A/N:

Thank you all so much for your kind words. Each review was truly appreciated :)

A song was required for this chapter and I had a ridiculously hard time picking one. It probably took as long to find a decent song as it did to write the chapter. That's why it has taken me so long to upload again. The song needed to say the right things but as much as I found songs with the right lyrics the rest of the song wasn't appropriate or didn't relate to the situation. After a lot of deliberation and listening to music I've chosen Endlessly by Muse. It might be easier to just read the lyrics in the voice you've given Yamato or to listen to the song first. Personally, I have trouble thinking of my Yamato singing like this and, as much as I love the band, their style doesn't fully match the character's vocal style but the lyrics are what I needed. I say that, this is the best of well over 100 songs I've looked in to and even though it may not wholly fit with the fic I think it gets what I needed to say said insert sigh of relief. I'd like to state that I make no claims to owning this song even though my writing will state it to be the work of Yamato Ishida. The song lyrics will be bold italicised.

Just a heads up, the next chapter probably won't be uploaded for a couple weeks. I've had a busy last few weeks. I had hoped to get this up a while ago but things got in the way. However, from now until September I've got some free time so hopefully will get the next two chapters uploaded before I move to my new flat in September. This chapter is pretty long and I hope you enjoy it. I could have split into two chapters but…didn't. At the end is a link to a picture I drew of an outfit I tried to describe as best I could and a YouTube link to the song I mentioned.

Sorry that my author notes are always so long...

Jemma (OBTN).

Disclaimer: The author (Only By The Night) does not own Digimon, or anything recognised to be associated with the series in any way. The author makes no claims that they created the characters, or series. The plot belongs to the author, and should not be re-distributed or plagiarised in any way without the author having been notified and without the author giving their consent for it to be done.

CHAPTER X – ENDLESSLY.

Sora POV

I could hardly believe how smoothly things had been going recently. I had noticed that over the past few days things between Yamato and me were comfortable all of the time. Before now my feelings had caused awkwardness, or at least they did for me. Knowing they were still present and growing stronger day by day was something I had come to terms with. However, I wasn't as worried as before because I was getting better at differentiating the difference between my love for him as a friend and—

I managed to stop myself before I thought it. As I walked down the crowded streets towards the school, the bright sun glowing and the tree branches dancing, I pondered the concept. Did I actually loveYamato? The music I was listening to swiftly faded into the next song as I tried to shake the pressing question from my mind.

Trying hard to distract myself by any means possible I paid extra attention to what was going on around me. Over and over I passed dozens of couples: parent and child; the elderly who still had the look of love in their eyes; newly married partners, and youths who had found someone special amongst their teenage years.

I turned my head to look down a dark alley whilst I continued to walk down the street. Amongst the darkness I was certain I saw a figure, most likely male due to the outline of wide-set shoulders and a baseball cap. The sight sent a shiver down my spine as I quickly paced back into the beams of sunlight. I was reminded of my recurrent dreams that had kept up for the most part, occasionally replaced by something new. The old dreams, one where I was running into graduated light from a dark hall and another where I was being pulled away from the light and a silhouette; a silhouette I had now made out to be Yamato, still presented themselves weekly but now I had something new to unease me.

It played as if in slow motion seeming to last for hours but in reality could only be a few minutes. All I could depict from it was a dark room where I was being held by someone vaguely familiar but a stranger nonetheless. The panic rolled off of the vision of me and fear loomed in the air. The sounds were muffled and distorted and a loud bang was my cue to wake up.

I was beginning to regret thinking about this new dream so in depth because it never failed to make me increasingly anxious. I skipped the song that played next, the melody dramatic and dark, to something more upbeat. It helped to shift the hanging uneasiness as I walked the last few feet to the school gate. Not knowing how late I had been running, I quickly walked into the building and made my way to my registry room.

