Foreword: IT'S ALIVE! So yeah, remember how I said this story was drafted? Well, as I mentioned in my bio, I needed to rework it. Namely, it was feeling like filler despite introducing some important elements. Had to add some new stuff in which was harder writing the story in the first place. So yeah, my idea of updating based on the progress of the future stories kinda backfired.
I also made small addition to the previous chapter, a couple for TK's reaction to seeing Tsukaimon. One of the first things I thought of and somehow forgot to include.
Taichi raced across the dusty street, frantically trying to work out a path on the digivice's Scout Mode map. The map was three dimensional image of every structure he saw, natural or otherwise, and it automatically filled in things such as roads and alleys. With how big File Kingdom was, this discovery of Koushiro's was an absolute godsend, ranking up there with evolution and the Element Cores. He spotted an upcoming fork, one branch was colored in a bright green, another function of the map; highlighting where he'd actually traveled, though he had to choose to activate it. Koushiro insisted on using it all the time but Taichi never really worried out about it. Scout Mode also allowed the digivices to connect to different access points, including each other, and Koushiro always made sure everyone's maps were equally up to date, so Taichi really didn't see the point of some extra highlighting.
He zeroed in on an alleyway. It branched into two large buildings on both sides. The insides of both would be dark, but Scout Mode had better night vision than he did and would spot the obstacles, placing them on the map. Navigating on the just the map wasn't easy, the bruises on his legs reminding him of the practice attempts, but it was his best chance to escape Tailmon. As he rushed in he scanned the walls for a doorway or something. Most buildings had one leading to an alley. Hopefully both buildings did and they were close enough for him to enter before Tailmon reached the alley and saw which one he picked.
Just windows. Can I jump to them? He had both his CoreSaber and CoreBlaster out and with either of them he could propel himself towards a window with the Aero Core. But, no, the time it would take to stop, position himself, load the Core, actually create the necessary up draft, and climb through a window would take far more seconds than Tailmon would give him. Come on! Give me a doorway already! Ugh. Windows. Wall. Wall? Wall! The alley had a brick wall going right across it! What the hell?! That's not on the map! He immediately tried to stop, and stumbled into the wall with a painful thud and landed on his rear. Where did you come from? As he stood himself back up, he noticed the highlighted street again. Oh… that's right. I wasn't here yet. Koushiro was right again.
Panting, and coughing over the dry and dusty air, he slowly turned around. There was Tailmon, right at the entrance, slowly walking towards him, her expression saying she'd found a fat mouse. This was very bad. His CoreSaber and CoreBlaster were out but he held no delusions about using them against her. Sure, over the weeks since leaving the palace, he, along with Sora and Ishida, had been training hard with their weapons, but Tailmon was matching Garurumon's speed and attacking Birdramon from above. She was clearly a very seasoned warrior and it took two of their digimon just to drive her off.
And the stupidity of Taichi's earlier actions rushed back to him. He and Koushiro were exploring File while Sora and Ishida stayed back to guard the others. Koushiro insisted on maximum caution, rushing from shadow to shadow and waiting at least half an hour before crossing one the larger streets in the open. It at least kept Tailmon off their backs but it was also very annoying. And if the Wardens were even aware of the children's presence or Phantomon's death, they didn't show it. Taichi was starting to wonder if they even existed anymore; it had been a long time after all. Throw in the fact that he and Koushiro had both Agumon and Tentomon with them, he was naturally starting to feel more than a little secure. Against Koushiro's protests, he started exploring more casually. The white blur known as Tailmon came right out of nowhere, right when he was casually walking across a street. An instant later, Agumon and Tentomon were unconscious and Taichi was doing his best to lure the fuzzy killer away. Well, at least I saved Koushiro and the digimon. No, scratch that. He saved Koushiro and Tentomon. Agumon's as doomed as I am, he bitterly remembered, Sorry you had such a stupid partner, buddy.
He desperately scoured the map, looking for, well, he didn't know. But whatever it was, he needed it now. A little further and I'd at least be in the Miracles section. Could sure use one. Koushiro had determined that the black pentagon was directly above File's center and by using the symbols on the points, he was able to roughly determine each Warden's territory. And, fittingly enough, Taichi was currently in Destiny.
