Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ The Shuffle ❯ Changing Plans ( Chapter 21 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Lord Archive 
With the mission to Xuanwumon's dimension delayed other plans change as well.
Anime/Manga: Digimon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): / Hentai / Sci-fi / Romance / Adventure | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 08.24.2012 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.7K | Visits: 600 | Status: Completed
With the mission to Xuanwumon's dimension delayed other plans change as well.
Anime/Manga: Digimon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): / Hentai / Sci-fi / Romance / Adventure | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 08.24.2012 | Pages: 5 | Words: 4.7K | Visits: 600 | Status: Completed
The Shuffle
Chapter Twenty-one – Changing Plans
By: Lord Archive
Digimon belongs to Toei Animation and Akiyoshi Hongo. They are used without permission or the intent of profit. All rights reserved.
--
Takeru's Journal:
With preparations delayed for the mission to free Xuanwumon, other events were being planned and talked about.
--
"There is no way in hell I'll go through a wedding," Sora vehemently opposed.
"Now dear, you really should get married for the baby," Mrs. Yagami returned calmly.
"I'm fine with the marriage part, it's the _wedding_ I have an issue with," Sora shot back. "I'm not putting on any dress or a kimono for that matter."
"But ceremonies are important," Mrs. Yagami pushed.
"We can have this conversation of the wedding when I'm a guy," Sora pressed. "The baby is not going to care we went through that garbage."
"I'm not exactly partial to being the groom either. I'd rather hold off the ceremony for a year, as our first anniversary, switched back or not, to confirm our feelings," Taichi explained.
"I'm all for skipping the ceremony altogether," Mr. Yagami added. "This whole situation is screwed up enough without debating who should wear the dress."
"Ceremony can be important, but is not always necessary," Mrs. Takenouchi told them. "I think our son has the right idea of having the actual ceremony as an anniversary event. In a year's time, if they have not switched back, it's likely they never will be. To confirm their feelings as they truly are or as they are now."
"But we should celebrate their love," Mrs. Yagami pleaded.
"Just because we don't want to hold a wedding doesn't mean we can't have a reception," Taichi suggested. "Though for this one I'd rather keep it to those who know about the switch. For the full ceremony we can bring out full family and friends."
Mrs. Yagami pouted. The wedding day is supposed be the most important day in a girl's life. Her son should get a taste of that while she had the chance. "Fine... we'll keep it to just a reception." There were a few things she could push for still.
--
Hikari shivered as Daisuke ran his fingers down the middle of her bare back. Her clothes scattered onto his floor with his. "Do you think we should get married too?"
Daisuke's face quirked as he looked at her. "Don't think that would be right until we've all firmly decided to stay as we are. I want to remain this way, but if either of the others really wants their body back, I can't really get in their way."
Hikari pouted. "Right. It'd be a problem if I marry you now and then you switch and I'd be married to functionally someone else."
"I would love to marry you, though," Daisuke pledged. "It'd definitely make my intentions clear."
"Yeah, but the only reason they'd agree to it is if I'm pregnant." Hikari then pouted. "Though I think we should take more care now. I won't be able to go on the mission if I'm going to have your baby."
"So, I'll invest in condoms," Daisuke guessed.
Hikari shook her head slightly. "As much as I love my time with you, even using condoms and birth control pills together is not a hundred percent protection. I get the feeling even if Taichi and Sora had used them, they would still be in this situation. The only fool proof way..."
"...Is to not do it," Daisuke finished for her.
"Now I'm not saying we can't have 'fun,' just we shouldn't go all the way for now on," Hikari pointed out. "Besides, if it is decided to switch you back, it may help to make things a little less... confusing."
"I doubt that. As Takeru I never asked you out in fear of what would happen if things went badly. I had valued our friendship too much to want to risk it," Daisuke admitted. "Having been this close to you, that fear means nothing. I won't let you go. However, a full Daisuke would likely find a new level of persistence once he remembers making love to you."
Hikari sat up and looked away. "I know that. And it's all my fault that I'm in this situation to begin with. I couldn't keep my panties on, especially not after arousing you. I don't need to have sex to know I love you or to prove I'm really a girl."
"Let's see how well you keep them on for the next six months," Daisuke teased.
Hikari pouted at him. "I did say we could still have 'fun.'" She then leaned down and kissed him. "I better get home soon before they begin to wonder."
"They haven't yet, why would they start now?" Daisuke joked.
--
The clack of shinnai repeated echoed as two kindred souls fought each other. The younger was just a little faster and a bit stronger, the elder had the advantage of size and reach, yet they moved as mirrors, consistently performing nearly the exact same attack.
"I don't think this is really doing much to help improve us," Takeru commented.
"Sure it does." Iori broke form and whacked the older boy in the knees, causing him to fall down.
"Penalty!" Takeru protested.
"Let's see a Musyamon care about rules of kendo," Iori countered.
