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Last updated: 28.o6.o5

Crescent-Wish-Forever, tabbycat411, Takari lady aka D-3, Calmer of the Storm, michi-fan and death-by-illusion: Thanks, the six of you, for reading the last chapter. Even though you're probably used to reading this…but thanks for your support it really lifts my spirits ; ) take care n I hope ya'll like this chapter!

Crazyamzy & lottie11: Tai, getting shot? Yeah, I guess I wanted it to be quite unexpecting and different. That's why I added it in and also for another reason in the future chapters. I just wanted to show a different side of Tai that could also relate to the anime, about him showing his courage…but then I guess everybody's got their own views on it. And I'm sorry if it ruined your day lottie11. If you don't like any unexpecting things, then you might not want to read this story. Thanks for reviewing again, you guys… ;)

Miaow227: yeah, I know oO LOL about everyone leaving this site…oh well --" but I swore I'd finish this story…right:) And I'm sure you'll be a DIGIMON LOVER 4 lyfe….haha : ) take care girl

PrincessSakuraTenshi12: Hikari and Takeru make up? Yeah, a LITTLE bit of takari might go on in this chapter…perhaps even the next. LOL…you'll see…eh! I think o-0

Blondie121147: I had to reply to you after the review of the previous chapter. LOL! I loved your description of Acey ( penis wrinkle) ahaha…my favourite review yet! Jk jk ; )

JyoumiBloodGang: Credits for reading this even though you aren't a Michi fan. By the way, you heard from Sloc lately? Haven't heard from him…lol…Oh….and about Jyou? Well…there's going to be a flashback in this chapter with him in it, so keep your eyes peeled. Thanks for reviewing yet again!

Says TB: Hey girl! Nice to hear from you : ) So u goin 2 focus on your studies now? Hmm, that's understandable. I need to get my move on in that area as well. ( got my first E for my latest bio exam!) … but I'm swearing to myself that I'll give my 100 next year cause the next two years will be the most important years of my life at highschool. Doing well for the next two years will help me to get into the university. Here in Australia, we don't straight away get into University. We have to work our asses off to get limited spaces at Uni. (Okay, I'm going way off track) TB, truthfully I'm glad you still reading this story. LOL. And thanks for the shoutout, girl ;) I hope the previous chapter didn't hurt your eyes because it wasn't as long as chapter 13. Hehe…I've already advertised it o-O…and thanks for telling me that part 2 was real. Lots of love and take care! Missing you heaps:)

Okay, so I'm back from the dead. Writing again...I still don't understand why I'm updating this fanfic when I've got so much things due, plus I'm in a Religion class at school and I tend to swear way tooo much… I don't even hardly swear in reality, guess I'm suiting the mood of the story --". Pretty sad, huh? -.- LOL … I'd better cut this short and get started with the fic! Hope ya'll like it : )

NOTE: xxxxx means song change, in this chapter as well as the other future chapters containing songs

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LIMITZ

..CHAPTER 16/ Emotions and Commotions..

by flipstahhz

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She ran as fast as her feet could take her. Strands of her brown hair flew against the cold wind while tumbles of thoughts rushed through her very stressed mind. Her cheeks were wet from the tears that she had shed, and hadn't bother to wipe them away. She was sick of crying, but still she couldn't resist the tears…it was all too much for her…just too much…

Her feet beated faster against the dry cement. She was running. She proceeded running…

Running like a coward, away from her problems.

She wasn't like her brother, whom would face trouble straight in the eye and try to fend it off. Being compared to her sibling…she was nothing No…she had not a single speck of bravery in her torn soul. If she had courage, she would have stayed back, like a true sister would do, and helped her brother out…

Tai…

She couldn't stand it. She simply couldn't stand witnessing it all over again. It was just like back in Odaiba, only this time he got shot. This situation wasn't new to Hikari Kamiya. It reminded her of exactly what had occurred over three years ago…

- Flashback -

"Why didn't Tai come to pick us up from school as well?" the twelve year old girl, the duplicate of Hikari Kamiya (at a younger age), questioned. Her ruby warming eyes wandered then became settled onto her best friend's older brother - Yamato.

"Yeah," Takeru added, equally as curious as Kari did.

The blond-headed oldest boy stared down at the younger pair, trying to hide the lie he was about to tell them. Matt cleared his throat casually, " Tai? He went to soccer practice…"

"But it's not the season yet. Tai wouldn't pl-"

"Tai's just practicing," Yamato cutted her off.

