There are a couple things that need to be said about this fic. First of all it is not set in present day, I haven't quite decided when yet but I'll do that later. Secondly this is really more of an introduction as most of the story isn't exactly like this part (you'll see what I mean). Thirdly (yes I do know that 'a couple' means two, but back off!) Taichi is around six or seven in this part. And lastly don't mind the title I had to name it something, didn't I?

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.

Silent Echoes   

By Mina

Yagami Taichi walked quietly through the darkened corridor. His heart pounded ever so slightly as he glanced furtively around him. Mrs. Medlock would have his hide if she found him; still he knew he had to see his mother no matter what. It was only an inkling but he felt strangely compelled to follow it. Easing the heavy oak door open he quickly stepped inside wincing at the low creaking it made. The room was cloaked in darkness and held the unmistakable and over whelming stench of death yet to come. Taichi knelt by his mother's beside with a pained expression. Her cheeks had sunk in and her face held an unhealthy sheen, even her hair was dull and stringy, the once vibrant, healthy glow forever gone. The inevitable effects of her inability to keep down anything but the tiniest morsel of food. Her breathing was shallow and wheezing, no change, always the same. He was starting to forget. Tenderly he stroked a lock of hair and exited the room content that, for now, she was all right.

The young brunette sat huddled in a corner sobbing softly. He had woken to near pandemonium. Hundreds of feet thudded past his door, shouts and shrill cries deafened his ears. He had been forgotten in the commotion, completely and utterly alone. One word pounded persistently through his brain getting louder and more urgent. He tried to ignore it, block it from his mind but he couldn't so with tear stained cheeks he stepped softly out of his room. The house was eerily quiet. Not the faintest sound could be heard. 'Where have they all gone?' he wondered feeling the tears ready to brim over again. The large oak door lay slightly ajar so Taichi crept forward and peaked inside, the strong sense of foreboding threatening to suffocate him in its intensity. Candles burned low and a soft chanting could be heard. A man dressed in black kneeled beside the bed with his head bowed and his lips moving rapidly. Several women in white stood to the side looking nervous and forlorn. The word reverberated intensely in his mind; it was starting to hurt. It wanted him to look, but he couldn't, he didn't want to see. In the end it was not a battle to be won and his eyes trained upon the still form on the bed. The pale, sallow face, the peaceful expression. He could almost have convinced himself that she was still the same. Serenely lost in a dream world with only the red wine stain at her chest marring the ruse. His face was damp as he realised he had been crying silent tears, his lips parted and he softly breathed out the word that had been echoing through his head, "Gone."

A/N: So sue me I was feeling kinda poetry like, the rest should be normal though unless you actually like the funky style. I do feel I must state that Matt will not be tortured or any such madness in this fic * watches everyone leave * sigh. Please be neat and wipe the seat! Umm…I mean, REVIEW!! (Don't ask)