The group was silent, staring in utter disbelief and wonder as their leader stood graceful and tall with his elegantly demonic wings spread eagle. Daft words fell upon silent lips as they murmured incomprehensibly into the newly still room with almost frighteningly loud gasps and tight swallows. Long blinks and hands wiping at watering large eyes followed the changed teenager as he flicked and twisted his elongated wings; fluttering them to full size while trailing them innocently to the folds of his back, and then into a comfortable yet strange stand-still.  Falling beautifully down to his knees the newly grown appendages looked alluringly perfect on his firm frame and bronzed skin as if they had been there all along and not newly acquired two days pass.

Taichi's back arched a tad letting a slight 'pop' envelope the room as his body merged and compensated for the new weight and growths, making the other children follow his every move with sheer amazement.  Heads bobbed insanely as the courage holder shifted and flicked a strong tail in an almost hypnotizing swish of back and forth, making the boy almost giggle in there stares and expressions.  Tilting his head to the side, the chestnut haired child narrowed his eyes at his still dazed friends and winced noticeably as a pinch of pain saturated all of his nerve endings. Seeing the deep hurt and confusion fill the older boys eyes seemed to snap most of the others out of their churning thoughts and huddle closer to the now swaying courage keeper.

"Tai?" Kari voiced quietly, fear evident in her small quarry, as she meandered slowly over to her hurting brother, only to be stopped by the strong hold of T.K.'s arms.

"Are you happy now…" Tai's spoke softly, clearly out of breath from the whole ordeal, as he clenched and unclenched his fists in an assured display of anger and apprehension. "Now you've seen what I've been through, you should understand why I couldn't tell you." Tai turned around and began to walk shakily away letting his burning shoulders slump ever so slightly.

Kari gently removed the blonde boys arms from around her frame and continued her venture, never noticing or removing the large slivers of tears falling daintily down her pink cheeks. She lay a soft palm on his shoulder giving it a small squeeze and pleaded  "Wait…" with as much emotion and love that she could possibly invoke in the simple word and gesture.

"What now, I know when I'm not wanted." Tai answered sagely with a wide berth of resentment and depression filling his utterance.  Shaking his head sadly, letting long locks of flowing brown ravish his forehead and cheeks, Taichi lifted a leathery dark wing and brushed off his sister touch with a deep sense of never-ending torment.  

"Tai no, please no. I was wrong, I was so wrong. All I was being was selfish. I didn't think of you, only myself." Tai didn't say anything, but he stopped walking, keeping his back to the others so they couldn't see the tears filling and dripping down his flushed face.

"Tai please!" Kari begged, fingers inching out to grasp her brother in a small gesture of unrelenting love.

"Why?" he said as he finally turned to face her, eyes never wavering from the ground they suddenly found truly exciting.

"Because I love you. You were always there for me, even a few days ago you were there. Whenever I need help, whenever I'm in trouble, I know I always have my big brother to help me, no matter what. That's why, I don't know what I'd do without you," Kari begged urgently with such conviction and truth it brought a whole new series of weeps from the transformed boy.

Soft mummers and whispers of agreement filtered throughout the apartment, enveloping the boy in there currents and drowning out some of the sorrow that flooded his soul and broke his heart at their rejection. A few brief touches and squeezes across his flesh, sent tiny tingles of heavenly relief as his friends shared their devotion and affection for there disturbed leader, before retreating to leave the two to their own devises but still close enough to break back in again to help if needed.  Brown eyes glowed red a moment in blessed utopia as the stress of the day's events ventured slowly away from his frame; making muscles sting and his heart bleed with wondrous contentment, as his friends and sister helped to sooth his quarrels.

"Then why did you just reject me?" Tai whispered, wanting to know, while giving in to the power of his sisters' argument and absorbing the warmth and feel of Kari's continuous caresses.

"I felt betrayed, I thought that we could tell each other anything, especially after three nights ago."  The brown haired girl murmured bringing the defeated yet arising boy into a crushing hug.

"We can, and I was going to, just after I knew what was happening to me. I knew that all it would do was make you worry, and feel bad because there was nothing you could do to help it. Seeing me in pain like that, It would be hell for you, so I didn't tell you."  Tai replied burring his head into his sisters shoulder, letting his tears stain her shirt, and folding soft winglets around the duo forming a blanket of warmth and cocooning protection of heart.

"I know Tai, and it was hell for me, watching you like that. But you have to stop protecting me from the world, I'm a big girl now."  She kissed his cheek letting the salty taste of his tears linger on her lips and brushed soft fingers through his long locks, tracing his horns in a ticklish manner, and giggled a bit when Tai let out a loud growl of appreciation.

"But I'm you're big brother, it's what I'm supposed to do. But I'm sorry, I didn't know that this would happen, please, can you forgive me."  Eyes wondered upward only to stare into the same chocolate colored orbs as his own.

"No. I don't have to, you did nothing wrong. It's me who needs your forgiveness."  Kari's eyes smiled as well as her lips, as she gave him one last huge hug and released his slightly trembling frame.

