Tai stood in the middle of his bedroom, or, at least, he thought it
was his bedroom.
"It's. clean"
It was true. There were no more piles of dirty clothes on the floor; no more week old apple cores strewn about; no more crumpled papers littering his desk. Hell, even his bed was made. The only conclusion that he could possibly draw from this spectacle was either his family cleaned it for him while he was gone, or he was in the wrong house. The latter was proven wrong when his sister burst through the door. She may have noticed Tai if she wasn't sucking face with a certain blonde-haired, blue-eyed athlete. The two juveniles were oblivious to the young man as they made their way to the bed without breaking the kiss. It wasn't until T.K.'s hand began to travel up Kari's shirt when Tai distressingly decided it was time to make his presence known.
A loud clearing of the throat shocked both kids from their activities and brought their attention to the figure in the room. Before them stood a handsome young man that neither of them recognized at first. His russet, brown hair was pulled into a short ponytail at the base of his neck and he stood a little over 5'7. He wore a white wife-beater, flattering a well- defined chest, with a light blue, button down t-shirt left open over it. He also wore a pair of baggy denim jeans that draped over brown work boots. The couple sprang from the bed and backed away from the invader.
"Who the hell are you and how did you get in here?" T.K. barked angrily, moving in front of a shocked Kari. Tai scowled at his rudeness.
"What gives you the right to talk to me like that when you're making out with MY sister on MY bed?"
After that was said a loud 'OoF' could be heard, followed by another 'OoF' and a 'squeal'. T.K. pulled himself off the ground where Kari had knocked him down from behind. Currently on the floor was Tai, with Kari squeezing the life out of him.
"Wow, Kar," Tai wheezed after getting the wind knocked out of him, "You should join powder puff."
Kari reluctantly pulled herself off Tai and stood up, never letting the smile leave her face. "Oh, Tai! I missed you so much! We were so worried! I knew you'd come back!!!"
"Yeah well, I don't think I'll be leaving any time soon if that's what you do on my bed while I'm gone."
Kari and T.K. both looked at the ground sheepishly, finding their socked feet extremely interesting. Tai silently laughed at their discomfort.
"Well, I guess I should go explain to everyone what's been up in the digital world" Tai stated, breaking the silence.
"Good idea, I'll go call the others and tell them to meet us at the Café" T.K. said heading for the door. When he reached the doorway he suddenly stopped. "Oh, and Tai, it's good to have you back."
"Good to be back." Tai responded with a warm smile. As T.K. exited the room, Tai turned to Kari to ask a question that had been bugging him since he arrived. "Um, Kari, did I always have a carpet?"
Kari Sighed, "Yes Tai."
"Wow"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Digidestined were all gathered at the Café, sipping on sodas and milkshakes while listening intently on Tai's explanations of what he and the other guardians were up to.
"So, you, Griff, Shiva, and Angela were chosen by Gennai, to succeed him in protecting the digital world and this whole time you've been training for battle and to control your powers." Izzy summed up after Tai finished speaking.
"Yup" Tai drank happily on his strawberry milkshake, oblivious to the incredulous stares he was receiving from the others.
"What powers?" Joe asked quizzically.
Tai paused for a moment before replying, "I'm not really sure. Gennai keeps talking about us not even being human or some crap like that. I think he mentioned something about strange stuff happening to us while we're on vacation, I don't know, I wasn't listening!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOT EVEN HUMAN?" Kari cried, gripping T.K.'s arm. Tai just shrugged nonchalantly. Sora spent the entire conversation just staring at the foreigner in front of her. That's what she saw him as. It seemed like he left them as just one of her childhood friends, and returned as a man; a very attractive man. For some reason she found his hair quite appealing compared to what it used to look like. The old bushy style represented the reckless, goofy Tai that she grew up with and loved like a brother. But when she saw how different he looked she realized she almost felt something more for him, like a crush. But that couldn't be right! This was still Tai, and she was dating Matt anyways. Sora finally decided to speak for the first time that evening.
"What's the point of the digidestined then if the digital world has you now?"
Tai looked over at Sora and took notice that for once she wasn't sitting on Matt's lap, but a couple seats away from him instead. He dismissed it and answered, "The same purpose you had when Gennai guarded the digital world; if we fail, it's up to the digidestined. You're like our last line of defense."
Sora seemed to accept this answer along with the others. The conversation was changed abruptly from tactful, to hormones.
"So, this Angela chick, she sounds hot." Davis grinned. After he sulked for a couple months about Kari and T.K. hooking up, Davis moved on to checking out other girls, gaining some perverted habits on the way.
"She is, but she's Griff's girl, sorry buddy" Tai chuckled. However, Davis wouldn't give up yet.
"What about the American Babe, she any good?" The other digidestined groaned at Davis's persistence.
"Shiva? Oh, she's hot alright, but she's a lunatic. But she's my lunatic so don't try anything when she comes over." Tai boasted, shooting Davis a possessive look.
"You're going out with her?"
"I'm just advising against hitting on her, she can get really nasty when people do that." Tai coated, not really answering his question. The guys just nodded their heads in approval. To Tai's disappointment, his milkshake ran out. Desperate for more strawberry-goodness, Tai made a beckoning gesture with his arm and politely called for the nearest waitress.
"Hey babe! Yea you, can I get a refill? Thanks hunny." The young waitress giggled and blushed at his smile before she turned to get him another milkshake.
That called for a good nine whacks to the head, with the exception of Davis, who was taking mental notes.
"Honestly Tai!" Yolie scolded, however entertaining she found his outburst to be, "don't tell me they teach you to be a jerk there too? You could at least have the decency to take the time and ask her respectfully."
"Sorry, its just that, back ho- I mean, at the coliseum, Gennai won't let us have milkshakes and stuff. It was an act of desperarity!" This statement received many shocked looks from the rest of the group.
"NO, m-milkshakes?" Matt asked, unconsciously cradling his to his chest as if someone might try to rip it away. "The bastard!"
"That's so, so cruel, and unjust!" Joe agreed. "What would possess someone to do such a thing?"
