Alright, this goes out to all the Taito fans who listened to Yamato's Drama CD. It's gonna be Taito eventually of course, so if you're not a Taito fan what are you doing here?

Haha kiddin' ;) Of course you're welcome to read this as well. Ultimately, this is a story about Yamato and the relationships he has with the people he cares about. It's my own take on the Drama CD, 'Tegami'. I guess you could call it an introspective piece. My inspiration was Yamato's song, 'Tobira', or 'Door'. Hence the title.

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon or the Drama CD, 'Tegami'.

Sometimes, he would go to the beach. Sometimes, he would make his way down to the sea, closing his eyes as the cool wind blew across his face.

He had met her there. It was one of those times, during evening. The sun was setting, the last fading rays illuminating her slender figure, playing on her long brown hair like the wind toyed with her brown strands.

He had looked up, and had been about to approach her when she lifted a musical instrument to her lips. It was a flute, and he watched as a smile curved her lips and she began to play a soft, lilting melody.

It had been almost surreal, standing there in the cool evening air, being the one to listen to someone else's music. He watched silently, his eyes not on the setting sun for once but on this mysterious, beautiful stranger.

Her flute's melody flowed through the wind, the notes dancing across, away to the far reaching blue sea. It lulled him into a state of peace and serenity, yet he could not bring himself to close his eyes.

She ended her song with a pleasantly high drawn out note. He watched as she lowered her flute, then raised her gaze to the orange evening sky, a beautiful smile on her lips.

He could have fallen for her at first sight then.

As it was, he found himself approaching her. She seemed to sense his presence for she turned and regarded him with that same beautiful smile.

"Well," she spoke first. Her voice was soft. "You don't often see anyone else down here."

"You don't." He agreed. He smiled, and took a step closer to her, "That was a beautiful melody you played."

"Thank you." She said, and she didn't avert her gaze. He noticed her eyes were blue, like his. But unlike his, hers were the color of the morning sky, while his were the color of the sea and perhaps the night-

He shook his head then, quickly getting rid of the thought. He focused his attention back on the girl in front of him, and walked casually to stand beside her, "You like the sea?"

"I love it," she replied, and she turned, smiling softly as she looked into the far distance, "It's very relaxing."

He looked at her, and noticed she had her eyes closed. She seemed to be aware of his gaze on her and she opened her sky blue eyes, smiling up at him. He noticed she was almost as tall as him.

"My name's Shizuka," she said, holding out her hand, tilting her head slightly, that smile still on her lips, "What's yours?"

"Yamato." He replied, and reached out to clasp her hand. He wondered if she would recognize him. Shizuka- it suited her. He now knew her name, as she knew his.

But she just shook his hand and said, "Nice to meet you, Yamato-kun," she looked up into the evening sky, and said, "It's getting late."

"It is."

She withdrew her hand and he allowed her to. She regarded him with bright blue eyes and an apologetic smile. "I'm afraid I have to return home." She told him.

"That's understandable," he replied, giving her a reassuring smile, "Do you want me to walk you home?"

"It's alright," she reassured him. She held her flute carefully in her hand as she turned, "I live quite near here."

There was something in her voice he couldn't recognize, but it soon faded from his mind as she said, "Well, bye Yamato-kun," she waved at him. "It was nice meeting you."

He smiled and waved to her as she made her way up the beach.

"Yeah."

"Hey."

He had brought along his guitar this time and he smiled as he walked on the sand towards her.

"Oh, it's you Yamato-kun." She seemed happy to see him.

Yamato took note of the time on his watch, then moved to sit beside her on the sand near the shore. "Just Yamato is fine." He said. "You don't mind my company, do you?"

"Not at all." She replied cheerfully. "I'm glad to have someone to watch the sea with."

He smiled and moved his hands to his guitar, and her sky blue eyes blinked. "You play the guitar?"

"Yeah," he replied. She looked at him and he smiled and began to strum the chords, humming.

She was soon humming with him. He turned his gaze to her and she said slightly sheepishly, "I know the song. It's one of my favorites."

He was so surprised he almost stopped playing. "It is?"

"Uhuh." She had stretched her legs out towards the sea, and she swung them lightly, "It's Hitoriboochi no Seesaw by the Teenage Wolves, right?"

"Yeah," he said, unable to help feeling disappointment in him. He looked down, strumming a few more chords. "Are you a fan of them?"

"Fan…I wouldn't say so," she said contemplatively. He raised his gaze to her curiously, "I just love their music. But I don't know much about them."

Well, that was new. "I see." He said.

"I love your music."

