Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. You know, it's amazing I haven't gone crazy writing this over two hundred times just in this one story alone...

A/N: And I'm back with another chapter! This is the last chapter for the current day so the next one will be starting a new day and of course the quest to hunt down a new Spirit Chip. Lots of good stuff to come!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 208: Family Time

Odaiba, Japan, Earth

Tai stood silently in the doorway of his son's small bedroom, gazing quietly at the sleeping boy resting beneath the covers of the twin bed in the far left-hand corner of the room, and nervously scratching the back of his head, he smiled wryly to himself.

Sora was right, of course. Now that Daichi knew the truth about his past, it was time he told his kids what the current leader of the Digidestined had already discovered earlier in the afternoon.

He wasn't really worried. He knew Takara and Taysuke would understand, especially since neither one of them was likely to respond in the same fashion that Sam had shown towards the former Emperor, but even so he hesitated just inside the door, his dark eyes studying the peaceful face of his young son.

Both Takara and Taysuke were less likely to succumb to their emotions the way Sam had, but even so that did not mean they were invincible.

And yet, that still wasn't why he hesitated. The truth was, both of his children were obviously very tired and he really didn't want to wake them up, even if they did deserve to know the truth as soon as possible.

I don't know why Sora wouldn't let me wait until tomorrow to tell them. They've waited this long, haven't they? A few more hours won't hurt.

He had actually wanted to tell Tay and Kara the story as soon as they arrived home, but with getting ready for tomorrow and things being so hectic he hadn't had a chance to talk to either one of them about his past. Now was the perfect opportunity to say something, especially since there was no guarantee he would have time tomorrow.

At least, that's what Sora seemed to think.

"Are you ready, Tai?" Agumon asked him quietly, nudging him lightly in the knee to get his attention.

"Well, thanks to Sora, it's not like I really have a choice."

"I'm sure she didn't mean to threaten you, Tai. She just wants you to clear the air with Tay and Kara before Kara goes to the Digiworld tomorrow."

"Right..."

Sora sure can be scary when she wants to be!

Which was the reason why he was standing in his son's bedroom in the first place.

You'd think I didn't need any sleep myself from the way she kept hassling me!

Tai shook his head in amusement, and crossing the room he quickly sat down on the edge of his son's bed, his dark eyes coming to rest fondly on his young son's sleeping face. For a moment, he merely took in the sight of Taysuke curled up beneath the covers, the sound of his son's soft breathing the only sound in the room, and reluctantly reaching out a hand, he gently shook the boy awake.

"Dad?" Taysuke mumbled, his eyelids fluttering open.

"Hey, Tay. Sorry about waking you, but I swear it was your mother who made me do it!"

Taysuke blinked at him in confusion, and rubbing his eyes, the boy mumbled, "What's going on?"

"It's nothing to worry about. It's just...it's about what happened in the Digital World today. It's kind of hard to explain, but basically it's about...well, it's about what Dai didn't tell you guys because he wanted me to tell you myself."

Taysuke, who had been looking ready to fall back asleep again, suddenly bolted up into a sitting position, his sleepy gaze widening in shock. "You told Dai something about your past, didn't you!"

"I did, and now I want to tell you and Kara."

Taysuke looked wide awake by this time, and gazing down at his hands, he said slowly, "It's because of you, isn't it. You're the reason why Dai was able to believe in himself again. It's because of something you said to him."

"It wasn't just me. What happened was a result of everyone who is close to him, but I guess I did help a little bit."

"Not just a little bit," Agumon shot back, leaping onto the bed next to Taysuke and shaking his head in denial. "You helped out a lot."

"You're going to tell me what happened?" Taysuke asked eagerly, giving him a hopeful look.

Tai gently ruffled his son's tousled hair, and giving the boy a warm smile he nodded in confirmation. "You bet I am, but before I do, why don't we pay Kara a visit? She deserves to know the truth just as much as you do, and it'll be easier for me if I just tell you both at the same time."

Taysuke didn't need to be told twice. Without a word, he scrambled out of bed, and Tai felt himself being dragged towards the door. "Come on!"

"Wait for me!" Agumon cried, hurrying after them.

Tai allowed himself to be pulled down the hallway towards Kara's room and stepping just inside the door, he spotted his daughter curled beneath the covers of her double bed, her dark brown hair just peeking out from beneath the sheets.