"Oh," young Hikari said as the three of them proceeded to walk silently down one of the main streets of Odaiba, Japan.

Every school day morning, Taichi and Yamato would walk with Hikari and Takeru to their school. It was rather different because when Yamato was by himself, he was quiet, than when Tai was around…everything seemed rather lively. But you really couldn't say that Tai was lively those days. Ever since Hikari and Taichi's father had passed away from lung cancer…Taichi was more silent than Yamato had ever been and started to drift away from his family, and friends.

Suddenly a loud voice bellowed in pain. Yamato immediately took action, trying to pick up where he heard the yell coming from.

"TK, Kari…stay here," with that Yamato dashed out of their sites, disappearing around to corner to an alleyway leaving the two best friends behind.

"TK, let's go," Kari said sternly, having the urge to follow after the older boy.

"But…but Matt, he told us to wait here," TK objected back innocently. " He must have done it for a reason. We shouldn't interfer-"

"Who cares! We gotta know what's going on," Kari replied, pulling Takeru along by the wrist.

Before the two knew it, they were close enough to see what was going on. They could just about see Yamato behind some boulder, closer to the scene, which was why they decided to stay a few steps behind him in case he had found out that they followed him.

"Kari…that…is that…is that Tai?" TK whispered to the girl besides him whom gave a brief nod. She then placed a finger in front of her lips, silencing her best friend.

Hikari squinted her eyes in familiarity towards the person she was seeing. His brown bushy hair sparked in all directions, and his black bandana caused his fringe not to go into his currently burning eyes. His eyes lingered at his victim with pure hate, that it chilled Hikari to the bone. She was scared of what her brother was doing…

Next to her brother, two other people of Tai's clan stood on either side of him. She didn't recognize the boy with auburn hair, but she immediately became familiar to the older boy with a dark shade of blue as his mass of hair that was a tall lanky build. She had remembered Tai introducing Jyou Kido to her a few months ago…even before their father had died…

"Hand it over!" Taichi's booming voice demanded, his knife held loosely on his right hand, waving it around threateningly to his victim.

The victim stared frighteningly at him. He wore a jet-black suit, his hair was groomed into a nice pleasant hairstyle and his shoes were polished. It didn't take long for Kari to realize that the victim was obviously wealthy.

"N-no!" the man stuttered to Tai, his eyes widening with every second.

"You rich bastard…you know what I want…or do you simply want to die?" Tai sneered, throwing the knife right next to the man's face.

"Fi-Fine! Here…take all of it…just leave me alone," the older man whimpered, tossing his wallet on the ground.

Taichi smirked. He casually snatched the wallet from the dirty ground and tossed it into his pocket. But he still didn't let his prisoner walk freely.

"What do you want?" the man uttered in helplessness. " I gave you my money…are you this corrupt that you won't even let me go?"

"Shut the fuck up!" Taichi spat. " What I hate about you rich cunts is that all you care about is you and your stupid fucking money! You don't give a shit about your pride. And if someone else was struggling, all you'd do is be selfish enough and care for yourself!"

The man shut up instantly, appearing more than a bit shaken up as his feet let him collapse onto the rubble floor.

One of the boys next to Hikari's brother wavered a bit, and observed the situation with disturbance, "Tai…maybe you should stop this…you've got what you-"

"Jyou! Don't you fuckin' interrupt me! I'm trying to teach this man a lesson about life…" Tai grumbled lividly, causing Jyou to cower back.

With dislike, he stabbed the knife into the man's left arm, causing him to swear and utter filthy curses under his breath. He fell unconscious to the ground, though Tai wasn't as finished yet. He always hated men who couldn't stand to look at blood. People like them…should they even consider themselves as full-grown men?

In hatred, Tai lifted the knife, about to take another stab…

Hikari couldn't believe it

What happened to her brother that she had come to love so much that words could hardly explain? The brother she admired, looked up to and taught her the meanings of life with his correct morals when he was there… breaking all of them himself? And why…why was he attacking a helpless person for no particular reason…Their father had just died, and instead of being with her and his mother…he was going about hurting others…

Why?

"Yamato," TK murmured as he nodded towards his brother who had run off from his hiding place towards where the scenario.

"What the fuck you doing, TAI!" Yamato shouted in anger. He easily grabbed the weapon from Tai's fingers and tossed it a couple of meters away.

"Stay out of your business, Ishida," Jyou spat back.

"He's helpless! You've got what you want! What else are you plannin' to do, Tai?" Yamato said in distaste. " Sure you cope with all this angst…but causing more trouble doesn't get chu no where! "

"Like you would know, Matt," Tai yelled back.