Taichi! A Tmail! And three digivices were closing in on his location, colored white, gray, and yellow. Ishida, Sora, and Koushiro. The gray one, Sora, had several circles around it, meaning that it was the source of the Tmail.
Sora! Just in time! Of course, he didn't actually need to see the color of Sora's icon to know it was her. The speed they were moving could only be matched by Birdramon or Garurumon, and Garurumon wouldn't be moving in a straight line. Now he just had to buy himself the time Birdramon would need to get here. He focused the Electro Core into the Saber and Photo into the Blaster. The Saber's blade lengthened with a new sparking yellow blade. With the blade electrified, Tailmon would not be able to block it with her claws.
Just hold her off for a minute at the most. He immediately opened fire with the PhotoBlaster. Instead of the default scarlet bolts, a white ray, with the same rainbow aura as the PhotoSaber, appeared and stretched all the way past the alley's entrance instantly appeared. But even as he pointed the gun, Tailmon launched herself on to wall and was now flying towards Taichi. She wouldn't reach him; not with him holding the ElectroSaber, so he took a few steps forward and swung, hoping to catch her in the landing. Right as she touched the ground, she dropped into an instant roll, the blade passing just over her head.
His eyes widened, seeing how Tailmon was now right in front of him. Damn it! He threw himself back as she shot upwards, her claws pointed upwards, tearing a chunk of his shirt off, followed by a stinging pain and the feeling of liquid running down. He fell on to his rear as she pressed against a wall and launched herself back towards him. He fired the PhotoBlaster but as he aimed it, she stuck an arm out, pinching her claws together, repelling the beam. But at least it would push her back too, giving Taichi some breathing some breathing room
Tailmon dropped below the beam and launched towards him. He released the PhotoBlaster's trigger, it could only maintain the beam for ten seconds at a time, and moved forward giving the ElectroSaber a low swing. Tailmon shot overhead, her claws cutting into the tops of his shoulders. Ignoring the pain, he fired the PhotoBlaster at her again, this time using quick bursts. She bounced off the walls, avoiding each shot but he no longer cared. Now that she was behind him, he could get out of this dead end and cut off precious seconds until Birdramon arrived.
He started running again and switched the Photo Core for Astro. He aimed back and fired, not worrying about hitting Tailmon directly. The gravity shots would slow her down no matter how bad his aim was. Astro was the one Core that Tailmon any trouble, though it gave the children even more trouble, so using it in a fight wasn't really an option. Reaching the streets, he saw the distant Birdramon and rushed towards her, still firing behind him, though in the open like this, Tailmon would have a much easier time getting around the gravity wells.
A small but strong foot inserted itself into his back, throwing him on to his stomach. He let out a yelp as his cuts scraped against the dirty road, the ElectroSaber and AstroBlaster flying from his hands. He felt Tailmon step on his back and lift his head by the hair with one clawed hand. Her other hand pressed a claw against his throat. "Sorry, goggle boy," her voice dripping with contempt, "but you know, that's the funny thing about strategies. They get less effective every time you use them."
"I'd say this one's still working," he said, checking Birdramon's distance on the map. Very close. Any second now…
"What are you- oh son of a mouse!" Taichi couldn't help but grin. He was just starting to hear Birdramon's flaps and Tailmon had to know she was looking at three to one. Yep. There she goes. Feeling her weight off his back, he let out the breath he didn't realize he was holding. He started to push himself back up but his arms gave right out. And now that he was calming down, the stinging from the cuts along his body was getting to be a bit more than just "stinging".
"Hang on, I've got you," Sora's voice sounded as her arms gently slid around his chest, helping him back to his feet. As soon as he was up, he looked at her to thank her, when her eyes widened.
"You're hurt!"
"Not as bad as it looks," he waved it away. Or feels. I hope. Jou's really gonna be cranky when he sees me. The usually meek Jou tended to become a much scarier person when injuries, especially ones caused by stupidity, were involved. "I kind of brought it on myself, anyhow," he admitted and looked over at Kabuterimon with Koushiro next to the giant bug, looking thoughtful. He met Taichi's gaze and started coming over. Okay, here goes.
