Yuka still couldn't believe that Chika, Ikuto, and Takaishi-sensei were going out on a mission together. Takashi-sensei was supposed to be her teacher, and now they were stuck with the horrible horrible Makino-sensei for everything! Also, for some odd reason Chika, Ikuto-nii, and Takaishi-sensei were giving each other odd looks, and it was weird. It kinda reminded her of how Masaru-niisan and Yoshino-neechan looked at each other sometimes... but that couldn't be it. That would just be...

Either way, it was probably a good idea for her to get back to her pizza, since it was the last night before they had to leave. Ikuto-nii had taken all of them out for pizza tonight. Both the humans and the digimon alike were sitting at a large table.

“But why do you have to leave us with Makino-sensei!?” Tsukaimon exclaimed, keeping his face out of his food for a moment. “She's nuts and makes us fight against her Renamon's Perfect and Ultimate forms! I'm still hurting from that!”

Takaishi-sensei and Patamon laughed. “Sounds just like her!” Patamon commented before taking a bite out of pizza.

Yuka just stared at her teacher's partner.

“Don't worry about it Yuka. Ruki might be strict, but under her you're going to have the best chances of passing the test,” Takaishi-sensei said. “Especially with the amount of time you have left.”

Chika-neechan and Ikuto-nii didn't really look too happy about that. Why did everyone she know not want her to become a DATS Agent? Most of them were DATS Agents!

Falcomon sighed. “You really are in good hands Yuka. When you pass I'll have to get you some new Kunai.”

Chika glared at Falcomon and Yuka saw her brother wrap an arm around her waist. Chika blushed and moved his arm away and Ikuto-nii frowned.

Oh well, at least someone seemed to be supporting her.

Piyomon swallowed a bite of his food, then turned to look at her. “Good luck on your test if we don't make it back in time.”

Yuka frowned. Why did the three of them have to go on mission now? “Oh, don't worry, I'll pass.” She said, with a confidence that she really would've only felt if her older sibling and sibling figures actually supported her. “Anyway, good luck on the mission.”

Chika smiled. “Thank you Yuka.”

Yuka looked own at her plate. “Do you guys think Relena's going to be okay?” she asked.

Ikuto sighed and shook his head. “I'm not sure Yuka. We don't even know where she is right now.”

Yuka didn't say anything for a moment. “I see. What if she attacks you guys? Is she...” She couldn't even bring herself to ask it. How do you ask your siblings if they were going to kill a friend of yours? ... Although Relena wasn't really a friend, it was still hard to ask.

“Don't even think about asking something like that!” Chika shouted. Yuka didn't know she was being that obvious, but at least she had an answer now. “I won't let that happen no matter what, and neither will Touma.”

Yuka smiled. “Thank you,” she said in a small voice.

Before she knew it, she suddenly had Tsukaimon on top of her and licking her face. “Tsukaimon!” Yuka shouted with a giggle. “Stop that!”

Tsukaimon smiled at that. “I don't like you all mopey!”

Yuka just stared at him for a moment before the small digimon licked the side of her face again.

Everyone laughed, and for a moment Yuka forgot about what she had just thought.

.o0o.

Broken Dreams

Written by Custom_Magnum

Chapter 24: Prelude to...

.o0o.

Chika sighed as the three of them put their bags on the floor of the private cabin on the transport ship. Chika didn't know who set this up, but once she found out? There was going to be hell to pay.

... Okay, so no, there wasn't. It was a pretty nice cabin, if a little spartan. But still, she'd be sharing it with Takeru and Ikuto. After what had happened between them already, she didn't know if she could handle it.

Or rather, she didn't know if she could say no this time if the three of them got a little too close. What they had asked about before? She was really tempted to go along with it, she still was. But that... no... she...

Chika shook her head and noticed that Patamon, Falcomon, and Piyomon were out of cabin now, and Ikuto and Takeru were sitting on a nearby couch, both of them having a can of coke in their hands. Chika looked down at the bottom of the couch and noticed that there was a mini-fridge there. She took a deep breath and walked over to it, taking out a can of soda herself before moving over to the couch and sitting in between the two of them. “So... it's back to Yokohoma again. While I was just there... it's different this time. We're not going to be hiding who we are.”