Takeru got back to his feet. "One of us will be inheriting the dojo."
"You're assuming I'm going to stay this way," Iori pointed out.
"Not at all, just referencing the possibility. If it's decided to stay as we are, I do not necessarily have to inherit the school," Takeru corrected.
"You know I still hate the idea of being in school for another three years. That I find your lack of pubs annoying," Iori groused.
"Wataru is hardly ready for you to touch her," Takeru pointed out.
"That wasn't the issue!" Iori snapped. "It's not having... the intensity of feelings I had for Hikari. I love her. I still do. But before I wanted to be with her all day, every day. Now... I don't feel like I can properly express myself. And now she's made her choice, but I can't tell if she choose Takeru or a less persistent me."
Takeru frowned. "I believe her issue was she couldn't decide before. With this situation she has a boy who has traits of the two guys she liked. If you switch back now, and pursue Hikari instead of Wataru, she will find herself in a very difficult position. Who does she love more? Given that some of the person we switched into persists long after getting the real body back, what Takeru gained from you that allowed Hikari to choose him would likely continue." He turned away. "Honestly, I don't see how you'd be able to win Hikari over to you."
"Aren't you saying that because you like being in that body now?" Iori countered.
"Besides lagging behind in growth, there are no issues with that body. No longer would I need to concern myself with faulty memories, nor would I fear a partial correction to this leaving me with little ability to focus," Takeru returned. "While you complain of having to regain three years, I have lost them. I did not get to experience the end of sixth grade, or the start of junior high. I did not have to wonder when did girls go from being weird to being a mystery I want to explore."
"Then why don't you care about getting switched back?" Iori demanded.
"Because there are advantages to being this way. If the switch never happened, Yume would still be Togashi to me. I wouldn't have asked her out, nor kissed her. By looking upon this body's memories, I could better understand my own," Iori explained. "I know these feelings would stay if I change back, I would be able to view Yume as I do now. However, I worry about Wataru and Hikari as well. With me, it's a clear outcome. With you and the girls, the situation is not so easy."
"What about our families?" Iori pressed.
Takeru folded his arms. "What about them? They have grown accustom to the change. While it may not seem entirely fair to them, the truth is there will be no real change. They will still be raising a child, helping us through school and university. The only difference is the soul of that child. The true problem lies with our future. What do we want to do as a career? Who do we want to spend that life with? That is the questions we must face. Whether I'm Iori or Takeru, my path changes little. Can you say the same for yours?"
Iori scowled. "No, I can't. That's the problem."
"You've made sure we had the time needed to figure out our situation. The thing is you're the one the decision rests on. Daisuke wants to remain the way he is. I can live fine either way. But if you want to switch back, you'll have my vote," Takeru pledged. "Just make sure it's the answer you want, not anyone else's."
--
"Why aren't you in school?" Sora demanded.
"Told them I've got a recording session, which I do. I'll just be a little late for it," Yamato defended.
Sora pouted. "Then why did you stop here?"
"I want to talk," Yamato stated firmly.
Sora turned away. "Come on in."
Yamato followed her into the apartment. "I hear you plan on getting married."
Sora laughed. "I'm not planning it, just not protesting it."
"Do you really want to be married as you are now?" Yamato wondered.
"Honestly, no. But we're just filing the marriage. I'm not getting into any dress," Sora replied as she eased herself into a chair.
Yamato raised an eyebrow. "Is the baby already taxing you that much."
Sora shook her head. "Just being cautious."
"You know this is really fucked up. You, Taichi, having a baby. A baby that still might not be yours," Yamato commented.
"Way too late to debate the abortion deal," Sora groused. "Tailmon would kill me if I did."
"Shouldn't you at least switch back to make sure this is what you really want? Or at least find out for certain who the father is?" Yamato pressed. "You shouldn't rush into this. Hell, I didn't think it was legal anymore."
"Normally we'd have to wait until the guy is eighteen, but there are ways of working around that. This little girl helps with that." Sora motioned toward her waist.
Yamato frowned. "I still love you."
"I know. I hardly expect you to switch off your feelings just because I'm with someone else. I couldn't exactly turn my feelings off either, no matter how much I wanted to," Sora returned.
"Can't I still get a chance?" Yamato pleaded.
"The papers have already been sent. If not for our ages, it would've already been processed," Sora explained. "I'll legally be a Yagami again before the end of the week."
Yamato turned around. "I won't make it to your wedding reception."
Sora bowed her head. "I understand."
Yamato slammed the door on his way out of the apartment.
"I'm sorry," Sora whispered with a tear in her eye.
--
"Well, this really is the place I saw before," Koushiro muttered, arriving at the reception hall.
"What do you mean by that?" Ayashi wondered.
"A few of us got to see various futures, one of them was of wedding photos being taken here with Taichi and Koushiro as pregnant blushing brides," Tentomon said teasingly.
