WARNING: None. =]

Disclaimer: I own nothing in this marvelous universe; it all belongs to Toei Animation, I believe.

Dedication: Samurai02008 - For reviewing and pushing me forward!

Reviewers: N/A

Author's Note: N/A

Rating: T

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(Later that Night)

"Hi," Matt started awkwardly, "is Tai there?"

Mrs. Kamiya gasped in shock from across the line. She smiled as she put a hand on her hip. "Matt Ishida, is that you? I can't believe what I'm hearing. It's so good to see that you two are fixing things! I'll go get him."

"Yeah," Matt agreed with embarrassment.

Mrs. Kamiya placed her hand over the phone and called out for Tai. Tai groaned, but got up lazily from the couch and shuffled towards his mom.

"What is it, Mom?" He inquired as he yawned loudly.

"The phone for you, Tai!" She said excitedly.

He raised an eyebrow at her strange behavior.

"It's Matt Ishida," she whispered happily to her son.

Tai's eyes widened in comprehension and he smiled at his mother. "Ohh."

He reached for the phone and she handed it to him with a wink and a quick squeeze of his shoulders.

"Hey Matt," Tai greeted, "Why are you calling?"

Matt rolled his eyes at his friend's short term memory. "At lunch, err, in the bathroom, you told me to call you . . . remember?"

"Oh. Right. Right."

"So . . ."

"So . . ." Tai echoed.

Matt shook his head and tried to make the conversation (or lack thereof) less awkward. "Well . . . I guess we can start easy; what are you doing tonight?"

Tai grinned into the phone, thankful that they had found something to talk about. "Ohh. I'm going to the movies." He paused and added on," I would invite you, but I'll spare you the pain."

Matt shuffled the phone to one ear and held it with his shoulder as he flipped the meat he was making for dinner. "What kind of pain?" Matt wanted to know.

"You know Izzy, right?" Tai paused and added on sheepishly, "Well, of course you do. Anyway, at lunch Mimi . . ."

"Mimi what?" Matt asked after a few seconds of silence.

The brunet's voice was muffled with confusion. He spoke slowly, "She, umm . . . well, she asked him out on a date. That's not the worst part, either! I have to go with them. I have to try to impress the girl I like while at the same time watch Mimi flirt and Izzy blush. It's going to be a nightmare!" Tai babbled.

Matt leaned back on his counter and he waited awhile before he stuttered a polite: "O-oh. Is that so?"

"Yeah! It's so weird, though. I mean it's Izzy . . . and Mimi. Together. Like that."

There was silence on the other end and Tai coughed uncomfortably into the phone. "Uhh, Matt," he started timidly, "are you sure you're . . . you know . . . completely over Mimi?"

Even though it made Tai uncomfortable asking such a direct question - especially after they had only just forgiven one another - he had to know. Matt's delayed responses . . . they were only after he mentioned his female friend. What else could it be?

Matt choked slightly, trying to cover it up with a cough, but failing. "O-of course I am," he stuttered, "I mean, it's been what? Two years now? Who would still be hung up about a relationship that happened two years ago?" Matt laughed anxiously, trying to get the comfortable edge back to their conversation.

Tai paused briefly on the other line, a little surprised about how upset Matt's word made him. "Me," he finally muttered, almost ashamedly, into the phone.

The blonde's eyes widened and he cursed softly. He quickly attempted to explain, "Dude . . . you know I didn't mean it like that. I mean, I didn't include you . . . I was only talking about me . . . God," Matt finally muttered, rubbing his temples.

"Okay, since I'm trying the whole being honest thing at the moment, let me just say; I didn't understand a word of that. I was just kidding anyway," Tai said in a forced offhand tone, "This just proves that you're definitely not over Mimi, anyway, man."

Matt laughed stiffly into the phone. "It's not like it matters much, anyway, does it? There is no way Mimi would even consider taking me back."

Tai nodded solemnly, even though Matt couldn't see the action. "You're right. Mimi would be an idiot to take you back. No offense, dude, but you really messed up."

Matt found himself growing angrier and angrier the more Tai spoke. Even though he told himself the same thing almost every day . . . it pissed him off hearing it from Tai, of all people.

"I know! I panicked, alright?! I panicked and I got drunk. I would have never done if I was sober. Alcohol can do crazy things to you, you know!"

"Matt! For the love of God! I'm not going to blame the alcohol because you drank it. I'm not going to blame that girl because you slept with her. And I'm no way am I going to blame Mimi because you hurt her! There's only one person to blame; when you figure out who it is, call me," Tai snapped, slamming the phone down harshly on the stand.

He turned around angrily, but flinched back slightly at his mother's livid face.

