(Note to Disclaimers: I do not own Digimon and I never will. Anyway, please don't sue me. I do own Halla but it won't matter after the completion of this fic.)

~Samenia~

Bittersweet Pain

Cause it's a bitter sweet symphony that's life...

Try to make ends meet, you're a slave to the money then you die.

I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down...

You know the one that takes you to the places where all the veins meet, yeah.

"Hello Mrs. Takiashi, is T.K. in?" I ask.

"Yes Kari dear, he is, but I'm afraid he's terribly sick." His mom replies.

"Oh. May I still see him?" I say.

"Yes. Go right in. I believe Ken is in there as well." She opens the door. "Try to be as silent as possible, thank you."

I nod and place my coat on the armchair. "T.K. I hope you're alright.' I push his door open slowly and see Ken sitting at T.K.'s computer. "Oh, hey Kari. It's good that you're here. He's delirious." He stands. "Can you watch him? I have to run to my house and get some data from my room."

"Yes." I say and close the door as he runs out. 'Oh no.' I walk over to T.K.'s bed and sit down. He looks bad. He's laying in cold sweat, his skin is a deathly pale, and he has chills and a high fever. Gently I place my hand on his forehead. "T.K., I'm so sorry." I close my eyes and wrap my arms around his shivering form. "I never meant for this to happen. I never meant for you to get hurt. I never meant to fall in love with you."

"K...Kari?"

I bolt back from him with surprise. "A...Are you awake? Did you hear anything?"

"Sure. I know I lie a lot, but..." His voice slowly fades and he's sleeping again.

I walk back over to him and wipe his forehead with a wet towel. 'I did this to you. Maybe I should make myself scarce for a while.' I watch as the water makes him shake. "Shh...It's ok T.K." I say softly. "I'm here with you."

"So you do still love him, don't you?"

"Matt, uh...hi." I turn red from embarrassment. "Didn't see you come in."

"I didn't want you to." He walks over and stands by me. "Kari, you didn't have to lie. I don't know what caused this but I hope you can help us figure out what this virus might be. Ken is working hard but he is limited on this one, which is highly unusual for him."

I begin to cry a little. "It's me. If I hadn't been Davis's girlfriend, If I hadn't run away from him," I start to increase the volume of my sobs, "If I didn't fall in love with him Matt. If I didn't.."

Well I've never prayed,

But tonight I'm on my knees, yeah.

I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah.

I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind , I feel free now.

But the airwaves are clean and there's nobody singing to me now.

"Enough."

"Tai?" Matt turns to the doorway. "You heard?"

"Yes." Tai walks over to me and wraps me in a hug. "Kari, you can't help who you love. No one can. We are who we are and we love whom we love. No one told me to love Sora. No one told Matt to love Mimi."

"I see...but Tai, T.K. doesn't even know, and now I...I don't know if he'll ever know." My voice cracks and I let the tears flow freely. "Per...Perhaps I will get over it."

"Kari stop this." Matt scowls. "You're talking like he's dead."

"Calm down please." Tai says. He turns to me. "Kari, Matt and I are going to pick up Mimi and Sora. You stay here. Ken should be back here soon. Got it? And one more thing, no more with those thoughts. T.K. will be just fine."

"Uh huh." I wipe a tear away and lay down next to T.K. 'Cold sweat. Shiver.' I feel his skin and gasp with horror. 'He's deathly cold too!' I do the only thing I can think of. I pull some covers from the foot of the bed and wrap him in them. Then I lay down next to him and place my arms, as well as one more cover around him. "Don't worry, the others and I will figure out a cure or something. I won't lose you this time...T.K." With that last sentence I fall into a deep sleep, troubled with dreams I wish not to welcome.

SOMETIME LATER.....

'Why'd it get so cold all of a sudden?' I sit up and blink my eyes. It's rather dark and somehow I know it's not T.K.'s room. 'Where am I?'

KNOCK KNOCK!

I jump at the loud noise but settle down. "Who is it?"

"It's Tai." The person says.

"Come in." I shuffle through my bureau and take out a nightshirt. "So, how'd we get back here?"

"I had to carry you back." Tai flops onto my bed. "You fell asleep beside T.K. and Ken said that he needed to examine T.K., therefore I had to take you home. Did I mention I was walking and that you're not that light?"

"No." I giggle helplessly. "I believe you left that part out."

"Well, anyway, what do you want to do now? It's not that late and I'm think maybe we could both use some fresh air." He says. "A walk? Maybe even some soccer?"

"Sure." I take his hand and we head to the park. "How about that soccer?"

"Your call." He throws the ball at me. "First 10 points win the game."

"You're on." I laugh and kick. "Hey watch that pothole!"

