Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon
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The First Kiss: Part 3
by: Gennai's Apprentice
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FOUR YEARS LAER, December 3
At Tai's Apartment...
The door to the Kamiya's apartment swung open as Mr. Kamiya walked in. Tai, who had been sitting at the dining room table eating some eggs, asked who it was.
"It's your Dad."
"Oh, why are you home so early?" Tai asked as his Dad placed his brief on the table and his coat on the couch and went to the fridge.
Pulling out a beer, he sat down at the table with his son, "Someone was playing with the sprinklers again, and the office was flooded so the boss let us off early today." Opening it, he took a sip and looked at Tai, "Aren't you supposed to be at soccer club today?"
"Yeah," Tai replied, "but I don't feel like soccer today."
"What? You don't feel like soccer? What's eating at you, son?"
"Well Dad..."
"Wait, lemme guess," his Dad said interrupting Tai, "there's someone better than you who's joined the soccer club?"
"No Dad, it's..."
"Your report card is coming in today and you came home early so you could look it over and change it before I got home, right?"
"NO Dad, the semester isn't even over yet!"
"Oh yeah, so what is it?"
Tai looked down at his folded hands and started twiddling his thumbs.
"I know what it is," Tai's Dad said, "you've got girl trouble."
"H- How did you know?"
"I'm your dad, remember? Besides, you're never nervous about anything, but if there's anything that can get a guy to become a nervous wreck, its girls."
Tai nodded his head, "Well, you're right, there's this girl I like, and I've liked her for a long time. But lately, I haven't really seen her much. In fact, with all the things that we're involved in, it's amazing that I do see her every once in a while, but when I do see her, it's something special to me. With Christmas coming around and my schedule winding down for the holidays, I've been thinking about her more and more. She's always been there in the back of my head, in my thoughts, but recently it's almost as if I can't get her out. I want to tell her I like her, but I just can't bring myself up to it."
"Son," Mr. Kamiya began, "before you start thinking about girls, you need to get your priorities straight."
Tai looked at his Dad quizzically, "I don't get it."
"I know you don't, but let me ask you a couple questions first. Do you really think you love her?"
"I think so," Tai closed his eyes and thought hard, "Yes, I do. We've been through so much together, and I've always felt this way about her. I don't think I can take it anymore without knowing whether she feels the same way."
Mr. Kamiya placed the can off to the side, "So she's important to you, right?"
"Yeah, of course!"
"Now tell me what the most important thing in your life is?"
"Well, soccer right now..."
"First of all, it should be your school work, young man," Mr. Kamiya said in a sterner voice but lightened up a little, "But if you want a girlfriend, she's going to have to go right under school in your list of priorities. Having a girlfriend is a lot of responsibility. You have to make sure that she's happy. And let me tell you, it's hard to keep a girl happy all the time. You have to devote a lot of energy and time to her and your relationship. And if she continues to feel the same way about you, she'll devote her time and energy to make you happy. That's what makes a good relationship."
"But what if I don't have the time or energy to give to her?"
"Then you're not ready for a relationship, because when you have all of your clubs and class work as well as the added stress of a girlfriend, you're gonna snap and break her heart. A relationship is about commitment, and if the two of you can't commit to each other, then when the other can't take it anymore, the other's gonna have their heart broken."
"Wow, how do you know all that stuff?" Tai asked his eyes wider than normal.
Mr. Kamiya emitted a little chuckle, "I'm still married, aren't I?"
"Oh yeah. But what if she doesn't feel the same way I do for her?"
"Then you move on. Don't try too hard to convince her otherwise, especially if it means reinventing yourself just to get her to like you. If she doesn't love you the way you are and the way you handle yourself, then she will never feel the same way you do for her. Acting the way she wants you to will only last for so long."
"Yeah, you're right, Dad."
"Of course I am; I'm your Dad. Now, tell me what your priorities are gonna be."
"First school work, then..."
"What are you guys doing here home so early?" Mrs. Kamiya asked her husband and son while carrying grocery bags. Next to her stood Kari also holding some more bags.
"Huh?" Mr. Kamiya said, "I didn't even hear you open the door."
"That's because you were so busy talking with Tai, now HELP me out!"
"Thanks Dad, for everything," Tai said hurriedly
"No problem, son," Mr. Kamiya said as he immediately got up and began helping his wife and Kari with the groceries. Tai, on the other hand, grabbed his blue "Paws" jacket and left.
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Sora was sitting at her desk in her room when she heard a beep from her D-Terminal. She opened up one of the drawers and pulled it out. When she logged on, she found an e-mail waiting for her from Tai. It told her to meet him at the park near Tokyo Bay. Wondering what this was all about, she put her sky blue jacket on and left her room.
"Sora, are you going somewhere?" her Mom asked.
"Yeah, I'm going to meet Tai at the park."
"Alright, but don't be gone too long."
"I won't."
And with that, she left, wondering what he was up to.
When she finally got to the park, she looked around. Other kids and their parents were playing in the playground, while couples sat in the benches and walked around. Not seeing Tai, she entered.
"Hmm, he said to meet him at the part where it overlooks the bay," Sora said to herself.
