(Note to disclaimers: Ok, I don't own Digimon, but I do own this poem got it? Anyway, for my last chapter, Bittersweet Pain, I forgot to add that I don't own that song cause it's by the Verve k? Now that it's all settled, we can move on!) ~SAMENIA~
Solitary Confusion
Confusion is illusion
Deception is perception
Creation is relation
Death is inevitable
I'll come for you.
'What the hell? What does that mean? Was that a dream?' I sit up, abruptly slamming my head on something above me. 'Where am I? Last I remember, I was in the desert.' I slowly stand and rub my head repeatedly, which has become sore. "Hello? Is anyone here?"
"You're finally awake."
I run up to the person and hug he or she with all my might. "Thank you so much Izzy! Tell me this isn't a dream!"
"It's not." Ken says. "We found you some days ago, feverish, dying and almost completely dehydrated."
"How much time have we lost?" I ask.
"I'd say about four days. The rest of the group went ahead. It's just you, Ken, Izzy, Yolei, and I." Davis says.
I instantly feel the guilt creep into my being. 'Davis stayed for me, and I treat him like dirt.' I walk over to him and hug him. "Thank you Davis. I'm sorry that I've been so inconsiderate. I never meant to hurt you."
"I thought we talked about this Kari." He smiles. "I told you I understood. Like I said, you'd hurt me more if we'd pretended more. I'm glad you told the truth."
I hug him tighter. "Davis, I thank you so much and I know, one day you'll find your perfect match."
"Somehow I think that I will but uh...until then, I'll be Davis!" He beams.
"Ok, Don't let it go to your head." Ken sighs.
"Same old Davis." Yolei sweat drops (Anime style I guess).
"I resent that!" Davis says.
"Ok, can we go now? I think progressing on is a good idea since we are four days behind Tai, Matt, and the others." Izzy says pointing towards the horizon. "Does everyone agree that we should go that way?"
"Yeah!" We all shout in unison.
~+~+~+~+~+~+~SORA'S POV (At the camp spot...)
"Tai, it's going to be alright." I say. "I'm sure they're taking good care of Kari."
"But I'm supposed to be over there. I'm her older brother." He frets. "I should've been watching her. I should've been-"
"Tai quit blubbering." Matt says, irritation evident in his voice. "Try to get some sleep, so then we can."
"Yeah, please Tai." Agumon says. "I want to be strong in the morning and I need rest to do so."
"You're so dumb!" Biyomon yells.
The sounds of a pot hitting someone's head and a loud OW is heard from somewhere near where the Digimon are sleeping. "That hurt Palamon!" Gabumon yells.
"Well, you and Patamon are hogging the space! Gatomon and I can barely move." Palamon shouts back.
"Will you all shut up!" Armadillomon screams from where Cody and he lay.
"Please." Cody says. "I'm trying to sleep here. Be quiet Armadillomon."
"Sorry." He says before they drift back to sleep.
"You're just preoccupying yourself with something so you won't run off and look for her Tai." Joe says. "Try to take it easy. With Izzy and Ken there, and especially Yolei, she should be just fine."
"He is right Tai." Agumon says.
"No one asked you so shut it!" Biyomon says.
"WILL EVERYONE JUST SHUT UP!" Mimi screams loudly. "WHAT DOES A GIRL HAVE TO DO TO GET HER BEAUTY REST AROUND HERE?"
"Sorry Mimi." I apologize. "So Tai, like I was saying...Tai?" I look around and see that he is gone. 'Tai, where'd you run to now?' I walk towards the pond and see him sitting there. 'Tai, stop being so hard on yourself.' I think as I head over to sit next to him. I lean my head on his shoulder. "Tai, you have to stop doing this to yourself. It's not your fault that this happened." I say. "I don't want to see you so upset anymore."
"Thanks Sora." He says.
Even though I can't see it, I know he is smiling. "You're welcome Tai."
"Sora," His voice lowers, "There is something I've been meaning to tell you."
"Ah? What is it?" I ask curiously.
"Well, I know for some time that you liked Matt or Yamato or whatever you think I should call him, and probably still do," He begins.
"Oh Tai I-" I am cut off by his finger on my lips.
"I understand that you love him. I just thought to let you know I love you too. I will always be there for you." He turns to me. "Especially when you receive the news. I know that Matt is my friend but you are my best friend. I understand fully what this might do to our friendship and I accept the consequences completely."
I watch stupefied as he stands to leave. "Tai, wait." I say.
"There's no need for explanation, Sora." He says and continues walking towards camp.
"Yes there is!" I grab his arm while he tries to ignore me. "TAI! THERE IS!"
