Hey everyone, sorry for the late update but my professors all decided to make their exams on the same week (AKA last week). I really did mean to have this up last week so my apologizes to everyone. I'm planning to get to the actual plot of the story pretty soon and I should have that posted within the next week or two. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon
Chapter 2: Searching for the Truth
Tai quickly made his way to the elevator, checking his pockets to make sure he had both his car keys and his phone. After ensuring both were in his possession, he stopped at the elevator in order to wait for its arrival. The brunette didn't have to wait long however, as it arrived after only a few seconds. "Wow, aren't I lucky. If I'm late again my professor would probably have a fit" Tai muttered to himself. When the elevator door opened, Tai was slightly surprised to see who was standing in front of him. He had known this person for a long time, ever since the boy was eight, and looked at him as a little brother. After taking a good look at him, he couldn't help but think to himself that he looked so much like his older brother. Same blue eyes, same blond hair, and he was now just as tall as him (if not taller). The brothers even had the same problem: they couldn't get away from their respective fan girls. Luckily though, neither got caught up in any of that. In fact, both boys seemed to resist it as much as possible. Yeah, TK has really grown up to be just like Matt. It's hard to believe how far he's come since I first met him Tai thought to himself.
"Hey Tai!" TK greeted him with his signature grin, which quickly turned into a look of curiosity. "Aren't you running a little late? Matt mentioned to me that you were on thin ice with his and yours economics teacher."
"Oh, you know me. Just trying to get the full college experience" Tai replied in a sarcastic tone. "And you need to tell Matt that he's been late just as many times as I have. In fact, he's probably the reason why I'm always late. Speaking of which, I have some advice for you: do your best not to take after him" he finished with a smile.
TK couldn't help but laugh at Tai's "advice", after all Tai knew Matt better than anyone else, except for his girlfriend, Sora. Tai joined TK in his laughter after a moment, as the two boys shared their simple yet rare moment. "You should probably get going soon Tai. I didn't mean to hold you up or anything" TK said after the laughter subsided. "Sorry, I hope I don't make you late or anything".
"Don't worry about it TK, we should talk more often. Heck, you're around Kari so much I could probably talk to you more often if I paid attention. And besides, I'll still get there with some time to spare so don't worry so much" Tai said while heading towards the elevator. The boys began to walk in opposite directions, with TK going towards the Kamiya apartment and Tai to the elevator. Before he entered though, Tai stopped and looked back, remembering the conversation he had with Kari just minutes before. "Hey TK, can you hold on for a second."
"Yeah Tai?" TK asked, looking back with a confused expression. TK immediately noticed the worry on Tai's stern face, he was familiar with that expression from all the times he had fought evil Digimon by his side. "Is everything ok?"
"Don't worry about me TK, I'm doing fine. It's Kari, I… I think she's getting one of those feelings again, you know the one that always get us into trouble?" TK knew exactly what Tai was talking about. He was referring to Kari's "sixth sense", her ability to just know that something bad was about to happen. "I mean, she was fine last night, but this morning she was just completely out of it. I tried to ask her about what was wrong but she seemed… she was scared TK". At this, TK tensed up; he cared a lot for Kari, and he definitely didn't want her to be living in fear of anything. "Look, I don't mean to throw her problems or even my problems on to you, but I'm really worried about her." Tai hated forcing this onto TK, but TK had been looking out for Kari ever since their first adventure in the Digital World. If something happened, he knew TK would be the first person to help her, excluding himself. He looked TK in the eye and noticed they were filled with determination. In that instant, Tai knew TK was the right person to help Kari; he knew TK would stop at nothing and do anything to keep her safe. "I don't think she's in danger or anything, at least not yet. What I'm really worried about is that she's going to try and take on a task that is too big for any one person".
TK place a hand on Tai's shoulder, doing his best to relax the older boy. "Hey, you know I don't mind helping anyone with their problems, especially you and Kari. In fact, I'm glad you told me; you know I'd hate it if I didn't help. If you'd like, I'll talk to her and see if she'll tell me. I'm sure it's nothing, she just didn't want you to overreact".
Tai nodded and smiled at TK, letting TK see his full gratitude for what he was doing. "Thanks TK, I really appreciate it. I'm sure I'm just being overprotective about the whole thing." Tai patted TK on the shoulder and began to turn back around to leave. He took one last look at TK and said: "The door should be unlocked so you can head right in. And try to enjoy high school cause college is horrible! And thanks again for always looking out for Kari, especially when I'm not around. It really makes being away from her a lot easier on me knowing she's in good hands."
TK grinned once more to the older boy after hearing what he had said. "You know I want to Tai. But stop worrying so much, you'll just cause yourself more stress." TK said. The two finally said their goodbyes and Tai took the elevator down to the parking garage while TK turned to walk the rest of the way to the Kamiya apartment. After talking to Tai, TK couldn't help but be a little worried about Kari. In the past every time she began to act weird, something bad would always happen. There was the incident in New York when they had met Willis, the time when the Dark Ocean had tried to take her, and the time period leading up to their battle with Daemon and Oikawa. And now, something else could happen. What TK was really scared of happening again was another incident with the Dark Ocean. He knew whatever creature lived there had unfinished business with the both of them and that it would love to try and take Kari again. And maybe this time he wouldn't be able to save her. TK knew he couldn't let Kari in a situation as dangerous as that again, he wouldn't. He would do everything in his power to protect Kari, no matter the cost to him. With this in mind, TK reached the Kamiya's apartment and opened the door.
