Disclaimer: *sigh* don't own it…

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The sun mocks me. Why does it have to shine so brightly? It knows what has happened; yet it glows so happily. The children pass by, holding balloons and laughing merrily. I feel so intimidated. But they are so innocent- they don't know the problems of the world we live in.

Or the world I live in.

I watch the children laughing and running around on this perfect day. I envy them. How I wish I was like them- laughing and joking, nothing to worry about. I wish T.K was better. I wish Matt was alive. I wish Tai would be back to the same fun brother I've known all my life. The sun disappears and deep shadow is cast by an enormous building, which casts darkness into my heart.

We have arrived.

The sounds of the emergency wing rush out of the door like evil spirits out of a church. I see death stalking in the corridors. He is happy. This is like a funfair to him. He sweeps down upon unsuspecting families and tears them apart. Dark memories flash before me. My legs tremble. Sora quickens her pace as I see Matt in Tai's arms as he runs through the hospital doors. My legs are moving, but I cannot see. Matt is lying on a hospital bed; Tai is shaking; I am lost. My legs are no longer moving. Matt is dying. The Grim Reaper closes his hand on my shoulder. I look to him.

"Noo… please…" I whisper, tears welling in my eyes.

"Kari…" a faraway voice calls. I blink. Sora is standing next to me, calling me. I touch her hand, and I'm suddenly sitting next to her.

"Kari! Are you there?" Sora asks, gently shaking my shoulders.

"Y…yes-yes, I'm here," I answer, shaking off the weary feeling. Sora sighs with relief.
"Whew! I thought I'd lost you!" Sora jokes lightly. "Oh well, now that you're back, do you still wanna go visit T.K?" Sora points to the door to her left. I read the plate- 'Takashi Takeru'. I nod. We both stand up, and walk to the doorway. My mind races with every second that we get closer to the room. Pictures of T.K's illness flash before my eyes- him lying on the floor… in hospital… when he nearly died… the night I spent with him… Too soon Sora is turning the doorknob, and we enter. Mr. Ishida is staring out the window, and Mrs. Takashi is stroking T.K's hand. Mrs. Takashi lifts her head at the sound of the door closing. She smiles, and stands up. She looks very tired. Make-up was piled beneath her eyes to cover days of lost sleep. She walks over to us.

"Hello Kari," she greets, before wrapping her arms around me in a hug. I feel a rush of pity towards her. She's been through so much…She withdraws from our hug, and rubs my shoulder.

"It's good to see you dear," she says, before straitening up and hugging Sora.

"Thank you for coming," she says, as she pulls two chairs out from behind the door. "The doctor was just in before, and he said that T.K is improving." My heart lightens. Sora squeezes my hand. I sit down on a chair near T.K's right hand. Mr. Ishida continues to stare out the window. Mrs. Takashi resumes her place near T.K's left hand. I grasp T.K's hand, and lay my head near our hands.

"Oh T.K…" I whisper. Sora gently massages my back soothingly. I hear his slow and troubled breathing as I begin to relax. He's breathing by himself. He's finally getting better… I feel like a small part of the darkness engulfing my heart and soul has gone. The man cloaked in darkness is releasing his hold upon my heart. He is looking down upon me no longer with greed to destroy my happiness. I find myself lost again in another world. I'm standing with T.K. He is no longer battling for life- he is free. He smiles at me. I hold his hand. It's warm. My face brightens as I smile for the first time. T.K squeezes my hand. My eyes snap open and I sit up quickly. Sora stares at me in surprise.

"What's wrong?" she asks, worried.

"Nothing," I dismiss. I look around, confused. What woke me? I gently rub my thumb on T.K's warm hand. Warm? His hand is warm! I squeeze his hand. He's gonna get better!

"Oh T.K," I whisper hopefully. I lay my head on his bed once more.

"Kari?"

I raise my head. Mrs. Takashi gasps. I look to T.K. A low moan sounds, before his eyes slowly open. My heart beats rapidly.

"Kari?" he whispers, his eyes flickering towards me.

"I…I'm here T.K," I stammer. I step nearer to his head.

"Kari…" he whispers weakly.

"I'm right here T.K," I say, my voice trembling. A tear streaks down my cheek. I feel his hand squeeze mine. More tears come. Sora gently squeezes my shoulder.

"Don't cry…Kari," he gasps, his breathing becoming difficult again. I smile as I cry even more.

"Oh T.K," I breathe. "I'm so happy." The tears continue to come. T.K smiles weakly. Mrs. Takashi bursts into tears. T.K slowly turns to her.

"Please don't cry mum," he whispers, as she cries even more.

"I'm alright Takeru," she assures breathlessly. "I'm just so happy you're alive." T.K smiles. He slowly turns to me, and sighs wearily.

"I'm so tired…" he whispers. I bend over and kiss his forehead.

"Sleep then," I whisper, as I slowly lift my head. "Sleep."

T.K smiles.

"Thank you…"

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Ooooh!!! Next chapter up soon!!! =)