Ominous Premonition - Endless Loop [Tats, Mana, Ankh]

Something was wrong. They had been running for a long time, but they weren't getting anywhere. It was as if the forest was moving alongside them. He couldn't put it into words, but Sangloupmon started looking at the sides, searching for signs that indicated they had been already in the same spot... to no avail. No pattern seemed to repeat in the forest, but yet, it was like they weren't moving at all.

-Darkie, too, don't you feel the same about this eerie forest? It's almost like... we're never going to Village of Beginning... it's like an endless loop of... forest -Canisdramon said, as Yuuki also revealed his thoughts on the matter. Sangloupmon showed his bare teeth to the atmosphere. So he wasn't the only one to think that. The lupine monster lifted his snout, and sniffed.

-I've been smelling it for a while... suddenly, the entire odor was changed. I lost track of the Village of Begginings... then began noticing this. I'm still not sure what it is, but... something is rotten here -the wolf-like Digimon muttered, making a "tch" sound as he looked at the top of the forest. Little sunlight entered, so their vision was greatly diminished.

As much as he didn't want to, when Yuuki said that they should stop there, Tatsuya nodded, in agreement. -True. Otherwise, we might get too tired to continue. I'd brought a lot of food from home, so I guess I can share if you don't have any... However, I agree with Sangloupmon. There is something going on here, and we need to be at full strength if anything comes. I've already ran into Digimon that can hypnotize you, and then, you won't even know you are under a spell. So we better watch ourselves... -the teen spoke, looking at the other teens.

[enter]

Ankh flew in direction to the Village of Beginnings on the skies. It was smooth flight, until he noticed something... weird. Even though he flew, he was feeling as if he returned into a same place. The Garudamon X felt as if he was trapped in a labyrinth. He had flung straight, but for some reason, he kept going into the same place.

"YGG-DAMN!" Ankh frantically shouted in frustration that he couldn't get into tge destination. "Whoever made this mess and f*cked up our head, COME HERE! FIRE HURRICANE!"

Ankh then conjured fire in his wings and flapped them continuously to generate a large hurricane of fire. Said hurricane would burn the trees around him to clear the path. However, these trees stayed intact despite getting the burn. Ankh grimaced in further frustration, burning more of the trees. But it was a futile attempt that the tree kept standing strong after the fire faded, as if they consumed the fire.

"Motherf*cker! DON'T F*CK WITH MEEEEEE!" Ankh roared in anger as he unleashed more fiery hurricanes. The trees kept standing even until they're subsided. The birdman then noticed the group of brats resting. He then flew to them.

"So you brats got lost too." Ankh noted.

To Sangloupmon's surprise, it seemed that even him and Ayaka could agree at something if given the right conditions. The wolf kind of expected her to toss his comment on the forest around, but she actually didn't. He looked at her as if she was a completely different person when Nephilamon shared her regards on the matter. -Thiss plasse got different. And while I can sstill see in low-light enviromentss, I guessss it iss ssafer if we sstop in here until you and Ssangloupmon-ssan are a little more ressted, jusst in casse. Alsso, where iss Ankh-ssan? I have yet to ssee him. Maybe he hass found the path to the Village of the Beginingss after all? -the giant spider told them, as Mana welcomed Tatsuya's idea with a loud "YAY!"

As night fell on the seemingly endless forest, they found a place comfortable enough to spend the time until they were recovered and ready to go forward again. Tatsuya took a few stones and dry leaves he found nearby, and set up a small, but controlled, campfire. His father had taught him how to do it properly, and despite him thinking it would be an useless thing to know, it had actually come in handy in the end. With a gesture, he told Sangloupmon to come near. The Digimon seemed to understand, and laid near the spot. His paws reached forward, and he grazed his blades between each other, creating a spark that lit the fire.

Now with a way to keep themselves warm, Tatsuya listened at the others saying what they had brought to eat. Finding a place comfortable enough, he sat and took his backpack opening it and pulling three boxes. -Well, let's see... I have plenty of Onigiri, because I love rice very much. Some of them also have tuna, but if you don't like them, I'll tell you a secret: they are the ones with the light-coloured seaweed. I also have Takoyaki and sushi.

