Hello everyone! I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted. Life has been a bit chaotic. I'm happy to be able to finally continue T.K.'s story.
As per usual, I don't own Digimon etc. etc. etc.
This chapter is really a lead up to the big stuff. T.K.'s last bit of freedom before summer break starts. Please enjoy.

Friday Night

T.K. stared at his bright computer screen, barely paying any attention to what he was doing. All he could think about was what he would do next… summer break was only a week away and then he'd have to follow through with his plan.

A knock on his door startled him making him look away from his computer, realizing that it'd gotten dark without him realizing it. "Yeah?" he turned around towards his door quickly.

Matt cracked the door open. "Hey, I just got home, and it doesn't look like you had anything for dinner yet…"

T.K. glanced back at the computer, seeing what time it was—10:30pm. "Oh…" he looked back up at Matt. "I didn't realize what time it was."

Matt opened the door a little more, flicking on the light to T.K.'s darkened room. "You okay?"

T.K. shrugged. "Fine."

Matt frowned. "You want me to make something?"

T.K. hesitated. "Mmm, no thanks."

Matt raised an eyebrow at his little brother. "You're not hungry?"

T.K. shook his head. "Nope."

Matt sighed. "Well, I'll just throw something in the microwave and head to bed."

T.K. smiled lightly. "Goodnight."

Matt closed the door and stared out over the dimly lit living room—T.K. hadn't hardly been out of his room lately and the apartment looked barely lived in.

T.K. sighed and pulled his backpack up into his lap and pulled out his digivice, gripping it tightly. He closed his eyes tightly pressing his device close to his chest. "Matt…" his mind whirled with what he knew his plans would do to his brother.

Monday

T.K. sped across the gym, mindlessly engrossed in the practice game he was having against his teammates. It'd been so long since he'd been able to play he didn't realize how much it allowed him to clear his mind—focusing only on the game and his movements, nothing to do with digimon or his friends.

A whistle sounded and T.K. almost ignored it, but seeing the rest of the kids stop and look towards their coach drew him out of his concentration. "Great work!"

T.K. turned and looked at the coach as well, realizing how winded he actually was, inhaling deeply. "Why'd we stop?"

The coach looked at T.K. for a minute before pointing at the clock. "Practice was over five minutes ago."

T.K. rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Oh."

Some of his teammates laughed, others just smiled. One of them patted him on the back gently. "It's good to have you back. We'll win this weekend without breaking a sweat!"

T.K. forced a smile. "We'll see."

The coach raised an eyebrow at T.K. "As long as no one tries to run you over this time, I think we'll at least give them a run for their money."

Friday Evening

Davis was the first to stand after everyone had tumbled out of the computer screen, quick to offer his hand to Kari. "Here."

She smiled lightly and took his hand. "Thanks."

"No problem" he eyed her carefully—it'd been two weeks since T.K. had come to the digital world last and even Ken who was usually vocal about including T.K. when possible hadn't mentioned him in the past week. "Let's go get something to eat before we head home."

Kari's eyes widened. "Are you asking me on a date?" she almost laughed, but she was afraid he was serious.

"Huh? No… uh…" Davis looked around to see the entire group was staring at him with confusion. "Hey, cut it out, I meant all of us."

Kari smiled a little more genuinely this time. "Oh."

Cody shook his head. "You guys can, but I have to get to the dojo."

Ken shrugged. "Yolie and I kind of had plans tonight too."

Yolie was quick to realize what Davis was trying to do. "It doesn't look like tonight will work for us, but…" she glanced at Kari and then looked up at Ken. "I heard that tomorrow is the last basketball game before summer break and it's also the first game T.K.'s going to be able to play in since his shoulder was hurt."

Ken hesitated. "What about it?"

Yolie gave Ken a stern look before turning to everyone else. "Well, T.K.'s been so busy lately, we haven't seen him much, so I think it'd be good on us to go to his game and cheer him on. Then we can all go out and eat together."

Cody looked at the floor guiltily. "I don't have to be at the dojo tomorrow, but I don't know…"

Davis shrugged. "Why should we?"

Ken was a little surprised by Davis' response but couldn't come up with an argument. "I don't know Yolie…"

Yolie saw the distress everyone's responses put in Kari's eyes and placed her hands on her hips. "What is everyone's problem?"

Ken sighed. "T.K. hasn't really been—"

"I don't want to hear it." She snapped back at Ken.

Kari pursed her lips. "Let's go to the game."

Davis sighed with defeat. "Fine."

Cody nodded but didn't make eye contact with anyone. "It'll be fun to watch, I guess."

Ken shook his head. "I don't think I can go."

Yolie frowned. "And why not?"

Ken turned away from Yolie. "Let's go home."

Davis frowned as Yolie went running after Ken grumbling. "Did I miss something?" he spoke mostly to himself.

