Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Izumi no Hikari ❯ Past Echoes ( Chapter 1 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Izumi no Hikari
by Wannabe Koushiro
Chapter 1: Past Echoes

Disclaimer and Author's Notes:
I do not own "Digimon" or anything associated with it. I'm just borrowing it for
a moment. Big announcement, despite the title of the story, this is NOT a
Koukari!!! It is a Taishiro!!! Ha!! This is the start of a series, but I don't
know how far I'll get with it. There is going to be at least two original
characters, who do relate to the title, but I'm not going to ruin it at this
early stage. There are also some lemony parts later on. Oh, this starts more or
less at the point in the movie where Izzy says "I'm...about...to barf." and
continues way into the future from his point of view. I ignored season two for
the most part, but there's a brief mention of it. Another stupid thing I've done
is made this a bit of a cross between the dub and the original Japanese...I
think... Anyway, whatever I've done to the characters is for a reason. Just keep
reading and you'll figure it out(hopefully). Translated lyrics are courtesy of
Megchan. This chapter is safe for the young ones; no lemons yet. Uh...I think
that's it for this part, enjoy the story.

*********************************************************** *
"I'll become a merry butterfly and ride on the earnest wind,
I'll come to see you where ever you are..."
Butterfly, Japanese Digimon Theme(translated)
***************************************************** *******

I leaned over the railing of my friend's apartment's balcony. We had just saved
the internet, and all I could think of was that I had to throw up. Of course, he
accused me of trying his mom's cake. I hadn't been anywhere near it yet. Tai
looked about as bad I did, but I think it was from him getting sucked into the
computer. That was wierd, and of course I was too busy doing something else to
even notice it, like usual. Well, it's over now, and boy am I glad.

I take that back. I'll be glad after I throw up. Excuse me...

"Ugh." I commented. I know, it's not really a word, but it conveyed what I was
feeling pretty well.

"Feel better?" Tai asked.

"What do you think?" I asked back, annoyed.

"I said it before..."

"And I don't think you need to say it again." I said. He already said 'I told
you so' earlier, which really bugged me. Speaking of bugs..."What happened to
Tentomon and Patamon during the battle? They just kind of disappeared."

"I couldn't tell you. They must have left when they had the chance. I hope they
did, anyway. It did get crazy." Tai answered. "Hey, we need to clean up the mess
in the study. Or my dad will kill me."

I nodded. I got what he wasn't saying. If he got in trouble with his dad, I
would be in trouble with Tai. Of course, most of the mess was my fault in the
first place. I pulled cables out of their computer, and out of mine. "Yeah, this
was a mess, wasn't it?" I commented.

"Well, if hadn't have been for you, we probably wouldn't have been able to do
anything whatsoever. It's because of your computer skills that we had the
chance." I have a hard time accepting compliments, but I knew Tai was right. I
do know that my face was probably as red as my hair. He was lifting the tower of
their computer back on to the table that I had pulled it off of. "There. Now I
just need to get all these books back on there."

"I'm really sorry about that." I said.

"Don't worry about it. Hey, do you know how to stop an email from going through,
now that everything's back to normal?"

"Did you already send it?" I asked as I was placing my laptop into its carrying
case.

"Yes." He answered.

"You're screwed." I answered simply. "And I'm not going to hack anyone's account
for you, either."

Tai made up this really wierd puppy dog face. "Please?"

"No." I stated flatly. "Why do you ask, anyway?"

"I don't want Sora to get that piece of mail I sent her. Actually, it was Kari
that sent it. I was still working on it and she clicked on send. Stupid little
sister." He muttered the last.

I was somewhat amused at the idea, but still refused. "Please tell me it was an
apology, at least."

Tai nodded. "Yeah, but it didn't get signed the way I wanted it."

"How did it get signed?" I asked.

Tai grimaced, and replied quietly. "Love."

I couldn't help it. I had to laugh. "Thanks a lot, Izzy." Tai said dejectedly. I
was still laughing. "Don't you have to go home?" He asked. I checked my watch.
It was already a quarter past five.