Kari put her dish away and looked up to the clock. TK still had yet to arrive and, though he wasn't necessarily late, Kari wished he would get to her apartment soon. She had to make sure he was ok. The likely hood of something actually happening to him was very small, but the thought lingered in her mind nonetheless. The young girl closed her eyes and began to replay the dream in her mind again. She could see TK battered and beaten and how he was begging for it to end. Then how the evil Digimon had stabbed him, and then how he had apologized to Kari. Why would he have apologized? Kari thought to herself. She was so caught up in these thoughts that she didn't hear the door to her apartment open, nor notice the pair of eyes that were staring at her. "Hey are you ok?" a voice asked. Kari's head immediately snapped to the sound of the voice and was slightly shocked to see TK standing in the kitchen with her. "You look like something is really, really wrong" TK continued. Before she knew what she was doing, Kari dashed forward and embraced TK in a tight hug, glad to see that he was safe. "Whoa Kari, it's good to see you too but it hasn't even been a day since we last saw each other" TK said while returning he hug.
"Sorry TK, I was just…I'm just glad to see that you're ok" she apologized nervously while releasing the hug. Kari was slightly blushing out of embarrassment, which caused TK to smile. "Don't worry about it Kari, I'm glad to see you too" he responded, smiling. "But why are you so worried about me? I'm doing fine. You on the other hand look really stressed about something." He moved a strand of hair behind her ear so that he could observe her as she responded. As he did this, he couldn't help but notice how beautiful Kari was. She still kept her innocent -yet-cute face despite the fact that she had matured in every possible way, and she also decided to grow her hair out to her shoulders. But despite all these changes, she was still the same person that. Her personality and her heart still resembled one that carried the Crest of Light. Needless to say, it was easy for TK to see why so many guys at their school liked Kari so much. However, TK never thought about perusing a romantic relationship with Kari due to their history together and the fact that he was reluctant to pursue a relationship with anyone as a result of his parent's early divorce.
"Yeah I am. I just didn't sleep very well last night so. Don't be so worried, I really am fine" she responded. Kari ran a quick glance over TK, ensuring that he was truly ok. Like her, he had grown quite a bit over the years. But not only that, he also was able to develop plenty of muscle, giving him a slim but toned look. He easily stood out from all the other boys at their school since not many people, male or female, had blue eyes and blonde hair. With this combination of attributes, it was easy to see that everyone in their high school thought TK was attractive, including Kari. But unlike the rest of the girls, she didn't constantly throw herself at TK. The two shared a special relationship that both Kari and TK easily felt content with. And besides, she knew TK didn't want anything serious in his life at this point. Kari finally rested her gaze on TK's ocean-blue eyes, which she could easily tell conveyed worry. TK sighed and ruffled his hair; he knew she was lying.
"Kari," TK said as the two stared at each other, "we've known each other for almost ten years now. And for most of that time, we've basically been best friends." Kari continued to look at TK as she tried to figure out where he was trying to go with this. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that you always know when I'm lying….just like I always know when you're lying." Realizing how well TK knew her, Kari looked down at her feet, feeling guilty for lying straight to her best friend's face. TK saw this and stepped forward, lifting her head so that they could stare at each other in the eyes. "Listen, I'm not mad or anything, I'm just worried about you. If anything happened to you…..I don't think I would want to be in a world that you weren't in" TK told her in as sincere tone. "I understand that you don't want to be a burden on anyone, and I'd probably be the same way if I were in your position, but it's not going to help anything if you face this by yourself. Everyone knows how strong you are Kari, but everyone needs help. And I'll always be here for you."
Kari sighed and smiled at TK. He always knows what to say to me. TK enveloped her in another hug, letting her know that no matter what, he'd support her till the end. "After school TK" Kari whispered into TK's ear. "I promise you I'll tell you everything tonight". The blonde head boy smiled at this, and released the hug to give her his signature grin. "Alright Kari, just whenever you're ready. But, we had better get going. Unless of course you want to scrape gum off the desks" TK continued to say with a grin.
Kari laughed at his poor attempt at a joke, appreciating the fact that he didn't push the subject at hand. Kari walked over to the kitchen table a picked her bag up. "I think I'll pass on that one" she said with a smile. The two walked out the door side by side and went to the elevator. While waiting, Kari looked at TK with a look of gratitude and friendship. He turned his head to match Kari's gaze and the two smiled and immediately blushed, but neither broke their stare. "Thanks TK, for everything" she told TK in a soft voice that expressed her appreciation better than any words could.
TK placed an arm around her shoulder, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder. "Anytime Kari," he said with equal affection, "anytime."
Thanks everyone and please review.