"How about we call it even?"  Tai kissed his sister's cheek, and playfully whapped her on the head with his wing, ruffling her hair in the process.

"I think that's best. But can you tell me, how did this all get started?"  The smaller girl swiped at his retreating wing with an impish frown on her face and desperately tried to fix her hair with the other with little result.

(A\N another long explanation, I promise this is the last time I do this =P).

"Tai, do you feel okay?" Agumon asked finally stepping towards his destined, orange claws grasping out to hug the boy as he neared.

"Agumon, I'm so sorry, I completely ignored you," Tai replied, kneeling carefully down on the floor and  picking up his digi-partner with little ease.

"Don't worry Tai, you had your reasons. But are you okay now?"  The digimon offered with a teethe smile on his face.

"I think so. My back still tingles a little, and my neck is still burning, but I'll be fine."  Taichi laughed a tad, throwing his orange friend in the air and then catching him, with a kiss on the muzzle in the end to show he was feeling much better.

"Good."  Agumon giggled, dropping to the ground with a loud 'thump' of his heavily clawed feet.

"Hey Tai, I'm sorry about all this," Catherine said out of nowhere, not sure if she was welcome there or not. As she watched the group become so close it suddenly made her feel a bit overwhelmed and unneeded, letting the small fear of abandonment enter her wanting heart.

"Sorry, why Kat?" Tai quarried, still a little distracted by the earlier events.

"This whole thing is my fault, if I hadn't wanted to go into the digital world none of this would have happened to you," she cried out softly.

"Hey now, stop that. There's one thing you have to learn now that you're a part of the group, it is never anyone's fault."

"Wh… What, a part of the team?" she asked with a sliver of hope reaching her water filled eyes.

"Yeah, you were officially inducted when you were attacked, it's kinda how we all joined," Davis joked, throwing an arm around the girl, pulling her closer to his body for a brief but needed hug.

"But I'm not a digidestined."  Catherine swatted Davis's arm away flirtatiously looking at the other children with a delicately raised eyebrow that said 'Are you sure?'

"No, but that doesn't mean you're not a part of the team," T.K lipped swinging the keeper of light back into his arms in a twirling dance move that made them all laugh in Kari's startled yelp.

"Really, you're not just saying that?"  Catherine quarried while pinching a stray hand softly as it neared her shoulder again and running behind T.K. and Kari for protection of the on-coming terror known as Davis.

"No, of course not. You're a really good person, and if this has scared you away I'll understand," Tai laughed at there antics; tail lashing back and forth, wings flittering a tad, and his eyes glowing in mirth as he let all the things wrong float away even if for just a moment.

"No, I want to help you."  She answered just barely jumping away from the incoming reddish-brown head.

"Speaking of helping you, what time did we have to be at Izzy's?" Davis pondered, slightly out of breath as he chased the fleeing figure of his hopeful love as she glided angelically between the still clutching holders of hope and light and hide behind there nearly tipsy leader.

"Around about now," Taichi gasped out as he nearly toppled in a fit of laughter, clutching his stomach tightly as his laugh filled the room with his mirth, making all the other inhabitants smile at the picture he made.

"Then I guess we should get going," Davis groaned out.

Giving each other a look and smile, the quartet grabbed the allowed hand and ventured towards the door, with a hint of mirth and a tad of apprehension for the up-in-coming meeting. 

"Hey guys, I don't think I can go out like this?' Tai noted as he finally realized what he was wearing or lack there of.

"Oh jeez, I totally forgot," Davis replied looking at the chestnut haired teenager up and down with a sly smile upon his lips.

"To be honest Tai, I don't think we can cover your wings with any clothes you have," Kari nodded thoughtfully, tapping a finger upon her crimson lips as she did so.

"Hey, how about we drive?" Davis suggested, hopefully, not really wanting to walk.

"I don't think I can," Tai admitted down-heartily, as much as he hated it, driving was one of his favorite things to do.

"And you're the only one that can without an adult," Davis noted, frowning with a 'humph' on his breath.

"Well then we're walking," Tai said quickly, it was now their only option.

"But what about your wings?" Kari asked, she did not sound to happy with the idea.

"I don't know, I'll cover them up as best I can, if we get into trouble, we'll say we're on our way to a costume party of something."  He shrugged, his wings following the move almost with mysterious ease.

"Alright.  But you'd better get some clothes on." T.K. pointed out, while waving at Taichi's boxer clad frame.

Tai quickly went into his bedroom, desperate to change into something that would cover him totally in his urgent outing. He put on the pants he was wearing and started looking for his shirt, then he noticed it was wasted. It lay in tatters on his floor, /Ah man, I liked that shirt. Oh well, no time now\. He went to his cupboard and got out the first shirt he could reach. He tried to put it on but it just wouldn't fit.

/Damn this is getting complicated\. He reached for his jacket. Luckily it was large enough to fit around him, but the added size of his wings meant it lost a lot of its length. He was about to walk out of his room when he noticed that his tail was hanging out of his pants. He hadn't even pulled them up properly. Dropping them and making sure his tail went down the left leg side, he left his room and returned to the others.

