Hey everyone. Sorry to have taken so long with this. I did have it started a long time ago, but then I kinda lost inspiration. I think I may have regained the inspiration now, so I'm gonna do the best I can with following chapters, hopefully there won't be such a gap between posts now!! And thank you to all those who are so infinitely patient out there, your reviews have meant so much to me. Thank you especially to jane and sweet_sorato, it was you guyz who convinced me to take this up again, so everyone, it's their doing!! (Blame them! :P ) Thank you all, though, for being so supportive. I hope there is more good stuff waiting to be written - we'll see! This chapter,as I said, gave me a bit of grief, but I'm ready to make a go of it again. It could have been a little longer, but I got to where I wanted to with this one. The next chapter will probably be Frenzy and TK's close encounter….(Promise!) :p Please review. I know I'm insufferable, but my readers make all the work worth it!! hugs

Disclaimer: Would I lie? No! I don't own Digimon, please, take it all very lightly. It is mere jest, I swear. :p

Chapter 5: Ice, Fire, Storm

Sora felt stiff when she was awakened the following morning by the beeping of her watch alarm – it was all she could do to get out of bed. She got a shock when she realised there was someone sleeping beside her, but then in a rush, the memory of the previous night flooded back.

A strange mixture of excitement and fear filtered through her as she let her eyes linger on Matt. The blonde was still asleep; his lips parted slightly, his forehead creased in a little frown as though he was having an unpleasant dream.

Quietly, Sora left the bedroom and began to get ready for her early morning lecture. As she poured coffee and put some bread in the toaster, she couldn't help thinking that maybe, she shouldn't have let Matt know her feelings so soon. At the time, it had seemed the only thing to do, but now she felt strangely nervous. She didn't know whether she could bear to have her heart and hope shattered again – and how far could she trust Matt? And did he feel the same way about her? He had kissed her after all, but an annoying niggle in the back of her head kept reminding her that Matt had plenty of experience with women, from what he had said, and that he probably wasn't used to any kind of commitment. How committed could one be when one was in a world-famous band, touring all over the place and followed everywhere by adoring fans?

There were too many questions, too many doubts. Then she realised that she hadn't even asked him how had come to be injured in the first place. Now that she thought about it, the cuts on his throat had looked bizarrely like teeth marks…

Sora shook her head, and busied herself with her breakfast. Matt was still asleep when she was ready to leave. She didn't want to wake him – he looked different when he was asleep, the carefully schooled look of cool indifference was no longer there and he seemed somehow younger and more vulnerable. As an afterthought, Sora scribbled a quick note to him and left it on the bedside table before leaving quietly, shutting the door behind her.

Matt,

gone to lecture – done at 10.30. Feel free to raid the cupboards – if you can find any food, you're welcome to it. See you later.

~ Sora x

P.S. Shirt's in the dryer!

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The clock on Sora's table read 11.00 when Matt finally opened his eyes. He groaned, massaging his neck gingerly, but the ache was only slight. His eyes fell next upon the note. A small smile crept onto his face. He could do with something to eat…

He was surprised to see that Sora was still out. He supposed her lecture must have run over, or she'd gone out for lunch or something. He couldn't quite believe what had happened last night. The last thing he'd expected was to hear Sora telling him that she loved him – and had done for two years. "Full of surprises," he muttered as he began to search the cupboards.

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"Heya TK," Kari said casually as they met at their lockers before lunch. "You still coming over later?"

"If that's good with you," TK responded, trying to force his already overflowing locker to swallow his maths books. He squashed them in as hard as he could then whipped his hand away and slammed the locker closed before anything could topple out.

"You know that's just all gonna pour out the next time you open it," Kari said in a knowing way, her hands on her hips.

"It's a skill I've developed over the years," TK retorted. "I can handle it."

Kari giggled. "Oh whatever. I suppose I should be glad you've developed something, even if it is how to fill your locker 'til its ready to explode!"

"Hey!" TK exclaimed indignantly, as she sauntered out of the locker room. "I resent that! And it wouldn't explode…"

He realised with a jolt of annoyance as he turned to follow her that he had forgotten to take his lunch out, and opened his locker again, calling for Kari to wait for him.

This distraction proved to be his downfall. As he opened the door, a landslide of books, stationary, Sports kit and his lunch greeted him and made a series of noticeable thumps s they fell to the floor.

"What was that, TK?" Kari said sweetly as she poked her head into the locker room once more. "Were you calling me? I couldn't quite hear over the noise all that stuff made falling out of your locker…"

"Just hush." TK glowered, throwing his maths textbook at her.

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

"Sora? It's Tai."

"I know that, stupid," Sora replied, a grin on her face as she shifted her cellphone closer to her ear.

"Oh. I guess you do."

"Well?" Sora prompted her friend.

"Wanna meet us for lunch?"

"Us?" Sora prompted again.

"Yeah. Me, Izzy, Joe. And someone else who can't wait to see you."

