I'm back, finally! Yay! Here's the Next Chapter, Sickness and Health. I feel as though nothing is happening in this chapter and wanted to do more, but the last time I did that... well, you remember the last chapter.�
Please enjoy, and trust me, this chapter is several pages shorter.�
(Kari's POV)
After we arrived in our world, T.K immediately went home without a word. He stopped to wait for Sonya, but never said a word, never looked anyone in the eye. He looked tired, worn, hurt, as he left I saw him wipe the blood from his lips from the earlier impact. It hurt me to see him like this. The others and I watched solemnly as he left, refusing help even from Sonya.
"I hope he'll be okay. Do you think we should follow them and make sure they get back alright?" asked Yolie.
"I'm sure they'll be just fine. T.K is a strong boy." assured Hawkmon.
"How can you be so sure of that? He was hit hard enough to knock his kidneys out of place and he plummeted into a canyon full of black water." said Ken.
"And came out of it." I said, not looking at them. They turned to look at me.
"Sonya will take care of him. Right now we have to get back to our parents and make sure they haven't freaked out." Said Karakin for me. The others' looked at the clock and noticed it was 7:37. They all looked in shocked and started making mad dashes home, saying quick goodbyes and darting through the hallway.
Gatomon and I walked slowly home.
"Kari? Why are you walking so slowly? We're really late!" asked Gatomon.
I didn't answer.
"Kari?" I looked down at her.
"We should probably call, huh?" I asked.
She looked a little taken aback, but nodded her head yes.
I pulled out my cell phone and dialed the house number.
It rang a few times then Tai answered.
"Kamiya residence, Tai Speaking."
"Hi Tai." I said.
"Kari!" He hushed his voice a little. "Where are you? Mom's been worried over you!" He said.
"I'm on my way. We got caught up in the Digital world." I said dully. I felt strange, empty. I didn't understand why.
"Do you need a ride? Tai asked.
"No. I can walk." I answered.
"Well, hurry up, okay? Mom's starting to freak out." Said Tai.
"See you in a bit." I said and hung up.
I continued walking, oblivious to everything that was going on around me. The clouds gathered dark in the sky, threatening rain and thunder.
I looked to the sky, willing lightning instead.
'I'd prefer lightning now.' I thought. I didn't know why I'd thought that honestly, I was never fond of lightning.
We heard the thunder and Gatomon jumped onto my shoulders in fright.
I walked, not noticing her piercing claws in my shoulders.
"Kari, let's hurry up. I don't want it to rain on us!" said Gatomon.
"Almost there." I said quietly.
We continued walking. Gatomon, with a passionate hate for rain, kept urging me to hurry faster and how she didn't want to get wet.
"If you're so scared then you hurry home." I shot at her after another whine. She stared, taken aback at my out burst.
I didn't feel bad though.
"Well?"
She blinked and jumped to the ground she went on ahead hesitantly, looking back at me a few times.
"If you're so worried then get going!" I said and she took off, in fear of my tone no doubt.
I stood there a moment.
'I should feel bad for that. Why don't I?' I asked myself. I sat in a bench on the sidewalk.
'You're no longer designed for remorse, Kari.' Answered Karakin.
'I was always afraid of hurting others….'
'You never have either, you never thought about how it would make you feel. How do you feel?' asked Karakin.
I was silent.
'Nothing.' I answered.
'It's not a big deal. You need to learn to stand up for your own self.' Said Karakin. 'I need to think.'
'You can think later. You don't want to catch a cold.' Said Karakin.
I snapped out of my daze to find it was pouring rain. The sidewalk was already filled with water and the gutters were flooding up. I stood, feeling the weight of the rain on my skin and clothes.
I walked at a constant pace home. I opened the door to the apartment and was bombarded by my mother.
I almost fell backward.
"Kari! Where have you been! I was so worried about you! When you didn't come home from school…." Said Mom frantically. I watched her silently, hair and clothes dripping.
"Yeah, where were you, Kari?" asked Tai.
"The computer lab, then I came home. It didn't take me that long." I answered.
"Kari, where were you when you called me?" asked Tai.
"Main Street. I was on my way back." I said.
"I doubt that." Said mom, finally over her sobbing fit and having her hands placed on her hips.
"You were gone for two hours." She said darkly. "Where were you?" she began to question.
I looked up at the clock.
9:56.
I truly was gone for two more hours. I hadn't even realized it. Was I zoned out for that long?
"I was thinking, mom." I said, not removing my gaze from the clock.
She growled.
"I would like for you to be more punctual than this, understand!" she looked at me critically.
"Sure." I said quietly.
"What was that? I can't hear you?" she said loudly.
"Yes ma'am!" I said louder and to her face.
She seemed a little startled by my retort as well.
"Go on, go to your room." She said finally, pointing down the hallway.
"Whatever." I said and walked down to my room calmly. When I entered, I slammed the door shut, letting the sound echo through the apartment.
"Kari! There you are! I was getting worried! I knew I shouldn't have left you out there!" said Gatomon, running up to me.
"You're soaking wet. You need to get out of those clothes before you catch something." She advised.
