Author's Note: Well I certainly never thought I'd be back writing something on FF but I've been aching to write something to deal with France so this idea popped into mind. I'll admit it's not up to par as my other stories because I kinda rushed through my diction just to get the plot down. But then again, I don't know how many people are still interested in fanfics anymore so just enjoy!
Vacation in France
Chapter 1: Twist of Fate
CLICK!
A longhaired brunette grinned, looking at the picture that she had just captured. It was a picture of her parents and older brother smiling with the Eiffel Tower and sunset behind them. She gave them a thumb's up and began wandering around that area, absorbing in the nice sunny weather.
Her family's trip to France had begun last night after a long plane ride, and she was dying to store precious memory of the trip. So far, they had already seen Notre Dame, visited the Louvre (where Taichi ranted about how boring it was for half the day), and now at the Eiffel Tower. But she wanted more, to absorb France—the food, the atmosphere but most importantly the language. French sounded pretty, and she was glad that she had signed up for that class in high school. She couldn't wait to start high school and learn the language, but it meant she would be leaving the foreign country. Perhaps one day, she would be able to return and actually speak and understand it!
Her crimson eyes gazed at her parents holding each other lovingly, and she took a quick snap. French was known as the language of love, perhaps she would even find someone special.
Suddenly, a cool breeze flew by, causing everyone in that area to shiver a little.
"Ah, mon chapeau! Mon chapeau!" someone shouted.
Hikari turned around to see a white fisher's hat floating in the air and a tall boy around her age with blonde hair sprinting towards her. He didn't seem to notice her and she didn't have time to step aside. Hikari felt the boy's weight being pushed on her, causing her to fall.
"Je suis desole! Je n'ai pas regarde ou j'allais. Ca va?"
Hikari had no clue what the boy was saying to her, but by offering his hand once he stood up, she knew he was sorry and that it was an accident. She smiled and took his hand and her eyes wandered to his face, his cerulean eyes attracting her.
"Hikari! Are you okay?! I saw what happened," her over protective brother appeared next to her, glaring at the boy then shifting his attention to where Hikari's right hand was. "Ahem…"
She blushed and quickly took her hand back. "Calm down, Taichi. It was an accident."
"How do you know? We don't understand French! We have no clue what he's saying. For all we know, he was trying to ask you out! Thank goodness we're going to be in the same school this year! What would you do if there were guys chasing after you? You're lucky that I'll be there to scare them away!" Taichi yelled, not leaving his chocolate brown eyes off the boy, who wasn't showing any signs of weakness. Oddly, he was smiling as if he was attempting to hold back a laugh.
"One more year, Taichi. After next year, you're off to college. Don't you think I'm old enough to handle these things!"
"Of course you can but—"
Hikari sighed, "But nothing. Let's go before you embarrass yourself anymore." Hikari looked at the boy and gave him an apologetic look, hoping he understood and dragged her brother away. "At least he wasn't Davis," Hikari muttered.
Unfortunately, Taichi heard that and stated loudly, "Hmph, if he was, he would be beaten to a bloody pulp!"
Meanwhile, once the siblings were out of sight, the blonde hair boy headed back to his grandparents and older brother.
"What was that all about?" a strikingly handsome older version of the boy questioned.
Takeru chuckled. "Nothing big, but the brown mop-like hair guy was being overly protective of his younger sister. They didn't know that I could understand Japanese though."
Yamato raised one of his eyebrows. "Did you just describe her older brother's hair as a mop?"
"Yeah…I wasn't being mean. It's true! I bet you could still see it from here!" Takeru defended, staring at the back of Taichi's head and glancing over at his brother, who was smirking.
XXXXX
The following day, after having breakfast, the Yagami family unanimously agreed to spend the day walking down Champs Elysees, a street famous for lots of shops, cafes, and movies.
It was a perfect day to be outside walking. It was sunny but not too hot with a gentle breeze flying through. They were not the only ones at Champs Elysees that morning. The street was not quite crowded yet, but by the time lunch came around, it would probably be.
