Chapter 4: Lesser of two Evils
Note: I don't own Starbucks or Barnes and Nobles
The next day Kari walked out of the corner Starbucks and right into the last person she wanted to see, above both TK and Ken in a cape, Richard. "Think you're awfully smart don't you?" he hissed his voice somewhat hoarse. "Having that kid try and choke me." Kari took a tentative step backwards but he took two forwards. "Bet you don't think you're so smart now." he taunted. Then a cane smashed into the side of Richards head and he crumpled to the ground.
"Are assholes magnetically attracted to you?" the guy with the cane asked sarcastically.
Kari looked back at the man wondering who he was. Then it clicked, he was the guy from the night before; what was his name again, Jacob or maybe it was Jake. "Why are you here?" she asked him. "Weren't you part of band security?" she began walking down the street.
"I still am," he explained as he matched her stride, "I just got a new assignment."
"And that would be what," Kari asked, "stalking me?" her tone wasn't humorous and at the same time wasn't accusatory.
Jack chuckled a bit. "I guess you could call it that," he told her, "but I much prefer bodyguard."
Kari shook her head and growled a little in frustration, "I don't need a damn bodyguard." she complained.
"Don't complain." Jack told her. "If you don't need a bodyguard it only makes my job easier."
Kari turned into a Barnes and Noble, "Go read a book or something," she told him, "I have work to do."
Jack smirked and cracked his neck glad that he had a job he enjoyed. "Well have fun." he told her, "Go work your ass off so that you don't have the energy to get into trouble for a couple hours. And don't worry if you don't see me for a few hours." he added as an afterthought.
Kari rolled her eyes, "I wouldn't worry if I never saw you again in my life." she told him.
"You should worry then." Jack told her. "It means someone just took out your bodyguard." He spread his arms wide, spun around, and vanished down an aisle.
Kari shook her head and began to walk towards the workers' area; her shift began in a few minutes. As she did so she saw a person her own age searching the shelves. "Need help finding anything?" she asked as she passed. The person looked up at her and her eyes widened. The blonde hair, the blue eyes, even the dopey white hat; even after last night there was no doubt that this was TK. He opened his moth to say something but only got out 'Kar' before Kari's fist connected with his jaw.
TK looked up when he heard someone ask if he needed help and his eyes widened. The long black hair, the jeans, the shirt that said 'My only problem is my ex,' and even the old camp whistle; it was the Kari from his dream standing right in front of him. "Kar- " he began but then her fist connected with his face.
Kari continued her assault on TK's face and stomach without a care for any counter attack from him. None came, he didn't even attempt to shield himself from her blows, all he did was say he was sorry over and over. All this did was infuriate Kari even more.
The next thing she knew Jack yanked her off TK. "Do you attack any every guy with blonde hair and blue eyes that you see." he spat at her as he checked to see if the guy was okay. This was just perfect, he wasn't here to protect her he was here to protect others from her. Even he had to admit though that the guy looked like Takaishi, a little too much in fact. Trusting Kari not to flip out he let her go and reached into his pocket to get the photo Matt had given him last night. He compared the picture and the man in front of him who was being helped up by a blonde girl. The picture and person were nearly identical; Kari hadn't just flipped out at the wrong person.
Kari suddenly turned on her heel and stalked out. TK shook his head, "That could have gone better." he mumbled as he, Melissa, and Kari's friend left the building.
"You got off easy." Jack told him. "Last night she was ready to kill your brother."
TK's face paled slightly, "My brother was here last night? Why was he here, the concert was two days ago he should be in Washington D.C. now?" Suddenly he realized something, "How do you know my brother?" TK asked.
"I was head of band security." Jack explained. "Then you had to go and run away from home so your brother had me baby-sit little Kari and, upon your inevitable arrival, you too."
TK scowled "I'm 18 years old, I don't need a babysitter."
"Call it a bodyguard." Jack suggested.
"I don't need a bodyguard." TK complained. "I just need to talk to Kari."
Melissa, quiet this whole time decided to speak. "You're not saying your brother's one of the Teenage Wolves?" she asked TK. She didn't wait for a reply she could see the answer in their faces. "That is so cool!" she squealed. "You have to get me backstage at one of the concerts." she begged. "So which one is he? Yusuke; no he's too tall, maybe Kouji."
"My brother is Matt." TK said. Noticing her expression he added, "And I don't want the world to know it Melissa."
"Consider me a friend who kicks ass." Jack said continuing their earlier discussion with TK. "And my name is Jack."
"So Jack, where are we going right now?" TK asked having finally noticed they were moving.
Jack stretched for a moment, "Kamiya residence." he said somewhat lazily.
"TK's mood visibly brightened when he heard this. "I'm not going to give up and I'm not going to lose," TK said mostly to himself, "I'll get her back if it takes my whole life."
Melissa laughed "Judging by her earlier reaction to you it's going to be one short life."
Jack laughed too, taking this time to look Melissa over. She was of average height, thin but not painfully so, she had blonde hair that reached down to her shoulders, a nice pair of breast, and chocolate brown eyes. Also despite the bags under her eyes she looked like she hadn't done an honest days work in her life. Little rich girl he decided. He was really in no mood to think any more, all he wanted was for that damn pounding in his head to stop.
