Lotta questions about the title… I'm
just trying to tell you it will all work out because, it might seem like it
will work out… 'Work out' is not something, everyone might like of course…
Chapter
2: The Coming Storm
The sun had set many hours ago, as Tai was tossing in his bed. On the verge of complete exhaustion, he was desperately trying to find the perfect position for his dreams. The eerie glow of the clock said 3:00. He had an early morning soccer practice so he would need complete rest. Yet that voice at the back of his mind kept him up. Its numbing mumbles were dull and incoherent. He tried to answer his conscience with his constructed answers but it did not satisfy the craving. He was counting sheep number 205 when the telephone began to ring. Once, Tai let it ring. He really did not want to get out of his bed. Who else except a prank caller would be calling at this time of night? Twice the ringing went, Tai suddenly thought if this was what was keeping him up, why his conscience told him to keep awake and talk to the insane telephone caller was beyond him. Well anything to finally sleep and dream of the girl he loved, so on the third ring he was removing the thick comforter and slid down the ladder. Kari had moved into another room, the computer room last year. The bottom bunk was filled with dirty laundry and such things. On the forth ring Tai was outside his room, looking at the strange darkness that filled the kitchen and living room. How lights have changed the view of the world he thought. He picked up the phone on the fifth ring and was bluntly surprised at the voice he heard appear from the other end.
"Hello. Is Tai there?" the voice asked calmly.
"TK? Is that you?" Tai whispered. He did not want to wake his parents up. What would they say if they knew TK Takashi, the one who made such a cute couple with Kari, was calling him at 3 am?
"Yeah it's me. I was wondering if you could check something for me, Tai." TK was very calm and he sounded focused, quite unusual at this time of night.
"Fine but promise me you'll get to sleep after this call." Tai was worried. It was only a few short weeks ago the whole Digidestined team found out something that terrified Tai. Kari was in love. Most of the time it was not so terrifying to everyone else as the position of big brother but whom she fell in love with that was downright scary. She had fallen in love with the Digimon Emperor, the one person who they tried to stop his conquest over the Digital world. They feared him, what he has done before was imaginable to the older Digidestineds. It left them slightly on guard all the time until they would jump if Ken made a move. Now that he had taken away Kari's mind or heart, they begged at the physical from of Kari that she would forget Ken. She refused. Everyone was shocked and dumbfounded at her choice and very afraid. But one person was just plain angry. One person would gladly hurt Ken if given the chance, and that person was TK Takashi.
"I want you to check and see if Kari is there in her room." He instructed, a straightforward voice he used that really didn't convey the maturity and leadership he thought it would.
"I think that's an invasion of privacy, but if you only promise to go straight to bed when you hang up this phone…"
"I promise."
"Good." Tai silently walked across the room and slowly opened the door. The room was dark, not even moonlight could shine through the curtains. Yet Tai could make out that Gatomon was sleeping peacefully on Kari's desk. But Kari's bed… "It's empty." He said. "She's not here."
"I thought so Tai. Good night." TK hanged up the phone before Tai could say goodbye.
I'm going to have another talk with Kari tomorrow, Matt should have one with TK. Tai thought as he climbed into his own bed, let the thick blankets warm his body and shut his eyes tight.
*~*~*
A simple pain it was, not tender to the touch anymore. It had healed badly; causing great discomfort for he would breath and feel the sting. But he could not touch it with his own hands. He would talk and feel the fast as lighting pain in his voice. He would see it! Watch it dull other senses until the small pain was all tat mattered. He would live in agony every single day but TK would still love her. The pain was forever internal. He did not know how… no one ever does. He knew why of course, she was everything; best friend, model, goddess and was going to be his faithful love. He was still committed to this relationship that Kari never knew about. Still.
"I love you." He whispered to the picture. A small palm sized picture was framed in a simple silver frame. It suited her, he believed. A beauty so pure there was no need for other garnishes that would only be less in her awing glow. Call it obsession TK more then loved Kari. He worshipped her and Kari never once figured it out. Maybe it was his too subtle hints or did she even care? That question has been grinding in his head for quite some time.
"I will always love you." Too bad she was entranced by another, too bad Ken feels the same way as TK, too bad Ken will live in endless fear and pain for the remainder of his life.
*~*~*
"I am some what scared Kari. They cannot comprehend what we feel. For that they will hurt both of us." Ken whispered to Kari, she locked in his arms. That small crease in her forehead rose slightly.
