Tears of the Gifted
Chapter VIII: An Old Friend Returns
"Hey Kari...been a long time, little sister."
"It is...it's really you...but how..." she said with widen eyes.
"How about I save that story for another time," he replied. "Now am I going to a get hug or are you just going to stand there staring all night?"
Kari's eyes were wet with joy as she ran towards the figure and hugged him while beating on his chest in joyous anger. She then looked at him and he smiled and hugged him tightly as if he was going to be snatched away from her at any moment.
"I thought...I thought you were dead," she cried on his chest. "Why didn't let me know you were still alive?"
"I'm sorry I worried you Kari, but if you had known I was alive, would you have been able to speak honestly to the Prime Minister and if word got out that I was still around it would have placed you in danger as people would have tried to force my location out of you by beating either you or one of our friends," the stranger explained wisely as he held his sister. "I know you must have had a difficult time, but I'm back now and I'm going to do everything I can to protect you and care for you, little sister."
"Oh, Tai I'm so glad you're alive, so glad." Kari sniffled.
Tai just smiled and then looked at his friends who looked at him like was a ghost, "Hey guys, sorry I haven't been around lately," he looked at them and laid his eyes on Mimi, "Hey Mimi, you're good as always, welcome back to Japan."
"Tai..." Mimi said.
"Hey Davis, thanks for what you did for Kari, I really appreciated." Tai said kindly.
"Tai..." Davis said.
"TK, how's it going, that brother of yours doing alright?"
"Tai..." TK said.
"Everyone, it's good to be back,"
"Tai..." they all said in joyous glee as they surrounded their friend with hugs and smiles of welcome.
"I can't believe, it's really you! How the hell did you survive?" Izzy asked.
"Yeah The police said no one was spotted walking out of Fire Storm and they didn't think anyone else survived other than your mother," Cody followed up.
"Oh NO! Mom!" Kari said suddenly.
"What about mom? What's wrong?" Tai asked calmly with concern.
"I almost forgot! They're the pull the plug on mom! They're gonna let her die."
"What!" Tai said shockingly. He turned to the others. "Is this true?"
"Yeah, you guys have until eight to get down there," Joe replied.
"It's a half an hour to eight now and the hospital is still thirty minutes." Mimi said.
"That's if you go by foot," Tai said suddenly.
"What do you mean by that?" Yolei explained as the sound sirens could be heard off in a distance.
"I'll explain later," Tai replied seriously. "Look you guys explain everything to the police. Kari and I have to get hospital."
"Alright, but how are you going to get there" Davis asked concerned.
"I'll take my ride," Tai replied. "Let's go Kari." He put his hood back, grabbed Kari's and hand and ran out of the ally.
When they reached the open they saw the police in a distance. Tai didn't waste any time. He ran straight over to a black motorcycle and took off a helmet that was hanging on the handle bars.
"Kari, hurry and put this on!" Tai ordered brotherly.
Kari didn't bother to ask questions she just put the helmet on as her brother got on his bike and she climbed on behind him just as the police pulled into the ally way and a long black haired man ran out of the first car towards them.
"Kari!" he cried worrying, "You, with the cloak, halt in the name of..." but before he could finish Tai started up the bike and took off. "Blast! Someone…"
"Detective Jin-sin, wait it's ok!" Davis yelled as he the others ran out of the ally.
"Davis! What the hell is going on?" Jin-sin asked.
"It's a long story, but you don't have to worry, Kari's safe, she's with her brother."
"Her...brother! But that's impossible Tai Kamiya's."
"Alive and well sir, please hear us out," Joe said.
Tai and Kari rode through the streets towards the hospital. Kari was surprised by their luck; it was as if fate on their side this today. They drove through streets not even bothering to stop for lights! There wasn't time to bother with such things. Kari held tightly onto her brother as he drove the motorbike swiftly and carefully through the street as her dress fluttered in the wind. When out of nowhere she looked behind her and saw two full cars of men speeding after them. Kari's eyes widen as a silver bubble of light surrounded her and brother intercepting a speeding a bullet.
"Tai!" she warned.
"Don't worry, just keep expecting an attack and you powers will continue to protect you," he replied. More bullets were fired from the cars' occupants. Kari's barrier stood, strong her powers determined to protect their hostess as the hospital came into view.
"We're almost their, little sister!" Tai yelled.
Kari held tightly as Tai drove into the hospital parking lot and pulled up in front of the hospital and the two familiar figures standing at the entrance.
"Mr. and Mrs. Takenouchi!" Kari cried.
"Hurry, get her inside! We're being followed!" Tai ordered.
"Who are you?" Mr. Takenouchi asked as he helped Kari off the bike.
"No time to explain! Just get her inside. I'll deal the people following us."
"But Tai," Kari said worryingly.
"Tai!" Mr. and Mrs. Takenouchi said in disbelief.
"Don't worry I'll be fine," Tai replied.
"Just be careful," Kari cried hugging him quickly, "I don't want to lose you again."
"You won't, I promise. I'll be there before you know it. Now get inside they're coming!" Tai ordered kindly and brotherly.
Kari ran into the hospital with her foster parents as two cars speeded into the parking lot and pulled up in front of the hospital. He got off his bike and stood in still silent. The men got out of their cars each of them carrying a gun and wearing a dark blue uniform with Pure Blood's symbol on the shoulder.
"Where do you think you guys are going?" Tai asked his face well hidden by his cloak.
