We’ll Always Have Each Other.

Part 1: Matt
I look into the pond, hating my reflection. You are such a coward, I curse, while the angry blue eyes glare back at me. ‘Why can’t you tell him, you idiot, why?’ I rake my fingers through my mess of blond hair.

A curious voice beside me inquires, ‘What’s wrong, Matt?’ It’s TK. I have to admit, the kid has become really observant. I think Kari has rubbed off on him.

‘It’s nothing, TK.’ I turn away from the pond, still hating the cowardice that prevents me from telling Tai the truth. ‘It’s late, you should be asleep. Come on.’ I heave my little bro onto my back and rejoin the others.

Mimi looks up as I return. She’s sitting with Sora, as usual. She giggles, and Sora blushes furiously. Gently, I lay TK beside Patamon and Kari. ‘Matt, will you come here?’ Looking up, I see Izzy, Joe, and Tai clustered around Izzy’s laptop.

‘What is it, Izzy?’ I sit beside Joe, curious. Tai answers instead. ‘Genai has e-mailed Izzy. He says that we are being followed, by something powerful. He doesn't know what it wants.’

‘Why not tell the girls?’ Joe asks.

Tai replies, ‘I don’t want to worry them.’

I can’t stand it. ‘You know, Sora might actually be able to help.’ I can't help it. I just always seem to disagree with anything Tai says.

‘Why do you always disagree with me?!’ Tai begins to get angry.

‘BECAUSE YOU’RE ALWAYS WRONG!’

‘Tai . . . ’ a sleepy voice asks, ' is something wrong?' Kari stood there, rubbing her eyes.

‘Yeah, Matt, what’s the problem?’ my kid brother was beside her, hair in a golden halo from sleep.

Sora tells them gently, ‘It’s nothing, TK, Kari. Back to bed.’ The young ones nodded, then curled up together, for warmth.

‘I’ll take first watch.’ Tai takes control. ‘Matt, you next, then Sora, and last Joe. How does that sound?’

I nod, and lay down between Sora and TK. Mimi giggled once again, and whispered in Sora’s ear. Sora pinked and looked at me from the corner of her eye. I turned away, and my half-conscious mind wondered why she cared. Why would anyone care what happened to Yamato Ishida? I’m all alone, all I have is TK and my dreams.

Part 2: Tai

Why don’t I care? Aren’t I supposed to love Sora? Shouldn’t I be mad that she loves Matt? Staring into the fire, search for the answers, but I can’t find them. I look at Sora, and realize I do love her. She’s the best friend I’ve ever known. Matt is a different matter. Matt is such a gentle soul, and I love him for it. He tries to hide it, but I can see through the mask of toughness every once in a while, like when he talks to TK, or when we fight. Matt isn’t afraid to punch me when I need it or tell me my idea is the stupidest thing he’s ever heard. I check my watch and yawn. Time to wake Matt up.

‘Matt. Wake up.’ I shake Matt’s shoulders gently. His eyes open slowly. I start, slightly shocked. For a minute I thought I saw look full of love, the kind he gives TK in Matt’s ocean blue eyes. I can almost always tell what a person is thinking from their eyes. It’s why I’m a good leader, but I can’t read Matt’s expression. I blink, and it’s gone. Wishful thinking? ‘

’Night, Tai.’

‘G’night, Matt.’ My angel, I add, under my breath. Damn it, I can’t sleep.

I sit up, and Matt asks quietly, ‘Is something wrong?’

‘Nah. Just can’t sleep.’ I move beside the blonde, and once more stare into the flames. ‘You okay, Matt? It must be annoying to have Mimi and Sora giggling at you all the time.’

Matt looks at me, surprised. I see that something in his eyes again. What is it? ‘You noticed? I-I mean, you’re not jealous?’

I laugh. ‘No way.’ We sit awhile longer, enjoying the silence.

‘It’s cold, Tai.’

