Author's note: I wrote this because I haven't seen too many Tai and Kari stories. I figured after the new episode would be the perfect time. Also, I wanted to expand on my theory of why Tai's acting so cold. It happens between "Enter the Dark Masters" and "Sea-sick and Tired." Enjoy.
Part 1:
His mother stood sobbing. "What were you thinking? You knew she was sick!"
He placed a hand on the newly formed mark on his cheek. It hurt, but he was too out of it to notice. Indeed, pressing his hand against it was pure reflex.
And now," she sobbed, "And now your little sister may die because of you!"
Tai quickly woke up, sweat pouring down his face. He panted as he placed his hand against his chest, as if to keep his rapidly beating heart safely inside.
"Tai?" he heard a voice ask.
He turned around. "What are you doing up, Matt?"
"It was my turn for watch, remember?"
"Oh yeah," Tai said, lying back down.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Tai lied. "It was...just a bad dream!"
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Tai wanted to, but he couldn't. Matt would hate him, and so would everyone else. "No, no I'm okay now."
Matt looked at Joe's watch. "Well, your shift begins in an half-an-hour. As long as you're awake..."
"Huh? Oh yeah! Good night!"
"' Night."
Tai sat up and leaned against the tree. As always, his mind started to race. It was the same dream for the past couple of nights. He thought he had gotten over that, so why was it happening now? Why now, when the others were counting on him the most?
He knew why. It was because his sister was with him now. It was just his subconscience reminding him of what a horrible big brother he was.
He looked over at the others. None of them except maybe for Matt, would understand, but how do you tell someone you almost killed your little sister?
He heard Kari cough. He turned to her, his heart pounding again. "Please?" he wispered, "Please, don't let it happen, not now!"
He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that she coughed because she inhaled some of Gatomon's fur. Good! She wasn't getting sick again! It was an ongoing cycle. Kari would get sick, recover, and then get sick again. She had a weak immune system, and it was his entire fault. Even though she was okay, he stayed by her side for the rest of the night.
To be continued