Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.
Authors Note: Sorry guys if you waited long or anything. But I'm still updating : ) I hope you guys are still reading this. Please do review and tell me what you think about this chapter. It's a bit more centric on two main characters. And a part of this may be familiar in the series of season one (which I do not own…) Please do review and tell me what you guys think about it. Thanks for all the reviews so far everyone!!!! :D
Tai and Kari: What Binds Them Together
The guys and I went inside my room to eat that night. They told me that they wanted to stay down at my place, so it'd be a whole lot easier that way. I didn't mind, I hardly kept anything in my room, so this was fine. I set up some plates, spoons and forks so we could it. It wasn't long before they started eating, and man were they hungry.
"Sweet, this stuff is amazing." Exclaimed Takashi, he seemed to be enjoying this.
"Don't you guys enjoy any kind of food?" I told them.
"True, but I have to agree with what he just said Sora. How do you even make this kind of food?" asked Yutaka.
"I follow a recipe?" I suggested. "And I guess I add whatever I feel like adding."
"And I few minutes later we're all going to pass out." Joked Tai "Did you drug this without us knowing Sor?" he asked.
"Funny, if I remember right, you already ate something like that before." I told him. "And even if I did drug it, I wonder if you'd still eat it."
"Tai would eat anything, drugged or not." Joked Yama.
"Haha, if I did something like that, I'd most likely be dead Yamato." Said Tai.
"Come on you guys enough of that." I told them "And Tai, he has a point. You'd most likely eat anything, if it wasn't drugged or poisoned."
"Hey, you and Meems were mainly the reason I used to get fat. You kept on making me eat things." He told me with a laugh.
"Right, but you never get fat because Jou says you have a fast metabolism. Meems and I used to think you had a snake in there eating all the food for you, that's why you never grow full." I told him.
"Not my fault I stay fit." Said Tai.
They all continued to eat and we soon discussed stuff about the fair. I was talking to them on what they were planning to play for the opening and closing songs.
"So? Did you guys decide on what songs to do?" I asked.
"Yeah, we were able to have a clean practice today." Said Takashi with a smile.
"That's nice." I commented "I'm sure things will sound great. This would be the first time I'd here you all play live."
"Yeah, and the first time you're going to hear how painful it is to have all of Yamato's fans screaming and breaking your ears." Said Tai with a sigh.
"Is it seriously that bad?" I asked again.
"That and much, much worse Sor." Replied Tai.
I was about to make another comment when suddenly, my phone rang. I excused myself for a while and then I picked up and answered the phone.
"Hello? Sora speaking." I answered.
"Hey Sor, it's Kari."
"Kari, what's up?"
"I was wondering, is your dorm crowded?"
"No, all the guys are here right now. We're still pretty roomy in here. Why do you ask?"
"Well, it's only a few more days until your fair right?"
"Yes, it is Kari."
"I was wondering if I could stay over, like a nigh before the fair or something?"
"Sure thing! You're more than welcome here. But why the sudden decision of sleeping over? And what about everyone else?"
"Well, Meems and Koushiro are planning to watch some kind of movie that night, and they said they'd be home late… Ken asked Yolei somewhere on the same day and I'll be left here with the rest of the guys."
"Oh, so you want to stay here right?"
"You'll be there to keep me company and I'd get to talk to Tai more too. I just want someone to talk with that's all. I'll be alone here."
"It's fine with me Kari, but does Jou know? He might get worried."
"No, he knows. I asked for his permission and he said it was okay as long as someone was with me and that you'd be okay with it. Are you okay with it? I could stay if it's too crowded down there."
"I'd love to have you here, you're always welcome with me Kari. I'll just go on ahead and tell Tai about it okay?"
"Are you sure it's okay?"
"Of course. One hundred percent sure Kari, you can even stay over any time you want."
"Thanks a lot Sor, it's not like I don't want to be with the guys or anything, but I'll be the only girl around here. I have no idea when Yolei is going to get home either."
"Sure thing, just tell me when you want to stay and just drop by. I'll fix some things here, but there's only one bed, it's big enough for the both of us, or I can sleep on the sofa bed."
"I don't mind either way, but I'd make me feel bad if you didn't sleep on your own bed."
"Alright then Kari, we'll talk about this again soon. The guys are here."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that. Sorry if I kept you form them."
"No problem."
"Alright then Sor, thanks again and see you soon. Can you tell Tai I said hi, and T.K and everyone else too."
"Sure thing Kari, I'll tell them that."
"Okay, thanks, night and see you soon."
