Disclaimer: See previous chap.

A/N: This chap, especially the end, will be kind of boring, but it needs to be done to set the stage for the rest of the story. Also, I forgot to mention, this will be a TK centered fic, but I will have other characters feelings and thoughts and stuff.So don't get mad if it seems like TK takes up most of the story.

Kari carefully walked through a broken door, trying not to get any splinters. Seconds after TK had left, she too had run off, ignoring the protestations of Matt and Tai. She had followed TK at a distance, wondering where he was going. She had continued to follow as he walked down the alley, but had lost sight of him in the dark. However, there was only one way he could have gone.

She froze as she heard a yell. It was TK.

"TK!" she yelled, running in the direction of the sound.

After a few seconds she saw a pale gray light ahead, two indistinguishable figures were in it. As she heard another yell come from within the light, she knew one must be TK. She sprinted as fast as she could, but stopped dead when she saw the situation clearly.

TK was lying on the ground, half curled up, clutching his head in agony. Above him was the shadow that had been haunting her for the past couple of days. It glared at her before turning its attention back to TK. The boy seemed to be out of strength as he didn't try to fight when the being reached for him.

Concern for her best friend gave Kari the adrenaline she needed to get over her fear of the shadow. She ran and dropped down by TK. She placed her arms under his and tried to pull him away from the shadow. TK opened his clenched eyes and looked up at her.

"What-what are you doing here? You have to run, or he'll get you."

"I won't leave you here," she replied stubbornly. She looked around for a way out, though she knew it was futile. Even if there was a way, she couldn't carry TK. And he was obviously in no condition to walk.

She looked up fearfully as the shadow advanced. Tightening her hold on TK, she stayed put. True, she could probably escape, but there was no way she was leaving her best friend behind. The shadow's hand reached out at lightning speed and Kari let out an involuntary scream.

A sudden power surged through her, sending out a burst of energy that seemed to harm the shadow. It backed off about fifteen feet. Kari sat, stunned. 'What the heck just happened! Since when can I do that!'

She looked down as TK groaned a little and tried to sit up. She helped him, looking worried.

"Are you okay TK?"

He nodded. "It- it doesn't hurt as much anymore. Wh-what did you do?" Kari could tell that he was still in a good deal of pain.

"I'm not sure," she replied quietly. "It just…happened."

TK looked warily at the shadow, which was keeping its distance still. "Let's get out of here while we can."

Kari nodded. "Can you walk?"

This time TK nodded. He tried to stand up, but only got about half way before sinking back down. "Let me help you," Kari ordered, trying to take some of his weight.

"Don't bother," hissed a female voice, "You can't lift him, and you won't be going anywhere anyway."

TK and Kari looked up sharply and gasped. In front of them was a gray skinned woman with ragged black wings. She had dull silver hair cascading down her back and hollow yellow eyes. She was standing there, wings half folded, staring at them maliciously.

"Come now children," she hissed, holding out a hand. "Let's make this as quick as possible."

TK and Kari scrambled back, still on the ground.

"Who are you?" TK demanded, hoping he sounded more courageous than he felt. "What do you want?"

"Why so many questions, son of BlackWolf?"

"What?" asked TK, confused. "Son of who?"

The woman smirked, "Why, the son of BlackWolf, of course. The greatest Shadow Mage to ever walk the land of Hiata. Do you not even know of your own heritage?"

'What the hell is she talking about! Dad's not 'BlackWolf', no way. She's insane!'

"What is this Hiata?" Kari asked demandingly, "And you still haven't told us who you are."

"Impatient, aren't we? Just like EvenBreeze, your mother. But, very well, I will answer your question. I am Shaukaka, mistress of the Lord Isan. Soon to be Queen of all of Hiata."

Kari, who was still reeling from Shaukaka's inference that her mother was someone else, called out, frustratedly. "Just what is Hiata anyway! Tell me!"

Shaukaka chuckled darkly. "It is your homeland, that's what it is, Guardians of Hiata."

