Disclaimer - I don't own Digimon.


Guardian Angel
New Levels
by Sapphire Goddess


A blinding light brought my eyes open, and within a moment, it caused them to close. I felt confused: what was this light? Why was it shining on me?

I opened my eyes again, realizing that someone just turned on my bedroom light. Groaning, I sat up and found myself being hovered over by TK and Kari.

What are you guys doing here? I asked, feeling quite grumpy already.

I told you that we're coming here, TK replied, sitting on the edge of my bed. Now get up. It's ten in the morning and you need some breakfast.

Don't you two have lives? I asked, grumbling as I stood and stretched.

I have a spare during this block and TK has Algebra, which he gladly missed to come with me, Kari said, smiling as she explained everything. That was my sister: either looking extremely worried about something that was far beyond her reach or smiling.

You're mother isn't going to be impressed, I said, frowning slightly. Even though I know cutting one class isn't that bad, it's an awful habit to get into. I remembered when Matt and I were in high school and he cut class to hang out with his band. He ended up failing the class because he just couldn't stop skipping. I paused, almost wishing that Matt and I were back in high school. He and I also used to skip classes to make out in the janitor's closet. Those were the days...

Earth to Tai, Kari said, waving a hand in front of my eyes, which caused me to blink and grumble at her.

You two got me up this morning and you're sitting in my room. What about this supposed breakfast I'm supposed to get?

It's coming, it's coming, Kari said, walking towards TK and helping him upon his feet. We'll go make it now. You take a shower.

I caught the towel she threw at me as she left the room, and for a few moments I just stood there, listening to the giggles coming from the kitchen. Sometimes I just liked listening to the sounds around me. There usually wasn't too many due to living alone in my apartment with hardly any visitors except these two and Davis, and they were the only one's who made sound. If I was really sick of the silence, I would take a pot and pan and bang them together loudly for some sort of distraction; no wonder the neighbors thought I was crazy.

The bathroom was in the room next to mine, which is where I headed to. As soon as I shut the door, I began to strip down until I was fully naked and then turned on the water. When I found a temperature suitable, I cleansed myself under the water, briefly thinking about how annoyed I was that I was awakened from my sleep when I just wanted to be alone.

Yet, there was this small - and I mean very small! - part of me that wanted the company. There's always been a part of me that's wanted to be with somebody, and I thought I would spend my entire life with Matt and never be alone. It was our entire high school dream. We began dating in grade ten and it exceeded until six months ago, not too long after I turned twenty-one. Anyway, now that he was gone, I had no one. This lead to that very small part of me that wants company, but only sometimes. Maybe once a year would do.

I suddenly stopped washing myself as something registered. Something happened last night... something weird.

Matt. His name floated into my head and everything that happened last night washed upon me, causing me to drop the bottle of shampoo I was holding. That had to be a dream! He was there though... and he said something... and he looked ever so beautiful.

It had to have been a dream though. I must have dozed off when I crawled into bed. Still, something about it caused a weird tingly sensation to run through me as I picked up the bottle, and I couldn't help but feel edgy about the situation as I began to wash my hair.

After I was thoroughly washed, I fetched myself the towel Kari had given me and dried off. I do believe the last time I took a shower was a week ago. I have to admit: putting on fresh, clean clothes was rather a nice feeling. Now I remember what it was like back when I was younger. It's taken for granted by most, but now I had a new desire of appreciation for clean clothing.

I took myself out of the bathroom and into the kitchen I went where I found Kari and TK sitting at the kitchen table. In front of each, a plate with scrambled eggs sat, and same with my spot. The food looked delicious, and when I sat and ate, I realized it tasted delicious as well. Now I had an appreciation for cooking.

This was the first time in a long time Kari and TK actually came over to cook me something. They did try coming over plenty, but I guess it wasn't always possible for them. Note to self: don't let them in next time. Now they think we've reached a new level. They think that since I let them in yesterday and made me breakfast this morning, that they're making some sort of progress' on me. Like they're going to break me.

It wasn't too long after Kari did the dishes when they left back for school, and I'm sure they were both late for their next class; I'm also sure they were glad about that.

I sat in my armchair and began looking out of my window, watching the people below. There are some that I know almost off by heart. I know what time they walk by my apartment complex, when I don't expect to see them, and which people know each other. It's all very interesting to watch; more interesting than my life.