"How do I look?" he asked giving a small twirl, much to the others amusement.

"Uh, kinda like a really tightly wrapped…" Davis started, but he was interrupted.

"You look fine Tai," Kari said encouragingly.

"Great, then we're outta here," Tai announced.

T.K. and Kari walked out first, making sure the coast was clear. Tai and the digimon went out next. Lastly, Davis and Catherine held up the rear, this was best because they were tallest. Not as tall as Tai, but tall enough to give good cover. They took the stairs and slinked out the back door. It was residents only, so they weren't doing anything wrong. They got out onto the streets and began walking as fast as possible. They could not run because it would attract too much attention, and they wanted to mingle as much as possible. No one really spoke, they were all keeping an eye out for anyone looking at them. The streets were relatively clear for this time of day. As it was lunch hour they were usually full of people. Izzy's building was not far so the walk only took ten minutes. They again headed for the stair well.

They ran through the lobby as quickly as possible and opened the door to the stair well. The group clambered in the small space and the door shut automatically behind them.

"Man, can we take a breather?" Tai said, panting a little.

"Sure thing," Kari replied.

"Yeah, this can't have been easy after what happened at home," T.K. added. They stood each resting up against a different part of the wall.

"Race you to the top," Davis said playfully to Catherine.

"Alright, you're on," she replied. The both scrambled for the stairs and began the long ascent. The others could hear their giggles and taunts as they climbed the numerous flights. The voices got fainter and fainter and soon were just whispers.

"We'd better get started too," T.K. suggested.

"Yeah," Tai agreed standing upright. He went first and they slowly began the long climb.

The stair well had two flights of stairs for each floor up, so they effectively climbed thirty flights of stairs. At the top Davis and Catherine were waiting. They had given up their race somewhere near the twentieth flight and made simply getting to the top their priority. Tai and the others arrived, just as tired as Davis and Catherine.

"Who won?" Veemon asked.

"No one, we gave up," Catherine smirked.

"Yeah, but you would have won," Davis said.

"You called it off, not me. Besides, you were winning."  She reprimanded ruefully.

"Ahh, isn't that nice," Kari said, joking around.

"Well, I didn't neither of us would have got here."

"This is just a suggestion, but seeing as we are here, why don't we go in?" T.K. suggested in a sarcastic tone.

"That's right, why are we still in here," Kari said.

"Because I need another favor," Tai interrupted their train of thought.

"What?" Kari asked concernedly.

"I need you to scope out the scene for me. I want you all to go in, get everyone settled in the lounge, and then one of you come back out. None of you are to act like you knew about this before today, and I am doing all the explaining."

"Sure Tai, anything you want," Davis answered opening the stairwell door, and sauntering to Izzy's apartment with the other follow close behind.

"Yeah, absolutely, but who is coming back out?" T.K. stopped suddenly, looking back at the hiding crest holder, with a raised eyebrow.

"Davis," Tai replied quickly, a little to quickly. He gave no reason for this, not even an indication of one, and he didn't plan to. Tai felt that he and T.K. were his only options, they had dealt with it the best, and had both been really good to him. Kari needed T.K., she was taking this hard, and he didn't want to take T.K. away from her, not even for a second. This made his choice really simple.

The group began to file out once again, maneuvering to the older boy's door, voices carrying all around them. Agumon started to walk, but Tai grabbed hold of his arm, "No, I want you to stay with me."

"Of course, I only left because I thought you wanted me to." Tai waited until they were all out before he continued.

"Agumon, please don't leave my side when I explain. Everyone is going to be shocked by this and even Sora may not accept me. Davis and T.K. have their own people to be with now, so you're all I'll have left."  Brown eyes stared deeply into green, with growing terror and shame highlighting the irises.

"Tai, I'll never leave you, you're my best friend. Before I met you I didn't know what a friend was. And no matter what happens to you, I will always protect you."  Agumon weakly smiled, patting his friend's leg for comfort.

"Thanks buddy, you know you're my best friend too."

"Tai, don't worry about Sora either. You have been there for her so many times, and your guys love each other so much more than on the physical."

"I hope so, I know I feel that way."

"Well then, stop worrying."

They door swung open, "Hey Tai, they're ready."

"Thanks Davis, but what did you tell them I was doing?"

"Well, I had to think fast, but I eventually came up with you helping some old lady with her shopping," Davis replied, about to burst out in laughter, he hadn't realized how really lame it was until then.

"Ooh, how valiant of me," Tai replied. They bust into laughter.

"Yeah, I just came to check that you were still coming."

"I take it that means they are all together."

"Yeah."

"Well, time to start the show," Tai sighed, making it sound like he was some sort of circus freak.

"Tai, don't say it like that. If you want my honest opinion, I think you look kinda cool."

"Really?"

"Sure, I'd love to have wings and a tail."

"Not if you had to go through it like this."

"Yeah, I suppose you're right."

"Thanks for trying, I do feel a bit better."

"Good, because they're waiting."

"Well, we won't hold them up any longer." Davis opened the door and walked out. Tai put out his hand to stop it from closing and he and Agumon followed Davis.