"Just the 'Our body is a temple' crap" Tai mimicked Gennai with a sour expression on his face. "He says we have to be in TPC, Top Physical Condition, if we want to get anywhere with our training"
"Don't worry Tai, ya look fine to me" Yolie blushed generously after realizing what she had just said. The other girls caught themselves nodding in agreement before looking away. Tai gave a confused look before glancing down at his body.
"What are you talking about? I look the same."
"No Tai you don't" Kari spoke out "You don't look the same, you don't act the same. For the love of dogs! I thought you were a stranger when you interrupted me and-, uh.well."
"You and T.K.?" Tai helped out, feeling devious. He continued while looking directing at a suspicious Matt. "Ya know, I can't quite remember what I interrupted exactly, any guesses Matt?"
"I don't like where this is going." Matt gave T.K. a warning look, as his younger sibling looked away, blushing.
"I'll give you a little hint; it involves a lot of tongue, and maybe some groping too."
"T.K.!" Matt cried, alarmed, angry, and proud. "What have I told you? Don't make out with girls in front of their older brothers. or fathers."
"It wasn't my fault! He was just. there!"
"Yea," Tai drawled sarcastically, "What the hell was I thinking, being in my room like that. I should know better when T.K. wants to use it to feel up my sister."
"I'm Sorry!" T.K. whined at Tai giving him such a hard time. Everyone laughed at them, including Kari, who was suffering from blush syndrome.
"Oh F***!" Cried Cody as he realized what time it was, "Sorry guys, I got to go! I'm late for my kendo practice, enjoy your stay Tai! Bye!"
The boy left the silent café. The only sound that could be heard was the swinging of the door and the clanking of cups against saucers. Even other customers were shocked into silence at witnessing such verbal distress coming from a young boy. The digidestined stared at the door where the child left a moment ago, trying to grasp what just happened.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tai woke up at the crack of dawn. A few strands of light from the un- risen sun streamed through his window. However, it was not the light shining on his eyes or the chilly breeze that blew through the open window that awoke him. In fact, Tai felt anything but cold. His body was wet with sweat and his skin felt hot to the touch. Tai exited his bed and changed into some sweats, ignoring the intense heat he felt close around him. On his way out the door he checked the thermometer. 43 degrees? Tai frowned, thinking the thermometer must have broken. Despite the fact that it was winter and a light sheet of snowed covered the ground; it felt like it was at least 80!
Tai shrugged it off and preceded his morning jog. He had a few milkshakes to burn off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas day couldn't have been better for Kari Kamiya. She got to hang with her brother for the last couple of days, her parents finally gave her her own cell phone for Christmas, and her loving boyfriend was going to pick her up to take her out for a romantic dinner any minute. The doorbell rang and Kari hurriedly applied the last touches on her mascara before rushing to the door. She paused for a moment to straiten herself out before opening it. Instantly her legs transformed into jelly. T.K. had combed his hair back, bringing his handsome features into play. He wore a navy, silk shirt that complimented his eyes and a pair of black slacks. He stretched out an arm to reveal a single red rose. She accepted the rose before taking his offered arm, and allowed him to lead her to the car where Matt was chauffeuring.
"Kari, you look gorgeous." T.K. praised, giving Kari the one over. The burgundy dress hugged her new curves and her hair was pulled back into a French twist, leaving a few tendrils to frame her face. Kari blushed at the compliment as she let T.K. open the car door for her. Yep, life was good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tai, we're going out tonight and won't be home until the morning. Very late in the morning. The house better be in one piece when we come back or else-" Mrs. Kamiya finished her sentence with a fit of giggles as her husband began to kiss her neck.
Tai hid a look of disgust by pretending to be engrossed with the T.V. As soon as he heard the car go roaring down the street he rushed to the telephone. After a few minutes of nodding and talking he hung up with a satisfied smile on his face. Jumping back on the couch, he snuggled down and drifted off to sleep.
The disturbing blare of opera woke Tai from his slumber.
"What fresh hell?" Tai drooled as he looked around wildly, falling off the couch in the process. It wasn't until he realized that he had left the T.V. on that he knew where the noise was coming from.
"Who listens to this crap?" Tai rose tiredly and made his way to the television while rubbing his sore bottom. A blinking number caught his eye on the answering machine indicating that he had missed a call. He figured that it was his sister calling in late from her date; it was, as he noticed, well after one in the morning. Shrugging he proceeded to push the play button.
Perhaps it was coincidence or just cruel fate that Kari walked in at that exact moment. Nonetheless, she entered just in time to hear the message from a certain American.
"MR. TAI KAMIYA! I'm happy to inform you that the love of your life will be dropping by most likely tomorrow! And I hope you got some ice cream in the fridge because she also happens to be pregnant! See ya soon daddy!"
Tai looked up to see Kari's mortified expression.
"Oh shit"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tai pulled his hair out of its short pony tail and let his dark locks fall freely to his shoulders. Stripping himself of his boxers and T-shirt, he reached into the shower and turned on the hot water. It took almost twenty minutes to calm Kari down the previous evening and explain to her that it was all part of Shiva's sick sense of humor. Stepping into the soothing water, Tai grinned at his friend's absurdity. He let the water work its way down his body and completely wake him. Too bad his eyes were closed or he would have seen the figure standing next to him, also naked. He also would have noticed the impending hand towards his fine, bare butt.
"GAHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Kari dropped her spoon and looked up from her bowl of cereal. She exited the kitchen with haste and stopped in front of the bathroom door where Tai's outburst earlier emitted. She was about to ask if he was all right before Tai's voice from inside cut her off.
"Have you been sucking on outlets?? What in the name of village people possessed you to do this? And how the hell did you get in here??"
Next, much to the surprise of Kari, a female voice was heard.
"Oh come on, you can't say that wasn't funny."
"It wasn't funny"
"."
"Ok, maybe a little. But it was still wrong! I mean what if my parents came home, and there was a NAKED GIRL IN THE SHOWER WITH ME?"
"They said they wouldn't be home until very late in the morning."
"Well that's- wait a minute, how did you."
