Z: Okay, here's the next part. -sighs- sorry bout the long wait. I am having trouble with the chapter after this so I'm hoping some of your reviews will give me an idea or something.

Disclaimer: Nah, don't own them. If I did, I'd be rich and then I wouldn't have car problems or work problems or trying to go to school problems.

Catching Up

"So, this is your home sweet home?" Kari asked, as she stepped into Matt's apartment. "Everyone thought you'd stay at the flat you and your dad had."

Matt took Kari's jacket and hung it up along with his. He shook his head and shrugged. "No. I do own it but I rent it out. I . . .had to get another place after the accident. Too many memories and I wasn't ready to deal." He explained. "Coffee? Tea?"

"Tea, please." Kari replied and sat down on his sofa. "It is cozy, Matt."

Matt smiled from the kitchen. "Glad you approve of it, Kari," He teased as he put on the tea kettle. "It'll be a few before the water's ready."

"That's okay."

Matt sat down next to her and turned his body to face her. Resting his elbow on the back of the couch, he set his chin in his hand and gazed at her. "So, seeing how I've not spoken to anyone for awhile, update me on your life and theirs." He narrowed his eyes and gave her a sly smirk. "If I remember correctly, you always knew what was going on."

Kari laughed and turned her body to face him as well. "Yeah, well, Tk and I were quite a team at that." She admitted. "We still tag-team every so often even though we are not together."

She sighed and twirled a strand of her hair. "After you seemed to have disappeared, everyone started to worry about you. Especially Tai." At the expression on Matt's face, Kari leaned forward and grabbed his free hand. "Matt, you can't move on into the future until you let go of the past. Let him go. You are hurting and have been." She whispered softly.

Matt sighed and rolled his eyes at the ceiling. "Why didn't I tell him? When I had the chance?" He moaned, his heart aching. "Now he's with Sora--"

"She, out of the group, has changed the most." Kari said softly. "She suddenly thinks that she is just too good for us. The only reason why she was at the dinner was because Tai wanted her there. He cares and loves her very much, despite her recent change."

"I wonder why she has changed." Matt mused quietly.

Kari then noticed that he hadn't removed his hand from her touch. She smiled a little. "Matt, are you seeing anyone?" She asked suddenly.

Matt gave her a startle glance. "No, not really. Dated here and there." He answered honestly.

"So, did you date the cute black-haired beauty waiter who kept eyeing you all night?" Kari teased. "Bright green eyes that just shouted he was hungry for you."

"Dated." Matt said firmly. "Nothing more. He wants more, but I don't want to. Not with him."

"Gone on any recent dates?"

"No. We've hung out . . .but I guess he keeps reading that I want him or something."

"Ah. What's his name?"

"Xander."

"Hmm. Sounds sexy."

"He is . . .but . . .Hey wait a second, we were talking about everyone else not me!" Matt cried out indignantly. "You're doing it again, you sneaky little brat."

Kari laughed. "I'm not so little anymore, Matt! I'm eighteen!" She retorted.

Just then the kettle whistled and Matt rolled his eyes, grinning. "The water's ready. I shall make us some tea and then we're really going to talk." He told her firmly.

"Wouldn't have it any other way, Matt," Kari said warmly.

Matt came back a few minutes later with two cups of tea. He handed one to Kari who smiled. Sitting back down and resting the cup in his hands, he gently blew on it to cool it down. Kari watched him for a few seconds, realizing how handsome the young Ishida had gotten. He had let his hair grow out but not too much--it did hang just a little above his shoulders. Yet the way he styled it fit him. He looked a little pale but she suspected that was from lack of sleep--and probably not eating right.

Matt glanced up to see her studying him and he flushed. "What is so fascinating about me, anyways?" He asked, sipping his tea.

Kari grinned. "Well, I was just thinking that you've just gotten more and more handsome over the months that we've last spoken." She told him. "I think its a shame that you're not dating anyone . . .you're far too handsome to be single, Matt Ishida."

Matt flushed even darker and ducked his head, letting strands of blonde hair fall into his face, hiding. "Thanks, I guess." He shrugged.

"Why do you do that, Matt?" Kari asked, confused. "Why do you always hide?"

"Why do we always turn the conversation towards me?" Matt retorted back.

Kari simply smiled. "You always let it." She answered back reasonably. "Okay, I'll answer your questions . . .what do you want to know?"

Matt set his teacup down on the table and then glanced at her. "So, how long did Sora wait to ask Tai out?" He asked, not really wanting to know the answer but needed to.

Kari's eyes became dark. "Not very long at all. We all knew about the fling that you two shared, and we knew that you were hiding it. We were all hoping that it'd grow into a relationship---"

"But it didn't." Matt finished. "So how long?"