"I don't need to you to tell me." I said, already pulling off the wet garments.
"Kari, what's the matter with you?" You've never acted like this before." Asked Gatomon sadly.
Once again, I felt nothing toward her sadness.
"Nothing is wrong. I'm just finally tired of putting up with people is all." I said, pulling on my tank top.
"Tired." I repeated quietly. I started muttering incoherently to myself about just how sick I was of tolerating everyone and putting up with the shit I get from the people at school and the digital world.
I did this as I readied the bed for me to sleep and put my clothes in the laundry basket. Gatomon watched me, not quite understanding what I was saying.
"You're tired, you need rest." She said finally.
"No, I need a gun." I answered and threw pillow on the bed.
I lay down and pulled the covers over my shoulders. I faced the wall as I drifted to sleep.
---
(T.K's POV)
We entered the apartment around at around eight thirty. I had to stop several times before we arrived; I was having a hard time keeping up with Sonya because of lack of breath. The wound on my side was painful beyond what my mother had given me; I couldn't even believe I had gotten out of the canyon alive.
Sonya led me to the room to sleep on the bed, but I refused and returned to the couch.
"T.K, a couch isn't going to cut it. We can trade until you're feeling better." She insisted.
I was pulling off my shoes and my shirt to sleep. I was too tired to hear just what she was saying. I lie on the couch and shut my eyes wearily.
She sighed and walked to the kitchen. She came back a moment later with a wet cloth and put it over my head.
"I'm not sick. I'm fine." I said with a small smile.
"You're not fine. I should call the hospital." She said.
"Don't." I said with a small cough. "I'll just rest for a bit, be back tomorrow. Walk better…be just…not…fine…." I started drifting off to sleep; my speech began to diminuendo incoherently until all that was in my senses was black silence.
---
"Look out!" cried a voice.
Screams and cries for help erupted from flames in the darkness. Among the inferno, I saw people lying dead and injured on the ground in pools of blood. A great tiger feasted on the corpse of a woman and her crying child mercilessly.
The sight filled me with rage.
A black lion walked from the flames toward me and crouched low. I felt a sense of icy rage run through me. Feeling myself crouch as well, I bared my teeth at it threateningly.
I was surprised to find myself growling, crouching, and acting like a wolf.
Suddenly, I lost control. I leapt at the lion with animal strength and latched myself to the lion's throat. The lion tore at my clothes and flesh, sending blood to the ground in pools.
This angered me further and I scratched and tore at his throat.
He tore my flesh, I tore his. He bit my arm, I bit his leg. He broke my rib, I broke his tail.
We pulled apart. I had lost my original senses, something else was in their place. I was no longer human at this point. The Tiger from the flames walked up beside the lion and they dashed back into the inferno. I knew they were circling me. I turned in circles, listening for their roar.
I heard a growl and spun around to the sound to the Lion at my throat.
---
(Kari's POV)
I had gotten dress and ready for school late that morning. After finally arriving at the meeting place, I noticed something was off.
"Where's T.K?" I asked, looking around.
"He and Sonya haven't shown up yet." Said Cody worriedly.
"Do you think they're alright?" asked Davis.
"I'm sure he's fine." Said Karakin. "We have to get to school, we're late." We hurried to class.
We were late for first period and I didn't bother trying to concentrate for the second and third. I was concerned for T.K.
Could he be hurt worse then what I thought? Had I thought that he was fine, or was it something Karakin had said?
"Kamiya! Why aren't you playing?" asked Coach Iwado in fourth period.
"Don't feel like it." I muttered. I sat back on the bench with a hockey stick in my arms.
"What's the matter?" He asked gruffly. He was never very good at consoling.
"Nothing." I lied. He didn't pursue any further, knowing that I liked my space.
"Well, I hope you get over it." He said and went back to his paper work at a yard table.
I shook my head and continued thinking.
'Maybe I should give him a call at lunch, see if he's home.' I thought.
It seemed to be forever until the bell finally rang for lunch. I hurried and got dressed and walked out of the building. Climbing and sitting on one of the small stone pillars outside the school, I pulled out my cell phone and dialed T.K's hoe number. It rang a few times, then Sonya picked it up.
"Takaishi residence." She said.
I laughed inwardly.
"Hey Sonya. Is T.K there?" I asked.
"Kari! Yes, but he's sleeping right now." She said.
"How is he doing? Is he alright?' I asked.
"I'm not sure. He seems fine, but he hasn't woken up yet." Answered Sonya.
"What do you mean?"
"He hasn't woken since last night's ordeal." She said.
I was silent a moment.
"He's still breathing and everything, right?" I asked with a faint hint of humor, trying to lift the mood for myself more than anything.
"Yes, He just seems to be in a deep sleep." I thought a moment.
"I'm coming over after school." I said finally. "Think he'll be awake?"
"I'm unsure. He may be awake." Said Sonya.
"Cool. I'll see you guys after classes." I said and hung up.
I heard the others come up behind me.
"Who were you talking to?" asked Yolie.
"Sonya. They made it back alright." I said.
"How is T.K?" asked Ken.
"Sleeping. He hasn't woken up yet." I answered, jumping down from the pillar.
