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[It had been some time since anyone might have seen that expression on Hikari's face. Not sad. Not angry. Not...anything, really. A cold, empty blankness fronting the whirlwind of emotions she was still trying to accurately process.]

[And the worst part of it was...it was for the exact same reason as before.]

[...well...almost:]

Oniichan...my brother, Taichi...he's gone.

[But this time, there was a pause after her statement. A hint of light still flickered in her eyes, and the corners of her lips even threatened to twitch upward in a smile. A sad one, but better sad than...before.]

It's okay.

He'll...he'll be okay. Back home. I have to believe that. Because I believe in him. And...the person who told me things work out for us.

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... Just have faith, Hikari. Taichi's a strong guy.

He'll be okay.

[There was a light nod of acknowledgement on her part. Not nearly so cheerful or confident as her usual demeanor portrayed, but...it was truly the best she could do under the current circumstances.]

I'll...try.

Like I told Takeru...it wouldn't be the first time one of us managed the impossible.

If it's not too hard to talk about, can I ask what you think he's going back to? If you don't wanna tell me, that's fine. And if you told me before I probably can't remember...

[God damn it. Takeru had been aware of at least his brother, but he hadn't known about this right off the back. Being who he was he was at least quick to turn the device on at least.]

Yeah, he'll be fine.

[Trying to be reassuring at least.]

[Another time, and Hikari might have been more wary about speaking so openly on a public network. Where anybody could see and hear.]

[Right then, however...she simply paused just long enough to collect some of her thoughts.]

He...fell.

The Digital World was attacking us. In a way. It was all so chaotic. And we were in the middle of a fight...and the ground started to shift...Omegamon went to go protect Yamato and Meiko and...and before he could get to Taichi...the ground gave away. It was so deep, I couldn't even see the bottom when I looked down.

[Takeru was a good boyfriend. The best.]

...yeah.

[She tried to force a smile, but anyone could have seen how weak it was. Still, the effort was there. She was responding to him. Completely lucid. Sad, yes, but no longer despondent.]

I...want to go home, Takeru. I want to see that he's okay for myself.

... So you have no idea once he fell into the pit? You didn't see him disappear into the darkness?

Hikari, I don't need to tell you that's pretty inconclusive. I can't begin to tell you the amount of times me and my friends got separated like that. Hell, Yoshino and Touma survived an avalanche once.

I'm not telling you not to be worried, but I'm pretty certain it takes more than that to kill a Chosen Child, Tamer, Hunter, or whatever.

You... want to go home?

[Takeru was aware of what happens and yes, things turn out fine, but it had also been something Takeru always had avoided wanting to talk about, being very careful in what he would say.]

You mean like the Dream Docks way?

[He wasn't wrong.]

[In fact...according to Takeru, he was exactly right. But that would have required Hikari to be able to think objectively. And not be traumatized from watching him fall so far down that the ground essentially swallowed him up.]

We've been separated before too. But this was different. I didn't know exactly what happened, I just knew...he was gone.

It was the last thing I remembered seeing before waking up here. That's when Takeru found me.

[She initially shook her head, though the movement was slow and unsure.]

No.

Maybe.

I...don't know. [The conflict showed in her eyes when she looked back up at him.] I trust you. You told me, and I believe you. I promise I do. But...

...I want to know everything. Every detail.

I can't blame you for being upset, then. If that happened to Chika, Agumon, or Yoshino, or any of the others, even after everything I'd seen them survive worse, I'd probably feel the same way.

But... Taichi's counting on you to keep believing in him! Without that, he won't be able to stand up to what's waiting for him!

[Hints of a smile appeared at that, but it was sad. Almost bittersweet. She even shook her head.]

Taichi was always the strong one. Growing up...I remember thinking there was nothing he couldn't beat. [Except Yamato. Sometimes.] Whenever he fell before, it was never far, and he always got back up again.

Being around him...fighting by his side...that's what made me feel strong.

I... understand at least.

[As much as he hated to admit it, but it was one thing just being told, but it really was another to go and experience it for yourself. At least that way you are certain at least.]

I won't try and stop you if and when you want to. But note I will still be here when you do.

[ Martha is intimately acquainted with the face on her screen, although they have only talked once in person. She recalls the warmth, light, and laughter in one of her first patients here, all of that when she was sick. To see Hikari's expressions so flat is distressing. Martha hates to think of it. She's not sure whether it's the doctor in her or the friend that makes her answer Hikari's message, but she does. She has to, yeah? ]

Are you okay, Hikari?

...

[Masaru smiles a bit, but it's a bit worriedly.]

Hikari... you really do seem to define yourself by your brother a lot, don't you?

I feel like I know that cuz... I used to do that with my dad.

He'll be fine. [a faint smile] It's tough when someone goes. Do you need to be alone or would you rather be distracted?

[Hana hurt for her. She never experienced someone going back home but it was a frightening thought..and a sibling no less..]

He will be okay.. and one day you two will reunite with each other. Love always finds a way back to each other, especially Family love..

I'm so sorry you're hurting, miss..

[The corners of her lips just barely twitched upward.]

You don't have to tell me that, Takeru. I know you are. Because you're always there when I need you most.

[It was true back home, and it would be true in this world. And any other they ended up in over time.]

Can I ask...what it's like? Going back. Even if just for a little while. And then returning here.

[She opened her mouth to reply--something of a reflexive habit. But then she hesitated. Though her answer over more. Decided on the truth.]

[So instead of a monotone I'm fine...she shook her head.]

I miss him already.

I know it hadn't been long, and we've been separated before...even between worlds...but this is...it feels so much like when we were kids. Except I didn't even get to watch him leave this time, or hear him say he'll come back for me soon.

[There was no shake of the head this time. Like she was expecting the accusation. And the worry.]

[After all, it wasn't the first time she would face either.]

He's the most...one of the most important people to me. [She hadn't forgotten her Promise. In fact, the thought of such nearly made her laugh. Ironically.] Takeru's yelled at me before for it. For relying on him so much. I think...it was the closest thing we ever had to a fight.

I know I shouldn't, but...it's hard. Even now.

I don't know.

[That wasn't entirely true. She had some ideas, and there was a small part of her that knew company would help distract her from the array of thoughts that tended to flood her mind whenever she was in isolation for too long. On the other hand, there were so many of those at the moment, it was overwhelming. She couldn't think properly through them all.]

I won't inconvenience you, Professor, if you're busy. I'm sure you must be, between your...classes.

[If Hikari had encountered this face before, her mind was in too much of a haze to recall at the moment. Thus, a few seconds of a blank stare in turn. One which could have easily been attributed to her current state, particularly as the words that eventually made it out were distant. Polite, but reserved. Carefully chosen.]

That's very kind of you to say. Thank you.

Did you...were you one of his friends?

I didn't know him well, but the couple of times he was gloriously gracious and kind to me.

Were you two close? I can imagine you were..

... I guess I can only tell you what ended up working for me when I ended up having to fight Yggdrasil when he was possessing my dad.

Those people can still be important to you. They can shape your life. But you're still someone with their own life. You're strong because those people have helped carry you this far, but that doesn't mean you're only strong because of them, or you need them to stay that way.

It's hard, I know. Especially if... if you've got a loss to deal with. But they'd want you to stand on your own two feet, y'know?

Interesting time for a pause. [but he chuckles]

But I always have time for what's important... and I can show you my ship.

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