Takeru and Ikuto looked over at her worriedly. “Are you alright Chika-chan?” Takeru asked.

Chika nodded. “Yeah, I'll be fine.” She opened the can and took a small sip. “It's just, besides that small amount of time with Yuka and Relena to get to File Island, the last time we were at Yokohoma was when we were kicked out due to the Nightmare Soldiers' attack.”

Ikuto and Takeru both moved closer to her and soon each of them had one arm wrapped around her waist. “Takeru-kun! Ikuto-kun! I... thanks...” It made her feel a little bit better.

“It's okay,” Ikuto said, placing his drink on the top of the fridge, and soon Chika and Takeru's joined his. “I don't like remembering that either. Anywhere near that time...”

Takeru nodded. “The only good thing I could even think of happening back then was when Chika and I met Yuma...”

Chika's eyes widened at that and she... well, made sure to try to not cry. She wasn't friends with the other girl at first, jealous of her like hell actually. When Chika had first met Yuma, she was kinda obviously trying to get Ikuto's attention romantically and Chika hated that. Of course, that's probably how it felt to Ikuto with her interactions with Takeru. She sighed. “How did you two even decided you guys wanted me and each other in the first place? I mean... Ikuto was jealous of you at first, just like I was of Yuma... and...”

Takeru smirked. “Oh, well, we first realized that we were bi that time we took that vacation to Okinawa before...” He said, his smirk fading into a frown as he stopped speaking.

Chika sighed. That vacation. Right before she had been captured by Kurata and turned into a bio-hybrid. Well, other than it being right before then, that was kinda fun. Getting Takeru and Ikuto into itty-bitty speedos by bribing them with her in a skimpy bikini was a memory that she would never forget, ever. “I see... that was kinda fun actually.”

Ikuto giggled at that. “Well, both of us being so eager to do that kinda tipped us off to that.”

Chika blushed. So basically the whole threesome idea was entirely her fault... and for some reason she felt happy about that. But still, it probably wasn't fair to them to do that because she couldn't figure out who she loved more. It was wrong... wasn't it?

Chika felt both of the boys press their bodies closer to her and soon she was in the middle of a hug between both of them. “Guys!”

“What?” Takeru asked, his mouth close to her ear. “We're just giving you a hug because you're upset.”

Chika shivered at that. “No you're not!” she said. “You're trying to tempt me!”

Ikuto smirked. “Is it working?”

Chika pouted. “No!” Actually, yes, but they really didn't need to know that. She didn't want to make things worse for them than they really already were.

Takeru chuckled and pulled away. “Well, if you say so.”

Chika pouted at him. “Yes, I say so!” She shouted... before she burst into giggles as well. “Sorry, sorry... It's just... I'm not really sure what I want right now, you know?”

Ikuto nodded. “We understand, right Takeru?”

Takeru nodded and got off the couch. “Yeah. I do. More than you two know.” He paused for a moment. “Sorry, I'm going to go get some fresh air.” And with that, Takeru left the room.

Chika stared where he was a moment ago before turning back to Ikuto. “What the... Ikuto, do you know what's wrong with him?”

Ikuto shook his head. “I have no idea.”

Chika frowned and got to her feet. “Come on, we have to follow him and see what's wrong.” And with that she ran out of the door.

.o0o.

Yuka took a deep breath, her eyes shut closed. It had been only a few hours since Chika and Ikuto had left, and she was already missing them. She had no idea why it should feel still feel this way, it wasn't like the two of them hadn't gone on missions and left her behind before...

There was a blast of lightning shooting towards her, she could feel it. Yuka's eyes snapped open and she jumped back, the blast crashing harmlessly in front of her. She glared in the direction the lightning had come from.

“Now isn't the time to day dream Yuka-chan!” Makoto teased, Wizarmon standing next to him with his staff pointed in her direction.

