Title: A Cry Amongst Silence
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.
Pairings: T.K/Kari, Tai and Kari sibling bonding, Matt and T.K sibling bonding.
Summary: Set after the final battle of Season 2. After everything seems to be back to normal for the digidestined, Kari feels a pull from the dark ocean again. But this time, Tai is there to help her overcome it.
Notes: This story will feature sibling bonding, family dynamics, and adventure. The adventure will be a slow build. This story also explores the capabilities of sensing emotions and feelings.
*This chapter has been revised to correct timeline and grammatical errors.*
"Kari."
She ran through the living room and into his out stretched arms, crying the tears she'd been holding in. Tai let her cry, knowing she needed to get everything out before she told him exactly what was wrong. That was just the way she was—a simple creature of habit.
Holding on to her arm around his shoulder, Tai put an arm around her waist and led her back into their bedroom. He sat on her bed and positioned her close, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder while she continued to cry. He rocked her back and forth as he rubbed her back, his method of calming her down all his life. How many times had they been in this position? Kari would be hurt, Kari would have a nightmare, mom and dad would yell at Kari (rarely), or Kari would just be having a bad day. Either way, he would always be the one comforting her, protecting her, and doing all he could to make her happy. That was how it was supposed to be.
Kari hugged him tighter, finally able to release all of the fear and frustration she'd kept bottled inside. She knew she was safe now—that she could stay in that position as long as she wanted and know that he would not complain. He offered her the security she needed to fight whatever it was she needed to conquer.
Kari's tears ceased after a few minutes and they both sat on the bed in relative silence, not wanting to bring up anything that would make the other upset. They were both just happy to be in the other's presence. The calm feeling wouldn't last for long, both knew. Something big was going to hit, and it was going to rock both of them. Problem was that they didn't know if they could handle it.
"Tai?" She whispered, breaking their brief silence.
"Yeah, Kari?"
"Thank you for coming." She whispered softly, still feeling ashamed for calling him and disrupting all of his hard work for her.
Reading between the lines, a slight frown found its way to his forehead. He gently wiped the tears from her eyes and moved away slightly so he had a better view of her face.
Her eyes had a fear in them that he'd never seen before, and her face resembled a woman of older age. He knew she shouldn't look like that; she was still a child. She shouldn't have to deal with darkness and saving the world. And now that he was back, he would make sure she never had to again.
He put his head in his hand and with the other he pinched the bridge of his nose. He was at a complete loss for what to say. Needless to say, he felt useless to her, and that was something that had to be fixed immediately. He had to gather his thoughts so he could help her. He had to think. What could he say to her that would make her stop worrying?
Kari stared at him as he racked his brain for what to do, and she felt like the most horrible person in the world.
I should have just kept this to myself. Now he's in pain trying to make me feel better. I just should have kept my mouth shut.
Maybe it was their proximity. Or maybe her thoughts were particularly strong, because no sooner had she thought that did she see Tai's eyes fly open.
"No!" He slammed his fist hard on the bed and looked up at her. She flinched in return.
"Y..you heard that?" She asked him, almost fearful because of his reaction.
He calmed himself enough to say, "Look...I didn't mean to shout. I'm frustrated because I don't how to help you, Kari. It kills me to see you like this, but it hurts me even more to think you regret telling me."
She stared at her lap as he continued to speak.
"You never think about yourself. You're always more concerned about everyone around you. Always asking if they're alright when I know you're miserable, or always asking if they're happy when I know you're sad, or always trying to protect others when I know you're hurt. Kari, you do so much for everyone even when you're down. You don't like depending on people, I know, but I always felt better knowing that you would always come to me when you needed someone."
He paused so he could take her hands in his.
"Kari...no matter what happens, no matter how bad you think I'm feeling or how much you think it will hurt me, promise me that you will always come to me. Never, ever regret telling me anything, do you hear me?"
He said his words with so much passion that Kari couldn't help the tears from falling again. He always proved time and time again how much he loved her, and his words always touched her heart. The last thing she wanted to do was make the situation worse, but, like always, she seemed to succeed in doing just that. She didn't want him to feel this way.
Her thought process was interrupted when Tai squeezed her hands, his eyes narrowed.
"Stop doing this to yourself, Kari! You are not a burden on me or anyone else! Do you understand me? So, stop blaming yourself for every little thing."
She shook her head in indication that she'd heard him and removed her hands from within his.
"Now, I'm pretty sure you know why I came home. Tell me what's been happening since I left. Or has it been going on longer than that?"
Kari shook her head and took in a deep breath. This was going to be a long conversation.