Matt gave off a yawn as he plucked the strings on his guitar. It was the most annoying part of being in a band, he believed, tuning his instrument. He disliked it in that it always seemed to take so long. Despite his talent and worldwide fame, he lacked the ability to tell the subtle differences between notes, and of course it made such an activity immensely frustrating.
"It sounds alright to me," came a female voice from across the small practice room. Matt looked up to see his girlfriend, Katie, watching him with a keen eye.
"I hope it is. The sooner it's done, the sooner I can have a beer," he replied with a grin. She mirrored it.
Katie was a pretty girl, having bright green eyes and pony-tailed brown hair which reached down to her shoulders. She was a little shorter than Matt, though taller than many women, and carried around an air of confidence which made many men feel attracted to her. She was a member of the band's support team, and helped to set up before performances. When he met her about a year ago, Matt had been involved in putting up some lighting (for they had been, at the time, drastically undermanned), and had come into contact with her literally when he had tripped and landed on her. The result had left them both in an embarrassing position on the floor, but Matt, cool as ever, managed to brush it off, AND get a date with her in the process.
God knows how he did it.
"There's a six pack in the fridge."
"Well screw this then!" he exclaimed, putting down the instrument and standing from his chair. Katie laughed, before leading the way out of the practice room and into the hallway of the tour bus. It was, as tour busses go, quite large in comparison to other makes. This one had been refitted to provide storage space for the band's equipment and somewhere to practice, whilst another of the same basic design had been used for the band to travel in. This was their destination, and could be seen across the compound as the two descended the steps and out of the door.
The arrived at the 'living quarters' bus, hopping up the steps to the main corridor, leading down the middle of the vehicle like a spine. Matt dropped into a breakfast bar built in a horseshoe shape on one side, whilst Katie reached into the nearby fridge and pulled out two cans of beer. She walked over to her boyfriend, handed one to him, before dropping down next to him. She reached for a small remote on the breakfast table and switched the small TV across the aisle on.
Matt took a gulp of his alcohol whilst putting an arm around Katie, who leaned against him in response.
"Do you know if anything good's on?" he asked.
"Nope. Probably not though, you know how American daytime TV is."
"Boring?"
"Exactly."
They skimmed through the cannels, eventually settling upon a news show which had just begun. Matt, being Japanese, found the American media to be an endless form of entertainment. News broadcasts were so often cheesy and biased nowadays, that he couldn't help but laugh at them.
But it wasn't just America though, oh no. Most countries had something uniquely weird. He'd witnessed many in his time on tour, and one of his personal favourites besides the American media was the British. The 'Sun' newspaper was a true classic- forgoing important stories in favour of ones which were just plain odd. Like the latest version of plastic surgery rather than an attack on an old-age pensioner, for example, wonderfully displaying their priorities.
It was such a strange world.
It had been a while since he had watched the news, and he intended to enjoy it. With beer in one hand and his girlfriend beside him, he was ready.
"And now we continue with the story of the moment! Mr. Kamiya was reunited with his sister today, after over six years of isolation! We go live now to our reporter outside Odaiba Coastal Hospital in Japan..."
Thus, the first word Matt had was the media's version of Taichi's return. Within fifteen minutes, he was frantically dialling the number of Izzy and Mimi.
He was not going to forget his friend this time.
----------
The day seemed to drag along abnormally slowly for all involved. For Taichi, endless tests lay before him to test his health and whether or not he had become infected by something or other. For the four companions who were waiting for him to be released, it was simply a stressful experience. Waiting in a hospital is not something which anyone enjoys.
Kari, in particular, was becoming increasingly distressed and frustrated. Why wouldn't they let her see him? No one appeared to know. Though she herself knew that he was in no condition to be reunited with with them just yet, for someone in her position something like that just didn't register.
She looked around the corridor where they had all been placed for perhaps the tenth time in the last half hour. Sterile white walls met her gaze, leading off into the distance to either size of them. It was so false, so unreal, so... plain. It seemed that the only break from it came from the black plastic chairs they had been pointed to hours ago, fixed along the walls. Nurses and doctors would walk past occasionally, but would spare them no more than a passing glance. They had seen people such as them many a time.
But it was not that she was here that annoyed her. It was that this was the first building in which her brother had been for many years. She did not want him to get the impression that all buildings were like this one, that they all held the smell of antiseptic and everyday saw the passing on of people to whatever came next, leaving behind weeping relatives. Making them lonely.
No, she did not want Tai feeling lonely like them. Not again, not ever again.
But then, judging by how the other Digidestined had reacted to hearing about the castaway, that was unlikely to ever be a problem. Besides, she wouldn't allow them to forget him.
Kari knew that it was evening- she couldn't see it, but she could feel it in the air, could see it in the way Davis was sprawled over his chair, and how Sora was slumping forwards as they sat across the corridor from them. It was a good sign, she thought. He was supposed to be released before the day was out. Not too long to go then, hopefully... And then, at last, she would be able to see and speak to him for the first time in what seemed like centuries.
"What are you going to say to him first?" a quite voice came from beside her. She looked at Takeru, whose head was resting against the white corridor wall, as if in deep thought.