Some people laugh when I tell them that, which is why I have learned to keep my mouth shut about what I feel, especially after Matt's death. He was the only one who would listen to me. Anyway, most laugh because the people who know me well, know that my friends and I saved the world. Supposedly it is the most exciting thing in the world. It was at the time, but now it seemed so distant of a time. God, that was so long ago that I can hardly remember being close to the others. The only people I really remained close with were Matt, Kari and TK. The others I began drifting away from, especially after Matt's death.

My thoughts returning to Matt's death made me think about last night. It was very peculiar. Why had I dreamt about him?

[Because you never dreamt about me, idiot.]

His playful voice rang through my mind and I could feel my mouth drop in shock. I closed my eyes, breathing deeply and trying to coax myself that it's all my imagination playing a trick on me. Yes, my imagination...

[Oh Taichi. How I've missed your confused mind.]

Stop it! I yelled, placing my hands over my ears. More than anything I wanted his voice to stop, and yet, I yearned to hear it.

[Calm down. I'm not going to hurt you.]

That isn't exactly what I'm worried about, I said, taking my hands away from my ears. It's not like it helped anyway since his voice is in my head.

[What are you worried about?]

Never mind, I said, not having the energy or means to explain to him that I am afraid of being hurt again if he is a ghost around me. Obviously, he's going to leave again one day if he is back, which I also highly doubt. I must be imagining things. Still... I might as well take this opportunity. Why are you here? How are you here? How come I can't see you like yesterday?

[You mean like this?]

I swear he popped out of no where and was suddenly standing in front of me, looking exactly the same as yesterday. He had a small smile on his face while staring at me, his bright blue eyes piercing into me. I knew he could read my thoughts. It's the only explanation for him saying things that I was thinking.

My mouth fell open as he made his way to the couch and laid upon it, looking as graceful as ever. He always had been graceful when he was alive, but now there was a new grace within him, one that caused him to look sophisticated; he is like an angel.

Correction: he is an angel. I already know I'm beginning to feel he's back alive, which may be bad since he did die a number of months ago. I'm staring at him though. It's been so long since I have...

[Taichi, I'm not going to leave you if I don't have to.]

Stop reading my thoughts, I said, approaching the couch cautiously. He was just lying there, staring up at me with those caring eyes. Only, I was almost scared to touch him, as if doing so would either break him like a china doll or cause him to vanish back into heaven where he belonged. Obviously, I did not want that to happen.

[I can't very well stop reading your thoughts. It's not like I choose it - well, that's a lie, but still. Also, I'm not going anywhere any time soon.]

I sat on the edge of the couch, still not entirely convinced that nothing was to happen if I came close to Matt. He continued to stare up at me, smirking slightly. It was like he wanted me to fall right back into his arms, similar to old times. I wanted to, but something held me back.

Matt's dead. He has been for slightly over six months. All of the sudden he is sitting here, on my - or, ours, if you count how it was shared by he and I when he was alive - couch, staring seductively at me. I've been imagining this for the last half of a year, and yet, I was convinced it would never happen; Matt would never come back to me. It's a known fact: people don't come back alive as ghosts (unless you count those old people who are convinced that they hear their dead husbands while on their death beds).

[Tai, one thing I've learned from you is to seize the opportunity when possible. Now you're a hypocrite of your own beliefs?] When saying this, he sulked slightly, looking somewhat upset.

I don't understand. What opportunity? I shouldn't lie; obviously he meant that I shouldn't take for granted him being here after such a long time.

He frowned and looked away, which caused me to frown as well and reach towards him. Just as I was about to touch him, the phone rang, halting my actions. I froze, unsure of my surroundings or what I was should do.

[You better answer that.]

I nodded and went to answer the phone. The ringing bothered me; I guess I don't get enough phone calls to get used to the loud ringing caused by it. I picked it up, immediately giving an aggravated greeting. I clearly wanted the caller to know I did not want to speak to anyone.

Is Ryou there?

You have a wrong number, I said coldly, wanting to hang up and hurry back to Matt.

No! He gave me this number at a party last night! Stop lying and put him on the phone!

I hung up on the woman. Was she that stupid? Obviously this guy gave her a wrong number because he found her as annoying as I do.

When I turned around, I frowned. He was gone. Vanished. Was it something I did? Anxiety began to fill my mind and body, causing me to feel somewhat dizzy and unable to breathe. I sat on the couch and began pleading with my mind for him to come back. But he wasn't answering...

More than anything I wanted him to. I wanted to see him laying on this couch next to me.

I whispered, please come back.

He still didn't answer.


End of Chapter 2


I don't think this chapter was that great, but I still have ideas to bring this story forward.