"What are you talking about? Japan is our home, always has been," TK replied.

"That is what you were always meant to think, young ones. But you are not true born to your families. Yes, out of your mothers' wombs you were born, but you were placed there. Nancy Takaishi and Carla Kamiya were chosen to raise the ones who would alter our world. They were chosen to raise the kin of the greatest Shadow Mage and the greatest Wind Elemental."

"I don't believe you," TK said, struggling to his feet, "Personally, I think you're a crazy digimon. We're leaving now. Why don't you go back to your padded room? Leave us be."

He and Kari began walking back towards where they thought the door was, but their path was blocked. Shaukaka had seemingly transported in front of them.

"You're not going anywhere," she growled, "Except with me!" She reached out to grab them.

TK's eyes widened and he pushed Kari aside. "Run Kari! We have to get to the door!" he yelled as he went the other way. Kari followed his instructions and began to run in the dark again. She thought TK was right behind her.

In reality, TK was nearly fifty feet away, being chased by Shaukaka. Having not recovered completely from the physical exhaustion the pain had caused, he was slowing fast. He let out a sharp gasp as a clawed hand wrapped around his neck, pulling him back. He was slammed onto the ground, the force causing him to see stars. As Shaukaka leaned closer, pain surged in his head again before spreading through his entire body.

"Do you know why BlackWolf was such a good warrior against evil?" she hissed, inches away from his face. "He could sense the darkness, like you can. However, unlike you, he could control it, manipulate its power, and it did not pain him. But, it still destroyed him in the end, just like it will destroy you. You will live your final days in agony ten times worse than this before your body finally can't take anymore! Unless you come with me. We can make the pain stop. We can save you from yourself."

Beneath her, TK was inwardly writhing in torment. But he didn't let it show. "No, never," he gasped out, suffering from lack of air due to the hand crushing his throat.

Shaukaka's eyes seemed to burn for a second before she squeezed his neck more. "If you want to do this the hard way, it's no problem of mine. I'll let Lord Isan deal with you when you awaken."

She squeezed harder and harder until TK's air was cut off completely. He clawed at her hand, but she didn't seem to feel pain. His motion slowed as his vision began to fade. As he was on the verge of blacking out, a cynical thought passed through his head. 'On the bright side, at least the pain will stop.'

/o-o/

Kari inwardly whooped for joy as she saw the door in the distance. "Come on TK, we're almost there!"

No answer.

"TK?" Kari turned around, sure her best friend was right there. Her heart practically stopped when she didn't see him. She glanced around frantically. "TK! Where are you!"

Her breath caught in her throat when she found him. He was pinned down by the awful Shaukaka. She was holding his neck, and he seemed about ready to pass out.

"TK!" she turned and bolted towards him. She hadn't left him before and she had no intention of leaving him now.

When she saw TK fall limp, she felt that same energy from before build up in her. As she neared Shaukaka it was released. The demonic woman screeched as it hit her and released TK's neck, shrinking back a little.

"TK! TK answer me! Wake up!" Kari cried, frantically shaking her friend's shoulder. His breathing was very shallow, but at least he was breathing.

"You little witch!" Shaukaka yelled, lunging at her.

Kari found herself suspended a foot or so in the air, clawed hands wrapped around her arms, digging into her skin. She struggled, but couldn't get away. She closed her eyes, desperately wishing for another one of those weird energy bursts. But she felt exhausted from the last two.

"Not this time," Shaukaka said menacingly. The demon forced Kari to look deep into her eyes. As she did, Kari felt her exhaustion rapidly growing. She wasn't sure how much longer she could stay awake.

As she closed her eyes she was suddenly dropped. She landed roughly and considered giving into sleep, but forced her eyes open. She saw TK fighting with the woman.

TK tried to get a hold of Shaukaka's neck, in order to make her lose consciousness. He had woken back up and found the woman trying to hurt Kari. Enraged, he had tackled the strange demon. Now he was fighting hand to hand with her. And he was losing.