Sangloupmon looked at Canisdramon, then to Ayaka, as they degenerated back to their usual forms. To his surprise, she looked different: her hair was shorter, and the leaves covering her face like a mask were much smaller. Also, she had a darker shade of her usual colour... perhaps due to the night?

He didn't knew if she ate or not, since she was a plant. He also couldn't understand photosynthesis, but grabbed a water bottle from Tatsuya's backpack nonetheless after degenerating to Dorumon as well. Taking it as well as his paws allowed him to, the fox-like creature went next to her, dropped the bottle next to Ayaka, and laid on the ground using his tail as a pillow. -Here. Lightie and I aren't the only ones who need to regain energy -Dorumon said. He then grabbed an onigiri and bit it, chewing on the rice as he looked at the fire. -"Why do I even bother helping her? She'll probably just start talking crap about my barbaric, feral manners" -he thought to himself.

Hearing Mana's remark about Tatsuya being a "responsible adult", Ankh just scoffed in chagrin. So they started a picnic, in midst of the labyrinth forest? He didn't bother to spend more energy, either. He needed a rest, and of course, time to replenish his energy. It was no use to burn this forest, as it recovered from each damage by itself.

"While I don't get your idea of camping here, resting is probably a good idea." The Garudamon X said.

The birdman rested his body on the grass bed, sighing in fatigue. He had too much spent his energy by throwing useless attacks and swearing, so proceeding further was a bad idea. He then looked around, to see if there were anyone besides the group, but he didn't find nothing. If someone or somebody tried to mess up with their heads, it was natural to have himself alerted to any situation in case he came ever again.

"I dunno what happens, but looks like someone or somebody wanna f*ck up our heads. You should be careful." Ankh warned the group. He then turned to the plant fairy, and he then turned away as soon as he finished glancing, trying to hide the blush on his face from her. He was attracted to Ayaka, but he was trying to hide it. He was a tsundere, wasn't he?

"Say, little brat, what do you find in that flower princess-wannabe?" Ankh asked the youngest girl of the group.

Dorumon was munching on his onigiri in a bored expression as his head rested on his furry tail, his gaze lost in the fire as he saved energy. He was expecting Ayaka to come and start telling him how idiotic he was for even thinking she needed his help... Perhaps that was why his head tilted to the plant-like Digimon's direction when a single word escaped her lips. -Thanks... -Ayaka muttered, smiling towards him with her eyes closed.

Tatsuya's partner then looked away, surprised and taken aback by her reaction. He certainly didn't have a reply ready for that single word, that was for sure. -Y-Yeah... you're welcome, I guess -the Dorumon said, actually a little embarrassed at his own attitude. She was always an annoyance, yet it was completely different that time. Even when being nice, she actually managed to confuse him...! -Why did I even do it in the first place? They threatened me and Tatsuya... that's no good -he whispered to himself, making sure nobody else would hear it. He then finished his ornigiri and grabbing another piece, lifting his head slightly as the conversation changed its topic: love.

Tatsuya was surprised when he heard that Yuuki and Karin had gotten together. He leaned to Yuuki's side, his elbow pushing the younger teen's arm in a teasing way. -Huh? And you didn't plan on telling me, Yuuki? You better start spilling right now, man -he said with a mischievous smile on his face, helping Mana achieving their now shared goal of making him talk about his relationship with Karin. Eventually, he had no choice but to give in to their demands (and his partner's, of course).

-Uh, well, nothing much happened, really. We still act normally although a bit more closer and... let's say, she started to make bento for me, and... well, come over to Judo club, I guess? I'm going to ask her for a date soon, but she said she wanted to have double date. Kind of odd, but still nice, I guess? What about yours, then, Mana? I heard from Karin you got a boyfriend for yourself?

Tatsuya let out an "uh, yeah", and talked again. -Charles... -he muttered, as Dorumon's ears rose and he lifted his head even more at the mention of that guy's name. The Rookie still didn't like it a bit. He remembered the incident in the shopping mall, and his gaze became cold once again. -"Yeah, that's right... He should watch out, because next time, I'll..." -he thought, his eyes turning harsher with each thought word.

