"So Tai, do you have any idea of where it is we're heading?" Izzy asked as he walked next to him. "Actually, I thought we'd just follow this path and see where it takes us," Tai said as he smiled down at the younger child. "What do you think?"
"Sounds good to me Tai," his orange dinosaur type Digimon, Agumon responded. Tai smiled at him. No matter what he thought, Agumon usually agreed which made him feel good. "Thanks Agumon," he said as he patted him lightly on the head.
"Matt? My feet are sleepy," his younger brother TK whined as he tugged on his shirt. "Yeah, and what can I do about that?" he asked as he looked down at him. "Could you carry me?" TK asked as he looked up at his older brother with puppy dog eyes. Matt couldn't say no to that look and bent down to hoist the younger boy unto his shoulders. "How's that Squirt?" Matt asked as he hurried to catch up with the rest of the group. "Much better, thanks Matt," TK said as he rested his head on top of his brother's.
"There you guys are! What took ya so long?" Tai asked when they caught up. The rest of the digi-destined and their digimon had sat down to rest when they had noticed that the two brothers were lagging behind. "Well Tai, we've been walking for hours now and some of us are getting tired," he said gesturing to the small boy half-asleep on his shoulders. "Yeah Tai, I think it would be a good idea to find a place to rest for the night," Joe said as he pushed his glasses up. "I guess you're right," Tai replied. "K guys, I guess we'll be staying here for the night," he announced to all of their pleasure. "Finally I can rest my achy feet!" Mimi exclaimed as she took off her shoes and socks and wiggled her toes. "And my roots!" Palmon added. "Too bad there's no water around, I wouldn't mind a nice bath about now," Sora said from her spot on top of a boulder. "Actually there's a small lake just on the other side of these trees," Izzy's Digimon Tentomon pointed out. "Great! Than why don't we just set up camp there than?" Tai said as the group nodded in agreement.
"Hey TK, wake up," Matt said as he gently shook him."Huh? Oh, hi Matt," TK mumbled as he wiped the sleep from his eyes. "We're all gonna go for a swim, do you wanna join us?"
"Sure!" TK answered, eyes shining bright as he got to his feet. "Than let's go," Matt said as he headed towards the lake. "Wake up Patamon, we're going for a swim," TK said as the small pig-like Digimon looked up at him. "Ok TK, I'll be there in a minute," Patamon replied as he watched TK run off to catch up to his brother. "Hey Gabumon, are you coming?" Patamon asked the larger Digimon. "I think I'll just stay here," he replied. "Ok, but don't say I didn't ask you," Patamon said as he flew off.
"Whoa Gomamon, watch where you splash!" Joe exclaimed as he wiped the water off his glasses. "Sorry Joe," he replied. You could tell that he didn't really mean it because a few seconds later he just splashed him again. "Gomamon!" Joe yelled as the small seal-type Digimon dove away from him. "Will you boys please be quiet over there?" Mimi yelled from Sora and her spot further down stream from the boys. "Yeah whatever," Matt yelled back as he attempted to wash the dirt and grime form his hair. "Hey Matt, I see you're having a bit of trouble washing your hair. "Here, let me help," Tai offered as he dunked him under. Matt pushed him away, than came gasping up for air. "You're so dead!" Matt threatened after he caught his breath. "Oh, I'm so scared! What's Mattie gonna do to me?" Tai joked. "You'll see," Matt uttered under his breath as he headed out of the lake. The rest watched as the blonde boy put his clothes back on and sit down next to Gabumon.
Gabumon opened his eyes to see Matt sitting next to him, fists clenched. "Matt, what's the matter?" he asked. "Nothing Gabumon, don't worry bout it," Matt told him as he forced a smile. "Matt, you can tell me," Gabumon urged as he placed his paw on Matt's knee. "To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what's wrong," Matt confessed. "I don't understand," Gabumon said. "It's just that I feel that something is about to happen but I'm not sure if it's good or bad," Matt said as he rested his head on his knees. "So, really you're worried but you're not sure what about?" Gabumon summarized. "Basically yeah," Matt said glumly. "I'm sure everything will turn out fine," Gabumon said cheerfully. Matt shrugged and turned his gaze towards TK who was still swimming with Tai, Joe, Izzy, Patamon and Gomamon. He stared at the boy for awhile and tried to remember a time when he was as innocent and care-free like TK. He couldn't.
