I'm sorry for the delay! I had a lot of things to consider in this chapter.

I revised this chapter because the last scene went to far for my liking, so I feel this is a little better.

It's the same except for the last part of the chapter.

Please review and tell me if you like this version better!

(T.K.'s POV)

I ducked the low branches and jumped the brush, following the wolf's every graceful movement.

I felt exhilarated. I had never felt anything like this before. I felt as though I was really, truly, free. Free like this wolf that led me deeper still into the darkness. Its figure was easy to see, the snow still clung to its shining coat and made it very visible in the darkness of the woods.

I saw a bright light from up ahead, it blinded me momentarily as we reached the edge of the forest. I opened my eyes, and the sight was quite abnormal.

There was a small hill in the center of the clearing and was covered with grass and flowers. The Clouds above us had spilt into a perfect circle over the hill, revealing a clear blue moon and stars. The trees around us were covered in snow, despite the warm atmosphere in the clearing. The clearing was lit as though the sun was out and shining like a morning sunrise.

The wolf was sitting on the top of the hill and staring out into the darkness of the trees.

I slowly walked up the hill toward the wolf, feeling the warmth overcome my body as I walked.

There was no sound or movement. There was no sound of birds chirping, or deer walking, or of snow falling off the trees; there was only the sound of my breathing and the grass under my feet.

I reached the top of the hill and stood beside the wolf. Its white fur glistened in the light.

I looked down at it and it turned its large head up to me. His strong, golden eyes looked into mine, almost knowingly. I blinked and he turned the rest of his body to me.

"Takeru Takaishi. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Or She….

'Wait…It talked?' I was startled and stepped back.

The wolf chuckled.

"I am Sheba of the Snow, Guardian of the Blue Elements." She introduced herself.

"Uh….T.K. Takaishi, slave of school and looser of homework." I said, humorously responding to her introduction. Sheba's mouth opened wide in a hearty laugh.

"I don't suppose you quite know what I'm talking about, do you?" She asked me.

I shook my head, still perplexed by the talking animal.

She shook her head and more snow fell from her white mane.

"Takeru, do you know who lies in the darkness now?" Sheba asked me.

I thought for a moment.

"Are you talking about Shadow?" I asked her.

"Yes, and No." she said slowly.

I looked at her in confusion.

"Shadow is a man of greed and selfishness. He was born in the darkness and fed on the hatred of others' hearts. He is an evil man Takeru, and you must be careful. However, there is someone else." explained Sheba.

"Who? Is there someone else we have to fight besides him? Do you Megara, too?" questioned her.

"No. This darkness is much closer than you may think." Sheba's tail twitched back and forth.

I tried to think.

"I don't understand." I said.

"You will in time." She sighed and shook her head once more. I didn't know why she kept doing it, there was no snow falling on us.

"Takeru, would you be a dear and scratch around my neck? I have a terrible itch and I can't reach it." said Sheba with a shiver.

I blinked several times and obeyed. I scratched behind her ears and on the back and sides of her neck and she sighed in content.

I was able to look at the wolf more closely and had noticed that she was aged quite a bit. I guessed that from her voice, which sounded like a gentle mother's, but her age was unnoticeable through her white fur. Her eyes were shining and grayed in their edges and her nose was dry. I could feel her bones as I scratched her shoulders, and she was very thin as well. All in all, she was basically a very old Wolf.

I stopped and stepped back and she stretched herself with a yawn.

"That feels much better, thank you son." She said with a wide grin.

I blinked (again) at her reference to me.

"Son?"

"Of course. I've been watching you, Takeru. I've seen the woman your mother was and decided to look after you. I was the reason she kept herself at bay for so long. I have watched you for many years and, in time, have considered you." She said to me warmly.

"Then, what happened? What happened to mom in the last few years?" I asked.

"Alas, Things had begun to grow bad in my absence and I had to return. Shadow appeared and ruined everything that we Guardians have worked so hard to protect. I had to return to keep peace between the worlds. I am terribly sorry for everything that has happened to you, dear." Sheba answered sadly.

I looked down in thought.

"I am what you would call a Mother Spirit. I've have watched you as one of my own, Takeru." she said.

This made no sense to me at all. I almost couldn't believe anything that Sheba was telling me.

