Digimon Adventure Chronicles II: Secrets Revealed

...chapter FOURTEEN – Cleansing and Family

The musical had just ended and the room was bustling with noise. The digimon were running around on the floor, acting out various scenes that had just watched. The children were discussing loudly different events as well.

“...and that's why I love it!” Yamato exclaimed. “They got away, but they end up dooming the world. Its not your typical happy ending, and I'm sick of them in love stories.”

“Well, was it a realistic representation of your race?” Angemon prodded.

“...you know as well as I do that digimon evolution and development is strongly influenced by human beliefs and mythology. The question should be if I'm accurate to that! I am not. What a stupid concept that a vegetable should have caused me harm!”

“Wouldn't it have been bad...” Hikari started. “If when Myotismon bit someone they became a vampire?”

“Would it even have been possible? Technically its a form of reproduction.” Ken said. “I'm not sure it would be compatible between a digital and biologic life form.”

“That didn't even happen in the digital world though.” Takeru said. “I'm sure that he had to bite creatures there and we don't have random vampiric digimon running around.”

Koushiro stood and stretched and finally shut off the projector. The blue on the screen faded and white appeared once more. “Alright.” He called. “I know that its getting late, and we're all wanting to be going home, but there's one last thing we've got to do.” He beckoned to Taichi, who stood as well.

“What a day this has been.” He started as all eyes fell upon him. “I never could have imagined when I rolled out of bed this morning and struggled to wake up my sister what would transpire soon thereafter. By now you are all aware of the newest addition we have taken into our ever growing family... We don't know why he's here, or what happened to make it so, but he says he doesn't want to harm us. I will admit that I especially was skeptical of this at first, but recent events have forced me to reconsider my standpoint on the subject at hand. Myotismon saved Ken's life, knowing very well he could have been killed in the process. Such sacrifice is not so easily falsified. I'm sorry for doubting you.”

Taichi looked towards Vamdemon and the rest children turned their gaze on him as well. He fought hard with the urge to turn away and hide. “Ken had an idea...” He started again and Vamdemon narrowed his eyes at the boy. “...that we should all get something for you that you could use during your new life with us. There are a lot of things you'd need to survive as a human and there was really no other way for you to get them if someone didn't give them to you. So, we each contributed to that mess over there.” He said pointing to the overflowing table. “I think you'll find that some of us got a little carried away,” He looked towards Yamato and Koushiro. “But I hope you will enjoy the luxuries they have provided nonetheless.”

Vamdemon shook his head slightly in amazement. His voice was shaky as he spoke. “I...I can't accept this...” The eyes of the children continued to stare at him. “I don't deserve it...”

Taichi smiled lightly “You do. You've proven that to me and I'm sure to the others as well, even if you can't see it yourself. You can consider them gifts of friendship and a promise of a happier time to come.”

Vamdemon shut his eyes as confused thoughts and bitter memories ran through his head He opened his mouth to speak but found that his voice failed him. He ran a hand through the top of his hair in a sign of frustration and nervousness. Angemon placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

“He's thankful.” Angemon said and Vamdemon nodded weakly.

Taichi grunted in acknowledgment. “Now...we've been trying to decide where to keep you. We're going to try a night at each of our places and see where best you fit in and who you are most comfortable around. For tonight you are going to come home with Kari and I.”

His eyes snapped open as he found his voice again. “Must I?” He demanded.
Angemon eyed him angrily.

“Yes, you must.” He said. “That is the decision that has been made and you are going to have to deal with it. Its only for one night.”

Vamdemon turned his head to stare at the angel. “But...” He attempted to argue but the look he received stopped him in his tracks.

“You will not be harmed.” Angemon said and looked towards Tailmon. Vamdemon followed his gaze hesitantly. As his eyes locked with hers she growled and turned away.

“Ah.” Taichi voiced quietly. He had been confused with Vamdemon's reaction momentarily. “I promise that as well. We won't hurt you again...”