"Taichi-san, I wish to discuss with you the recent events-" Koushiro began when Taichi held out a hand and interrupted.
"I know what you're going to say and you're right," he said, "It was stupid of me to wander out like that. I keep forgetting that even if the Wardens aren't here anymore, we still have Tailmon and whoever else is on her side. I promise to be more careful from now on." Koushiro just looked at him in silence which only made him more nervous.
"Wow, you actually admitted to a mistake?" Sora teased, "What other wonders will we see today?"
"The phrase 'smack a bitch' comes to mind," Taichi countered, his nervous somewhat forgotten.
"Promises, promises."
"Um, y-yes, a-anyways," Koushiro stuttered, before taking a breath. "I am impressed at your admission of your faults. It is considerably big of you to do that, but it is not what I wished to discuss. What my actual concern is that Tailmon's attack was suspiciously well timed given your, ah, mistake."
"Umm, okay?" Dare he risk asking for an explanation? Thankfully, Sora spoke up.
"What he means is that it's very suspicious that Tailmon attacked you right when you got sloppy."
"Within a minute, I believe," Koushiro added, "I find it unlikely the timing was entirely coincidental." That Taichi did understand, though he wished he hadn't.
"So Tailmon was watching us the entire time?" he asked.
"That is the most likely explanation, though it does not explain why she would wait."
"We can worry about that later," Sora said, "Let's just get back to camp."
Taichi focused on keeping his balance as he walked along the gigantic tree branch. The branch was very sturdy and normally walking across was no problem, but with his injuries from Tailmon throbbing so hard, he really had to be careful. Sweat covered his body, bringing an unwanted chill where his shirt was destroyed and ramping up the stinging from his cuts. With a thick, leafy canopy covering the sky, this forest was a lot cooler than the rest of File. It was a bit dark for Taichi's taste but at least the leaves let a fair amount of light through. Even better, they covered up that endless purple-black storm in the sky and the less Taichi saw of it the better. Air was nicer too, not so dry and dusty. From the bottom of his eyes, he spotted Tentomon and Piyomon hovering around, giving him a sense of relief. If he fell off, one would evolve and catch him. Most likely Tentomon since the forest was too thick for Birdramon to fly easily.
Now for the trolley. Balancing on the end of this branch was a trolley Agumon, Sora, and Koushiro had just gone inside and were waiting for him. Well, more Agumon and Sora than Koushiro. After escaping the palace, the children found this massive forest right behind it, like it was trying to swallow the ancient city and comparing it's location to that weird pentagon in the sky confirmed the obvious: it was the Warden of Life's territory. The forest was pretty imposing but thanks to Scout Mode, exploring it became a priority once everyone had found how much cooler it was than the rest of File. Of course, even with Scout Mode, it was still incredibly hard to get around. Absolutely gigantic trees too close for even Kabuterimon to navigate around, the buildings they'd grown over, the ripped open streets, there ended up being just one path through the plant labyrinth the children were able to take. It was far from easy but it did lead to a nice clearing around a lake and, given that there seemed to be no animal life, it naturally became the children's campsite.
As he stepped into the side doorway, the door probably on the ground way down below along with the remains of all the windows, his legs almost gave out in relief from being on a solid surface again. As he stumbled, Sora was immediately in front, catching him. "We're taking a break," she said as she lead him to one of the seats.
"I'm fine," he protested, looking at the trolley's missing rear, leading right to a rooftop of the seventh and final building the path went through. The rooftop would lead to a lot of stairs, but after six other buildings just as bad and the two caverns, one more didn't sound all that bad. Well, actually it did. He really needed to lie down, but not until he got back.
"Seriously, Taichi-san," Koushiro panted, "You're even more exhausted than I am."
"But-"
"I just told Piyomon and Tentomon we're stopping for now," Sora said. This was something Sora discovered, the fact that their digimon partners, and only their specific partners, could be Tmailed, though the digimon had yet to find a way to answer back. Taichi had attempted his own digivice explorations, just sort of opening his mind in a way that let it in, but all he got were a lot weird symbols and a headache. In the end, he gave up out of fear of crashing himself. Koushiro had the theory that the digivice features weren't really being discovered as much as they were being programmed by their feelings or something.
