Kari

Chained to the wall of a cave, unaware of what day or time it was, was never how I imagined I would die. But, here I was, and there was no escape.

At this point, I was out of tears. I sat with my head buried in my knees, trying to think happier thoughts, but the image that popped into my head twisted my heart. TK's usual smiling face was twisted in pain and anger, and I realized, that was the look on his face the last time I saw him.

A shudder ripped through me as tears started falling again. So much for being out. Even if I asked for him to come, he wouldn't. I drove him away. Eventually, Devimon would get bored and just get it over with, and I'd never see TK again.

I did my best to change the image in my head until he was smiling and happy. I closed my eyes, trying to remember the way his arms felt around me. I could almost hear him tell me everything would be okay.

A sob broke through my lips. I wanted him here with me. It didn't matter if he wanted me as more than a friend or not. I could've asked him to save me again. He could've showed up and we could've gotten out of this mess alive. But, there was always the risk that we wouldn't. And, it wasn't just us. If something were to happen to Gatomon and Patamon, I'd never forgive myself.

I stared out into the darkness of the cave. For now, all I could really do was wait and hope that the clone didn't trick them into coming here. If my friends could escape this mess, then I could deal with the consequences.

Gatomon

I followed the fake home from school, but she didn't talk to me hardly at all. At home, she watched the news and still didn't speak. It was weird, but then, everything about this situation was weird.

Sometime later, the front door opened and Tai walked in. He went straight to his room, and I followed him there. The clone didn't seem to care.

"Tai, we need to talk," I whispered.

He nodded. "I know."

He threw his bag on his bed and led me out of the apartment. Again, the clone ignored us.

"That's not Kari," I said.

"I know." He looked me in the eye. "At Izzy's we think we figured out exactly what's going on."

"And what's going on?"

"Tsukaimon probably used Kari's digivice to digivolve into Devimon, and now he wants to destroy TK and Kari. At least, that's mine and TK's theory."

My eyes widened. "Now what?"

"TK and Patamon are going to find Kari, and we all agreed that you should go with them."

I nodded. "Right. What should I do now?"

"Act naturally. TK is coming over soon. The plan is to get this clone to lead you guys to Kari as soon as possible."

Act naturally. Right. I sighed. "I'm getting tired of playing. I want Kari back."

"We all do," he said. "But, this is our only chance right now. Just let TK handle this part."

Footsteps approached us, and we turned to see TK. I had seen the look of determination on his face many times, but this time was different. It was mixed with something I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

His gaze met Tai's, and Tai took a step back.

"Tai, listen," TK started. "If I don't make it back, please tell Kari I love her."

TK

I could feel the surprised stares of Tai, Patamon, and Gatomon, but I didn't look at any of them, my gaze solely on the front door and what awaited me behind it.

I had left Izzy's house with a strange new feeling of purpose and determination. Inside me, I felt something changing. Things I didn't even know about were changing.

Patamon had tried to talk to me on the way over here, trying to assure me that everything would be okay, but that wasn't the point. Devimon still haunted me. In my usual nightmares, he always killed Angemon, and Angemon never came back. Now, he had Kari, and I was already having nightmares about losing her.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, remembering the look on Kari's face when I said I would die for her. I had meant it. I didn't want it to come to that, but if it did, I wouldn't hesitate.

Memories flashed in my head. How I stayed with her when she was sick. I could easily remember watching helplessly as she slept off her fever, wondering when or if she would wake up. I remembered how Piedmon had grabbed me, but Kari grabbed me, too, saying she wouldn't let me go . . . .

I took a deep breath as new memories flashed through my mind. Seeing her in Malik's arms, seeing her smiling and laughing with him . . . The way she looked at him, like how she used to look at me. I tried to fight it back, but then the kiss made its way front and center.

It would be my luck that just as I realized I had those feelings for her, she would feel them for someone else. When people loved, they got hurt. I knew that better than anyone, yet I still fell into the trap. But, it didn't matter. No matter how Kari felt about me, I would still risk my life to save her.