“Right...” He muttered and stood hesitantly along with the rest of the children. They bid their farewells and headed to their respective cars.

Vamdemon followed Taichi and Hikari slowly, allowing them to walk up to ten feet ahead of him. He watched them put the huge number of bundles into the truck of the car in a daze. Hikari turned to him as he caught up.

“You'll sit up front, with Tai, okay?” She said gently. He nodded and approached the door. He opened it and climbed in, pulling the seatbelt over so that Taichi could buckle it for him. Hikari sat behind him, with Agumon and Tailmon beside her.

“I'm hungry.” The lizard complained as the car started moving.

“Why am I not surprised.” Taichi said lightly. “Home is only a little bit away, Agumon, so don't worry. I wonder what Mom's making for dinner anyway.”

“Steak and rice.” Hikari said absently.

Taichi raised an eyebrow. “How do you know?” He demanded.

“I just do.” She said and Taichi rolled his eyes.

“At least Myotismon can eat it. She always makes it so rare.”

“Yeah.” Hikari laughed. “And its plain enough that he'll have nothing to complain about, which you'll soon find out is one of his favorite hobbies.” She said as she poked his arm.

He growled when her finger jabbed against him. “Damn it, brat, that hurts!” He turned around in his seat awkwardly and glared at her. “Kindly keep your limbs to yourself.”

She laughed at his displeasure and Taichi smiled slightly. Hikari turned out the window and looked up at the moon. “Its up there again, Tai.”

“Kari, there is nothing in the sky...” He muttered.

“Yes there is! It looks like a serpent and its flying around the moon!” She insisted. Vamdemon turned around and gazed upwards into the night as well. “Can you see it?” She asked him.

“I do...” He said quietly.

Hikari glared at her brother. “I told you I wasn't seeing things!”

“Honestly I am quite surprised that you can see it...Hikari. I thought it was only visible to those who were...involved with its emergence.”

Hikari was quiet for a moment as she took in what he had said. “Those involved..?”

“Yes.” He said. “Those that brought about its appearance. We believed that it is here because of our actions and their negative impacts on the digital world...”

“What is it..?”

“As far as I know it has no name. That is temporary, of course... If it can someone be contained or captured its data can be scanned and its species revealed. All thats known about it is that its a killer. Digimon destroyed by it are not reconfigured...and since most can't see where it is, its especially deadly. Its motives are unclear...and it usually doesn't strike often, so it is unknown if there is some sort of pattern or relationship between its victims.”

“So is that our enemy then?” Taichi asked, looking at him momentarily.

Vamdemon paused. “Yes and no... It is a threat, surely...but I believe that if the one who caused the trouble in the digital world is destroyed this beast will cease its slayings”

They were silent for the rest of the drive. When the car halted, Taichi unbuckled Vamdemon's seatbelt before sliding out of the car and opening the trunk. He grabbed a handful of bags which he pushed into Agumon's eager arms, then another bunch to carry up himself. Hikari gathered a large number as well and Vamdemon gingerly took the few that remained with his uninjured arm. He peered into them slightly as he walked towards the apartment building, which Tailmon was climbing up instead of using the elevator.

“Curious as to what's inside?” Hikari asked teasingly.

“I am not.” He stated in an obvious lie. He followed them to the elevator he had been watching from his tree earlier that morning. They traveled upwards a number of stories before getting off. The approached a door that had a sign above that read 'Yagami'.

Hikari opened the door and a burst of warm air and a scent of cleanliness fell over the five of them. They entered and deposited the bangs on the the floor beside the couch as Tailmon scurried ahead and into Hikari's room. “Hey, mom!” She called as she kicked off her shoes.

“Good evening, Hikari.” The woman, Yuuko, said as she entered the room from the kitchen. “Ah, this is our guest then?” She asked as she watched Vamdemon place down his bundle of bags on the couch. He turned to her and stared. The woman's eyes narrowed at him, causing him to take on a fearful look and step backwards in surprise. “Hikari, dear, will you please finish dinner?”