Upon reaching there, she looked around again. There were several green benches. One bench in particular, sitting underneath a shady tree, caught her eye. There, a young man wearing a navy blue jacket sat. She approached the bench at sat down on the opposite end.
"Glad to see you made it, Sora," Tai said without looking at her.
"What's this all about, Tai?" Sora asked with a look of concern.
"Remember when we used to sit here all the time?"
"Yes, but what's going on."
Tai just sat there watching the sunset.
"What's wrong, Tai?" she asked, nervousness creeping in.
"We've been through so much in our lives. Saving the world when we were still just a bunch of kids."
"Yeah," she replied relaxing a bit and enjoyed the sunset. "I miss Biyomon a lot."
"And I miss Agumon."
"Hey Tai, remember when we first went to the Digital World and we were being chased around by that Kuwagamon?"
"Of course, how could I forget?"
"And you, of all people, were hiding in a tree! I found that funny."
"Well, what about Datamon, I saved you there!"
"Ha! After you left me with that crazy Digimon for almost a day!"
"Hey, don't rub it in, it's not like I didn't feel sorry that I left you there."
"Yeah, Matt told me that you were screaming my name and saying that you were sorry the whole afternoon."
The two laughed with the memories. "Yeah, but then I thought, 'Oh well, it's not like I was losing my best friend in the whole world...'"
Sora gave him an icy glare, which eventually turned into a smile. The two laughed some more.
"Yeah," Sora said, "but you did stay with me at the footbridge over at Heighton View Terrace when Mammothmon attacked Birdramon. I'll give you credit for when tried to shield me from that big elephant's attack."
"Actually," Tai said rubbing the back of his head, "for a second I thought you were Kari."
The two sat there, thinking about their adventures. They talked about their fears and their joys during their wanderings, then their ultimate sadness when they were forced to leave the Digital World for what seemed to be forever.
"I wish we talked more often like this, Tai," Sora said looking into his eyes.
Tai turned away, "Recently I've been coming to this spot. It's where I do my best thinking."
"Why is that?"
Tai turned back to face her, "Back when Diablomon had launched that nuke at us more than three years ago, I had never felt more powerless."
Sora simply nodded, letting him continue.
"When Izzy first told me what he had done, it took a little while before it all registered in my head. It wasn't until afterward, as I saw the missile fall down on the very spot in front of us, that I realized how close everyone I cared for, everyone I loved were so close to destruction.
Even when Gennai first told us about exactly how dangerous Diablomon was, I didn't believe him. I thought that he couldn't possibly be harder than any of the other Digimon we've faced. I mean, we beat the Dark Masters and Apoclymon. How hard could a little rookie be?
Then when Agumon and Tentomon attacked the little bugger, and still didn't defeat him, then were completely overpowered when he Digivolved into Infermon and attacked them during Digivolution, I still didn't think he could possibly defeat us.
It wasn't until after he defeated MetalGarurumon and WarGreymon as he multiplied into the millions and time was nearly up for the missile to hit that I finally realized that in seconds this single Digimon was going to do what no other could do. It was obvious where he was aiming for. In horror I watched WarGreymon just float there limply as millions of Diablomon stared at him as he writhed in pain."
"I- I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you," Sora said sheepishly.
"No, it wouldn't have made a difference, Biyomon would have been just as beat up as Tentomon and Patamon were." Tai looked at his feet, No, it wasn't your fault, but do you know what I was thinking of?"
"WarGreymon?"
"I was thinking of how if I had just been there, it wouldn't have ended like this. I was thinking if I had been there, my friends and my family wouldn't be so close to being destroyed and that this threat would finally be over. I was thinking that now I would never have the chance to tell you how I feel."
"Y- You..."
"Yes, the whole hairclip thing ate at me, just like all the rest of our other arguments. Before this whole battle, Izzy asked me why you wouldn't talk to me. I explained it to him, and he, being the smart one that he was, pointed how petty it was. He was right. I didn't realize it until then, but every time I fight with you, argue with you, I risked our friendship. Up to right before I went through the monitor, I closed my eyes and thought of how I would never be able to say I was sorry. When I opened my eyes again, I was with WarGreymon and hope surged through me and gave me the strength and courage, along with Matt and MetalGarurumon, to finally put an end to the nightmare. As I watched the nuke land and not explode, but instead simply fell over, I realized here that I had a second chance to get it all right. Unfortunately, I never took that chance, but I'm going to take it now."
Tai turned to a shocked Sora, "Yes Sora, I think I love you."
Sora immediately turned away. She was totally unprepared for this. She had no idea something like this was going to turn up. Tai had hurt her in so many ways without even knowing it.
"Where were you when I needed a shoulder to cry on?" she asked while still turned away.
"You mean your first Young Lady's Tennis semi-finals?"
"Yes."
Back when she had first began to move away from soccer because of her mother, she turned to tennis, a sport she approved of. Tai had been there with everyone else cheering her on at her games. He even stayed and watched her practice. Then Mimi had moved away to America. After that, Matt had to put more time and effort into his band, The Teenage Wolves. Joe had never really been able to keep watching her games, and Izzy as well as the two put a lot of effort into their schoolwork. Her only fans left were Tai, T.K., and Kari. Then Tai stopped coming.