Davis opened Izzy's door and they walked in. he took a seat next to Catherine, while Tai remained in front of the group.

"Hey Tai, how's the old lady?" Matt asked sarcastically.

"Yeah, how about you tell us what's really going on," Izzy added.

"And what's with the crazy get up, what do you have under there?" Joe finished.

"Guys stop, I'll show you in minute. I want to do this right. Please just listen," Tai said.

"Okay start explaining, you've got a lot to do," Matt said smugly. Mimi backhanded him in the chest, narrowing her eyes at her boyfriend for that rude statement.

"Firstly to you, Sora, and Izzy. I am so sorry for what I did earlier today, at school. A lot has been going on with me lately, and that was part of it."

"Tai, enough with the elusiveness, just tell us what's happening," Izzy insisted. Tai looked down at Agumon, and he nodded. Tai smiled and returned his view to the rest of the room.

"Alright. First let me apologize to all of you. I lied to you the other day when I said that nothing happened at the cliff. I don't know what happened, it's all kinda blurry in my memory, but I'll tell you what I can."  The teenager said unconsciously clutching his coat closer to his body.

"Tai if you know something about the rift, this would be very helpful," Izzy said.

"Um, I'm not sure. I was on watch like I said, but I started hearing a strange voice calling my name. It sounded like it was coming from the bottom of the cliff, so I got up to investigate. As soon as I turned away from the forest, something hit me in the neck. I didn't see it, all I could feel was a burning pain all over my body, especially in my neck."

"And that's why you screamed," Izzy asked a bit of worry in his voice.

"Yes, but please let me finish. I couldn't help it, it was the most painful experience I had ever felt, and then I fell to the ground. That's when you guys arrived."

"Tai, what does this all mean?" Mimi asked.

"Yeah,  and why do you say the most painful experience you HAD felt?" Sora asked, concerned.

"I'm getting to that. You have to understand this is not easy for me."  Fingers dug into his pockets picking at the insides, desperately searching for something to cling on to, to help him finish.

"Sorry, please carry on," Izzy motioned with a wave of his wrist.

"I thought it was all over, and I didn't think it was at all related to this. That's why I lied to you, I knew that you would only worry about me, when we had other things to deal with. Anyway, when I got home that night it still ached a bit, and there was still a burning in my neck, but I brushed it off as nothing. I went to bed as normal, but I did not sleep. I was tossing and turning, so much so that Agumon had to get out of my bed." Tai stopped for a breather, then continued.

"I didn't know what it was all about, but T.K. had seen me during the night, so I told him a little."

"Wait a minute, you told him?" Matt raised slightly, angry, only to be roughly pulled back down by Mimi.

"Yeah, I had no choice, I couldn't lie my way out of it, although I tried."  Tai lowered his eyes a second as they watered in his growing depression.

"And you didn't tell us, that's really nice," Joe quarried, maddened to be left out of the tick of things.

"Hey, think about it before you jump to conclusions. I didn't plan it, it just happened. You all weren't around, and most of you had a math exam to worry about. Also there was no sign of anything wrong yet."

"What do you mean anything wrong, Tai you're beginning to scare me," Sora said, her concern growing.

"Please, I'm getting to that. I was fine all day, the burning never went away though, not for a minute. Then that night it got worse. I tried my cold hands, and cold water, but nothing could help so I left it. I went to bed that night and that's when everything got weird."

"What do you mean weird?" Izzy asked.

"Okay, I'll do my best here. I remember going to sleep, then all of a sudden I was awake, but I couldn't really move. Then this pain comes over me. It was far worse than before in the digital world. All I could do was react to the pain, like twist and turn. It was like no pain I have ever felt before; it was like an intense burning, and then a pulsating ache over that. Then I screamed as a shock ran through me, and then it stopped. That's when T.K. woke me properly." Tai stopped for another breather. He took notice of people's faces. They were all looking very worried and afraid. Even Matt's statement had moved from one of anger, to one of concern. Tai continued, "It was weird because I could remember everything this time, like I was awake. I moved around and could feel a lump at the base of my backbone, it was weird, but I was too tired and went back to sleep. Then when I woke up this morning, I… had a tail."

"Stop right there, I didn't come here to have one big joke played on me. Tai you are such a jerk you know that, you get us really worried about you, you treat us like dirt and now you pull a stunt like this, I'm…" Matt had to stop there. He froze in his seat, as did all the others in the room. They were all fixated on Tai. He had dropped his pant, and there, just as he said, was his tail.

"T… Tai?" Matt gasped. Mimi could say nothing. Joe was completely frozen. Izzy was intrigued, but afraid, and Sora was really overwhelmed.

"What is it, didn't you believe me Matt. Want to say you're sorry?" Tai said self-righteously.

"I… I…" Matt still could not form words.

"I know, I'm sorry I was like that, just next time when I'm like this, you should believe me. I didn't want to show you like this, but now you know. Unfortunately, there's more.

"Tai… more!?… what, why… AGH. Tai, why do you have a tail?" Izzy was having trouble thinking through his confusion.