"A month and half . . .after you stopped talking to any of us." Kari said. "Sometimes I think Tai only did it because he needed someone and you weren't there. Then grew accustomed to having her in his life . . .And doesn't know the difference between love and being trapped." She set her teacup down on the table as well, only it was with a loud clang.

Matt winced and sighed. "I'm sorry, Kari--" He started.

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make it look like it was your fault when it really wasn't. At any rate, she moved in not really caring about how he felt or if he was still in love with you." Kari sighed. "I think I'm still bitter over the whole thing and seeing how he is my brother and I want him to be happy---I can't say anything, really, cuz I do believe he is happy."

"I understand." Matt nodded and decided he didn't want to talk about Tai and Sora anymore. He tilted his head at her. "So tell me about Tk and Davis. I seriously did not see that one coming at all."

"Ah, that was rather a surprise. . .for everyone at least. I had a feeling that something was up with him and it was rather big. So I just waited it out." Kari explained. She shrugged. "I was hurt at first. Very, very hurt. I did love him and I thought we were meant to be," she glanced up and Matt could see the pain in her warm expressive eyes. "He was Hope and I was Light--we fit so well."

Matt impulsively reached forward and grabbed her in a hug. "I know, Kari, I know." He whispered in her ear. "If you. . if you need a shoulder to cry on, I am here. I'm here now."

Kari nodded and then she buried her head in his shoulder, letting her emotions out in her tears; she hadn't cried and didn't want to then. But now. . .now that Matt was here and understood and was holding her--she let it out. Matt simply held her, gently rubbing her back, letting her know that he was here for her.

-----

"So, Davis just blurted that he loved Tk and Tk's eyes just lit up and expressed the same thing?" Matt asked, smirking. "Then shared a passionate kiss in front of everyone??"

Kari laughed. "Yeah. It may have hurt but. . .it was cute and blissful." She turned her head and glanced at Matt. "So this is where you hang out when you don't want to watch tv or deal with people?"

Matt nodded. After Kari had cried, he suggested that they go on the rooftop of the apartment complex. He brought out a comforter and the of them lay their selves down and stared up at the starry sky. It did calm Kari down and it brought a smile to Matt's face---he figured it would and was glad he could figure her out.

"Yeah. It's always lonely and empty out here. I love it though. Helps me think. Sort out everything out." Matt answered, sighing. "How did Ken take to Davis' love for Tk? Last I knew he had a thing for the redhead."

"He took it rather hard himself." She sounded sad and Matt picked up on it. "He, he really loved Davis. Maybe too much."

"Kari, what happened to Ken?" Matt propped himself up on his elbow and glanced at her, only to see that she was avoiding his eyes.

"He killed himself a few weeks later, not able to deal with the rejection." Kari said flatly. She locked eyes with him. "Tk and Davis were distressed, they didn't want that nor expected it. They valued Ken as a friend."

"Dammit." Matt swore. He threw himself back down and covered his eyes with his arm.

Kari sat up and then leaned over, pulling his arm away from his face. "Look, it isn't your fault. It just happened." She said gently. "Yet why do I get the feeling that you're going to feel guilty regardless of what I'm going to say?"

Matt smiled a little. "You're right, Kari." He paused. "How is that you can figure me out so well?"

Kari grinned and pulled him back up. "Because when we were younger. . .You always hung out at our house. Even when we didn't speak, I observed you. I watched you. I learned from you. You were just so fascinating." She gave him a look. "You still are. But you've not changed, and if you did, I've not found it."

"You've not changed either." Matt told her simply. "I'm glad we're talking. Everyone is just so. . .different."

"I know what you mean. So, you need company tomorrow?" Kari suddenly asked, studying him.

Matt blinked. "Tomorrow. . .Kari. . .will you go with me to his grave?" He asked slowly. "I usually go around the morning---dad was always a morning person. I'll buy some flowers and place them on his grave. .. and talk to him. Like I always do."

"That. . .sounds sweet, Matt. I'd love to go with you. . ."She answered quietly and grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze. "But for now, we should. . .just sit here and gaze at the stars."

Kari let her drop head onto his chest, and bit her lip. She knew that she was falling for him and wished she could stop. She knew that she had a very slim chance of being with him. Yet, something just felt so right to be here with him, near his warmth.

Matt tentatively wrapped his arm around the young girl and continued to star at the skies, lost in thought. He wasn't sure what he felt for Kari--it was far too soon. That and they may have known one another for a few years but he always thought of her as his best friends' kid sister.