"Mom . . . ?" Tai questioned timidly.

She crossed her arms and glared at him. "Taichi Kamiya! You just got Matt back and now you're going to through it away again! I don't what is going on in that big head of yours!"

Tai grumbled, "I'm going to be his friend, Mom. We just have to . . . work some things out. I can't stand people who blame others. He knows that, too!"

Mrs. Kamiya looked less angry, but a concerned, upset tone was still evident in her voice. "Maybe, Taichi, if you just apologized - "

Tai rolled his eyes, "Not likely." He turned his back on her and walked to his room, slamming the door shut a fraction harder than necessary.

"What has gotten into - oww," Mrs. Kamiya felt suddenly sick and she groaned as she made her way feebly towards the bathroom. 'Morning sickness, my butt,' she thought a little bitterly as she closed the bathroom door.

Tai leaned back on the cold oak, sighing, "What is it with Mom's and apologizing?"

"I don't know," came Kari's calm voice, though Tai still jumped in surprise, "I think they say that when they don't know what else to do. You know, 'show no weakness' and all that stuff."

He glared at her slightly for surprising him, but groaned and fell down into her bed. "Yeah, well . . ."

Kari restrained herself from berating her brother for lying on her bed, once again, and instead managed: "Don't you have a date to get ready for?"

She watched amusedly as her older brother blinked, shot up, and hit the wood above her bed.

She laughed as he grumbled and rubbed his head (where a large red mark had appeared).

"Yeah . . . I guess I do. Don't you have one too?"

Kari shook her head, a little sadly. "Nah. TK invited Davis to come with. I mean, it's great that we're all getting along so well - he's really nice, you know - but I'm starting to feel . . . insecure about the whole thing," Kari admitted.

Tai stopped looking for a shirt and looked at his little sister, with a concerned expression plastered on his face.

"You should probably talk to TK about this, you know. You have nothing to be worried about, anyway," Tai added with a glint in his eyes. "You have that guy wrapped around your little finger."

Kari smiled slightly, but her smile quickly faded. "I know I could ask. I don't want to, though! He should spend time with his friends; I don't want to be to overbearing. Davis and TK are getting along really well - which is what I always wanted! I don't know why I'm being so stupid . . ." Kari trailed off and hung her head sadly.

Tai rolled his eyes affectionately and he walked over to his sister, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Listen, Kar'. He wants to spend time with you. I know him. He's probably just excited that he has a new friend. Give it a few days; it should wear off eventually. In a few days, he'll be glued to your hip." Tai paused and added on, "And I mean that completely in the non-suggestive way, of course."

He grinned brightly and ruffled her hair.

Kari smiled back up at him. "Thanks Tai. You always know what to say. I love you," Kari whispered, hugging her brother around the waist tightly.

"Love you too, Kar'. But if you want me to live another day, stop squeezing so hard," Tai gasped out theatrically.

Kari laughed and pulled away from their embrace.

Tai grinned at her. "I gotta get ready, alright? See you later."

Kari nodded in response and Tai went to search for a clean shirt. Fifteen minutes, he set out the house with a smile plastered on his face.

xXxXxXxXxXx

Yolei slammed her front door open, dropped her school things, and proceeded to scream at the top of her lungs.

"AHHH!"

Her older siblings (who were sprawled ungracefully over the coach and two chairs that furnished Yolei's living room) all gave a jump of surprise at the unexpected, loud noise.

Yuu stared at his sister for a few seconds. He turned around and whispered, "Are you sure she's not on crack or something? 'Cause this is a whole new level of crazy, even for her."

Nanako rolled her eyes, "Don't be an idiot," she replied, hitting her brother on the back of his head.

Meiko just smiled in that 'I-know-something-you-don't-know' way and pushed herself off the couch. She pretended to sigh. "It's okay, guys. I'll talk to her."

She flashed a peace sign at her two siblings before opening the door to Yolei's room (of which Yolei had stormed in after she slammed the front door). She saw her sister sitting with her arms crossed on the computer chair. Meiko took a seat onto the bunkbed that she shared with Yolei.

"So . . . what's the problem now?" Meiko inquired.

"There is no problem. I'm fine. I'm going on a date with my boyfriend. My best friend is being a . . ." Yolei trailed off and pursed her lips. She glanced at her sister briefly, before continuing. "It doesn't even matter what he's being; I don't care, either way. I don't care at all. Not even a little bit. I'm fine," Yolei babbled so quickly that Meiko was pretty sure that she wasn't even answering her question anymore.

Meiko nodded slowly, taking all the information in. "So you're going on a date with Ken! That's so awesome!" She grinned happily, before frowning in concern. "But . . . what about Davis?"