"Yeah, I do. Hey, I'm sorry for laughing about that. Besides, she's probably
already checked her email. Maybe you've been forgiven." I said, trying to make
him feel better, even though I'm not good at that kind of thing.

"You don't know her like I do. She holds grudges." Tai responded.

"Well, I don't know what to tell you then." I said as I shrugged my computer
onto my back. I went over to him, and put my hand on his shoulder. "But I do
think that it will work out. I've got to get going. See you around." I left so I
could get home before six like Mom asked me to.


"Mom?" I called out. "I'm home."

"Where have you been?" Mom asked.

"I was over at Tai's." I told her. I debated telling her what happened, but I
wasn't sure I should.

"All afternoon?"

"Yeah. There was something interesting on the internet that I just had to show
him." It wasn't the whole truth, but pretty close to it. Besides, I don't think
that she would have believed me even if I did tell the whole story. 'Yeah, we
had to save the world again from some evil digimon that tried to take over the
whole internet who also happened to shoot nuclear missiles at Japan and
Colorado.' I'm real sure she would have bought it.

"Well, anyway, dinner's going to be ready soon."

"Okay." I said as I went to my room to put my laptop away. I turned on my
desktop computer, so I could give the laptop's battery a chance to charge. I
wanted to send Tai a quick note too.

Tai-
Was I right? Did Sora forgive you? I really think she will, if you _both_ quit
being so stubborn. And if you did apologize, you're no longer in the wrong, at
least in my book. Let me know what happened.
-Izzy

I can't believe those two. The way they're both so stubborn. Maybe they think
that each other's stubborness cancels the other's out. Not that I really have
much expierence in that sort of thing. I think that what I told Tai is just
plain common sense...of course, now that I'm thinking about it, Tai doesn't
really have that much common sense.

I sent off the message, then wandered out to the kitchen. "That smells good, but
mom? I think I'm going to pass on dinner." I told her.

"You sure?" She asked.

"Very." I said. "I'm just not very hungry." I lied through my teeth. I didn't
want to admit that I'd been sick earlier today.

"Alright. I'll save you some if you happen to change your mind."

"Thanks." I said and went back to my room. I still can't believe Tai was right
about his mom's cooking. Of course, he has to eat it everyday too. I guess my
common sense took a holiday.

The new mail icon was flashing on my computer. Might as well see what it says,
since I'm not going to eat dinner.

Izzy-
What do you mean I'm stubborn?! Anyway, I hate to say it, but you were right.
Sora did forgive me, but she's still mad. Does that make any sense to you? It
doesn't to me. Hey, you feeling better yet? I got to go, stuff to do, you know.
-Tai

Poor, stupid Tai. I hate saying it. Maybe I ought to write him back. It's not
like I have anything better to do.

Tai-
I mean exactly what you think I mean when I say you're stubborn. I'm glad Sora
forgave you, and I think I can understand why she's still mad, even if you
can't. You can forgive someone and still be upset with them. Like I've forgiven
you for saying 'I told you so' earlier today, but that doesn't mean I have to be
happy about it. And that was just an example, I'm not mad at you or anything. I
deserved that. And I'm starting to feel better. I skipped dinner tonight though.
I lied through my teeth to mom though about it. I just said I wasn't hungry.
Hey, if you feel like talking about this some more, why don't you just come over
tonight? I'm not going to play email tag. I can't waste my whole life on the
computer.
-Izzy

Okay, that was a bit rough, but sometimes, that's about the only way to get
through to Tai. Either that, or do like Matt and beat some sense into him. I'm
not like that though. I can't even make a dent in bread dough.

Oh, well. I sat down on the bed, wondering what to do. I guess I sat there for
quite a while because I didn't even hear the doorbell when it rang. What I do
remember is a knock at my bedroom door. "Come in." I said. I was a bit surprised
when I saw Tai standing there. "Still need to talk, huh?"

"Yeah." He replied. "That, and Kari was about to kill me for that message I left
her. If you think Gatomon can scratch up a storm..." Tai left that thought
unfinished. I just kind of smiled.

"It's good to get away from your siblings, isn't it? Not that I would know..." I
said.

Tai grinned. "You're absolutely right. Personally, I think you're lucky, not
having any siblings."