"See you around Kari and I can't wait till you get here."
"Bye Sor!"
"Bye Kari." And with that, I hung up.
I went back to the guys and they all seemed like they just finished eating. I looked around and Akira was near the sink with Yutaka cleaning plates.
"You guys, I could have done that. Save yourselves the trouble." I told them.
"We can't let you do the dished when you already made the meal." Said Yutaka with a smile. "A good meal at that."
"That's right, now that's just abuse Sora." Said Takashi.
"I don't see you working." Yutaka called.
"You didn't ask me to genius." Replied Takashi.
"If you knew better, you'd come here even if I didn't tell you to." Spoke Yutaka.
"Okay guys, that's enough. Have a little respect, stop fighting when you're not in your own rooms." Said Akira.
"Sorry…" they both told me.
"It's alright with me, I don't mind. I'm kind of used to it by now." I told them with a laugh.
"She grew up with me remember? Our group's had fights worse than this." Said Tai with a grin.
"Not to mention Tai and Yama's fighting in class too. I bear with it everyday with at least someone fighting while I'm around so it's nothing big." I told them.
"Well then good for you." Said Takashi with a grin.
"Anyway, who was at the phone Sor?" asked Tai as he looked at me. "You never did tell us."
"Oh that. I almost forgot. It was Kari actually." I told him "Oh, and she says hi to you T.K and everyone else."
"T.K's got a special mention." Teased Yamato.
"Knock it off bro." replied T.K, but he wasn't annoyed, at least it didn't look like he was.
"So, what about Kari? What'd she need? Did anything happen?" asked Tai. He sure was urgent when it came to Kari, as expected from Tai.
"Nothing big, but she wants to sleep over here for one night. The night before the school fair." I told him "She called to inform me in advance about it."
"Why would she want to stay here?" asked Tai "What about the others?"
"I talked to her about that too. Meems and Yolei both have plans with Ken and Koushiro. They might be getting home rather late so she'll be the only girl there." I explained "She wanted to stay here so she'd have some company."
"Wait, I knew about Meems and Koushiro….but Ken and Yolei? Seriously?" asked Tai shocked.
"I didn't know either. I've missed some things I guess. I knew Ken liked Yolei, but I never knew they were together. Maybe we could ask Kari when she gets here." I suggested and shrugged.
"So she wants to sleep over then?" asked Tai "For a whole night right?"
"Well she can't honestly get up by 2am just to go home can she Tai?" asked Yama.
"I knew that." Said Tai. "So, will that be okay with you Sor? I mean, I can stay over at Jou's to keep her some company if you want." He told me.
"No, it's fine. I'd love to have Kari around here." I smiled "I don't mind at all."
"You sure?" asked Tai again.
"You're just asking me the same questions she did, and yes I am sure." I told him.
"So it's settled then, she'll be staying here with you." Said Tai "Do I have to stay over?"
"Hello Tai? We might be in a co-ed dorm building but the school does not permit co-ed rooms. Not unless you want to get expelled." Said Yama.
"I know, but she's my sister." Said Tai with a grin.
"Dude, you can't tell the school that." Said Yutaka "Not like they'll listen to you anyway."
"That's kind of why the guys dorm isn't in the same level as the girl's dorm, even if they are in the same building." Said Takashi.
"You'll still get to see her Tai, no need to worry so much. Plus, Sora's here so I'm sure she'll be fine." Said Akira with a smile.
"Yeah I know." Said Tai.
"Say, you never did tell us. Why are you so overprotective over Kari?" asked Yama "I mean, I get it she's a girl and all, and your little sis, but you worry about her in almost very little way."
"Not that that's wrong or anything, but you don't seem to worry about the other girls her age that you know." Said Yutaka.
"And she's just the same age as T.K and look at him." Said Takashi.
"I have brother issues." Said Tai "But I take it as a compliment."
"Is something up with Kari?" asked T.K worriedly.
"No, nothing like that. I jus tend to be protective, she's my only little sister, and when my parents would go on trips, we'd always be alone together. I really care about her." Said Tai with a warm smile.
"…" I stayed silent. I knew another reason why Tai was so protective of Kari for every little thing. Not just with guys, but with problems, dilemmas and of course…accidents.
"Is that it?" asked Yama.
"I owe a lot to Kari, I missed out on her life ever since I moved here remember? It was like I was never there for her anymore after that. And even if they're here now, it's not the same as before. I have school and stuff here so I can't spend a lot of time with her except on weekends." Said Tai. "And after that happened…"
"That?" asked T.K confused.
