"I dunno. When were you talking to Shiori?"

"Online tonight, why?" There was a hint of aggression in Matt's voice.

"No reason. I was just wondering. Uh, what's her screen name?"

"Why?" Matt was definitely ready to pounce.

"Well…I would still like to get to know her."

"You've got Sora."

"Let's not start that again. Anyway, it's not like Sora and me are going out."

"Well, maybe it's time you should."

"Listen Matt, I can like who I want. I don't need your damn permission or anything."

"Yeah, well we'll see who gets Shiori."

"First, ya gotta tell me her screen name. It's not fair otherwise."

"Over my dead body."

"I can arrange that," Tai said slyly.

"Why you little prick. You better be happy I'm not there."

"Same to you jerk!"

"Asshole!" With that, Matt slammed the phone down, although he was too enraged, and missed the cradle. Instead the phone smashed down on the desk, and he could still hear Tai's remarks coming from the other end. Then he heard Kari's quiet voice. She asked why Tai was making so much noise. He said Matt was being retarded. Kari mumbled something about not being surprised. Matt was quite shocked by this display of resentment coming from Kari, since he had just seen her earlier, and she seemed happy to see him. Matt walked back to the phone, and put it to his ear. He listened to the conversation Tai had with his sister, until he heard Tai say he forgot to hang up the phone. Matt, heard silence at the other end for a few seconds, and he wondered what was taking Tai so long to hang up the phone. Finally, there was a slight click from the other end, and Matt hung up his phone as well.

Matt sleepily walked over to his bed and sat down. He rolled over the words in his head that Tai and Kari had spoken. They had called him cold-hearted and uncaring. Tai complained that Matt was way overprotective of T.K. and Kari agreed. She said T.K. was becoming too wimpy, and she wanted Matt to leave him alone. Then Matt remembered something that brought tears to his eyes. Kari told Tai that even T.K. complained that he didn't need his big brother always looking after him. T.K. had said he wanted Matt to back off. Matt's own brother had turned against him. Just recalling those words made Matt's stomach churn, and he felt sick and depressed. Hatred filled his heart, and he despised Tai, he despised Kari, and he even hated T.K. He didn't care if he never saw them again. Those words hurt.

Matt leaned his head on his hand, and he let a single tear roll down his cheek. Tai and Kari were changing T.K. He didn't want T.K. to see Kari ever again. T.K. was still his little brother no matter what anyone said. Matt had never lived for anything else, than to protect him. This would be a sleepless night. Matt knew it, so all he could think of doing was resorting to the computer. Everyone was always on there anyway. It was the teenage cyber hangout.

Matt slid out of bed and tiptoed to the computer room. He didn't want to wake up his father, so he cautiously walked through the old apartment. Finally, he made it to the computer, and sat down in front of it. He turned it on and started up AOL. When he was finally able to get online, he was amazed to see Tai online. Matt's instinctive reaction was to sign off, since he didn't want to deal with Tai, but instead he stayed on. Matt began to surf the web, but didn't enjoy too much peace, because soon enough, Tai instant messaged him.

"Hey Matt."

"Yeah Tai?"

"Wassup?"

"Nothing. You?"

"Nothing. I was just restless. Why are you on?"

"Couldn't sleep."

"I remember you would never go to sleep in the Digiworld."

"Yeah, well I had to watch over the group. After all, I couldn't trust the group in your hands."

"Hey. Matt, I don't need this from you right now. After all I know that you were listening in on the conversation Kari and me had. I didn't hear a dial tone when I went to hang up the phone."

"LOL. Just kidding Tai. Hey, what? What makes you think I was eavesdropping?"

"Like I said, I didn't hear a dial tone. I'm not stupid you know."

"Coulda fooled me."

"Matt! Why were you listening to us?"

"Well, it was unintentional, really."

"Yeah, go on."

"When I slammed the phone down, I kinda missed the cradle, so I still heard you talking on the other end. Then I heard you and Kari start talking about me, so I guess I got a little nosy. It's not right to talk behind someone's back anyway."

"Who says we were talking behind your back? We were just stating facts anyway, nothing mean."

