Man, I cried while I wrote this!

Dark Side of Empathy

Part Three: Forgiveness

By Debbie (Dai-chan)

"Kim?"

I nearly jumped from my position and turned my head toward the voice who called my name. I was daydreaming and didn't hear the soft footsteps of Joe coming toward me. I knew that Joe was used to be clumsy, tended to make clamors with his large feet, but I was not surprised to have him walking quieter. Perhaps that's because of his experiences in the Digiworld. He had learned to 'calm' himself down, not making complaints. Perhaps that's because the one who whined would be the more likely one to be eaten.

I was sitting near a tree, far from all the kids. Even my Digimon was with them. The Digidestined were tending to their usual duties. Mimi was protesting about her dress. I was used to her words, but sometimes, it disturbed me. Sora was patiently minding the words, her face seeming smooth. Too smooth. I felt sorry for her. I do like her, but we were just different, that's all. I watched Izzy, the other friend I have closely befriended, as he typed at his precious laptop. Even though he spent too much of his time on the computer, I just can't helping admiring his knowledge, amazed at how his brilliance saved us at times. Then I was watching the brothers as they set up a fire for all of us. I always have a fondness of Matt, having a liking with the silent type. I also loved TK as a younger brother, and he also seen me as his 'new' sister. And at that time, Joe disturbed my thoughts.

Joe silently sat beside me, easily taller than me. His hair of black-blue seemed to flow in the breeze as my black braids also swayed across my face. I brushed them away and waited for him to speak. There must be a reason why he came to sit by me. There was always a reason. Together, we sat, watching the kids in silence.

Then Joe finally spoke, but with words that I wished never to hear at all. "Have you told Tai?"

Even though I knew what he was talking about, I refused to show my grief and guilt to appear on my face. I just cannot stand another burst of grief. I just can't. I simply asked back with a hint of confusion, "Told Tai what?"

Joe turned his eyes at me, and I felt a shiver running up my spine. The way he stared at me. Only he knew of my grief and guilt. He was the only one I can trust to keep my secret. I couldn't trust Matt or Izzy because they would not understand. Matt and Izzy would've gone through the same experience I had, but they wouldn't understand. I don't know why, but Joe was the only one I can trust. I recalled his final words to me after I told him my secret. I was too frightened to face him because I knew I didn't do what he and I knew I should do. I was too frightened to do anything.

Joe made a small sigh and spoke, "Kim, you know that you should tell him. Sooner or later. Would you let him suffer for the rest of his life? Would you let yourself suffer, also?"

Why must his words pierce right in my soul? My soul was too wounded to bear any more guilt, and why must his words burden my soul farther? I let my eyes close from his eyes, from the kids' cheerful faces. Which it was bad. Because if I close my eyes, I could always see his face, the very best friend I ever had, his face sharp and yet, so grieved. I could see tears streaming from his eyes, hurting my soul deeper. That's why I almost never had a decent night's sleep for long four years. Because I suffered. Even worse than my friend.

I felt a gentle hand placing on my shoulder, giving me the comfort I might need to face my friend. I quickly putted my hand over Joe's hand, needing more of his comfort and understanding. It seemed to work. I felt a bit better, but still, it was not enough. I knew that my soul will never heal until I tell my friend my secret, the secret I had held for too long.

I simply nodded and stood up. Joe also stood up, but understood that I needed to be alone, staying back. I searched among the kids, trying to find him. There, I saw him. Tai was playing around with his sister, tickling her silly. Even though we were in danger, Tai tended to lighten the dark moods, and it worked. Even Mimi stopped whining and made jokes with Sora, who laughed hard. Seeing him with his sister brought back painful memories of him with his sister. His other sister. The sister he no longer had. Must I tell him? Look at Tai. Look at how happy he was with Kari. He didn't need to remember about his other sister. But he would still remember. Sometimes, I thought I saw deep, dark grief reflecting in his eyes whenever he looked over to Kari. He would never forget. He was very close to his other sister, like he was to Kari now. I must tell him no matter the outcome. And I feared the outcome.

I walked over to him and smiled lightly at the chirping laugh of Kari. I do love her as a sister. She didn't remember me very much since I moved away four years ago. She was only four then. But she still remembered some about me. She even called me by her old nickname - Kimmy. I haven't heard that name for so long. I never realized how much I missed Tai and Kari.