"I said I was going over after school." I said.
"We're coming with you." Said Davis.
The others nodded.
I shrugged.
"Which ever." I said and started walking away.
"Where are you going?" asked Cody.
"Finding food." I said over my shoulder.
They caught up with me and we walked into Frosty's.
"Dude. I need chicken strips. Like, a lot of 'em." I mumbled to Brenda tiredly. She laughed and wrote the order down.
"Be with you in a moment, hun." She said and went to the kitchen.
I went back to our table and sat with a sigh.
"I'm sure he's okay." Assured Yolie after a moment.
"Yeah." I muttered, leaning against the window.
The others looked at me sadly. I knew they felt the same way. The large order of Chicken strips didn't even cheer me up. I ended up giving them to Davis, who gorged on them quickly.
The bell rang for us to get back to class and I headed to Trigonometry. I couldn't focus very well, so I had subjected to sketching on my note paper.
I ended up drawing a black Lion and a Tiger with their tails intertwined.
"Dude, can we study something that's actually gonna be on the SAT?" asked Gayle. I looked over. I hadn't even noticed she was in the class!
Ms. Crlymoto shook her head and continued writing on the board.
"Aw, come on! We're gonna fail if you don't help!" she complained further.
The teacher turned with a smile.
"Then start studying!" everyone laughed. I was the only one not enjoying the comical blond moment.
'That girl has quite the blond moments.' commented Karakin in my head.
'That'd be because she's blond and American.' I answered.
"Hey, do you have spare paper I could use?" asked an accented voice beside me. I looked over and noticed it was the girl from Hughes's class, the blond one I hadn't recognized. I tore a few sheets of paper from my binder and handed them to the girl. She thanked me and began writing her notes.
"I haven't seen you around before. You new?" I asked.
"Yes. I'm Kira, from Germany. I came here just this last week." She said shyly. She reminded me of Sonya in a way.
"We get a lot of that…." I said. I couldn't believe how many foreign kids we've had this year!
The teacher had drifted off into another conversation with one of the cheerleaders. I sighed and tapped my pencil irritably.
One of the kids turned around foolishly and, as usual, hushed me in a loud voice and told me to shut up.
"Shut your fucking mouth." I shot venomously. Some of the kids turned and looked at me, then turned around nervously.
Mrs. Crlymoto heard me and shook her head at me with a frown. I felt the anger swell in me.
She pointed at the door, indicating for me to leave. I picked up my things and stormed out of the class. I dropped my bag off in my locker and went to the library.
I walked in and saw Yolie and Ken sitting at one of the tables, hands interlocked and leaning on each others shoulders. I fell in a seat by them.
"Kari! What are you doing here? Why aren't you in class?" asked Yolie.
"Crlymoto kicked me out." I muttered.
"Kari, are you alright? You're a mess." commented Ken. I looked up at him dully.
"I'm fine." I said; feeling irritated with how much the questioned has been asked.
"Is it about T.K?" asked Yolie.
"Pretty much." I said blankly, crossing my arms and leaning on the table.
"I'm sure he'll be fine. But, I have to admit, I'm worried too." Said Ken.
I looked at them from my arms.
"You're right. He'll be just fine." I said.
'But why is that not what I'm worried about?' I pondered.
I stayed with Ken and Yolie until the Bell rang. I headed to the band hall to get the percussion together.
"Kari, hi. Is T.K here?" Asked Mr. Takamaru after the tardy bell rang. I shook my head silently as I tested the Gong and the Timpani.
"Where is he?"
"Home." I said.
"Sick?"
I nodded.
'Pretty much….'
"Oh, too bad." There was a loud clatter to our right. We shot our heads to the sounds and I looked on in exasperation as I saw the freshman boy on the ground with the Crash Cymbals, Chimes, and the Snare Drum all bend and dented on the floor.
I whined.
"I'm sorry Mr. Takamaru! Ms. Kamiya!" stuttered the boy as he tried to get up. He tripped over his feet again and fell into the bass drum, taking it down as well.
He tried again, but I stopped him.
"Why don't you just stay down there?" I said and started picking up the instruments.
"Alexis! Come here." Said Mr. Takamaru and led the clumsy boy into the hallway.
I sighed and bent the Crash Cymbals back into place.
This class was always a hassle for me….
---
School finally got out and I and the others hurried to T.K's apartment, carrying Upamon, Poromon, Demi-veemon, and Gatomon swiftly with us.
We knocked on the door and, after a short pause, were greeted by a tired and worried Sonya and Patamon.
"Guys! Hello, I forgot you were coming." Sonya said, letting us in.
"Sonya, what's the matter? Is T.K alright?" asked Davis.
Sonya brought her fingers to her lips and looked over at the couch.
"We're not sure. I think so." Patamon said. We looked over as well and saw T.K sleeping under a pile of blankets. The digimon settled on the back of the couch and on the coffee table. I went over and kneeled down in front of him. His face looked blank and gentle as he slept. His breathing was deep and steady.
"Well, he's still alive." I said.
I felt a smile come over me as I gazed at him, then it disappeared quickly when I saw the silver pendant around his neck. I felt myself become alarmed and jerked back suddenly.
