Gatomon

I had watched as Kari and TK left school. I didn't follow them home, though. We had another problem: where was Patamon?

I should've told TK, but I didn't want to run the risk of him leaving Kari alone to go look for him. Instead, I asked for Davis and Veemon's help.

"I'm not sure we should keep this from TK," Davis said.

"If we have to, we will, but right now I have an idea," I said. We were crouched down behind a bush, and I glanced around, my gaze landing on Malik as he passed by. "I'm going to follow him up close. You guys follow me from a distance. I have a feeling he can lead us to Patamon."

They nodded and I took off, going from tree to tree directly behind him, until I ran out of trees, and then I hid behind bushes, benches, and whatever else I could to keep from being detected. He might've sensed he was being followed, for he soon started turning off into random alleys as if trying to lose somebody, but then I just hopped from building to building. Eventually, he found his way to the park.

He stopped under a tree, and then something purple and beige flew out of it.

"No good news today," Malik said. "Their bond is too strong. She's going to need more manipulation."

Tsukaimon smirked. "No matter. We have leverage." He flew up into the tree and a tan sack fell out. Something was struggling inside it, and my breath hitched.

"The child of hope is useless without his Digimon," Tsukaimon said. "Now he'll be nothing more than a pesky, love-struck teenager."

I bolted and found Veemon and Davis coming closer to the scene. "Guys, Malik and Tsukaimon have Patamon!"

Veemon's hands clenched. "I'll show them a thing or two!"

"No," I said. "We have to be careful."

"Come on," Davis said. "Tsukaimon is a rookie, right? You guys can take him. And I can take Malik."

I shook my head. "It's not that easy. We need a plan."

"We're wasting time," Davis said, stepping forward. "I say we go get Patamon."

"Wait!" I was too late. They darted into the clearing. I hurried after them, but they had stopped.

We glanced around, but there was no sign of other Digimon anywhere.

"They couldn't have gotten far," Davis said. "We'll keep looking."

Davis' D-terminal lit up, and he looked at it.

"I need to tell TK," he said. "He just messaged me wanting to know where you and Patamon are."

I sighed, casting a last glance to my right, but no luck. "Tell him I'm on my way. I'll tell him about Patamon. You guys keep looking."

TK

As soon as Yolei came home, Kari headed over. I hated for her to leave, but at least I knew she was in the same building. Plus, Yolei would keep an eye on her.

My biggest concern now was Patamon. Davis said Gatomon had something to tell me, but what about Patamon? Why wasn't he with her? Unless. . .

I shook my head. No. Everything was fine and I was just being paranoid.

My thoughts wandered back to Kari, and a small smile crept across my face. Somehow, I had gotten through to her. I knew we weren't in the clear yet, but we were going to be okay. Maybe better than okay. No one was going to get between us again. I would make sure of it.

My window opened and Gatomon hopped inside. I crossed the room. "Where's Patamon?"

She looked to the floor. "From what I gathered, Tsukaimon and Malik have him. We were going to go after him, but they disappeared."

My mind spun. Patamon was gone? How did I not know? Why wasn't I the first to know?

"Why didn't anyone tell me sooner?" I asked.

"I couldn't let you leave Kari," she said.

My hands clenched. "Kari is fine. Patamon isn't."

I started to open my door, but then she got in front of me. "TK, no," she said. "They have no real use for Patamon. They're using him to get to you. It's Kari they want. Let Davis and Veemon keep looking for now."

My gaze hardened. "I need to find him. Kari is safe with Yolei, and you can stay with her, too. But, I need to find Patamon."

"You don't know what you're doing."

"It's none of your business." I hadn't meant to snap at her, but I didn't stop.

"TK, be smart about this," she said. "You can't go by yourself, and you don't even know where they are."

"I don't care. He needs me. Could I stop you from going after Kari if she was in danger?"

She sighed. "No. You'd be right behind me."

I nodded. "Exactly. Just let me find Patamon. You look after Kari. If something happens, Yolei can get a hold of me."