"Huh?" He gives me a puzzled look. "What do you mean?"
"Tai...sometimes you are dense." I laugh softly. "I meant to tell you, I don't like Matt and I most certainly don't love him like that. He's like a brother, a good friend that I can count on."
"So how is that any different from our friendship?" Tai persists.
"You really are dense." I chuckle and pull him towards me. "It is very different. You see Tai, I want someone who will love me for me, someone who understands me the way I understand him, someone who will always be there for me, someone who I can trust and share pain with."
"What?" He stares at me.
I pull him into a hug, winding my arms around his stiff form. I smile at him and say, "Someone who does and always will love me the way I love him." With those words I lean up and kiss his lips very softly. When I we part I whisper in his ear, "Someone like you Taichi Kamiya."
~+~+~+~+~+~+~KARI'S POV (In the direction of camp...)
"Was it just me or did anyone notice Yolei jump to go with Ken when I asked Ken to fetch some firewood?" I ask.
"You weren't alone." Tentomon says. "Izzy and I noticed it to."
"Yes. Actually I approximate that they should be back in 5.5 seconds." Izzy grins.
"Simpler terms are good for us Izzy." Veemon says.
"Uh, yeah, hehe...sorry." Izzy scratches his head in embarrassment. "So, where is Davis then?"
"Getting water by the lake." Veemon says.
"Water?" I perk up. "I get first dibs then, haha."
"Hey guys!"
I look over and see Ken and Yolei carrying firewood along with some fruit. "Hey guys! Need some help?"
"Yes!" Yolei waves to me. "Do we ever!"
"Hey Izzy! Give me a hand." Ken yells.
"Is that possible Izzy?" Tentomon asks.
"Is a figurative phrase Tentomon." Izzy laughs and helps Ken bring the firewood.
"Thank the digital world you are a fire Digimon." Davis says to Veemon who has lit the fire. "So, who's for water?"
"I AM!" I jump and practically gulp down the whole pitcher.
"Whoa there!" Davis says. "Save some for the rest of us!"
"KARI!" Yolei freaks out. "You spilled water on Hawkmon."
"That's alright Yolei. I am thirsty anyway." Hawkmon says with a smile.
"Well, now that we've settled in camp, why don't we send the rest of the gang an email?" Izzy suggests.
"I get to do it!" Yolei makes a grab for his computer.
"Yolei cool down." Ken pulls her back and restrains her.
"Ken! You jerk let me go!" She tries to get away from him but it has no effect on him.
"You didn't think I was a jerk back there in the woods did you?" A sly grin forms on his lips.
"Ok! Break it up kids!" Izzy says.
"We're not kids." Yolei retorts then turns to Ken. "You shut up Mister or we might have a talk a little later."
"Whatever you say miss." Ken replies with the grin still plastered to his lips.
"Somehow I don't think this has anything to do with firewood." I giggle. "I think someone has a secret."
"Kari, be quiet before I-" Yolei is cut off as Ken clamps a hand over her mouth.
"I'm really very sorry." Ken says to me. "She's had too much *fun* as one would put it."
"Really now!" Davis shouts. "Do you have to tell us that now? I'm trying to eat here!"
"Stop thinking like a pervert Davis." Izzy says.
"I wasn't!" Davis yells innocently.
"I think that Davis is just hungry." Veemon says. "We were eating, remember Davis?"
"Yeah!" David forgets the previous discussion about him and digs in. (AN: A lot of Davis's huh?)
"So, do you and Yolei have something going on Ken?" I ask out of the blue.
"Uh no! Why would you ask that?" Yolei blushes and smacks Ken's head. "Ken and I are so different."
"They say opposites attract." Izzy looks up momentarily from his computer.
"IZZY!" Yolei shouts. "Ken and I are NOT together!"
"Oh we aren't are we?" Ken says mischievously. He leans over and kisses her lips. "What was that then? Don't tell me you didn't like that."
"I uh...hehe." Yolei stutters. Finally she just gives up. "OK! I DID! I LIKE KEN! WE'RE A COUPLE!"
"Glad that's finally out." Davis laughs and goes back to eating. "At least now we can have some peace and quiet."
"I'm going to pound you Davis." A funny look dissolves over her face.
"Uh huh." Ken yawns. "Ok Yolei pollie, time for bed."
"Don't ever call me that again." She turns to get. "You'll be screaming bloody murder before you know it."
"Bedtime. Besides, I need to talk to you." Ken picks her up. A strange smile places his lips as he walks into the darkness. "We'll be back later!"
"Be careful!" I say. After they've disappeared I turn to Izzy and Davis. "So, should we get some rest now?"