Almost.

"I understand." I finally said. Though I didn't really know what was going on, Sheba seemed like someone I could trust. If what she said was true, I was closer to my real mother than I had ever been in real life.

Sheba Smiled at me and stood. She was slow and I noticed that she seemed to be in some pain as she made the movement, but before I could ask she spoke.

"It has been good seeing you again, Takeru. I'm sorry this meeting was short, and in your case a little confusing, but you will understand soon, I hope. And I really do Hope." She said, emphasizing that last word.

I felt my heart beat like a bass drum. Everything became blurry and vague. Only Sheba's figure remained sharp and clear. I saw her eyes glisten.

"Wake up." She said.

---

My eyes opened to the darkness in the room. My breathing was hard and my heart was beating very quickly.

I felt rather rested though, as if I've slept for hours, even though it's only been a few from the look of the clock.

I sighed and swung my legs over the bed. Another look at the clock told me it was 5:30 p.m. I limped to the door and made my way to the kitchen.

I looked over at the calendar on my way and saw that it was July 2. I groaned, knowing that in a couple of weeks, school would start again.

It's been okay for me, but I was worried for Kari. She's had it tough for a while, and I only hoped that it would be better this year.

I was pulled out of my thoughts by the phone ringing loudly.

I limped ALL the way across the room again and answered the phone.

"Hello, Ishido residence." I said.

"Hi T.K." came Kari's soft voice.

"Hey Kari! What's up?" I greeted happily.

"Hi T.K. nothing much. I just wanted to talk." She said. She was quiet and sounded upset.

"Is something wrong?" I asked her with concern.

"Nothing's wrong." She said.

"I don't believe you." I stated.

I heard her chuckle on the other end. She sounded a little tried as well.

"There's nothing wrong. I just wanted to talk to you is all." She said.

"Well, Buenos Noches, Senorita. Como Estas Again?" I said to her.

She laughed this time.

"Muy Bien... ish." She answered.

"¿qué pasa?" I asked.

"Justo pensando…"

"Thinking about what?"

She sighed.

"A lot of things have been happening."

I sat on the sofa heavily. I cringed when the cast dug painfully into my hip.

"You want to talk about it?" I asked her.

There was a short silence.

"Yeah. I've thought about it for a while, and I think I'm going crazy." She said.

"Why?"

"I've been seeing and hearing things. I've already told you about the girl, Karakin. Her voice keeps saying things in my head. I know she's not real, but she making me break down. I haven't been this depressed since I landed Tai in the hospital for kicking the ball at him too hard."

I chuckled inwardly at the memory, Tai cringing over his 'sensitivity' that Kari accidentally hit with the soccer ball. I was laughing too hard to breathe, but he had to see a doctor and Kari got really upset for a while after that.

"What's it saying to you?" I asked her.

"She's saying that my friends will leave me and that I am too weak." She said. Her voice had gotten much softer and I could barely hear her.

"Kari, you are not weak, and we're not going to leave you. Don't listen to anything that they say. Alright?" Now, why are you hearing all of this?" I consoled.

"I don't know. I think it has something to do with the digiworld and what's happening there now." She said.

I thought of for a moment and though of something.

"You said you've seen her in your sleep?" I asked, remembering the last conversation we had.

"Yes. Every time I sleep I see her." She said.

I sat in silence for a moment. I remembered the dreams that I had, the ones of Tojima and Sheba.

"Did she mention the digiworld?"

"No. She just talks about the darkness. She's starting to scare me, T.k." she answered. Her voice was breaking up slightly and I felt she was close to tears. I felt bad knowing that I could go to her place and comfort her because of my damned leg.

"I don't know what to say, Kari." I said finally.

There was a long silence.

"How's your leg?" she asked.

I smiled.

"I'm doing just fine. I'm walking a little now, so I'll good in a few days I think." I said.

"That's good to hear. I was worried." She said quietly.

Dragonflies flitted in my chest when I heard her say that. I smiled warmly.

"Hey, nothing to worry about. I'm unbreakable." I said.

"Tell that to you hip…and your ribs, and your arm…."

"Okay, I get it. Sticks and Stones, man." I said humorously.

She laughed and my heart flipped.

