Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with the digimon franchise, I'm merely a humble fan sharing my love.

Lifeline

Chapter 1

Across town, in a smart apartment, TK was finally beginning his day. The blonde had followed his mother's footsteps and become a freelance journalist. He spent his days researching significant issues globally and locally and putting together articles for readers across Tokyo, mostly from his own home. Every morning, TK helped get his twin sons, Shin and Kai, get ready for school while Kari got ready to leave the house. Fulfilling her dream, Kari was working as an elementary school teacher so had to leave early enough to get to class in time. As she showered, dressed and beautified herself, TK made breakfast for the boys and made sure they got ready too. They were both perfect images of their parents, both were bright, optimistic, kind, polite boys, just how TK and Kari wanted them to be. However, it was when their Aunt Akira passed away that their parents saw the true nature of the boys. In those difficult days, they managed to put aside their own sadness to help look after Emiko as TK and Kari took care of Tai in his darkest times. They played with her, let her sleep with them and shared happy memories of their aunt. Six years on and TK was still very proud of how they conducted themselves at such young ages.

With Kari and the boys off to school, TK now had the apartment to himself as he set to work on his latest project. He settled himself at the kitchen table with his laptop open and a freshly made cup of coffee. As usual, he switched on a news channel on TV as a form of background noise. He had tried working in silence but it just made time drag on. The chatter of fellow news reporters actually helped him concentrate. However, he wasn't going to be concentrating for long. As he trawled through the research papers he had downloaded, he heard the smooth voice of the anchor woman turn very serious and almost grave.

"Breaking news this morning of a very serious road collision affecting the downtown area." She announced.

TK looked up and frowned at the footage in front of him. In the corner of a junction was utter carnage. Two cars, one t-boning the other, were static on the corner of the intersection with debris strewn behind them. Police, ambulances and fire brigade had encircled the two cars. Most of the emergency personal were working on the blue saloon lying on its side. The white car that had embedded itself in the blue car had its driver door open with three figures next to the door, two in police uniforms.

"As you can see, the two cars are still where they came to a rest. We are told by eye-witnesses that the owner of the white Nissan was being chased by police when it ran a red light and smashed in to the blue Aston Martin. The Nissan driver appears to be relatively unharmed, as we see him being arrested. However, we believe the driver of the Aston Martin is still trapped inside. Paramedics and firemen are working to free the driver, who we believe to be male."

TK watched intently as the view overhead switched to a view at eye level. The footage showed the once pristine Aston lying on its side. But something made TK's blood go cold. He recognised the car. His heart pounded as his eyes widened. A reporter on the scene began talking but TK could only just hear him.

"This incident certainly wasn't intentional but I'm afraid it doesn't look good for the driver of this Aston Martin saloon, though emergency services are refusing to speak to us."

The footage pulled out and now TK knew why he felt numb. He had seen this car hundreds of times in the past. It had picked up and dropped off his kids from home and school. It had been in the parking garage downstairs and admired by the schoolboys living in the apartment block. TK had found himself staring admiringly at it numerous times before as well. He and Kari had also been passengers in this special car plenty of times too.

"Tai!" TK gasped.

Meanwhile, oblivious to the news reports, Kari was in middle of teaching her class fractions. Her class were the age when her brother entered the digital world and she could sometimes imagine Tai, Akira, Sora and Matt sitting in these lessons, getting their heads around fractions and other equations. She enjoyed her job immensely. Seeing the pride in a child's eyes when they get the grades they wanted or get a complicated concept right was priceless and helping the less confident students find their feet and achieve was very fulfilling. This was especially poignant when she was given the privilege of teaching her own sons along with many of the other digidestined offspring, including her precious niece. Emiko meant a great deal to Kari. She was the youngest family member so far to carry the name Kamiya and the image of her father. Kari had seen her born then grow in to a wonderful teenager but she had also been there when Akira died. Since then, Kari always felt a greater responsibility for the welfare of her niece. She was determined to be the mother-figure Emiko would now need in Akira's absence. Not only that, she wanted ensure her brother was given the help he needed. They were still very close and Kari cherished the time spent with Tai even more now they were older. Seeing Tai come through the loss of Akira made her even more proud of him.

However, as she continued teaching, she was about to receive unexpected and terrifying news. Soon, the bell chimed to signal the beginning of morning break for the children. She sighed then instructed the kids to tidy their desks before leaving and to leave in an orderly manner. As she watched over them, she was alerted to a knock on the classroom door. She turned to see the Principal standing in the door way. This was a little unusual.

"Mrs Takaishi," He politely addressed her, "Would come to my office please?"

This felt very ominous. That sentence sounded like it meant she was in serious trouble of being sacked. Nervous, she nodded in agreement then followed him. They walked along the halls in complete silence as Kari tried to figure out what was wrong. She was sure that she hadn't done anything wrong. She was loved by her class and respected by her colleagues. Maybe she misread a child and their parents had complained about her. She could feel her heart pounding as she tried to stay calm.

"There's no use panicking until I know what's up, right?"