Like Taysuke, she looked so peaceful lying beneath the covers, and feeling a sudden surge of affection for his two children, Tai had to look away to gain control of his emotions before speaking.

"Come on, Tay. You too, Agumon."

Together, the three of them crossed the room, and sitting down next to Kara, Tai studied his daughter's face for a moment, wondering just exactly how he should begin.

"Hey, Dad," Takara suddenly said softly, interrupting his thoughts.

Tai stared down at his daughter in surprise, and shaking his head, he said in amusement, "And I thought you were asleep, making me felt guilty about having to wake you."

"I couldn't sleep, not until I heard the truth."

"You mean..."

Sitting up, Takara wrapped her arms around his waist, and snuggling her cheek against his shoulder, she gave him a soft smile. "I knew you would come and tell me tonight. So...I've been waiting."

"Kara..."

"Wake up, Fluttermon!" Taysuke called out, scrambling onto the bed to sit next to Kara and shaking the poor digimon a little more heartily than was strictly necessary.

"Where's the evil digimon?" Fluttermon mumbled, rolling away from Taysuke to avoid the young boy's wrath.

"There are no evil digimon."

"No more evil digimon. I'm too sleepy," Fluttermon moaned in response.

Taysuke rolled his eyes and crossing his arms over his chest, he said, "I told you, there's no evil digimon! Tell her, Agumon."

"Tai's going to tell us a story," the rookie explained, leaping up onto the bed in front of Taysuke and giving the sleepy digimon an encouraging smile.

Fluttermon must have finally gotten the message because she suddenly jumped into Takara's lap, forcing Tai to let go of his daughter. "Oh, I love stories! Make it a good one, Tai! I'm guessing it's about you and what happened with Dai?"

"You could say that."

"Go ahead, Dad, we're listening. Right, Tay?" Takara replied, turning to look at her brother.

"You bet we are! Let's hear it, Dad!"

Wow, I didn't expect them to be this eager about hearing what a jerk I was back in the day. Well, here goes nothing, I guess...

Tai took a deep breath and talking quietly, he told them everything he had told Dai, doing his best to leave nothing out, and when he was done, they stared at him with wide eyes, both shocked and amazed by what had happened to him in the past.

Taysuke managed to stammer after a long moment of silence, "So...even you..."

"Had my doubts. It's not like Dai's the first leader who has had his courage fail him and he won't be the last. Agumon, Piximon, and all my friends...they taught me so much while I was in the Digital World. If it weren't for them, I don't know if I'd be the same person I am today."

"I'm glad you told us," Takara said softly, giving him a warm smile. "And thanks, Dad, for...you know...helping Dai."

Tai could see the faint blush on his daughter's cheeks, but with Taysuke also in the room he didn't bother commenting on it. He knew Takara was a sensible girl, and one day things would work out between her and Dai. That was something he was sure of.

"I'm glad you're okay, Agumon," Tasyuke interrupted, reaching out to wrap his arms around the orange dinosaur digimon. "It must have been awful being SkullGreymon."

"Well, it definitely wasn't one of my better moments," Agumon agreed. "It's scary to think I could have ended up hurting my friends, but somehow Tai and I managed to pull through."

"And you guys saved Mom," Takara said softly, her face lightning up. "It's like something out of a fairy tale or a really good romance story!"

Taysuke groaned loudly, but Tai just laughed and pulled his daughter into a tight, warm hug. "Dai told me you wouldn't hesitate to forgive me. He insisted that you were strong enough to handle my past and that you would never turn your back on me. I guess he knew what he was talking about."

"Of course. This is Dai we're talking about, and I meant what I said earlier. I'm not your daughter for nothing, you know."

"Kara really looks up to you!" Fluttermon said cheerfully, beaming at him from her place between Kara and Taysuke. "She would never turn her back on you."

"What about you, Tay?"

In response to his question, Tai felt Taysuke's small arms slip around him in a tight hug, and pulling his son close, he ruffled the young boy's carrot-coloured hair.

"You're awesome, Dad," Taysuke mumbled into his chest. "I want to be just like you when I grow up."

"Really? What about Ryoko? I thought you wanted to be like him."

Taysuke turned a deep shade of red, and Takara started giggling, clearly amused by her brother's obvious embarrassment. "That's right. You're always going on about how great he is. Dai only complains about it all the time."

"I want to be like Dad and Ryoko." Taysuke protested, glaring at his sister. "What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing," Takara insisted. "I was just teasing you. Actually, I think it's pretty cool."

