A/N: Oh no, the chapters are finally catching up with me! Sorry for the long wait...

Disclaimer: Not mine!

Beating Hearts

Chapter 6

Guilt is present in the very hesitation, even though the deed be not committed. – Marcus Tullius Cicero

"Heeeeey Kari," crooned a voice from her floor. Kari screamed, shooting up from her sleeping position and throwing the nearest thing (a pillow) where the voice had come from.

A muffled cry slowed her furiously beating heart. She peeked over the edge of her bed to see Tai lying on her floor, ripping the pillow from his face. "Tai!" she cried. "I was still sleeping! What are you doing?"

"It's almost noon," Tai moaned, fluffing the pillow and resting it on the floor beside Kari's bed. "Why were you sleeping so late?"

Kari blinked in the harsh morning light that was streaming through her small window and glanced at her clock. The pink rabbit ticked pleasantly beside her head, and did indeed show that it was almost noon.

"I don't know," she answered vaguely. Maybe because she had stayed up thinking about Matt? Maybe because she had lain awake for hours, going over the rest of their practice time last night?

It had gone well after Kari had calmed down and gotten a hold of herself (also after she had complained to her parents about Tai and her dad had gotten him to help with some filing to keep him out of Kari's way). They had waltzed for a while longer. She had had to take several breaks over their course of training for the next hour or so, because even though it was a slow dance, it seemed to suck the energy right out of her. Kari still hadn't been feeling one hundred percent better, and Matt had been so understanding about it. She snuggled deeper into her quilt, ignoring Tai, who was jabbering on about something.

"Kari? Kari! Listen to meeee!" he moaned, flopping around on the floor. Kari rolled her eyes and turned over to face the wall.

"You're so annoying, Tai!" Kari yelled.

"Tai, quit bothering your sister," came an echoing voice from down the hall. Kari smiled and laughed at Tai. He frowned sourly at her and tossed the pillow back in her face. She spluttered and glared at him.

"Wake up," he taunted with a singsong voice, and then pranced out of the room. Kari had to laugh. Sometimes it was okay being Tai's sister. At least he could make her laugh.

Matt was sitting at the table in his kitchen when he heard the bell buzzing at the door. He jolted out of his seat, still in his boxers and shirt from his sleep. His dad was gone early for work, even though it was a Sunday. He ran over to the door, pressing the button.

"Hello?" he asked into the microphone.

"Matt?" It was TK. His voice sounded worried.

"Oh, hey!" Matt greeted, stifling a yawn. Why was he still so exhausted at noon? "Come on up," he said, and pressed the button to open the door for him stories below. Matt unlocked his door and went back to the small kitchen table. His bowl of cereal sat there, calling for him. He shovelled down the whole thing and was washing the bowl by the time TK was in the apartment.

"Hey Teeks," Matt called from the sink. "I'm in the kitchen."

"Like always," TK teased, walking into the kitchen and taking a seat at the table. TK didn't live with Matt and his father, but it wasn't as if TK was a stranger to their apartment, or Matt to TK's. They still visited each other, so it helped keep their bond strong.

"What're you up to today?" Matt asked, scrubbing his bowl with a cloth to dry it.

"Hmm, nothing," TK replied evasively from behind Matt. He turned around, an eyebrow quirked.

"Nothing?" he repeated. "Sounds suspicious to me."

TK frowned lightly, but not at Matt. "Actually, I came here…for advice."

Matt instantly fell silent. Advice? Oh God, what was he going to ask? He hoped it wasn't…The Talk. Was Matt like TK's surrogate dad or something now?

"Uh, sure," Matt replied, setting his half-dried bowl on the counter and taking a seat at the table next to TK. "What's up?" He really was concerned. TK was the one thing in his life Matt would always worry about. No matter what, he wanted TK to be happy.

"It's about…girls."

Matt winced inside, but didn't let it show on his face. He rested his chin on his hands. "Kari, I hope," he prodded, and at her name felt a rush deep down in his navel area that froze him. He had almost forgotten Kari and TK were basically 'an item' until the moment he had spoken her name.

TK nodded absently, his face pink. "It's almost like she's…avoiding me." He mumbled out the last part, and Matt had to close his eyes briefly for a moment. Why did this conversation make him feel so…reluctant to speak?

