Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ The Shuffle ❯ Readjusting ( Chapter 26 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Lord Archive 
Piemon's curse has fully been undone, yet for some they wonder if things were better before the cure.
Anime/Manga: Digimon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): / Hentai / Sci-fi / Romance / Adventure | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.28.2012 | Pages: 7 | Words: 6.3K | Visits: 555 | Status: Completed
Piemon's curse has fully been undone, yet for some they wonder if things were better before the cure.
Anime/Manga: Digimon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): / Hentai / Sci-fi / Romance / Adventure | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 09.28.2012 | Pages: 7 | Words: 6.3K | Visits: 555 | Status: Completed
The Shuffle
Chapter Twenty-six - Readjusting
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:
Despite the War of Machines still raging, Odaiba's original teams still led a force into Xuanwumon's dimension. There was little hope that Xuanwumon would soon awake, despite the cause of the war between light and dark having been destroyed before the main force's arrival. Yet, the cure was available thanks to Xuanwumon's high priest.
--
"Are you sure about the boys doing it first?" Hikari questioned.
Sora nodded. "I've been this way for a year, another day won't kill me. Being away from my daughter an extra day by going first might."
Hikari giggled a little. "I guess."
"You really don't want him changing back," Sora observed.
"Of course not," Hikari immediately replied. "I love him the way he is now. I don't want him to get his old fears back."
"His fears?" Sora wondered.
Hikari pouted at him. "Takeru would've never touched me. He was afraid that it'd ruin our friendship. That being with me would cause me to leave, just as his parents split apart."
Sora let out a laugh. "And being Daisuke, he didn't let that fear get in his way as he made his move on you."
Hikari scuffed her feet. "Actually... I was the one to start things. After being a guy, I needed to feel like a woman... and he was there."
Sora pouted at her. "Can't say I don't know the feeling."
An ornate door opened and Daisuke walked out with V-mon, Takeru with Patamon and Iori followed Armadimon and then the multi-faced and multi-armed digimon high priest of Xuanwumon, Asuramon, exited last.
"Did it work?" Yume ventured nervously.
The boys nodded as one.
"We're back to the way we were," Takeru announced.
Of the girls dating those boys, only Hikari approached them. She took Takeru by the hands. "I know things won't be the same like this... but I still love you. I won't leave you just because you're... more reserved now."
Daisuke pouted at his first crush, but then looked at Sayuri who was studious looking away from him. "We'll work everything out, I promise."
Iori walked up to Yume. "Deep inside, I'm still the same person." He frowned as she looked away. "If we switch back in a week, would... Daisuke remember this?"
Hikari turned around. "Not anything that happens in the first couple days. While I know Jyou took a bath shortly after we changed, I've never been able to remember that."
Takeru nodded. "A month ago when she was 'Daisuke' and I was her for two days, neither of us remembers anything the other did during that time, only what we did in the other body."
Taichi folded his arms. "That's good. Trust me when I say screwing yourself really feels weird."
Hikari blushed deeply. "I remember doing that, I don't remember how he felt while we were together like that."
Iori nodded. "That is good to know." He then turned and kissed Yume deeply on the lips.
Yume staggered back, blushing madly. "At least you aren't being 'more reserved.'"
--
"Come on, Takeru, let's go to bed," Hikari stated, pulling at the boys hands.
Takeru fidgeted. "Maybe we shouldn't share a bed now..."
"If you're worried about Iori remembering when we switch back, you know he won't," Hikari asserted.
Takeru glanced over nervously.
"You two have already made the bed, may as well sleep in it," Taichi groused bitterly.
"Have fun you two," Agumon chirped. He then looked at Piyomon. "I know I will."
"I can hardly stop something you stole over a year ago," Sora added bitterly.
Daisuke was studiously looking away.
"Takeru, really, it's all right. I want to be with YOU, it doesn't matter whose body you're in, or what name you're using. It's your soul that I love," Hikari professed.
Takeru smirked weakly at her. "You just want to be able to get away with having sex with two different guys."
Hikari blushed deeply. "Can't say that's not a factor."
"Fine." Takeru allowed the girl to pull him out of his chair. "Good-night."
Hikari echoed his parting words, but they received only grumbles as a response. She guided him to the room they had shared for the past month while he had been Daisuke. With the door shut she gave him a deep kiss. She then pulled away and frowned at him. "Is something wrong?"
"Sorry. This just feels weird. How can you just accept that I'm wearing a different face?" Takeru questioned.
"The same way I accept that Plotmon, Tailmon, Angewomon and Holy Dramon are all my digimon, different forms, same best friend," Hikari asserted.
Takeru stared at her and then laughed. "Touche. I hadn't thought about that."
Hikari drew him in closer. "Now is there anything else troubling you?"
"I won't lie and say this doesn't feel weird. Being Daisuke was liberating. To do as I wished, how I wished, when I wished. Now... I..." Takeru trailed off.
Hikari gave him another kiss. "Embrace your inner Daisuke. I know now that part of his openness came from being ADD, but it was still something I admired in him. Please don't shut me out now. I loved being able to see the real you."
Takeru pouted. "But was that the real me?"
"I know it was." Hikari looked away. "The... Massacre of Midnight Troop... Daisuke never would've done that."
"Hikari..." Takeru whispered as if in pain.
"I know what they did was wrong, that they had done evil things, calling upon dark powers beyond even their control..." Hikari looked at him with tears in her eyes. "And you destroyed them for it. Daisuke would've stopped with their defeat, you hunted each of them down and killed them."
Takeru tried to pull away from her. "I don't want to think about that."
"Why? Because as much as you hate dark powers that YOU have darkness within yourself? I know that, Takeru. It's part of you. It's part of everyone, even me," Hikari retorted.
"You don't have any darkness in you," Takeru protested.
"And the digichromozoid dagger that was in SlashAngemon's back just magically appeared there," Hikari groused. "_I_ killed him. Not Tailmon, not some digimon ally, _ME_. And the only reason I could was because he thought I was loyal, that I agreed to his plan to use Mimi's group as a sacrificial decoy... that I liked him the way he liked me. And he died saying he loved me."
Takeru clenched his fists. "If you hadn't, I would have."
"Patamon hadn't evolved to Seraphimon yet. He would've killed you." Hikari turned away. "He was probably planning that just so he could have me."
Takeru was the one to bring her into a hug. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you remember that."
"It's part of me, just as your hate of dark powers is part of you," Hikari asserted.
"I guess." Takeru sighed. "But saying that won't make this any easier. I've viewed myself as Daisuke for two years now. Even though it's still me with you, I feel like you're cheating on me."
