Chapter 1: The Vigilante

It was a beautiful September morning, when Kari woke up. She knew what awaited her. It was the first day of school. She was 17 now and knew that in two years she would be going to college. For her this day however reminded her of something terrible. On the same day two years ago her best friend had died in an airplane crash. "Why TK, why did you have to be on that plane…" Kari thought to herself. She had talked with him before he boarded the plane and she had had a bad feeling about it, but she had pushed back those thoughts back then. "If only I had told him not to board that plane…".

"KARI! Kari you need to get ready for school!" Her mother shouted from the other room. "Be right there…I'm already dressed!" Kari responded with a sigh. She didn't sleep the night before. How could she when she only remembered her best friend? He hadn't been only her best friend. Before he had left that summer for Paris to see his grandparents, Kari had shared her feelings for him. It surprised her that he had shared the same feelings for her. The day before he left they had shared more than just a goodbye kiss, but their destinies seemed to want them to be apart.

Yuuko: There she is! Little Miss Popular! How does it feel to go back to school when you know that everyone will be there to see how last years most popular girl is doing?

Kari: Not that good…can I skip today? I'm not feeling well…
Yuuko: Kari…darling, it's been two years! How long are you going to think about that day? I thought you moved on, when you started dating George?
Kari: It's still difficult mom…I really cared about him. He was my best friend…

Yuuko: Come on, I'm quite sure if you go to school you will get your mind off him. What do you say?
Kari: Alright…I'll go.

Yuuko: Oh and George will come to pick you up. He already called; he'll be here in a few minutes.
Kari: Great…hmmm what's that on the news?
Yuuko: Oh…that? Apparently there's a hooded vigilante going around the city and beating up criminals. The police calls him armed and dangerous and a threat as well. If you ask me he is doing what they cannot.

Kari: Hmm…interesting…

A few minutes later Kari heard the interphone ringing. She knew it was George in his fancy BMW, but she really had no interest in him. Somehow the only thing on her mind now was the vigilante everyone seemed to talk about on the news. She hurried downstairs to George.

George: Kari! There you are gorgeous! Ready for our big entrance at the school?
Kari (kissing him on the cheek): George! Hey! Yeah!

Kari had put on a fake smile. To anyone who didn't know her well she would seem extremely happy. "He would know…" she thought while looking out the window. The car ride seemed to last an eternity to her. George wasn't very talkative. He was quite good at sports, but he wasn't deep. She never had any meaningful discussions with him. She missed TK now more than anyone. She couldn't even talk to Gatomon. After their win against MaloMyiotismon the gates to the Digital World had to be shut again. She hoped she would see her trusted partner again, at least her…

At school:

Elena: OMG! IT'S KARIII! Wow you look amazing! I can't believe how pretty you are!

Bonnie: Oh leave her be! She just got here!
Kari: Hey girls! How are you two?

Elena: You know…nothing special. Johnny and I broke up again. I missed you so much this summer!
Kari: Yeah sorry…I was really busy.

George: Ladies…can I steal my girlfriend for a moment? I want to make a big entrance.
Bonnie: Oh George…you are so pathetic.

Bonnie and Elena left as George took Kari's hand and walked through the entrance. As he expected everyone turned his or her head towards the two. He was quite smug about it, but Kari felt a bit shy about it. She didn't like the attention that much. She was kind and happy all the time and that's what made her so popular. Of course her beauty didn't go unnoticed either. She then noticed a face she hadn't seen before. A tall boy with some loose clothes on him. He had brown fuzzy hair and didn't seem to care much about his appearance. He was about to get a book out of his locker when someone next to him gave him a nudge to look at the popular pair. She looked him deep in the eyes and thought he had a familiar look, but then she dismissed the thought quickly.

George: I love this feeling! Don't you?!
Kari: Yeah…hey, let's go to class…

George: Sure.

In class:

Professor Fujimoto: Good morning children and welcome to a new year of high school. I hope you are all rested after the vacation and ready for the next year. As you know this year's grades will count for your finals! Huh…(he heard a knock on the door) AH! This must be our new student.

The door swung open and there he was. Kari saw the boy she noticed earlier standing in the doorway. "That's why I didn't know him…" she thought.

Boy: Hi…I believe this is my class…
Professor Fujimoto: Yes! Yes! Please come in! Students, this is Bogdan! He is an exchange student from Siberia! Yes quite exotic! Please Bogdan tell us something about yourself!

Bogdan: Hi everyone…uhm…I'm Bogdan…arrived here yesterday…uhm…there's not much to say really…

George: Go get some nice clothes loser!

Professor Fujimoto: George! That is outrageous! What did I teach you all never to judge a book by its cover! Detention for you!

Kari couldn't help but giggle. She noticed George looking mad towards her, but that made her smile even more. She noticed the boy was looking towards her with big eyes and she was wondering why that was. He slowly walked towards her, which surprised her even more.