"Why do you say that?" Matt asked, hiding a yawn behind his hand. TK didn't even notice; he was staring at the table, where his hands were crossed.

"I've seen her in the halls, and she just turns away from me when she sees me. And she never comes to lunch anymore…"

Matt blinked. "Really?" he asked, genuinely taken aback. TK nodded, glancing up at him.

"Why do you sound so surprised?"

"Well…the other day—yesterday, actually—she said she was eating lunch with you." Matt frowned. "She didn't?"

TK blinked, his eyes wide. "No," he said sadly. "I didn't see her at all yesterday."

Matt tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully, unconsciously drumming out the rhythm to his band's latest song. "That's strange," he mumbled.

"When did you see her?" TK asked, intrigued. "Was she hiding from me?"

Matt laughed. "No, I'm sure she wasn't hiding from you. She just wanted to ask me something, so she hunted me down." He drifted off into silence, remembering their encounter in the hall yesterday. He wondered if she had heard him talking to Yuri, the girl who, he had to admit, was gorgeous. Matt hadn't exactly been himself around her (he was never himself around hot girls). Was that what she had meant by 'the voice'? What kind of voice had he talked to Yuri in?

"Was she okay?" TK asked, shattering Matt's memories. Just when he had been onto something, too!

"Huh? Oh…yes. I think so." She had refused to look at him. She had cried. She had yelled at him, all things he hadn't expected Kari to do. Remembering the scene made him realize even more that his thoughts were true; he knew next-to-nothing about Kari.

"You're lying," TK accused. Matt blinked at him.

"Excuse me?" he asked, his voice suddenly cold. TK was sitting up straighter now, staring at his brother.

"She wasn't okay, was she?" he asked worriedly. "It was something I did, wasn't it?"

"Gee, TK, don't you think Kari could have a life that doesn't revolve around you?" Matt snapped, and then felt a stab of guilt at the puppy-dog expression TK gave him.

"I just—I thought—she was avoiding…me…"

Matt stood up abruptly, walking back to his bowl. He finished drying it and set it in the cupboard above him. He saw his fingers were trembling lightly. He gripped his fists together tightly. "Maybe she was," he said tightly. "But maybe she just needs time or something. Did you say anything to her?" Calm down, he ordered himself. Your temper's been in horrible check lately. Just…calm down.

"I don't think so. I've been the same as always…" TK frowned. "I just…I want to ask her to the dance." Matt glanced at his brother, who was now blushing profusely. "I thought it would be…the perfect way, or something. I don't know. But now she won't even look me in the eye." He looked gloomily at the floor.

"Girls are…mysterious creatures," Matt said slowly, resting against the counter. He looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully. That's right. She had cried for him last night. Why? She had nothing to feel selfish about. And yet she had felt so bad for Matt. It wasn't even a pity cry. He had gotten the feeling she truly felt sad for him. That had been mysterious, indeed.

If she cried for you, she obviously cried for TK too. Your parents are his parents, the cynical part of his brain shot out. He winced. It was true. Why was he trying to ignore it?

"Maybe I should try talking to her. Go to her house or something." TK looked up at Matt. "You think?" he asked hopefully. Matt kept his face impassive. What did he think?

"Truth is, Teeks, that's a bit pathetic," he replied frankly. He saw his brother's expression darken. "If you go there alone, without reason, you'll just freak her out." Matt fell silent. "We can both go today. Or something," he added in a careless tone, shrugging.

TK's face shone. "Really? Matt, you'd help me with this?" His grin widened. "Thanks!"

Matt smiled back, but felt guilt chewing at him from inside. Matt wanted to go to Tai's apartment, all right. But not wholly to help TK. What was wrong with him? Why did he want to glimpse Kari's face so badly? If it was emotion he was looking for, he just had to look at TK. TK was feminine enough for the both of them.

"Go on, then," Matt urged. "Go buy her flowers or something. I've gotta get dressed."

TK grinned. "Right away, boss!" he agreed, jumping out of his seat and rushing to the door faster than Matt could blink. As soon as the door closed lightly, Matt heaved a large sigh. There was something seriously wrong with him.

