Yume no Oikakeru (Pursuing a Dream)

~A/N~ This is a little story I cooked up during my grueling cabaret dance practises. I would keep a few sheets of paper behind stage and scribble down thoughts when my scenes were not being rehearsed. As a result, it is severely influenced by ballet, taking place at the oh so famous Julliard, on lincoln centre, in upper west side. It is AU so the digiworld didn't happen and all of the digidestined are now situated in New York. Don't you just love that city? Especially Madison ave :-) I could spend millions in just one day. Any ways, I also fiddled with the ages a little, a couple months here and there for the most part. But hey my story my rules, ne?
Ages- Matt - 19
Tai - 19
Sora - 18 almost 19
Izzy - 18
Mimi - 17
Ken - 17
T.K. - 16 almost 17
Kari - 16
Daisuke - 16

The limo pulled up outside the front door of Julliard. Mimi anxiously twisted the magazine that she had in her hand. She had dreamed of this moment for so many years. She hadn't expected to get in so early though. She had only been dancing for two years, shortly after her parents spilt up. Her mother had been too dependant and her father too work-oriented for it to work out. Dancing had been her only way of dealing with the loss and her parents had no problem paying for both group lessons and a private instructor. Whenever the depression became too much, she would put on her pointe shoes* and vanish into her dance studio. And now here she was, at a school filled with the world's best dancers.
With a half smile, she opened up her door, ignoring the frown Montgomery, her chauffer gave her.
"Madam, must you be so impatient?"
Mimi pretended to think for a moment. "Yes."
Montgomery sighed then opened the back to take out Mimi's trunks. " You might want to get some help with these trunks, madam. They are too heavy for me to manage."
Mimi sighted then smiled as a group of guys caught hr attention. Quickly she made her way over to them.
"Hello." she greeted. "I was wondering if I could get some of you to help me with my trunks."
A blond with icy blue eyes looked at her. "We're not your servants."
Mimi blushed and opened her mouth to retort only to be interrupted by another blond, who looked just like the first but with a warmer expression, who turned to the first guy. "Come on, Oniichan, it's not going to hurt you to be nice to a new girl."
A guy with big, brown hair and matching eyes winked mischieviously at Mimi then turned to the ice-eyed boy. "Yeah, Matt, T.K is right. A beautiful girl like her shouldn't be forced to carry her own luggage." He turned back to Mimi with a smile. "I'm Taichi, Tai to my friends. Ignore Matt over here, T.K and I will help you."
Mimi smiled triumphantly and led the two guys back to her limo where Montgomery was waiting.

Matt watched his brother and best friend walk off with the brunette. Maybe T. K. was right, he was being just a little cold to the new girl and as Tai said she was attractive. But he would look like an ass if he was to go over there and offer to help now.
"Why are you standing here all alone, Matt? And who are you watching?"
Matt turned around quickly as he realized he had been staring at the brunette. "I don't know who she is, Sora but she just arrived today and asked if we could help her with her bags."
"And, judging by the fact that you are still here and Tai and T.K are over there, you were too big of an ass to help her out?" Sore asked as she pushed her red hair behind her ears.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that." Matt said quietly. "Actually I told her we weren't her servants."
"Ouch. Well I had better get inside. I get a new roommate today."
"Matt smiled. "Lucky you, I on the other hand get to live by myself in a huge apartment."
Sora made a face. "Well you're still going to have the group over for dinner tonight, right?"
"Of course. You can bring your new roommate too, if you want."
"Okay, I'm sure she wuld like that, unless of course, she's a total drip like my roommate last year." Sora exclaimed.
"Well you can't be unlucky two years in a row."
"Knock on wood Matt." She turned to leave. "So I'll see you in about an hour, around 5, okay?"
"Yeah. See you."
Sora walked through the doors and into the main hall of the dormitories. With an uneasy sigh, she pushed the door to her room open and entered. The pretty brunette that Matt had been watching outside was leaning over an open trunk. Sora smiled. She was definately going to have to bring her roommate to Matt's tonight.
"Hello, you must be my new room mate." Sora said as she walked into the room and sat on her bed. "I'm Sora Takenouchi."
"Mimi Tachikawa. Pleased to meet you."
Sora's eyes widened in shock. "Tachikawa? THE Mimi Tachikawa, daughter of the multi-millionaire? I thought you had pink hair when I last saw you in the newspaper."
Mimi grimaced. Newspapers? More likely the tabloids. "I did have pink hair until about a week ago. According to the admistrators, 'It's not appropriate for the establishment.'" Mimi said the last part in a snooty, monotne voice before adding, "I'm naturally a brunette."