"Out of the way interferer," one man said. "I don't know who you are, but this doesn't concern you."
"Sorry, but eight armed men trying to kill a helpless twelve year old girl is my concern," Tai said as smooth strings of strings of fire started to circle about his torso.
"While then I'm about to make you wish it wasn't..." the man replied aiming his gun as along with his comrades.
"HEY!" Tai said as he held up his hands with four small fireballs circling about above them. "Didn't anyone tell yah? This is a hospital zone. NO loud noises!" He threw the balls at his opponents and knocked each man's gun out of their hands and onto the ground where the guns melted into useless heaps of metal. The men of Pure Blood shook their hands in pain as Tai stood calm and determined.
"How about we make this fair?" Tai asked as the flames circling him vanished from view, "No powers for me, and no weapons for you. Deal...deal. NOW COME ON!"
The leading Pure Blood member looked at the cocky, but serious expression on the teenager's face with a frown of anger and pulled a pulled out an assault knife from his back pocket! He jabbed at the digidestined leader who dodged the small blade as if his very body was a swaying flame of fire. Left, right he swayed dodging the blade with ease until finally he dodged the final assault to left and grabbed the man's with his right hand and held tightly flames of fire circling his hand. His victim cried in agony as if his waist was held in an acid band. The men dropped the knife and fell to his knee in submission as Tai looked him the eye with a harsh, but calm glare, "When I say no weapons...I mean no weapons..." the Anti-gifted's eyes widen with fear as Tai raised his fist that flew like a burning ball fired from a cannon and knocked the man unconscious.
Tai dropped his opponent to ground and looked at the remaining man as he twisted his left wrist back and forth in his other hand. "Who's next," he asked with in challenging voice.
The remaining Pure Blood members looked at Tai and stood still angered. They attacked one after the other with punches and kicks. Tai dodged his opponents' blows one after the other, blocking and countering them as they came. One by one they fell to the ground out cold just as security guards came running out of the hospital, and as several cars and police except for the one carrying his friends and detective Jin-sin.
"Tai!" Davis cried worryingly as he ran out of the car and up to his friend, "Where's Kari?"
"She inside, you guys go on ahead I'll catch up later," Tai order. His friends ran inside.
Tai stood still as Detective Jin-sin in his black business suit and trench-coat walked up and stood before him with smart-alack smirk on his face, "You're looking well for a dead man."
"What can I say, I got lucky," Tai said.
"Right, you know if you're going to be around now, you'd better come up with a very convincing story as to how you survived and eluded detection for two months.
"Let's just I got help from a very kind..."
"Old man," Jin-sin said smiling smartly.
"How did you know?"
"I'm not the best detective in the city for nothing. I noticed during Fire Storm an old man who looked kind of like a Lightening Gifted; walk into the storm several minutes before it died out. Then there's the two reports of some mysterious character jumping out of the window of the Takenouchi's apartment. With that information and you here, I merely filled in the gaps."
"Whoa...you are good."
"I know, now you'd better get inside, my men and I were clean up this mess you made."
Tai smiled back and ran inside to see the mother he'd been away from far so long. Jin-sin watched him leave and then looked down at the unconscious men in the area. He then looked at the melted guns stuck to the ground and touched the now cooled chunks of metal and turned to look at Tai as he ran, "Hum...I wonder."
Tai ran to the elevator only to find people waiting for it. Having no time to wait he went straight to the stairs and ran up as fast as he could. The air wisped by him as he ran up one stair after the other heading for the top floor where his mother lay asleep and unaware of her soon to come end. He charged up the stairs faster and faster, until he finally came to his mother's floor and headed straight for her room. Upon his arrive he spotted his friends, Sora's parents and Dr. Kaito standing outside the room in silence. He slowed his pace to a walk of worry.
"Everyone did I..." he asked.
Everyone was silent, it was Mimi who walked up to him looked at him holding one arm and lowered her head with sadness filled eyes. Tai's eyes widen with despair, and he gripped his fist. He was too late, but not too late to say unheard goodbye. He raised his head bravely and walked into the room where Kari sat crying in her boyfriend's arms. He turned his head following the sound of the long endless ring of telemetry showing a dull and straight. He hung his head in sorrow only to raise it and take a deep a breath. He walked towards his mother's bed. He touched the shoulder of his crying sister and she looked at as he took a knee as his at their mother's bedside and spoke...
"Hey mom..." he spoke sadly. "Sorry it took so long for me to come. I wanted to visit you, but with Anti-gifted acting up everywhere it was too dangerous. But, now that I'm here…I...I don't know what to say. The last thing I want to say is goodbye, but I know it's something I can't avoid." He narrowed his eyes with sadness and hung his head. "I guess you're wondering where I've been all this time, huh." He smiled a sad smile. "Yeah...while you see..." he began calmly, and everyone opened they're wide with curiosity. "...When the rain started to fall and dose my flames, I guess, I fell unconscious. When I woke I found myself completely covered in ash and my cloths...well...let's just say I wasn't sight for children to see. Anyway...everyone was gone and the rain was poring harder than ever. My scares were fully open and the pain was unbearable. I endured it as best I could, and walked the streets. It was late and as the rain continued to drop my body felt heavier and heavier until I finally collapsed from extrusion. My scares had started to bleed and the rain became my Grim Riper. I was bear and trapped, there was no where for me to hide and no one around to be found. My life as I knew it was going to end soon." He held a shameful look. "But to be honest part of me wanted to die. Part of me wanted to meet my maker. To just have an end to all my suffering all my pain." He leaned forward on his lags, his gently clamped his hands together. "Life...death, it didn't matter to which I had, at that time I thought you and Kari were dead. That the storm of fire I created out of rage had destroyed my family along with everything else. I had nothing left, so I just closed my eyes and waited to die." He shut his eyes and lowered his head.