Yuka glared again and clenched her fist. At the same time Devidramon charged down from the sky and slammed into Wizarmon, knocking him over. Makoto seemed to actually be shocked at that. “You're not the who can have their partner sneak attack,” she taunted.

Makoto grinned. “Go on Wizarmon! Show that dragon who's stronger!”

“You got it!” Wizarmon shouted, blasting Devidramon in the face with a blast of lightning.

Devidramon roared and dodged the blast as his eyes began to glow red. “Red Eye!” he shouted, four beams of energy shooting out of his eyes at Wizarmon, who just blocked them with a magic shield.

Yuka just looked over at Makoto and grinned. She saw him blink at her... and then she charged at him, resisting the urge to giggle at his shocked reaction. She pulled her fist back and as soon as she got in range she threw her first forward...

... Only for Makoto to frantically jump back, looking over at Yuka in shock.”What the hell are you doing!?”

This time Yuka did laugh. “Are we going to let our partner's have all the fun?”

Makoto just stared at her. “But you're a girl! I can't hit you!”

Yuka just stared at Makoto for a moment, before running over to him and punching him in the stomach. With digisoul flared around her fist.

Makoto doubled over and let out a gasp. “What...”

“It serves you right Mako-chan!” Ai taunted, walking closer to the two of them.

Yuka was surprised. She didn't even realize that Ai was there at all. She turned to the older girl and pulled her fist out of Makoto's gut. “Hey Ai! How are you?” she asked with a smile.

Ai smiled back. “I'm fine! Thanks for showing Mako-chan why he's an idiot.”

Yuka giggled. “No problem.” She was about to ask the other girl if she wanted to join in the brawl... except it was at that moment that she realized Ai was wearing a pretty looking dress. It seemed to hug the girl's body, and for some reason Yuka couldn't think of anything to say seeing her in it.

Ai just giggled, while Makoto looked between both Ai and Yuka. “What...?”

Yuka shook her head, her brain starting to work again. “Why are you in that?”

Ai giggled again. “It's a day off for us silly. I can't believe you two actually want to fight today, even if Mako-chan needed to have something pointed out for him.”

Yuka blushed. “I like it.”

“The dress or the fighting?” Ai asked.

Yuka blushed even more. “Both,” she said... almost not realizing what she said.

Ai smiled and moved closer to Yuka. “Well, maybe you should take a break from fighting for the day.”

Wizarmon and Devidramon blasted each other with their attacks, both of which canceled each other out. The two digimon seemed to be ignoring the conversation going on around them... if they had even heard it in the first place.

Yuka pouted. “But I like fighting!”

Ai sighed. “Yeah, but we're going to have to fight Makino-sensei all the time until the test.”

Yuka paled. She had kinda forgotten about that once Makoto and Wizarmon had challenged her. “But what should we do then?

Ai smiled. “I'm sure the two of us could think of something!” She smirked.

Makoto looked annoyed. “What about me?”

The two girls turned to look over at Makoto. “Sorry Mako-chan, but I think Yuka and I need some girl time!”

Makoto sputtered. “Ai!? I don't need to...”

Ai glared at her brother before smacking him on the head. “Nothing like that!”

Yuka blinked, before blushing as she realized what Makoto was saying. She? Ai? That? She glared at the boy. “Perv!”

Makoto looked over at them in shock.

Yuka turned to Ai. “Let's go leave this... thing here.”

Ai just nodded.

Yuka then turned to her partner. “Come on Devidramon! We're leaving!”

Devidramon broke away from Wizarmon, and flew over to Yuka before devolving. Tsukaimon then flew into Yuuka's arms. “Where we going?”

Yuka smiled. “I'm not sure yet, but I'm sure we'll have fun with Ai!” she turned to the older girl. “You ready?”

Ai nodded and smiled widely, wrapping her arm around Yuka's waist. “Come on, Yuka-chan!”

Yuka blushed. She should've felt annoyed at being called “-chan”, but if anything she felt happy. What the hell?

