Title: First Kiss; Part Four- Decisions and Resolutions
Rating: PG-13
Description: The final act. What will happen when Kari breaks the news to both boys? Will they even apologize to her and each other? And how will Tai and Sora help her cope?
Kari finally woke in the morning. She realized she'd managed to get a few hours of sleep, but when she moved to get off her bed, she also realized that she was drenched in sweat and her clothes that she still hadn't changed were clinging to her body, which felt clammy.
"Oh man," she muttered. She had a fever again. And on top of that, she realized her head was throbbing with pain. Kari moved her hand to carefully feel the pulsating lump on the back of her scalp. It was caked with dry blood, and so sensitive that Kari cried out when she barely touched it. She decided she better shower and change, then hurry to take her medication before her fever got any worse. That's usually what she did any time she woke up sick, only this time she wasn't going to go back to sleep like she should've. She had too many important things to do today. Good thing it was Saturday.
Kari let the cool water pour over her nakedness while she was in the shower. The soft hammering against her body was cooling her off fast, and she felt better until she had to wash her hair. The sore on her head flamed while the shampoo cleaned it out. The pain stung, and it was so extreme that Kari couldn't help but cry out in agony. There was a knock on the bathroom door afterwards.
"What is it?" she called. She heard her mother's voice answer.
"Just checking on you, sweetie. Are you okay? I heard you cry out."
Kari thought fast. "I just stepped- uh, on my toe." Stupid, she said to herself. But her mother was half-paying attention. She knew her daughter only took showers in the morning for one reason.
"Do you have a fever again? Do you want me to go ahead and set out your medicine for you?"
"Yes I do. That would be great, Mommy, thanks."
"Sora's also here to see you," Her mother said, walking away. Kari finished up, ignoring the rest of the pain as she rinsed, and got out to pull a towel around her. She walked into her room, found a glass of water and a few different colored pills, then swallowed them down. She called for her mom to send Sora into her room.
"Hey girl," Sora said softly. Kari smiled back at her, her hair dripping. "Want me to help put your hair up?"
"Sure, thanks." Kari sat on the edge of her bed, handed a brush to Sora, and motioned for her sit down. Sora did, and started softly brushing Kari's light chestnut hair, careful to avoid a certain area. "I know what you're doing," Kari said. Sora lifted her eyebrows, but she suspected what was coming. "I know you're wanting to see how bad my cut is. And I know Tai asked you to come over and keep me company, or rather keep watch over me."
Sora sighed. "Yeah, you're right about that. But it gives me a good reason to come and see you. I miss talking to you sometimes."
Kari's expression softened and she clutched her towel. "I miss talking to you, too. You were always such a sweet person, always so much more grown up than the rest of us... I guess I'm kind of like that too. That's why we got along so well. You were just like a big sister to me..."
"I still am, Kari, I still am. It's just that we're all growing up now, you especially." Sora clung to Kari's bare shoulders and gave her a hug from behind. "Tell me," she continued with a little mischevious smile, "did you like kissing T.K.?"
Kari's face reddened as she realized just how much Tai had seen and shared with her. But then she smiled. It would be nice to finally have an "older woman" around to talk about boys and such with. "Yeah. It was nice. He's such a good kisser, even though I have no one to compare with. I mean, you'd think that he has had practice before."
"Yeah, didn't you know about all the girls he's been around with, all the admirers of his..."
"Very funny, Sora. T.K. would never do that. Anyway, have you had your first kiss with my brother yet?" Sora stopped brushing Kari's hair abruptly and the smile disappeared.
"Heh heh. What made you say that, Kari? You know Tai's just my best friend." Even as she spoke those words, she was wishing it was different. Kari could sense it, too.
"I know my brother, Sora. He likes you, even if he won't admit it to himself, I know. And I know everything you're feeling too." Sora looked at Kari, getting a strange feeling about her. She thought about what would happen if Tai knew the truth, then she blushed with such thoughts passing through her mind.
She knew what she would want to happen if Tai knew she'd been saving herself for him. "You know, he hasn't kissed anyone yet either," Kari said, at such the right time Sora wondered if she hadn't been reading her thoughts. It's true though, I think, Sora thought to herself. He's almost fifteen, now, and I haven't seen him with a girlfriend at all. Sora knew that Tai would tell her everything, even though it would have torn her up inside if he'd told her he had a girlfriend.
