Here's another part of Tragedy. It's not the last part, but I'm really trying to finish this. I want to thank everyone who sent in suggestions and comments. *bows* You people are wonderful. This is short, but like I said I really AM trying to finish this. Well, please enjoy. R+R?
Disclaimer: *sigh* I don't own Matt, Taichi, or anything else. I wish I owned Tai though. He's sooo cute!!!…I'm so sorry.
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Tragedy
"Matt…Matt? Matt."
Matt let out a small moan as he peeled his eyes open. He looked around and realized that he must've fallen asleep next to Tai.
Matt sat up quickly.
'I can't believe I fell asleep!' he scolded himself.
From his position in the cave, he could tell that it was still dark out. He was glad he wasn't out for too long at least.
"Matt?"
He turned to see his little brother standing over him.
"What are you doing up, TK?" he asked the 8-year-old calmly as he turned to check on Taichi.
"I couldn't sleep." Came TK's innocent reply. "Is Tai alright?"
A few moments of silence were passed as Matt mulled over the question.
Tai wasn't doing well at all. It was a harsh fact of reality that killed Matt a little more every time he thought of it. Still…
"He's fine TK." Matt said as he turned to his brother and forced a smile to appear on his face.
TK knew Matt was lying, but he decided not to say anything. He thought Matt needed to believe that Tai really would be okay more than anyone.
"Yeah….he's just fine TK…."
Matt's eyes were still fixed on Taichi's still body. 'Taichi….please, please come back to me…'
Matt didn't know how much more he could take. The love of his life was dying right in front of his eyes and he was powerless to stop it. Suddenly he felt two small arms around him. At the contact, Matt turned and saw his little brother smiling up at him reassuringly.
"Taichi'll be okay Matt. I know he will be. He wouldn't leave you. He loves you too."
Matt broke into tears and clutched the small child to him as though he were a lifeline.
"H-How did you know TK?"
"I could just see it. I think everyone could too. At first it was only me and Kari that knew, but I'm sure the others have caught on by now."
Matt gave a soft chuckle that came out as more of a sob.
"I was the only idiot who didn't know."
TK looked at his brother, sympathy shining in his sky blue eyes.
"It wasn't your fault Matt…"
"Yes it was TK! I hid my feelings so well that I drove Taichi away when I wanted him closer. I said such awful things to him…"
"Tai hid his feelings too Matt. Not as much as you, but he did. And whatever you said to him….I'm sure Taichi knows that you didn't mean it."
Matt opened his mouth to argue, but then heard a slight whimper.
He looked over to Taichi and saw his head turn to the side suddenly. Matt turned to the brunette quickly.
"Tai? Can you hear me?"
Matt cautiously reached out to Tai.
As soon as Matt's fingers brushed lightly against the boy's arm, he screamed.
Matt pulled away suddenly as Taichi continued to scream and thrash. Immediately, Matt tried to restrain him.
"TK, go get the others NOW!!"
TK nodded and took off.
"Taichi!?"
The smaller boy's eyes were closed tightly as though he were trying to block out the reality around him. His fists were clenched tightly in pain. Be it physical or emotional, Matt wasn't sure.
"Come back!"
Tai's voice forced realization into Matt.
"Shit."
The nightmares were back. And in this condition they could kill him.
Making sure Tai could hear him, Matt yelled to the struggling child.
"I'm here Taichi! You're not alone! I won't let you be, I swear it!"
Tai's thrashing became less violent.
"Taichi! I'm here. I'm not gonna leave you…Nothing could ever make me…"
A few seconds later, Tai was only shivering.
Matt picked him up and held him in his arms, being careful not to make his injuries worse. He held Taichi to him and laid his forehead down onto Tai's. He was still burning with fever.
Matt began rocking back and forth with Taichi still cradled protectively into his arms.
The others arrived. When they saw Matt with Tai, they got nervous.
"Matt?!"
Matt looked up.
"He's alright…It's over…"
A collective sigh of pure relief was heard all around.
"…Matt…?"
The blonde's eyes widened and he quickly turned his attention to the smaller boy that was held against him.
"Tai!?"
His eyes were opened and darting around the room. He was confused. Under the circumstances, he was allowed to be.
"Tai. Can you understand me? Do you know where you are? How do you feel?" Matt was elated and panicked all at the same time.
Tai gave him a small, weak, smile.
"Yes. No. Fine." Tai began coughing.
As the others raced over and Tai lowered his hand from his mouth, Matt saw more blood flecks on his palm causing him to cringe.
'Yeah…I'm sure you feel just fine…'
Joe kneeled beside the two boys and began checking over Taichi.
"Tai! You're okay! You're really okay!" Kari was overjoyed.
"Sure…I am…" Tai tried to sound indignant. "You…think I could be taken out so easily?"
He could barely talk and his chest hurt so much. He was trying hard not to cough or shudder or do anything to alarm anyone, but it was so hard and he was so tired…
Other comments and questions were thrown at him. Tai tried to answer them as best he could, but soon even one word answers were becoming hard to get out.
The commotion stopped as everyone noticed this. They backed off and watched as Joe looked him over.
"M-Matt…where….where are we…?"
Matt sniffed and held back tears of joy.
"In a cave with the others." Matt reassured him. "Safe."
Tai seemed to search Matt's eyes for a moment. Then he smiled tiredly and closed his eyes. He snuggled more into the blonde's chest and he was out.
"Matt?"
It was Joe. He was worried. So natural for him.
"It's okay. He's just sleeping." Matt smiled and pulled Tai closer to him. "He's gotta be tired…"
The others all exchanged knowing glances and smiled.
"How is he Joe?" Sora asked
The smile on Joe's face faded. He had to tell them the truth.
"Not too good. The injuries are still there and so is the fever." Joe looked at the ground dejectedly. "All we can do is wait and see how he holds up."
Joe looked over at Matt holding Taichi and smiled once again.
"But I think he's doing the best thing he can right now. He needs a lot of rest if he's going to recover."
Everyone nodded.
"He'll be okay." Matt ran his fingers through Tai's soft brown hair. "He'll fight."
Kari turned to TK.
'Finally.' She mouthed.
TK giggled and nodded.
To be continued….
A little less dramatic than my other ones, ne? Don't worry. Way more drama to come. Well, still I need ideas so please send them in. I really need help with this. I hope you liked it. Thank you again to everyone who's already sent in suggestions. Really wonderful ideas. I'm trying to think of how I could use them….