"Though I wonder at what else changed so that the other two pregnant brides weren't here as well." Koushiro shrugged. "Not that it matters."
"Who were the other two?"
Koushiro spun around. "Oh, hi, Mimi. Just ported in?"
Mimi nodded. "And about that 'seeing the future,' who were the other brides?"
Koushiro pouted. "You and Hikari both, with Ken and Daisuke respectively as the husbands."
Hikari apparently was nearby as she made a startled noise.
Koushiro waved his hands defensively. "If that future had come to pass, the four of us would be very pregnant and married today."
Mimi pouted. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"That was just one possible future in billions," Miyako intoned, not happy the boy had let this secret out. "We didn't mention it from our time in the labyrinth because it showed good time lines and bad ones. Where Koushiro and I were happily married or couldn't stand each other; grand victories or terrible losses we could not afford; choices we made that were good or evil."
"Including Piemon winning and me as a sex slave," Palmon shuddered.
Mimi glanced down. "You saw them too? Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because there were some things in those mirrors I just can't talk about. They were too horrible to mention, especially with you recovering from being Ken," Palmon defended.
Mimi smirked. "Who knows. In a few years that future may still come to pass."
Now Ken was the one to make a strangled noise, causing the others to laugh.
--
"Do you think we'll get married someday?" Sayuri questioned.
Iori shrugged. "Who knows?"
Sayuri pouted and glanced over at Koushiro, Miyako, Tentomon and Palmon who were being forced by the others to tell them any information about the future. "I guess if there really is no set future."
"And yet some things that are predetermined," Ayashi groused as she sat next to the couple.
Sayuri tilted her head. "Something bothering you?"
"Kind of annoyed that Miyako had to point out to Koushiro that in a couple of his futures, it showed me as his wife," Ayashi complained. "And if I do end up with him, I can look forward to having a daughter. His first, and sometimes only, child was always a girl in any future he saw himself as a parent."
"Makes me wonder if I appeared in any," Sayuri commented.
"Not that he'd be able to tell, considering how bad he is with remembering faces," Ayashi joked bitterly.
"Could still ask Miyako," Sayuri mentioned.
Iori looked away. "You're hoping for any clue about whether I'll switch back."
Sayuri shrugged. "Or if I end up with a digimon."
Ayashi looked at the girl strangely. "You want to fight and kill?"
"I want to help protect those I love. And I hardly want to be the girl left behind, fretting the entire time if her boyfriend will get hurt, or worse, not come back at all," Sayuri explained.
"You realize that you going out to fight would make me the nervous wreck," Iori commented.
Sayuri poked her boyfriend's chest. "Then you'd get to share in my worries. I want to go with you to face the August mission."
"Even if you got a partner, you'd still be here as the home guard," Iori retorted.
"The decision to switch back affects me, I want to be a part of it," Sayuri defended.
Iori quickly moved to kiss her forehead. "Trust me, you're part of that decision. We know your vote rather well."
"Being your partner for life won't screw me," V-mon chirped as he joined the table.
"Huh?" Iori questioned.
"Tentomon had thought it was weird when you evolved me to Imperial Dramon by yourself, as you are now." V-mon turned his head. "And apparently your Psychemon is rather cute."
"Psychemon?" Sayuri questioned.
"Yeah." V-mon pointed at Gabumon. "Take him, add more colors with the fur coat able to change colors." He then giggled. "The future he saw showed her kissing me before I walked into battle."
"When would this be?" Iori wondered.
V-mon shrugged. "Not sure. He didn't even get a good look at the opponent."
"So it could be part of the August mission or some point after that," Sayuri's excited tone tempered that this did not offer a clue to the final choice.
--
Hikari stepped outside to get some fresh air, and was not surprised she was followed.
"Something bothering you with all the futures they told us about?" Daisuke wondered.
"It's the first one Koushiro and Tentomon mentioned that I keep thinking back too," Hikari admitted.
Daisuke hugged her. "Where it would be our wedding today as well?"
Hikari pouted. "I don't think it would be _our_ wedding. None of them remember seeing whose family was with that body, but I think I know what would've happened. Had he succeeded in beating Skull Satamon, Daisuke would've been in the same situation I was. He would've been extra persistent wanting to be with me, to prove he was a man. I would've let him." She sighed. "I could've just as easily picked him."
Daisuke frowned. "I... see. I guess that's possible. Or I could've tried to push my feelings. I held back because I thought we'd switch back soon. If I knew about those futures that showed a few of us still switched months or even years later, I wouldn't have."
Hikari smirked. "Had they told us sooner, I might not have been so reluctant either. Still, to hear them talk about me married to you, full Daisuke, full Takeru, or someone else entirely..."
"Shows just how little destiny actually holds us. There are things that cannot be avoided, but our futures are still ours to mold with our own hands," Daisuke intoned.
Hikari smiled weakly. "That is nice to know. For a long time I thought my choices meant nothing. What I would do was always predetermined and it was just the illusion of choice. I do have choices."