"Uh."
"HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN MY HOUSE??"
"Long, enough hunny, loooong enough."
".I am very upset with you"
Kari back away from the door as it opened to reveal two soaking wet teenagers. Tai had a towel loosely wrapped around his waist and he was roughly grabbing the arm of a girl, also clad in a towel. Her brown hair was dripping as well and she had a wry grin on her face.
"Kari, this is Shiva, the girl who I DID NOT get pregnant. Um, she's another guardian, ya know, the American one."
"Oh that reminds me!" Shiva exclaimed, dropping her towel and running into Tai's room. Tai gave a helpless look in Kari's direction and followed Shiva, picking up her towel on the way. Kari blinked then headed back to her unfinished cereal. She really wasn't up for explanations.
"So. what was so important that you had to moon sister?" Tai demanded dropping his towel as well and pulling on a clean pair of boxers.
"Well," Shiva said, as she pulled on a pair of jeans from her suit case which lay on Tai's floor, "I've got something really great to show you, now turn around."
Tai complied and waited until she gave an okay signal. After taking one look at Shiva, his jaw dropped. In front of him was a sixteen year old girl looking about nine months pregnant.
"Holy SHIT! That's so great! Where'd you get that?"
"Isn't it? I got it at this freaky shop in the mall. Gennai will flip!"
"NICE, I call being the daddy. Wait till you see what I got planned for him."
"I can only imagine. Oh yes, er, there's sort of something else I think you should know."
Tai glanced up from his activity of tying his hair back, "Yea?"
Shiva shifted nervously, "Well, you see, when I got home, mum and dad were kinda upset ya'know, and I got angry n' all, and dad was yellin' and stuff. Well the point is, I was wicked frustrated and the phone rang and I was so mad I just. it just. smashed into the wall."
".yea."
"On its own"
"Oh. huh?"
Shiva sighed, "Watch" She lifted her arm and lowered her head, keeping a firm gaze on Tai's alarm clock. Tai stood to the side wondering whether to take her seriously or just play along with whatever stupid stunt she was trying to pull. He opened his mouth to tell her to cut the crap but stopped when he heard a light rattling. Tai froze in shock when he saw his alarm clock shaking back and forth on its own accord. Before he could react the appliance went shooting across the room and slammed into the wall. Tai slowly faced Shiva, stun marking his face.
"Wow" was all he could muster.
"That's what I thought. I guess that's one of my abilities that Gennai was talking about."
"Do Griff and Angela know about this?"
"Actually, they've been experiencing some things too."
"Like what?" came Tai's curious response.
"Just yesterday Griff actually caused a small tremor, or that's how he described it any ways. He said that he got real angry at one of his friends and then everything started shakn', and now he can do it on his own. And Angela, apparently she already knew about her ability and that's why she ended up coming a couple months later than us. But any ways, just the other day she caused this geyser to just erupt in the middle of a movie theater when her brother left her there."
"Yeah, cool." replied Tai, feeling a little jealous and left out that he was the only one without any "talents". Shiva seemed to sense his distress and quickly added,
"Hey, I'm sure your gunna cause the most destruction out of everybody"
Tai's soft smile grew. "Yea, I bet I'll get the gift of premature aging."
"NO!" Shiva screamed covering her face. "I will not give into the wrinkles!"
"Oh, I think you will" Tai growled as he began to tickle her. "Ya know, they say laughing causes wrinkles."
"STOP! STOP! STOP!" Shiva cried in-between fits of laughter, weakly swatting at the man on top of her.
"Call this revenge for the shower incident. My ass is still sore." after a few moments of torturing the lass, Tai decided to give it a rest.
"I'm hungry, let's eat"
"Good plan."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not long after they finished their meal, they decided to spend the rest of their afternoon outside. On their way out the door they bumped into Tai's parents and, much to Tai's dismay, Shiva refused to take off her pregnant suit.
"Why hello Mr. and Mrs. Kamiya, remember me, Shiva? I know you haven't seen me for a couple of years but I must say your son has a great body! Very well endowed if I do say so myself"
Tai pushed Shiva down the hall and avoided his parents shocked stare. Mrs. Kamiya was the first to end the silence.
"I'm going to be a grandmother!"
"SHIVA! Those were my parents!" Tai scolded his companion once they got out of the apartment.
"I know, I'm sorry! My mouth just goes off on its own."
"Yea well, the next time it decides to go off on its own I'm going to knock a few teeth out of it, and I don't care if you're a girl. You can mess with people, but not my people unless I say so."
"Very well," Shiva rolled her eyes. Tai took her hand in one of his and placed his other arm around her back, leading her to a park bench as if he were a loving husband taking out his pregnant wife. Shiva even walked a little slowly like she was in great care for her stomach.
"So, any victims of our insanity?" Tai asked wickedly.
"As a matter of fact, there's a nice couple over there, oh and that group of boys by that tree right there." Shiva pointed out the people who were giving bleak looks towards the young couple with the seemingly unborn child.
"Any time you're ready."
Shiva stood and began to walk calmly towards the hill admiring the scenery.
"BONSAI!" She screamed as she dived head first down the hill, tumbling head over heels. Many people gasped at this, fearing for the baby's life. Tai stood atop the hill biting on his fist to keep from being overcome by laughter. Once she reached the bottom of the hill Tai rushed down to meet her. A very concerned woman beat him to her and helped the dizzy girl to her feet.
"The baby! Is the baby alright?" She cried frantically. A crowd gathered around asking similar questions.
"Baby, what baby?" Shiva asked stupidly, glancing down towards her stomach. She looked up and glared at the audience she attained, "Are you saying I'm so fat that I look pregnant?!?"
At that statement many people backed away and went on with their own business.
"How dare you!" Shiva raved on, "Of all the nerve! I have never been so insulted in my-"
Shiva was cut off as Tai crept up behind her and covered her mouth, dragging her away into the woods.
"Come on dear, it's time to see your nutritionist."
Once in the sanctuary of the forest the pair leaned againt the trees in their mirth.