Allowing himself to be seated next to Sora, he realized just how weak he was feeling. Agumon hopped up next to his other side in silence. The little guy was still blaming himself for the Tailmon attack. Koushiro was sitting across, looking a bit winded. These forest treks had to be brutal for him. "Are you sure you're okay?" Agumon asked. Taichi was about to answer when he looked down on himself. It wasn't pretty, all the dried blood covering his body. Looks like I lost a knife fight. No wonder I'm feeling so wiped out.
"Looks worse than it is," he assured his partner, "Too much moving around after Tailmon got me. Jou'll take care of this when we get back."
"And you're going to be taking it easy for the next while," Sora added with a slight edge to her voice.
"Yes, mother," Taichi responded, rolling his eyes. It wasn't like he had a choice. Whatever that creepy purple sky was, it did nothing to stop the sun's rays. Going outside the forest with his shirt in this state was a major sunburn waiting to happen.
"And I'll see what I can do about your shirt," Sora continued as Piyomon and Tentomon flew in one of the trolley's window openings, "Piyomon and I looked into a few buildings while we waited for your call. It looks like we found some sort of textile factory and, somehow, Piyomon knows the machines. I'll need Koushiro-kun's help but they have access points so we might be able to work them."
"Don't ask me how I know them," the bird said with a shrug as she settled down on Sora's lap, "My feathers are all I need." Tentomon set down next to Koushiro.
"Maybe it uses Piyomon feathers?" Agumon suggested. Piyomon bristled.
"Not my feathers!"
"We found some fabrics there, too," Sora continued, smiling at her partner, "so I should be able to do something."
"You can really do that?" Koushiro asked, sounding pretty impressed.
"In theory, I guess?" she answered with a shrug, "I mean, I know how to patch. Being friends with Taichi forced me to learn some new skills." Taichi shot her a glare.
"Hey! You're making me sound like a walking disaster! Besides, you hated that dress!"
"Not as much as I hated how much everyone got to see! And my mother loved that dress!"
"And I got you out of wearing it!" He made sure to finish with a grin she hated. She rewarded him with a look promising violence that he'd long stopped taking seriously.
"Um excuse me," Tentomon interrupted, "I just feel I should inform you that us digimon either don't wear clothes, or our evolutions supply them. Manufactured clothing is not created for protection against the elements but rather for the special properties within the fabrics. I would suggest you and Koushiro-han find a way to test them first."
"I would assume the DigiScanner will help with that," Koushiro said. Sora gave Taichi an apologetic look.
"Looks like I'll need a few days," she said. He just nodded. No biggie. We've only been here a day or two… No, that wasn't right. He did it again! He couldn't understand why, but ever since coming to the Digital World, time became almost impossible to track. We've been here for weeks! Maybe even a month! That was a depressing thought. A month here. A month away from home. A month away from his sister. From Hikari. They had to think he was dead and poor Hikari lost not only him, but Sora and TK too. He needed to get back to her. To show her he wasn't gone. To see Phantomon's illusion was just an illusion.
"Stop that," Sora whispered, "I know that look. Everything Phantomon showed us was a lie and Hika's stronger than you think." Taichi nodded, forcing his thoughts back to reality. Panicking won't get us back home. Won't get me back to Hikari. If there's a way here, there's a way back, and I'll find it even if I have to beat it out of Wardens with my own hands.
"Let's just get going," he said. Sora nodded, her face saying she understood.
"I'm ready too," Koushiro said as he got up. Taichi slowly stood back up, feeling his legs wobble a little, and followed the younger boy and Tentomon out the trolley's rear. Sora was right behind with Piyomon. Agumon was next to him, occasionally looking at him, like he was trying to come up with a way to make the trip down the stairs a little easier. Do I really look that bad?
A couple floors later, Taichi could only assume the answer was "yes", as he slowly hobbled each stair, one at a time. Koushiro was actually stopping at points to let him catch up! "Did I really look this bad the last few buildings?"
"Well, you didn't exactly look good," Sora answered, "I think Tailmon got you worse than you think." His body throbbed in agreement.