"I gotta go. I have to run to the store. I'll talk to you later?" she said.

"Yeah. Talk later." I said. "Bye."

"Bye." And she hung up.

I held the phone where it was for a while, staring into space.

I shook my head and smiled. She was really a good girl.

Then I frowned as I thought of what she told me. I didn't know what was wrong with her, but it was beginning to scare her, more than it should probably. I had to find out what it was and help her.

I got up and fell back on the sofa, for I had forgotten that the casted leg couldn't really bend to get up.

"Damn leg." I said to myself and limped back to the kitchen.

---

Sonya looked out the window toward the fields.

Her father had yet to return and her mother hadn't spoken to her since their argument.

'Maybe I'm being to childish.' She thought.

She looked down on the bed at Boots who was huddled in a furry mass at her headboard.

Sonya Smiled.

'Nah.' she shook her head.

There was the sound of a door opening and closing.

Footsteps made their way up the stair and to her door.

Sonya panicked as she realized that Patrick was at her door. She took a deep breath and waited for the shouting.

The door opened and Sonya saw her father standing in the door frame with a tired look and a rifle.

"I'm sorry Sonya, but he's gotta go." said Patrick.

Sonya felt her heart drop.

"Give me the dog, Sonya." He said, stepping forward.

Sonya looked back around at Boots who was looking at the gun.

"But dad." started Sonya.

"Don't, Sonya. I'm tired, I've been drinking, and I've had enough. The dog's gotta go." said Patrick.

Sonya backed up and held Boots around the neck. He looked at her sadly. She saw in his blind eyes was a sort of pleading.

She nodded, understanding.

She stood up and led the dog out of the room and down the stairs Sonya's mom stood up from the easy chair and watched her take Boots outside.

Patrick followed her and shut the door behind him.

Sonya led Boots out into the dusky field a ways from the house.

Patrick loaded the gun and clicked the barrel shut.

Sonya told Boots to stay and walked to Patrick.

"He wants me to do it." She said.

Patrick looked at her.

"He spoke to you?" he said.

"Yes. He doesn't you to do it, he wants me." Said Sonya again and held out her hands to take the gun.

Patrick eyed her wearily.

"I don't know-"

"Let me." insisted Sonya. Her hands shook and her lip began to quiver. Patrick sighed and handed his daughter the rifle.

"The temple is the best place." He said and turned to walk away.

Sonya took the gun and shook. The weight of the cold metal was sickening to her. She turned and looked at Boots with sad eyes. He looked back at her with his own blind eyes.

She sniffed and clicked the barrel.

She kissed Boots on the head and said "I'll miss you. Be good in heaven."

The little dog lowered his head on his paws.

Sonya placed the barrel on his right temple.

"I won't let dad kill you. He never liked you. It would be like murder." She said and pulled the trigger. The dog didn't make a sound as he turned on his side, dead. Sonya sank to her knees, holding the rifle to her chest.

"I loved you, but it was still murder." She began to cry.

Sonya stayed that way for a long time, petting Boots's bloody head.

She looked up at the darkened sky to the slow coming stars.

She stared at the sky, saying a silent prayer for her dog.

After a while, Sonya lay boots in the grass and let the breeze ruffle his fur. She stood and walked home sullenly.

She walked through the door quietly and set the gun against the wall. She made her way up the stairs and to her room. She lay on her bed and stared at the ceiling silently.

Patrick and Mairéad walked to the door and peered in at Sonya.

"I'm proud of you Sonya. Youhandled that like a true Ross." Said Patrick proudly. Sonya didn't look at them.

"Honey, you did a good thing for Boots. He's in a better place now." said Mairéad.

Sonya blinked.

"Now, Sonya. You'll get over it. I got over it when I had to put my golden retriever down." Said Patrick.

"You never had a golden retriever." Said Sonya dully.

Patrick coughed nervously.

"You're father is right." Said Mairéad. "You'll get over it. We can get you a new puppy, how's that?" suggested her mother.

Sonya didn't answer. She turned over and faced the wall, not speaking to either her mother or father.

---

(Kari's POV)

There was a knock at the door as I was cutting the vegetables. I put the knife down, wiped my hands, and went to answer the door.