I stared at Tai and he looked at me too. He soon spoke "You remember it too right? When it happened before…"
"Of course Tai, I could never forget that." I told him sadly.
"Forget what?" asked Yutaka "Kind of can't relate here."
"Sorry, I was just remembering something." Said Tai.
"Want to talk about it?" asked Akira "Maybe we could help."
"It's nothing you guys can help me with. It's already happened. I just…it's a distant memory that I just can't seem to forget." Said Tai.
"We all remember it Tai, not just you." I told him.
"I know…" he replied. He paused for a while and only he and I could understand what was going on. The others kept silent and no one said a word to the other.
It was soon that Tai decided to open up. He sighed and looked around him before he spoke "Remember when you guys first found out I had a sister?" he asked them.
"Yeah, you never told us about her before. Not until Sora came here that is." Said Yutaka.
"That's right, I never mentioned Kari to anyone, not even you guys." Said Tai. "I told you, I made no contact with them when I got here, and I had my reasons for not telling you about any of my friends from back home."
"It killed you didn't it Tai?" asked Yama "Remembering them after you left and didn't come back."
"Yeah it did, but the biggest thing that hurt me, was leaving Kari. My only sister…" he replied.
"Among everyone else, Tai cared about Kari the most." I told them "To Kari, he was the best brother anyone could ever ask for."
"And I had the same thought about her too. I wouldn't get out of the house whenever my parents were gone, and I'd rather stay in and play with Kari." Stated Tai "And I never liked it when anyone picked on her back then."
"Yes, he'd end up sending them to the hospital the next day." I said with a slight laugh.
"But did you know when we were kids, the one I sent to the hospital…wasn't any of those kids who picked on her. It was Kari herself." He told them.
"What?!?" asked Yama surprised and the others seemed just as shocked.
"You know, Kari used to be really sickly. She'd get sick with just about the slightest things." Said Tai with a sad smile "She couldn't do things that would get her too tired, or she'd pass out and have trouble breathing…"
"She couldn't stay in direct heat too long either, or the same thing would happen." I continued.
"Why is that?" asked Yutaka "What was she sick with?"
"I didn't understand much back then. All I knew was that she was sick." Said Tai.
"What happened then?" asked Takashi.
"My parents went somewhere once and…well I was left alone with her at home." Started Tai "Then suddenly, Sora and everyone else came to visit. You guys know how I loved soccer, I couldn't say no to it. I played with Davis and we all went to the park that day. It was as if I completely forgot about Kari's situation."
"…" everyone was silent and waiting for Tai to continue his tale.
"When it got too heated outside, tat was when we realized we had to go back. I went to look for Kari, and found out she played with Yolei and Cody." Stated Tai.
"How was she when you found her?" asked Yama.
Tai sighed "That was the worst part. I found her lying on the ground, she'd already passed out and Yolei and Cody were crying too."
"So? How did you take her home?" asked Takashi.
"I went home and carried her all the way there. I didn't mind, heck I felt too guilty and mad at myself to even mind." Said Tai. "My parents found out, and they got mad too, but that's not what bothered me after that."
"What did?" asked Yutaka confused.
"It was what Kari said…." Said Tai.
"Which was what exactly?" asked Takashi again. My, they were asking many questions…
"I'm sorry Tai….If I didn't get sick you'd still be able to play outside…" Tai sighed as he remembered the memory. I remember him telling me once that he wished he was like that. He wished that he could be like Kari too…
"She still thought of how I felt about it. How I felt for not being able to get out of the house. She never thought of herself being sick, she just thought about me…." Tai told them…
"Kari…" I heard T.K mutter as the others stayed silent in the room.
"Kari has always been like that to me. I owed her much after that happened and then right after, I had to leave a few years later. I never even made contact. I can just imagine how it cold have been like for her…" Tai looked at me and I spoke.
"Kari would never think of herself, that's true. And she'd usually shrug her own wants off to help others. That's the one thing that makes Kari…well Kari I guess." I told Tai "You were very important to her Tai, so stop blaming yourself for what happened…"
"That's easier said than done." Said Tai "If you were in my shoes…she was even sent to the hospital that day because of me…"
"How often would these attacks come Tai?" asked Yama.
"We never knew, they came in so suddenly. But I should have known better than to take her out when I knew she was sick." Said Tai
"Is that why you're so protective now? Are you afraid it might happen again?" asked T.K. and he sounded worried too. He probably didn't want to see Kari like that now, he's never have and I doubt he ever wants to.
"Not really, as far I as I got from my parents, she's been fully cured and treated." Said Tai.