"I'm up for that." Izzy says and sweat drops. "I think Davis beat us to it though."
To the side Davis has fallen asleep with Veemon. 'The only thing worse than a Digimon with a DKC is Davis's snoring.' I sigh and shake my head, knowing the whole night is going to be long. Izzy has crawled into his sleeping back and is slumbering. I hear a couple of shouts of laughter echo through the trees and smile to myself. 'Yolei and Ken no doubt.' I begin to ponder the situation at hand. The night is beautiful, stars shining bright with luster far beyond that of my imagination. Blue like the ocean, the sky seems to glow with splendor that doesn't derive from the stars. A breeze blows by signifying that the air is a mixture of mild humidity and cool lake mist.
'Now I know that a village cannot just up and disappear.' I think back to when Mimi's village had vanished in thin air. I remember seeing flowermon and mushroommon type Digimon. 'Maybe the Digimon Empress will reveal herself again.' I wait until Yolei and Ken come back to camp before I settle asleep. 'Finally. I have to get us to look for the Digimon Empress first thing tomorrow.' Just as sleep befalls my eyes I notice a star that seems to stick out too much for that of an ordinary solar purpose. 'Could it be?' I decide to wait until tomorrow night. 'I know time is growing thin, but I can't run off again. Not just yet anyway. It'll have to wait till tomorrow morning as well as tomorrow night.'
~+~+~+~+~+~+~SORA'S POV...
It's a bit later than when I told Tai that I love him. He is still walking around like a zombie. 'I guess the shock has gotten to him.' I know he loves me but I find it funny that it still hasn't quite sunken in yet. Yes, I once had a crush on Matt until I became to see him as more of a friend than boyfriend material, for me at least. I see Tai sit by the fire. He looks up at me with a dazed look. "Sora, would you mind sitting with me for a bit?"
"I thought you wouldn't ask until I beat it out of you." I say politely and take a seat next to him. "So Tai, are you doing ok?"
He wraps an arm around my shoulder. "Never been better."
"Glad you came to." I smile and lean on his shoulder. "I think you realized it before I did."
"And I admitted before you did too." His grin turns into an enlarged smile.
"Stop it." I say playfully. "I can see that smile and I will wipe it off if you get any ideas. Just because we are older now means nothing just yet."
"Yet." He gives me a squeeze. "Besides, I would never even think about doing that now. We just discovered some things and I don't want to rush anything."
"Now do you see why you're my choice above all?" I ask.
"I believe I do." He says. "I truly believe I do."
We are about to kiss again when I hear rustling in the bushes. I poke Tai's side. "Wait just one minute. I think we have company."
"Oh." He laughs softly as I walk over to the bushes and see everyone fall out.
"Uh huh. And you guys were doing what exactly?" I question.
"Well, you see," Mimi straightens her skirt. "Matt and I were worried so we came looking for you."
"Yeah and we uh...just got here. Yeah." Matt's smile is bigger than his face.
"I see. And what's your story?" I ask Cody and Joe.
"We followed them." Joe says.
"Actually, I'll be truthful." Cody starts. "We wanted to know what you were up to."
"Out of all of you I believe...CODY!" I feel triumphant as I walk back over to Tai. "What exactly did you guys want to know?"
"We wanted to know if you and Tai have a thing going on." Matt sounds unhappy. "You know I love you Sora. How could you do this to me?"
"Matt...I, I'm sorry but I don't love you that way." I stutter. "I just...I love Tai."
Matt's serious face erupts into a fit of laughter as he and Mimi collapse onto each other. Their writhing forms on the floor confuse me, causing me to turn in Tai's direction. "What's going on?"
"I guess Matt was testing your feelings." He says encircling my waist with his arms. "But we can prove it to them that we really are together, possibly with this proof."
He leans over and kisses me. 'I could do this forever.' The equation Taichi Kamiya+perfect lips=Great kisser flashes in my mind. 'For me that is.' I start to deepen it when I hear someone shout. We break apart from our blissful little interlude and face Matt and Mimi who are fake kissing. I giggle as they begin to act out what we had just done. Cody and Joe are watching with thoroughly amused faces.
"Oh Tai...I love you ever so much!" Mimi exaggerates my part a bit much but it is funny nonetheless. "Kiss me! That is the proof of our relationship!"
"Oh Sora my love! I will do anything for you!" Matt grabs Mimi in a hug. "Just promise me you'll be mine forever!"
"Ok. We didn't say any of that." Tai cuts in.
"No interruptions please." Gabumon and Palamon say as Mimi continues.
"Tai, before we kiss, I must say, You have great lips." Mimi smiles wickedly at me. "I would love to kiss them."