In her second year of playing tennis, she had reached the semi-finals. For this game, everyone had turned out. Family, friends, fellow Digidestined. Even Mimi was there to watch her play. That is, everyone except Tai. It distracted her that he wasn't there, her best friend. Then it happened, in the final moments of the match, she was just barely ahead of her opponent. Time slowed as she tripped over herself, landing on her face and missing the ball. There was a shocked silence, but she got up and continued. Then it happened again, it was the last point, an easy return to win the match, but she tripped again costing her the game.
After the match, everyone tried to comfort her, but to no avail. She stayed after everyone had left, and practiced, releasing her anger at failing to win. Matt came to try to comfort her, being the good friend that he was, but even he couldn't lift her from her dark mood. Everyone had told Tai what happened, some even were angry that he wasn't there to at least support her. She had always blamed Tai for what happened that day, but never brought the topic up with him. Eventually she got over it and thought it was history, but it still hurt her deeply inside.
"I- I can't tell you..."
"Why NOT?! Why can't you tell me where you were that day?"
"Because, I was in the Digital World."
"WHAT?!"
"I don't remember everything, but I do remember one thing... Ryo."
"Who's Ryo?"
"I don't know, but Sora I know that if I had the chance, maybe even the choice to be with you that day, I would've been."
Sora just looked down at her shoelaces.
"I'm sorry I misjudged you," she looked again to Tai, "but why didn't you tell us sooner?"
"I- I couldn't, please Sora stop asking questions about that day. It's just too painful. And don't mention this to the others."
"I never knew."
"I know, it's alright. But the point is that I called you here so I could ask you whether you loved me too."
"I don't know. I just don't know. I wasn't prepared for something like this."
"I understand, but when you do know, please tell me, okay?"
"Okay."
Tai stood up and walked away, leaving Sora at the bench, looking into the sunset. All these years hating him for what he did, and yet it wasn't his fault. She watched the sun go down as tears welled up in her eyes.
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December 19
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It was one week before Christmas, December the nineteenth. Matt and Sora were sitting down on stools at a Cafe on a street corner. It was nearly empty, because it was late into the night. They talked about the week's events, how Izzy had accidentally stepped into the girls' locker room while it was still occupied, how this girl named June Motomiya had been chasing Matt through the mall, and Joe's recent acceptance into High School.
It hadn't started to snow yet because of the unusually hot weather this year, but there were signs that it was getting cooler. Everyone was getting ready for Christmas with decorating and the buying of presents for loved ones. Matt and Sora were in the middle of their meal when the topic landed on her coolness towards the group lately.
"What's wrong, Sora?" Matt asked his friend.
"Nothing, well... actually there is something."
Matt looked at her for a couple minutes, but when she didn't answer, he just turned back to his plate."
"It's about Tai," she said finally.
This time Sora looked at Matt to see his reaction, but he still had some food in his mouth.
"What about him, is there something going on between you two?" Matt asked through some food still in his mouth.
Sora laughed at how funny Matt looked with his chopsticks in his mouth and some noodles hanging out.
"What?" Matt asked incredulously.
"Are you doing this on purpose?"
"Of course, you don't look as cute as you normally do without the customary smile on your face!"
Sora continued to giggle.
Matt swallowed the rest of his food and pointed at her with his chopsticks, "Now tell me, what Tai has done to you to make you so sad?"
"He didn't do anything wrong, it's just that he's given me some things to think about, that's all."
"That's it? The long face just because you're thinking?"
"Well," she began, "I blamed him for so long of something that wasn't his fault."
"Does Tai want to see you like this? I know I don't."
"I haven't seen Tai since a couple weeks ago. He's been giving me some space to think."
"Are you sure he's not hurting you?"
She remained silent.
"Remember, you have more friends than just Tai. I'm here if you want to talk."
Tears began spilling out of her eyes as she slowly placed her chopsticks down.
"Check please!" Matt said a little too loudly.
One of the waitresses walked over to the two and started picking up the plates, "It's on me, hon'. Just take care of the poor girl."
"Thanks, ma'am." Matt said and tried to bow as he helped Sora off the stool and onto her feet. Matt led her outside into the chilly air.
Tai was on his way home from a visit to Izzy's house, but decided to take the scenic route. In the days of late, he had become even more thoughtful, not as outgoing as he normally was. On this route, he was to pass by a diner he could probably stop by and get something to eat. While approaching, he saw what looked like Matt and Sora already in there. He was about to go and join them when he decided otherwise and to just leave the two alone. Sora hadn't told him her plans, so he guessed that maybe he wasn't invited for a reason, and just walked on. As he turned the corner in the opposite direction, behind him Matt was struggling to keep Sora on her feet as they exited the diner.
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December 22
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"Wow, this is exciting, people are already lining up for Matt's concert!" Sora said to herself, passing by a huge line, leading into the massive tent where the concert was to be held. In her hands, she held a present wrapped with green paper and a red bow. Her destination was Matt's trailer. "With cookies like these, he'd better be sure to get good seats for us."
She fixed her hair a little, adjusting the little hairclip. When she finished, she began to knock on the door but noticed someone running up in the corner of her eye.
"Sora, wait up!", Tai said running almost in a sprint.
Sora, acting a relieved that it was just Tai, continued knocking on the door.
