Digimon: The College Years (Recontinued)

[Digidestined of Trust]

Alrighty. I'll be relying on a notebook and a pen for this week to get out another chapter. Should be fun!

[Digidestined of Trust]

Might as well do a little more before I head on my way to North Carolina! Ken?
Ken: Right, Tim doesn't own digimon or Dino-Thunder Power Rangers. And again this storyline belongs to the Create Card.
Davis: Did you see Tim just retch when he was re-reading through the Mistletoe story and found at the end Create Card had been aiming for me and Kari to be together the whole time?
Veemon: I know I did.
Tim: Oh, don't remind me Davis. And I'm just glad I wasn't there that Christmas season when you had that thing hanging over your head. But Yolie kissing you is HILARIOUS! (Receives a glare from both Yolie and Davis while Ken gives him an odd, yet smiling look. T.K. and Kari though are holding back snickers as well as Veemon) Ehehe, I'd better get on with the story. First actually on to the reviews:
Shady: Thanks a bunch for the exciting reviews. I do my best to keep it an original story. In fact, Create Card's stories were one of the first ones I read, mostly because they were Takari aligned it seemed. I actually read them on another site, Digidise.net, but it seems that they are no longer active there. So those stories are what actually were the beginning to me writing fanfics.
Alex Warlorn: Thanks for taking the time to write me personally. I understand your concern and it might be a little different, but I actually do not tend to take myself, out of the story. However, I have already planned it to keep it on the ways that Create Card would have it so don't worry, I'm not going to take over the fic with myself in there. I'd hate to do that, in fact I like writing the way Create did. I have found via Lord Patamon, that I seem to be among the few writers that keep a fic OP, Original Plot, and don't ruin it with odd ball stuff. I actually hate doing that. So hopefully, you come to like the fic.
L.P.: (From your comment on Digimania) Like I said, I will be working on that conversation between T.K. and Kari. Thanks.
So with that final note here we go, oh and if you haven't had the chance to, please visit Lord Patamon's new message board site that he set up: digitalknowledge.proboards.com
My name on there is: Digidestined of Trust