Daisuke pulled her into a hug. "You know what mine is."
"Should this have been your wedding too?" Mrs. Yagami asked, announcing her presence.
The young couple jumped.
"Mom?" Hikari squeaked out in surprise.
"Geez, have you taken ninja lessons?" Daisuke joked.
"If I did, I wouldn't have to ask that question," Mrs. Yagami returned the joke.
"What's up?" Hikari asked, blushing slightly.
"Taichi and Sora are about to exchange vows," Mrs. Yagami.
--
Sora sagged as everyone looked upon her and her spouse. This was a simple request, and she at least didn't have to wear a dress for it. She then turned toward the man responsible for her condition and took hold of his hands and began, "I pledge my love for you, as a man or a woman, as a husband or wife, for as long as I live."
"I vow to love you for as long as I live, whether as your husband or your wife." Taichi the smirked. "And I will beat up Koushiro and Tentomon for not warning us."
Sora laughed. "I'll take Miyako and Palmon."
"Should we run now?" Tentomon wondered.
"Don't think that would save us," Koushiro replied sheepishly.
Mrs. Yagami growled in frustration. "That's not the way you should do that!"
"Sorry, Mom," the newlyweds chirped. They then looked at each other. "We are partners bonded for life," they announced together before going in for a kiss.
Most of those present clapped, cheered or both.
"Still a bit disturbing to see that," Mr. Yagami commented.
"True love can look beyond the form, even if that form was your own," Grandpa Hida added sagely.
"Would you say that if your grandson came home with a digimon as a lover?" Mrs. Inoue questioned seriously.
"If my grandson is happy, that is all I ask," Grandpa Hida returned.
Mrs. Hida eyed both boys that she could claim as her son, and the young girls with them. "I'm more worried about them following that example and making me a grandmother."
Sora coughed to get everyone's attention after overhearing that exchange. "And girls, especially you Hikari, don't be quick to follow me. This pregnancy crap is a lot harder to deal with than I ever thought it would be. And since we don't get to have abortion as an option, try to wait until you're married at least."
"Fat chance!" Yume chirped her protest. "I don't want to wait several years!"
The children laughed at her her response more than the parents did.
--
Jyou danced with his girlfriend and lover. "It's a nice celebration."
Kasumi rested her head on his shoulder. "Wonder how much longer it'll be before it's our turn."
Jyou looked nervous. "Kasumi?"
"I know we've been careful and all," the girl whispered. "But do you think it'll be our turn some day?"
Jyou softened. "Of course I do. But it won't be for a few years at least when my mother's opinion will mean nothing. Though I hope by then she'll come to accept you."
"However, considering how unlikely it was for those two to start a family... Well, as they said, there is no destiny, yet your life is not truly your own. If their daughter is deemed to need help by the powers that be, I may find myself pregnant no matter how careful we are," Kasumi told him softly.
"I cannot deny that possibility." Jyou sighed. "If it comes to pass, I will fight for you and our child."
"You had better do that." Kasumi's eyes wandered over the other guests. "It seems like everyone is pairing off, even the ones that should be getting ready to switch back."
"It's leading to questions if the boys will go back or stay as they are," Jyou replied. "I think it was a bit soon for them to attempt relationships, but it is best they lived their lives as they are in case it does end up being permanent."
"Isn't that big mission entirely for the point of switching them?" Kasumi asked.
"It is, but there is no certainty that it'll work. It's possible that Xuanwumon can only change the souls of digimon or that he used too much power making his seal and has lost that ability," Jyou explained. "None of the alternate time lines they saw clearly showed a switch after Piemon's defeat. And one showed where it never happened for Miyako."
"So in the end, nothing is for certain," Kasumi surmised.
Jyou nodded. "Sadly, true."
--
"Kind of sad we don't get a honeymoon," Taichi commented as they walked out of the reception hall with everyone else.
Sora lightly smacked the back of his head. "You already had too much of one."
Taichi smiled sheepishly. "We'll certainly have one when we switch back."
"You better believe we will. I'm not going to stop until I return this favor," Sora teasingly shot at him.
"Take good care of each other," Mr. Yagami told them, intentionally cutting an end to that line of discussion.
"We will, Dad," Sora replied.
"Don't be a stranger at our home. You can stop by any time you want," Mrs. Yagami offered.
"Especially once it's June," Mr. Yagami groused.
"Huh?" Taichi and Sora emitted.
Mrs. Yagami slapped her husband's arm. She then looked sheepishly at her newlywed children. "Hikari and Daisuke will be among those going in June to see what the side of light is like from the inside."
Sora pouted. "Should've seen that one coming."
Mr. Yagami put his hands on the couple's shoulders. "I may not like this situation, and I'm a bit disappointed, but I'll always be proud to call you both my children."
Taichi bowed his head slightly. "Thanks."