"Well, Kari, I..." She couldn't think of a single thing to say, so she decided she'd let Kari get dressed and head over to her mother's shop and get to work. There was still a lot to do on the new perennial section. "I better get going."
Kari smiled. "I know. A lot to do at your shop. I'll talk to you later then." Sora stood up slowly, Kari watching her with a sweet, mystic, but somehow still innocent smile on her pretty face. As she left her room and closed the door, Sora felt that there was a lot about Kari she didn't know, or anyone knew for that matter. In fact, she bet only Tai and T.K. even remotely knew what it was that was so special about her.
Sora bumped into Tai as she was leaving the Kamiya's residence. He stopped her for a moment, feeling awkward. "So, what did you talk to my sister about?"
"Just girl talk, Tai," she replied, smiling faintly, her body quivering with longing. Tai seemed to want to say something else, but was hesitant. Sora really wondered if Kari was right, but forced herself to not get her hopes up. She couldn't help but admire Tai's outfit though. His dark blue shirt was kind of tight, and he had baggy khaki pants on. Always khakis. Sora couldn't help but smile to herself. Khakis were Tai's favorite thing in the whole world, next to soccer.
Tai couldn't get himself to say what his heart wanted to spit out. He wasn't even sure he knew what it was himself. What's wrong with me? Why am I getting so choked up? She knows I love her... as a friend. But maybe not the other way. Do I love her that way? Tai couldn't figure his emotions out. All he knew at that moment was that Sora looked great. Her maroon shirt, one that used to be her mom's, was kind of tight in a flattering way, and she was wearing tight-fitting jeans as well. Her favorite old tennis shoes even looked great on her.
Sora spoke up, feeling too awkward just standing there, and a little disappointed. "Well listen, I have to go. My mom wants me at the store in case she has to run errands or something. We're closed today 'cause of our expansion."
Tai nodded. "Sure okay. Hey, I'll stop by later on. Maybe we can grab something to eat again. I've been in the mood for something American all week, like hamburgers or something."
"Okay Tai. I'll see you later." Sora ran out, and ran all the way down the street, just like the way she used to run down the soccer field...
Kari was thinking about how sweet Sora and Tai would be together while she was getting dressed. Then a new pain rammed her in the chest. A light started glowing within her, similar to the way it happened when that entity from the digital world entered her body to speak to the other children three years ago, when it told of how they originally became the Digi-destined.
Kari stifled a small, high-pitched cry as she fell back on the bed, the light glowing stronger, making her head ache even more. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead as she grimaced in pain. Then she opened her eyes, and instead of seeing her room around her, she saw a vision. It was of the digital world, that much was obvious, but it was unclear of exactly where. Then she saw Angewomon, bathed in a shimmering rainbow of colorful light. "Oooohhhh... Angewomon," she breathed through clenched teeth. "Help me, please..."
"Sshh, Kari." Angewomon's voice was soothing and heavenly. Instantly Kari felt better, and accepted the light glowing within. "You need to tell them now. They'll start fighting again." Kari nodded. "Don't be angry with them. And don't be angry with yourself. You do nothing to attract attention, it's just the way you are, and it's not a fault. It's a blessing..." Angewomon started fading into the background, then devolved into Gatomon, then Salamon. Next to her appeared Patamon and Veemon, both with pleading eyes. "Hurry Kari," Salamon said.
Kari sat up from her bed so abruptly that Tai jumped. Kari looked at him sitting next to her, a troubled look on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Kari nodded. "I need to go tell them. Do you know where they are?" Tai looked distressed. "What is it?"
"Matt called me up just now," he started. "I think T.K. got a threatening call this morning, daring him to go somewhere at noon. It might've been Davis, challenging him. In fact, it most likely was."
"Do you know where?"
"I think Matt said something about T.K. wanting to go to the park, then he just figured it out himself." Kari's eyes glazed for a moment, remembering her vision.
