She wasn't crying. Tai felt proud that Kari was standing tall. They were all huddled around her as it became apparent Gatomon was not joining them.
"I'm sorry to say but Gatomon is not our number one priority." Tai gritted his teeth and shot a look at Mr. Nishijima. Although Tai agreed, his sister was still upset and the adult didn't need to rub salt in the wound.
"So what is?" Tai snapped feeling the need to stand up for Kari.
"Meicrakmon and locating the next tear. I fear more digimon will be entering our world but they won't be as friendly as your partners." Tai glanced down at Agumon. He wasn't sure what they could do. He wasn't even sure he believed everything Mr. Nishijima was telling them.
"I think I have an idea. We need to split up but I think we can locate the tears, save the world and find Gatomon all at once." Tai's eyes bugged out at Izzy's statement.
"Iz, that sounds a bit too good to be true..." Sora spoke delicately. Izzy shook his head,
"Hear me out." Tai and the rest of the group focused on Izzy.
"We need an attack team. If Matt and Tai are able to work together to reach mega, they may be able to be strong enough to push any incoming digimon back to the digital world. Meanwhile Kari and I can try to locate Gatomon and at the same time figure out the source of darkness that is behind the possible invasion. Those not on the attack team can help as Kari and I do our part." Izzy started pacing thoughtfully, "the question is who goes where. We need to utilise our abilities in the most efficient way. The problem is we are stronger when we are all together." Joe then chimed in,
"I think I've got an idea." Tai was surprised at how quickly Joe was jumping on board. He was curious to hear what the oldest had to say.
"Meiko should go with Tai and Matt. She can maybe get through to Meicoomon. I think Sora and myself should go as well." Tai moved his lips to the side,
"So then it would be Kari, Izzy, Mimi and TK to locate the source." He concluded and Joe nodded,
"I think that's our strongest option." Tai wasn't sure he was on board. He looked to Matt who was nodding.
"I think that's a good idea Joe. Question now is, what do we do in the mean time? We can't just sit around and wait for another attack." Tai knew Matt had a point but couldn't think of how they would know what to do next without another attack.
"We should find Meicoomon. I think we can without an attack. I mean Izzy, how exactly were you able to find Tai and Kari?" Tai was unsure where Sora was going with her question. Izzy answered slowly,
"I'm not sure. It just came to me. Like a feeling I knew where I'd find them." To Tai's surprise Sora smiled.
"See?" Tai didn't understand.
"We are connected. With each other and our partners. We've all been hearing our partners calling us and they've heard us too. I think Mei if you dig deep you can hear exactly where Meicoomon is." She was all smiles and Tai was impressed. Mei rolled her shoulders back.
"Okay, I'll try." Tai then clasped a hand on the girls shoulder,
"That's the spirit." He then looked around, the sun was nearly set. He bit his lip wondering what the best course of action should be.
"I'll need to get in touch with my folks, let them know Kar and I are okay. But I don't think we should wait any longer. We need to act while we still have the upper hand." The group nodded.
"I can drive a group into town. I guess the other group can stay here?" Mr. Nishijima looked to Izzy who nodded,
"I've got a strong signal here so this should work." Tai looked at Agumon and then up at his sister,
"Stay in touch you four." He instructed and he bent down to pick up his partner. He paused and stood tall. He then walked over and quickly wrapped his sister in a hug.
"I love you." He whispered and he felt his sister relax.
"Please be safe." She begged and Tai kissed her head as he stepped back. He then walked over to TK and spoke in a voice only TK could hear,
"Don't let anything happen to her, promise?" TK nodded with a determined look on his face.
"I promise." Tai went back to Agumon and scooped up his digimon. He gave one final look at Kari and then followed Mr. Nishijima to the car.
Izzy was quickly typing on his laptop with Tentomon and Palmon on either side of him. Kari put a hand to her chin as she tried to figure out how she would be able to help.
"I hate this." Mimi complained joining Kari. Kari looked at Mimi,
"Which part?" She asked and Mimi waved her hands around.
"This, the over hanging impending doom of darkness. I feel so useless." She hung her head and Kari started rubbing her back.
"You are not useless Mimi. You got Palmon to digivolve to Mega. You are more worthy of your crest then you'll ever know. You are stronger then most people I know and let's not forget how you bravely sung in a change room full of boys so we could rescue Meicoomon and Biyomon." Kari smirked at the memory but stopped when she saw Mimi wasn't smiling.
