Digimon Adventure Chronicles II: Secrets Revealed

...chapter SEVEN ~ Departure and Arrival

Hikari and Koushiro moved towards his car, which Vamdemon was already leaning against.

“How long is this...outing.” He asked harshly, though not meaning to convey any anger.

Koushiro sent him a sympathetic smile as he moved past him and opened the rear passenger door, signaling for him to get in. He did.

“Well..?” He pressed as Koushiro pushed in the seatbelt beside him.

“Long.” Kari said for him, getting into the passenger seat in the front.

Vamdemon sighed in frustration at her evasion. “HOW long?”

“Seven or eight hours...at least.” She said quietly, hoping not to anger him again.

“Great.” He growled. “Pray tell, what does this trip involve?”

“Shopping.” She said. “And food.” Koushiro pressed. Vamdemon rolled his eyes.

“And a play! Well, if we have time that is...” Hikari said, remembering the show they were to see that evening. “A musical actually.” Koushiro corrected.

“Wonderful.”

“You might actually like it.” He said as he started the car.

“What is there to like about a bunch of idiots dancing poorly on a stage.” Vandemon grumbled.

“Well, they are a bunch of graceful idiots...I think. At least that's what Yamato said when he told us about it. He said the production is great, dancing and singing, and it's in it's native language too! Its a DVD though, not live... But it's German. Though I don't know a lot of the language... At least he gave us translated scores.” Her ramble had finished.

“They should be accurate. I ran it through an on line translator and it seems to check out, though, reading the booklets we'll be missing the action on the T.V. Could always rewind I guess.” Koushiro grinned. “Either way I'm excited about it.”

Hikari turned around in her seat to face Vandemon who promptly glared at her. “I've always wondered how many languages Digimon know. You seem well educated... Do you speak German?” She asked.

“I know enough to best you.” He said smugly.

She rolled her eyes as the car came to a halt. Koushiro sounded the horn twice and the door to house opened. Ken's head could be seen peeking out from the open door. He disappeared for a moment before the door swung open. He quickly closed it and ran towards the car.

“My side.” Koushiro called out the window.

The car door opened and Ken spilled himself inside, hands already shaking from the little cold he had been exposed to. He deposited two bundles next to him before twisting into his seat belt.

“It's freezing!” He said through chattering teeth, trying to warm his hands. Koushiro turned the heaters higher.

Vamdemon watched the boy intently, unsure of how to act in the boy's presence.

“Who's this” Ken asked as the car once again began movement.

“A friend of ours.” Hikari said.

“Well yeah...I kind of figured that.” He laughed.

“Derek.”

Kari and Koushiro looked surprised for a moment but went with it.

“Well, Derek, it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ken; Ken Ichijouji.” Ken said pleasantly with a smile.

“A pleasure as well.” Vamdemon said softly and averted his gaze.

“He's a transfer student.” Koushiro stated, building up the lie.

“Really? Where are you from?” Ken asked, but received no answer from Vamdemon.

“He's from Germany.” Koushiro said, drawing on the language they had been discussing earlier.

“And he's really shy.” Hikari teased.

Vandemon almost yelled at her, but bit back his words, deciding instead to go with the false personality instead of explaining his existence to his former puppet.

“That's alright.” Ken said, finally sitting comfortably against the seat. “I was shy for the longest time when I was younger, and even more so after the digimon incident, but I'm starting to grow out of it...oh...” He paused, turning his head towards Vamdemon. “Do you know about digimon, Derek?”

“I do.” He said, staring at the back of the seat in front of him. Hikari gave him a look of warning.

“But of course.” Ken said, unsuspecting. “Most people do these days after the trouble you know who caused.” He looked back to Hikari, missing entirely a quizzical look Vamdemon sent his way. “Can I let him out?”

“Well...” She started, unsure. “Go ahead.” Koushiro affirmed, peering in the rear view mirror at him and knowing Hikari took too long to decide what to do sometimes.

Ken smiled and reached towards a bag he had brought with him. “Thanks. I'm sure he'll be glad to get some fresh air on the way.” He released a clasp and pulled back a zipper, revealing two turquoise eyes. A green head popped out of the bag.

