causally hung across Mariko's shoulder, and they were laughing about something.

"Hey there guys," Rick said nonchalantly, then added to Mariko, "Naoko really hangs out with you people? They are..." Ricku made an ambiguous gesture. Ricku was dressed in street clothes, tight denim jeans, beige T-shirt, and Doc Marten 16 hole boots. Naoko's book bag was slung over one shoulder and his long pony tail flowed down his back.

Curious lettering on his shirt over the pocket read: "Staff Member, 'Principia Discordia Sunday' est 2001. Hail Eris!" The central logo was an apple.

"They are her friends, mostly." Mariko looked around as if trying to remember who was who. "Um, guys, Ricku here is my cousin. He's from Okinawa. I drug him here to help me get Naoko's things. She's been out with the flu all week."

"Hey, it's the least I could do. Naoko is my favorite cousin. I like Mariko too, but it's a requirement since she's my betrothed."

Mariko turned so red-faced steam should have shot out of her ears. "That is such a lie!" she cried as she stomped on Ricku's foot. Mariko stormed off as Rick was left hopping and holding his foot. Stupid girl nearly broke my instep through my boots...

"Heh, you know how it with girls and arranged marriages. Animosity and denial."

***

Enma stretched as much as the press of humanity at the lockers would allow. Another long school week was over, and hopefully her house would remain in tact over the weekend. Her ears still rang with the out burst of her parents. Apparently, her mother's home managed to remain untouched when she was a digidestined.

Mitikomomon was once again playing keychain dangly on her bag, and he was getting quite good at it, a fact which made him at once pleased and annoyed. He was certain he could vanquish any foe if a game of living statues or Daruma game.

Enma watched a hallway collision with interest as Hanarei became sandwiched betwixt Asayake and Tomeo. "Hey, guys. You going to exchange insurance info now?"

***

"I hope something fun happens today. I know I say that everyday after I wake up, but I'm really hoping for something interesting. Being a digi-destined is what adventure junkies like me dream of. The reality of it all kind of hits me like a ton of bricks, but I can't wait to prove my worth. I want to be someone they can count on, but..." Toshi clenched his fist and a smug smile spread across his face. "I get such a rush just thinking about it. What happened last week... I've ran it over in my mind so many times and I keep thinking about all I could have said or done differently. Most would be considered suicidal, but still the rush! This Protector stuff goes hard."

"Toshi, this is serious." Goirumon scolded from his partner's backpack.

"It sure is. I'm Batman, you're Robin, and even when Robin questions Batman he's usually wrong. Learn the place of the sidekick."

"What?! You know with time I could really grow to dislike you."

"I don't doubt that. A lot of people dislike me. Got a jail cell full of them that want me dead, but if you can't learn to tell when I'm joking we're going to have some problems." Toshi stuck his hand in the backpack and ruffled Goirumon's hair. "You think I should go look for the others? I mean, there's some serious spiritual shit going on. Vampires are not the norm for planet earth." No sooner had he said that did stop walking to notice, in his opinion, a funny collision.

"Nevermind that. Huh, road rage meets hallways."

***

Yuu wandered down the halls in a faint haze of worry. The news had been reporting all week about vampiric attacks, and even though none of the group had been approached by those two again it was still unsettling. And on top of that, she hadn't seen Naoko since the concert. Although she had seen a guy earlier that looked a lot like her... maybe they were related. She made a mental note to ask him about Naoko if she saw him.

She noticed Hanshin and Shouki down the hall and walked over to them. "Hello" she greeted, adding a little bit of cheerfulness artificially. "Ah, have either of you seen Naoko recently?"

***

Shireika slipped away from Tegiwa's grasp and stepped to the side a little. She smiled at Kanjin.

"I wish I could tell you it was all a joke, just so you could hear what you wanted," she said. "But, it isn't. My uncle Matsuro is one to pull strings, especially at this place. After all, the vice-principal and his daughter are digi-destined as well. Still, none of this is a lie or a joke. Hard to believe, I can understand that. It's all a bit weird and contrived, if I say so, but it's our fate. We have to learn to live with the choices dealt to us. You can have a little faith in us and help us out, or ignore it all and risk getting into more trouble. Without us, you could find yourself in far more trouble." She paused. "And, as far as my brother goes, he can do whatever he wants as long as he leaves me alone. The idiot head likes to believe that I'm out to get him, which he won't admit to publicly, but he does. His scheme for protection is to keep me from bringing him down. Other than that, I can't stand his guts. He had a fondness for bringing guests who like to wake me up at two in the morning. It's all a very long story." She smiled again and shook her head. "Anyway, is that all you want to know about digi-destined stuff, or did you want to talk some more?" She raised an eyebrow and glared at him harshly, so as to end any of Kanjin's hopes of something beyond talking.

***

"Don't get me started," Hanshin replied as he turned Shouki around and led him down the hallway. "The bastard named Kanjin is having a nice little chat with Shireika, and I warned her about him, that's all. She doesn't want me telling her what to do, as always." He grumbled to himself. "So, what's up?"

***

“Asayake!” Tomeo gasped, rushing to her side faster than anyone else could react to help her up. “Are you okay? You’ve gotta watch where you’re going!” he said, his tone ending in a soft chuckle, to cheer her up. He knew almost exactly what Asayake had been thinking about – without Kanjin in sight, he could only guess it had been her demons bothering again. And with all that had been going on with the vampire attacks, he couldn’t blame her. Why did this have to happen now? They had finally resolved their differences with one another, only to have this happen – it looked like the dark queen that was prophesized to come was real. He felt like it as bringing down depression on the entire group. At least until, that was, until the arrival of Enma and Toshi.

“Ha ha, guys.” he played along, in a vaguely amused voice. “Very funny, but don’t pick on Asayake. It’s not her fault she didn’t see where she was going. Lay off, or I’ll have to clobber all of ya. And I don’t hit girls, so I’ll let Hanarei do it for me if you’re not careful, right Hanarei?” he joked, pulling Asayake to her feet. He was doing his best effort to cheer the both of them up. He was grateful that the others were looking on the brighter side, but Asayake didn’t need it right now.

“So, has anyone heard anything about the attacks in the city?” he asked hopefully, hoping to change the subject. “I’ve heard the news claim that the assailants were vampires ‘cause all the victims had bite marks in their necks. I mean, I thought it couldn’t be true at first, but then I fought about the attacks on us… and all the unbelievable stuff that’s happened to us…” He distinctly remembered Saiki licking the blood she had collected on her hand from Kanjin’s head. “… so even if they aren’t really vampires, the two have got to be linked together somehow, right?”

***

“Ah, so you must be the infamous Tegiwa I’ve heard about.” Kanjin smiled broadly, as if he knew something he didn’t, shifting his eyes after Mariko as he remembered what she had told him on his first day. As soon as she was out of earshot, he went on. “Poor Mariko there, so broken up after hearing you two were an item, but it looks like she’s moved on. As for you Tegiwa, you sound like you’ve still got your mind on Naoko, eh? That can’t go well for the two of you, knowing that he’s thinking of another girl when he’s with you, can it? It’s dishonest to a lady like yourself, isn’t it?” he smirked for a moment at Shireika, then shot a look at Tegiwa, poking his pointer finger into his chest. “So, I’d better shut up and watch yourself if I was you, or you’re going to find yourself alone very soon, and when you are the only person who’ll be there will be me to smash you into the ground for threatening me. Her brother doesn’t scare me; so why should you? I’ll do what I like, thanks, so mind your own god-damn business.” He would have commented more about telling Tegiwa exactly where he could shove his tire iron, but he didn't want to talk dirty in front of Shireika, as the girl was slowly becoming more and more appealing to him.

During the conversation, he had noticed Ricku, and couldn’t help but turn to look at him, as if he knew him from somewhere, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He suddenly reminded him of Naoko when he name was mentioned, and he’d been wondering where she was too since he had gotten the urge to be with her again, and thought that catching the flu from her would be worth it. “I hear you there, but, dude… betrothed to your cousin? That’ll make for some mixed blood, won’t it? I’m too much of a gentleman myself to be desperate enough to resort to getting hitched to family members. You’ve gotta get out there, broaden your horizons and catch some of your own fish in the sea.”

Finally he turned to Shireika, who he wasn’t getting any positive response from to be alone with him. He figured she must have been one of those types of girls who was loyal to one guy only – and after looking at Tegiwa, who looked as scrawny as Tomeo did, he couldn’t understand why she’d bother. “Think about it, eh? It’s good to let go every once in a while… a release, if you like, especially after all that’s been going on. You know how to contact me, if you change your mind. Oh well, at least you and I have something in common about your brother, with despising him. Can’t stand his guts, either.” He grimaced, thinking about what Shireika said about the vice principal having a daughter. Kanjin loved being insubordinate to the school authority – what a laugh he’d get out of the vice principal if he’d found out he’d done time with his daughter, and made a mental note to find out who she was later.

“But as long as he’s a digi-destined as well, I guess we’ll have to put up with him." he sighed. "Well then, I’m convinced then if you’re part of this, I think you’re telling the truth. So it’s true then, about Matsuro? The only reason I’m here is because I’m a digidestined – what are the odds? I can only think of one more thing to ask you… the steroid girl I mentioned, Saiki, I think he name was. She was super strong even for me, and I pull weights every day. And the attacks from the digimon didn’t help much, either. She said she was after a key… what do you make of that? A key to what? Keys open doors logically, but who needs to open a door with that sort of strength? It’s beyond me. And she said she and some other chick called Sakikko, I think, wanted it. Hmmm. There's something else out there—more powerful, more vicious—pulling all the strings. Ooh, don't know about you, but I'm just dying to find out what it is.”

***

Hanarei felt like she was on a bumper car ride with everyone running into her and gathering around her. She quickly placed a hand on the wall to steady herself.

Himotomon waved back to Parumon or at least moved her head from side to side to make it look like the flame on her was waving. "Hehe, good ones, guys," whispered Himotomon. She turned to her partner in hopes of getting a smile. "Eh? Don't you think so, Hanarei?"

Hanarei removed her hand from the wall. She still looked depressed even with everyone acting cheerful around her. Even when Tomeo made his 'offer' for her, she responded with a dull, "I don't really feel like it."

If she had hands, Himotomon would have slapped her forehead. "Oh for the love of all that is good an holy," she mumbled. "You've been like this all week. I can understand you not being in the best of moods but this is just.... But if you're not in the mood to hit anyone...."

Somehow, Hanarei knew what Himotomon was going to do and looked panic-stricken. "No, please don't," she begged.

"Tough," Himotomon responded with. "A lot of you has rubbed off on me so I'll tell them now." The digimon was about to tell the others but noticed someone walking up to the group. Quickly, she hid in the bag. Hanarei turned around to find Yuki walking up to her.

"Hey there Hanarei," Yuki said cheerfully.

Hanarei tried to grin at Yuki but it looked very awkward. "Oh, um, hi Yuki." She didn't turn into her cheerful-self the way she used to around him.

"I just thought I should stop by and say hi as I was on my way to my locker. I still can't believe what happened last week. I never would have guessed your dad and mine were related. Well, I'll talk to you later, cousin." Yuki quickly left and waved goodbye to Hanarei and the group.

Hanarei gave an awkward wave back and dropped her hand once Yuki was out of sight. She turned to the rest of the group. A slight twinkle of fear was on her face but she was trying her hardest not to let it get to her. The problem was that it was getting closer to breaking point.

Himotomon poked her head back out of the bag after making sure it was okay to do so. "I think you can figure out what happened now," she said to the others.

***

"Wow, you two are pretty similar," Kirimon said to Hanshin from Shouki's bag. "You both want to protect your sisters a lot and your sisters don't want you around. Narumi keeps saying she'll be okay while Shouki is always worried about his younger sister."

"Especially with all of these attacks going on," Shouki added. He turned back to Hanshin. "I'm doing okay. My parents are worried about the recent attacks and everything. I'm worried about my younger sister and the attacks."

"So it's same ol', same ol'," Kirimon joked.

Shouki had to roll his eyes at the comment. He was tempted to say something in response but Yuu appeared at that moment. "Oh, um, hey Yuu," said Shouki." Somehow he couldn't forget what happened last week while he was practicing with his guitar and saw Yuu's image. He couldn't help slightly blushing either for some reason even though he knew he wasn't doing anything embarrassing. "How have you been?"

"Naoko?" Shouki asked curiously. "No, I haven't seen her around lately either. I've asked her sister and she said something about the flu. Kind of a bad time to get it when you have a guest over. Oh yeah, Mariko said their cousin was visiting them for awhile though I haven't seen him yet."

***

Shireika smircked a little at Kanjin; she seemed amused by her new classmate and the newcomer to the digi-destined. She glanced over at Tegiwa, worried that he would attempt to start a fight at school over this.