"It's hard. I mean I can feel it. The darkness is surrounding everyone and all I can do is wait for it to appear." Mimi hung her head once again and Kari watched a few pieces of hair fall blocking her face.
"I can't imagine what you must be going through Kari. I can feel it but I know you can too. Not to mention..." she trailed off. Kari raised her eyebrow. This wasn't like Mimi. Kari knew the girl as one who said what was on her mind. She wasn't one to hold things back.
"What?" Kari asked feeling the need to probe the girl a little. Mimi looked up and met Kari's gaze.
"We all know." She stated and Kari immediately understood.
"Oh." Was all Kari could mumble.
"Joe told us after Tai told him. So we know. Does TK?" Kari nodded and wished Mimi would go back to talking about herself and the digimon.
"This is such a mess. I don't know how we got to this point but, I wish things were easier." Kari's face hardened at Mimi's words.
"But they aren't." Mimi looked at the young girl surprised. Kari stood taller,
"Mimi it's silly to waste time wishing things were different. They aren't. This is where we are and all we can do is figure out how we handle this. We're here. You've got Palmon and friends by your side. Why would you want anything different?" Kari finished and Mimi's face softened.
"You know for years I never understood how such a sweet girl could be related to the goggle headed Tai Kamiya. But just then, it all clicked. You are so much like your brother Kari. And I mean that in all the best ways possible." Kari was now caught off guard and started blushing. She felt embarrassed when people complimented her. Mimi giggled,
"Alright, let's go check in on Izzy." Kari squinted unsure if Mimi was really finished airing out all of her concerns. She allowed the older girl to turn her to face Izzy and the two digimon. Kari stopped seeing TK approaching and she bit her lip.
"Actually Mimi? Do you mind if I talk to TK first?" She asked and Mimi gushed,
"Ooo is there something going on with you two? Don't think I didn't see the hugs you two have been sharing. Or how close you two are to each other." Once again Kari felt her cheeks flush. She tried to deny Mimi's accusation's
"It's not that exactly." Mimi didn't believe her. She flipped her hair and shook her head,
"Liar. But fine. Keep your secret for now." She then walked over to Izzy and Kari let out a deep breath as TK stepped in front of her.
"Everything okay?" He asked and Kari nodded having composed herself.
"I hope so." She admitted. TK stared at her a moment and then Kari looked to Patamon who was in TK's arms.
"Erm, Patamon?" The digimon looked up at his partner,
"Do you mind giving Kari and I a minute?" Patamon looked confused,
"Why?" He asked innocently. Kari saw TK look a little flushed,
"Well I just need to, uhm, say some things to her." Once again Patamon was oblivious,
"Like what?" The digimon asked and Kari stifled a laugh.
"Just go hang out with Izzy. I bet he has food!" TK lied but Patamon's ears started flapping and the digimon rose out of TK's arms,
"Yum!" He exclaimed and he quickly turned and darted towards Izzy forgetting about his curiosity towards TK. Kari smiled at TK who looked relieved his partner had let the two of them be alone.
"So what did you want to say to me?" Kari asked with a hint of humour. TK didn't smile and this made Kari nervous.
"I need to know you're okay." He stated and Kari opened her mouth. TK stopped her from speaking.
"I mean, I just don't want anymore secrets. I'm worried sick about you and I know you're trying to protect me and Tai and everyone else but, you keeping things to yourself makes it worse." He put his hands gently on her shoulders.
"Kari I care about you. I'm going to worry about you regardless if there's a reason or not. It's what happens when you like someone. So please don't shut me out." He rested his forehead against hers and Kari closed her eyes breathing in his scent.
"I'm sorry." She whispered and TK lightly brushed her lips with his own.
"I'm not leaving you. And you're not leaving me in the dark anymore. Okay?" Kari nodded desperate to feel his lips again. He kissed her and Kari melted into him. She then ended the kiss and stepped back.
"We should go help the others." She whispered. TK nodded and looked a little crest fallen. Kari put a hand to his cheek.
"I heard you. I'm not going to block you out anymore." She then grabbed his hand and held it to her chest.
"We're in this together." She stated and TK smiled and rested his forehead against hers.
"You and me." He said and Kari hated and loved how cheesy he was.
"Let's go." She stepped to the side but didn't let go of TK's hand as they walked over to the others.