Which he did, "My goodness, that was a much-needed beauty sleep." BlackGatomon yawned while stretching as ladylike as possible by carefully rolling her limbs without moving them too much. It also helped that she was a cat and had the flexibility of one, for she finished by the time her eyes caught sight of the largest Digimon in the cave, "Leomon!?"
"Good morning." The large lion Digimon politely greeted her, complete with a respectful bow of his head.
Kindness like this was rewarded by the black cat scowling at the far bigger Digimon, "It'd be a good morning if I knew why you're here." She brought up her claws, "What about my partner? Have you done anything to him? Are you here to take him from me? Because I'll bluntly inform you he's—"
"Soundly sleeping at your side." The large lion pointed a claw at the boy who was breathing lightly in a peaceful sleep.
Like any sane individual, the small black Digimon slapped her forehead with a loud smack, "The sooner I accept this will be a norm, the better..." she said as if it were a mantra.
"BlackGatomon, I know you have your reasons to tag along this boy for power. However, I can see something I didn't expect." He got her attention, "Despite that odd Digivice of his, this child was willing to fight me all on his own for your sake. It was only after I managed to... convince him that he allowed me to be here." He felt awkward recalling how that happened.
Frowning with an absolutely cute pouty glare, she retorted with, "And am I to believe the heroic Leomon is going to leave someone like me around a Digidestined?"
Leomon's muzzle was pulled into a soft smile, "Actions speak louder than words." He said simply.
"What do you mean?" she asked angrily.
"I will let you find out on your own." He felt the little imp on his shoulder cheering, "For now, do know I will train your partner. Both of us can agree he needs all the help he can get to become a Digimon."
"I shall... concede." She struggled to say, "Only because I know you'd die before siding with that dastard Devimon."
"Hm?" he felt intrigued, "Calling him a dastard... You do know there's a stronger word to describe him, right? Instead of a d it starts with a—"
"I know what dastard means, a vile coward, which he is!" she snapped, "That dastard will pay for all he did, using others as puppets, controlling them on a whim... That's treason, that's true betrayal."
Leomon was no fool, he could tell that even if she started to calm down, there was a reason for hating Devimon with such intensity words failed to be enough. He had to pry into it, see what made her think and act in such a way and determine if it meant a danger to the human child. Should such a thing happen—which he seriously didn't—and be forced to act accordingly, he was a Digimon with a code of honor.
"Uh... what's for breakfast?" Kitmon groggily asked, eyes heavily shut, on Haruto's hands.
His words brought the lion out of his mental note writing, "Should you need to tend to your needs, I shall wait for you to be ready." He stood up and drew a small map with his claw on the ground, "Nearby you will easily find a waterfall. I use the area to meditate and train. You can meet me there."
"Wait, what's going on?" the fox head asked with half-lidded eyes and an unfocused stare.
"It's a long story, I'll tell you over breakfast." Replied Haruto.
"Good..." mumbled the still sleepy Kitmon.
"Not good, though." BlackGatomon told them, "Do remember our supplies were limited. After those battles, we ate more than our fair share."
Groaning, Kitmon shut his eyes, "Ugh, why is it that there's so much freedom to be had but so many needs to attend?"
"Life is pain, and with no pain there is no gain." BlackGatomon retorted firmly.
Haruto nodded, "True, it ticks me off when people think they have the easy way to do things..."
Looking at him curiously, the black cat asked, "What brought such a topic?"
"Sorry," he rubbed the back of his head. "I just recalled hearing of people talk like that. Acting like they'll be the best with some plan they have." He frowned, "Total lies! Mainly because I'm going to be number one without needing such things! Mark my words, Black-chan, whatever Leomon throws at me, I'll overcome to show who's the best ninja!"
Observing him, the black Digimon pondered his words, He's full of hot air, if nothing else. Still, he has an odd way to back up what he says by trying to do something. Let's see if that pride of his can get him far for what I need. Crossing her arms over her slightly chubby belly, she smirked, "Leomon is on a league of his own. Digimon like that Ranamon would have trouble with him."
