Message In The Night

Tai stretched out his arms and yawned deeply, sleep still tugging at his eyelids. He rubbed them quickly and blinked a few times before attempting to move for fear of unintentionally stepping on one of his six companions. There was Izzy, cuddling up with his laptop near a tree to the side along with Joe and their digimon. The two of them had stayed up all night exchanging theories on things Tai hadn't had the knowledge to fallow or understand. Instead, he and Sora, who slept beside Mimi on the other side of the now extinguished fire, had stayed up planning today's trip. Matt had of corse argued and disagreed with Tai as much as possible to both his and Sora's disappointment. Has there ever been a day when we actually agreed on something? Tai wondered, searching around for his trademark goggles. At least TK had been there to point out to Matt what a jerk he was being. Tai though again, Okay, so TK would never call Matt a jerk but with the way he acts towards him and everyone else, he sure deserves to be. Tai took his gaze off Sora and Mimi and looked over to were TK and Matt were sleeping. Only TK was there now though. Instead, he found Matt standing over a pile of sticks and arranging them in the fire pit.

"Matt?"

"Morning, Tai. You know at first I wasn't sure but now that I've witnessed it, there's no denying the fact."

Tai cocked his head to the side in confusion, "What on earth are you talking about?"

"Your hair. I didn't think it could look any more disarrayed but one look at that bed head of yours and I was sure of it."

Tai frowned. What a way to start the day. At this rate they'd be at each other's throats by midday. "Good morning, Matt," he said at last with an edge of content in his voice.

Matt smiled wickedly at the response and walked over to Agumon, "Come on, Agumon. I can't very well cook breakfast without a fire," he nudged the digimon in the side with his foot.

Agumon opened his eyes drearily and yawned much like Tai had, "It's to early."

"No, it's not. I've been up catching fish and gathering fruit for almost an hour. All I need for you to do is Pepper Breath that pile of wood over there. How hard can that be?"

Agumon seemed to think it over then nodded, "All right, Matt, one fire coming up."

Matt stood back and smiled as a bright and powerful fire sparked to life over the fresh timber. "Thanks, Agumon. You can go back to sleep now. I'll get ya up when breakfast is ready." Before he had finished his sentence, Agumon was asleep.

Tai laughed lightly, "I don't think he heard you."

"Whatever." Matt arranged the fruits and fish he'd brought back on a stone and began cleaning and preparing everything.

Tai watched with interest and neared the fire for warmth. "So, what are you doing up so early?"

Matt didn't look up from his work, "Just couldn't sleep, that's all."

"Yea, right, Matt. Come on, who are you afraid I'm gonna tell?"

Once again, Matt didn't look up, "It's not that.. I don't know. Call me superstitious but I kinda have this belief that if you talk about bad things, they just might happen."

"So it was a nightmare?"

This time, Matt did look up, "Yea.. or at least I hope so."

"Nani?" Tai was about to inquire further when a new voiced popped into the scene.

"FOOD!"

Mimi scooted next to Matt and smiled, "Any small bites you'd care to give to me?"

Matt sighed then glared at her, "If you want a snack you can go pick some fruit for yourself. I picked just enough for everyone."

Mimi began to pout with that horridly effective look on her face that could melt butter. Too bad it didn't have the same effect on Matt.

"Your not getting any of this till I'm done cooking so either sit and wait or go get some yourself."

Mimi huffed and flipped her hair in his face, "Your so mean, Matt."

Tai watched the unfolding scene and laughed as Matt rolled his eyes at the girl's behavior. "Come on, Mimi, he's almost done. You can wait a bit longer, can't you?"

"Oh.. I guess so," Mimi turned around and shook Palmon, "Come on, wake up. Breakfast is almost ready."

The shrill squeak of her voice sent most of the other, sleeping, friends flying out of their "beds".