"What?" He stops and looks around. I wiz past him. "Not again!"

I kick the ball into the goal. "SCORE! YAHOO!"

Before we both know it, I've won and we're sitting on the grass panting heavily from the game. My mind drifts to T.K. What was I thinking when I went steady or whatever the hell someone would call it, with Davis? I sometimes think I am crazy but he wasn't so bad. Davis is a nice guy it's just that I love T.K. I glance over at Tai who is staring at the gate on the baseball field. Suddenly his head snaps in my direction. "Hey Kari?"

"Yeah Tai?" I ask.

"Not to bring up something that would make you uncomfortable or anything, but when did you realize you loved T.K.?" He looks questioning but ready for rejection.

"I...I actually remember the exact day." I smile as I reminisce. "It was when we were fighting the Digimon Emperor. I remember having bad dreams and when I saw T.K. the next day he asked if I was alright. I lied of course. Next thing I know I'm being pulled into another dimension but then I heard T.K.'s voice. He'd stood up in front of the whole class and got in trouble just to check on me, to save me."

"And?" Tai urges on.

"Well, I was supposed to go to the nurse's office but I went and sat on a bench. All of a sudden T.K. showed up. He told me he'd been looking all over for me. When I told him that I might give in to my dreams because I wasn't sure anymore he had and outburst." I feel fluttery all over. "He said he cared too much about me to let anything happen to me. Then he ran off, kind of embarrassed I guess. Finally, he went to the digital world and risked his life for me. Then and there I realized I loved him. And I wish he knew."

No change, I can change, I can change, I can change,

but I'm here in my mould , I am here in my mould.

And I'm a million different people from one day to the next

I can't change my mould, no,no,no,no,no,no,no

"Kari, please don't cry." Tai hugs me. "It'll get better."

"Thanks Tai. Um...can we go home now? I have school tomorrow and I'm tired." Ask.

"Yeah." He smiles and we leave the park.

AT SCHOOL (Friday afternoon) {AN: I thought I'd let people know that they, Kari, Davis, Yolei, Ken, T.K. Cody, are in High school. The old Digi-destined are on college break.}

"So, as you all know 3X+780Yx 25X equals..."

I watch the board lazily. 'What is it with Math? I hate it, it is so boring...and useless.' I yawn silently and let my pencil fall off my desk. 'I'm going to try not to slack off today.' The only thing that keeps me awake is the annoying buzz of the air conditioner. 'Are they ever going to tune that thing?' I lift my head enough to see the assignment on the board. I'm writing down the work when I hear someone say my name. "Hey Kari!"

"What? Davis?" I give him a questionable look. "What is it?"

"Ken told me to tell you to meet him and the others at Matt's house after school." Davis says. "They said it was something about T.K."

"Ok." I thank him. "But Davis, aren't you even the slightest bit-"

"Kari, Davis, is there something you'd like to share?" The teacher asks.

"No. There's nothing." I say with a smile. "I was just asking Davis if he knew the date today."

"Fine. Continue on." The teacher says and leaves.

"That was close." Davis grins. "Thanks for saving my ass."

I nod and look back at my paper. 'Has something come up? Did they find a cure? Is there an antidote even existing?' These thoughts begin to plague my head so much that I get a headache. I raise my hand. "Mr. Kamedashi? May I go to the nurse's office?"

"Yes Ms. Kamiya. Gather your things." He dismisses me.

Walking down the halls of the school brings back familiar memories that I try not to remember. I'm about 10 feet away from the nurse's office when I see the faint images of two people. The outlines are vague but I can see they are in junior high. Setting my bags down I walk over to get a better looks. I gasp. 'That's me and Takeru!' I blush a bit at his full name. Taking a closer look I see their lips moving and I begin to hear what they say.

~Younger versions of Kari & T.K.~

"Kari, do you think we'll be best friends forever?" T.K. asks.

"I think so T.K. after all, it's not like you're going to die on me or anything." I hear my younger self say. "We're too young for that."

"Cool. Let's go to the digital world." T.K. says. "Besides the near future isn't something to worry about just yet."

"Yeah." Young Kari smiles. "We'll be buds forever."

~End of conversation~

I feel a tear slip down my cheek as the figures disappear into thin air. 'You lied Kari. You lied T.K. It wasn't supposed to be this way!' Feeling worse than ever I bolt down the schools stairs and out the gate. I don't even care if I get in trouble for ditching. 'It's not worth this!' I run all the way home just as the winter snow begins to fall.

No change, I can change, I can change, I can change,

but I'm here in my mould , I am here in my mould.

But I'm a million different people from one day to the next...

