Digimon: 1. (n) Something I don't own. (See: Disclaimer)
THE STORY THUS FAR…
The Digidestined were shocked to find out that their friend, T.K., was moving away. But he tried to "grin and bear it" and reluctantly took Patamon with him, as well. The others did their best to continue protecting the Digital World, but it wasn't the same. Soon they found that they were unable to work as well together without T.K., who tried to adjust to his new home and his new school, quickly making friends with a girl named May Hanaka. Ken Ichijouji, the self-proclaimed Digimon Emperor, also noticed the change in the Digidestined and made preparations to kidnap Kari, T.K.'s closest friend, and destroy the others.
Kari's Missing Hope - Chapter 6
Two days had passed. Over the course of those two days, a few things (possibly) worth mentioning had occurred. First, May and T.K. got to know each better, spending time together either studying or just simply doing something recreational. Second, T.K. had sent e-mail to his friends, as well as his new address. Kari was pleasantly surprised when she got it (among the rest of her e-mail), but she was unsure as to whether or not she should go visit him.
Kari wrote T.K.'s new address down on a piece of paper and stared at it long and hard. For ten minutes her mind was fighting itself over her final decision. Well, usually someone mails their address if they want to be mailed. But for the purpose of actually visiting them? That was something else.
Meanwhile, back at the Takaishi's new flat (apartment), T.K. had other things on his mind…like solving tough homework problems. Thankfully, May was there to help tutor him.
"C'mon, T.K.! These problems aren't THAT hard!" May gently teased.
"Quiet! Lemme think!" T.K. complained. For a few more seconds, T.K. scribbled furiously on his "practice test" homework sheet.
May tapped her fingers on the kitchen table, where they were studying. Finally T.K. stopped writing.
"Well?"
"The answer is…three!!!" T.K. announced.
"Right you are!" May lightly clapped.
"Yes…finally!"
"Hey, c'mon…you got over half of them right!"
"But even so…these questions are hard! I'm nowhere NEAR being ready for tomorrow's math test!"
"Calm down, T.K.! It's not the end of the world if you fail one test. Believe me, I may not look like it, but I've done horribly on plenty of tests! Besides, we're using the same textbook from your old school, so there shouldn't be too much of a problem."
"You said a mouthful." (I think so, too…!)
"Yah, I know. Sorry. Okay, pull out your review notes from today, I'll test you on those."
"All right."
T.K. unzipped his green backpack, and scrounged inside for the math notes. Unfortunately, the state of the papers inside his pack was in disarray, so T.K. had to pull out some of the some of the other stuff inside it. Among the things T.K. had pulled out, a couple photos made their way out, onto the table…and into May's eyesight.
May couldn't help but get curious about the pictures. She gently picked up one and took a look at one of them. It was a picture of T.K. (posing) in the hallway of his old school (no doubt), standing together with what looked like four of his friends. There was one kid (on the very left) who had dark spiky hair with goggles around his head. Next to him was a somewhat tall girl with long, pale purple hair wearing glasses, while the young boy in the middle seemed rather short with very short, pale brown hair. T.K. was after that, and May recognized him easily. And next to him, on the very right was a cute girl with short brown hair in a pink and white outfit, leaning on T.K.
"Okay…I think this is it…" said T.K. with a few papers in his hand, but then he saw May glancing at the photos that he absent-mindedly pulled out of his backpack.
"What are you doing?" he said, with some alarm in his voice.
"Huh?!? Oh…I was…uh…" May stuttered.
T.K. looked at May, down at the photos, then back at May, waiting for an answer.
"I…I'm sorry," she said, sheepishly handing the picture in her hand back to T.K.
"No, it's ok…I guess I haven't really told you much about my friends back home…" T.K. said, scratching the back of his head.
Pointing to each one in the picture he "introduced" May to Davis, Yolei, Cody, and Kari. He also told her a little about each of them.
May chuckled a bit. "Heh…sounds like I already know them," she said confidently.
T.K. noticed the confidence in her voice and got a little suspicious. "Whaddya mean?"
"Oh, nothing, forget it," she replied, still giggling a little. "Anyway…you do miss them, right?"
"Hey, I wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't. Y'know…I was thinking about calling them up and maybe inviting them here for dinner tomorrow."