"Who's that then?" Sora said, her forehead creased in puzzlement as she opened the glass doors out of college by backing into them and slipping out – less than gracefully- before they crushed her.

"Well, that would spoil the surprise," Tai replied mischievously, and Sora guessed he was enjoying keeping her in suspense.

"You are so evil Taichi." She stated, rolling her eyes. "Where are you guys then?"

"Pizza Palace," Tai told her. "Meet us in ten minutes?"

"Sure. See ya then!"

"Bye Sor'."

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Frenzy looked out from her darkened hideout at the sun shining brightly and scowled. How could she conduct her plan if the damn-blasted sunshine insisted on blazing down? She simply couldn't work in such conditions. She pouted, fondly remembering her home-realm where everything was blessed darkness and light had no place. Well, if things went right she would soon be back. But first, she had to eliminate the problem of the sun. A quick weather spell would suffice. She needed sufficient power first though, and to gain power, she needed some mortal dross to drain. Barking instructions at her hovering attendants, ordering them to bring her victims, she rubbed her hands together in gleeful delight. She loved being in control…

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

"MIMI!" Sora exclaimed, filled with a sudden rush of excitement as she saw her friend get up from the table where she had been seated with Tai and the others and run to greet her. They met in a clumsy elated embrace, spinning around and both laughing.

"Mimi, I can't believe you're here!"

"I know, I know, neither can I," her friend laughed delightedly. "I just got off for summer and the next thing I knew I was jumping on a plane. I just couldn't wait to see you all."

"I'm so glad! There's so much to tell you!"

"Sora, Mimi, what do you want to eat?" Tai said impatiently from the table, but it was mock-impatience. He had a big grin on his face and it was clear he had enjoyed Sora's moment of surprise as much as the others had.

"The usual," Sora grinned at the waitress. Lara knew them all pretty well now; the Pizza Palace had been their hang-out for some time.

"Now we're just waiting for TK and Kari," Tai said. "But I guess they won't mind if we start."

At the mention of TK, Sora suddenly had an idea. It was one of those quick-strike ideas that you don't even think about, and you don't consider the consequences. If she had thought about it, perhaps she would've realised it wasn't a very good idea. But she didn't. And that was how she ended up calling Matt on his cellphone, having given the others the excuse that she was going to the bathroom.

Huddled in a cubicle, she hastily dialled the number and waited impatiently for him to pick up, hoping he wouldn't be occupied with band-stuff, but sure enough, he answerered.

"Hi, Matt? It's Sora. Listen, I've just finished college. Wanna come down to the pizza place and grab a bit of lunch? OK, cool. See you in a few minutes then. Yeah, OK, yeah. Bye!"

Feeling pleased with herself, Sora pushed open the bathroom door and sauntered back over to the table, then settled down next to Mimi and started plaguing her with questions. It had been a long time. She felt excitement bubbling within her chest. This was perfect! The old gang would be united again, and she would have brought them together; it was just what everyone needed. TK would be so happy, and the others so surprised. She was sure that Matt, secretly, would be thrilled. He needed his own friends back around him again, and this was the ideal opportunity. She looked up and smiled as TK and Kari arrived, exclaiming excitedly over Mimi's appearance, before pulling up two more chairs and eagerly joining in the conversation. Sora nursed her secret gleefully and watched the door.

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

Matt scowled as he heard a roll of thunder. Great. He waited for the following shower of raindrops, and sure enough, they obliged. Within moments, he was soaked. It was one of those times where you can laugh, or scream with frustration. Matt did neither. He merely shoved his hands in his pockets and walked stolidly on; his eyes fixed on the ground as he hurried down the street towards Pizza Palace. He felt strangely nervous about seeing Sora again, especially after what happened the previous night. Now that he was fully in possession of his wits, he was beginning to feel a little trapped. He had been so long on his own, playing his own game, doing whatever he wanted to do, and now he couldn't help but be wary. He didn't know if he wanted Sora to be involved. It was too complicated. He would hate for her, or any of his friends, to be dragged down, as he feared they would if they were around him. He owed them that much at least. That was why he'd cut himself off, after all, wasn't it? To protect them? Or was it just being selfish…That little voice of self-doubt niggled at the back of his mind, just as it always had.

He sighed, pushed it away. He'd have to talk to Sora. Really talk to her properly; try to make her understand.

That was the problem though, he was so bad at conveying his meaning. He just seemed to make everyone angry, or upset, or disappointed. Maybe he shouldn't say anything. Before he knew it, he was at Pizza Palace. He cursed the rain inwardly once more. He must look a state. Well, Sora had seen him look worse, after all…

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

TK felt a sudden jolt pass through him as he looked up. His throat seemed to seize up entirely. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the young man who had just pushed open the door. "Matt?" He managed to squeak, finally, inaudibly.

Sure, his blonde hair hung in his face, dripping and darkened from the rain; he was taller, thinner perhaps; his expression was harder, colder; there were dark circles beneath those blue eyes, but it was undoubtedly Matt. His brother had come back.