"I see. Well, would you like to join me at my friend Matt's for dinner? You could meet the group... well, actually, you've already met about half of them haven't you... well come anyways. It'll be fun."
"I don't know." Mimi said hesitantly. "If you're friend Matt is the one I'm thinking of, I don't think he would really want me there. He was really cold to me outside.
"Oh don't worry. He's like that to everyone.l Besides he kind of likes you. When I caught up to him outside, he was staring at you and regretting that he said such a mean thing. And he has an amazing dance studio in his apartment. You could show me some of your moves."
Mimi smiled. "Okay. Just let me change into something more comfortable.
Quickly she threw on a pair of black stretchy hiphugger flares and a pink tank top and threw her hair into a bun wrapped in a pale pink fuzzy scrunchy before sitting down on the floor to bandage her feet* while Sora picked up the phone to tell Matt to expect one extra.
"Should I bring my shoes?" Mimi asked as she pulled on her socks and laced up her sneakers."
Sora hung up the phone. "No. Your feet look the same as mine so you should be able to wear the pair I left at Matt's."
Mimi nodded in agreement as she grabbed a big pink cardigan from her open trunk. "So how long have you been at Julliard, Sora?"
"Three years but I have been dancing for twelve."
Mimi's eyes widend in surprize. "Wow. You must be an amazing dancer then."
"Not as good as some. I am always being corrected with my technique. What about you?"
"Two years."
Sora's face vaulted. "You can't be serious! There's no god damn way you could be good enough for Julliard in just two years.
Mimi grew silent as tears formed in her eyes. "I could if I had the right incentive," she remarked quickly.
Sora looked over at Mimi. "Oh I didn't mean it to come out like that. You surprized me. It's just that most people have to work for years to get that good. Wow! I can't wait to see you dance now."
"Well, it's not as amazing as it sounds. Some days I would practise for 15 straight hours, just to avoid the reality of my life."
Sora opened her mouth to make a comment but decided against it. She had already made Mimi upset unintentionally, she didn't want to do it again. 'Besides' she rationalized, 'Mimi will tell me when she feels comfortable.'
Sora opened the door to their dorm. "Do you have a car?"
"Mimi nodded. "Yes, but no lisence yet. Two weeks before my final test."
"So I guess we're taking my car then. How old are you then?"
"Seventeen last week. You?"
"Eighteen for a long while. So you're just a kid eh?" Sora laughed quietly.
"I'm not a kid!" Mimi remarked stubbornly.
"Whatever you say Mimi." Sora said with a condescending grin as she opened her car door.
Mimi pouted and crossed her arms over her chest as she sat down on the passenger's side, content to remain silent for the entire ride. Fifteen minutes past, during which Sora kept glancing over at Mimi with that same infuriatingly smug grin. Finally, Mimi burst into a smile. "Oh dear, I just realized that acting like that was just proofing your point wasn't it?" Mimi laughed lightly as Sora nodded.
Sora turned the car into an underground parking lot.
Mimi quickly got out of the car and followed Sora into the lobby of the apartment building.
"Wai Sora." Mimi said, pulling on her arm to lead her to the front windows. "Look!"
Sora looked out onto the street, confused. "And what exactly am I supposed to see?"
"That is Madison Avenue, one of the best shopping districts in New York. You can see Giorgio Versace from here. Does Matt know how lucky he is to have an apartment here?"
Sora rolled her eyes. "I don't think so, Mimi. Matt doesn't strike me as being the type to do a lot of shopping." She stated drily.
Mimi blushed. "No. I suppose he isn't. Well okay, let's go up now." She grabbed Sora's arm once again and started dragging her towards the elevators.
"You know, Mimi, I can walk by myself."
Mimi laughed as Sora then stumbled. "Really? You could have fooled me."
"Dhut up," Sora mumbled grumpily as she stepped into the elevator.
"I'd say we're about even now, wouldn't you? Mimi paused. "What floor is Matt's apartment on?"
"Top floor. It's a penthouse."
Mimi's eyes widened. Really? Wow! How does he pay for it? Are his parents rich?"
Sora laughed. "Hardly. Matt pays for it himself. He was in a rock band in Japan. They were HUGE! Matt knew that the fame wouldn't last long though and saved every penny he earned. Now he has enough interest alone to afford to live like this."
Mimi looked genuinely shocked. "Wow! That's pretty cook. So he's from Japan?"
"Yeah. The whole group is. matt, myself, Tai, T.k, Ken, Izzy, Jyou, Kari, Daisuke, we all lived in the same area as children, Odaiba."
"Really?" I lived in Odaiba until I was 5, then my father moved us out here to New York. Your mother owned that flower shop near Rainbow Bridge, didn't she? My father used to buy me a pink lily everyday from there."