"Let Tegiwa be," she said to Kanjin. "The key opens a door to the power of one of the most power and dangerous evil entities ever: Akurei. He had tried to kill the last generation of digi-destined, and when he was defeated, his powers were sealed away. A couple months ago, the reborn Akurei was trying to get the key back. Now, apparently, we've got other people after it." She sighed softly. "Sakkiko is the one we have to worry about first. It seems she is the one in charge of our recent attackers, like your steroid girl. There are definitely people with more power calling all the shots, and we are the ones left in the dark about it. Fun, isn't it? The Fates are so wonderful to deal with. They seem to enjoy ruining everything."

***

"Yeah, she's out sick. Fortunately, we don't have a concert this weekend," Hanshin said. "We're a mess when she's not around to take care of things." He put a hand on Shouki's shoulder. "Your sister will be fine, as long as she's careful. We all have been, and that what's important. It seems these vampire attacks are beyond anyone's control, as though they think they can come to our world and do whatever they want. We should probably do some research into this, huh?"

***

"She keeps telling me that but I still worry about her," said Shouki. "You know, it's the whole brother thing. She just seems a little, um, too out-going sometimes." Kirimon snickered. "What?"

"If you consider Narumi to be out-going, I wonder how you would describe Naoko," said Kirimon. "By your rating, Kinoha would be a party girl."

Shouki didn't respond. He started to adjust his backpack a little which caused Kirimon to move around inside. "Shouki, watch it. This isn't a very roomy place you know." He started to adjust his position in the backpack when, unknown to him, a small book fell out behind the digimon and onto the ground. Shouki was still busying in conversation with Hanshin and Yuu and didn't notice it.

"I guess another research party wouldn't hurt," said Shouki. "We might find out a few more things about the Dark Queen and who these attackers are."

Meanwhile, the book that fell out of Shouki's backpack wasn't just any book; it was Shouki's diary. There were several pages with writing already in it but when it fell to the ground, it happened to land on the very first page he wrote on; the page that he wrote to Asayake.

***

So much for changing the subject. Tomeo watched Yuki leave, and had to mentally remind himself to shut his jaw after hanging it half-open in surprise. He couldn’t believe what he had just heard from Yuki, Hanarei had been so hopeful she could be with him, and now… he understood why she had refused his joke and been so depressed. “Hanarei… I’m, I’m so sorry.” he began, but stopped as he wasn’t sure Hanarei would appreciate the pity in front of everyone right now, he thought she’d probably rather curl up and die. “Listen… if there’s anything that I could do… that we could do… we’re here for you, Hanarei, at least I am. You probably want to be alone right now…” He didn’t know what else to say as a stunned silence filled his words, and he couldn’t go changing the subject again without looking like he was avoiding the subject and not caring. But he could put himself in her shoes and know how horrible the thought was if it turned out he was related to Asayake, not because of the relation to her but because it would limit him to ever being more than that. And he was all too familiar with the concept of losing someone he loved. Instead he could only offer a comforting hand on her shoulder for reassurance, remaining silent.

Parumon couldn’t see what the deal was, as she never had relatives in her life, but she figured that cousins being more than friends in the human world was a bad thing. “…Tough break, Hanarei.” She said as she poked her head out of Tomeo’s bag, trying not to sound too insensitive. Tomeo thought that she was expressing what he was about to say as if she were mirroring his own thoughts to the letter. “But it happens to the best of us. I’m not saying things are fine now… but, they will be. You’ll see. Just give it time.”

***

“Fates… what? Tell me you’re joking and you’re not being literal, you’re just talking about fate in general, right? Yeah… it can mess around with our minds a bit, but then again, I don’t believe in fate.” Kanjin blinked, sounding confused. “Slow down there, honey, this is all a lot to absorb as it is. First of all, powers of an evil entity? What are we talking about here, like some sort of, what, magic hocus-pocus cloud that gives you abilities, or some kind of weapon? It would be nice to know what we’re looking after, what we’re giving our freakin' lives for.”

Completely ignoring to comment on Shireika’s request to leave Tegiwa alone, and also pretty much ignoring Tegiwa, he went on. “And how long are we expected to look after this key for? I’m not having bloody vampires breathing down my neck for the rest of my life, thank you very much. We’ve all got our lives to go on with, you know, and I certainly didn’t sign up for this.”

***

Asayake stared at Hanarei; she wanted to say something, anything to the girl that might make her feel better, but being at the end of one's rope doesn't really leave much room for inventive, optimistic retorts or anything of the sort. Instead, Asayake settled for giving her a sad look, as it was all she could come up with.

Actually, Asayake felt rather out-of-place in the small group; too many thoughts dueled in her head, and she felt she didn't have much to contribute to discussion or anything for that nature. Not wanting to stay, but unwilling to leave tierh, she stared dully at the ground.

***

Enma watched the whole Hanarei and Yuki scene spill all over the place like some great grey gloomy tide that washed all light and hope down the hallway and out the door. For better or worse, Yuki had allowed Hanarrei to be less like she was and more like the person hiding inside her. Enma wasn't sure if it had been a good thing for Hanarei from the start, but to have things turn out like this was inhumane.

Enma mumbled to herself, "If they both had no idea, just how close a cousin could he really be?"

Noticing Asayake's distress Enma deicided to intervene.

As she moved toward the other redhead, Mitikomoman peeped: "You actally gonna step in?"

"Hush." She stood by Asakaye and leaned by the lockers. "So, want me to go show you the place with the thing that I mentioned that time?" Enma hoped the girl would take it as an opportunity to retreat from the others.

***

Tegiwa stepped down a Defcon level or two. "Basically, Akurei's power was that of an ancient god, a lord of shadow, and an ultimate Protector. It was ranks above parlor tricks and even our own impressive abilities. And, yes, it’s a weapon. It's power enough to create and destroy. And, yes, the Fates have a weird sense of humor. They drafted all of us. You are their latest gag. Welcome to as a digidestined. As for how long? As long as it takes. We might want to consider a pre-emptive strike against these blood drinking fiends. All of Tokyo could be a few quarts low if we just wait for them."

***

Ricku said something about Naoko still looking after the band even though she was sick and hurried after Mariko. Halfway down an ajouning hallway Ricku noticed a familiar book. He snatched it up and put it away after confirming it was indeed Shouki's exchange diary. He wasn't going to read it. Shouki was the private type and Rick, well...Ricku had never met Shouki officially...but still, Naoko would not betray a friend trust casually. Ricku left it alone.

***

"Uhh." Toshi crossed his arms over his chest and cocked his head to the side. "I miss something?" Toshi asked. From his point of view it looked like Hanarei was going to give depression a whole new meaning. "Now I'm positive that I missed something." He said, listening to Tomeo.

"You can't be in the loop for everything Pointy-kun."

"Ah the curse of being the newbie." Toshi said with a smirk. "Wait..." A frown replaced the smirk. "Are you like..? Was he..?" He turned away and began muttering to his self. "Incest isn't healthy, children wise anyway."

***

"Ah, I see" Yuu said. The guy from the hallway must have been Naoko's cousin then. "Well I hope Naoko-san gets better soon." She spent the rest of the conversation just listening, until something dropped out of Shouki's backpack. He hadn't seemed to notice, so she automatically bent down to pick it up. She quickly recognized it as the diary Asayake had given him a while back, and was just reaching for it when a word on the page caught her eye.

Hikaru.

It couldn't have taken her more than half a minute to read the passage, but it felt like hours. Something in the back of her mind kept saying she shouldn't be doing this, she shouldn't be reading someone's private thoughts like this, but she couldn't tear her eyes away. She slowly began reaching for the book again, her hand quivering slightly. But whether it was to hand it back to Shouki or to turn the page she never knew, because right then someone swooped in and snatched it away.

By the time she stood up and swerved around the perpetrator was already halfway down the hall. It was Naoko's cousin. "H-hey!" she called unsteadily, "T-that book! It's... it's Shouki-san's..." The sentence quavered out and hung there half finished.

***

"Until we can figure out what's going on, we can't do a whole lot except protect ourselves," Shireika said. "The Fates like to keep us guessing what's going to happen next. Though, who really knows what's actually going on sometimes. Even the Fates can't control everything." She crossed her arms and looked up at Kanjin. "As for being a digi-destined, it means you're a Protector. You're someone who keeps this world safe and the universe in order. You do what the Fates want basically. No one really knows what they're fighting for, only vaguely. If you know what I mean. It's not exactly a one sentence answer."

***

"Definitely, and who this Sakkiko chick is," Hanshin added. "My bets are that she's that Dark Queen we're after. Shireika suggested it the other day too." He sighed, watching Yuu run off. "Anyway, that means we need to figure out how to use that damn key. I bet if we keeping working our way up, we're going to find out that Kousei's really behind all of this again. We need him to show how to unlock those powers, especially if we're going to actually stop that Dark Queen, who may be right on our doorstep." He shook his head. "I don't know about you, but I don't want to have to deal with that son of a bitch ever again. He's caused enough trouble, and I know Shireika never wants to speak to him again after what he has put her through."

***

If Hanarei could have any power she wanted in the world, it would be to burst into flames and die on the spot right now. She eyes darted around at the mixed expressions of everyone but she didn't know what to do. She had to get out of there. The bag containing Himotomon dropped from her shoulders and hit the floor followed by a "mpph" sound from the digimon. Hanarei quickly ran away, in search of somewhere, anywhere, where she could be alone for a moment.

Meanwhile, Himotomon poked the top of her head out of the bag so she could see outside. "Um, Toshi?" she said. "To explain, since everyone else knows, Hanarei loved Yuki but had no idea they were cousins. She found out last week and has been heart-broken since. And believe me, this is not like her."

Himotomon glanced over at Tomeo, then at Asayake, then back to Tomeo. "I appreciate the help you're trying to give my partner," she said, nodding her head in thanks, "but it looks like your services are also needed with someone closer to you." Himotomon now nudged her head toward Asayake. The other girl didn't look very well just like Hanarei but (definitely) under different circumstances.

***

Hanarei splashed some water on her face from the sink of the girl's bathroom. She had ran in there, shouted for anyone in there to get out now, and then locked the door when it was clear. Bracing herself on the sink, Hanarei was panting slightly. Why? She didn't know but her breathing was acting funny after she ran.

Hanarei wiped her face with a hand and slowly looked into the mirror. For what felt like forever, Hanarei stared at her reflection. She stared, not taking her eyes off herself, noticing the tired face, the dull eyes, the defeated look....

Suddenly, Hanarei punched the wall next to the mirror, causing a loud thunk noise in the bathroom. She didn't move or even flinch or even acknowledge the fact that two of her knuckles were bleeding. Hanarei looked once more into the mirror. "Just hold on," she mumbled. "Just hold on and ignore the pain." She slowly moved toward the mirror and rested her head on it. "Gah, I can be so stubborn sometimes."

***

"Yeah, I can tell that you don't want to mess with... him again," said Shouki. He was thinking about using the same phrase Hanshin did but couldn't bring himself to use those words. "But what about that first spot where Kousei asked us to meet? Didn't he say before that the door for the key was somewhere in that area? Maybe we could look around there as well if we don't find anything in the library."

Kirimon was busying getting comfy in Shouki's bag again. "Hmm, there seems to be a little bit more room in here now," he said to himself. "I wonder why?" The digimon used his tail to check everything (and move around some of the books). He soon noticed something missing. 'Wasn't Shouki's diary in here between his math and English book?' he thought.

***

Ricku looked at the diary in his hands. Asayake would kick his but if she new how careless he was with this. Ricku wasn'y going to read it. He had a general idea of Shouki's life from their conversations as Naoko. He figured if he needed to know more. Shouki would tell him. He tried to should hs friend some privacy and respect.

Now what to do. Hanshin wasn't into gay guys except as a threesome, And the gay was always bottom for all of them. He might seduce Ami though. And repay her with a little special brand of BDSM. Or, he could see if Shouki might bet gay and in denial. That could be interesting. Shouki was the most cuddly member of the band for certain. Naoko wouldn't mind a full body snuggle pillow of Shouki. (she made one of hanshin long ago).

***

Tegiwa decided some safety measures were needed. "Ok, we need to research. We might even have to ask Kousei, but whatever else we do, we should consider doing in pairs. At least, try too. These attacks are far to dangerous. And, I mean pairs of human with digimon. It's a pain, but getting a kick from hell is no fun either.

"As for me, I'm going to the Library. Who'd like to join me?" He would rather Shireika joined him...afterhours....and they could do more than look at musty books. Well, maybe, but he knew she was key to approaching Kousei. He'd talk to her of course.

