The tension could be felt deep within the air as the majority of humans, Digimon and the lone Appmon present within Sora's living room all shared the same feelings of nervousness and concern.
Ahead of the gathered group was Kari, who continued to glare at her friends, who were now afraid of what the brunette might do.
"Kari, wait, I…" Tai started to say in the hopes of calming his sister down, as well as to come up with a way to explain the situation, or at the very least, inform her that he and Agumon were not really part of the plan.
However, Tai quickly shut his mouth as Kari looked in his direction with a continued hostility never seen within the Digidestined of Light.
Losing his courage as he saw the rage filling Kari's eyes and getting the hidden message to keep his mouth shut, Tai and Agumon remained silent, even afraid of the Digidestined of Light for the first time in their lives.
"Kari, please, we were only..." Sora then began to say, trying herself to defend Tai and the others, but the orange haired Digidestined fell silent herself when Kari set her glare toward her.
"Not a word out of you." The Digidestined of Light said with a cold, frustrated and aggressive tone. "I trusted you, and you decided to turn my love life into a joke!"
Understanding Kari's anger and trying her own hand to calm her friend down, Zoe spoke up.
"We're not trying to make a joke out of it, we're trying to help you!" She told Kari, though from the look Kari gave her, the Warrior of Wind knew she didn't see things that way.
"I don't need your help, I am trying to tell him how I feel!" Kari yelled back with a growing hostility within her voice.
Angered that her so-called friends, and even her own brother were sabotaging her attempts to tell Davis how she felt, Kari remained in her bitter mood.
"And how's that been going?" Airu then asked with a sly and teasing smirk, which didn't abide too well for the Digimon Hunter.
Taking notice of Kari's anger, the Digimon Hunter remained calm, telling the Digidestined of Light with a further slyness. "You haven't worked up the courage to say anything to him, so we decided to help out a little."
"Help me?!" Kari snapped.
"I don't know what you did yesterday, but it completely ruined my date with him, just as I was about to confess to Davis!" The Digidestined of Light then went on to say, expressing her clear and understandable frustration.
"It helped Gatomon and Veemon." Mervamon casually said with a small giggle, but even with her strong will, too shut herself up when Kari set her glare toward her, sending an unnerving shiver down the amazonian Digimon's spine.
Though Mervamon and the other Digimon present had faced many ordeals in their various adventures, the wrath of the Digidestined of Light held an uneasiness within everyone, the anger expressed within Kari's emotion caused the Digimon, as well as Dokamon to quietly and quickly vacate from the the Takenouchi residence, to return to the safety of the Digital World and be spared from the Digidestined of Light's wrath.
Planning on berating the Digimon and Appmon later on, but keeping her focus on her friends, Kari continued in her rant, to express the pain growing in her heart. "Today, once again, right when I have a moment with Davis, you convince a wild Golemon to attack the Primary Village! Do you realize how much damage he could have caused or how many Digimon could've been harmed?!"
"He… he wasn't a wild Digimon." Jeri then managed to say in a petite and nervous voice, the Digimon Tamer gulping lightly as Kari's rage filled eyes turned in her direction.
Summoning what courage she could, the brown haired Tamer worked up the nerve to talk again as she continued in her explanation, telling Kari. "He was only acting…You see Golemon was a fan of Ranamon, so she managed to talk him into the plan."
"And after the beating you and Angewomon gave him, Ranamon is now treating Golemon's injuries." Eri then added.
A small smirk then formed on Eri's face as she imagined the defeated expression now upon the face of the Warrior of Water, to know that as bad as a predicament they were in, Golemon was most likely out on his date with his idol.
However, the pink haired idol's smirk faded when Kari began to shake, further showing her growing rage, before finally snapping and yelling at all present.
"Stay out of my love life!" The Digidestined of Light screamed.
To Kari further expressing a growing rage and resentment toward Tai, Sora and the others, a series of loud arguments erupted amongst the group.
Divided, some of the girls, such as Sora, Jeri who tried to calm Kari down, telling her that they were only trying to help her, while others, which included Airu, tried to defend their actions and believed that the Digidestined of Light should be thanking them instead of expressing such an ill tempered attitude.
Kari, meanwhile, continued to let her anger out, to allow her feelings to consume her further.