"I'm going, Tai." They both stood up, and Tai enclosed her for a moment with his arms. Kari hugged him tightly, then whispered into his ear. "She's waiting for you, you know." Her brother looked at her for a moment in surprise.
"Did she tell you that?"
"Kind of... You should go after her."
Tai blushed a little. Then he tried to cover up his embarassment by telling his little sister to be careful. Kari nodded once, then left. Tai stood there in Kari's room for a moment, staring at the door where she had disappeared through. Amazing. Her fever seemed all but gone. One had never gone away so quickly before. He couldn't help but wonder if there was something special about her that no one knew of...
T.K. walked into the park and sat down on a bench, waiting for the minutes to tick by, waiting for 12:30. Davis called him earlier. He remembered the conversation clearly. He had wanted T.K. to meet him here, so they could "finish what he'd started." T.K. sighed, exasperated. He didn't want to fight anymore, especially over Kari. He'd realized overnight how much he loved her. True, he was only eleven years old. What was he doing in love? Yet, when he looked at Kari, her sweet smile, her cute, bouncy hair, her developing body... he couldn't help but flush with love for her.
All at once, it hit him. Davis must feel the same way. T.K. felt terrible, but he knew it was only fair that he got to Kari first. After all, they'd known each other since they were eight, they'd been through so much together, and they were best friends on top of that. What did Davis think he was doing butting in? He had no right to claim Kari for his own... Then T.K. realized that wasn't really fair at all. Davis was human too. And he was popular, with a bunch of girls at school chasing him. So why didn't he just pick one of them? No, it had to be Kari, the one who didn't care at all about how popular he was or what sport he was into, the one who just liked people for who they were. That wasn't fair for T.K. to say either, because he himself was a basketball star in his class, and a bunch of girls had crushes on him, too. Was it his fault that he only had eyes for Kari?
Davis shuffled down the street towards the park, staring at the ground, his hands shoved into his pockets. Every once in a while, he'd hear his name, followed by a "Hi!" or an invitation to play soccer at the school field. "Sorry, I got something I gotta take care of," he'd reply. Before Davis got too near the park entrance, he saw a pair of pink and white sneakers right in front of him, attached to two beautiful, fair-skinned legs, yellow shorts, and a pink and white sleevless shirt. Kari. A sudden light appearing before him at the end of a long, dark tunnel.
With tremendous effort, Davis managed look up into her piercing eyes. Eyes that held him there once they captured his attention. Kari was obviously angered immensely, even so, she was still a sight for sore eyes, and Davis' eyes were definitely sore. After all the crying he'd done through the night, realizing that Kari wasn't his and would never be, it angered and upset and devastated him. The aching in his heart always longed for Kari to be by his side. He wondered if all this was really love...
Davis spoke first. "I know you're mad at me. I couldn't help it, Kari. It just happened-"
"Bull shit," Kari interrupted. Davis stared at her in shock. He had never heard Kari even come close to using such language before. Kari softened her hard gaze. "I'm sorry, Davis. But I think you could've helped it. Look, it's sweet that you like me and all," She thinks it's just like, "but you're taking it out of hand. And meeting T.K. somewhere to fight again isn't something I'm willing to accept. You'll kill each other. Do you really want to do that to me?"
"No I- ," Davis cut off. He really didn't know what to say. Instead he gave Kari an icy expression. At the same time he adored her and wanted to impress her and wanted her love, he also hated her now for what she was doing to him- choosing T.K.... "Look I know what you're doing." Kari lowered her gaze. "And I apologize to you. I never meant to hurt you. Physically or emotionally. I didn't mean to take it that far. But I love you, Kari. You may think it's just a crush and that I just want you to admire me the way other girls do, but it's not that way at all. Right now I'm just going to forget any of this ever happened. I'll even say I'm sorry to T.K. when I see him in the park. You do that to me, Kari. You make want to make everything right for you. I came this far to meet T.K., ready to break his face, the way he almost broke my nose, but I'll give all that up now if that's what you want me to do."