"So, why then?" asked Yutaka.
"Because, I'm still her brother and after everything I've done, I don't know if I have the right to be." Stated Tai "She's so nice sometimes I kind of feel; so bad about it. And I told you guys already, that incident had a big effect on me, and it's still there up until now."
"Tai you know she doesn't blame you…" stated Yama.
"And that's kind of why it hurts. She should have blamed me. She had every right to do that." Said Tai.
"But she didn't." said T.K.
"What?" asked Tai. T.K's response seemed to have caught him off guard.
"I mean, you said it yourself, Kari isn't like that." Said T.K "I think that's something special about her."
"…" everyone was silent as they listened to what he had to say, even Tai was quiet and that was more than just rare.
"She worries about others more than herself. I think it's not just because she doesn't want people pitying her, but because she really cares. I mean, I think she didn't want you to blame yourself for that, no matter what everyone else said." Stated T.K.
"But that doesn't take away the fact that I did something wrong here." Stated Tai.
"That's true, but instead of taking things out on you, she's rather take the blame. Most people would rather blame others, but it was different for her. Maybe, after all the things you've been through, she just wanted it to be different this time. She wanted herself to stand up for you Tai, she wanted to be the one to make sure everything's going to be okay, because it wasn't anyone's fault." Said T.K with a smile.
I smiled too, T.K was right. Kari was like that. She always told us all how Tai would always be there for her, and maybe it was her turn. She didn't want Tai to take the blame, because to her, no matter what happens, he'll always be the brother that's done so much for her.
"Don't you think that's what makes Kari so special?" asked T.K "I don't think she'd like seeing you moping over the past, but to look forward to the present."
"T.K's right Tai. And she's okay now right?" asked Yama "That means you can make it all up to her now, so stop moping around."
"And besides, she doesn't seem to hate you for it, and she looks like she just wants to see you happy now Tai." Said Akira with a smile.
"I think that…the worst thing that can happen now…is to see Kari stop smiling. She's always been so nice, you wouldn't know what could happen when that light inside of her would suddenly disappear…." Stated T.K.
"And dude, let her get a boyfriend already." Joked Takashi and all of us started to laugh. I guess he was just trying to break the seriousness of all of this right now.
"She might even find someone from here." Continued Yutaka.
After he said that, the first person that came into my head was T.K, he and Kari seemed like a perfect fit. I think that Tai's beginning to see that part too..
All of us were laughing now, and soon when we stopped, Tai looked over at T.K and spoke "Hey T.K…" he started.
T.K looked over at him and asked "Yeah Tai?"
"…thanks man…" Tai told him with a smile.
"No problem Tai." Replied T.K with a smile as he looked over at Tai.
"Hey, one more thing…" added Tai.
"Yeah?" asked T.K again.
"You better take care of her, cause if you hurt her, I'll never forgive you T.K." Tai started to get up and walk out the door. "Thanks for the food Sor. See you guys tomorrow." And with that he left.
T.K looked at the door when Tai just left and he stared. We all stared for a moment and then Yama asked "What was that all about?"
"And what did he mean by 'you better take care of her?'" asked Yutaka.
"…" I stayed silent, I think I knew what Tai was getting to. It was just a hunch, but something tells me that he's finally got it.
T.K was quiet too, he didn't say another word. "Tai…" that was the last thing I heard him mutter.
I look back at the door once again and then I mutter something to myself "You;ve been a great brother Tai, and I know that you'll always be…" I knew he just needed some time to think for now, and that's all he needs…
Tai's P.O.V.
I walked out of Sor's dorm room and walked around the building. I smiled as I walked around the place. I take out my cell phone and I started dialing a specific number. I wait for the person to answer and finally…she does.
"Hey Kari." I spoke first "It's Tai."
"Tai? Hey, I didn't expect you to call. How are you?"
"Fine actually, just got out of Sor's place."
"Yeah she did mention you ate there at her place, how was the food? Did Sor make it?"
"Yup she did. And it was great as always."
"I should have known. So, why did you suddenly call? Is something wrong Tai?" she began to sound worried.
"No it's nothing, you don't have to worry about a thing. I just wanted to see how you were doing that's all."
"Oh, thank you."
"Welcome. Oh and I heard from Sor you were planning to stay over?"
"Yeah, is that okay with you? It beats staying alone herewith just the guys left."
"Sure looks that way. And it's fine, you know It'd be nice to heave you around near here and my room's just a few steps away if you need me."
"Of course Tai, I'd never forget about you." She said with a chuckle.
