-Italicized writing indicates Tai's thoughts

-Tai's age in this story is 13, all other ages follow accordingly.

-I do not own Digimon at all

Chapter 1: Tai

Stupid Matt. It's always like him to go against me. I thought this camping trip was going to be fun, but Matt always has to ruin that for me, doesn't he? Well then, we'll see who's laughing when my team gets to the site first. Beating him will surely make this trip that much better.

"Tai, do you know where were going?" Sora questioned as she got her foothold on top of a large rock.

"I know exactly where were going. I have an extra sense; a sixth sense. I can automatically tell which way is right." Tai looked behind him only to find Sora looking at him with doubt and pity. Sitting down next to a tree was Mimi. Izzy was leaning against another tree trying to catch his breath. Tai looked back to Sora who had that worry look that Tai had become accustomed to. Many adventures back in the digiworld taught him one thing: that worry look wasn't always a good thing.

"Well at least can we look at a map or something? We might be going the wrong way." Sora said.

"Look Sora, I know where I'm going. We don't need a map. Plus we'll lose time by looking at it. So I suggest you all just trust me, alright?" Exclaimed Tai with a confident smile on his face. If there was one thing that Sora learned in the digiworld, it was to never trust a smiling Tai.

Mimi let out a sigh and wiped the sweat off her brow. "Well I think we should just take a break. You've been pushing us like a slave driver all morning Tai. Maybe we should just rest and eat something." Izzy chimed in, "I concur. All this physical exercise without any nourishment can really wear down the body. I think we should-"

"What we should do is just stop whining like a bunch of babies and get going!" Tai yelled. Izzy was surprised at Tai's sudden fit of anger.

"Wow Tai, you don't need to bite our heads off. We'll get there eventually." Sora replied.

"Yeah, but at this pace, Matt will get there first. And I won't let him beat me!" At that moment, Tai had wished he had not said that. He glanced at Sora who was gritting her teeth and clenching her fists. Tai knew saying that was a mistake.

Oh great. Here it comes.

"Can't you just lighten up a bit?! We came out here to have some fun, but you have to make it so competitive. So what if we lose, at least we had some fun along the way. Why is it always about winning with you?!"

"Because—"

"Because what Tai?"

Because it's something you don't understand. I've always been the leader of this group and it's my responsibility to do what's best for my group. It's something you don't understand Sora. I can't lose.

"Because…just because. Come on, we've already lost some time." Tai quickly turned around and headed further in the forest. He clenched his backpack straps still reeling from the argument. Sora crossed her arms in anger. She muttered something under her breath, "Stupid Tai."

"Does this mean no snack?" Mimi said breaking the silence.

"No, come on." Sora replied. They followed Tai who was already far ahead of the rest.

Tai kept a steady pace ahead of the others. He had isolated himself from the others and his surroundings. Getting to the camp site was the last thing on his mind.

I'm right, I know I am. Sora just doesn't understand. I've been the leader even back in the digiworld. She doesn't understand what that means. What leader would let their team lose? I was given the crest of courage, not her. And being a good leader is just part of being brave…right? Great, all her talking is getting to me. I just know I'm right.

Tai kept his pace until he heard a scuffle behind him. A loud thud made him quickly turn around. There on the ground was Izzy sprawled out, face in the dirt. Mimi was on top of him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry Izzy! But if I didn't push you out of the way, that huge snake would have surely gotten you."

Sora casually picked up the "snake". "Mimi, this is a stick."

Mimi blushed at her mistake. "I could have sworn it was a snake. I'm sorry Izzy, is there any way I can make it up to you?"

"Yeah, you could get off of me" Izzy gasped. Mimi quickly got to her feet and composed her self brushing off dirt.

"Are you alright Izzy?" Tai questioned.

"I'm not too sure. My ankle is feeling quite painful." Izzy sat up and held is ankle, rotating it to make sure.

"I think we should stop here just to make sure Izzy's ok." Sora said, taking off her backpack.

"Izzy will be fine. Just do what I do when I have pain, walk it off." Tai rebutted.

"I suggest we stop and just forget about this whole race thing." Sora firmly replied.

"Just drop that argument Sora, Izzy will be fine."

"No Tai! We're finishing this argument right now. You walked out on it last time, but not now. I'd like to speak with you privately." Sora, arms crossed, walked off without waiting for Tai's response. Tai grumbled as he watched Sora walk. He glanced at Mimi and Izzy whom had nothing on their faces but complete disbelief. Tai reluctantly started to follow Sora.

When Tai had caught up with Sora, she had her back turned and arms still crossed. Suddenly the air had gotten dense for Tai. Before he could let a word, Sora spoke.

"Just what are you trying to accomplish Tai?"

