Chapter 14: Light in the Dark

Sasumu: I can't believe what happened at the party…who is this Daemon?
Kari: He's an old enemy of ours. We had banished him a while back to the Dark Ocean…seems like he managed to escape. I am more curious about Dragomon though…the ruler of that world. If Daemon was able to escape I hope Dragomon couldn't…from what I heard he is very powerful…probably even more than Daemon.
Sasumu: Oh man…this sounds horrible. Are you guys equipped to battle him?
Kari: I don't really know…this seems all too fishy…I hope it will all be ok. We will have to face him at one point for sure…the others are not so prepared yet…sure there is TK, but that makes only him and me…the others are not so strong yet.
Sasumu: And how do you train them then. How will you know if you are prepared to face such a foe?
Kari: I don't think we will ever really be prepared…we'll just need to hope for the best…
Sasumu: I understand…say Kari…can I ask you something else?
Kari: Sure dad!
Sasumu: Benny…I saw he is really interested in you. Even when that Holly girl was talking on and on he only had eyes for you.
Kari: I know…he told me, but I don't share the same feelings for him…
Sasumu: Is it TK?
Kari: No…maybe…it's TK…
Sasumu: I thought so…I saw the way you look at him.
Kari: It's a long story with me and TK…even if I might be with someone else; I will always have feelings for him.
Sasumu: I think between you two there is more. I think you still love him the same way you did before. I don't think you ever changed in that.
Kari: No dad…I forgot about him. I really did but now he is back in my life…I just can't shake him off somehow…
Sasumu: Do you know how he feels about you?
Kari: I know he cares about me a lot…but I think it's just as friends…I mean he practically said to Benny that he won't ask me out or anything. I really don't know and I don't need the drama honestly…
Sasumu: I get it…now hurry up we need to go to the game; I don't want to miss another one!
Kari: Alright!

At the game:

George: Kari! Sasumu! Come sit down next to us!
Kari: Hi! Hey Benny how are you?
Benny: I'm ok! Wished I could also play…
Camille: Ah don't be like that again. Come we'll cheer really loud for your friends!

The game started and the home team had already scored three times within a couple of minutes thanks to TK and Grant. The two were dictating the whole game. At half time the teams went to the cabins to rest.
Claire: Kari! Benny! Hey how are you two? How's it going?
Kari: Claire! We're really well! Enjoying the game! You?
Claire: Well yesterday when Grant and I were helping out…we kinda clicked and honestly I only came to see Grant!
Kari: WOW! Really! Congrats you two!
Benny: Yeah! Congrats! You two look great together!
Claire: Shall we go and get something to eat?
Kari: Sure! I'd love to!
Claire: Maybe we'll meet the boys downstairs.

Claire: I'll have three hot dogs please!
Kari: Three?
Claire: One is for you!
Kari (already walking back): You didn't have to buy me one.
Claire: Sure I did! And one is for Ben Ben.
Kari: You shouldn't call him that anymore…he doesn't really like it.
Claire: OH screw it…he should be happy about the fact that two gorgeous girls are talking to him.
Kari: You think I'm gorgeous?
Claire: Of course you are! You just need to take care of yourself a bit more. You never really cared. Now you do.
Kari: Thanks…I will.
Claire: Hey look! TK is next to Ben Ben! What's he doing here?

George: LOOK! IT'S HIM! HE SITS NEXT TO US!
Sasumu: Do you always get this excited when you see TK?
George: He is a God!
TK: I'm not that good…Kari, Claire come sit!
Kari: What are you actually doing here?
TK: I asked the coach to substitute me…I didn't really feel well.
George: If that was you not feeling well I don't want to know how you are when you are feeling good.
TK: Hehe….thanks…I guess…uhm…
Kari: What's wrong TK?
TK: Uhm…nothing…(his stomach began making noises)…just a bit hungry…can I have a bite of your hot dog?
Kari: Sure. Here!
TK (taking a bite and returning it to Kari): Mmmhhh thanks! Needed that!
Benny was looking disappointed towards the two of them. He really liked Kari but she never seemed to reciprocate her feelings, and ever since he found out Kari and TK used to be together his hopes were fading away more and more.
Camille: Benny what's wrong?
Benny (looking at TK taking another bite of Kari's hot dog): Nothing…

The game went by quickly and surprisingly to TK he was having for the first time in a long time a good conversation with Kari, much to Benny's disappointment.
Kari: Really liked the game! How about you TK?
TK: Yeah the boys were good! Say Kari do you wanna go grab something to eat right now?
Kari: I'd like it. Dad…is it ok?
Sasumu: Sure! Just don't be too late!
Kari: No problem dad! Benny, Claire?
Claire: I'd love to come, but I'm going with Grant on a date.
Benny: I have some stuff…
Camille: Really?
Benny (going ahead): Yeah…
George: What's up with him?
Claire: Wish I knew…

After their dinner the two went for a stroll and TK decided to accompany Kari home.

Kari: I really enjoyed myself today. I didn't think we'd be able to talk ever again like we used to…
TK: Yeah…me neither, but hey stuff like this can happen. I mean we'll always be friends.
Kari: Do you think we can be friends? I mean…honestly with everything and…
TK: And what?
Kari (stopping and turning to him): I…look I think that…at least for me…there is still something, even though I never liked that you left, my feelings for you never disappeared. When I saw you again I was rather scared and I thought maybe the Golden Warrior was my way out but from all my talks with him I thought it's you…I hoped it's you but I overreacted…more so because I was scared. What I'm trying to say is that even after all this time…I'm still in love with you.
TK was speechless.
Kari: Say something…please…
TK: I was such a fool when I was young. I should have never left you…Kari I never stopped loving you. I always have and I always will!
With that he just kissed her. She kissed him back and they stayed like that for a minute or two. When they broke loose they just looked into each other's eyes.
Kari: Uhm…
TK: That was…
Kari: I know Holly or the other pretty girls kiss better…
TK: What?! No…actually I wouldn't know…
Kari: What? You mean?
TK: Actually the only girl I ever kissed is you.
Kari: Really? I thought…huh…what's that?!

A bright light appeared in front of them. In that light Kari noticed someone she knew.
Kari: It can't be!
TK: Is that?
Kari: Mom! Mom is that you?! Mom!

Kari began to cry.
Kari: Mom! MOM! What are you doing here?! How is this possible?!
Yuuko: Kari! My beautiful daughter! Listen to me. I don't have much time…Listen to me. My death…it was not a normal disease. Something happened. The darkness is coming. Be careful.
Kari: MOM! Can we save you? Can we bring you back?!
Yuuko: Defeat the darkness. Then everything will be clear to you.
Kari: Mom wait! MOM!
TK: I can't believe it. We can save your mom. Kari listen to me. I will do everything in my power to save her. We will bring her back!
Kari continued crying in TK's arms. For the first time in years she felt hopeful again and with that she felt powerful.