"I'm not going to lie to you and say marriage is easy. There will be issues and troubles unlike anything you've faced before," Mrs. Yagami warned. "Though with your situation you may find it easier to combine your lives together."
"I'm sure we'll find our own problems to compensate for how well we've come to walk in each other's shoes," Taichi joked.
Mr. Yagami returned the look. "I'm sure you will."
--
Chapter Twenty-one – Changing Plans
By: Lord Archive
Digimon belongs to Toei Animation and Akiyoshi Hongo. They are used without permission or the intent of profit. All rights reserved.
--
Takeru's Journal:
With preparations delayed for the mission to free Xuanwumon, other events were being planned and talked about.
--
"There is no way in hell I'll go through a wedding," Sora vehemently opposed.
"Now dear, you really should get married for the baby," Mrs. Yagami returned calmly.
"I'm fine with the marriage part, it's the _wedding_ I have an issue with," Sora shot back. "I'm not putting on any dress or a kimono for that matter."
"But ceremonies are important," Mrs. Yagami pushed.
"We can have this conversation of the wedding when I'm a guy," Sora pressed. "The baby is not going to care we went through that garbage."
"I'm not exactly partial to being the groom either. I'd rather hold off the ceremony for a year, as our first anniversary, switched back or not, to confirm our feelings," Taichi explained.
"I'm all for skipping the ceremony altogether," Mr. Yagami added. "This whole situation is screwed up enough without debating who should wear the dress."
"Ceremony can be important, but is not always necessary," Mrs. Takenouchi told them. "I think our son has the right idea of having the actual ceremony as an anniversary event. In a year's time, if they have not switched back, it's likely they never will be. To confirm their feelings as they truly are or as they are now."
"But we should celebrate their love," Mrs. Yagami pleaded.
"Just because we don't want to hold a wedding doesn't mean we can't have a reception," Taichi suggested. "Though for this one I'd rather keep it to those who know about the switch. For the full ceremony we can bring out full family and friends."
Mrs. Yagami pouted. The wedding day is supposed be the most important day in a girl's life. Her son should get a taste of that while she had the chance. "Fine... we'll keep it to just a reception." There were a few things she could push for still.
--
Hikari shivered as Daisuke ran his fingers down the middle of her bare back. Her clothes scattered onto his floor with his. "Do you think we should get married too?"
Daisuke's face quirked as he looked at her. "Don't think that would be right until we've all firmly decided to stay as we are. I want to remain this way, but if either of the others really wants their body back, I can't really get in their way."
Hikari pouted. "Right. It'd be a problem if I marry you now and then you switch and I'd be married to functionally someone else."
"I would love to marry you, though," Daisuke pledged. "It'd definitely make my intentions clear."
"Yeah, but the only reason they'd agree to it is if I'm pregnant." Hikari then pouted. "Though I think we should take more care now. I won't be able to go on the mission if I'm going to have your baby."
"So, I'll invest in condoms," Daisuke guessed.
Hikari shook her head slightly. "As much as I love my time with you, even using condoms and birth control pills together is not a hundred percent protection. I get the feeling even if Taichi and Sora had used them, they would still be in this situation. The only fool proof way..."
"...Is to not do it," Daisuke finished for her.
"Now I'm not saying we can't have 'fun,' just we shouldn't go all the way for now on," Hikari pointed out. "Besides, if it is decided to switch you back, it may help to make things a little less... confusing."
"I doubt that. As Takeru I never asked you out in fear of what would happen if things went badly. I had valued our friendship too much to want to risk it," Daisuke admitted. "Having been this close to you, that fear means nothing. I won't let you go. However, a full Daisuke would likely find a new level of persistence once he remembers making love to you."
Hikari sat up and looked away. "I know that. And it's all my fault that I'm in this situation to begin with. I couldn't keep my panties on, especially not after arousing you. I don't need to have sex to know I love you or to prove I'm really a girl."
"Let's see how well you keep them on for the next six months," Daisuke teased.
Hikari pouted at him. "I did say we could still have 'fun.'" She then leaned down and kissed him. "I better get home soon before they begin to wonder."
"They haven't yet, why would they start now?" Daisuke joked.
--
The clack of shinnai repeated echoed as two kindred souls fought each other. The younger was just a little faster and a bit stronger, the elder had the advantage of size and reach, yet they moved as mirrors, consistently performing nearly the exact same attack.
"I don't think this is really doing much to help improve us," Takeru commented.
"Sure it does." Iori broke form and whacked the older boy in the knees, causing him to fall down.
"Penalty!" Takeru protested.
"Let's see a Musyamon care about rules of kendo," Iori countered.
Takeru got back to his feet. "One of us will be inheriting the dojo."
"You're assuming I'm going to stay this way," Iori pointed out.
"Not at all, just referencing the possibility. If it's decided to stay as we are, I do not necessarily have to inherit the school," Takeru corrected.
"You know I still hate the idea of being in school for another three years. That I find your lack of pubs annoying," Iori groused.
