Unbreakable Bond

Forword: "This is good, can you have both of their brothers and the rest of the digidestined show up in this pleeease!"

Their brothers will be in this later on. Much later. The other DDs will show up as I need them.

"Are they going to be older (oh so around 14) anytime soon? Or are you planning to keep them 10?"

As it goes on, they'll get older. That's why I started them so young. That and this would a lot of it's charm if they started out too old.

Most of the ideas I get for this series aren't fit for this early on. But I got a couple to work with now.

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TK headed back into his and Kari's place with a few buns he snatched for breakfast. I wonder if Kari's up? Turning around, TK suddenly found himself being lunged at. For the next couple seconds, he looked down at the assailant hanging from his shoulders. He did the only thing he could do: he kissed her on the forehead. "Missed me?" he asked. Kari nodded.

"I always do," she answered, "Now do you mind not making me look so bad?" TK laughed. This wasn't the first time Kari leapt at him like that. She was never strong enough to knock him down, but she tried.

TK leapt on to his back and pretended to struggle for a few minutes, until the two couldn't stop laughing. "You're too strong for me," he laughed. Kari rolled off.

"Like always," Kari responded, flexing her arm.

"Let me feel," TK said and gave it a small squeeze and her arm went limp.

"You killed it," Kari stated in a serious tone. TK shook his head, trying not to laugh.

"The poor thing was sick," he told her, "I merely put it out of its misery." They both started laughing again. Like every other time. After a few more minutes, Kari gave TK a somewhat serious look. TK sobered up.

"You're always so much stronger than me," she commented in a slightly sad tone, "I see you take hits that would take me down without even flinching. Do you think I can ever be that strong?" TK suppressed a sigh. He hated it when Kari belittled herself like this.

"I'm sure you will," TK told her, "but you need to understand that the only reason I'm as strong as I am was because of how many times I get nailed by someone tougher than me. You get hit enough times, and you can take it easier, but there's no way I'm going to let that happen to you. You don't deserve that kind of pain." There was no way TK was going to let his angel get beaten up like he used to be until he forced himself to be a better fighter.

"I know," Kari answered, her tone unchanged. She moved next to TK and cuddled up. "I just wish I could do something for you." TK hugged her tightly. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," TK responded, "More than you could imagine. You are my life, my reason for being." Kari smiled at him.

"You are so perfect," she muttered.

---

The two had just ate, and now Kari was simply doing her favourite thing: cuddling in TK's arms. Nothing made her feel safer than when TK held her. How she ever deserved him was beyond her. How did she ever deserve someone take such a vicious beating just so she wouldn't get hurt?

She couldn't help but remember that gang. The way they attacked TK. The way he just stood there and let them so they wouldn't hurt her. And the way he rescued her after they took her. And how terrified they were of him when he finished.

Kari thought back to one survival rule TK taught her. Teach them to fear you. Because they weren't exactly living in one of the city's better areas, there was always the threat of some gang, or just some guy, who'd give them trouble. The only way to keep them away is if they were too scared to try anything. Like that gang. TK made them fear him, and now they didn't trouble him or Kari again, so his methods obviously work.

Kari wished she wasn't so dependent on him, though. Because TK had to support her also, it made more work for him. Work she should be doing herself. If I wasn't so helpless, that gang would never have gotten so easily and TK wouldn't have had to let them beat him up. It's time I start earning my right to be here. He's taking care of me, but I should be able to take care of myself if needed. From now on, I won't be so helpless. TK has better things to do than constantly take care of me.

---

Kari looked around the crowded streets. TK was out trying to find something to steal and Kari wanted to help somehow, but she didn't quite feel ready to try stealing yet, so she had to find some other way. The only way she could think of was begging. TK had told her that her innocence made her perfect for it, but to be careful. Some guys can't be trusted. Even in his warnings, he says nice things to me.