"I'm... not really sure," she replied after a moment. "Welcome home, I guess."
TK looked down at her, a small smile touching his lips.
"Is that all?"
"I don't know. What can you say? Just thinking about it, it all sounds so... inappropriate."
"I know. I've been asking myself what I want to say, but I just can't think of anything that seems right."
"What have you thought of?"
"Well... 'Sorry', I suppose. Or, 'it's good to see you again'. Heh, it's so hard."
"Doncha worry. You'll think of something," a new voice said. Kari looked across the corridor to see Davis watching her and her husband. It appeared to be one of those rare moments where he actually offered some (fairly) good advice, and it was best to be quiet when it happened, lest one not come for a long, long time. Everyone deserved a moment in the sun, after all.
"Whenever something like this happens," he continued, "I think it's best to say whatever hits you at the time. If you think about it too much, then it's as if you've been rehearsing it, and then you ain't talkin' from the heart.
"Trust me, when we go into his room to see him, he'll grin just like he used to, and give you a great big hug or something. You'll know just what to say then," he finished with a smile.
Kari smiled back at him and leaned her head on TK's shoulder. She didn't see the worried and almost frightened look on Sora's face as the older woman stared at her lap.
"Excuse me?"
Kari rolled her eyes upwards to see who had spoke, revealing a man in a white coat looking at TK.
"Yes?" her husband answered.
"You are the family of Mr. Taichi Kamiya, aren't you?"
They all tensed up,
"Yes, we are all family and close friends. What's up? Is he alright?"
"He's fine, mostly," the man replied. He was a middle-aged doctor, quite tall and with jet-black hair which would soon begin to grey. His eyes were hidden behind a pair of thin-framed glasses, which made it difficult to read his expression. "Physically, he appears to be in very good condition, all things considered. His immune system must have developed somewhat, because we found no trace of an infection. However, he has received a number of wounds, though he won't say where from. Had we been able to treat him when they were fresh, then we could have helped them heal cleanly, but with him being stranded they have mostly left scars, which he will carry for the rest of his life.
"He is relatively fit, even if quite skinny. A healthy diet will soon solve that though. Most teeth have rotted to a degree, so we have booked an appointment with your dentist Mrs. Takaishi," he said with a glance in Kari's direction, "to get some cleaned and some replaced.
"Mentally, on the other hand, he is... well, withdrawn is the best word for it, I think. He also appears frightened of needles, and was trying to keep away from them. We asked him why, but like with the scars, he would not say. I understand that he is to be staying with you, Mr. Takaishi? It would be wise, I think, to keep him away from sharp objects.
"But surely, you want to see him for yourselves?"
There was a collective nod, and the doctor smiled.
"Very well then. Please, come with me."
He took them down the corridor, twisting off at the end of it, and seemingly taking passages at random. It had never really occurred to Kari quite how big hospitals were, but then that wasn't really a priority right now.
Suddenly, the doctor stopped at they came to a door.
"I suggest that just one should meet him first, to keep him calm."
Immediately, though with an ill feeling in her stomach, Kari volunteered for the job.
"Very well. Go on in, we'll be waiting."
Slowly, Kari pushed open the white door. The sight beyond almost made her choke on her breath in wonder.
There he stood, proud and tall as had always been his way in the Digital World. He was facing away from her, silhouetted by the setting sun outside the widow, which opened to the breathtaking view of the city and sea bathed in a golden light. His hands were clasped behind his back, and she could make out the bandage (though a fresh one) still present upon his right hand and arm. He seemed not to notice her, instead concentrating upon the giant burning ball of gas as it descended below the horizon, out over the ocean.
"Tai...?" she whispered.
Slowly, he turned to fix his eyes upon her. He seemed so much taller than when she had last seen him, so much more intimidating, but upon seeing her, his face instantly softened as recognition flowed into his mind.
"Kari," he said simply.
In less than a moment, she had leapt across the room and into his arms, crying tears of joy into his chest. Gently, he held her as he had when they were little, a warm smile playing upon his face.
He hadn't felt so content in years. He completely ignored the three other Digidestined as they entered the room, oblivious to the smiles they gave the scene of the reunited brother and sister.
However, when he did notice them, not even his little sister could prevent a tiny frown appearing on his features.
But then, no, not even the question of why they were here could take away the warmth he felt.
Because as it would always be with Tai, beginning from his time on his island, it was the small things that counted.
Even something as small as a hug.
----------
'Interesting,' he thought, as he observed the three over the girl's shoulder. 'Kari, I can understand. Takeru, too, and Davis… But –her- as well? My, aren't I the popular one. I wonder what I did to deserve the luxury of her company.'
Tai's feelings were mixed about Sora, and to an extent Davis too. He did not know whether to be pleased, annoyed, offended... Why was she here? Why not with Matt?
The idea briefly came to mind that maybe she was concerned for him, like she used to be, but was dismissed just as quickly. The notion seemed ridiculous, almost comical. If he felt younger, perhaps he would have laughed, but right now he did not care to. He was too tired, anyway.
Still, there was the nagging question of where the rest of the Digidestined were... As much as he hated to admit it, he did care. Perhaps they would show up later?