She clawed at him, scratching his face, arms, and chest. He tried to fend her off, but couldn't. He was still so weak from whatever she had done to him. Suddenly she used her wings to sweep him off his feet. He landed hard on his back, the air knocked out of him.

"I don't care what my servant said!" she yelled enraged. "No tool is worth all this trouble! It'd be better if you two were both dead!"

TK stared up, terrified, as a crazed look came over the woman's eyes. She flew up in the air a few feet before diving towards him, claws extended. He closed his eyes and turned his head to the side, waiting for the deadly impact. It never came.

He opened his eyes slowly, but nothing was above him. He heard a moan and turned his head towards it. He saw Shaukaka crumpled on the ground, clutching her side in apparent pain. Turning his head again, he saw Kari kneeling, hands extended in front of her, breathing heavily. She closed her eyes and slumped to the side, quietly landing on the ground.

"Kari!" TK croaked out, turning onto his side. He tried to push himself up to get to her, but he was just so weak. He winced as the pain in his head flared up yet again. It hadn't actually ever gone away, but he had been able to ignore it. Now it was searing.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Shaukaka rise again. She stumbled towards the children, murder in her eyes. She stopped only a few feet away. Cursing, she glared at TK.

"This is not over," she threatened. "I will find you and I will kill you!" with this, she flew up into the sky, disappearing about twenty feet up.

The last thing TK heard before blacking out was the sound of familiar yelling voices.

/o-o/

TK inwardly groaned as he woke up. Boy, did his head hurt. It was a constant throbbing pain that never got worse, but never got better either. After a few minutes he decided to make an effort and open his eyes.

Blinking to clear his vision, he looked up at a white ceiling. A few seconds later a head blocked his vision and he saw Matt looking down at him, visibly relieved.

"Hey there, Squirt," he said quietly, smiling slightly, "Glad you decided to join us back here in the land of the living."

"What?" TK asked groggily, trying to sit up.

Matt helped prop him up before responding. "You've been out for a day and a half. We found you and Kari in an alley, all beat up. What happened kiddo?" he asked, brushing some hair out of TK's eyes.

"I-I'm not really sure." Well, it wasn't a complete lie. While he knew what happened, he didn't understand it at all. "How's Kari?"

"Oh, she's fine. She woke up a few hours ago. Just a few bruises and cuts on her arms."

"Oh, okay," TK replied. He was relieved that she was okay, he had been so worried when she had collapsed.

"You're a little worse though," he heard Matt say.

"What do you mean?" he asked, speech slightly slurred from tiredness.

"Well, you have bruises all over, especially on your neck. And, you have cuts all over your top half. Do you know how that happened?"

TK shook his head. He hated lying to Matt, but telling the truth might be worse. He sighed and put a hand on his head. "My head hurts," he complained quietly.

Matt frowned a little. "I'll tell the doctor when he comes in again in a few minutes. Now, think hard. Are you sure you don't remember anything?"

TK sighed and nodded. Obviously Matt didn't believe that he couldn't remember, but the truth was even harder to believe.

Matt frowned a little more, "Alright, maybe you'll remember something when your head's a little clearer. Right now why don't you try to get some more sleep? You still look exhausted."

TK was about to agree when a thought crossed his mind. What if Shaukaka came back while he was sleeping? She didn't seem to like being seen by others, but Matt couldn't stay forever. "Are you leaving?" he asked him.

Matt nodded. "In about half an hour. Visiting will be over then. I'll come back in the morning, though, and mom and dad will be with me. Why?"

"Just…wondering. Umm, will you wake me up when you leave? Please?" he added, seeing Matt's unsure look.

"Well…I guess. But you won't get much rest if I do that. Will you go back to sleep after I leave?"

"I'll try," he half-lied.

Matt thought for a second. "Okay, I'll wake you up when I leave. But, go to sleep now. Alright?"