"That's great! I say go for it."
"You think I should?"
"Definitely!"
"Well, ok…but if they're coming here, then so are you," T.K. said with a half-smile.
May chuckled again. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. Oh, shoot, I just remembered…I have to baby-sit today! Sorry, but I gotta cut our study session short!"
"Hey, no problem…" he said walking May to the door. "Just be sure to come tomorrow night!"
May smiled warmly at T.K. "Okay, cutie…it's a date."
Before T.K. knew it, May gently tugged at his chin with her hand, closed her eyes and swiftly pulled him forward into a sweet, but moderate kiss. T.K.'s eyes should've been wide open from the shock, but for some unknown reason, he kept his eyes closed. The only other girl he'd kissed previously was Kari, but one thing was quickly becoming clear for T.K. Kissing girls felt GOOD.
May and T.K. stared at each other with a weird (but temporary) dreamy look, as their lips parted. May blushed a bit at what she just did. She had never been that bold with a boy before.
"Well…" she said a little (happily, but) nervously. "…goodbye."
After waving, T.K. closed the door and touched his lips, quickly going over the scene that had just played out. All he could think or say was…
"Whoa."
*********************
"Hmm…" said Kari as she studied her notes. Before T.K. moved, the two of them would often study together. Yet another thing she missed, as it wasn't easy studying on her own. The notes were so perplexing that Kari was about ready to scream, but thankfully, the ringing sound of the phone intervened.
Thank goodness, she thought. An interruption.
"Umm, hello?"
"Hi, Kari!"
"T.K.! Hey!"
"Hope I'm not disturbing you…"
"Not at all! I was going over some confusing homework notes, so I'd welcome a little interruption!"
"Oh…well the reason I'm calling is…you wanna come over?"
"What???"
"I meant, uh…I thought that maybe you could come over for dinner tomorrow night. We haven't seen each other in a while, and-"
"Say no more, T.K.!" exclaimed Kari happily. "I'd love to visit!"
"Listen, I was thinking of inviting the others…"
Kari's hopes drooped rather quickly…
"…but they couldn't make it."
…and popped right back up.
"They were all busy, huh?" Kari knew it was selfish, but she didn't want the others to be there. She wanted so much to tell T.K. how she felt. And this "opportunity" left the field clear for "Little-Miss-Innocent" Kari.
"Yeah…Davis had soccer practice, Cody had kendo, and Yolei had to work at the store. I asked if they could get out of it, but too many people were depending on them."
"I'm sure the others wouldn't have missed out on visiting you if their reasons weren't important, T.K."
"I guess…anyway, looks like it's just you and me! Is that okay?"
"Uhh…I think I'll be able to get by," said Kari, with a little sly excitement in her voice. "So, when's dinner?"
"Around seven."
"Gotcha."
"Should I dress up or…?"
"No, it's not formal or anything. It should just be an all-around regular dinner."
"Okay, great!"
"Are you sure you can make it? You should check, just in case!"
But T.K.'s question was answered with a voice of confidence.
"I'll BE there, T.K. That's a promise. One way or another, I'll be there!!!"
"Umm…okay…it won't be the end of the world if you don't make it, Kari."
It will be to me, she thought.
"Don't worry about a thing!" Kari assured.
"Uh, ok. Well…see you then," he said smiling.
"You bet…it's a date. See ya!"
As the two of them hung up, T.K. suddenly had a brief chill up his spine. In the back of his mind, something told him that it had to do with talking to May, and then Kari, but he did his best to shrug the uncomfortable feeling off.
*********************
In the Digital World, the Digimon Emperor was cooking up a recipe for doom. A good number of the (digimon) population had become accustomed to his malevolent acts of violence and disorder. However, this afternoon's events were not regarded towards the today…but for the tomorrow. As of now, he was continuously pressing a button on a nearby console in his fortress. Each time he pressed it, a different image of a digimon would appear. His intentions - find a suitable foe to pit against the Digidestined. True, Shellmon proved to be more than a match for those meddling kids, but he wanted a backup. It had to be something strong enough to begin with. Thanks to the success of his "experiments", the stronger the digimon naturally was, the mightier he could make it.
