The anime never went this way but I love Sora, she's my favorite character, and so, this fic will feature her, only very differently. Just so everyone knows, the story isn't entirely original (honestly, it's hard being original). I got my ideas from other animes, moveis and playstation games. Anyway, this is my first fanfic so I hope somebody likes it.
Edit: Yes, it's been SO long since I updated anything. Life's just somehow managed to spiral out of control for me this year but in the long run, I suppose it'll all turn out. Now, believe it or not, I know what I'm about to say will shock the heck out of some people and probably make others hate me...a little...but hey, ideas change with time, and so did mine regarding this particular story. For starters, I'm a bit more mature now than I was when I first wrote this, my writing's improved to a certain extent and I've even gotten the chance to view LA for myself! And so, I've decided to make a couple of changes here and there, but fear not, the plot does stay the same; it's just how it unfolds that differs slightly. If I've dissappointed anyone in doing this, I'm truly sorry, but it's my story in the end so please understand. Also, thanks to everyone who's been so patient.
OOO
A hushed sigh escaped her cherry-pink lips.
Sora Takenouchi was just lazing about her room, pacing here and there before eventually collapsing onto her bed. A glance at the square-shaped Sony alarm clock resting on her bed's night stand told her it was already half past three - way past midnight and that most residents of the fair Odaiba City, Japan were in dreamland. Not Sora though, she couldn't sleep. Instead, here she was, just lying there, atop her somewhat messed-up bed, still in her normal everyday attire and not her nighttime pajamas. She stared at the ceiling in thought.
Obviously, something was troubling her.
Inwardly, Sora replayed the past scene from just hours ago at the dinner table…
Dinner was to be had with both her parents that night. Apparently, since the third defeat of Malomyotismon just days ago, her parents were finally spending more time together. Strange? Yes, very much so. Sora's father, as busy as he always was with endless lectures and research, courtesy of his job as a university professor, had miraculously found time to come home and spend what little left of Christmas with both her mother and her. Little did she know, there was reason for his stay – a life changing one.
Conversation seemed almost non-existent that night. The adults kept bouncing back and forth looks of pleading towards one another, as if willing the other to set the night's conversation flowing; neither faltered for an extended period of time, instead choosing to keep silent for as long as possible. Sora paid little attention to this, merely shrugging the weirdness off as it was a rarity in itself for both of her parents to be in the same room at once these days – it made perfect sense they weren't on the most talkative of terms.
"Sora?" Toshiko Takenouchi asked cautiously, at last breaking the near-silent dinner atmosphere.
"Yes?" was her daughter's one-worded reply as she shifted her gaze politely to look up at her mother. Noticing their uneasily tense expressions, Sora's gaze switched constantly between her two superiors, analyzing their every notion.
Did I do something wrong? The young carrot top remembered thinking. Her parents seemed…to be hesitating.
"Well…" Toshiko continued, unmistakably hesitant, she now turned to her husband with yet another pleading look. All she got in return was a clueless shrug as the male turned back to face his beloved only child. He knew the news would greatly upset her – his Sora was always a sensitive individual. His face bore a look of pained-regret though he tried hard to hide it, most visibly to no avail as he watched his daughter's questioning amber eyes change to a gaze of apprehension. Here he jerked away sharply, unable to hold her gaze.
Having watched the wordless exchange, Sora's mother inhaled a deep breathe and sighed. This was hard for her too. "There is" she began, "something important we have to tell you."
Sora had stopped her eating. She set down the pair of blue and black chopsticks beside her dinner bowl with a mildly-trembling hand before placing both shaky appendages in her lap slowly, cautiously, in attention to her mother's words. She noted, her mother's voice sounded serious, maybe even…sad? This was not very usual a sight since they had bonded well over the past couple of years.
"I'm listening." Her now serious tone of voice held a distinguished hint of confusion.
"Firstly, there's good news and then, there's bad news."
"It really depends on your point of view-" said Haruhiko, Sora's father, speaking up for the first time that night, though apparently lacking the ability to finish off his own sentence. "Please understand…" he tried.
Toshiko resumed herself - they had to go through with this somehow. "I'll get right to the point - your father's got a new job," she paused, suddenly tentative of revealing the heart-breaking truth.
"A-And?" Sora coaxed, already half-suspecting she knew the possible problem. Instantly, her thoughts drifted towards the memory of her fellow Digidestined friend, Mimi. The pause did not end for a couple more minutes till Sora's father could hold it in no longer. "Sora…"
"Please, don't take this the wrong way," he said.
"Through recommendations from a number of colleagues, I've been offered a high-paying job as a full-time lecturer…in the California State University…Los Angeles."
"Los Angeles..."
"Los Angeles…"
"Los Angeles…" The deadly word seemed to repeat itself in her mind.
Los Angeles, California, the United States of America. The thought of having to move away at a time like this couldn't have been anymore a nightmare than it already was. Heck, she outright hated the idea! The Christmas season was more or less over and New Year's was fast approaching. She wanted to be able to celebrate it with her friends - the other Digidestined. Already they had planned the outing, vacated the exact date, rid themselves of all other obligations may it be with family or other friends no matter how important they were, and all so they, the Digidestined, friends with an extra-special bond, could freely celebrate both the ending and coming of a great year as well as their latest triumph in saving Digiworld yet again; a day of pure joy.
Pure joy my head!
Sora stared at the pendant she wore that bore the 'Crest of Love', clutching at it tight, securing the object within the palm of her right hand and recommenced her ceiling-watch unblinkingly. It wasn't like her to curse.
"Please, don't take this the wrong way." Her father's words haunted her. Not that she didn't understand; the explanations Haruhiko had presented her with regarding the job informations once the cat was out of the bag was what all that restrained her from protesting as she had genuinely wanted. The benefits were plenty, too plenty.
"I guess, I won't…but this isn't fair." She whispered, crest still in hand, knowing no one would ever hear those words of hers or the hopelessness of which they seemed to convey. Odaiba was her home - she would miss a lot of things; especially her friends, especially him.
The heartbroken girl forced a weak smile to the room ceiling, drifting off to sleep at last.
To be continued...
How's this for change? Very minor ones for this chapter.