As soon as he reached her, the door opened to reveal Matt in his getup for the concert tonight.
"Hey, Matt!" Tai said, slowing down as he reached the two of them.
"Hey yourself," Matt said with a smile as he took the gift from Sora.
"Wait a sec. Something smells good!" Tai said as his stomach gave a little rumble.
"Don't worry, Tai," Matt said giving him a wink, "you'll get all the food your heart desires soon enough."
"Huh?" Tai said with a blank look on his face. He looked to Sora for answers, but all she did was smile.
"And one more thing," Matt said right before closing the door, "Don't you ever hurt Sora's feelings or else I'm gonna take her from you!"
With the slam of the door, Tai looked even more confused than ever, "What does he mean, 'take you from me'?"
Sora moved closer to Tai, then enveloped him in a close and intimate hug.
"Yes Tai, I love you too."
Tai just stood there, not returning the hug, but having his arms stay limply at his sides with a dumb look on his face. "What just happened?"
Sora stepped back, "Matt and I were talking last night..."
"Yeah, at that diner, right?"
"You were spying on us?"
"No, I was just on my way home... Seriously, I didn't even know you were there!"
"You didn't see me as Matt practically dragged me out of there?"
"WHAT? Were you hurt or something? I'm so sorry! I didn't know, I just continued on my way after I saw you two sitting there. I didn't even really stop to watch you."
"That's good, because after that me and Matt talked about you, and I don't think we could've done that with you hanging over us."
Sora giggled a bit then continued, "I had no idea on how to react after everything you said on that day. I had felt feelings for you, but gradually they left me. I thought that you just cared for me like you care about everyone else."
"I thought the same about you."
"Well, Matt being the good friend that he is, told me to follow my heart, and my heart told me that I belong with you. Does your heart tell you the same thing?"
Tai just looked at her, her red locks of hair falling down around her ears. Then he noticed it, the hairclip he had given her for her birthday four years ago. She was wearing it. Tai's eyes began to well up, and in a burst of joy, he wrapped his arms around Sora and she did the same to him. They broke apart, but kept each other at arm's length.
"Did you think that there was something between me and Matt?"
"If there was and you were happy, I'd be happy for you just the same."
"Liar," she said with a smile on her lips as the two held each others hand as they headed for the big tent where Matt's concert was about to start.
Matt had finally reached the end of his concert. He was good. Really good. The crowd was screaming as he finished their song. With the concert being televised all across Tokyo, it would be no wonder if Matt someday reached the 'Big Time'. Tai and Sora were sitting next to each other while T.K. and Kari were sitting behind them. Next to T.K. sat Joe and Izzy. All of them were cheering for their friend, but not quite as much as the girl next to them, identified as June Motomiya by T.K. Sitting with his face in his hands next to his sister was a younger boy around the same age as T.K. and Kari. Tai recognized him as Davis, one of the kids in his soccer club.
"Are you guys ready to ROCK!?!" Matt shouted out to the crowd. June just shouted all the more waving her pink pom-poms.
"I can't HEAR you!" He yelled then began strumming his guitar.
"This one's for my two BEST FRIENDS up there in the STANDS," he yelled as the spotlight shined over Sora and Tai. The two blushed.
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You got a boy
You got a girl
Sitting underneath a tree
They sit there every-day
But even though, you may think
This is the way that things should be...
It may not always be that waaaay
You can't take nothing for granted,
You got to live life today!
I turn around I can see what's behind me,
I turn back around I can see what's ahead.
And if you don't believe I've been here all along
Just turn around
Just turn around...
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During all the cheering from the audience while Matt took his bows, Tai and Sora were oblivious to everything, staring into each other's eyes. Closer and closer, their heads came until their lips connected. Their first kiss.
Fifteen years later, Matt has become the rock superstar everyone had expected him to be. Taking the world by storm with his band "The Rabid Wolves," some say he may even surpass Elvis. So far, he is still an available bachelor, looking for true love.
Sora has become a successful novel writer. Originally, she had been trying to write the Digidestineds' adventures under non-fiction. It wasn't until she placed it under fiction when her novels hit the bestseller charts.
As for Tai, after some rocky starts, he became a world-class soccer player. Winning several championships and becoming rich after his many product endorsements, he faded out of the public view after retirement. His new goal in life is to become the perfect husband and father.
Tai and Sora are married and live in Odaiba with one little girl, Pixie.
Unfortunately, something sinister has been festering in the Digital World. Now, Matt, Tai, Sora, and the other Digidestined have been called to a job that should have been accomplished long ago.
.
do do do do, do do do do, do do do do do...
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TO BE CONTINUED IN--DIGIMON TZ: THE BEGINNING OF THE END!
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A/N: I hope you liked this wacky little back-story I cooked up. A lot of the first chapter is what I feel to be one of the many possible reasons why Sora ended up with Matt instead of Tai. Of course, this chapter is not canon since Tai never met Ryo to join forces to defeat Milleniumon... Of course Ken wasn't dead either.
Also, I would like to thank my new beta reader FoenixFyre for her wonderful work. If you're ever looking for a Sailor Moon or Gundam Wing fanfic to brighten your day, she's probably got what you need.