She saw one middle-aged man in a tuxedo nearby. She smiled. Perfect. Bet he has lots. I'm sure he could spare something for a small, hungry girl. She went up to him and put on her most helpless expression. "Excuse me, mister," she spoke. The man looked down her.

"What is it?" he asked in a cold tone.

"Could you spare some money for a starving girl?" She tried to sound as helpless as possible, which was quite easy. But the man glared at her.

"Get away from me you little wretch," he growled. He walked by, muttering something about filthy rats begging for money they don't deserve. Kari ignored the jerk's words the best she could and began to look around for someone who wasn't so selfish.

Why do people have to be so cruel? she wondered. She wandered around to look for someone else when she heard some shouting. Curious, she went to the source and, in an empty spot, she saw two kids pushing a smaller one around. The little boy, she guessed was about six or seven, was begging them to stop and crying. The bullies seemed to be around her age. Her first impulse was to find TK, but she stopped herself. I'm trying not to depend on him. TK would step in, so I should too.

Gathering her courage, she walked over to the and shoved one of them away. "Leave him alone, you jerks," she growled. The one she shoved swung his arm out and struck her across the face. She stumbled into a wall and fell over. Why do I have to be so weak?

"Whoa, man," the other bully said, "you hit a girl."

"Not just 'a girl'," a familiar voice growled, "That was my girlfriend." She saw TK giving them both death glares. The two cringed and ran. The next thing Kari knew, she was being cradled. "Are you okay?"

"He only hit me once," she told him, "no big deal. What were you doing here?" TK looked away.

"I kinda botched my timing on a steal," he admitted, "and had to lose the guy I stole from. You'd think that with all the fruits he had, he wouldn't mind a two or three being taken. Not like he'd ever notice. So what were you doing here?"

"I heard some little kid screaming," she answered, "so I decided to see what was happening. I saw those two giving him a hard time, and I wanted to help. I knew you'd step in and do something, so that's what I did." She wasn't sure why, but she felt nervous about TK's response. But he just gave her a smile.

"That was brave of you," he told her, "I'm proud." It felt great hearing those words from TK. To hear that your idol was proud of you. But she still felt disappointed. All because once again, TK had to save her. She wasn't able to do it herself. Just too weak.

Next time, she vowed, Next time I get the chance, I'll do something without needing TK to come and rescue me.

---

Kari's eyes shot open and she sat up. She once again dreamed that the Evil Man was coming for her. She immediately wanted to wake TK. She wanted him to hold her and make her feel safe again. She was about to when she stopped herself. Enough! she scolded herself, I can't wake him every time I have a dream!

Kari settled back down next to him. Remember, she told herself, Stop relying on him. She moved TK's arm so it was over her again and tried to relax. The Evil Man's not here, she tried to convince herself, The Evil Man's not here. The Evil Man's not here. The Evil Man's not here.

She risked opening her eyes and took a look around. Nothing. Just the usual stuff lying around. And their shadows in the moonlight. Shadows he could hide in. Where he would wait for her to fall asleep and then take her away where'd he'd continue having his "way" with her.

Kari began to tremble slightly at the thought of the Evil Man getting her again. She closed her eyes and felt tears form. Stop thinking those thoughts! she told herself, He's not here! He's not here!

Kari suddenly felt and heard movement on the bed. He's here! He's here! He's here! He's going to get me again! He's going to get me again! Tears ran down her face, but Kari ignored them. Maybe if she stayed perfectly still, the Evil Man wouldn't notice her.

"What is it Kari?" TK's voice was the greatest thing she ever heard. She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest.

"He's here," she muttered, "The Evil Man is here." She felt TK stroke her hair.

"No he's not," he whispered, "It's just us. The Evil Man is not here." But, she heard him, didn't she?

"But I felt someone move on the bed," Kari protested, "I'm sure it was him trying to take me away again." She felt TK kiss her on the head.

