Just one more day....

"It's to dangerous to follow like that. I know where the nest is." Kemba said firmly. "I can take us there, we can rescue Dan." Theos smiled in relief there was hope yet. "I want to have the same promise you do, to protect Dan....and.....and...." Theos cocked his head as Kemba stuttered. "I want to always be by your side....for now and forever...Captain....you are truly very important to me. You have restored me to how I used to be. You've taken away my darkness and become my light. In my village, a weapon digimon is to one day choose a partner to be used by them. It's our purpose...Theos, I choose you. My body and soul are yours to use however you like. Your aspirations will be my aspirations. So...I swear on my life, I will rescue Dan....we will rescue Dan...then....we will join W.A.D.A." Theos smiled softly at his declaration. Something told is this was the ultimate sign of love and respect Kemba would ever show, "We will need to speak to the foreman. We need supplies first. Dan is alive, I know he is. So, let's do our best...Theos." Theos took it with a smile. "Let's save our Armadimon."


"Yes we will....Thank you," Theos said as he walked beside Kemba to the lift preparing his speech in his mind to Malcolm. He was the kind of guy who expected others to cower before him well he was about to be cowed. They are too determined to let him stand in their way. 

His mind did wander to Kembas' speech however.....body and soul. He couldn't ask such a thing of him. When it came down to it......he would die for Kemba rather than let Kemba die for him. He wouldn't voice it though. They could argue about it when it came time. The lift stopped and his stomach churned in anticipation.

Kemba now viewed Theos much differently, his entire perception had evolved. It was a strange sensation Kemba was feeling, he remembered his dad telling him that when he found the person who would be his eternal partner, it would be an unfamiliar sensation and that was how Kemba would know he had chosen right. The tunnels were completely empty, not a single miner in sight as they ran through towards the elevator. Hours had passed, more then they even knew. The sun was already nearly set. Kemba and Theos had made it to the top of the elevator, the truck was long gone and everyone on it. Malcolm and Ara were also long gone, the foreman's room was still lit. It seemed Joe was still here, and in his office. "We need to speak to Mamemon." Kemba said looking at Theos. "The foreman has the supplies we need but if we handle this incorrectly, we won't be able to get the things we need to save Dan." Kemba's eyes showed determination. "I can definitely get the supplies we need, let me speak with him alone! I've done this...before." Kemba said. Kemba was right, he could definitely get Mamemon to get all the supplies they would need, however, the thought of what Kemba had told Theos about Mamemon were brought back to the forefront of his mind. Theos didn't know what it meant, but he knew it was enough that warranted a warning. Theos could also choose to try and talk Mamemon into giving him the supplies, but without knowing enough about the foreman like Kemba, was it truly wise? Perhaps it'd be best to let Kemba handle it. The choice would be Theos.

The air was growing crisp and it felt good after the wet heat of the mines. Theos felt a sense of relieve breathing in the air. He looked around to the foreman's office. The light was on and it was quiet. Peacefully really which contrasted the chaos below and in Theos heart.

"We need to speak to Mamemon." Kemba said making Theos look to him. "The foreman has the supplies we need but if we handle this incorrectly, we won't be able to get the things we need to save Dan." Theos nodded knowing this was true. "I can definitely get the supplies we need, let me speak with him alone! I've done this...before." Theos frowned at him. Didn't he warn him about Mamemon before.

"Why not together? You warned us about him. I'd never ask you to do something I am unwilling to do myself," Theos said unsure what it was that would happen. If Kemba persisted he would give in but he really didn't want him to. 