Kari shrugged. "Everything's been weird lately."

Cody pulled his pack over his shoulder and waved. "See you tomorrow then?"

Davis and Kari nodded.

Ken reached the driver side door of his car just as Yolie caught up with him. "Okay, seriously? What is up with you?"

Ken closed his eyes with frustration. "Nothing." He started opening the car door but Yolie reached up and slammed it back closed. "Hey!"

"You never keep anything from me. What's the deal with you and T.K.? Did you guys have a fight?" her frown faded into concern. "Ken?"

Ken looked at Yolie, his scowl fading. "I'm just tired of it all."

"What exactly?" she pried.

"Listen, I'm sorry. I'm just exhausted, and I took it out on you. I'll go with you guys tomorrow." He took her hand in his and looked her in the eye. "Okay?"

Yolie saw the disappointment in Ken's halfhearted smile and nodded. "Yeah."

Saturday Night

T.K. inhaled deeply, it was about to start and he couldn't wait to go all out—every minute he was dwelling on what would happen after this game, but for the next couple of hours he could forget everything else and just enjoy himself.

"Okay team!" the coach started his customary pep talk. T.K. closed his eyes and drowned out everything, concentrating on the excitement of the game—pushing everything else away.

"GO!" his teammates screamed, pulling T.K. out of his mind. Everyone rushed out ahead of him, he blinked hard and started to run after his team. He slowed for a moment looking back over his shoulder—that feeling again, like someone was watching him. Nothing but an empty locker room sat behind him. He quickened his pace and caught up with his team just as they burst into the gymnasium.

The cheering and whistling accompanied by the blinding spotlights on the court helped calm T.K. and push the feeling away. As the team filed over to their side of the court, he caught a glance of the bleachers, seeing his friends sitting in a row just a few seats behind where the team would sit. He saw Ken and Cody talking to one another on one side of the girls and Davis on the other side next to Kari, his eyes glazed over with boredom as he scrolled through his phone. Only Yolie and Kari were cheering with the rest of the crowd.

He averted his gaze as the whole group spotted him almost at once, pursing his lips he went and sat down and stared at his hands clasped in his lap. "Why are they here? I've been avoiding them for weeks and yet…" Happy to hear his name called T.K. sprung up to join his other playing teammates—the game was beginning. "Finally…" T.K. whispered to himself.

He pushed away the presence of his friends and the feeling he'd gotten in the locker room away and dove full force into the game. He almost felt sorry for the opposing team as he easily scored the first points without much effort.

The clack of the basketball hitting the gym floor rang in his ears and the squeaking of their shoes as they jumped and slid around the court almost made him forget the cheers in the stands.

T.K. stole the ball and passed it, quickly reposition for them to pass back. The ball came towards T.K. in a rush and he had to jump to catch it, but as the ball touched his fingertips, it was smacked away. T.K. quickly regained his composure and danced around the court, stealing the ball back. It was almost halftime, and the timer was on the last seconds—he sprinted down the court towards the basket. The stands erupted with suspenseful cheers. Suddenly everything slowed down and T.K. slowed to a stop. The basketball continued bouncing ahead of him as he lifted his head and stared behind the far corner of the bleachers in the shadows T.K. saw that cloaked figure and it's yellow beady eyes. T.K.'s eyes widened, and he blinked. Everything was at the normal pace again and the shadow was gone. The timer was buzzing and everyone was staring at T.K. bewildered, even the opposing team had let the ball bounce to a stop in the middle of the court wondering what happened.

T.K. didn't care though, he just stared at the corner trying to keep his breathing even. Clenching his fists tightly he tried to hide the trembling.

Ken stared at T.K. with concern. "Why did he… just stop?"

Yolie looked at Ken worriedly. "Is he okay?"

Ken didn't answer, just stared intently on T.K.

Davis stood and inhaled deeply. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?" He screamed. T.K. flinched and looked up toward his friends in the bleachers.

Just then the coaches yelled at the members to go back to their seats. T.K.'s coach walked up to him, seeing he hadn't moved a muscle. "Hey, are you alright Takashi?"

T.K. took off running towards the side exit behind that corner of the bleachers and slammed through the door.

The crisp outside evening air hit him as he ran outside. "Where?" T.K. spun around looking all over—nothing. "Damn it!"

T.K. took off toward the back of the school grounds where it was darker. "If you want me, just show yourself!" he rounded the corner and saw the trees that lined the school property.

He backed up against the building and slid down onto the ground, "Damn it… damn it… damn it." He cursed, placing his palm over his forehead. "I just wanted one more day…" he pursed his lips and started to push himself back up.

As he did the surrounding air became stifling and the sky became darker. Looking up, he saw him in shadows between the trees—Wisemon.