"Just wait and see!" he said firmly, full of determination.
Grinning wickedly, BlackGatomon turned around, the gears in her head turning, It seems his ego will make controlling him easier. Good, I always desired to toy around with someone like— and her thoughts ended a split second later when he pulled her over his shoulders, "W-What're you doing!? I don't need you to walk for me!" At least he didn't see her blush.
"Oh shush, you know I move faster." He smirked back at her, a glint in his eyes, "And I could use the exercise to warm up for whatever Leomon has in store for me. Now, hold on!"
"No, don't you dare to—aaaAAAAAAHH!"
Yelling all the way while clutching to his head, BlackGatomon had no choice but tag along as the three of them looked for breakfast from their perches on trees. It was quite easy when one of them could leap over like a monkey. And just like common monkeys, he and his partners found fruit. Not the first thing Haruto would want to stuff his face with in the morning, but he couldn't be picky, and he was hungry.
"So, we train with Leomon, and then what?" Haruto asked while eating what looked like a blue apple.
"Can't care now, eating." Kitmon almost cheered, happy to devour something so sweet and tasty.
"For crying out loud..." BlackGatomon palmed her forehead while peeling a fruit with her free paw's claws, "If you need to know where we could go next, there is a desert nearby. Apart from the dwellings of a powerful Digimon called Andromon, the only thing almost worth nothing is a village."
Choking slightly on his food, Haruto slammed a fist to his chest to breathe again and ask, "Wait, are you serious!? What country is it!? Is it near the Fire—"
"It's a Digimon village, Haruto." Kitmon answered flatly.
"Oh..." Haruto leaned against the tree he sat in front of, then let his head fall back against it, "Damn, I should've guessed then, huh?"
BlackGatomon stared at him oddly, "You're taking it well, too well. Weren't you worried about getting back home?"
"Yeah. I mean, how could I not?" Haruto replied, before his expression softened looking at his partners, "But at the same time... I've been enjoying my time with you two. Do I have to... leave you behind?"
Apart of slightly widened eyes, the two Digimon didn't show any other signs of surprise, but only because they schooled their expressions to remain calm, "I wouldn't be able to say for certain." BlackGatomon gave her answer as best she could, "However, is it worth worrying? You possess a life there, don't you? Surely you must have had plans, hopes, dreams. What does this world have to offer you?"
Sighing deeply, the boy rubbed the back of his head, "Guess you're right... What'd I even do here? It's not like there's a girl I could marry and start a family with..."
"A family?" BlackGatomon asked, slightly surprised.
Blushing slightly, Haruto rubbed one of his whiskered cheeks with a finger, "Don't laugh, alright? I've... kind of always wanted one. Never even got to see or know the name of my parents... So I've always wondered what it'd be to have a family. Even if I'd suck at being a dad since I don't know what one's like, at least I've thought about it. Just to see what it feels like to have one. Am I confusing you?"
Kitmon stopped eating, "Can't say you do. Can't say I fully get you either, though." He answered sincerely, "But... fine, I won't mock you for that if you don't want me to."
"I'm... afraid my thoughts are somewhat like Kitmon's." BlackGatomon told him, "At the very least, I can be kind and lighten your burden... I too wish to know what a real family is like."
"Really?" Haruto asked curiously, "But, where do you come from?"
"We Digimon are born from eggs, some of which only appear at certain locations and are cared for by a lone Digimon. Possessing families is a complicated matter for some of us."
"So, you just pop out a thin air in a spot on this island if you don't have a mom or dad?" the blond asked.
"Pretty much..." Kitmon replied uneasily.
"Learning about you Digimon's going to be tough..." Haruto said, trying to wrap his head around some concepts.
"For now, let's just enjoy our meal and meet Leomon." BlackGatomon reminded them.