Because there were so many possible stores to browse through, movies they wouldn't understand, and cafes to eat at, the family, with a map in each of their hands, split into two groups, agreeing to reunite again for lunch at a certain café. Before Hikari could enjoy a moment shopping with her mom, Taichi clamped his large hand over her mouth.
"Dips on Hikari!" He dragged her unwillingly away, disappearing in the small crowd.
When her brother finally released her from his grip, her crimson eyes glared at him and crossed her arms. "Why did you do that? I wanted to go shopping with Mom! I doubt Dad will have much fun shopping or browsing through stores."
"Listen, you can go with Mom after lunch. It's just…I really need to buy the right gift for Sora. I promised her I would get her something, but you know me. I'm horrible at this stuff." He scratched the back of his bushy head and gave a pleading look.
Hikari softened her gaze and placed her arms to her side. She knew how much he cared for Sora, and she even looked up to Sora as an older sister she never had. Plus, the two of them had known each other since they were in elementary school. She always thought they were perfect, but she was afraid it would have been impossible after the drama.
He and Yamato, his best friend, liked Sora. They even confessed at the same day, causing one drama. After many competitions, Sora admitted that she had always liked Taichi since their soccer days. Hikari didn't want to watch her brother get hurt and depress because he couldn't find Sora a nice gift.
"Alright, but if you don't find something, you're on your own."
Taichi leaped for joy. "Did I tell you that you're my favorite sister?"
"I'm your only sister."
"Yeah, but if I had another one, you'd be my favorite." Taichi said with a lopsided smile on his face.
Hikari rolled her eyes and grinned back. "Let's start looking."
The two entered and exited almost ever shop they had passed. French chocolate sounded good, but chocolate was too mundane according to Hikari. However, Taichi grabbed a small box, which cost him quite a chunk. Perfume was too expensive, no matter what size. Clothing was too difficult to pick out and costly. Those ordinary French souvenirs with the French flag, French colors, and famous French monuments didn't speak out 'Sora' to him.
"Taichi, we should start heading back or else Mom and Dad might flip and think we've been kidnapped," Hikari stated, glancing at her watch.
"One more store! Please, Hikari! I need something else besides a box of chocolate. You're right, it's too simple." Both look slightly exhausted from walking, but Taichi looked worse. There was an expression of hopelessness.
"OK, Taichi. But I hope you remember that we have a few of more days in Paris, and we're still going to visit some other towns in France too," the brunette told him, trying to erase that expression, which didn't suit him.
"I know but still…I promised her I would get something back from Paris not France," Taichi muttered.
Hikari closed her eyes, grabbed her brother's hand, and steered him into a cute little boutique. "Last store. Make it quick."
So the two quickly perused through the store. Unlike the previous shops, this one was more affordable and suited their tastes better. Hikari's crimson eyes constantly returned to a simple silver bracelet with a heart charm.
She had never had a boyfriend—not because Taichi was always scaring them away, but she had always felt as if her guy friends were just friends, nothing more. She sometimes secretly envied Taichi and Sora.
Hikari shook her head. Whatever happens will happen. She was happy for the two of them. She wondered if Sora would like this.
The brunette searched for Taichi and saw him looking at French beret. When she approached him, he stated nervously, "I think I'm going to get her this. It's French. I can find jewelry and stuff animals in Japan. I think she'll like it."
"I think she'll like it too. Now come on! Mom and Dad must be worried," ordered Hikari.
"Alright, alright."
After Taichi purchased Sora's gift, he looked satisfied even though he was slightly annoyed with his sister's constant nagging. Taichi clumsily placed his wallet back inside his brown jacket while they were outside the boutique. Once more, Hikari was steering him quickly back to the café, but it was difficult since it was lunchtime. The street was even more crowded than it had been before. Then Hikari felt her grip from her brother break as an agile man pushed Taichi and speed off.