Kari nodded blankly, then looked up into Davis' hard eyes. She could tell how he felt about her right now, how he hated and still wanted her, for she still saw the softness behind the hard gaze. Then she decided to give him, just once, one thing that he longed for. Kari reached up and tenderly cupped his cheek and started to pull him forward a little. Davis blushed red at this and widened his eyes as Kari leaned in the rest of the way and kissed him. It was a quick kiss, a once only kiss, and Davis accepted it, his eyes closing as he felt Kari's tongue slip into his mouth and explore slightly, and almost too quickly, it was over.
Kari pulled away and crossed her arms over her chest. Davis still tasted her inside of his mouth, savoring every bit of his first kiss, which happened to be a French kiss. He didn't know Kari had it in her, and it just made him want her more.
"Kari, I'll still want you every minute of the day, but I'll try, for everyone's sake, to pretend I don't. You'll have to forgive me when I slip, but I know it's gonna happen. I hope you can talk to T.K. so he won't expect me to back off completely- "
"You don't worry about T.K.," Kari said firmly. "He and I won't be an item for quite some time now. He didn't have to agree to meet you here, but he did. That doesn't sit well with me, nor does it raise your chances." Davis only shrugged. Then he walked around Kari and headed to the park, muttering something like "whatever." Kari, arms still crossed, turned half way around, and watched him go...
Sora wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. It was getting hot out in the sun, sitting on her knees just the way she did the night before. She had to admit though, all this work was keeping her from getting distracted and thinking about Tai and how he'd been acting weird lately. Maybe it was because of her. Sora wiped her hands on the white apron she had on and stood up to stretch a little. That's when she noticed Tai standing next to her.
"Aaaaagh!" she exclaimed, jumping back in shock. Tai did the exact same thing. "You scared me, Tai!"
"Ha! I scared you. You're the who shrieked all of a sudden for almost no reason at all," Tai countered, laughing. Sora started laughing, too. "So where's your mom?" he asked after the moment passed.
Sora caught her breath. "She went to make some deliveries that were scheduled for today. She and I are usually the only ones here on the weekends, and especially when we're not even open..." She sat back down and continued digging up weeds as she continued. "So, aren't you here a little early for dinner?"
"I guess, but that's not what I really came to do."
"Oh? So what did you..." Sora cut off and looked up at him strangely, getting a funny, nervous feeling in her gut, and a light, fluttery feeling in her chest, as if she already knew in there what he came to do.
Tai looked down at her calmly, his eyes half-closed. He was thinking about how beautiful she looked to him, how her strawberry blond hair shone in the bright sun, how she looked like an angel bathed in sunlight...
He suddenly couldn't take it anymore, and he bent down on one knee, touched his finger to Sora's chin to gently lift it to his mouth, breathed in her soft, nature-sweet scent, and tenderly kissed her mouth. Sora's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed with red. She slowly closed her eyes and savored the sweet taste of Tai's lips on hers... She'd been wanting this for a long time.
Kari stopped and observed T.K. sitting on the park bench, watching some kids playing nearby. He was so gorgeous, he looked like an angel, all innocent and sweet just sitting there, swinging his legs in front of him. Kari finally approached and sat down next to him. "So...?"
"Davis stopped by like he said he would, but nothing happened. He told me he still wants to be with you, but that was it. Said he wasn't going to give up, but as for our little fight- he said he'd forget all about it and never bring it up again if I was willing to do that..."
"And?"
"I said of course I was, Kari, I didn't want to fight! I knew you wouldn't want me to. He also apologized, and he looked like he meant it. I said I was sorry, too, because I am. I'm sorry that I'm the one that- "
"Don't say it, T.K. It hasn't happened yet."
T.K. stopped breathing for a moment. "Do you forgive me, Kari? I have to know that... I can't go on being sane if I knew you didn't- feel the same way I feel about you." T.K. bit his lip. He should've said the way he loved her, but it didn't come out, for fear of being shoved away. She was already angry at him... She probably wouldn't forgive him...
Then Kari slowly reached over and held T.K.'s hand that was resting right next to her. He clutched it back tightly, and their fingers mingled together, locked together so that it seemed neither of them could let go. T.K. slowly let out his breath he'd been holding, and Kari smiled to herself. They both looked over and watched the two eight-year-olds playing on the see-saw, a game in which one couldn't play without the other.
The End
(Author's note: The references to the romance between Sora and Tai will show up in another story... I hope you enjoyed! ^.^)
T.K.