Blaming the girls and their schemes for ruining her time with Davis, the Digidestined of Light truly believed with all of her heart that Tai and the others were sabotaging her chances to be with her dream man, using Airu's attraction to the maroon haired Digidestined as justification for her accusations.
All the while and although he wanted to speak, to be the supportive and protective big brother he was, Tai just expressed a small and tired sigh.
Feeling a headache growing alongside the gnawing pain in his gut, the older of the Kamiya siblings knew he had to remain silent, lest he wound up caught in the raging arguments once again.
Through all the commotion and anger, no one within the Takenouchi residence heard the small sounds of a Digi-port opening, the source of which Gatomon and Veemon emerged from and wound up within Sora's bedroom, the Digimon of Light and of Miracles equally shocked and concerned to hear all of the yelling.
But Gatomon was more surprised to see that Kari was there, and her concerns only grew.
Gently escorting Veemon with her, Gatomon was first going to inform the girls about Davis' trip, to get them to stop in their schemes and to just let Kari do as she wished, to tell Davis how she felt without any interruptions.
But now it seemed that the Digidestined of Light already caught on to the group and what they had been doing, and Gatomon knew she had to let Kari know about Davis' plans before it was too late.
"Kari, wait, hold on a second…" The Digimon of Light started to say as she dragged Veemon into the living room, their presence caught everyone's attention as they turned toward the Digimon of Light and of Miracles.
But upon seeing the cold rage deep within Kari's eyes, however, Gatomon came to a complete halt, her voice caught frozen in her throat as she felt the brunette's rage directed toward her, a feeling Veemon shared as the two Digimon remained quiet, not desiring to invoke Kari's wrath as Gatomon immediately thought it would be better to tell Kari when she calmed down, while Veemon was mentally worried for Davis' safety in the event he ever really irritated the Digidestined of Light.
Seeing Gatomon and Veemon, many within the room had different reactions.
Some of the other girls and Tai wondered why the Digimon of Light had brought Veemon along with her, knowing he could tell Davis about what was going on as well, while Kari remained in a bothered and distressed mood toward her partner.
Now knowing Gatomon was also in all of the scheming, Kari felt that part of her couldn't trust anyone, not even her own Digimon partner.
The interference in her love life may have helped Gatomon, but that did not give her, Tai or the others the right to screw up her own goals in Kari's eyes.
Mentally deciding to deal with her partner later, to have a serious talk with her, Kari looked back at the girls as their arguments resumed, which left Gatomon and Veemon to look at one another with a growing concern.
The argument amongst Kari, Sora, Tai and the others continued for a few more minutes but came to an eventual halt when the sound of a Digi-port opening was heard once again.
Turning their attention toward the sound, everyone found TK and Patamon had arrived within Takenouchi residence, the Digidestined and Digimon of Hope sharing the same puzzlement to see everyone present, while Sora, Tai and the others looked on with a shared surprise to see the pair as well.
Acting on her love, Catherine ran over to her boyfriend.
Sliding her arms around TK and holding him close to her, Catherine embraced the blond in a loving hug, namely in the hopes that her boyfriend could protect her from the Digidestined of Light's wrath.
Kari, however, still felt her rage consuming her, to feel her paranoia grow as she looked to TK with accusation.
"You're a part of this?!" The Digidestined of Light snapped, which freaked TK out greatly.
Gulping lightly as he was not used to seeing Kari so angry, TK and Patamon shook their heads, the Digidestined of Hope telling Kari in a nervous reply. "No! We knew about their scheming, but we had no part in whatever they were up to!"
"Hey!" Zoe suddenly yelled in response to TK's remark at calling their plans schemes, making it sound like they were actually doing something wrong.
Ignoring the Warrior of Wind, TK continued and told the Digidestined of Light. "We came here looking for you."
Uncertain to how Kari knew Kari would be at her place, Sora had to ask. "How did you know she was here?"
"DATS has trackers placed within all of our Digivices and Appli Drivers." The blond reminded, accompanied by Patamon, who then said. "We just called Thomas up and had him check where Kari was."
To this, a few looked at Yoshi, Miki and Megumi with shared accusations, their expressions causing the DATS officers to laugh nervously at the suspicious glares.
Still consumed by her anger and rage, however, Kari kept her cold tone as she then said to TK. "Whatever it is you need can wait. I need to put these traitors in their place!"
