Remember Me

Ah, how nice it was to be home again! It must have been…well given what the children on the buses said, only a few minutes. But to her and the others, it was like an eternity. Trapped in a confusing world of giant insects, impossible geometry and many other horrors beyond the limits of anything she could imagine. But at the very least it was over, and they were back home at last. As the young female rose from her bed and stretched her back, she felt very much at rest. At ease knowing she was back in her own bed and in home sweet home.

This was Mimi Tachikawa, who seemed to be waking up a bit earlier than usual. The sun was just getting ready to rise above the cityscape at this hour. Usually she wouldn't waken until much later. But it didn't matter to her though. For now, everything was as it should be. Everything was okay, and she was where she felt safest: in her room surrounded with stuffed animals and other various cute things. Fixing the white nightgown she was dressed in, the young girl rises to her feet. She goes to the window and pushes aside the curtains obscuring the view. She glances out with a smile, witnessing the beautiful sunrise light shining between the nearby buildings. Mimi closes her eyes, letting her mind and body soak in the morning sun r-

"Mimi! I'm hungry!"

Oh, of course. Even still being here, the echo's of what transpired back in that strange world still hung around her and the others. Not that she minded having this companion with her; in fact she became rather attached to this…what were these things again? Oh yes! Digimon!

The young human turns her head, honing in on the voice. It appeared to be coming from a small, greenish humanoid of sorts. It looked quite like some sort of anthropomorphized cabbage. But this creature was anything but; it was Mimi's trusty digimon partner, Palmon! The green plant digimon's stomach (or whatever she had in place of one) churned and growled, wanting some nutrients for her body to process.

"Mimi, I'm hungry! I haven't eaten anything all day!" She whines to her human tamer.

The girl yawns rubbing her eyes

"All day, Palmon? It's hasn't even begun yet!" She replies.

"Tell that to my stomach…ooog, I feel like I could eat just about anything!"

The young human female giggles at her green friend. She gives a nod and motions her to their kitchen. Being that it was so early, her parents- Kesuke and Setoe Tachikawa- were still soundly asleep. So it was up to her to cook up something for her digimon buddy. Mimi opens the fridge, observing the large variety of food on display.

"Hm, hm, so what would you like? Mommy and daddy are still asleep, so I can't use the stove yet."

"Ooh, just anything! Like a sandwich or something! I'll even eat wood if I have too!"

"Whoa, okay Palmon! Relax! Couple of sandwiches coming up!"

Soon, within minutes the two were gleefully munching on delicious peanut butter and chocolate sandwiches; one of mimi's favorite snacks in a pinch! The hungry plant digimon chows down her food, and her stomach pangs subside. Satisfied with a good meal at last.

"Whew, thanks Mimi! You're a lifesaver!"

"Oh, it was nothing Palmon! You should taste what daddy can cook! He can make broccoli taste great!"

The green plant smiled at her human friend. The two continued to scarf down their delicious meal. Though something was gnawing at the back of her mind as she munched on the sandwich. Something that Mimi constantly shouted out and cried for back in the digital world.

"Hey Mimi?"

"Oh? Yes Palmon?"

"I've been wondering…where's your brother?"

Many times over the course of her adventure, the pink clad girl would sometimes call out to this"baby brother" of hers. Once in a panic, she cried out for him while rushing down the corridors of a twisted stone labyrinth. At other times, she'd curl up in her sleep and whimper for her brother. At other times, she would whine about being at home with her baby brother near her.

Mimi's ears perk up a bit, confused by her question. A brother? But she…Oh! Wait! Now she remembered! Her eyes lit up with pleasure, as she excitedly rushed off to her room. After a few moments she came back, giddily clutching an ornate pastel blue box. She opens it up, revealing a most beautiful and elegant looking gold locket.

"Here's my baby brother! Tee hee! I didn't want to take this with me because I didn't want to get it all dirty or messy during summer camp. Here, see?"