"Kari, What is it?" asked Cody.
"Nothing, just fell." I said.
'Fuck….'
'What's the matter?' I asked Karakin.
'He has the pendant now!' she said.
'What's the big deal?'
'I'll tell you later. Just keep away from him.' Said Karakin and disappeared.
How long has he been sleeping?" asked Ken, walking up to the couch.
"A long time. He hasn't woken since last night." Said Patamon.
Davis stood near her, watching her face change from sorrow to worry and back again.
"He's been asleep for almost twenty four hours? Strait?' asked Yolie in shock.
Sonya and Patamon nodded.
"Has anyone called and told Matt yet?" I asked.
We looked around at each other, then at Sonya.
"I don't know his number." She said timidly.
"We should call him, then." Said Upamon. Cody picked up the phone.
Ken nodded.
"Should we try and wake him up?" he wondered.
"I'm not sure how you could…." Sonya drifted off. Patamon watched on with a worried expression.
"T.K, Hello! This is your Three o'clock Alarm call!" shouted Davis into T.K's ear. T.K didn't even stir. They shook him, yelled in his ear, and hit him lightly in the face and chest.
"I've tried that. Nothing worked." Said Sonya, sitting on the edge of the couch beside T.K. Davis sat on the ground and put a hand on her knee comfortingly.
"Okay. We'll see you then." Said Cody over the phone.
"Matt said he's bringing Izzy and Joe and they'll be here soon." He said.
We nodded. I wanted so bad to go over and help wake him up, but I felt Karakin holding me back.
I sat on the coffee table a short distance away from them, watching like a cat would a bird.
"Sonya, he hasn't woken up once the whole time?" asked Davis.
Sonya shook her head, then thought.
"I had seen him, but I'm not sure he was awake." She said.
"Well, he was probably dazed then. That's a good sign." Said Davis, trying to make Sonya feel better. Sonya nodded hesitantly and buried her face in her hands and look to the ceiling through her fingers.
"I've never seen such a frightening sight in my life." She said lightly. We looked at her with confusion.
What he doing?" asked Poromon curiously.
"I'm sure he wasn't awake, but he sat in his sleep. I came out to check on him in the night and I saw him sitting there, staring out the window. His eyes were pure white, like a demon's." she said shakily, looking at her brother. "I'm afraid that the darkness might have altered him." She said.
"Yeah, I saw him, too. Whatever we saw wasn't T.K… but he seems fine now." Said Patamon.
We looked at T.K, then looked down.
Suddenly, T.K's swatted at Davis's, making Davis yelp and jump back away from Sonya.
"Davis, knock it off." He said drowsily.
"T.K!" said Sonya and Patamon happily.
"Are you alright?" asked Cody urgently at his side. T.K tried to sit up, but was too weak to do so.
"No, lie down." Said Yolie, gently pushing him back onto the couch. T.K rubbed at his eyes and yawed. He looked around at us.
"Why's everyone looking at me like that?" he asked.
"Do you know how long you've been asleep?" I asked.
He looked over at me and shook his head.
"You've been sleeping since last night, about fifteen hours strait." Said Patamon.
T.K looked around at us again without an answer. He struggled to sit up again and leaned against the back of the couch.
"What happened?" He asked.
"You saved me." Said Davis. "You pushed me out of the way of Shadow's attack. You fell in the water."
"Do you mean you don't remember what happened?" asked Gatomon.
T.K shook his head.
He looked so sweet when he made the movement.
'Get the thought out of your head, Kari.' Came Karakin's voice. I immediately dropped the thought and watched. There was a frantic knock at the door. Sonya rushed to answer it and was almost trampled by Matt running through.
"Sonya, is T.K alright? Where is he?" He asked urgently.
She pointed over to the couch where T.K was turned and watched sleepily.
"T.K!" Matt ran over. "What happened? Are you alright? Why didn't anyone call me?" he looked around at us with the question.
"It didn't come to our heads." I answered dully. He looked at me and was about to say something, but was interrupted by T.K.
"Gee Matt, run Sonya over why don't ya?" he said, gesturing to Sonya who was now sitting on the arm of the couch.
"Oh, Sorry Sonya." Matt apologized sheepishly.
She smiled.
Izzy and Joe came through and shut the door.
"Hey, How's everyone?" they greeted.
T.K looked over and groaned.
"Okay, this is too much." He said, getting up.
"I think we're crowding him." Said Joe. He took T.K by the arm and sat him back on the couch.
"I want to check you out, make sure you're not hurt." He said.
"whatever." Said T.K.
The other's backed up a bit so they weren't crowding T.K. They watched Joe examine T.K's eyes, limbs, bones, and head. The whole time, we told Matt and Izzy what happened.
"Shadow, that bastard." Growled Matt.
"This sounds like Myotismon all over again." Izzy commented.
"Only this guy's more sadistic." I said.
"Now, T.K can't seem to remember what happened then." Said Patamon. We looked back at Joe and T.K.