Another objective was to find an affective lure to draw the Digidestined of Light away from the others. He pressed a different button on the console and an floating image of Kari and her digimon partner, Gatomon appeared. It was then that he decided to do a little "data digging". Another screen appeared with (limited) data on Gatomon appeared. The Emperor hardly took any interest in whatever information the computer had to give until…
"Wait! Computer, back up…there! Stop!"
The Digimon Emperor quickly read through the section of the database the computer had paused at, and he then read it over a couple more times to make sure that what he was reading was true. A few seconds later, his eyes (behind the visor he was wearing) flickered with alertness and satisfaction, resulting in a VERY evil smile creeping into his mouth. The best way to draw someone in close was to hit 'em where hurts…lure them into a false sense of security and them close in for the kill.
As the Emperor read the file over one more time, an idea had already been born in his head. He knew what he wanted to do, now it was just a matter of acquiring the appropriate resources. He decided to make a special delivery to some wild digimon in a certain sector…complementary dark rings. Nothing more had to be said for his evil plan, except for the expression the Digimon Emperor usually gave them…
"Perfect."
*********************
The next day of school was such a bore for Kari. Nothing else seemed to matter except her anticipation for seeing T.K. again. Needless to say, she was almost restless. Yolei was the first to notice the change in Kari's behavior, which was quite infectious.
She talked about it with the other three Digidestined while having lunch outside, and they shared her enthusiasm. Even Davis. Kari could barely eat. Naturally, questions followed.
"Take a picture of his new apartment! T.K. told me through his e-mail that it was huge!" said Cody.
"PLEASE tell me if there're any CUTE (and hopefully single) boys in his new neighborhood!" Yolei exclaimed, blushing and becoming starry-eyed.
"Just let me know if crafty 'ol T.R. makes a pass at you…remember, just scream as loud you can," Davis semi-jokingly warned.
Kari laughed. "I'll hint to T.K. that you're worried about him, Davis," Kari assured.
"Oh, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!" Davis groveled.
Predictably, more laughing followed this embarrassing scene for Davis.
*********************
Later, at the Kamiya's apartment…
Tai yawned and stretched as he finished studying with his two friends, Sora and Matt.
"Well, that's it for the homework!" Tai exclaimed in relief.
"Man, I'd thought we'd NEVER get through it!" Matt agreed.
"Boy, when comes to you two, homework seems to be the ultimate enemy!" Sora half-jokingly noted.
"No lie, Sora!" Tai replied. "Those homework problems are more trouble than a 'River of Power' blast from Metalseadramon!"
Matt and Sora just laughed at Tai's comment, and Tai soon joined in as well.
Matt's laughing ceased before the others' when his nose picked up a whiff of something. Tai and Sora noticed his behavioral change.
"Something wrong, Matt?" Sora asked.
"You guys smell something?" he replied.
"Now that you mention it…something does smell weird," Tai agreed.
"It's coming from Kari's room," Sora noted. "Let's check it out."
Upon opening the door, the strange (but surprisingly sweet) smell got stronger. Tai, Sora, and Matt peeked inside the room and saw Kari sitting at her desk, a brush in one hand, and a small bottle of perfume in the other. At least they knew where the smell was originating from now. She turned her head and saw the three of them watching her with some curiosity. They hoped that they weren't bothering her, but became relieved when she smiled at them.
"Hey, C'mon in. It's all right."
The three older kids looked at each other, shrugged and entered. Kari turned back to the moderately sized mirror on the wall, put down the perfume, and continued to brush her hair.
"Here, let me help you with that," said Sora.
"Oh…thanks, Sora."
"No problem. So…what's going on?"
Kari blushed. "Well…would you believe me if I…said that I had a dinner date?"
"Really???" Sora asked getting a little wide-eyed.
"Yeah…T.K. called me up and invited me over to his apartment for dinner."
"Geez…too bad he didn't call me…" Matt sighed. "Would've been a kick seeing him, Mom, and their new apartment."
"Aww, don't worry, Matt," Tai said, gently patting Matt on the back. "You'll see them. Probably sooner than you expect."
Matt didn't say anything back, but turned towards his friend and smiled.
"Uh, guys…" Sora said, turning to them. "Could you leave us girls alone for a sec?"