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The First Kiss: Part 3
by: Gennai's Apprentice
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FOUR YEARS LAER, December 3
At Tai's Apartment...
The door to the Kamiya's apartment swung open as Mr. Kamiya walked in. Tai, who had been sitting at the dining room table eating some eggs, asked who it was.
"It's your Dad."
"Oh, why are you home so early?" Tai asked as his Dad placed his brief on the table and his coat on the couch and went to the fridge.
Pulling out a beer, he sat down at the table with his son, "Someone was playing with the sprinklers again, and the office was flooded so the boss let us off early today." Opening it, he took a sip and looked at Tai, "Aren't you supposed to be at soccer club today?"
"Yeah," Tai replied, "but I don't feel like soccer today."
"What? You don't feel like soccer? What's eating at you, son?"
"Well Dad..."
"Wait, lemme guess," his Dad said interrupting Tai, "there's someone better than you who's joined the soccer club?"
"No Dad, it's..."
"Your report card is coming in today and you came home early so you could look it over and change it before I got home, right?"
"NO Dad, the semester isn't even over yet!"
"Oh yeah, so what is it?"
Tai looked down at his folded hands and started twiddling his thumbs.
"I know what it is," Tai's Dad said, "you've got girl trouble."
"H- How did you know?"
"I'm your dad, remember? Besides, you're never nervous about anything, but if there's anything that can get a guy to become a nervous wreck, its girls."
Tai nodded his head, "Well, you're right, there's this girl I like, and I've liked her for a long time. But lately, I haven't really seen her much. In fact, with all the things that we're involved in, it's amazing that I do see her every once in a while, but when I do see her, it's something special to me. With Christmas coming around and my schedule winding down for the holidays, I've been thinking about her more and more. She's always been there in the back of my head, in my thoughts, but recently it's almost as if I can't get her out. I want to tell her I like her, but I just can't bring myself up to it."
"Son," Mr. Kamiya began, "before you start thinking about girls, you need to get your priorities straight."
Tai looked at his Dad quizzically, "I don't get it."
"I know you don't, but let me ask you a couple questions first. Do you really think you love her?"
"I think so," Tai closed his eyes and thought hard, "Yes, I do. We've been through so much together, and I've always felt this way about her. I don't think I can take it anymore without knowing whether she feels the same way."
Mr. Kamiya placed the can off to the side, "So she's important to you, right?"
"Yeah, of course!"
"Now tell me what the most important thing in your life is?"
"Well, soccer right now..."
"First of all, it should be your school work, young man," Mr. Kamiya said in a sterner voice but lightened up a little, "But if you want a girlfriend, she's going to have to go right under school in your list of priorities. Having a girlfriend is a lot of responsibility. You have to make sure that she's happy. And let me tell you, it's hard to keep a girl happy all the time. You have to devote a lot of energy and time to her and your relationship. And if she continues to feel the same way about you, she'll devote her time and energy to make you happy. That's what makes a good relationship."
"But what if I don't have the time or energy to give to her?"
"Then you're not ready for a relationship, because when you have all of your clubs and class work as well as the added stress of a girlfriend, you're gonna snap and break her heart. A relationship is about commitment, and if the two of you can't commit to each other, then when the other can't take it anymore, the other's gonna have their heart broken."
"Wow, how do you know all that stuff?" Tai asked his eyes wider than normal.
Mr. Kamiya emitted a little chuckle, "I'm still married, aren't I?"
"Oh yeah. But what if she doesn't feel the same way I do for her?"
"Then you move on. Don't try too hard to convince her otherwise, especially if it means reinventing yourself just to get her to like you. If she doesn't love you the way you are and the way you handle yourself, then she will never feel the same way you do for her. Acting the way she wants you to will only last for so long."
"Yeah, you're right, Dad."
"Of course I am; I'm your Dad. Now, tell me what your priorities are gonna be."
"First school work, then..."
"What are you guys doing here home so early?" Mrs. Kamiya asked her husband and son while carrying grocery bags. Next to her stood Kari also holding some more bags.
"Huh?" Mr. Kamiya said, "I didn't even hear you open the door."
"That's because you were so busy talking with Tai, now HELP me out!"
"Thanks Dad, for everything," Tai said hurriedly
"No problem, son," Mr. Kamiya said as he immediately got up and began helping his wife and Kari with the groceries. Tai, on the other hand, grabbed his blue "Paws" jacket and left.
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Sora was sitting at her desk in her room when she heard a beep from her D-Terminal. She opened up one of the drawers and pulled it out. When she logged on, she found an e-mail waiting for her from Tai. It told her to meet him at the park near Tokyo Bay. Wondering what this was all about, she put her sky blue jacket on and left her room.
"Sora, are you going somewhere?" her Mom asked.
"Yeah, I'm going to meet Tai at the park."
"Alright, but don't be gone too long."
"I won't."
And with that, she left, wondering what he was up to.
When she finally got to the park, she looked around. Other kids and their parents were playing in the playground, while couples sat in the benches and walked around. Not seeing Tai, she entered.
"Hmm, he said to meet him at the part where it overlooks the bay," Sora said to herself.
