Hey there, I've decided I'm going to get a few chapters written in for this, since I've joined the Testing Your Patience challenge and it's good to have some chapters written for it. The prompt used for this chapter is 'Will'. Thanks to Zero Slash One for betareading this chapter!
Chapter 2 – Keep Standing
"Dammit!" T.K. slammed his fist down on the ground as he stared ahead into the night. They were in a small park which was desserted right now, considering it was almost midnight. Broken tree branches and torn leaves lay on the ground as a sign of the destruction that had transpired here. It was meant to be a peaceful night with the younger team, joined by Tai and Izzy. How had all this happened? It wasn't supposed to happen this way. He was supposed to look out for Kari. He had promised Sora all those years ago that he would protect her from this kind of thing but he had failed.
"I can't believe he managed to snatch her right in front of our eyes!" Yolei said, flexing her fists angrily feeling like she wanted to punch that slimy octopus in the face and cut off all his tentacles.
"Guys, calm down!" Cody said trying to placate them. "You're not the only ones upset about Kari being taken, after all."
T.K. blinked, wondering what Cody meant before turning, his face falling into a frown as he saw how pale Tai was. Guilt churned inside him. He had been so upset about failing to protect Kari that he had forgotten how much worse it would be for Tai. After all, if something happened to Matt, he knew he'd be in much worse condition than Tai was right now.
"It's going to be alright, Tai," Davis was attempting to reassure his mentor but there was no response from Tai other than his fist clenching.
T.K. sighed, moving over and placing a hand on Tai's shoulder. "We'll get her back, you know. I promise, we're going to do whatever we can to reach her. I won't leave her with him." He still received no reply from Tai and was about to say more when Tai brushed T.K.'s hand off and stood up.
"We have to go after her," Tai said and T.K. could sense he was trying to remain composed. For once, the blond wished Matt was here, considering his brother could get through to Tai a lot better than he could.
"We will," T.K. promised, hating to see the boy he had once admired acting like this. "Have hope, Tai."
Tai tried to smile but it came out as a grimace causing him to sigh. "Sorry…it's just…Kari…"
Davis reached out, squeezing the other's shoulder. "We're going to save her. T.K., maybe we should call the older team as well."
"That is not a bad idea," Izzy said, looking at Tai, clearly concerned as well. "The more help we can get the better."
"We don't have time for that!" Tai snapped, sounding uncharacteristically hostile. "My sister could be being tortured right now!"
"Don't talk to Izzy that way, Tai!" Yolei defended her friend. "Like Cody said, you're not the only one worried and Izzy's only trying to help."
Tai hung his head, clearly looking guilty for snapping at his friend. "I know, it's just, Kari…I'm sorry, Izzy I didn't mean to…"
Izzy smiled, shaking his head. "Don't worry about it. I understand that better than anyone."
Tai smiled and in normal circumstances, T.K. would have been curious on what they were talking about but right now, he could only think of Kari and wanting to save her so he dismissed it.
"I'll call Matt then," T.K. said quietly, turning around and dialling his brother's number. He knew it was late and Matt would be asleep right now but he would understand. He had to.