Tai and Matt looked at each other and shrugged.
"Okay," they both said.
After closing the door, Sora turned back to Kari.
"So…what's the lowdown on you and T.K.?" she asked, gently nudging her with her elbow.
"Oh…like I said, he invited me over to have dinner with him tonight. I mean, his mom will probably be there as well, but…you know."
Sora smiled and nodded as she continued to brush Kari's hair.
"It'll be nice just to see him, right?" Sora asked.
"Yeah, that's it."
"Well, maybe you should dress up or something."
"Nah, he said it wasn't formal. But that doesn't mean I can't look nice, right?"
"So that's why you have the perfume and…?"
"Mm-hm."
Sora started to think for a second, and made a decision to ask.
"Hey Kari…you really like T.K., right?"
"What?!?…I…uh…that is…" Kari wasn't at all sure what to say.
"Kari, it's ok…you can tell me. No one's listening, RIGHT???"
At that point, Matt and Tai then decided to go play some cards, FAR away from the bedroom door.
Kari giggled. "Uh…anyway, Sora…you're right…I DO feel something for T.K."
"Love?" Sora asked rather seriously.
"To tell you the truth…I'm not exactly sure WHAT I feel…but I feel something."
"Well, let's hope it turns into love, or something just as good."
"Thanks, Sora…you really do know how I feel," Kari said smiling.
"Yeah…well…" Sora wasn't exactly smiling, but she looked away and started to blush.
"What is it?"
"Nothing…it's just…I kinda like someone, too…" she sort of mumbled.
"Really?" asked Kari, getting interested. "Who???"
"I don't wanna talk about it," Sora replied with an embarrassed smile.
"I understand." Kari picked up the bottle of perfume and sprayed herself with it.
*********************
The bus Kari was going to catch was arranged to arrive at 6:35 p.m. By bus, it took a little under half an hour to get to the neighborhood to get there. But it didn't matter much little, as long as she could be with T.K. Tai, Sora, and Matt walked her to the bus station to see her off.
"You sure you're gonna be all right, Kari?" asked a partially worried Tai. "Maybe I should go with you."
"I told you, I'll be fine, bro!" Kari responded.
"Make sure you…y'know…" Sora said with a wink.
Kari closed her eyes and smiled sweetly.
"What were you two talking about back there?" Tai asked.
"Yeah, what?" Matt added on.
Sora turned to the two boys, cutely smiled, and stuck out her tongue.
"That's none of your business!" she said playfully. Matt and Tai were becoming increasingly confused.
But all confusion swiftly vanished as one thing became clear…the bus was coming (into sight).
"Well, that's your cue!" Matt noted.
Kari nodded as the bus pulled up. "I'm off, you guys!"
Tai quickly gave her a hug. "You be careful, all right?"
"And tell us how it goes!" Sora added.
"I will! See ya!"
"Bye!!!" the other three kids yelled. Kari paid her bus fare, and took a seat, still waving to the others through the window.
Tai, Sora, and Matt looked at each other in partial curiosity.
"Well…now what?" asked Sora.
"You guys wanna catch a movie?" Tai suggested.
"That's the smartest thing you've said all day. Let's do it!" exclaimed Matt. "You paying?"
Tai flashed him a half-smile. "Of course not."
The three friends laughed. Matt and Tai began to walk away from the bus stop, but Sora lingered for a few seconds.
"Good luck, Kari," she thought, desperately hoping everything would indeed go well tonight for her friend.
The only thing on Kari's mind while riding on the bus was T.K. Her heart fluttered just from the thought of seeing him tonight. She tried to keep calm, but it was becoming difficult to sit still. Kari could feel her heart pounding in her chest.
"I'm coming, T.K. Just you wait."