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_**_
College Things Shall Come Before Darkness.
“Tim, I'd like you to meet Takato Matsuki. He's a....”
“A TAMER!” Tim gasped when Davis said Takato's name. This in reaction in turn gave Tim two surprised stares from both Davis and Takato. But not just them, Tim looked around to find that a red looking dinosaur had turned at the mention of the word tamer. “Guilmon!” Tim said as his eyes widened even more.
Takato and Davis stared at him for another moment in shock before finally replying at the same time, “How did you?”
“Takatomon? Who's this?”
Tim recovered from his shock and replied, “Hi Guilmon, I'm Timothy. I'm a digidestined like Davis is. I'm not a tamer. And this is Arnamon.”
Tim let Arnamon down so he could converse with Guilmon. Guilmon immediately was ecstatic and started asking Arnamon a boat-load of questions.
“I'm sure you're probably wondering how I know about the Tamers, right?”
“Wow. And I thought no one outside of West Shinjuku knew about the Tamers.” Takato said. “Yeah, how do you know about us?”
“Well, it's a long story but I'll try to shorten it as best I can.” Tim replied. “You see it all started....”
Both Davis and Takato both listened intently as Tim told them about how the Tamers were a T.V. show just like the digidestined was a T.V. show as well. This surprised Takato greatly and Davis seemed a little annoyed about how Tim knew about this and he and the others didn't. “Needless to say, I thought they were just relaying a type of attempt of some sort on Digimon so I really didn't see the need to let anyone know. But I guess it's out now. If there was ever any talk or knowledge on the D-Reaper in America or the rest of the world, the governments kept it quite a big secret because it never showed up in our areas.”
After some silence, Takato spoke up, “So not even the digidestined in America found out about the D-Reaper either. Weird.”
“Yeah, no kidding, since CNN and Fox News always seems to be the ones to immediately break a covering story like that. I mean they covered the digimon from Azulongmon's region immediately.” Tim replied. “So no one would really be able to think that it happened at all, so after that it just became a show.”
Just then, before any of them could continue, the lights went out suddenly. “WOW!” All three of them shouted.
“Weird, what just happened?” Tim mused.
Takato thought a moment in the dark and then realized something. “GUARDROMON! HENRY!”
“Huh?” Tim wondered a bit confused.
“The Robotics lab! Let's go! Oh wait, we don't have a light to follow” (A/N: Just so you know, the conversation happens before Terriermon sets everything off.) So Davis, Takato and Tim are all left in the room until the lights come back on.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
(Robotics lab: Back to the Present time)
After loads of explaining to Andromon by Kazu, Kenta and Henry as well as Terriermon, Andromon finally went to work on Guardromon. In just a few minutes Andromon was finished and tested Guardromon. “Okay, tell him to do something.”
“Alright,” Kazu countered, “This time, make me a sandwich Guardromon. And please let it be the right way.” he pleaded.
Guardromon looked at him, “No problem.” So he took two slices of bread, put some Mayo on it and then a couple slices of Roast Beef and then....
“Well, here's the moment of truth,” Henry muttered as everyone watched intently.
Kazu closed his eyes and waited for something to happen to him, “Here you go Kazu.” Guardromon said as he handed the sandwich to him. Kazu opened his eyes and saw a perfectly made roast beef sandwich being placed right in front of him. “That's it?” He questioned. “You're not going to actually slap the two slices of bread on me this time?”
T.K. and Kari both stood there snickering as well as three other figures who were now standing at the door.
“Don't be silly Kazu.” Guardromon replied, “I made you a sandwich like you said to do. So here you are.”
Kazu and Kenta sighed with relief as Henry looked annoyed. “Oh why did I even bother? I should've remembered Andromon from the show.”
“Well, one things for sure, the proper grammar sure can make a difference as well, though.” A voice answered from the door. Everyone looked up to see who it was as well as Andromon. T.K. and Kari immediately figured out who it was. “Tim?” T.K. questioned, “What are you doing here?”
“Hello there Tim, it's great to see you again.” Andromon implied.
“Thanks Andromon. Well, I'm spending the year here. Of course it's a little late so I'm taking off for the rest of the year. So, these two are the infamous Kazu and Kenta along with Guardromon and MarineAngemon. And then Henry Wong and Terriermon. It's great to finally meet you all. I'm Timothy Reynolds, I'm one of the American digidestined all the way from Cincinnati, Ohio.”
Kazu and Kenta stood dumbfounded as Henry struggled to find words to say something. “Wha...How?”
“Well, we told him some of it,” Takato replied entering the room with Davis. “But oddly enough he seems to have already known some about us. Guys, did you know we were also a T.V. show just like the digidestined were?”
Kazu looked at Kenta, and then back at Takato, “WE WERE?!?”
“Momentai you two.” Terriermon blurted.
“Okay, but if the digidestined were on T.V. why wasn't he on there with them? I mean there was an, around the world thing that went on right? So how are you a digidestined?” Henry asked.
“Yeah! How do we know you're not just an imposter claiming to be a digidestined chumly?” Kazu said still in shock.
“HAHA. Momentai Kazu.” Tim replied back, he knew that it would take a little bit to prove to them.
“Hey!” Terriermon shouted playfully, “That's my line!”
Tim grinned, “I know, and it's my favorite. Well Henry, it's probably mostly because I left during that time for Japan so I could stop Arukenimon and Mummymon from doing anything else. Unfortunately, we didn't catch them in all the areas, so we still ended up with dozens of kidnapped children. And, because Kazu, T.K. and Kari know me.”