“Eh, sure but what are you...”

Yuuko reached forward and pulled Vamdemon towards her by the front of his sweatshirt. “Taichi, a change of clothes for him please.” He reached into one of the bags and produced new materials. “Thank you. To answer your question, Hikari, he's getting a bath.”

“What!” Vamdemon asked incredibly. Hikari laughed as he tried to resist as her mother dragged him towards the bathroom. He sent Hikari a pitiful look as he disappeared behind the door.

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After removing the tag and crest from his pocket, Yuuko stripped Vamdemon of his clothing despite his boisterous sobs and pleading and forced him into a sitting position on the floor of the tub. He sat hunched forward and frozen in place as she turned on the tap to fill the basin with water. Gently she reached behind him and pulled the tie out of his hair causing it to fall and fan out in the water below. Her hand guided his hurt arm to a position at the side of the tub.

“Make sure you keep this out of the way.” She said gently as she poured a torrent of water out of a large cup over his head. His eyes shut tightly as the force of it flattened his bangs against his face. She shut off the water as it reached a level around the middle of his stomach then reached for a pink and blue bottle, opening it and pushing a large amount of the cream into her hand. She pulled the hair matted to his face back and began to work a lather. She watched in amusement when his body eased and his face took on a pleased look as she massaged his scalp and made her way down the long length of hair. Her smile grew wider as she wiped the pleasure from his features with another cup of water over his head.

After grabbing a different bottle and working the cream into his hair she didn't rinse it, to his relief. Instead she retrieved a washcloth and coated it with soap, proceeding to scrub him down. He watched in awe as layers of dirt he hadn't realized was there fell off and into the water. She threw it down and released the drain, allowing the muddy water to slide away. The shower head kicked on and rained over his body, rinsing the conditioner from his hair and remaining dirt from the tub. He remained still as she pulled him up, toweled him dry, and dressed him in the new clothing. His face was an incredible shade of red as he stepped out of the small prison in a daze.

“Thanks, Hikari.” Yuuko said as she forced Vamdemon into a chair and ran a comb through his hair. It took ten minutes alone to tug the knots out, and another five to work the hair into a long, thin braid.

“Not a problem.” Hikari said as she set down plates in front of each chair. Most of the meat was well done, but two were quite rare for her mother and Vamdemon, who was staring at the sliced flesh with obvious longing.

He waited until Taichi, Tailmon, Hikari, Agumon, and Yuuko were all seated and eating before doing so himself. He ate slowly, savoring the familiar taste of the meat. Despite having started late, he finished early, and after bringing his plate to the sink he returned to the living room and began poking through the bags, now curious as to what he had received.

Clothing, sunblock, a gaming system, a laptop, and an mp3 player were just a few of the things he discovered inside.

“This is ridiculous.” He said quietly as Hikari sat beside him on the couch. “I don't need all this stuff...”

“Of course you don't.” She said with slight jealousy. “But once you start using it all you won't be able to imagine life without it.”

Vamdemon stifled a yawn as weariness once more took hold of him. Hikari sighed. “I'm afraid you'll have to sleep on the couch. We don't have much room here.”

“That's fine.” He said. “I'm used to sleeping in a coffin, and recently up trees... I'll be alright.”

She nodded slowly. “I'll get you a blanket.” she said, standing and heading towards a closet. She returned and draped the heavy cloth over his body, which was now laid across the couch. “I'm sorry about my mom...” She said.

He stared at her with mixed emotions then shook his head. “It was necessary...and I couldn't have done it on my own... I...I'm just not used to someone taking care of me...not used to someone being around me and so close to me...and...and not...” He trailed off and shook his head. “Never mind... I'm fine...”

“Alright then...” Hikari said, slightly confused. “I'll see you in the morning...”

Vamdemon nodded and shut his eyes, and within moments was unpeacefully sleeping.