Sora: Phoenix of Odaiba

Chapter 7: Brother in Heart

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" Yamato? Hey, Yamato!" Taichi sighed as he failed in getting his best friend's attention. Koushiro shrugged, looking at the blonde who was gazing out the window with a dreamy look in his eyes.

" Jeeze Yamato. What's with you? You've been acting funny ever since the Phoenix incident last week." Taichi gave a grin.

" He's daydreaming about the Phoenix." Yamato blinked then glared at his friends, his cheeks a bright red.

" I am not!"

" Of course you aren't Yamato…" Yamato glared angrily at Koushiro.

" I least I don't keep everyone awake at night by hugging my pillow and saying 'Yes Mimi, just like that!' every night!" Koushiro flustered as he suddenly found a stain on the floor extremely interesting. Taichi laughed loudly.

" My two best friends are in love, should I begin planning the weddings now?" Taichi yelped slightly as he was tackled down. The three boys rolled around on the floor, wrestling and laughing, when a soft voice interrupted them.

" Umm…Taichi?" Three eyes looked up to see Hikari standing in the doorway, giving them an odd look. The boys immediately stood up and dusted themselves off, all a faint shade of pink. Hikari smiled.

" Uh, hello Lady Hikari. It has been a while since you have graced us with your presence." Hikari sighed, pulling the three up from their bows.

" Taichi, I'm only your sister."

" Yea, well, you're a lady now too."

" …Are you saying I wasn't one before?" Yamato and Koushiro snickered as Taichi gulped, smiling nervously.

" O-of course not Hikari! Uhh…What did you come here for anyways?"

" Oh, I wish to have a word with Sir Yamato."

" Hey now Hikari. Yamato's good-looking in all but in the long ru-"

" TAICHI!!!" Taichi chuckled as Hikari and Yamato both glared.

" Just kidding…" Yamato shook his head and led Hikari out into the garden.

" What is it you wished to speak to me about?" Hikari was silent for a moment, trailing her fingers across the petals of a nearby rose.

" It's about last night…" Yamato raised an eyebrow.

" Last night?"

" I saw Takeru…" Yamato was silent for a moment before nodding his head.

" And you wondered what he was doing with the Phoenix?" Hikari turned to look up at Yamato.

" Why would he be with the Phoenix, working against the kingdom? Is he…" Hikari trailed off, closing her eyes. She felt Yamato's gloved hand rest on her shoulder.

" Takeru loves you, Hikari, and would never betray you. I have heard that the Phoenix is only trying to free our kingdom from Princess Jun's evil hands. Takeru would never do anything wrong." Hikari looked up at Yamato and smiled, hugging him like a big brother.

" Thank you Yamato. Thank you for being my big brother. There are some things I just can't talk with Taichi about..." Yamato smiled softly and looked up at the skies as Hikari headed back into the castle. Yamato sat down against the trunk of a nearby tree, the setting sun's crimson shade reminding him of the fiery maiden who had taken over his dreams.