Upon reaching there, she looked around again. There were several green benches. One bench in particular, sitting underneath a shady tree, caught her eye. There, a young man wearing a navy blue jacket sat. She approached the bench at sat down on the opposite end.
"Glad to see you made it, Sora," Tai said without looking at her.
"What's this all about, Tai?" Sora asked with a look of concern.
"Remember when we used to sit here all the time?"
"Yes, but what's going on."
Tai just sat there watching the sunset.
"What's wrong, Tai?" she asked, nervousness creeping in.
"We've been through so much in our lives. Saving the world when we were still just a bunch of kids."
"Yeah," she replied relaxing a bit and enjoyed the sunset. "I miss Biyomon a lot."
"And I miss Agumon."
"Hey Tai, remember when we first went to the Digital World and we were being chased around by that Kuwagamon?"
"Of course, how could I forget?"
"And you, of all people, were hiding in a tree! I found that funny."
"Well, what about Datamon, I saved you there!"
"Ha! After you left me with that crazy Digimon for almost a day!"
"Hey, don't rub it in, it's not like I didn't feel sorry that I left you there."
"Yeah, Matt told me that you were screaming my name and saying that you were sorry the whole afternoon."
The two laughed with the memories. "Yeah, but then I thought, 'Oh well, it's not like I was losing my best friend in the whole world...'"
Sora gave him an icy glare, which eventually turned into a smile. The two laughed some more.
"Yeah," Sora said, "but you did stay with me at the footbridge over at Heighton View Terrace when Mammothmon attacked Birdramon. I'll give you credit for when tried to shield me from that big elephant's attack."
"Actually," Tai said rubbing the back of his head, "for a second I thought you were Kari."
The two sat there, thinking about their adventures. They talked about their fears and their joys during their wanderings, then their ultimate sadness when they were forced to leave the Digital World for what seemed to be forever.
"I wish we talked more often like this, Tai," Sora said looking into his eyes.
Tai turned away, "Recently I've been coming to this spot. It's where I do my best thinking."
"Why is that?"
Tai turned back to face her, "Back when Diablomon had launched that nuke at us more than three years ago, I had never felt more powerless."
Sora simply nodded, letting him continue.
"When Izzy first told me what he had done, it took a little while before it all registered in my head. It wasn't until afterward, as I saw the missile fall down on the very spot in front of us, that I realized how close everyone I cared for, everyone I loved were so close to destruction.
Even when Gennai first told us about exactly how dangerous Diablomon was, I didn't believe him. I thought that he couldn't possibly be harder than any of the other Digimon we've faced. I mean, we beat the Dark Masters and Apoclymon. How hard could a little rookie be?
Then when Agumon and Tentomon attacked the little bugger, and still didn't defeat him, then were completely overpowered when he Digivolved into Infermon and attacked them during Digivolution, I still didn't think he could possibly defeat us.
It wasn't until after he defeated MetalGarurumon and WarGreymon as he multiplied into the millions and time was nearly up for the missile to hit that I finally realized that in seconds this single Digimon was going to do what no other could do. It was obvious where he was aiming for. In horror I watched WarGreymon just float there limply as millions of Diablomon stared at him as he writhed in pain."
"I- I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you," Sora said sheepishly.
"No, it wouldn't have made a difference, Biyomon would have been just as beat up as Tentomon and Patamon were." Tai looked at his feet, No, it wasn't your fault, but do you know what I was thinking of?"
"WarGreymon?"
"I was thinking of how if I had just been there, it wouldn't have ended like this. I was thinking if I had been there, my friends and my family wouldn't be so close to being destroyed and that this threat would finally be over. I was thinking that now I would never have the chance to tell you how I feel."
"Y- You..."
"Yes, the whole hairclip thing ate at me, just like all the rest of our other arguments. Before this whole battle, Izzy asked me why you wouldn't talk to me. I explained it to him, and he, being the smart one that he was, pointed how petty it was. He was right. I didn't realize it until then, but every time I fight with you, argue with you, I risked our friendship. Up to right before I went through the monitor, I closed my eyes and thought of how I would never be able to say I was sorry. When I opened my eyes again, I was with WarGreymon and hope surged through me and gave me the strength and courage, along with Matt and MetalGarurumon, to finally put an end to the nightmare. As I watched the nuke land and not explode, but instead simply fell over, I realized here that I had a second chance to get it all right. Unfortunately, I never took that chance, but I'm going to take it now."
Tai turned to a shocked Sora, "Yes Sora, I think I love you."
Sora immediately turned away. She was totally unprepared for this. She had no idea something like this was going to turn up. Tai had hurt her in so many ways without even knowing it.
"Where were you when I needed a shoulder to cry on?" she asked while still turned away.
"You mean your first Young Lady's Tennis semi-finals?"
"Yes."
Back when she had first began to move away from soccer because of her mother, she turned to tennis, a sport she approved of. Tai had been there with everyone else cheering her on at her games. He even stayed and watched her practice. Then Mimi had moved away to America. After that, Matt had to put more time and effort into his band, The Teenage Wolves. Joe had never really been able to keep watching her games, and Izzy as well as the two put a lot of effort into their schoolwork. Her only fans left were Tai, T.K., and Kari. Then Tai stopped coming.
