TK's backpack was filled with food, enough to last, hopefully, until they ran into more of those strange vending machines. Tai was pumped and ready to go, eagerly chattering with Agumon about their upcoming adventure. Gabumon hovered worriedly around Matt who was hiding his yawns behind his hand. He'd never quite been able to fall asleep the night before, though Tai had managed to not only dress himself, but get up and keep watch without being exhausted today. Matt wanted to be jealous of Tai's energy, but that would entail thinking more about what they had done, so he merely took TK by the hand and pulled him close.
"What's your plan to find the others?" Matt asked, surprised at how stable his voice sounded. "Do you have any idea on where they are?"
"Not a clue," Tai grinned. The blondes both sighed and Tai laughed, scratching his head. "Don't give me that look – I do have a plan." He held up his Digivice. "With these we can find the others easily."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot!" TK cheered. He pulled out his own device and looked at the screen. Dead center were three blipping red dots. "This'll be a piece of cake, won't it, big brother?!"
"You forget, Tai," Matt began, ignoring how his own Digivice lay silent on his hip, "the Digital World is huge. How are we going to even get the others to show up?"
"Like this!" As though he'd had a stroke of genius, Tai thrust his Digivice before him and began swinging it around. Even Patamon and Gabumon sighed this time, though Agumon nodded as though it was the best idea in the world. Tai danced around in a circle and Matt was about to start yelling at him for being an idiot when a sharp plip sliced through the air.
"Ha!" Tai pumped his fist in the air and pointed east. "There's going to be someone that way!"
Matt looked along his finger and felt his stomach tighten. Tai was motioning along the beach in the same direction Matt had just abandoned. TK winced as his hand was suddenly gripped too tightly and his brother yelped, "But I already checked that direction – I told you!"
"Really?" Tai shook his Digivice next to his ear, listening to the pedometer inside rattle. It continued to chirp and he shrugged. "Well, maybe someone moved that way overnight. Wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry?"
"Matt, you're hurting me," TK whined.
"Oh, sorry." Matt readjusted his grip on his brother's hand, squeezing just as tightly. Tai gave him an odd look and Matt looked away with a glare, storming off. "Let's go, then, if you're so sure."
"W-wait up!" Tai ran in front of Matt, blocking his way. "What's your problem, man?" Matt just glowered. Everything inside him was so mixed up, he couldn't trust himself to speak. Tai's expression softened and he nodded. "I know what's wrong. You're worried those Digimon will still be there, huh?"
Gabumon looked like he wanted to say something, but one look at Matt and he kept his mouth shut. Agumon just smiled at the pair, saying happily, "Don't worry – we'll be there to help fight them off. Now that we're back together, nothing can stop us."
"Y... yeah." That sounded like a good excuse. TK giggled happily, hugging his brother.
"We'll be fine Matt – Tai and Agumon say so!"
Matt nodded, lost in himself. There was an angry twinge that TK could so easily trust Tai even after being abandoned. And then guilt flooded him. He knew that Joe would be just as quick to forgive. He felt TK tug on his arm and he allowed himself to be dragged along to the shoreline. His swan-boat drifted lazily next to the beach, someone having gone and tethered it the night before. He wasn't sure what he would say, what he would tell any of them when they found out what he'd done. He was certain Joe would keep it all a secret – he'd promised, after all – but he couldn't be so sure about his own mouth.
But Tai looked at his Digivice and then to the beach. He tilted his head, considering the boat and then pointed to the brush of forest along the coast.
"Looks like you're in luck, Matt," he said. "The next dot is over that way, not actually across the lake."
Matt looked up with a start. Not across the lake?! But what about Joe? And then he saw it. "That mountain? You sure?"
Tai swung his Digivice around in front of him again, like a dowsing rod for children. It pliped once, and then fell silent as he arched his arm toward the lake. "We might not have to actually go into the mountain. Whoever it is might just be in the forest somewhere."
Matt nodded. This would give him time to come up with a good excuse for his actions. Don't worry Joe, we'll come get you soon.