“So then where's this digimon of yours?” Kenta asked curiously.
“Right here!” A voice called out from behind them surprising even Tim.
“Whoa! Arnamon, I thought I left you with Guilmon!”
“Well you did, but....”
“Oh, never mind. I.....” Tim was suddenly stopped when they all heard footsteps coming down the hall. “Yipes! Everyone! Keep quiet, that goes for digimon stuffed animals!”
All the digimon, besides Guardromon and Andromon, who didn't exactly have to since they were robots, went into stuffed animal mode. “......Yeah, I traced the outage to this hall....... Yes I have an idea what it was, but it's okay.......Okay, thank you for your concern, bye.” The voice down the hall started to get a little louder as everyone just sat there talking casually to each other. T.K. was also again telling Kari, quietly, that he wanted to talk to her which she agreed to.
Then the voice sounded like someone was muttering, “Okay, so let's see what's going on here.”
Immediately Kazu, Kenta, Henry and Terriermon all recognized who the voice belonged to. The door opened to reveal the obvious face of a professor who stared into the room to see all the digimon and this time two robots. He started scratching his head out of confusion.
Henry decided it would be best to greet him, “Hi.....hi, Professor Junichiro,”
“Mr. Wong, good to see you here. Still working on your Guardromon?”
“Uh, yes sir, I....”
“Now what's this? Mr. Takaishi? You're into robots too? I knew you were talented in writing, but you also have a hidden talent?”
Kari looked at T.K. and started to get a grin on her face, he looked at her with pleading eyes, “Uh, well I uh.... Kari?”
This time the attention was turned onto Kari as she struggled to find words, “Well.....we.....”
“Oh don't worry about it. But a robot team, I didn't know you two could do that. You two should also enter the Robotics Fair. What do you say Mr. Takaishi? Mrs. Kamiya?”
“ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?” Kazu exclaimed. “I thought you wanted Guardromon to enter!”
“Oh I do,” Junichiro replied, “But I think this.....uh?”
“Andromon,” T.K. and Kari replied in unison.
“Right, Andromon, also has potential. But you could also tie. The judges will have a hard time figuring out what to do. These two will be sure to grab their attention.
“Uh, can we talk about this for a second Professor?” Kari asked him.
“Sure, just be quick about it.” He replied.
Immediately, Kari pulled T.K. outside the Robotics lab to talk to him, she closed the door as she spoke, “T.K., are you really thinking about this?”
“Kari, I have to admit I'm a little shocked at the moment, and it seems like a good idea. But I don't know.”
“T.K., he thinks we worked on Andromon. I mean he's a digimon. We can't exactly do much work on him.”
“I know that, but I think it would give us good time to talk. We'd still have to undergo some tests to make sure that Andromon is in working condition so I was hoping, that if we did do this, that we could talk during this.” T.K. replied calmly.
“I don't know.....I know we're already going to talk, but we've got Andromon there too and he'll probably hear us.”
“Well, whatever we do, we still need to talk. Plus it might get you out of these shifts that Tai set up. Are you up to it, or no? It's your decision.”
Kari looked at him for a moment, this was the old T.K., the understanding, not rash, very calm about things, Takeru Takaishi. The one that she'd come to love. And that had changed just 8 or 9 months ago during a senior prom thanks to that deranged monkey, Etemon. Finally she spoke, “I.....Okay. Let's go ahead with it.”
T.K. smiled understandingly and gave her a quick hug before they re-entered the room. He was the one who spoke first, “Okay, we'll do it.”
“Great!” Professor Junichiro exclaimed. “I will get you signed up immediately!” He said as he got up from his seat and headed towards the door, then he stopped and turned back around, “You know, I couldn't help but notice that all of you have stuffed animals here. I've been seeing a lot of them lately. Aren't you a little......”
“Old?” Tim questioned, “Yes, yes we maybe are, but it's a friend thing.” (A/N: Ah, an ode to Phineas and Ferb)
“Oh, okay, thanks Mr. uh? What was your name again?”
“Timothy, Tim Reynolds. I just came here from America, I'll be coming onto the college next year.”
“Ah, the new guy. Well, thank you Mr. Reynolds and welcome, good bye everyone and see you at the Fair.” He replied walking out the door, but not before they heard him muttering, “College students with a bunch of stuffed animals, wow.”
Everyone chuckled as they watched him go out the door, and then they finally sighed with relief.
“Well, this sure is going to be a twist” Henry told the group.
“Yeah,” T.K. replied, “But this is just going to be a friendly competition.
“Momentai, T.K.!” Terriermon finally said after coming back out of stuffed animal mode, “Of course it will.”
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
CRASH!
The room sounded with a loud crash as a bunch of digimon and the digidestined all came through the digiport. Just at that moment, Izzy's cell phone rang. “Oh, just great. Where is it?” He asked himself. “Found it, Hello?”
“Izzy? It's Talley.”
“Talley? Oh hi! What is it?” He asked curiously.
“Izzy, I need to talk to you quickly. It's very urgent.”
“Uh, Okay, but right now I'm in a little bind, I'll get back to you later.” Izzy replied obviously wondering what was going on.
“Okay, but just be quick. And don't let Yamaki know about this. Bye.”
“Bye.” He said as he hung up the phone. 'Huh? I wonder what that was all about?” He asked himself. But right now, he had the task with Yolie, Cody trying to figure out what to do with all the digimon they had to bring back. He groaned, “Oh, boy.”
*_*_*_*_*_*_**_*_*_*_*_*_*_
Takuya: Wow! What's going to happen now? T.K. and Kari are now in the Robotics Fair? How's that going to flow with all the other contestants? Hopefully Terriermon is right on Momentai. How will Izzy handle everything, and what does Talley want to tell Izzy about? To find out, just keep reading!

