Hi guys, chapter 7. Before we begin I will explain some things. In Digimon Adventure, time passes differently. A long period in the digital world is a very short time in the real world. That is a VERY aspect of this story, that fact will play a key part in how we go with this.

We'll keep swapping back from TK in the digital world and everybody else in the real world to make sure you understand everything. I try to write my stories so you feel like as you're reading you could picture atching this on TV, like it was an actual episode. That's the best way to write a fanfic in my opinion.

Okay, let's go. Forgive any spelling mistakes.

A long time later…..

Down on the beach on the sea shore stood a log cabin made of earth wood. It was home to three great friends, two digimon and one human who'd all known each other for a long time now. They'd lived together, laughed together, changed and grown together. Their names were Gotsumon, Pumpkinmon and Trowa. They'd been together for 7 years. That's right, SEVEN whole years.

Out on the water was a small boat with Pumpkinmon and Trowa on it, each of them with fishing rods. In the period these three friends had been together they all changed in several ways. Pumpkinmon still looked relatively the same in terms of appearance but he was now less mischievous and also more calm and wise. Before meeting Trowa he and his friend Gotsumon had been to rogue troublemakers, only interested in having joking and having fun (usually at someone else's expense).

Trowa (or TK as he as truly called) had changed too. He'd changed a lot. He wasn't a crying little boy who needed his big brother or mommy to coddle him anymore. No, he'd grown up (he was now 15). He used to be cute and little, now that he as older he was handsome and lean. He was lot taller and had a sleek, athletic build. Although still in his mid-teens, TK was very attractive on the eye. He certainly had the looks to rival his big brother's in terms of who girls would like better. TK (or Trowa) hadn't seen a girl in years though. Or any other humans. He'd spend all his time in the digital world, with nobody but digimon for company. But that was something that didn't bother him much anymore. He was used to it now. In fact, he was happy here in the digital world. Content with his life's situation in fact.

In the years that had passed Trowa had changed mentally too. He used to be a bubbly, energetic, highly emotional boy. Now he was a calm, gentle, well-collected teen. His personality had many different traits to it. He was gentle, sweet-natured and well-collected usually. He was also witty and intelligent, a very likeable person. "Well-schooled" would be the correct phrase to describe him. Growing up the digital world meant he had to be if he wanted to look after himself and survive.

There was another side to this young man though. A darker side. When the situation called for it he could display a violent, hair-trigger temper which would frighten the average person. It wasn't often that this side of him reached the surface, but when it did it was a disturbing site.

Also, Trowa had a huge sense of pride which would occasionally get him into unnecessary trouble. Whenever dangerous situation arose he would refuse to run away from it. In attempt to prove his bravery he would always never run away from the danger, instead he would always insist on facing whatever it was confronting him, no matter what the risk. It was a very admirable way of thinking, but this attitude had also meant he'd had a couple of close scares growing up.

He was like this due a jibe that had been made about him when he was still a little boy. A "crybaby" he was labelled by somebody he still didn't like thinking about. Ever since he'd been instilled with an unshakeable determination to prove that person wrong.

They'd lived in this particular hut for several years now. Tired of constantly moving around and sleeping around campfire, the trio of friends had unanimously agreed that they needed to find a place to live and stay there. As a young, growing boy, Trowa needed stability. A place he could call home no that he'd lost his real one. They'd found this old hut abandoned on the beach. It was the perfect place for the three of them settle down. It was large, out of the way and comfortable (once it had been cleaned out and furniture had been 'added' (more like stolen from other places and brought here).

Nearly a full- seven years they'd lived here now. Seven years Trowa had been here in the digital world with no other humans to interact with. It had truly flown by. All three friends had grown up, they weren't boisterous young 'uns anymore. They were all older, wiser, more experienced. They'd been through so much. Gotsumon, Pumpkinmon and Trowa, they were a family. An an unorthodox family, but still a family.

Anyway, back on the boat there still hadn't been any bites on the rods. Pumpkinmon and Trowa were dozing in the afternoon sun; it had been a slow but peaceful day. Gotsumon was back in the wooden hut they all lived in. Opening his eyes, Pumpkinmon looked over at a dozing Trowa and asked;

"Caught anything yet?"

Trowa grunted in response, not even opening his eyes.

Pumpkinmon sat up and grabbed his fishing rod. He hadn't had any bites either. Pumpkinmon thought back to when he and Trowa first learned how to fish, man was that a classic memory of their adventures.