"You may be right," he admitted with a sigh, "We have to work something out. No one leaves the forest until we do."
"Agreed," Sora said with a nod. Taichi continued working his way down the stairs, not really paying attention to the floors as he passed them. Each one just contained scattered furniture, shelves, and other things. In truth, he really tried not to pay attention to what the buildings contained. It was depressing, seeing these signs of a thriving population that were completely wiped out so very abruptly. Depressing and scary, actually, considering the inhabitants clearly did not see it coming at all. And with the buildings perfectly intact? What could even have been capable of that? Was it the Wardens? Phantomon, in hindsight, really wasn't that impressive, but- no, wait. If not for the angel bailing them out, Phantomon would've won. Did whatever ruined File also kill the Harmonious Ones? Why am I asking this?! I don't want to know! I just want to get back to Hikari!
"Taichi, what is it?" Sora's worried voice interrupted his thoughts.
"This place is messing with me," he admitted, "Now that I'm not rushing through, I keep thinking about what could've done this. And what's being expected of us?"
"Survive until we find a way to get you home," Agumon answered, "That's all that matters."
"Yeah…" he nodded, not satisfied with that answer. But if we do get home, what about you? He did not want to abandon Agumon, or any of the other digimon. They were some of the best friends any of the children ever had. But at the same time, he had to get back to Hikari, if for no other reason than to make absolutely certain Phantomon never touched her.
After what felt like days, Taichi finally exited the building. Just a simple path now. It was rather twisty with the trees and roots forming a virtual wall of wood, or "treewall" as the children had taken to calling it, but no surprises on the way. He heard a CoreBlaster firing a few shots and tensed up. Don't panic. Another volley. And then another. Just Ishida practicing. Every time someone left the campsite, Ishida made a point of standing guard. Taichi was not looking forward to seeing him, not in this condition. Didn't help that he could still feel Sora's eyes on him, despite the worst being long over. There were a few smaller roots to step over, but tripping over one would just be a bruise or two. Sure, his legs felt like weights, but- Who am I kidding? Sora's not getting off my back until Jou gets his turn.
Making the path's second to last turn, Taichi found Ishida sitting on a larger root while Gabumon tossed a small rock into the air. With CoreBlaster's power turned down, the rock would just get pushed a little when hit, making for some surprisingly difficult target practice. Ishida's bolts shot past the rock, clean misses, but as tempting as it was, Taichi wasn't going to call him out on it. At least not with his aim being just as bad.
Ishida looked up as Gabumon picked up the unscathed rock. "Hold it, Gabumon," he said "they're back." The lizard- dog- whatever Gabumon was supposed to be looked over at the group.
"Welcome ba- oh my!" His eyes widened and Taichi's face heated with irritation. He liked Gabumon, but he really didn't want this attention from anyone. Especially Ishida's partner.
"What the hell happened to Yagami?!" Ishida asked.
"Tailmon blindsided us," Koushiro answered, "I believe we underestimated her. Again." Count on Koushiro to not mention my blunder.
"Taichi-san!" an excited voice sounded. Taichi felt a bit of energy return as TK came running around the final turn. Hanging on to his hat was Tsukaimon. "You're back!"
"TK! What are you doing here?!" Ishida snapped. TK stopped, Tsukaimon nearly falling off.
"I-I'm sorry, Yama," he stammered, "I-I just w-wanted to see Taichi-san and-"
"And look what that idiot got himself into!" Ishida said, pointing at Taichi, "What if he lead Tailmon right back here?!"
"Cram it, Ishida!" Taichi shot back, "You know we're more careful than that!"
"Both of you, shut up!" Sora shouted and hurried over to a stricken looking TK. Taichi felt a bust of guilt seeing the kid like that. "Don't let their fighting bother you, okay? They're just being idiots."
"Y-Yeah, sorry TK," Taichi apologized, "It's not your fault Ishida's a- that Ishida and I don't get along."
"I just don't want you here, TK," Ishida said, "It's too dangerous. You need to stay back at the camp with the others."
