Author's Notes: I started writing this back in 2003. Unbetaed and completely unrelated to the Waver Universe. Enjoy!

Onii-chan = Older brother

Nee-chan = Sis(ter)

Hai = Yes

Senpai = Upperclassman

Tomorrow

By Mika-chan

Chapter One

He doesn't like it, doesn't like being ignored and that is exactly what Yamato is doing at the moment. So, he leaves. He knows his boyfriend doesn't mean it, that he's just excited about his upcoming concert, but, even so, he just can't deal with it today.

Taichi slings his bag over his shoulder, idly wondering when Yamato will notice he's gone. He snorts. Probably won't notice until he got home, the jerk.

Taichi speeds up his pace, his steps treading heavily on the pavement. He isn't sure what he was thinking when he decided to head over to Yamato's band rehearsal after football practice. He just hasn't seen or heard from Yamato in a while and wanted to check to see if the other was still alive. The blonde was alive all right and actually shot him a slightly annoyed look when he arrived. Taichi would have taken offense if he wasn't used to his boyfriend's sporadic moods. Still, it stung when Taichi's inquiries as to how their practice was going and if they decided on a set list yet was met with curt responses or were flat out ignored. Taichi knows when he's unwelcome and books it out of there fairly quickly.

"I'm home!" he hollers as he opens the front door to his house, kicking off his shoes and making a beeline for his bedroom.

"Welcome home, honey. How was your day at school?" he hears his mom ask as he walks past the kitchen.

"Fine," he says right before he slams his bedroom door shut and locks it immediately afterward. He leans against it for a moment, taking in a deep breath to try to calm his nerves.

It isn't working.

Tossing his bag on the floor, he looks around for his football. Finding it under a pile of dirty clothes, he begins juggling a bit, the motions usually having a somewhat calming affect whenever he was angry. With his mind focused solely on the ball bouncing on his knee, he's able to escape from reality for a while. He doesn't have to think about his father railing on him about his less than stellar grades. Doesn't have to think about his future, no matter how much his guidance councilor keeps hinting to him that he should. Doesn't have to think about growing up. Doesn't want to think about Yamato.

His foot slips, missing the pick up and the ball bounces dully on the floor.

"Damn it," he growls, kicking the ball to the far corner of the room. It hits another pile of clothes and rolls back a few inches before stopping.

He expels a frustrated breath, walking to his bed and flopping down on top of it, eyes fixed to the ceiling.

Stupid Yamato.

He reaches behind him blindly, his hand finally finding what he was searching for and he holds it in front of his eyes. An Agumon plush smiles back at him and he soon feels his lips forming the same expression. He knows it's rather silly for someone his age to have a stuffed animal, but hey, if he can't have the real thing, it's nice to have some kind of a reminder nearby.

"I sure miss you, Agumon," he finds himself saying. "You know, sometimes I think saving the Digital World was easier than this. Well, don't get me wrong. I wouldn't want to go through the Dark Masters again. It's just, well, you know...okay, so I can't explain it and yes, I know I'm talking to a doll, but at least I know you're listening...I think." He sighs, rolling over on to his belly and putting Agumon back beside his pillow. Arms folded under his chin, he focuses his eyes on Agumon's for a while.

Everything will be okay, Tai. I just know it.

Yeah, Taichi thinks, closing his eyes. I just wish I was so sure about it too.

oOo

He wakes up the next morning his mind clear and alert, something quite unusual considering the clock on the wall said it was five twenty-eight in the morning. He rolls over, pulls his blankets with him over his head and closes his eyes. It's too early to be awake. He doesn't need to be up for another hour at least, well, at the latest. His mom will begin her usual routine of calling, shouting, and finally dragging him out of bed in another forty and he isn't about to break tradition. So Taichi lays there for a while beneath the blue blanket he's had since he was seven and wills himself to fall back asleep.

It doesn't take long before he throws back the comforter, a large, frustrated sigh blowing past his lips as he sits upright in his bed. He runs an annoyed hand across his face and moves it up and through his hair, pushing back the disarrayed strands. He kicks his covers as if they are to blame for him being awake at such an ungodly hour. He kicks them with much more force than is necessary until they are at the edge of his bed. That done he stalks to the bathroom.

