Chapter Four: Hatred's Melody
Kay sighed. Just when she was getting friendly with the kid....
ah well. Maybe it's for the better, she thought. The more I talk to him,
the more it confuses me. What's so special about him? Something was drawing
me to him... but what?
She heard some voices to her left and cast a glance, wondering
who they could belong to. Dracomon lay stretched out near the fire, talking
to what looked like a giant bug and a hamster with wings. Trust Draco to
go making friends with everybody, she thought. She recognized the beetle
digimon... it was Izzy's, she guessed. Kay remembered seeing Izzy talk
to him last night, before her little attack... The hamster, however, was
a mystery. Who could such a sickeningly cute digimon belong to?
A strange, sweet melody interrupted her thoughts. Kay glanced
around, startled at the sudden music. In the shadows of a pine tree, set
apart from the others, was one of the older Digi-destined. He was playing
a harmonics, and something about him seemed to hit her. She remembered
the attack from what seemed to be hours ago. "How could you trust someone
like that?" he had said. Kay smiled. Smart kid....
Music had always fascinated her.. and the tune, soft and sad
as it was, begged her to join it. Removing a rough wooden flute from her
quiver, she put it to her lips and began to play, not so much intruding
on the tune as adding to it.
"Hey..."
Kay looked up, hitting a sour note in her surprise. Beside her
stood _him_...... the kid she had almost shot. From the corner of her eye
she saw that he harmonica player she had been accompanying had lowered
his instrument and was staring at her, a strange look in his eyes.
"Hey," she replied weakly, lowering her flute. "Who're you?"
The child grinned and sat down next to her, bright blue eyes
shining. "My name is TK.. an' I know who you are. You're the ninth Digi-destined."
Kay blinked. Either the kid didn't care about the little incident,
or he didn't realize she would have killed him if Izzy hadn't distracted
her. "So, I'm the ninth Digi-destined, eh? Who told you that?"
"I heard you and Izzy talking. You should listen to him, 'cause
he's really smart.."
Kay arched an eyebrow. "Really, now..."
"Yep!" TK replied, smiling brightly. "He's the smartest one here,
'cept for my brother."
"Your brother?" Kay grinned. He's a cute little shrimp, she thought.
Weird, but cute....
"Uh huh, my brother. He's really cool, 'epecially when he plays
his harmonica. You're good, too, but not as good as him."
"Who is this brother of yours, any way?" Kay asked, unable to
resist. Great, she thought. I'm getting attached to _this_ one way too
quickly. Oh well....
"Him!" TK replied, pointing over at the harmonica player. "That's
Matt. He's the coolest!"
So, Kay thought. They're brothers. Surprise, surprise. Of course
they'd have to be related somehow... A glance at the blonde-haired musician
aroused suspicion. He's blushing, a voice in the back of her head nagged.
Why?
"So... I guess you're really lucky to have a brother like him."
"Yeah..." TK looked up at Kay, suddenly serious. "I know he doesn't
like you, but don't worry.. I like you. I don't mind that you got mad at
all of us...."
Kay's grin grew wider, and without a second thought she hugged
the child, wondering if her encounter with Izzy had quickly softened her
heart. "Thanks, kid," she said, laughing. "You're the greatest..."
"TK! Get away from her."
Kay looked up, releasing her hold on TK. Her eyes darted around
until they landed on Matt, the speaker, who narrowed his gaze, expression
becoming a fixed glare.
"Leave her alone, TK. She can't be trusted."
"But Matt... Tai and Izzy say she's okay..."
"They're wrong. Don't forget, she almost killed you."
Kay dropped her eyes, feeling a rage build up inside her. I should
tell him off, she thought. But somehow, she couldn't speak....
Matt's frustration was building by the second.... But there was
more on his mind than simple exasperation. There's something about her,
he thought. She's dangerous, I just know it.
"Come on, TK. Get over here." Something in the sound of his voice
startled him. Gods, he thought. I'm starting to sound like my father.
"But Matt-"
"Now, Takeru."
TK cringed at the use of his real name. Sighing, he looked up
at Kay and smiled apologetically. "Sorry," he said. "I gotta go. Matt only
calls me that when he's _real_ mad." He stood slowly, and started walking
toward his brother, who motioned for him to sit down next to him.
Kay remained in her place, watching them through half-closed
eyes. Slowly, her anger faded, leaving only slight frustration. In the
quiet of the night, the only other sounds coming from the campfire a fair
distance away, she could hear the voices of the brothers clearly.
"Sorry, TK... It's just, well.... you know I worry about you.
You shouldn't mess with Kaylasii... she's trouble."
"But Matt," TK protested, looking up at him. "Tai and Izzy trust
her. Isn't that good enough for you? Besides, I can take care of myself."
"Sure you can, squirt. But hey, even Izzy is wrong sometimes...."
"Kay..."
Startled, she looked up, eyes automatically glaring. "What?"
"Uh...." Izzy looked away, eyes wandering to Matt's direction.
"Tai says he wants everyone back at the fire. He needs to have a word with
all of us."
"Fine then...." Matt glanced at TK, who had fallen asleep at
his side. "Hey, squirt, wake up..."
"Hmm? Wha'? Is it morning already?" TK mumbled sleepily, looking
up at him with heavy eyes. "I feel like I've only been asleep for ten minutes..."
"That's because you _were_ only asleep for ten minutes," Matt
replied, grinning. "Now come on, Tai needs to talk to us. After that, you
can sleep as long as you want, I promise."
As he stood and helped his brother up, Matt couldn't help but
cast a cold look in Kay's direction. He felt an intense hatred for her,
though he had not known her for very long. I'll have to be careful, he
thought, walking toward the campfire.
As he passed Kaylasii, he muttered in a voice loud enough for
only her to head, "Stay away from TK."
To be continued.......