Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters, but I'm still trying. (heh)
Tai's strong frame was etched in a black chalk against the fiery night sky. Sora could hear him breathe, the evening was so still, and hardly any other sound echoed in the sunset. Hidden, she had watched him return to this spot without fail since the day he had lost everything. Since the day she had lost everything... except him.
The death of his wife, his best friend, and half of his heart had shaken Tai immeasurably. Small, wet, crystal droplets slid almost unoticed down Sora's face as she turned to leave. Tai had nothing left but his son.
'And his son is probably the only reason he's still alive.' Sora thought bitterly, mentally cursing whatever power had allowed the destruction of her friend's life. She ignored the downpour of rain that began as she slowly trudged home, unconcerned for her fine, red hair that was pasted delicately onto her cheeks by the oncoming water.
'What is he going to do?' Sora wondered as she unlocked her door quietly, hoping not to disturb her children, 'Little Taichi will be traumatized seeing his father this way. Tai has been this way for weeks!'
The living room Sora walked into was obviously unkempt. Fabric scraps from the clothing Sora created, and drawings of her designs were everywhere, while take-out boxes carpeted the floors. Flowers from her mother's shop also sat slightly wilted in the corner. Yamato's old brown coat was lined with dust, having not been removed from its perch on the hook near the door, despite its owner's absence. Sora approached it cautiously, as if it was capable of reaching out and grabbing her, and gently picked up a corner. She brought it up to her face and breathed in the familiar scent of her husband, which had faded in her memory, bringing back flashes of once happy memories. Smiling sadly, Sora let go, and walked to the couch. She picked her young blonde daughter up, and draped the sleeping child over her arm. Sighing, the mother plucked her older, flame-haired son from the stairs, and walked her little ones to bed.
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Tai sat down on the large rock he had been poking with his toe, and bit his lip as he looked at the falling sun. His silent tears were masked by the sudden rain that fell around him. His wife had loved the sunsets more than anything. Little Taichi and her would go out almost every evening to watch the sun go down, while Tai usually stayed inside, more content to watch the two of them from the window than to peek at the sun through the trees.
"Why did it have to be her?" He cried out to the world that imprisoned him, "Two of the most important people in my life! Yet, you spared my son." Tai looked down. "I should be grateful for that."
"You should."
Tai whirled around, his expression slightly crazed, and his wide eyes searched for the source of the response.
"You can't see me, young bearer of courage," The voice wheezed, "But you know who I am."
"Genai?" Tai asked hopefully? "You always know what to do! Tell me, please!"
Genai chuckled, or his voice did, and said, "I give advice, not orders."
"Then give me some!" Tai pleaded, "What do I do? How do I help my son through this, if I can't handle it myself?"
"Do you remember how you got through problems before? When you were a child?"
"Of course," Tai answered, confused, "My friends were always there to help."
"As they are now, though not in full numbers...."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Tai waited for an answer, but none came.
"Genai!" Tai started to panick, "GENAI?!!!
....Genai..."
He put his head into his hands and sobbed until what seemed like very late at night, before returning home.
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Beep. Bop. Beep. Kari's fingers paused on the last number before hanging up the telephone.
"Should I call him?" She asked the phone vaguely, "He's been such a mess, but I don't want him to think I'm worried."
"Auntie Kari?" A voice inquired cautiously, "Is daddy gonna be alright?"
Kari smiled weakly at her nephew standing in the doorway. He was holding his teddy bear by the arm, and fidgeting.
"Did you dress yourself tonight?" She giggled, commenting on his unevenly buttoned pajamas.
"Yep! I did the buttons aaaall by myself.." Taichi announced proudly, "But Cousin helped with the pants."
"Why don't you show daddy what you can do, when he comes home?" Kari asked, "Right now, though, you should be in bed..."
"Show me what?" A voice interrupted, mockingly annoyed. Tai walked in and shut the door to the sounds of the storm outside.
"DADDY!!!" Taichi screeched, running up and giving his father the biggest hug his tiny body could manage.
" I'm glad you're back, we were getting worried," Kari admitted, allowing herself a little grin for Taichi's antics.
"You're all wet." Little Taichi commented, "Yuck."
"I love you, too." Tai replied sarcastically. "Now, what was it you wanted to show me?"
"These." Little Taichi puffed out his chest importantly, "I did them all by myself."
"Did what?" Tai pretended not to understand, "I know you can't do buttons, that's waaaay over your head, so what are you talking about?"
"They are not," Taichi insisted, repeating, "I did them all by myself. Cousin only helped with my pants."
"Oooh," Tai laughed, "I get it now." Leaning toward Kari as Taichi trotted off toward bed, he asked, "How has 'Cousin' been lately?"
Kari's face turned grim, "She hasn't spoken to me much, since...you know."
Tai nodded, "Is it final then? The divorce, I mean."
"Yeah." Kari's voice faded, along with her focus, and Tai patted her shoulder.
"You'll be all right. It just takes time."
"Time..." Kari repeated, "Ohmygosh! TIME! Look at the time!I have to go!"
"I'll watch the kids," Tai offered, giving her a puzzled look, "But where is it that...?"
"I promised T.K. I'd pick him up at the airport tonight!" Kari told him, as she flew to the door, "He's here to help set up the funeral, remember?"
"Oh." Tai responded hollowly, but Kari was already out the door, "The funeral."
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Please R&R The next part will be up soon. Thanx. =)