***

"Maybe," Hanshin murmured. "Though, the whole deal that we need Akurei's powers to defeat some dark queen seems like a ploy, don't you think? Come on - we're digi-destined. We're powerful people here. The last generation beat Akurei without any help. Just themselves. If they could Akurei before, I bet we could stop this dark queen. She's probably weaker than Akurei, considering we need his powers to stop her."

***

"I have preseason stuff to attend to," Shireika replied to Tegiwa. "But maybe check with the others. I'm sure someone else would go to the library with you." She leaned close to Tegiwa and kissed him on the cheek. "Look, I'll see you tomorrow. As always, okay?" She readjusted the bag on her shoulder and glanced at Kanjin. "You pick what you want. You're welcome to join Tegiwa, or you can stick around here if you don't want to get attacked again." She started to walk away. "Since, I'm guessing you need a girl to protect you, huh? Later." She continued down the hallway towards her locker to grab her tennis gear before heading off to another preseason practice.

***

"Poor Hanarei..." Tomeo said quietly, watching the girl flee, then looked down at Hitomomon. "Yeah, I guess. Maybe you should go talk to her yourself Hitomomon, if she won't let anyone else talk to her. I don't think she could stand talking to anyone human now, anyway." He glanced sideways towards Asayake, knowing well enough what Hitomomon was trying to hint at with 'someone close to you', but just because the digimon knew it didn't mean he wanted everyone else to know. Was it that obvious? "I'm sure she'll be fine though, given some time." he said as he turned to Asayake, his eyes closed for half a moment with a bright smile on his face. "We shouldn't worry too much."

Asayake nodded, but with her memories still lingering at the back of her mind, all she could manage was a thin smile. She didn't quite feel as happy as Tomeo was trying to be at the moment, but his enthusiasim did make her feel slightly better.

***

"Nice one, Shireika." Kanjin chucked, as she walked off. "And I suppose you'ld be the girl to protect me? I can do fine on my own, thanks, if that's your attitude." he called after her, but couldn't help giving the young woman one last, intriguing sideways glance at her behind, before turning to Tegiwa. "I don't think I'll be joining you in the library if you have the same thing in mind for me as you did for Shireika... heheh. And I don't especially enjoy having death threats thrown at me if that's what you have in mind instead. So sorry, bookworm, but I've got more important things to do. Ta." He turned away from Tegiwa, going the opposite way down the corridor from Shireika. He had no idea what that girl saw in a nerd like Tegiwa...

***

Hanarei walked out of the door to the bathroom and back into the hallway. She had spent several minutes trying her best to regain her composure and look natural. "Okay, I can do this," she mumbled to herself for perhaps the tenth time now. "I can do this. No worries...." Her voice trailed as she remembered some of the expressions on her friends' faces and started to slouch. "Of all the images I continue to see, why can't I lose that one?"

Hanarei hit the door to the bathroom with her elbow out of frustration. "Why am I like this?" she thought. She started to walk slowly back to where everyone else was so she could take back Himotomon.

***

"Yeah, I know," said Himotomon. "But she's still really touchy about the subject. She knew Yuki for years and loved him all that time. This is huge blow for her. I can understand a heartache but I feel like there's something else to it."

"As for going after her, I can't fly in this form so moving around takes a long time when hopping is your only option."

"Which is why you need me to carry you," said a voice from the hallway. Hanarei returned to the group but had a very neutral expression on her face.

"Hanarei!"

Hanarei didn't say anything. She merely picked up her bag with Himotomon in it and glanced back at the group. "I think I need to be alone for awhile," she said to them in the same neutral tone. "I need to clear a few things up first. See ya." She started to walk off, hoping that her tone didn't sound unnatural for her.

***

"Oi. What a gloomy atmosphere we got going here. A guy could suffocate in all this depressed unhappiness." Toshi really wasn't use to all the angst he was seeing. He'd duck and cover whenever someone brought home a movie with a sad ending because he was afraid he'd burst into tears while watching it; and he usually did. That was not good for his image. "Hanarei if you need an emotional outlet, I've been a punching bag for a good portion of my life so don't go beating on any defenseless inanimate objects." That was a sad attempt at humor and Toshi knew it. "Alone time... Yeah that's a good thing." Toshi really sucked at this and he really wasn't happy with his self for it. "I think I'm glad I'm romance challenged."

***

Tegiwa nodded to Shireika that he had it covered. He was glad the muscle-for-brains Kanjin fool didn't want to research. He'd do better on his own, in the dark, smelling each page than with that lummox leering and cajoling him at every step. Poor Shireika, she always had meetings. It was nice to see she could remain committed to school and saving the plane though. It left piss time for relations though. The part of him furthest connected from his mind wondered if Naoko was well, or at least not contagious. Rushing emotions were causing garment restrictions.

***

Ricku caught up with Shouki and gave him a gentle pat on the backpack. He unzipped it some and carefully slid the diary in while ignoring the ghost cat within except to avoid squishing the felis mortis. "Shouki, private things should be kept private. Keep track of them and endeavor to lock them, kay?" Ricku moved to Shouki's side and looked him mischievously in the eye. "Naoko waned me to take you out in her stead. Bring a friend if you like. Yuu is a friend right?"

***

Shireika grabbed her bag from her locker. The preseason practice and meeting had gone on for a long time, partly because so many people were fighting over positions for the upcoming season. It was only planning, but nothing was final. Not at this point, but the boys made such a big deal about it. At least, it seemed she was likely to be playing singles all spring. She was relieved she wouldn't have to deal with those stupid boys on her team who all were fighting to play mixed with her.

She checked her digivice, wondering who was still left on campus. She hoped that someone would be around, but she knew she could survive without someone else around. She wasn't helpless. She generally took care of herself, so why did she need someone else around anyway?

***

Hanshin stared at a book in Matsuro's library at Tokyo University. He and some of the others who had decided to go had tried to find some information about the key they had, particularly the location of the keyhole. However, they hadn't gotten anywhere at all. Nothing had been helpful at all.

"This sucks," he grumbled. "Nothing at all. I don't like the idea that Kousei might be the only person who knows the location of this keyhole for that damn key. Still, I don't think we even need to use that key anyway. Like I said, if the digi-destined beat Akurei before, we probably are strong enough without his powers."

***

Since the time when Hanarei left the group in the hallway, she hid up on the roof for some privacy. Having a (secret) set of keys from her dad came in handy occasionally. She was laying on her back while throwing a crumbled piece of paper into the air and catching it.

Himotomon, now free from the backpack and roaming the rooftop, watched her partner throw the wad of paper up and down. "Aren't you ever going to move?" the digimon asked.

Hanarei caught the piece of paper and stopped throwing it. "Sometime soon probably," she said.

"What have you been doing over there besides playing catch with yourself?"

Hanarei didn't answer right away. "Thinking," she finally said. She started to toss the paper again.

"Thinking about what?"

"Stuff."

"Could you be a little more precise on what this 'stuff' is?"

"I don't really want to talk about it."

Himotomon was starting to get annoyed. "What have I told you about keeping in secrets like-"

Hanarei bolted upright. The paper fall to the ground. "I said I don't want to talk about it!" she shouted. Himotomon jumped at Hanarei's reaction and kept quiet. Hanarei sighed, picked up the paper, and stuffed it into her bag. "Look," she now spoke in a tired voice, "I've just been trying to sort things out a little and... I feel like if I start explaining it, I'm not going to be able to stop and then I may do something I... really, really don't like doing. And I'm not going to tell you what that is," she added, seeing Himotomon open her mouth to ask a question.

Himotomon nodded. "Well, could we at least leave now. It looks like it's starting to get late. I noticed a bunch of people in sports clothing packing up their gear and heading for their lockers or somewhere."

"Great," Hanarei mumbled. "Just what I need to run into; the jock crowd." She sat up and opened her bag. "You know the drill." Himotomon enter the backpack and Hanarei zipped it close.

Hanarei walked down the stairs, locked the door to the rooftop, and started down the hall. She wasn't paying much attention until Himotomon suddenly said "Hi" to someone. Startled, Hanarei turned to Himotomon and hissed. "Speaking to people is not part... oh, it's you." Hanarei was now looking at Shireika. She was a little surprised to see the girl still at school. Then again, Hanarei was rarely at school this late. "So, what? Practice last longer than expected?"

***

Shouki didn't know what Ricku was talking about when he meant by something private. Kirimon on the other hand realized that the book Ricku stuffed inside the backpack was Shouki's diary. The ghost catwas wide-eyed at this fact and wanted to tell Shouki but couldn't with Ricku around.

"Wha... Naoko asked for you to come instead?" Shouki said sounding slightly shocked. He turned to Yuu when Ricku mentioned her. A small part of him did want her to come along too but wasn't sure about it somehow. "Y-yes, she is a friend," he said very quietly, not looking either in the eye. "But we may be a little busy with something else later tonight, maybe. It's sort of a, um, research meeting."

***

Shouki had been staring close at the books for awhile now. He lifted his head away from one and rubbed his eyes. "You'd think we would have found something by now," Shouki said in a tired voice.

Kirimon floated by Shouki with another book in front of him. "At least you're learning a lot of stuff from this," said Kirimon.

"Quite the optimist, aren't we?"

"Said the pessimist," he answered back.

Shouki turned a page before looking up at Hanshin. "But we don't really know how strong these people are. That one girl, Saiki, didn't really fight us so it's hard to say how strong they are."

***

Enma sighed as she slouched down in the computer chair. She checked her watch and groaned as she read the time. "I need my own car."

"Can you even drive?" Mitikomomon asked as he tried in vain to rearrange one of the picture frames with his tail.

"That's besides the point." Enma said. She closed the history book she had been doodling in and put it back into her bag gently. She picked her bag up and put it up onto the desk. Mitikomomon attached himself to it, perplexed.

"Um...where are we going? You're mom's still in a meeting."

"We're just going for a walk." She promised, taking out her lanyard. She slipped out of the guidance office, waving silently to the secretary on the way, and headed over to the key-activated elevator. She found the right key and put it in, turning and waiting impatiently. When the elevator finally arrived, she headed down to the level her locker was on. "Might as well throw my history book in there; it's worthless with me." she said. She pulled the book out while she waited for the elevator to hit the right floor. When the doors opened, she stepped off, reveling in the sound of her footsteps ringing through the hallways. She stopped at a junction in the hallways, ready to turn left to get to her locker. She could hear voices, and instead hooked a right, glancing down the hallway. "Oh, it's you guys." she said by way of greeting to Shireika and Hanarei. "I thought someone was trying to break into school...no idea why they'd want to do that..." she looked at Hanarei. "And your dad needs to make his staff meetings shorter. Feeling better?" The last part was quiet so that only Hanarei could hear.

***

Tegiwa scanned through the pages of a musty old folio with archaic and faded script. While the edges were illuminated with friezes of weird vines tangled with serpents, the contents were proving rather dull. Each page looked much like the next to him, and the time and place seemed unrelated to their task. Tegiwa had chosen it simply because it was lid on the table before him. There seemed no better place to look, so he toyed with thee page.

Robotmon and Suzuman were helping Ricku, who had shown up uninvited, keep a stubborn scroll from rolling up on the part he was reading. He seemed to be interested in something written there, but his mumbles did not seem to indicate anything that was there goal.

"Hanshin, maybe we should have the key, or rather the power, not to use per se, but so that the power couldn't be claimed by another. IN any case, the vamps seem tough, tougher than champion digimon at the very least. Maybe more on biomerge scale." Tegiwa faced his book as he spoke. "And, what of Sakiko? Would not the Queen be more powerful than her flunkies. Not to mention...she's queen of some dimension. She has a power base from that no doubt."

Tegiwa sighed. "Why does this book contain 50 different and minutely varied versions of Guinness Punch? There's only one good way, you know?"

***

"Something like that," Shireika replied as she pulled her bags onto a shoulder. "Boys will be boys. They can't seem to agree on anything, or at least, none of the boys on the tennis team can." She looked at Hanarei and Enma inquisitively. "Why are you guys still here? Shouldn't you guys have gone home by now, or are you waiting for your parents?" She began to walk down the hallway to leave the building so she could head home.

***

Hanshin shook his head.

"We are digi-destined," he said. "Come on. You think some angry group of vampires can bring us down? We have a history of being able to prevail, even in the darkest of moments. We're strong for a reason. Our parents defeated Akurei! Doesn't that mean anything?" He paused. "Anyway, I don't think we should worry so much about finding that keyhole anymore. I don't think it'll be worth it. Besides, do we really need it?"

***

Kanjin came out of a classroom, having served part of his three month detention for having been caught 'doing it' on school grounds with another female student. Honestly, how else was he supposed to fill the time between more detention and classes until home time? He had been frustrated since Naoko had fallen ill, and nobody else had seemed to pay interest in him - he was getting flat-out bored.