Luckily, Yuuki also teased Tatsuya on the matter. -And how about the real Casanova here, anyway, hm? -the younger teen said. Tatsuya then chuckled, and leaned backwards, looking at the trees' leaves. -Huh... I never said I was a Casanova, specially since I don't have any experience on romantic or cheesy stuff. The times I was with girls, it would be just to have a good time. A few of them sometimes said they liked me a lot, but I didn't really care. I mean, what was the point? I'd leave sooner or later, and leave memories behind... That's why I've never been in a stable relationship... Also, I hate being tied down. I like to be free to do as I want... with boundaries, of course. -he confessed, a sad smile forming in his visage. Maybe he had lived a lot of experiences, but he'd missed that one as well...

-I wonder if there was ever any girl I truly liked...

"I see. So that's how you see in her." Ankh noted as he rested his head on his hands. So he had a reason to hit on Ayaka after all. "I hate to admit this, but promise me not to tell anyone. I'm interested of your partner, but I don't want the attraction halts me from being stronger."

Ankh's face blushed redder as he told what he held about Ayaka. He was having crush on her, secretly. But he hesitated to tell it in any way. Not to mention he heard the discussion about dates and loves. This made Ankh blushed in vivid red, while imagining if he could date Ayaka.

The Garudamon X sighed, how long they would be trapped in this illusory forest. Hopefully it wouldn't afflict trauma effect on them. And the discussion also reminded him on something: His long lost family and his rival.

"Maybe we should wait until whoever willing to mess up with our heads come soon enough." Ankh suggested. If only he still had popsicles with him, he could ate one. But alas, he didn't bring any. He needed a snack, so he decided to take on something. He took the box of (haphazard) curry rice and ate the rice, leaving only the box. These foods were surprisingly had good taste in his mouth.

"That curry of yours tastes good. I like these extra spices in it." Ankh commented.

When Tatsuya heard Yuuki's comment about his relationships with girls being platonic, the teen couldn't help but to laugh out loud, very amused by his comment. It wasn't a gesture intended to make him feel bad, but rather, a happy, sincere laugh. The moment he was able to stop, he looked at Yuuki and attempted to ruffle his hair. -Well, well... I guess you are a little too dense, man. You know, being with girls to "have fun" doesn't actually mean to just play around. Let's just say that I've... reached the end with some of them -the older teen said with a mischievous smile, hoping that Mana would be too naïve to actually understand what he was referring to.

It was then when Ankh, the strange Hawkmon that had tagged alongside them in their journey, descended in his Garudamon X form to talk to Mana. What Tatsuya and Dorumon heard at that time, they could've never expected. -I hate to admit this, but promise me not to tell anyone. I'm interested of your partner, but I don't want the attraction halts me from being stronger -the bird-like Digimon confessed Mana. Tatsuya just chuckled, looking at Ayaka and then at Dorumon to see his reaction.

As the fox-like Digimon said that, he rose his head once more, looking at the origin of the sudden confession, and smirked. -Remember what I said about you having earned my respect? Well, I take it back, red pigeon -he told the Garudamon X with a half-smile as he drove his second onigiri into his mouth. That one had tuna in it, and he enjoyed the taste while moving his ears slightly down and up, a sign that he liked it.

The flow of the conversation changed when Mana said that, if there was a way, she would get Charles rid of his spirits and delete them all instantly. -Heh. Apparently we think the same way about that, though I made it very clear that day at Shibuya 104 -Tatsuya muttered, thinking about the event. He had gotten angry, but still, it was all in the past at that time.

-Don't worry Tatsuya-san! I'm pretty sure that you'll met that special someone pretty soon! I just feel it! Tell you what, I'm pretty sure that her name starts with... N! Don't tell me how I know it, because I just know! -Mana told him. The boy chuckled and denied with a smile. -Let's be honest: I hate being tied down, you know. I mean, I came to Shibuya to be on my own, not to let someone restrain me, even if it's just from meeting another girls. You know, since I tend to speak with anyone at the tiniest chance, it could be a problem. If I truly liked her... well, that could be another case, but I still doubt it -he admitted, not knowing that, some days later, he would've changed his mind completely.