Tsuakimon giggled as he and Yuka were lead into the shopping district by the older girl.

.o0o.

Chika couldn't believe that Takeru-kun was acting like this. This wasn't like him at all. For as long as she could remember, Takeru had always been a pillar of strength, him and Ikuto both. When they used to go on missions together, it was always her that was scared, she who had a harder time fighting against people.

It was she who couldn't keep up.

But now Takeru did something like this, and Chika didn't know what to think. The only thing that did come to her mind right now is that she had been so wrapped up in her own angst and problems that she didn't noticed that one of her best friends had something going on as well. She shook her head and scanned the deck of the ship. She could beat herself up over THIS mistake later. Right now she needed to find Takeru-kun and find out what was wrong. That's all that mattered at the moment.

“How can he slip away from us on this tiny of a ship?” Ikuto asked.

Chika turned around and looked over at Ikuto. “I don't know, but do you have any idea what's wrong with him?”

Ikuto shook his head. “No. And he tells me lots of stuff.”

Chika frowned. If even Ikuto didn't know anything... than there was a good chance that even if they found Takeru before the ship landed and they didn't have time to find out what's wrong, he might not tell them anyway. But there was no way that she was going to stand for that. He was going to get help with whatever was bothering him, no matter how much he decided he didn't want it.

Chika turned around again, and this time she saw Takeru leaning on the railing of the ship, Patamon by his side. “Ikuto-kun! I found him!” Chika shouted, turning around briefly and grabbing Ikuto by the wrist and pulling him over towards Takeru. When they finally got close to him, she let go and wrapped her arms around Takeru from behind. “Don't worry us like that again Takeru-kun, okay?”

Takeru didn't say anything for a moment, and Chika thought that maybe she was being too forward considering it was her who had decided that she couldn't do what Ikuto and him wanted... but Takeru's hand soon found itself on one of hers and gave it a quick squeeze.

Chika smiled at that and pressed herself into his back for a moment before pulling away. “What's wrong, Takeru-kun?” she asked.

Takeru turned to face her and sighed. “It's just... this mission,” he said.

Patamon, Ikuto, and Chika all frowned at him. “What do you mean?” Ikuto asked.

Takeru turned away again and slouched forward. “We're going to Yokohoma to assassinate three of the leaders of the Virus Busters,” he answered. “No matter if we succeed or not, this will explode out into open war between DATS and the Virus Busters.”

“But it already got to that point when the Virus Busters teamed up with Kurata!” Ikuto exclaimed.

Chika just grabbed the Ikuto's hand in his own and looked over at Takeru. “Ikuto's right Takeru-kun,” she began. “It's going to go that way anyway.”

Patamon shook his head. “That's just the thing. We all know that there's a good chance that Dominimon was acting on his own with that, yet...”

Chika frowned. If what Patamon and Takeru were saying was true, then what they were going to do would end up erupting the world into war. “But Commander Satsuma wouldn't order us to do something like this if he didn't have information that the Virus Busters were working with Kurata. And they took Relena and are occupying Yokohoma, in case you forgot. That gives us enough reason to act against them.”

“Having the sister of a specific member of the medical staff is different from assassinating three leaders of an army,” Takeru pointed out as he turned to face them. “I just think that it would be better for us if we didn't decide to make sure that the Virus Busters become our enemy until one of us is completely destroyed if there's no reason too. Sure, they go overboard, as Dominimon proved, but as it is now we could be sparking a war for no reason.”

Chika frowned and looked down at her hands. What Takeru was saying did make some sense. If they killed Seraphimon, Cherubimon, and Ophanimon... so many people would die.

Ikuto just shook his head. “We'll just find out when get to Yokohoma then!”

Chika blinked. “But Ikuto-kun, we're supposed to kill them. If they know we're there they'll probably leave the city.”

“Then we'll be sneaky about it,” Ikuto said. “Distracting the Virus Busters is what the army attacking is for, right?”

Chika frowned for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah, we'll liberate Yokohoma and find out if we need to do this to the leaders in the first place.”