Rating: PG-13
Description: The final act. What will happen when Kari breaks the news to both boys? Will they even apologize to her and each other? And how will Tai and Sora help her cope?
Kari finally woke in the morning. She realized she'd managed to get a few hours of sleep, but when she moved to get off her bed, she also realized that she was drenched in sweat and her clothes that she still hadn't changed were clinging to her body, which felt clammy.
"Oh man," she muttered. She had a fever again. And on top of that, she realized her head was throbbing with pain. Kari moved her hand to carefully feel the pulsating lump on the back of her scalp. It was caked with dry blood, and so sensitive that Kari cried out when she barely touched it. She decided she better shower and change, then hurry to take her medication before her fever got any worse. That's usually what she did any time she woke up sick, only this time she wasn't going to go back to sleep like she should've. She had too many important things to do today. Good thing it was Saturday.
Kari let the cool water pour over her nakedness while she was in the shower. The soft hammering against her body was cooling her off fast, and she felt better until she had to wash her hair. The sore on her head flamed while the shampoo cleaned it out. The pain stung, and it was so extreme that Kari couldn't help but cry out in agony. There was a knock on the bathroom door afterwards.
"What is it?" she called. She heard her mother's voice answer.
"Just checking on you, sweetie. Are you okay? I heard you cry out."
Kari thought fast. "I just stepped- uh, on my toe." Stupid, she said to herself. But her mother was half-paying attention. She knew her daughter only took showers in the morning for one reason.
"Do you have a fever again? Do you want me to go ahead and set out your medicine for you?"
"Yes I do. That would be great, Mommy, thanks."
"Sora's also here to see you," Her mother said, walking away. Kari finished up, ignoring the rest of the pain as she rinsed, and got out to pull a towel around her. She walked into her room, found a glass of water and a few different colored pills, then swallowed them down. She called for her mom to send Sora into her room.
"Hey girl," Sora said softly. Kari smiled back at her, her hair dripping. "Want me to help put your hair up?"
"Sure, thanks." Kari sat on the edge of her bed, handed a brush to Sora, and motioned for her sit down. Sora did, and started softly brushing Kari's light chestnut hair, careful to avoid a certain area. "I know what you're doing," Kari said. Sora lifted her eyebrows, but she suspected what was coming. "I know you're wanting to see how bad my cut is. And I know Tai asked you to come over and keep me company, or rather keep watch over me."
Sora sighed. "Yeah, you're right about that. But it gives me a good reason to come and see you. I miss talking to you sometimes."
Kari's expression softened and she clutched her towel. "I miss talking to you, too. You were always such a sweet person, always so much more grown up than the rest of us... I guess I'm kind of like that too. That's why we got along so well. You were just like a big sister to me..."
"I still am, Kari, I still am. It's just that we're all growing up now, you especially." Sora clung to Kari's bare shoulders and gave her a hug from behind. "Tell me," she continued with a little mischevious smile, "did you like kissing T.K.?"
Kari's face reddened as she realized just how much Tai had seen and shared with her. But then she smiled. It would be nice to finally have an "older woman" around to talk about boys and such with. "Yeah. It was nice. He's such a good kisser, even though I have no one to compare with. I mean, you'd think that he has had practice before."
"Yeah, didn't you know about all the girls he's been around with, all the admirers of his..."
"Very funny, Sora. T.K. would never do that. Anyway, have you had your first kiss with my brother yet?" Sora stopped brushing Kari's hair abruptly and the smile disappeared.
"Heh heh. What made you say that, Kari? You know Tai's just my best friend." Even as she spoke those words, she was wishing it was different. Kari could sense it, too.
"I know my brother, Sora. He likes you, even if he won't admit it to himself, I know. And I know everything you're feeling too." Sora looked at Kari, getting a strange feeling about her. She thought about what would happen if Tai knew the truth, then she blushed with such thoughts passing through her mind.
She knew what she would want to happen if Tai knew she'd been saving herself for him. "You know, he hasn't kissed anyone yet either," Kari said, at such the right time Sora wondered if she hadn't been reading her thoughts. It's true though, I think, Sora thought to herself. He's almost fifteen, now, and I haven't seen him with a girlfriend at all. Sora knew that Tai would tell her everything, even though it would have torn her up inside if he'd told her he had a girlfriend.