Kemba looked at Theos and his proposed question, was it really okay to get Theos involved? He already declared his life to him. If Theos wanted to go together it would be fine. "Okay, if that is what you want. We can go in together, it will be easier with you by my side. I'll handle everything. I know what to do and I won't fail, whatever you do, don't anger him. He has a shorter fuse then you think. I promise to get the supplies no matter what!" Kemba pumped his fist and smirked at Theos before facing Mamemon's door, knocking three times. "Just a minute!" Mamemon scrambled to open his door, as soon as the door was open the cool air escaped the room and passed through Kemba and Theos. "Oh? Butch and Theos. I thought you guys had snuck out and left. We went to check on you after break and no one was there. Then the cavern rumbled and the place you were working caved in a blocked us off. What are you still doing here?" He asked. "It's a long story, but we need a favor." Kemba asked. Mamemon was surprised by Kemba's request. "Oh? Well then come in." Mamemon stepped to the side and allowed Kemba and Theos inside. His room was carpeted and his desk was very neat an orderly. He had a single cabinet for storing files and a bed in the far back to which he rested. Next to it was a fridge, it didn't seem Mamemon lived in Bai Hu. There was another door, but it was locked with a key. In front of Mamemon's desk, their were two chairs. There was an air conditioner in the wall but it wasn't on right now. "Please take a seat, what can I do for you?" Mamemon asked sitting behind his desk. Kemba sat on one chair and Theos presumably the other. "It's our friend Dan, he's trapped in the mines below! He was....taken to the spider nest." Kemba said.

Mamemon didn't appear troubled at all, "Oh Butch, how many times have I told you not to wander that far into the mine? You have got to stop doing that. We have four graves because of your recklessness....you want me to place a grave for Dan then?" Mamemon asked. "No. He isn't dead....he's alive and we need to act fast. Theos and I, we're going to go save him." Kemba said clenching the arm of his chair. "Butch, don't be silly. I can't approve of you two going down into the mines. Especially to the spiders nest. I could get into serious trouble." Mamemon said leaning back into his chair. "Please, I know that section of the mines better then anyone. I can save him." Kemba pushed and Mamemon span in his full motion seat thinking. "You can save him...?" Mamemon said. "Dear Butch, you haven't been able to save anyone. What makes this any different? You'd just run away like last time." Mamemon reminded. Kemba clenched the arm of his chair tighter as he reflected on his past. "That's because, I...I let fear grip me....change me. I don't feel that way anymore." Kemba replied. "Oh is that so?" Mamemon said. "Dan is special to us.....I will save him. There is no choice this time." Mamemon smiled and rested his head on his clenched fist. "I can hear the determination in your voice.....it's touching....such an adorable face." Mamemon said. Kemba relaxed in his chair, "We need supplies to make it...please...help us." Kemba asked. Mamemon leaned over his desk, "You're asking me to give you supplies to venture deep into the off-limit mines to save someone who may or may not be alive against my direct orders, and thus risking my very job?" Mamemon leaned back in his chair and tapped his fingers together. "Oh my sweet little Kemba....your eyes look like they did back then when you still went by that name....when you were first brought to this mine. I missed that look." He said licking his lips. "Will you help us or not?" Kemba asked. "No....well.........not without something in return." Mamemon laughed softening his stare.

Kemba looked at Theos and smiled, "I'm going to pay his price. Please, forgive me, okay? We can get Dan soon." Kemba asked.

Theos let Kemba take the lead. He sat in one chair and theos sat in the other. He had never been in here before and he had to admit it was comfortable. Homey even....he didn't doubt Mamemon lived here. Or at least it was comfortable enough to live in if one could survive the idea of sweat and tears building tunnels beneath you. He listened with a sour expression that ugly familiarity and the way he down talked Kemba. It left him rather bitter on the inside. He never really minded Mamemon but right now Mamemon was showing his his true colors. And they were ugly.

"No....well.........not without something in return." So this was it....they had to pay a price for supplies.


"I'm going to pay his price. Please, forgive me, okay? We can get Dan soon." Theos stared at Kemba a moment before turning his face back to Mamemon.

"What is this price," Theos asked. He knew it was bad if he was asking forgiveness. However he wasn't about to sacrifice one friend to save another. He'd save both if he had to with his own hooves. Even if neither liked the idea. He was captain and he'd pay it himself if he had to.

