The group sat in a circle near the river. The sun was setting and the sky was growing dark. The rapids were strong making it hard to hear one another speak. Kari leaned against Tai as Matt filled the group in on what him Kari and Mimi had been through. Mimi's head was in Sora's lap. Matt pointed to Gabumon giving his partner a smile. Kari was glad Gabumon was back but she worried about the others and Gatomon.
"Gabumon can you remember where Pythmon was keeping everyone?" Tai asked. The digimon nodded and then stopped and shook his head,
"I know it was underground. We were deep underground but I don't know where that was." He pouted and Kari felt bad for Gabumon. She felt the poor digimon had been through so much. Matt growled,
"Pythmon has TK. We need a plan to get him back." Matt punched his fist into his hand. Sora walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Matt I understand how you feel but you guys are a mess! We need to rest." Tai said sternly. Kari felt Matt's rage and she grabbed her brothers arm hoping to calm him.
"No you don't Tai! Kari is here! What about Agumon?! Don't you want to get him back?!" Sora gripped Matt's shoulder and Joe stepped between Matt and Tai.
"Easy guys! Look Tai is right." Tai gave Matt a triumphant look. Joe put his hands out,
"But so is Matt!" He said loudly and Matt sneered. Izzy then yelled,
"You both are being selfish jerks! Mimi needs a doctor!" Kari let go of her brother and turned to Izzy. Mimi was now resting in Izzy's lap. Kari walked over and crouched in front of Izzy.
"Palmon?" Mimi asked in a whisper. Kari gasped,
"Mimi!" She then put a hand on her friends shoulder. Mimi opened her eyes. Kari moved back,
"Joe." She said and Joe quickly took
Kari's spot and inspected Mimi. Kari stood. Sora crouched next to Joe and the three of them spoke quietly to Mimi. Kari turned and saw her brother and Matt standing across from each other. They were staring at each other and Kari could feel the tension between them. The wind picked up and Kari shivered. She could feel the exhaustion setting in. She walked over to her brother and gently spoke.
"Tai? You think we could get a fire going?" She asked and Tai stopped glaring at Matt and looked at Kari a moment. He nodded and then looked at Gabumon.
"Gabumon, you think you can help us whip up a fire?" Gabumon looked to Matt for direction. Matt gave his partner a nod and then looked at Kari.
"Let's get a fire going. Kari any luck finding food earlier?" Matt asked and Kari nodded,
"I'm sorry I dropped them when I saw Tai. But I found some fruit." Matt nodded and turned,
"I'll go get something to eat. Gabumon help Tai with the fire. I'll be back." Tai stepped forward and then sighed,
"Gabumon let's grab some fire wood." He turned and walked with the digimon and the two started collecting sticks and logs. Kari wrapped her arms around herself. She wanted a blanket, a warm blanket. She saw Sora stand and she quickly went to the older girl. She grabbed Sora's hand and huddled close to her.
"How's Mimi?" She asked and Sora nodded,
"She's better then Joe thought. She remembered what had happened. She just needs to rest." Kari was relieved. She squeezed Sora's hand and then let go. She yawned and turned watching Tai set the logs into a pile.
"Blue blaster!" Gabumon announced and a roaring fire came to life. Tai called to Kari,
"Kari come here." Kari walked over to her brother and he motioned his head.
"Turn around I want to look at your back." Kari breathed through her nostrils and did what her brother asked. She felt Tai move the fabric on her shirt. She winced feeling it brush along her wounds.
"They didn't cut too deep. You said Palmon did this?" Kari nodded and winced again,
"Yes but Tai please I'm fine." She tried to brush her brother off. She appreciated how much he cared but felt he was over compensating for not having Agumon around.
"Kari." Tai growled and Kari turned so she was facing her brother.
"Agumons okay!" She nearly yelled and Tai stood still for a moment.
"I know you're worried, about Agumon , about everyone! But please try to think about yourself!" Kari saw Tai was stunned. She felt someone stand beside her.