In her second year of playing tennis, she had reached the semi-finals. For this game, everyone had turned out. Family, friends, fellow Digidestined. Even Mimi was there to watch her play. That is, everyone except Tai. It distracted her that he wasn't there, her best friend. Then it happened, in the final moments of the match, she was just barely ahead of her opponent. Time slowed as she tripped over herself, landing on her face and missing the ball. There was a shocked silence, but she got up and continued. Then it happened again, it was the last point, an easy return to win the match, but she tripped again costing her the game.
After the match, everyone tried to comfort her, but to no avail. She stayed after everyone had left, and practiced, releasing her anger at failing to win. Matt came to try to comfort her, being the good friend that he was, but even he couldn't lift her from her dark mood. Everyone had told Tai what happened, some even were angry that he wasn't there to at least support her. She had always blamed Tai for what happened that day, but never brought the topic up with him. Eventually she got over it and thought it was history, but it still hurt her deeply inside.
"I- I can't tell you..."
"Why NOT?! Why can't you tell me where you were that day?"
"Because, I was in the Digital World."
"WHAT?!"
"I don't remember everything, but I do remember one thing... Ryo."
"Who's Ryo?"
"I don't know, but Sora I know that if I had the chance, maybe even the choice to be with you that day, I would've been."
Sora just looked down at her shoelaces.
"I'm sorry I misjudged you," she looked again to Tai, "but why didn't you tell us sooner?"
"I- I couldn't, please Sora stop asking questions about that day. It's just too painful. And don't mention this to the others."
"I never knew."
"I know, it's alright. But the point is that I called you here so I could ask you whether you loved me too."
"I don't know. I just don't know. I wasn't prepared for something like this."
"I understand, but when you do know, please tell me, okay?"
"Okay."
Tai stood up and walked away, leaving Sora at the bench, looking into the sunset. All these years hating him for what he did, and yet it wasn't his fault. She watched the sun go down as tears welled up in her eyes.
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December 19
.
It was one week before Christmas, December the nineteenth. Matt and Sora were sitting down on stools at a Cafe on a street corner. It was nearly empty, because it was late into the night. They talked about the week's events, how Izzy had accidentally stepped into the girls' locker room while it was still occupied, how this girl named June Motomiya had been chasing Matt through the mall, and Joe's recent acceptance into High School.
It hadn't started to snow yet because of the unusually hot weather this year, but there were signs that it was getting cooler. Everyone was getting ready for Christmas with decorating and the buying of presents for loved ones. Matt and Sora were in the middle of their meal when the topic landed on her coolness towards the group lately.
"What's wrong, Sora?" Matt asked his friend.
"Nothing, well... actually there is something."
Matt looked at her for a couple minutes, but when she didn't answer, he just turned back to his plate."
"It's about Tai," she said finally.
This time Sora looked at Matt to see his reaction, but he still had some food in his mouth.
"What about him, is there something going on between you two?" Matt asked through some food still in his mouth.
Sora laughed at how funny Matt looked with his chopsticks in his mouth and some noodles hanging out.
"What?" Matt asked incredulously.
"Are you doing this on purpose?"
"Of course, you don't look as cute as you normally do without the customary smile on your face!"
Sora continued to giggle.
Matt swallowed the rest of his food and pointed at her with his chopsticks, "Now tell me, what Tai has done to you to make you so sad?"
"He didn't do anything wrong, it's just that he's given me some things to think about, that's all."
"That's it? The long face just because you're thinking?"
"Well," she began, "I blamed him for so long of something that wasn't his fault."
"Does Tai want to see you like this? I know I don't."
"I haven't seen Tai since a couple weeks ago. He's been giving me some space to think."
"Are you sure he's not hurting you?"
She remained silent.
"Remember, you have more friends than just Tai. I'm here if you want to talk."
Tears began spilling out of her eyes as she slowly placed her chopsticks down.
"Check please!" Matt said a little too loudly.
One of the waitresses walked over to the two and started picking up the plates, "It's on me, hon'. Just take care of the poor girl."
"Thanks, ma'am." Matt said and tried to bow as he helped Sora off the stool and onto her feet. Matt led her outside into the chilly air.
Tai was on his way home from a visit to Izzy's house, but decided to take the scenic route. In the days of late, he had become even more thoughtful, not as outgoing as he normally was. On this route, he was to pass by a diner he could probably stop by and get something to eat. While approaching, he saw what looked like Matt and Sora already in there. He was about to go and join them when he decided otherwise and to just leave the two alone. Sora hadn't told him her plans, so he guessed that maybe he wasn't invited for a reason, and just walked on. As he turned the corner in the opposite direction, behind him Matt was struggling to keep Sora on her feet as they exited the diner.
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December 22
.
"Wow, this is exciting, people are already lining up for Matt's concert!" Sora said to herself, passing by a huge line, leading into the massive tent where the concert was to be held. In her hands, she held a present wrapped with green paper and a red bow. Her destination was Matt's trailer. "With cookies like these, he'd better be sure to get good seats for us."
She fixed her hair a little, adjusting the little hairclip. When she finished, she began to knock on the door but noticed someone running up in the corner of her eye.
"Sora, wait up!", Tai said running almost in a sprint.
Sora, acting a relieved that it was just Tai, continued knocking on the door.