"Well, Kari, I..." She couldn't think of a single thing to say, so she decided she'd let Kari get dressed and head over to her mother's shop and get to work. There was still a lot to do on the new perennial section. "I better get going."
Kari smiled. "I know. A lot to do at your shop. I'll talk to you later then." Sora stood up slowly, Kari watching her with a sweet, mystic, but somehow still innocent smile on her pretty face. As she left her room and closed the door, Sora felt that there was a lot about Kari she didn't know, or anyone knew for that matter. In fact, she bet only Tai and T.K. even remotely knew what it was that was so special about her.
Sora bumped into Tai as she was leaving the Kamiya's residence. He stopped her for a moment, feeling awkward. "So, what did you talk to my sister about?"
"Just girl talk, Tai," she replied, smiling faintly, her body quivering with longing. Tai seemed to want to say something else, but was hesitant. Sora really wondered if Kari was right, but forced herself to not get her hopes up. She couldn't help but admire Tai's outfit though. His dark blue shirt was kind of tight, and he had baggy khaki pants on. Always khakis. Sora couldn't help but smile to herself. Khakis were Tai's favorite thing in the whole world, next to soccer.
Tai couldn't get himself to say what his heart wanted to spit out. He wasn't even sure he knew what it was himself. What's wrong with me? Why am I getting so choked up? She knows I love her... as a friend. But maybe not the other way. Do I love her that way? Tai couldn't figure his emotions out. All he knew at that moment was that Sora looked great. Her maroon shirt, one that used to be her mom's, was kind of tight in a flattering way, and she was wearing tight-fitting jeans as well. Her favorite old tennis shoes even looked great on her.
Sora spoke up, feeling too awkward just standing there, and a little disappointed. "Well listen, I have to go. My mom wants me at the store in case she has to run errands or something. We're closed today 'cause of our expansion."
Tai nodded. "Sure okay. Hey, I'll stop by later on. Maybe we can grab something to eat again. I've been in the mood for something American all week, like hamburgers or something."
"Okay Tai. I'll see you later." Sora ran out, and ran all the way down the street, just like the way she used to run down the soccer field...
Kari was thinking about how sweet Sora and Tai would be together while she was getting dressed. Then a new pain rammed her in the chest. A light started glowing within her, similar to the way it happened when that entity from the digital world entered her body to speak to the other children three years ago, when it told of how they originally became the Digi-destined.
Kari stifled a small, high-pitched cry as she fell back on the bed, the light glowing stronger, making her head ache even more. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead as she grimaced in pain. Then she opened her eyes, and instead of seeing her room around her, she saw a vision. It was of the digital world, that much was obvious, but it was unclear of exactly where. Then she saw Angewomon, bathed in a shimmering rainbow of colorful light. "Oooohhhh... Angewomon," she breathed through clenched teeth. "Help me, please..."
"Sshh, Kari." Angewomon's voice was soothing and heavenly. Instantly Kari felt better, and accepted the light glowing within. "You need to tell them now. They'll start fighting again." Kari nodded. "Don't be angry with them. And don't be angry with yourself. You do nothing to attract attention, it's just the way you are, and it's not a fault. It's a blessing..." Angewomon started fading into the background, then devolved into Gatomon, then Salamon. Next to her appeared Patamon and Veemon, both with pleading eyes. "Hurry Kari," Salamon said.
Kari sat up from her bed so abruptly that Tai jumped. Kari looked at him sitting next to her, a troubled look on his face. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Kari nodded. "I need to go tell them. Do you know where they are?" Tai looked distressed. "What is it?"
"Matt called me up just now," he started. "I think T.K. got a threatening call this morning, daring him to go somewhere at noon. It might've been Davis, challenging him. In fact, it most likely was."
"Do you know where?"
"I think Matt said something about T.K. wanting to go to the park, then he just figured it out himself." Kari's eyes glazed for a moment, remembering her vision.
"I'm going, Tai." They both stood up, and Tai enclosed her for a moment with his arms. Kari hugged him tightly, then whispered into his ear. "She's waiting for you, you know." Her brother looked at her for a moment in surprise.