"Tai? Maybe you should lie down." Sora spoke softly. Kari looked at her a moment and then to her brother. He looked tired. She grabbed his hand and sat down. Tai sat next to her and Kari smiled. She didn't say anything she laid down and her brother followed suit. She smiled at him and watched him mirror her,
"Go to sleep Kari." He instructed and Kari slowly closed her eyes.
Tai watched his sister slowly drift to sleep. He looked up at Sora who was watching the two closely.
"Sora? You okay?" Sora snapped out of her trance and looked at Tai.
"Oh yeah fine. I think I'm gonna go check on Matt." Tai stood and shook his head. He pointed at his sister,
"Lay down. You should get some sleep." Sora sighed and then took Tai's place next to Kari.
"So long as you get some too, right?" Tai nodded and Sora laid down next to Kari. Tai saw Izzy stand up and pick Mimi up.
"You guys okay?" Tai asked and Joe and Izzy nodded while Izzy moved Mimi to the fire.
"So I guess everyone is going to bed?" Joe asked and Tai nodded,
"I think we all need some sleep." Tai looked at Sora and Kari. He then looked to Mimi and Izzy. Izzy was now laying down with the girls.
"Who will keep watch?" Joe asked and Tai nodded.
"I will. Thanks for saving us today Joe." Tai said and he thought for a moment about Izzy and Sora. He bit his lip remembering how they had told him he had left factory town but he couldn't remember doing that. He decided not to mention that to Joe.
"Get some sleep." Tai said. Joe nodded and laid down next to Izzy. Tai then walked over to Gabumon.
"Gabumon I need a favour." The digimon looked at him.
"I need you to look after the group. I'm gonna go find Matt." Gabumon nodded and went to the fire. Tai then made his way to the woods. He stopped his footsteps. He heard movement. He looked to his right and Matt emerged from the bushes.
"Jesus I thought you were Gatomon." Tai informed his blond friend. Matt frowned,
"She around here?" He asked and Tai shook his head,
"Don't think so but she gave Izzy, Sora, Joe and I a scare earlier. She sent Flymon after us." Matt sighed and handed a pear to Tai.
"Well I found some food. It's not much." Tai took the pear and motioned to the fire.
"I got the others to bed. I didn't mean to be a dick but they really needed it." Matt nodded and the two walked towards the fire.
"I get it. Kari and the rest of them have been through a lot." He stopped and put the pears on the ground. He looked at the river then turned and started walking back towards the trees.
"We should talk man. But it's hard to hear over the water." Matt made his way to the trees. Tai sighed and followed.
Matt sat down against one of the trees he looked up at Tai.
"So what's going on?" Matt asked and Tai shrugged,
"Nothing." He said quickly. Matt frowned,
"You're a shitty liar." Matt said bluntly. Tai shrugged his shoulders.
"I don't know what you mean." Matt sighed,
"I let it go. You know we've got a lot to deal with here. But somethings off about you. So what is it? What's going on?" Tai was shocked Matt could pick up on the distress he had been feeling.
"I'm worried about Agumon." Tai started and Matt shook his head,
"There's more." Matt said sternly. Tai looked towards the fire. He thought about the darkness Izzy and Sora said was around him. Am
image of his father came to his mind. He clenched his hands into fists.
"Matt..." Tai stopped, he wanted to ask Matt for advice. How to deal with a monster like his father. Tai stopped and sighed,
"Maybe some other time. I think you should get some rest." Matt looked stunned at Tai a moment. He stood and Tai knew Matt was gonna argue with him. Tai put a hand up trying to stop Matt before a fight broke out.
"I'll be honest. There is something. But I really am worried about Agumon. And the rest of the digimon." Tai watched Matt's face go from hard to soft.
"Fine. But-" Tai then cut him off,
"I know! I'll tell you soon." Tai interjected. Matt studied Tai and moment and then to Tai's relief he stood.
"Soon. Night Tai." Matt said and he walked to the fire and laid down next to it. Tai smiled as Gabumon curled up next to Matt. He remembered TK taking a similar position next to Matt the first time they came to the digital world.
"Always the tough guy." Tai whispered to himself and shook his head and gave a chuckle.
"I know you better Matt." Tai looked at Kari and sighed,
"When it comes to our siblings, we're both big softies." Tai smirked and then sat down in front of the fire.