Normally he doesn't shower in the morning, but since he obviously has the time and no one else is in line for the bathroom, he takes a long, hot one. He walks out fifteen minutes later, more relaxed and feeling much better. As he finishes dressing, he glances over to his clock and figures it's still early enough for him to get a little practice in before school started. Their team is in the final round that will determine whether they get to play in the annual nationwide high school football tournament, and the deciding game is taking place next Friday. It's the closest Odaiba has ever been to participating in the tournament and Taichi is damned if they miss out with him as captain.

He grabs his bag where he left it by his desk, scoops up his football ball, and tucks it under his arm as he leaves his room. Sunlight is slowly making its way into the kitchen and he knows the rest of his family will be up soon. He contemplates for a moment by the stove, wondering if he has enough time to whip up something quick before they wake up. In the end his stomach decides for him when it grumbles loudly for some nourishment. Setting his things to the side, he moves toward the fridge and pulls out a carton of eggs and milk and goes to work. He's scooping up his omelet from the frying pan when he hears the creak of a door opening and the ensuing slap-slap sound of slippers. It's his mom and his shoulders relax down from his ears. It looks like he won't be able to leave without seeing one of his parents this morning, but if he's lucky he'll be able to slip out before his dad wakes up. The last thing he needs is another lecture—is seriously getting rather sick of it in fact.

He doesn't understand why his dad thinks yelling at him will help him figure out what he wants to do after high school—how he is supposed to even know what he wants to do for the rest of his life when he is only seventeen years old. He doesn't have any ambitions just yet, isn't particularly interested in any one subject that can shed some light on what he wants to be. It doesn't help that all his friends seem to know what they want to do, how they possess some talent or interest that helps direct them to a clear future that he can barely grasp. When he really thinks about it—and he has, no matter what his father says—it is somewhat depressing to know that he is the only one who doesn't have a clue.

"Taichi?"

Tai turns around just in time to catch the owlish look his mother gives him and he can't help but smile. "Morning Mom," he greets as he walks to the kitchen table, carrying a plate and glass of milk in each hand.

Yuuko Yagami continues to blink but it doesn't change the scene that insists to play in front of her. Her eldest and only son is awake, dressed, and eating breakfast and she hasn't even gotten to brush her teeth yet. Something is truly off with this picture. She walks the remaining steps into the kitchen and sits herself down in the seat beside her son's and places a hand above his forehead. "You don't feel warm," she murmurs softly, brow furrowing.

Now it's Taichi's turn to blink and he grins slightly as he brushes his mother's hand away. "I'm fine, Mom. Is it that weird for me to be up this early—Wait, don't answer that," he interrupts himself with a wave of his fork. "It is weird." He gives a shrug, scooping more eggs into his mouth and talking around them. "Just woke up this morning and couldn't go back to sleep. So, I thought I could get some practice in before school started."

"Don't speak with your mouth full, Taichi," she says by rote and receives the habitual and drawn out 'hai' in return that makes her smile. Some things never changed with her children. She can't believe how fast they are growing. Hikari will be taking entrance exams for high school next year and Taichi is going to be a senior...it doesn't seem so long ago when they were running around the house and pulling on her apron for some cookies. Although, come to think of it, they both did that this past Sunday...

She settles back in here seat and asks, "So...the big game is next Friday, isn't it?"

Taichi's fork pauses a few centimeters from his mouth and he spares her a sideways glance. "Yeah..." he replies, a hint of wariness in his voice if one listens closely enough. His fork resumes its path to his mouth, and he swallows before he speaks again. "What about it?"

Yuuko worries her lip at the defensive tone, but presses onward with what she planned to say. "Oh, just wanted to make sure on the date. I was hoping I could come see the game." The edges of her lips curve up a bit at the loud clang Taichi's fork makes when he suddenly drops it on his plate and whips his head around to stare at her in surprise. "I haven't been to one of your games in a long time and considering this is such an important one, I thought this was the best time as any." She expects some sort of reaction, one leaning more towards the happy side, but receives quite the opposite.

Taichi watches his mom for a few more seconds before he frowns down at his nearly empty plate. "Dad'll be angry," he says at length. His dad doesn't like how much time he's investing in football—can't understand why he doesn't put as much effort into his studies as he does with the sport. There is no future in football, he says, but Tai isn't looking for a future in football; he just loves playing it. Why can't his dad understand that?