"OH YEAH? It seemed pretty harsh to me. Do the words 'He's a cold-hearted jerk,' jog your memory?"

"OK, well, maybe we got a little carried away. But I was angry at you."

"Whatever. Look, I heard what Kari said too. You know, bout T.K. Is that true?"

"How am I supposed to know? I didn't hear T.K. say it. I just went by what Kari said."

"Oh. Well that really got to me more than anything else. I've been called names before, but to be backstabbed by my own brother. That's hard."

"Sorry you had to hear that Matt. But it's the truth."

"What do you mean, it's the truth?"

"Aw come on. You know that you are overprotective."

"Shut up Tai. I'll treat my brother how I want to."

"Sure, but he'll never grow up."

"He will too. I'm teaching him how."

"Yeah, if you say so."

"Well, I do say so."

"Stop getting so offended."

"Sorry, you just keep pissing my off today."

"Oh, whatever man."

Just then, a new IM appeared on Matt's screen.

"Hi Matt!"

"Hi Shiori."

"Whatcha doin' up so late?"

"Well, I don't have school tomorrow. Why are you up so late?"

"I couldn't sleep. Plus I'm not feeling good. I don't think I'm going to school tomorrow."

"But it's only your 2nd day. Wouldn't that be bad?"

"I don't care. I feel horrible anyway."

"Well, in that case, you should go to sleep. You'll feel better in the morning that way."

"Thanks for being so considerate."

"Oh, it's nothing. I have a younger brother, so I'm use to looking out for people, that's all." Matt was secretly blushing from Shiori's kind words. It felt good to talk to someone he knew was nice. He smiled to himself as he thought that Shiori cared about him too. Then something popped into his head. What if, Shiori's brother had been the one to hurt T.K. After all, they were new in the city.

"Shiori, your brother's name is Damon, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well, does he go to Odaiba Middle School?"

"Yeah. What are you getting at?"

"I was just wondering if he got in a fight with a boy at school today."

"Yeah he did. He told me it was some snobby brat, but he didn't tell me the name."

"OH YEAH! Well, that snobby brat happens to be my brother. His name is T.K.!"

"Matt! Sorry, I didn't know."

"Fine, but tell your brother to keep his distance from T.K. OK? Otherwise, he's gonna have a real problem to deal with." The second Matt sent that he regretted it. 'What the hell am I doing? Getting on Shiori's bad side is really not cool.'

"WHAT?! Is that some kinda threat? Take it back. You'll be sorry you moron!"

"Sorry, it's just my nature to get defensive. I didn't mean anything, really, I didn't."

Suddenly he noticed that Tai had repeatedly instant messaged him. Matt returned to Tai.

"Sorry, I was talking to someone else."

"Well it's about time you noticed I was alive again. Yeah, who were you talkin to?"

"Shiori."

"WHAT? What's her screen name?"

"I'm not telling you anything."

"Matt! Tell me now!"

"What are you gonna do about it if I don't?"

"You'll be sorry Matt, you can count on that." With those words, Tai signed off.

'Good, I didn't like his freakin' attitude anyway. Tai's such a bastard anyway. I don't need to bother myself over that sonuvabitch.' Matt told himself.

"Bye bye Matt." Matt looked at the other IM that now rang the familiar tune at him.

"Bye." Matt frantically typed in.

He sat back, staring blankly at the Welcome internet screen infront of him. Matt couldn't believe he was pushing everyone away from him. Why was he like this? It was just like the Digiworld again. He was always pushing Tai, Sora, Mimi, Joe, Izzy and now even T.K. and Kari away from him. As if to add to that, he pushed the most beautiful girl out of his life, Shiori. Matt realized he wasn't upset with Kari, T.K., Shiori or Tai, ok, maybe he was mad at Tai, but most of all, he was disgusted with himself. He was always so harsh with everyone and defensive. God, he was so defensive! Why couldn't he relax more? Did he constantly need to push people out of his life? Is this cold, too cool for anything front the only thing he could always put out? Just once, he would like to be understanding and compassionate.