Kari

"So, how's everything with TK? Any improvements?" Yolei asked once we were in her room. She not only shut the door, she locked it. As if afraid her siblings would try to barge in on our girls' night.

I shrugged, unsure if I really wanted to discuss earlier with her yet. I still wasn't sure what to make of it, but I felt . . . Almost okay when I was with him. More okay than I had felt in weeks.

"I talked to him yesterday," she said, sitting across from me on the floor. "He's really worried about you."

"There's nothing to worry about. I'm fine." I bit my lip. Was I really fine?

"So, where's Gatomon? If you don't mind me asking," Hawkmon said.

I glanced at him. "I don't know. I haven't seen her since I left school. Patamon didn't come home yet, either."

Yolei frowned. "There's something weird going on here."

"But, on the bright side, we would be bored if there wasn't," I pointed out.

A soft tapping on the window interrupted our conversation. We turned to Gatomon, and Yolei, being the closet, let her in.

"We were just talking about you," Hawkmon told her.

"Where were you?" I asked.

"Around." She didn't meet my gaze.

"What's wrong?" I asked. "Did Patamon make it home?"

She finally looked at me and studied my face, seeming a bit confused. "You . . . You're back?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Nevermind that. We have a problem. Patamon is missing."

"What do you mean he's missing?" Hawkmon asked.

She turned to him. "I already told TK, and Davis and Veemon are still out there looking as well. I stopped so I could tell TK and return to Kari."

"We should help them," I said.

Gatomon shook her head. "No. We need to stay here. It's not Patamon they want."

"Well, who is they, and what do they want?" Yolei demanded.

Gatomon sighed. "Tsukaimon, and a human." She turned to me. "I think you know who."

I felt as if the wind had just been knocked out of me. "You can't be serious. Malik is sweet. He wouldn't . . . "

"Kari, open your eyes. He's trouble," she said. "They have Patamon, but they want you. I don't know why they do, but we can't let them get to you."

Before I could respond, my cell phone buzzed. I pulled it out and stared at the message.

I missed walking you home today. I hope your friend didn't upset you any more. I don't like seeing you get hurt.

I put my phone away. "You're wrong, Gatomon."

"Kari, are you already forgetting that he kidnapped one of our friends?" Yolei asked.

I shook my head. "He wouldn't."

"I saw it with my own eyes," Gatomon said.

I crossed my arms. "Maybe you just can't accept the idea of me possibly having feelings for someone other than TK."

Everyone stared at me for a long second as if I had grown a second head. Before they could speak, I felt the tears trying to break loose again. What was wrong with me today?

"Coming here was a mistake," I said. "None of you understand."

"Kari." Yolei put her hands on my shoulders. "It's confusing, I know. But, you need to talk to me. I'll listen."

I shook my head. "You never had this problem, Yolei. Everyone accepted your relationship with Ken without a second thought."

"In case you forgot, no one trusted Ken when we first met him, not even me. If this Malik guy is who you want to be with, just give everyone time."

Gatomon inched closer to me. "Kari, I don't want to see you get hurt. Please tell me you know what you're doing."

I bit my lip and nodded. "I don't know what I feel anymore. I can't do anything until I figure it out."

Yolei pulled me into a hug. "It's okay, Kari. I'm here for you."

I smiled. "Thanks, Yolei."

For the rest of the evening, we stayed up talking and watching movies. It was a nice change in pace, and I was glad I had come. After the initial conversation, there was no more real talk about my love life (or lack of), and it was nice to just push it all aside for a bit.

At least, until night came along.

Yolei and Hawkmon slept quietly in her bed while Gatomon slept next to me on the floor. A million thoughts ran through my mind. Between worrying about Patamon and worrying about TK and Malik, I wasn't sure there was any room left to worry about anything else.

From my bag beside me, I pulled out my phone. No one had tried to contact me. For a second, I thought about texting TK, but I put my phone away without saying anything. Memories of earlier flashed through my mind. How he held me, how he wiped my tears . . . He was being more sweet than he used to be, and he was already pretty sweet. What did that mean?

My phone buzzed and I grabbed it, half hoping it was TK, but it was Malik.

