Ek: Don't own it, so don't hate me, k?

Fate and Ignorance Cruelly Collide.

Hours passed. He woke up minutes before his alarm clock went off. He didn't bother to greet his family a good morning and went to the shower where he stood there in the tub, letting the water do its work. He was unresponsive when the water quickly went freezing cold and scolding hot 3 times. After he padded off to dry, he put on his school uniform, put up his hair, and got his book bag in order, failing to notice both the goggles that hung from the foot of his bed and the box that still laid on the floor. Taichi left his room only after releasing a deep sigh, ready to embark out into the world bearing the pain that he's been feeling. Just then, his mom, dad, and Hikari, still in her pajamas, were on the couch, crying. He didn't want to know. His father got up towards Taichi, standing there in front of them.

"Son. Something happened. I'm sorry." He couldn't understand, but the tears started to flow. He didn't want to hear it. He only tuned in on his father's words sporadically, followed by his mom and Hikari's sobbing. This Morning. Mr. Motomiya. Daisuke. In bed. Sick. A long time. Doctor. Birth. Heart. Pain. Defect. Death. Peace. Time. No. Sorry. He didn't want to hear it. He wanted nothing of it. Taichi, panicking, crying uncontrollably, clenched his fist to his heart, and cried.

Taichi was at the Motomiya's residence everyday that week. He comforted Jun and her parents. He was a regular fixture at their house most of the time. He and Daisuke were inseparable, only until a few days before. Everyday, some of the digidestined dropped by and gave their condolences. Mimi and Sora came over and gave some cookies. Yamato and Ken were there to cook for the Motomiyas. Takeru was comforting Hikari. The rest of the chosen children either ran errands for the grieving family, or grieved beside them. This was unbearable for Taichi. 'Everyone was running around, crying. Daisuke wouldn't have wanted it this way. He would want us to all be laughing at the stupid stuff that he did. He didn't want to be cried over.'

The service was emotionally draining. All the digidestined, as well as Daisuke's family and friends gathered on the hill. Before they lowered his lifeless body into the earth, Taichi opted to deliver a eulogy. He set aside all tears, all sadness, all emotion.

"I wrote a poem for Daisuke. I call it 'The Goggles.'"

The journey that we've been though,
Many would envy.
Remember.
We were one that day.
Tethered together, torn apart.
Fate and ignorance cruelly collide.
Then, we were together, again.
But we could really never have it all.
We can never have what we want.
Dreams, Desires, Destiny.
My world was once gray and black.
No in between for me.
Until I met you
Courage and Friendship, Love.
Beauty in your eyes, I can find, you can seek.
One day, my heart broke, and you left.
As the song goes,
"even if there is pain now, everything will be all right."
For as the rain has ceased, and the rainbow shines through,
The sun shall set, and there is hope for tomorrow.

"Daisuke. You left me. You left me brokenhearted. How could you?" After that, the crowd was silent. Many were crying, but no words were spoken. Taichi ran off, trying to leave everything behind. Everyone was stunned, especially Hikari. She couldn't believe how hurt her brother was, or why Daisuke would leave them just the way he did. Her head drooped. Even though the cries were prominent, she managed to hear Jun mutter something under her breath.

"He didn't want anyone to feel sorry for him. All he wanted was to go alone. He didn't want anyone to be attached to him. He didn't want them to go through the heartache that he was going through. He didn't want anyone to know he was dying. Especially Taichi. He couldn't hide it anymore. So, he avoided him, Hikari. He didn't want Taichi there when he left. I can remember the day he left so vividly. He woke me up, and he had tears in his eyes. He told me that today was the day. He said he couldn't sleep, but I knew better. He was up making a present for Taichi. I saw the box. It was cute. He told me that it was his way of saying goodbye. He just wanted to drop it, and leave. I couldn't watch as I helped him climb the stairs to your doorstep, or place the box outside your door, or cry the whole way back. I guess Taichi didn't take his letter too great. Taichi was the only one he actually told. I heard it from my parents, and I didn't talk about it with Dai. We acted like nothing was gonna happen. But Daisuke actually was hurting inside. He only let his guard down for Taichi. I really envy him. He's a lucky guy, since my brother really loved him. And I could tell that he loved my brother back…" She couldn't continue. She was too distraught.

Taichi ran all the way home. Out of breath, he still began to throw things around in his room. He punched the wall, kicked his drawers, and threw all his clothes around. Then, he saw it. With all the anger and sadness he had, he took the box and kicked it as hard as he could. Again, it hit the wall, and landed on his bed. No longer blinded by rage, he noticed that inside, the box had a false bottom that was about to detach. He took it out, only to find an envelope. To my one and only Taichi, it said. He read the letter. He felt like such an idiot.

Dearest Taichi-senpai,

I figured that you wouldn't see this letter for a while. In fact, I hoped that you found this letter when you were ready. If I know you right, and I do, you're probably angry at me for leaving you the way I did. I'm sorry, my love. I had to do it this way to protect you. It seems like my time on this earth as something physical is about to end. I want you to know that what I said under that oak tree in the park a year ago was true. You're always on my mind, and in my heart. Sure, my mind may be gone, and my heart may cease to beat, but still, my spirit lives on. Maybe, I'll get to return to that oak tree. Maybe I'll be there, watching the never-ending sunset. You know it's a favorite of mine. Why? Because I was with you, and that's when I told you how I really felt. And that's when we found out that the love that we had for each other existed long before either of us knew. I will never forget the fun times, the not-so-fun times, and most especially, the times where we professed our love for each other. My last wish that I have on this earth is that you won't forget either. I taught you so much, and you taught me a lot in return. So, I have one last lesson. You should listen to your own advice. I'll always be in your heart, and always on your mind, if you let me.

Forever and Always,
Your Daisuke

Taichi felt so loved. He cried tears of joy, sadness, and regret. He was sorry. He didn't want to remember Dai as one who broke his heart, but rather one who loved him until the day he died. He had to search for him. He didn't want to lose him again. He was ready to meet Daisuke under the oak tree, to watch the sunset and lay in the beauty of the leaves, laugh and cry and love, together again.

Ek: Sweet, huh? I hope you're not lost. One more. Almost there.