Then Matt remembered the flattering words Shiori had told him earlier. She had told him that he was considerate. But was he really? Matt just stared at the computer, pondering those words of kindness that seemed to come out of nowhere. The warm feeling he had first felt when he talked to Shiori returned. He couldn't stay mad at someone as kind hearted and sensitive as Shiori.

Matt glanced back at the computer screen, and realized that he had been signed offline due to inactivity. He reached down, and turned the computer off before returning to his room. His eyes were heavy and burdened with sleep. It was already 3 o'clock, so he decided to get some rest. Matt stumbled sleepily back to his room and collapsed on his bed. He kicked off his shoes and didn't even bother to get undressed. He was too tired to move his muscles as it was anyway. Matt folded his hands behind his head as he laid his head on top of them, and stared at the ceiling once again. He was too tired to sleep. It was too late to go to sleep anyway, he might as well just wait the night out.

Matt sprawled out on his bed in a comfortable position, and just thought about the night. He must have been more tired than he accounted for, because within a matter of minutes, his eyelids had dropped closed. Matt was too tired to fight it, or to even realize he was drifting into sleep. Slowly, his royal blue eyes disappeared behind his exhausted eyelids. His muscles relaxed, and he fell asleep.

Tai could not get any rest at his house either. After his online quarrell with Matt, he kept mulling over the idea in his head that Matt was right today. Tai had been ignoring Sora, and he knew it. It wasn't intentional, honestly, it's just that, Tai had something else on his mind. The new girl, Shiori, she was so different in her appearance from Sora, that she would catch anyone's attention. Her brilliant red hair was unlike any other he had seen before. Shiori's large, innocent, questioning turqoise eyes were stuck in his mind, pertruding his thoughts. Her tall, lean body stood in his head, beautiful and mysterious. Oh, why couldn't Shiori be his? Tai knew she would never fall for some one as secretive and confusing as Matt. How could she understand Matt's thoughts, when even Tai still hadn't gotten Matt all figured out, despite the fact they were stuck in the Digiworld for what seemed like an eternity together.

Tai vacantly looked at the computer sign off screen before his eyes. Perhaps he should go back on, and maybe see if Matt is still there. 'Maybe I can tell him I realized I was acting like a jerk before, and I can get on his good side again. Then, maybe he'll finally give me Shiori's screen name.' Tai thought to himself. But then, his mind came to the realization that Matt would most likely still refuse, even if he did accept Tai's apology. Matt's just too stubborn to be swayed.

Tai turned off the computer in his living room, and quietly crept back to his room. He plopped down on his bed and took a picture off of the table next to him. It was a picture of the entire group, just before they were going back to the Digiworld after defeating Venomyotismon. Everyone was there including the digimon. There were many mixed feelings in that picture, but mostly shining faces.

Tai looked at Mimi's glowing smile. She was never a phony like everyone thought. Mimi truly deserved the Crest of Sincerity, for inside she was caring and always ready to lend a hand. Mimi brought happiness to the group, even if she had to whine to get the group cheerful. She's changed in her appearance a lot. Although pink is still her favorite color, her outfits now consist of many other bright colors too. Mimi doesn't wear a hat anymore or gloves. She continues to wear her hair up in a pony tail, but now ties all of it back, not allowing the two pieces to fall in front of her face.

His eyes then moved over to Izzy. Now that he realized it, everytime you saw Mimi, Izzy was not far off. Although, Izzy was intelligent enough not to show his feelings, or not to make himself noticeable, but somehow, he constantly managed to find his way over to Mimi. He was a little taller that he was in the picture, but he will always be short. His deep red hair is the same, and his large black eyes are the same. Izzy's thirst for knowledge and technological advances is still present. He hasn't changed much, because even his grin is that same questioning, cunning smirk remains the same.

Next to Izzy stood Kari. It was funny, because Kari was nearly as tall as Izzy in the picture. Now, Kari is actually taller than Izzy. Tai grinned at his beautiful sister that beamed with delight. She was excited to go to the Digiworld, and it was very obvious in the picture.

As usual, her loyal friend, now boyfriend, T.K. stood next to Kari. They had always been close, right from the beginning. It could have simply been that they were the same age, and wanted to cling onto one another, or maybe they truly had liked one another from such a young age. Anyway, T.K.'s bright blue eyes were full of happiness. He, like Kari, was excited to be returning to the Digiworld. He looked at as an adventure or fairy tale, rather than a battle for man's survival.