TO BE CONTINUED…
Hey there, readers! It's been a real bitch, not being able to post up new stuff, but there it is. Anyway, I hope I haven't lost any of my faithful subjects, ha, ha, ha…just joking of course. Well…how will dinner with T.K. go? How will Kari contend with May? Will the two of them go at it, or get along? All this and more (maybe) next time! I'll see ya there! Oh…and don't forget to keep reviewing this and my other stories! C'mon, I need at least five o' them! Thanks! Later! :)
THE STORY THUS FAR…
The Digidestined were shocked to find out that their friend, T.K., was moving away. But he tried to "grin and bear it" and reluctantly took Patamon with him, as well. The others did their best to continue protecting the Digital World, but it wasn't the same. Soon they found that they were unable to work as well together without T.K., who tried to adjust to his new home and his new school, quickly making friends with a girl named May Hanaka. Ken Ichijouji, the self-proclaimed Digimon Emperor, also noticed the change in the Digidestined and made preparations to kidnap Kari, T.K.'s closest friend, and destroy the others.
Kari's Missing Hope - Chapter 6
Two days had passed. Over the course of those two days, a few things (possibly) worth mentioning had occurred. First, May and T.K. got to know each better, spending time together either studying or just simply doing something recreational. Second, T.K. had sent e-mail to his friends, as well as his new address. Kari was pleasantly surprised when she got it (among the rest of her e-mail), but she was unsure as to whether or not she should go visit him.
Kari wrote T.K.'s new address down on a piece of paper and stared at it long and hard. For ten minutes her mind was fighting itself over her final decision. Well, usually someone mails their address if they want to be mailed. But for the purpose of actually visiting them? That was something else.
Meanwhile, back at the Takaishi's new flat (apartment), T.K. had other things on his mind…like solving tough homework problems. Thankfully, May was there to help tutor him.
"C'mon, T.K.! These problems aren't THAT hard!" May gently teased.
"Quiet! Lemme think!" T.K. complained. For a few more seconds, T.K. scribbled furiously on his "practice test" homework sheet.
May tapped her fingers on the kitchen table, where they were studying. Finally T.K. stopped writing.
"Well?"
"The answer is…three!!!" T.K. announced.
"Right you are!" May lightly clapped.
"Yes…finally!"
"Hey, c'mon…you got over half of them right!"
"But even so…these questions are hard! I'm nowhere NEAR being ready for tomorrow's math test!"
"Calm down, T.K.! It's not the end of the world if you fail one test. Believe me, I may not look like it, but I've done horribly on plenty of tests! Besides, we're using the same textbook from your old school, so there shouldn't be too much of a problem."
"You said a mouthful." (I think so, too…!)
"Yah, I know. Sorry. Okay, pull out your review notes from today, I'll test you on those."
"All right."
T.K. unzipped his green backpack, and scrounged inside for the math notes. Unfortunately, the state of the papers inside his pack was in disarray, so T.K. had to pull out some of the some of the other stuff inside it. Among the things T.K. had pulled out, a couple photos made their way out, onto the table…and into May's eyesight.
May couldn't help but get curious about the pictures. She gently picked up one and took a look at one of them. It was a picture of T.K. (posing) in the hallway of his old school (no doubt), standing together with what looked like four of his friends. There was one kid (on the very left) who had dark spiky hair with goggles around his head. Next to him was a somewhat tall girl with long, pale purple hair wearing glasses, while the young boy in the middle seemed rather short with very short, pale brown hair. T.K. was after that, and May recognized him easily. And next to him, on the very right was a cute girl with short brown hair in a pink and white outfit, leaning on T.K.
"Okay…I think this is it…" said T.K. with a few papers in his hand, but then he saw May glancing at the photos that he absent-mindedly pulled out of his backpack.
"What are you doing?" he said, with some alarm in his voice.
"Huh?!? Oh…I was…uh…" May stuttered.
T.K. looked at May, down at the photos, then back at May, waiting for an answer.
"I…I'm sorry," she said, sheepishly handing the picture in her hand back to T.K.
"No, it's ok…I guess I haven't really told you much about my friends back home…" T.K. said, scratching the back of his head.
Pointing to each one in the picture he "introduced" May to Davis, Yolei, Cody, and Kari. He also told her a little about each of them.
May chuckled a bit. "Heh…sounds like I already know them," she said confidently.
T.K. noticed the confidence in her voice and got a little suspicious. "Whaddya mean?"
"Oh, nothing, forget it," she replied, still giggling a little. "Anyway…you do miss them, right?"
"Hey, I wouldn't be much of a friend if I didn't. Y'know…I was thinking about calling them up and maybe inviting them here for dinner tomorrow."