"I don't. I'd love to have a brother or sister. I guess there's a good and bad
to both of our situations." Actually, saying that I felt a pang of guilt, as I
remembered what mom said when she and dad told me I was adopted. It made me
wonder something.

"Hey, you can have my little sister." Tai joked.

"You can keep her." I said, laughing. "Hey, isn't it kinda late?" I asked,
noticing that it was getting dark outside.

"Yeah, it is. Do you think I could stay here tonight?" Tai asked.

"You're that afraid of Kari?" I asked as I went to find Mom to ask if it was
okay. Tai scowled behind me as I left the room. "Hey, Mom? Can Tai stay here
tonight?"

"That's okay with me if it's okay with his parents." Mom answered.

I walked back to my room. "Did you hear that?" I asked Tai.

"Yup. I'll call my mom. It should be alright with her." He said as he picked up
the phone and called home. "Mom, is it alright if I stay at Izzy's
tonight?...No...No...Kari's on the war path, that's why...Okay...Yes...Thanks
mom."

"What was all that about?" I asked.

"Stupid mom type questions." He answered. "Anyway, I had to promise to clean my
room."

I laughed. I've seen Tai's room before. "You're going to get Kari to do it,
aren't you?" I asked.

"That's one of the good things of being a big brother." He grinned. "At least,
if she's not mad at me anymore."

"Kari's one of those people that just don't stay mad at anyone for very long.
It's just against her personality to hold a grudge. Especially against you, I
would bet."

"Speaking of grudges," Tai started.

"Okay. Sora?" I asked.

"Yeah. Why would she still be mad at me? I know she's forgiven me, but still..."

"I think I know where she's coming from, but I'm not totally sure. Like I said
before though, as long as you apologized, you're in the clear."

"And I thought you weren't any good at making people feel better." Tai grinned
at me. I had to blush at that. "If you aren't, you're sure fooling me." After
saying that, he yawned.

"Maybe we should get some sleep. It's been a long day, you know, saving the
world again." I suggested. "You want the floor or the bed?" I asked.

"I'll take the floor." Tai said. I tossed him a pillow and tore the blanket off
my bed for him. "Um, aren't you going to get cold?" He asked.

"Nope." I said, rummaging around in the closet for an old blanket. "I've got
this." I said as I found the blanket I was looking for. "I'm a bit of a pack
rat. Besides, you never know when you might need it." I said as I tossed it
sloppily over my bed. I took a quick glance out the window. "It's darker than
usual out." I commented. Tai stood up and took a look too.

"It must be going to storm." He said. I gulped. I hated thunderstorms, and not
just for the obvious reasons. "Well, good night, Izzy." Tai said as he laid down
on the floor.

"Good night, Tai." I replied, lying down in my bed. Please don't storm, I
thought as I fell asleep.


The sky was clear, as the stars I was watching went by. Dark clouds rolled in,
and lightning flashed between the clouds. It began to rain, and my view of the
stars was gone. It was raining quite hard. I heard a screeching sound, and I
felt things start spinning around. It made me feel quite dizzy. Then, everything
just went red as blood.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!" I screamed as I woke up from that odd nightmare.

"What? Izzy, you okay?" I had forgotten I had a guest.

"I'm fine, Tai. I think." I sat up, taking some deep breaths. It had started
storming outside, and I could see the outline of the shadows that the lightning
created of my furniture.

"That must have been some nightmare." He commented, as he sat up as well.

"Uh...yeah." I said. It was strange.

"So, what was it about?" Tai asked.

"I'm not entirely sure. I was watching the sky, and a storm rolled in, then I
heard screeching, got spun around a lot, then everything went red as blood." I
related most of the parts that I could remember.

"Freaky." He stood up, and came to sit behind me. He put his arms around me, and
surprisingly, I didn't mind. It was actually making me feel better. "You don't
mind, do you?" Tai asked, nervous all of a sudden.

"No, I don't. Thank you." I said quietly. He started rubbing my back lightly.

"This should help you get your mind off of it." Tai said. He was right, it did.
Though I don't think I would ever forget that nightmare. Mainly because I've had
it for years.