"You look fine. You caught onto a rock or branch I guess." Said Joe as he examined T.K's palms and finally finished. T.K sighed and Joe must've seen something different, because he caught T.K's jaw.
"Wha' are 'ou 'oing?" T.K asked, unable to move his jaw.
"Looking at your teeth. Bare for me." said Joe. We watched curiously. T.K didn't bare his teeth, but looked on like Joe was crazy.
"Come on, T.K." said Joe. T.K kept his look, but his lips pulled back, showing his teeth. We blinked at the sight.
"Wha'?" he asked, teeth still showing.
His canines were longer and sharper than they should have been. His gums had darkened a little, resembling an animal's.
With his lips curled the way they were, he seemed to carry the unfamiliar feel of a wolf.
"What's that?" asked Matt.
"You fell in a pool of Darkness, not just Water…." said Joe, letting go of T.K.
T.K rubbed his jaw and shrugged.
"He did. Could that somehow alter him?" I asked. Everyone looked at me.
"Well, I'm not sure. But I got an Email from Gennai earlier about things going on in the Digital World. We could ask him about it." Suggested Izzy.
"Good Idea." said Davis.
"I can direct you to Gennai's house from here." Said Izzy.
The portal opened to the area.
"I'm going, too." Said Matt, standing up then stopped suddenly and hit his forehead.
"Oh No! But I forgot my Digivice!"
"You up to going, T.K?" asked Patamon.
"Yeah." Said T.K as he stood.
"T.K, Be careful, will you?" said Matt with concern.
"Of course. When am I not?" answered T.K.
"Alright! Let's go!" said Yolie and she activated the Gateway. We saw the older digidestined wave goodbye as we were transported. We traveled through the portal and landed in the grassy hills by the lake.
We looked around to make sure there was no Blood Harvesters or Night Walkers, then we headed off.
T.K still seemed sleepy from his episode, but he kept up well enough. We would glance back at him now and again to make sure he hadn't collapsed in the field.
As we walked, I heard low growls and hisses. I knew the Blood Harvesters were near by, watching us.
I didn't say anything to anyone.
"Perhaps Gennai could explain more to us about Shadow. Maybe he has learned something from the last we saw him." Said Hawkmon.
"Yeah, Maybe. We can tell him what we learned from Hyperion and Titus, too." Said Yolie.
We reached the lake and called for Gennai.
"Hey Gennai! You home?" Called Davis.
The waters parted and we hurried down the stone steps to the underwater home.
"Welcome back." Greeted Gennai warmly. "What brings you here?" He asked.
"We have some things to ask you." Said Davis.
"Sit." Gennai offered and we sat.
"I heard about T.K. How are you feeling by the way?" Gennai directed his gaze to T.K.
"Tired, but just fine." He answered.
"You were knocked off the edge of a cliff with pretty hard blow. Are you sure you're not hurting?" asked Gennai.
"I think I'd feel it if I were." T.K said.
Gennai looked at him a moment, then noticed the silver Pentacle around his neck.
He walked up to T.K and examined it.
"Where did you get this?" He asked.
"Sonya."
"Do you know what this is?" Gennai asked.
"A pendant?" said T.K.
"Yes, it's also a Moon Piece. People used these many years ago to ward off evil. They believed that the power of the moon would protect them." Explained Gennai.
T.K and Sonya looked at each other. Sonya was smiling.
"Told you." She whispered.
"I didn't know they were still in existence." Gennai muttered thoughtfully.
"So, you think it might have protected T.K from the Darkness?" asked Yolie.
"I think it may have. For the most part anyway. I told you before what the darkness could do to you, the Pendant has protected him from it. However, There's no doubt that there were side effects." Said Gennai.
"Yeah, look at his teeth." Said Davis.
"You mind?" Gennai asked T.K.
"Why yes, I do actually." T.K said.
Gennai pulled back T.K's lips like a dog's. T.K growled irritably.
"Yes, there was an after effect. T.K, how is your hearing?" Gennai asked as he let the boy go.
"Just fine." Said T.K.
"Can you hear any better?" asked Gennai.
T.K sat silent for a moment.
"There's a blood Harvester out by the lake." He said.
We stared at him.
"Yeah, So My hearing's better. So?"
"It seems you've picked up some abilities from the Darkness. Perhaps that of a Nightwalker." Gennai concluded. We were all shocked.
"So, he has the attributes of a Nightwalker? How could that be?" asked Ken.
"He's developing those attributes. He's safe now, but for how long? T.K, the pendant you where may protect you from the darkness, you may never even transform like the others before you. However, you may experience moments in which you become animalistic." Said Gennai.
"The way you say it, there were others before me who lived through the Darkness, too?" T.K asked.
"Yes, but none of them passed the first week. They went insane and tore themselves apart. You have a Moon piece. There may be a chance you'll be protected, but we can't be very sure." Gennai answered. "You may find it harder to control instincts and come closer to becoming an animal like the Nightwalkers."
"Well, not all Nightwalkers are bad." Said Yolie. Gennai looked at her strangely. "We met a nightwalker named Sorano. She was kind and helpful. I don't think that all creatures are as bad as you've been led to believe." She said.