"What are you talking about? Of course you're coming back," Tai said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I took a deep breath. "I'll do anything to bring her back safely. Even if I don't."

Tai grabbed my shoulders. "TK, there's no way I can let you go on a suicide mission."

I pushed his arms away. "I don't care. I know what I'm doing. It's my job to protect her."

"No, it's not," Tai argued. "Technically, as leader and her big brother, it's my job to protect her."

I shook my head. "This is what I'm supposed to do, Tai. Accept it. Whatever happens is supposed to happen."

Tai paused, his expression dark. "I can't talk you out of this, can I?"

I shook my head.

"Matt won't be happy with your decision."

"He'll have to get over it."

Tai nodded, his expression grim. "Do your best to bring her and yourself back safely. That's all I ask."

"I'll try."

His lips curled into a small smirk. "When you come back, you and I are going to have a little chat."

"About what?"

He put his arm around my shoulders. "The older brother to sister's new boyfriend talk."

A light blush crept across my face. "But, we're not-"

Tai rolled his eyes. "You will be when all this is over."

Bracing myself, I opened the door. "All of you . . . stay out here for now. Let me be alone with her," I whispered.

Walking inside, I found the clone sitting on the couch, watching TV. I forced a smile. "Hey, Kari."

She looked surprised. "I thought you had to go to Matt's band rehearsal."

I shook my head. "It ended early on account of my hotheaded brother getting mad and throwing drumsticks at the drummer." That sounded like something my brother might do one of these days, anyway.

She smiled and stood up. "Let's go somewhere more private."

She led me to Kari's room, closing the door behind us. It felt weird being alone with her, and part of me wondered if, without them, I would be able to stay grounded. I sat down on the bed, leaving a few inches between us, but she quickly scooted against me and wrapped her arms around me.

"I missed you," she said. "I don't want us to ever be apart."

My hands shook as I tried to move away, but she wasn't budging. "K-Kari, don't you think this is a little too fast?"

She shook her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. "I've been waiting so long for this. Do you really want me to hold back? Before you answer that . . . ."

She placed her hand against my chest and buried her face into my neck. My breath hitched as her hand moved along my chest and her lips placed light kisses against my neck.

"Mmm I love you, TK. Do you love me?" She said between kisses.

It was getting harder to breath as she toyed with the hem of my shirt. I didn't want this to continue. This wasn't Kari, and it felt like I was cheating on her.

"Stop." I pushed her away from me. "Look, I know you're not really Kari, and I know you were sent here to bring me to her, so just do it already."

"But, we were having so much fun," she said, placing her fingertips against my chin. "Don't you want a little more first?"

I stood up. "Take me to Kari. Patamon and Gatomon, too."

She shook her head and waved her hand. A gray, swirling portal appeared before us. "I can take you but not them."

How was I supposed to defeat Devimon without them?

I bit my lip and nodded. If this was what I had to do, I would do it.

I started to put one leg inside but paused when something started banging on the door. The clone froze, and in her surprise, I grabbed her and shoved her through. I was going to go back and let Patamon and Gatomon in, but the clone grabbed me, and when I opened my eyes, I was surrounded by grey.

Kari

I knew he was near. I sensed him.

Somehow, the darkness became more prominent, and I found it harder to breathe. Then, I heard him chuckle, and shivers went up my spine.

"It seems that lover-boy fell right into the trap. That was easier than I thought."

I struggled against the chains, feeling the cool metal rubbing against my wrists. I was only hurting myself, but I didn't care.

"Leave him alone!"

The chuckling sounded again. "You really think you can stop me? In your current position? Your digivice won't even work properly now. You don't stand a chance."

The dark presence receded. Once again, I was alone. What did he mean my digivice wouldn't work? What did he do to it?

My hands trembled. A better question was, what did I do to it?

AN: As promised, a faster update. I was feeling generous this week. Hope you enjoyed this chapter :)