Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. So don't sue me...kay?

AnimeAngel: Happy Lunar New Year!

Angel of Light

By AnimeAngel
Chapter Three: Never Let You Go

"Kari, are you sure this is a good idea?" Gatomon asked. "I mean, everyone is going to be so worried." She and Kari were walking in a dark alley. I'm getting goosebumps just staying in this place, Gatomon thought. This is definitely not a place for us to be...especially with Kari in her current condition.

"I would rather have them worry about me than them getting hurt," Kari said. At least I don't have to make a decision and hurt TK or Davis's feelings…but still, I wish I was back home. NO, this is for the best…I think. It has to...I would kill myself if they got hurt because of me. She started coughing again non-stop. I feel so dizzy... Suddenly, she fell to her knees.

"Oh no! Kari!" Gatomon shouted.

"Gatomon…" Kari whispered as she fell back and her head met the cold floor. She struggled to stay conscious but it took ever bit of her energy. She weakly opened one eye.

Gatomon...minna...gomen nasai... Her world started to become black and the last thing she saw was Gatomon's worried face surrounding by dark shadows.

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"KARI!"

"KARI, ARE YOU AROUND HERE?"

"KARI, PLEASE ANSWER US!"

TK and Patamon searched in alley. "Kari?" TK called out. "Gatomon?"

"They're not here," Patamon said sadly.

"Don't give up hope Patamon! I'm sure we'll find them!" TK said, determined. Patamon nodded. I won't lose hope, TK thought.

"Kari!" Davis shouted. No answer. Kari…I hope you're all right.

Tai, on the other hand, was going crazy. "KARI! WHERE ARE YOU, KARI?"

"Darn it!" Matt shouted. "KARI, GATOMON, WHERE ARE YOU GUYS?"

"Hey you guys, I called all of our parents. They haven't seen Kari either but they said we could keep searching for her and spend the night at your house. Is that okay?" Izzy asked Tai.

"Sure. Luckily, my parents are out for the weekend. Otherwise, they'd be frantic." Tai chuckled slightly, the closest thing to laughter that he had done all night. "Mom would call the national guard..."

I hope you're all right Kari. Yolei checked her watch. It was 10:30. We have to find her by the 15th. Otherwise, the world might be doomed.

"Hey, you guys! Look what I found!" Cody shouted. He held up a camera.

"That's Kari's!" Mimi exclaimed. Indeed it was Kari's camera, however it was now slightly broken and scratched.

"We're getting closer," Joe said.

Sora looked into a dark alleyway. She slightly shuddered. It's so dark…it gives me the creeps. That's when she noticed a gang of boys surrounding a figure on the ground. By the looks of it, the person was unconscious.

"Hey you guys!" Sora called. "Leave that person alone!"

"What's it to you, babe?" one of the guys asked.

"Yeah, how 'bouts you come with us huh? We'll treat you good," another said.

The gang started coming towards Sora when the other Digidestined came behind Sora.

"What, you brought reinforcements? Big whoop," the leader of the gang said. Although it was apparent that he was slightly nervous.

"Uh boss, we're outnumbered. Let's retreat."

The leader glared. "Never! Let's get them!"

The guys took out some weapons and started towards the Digidestined.

Tai glared and glanced at the other DD boys. "You guys ready?"

"U-Um..." Izzy and Joe had similar expressions on their faces; fear.

"I'm a computer guy, I can't fight!"

"Did I mention that I sometimes pass out when I see fights? More like bloody fights?"

"Be a man Joe! You too Izzy!" Yolei snapped.

"Umm..." The 2 boys were speechless when suddenly, a voice came to their rescue.

"Lightning Claw!"

The guys' weapons suddenly fell onto the ground. "What the…?"

Gatomon jumped in front of the Digidestined.

"Gatomon!" Davis exclaimed. "We found you...or you found us...or something like that!"

If Gatomon's here, then could that figure be… "Kari!" Sora shouted and she ran to the girl on the ground.

"Wh-what is that? Some sort of cat?"