"Look, I really don't know why it's there. All I know is it's mine, a part of me I mean. I can move it, feel it, and I can't get rid of it."

"You can move it?" Izzy asked.

"Yeah, watch." Tai began swishing his tail from side to side.

"This is… it's impossible," Izzy said. Sora still could not speak, she wanted to, but the words wouldn't come out, she was too shocked.

"Please, can I continue now?" Tai asked.

"Tai, I'm so sorry, I was wrong, please can you…" Matt began, but Tai stopped him.

"Matt, don't worry, you were only looking out for everyone else. Thank you, I know that if you need to, you'll make I fine leader. Not that I'm going anywhere. And please don't apologize, there really is no need, I can understand."

"Okay, but you gotta carry on."

"Sure, you don't mind if I pull these up now?" There were no objections so he pulled his pants up, but this time he did not conceal his tail.

"Right. This was all really weird, and I was afraid, but I had to get to the exam today so T.K. helped me hide it and I left. Sorry, I always forget these. Just promise you won't freak out."

"We'll try," Joe replied.

"Okay." Tai lifted his hands and bowed his head. He pulled away his hair and revealed the horns underneath. This again shocked them.

"Oh great, now you have horns too," Joe said wincing slightly at the sight.

"Yes, they were smaller then, as was the tail, but I'm getting there. I also found this morning that my shoulder blades were inflamed. But, like I said before, I had to get to the exam. I went in and wrote it like I was supposed to, but when I finished early, I couldn't ignore the pain."

"And that's why you had your head down?" Sora said.

"Yes. It was just my neck at first, but then it was in my back, head and tail. It was horrible, all I could do was sit there helplessly, I couldn't even scream. That's why I stormed out, and that's why I had to get home, I had to let out some pain."

"Tai, I'm so sorry, I totally overreacted," Sora was not feeling really bad, /I was so angry with him, and all he was doing was trying to get away from it.\

"Yeah Tai, I think I over reacted to, sorry," Matt added.

"Please stop, you don't have to apologize, I didn't tell you so it was to be expected when I did things like that. But it's not finished."

"Yeah, what's with the jacket already?" Joe said, nervous about what else it could possibly be.

"That's what I'm getting to. Every time that pain came across me, something changes. This time it was no different. My tail grew a bit, and the lumps on my back got bigger. I rushed home and went straight into my room. I could feel it getting worse, so I did all I could, I screamed. I had changed once again, but I knew it was time to tell you, so I entered the lounge to explain it to Davis, Catherine and Kari."

"Wait, what changed this time?" Izzy asked.

"This is kinda connected, so I'll tell you after this bit. I walked in and tried to explain, Kari did not take it well. I was in the middle of trying to explain it when the pain started again. This time it was different. It didn't just happen, it was set off by something. As for what had changed the past few times. Well, I got these."

Tai took a deep breath, and took off the coat. He stood there bare-chested, and wings fully exposed. It felt good to finally get his them free again. They had been folded tightly, so he loosened them a bit. Every one stood shocked, even those who knew. Although they had seen it before, this was still very odd, and shocking to see. After all, the friend they had known for years now had wings, a tail and horns. No one spoke for quite some time, they all sat fixated on Tai. T.K., Davis, Catherine, and Kari and their digimon had all agreed not to speak during Tai's explanation to the others. They had had their explanation, and now it was the others' turn to find out.

Izzy eventually spoke, "T… Tai, can you move them?" he said slowly.

"Yeah, I'll stretch them fully if you like?" Tai offered.

"Sure, I guess," Izzy replied, the others were also interested to see this.

"Okay, here goes." Tai began to stretch his wings, they flinched a bit at first, then unfolded fully. They looked spectacular behind him, it was a truly awesome sight. Tai looked over to Sora. She was shocked, and now back in her silenced state. He had no idea what she was feeling, and all he wanted was to hold her. But for now he had to explain all this, so he couldn't. If she'd even accept him, that is. He thought they were through so he folded them back.

"This… it can't be real," Mimi said in disbelief.

"Trust me, it's real. These wings, this Tai, and these horns, they are all mine. I can feel them, move them. You can touch them if it will put your mind at ease."

"No, I believe you Tai, it's just so…"

"Weird, I know."

"What does it feel like?" Izzy asked, he seemed to have gotten over the initial shock, he was, after all, the scientist among them.

"What does what feel like?"

"All of it, having wings for starters."

"To be honest, they all still feel foreign to me. But it's not like they are just there either. They feel like a part of me, just a new one."

"I suppose they would take a little getting used to."

"A little," Tai scoffed.

"I suppose a lot."

"I can't take this anymore, can I please feel them?" Matt said standing up. The intrigue was killing him.

"Sure. Like I said, if it will help put your mind at ease."

"Okay, but I don't want to make you feel odd or out of place."

"No, you won't, go ahead." Matt nodded, and approached Tai. He cautiously stretched out his arm. His hand made contact with Tai's right wing, but he didn't put any weight on it. The wing felt rough, but it was warm. He slowly added more pressure, until it finally rested comfortably on the wing. Matt took his hand away.