Meet me outside your friend's apartment building. Don't tell anyone. I have a surprise.

Malik

I tucked my phone back into my bag and glanced around. Everyone else was sound asleep. They wouldn't miss me for a few minutes, would they?

I stood up and left the room, carefully opening and closing the door, all while making sure no one woke up. Gatomon stirred for a second, but she didn't wake up. Quickly, I left the apartment.

Malik was waiting for me at the entrance. I walked outside, but I didn't smile. Gatomon was right; I needed to be smart about this. What if he really was behind Patamon's disappearance?

"Hey, Kari, having fun?" he asked.

I took a deep breath. "Not really. Too busy worrying. TK's digimon partner, Patamon, is missing. Do you know anything about it?"

Confusion graced his features. "I've never seen one to know." The confusion left his face. "Maybe TK drove him away. Wouldn't surprise me."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "TK and I are alright now, Malik. I think we're going to be okay. And I don't think he drove Patamon away, either. Something's not right."

"That's for TK to worry about, not you," he said. He gazed intensely into my eyes. "You're better off without him, believe me. He doesn't understand you."

I raised my brow. "Why do you think that?"

"I see something in you . . . You try to always be this bright ray of sunshine, but I know, deep down, you harbor dark feelings, some you didn't even know you had."

"You keep talking about this darkness, but I don't understand how you know about any of this."

"Because you and I are more alike than you can even imagine, but while you try to bury the darkness, I embrace it," he said. "It's a part of me. Don't you want people to accept you for everything you are instead of the person you pretend to be?"

I took a step back, but I felt it creeping up inside me. A dark feeling threatened to take over me, but I fought to keep it at bay.

"You know, the more you fight it, the worse it'll be. All those dark feelings will just keep building up until they completely take you over, and then there won't be anything left of the child of light besides darkness."

"H-how did you know?"

He smiled. "I know everything about you, Kari. And, I know the path you're on will lead to despair. So why don't you embrace your darkness now before that happens?"

I looked down, but he continued talking before I could respond.

"TK won't like it, will he? I was right. He hates darkness. You're afraid he'll abandon you if you show any sign of darkness," Malik said. "It's his loss. If he can't accept you for who you are, then it never would've worked out anyway."

The dream. It all came back to me. I was with Malik in the Dark Ocean. I wasn't afraid. Could that have been a symbol of my internal darkness?

My knees shook, but Malik grabbed me before I could fall over. Tears poured down my face as I thought about TK. My best friend felt farther away than when he was in Paris. He would never have feelings for me if he knew the truth.

"You want to be selfish sometimes. You want to get mad. You want to hurt those who've wronged you. Go ahead, admit it."

I pulled away, meeting his steady gaze. "I do."

"Then do it."

He touched my chin with his hand, tilting my head up. Instinctively, I knew what he was going to do. Part of me wanted to stop him, but another part, a stronger part, wanted this to happen. I closed my eyes, just before his lips captured my own.

TK

Davis and I combed the city looking for any sign of Patamon or Malik, but with little luck. All the running was taking its toll on us, but I refused to rest, not until I found Patamon.

Every alley, ever bush, every trash can . . . We couldn't find him anywhere.

I stared down at my digivice. What good was it if I couldn't find my partner?

"TK, don't worry . . . . We'll find him," Davis said, stopping beside me, looking like he was about to pass out. "Maybe . . . We should call for help?"

I was about to respond when I noticed a moving box beside the nearby trashcan. My heart lurched and I opened it. A tan-colored sack had something moving inside, and when I opened it, I found Patamon with his mouth taped shut and looking more afraid than ever.

Davis rushed to my side as I ripped the tape off and Patamon flew into my arms. "Patamon! I'm so glad you're okay!"

He shook his head. "You shouldn't have come for me, TK."

"What are you talking about? Of course I would come for you no matter what!"

Patamon shook his head. "TK, the plan was to get you away from Kari and distract you. They want her."

"She's with Yolei and Gatomon," I said. "She's fine."

He shook his head. "You need to go to her."