She opens the locket up revealing the image of a small, very cozy looking baby wrapped up in a white blanket. Palmon looks at the image, intrigued but still confused. This was her brother? She definitely couldn't be referring to the locket. The plant digimon still had much to learn about the human world, but she was around Mimi and her friends long enough to what a brother was. After all, that was the term Matt used to describe TK. So this was obviously just a picture, but even then, why wasn't he ever around? Why did Mimi cry out for her baby brother in desperate times, and then never even mention him or even hint at him living here?

"Mimi, that's your baby brother?"

"Of course! Isn't he adorable?"

"But Mimi, where is he? Doesn't he live here with you and your parents?"

Mimi blinked her eyes for a few seconds

"Oh…well uh…um…."

She glances out into thin air for a moment. Her expression becomes blank as she focuses on something. Something vague, and yet stuck with her all these years. Her mind goes back to a time long ago. A memory she both held dear and yet dislike remembering. It was long ago, far before the time she saw the battle between Parrotmon and Greymon. She was but a little baby, approximately two or so years of age. She was by herself in their living room. Playing with her assorted stuffed animals and toys, under the careful watch of her uncle. Then suddenly her mother and father burst through the door, a tiny bundle cradled in her mother's arms. It made some odd noises, something of a grunt or a moan, it wasn't clear.

But unfortunately, Mimi couldn't get a good look. Immediately her family whisked the bundle into the master bedroom. Door closing behind them, blocking out little Mimi. Naturally, she was just dying know what was going on. Curious to know what this strange bundle was. Luckily, her father soon came out, whisking the little baby girl off her hands and knees, and bringing her into the room. A beaming smile on his face as he held his daughter close. Inside, the mother and uncle were peering over a crib, both in awe over what was inside. Once the father approached, they shuffle aside, to give the girl a good look at this mysterious bundle.

"Mimi, meet your new brother…"

Her father proclaimed, a sense of pride and joy in his voice. Mimi gawked at this new small humanoid laying in the crib before her. She seemed curious and just as enthralled with this new addition to the family as much as her parents.

Months soon go on pass. The baby was at four months of age, and Mimi was getting along ever so well with her baby brother. Adorably, she would share her stuffed toys and blankets with him. Often, she would lay on her back along with her brother and gas up at the ceiling in wonder. They both would share a giggle every now and then, laughing at something they found amusing. And they would sometimes sit together and watch some cartoons on the television. Soon, the child was eight months of age. The two were inseparable. The younger of the two would often cry when brought apart. He would protest and scream with rage when Mimi was taken away for a diaper change. The two would not eat unless sitting together, no matter what. And the two even slept right next to each other in different cribs.

Then the brother was eleven months old but…something was wrong. When the two would play, the younger one would suddenly cough or seem lethargic. His breath seemed so odd. Random, and strained. Sometimes would make a weird noise when he inhaled. Something like a grunt or wheeze. Her parents were quite worried too, constantly caring for him all day and all night. Days had past, but the odd behavior still persisted. It was not getting better. In fact it was getting much worse. One day, in a rush, the mother had taken the younger child away and out the door. Poor Mimi was so frightened and confused. She had never seen her brother leave without her. Where did he go? Why did he go? The hours ticked away, Mimi sitting so diligently at the door. Waiting for her brother and mother to return.

The hours continued to tick away. It was two, then four, and finally after five hours, the mother returned home, but…where was her younger sibling? Mimi looked up at her mother with fear. It was hard to see her face. It wasn't the warm, radiant sort of look her mother often have but rather it was a sullen one. A sad one. Tears quietly rolling down her mother's face. Mimi's father got up to see what was wrong, clutching her close. A slew of words were choked out by her. Words Mimi couldn't understand like "Pneumonia." The next day, things were somber still. Mimi had still sat at the door, waiting…and waiting…Surely now here brother would arrive, right? Maybe her uncle would come in, holding him in his arms, and mommy and daddy would be so happy again!