"Woooooh, okay, okay, now your turn to put this on" Shiva said as she began to unhook the back of the pregnant suit and pull it off.
"I am not putting that thing on" Tai chuckled, still laughing from before.
"Oh come on, I've always wanted to see a pregnant man."
"Shiva, you want to see a lot of things involving men. Get used to disappointment."
As the two walked out of the woods laughing Shiva accidentally bumped into a large boy around their age. He had black spiky hair and dark blue eyes. He held a nasty grin on his face as he checked out the sprawled girl on the ground below him. His admiration was suddenly blocked as Tai stepped between him and Shiva.
"Aw, has Kamiya got himself a little girl friend?"
"Shut the fuck up Hotaka" Tai growled, not backing down from the boy's hard stare.
"Don't think you can protect her from me, remember, I always get what I want." The larger boy sneered and strode past Tai, purposely knocking him with his shoulder.
"Trust me," Shiva called after the bully, "I'm the last person who need to be protected. It's you who needs it! Uh, jerk!" She then turned her attention to Tai, who seemed to be shaken with anger. "Who the hell was that?"
"Diran Hotaka. He's been giving me shit since the sixth grade, ever since I took over his position as captain of the soccer team."
"Well, don't listen to that bastard. You can take him any day."
"I know, its just, God! He makes me so, so mad!"
After Tai spoke those words, the tree next to them spontaneously burst into flames. The park was quickly emptied as people began screaming and running from the spreading flames. Branches began to fall from the dying plant, landing on the ground roughly. The fire department soon arrived on the scene and began hosing down the inferno full blast. Amidst the chaos, two youths stood side by side. One of which, held a goofy smile on his face.
"Told ya you'd be destructive"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The digidestined and two guardians were gathers in Tai's bedroom. The computer was on and glared readily for anyone to enter. The week of relaxation and vacation were now over and it was time for Shiva and Tai to make their way back to the digiworld. Kari sniffled as she hugged her brother.
"I don't want you to go," She whined, burying her face further into his shirt. "It's too dangerous there; I don't want to be an only child!"
Tai patted her head awkwardly and pulled her away from him, keeping his hands on her arms and forcing her to look him in the eye.
"Kari, listen to me. I will not die. Especially after I can, well, you know." Kari nodded understandingly. Kari and Shiva were the only other people who knew about Tai's new found gift; he had decided not to tell the rest of the digidestined for fear of what they would think of him. The three of them had spent the rest of vacation trying to help him get control of his, as well as help Shiva enhance hers. Tai added with a joking tone, "Besides, if worst comes to worst, I can always launch Shiva at any one who messes with me! She'll take 'em out, one boob after the other!"
"Is that so? Well I think you must feel the wrath of my boobs!"
The rest of the digidestined laughed as they watched Tai jump about the bedroom and use various destined as shields while Shiva leapt at him with her chest stuck out. Finally they calmed down enough to finish their good byes.
"See you later man." Matt replied coolly with a slap on the back.
"It was great to see you again Tai. Oh, um, I promise I'll stay out of your room with Kari and all." came T.K.'s farewell.
"A lot of people are relying on you to keep that world safe. I trust you can do it." Joe smiled approvingly.
"If you ever need help, you can always email me." said Izzy, who had actually left his laptop at home.
"I wish I could help out, but good luck anyways." Yolie sighed.
"Wow, I'd like to know more about this whole guardian situation the next time you come back." Cody stated with interest.
". Please be careful." Sora looked longingly at Tai for a moment before averting her gaze to the ground. Davis, who had been missing for the past few minutes, returned to the room with a large package.
"Tai, this came in the mail for you." Davis said with uncertainty. Tai's face lit up like a child at Christmas. He snatched the package out of Davis's hands and began to drag Shiva by the arm towards the computer.
"Well, it's been real, till next time! Bye you guys! Oh, and Kari, the next time I come home you better not be in my bed!" The digidestined were suddenly blinded by a flash of light. When their vision returned Tai and Shiva had left the premises.
"Hey, Kar," T.K. wiggled his eyes suggestively, "He said nothing about your parent's bed."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Angela and Griff sprang upon each other like two rabbits in mating season.
Gennai winced, "Great to have you back, NOW TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE!"
The pair did not seem fazed by the elder's outburst but obeyed anyways by moving along out of the room, never breaking their kiss. Gennai rolled his eyes and waited eagerly as Ace made another high pitched noise, indicating that the rest of the crew was returning from their vacation. Gennai was thinking of new routines to get them back into shape when he noticed what was standing in front of him. Tai grinned casually and attempted to place his hands on his wide hips.
"W-wha-what happened to you?" Gennai stammered. Before him was the same child of courage, only looking about three hundred pounds over weight.
"Well, ya' know those holiday treats are a real bitch. Besides, I'll need my strength if I'm going to be taking care of my kid." Tai leisurely draped an arm across Shiva's shoulder. This was the first time Gennai noticed the young pregnant girl standing next Tai.
Gennai was at a loss. "You two, you actually. and now your.oh my God," He paused a moment to let everything sink in before he let his temper get the best of him. His face turned scarlet with revulsion and anger.
"HOW COULD YOU TWO DO THIS TO ME? WE NEED YOU TO BE SAVING THE DIGITAL WORLD, NOT SLEEPING AROUND AND LAZING ABOUT!!!! WHY I-" Gennai stopped ranting when he noticed the two pranksters were rolling on their backs wiping tears of laughter from their faces.
"Honestly Gennai," Shiva wheezed, "Tai must have some super sperm if I'm already this far along in a week."
"And no one could get this fat in a few days, believe me, I've tried" Tai added, still on the ground laughing.
"But how did you." Both of them lifted up their shirts to reveal soft patting, one of which was a pregnancy suit, and the other, a fat suit. Gennai scolded himself for falling for one of their scams.
"Well, now that you've had a good laugh for the day, why don't you go give your Idto-boards a work-out? I'm sure they've missed you terribly." Gennai sternly pointed towards the door, enjoying their groans of disappointment.
"Come on Gennai, have a heart."