He wandered back to his locker to get his things for home, until he heard the familiar voice of Shireika ahead of him. He was slightly disappointed to see she wasn't alone, but intrigued to see the vice principal's and the grief counselor's daughters with her.

"Evening, ladies." he said smugly, approaching the group from behind. "This time of day at school is no place for three unescorted women, especially with those attacks going on, am I right?" He looked at Shireika, having overheard some of their conversation from before. "Just as well you've got a real man here now to look out for all of you, instead of those pansy boys from your tennis team. So, as Shireika was saying, what are all of you doing out here? Waiting for your parents to take you home?"

***

"I don't think we do." Tomeo answered Hanshin's question. "I don't think it's really necessary, it'd just be helping out the vamps if one of them was successful and got the information out of us, one way or the other." He and Asayake had joined the others in Matsuro's library to help with the research. They sat near each other at the table with large textbooks sprawled out in front of them, and with their digimon on the table assisting them with the piles upon piles of books they had to sort through.

Asayake looked up from her book, rubbing her eyes to stop them going blurry. She had recovered slightly from her episode earlier that day and was feeling more talkitive, trying to do anything to help keep her mind wandering back to those thoughts she had. "Maybe we shouldn't research about the key anymore; we know already what the key's for, what it unlocks and who the power belongs to." she said. "If we want to find out more about the vampires, maybe we should start with digital world history and see if we find anything familiar. If anyone can find out the information about the key, then they don't have to be linked to it in some way; these vamps could be some third party or something."

***

Hanarei narrowed her eyes as she looked at Shireika and started to follow her. "It must be nice to have so many people fighting for your attention," she said. There was definitely a tone of bitterness as she spoke. "Someone always trying to be by your side, keep you company, help you out...." She struggled to change the subject as she almost kept going with her sentence.

"As for my dad, I'll pass on the advice," she now said to Enma. "I'm sure about half an hour of it is pointness anyway." She leaned in closer to Enma to whisper now. "And I'm doing slightly better than I did earlier, thanks for asking." She stepped back to speak at normal volume. "And I've just been doing some thinking and lost track of the time. I usually leave long before dad does."

Hanarei now looked over at Kanjin with a unpleasant stare. "And now I have another reason to leave the school early if you hang out here this late as well. I am very capable of defending myself for your information." Hanarei was still in one of the moods where she wanted to vent some emotions but didn't care about it otherwise she would have thrown a few more insults at Kanjin.

***

"The digidestined did succeed against Akurei, but this is a whole new game," said Shouki. "As for the keyhole, it would be nice to know where it is so, in the case someone else does get a hold of it, we would know where they are likely to go."

Shouki was looking through a different book this time. "Here's something kinda interesting. But I can't quite figure out what language it's in. Almpor Sageshon Dalfes...." A dark, shadowy figure was climbing out of Shouki's shadow. "This is no good." He snapped the book shut and the shadow disappeared with a poof.

Shouki was about to pick up another book but something odd caught his eye. "Kirimon, how cold was it outside when we came here?" he asked cautiously.

"Not that cold or at least I thought so," Kirimon answered. "Why do you ask?"

"There's frost on the window and it's been growing." Shouki pointed to a window that did indeed have frost on it. It was spreading quickly until it covered the entire window. Shouki watched the window, expecting it to do something.

It did. There was a loud shatter as the glass broke after a large something either jumped or was thrown through it. The something turned out to be a person as he slowly stood up. He shook the iced glass out of his long dark blue hair which was held back by a headband. He wore a simple pair of black pants, a dark blue shirt to match his hair, a silver necklace, and a pair of gloves. His cold eyes scanned the room around him. "Well you kiddies seem to know where the key," he said casually as though people flying through windows was a common way of entering a room. "Would you care to tell ol' Rumal where he might find it? Or better yet, hand it over?"

Rumal knew very well what the answer would be and he was looking forward to it.

***

Yuu had quickly given up on finding the boy that had took Shouki's diary and quietly wandered back toward him and Hanshin. She didn't really participate in the conversation, and seemed not be able to look at Shouki. She had learned awhile ago that he had lost an older sister and that it had affected him deeply, but she had never imagined...

But then the boy, Ricku, came back. Yuu saw him slip Shouki's diary back into his backpack, but Shouki didn't seem to notice. She was almost relieved, until she remembered that Kirimon was probably in there. She paled. Could he have seen her reading it? Would he tell Shouki?

Yuu was brought back to the present by someone mentioning her name. She glanced up at Shouki when he turned to her, but she quickly looked away, hoping her guilt didn't show on her face. She didn't really hear what he said next.

***

Kuinamon noticed his partner acting a little off during the study session. She was going through the book she had pretty quickly, like she wasn't really paying attention. And she kept looking up at one of the other destined, that ponytailed kid who never smiled. And whenever she did, she got this expression on her face... sad wasn't the right way to put it. It was something other than that.

He was getting a bit worried, he never seen her quite like this. Did something happen at school? Well, he'd have to ask her later, he couldn't very well bring it up with all the other folks around. In the meanwhile, might as well join the forum, he thought, and was about to put in his own two cents on the whole vampire thing.

Then, of course, one of them came flying through the window.

Yuu jumped clear out of her seat at the sound of the glass shattering, and it took a few moments of staring at the man who had just entered though the window for her mind to catch up. "Who are you?" she demanded shakily, "What are you doing here?"

Kuinamon was a few steps ahead of her. "Y'think we're jus' gunna han' the key over t'you?" He positioned himself between Yuu and the intruder and tried to look as intimidating as a small bird-fish is able to. "Get lost, y'creep!"

***

Tegiwa looked fiercely at Hanshin as the black shape entered I a shower of tinyrazor shards. "I'd say we need the power just so they can't have it. Maybe we'd get some peace then...That's P-e-a-c-e."

He stood and eyed Rumal. "Yeah, I had the key. I took it with me boat fishing. Made a fine sinker. Too bad the line broke over the Marianas Trench. Have fun looking for it."

Ricku kept his face pointed and said nothing. But he watched the newcomer's evry move.

Somewhere out the library, Jet sat on a tree limb. The orange glow of his cheroot was the online light around him. The smoke was whipped away by the wind as he breathed out. "Rumal is a fucking copycat."

***

"When I think about it, this really wasn't a very practical project." Toshi grunted as he took a few shaky steps outside his shop class. "My back's killing me." He finally gave up and slowly eased his small entertainment center onto the ground. "It figures. I finish the darn thing and can't get it home. Not safely walking anyway. Bet I stroll right out into a street and a early grave. Do the work of those stupid vamps for them." With a defeated groan he picked his project back up and continued his trek down the hallway. "Why did I tell Kohaku not to pick me up, why?" At that moment Toshi lost his grip and the project dropped right on his foot. A long string of curses filled the hallway. "On the the plus side, no one saw that. On the negative, I think I chrushed my big toe." He looked around, checking to see if anyone really hadn't saw that. "Lucky me." The only people who seemed to be the hall were Hanarei, Shireika, Enma, and some guy he didn't know and they didn't seem to have noticed him. "You know, maybe I'm just new to this whole flirting thing, but to me being a sexist pig would be considered a major turn off don't you think?" Toshi asked Kanjin.

***

"Yeah, well," Hanshin started until Rumal invaded the room. He leapt from his chair when he saw the newcomer. Who the hell did he think he was? Crashing through the window to a library that was so important to the Guardians and Protectors. "So, we told you. Okay?" He strolled up to Rumal slowly. "You really don't seem all that tough or strong. So, get lost." He grabbed Rumal's clothing as he prepared to shove Rumal around a bit. "Or we can teach you the real meaning of hell." He nodded towards Koumamon who was standing ready to go any second. "You know we're stronger than you. There are more of us here than one of you. So, beat it."

***

"Unescorted?" Shireika asked as she looked up at Kanjin. Without a smile, she raised an eyebrow and then continued walking. "As far as people always wanting my attention," she started as she looked at Hanarei. "They're either like Kanjin, here: lame, stupid, and horny. Completely driven by their hormones. Or, they want me to help them with school. Whatever the case is, they all want something from me other than just simple friendship." But people who valued her as a friend without any other motives were very few. "But, I can't expect much, really." She had no intention of explaining. "Let's get out of here, okay?" she asked as she headed for the school's main entrance. She smiled at Toshi quickly. "Sexist pigs are favored well by a certain group of girls. You should meet my twin brother's little fan club."

She pulled her jacket tightly around her body as she stepped outside. It being late February, it was still chilly. She wished it could be spring again, but it would come around soon.

***

Hanarei continued to watch Shireika with narrowed eyes. "At least you get attention," Hanarei mumbled under her breath, "even from people who are not like Kanjin." She gave a small kick in the air as she walked.

"Is that what's bot-."

"Quiet," Hanarei hissed as she bopped Himotomon on the head. She turned back to the rest of the group. "Toshi, if you do want to see her Highness' brother's fan club, I suggest doing it from a distance. You never know what they're going to do next."

***

Rumal looked around innocently even though Hanshin gripped him by his clothes. "Yeah, you're right," Rumal said casually. "There's seven or so of you here and one of me. That does seem a little unfair. I'll wait here and you can get a few more of your friends to even it out better."

Shouki stood up quite suddenly that he almost caused Kirimon to jump. "W-we're not as weak as you take us for," he said trying to sound confident.

Rumal smirked. "You really think so?" he said. "Then let's start comparing." Placing one arm on Hanshin's wrist and another on Hanshin's shirt, Rumal lifted the boy off the ground and back up against the closest wall, pinning Hanshin's wrist against the wall. Rumal held him there for several seconds while steam appeared from under his hands holding the wrist. When he moved back, Hanshin had a large block of ice around his wrist against the wall, keeping him from moving. "Stay here for a moment, will you? Good boy."

Shouki stepped back once Rumal looked finished. Did ice just come out of his hand? That certainly would have explained the frost on the window.

"Now then, who shall it be next?" Rumal started to look around at everyone present. "So many choices, so many choices. I'll think I'll take...." He quickly dashed through the library until he came to a girl and a bird-fish digimon. "YOU!" He picked up Yuu and put her over his shoulder. "Let's go some place less crowded." Rumal ran out of the librabry and out of the builiding entirely. He wasn't running too fast for them to catch up but he was moving pretty fast for someone carrying someone else over their shoulder.

Meanwhile, back in the library.

"Yuu!" Shouki shouted as she was pulled away by Rumal. "We have to go help her." And before waiting for an answer, Shouki was off at a run out of the library.

"Wait up," Kirimon said, floating as fast as he could after his partner.

***

Enma looked at Kanjin, and bit her middle finger, feigning an innocent look. "Hey, buddy," she said, looking up at him with wide brown eyes. Her eyes feathered down to his groin. "Have you ever heard of Jake Barnes...no, probably not, you don't look the Literature-loving type." She pointed, her head cocked to one side. "Well, I suppose I'll have to tell you about him, eh? Strapnel, right there." She sucked in a breath, as though she felt pity for the fictional character. She shook her head sadly. "Now, normally, I'm not an advocate of castration. But if you don't get your head out of your ass, I think I'll make an exception." She turned when she heard Toshi come over, and noticed the shop project he was carrying. "Do you need help with that, Toshi?" she asked, walking away from Kanjin. "If you want, my mom's car is in the teacher's parking lot; I can probably drive you home and get back here before her meeting's out."

***

Tegiwa took up Robotmon and chased after Shouki for he was too far behind to see the fleeing maniac who was carrying Yuu off. "Robotmon, prepre to Biomerge as soon as we catch up with the bloodsucker."

"Roger that."

Ricku looked at Hanshin suspeneded by his arm. "You ok? I'm going to look around for a metal container and loose paper. A nice fire might melt you free of the wall, assuming I can warm the wall without charring you too badly."

***

With his free hand, Hanshin grabbed Ricku by the shirt.

"Quit joking around, and get me out of here, fool," he hissed. He yanked at his tied wrist, but he was stuck. As he continued to struggle against the ice block, it began to melt. "Heat it, break it - whatever it takes!"

***

"While he may be a sex-driven asshole like my brother, he's still human," Shireika said as she stood outside. She looked up at Kanjin. "Isn't that right? So, I'm sure there's more to him than his love of female butt." She smiled a little. "After all, he is a digi-destined. So, he's got to have some substance to him other than being good in bed." She crossed her arms. "Curious. Why are you still here this late? I would have thought that a player like yourself would be off seducing girls off campus where you won't get caught by our wonderful faculty."

***

"W-what are you—ahh!" Yuu exclaimed as the stranger suddenly dashed towards her and slung her over his shoulder. She soon found the two of them rushing out of the library and through the building faster than her logic said they should be, but she wasn't really paying attention. "Let me go!!" she yelled, trying to pry herself out of his grip, but she couldn't budge him. Then she remembered the ice back in the library, and her panicked mind finally put two and two together. This man was a vampire.

