Braided Lives
A/N: This is a story focusing on the pairing of Isida Yamato "Matt" and Takenouchi Sora, otherwise known as Sorato. It also will attempt to explain why in the last episode of Digimon of season two, "A Million Points of Light", Sora and Matt are not mentioned as being married, when Miyako/Yolei and Ken are. This is especially confusing, as Matt and Sora definitely have two children together (Sora's child has Matt's hair, and vice versa).
Chapter One: Christmas Bells
Sora stood by the back door of the concert hall in which the Teenage Wolves would be performing tonight, clutching the wrapped present close to her chest. She looked over at the gathering crowds and, to ease the nervousness building inside her with every second's passing, she turned to Biyomon, who since their Christmas reunion had resumed her role as Sora's constant companion.
"Wow, this is exciting! People are already lining up for Matt's concert!"
The digimon turned towards her. "Don't worry, Sora," she said, recognizing her friend's mood, "we'll be sure to get good seats! Especially after you bring him those homemade cookies!"
"I hope," Sora replied with a smile, turning back towards the door to continue the waiting game.
Suddenly a new voice rang out. "Sora! Wait up!"
She turned to see Tai running towards her with Agumon at his side.
"Oh, Tai," she said. Then she looked down at her package, suddenly embarrassed. She knew that her friend had feelings for her that went beyond friendship, and those cookies were proof that those feelings were not returned. The present was for Matt, not Tai. She could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks as she tried to hide the box from view.
"Something smells good!" Agumon exclaimed. There was no hiding food from a digimon.
Just then the door opened, and out stepped Gabumon. "Matt's busy getting ready. But I'll take those to him! Mmm!"
"Oh, no you won't!" said Biyomon, stepping towards Matt's partner. "You'll eat the whole thing yourself!"
"Why, I resent that!" came the reply. "I'm on a diet."
"So, Sora?" Tai said, bringing Sora's attention away from the digimon and back to the human.
"Are you going to the concert with anyone?" he asked nervously. "Not that it matters…just wondering."
There was nothing for Sora to say, except the truth. "No. I want to be available in case Matt's free afterwards. Hmm." The minute it came out of her mouth, Sora cringed inwardly at the patheticness of her statement. Turning down a perfectly good offer to wait around for something that may never happen. But she was the Digidestined of Love, and had to follow her heart.
"Oh, I see. Matt, huh?"
"Yeah," she replied, now worried about her friend's reaction Though she didn't feel the same way towards him as he did toward her, but she still valued his friendship. The last thing she wanted was to lose one of her best friends. She stood in silence, waiting for the bomb to drop.
"It's okay."
She turned to him in surprise. "You're not mad at me, Tai?"
"Of course not," he said, moving behind her and pushing her towards the door. "Now get in there, and say 'hi' to Matt for me."
"Thanks, Tai."
Suddenly Agumon cut in: "The least you could do is leave us the cookies!"
She turned back with a smile. "Tell you what. I'll make some special ones for you." Then she turned to walk inside. She could just barely hear Tai's reply.
"I'll be waiting. Thanks."
*~*~*~*~*
Sora now stood inside the dressing room, the box of cookies lying on a nearby table. Biyomon and Gabumon stood in the hall, bickering with each other. Inside, Sora was alone. Matt had been called away for something, leaving her with only her renewed nerves for company. And with the memory of Tai in her head. It was such a relief to her that he had accepted her decision, though part of her wondered whether this newfound maturity would last. Tai had always been ruled by emotions. As had most of the group, with the possible exception of Izzy.
She was freed from the endlessness of waiting when the door opened and Matt walked in. He quickly smiled when he saw his guest, a smile that Sora eagerly returned.
"Hey!" Matt said, "It's great to see you. You're coming to the concert, right?"
"I wouldn't miss it, Matt. You know that."
"Yeah, I do. Just making sure."
Sora smiled again. Her eyes turned to the cookies. "I, uh…brought you something."
"Sora, you shouldn't have!"
"Oh, it was nothing," she replied, blushing. "It's only some homemade cookies."
"Cookies! That's not nothing, I love cookies! Especially if you made them yourself. Thanks Sora!" Matt quickly opened the box, and popped a cookie in his mouth. "Mmmmm, delicious."
"I'm glad you like them," Sora said, then fell silent. Now was the time she had been preparing herself for all day. Now was her opportunity. Now was the moment to muster up the courage she feared she didn't even have.
"Hey, uh, Matt?"
"Yeah?"
"What are you doing after the concert?"
"I don't know. I have to stay and help pack up, but that shouldn't take long. Why?"
"Um, well, you see, I was just wondering if, erm, you wanted to go out somewhere. With me."
Matt looked over at Sora, his blue gaze meeting hers. "Sora? Are you asking me out on a date?"
Sora looked away, blushing deeply. "Um, yeah, I guess I am."
She kept looking down, until she felt Matt's hand on her chin, lifting her face up towards his.
He smiled at her. "I'd love to."
(A/N Aw, isn't that cute? At least that was the effect I was going for. Anyways, for those of you who didn't already notice, the beginning of this chapter was a recap of the best Canon Sorato moment, during the episode "A Very Digi Christmas". Also special thanks to Daughter of Yub Yub, my beta!)