"Wataru is hardly ready for you to touch her," Takeru pointed out.
"That wasn't the issue!" Iori snapped. "It's not having... the intensity of feelings I had for Hikari. I love her. I still do. But before I wanted to be with her all day, every day. Now... I don't feel like I can properly express myself. And now she's made her choice, but I can't tell if she choose Takeru or a less persistent me."
Takeru frowned. "I believe her issue was she couldn't decide before. With this situation she has a boy who has traits of the two guys she liked. If you switch back now, and pursue Hikari instead of Wataru, she will find herself in a very difficult position. Who does she love more? Given that some of the person we switched into persists long after getting the real body back, what Takeru gained from you that allowed Hikari to choose him would likely continue." He turned away. "Honestly, I don't see how you'd be able to win Hikari over to you."
"Aren't you saying that because you like being in that body now?" Iori countered.
"Besides lagging behind in growth, there are no issues with that body. No longer would I need to concern myself with faulty memories, nor would I fear a partial correction to this leaving me with little ability to focus," Takeru returned. "While you complain of having to regain three years, I have lost them. I did not get to experience the end of sixth grade, or the start of junior high. I did not have to wonder when did girls go from being weird to being a mystery I want to explore."
"Then why don't you care about getting switched back?" Iori demanded.
"Because there are advantages to being this way. If the switch never happened, Yume would still be Togashi to me. I wouldn't have asked her out, nor kissed her. By looking upon this body's memories, I could better understand my own," Iori explained. "I know these feelings would stay if I change back, I would be able to view Yume as I do now. However, I worry about Wataru and Hikari as well. With me, it's a clear outcome. With you and the girls, the situation is not so easy."
"What about our families?" Iori pressed.
Takeru folded his arms. "What about them? They have grown accustom to the change. While it may not seem entirely fair to them, the truth is there will be no real change. They will still be raising a child, helping us through school and university. The only difference is the soul of that child. The true problem lies with our future. What do we want to do as a career? Who do we want to spend that life with? That is the questions we must face. Whether I'm Iori or Takeru, my path changes little. Can you say the same for yours?"
Iori scowled. "No, I can't. That's the problem."
"You've made sure we had the time needed to figure out our situation. The thing is you're the one the decision rests on. Daisuke wants to remain the way he is. I can live fine either way. But if you want to switch back, you'll have my vote," Takeru pledged. "Just make sure it's the answer you want, not anyone else's."
--
"Why aren't you in school?" Sora demanded.
"Told them I've got a recording session, which I do. I'll just be a little late for it," Yamato defended.
Sora pouted. "Then why did you stop here?"
"I want to talk," Yamato stated firmly.
Sora turned away. "Come on in."
Yamato followed her into the apartment. "I hear you plan on getting married."
Sora laughed. "I'm not planning it, just not protesting it."
"Do you really want to be married as you are now?" Yamato wondered.
"Honestly, no. But we're just filing the marriage. I'm not getting into any dress," Sora replied as she eased herself into a chair.
Yamato raised an eyebrow. "Is the baby already taxing you that much."
Sora shook her head. "Just being cautious."
"You know this is really fucked up. You, Taichi, having a baby. A baby that still might not be yours," Yamato commented.
"Way too late to debate the abortion deal," Sora groused. "Tailmon would kill me if I did."
"Shouldn't you at least switch back to make sure this is what you really want? Or at least find out for certain who the father is?" Yamato pressed. "You shouldn't rush into this. Hell, I didn't think it was legal anymore."
"Normally we'd have to wait until the guy is eighteen, but there are ways of working around that. This little girl helps with that." Sora motioned toward her waist.
Yamato frowned. "I still love you."
"I know. I hardly expect you to switch off your feelings just because I'm with someone else. I couldn't exactly turn my feelings off either, no matter how much I wanted to," Sora returned.
"Can't I still get a chance?" Yamato pleaded.
"The papers have already been sent. If not for our ages, it would've already been processed," Sora explained. "I'll legally be a Yagami again before the end of the week."
Yamato turned around. "I won't make it to your wedding reception."
Sora bowed her head. "I understand."
Yamato slammed the door on his way out of the apartment.
"I'm sorry," Sora whispered with a tear in her eye.
--
"Well, this really is the place I saw before," Koushiro muttered, arriving at the reception hall.
"What do you mean by that?" Ayashi wondered.
"A few of us got to see various futures, one of them was of wedding photos being taken here with Taichi and Koushiro as pregnant blushing brides," Tentomon said teasingly.
"Though I wonder at what else changed so that the other two pregnant brides weren't here as well." Koushiro shrugged. "Not that it matters."
"Who were the other two?"
Koushiro spun around. "Oh, hi, Mimi. Just ported in?"
Mimi nodded. "And about that 'seeing the future,' who were the other brides?"
Koushiro pouted. "You and Hikari both, with Ken and Daisuke respectively as the husbands."