"Damn right I'd know what you're going through…but why? Why do you have to act like a complete idiot? Is it so you can hurt more innocent people for the fun of it and avoid reality? Does causing other people pain make you feel relieved about your father's death! Your father wouldn't be happy with you if you continue doing this…" Matt grunted as he tore of his shirt and tightly fixed it onto the victim's shoulder.

"Don't you dare speak of my father. Let's go…we've got no use dealing with this shit right now," Tai instructed to his other two friends as they calmly walked away from Yamato and the man without any hesitation. Matt glared as his best friend left, he growled to no one in particular, " At least you have parents who love you…at least…"

Through her teary eyes, Takeru could see him frowning at the site of his brother. Then he turned his head towards her. Evident somber played amongst his startling blue eyes. In reassurance, he neared Hikari and gave her a warm embrace, muttering words or comfort and reassurance that everything would be okay…

But from that day on…most things became worse…

-End of Flashback -

In exhaustion, Kari gasped for breaths of air. She hadn't realized the fast speed she had been running all along, and realized that the memories she had conjured up could make her so fragile and tired easily. Her stomach felt weak from the running she had done, and her big paces had become limited and much slower.

Perhaps it was time for her to deal with everything…and to confront her hesitation with a brave face. Maybe it was time that she should come to decisions through adult terms instead of running away like some helpless baby. It was enough that her body wasn't healthy, but it didn't mean that her mind wasn't.

She had to do something to help Tai out…after deserting him like that, she just had to do something about it…

She frowned…but what could she do? It was hopeless. What could she do to make the situation better? How would she even know if her brother was fine when she wasn't there to see for herself!

"Kari? Is that you?"

Hikari spun around to face a middle-aged couple with worried expressions on their faces.

"Honey, are you alright?"

Kari studied them and a bright smile flickered on her sweaty face. Perhaps there was hope after all…

" Mr. and Mrs. Tachikawa!"

She suddenly remembered that Mimi's parents were arriving home that day. Mimi's parents stared at the Hikari through the windows of their convertible car, " Jump in…"

The brunette-headed girl didn't need to be told what to do, and obediently jumped into the car. " Do you have a mobile that I can use?" she asked instantly, " It's urgent…"

"I don't know how to break it to you, Kari…but we so happened to drive past a disturbing site and got the information from the police that some boy called Acey shot Tai on the leg. Don't worry, everything's under control. Your brother's not badly injured, though he's suffering an ideal lot of pain," Mrs. Tachikawa comforted immediately without taking breaths of air.

"No…I already know…"

"Then…why do you need the phone?" Mr. Tachikawa asked, though his eyes were still focused on the road as the vehicle turned a curb.

"I need to ring up my mother and Takeru," Kari admitted. " To fill them in on what happened to Tai."

"Sure, " Mrs. Tachikawa said, carefully handing her cell phone to the girl. " Go ahead."

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Tachikawa…" she responded gratefully.

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"Hey yah? Sup?" Daisuke Motomiya yawned to the receiver on the phone, " Who's speakin'?"

"Can I please speak to TK?" a serious stern girl's voice asked ( more like demanded.)

Daisuke gave a smirk to the boy whom was writing an essay, on the desk. It was strange to see Takeru work so hard on his schoolwork…he was becoming more geeky than he was!

So now he knew what he could do so TK got the motivation to study…get him busted for taking drugs! Even though it was a cold harsh joke, Daisuke hadn't figured what else could make the blond headed adolescent begin to work so hard and put one hundred percent of his effort into it.

Daisuke sniggered to himself and fiddled with the small phone in-between his fingers, " TJ, some chick's one the phone for you. She wants to know if you're available."

"Get screwed, Daisuke. Can't u see I'm doing something? Quit playin'."

The brunette shrugged and spoke into the phone, "Ah well…he's kinda busy at the moment…so you want me to take a message or anything?"

"Yes please. Tell him it's Kari and that he'd better get his butt on the phone or else I'll kick his ass," she threatened.

"Kari? So this is 'the' Kari of all Kari's speaking to me! I've heard a lot about you," Daisuke gave another goofy smirk. He was about to ask more questions , but he felt the phone detach from his grip.

When Takeru had heard that Kari was on the line, he instantly got off his chair and didn't bother to scowl at the brunette headed boy. It was unusual that Kari rang him up. Either it was because of some emergency or maybe…maybe…"TK? "

Takeru froze and shook his head trying to sustain his curiosity, " Hey Kari. What's up?"