"I can't get it out of my mind. I've never told anyone this before, but I've had
that nightmare for years. I haven't even told my parents. I'm afraid to tell
anyone." I was on the verge of crying.

Tai turned me around, and held me as I did start to cry. "Then why did you just
tell me?" He asked.

"Because, I trust you." I answered him, sniffling a bit. "Where did you learn to
do this?" I asked about his back rubbing technique. It was like a feather being
stroked across my back. It wasn't ticklish, but it wasn't rough either.

"Back when Kari was younger, she used to have a lot of nightmares, and being big
brother, I felt I had to do something, and this always seemed to calm her down.
I thought it might work on you as well." He answered, still tracing light
designs on my back.

"I really appreciate it." I said. "What time is it?" I couldn't look because my
eyes still had tears in them, making everything blurry, plus, I was buried in
Tai's shoulder.

"It's 1:30." Tai answered. "Are you going to be okay?" He asked, worried about
me.

I nodded, not sure if I could speak again. I coughed a bit before I did speak
again. "I'll be fine. Just keep holding on to me, please." I begged quietly.

"I won't go anywhere." Tai assured me, and gave me a little squeeze to enforce
the point. "Let's try to go back to sleep, okay?" I nodded again, very close to
being asleep again anyway. I barely heard him when he murmured "Poor Izzy."


Sunlight was pouring into my room the next morning. I blinked a bit, and then
remembered what had happened last night. Tai's arm was still around me. He was
still asleep, and snoring quite loudly. I smiled a bit, remembering that he
really did make me feel somewhat better last night.

"Hey, Tai. Wake up." I poked at him. I looked at the clock. It was already 9:30.
"Wake up, sleepy head." He stayed still, snoring really loud. I wish I had
Kari's whistle, but she gave it to Gatomon. What else would wake Tai up? Then it
hit me. "Breakfast!" I said in his ear.

"mmmmrmmm." Well, it was a start at least.

"Tai, wake up already." I said, as I punched him in the arm.

"That really hurt, Izzy." Tai said sarcastically as he rubbed the sleep from his
eyes.

"Sorry." I apogolized. "I didn't know how else to get you up. It is kinda late
in the morning."

"I'm not worried." Tai said, as he sat up. "Are you okay? You know, after what
happened last night."

"I'm fine." I said.

"I think you ought to tell someone about that. It sounds really wierd, and maybe
it can be explained." Tai suggested to me.

"They wouldn't understand." I said. "Either that, or they'd think something's
wrong with me."

"Izzy, smell the coffee. If you're having a wierd nightmare that you've had for
years, there is something wrong with you!" Tai certainly had a way of being
blunt about things. "I'll be with you when you do, if you want me to." He
volunteered.

I looked up at him. "You would?" I asked, not really believing him. He nodded in
answer.

"It's the least I could do for a friend."

"Thank you, Tai. I guess I could start with Mom." I stated.

"I think that's a great idea. That, and did you say something about breakfast?"
He seemed to perk up a bit, even though it had been about five minutes since I
said something about food.

"Thinking with your stomach?" I teased him, as his stomach growled.

"I think that speaks for itself." We laughed, as we went out to the kitchen to
find some breakfast.

"Good morning, you two." Mom greeted us.

"Good morning." Tai and I said in unison.

"There's something for breakfast in the fridge." She informed us.

"Thanks, Mom." I said, pulling out some cinnamon rolls. Tai was nudging me.
"After we eat." I whispered to him. Tai and I sat at the table, picking at our
food. Well, I was anyway. Tai was eating as if he'd never eaten before in his
life.

"You've got to do it." Tai said. "I think you'll feel much better if you do." He
said with his mouth full.

"I know." I said, somewhat dejectedly, and barely understanding what he said in
the first place.

"Well, if you're not going to eat, go do that." He told me.

"That's not why I'm not eating." I informed Tai. "I'm not eating because my
stomach hasn't settled down too much from yesterday. That, and I never really
can eat much after a night like that."

Tai shook his head, and hurriedly scarfing down a roll. "Can I have yours then?"
He asked. I pushed my plate over to him.