Everyone listened quietly, as he told his tale, but Kari among all of them saw the false truth of his words. She knew not why he was telling this fictionist story, but she felt he had his reasons, and chose not to speak on it. Tai continued to speak in voice of sorrow as he continued his tale. "But as you can see I didn't die or I wouldn't be here right now. Instead I fell asleep and when I woke, I was in some house. The people who owned it had found and saved me. They had cleaned the blood from my body and bandaged me, but for seven days I was bedridden and unable to move without feeling pain. As I rested under their care I was worried. I didn't think they knew who I was or what I was, and I was afraid to tell them, but...I was worried about you and about Kari. I had figured you were dead, but my heart was telling otherwise." He blinked slowly and slowed his breathing as gentle strings of fire circled his body. "So I took the risk of revealing my identity and hoped they wouldn't throw me out." He smiled a sad smile. "I was glad I took the risk because they didn't care who or what I was. To them I was just an injured young man who needed help and to throw me out into the cold in my condition would have been the cruelest of acts. They searched around and found about you and Kari for me and told me how the two of you were. I can't tell you how happy I was when they told me you were both alive and well. I wanted to see you, but at the time I was still too injured to move."
He looked at Kari and she looked back with a silent but disagreeing look. He knew she knew he was lying. That his tell was fiction and not fact, however unknown to her his tell was true, but in another way. A way he couldn't tell her...not while his friends stood listening behind him. He knew he would have to tell his sister the truth in time, but for now this story would have to do. He blinked slowly as returned his gaze to his mother and continued. "On the day of the Fire Storm Debate two months ago, I saw Kari on TV and it was on that day I knew I couldn't return anytime soon. I was dead to world that day...and I knew to come out of hiding then would only ruin the good that was done. So I stayed with my saviors and took home schooling with their daughter, so that when it was finally safe for me to return I would be to resume my schooling at the same level as Sora and Matt." he rose his head. "After two months things started to calm down and just in time too, because the people I was staying had been planning to another city. I couldn't go with them. So I ended up being left behind." he smiled. "I'm grateful to them more than you could ever know. They helped me more than ever hoped they would have. They gave me some money before they left and it was lot than could have ever expected. They said they'd been saving for me. I couldn't bear to take it, but they were so insistent that I just gave up and took it along with another gifted they gave me. Something to help me get around." He blinked and sighed. "And that's pretty much it. I'm lucky to alive after all that's happened, but I'm not complaining."
Everyone was quiet, Kari especially. She looked at her brother with sorrow covered eyes, 'Why is he lying, what's he hiding. Is the real story something he doesn't want the others to know?' she thought. "Big brother..." she said silently.
He turned away from his mother. "Mom, I wish I could hear your voice just one more time before I say goodbye." He said kindly with tear trapping eyes. "I can't help but feel that...that this is my fault some how. If I hadn't lost to my anger...if I had just let them kill me...then maybe..." he shook his head. "No...that would've only made you sadder, wouldn't it and you probably would have ended up in here from sorrow. Like when you got sick for a few weeks after dad died." He looked at her. "Mom, I know I can't change the past, but I can change the future. I will do all I can to protect and take care of Kari, so you want have to worry. I grown much stronger over these past two months and I'm going to do my best to not to fail again. I won't fail Kari, like I failed you and dad. I'll do my best to make you both proud." He took her hand into his as he eyes grew in a light struggle to hold in his tears.
Kari looked at her brother, she left the arms of Davis and went to him. The Kamiya siblings held one another closely as she cried, knowing that despite what he said to his mother that he couldn't stay. She hugged him as if she would never see him again and cried for her lost family. She didn't want to say goodbye after finally being able to see him after so long, but just as her brother couldn't avoid saying goodbye to their mother, she could not avoid saying goodbye to him. A tear finally escaped her brother's eye as he held her without saying a single word. There were no words either could really say at the moment.
An ocean of silence had filled the room disturbed only by the ringing from telemetry's straight line. Everyone looked at the Kamiya siblings. They didn't know what to say to them, all they could give was silence. With Kari still under their care Mr. and Mrs. Takenouchi knew that the courts would rule that she remain with them and that Tai was too young to care for his sister without the presence of an adult. They knew as her guardians it would be up to them to take her in fully through adoption. But as for Tai, well...he had showed that he could defend himself, but the concern of his friends was where would he go, where could he go? Without a mother and father he too despite his age was an orphan and there were few people who would take in a teenaged Fire Gifted especially one who had once gone into a rage that created a storm of such magnitude that it could still be felt in the area where it burned.
They all knew where Kari would go, the same place she'd been staying at since Fire Storm, but Tai...with the kind people he'd been staying with gone...where will he go? That thought was the greatest concern of Mimi. She knew the Takenouchis didn't have enough room for him as while. Part of her wanted to do something for him, but she didn't know what. Her heart was in flux, she had held feelings for young Kamiya as she held them for another back in America, but that one was there and she was here and Tai...was right before her. She wanted to help him, she wanted to comfort him, but she knew not what to say. She knew he would not stay, no matter how many times she wished he would, she knew she would have to say goodbye just quickly as she said hello.