Fear, not something Ken would say out loud. Kari wasn't surprised. Even if he was still tough from the outside world, Kari saw how different, how much he was like her. He was ever so vulnerable since his brother's death, many years ago. Personality like an onion, the outside layers tough and flaky, to anyone who looked knew it wasn't this rugged broken shape. Each layer peeled, every layer taking a tear, taking something great for it to be removed. Kari had no idea where she was on that scale. She could be nested in its center or still locked out near the edges. One thing was for sure; the tough skin was removed, painfully.
"I know Ken," Kari said, choosing her words carefully, "but I don't think they would harm us. I've known them for a few years."
"Whatever you say." He said again, disbelief stirred in his voice. Coldness flooded in between them, something that never happened. Shivering each person to the core, both not ready to admit it.
"I think I'll go home now. I've got a test to study for tomorrow." Kari rushed, struggling from Ken's surprised arms.
"I'll… See you tomorrow then." Ken's face darkened. Watching her leave through the digi-portal, he could feel the edge of a tear from his left eye; not knowing it was mirrored in Kari's face as well. Through the TV screen, static was blinding from the departure to a deathly gray, left a piece of him, maybe the most important part. The light disappeared.
"Kari…" Now woe slipped in his voice. All he could and wanted to do was stay in the digital world and mourn another loss.
*~*~*
Kari slid through the worlds and back into the real world, or at least the one she lives in. Making sure no one was awake at this time of night; she slipped back into her room, careful not to awake her snoring brother or Gatomon. The satisfying sensation filled her as no one missed her; no one would judge her, no one really cares. Through the loud snores of her brother's Kari began to turn random thoughts. As she slipped into her bunk, pulling rumpled blankets over her shivering body. She was slightly colder then usual.
"Who do I believe? Who can I trust?" She complained to her pillowcase. For her sanity, it did not answer back. Disturbing silence, immobilize Kari's thoughts leaving her to ponder her own questions. Tai, TK, Davis, Yolei, Cody, Sora, Mimi, Matt, Joe even logical Izzy told her, no, demanded, she stop dating Ken. Secretly she screamed at them she would have to stop eating, breathing, thinking… She would have to stop living, and die a long awaited death. Would they go that far and voluntary hurt Ken and herself? The snap reflex answer was no and never. But if Kari thought, if she analyzed, there were hints. Insults, she didn't catch or didn't want to admit, when she and Ken were together among the crowd. Funny looks, as if one thing was rotting and defiling the over all picture. And TK's face, maybe that was the most obvious.
She remembered back to that bitter day only a week ago, all they had was seven days before TK found them, holding hands behind a maple tree. They hoped falling leaves would obstruct his view. It didn't. Both of them knew they could not hide their feelings; they were just so scared of the reactions. They still are.
"Kari?" TK voice wavered. She was desperately trying to hide Ken behind… Well nothing. The truth was evident and staring TK in the eye. "Hello Ken. I see you were having fun." TK said.
"We were." Ken's simple reply twisted TK's calm face into a mask of anger, jealously and maybe even sadness. Eyes drawn far apart, his lips pressed into the first syllable of but a drop of sweat on his forehead marked his dismal.
"Well, I guess I'll leave you alone now, Kari. Goodbye." TK turned 180 degrees and continued to walk as if nothing happened. Goodbye did sound like goodbye. There, TK was gone from Kari's life. That last face forever imprinted in her mind, the last time she would really see him as he let her. He hated her forever. Not that it made any real difference but it made everything fall apart. Her best friend, the kind that knew everything about you and could make you feel special but not her boyfriend. TK is that kind of friend. Or at least that's what she thought…
Kari yawned into her pillow. Analyzing the past is never fun, you remember the twist of the knife more then the happiness and joy. The eerie glowing numbers in her clock said 4:00 am. She was tired but could not bear to close her eyes for the replay of her life was waiting. Waiting to tell her exactly how they insulted her and Ken. Waiting for her tormented scream, but she would not give in. She will fill her thoughts of Ken instead. Yes, that would be the best. His loving smile, devoted conversation, his dignified face as she left him in the digital world, all alone because he was right. Guilt was a killer alright, a murderer to all.
"Oh Ken. I understand now." She felt two large wet spots on her pillow, and down her pj's. A sudden epiphany called upon her. She never did stop crying.
*~*~*
Yes! Tragedy and all that sad good stuff! Hehehe… I'm a firm believer that characters need to suffer before they can attain happiness… Don't give me that strange look! Anyways next chapter is happy, sort-of… After that I think I need to get to the real anguish… Well there goes all… ~looks to the door~ most of my readers…