I quietly held on Tai's free hand, and it stopped their playing time. Tai and Kari looked over to me, their tan eyes sparkling with fresh laughter. I smiled back at the little girl and spoke to Tai, "Tai, come with me. I have something to say."

Either he must had heard my grief in my voice or saw the same in my face because Tai seemed to stop laughing, his eyes suddenly soft as he gazed at me with concern. Oh, why must he look like that now? It pained me! But I just smiled and pulled on his hand. Tai nodded and let go of his sister. Kari quietly went over to TK, her now best friend and chatted cheerfully as Matt watched on with silence.

Tai turned to me and said, "Yes, Kim?"

I gazed around the kids, and said softly, "In privacy."

Tai seemed to blink with surprise, but he just shrugged. He grinned and nodded with agreement. Together, we headed for the edge of the clearing. But I could sense something. Someone was following us. Not even turning around, I spoke, "Agumon, please stay here. Tai and I need to talk. Alone."

I could feel the dark green eyes of the golden dino on me, but Tai turned around, still grinning. "That's okay, dude. We trust on each other. I am positive we will be okay."

You would never trust me after what I am going to say. But I shut my mouth, waiting until I heard a grunt from Agumon in agreement. Tai and I walked under the branches. I was leading; I was not sure where were we going, but I wanted to be far from the kids and Digimon, and be alone with Tai. We walked in silence, Tai taking in his surroundings, making comments about how beautiful the leaves were or how warm the sunlight was. I didn't respond, of course, and I could sense that Tai was growing concerned about me. I don't want his comfort or compassion. It was best to tell him just now and quick to avoid the outcome.

Tai stopped, holding on my arm. His grasp was firm, and he pulled me close to me. I gazed up to see his tan eyes gazing back with worry. My face must have showed out all my grief because he was starting to wrap his arms around me in order to comfort me. I don't want his comfort. Voluntarily, I shifted backward away from his too familiar warmth. My eyes lowered, unable to see his face again.

"Kim? What's the matter? You can tell me anything, remember? We are best friends."

I made a sigh, almost a sob. I don't remember being sensitive. I knew that one time I did cry over a small thing. I don't remember. But I do remember that Tai was there at that time, seeming to scold me to quit crying or he would bash me on my head. Of course, he didn't mean that, but I knew he was worried, but he wanted me to be tough. He told me to keep my composure in control or I would never redeem. The words told me that I just have to get over with it. I won't cry. I won't hesitate.

I now gazed up to him with hard eyes. "Tai," my voice was firm, "There is something that I just have to tell you. It will hurt us deep, but it is necessary to hear it." I then took in a deep breath. "Tai, remember Akiko?"

As I expected so, Tai's eyes suddenly shattered into million pieces. I saw it again after long four years. The deep sorrow and rage reflected in his eyes. His face began to tighten, so tight that it was like rubber skin upon his skull. He glared darkly at me, giving me another bitter shudder that I couldn't hide from.

"I thought I told you I won't hear anything about Ko." His voice was very strained, as if he was trying to hold back overflowing emotions. "She was dead. That's all."

I allowed myself to glare back to my friend, and I rarely did that at all. I hated to be angry to anybody. It was not my way to be angry. I was not the one to be angry. My voice was also strained, "Would you know how she died?"

"She was murdered! My sister was murdered!"

"No, she was not."

Tai's eyes were now covered with deep bewilderment, staring at me silently. I tried to clench my fists from shaking, my eyes still hard. "She was not murdered. That night, I was with her. She finally woke up and asked me . . ." Hot tears have streamed out from my eyes, but I didn't bother with them. "Ko asked me to free her. She wanted to die."

Tai seemed to stagger back from me, his face paled. He began to shake his head, his eyes misted and unfocused. Then I heard something impossible from him. A chuckle. He was laughing?! I saw his mouth twitching as another weak chuckle escaped from his lips. I lost my composure and gawked at him in hurt shock. Tai kept shaking his head, turning away. He brushed his hand across his eyes and gazed over to me.

"Sure you jeer, Kim," he was saying, "You tell me that Ko wanted to die. It cannot be right. No one wanted to die."

I just stood in silence, my eyes suddenly dimmed with dark guilt. Tai stared at me as if I would share in the humor, would laugh with him. How could I laugh when I was the responsible one who caused his older sister's death?

"Kim?" his voice was now quavering. "You tell me that . . . Ko woke and asked you to kill her?"

That was not what I expected from him. I couldn't speak. It was like something was holding me back from telling the truth.