Her concern for Tai could only be matched by Davis's concern for Kari, he knew it would be quite sometime before she would smile again after this day and that it would up to him to continue fulfilling his promise to her, to be there for her. He looked at her as she and her brother embraced in sorrow. The brother they all believed was dead until his sudden timely arrival that saved them from Pure Blood. However just as he was alive so was Pure Blood. Pure Blood...the Anti-Gifted group that killed Mr. Kamiya, Pure Blood...the men who tried to kill Tai Kamiya, Pure Blood...the people who would do anything to get revenge on Tai for lives lost at the hands of his flames. Davis and Kari had hoped that from that day on they could look forward to a relationship filled with joy and prosperity, but their hopes were dampened by rains of sorrow. He knew that once word of Tai's survival of Fire Storm got out, the danger for Kari would only double for people would seek to use her as bait to lure her brother. As it stood, the very knowledge of Tai slipping through death's hands was the greatest danger to Kari and until things calmed down fully it would not be possible for Tai to stay. Not yet. Davis knew his love and loyalty to Kari would soon be put test again and he was more than ready and to meet that test head on.
Tai held his sister, his eyes closed, his heart in sorrow. Smooth strings of fire circled his body slowly reflecting the sadness in his heart. Then a voice spoke through his mind. He ignored the voice at first and held his sister closer. But the voice would not be ignored and it spoke again. Tai tried to ignore, but again spoke and he sighed...
'I understand Master, I'm coming...' young Kamiya thought sadly. 'I just wish I could stay a little longer.' He turned to Davis who looked back and nodded. Tai lifted his sister up and looked into her eyes and then turned away. He wanted to take her with him, but he knew he couldn't, despite the promise he just made to his mother. Where he was going he could bring no one else but himself. Besides, part of him couldn't bear to tire her away from the life she had with her friends. He smiled a promise to her, and she reflected his smile with her own. They hugged once more before standing and Tai returned his sister to Davis's arms. He turned to the pale, sleeping lady and kneeled down at her bedside once more and kissed her cheek.
"Bye mom, rest in peace," he said calmly. He held hand for a moment and the voice called to him again. 'Alright I'm coming...it's just not an easy thing do.'
He stood and headed for the door quietly where all his friends were standing. They all knew from the sorrow in his eyes that it was time. They all wanted to stop him, to tell him to stay with them, with his sister, but they didn't say a word. But Mimi with an emotion plagued heart, stepped forward and stood before him, she looked him in the eyes holding one arm and then looked away unable to speak a word. Tai looked at her and then walked around and stood beside, her and whisper...
"Mimi..."
"Yes..."
"Tell, Sora...that I'm..." he began when all of sudden the ringing stop and slowly transcended into a beep...everyone froze as that sound echoed through out the room like a beautiful malady...beep...again it sang followed shortly by another, and then another. The slow beeping stopped them from doing anything but breathing. Tai turned towards the telemetry as a beautiful line danced like a wind moved sea. His eyes widened further as a sudden moan could be heard behind him. He turned towards the silent lady as another moan mixed with the beeps of the room.
Tai raced over to the sleeping woman as Kari broke from Davis's arms. The Kamiya siblings sat at their mother's bedside.
"Mom..." they cried softly in unison.
Slowly, the woman opened her eyes to a narrow sight, and turned to the brother and sister at her side, "Tai...Kari..."
"Mom!" the brother and sister cried with surprise filled eyes.
"Tai, Kari...thank goodness...I had a horrible dream...that the two of you...had been taken from me. I'm so glad, so glad that my children are alright," she cried weakly but joyfully, trying to touch them.
"Mom!" Tai and Kari cried with joy as the hugged their mother.
Everyone smiled happily and rushed into the room.
Dr. Kaito smiled with relief and then called for the nearest nurse. He moved passed everyone and toward the happily reunited Kamiya family. "As much as I hate to interrupt this, I have a job to do," he said in a kind voice.
Tai and Kari released their mother after one final hug and then left the room with their friends leaving her in the care of Dr. Kaito and his nurse.
"So, Kamiya...I take it you'll be sticking around after all?" Mimi asked with a sly, but blushing expression, brushing her hair behind her ear.
Tai just smiled and closed his eyes for moment 'Master...' he nodded and looked at her. "You better believe I will."
"Alright," Davis said as he and the others patted their friend on the back with joy.
"Could to have yah back Tai," TK said.
"Yeah...and I have intension of leaving anytime soon."
"That's nice to hear, but...it raises problems," a voice said. Everyone looked to the left and there was detective Jin-son with serious expression, "Tai, can I have word with you?"
"Uh...sure..." Tai replied.
He and Jin-son walked away from the others and talked while everyone watched and waited with curiosity and worry...
"You don't think they're going to make Tai go back to juvenile hall do you?" Cody asked.
"I doubt it, after all Jin-son...is on our side," TK said.
"True, but his duty is to enforce and follow the law and that would come over everything else," Yolei pointed out.
"And there are those who consider Fire Storm as a break out charge," Ken stated
Everyone waited as Tai and detective Jin-son suddenly shook hands and then walked over to the others.
"What's up?" Davis asked.
"Nothing to worry about, I just needed to know how Tai survived. After all, if he's staying then there are a lot of loose ends that need to be tied up," Jin-son said.