She suddenly became much, much more frightened. Kuinamon, meanwhile, had started fluttering as fast as his little fins could carry him the moment Yuu had been napped, but of course it wasn't nearly fast enough. "Yuu!" he called after her futilely. He'd never make it like this. "Damnit! Yuu! YUU!!"

A way's away, Yuu's digivice glowed blue on her belt. "Kuinamon digivolve to... Kamomemon!" The newly-evolved Kamo sped down the hall in a blur of white. He passed the other guys who had run out the library. He zoomed out the doors of the building. He caught sight of the guy–quick little sap, but he was catching up.

Almost there...

***

Rumal loved the feel of the cool night breeze through his hair as he ran across the Tokyo University campus. His run led him to an area that was dark due to the tall trees around it. He glanced back to see several people chasing after him. "Looks like they want a little more fun," he said mostly to himself. He stopped his run and put Yuu down. As he did, he placed a hand on the ground. The ground where his hand was started to freeze and soon it spread over to Yuu, covering her feet. "That should keep you busy while I take care of some personal business."

Rumal swatted at Kamomemon to get him out of the way. "Come back to me when you're a challenge. I haven't got time for runts."

Shouki finally caught up with Rumal and was breathing heavily. Still, he ran there faster than usual. "Hold, hold it," Shouki panted. "Let Yuu go."

"Or you'll do what? Collapse on me?"

Shouki grabbed his digivice just as Kirimon caught up with him. The digivice started to glow. "Kirimond digivolved to... Reimumon!" The cat-ghost stood ready. "Spirit Shards!" Two orbs flew out of Reimumon's sleeves and were aimed at Rumal.

Rumal jumped out of the way before the shards could do any damage to him. "Barely even worth a proper defense to stop it. Is this the best you people can offer me?"

***

“Yuu!” Tomeo and Asayake shouted together, as Rumal suddenly grabbed her and tore out of the library. They abandoned their books and ran off after everyone else, their digimon partners in tow.

As soon as they got outside, they had lost sight of where the others had gone. Then a flash of light illuminated off in the distance, indicating digivolution, which Asayake spotted. “This way!” she called to Tomeo, and the two moved off again. Finally they came across Shouki and a newly digivolved Reimumon, Tegiwa, Robotmon, Kamomemon, and Yuu… frozen to the ground. “I’m not going to let you use my friends as ransom for the key!” Tomeo raised his digivice as Takamon came running past him, light shining from her form. “Takamon digivolve to… Leviamon!” She continued to charge forward through her digivolution phase, turning into water. “Deep Tsunami!” she called.

Asayake ran over to where Yuu was, looking over her feet stuck to the ground. “Hold on, Yuu!” Without thinking she started stomping down with her shoe onto the ice, trying to crack it so she could free her friend. Rogishimon had a go at the ice as well, trying to pick at it with her beak in an attempt to break it.

***

Kanjin cast a disinterested glare at Toshi, then snickered at him. “Look who’s talking. Don’t think girls would be interested more in a goof who drops craptacular school projects on their toes. Who the fuck do you think you are? You don’t know me, therefore you don’t know what you’re talking about, so why don’t you bugger off, you little twerp.”

He turned back to the girls, and steeled himself against their shots at him. He expected this, most girls seemed to give him a clever comeback every now and then, but it didn’t phase him. He knew deep down, they all wanted the same thing. “Here I am, just trying to be a perfect gentleman, and all you lot can do is threaten to castrate me? How lady-like.” He gave Enma a look, for she was right; he wasn’t the literature type, and had no idea what she was talking about, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t offended.

“Yes, thank you, I am only human.” he replied to what Shireika said. “And I need to be loved, is that wrong? And yes, I am good in bed, I guess legend does get around. And if you must know, you must’ve already heard. I just got out of detention being caught for just that reason on the campus, but I don’t regret a single moment of it, I’m not going to let the faculty think their authority has gotten the better of me. So, is that what you think of me, Shireika? Lame? Stupid? An asshole? You clearly underestimate me. Too stuck to your feminist ideals that you can’t read between the lines.” He turned his back to them, stepping away a few steps. “You guys don’t understand, what it’s like to be a lone gunman like myself – it’s my nature.” His voice had lost all of its pride and confidence, carrying no emotion.

“Growing up in the slums, living the hard life – I’ve had my fair share of women, sure , but once you give in to temptation just once, there’s no going back. People start to label you differently, never see you the same way, and sooner or later every girl’s face starts to look the same ‘cause none of them stay around long enough for you to remember them. So I had to start living as the person I had made myself become. I honed my instincts, poured my whole being trying to come across as a likeable guy. The pressure of the moment... an instant of tension... That's what... I have to face alone... it's not easy. Toyogawa may have told you all differently, but I’m just a man, and that’s all.”

A clap started up in the shadows, the echo resounding as a figure stepped forward from the darkness as the source of the applause. “Touching, touching, really; but if I wanted to at least get one of them in the sack, I would have gone for the ‘I want something more than just sex’ speech.” The man had shabby clothing, as if he were homeless and had lived in the slums the same as Kanjin. He wore a ripped black open-buttoned shirt, purple pants with worn holes in them, a frayed, black leather trench coat, and faded shoes. His hair was cut short, straight and black as the night, and a large scar worked the way down over the jawbone on the right side of his face. Brown, beedy eyes glared at them all from the darkness, as the figure made his way forward.

“Who the fuck are you?” Kanjin asked, who was directly looking at Tantalus as he stood between the vampire and the group behind him.

“Now now, that’s no way to say hello to someone new.” the man said in a condescending voice. “If you must know, my name is Tantalus; the last name you will all ever hear, if I feel like it.” He looked among the group, pacing slowly. “I was sent here to get some key, but that’s the constellation prize for me as far as I’m concerned. It’s been some time since I last had a drink, and I’m rather thirsty…” He eyed the women in the group hungrily, changing direction in his pace as he licked his lips subconciously. “A little birdy told me you’d all be here, conniving with each other on how to deal with us. And I see I’ve come across quite a selection of lovies… but, of course, I know first hand about your little digital monsters, so I know my limits. I wouldn't have walked in here if I didn't already know that I was outnumbered. Question is, can you all become big and bad before I lay waste to you all? You’re not so tough without your little buddies by your side, while I can summon my powers at will. Either way, key… or no key, two, maybe three of you will die tonight, that I can guarantee.”

“So you’re one of those freaks, are you?” Kanjin said cockily, stepping up face-to-face with him. “Heh. Not scared. Fuck off and leave the girls alone, leave them out of this. If you want to tango with someone, it’ll have to be with me, bub. I might not be as strong as you, sideshow, but I think you’re afraid of me and Kurikmon handing your ass to you along with your ‘superior powers’.” he mocked.

“Funny. You, defending a bunch of girls that think you’re a joke?” Tantalus snickered, his arms folded over his chest. “I don’t even think they fell for your pathetic little speech. Poor little Kanjin, nobody loves him, awww. Sad when a man has to resort to such measures to try and get a lay in bed, isn’t it? Kind’ve tells you what they’ve got to offer in the sack… zilch. Which means their manhood can’t be that big, either…”

“You little prick! Kurikmon!” Kanjin roared, and stormed towards Tantalus with his fist raised. Everything then happened very quickly; first Kanjin was on the ground, rushing towards Tantalus, the next he was flying through the air from a single blow cast by the vampire, hitting his back against the wall as he came into contact with it and falling head-first onto the ground, laying in a crumpled heap. “Kanjin!” Kurikmon’s voice came as he appeared from the ventilation system, coming to the aid of his now silent partner.

“Hmmph. Well, that’s no fun.” Tantalus scoffed, looking at the group as if nothing had happened. “But don’t worry about him; the longer you piss me off, the longer I’ll keep you alive… hmm, something tells me this one’s a screamer.” he grimaced, looking at a silent Hanarei. “Besides, killing all of you now wouldn’t be any fun, would it? Like shooting fish in a barrel. Where's the fun in that? So, here’s the deal. Just keep the key, I’ll simply pry it out of your writhing, squirming hands, because I know you’re not going to hand it to me even if I ask. We’ll see if this runt here can put up as good a fight as girly-hair did.” He cast a disdainful look over at Toshi. “As for you three, you luscious things, let's see — I'll give you, what, a ten second start. Ten, nine...”

***

Enma watched Kanjin's rhetoric emotionlessly. "Uh..huh. Whatever; you'd still be better castrated than hormornal." she muttered, mostly to herself. She turned when Tantalus showed up, eyes narrowed. "Another one."

"Enma?" Mitikomomon whispered.

"Digivolve." Enma whispered.

"Right...Mitikommon digivolve to....Aoiromon!" The digimon stood behind his partner, glaring daggers at the vampire. "Please don't do anything stupid." He whispered to Enma. She wasn't paying particular attention, however.

"Hey!" She said, crossing her arms as she glared at Tantalus. "Hurt my friend and I'll hurt you; I don't care what the hell you are. Go ahead, kill Kanjin, I don't care; but you hurt Hanarei or Toshi or even Shireika and I'll hurt you."

"How?" Aoiromon asked.

Enma looked down at her partner. "I...hadn't actually thought of that yet." she whispered.

"Oh, goodie." Aoiromon groaned, hitting his forehead against Enma's knee.

***

Tegiwa was working on a full scale biomerge while the other were playing aroud with lower levels. Just a little more he thought.

Ricku smircked. "Hold still, I'm freeing you already' you want a burn?"

***

"You want a fight, Tantalus?" Shireika asked as she unzipped her gym bag. The disgusting pig was worse than her brother - giving them a head start. Who the hell did he think he was? But, she supposed Tantalus was a fool. She grinned a little as she put the bag down. "Come on, then." She unclipped her digivice and pointed it towards her opened gym bag.

"Alesmon digivolve to Alatusmon! Alatusmon digivolve to Ravenmon!" called the digivolving digimon as he flew from her gym bag. The giant black bird flew straight towwards Tantalus, grabbing the attacker by his shoulders and harshly pinning him to the ground.

"Don't underestimate us," Shireika hissed as Ravenmon flew high into the air and began to circle.

"Raven's Circle!" Ravenmon called as a bolt of black energy shot down towards Tantalus.

***

"Oh, shut up," Hanshin growled when he finally broke free from the ice block holding him back. "Now, stay here and out of trouble," he ordered. "This is beyond your ability to understand. Really, there's nothing you could possibly do." He grabbed Koumamon on the way out of the library as he headed out to find the others.

***

"Best?" Hanshin asked as he finally made it to where Rumal and the others were. "You haven't seen anything yet, have you?"

"Calvary of Euros!" Taneumamon commanded as a ghost army of horses charged towards Rumal. The white horses sped towards Rumal and passed through him.

***

"Hey Goirumon," his partner's head popped out of his backpack. "If this guy's so freaking deep why is he trying to so hard to come across as shallower than spit?"

"Pointy-kun."

"What? It's a fair question. Besides I'm damn proud of being a goof. I'm getting a warmer reception than he is, so maybe me and my craptacular project are what girls are interested in. At least, no one's looking at me and considering homocide." Toshi visibly bristled in anger at the word twerp. He'd had his fill of words like that and the beatings that came with being exactly what words like twerp implied back in Florida. "And I'm not a twerp." With the arrival of Tantalus, Toshi came to the conclusion that the day had just got worse.

"This is bad." Goirumon said as he watched Kanjin fly into a wall.

"Runt?! I am so sick of hearing that word!" Goirumon wondered if it would be wise to point out to Toshi that he'd only heard the word once so far. "You vampires are really pissing me off. Why don't you go screw yourself with a rusty pipe cause you sure as hell aren't taking a drink out of anyone here. You want to see how good of a fight I can put up then give me what you got."

"Pointy-kun, you aren't actually going to fight?"

"I'm not delusional. He'd bat me like a baseball, but that's why you're here right?"

***

Hanarei simply stared at Kanjin in half interest as he made his speech. A part of her wanted to see if they were next to the music department to see if there was a violin they could borrow for him.

That train of thought stopped the moment Tantalas appeared before them. "Oh just great, we're stuck in school and we're attacked by a vampire," said Hanarei. "Isn't there some sort of Worst Case Scenario for this?" She watched as Kanjin was pummeled in mere moments. It took Hanarei a moment to figure out just how Kanjin was ended up going from a standing position to a pile on the floor after it happened.

Hanarei felt an intense shiver down her back when Tantalus looked at her and predicted her being a sceamer. "Hanarei, what does he mean when he described you as a sceamer?" said Himotomon innocently.

Hanarei's face went bright red fast enough to almost rival Shouki's reaction time. "That'... that's not important." She turned to face Tantalus, face still red but mostly from fury. "Now get out of the bag and ready to fight," she ordered. "NOW!"

