Just one more day....

"That's okay Captain...thank you but I want to go home. I have some housework...." Theos frowned but nodded. "Don't worry about me......you and Jared have a good night...." Theos watched Kemba leave. His heart breaking a bit at watching his back. It felt kind of lonely. Then he was hugged and he looked to his grandpa with a smile. "I love you Theos, and knowing you kept your promise means I will sleep very well tonight. I will mourn for Dan and give thanks that you returned. However, I am not the one that needs you right now. Go with Kemba, your friend is in need of you. I can only imagine what he is going through after opening up after all this time. You both need each other more then ever, to mourn and lean on one another. Then when you wake up in the morning, I'll be here, to see you off to W.A.D.A. okay?" Theos looked at him thinking about it. "I am so proud of you. In such a short time, you've grown up a little. I know W.A.D.A. will be better off with you." Jared said.



That was the reason he had invited Kemba home. So he wouldn't be alone. He was now torn between himself and Kemba. Like Kemba all he wanted was to go home. To a nice bed and a warm bath. Kemba had those things but it wasn't home like it was with Jared... they both needed time. To think and to morn in their own ways. 

"Thank you," Theos said smiling. He started trotting after Kemba towards his home but turned away part way and went around. He started walking and then running. He fled towards his real home the mountains. He wanted to see them again. He wanted to feel the cool mountain air an explore its ravines. He wanted his cave and the ponds in the caves....caves.

He slowed just out of sight from the city. The mountains not yet in sight. He wanted the comforts of home. Yet he also had left to become W.A.D.A. He didn't want to go in caves any more. But even his home was one. It was too small....they all were. Theos looked back towards the city and began walking. It had felt good to just simply run but now....now he had to think about his life. If he couldn't save Dan then how could he be a good agent? Theos turned towards the mountains again. It was a promise though. They were all going to go. He turned for the city once more. Could he take loosing Kemba as well? W.A.D.A. promoted peace but they did a lot of dangerous things....did they know about the mines? They protect the mining operation and yet they had done nothing about the spiders. Were they in on it? This unholy pact?

His heart sunk at the thought. How could he serve an organization that allows this? He wanted to confront them all. Malcolm, Ara, Metal Etemon,and now even W.A.D.A. He couldn't do anything to any of them though. Three were too strong...and the other was a group which made it stronger. He sat down in the sand. The cold air slowly hardening his clay like fur. What should he do? He looked to the clear sky and howled. A long sorrowful one that echoed in the empty desert. Even one of the moons was gone on a night like tonight. He continued to howl several more times.

Jared watched Theos dart off with a smile and then made for his own home. Kemba was alone now, in both mind and now body. He was walking the silent streets of Bai Hu towards his home. He didn't speak and his spirit was broken, and was reflecting in his eyes. He was defeated. Even when he tried he was beaten. Life was not his ally and his story was not made to be happy. He got to his home and walked down his steps, missing one and falling into the wall next to his door, bracing against it. He pulled away, and touched his nose as it bled from the impact. He looked at his fingers and then looked at his body and armor, they were both stained with blood and other things. He opened the door to his home and walked inside, leaving the light off, and allowing the moonlight to fill his room. He walked around his house inspecting the room, he got to the bed and noticed the sheets, it still had the impression of when they slept there and where the water was thrown onto him. Kemba reached his paw out and touched it. He became sick again after the image of Dan flashed in his mind and covered his mouth, rushing to the restroom and vomiting into the toilet. "Kemba." A familiar voice rang out, Kemba's eyes widened and his head shot around and saw Dan standing there with a smile on his face. "Dan! You're alive!!" Kemba said rushing over to embrace him but he instead phased through him. Kemba looked surprised but soon understood and he grew sad once more, "I see....you're not really here..." Kemba clenched his paw tight. "No, I'm not Kemba. Sorry!" Dan said. "Why am I imagining you?" Kemba said. "I don't know. You're grieving because I'm dead. Are you having trouble letting me go?" Dan asked. "Why?" Kemba asked, Dan turned his head in wonder, "Why did you do something so stupid!! We were going to save you! Don't you understand!" Kemba yelled. Dan frowned, "I'm sorry Kemba. I think I did it because I loved you. You and Captain were in trouble, you saw the spiders. I'd have been dead before you got to me." Dan said. "You can't say that for certain!!" Kemba yelled. Dan gave a smile, "You say that but, you're the one imagining me. I can only say what's in your heart." Dan replied. Kemba was shocked to hear those words, so he realized before that Dan was going to die but didn't want to face that truth.

