Full Summary:

Hi guys, this is my first story! It's not going to involve any digimon; the story is completely taking place in the real world. I apologize for any mistakes!

I don't own digimon, though I wished I did. ;)

*Note: This story takes place when they're young, around 11 (Tai, Sora, Matt) , 8( T.K. and Kari), 10 (Izzy, Mimi) and 12(Joe)

The wild screeches and squeals of the young children were missing a single, unique voice. A voice Tai could recognize anywhere, seeing as he and Kari were siblings and best friends. But Kari wasn't with her classmates. Tai scratched his head thoughtfully. "Huh. If your brother is in second grade too, he might be in my sister's class. "He glanced up at his new classmate. "What's his name?"

The boy with the spiky golden hair turned to face Tai. He frowned. "It's Takeru. But everyone just calls him T.K." He unconsciously slid the glove of his right hand off. "It's his first day here too and usually he's really shy. I don't understand why he isn't waiting here for me." He turned the glove from side to side and then slid it back on, flexing his finger. "You think they're okay?"

Tai comforted him with a quick pat. "Of course. Don't worry Matt, we'll find them. You'll help me if I help you. Right?"

Matt nodded as he said, "Of course. You didn't even need to ask."

With the reassurance of Matt's help, Tai took a relieved breath. He closed his eyes thinking about where the two ten year olds could be. Kari loves the park. She's always looking for new creatures to help, but mom and Miko are equally not okay with her taking them home. But maybe she's there anyway.

He opened his eyes and grabbed his bag, ready to go. "I've got an idea. Why don't we try the park? It's got the playground and leads into the woods. Plenty of space for kids to roam."

Matt shrugged. He didn't want to shoot his new friend down... But T.K. is shy. He doesn't wander alone unless he's with me or mom and dad. And this is his first day here. I'm sure he's inside the school waiting for me to get him. Or maybe he doesn't know where the school exits are and needs me to go find him. His fingers clenched with worry.

"Actually," He said carefully. "I was thinking they're probably still in the school. T.K. likes to get extra help with his homework. I'm sure he's still inside, asking his teacher a few questions. Let's go there first."

Tai shook his head. I don't want to be rude. But I think I know the school better than he would. I mean, I took first to third grade here. And this is Kari's second year. I know her favourite spots for sure. "Come on Matt. I think Kari's at the park. And making friends with the new kid sounds like exactly something she'd do. She probably dragged him along to the park."

Matt raised his eyebrows, and placed his hands on his hips. He glared, an tinge of attitude in his voice. "Is that supposed to mean something? What's wrong with being the 'new kid' ?"

Tai glared back. He bit back a retort. Nothing, but you don't know half as much as I do of the neighborhood. He gently put his hands on Matt's shoulders, trying to stay friendly. "Of course not. But I'm just saying-"

Matt rolled his eyes and Tai struggled with the urge to punch something. Or better yet, a certain someone.

"I'm just saying," Tai gritted his teeth, clenching his fists. "We should go to the park and then the school and they to our own homes. It makes more sense this way."

Matt threw up his hands in exasperation, knocking Tai's hands away. "It's the exact same thing if we go to the park first or the school!" He glared. What the hell makes you think you know little kids better than me? Matt growled, "Maybe we should just look for them separately! I'm just another 'new kid' anyways."

Tai gave up with a snort. "Fine! Have fun trying to find your brother!" He waited for a moment to see if Matt was going to reconsider but worry washed over him like a wave. Where was Kari? And why was he still here, waiting to see if Matt would change his mind? Every moment he spent with this blond know-it-all, Kari could be wandering alone and afraid, looking for him...

"Tai! Tai! Look at what I've got!"

The older brother's worry evaporated into sweet, sweet relief as he turned to see his little sister. "Kari! You're okay!" He bent down and wrapped his hands around her, squeezing her tightly. He didn't care that she was squirming, or that she was protesting, "Tai, you're smothering me! I'm a big kid now! Let go!" or that Matt was probably watching with an arrogant sneer.

He finally let go, getting ready to reprimand her. Kari, relieved took a step back quickly in case he tried to hug her again. She looked over him curiously. "Are you feeling alright Tai?"

Tai ignored her comment and followed his big brother protective feelings. "The better question is, are you? Where were you? It's almost been an hour since school was over."

Matt walked over, supportively touching Kari's shoulder. "Hey, hey. Don't exaggerate. It's barely been twenty minutes."

Kari nodded, gazing up at Matt with admiration and gratefulness. She looked back down to blink at her brother with a touch of smugness. "Yeah. We were outside at the park and then T.K. found Rocky!" Tai raised an eyebrow smugly. See? Matt rolled his eyes. Whatever.

"But then we went back inside because I didn't know how to do my science work." Kari continued. Matt smugly cocked his head to the side. What did I tell you? Tai rolled his eyes, ignoring Matt.

Kari looked between the two boys like they were acting strangely. Which they weren't. Because they were way too old to act immature.

"Anyways, meet T.K.!" She pointed to a small boy Tai hadn't noticed behind her.

Tai looked up, curious to see if Matt and T.K. were similar. They shared their golden hair and light skin but that was it. The little boy timidly gave Tai a smile before ducking behind Matt's back.