'Perhaps. We'll see.'
----------
"You have got to be kidding me!"
"Believe me Joe, I'm not at all! I understand that the very notion sounds preposterous- I wouldn't believe Matt when he told me- but it was on the news just a few minutes ago! Tai is alive!"
"Wha... How? How could someone live for so long? How could he survive the plane crash?"
"I don't know, we'll have to ask him! Matt's already heading back to Odaiba, even though he's technically supposed to be on tour, and I'm going to go as soon as possible too. Mimi's already trying to get plane tickets for us- you should have seen her when she heard! It took me half an hour to calm her down!"
"I just don't believe it... But if it is true... Listen, Izzy I'll let Jun know. We'll get down to Odaiba in a few days, maybe sooner. I can't just drop everything at the practice."
"I know, I know... But try and get there soon. A doctor at hand will be very useful, and he probably wants to see us all again, especially the old team."
"Don't worry Izzy. I'll keep the news on so that I don't miss anything... And thank you for calling. I think I may have missed it otherwise, I never have time for TV anymore, it seems."
Joe dropped the phone down on the receiver and leant back into the comfort of his leather chair, whilst bringing his hands up to tiredly rub his eyes. He wanted to believe that Taichi was alive, yet somewhere in the recesses of his mind he was not so pleased as he could be. Despite Izzy's enthusiasm, he knew better.
The young doctor could remember very well how Kari had yelled at them after Tai's funeral. She had said how he had felt betrayed and ignored by them all, and who knew what six years could do to such bitterness? Their old leader would not be so forgiving as to smile, slap each of them on the back and carry on as if nothing happened. No, nothing of the sort.
Izzy was smart, but lacked the ability to consider people's feelings at such a complex level as he. It was for this reason that Joe began to wish he hadn't picked up the pone at all.
'I see many troubles ahead,' he thought, 'but no use in trying to escape them now.'
With a sigh, he took out his mobile phone and dialled Jun's number.
----------
By the time Tai had arrived at the Takaishi apartment, night had fallen. Kari had wasted no time in making sure that her brother was fully catered for- she had, so far, offered him dinner, tea, and coffee five times over, showed him around and prepared the guest room. He had just watched, stranded somewhere between amusement and surprise.
After showing him the guest room, she had produced a new set of clothes, which apparently were TK's. "They were too large," she reasoned, as she thrust them upon him. Tai had mulled over refusing the garments, that he couldn't just take them, but the knowing look that TK was giving him was enough to keep his mouth shut. He didn't mind at all- after all, the two had been good friends before the crash.
Indeed, his first interaction with TK in the hospital had been amusing.
He disengaged from his sister, stepping back and away from her. She smiled, and gestured to the blonde man who was moving up next to her.
"Tai... This is Takeru. Remember? He's..."
She trailed off, noticing that he wasn't paying attention to her. He was looking over her with that frighteningly calm look he wore when he walked of the ship, back towards the doorway. Kari looked round, only to see that Sora had disappeared. Davis was looking out of the doorway.
"Takeru."
Her brother's voice startled her, and she whirled around to see Tai looking the shorter man in the eye, without a hint of remorse.
"It's good to see you again," TK said bravely. Tai didn't seem to care, instead only continued to watch him.
"You... and Kari... are married?" Taichi said quietly. And still, his gaze did not waver.
"Yes, we are. We have been for about a year now."
Kari could see that TK was frightened to an extent, but she knew him well- he would not back down over her.
The tension continued to build in the room, and Kari prepared to leap between them should anything happen, but it was then that Tai surprised everyone when a smile grew on his face.
He looked completely at ease, like a ghost of his former self. So completely out of place over how he had been acting this last day. He reached out, placing his hand on Takeru's shoulder.
"Well done," was all he said, before he walked by them and to Davis.
Husband and wife looked at each other. Kari found herself laughing at the wide-eyed look on his face.
Tai had seen Sora leave, crumbling under his gaze. He had found that after a moment, he was quite offended at her presence. Why was she there? Did she care?
No.
She would only be there if she felt guilty. He idea of her caring, to Tai, was ludicrous. He had felt no remorse when she ran from the room.
Davis, he thought, was just as daft as he remembered. The lad hadn't changed at all. He was pleased at that.
After Tai had finally accepted one of Kari's offers of dinner, he had gone to his room and inspected the clothes that he had been given. Nothing special, just garments designed for living in.
Good.
A long crimson shirt, more of a tunic really (no wonder TK thought it was too big), complimented with black jeans and a belt. His workers boots, too heavy in his opinion, could now be swapped for the provided pair of black trainers and socks. No sweater, but instead the outfit was finished by a hooded deep green overcoat/trench coat type item. It looked, thankfully, warm and would reach down to just below his knees.
Not fashionable, but he was prepared to make do. Fashion was a luxury, something he could do without. As long as it would keep him warm, then he would wear just about anything.
Except for pink. A man must, of course, have his priorities.
And so, Taichi Kamiya was home, and slept soundly for the first time in six long years. Though many questions were unanswered in his mind, it didn't matter. There was always tomorrow, and tomorrow could wait it's turn.