Disclaimer: pfft. me? own Digimon? ha!

WELL! IT SURE IS GOOD TO BE BACK!!! ^^ THANK YOU TO THE WONDERFUL MONS AT PRIMARY VILLIAGE FOR BRINGING ME BACK TO LIFE!!! lol, im back, and ive updated!!! ^^ YAYNESS!!!

taichi: *currently restrained* NOT FOR LONG!! LET ME GO!

me: ^^;;; anyway…as you can see, my life is constantly under threat-

assorted characters bent on spilling my blood: YOU MUST DIE!!!

me: ^^;;;;; -but I still must apologise for taking wayyyy too long to update. im surprised I didn't get many death-threats from my faithful readers and reviewers…^^; shit…just gave them an idea, didn't I?

matt: -.-; yup

me: well, anyway, im on the floor, begging and begging for your forgiveness, coz im so sorry it's taken me so long, and I hope you enjoy this chapter…

taichi: *breaks free* DIE!!!

me: O.o;;; AAAHHH!!! AND A MASSIVE, GINORMOUS *HUGGLES* AND THANX GO TO: Blackout12 (HUGE huggles!!), Darkness Princess (im sorry!), Musicstarlover, Lethal Darkness (I miss u! *huggles*), Juliana Cleo, shadow-of-hearts (EMAIL ME! I wuv u! *big puppy eyes*), Taichi Kamiya3 (that's ok ^^), flipstahhz, Digitaldreamer (WE LUV SORA!! ^^), BeautyLiesWithin (no prob! ^^) and anyone else I haven't mentioned! ^^ thanx for reviewing! Luv ya!

(ps, for shadow-of-hearts and Digitaldreamer, my cousin has kingdom hearts final mix, and Sora. Is. Evil! AND DAMN COOL!!! *dies* talk ta ya soon! ^^)

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My fingers trace delicately around the soft, tanned skin of Tai's face. His peaceful composure and soft, even breathing sets my heart at rest. My fingers come to a halt at his cheekbone. Evidence of lack of sleep and stress pronounce themselves beneath his eyes. My heart sinks.

Not Tai too…

"He barely slept last night," a quiet, suppressed voice comes. I turn to face a downhearted Koromon. A wave of sympathy for the innocence of the poor Digimon rushes from me.

"He kept waking up, shivering…" Koromon began, his voice barely over a whisper. "He's so worried about Matt…I don't know what to do anymore…" Small tears leak from Koromon's eyes. "He doesn't know what to do anymore…" My heart sinks down another notch. Koromon looks up at me with watery eyes.

"What are we gonna do?"

The one question I've been dying to know the answer for. The one answer that will not come.

"What we're gonna do," comes a weary voice, "is make Taichi a cup of coffee." I look to the stirring Tai. He stretches his arms, and looks to me bemusedly.

"Well, hello," he says rather airily. "Cup of coffee?" I sigh in defeat, too shaky to do anything more. Tai yawns widely, turning to me at the same time.

"Wha…what's the time?" he asks slowly, still trying to finish off his yawn. I look to the clock.

"'Bout two o'clock," I answer, feeling fatigued myself.

"Mmmm…" Tai muses half-heartedly, "gotta go see that doctor or whatever in an hour…" Tai stretches again, before getting up.

"Oh yeh," I mumble distractedly, watching Tai amble into the kitchen. Koromon jumps up onto my lap and shakes the tears from his eyes, rubbing his face into my shirt. I absentmindedly watch Tai tousle his hair and yawn widely as he pulls down a cup and switches on the kettle. I sigh heavily, wishing for a warm and inviting bed to rest my weary self, and to hold Takeru closely in my arms. To embrace his tender frame and for him to hold me…to know everything's alright…just for one moment…that could last an eternity…

The phone rings.

"I'll get it!" Taichi calls, reaching across from his position on the kitchen bench. "Hello?" I pull on the sleeves of my jumper, until-

"Matt?"

Koromon and I instantly turn around and look directly at Tai's curved back, ears pricked for anything more.

"Yeh…ok…thanks man," Tai says, nodding slightly. "Yeh…k's we'll see ya soon. Cool. Bye." Tai hangs up the phone, swivelling around to face his expecting audience. Tai smiles slightly.