Hikari moved to kiss him. "You're thinking too much. I already told you, embrace your inner Daisuke and let go. You have nothing to worry about."
"And what if I get you pregnant while I'm like this and I change back?" Takeru asked.
"Same situation as if I'm already pregnant and you don't change back. YOU would be the father of my baby, and no one else," Hikari stated firmly. She then smiled coyly at him. "Now let's go to bed already."
Takeru nodded. He had the girl he loved in his arms, and she was more than willing. He was more hesitant as he took her clothes off, touched her, felt her, loved her. He was still afraid that the one the girl loved wasn't the soul born as Takeru, but the person that he was while in Daisuke's body.
For all of Hikari's desires, a part of her shared in his fear. He did not look the same, he did not touch her the same way. As Daisuke he held no restraint, freely doing whatever he wanted to her body. Now, as Takeru, he was being cautious, slower, more tender. If not for their earlier discussions, she might've feared that this was some joke and that it was Iori that was with her. She had not expected the difference between the bodies to be so jarring to her. Yet there was some things that remained the same. His eye color may be different, but his eyes still held the same look for her. And the way he said her name as he moaned in their shared pleasure was no different. And she grasped onto that. To know in her heart that brown hair or blond, brown eyes or blue, the body made no difference. This soul that watched over, protected her, yet hated darkness to the point of genocide was the one she loved.
--
Sayuri stepped out of what looked like a manor house of a plantation, which the vast fields of plants surrounding it certainly helped to enforce that image. She frowned seeing Daisuke staring off into space. "I thought you weren't able to focus on anything."
Daisuke glanced up. "I thought that too about ADD. I could focus just fine on video games." He let out a laugh. "But apparently that's another symptom. Having too much focus on some things, and not enough on others. If I cared about it, it had all of my attention. If I didn't like it... well, oh, shiny!"
Sayuri giggled. "And I guess because you liked Hikari, you focused on her."
Daisuke nodded. "And did a good job of chasing her away in the process. She never said anything, but I know I annoyed her at times."
Sayuri squeaked out when she was pulled into a hug.
"I'm afraid that I'll be focusing too much on you now," Daisuke told her.
Sayuri shifted uneasily. "What about Hikari?"
Daisuke pouted. "She'll always be my first love, but I know a lost battle when I see one."
Sayuri pulled away. "Will you still say that after you remember being with her?"
Daisuke looked away. "You know where she is right now?"
Sayuri shook her head. "No."
"Screwing Takeru's brains out," Sora groused, walking up behind them.
Daisuke nodded slowly. "Even if we switch again, Iori will not remember tonight."
Sayuri pouted. "Why would she risk complicating things more? It could end up with 'Iori' being the father if she got pregnant now."
Sora clenched her fists. "The father would be Takeru, regardless of the body he was wearing. And if you ask her, I'm sure she would say she needed to do it, and not out of curiosity."
"Though that may have played a part in her decision," Daisuke clipped bitterly.
Sora nodded curtly. "Before the switch, Takeru wouldn't have been with Hikari. We all knew he loved her, but there was a time his parents loved each other. Now they refuse to be in the same room together."
Sayuri pouted. "So he was afraid that by getting too close he could lose her."
"I never let my fears get in the way of anything, and for some reason Takeru embraced being me completely," Daisuke commented.
"Because he was jealous of you," Iori informed.
Sayuri jumped. "How long have you been there?"
"I was right behind Sora," Iori returned.
"Why would Takeru be jealous of me?" Daisuke wondered.
Iori folded his arms. "Because you didn't let worries get in your way. That you are honest with yourself and others. You have no idea how much he hides from others. Even being you, there were things he still kept hidden."
"And if there was anyone who knows what it's like to bury things, it's Hikari," Sora observed.
Iori nodded. "They're really two of a kind. It's more obvious that Hikari tries to hide her problems to not cause others to worry, but Takeru does it as well. The only person they've opened up to is each other. It's why Hikari knows of Takeru's fears of losing her by becoming too close."
"So Hikari is with Takeru right now to try to ease his fears if they come back," Sayuri surmised.
"He likely was afraid of that the entire time he was me," Daisuke corrected. "He was just more willing to take the chance."
"And Takeru wasn't the only one with that fear," Sora added. "Ever since she went to the Digital World for the first time, Takeru has been her true best friend. She was also afraid getting close could've destroyed their friendship. That she was attracted to Daisuke as well certainly didn't help her figure things out."
Daisuke pointed at himself. "Hikari liked me?"
"Her feelings for you certainly weren't the same as she had for Takeru, but she did like you." Sora let out a sigh. "And when her panties got up into a bunch for having been a guy, well there was functionally the two guys she liked in one body."
Daisuke shook his head. "If I had succeeded in Piemon's challenge..."
"You might be married to Hikari and a father now as that one mirror showed Koushiro," Iori commented.
Daisuke glanced over and saw that Sayuri's hands were clenched and looked to be on the verge of tears. "I'd rather we change subjects now. Sure, Hikari used to like me. She's been his lover for two years now. I can hardly compete with that. Iori, how does it feel to be back in your old body?"
Iori blinked and then blushed a little. "It's not as jarring as I'd thought it'd be. The one thing I find most surprising is..."
"Is what?" Sayuri prompted, happy to not hear about Hikari.
Iori shifted uneasily. "My feelings for Yume are... well... more. I thought being younger they would be tamed, but they're not."
"Well you are four centimeters taller and have a couple pubs now," Daisuke quipped.
Sayuri blushed at that last statement.
"Not to mention you may not be Takeru, but his fears are part of his memories. And his feelings for Hikari likely didn't help you. We may have been able to set aside the ones our bodies loved for the one our souls longed for, but those lingering feelings remain," Sora pointed out.
Iori nodded slowly. "So without Takeru's side to influence me, I'm seeing Yume clearly as me now?"
Daisuke grinned. "For now at least. You might have issues if you start remembering having Sayuri play dentistry with her tongue."
Sayuri turned beet red and was sorely tempted to smack the boy with something heavy.
--
"Wish us luck!" Palmon chirped.
Yume yawned as she watched Mimi, Palmon, Catherine, and Floramon walk away from the plantation. "Where are they going?"
Hikari was waving them off. "Trying to work a peace treaty between the holy and dark digimon. They say they've made some progress, but they've been at it for most of the past month."
"Ah." Yume nodded. She glanced at the girl. "Do you still love him the same way you did before?"