"That's great! I say go for it."
"You think I should?"
"Definitely!"
"Well, ok…but if they're coming here, then so are you," T.K. said with a half-smile.
May chuckled again. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. Oh, shoot, I just remembered…I have to baby-sit today! Sorry, but I gotta cut our study session short!"
"Hey, no problem…" he said walking May to the door. "Just be sure to come tomorrow night!"
May smiled warmly at T.K. "Okay, cutie…it's a date."
Before T.K. knew it, May gently tugged at his chin with her hand, closed her eyes and swiftly pulled him forward into a sweet, but moderate kiss. T.K.'s eyes should've been wide open from the shock, but for some unknown reason, he kept his eyes closed. The only other girl he'd kissed previously was Kari, but one thing was quickly becoming clear for T.K. Kissing girls felt GOOD.
May and T.K. stared at each other with a weird (but temporary) dreamy look, as their lips parted. May blushed a bit at what she just did. She had never been that bold with a boy before.
"Well…" she said a little (happily, but) nervously. "…goodbye."
After waving, T.K. closed the door and touched his lips, quickly going over the scene that had just played out. All he could think or say was…
"Whoa."
*********************
"Hmm…" said Kari as she studied her notes. Before T.K. moved, the two of them would often study together. Yet another thing she missed, as it wasn't easy studying on her own. The notes were so perplexing that Kari was about ready to scream, but thankfully, the ringing sound of the phone intervened.
Thank goodness, she thought. An interruption.
"Umm, hello?"
"Hi, Kari!"
"T.K.! Hey!"
"Hope I'm not disturbing you…"
"Not at all! I was going over some confusing homework notes, so I'd welcome a little interruption!"
"Oh…well the reason I'm calling is…you wanna come over?"
"What???"
"I meant, uh…I thought that maybe you could come over for dinner tomorrow night. We haven't seen each other in a while, and-"
"Say no more, T.K.!" exclaimed Kari happily. "I'd love to visit!"
"Listen, I was thinking of inviting the others…"
Kari's hopes drooped rather quickly…
"…but they couldn't make it."
…and popped right back up.
"They were all busy, huh?" Kari knew it was selfish, but she didn't want the others to be there. She wanted so much to tell T.K. how she felt. And this "opportunity" left the field clear for "Little-Miss-Innocent" Kari.
"Yeah…Davis had soccer practice, Cody had kendo, and Yolei had to work at the store. I asked if they could get out of it, but too many people were depending on them."
"I'm sure the others wouldn't have missed out on visiting you if their reasons weren't important, T.K."
"I guess…anyway, looks like it's just you and me! Is that okay?"
"Uhh…I think I'll be able to get by," said Kari, with a little sly excitement in her voice. "So, when's dinner?"
"Around seven."
"Gotcha."
"Should I dress up or…?"
"No, it's not formal or anything. It should just be an all-around regular dinner."
"Okay, great!"
"Are you sure you can make it? You should check, just in case!"
But T.K.'s question was answered with a voice of confidence.
"I'll BE there, T.K. That's a promise. One way or another, I'll be there!!!"
"Umm…okay…it won't be the end of the world if you don't make it, Kari."
It will be to me, she thought.
"Don't worry about a thing!" Kari assured.
"Uh, ok. Well…see you then," he said smiling.
"You bet…it's a date. See ya!"
As the two of them hung up, T.K. suddenly had a brief chill up his spine. In the back of his mind, something told him that it had to do with talking to May, and then Kari, but he did his best to shrug the uncomfortable feeling off.
*********************
In the Digital World, the Digimon Emperor was cooking up a recipe for doom. A good number of the (digimon) population had become accustomed to his malevolent acts of violence and disorder. However, this afternoon's events were not regarded towards the today…but for the tomorrow. As of now, he was continuously pressing a button on a nearby console in his fortress. Each time he pressed it, a different image of a digimon would appear. His intentions - find a suitable foe to pit against the Digidestined. True, Shellmon proved to be more than a match for those meddling kids, but he wanted a backup. It had to be something strong enough to begin with. Thanks to the success of his "experiments", the stronger the digimon naturally was, the mightier he could make it.