Hikari apparently was nearby as she made a startled noise.
Koushiro waved his hands defensively. "If that future had come to pass, the four of us would be very pregnant and married today."
Mimi pouted. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"That was just one possible future in billions," Miyako intoned, not happy the boy had let this secret out. "We didn't mention it from our time in the labyrinth because it showed good time lines and bad ones. Where Koushiro and I were happily married or couldn't stand each other; grand victories or terrible losses we could not afford; choices we made that were good or evil."
"Including Piemon winning and me as a sex slave," Palmon shuddered.
Mimi glanced down. "You saw them too? Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because there were some things in those mirrors I just can't talk about. They were too horrible to mention, especially with you recovering from being Ken," Palmon defended.
Mimi smirked. "Who knows. In a few years that future may still come to pass."
Now Ken was the one to make a strangled noise, causing the others to laugh.
--
"Do you think we'll get married someday?" Sayuri questioned.
Iori shrugged. "Who knows?"
Sayuri pouted and glanced over at Koushiro, Miyako, Tentomon and Palmon who were being forced by the others to tell them any information about the future. "I guess if there really is no set future."
"And yet some things that are predetermined," Ayashi groused as she sat next to the couple.
Sayuri tilted her head. "Something bothering you?"
"Kind of annoyed that Miyako had to point out to Koushiro that in a couple of his futures, it showed me as his wife," Ayashi complained. "And if I do end up with him, I can look forward to having a daughter. His first, and sometimes only, child was always a girl in any future he saw himself as a parent."
"Makes me wonder if I appeared in any," Sayuri commented.
"Not that he'd be able to tell, considering how bad he is with remembering faces," Ayashi joked bitterly.
"Could still ask Miyako," Sayuri mentioned.
Iori looked away. "You're hoping for any clue about whether I'll switch back."
Sayuri shrugged. "Or if I end up with a digimon."
Ayashi looked at the girl strangely. "You want to fight and kill?"
"I want to help protect those I love. And I hardly want to be the girl left behind, fretting the entire time if her boyfriend will get hurt, or worse, not come back at all," Sayuri explained.
"You realize that you going out to fight would make me the nervous wreck," Iori commented.
Sayuri poked her boyfriend's chest. "Then you'd get to share in my worries. I want to go with you to face the August mission."
"Even if you got a partner, you'd still be here as the home guard," Iori retorted.
"The decision to switch back affects me, I want to be a part of it," Sayuri defended.
Iori quickly moved to kiss her forehead. "Trust me, you're part of that decision. We know your vote rather well."
"Being your partner for life won't screw me," V-mon chirped as he joined the table.
"Huh?" Iori questioned.
"Tentomon had thought it was weird when you evolved me to Imperial Dramon by yourself, as you are now." V-mon turned his head. "And apparently your Psychemon is rather cute."
"Psychemon?" Sayuri questioned.
"Yeah." V-mon pointed at Gabumon. "Take him, add more colors with the fur coat able to change colors." He then giggled. "The future he saw showed her kissing me before I walked into battle."
"When would this be?" Iori wondered.
V-mon shrugged. "Not sure. He didn't even get a good look at the opponent."
"So it could be part of the August mission or some point after that," Sayuri's excited tone tempered that this did not offer a clue to the final choice.
--
Hikari stepped outside to get some fresh air, and was not surprised she was followed.
"Something bothering you with all the futures they told us about?" Daisuke wondered.
"It's the first one Koushiro and Tentomon mentioned that I keep thinking back too," Hikari admitted.
Daisuke hugged her. "Where it would be our wedding today as well?"
Hikari pouted. "I don't think it would be _our_ wedding. None of them remember seeing whose family was with that body, but I think I know what would've happened. Had he succeeded in beating Skull Satamon, Daisuke would've been in the same situation I was. He would've been extra persistent wanting to be with me, to prove he was a man. I would've let him." She sighed. "I could've just as easily picked him."
Daisuke frowned. "I... see. I guess that's possible. Or I could've tried to push my feelings. I held back because I thought we'd switch back soon. If I knew about those futures that showed a few of us still switched months or even years later, I wouldn't have."
Hikari smirked. "Had they told us sooner, I might not have been so reluctant either. Still, to hear them talk about me married to you, full Daisuke, full Takeru, or someone else entirely..."
"Shows just how little destiny actually holds us. There are things that cannot be avoided, but our futures are still ours to mold with our own hands," Daisuke intoned.
Hikari smiled weakly. "That is nice to know. For a long time I thought my choices meant nothing. What I would do was always predetermined and it was just the illusion of choice. I do have choices."
Daisuke pulled her into a hug. "You know what mine is."
"Should this have been your wedding too?" Mrs. Yagami asked, announcing her presence.
The young couple jumped.
"Mom?" Hikari squeaked out in surprise.
"Geez, have you taken ninja lessons?" Daisuke joked.