[Signamon18]

nice! love Takari...

[Digidestined of Trust]

Well, that's stating the obvious.

[Magnamon]

ooh cool

[Digidestined of Trust]

Got another one finished!

(In the digital world)
Rosa was busy making plans for the next attack when the Dark One appeared on the screen. “Ahhh! Master!” Datamon shrieked. “What would you like?”
The Dark One growled, “I'm growing impatient with you! What is the status of the machine?”
“Well sir, as long as a certain someone keeps off my work, soon sir!” Datamon replied.
Puppetmon gave a glance at the screen, it was obvious that the Dark One was looking at him, but it didn't faze Puppetmon, “Hey! Quit it. I'm doing as best as I can!”
Datamon chuckled, “Hehe, right.”
“SILENCE! And what is your progress Rosa?”
Rosa was a little nervous to talk to him, but nevertheless did so anyways, “Well sir, we've seem to have hit a small snag it seems.”
“Oh? And what exactly is this...snag?”
“Well sir,” The girl replied, “It's the Holder of Trust sir. He's an American digidestined, a good friend of the others. He's arrived in Odaiba.”
“TRUST?!? How could you have missed this?!? Find, and destroy him immediately! He'll foil any plans we have to capture the holder of light!”
Datamon spoke up, “But how are we going to destroy him? He's also a Power what was that again?”
Rosa shot him a glare and was about to answer when Puppetmon shot at him, “POWER RANGER you cook! Even I knew that one.”
The Dark One started sounding even angrier, “THEN YOU MUST FIND A WAY TO DESTROY HIM!”
“Don't worry master,” Rosa said confidently, “I already have a plan that'll knock his helmet clear off. It's something I found from his past that I'm sure will destroy him and it involves a certain being from the shadow realm.”
The Dark One smiled, though they couldn't see it, they knew he was, “Perfect choice Rosa. But, make sure you do NOT fail me”
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
It certainly had been a long day for everyone. Henry nearly had a heart attack because Terriermon decided he'd fix Guardromon alone. Things were still tense between T.K. and Kari with a talk due between the two of them, and no they were teammates to get Andromon ready for the robotics fair. Tim had shown up with Arnamon, making the Power Rangers and Digimon combo known to Odaiba University, and Davis, whom Kari and Rika were still upset about him as well, was still mad at Takato for all the Goggle man stuff. On top of that, Izzy, Yolie and Cody had the task of trying to hide dozens of Digimon. Now Tai had called a digidestined meeting. The meeting had gone well for the most part, they figured out that they could take the excess digimon to their parents places. Mr. Ishida was willing to host a few, but only those who wouldn't cause trouble so that meant that if there were champion digimon, they were residing there. Mrs. Takaishi had been working mostly from home now, so she could take a few. Takato's parents were more than willing to have some company around since there was an absence of Guilmon and Takato and the Tamer group and Mr. Matsuki was hoping to be able to teach them some skills in baking. Yamaki would have taken some, but with the emergence of multiple wild ones lately, they weren't about to hold a nursery inside the HYPNOS station, they needed all the room they could get. Cody had talked with his grandpa and mom about holding a few in their house in which Cody's grandpa readily agreed.
“Maybe I could teach them good skills in kendo!” Mr. Hida had told the group. “Besides! Prune juice should whip them into shape.”
Jun had her own place now and told Davis that she could probably take some. She was much nicer and more mature now that she was an adult, though Davis wondered about that. Of course he was put in his place when Rika said, “Must run in the family!”
The only other family who agreed to host the digimon was Rika's mom and grandma and also Henry's family was okay with a few. Suzy would have to make sure though to keep them hidden in the park where Guilmon usually would hide.
Everything seemed fine and dandy, but there was still some tension among a few members of the group. Rika was still furious with Davis and still a little unhappy with Takato. Davis was still mad at Takato for Goggle Man. Kari was still mad at Davis for the whole Alpha Phi fraternity thing and him actually accepting the membership even after he decided to quit after Rika pummeled him into oblivion, not once but twice and that included Takato's misfortunate investigating mistake, and embarrassed Kari. To make matters worse when she went to talk to Davis, well yell at him, the members without Davis's knowledge had spiked her punch they'd given her causing her to one, be very passionate towards T.K., try to really get Kazu and Kenta's party really started, again tried to woo T.K. when they decided she was drunk so T.K. took her up to Yolie and Catherine's room in where she ended up sleeping the rest of the night, but not before being almost kidnapped by Rosa, now the digimon empress. Then after that when she did finally wake up with T.K. next to her to watch her, she finally wretched after he went out of the room. Needless to say things were not going smoothly. Now unfortunately for her, she was to be watched 24/7 which made her even madder. It didn't help that Davis had to watch, Ken was too scared of her right now to talk to her and T.K. was still on not so great of terms with her until the blackout.
Kari could only think about those events that transpired until T.K., who was sitting right next to her saw her in a daze and quietly and unnoticeably placed his hand on hers and whispered, “Kari?” Tai had paused for a minute to think of something in which everyone had begun to talk until Tai spoke again, but Kari hadn't noticed. When she felt the slight touch of T.K's hand on hers she snapped out of it and looked over at him, “Huh? Oh, sorry T.K., I....I was just thinking.”
He smiled, “Oh, about what?”
“Nothing really, just some stuff.” she answered him with uncertainty in her voice wondering if she was able to trust him again. Trust. That word brought in some more memories. Sure Tim was the digidestined of Trust, but this was a little different. She thought back to when Etemon had returned and created a clone out of her own blood, causing huge confusion between T.K., Davis, the clone and Kari herself. The clone had kissed Davis and T.K. had seen it and was deeply hurt by it. 'He had a right to be angry, didn't he? I know I'd be if I were in that position.' She thought to herself, “But then again he could have talked to me civilly instead of yelling at me. Why didn't he hear me out? Is that why I haven't trusted him since then? But yet he didn't seem to trust me either' She thought back more to what happened that night and her thought drifted back to what she'd said to him after the whole fiasco.....
Kari closed her eyes, standing there with a solemn look on her face. This wouldn’t be an easy thing for her to do, but she felt like it had to be done.
“Get your hands off me.”
TK slowly took his hands off Kari’s shoulder. Kari turned around to see that he had a look of confusion on his face.
Kari came right out and said it. “I can’t see you anymore.”
TK looked completely stunned. “W-What?”
“I can’t see you anymore.”
“W-Why? Kari…I know you really didn't kiss Davis. I know it was just a misunderstanding. And I said I was sorry. So...doesn't that mean we can go back to the way things were?”