"And you, my dearest Sora, are perfect for me in *ahem* many ways!" Matt says and dips Mimi. "Now, we must kiss."
I watch as he plays with a fake cape, draping it over them. "Very good show." I say cheerily.
Tai leans over and whispers in my ear, "Do you really think I have great lips?"
"Uh...hehe," I blush profusely and turn to him. "Yeah. Better yet, I'll test them."
"Get a room!" Cody yells as we lean in for another kiss.
"I think we've had enough for tonight." Armadillomon and Gamomon say as they and the gang head back to camp, leaving Tai and I to the starlit sky. Being with his is all I need. I smile up at him as I settle into his warm embrace. "Goodnight Taichi Kamiya." I say before I start to drift off.
"Goodnight Sora Takenouchi." He whispers.
~+~+~+~+~+~KARI'S POV...
"How much longer till we reach the rest of the group?" I ask.
"Just another ten minutes I estimate." Izzy says.
"Alright! Hope Gatomon will be glad to see me." Veemon yips loudly.
"I think she dropped you a long time ago buddy." Davis says. "Remember Veemon, she likes Angemon."
"Oh yeah." Veemon sighs. "But I'm a looker too!"
"Quit it you two! It's enough to give someone a headache!" Yolei says from behind us. "Hey Ken, where is Wormmon?"
"He's up ahead with Tentomon." Ken answers.
It's about 70 degrees signaling that we have left the desert terrain. Up ahead I see many figures waving to us. 'TAI!' I think happily. I push myself harder as the sun beats down on my brown hair. 'I hope Gatomon is not mad at me.' I see Gatomon emerge from behind Sora. I drop all the bags and run to her. "GATOMON!"
"KARI!" She cries as she jumps into my arms.
"I missed you so much!" I cradle her in my arms.
"You have to promise not to leave again or at least without me." She says.
I nod. "Of course."
"Hey Gatomon! I missed ya!" Veemon says.
"Is this a trick?" Gatomon asks. "If yes, then I'd rather play with my catnip."
"Why isn't anyone ever happy to see us?" Davis lets out a heavy sigh.
I laugh as we all sit down and begin to eat the breakfast that Sora has prepared. The morning is cool but sunny with occasional breezes. The weather is perfect for the little picnic that greets us after we've caught up on things. Sora's cooking is great. I remember to help Davis and Veemon so they don't get on anyone's bad side. Amazingly enough Davis seems to be a bit more toned down than normal. 'I think he and I should talk about that.' As I begin to eat a rice cake that Yolei brought I notice Patamon sitting lonely in a corner. 'I guess Gatomon is too busy being nice to Veemon.' I strut over and sit next to him.
Patamon's look is sullen like that of everyone else's when we left the real world. I pat his head lightly so as to catch his attention. "What's wrong Patamon? Are you feeling alright?"
"No." Patamon says. "I'm worried if we'll ever save T.K."
"I know we will so don't worry." I try to act happy but deep inside my guts are twisting with fear. 'I thought that maybe I'd forget you for a bit.'
I hear Patamon saying something but it is vague and doesn't filter through my mind. Even though the sky is bright and the sun is warm, I don't feel the elements. I feel cold, empty, and emotionally barren. I never thought to forget T.K. but the worry had been buried inside while I was enjoying my friends presence. I sit there as Patamon goes on. I feel useless and helpless. All to my utter disappointment, knowing that I am limited, seeing that I'm weak, feeling that I can't change. 'It's a solitary Confusion spiral.'
Guilt seems to plague my being, attacking my heart in a somewhat successful attempt to tear my life to pieces. The drive that fueled my body before is slowly slipping away, losing itself in my tired aura. Life holds no more purpose as I see it. 'Can it be possible that I'm thinking suicide?' I shake my head. 'No, I can't leave T.K. even if he doesn't share the feelings I share.' I feel weak as a couple tears travel down my cheeks. 'Where is comfort when I need it?'
A loud bang breaks me from my silent reverie, tempting me to jump but I stay calm. From the corner of my eye I see everyone staring at me. Before I realize it I feel a small paw on me, tugging my arm urgently. I look over, my vison hazy, trying to figure out who it is. "Gatomon?"
"Yeah. Kari, what's wrong?" Her eyes hold worry and confusion like that of mine.
I laugh and wipe the tears from my eyes. "It's nothing. I'm just quite happy."
"You are a bad liar." Patamon says. "T.K. was a good liar."
"Well," I start to crawl away, "He was a bad liar on this one."