Tai stood next to T.K. 'Man, did I look goofy with those goggles,' Tai chuckled to himself. Tai thought about how he had given them to the previous Digidestined's group leader, Daisuke or Dai. He never did see those goggles again, but it didn't bother him anymore. He was too old to wear goggles. After all, he was a sophomore in high school. Sora is a sophomore too, he observed. Tai thinks fondly of the nights when he and Sora were able to slyly lay down next to one another for the night. He had thought he was so smooth and cunning. In his mind, no one could ever guess the feelings they had for each other, but now Tai has come to realize, everyone knew all along. Of course, Kari and T.K. didn't, but they were just little kids, only eight years old. The rest of the group could see it right from the beginning, they just kept their mouths shut. Sora has changed a lot. Her brown hair is longer now, and she wears it down most of the time. She still has the same auburn eyes that she always had, and even though she has grown out of her blue hat, or helmet as everyone calls it, she has found a new one to wear. 'Sora always looked pretty in hats,' Tai thought. 'Well, moving on, next up is Joe.'

Joe is exactly the same. The same glasses, the same serious face, the same scardy - cat he always was, the same navy blue hair, nothing had really changed. He is still one of the smarter ones in the group, right behind Izzy, and basically even with Sora that is. Other than that, it's still good old Joe.

Then, Tai's eyes fell upon Matt. Matt hadn't changed, other than the fact that he had gotten taller. He still had the same mysterious eyes, the same wild blond hair and the same coolness about him. Matt's attitude has never changed and probably never will. Tai studied Matt's expression a little more closely than before. Matt looked, frightened. Could it be? Mr. I'm Too Cool, Mr. I Gotta Protect T.K., Mr. I'll Never Listen To You Tai was actually scared. How did he let his emotions slip through this time? He's always been so good at hiding them. Sometimes, even T.K. doesn't know what he was thinking, but he allowed his fear to be immortalized in a photograph? It doesn't make sense.

Something jerked into Tai's mind. 'Matt's mom and dad were both there,' he thought. Did Matt fear for them? He hadn't seen his mom in quite a while, since his dad was restricted from visiting the Takushai residence. Was Matt nervous his dad would get caught? Was he nervous his mom would be angry? Was he ashamed to see his parents back together? What was frightening him? Tai racked his brain as he stared at the nervous expression Matt had on his face. Matt wasn't even looking at the camera in the picture. His gaze must have been completely focused on his parents. How could Tai have not seen this before? 'Maybe it's time I talked to Matt. Knowing about his past, might help me understand why he is so overprotective of everyone and defensive now. I have to talk to Matt tomorrow.'

With that thought still fresh in Tai's mind, he laid back on the bed and stared at the bottom of the bunk bed above him. His arm was stretched above his head, and Tai's eyes were closing on him. He struggled in vain to keep them open, so he could think about Matt some more, but finally it over powered Tai. He was too tired to think as it was, so he just fell asleep, still confused about Matt's aloof personality.

Matt woke up late the next day. It was already 12:00, and his father had left for work. Matt was unbelievably tired, so all he could manage to do was fall out of bed. Unfortunately, he landed on his boots.

"Ow, damn," he grumbled. Matt picked himself up, and rubbed his back where he had landed on the hard boots. He walked over to his desk, and picked up the comb. Matt then proceeded out of his room and into the bathroom. He attempted to style his crazy hair, but he was too tired to even concentrate. 'Oh well, it always looks messed up anyway,' he thought.

Matt placed the comb down on the sink counter, and continued to get cleaned up. After a while, he came out and walked to the small kitchen. It was already past 12:00, so there was no sense in having breakfast. Instead, he settled for a quick peanut butter and jelly sandwich, with excessive peanut butter. He always liked peanut butter better than jelly anyway. The blond boy opened the refrigerator and grabbed a root beer. He sat down at the tiny island counter in the center of the kitchen. He was use to eating in peace and alone. His father rarely got home early enough to have dinner with him, so Matt has learned to take care of himself.