Himotomon jumped out of the bag while Hanarei's digivice started to glow. "Himotomon digivolved to... Okimon digivolved to... Hisennyumon!" The fire fairy stood by Aoiromon while Hanarei moved next to Enma.

"If two of us are going to die tonight, how about we make it Kanjin and you?" said Hanarei to Tantalus. "You picked the wrong day to attack buddy. I've been waiting to blow off some steam. And don't you dare make that a dirty joke," she hastily added.

***

Rumal could feel the attack from Taneumamon but it didn't seem to hurt him. He merely giggled at the feel of the ghosts passing through. "You know, that kinda tickled," he said once he was done. He looked down on his shoulder and noticed a small cut on his sleeve. "Well what do you know, that actually did something." He poked his finger through it for fun. "May as well defend myself for something like this then."

After spotting Leviamon coming to attack him, Rumal knelt down and placed a hand on the ground. Ice formed from his hand again and instantly a block of ice formed in front of him as a barrier. As Leviamon's attack hit, the ice started to crack slightly but withstood the attack for the most part. "You people are getting there, but I wonder if you have anymore tricks up your sleeves?"

Meanwhile, Shouki ran over to where Yuu and Asayake were. "Hang on, Yuu," he said quickly. "We'll get you out of here." He wasn't sure how, but it sounded better than saying 'I have no clue how to get you out though.' He started to chip away at the ice like Asayake was doing. "Just where did this guy get his powers from?"

As though he overheard, Rumal looked over at the group around Yuu. "Sorry but no one is stealing my dinner for tonight. I have to take her home before she thaws. Speaking of which...." Rumal placed his hand on the ground one more time. Ice came out from it but it started to spread along the ground like it was being poured out. "This should keep a few people back."

Shouki was too busy trying to free Yuu to notice the ice behind him. "Watch out!" Reimumon shouted.

But it was too late. Shouki looked down and noticed a layer of ice around his own feet though it looked thinner than Yuu's. Fortunately, the ice around Yuu's feet didn't get any thicker from the second blast. Ignoring this, Shouki keep picking at the ice around Yuu as best as he could. 'I will not see another person die,' he thought.

***

Tantalus barked out a laugh as Ravenmon pushed him to the ground, and rolled backwards for half a moment before flipping himself on his feet again. “Now, there’s a girl that takes advantage of her opportunities… eight, seven…” As Ravenmon’s Raven’s Circle attack bolted down towards him, he looked up and purposely stood on the spot, letting it strike him. As the attack finished, he made movements with his head to crick the joints in his neck, unfazed, and looked at Hanarei and Hisennyumon. “I think that one might have pinched, at the most. Six, five…the threats and insults keep bouncin’ off tonight just like your attacks, don’t they? Don’t be jealous, kitten. She’s just the warm up. I’ll save the good stuff for you. Four, three…” He looked towards Toshi, remembering his remark. “I wouldn’t resort to your sick sexual methods, human, but speaking of rusty pipes… you’ve given me a good idea.” He raised a hand towards the wall Kanjin had been flung against, as if he was summoning something. There was a rumbling for a moment, then through the wall a steel pipe burst forth, flying towards Ravenmon at breakneck speed, Tantalus’s hand following it as if he were controlling it. “Witness my power, fools. Two, one… showtime. Batter up, birdie.”

Kanjin grunted and got up. His head was spinning, but he couldn't believe what some of the others were saying. Some hadn't even met him, and already they were wishing he was dead. Had his reputation already gotten that bad, or did Tomeo have something to do with this? And after he had actually poured his heart out to them even if he had meant it to be a convincing story he had lost himself in the moment... and then there was Tantalus. He wasn't pissed, he was more than pissed. He was livid. He wanted to punch Tantalus, but he couldn't, he'd be smashed again. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his digivice - which he had recieved back from the bottom of the garbage bin back at home - and raised it towards Kurikmon. "Okay, you little insect. Time to show me what you're made of. Now, do whatever it is you're supposed to do... digivolve!"

A white light shot out of his digivice, engulfing the bug rookie. "Kurikmon digivolve to..." Data swirled around his form, and when the light had faded, a giant monster stood in his place. To Kanjin, he looked like a cross between a giant turtle and a rhino. The monster had a large banded shell, with a large bladed horn-like head, with claw like mandibles and feet that all looked remotely insect-like. "... Kouramon." the Champion snorted, frisking his head and stamping his feet like a bull would . Kanjin had a shocked expression on his face for only a moment, then, his lips curled, turning into a wicked grin. "...Nice. Get ready, fang-face, you're about to get dusted."

"Another new toy for me to play with?" Tantalus smirked, giving Kouramon a once-over look. "Pathetic. I'm getting bored of this game. A bird, a bug, a flame and a couple of pipsqueak rats. Is this all that the digidestined is made of? I can see why the other vamps got bored of you. Well, it may be vaguely interesting to see how you all will try to beat me and fail miserably. Take as long as you like; the more sweaty you femmes get, the better your blood boils, but do try to save some of that pent-up steam for later once I frisk your bodies for that key, hmm?" he grimaced wickedly, looking at Hanarei as he made use of her comment.

***

Asayake grunted in frustration as suddenly the foot she had been using to support herself during her stamping efforts to free Yuu, was frozen to the ground. It was cold, but it didn’t matter; freeing Yuu was the most important thing right now, and she could simply attempt to remove her foot from her shoe, if it came between life and death. “Hang in there, Yuu; you’re almost out.” She continued stamping, cracking the ice that had frozen around Yuu slowly. Rogishimon had gotten her feet frozen in the ice too, but her beak was more than enough to free Yuu as she continued chipping away. Surely once they had freed her, she would reply in kind with the others and free them as well.

Tomeo looked back at the others as they tried to free Yuu, and followed instinct as he took a few steps towards them, wanting to free them; however, he stopped himself. How was he going to offer any help, if Rumal continued to freeze them all to the ground? ‘If only Hanarei and Okimon were here…’ he thought to himself, watching Leviamon’s failed attempt to damage Rumal. Then, an idea struck him. Leviamon didn’t have fire, but water was still a liquid which could melt ice. “Leviamon! Over here! Use your water to free the others!” he called, pointing at the group.

Leviamon seemed to get the idea. She pulled her tail out of Rumal’s icy shield, shifting back to her physical state as she circled the group with her snake-like body. “Sorry, but no need to hold your breath, guys. Aqua Sphere!” The group was suddenly plunged inside a giant semi-sphere of water which immersed the ground, wet but breathable. She held it for a moment, then dispelled it again in case Rumal tried to use hiss powers to turn them all into a block of ice. She only hoped her water wasn’t too cold that it wouldn’t melt the ice the group were all stuck in.

***

"Kamo!" Yuu exclaimed as her digimon was swatted aside by Rumal. She struggled against the ice encasing her feet, but she couldn't move. But Kamo hit the ground pretty lightly, quickly got his wits about him again and flew over to help the newly arrived Asayake free Yuu using his claws. He only just managed to escape the vampire's second ice flow by some timely flying, but it looked like the others weren't so lucky. This wasn't good.

Fortunately, Leviamon's clever water trick seemed to wear the ice down a bit, and Kamo got an idea. "Oi, Cover yer ears folks, this migh' be a bit loud. Laughing Gull!" He focused on the ice and let out a piercing bird call, which to his delight resulted in a couple juicy cracks.

Kamo's call was the last straw for Yuu's abused ice block, and she managed to work herself free of it. She immediately hurried over to Shouki's and began delivering some powerful kicks to it. "Kamo, help Asayake-san!" "Righ'o!" he replied, and started digging at Asayake's with his claws. Yuu continued kicking Shouki's ice feverishly. "Just a little more, I'll get you out" she said, almost to herself. "I'll get you out..."

***

Two words ran through Hanshin's mind: holy crap. These vampire people were psycho - really psycho. How the hell were these vampires so powerful while he and the rest of the digi-destined were powerless without digimon partners? Even still, who the hell did these creeps think they were? Did they even realize who they were up again? The Fates wouldn't do this to them. The Fates wouldn't allow the digi-destined to fail. Never.

"Tricks? You want to see tricks?" Hanshin demanded of Rumal. "Fine. I'll show you something." He yanked his digivice off his belt and looked towards Taneumamon. "Biomerge digivolution," he growled as he and Taneumamon dematerialized into data and energy. The light around the two figures increased in intensity, and just when it became nearly blinding, the figure of Centaurmon emerged.

"Now, get out of here," he ordered, "or we'll shred you to pieces."

***

Shireika glanced at Ravenmon quickly. It was time for a few drastic measures. There was no way that Tantalus was going to even lay a finger on Hanarei or Enma and, most of all, herself. The thought of any guy touching her was moderately disturbing. They were always greasy and, well, it never was quite right. It wasn't just a hug to give a hug. It was the chance to feel her up. And then there was Tegiwa, who was a tad too touchy-feely for her taste. She wanted a companion, a best friend.

"Frisk this," Shireika hissed as she and Ravenmon's figures dissolved into energy to biomerge digivolve. In a flash of light, Divinamon emerged above Tantalus and headed straight towards him. Her fist led the way towards the vampire's figure and met square at his jaw. "You're going to have to get through a lot to get that damn key, so give up already and quit causing a mess of things. They key is dangerous - you should know that. So, why would anyone want it?"

***

Hisennyumon could almost feel the heat that was coming off of Hanarei's furious expression. The digimon was certainly glad the digivices were built to last. If they weren't, Hanarei's would have crumpled hers to dusted by now. "Kanjin," Hanarei hissed through gritted teeth. "I take it back. This guy is worse than even you."

Hanarei continued to stare at Tantalus like a basilisk. Finally, held up her digivice in front of her. "C'mon," she said to the others. "I'm not letting this guy get anywhere near our bodies." The digivice and Hisennyumon began to glow. "Hanarei/Hisennyumon Biomerged to... Hanabimon!"

The Hanarei/Hisennyumon digimon now faced their opponent. "You'd better hurry up if you want any of the action," said Hanabimon to Enma, Toshi, and Kanjin. She placed her two hands together and shouted. "Firework Frenzy!" The balls of fire zoomed toward Tantalus. Hanabimon wanted to be careful and not hit a part of the school. She didn't know why, but she figured her dad would somehow find out later if there was any damage.

***

Meanwhile, in a staff meeting far away from all of the action taking place at school, there was a small amount of shaking and some strange noises could be heard.

One of the staff members looked up at one of the lamps hanging from the ceiling; it was shaking.

"What's going on?"

Nikko looked up and noticed the lamp moving. "Probably just another small earthquake," he said truthfully. "Nothing to worry about."

***

Rumal was enjoying the other digidestined struggling to free themselves from the ice. His attention was then focused on the newly formed Centaurmon. Rumal simply replied with a smirk. He wasn't going anywhere just yet. "Do you really think I'm going to leave just because you got larger all of a sudden?" he asked.

His lack of attention missed Leviamon's attempt to loosen the ice and his prey becoming free. In an attempt to freeze Leviamon, Rumal tried to place his hand down on the ground to capture the digimon but was too late. 'This isn't going as I had hoped,' he thought. 'Might as well improvise.'

Looking around at the trees around him, Rumal ran over to the closest one, jumped off of the trunk, and attempted to break as many branches as he could including one large one. He landed with the debris scattered around him. As he picked up some of the branches, they started to be covered in ice and formed into large needles. Picking up the largest branch, Rumal aimed for Centaurmon. "Let's see how you deal with this," he shouted. "And let's not forget the peanut gallery." He picked up the smaller branches and twigs and threw them at the escaping ice captives.

***

Shouki was glad to see that Yuu's foot became free. Now he was trying to get his own feet free.

Reimumon noticed what Kamomon was doing with his mouth and followed. "That's a good idea," said Reimumon. "Reimumon digivolved to... Kaishimon!" The large ghost cat stood back from Leviamon's ice melting tecnique and waited till she was done. "Black Plague!" Kaishimon had to be careful as he aimed the hot black glob of acid close to Shouki and the others. He was hoping it would warm the ice around them.

The ice wasn't as thick so Shouki's feet broke out faster than Yuu's did. "Thanks guys," said Shouki before he turned onto Asayake to help. "Kaishimon, keep that guy busy for us."

"I'm on it," Kaishimon replied. He ran over to Rumal who was now throwing the ice needles at them. "Black Plague!" The glob of acid came out and hit some of the needles directly. This caused the damaged needles to melt in midair but there were still some left.

***

Enma's jaw clenched, and Aoiromon could have sworn he heard a few teeth cracking and bones breaking. "Enma, please be careful." he whispered. Enma pulled her digivice off of her uniform skirt and turned to Aoiromon.

