Gggrrrrrrr… My browser's being difficult

Gggrrrrrrr… My browser's being difficult. I should've had this chapter up a while ago. But, anyway, how's everybody doing? Just to let you know, this fic is almost finished!! *jumps up and down with joy* Yep!! After this, there should only be one more chapter, and then an epilogue. After that, don't expect to hear from me for a while, because I like to have the whole thing written on paper before I even get near the computer.

Davis: *whimpers* I'll miss you.

Me: Cut that crap. I know perfectly well that the only reason you haven't left yet is because I keep you tied up in my closet!! *turns red, giggles nervously* Whoops! Did I just say that out loud? … Maybe it's time you did the disclaimer, Davis.

Davis: She doesn't own Digimon, or any of it's related trademarks. *adds in stage whisper* And send help!!

Me: What was that?

Davis: Nothing…

The Difference

Chapter 7

"You don't have to drive me there, Matt," Mimi complained. "I do have my own car, you know."

"Oh, well. Too late. We're almost there," Matt replied. "Besides, what if you got pulled over, again? At least I don't have a criminal record."

"You…!" she cried, barely resisting the urge to smack him up the side of his head with her designer purse.

"Careful! Don't be showing off the loot!" he teased, indicating the purse.

Mimi calmed down. "Oh, come on, Matt. It's not like I stole it. Shopping in anti-digidestined stores shouldn't be illegal; you know that. But you want to know what's really criminal?" she asked, a twinkle in her eye. "The price I had to pay for this thing!" Laughing, she held up her new purse again.

"Look," Matt changed the subject abruptly, a new seriousness in his voice. "There it is." Tokyo Tower loomed in front of them, casting foreboding shadows in the late afternoon sunlight. Looking at Mimi out of the corner of his eye, he asked, "You ready for this?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," came the reply, as she stepped out of the car.

"It's not too late to forget it, y'know. We don't have to be there."

Mimi turned to face him. "Matt, if I didn't know better, I'd say you were scared." He was about to reply, when she continued. "You have every right to be. God knows, I'm absolutely terrified."

Looking at her face in the reddish light of sunset, Matt thought it did, indeed, look a few shades paler, but maybe it was just the light. Even if she was the "Pink Princess", red had never been her colour. "Mimi…" he started to say.

She shook her head. "Don't say anything, Matt. I don't want to here it. Just promise me one thing. Promise me you won't do anything stupid," she paused for a moment, mentally debating whether or not to continue. "Promise me I won't lose you like Kari lost Davis."

Matt was shocked for a second, but then he answered, "I promise, Mimi." Then, in a different tone, "The sun's going to have set, soon. You ready to go?" he held out his arm.

She accepted, saying, "I'm ready… I think."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The sun was just beginning to set in a crimson ball, the same shade as the solitary girl's eyes. Sora brushed the hair from her face and continued walking. She really needed to hurry if she wanted to make it on time.

"Sora."

It was one word, spoken in barely a whisper, but it made her jump. She spun around, looking blindly in every direction. There was nothing but shadows in the alleyway, still, she continued to watch. She knew what she had heard. There was know mistaking that voice…

Out of the shadows of the alley came a figure with dark, unruly hair. Tai.

Before another word could be uttered, Sora had pulled out her gun, and aimed it at his head. "Don't move, Tai. I will shoot," she said softly, hardly daring to look at him, lest she lose her nerve.

He just stood there. "Go ahead, Sora."

That statement surprised her. Was Tai actually going to stand there and let himself be shot? Had he changed so much that he wasn't even willing to negotiate for his life? Was he really even her Tai, anymore, as she had thought? "Wha…" she faltered. Had Kari been more right about him than anyone else had realized?

"I said 'go ahead'," he repeated, taking a single step closer. "I mean it. I've lost you, and my own sister hates me, with good reason. All I have left to live for is this dream."

"But it's wrong!" she cried, readying herself to shoot once more.

Tai didn't move. "You think so?" he seemed genuinely surprised. "Then go ahead. Shoot me, Sora. I won't stop you."

Sora prepared to shoot, but her hands shook. Staring at his face, she knew she couldn't do it. They had shared too much. No matter what Kari, or anyone else said; no matter what he did, she couldn't let go. She was torn between what her head knew, and what her heart wanted. In the end, she knew which would win. She was the holder of the crest of love, after all. Slowly, she lowered the gun, ashamed with herself for being so weak. Her knees turned to jelly, as she sank to the pavement sobbing.

Then she felt a hand on her shoulder. Looking up through tear-filled eyes, Sora saw Tai staring down at her. "Come with me," he pleaded softly.

She shook her head. "I can't. I'm so sorry, Tai," was her answer.

"You're not the only one," he spoke softly as he walked past her into the coming twilight.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Well, that's it. Sorry. It was either have a short, fluffy chapter where nothing happens, or have an extra-long chapter, and the fic would be over. There just isn't a good stopping place after this.

Davis: *sniff* That's the saddest s-story I-I've ever heard! *sniff*

Me: *hands Davis a tissue* There, there. Don't cry. It'll all be okay. Or will it…? Mwah-hah-ha-hah-ha!!!!

Davis: That is NOT helping to make me feel any better!!!

Narrator voice: Next, in the final chapter of The Difference, Chapter 8: The Power of One. The end time is growing nearer. Can the digidestined save this world from their former leader? Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is understand.

Thought I'd give ya a little preview to tide you over.

Questions? Comments? Email me at kitcat_46@hotmail.com. Me like mail!!! (Hint, hint ^_-) Toodles!!