Digimon: Reloaded

Chapter 4

Almost a week had passed and the side effects of the warrior's wounds on their partners and almost all but faded. They were able to attend school normally without throwing up or passing out in class from the pain.

Tomoki walked through the elementary school gates, reviewing the facts for today's quiz again in his mind. He felt slightly queasy, but it was nothing compared to when Chakkumon first appeared in his brain. He glanced warily around the schoolyard, where the other children were playing and laughing with each other before school began.

Ever since Izumi had passed the message that they were being hunted by a group of Chosen Children like themselves, Tomoki couldn't help but be a little on edge. He had no idea who they were and even though he knew they weren't evil, he was still cautious about literally everyone in his class.

The bell thundered across the yard, and the students began to hurry in one huge wave towards the school gates, chattering and picking up their backpacks as they went. Tomoki went along with the wave, entering his classroom and taking his usual seat near the back of the room and placing his stuff down on top of his desk. He scooted slightly closer to his seat as Iori walked by to put his stuff on the desk behind Tomoki's and sat down.

Iori gazed at Tomoki as he sat down and put his chin in his palm, staring out the window. The brown-haired boy had been acting strange ever since last week, when he had the conversation with that upperclassman. He had been talking to himself more and was zoning out a lot more than usual.

Iori's gaze narrowed as he glared at Tomoki's back. He was hiding something, and Iori was going to find out exactly what it was.

The rest of the day went by with relatively few problems. Both groups of Chosen Children were relieved when the bell rang and they were released for the weekend. Takeru packed his things into his backpack, noticing that he and Kouji were the only two left in the room. Kouichi had hurried ahead of him to collect the rest of their friends, who were undoubtedly in other classes.

Takeru couldn't help but watch the raven-haired boy closely as he put his notebook away. Patamon had informed him during lunch that several people, up to one or two, smelled distinctly like Digimon in his class. Tailmon had agreed, saying that Kouichi in particular had that stench, making the ravenette number one on a suspect list for a Chosen Child.

As Kouji swung his backpack over his shoulder, Takeru watched him go with narrowed eyes, before Patamon popped his head out of the blond's backpack, his eyes wide.

"He smells like a Digimon too!"

As soon as the bell rang, Junpei made a break for the middle school, running as fast as his legs would carry him. Along the way, he ran into Izumi and Kouichi, who were on their way to get him. The trio then made their way to find Tomoki, who was waving to someone as he walked out of his classroom.

"A friend?" Kouichi asked the boy who nodded, smiling.

"His name is Iori," He explained. "We haven't talked much at all. He just approached me during class. Strange..." He shook his head and glanced between the three that stood in front of him.

"Where're Takuya and Kouji?"

"Takuya has soccer practice," Izumi said. "And Kouji had to finish packing his things. He said he'd meet us at the school entrance." Tomoki nodded and Junpei crossed his arms, a frown crossing his face.

"I actually have something that we need to talk about," Junpei said. "In private."

The sun was setting before Takuya finally was released from soccer practice. Bidding farewell to his teammates, the goggle-headed boy started on his way towards the park, where he was told to meet up with everyone so they could discuss what was going to happen now that the Warrior's spirits had been fused with theirs.