Tai had buzzed them up, excited to show Matt the newest level in his game. Matt was leading the way up the stairs, glancing back occasionally to see TK clutching onto his small bouquet of garden flowers, his expression worried.

"She'll be happy to see you," Matt reassured for what seemed like the hundredth time. They walked out onto Tai's floor as he said it. "Don't freak out and screw it up, either."

"I—I won't!" TK objected desperately. Matt shrugged and knocked on Tai's door.

"Coooooooming!" yelled Tai, and then the door was flung open.

"Parents?" Matt asked as a greeting, watching as TK bobbed nervously beside him.

"Nope. Out for a little 'relaxation', they told me. Really. Isn't our apartment relaxing?" he asked dramatically, heaving a large sigh. Matt rolled his eyes and elbowed Tai out of the way. It was then Tai saw TK.

"Oh, hi TK!" he greeted brightly; rubbing the place in his ribs Matt had just stabbed with his elbow. "Kari's…out on the balcony, I think. For some reason." He shrugged, and then spotted the flowers. Matt saw Tai's eyes flicker to Matt for a nanosecond, and then back to TK. Matt blinked. Why did he look at me? He wondered.

"Oh, flowers for a lady I see," Tai teased. TK turned pink. Tai still intimidated him, even though TK was almost taller than Tai.

"Tai, no wonder Kari hates you so much," Matt said idly. But at his words both TK and Tai snapped their head around to stare at him. Matt flinched at their gazes. "Whoa, guys," he said. "If looks could kill…" he began, but then stopped. Why did they care so much if he brought Kari up? Good grief.

TK pattered into their kitchen, where a door led out to the balcony. Tai led Matt silently to the living room.

"Tai, what's wrong with you?" Matt asked. "I just said Kari hated you. You say it at least ten times a day." His tone was exasperated. Why was his best friend so irritating?

"Yea, well," Tai said, deciding those two words constituted as an answer.

"I'm just teaching her how to dance so she can impress TK," Matt told him tiredly, realizing for the first time how true those words were.

"Have you told TK that?"

Matt snorted. "Are you stupid? Of course I wouldn't tell him! All Kari's hard work would be useless, then."

Tai shrugged, but Matt hated the cold air he was getting from him. It was rare for Tai to be seriously suspicious. "So, want to show me that new level?" he asked in a desperate attempt to get Tai to talk to him.

"It's the coolest thing!" Tai suddenly burst, a smile lighting his face. Matt blinked, but collapsed on the sofa all the same as Tai babbled on. Girls weren't the only mysterious things in Matt's life. There was a part of Tai's brain that was rarely seen, but Matt had just witnessed it today. It was the part of his mind that actually thought seriously about things. It disturbed Matt. He preferred his friend to be happy rather than angry. Then again, Tai was protective of Kari. He always had been.

As Tai pointed out things on the screen, Matt felt himself glancing periodically into the hall, as if Kari would be walking out from the balcony. He wanted to slap himself, and forced his eyes to look at the TV screen. If things were going the way TK wanted them to, the two were probably making out as he thought.

The image didn't please him. Not a bit.

A dull knocking at the glass door behind Kari jerked her to her senses. The clouds were floating lazily past the sun, and the sky was a soft blue that afternoon.

She turned around to see TK waving at her from behind the door, a smile on his face. He was holding something behind his back.

Kari blinked. How had TK gotten in? Tai must have opened the door or something. Kari unlatched the door smiling up at TK. "Hi," she greeted, feeling like the biggest jerk. Hadn't she been avoiding him almost all week?

"Hey," he said, and then pulled something out from behind his back. Kari felt dread as flowers poked up at her face.

"Flowers?" she asked, smiling as she took them from TK's hand. He had a knack for making her feel worse. "That's so sweet." She sniffed the flowers. They smelled beautiful.

"No problem," TK said airily. Kari looked up at him from under her eyelashes to see his face was pink. He was looking out at Tokyo, the gentle breeze blowing his hair around. "How come you were out here?"

Kari shrugged. "Just thinking," she replied easily. "It's my favorite place in the apartment. I can escape Tai this way."