‘Yeah, Matt, it is.’ I look into his deep blue eyes. ‘Sora’s watch.’ Matt sighs, and wakes Sora. I return to my place between Joe and Mimi. To my surprise, Matt joins me. We fall asleep like that, back to back, supporting each other.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Tai . . . ’ a worried voice wakes me from my dream-riddled slumber. ‘Tai, wake up, it’s pouring.’ Opening my eyes, I see Joe’s anxious face, peering at me over his glasses.

‘Ugh, ‘I moan. ‘I’m starving. Who’ll come with me to get some food?’

‘Tai, I know, somewhere under all that hair, you have a brain.’ Matt glares. Why is he being so cruel? I wonder. ‘Need I point out, you can barely see a foot in front of you?’ For a second, I think I see the toughness waver. He’s worried! Or was it just more wishful thinking?

‘Tai, it would be a good idea to wait out the storm.’ Izzy interjects, matter-of-factly, as always. ‘Besides, there is more to worry about than this thunder shower.’ God, for the smart kid, sometimes he can be pretty stupid. He should know better than to make Sora mad.

‘What are you talking about?’ Sora turns to face me. ‘Tai, what is he talking about?’

‘Well . . . ’ I stall, trying to figure out a way around the impending doom.

‘TAI! DON’T YOU LIE TO ME, BECAUSE I KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG!’ Sora takes deep breaths, trying to calm down. It’s not working.

I look at the guys for help. Joe is very interested in his feet. Izzy avoids my glance, and Matt smirks, mouthing “I told you so.”

‘Sora, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. Something is following us, something, big.’ I smile weakly.

She looks at me, tears in her eyes. ‘Can’t you trust me, Tai? I’ve saved your butt just as many times as you’ve saved mine. Don’t you trust me?’ Sora turns, and runs into the blinding rain.

I stand here, shocked. Of course I trust her. I trust her with my life.

‘Sora!’ Matt yells, then follows her into the rain.

‘Shoot.’ I mutter, giving chase to the blonde angel called Matt.

Behind me, I hear Kari ask, ‘Will they be okay?’

‘I hope so,’ Joe replies.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

I catch up to Matt, and ask, breathlessly, ‘Where is Sora?’

He shakes his head. Matt looks me in the eye. ‘You really hurt her feelings, Tai. She’s one of your best friends, you should have told her.’

I avoid his stare, feeling like if I made eye contact he’d see all the secrets, everything I hide. My feelings. If he saw those, he’d really hate me. I glance hopelessly at the trees, grey from the rain. ‘We’ll never find her in this. We have to get to shelter.’

We walk for over an hour, searching. Eventually, Matt spoke. ‘Tai, I’m cold.’

I look at him, and feel my jaw drop. ‘O-oh my god, Matt. You’re turning blue!’ I bend down, slipping one arm behind Matt’s knees, the other around his shoulders.

‘Hey!’ Matt protests.

‘You’re sick.’ I grunt, standing. ‘For crying out loud, Matt, your lips are turning blue. You weigh a lot more than Kari, I’ll tell you that.’ After a few minutes, though it seemed like hours, I find a small cave. I look down at Matt. He’s unconscious. ‘God. Wake up, Matt. Wake up. Don’t die. Please, Matt, don’t die on me.’ I rush into the cave, and gently lay Matt down against the wall. The floor is littered with dry leaves. Quickly, I make a fire.

In his corner, Matt moans. I rush to his side. ‘Matt, are you okay?’ His blue eyes are empty. ‘Matt, look at me.’ When he doesn’t respond, I pull him closer to the fire. The flames flicker, and strange shadows dance across Matt’s deathly pale face. I wrap my arms around him, trying to force the heat into his body. I bury my gloved fingers in his blonde hair. Looking down at Matt I have to smile, despite the danger he was in, he was still my angel. ‘If only I could tell you the truth.’

