Hello everyone! Thank you for your encouraging responses! I wasn't planning on expanding this one-shot, but crestoflight3's lovely review had me wondering, 'Even if I wanted to, how could I follow up on this story?' A half-an-hour later, four new ideas were born.

In case you were wondering, this first chapter is actually a new one, and the second is the original one-shot. I want the first four in the series in reverse chronological order, so I had to switch them. I'll upload each chapter as soon as I finish. Please let me know if you like them at all. Hope you enjoy! : )


Tai wasn't sure if he was ready for this, but he could at least make sure that she was.


He knocked on the door three times before calling, "Hey Kari, it's Tai. Are you ready?" The rest of the bridal party was already in line down the hall. Sans one groomsman, they were all set to begin the walk down the aisle to the altar where TK was waiting.

"Almost. You can come in if you want," came the reply, more quiet than he expected.

Gesturing to everyone that 'he'd be right back, they'd just be a minute', he opened the door and stepped through.

"How do I look, Tai?" the bride asked as her big brother entered the dressing room. Kari stood in the middle of the room by an antique three-panel mirror. She put on a smile as she spun to face him, modeling every detail of her gorgeous wedding gown.

Honestly, the sight gave him mixed feelings, so Tai smiled back, "Great, Kari. You look great."

Kari delicately raised an eyebrow at him. "Great?" She tried not to giggle at the flat-sounding compliment. "Well, thank you. I'll be sure to tell Sora how all of her hard work designing my dress turned out 'great'," she teased, turning back to the mirror behind her.

"Oh no, don't tell her that!" Tai waved hastily. "What I meant is beautiful," he amended. "You look beautiful, Kari."

"Thanks, Tai," she grinned, but the expression fell away soon enough.

He frowned.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing. Nothing is wrong," she answered, yet still troubled.

Silence.

"You scared, Kari?"

He watched her face on the glass.

"Not really."

She paused and thought about it. Then she added, "Although I can't seem to leave this room yet, so maybe?"

The big brother in him was scrambling to find any way to help. His little sister was scared, and it was his job to protect her. But what exactly would he be protecting her from here? What could he do? Before he could think of anything, she pressed on.

"How about TK, is he ready?"

Okay, so he could answer first. "He better be. I told him what accidents might strike him down if he messed up anything with you, today or ever in your lifetime," Tai wiggled his eyebrows, trying to lighten the mood.

Kari shook her head lightly. "You know, that didn't work the first time he came to pick me up. I highly doubt it'll have any effect now, especially after today."

"He was cowering in terror on your first date, just like he was today," Tai maintained, flexing his fingers.

Kari tilted her head and stared at him for a second. "TK's right. You do look like a skinny Goku when you're trying to threaten him," she observed.

Tai scowled. "I never liked that kid!"

She eyed his reflection in the mirror. "You love TK like a little brother and you know it. Of course, if you'd prefer, Davis is sitting in the second row. I'm sure he'd be absolutely thrilled to be the one standing at the altar with me," she offered innocently.

Good, she was joking now. He could do that, too.

Tai widened his eyes in horror at the idea, and then smirked and called her bluff. "Go ahead, I'm sure he would. At least that kid can keep up with me playing soccer," Tai muttered darkly. Kari rolled her eyes, so he added, "Hey, this wedding wouldn't be happening if I had challenged TK to a match when he asked me for your hand."

This time, Kari turned around to look at him, all joking aside. "What do you mean?" she wondered. "Did TK ask for your permission, too?"

Surprised that she wasn't already aware, Tai scratched the back of his head sheepishly. Was this supposed to be a secret? Well, if she wanted to know, it could only help. "Er, yeah, he did. Actually, he went to Dad first to get his blessing, then to get Mom's, and then he came for mine right after. TK didn't tell you?"

Kari blinked at the news, stunned. "Aww." She could feel water starting to gather in her eyes, so she blinked a little more. "No, he didn't mention that. Did he say why he had to ask you, too?"

"That's something I think you should talk to him about. But he did say he wanted to make sure he checked with the most important people in your life. 'The people you love and who love you the most.'" He was glad he made that list.

"Wow, that's- that's really sweet of him," she breathed out. "And you said yes?"

Tai had to grin now. Recalling the moment, he answered, "Well, he was shaking with nerves, and he had so much hope in his eyes that I couldn't shoot the poor kid down." Tai stepped forward and took Kari's hands, squeezing them encouragingly. His smile turned sincere as he said, "Besides, he takes good care of my little sister and makes her the happiest I've ever seen her. I couldn't really say 'no' to that."

"And Kari, I…" Tai shook his head, trying to figure out what he wanted to say. "When we were fighting the Dark Masters, when you were fighting the Digimon Emperor, it was digital world stuff and I could fight with you, protect you. Now, you're on your own adventure. I won't always know how to help you, but you know that I'll always try."

He could see Kari was trying not to cry, but a tear ran down her cheek as she let of go his hands to draw him in a tight hug.

"I love you, Tai," she whispered.

She pulled away still teary, so Tai joked, "Don't forget: The minute that kid steps outta line, I'll be there to help, so he better watch out." He punched one fist into his other palm.

Finally, he got a giggle out of her.

"So, are you ready?" Tai offered her his arm.

"Yes. Yes, I am." Kari looped hers around his as he escorted her to the processional line.

To everyone's relief, he gave a thumbs-up when they emerged from the dressing room. The music echoing from church softened to signal the start of the ceremony. Tai would be the first groomsman out the doors, so he needed to bring Kari to the back of the line with their father so he could join Mimi at the beginning.

"Tai, wait!" She clutched his arm before he could leave. "When you bring Mimi to the front, could you come back? Will you please walk me down the aisle, too?"

Tai looked at her. Her eyes were bright and excited, so she wasn't scared anymore. She just wanted her big brother anyways.

"Yeah, Kari. I'll be here for you."

"Thanks, Tai. You always are."