TK laughed. "Tai doesn't seem all that bad," he said, resting his hands against the iron railing. Kari hesitated and then walked over to stand beside him, staring at the city below them as she clutched the flowers tightly.

"You're not his little sister," she demurred. TK smiled.

"That's true."

A silence fell on them. Kari was waiting for TK to say something; it was clear he wanted to. But at the same time she felt like he was waiting for something from her. But Kari didn't want to acknowledge she had been avoiding him.

"How did you get in?" she asked suddenly, feeling rude.

He was silent at first. "Matt came, and Tai opened the door for him."

Kari blinked. "Matt's here?" she repeated, just for clarification.

"Yes." TK's voice was short. Kari cringed. He couldn't suspect her…could her? Had he put two and two together?

"He woke up at noon," TK said, smirking. "Can you believe that?"
Kari felt her heartbeat thud against her ribcage. He was sleeping as late as me! Was he…? No. He hadn't stayed up late thinking about me. Obviously not. Stop it! TK's right in front of me!

"Thanks for the flowers again," she said lamely, mentally yelling at herself. If she didn't want TK to be angry with her, she shouldn't be feeling things for Matt! Why could she just be happy with TK, and go on pretending Matt wasn't gorgeous or amazing or…

She paled. Kari felt like she was…cheating on TK. But she couldn't! She wasn't even dating him!

"Hey, Kari…"

She perked up. "Yea?" she asked. TK was watching her closely, but he still seemed embarrassed about something.

"I was just…wondering…" he scratched the back of his head nervously, looking away. "I wanted to know…are you going to the dance?"

Kari knew what was coming. She could feel it. "I think so," she replied hesitantly. Of course she was going! Hadn't all that practicing been for TK in the first place? So why was she dreading TK's next words so much?

"Oh, well…want to—go with me?" He shot a quick glance at her; his expression was hopeful.

Kari froze. Yes! Screamed her mind. Just say yes! Get it over with!

But the part of her brain that refused to stop crushing on Matt interjected. She couldn't speak. Nothing came out of her mouth except for a feeble croak. TK's eyes widened and then his face grew bright red.

"I'm sorry," he apologized stiffly, pulling the brim of his familiar white hat over his eyes. "I shouldn't have asked you that."

Kari's eyes almost popped out of her head as TK turned around to leave. SAY SOMETHING! But her mouth couldn't function properly. And the other part of her brain thought—even now—it was safer to stay silent than to make some idiotic mistake.

"Tee—Tee—TK!" she finally cried, still holding the flowers tightly in her hand. But he had already slipped into the apartment. Kari chased after him, only to run through the kitchen to see her front door closing.

"TK, just STOP for a second!" she yelled, glad her voice was coming out again. "Could you just listen?" She grabbed the handle of the door, grunting to keep it open. TK was on the other side, looking resolutely at the floor. Kari panted, poking her face through the door. "TK, I'm sorry. I couldn't think for a minute—"

"It's fine," TK said shortly. "I get it. I thought something was weird these last few days. You've been avoiding me."

"N…No I haven't," Kari argued weakly.

"Bye Kari," TK said softly, and then started to walk glumly down the hall. Kari could only watch, horror-stricken. What had she just done?

It's okay, she thought, closing the door softly in front of her. She rested her forehead against the cool wood. It's okay. I'll talk to him in school, and I'll get things straightened out. I'll go to the dance with him. I'll make him realize I was just surprised. That's all I was, right? Just surprised. God, TK! I don't want you to hate me!

"Kari?" Tai's voice jarred through her thoughts like nails on a chalkboard. "Are you…okay?"

Kari blinked her eyes open to see tears falling from her eyes to the floor; her head was still resting against the door. She blinked, pulling away and rubbing at her eyes hastily. "Yes," she replied hoarsely. "I'm fine…" her voice cracked and she held two hands to her mouth to stifle a sob that had almost escaped. Honestly, what was wrong with her? She wanted TK, and then she felt attracted to Matt. And now that TK had finally walked away from her, she felt her heart breaking. Why? Had she always been expecting TK to just wait for her calmly, waiting for her to stop being so flaky?

"Kari, you're not okay." Tai was beside her now, brushing her bangs out of her eyes. "You're crying."