"Yeash, Mimi, has anyone ever told you you sound like a fire alarm?" Joe asked cruelly, still half asleep and pretty much unaware he had vocalize his thoughts. Luckily for him, Mimi was too busy shaking Sora awake to hear his remark.

"Come on, Sora! Wakey-Wakey!"

Biyomon woke first and looked questionably at the pink clad girl, "Mimi?"

"Oh good, your awake. Now you can help me with Sora."

"She's particularly happy this morning," Izzy noted, brushing off his shirt.

Joe put his glasses on and rubbed the lenses clear, "I guess she had a good dream."

At the mention of dreams, Matt tensed and dropped one of the fish in the fire. "Oh.. uh.. well it looks like someone's out a fish."

Man, Matt's acting weird. that must have been one heck of a nightmare. Tai watched as all the others gathered around the fire and smelled the delicious smells surrounding them.

"Okay, we've got grilled fruits and fish. Help yourselves everyone." Matt stood and took his own meal and TK's over to where his brother was sleeping. The little boy was still asleep and cuddled up close to his digi-friend. Matt sighed and put the food down on a rock. "Hey there, Squirt. Time to wake up."

TK mumbled something and opened his large blue eyes, "Oh, hiya, Matt! Boy was I sleepy."

"Let's just hope your awake enough to eat something. We'll want to head out early today."

TK smelled the air and his eyes grew wider, "Yummy, Matt. Did you make breakfast?"

"Sure did."

"Hey, Patamon, wake up! It's time to eat and it smells really, really good!"

The "piggish" digimon rolled over and mumbled something intelligible. Matt laughed and nudged his companion as well, "Come on, you too, Gabumon."

The two digimon protested for a few minutes but finally fell in suit and awoke like the rest of them. When all was eaten (which didn't take very long at all) and everyone had finally gotten packed up, they set out on their way. All the while, TK and Patamon sang cutesy little songs they had made up on the spot.

"Oh give me a home, where the digimon roam, and the digi-destioned all play. Patamon's my friend, um.. what rhymes with friend? Uh, and Tai and Matt are fighting all day!"

"Hurrah!" Patamon cheered, "That was wonderful, TK!"

"Yea, all but that last verse." Matt noted, "Me and Tai don't fight all day. Your exaggerating a bit, don't you think?"

"It's just a song, Matt. Ya don't have to go analytical on it." Tai shot back.

"I'm not going analytical on it, Tai. I was just saying that-"

"Or more so, contradicting yourself, am I right?" Izzy asked.

Tai began to laugh, "He's right ya know. We're fighting again."

Matt crossed his arms and sneered, "Whatever."

Darkness..

"One must die. Better to weaken the strong with grief over the loss of the weak. The little boy will do nicely..."

Silence..

"..I'm coming for you, little one. Prepare to face your end."

Emptiness.

"Hey, Matt, I'm tired. Can you carry me?"

Matt sighed, "I'm tired too, TK. If I can walk the rest of the way though, so can you."

TK's head fell, "But I'm just a little kid, Matt, and my legs get tired quicker than you big kids'."

"Well, then your just going to have to grow up, TK. What do you expect me to do?"

Tai frowned, listening to the arguing going on behind him. "I'll carry you,TK." He offered.

TK's face lit up like a lightbulb and his smile soon turned musical as he laughed with delight, "Oh really, Tai? Your so cool!" TK climbed onto his back and wrapped his arms around Tai's neck.

"Don't mention it, little guy." Tai said. He looked back at Matt for a moment and regretted immediately that he had. Matt's face looked full of hurt. As soon as he realized Tai was looking at him though, he turned his back to him,crossing his arms over his chest in defiance as if to say "Sure, go ahead, see if I care".

"Let's go, everyone!" TK yelled, mimicking Tai. Tai laughed and sped up with the others moaning behind him. Matt remind silent, just observing.

Tai rounded the hill and turned to see most of the others hadn't even reached the bend in the path yet."What a bunch of slow pokes," Tai joked.