Another objective was to find an affective lure to draw the Digidestined of Light away from the others. He pressed a different button on the console and an floating image of Kari and her digimon partner, Gatomon appeared. It was then that he decided to do a little "data digging". Another screen appeared with (limited) data on Gatomon appeared. The Emperor hardly took any interest in whatever information the computer had to give until…
"Wait! Computer, back up…there! Stop!"
The Digimon Emperor quickly read through the section of the database the computer had paused at, and he then read it over a couple more times to make sure that what he was reading was true. A few seconds later, his eyes (behind the visor he was wearing) flickered with alertness and satisfaction, resulting in a VERY evil smile creeping into his mouth. The best way to draw someone in close was to hit 'em where hurts…lure them into a false sense of security and them close in for the kill.
As the Emperor read the file over one more time, an idea had already been born in his head. He knew what he wanted to do, now it was just a matter of acquiring the appropriate resources. He decided to make a special delivery to some wild digimon in a certain sector…complementary dark rings. Nothing more had to be said for his evil plan, except for the expression the Digimon Emperor usually gave them…
"Perfect."
*********************
The next day of school was such a bore for Kari. Nothing else seemed to matter except her anticipation for seeing T.K. again. Needless to say, she was almost restless. Yolei was the first to notice the change in Kari's behavior, which was quite infectious.
She talked about it with the other three Digidestined while having lunch outside, and they shared her enthusiasm. Even Davis. Kari could barely eat. Naturally, questions followed.
"Take a picture of his new apartment! T.K. told me through his e-mail that it was huge!" said Cody.
"PLEASE tell me if there're any CUTE (and hopefully single) boys in his new neighborhood!" Yolei exclaimed, blushing and becoming starry-eyed.
"Just let me know if crafty 'ol T.R. makes a pass at you…remember, just scream as loud you can," Davis semi-jokingly warned.
Kari laughed. "I'll hint to T.K. that you're worried about him, Davis," Kari assured.
"Oh, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!" Davis groveled.
Predictably, more laughing followed this embarrassing scene for Davis.
*********************
Later, at the Kamiya's apartment…
Tai yawned and stretched as he finished studying with his two friends, Sora and Matt.
"Well, that's it for the homework!" Tai exclaimed in relief.
"Man, I'd thought we'd NEVER get through it!" Matt agreed.
"Boy, when comes to you two, homework seems to be the ultimate enemy!" Sora half-jokingly noted.
"No lie, Sora!" Tai replied. "Those homework problems are more trouble than a 'River of Power' blast from Metalseadramon!"
Matt and Sora just laughed at Tai's comment, and Tai soon joined in as well.
Matt's laughing ceased before the others' when his nose picked up a whiff of something. Tai and Sora noticed his behavioral change.
"Something wrong, Matt?" Sora asked.
"You guys smell something?" he replied.
"Now that you mention it…something does smell weird," Tai agreed.
"It's coming from Kari's room," Sora noted. "Let's check it out."
Upon opening the door, the strange (but surprisingly sweet) smell got stronger. Tai, Sora, and Matt peeked inside the room and saw Kari sitting at her desk, a brush in one hand, and a small bottle of perfume in the other. At least they knew where the smell was originating from now. She turned her head and saw the three of them watching her with some curiosity. They hoped that they weren't bothering her, but became relieved when she smiled at them.
"Hey, C'mon in. It's all right."
The three older kids looked at each other, shrugged and entered. Kari turned back to the moderately sized mirror on the wall, put down the perfume, and continued to brush her hair.
"Here, let me help you with that," said Sora.
"Oh…thanks, Sora."
"No problem. So…what's going on?"
Kari blushed. "Well…would you believe me if I…said that I had a dinner date?"
"Really???" Sora asked getting a little wide-eyed.
"Yeah…T.K. called me up and invited me over to his apartment for dinner."
"Geez…too bad he didn't call me…" Matt sighed. "Would've been a kick seeing him, Mom, and their new apartment."
"Aww, don't worry, Matt," Tai said, gently patting Matt on the back. "You'll see them. Probably sooner than you expect."
Matt didn't say anything back, but turned towards his friend and smiled.
"Uh, guys…" Sora said, turning to them. "Could you leave us girls alone for a sec?"