"Enjoy." I said, disgusted at how much of a pig he was. It was kind of funny
though too. "Hey, I really appreciate what you did last night." I said, somewhat
embarrassed by it. "And what you're about to do."

"Hey, it's no problem." Tai answered. "You ready?" He asked, as he took the last
bite. I sighed.

"Not really. But it's better to get it over with, isn't it?" Tai nodded in
answer. We got up, and went to find mom.

"Mom? Are you busy?" I asked her.

"A bit, but not totally. What's up?" She asked.

"I have something I need to talk to you about." I replied. I felt Tai give my
shoulder a quick squeeze.

"What is it?" Mom asked.

"Well, last night, I woke up in the middle of the night because I had a
nightmare." I paused for a moment. "And it's not just last night. I've had the
same nightmare for as long as I can remember. It's just that I've been scared to
tell anyone about it."

"Izzy, you know you could told me about it." Mom said. "What happens in the
dream?" She asked.

"I'm watching some stars, and then some storm clouds roll in, it starts raining
and I can see lightning flash. Then, it goes totally black, and there's this
horrible screeching noise, and everything starts spinning and everything goes
red as blood. And that's when I usually wake up." I retold the events of the
dream to mom.

"Oh, dear." Mom seemed to be quite horrified at what I had told her. "I think I
can explain what some of that is. Come, sit down first before I tell you." Tai
and I took a seat on the couch.

I glanced at Tai. I could almost hear him thinking at me to be brave. "So, you
can explain this?" I asked mom.

"I'm not sure I should, but it may make you feel better. Are you sure you want
Tai to hear this?" She asked.

"I need the moral support." I smiled kind of crookedly.

"Alright then." She said. "You remember back at the convention center, when we
told you about your real parents?" I nodded, remembering that day, and wondering
what that story might have to do with my dream. "Well, that car accident your
parents were in, you may not have known this, but you were in the car too. Your
family was on the way home, late at night."

"That doesn't explain the star gazing." I said, confused.

"Actually, it does. They had a convertible." Mom answered. "That night, a storm
rolled in suddenly. The weather wasn't the cause of the accident, though it was
a factor. The other party that caused the accident had run a red light. He was
probably in too much of a hurry or something. He possibly was drunk, we don't
know for sure. Your family's car went into an uncontrollable fishtail after the
other person hit them. It eventually ended up rolling. Neither of them were
wearing their seatbelt, and, well, I don't think you need to know the details.
It was very messy. Even though they weren't thinking of their safety, they did
think of yours. You just had a few scrapes and some bruises from the safety seat
doing what it was supposed to. Some stitches, and time, and you were fine. If
you look near your ear, you may still be able to see a scar."

"That really does explain a lot. Is the dream my memory of the accident then?
And which ear?" I asked.

"I would say that it's very possible. And the scar should be near your left ear.
I wish you'd have told me sooner." Mom said.

"I'm sorry. I just thought..." I trailed off. My hand wandered up to my ear to
see if I could feel the scar.

"Thought what?" Mom asked.

"That you were going to think I was crazy." I laughed a bit. "I'm sorry for
thinking that too."

"Was that so hard, now?" Tai asked me. "That's a really sad story, by the way."

"No, that wasn't so hard. Oh, Mom? I have a question, it may hard for you to
answer, but something I was talking to someone about made me think of this. I
apologize in advance for it, but if your son had lived, would you still have
adopted me?" I asked this, really thinking I shouldn't have, but ever since Tai
and I had the conversation about siblings, this thought had wandered around my
head.

"That's a tough question, Izzy. I think we would have. But really, there's no
clear yes or no there. There is just the fact that things happened the way they
did. The 'what ifs' are really long past. It's just what we have today that we
should be grateful for." Mom replied, on the verge of tears.

I went over to mom to give her a hug. "I shouldn't have asked. I'm sorry." I
felt Tai grab my elbow.

"We'll let you get back to what you were doing." Tai told my mom. He pulled me
back to my room.

"Really, was that so hard?" Tai asked me.