Takeru sighed and turned to Patamon. “I just hope things don't turn out as bad as I fear.”

Chika just pouted at that, and hugged him again.

… But it wasn't going to be long now, she could already Yokohoma in the distance.

.o0o.

Yuka frowned as Ai dragged her from clothing store to clothing store, getting her to somehow try on several dresses and skirts in the process. “Do we really have to keep shopping like this?” she asked. Today alone Ai had somehow gotten her to buy two dresses and a pink shirt and green skirt for a total of three different outfits. That was more than she bought herself in a month!

Ai just turned and smiled over at her. “Of course! You act like you haven't gone shopping in like forever!”

That was because she practically hadn't, but Yuka had a feeling that actually telling Ai that would be somewhere on the 'not-smart' list of things to do. She pouted instead. “But I”m almost out of money!” Which was true. She had far overspent the money she had ever decided to spend on clothing.

Ai frowned and sighed. “Okay, you win. I'll pay for this and we'll get going.” She said, holding up a girly girly looking dress.

Score one for Yuka!

Ai flitted up to the counter and started waiting on the line.

Yuka fidgeted, bouncing on her feet. She couldn't wait to get out of this place. There were WAY too many dresses around her for her tastes. In a few moments, Ai came back to her, a new bag in her hands. “Okay Yuka-chan. I'm ready to go.”

Yuka blushed and started walking with Ai out of the clothing store. Outside, people were going among their business, what looked like thousands of people were shopping for things they needed or didn't need but wanted or demanded anyway. There were time swheh Yuka thought she actually understood what her mom and the older agents meant when they they thought that it was hard to tell that they were on a military base. Then again, just because this was where the base was located didn't mean there weren't civilians.

“Do you think we're ready for the test Ai?” Yuka asked.

Ai stopped walking for a moment and looked over at her. “Of course we'll be ready! But I don't think acting like that suits you though.”

Yuka blinked. “What do you mean?”

“You should be more optimistic about things!” Ai said. “With you making our plans, we'll be fine. If anything I should be the mopey self-doubting one!”

Yuka gasped at that. “No, you shouldn't! You're just as awesome as I am!”

Ai giggled. “Thanks Yuka-chan. That means a lot.”

Yuka nodded. “You're welcome.”

And then Yuka saw something in the window behind Ai, and before the other girl would've known it, Yuka was running over to get a look at it. It was a sword. A massive, shiny, well made sword.

Yuka felt like... she didn't know what she felt like, but she knew that she needed that blade... at least until she got a look at the price tag. It cost way too much for her to afford. Even if she did pass and become a DATS agent, it would probably cost a few months pay at the least.

Ai came up next to her and looked at the sword. “That's... expensive.”

Yuka could just nod sadly.

Ai seemed to notice, and put a hand on the younger girl's shoulder. “Come on, I'm sure you'll be able to get it eventually.”

Yuka wasn't cheered up by that, even if she saw Ai take a closer look at it. The next moment, Yuka felt herself grabbed by the arm and wondering where Tsukaimon had gone off to as she was dragged away over to a nearby bench. “So...” Ai began as she let go of Yuka's arm. “Disappointment on not being able to go buy that sword aside, did you have fun?”

Yuka nodded. “Yeah, I did. It's weird though, shopping's not my idea of fun.”

Ai giggled, and Yuka noticed that her cheeks were tinged red. “I'm glad,” the older girl said, moving a little closer to Yuka.

Yuka blinked.

And then Ai's lips were pressed against hers and Yuka's eyes widened and what the heck?

Yuka dropped her bags as Ai pulled her closer and broke the kiss.

Yuka blinked. Her first kiss. And she didn't even do anything! She just stood there like an idiot!

… Oh, and Yuka figured that she should probably be upset with Ai for stealing her first kiss, but all she could think of was 'that was why Relena and Takuya were making out in public.”

Ai's blush deepened. “Sorry... I...”

Yuka shook her head and moved forward, pressing her lips against Ai's again.

The could figure out the other things later.