"Whatever it is, I'm out of here. I swear I heard it talking and when it comes to talking cats that attack, I'm ought of here!" All the gang members ran off except the leader.

"Wait a sec! It's just a stupid cat! Come back here you cowards!" he shouted. "Fine, I'll take them on myself," he muttered.

"You sure about that? After all, I'm one tough digi-kitty." Gatomon smirked. "Lightning Claw!" The attack ripped the leader's jacket and made him slightly bleed.

"T-t-that cat t-talked! What kind of cat is it? It really attacks!" the leader stammered. Then he ran off. "I want my MOMMY!"

Gatomon smiled, quite proud. "I didn't hurt him that bad, I only made sure he learned his lesson."

"Thanks Gatomon," TK said. Then, everyone's attention shifted to their unconscious friend. "Kari!"

Minna...? Kari heard the worried voices of all the DD, echoing through her head.They shouldn't be here...why are they here... She fought and finally, managed to open an eye. "H-Hi everyone," she whispered weakly.

"Kari, why'd you leave? You know you're sick," Tai scolded. "You made us all so worried!"

"I didn't want to be trouble," Kari said.

"You're not trouble at all Kari," Davis protested.

"Please Kari, don't do that ever again," TK said, taking Kari's hands into his. Davis shot him a slight look of jealousy but due to the current situation, no arguements were started.

Kari smiled slightly. They all care for me...I'm so lucky to have such great friends...and to have 2 great guys like me. But I'm afraid...that that will cause them pain in the future... She sighed and closed her eyes, allowing the sleep to consume her.

Mimi smiled softly. Kari was like a sister to her, so sweet and somewhat innocent. She put a hand on TK's shoulder. The poor boy...he's absolutely pale, she thought sympathetically. She glanced at Davis; he didn't look any better. I wonder what path Kari will choose for herself... She almost giggled. Lucky girl, having too guys fighting for her. Then, Mimi frowned. But first thing's first...we have to make sure she lives to choose one. Tomorrow's going to be a long day...and the 15th's the day after tomorrow. Are we ready for this?

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Kari eye's fluttered. She kept her eyes closed though she awakened from her sleep.

The warmth of the sun's rays...she thought. I wonder if I'll feel it's warmth for much longer...

Don't think that Kari, she scolded herself. Be positive...if anything, hopefully the others will be fine.

She got dressed and went downstairs. She gasped.

"Ohayoo minna-chan!," Kari exclaimed. "What are you all doing here?" In the living room, all the DD, old and new, were talking and watching T.V. By the looks of it, they had all spent the night. She sat down on the couch next to TK.

They must've discussed things while I was asleep, Kari thought, slightly embarassed. I should've stayed awake to help...

"We're here to protect you!" Davis declared, a wide grin on his face.

"To…protect me?" Kari asked.

"Yeah, from whatever's after you," Yolei said. "I mean, we're not giving up without a fight!"

"Don't worry Kari, we won't let anyone get you," Sora said, smiling at the younger girl.

"That's right! We're the Digidestined! YEAH!" Yolei raised her fist.

Tai sweatdropped but hugged his younger sister. "They'll have to get through me first before they get to you," he said firmly. "No one messes with my little sister and gets away with it!"

Kari smiled. "I don't deserve such great friends!"

Ken rolled his eyes and said, "Don't go acting like how I used to be, always saying that. We're your friends, and we won't let anything bad happen to you!"

Tears welled up in Kari's eyes and she wiped them quickly. "Thank you," she whispered.

"All right," Davis said, stretching. "I'm getting tired of all this mushy stuff! Let's go kick some butt!" He walked out of the door.

"Umm…Davis?" TK said.

"What TS?" Davis poked his head back inside and glared at the boy.

"Where are you going?" TK asked.

"To the enemy, DUH!" Davis sneered.

"Well, I hate to say this but…we have no idea where the enemy is, remember?"

Davis looked confused for a second and then said, "Oh yeah! I forgot!" Everyone sweatdropped.

