The sun was setting and so Tai and the group reluctantly set up camp. Mei was still keeping her distance and Tai frowned watching the girl huddled up away from the group. He walked over and stood in front of her.
"You know, the fire gets warmer the closer you get to it." He smirked and Mei stared at him.
"I'm fine thanks." She mumbled and Tai pursed his lips,
"so what exactly happened on the ship?" He asked and Mei's face fell.
"Tai." Sora stood and joined him. Tai quickly waved his hands,
"I just thought she would want to talk about it. I wasn't trying to pick a fight." He said defensively and Sora turned to look at Mei. Tai looked behind him seeing Matt shaking his head. Tai felt bad but refocused on Mei.
"I'll keep watch, why doesn't everyone get some sleep." He said defeated. Sora sat and put an arm around Mei. Tai then turned back to the group.
"We going to bed Tai?" Agumon asked and Tai shook his head.
"You are little buddy. I'm gonna keep a look out." Joe stood and Tai looked to the oldest chosen.
"Tai, you sure you want to keep watch?" Joe asked and Tai smiled.
"Always the worrier Joe." Tai commented. He then shook his head,
"I'm good Joe, you take it easy, Mimi and Izzy and you fought hard against machinedromon. You guys deserve some sleep." Joe stared at Tai and Tai put a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on Joe relax." He patted his shoulder and Joe tended at the contact. Tai laughed and turned to the others. Mimi was laying out a blanket and Izzy was on his computer. Tai went over to Izzy and smirked,
"I think we've done enough for today." He suggested and Izzy sighed.
"We still haven't found TK or Kari." Tai nodded. The fact that his sister was missing was weighing on him but for the sake of the team he put on a brave face.
"We will. In the meantime I'm sure they are safe. We have to trust that we have come far enough and grown strong enough to handle this on our own. We've been separated before." Izzy nodded and then tilted his head,
"never knew you could be so level headed Tai. Last time we got separated from Kari I think I ended up with a black eye." Tai smirked,
"We all have to do our part. Maybe TK and Kari are able to take on a part of this fight that we can't." Izzy was thoughtful,
"like when we were separated from the dark masters." Tai nodded
"exactly, we each have a part to play. If we can be together it's for a reason and if not, we have to trust there's a reason for that too." Matt then spoke behind Tai,
"You know if it wasn't for the hair I would think you weren't Tai Kamiya." Tai turned and frowned at Matts comment.
"What makes me an imposter?" He asked and Matt chuckled,
Pi"The fact that you are making sense and valid points." Tai was unimpressed
"ha-ha" he said sarcastically. "Alright everyone go to bed." He announced and he heard Sora snicker.
"Yes Mom." She chided and Tai pointed a finger at her,
"hey that's your role." He then pointed at himself
"I'm just the leader." He said smugly and the group laughed,
"whatever Tai. If that makes you feel good." Mimi rolled her eyes and Tai stopped smiling,
"hey. I am." He said in a whine. The group laughed and Sora stood.
"Okay, Tai you'll take first watch. But make sure you sleep!" She demanded and Tai saluted her,
"yes mother." Sora frowned and Mimi pulled something out of her bag,
"I still have a charge on my mobile. I'll set an alarm so Tai you won't stay up all night. Someone can take over in an hr or so." Izzy packed up his laptop.
"Great idea Mimi." He smiled and Tai and Matt crossed their arms and stared at Izzy,
"yeah really great idea meems." They said staring humorously at Izzy. Izzy caught them staring and blushed. He quickly turned away and Matt and Tai chuckled.
Tai heard the twinkle from Mimi's phone. He was slightly relieved though he wanted to stay up. Sora rolled over and pressed a button on Mimi's mobile silencing the device. Tai watched her rub her eyes and stand.
"Okay, bed. Now." She commanded in a sleepy voice. Tai sighed,
"I think you should go back to sleep." Sora then got angry.
"Tai Kamiya. Go. To. Bed!" She yelled and there were groans from the other chosen as Sora's raised voice had clearly woken them.
"Tai if you don't do as she says I will make palmon poison ivy you to the ground." Mimi threatened and Tai exhaled.
"Fine." He took Sora's spot between Mei and Mimi and closed his eyes. He felt himself start to fade but then heard a noise coming from Mei. He opened his eyes and looked at the girl to his right. Her face was tense but she was still asleep.
"Meicoomon." She whispered. Tai sighed. He looked over at Agumon who was wedged between Gatomon and Gabumon. He knew what it was like to be separated from your partner and felt bad for Mei. He closed his eyes and his mind drifted to Kari. He really hoped wherever she was she was safe.
"TAI!" Tai heard someone scream his name and his eyes shot open.
"Kari!" He exclaimed. His eyes adjusted and he saw Mimi running towards him. He looked around and suddenly started to panic. It was light out and he was no longer in the same spot he had fallen asleep in.
"What happened?" Tai asked. Mimi put her hands on her legs to catch her breath.
"Another distortion appeared, while we were sleeping." She stood tall and Tai stood as well.
"We're we separated again?" Tai asked and Mimi shook her head,
"not really. Izzy and Mei are back that way." She pointed behind her and then to the left.
"Matt and Joe went to find food." Tai nodded
"Sora? The digimon?"
"Right here Tai." Sora approached with Agumon and Biyomon on either side. Tai smiled and Agumon ran to him. Tai greeted his partner.
"Well that's good we are all still together." He said smiling at Agumon.
"Well not exactly, Kari and TK are still missing." Sora informed and Tai looked up.
"Did meicoomon show up?" The girls shook their heads.
"There was no warning for this distortion." Sora answered. Tai surveyed the forest. It was odd, it looked slightly familiar.
"Have we been here before?" Tai asked and he heard movement behind him. Joe and Matt appeared with their partners.
"It's the woods, it all looks the same doesn't it?" Matt asked and Tai shook his head. "It feels different." Joe then put his finger to his chin
"I have to agree with Tai. This does feel more familiar." The small group exchanged glances a moment before Mimi spoke.
"Let's go check in with Izzy and Mei. Maybe Izzy knows where we are." The girl turned on her heel and Tai and the others followed her to Izzy and Mei.
The group gathered around and Izzy packed up his laptop.
"It's clear this is a similar area." Matt then stepped forward. "Let's get moving. We've been separated from TK and Kari for too long. We need to find them." Tai nodded and the group started moving. Tai surveyed the trees suspiciously as they walked. Tai walked in step with Matt,
"Matt, you see this?" Tai whispered and Matt nodded. "I think I know where we are." Tai stopped and tilted his head.
"Where are we?" Tai could feel the rest of the group stop and stare at the two teens. Matt stared past Tai at the trees. Tai was about to step forward when suddenly vines shot out from the ground and wrapped around his wrists. Tai's eyes bugged as more vines wrapped around his arms and legs. He heard the others cry out and looked to see they too were being attacked by vines.
"What is going on?!" Tai exclaimed staring at the ground.
"Agumon!" Tai yelled and suddenly his stomach dropped as he noticed non of the digimon were with them.