However, someone wouldn't give them such an easy time, "It appears that fool Leomon thinks he can one-up me with a disciple. Kekeke... This'll be fun."
Just as our heroes neared the waterfall, they came to an abrupt stop from Haruto's part as he put down his partners, "What is it?" Kitmon asked.
"We've been followed." Said the boy, "Oi, get out! I don't have trouble running away from high-level ninja after painting an entire mountain, so show yourself!"
BlackGatomon grumbled, "His ego's really off the charts."
"No, he's telling the truth." Kitmon whispered, leaving her gaping.
From the trees appeared a large, green Digimon. He was humanoid with a large open mouth with big sharp teeth and tusks, and wore a loincloth. All he had for clothing was a loincloth, and his weapon was a large bone. His malicious eyes were enough of a hint that he wasn't to be trusted, but the overall appearance gave Haruto that hint. Without thinking, BlackGatomon readied her claws.
"What're you doing here, Ogremon?" she asked.
"Kekeke... So you noticed me. Good, Leomon wouldn't have a worthless disciple to settle our score." The Digimon approached them, bone raised.
"All of this is to annoy your rival once again?" the black cat asked, "How many times has he made you eat dirt?"
The green humanoid chortled, "Kekekeke! Why does that matter!? After all, having a hostage should even things out! And his disciple should be quite a good equalizer!"
Haruto instantly grew tired of him, "I'm kicking your face in myself!"
He didn't care, the boy ran at the Digimon despite his partner's protests, "Don't! He's still strong!"
Feeling cocky, Ogremon put his hands on his hips, "Like a kid could hurt me. Come on, gimme your best—" he felt the punch on his gut, "SHOT!"
BlackGatomon gaped once again when seeing the large Digimon fall to his knees, clutching his gut, as Kitmon spoke, "I told you he was strong, didn't I?"
"Curse you... brat..." Ogremon grunted while gasping in air, attempting to get up while moving a hand back, "Fine, no more Mr. Nice Digimon! I'm taking you to Leomon covered in your blood!"
Putting up his fists, Haruto glared, "Just try it."
A recently arriving Leomon found the scene, eyes wide, "What just happened?"
"Leomon? Dammit." The green Digimon forced himself to his feet and retreated, "Mark my words, brat! I'll be back for your head!"
"Get back here, coward!" Haruto exclaimed, ready to follow him until Leomon pulled him back, "Hey, what's the big idea!?"
"Fool!" Leomon shouted at him, making the boy step back, "You didn't see or think about what Ogremon could've tried to strike you in that state! Charging in like that, someone like him would've easily used a dirty trick and hurt you or gotten to your partners! Did you think he was kneeling on the ground waiting for you to attack him!?"
Haruto opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He finally recalled something, the strange motion Ogremon did while getting up. Was he reaching for a weapon? Could he have attacked Black-chan and Kitmon?
Seeing how his words affected the boy, Leomon softened his features, "I will not apologize for what I said, but I'll apologize for my outburst. You're a child, after all. Let this be a lesson for you."
"Yes..." Haruto replied with his head hung low.
"Let us begin." Leomon told him, getting him and the others' attention, "Since you've already learned not to underestimate an opponent when he's down, we can start our next lesson."
After a single nod, Haruto followed the large Digimon, balling his hands into fists, and stopped him, "I... I promise!" Leomon turned, surprised, "I'll make sure not to make mistakes like that again, or get scared! And I won't let guys like him hurt Black-chan or Kitmon! That's... my word to you, and I'll make it my own way of life!"
Leomon couldn't help it, he gained a soft, warm smile, "Then I'll gladly and proudly teach you how to fight. But be ready, I won't go easy on you."
"Yes!"
Far away, someone wasn't happy, "Leomon has taken this unusual Digidestined under his wing while the others will face Meramon. So far, he's still nothing compared to me, but I can never be too careful." Devimon held up a necklace, a pitch-black badge in it adorned with a red spiral symbol, "After all, this item's dark powers have helped my plans go along smoothly."