TK smiled slightly and nodded. He let Matt lay him back down and he closed his eyes. He really was exhausted, but he only was going to sleep if someone was with him in the room. So when Matt left, he would stay awake until the next morning. Hopefully.

It seemed like it had been only seconds when Matt shook him gently. "I have to go now Squirt."

TK frowned. "Already?"

"It's been thirty minutes. But, I'll see you in the morning. 'kay?" he asked, leaning down and giving TK a small hug.

TK nodded slightly as he hugged back, reluctant to let go as Matt gently pulled away. Matt must have misinterpreted his reluctance as nervousness about staying in the hospital, for he smiled reassuringly.

"Don't worry kiddo, it'll be fine. You'll be able to come home in a couple days. They just want to keep you here for observation and to make sure there isn't any internal damage." He looked up as a nurse came in. "I really gotta go now. See you soon. Bye."

"Bye," TK called quietly as Matt left. He turned to look at the nurse as she prepared a needle. "What's that?"

She looked up at him and smiled, "Just something to help you sleep."

TK's eyes widened slightly. He didn't want to sleep. "I don't want it," he told her.

"Sorry sweetie, you have to have it. Besides, it'll also make your head feel better. Now, hold still." She cleaned part of his arm with an alcohol swab.

TK squirmed a little. "But I really don't want it."

She looked down a little confused, until a look of realization came over her. "Oh, you don't like needles, is that it?"

TK looked back at her. No, he wasn't scared of needles, but he could pretend he was if it would keep her from putting him to sleep. "Yeah, I-I don't like them."

"Y'know, I remember another little boy just like you. He didn't like needles either, but he had to get shots everyday. He would fight back and another person would have to hold him down while he got the shot. But then we figured out how to make him stay still. Before he got the shot, we would talk to him and he wouldn't even notice getting the actual shot," the nurse chuckled. "Just like you didn't."

TK's eyes widened in surprise as he saw that the tube in her hand was now empty. He had fallen for the 'distract-the-kid-with-a-relevant-story' trick. How stupid was he? He glared at the nurse as she threw the used needle away. She just chuckled as she left and turned out the light.

Only a few minutes later he felt the medicine start to take effect. He began to get more drowsy than he had been before. Time seemed to slow as he drifted closer to unconsciousness. But he refused to give in. He forced his eyes open, pinching himself whenever he got too close to sleep.

For the next hour or so he managed to stay awake with little problem. But then, it began to get harder. He found himself dozing more and more often. Never falling into a deep sleep, but resting nonetheless. His will power was the only reason he wasn't dead asleep.

That's how he spent the rest of his night, fighting to stay awake. He tossed and turned, looking for the most uncomfortable position he could find. If he was uncomfortable he would be less likely to fall asleep. However, every uncomfortable position somehow managed to become comfortable after not too long.

He sighed in relief as the nurse came back in hours later.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?" she asked, smiling.

"Uh, sure," TK lied groggily.

Her smile faltered slightly as she noticed bags under his eyes. "Well, it's time for breakfast before the visitors come. What do you want? We have pancakes, eggs, bacon, toast, whatever you want."

"I'm not hungry," TK replied. He hadn't been hungry for the past couple days.

"You need to eat something," the nurse insisted.

"If I eat anything, I'll probably be sick."

The nurse frowned slightly. "Alright, I suppose I'll let you off the hook for now. You'll need to eat lunch and dinner though. Oh, your family will be here very soon. I will see you later, I'm sure." With that she left.

TK watched the clock intently for the next fifteen minutes until he heard Matt talking out in the hall. He smiled as Matt walked in, but that smile quickly left as he saw how serious his 'nii-san looked. Matt sat by the bed and looked down at him.

"What's wrong Matt?" TK asked, trying to sit up.

Matt helped him, sighing. "Why didn't you sleep last night? The nurse said you practically fought her when she tried to make you. She said you were awake whenever

the night nurse walked by. And why didn't you eat this morning? It's been nearly 4 days since you last ate. Well?"