"I'm sorry, Angel," he apologized, "I just woke up and when I saw you, I sat up. That would be what you heard." Kari suppressed a sigh. She felt like a complete idiot. She should have known it was TK. Heck, it came from his side.

"I am so pathetic," Kari muttered, "I didn't even use my head. How stupid could I have been?"

"You had a dream, didn't you," TK stated. Kari just nodded. "Then don't worry about how you reacted. I know how scared those dreams leave you. Just remember that I'm here and I have my new friend nearby." Kari giggled a bit at TK's new friend, a.k.a., the crowbar. Or as he called it, the Evil Man Whacker. It sounded so dumb, Kari smiled every time she heard it and that was why TK called it that. She began to imagine TK bashing in that monster's skull.

"Why are you smiling?" TK asked.

"Just thinking about our new friend meeting the Evil Man."

"Do you want me to check around?" he sounded truly concerned. But right now, Kari didn't want to be apart from him.

"No," she answered, "just hold me." She looked up at him and he gave a nod.

"Anything for my beautiful angel," he responded. Kari once again felt regretful that she needed him again. It just wasn't fair for TK to have to wake up with her.

---

"Can I try?" Kari asked TK. They had found a fruit stand and the owner seemed to be distracted trying to persuade people to buy something. Kari wanted to try and steal something herself. "I think I can handle this one." TK nodded.

"I'll be right here if you need help," he told her. Kari gave him a quick kiss before moving out. She crept up to him, staying out of view, and the moment his back was turned, she grabbed an orange, but her hand brushed by another, making it fall with a thump. The burly man turned and glared at her.

"What do you think you're doing, you little thief!" he demanded. Kari felt herself pale. "Give that back, you little rat!" Kari did the only thing she could think of: she ran.

Figures I'd blow it, she thought to herself.

"Get back here!" the man shouted after her. Kari suddenly felt a strong arm grab her and pull her into an alley.

"Just stay quiet," TK whispered with both arms around her, "He won't see us." The man ran by, then a few seconds later, walked by again, grumbling. "Guess it didn't work out so well," TK remarked in a light tone. Kari found herself unable to meet his eyes. She blew it again.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, "I tried, but I guess I'm too clumsy."

"It's okay," TK soothed, "Everybody makes mistakes. I botched my last attempt, remember?" Kari still felt too ashamed.

"But you almost always get it right," she protested, "So far, I've hardly gotten us any food." She felt TK stroke her hair.

"It doesn't matter who gets more," he told her, "All that matters is that we get enough to survive. I'd be willing to do everything myself if I had to."

"But," Kari protested again, but TK put a finger on her lips.

"I had a hard time when I started too," he told her, "You just keep trying and you'll get better. Besides," he wrapped a hand around hers that held the orange she had forgotten about, "you actually kept what you took. When I was learning, I often dropped it by accident or threw at the guy chasing me." Kari just rested her head on his chest. How TK was always able to say just what she needed to hear was beyond her.

---

Kari had told TK that she wanted to stretch her legs and think for a bit. So now she was walking the streets without him. She felt vulnerable, to say the least, but she ignored it. She wanted to find something she could do without needing TK's help. Maybe if TK wasn't around, she wouldn't have to worry about impressing him and could do better. At least she hoped so because she was running out of ideas.

Suddenly, someone grabbed her and forced her against a wall. It was one of the two bullies from before. "I've been looking for you," he said, "I'm Ben. Now that your boyfriend isn't here, I'm going to make you pay for ruining my fun with that little pest." Kari immediately wanted to scream for help, but decided against it. She had a second chance at dealing with jerk on her own. She was going to take it.

"Let me go," Kari ordered, or at least tried to. But her voice came out shaky and quiet. Ben simply laughed.