"Hey Kari…"
"Yes Tai?"
"Do you like anyone? You know, a guy maybe?"
"Huh? Why do you suddenly ask?"
I shook my head and sighed "Forget about that, sorry it just slipped out."
"You know, if I did you'd be one of the first to know. I'd never keep anything from you Tai."
"I know Kari. Just remember that you can tell me anything okay? I'll always be here for you."
"Thanks Tai. And I'll be here for you too."
"You sound more mature there than me." I laughed a bit and I heard her laugh too.
"Nope, you just sound a bit childish at times. But that's what makes you…you."
"Hehe you know me too well little sis."
"Of course I do Tai, I'd know it was you wherever you are."
"Good to know that."
"But Tai…"
"Yeah Kari?"
"I really will tell you, I guess I just need some time to figure things out on my own first."
"I know Kari, I'm not rushing you so don't worry about it okay? I just want you to know I'm always here, even once you go back to Japan, it'll be my turn to visit."
"That sounds like a great idea Tai." she seemed so happy hearing that.
"Anyway, I guess I'll see you soon then?"
"Yes you will. I wish you luck on your fair preparations."
"Thanks you take care and get a good night's sleep too okay? Don't sleep in too late."
"I won't that's not like me. I rarely sleep late, too late at least."
"Yeah, you were always the responsible one weren't you?"
"Hm, you're responsible too Tai but you are lazy most of the time."
"I guess that's true enough, okay enough of this, you better get some rest."
"You too Tai, take care okay? And do well in school too."
"I will, see you soon Kari."
"See you again Tai…and…I love you Taichi."
"I love you too little sis. Bye Kari. Oh and tell Davis to back off from you okay?" I joked.
I heard her laugh "Okay, see you Tai. Bye." And with that, we both hang up….
I stared at the phone for a while and then sighed before I placed it back inside my pocket. I looked up and then I remembered what happened at Sor's just a few minutes ago. What T.K said totally caught me off guard and it was kind of the reason I felt like talking to Kari now.
Something hit me when T.K said those things, I've always been protective of Kari. I'm glad though, that T.K's seen these things in her. He's something alright, nothing less of Yamato. But T.K's different his own way…and I guess that's the reason why Kari and him are close…
I sighed at the thought. "I'm not that dense…so you better take good care of her when the time comes T.K…" and with those words and thoughts, I walked off…
T.K's P.O.V
I never knew any of those things about Kari, she's never mentioned them. I don't blame her for not telling me about it, and I'm glad that she's okay now. If not…I don't know what I'd do…
What Tai told me before he left was odd. It was as if he knew something was coming, something's going to happen… "You better take care of her, cause if you hurt her, I'll never forgive you T.K." that's what he told me…
"I would never do anything to hurt Kari…" I told myself. Yeah I was with my brother right now, we walked out of Sora's room together.
"Of course you wont bro. That's just not like you." I heard Yamato say. He agreed with me.
I looked over at Yamato and asked "What do you think Tai meant with that?"
"Come on Teeks, you know what he meant." Said Yamato with a sigh "He's not that dense. And this is his sister we're talking about so no way you're hiding anything."
"I'm not hiding anything." I told him honestly.
"Yeah, well let's just say that Tai thinks something might happen and he's just giving you an advanced warning." Said Yamato with a smile "But don't sweat it. With your attitude, I doubt you'll let Tai or Kari down…"
"With what?" I asked confused.
"It's something inside you Teeks, you'll figure it out." He told me and he started to walk in the other direction to his own dorm room. "See you around…"
"See you then Yamato…" I called out before I walked to me room in the other direction.
I thought about what they all said, and it started to make a bit of sense I guess. I've been contemplating on it for quite some time now. My feelings. That would be the only clear view I have now.
My feelings for Kari, how she feels about it and how I want to feel about it. It's kind of complicated, no wonder Yamato has trouble with this kid of stuff. Even he can't be calm about everything, and it just so happens that I can't either.
Anyway, as I think about these things, I'm not so sure about most of them, but there is this one thing that I know I can be sure of…
"I won't let anyone hurt Kari. And she won't get hurt, I can't bear to let that happen. Don't worry Tai…I'll keep that in mind…." And I soon started to walk away and one last thought passed my mind.
Between my brother to Sora, Kari to Tai….Kari…what and how do I feel about her deep down? What is it? And where is it going to get me???
Authors Note: Ah, that's it everyone. Chapter 20. I hope you guys like it : ) Please Review afterwards and tell me what you think. Thanks everyone!!!