And one more! I have started chapter 12, and it is almost finished. It will probably be longer because I have so much information in it. Everyone has gotten deeper into their research about what's going on with Kari. That's all I am able to share, and thanks so much to everyone who still reads this despite my infrequent updates.
Disclaimer: Don't own digimon.
After the final bell rang, T.K. rushed at break-neck speed toward the computer lab. His mother was expecting him home straight from school, but he couldn't just leave without telling the others about his situation and seeing how the research was going. When he entered the room, he saw most of the digidestined already there and already hard at work.
T.K. was about to walk straight to Davis until he saw the other boy was on the phone.
"Ok, so what time zone do you want to go by when we go to the digital world?" He asked Mimi from his place near the window. With her being on a completely different time schedule, he thought it was only fair to let her have a say in what time they did things. Cody was right next to him, attempting to whisper a few times he thought would be best for everyone. Davis, of course, was not hearing the younger boy.
T.K. decided to let them handle what they were doing and walked over to Izzy and Yolei. Joe was still in school because of extra tutoring and wouldn't be out until later.
"Any luck, guys?" T.K. asked as he sat next to the two. Izzy was typing away furiously and Yolei was watching with enthusiasm. She tore her eyes away from the screen enough to answer his question.
"We feel like we're getting close. We know that there are other dimensions, so Izzy is devising a new system to categorize the numerous dimensions out there. Since we've only really encountered three, he's starting with those."
T.K. nodded in mild understanding and Izzy took over the explanation.
"I'm taking the three dimensions we've already encountered and listing their different characteristics so that when we get new information, we won't mistake one place for another. For example, the digital world is a dimension we've all been to. I'm recording how many known digimon there are based on the system Gennai worked on with me, how we are able to be transported there, and also putting in basic information, such as weather conditions and how similar or different this world is compared to our own. This information may not seem important now, but once I've cataloged other dimensions, you'll see how easy it will be for us to get confused."
"We're going to wait until Davis, Cody and Mimi get back so we can see what the digimon have to say. And then when we see Kari again, we're going to ask her more about what the Dark Ocean looked like. We should be able to narrow everything down once we have all of that." Yolei finished for Izzy, and T.K. nodded, completely impressed by the amount of progress. Leave it to Izzy and Yolei to be on top of everything.
T.K. stood and made his way over to Davis just as he got off the phone.
"Man, why do girls have to be so pushy?" Davis complained as he put a hand over his eyes.
"Well, you did ask her what she wanted, Davis. I actually don't think it's unreasonable. Mimi's always getting up at crazy hours to come over here." Cody commented thoughtfully.
"What's wrong with Davis?" T.K. asked with a hint of amusement.
"We've all agreed to meet in the digital world sometime late afternoon in America, meaning Davis and I have to be there sometime very early morning. Depending on how many trips we're making, we've decided to alternate time zone schedules. That means one trip we'll go based on Mimi's time, and another we'll go based on our time."
"That sounds like a good plan, actually." T.K. commented.
"Yeah, well it would considering you're not the one who has to get up." Came the perturbed grumble from the brown haired boy.
"Just remember why we're doing all of this, Davis." Cody reminded.
Davis lightened up considerably, his sullen mood suddenly gone. He looked toward T.K.
"Hey, are you going over to see Kari now?"
"No. I came here to tell you all that I'm grounded for a week. My mom flipped last night about me ditching classes."
"Bummer, dude." Davis replied sympathetically. He'd been grounded so many times that he was surprised he wasn't on punishment now. "I guess I'll give her the homework again today. And I'll even tell her about how much we've done so far. That'll make her happy, right?"
T.K. agreed, happy that she would have some kind of company, even though it wasn't his.
Before thoughts of her could creep into his mind, he gasped.
"Oh man, I'm late. If I don't get home soon, my mom is going to freak! I'll see you all tomorrow!" He yelled before sprinting out of the room and making a beeline for home. He just hoped he got there before his mother did.
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Mrs. Takaishi breathed a sigh of relief as she got off the elevator and walked towards the main doors leading out of the building. That presentation was the longest she'd ever done, and she was very grateful that she did not have to present another article for at least a few more weeks. The topic: How watching paint dry stimulates the mind. And she thought the historical significance of toilet paper was useless.
As she got closer to the exit, a figure in the corner of the lobby caught her eye.