"Nightwalkers are intelligent and can trick you easily. All the creatures are. Every digimon treated with kindness by one of those creatures were later devoured by the deceiver. Be extremely careful." Gennai urged. "This Sorano may not be as kind as you think." I saw a crease form between T.K's brows. He looked a little angry.
"T.K, what's the matter?" asked Patamon.
"Nothing Patamon." Said T.K lowly.
'Damn. We don't need more Nightwalkers.' Said Karakin in my head.
I didn't answer, but I felt the same way. Immediately I was ashamed of the thought.
"Either way, it looks like you're in for a rough ride. Every person who has survived has experienced extreme fits of depression, sudden illness, uncontrollable rage, extreme exhaustion, and sudden adrenaline rushes. All this happened before they tore themselves apart." Gennai explained, putting a hand to T.K's forehead. He withdrew his hand when he saw the raised brow on T.K's face.
"You're serious?" he asked. Gennai nodded.
"T.K, there is a village we can take you to try and exorcise the darkness. I'm not sure how well it will go, but if successful, you won't have to worry about the Darkness progressing." He suggested. We looked at T.K for his reaction.
He was silent for a moment, then shrugged.
"So you will?" asked Sonya. She looked scared and hopeful.
T.K looked at her for a moment.
"What happens if it doesn't work?" he asked with arms crossed.
Gennai ran a hand through his hair.
"I'm not sure. They haven't attempted it on a human before." He said. We stared at Gennai disbelievingly.
I felt an intense fear for T.K.
"So, either get eaten by darkness or die a potentially painful death from a failed exorcism….Sounds like fun." Said T.K humorously.
'Wait a minute. I know that sarcasm.' Said Karakin with a growl.
"Dude, how is this funny?" asked Davis.
"I don't know, it just is." Answered T.K.
"So, which is it? Will you do the exorcism?" asked Gennai. I knew we were all hoping for T.K to choose the exorcism. He had a greater chance of returning to his old self and living a long life.
T.K shook his head with a light expression.
"Nope."
"T.K, you don't have to be afraid. We'll be there for you through the whole thing." Said Cody.
"I'm not scared, I just don't want to do it." Said T.K with a shrug. Gennai looked at him strangely.
"I just don't feel like going through a bunch of mysticisms to find out that I'm gonna get pulled inside out from the whole thing." T.K insisted.
Gennai Sighed.
"I'm not sure if you want that answer, but very well. Digidestined, I would like you to stay a while. We have much to discuss. T.K, Kari, Sonya? Will you go to the back pantry and find food for us?" he asked.
T.K, Sonya and I looked at each other and got up to leave we shut the door behind us and T.K turned his head sharply after a second.
"What?" I asked.
"He locked the door." He said.
"What?" Sonya said.
"Just like before." said T.K. "You really think he wants us to get food?"
"May as well. I'm hungry." I said and we headed off in search of the pantry.
---
(Our POV)
After they left, Gennai locked the door.
"What's that for?" asked Gatomon.
"I don't want them walking in on us. There is something I must tell you." said Gennai.
"Why can't you tell us when the others are here?" asked Yolie, crossing her arms.
"Because it's about them." Said Gennai, rushing to a cabinet and pulling out the Prophecy scrolls they had seen before.
"You remember the Prophecy I showed you before?" He asked. They nodded.
"Another part has come true. T.K's falling into the Darkness started the next sequence of events in the writings. He pointed out the Next line of the Prophecy.
Hope will fall to despair, Light will give way to hate, Faith will become blind.
TheChildren of Light shall be consumed by Darkness, all their Life will drain to Death.
"Next, T.K will start withering into a depression that we can't help him out of. It'll cloud his judgment and he may end up turning on you." Said Gennai. The digidestined stared with shock.
"How can that be?" asked Cody. "The powers of Hope and Light are too strong to succumb to the darkness."
"Yeah, I don't think T.K would turn on us like that." Said Ken.
"Any good dog can turn if it's sick enough. We need to get T.K to go to the Orenda soon, before the Darkness progresses to far." Said Gennai grimly.
The kids looked at each other with worry. Cody looked at Gennai determinedly.
"What can we do?" he asked.
"Well, we can continue talking to him, but I'm not sure if he'll buy into it. We may be able to trick him in." suggested Gennai.
"But, what if that backfires? If T.K's under the Darkness's influence, he might not take it like a joke." Said Yolie with uncertainty.
The others nodded.
"We'll have to try something. We need to expel the Darkness soon." Said Gennai. He unlocked the door and soon Sonya, Kari and T.K walked in with an arm full of chips and dip.
"Look what we found!" they said cheerily. The others chuckled along. Sonya looked at the food confusedly.
"I've never had this before." She said as they set the food on the coffee table.
"You've gotta try it! There's mild, spicy, and hot. You should try the mild before the hot, though." Said T.K.
The others began opening the bags and snacking on the chips as they watched T.K and the two girls. Sonya was curious, having never tried the spicy salsa before; and Kari was watching humorously, waiting for Sonya to burn her mouth.
"Gennai, Are you sure about T.K.? asked Ken quietly.
T.K's ear twitched unnoticeably.