Kari giggled. Davis is a sweet guy, despite his stupidity. She frowned. I'm still worried about what's going to happen, though. She snapped out of her thoughts when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked to see who's hand it was and saw TK's smiling face.

"Don't worry Kari," TK said softly. "They'd have to kill me first before they get to you."

Kari blushed and was touched. TK is such a great guy. It's going to be so hard to choose between him and Davis.

"Kari? Are you okay?" Joe asked.

"I'm fine," Kari said, snapping out of daze. She smiled at the older boy. Joe is so nice. He's like an extra older brother. She looked around at all the Digidestined. They're all so kind. I feel like all of them are like family to me. Mimi, Sora, and Yolei are like sisters to me. All of them have always been there for me.

"So...who's hungry?" Tai asked. Everyone's hands went up. He sweatdropped. "Okay...I'll guess I'll go cook something in the kitchen." He left and started going towards the kitchen when Mim and Sora stood up. "There's no way we're letting Tai handle the cooking...especially by himself. Let's go Yolei! Some of you guys too!" Sora said, glancing at the boys.

"Umm...I can't cook," Davis said.

"So come with us...at least you can help!" Yolei said, frustrated. "If you can..."

"I can help!"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!"

"Then prove it!"

"Alright!" And the 2 stomped into the kitchen, shooting death glares.

TK sweatdropped. "TK," Sora whispered to him. "You stay here with Kari. I think you two need some time alone." She winked at him and she and the rest of the DD left for the kitchen as well.

Kari shifted uncomfortably in her seat. I've never felt this way around TK before...now that he told me about how he truly feels, I almost feel...embarassed around him.

TK watched Kari. I wonder how she's feeling right now... he thought. Can she ever return my feelings?

-----Kari's Point of View-----

"So TK...how are things?" I asked, trying to attempt some sort of converstaion.

TK smiled at me with those kind eyes of his. I blushed, slightly embarassed. I felt strange ever since he told me how he felt. And since then, I started noticing things I never noticed before.

I never realized how cute he's become. Those gentle blue eyes, that warm smile...whenever he smiles at me now, I feel this warm feeling in my haeart. But is it love? How could it be if I never felt it until after he told me his feelings?

"Kari..." I looked up at him shyly. "Yes TK?"

He looked at me with a serious expression. "Please...don't run away like that ever again!"

I looked down. So...he knew. He knew that I would probably run away again, so that nothing would happen to them. "What makes you think that?"

TK moved closer to me. I felt my face heating up. "Kari," he whispered. "I know you too well. I know that you'd do anything to keep us safe. But please...don't. We want to help you...we will help you. Because we're you friends and we'll fight this until the very end."

I felt the tears coming back. "T-TK..." I choked out.

TK said nothing but embraced me in a hug. I cried, my face on his shoulder. All my emotinos from the past two days pouring out like rain from the clouds.

"Don't worry Kari," he whispered softly. "I won't let anything happen to you. I'll never let you go..."

"Never let you go..." Those words echoed in my head. I was about to say something when he continued.

"...Unless you want to."

"Of course I wouldn't want to be taken away TK," I said, raising my head and looking at him. "Don't be silly."

But he made no comment. In his eyes, there was an emotion indiciating a deeper meaning to his words.

And then I realized it...he was willing to let me go if I wanted.

"TK..."

He hushed me. "Just cry..." he said. "Cry all your tears out until there's none left."

And that's what I did.

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AnimeAngel: So, how was it?

Davis: AHH! THERE'S A TAKARI MOMENT!

AnimeAngel: Shuttup you! I don't know what the romance is gonna be yet! But if you keep bothering me...*evil glare*

Davis: Uh-oh...sounds like she's got an evil plan...gotta go!" *dashes out of the room*

AnimeAngel: Well...I pysched him out. *smile* Anyone, don't forget to READ AND REVEIW and to all those that celebrate it, HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR! (HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! BUT THIS ISN'T JUST CHINESE NEW YEAR SO...Y'KNOW...BUT I CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR!)