I opened it to see a tall, dark haired man with a business suit and reading glasses on the brim of his nose. His hair was a little disheveled and his eyes had light rings under them. He gave me a grin.

"Hello there. My name is Eric Kasai, I'm T.K.'s Lawyer. You're Kari Kamiya I presume?" He said, extending a hand.

I shook it and let him in.

"Yes, Hi Mr. Kasai, and Sorry I missed you last week. I had errands to run." I said to him.

"That's quite alright. I wasn't in a very fit state anyways. It wouldn't have been a very good interview." He said with a smile. He seemed nice, but there was an air about this guy that I didn't really like. I smelled vodka and cigars on him.

"Are you alright? You don't look to good?" I asked. Really, I was beginning to take T.K.'s words to heart. Mr. Kasai did look like a sleeze.

"Oh, I'm quite alright! Just came back from a celebration, solved a case across town. The family was very pleased!" He explained with a laugh.

I felt my ears lay back somewhat.

"Sit down. Would you like something to drink?" I offered.

"Yes please, some tea if you have any." He requested. I nodded and went to the kitchen to make him a cup.

"So, About Nancy. When did you first find out about her 'violent behavior'?" he asked me, pulling out a pad of paper and a pen.

"When I was eight. I noticed that she was pretty tough on T.K., but He told me about her hurting him when we were thirteen. He said he had to tell someone about it, so he came to me." I said.

"You must be a very trustworthy friend for him to open up to you like that." He said, writing something on the paper.

I hesitated.

"Y-yeah. I guess." I said, waiting for the water to boil.

"Did you bring to subject up to anyone else? A friend, an adult?" he asked.

"No. He made me swear to secrecy. I've never gone back on my word."

"But he was being beaten at home. Surely that would've triggered you to do something." He asked me.

I was feeling uncomfortable.

"I almost did, a few times. I don't know why I didn't. Something just stopped me." I explained.

"What was it that stopped you?" he pressed on. He had gotten up and entered the kitchen area now.

"I don't' know. Just a little voice saying that if I did, something even worse would happen, so I didn't." I explained. He was standing next to me now. I tensed up and tried to move away.

He took my arm.

"So, an inner instinct told you not to help because something else might happen? Well, maybe you're not so trustworthy after-all." He said, his smile was gone.

I was scared now.

"Let go of my arm, Mr. Kasai." I said. He didn't let go.

"So really, you're a messed up child that couldn't care less if her best friend was being pelted at home, eh?"

I was beginning to panic, I told T.K. I'd be careful, but I fell into Mr. Kasai's plan.

He pushed me against the wall. I struggled, but his grip on me was firm.

He pressed his body up against mine.

"You're a messed up girl, Kari. You outta be punished." He said with a dark smirk.

I gulped and struggled harder. This brought a problem, though. I guess my struggling was arousing him from the growing bulge in his jeans.

I started shaking. I tried to scream and call for help, but he covered my mouth and dragged me to the living room.

"Come on, girlie. You know you want it. You're a very bad girl, aren't you." He said and threw me to the ground. I tried to stand and run, but he was on top of me before I could lift myself.

I felt him taking off my clothes, and I panicked even more.

The phone rang and I tried to reach it in hopes that the person could send help. Mr. Kasai grabbed my wrist and dug it into the ground. The phone continued to ring until the machine answered it.

"Hey Kari, this is Tai. I just wanted to tell you that Mom has to stay at Grandma's place because she had just gotten sicker. Mom says she'll be okay, but she's gonna stay to be sure. Anyway, I'm over at Izzy's now, so I'll be home in a few hours. See you tonight."

He hung up and I felt the tears stinging my face. I struggled with great effort against the man, but he had my jeans off already and I felt him grinding his hips into mine.

I feudally tried to close my legs in any effort to keep him away from my virginity. This only aroused him further.

"Come on. I'm sure you put out for T.K., why don'tcha be a nice little girl and help me out, huh?" His voice had become husky. I trembled and he pried my legs apart with a little effort. I tried to scream again, but he slammed his lips against mine.

I tasted blood as he gnawed my lower lip.