Tai and Matt looked at each other and shrugged.
"Okay," they both said.
After closing the door, Sora turned back to Kari.
"So…what's the lowdown on you and T.K.?" she asked, gently nudging her with her elbow.
"Oh…like I said, he invited me over to have dinner with him tonight. I mean, his mom will probably be there as well, but…you know."
Sora smiled and nodded as she continued to brush Kari's hair.
"It'll be nice just to see him, right?" Sora asked.
"Yeah, that's it."
"Well, maybe you should dress up or something."
"Nah, he said it wasn't formal. But that doesn't mean I can't look nice, right?"
"So that's why you have the perfume and…?"
"Mm-hm."
Sora started to think for a second, and made a decision to ask.
"Hey Kari…you really like T.K., right?"
"What?!?…I…uh…that is…" Kari wasn't at all sure what to say.
"Kari, it's ok…you can tell me. No one's listening, RIGHT???"
At that point, Matt and Tai then decided to go play some cards, FAR away from the bedroom door.
Kari giggled. "Uh…anyway, Sora…you're right…I DO feel something for T.K."
"Love?" Sora asked rather seriously.
"To tell you the truth…I'm not exactly sure WHAT I feel…but I feel something."
"Well, let's hope it turns into love, or something just as good."
"Thanks, Sora…you really do know how I feel," Kari said smiling.
"Yeah…well…" Sora wasn't exactly smiling, but she looked away and started to blush.
"What is it?"
"Nothing…it's just…I kinda like someone, too…" she sort of mumbled.
"Really?" asked Kari, getting interested. "Who???"
"I don't wanna talk about it," Sora replied with an embarrassed smile.
"I understand." Kari picked up the bottle of perfume and sprayed herself with it.
*********************
The bus Kari was going to catch was arranged to arrive at 6:35 p.m. By bus, it took a little under half an hour to get to the neighborhood to get there. But it didn't matter much little, as long as she could be with T.K. Tai, Sora, and Matt walked her to the bus station to see her off.
"You sure you're gonna be all right, Kari?" asked a partially worried Tai. "Maybe I should go with you."
"I told you, I'll be fine, bro!" Kari responded.
"Make sure you…y'know…" Sora said with a wink.
Kari closed her eyes and smiled sweetly.
"What were you two talking about back there?" Tai asked.
"Yeah, what?" Matt added on.
Sora turned to the two boys, cutely smiled, and stuck out her tongue.
"That's none of your business!" she said playfully. Matt and Tai were becoming increasingly confused.
But all confusion swiftly vanished as one thing became clear…the bus was coming (into sight).
"Well, that's your cue!" Matt noted.
Kari nodded as the bus pulled up. "I'm off, you guys!"
Tai quickly gave her a hug. "You be careful, all right?"
"And tell us how it goes!" Sora added.
"I will! See ya!"
"Bye!!!" the other three kids yelled. Kari paid her bus fare, and took a seat, still waving to the others through the window.
Tai, Sora, and Matt looked at each other in partial curiosity.
"Well…now what?" asked Sora.
"You guys wanna catch a movie?" Tai suggested.
"That's the smartest thing you've said all day. Let's do it!" exclaimed Matt. "You paying?"
Tai flashed him a half-smile. "Of course not."
The three friends laughed. Matt and Tai began to walk away from the bus stop, but Sora lingered for a few seconds.
"Good luck, Kari," she thought, desperately hoping everything would indeed go well tonight for her friend.
The only thing on Kari's mind while riding on the bus was T.K. Her heart fluttered just from the thought of seeing him tonight. She tried to keep calm, but it was becoming difficult to sit still. Kari could feel her heart pounding in her chest.
"I'm coming, T.K. Just you wait."
TO BE CONTINUED…
Hey there, readers! It's been a real bitch, not being able to post up new stuff, but there it is. Anyway, I hope I haven't lost any of my faithful subjects, ha, ha, ha…just joking of course. Well…how will dinner with T.K. go? How will Kari contend with May? Will the two of them go at it, or get along? All this and more (maybe) next time! I'll see ya there! Oh…and don't forget to keep reviewing this and my other stories! C'mon, I need at least five o' them! Thanks! Later! :)