TK laughed, "Yea, they sure are slow. We beat um good, huh Patamon?"

"Sure did!" the digimon ridding shotgun on his hat replied. The gang laughed some more till a sudden stillness swallowed it up.

"Tai...." TK's voice was shaky and frightened. The air seemed so cold, dead quiet and still. It was as if the hand of death had closed it's tight griped around them.

Tai looked around, a very bad feeling coming over him, "Come on, TK, lets go back and meet up with the group."

"It's too late for that."Tai looked up in fear and surprise and saw something that could have only been born from nightmares. It was tall, lanky, and freakish looking. It stood at almost twenty feet tall, it's arms were like those of an octopus, long and flexible. Its eyes were spaced far apart and long sharp teeth pointed down from the corners of its mouth.

"Who.. or what.. are you?"

"I am Reapamon. The soul collector. And I am here, for you."

Tai and TK both gasped as the digimon's finger pointed towards them.

Matt couldn't explain it. He just had to run. Tai and TK had passed them up long ago and something just didn't seem right. It was just a nightmare.. you roverreacting...nothing is after TK, he's going to be safe! But as he neared the edge of the hill, his heart stopped, his breath was lost and his soul cried out. "TK!"

"Matt!" TK cried from within Reapamon's long slendar arms. Matt followed the length of the creature with his eye, stoping at his feet where another body lay.

"Tai?!"

He raised his head, a sharp pain in his right arm making him wince and hold on to his wound, "Matt, I.."

"Are you alright? What's going on?!"

"I'm so sorry...I.." Tai placed his unwounded arm on Matt's sholder, "He just came and took him... he's going to-"

Matt stood imediatly, his face turned twords that of Reapamon, "Put my little brother down, NOW!"

The digimon smiled and laughed, "Your brother? He cares more for his digi-friend than for you." Reapamon pointed at the unconscience body of Patamon lying by the trail, "What kind of brother comes second in a little boy's heart?"

Matt balled up his fists, keeping back tears, "That may be true but I swear that if you harm him I'll hunt you down and kill you with my own two hands."

Reapamon glared at him, "Oh, will you?"

Matt watched as TK screamed in pain and writhed under the digimon's powers."MATT!"

"TK!" Matt ran strait at Reapamon and was blown back by blast of energy. The impact with the ground left him gasping for breath. He sat up on his elbows and looked back up at his crying brother and could not help but cry as well in despiration.

"What's going on?" someone shouted. Joe. The others were there now. "What is that thing doing to TK?"

"Tai!" Sora ran to her friend and looked at his bleeding shoulder, "Are you all right?"

"Reapamon's.. going to kill.. TK."

Sora gasped and looked back up at the strange Digimon. The others soon gathered around as well. "Good, now you can say your last good-byes my little prey."

TK began to cry even louder.

"We're not allowing you to kill our friend! Gomamon, digivolve!" Joe ordered.

"No!" Reapamon threw a blue power gate over all of the digimon, "You will not interfere."

Gomamon fought to digivolve but the gate somehow would not let him. "Joe! I..I can't digivolve!"

"Go Agumon!"

Agumon tried as well but to no avail, "Tai, I'm sorry. He's blocking our ability to digivolve!"

"But... no.. TK!" Tai shouted, feeling helplessness seize him. The entire group looked at their small friend with sadness. There was nothing they nor anyone could do without the help of thier digimon.

"No... You can't have him. I won't let you take him."

Everyone turned to see Matt, now standing with a ghostly look on his face, "Put him down and leave us alone."

"And why should I?" Reapamon asked.

TK screamed again. Matt cringed at its sound and walked up closer. "Because everyone loves TK. You can't take him away from us. It wouldn't be fair."

Reapamon laughed, "And who said life is fair, kid?"

Matt clenched his fists at his side, "No one. But please, please, don't kill my little brother. I'll do anything, just don't kill him."