Tai raised a hand and pointed a shaking finger at me. "After all the years I wondered who murdered Ko, and after all this time, you were the one who did it."

"I . . . I did not murder her . . . "

"My own best friend . . ."

"I did not!" I began to scream. Tai just glared at me with hot rage. That was the only other time I had seen him so angry, and that was when Akiko, Ko as we was fond to call her, died. By me. My voice grew bolder, "I didn't kill her. I only freed her. She asked me!"

"You took her away from me . . ." I began to shake my head at the words, but the way he looked at me, like I was now a cold-blooded murderer, no longer the empathic Kim. Then I heard more words from him, wounding me deeper. "Why? Why, Kimika?"

He didn't call my full name for a long time like I didn't call him by his full name. Almost never I heard that name from him. He was the one who made up the name Kim, to speak it much easier. My heart painfully burned at the name, the sorrowful voice. Tai's eyes began to mist over, and rarely did I see him crying except at the hospital when I saw him crying the most. I let my tears flowing out, but I didn't cry.

Tai seemed to collapse upon himself, and made a choked, almost screeching sob. He turned around too quickly and ran away deeper in the forest. I couldn't leave him alone. I just couldn't. I wanted him to understand why I did this. Understand why I chose to free her.

I ran after him. I was not a very good runner, but something in my soul; perhaps my guilt and grief for my friend gave me strength to keep running. Tai was a very skilled runner due to his soccer practices, but somehow, I was able to get up with him. It seemed that he couldn't leave me alone, also. He seemed to want me to come to him. We were very close, almost closer than Tai and Kari or Ko. We understood each other better, but I feared the friendship bond was just now broken and will never be completely united.

I reached to grasp on his arm, and he whirled at me so fast. I could see something white flashing, coming for my face, and I froze in my tracks, welcoming my horrible reward.

His fist smacked right on my left cheek, so hard that I received a bitter dizziness in my head, the force pushing me backward, smashed into a nearby tree. The pain burst in my cheekbone, hot dashes stabbing repeatedly in my left eye and left temple. I didn't yell out in pain, however. I meekly accepted my reward. I didn't let my hand go to my bruise on my face. I weakly gazed at him.

Tai had his fist up in the air, at the point where he had struck me, shaking so violently. He was grimacing at me, tears leaving silver streaks on his boyish face. He saw the appearing black-blue bruise upon my cheek, bulging painfully. He lowered his fist, his eyes seeming to plead with me to tell him the truth. He didn't want to hear it, but he must. I silently told him with my own eyes.

Tai gazed upward to the dimming sunlight and whispered so softly that I have to strain my ears, afraid to go closer to him. "I never had the chance to say good-bye."

I bowed my head remorsefully. My voice was soft, too. "She knew."

"Liar . . ."

I snapped my head up to now glare at him. "Why would I lie to you, my best friend? My close dachi?" I pushed myself from the tree and stood firmly in front at him. He was scowling down at me, but I won't be moved by his rage. He MUST hear the truth. "I was there, Tai. I was. I understood perfectly what had you been through, even though I didn't have such an experience like this. But only I knew the truth. Ko was not murdered. She was finally free."

"Free?!" Tai snapped, his eyes widened with disbelief. "If it wasn't for you, she would be still alive!"

"Do you want her to be alive like that? Paralyzed and vulnerable? Remember she was very active and energetic, just like you? She was very independent. She never had to depend on someone else, just like you. She had a very bright future for her, ready to go for college, but just one night of an unwanted accident destroyed everything she hoped for."

Tai was deathly silent, his arms crossed, his eyes somewhere else. I continued, feeling confident to tell everything I knew from that night, "I was there in her room that night. Yes, I know she was in a coma, but then she woke up. I don't know why she waked at that time I was there. We were all alone. She looked over to me and beckoned to come closer. I was crying because I was so happy. She will be all right. Pa will help her. Then she spoke to me. Just two words. 'Release me.'"

I turned away, recalling the painful memories with Ko. "At first, I don't understand what she meant. I finally understood why. She didn't want to live being paralyzed like this. She couldn't bear the thought of having to depend on her family for her life. She didn't want any pity and rue for her own 'failure.' I did free her. I ended her life."