Gennai nodded grimly. T.K seemed to slow his eating to a stop for a second, then continued smiling and offered Sonya the salsa.
The digidestined stayed that way for a while; sitting comfortably… but not, smiling and laughing… but not.
There was a great roar from the surface, followed by barks and howls. The digidestined looked to the ceiling and the digimon readied for an attack.
"The Creatures are fighting!" Gennai shouted.
"What? I thought they worked together!" said Yolie.
"Hardly, the Nightwalkers and Blood Harvesters despise each other's existence and want nothing more than to eliminate the other!" said Gennai, running to the door.
He looked out the window and up to the surface.
"What is it?" asked T.K.
"I don't think they're gonna let up soon. We need to get you out of here." Said Gennai. He led the teens to the back of the house and opened a small door.
"This is the back way. You need to get away from here before they see you." Gennai advised urgently.
"No way! We can fight!" said Davis.
"And Why? Those creatures fight for no reason, you don't want tot get pulled into it." Started Gennai.
"We can at least drive them away so they don't break in!" Davis argued further.
"That's generous, but I need you to stay alive." Said Gennai finally.
"Guys, get away." Said Kari suddenly.
The digidestined turned to look at her, but soon jumped away from the door. Gennai slammed the door shut as the panther ran through, jamming it by the waist. The Sun Breed roared in pain, squirming to get away fro the wooden door with little success.
"Kari, how did you?-" started Gatomon.
"Not now." said Kari. Gennai struggled to keep the Sun Breed from getting fully through. There were other growls and the sound of feet behind the door.
"Damn! There are more of them!" growled Gennai. "Help me kick him back!"
He began kicking at the panther, trying to throw it behind the door.
T.K jumped in and helped hold the wooden door shut as Gennai tried backing the Panther away. The Panther swiped at everyone with its massive paws. It looked around at everyone angrily, but stopped when it laid eyes on Kari. They locked eyes for a moment.
Kari looked at it calmly and unblinking.
The Cat began to pull away from the door back to the outside. T.K and Gennai lifted the door a little, then slammed it shut as the Sun Breed slipped out.
"Wow, Kari. Scaring Panthers with a look, eh?" joked T.K. His energy seemed to be back fuller than ever.
The Cats on the other side began banging and scratching at the door. Gennai set the lock on the door and the two backed away.
"What do we do?" asked Cody.
"We fight." Said Davis. He looked to Veemon expectantly. Veemon nodded.
"Veemon, digivolve too…!"
The others followed suit. Kari pulled out her Digivice hesitantly.
All the digimon armor digivolved and readied for attack.
Then, the door burst in. The Panther, followed by several Bobcats and a Puma, ran into the house, tearing up everything in site. The digimon attacked.
"Hurry! Outside!" shouted Gennai. The digidestined ran up the small path to the surface. A battle raged in the hills. A large group of Blood Harvesters and Nightwalkers were at each others throats like the Roman Coliseum.
The digidestined were taken aback at the sight. There was already blood everywhere, yet there were no bodies. Each Creature bore gashes, gouges, and revealed limbs. A Puma in brown and gold armor latched onto a black Nightwalker's throat. The nightwalker howled savagely and began hammering at the cat with it's massive paws. Each went down in a river of blood. Howls and Roars erupted everywhere.
Behind the digidestined, the portal opened once more and the Sun breeds hurried away from the house. The Digimon ran to the kids, covered in bruises and cuts.
"Those Sun Breeds are tough." Breathed Flamedramon.
"I agree. Said Digmon.
"Come on guys, are we ready to fight?" shouted Davis enthusiastically.
"Wait! They don't even notice us, if anything the creatures may not be fighting over us. This isn't our concern. We should just leave now." Said Cody.
"What?" objected Davis.
"He's right. I don't think we want to get in the middle of this." Said Ken.
Kari, T.K and Sonya watched the bloodbath before them. Kari and T.K were silent, unmoved, and seemingly unafraid of what lay before them. Sonya was trying to hold back her own terror of the sight.
"Heh, see that? That Lion over there just took out that Nightwalkers Rib. Go Leo!" shouted Kari.
"Kari! What are you doing! You're going to attract their attention!" said Gennai.
Kari shrugged and smiled at the scene.
T.K watched her, a disturbed look on his face.
A Grey Nightwalker looked over at the teens and ran at them at full speed.
Nefertimon was the first to react and she jumped at the Bobcat. It swung the blade at the digimon, who blocked the attack and rammed the wolf in the gut.
A few Blood Harvesters noticed the fight and arrived in attempts to defeat the digimon. The digimon successfully blocked each attack and protected the digidestined, but soon, one by one, their strength deteriorated. The digimon reverted to their rookie stages and dragged themselves away in front of the advancing creatures. A Cheetah moved toward Sonya, but T.K pulled her behind him defensively. He glared at the cat and growled. The Nightwalker had regained consciousness and was about to rear and attack the teens, but noticed T.K baring his teeth at then cat like a dog. The Nightwalker sniffed, and then growled deeply at the Cheetah. The digidestined noticed this and started backing away. Patamon blasted a 'Boom Bubble' at the Nightwalker, but it dodged the attack and crouched on all fours.