"Don't worry," Tai begins, dispelling any fears with the calm expression on his face, "Matt's fine. He's just called 'cause he thought you might like to know-" Tai directs this to me "- that his dad isn't at the hospital, in case we (or more to the point, you) wanted to visit T.K." My heart lifts, a warm happiness settling in.

Maybe my fantasy isn't too far away…

Tai smiles at the sudden change in my demeanour. "Anyway, it'll nicely coincide with my needing to go out, so I'll-"

"Anybody home?!"

Tai, Koromon and I all turn, surprised, to the door as it unlocks and opens, presenting a cheery Mr. Kamiya. He smiles warmly.

"Well! Isn't it good to see you all again!" he exclaims, clearly in a good mood.

Which rather clashes with the mood here…

Mr. Kamiya's gaze wonders around the slightly untidy apartment, falling upon the ruffled Taichi and his coffee, and the endless mugs piled everywhere.

"Well…at least you haven't attempted to cook," he remarks, laughing slightly. "I'm scared that you might've found out you take after your mother in that department while we were away…" I smile in humour as Tai lets out a small laugh.

"Yeh, well," Tai shrugs, finishing his coffee, "we knew better."

Mr. Kamiya laughs. "That's good. Well, I'll go unpack, and maybe enjoy a mid-afternoon siesta. See ya kids!" Mr. Kamiya picks up his suitcase and disappears into the main bedroom. A surprised silence falls after the door shuts.

"Well…" Tai says distantly, still staring at the door in a trance, "that…was interesting…" I nod silently in agreement. Tai shakes his head to rid his stupor, and puts his cup in the sink.

"C'mon Kari," he yawns, still fatigued, "let's get ready to go."

"Wha- now?" I ask, looking at the clock. Tai scratches his stomach.

"Yah, now. I wanna stop off at that novelty store on the way…gonna get Matt a liddle pressie…heh." Tai smiles as he walks off into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him. I stare at the door for a few seconds, before turning to Koromon.

"Well…that was interesting…"

"This'll cheer Matt up. Bet he's been lacking this while in there."

"Oh so thoughtful Tai. You're compassion brings tears to my eyes. Let us praise you."

"Yes! Praise me! Grovel, oh unworthy creatures! Grovel, I tell thee!"

I laugh as Tai continues to walk with the high and mighty look on his face. We cross the road and walk down in the direction of the hospital, Tai cradling the bucket of gel he bought like it was his most valued treasure, still acting all haughty.

"So Tai," I begin, shifting my backpack into a more comfortable position, "what time are you gonna pick me up? Or am I walking home?" Tai drops his arrogant act and moves onto a comical thinking pose.

"Well, Matt said the jacka- sorry, Mr. Ishida had to go to work, so he wont be back all day." Koromon's laughter rings from my backpack.  "So, I'll come meet you here after, cool?"

I laugh. "Cool." The shadows of the hospital building cast themselves over us as we walk through the doors to the hospital. Any sliver of joy we held in ourselves disintegrates the instant we step across the threshold. A chill runs through my veins.

"No matter how many times I come here, or how happy I am, this place always destroys me…" I whisper quietly, walking closely next to Tai, who nods slowly in agreement. Each step towards the elevator is a painful effort to disclose the memories that threaten to arise; each moment passing like an eternity. The elevator doors open, and I hurry inside, sinking my trembling form into the corner, my heart beating at a million miles an hour. I hold my knees close to my chest as memories of dark moments begin to flow my mind. I feel Tai kneel next to me, but whatever he's saying I can't comprehend. Hopelessness begins to set in as I mentally scold myself for not being strong.

Why does this happen every time? Why do I keep letting myself get like this? I'm being so selfish…I should be thinking of Taichi, and Matt, and Sora, and T.K…oh T.K…I'm so sorry to let you down like this…No! I won't stay like this! I can't! Takeru's depending on me!

I lift my head and stand up, making my resolution not to fail for anyone again. The doors of the elevator open, and we walk out, heading down the bleached corridors to Matt's room. Tai knocks gently before we enter. The room is entirely cast in shadow – only a dull glow from the closed curtains illuminates the small silhouette sitting up in the bed.