"So then.....what? Are you trying to say....I didn't do enough after I saw you? Are you saying I hesitated...?" Kemba said. Dan walked over and shook his head, "You didn't hesitate. There was nothing you could do. There was nothing anyone could do. You're blaming yourself and you shouldn't." Dan said. "Still....I.....if I was a better weapon...." Kemba replied. "Oh Kemba...." Dan frowned. "Please.....stop....go away...." Kemba said sitting down and throwing his face into his lap. "Theos needs you, you know. You made a promise of companionship." Dan said appearing next to Kemba. "Theos needs to keep away from me.....he'll end up....dead." Kemba replied. "Your scared of it. Losing him, because he's the last friend you have." Dan said. "Yes. All of my friends....my village....no one is safe around me." Kemba said raising his face just enough so his eyes peaked out over his knees. "You don't want that. For him to stay away, but you think its needed. I think you should do what you need to." Dan replied before disappearing. "What I need to.....?" Kemba said, he stood up and pulled out his sword. "What I need to do...." He turned the tip of the sword around and held it to his throat. "It would be so easy...." He said then threw his sword across the room, impaling in the wall next to the front entrance. "Theos...." Kemba murmured. "Is it safe to stay with you?" Kemba asked looking towards the moon.

Theos steps stirred the sand leaving long lines as his feet dragged him back into the city. He had finally decided. If W.A.D.A. did know he would use them to get stronger...then he'd turn on them if he had to. Surely not everyone knew in such a large organization. So he was sure if it was corrupt others would join him. He hated deceit and lies though....it wasn't really deceit though if he didn't tell them. He could only hope they were as good as Max said. 

He walked through the streets to the fountain. He stood there a moment wondering which home to go to. He said he was going to go to Kembas....so he might as well check on him if nothing else. He started towards Kembas his mind wandering down the different streets. Dan had mentioned his brothers a lot. He wondered if he could find them. They needed to know. He didn't know where to find them though. And it was too soon to bring it all up even to Kemba....Jared might know them and tell them. He hated putting that on his shoulders though.

Theos sighed and walked into the ruined building. His steps echoing slightly as he headed down the stairs. He looked around for Kemba his gaze catching a glint beside the door. His sword stuck in the wall. Theos looked back spotting here he was sitting. Theos walked over and stood in front of him before nuzzling and laying against him. Draping himself over Kemba in a hug. His chin burying into the mane on his head.

"There once was a wise old Yatagaramon on our mountain. He watched many live and many die. Then it came time for his passing many came to visit him. They had grown up on his stories and loved him deeply. He smiled to them and laughed at their sadness.

'I am not dead young ones,' He said. They asked him what he meant.

'There are three deaths in life. One is physical as is happening now. Once when your name is long forgotten. Then yet once more when your ideals and legend are lost. Most people have two but I know I have three deaths to atone for. So why don't you try to keep me alive by remembering me and my stories.' he answered. Some smiled others shook their head and thought him a fool. But all agreed his words mended their sadness," Theos spoke just resting there. He let himself go quiet and closed his eyes. How many stories had he heard from that very Yatagaramon....