He stopped playing. "What?"

She turned to him, her blue eyes shining. "I love your music." She said, shyness but also honesty in her voice. "I've always wanted to tell you this in person."

He was almost too surprised to speak. "You know who I am?"

"Your voice sounded familiar," she said sheepishly, "And when you started humming, I realized…"

"Oh."

"I just wanted to tell you that." She said softly. She looked up at him, "Thank you for creating such beautiful music, Yamato."

He wasn't quite sure how to respond to that, and felt slightly glad when she continued, "Will you…do me the honor of playing a duet with me?"

He blinked. He turned his gaze to her flute in her hand, but nodded. "Sure." He had never heard any of his songs played on the flute before.

She beamed and brought her flute to her lips. She looked at him, and he said, "You can start first."

And she did. She started off slowly, the high notes of her flute echoing into the sea air. He soon followed soon after with his guitar, strumming lightly and making sure not to override the lovely melody.

They sat there by the sea for a while, just the two of them, playing the flute and the guitar, creating music. It was so relaxing it almost made him forget all about his problems for the moment, and almost made him forget the origin of the song as he sang.

She ended on a low note with his voice, and he strummed the ending chords, a sad smile on his lips. He struck the last note softly, and listened as it echoed lightly into the cool air.

"That song is so beautiful," he heard her say. "Did you write it for someone?"

"Yeah." He replied softly.

"They must be very lucky then."

She didn't question him, and he was glad for it. "Hey, Yamato…can you teach me how to play the guitar?" He heard her ask almost shyly, "If you don't mind, that is…I've always wanted to learn how to play the guitar."

"Sure." He found himself replying as he looked into her sky blue eyes. He was glad for a distraction, but she couldn't have known that.

He lifted the guitar and placed it carefully onto her lap. She smiled at him and nodded, and he carefully took hold of her hands. They were soft, and he placed her fingers gently on the strings.

"Playing a flute is quite different from playing the guitar. First, you'll have to learn how to play the chords…"

"You're a pretty fast learner."

"Ah…thanks." She said softly. "I used to watch my brother play the guitar."

He smiled, and leaned back, staring up at the sunset sky, "It's late. You should go home."

"Ah!" She exclaimed in surprise and he grinned slightly, "We lost track of time!"

"Here," she lifted his guitar with her soft hands and handed it to him carefully with a smile, "Thanks for teaching me, Yamato!"

He blinked, and she leaned forward to place a kiss on his cheek. He blinked when she withdrew, and said dazedly, "No problem, Shizuka."

She grinned at him and turned and sprinted up the beach with her flute, leaving him sitting on the sand, a hand to his flushed cheek.

Neither of them knew why the other was at the beach, but they grew closer every time they met. He found himself coming to the beach earlier every day. Soon he was smiling every time he approached her. Sometimes, he would lean down to kiss her cheek before he sat beside her on the shore, usually with his guitar.

But this time, he didn't have his guitar. He brought with him something-someone else.

"Oh, hello!" She greeted cheerfully, her cheeks pink in the setting sun. "And who might you be?"

"I'm Gabumon." His partner said, surprise in his voice.

"Oh! You're the one Yamato was telling me about," he watched with a smile as she smiled at his digimon, moving the cups of shaved ice to one hand and reaching out her free hand, "It's nice to meet you, Gabumon!"

"Nice to meet you, Shizuka." Gabumon shook her hand with his paw.

"Here, let me help you with that," Yamato said as he took the cups of shaved ice.

"Ah, thanks!" She told him gratefully, then grinned, "Oh, one of them is for you."

Yamato blinked. "Oh thanks." He said, surprised.

"You can give the other one to Gabumon- I'll just go get another one!" She told him cheerfully, then got up and made her way up the beach.

"Uh." Yamato said. He and Gabumon looked at each other, then grinned.

"She wasn't surprised at all."

"Yeah." Yamato said. He handed one of the cups of shaved ice to Gabumon, a look of bemusement on his face, "Here. She said this was for you."

Gabumon grinned and reached out his paws for the cup of shaved ice, digging into it and bringing the colorful ice to his mouth. "Delicious!"

"Isn't it?" The brown haired girl had returned with her own cup of shaved ice. She turned and smiled at him, "You should eat yours too, Yamato!"

"Ah, yeah." Yamato said, and moved to pick up the spoon, bringing the ice to his mouth. He smiled. "Mmm. Not bad."

"So Shizuka, how did you and Yamato meet?" Gabumon asked as the three of them sat together by the sea.

