Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon or any of the characters in this story.

A/N: I am truly sorry about the time it has been taking me to update, but I've had a load of school work lately, so I'm sorry to say that it might be like this for a while. But don't worry, you can guarantee every chapter will be worth waiting for!

Survival of Light and Hope Chapter 7: Sweet Sixteen

"So..." Yolie said, looking around the arena, "Balloons, streamers, a banner, and live entertainment! It's going to be great, Kari!" Kari looked around the arena. People were helping set up banners, and putting streamers up. She and the rest of the DigiDestined decided to throw TK a huge birthday party – the perfect way to start the March Break. It was Friday afternoon. Since Matt's band always does shows at the arena, the kids got a good discount on the rental for the night. "Matt's setting up his equipment now, the rest are heading here soon. You better get going Kari, to make sure TK doesn't find out about the plan too early." "You're right, Yolie. We're going to hang out at his house for a bit, and then we'll come by at about 6:30. Make sure everyone is here." Yolie sent out about 500 invitations for the party. Almost the whole school was coming, not to mention some old friends were coming by. Willis and Michael were hitching a ride from America to celebrate the event.

Kari ran to TK's apartment, which has been her temporary home. It was the opening Friday of March Break, and she could barely wait till tonight, until TK's birthday. She searched for the key in her pocket. When she dug it out, the door unlocked with the easiest twist. "Hey, I'm home, TK!" she yelled out. TK came out of his room holding a math text book and a pen. "Oh, please don't tell me you're doing homework, TK!" Kari said to him. "It's March Break for Heaven's sake!" "I know, I was just trying to get a leg up..." he trailed off. "You got tonight off work, right?" "Yes, but I still don't know why...you haven't told me our plan for tonight yet." "You'll see..." Kari said, pulling him forward and giving him a nice big birthday kiss. "Happy Birthday, TK." "Thanks, Kari. I hope you didn't plan something too special for me tonight..."

Kari and TK made their way slowly across town, intertwining fingers as they held hands. The snow gently fell overtop of their heads and the lights from the buildings shone in the ever growing darkness of night, though it was still fairly early. They came closer and closer to the arena until they were on the same street. Kari quickly glanced at her watch; it read 6:25pm. As they got closer to the arena they could hear the music playing. At the front of the arena, the sign read "BIRTHDAY CEELEBRATION". "Oh my God...please don't tell me..." TK started, as Kari dragged him into the arena. As they opened the doors, more than 500 people yelled out "Happy Birthday TK!" TK looked like he was going to die. He was so shocked to see so many people there! "My God! Kari, did you plan all this?" "She had a little bit of help..." Yolie said, showing herself and the rest of the DigiDestined. "Thanks so much, guys! This must have cost a fortune to put together!" "Every cent was worth it for you, little buddy." Tai said, speaking up. "Yeah, TK! This is our way of saying 'thanks', for everything." Davis said.

The party went on for hours. Matt's band, the Teenage Wolves was up on stage performing most of the night with music so the guests could dance. TK talked to a lot of his old friends, a lot of them from his past that Kari, Yolie and Matt spent time looking up. TK even talked with Michael and Willis who flew in from America to celebrate his birthday. He thanked them for coming, of course, and they said it was their pleasure. It looked like everyone was enjoying the night. TK and Kari stuck together most of the night. At one point, TK leaned over to Kari and said, "I wish Patamon and the rest of them were here with us..." Kari looked at him and said, "Me too."

At about 9:00, Matt's band finished up a song and then he took the mic. "Hey, how's everybody doing tonight?" Matt asked the crowd. His response was 500 cheers. "Yeah! I hope everyone has been enjoying themselves because the party's just beginning! Since this is such a special occasion, my little bro TK is reaching his Sweet Sixteen, we have a special surprise for everyone!" Matt said, pointing behind the curtains. "Here for your enjoyment, please welcome British rock sensations, Coldplay!" The crowd was insane. Coldplay was an excellent band and everyone knew it. They took the stage, with a huge applause, and began with their smash hit, 'Yellow'.