Yolei let out a breath of air and she crossed her arms haughtily. "I told you, I don't like him. I like Ken." Yolei paused, "Scratch that, I love Ken. Why wouldn't I love Ken?! He's nice, smart, funny, cute, sweet, and - "

"Not Davis," Meiko said, answering Yolei's rhetorical question.

Yolei threw her hands up in the air. "I know! But why is that such a bad thing? He's such a great guy and I could totally see someone dating him . . . and I have him! But it's just . . . not working!" Yolei groaned self-loathingly and rubbed her temples.

Meiko reached her hand out compassionately and placed a comforting hand on her sister's shoulder, but her voice remained firm.

"Yolei . . . you're in a hard position. But the bottom line is . . . you can't keep dating him. Not when you don't love him. It's not fair to him and it's not fair to you. One or both of you are going to get hurt. And I'd hate to see that."

Yolei groaned and leaned in unconsciously to her sister's touch. "Can't I just make myself fall in love him?"

Meiko pursed her lips, "If it's forced . . . is it really love?" She retracted her hand and stood up. "I'm going to stay out of this. You can make your own mistakes."

Yolei watched her with exasperation. "But - !"

"But for now we're going to get you ready for your date!" Meiko squealed, grabbing Yolei. Yolei let out a small 'eep' of surprise, but willingly let her get pulled to the closet.

After many hours, Yolei had finally (as agreed on by all four Inoue children) found the perfect choice. The outfit was simple, to say the least, but it complimented her. It was originally Nanako's, but she agreed to let Yolei borrow it; a black, strapless dress which accented her thing frame and elongated her legs. Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun which Meiko said made her look like she wasn't trying to hard. Paired with elegant high heels and long, dangly earrings, Yolei Inoue felt prettier than she had in a long time.

"Wow," Yolei breathed to herself, pushing a loose piece of violet hair out of her face. She turned from the mirror and posed dramatically.

"How do I look?" she asked.

Her two older sister's shared a look and started to jump up a down, shouting various compliments at their younger sister. Yuu simply looked from his book long enough to let out a long whistle and give her a thumbs up. Ken arrived their one time and for the first time in a long time, Yolei Inoue felt truly happy.

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Kari smiled warmly as she ran into her boyfriend's arms. Davis was meeting up with them shortly, but Kari had purposefully arrived early to spend a little alone time with him. She giggled as TK spun her around and gently put her down on the ground. Kari smiled up at him and kissed him gently on the lips.

"Hey dude, what's taking so long?" Davis asked loudly as he shoved a large chip into this mouth. Kari jumped and when she saw Davis, she let out a large, exasperated sigh.

Davis had the grace to look embarrassed when he saw what he had been interrupting. "Oh crap. I'm sorry. I'll just leave," Davis said hurriedly, turning around to go to the kitchen so he could put the chips away. Kari found herself smiling gratefully at the burgundy-haired boy.

"Tha - " Kari started, but was cut off by TK.

"Hey, 'Suke, don't leave. It's not a problem. We'll meet you in the living room in a second," TK said smiling and turned his attention back at - a now slightly miffed - Kari.

Kari pursed her lips, "What's Davis doing here?" She asked in a slightly more accusatory tone that she was hoping for.

Her boyfriend shrugged his shoulders. "Oh . . . well, we just decided to hang out after school. You know, Kari, I really have to thank you - and Tai - for helping us meet in the first place. I mean, I never really had a close guy friend before." TK grinned widely, with both his mouth and his eyes, and Kari's anger diminished. This was obviously making TK happy; therefore, Kari would try her best to be happy too.

Kari tried her best to smile, "So TK . . . what are we going to do today?"

TK cocked his head to the side in thought. "Well, Davis actually suggested that we got to the party at Mike Sullivan's tonight. It sounds like fun, don't you think? And Davis as said, 'Maybe I can meet a girl and leave you two alone'. Then he winked and nudged me," TK said, laughing at the memory.

Kari smiled, "That sounds like fun, actually. A few of my friends wanted me to." She paused, "I hope Davis does find someone, though. Even if he doesn't, I love being with you guys!"

TK smiled from ear to ear. "Yeah!" He lowered his voice, "Davis had this stupid idea that you didn't want him here; didn't like him or something. He told me he actually used to have a crush on you. But it's okay; he assured me that he would keep his hands to himself." He winked. "He just wants to be friends. Isn't that awesome?"

Kari smiled widely. "Yeah it is!" She put her finger to her mouth thoughtfully. "But I wonder why he would have a crush on me. What's so great about me?" She wondered out loud.