The two of them along with Gotsumon had found this old boat washed up outside the cabin one day. Trowa had came up with the idea of using to catch fish of their own. He'd long been nagging his two friends about how unhappy he was about them stealing things of other digimon, whether it be food, furniture of supplies. Finally giving in to his repeated requests about they should do things "the right way", they agreed to learn how to get things for themselves.

Making up some fishing rods from tree wood and catching some small worms, they went out onto the water to try it out. That was where this story became memorable. Barely 10 minutes into the activity the boat capsided and TK fell into the water. Unable to swim, Gotsumon and Pumpkinmon had to jumped into the water to rescue him. TK turned out to be fine, just shaken and embarrassed. Gotsumon and Pumpkinmon hadn't been able to stop laughing.

Back in present time Pumpkinmon smiled as he reminisced. That as just one classic story the friends had experienced in their time together. Trowa had got himself into scrapes over the years, sometimes it was amusing and sometimes it was worrying. But he here was, now an older, handsome and friendly young man. The two digimon had done a great job of raising him up.

Pumpkinmon pulled his rod back onto the boat, he'd long since giving up waiting for a fish bite. Time to head back to the cabin, there was enough fish in the cupboards to last them for tonight anyway.

"Tro, let's go back. We're not gonna get anything now and I'm hungry. We'll get Gotsumon to start supper."

Trowa opened his eyes, sat up and yawned. His crystal blue eyes he inherited from his real mom only added to his good looks.

After he finished yawning he opened his mouth and spoke;

"It's been a slow day you're right, let's go back."

Trowa's voiced had changed over the years too. Another natural change had come with age, his voice had broken and wasn't child-like anymore. That said, it was still sounded gentle and soft.

"I'm hungry too," he said now. "Let's get home and eat."

"Right away Tro," said Pumpkinmon.

They each picked up the paddles and began their way back home.

The real world

Matt sat in his bedroom with Tsunomon. He was going to meet up with all the other digi-destineds later today to discuss about what they should do now. How would they go forward? How would they get back to the digital world was the more precise question.

"What time are we meeting the others in the park again Matt?" asked Tsnumon.

"12pm," answered the blonde. He looked at his watch, it was 11am now. He still had an hour but the park was a bit of a walk away. He needed to get going soon.

The week since they'd all returned back in the real world had been very chaotic one indeed. BOTH his parents where now up to speed with what had happened, but it hadn't been easy explaining to them. First off he'd told his dad who of course had to also inform his mom. The conversation with her had been…. unforgettable.

Flashback

(Ring ring, ring ring)

"Hello?" answered the lady on the other line.

"Hello, Nancy? It's me."

"Oh…. Hirokai." Nancy hadn't been expecting her ex-husband to suddenly call here out of the blue. What could this be about she wondered.

"Yes," he calmly. He was trying his best to compose himself. He was brain was still spinning from his son had just told him.

"Oh... okay," said Nancy now. "Is there something you want to talk about?"

"Yes Nancy, there is. Something important."

"Is it about the boys? Are they okay at summer camp?"

"Yes Nancy, it's about the boys. Look, what I'm about to tell you is a very difficult thing for me to say so…."

"What's wrong?" her tone one of concern.

"They boys aren't summer camp," he told her.

"There not at summer camp!? Well, where are they?"

"Matt's here with me."

"Well where's TK, is he there too? Why have they come home early? Are they okay."

"Look, Nancy…." he broke off. This was very awkward and painful for him.

"Hiroaki, what is it!? What's happened with Matt and TK? Tell me!" She desperately wanted to know what it was now. She'd never heard he ex-husband talk to her like this before. She knew he was struggling to get his words out.

"Look Nancy, where are you?"

"I'm at home, why?"

"I need you to come here okay, right now."

"Come there?" she asked bewildered. What was going on here? Why had happened to cause Hiroaki to act like this?

"Yes Nancy, come here. Right now. We need to talk in person. You need to talk to Matt too. What it is you're going to hear can't be said over the phone."

"But….

"LOOK!" he said raising his voice a little. Realising how rude that had been he quickly stopped and lowered his tone again. He didn't want to argue with her, not at a time like this.

"Look Nancy, it's about the boys. We need to talk about Matt and TK and we can't do it over the phone, it's that important. Please, just come here so we can talk."

There was silence for a few seconds before she answered.

"Okay," she said softly. "I'm on my way. I'll be there as quickly as I can."