When they finally reached the Principal's office, he politely opened the door for her and gestured for her to go in ahead of him. As soon as she crossed the threshold, she stopped. In front of her stood two different people. One was clearly a policewoman with her uniform on. Her hair was in a tight, neat bun under her hat but Kari could see she was younger than herself. The other, however, Kari recognised, though that didn't help her anxiety.

"Ken? What are you doing here?"

Her old teammate, Ken Ichijouji, now a detective, was dressed in a dark grey suit with beige coat over the top. His kind dark eyes were soft as he turned to face Kari fully.

"I'm sorry to drag you away from class, Kari," He replied, "But this is urgent."

Kari felt her stomach drop.

"Are TK and the boys ok?" She asked, scared for their safety.

"Yes, as far as we are aware. But this isn't about them, I'm afraid. It's about Tai."

Kari stared firmly at Ken as he said her brother's name. Surely not him. The little girl in Kari still saw her brother as invincible, even with the emotional struggle he'd had since Akira's death.

"W-what about him?"

"It's not good, I'm afraid. There was a serious incident between two vehicles this morning. Emergency services are almost done but I'm afraid they pulled Tai out of his car, alive but critically injured."

Now, Kari felt faint. That word, critically, was echoing in her mind, her body feeling numb. Then, a bright, innocent smile appeared in her mind, making her heart sink.

"Has anyone told Emiko yet?"

"No, we were going to send someone to her school but I insisted we speak to you first."

"I need to go to her. I need take her to Tai. He'll want his baby girl."

"We'll take you, Ms." The uniformed officer assured her.

Kari didn't hesitate to agree as Ken nodded then led the two women out of the office. With a brief stop for Kari to pick up her belongings. All Kari could think, as they climbed in to Ken's unmarked police car, was how to tell Emiko she could lose her father.

Over at Odaiba middle school, Emiko was in between lessons as she calmly walked with Rhea and Arashi to their lockers. Although not related to any of the original digidestined, Rhea and Arashi were more than just kids Emiko spent time with. They were part of their own digidestined team, led by Emiko and joined by five other kids, including Sammy. Blonde Rhea was the Izzy of the group, being the clever one, but was also Emiko's best friend. They met on their first day of kindergarten and had been firm friends ever since. Arashi was the newest member of their group but carried the emotional scars of a troubled past. Both his parents were killed during an earthquake in the north of Japan, leaving Arashi orphaned. He was shy and introverted, finding it hard to trust others. It took a while but he had found his place in the group, being particular close to Emiko. He cared deeply for their team leader and found himself getting protective whenever they faced dangerous digimon together. She, of course, was oblivious.

The three friends found their lockers and began changing their books ready for the next period. Rhea and Emiko were giggling together while Arashi listened and smiled with them, enjoying their laughter. Emiko was mockingly complaining about her father's singing in the car that morning.

"I know he's just joking," She smiled, "but it's embarrassing."

"He's your dad," Rhea grinned, "He's allowed to embarrass you. Mine does all the time."

Arashi smiled as he remembered his late father embarrassing him a few times while he was alive. The auburn haired boy was now living with a loving, caring foster family and beginning to feel part of a family again. It would seem all three friends had plenty to look forward to. But, before they could return to class, the principal began talking over the speakers.

"Could Miss Emiko Kamiya report to the principal's office immediately? Miss Emiko Kamiya."

"What did you do?" Rhea teased.

"Nothing!" Emiko insisted, playfully, "I'll catch up."

"Hope everything's ok." Arashi said softly.

Emiko smiled then walked briskly to her destination. As she walked along, she began to notice other children whispering and gossiping. They were all keeping their voices hushed but they kept looking at her, telling her that they were speculating about why she was being summoned. Then she heard two girls speaking a little louder.

"It might be to do with the man and woman with the policewoman."

"Maybe. The woman looked like Mrs Takaishi from elementary school."

Now Emiko wasn't smiling. Why would Aunt Kari be here at this school? What was wrong? Then, the worst idea popped in to her mind. One she had feared for six years. Suddenly, with tears threatening to escape, Emiko took off running as fast as possible.

"Daddy!" She prayed.

Soon, she ran up to the principal's office door and quickly knocked on the door. It slid open and she swiftly stepped inside. Then she froze. Like the girls had said, to her left stood the policewoman. To her right stood Ken but her eyes were on the shaken looking woman staring back at her.

"Aunt Kari?!" Emiko breathed, hoping she was wrong.

"Emiko," Kari replied, softly, "We've got bad news, sweetie."

"W-where's Dad?"

Suddenly, Kari stopped talking. The desperate tone in Emiko's voice pierced her resolve. The teenager already knew something wasn't right and Kari wasn't ready for it. The longer Kari stalled, the more anxious and scared Emiko became. Before she could panic, Ken took over.

"He's been involved in a serious car crash, Emiko," He explained, "He's alive but very badly hurt."

"We've come to take you and your Aunt to be with him." The policewoman explained.

"He's not going to die, is he?"

"We don't know."

For a few seconds, the teenager was frozen with shock. Her eyes wide as she took in what they were telling her. Suddenly, overwhelmed by it all, Emiko dropped to her knees, crying. Kari immediately dived to her niece and held her firmly to her chest as Emiko clung to her. Surely, fate wouldn't put Emiko through this pain again.