"It's Tai…"

TK frowned. Something 'sounded' wrong…something didn't seem right about this. If Kari was talking about Tai, she'd refer him as a dickhead or mutter annoying comments about him. But she…she seemed serious about it…what was going on!

"What happened? Is he alrigh-"

"TK, he got shot," Kari interrupted getting straight to the point, not bothering to beat around the bush. " Tai got shot some fucking bastard called Acey."

"Acey?" TK croaked, his face paling and falling rather guilty… How could he let this happen? Was it his fault that Acey hat shot Tai…Tai…was he dead because…was Tai dead or alive!

"Yeah, " she whispered, voice quivering.

"Is Tai…is he alright?" TK tried to recover, though panic was evident on his shaky tone as adrenaline ran through his veins.

"He's fine. He got badly injured on his leg. I'm just glad the bullet wasn't aimed for his head or heart…or anything like that," she replied quietly. " I thought I should have told you, since everyone else is at the hospital…and…you ought to know, since you've been like…like a brother to him…and I…you're part of the crew. You have the right to know what's going on here, while you're studying your ass off at that rich snobbish school of yours. True?"

TK gave a weak smile, " True. I do have the right to know. Thanks for thinking bout me. I'll probably make Yamato get permission for me to go visit him as soon as possible. How bout you? Are you…alright about all this?"

"I'm fine, TK," she spoke, " Just come back soon, okay?"

"Sure…remember to tell your mother," TK added.

"I already have…" Kari said. " I'd better get going now, I need to get an update on how Tai's doing…"

"And Kari? Even though this may sound weird with the timing and all…but…"

"What TK! I don't really have time for idiotic conspiracies right now…please TK…don't. Just - "

" Happy Birthday…" he greeted, or more like ended the conversation.

With that, he hung the phone up, trying to wipe the grin from his face. Even though he had received bad news, he was grinning like a mental retard…

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The day had ended so swiftly. It had already reached 11:00 PM (to be absolutely precise) on the Monday night and three figures still were standing rather rigidly at the close to empty hospital.

Mimi's parents had dropped Hikari at their resident to have a proper connection on the phone with her mother and Takeru. Another reason was because they wanted to drop Ken and Yolei off to their homes after staying at the hospital for a lot of hours. Mimi's parents told Yamato, Sora and herself to stay at the hospital as long as they wanted and to ring them up when they're finished so that they could give them a lift home.

The female closest to the door of the operating room was fiddling with her fingers and paced up and down the narrow hallway. Her eyes were still a shade of pink from crying and were very cautious, for whenever she heard a loud sound she would jump in fright.

" Mimi's a wreck…isn't she?" Yamato stated, eyeing his friend in observance.

"Matt, just shut up. Will you ever learn? Off course…anyone could have reacted that way…especially after witnessing what happened today!" Sora rolled her chocolate shaded eyes, " Sometimes you seriously can be so darn heartless. Do you even care about Tai, if he's aiight?"

"He's fine," Matt said with extreme confidence. " I know him. He's strong, he'll make it through no matter what. It's only one bullet after all. No biggy…"

"Yes biggy! And it's like…duh…gee Matt…I know him too!" Sora exclaimed, almost breaking into a hysterical rampage. " Jeez…you're a fuckin' expert at this, ain't chu? But even if you are an expert…you never know…"

"You never know, what?" Matt raised an eyebrow.

"That the bullet might play a toll on Tai for the rest of his life. He may not even be able to talk on his left leg! Which means…what the hell we gunna do now? We can't find other dancers for the comp in about eleven days!" Sora muttered worriedly.

"Sora…chill out! Now you're getting truly paranoid." Matt frowned, " Who gives a fuck if bout the fricken' competition right now! All that we should really worry and care about is Tai's recovery."

"Ha! Just a minute ago, you said he'll be fine!"

"I did. And I meant it."

"Arggh! Matt! I really don't get you at all," The auburn-headed girl said in defeat, shaking her head veraciously. " How can you put up with it all, and be so calm with all of this?"

He shrugged in reply," Cause I know for a fact that Tai's gunna be alright?"

"But there's possibilities -"

" Stuff spazticated possibilities! Maybe you should look at the brighter things in life, So - Rah," he slurred clicking his tongue in the process.

"You guys, shut the fuck up!" Mimi shrieked, in utter anger as Sora was about to argue back against Matt, " Stop fuckin' flirtin with each other…and just shut up could you?"

"Yes. Please. Will all of you please keep it down there?"