"I guess not." I answered. "Thanks for being there for me." I said. For some
reason, I felt brave enough to give Tai a hug. I backed off after I realized
what I had just done. "Gomen nasai." I said, regretting it.
"Don't be like that, Izzy. I...I actually kind of liked that." Tai admitted.

"Really?" I asked, somewhat confused. "How did it feel to you?"

"It felt...I'm not exactly sure...but it did feel 'right.'" Tai answered,
wrapping his arms around me.

"Funny, that's how it feels to me too." I said, feeling secure being held by
Tai, who was leaning in towards my face. Then he did something that I really
didn't expect. He kissed me. I gasped.

"How did that feel?" Tai asked.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "That felt right too." I answered, practically
breathless. It felt right, and yet wrong at the same time. "Tai?"

"What, Izzy?" He responded.

"Are you sure about this? What about you and Sora?" I asked, worried about what
might happen between them.

"What about us? We're just friends, and have never been more than that, and
probably never will be. You and me, though, I think we've just gone beyond being
friends, don't you?" I nodded in answer, still wondering if this was right. "And
I think this proves that." He leaned in and kissed me again. Even though he had
just done it, it still took me aback somewhat. After I got over my initial
shock, I found that I was liking it. I even started kissing back. It really felt
wierd though.

"Tai." I began, as we took a moment to breathe. "As much as I'm enjoying this, I
hate to ask, but, don't you have to go home?"

"Crap. I do. But I don't want to leave you here alone." He said. "I'd be really
worried about you."

"No problem, I'll just go with you." I said. "Will that help you not worry about
me?"

"Yes, it will." Tai grinned at me. "So, what are we waiting for?"

"This." I said, as I walked to the door. "Mom, I'm going over to Tai's again.
I'll be home later." I called as we walked out the door.

"Man, it's such a nice day. Too bad I have to clean my room." Tai muttered.

"I thought you were going to bribe Kari into doing it." I said.

"I was. Can I bribe you into helping?" He asked, grinning crookedly.

"Just because I keep my room neat, doesn't mean I want to help you organize your
mess." I said. "But for the right price, I'll help."

"What's the right price?" Tai asked.

I grinned evilly. "You'll find out after we're done."

"Am I going to like this?" He asked nervously.

"You're going to love it. I promise."


We arrived at his home about a half hour later. "Holy moly!" I exclaimed as I
saw the mess that was Tai and Kari's room Actually, half of it was somewhat
organized. That must be Kari's part. "Tai, don't you ever clean?"

He looked everywhere but at me. "You sound like my mom." Tai groaned. "Let's get
this over with, okay? I'll go get a garbage bag."

"You're just going to throw this stuff away? That's kind of a waste, isn't it?"
I said, as he came back. "By the way, where is Kari?"

"No, I'm not going to throw all of it away. And I have no clue where Kari is. I
was going to get her to help too." Tai answered.

"Oh, well. You have me." I said, as I picked up some of his junk. Then I found
out why he got got the garbage bags. "Gross!" I commented. "You should donate
some of whatever this is to Joe for a science project. It may become
intelligent."

"Ha, ha, very funny, Izzy." Tai growled at me. "Just toss anything that
disgusting."

We worked in silence for a while after that. His room looked much better after
we were done with it though. I sat down on the edge of the lower bunk. "It looks
much better, now doesn't it?" I asked. Tai sat down next to me and nodded.

"I'm never doing that again." He commented.

"Too bad Mom would never let you get away with it." Kari said as she walked into
their shared room. "Hi, Izzy." She greeted me.

"Hi, Kari." I said.

"What do you want, munchkin?" Tai asked his sister.

"Nothing." She said, innocently, as she sat down next to me. I couldn't help but
smile at them. "But you guys are sitting on my bed. I would like to have it
back."

"Fine, we'll move then." Tai said as he climbed the ladder up to his own bed. I
followed him. "Happy now?" Tai asked, somewhat annoyed. I stifled a laugh.

"See what I've missed out on?" I said.

"You're sad that you don't have to put up with this?" Tai asked incredously.

"You may fight a bit, but you know the love is there." I said. I heard Kari
giggle at what I said, then saw her head pop up here quickly.