But yet, she seemed to understand him inside and out. She always knew what to say when he wasn't sure how he felt.

"Kari, don't you have to go home soon?" Matt suddenly asked and then groaned. "I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to sound like a bossy friend or parent or---"

Kari giggled. "It's okay, Matt." She stood up and stretched. "To be honest, I don't have a clue as to what time it is." She paused and then rolled her eyes. "I probably should go home. Tai will have a fit---"

"He still lives at home?" Matt asked.

"Of course. He . . .he's saving up to 'buy' an apartment with Sora." Kari said and then shrugged. "I'm still his little sister. Baby sister, at that."

Matt nodded. "Okay. I'll walk you out, then. . .pick you up tomorrow morning?" He asked, also sitting up and then stretching. He yawned. "Kari," he smiled, "you're the best thing that has happened so far because for the first time in months, I feel like I can sleep."

Kari stood up and helped Matt up as well. "Good. I could tell that you've not been sleeping well." She pulled a hair tie out of her pocket and then took her fine, silky brown hair and swept it up into a ponytail. "Um, Matt, what time are you going to be by?"

Matt bent down and picked the comforter up. He frowned. "Around. . .um, let's see now, does eight sound alright to you?"

Kari grinned as she followed him to the door. "It sounds perfect, Matt. I'll treat you to breakfast---"

"Wait, isn't tomorrow a school day?" Matt turned and stared at her.

"It is, but. . .Matt, I'm getting straight A's in my class. I can afford to miss a day. And I'd rather spend it with you. . .on your father's anniversary of three years of not being in your life. I don't want you to be alone." She told him firmly and then gently shoved him into the open stairway.

"Oh. . .okay." Matt sighed and walked down the stairs. He stopped in mid-way and turned around to face her, looking up at her. "Thank you, Kari," he said, simply.

Kari just smiled.

----

Kari quietly let herself in into her apartment and glanced at the clock. As soon as she saw the time, she blanched. It was a little after midnight and at this point she should've just stayed at Matt's. She sighed and slipped her shoes off and made her way silently to her room.

Yet as soon as she was in, she wasn't alone. Tai was waiting for her and she sighed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

"What're you doing in my room, Tai?" She asked, smiling. "How was the movie with Sora?"

"The movie was good and I was worried about you, that's all." Tai answered, and stood up from her chair. He yawned. "But now that you're home, I can sleep easy." He gave her a kiss on her cheek. "G'night, sis. I . . .hope you had a good time with Matt."

Kari spun around and grabbed his arm, and looked into his blank brown eyes. "What does that mean, Tai?" She asked.

"It's just weird. I thought you were coming home to do your homework yet when I came home, mom and dad were still up. They said you'd hadn't been home yet. I then figured you still were with Matt." Tai explained.

"Are you jealous?"

"No. Why would I be?"

Kari searched his eyes but couldn't read anything. "Nothing, Tai. I meant nothing by it. Just go to bed, alright?" she finally said, after a few seconds of silence.

Tai nodded but before he left he rested his hand on the doorframe and asked, quietly, "Is he holding up alright, Kari?"

"Yes, yes he is. A little stressed out but. . .he is fine. Still the same old Matt." Kari answered and noticed that her brother's shoulders loosened up and slacked a little. "He has been busy. . .He leads a busy life. He didn't mean to cut us out, you know."

"I know." Tai whispered. "But some things are just too late to say and do. I just hope he is happy."

With that, Tai left and Kari softly closed her door. Then for the second time that night, she silently cried. She slid down her door and drew her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. She buried her head and quietly cried.

She knew. . . knew what Tai had meant by that and wished that he'd hadn't said that. It just made her even more horrible for having some sort of inkling of feelings towards the blonde---and that she was urging Matt to move on from Tai and not bother to tell him anything anymore.

She hated this confusion all of a sudden.

Hated it.

-----

Matt threw himself onto his bed and sighed quietly. He had put on some quiet music, lit a few candles and just enjoyed the darkness that surrounded him. Only the candlelight flickered and yet it was enough.

He set his alarm for quarter before eight and then closed his eyes. He didn't want to think of Kari--it made everything more complicated. He wasn't all out . . .gay. He just preferred men but some women did turn him on. So, he'd say he was bi, if anyone asked. Yet. . .Kari made him--

Matt groaned and tossed onto his stomach and buried his head in his pillow. He was going to ignore this, at least for the time being. When it comes up, then he'll deal with it. He just didn't want to now and besides, he needed to talk to his dad tomorrow. That was far more important than anything else.

Dad, what do I do? Matt thought and with that final thought on his mind, he fell into a dreamless sleep and that was all he needed.

-----

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