Part 3: Sora

It’s been three days since the storm. Three days since I’ve seen Tai. . . and Matt. The others have been very nice. No “this is all your fault!”s or anything. After I left the camp in the rain days ago, Matt followed. He’s always understood feelings better than Tai has, and he always will. Apparently, Tai followed Matt. Or so Mimi told me. When I returned TK just asked me quietly, ‘Will you help me get my brother back?’

‘Sora, are you all right?’ Kari, Tai’s little sister sits beside me, giving me a concerned look. I smile.

‘I’ll be just fine.’ The smile fades. ‘When they’re safe.’

‘Don’t worry. Tai’ll be O.K. He’ll take care of Matt.’ With one more sad grin, Kari leaves.

Tai, I’m so sorry. Come back. I forgive you. Just come back to me. As these thoughts run through my head, I examine them. I’m shocked at what I find. I love Tai! Can it be? I close my eyes, praying. Keep them safe, Lord. Bring my Taichi back to me.

Part 4: Matt

It’s warm. I had been unconscious, I know that. But for how long? Slowly, I open my eyes, and find myself staring at hair the size of Tokyo. Tai. My memories come flooding back. I had gotten cold, too cold. Tai carried me here, to this cave. ‘Tai, you saved my life.’ I reach up an arm and stroke one smooth cheek. ‘Thank you.’ He groans and shifts, so I pull my arm away hurriedly.

‘Sora . . .’ Tai’s voice sounds so strange, bouncing and echoing off the walls. I sigh. Sora. I should have guessed. ‘I love you.’ I sigh once more. I move away from the sleeping brunette. Tai finishes his thought. ‘But only as a friend.’

Renewed hope surges through me. ‘Tai, wake up, we have to find the others.’ He opens his eyes, and suddenly I’m gazing into chocolate colored orbs. ‘Matt?’ Tai sits up. ‘Are you okay?’

‘Yeah,’ I laugh. ‘You really scared me, buddy.’ There’s relief in his eyes.

I focus on my boots. ‘Tai . . . I don’t know how exactly to say this . . .’ I guess something in my voice tells him it’s important.

‘Matt?’ Tai sounds worried. ‘I’m listening.’

‘Well,’ I look into the warm brown eyes and feel my outline melt. ‘I . . . love you.’ The words almost don’t pass my lips. The cave is once again silent. I feel hot tears well up behind my eyes. As they spill down my cheeks, I move away from Tai, getting as far from my mistake as possible. Burying my head in my arms, I let the tears flow freely.

Soon, I’m enveloped in warm arms. ‘Shh.’ whispers Tai, in a gentle voice. ‘Don’t cry, Matt. I’m here.’ He puts a hand under my chin, forcing my tear-filled eyes to gaze into his. ‘I didn’t mean to make you cry, I just didn’t believe you. I always thought you hated me.’

I start to laugh, and choke. When I could finally breathe, I gasp, ‘Idiot. I could never hate you.’

Tai smiles. ‘Good. ‘Cause I couldn’t bear it if you did.’ Before I could find a reason not to, I kiss him. We separate, and once again, Tai grins ‘Let’s go home.’

Part 5: Sora

After Matt and Tai left, everyone wandered around like zombies. I am sitting by the smoldering embers of our campfire, staring into space, trying not to think. I hear a rustling of leaves behind me. Turning I see Matt and Tai, triumphantly returning to camp. I run to them, and fling my arms around Tai’s neck, crying, ‘ I’m so glad you’re safe!’

Tai laughs. I’m so glad to hear that sound again. ‘You’re awfully glad to see me, Sora.’

‘Matt!’

‘TK! I missed you.’ everyone laughs, happy to be reunited.

‘Sorry to interrupt everyone’s fun,’ Izzy ventures, ‘but we’re still being followed. What should we do?’

Tai grins. ‘We’ll be fine.’ he shoots Matt a small smile. ‘We have each other.’

‘Yeah,’ Matt agrees, smiling back, ‘ We’ll always have each other.’

A/N: R&R is very welcome. If u don't like Taito, 2 things, what the hell are u doing at drakin's site, & don't flame me.
Luv 4eva,
Leticia