"Did she tell you that?"
"Kind of... You should go after her."
Tai blushed a little. Then he tried to cover up his embarassment by telling his little sister to be careful. Kari nodded once, then left. Tai stood there in Kari's room for a moment, staring at the door where she had disappeared through. Amazing. Her fever seemed all but gone. One had never gone away so quickly before. He couldn't help but wonder if there was something special about her that no one knew of...
T.K. walked into the park and sat down on a bench, waiting for the minutes to tick by, waiting for 12:30. Davis called him earlier. He remembered the conversation clearly. He had wanted T.K. to meet him here, so they could "finish what he'd started." T.K. sighed, exasperated. He didn't want to fight anymore, especially over Kari. He'd realized overnight how much he loved her. True, he was only eleven years old. What was he doing in love? Yet, when he looked at Kari, her sweet smile, her cute, bouncy hair, her developing body... he couldn't help but flush with love for her.
All at once, it hit him. Davis must feel the same way. T.K. felt terrible, but he knew it was only fair that he got to Kari first. After all, they'd known each other since they were eight, they'd been through so much together, and they were best friends on top of that. What did Davis think he was doing butting in? He had no right to claim Kari for his own... Then T.K. realized that wasn't really fair at all. Davis was human too. And he was popular, with a bunch of girls at school chasing him. So why didn't he just pick one of them? No, it had to be Kari, the one who didn't care at all about how popular he was or what sport he was into, the one who just liked people for who they were. That wasn't fair for T.K. to say either, because he himself was a basketball star in his class, and a bunch of girls had crushes on him, too. Was it his fault that he only had eyes for Kari?
Davis shuffled down the street towards the park, staring at the ground, his hands shoved into his pockets. Every once in a while, he'd hear his name, followed by a "Hi!" or an invitation to play soccer at the school field. "Sorry, I got something I gotta take care of," he'd reply. Before Davis got too near the park entrance, he saw a pair of pink and white sneakers right in front of him, attached to two beautiful, fair-skinned legs, yellow shorts, and a pink and white sleevless shirt. Kari. A sudden light appearing before him at the end of a long, dark tunnel.
With tremendous effort, Davis managed look up into her piercing eyes. Eyes that held him there once they captured his attention. Kari was obviously angered immensely, even so, she was still a sight for sore eyes, and Davis' eyes were definitely sore. After all the crying he'd done through the night, realizing that Kari wasn't his and would never be, it angered and upset and devastated him. The aching in his heart always longed for Kari to be by his side. He wondered if all this was really love...
Davis spoke first. "I know you're mad at me. I couldn't help it, Kari. It just happened-"
"Bull shit," Kari interrupted. Davis stared at her in shock. He had never heard Kari even come close to using such language before. Kari softened her hard gaze. "I'm sorry, Davis. But I think you could've helped it. Look, it's sweet that you like me and all," She thinks it's just like, "but you're taking it out of hand. And meeting T.K. somewhere to fight again isn't something I'm willing to accept. You'll kill each other. Do you really want to do that to me?"
"No I- ," Davis cut off. He really didn't know what to say. Instead he gave Kari an icy expression. At the same time he adored her and wanted to impress her and wanted her love, he also hated her now for what she was doing to him- choosing T.K.... "Look I know what you're doing." Kari lowered her gaze. "And I apologize to you. I never meant to hurt you. Physically or emotionally. I didn't mean to take it that far. But I love you, Kari. You may think it's just a crush and that I just want you to admire me the way other girls do, but it's not that way at all. Right now I'm just going to forget any of this ever happened. I'll even say I'm sorry to T.K. when I see him in the park. You do that to me, Kari. You make want to make everything right for you. I came this far to meet T.K., ready to break his face, the way he almost broke my nose, but I'll give all that up now if that's what you want me to do."
Kari nodded blankly, then looked up into Davis' hard eyes. She could tell how he felt about her right now, how he hated and still wanted her, for she still saw the softness behind the hard gaze. Then she decided to give him, just once, one thing that he longed for. Kari reached up and tenderly cupped his cheek and started to pull him forward a little. Davis blushed red at this and widened his eyes as Kari leaned in the rest of the way and kissed him. It was a quick kiss, a once only kiss, and Davis accepted it, his eyes closing as he felt Kari's tongue slip into his mouth and explore slightly, and almost too quickly, it was over.