"Are you ok, Taichi?"
He grunted. "Yeah…wait…I think he just robbed him!" Taichi immediately turned around and saw the man speeding away. "HEY! SOMEONE STOP THAT GUY! HE'S A THEIF! HE JUST STOLE MY WALLET!"
"Taichi, wait." Before Hikari could stop him, Taichi was already chasing after the thief, shouting in Japanese.
"Taichi! Wait for me! We shouldn't get separated!" When Hikari glanced at where her brother was, she shrilled.
There was several tire burning rubber and pedestrians gasping. Time seemed to have slowed down. A blue car braked and swerved to the curb where people ran away. A mop of brown hair stood still. There was a loud, long honk. More rubber burning. Hikari didn't blink through out the seen. Her brother was going to get hit. Suddenly, a blob of blue pushed her brother out of her sight and onto the ground. Hikari felt tears escaping as she pushed herself to the scene.
"No…no…not Taichi…" she whispered, arriving at the scene. To her luck, she saw her brother being lifted up to stand with the help of a blonde hair boy about her age, wearing blue shorts and a yellow and blue shirt.
"You're not hurt, are you?" the boy asked in Japanese, surprising the both of Taichi and Hikari.
Taichi shook his head. Hikari instinctively ran toward her brother and hugged him with tears streaming down her face. "I thought I had lost you! You idiot! Your life is more important than money!"
"Well…I was almost a goner. I thought I would've been too if it hadn't been for him," Taichi explained, pointing to his rescuer. He hadn't really noticed who the boy was. Everything happened so suddenly, but now that Taichi could catch his breath, he realized it was the guy from yesterday.
"YOU!" Taichi screamed, pointing a finger.
"Taichi, it's not nice to point at someone who just saved you," Hikari scolded, turning to the boy to apologize.
"I'm—" she began, but her mind failed her. Hikari stared into his cerulean eyes and then noticed that he was smiling.
"You're?" a kind voice questioned.
Hikari blinked and felt her face becoming warm. "I'm sorry," she said lamely, looking back at the ground.
"Sorry for what?" he asked friendly. "If you're apologizing for your brother, it's ok. Honestly. I have an older brother, so this is nothing. I should be the one apologizing for not telling you two that I knew Japanese. By the way, what happened yesterday, I was trying to apologize for running into her and asking her if she was okay. Even though it was an accident, I'm glad it happened."
Hikari felt her face burn even hotter. He was glad that it happened?
Taichi stared at the boy suspiciously, but no rude remark came out this time. "I guess if you've just saved my life, you aren't a bad guy after all. Thanks," he told the boy, sticking his hand out. "I'm Taichi Yagami, and that's Hikari."
Hikari looked up when she heard her name and couldn't help but smile.
"TakeruTakaishi."
Unconsciously, her eyes lingered onto a clock in a store. "Taichi! We need to meet Mom and Dad now!"
Taichi's brown eyes widen as he immediately grabbed his bags and Hikari's hand to drag them back to the rendezvous café.
"Wait!" Hikari exclaimed, turning to Takeru. Her timid nature seemed to have disappeared. "Have you had lunch? Come eat with us! I'm sure Mom and Dad would really want to meet you."
Takeru felt his heart pulse slightly quickened, but then he saw Taichi's death glare and then Hikari's innocent face. Slightly confused, he convinced himself that a person would not kill a person who just saved their life, especially if that person had a sister.
"I'm starving, actually," he replied nervously, walking closer to Hikari to shield himself from Taichi.
"Great!" Hikari subconsciously grabbed Takeru's hand and pushed Taichi with her other hand.
Takeru was slightly bewildered at her action, but an immediate blush crawled on his face. He liked the way her hand seemed to fit in his.
A few minutes later, the trio arrived at the rendezvous café. It took a few more seconds for Taichi and Hikari to spot their parents, who had chosen an outside table and were frantically turning their heads until they saw them. The three squeezed their way through toward them.