"This guy is going to die, now." she hissed. "Ready?"

Aoiromon looked around, before nodding. "I guess so. Aoiromon digivolve to...Shinzuimon!" Shinzuimon stared for a few minutes at the still glowing digivice. "Um, Enma?"

"Nope, we're doing this together." she said. The light enveloped both of them, and in the place of the two partners was Masuraomon. The digimon turned on Tantalus and grabbed one of his practice swords. "You are going to pay for even thinking that. Flying Endurance!" The sword went careening over to the vampire, while the digimon watched with disinterest.

***

Megami looked up from her notes at the question, and watched the lamp. "There've been a lot of earthquakes recently, haven't there?" she said, before going back to her notebook.

***

Tegiwa had been waiting for just the right moment to merge and attack the ice wielding manic; his power had been building even as the others rushed in at lower levels. He knew that as good as they were they could not take out the Guardians from the underworld like that. At least they were managing to rescue themselves from the ice though.

He pulled out his digivice to joint the fray now. He had the energy within him and the will to use it, but as he held up his device he was almost knowd to his feet by a trembling of the ground as something tall and massive brushed past him.

"Give it up you fool. You are outnumbered very badly. Go bug someone else about key. For you stall find none here." Haganemon's voice boomed like a kettle drum. His pillum was lowered and aimed at the brazen bloodsucker.

***

Sho-rei notice she was covered with dust and plaster. "Look like the kids are having fun again. I hope Japan can withstand these little romps of theies."

***

"Well you heard the lady. If we want some action, we better get to it." Goirumon set his front paws against Toshi's shoulders and heaved his self out of the backpack. Toshi pulled his digivice out of his back pocket and light erupted from it, enveloping his digimon.

"Goirumon digivolve to...Kemonomon!" The light faded and standing in Goirumon's place was a large, four-legged beast with hunching shoulders and lips curled back in a snarl. He looked like a super-sized version of his rookie form which wasn't very big since he barely passed Toshi's waist line. His fur was still slate and three violet spots were on his hind legs. His once shaggy mane was a spikey mess on his head and neck and his eyes, now visible, were white and devoid of pupils. Small spikes surrounded his neck and longer ones sprouted from his shoulder blades, front paws, knees, and his legs. A long spaded tail was whipping angerily behind him. "I'm ready to cause some havoc. Gargoyle's Tears!" Kemonomon threw his head back and roared. A small storm cloud appeared above Tantalus. It cracked thunder before it began pouring highly acidic rain.

"Oh man and I thought that last fight went-Oh shit!" Toshi slapped his hands over his ears in a vain attempt to block out what was the most creepy and painful sound his partner had ever made. It might have been because he was standing so close to the digimon, but the roar was really making his skin crawl. Kemonomon stopped roaring and set his ears back in apology.

***

Divinamon glanced at the other biomerged digimon who were attacking Tantalus. It amused her that the "unescorted women" were the ones who had to protect the men, but Kanjin and Toshi weren't the types to protect any female. She smircked as she faced Tantalus. Her arms crossed, and her wings enveloped around her figured. As her wings and arms opened up, hundreds of tiny shadow birds burst.

"Shadow Spawning!" she called as the flew towards Tantalus, nipping and attacking his figure as a collective.

***

Centaurmon held up his shield when Rumal hurled the frozen branch at him. The branch bounced off the metal and plopped onto the ground.

"I wouldn't expect that of someone like you," boomed Centaurmon's voice. "You're too stubborn, as any good warrior would be. However, we all can learn from our mistakes." He aimed his spear at Rumal and began to charged towards the vampired. Coming to a halt, the centaur reared onto his hind legs and kept his spear pointed towards Rumal. "Sagittarian Curse!" he called as energy collected at the spear point and then suddenly burst at the vampire from the tip in brilliant flash of light.

***

In his office, Matsuro remained cool as a cucumber. He knew Rumal had been in the library, but there was nothing he could have done to stop the attacker. The digi-destined would have to learn to fend for themselves, and eventually, they would have to learn what was really going on. Unfortunately, even Matsuro didn't understand what was happening - the Fates were less than helpful in regards to being informative.

"What's going on?" another professor asked as he burst into Matsuro's office.

"Oh, nothing major," Matsuro replied as he grabbed a vase before it tumbled to the ground.

"Nothing to worry about, right?" He grinned at his colleague. "Just stay safe. It will pass shortly."

***

Yuu felt relieved when Shouki freed himself, and was about to help Kamo out with Asayake when he suddenly yelled, "Yuu, lookout!" She turned quickly to see several icy spikes flying right for her. There was no time, she cringed instinctively... but then nothing happened. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw Tsurumon shaking the spikes out of a now slightly tattered fin-wing. He narrowed his eyes at Rumal. "You'll pay for that." Yuu's attention, however, was on the newly arrived Haganemon. "Naoko-san!" she exclaimed.

***

Rumal looked around at the now larger digimon/humans facing him. When Centaurmon attacked, Rumal placed his hand back on the ground to form another barrier of ice. He folded his arms as he waited for the attack to stop once it hit the wall. The attack came, but the ice started to crack a lot more than Leviamon's attack. Rumal looked at it with a rather perplexed look. His expression soon changed to fear when the ice wall shattered and the energy from Centaurmon kept coming.

Quickly, Rumal dived out of the way just as the energy grazed him. He checked his arm to see what the damage was and if it was serious. Rumal looked back at the digidestined but he no longer had that smirk on his face. "My Queen is not going to like this," he mumbled to himself. "I've got two giants, one that looks like he's ready to become one as well, and my dinner is loose." He stood up while keeping an eye on Haganemon in case the digimon attacked. "Consider yourselves lucky for now," he shouted. He jumped into one of the overhead trees to hide himself. "We'll have the key from you soon. In the mean time, take care. I hope the cold doesn't get to you too badly," he said sarcastically from overhead. There was the sound of movement above the trees as Rumal proceeded to leave the scene.

***

Shouki watched as Rumal left the fight and was slightly panting. He didn't move around a whole lot but he seemed to have spent a lot of energy trying to free himself and others from the ice. The attacks from the digimon were able to melt most of the ice so there was only a fine layer left.

"Thanks Tsurumon," said Shouki.

Kaishimon ran over to join and said thanks as well. "I missed a few spikes there. Thanks for covering for me."

Shouki now turned to Yuu. "Are you okay?" he asked cautiously. "He didn't do anything to you, did he? I-I know he did the ice thing or whatever but he didn't bite you, right?"

***

Tantalus showed slight disappointment in his expression as the steel bar passed through Ravenmon as Shireika initiated biomerge, but he didn’t dwell on it. Namely for the fact that several attacks were coming at him. He let Divinamon’s punch meet his jaw, just to show that the only effect it had was rolling his head backwards. “Giving up’s not an option, doll. But like I said, I don’t care much for the key, it’s all rather boring to me. If you want to ask why it’s so important, why don’t you go ask Sakiiko herself? I’m sure she’d like that, meeting you face to face – or maybe face to neck, after she’s drained the blood from your bodies.” Hanabimon’s Firework Frenzy attack and Masuraomon’s Flying Endurance attack came at him at the same time, and calling the metal pipe to his hands that he had used to attack Ravenmon, he decided to take advantage of the elements. He spun the metal pipe around wildly in his hands, deflecting the fireballs from Hanabimon’s attack and using them to burn the wooden practice sword of Masuraomon’s to cinders. Kemonomon’s Gargoyle’s Tears attack didn’t do much damage either, as Tantalus threw the pipe into the air and destroyed the cloud creating the acid rain, catching the spinning metal pipe as it returned like a boomerang. He snickered at the thought that while the women seemed to be putting up a better fight than the men, they all seemed to be worthless in comparison to his power. “Oh, a swing and a miss, sluggers.” Then Divinamon’s Shadow Spawning came for him, thousands of tiny shadow birds ripping into him. He swung his pipe around again to destroy the majority of them, but several of them had managed to carve a few new cuts into his face, arms and clothing. He looked down as he reached his hand up to his face, realizing that his lip was bleeding, then looked up at Divinamon, smiled, and licked the blood from his fingers.

“Aah! Oh, well, what're you gonna do? Take the bad with the good, I always say. Anyway, I just wanted to soften you all up. I like my meat nice and tender. I also like it feminine and vulnerable, and while having you all for dinner has proven to be a slight challenge, my thirst is getting the better of me and I’d rather drink someone with more easy-going, intelligent and less boring conversation. OK. Well, I gotta give you props. Nice move, really. I guess we'll just have to take a rain check on that whole eviscerating thing. Catch you all later.” He turned around and started striding away confidently, as if all they had been doing was practice

“Carapace Crusher!” Kouramon shouted, seizing his change to attack the vampire while his back was turned as he rolled up into a giant ball and sailed through the air to squash him. Tantalus didn’t turn around until the last second, but when he did he smashed the steel pipe into Kouramon’s curled hide, sending the ball backwards into the opposite direction, causing Kanjin to dive out of the way before the Champion digimon slammed into the wall, missing him by inches. Kouramon grunted and de-digivolved back into Kurikmon instantly, the small bug breathing heavily as he lay battle-damaged against the floor.

“Oh, and by the way,” Tantalus kept speaking loudly, turning back around to walk casually out of the school so everyone could hear him, “Don’t think I’ve let you off easy. You’ve just seen the warm-up act. The dark queen’s still out there, and now I know all your sloppy techniques… well, let’s just say it’s a good bet I’ll still be around long after your corpses rot.” As soon as he had finished his sentence, he stepped back into the shadows from whence he came, out of sight.

Kanjin picked himself up and stumbled over to Kurikmon amongst the rubble, picking him up. “C’mon, let’s go.” he spoke harshly, stuffing him under his arm. He couldn’t bear to look at the others – not after what they had said about him. Hanarei’s comment had helped, but not by much. They all still wanted him dead, their disgust for him as strong as if he was a rapist or something. Sure he was a gunner for any girl, but it wasn’t like he didn’t ask for permission first. He didn’t care if he was following after the vampire out of the school, he was livid and he was out of there – and damned be anyone who got in his way.

***

"This is really starting to get on my nerves," growled Asayake; she had been trying to kick at the ice holding her right foot with her left, but she had already fallen over. Sighing roughly and glad for the thinning ice, she gave one last hard kick before her foot was freed. She stood, dusting bits of ice from her pants as she did so, and smiled at Kamomemon. "Thanks, Kamomemon." She picked a rather flustered-looking Rogishimon off of the ice beside her and stood, rubbing her lower back; the fall hadn't exactly been graceful, so needless to say she was rather sore.

"So, Freak-Show took a hike, did he?" she stated, looking at the others around her, "Is anybody hurt or anything?"

***

"I'm fine." Leviamon said, who had slithered in front of Asayake to protect her from the icicles Rumal had shot at them, and shook off the sleet off her scales. "I would have liked to have another shot at that vamp, though. I thought we were that close to biomerging that time..." Tomeo slowed down in step after he had run over to the group, checking on all of them visually. "Don't sweat it, Leviamon; we'll have our time and place for it, it just wasn't meant to be in a meaningless hit-and-run like this one." He helped pull out a icicle that had become lodged between one of Leviamon's scales and threw it away. "I'm just glad he didn't get away with Yuu. I'm fine too, but is anyone else hurt?" he asked, looking around at Asayake, Shouki, Yuu and their digimon.

***

Tegiwa let go of the energy he was building as Rumal ran for the hills. Looks like he would be needed. "Yeah, if tanyone is hurt I can patch you up."

HGN-mon became Naoko and Tetsumon again. Naoko looked releieved and directed the firebreathing dog to finish melting the ice and make a fire for the frosted people.

Tegiwa was glad to see Naoko was well, but didn't have a clue why she was dressed like Ricku. The fact she wasn't wearng a bra while in a frost field was mightly apart to him as well.

"Don't worry Shouki. The vamps lack fangs. I guess they eat the hard way."

Jet followed Rumal. Watching him run was fun, but where was lunch to be found?

***

De-digivolving, Shireika chased after Kanjin and caught him by the arm.

"If you're not like my brother, prove it," she said softly. "Words mean nothing - they're just words. I'm sure there is truth in words, but if you want anyone to believe to anything about you, you better show it." She let go of his arm and looked away. "Take care of yourself. You're a part of this team, and we need everyone." She began to walk and stopped after a few steps. She glanced back at Kanjin. "And quit staring at my ass." She continued walking away. "I have to go downtown to take care of something. I'll see you guys later," she said aloud as she grabbed Alatusmon and put her partner digimon into her gym bag. "I'll be fine. I can take care of myself."

***

"The fucker," Centaurmon grumbled as he dedigivolved after Rumal had left the scene. Hanshin shook his head as he emerged from the biomerged digimon. "Why the hell do they want that damn key? Kousei's got to be behind it all."