Kari couldn't believe what she was hearing. “I can't believe you. You honestly think that after all this, we can go back to the way things were? As if nothing ever happened?”
TK nodded uneasily. “Well...............yeah. Why not?”
Kari shook her head. “You don’t get it, do you? You really don’t. TK…you don’t know how much you hurt me yesterday. It wasn’t just the words you said. It was the meaning. TK…we’ve been together for so many years…yet when I told you the truth...when I told you that I didn't kiss Davis, when I told you that I would NEVER hurt you in that way, when I told you that you were the only one for me, the love of my life…you didn’t believe me. I can’t believe that after so long, after ALL these years that we've been together through thick and thin, facing ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that came our way together, after so many years of being best friends and eventually more, after ALL THAT…you don’t trust me.”
A cold, harsh reality seemed to hit TK. Only now did it appear that he realized just how much damage he had caused through his accusations and jealousy. It looked like he was finally starting to see clearly now, but for Kari it was far too late.
After a long silence, TK finally spoke again. “Kari…I DO trust you! I’m sorry I didn’t believe you! I trust you now!”
Kari shook her head again. “I’m afraid it’s too late for that. I’m sorry…but this isn’t a case where I can just forgive and forget. I can NEVER forget this, and...it may just be something I can never forgive. I will NOT be in love with someone who doesn’t trust me! And...it pains me to say this...but I’m afraid I can’t even be FRIENDS with someone who doesn’t trust me.”
TK had an indescribable look of horror on his face. It was as if someone had plunged into his chest and ripped his heart out. It was as if someone had taken the very essence of his soul. To say he was devastated would be the ultimate understatement.
“Kari…I…”
Kari was forcibly holding back tears. “Don’t…make this any harder than it already is!” She leaned over…and kissed TK on the cheek…for the last time. “Goodbye, Takeru. Maybe someday…we can be friends again.”
'Why'd I do it?' she wondered. Why....' Again a soft whisper interrupted her, “Kari!” Immediately she snapped out of it and then blushed. She had been staring at T.K. for almost 2 minutes. He blushed too, but both got redder when they realized that their hands were still touching. T.K. finally broke the silence, “Is something wrong Kari?”
She looked away again, “I..uhm,” She didn't know what exactly to say, but then T.K. shook it off, “Nah, it's probably none of my business anyway. You can tell me later if you want, but you don't have to.” He smiled his calm smile at her, the one that let her know that everything would be alright. She smiled back, it was a sad one, but still one that made T.K's heart jump, but so had his done to hers. “Thanks T.K.” Then they heard a little disagreement take place.
“....I'm not saying your wrong Tai, I just think we need to approach this at a different angle. Everyone seems to be a little tense right now and I'm not talking about your Just For Men thing.” This made everyone laugh causing Tai to blush. Once the laughter died down, Tim continued, “I know we need to protect Kari, but I don't think 24 hour surveillance is going to help. She NEEDS her space sometimes. I've already talked to Rika and Jeri and R.....” He looked over at Rika who obviously knew who he was talking about and she scowled at him so he knew he had to change direction, “errr I mean you know who, about it and they kind of agree. While we agree there should be at least some observance from time to time we don't need it all hours of the day. Impmon is usually always up at night so I'm sure he'd see something and Rika and Jeri are there to make sure nothing happens. Since I'm not doing anything I'm alert all hours of the day as a Power Ranger and digidestined, so there's really no need. I'm have no intention of taking over the group, I'm just want to make sure we approach this correctly. We just don't need security all day if it's going to bring tension. Okay I'm done.”
Tai looked at Tim for a minute pondering over what he just said, “I don't know, I....”
Davis stood up, “Tai, I think he might be right,” Everyone looked at Davis stunned. “What? I think he might be right. That's why I think that only one other person should be with her for a while to watch her back.”
Tai looked at Davis, he'd really grown up from the thingyy 12 year old leader he had been. Sure he wasn't the brightest out there, but it certainly was a good comment. He looked over at Matt and Sora who both looked to say that they approved then looked at Kari, she nodded. “Hmmm.... okay Davis you've convinced, well you both have. So who should....” Before he could even finished, T.K. spoke up, “Me!” This reaction turned everyone's attention over to T.K., “I think I need to do it,” He then lowered his head, “Not because I want to, I have to. I...I have to keep her safe.” He teared up and sat down. Kari looked at her best friend/ex-boyfriend, but in her mind he was making a pretty good comeback to maybe be both again. Suddenly Calumon jumped onto T.K.'s lap and said, “It should be T.K.!” This gave way to a silence that lasted for a couple minutes. Finally Calumon spoke again, “Uhhh... Was it something I said? What's wrong?”
Then Renamon appeared beside the two giving Rika a little shocked look, “I agree, T.K.'s the best choice.” Renamon then looked up at Rika who smiled, “They're right, he's the best choice.”
Tai then looked at the rest of the group then at Davis who then smiled and nodded, “I agree too Tai.”
Tai then thought a moment, looked at Kari who smiled her approval, then spoke, “Okay so it's settled. T.K.'s it.”
T.K. gave Kari a nervous glance, and so did she. He looked at her with a face of question that only she could read, she knew him like a book, and she gave him a nod. Tears began to form in her eyes, but T.K. saw it and placed his hand on hers once more giving it a comforting squeeze.
Matt finally broke the silence, “Alright, I think Tai's done, let's all get back to whatever.”
Tim went up to Tai, “Tai, I think this is for the best, just trust me on this please.”
(That night after the meeting)
Kari, Jeri and Rika's room-
Kari was doing some catching up on her assignments. It sure had been a long night and she REALLY needed to get her stuff done. Rika was off in another part of the room while Jeri was off with Takato probably on a date or just wheeling Guilmon around so it was the perfect time. In the meantime Renamon and Gatomon were engrossed in another game, which actually was going pretty quietly for it being JENGA. Rika and Kari would look over and smile as they'd see Calumon watching nervously each time one of them pulled each brick out one by one. They both glanced at one another and smiled, things seemed to be finally going fairly well despite all that had been happening.
Just then there was a knock at the dorm room door. Rika went up to answer it. “I'll get it Kari.”
“Thanks Rika.” Kari couldn't believe it. Well she could but still. It had taken what seemed like forever to get Rika to understand her and now they were finally getting along. Rika was even doing some GIRL stuff with her. She listened in as Rika answered the door.
There was another knock before Rika got to the door, “Just a sec....” She called out as she opened the door. When she did, she saw Catherine standing at the doorway, “Oh, Catherine. Hi, what can I do for you?”