"Matt?" The blond haired boy turned at the sound of his name and stood when he saw his mother approaching him.
"This is a surprise. What are you doing here?"
"I have something to talk to you about, so I was waiting for your meeting to get out. I thought maybe we could talk over lunch or something."
Mrs. Takaishi was caught off guard at the proposal, and immediately felt guilty for it. After the divorce, she and her eldest son became distant. It was to the point now that they could barely speak to one another without some kind of tension in the air. She hated that their relationship was so strained, especially since she felt the most at fault for the distance.
In all of the years she and Mr. Ishida had been divorced, she couldn't remember the last time she and Matt spent any time together alone. Any outings they had usually involved T.K., and she would bet any amount of money that he was the reason for Matt coming to see her today. That thought deepened the guilty feeling, but she quickly shook it off.
"Sure, we can have lunch. Is there any place in particular you would like to go?" She asked politely. She could almost feel Matt's discomfort at the formal tone she used with him, but there was nothing she could do. They were almost like strangers to one another.
"Oh, not really. I don't know this area. I was thinking maybe you could pick."
"Alright. I know a nice place about a block up." He nodded and she waited until he gathered his things before both walked out of the building.
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"Kari, I'm back." Tai yelled as he walked through the threshold and began removing his shoes. His coach was waiting outside of his class after the last bell, meaning Tai had no choice but to tell him in person that he could not practice today. The man was furious, but after hearing the reason, decided Tai would have an hour of extra practices tomorrow and Friday.
"How was your day?" Kari asked as she entered the living room and sat on the arm of the couch.
"Miserable." He moaned. "I had forgotten what being in class felt like since I left for camp last Friday." He sat on the edge of the smaller couch adjacent to her.
She laughed at his dramatic description.
"So, in other words, your day was fine." She stated. She laughed again when he nodded in agreement.
"What did the doctor say?" He asked.
"He said I had all of the symptoms of a simple virus, and if I take the antibiotics and rest, I should be fine in a few days. I asked him if illnesses could be caused by stress, just because of the nightmares and whatnot, and he told me they could, but he didn't think that was the case for me. He thinks my symptoms would be more severe and longer lasting if that was the problem."
"And you've told him how long you've felt sick and everything that was wrong with you physically?" He asked, just to make sure she covered everything.
"Yes, and I even went as far as to tell him that I was having nightmares every night for the past week. He said that the nightmares wouldn't have anything to do with my physical well being."
"And he gave you a thorough check-up?" He asked, definitely wanting to make sure the man did his job correctly. He saw Kari give him an exasperated look and replied,
"Yes, Tai. He did everything he was supposed to do. He even called mom at work to tell her himself. I should be healthy in time for your big soccer match."
Tai groaned as he thought of his coach. "Yeah, speaking of soccer, will you be alright if I go outside and practice for a little while? Coach was really steamed at me leaving camp, so he's making me practice extra before Saturday."
"Of course I'll be alright. I actually just finished the homework Davis gave me yesterday and was about to start putting some things away in our room."
"Don't over-exert yourself." He warned, his protectiveness becoming dominant. "What time is mom getting home?"
"She said she would be back at six, the usual time." She replied. He nodded his head before leaving to quickly change clothes and grab his soccer ball. If he left now, he would have a good couple of hours to practice before his mother got home.
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Matt let out a breath as he examined his hands for what seemed like the hundredth time. He and his mother were sitting at a small table on the outside of the restaurant. Since it was such a nice day, both agreed to not let it go to waste. That was almost ten minutes ago, and they hadn't said a word since.
Ms. Takaishi nursed her ice-tea and glanced at him from her place opposite him. Looking at him, she felt like the worse mother in the world. Their relationship could not be that far gone that they couldn't even speak to one another. As awkward as it would be, she had to make an effort. After all, it was not his fault things were the way they were. She barely had enough time for the son that lived with her. She always had some sort of project or article due and never enough time to do them. It aggravated her to no end, because her supervisor knew she had children, yet at the same time she knew it couldn't be helped. She was one of the best they had.
Yet in her mind, she knew that was not a good enough excuse for the neglect. And if her son could make the effort, even though it concerned T.K, then she would do the same. She was going to fix their relationship.
"So, how's school going? Have you joined any sports or clubs?" That seemed like a safe topic to start with. These were things every mother should know about their child.
