Disclaimer: Digimon belongs to Saban. I am making absolutely NO money off of this.
Author's Note: In "The Eighth Child Revealed," they didn't really tell us much about how Tailmonand Wizardmon met. So I took it upon myself to elaborate.

"Blast this sandstorm," Wizardmon muttered as he pulled his cape tighter around himself. He'd been walking through the desert for three Hours straight now; he couldn't fly because of the sandstorm. "I'll be cleaning sand out of my boots for a week straight!" The digimon wizard looked up and saw a city in the distance. He had been alone for a long time and, quite frankly, wasn't looking forward to passing through another city. But at least he'd be able to stay somewhere until the sandstorm blew over. Any port in a storm, he thought to himself.

By the time Wizardmon had reached the edge of the city the sandstorm had fizzled itself out. He was leaning heavily on his staff and his throat was parched. Still, Wizardmon decided to chance a fly-over of the city just to see what it was like. All he saw were other Digimon going about their business. A sudden coughing fit suddenly overtook him and the wizard plummeted from the sky. He hit the ground so hard that he blacked out for a couple minutes.

Over in a nearby tavern sat Tailmon, an Adult digimon and one of Vamdemon's best fighters. She may have been small, that was true, but her reflexes were lightening-quick. Nothing got past her sharp eyes, ears or claws either. Right now she was enjoying some R and R Vamdemon had given her. Tailmon was just about to enjoy the meal in front of her when she heard the thud outside. She looked out the window and noticed a figure lying on the ground. Digimon passed right by it without so much as a glance. Sighing, Tailmon picked up her bowl of water and took it outside.

Just about every bone in Wizardmon's body was aching when he woke up. Around him he could hear the sounds of Digimon going about their business. But no one had stopped to help him. Had they not noticed that he was in need of assistance? Were they blind? He heard footsteps in front of him, and weakly lifted his head up. He saw a cat digimon standing in front of him. She held a bowl of water out towards Wizardmon. "Here," she said. "Drink this." Pulling down the collar of his cloak, Wizardmon sucked greedily at the water. As he drank, a nauseous feeling built up in the pit of his stomach. The bowl and the liquid it contained began to swim in front of him. Then his head slumped as the world fell silent around him.

Tailmon watched as the mage-type Adult managed a few sips before falling back into unconsciousness. "Hmm. Looks like he passed out," she observed. She knew that she had to get him out of there; anyone left lying in the street was fair game for thieves and pickpockets. Tailmon lifted one of the wizard's arms up and placed it around her shoulders. There was an oasis not too far from the city. She could take him there. She dragged Wizardmon out of the city to a spot shaded by palm trees. It was getting close to nightfall. She gently laid Wizardmon back on the ground, on his back, and then went about making a campfire. Once the fire was made she sat beside it, watching her charge patiently.

***

Where am I? Wizardmon wondered as he came to his senses. It wasn't the city, because it was too quiet. In fact the only sound he could hear was a fire nearby. Groaning, Wizardmon opened his eyes to see the night sky above him. "Ah. You're awake," a voice said nearby. Wizardmon sat up and saw someone sitting beside the fire. He recognized her as the cat that had given him the water earlier.

"Did you save me?" he asked in surprise.

Tailmon shrugged. "I didn't do that much," she said modestly. "I couldn't leave you lying there."

With some effort Wizardmon managed to pull himself to a standing position. "Well, thanks. I must be going now," he excused himself. He hoped she wouldn't notice how he was using his staff to keep himself from falling over.

She didn't believe it for a minute. "Don't be foolish. You're not strong enough to go anywhere. Not for a while, at least."

Wizardmon narrowed his eyes at her. "I know you saved me, but I don't have anything for you."

"I don't want anything," she said to his surprise. "but you must be very lonely to say something like that."

He was floored. She didn't want anything in return for saving his life? "What do you mean?" Wizardmon demanded.

Tailmon stood and looked at him. "When you're alone for a long time, your heart becomes very hard. It happens to everyone. Even me."

"Even you?" Wizardmon echoed. He moved a bit closer to Tailmon. "What do you mean by that? Don't you have any friends?"

The cat shook her head. "No. Not the permanent kind, anyway. But, I am looking for someone. I've never told anyone this before."

"Why not?" pressed the wizard. He was curious now. When Tailmon seemed reluctant to answer he said, "You can tell me. I promise I won't tell anyone."

Tailmon sighed. "All right. I'll tell you. For as long as I can remember, I've had this feeling that I've been waiting for someone. That somewhere out there was...I don't know. A friend, I guess. All my life I've been searching and searching, but I never find her."

"Find who?" asked Wizardmon. "Who are you searching for?"

"That's just the problem. I don't know!" the feline adult exclaimed. "I...I can't remember. But I just know that she's out there."

"I'm glad that you told me," Wizardmon said. "And I promise to keep it a secret. Now if you don't mind, I must be going." He tried to take off, but a sudden wave of dizziness hit him and he fell to one knee. He felt hands on his arm, and looked over to see Tailmon.

"See?" she said, unable to help a small 'I-told-you-so' expression. "I told you you weren't strong enough to travel yet."

Wizardmon sighed and sat back down on the ground. "I suppose you're right," he admitted. "I just need to rest a little while longer." Tailmon smiled and sat beside him. "Why are you staying?"

"I've got to make sure you don't kill yourself, don't I?" Gatomon said. "I've told you a bit of my past. Why don't you tell me some of yours?"

Wizardmon agreed and started talking about some of the places he'd seen and been to. The pair talked long into the night.

***

Wizardmon squinted as the late morning sun poked into his eyes. It took a moment for the events of yesterday to come back to him and for him to recollect where he was. The wizard looked beside him and saw Tailmon lying nearby, still asleep. Smiling beneath the cowl of his cape, Wizardmon stood. Already he was feeling stronger than he had the previous night. He prepared to take off, then hesitated as he looked down at Tailmon again. It didn't seem possible to him, but she was the first real friend he ever had.

"Farewell, my friend," Wizardmon said softly. "I hope that our paths may cross again one day. And thank you for saving my life." With that Wizardmon took off and flew away from the oasis.

Tailmon awoke with a start and sat up. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes she saw Wizardmon flying away in the distance. He was already too far away for him to hear her. "Goodbye, Wizardmon," she said anyway. "I hope your heart isn't as hard anymore. I know mine isn't." Then she headed back to the city without a second look back at the oasis.