He heard Kari questioning him, asking him what was wrong.

"TK? You've gone as white as anything! Are you OK?"

TK didn't answer. Matt had just looked up. Was staring at him, horrified. TK didn't know what to feel when he saw his own brother looking at him as though Matt had just been presented with the worst possible thing that could have happened.

The next thing he knew, Tai had pushed his chair back with a loud scraping noise. He was standing up, looking as shocked as TK felt. But suddenly that shock was replaced with a look TK knew to be absolute fury. He hadn't seen Tai furious very often, but when Tai was angry, he did it properly.

He tore his gaze away from Matt's, avoiding the others' searching looks, feeling like a hunted animal. He didn't know what to do. This was all wrong. It wasn't supposed to be like this!

Sora was standing too, she was motioning for Matt to come over, but now anger had come over his features as well, and it seemed to be directed at Sora. TK didn't understand. The air seemed almost electric. He realised Kari had a tight hold of his hand.

"What…What are you DOING here?" Tai suddenly spluttered, as though words had just occurred to him.

Matt looked like a caged animal, a wild thing, a wolf that knew it was cornered and was preparing to fight. His gaze flicked from Sora, to Tai, and back again. It was as if TK and the others no longer existed.

Joe, Izzy and Mimi didn't say anything. They sat, dumbstruck in their seats and watched hopelessly as Tai moved out from behind the table. Matt's eyes were cold now; they held none of the shock and alarm that they had previously. He stood calmly, his shoulders back, but something in his stance suggested he was prepared for some immense struggle.

The other customers were almost silent now, watching the scene, as though it were a movie. TK felt a little like that too, as if the events were playing out without him having any control. Suddenly, he felt himself standing up.
"Why are you here?" He said, his voice small and unrecognisable as his own. The tension in the room seemed momentarily broken, but still, absolute silence reigned.

"Why didn't you answer my calls? Why didn't you ever talk to me?" He felt as though he was going to fall apart, his whole being seemed to ache with pent-up anger and sorrow.

"How hard could it have been to call me, just once, even? Just one bloody call?! I'm your brother for pity's sake. Didn't you think I'd wonder where you were, worry about you? Did you think I'd just forgotten?!"

Matt didn't say anything, but a look of complete misery snatched hold of his face for an instant. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then suddenly, Tai's fist flew at him and caught him square on the jaw. Matt was propelled backwards by the strength of the blow, crashing into the doors of the restaurant with quite shocking force. Tai stood trembling, his whole body tensed up, as Matt slid to the floor, stunned, one hand reflexively brought up to his mouth.

"Tai!" Sora's voice was shrill; she sounded as horrified as TK felt. She leapt up, grabbing Tai's arms as if to prevent him attacking Matt a second time, pulling him backwards. Tai was pushing her, telling her to let go, to get out of the way. TK couldn't look at Matt, couldn't breathe. Sora was almost wrestling with Tai now, staff were emerging from the kitchen, people were murmuring, lightning flashed.

The thunder rolled outside.

"How could you do this?" Matt suddenly exclaimed, his voice raw with anger as he staggered to his feet, a thin rivulet of blood cutting a channel down his chin from a split lip.

"How could you, Sora? I trusted you, but now…Now I just see I can't trust anyone any more. I should never have come back. How could…How could I have been so fucking stupid?"

He whirled around, his voice sounding choked, but with anger or tears, TK couldn't tell. In another split second, he was gone, out of the door, into the storm. TK felt a great wail of anguish building up within him.

"NO! Matt, WAIT!" The words tore from his throat. He dashed to the door; almost falling over his chair, turning it over, snatching at the door before it swung back. He looked dazedly at his fingers closed around the handle, for a second he seemed detached from what was happening. His brother had been here, just a moment ago, and now, now, he was gone again. And he mightn't ever get another chance to tell him everything he had wanted to say, ever since Matt had left.

"Wait!" He called out hopelessly again, into the rain, a powerless scream.

Impulsively, he took off, his feet pounding the sidewalk, ignoring Tai's shouts, only knowing he had to find Matt before he lost him again…

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Sora let her arms fall slowly back to her sides, she was shaking so violently that she could hardly stand up. Tai reached out to her, but she shied away, and staggered back a few paces, breathing hard, her cheeks flushed and her eyes shining with tears. Kari stood up slowly, her gaze sweeping the room. She went up to Sora and put her arm around her, glanced at her brother, whose brown eyes were downcast and impossible to read. The chatter began to build up around them; people started to turn away, as though nothing momentous had occurred. The Digi-Destined looked at each other, too confused and emotion-filled to voice anything.

"Hey," the group heard one girl speak up as she conversed with two friends.

"Wasn't that the guy from that rock group, the Teenage Wolves?"

next installment is being planned….(ominous drumroll!) Read and Review please. Thank you!!!

~ Jaded_Angel