A nurse strolled over to the trio, but immediately observed the state of the three tired teenagers. Her curly jet-black her was tied back in a loose bun with strands of hair falling over her delicate responsible face.

"My name's Dawn Nicholas, and I'm guessing you are the friends of Taichi Kamiya?" she spoke, watching them closely.

"Yeah," Matt said, " How's he doin?"

"They've just about finished operating on him, I didn't just come to tell you all to be quiet, but to allow only one of you to come inside…to see how he's doing. I presume you all want to know, wouldn't you?"

"You got that right," Sora sighed.

"Then I'll go," Mimi confirmed in a quivery tone, seeking her chance to escape from the quarrelling duo…she just had to go…it was all her fault after all…

Sora and Yamato frowned after Mimi as she entered the hospital room. How as she going to react to all of this.

"So…"

The pair hadn't realized that Dawn was still there.

"Yes?" Sora questioned.

" I see the both of you have got quite a number of bruises and cuts on your body."

"And!" Matt asked.

"Well…since this is a hospital I think it's best if you get those wounds cleaned up and treated. This is a hospital after all…and I don't want to see the two of you the following day with some sort of disease," she commented. " It's simply unhygienic if you leave those wounds untreated. Who wants to go first!"

"Well…I guess you could say…Lady's first," Matt smirked.

"Chicken," Sora laughed as she followed after the nurse.

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After being unconscious for a specific period in time, he had immediately been brought back to the living – not that he was dead or anything. The strong lights rayed down over him, in the hospital room. He could barely see a thing from the blinding white light and had to squint to be able to get a clearer view of his surroundings. It wasn't the light that caused him the trouble to wake up…but the 'pain.'

The pain was terrible. He winced. It was so very agonizing that he was beyond tears, he was such a helpless wreck. If getting shot by a bullet killed so much…he wondered how horrible it was like to die…

He pushed his head deeper into the depths of the feathery soft pillow. A shadow advanced towards him, dressed in a white coat.

"We've just taken the bullet out of you're leg and stitched it up. Even though we injected you with antiseptic and tubed down some painkillers into your bloodstream, you'll still be in pain. There's nothing else we can do about it."

Taichi Kamiya instantly realized that it was most likely the surgeon speaking to him. Taichi bit his lip as he attempted to nod in response that he had heard the surgeon. His head felt rather damp because sweat had damped his mass of brown cinnamon colored hair.

To his surprise, he felt a pair of smaller soft hands clasp into his larger ones, holding them tightly, as if not wanting to let go. He wanted to turn to see whom the hands belonged to, but his body couldn't move and within a second he knew who it was…

Her soothing voice whispered gently into his ear, " The operation's over now…I'm really sorry…"

Taichi met her tearful hazelnut eyes and managed to shake his head when he had seen the guilt bottled within her…

"But…it truly is my fault," she began as crystal like tears fell down her blushed cheeks. " If Acey had never met you…or if I have never met you…you wouldn't be hurt right now. All this crap would have never happened…"

Trying not to make Mimi feel even guiltier, Tai shook his head once again shook his head swiftly, avoiding the agonizing pain he was stressing on his neck.

"I'm so sorry," Mimi repeated quietly.

In a swift movement, she dropped her head onto Taichi's chest, sobbing. Taichi let his arms rest around her slim body as he tenderly stroked her bock, so gently that within five minutes the exhausted girl had fallen asleep. She looked so serene and angelic.

Taichi smiled.

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A few hours passed by, but Taichi lay there still awake. He couldn't get to sleep because the medication that was given to him made him stay wake, also not mentioning the pain that was bugging the hell out of him. He couldn't help but closely watch the girl's body breathing against his chest. During the time, it had clearly reached 4:00am in the morning. Mr. and Mrs. Tachikawa had arrived at the hospital, and Sora was already waiting for Mimi and Yamato back in their car.

Taichi's sharp hearing picked up a figure slowly closing the door, as he entered the hospital room.

"It's mornin' time, already!"

Tai didn't bother to strain his energy just to look at the person whom had welcomed himself into the room and knew if he made an effort to move, he might even wake Mimi up. Anyway, from the voice…he already knew whom the other presence belonged to.

Tai responded, "Yeah, time flies by when you're having fun…huh?"

Yamato Ishida laughed, his eyes lingered between Mimi's sleeping position on top of Tai. Amusement was conveyed on his face. " Sure, off course you're having fun. After getting shot up, now you get the chick of your life falling for you. In this case, sleeping. You probably drugged Meems up or somethin'. "

" Get Meems home bro, it's not right for her to stay all night worrying over some moron like me," Tai said hiding the obvious compassion and care towards the girl. Matt nodded at the comment. " Just don't wake her up, aiight?"

