Tuesday, December 24th

            "This place is packed," TK yelled over the din in the mall as he, Kari, Davis, Ken and Yolei made their way from store to store, picking up all of their last minute presents for family and loved ones.  The annual Christmas party that the digidestined all went to was the next night, so now was the last chance that the four had to get presents.

            "It is only four days until Christmas," Ken yelled back.  TK sighed and pointed to a small enclosure between some of the shops.  The four moved into it and out of the crowd and noise.

            "Alright, lets split up," TK suggested.  "We can meet at the food court in an hour.  Is that enough time?"  Kari, Davis, Yolei and Ken nodded.  "Then let's get going."  The five went their separate ways, on the look out for the perfect present.  TK waited until Kari was out of sight and went over to a jewelry store.  As he walked in, the clerk looked up from the counter and smiled.

            "Ah, Mr. Takeshi," she greeted.  "Welcome back.  It came in last night, so if you'll just wait a moment I'll run back and get it."

            "Take your time," TK assured her.  "This is actually the last thing."

            "An early shopper?" she giggled.

            "Just a smart one," he grinned back.  She gave him a dazzling smile and went into the back room, only to emerge a moment later with a small box.

            "The records say it's all paid for, so you're free to go.  Merry Christmas!"

            "Same to you!" TK called back as he left the store and headed for the food court.  He managed to find an open table and sat down, pulling out his D-terminal to check his emails while he waited.  They were mostly junk but there was one from Catharine.  TK frowned as he opened it, and his frown increased as he read the contents.

            "You look like someone just ran over your cat," a voice from behind him joked.  TK whirled to see Tai, Matt and Sora standing behind him.

            "What are you guys doing here?" TK asked as he rose to hug his brother and soon to be sister.

            "Probably the same thing you are," Matt replied as he gave TK a loving squeeze.  "Christmas party is tomorrow."

            "Plus, I had to get him out of the house to stop obsessing over the leak," Sora commented as she wrapped an arm around Matt's waist.  Matt had the courtesy to look embarrassed.

            "Any ideas yet?" TK asked as he sat down and gestured for the others to join him.

            "A few, but none that I can prove," Matt admitted.  "I checked with all of the other guys, but they haven't told a soul.  Obviously, you guys are out, Sora sure as hell wouldn't tell anyone, so I'm kind of out of ideas."

            "What about Crodful?" TK asked.

            "Our manager?  Yeah, I thought of that too, but I just can't think of why he would want to publicize the news that I was taken.  I mean, he was really big on the idea that I keep Sora out of the limelight, so that fans would still think I was single."  TK absently nodded.

            "What is it?" Sora asked.

            "I'm not sure, I just didn't get a very good feeling from him at the concert.  He was very pissed at you for ignoring all the hard work he put into launching your career."

            "Our career was off and running before he had ever heard of us," Matt countered.

            "I know, but his opinion was that you guys were going to be a one-hit wonder until he grabbed hold of you and got you to stardom."

            "He got assigned to us from the record company," Matt countered.

            "I know, but he's twisting things to try and make himself the only reason you guys are still afloat, and he saw your blowing him off at the concert as an affront to all he thinks he's done for you.  He might have leaked the story in revenge, maybe to try and get you guys back to the studio early."

            "Were you reading him, that night?" Sora asked.  TK nodded.

            "I didn't trust him, but there was nothing really hostile, so I didn't worry about it at the time."

            "Maybe we should look into it," Tai commented.  "TK's never been wrong before."

            "No he hasn't and what are you doing here?" Kari asked as she walked up.  TK stood and gave her a kiss and Tai gave her a hug as she sat down.

            "We're just throwing around ideas about how the news of our engagement got out," Sora explained.

            "I have to admit, I was surprised when I heard that news report," Kari replied.  "You have an idea, Love?" she asked TK.

            "He thinks that our manager might have done it," Matt answered.

            "Maybe," Kari agreed.  "I was picking up some strange feelings from him that night."

            "It would be so much easier if our siblings weren't empathic," Matt sighed to Tai, who nodded.

            "It would be easier if our brothers didn't think they were funny," Kari sighed to TK, who nodded.  Sora finally couldn't hold her laughter back anymore.  Tai scowled at her and then Kari who sat smiling sweetly.

            "Hey, TK, what were you reading earlier?  You didn't look too happy reading it," Matt asked, changing the subject.  TK grimaced as Kari's ears perked up.

            "What's wrong?" she asked.  TK stayed silent for a moment and when he answered, his words were measured and thoughtful.

            "Nothing for certain.  I got an email from Catharine of the French digidestined.  Her team was patrolling an area of the digital world and found something.  They sent me an email about it, but I'm not sure what it is.  I might head into the digital world in a few days to take a look at it."

            "And why did she send the email to you?" Tai asked, raising an eyebrow suggestively.

            "Because she trusts the original Chosen to watch over the digital world, and you and I are the only ones she knows.  She thinks you're a pervert."  Tai sputtered indignantly as Matt, Sora and Kari laughed.

            "Those are the sounds of Christmas, laughter with friends and loved ones!" Yolei called as she, Ken and Davis walked up to the table.

            "What are you three doing here?" Ken asked, his arm firmly around Yolei's waist.

            "Christmas shopping," Sora replied, giving Yolei a quick hug.  "We happened to see TK over here and Kari joined us a few minutes later."

            "So is everyone finished?" Davis asked.  He smiled after getting confirming nods from everyone.  "This is going to be a great Christmas!"  TK and Sora's faces suddenly broke into matching grins.