“Hey, Wormmon!” Hikari chirped from the front.

“We're there already?” It asked, a hint of confusion evident in its voice.

“No, buddy, we've got a ways to go.” Ken said gently. “I just figured you might prefer some air instead of being stuffed in a bag.”

“Thanks!” Wormmon exclaimed happily, sapphire eyes dancing with delight.

Ken smiled and pointed to Vamdemon. “Wormmon, this is Derek. He's a friend of Kari's, here from Germany.”

“Hello.” Wormmon said humbly, staring at the new person. Vamdemon turned to the small digimon and nodded his head in acknowledgment but remained silent, unsure of how to react to such a cheerful creature. Wormmon pulled himself out of the bag and moved towards Vamdemon, staring into similar blue eyes from his new position.

“Wormmon, don't be rude.” Ken said, confused with his partners behavior.

“I'm sorry, Ken.” Wormmon said softly, moving even closer to Vamdemon. “I don't mean to be.”

“What is it doing...” Vamdemon asked, unsure if the digimon was acting as it normally should.

“He's watching you, I guess.” Ken said. “He does it with all new people. Judges there personality or something like that. There's really nothing I can do...I apologize.”

“Don't.” He said, turning back to the seat he previously stared at. “It isn't a big deal.” He said softer, correcting his previous tone. “I'm used to being stared at. I'm an unusual person.”

“I don't think so.” The worm said softly, drawing Vamdemon's gaze once more. “I like you.”

Vamdemon raised an eyebrow in sheer curiosity. “You have a kind, gentle aura, just like Ken.” Wormmon said, finally closing the gap between them and pushed himself against Vamdemon's leg, eyes closed contently.

He almost laughed out loud, but was able to refrain, especially under a stern look from Hikari. “I couldn't say..” He said, unable to pry his eyes off of the digimon, who seemed to be emitting essence of happiness. “...most don't say much about me but negative things. Even when I was a child I was told how much of a disappointment I was to the community.”

“I see.” Ken said. “Well...people can be terrible sometimes. No, I would say most of the time. People are so cruel to one another, but there are gems out there. You've just got to be patient enough to find them.” Ken said with a smile. He turned to look out the window. Wormmon, eyes open, followed his gaze.

“Ooh....it's snowing!” He exclaimed with glee, watching the small flakes fall to the ground.

“Again?” Koushiro groaned. “It's never going to stop!”

“We'll have to have a snowball fight later!” Kari said with equal excitement. “It's best when theres fresh snow on the ground!”

“But we just had fresh snow a few hours ago.” Koushiro said.

“I'll evolve and beat you!” Wormmon exclaimed, a look of determination in his eyes.

“That's not fair, Wormmon!” She said with a laugh.

“Yeah, that's cheating.” Ken agreed, also finding the situation humorous. Vamdemon had long since turned towards his window, having taken on a stoic look.

“Besides,” Koushiro voiced, “If you evolve, then Veemon will, and Hawkmon...and Armadillomon...and all the rest of you youngsters. That sure would draw a crowd around a home.”

“I guess so.” The small digimon agreed. “But it would be fun.” He looked up at Vamdemon, who was still staring out his window. “...Derek, are you alright?” It asked with a saddened voice. Vamdemon's attention snapped to the little worm. He stayed silent for a few moments.

“...I'm fine.” He said quietly. “Don't worry about me.” His voice held a degree of contempt that only Hikari seemed to notice. She sent another look his way that said 'behave'. “I was just daydreaming, I guess...” He said trailing off and returning his gaze to the window.

Hikari sighed, and leaned towards Ken to say quietly, “Like I said, shy...” He nodded in agreement.

The rest of the trip was fairly quiet. Wormmon had climbed onto Vamdemon's lap. His arm had involuntarily wrapped around the little digimon and his hand had come to rest on it's side. The two had fallen asleep. Hikari found the site both amusing and sweet, and fought the urge to tease the ex vampire. Ken had shifted to look out his window as the snow created another inch thick veil on the ground. Koushiro, of course, continued to drive, glaring hatefully at the snow the entire ride.