Matt looked up. "School is pretty good, I guess. My friends and I are in the same homeroom again, so it isn't boring. And no, I haven't joined any clubs or sports. My band takes up most of my free time."
"Oh." She replied. She had almost forgotten that he was in a band. "When is your next concert?"
"This Saturday night. It's one of our big ones because there isn't any school on Sunday. We got a space at that concert hall a few blocks up from school."
She nodded before pulling out her blackberry from her purse. Matt figured someone from the office was calling her, and he promptly went back to studying his hands. He was very surprised when he heard her speak again.
"Would you mind if I came to your concert?" She asked, eyes still locked on the mobile device. Though his face didn't show it, she saw by the way his shoulders stiffened that she'd caught him off guard by her question.
"Well, the deadline for my next assignment isn't until next Monday, and I have no other work other than that. And I haven't had the chance to see you play." She exited out of her portable schedule and put the phone back in her purse. She looked to see his reaction. His face was still unreadable.
"I should be able to come, if you'd like." She couldn't ask him straight out, but Matt seemed to understand the meaning of her words, because a small smile graced his features.
"Sure, I wouldn't mind. It starts at seven. I can bring the ticket next time I come over."
She smiled at him and received one in return, something that lifted her spirits more than she realized. The comfortable silence was broken as their food arrived, and another ten minutes passed until Matt spoke.
"Mom, there was actually a reason why I wanted to have lunch with you."
She laughed at how sheepish he looked. "I knew there was a reason. It's about T.K., isn't it?"
"Yes." His expression was serious now. "I don't want to beat around the bush, so I'm just going to ask you."
"What is it?" She was curious.
"Can you please lift T.K.'s punishment?" Her expression now mirrored her son's as she thought about the situation. She was too worried and angry the night before to really hear her sons' explanation about what happened to make T.K. leave school early. And, truth be told, the little she did hear was vague.
"May I ask why?"
"He left school yesterday because Tai called the night before and told us that Kari was very sick and that he thought it would be nice if everyone came over after school to see her. T.K. had already been worried about her that day because she left school early, so the phone call did nothing but worry him more. So, after school ended, I decided to pick him up to get to Tai's apartment faster, but I heard from one of his friends that he'd left a few hours before.
"So, naturally he was with Kari. I know what T.K. is like when he is panicking, and most likely he wasn't paying attention in any of his classes. I know it was wrong for him to leave, but Kari is still sick. And Tai and I noticed that she looked a lot better when he was with her. I wouldn't normally ask this of you, but I know if given the choice between Kari and rules, he would break them in a second for her. And I don't want him getting into that habit, so I'm asking that you please lift his grounding."
She thought for a moment, dissecting his explanation in her mind. T.K. wasn't a bad child, by any means. In fact, she didn't think she could ask for anyone more well-mannered. But on the other hand, he broke a rule. And though it was for a reason, was she really willing to let him get away with it?
"How sick is Kari?" She asked. If she was as sick as Matt was making her to be, then her decision would be easy. "What exactly is wrong with her?"
"That's the thing; no one knows why she's so sick. When I saw her yesterday, she was very pale and feverish. She also hasn't been sleeping very well, and has been out of school since mid-Monday. She's seeing a doctor today, but she hasn't shown much of a sign that she's getting better. T.K. knows more about it, and he's really concerned about her. He's been very anxious for the past few days because of it. I just know that him being grounded will just heighten what he's feeling, and that won't be good for the situation."
He was trying to be as evasive as possible without out-right lying, but it was hard to do so with his mother looking at him with skepticism. The digidestined had put their parents through so many adventures already, and the last thing Matt wanted was to worry his mother any more than necessary. He did not know how difficult this battle would be, but he knew that it would not be as big as the battles with Myotismon. The less she had to know was better, in his opinion.
"Something else is happening that you don't want me to know. It's written all over your face." She pointed out, impressed and relieved that she still had the ability to read his emotions. That observation was one small step that let her know not all hope was lost mending the broken bonds.
Matt would not lie; he was never one to do so, and she doubted that had changed.
"You're right." He replied. "But I can't tell you what is going on. All I can say is that Kari needs T.K. right now, and I'm asking if—for her sake—you would lift his punishment."
She looked him in the eyes and saw the emotions that swept through them.
"When I get home, I will speak to T.K."
He understood the meaning of her words. She would make her decision after she spoke to her youngest son. He did his part, and now it was up to T.K. to explain himself.
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