Kemba looked at Theos when he walked in, but stayed silent he watched Theos until he was right in front of him and Theos hugged him resting his chin on his mane. Kemba just stared over his knees at the wall as Theos spoke he listened to Theos tale about the mountain and the wise Yatagramon and his gaze softened. The memory would always live with Kemba, he knew that. Until it was Kemba's turn to join Dan, but the first one was still the most painful. "......you shouldn't be near me anymore." Kemba said. "You'll end up like Dan. Everyone around me always does.....I'm not allowed to be happy. Mamemon was right all along.....I bring pain....to everyone....I can't help my loved ones...even if I try my hardest." Kemba whispered. The moon had shifted and it's light was focused solely on the duo in the dark room. As Theos rested his head, his superior smell could pick up the spider's scent, and Mamemon's scent all on Kemba's fur. It would be a reminder that both of them were still covered in the blood of their enemy. Kemba had let Mamemon hurt him in vain. "I should be the only one......getting hurt...now because of me...because I decided to join you both.....Theos, you had to experience such horrible things. I'm a bad digimon....I was going to kill myself just moments before....but I couldn't even do that." Kemba said. "I don't have anymore tears to shed...." Kemba replied burying his face back into his lap. "I can't keep my promise....I'm sorry..." Kemba said into his lap.

"......you shouldn't be near me anymore." Kemba said. "You'll end up like Dan. Everyone around me always does.....I'm not allowed to be happy. Mamemon was right all along.....I bring pain....to everyone....I can't help my loved ones...even if I try my hardest." Theos pulled away to stare at Kemba. "I should be the only one......getting hurt...now because of me...because I decided to join you both.....Theos, you had to experience such horrible things. I'm a bad digimon....I was going to kill myself just moments before....but I couldn't even do that." Kemba said. "I don't have anymore tears to shed...." Theos growled softly. "I can't keep my promise....I'm sorry..." Kemba said into his lap.


"You're an idiot," Theos scoffed. "If I hadn't come down from the mountain. Ara wouldn't have wanted me. We may have never found or kept that cave a secret. You are no more at fault than I. If we should blame fate or destiny or whatever the hell it is."

Theos stood and headed for the bathroom. He stunk big time. He turned on the faucet watching the tub fill. Once it was full he turned it off and simply jumped in. He lay there like a crocodile in the water. His eyes closed and his body just sort of floating. His nostrils pushing out water once and awhile. It threatened to lull him asleep.

Kemba heard Theos' argument and watched him go into the bathroom. So, Theos was blaming himself as well and Theos got angry with Kemba for wallowing about. Kemba laid his legs flat as he sat there looking over to Theos in the tub and getting in. "I didn't know you blamed yourself....I half expected you to blame me. I'm the one who pushed you into the impossible role of being a captain." Kemba said looking at the now invisible Theos, as he couldn't see Theos in the tub. "I guess....I wanted you to blame me. I wanted you to give me a reason to leave. A reason to put my walls back up. I threw my sword away because I wanted to be sure that you didn't want me around." Kemba began to draw circles with his finger on his floor. "Because I failed you as your weapon." Kemba jumped up from the floor and looked at the tub. "You have no reason to blame yourself! You came off the mountain and found Jared! You found a new family! It wasn't until you met me and became friends with me that you started to hurt and feel pain! So Theos, just curse me already! Throw me away! Why do you insist on holding on to me? Unlike me, you have Jared so why!? Why did you come here to find me? Why......" Kemba's voice trailed off, "I don't deserve it." Kemba grabbed his arm and stroked it. He did want Theos to free himself of any burdens and cast them on to himself, if Theos blamed Kemba and turned away and lived without him. Then perhaps Dan's death would be easier on Theos. The truth was, Kemba didn't want that, he wanted Theos now more then ever. As the last remaining friend in this world, he was the only person left to be affectionate towards but if Theos could blame him and feel better, then as Theos shield he'd have performed his duties. He would take that blame and hatred and compile it with his own and take it away from this place. "Stop wasting so much time with me...." Kemba said.