Hikari pouted at the girl. "Yes and no. I've been with him long enough to know at the core he's always been the same Takeru who has been my best friend, even while he was in Daisuke's body. It's just that while he was Daisuke his actions weren't the same. He would often behave like Daisuke but his motivations were Takeru's."
Yume tilted her head in thought. "So you still love him for who he is, yet it's different because outwardly he's not the same."
"Exactly," Hikari agreed. "I'd probably have a harder time of it if I hadn't been around digimon for much of life. I'm use to seeing the form change, but not the person." She then smirked. "Still confusing when I expect he would do one thing, and he does something else."
--
Sora and Taichi walked into Asuramon's chamber followed by their digimon.
"Are you sure you want to have your bodies switched?" Asuramon questioned.
"More so than the boys did," Taichi immediately replied. "I was born a girl and want to return to my real body."
Sora nodded firmly in agreement.
"Well, then we best prepare for the soul transfer," Asuramon intoned.
Agumon raised his paw. "I noticed when you switched the others, you were able change the partners with them."
"I did not change the partners. Apparently my soul transfer is more complete than what that Piemon used on you Chosen. The bonds you hold will not change with the body," Asuramon corrected.
"Is there anyway you keeps us with the body?" Agumon pressed, he pointed at the girl. "My true partner has always been Taichi."
"I'm afraid I do not know how to do that," Asuramon informed.
"Don't worry about it." Sora waved his concerns off. "This way we'll be able to keep your ability to become Ultimate plus, and when it's safe we can see Qinglongmon about switching you back to me."
"It's hardly like it will change anything," Piyomon added. "All of us are a family. When we stay on Earth, it'll still be the same place."
"'Sora the Chosen of Courage,'" Taichi laughed. "That may take a bit to get used to."
"Ha. Ha." Sora groused. "Like I appreciate being 'Taichi the Chosen of Love.'"
"Well if it wasn't for your love, Taichi, we wouldn't be parents now," Taichi commented.
"Let's get this over with. I want to finally be me again," Sora insisted.
"Hold hands and gaze intently at each other," Asuramon intoned.
The young parents did so. Both began to wonder how long this would take. Suddenly their vision turned white, causing them to blink their eyes clear. First they touched each other to make sure it was not a mirror between them, and then themselves.
"I'm a guy again!" Taichi cried out in joy.
Sora nodded, tears of joy threatening to leak out of her eyes.
As one they embraced each other and kissed each other deeply.
Agumon sighed at the sight. "Too bad we can't kiss like that."
Piyomon hugged him. "Oh, shush. There's still other things we're able to do. I hope when they have another child, I'll be the mother of their baby's partner."
Agumon smirked devilishly. "I'll certainly help with that."
--
The day was coming to an end as dusk was settling across the land. One could only count time by the passage of days for there was no sun nor moon, just clear sky that lit up on their own. While Sayuri and Yume found the lack of sun, moon or even stars unsettling, the elder Chosen took it in stride as yet another dimensional oddity as was Koushiro noting a day in this dimension was actually only twenty-two hours and six minutes. While those they had sent ahead had counted 372 days, it was actually about four weeks shorter. Still a temporal difference. If they wrapped everything up in a week's time here, they would've only been gone from Earth for only a day, assuming it was not the dimensional travel itself having an effect on time, then they may be gone for a much different amount of time.
"Nose, computer, out," Ayashi groused. "Can't you just enjoy being around friends without gluing yourself to that?" She motioned towards all the various Chosen and digimon that were enjoying dinner outside.
Koushiro blinked as he looked up at her. "Sorry, just trying to make sure we get back home WHEN we should."
"Huh?" Ayashi emitted.
"It may not be this dimension having a different time flow, it could be our method of getting here. Hopefully if we're done in a week, we'll be back Monday afternoon. However, if it's the dimensional travel that shifted time, we could find ourselves arriving home before we left or it could be months or even years from now," Koushiro explained sheepishly.
"You better make sure that's not the case, Ai is waiting for me," Taichi barked at him.
"I'm well aware if this gets screwed up, you and Sora will be the most upset," Koushiro returned.
"That's an understatement. I want to hold my daughter as her mother, not her father," Sora intoned.
A series of large cracking noises and explosions occurred to the north-east. Everyone's attentions was drawn to the source, where golden lights clashed with dark energy.
"Well, I guess that ends today's 'peace' council," Takeru quipped.
"Isn't that where Catherine is?" one of the Paris team members asked.
Hikari smirked. "I wouldn't worry about that. Mimi hates violence."
The streaks of gold and black suddenly ceased as towering vines lined with thorns shot from the ground.
"See?" Hikari added sheepishly.
Sora blinked. "Mimi achieve Ultimate?"
Takeru nodded. "In a manner different from us. She MERGED with Palmon to become a Rosemon."
"We've seen a Rosemon fight before, she was no where near that powerful," another Paris team member pointed out.
"Mimi is at a whole different power level in that merged state, I doubt Takeru and I could beat her together with Holy Dramon and Seraphimon," Hikari explained.
"She's probably on par with Omegamon," Takeru noted.
Taichi let out an amused laugh. "So the 'weakest' of the original eight is now the strongest by herself."
"I could still take her," Tailmon huffed.
Golden lights now flew toward the north and streaks of darkness to the south.
Rick from the Oklahoma team started to pile a plate overflowing with food, much to the confused looks of his sister and the others who had arrived yesterday.
They then blinked as Rosemon stood next to him holding Catherine and Floramon easily. She set the two down who both dizzily fell to their asses. Rosemon then shimmered to reveal Mimi and Palmon.
Mimi began to attack the assorted food on the table with ravenous abandon while Rick handed the plate to Palmon who opened her mouth wide and up ended the food down her throat.
The newly arrived Chosen could only stare in surprise and shock.
"Being Rosemon is a huge burden to her body and drains her energy immensely," Rick answered the unvoiced questions.
"You get use to it after a while," Takeru commented.
"She does this often?" Sora wondered.
"It's how she got the position of being the lead negotiator of the peace treaty. She scares them as she's has no particular weakness to either side's attacks and if not for her, we'd have never won that final battle," Hikari explained. "She took an attack to the face that would've killed Holy Dramon and then she promptly broke his jaw.
"I'm definitely going to want a full account of everything that happened here!" Koushiro called out.
"Once I edit my journals, I'll forward you a copy," Takeru replied.
"I hope you were all done eating, Mimi won't be leaving anything," Rick warned.
Catherine and Floramon quickly tried to get of some food before it could vanish.
Taichi shook his head. "Well, looks like the excitement has ended."
Sora nodded, and did not make a sound as he pulled her closer.
"Shall we go to bed?" Taichi asked her.