Kari pulled away and crossed her arms over her chest. Davis still tasted her inside of his mouth, savoring every bit of his first kiss, which happened to be a French kiss. He didn't know Kari had it in her, and it just made him want her more.
"Kari, I'll still want you every minute of the day, but I'll try, for everyone's sake, to pretend I don't. You'll have to forgive me when I slip, but I know it's gonna happen. I hope you can talk to T.K. so he won't expect me to back off completely- "
"You don't worry about T.K.," Kari said firmly. "He and I won't be an item for quite some time now. He didn't have to agree to meet you here, but he did. That doesn't sit well with me, nor does it raise your chances." Davis only shrugged. Then he walked around Kari and headed to the park, muttering something like "whatever." Kari, arms still crossed, turned half way around, and watched him go...
Sora wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. It was getting hot out in the sun, sitting on her knees just the way she did the night before. She had to admit though, all this work was keeping her from getting distracted and thinking about Tai and how he'd been acting weird lately. Maybe it was because of her. Sora wiped her hands on the white apron she had on and stood up to stretch a little. That's when she noticed Tai standing next to her.
"Aaaaagh!" she exclaimed, jumping back in shock. Tai did the exact same thing. "You scared me, Tai!"
"Ha! I scared you. You're the who shrieked all of a sudden for almost no reason at all," Tai countered, laughing. Sora started laughing, too. "So where's your mom?" he asked after the moment passed.
Sora caught her breath. "She went to make some deliveries that were scheduled for today. She and I are usually the only ones here on the weekends, and especially when we're not even open..." She sat back down and continued digging up weeds as she continued. "So, aren't you here a little early for dinner?"
"I guess, but that's not what I really came to do."
"Oh? So what did you..." Sora cut off and looked up at him strangely, getting a funny, nervous feeling in her gut, and a light, fluttery feeling in her chest, as if she already knew in there what he came to do.
Tai looked down at her calmly, his eyes half-closed. He was thinking about how beautiful she looked to him, how her strawberry blond hair shone in the bright sun, how she looked like an angel bathed in sunlight...
He suddenly couldn't take it anymore, and he bent down on one knee, touched his finger to Sora's chin to gently lift it to his mouth, breathed in her soft, nature-sweet scent, and tenderly kissed her mouth. Sora's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed with red. She slowly closed her eyes and savored the sweet taste of Tai's lips on hers... She'd been wanting this for a long time.
Kari stopped and observed T.K. sitting on the park bench, watching some kids playing nearby. He was so gorgeous, he looked like an angel, all innocent and sweet just sitting there, swinging his legs in front of him. Kari finally approached and sat down next to him. "So...?"
"Davis stopped by like he said he would, but nothing happened. He told me he still wants to be with you, but that was it. Said he wasn't going to give up, but as for our little fight- he said he'd forget all about it and never bring it up again if I was willing to do that..."
"And?"
"I said of course I was, Kari, I didn't want to fight! I knew you wouldn't want me to. He also apologized, and he looked like he meant it. I said I was sorry, too, because I am. I'm sorry that I'm the one that- "
"Don't say it, T.K. It hasn't happened yet."
T.K. stopped breathing for a moment. "Do you forgive me, Kari? I have to know that... I can't go on being sane if I knew you didn't- feel the same way I feel about you." T.K. bit his lip. He should've said the way he loved her, but it didn't come out, for fear of being shoved away. She was already angry at him... She probably wouldn't forgive him...
Then Kari slowly reached over and held T.K.'s hand that was resting right next to her. He clutched it back tightly, and their fingers mingled together, locked together so that it seemed neither of them could let go. T.K. slowly let out his breath he'd been holding, and Kari smiled to herself. They both looked over and watched the two eight-year-olds playing on the see-saw, a game in which one couldn't play without the other.
The End
(Author's note: The references to the romance between Sora and Tai will show up in another story... I hope you enjoyed! ^.^)
T.K.