Kari felt hot and tired. She dragged her feet behind TK and wiped her brow. She needed to pull herself together.
"If we walk to those trees over there we can take a break in the shade." TK said and Kari nodded
"sure." She choked out and she saw TK turn to face her.
"You o-" he stopped and his jaw dropped. Kari was panting slightly and turned her head to look behind her wondering what TK was looking at. She saw nothing but sand and turned back to TK.
"What?" She asked between breaths and TK closed the space between them and quickly pulled his sleeve to cover his hand. Kari was confused, completely at a loss for what on earth TK was doing. He then pressed his white sleeve to Kari's nose.
"Lean forward." Kari did as she was told and TK put a hand on the back of her head.
"You're bleeding." He said and Kari closed her eyes not wanting to see the blood pour from her nose. It took a few minutes but eventually TK helped Kari stand tall. He used the back of his sleeve to wipe her nose clean and Kari could see that the end of his sleeve was soaked in her blood.
"I'm so sorry." Kari whispered. TK ignored her and continued to clean her face.
"Can you walk?" Kari nodded and took a step back from TK. However, the combination of the heat and having her head dangling forward made her incredibly light headed. She swayed slightly and TK was quick to support her.
"I've got you." He said and Kari smiled.
"Thank you." She whispered and TK moved to carry her.
"It'd be easier if you could get on my back." He suggested and Kari nodded. He stood in front of her and Kari gripped his shoulders. She had very little strength but dug deep to find just enough to hop onto his back. He gripped her legs securing her body onto his back and Kari went limp. She was exhausted.
"I'm sorry." She whispered and TK adjusted her and started moving.
"Don't talk. Just close your eyes." Tokomon then spoke.
"Is she okay TK?" He asked and Kari heard TK groan.
"I hope so."
Kari felt her head drop and she jerked quickly to catch herself. She inhaled and squeezed her eyes tight before opening them.
"She's awake TK!" Kari looked to her left and saw Tokomon. She frowned and then adjusted herself to sit straighter. She was leaning against a tree and was curious if she was still in the woods with Tai.
"Hey, you feeling okay?" TK crouched down in front of her and Kari remembered she was not with her brother but in a desert with TK. She hummed softly a moment,
"mmm, yeah. Sorry. How long was I out for?" TK moved to sit next to her,
"not very long, maybe 20 minutes." Kari closed her eyes taking a deep breath.
"I'm really sorry. I keep holding people back." She whispered. TK made a low exhale and Kari looked over at him. She could see his face was stern and his eyes were closed.
"You okay?" She asked and TK suddenly stood.
"Fine." He spat and he bent down to pick up Tokomon. He stood just on the outline of the shade the tree was providing. Kari watched his back tense while the breeze lightly blew the back of his shirt. Her eyes gazed down to his left arm and she saw how red his sleeve was. Kari quickly put a hand to her nose and was relived to feel it was dry.
"You're not going to tell me are you?" TK spoke matter of factly. Kari tilted her head to the side,
"tell you what?" She asked and she watched TK clench his hands into fists. The two were silent, TK didn't turn around and Kari started to feel self conscious.
"We should find the others." He said after a minute. Kari slowly eased herself onto her feet. She wanted to stand beside her friend but remained still. She was slightly afraid of him at this moment.
"Do you want to come or stay?" TK asked still not turning to look at her. Kari swallowed
"let's go." She replied and TK started to move into the sun. Kari gingerly followed being sure to keep a reasonable distance between them.
The desert did turn from sand into rock. Kari was happy to not be trudging through the sand though she was not a fan of the barren rocks.
"Well at least we have more shade." TK commented breaking the almost hour long silence.
"Let's stop here." TK sat down on a rock that was shaded by an above one that was protruding out into the canyon. Kari remained standing but entered the small shade space and leaned her back against the rock wall.
"You know if it was anyone else, I probably would have given up." Kari looked over at TK who was staring at her. Tokomon sat in TK's lap and Kari was unsure what to say.
"You have ruined me Kari Kamiya. Just ruined me." Kari was wide eyed, what is he talking about?
She thought. TK shook his head and then continued staring into Kari's eyes
"you have no idea how infuriating you are." Kari's eyes felt tender and she started to feel attacked. She remained silent and TK looked down at his digimon.
"You have no idea what you are doing to me." He whispered and Kari prepared herself for the other shoe to drop. She looked at her feet, she couldn't understand what she had done to upset TK so fiercely. She closed her eyes expecting him to end their friendship and walk away. She heard him stand and knew when she opened her eyes, he'd be gone. She then felt arms wrap themselves around her and she was pulled into someone's chest. She breathed in and knew it was TK. She returned the embrace and opened her eyes.
"TK?" She mumbled and TK hushed her.
"Just a moment." He squeezed her and Kari squeezed back. She felt a tear roll down her cheek and breathed in.
"I got a call from the doctors." She felt TK's heart rate increase.
"I have leukaemia." She whispered and TK didn't let go. He gently released her and moved back so his forehead was resting against hers
"when did you find out?" He inquired and Kari closed her eyes
"The day before we came here." She replied and TK rubbed her arms. He then kissed her forehead and Kari felt her cheeks grow hot. His forehead rested against hers again and TK spoke.
"I'm not going anywhere. And neither are you." Kari moved her face and stared at TK. She had seen it before but it was crystal clear in this moment, TK had matured. He was more than Kari expected and she stared at him wondering when he became so strong and wise. She felt herself becoming mesmerized by the features in his face. She then kissed his cheek. Her lips lingered on his skin and she slowly pulled away,
"thank you." She whispered and she moved back to take in his reaction. His face was red and he looked embarrassed.
"Er, for what?" He squeaked and Kari smiled. She loved when his 'manly' visage faltered slightly. It reminded her that he was more human than she thought sometimes.
"For being you." TK was still red and Kari giggled.
"If all the girls at school could see you now. They'd be swooning." She stepped out of his arms and TK shook his head,
"you know the only person I have eyes for." Kari nodded and winked
"Matt, I know." TK smirked and walked towards her. Kari felt her cheeks burn as he got closer. She would have stepped back but the rock wall was at her back and there was no where else to go. TK stared at her lips a moment.
"Yeah, Matt." He whispered and then he brought his hand up and placed it on her forehead.
"Does Tai know?" He asked while he kept the back of his hand on her forehead. Kari shook her head,
"just my mum. We were going to tell him and Dad in a week. I wanted to give him time to get through whatever mental battles he's been struggling with." TK removed his hand and sighed,
"never thinking about yourself." Kari smirked,
"its overrated and not that interesting." She replied smugly. TK then placed a finger under her chin.
"That could not be further from the truth." He then placed his lips on hers and suddenly Kari saw a flash of white above them.