I can't change my mould , no,no,no,no,no,no,no

I burst through the door in a fit of semi-madness. I'm tearing down the hall when I run into Tai. He grabs hold of me to stop me from stampeding him. "WHOA! Slow down Kari! What's wrong?"

"IT'S MY ENTIRE FAULT!" I scream in anger. "IF I HADN'T DONE WHAT I'D DONE T.K. WOULD BE OK!"

"Kari, it's not your fault.' He says. "T.K. is going to get better."

"When?" I glare at him through tear filled eyes. "I have to know when!"

"Well, we need to go over Matt's right now." Tai pulls me with him. "There I think you'll find your answer."

When we arrive at Matt's I see everyone sitting in the living room. I feel tension in the air but I ignore it. 'I don't care what they do, but I will save T.K.' I vow silently. 'Even if it means risking my life for his.' I begin walking over to the bathroom when Ken stops me. "Kari, there's something we need to tell you."

"What?" I ask afraid of the answer.

"T.K. is," Matt stops momentarily but starts speaking again, "T.K. is in a coma. Ken has found the antidote but it is in the digital world."

"Why are we here then?" I feel upset. "Let's go get that antidote."

"One problem...there's someone there who wants to greet us and she wants you." Joe says.

"Me? But why?" I look bewildered.

"She's another like me," Ken says, "But she more powerful. She's controlling the Digimon with some new device."

"The devices are called DKC's which stands for dark key chips." Izzy types something on his computer. "Apparently they control all the functions of the Digimon in all states whether it be transformed or Digi egg."

"Kind of of like what I had done." Ken says. "The only trick to this is that the control computer chip must be destroyed to stop the domination."

"Yes." Sora says. "There's one more problem though."

"What?" I ask even more confused.

"In order to break through her forces at the palace, we need to have all the Digi-destined. All the power together can break through." Mimi sighs sadly. "But...without T.K., I'm not sure."

"Well, "I begin unsure of it but then I burst out without thinking. "I don't care. I'm going whether any of you go with me or not. I care too much for T.K. to not try."

"No one said we aren't going to try Kari." Davis says. "We care about T.K. too; it's just that we need a strategy. We can't just run in there."

"You actually thought for once in your life." Yolei says.

"Yeah well, maybe I'm not as dumb as you think, a compliment of T.K." Davis says and turns around.

"Whatever." Yolei replies.

"We don't need this right now." Ken tells Yolei. "We need to be together or we might not be able to help T.K."

"Well what are we waiting for?" Cody says. "Open the digiport!"

"Right!" Izzy turns on the computer. "You know what to do!"

We all hold up our digivices and enter the digital world. Once we arrive I shove my Digivice into my pocket then turn to the gang. "Wait! What about T.K.? Who's going to watch over him?"

"Don't worry. It's you the Digimon Empress wants." Matt says. "It's you she'll be looking for."

"I'm sure that makes her feel a whole lot better Matt." Davis snorts.

"Don't start with me Davis." Matt says. "You wouldn't want to do that."

"Try me." Davis responds.

"That's it! I don't care if you're younger than I am!" Matt lunges for Davis but a blur of someone knocks him down.

"Stop this right now." Tai says. "Like Ken said, we don't need any of this right now. Leave Kari alone. I think she's taking it pretty hard as it is."

"Sorry." Davis and Matt say sheepishly. "Guess we both got out of hand."

"No. Don't apologize." I say. "It's just the tension is making us all edgy."

"So, let's just find that antidote alright? Who's with me?" Sora says.

"We are!" Everyone shouts with the exception of me.

"Kari? Are you coming?" Mimi asks.

"More than ever." I say as we depart from the real world. 'Don't worry T.K. I will find that antidote even if it means you'll stay with Halla...not me."

Cause it's a bittersweet symphony this life.

Trying to make ends meet, try to find somebody then you die.

You know I can change, I can change, I can change,

but I'm here in my mould, I am here in my mould.

And I'm a million different people from one day to the next.

I can't change my mould, no,no,no,no,no,no,no

The thought of losing my best friend devastates me more than I can show. 'I won't show anymore weakness. I have to find the Digimon Empress. I have to destroy her so that the guys can get the antidote.' As we continue on I walk in another direction. 'I'm sorry Gatomon. I can't bring you along with me this time.' I see them disappear from sight. 'I'll be back soon, I hope.' Without a second thought I head down the separate path.

EVENING...(Ok, this POV has to switch so it'll make sense ok? From here on, whenever Kari separates from the group it will change from Kari's POV to Sora's ok? Great. Let's move on.)

"You guys, have you noticed something odd?" Mimi asks.

"Yeah!" Davis shouts worriedly. "Kari's gone!"

"And you barely noticed it?!" Tai grabs Davis's shoulders. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Put him down Tai." I say. "We can't help what was done."