"He'll get over it." His mom sighs. "Tai...you know he's only worried about you."

"Yeah," he replies, voice clipped, before pushing back his chair and bringing his dishes to the sink to rinse off.

"Tai—"

"I know, Mom." His voice isn't nearly so hostile now and he turns off the faucet and wipes his hands on the beige dish towel lying beside the sink. "It's just—" he pauses then shakes his head roughly and walks to the stove.

Yuuko watches him for a few more moments before focusing her attention on the pattern of the placemat resting beneath her fingers. It's a touchy subject as of late and up until now she hasn't really taken sides. She actually doesn't want to take sides. How can she? On one hand she feels compelled to support her husband's stance because she also agrees that Taichi's education is important. Yet, she knows how much football means to her son and doesn't want him to give it up either. She knows Taichi tries his best in school, if only Susumu could see that. She knows her husband is only worried about Tai and only wants what's best for him. And Taichi...Taichi looks so tired lately and it's beginning to make her worry.

She's pulled out of her thoughts when a plateful of scrambled eggs suddenly appear in front of her along with a cup of tea. She turns her head just as her son breezes by, bag over his shoulder, football ball under his arm.

"I'll be home late today because of practice. I'm leaving!" he says as is customary when one leaves the house.

"Have a safe trip," she replies just before she hears the front door close and she turns back to her breakfast, a smile lighting her face. It's been a long time since someone's made her breakfast. Her son is always full of surprises.

She is just taking her first bite when her husband finally stumbles into the kitchen.

"Was that Taichi?"

Yuuko nods, swallowing before replying, "Yes. He made me breakfast. Wasn't that nice?"

Susumu sits down in the seat his son just recently vacated, hand rubbing the side of his head. "Hmm...He's up rather early. School doesn't start for another hour and a half."

She nods, revealing nothing more and continues to eat.

"He's off wasting his time with that game again, isn't he?"

She puts down her fork with a sigh. "You're too hard on him, dear."

Susumu doesn't back down, his tone growing cooler. "If not me, then who will be?"

She doesn't rise to the bait, not wanting to ruin the morning with an argument and instead, continues to eat, eyes cast down. Satisfied, Susumu rises from his seat to get a cup of coffee.

oOo

Taichi breathes heavily with his hands braced over his knees and sweat dripping down the sides of his face. He wipes the droplets away and collapses onto his back, eyes trained upwards as his chest continues to heave up and down. He's been practicing for a while now, mentally picturing his opponents from the information they gathered and going from there. The Kaisei team is tough, but not so tough that they don't have a chance of winning. They are pretty evenly matched in his opinion which means both teams will be trying their best that day.

We'll just have to try harder, Tai thinks, his heart slowing to its regular beat. He lifts his left hand, glances at his watch, and sees that school will be starting soon. It'll probably be a good idea if he makes a quick trip to the gym to take a shower before he goes to class. With that thought in mind he drags his tired body off the ground and begins gathering his things.

"Taichi-senpai!"

Taichi starts, twisting his head around until he catches sight of a boy jogging across the field, his backpack swinging haphazardly against his side. Taichi smiles upon recognizing his teammate and underclassman. Masami Ryo is a year younger than Tai, has short, spiky black hair, and has an enthusiasm for football that rivals his own. The kid is a decent midfielder and he is fairly certain will begin playing in the starting lineup next season.

"Morning, Ryo," Tai greets him when the youth is a few steps away. "How's it going?"

Ryo's chest heaves slightly as he replies and Taichi notes mentally to up his underclassman's running regiment to increase his stamina. "I'm well, Senpai. Are you putting in a little extra practice for next week's game?"

"You bet!" he says and starts across the field towards the high school. "We're going to really give Kaisei a run for their money."

Ryo follows alongside him, hands fiddling nervously with the clasp of his bag. "Everyone's pretty excited to play Kaisei. It's the first time Odaiba has ever gotten into the playoffs."

"It's because we have a really great team this year." Taichi grins as he elbows the shorter boy in the ribs.

A faint blush reddens Ryo's cheeks as he stammers his reply. "It's...I'm not that..." Ryo snaps his mouth shut at Taichi's pointed look and says instead, "I really think it's because you're such a great captain, Senpai."

