I knew Gennai was an enigmatic man, and held many surprises up his sleeves, but one thing I never would have expected was his ability to throw a great party. Normally, I would have been happy to be here, and it was actually quite fun, but I was hoping for a quieter environment. I had to talk to someone, a very special someone. The vision MaloMyotismon had given me made me realize something, and I wanted to share it with her.

I craned my neck, looking for her, but couldn't find her face in the crowd. A different approach was needed. I smiled and looked up at my Digimon partner, or at least as much of him as I could see, considering he was on my hat. Perhaps an ariel view would do the trick.

"Patomon, can you find Kari for me?"

With a nod, he was off. I felt a slight pressure on my head as he pushed off, and then my head felt suddenly light. It always took me a few seconds to get used to not having Patomon up there. With nothing more to do, I surveyed the mass of people that Gennai had assembled, and waited for Patomon. Everyone was smiling, and upbeat music permeated the gathering, although no bands or speakers could be seen. People and Digimon congregated in small knots, exchanging congratulations, making introductions, and greeting long lost friends.

I was still partially in shock, still light headed from more than Patomon's sudden departure. I had relived my worst fears, had almost lost Patomon to darkness again. I had also seen my deepest desire, my family together again, and so much happier for it. Maybe we couldn't be back together, but I wasn't going to lose the chance to be closer to another person I cared about.

Lost in my recollections, I didn't notice Patomon leading Kari towards me until they were a few strides away. Her hand enveloped his tiny paw, and his wings beat animatedly, as he brought her towards me. He was beaming, glad to be of help, while Kari's smile made her eyes sparkle and dance. Gatomon trailed right behind the two of them, smiling her knowing, feline smile.

Patomon let go of Kari's hand, and she rushed to me, and before I could say anything she threw her arms around me in a tight embrace. Startled, it took me a second to respond in kind. She smelt like mountains, and pine trees, and light, if it can be said to have a smell. I felt different with her this close to me. I was in some undefinable way, complete.

To me, Kari was undeniably precious.

Reluctantly, we parted from our embrace, and held each other at arms length. Her smile was radiant. "Kari..." I began softly, and then drawing strength from her smile, continued with more surety "when MaloMyotismon showed us those visions, I saw my family back together. I wanted it so badly, to forever be with the people I care about so much. And even though that wasn't real, it made me realize something important. I may not be able to be with all my family, but I can be with you. I care about you, I like you. I was too scared to face you when I said it to you before, but here in your light that fear can't touch me." And it couldn't. As I looked into her eyes, I wasn't scared of how she'd react to my feelings, I wasn't apprehensive or nervous. I was free, untethered, floating.

Her ruby eyes were no less radiant as she beamed at me, in fact, I saw the light in them shine more powerfully than ever. Her voice was sweet, and soft as she replied to me. "I care about you too Takeru. Malomyotismon showed me the digital world and our world in harmony together, gaining strength from their harmony. By defeating Malomyotismon, we made that possible, but there is still work to be done. I want to do that work with you."

And suddenly, her eyes were bigger, brighter, closer. Clumsily and briefly, our lips met , and I felt as though our hearts beat as one. We embraced again, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Gatomon swinging Patomon around, as they joyously danced.

After that, I could properly enjoy the party, as Kari and I walked through it hand in hand. We made idle conversation and talked about how the Digital World and our world would be changed by the renewal of the Digital World, and the advent of so many Digidestined and partner digimon.

We talked to the other Digidestined, and got their opinions on what to expect in the future, and inadvertently, their opinions on 'us'. Matt smiled at our hands, while I looked pointedly at his arm, which was resting casually around Sora's waist. winking at me, he pulled her close, and kissed her. Afterwards, Sora and Kari giggled.

I don't think Joe even noticed that Kari and I were holding hands, so preoccupied was he with listening to Izzy's theories on what would happen next in the digital world. Izzy did spare us a single "prodigious", and then went right back to an explanation that was way over our heads.

Mimi bombarded us with questions that we awkwardly tried to answer. That she asked us proved to be a good thing, however, because they prepared us for a challenge that I thought was scarier than MaloMyotismon. After a few minutes of our wandering, Tai noticed how I was holding his sister's hand, and he made a beeline right for us. I gulped. Kari noticed, and looked around. When she saw her brother's expression she looked quizzical.

Tai forced a smile as he approached Kari and I. He gave a stiff nod to us, and I had the distinct impression that he felt we had betrayed him somehow. His voice was as stiff as he was. "Takeru, Kari. How are you." I was surprised by how he said "how are you." He managed to make it into an accusation, as though I had no right to feeling anything while I had his sister's hand in mine.

I decided to ignore the stiffness, and to try to pretend that this was a normal conversation. "I'm great Tai, how are you?" I kept my voice as light and airy as his was stiff, and I was almost shocked at how easy it was. Beside me, Kari answered his question similarly to how I did, and looked puzzled by his stiffness.

Tai didn't waste any more time on pleasantries, and left our casual responses hanging dead in the air. "Takeru," he began, "are you going out with my sister?" His tone was icier than a Frigimon in Antarctica. Kari and I shared a glance. Were we going out? We had kissed, but I think we both knew that it would be better if Tai didn't know that fact right now. Kari gave my hand a squeeze, and I think that gave me the courage to answer her brother.

"Tai," I began, keeping my tone reasonable rather than defensive,"you know how much I care about your sister. I'm not going to hurt her. Yes, we like each other, but you can trust me, and you know you can trust her." Kari nodded firmly, and glared at her brother. I relaxed a bit, and Kari took the offensive.

"Besides Tai, it's none of your business who I'm with. I'm a big girl."

Tai glared back, and looked prepared to utter a retort, but was stopped by a hand that barely reached his shoulder. It was yellow, and scaled, and ended in three sharp talons. Someone who didn't know Agumon would be sure Tai was about to fall victim to some sort of monster.

Agumon smiled, and spoke from beside Tai, keeping his hand on his partner's shoulder. "Come on Tai, you've always trusted T.K. to protect Kari. You know he's okay." Tai considered this for a second, as Agumon continued. "And Kari's right. She's old enough to look after herself." Tai continued to think, and finally gave a nod, genuine this time. Agumon's smile grew wider, confidant that Tai wouldn't pose any more of a problem. I silently thanked him, and I think he understood, because he winked at us.

"Now that that's done Tai, let's get something to eat!" Agumon began to drag Tai away, and with a smile, he left us.

I smiled too, and once Tai was out of sight I pulled Kari towards me for the second time that night. I tried my best to mime Matt as I kissed her again, and she smiled radiantly at me afterwards. We spent the rest of the night in the centre of a blur of smiling faces, faces belonging to friends both old and new.