Bogdan: Is the seat next to you free?
Kari (still amazed at how much he reminded her of someone): Huh?
Bogdan(pointing to it): The seat?

Kari (blushing): OH! Right! Yes! You can sit down!

They didn't talk during the lesson and as soon as it was over Elena came over and snatched Kari away. Bogdan was left packing. Kari turned her head around to see him again, but only noticed Sarah, the class nerd introducing herself to Bogdan. "What does she want with him?!" Kari thought to herself.

The classes went by quickly. Bogdan and Sarah became friends quickly. He seemed quite the geek to everyone else as well. Kari had tried to talk to him a few times but she was interrupted each and every time.

Kari had stayed at school a few hours longer. She decided to subscribe for a few clubs and some extracurricular classes. She noticed that the only one left in the library was Bogdan. "This is my chance!" she thought.

Kari: Bogdan! Hey! It's me, Kari…

Bogdan: Hey! Kari! Of course!
Kari: Yeah…so…how do you like it so far?
Bogdan: It's pretty cool here. I really like everyone I met until now. Everyone is quite nice to me…except your boyfriend…
Kari: Ah…don't mind him. He is actually nice, but he wants to mark his territory.

Bogdan: I figured. What are you still doing here?
Kari: I was subscribing for some clubs and extra classes. You?
Bogdan: I was actually ordering my new internet connection for my apartment.

Kari: You live alone?!
Bogdan: Yes! My parents insisted on me coming here. They are paying for all of it of course. They want me to finish school here and continue with university here as well.

Kari: Wow! (she noticed that behind those shaggy clothes he was quite muscular)

Bogdan: Yeah…I try to make due…

Kari: Yeah that too…you look like a model…

Bogdan: Oh…no it's just from the work I did back home…listen I gotta run, cause I still have to go do some groceries.

Kari: Sure! Sorry to keep you! Have fun! Maybe we'll hang out some more!

Bogdan: I'd love that.

An hour later it was already getting dark and Kari made her way slowly back home. She was walking down the street and noticed someone was following her. She looked around and saw two hooded guys on her trails. She was walking quicker until she stopped dead in her tracks as a third guy was standing in front of her. He pushed her down a back alley.

Thug: Little girl…you are quite pretty…say why don't you lose some of those clothes and we'll be gentle.

Kari: What do you want from me?

Thug: You know what we want. Don't make it hard on yourself.

Kari: Please leave me alone…

Thug: Oh…no we won't.

It was right when he said it, that an arrow hit him in the leg.

Kari: It's him! The vigilante!

Vigilante: Do you have anything to say before I break all the bones in your body?
Thug: You piece of…

Before he could finish the vigilante punched him in the face. Then he jumped on his shoulder and towards the other two. With his right foot he kicked one in the face and threw a short knife at the other. All three were down.

Kari: Wow! Thank you so much!

Vigilante: Go! Now! The police is on their way!

Kari: Wait! What's your name?

Vigilante: I don't have a name.

Kari (walking closely towards him): Can I at least thank you?

When the Vigilante turned around Kari just jumped him and kissed him. When she broke loose, he turned around and got lost around the corner. Kari then walked quickly towards home.

Bogdan's apartment:

Bogdan had just arrived home when he noticed Sarah in front of his apartment.

Bogdan: Huh?! What are you doing here Sarah?!

Sarah: Cut the crap! I saw you! You're him! The Vigilante!

Bogdan: What?! No I'm not!
Sarah: I saw you hide your stuff in the warehouse two streets from here. I followed you. I knew there was something off with you. Plus you don't even have an accent when you speak. Who are you really?!

Bogdan: Get inside.

Sarah (after entering the apartment): So?!

Bogdan: My real name is Takeru Takaishi. My friends call me TK. Officially…I died in the plane crash from Paris to Tokyo two years ago…I survived and after two years managed to escape a group of crazy assassins with some of their money to come back home.

Sarah: REALLY?!

Bogdan: Yes. I am not lying. They trained me. (he took his shirt off). I have the scars to remind me of it.

Sarah: WOW! I want in! I want to help you! I am really good with computers and maybe I can help you out!

Bogdan: No way! It's too risky!
Sarah: I can help you out! Please! Please!

Bogdan: Fine…we'll work together…

Meanwhile:

Yuuko: Kari! Where have you been?!

Kari: Mom! You wouldn't believe it! I met him! The Vigilante! I met him! Some thugs attacked me and he saved me and I kissed him and he is so great and muscular and looks like a GOD!

Yuuko: WHAT?! You got attacked?!
Kari: YEAH! Who cares…I met the Vigilante mom! And I kissed him and he kissed me back and I think I am in love! There is something about him…something familiar!

Yuuko: I can't believe you…you were attacked and you are excited…

Kari: I can't wait to tell Elena and Bonnie! I am so excited!

Yuuko: Somebody understand teenage girls…