As they walked into the Kamiya's yard, a spattering of grass and weeds around a small raised ranch with a few oak trees scattered around, Skullmon dropped out of a tree onto Jack's head then continued his fall to the ground. He was followed swiftly by Gatomon who landed nimbly on her feet glaring at Jack, "What did you do to Kari?" she growled.
Jack cracked his neck, "Wasn't me." He said motioning behind himself and ignoring Melissa's exclamation that Skullmon was the cutest thing ever. "That was all Takaishi here."
From behind Jack TK gave the cat digimon a small wave, "Hi Gatomon, good to see you again." Patamon stuck his head out of the bag and wiggled his ears in agreement.
"It seems Digimon are a bit more common than I've been led to believe." Jack said with an eyebrow raised.
"Not really," TK said, "we Digidestined just have a way of meeting up."
Gatomon abruptly stepped aside, "You can go in." she said.
"Even me?" TK asked. He had been sure that Gatomon would try and keep him off the street at least. After all he wasn't on the best of terms with Kari, or Tai, or Davis, Matt, and his mother for that matter.
Gatomon leapt onto TK's shoulder, "Especially you." she whispered in his ear. "You see Kari's been having nightmares again and …" TK nodded once to show that he understood.
So it seemed the Dark Ocean may well be after Kari again. Considering that only he could get her back the last time perhaps there were greater things at work here than he could fathom.
And so they entered the house: Jack first, followed by Melissa who was hugging Skullmon like a stuffed animal, and then TK with Patamon on his head and Gatomon on his shoulder.
"Who's there?" Ms. Kamiya asked from a pile of dirty dishes. "Guess Kari didn't take a liking to the whole bodyguard idea, did she?" she asked when she saw Jack, who had stopped by earlier that morning. Then her eyes moved past him to his two companions and she nearly dropped the plate she was holding, "Takeru Takaishi?" she gasped, "Is that really you?"
TK smiled and rubbed the back of his head nervously, "Um, hi Mrs. Kamiya, long time no see." he said wondering how she would react.
Ms. Kamiya just went back to washing the dishes. "It's Ms. Kamiya now Takeru," she said sadly, "Sakyo died in a car crash two years ago."
"I'm sorry," TK said, "I didn't know." He really hadn't and he really was sorry.
"It's okay." Ms. Kamiya said with a fake smile. "So who's your other friend?" she asked.
"Melissa Takaishi." Melissa said. "I'm Takeru's cousin."
"It's nice to meet you Melissa." she said. She sighed, "Takeru, I'm really glad you're here."
TK blinked, "You are?" he asked stupidly.
"Yes, if anyone can bring Kari out of this antisocial depression of her's, it's you Takeru. Besides I can't say much for her romantic prospects around here.
"What about this Richard guy?" Jack asked.
Ms. Kamiya's face darkened, "Richard is the only person around here that has shown any real interest in Kari for any length of time, but from what I've seen he's quite the shady fellow. No one seems to notice though."
"How does Kari feel about him?" TK asked.
Jack gave a grim laugh, "Takaishi I'm a greater treat to your relationship." he said. "And I don't even have an interest in the girl."
Ms. Kamiya nodded in agreement, "He's right, if Richard were to drop dead tomorrow Kari would probably throw a party."
"Why don't you come by for dinner." Ms. Kamiya suggested.
"Are you sure your daughter won't mind?" Melissa asked.
"I'm not sure if she'll care or not, but I brought up my daughter to be polite to guests; no matter who they are."
"So what time should we come back for dinner?" TK asked unconsciously rubbing his jaw which was beginning to get sore.
"About six." Ms. Kamiya told them as she shooed them out of the kitchen. "I'll expect to see you then."
Kari climbed out of the window in her room and snuck out of the yard. Right now she just wanted to be alone; no Gatomon, no mother, no hyper skull digimon, no annoying bodyguard, and no TK.
"WE should go find a place to eat." TK told Melissa as they left. Jack had opted to collapse on the couch and take a nap. "As I remember she couldn't cook instant noodles."
"Really." Melissa stated. She wasn't actually listening though. Her mind was back in Chicago. She was wondering if anyone had noticed that she was gone. Her parents certainly hadn't, and probably wouldn't for another week or so. With a start Melissa realized that the only thing that paid enough attention to her to notice her disappearance was It. She silently prayed that it didn't follow her here.
Kari sighed and stretched, a day out wandering was just what she needed. She was dimly aware that she was probably going to be fired after this morning, but she didn't mind. She was tired of Cliff, her boss, staring at her ass anyway. She stated walking home, a nice uneventful trip home and back through her window with no one the wiser and her day would be perfect. But it seemed that fate was no longer on her side.
A small chuckle was all the warning she got before someone grabbed her arms and pulled her to them. A sharp biting pain erupted in her head: darkness, evil, malice. "Thought you could give me the slip." he whispered into her ear, "Well it's not that easy." Richard ran a hand down her thigh and gave her rear a quick pat.