Instead of running like ever fiber in his body was telling him to, he lowered his hands to his sides and stared into the digimon's yellow glowing eyes.

"Gate…" Wisemon appeared a few feet in front of T.K.

T.K. stood his ground. "What do you want with me?" he spoke evenly, calmly.

Wisemon lifted his hand up and pointed at T.K.'s chest. "Gate."

T.K. felt that suffocating feeling wash over him again. He couldn't move. Wisemon took a step closer, his outreached hand almost touching T.K.'s chest. From the corner of his eye T.K. caught a glimpse of someone or something else in the shadows. Wisemon pressed his palm against T.K.'s chest and stared into his eyes.

"Let…" T.K. tried to speak, finding that his words were barely audible. "… go."

T.K. felt himself being pressed against the wall tightly. "You are the gate."

T.K. fell forward, coughing. His whole body shaking as he struggled to catch his breath.

"T.K.?" Ken's voice came from behind.

T.K.'s chest hurt, and his head felt light and fuzzy. "Mm." Was all he could manage.

Davis was unexpectedly at his side, gripping his arm firmly. "Dude, what the hell?" he saw sweat dripping off T.K.'s face and how pale he'd become.

T.K. shook his head and looked over at Davis briefly before looking back at the ground. "I…" he clenched his teeth. "Mmmm." His chest throbbed, and his vision was blurring.

"Ken—" Davis' voice was going in and out. "—I don't—"

"Hey!" Ken was knelt in front of T.K. lifting him up by his shoulders. "T.K.!"

T.K. inhaled shakily and looked up at Ken. "I'm…"

Davis stared at T.K. with a horrified expression. "Ken, I think he's going to pass out, should I go get help?"

Ken looked up at Davis and nodded. "Hurry—"

"No." T.K. spoke firmly, gripping Davis' sleeve to stop him. "I'm fine."

Davis stared helplessly at Ken who nodded again and grabbed T.K.'s wrist. "You need to tell me what's going on!"

T.K. watched as Davis stood. Looking back up at Ken he frowned through the pain. "I'm fine."

"Davis, now." Ken shoved T.K. back, making him lean up against the side of the building. "You're fine?" Ken snapped. "I can't believe you had the nerve to say those words to me again!"

T.K. laughed, almost involuntarily. "I thought you were done with me." He looked up at Ken, staring him in the eyes with disinterest. "Just go."

Davis looked at Ken with concern. "Ken…" he said his name wearily. "Hey,
Ken—" Davis saw the look in his friends' eyes and stepped in front of T.K. "Hey!"

Ken shoved Davis to the side and pulled T.K. up by his shirt, shoving him against the wall. "Is that what you want?"

T.K. shoved Ken back, almost losing his balance in the process, staggering back up against the wall. "Yeah…"

"Ken, that's enough." Davis grabbed and jerked him away from T.K. "Stop!" Davis pushed Ken back toward the Gym. "Calm down!"

Ken looked back at T.K. who was staring straight ahead toward the trees, his breathing heavy and slow. "T.K.…"

T.K. closed his eyes, his frown deepening. "I'm sorry." His voice was low and somber.

Davis narrowed his eyes. "Halftime is almost over. Coach is going to be pissed that you just ran off like that."

T.K. looked at Davis and stepped away from the wall. "Yeah." He walked past Davis and Ken without looking at either of them.

Just as he rounded the corner where he could see the back entrance to the Gym, T.K. heard Kari's concerned voice. "There you are."

T.K. lifted his face, surprised. "Uh…"

Kari started walking toward him but slowed down as her frown deepened. "What happened?"

T.K. looked at the ground, avoiding Kari's intense gaze. "Nothing—"

Kari's palm rested on T.K.'s forehead, pushing his hair up away from his face. "You're so pale. Are you sick?" the genuine concern in her voice made T.K. look up, their eyes meeting.

"Takaishi!" the coach's voice bellowed from the entrance to the gym. "What happened?"

Kari lowered her hand and turned toward the coach, stepping out of his way as he marched up to T.K.

T.K. sighed. "I felt sick." He lied.

Coach narrowed his eyes at T.K. "You are pretty pale. When is the last time you ate?"

T.K.'s eyes widened at the thought. "I…" he hesitated.

Ken and Davis walked up beside Kari, staring at T.K. with a mixture of worry and frustration on their faces.

"Takaishi." Coach crossed his arms.

"I don't remember." T.K. spoke softly, lowering his gaze.

Kari's concern grew deeper. "T.K.?"

Coach sighed loudly. "Bench. Now."

T.K. started walking back to the gym with his coach on his heels.

I'm in particularly excited for the next chapter. Back to the digital world! Time to meet the newest enemy!

Please be patient. After I get into the flow again I'll try and keep a schedule for posting :)

Thanks!