"Better?" Tai asked.

"Yeah, thanks. I just had to know," Matt replied.

"Don't worry about it, I was like that when the tail showed up." Matt sat back down next to Mimi.

"Anything else?" Tai asked sincerely. No one said anything and was now unsure of what to do, he hadn't thought this far ahead.

"Are…" Sora started, overcoming her fear, "Are you still in pain," she finished. Tai's heart was warmed by this, she was actually concerned for him, he hoped this meant that she would accept him.

"No, no I'm not. There is still a burning in my neck, but it doesn't actually hurt."

"Oh Tai, I'm so sorry," Sora said erupting into tears.

"Sora, for what?"

"For not doing this sooner," she said. She stood up and rushed over to him, collapsing in his arms. Tai closed his arms around her. His bare skin felt good to her, it was comforting. As for Tai, it was not so great, the comfort was nice, but her hands were cold. Sora was also finding it hard to place her arms. She did not want to wrap them around his wings, so she went in-between them and his back. Because their base got in the way she could not grip him tightly.

"I've been a terrible friend. Here you are, standing on parade, telling us the biggest secret you've ever had, and what am I doing. Sitting over their thinking about how this affects me, instead of helping you through it. And I'm supposed to be your girlfriend," Sora sobbed.

"That's it exactly Sora, you're my girlfriend. I'm supposed to look out for you, not the other way around."

"But still Tai…"

"No, but nothing. Let's just sit down, and we can find out what Izzy knows."

"Okay." Tai led Sora a couch and they sat. Tai curled his tail around and let it hang down next to his left leg. Agumon followed, and sat below them. Tai took a hold of Sora's hand, she smiled.

"Sorry to do this to you Tai, but I was just about to ask you something else," Izzy started.

"Yeah, what is it?" Tai replied.

"In the exam, when you shouted at me, I could have sworn you had red eyes."

"Oh, that. Sorry, I don't know much about that. Like I was saying, the last time the pain hit me it was different. It felt like it wasn't just happening, but rather that my emotions were driving it. I was so upset that I had hurt Kari, and angry at the thing that did this to me. It was like these two things had made it happen. It still hurt just as much though. It's the same with my eyes, whenever I get angry, they change, and the anger is amplified way out of proportion, that's why I shouted at you."

"But what about that night I woke you up?" T.K. asked, he felt that they could now become involved because he had said everything they knew.

"Well, I was annoyed that I wasn't getting any sleep, and that you had woke me."

"Ha, I thought you would be," T.K. said laughing a little.

"Are there any more questions. I mean it, absolutely anything you want to know." No one said anything.

"So Izzy, what have you found?" Tai asked.

"Unfortunately, not much. I spoke to the dimension guys, and they were a little help. Turns out that after they, uh, lost, all their information on the digital world, they turned their speculation to myths. They had speculated that legends were not just that, and they actually existed."

"Where do you meet these people?" Matt joked.

"Yeah, I thought it was crazy too, but it has its merits. Think about it, what if a rift like that had occurred in our world. If somebody saw it, no one would believe them. And what if, just maybe, long ago people had seen such rifts. Their encounters would have been ridiculed, so they made up stories about what they saw."

"Oh, I get it, you're saying that people saw the creatures like we did, and wrote them as legends so they would be remembered, and not just lost," Davis said.

"Exactly. But the question is, am I right?" Izzy suddenly sounded like he doubted himself.

"Weirder things have happened," Tai said.

"Anyway. These guys told me that such a dimension exists, and they intend to prove it."

"How?" Matt asked.

"Here's the problem, they don't know."

"Great, so what do we do now?" Joe said pessimistically.

"Hey, don't give up on me that easily, I can think for myself," Izzy replied.

"Sorry."

"Now, I'm not quite sure how it works, but opening a gate to another dimension seems to rely on a lot of energy converging in one spot. It also needs some kind of conductor, or gate, to converge on."

"Yeah, so what are you saying?" T.K. asked.

"Well, where have we opened a dimensional gate before?" Izzy asked.

"You don't mean the gate in Myotismon's castle?" Mimi asked.

"I do. Last time we did it, the doors were the gate, and the cards provided the energy."

"That sounds like a good idea, I suppose," T.K. said.

"What do you mean suppose, it's a great idea. Besides, it's all we've got," Davis said encouragingly. He felt that he had to lift the spirits of the group, everyone was felt a little helpless after what had happened to Tai.

"Izzy, that place is history, it collapsed as we were leaving. Besides, I only managed to keep one card," Tai said pulling the Agumon card from his pocket.

"True, I guess we'll have to come up with a different plan," Izzy said, losing faith in the whole idea.

"Hey Izzy, don't say it like that, we're really close, all we need to do is find somewhere else to open the gate," Mimi said encouragingly.

"You're right Mimi, but where?" Izzy said thinking out loud.

"Guys, I think I know where we can go," Davis said.

"Well, where are you talking about?" Izzy asked.

"Yeah Davis, if you know something you gotta tell us," Tai said encouragingly. Davis was not usually confident about his ideas as they were not always the best and were usually turned down.