"Why are you two so late!? Do you have any idea how worried I've been? I thought Hikari might've had one of her fainting spells that erupted from her childhood. And then in a country where we don't even speak the language!" ranted a tall, long light brown hair woman.
"Honey, I told you that they probably just lost track of time, and it looks like they did. They're both back safe and sound. It looks like they met a new friend too," a dark haired man stated calmly though eyeing where one of Hikari's hand was.
It was only then did Mrs. Yagami acknowledge the presence of Takeru. She was startled and slightly embarrassed. She did take one good survey of him and was drawn to where Hikari and his hand were interlocked.
"Yes, how did you two meet him, Taichi, Hikari? You seem awfully close in such a short time," said Mrs. Yagami clearly.
Hikari suddenly felt something warm and strong in her hand and blushed, quickly releasing his hand.
"How we met him?" Taichi repeated slowly.
"Yeah, why don't you explain how we bumped into him?" Hikari pushed.
"Well…you see…" Taichi began, explaining the day's event to his parents, who added comments during certain parts. Both had shocked and grateful expressions by the end of the tale.
Mrs. Yagami jumped to her feet and pushed Takeru into a seat. "Oh thank you so much! You saved my son's life! He would probably be in the hospital now if it weren't for you! Sit. Eat whatever you like. How could we ever repay you?"
Takeru sat uncomfortably in his seat. He didn't want any retribution. He just wanted to see the girl that he had crashed into yesterday again except he was not expecting to bump into her again like this.
"Lunch is enough, Mrs. Yagami."
While they happily filled their hunger, the Yagami family found out that Takeru was part Japanese and part French, thus explaining how he was fluent in both. He had one older brother, but his parents were divorced.
After lunch, the Yagami family had planned to spend the rest of the day on this street, but after the day's event, Mrs. Yagami was hesitant for them to separate. Taichi, now broke, had to rely on his parents for some cash had to stick with them. He didn't want to risk being robbed again. Hikari, on the other hand, desired to watch a movie even though she wouldn't comprehend anything. She wanted to compare French movies to those of Japan's, especially the cinematography.
There was much debate until Takeru blurted out, "I'll take her to the movies."
All four Yagami stopped and stared at him. Hikari once again flushed.
"I mean, if you don't mind. I know Paris really well, and I'll protect her. I won't let anything happen to her, and it is not like I have anything better to do," the blonde hair added.
Taichi glared at Takeru. It sounded like a date to him, and he hated it. "No way! You might've saved my life, but I'm not going to let you be alone with my sister!"
"Taichi!" Mr. Yagami said firmly.
Mrs. Yagami had a certain all-knowing gaze in her eyes. "Sounds perfect! You know what else? If she wants to go anywhere else, can you please take her? You don't mind do you, Hikari? You can meet us back at the hotel at 9. We're not sure where to eat dinner yet, so why don't you take some money and go anywhere you want. I'm sure Takeru can recommend something."
Takeru and Hikari were astounded at what just happened. Hikari's mother basically forced them into a date! Neither of them was complaining. The shock was still dawning on them.
Hikari vaguely heard a "Bye, sweetie. Have fun! See you tonight" before she realized she was alone with Takeru.
Author's Note: Cruel, I'm sorry but I didn't want a super long chapter! But since I started writing this and posting this, I will finish it! Though I think that for the rest of the story, I want to try a different writing style so hope you guys don't mind! I'm thinking perhaps first-person, which I've never done before.
Anyway, I hoped you guys enjoyed this! (I know Hikari meeting Takeru was very sudden/rushed but like I said, I'm writing this because I wanted to write something that incorporated French.)
Mon chapeau - my hat
Je suis desole - I am sorry
Je ne regarde pas ou j'allais - I didn't watch where I was going
Ca va - Informal way of saying "are you ok?"
REVIEW PLEASE!!