'Huh? Catherine? What does that French girl want?' Kari wondered.
“Hey Rika. Umm, if you don't mind I'd like to talk to Kari for a second.”
Rika looked over at her friend, “Um Kari?”
Kari sighed and put the screen of her new laptop down and got up to walk to the door. She didn't exactly smile when walking up to Catherine, but she tried to force it. “Hello....Catherine.”
Catherine sighed, “Kari if you don't mind I'd like to talk to you about something, something pretty important. Mind taking a walk with me?”
“I guess,” Kari replied.
But Rika was hesitant, “Uh, but Kari.....”
Catherine was already ahead of her, “Don't worry Rika, Kari will be kept safe. I found Floramon in the digital world. If anything goes wrong I'll call you for help.”
Rika smiled, it was a rare smile, but it was a good one, and nodded. “Go ahead, get out of here.”
“Thanks Rika,” Catherine said as she turned and led Kari away.
Rika sighed, “Looks like I'll be alone for the time being, well not technically, but still.....”
“I wouldn't be too sure of that,” A voice said from the door. Not one Rika technically wanted to hear, she scowled, “You.”
This caught Ryo by surprise, “Rika, what is....”
“YOU JUST DON'T GET IT DO YOU?!?!” Rika finally snapped causing Ryo to go into a state of wonder and shock. He started to think about what had happened through the last year about what could've made Rika be furious with him. Then he thought he began to understand, but not completely yet. He knew he'd have to talk to someone about it and had a couple people in mind that was perfect. But there was no time for that now, “Rika, I'm sorry if I mae you mad. But I saw Catherine leaving to talk with Kari and.....”
Rika's anger lowered but remained to a stern frown, “And what?” She asked bitterly.
Ryo's normal complexion changed to a caring one instead of his normal thingyy self, “Well, I didn't want you to be alone in case Rosa or something came and mistakened you for Kari. So I came by to....” He stopped and looked at her before he finished, she looked shocked, “make sure nothing like that happens.”
Rika gaped at him. This was not normal for Ryo and she knew it. But she liked it. “Wow.” She breathed, “I don't know what to say.” For the first time in 10 almost 8 years she was speechless. “Anything else?”
“Nope that's it, well and to help you make sure those two keep getting along,” He said nodding his head towards Gatomon and Renamon.
Rika smiled, but couldn't help but wonder, “If you think this is going to flatter me, then, well, it's not working. Sort of. Get in here.” She commanded and then closed the door.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
“So what's this about Catherine?” Kari asked curiously. She was curious as to why Catherine wanted to talk to her about.
Catherine knew she had to say something sooner or later so that's why she chose now to talk about it. She breathed deeply, “Kari, there's something you need to know.” She stopped and turned to Kari who raised an eyebrow wanting her to go on. “It's about T.K.”
Kari was surprised, “Huh? Is something wrong with T.K.”
Catherine reacted quickly, “Oh no! There's nothing wrong. In fact it's what I did wrong and what he's done right this whole time.”
Kari was taken back by the reaction of the girl. Normally Kari wasn't one to want to pry in the juicy details and gossip, but this seemed like something interesting. “Then why doesn't he talk to me?”
Catherine smiled, “I'm sure he'll talk to you soon, but it's something I wanted to say. Listen Kari, when that incident happened a few weeks ago with Davis's frat incident and you getting accidentally drunk, which I'm going to pummel those guys in the group into oblivion if I ever see them, T.K. was very worried. It kind of shocked us all though that he was there because he had been in the hospital. But it was a good thing that he got there and took you up to our room.”
Kari was skeptical, “Then what does this have to do with you?”
Catherine stopped smiling and got serious, “Well, that night while you were out of it, T.K. was about to leave when I walked in. It surprised us both. So that's when I told him that I was choosing him as being the right guy for me and not Tai and that I wanted to quit being in double relationships.” Kari's eyes got huge and she was quite shocked. “But then he told me something that really stunned me, but he was right. So Kari, before you talk to him, get mad or anything, keep this in mind, he turned ME down.”
Kari gasped, “He.....he did?
Catherine nodded her head, “Yes....he did. And I'm glad he did so, he told me the honest truth and it's because, well, he still likes YOU Kari.”
Kari was taken back by this. After all that happened, after she finally dumped him, he still liked her. “He....he really said that?” She stuttered.
“Well, I think we should let him tell you all that happened that night, but I thought I should let you know how I felt and I think that if you love him, you should take him back Kari. He maybe a dunce sometimes, but we both know he's not always like that, not like Davis in any way.” They chuckled at the comment, “It's because he's a guy, but you know he wouldn't hurt you purposely and I truly think he'll keep you safe. And if he doesn't,” she pounded her fist, “I'll nail him!” She stopped, “That is if Rika doesn't get to him first.”
Kari grinned, “Thanks Catherine.”
Suddenly Catherine's beeper went off and she groaned realizing they'd walked far past the dorms and were sitting at one of the tables in the Den, “Oh no! Not now! I've still got to take you back to your dorm room, I...”
Just then a familiar voice came from behind them making them turn around, “Erm, 'scuse me.”
“Impmon!” They both exclaimed. “What are you doing here?” Kari asked, “I thought you were back in the dorm room.”
Impmon looked down knowing he'd been caught, “Uh, well I just wanted a snack and....”
Kari smiled, “It's no big deal. I'll just leave some money for the staff in the morning.”
Impmon felt relieved, “Well I was going to say that I'll walk ya back kid.”
Kari and Catherine were surprised, “Really?!?”
“Hey! Don't get youse heads all ruffed up. I'm doin ya a favor now ain't I? Now comon!”
Kari got up, “Alright, let's go.” She looked back at Catherine, “Thanks Catherine.”
“No problem Kari” the French girl answered before she rushed off.
As Kari walked back with Impmon she thought back to the conversation she'd had with Catherine. She sure wasn't the snob Kari thought her out to be and she really was really glad that they'd gotten things settled. So she came to a decision, “I'm going to talk to T.K. TOMORROW!” She told herself quietly, though not quiet enough it seemed because Impmon heard it, “Eh? Was that?”
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
T.K. had arranged his schedule to make sure that he could be around for Kari. It was going to be really hard especially working with his pizza deliveries, homework and keeping an eye out for danger and then there was the matter of keeping a place for the digimon. How could Gennai expect them to do that? But that was the least of his worries. Right now he had to focus on protecting Kari and prove whatever it was he needed to prove to Kari. He was walking down the corridors on his way to the Den when a familiar voice broke the silence and his thoughts. “T.K.” He stopped and looked back at the direction of the voice. His hear skipped a beat as he saw Kari, still as beautiful as ever, especially today. She was wearing a white dress with her normal top. She wasn't smiling, but her voice was still calm and nice, “Uhm, hi T.K. May I walk with you?”