"Well, we have opened a gate in two places that I know of.. one was heightonveiw (A\n SP??) terrace. But Blackwargreymon sealed that shut. But we can still use the one at the camp site."

"Hey, that's actually a very good idea," Izzy said.

"But how are we going to get up there?" Sora said.

"I dunno, my car is not big enough for ten people and nine digimon."

"Well, there is always my dads van," Matt suggested.

"Is it there?" Tai asked.

"I don't know, but it's all we've got right now, unless you want to take the bus for four hours."

"Right, then we should head to your dad's place right away," Izzy suggested.

"Can I ask a favor Matt?" Tai said as they were getting up.

"Yeah, what is it?" Matt replied.

"Well, I don't think I should be running through the streets like this again, so would you mind coming by here and picking me up?"

"No, it's better that no one sees you like that."

"I'll stay too then," Sora said. Tai smiled, he like the idea of being alone with her.

"I also wanna stay. My, uh, legs are really stiff after yesterday," Davis stumbled.

"Sure fine, but then I suggest all the digimon stay as well," Matt said.

"Fine, as long as they don't eat all my food again," Izzy added.

"We won't," Agumon said on their behalf.

"Fine then, let's get going," T.K. said affirmatively. At that Matt, Mimi, Izzy, Joe, T.K. and Kari left the loft (A\n in case you couldn't keep up with who was and wasn't going ^_^).

Davis and Catherine were on one seat, Tai and Sora on the other. All of the digimon had converged in the center of the room and were trying to think of any digimon they knew of that could do something like this.

"Stiff legs aye?" Sora said sarcastically.

"Yeah, what's wrong with that?" Davis replied.

"Well, you walked all the way here without complaining," Catherine pointed out.

"Sure, but, I… uh… I'm tired now," Davis stuttered.

"Just go, we all know why you wanted to stay," Sora said.

"Why are you so adamant?" Tai asked.

"Because, it gives us a chance to talk," Sora replied releasing Tai's hand.

"Okay, let's go Davis," Tai said as he stood. Without even noticing, he loosed up his wings.

"Why'd you do that?" Sora asked.

"Do what?" Tai replied.

"Well, you shook them."

"I did? Huh, I must be getting used to them, because it was just reflex."

"That's good, it'll make this easier for you."

"I hope so." Tai and Davis then left the room. 

They headed for the kitchen and Tai started rummaging in Izzy's cupboard.

"Hey Tai, didn't Izzy say not to do that?" Davis said.

"No, he told the digimon not to do this. And he wouldn't think of getting angry with me stuck like this."

"You really know how to make the most of a situation don't you?" Davis said laughing a little.

"Speaking of making the most of a situation, I don't suppose you've made a move yet?" Tai joked, he really didn't expect the reply he got.

"Uh, yeah, I did."

"What, when?"

"Last night. We were on the way back from your place, and she was cold. I took off my glove so I could warm up her hand. She said thanks, and then she said that I really helped her, and was only making sure she was happy because I stayed with her all that time. She asked if I was that nice to everyone."

"So, what did you say?" Tai asked, knowing this was a pivotal point in the story.

"I said that she's not everyone, she's Catherine. And that she was special to me. She was a bit confused at this and asked me what I meant. I said that I wanted to be with her. I didn't want it to be me and her, I wanted it to be us."

"Come on, what did she say to that?"

"She said that she also wanted it to be us, and asked for a hug."

"Man, that's such a romantic story."

"I don't know why I said it then, I just said it."

"Well, I think you got it right, because now you're an official couple," Tai said smiling.

"Yeah, I know. I'm really happy, but nervous at the same time."

"Oh, because now you don't want to act wrong or do something stupid?"

"Exactly."

"My best advise to you, don't change a thing. She likes the Davis she knows now, not the Davis you're going to try and be. So all you have to do is enjoy being with her."

"That wont be to hard, I really like her."

"Good, now how about you go see her?"

"Yeah. And thanks for all your help with this, it made a lot easier."

"All I did was make you aware of what was inside of you. Davis you never needed my help, you only thought you did."

"I don't know about that."

"I do. now go sit with her."

"Okay." Davis and Tai left the bedroom and returned to their girlfriend's sides. 

"Tai, do you feel alright?" Sora asked.

"I'm fine, I'm gonna start charging the next person who asks me that," Tai replied.

"Good, I just don't know how to help you."

"Sora, you mustn't feel like that, you are helping me."

"How?"

"By being here. Last night all I could think about before I went to bed was you. I missed you so much, being with you, talking to you… kissing you. The pain vanished, replaced with thoughts of you."

"Really, I missed you too."

"Then how about we promise never to stay apart that long again?"

"Yeah, I promise."

"Me too. But there's still one thing I haven't done yet."

"What?"

"This…" Tai turned to Sora, he put his arm around her and kissed her. The passion raced through him, everything around him disappeared. All the pain, all the tension, all the stress, was gone, replaced with only this moment. They caressed each other's bodies, but had to break it off, they couldn't keep going like this in front of Davis and Catherine. Tai leaned back up against the chair, and slowly all of it came back to him, although he was now much more relaxed.