Sora smiled at him. "I want my proper honeymoon."
Taichi picked her up. "Oh, you sure are getting it."
Koushiro frowned at the couple as they ran off. "I don't know how they can do that."
"Do what?" Ayashi wondered.
"Be with each other. I tried with Miyako and it was just... too weird." Koushiro shuddered.
"You don't think about the body, but the person," Hikari explained. "The problem with you and Miyako was that you were both just friends."
Koushiro pouted. "Before the switch I had... thoughts about her. Being her and trying to do, well, ME, made me feel... narcissistic. That it would've been the ultimate masturbation. Then when we switched back she had become a sister. She knew things about me I didn't even know. I couldn't get past it."
"Lust is one thing, love is something else," Hikari pressed. "I know you can look beyond the body and into soul of the person you're with. That I could touch the one I love even when he wore my face because I knew it was him."
Takeru smiled weakly. "As curious as I was, I certainly don't want to repeat being a girl. Sex is different. I can't explain how, it just is."
Yume blushed as she pouted. "It bugs me hearing THAT voice talk about having sex."
Takeru smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."
Sayuri folded her arms. "I suppose you'll be sneaking off next."
Hikari shook her head. "Don't want to risk Iori remembering it. The longer into the switch, the easier it is to remember. While it should be safe, well..."
"Should be and is are two different things," Koushiro supplied.
Yume pointed at Takeru. "You slept with HIM last night?!"
Hikari blushed as she nodded. "Sorry. I had to know I could do it and so he would know I wouldn't leave him if he stays in that body."
"But what if you got pregnant?" Yume fretted.
"He will be the father, regardless of the body he wears. After all, even if they don't switch back, she might be pregnant right now with Daisuke's child," Sayuri bitterly spat out.
Hikari now frowned at her. "I'm sorry. It really is my fault this situation is as messed up as it is."
"Don't be. It's because of you I have the best chance of getting my boyfriend back the way I know him," Sayuri intoned.
A monstrous belch echoed loudly. Mimi blushed demurely. "Ah... excuse me."
Daisuke raised his hands, fingers spread. "Full ten points."
Steve from New York quickly raised his hands. "Ten from the American judge."
One of the Paris team members raised her hands. "Five points from France, poor form."
"Why'd you give her only five points?" Steve wondered.
"We didn't have a Russian judge," she replied jokingly.
Sayuri shook her head while others laughed.
--
With little to do the Chosen ended up starting up a game of football with Japan and Greece verses United States and France. While the children played, a few of their digimon took position as referees and the rest of the partners watched.
"When they said a pick-up game of football, I was expecting a different game," Rick groused in an annoyed tone.
"The U.S. calls it soccer, most of the world calls it football," Steve returned.
"It's a stupid game," Rick muttered, and received glares from some of the Japanese, French, and Grecian children.
Sayuri would've preferred to sit out, but with Sora and Taichi still 'busy' there was a lack of players. With the number of off-side penalties caused by the Americans, it was rather obvious while they knew the basics, get the ball into the goal and no hands, it was also clear they knew little of how to really play the game. The French children were quickly becoming annoyed at their teammates as the game was quickly going against them. Bringing in Taichi and Sora would be overkill. While Yume and herself knew the rules, their inexperience on the field helped make the game more even.
And with a score by Koushiro, even the Americans felt lacking in the game.
Ayashi smiled at him. "Didn't know you played."
"Well, the summer camp we were at when first became Chosen was functionally a _football_ camp," Koushiro told her with a grin. "My parents were trying to get me to do something other than computers."
Ayashi laughed. "Didn't help."
"We're really going to have to do something about these teams," one of the Paris team complained.
The game continued and Sayuri could tell Daisuke was holding back. When it was clear this was a lopsided match, he changed to being a defender. More than once he seemed ready to run down the field and attack the goal. Obviously football was something Motomiya could fully focus on.
Iori was about ready to start pulling grass. It was a rare moment in the game when the French players would lead an assault on the goal. He might've attacked the grass if not for Yume running around the field cheerfully, looking cuter than he could ever remember, and the way her shorts clung to her rear gave the boy thoughts he didn't think he would have in this body yet.
It did not escape the players as the game progress that their audience was growing. First a few plant digimon that tended the plants around the plantation, then some dark and some light digimon followed suit.
"What sort of combat is this?" an Angemon wondered.
"It's not combat, it's a game!" Daisuke chirped.
"Game?" was echoed by a few of those watching.
"Right! It's something we do for fun. We form two teams and try to score points by getting this ball into the opposing team's goal," Daisuke explained. "Best way to learn the game is by playing. You want to try?"
"It'd be child's play to beat those feather brains," a Devimon joked.
A D'Arcmon whirled on him. "Is that a challenge?"
"Well, we do have enough angels and devils to make it work," Takeru commented, keeping his distance from the dark digimon.
"You will guide us, won't you Lord Daisuke?" another Angemon requested.
Daisuke glanced at Takeru with a raised eyebrow. "Sure."
The thief from Greece grinned as he pointed at the dark digimon. "I'll be their coach."
"Okay, Japan will work with team Light, Greece will aid team Dark, and us French will handle being referees," one of the Paris members intoned.
"And what will us Americans do?" Steve wondered.
"Watch and learn how to play," was the sharp reply.
--
Mimi yawned as she managed to walk back to the plantation without having had to turn into Rosemon that day. The discussions didn't go smoothly, but they didn't degenerate into violence either.
"I wish we had pain killers here," Catherine bemoaned. "Dealing with those stubborn idiots is a constant migraine."
"Still better than fighting a war," Floramon returned.
"Yep!" Palmon agreed.
The four came to a stop and stared at the scene before them.
"They're playing football?" Catherine wondered aloud.
Mimi nodded dumbly.
Iori appeared nearby, as he had been hidden by some plants. "Oh, hi. You're back."
"How long has this been going on?" Palmon waved toward the game.
Iori's face was red for some reason. "Um, most of the day. They took over our game not long after lunch. They refuse to end the game until there is a winner, and last I checked it was still tied at two."
"What are you doing out here?" Mimi wondered.
Iori's face turned a deeper shade of red. "Nothing!"
"Yume, are you there?" Mimi asked.
"...Yes," the girl in questioned squeaked.
"Do keep your pants on. You don't want to rush into anything," Mimi advised.
Yume sat up slowly, adjusting her shirt, her face deep red. "No promises."
"You may want to go somewhere more private," Catherine added with a devilish grinned.
"It's not like I planned... this," Iori muttered out.