"Heart this." And with that, Gennai gave them the bird.
"It's. clean"
It was true. There were no more piles of dirty clothes on the floor; no more week old apple cores strewn about; no more crumpled papers littering his desk. Hell, even his bed was made. The only conclusion that he could possibly draw from this spectacle was either his family cleaned it for him while he was gone, or he was in the wrong house. The latter was proven wrong when his sister burst through the door. She may have noticed Tai if she wasn't sucking face with a certain blonde-haired, blue-eyed athlete. The two juveniles were oblivious to the young man as they made their way to the bed without breaking the kiss. It wasn't until T.K.'s hand began to travel up Kari's shirt when Tai distressingly decided it was time to make his presence known.
A loud clearing of the throat shocked both kids from their activities and brought their attention to the figure in the room. Before them stood a handsome young man that neither of them recognized at first. His russet, brown hair was pulled into a short ponytail at the base of his neck and he stood a little over 5'7. He wore a white wife-beater, flattering a well- defined chest, with a light blue, button down t-shirt left open over it. He also wore a pair of baggy denim jeans that draped over brown work boots. The couple sprang from the bed and backed away from the invader.
"Who the hell are you and how did you get in here?" T.K. barked angrily, moving in front of a shocked Kari. Tai scowled at his rudeness.
"What gives you the right to talk to me like that when you're making out with MY sister on MY bed?"
After that was said a loud 'OoF' could be heard, followed by another 'OoF' and a 'squeal'. T.K. pulled himself off the ground where Kari had knocked him down from behind. Currently on the floor was Tai, with Kari squeezing the life out of him.
"Wow, Kar," Tai wheezed after getting the wind knocked out of him, "You should join powder puff."
Kari reluctantly pulled herself off Tai and stood up, never letting the smile leave her face. "Oh, Tai! I missed you so much! We were so worried! I knew you'd come back!!!"
"Yeah well, I don't think I'll be leaving any time soon if that's what you do on my bed while I'm gone."
Kari and T.K. both looked at the ground sheepishly, finding their socked feet extremely interesting. Tai silently laughed at their discomfort.
"Well, I guess I should go explain to everyone what's been up in the digital world" Tai stated, breaking the silence.
"Good idea, I'll go call the others and tell them to meet us at the Café" T.K. said heading for the door. When he reached the doorway he suddenly stopped. "Oh, and Tai, it's good to have you back."
"Good to be back." Tai responded with a warm smile. As T.K. exited the room, Tai turned to Kari to ask a question that had been bugging him since he arrived. "Um, Kari, did I always have a carpet?"
Kari Sighed, "Yes Tai."
"Wow"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Digidestined were all gathered at the Café, sipping on sodas and milkshakes while listening intently on Tai's explanations of what he and the other guardians were up to.
"So, you, Griff, Shiva, and Angela were chosen by Gennai, to succeed him in protecting the digital world and this whole time you've been training for battle and to control your powers." Izzy summed up after Tai finished speaking.
"Yup" Tai drank happily on his strawberry milkshake, oblivious to the incredulous stares he was receiving from the others.
"What powers?" Joe asked quizzically.
Tai paused for a moment before replying, "I'm not really sure. Gennai keeps talking about us not even being human or some crap like that. I think he mentioned something about strange stuff happening to us while we're on vacation, I don't know, I wasn't listening!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN NOT EVEN HUMAN?" Kari cried, gripping T.K.'s arm. Tai just shrugged nonchalantly. Sora spent the entire conversation just staring at the foreigner in front of her. That's what she saw him as. It seemed like he left them as just one of her childhood friends, and returned as a man; a very attractive man. For some reason she found his hair quite appealing compared to what it used to look like. The old bushy style represented the reckless, goofy Tai that she grew up with and loved like a brother. But when she saw how different he looked she realized she almost felt something more for him, like a crush. But that couldn't be right! This was still Tai, and she was dating Matt anyways. Sora finally decided to speak for the first time that evening.
"What's the point of the digidestined then if the digital world has you now?"
Tai looked over at Sora and took notice that for once she wasn't sitting on Matt's lap, but a couple seats away from him instead. He dismissed it and answered, "The same purpose you had when Gennai guarded the digital world; if we fail, it's up to the digidestined. You're like our last line of defense."
Sora seemed to accept this answer along with the others. The conversation was changed abruptly from tactful, to hormones.
"So, this Angela chick, she sounds hot." Davis grinned. After he sulked for a couple months about Kari and T.K. hooking up, Davis moved on to checking out other girls, gaining some perverted habits on the way.
"She is, but she's Griff's girl, sorry buddy" Tai chuckled. However, Davis wouldn't give up yet.
"What about the American Babe, she any good?" The other digidestined groaned at Davis's persistence.
"Shiva? Oh, she's hot alright, but she's a lunatic. But she's my lunatic so don't try anything when she comes over." Tai boasted, shooting Davis a possessive look.
"You're going out with her?"
"I'm just advising against hitting on her, she can get really nasty when people do that." Tai coated, not really answering his question. The guys just nodded their heads in approval. To Tai's disappointment, his milkshake ran out. Desperate for more strawberry-goodness, Tai made a beckoning gesture with his arm and politely called for the nearest waitress.
"Hey babe! Yea you, can I get a refill? Thanks hunny." The young waitress giggled and blushed at his smile before she turned to get him another milkshake.
That called for a good nine whacks to the head, with the exception of Davis, who was taking mental notes.
"Honestly Tai!" Yolie scolded, however entertaining she found his outburst to be, "don't tell me they teach you to be a jerk there too? You could at least have the decency to take the time and ask her respectfully."
"Sorry, its just that, back ho- I mean, at the coliseum, Gennai won't let us have milkshakes and stuff. It was an act of desperarity!" This statement received many shocked looks from the rest of the group.
"NO, m-milkshakes?" Matt asked, unconsciously cradling his to his chest as if someone might try to rip it away. "The bastard!"
"That's so, so cruel, and unjust!" Joe agreed. "What would possess someone to do such a thing?"