"I remember that. My mother used to tell me how she was so proud to have a famous person buy flowers form her shop, although she never told me it was Mr. Tachikawa. Wow, small world isn't it."
Mimi nodded as the elevator's doors opened and the two girls walked out and down the hall. "I really like this carpet," Mimi remarked, looking down at the pink floral design that covered the floor.
Sora laughed. "Let me guess, you favourite colour is pink?"
"Right on. I'm obsessed with it."
"Of course you are. You live like a princess, you should love the colour of a princess too."
"Ouch. You sound a little resentful."
"Oh no. It just came out that way. I'm sorry. Well here we are." She said as she stopped at the only door on the floor and knocked on it.
Footsteps were heard and the door opened. "Sora!" Matt greeted as she walked in. "So where's your roommate?"
Sora turned around with a slight smile and gestured for Mimi to enter.
Matt's eyes widened slightly as a faint colour stained his cheeks. "Um...hi." he said finally.
Mimi grinned. "Hello Matt. So nice to see you again! and don't worry about you rude behavior earlier today, I forgive you." She watched as Matt smiled slightly.
"I am sorry about that," Matt admitted.
"Oh I know. Don't worry, you just owe me a favour in rhe future, right?"
"Uh...yeah. I guess." Matt stammered as Tai walked into the hall, observing the scenario with a grin.
"Wow matt, you've known her for less than an hour and she's already got you whipped." Tai whistled appreciatively. "That's a new record!"
Matt turned bright red as he turned to Tai. "Why don't you just shut up, Tai?"
"Ooh, touched a nerve there, didn't I?" Tai responded smirking.
Sora stepped between the two as Matt went to punch tai. "Simmer down you two! God, I haven't even introduced Mimi to you guys and you're already at each other's throats over her!"
Matt and Tai backed down, both protesting against Sora's commentary. Mimi starting giggling.
"They are like over grown five year olds, don't you think?" She asked Sora, who smiled in response.
Matt lowered his head and cleared his throat. "Yes, well the others are waiting in the living room. We'll go in there and you can be properly introduced."
The two girls followed Matt and Tai into the living room. As they walked in, Mimi caught a glance through the door to the dance studio and felt herself aching to go in. Sora caught the glance and leaned over to Mimi's ear. "Just let me introduce you and we'll go." Mimi nodded in agreement and turned her gaze to the occupants of the room.
Their heads lifted as the two girls entered the room, all looking curiously at the new girl.
Sora smiled widely at them all. "Guys, let me introduce you to the newest member of our little group,, my roommate, Mimi Tachikawa."
T.K gasped in shock, nearly falling off the couch, while the others had simular reactions. "That's it!" T.K. exclaimed. "I knew you looked familiar earlier today!"
Mimi looked at T.K strangely before Matt leaned over to her ear. "He's your biggest fan. Any pictures or articles ever released are in his possession." Mimi smiled widely at T.k. while he turned bright red, realizing what Matt had probably told her.
"Onii-chan! That was none of your business to tell!"
matt smiled that same infuriatingly calm smile. "It's her business to know. Come on you should be happy, T.k. Not everybody can find themselves in the same group as their idol."
T.K glared dangerously at Matt. "You're dead."
Mimi laughed openly at the two blonds. "So you two are brothers?"
T.K nodded his head curtly. "Unfortunately."
Matt put his arm around T.K's shoulder. "Oh don't be like this, T.K. You know you love me." Mimi started laughing again as T.K fought back a smile.
Sora shook her head. "Well where was I? Oh, You already know Tai, Matt and T.K right?"
"It's Takeru!" T.K. interupted.
Sora ignored him, waiting for an affirmation from Mimi, who nodded her head. Sora nodded back and gestured to a blue-haired guy, who seemed a little older than the rest of them. "This is Jyou Kido. He's not actually in Julliard, he's studying to be a doctor. "
Jyou smiled. "I'd much rather be your abonne* anyday, Sora."
Sora shook her head with a smile and turned to a red head who was typing on a laptop. "This is Koushiro Izumi, though most of us just call him Izzy. HE's a computer technician, and works for Microsoft." Izzy didn't even look up. "And last but not least, Tai's little sister Kari," Kari smiled warmly at Mimi.
Mimi smiled back and then turned expectantly to Sora. Sora shook her head again then turned to Matt. "Hey, how long until dinner?"
Matt shrugged. "Half an hour would be my guess. Why, going to test the new girl?"
T.K. turned to Mimi. "You've only been dancing for two years now, haven't you?"
Mimi's eyes widened. "How'd you know?"
"I read it is the entertainment magazines that you had your own private dance studio built when your...." He trailed off as Mimi frantically shook her head, not wanting him to finish his sentence. With a smile, he nodded. "I'd love to see you dance though."