"Like what?" Izzy asked scratching his violet hair covered head.
"Like him being alive," Jin-sin answered. "For the time being, it is best that people believe Tai Kamiya is still dead, that way they'll be less danger for Kari and all of you. If people get word that Tai Kamiya still lives, then Anti-gifted who still hold a grudge against him will most likely come after him for revenge."
"Then let'um, from what we've seen, Tai take care of himself." TK said boldly. "They'd be hitting the pavement before even laid a hand on him."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, but even I have my limits," Tai said. "And besides it's not me Jin-son's worried about, it's all of you."
"Us? Why us?" Cody asked.
"Because all of you have a personal connection to Tai and it wouldn't be too hard for people to figure that out," Jin-son explained seriously, his hands in his pockets. "The police force will likely be too busy trying to round up Pure Blood members to really offer much protection. Which is why it will be important that word of Tai being alive doesn't get out? If people realize Tai Kamiya is alive then they'll be trouble, big trouble not just for Kari but for her friend's as well. The only reason none of you were targeted in past was because Kari was considered an easy target and anyone who did the research would be able to find her."
"But because Tai wouldn't have any pacific location, then it would be difficult for them to find them. So they'll come after us to use as bait, knowing Tai wouldn't stand by and let us be hurt for his own safety," Joe said.
"Yes..." Jin-son agreed.
"I know it's going to be difficult, but this is something I need from all of you. Don't tell anyone else I'm alive. Not even your parents, at least not until I can find my family a new apartment," Tai said.
"Hey you count on us Tai, but what about Matt?" Davis asked.
"And Sora, they'll want to know your alright," Kari said.
"Don't worry. I'll visit them both later," Tai said. "Just tell them not to tell anyone."
"We understand, we'll all stay quiet about it, but sooner or later someone's going to recognize you and quickly spared the word. Even after you're so called death the people who you helped still consider to be a bit of hero," Izzy explained.
"I'm aware of that but I'll deal with it when the time comes," Tai explained.
"Alright, but where will you stay in the mean time?" Davis asked. "If you want you can stay at my place."
"Thanks, but your homes are the first people will look if rumors start up that I might be alive. Until it's safe me to come out of hiding, I'll be staying at a somewhat more hotter place..." Tai said.
"The Remnants of Fire Storm..." Mimi said. "...Pretty good hiding place for a Fire Gifted. No way would naturals follow you into there. The heat would kill'um."
"Which makes it the perfect place for him to hide, and in the meantime I'll be using my sources to track down Pure Blood's main base so the police can take them down," Jin-son said.
"If there's anything I can do to help with that just let me, I still a few scores to settle with them," Tai said seriously.
"With your skills I intend to hold you up to that," Jin-son said smile smartly.
Just then Doctor Kaito came out the room. Tai and Kari walked up to him.
"So, Dr. Kaito is she going to be alright?" Tai asked.
Dr. Kaito smiled, "She'll be fine, but she'll need to stay here a while to under go rehab."
"How long will that take?" Kari asked.
"While, she's already talking and moving pretty good, we just need to see if she can walk alright and run some tests on her condition. I estimate she'll be ready to leave by the end of the summer."
Tai nodded satisfyingly, "That's good, and it'll give me sometime to find us a new place to stay. I imagine they sold our apartment to someone else and auctioned off our things."
"Not to worry, your landlord did sell your apartment but my wife and I so to it that everything inside was put away in storage," Professor Takenouchi said kindly.
"That's great. Did you manage to..." Tai said.
"You mean this," Kari said already knowing what he was going to ask. She reached into her small purse and pulled out a strangely squared shaped device with curved in corners and handed it to her brother.
"My digivice..." Tai smiled.
"I kept it safe; I was going to keep as memento to give Agumon should we ever be allowed to go back to the digiworld again, but since you're alright. It's best that it returns to its owner," Kari said.
"Thanks Kari," Tai said.
"My goodness it's almost nine," Dr. Kaito said looking at his watch. "You kids need to get home before your parents start to worry."
"I'm off duty as of three minutes ago, I'll give TK and the others a ride home," Jin-son said.
"Thanks, but what about Ken, Izzy and Davis, they don't live in the same building. Ken lives pretty close by to us, but Izzy and Davis...," TK said.
"Izzy's place is on the way to ours, so I'll take him home," Dr. Kaito said.
"Then I guess my wife and I will take Davis," Professor Takenouchi said.
Kari and Davis looked at each and then turned to the professor, "Um...Professor, can't Davis stay with us for a little while longer?" Kari asked.
"Kari ah..." Professor Takenouchi began.
"Of course he can, he can stay at our place until nine thirty but then he has to go home," Mrs. Takenouchi said kindly.
"Thank you!" Kari said as she hung on Davis's arm.
"Well then since everyone's take care of we should get going. I'm sure your parents are worried about you," Jin-son said. With that he took TK, Ken, Mimi, Yolei and Cody with him, but before leaving Mimi ran back to Tai and placed a piece of paper into his hand and whispered in his ear. She then pulled away looked at him with a sly but loving gaze and ran after the others.
Tai watched her leave and then looked at the paper seeing a phone number. He nodded and then placed into his jacket. He and Kari then went into their mother's room and said goodbye promising to visit soon.