"How the heck did you guys get Coldplay to play at my birthday?!?!?!?" TK asked Kari, in huge excitement. Kari just smiled at him. He looked at the rest of the DigiDestined; the crowd was still too busy going insane. "They were on tour in the area. Yolie emailed them and asked just out of curiosity if they could play on the Friday before March Break for a friends birthday. She got a reply saying they were passing right through Odiaba on that night and they would love to drop by for a few hours, and perform for free. Yolie nearly fainted out of her computer chair." "Wow." TK responded. People were dancing on the arena floor. Many couples that TK and Kari knew were also there, dancing together. Matt finally had some time off the stage and went to go dance with Sora. Tai and Mimi were dancing, too. Joe, Cody and Izzy however were standing at the punch bowl, with their slick suits on. TK whispered to Kari that they reminded him of the three guys in "Night at the Roxbury" Saturday Night Live skit. Kari laughed.

Coldplay sang on, with their other hits 'In My Place and 'Clocks'. Yolie and Ken took the floor, and they danced the night away. Davis even brought Kristine and they danced. It wasn't until Coldplay began their latest hit 'Trouble' when TK and Kari decided to hit the dance floor. They danced slowly with one another, with the many other couples on the floor. Kari wrapped her arms around TK's neck and TK did the same with his around Kari's waist. The lyrics started, and they slowly moved to the music.

"I never meant to cause you trouble, I never meant to do you wrong, Well if I ever caused you trouble, Oh no I never meant to do you wrong..."

The song seemed to go on forever, and TK and Kari didn't want it any other way. They were in the one place in the world they loved being the most – in each others arms. At the end of the song, their lips brushed one another's and they fell into a deep, passionate kiss.

Matt went up on stage and took the mic. "Let's hear it for Coldplay!" Everyone went crazy. "Thank you very much for being here tonight, and thank all of you for coming! The party is over, so please drive safely and enjoy the rest of your night!" TK and Kari went to the door and thanked everyone who was leaving for coming to the party. It was also the responsibility of those who rented the arena that night to clean it up, so the twelve DigiDestined stayed and helped clean up. It was just after midnight now, and TK was helping move Matt's equipment back to his van. He was startled by a voice that came from behind him on stage. It was Chris Martin, the lead singer of Coldplay. "Hey, kid. Happy birthday." He said, with his strong, English accent. "Thanks a lot, and thanks for performing." "It was our pleasure. That girl I saw you there with, I'm assuming she's you're girlfriend." "Yup, that's Kari. It's kind of a love story between the two of us...but lately, it's been rough." "Oh yeah?" "Yeah, she's pregnant." "Really? So is my wife..." "You're talking about the actress Gwyneth Paltrow, right?" "Yup, that's her. We're having our first." "Kari and I are getting married in a few months. A lot of people think that we're too young, but we know we're ready to make this commitment." "Good, I'm glad you're so sure about it. But I've got to run, the boys are in the van and we need to be in Osaka tomorrow. It was nice meeting you, TK." He extended his hand, and TK shook it. "It was nice meeting you, Mr. Martin."

The guys offered to help clean up the rest of the junk and told the girls to head on home and get some rest. Kari, Yolie, Sora and Mimi left then, and the guys stayed behind. After cleaning up, they were about to head home, but Tai caught up to TK. "Hey TK, can I talk to you for a minute?" "Sure Tai, what's up?" "Listen, I'm really sorry about the way I've been acting lately..." "Don't apologize, Tai. If I were in your position I probably would have reacted in the same way." "Still, TK, it's not right. I should be supporting you two. I knew from day one that you two were going to end up together, but when this whole thing happened, I panicked. I didn't know what to think. But now, how I see you're handling the whole situation, I couldn't be more proud of you. I know that you're the only person who could love Kari as much as you possibly can, and that you will take care of her." "Thanks, Tai. I really appreciate you're blessing. I know you were just going through a tough time and all. Thanks a lot Tai." The two shared a friendly hug.

TK got home late, nearly one o'clock. Kari was fast asleep in his bed when he got home, and his mother was asleep to. He changed into his boxers as quietly as possible as Kari gently breathed in her sleep. TK kissed her on the forehead, and headed to the couch to go to sleep. "TK..." he heard. He turned around, and Kari slowly opened her eyes to look at him. "I'm sorry, did I wake you?" he asked. "No..." she said, as she motioned him to come over. TK sat on the bed next to her. "Kari...thank you so much for the party, I had a great time." "Me too..." she said. "TK...lay down with me." He lay beside her on the bed and stared into her eyes. The two kissed each other goodnight and fell asleep.