"What'd you say?" he mocked," Why don't you squeak up?" Kari kicked him in the leg. He swore and let go. She ran, knowing she couldn't fight this guy. He was much stronger. Instead, she tried to lose him. She saw her's and TK's place come into view, and immediately killed the urge to run and get TK. Quit being so helpless! she scolded herself, but felt Ben tackle her from behind. Her elbows scraped along the pavement, causing a stinging pain. Tears formed and she felt Ben force her up and push her against a wall.

"You're kind of pretty," he remarked, "Give me a kiss and maybe I'll go easy on you." Kari gave him a hard slap. He glared at her. "Then I'll have to kiss you." Kari started kicking him in the leg, but he didn't respond. She instantly remembered that TK might be in earshot if she shouted. She didn't want to call on him again, but it was all she could do.

---

TK hoped that whatever Kari was thinking about, it would make her feel better than she was in the past. She's seemed slightly depressed, but doing a good job of hiding it. TK hoped that her problems weren't because of him. The thought of causing trouble for his angel was just "TK, HELP!" He snapped out of his thoughts at Kari's voice.

Hang on, Angel, he thought as raced outside. He looked around frantically and saw one the two bullies from the other day holding Kari against the wall of a nearby building.

"Just one kiss," TK heard as he ran over.

No one harasses my angel, TK thought as he ran up and body-slammed the jerk. He fell down and got back up. TK grabbed him by the throat. "Give me one reason not to strangle you right now," he growled. The bully's eyes widened.

"Let me go," he begged, "I'll leave her alone." TK let go.

"Cause her any more trouble and I won't," he threatened. The bully's eyes widened and he ran. Too scared to even try fighting back. A complete coward. TK turned his attention to Kari.

"I wish I could scare like that," she commented. TK smiled.

"You'll get better, " he told her, "but it might be harder for you since a girl might not be taken as seriously."

"You saved me again," Kari muttered, sounding upset. TK was about to ask what was wrong when Kari just started to break down. Holding the sobbing girl, TK was worried that he did something wrong.

"What's wrong, Angel?" he asked, "Did I do something wrong? If I did, I'm sorry." Kari shook her head.

"It's not your fault," she sobbed, "It's mine." TK wasn't quite sure what she was talking about. "I'm just so useless! You do all the work to support both of us. Every time I get in trouble, it's you who has to come. When we need food, it's you who gets it. When I have one of those dreams, I end up waking you up. I'm just too weak and helpless. I tried to help, but I can't steal, I can't defend myself or let alone others, I'm just a burden on you. You'd be better of with someone who wasn't so useless!" That's why she was depressed lately.

I'd better fix this, TK thought to himself. He kissed her on the head.

"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself," he told her.

"But I'm so useless," she repeated, "I just want to be stronger, but that'll never happen."

"Kari," he told her, "you have gotten stronger. When we first met, you clung to me constantly. You jumped at every shadow. You had those dreams every night. But now you've gotten strong enough to try what you did. Even after that Evil Man set you back, you're still getting better. You'll get stronger, I promise. It'll just take time. Also remember, I'm making it easier on you than it was for me."

"But it's not fair for you to not only support both of us, but also to have to come running whenever I get in trouble." TK smiled at her selflessness.

"But I love doing that," he told her. She gave him a curious look. "I like to protect you. I like supporting both of us. It's the only time I ever feel useful. Before we met, I felt like the most useless being ever. But thanks to you, I have a reason. I'd have killed myself if you hadn't come into my life." Seeing how Kari's face lit up after hearing that made TK feel great.

"I'm that important?" she asked. TK nodded.

---

Back at their place, Kari was once again cuddling in TK's arms. She felt truly content now. She had no idea that she was so important to TK. No idea that she gave him reason to live. I guess I'm not so useless, she thought to herself. "I hope that I can be as strong as you someday," she told him.

"I'm sure you will," he responded. Kari didn't think she'd ever be that strong, but it felt great to know that TK believed, or at least pretended to, that she would.

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Afterword: Had some trouble ending that one. There might be more of Ben in the future, so I got him in now.