Sonya looked from the Cheetah to the Nightwalker. T.K hadn't averted his gaze from the cat; the Cheetah was watching the Nightwalker nervously. Meanwhile, the other Blood Harvesters circled around the digidestined from the tree line and the tall grass. Gennai motioned to the digimon and pointed out the Blood Harvesters. The Digimon watched carefully.
The Cheetah was frozen now. The Nightwalker was growling at it threateningly, acting as though the teens weren't even there. T.K backed away with Sonya.
Kari looked at the Cheetah and, involuntarily, tilted her head questioningly.
"Kari, don't look them in the eyes." Warned Gennai.
Kari continued looking at the Cheetah, as though they were speaking mentally. The Cheetah looked at her and at the digidestined frantically. Kari continued her critical stare.
The Nightwalker lunged at the cat and sang its teeth in the Cheetah's throat. Blood spilled everywhere as the Nightwalker tore the Cheetah apart.
The digidestined watched in horror, Kari seemed disappointed, and T.K looked indifferent.
Suddenly, the surrounding Blood Harvesters attacked. They leapt at the children with rage, baring their sharp claws, teeth, and weapons.
"Vee Head butt!" Veemon shouted, lunging at a tanned Lion.
"Boom Bubble!"
"Feather Strike!"
"Diamond Shell!"
"Sticky Net!"
"Lightning Paw!"
Each Digimon attacked with all their strength. The Blood Harvesters were knocked backward, but they regained their balance. The Bobcat raised his axe to Cody, ready to slice boy to pieces. The other cats followed suit and leapt at the digidestined with axes and swords in hand. The Digidestined yelled out in fear.
Then, an Godly howl erupted from the trees. A large white wolf jumped from the darkness and tore through the Bobcat's flesh. It jumped from one Blood Harvester to another, tearing flesh and spilling crimson blood on the tall grass.
The Digidestined watched in shock. T.K stared as the wolf fought off the Blood Harvesters.
"Sheba…." He said.
It landed by the feasting Nightwalker, staring around at the bodies of the large cats.
It nudged the Nightwalker lightly.
The Nightwalker pulled his blood covered head from the body and looked at the white wolf, then into T.K's eyes. He barked and ran into the darkness of the trees, followed by the White wolf. In the Hills, the battle slowed and soon stopped.
The digidestined stood among the blood and bodies, shaken by what they had witnessed.
"T.K, you said 'Sheba'. What did you mean?" asked Gennai after a moment.
When T.K didn't answer, Gennai looked away grimly.
'Just as I thought.' He thought to himself.
"Kids. You've seen enough. You should get home." He said solemnly.
"What about you?" asked Yolie.
"I have a place to go to. We need to get you back before more of the creatures show up." Said Gennai.
The teens finally agreed and made their way through the blood and bodies to the portal.
Yolie and Ken gagged at the sight and smell of the blood, Cody and Davis tried not to look at the horrific sight, T.K was trying draw Sonya's attention from the scene behind the others. Kari walked alongside them silently, seemingly unaffected by the scene.
T.K watched her, wondering how she was able to witness the scene without being shaken afterwards.
"T.K, the blood is making me sick." Said Sonya lightly.
"Run and catch up with Davis and them, they're out in the clear. Sonya nodded and ran up to the others and latched to Davis's arms for support.
"Sonya. She too innocent to see this." Said T.K.
"She's a big girl." Said Kari.
"I know you are. You aren't affected by this at all." Stated T.K, looking at Kari.
They stopped, the others started drifting further away from them.
"I don't know why. I know I should, but… I'm disappointed when a Blood Harvester is killed, as though I'm rooting for them. Even when they came after us." Said Kari. "What if…"
"You're resilient." Said T.K. "Nothing more."
"But, what if it's Karakin? I feel as though she's altering me. What If I change into something that I can't get away from?"
T.K, for the strangest reason, couldn't control himself then. He held her arms, leaned in, and kissed the Kari. She froze, staring in shock. The out of character action and the out of place scene was… strange. It frightened her, but it interested her as well. Kari closed her eyes, then he let go and they continued walking until they nearly caught up with the others.
He suddenly began to feel a nauseating sickness. He became dizzy, his body was light and his head was heavy, he felt everything at once. Patamon looked back and watched with worry as his friend began to lose his balance. They finally reached the Digital Gate and transported themselves back to the real world.
"You're back early." Said Joe, looking at the clock.
The older digidestined noticed the small spots of blood on their clothes.
"What happened?" demanded Matt.
T.K walked over and collapsed on the couch.
The digidestined watched worriedly.
"T.K? Are you alright?" asked Matt.
"I'm fine, I'm just tired. That's all." Said T.K into the pillow.
"Maybe we should leave." Suggested Izzy. The others nodded hesitantly. Kari took a final glance at T.K before shutting the door.
Well, I hope I can bring the insanity soon. I think I'll put more Gayle and Lieko in the next chapter...maybe... let me check my outline... ... ... ...
Yep! They should be in there! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review... no really, I'm begging now...
Byes 'till next time!