"Just the 'Our body is a temple' crap" Tai mimicked Gennai with a sour expression on his face. "He says we have to be in TPC, Top Physical Condition, if we want to get anywhere with our training"
"Don't worry Tai, ya look fine to me" Yolie blushed generously after realizing what she had just said. The other girls caught themselves nodding in agreement before looking away. Tai gave a confused look before glancing down at his body.
"What are you talking about? I look the same."
"No Tai you don't" Kari spoke out "You don't look the same, you don't act the same. For the love of dogs! I thought you were a stranger when you interrupted me and-, uh.well."
"You and T.K.?" Tai helped out, feeling devious. He continued while looking directing at a suspicious Matt. "Ya know, I can't quite remember what I interrupted exactly, any guesses Matt?"
"I don't like where this is going." Matt gave T.K. a warning look, as his younger sibling looked away, blushing.
"I'll give you a little hint; it involves a lot of tongue, and maybe some groping too."
"T.K.!" Matt cried, alarmed, angry, and proud. "What have I told you? Don't make out with girls in front of their older brothers. or fathers."
"It wasn't my fault! He was just. there!"
"Yea," Tai drawled sarcastically, "What the hell was I thinking, being in my room like that. I should know better when T.K. wants to use it to feel up my sister."
"I'm Sorry!" T.K. whined at Tai giving him such a hard time. Everyone laughed at them, including Kari, who was suffering from blush syndrome.
"Oh F***!" Cried Cody as he realized what time it was, "Sorry guys, I got to go! I'm late for my kendo practice, enjoy your stay Tai! Bye!"
The boy left the silent café. The only sound that could be heard was the swinging of the door and the clanking of cups against saucers. Even other customers were shocked into silence at witnessing such verbal distress coming from a young boy. The digidestined stared at the door where the child left a moment ago, trying to grasp what just happened.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tai woke up at the crack of dawn. A few strands of light from the un- risen sun streamed through his window. However, it was not the light shining on his eyes or the chilly breeze that blew through the open window that awoke him. In fact, Tai felt anything but cold. His body was wet with sweat and his skin felt hot to the touch. Tai exited his bed and changed into some sweats, ignoring the intense heat he felt close around him. On his way out the door he checked the thermometer. 43 degrees? Tai frowned, thinking the thermometer must have broken. Despite the fact that it was winter and a light sheet of snowed covered the ground; it felt like it was at least 80!
Tai shrugged it off and preceded his morning jog. He had a few milkshakes to burn off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Christmas day couldn't have been better for Kari Kamiya. She got to hang with her brother for the last couple of days, her parents finally gave her her own cell phone for Christmas, and her loving boyfriend was going to pick her up to take her out for a romantic dinner any minute. The doorbell rang and Kari hurriedly applied the last touches on her mascara before rushing to the door. She paused for a moment to straiten herself out before opening it. Instantly her legs transformed into jelly. T.K. had combed his hair back, bringing his handsome features into play. He wore a navy, silk shirt that complimented his eyes and a pair of black slacks. He stretched out an arm to reveal a single red rose. She accepted the rose before taking his offered arm, and allowed him to lead her to the car where Matt was chauffeuring.
"Kari, you look gorgeous." T.K. praised, giving Kari the one over. The burgundy dress hugged her new curves and her hair was pulled back into a French twist, leaving a few tendrils to frame her face. Kari blushed at the compliment as she let T.K. open the car door for her. Yep, life was good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tai, we're going out tonight and won't be home until the morning. Very late in the morning. The house better be in one piece when we come back or else-" Mrs. Kamiya finished her sentence with a fit of giggles as her husband began to kiss her neck.
Tai hid a look of disgust by pretending to be engrossed with the T.V. As soon as he heard the car go roaring down the street he rushed to the telephone. After a few minutes of nodding and talking he hung up with a satisfied smile on his face. Jumping back on the couch, he snuggled down and drifted off to sleep.
The disturbing blare of opera woke Tai from his slumber.
"What fresh hell?" Tai drooled as he looked around wildly, falling off the couch in the process. It wasn't until he realized that he had left the T.V. on that he knew where the noise was coming from.
"Who listens to this crap?" Tai rose tiredly and made his way to the television while rubbing his sore bottom. A blinking number caught his eye on the answering machine indicating that he had missed a call. He figured that it was his sister calling in late from her date; it was, as he noticed, well after one in the morning. Shrugging he proceeded to push the play button.
Perhaps it was coincidence or just cruel fate that Kari walked in at that exact moment. Nonetheless, she entered just in time to hear the message from a certain American.
"MR. TAI KAMIYA! I'm happy to inform you that the love of your life will be dropping by most likely tomorrow! And I hope you got some ice cream in the fridge because she also happens to be pregnant! See ya soon daddy!"
Tai looked up to see Kari's mortified expression.
"Oh shit"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tai pulled his hair out of its short pony tail and let his dark locks fall freely to his shoulders. Stripping himself of his boxers and T-shirt, he reached into the shower and turned on the hot water. It took almost twenty minutes to calm Kari down the previous evening and explain to her that it was all part of Shiva's sick sense of humor. Stepping into the soothing water, Tai grinned at his friend's absurdity. He let the water work its way down his body and completely wake him. Too bad his eyes were closed or he would have seen the figure standing next to him, also naked. He also would have noticed the impending hand towards his fine, bare butt.
"GAHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Kari dropped her spoon and looked up from her bowl of cereal. She exited the kitchen with haste and stopped in front of the bathroom door where Tai's outburst earlier emitted. She was about to ask if he was all right before Tai's voice from inside cut her off.
"Have you been sucking on outlets?? What in the name of village people possessed you to do this? And how the hell did you get in here??"
Next, much to the surprise of Kari, a female voice was heard.
"Oh come on, you can't say that wasn't funny."
"It wasn't funny"
"."
"Ok, maybe a little. But it was still wrong! I mean what if my parents came home, and there was a NAKED GIRL IN THE SHOWER WITH ME?"
"They said they wouldn't be home until very late in the morning."
"Well that's- wait a minute, how did you."
"Uh."
"HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN MY HOUSE??"
"Long, enough hunny, loooong enough."
".I am very upset with you"
Kari back away from the door as it opened to reveal two soaking wet teenagers. Tai had a towel loosely wrapped around his waist and he was roughly grabbing the arm of a girl, also clad in a towel. Her brown hair was dripping as well and she had a wry grin on her face.
"Kari, this is Shiva, the girl who I DID NOT get pregnant. Um, she's another guardian, ya know, the American one."
"Oh that reminds me!" Shiva exclaimed, dropping her towel and running into Tai's room. Tai gave a helpless look in Kari's direction and followed Shiva, picking up her towel on the way. Kari blinked then headed back to her unfinished cereal. She really wasn't up for explanations.
"So. what was so important that you had to moon sister?" Tai demanded dropping his towel as well and pulling on a clean pair of boxers.
"Well," Shiva said, as she pulled on a pair of jeans from her suit case which lay on Tai's floor, "I've got something really great to show you, now turn around."
Tai complied and waited until she gave an okay signal. After taking one look at Shiva, his jaw dropped. In front of him was a sixteen year old girl looking about nine months pregnant.
"Holy SHIT! That's so great! Where'd you get that?"
"Isn't it? I got it at this freaky shop in the mall. Gennai will flip!"
"NICE, I call being the daddy. Wait till you see what I got planned for him."
"I can only imagine. Oh yes, er, there's sort of something else I think you should know."
Tai glanced up from his activity of tying his hair back, "Yea?"
Shiva shifted nervously, "Well, you see, when I got home, mum and dad were kinda upset ya'know, and I got angry n' all, and dad was yellin' and stuff. Well the point is, I was wicked frustrated and the phone rang and I was so mad I just. it just. smashed into the wall."
".yea."
"On its own"
"Oh. huh?"
Shiva sighed, "Watch" She lifted her arm and lowered her head, keeping a firm gaze on Tai's alarm clock. Tai stood to the side wondering whether to take her seriously or just play along with whatever stupid stunt she was trying to pull. He opened his mouth to tell her to cut the crap but stopped when he heard a light rattling. Tai froze in shock when he saw his alarm clock shaking back and forth on its own accord. Before he could react the appliance went shooting across the room and slammed into the wall. Tai slowly faced Shiva, stun marking his face.
"Wow" was all he could muster.
"That's what I thought. I guess that's one of my abilities that Gennai was talking about."
"Do Griff and Angela know about this?"
"Actually, they've been experiencing some things too."
"Like what?" came Tai's curious response.
"Just yesterday Griff actually caused a small tremor, or that's how he described it any ways. He said that he got real angry at one of his friends and then everything started shakn', and now he can do it on his own. And Angela, apparently she already knew about her ability and that's why she ended up coming a couple months later than us. But any ways, just the other day she caused this geyser to just erupt in the middle of a movie theater when her brother left her there."
"Yeah, cool." replied Tai, feeling a little jealous and left out that he was the only one without any "talents". Shiva seemed to sense his distress and quickly added,
"Hey, I'm sure your gunna cause the most destruction out of everybody"
Tai's soft smile grew. "Yea, I bet I'll get the gift of premature aging."
"NO!" Shiva screamed covering her face. "I will not give into the wrinkles!"
"Oh, I think you will" Tai growled as he began to tickle her. "Ya know, they say laughing causes wrinkles."
"STOP! STOP! STOP!" Shiva cried in-between fits of laughter, weakly swatting at the man on top of her.
"Call this revenge for the shower incident. My ass is still sore." after a few moments of torturing the lass, Tai decided to give it a rest.
"I'm hungry, let's eat"
"Good plan."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Not long after they finished their meal, they decided to spend the rest of their afternoon outside. On their way out the door they bumped into Tai's parents and, much to Tai's dismay, Shiva refused to take off her pregnant suit.
"Why hello Mr. and Mrs. Kamiya, remember me, Shiva? I know you haven't seen me for a couple of years but I must say your son has a great body! Very well endowed if I do say so myself"
Tai pushed Shiva down the hall and avoided his parents shocked stare. Mrs. Kamiya was the first to end the silence.
"I'm going to be a grandmother!"
"SHIVA! Those were my parents!" Tai scolded his companion once they got out of the apartment.
"I know, I'm sorry! My mouth just goes off on its own."
"Yea well, the next time it decides to go off on its own I'm going to knock a few teeth out of it, and I don't care if you're a girl. You can mess with people, but not my people unless I say so."
"Very well," Shiva rolled her eyes. Tai took her hand in one of his and placed his other arm around her back, leading her to a park bench as if he were a loving husband taking out his pregnant wife. Shiva even walked a little slowly like she was in great care for her stomach.
"So, any victims of our insanity?" Tai asked wickedly.
"As a matter of fact, there's a nice couple over there, oh and that group of boys by that tree right there." Shiva pointed out the people who were giving bleak looks towards the young couple with the seemingly unborn child.
"Any time you're ready."
Shiva stood and began to walk calmly towards the hill admiring the scenery.
"BONSAI!" She screamed as she dived head first down the hill, tumbling head over heels. Many people gasped at this, fearing for the baby's life. Tai stood atop the hill biting on his fist to keep from being overcome by laughter. Once she reached the bottom of the hill Tai rushed down to meet her. A very concerned woman beat him to her and helped the dizzy girl to her feet.
"The baby! Is the baby alright?" She cried frantically. A crowd gathered around asking similar questions.
"Baby, what baby?" Shiva asked stupidly, glancing down towards her stomach. She looked up and glared at the audience she attained, "Are you saying I'm so fat that I look pregnant?!?"
At that statement many people backed away and went on with their own business.
"How dare you!" Shiva raved on, "Of all the nerve! I have never been so insulted in my-"
Shiva was cut off as Tai crept up behind her and covered her mouth, dragging her away into the woods.
"Come on dear, it's time to see your nutritionist."
Once in the sanctuary of the forest the pair leaned againt the trees in their mirth.