Mamemon looked at Theos and smiled at him then at Kemba. Kemba looked at Theos and reached an arm over and grabbed his hoof. "Don't worry about it, I don't want you to have to do anything except save Dan with me." Kemba said Mamemon stood and clicked his teeth. "I don't mind telling him, if you are going to pay my sweet Kemba." Mamemon said. "My price is simple, all I require...is intimacy." Mamemon said. "A special moment that I can savor, I live here and have no companionship what so ever. So my price is that. Simple no? Once Kemba pays it, a thought of which my body is quivering to indulge in, I will give you whatever it is you want to save your friend.....provided he yet lives." Mamemon said. "He does. I know it." Kemba replied. "I hope you're right Kemba dear. So, Theos was it? We don't have any problems....right?" Mamemon said. Kemba looked at Theos, "Captain. It's a price worth paying." He said smiling.

Theos looked to him questioningly as he grabbed his hoof. "Don't worry about it, I don't want you to have to do anything except save Dan with me." Kemba said Mamemon stood and clicked his teeth. "I don't mind telling him, if you are going to pay my sweet Kemba." Mamemon said. "My price is simple, all I require...is intimacy." Intimacy the word of itself held little meaning. He had never experienced such things. Though he had seen. It was not a secret among the denizens of the mountains. They would become intimate wherever they liked. "A special moment that I can savor, I live here and have no companionship what so ever. So my price is that. Simple no? Once Kemba pays it, a thought of which my body is quivering to indulge in, I will give you whatever it is you want to save your friend.....provided he yet lives." Theos frowned. "He does. I know it." Kemba replied. "I hope you're right Kemba dear. So, Theos was it? We don't have any problems....right?" Theos eyed Mamemon as he stared at him. Intimacy was normally between mates.The thought of it being outside mates was disturbing to say the least, "Captain. It's a price worth paying."

Theos knew this was true. Ones body for a single moment to save anothers life. There was no comparison really one could live having done something intimate....Theos looked to Kemba. He was sure in his choice. Even though the thought left ash in his mouth he nodded.

"I'll give you two some time," Theos said a bit bitterly and walked for the door. He headed out and sat at the caves entrance looking to the stars. Hoping for ones safety and the others peace of mind. He promised to protect Dan and so did Kemba. However Kemba was doing more than what he had been willing to. He'd be a thief and a murderer before giving himself over to one he didn't love....it was just in his nature he supposed.

Kemba had sworn body and soul to him....did this mean.....he looked back to the room. After this was all said and done he'd hold Kemba to those words. He felt jealous and a bit angry for the first time in his life. One day he'd come back to Bai Hu and he would change it. He'd make Jared proud and his parents and himself.

Kemba watched as Theos was leaving the room, Kemba's face frowning. He wanted to call out to Theos and ask him to stay, but the words wouldn't come. He knew it would make Theos uncomfortable, and he would not subject him to it...still, watching him leave behind that door made him very sad. He'd only need to endure it for a moment. Kemba turned to look at Mamemon who was sitting across him on his desk, "Please keep this brief, Dan is waiting for us." Kemba asked timidly, this wasn't his first time experiencing the foreman's intimacy and he wasn't the only one among the workers to experience it. He though, was the only one who kept somehow needing favors. Mamemon's hands trembled as they reached for Kemba's helmet, removing it from his head and placing it on his desk. "Do you remember Kemba?" Mamemon asked as he stroked Kemba's cheek with his index finger. Kemba could not look him in the eyes and chose instead to stare at the floor, "Remember what...?" Kemba asked. "Your first day here...you were so frightened and scared from that savage attack on your village. Your little paw holding that agent's hand so tightly, afraid to let go." Mamemon said moving his hand to Kemba's ear and rubbing it, which led him to whine. "Your eyes pierced me that day....it made me want you." He softened his stare when he looked at Kemba choosing to look elsewhere. "They asked me to let you work and I agreed, you were so innocent and life was unknown to you....I wanted to show you what passion was." Mamemon licked his lips, and moved himself closer to Kemba who was clenching the chair. "I took you back to my office....and I believe I started just like this." Mamemon moved in towards Kemba's face and Kemba closed his eyes, wishing it to be over as quickly as possible. Kemba could feel Mamemon's breath against his lips as Mamemon moved closer until he could taste it. Mamemon stroked Kemba's arms slowly, Kemba's muscles tightened. At some point Mamemon's left hand rested on Kemba's lap and grabbed his leg while the other brushed his stomach, just below his armor and made it's way down.