Walking into the forest, I begin to realize how depression can affect someone. Thoughts of the past and the battles in this world enter my mind, invading it with the feeling of death. Reality is something I've feared for some time like Ken did. Not ever had I thought that I would feel the sting of loss. I had made a vow back then to stop it whenever I could, until it was time and I had to accept. 'But T.K. can't die. It's not his time.'
"Hey."
"Oh, hi Davis." I say sullenly.
"Kari, I know that you might think that I'm still trying but I'm not. I admit that I'll never stop loving you, but, I'm sure that T.K. wants me to keep an eye on you and that's just what I've been doing." Davis says. "Believe it or not, before T.K. was sick, he and I had a small talk. He had asked me that if you picked me over him, to watch you or he would beat me to a pulp. I didn't really like the sound of that."
"I had no idea." I stutter. "I thought that he didn't care."
"T.K. is a great guy." Davis shrugs. "I guess it took me a while to realize it since I was jealous."
"It's ok." I place a hand on his arm. "And hey, you actually got his name right."
"I did didn't I?" Davis beams. "I'm on the road to a new beginning. Well, have a good afternoon. I'm going with Yolei and Ken to the lake to have a swim. See you later."
I wave as he leaves. "Bye Davis!"
~+~+~+~+~+~KARI'S POV (Sill hasn't changed, she's just in the woods now and it is on the brisk of evening)
Discovering that the temperature has dropped, I pull my sweater tightly around my figure. The moonlight casts a dark shadow over the trees as I continue to walk aimlessy. 'I can't believe that I left the camp again. I have to stop this but somehow, I can't.' Up ahead I see a light flashing. Brightness engulfs me as I near the area. Suddenly from the light springs a human form. The figure walks towards me, seeming to be in a hurry by it's rapid steps. As the person comes closer I can tell it's a young girl like myself. A deafening cackle fills the air as the girl stops a few feet away from me.
"So we meet again, Hikari Kamiya." The girl says.
"You're the Digimon Empress aren't you?" I ask. "Tell me, if you're so clever, than why bother revealing you're plans? Oh and, if you're so powerful, why hurt my friend T.K. when you're after me?"
"Dear, Dear Hikari Kamiya. You're so clueless as to the plans of a genius as me." The
girl laughs. "The reason I have come to capture you is because our young sir Takeru is a weakness that lives in you."
"What?" I feel exposed.
"That's right. Don't even try to deny that your love for Takeru Takiashi hasn't driven you here. Your love for him is what is making you choose the actions you choose. It is like you're under a spell." She points out with delight. "Soon the tables will turn and he will be running to save you. He will awake just as I take you. Now, surrender and it won't be painful."
"Never. You witch! If you think that I will give up that easily, then you're wrong. Gatomon!" I yell for my Digimon friend.
"Right!" She says.
"Digi armor energize!" I yell.
"Gatomon armor digivolve to...Nefertimon, angel of light!" Nefertimon says.
"Now, I'll show you how easy it is to catch me!" I direct Nefertimon at the Empress.
"ROSETTA STONE!" Gatomon shoots at the empress.
"HAHAHAHA! DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH!" She says. "NOW, YOU WILL STOP THIS ATTACK!"
"NO! CAT'S EYE BEAM!" Gatomon fires another blast at the Empress who blocks it easily.
"Unlike you little friend Ken, I don't need Digimon to help me." The Empress lifts her hand. "PLASMA BEAM!"
I watch in horror as Nefertimon is blasted. She goes back to her rookie form. "GATOMON!" I cradle her limp form in my arms. I look at the Empress with murder in my eyes. "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
"I think not." She laughs again and raises her hand one more time. Raises it for the last time during this encounter. "Now, Hikari, you will sleep."
Before I can comprehend what is happening I see dust begin to spring from her fingertips. I watch in awe as it wraps itself around me like a blanket. My eyelids begin to feel heavy, signifying that I will sleep without my permission. Everything goes black as I collapse on the floor in a deep sleep.
~+~+~+~+~+~T.K.'s POV (Ok, I decided to let T.K. have some say so, since he has to help now, even though he's dying ok? Well, so far it's POV switches between T.K., Kari, and Sora. Hope u get it! FORWARD!)
My head is spinning and I feel like I have to throw up. I carefully make my way over to the desk. I feel around until my hand lands on top of a paper. Groping for light I find my desk lamp and switch it on. Through Hzy eyes I manage to read the first line. It reads:
T.K: Gone to the digital world.
I read no more as I grab my digivice and open the port. 'I'm coming guys.'
(OK. I know that it's taking kind of long, but I hope to complete it by the next chapter, so be patient. Anyway, I hope you've all liked it so far. I will post even if I don't get reviews, although they are appreciated. Thanks so much! ~SAMENIA~)