"I didn't know you blamed yourself....I half expected you to blame me. I'm the one who pushed you into the impossible role of being a captain." Nobody forced him...They asked him to be one and he chose to. "I guess....I wanted you to blame me. I wanted you to give me a reason to leave. A reason to put my walls back up. I threw my sword away because I wanted to be sure that you didn't want me around." He'd never want that. "Because I failed you as your weapon." The weapon is only as strong as the user... He was just as weak. "You have no reason to blame yourself! You came off the mountain and found Jared! You found a new family! It wasn't until you met me and became friends with me that you started to hurt and feel pain! So Theos, just curse me already! Throw me away! Why do you insist on holding on to me? Unlike me, you have Jared so why!? Why did you come here to find me? Why......" Why not? "I don't deserve it." Anger boiled under his calm surface. His eyes opened and he glared at the form of Kemba in the moonlight. It was endearing how he thought everything was on him. How he felt it was his fault fate had done what it did. "Stop wasting so much time with me...." Kemba said.


"Bullmon shit," Theos barked getting out of the tub. "You deserve a lot more than you think. You are loving and caring. You wouldn't feel bad if you weren't. We are mortal and so we are all destined to die. Now or later doesn't matter. What matters is what we do with the time we have." Theos said approaching Kemba dripping wet.

"So the question is what do you need? Not what you think but what do you need to do with your life? Do you need a family? Do you need to make one? Do you need to save another life to atone to yourself? I know I do....I want a family. I want to save as many lives as i can to make up for all the ones lost to that mine. But I need to come back here one day and I need to make sure it happens no more. The problem is I'd never be able to do it alone. A weapon is no stronger than the one who uses it. I am weak Kemba....I made a promise I didn't keep. I failed Dan and as your wielder I failed you," Theos said burying his head into Kemba's crossed arms.

"I can't throw you away. You are a beloved friend. And the only one I have left. Jared is my grandfather. He is old and will not live forever. I'd have no one once he is gone. I was born alone and without you I will die alone," Theos sobbed.

"Bullmon shit," Theos barked getting out of the tub. Theos sudden reaction surprised Kemba. He had never heard Theos use such language. This was the second time since the incident. It was scary how quickly he could change at the drop of a hat. "You deserve a lot more than you think. You are loving and caring. You wouldn't feel bad if you weren't. We are mortal and so we are all destined to die. Now or later doesn't matter. What matters is what we do with the time we have." Theos said approaching Kemba dripping wet, leaving a stain trail along the floor. Kemba heard these same words before, it was the W.A.D.A. agent that had taken him from his village. He remembered that he wondered why he was alive and why his people had to be slaughtered. The agent spoke nearly the same words that subsided Kemba's sorrow and opened him up to trust. It was reassuring, Kemba felt like he was six again.

"So the question is what do you need? Not what you think but what do you need to do with your life? Do you need a family? Do you need to make one? Do you need to save another life to atone to yourself? I know I do....I want a family. I want to save as many lives as i can to make up for all the ones lost to that mine. But I need to come back here one day and I need to make sure it happens no more. The problem is I'd never be able to do it alone. A weapon is no stronger than the one who uses it. I am weak Kemba....I made a promise I didn't keep. I failed Dan and as your wielder I failed you," Theos said burying his head into Kemba's crossed arms. What does he need? What does he want? He was asked the same question just moments ago before Theos arrived by the image of Dan. It was a question now lingering on his mind. He wanted to answer Theos, tell him what he needed and what he wanted, but he would need time to be sure. Theos being this close, eased him. His fur was becoming damp as Theos stayed here. Droplets of water running down the armor Dan disliked him wearing.

"I can't throw you away. You are a beloved friend. And the only one I have left. Jared is my grandfather. He is old and will not live forever. I'd have no one once he is gone. I was born alone and without you I will die alone," Theos sobbed and Kemba had felt truly foolish. He wrapped his arms around the wet Theos and held him close. He didn't want to say anything, holding Theos like this, it made everything just melt away. "I'm sorry..." Kemba said, "We've been alone for so long....and you were the only one who stayed strong. You're stronger then me. So, if it's okay with you, I'd like to stay around you a bit longer." Kemba replied. He stroked Theos' head. This person in his arms, who is he? Who is this person who could talk his way through Kemba's doubts and self pity? Kemba had many friends and yet, this Digimon he's only known for thirty one days was special. He was taught to be the servant of his weilder, but was that enough for Kemba? He thought. Could he be satisfied as sword and master? He wasn't so sure.