"Okay," Hiroaki said back. They bade each other goodbye and then both hung up the phone.

A little later

Nancy arrived at the apartment a little over an hour later. It was difficult for here, she hadn't been near this apartment since she'd moved out after the divorce. Taking the elevator up to the where the apartment was located brought back a lot of memories of memories for her from the decade she'd lived here with Hiroaki. She couldn't help but wonder about what the apartment looked like now, had it been redecorated since she and TK had left?

Reaching the door, she realised the old door number plaque as still the same. Her hand shook a little as she reached up and rang the doorbell. Doing this felt strange after she'd formerly opened this very door with a key for so long.

Hiroaki quickly answered and opened the door. They were now face to face. She immediately noticed the large bags under his eyes, he mustn't have had any sleep.

"Hi," he said quietly.

"Hi," she said back.

The usual awkwardness that existed between them was of course present.

"Come in," he said eventually. He led her inside and Nancy nervously followed him.

He led her into the living area and she looked around the apartment. It still looked pretty much the same as she remembered, there had been no major changes.

She did notice a lot of clothes hanging around (both Hiroaki's and Matt's) but it was the room wasn't overly messy by any means. That said, she'd never have allowed either her ex-husband or her sons to leave their clothes spread around like that if she still lived here, she was very serious about tidiness.

"You want me to take your coat?" Hiroaki asked turning back to look at her.

"Oh err…" Nancy was caught off guard. Hiroaki knew what she'd been doing but didn't mind.

"Yes, thank you," she answered eventually.

She took her coat off and handed it to him. He took it back to the hall and hung it up. He then walked back towards her.

"Sit down," he said to her. "I'll make us some coffee."

She nodded and sat herself down at the kitchen table. Hiroaki took two cups out of the cupboard and began to boil the kettle. He made them their coffees in silence as Nancy continued to look around her former home.

Hiroaki remembered how his ex-wife took her coffee (plenty of milk and no sugar). When he'd finished making it he walked around and handed it to her.

"Thank you," she said softly taking it from him. She took a sip and then smiled to herself.

"He remembers," she thought.

She turned towards a more serious thoughts though.

"Okay Hiroaki, what's this about? What's wrong with the boys? Where are they?"

Hiroaki's throat went very dry so he drank some of his own coffee. When he'd finished he spoke slowly.

"Matt's in his room resting," he told her.

"And TK?"

"That's what I need to talk to you about."

Nancy was confused. What was wrong with TK.

"What's wrong with TK? Is he okay?"

Hiroaki sighed.

"Look Nancy, this won't be easy for me to tell you but…."

He sighed again.

"TK isn't here," he told her.

"Well, where is he then? Still at camp?"

"No, he's not."

"Well, where then?"

"Nancy, I don't know where he is. Or who he's with. Matt came home from camp without him."

Nancy's jaw dropped.

"You mean, he's…. missing?"

"Yes," said Hiroaki nodding. "Look, Matt knows more about it than me. He's going to have to explain it all to you like he did to me."

He put his coffee down and walked towards Matt's bedroom door. She watched as he stook his head inside and said something;

"Matt son, wake up."

"Dad?" said Matt groggily. He'd finally managed to nod off but was now being re-awoken.

"Son, get up and come out here."

Matt nodded. He got out of bed and followed his father into the kitchen. The site that met him was one that truly shocked him.

Sitting at the dining room table looking at him was with mom. He couldn't believe his eyes for a second, she was really there, here in the apartment. The last she'd been here was before she and his dad had divorced. But here she was. His dad had said he was going to call her, he'd obviously told her to come.

"Hello Matt," she said managing a slight smile. Her eldest son was so grown up, was no taller than her and was so handsome.

"Hi mom," he replied quietly. He looked from her to his father.

"Matt son, I think you know what I want you to do," said Hiroaki.

Then it all dawned on Matt again. He now needed to explain everything to her like he had his father. This wasn't going to be easy.

"Okay mom," said Matt walking towards the table and sitting down opposite her. He looked into her eyes (which were identical to his) but quickly lowered his head.

"Look Matt please," she moved her hand across the table to cover he sons.

Matt flinched slightly at her touch but didn't pull away.

"Please, where's your brother? What's happened to him? Is he alright? Please tell me."

Matt looked up again, his eyes watering slightly but he didn't care.

"Mom…. TK…. he's…. he's…. gone."

Nancy's eyes began to water too now.