Kari's eyes darted around looking for someone, anyone. But true to her wishes she was alone, all alone with Richard. Then someone turned the corner and her heart fell further, it was TK. Now she was alone with the two people she hated most. Not to mention that her head was nearly splitting in two. She threw her elbow back at Richard's stomach in an effort to get away from him, but he moved with it and she only managed to turn herself so that TK could see her face clearly.
"What's wrong my pet?" Richard asked as he ran his tongue up her ear. This caused another flash of sharp pain in Kari's head and she nearly bit her tongue off in an attempt to stop herself from screaming. "Don't like being held anymore?" his hand began to creep up the front of her shirt.
TK was shocked when the girl who was being held by some guy in front of him started to struggle to get free. He was even more surprised when she turned revealing her face, Kari's face. Her crimson eyes were screwed shut in pain and it looked like she was about to scream.
TK started to lose his temper when the guy, Richard he guessed, licked Kari's ear. But when Richard's hand began to creep up her shirt he got really pissed. "Let go of her!" TK yelled.
Richard looked up at the blonde kid that had yelled at him. This kid had no idea what he was getting into. He calmly removed his hand from Kari's chest and with a smirk stuck it up the girl's shirt.
TK growled and clenched his fists, "Let her go now and I'll let you live." he threatened.
Richard kept the smirk on his face, this kid really was clueless. "Go ahead," he taunted, "I'll even give you a free shot to the head." to emphasize his point he gave Kari's breast a sudden sharp squeeze making Kari squeal.
TK was perfectly ready to take Richard up on the offer and give the idiot a good blow to the nose. Then he saw the white band of cloth holding a small square of more cloth to the side of his head. It looked like a, very, rudimentary bandage. TK decided that would be his target and launched his attack.
Richard was ready for the inevitable strike to his nose which would let him knee the kid in the head and then swing his foot forward into the fool's groin. Then the boy's fist connected with the side of his head, right where the cane had hit him. It felt like he had been hit by a train. He dropped to the ground as multicolored stars burst out in front of his eyes, releasing Kari as he fell. He was dimly aware that the kid had grabbed her and led her away.
As Kari's head cleared she realized that someone was leading her down the street. She yanked away from them and found out that her suspicions were indeed correct, it was TK. She was grateful for a moment, and then she went back to being pissed.
"Don't you ever touch me again Takaishi!" she spat. She took three steps on unsteady legs then fell, only to be caught by TK. She pushed away from him and leaned against a conveniently placed bus stop.
"It's back isn't it?" TK asked his eyes filled with concern. "It's back and it's eating you up inside."
Kari looked away unable to meet his gaze, "I don't know what you're talking about." She said her tone was unconvincing both to him and to herself.
"The Dark Ocean Kari." TK said. "It's back and it's after you again."
Kari said nothing; she wasn't willing to admit that to herself let alone him. Again that day pain and darkness exploded in her head. For a moment she thought that Richard was back, but the laugh that came next bespoke a deeper evil. She saw that TK recognized the laugh as did Patamon, who until now had been asleep unnoticed on TK's head.
TK grabbed her wrist and dragged her away from the evil presence. As they turned the corner the girl who had helped TK up that morning ploughed into them and the three all hit the ground.
"It's back!" she shrieked hysterically, shaking TK by his shoulders, "It followed me here!"
From behind them came more laughter, "Well now," the laughing thing said, "all three of you in one place what luck."
Kari turned, her head splitting, and saw what she was afraid she'd see, Myotismon, the evil digimon she had helped destroy three times in the last decade. Twice when she was eight and again when she was eleven. He was like Nader you couldn't get rid of him. And now with just the three of them and Patamon they didn't stand a chance.
"Thank you Melissa." Myotismon said, "I knew if I followed you around for long enough I'd find the two kids I was looking for. Melissa was on the ground in a fetal position scared out of her wits. TK unconsciously put himself between Myotismon and the two girls.
In a flash of light Patamon digivolved into Angemon. "Hand of Fate!" Myotismon cocked his head to the side and the beam of light flashed by harmlessly.
"Bone Sword!" Myotismon all but dodged this attack too. As the man sized skeleton that had attacked landed however part of Myotimon's cape fluttered to the ground behind him. This also heralded two new arrivals, Jack and Gatomon.
Myotismon's gaze flicked over the human's: the child of light, the child of hope, the child of defiance, and some other kid. And then it swept over the skeleton, angel, and cat digimon. Without a word he vanished into the darkness and was gone.
Angemon dedigivolved into Patamon. With a twirl of his bone handed scimitar the skeleton followed suit, first into a smaller skeleton holding a bone and then into Skullmon.
"Are you okay?" TK asked Kari. The poor girl seemed to be barely keeping her feet, and she didn't argue when TK put her arm over her shoulder to help hold her up.
"TK, I, I'm …" she mumbled her eyes half glazed. She stopped midway through the sentence; there was no way she was apologizing. "Let's let," she changed her mind again; she wasn't going to let this go either. "Truce." Kari finally said, "For now." TK nodded in understanding.
"Anyone care to explain what just happened here?" Jack asked nonchalantly.