Yume stood up and brushed the dirt off the back of her shorts. "If Mimi's here, it's time for dinner."
Iori nodded. "Ah, right."
Catherine watched the young couple run off and her eyes once again locked onto the football game. "Does this give you any ideas?"
Mimi nodded. "Still don't think this is the way to settle differences, but a football game is better than gladiatorial combat to the death."
--
Chapter Twenty-six - Readjusting
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:
Despite the War of Machines still raging, Odaiba's original teams still led a force into Xuanwumon's dimension. There was little hope that Xuanwumon would soon awake, despite the cause of the war between light and dark having been destroyed before the main force's arrival. Yet, the cure was available thanks to Xuanwumon's high priest.
--
"Are you sure about the boys doing it first?" Hikari questioned.
Sora nodded. "I've been this way for a year, another day won't kill me. Being away from my daughter an extra day by going first might."
Hikari giggled a little. "I guess."
"You really don't want him changing back," Sora observed.
"Of course not," Hikari immediately replied. "I love him the way he is now. I don't want him to get his old fears back."
"His fears?" Sora wondered.
Hikari pouted at him. "Takeru would've never touched me. He was afraid that it'd ruin our friendship. That being with me would cause me to leave, just as his parents split apart."
Sora let out a laugh. "And being Daisuke, he didn't let that fear get in his way as he made his move on you."
Hikari scuffed her feet. "Actually... I was the one to start things. After being a guy, I needed to feel like a woman... and he was there."
Sora pouted at her. "Can't say I don't know the feeling."
An ornate door opened and Daisuke walked out with V-mon, Takeru with Patamon and Iori followed Armadimon and then the multi-faced and multi-armed digimon high priest of Xuanwumon, Asuramon, exited last.
"Did it work?" Yume ventured nervously.
The boys nodded as one.
"We're back to the way we were," Takeru announced.
Of the girls dating those boys, only Hikari approached them. She took Takeru by the hands. "I know things won't be the same like this... but I still love you. I won't leave you just because you're... more reserved now."
Daisuke pouted at his first crush, but then looked at Sayuri who was studious looking away from him. "We'll work everything out, I promise."
Iori walked up to Yume. "Deep inside, I'm still the same person." He frowned as she looked away. "If we switch back in a week, would... Daisuke remember this?"
Hikari turned around. "Not anything that happens in the first couple days. While I know Jyou took a bath shortly after we changed, I've never been able to remember that."
Takeru nodded. "A month ago when she was 'Daisuke' and I was her for two days, neither of us remembers anything the other did during that time, only what we did in the other body."
Taichi folded his arms. "That's good. Trust me when I say screwing yourself really feels weird."
Hikari blushed deeply. "I remember doing that, I don't remember how he felt while we were together like that."
Iori nodded. "That is good to know." He then turned and kissed Yume deeply on the lips.
Yume staggered back, blushing madly. "At least you aren't being 'more reserved.'"
--
"Come on, Takeru, let's go to bed," Hikari stated, pulling at the boys hands.
Takeru fidgeted. "Maybe we shouldn't share a bed now..."
"If you're worried about Iori remembering when we switch back, you know he won't," Hikari asserted.
Takeru glanced over nervously.
"You two have already made the bed, may as well sleep in it," Taichi groused bitterly.
"Have fun you two," Agumon chirped. He then looked at Piyomon. "I know I will."
"I can hardly stop something you stole over a year ago," Sora added bitterly.
Daisuke was studiously looking away.
"Takeru, really, it's all right. I want to be with YOU, it doesn't matter whose body you're in, or what name you're using. It's your soul that I love," Hikari professed.
Takeru smirked weakly at her. "You just want to be able to get away with having sex with two different guys."
Hikari blushed deeply. "Can't say that's not a factor."
"Fine." Takeru allowed the girl to pull him out of his chair. "Good-night."
Hikari echoed his parting words, but they received only grumbles as a response. She guided him to the room they had shared for the past month while he had been Daisuke. With the door shut she gave him a deep kiss. She then pulled away and frowned at him. "Is something wrong?"
"Sorry. This just feels weird. How can you just accept that I'm wearing a different face?" Takeru questioned.
"The same way I accept that Plotmon, Tailmon, Angewomon and Holy Dramon are all my digimon, different forms, same best friend," Hikari asserted.
Takeru stared at her and then laughed. "Touche. I hadn't thought about that."
Hikari drew him in closer. "Now is there anything else troubling you?"
"I won't lie and say this doesn't feel weird. Being Daisuke was liberating. To do as I wished, how I wished, when I wished. Now... I..." Takeru trailed off.
Hikari gave him another kiss. "Embrace your inner Daisuke. I know now that part of his openness came from being ADD, but it was still something I admired in him. Please don't shut me out now. I loved being able to see the real you."
Takeru pouted. "But was that the real me?"
"I know it was." Hikari looked away. "The... Massacre of Midnight Troop... Daisuke never would've done that."
"Hikari..." Takeru whispered as if in pain.
"I know what they did was wrong, that they had done evil things, calling upon dark powers beyond even their control..." Hikari looked at him with tears in her eyes. "And you destroyed them for it. Daisuke would've stopped with their defeat, you hunted each of them down and killed them."
Takeru tried to pull away from her. "I don't want to think about that."
"Why? Because as much as you hate dark powers that YOU have darkness within yourself? I know that, Takeru. It's part of you. It's part of everyone, even me," Hikari retorted.
"You don't have any darkness in you," Takeru protested.
"And the digichromozoid dagger that was in SlashAngemon's back just magically appeared there," Hikari groused. "_I_ killed him. Not Tailmon, not some digimon ally, _ME_. And the only reason I could was because he thought I was loyal, that I agreed to his plan to use Mimi's group as a sacrificial decoy... that I liked him the way he liked me. And he died saying he loved me."
Takeru clenched his fists. "If you hadn't, I would have."
"Patamon hadn't evolved to Seraphimon yet. He would've killed you." Hikari turned away. "He was probably planning that just so he could have me."
Takeru was the one to bring her into a hug. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you remember that."
"It's part of me, just as your hate of dark powers is part of you," Hikari asserted.
"I guess." Takeru sighed. "But saying that won't make this any easier. I've viewed myself as Daisuke for two years now. Even though it's still me with you, I feel like you're cheating on me."
Hikari moved to kiss him. "You're thinking too much. I already told you, embrace your inner Daisuke and let go. You have nothing to worry about."
"And what if I get you pregnant while I'm like this and I change back?" Takeru asked.
"Same situation as if I'm already pregnant and you don't change back. YOU would be the father of my baby, and no one else," Hikari stated firmly. She then smiled coyly at him. "Now let's go to bed already."