"Gone... where?" she stammered.

Matt shook his head.

"Mom…. Promise me you'll believe what I'm about to tell you.

"Matt…"

"Promise me mom. I've already told Dad and he believes me. I need to know you'll believe me too."

Nancy swallowed and then answered.

"I promise," she said.

"Okay," said Matt. "Please listen and don't speak until I've finished. You need to every part of this."

And he was, telling her EVERYTHING. Telling every he'd previously told Hiroaki, about Digimon, the digital world, the adventure and what had now happened with TK. When Tsunomon had emerged from the bedroom and bounded over to the table Nancy had screamed. Hiroaki and Matt had quickly calmed her down and Tsunomon proceeded to introduce himself.

"Tsnunomon mam," he said. "I'm a digimon and I'm Matt's digi-partner."

She just nodded, still frightened. Eventually though she'd wrapped her head around it and refocused on Matt' story and about TK.

"And I didn't get the chance to go back for him," Matt explained as both his parents listened intently. "A giant light pulled me and Tsunomon through it and then we found ourselves back in this world. I know TK's still in the digital world but I don't know how any of us can get back there."

"So… so… TK, my little TK, he's all alone in this… digital world with all these… digimon?"

"Yes," Matt just about managed to answer. He dropped his head again. Nancy couldn't hold it together anymore.

"OH MY GOD!" she bawled bringing her hands up to her mouth. "MY LITTLE BABY IS LOST IN A STRANGE PLACE WITH NO ONE TO TAKE CARE OF HIM! NO ONE TO HELP HIM AND NO ONE TO BRING HIM BACK! HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN!?"

Hiroaki quickly made his way over to her and stood up from her chair and lashed herself into his arms. He consoled her as she sobbed and sobbed.

The three did not speak for some time, the only sounds being Nancy's sobs. Eventually when she'd eventually managed to mostly calm down Matt spoke;

"Mom, Dad?" he said.

Hiroaki and Nancy let go of each other and turned towards their son. He was now crying too.

"Mom, Dad, I promise you both. I'm going to bring TK back. I'm going to find away back to the digital world and I'm going to find him. Find him and bring him home. I don't care what I have to do, I'll find a way."

Nancy walked away from her husband and threw her arms around Matt. He returned her embrace.

….

Back in the digital world

Trowa and Pumpkinmon entered their home through the back door which faced the shore and took their shoes off.

"Is that you guys?" called Gotsumon from the kitchen.

"Yeah," they both answered in unison.

"Catch anything?"

"No," answered Trowa. "No a single fish. Frustrating as hell. We've got enough for tonight so we'll just have to try again tomorrow."

"You cooking something Gotsumon?" asked Pumpkinmon sniffing.

"Yeah, dinner," replied Gotsumon bluntly.

"Great!" replied Trowa. "We're starving. Is it ready?"

"Nearly, bur before you eat Tro you have a visitor. Go deal with him."

"A visitor?" asked Trowa curiously. "Who is it?"

"It's hat old guy," explained Gotsumon. "He came a little while ago asking for you. Wants to talk to you about something important he said. I asked him what it was but he wouldn't say. I just told him you and Pumpkinmon were out fishing so he said he'd wait out front until you got back. Go deal with him would you?"

"Okay," said TK, his tone now an annoyed one. He knew who his visitor must be and honestly couldn't be bothered dealing with this. He walked out of the front door and quickly spotted his visitor. It was exactly who he was expecting.

"What do you want Gennai?" he demanded.

"Nice to you too again young one," Gennai answered with a wry smile.

We'll leave this chapter right here eh? Nice cliff-hanger. A real load to take in there wasn't it? So much happened. Yes, TK is now 15 but all the other digi-destineds are still 14 as they were in the anime. 7 years have passed in the digital world in between this chapter and the last one but only one week as has passed in the real world. They mentioned in the anime that the time periods between worlds were different so for the sake of this story, I've made it one year to every day.

TK now looks and sounds the same as he did in 02 when he got older, so just picture him like he was then. I'll describe what outfit and his clothes now are though in the next chapter.

We will continue to hear more of the events that have happened to TK in the long period he's been in the digital world as the story goes on. We'll also bring the other characters back in (I don't think they'll be anyone from 02 coming in for anyone who's wondering, this story is very much set during Digimon Adventure).

Next chapter either tomorrow or the day after. Please rate and review, would be highly appreciated. Thanks to everyone who already has. Hope you're enjoying.