"Who are you calling a traitor?!" Airu questioned, before the arguments then resumed themselves, much to the frustration of Tai, Veemon and Gatomon.
Between the conflict, TK felt his own anger over the entire situation grow, so much so that Patamon and Catherine looked to the Digidestined of Hope, their expressions of concern.
And finally unable to take the stress, TK snapped and yelled with an outburst of anger. "Hey!"
Responding to TK's surprising outburst, everyone present stopped their arguing and refocused on the Digidestined of Hope, and acting on her own anger, Kari was about to yell at TK for his interruption, before the blond said with concern. "Davis is leaving in two days!"
To TK's words, the tension in the room quickly changed.
Shocked to what their friend had said, Sora, Tai and those within the group gained a mix of shocked expressions, many voicing their surprise. "What?!"
Her own anger fading and replaced by shock and disbelief, Kari's eyes widened, a concern now grasping at her heart.
Through a trembling voice, Kari tried to speak, to voice her worries, but found her words lost in her throat.
"Wh... what…?"
Catching his breath and taking a moment to compose himself, TK then Kari and the others. "Davis has received invitations to tour several major culinary schools in America. He's going to be gone for a month, and if he accepts any of their offers, he may be gone even longer."
Hearing this, Kari felt her heart ache further, to hear that the love of her life may be gone for a long time, the brunette wondered why he never said anything to her.
Part of her unable to believe TK's words, the Digidestined of Light looked to Veemon and found the Digimon of Miracles solemnly nodding in reply.
"He tried to tell you this several times, but everyone kept interrupting him." The V marked Digimon informed as he glared toward the other girls, most of them flinching to his words and his stinging barbs.
Looking at Kari and seeing her distraught expression, as well as being sick of this tiresome game between his friends, TK told the Digidestined of Light. "Kari… Davis loves you, and he has stopped loving you."
To TK's words, Kari's eyes widened further, to hear that the Digidestined of Courage and Friendship truly loved her, this causing a warmth to fill her body and for her heart to flutter.
"But understandably, from everything we've put him through, Davis thinks you only see him as a friend." The blond then said.
Knowing and seeing the pain within Kari's expression, and returning to the familiar caring and supportive Digidestined of Hope he was known for, TK told the brunette with a soft smile. "You can no longer wait for him to confess, you need to tell him how you feel, that you love him."
Listening to TK's words, Kari found herself stuck between happiness and despair.
Happiness at the revelation that Davis did indeed love her, and her despair that the man she loved could be leaving her, even if it was an opportunity of a lifetime, one that could very well further his goals in becoming a top chef and starting his noodle cart business.
Sighing briefly, TK looked to see Sora and Yolei approach Kari and to comfort her.
Knowing the dilemma the Digidestined of Light was facing, the Digidestined of Hope said with confidence and trust. "We don't have much time before Davis is supposed to leave, but I have an idea of what we could do, and one that won't cause anyone any more harm."
"However, it might technically be illegal." TK then told Kari and their friends with a light chuckle, the latter of his words causing Kari and the others to look at him with a shared confusion to what exactly the Digidestined of Hope had in mind.
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With a tired sigh, Davis sat back in his seat.
Leaning his head against the window next to him as he looked at the notepad on the open tray before him, Davis was deep in thought.
Tapping his pencil against the paper as he thought of what to write, to at least start his letter to Kari before the plane took off.
Two days had passed since the Golemon incident at the Primary Village, and, despite his best efforts, the maroon haired Digidestined was unable to see Kari again, the Digidestined of Light seemingly too busy and unable to spend any time to be with him.
Now, as he waited for his flight to take off, there was a large part of Davis that felt bad that he could not tell Kari in person that he was leaving, and so he decided it was best to write a note to her, apologizing for not telling her sooner, and that he hoped the best for her with her classes, as well as with her own career goals during the time he was gone.
Continuing to just stare at the blank piece of paper before him and unable to think of anything to write, Davis felt some depression as the thought of not seeing Kari again for a long time continued to play in his head.
However, the Digidestined of Courage and Friendship believed in his heart that this would be for the best for everyone.
"Excuse me, but your bag is in my seat." A friendly and sweet female voice then said, the interruption snapping Davis out of his thoughts as he remembered that he left his carry on resting on the seat beside him.