"Aiight," Matt smirked and headed towards the edge of the bed and retrieved the exhausted girl into his brotherly strong arms.

Yamato placed a dark crimson shaded rose upon Taichi's temple. " A gift from Sora and myself to hurry the crap up and get better soon!"

"You know how to take advantage of a guy, don't ya Yama?" Taichi groaned as he gazed up at the thorn of the rose, which was pricking his head. " I can't bloody move a muscle without experiencing pain, and you friken' put a rose on my head. I got hay fever, you know!"

"Tai, you whine just like a girl, did jya know?" Matt chuckled at him, " There's one last thing I'd really like to know…"

The brunette weakly furrowed his eyebrow in confusion, " What?"

"Does your leg hurt by any chance?"

"Oh fuck, shit yeah it does! I've been lying to Mimi the whole time, so she won't get guilty…cause she keeps sayin' it's her fault…It fricken' hurts like hell. Acey's such a punk ass bitch," Taichi spat.

Before Taichi could get further into bagging the hell out of Acey, Yamato presumed it was the correct timing for him and the snoozing Mimi to make an exit. " I'd better get goin' now. See ya in the afternoon or something."

"Thanks again, Matt," Tai called after him in a soft voice, as he watched the two gradually disappear from his view.

" No probs man, later bro."

" Sayonara..."

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Tuesday - the day later (12 days until the World Dance Competition)

Everyone in the Tachikawa Residence was extra lazy and exhausted that morning. Kari, Yamato and Mimi had decided to stay home with Mr. and Mrs. Tachikawa, but Sora was the only person who was willing to go to school after what dreadfully happened the day before. She had her own reasons to do so. She wanted to hear the rumors the school that had probably gathered up by now of what her pupils knew of what happened between Acey and Tai. She wanted to have a heart to heart conversation with Andrew and to bash the hell out of Acey if she got the chance to see him after school. Lastly, to find the results to the tennis tournament, which she was, meant to have participated in. She felt a tiny bit guilty for letting her team down. But she knew that the members on her dancing team, her friends, were more dear and important than the school's tennis club.

As she entered the senior La Trobe Campus, she was confronted with the huge amounts of gossip. It was unbelievable how quick the news had filled the school corridors. Students from campus kept giving her strange glances or asking if Tai was all right or where Yamato and Mimi were. So far she had managed to stay alive, from it all, and especially from Jezebel's cold evil glares that she continuously gave to the auburn haired girl. But this time, whenever she would see Jezebel's face, she's stick the finger at her…since she had no energy or insults to be stuffed to say to her scrawny pouting face.

Period four had ended, and lunchtime had commenced. The favourite period of the day well perhaps not that day since she'd be eating in the cafeteria all by herself. She could feel everyone's eyes lay on her as she fiddled with the canteen food, that she was 'intending' to put in her mouth. If felt really strange sitting all by herself. She was used so used to Mimi chattering away, sending evil glares to Tai, as he would stuff pounds of food into his mouth. And Yamato having that neutral daydreaming face of his, as he also would stuff the food in his mouth. Even how different Yamato and Taichi were, they had always been the closest friends and would be bottomless pits whenever it came down to consuming food. She smiled. She hoped Tai would be alright. From what she heard from Matt, it seemed that Tai would stay strong and get through all the commotion.

With the dance competition in twelve days, the team didn't seem ready for competing. Especially when Mimi was in a guilty depressed state, Kari looked unwell, Takeru being far away in some other suburb, and also how Taichi's leg was all wounded up. Either way, they couldn't use Tai as an excuse for them not practicing well when they hadn't trained in quite a while before Tai got injured and how it was obvious that they hadn't been organized and prepared for the competition. Out of the whole LimitZ crew, it was probably Yamato and her that were sane enough to compete (excluding the minor cuts and bruises from the incident the day before) in the competition. Even though, it still would take a miracle for them to even reach the quarterfinals. She gave a deep sigh, avoiding the thoughts away with a shrug. Sora Takenouchi stabbed the ripe tomato with her fork, put it into her mouth hungrily and began to munch on it.

"Someone's lonerized today…"

"And is 'lonerized' even a word? Betcha it doesn't even exist," Sora said sheepishly, her eyes studying the features of the teenage male about her age, whom had already made him comfortable and taking a seat besides her. His ebony hair wasn't as neat as usual and surprisingly was less tamed than Yamato and Taichi's hair altogether! His warm eyes sparkled with worry as black tired bags displayed under them. It was evident that he hadn't gotten much sleep either.