"If I did, I wouldn't have to ask that question," Mrs. Yagami returned the joke.
"What's up?" Hikari asked, blushing slightly.
"Taichi and Sora are about to exchange vows," Mrs. Yagami.
--
Sora sagged as everyone looked upon her and her spouse. This was a simple request, and she at least didn't have to wear a dress for it. She then turned toward the man responsible for her condition and took hold of his hands and began, "I pledge my love for you, as a man or a woman, as a husband or wife, for as long as I live."
"I vow to love you for as long as I live, whether as your husband or your wife." Taichi the smirked. "And I will beat up Koushiro and Tentomon for not warning us."
Sora laughed. "I'll take Miyako and Palmon."
"Should we run now?" Tentomon wondered.
"Don't think that would save us," Koushiro replied sheepishly.
Mrs. Yagami growled in frustration. "That's not the way you should do that!"
"Sorry, Mom," the newlyweds chirped. They then looked at each other. "We are partners bonded for life," they announced together before going in for a kiss.
Most of those present clapped, cheered or both.
"Still a bit disturbing to see that," Mr. Yagami commented.
"True love can look beyond the form, even if that form was your own," Grandpa Hida added sagely.
"Would you say that if your grandson came home with a digimon as a lover?" Mrs. Inoue questioned seriously.
"If my grandson is happy, that is all I ask," Grandpa Hida returned.
Mrs. Hida eyed both boys that she could claim as her son, and the young girls with them. "I'm more worried about them following that example and making me a grandmother."
Sora coughed to get everyone's attention after overhearing that exchange. "And girls, especially you Hikari, don't be quick to follow me. This pregnancy crap is a lot harder to deal with than I ever thought it would be. And since we don't get to have abortion as an option, try to wait until you're married at least."
"Fat chance!" Yume chirped her protest. "I don't want to wait several years!"
The children laughed at her her response more than the parents did.
--
Jyou danced with his girlfriend and lover. "It's a nice celebration."
Kasumi rested her head on his shoulder. "Wonder how much longer it'll be before it's our turn."
Jyou looked nervous. "Kasumi?"
"I know we've been careful and all," the girl whispered. "But do you think it'll be our turn some day?"
Jyou softened. "Of course I do. But it won't be for a few years at least when my mother's opinion will mean nothing. Though I hope by then she'll come to accept you."
"However, considering how unlikely it was for those two to start a family... Well, as they said, there is no destiny, yet your life is not truly your own. If their daughter is deemed to need help by the powers that be, I may find myself pregnant no matter how careful we are," Kasumi told him softly.
"I cannot deny that possibility." Jyou sighed. "If it comes to pass, I will fight for you and our child."
"You had better do that." Kasumi's eyes wandered over the other guests. "It seems like everyone is pairing off, even the ones that should be getting ready to switch back."
"It's leading to questions if the boys will go back or stay as they are," Jyou replied. "I think it was a bit soon for them to attempt relationships, but it is best they lived their lives as they are in case it does end up being permanent."
"Isn't that big mission entirely for the point of switching them?" Kasumi asked.
"It is, but there is no certainty that it'll work. It's possible that Xuanwumon can only change the souls of digimon or that he used too much power making his seal and has lost that ability," Jyou explained. "None of the alternate time lines they saw clearly showed a switch after Piemon's defeat. And one showed where it never happened for Miyako."
"So in the end, nothing is for certain," Kasumi surmised.
Jyou nodded. "Sadly, true."
--
"Kind of sad we don't get a honeymoon," Taichi commented as they walked out of the reception hall with everyone else.
Sora lightly smacked the back of his head. "You already had too much of one."
Taichi smiled sheepishly. "We'll certainly have one when we switch back."
"You better believe we will. I'm not going to stop until I return this favor," Sora teasingly shot at him.
"Take good care of each other," Mr. Yagami told them, intentionally cutting an end to that line of discussion.
"We will, Dad," Sora replied.
"Don't be a stranger at our home. You can stop by any time you want," Mrs. Yagami offered.
"Especially once it's June," Mr. Yagami groused.
"Huh?" Taichi and Sora emitted.
Mrs. Yagami slapped her husband's arm. She then looked sheepishly at her newlywed children. "Hikari and Daisuke will be among those going in June to see what the side of light is like from the inside."
Sora pouted. "Should've seen that one coming."
Mr. Yagami put his hands on the couple's shoulders. "I may not like this situation, and I'm a bit disappointed, but I'll always be proud to call you both my children."
Taichi bowed his head slightly. "Thanks."
"I'm not going to lie to you and say marriage is easy. There will be issues and troubles unlike anything you've faced before," Mrs. Yagami warned. "Though with your situation you may find it easier to combine your lives together."
"I'm sure we'll find our own problems to compensate for how well we've come to walk in each other's shoes," Taichi joked.
Mr. Yagami returned the look. "I'm sure you will."
--