"Sorry." He said back as he went to grab his bag and to allow the individual to take her seat.
However, it was at that moment that Davis' mind caught up to him.
Knowing the voice he just heard quite well, the maroon haired Digidestined looked up with shock, surprise and disbelief as he asked with clear confusion. "Kari?!"
Indeed, standing before Davis was the girl he had loved since they first met, a carry-on bag in her possession, who smiled down at the maroon haired Digidestined with a growing blush on her cheeks.
Still dumbfounded by the brunette's presence, Davis removed his bag from the seat beside him and allowed Kari to take her seat, who kept her smile as she stowed her bag and then fastened her seatbelt.
"How… what…?" The Digidestined of Miracles could only manage to say through his confusion, his mind still puzzled why Kari was here, or how she got a ticket on a supposedly booked flight.
"To answer one question I know you have on your mind, we know two brothers who are good at hacking and not leaving a trace." The Digidestined of Light said with a smile, this causing Davis' eyes to widen as he truly hoped Rei, Hajime and their Appmon partners would not get into any trouble.
"But why...?" The maroon haired Digidestined had to ask as he was still uncertain as to why Kari was here.
Looking at her hands and her blush deepening, Kari started her explanation, telling her crush. "While you check out those cooking schools, I was thinking I'd look at some myself. There are some great colleges around the areas near them that offer great education courses."
Steeling herself, however and having built up her courage over the past two days, the brunette then said with confidence in her tone. "Besides... I don't want to spend any more time without you in my life."
Hearing Kari's words, Davis' eyes widened as he registered their true meaning, shock and disbelief filling him as he wondered if this was really happening, or if it was just a dream.
"Davis… ever since you saved me during the battle with Abaddonmon, it's as though my eyes have been opened for the first time in my life. I finally see how amazing you are, how you have always been there for me, and I can't stop thinking about you. Just seeing your smile makes each day worth it." Kari told the maroon haired Digidestined, her voice low but just loud enough for Davis to hear the emotions within, to hear the love and awe within her tone.
Knowing that Davis loved her as much as she loved him continued to embolden Kari, the Digidestined of Light continued to speak her heart.
"For a while now, I have been afraid, afraid you would reject me, that you would push me away for all I have done to you in the past."
Turning her head towards him and looking upon Kari, Davis could see the shimmer within the brunette's eyes as her smile grew, before the Digidestined of Light then said with a growing love in her voice. "But I am not afraid anymore, Davis. I want to be with you, and I'll go wherever you go."
Davis felt his mind racing, his heart pounding as the girl of his dreams looked at him with love and devotion, hearing her say things he only thought she would say in his dreams.
"But… what... what about TK…?!" Davis could only murmur as he found his world and the beliefs he held crumbling down.
Understanding Davis' thoughts and confusion, Kari remained with a loving smile on her face as she took Davis' hand into her own and looked deeply into his' eyes, into the eyes of the man she loved.
"TK is a good friend, but…" The Digidestined of Light began to say, before leaning in and whispering to Davis with a growing warmth. "He's not the one I dream about every night… the one I see myself having a family with… I love you, Davis Motomiya."
Finished with declaring her feelings, Kari then leaned in and pressed her lips against Davis' own, the shock and disbelief slowly faded from the maroon haired Digidestined as he acted on his feelings for Kari and eagerly returned the kiss, both feeling their hearts racing and the warmth filling them as they finally expressed their love for one another.
It wasn't until the seatbelt light dinged that Davis and Kari separated from their kiss, the two young Digidestined sitting back in their seats with flushed faces and bright smiles on their faces, their hands still entwined as their flight prepared to take off, while leaving Davis in awe to the entire situation.
Not only did Kari love him as he loved her, but he would now have an entire month alone with her, their Digimon partners remaining in the Digital World as they enjoyed their trip and the time they would have together.
Continuing to hold hands and allowing Kari to rest herself onto his shoulder, Davis and Kari both looked forward to a month they would never forget.
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Author's note: At last, they are together, and they are going to enjoy every moment of it. Stay tuned for the final chapter.
Yes, this is a shorter story than normal, but something I wanted to write before diving back into my larger and more complex ideas. Enjoy the chapter and stay tuned for the next.