"Is he alright?" Andrew questioned.

"Drew, Tai's fine."

"What type of fine? I think Yamato would get jealous, cause you're saying that Tai's fine," Drew smirked. Even though it was a miserable time, he still managed to light the day up.

"Shut up, Andrew. What's happening between that idiot Matt and I, is our business," she replied sharply, cutting him off before he got more detailed into the issue. " And Tai is fine, as in well. Don't hide your bloody feelings in front of me when I clearly can see what you're playing at. Drew, it's not your fault that Tai got hurt, alright?"

"Now I see what Matt sees in you," Andrew chuckled but became serious when Sora gave him an icy stare back. " Sora, if Tai hadn't of jumped in when Acey's friend triggered the gun…you guys wouldn't be in much trouble. I shouldn't have gotten involved with you guys in the first place. Straight away talking to Mimi…all that did was cause trouble…with both Acey's group and yours. Which is why…I've decided to leave…"

"Decided to leave? Have you lost it Andrew! Why can't you just stay! Are you crazy!" Sora irrupted, shaking her head at what this conversation was leading to.

"I have not place or right being here. What's the point when all of you will be going back to Odaiba in a couple of months," he said bluntly, then added, " Anyways, my Ma's got a crib that I can crash at. If I stay here all I'll be is just a burden and more trouble will brew up."

"Is that it, so you gunna leave just like that?" Sora frowned, not happy with his reasoning and excuses he had given her.

"Acey's going to be after my ass as well! He probably now wished he had the rifle and had the chance to aim right for me. He doesn't care that I'm his brother…all he cares about is power that it has now corrupt his stupid mind," Andrew frowned. " He's changed a lot. We used to be so darn tight siblings, and now…he's changed…into some punk that always wants to get his head into useless fights and trouble. He was fine…until our parents separated, and now he's a complete jerk off…"

"You're in the situation just like Yamato and Takeru…"

"See almost everything I talk about reminds you of Yamato," Andrew laughed, but his laughter didn't sparkle in his deep ruby colored eyes. " But the difference between Acey and I in comparison with Matt and TK is that even though Takeru acts like a tight ass towards Yamato through their usual fights, you can still see that they still care for each other…"

"Ahuh, didn't know you were that observant, Drew. But one last thing…what are you going to say to Mimi?"

"Mimi? She'll understand, even though she can have a fiery personality…she's truly sincere and she would probably want me to leave as well. Far away from Acey as possible," he shrugged casually. " Anyway, when the all of you leave for Japan…I'll be at the airport cheering you on. As a friend, I don't think I can make it to the competition cause I know Acey's probably gonna be there…"

"So you gunna leave, just like that?" Sora said repeated somberly at her friend.

"Yeah, I'd best get off now. Even though it's lunchtime, because if I reach till the end of the school day, I'm pretty sure Acey and his posy will be waiting for me somewhere to kick my ass," Drew said rather lividly. "See ya … Sora. Say bye to everyone for me."

Sora gave him a quick swift embrace and whispered in his head, " Sure. You'd better take care. Mimi will have your butt if you don't, you know how much she loves you as a brother…Drew. "

"I know, " he said rather dully, " Tell Tai to look after Meems for me."

"Off course, " she laughed in reply, bidding the tears away. " Take care, Andrew. Hope to see you soon!"

She watched the boy take a few steps away from her. He turned around.

"And Sora?"

"What?" she questioned with curiosity.

"Give Yamato a kiss for me," he jeered sticking his tongue out, then suddenly disappeared around the corner for the last time...

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The following day flew by. Before they knew it, it already had reached Wednesday. When Sora revealed to Mimi that Drew had left, she nodded in anticipation but kept quiet about it. And for Mimi being quiet, that was simply unhealthy. Hikari was grumpy, because no one really paid attention that it was her birthday the couple of days…and was pretty sick, but hid it from everyone else. While Yamato was a bit pissed off because he had to deal with all the girls' rising hormones in the Tachikawa household, considering he was the only male in the house. Well, besides Mr. Tachikawa, but he was barely was there. He would be out of the house in the early morning, and would come back really late from work. And it certainly felt weird that he was the only male that would be at home, he couldn't take to anyone…ever since Takeru went to the boarding school of his, and now that Taichi was at hospital. He was relieved to hear that Taichi would be back on crutches before the coming Friday.