Takeru nodded. He had the girl he loved in his arms, and she was more than willing. He was more hesitant as he took her clothes off, touched her, felt her, loved her. He was still afraid that the one the girl loved wasn't the soul born as Takeru, but the person that he was while in Daisuke's body.
For all of Hikari's desires, a part of her shared in his fear. He did not look the same, he did not touch her the same way. As Daisuke he held no restraint, freely doing whatever he wanted to her body. Now, as Takeru, he was being cautious, slower, more tender. If not for their earlier discussions, she might've feared that this was some joke and that it was Iori that was with her. She had not expected the difference between the bodies to be so jarring to her. Yet there was some things that remained the same. His eye color may be different, but his eyes still held the same look for her. And the way he said her name as he moaned in their shared pleasure was no different. And she grasped onto that. To know in her heart that brown hair or blond, brown eyes or blue, the body made no difference. This soul that watched over, protected her, yet hated darkness to the point of genocide was the one she loved.
--
Sayuri stepped out of what looked like a manor house of a plantation, which the vast fields of plants surrounding it certainly helped to enforce that image. She frowned seeing Daisuke staring off into space. "I thought you weren't able to focus on anything."
Daisuke glanced up. "I thought that too about ADD. I could focus just fine on video games." He let out a laugh. "But apparently that's another symptom. Having too much focus on some things, and not enough on others. If I cared about it, it had all of my attention. If I didn't like it... well, oh, shiny!"
Sayuri giggled. "And I guess because you liked Hikari, you focused on her."
Daisuke nodded. "And did a good job of chasing her away in the process. She never said anything, but I know I annoyed her at times."
Sayuri squeaked out when she was pulled into a hug.
"I'm afraid that I'll be focusing too much on you now," Daisuke told her.
Sayuri shifted uneasily. "What about Hikari?"
Daisuke pouted. "She'll always be my first love, but I know a lost battle when I see one."
Sayuri pulled away. "Will you still say that after you remember being with her?"
Daisuke looked away. "You know where she is right now?"
Sayuri shook her head. "No."
"Screwing Takeru's brains out," Sora groused, walking up behind them.
Daisuke nodded slowly. "Even if we switch again, Iori will not remember tonight."
Sayuri pouted. "Why would she risk complicating things more? It could end up with 'Iori' being the father if she got pregnant now."
Sora clenched her fists. "The father would be Takeru, regardless of the body he was wearing. And if you ask her, I'm sure she would say she needed to do it, and not out of curiosity."
"Though that may have played a part in her decision," Daisuke clipped bitterly.
Sora nodded curtly. "Before the switch, Takeru wouldn't have been with Hikari. We all knew he loved her, but there was a time his parents loved each other. Now they refuse to be in the same room together."
Sayuri pouted. "So he was afraid that by getting too close he could lose her."
"I never let my fears get in the way of anything, and for some reason Takeru embraced being me completely," Daisuke commented.
"Because he was jealous of you," Iori informed.
Sayuri jumped. "How long have you been there?"
"I was right behind Sora," Iori returned.
"Why would Takeru be jealous of me?" Daisuke wondered.
Iori folded his arms. "Because you didn't let worries get in your way. That you are honest with yourself and others. You have no idea how much he hides from others. Even being you, there were things he still kept hidden."
"And if there was anyone who knows what it's like to bury things, it's Hikari," Sora observed.
Iori nodded. "They're really two of a kind. It's more obvious that Hikari tries to hide her problems to not cause others to worry, but Takeru does it as well. The only person they've opened up to is each other. It's why Hikari knows of Takeru's fears of losing her by becoming too close."
"So Hikari is with Takeru right now to try to ease his fears if they come back," Sayuri surmised.
"He likely was afraid of that the entire time he was me," Daisuke corrected. "He was just more willing to take the chance."
"And Takeru wasn't the only one with that fear," Sora added. "Ever since she went to the Digital World for the first time, Takeru has been her true best friend. She was also afraid getting close could've destroyed their friendship. That she was attracted to Daisuke as well certainly didn't help her figure things out."
Daisuke pointed at himself. "Hikari liked me?"
"Her feelings for you certainly weren't the same as she had for Takeru, but she did like you." Sora let out a sigh. "And when her panties got up into a bunch for having been a guy, well there was functionally the two guys she liked in one body."
Daisuke shook his head. "If I had succeeded in Piemon's challenge..."
"You might be married to Hikari and a father now as that one mirror showed Koushiro," Iori commented.
Daisuke glanced over and saw that Sayuri's hands were clenched and looked to be on the verge of tears. "I'd rather we change subjects now. Sure, Hikari used to like me. She's been his lover for two years now. I can hardly compete with that. Iori, how does it feel to be back in your old body?"
Iori blinked and then blushed a little. "It's not as jarring as I'd thought it'd be. The one thing I find most surprising is..."
"Is what?" Sayuri prompted, happy to not hear about Hikari.
Iori shifted uneasily. "My feelings for Yume are... well... more. I thought being younger they would be tamed, but they're not."
"Well you are four centimeters taller and have a couple pubs now," Daisuke quipped.
Sayuri blushed at that last statement.
"Not to mention you may not be Takeru, but his fears are part of his memories. And his feelings for Hikari likely didn't help you. We may have been able to set aside the ones our bodies loved for the one our souls longed for, but those lingering feelings remain," Sora pointed out.
Iori nodded slowly. "So without Takeru's side to influence me, I'm seeing Yume clearly as me now?"
Daisuke grinned. "For now at least. You might have issues if you start remembering having Sayuri play dentistry with her tongue."
Sayuri turned beet red and was sorely tempted to smack the boy with something heavy.
--
"Wish us luck!" Palmon chirped.
Yume yawned as she watched Mimi, Palmon, Catherine, and Floramon walk away from the plantation. "Where are they going?"
Hikari was waving them off. "Trying to work a peace treaty between the holy and dark digimon. They say they've made some progress, but they've been at it for most of the past month."
"Ah." Yume nodded. She glanced at the girl. "Do you still love him the same way you did before?"
Hikari pouted at the girl. "Yes and no. I've been with him long enough to know at the core he's always been the same Takeru who has been my best friend, even while he was in Daisuke's body. It's just that while he was Daisuke his actions weren't the same. He would often behave like Daisuke but his motivations were Takeru's."
Yume tilted her head in thought. "So you still love him for who he is, yet it's different because outwardly he's not the same."
