Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or any of its characters.

I really appreciate the reviews I've gotten so far. Thanks, you guys! And yes, I know you all feel sorry for T.K. I pity him too. But, I'm just going with a feeling here, so bear with me. ' Enjoy the new chapter!

Chapter III: Healing Heart

Three days have passed since TK's arrival. Though, he quickly began to feel at home again, he felt as if a part of him was missing ever since his break up with Kari. He often found himself crying at night and as much as he tried to erase her from his life, she continued to haunt him in his dreams.

It was a beautiful spring day. The sun showered its golden rays high above the clouds and there was a cool breeze in the air. TK, along with Patamon, was taking a walk in the park. As they were walking, Patamon spotted Davis and Veemon playing soccer in a grassy clearing.

"Hey, look! Isn't that Davis and Veemon?"

"Sure is. Hey, Davis!" TK called out.

Davis was kicking the ball and was about to make a goal when he heard his name being called. He looked up and saw TK then smiled and waved his arm up in the air. Without looking at where he was going, he tripped on the ball and landed face first on the ground. TK ran to friend's aid while Davis groaned as he struggled to stand up.

"Are you okay, Davis?" TK reached out a hand and pulled him up.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Davis smirked as he wiped the dirt off of himself. "After saving the world from some freak who wants to destroy it, a little fall is practically nothing." The two teens shared a laugh.

Davis has matured over the years. He no longer has that bush of wild, unruly hair and he has quite a built, muscular body. He's popular among the girls and is the captain of the school soccer team. He can still be stubborn and temperamental at times, but he has grown to be more patient and has finally learned how to think before jumping into conclusions.

"Hey, there's a new café that just opened up in town. How about we go get a bite to eat? I'm starved!" Davis asked a minute later.

"Me, too!" Veemon said.

"Me, three!" Patamon joined in.

TK looked over to Davis and smiled. "Well, I guess it's settled then. Let's go."

"Great…but…could you pay for the meal? I'm kind of low on cash right now." Davis' sweat dropped.

TK faltered at the question then sighed. "I guess so, but you owe me one."

"Thanks, TK! Now, let's get going!"

At the café, while Veemon and Patamon were eating a full course meal, Davis and TK each ordered some cinnamon buns and a cappuccino. Every so often, Davis would take a gander at TK, failing to miss the pain and loneliness that pervaded his usual lighthearted character.

"You okay, TK?" Davis asked quietly.

"Huh!" TK's head jerked up as he refocused his attention towards his friend. "Y-yeah, I'm okay."

"You miss her don't you?" Davis' eyes were fixed intently on the young golden-haired teen.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Let's just put it this way; you're a wreck without her." Davis gazed at TK sympathetically. "If you really want her back, fight for her. Show Kari just how much you love her."

"……………"

"Well?"

"I don't know, Davis. If she really wanted to be with me again then she would have dumped Ryo the instant I walked into the room…or not even fall in love with him in the first place, for that matter. Besides, if Kari's happy with the guy, I don't want to spoil it for her." He said hopelessly.

Davis didn't say anything after that. He didn't know what to say! TK was right and he probably would've thought the same thing if places were reversed.

"TK!" called out an unfamiliar feminine voice.

Davis and TK, both, turned to see a girl and boy around their age nearing their table. TK, recognizing the twosome, stood up as the girl instantly threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. The boy stood beside the two, smiling.

"Hey, TK. Since when did you get back from Tomoeda?" the boy asked.

"Three days ago." TK replied as the girl released her embrace.

Davis scratched his head quizzically as he arose from his seat. "Uh…did I miss something?"

"Davis, I'd like you to meet some friends of mine. This is Henry and Mikita."

"But, you can call me Miki." She said as she shook Davis' hand.

"Nice to meet you, Davis." Said Henry.

TK offered Henry and Miki a seat and ordered two cappuccinos for the pair.

"So, where do you guys go to school?" Davis asked.

"Odiaba High." Henry answered as he took a bite of the cinnamon bun TK offered him.

"Strange, I go to the same school and I've never seen you guys before."

"That's probably because our classes are all on the other side of school."

"So, TK…" Miki said a minute later. "How's it going with you and Kari? Bet she's happy to see you back, huh?"

'Bad idea.' Davis thought to himself as he looked over at TK.

TK's gaze averted onto the table as he replied sadly, "Not exactly. W-we broke up."

"You what!" Henry and Miki said in unison.

"She fell in love with someone else while I was in Tomoeda."

