Authors Notes :: This was just a very short fic I wrote in maths class today after an idea popped in to my head. What must have been running through the kids minds when Tai was pulled through the rift to the real world all the way back in 'The Earthquake of MetalGreymon' in season 1. The series starts with Joe, and I'm thinking of continuing, depending if I get any reviews. There are hints of Taiora and Jyoumi in here, but they won't be that big at all. I doubt you'll even notice 'em. On with the fic!

Disclaimer :: You know the drill. I don't own digimon. Ask anybody, they'll tell you the same thing.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME?

*Jyou 'Joe' Kido*

Right, that's it.

All those times before I thought we were doomed. But this time I think we really are.

Tai's gone.

He may be back home, he may be dead. We really don't know. I can already see the group falling apart because of it. Everybody's just on such a downer, even after Etemon and Datamon were defeated. I can't really say what's going to happen to all of us, but hey, miracles have happened to us before, haven't they?

I'm not so sure even a miracle can pull us through this time.

For some reason, Sora seems to be most affected by Tai's disappearance. I've suspected there's something there for some time now, and it's almost like this has confirmed it. She seems more isolated and keeps going on about her crest. My guess is that... maybe she's sad because she didn't properly find her crest. Datamon found it to make a copy of herself. Or maybe it was because Tai saved her life, and now he's gone. That's probably it. None of us can do anything to cheer her up either. I hope that she comes around herself, or maybe Biyomon can help. All I know is that she has to figure this out by herself eventually.

Being out in the middle of a desert doesn't exactly help the mood either. We've all been sweating like pigs and the complaints don't stop from Mimi. Although, I must admit, she's a lot more bearable from the first time we arrived in the Digital World. She's actually nice to hang around now, since she has a very positive attitude... whenever she's not complaining. Must be that sincerity finally shining through. But they must be the most delicate feet in the digiworld!

Matt and TK haven't really changed that much, although Matt seems to be more protective of TK. He probably is worried that the same thing will happen to his little brother. After all, he is responsible for him. I guess none of us can take anything for granted.

Tai found that out the hard way. I wonder if he really is... dead.

If he's just been taken back to the Real World, well... I wouldn't really know what to think. Would I tell him to stay and enjoy the peace and quiet of no monster attacks and sleeping in a warm bed? Or would I tell him to give all that up and come back and lead us in the digiworld? That might've been the only chance that we got to go back home, and Tai took that chance. He's been through all the same stuff we've been through here in the digital world, and I think it would be unfair if we got majorly hurt or got killed or had to take out some v. strong monsters, while he's lapping it up in the real world.

I know that sounds selfish, but it also happens to be true.

Although I could be kidding myself, and Tai could be dead. Oh God, if he is, Tai I'm sorry man. But if he isn't...

Tai wouldn't be the sort of person to give up that easily on the digiworld just like that. Plus he has Agumon with him. It may not always seem like it, but Tai isn't all that selfish; He would want Agumon to be at home.

What we need to do now is stick together as a team. If we break up...

We could be doomed.