"Tai, I love you. I'll love you no matter what form you are in."

"I love you too Sora, always have, always will."

"And you know, that tail is kinda cute." Tai couldn't help but laugh. He looked over at the couch where Davis and Catherine had been, but they weren't there.

At some point during the display, they had left and gone into Izzy's room. It was painfully obvious that those to needed to be alone, and asking them to leave would be wrong. They had also taken the large group of digimon with them.

Tai and Sora got up and followed the sound of voices to Izzy's room.

"Hey guys," Davis said as they walked in.

"Hey, why did you leave?" Tai replied.

"Well, we felt that you two needed some alone time, so we cam in here," Catherine replied.

"Thanks," Sora and Tai said smiling.

"So what were you talking about?" Tai asked.

"Well, we were trying to think of any digimon that could do this to you, just in case we could save you the trouble of inter-dimensional travel," Agumon explained.

"And?" Sora asked.

"Nothing, we thought of everything we could, but there just isn't a digimon with that kind of power," Biyomon replied. They all felt really guilty that they couldn't help, especially Agumon.

"Yeah, we're really sorry," Agumon replied sheepishly.

"Hey now, don't be sorry. You guys weren't even asked to do that, you came up with it all on your own. To be honest, it's a really good idea, I'm surprised we didn't think of it sooner," Tai said.

"A lot of use it was."

"Yes, it was. Could you just imagine if we had arrived in some strange dimension, found the creature and it says, sorry but we can't do that." Agumon laughed a bit.

"I suppose you're right." In the background they could hear the door open.

"Hey guys, we're back," it was Izzy's voice.

The group returned to the entrance area and got ready to leave. Tai grabbed his jacket from the floor, and the digimon prepared themselves to run.

"You ready?" Izzy asked.

"Yeah, I think so," Tai replied.

"Then let's go, we're taking the stairs again. There were a few moans from the digimon, but there was no time to stand around complaining so they got moving. Davis and Catherine went first, Tai and the digimon next. Izzy locked his door and went in last. The trip down the stairs was more pleasant than the trip up, but it was still not fun. They dashed down the stairs at an incredible rate, but stopped at the bottom.

"Um, I think we'll need a diversion, there are too many people around to just go through," Izzy said as he peered through the door.

"Leave it to me," Davis said. He was great at doing this.

"What are you planning to do?" Tai asked.

"I dunno, maybe I'll tell them my cat's stuck in a tree," Davis said sarcastically (A\N I refer to an episode of series one, they needed a ride through town, and it was what Tai had shouted to get someone to take them. And obviously, it didn't work).

"Hey, that was a perfectly good idea at the time," Tai said defensively.

"I'm sure it was, but it won't work now. Kat, I'll need your help."

"Okay, what do I have to do?"

"Just walk next to me, and I the middle of the lobby I want you to fake a faint."

"Okay, I can do that."

"When everyone crowds around us you guys can just run through."

"Okay, you'd better get going," Izzy said.

Davis opened the door and began walking, he and Catherine were holding hands. When they got to the middle of the room, she let go and collapsed.

"Oh my gosh, HELP!" Davis shouted. He bent down, "Someone help, is there a doctor here?" he continued to shout. All the people did as he expected and crowded around them. Tai and the others took this as their cue and began to file out and run through the lobby.

"What happened young man?" a woman asked.

"I don't know, we were walking, and she just collapsed. I think she's dead." Davis couldn't help himself, he had to add the last bit. One woman in the crowd was close to actually fainting when he heard it; everyone else was just shocked.

"Now, calm down there, she'll be fine," another voice form the crowd said. Davis turned around. Between the multitude of legs he could see that everyone was in the van. He turned back and took Catherine's hand, she knew what this meant. She opened her eyes and they stood quickly.

"Hey mister, I guess you were right," he said, about to burst into laughter. They crowd separated as they ran trough. They could see that Matt was in the driver's seat, and was ready to floor it. They scrambled into the van and Izzy slid the door shut. Matt hit the gas and they screamed off.

Hey ppl, less of a cliffhanger this time I hope.  Anyway, thanks for the massive ten reviews, and sorry about the long wait, but I was writing exams you know.  There are two parts to this yammer, one is business, the other is, uh… pointless.

1. I have recently begun watching Tamers.  This series is really good, and I have found I have a fondness to it.  I would like to start a fic for it, but I need support.  As I have only seen the first ten eps, I don't really know the chars yet, or much of the story.  Now, if you want me to write one, just review\email and say so.  Your support is appreciated.  Just to let you know , that seeing as I started this one first, it takes full priority, so the new fic wont get in the way.

2. Blar blar blar.  Seriously tho, thanks for all the reviews I have gotten.  Two special thanks got to JJ as she is now know, hey, if you get chat, I wanna talk to you.  And the second goes to Zempress, she is a great friend, and if you wanna read a story about me (Roughly), check out Alex: The Unknown Digidestined.

There you have it, part 10 coming soon, with a few more answers this time……..(Maybe).