"Hey Matt," Tai says, closing the door behind him before walking towards the bed. I follow, and bite back tears as Matt's face comes into view. Dark shadows beneath his eyes stand out on his deathly pale skin, his hair framing his hollow cheeks and his dull blue eyes. I inwardly wince at the thought of how much this would be hurting Tai. But Matt's sickly features brighten in the slightest as he sees us.

"Hey Tai," Matt greets in a raspy voice, dull eyes shining for a brief second. Tai jumps onto the foot of the bed playfully and sits the bucket of gel in Matt's lap.

"I brought you something!" Tai exclaims, much like a child showing off a new toy. "Thought you might need it!" Matt looks at the multicoloured label and smiles weakly.

"Thanks Tai," he wheezes, coughing slightly, "I have been lacking this while in here." Tai flashes a cheesy grin, causing Matt to smile again.

"Thanks Tai," he says, his voice barely audible, "You always know how to cheer me up. Thanks for coming too. I thought you would've just gone to see T.K." Tai pretends to look scandalised.

"Oh no!" he exclaims, sounding offended, "and not pay you a visit on the way? Yamato…honestly…" I laugh weakly at Tai's sentiments, moments later feeling Koromon escape my backpack.

"Waah! I needed to get outta there!" Koromon exclaims, jumping onto Tai. Tai attempts to catch the pink balloon, but Koromon eludes his grasp and jumps into his hair, finding his resting place.

"Aah! Koromon! You're gonna ruin my hair!" Tai exclaims, sticking out his tongue. Koromon merely laughs and jumps around.

"Hi Matt!" he exclaims in mid-air, "And Gabumon says hi too!"

Matt smiles, "Thanks Koromon."

Tai launches himself into a comedic conversation, seemingly pleased that Matt is…well…more alive, for lack of a better word. Tai's voice soon drifts away from me as I stare absentmindedly into the shadowy corner near the window, a calm, settling feeling wafting over me.

That was not to last.

T.K's voice drifts into my hazy mind and I can suddenly see him, standing there, telling me another story of him and Matt's attempt to clean up Matt's apartment, laughing as he tells me of the Mt. Everest of clothes in Matt's room. I can see his eyes glistening – just like they always did…

Wait, they are glistening!

I squint closer, and my blood runs cold. A piercingly icy gaze stares directly at me leeringly. A small flash of light catches my eye and I find a bow and quiver of arrows on his back. My eyes widen in fear.

Dakedo…

Fear courses through me, and I begin to tremble. My eyes flicker to Matt, who seems to have frozen. I bite my lip, thinking frantically what to do. I notice Matt's dull eyes flicker to the shadowy corner where Dakedo stands, before flickering back to me, slight confusion and fear hiding in his eyes. A sudden thought pops up in my mind.

Can he see Dakedo?

"Hey Kari," Matt says steadily, his voice slightly more audible, "Do you wanna go see T.K? You don't have to stay. I know you're probably not interested in what Tai and me are saying. Is that ok Tai?" Matt turns to Tai, breaking our gaze. Tai looks between Matt and myself, before nodding.

"Ya, sure!" he answers brightly, thoroughly interested in the idea. "Go right ahead Kari! I'll come meet you after, k's? Say hi to T.K for me!" Tai flashes a grin.

"Say hi for me too," Matt adds, voice dying again. Matt stares at me intently as I walk up to him and hug him.

"Get well soon Matt," I say, rather mechanically. As I pull away to leave, Matt gently whispers, "Go. Stay from the shadows." I stare at Matt in slight surprise, this sudden advice confirming what I had already thought. I nod in understanding before turning to leave, Tai and Koromon's farewells following me out the door. I shut the door behind me and lean against it, sighing heavily. I let one single shiver rack my body before I compose myself and leave, almost running towards the light that could protect me from the shadows.

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ooks…thanx for reading, and…im thinking…hang on…I think I'll be able to update fairly soon (as in a week) this time round, coz I haven't got music camps or constant rehearsals or much that should lessen the time for writing. I think all the good tv shows are off as well…T.T so unfair! Anyway, thank you so much, and plz review! Coz it gives me more encouragement to continue! Thank you, and I WUV YOU!!! ^^

and remember…

--[everyone will suffer…]--