His heartbeat was calm with Theos head resting on his chest plate and it was clear at this very moment. "Hey....Theos...." Kemba said, "You're wet." Kemba said softly, Theos wet fur glistening in the moonlight peaking through the window. Kemba's gaze softening with a smile.

"I'm sorry..." Theos muscles loosens at those words. He just knew, "We've been alone for so long....and you were the only one who stayed strong. You're stronger then me. So, if it's okay with you, I'd like to stay around you a bit longer." Theos nodded....of course. He truly was an idiot for even asking. Theos admittedly could not imagine his life without him. Though he had felt the same about Dan. Dan was now gone. It seemed he was not destined to have them both with him forever. Maybe that was a good thing. W.A.D.A. does dangerous work....who knew what would have happened. Maybe it was better now for him to have died a bit naive of the cruelty of the entire world.

"Hey....Theos...." Kemba said, "You're wet." Theos laughed. 

"Then strip your armor and join me," Theos chuckled. He nuzzled Kembas head and jumped back in the bath smiling. Their heart to heart having seemed to calm both of them down. His eyes were still a bit wet but his mind was starting to become clearer and clearer. Maybe he needed Kemba not just for his strength but for his peace of mind. Just talking to him felt like things were being washed away. Not entirely....but more than if he hadn't. He was suddenly glad he had not trekked back to the mountains.

Once Kemba would join him he'd cuddle up close to him. He'd remain quiet and simply would listen to his heart beat. Until it was time to get out his clay fur starting to wrinkly from too much water. He'd scrub himself or Kemba if they chose to scrub one another. Before finally getting out and toweling off.

"Then strip your armor and join me," Theos chuckled. Kemba watched Theos run and get back into the water, he looked at himself and shook his head. He had said he wouldn't wear this armor while he was home. There was no need for it, and it would honor Dan's memory. He removed his armor and left it where he was standing, his white fur had been through a lot today. Between Mamemon and the spiders and even Dan, it was filthy. The darkness covered it quite well. Kemba made his way to the bath and climbed in, the warm water going straight to work. It was like the stress of everything was melting away into the water. He sat down against the tub's wall and closed his eyes to relax when he felt a familiar body brush up against him. Kemba opened his eyes to see Theos cuddling with him in the water, he wondered if this was appropriate but he didn't care really. Kemba reached his arms around Theos and pulled him as close as possible, as Theos rested his head to his chest, Kemba rested his head on his and closed his eyes. This was pure bliss, at this moment the events of today were long gone. They seemed so far out of reach he couldn't even remember his anger from moments ago. This embrace in the darkness of the room with the moonlight peaking in the doorway from the window in the next room. If Kemba could just have this moment, this one moment, never end it'd be his wish. It was just him and Theos with the sound of the water bouncing off their wet fur. No speech, no outside noise...just complete serenity with the digimon he dedicated to serve his life to. Yes, Theos was who he chose to be his wielder, just as he was taught to find in his village. He knew now what it was he wanted. The moment lasted for a while but not enough in Kemba's eyes, Theos pulled away and Kemba grew sad for a brief moment but they were born with fur, and extended periods of time in water with fur could lead to problems as Kemba soon found out when a clump of his own fur rose to the surface after Theos pulled away.

He saw Theos going to scrub himself clean and helped him reach the difficult places, and Theos returned the favor. Afterwords they got out and Kemba drained the tub, removing the hair he had shed because he had soaked a bit to long. He got on all fours and shook himself violently from head to toe and the excess water flew off of him and even sprinkled Theos. He grabbed a spare towel that Theos hadn't been using and toweled off. Kemba walked out of the bathroom and approached his bed, brushing his hand where the water was tossed on him. It had dried and there was no visible stain, the realization that Dan had once been there returned to him and he frowned a bit. He jumped up an laid in the middle of his large bed, and turned his head to look at Theos. "Will you be leaving to go back home now?" He said, he was secretly hoping that he wasn't leaving, but he knew that Jared might be waiting for him. It was already 2 am. Kemba did sound a bit disappointed. He wanted to tell him something.