"Oh, we just met one day," Shizuka replied cheerfully as she bit delicately into her shaved ice, "I was playing the flute, and noticed he was there."

"I approached her and told her that was a beautiful melody she had played." Yamato said, smiling at her. She smiled back at him.

"Ah…" Gabumon said as he looked between the two of them. "Hey, Shizuka…"

"Yes?"

Yamato smiled as he listened to Gabumon and Shizuka talk. He seemed intrigued by her, and she was happy to answer any of his questions. The atmosphere was a quiet and relaxing one, and he relished in it.

"So, why do you come to the beach?" Gabumon asked curiously. He paused. "I know why Yamato comes to the beach, but why do you?"

"I find it very relaxing," Shizuka smiled as she looked up into the sky at the seagulls chirping, "I feel very peaceful at the beach. It's quiet and it has a nice atmosphere."

Gabumon blinked, then gave Yamato a look as if to say, "She's like you." Yamato just shrugged.

His phone vibrated then, and he raised an eyebrow. Yamato reached a hand into his pocket, taking out his phone. "Excuse me." He muttered when he saw the caller ID. "Hello?"

"Taichi," Yamato narrowed his eyes, "Why are you calling?"

"Huh, school?" Yamato frowned as he listened to the brunette on the other line, "Whatever, I'm busy right now."

"No…yeah…no," Yamato shook his head as Shizuka and Gabumon stared at him. "I'm fine! Yeah I am. No you don't need to come here. Yeah. Bye."

"Who was that?" Shizuka asked when Yamato put down the phone. "Your girlfriend?" She teased.

Yamato grimaced, "Not at all," he replied tersely. "He's just my best friend."

Gabumon looked at him, and Shizuka said in concern, "Are you two having an argument?"

"Something like that." Yamato muttered, not at all happy that Taichi had called. Why had he, anyway?

"Ah!" Gabumon said suddenly, and Yamato and Shizuka blinked. "It's going to rain!"

"Shit," Yamato said when he saw the seagulls flying in from the sea. "Looks like there's going to be a storm."

"We better go back," Shizuka said quickly. They raised themselves from the sand and she turned to them, "Don't worry, my house isn't too far from here."

"That's a relief." Yamato said as they walked up the beach. The man at the shaved ice stand was packing up too. "You wouldn't mind?"

"Of course not," Shizuka reassured him. She smiled at him, and waved her hand towards the front.

"Come on, let's go before the rain gets us."

They spent the rest of the day at Shizuka's house. Her mother was a nice woman, but Yamato still made Gabumon stand absolutely still when she entered Shizuka's room. She smiled and served them drinks, and he thanked her.

"It isn't often that Shizuka brings a guy home!" She had joked cheerfully as she regarded him with bright eyes, "And a handsome one too!"

"She must really like you!"

"Mother!" Shizuka exclaimed indignantly as Yamato flushed, embarrassed. He glowered at Gabumon, who seemed like he was about to grin.

"Sorry sweetie, I couldn't resist," her mother winked at them, then moved to depart, "Well, have fun you two!"

"S-Sorry…" Shizuka said awkwardly when her mother had left, blushing.

"Eh, it's alright," Yamato brushed off, looking to the side.

"Well-ah!" Shizuka gasped suddenly in pain, a hand to her eye.

"What's wrong?!" Yamato shot forward in concern.

"N-Nothing, it's just… my eye," Shizuka muttered, "Um…could you pass me that box on the table?"

Yamato didn't need to be told twice. He darted to the table and quickly picked up the brown box, making his way to her side. "Can I help you with anything?"

"No it's fine…" Shizuka managed a smile at him, "Excuse me for a moment…"

She took the box from him, thanking him then standing up and making her way to the bathroom. The door closed softly beside her, and Yamato stared, then turned his gaze to Gabumon, who was now mobile, blinking his red eyes.

"What happened?"

"I don't know." Yamato confessed. He sighed, and moved his gaze to the closed door.

"I hope she'll be alright."

"Sorry…" Shizuka apologized when she emerged from the toilet. Her sky blue eyes were slightly red and she blinked them, looking abashed. "The truth is, I have an eye disease. I can't really…see clearly."

"Eye disease?"

Shizuka nodded, and advanced towards Yamato and Gabumon. "Um…I was born with it, and I've had to take medicine since I was young," she said quietly, "Or I might become blind one day."

"That's terrible!" Gabumon voiced the shocked Yamato's thoughts.

But Shizuka just smiled, "I'm used to it." She said simply. "My parents have been thinking of having me undergo an operation…" she trailed off.