"You know he's right, Tai." She said. "We may fight sometimes, but we still love
each other no matter what happens." She left just as quickly.

"What was that all about?" I asked as the door shut. Tai shrugged.

"Beats me. I'm never sure what she's doing. So, what did you want as your
payment for helping me." He asked. I blushed as I whispered in his ear what I
wanted. Tai's eyes went wide as I told him. "You sure? Are you totally
comfortable with that?" I nodded.

"I know it's fast, but I think we've been moving somewhat fast anyway. Other
than my parents, I've never had anyone care for me the way you have. And it
feels good. So why shouldn't we?" I asked.

"Well, right now the answer is Kari, and I don't even want to explain why I'd be
kissing another boy, let alone what you suggested." Tai answered.

"I'll give you that." I said. "How about tomorrow? You know we'd have much more
privacy at my place."

Tai nodded. "It's settled then." He stole a light kiss from me. "Hey, turn your
head the other way." He instructed me.

"Why?" I asked, curious as to what he was trying to see.

"I think I found your scar." I had forgotten about that. Since I was curious
myself as to where it was, I turned my head.

"This good?"

"Yeah...Right there it is. It isn't very big. It's only about three or four
centimeters. I suppose that's a pretty big cut for a baby though." He traced the
small line on my head as he told me about it. I brought my hand up to my head,
forgetting that his was already there. Tai didn't think anything of it and
grabbed my hand and brought my index finger to the spot he had been touching
just before. It made me sad and upset at the same time.

"It's....it's all that I was left. A lousy scar. Why was fate so cruel to me?" I
sobbed. Tai wrapped his arms around me yet again, and just let me cry.

"Izzy, calm down. There's nothing you can do about it. Your mom was right, just
be grateful for what you have now. And that includes your parents and all your
friends." I heard the door open and close quietly.

"Tai, why is Izzy crying?" I heard Kari ask her brother, concerned.

"Don't worry about it, Kari." I heard Tai tell her. "If he wants you to know,
he'll tell you. I won't betray a friend's trust."

"It's okay," I said, straightening up a bit. "You're right, I should be grateful
for what I have. And not worry about what might have been. And I just realized
something, if it hadn't have been for what happened, I may not have been a
Digi-Destined."

"Now you're talking." Tai said. "And where would we have gotten without your
talents? We never would have figured out half of what you did on our own."

"And if it wasn't for you, I might not have survived." Kari added.

"Yeah, but I was also the one who led Machinedramon's flunkies to us too." I
said, ashamed of that.

"But Kari might have died if you hadn't have done it. You're a hero in my book."
Tai said. I blushed.

"Mine too." Kari added. "I don't remember if I said it before, but thank you."
She leaned up and gave me a quick peck on the cheek. I laughed a bit nervously.

"Yeah, because of you I still have a little sister. Thanks, man." Tai said.

"You're welcome." I said. "Thank you for making me realize that I am pretty
lucky." I looked at the clock. "I should probably be going home." I said,
realizing that it was later than I thought. "See you tomorrow?" I asked Tai.

"I'll be there." He answered as I left their home.

I took my time walking home. Not that I was dreading it or anything, I just
wasn't in a big hurry. It's just that I wanted to think. Hopefully, it wouldn't
turn into a cry fest like it did over at Tai's. Unconsciously, my hand went up
to my ear to the spot that Tai had told me had the scar. That's what I was left
with from my real parents. Well, my genetic makeup, of course, but that at the
moment is something that I wasn't interested in. My last moments with them, and
I get scarred. I sighed.

'Things happen for a reason, my dear Koushiro.'

"Huh? Who's there?" No one's called me by my given name for years. It's like
it's impossible to pronounce or something, so they just shortened my last name.
I turned around to see if someone was there. I didn't see anything, just the
buildings I had passed on my way home. That was extremely strange, but I kept on
going.

I arrived at the steps to the building, but I didn't go in. I looked at my
reflection in the glass door. Only, it wasn't only my reflection, but another
one, just behind me. It was an older woman, with darkish brown hair. She seemed
familiar, yet she was a stranger. I turned around to look behind me, but all I
saw was empty air.

I must be going crazy. I shook my head and went home.