Taichi scrunches his nose up in response, scratching the side of his head thoughtfully. "Huh. Nah, I think you guys are just really on your game this season."

"Only because you play so well, Senpai!" Ryo blurts out before staring pointedly at his shoes in embarrassment. Both have stopped their trek to the school at some point and are unaware of their other classmates walking around them. "You really inspire us to do our best."

Taichi stares at Ryo contemplatively, some of the heaviness he felt yesterday shedding away upon hearing the other's words.

Ryo lifts his eyes when a hand falls atop his shoulder. His breath catches at the intense look his Senpai is directing at him. He feels inexplicably pleased when Taichi thanks him as if what he's said is something Senpai has never heard before, which couldn't be true because Senpai is an amazing player—is an amazing friend.

Taichi pats the other's shoulder once more before tilting his head towards the gym. "Hey, I gotta go shower so I'll see you later at practice. I can't be going to class smelling like this," he says, lifting his soaked jersey off his chest. "My teacher would have a fit not to mention my classmates."

Ryo nods. "Sure. I'll see you later, Senpai!" He watches Taichi jog off, is about to walk up the stairs to Odaiba High, when he finds himself shouting, "We'll win, Senpai!" Predictably, he turns quite a few heads in his direction, including Taichi's. "With you as captain, we'll win for sure!"

Taichi grins, unable to understand what's gotten into the normally shy teen all of a sudden. "Whatever you say, Ryo!" Taichi hollers back, before continuing on his way.

Ryo beams and walks up the school's stairs ready to face the day.

oOo

It's the first period of the day and the one class Taichi dreads the most. Math was never his strong point and it seems calculus is the end all of all mathematics. He just can't figure it out. He doesn't understand limits, has less of a clue of what differentiation is, and the recently graded quiz his teacher just passed out proves this. Hands gripping the sides of his head, he wills the D+ to change and only manages to suppress a groan when it doesn't. He lets his forehead fall on to his desk with a light thump, drawing a few sympathetic glances his way and even more perplexed ones from the remainder of the class who don't know him. Mercifully enough the bell rings shortly after and he grabs his things and prepares to leave for his next class.

He's walking past his teacher's desk when his teacher addresses him.

"Taichi? May I speak to you for a moment?"

"Eh? Oh, sure, Ms. Hanada." He walks a few paces back and waits patiently beside her desk. She only begins to speak when the last student exits the room.

"I'm concerned about your grades in this class, Taichi," she says, taking her glasses off and placing them on her notebook. She then lifts her eyes and looks directly at her student. "At this rate, I don't think you'll be able to pass and..." She pauses, reluctant to speak further, but knows it's her responsibility as a teacher to do so. "It's the school's policy that if a student doesn't maintain at least a C average in his or her classes, he won't be able to participate in any sport activities."

Taichi feels as if the ground has suddenly fallen out from beneath him; the implications of the statement rocking the very core of his being. She couldn't...No way could she mean...

"I'm afraid if you don't earn at least a B on the next exam this Friday, you won't be able to play on the football team anymore."

"But you can't!" he shouts, forgetting in that split second who he is exactly speaking to and when he does remember, he adjusts his tone accordingly. "You can't, Ms. Hanada," he repeats in a more normal level, but no less urgent voice. "The game next week is important. It's the playoffs. I have to play in it!"

Ms. Hanada knows all too well and sympathizes with him. "I know, Taichi, but it's the school's policy. There's nothing I can do."

"But—"

"I'm sorry, Taichi, but if you can get a B on the next exam everything will work out."

Taichi continues to stare, jaw a bit slack and he dimly hears the bell ring, signaling the start of second period, but he can't bring himself to move.

"Taichi, you'll be late for your next class." She quickly scribbles something on her notebook and tears the sheet out to hand to him. "Here's a pass. You better go," she says, looking apologetic.

He manages a stiff nod, accepts the scrap of paper, and turns to leave. A B? Just a B. Did she know exactly who she's talking to, he wonders. There is no way in hell he could ever pull a B out of a calculus test! And in two days? A C maybe if by some miracle, but a B? There was no way...

Taichi slumps against a random locker in the empty hallway and closes his eyes.

The guys are going to kill him.

He doesn't even want to think about what his father will say.

oOo