Tai's face was very pale after what I told him. I didn't let myself give in. I was strong. That was what Tai had told me a long time ago, after his sister's death. Be strong, and I will encounter everything. I was ready to see his emotions burning in his eyes and face. He still grimaced at me, shaking his head. "If not for you . . . "

Unexpectedly, I snapped. "Taichi! Would you do it if you were in my place? Would you?! No, because she knew you would not do it even though she begged you to! She knew you would let her live because you couldn't bear losing her! Think, Tai! Why did she come to me? I was just a kid! I didn't understand about death, but I do understand about life. I had pity for her, but I had hopes for her. She came to me because I would do what she asked me. She trusted me. I knew that I shouldn't have done that. I knew because if I did what she asked for, I would cause such pain for both our families and me, too. I would say no, and let her live helpless and incapable for the rest of her life. But then I thought about her future life. Would you like being such helpless for the rest of your life? Would you?!"

I grabbed on his arms, pulling his head to me. He snatched his arms from me, and turned away. I softly spoke, "She trusted me, and I did respond to her appeal. She is now dead, and there's nothing I can do. Nothing you can do. Nothing. I have to accept the fact that I ended her life, but I did not murder her. I freed her from life. She is now free."

I hugged myself, lowered my head. "I have told Joe about this." Tai whirled around, glaring at me with shock. I hardened myself at him. "He was the only one I would trust. I couldn't trust you at all! You were so angry and sorrowful about Ko's death. I suffered from the dreams about Ko's death and you being angry." Tai's eyes began to recognize; he had seen me curled into a tense ball during nights, occasionally grieving silently. "I couldn't tell you what really had happened four years ago, but I was so frightened of you. I was scared, Tai. I kept it inside for too long. It wounded me deep, and I don't know how deep it bore in you, but I know it hurts. It always hurts, Tai. It is supposed to hurt when you lose someone you love. You just can't ignore it. I can't ignore it. I never ask you for your forgiveness, because I knew you are not the one who forgives someone that easily. I won't ask for one. I don't want one. I deserved the pain, but you shouldn't suffer that much. Ko will always be with you. Always."

I let myself wiping away more tears. I began to walk away, whispering, "Good-bye, my friend." I kept walking in silence, and soon, I could hear the soft sobs of my friend from behind me. I wished to comfort him, but I won't. He needed to be alone. I felt my throat burning with hot sobs, but I won't cry. It was not my time to cry. I will cry, but for other time. I quickly wiped away tears from my face as I headed for the camp. I don't know how I can face them after my talk with Tai. I don't know how we could get along together. Would we just stay away from each other? Unable to talk to each other? The others will be suspicious about why would we refuse to talk to each other, even refusing to look upon each other. They knew, even Sora, that we were very close friends. They would find out sooner or later. I don't want to face them, but I just wanted to be in their company. I lost my best friend, and I feared to lose any more.

I silently stepped in the clearing and was cheerfully greeted by the little kids, Kari and TK. They hugged around my waist. I quietly touched upon their backs, embraced them for a brief time. Strangely, their hugs didn't comfort me. It seemed that my soul will never be the same. I was too deeply wounded to be able to be contented or soothed with relief. They looked upon me and appeared surprised at my bloodshot eyes and the bruise on my cheek.

"What happened, Kimmy?" Kari was saying with worry.

I couldn't speak. Unfortunately, Kari's words brought attention to the others. They saw me, looking regretfully and weak, and began to crowd around me. I was similar to Matt, preferring to be alone, often with Tai, my dear friend. But I lost him now. And I don't want any comfort or pity from them. I deserved the pain and must suffer it I voluntarily stepped back, my arms around myself.

"What's the matter?" Matt was saying. I saw his eyes hardened at the ugly sight of my bruise. "Did Tai hit you?"

"No! No, he didn't hit me. I . . . fell." I was a terrible liar, but I saw the pairs of eyes covering with understanding. They will never understand at all! They will never! "I am fine. Really. No need to be sorry about me." I turned away, now reluctant to face them anymore. There, I gasped in shock.

I saw him. Tai, standing in the darkness of the forest, watching me. He seemed hesitant to enter into the clearing, not even responding to his little sister's words. Then I heard his voice, too soft, "Kim, come with me." Then he turned away, disappearing in the darkness.

I silently left the others. I could hear the shifting, as if they were going to come after me, but heard Joe saying, "Let them be. They want to be alone." Thanks, Joe.

Tai had disappeared, but I could see his footprints in the dirt in the forest. I followed them, wondering why did he still want to talk with me after what I told him. I don't know how I can face him again. I kept walking until I was stopped by a sound. A sound of a stone against water.

Plop, plop.