"Oh, come on. He just wanted to get away from Mimi, right?" He smiled at TK and the smaller boy visibly relaxed as they started moving towards the camp and looked like he considering his words carefully.
"Mimi-san's fun to play with," he said, "but she calls me weird names and gives me really tight hugs that make it hard to breathe." Like Sora said, TK had become the princess' teddy bear. Taichi thought she'd have let up after a while, but even after all these days- weeks. He sighed. I did it again. Why do I keep forgetting how long I've been here?
"I'll bet you prefer Hika's hugs, don't you?" Sora asked with a smile. What? What were they talking about? What did Hikari's hugs have to do with it? Sure she hugged TK often. Before the divorce, whenever TK's parents' fighting started to get real bad, he would be taken over to the Yagamis. Hikari was always told TK was very sad and needed lots of hugs. She didn't understand what was happening but she still made it her mission to cheer him up every time he came over. But why is Sora bringing that up? In fact, how did she even know? I'm pretty sure he never told her.
"Hers are soft," TK said, his face starting to redden a little. And Sora got that weird happy look. Taichi wasn't sure what was going on, but he really didn't like it. Tsukaimon looked curious. The only thing he knew about Hikari was she was a friend of TK's, but he understood that they couldn't talk about her now. Thinking about her just made Taichi even more impatient and, while she'd deny it, he could see Sora wasn't much better. And then TK would really start missing her.
"Can we go back now?" Tsukaimon asked, "This place is creepy."
"Sure thing, Purple Tokomon," Taichi answered. Tsukaimon was still in denial over his evolution and the children agreed it would be best to humor him. Otherwise TK would try to use his digivice to "correct" it.
Turning that last corner, the more than welcome sight of the campsite came into view. It was a small clearing with a good number of normal sized trees scattered around, all surrounded by the treewall. Somewhere between half and two thirds of the clearing were taken up by a lake. No animals so far, though that wasn't surprising, given the state of everything outside the forest. The larger trees behind the treewall towered over, their canopy leaves were somehow thinner here, allowing enough light in to feel like daytime.
Somewhere around the middle of the lake was a hideous wooden mass. When looking at it from atop Birdramon and Kabuterimon, it looked like a swollen, gnarled tree that had been hunched over. Just looking at it made Taichi's back ache. Surrounding it were four wooden bulges that looked like they were part of the mass but it was really hard to tell. The lake's far shore was completely overtaken by the treewall making the current shore the only livable spot. Two rivers on opposing sides, one feeding into the lake, the other draining away, could just barely be seen through the wooden mess. The layout had convinced Koushiro that none of this forest was natural.
On the far end of the campsite was an old building that had a number of beds. Dirty, but better than sleeping on the ground. Opposite to the lake shore, however, was some sort of chapel that looked like it extended past the treewall. It looked important but after Phantomon, Taichi was content to stay away from fancy old buildings. Besides, the doors had a lock that even Koushiro couldn't make sense of. Greymon could break through them obviously, but everyone had agreed not to cause any damage. It wasn't their forest after all.
And standing right in front of the campsite's entrance was Mimi, hands on her hips, and an annoyed yet amused expression she often had when she was ready to tease someone. "There you are," she called out, "Honestly, leaving a lady alone like that." She glared at Ishida. "Little Teekies-chan gets it from, you know."
"I'm not Teekies," TK protested, "And I'm not little. And I'm not a chan."
"Later, Mimi-san," Sora said, "We need to get Taichi to Jou-kun." Uh oh. He'd forgot about that.
"I-It's really not that bad!" he protested, "Let's not bother Jou! I mean supplies are limited and-"
"Shut up," she said, grabbing his hand and dragging him to wherever Jou was waiting.
Whoever invented disinfectant should be drug out into the street and shot. Taichi laid against one of the scattered trees, against Jou's wishes. Jou wanted him in bed and his body agreed, his body now throbbing and burning. At least his cuts weren't infected, though Taichi really wasn't certain the bandages were necessary. But he had too much to think about to sleep now. Namely, the Tailmon problem and any answers he came up he wanted to run by Sora, Koushiro, and even Ishida.