"Exactly," Hikari agreed. "I'd probably have a harder time of it if I hadn't been around digimon for much of life. I'm use to seeing the form change, but not the person." She then smirked. "Still confusing when I expect he would do one thing, and he does something else."
--
Sora and Taichi walked into Asuramon's chamber followed by their digimon.
"Are you sure you want to have your bodies switched?" Asuramon questioned.
"More so than the boys did," Taichi immediately replied. "I was born a girl and want to return to my real body."
Sora nodded firmly in agreement.
"Well, then we best prepare for the soul transfer," Asuramon intoned.
Agumon raised his paw. "I noticed when you switched the others, you were able change the partners with them."
"I did not change the partners. Apparently my soul transfer is more complete than what that Piemon used on you Chosen. The bonds you hold will not change with the body," Asuramon corrected.
"Is there anyway you keeps us with the body?" Agumon pressed, he pointed at the girl. "My true partner has always been Taichi."
"I'm afraid I do not know how to do that," Asuramon informed.
"Don't worry about it." Sora waved his concerns off. "This way we'll be able to keep your ability to become Ultimate plus, and when it's safe we can see Qinglongmon about switching you back to me."
"It's hardly like it will change anything," Piyomon added. "All of us are a family. When we stay on Earth, it'll still be the same place."
"'Sora the Chosen of Courage,'" Taichi laughed. "That may take a bit to get used to."
"Ha. Ha." Sora groused. "Like I appreciate being 'Taichi the Chosen of Love.'"
"Well if it wasn't for your love, Taichi, we wouldn't be parents now," Taichi commented.
"Let's get this over with. I want to finally be me again," Sora insisted.
"Hold hands and gaze intently at each other," Asuramon intoned.
The young parents did so. Both began to wonder how long this would take. Suddenly their vision turned white, causing them to blink their eyes clear. First they touched each other to make sure it was not a mirror between them, and then themselves.
"I'm a guy again!" Taichi cried out in joy.
Sora nodded, tears of joy threatening to leak out of her eyes.
As one they embraced each other and kissed each other deeply.
Agumon sighed at the sight. "Too bad we can't kiss like that."
Piyomon hugged him. "Oh, shush. There's still other things we're able to do. I hope when they have another child, I'll be the mother of their baby's partner."
Agumon smirked devilishly. "I'll certainly help with that."
--
The day was coming to an end as dusk was settling across the land. One could only count time by the passage of days for there was no sun nor moon, just clear sky that lit up on their own. While Sayuri and Yume found the lack of sun, moon or even stars unsettling, the elder Chosen took it in stride as yet another dimensional oddity as was Koushiro noting a day in this dimension was actually only twenty-two hours and six minutes. While those they had sent ahead had counted 372 days, it was actually about four weeks shorter. Still a temporal difference. If they wrapped everything up in a week's time here, they would've only been gone from Earth for only a day, assuming it was not the dimensional travel itself having an effect on time, then they may be gone for a much different amount of time.
"Nose, computer, out," Ayashi groused. "Can't you just enjoy being around friends without gluing yourself to that?" She motioned towards all the various Chosen and digimon that were enjoying dinner outside.
Koushiro blinked as he looked up at her. "Sorry, just trying to make sure we get back home WHEN we should."
"Huh?" Ayashi emitted.
"It may not be this dimension having a different time flow, it could be our method of getting here. Hopefully if we're done in a week, we'll be back Monday afternoon. However, if it's the dimensional travel that shifted time, we could find ourselves arriving home before we left or it could be months or even years from now," Koushiro explained sheepishly.
"You better make sure that's not the case, Ai is waiting for me," Taichi barked at him.
"I'm well aware if this gets screwed up, you and Sora will be the most upset," Koushiro returned.
"That's an understatement. I want to hold my daughter as her mother, not her father," Sora intoned.
A series of large cracking noises and explosions occurred to the north-east. Everyone's attentions was drawn to the source, where golden lights clashed with dark energy.
"Well, I guess that ends today's 'peace' council," Takeru quipped.
"Isn't that where Catherine is?" one of the Paris team members asked.
Hikari smirked. "I wouldn't worry about that. Mimi hates violence."
The streaks of gold and black suddenly ceased as towering vines lined with thorns shot from the ground.
"See?" Hikari added sheepishly.
Sora blinked. "Mimi achieve Ultimate?"
Takeru nodded. "In a manner different from us. She MERGED with Palmon to become a Rosemon."
"We've seen a Rosemon fight before, she was no where near that powerful," another Paris team member pointed out.
"Mimi is at a whole different power level in that merged state, I doubt Takeru and I could beat her together with Holy Dramon and Seraphimon," Hikari explained.
"She's probably on par with Omegamon," Takeru noted.
Taichi let out an amused laugh. "So the 'weakest' of the original eight is now the strongest by herself."
"I could still take her," Tailmon huffed.
Golden lights now flew toward the north and streaks of darkness to the south.
Rick from the Oklahoma team started to pile a plate overflowing with food, much to the confused looks of his sister and the others who had arrived yesterday.
They then blinked as Rosemon stood next to him holding Catherine and Floramon easily. She set the two down who both dizzily fell to their asses. Rosemon then shimmered to reveal Mimi and Palmon.
Mimi began to attack the assorted food on the table with ravenous abandon while Rick handed the plate to Palmon who opened her mouth wide and up ended the food down her throat.
The newly arrived Chosen could only stare in surprise and shock.
"Being Rosemon is a huge burden to her body and drains her energy immensely," Rick answered the unvoiced questions.
"You get use to it after a while," Takeru commented.
"She does this often?" Sora wondered.
"It's how she got the position of being the lead negotiator of the peace treaty. She scares them as she's has no particular weakness to either side's attacks and if not for her, we'd have never won that final battle," Hikari explained. "She took an attack to the face that would've killed Holy Dramon and then she promptly broke his jaw.
"I'm definitely going to want a full account of everything that happened here!" Koushiro called out.
"Once I edit my journals, I'll forward you a copy," Takeru replied.
"I hope you were all done eating, Mimi won't be leaving anything," Rick warned.
Catherine and Floramon quickly tried to get of some food before it could vanish.
Taichi shook his head. "Well, looks like the excitement has ended."
Sora nodded, and did not make a sound as he pulled her closer.
"Shall we go to bed?" Taichi asked her.
Sora smiled at him. "I want my proper honeymoon."
Taichi picked her up. "Oh, you sure are getting it."
Koushiro frowned at the couple as they ran off. "I don't know how they can do that."
"Do what?" Ayashi wondered.
"Be with each other. I tried with Miyako and it was just... too weird." Koushiro shuddered.