"Your sister might be the one to talk to him," Shunbamon suggested as he walked up to his human partner. "He might be most willing to tell her any little bit of truth. He might even confide in her if she tries at it, considering he seemed to have feelings for her."

"The bastard isn't going anywhere near her," Hanshin grumbled. "She's been hurt enough. Why would she even want to see him after what he did to her? Led her on just so he could get that damn key, right? I bet that's all he still wants and is doing everything in his power to get it back." He sighed and looked around, noticing that Naoko had returned. He rushed to her side. "Naoko?" he asked. He put a hand to her forehead. "Are you well enough to even be out here?" He paused as he looked at her quickly. She was wearing baggier clothes - probably boys' clothes. He figured that she was covering up because she hadn't been feeling well. "You should get home and rest, if you're still sick."

***

Both Yuu and Tsurumon were more than happy to see Rumal leave. As soon as he was out of sight, Tsurumon de-digivolved back to Kamo. "Anytime" he replied to both Asayake and Shouki.

Yuu turned to Shouki when he spoke. "I'm alright," she said, "He didn't do anything besides the ice." She smiled at his concern, but then the diary affair came back to her and she pinkened a little and turned away. She hoped he didn't know.

Changing the subject, she wondered aloud, "How did he find us, do you think? Were we followed here from school?"

"It's 'ow many of these guys are there s'what I wanna know" Kamo butted in. "This chalks 'em up to three, not includin' that queen they keep talkin' about. An' this guy only left when there were two Biomerges starin' 'im down" He crossed his arms and frowned as well as a beak can. "To many more'a these vamps, and we migh' be outgunned"

***

Hanabimon glared as Tantalus turned his back on them and walked off as though they weren't a threat to him. "We'll get him one of these days," she said.

"Hanarei?!" said a surprised voice.

Hanabimon turned around suddenly to see her dad staring at her and the others. From the looks of things, he was done with his meeting and was carrying his briefcase and papers. Not sure what to do (especially in her current form) she gave a nervous wave to Nikko. "Um, hi dad," said Hanabimon. "We, um, had a bit of a job to take care of."

"I heard," said Nikko. "What's going on here? And how in the world, I mean, digital or ours, did you become like that?"

"It's called Biomerging. You didn't have the ability back then. Hang on, this is getting annoying having two opinons trying to explain something." Hanabimon glowed and was soon separated into Hanarei and Okimon.

"Much better," said Hanarei.

"Anyway, we were attacked, Mr. Mayonaka," said Okimon.

"Attacked?"

"Yep," Hanarei replied. "We had one of the vamps roaming down the hall."

Nikko wasn't sure what to say. He was partially in disbelief that one of the vampires was so close by. Trying to break the silence, he looked around at everyone. "Is everyone okay?"

"Kanjin's pride is shot as well as his digimon at the moment. Maybe a few scratches and bumps on a few others but not much overall," Hanarei explained.

"Kanjin?" Nikko looked over at Kanjin and Toshi. "Oh, you two are the students who transfered here not too long ago."

"Good, glad we got that taken care of," said Hanarei who wanted to be away from her dad before he did something relating to her in front of the group. "Well, I'm going to head out. So I'll see all of you later then."

"Not so fast young lady," Nikko said in a slightly strict voice. Hanarei practically flinched at hearing those words. "We were just attacked by a vampire. It could still try to get you for all you know. You're going to come back home with me." Okimon looked rather pleased with the idea of riding in the car but quickly hid her smile after seeing Hanarei's glare. And then Nikko did the one thing Hanarei wished he wouldn't do. "If any of you need a ride home after that attack, I'll give you a ride."

Thankfully, Hanarei was behind her dad so he could not see her imitating the effect of banging her head on the wall.

***

"I'm doing all right," Shouki said to the others. "And thanks for the fire, Tetsumon." He nodded to the metal dog and the fire. All that ice around them made the area pretty cold. He turned to Yuu when she said she was okay. "That's good, that's good." Shouki was rather curious as to why Yuu turned away suddenly.

Kaishimon de-digivolved back to Reimumon. He walked over to Naokoand smiled. "Good to have you back," he said. Reimumon glanced over to Shouki and the group around him. The cat noticed Yuu's actions. "That boy is clueless, isn't he?" he mumbled.

***

Rumal continued to jump from tree to tree as he left the site of the previous battle. He could feel the eyes of someone watching him and took a guess at who it was. "I know you're around there Jet," Rumal called. "I know you're watching. Did you like my little performance?"

***

"Aw I didn't get to have much fun." Kemonomon grumbled. "Not to mention my attack did zilch."

"Don't sweat it." Toshi said, placing a hand on the beast's muzzle. "We're playing with the Big Girls now and they've got more experience. Well, that and they're on a whole 'nother level. Not like I was expecting to dominate the first official fight." He sighed as he watched Kanjin leave. Toshi wasn't one to second guess his actions, but things weren't really off to the best start with that guy. "Bye Gojyo! See ya next fight!" He scratched his head and turned to Kemonomon. "Hope he doesn't take that as an insult. Gojyo was a real lech in Saiyuki, but he was still cool."

"I still wish I could have hurt that guy." Kemonomon de-digivolved into his in-training form and continued to pout with his little violet wings crossed. Toshi snickered and picked the digimon up just to immediately drop him when Hanarei's father showed up.

"Ah!"

"Uh, no thanks sir. Actually Enma's all ready offered to give me a ride, right?"

"Hey! A little help?" Koumorimon wailed. He'd been dropped on his back and all his frantic kicking did was spin him on his round body.

"Oh sorry little...guy..." Toshi's eyes trailed down to where perched happily on his shoe was a frog. "Gah! Get it off!" Toshi kicked and the frog went flying.

"Toshi."

"What?! Okay I know it's irrational, but they're creepy. Those eyes and the skin and their legs. Have you ever seen cooked frog legs? They're not pretty!"

***

Naoko smiled at Hashin, "Nice to see you too. No, I'm fine. I spent the laster few days recovering and playing with band stuff. I'm okay now. It was just a little virus or something. I don't think it would be recurring anytime soon."

***

Jet took out his straight razor and inspected it. It gleamed. "Rumal, you wasted a lot of ice and flash on nothing. You are dead even with the first of us failures. We'll need a new plan for certain.

***

Kanjin hadn’t got far before he felt a tug on his arm, surprised when he turned around and saw it was Shireika. What was it about that girl that saw directly through him, or even wanted to see something other than what he was? He thought about what she had said and replied angrily, “Oh, so I guess that making that ‘it’s not easy’ speech was just a load of bull?” True, it had only been words, but they had been death threats as well as insults. He was not used to getting the former, especially not from pretty girls during a life-threatening situation, and the realism of it had caught him off guard.

As Shireika walked away his eyes automatically moved to her rear, but quickly got told off from it from its owner, and in comparison to how he was supposed to be taking Shireika’s words seriously he felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time… awkwardness. “Oh, right, err, sorry.” he said back, looking down and scratching the back of his neck. How the hell was he supposed to prove he wasn’t like Shireika’s brother, which he would have been glad to do? Wear his heart on his sleeve and loose all his masculinity in the process? He didn’t quite get it.

“Kanjin?” Kurikmon spoke from under his arm, tired but still attentive. “Why did Shireika tell you to stop looking at her behind?”

“’Cause… she was offended, I guess.” Kanjin mumbled, turning back around. “Offended by what I might have been thinking while I was looking at it… thinking about undressing her with my eyes, rather than paying attention to what she was saying.”

“Okay…” Kurikmon said, the digimon’s turn to feel awkward. “I think after watching you for some time, I get what you mean, but don’t you think if you valued what she said, you, um, might start paying her some respect, like maybe not looking at her butt?”

“What? Oh, shut up.” Kanjin said, namely to keep Kurikmon quiet as he spotted the vice-principal with Hanarei. It was time to bail; he didn’t want any more of a reason to stay at the school than he already had. As Kanjin left the school, he scoffed at the thought of taking advice from a bug. But Kurikmon’s words were in alignment with Shireika’s… maybe he should start taking them literally, if it meant he wanted to prove something. Did he?

***

“Good.” Tomeo said, when everybody proved to be fine, and made a thin smile. He was tired from the run, but no-one was gravely injured, so the night had proven to be only a mere warning of what was to come. They might not be so lucky next time.

He waved to Naoko, glad to see she had returned in the nick of time from her illness to come and save them. “Welcome back, Naoko. Glad to see you’re feeling better.” he called over. Standing near Asayake, he eventually looked back to her as things began to settle down. “I’m glad you’re okay, too.” he began, looking down at the ground to build up his nerve, before looking back up again. “If it hadn’t been for Leviamon to shield those icicles from hitting you, well… I guess we can just thank ourselves for being at the right place at the right time. Thanks, Leviamon.”

Leviamon had been listening to Hanshin, but turned to Tomeo for a moment. “No problem.” she said, before turning her attention back to Hanshin. “Somehow, I don’t think Kousei is responsible for this. For one thing, anyone could have gotten hold of the information needed to find out about Akurei and his powers, if Akurei has been around for ages before the previous digidestined banished him. Secondly, without said powers, it doesn’t seem Kousei could control vamps with that much power, unless he had a powerful bargaining chip he could use against them, and then I don’t know why the vamps won’t kill him for it – well, if they haven’t already.” She giggled at Reimumon, which sounded better coming from a small crocodile than a dragon as she de-digivolved back into Takamon. “At least he has no clue what to do – unlike some boys I know.” she teased, sneaking a grin back at Tomeo.

***

“You’re both just as dead, if Rumal failed just as miserably as you did, Jet.” Tantalus’s voice came from their surroundings, as he appeared from the shadows near the two vamps. Blood was running down his lips and chin towards his neck, and producing a napkin from his pocket he began cleaning himself up from his latest kill. “Ah, that schoolgirl was almost hardly worth it – not a good chase, but she showed a little courage in the end. Shame.”

He finished wiping the blood from his face, and looked between his two fellow vamps. “Anyway, what was I saying? Oh, yes. I simply walked away because I was getting tired with the notion that a prolonged challenge against the digi-destined’s powers was keeping me from a warm meal, and fighting them in my hungered state would have only proved to have weakened me. I didn’t see your little attempt, Rumal, so could I say the same for you?”

He smiled devilishly as he knew Rumal hadn't been successful, either. “I can see you haven’t fed, so I assume that you failed to kill any. Did you feel it, too, when you were near them? Every time I get close, I feel it. Wanting to tear their flesh apart. The hunger. It's like a blade in my gut. More than just an average prey… like picking one of them off would mean a small part of our burden would be lifted off us. Sure, I didn’t kill any of them myself like I wanted to at the time, but there was a change of plan… this time it was just a chance to get a test of their powers, and I know plenty to take the advantage next time. But hey, I'm no different than the next guy. I put my victims' skin on one leg at a time. I’m sure Sakiiko will see the same punishment to me as she does to the rest of you, when she learns I walked away from a fight the digidestined had every right in their power to continue with me, because they had all reached the limit of their expected powers, while you two have probably only fought off a handful of them with half of them not even reaching their full potential, and then you fled.”

His voice was dripping with sarcasm as he finished the last part of his sentence, looking at them both expectantly. "You both have given up, if you're thinking of a new plan already. As for me - I've seen the digidestined. Their fighting is sloppy, but it's their relationships we can use against them. If we can get to their emotions, we can get them where it hurts. I've only just begun..."

***

Shireika continued down the street to the transport which would take her downtown. As she waited for the express car to arrive to take her away from school, the thought occurred to her that she should probably check to see how Tegiwa was doing. She pulled out her computer and began to type:

[Tegiwa: I hope you're all right at the library. We were just attacked by another vampire. You needn't worry. We're just fine. I hope you weren't attacked either, and I hope you all are okay. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow at my place, as always.]

She paused as she typed.

[Take care of yourself. -Shireika]

She wrote the last bit quickly and sent it as the transport arrived, and she boarded the vehicle as it took her downtown. Her eyes stared off beyond the buildings as the vehicle took its passengers away.

***

"I hope not," Hanshin said to Naoko. He leaned close to her ear and whispered. "You know I missed you." He looked at Takamon and shook his head. "Anyone could get the information, but who would want it more than anyone else? Akurei himself. Kousei wants that damn key, and I bet he struck some sort of deal with these vampires to get this key. They just they wanted that damn key. We didn't know it locks away the powers of Akurei. What's to say that these vampires know that information? Hm? Even if they read it up, how would they know to attack us to get it? We weren't the ones who had it before. We stole it from the last generation." He paused. "Whatever the case is - it's got to be Kousei. I don't care if someone else could get the same information. If anything, Kousei will know something about it. He wouldn't want someone taking his powers. Would you?"

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