TK let out a gasp of theatrical indignation. "How could you say that?! Maybe because you're cute, funny, sexy, sweet, honest, smart, beautiful, loving, adorable, and did I mention hot?"

TK smiled slyly at Kari before he initiated a breathtaking kiss that made Kari weak in her knees.

They broke apart and TK smiled lovingly at Kari, before yelling, "Davis!"

Kari laughed slightly as she saw Davis stick out his head. "What 'Keru?"

"It's time to go!" Davis grinned and started jogging towards them.

"Hey Kar'! Hey TK!"

Kari smiled gratefully, "Hi Davis! It's good to see you!"

And, this time, she knew that she honestly meant it.

xXxXxXxXxXx

(At The Party)

Ken laughed loudly, but his voice blended in noiselessly with the loud, excessive noise that surrounded him. "This is great, isn't it?" He yelled to Yolei.

Yolei smiled widely at him. "Yeah, it is! I haven't had this much fun in a long time," she yelled back.

Just then, Kari, Davis, and TK walked through the doors. They each were clutching their stomachs (which were aching from laughter).

Davis paused in the doorway. Finally, he bellowed out, "Attention people! Davis has entered the building! Oh yeah! And the slightly less awesome Kari and 'Keru, too!"

Yolei watched as Kari and TK shook their heads affectionately before dragging Davis into another room. Yolei blinked and took a deep breath. 'This is a big party,' she told herself, 'the chances of running into Davis were highly unlikely.'

"This is awesome," Davis said loudly and took a small sip of beer from his bottle.

TK frowned, "You sure you should be drinking that, 'Suke?" TK narrowed his eyes in alarm.

Davis looked thoughtful, "Not really sure, actually. I've never tried it before. My . . . old," Davis cringed at this word, "friends weren't really into the whole party scene, you know. It's not that bad, though. Want some?" Davis asked, extending his half empty beer bottle to TK.

"I . . . guess I'll try. Just once." TK took a slow taste and then crunched up his face in disgust.

"I guess I'll just be the designated driver," TK said quietly as Davis took the bottle back to have another swig. Kari sighed deeply, but reluctantly fetched a bottle for herself. 'I don't like the taste very much, but I have to live every once in awhile, don't I?' She asked herself.

Soon enough, both Davis and Kari were tipsy.

"T-this . . . t-his is s-so great. This stuff i-is so g-good," Davis said, hiccupping slightly.

Kari laughed airily. "You're right. Normally I don't really like this stuff, but it is so good," Kari slurred, leaning on TK for support.

TK sighed exasperatedly and gently pushed Kari off of him. He shot an annoyed glance at the two. "I'll be right back, you guys. I have to pee," TK said curtly, making his way through the crowd. He left Kari and Davis to laugh at the word 'pee'.

Davis leaned against a wall for support, "Y-you guys are g-great. I was a l-little scared y-you didn't l-like me. I mean, why would you h-hang out with me?"

Kari laughed and steadied herself. "Well, I like you. I'm actually glad my brother asked us to hang out with you. You might be a bit annoying, but you're pretty good guy," Kari garbled.

"W-what?" Davis stuttered, suddenly becoming more aware of his surroundings. It was as if his drunkenness was lessening (though he was pretty sure that he was only imagining that).

Kari continued on, her drunken state clouding her normal caring and helpful disposition. "Well . . . TK really didn't want to be friends with you at first, you know? But I convinced him." She hiccuped, "I'm not really sure why, though. I mean, you two are so annoying together. What are you dating?" She poked him hard in the chest. "Excuse moi, but I'm his girlfriend . . . not you."

Davis shook his head like he didn't believe it, but his face slowly became angry.

"So the whole reason you guys are friends with me is because your brother asked you too?" Davis demanded, his voice cracking slightly.

Kari replied, "Yep." She smiled at him widely, apparently finding no wrong behind her clueless words.

He looked at her with a horror stricken expression on his face. "God, I can't believe I was so stupid!" His voice lowered dangerously, "Tell your brother and your stupid boyfriend that I don't want their pity! Or yours!"

Davis slammed his hand on the wall beside her face and stumbled angrily into the crowd. Kari unfeelingly watched him as he maneuvered his way through the horde. TK walked back and looked around confusedly for a flash of burgundy-hair.

TK frowned as he turned towards his girlfriend. "Hey, babe, did you see were 'Suke went?"

Kari hiccuped, "He just ran right off. Right off. I told him about how we only started being friends with him 'cause of what of my brother and he got all grumpy! Ran right off," she slurred, smiling giddily up at her boyfriend. She reached up and shakily put her hand on his cheek.

"What do you mean?" TK asked hurriedly.