Kemba's eyes welled with tears but he never cried. He had told himself he'd never put himself in this position again but he had to this time, two people needed him to endure. He would endure Mamemon and save Dan, nothing Mamemon could do would force Kemba to pull him away. He'd let Mamemon have his fun, thoughts of Dan and Theos was helping him get through this. Should Theos look back at the door, he'd see Kemba and Mamemon's silhouettes interlocked through the blinded window. Mamemon pulled away, "Yes....that night I found all of your weak points. You cried, remember?" Mamemon moved his left hand around Kemba's back. "It made you more endearing then, and it makes you more endearing now." Mamemon said. Kemba did not speak. "This is the greatest payment I can take from any of my workers, but yours is truly something special. No one from the Tundra ever works here, it makes it so much better. Now....I'm going to mess you up a bit. Don't worry, it won't be long." Mamemon moved in towards Kemba once more, should Theos turn his head to view the silhouettes, they would move away from the door, in the direction of Mamemon's bed. Theos would have time to think as when Mamemon's door finally opened and Kemba was walking out, ten minutes had elapsed. Kemba readjusted the helmet on his head, his eyes were swollen from tears he had shed and he had a frown. He had on his back, a backpack full of the supplies they would need.

Kemba closed the door to the office and walked to find Theos at the entrance of the caves. He put on a smile when he found him and showed him the back pack, "I....I got the supplies." Kemba said, his voice was still shook up, "We can go to Dan now." Kemba added and waited on Theos to respond. He wanted to be sure Theos was ready before they ventured into the spider's nest.

Theos remained looking out at the desert the entire time. Until he heard the click of the door. He looked back to see Kemba who spotted him easily enough. He walked towards him looking at the clumped fur beneath his eyes. It made his stomach lurch. His eyes went to the backpack as Kemba raised it up.

"I....I got the supplies." Theos listened to his trembling voice. As angry as he wanted to be. That voice only brought out pity, "We can go to Dan now."

"Never again...." Theos said bluntly. "Never again will anyone else touch you in that way. We are getting Dan and leaving," His tone was stern maybe a bit harsh. Definitely out of character.

"Let's save him," Theos said his voice softening. He started for the lift.

"Never again will anyone else touch you in that way. We are getting Dan and leaving," Kemba could not look in the eye as Theos raised his voice, announcing his displeasure of the situation. His words burned in his heart. Kemba knew he was to blame, he knew going in before hand what would happen but chose to stay silent. He followed after Theos and stood next to him on the elevator. It began to descend into the mines, he looked at the metal plate that was the elevator floor and he spoke after a short moment of silence, "I'm sorry." He began, "I knew what would happen.....and I stayed quiet....I didn't want you....to....go through that. The foreman....is an evil person. I couldn't let him harm you....and yet.....I hurt you......I'm sorry......" Kemba softened his stare at the cold hard floor. The sound of the elevator clanking and whirring as it made its way further down then usual. "The foreman likes me most.....he's done that to me before.....a lot....that's how I knew I could get the supplies. I should have told you....I was afraid you'd stop me. Theos I...." Kemba clenched the bag tightly. "I'd do it again...in a heartbeat....if it meant saving you or Dan. As many times as it takes....I'd endure it...for Dan..........for you." Kemba finished, but the elevator was going further down, the light was beginning to dim and fade. Eventually, it was dark like dusk, and the elevator continued still.

"I'm sorry." He began, "I knew what would happen.....and I stayed quiet....I didn't want you....to....go through that. The foreman....is an evil person. I couldn't let him harm you....and yet.....I hurt you......I'm sorry......" As much as he hated it he was mad at the deed not Kemba. "The foreman likes me most.....he's done that to me before.....a lot....that's how I knew I could get the supplies. I should have told you....I was afraid you'd stop me. Theos I...." Kemba clenched the bag tightly. "I'd do it again...in a heartbeat....if it meant saving you or Dan. As many times as it takes....I'd endure it...for Dan..........for you."