"Isn't that dangerous?" Yamato thought, but didn't want to make her uncomfortable. He shook off his surprise and smiled at her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder, "It's alright," he reassured. "I'll be here for you."

"Me too!" Gabumon piped up.

"Thanks Yamato, Gabumon." Shizuka smiled gratefully at them, her sky blue eyes shining. Who knew such pretty eyes held a terrible disease? Appearances were indeed deceiving.

They passed the time listening to music and listening to Shizuka play her flute. Gabumon wanted to try once and she generously allowed him, and Yamato couldn't help but grin when his digimon failed miserably at producing the beautiful music Shizuka had as Shizuka laughed lightly.

Gabumon pouted, "I don't understand why I can play your harmonica but I can't play this flute!"

"You play the harmonica?" Shizuka asked him in surprise.

"It was a long time ago," Yamato shrugged, "When I hadn't learnt the bass guitar."

"Really? Will you play it for me sometime?" Shizuka asked hopefully.

"Sure." Yamato agreed. How could he disappoint her? "My skills are probably lacking though."

Shizuka beamed at him, and he smiled at her, making a mental note to bring his harmonica along the next time.

The door opened then, and they turned their attention to where Shizuka's mother was at the door, "Dinner's ready," she informed them with a smile, "Will you be joining us, uh…"

"Yamato."

"Yamato-kun it is. Will you be joining us for dinner, Yamato-kun?"

"Nah, it's fine," Yamato said as he stood up with a smile, "I'll be cooking my own dinner at home."

"You can cook?" Shizuka's mother asked in surprise. She looked pointedly at Shizuka, "A guy who's handsome and who can cook- he's a pretty good catch!"

"Don't say that, mother! It's embarrassing!"

"Why thank you." Yamato smiled charmingly, and he could almost swear he could see stars in her eyes.

"W-Well, we shouldn't keep you then!" Shizuka's mother said, and moved away from the door. She looked at Shizuka.

"I'll show you out." Shizuka said as she stood up and moved forward. Shizuka's mother smiled and made her way across the landing.

"It's alright," Yamato told her with a smile. He looked at Gabumon, who nodded at him.

"I'll go through the window." He then smiled sheepishly at Shizuka, "I don't want to frighten your parents."

"Well, bye," Yamato gave Shizuka a wave as he stepped out onto the landing, "I'll see you at the beach the next time?"

"Or you could come to my house," Shizuka said. He blinked at her and she flushed, "Um…I-I mean…"

"I would like that," Yamato smiled at her. Gabumon was climbing through the window and he turned, "See you."

"Bye, Yamato."

Yamato smiled. He closed the door softly and made his way down the stairs. He came to the dining room, and bowed politely to Shizuka's parents. "Thank you for having me over."

"It's a pleasure, Yamato-kun." Shizuka's mother said cheerfully.

"You're welcome." Her husband nodded.

Yamato bowed again, then straightened, smiled at them, and turned around to make his way to the door. He could hear Shizuka's mother telling her husband about how Shizuka was so lucky to have found him.

His phone vibrated as he stood up after putting on his shoes. Yamato slipped a hand into his pocket and took the device out, frowning as he read the message.

Yamato, I'm so sorry! I know I've been an idiot. I know you're angry at me but you just don't want to say it. That's why you've been skipping school and avoiding me, right?

Yamato scoffed.

Anyway, I didn't mean it. I'm just worried about how everyone else would react, you know? I mean, our close friends might accept it, but what about our families?

Yamato gritted his teeth, and forced himself to scroll down the message.

You understand, right Yamato? So…can we talk sometime? We can go to Kyoto, I know you love it there. Please reply me.

Yamato narrowed his eyes. Resisting the urge to throw his phone down on the ground, he punched the buttons on his phone with deft fingers as he advanced forward.

"Yamato?"

Taichi. You must understand why I stopped dating Sora. You must understand what I've gone through. At least, I thought you understood.

I'm not sure if this is even worth it anymore. I need time to figure this out. Don't reply this message.

It was blunt and straight to the point, and might hurt Taichi. But Yamato didn't care. Taichi had hurt him.

"Yamato, are you alright?" Gabumon questioned as he walked beside his fuming partner. "You look…angry."

"I'm fine." Yamato gritted out. He shoved his phone into his pocket roughly.

"Are you sure?"

Yamato turned his narrowed gaze to his digimon. He looked at the concern in Gabumon's eyes, and sighed. "Yeah." He could really use some shaved ice right now.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, Yamato advanced forward into the darkness, Gabumon trotting along worriedly beside him.

He resolved to not attend school for the rest of the week.