Kari hiccupped. "It's okay," she whispered unconvincingly. "I'm fine." She glanced nervously up at her brother, who was watching her with concerned eyes.

"Was it TK?"

Kari felt her eyes flicker toward a shadow on the wall: Matt! She had completely forgotten he was here! She saw him peeking out from behind the corner, and she felt ashamed. Why was it all such a mess?

"I'll be…okay…" Her words were even quieter now. She could barely hear herself speak.

"Kar—"

She wrapped her arms around Tai's waist, hiccupping into his shoulder. "I'll be all right," she said, her voice muffled by his shirt. "Okay?"

Tai hesitated before wrapping his arms around Kari's shoulders. "Sure," he replied softly. "Of course you'll be all right."

At that moment, Kari loved her brother more than anyone else in the world.

A sudden noise jerked Kari out of her thoughts. She opened one eye to see Matt slipping on his shoes behind Tai. Tai turned around as well, one arm still wrapped around Kari's shoulders. "What're you doing, man?" Tai asked.

Matt didn't look at him. There was fury radiating off of him like heat radiated off of soup. "Leaving," he replied shortly. Kari sniffed, feeling absolutely ridiculous. "Sorry Kari," Matt apologized without looking at her, slipping on his light jacket. Kari froze: a third apology from Matt! Oh God, why was she thinking about something like that now?

"Why?" she croaked out. Matt spared her a glance for a second; Kari saw his eyes were like steel. His brow furrowed when he looked at her, and then glanced down at his shoes that he was tying up. Kari frowned. What had he seen in her eyes?

"Because I brought TK here. I realize now I'm an idiot. My brother's a bigger idiot." He opened the door tightly; his grip was so tight on the knob his knuckles were white.

"Matt?" Tai asked worriedly. "Dude, you look seriously angr—"

"I'm going on a little walk," he said, but his tone hinted there was more to his walk than just fresh air and tranquility.

"Matt," Tai warned again. Kari could only stay silent. She didn't want Matt to leave; she wanted Matt to stay and comfort her, but she knew that was impossible.

Matt didn't say anything, only left the apartment. The door clicked quietly shut, surprising both brother and sister. "What's…he going to do?" Kari whispered. "He looked really angry."

Tai made a noise of distaste. "With good reason. TK's a loser."

Kari felt tears welling up in her eyes. "No, Tai, that's not—"

"I can try to cook you something," Tai insisted, steering her in the direction of the kitchen. "Soup?"

Kari blinked. "Okay," she said, taken by surprise. Tai was trying to distract her. But even then, Kari couldn't help but think…what was Matt going to do?

"TK!" Matt yelled as soon as he left the apartment complex. The tall boy had started to blend in with the crowd, but at Matt's roaring voice he twitched into a stop. Matt caught up to him, grabbing at his arm to turn him around. Stay cool, he told himself. Please stay cool.

"What?" TK asked moodily, keeping his eyes to the ground. The crowd of people in business suits and thrown together outfits alike split around the two brothers and continued their walks, as if they were statues.

"Just what are you playing at?" Matt asked in a quiet whisper; he heard his own voice come out tense and forced himself to breathe. TK would jump to conclusions—completely wrong conclusions, at that—if he kept this up.

TK shrugged his arm out of Matt's grip, still looking at the sidewalk beneath them. "What are you talking about?" he asked tiredly.

"What am I—" Matt's voice was incredulous. "TK, are you—didn't you—Kari was crying!" Matt finally decided upon. He knew he had picked the right words (or maybe they were the wrong ones…). What little of TK's face Matt could see beneath the hat frowned. "What did you even do to her? I told you I'd help you out, to go buy some flowers! What'd you do, throw them at her face or something?" Matt couldn't help the scorning tone that was escaping with his words now. Honestly, how was his brother so dense? It wasn't that difficult to woo a woman; give them chocolate and maybe a kiss or something and they'd be fine! Obviously TK had some problems, though.

"I didn't…throw the flowers in her face," TK hissed back in a low voice. "I tried, Matt!"

"But?" Matt prodded, frowning.

"But she didn't—"

"TK, it wasn't something she did! She was the one crying after you stormed out of the apartment!" Matt finally spat. "Are you clueless?"