Next to him was Agumon, leaning against his tail, causing Taichi to feel a little envious of that otherwise bulky appendage. Koushiro was sitting nearby, still working on his laptop, with Tentomon watching in silence. Jou was next to Koushiro, still trying to calm himself down from the sight of Taichi's injuries, Pukamon looking to be both helping and trying not to laugh. Jou actually kept his composure pretty well, considering. Ishida was also nearby, sitting with Gabumon and watching TK, who was back in Mimi's clutches. That kid had the patience of a saint. Sora was attempting to rescue him. Piyomon, Tanemon, and Tsukaimon were simply watching. They knew not to get involved in the Sora-Mimi fights.
"Seriously, Mimi-san," Sora said, "You really need to give TK-kun some breathing room. He doesn't need you clinging to him all the time." Mimi stood up and TK ran over to Taichi. Ishida stood and moved closer to Taichi with a glare, Gabumon following right behind.You shouldn't have yelled at him. For the millionth time, he wondered just how a jerk like Ishida could be TK's stayed where he was, apparently too interested in the fight to notice. Taichi didn't blame him.
"Come off it, Sora-san," Mimi said, "You're just jealous because he likes me more. You probably confuse him with how much of a boy girl you are." Taichi immediately put a hand on TK's shoulder, before the boy could speak up.
"Just stay quiet," he whispered, "Never get involved when girls fight."
"Yagami-kun's right for once," Ishida added.
"Better than being a spoiled princess," Sora countered, "I have experience with kids his age-"
"I'm sure you do," Mimi said with a dark grin. Sora's eyes widened as she started visibly trying to think of something she'd say in front of TK. Taichi couldn't help but grin himself. This is going to be a good one.
"I'm sorry!" TK suddenly blurted out, "I-I didn't mean to make you fight!" Oh, right. TK had a habit of blaming himself when others fought around him. According to Taichi's mother, it was probably an effect of the divorce.
Sora and Mimi both looked at TK, guilt on both their faces. "I'm sorry, TK-kun," Sora said, "I know I shouldn't talk for you like that."
"And I just get a bit excited," Mimi said, "being your favorite girl and all." Uh, what? Sora looked at Mimi with the same question in her eyes.
"What do you mean? I play with him too, you know."
"But how many boys get to play with a beauty like me?" Mimi taunted, "He likes me more." Seriously?
"They're fighting over a seven year old," Taichi found himself mumbling.
"Seven and a half," TK corrected.
"Well, he is the only real boyfriend material here," Mimi said matter of factly. What?!
"Can't really argue with that," Sora agreed with a nod. Again, what?! Taichi looked down on TK, the seven and half year old's face looking a bit red. Koushiro and Jou looked absolutely fascinated by the whole thing. And Ishida… Nope! No Ishida here! Or anywhere!
"I like Hika-chan best!" TK suddenly blurted out. Everything fell silent. Sora, once again, had the annoying happy look Taichi was quickly learning to hate. Mimi looked the happiest he'd had ever seen her.
"Who's Hika-chan?" she asked. Okay, time to change the subject.
"I'm thinking our little excursions outside are going to have to stop for now," Taichi said, "Tailmon's been too ready for us."
"Who's Hika-chan?"
"I agree," Sora said, evidently catching on Taichi's cue, "Jou-kun and I have been talking. We really need to take a better look at that chapel." Taichi tried not to grimace. Part of him did agree that they really should learn more about the chapel; they slept so close to it after all. But at the same time, the thought of opening the doors, disturbing whatever lay in there, only gave him flashbacks to Phantomon. The big pentagon in the sky did promise four others like him after all.
"Who's Hika-chan?"
"We just want to examine the lock," Jou assured, seemingly aware of Taichi's distress, "I doubt we'll get it open but if we do, we'll just a take quick look. I'm hoping for information on this forest, specifically the types of plants. I don't know a lot about medicinal plants, but I do know a little. And I believe Sora-san's botanical knowledge will be helpful too." Botanical?
"What does boating have to do with plants?" Taichi asked. Everyone fell silent.
"Who's Hika-chan?" Except Mimi. And the looks Sora and Ishida were giving Taichi made him want to punch them.
"Botany is plants," Sora said at last.
"Shouldn't it be plantany, then?" he asked.