"Woooooh, okay, okay, now your turn to put this on" Shiva said as she began to unhook the back of the pregnant suit and pull it off.
"I am not putting that thing on" Tai chuckled, still laughing from before.
"Oh come on, I've always wanted to see a pregnant man."
"Shiva, you want to see a lot of things involving men. Get used to disappointment."
As the two walked out of the woods laughing Shiva accidentally bumped into a large boy around their age. He had black spiky hair and dark blue eyes. He held a nasty grin on his face as he checked out the sprawled girl on the ground below him. His admiration was suddenly blocked as Tai stepped between him and Shiva.
"Aw, has Kamiya got himself a little girl friend?"
"Shut the fuck up Hotaka" Tai growled, not backing down from the boy's hard stare.
"Don't think you can protect her from me, remember, I always get what I want." The larger boy sneered and strode past Tai, purposely knocking him with his shoulder.
"Trust me," Shiva called after the bully, "I'm the last person who need to be protected. It's you who needs it! Uh, jerk!" She then turned her attention to Tai, who seemed to be shaken with anger. "Who the hell was that?"
"Diran Hotaka. He's been giving me shit since the sixth grade, ever since I took over his position as captain of the soccer team."
"Well, don't listen to that bastard. You can take him any day."
"I know, its just, God! He makes me so, so mad!"
After Tai spoke those words, the tree next to them spontaneously burst into flames. The park was quickly emptied as people began screaming and running from the spreading flames. Branches began to fall from the dying plant, landing on the ground roughly. The fire department soon arrived on the scene and began hosing down the inferno full blast. Amidst the chaos, two youths stood side by side. One of which, held a goofy smile on his face.
"Told ya you'd be destructive"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The digidestined and two guardians were gathers in Tai's bedroom. The computer was on and glared readily for anyone to enter. The week of relaxation and vacation were now over and it was time for Shiva and Tai to make their way back to the digiworld. Kari sniffled as she hugged her brother.
"I don't want you to go," She whined, burying her face further into his shirt. "It's too dangerous there; I don't want to be an only child!"
Tai patted her head awkwardly and pulled her away from him, keeping his hands on her arms and forcing her to look him in the eye.
"Kari, listen to me. I will not die. Especially after I can, well, you know." Kari nodded understandingly. Kari and Shiva were the only other people who knew about Tai's new found gift; he had decided not to tell the rest of the digidestined for fear of what they would think of him. The three of them had spent the rest of vacation trying to help him get control of his, as well as help Shiva enhance hers. Tai added with a joking tone, "Besides, if worst comes to worst, I can always launch Shiva at any one who messes with me! She'll take 'em out, one boob after the other!"
"Is that so? Well I think you must feel the wrath of my boobs!"
The rest of the digidestined laughed as they watched Tai jump about the bedroom and use various destined as shields while Shiva leapt at him with her chest stuck out. Finally they calmed down enough to finish their good byes.
"See you later man." Matt replied coolly with a slap on the back.
"It was great to see you again Tai. Oh, um, I promise I'll stay out of your room with Kari and all." came T.K.'s farewell.
"A lot of people are relying on you to keep that world safe. I trust you can do it." Joe smiled approvingly.
"If you ever need help, you can always email me." said Izzy, who had actually left his laptop at home.
"I wish I could help out, but good luck anyways." Yolie sighed.
"Wow, I'd like to know more about this whole guardian situation the next time you come back." Cody stated with interest.
". Please be careful." Sora looked longingly at Tai for a moment before averting her gaze to the ground. Davis, who had been missing for the past few minutes, returned to the room with a large package.
"Tai, this came in the mail for you." Davis said with uncertainty. Tai's face lit up like a child at Christmas. He snatched the package out of Davis's hands and began to drag Shiva by the arm towards the computer.
"Well, it's been real, till next time! Bye you guys! Oh, and Kari, the next time I come home you better not be in my bed!" The digidestined were suddenly blinded by a flash of light. When their vision returned Tai and Shiva had left the premises.
"Hey, Kar," T.K. wiggled his eyes suggestively, "He said nothing about your parent's bed."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Angela and Griff sprang upon each other like two rabbits in mating season.
Gennai winced, "Great to have you back, NOW TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE!"
The pair did not seem fazed by the elder's outburst but obeyed anyways by moving along out of the room, never breaking their kiss. Gennai rolled his eyes and waited eagerly as Ace made another high pitched noise, indicating that the rest of the crew was returning from their vacation. Gennai was thinking of new routines to get them back into shape when he noticed what was standing in front of him. Tai grinned casually and attempted to place his hands on his wide hips.
"W-wha-what happened to you?" Gennai stammered. Before him was the same child of courage, only looking about three hundred pounds over weight.
"Well, ya' know those holiday treats are a real bitch. Besides, I'll need my strength if I'm going to be taking care of my kid." Tai leisurely draped an arm across Shiva's shoulder. This was the first time Gennai noticed the young pregnant girl standing next Tai.
Gennai was at a loss. "You two, you actually. and now your.oh my God," He paused a moment to let everything sink in before he let his temper get the best of him. His face turned scarlet with revulsion and anger.
"HOW COULD YOU TWO DO THIS TO ME? WE NEED YOU TO BE SAVING THE DIGITAL WORLD, NOT SLEEPING AROUND AND LAZING ABOUT!!!! WHY I-" Gennai stopped ranting when he noticed the two pranksters were rolling on their backs wiping tears of laughter from their faces.
"Honestly Gennai," Shiva wheezed, "Tai must have some super sperm if I'm already this far along in a week."
"And no one could get this fat in a few days, believe me, I've tried" Tai added, still on the ground laughing.
"But how did you." Both of them lifted up their shirts to reveal soft patting, one of which was a pregnancy suit, and the other, a fat suit. Gennai scolded himself for falling for one of their scams.
"Well, now that you've had a good laugh for the day, why don't you go give your Idto-boards a work-out? I'm sure they've missed you terribly." Gennai sternly pointed towards the door, enjoying their groans of disappointment.
"Come on Gennai, have a heart."
"Heart this." And with that, Gennai gave them the bird.