He looked at her for another second before replying, “Yeah, go ahead Hika.”
Upon hearing that nickname, she let her mouth drop slightly. She hadn't heard that as her nickname in a while. Finally she spoke after a minute, “Thanks.” 'Maybe he really still does love me' She thought to herself.
Silence ensued between the both of them for another couple minutes as they walked before T.K. spoke, “Wait, I thought you were supposed to be in the dorms with Jeri right now.”
“Well I was, but I wanted to get a break, and Renamon and Gatomon....you know.”
T.K. smiled gently at her, “You sure have an interesting room Kari. I don't know how you've managed to do it. You've done a great job getting this far with them and then your friendship with Rika. I'm glad you never gave up.”
“Yeah, right,” Kari said as she sighed.
“Well that didn't sound too agreeable.”
“Then what do you expect?!” she snapped, but then calmed putting a hand over her mouth and hung her head, “I...I'm sorry T.K. I didn't mean....”
T.K. put a hand on her right shoulder and leaned her in to him, “it's okay Hika, I shouldn't have made that comment anyways. I'm sorry.”
Kari looked at him with the sad puppy dog look, “Really? For what?”
T.K. stopped which stopped her since his hand was still firmly holding her shoulder, he hung his head down, “For everything light. I can't stand not being able to talk to you like we used to. It...it hurts. It has for a long time.” Then his eyes began to swell up, but not before he realized they were near the doors to the area he sometimes went to think, it was hardly ever used by anyone else. It was his private spot. He took her hand and led her out and then shut the door and sat on a bench just to the right. “We need to talk about this now, no later, it might be too late.”
Kari nodded, “Okay. Should I..”
“No, I'll go.” He replied and she nodded for him to go ahead. “Okay, so a few weeks ago when I said me too when you said not knowing who to trust, I meant it, but because I was still bitter. When Etemon decided to show his crazy self again it kind of made me upset. Then I saw that clone of you show up at the Senior Prom to just kiss Davis, that set me off. I was upset beyond belief. I mean, you weren't there yet yourself, I see THE KISS and I just couldn't believe it. It seemed though that I couldn't trust Davis anymore as if he'd betrayed me as a friend, but then at the same time I didn't think I'd ever see my girlfriend go behind my back.”
Kari protested, “But she wasn't your girlfriend, it wasn't me! HOW could you have not known that?!?” She started to cry.
“Kari, look at me.” She looked up, “Okay, she didn't say a thing though, that's it. I said, Hi Hikari, she walked clear up to Davis not saying a word and kissed him clear on the lips! I felt just so betrayed. Then the real you showed up and I blew up and didn't even give you a chance to explain.” He broke down into tears, “I...I should've realized the difference then when the real light showed up. I guess I. I just...”
Kari had stopped crying and spoke, “felt dark and alone, like your heart had been ripped apart into pieces.”
He looked back up in surprise, but it didn't last long, “Yeah! Just like........that. Oh, oh Hikari I'm really sorry. You didn't deserve that,” He said fighting back sobs.
“Teek, you're not the only one. I felt that same thing when you ripped on me.Betrayed, dark, as if the Dark Ocean would come back to me. I just can't believe it happened that a few months later when we met Beelzemon and then faced Myotismon again. But it HURT so much! I couldn't fell like I trust you to be my boyfriend until you understood my position. TK., you were acting so much like a little kid, like....like....”
They both smiled as he finished for her, “Davis. Yeah, I know, guess it's the hormones. You as a little girl shouldn't have gone through that, at 12 or 18.”
“But T.K. I'm not that little girl anymore! I'm a woman! I couldn't believe it when you started fighting Davis, both cleanly at least, but still vying for my love. I thought you were more mature than that, but crashing Sora and Mimi's fashion show, getting jobs, all that stuff that you did, you and Davis handcuffing BOTH my wrists to each of yours, it just hurt even at 12. I just want the old T.K. back, the one that cared at the ski resort, the digital world, my protector. You changed after the resort, and I never could figure out why, that is until you asked me to be your girlfriend and told me the truth. Then you thought that we didn't have to talk about things after Etemon and that we could just go back to things the same way they were again, but that couldn't happen Now I just need to know the truth again. You're a grown up now T.K. you need to act like it. I thought Davis had stopped acting like it, but he's shown otherwise lately with his dumb antics lately. I felt like he was using me just to get into that frat.”
T.K. didn't smile or frown, he just looked hopeful. “Well, I know neither of us is perfect, but I know you're right. If something happens, we talk to each other first. I've had a long time to think about that. Can you forgive me?”
Kari finally smiled, “Yes Teek, you know I do. You forgive me for how I acted?”
T.K. answered quickly, “Yes light, you know I do.”
T.K.'s hand was tempted to take hers but he stopped it. Kari saw it and giggled, “Teekay, you know you can always hold my hand” They both blushed and smiled as they remembered back to walking home together years ago with their hands always joined together. Davis always waiting for them and then falling into Kari's rose-bush, Davis always following them. Realizing how boring life would be like without Davis. Everything seemed back to normal. At least for now anyways. Growing up had been their biggest battle and they seemed to do it more than anyone else. Then T.K. broke the silence, “Um, Kari?”
“Yeah?”
“Would you maybe like to, you know, maybe go out sometime, y'know, like a date?”
Kari looked up with him with a puppy dog face once more. “I don't know Teek. I'd have to think about it.”
T.K. nodded, “Okay, you do that”
Just then Kari pouted, “OH c'mon T.K.! You know I'm kidding! Of course I do!” she squealed, “Hug me?”
T.K. grinned, “Gladly!” They hugged for about a couple minutes before an interruption ensued. Not a bad one just quite unexpected. It seemed that this hideout was the same one as a certain someone. “OH GREAT! Two of my friends getting mushy mushy all in my hiding spot! Just sickening!”
T.K. and Kari looked up surprised and saw the familiar face, “IMPMON!” They both yelled together as they laughed. Then T.K. put on a look of shock as did Kari. “Wait a minute, you just said friends!” T.K. announced.
Impmon blushed, “Err, no I didn't! Youse just making it up!”
“Oh admit it Impmon, you like us,” Kari said playfully.
Impmon sweatdropped, “NO! I'S.......GRRRR.....”
“Okay, fine then. By the way Impmon, you didn't see anything, don't say anything until we tell them.” TK. said
“Oh well youse don't have to worry about that kid! I wouldn't say it no matter what! I'm outta here!” He yelled as he jumped off.
Kari giggled before she and T.K. went into another hug. “Oh and T.K., Catherine told me about what happened after you took me out from Kazu and Kenta's pajama party.”
T.K. got wide eyed, and gulped “Oh, she....she did?”
Kari giggled, “Yes, she did. Tell me what happened. I know you said no to her, but I know there's more.”