"I'd never want you to do that for me," Theos said. "I'm not angry at you Kemba....I'm only angry at the deed. The question is if the sin was worth saving a life........."Theos paused. "And as much as I hate to admit it. It is....I dunno what I would do if it was the other way around. But I just may have done the same," Theos admitted.

"What matters now is we rescue Dan and leave these mines. Start a life where we can be truly free," Theos had to look to the positives. They would save Dan. They had the supplies and they would make it back to join W.A.D.A.

Kemba took out a glow stick from the pack of supplies and lit it as the darkness engulfed them. Theos could notice the remains of a mining operation, it seemed they had to abandon this part of the mine likely due to heavy spider activity. The elevator creaked in the shaft sending echoes all around. Kemba agreed, now that it was done, their mission could start "The sin is worth saving two lives as far as I'm concerned. I know you'd put yourself in that position for me and Dan but I hope you never have to. I told you once already, I have chosen you as my wielder. That is a lifetime commitment, I will use this body I have to protect you and keep you safe. Even if it's used in such a way as before, I am going to be your shield and sword. I may be young and still inexperienced as a weapon digimon but I will always be with you. The soul I possess...will commit countless sins to make sure you reach your goals. Nothing else matters to me." The elevator came to a stop and Kemba walked off, holding the glow stick in front of him. Where it illuminated the dark, thick cob webs could be seen and broken eggs from hatched KoDokugumon. There were no spiders yet, "The nest is down this corridor. I was there once when I was little, when this part of the mine was still open. I had no idea that on the opposite side of the nest, would be where we fought that Dokugumon." Kemba recentered the bag on his back and began to walk. It was cool in this tunnel, the magma was on the opposite side after all and since this tunnel was never mined, no veins had been discovered.

"Every time I picture you being strong in my head. It's like you will me forward through the bad times. I hope it's okay but, I imagined you next to me telling me, just hold on a little longer! Where you show courage, is lose face, so as long as you remain on my mind. I can do anything." Kemba looked back at Theos and smiled. "I know Dan feels the same way, he helped us fight even though he had no energy. You spurred him on. He's probably imagining us coming to save him and not even crying." Kemba said.

"The sin is worth saving two lives as far as I'm concerned. I know you'd put yourself in that position for me and Dan but I hope you never have to. I told you once already, I have chosen you as my wielder. That is a lifetime commitment, I will use this body I have to protect you and keep you safe. Even if it's used in such a way as before, I am going to be your shield and sword. I may be young and still inexperienced as a weapon digimon but I will always be with you. The soul I possess...will commit countless sins to make sure you reach your goals. Nothing else matters to me." His goal....his only goal was to live and learn. He'd never ask him to commit such sins, "The nest is down this corridor. I was there once when I was little, when this part of the mine was still open. I had no idea that on the opposite side of the nest, would be where we fought that Dokugumon." Theos followed Kemba into the tunnels remaining silent. Almost to the point where he couldn't take it any more.

"Every time I picture you being strong in my head. It's like you will me forward through the bad times. I hope it's okay but, I imagined you next to me telling me, just hold on a little longer! Where you show courage, is lose face, so as long as you remain on my mind. I can do anything." Theos looked at him a little surprised but returned his smile. "I know Dan feels the same way, he helped us fight even though he had no energy. You spurred him on. He's probably imagining us coming to save him and not even crying." Kemba said.


"Well he isn't far off is he," Theos chuckled. "In truth I wanted to be there to tell you it was okay. But I wasn't sure if you'd want me to see you like that. You are strong too you know. Even if it was a facade at first. We've all grown strong together."

Theos grew quiet but it felt more comfortable now. They should probably keep talking to a minimum so they didn't draw attention of spiders that may hear them from the echos. But their heart to heart really made all the difference in Theos mind. Maybe some part of him was happy Kemba relied on him.