TK shrugged. "I don't like it here. I didn't want to sleep and I didn't want to eat."

Matt scowled, leaning closer. "Don't lie to me. I know it's something more than that. Just like I know you know more about your attack than you and Kari are letting on. Something's been going on with you two for the past few days, and Tai and I want to know what it is."

TK looked away, unable to meet Matt's intense gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Matt sighed again. "Fine, if that's how you want to be," he said shortly.

"Come on Matt, don't be like that."

"Like what? My little brother is outright lying to my face, how am I supposed to be?"

"Matt-"

"No, TK, just…stop. You look tired, get some sleep. Now," Matt ordered crossly, laying him back down.

"But-" TK sighed, seeing Matt's closed expression. "You don't understand," he murmured almost inaudibly. He closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep, no longer caring if Shaukaka came back. What did it matter what happened next, if his onii-san wouldn't talk to him?

Matt looked down at TK as his parents continued talking to the doctor outside. Maybe he had been too hard on the boy. He had seen the hurt in TK's eyes when he had snapped at him. And he hadn't really given his otouto-chan the benefit of the doubt.

'Man, I hate being hot headed!' he thought 'TK must think I'm really mad at him now. But I'm not, I'm just worried. He probably doesn't understand. I'll have to make sure I set things straight when he wakes up.'

He looked up as his parents walked in, and then looked back down. "I'm sorry TK," he whispered so only TK would be able to hear. If he was awake, that was. He stood up as Nancy sat by the bed and walked towards the door.

"Where're you headed son?" Malcolm asked.

"I'm gonna go talk to Tai. See how Kari's doing since TK'll probably ask when he wakes up."

"Alright, don't be gone long."

Matt nodded as he continued out. Kari's room was just down the hall. When he got there he saw that Kari was asleep and Tai was sitting in the room alone.

"Hey man," Matt greeted.

Tai looked up. "Oh, hey. Umm, is something wrong? You look kinda down."

Matt sighed. "TK wouldn't talk and I got frustrated and kinda…snapped at him. He must think I'm angry with him, but he went to sleep before I could explain."

Tai frowned. "Sounds like what happened in here. So, TK didn't say anything?"

"No," Matt replied with a frown of his own, "He hasn't slept or eaten for a while, and he claims nothing's wrong. I don't understand."

"I know what you mean. Kari didn-"

He cut off as a loud rumbling was heard.

"What the hel-"

Matt couldn't finish his sentence because the rumbling sound turned into rumbling movement. Not a gradual change either. The force knocked both boys to the floor of the room. All throughout the hospital people were screaming. It didn't help when the lights flickered and went off.

Panic ensued further because, being a hospital, the place needed power to keep some people alive.

Tai tried to push himself off the ground and get to Kari, but he couldn't because of the shaking. He was worried, she hadn't made a sound yet. He looked around sharply as he thought he heard movement inside the room. But it was only there for a split second.

A few seconds later the entire floor became ice cold. But it wasn't a natural cold, it was …almost synthetic.

As suddenly as all the odd events had begun, they stopped. The floor warmed, the rumbling stopped, and the power came back.

Tai pushed himself up right away and looked towards the bed. He almost collapsed back down when he saw it. It was empty. He heard Matt gasp beside him.

Then, from not too far away, they heard a pair of distinct voices calling a name. Matt drew a sharp intake of breath. His parents.

"TK!" he called as he ran out, leaving Tai alone. Tai barely noticed.

Matt ran the few feet to his brother's room and froze in the doorway. His mother was crying, his father looked ready to, and TK was gone. His legs almost gave way and he fell into the door frame, barely still standing.

"TK," he whispered. "No, not TK."

A/N: Like I said, it will get more interesting from here. And if you're confused, don't worry, things will be explained later. If anyone at all wants me to continue, I will.Along with chap. 3, I will also put up a glossary type thing to explain things that won't be explained in detail in the story. It'll also be a handy reference if you forget what something is or become confused. 'Till next time. Hasta Luego.