With that done that they hospital. Kari and Davis claimed into the Takenouchis car with her foster parents and drove for home. Tai followed them on his bike. There was promise he had to keep to an old friend, a promise he couldn't break no what. He rode through the streets keeping an eye for anymore Pure Blood's assailants who might seek to strike at his sister. His face hidden by cloak, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a cell phone and dialed.
"Hello Mimi...tell me everything Sora told you..."
Meanwhile at the Takenouchis sitting in her chair silently reading was Sora. Her room lit by a single golden light that hung from her ceiling. Her mind was absorbed in her book. She turned one page after another just reading as if the world was but the single room she sat in...
'...and so the young girl returned to her room and once again sat in her chair by the window. Her mind ever silent as she continued to wait. She then began to hear the sound of foot steps in the hall, the sounds grew louder and louder as they grew closer and closer to the room, but still she did not move. She was protected by the spirits of the sun so she had nothing to fear from the attack of some intruder. She sat there waiting, just staring out her window as she began to hear the door of her room open and the foot steps enter. "I fear you not whoever you are, for I'm protect by the spirits and no harm can come to me," she said bravely and sadly.
The mysterious stranger stood in the room and replied...'
"Hey, I take it that's a good book?" a voice suddenly interrupted.
Sora froze, her mind went blank...that voice she knew that voice. Oh! that sweet friendly voice. She knew it all to well. She had longed to hear that voice again for days. But she was afraid...she was afraid to look up. She feared that if she did there would be nothing but air, an empty spot in her room.
"Sora...you ok?"
There it was again that voice, now she was sure of it, it was him, but wasn't really...she decided to take the risk of disappoint and look up. She raised her head from her book and froze as she laid eyes the figure that stood in her room dressed in black. She stood up dropping her book onto the floor and moved forward slowly...
"Ta...Tai..." she said innocently.
"Hey Sora, sorry I took so long," Tai replied.
Her eyes grew wet, and she ran to the young man and hugged him, "Tai, Tai..." she cried. She couldn't find the words to express her joy. She moved hands to his chest as he held her. She laid her head upon him crying tears of joy.
"Oh Tai, I'm so glad your back, so glad," she cried. "I started to give up hope, you have no idea how happy I am to see you again."
"Sora...," he replied holding her a little closer. "I'm sorry I..."
"Please don't talk...I'm happy this way, just like this..." she said as she cuddled herself closer to him and closed her eyes.
Tai honored her requested and held her. For a long time he wanted to hold her in such a way. He smiled, but then his smile vanished and familiar voice rang his mind speaking his name. He blinked slowly but sadly and then released Sora a little and looked into her eyes. He touched her chin gently and looked at her and then shook his head.
"What's wrong?" Sora asked expecting a kiss.
"Sora...Mimi told me what happened between you and Matt," Tai said sadly, "And well...I can't do this knowing that it'll only be taking advantage of the situation between you and him." He blinked slowly and in a difficult tone of friendship and sadness said. "Sora...you have to go back to Matt..."
"What..." Sora replied fearfully as she slowly backed away from her childhood friend.
"Sora, I want you to give Matt another chance. I know he didn't mean to hurt you like he did."
Sora didn't know what to say, her mind was in confusion, her heart spilt in two. Part of her longed to feel the warmth that Kari felt when she was in Davis's arms. She longed to feel that warmth of protection that she had once felt long ago, and just now she felt it, but the one it came from was telling her she couldn't have it from him. She didn't know what to say. She touched the burn mark on her arm and her mind raced back to the day she received it. She shook in fear holding her arms shaking her head in fear and confusion.
"No...he'll..."
"He loves you Sora and I know part of you still loves him," Tai said as he walked up to Sora and touched the side of her face, "Please give him another chance. If history repeats it self then I promise I'll act as the wall between you too and protect you, but right now you have to...no...it's you choice to go back, I want force you all I can do is ask, but please if not for him, then for me. Give him at least one last chance to grant you the feeling of warmth you so desire." She looked at him and then closed her eyes. She turned from him and nodded with tears running down her cheeks. "Thank you." He held her once more letting her know that all would be alright. She smiled and savored the moment of warmth and protection, the same warmth she prayed to get from Matt, when she returned to his arms.
Watching from a creaked door unnoticed was Kari and Davis. They smiled at each other happily for what her brother had done at that moment and then closed the door and went to the living room where Mr. Takenouchi was reading the paper well his wife was next to him reading a book. They sneaked passed them towards the balcony's sliding glass door hidden behind by curtains. They opened the door and went outside with the curtains still hiding the balcony entrance. The Professor noticed them and tried to get up to open the curtains but felt a gentle hand on his arm. He looked to his right and saw his wife her face still her in book, as she pulled him slowly back down onto the couch and then looked at him and shook her head. Her husband sighed and then returned to his paper.
Kari stood with her hands and head on Davis's chest, his arms wrapped around her as they savored what little time they had left together.
"Hey Kari...sorry about today," Davis said. As she rose her head and looked at him. "I really wanted this day to be free of trouble, of sadness. I wanted this day to be a you didn't have to cry even one tear of sorrow. I wanted it to be perfect for you..." he was cut off by her finger to his lips.
Kari shook her smiling loving, "Davis..." Kari said in sweet voice, "you don't have to apologize. It's not your fault those things happen, and this day was perfect. I got to spend the day with the one I love, my brother's returned alive and well, and my mother is finally awake. This day...this day is the best of my life." She said touching the side of his face. "Best of all I got my first and second kiss." She blushed red, "and I was well..."