Theos smiled as he was sprinkled with water. He handed his towel over the Kemba to finish drying off. Theos watched Kemba walk back towards the bedroom. His tail swaying side to side as he walked caught Theos eye. He followed Kemba into the room and watched him touch the bed. His mind wandered to yesterday morning....Hard to imagine everything that has happened in the past day.

"Will you be leaving to go back home now?" Theos shook his head no as he jumped onto the bed.

"Jared encouraged me to be here beside you. And that's what I came to do," Theos said curling in beside him. The sheets smelled nice. He laid his head down into them his ears perked to listen even as his head was posed to sleep. His back hooves stretched out behind him and his front  curled under him comfortably. 

Kemba watched Theos leap on to the bed after saying he would stay, Theos curled up next to Kemba, poised to sleep. Kemba watched him as the moon shifted bringing it's light to the bed. Kemba turned red as he thought about what he wanted to say, he was worried. He turned his head and looked up at the ceiling, "Hey Theos....." He began his heart steadily increasing, "I decided something......I can't keep my promise to you after all." He started and not eyeing Theos, he didn't want to see what his friends face would look like. "I don't want to be your sword and shield....the life of master and servant." He said his white fur normally hidden behind his blue armor sparkling in the moonlight with remnants of water on them. "You asked me....what it is that I needed and I know the answer..." Kemba took a pause and continued, "I need you, Theos..." Kemba replied, "When you are close to me....when you speak to me....you do something in me...no one has ever done." Kemba closed his eyes. "Theos, being your sword, isn't enough for me anymore. I want to be more then that....I want to know you deeper then even Jared does. My life, the one you restored to me, cannot continue any more without you. Your touch brings me comfort and your voice brings me peace, the sight of you uplifts my heart and makes the days easier. Theos...." Kemba turned his whole body to face him. "I don't really understand this myself but....I like you." Kemba smiled at Theos his heart practically beating out of his chest. He avoided saying three words he wanted to say to him. He wanted to tell him so much more, but was reserved. Theos and him were still young, did either of them know what he was trying to say he wondered. "Um.....I want you to live with me..." He said avoiding eye contact. "I know it's probably stupid of me...." Kemba continued, his tail swaying back and forth. Kemba closed his eyes, "Could you....cuddle with me?" He asked shamelessly. It was a different environment from the tub, but he wanted to feel that bliss again.

"Hey Theos....." Theos hummed in response, "I decided something......I can't keep my promise to you after all." Theos head rose up questioningly. His gaze hardening slightly as he wondered why. "I don't want to be your sword and shield....the life of master and servant." Theos had no intention of treating him as a servant anyway. "You asked me....what it is that I needed and I know the answer..." Well if he was taking his advice he could hardly get mad. He looked to the sheets, "I need you, Theos..." Kemba replied, "When you are close to me....when you speak to me....you do something in me...no one has ever done." Theos looked back to Kemba. "Theos, being your sword, isn't enough for me anymore. I want to be more then that....I want to know you deeper then even Jared does. My life, the one you restored to me, cannot continue any more without you. Your touch brings me comfort and your voice brings me peace, the sight of you uplifts my heart and makes the days easier. Theos...." Theos heart beat a little faster with each word. His eyes meeting Kembas as he rolled towards him. "I don't really understand this myself but....I like you." Theos smiled warmly. "Um.....I want you to live with me..." He said avoiding eye contact. "I know it's probably stupid of me...." Theos didn't find it stupid though he did question it. They would be going to W.A.D.A. soon who knows if they would be provided a place or not. He smiled just the same though, "Could you....cuddle with me?"

Theos pulled himself closer to Kemba. Hid head going into his chest and one leg draping over his body. He held him there just like him never wanting this to end.

"Of course I'll live with you," Theos said. "You know I like you too right?" Theos questioned shyly. He felt heat in his cheeks at Kembas words just a moment ago.