It seemed familiar. A vague memory appeared in my mind, but it was just too blurred. Perhaps it was a memory of a younger Kim that I would not remember. The sound came again, one single plop. It came from my far right. I eyed the bushes, wondering what that made the sound was out there. Plop. I stepped in the bushes, pushing away the branches, following more plops. Why was I feeling, this time, happier when I heard the sounds? Were the sounds the source of my happiness? It was odd, although, but when I heard the gentle slap of a stone against the surface of water, the memory cleared up, bit by bit.

I arrived. I saw him there, standing near a pond. His back was facing me, and I was so afraid of him, afraid of his temper that I remained in the bushes, praying that he would not hear me approaching. I saw his arm pulling back and thrusting forward to throw something. I heard it again. Plop, plop.

"Kim, are you hiding back there or join me?"

I kept my mouth shut at his voice. I wasn't sure if I want to join him. He then threw something again. Plop, plop. What was that sound that made me happy? Then I heard him chuckling. He was chuckling? How could he laugh after what I told him? I knew that sometimes my best friend always laugh during inopportune times, always to cheer people up, but this! I have been so long from Tai that I forgot that he changed, grew up.

I quietly walked toward him. I was very good at being quiet. Almost no one ever notice me unless I let myself known, and THAT always startled them, much to their disbelief. I always took a chuckle over this, but I knew because of our strong, but former friendship, Tai learned to realize that I was here without telling me. He always knew that I was here, although I don't want to be known. I was always shy, prepared to be alone. I stood near him and finally saw what he was doing.

Tai was propelling small, flat stones over the water, trying to make them bounce on the water. I finally remembered . . . The memory overwhelmed me that I sat down, wrapping my arms around my legs and solemnly watched Tai repeating the throws, each sound of a plop paining and cheering me at the same time.

"Do you remember this?" Tai was saying. His voice was soft, musing. I wanted to nod and say, Yes, I do! I remember everything! I'm so sorry! Please forgive me! But I kept quiet, not reacting at all. I DO not want to remember this. But each plop pierced through my memory, nagging on me to remember, no matter how painful.

"Five years ago . . ." Tai was saying before he threw another stone. The stone made only two bounces before it was swallowed by the water. "We were only six years old, right? I think so. Both our families went for camping up the mountains. Kari stayed with our grandparents, being too young. Just eight of us went there. My parents, your parents, you, me, Trevor, and Ko." I was quiet at the names. My brother was the only one who didn't have Japanese name because he was born in America before my family moved to Japan. I was the only Japanese-born one in my family. That was how I have a Japanese name, not my brother.

Tai was continuing, the memories of the camping trip rich in his voice. "There was a lake near our camp. We were trying to throw stones to get the most bounces. I remember that you and Trevor got the most. How could you do that?" He again threw a stone. Again, it made only one bounce. Tai sighed. "I tried and tried, but you made, like, seven or eight bounces with one stone. I wondered how did you do that? Trevor was trying to show Ko how, but they ended up in laughs." He fell silent, and I looked up. He was staring at the stone in his hands, his eyes misting. "It was a wonderful time. I enjoyed it very much. But how can you do this?" He threw hard, almost angrily at the water, and made a huge splash, creating wild ripples.

I stood up and took a stone from the ground. I silently threw the stone over the water. Plop, plop, plop, plop, plop, plop, plop. We stood in silence, watching as my stone happily bounced until it sank, but already fulfilled its purpose. Tai sighed again, almost like muttering under his breath. I lowered my eyes and whispered, "Just flick your wrist and let your stone go as if it's going to fly. Don't just throw it."

I saw him trying again. He again threw the stone, and this time, it went plop, plop, plop, plop. Not bad for a beginner. I almost smiled, gazing over to Tai. He was watching me, his eyes soft. I quickly looked away, avoiding the soft eyes. I turned away and walked toward the forest. The memory was too overwhelming for me to stand it. I was almost at the edge when Tai spoke.

"I'm not done with you, Kim."

I bit my lower lip, but didn't turn. Instead, I spoke, "What do you want with me? Why do you concern with me?"

"Because there is something I just have to tell you."

Those words stabbed me. They were the exact words I spoke to begin my dark secret. I nearly shook my head, wanting to refuse his words, but I lost myself. I felt my eyes misting and angrily wiped my eyes before tears would come out. I turned around and saw that Tai was already sitting, his back still facing me. I went to his side and sat by him, just a few inches away. Together, we watched over the water, listening to odd chirps of birds that only can be found in the Digiworld.