Davis looked at her and then touched her chin and looked into her silver moon eyes. She looked back and reflected his kind smile of love as she closed her eyes and felt his lips touch hers unaware of the figure watching from the inside. He dropped the curtains down and smiled...
"So...um, Tai...what are they doing out there?" Professor Takenouchi asked fatherly.
"Nothing for you to worry about sir, they're just looking at the moon," Tai lied as he walked towards the door. "Well I'd better be on my way."
"Are you sure you'll be alright, we can make a place for you on the couch if you'd like?" Mrs. Takenouchi offered kindly.
"Thanks for the offer, but I already have a place to stay, there's no need for you to worry about me. I've grown far stronger than I used to be," Tai replied.
"We see that from what heard about what you did to save Kari and the others," Professor Takenouchi said.
"I know you've guys have done a lot, but please keep looking after Kari," he requested kindly. "There's no way the courts will allow her to stay with me even if I mange to get us a new apartment and it'll be a while before I can find one we can afford."
"Don't worry, we'll take good care of her," Mrs. Takenouchi said. "But you should be careful, once word gets out you're still alive, every anti-gifted in the city is likely to be on you."
"Like I said, I can take care of myself," he replied. "I'll be fine until I sign my name to something no one's really going to know any time soon." A voice spoke through his mind. "Well I have to be going, see yah."
He left and closed the door behind him and then began to walk for the elevator. He entered and pressed the button for the first floor and leaned against the wall his arms crossed and eyes narrowed...
'Master I don't understand why can't I...I know, but...yes sir, forgive me. It just hurts that...that I have to give her up...' he spoke in a sad voice of mind. He got off the elevator and walked towards his bike, 'Master...there's something that's been bothering me lately.' He looked up at the star filled sky as strings of fire circle his body. 'Why was I given these powers? For what reason do I have them...what do mean Gifted are the answer to the Earth's Fear? Fear of what...as you say master I will wait. But before I return I still have one last thing to do.' He got on his bike and drove into the street.
Elsewhere, within the blazing heat of Fire Storm's remnants, in a dark blue shirt and black jeans with black shoes sat a young man of fifteen. Next to him a six-pack of sodas stood, one of them in his hand, and the other before a large pail of ash. Strings of blue fire circled his body as he looked at the pail with a friendly smile.
"Hey pal hope you don't mind me doing our usual routine for the first day of summer..." he said friendly as he lowered his head with a sad smile. "It's just something I had to do one last time." He blinked slowly and took a sip of soda. "It's just that it's still hard to believe that you're gone...and well part of me feels responsible for you being gone. If I had only protected Sora like I should have and not just left it to you then...maybe you'd..." he shook his head. "To, tell you the truth man, I...I always envied your heart. You never stood down when you saw someone in need. You never hesitated to act and even though your heroics always got us into trouble. I admired you for them." He smiled. "Yeah, yeah...I know I always gave you a hard time about your constant heroics, but truth is I kind of like them. It was part of what made you you. When I look back on the people you've helped and the smiles of gratitude their faces, I sometimes wonder why Sora chose me over you." He took another sip of soda and sighed. "You did so much more for her than I did when she started to change."
He blinked slowly with sorrow in his eyes. "When I first saw her being picked on and teased, I tried to stand between her and her attackers, but along with my powers something else had come. Something that frightens me even today." He said in fearful tone. His eyes shined with sorrow and fear. "My flames...they burn inside me like boiling magma just waiting to be unlashed. When I tried to protect her I nearly killed one of the naturals trying to hurt her. If you hadn't come when you did that day, I just might have done it. I owe you lot, you told the principle that you had helped me beat on guy. Yor-yin wasn't found of Gifted from the beginning, especially you, but the officer at the school was pro-gifted so we both got lucky and were able to avoid arrest. From then on you were always there when Sora needed a guardian. You took the blame, the punches, and persecution for not just her...but for me as while. I remember you told me that my place was to comfort Sora, to let her know she was safe and protected. Even when there was more than you could handle you still told me to stay with, Sora, to protect her. To be the final line of defense. You told me to hide her eyes so that she wouldn't see what was going on." He gripped his fist as he looked up at the sky, his eyes wet with sadness. "I can't tell you how hard it was for me to just stand by and watch you get beat on like that until your powers struck back at your attackers. Yor-yin tried more than once to get you arrested, but each time he failed." He looked at the pail and smiled a little. "You became the hero of the school and as you continued fighting to protect others you got better and better. It wasn't long before you no longer needed my help to handle more than one opponent. You got stronger through protecting, through enduring, through sacrificing yourself for the safety of the others. It was because of you, you're noble effort to protect your fellow Gifted that created a few new Pro-gifted out of Anti-gifted. Some of the teachers started to step in to protect you when they saw you protecting someone even some students. You were the bravest most courageous person I knew."