As soon as he reached her, the door opened to reveal Matt in his getup for the concert tonight.
"Hey, Matt!" Tai said, slowing down as he reached the two of them.
"Hey yourself," Matt said with a smile as he took the gift from Sora.
"Wait a sec. Something smells good!" Tai said as his stomach gave a little rumble.
"Don't worry, Tai," Matt said giving him a wink, "you'll get all the food your heart desires soon enough."
"Huh?" Tai said with a blank look on his face. He looked to Sora for answers, but all she did was smile.
"And one more thing," Matt said right before closing the door, "Don't you ever hurt Sora's feelings or else I'm gonna take her from you!"
With the slam of the door, Tai looked even more confused than ever, "What does he mean, 'take you from me'?"
Sora moved closer to Tai, then enveloped him in a close and intimate hug.
"Yes Tai, I love you too."
Tai just stood there, not returning the hug, but having his arms stay limply at his sides with a dumb look on his face. "What just happened?"
Sora stepped back, "Matt and I were talking last night..."
"Yeah, at that diner, right?"
"You were spying on us?"
"No, I was just on my way home... Seriously, I didn't even know you were there!"
"You didn't see me as Matt practically dragged me out of there?"
"WHAT? Were you hurt or something? I'm so sorry! I didn't know, I just continued on my way after I saw you two sitting there. I didn't even really stop to watch you."
"That's good, because after that me and Matt talked about you, and I don't think we could've done that with you hanging over us."
Sora giggled a bit then continued, "I had no idea on how to react after everything you said on that day. I had felt feelings for you, but gradually they left me. I thought that you just cared for me like you care about everyone else."
"I thought the same about you."
"Well, Matt being the good friend that he is, told me to follow my heart, and my heart told me that I belong with you. Does your heart tell you the same thing?"
Tai just looked at her, her red locks of hair falling down around her ears. Then he noticed it, the hairclip he had given her for her birthday four years ago. She was wearing it. Tai's eyes began to well up, and in a burst of joy, he wrapped his arms around Sora and she did the same to him. They broke apart, but kept each other at arm's length.
"Did you think that there was something between me and Matt?"
"If there was and you were happy, I'd be happy for you just the same."
"Liar," she said with a smile on her lips as the two held each others hand as they headed for the big tent where Matt's concert was about to start.
Matt had finally reached the end of his concert. He was good. Really good. The crowd was screaming as he finished their song. With the concert being televised all across Tokyo, it would be no wonder if Matt someday reached the 'Big Time'. Tai and Sora were sitting next to each other while T.K. and Kari were sitting behind them. Next to T.K. sat Joe and Izzy. All of them were cheering for their friend, but not quite as much as the girl next to them, identified as June Motomiya by T.K. Sitting with his face in his hands next to his sister was a younger boy around the same age as T.K. and Kari. Tai recognized him as Davis, one of the kids in his soccer club.
"Are you guys ready to ROCK!?!" Matt shouted out to the crowd. June just shouted all the more waving her pink pom-poms.
"I can't HEAR you!" He yelled then began strumming his guitar.
"This one's for my two BEST FRIENDS up there in the STANDS," he yelled as the spotlight shined over Sora and Tai. The two blushed.
.
You got a boy
You got a girl
Sitting underneath a tree
They sit there every-day
But even though, you may think
This is the way that things should be...
It may not always be that waaaay
You can't take nothing for granted,
You got to live life today!
I turn around I can see what's behind me,
I turn back around I can see what's ahead.
And if you don't believe I've been here all along
Just turn around
Just turn around...
.
During all the cheering from the audience while Matt took his bows, Tai and Sora were oblivious to everything, staring into each other's eyes. Closer and closer, their heads came until their lips connected. Their first kiss.
Fifteen years later, Matt has become the rock superstar everyone had expected him to be. Taking the world by storm with his band "The Rabid Wolves," some say he may even surpass Elvis. So far, he is still an available bachelor, looking for true love.
Sora has become a successful novel writer. Originally, she had been trying to write the Digidestineds' adventures under non-fiction. It wasn't until she placed it under fiction when her novels hit the bestseller charts.
As for Tai, after some rocky starts, he became a world-class soccer player. Winning several championships and becoming rich after his many product endorsements, he faded out of the public view after retirement. His new goal in life is to become the perfect husband and father.
Tai and Sora are married and live in Odaiba with one little girl, Pixie.
Unfortunately, something sinister has been festering in the Digital World. Now, Matt, Tai, Sora, and the other Digidestined have been called to a job that should have been accomplished long ago.
.
do do do do, do do do do, do do do do do...
.
TO BE CONTINUED IN--DIGIMON TZ: THE BEGINNING OF THE END!
.
A/N: I hope you liked this wacky little back-story I cooked up. A lot of the first chapter is what I feel to be one of the many possible reasons why Sora ended up with Matt instead of Tai. Of course, this chapter is not canon since Tai never met Ryo to join forces to defeat Milleniumon... Of course Ken wasn't dead either.
Also, I would like to thank my new beta reader FoenixFyre for her wonderful work. If you're ever looking for a Sailor Moon or Gundam Wing fanfic to brighten your day, she's probably got what you need.