Reapamon smiled, "You can do nothing for me. My mission here was to claim a life therefore I have what I needed."

"Just a life?" tears came down his face like streams, "Is that all he is to you? A life?" Matt felt like punching something. A Reapamon sorta something."If that's all you need than how bout an exchange? TK's life for mine."

"Matt..." Tai started to talk but Matt silenced him with a glance. "How about it? I'm stronger, older and problie worth more to you than a six year old kid."

Reapamon seemed to think it over, "You'd give your life for him?"

Matt nodded without hesitation, "I'd give him everything if it were possible."

Tai stared, wide mouthed and shocked. Matt, Mr. Too Cool; don't touch the hair; whatever;... was willing to sacrifice himself for his brother. The same brother he had complained about taking care of sence they had arived in the digiworld. The same Matt who had been so cold and unfeeling twords his brother's plees to be carried.Had we only known.."Matt!"

"No, Matt, don't!" TK shouted, his eyes red and burning.

Reapamon smiled. Yes, you'd do much better. "As you wish, my prey."

TK was set soundly to the floor with the digimon's long arms. Sora and Tai quickly grabbed him and took him away from the beast. He was burned and bleeding and screaming at the top of his lungs for his brother.

Matt looked back at TK and smiled, "Don't cry, TK. Tai will take care of you from now on... I love you, Takeru."

"Matt!"

Reapamon shot a blue blaze at Matt and a bright light engulfed him. When it died down, Reapamon was gone and only the crumpled figure of Matt lay in it's place.

"M..M.. Yamato!" Tai screamed, running to his friends side. Matt's eyes were closed, his skin was pallid and cold. "No... please no...."

"MATT!"
Here is where the sad part of the story starts. If you want to keep reading go ahead. If you want to stay happy, click here. Happy Ending.

Tai awoke, a cold sweat on his forehead. Without warning, he began to cry with heart wrenching sobs. "Yamato... no.. we never got to tell you how much you meant to us." His whole body contorted with each great gasp and bout of tears. "Please, hear me, I'm sorry for being a jerk, Matt... I didn't hate you I.. I just.."

"Tai?"

Tai raised his damp face and looked threw the night fire at TK. It was haunting to look at him at times. He looked so much like Matt. But it was to be expected. TK was now 13 years old, the same age Matt was when it had all happened. Perhaps that's what had brought the dreams on.Tai wiped his eyes on his shirt, "What's up, TK?"

The younger boy took a deep breath, "I know you and Matt fought a lot but I also know that he knew you cared. He knew, Tai. I didn't get to tell him I loved him back then but he's always with me and in that way, we both know we're loved." Tai sighed. Even after the many years it had been, TK was still as sensitive and caring as he had been as a child. "I guess your right," he lied, trying to smile, "Thank you, TK."

"Whatever."

Tai hadn't expected that. He stared at TK in amazement. It wasn't like TK to react that way to a word of gratitude. Such a response was more like something...

TK put his hand over his mouth, "Oopse, sorry, I don't know what came over me. Your welcome though, Tai. G'night."

Tai was still amazed. TK had sounded so much like Matt just then. The whisper of music filled his ears suddenly. A familiar tune. But how... A smile,genuine this time, crept over his lips as a thought came to mind. As long as TK was alive, so was Matt. He wasn't just a memory, he was as present in daily life as any living being. And in that way, he was sure to know he was cared about. TK was right, Matt knew. He just had to. For the first time in almost seven years, Tai felt at ease and slept without a care. His eyes lost focus and a deep yawn drew him back to sleep.

On the other side of the fire, TK smiled at the same tune that sang in his ears, "Big bro, your the best." he said, curling up and letting the music take him back to a time now only in his memories when the soft notes of the harmonica sang him to sleep.

A lone silhouette of a man leaned up against a tree beside the camp site, a harmonica pressed against his mouth as he sent his message into the night.

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