"I just told him that the only reasons we were friends with him was 'cause my brother asked us too!" Kari laughed and leaned up to kiss TK.

TK looked down at her with an appalled expression on his face and jerked away from her kiss. "What is wrong with you, Kari?! Why would you say something like that? He was my friend . . . I thought he was yours too! He's never going to talk to us again! Why would you do something like that?!" TK glared angrily at her for a second before pulling away angrily and wading through the crowd.

"Where are you going, honey?" Kari asked confusedly.

TK hollered back sharply, "I'm going to find him and try to explain that you have no idea what you're talking about!"

Kari watched concernedly as her boyfriend's frame blended with the mass of other bodies.

Yolei opened the front door quietly, trying not to disturb (too much) the couple that was making out on it and stepped outside, letting the cool air relax her tense muscles. 'I've always hated big crowds,' she thought to herself.

She sat down on the concrete step outside and listened to herself breathe.

"What?" She asked herself quietly when she heard a faint sniffing sound. She narrowed her eyes and listened closer, trying to ignore the loud music radiating from the house. 'Whoever's there . . . they're crying,' she thought worriedly. Yolei walked over to the bench that the sniffing was the loudest and frowned at the hunched figure.

"Excuse me? Are you alright?" Yolei asked worriedly, not moving fully in front of the person.

She watched interestedly as the person on the bench stiffened and started to furiously wipe their eyes. "What do you want?"

Yolei let out a gasp of surprise, "D-davis? Oh my God, Davis! Are you alright?"

Her eyes widened and she ran to him, apparently forgetting about the current circumstances between the two.

He glared at her, wiping his eyes more, "D-does it friggen' l-look like I'm 'alright', Yolei? O-of course, I'm a-alright. I always miss g-great parties and cry on b-benches!" Davis barked back sarcastically.

Yolei sat down on the bench and boldly pulled him so that his head was leaning on her shoulder. When she found no resistance, she rubbed soothing circles on his back. "Oh God, Davis, what happened?" Yolei asked, ignoring the tingling that was running through her body.

"N-nothing. I just found that I have no friends. You and Ken don't give a crap about me and TK and Kari just pitied me." Davis's voice cracked sharply and he pushed himself off Yolei, stumbling to get up.

Yolei was frantic. 'No, he can't leave! Not now. I have . . . I have to stop him!' She thought to herself.

"That's not true!" She bellowed, "You're my best friend. The truth is . . . I LOVE YOU!" Yolei gasped as her words registered and she slapped her hand to her mouth.

"Don't give me that, Yolei! It's just a lie. Everything is lie. I can't trust anyone!" He paused, laughing bitterly. "Who would care - let alone love - someone as stupid, annoying, and idiotic as Davis Motomiya, anyway? No one!" Davis yelled bitterly, heading towards The Parking Lot (Or the street where everyone parked their cars, fondly named 'The Parking Lot' their Sophomore year).

TK ran out, traveling to Davis as fast as his feet could carry him. "DAVIS!"

Davis glared harshly at him, his stumbling pace quickening. "Get away from me, Takashi! I don't need your pity! I don't anybody!" Davis spat out, running out hazardously into the street.

Yolei screamed loudly as she saw a swerving car heading towards her friend.

"DAVIS! GET OUT OF THE WAY!" Yolei bellowed, running uselessly toward Davis.

The car swerved right and hit Davis. As if the night went silent, all Yolei could hear and see was Davis. Davis getting hit by the car. Davis flying back a few feet. Davis's head colliding with the pavement. The sickening crunch Davis's body made when it hit the street.

The car speed away into the night, not giving a second glance at the bleeding boy on the street.

"DAVIS!" TK and Yolei cried out simultaneously, each running as fast as they could towards the unmoving body.

"I'm standing here at the spot of the horrible hit and run that happened earlier this evening. A seventeen year old Daisuke Motomiya was reportedly hit by an assumedly drunk driver when he was standing in the street during a party. There were only two eye-witnesses, both of who have been questioned by the police. Daisuke is currently being held at St. Matthews Hospital were he is said to be suffering from severe head trauma, and is reportedly in critical condition. His parent's, who were out of town on a retreat, are being notified at this time. And, on a lighter note, a legendary movie star is coming into town in order to prepare for her new role!"

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Oh my gosh, it's so hard to decide who to dedicate these chapters to! I love you all so much (I reread your reviews when I feel depressed and you guys always manage to make me smile!) and I wish I could give you all a chapter. Since that can't be done, I'm now randomly selecting reviewers. It doesn't matter if you reviewed once or every chapter; it means a lot to me. So thanks. =]

Oh yeah . . . review please!