"Wake up Matt, it's your turn to stay on guard." Sora whispered as she shook him awake. Matt woke up slowly, yawned and rubbed his eyes. "Ok, go to sleep Sora," he told her as he stood up and stretched. "See ya in the morning Matt," Sora said as she lay down beside Biyomon. Approximately half way into Matt's duty, he noticed his younger brother tossing and turning in his sleep. He got up and bent down at TK's side. "TK?" he whispered as he touched his shoulder. TK opened his eyes and burst into tears. "TK, are you alright?" Matt asked, surprised at the sudden outburst. TK shook his head. "What's wrong than?" Matt asked gently as he pulled him into his lap. "I had a nightmare," TK answered as he rubbed the tears from his eyes. "It's ok TK," Matt said as he tried to soothe him. "Do you want to tell me about it?" "Well we were all walking when all of a sudden we were attacked by a bunch of evil Digimon. We couldn't beat them and he hurt all of our Digimon real bad. Than he turned and let this electric attack out at us and that's where you woke me up." TK explained. "Don't be afraid TK. No matter what happens I'll protect you," Matt told him as he started to rock back and forth. "Thanks Matt," TK said as he cuddled up to his older brother. Matt smiled down at him and watched him fall asleep in his arms.
"Tai, which way should we go?" Agumon asked at the group approached a fork in the road. It was the next morning and after a hearty breakfast of fruit and fish, they headed out once again. "I think we should go that way!" Tai announced as he pointed down the right path. "Well, I think we should go that way," Matt said as he pointed to the left path. "Well Matt, I'm the leader and I say we're going this way," Tai told him. "Well than, I'm not going," Matt announced, arms crossed across his chest. "Fine, no loss there," Tai stated. "Oh and what do you mean by that?" Matt asked. "We don't need you here. All you ever do is start fight!" Tai argued. "Me? Well all you're doing is putting all of our lives in danger! You're not even considering the risks behind your stupid decisions!" Matt argued back. "I'm just trying to get us out of this alive and you sure as hell aren't helping. All you care about is yourself!" Tai said. "That isn't true Tai!" Matt yelled. "Yeah Tai, he cares about me too," TK interrupted. "Stay out of this TK!" Tai yelled at him. "Leave my brother alone!" Matt yelled as he gave Tai a shove.
"Watch it!" Tai yelled as he shoved back. Matt was the first to throw a punch that his Tai square in the jaw. Tai tackled Matt to the ground and they rolled around trying to get at each other. Matt got up to his knees and pulled his fist back to hit Tai who directly in front of him but at the last second Tai ducked and Matt's punch hit TK right on the cheek sending him flying backwards.
Matt froze, shocked at what he just did. He looked at his younger brother, sitting on the ground staring straight at him as tears filled his eyes. "What did I just do?" Matt thought to himself. He turned his gaze to the other kids who all stood wide-eyed at him while Sora took care of TK. Matt's eyes began to water as he ran as fast as he could deep into the woods with Gabumon closely behind.
"Matt! Wait for me!" Gabumon called out. Matt stopped and fell to the ground crying. Gabumon stood in front of him and lifted his head up with his paw. "I-I hit him," Matt stammered. "Matt, it was an accident, there's no need to runaway." Gabumon said. "You don't understand! I promised him that I'd never hurt him, that I'd protect him and now..." Matt trailed off. "I've become my dad."
"Are you ok TK?" Sora asked as she bent down next to the crying child. TK nodded than looked around. "Where'd Matt go?" he asked. The others looked at each other with a look in their eye. "Matt just needed some alone time, I'm sure he'll be back soon," Joe told him. TK nodded sadly as he held Patamon close.
"Shouldn't we be getting back now Matt?" Gabumon asked a couple of hours later. "I can't go back. I don't think I can take TK looking at me like that again. I hurt him and I don't think I'll be able to forgive myself," Matt said.
"Matt..." Gabumon started but Matt hushed him. "If you want to go back than go. I won't stop you," Matt told him. Gabumon shook his head no. "I'd rather stay with you," he replied. Matt managed a forced smile than looked down at his hands. "We'd better go gather some wood and food, looks like we'll be staying here tonight," Matt told his friend.
"I'm sure he'll be ok TK, don't worry," Sora assured him. TK had been quiet ever since the accident happened, the only words to cone out of his mouth had to do with when Matt was coming back. "TK? Do you want something to eat?" Agumon asked him. TK shook his head no as he stared out at the spot where Matt had run out. "What about you Patamon?" Agumon asked. "Ok, I'm getting kinda hungry," Patamon said as he munched on an apple. "How's he doing?" Tai asked Agumon as he sat next to him in front of the fire. "I'm not too sure, he won't eat though. Maybe you should talk to him Tai," he suggested. "Yeah," Tai said as he stood up and walked over to him.
"Hey TK, how's it goin'?" Tai asked as he sat next to him. TK shrugged and gave him a sad glance. "Are you ok `lil buddy?" Tai asked. "Oh Tai! It's all my fault!" TK cried as he threw himself at Tai and buried his face into his shirt. "TK, it's not your fault... you didn't do anything wrong," Tai assured him as he stroked his head. "No Tai, you're wrong!" TK shouted. "If I had just stayed out of it in the first place than this never would have happened!" "TK, stop blaming yourself. We're going to find Matt and he'll even tell you that it's not you fault," Tai said. "Really?" TK asked. "Yeah, I promise."