"Wow…that's pretty harsh." Henry commented. Miki smacked him hard on the head. "Ow! What was that for!"

She glared at him then turned her attention back to TK. "We're really sorry to hear that, TK." She took his hands into her own and squeezed them gently in sympathy. "Who's her new boyfriend, anyway?"

"Ryo." TK replied with a hint of hatred in his voice.

"Ryo? Ryo Akamiya?" questioned Miki.

"Yeah, you know him?" Davis asked.

"Of course! He's only one of the most popular and, may I add, hottest guys in school."

Davis rolled his eyes. "Gee, I should have known."

"Kari must be really special to be going out with a guy like him." Henry said, taking a sip of his cappuccino.

"Yeah, she's special alright." TK smiled sadly.

"So, what are you gonna do about it, TK?" Miki asked. "Are you just gonna stand back and lose Kari to Ryo or are you gonna show her just how much she means to you?"

"If Kari is happy with Ryo then I've already lost this battle." It was evident that the hope that TK once bore was dimming out.

Davis, Henry and Miki looked on with sympathy at TK. They wanted to help him, but had no idea how. All they could do was let time work its miracles and hopefully mend TK's shattered heart.

It was just after sunset when Kari decided to go out for a walk on the beach. The crescent moon illuminated an eerie glow as the stars twinkled brightly in the night sky. Despite the fact that it was in the midst of spring, there was a cool breeze in the air that made Kari shiver.

"If you stay out here any longer, you can catch a cold."

Kari jumped in surprise and turned to see TK smiling down at her. She sighed in relief. "TK, don't sneak up on me like that! You almost scared me half to death!"

"I'm sorry." He said as he took off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.

"What are you doing here, anyway?" the young keeper of light asked.

"Probably the same reason as you. What are you doing here?"

"Taking a walk on the beach. What do you think I'm doing?"

"See? Case closed." TK gave a lopsided smile that made Kari's face flush a tint of red.

The duo stood there in silence as they listened to the steady rhythm of the waves flowing in and out of the sandy shore and watched the starry night sky overhead. Kari, momentarily, looked over at TK and for the first time in three days, she had actually gotten a good look at him. His ocean blue orbs twinkled as bright as the stars as the moonlight reflected upon his golden hair, creating a halo-like reflection above his head making him look like an angel that had fallen from the heavens above. Kari smiled admiringly.

"Kari?"

"Hmm?"

"I don't mean to sound desperate but…why, Kari? Why did you…"

"TK, we're not gonna go through this again. I already told you why I fell in love with Ryo."

"That wasn't a reason, Kari."

A hint of anger was evident in her expression as Kari focused her attention towards TK. "And what would you consider a reason?"

"I…I don't know." TK replied; his eyes fixed on the sea rather than Kari.

"Show's how much you know." Kari said with disgust.

TK grimaced at the unusual bitterness directed towards him. "Where has all the sweetness gone? You've changed, Kari. I've never seen you like this before."

"There's a first time for everything, TK!" she spat out coldly. "You're just jealous of Ryo! Why can't you just face the fact that he loves me and I love him! Why can't you just be happy for me, TK?"

TK stared at her in disappointment. He knew very well that she spoke the truth. "You're right. I'm sorry."

An awkward silence dawned upon the twosome until Kari spoke up. "Well, I should be heading home know. It's getting late."

Kari turned to leave, but TK gently grabbed her arm. "Would you like me to walk you home?"

"Isn't it out of your way?"

"I don't mind." The keeper of hope smiled.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt."

The brown-haired teen grinned at the thought of TK accompanying her home. As memories of her days with TK began to flood her mind, Kari did her best to hold them back, for she knew it would only lead to heartache.

The duo was engaged in a cheerful conversation and before they knew it, the two digi-destineds were already at Kari's apartment complex.

"Thanks for walking me home, TK. I really appreciate it."

"No problem. Well, I'd better get going. Good night, Kari." He said as he turned to leave.

"Good night, TK."

Kari watched as the golden-haired teen stalked off. There was a time when she and TK had shared a good night kiss or even a hug before he left. Kari shook her head disapprovingly at the memory. Those times were over, just as her relationship with TK was over.

She then took notice of TK's jacket still draped around her shoulders. She took it off and held it in her arms. Raising the jacket up to her face, Kari gently rubbed her cheek against it as the scent of TK's cologne tickled her nose.

Kari smiled to herself. "I'll try to find some time to pay TK a visit and give this back to him." And with that, she finally headed up to her apartment.