I was feeling faint. I barely heard the door slam open and barely felt Mr. Kasai being pried off of me. I took a deep breath and looked up. My dad was at the door, shoving Mr. Kasai out of the house. Mr. Kasai was almost pushed over the railing with the sheer force of dad's anger.

I pulled my self up and staggered behind the couch. I picked up my pants to pull them back on.

"You'd better run you son of a bitch!" I heard dad shout at Mr. Kasai.

I shuddered. I was still shaking; I couldn't pull my jeans over my legs I was shaking so badly. He had come so close to raping me. I was grateful and thanking whoever was looking after me.

I felt dad's heavy footsteps come around the couch. I looked up and felt his hand encircle my arm.

Maybe I thought too soon….

"What the fuck do you think you were doing?! Huh?" he shouted at me.

Did he honestly think I had a part in that?

"Dad! I didn't do anything. He came onto me!" I said.

He didn't listen.

"I thought you were smarter than that! I thought I raised you better than that!" He shook my wrist and I felt the joints shift around sickeningly.

I almost cried.

"I didn't do anything. I didn't' plan anything. He came here to talk about T.K.'s mom, and it just happened." I tried to explain.

"So what? You're putting out to random people then? How many times has that happened? Huh? How many fucking times have you gone behind my back?!" he shouted, dropping me.

I panted, feeling the fear rise in my chest. he wasn't listening to reason, why wouldn't he listen to me?

I looked up at his face and saw his eyes. They were pitch black, not natural at all. Either way, it scared the Hell out of me and I stumbled to my room. He was shouting profanities and curses at me as he stormed down the hall after me. I slammed my door shut and leaned against it, feeling the panic rise in my throat.

Dad banged the door hard.

"Kari! Open the damn door!" he yelled. I tried to calm myself down. He was being too irrational over this, why was he coming after me like this? I'm trying to explain what's going on, but it's almost like he was possessed by something. Thre was another loud bacng on the wood.

"Damn it! Open the door now, before I open it myself!" I didn't doubt he'd try to break the door down.

This was unnatural.

The door shifted open and I found myself stumbling forward from the force of the hit to the door. I went sprawling to the floor.

"Dad! You're overreacting! Please, let me tell you what-"

"Overreacting?! You think I'm overreacting? I'll show YOU overreacting!" He lunged at me.

I had felt a sudden primal instinct leap into me and all I could think of was protecting myself. I rolled out of the way and tried to support myself on the bed. I was still on the floor and I my arm was over the bed for support.

He came at me again when I had felt something under the pillow.

I didn't know what it was, but I pulled it out and aimed it in front of me. He came closer and closer and everything slowed to a crawl as I pulled the trigger and watched dad's scalp fly off. He sank to his knees, his eyes were searching, They turned from Black to their usual joyful brown. His brain was in little pieces on his face and on the ground. He fll forward with a splatter of blood.

I was shaking, staring at the same place where he had been, ready to kill me. It wasn't until then that I realized what I had done. I dropped the gun with a loud clatter on the floor. I swallowed hard only to find I couldn't. I felt hot tears stinging my eyes.

"You see?" i heard a voice.

I looked up and saw Karakin leaning against the door post

"You see what they have done?"she asked. I began to hyperventilate, realizing now, at a full blow, what had happened here.

"The look at you as a whore, or something as dispensable as trash."

"Why...Why did-" i began.

"Honey, who knows why? there asre sick people out there. You should never trust anyone in that case."

"But, Tai...T.K., They're-"

"Both men. think about what has happened to tonight." said Karakina dn paused.

I thought. Is this what they think of me?

Karkin kicked off the frame and walked over to me.

"Kari. You put too much trust in this pig. Who's to say you didn't put too much in everyone else?" she questione me. I was still staing at the ground.

She kneeled and looked me in the face.

"Your worst enemy is the people you trust." I looked at her after she spoke.

"Are you sure you still don't want my help?" she asked. I didn't answer. I tightly wrapped my arms around her and sobbed into her shoulder. I felt her arms encircle my waist. It felt as though my skin was bruning under her touch.

At the moment, I hadn't realized I was physically holding a figer of my imagination.

Okay, revised and I think it'll fit better with my other chapters. It's not quite as dramatic, but at least it's not blowing my story out of proportion.

Please

Review

Right

Down

Here

\/