"You don't think about the body, but the person," Hikari explained. "The problem with you and Miyako was that you were both just friends."
Koushiro pouted. "Before the switch I had... thoughts about her. Being her and trying to do, well, ME, made me feel... narcissistic. That it would've been the ultimate masturbation. Then when we switched back she had become a sister. She knew things about me I didn't even know. I couldn't get past it."
"Lust is one thing, love is something else," Hikari pressed. "I know you can look beyond the body and into soul of the person you're with. That I could touch the one I love even when he wore my face because I knew it was him."
Takeru smiled weakly. "As curious as I was, I certainly don't want to repeat being a girl. Sex is different. I can't explain how, it just is."
Yume blushed as she pouted. "It bugs me hearing THAT voice talk about having sex."
Takeru smiled sheepishly. "Sorry."
Sayuri folded her arms. "I suppose you'll be sneaking off next."
Hikari shook her head. "Don't want to risk Iori remembering it. The longer into the switch, the easier it is to remember. While it should be safe, well..."
"Should be and is are two different things," Koushiro supplied.
Yume pointed at Takeru. "You slept with HIM last night?!"
Hikari blushed as she nodded. "Sorry. I had to know I could do it and so he would know I wouldn't leave him if he stays in that body."
"But what if you got pregnant?" Yume fretted.
"He will be the father, regardless of the body he wears. After all, even if they don't switch back, she might be pregnant right now with Daisuke's child," Sayuri bitterly spat out.
Hikari now frowned at her. "I'm sorry. It really is my fault this situation is as messed up as it is."
"Don't be. It's because of you I have the best chance of getting my boyfriend back the way I know him," Sayuri intoned.
A monstrous belch echoed loudly. Mimi blushed demurely. "Ah... excuse me."
Daisuke raised his hands, fingers spread. "Full ten points."
Steve from New York quickly raised his hands. "Ten from the American judge."
One of the Paris team members raised her hands. "Five points from France, poor form."
"Why'd you give her only five points?" Steve wondered.
"We didn't have a Russian judge," she replied jokingly.
Sayuri shook her head while others laughed.
--
With little to do the Chosen ended up starting up a game of football with Japan and Greece verses United States and France. While the children played, a few of their digimon took position as referees and the rest of the partners watched.
"When they said a pick-up game of football, I was expecting a different game," Rick groused in an annoyed tone.
"The U.S. calls it soccer, most of the world calls it football," Steve returned.
"It's a stupid game," Rick muttered, and received glares from some of the Japanese, French, and Grecian children.
Sayuri would've preferred to sit out, but with Sora and Taichi still 'busy' there was a lack of players. With the number of off-side penalties caused by the Americans, it was rather obvious while they knew the basics, get the ball into the goal and no hands, it was also clear they knew little of how to really play the game. The French children were quickly becoming annoyed at their teammates as the game was quickly going against them. Bringing in Taichi and Sora would be overkill. While Yume and herself knew the rules, their inexperience on the field helped make the game more even.
And with a score by Koushiro, even the Americans felt lacking in the game.
Ayashi smiled at him. "Didn't know you played."
"Well, the summer camp we were at when first became Chosen was functionally a _football_ camp," Koushiro told her with a grin. "My parents were trying to get me to do something other than computers."
Ayashi laughed. "Didn't help."
"We're really going to have to do something about these teams," one of the Paris team complained.
The game continued and Sayuri could tell Daisuke was holding back. When it was clear this was a lopsided match, he changed to being a defender. More than once he seemed ready to run down the field and attack the goal. Obviously football was something Motomiya could fully focus on.
Iori was about ready to start pulling grass. It was a rare moment in the game when the French players would lead an assault on the goal. He might've attacked the grass if not for Yume running around the field cheerfully, looking cuter than he could ever remember, and the way her shorts clung to her rear gave the boy thoughts he didn't think he would have in this body yet.
It did not escape the players as the game progress that their audience was growing. First a few plant digimon that tended the plants around the plantation, then some dark and some light digimon followed suit.
"What sort of combat is this?" an Angemon wondered.
"It's not combat, it's a game!" Daisuke chirped.
"Game?" was echoed by a few of those watching.
"Right! It's something we do for fun. We form two teams and try to score points by getting this ball into the opposing team's goal," Daisuke explained. "Best way to learn the game is by playing. You want to try?"
"It'd be child's play to beat those feather brains," a Devimon joked.
A D'Arcmon whirled on him. "Is that a challenge?"
"Well, we do have enough angels and devils to make it work," Takeru commented, keeping his distance from the dark digimon.
"You will guide us, won't you Lord Daisuke?" another Angemon requested.
Daisuke glanced at Takeru with a raised eyebrow. "Sure."
The thief from Greece grinned as he pointed at the dark digimon. "I'll be their coach."
"Okay, Japan will work with team Light, Greece will aid team Dark, and us French will handle being referees," one of the Paris members intoned.
"And what will us Americans do?" Steve wondered.
"Watch and learn how to play," was the sharp reply.
--
Mimi yawned as she managed to walk back to the plantation without having had to turn into Rosemon that day. The discussions didn't go smoothly, but they didn't degenerate into violence either.
"I wish we had pain killers here," Catherine bemoaned. "Dealing with those stubborn idiots is a constant migraine."
"Still better than fighting a war," Floramon returned.
"Yep!" Palmon agreed.
The four came to a stop and stared at the scene before them.
"They're playing football?" Catherine wondered aloud.
Mimi nodded dumbly.
Iori appeared nearby, as he had been hidden by some plants. "Oh, hi. You're back."
"How long has this been going on?" Palmon waved toward the game.
Iori's face was red for some reason. "Um, most of the day. They took over our game not long after lunch. They refuse to end the game until there is a winner, and last I checked it was still tied at two."
"What are you doing out here?" Mimi wondered.
Iori's face turned a deeper shade of red. "Nothing!"
"Yume, are you there?" Mimi asked.
"...Yes," the girl in questioned squeaked.
"Do keep your pants on. You don't want to rush into anything," Mimi advised.
Yume sat up slowly, adjusting her shirt, her face deep red. "No promises."
"You may want to go somewhere more private," Catherine added with a devilish grinned.
"It's not like I planned... this," Iori muttered out.
Yume stood up and brushed the dirt off the back of her shorts. "If Mimi's here, it's time for dinner."
Iori nodded. "Ah, right."
Catherine watched the young couple run off and her eyes once again locked onto the football game. "Does this give you any ideas?"
Mimi nodded. "Still don't think this is the way to settle differences, but a football game is better than gladiatorial combat to the death."
--