"She wasn't the only one crying!" TK finally yelled, glaring up at Matt. A few passers-by glanced their way, but sticking to the code they turned around and pretended they hadn't seen a thing. Matt, on the other hand, was staring into his brother's eyes, which—he had to admit—were much shinier than they normally were.

"Oh TK," he groaned. "Don't tell me you're crying?"

"Well what did you expect?" TK asked quietly, still glaring up at Matt. "I go there, I give her the lame flowers, she doesn't say anything, so I ask her to the dance, and you know what she does? Nothing! Yea! She just stood there, gaping at me like I had just asked her to—to marry me or something ridiculous like that!"

Matt stared at his brother now, surprised. "What? Really?" He frowned. "I swore you had done something. She was bawling her eyes out like the world had just ended."

TK shook his head. "That's impossible."

"No, it's not," Matt said stiffly. He couldn't forget how heart-broken she had looked. How could she have looked that way if TK had done nothing? "So you didn't say anything stupid?" Matt asked, feeling his blood pressure slowly lowering.

"No," TK emphasised. "Can you just leave me alone, now? I don't need any lecturing. I know exactly what happened." He turned away from the silent Matt and disappeared into the crowd.

Matt blinked. "Well I don't know what happened," he muttered. "I don't know what happened at all."

"So? How is it?" Tai asked gleefully, sitting across from Kari. She looked up at him from under her eyelashes, sipping the soup. "Well? Well?" Tai prodded.

"…It tastes really bad," Kari said truthfully, making a face. Tai's smile dropped.

"Aww, really?"

Kari hesitated. "No, I'm kidding. It tastes really good." She took another spoonful for effect, nearly choking. She kept her eyes down; even lying about soup made her feel guilty.

"Are you feeling better?" Tai asked. Kari resisted the urge to roll her eyes; even now her brother couldn't help but bug her.

"I'm fine," she lied again, keeping her eyes on the hard noodles that floated in the bowl beneath her.

"What did TK do, anyway?"

Kari frowned. She could feel the tears prickling at the back of her eyes. Nothing! TK did absolutely nothing!

"He brought me flowers," she said quietly. Tai coughed.

"You…don't like flowers?"

"No. I do." Kari shook her head. "That's the whole thing. He didn't do anything. Nothing! I just freaked out, and then I…I…" She didn't need to say the rest. She broke down.

"Oh, don't blame it all on TK." Tai leaned closer to Kari. "It was a—safe relationship, right?" Tai asked worriedly. Kari blinked fast, glaring up at Tai who was watching her intensely. "He wasn't…abusive, right?" He patted her hand thoughtfully.

"EUGH, TAI!" Kari shouted, standing up. "We weren't even in a relationship! And he's not abusive! TK's sweet! And nice! And—And—he's…perfect," she added heavily, sighing. "I'm going to my room. DON'T bug me!" she shouted, and then stormed off to her room. After slamming her door quite nicely, Kari flopped down on her bed, hugging her pillow close to her body. She curled up in a ball, trying to think. Tomorrow at school she would just find TK and apologize. After all, she should have said something, particularly a "yes, I'd love to go to the dance with you!" Of course her mind had objected. Of course. As if TK hadn't been wary of her before. And now who knew what Matt had gone to do? Go kill TK?

"Why would he even bother?" she muttered into her pillow. "I'm just a little girl who's in love with his little brother. That's all I am." She paused. "And an excuse for him to brush up on his waltzing for Perfect Girl," she hissed, feeling tears leaking out of her eyes. Couldn't her eyes stay dry for even five seconds? Why was she such a crybaby about everything?

Kari stiffened as she heard Tai's feet pad softly past her door. As soon as she heard the click of him entering his own bedroom, she heaved a light sigh of relief. She didn't need her brother's love right now; it was too annoying. Right now she just needed to lay and remember. Remember why she had loved TK. Remember when she had started to drift from him. Remember when Matt had entered her life, just like that, and refused to leave anymore.

She remembered, and tried to fall back into love with TK. She wanted to have those imaginings of him again. She wanted to hold his hand and walk through the halls with him. But something in her refused, and so she was left alone, even in her dreams.