"Who's Hika-chan?"
"Look, Jou-kun and I going to start examining the chapel," Sora said, impatience filling her voice.
"I guess that settles it," Taichi said, "Well I'm staying horizontal. Tmail if you need a forest fire. And I know I'm the last person in the world to say this, but be careful." Sora gave him a nod as she and Jou started towards the chapel. Mimi stepped right in their way, with the same happy expression as before.
"Who's Hika-chan?" Get a hobby! Oh, right. TK was her hobby. That and being a royal pain.
"Her name is Hikari," Sora answered in an irritated tone, "and she's Taichi's little sister."
"Teeks-chan has a girlfriend?!" Mimi squealed.
"No, no, no!" Taichi exclaimed, almost sitting up, his screaming back pulling him back down.
"He's just seven and a half!" Sora said, "You are way too into those romance books." One look at the other girl showed she was beyond reasoning. She looked liked she'd discovered a pile of buried treasure or something. In fact, Taichi could swear he saw small stars in her eyes.
"How old is she?" This was seriously the happiest Taichi ever heard the girl speak. Ironically enough, other than the Phantomon nightmare, he couldn't recall being less happy than he was now.
"My baby sister is about six to seven months older," he answered, in the unlikely hope that by putting emphasis on "baby sister", the princess would take the hint.
"So, our little Romeo's scored an older woman?!" Aaargh! What's wrong with you?! It's ten years to soon to even think about Hikari having a bo… a bo… a bo… a male person she's extra close to! Besides! TK's at the cooties age- oh, who am I kidding? Sora and Mimi immunized him. But he's just her friend! He's not ready either! Deep breaths. Deep breaths.
"So what is this Hika-chan like?" Mimi asked, clearly ignoring Taichi's panic attack.
"Her name is Hikari, and she's the sweetest little girl in the world." Sora answered in a very forced even tone. She too valued Hikari's chastity.
"And way, way, way too young for bo… a bo… a bo…" he attempted to add.
"She was supposed to be at camp with us," Sora continued, "but she got sick."
Mimi looked a bit confused. "Okay, but if she's Taichi-san's sister, how are she and TK friends? Doesn't he live far away?"
"It's not bad if you're driving," Ishida answered, "They met before the divorce, when TK was three, and whenever he comes to visit me and Dad, he always makes time for her. In fact..." He gave Taichi a grin that turned his blood ice cold, "sometimes it feels like he's more excited about seeing her than me." I will kill you in your sleep, Ishida!
"Well, then," Mimi started in a victorious tone, "That just leaves one more question, then, doesn't it? Does Hika-chan like any boys as much as TK?" There was no good answer to that one. For one thing, she was very frail and got sick often, naturally making her a target for bullies. Other than himself, Sora and TK were the only friends she had.
On the other hand, there was the way her face lit up whenever TK was coming to Odaiba. She had clothes she only wore when he was visiting. Then there was that awful conversation between her and their mother about the difference between boyfriends and friends who were boys that Taichi was desperate to forget ever happened.
"TK-chan, when we get back," Mimi said, "You are going to introduce me to Hika-chan."
"Um, Hikari's brother over here," her reminded, "I can-"
"I want TK-chan to do it," she interrupted.
"B-But Hika-chan g-gets scared when I'm t-talking to an-another girl," TK stammered. Mimi's eyes lit up even more, if that was even possible.
"She's the jealous type?!" her voice reached a pitch that was more than a little unpleasant, "She sounds so adorable! I have to meet her! I have to!"
"Hika-chan thinks I'm gonna stop liking her," TK rambled on, "so have to like her best and I do like her best and I don't want to make her sad and-"
"We get it, TK-kun," Sora said, "You're a real good friend to her." Taichi felt a new appreciation for the little boy. I knew TK was a good friend, but I had no idea he was that sensitive to her. Somehow, TK was at least partially aware of the kind of support Hikari needed. And he was giving it! Maybe, just maybe, if she did end up liking him, Taichi could accept it. Yeah, maybe even just nine and a half years from now they might be ready.
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Afterword: That last conversation is one of the first things I wrote for this series. I couldn't wait to add it in.