Tai had to agree, and looking down at his son, who was curled comfortably against his cheat, he smiled and said, "I couldn't agree more, and I'm sure your uncle Matt wouldn't have any objections either."

"Thanks for telling us, Dad," Takara said firmly, gazing directly into his eyes. "I knew it couldn't have been easy for you after the way Sam took the news about his father. It means a lot to me that you would trust us with your story."

"Nothing much really surprises me anymore about you, your friends, or the Digital World," Taysuke insisted, an earnest look on his face. "People do things they regret all the time. In fact, I think it happens more often than we're willing to admit to ourselves. I don't really know how to explain it, but it might actually be a good thing. How can you become a better person if you're always doing the right thing all the time? We have to learn somehow and making mistakes is the best way to go about it, I think."

The best way, and maybe the only way. Tay might be young, but he's far from being stupid. For a kid his age, he's pretty smart, smarter than I was back then, that's for sure.

Tai couldn't help smiling at his own thoughts and gazing into his two children's bright eyes, he said, "I knew I had to tell you the truth. If I've learned anything from Sam and Ken, it's the fact that it just doesn't pay to keep secrets. If you do, sooner or later they're going to catch up with you and when they do the results of what could happen can be devastating. Better to get them out in the open before you end up hurting someone you love."

"If only Ken had realized the same thing before it was too late," Takara said sadly, shaking her head in despair.

"You did do some pretty selfish things, Dad," Taysuke scolded, giving him a stern look. "A lot of people could have ended up getting hurt, but you pulled through. You know we forgive you."

"You would have forgiven us if we had been in your place," Takara added, her tone leaving no room for argument.

It was true and thinking about what Takara had said, his mind wandered back to Sam and Ken.

"You know, I wish somebody would tell Sam the same thing about Ken."

Takara and Taysuke suddenly exchanged meaningful looks and smiling slightly, Takara said simply, "Maybe somebody will."

"Can we tell the others about your past?" Taysuke asked eagerly, excitement written all over his face. "I want to tell my friends."

"And I think Dai wants me to be the one to tell Ryoko and the others," Takara added, a smile on her face.

"Go ahead. And I'll make sure to tell the other adults what really happened between Dai and myself on Infinity Mountain."

"I bet Ryoko and the others will be so proud of you," Fluttermon insisted, hopping up and down in excitement.

"And now I think it's time for the three of you to go back to bed again. You need your rest, Fluttermon, and so do Tay and Kara."

"But-"

"No buts," Tai interrupted, giving his son a stern look. "It's time we left Kara alone so she can get some sleep."

Taysuke reluctantly scrambled out of his arms, and grumbling to himself he slid off the end of the bed and quickly made his way towards the door with Agumon in tow.

Takara once again settled herself beneath the covers and gazing up at him with hazel eyes that looked much too alert considering what time it was, she whispered, "I love you, Dad. I promise I'll be careful from now on."

Tai felt a sudden lump in his throat, and leaning over his gave his daughter a quick kiss on the forehead. "I love you too, Kara. More than I could ever put into words. I can't even tell you how scared I was today, but...now I know I didn't need to be afraid."

"What do you mean?" Takara asked curiously.

Tai pulled back slightly so he could look into his daughter's eyes and studying her face, he said firmly, "As long as Dai's around, I know I'll never have to be afraid. You're a lucky girl, Kara. A really lucky girl. And Dai...he's gotta be the luckiest guy in the world, no doubt about that. Make sure you take good care of him, okay? I know he'll do the same for you. He's made that pretty clear already."

More times than I think he's even realized himself.

Tai watched his daughter's hazel eyes widen in shock, but before she could say anything he quickly made his way towards the door, a smile on his face.

After watching Taysuke scramble into bed and giving his young son a quick kiss on the forehead, he slowly made his way back to his own room with Agumon, where Biyomon was sleeping perched on the headboard and Sora was lying curled up beneath the covers.

Slipping in beside his wife, he smiled as the female Digidestined's arms suddenly circled his waist and mumbling into his shoulder, she said, "See? Now that wasn't so hard, was it."

No indeed. Not so hard after all. A little bit of courage goes a long way, especially when you have the kindness and the compassion to understand the true meaning of forgiveness.

And now it was Sam's turn. But how exactly he would respond...They would just have to wait and see.