Matt twisted to ruffle his hair gently. "Hey little brother. I'm glad you're okay. Come on out and meet my new friend Tai." Oh crap, did I say friends?

We're friends? If it's okay with him, it's okay with me. Tai offered him a gentle smile and bent down to meet T.K. eye to eye. "So is Rocky a creature? She's always trying to bring little critters to our house but our mom won't let her."

Encouraged by Tai's friendliness, T.K. took a step forwards. "Yeah! Rocky's a mouse." He turned to Matt. "Do you think mom and dad will let us keep him?"

Matt hesitated, not wanting to shoot down his little brother's hopes. "I'm not sure. But it won't hurt to ask."

Kari looked up at Tai, blinking innocently. "But can T.K. come to our house to play? He's fun! And Mom won't mind." Matt opened his mouth but she continued, and Matt can come too. Since you guys are both new, we can show you around the neighborhood."

Tai sighed, knowing he would be fighting a losing battle if he said no. "When Kari's set on something, it's hard to change her mind. Do you guys want to come over?"

T.K. nodded eagerly so Matt said. "Why not? I'll just call our mom to let her know that we're going to your house to play."

Tai said, "Okay." With a sudden thought, he turned to eye T.K. and Kari seriously. "But on the way, we're going to talk about letting big brothers know where you're going."

"Okay." chirped the younger siblings.

As T.K. and Kari ran on ahead, Tai awkwardly shoved his hands into his pockets, and avoided Matt's gaze. He walked slowly, trying to walk so that he wasn't quite behind Matt or at his side. "So um... we're friends?"

Matt exhaled, stretching his arms above his head. There wasn't really a nice way to put it... "Well we were both right so I guess you aren't completely hardheaded. After all, you do know the area better than me." He offered Tai a small smile. If he ruined this first impression too... His parents were going to kill him.

Tai quickened so he matched Matt, pace for pace, step for step. He met Matt's eyes and returned a smile to take the sting out of his words. "Usually I'd be more offended, but you're not as snobby as I thought either. So I guess we're even."

Matt raised an eyebrow, his heart warming. "So we're good?"

"We're good," He confirmed. Tai saw Matt's smile grow bigger before they both looked away. A comfortable silence followed as the two boys walked, following farther and farther behind from their siblings.

But Tai wanted to get to know this strange new guy better.

He tried, "So uh... Do you like soccer?"

"Soccer? Of course! It's my favourite sport!"

"Hey, me too! I used to play on my school team."

"Huh, maybe you could join our team this year..."

Sora stood up and jumped off the steps. The thud of her landing on the ground overcame the quiet creaking of the porch. She had seen Kari running past her house earlier, so that meant he wasn't going to be far behind.

Just as she thought, Tai turned the corner of the block and quickened his pace to meet Sora.

"Well well Tai, is this a new friend?" She smirked, mockingly placing her hand on her heart. She pretended to sob desperately into her cupped hands. "Have I already been replaced? I thought we were best friends!"

She saw Tai smirking in response out of the corner of her hands, but before he could answer, the blond rolled his eyes and wrinkled his nose."You're such a drama queen. Grow up already."

Sora instantly disliked him. She couldn't deny that he was handsome... He was a little taller than Tai and lanky with thin shoulders. While his skin was pale, his eyes were a fierce, dark blue, contrasting his spiky tufts of blond hair. But his scowl alone gave Sora enough to dislike.

"Who do you think you are?" She asked incredulously, throwing her hands onto her hips. "What is your problem?"

He shot Tai a grin like they shared an inside joke. "Me? I'm the new kid."

Tai laughed, throwing an arm over his shoulders like they were good friends. "Sora, this is Yamato Ishida. He's my new classmate." He turned to gesture to Sora. "And this is Sora. We've know each other since kindergarten and our parents are good friends. She could kick your butt in soccer."

Matt crossed her arms. "No way! I could beat you with my eyes closed!"

Sora glared. This guy? He's so arrogant, I could swipe the ball from under his nose before he could notice. "You wish! I'd wipe the field with you!"

Matt snorted. "You'd have to catch up to me first."

"I could beat you in a race, anytime anywhere!"

"Sure, maybe if you had wings and I had a broken leg!"

"If I had wings, I'd throw you down a cliff!"

"Again, only if you could catch me first!"

"Argh!" She stomped away. "You're so annoying."

"Yeah?" He challenged. "Well you're stubborn!"

"Well you're an idiot!

"Well you're a drama queen!"

Tai finally stepped in, trying to hide his giggles. "Guys calm down. Maybe we can have a game someday." He winked teasingly. "Then I could show you who's the real soccer champ! Me!"

He waited while both of them rolled their eyes before saying, "Do you want to come over to our house too, Sora? Kari and Matt's little brother are probably already there."

Sora glared at the blond, hot-headed, idiot who thought he was so much better than everyone. "If this guy is going to be there, I wouldn't go if you paid me!"

"Hey, it's not like I want to talk you either!" Matt called, attitude spiking his words.

"Then go away!"

"Fine!"

Sora stormed up the stairs and slammed the door behind her.

Matt raised an eyebrow and sincerely asked. "Are all your friends like you?"

Tai shrugged. That could have gone better. "No idea. But I was hoping it would go better than this when you met them." He shot a glance over at the familiar house that he'd often been over at. "Let's just go. She'll get over it."

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