I turned to Davis. "Thanks for your help today, Davis. You should go home and rest. I'll take care of things from here."

He paused, then spoke, "Are you sure?"

I nodded, looking at Veemon who looked ready to pass out. "If I need help, Yolei is there. Cody should be in the building as well. We'll take care of everything."

He nodded. "Fine. But if you need me, let me know."

We went in separate directions. I didn't think I had more running in me, but it was like an adrenaline rush had come over me. Kari . . . She had to be safe. If she wasn't, how would I ever forgive myself?

Patamon

TK ran back to his apartment with me in his arms. I couldn't remember the last time he had run so fast. But feeling the wind against my face was better than being trapped in that stuffy box.

I knew things TK didn't know. Things I didn't want him to know, at least not until he had to. But, if he could just get to Kari before it was too late . . . .

TK came to a dead stop. I looked at his face, which was twisted with pain and anger. I turned, finding the one sight that could bring that look to his face. Outside his apartment building was Kari and Malik, and they were kissing.

Anger coursed through TK, and I slid out of his arms before he accidentally crushed me. His fists shook at his sides.

As if knowing we were there, Malik broke the kiss and turned to us.

"Did you enjoy the view?" Malik asked TK, smirking. I caught sight of Kari's expression behind him. It was . . . Nothing. Her face was blank. But, her eyes . . . Something was wrong with her eyes, but I couldn't figure out what.

"You need to stop manipulating Kari. I don't know how you're doing it, but it needs to stop," TK said.

Malik chuckled. "I'm doing no such thing. For once, she's happy with someone else and you can't stand it."

"No, what I can't stand is watching someone I care about falling into a trap." He stepped forward. "Whatever you plan to do with her isn't going to work. I won't let it."

"She is coming to me of her own free will, TK. Accept that. It'll be better for you." Malik smiled. "Kari is going to be the Queen of darkness. There's nothing you can do to stop what's truly inside her heart."

Queen of darkness? But, she bore the crest of light. Don't tell me . . .

"It's true, TK." Kari's voice was as emotionless as her expression. "I won't pretend to be someone I'm not anymore. This is who I am."

TK glared at Malik. "What did you do to her?"

He threw his head back and laughed. "This is the real Kari. Accept it and walk away."

TK tried to run past Malik, probably to get to Kari, but something came from the bushes and tackled him to the ground. I recognized it instantly as Tsukaimon.

I went after Tsukaimon, but he evaded my attack and knocked me to the ground beside TK. TK stood up and went after Malik while I dealt with Tsukaimon. Like earlier, my boom bubbles hardly phased him, and he was too fast for me to land too many other attacks.

TK yelled, and I made the mistake of looking his way. Before I could figure out what had happened, Tsukaimon attacked me.

"Lightening paw!"

Gatomon struck Tsukaimon, and he went flying into a building. He smirked.

"Two against one really isn't fair . . . for you," he said.

"Stop!"

Everyone stopped and looked as Kari ran toward the fight scene. Gatomon and I stayed on our guard.

There were tears in Kari's eyes as she looked at TK and Malik. At least she was finally showing emotion. TK had a hold of Malik's shirt and was inches away from punching him in the face. They both already looked beaten up enough.

"TK, stay out of my life!" she yelled. "And, Gatomon . . . I can't believe you're involved in this! What are you thinking?"

Gatomon glared at her. "I like to think I fight for the good side, Kari. Are you forgetting which side that is?"

"You're just as bad as him! You know what, why don't you just leave me alone, too. I never want to see either of you ever again."

I looked at Gatomon, who looked like she had just been slapped in the face.

"Fine, Kari, but I might not come back."

Gatomon took off. TK released Malik and chased after her. I lingered a little longer. No one seemed to notice me.

Kari grabbed her head. "Malik, could you please walk me home? I don't want to stay with my friend anymore."

He nodded and wrapped his arm around her back, and she leaned against his shoulder. The sight made me feel sick.

I looked around, worried we had forgotten something. Then, I realized . . . Tsukaimon was nowhere to be found.

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