So T.K. begrudgingly began to tell the story, but he began to feel better doing so, because it meant Kari would trust him.
"TK, please hear me out," Catherine pleaded. She held TK's hand. "I've had a lot of time to think about this and…I know I should never have even considered someone like Tai. Tai's a good friend, but I shouldn't have started dating and I never should have kissed him when you were the right one for me all along. I don't blame you for being upset about that. I know I probably don't deserve one, but all I'm asking for is another chance."
TK shook his head. "I can't do that."
Catherine hung her head down. "I knew it. You hate me."
"I don't hate you," TK replied. He found himself saying those words many times on this night. "It's not you, Catherine. You're a wonderful human being and anybody would be lucky to have you." He took this moment to examine her body with his eyes. "Believe me! They'd be VERY lucky! But the truth is…I'm in love with someone else."
Catherine didn't expect that. "Somebody else?"
TK nodded. "Yeah. I'm in love with…that girl!"
TK pointed at Kari…who was passed out on Yolei's bed. She was snoring and visibly drooling. TK sweatdropped.
So did Catherine. "Uh…her?"
"Kari's not always like this, trust me," TK sighed. "But she really is the sweetest girl I've ever known. She's been the one for me since day one and this time we've been apart has helped me realize it. I hope she feels the same way…when she's sober, that is."
Catherine walked over to Kari and lifted her right arm. She let go and the arm fell limp. "She's completely out. You think she'll be ok?"
"I hope so."
Catherine smiled. "TK…I'm glad you were honest with me. I hope you and I can still be friends."
TK felt relieved. "I'd like that."
"You don't have to worry about a thing. I can keep an eye on Kari for you."
"You'd do that for me?" TK asked.
Catherine nodded. "Of course, TK! I know you just got out of the hospital and I know you'd like to go back to your dorm."
"Uh…I'm not sure if that's a good idea," TK said skeptically. "Kazu and Kenta still have that wild party going."
"Go back, TK. Go see your friends again. I'm sure they'll want to see you again now that you're out of the hospital."
TK thought about that. "You know what? You're right. Thanks, Catherine. Please take care of her for me. I'll be back to check up on her later."
"I'll take care of her, TK."
Feeling assured of Kari's safety, TK walked out of the dorm, but not before TK leaned over and gave Kari one last kiss on the cheek. After making sure she was comfortable, TK walked out and left.
A part of TK didn't want to leave, but he knew things would be awkward if he stayed. He couldn't stay in the same room with Kari AND Catherine. It would be too much for him. And Catherine made a good point. TK had spent a lot of time at the hospital. This was the best time for him to go back and see his friends.
But as TK walked out of the building, he looked up and saw someone was climbing out of a second-story window. At first, TK just thought it was one of the sophomores sneaking out to avoid any confrontations with the RA's. But TK got a closer look and saw that that wasn't the case at all.
The one climbing out the window was a blond-haired girl…wearing the attire of the old Digimon Emperor. TK couldn't believe it. It was The Digimon Empress. The moment TK left, she had gone in. And sure enough, she was carrying Kari out of the window right along with her.
TK gasped. "Kari! NO!"
Kari gave T.K. a hug, “Wow T.K. I don't know what to say. I need some time to think, but thank you so much T.K. It means so much to me.” She said as she began to cry.
T.K. smiled and rubbed her back, “Me too Hika, me too.”
However, unknown to them, they were seen by a couple of girls they knew, “Well, well, didn't take long for that.” “Awww.... that's so cute!” The other girl just stood there and groaned. “Good grief.”, but she admitted to herself that it was good that they had that talk. It got her to thinking about herself and that she might should do the same thing.
*_)*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
(The next day after classes)
Though he wasn't really supposed to be always around campus, Tim didn't care. He knew that if the Tamers were there he knew HYPNOS had to be there as well. And it made it easier for him to know that because Takato had already told him that Riley, Talley and Yamaki were all there, as teachers. But he knew better. Takato probably thought it was strange too, but hadn't really thought of it much in the last couple months since and Izzy and Tai seemed to be hiding something. Tim knew that HYPNOS was a government agency and it focused heavily on the Digimon. He knew that Yamaki and the other two weren't really there for much of a vacation and them staying late nights sometimes was really weird. So he searched for Yamaki all around the campus, but didn't find anything. Then he got to the computer lab. The lights were out, but Tim looked harder and thought he saw a human object there. Then he saw something, a shimmer of light and he knew it had to be from a cigarette lighter. So he turned the knob very carefully and sure enough it was unlocked! He opened the door slowly and quietly and proceeded to walk in. Normally gov't agents didn't leave their doors unlocked, so he concluded that he was expecting someone. Then he spoke carefully, “Professor Yamaki?”
Obviously his voice scared whoever it was causing him to drop his lighter on the desk which made a clanking sound. Tim carefully closed the door and began shining his small LED light carefully and rose it over to the area of the man, and sure enough it was Yamaki. “Mitsuo Yamaki I presume?” Tim announced.
“WHAT?! Who are you?!? How'd you know who I was?” The man asked frantically which was very strange for a government agent to act like.
“Don't worry, my name is Timothy. I'm a friend of the digidestined and are one myself. I have also officially just met the Tamers. Takato told me YOU were teaching here. But I'm pretty sure you're here for something more, correct?”
Yamaki stepped to the back of the room, turned on a computer and turned the computer's light to the lowest setting he could so no one else could see. “Sit down, you and I have a lot to discuss. First off tell me how you know about me.”

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_**_*_*__*
Rosa walked up with ChaosGallantmon to where Ken's old base was destroyed. She then used her digivice and shone it in that general area. A strange portal opened up, not one of the dark ocean, but it looked just as scary as if evil was all around. And in seconds she found who she was looking for and summoned him out of the gate. The being, actually it was a man who had something gold like over his eye, walked through the gate and was greeted by Rosa. “Welcome.”
The man stopped, “What's this? Where am I? I'm sure I was banished to that Shadow Realm forever.”
Rosa smiled, “Ah you were, but I brought you back. I'm sure you'd like revenge to the one who did this, but I have a job for you first.”
“What is it?”
“Just let me explain.”
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_
Domino City
“Huh? What was that?”
“What was what Yami?”
“I sensed, a familiar presence. One that should not be here. One, that should be in the shadow realm.”
Yugi looked at Yami Yugi, the one spirit in the millennium puzzle, something bad must be happening and they were about to be involved once more.