"But Sora, my little sister is alone! In the digital world no less!" Tai yells. "I'm going after her!"

"No Tai. Stay here. You're being thickheaded!" Matt snatches Tai back. "Think logically."

"Matt is right. We shouldn't rush into things. I'm sure Kari will be ok for now." Cody says. "Plus she must have Gatomon."

"No. She doesn't."

"GATOMON!" Yolei says in surprise. "But then..."

"I didn't even know she left. "Gatomon says. "She just took off."

"We have to go get her!" Veemon says.

"No. I agree with Cody and Matt." Armadillomon shakes his head.

"Yeah, we can't risk everyone." Agumon says. "Tai maybe we should-"

"Shut up!" Tai says. "Leave me alone!"

"Tai please, we don't need this right now." I try to comfort him but he runs off into the woods. "Tai!"

"Go Sora. I think he needs you right now." Mimi smiles at me. "Matt and I will watch over the group."

"Thank you." I wave to them. "Biyomon, Agumon, let's go!"

'Tai, where are you?' I search the trees. 'Where could he have gone?' The woods are dark and cold. 'I should've brought a sweater.' I continue to search the brush when I hear a rustling noise. I look up. "Is someone there?"

"Why did you follow?"

"Tai, we're best friends." I whisper. "I'd follow you anywhere if you needed me too."

He steps out from the shadows. The moonlight casts over his face like a silken blanket of clear sparkles. "Tai, are you going to be alright? I'm here if you need me."

"I do need you Sora." His voice cracks to silent cry. "I do need you."

I walk over and embrace him. "Tai, it'll be alright. We'll find Kari."

"Please." He cries onto my shoulder. "We we're so young, I never meant for her to experience what we had to. Why did we have to be the chosen ones Sora? Why did everything have to be so complicated?"

"Tai, look at me." I pull him back so that he can look at me. "I know we all wish we could've lived normal lives but we didn't and we can't change that. Kari is a strong girl."

"But..." He stutters.

"Tell you what Taichi Kamiya, if you come back with me to camp and wait till morning, we'll look for Kari first thing tomorrow ok?" I say.

He nods. I help him up and we're about to leave when he touches my shoulder. "What is it Tai?" I ask.

"There' something I've been meaning to tell you." He starts slowly. "Sora I..."

"STOP IT!"

We jump and search for the voice. Suddenly Biyomon and Agumon tumble out of the bushes. "Stupid!" Biyomon smacks Agumon on the head. "You just had to interrupt!"

"I don't get it!" Agumon says. He turns to us. "Guess you forgot we were here huh Sora?"

I begin to scratch my forehead. "Yeah, guess so."

"I guess we should return to camp now." Tai begins to walk off.

"But you said you wanted to tell me something." I catch up with him. "What was it?"

"It was nothing." He says.

"Ok. Well, it's back to camp then." I finish.

KARI POV...(SOMEWHERE)

'How long has it been? Seems like forever.' I dust my skirt off and continue my journey. 'Wonder if I'll ever find the Digimon Empress's headquarters.' Suddenly the sky begins to turn dark. 'What the hell is going on?' Out of nowhere I hear an evil laugh. "Who's there?"

"Ah, if it isn't Hikari Kamiya. Well, I'll tell you this girl. If you think you're going to live long enough to see Takeru get better, hahahaha!" The voice fills the air. "Then you're wrong child!"

"How do you know Takeru is sick?" I scream into the air. "Show yourself you witch!"

"In due time dear Kari. That is when I've captured you." The woman's voice continues on. "As for now, I wouldn't try anything if I were you. You're in over your head. Until next time."

"COME BACK HERE!" I begin to run in any random direction. "COWARD!"

'Surely the others must have heard that voice.' I think as I keep running. Up ahead I spot a group of flowermon. 'Could it be? Am I near Mimi's village?' I 'm almost there when the entire village disappears. 'WHAT THE HELL?!' I pick up pace and arrive just as it fully fades from my view. I search around and see no remnants of the place even existing. 'This must be the Digimon Empress's work! I have to find the place, but I'm so thirsty.'

"One more thing Kari," The voice comes from nowhere. "I think you'll die before they'll find you. Heat dehydration is a horrible way to perish haha!"

'Tai, Help me.' I think as I collapse on the floor. The desert sun beats down on me and I feel like my body is drying up. 'I'm going to die.' The laughter of the Empress floats in my ear as I begin to slip into unconsciousness. "Tai, Sora, anybody, please...help me.'

(Well, that's it for now. Hope you like it! Please R&R and I hope to have the third chapter out soon. Also, sorry that it might seem extra long. That is some space from the leftover page. I guess that happens when u use html heh? hahah!) ^.^