Disclaimer: Besides the fic itself, nothing else is mine…etc, etc, etc

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            She stared into his cerulean blue eyes which sparkled with unshed tears, trying to memorize his face to every last freckle, forever engraving it in her mind. The others had left them alone, retreating to the central waiting area, understanding their need for privacy. A small sob burst from her chest and she threw herself at him, pressing her face to his chest. He wrapped his strong arms around her and buried his face in her hair, inhaling the scent of her shampoo, never wanting to forget. "Why do you have to go?" she whispered even though she knew the answer.

            TK looked at her and tried to grin, but this time it was an expression of regret and sorrow. "I'm sorry Hikari-chan. You know I don't want to leave you, but well…" His voice trailed off as he shrugged.

            She lowered her head guiltily. Yes, she had already known that TK's mom had gotten job in New York so he had to leave. But she had asked anyway, secretly hoping that TK would change his mind at the last moment and choose to stay with her instead.

            TK smiled woefully, knowing exactly what she was thinking and wishing that there was some way he could stay too. He tilted her head up with a finger, gently cupped her cheek with his hand and kissed her lips, savoring the scent of her, the taste of her. Kari's large beautiful eyes brimmed over and tears spilled down her cheeks like a waterfall of sparkling diamonds. TK finally pulled away from her as a flight attendant announced the departure of his plane.

"I promise I'll write and call," said both of them at the same time. They smiled at each other and laughed but their laughter soon died on their lips. Kari gave TK one final passionate kiss. "I love you Takeru…"

He kissed her back just as passionately. "I love you too, Hikari."

With their proclamation of love still hanging in the air, TK walked towards the terminal gate. As he was about to board the plane, he looked back and saw Kari still standing there with tears rolling down her face. "Will you wait for me?" he asked.

"I'll wait for you forever," she promised.

TK smiled and gave a final wave, "Then, til we meet again."

~*~*~

            As she watched TK disappear into the darkness of the tunnel, Kari felt a feeling of emptiness grow in her heart, threatening to consume her from the inside. She turned to stare out of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows nearby, watching TK's plane pull away from the terminal, slowly make its way to the runaway and at last, take off. She had no idea how long she stood there, staring at the empty space where his plane used to be until she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Hey," said Tai kindly, "we were getting worried about you."

            Kari was surprised at how much time had passed. Now the afternoon sun no longer shown through the glass panes. Instead, the deep blue ocean of stars was just about to overwhelm the last vestiges of day in a clash of brilliant hues of blue, red, purple and oranges. In the distant sky, a gleaming star twinkled once and then disappeared into a sea of darkness.

            Casting a last forlorn look behind her, Kari turned away from the airport window and walked with her brother to where the others were waiting. A somber, melancholy mood settled over all the Digidestined as they walked to where Sora's dad was waiting with the car. Not even Davis made any wise cracks about TK's departure because all of them felt too keenly to a degree of what Kari was feeling. As she climbed into the mini-van, she cast one last thought out into the endless sky. Til we meet again.