A mutual agreement was heard through out the group as they all followed Mimi and Sora into the studio. As they arranged themselves on the chairs along the one wall, Mimi laced up the pointe shoes and moved into the middle of the floor.
"Could I have some music?" She asked to Matt. "Anything will do, just let me listen to it once through while I warm up then I'll dance."
Matt nodded and moved over to the sound system and hit the random button, the cd player finally deciding on Chaser At The Gates OF Dawn from Ayashi No Ceres.
Mimi smiled slightly. She was familiar with this piece, she thought with a confident smile as she pulled off her cardigan. As the tune began, she stretched out her legs and back, before quickly executing an entrechat quatre* to land in an arabesque on pointe* which she held for over a minute, slowly turning around in a deliberate circle with out so much as a waver as she listened carefully to the melody. Sliding down into a standing position, she gave matt a smile.
"Okay you can restart the music now."
The group was already staring at her in amazement, but Mimi was oblivious as she got into 5th position* and awaited the start of the piece. As the music started, Mimi began to slowly move her arms, weaving an intricate pattern in the air, her face still to the ground. Suddenly, as the low bass banged out 4 staccato beats her feet flew up to pointe, and down once more to the 5th position then repeated the step, her hands not faltering from their weaving, giving an illusion of being two separate entities. The dance went on, each improvised move bringing gasps and applause from her audience. Finally the song was over and Mimi slid to the floor, tired from the intense concentration and timing she had used.
Everybody was silent for a moment before Sora jumped up and hugged Mimi. "WOW! I can see how you got into Julliard, even with 2 years. God that was amazing! You have to show me some of those steps!"
Mimi smiled, " Sure. They aren't as hard as they look." She backed up a bit to show Sora but was interrupted by Matt.
"Dinner will be ready in about 10 minutes if our prima ballerina would like to change out of her sweaty clothes."
Mimi blushed as she noticed the state of her clothes. "I forgot a change of clothes." she admitted sheepishly.
Matt shook his head. "Come here, I'll find something for you." Quickly he led her into his room and towards the closet. Opening the doors, he threw out a small button up shirt and a pair of drawstring pants, both in blue.
"These should work. I know they're not what you're used to but ..."
"Oh don't worry this will be fine. Where can I change?"
"In the bathroom, third door on your left.."
Mimi thanked him and walked down the hall. She threw on the pants and tightened them resulting in the material being severly bunched up to accomidate her tiny waist. Then she pulled on the shirt and tied the ends in a knot at her midriff. Letting her hair of the bun, she left to join the group at the dinner table, following their voices into the dining room. She stood hesitantly at the door for a moment, looking in, before T.K. noticed her and motioned for her to sit in the empty seat beside him. Mimi gave him a gracious smile, which T.K. gave back, blushing as he stared at her outfit.
Matt looked over at the two with an evil grin. "Hey T.K. Why don't you pass Mimi the pasta rather than stare down her shirt."
Everybody laughed leaving T.K. crimson and stuttering, "But I wasn't... I did't..."
Mimi laughed slightly before putting a supportive hand on T.K's arm. "IT's time's like this I'm glad I'm an only child. I don't know how you can put up with a guy like that, Takeru. I'd kill myself if Matt was my big brother."
Matt opened his mouth to retaililate only to close it again.
Mimi noticed this with a smile. "What's the matter Matt, bitten off more than you can chew?"
Tai snorted across the table, losing the food he had in his mouth. Sora looked at him in disgust. "Geez, Tai, show some table manners."
Tai just ignored Sora and kept laughing. "God Mimi! You're the best. I've never seen Matt put in his place by a girl before, not even Sora when she's pmsing --Ow!" Tai stopped to rub his leg, while Sora glared at him. "What? It's the truth!" This time Tai moved to avoid her foot, only to be backhanded across the head. "I think I'll shut up now." he stated at last, causing everybody to laugh again.

The morning dawned bright and Mimi awoke in a good mood. Today she started her classes and she couldn't wait. Quietly she climbed out of bed to her trunk, trying to let Sora sleep a little longer. As she lifted the lid, a hand grabbed her shoulder, causing her to scream and drop the lid.
"Geez, calm down!" Sora exclaimed as she pulled her hand away and started to towel dry her hair.
"Sorry, I'm not used to having someone else in my room in the morning."
"Evidently. You should hurry up and take your shower, then we'll go pick up breakfast before first class."
Mimi shook her head as Sora walked away. "And I thought I was an early riser." she thought out loud.
Sora turned back with a smile. "Only on school days. Weekends, you'll be lucky to see me before noon."
Mimi laughed then made her wat to the bathroom. She couldn't wait for class to start.