Talking about Taichi…well he was managing a speed recovery most likely because he was so determined to participate in the upcoming competition. The only problem was he was too stubborn and arrogant to listen to the nurses' and doctor's advises, constantly walking around on his injured leg without the crutches which he supplied with. His doctors would always advice and try to not convince Tai about participating in the competition by saying he wasn't ready for such physical activity and that he still needed to make a full recovery in able to compete.

Taichi pushed the his back down upon the soft feathery pillow as he continued to pay attention to his mother lecturing to him on the other line of the phone he had been holding.

"Tai, next time…try and not get yourself into trouble…also, try and not make it on Hikari's Birthday ever again…"

Taichi nodded, nonchalantly, but his eyes widened at his ignorance as what his mother told him actually sunk into his mind. "Shit! Hikari's birthday? Why didn't anyone remind me bout it? How could I forget! Fuck…no wonder she got even more pissed of at me, than usual, that Monday morning…shit oh shit!"

"Tai," his mother scowled threateningly, " Don't swear, or else…or else I'll put some spicy hot chili down your throat like I used to do when you were young and were being naughty." (a/n … my parents used to do that to me when I was naughty. LOL)

"Ah," Taichi gulped and winced at the thought. It was a different pain from being shot on the leg, but remembering the hot spice going down his throat would send shivers up his spine for the rest of his life.

"And Tai…promise….promise me that you won't be as reckless next time, and to think before you act. Stay out of trouble, and be careful my baby…" she repeated.

"Mom, whatever," a shade of pink appearing on his cheeks when he spoke harshly, evident he wanted her to be quiet.

"You…I just don't want to lose you as well. Hikari and you are the only people I've got left. And now, I can't even look after you…cause your miles away from me!" she complained through whimpers. " Look after your sister alright!"

"Okay. If she wants me too," he replied honestly, frowning.

"About your sister…TK rang me up earlier, he wants Sora, Yamato, Mimi and yourself to organize some surprise birthday party for her…to get everything of everyone's minds. And to … well…kind of apologize, because from what I've heard from Mrs. Tachikawa…I've heard that she's been rather moody."

"No change there," Taichi chuckled. " Trust TK to come up with a plan like this."

" Wish I could be there to celebrate with you all!"

"That's true ma…I think I'd better go now…the nurse wants to do some checkups," he lied. " Take care."

"Love you…"

He held the phone, until he heard the line get cut off, he then hung up the phone and stretched in his bed.

"You lied," a sharp voice spoke behind him, unaware that there was another presence in the hospital room.

He gazed up at her startling emerald eyes that contrasted against her long black silky hair, " I wasn't even going to do a check up on you, Taichi. If something's on your mind you know that you can tell me…"

"Dawn…I just hate this place…the sense of being so helpless in here," he gave an admitting frown to the nurse. " It's like I'm trapped in a cage."

"This place? As in the hospital? I happen to like it Mr. Kamiya," Dawn said gingerly. " It's like a second home to me. I enjoy treating and curing people."

"Man you're such a goodie goodie," Taichi shook his head.

"So why do you hate this place so much then?" she questioned.

"It just brings back memories. Memories that I hate so much."

"Memories of what?" she asked another query.

"Of how day by day, my father's soul faded away at a hospital back in Odaiba. How I wasn't there for him till the very end…and how he died so suddenly. It reminds me of how instead of visiting the hospital, I became more distant from my family when they all needed me the most. My sister and mother needed me, and I turned them all down. I shrugged my sister off…and got myself into trouble, joining this try hard gangster group…it's all my fault tha-"

"Stop blaming yourself, Tai," the nurse said therapeutically, " Life isn't full of regret and dwelling back on your mistakes. But learning from your mistakes, repenting, and doing good from it. Regretting just makes you more confused. All you've got to learn is…to move on. Even though it may seem hard…it does wonders. Dwelling doesn't. And you'd better make use of this advice."

The nurse briefly nodded and gave a wink, hitting the boy slightly on his shoulder as leaving Tai to face his thoughts. " You're right Dawn. For once…everything is making sense…I needed that."

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There's my long chapter. As you can see, mainly based on Tai. No songs going on in this chapter, I guess it was a whole lot of drama…and boring for ya'll sighs I better get going…and attempt to do my homework…lots of love n hope you liked it…

flipstahhz

NEXT CHAPTER:Kari it's your birthday…happy birthday Kari! In other words…it's Kari's Surprise B'day party…you don't want to miss it, I think! Lol

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