"Tell me, Kim," Tai finally spoke, his voice still soft. "Have you really changed since you moved?"

I wasn't sure what did he mean, so I kept quiet. It was only four years ago. After the Digimon battle, I recalled, at the apartment building. My family left because they were afraid that the 'terrorist bombing' would happen again. I rarely see Tai after that, but whenever we can, we always play and talk as long as we can before we left for home. My new home seemed empty without Tai. Before the battle, he always came over at my old place or I would come over to his home, and just have fun.

"Have you noticed that your life became . . . empty?"

I glanced over to him in surprise. He was reading my mind?! How odd. I listened in silence as Tai continued. "You know, it was odd. Before, we were always together, stuck together like glue and paper." Tai's voice grew sad. "After Ko's death and your moving, the house seemed empty. No laughs. I grew more reckless, wild after that, always getting in trouble. Now, I am little better, but eh." Tai shrugged. "I never realized how much I missed you until I heard from you that you were coming to camp. To be honest, I was thrilled." I watched him with a smile. I remembered I was feeling the same. "I know we don't have the chance to see each other as often as we can. Then, guess what? Here we are."

I gazed around, slightly nodding. This was the first time in a long time that we ever have some time together. I remembered the entire memories of the adventures, some peaceful, frightened, painful or angered. Yes, I remembered.

"Kim, I realized that I missed something. A part of myself. After your talk about Ko, I was thinking. I noticed that when I was very wild as a kid, at home or at school, that's because you were not there to watch over me. You understand? You were like my conscience, telling me what to do for right. If I would ever get a bit too wild, you were there to calm me down. You were like my calmer side. When you left, I lost a part of myself. I didn't realize that until now."

That's what I was feeling the same, always the same since after I moved. I watched the water for a while, before I finally spoke, my voice too quiet. "I felt the same, Tai. When I left, my life had been empty. You know that I am really shy." That I heard a chuckle from Tai. I almost scowled at him but stopped myself. "You were my only close friend. If not for you, I would be an outcast at the school. You were always there for me to cheer me up. With your friendship, I would make friends, but really, they were yours, not me. Even at my new school, I made a very few friends. Yes, I realized the same. I had lost a part of myself. When we were together in the Digital World, along with our other friends, my life seemed whole again. But now, not anymore."

"What do you mean, Kim?"

I looked up to meet the tan gaze of my former friend. He was watching, wonder in his eyes. "I mean, after our talk about Ko. I guess we will not be friends anymore."

I heard a heavy, sorrowful sigh from him. I tried to hold back my tears, emotions burning in my throat, but I failed. Two or three tears escaped from my eyes as a soft sob broke through, only to be muffled by my hand, hoping that Tai would not notice. He spoke, "You are right. I would not forgive you for what you have done. I would never do that. But I was pondering about your words. I was very angry, Kim, but I can't help it. I was so mad at you, but I again pondered. You said that you don't want my forgiveness."

"That's right, Tai," I said, glaring at him. "Don't even think about it. I don't want any piece of forgiveness. I deserved the pain."

Tai gazed over to me, silently. "Then maybe you shouldn't deserve the pain. If you have to, then we will share the pain."

I shook my head, but Tai grabbed on my arm, grasping on so tightly that I bit back a yell of pain. His eyes were hard, bitter as he watched me. "I lost Ko and you once. I will not lose you again." I still shook my head, pleading with my eyes to leave me alone with my pain. He loosed his grasp on my arm, but his hand was still there. He held on both my hands, holding them so gently that I wondered if I imagined his fierce clutch.

"Kim, I will forgive you no matter why." Tai blinked, and I saw tears running down his face. "I will forgive you because I am sure that's what my sister would want me to do."

I finally gave in. I cried in his warm arms, he crying with me. Not because of his forgiveness or his talk. That's because I finally have my best friend back. I was very easy to cry, but I found Tai crying very amused because I knew that he would never cry. He was the one who told me to quit crying a long time ago! I pointed it out to him, and that made him laugh hard, bringing more tears. I kept on crying when he quitted. He just held me in his arms as I wept. I was glad I have him back. Just happy. I looked over his shoulder and smiled through tears at the faint figure of Joe standing in the bushes. He gave me a nod and turned away. Thanks, Joe, for listening to my secret. Thanks. Because of you, I finally got him back. Now our lives are complete.

Never the End