As they pulled into the first of many parking lots Hikari turned around as she had been earlier. “I love this mall,” She said, stretching, “It's only downside is that it's so far away.”

“Agreed.” Ken said, looking at his sleeping digimon.

“Cute, isn't it?” Hikari asked.

“I suppose, but more so odd, actually. It's not like him.” Ken said slowly. “Sure, he can judge a person, and he's overly trusting, but he usually doesn't warm up to someone enough to sit in their lap.”

“Well, there's a first time for everything.” She said as she reached forwards and pushed roughly against Vamdemon's leg, which twitched slightly. She pushed him again, but harder, causing him to jump slightly. Eyes fluttered open as he inhaled a deep breath. He stared at her groggily.

“We're there.” She stated, amused at his disheveled look.

“Mhm.” He mumbled unintelligibly. “Wonderful.” He said sarcastically, voice quiet and rasp from disuse. He glanced downwards at the green worm in his lap, adopting a displeased look, then back at Kari. She smiled, and he rolled his eyes. He poked Wormmon with his good hand, waking the small creature.

“We're there!” Kari exclaimed loudly, causing Vamdemon to glare at her. Wormmon's sleepy look vanished in an instant, replaced with one of excitement.

“The place is pretty crowded.” Koushiro stated, having finally parked the car. Vamdemon let out a groan. Ken looked amused.

“Oh hush,” Kari said. “It won't be that bad, not everyone will be in the walkways. They came here to shop, after all.”

“Uh huh.” He said, trying his best to ignore her. Wormmon slid himself off his lap and stretched across the car seat. Koushiro opened Vamdemon's door and undid his seatbelt. He lid himself out and Wormmon had moved quietly towards the edge of the seat by the door where Vamdemon exited. Ken came around to the other side with Hikari.

“Here, Wormmon.” Ken squatted next to the opening so the digimon could get in his arms. Instead it jumped on his head and traveled down his back, from which point it jumped onto the loose hair of Vamdemon and climbed up to a point by his shoulder. It pushed it's head against the perturbed creature.

“No thanks, Ken.” Wormmon said, happy as ever. “I want to go with Derek!”

“Okay...” Ken said softly, slightly jealous and stood.

“Don't take it personally.” Hikari said to Ken, constantly amused at Wormmon's strange behavior. “Gatomon does stuff like that all the time. Seems he's just a real people-creature after all, just like she is.”

“I guess so...” He agreed, feeling slightly better.

“Speaking of,” She said, “Tai better have brought her.”

“You mean the fur ball is going to be here too?” Vamdemon said angrily, still glaring backwards at Wormmon. Kari narrowed his eyes at him.

“Yes, GATOMON is going to be here.” She said sternly. “And your just going to have to deal with it.”

Ken had a perplexed look on his face. Koushiro looked strained.

“Whatever.” Vamdemon growled, turning his glare on her. “ Just keep the brat traitor away from me.”

“HEY!” She yelled, “Don't you start you -”

“Cut it out, both of you.” Koushiro interrupted with a booming voice. “Please, no one wants to hear you two arguing. Your acting like children, the two of you.”

Vamdemon huffed while Kari bowed her head.

“Sorry...” She said. “I'll behave if he does.”

“Don't talk to me then and there won't be a problem.” He spat.

“Fine, I WON'T.” She said loudly and took off towards the building in the distance.

“What just happened?” Ken asked the two remaining males in a daze.

“She's PMSing.” Vamdemon said with a smirk, more at ease with the child of light far away from.

Koushiro glared at him. Vamdemon ignored the look, turning away.

“I thought they were friends...” Ken said, watching Vamdemon with amazement.

“He said it himself, didn't he? Derek's an odd ball, that's all. He's shy, but he can also be an asshole. I guess it's a love-hate relationship.” He said, watching for a reaction. It consisted of a growl and a glare. Koushiro sighed in frustration as he watched Vamdemon had take off in the direction Hikari had gone, Wormmon still holding on to his hair.

“Oh boy...” Ken muttered, watching his form grow smaller.

“Couldn't have said it better myself.” Koushiro said “Hey, at least it'll be interesting to see what happens.” Koushiro said, trying to be enthusiastic. Ken nodded, and they started walking.