He looked at the pail of ash and touched it with his hand. His heart was filled with sorrow but as he continued to speak he felt a heavy burden was being lifted from his shoulders. "When they took you to Juvenile Hall I was angry, but I looked forward to the day you'd return. For three months I tried my best to stay calm. But it wasn't easy." He lowered his head. "Everyday I was frustrated. All of us would meet at your apartment weekly to hear a report from Kari. I can't tell you how angry I was when I heard about the scars and the tortures...I could only imagine what you where going through in there. I passed the Juvenile Hall often enough of trying to get in for a visit, but they wouldn't let me. It was family members only. I tried to say I was your brother, but they didn't buy it. So after a while I gave up trying to see you and decided to wait until you were free." He smiled sadly again. "A week before Fire Storm I got the others together along a few people you'd helped and started talking throwing you a welcome home party and on the day of Fire Storm before the storm we started the prep work for the party. You'd be home soon and we wanted you to return home to smiles. To something that would raise your spirits, but then...we all saw it. It wasn't hard to see. The sky turned red with fire, then I heard on the news about Fire Storm and well...I couldn't believe my eyes. I had my dad rush me down there as fast he could, but by the time we got there the storm had stopped and the rain had begun. You were no to be seen and I cried right there and then. My best friend was dead and I knew if she didn't already know I'd have to be the one to tell Sora and it was hardest thing I ever had to do. She cried that day like I'd never seen her do before. I held her, but it was a long night and she didn't stop crying until Mr. and Mrs. Takenouchi got home with Kari, now under their protective care. When I saw Kari she was pale, and silent, I didn't know what she had seen that day, but it was obvious it had broken her. When Sora saw her walk in she practically leapt from arms and went to her. It didn't take long for Sora to take on the role of a big sister."
He took sip of soda, "When you died I was so enraged...so angry that I was blind, but I tried my best to hide it from Sora, from everyone. I figured that I had to take over and be what you had been...but I failed...For the first time after you died I had to protect Sora myself. It was two weeks after Fire Storm, while I was walking her home after visiting your death site we ran into trouble." He lowered his head close eyed. "Anti-Gifted naturals ambushed us in an alley. I fought to protect Sora and I have to say I did pretty well at first. I took out the first two but...the last of them attacked Sora from behind my back." he narrowly opened his eyes full of fear and sadness. "I don't know what happened, I felt this over bearing rage flowing through me...and...well...next I thing I knew I had the guy pinned against a wall by the neck, my other fist a blazing fire ball ready to punch him in the face! I wanted to kill him! I wanted to kill the natural, not just him but the others as while. I wanted to kill them like they had killed you, but then...Sora interrupted." He held his right hand and looked at it with despair. "Sora...she tried to pull my hand away from the guy's neck, she was begging me to stop, but I didn't listen I grabbed her with my blazing hand and well..."
He froze and griped his fist shaking it with anger and fear. Tears fell from his eyes and became vapor the moment they left his cheeks. "I hurt her...I hurt your childhood friend, my girlfriend, I hurt her, but it was that which woke me up from my rage. It was the look she gave me that calmed and also frightened me. "That look of fear she gave me. When she looked at me like I was some kind of monster...I felt like a stake had rammed into my heart. She ran from me that day and I never saw her again until the day of the Fire Storm Debate when Davis was in the hospital, but even then she was afraid of me. When I tried to talk to her she cried and ran to Mimi who wouldn't let me within five feet of her." He looked up at the sky. "I haven't seen her for two months since then and I...I don't know why it took me so long to come here and tell you this, I wanted to tell you the day after it had happened, but I just couldn't..." he hung his head and narrowly looked at the ground. "All I could do was say, 'I'm sorry' mourn and leave." His breathed slowly and took a sip of soda from the now hot can. "I don't know why it took me so long, why I held on to my grief...maybe, I just wanted to wait until this day. The first day of summer when we used to get together and talk about all the trouble we got into and all the fights we had, as while as all the problems we had." He smiled. "You were more than a friend to me Tai...you were a brother, and I wish you were still around."
"Well then, Matt, keep wishing you never when it might come," a friendly voice interrupted.
Matt froze...he knew that voice. He looked behind him and laid his widened eyes gazing at the figure standing behind him. He rubbed eyes and shook his head as if he had seen a ghost! He stood up, "Tai..."
"Hey Matt, how yah you been?" Tai replied smiling.
Matt stood stunned and gripped his fist and clinched his teeth. "You...You..." he said in an angry tone. He then charged at his supposed to be dead friend and grabbed him tightly by his shirt. "YOU BASTARD! WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN? HOW DEAR YOU BE ALIVE AND NOT TELL ME! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT I'VE BEEN THROUGH SINCE YOU'RE SO CALLED DEATH?"
"No I don't, or least I didn't until I heard every thing you just said," Tai replied with a smart friendly smile.
"Wait...you heard all that?" Matt asked.
"Every word..."
"Then you know about what I..."
"I knew about that before I came here, but from Sora's point of view. Mimi told me about it."
"Oh..." Matt said releasing his friend and turning his back to him.
"Matt...I already talked to Sora and I..." he turned away and blinked slowly. "I convinced her to give you another chance."
Matt turned around and looked at his friend with shock, "Are you serious?"
"Yes..."
"But man you could have..."
"Yeah I know, and part of me wanted to, but you're my best friend I just couldn't do that," Tai said friendly and kindly.
"Thanks man, you don't how much this means to me," Matt replied.
"Actually I have a feeling I do, but I made promise to her that if history repeats it self I'd step in and act as the wall between you two and I will keep my promise so..." he touched his friend's shoulder. "Be careful next time."
"I will man, thanks..."
Tai nodded and then looked over at pail of Ash, "I see you still quite a few sodas over there, need some up finishing them off?"
"You bet I could." Matt said putting his arm around his friend's neck. "Come on we have some catching up to do."
The two friends walked over to the sodas and sat down, and from there just act like two old friends in bar chatting and laughing the night away...