"What are you talking about?! This is about beating Matt." Tai tensely replied. Sora turned around this time with a stern visage on her face.

"Why is winning this race so important? There is no prize for finishing first Tai. Just tell me the truth." Tai looked at her face, and then looked away. The sun's shine was being blocked by incoming grey clouds. The surrounding forest had suddenly become much darker.

The truth? Just why does it matter to you?

"This is important to me Sora. I have to make sure my team wins. If we don't, it reflects horribly on my part as a leader. I have to stay strong for my team; I have to be brave. You don't know what this is like at all! It's something only leaders can understand. It's the pressure of the being the best. When I received my crest back in the digiworld, it made me realize that I had certain expectations. I was the leader and when everyone else lost hope, I had to be brave, I had to have courage. Being back here in the real world isn't any different. When my soccer team needed me, I couldn't be scared of the pressure. They needed me and I couldn't let them down. It's who I am Sora! I can't-"

"Tai, just listen to you! You sound like our life depends on this. Sure this is who you are, but you don't have to be brave all the time! We worked together as a team in the digiworld and we got through. Tai, it's ok to be scared once in a while; it's ok to lose."

Tai shook his head, not in disagreement but in confusion. Questions bombarded his mind, pounding away at what he believed to be true.

Can Sora be right? Am I just being dumb? Why am I taking this so seriously?! In the digiworld, I had to be brave. Receiving that crest meant so much to me. I guess I felt it was my duty to always be brave or else I'd be letting everyone else down; I'd be letting myself down. Here I am thinking that I had courage, but all the while, I was afraid of letting everyone down. I've taken this too seriously. Winning is great, but it doesn't define me as a leader, and losing doesn't make me any less courageous. I want to be a good leader, but not at the expense of my friendship.

Tai slowly sat down. He looked up at the sky which had become clearer. The ominous grey clouds had passed by. Sora sat next to Tai putting her hand on his back in reassurance. Tai looked back at the ground.

"I guess I was just being dumb. I wanted to be a good leader and I thought that if I didn't win, I would be letting you all down. I thought I would be letting myself down. But I was wrong." Tai sighed and rested his arms on his bent knees. He looked to his side to Sora's face. Her stern visage had changed. In place of it was a caring look.

"Tai, you weren't letting anyone down. You did what you thought was best. I just wish you had told me earlier. You know that we're here for you Tai."

"So much for being brave. Here I am admitting I was wrong." Tai replied with a slight smile on his face. Sora smiled back at a changed Tai. She was used to not trusting a smiling Tai, but everyone could use a break once in awhile.

"You thought you weren't being brave? Admitting that you made a mistake takes courage. For some people, they can't admit their faults. Their pride gets in the way. But when you opened up and told me how you felt, and then admitting your mistake, you revealed just how courageous you are. Tai, you deserved that crest. You can show your bravery in more ways than just winning a race."

"I guess you're right…I'm surprised." Tai said with a good chuckle. Sora gave him a playful shove. They both got up and headed back for Izzy and Mimi.

"Geez, I thought you two would never come back. I was worried that a big snake had gotten you." Mimi said.

"Well then it's a good thing you weren't there Mimi to save them." Izzy slyly interjected. Mimi crossed her arms in resentment. After the three shared a laugh, Sora nudged Tai. Tai let out a sigh and began to speak.

"Look you guys, I know I've been pretty rough since this camping trip started…and I just want to say…I'm sorry. I'm sorry Izzy for yelling at you back there. No hard feelings right?"

Izzy's and Mimi's response was a look of suspicion and confusion. Mimi broke the silence. "Where's Tai and what have you done with him?" Tai grumbled as the others laughed.

The four had finally arrived at the campsite. There were already tents set up; Matt had gotten there first. Joe was trying to light a fire. Matt was resting underneath a tree with his hands behind his head.

"So then, you guys finally showed up. I was beginning to wonder what happened to you."

"Just save it Matt." Tai interrupted. "Oh don't worry, I won't mention us winning and you guys losing." Matt responded slyly.

T.K. and Kari, arms full of sticks, greeted Tai's group as they set the sticks near the campfire. Izzy and Mimi put down their gear and joined the rest near the campfire. Sora began walking towards the fire until Tai tapped her on the shoulder. She turned around.

"Um Sora. I…I didn't get a chance to thank you back there. I can be hardheaded, but thanks for putting up with me. I acted childish."

"Well Tai, you weren't the only one. When you left that argument I couldn't help but mutter, 'Stupid Tai'. I guess we both were childish. I'm just glad we settled everything. But of course, in the end I was right." Sora smiled as Tai gave her a doubting look. "I'm sure you were Sora…" He replied. Sora headed back to the fire and beckoned Tai to join the group. Tai made sure she was turned around before he smiled.

She's cute when she's right.