…hours tick by…and then the next day arrives…and then it is next week…

…no one ever came through that door, save for her father occasionally coming back from the store. Little Mimi for longest time since then was so heartbroken. The little friend she had bonded so closely with was nowhere to be seen. Not at the dinner table, not in his crib. He was gone. Each day was painful for her parents. The little daughter would bawl her heart out each night before bed. And each day was not much better. It was always to the door. Waiting…and waiting…

Finally one day, the mother took young Mimi aside. Sitting her on the couch and smiling at her. Yet, there was something somber about her smile. The mother retrieves something from her purse and presents it to little Mimi. It was the most beautiful and elegant looking gold locket. And inside was a picture of a small, cozy looking baby wrapped up in a white blanket. The mother begins to speak, her voice shaky yet hopeful sounding.

"Now Mimi…your brother has…gone somewhere far, far away. But d-do not be sad my darling daughter…"

She smiles, placing the locket against her daughters chest. Mimi takes it into her tiny hands, and stares intently at the photograph.

"He may be gone but…your little brother is still here with us. He'll always be by your side no matter what, my charming daughter. When things go hard, things seem scary…just remember that your brother will be here, forever in your heart, dear Mimi…"

And with that, the mother sheds a tear, and cuddles her only child close.

Mimi's memory of this event is hazy at best, but she still vaguely remembers bits and pieces of it. People being so happy, and excited and yet so horribly sad The happy feelings of being close to someone, and then grief that they were gone. In the present, Mimi finds herself smiling slightly. A soft tear rolling down her cheek as she reflected on the words her mother has said to her throughout her childhood. She clutches the locket tightly in her hands, remembering th-

"Mimi? Are you okay?"

Oh! Right! of course! She was busy explaining this to her friend. Must have gotten sidetracked. She takes a brief second to adjust herself and faces her digimon partner. The girl smiles lightly, carefully placing the locket back into the ornate box.

"Oh! Well, my brother lives…very far away, but with this locket he feels really close by! Like, you know…as if he was here with me! Do you understand Palmon?"

"Umm…I think so…I guess! So it's like if you're friends are far away, they can seem close by with the digivices?"

Mimi smiles

"Yes! That's exactly it Palmon! It works just like that!"

And almost on cue, the a ringing noise cut through the duo's conversation. It was the telephone, but who on earth would be calling at this time in the morning? The morning was just starting afterall! Well seeing as the two ladies were the only one's up yet, Mimi decides to answer the mysterious caller.

"Hello, this is the Tachikawa residence!"

A familiar sounding female voice answered on the other side

"Mimi?"

"Oh! Sora?"

"Oh Mimi, you're up! Hey listen, Izzy and the others are going to be meeting at the park to talk about finding the eighth digidested! Think you'll be there?"

"Oh why yes! Totally! I'll be there in no time!"

Mimi and her friend say their goodbyes as she hangs up the phone.

"Mimi, what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"Right! Oh, but I need to get ready first! Can't go to the meeting looking like a zombie!"

Palmon rolls her eyes at this, but then again it was hardly a sentiment she disagreed with. After all, it's not like she'd want to go straight into battle looking like a withered up plant! Mimi dashes back into her room, diligently grooming and brushing her hair, fixing up her face a bit with some mild cosmetics, some eyelash tweaking, etc. A new change of clothes, another hat and-

"Ah perfect! Come one Palmon, let's- oh wait!"

They were just about the door when she suddenly remembers something important. She ducks back into her room, much to her partner's annoyance.

"Ugh, Mimi, come on! We have to go!"

In her room, she goes to her drawer, but not for socks or gloves, or anything of that nature. But instead for that blue pastel box. Popping the top open, she reaches in and retrieves the elegant golden locket. Holding it up in the air above her, letting the sunshine reflect off of its shiny surface. She gives a smile before pocketing it. Soon, Mimi returns to her partner.

"Hee hee, whoops! Sorry, I had to get something important!" She sheepishly explains.

"Okay, can we go now Mimi?"

"Yes, come on Palmon. Let's go see the others!"

And with that proclamation, the duo sprinted out the door, and onto their next big adventure.

~The End~