Even from outside the classroom I could hear the girlish chatter and squeals. It was the day of the very much anticipated concert for The Teenage Wolves. Tickets had gone on sale Monday morning and had sold out by the end of the day. Girls had pestered Yamato all week long to try get backstage passes and better seats so I imagined that I would be welcomed by a group of wolvers, as I liked to call them, sitting on my desk and blocking my way.

Not to my surprise, upon opening the door my thoughts were confirmed. The majority of the girls who sat at the front of the room were gathered up the back where my friends and I sat. The only few who had not were those not interested and the couple whose fathers had bought them the second best tickets available. Of course, the best tickets available the 'Wolves had given to us Digidestined. I had complained about this once or twice before, stating how it was unfair to be given the best seats there were just because we knew the lead singer. The band had just laughed saying that they would prefer us to be at the front rather than fans who may try to pull them off the stage.

I came to a stop as I asked to get past and was completely ignored. I tried again and got no further so all but shouted 'Move!' and forcefully pushed my way through the girls. Smiling because Taichi had started cheering me on, whooping out loud and waving a fist in the air, I raised my hand to give a small wave to Yamato as I pushed my way to my seat next to him. The look I got back from him was apologetic and sincere, borderline uncomfortable. Most of the hoard had returned to their desks but a few remained. A clique I presumed. One girl was still perched on my desk so I used my bag to shove her off giving her a curt smile in return for her glare.

"Can I help you?" I asked in a fake voice, titling my head and grabbing on to a few strands of hair on the same side.

With a scoff, a look towards her friends as if silently conversing about me and a pout in Yamato's direction, she turned my way again and said, "I'm speaking to Yamato, not you, Red."

"Congratulations. You must be so proud of your achievement!" I retorted gesturing my hand out towards her. I slowly turned to look at Taichi and Yamato. Taichi's expression looked as if he was waiting for a catfight to start. Yamato, on the other hand, looked annoyed. He leant back in his chair and I could sense him grinding his teeth. I began to wonder if I had gone too far when she sat back on the table and leant into the gap between Yamato and me.

"Maybe you'd better-" Yamato started but was cut off with an annoying laugh from the creature on my desk.

"Uh-huh. Yamato, so I was wondering what you'll be doing after the concert. I only ask because you're more than welcome to come to my apartment. My parents are away and
I'm having a party. Selective invite only." The last part being directed at me, something I could tell because her head and hair motioned a movement in my direction.

I didn't like to purposely get into disagreements with others but this felt different. If she had only been annoying me I would have left it. However, she was getting on everyone else's nerves as well. I looked past her and her friends toward Taichi. He was looking at both me and Yamato, his head moving side to side. I rolled my eyes and butted in the middle of her current sentence: "Oh, Honey…Sorry to burst your bubble but after the concert is a backstage party. Selective invite only," I stressed, "So if you could get your ass out of my face and back off, maybe I'll bring you a souvenir cup, or something."

I stared at her with a straight face as she scoffed once more. She got off the table and turned towards me. I did not waver as she continued to look down on me. Eventually she swished around and stomped off to her seat, her friends following after.

I briefly felt bad about what I had done until I turned towards my best friends. Taichi had a grin on his face and was shaking his head back and forth in disbelief. Next to me Yamato's eyes were soft and his smile crooked. A breath caught in my throat and tried to ignore the nagging that my words would cause trouble at a later date.

School had passed quickly, the subjects non-demanding and fluent. I was leaving the school grounds with the other Digidestined at this school and said a 'Good luck-goodbye' to Yamato who we wouldn't see until the concert. Soon there was a smaller group of us were walking in the same direction towards our different homes. Not long after, everyone went their separate ways and I was walking alone thinking about my plans for tonight and not on the shadows looming on the pavement.

As soon as the others had found out about the concert us girls had decided to all get ready together. We would all go back to our own homes to get everything we would need and then meet at Mimi's to get ready. Thinking about what I would need to take helped figuratively quicken my journey to my apartment.

I began talking to my mother when I got inside. Over a cup of green tea we spoke about how I was doing in school, including my success in tennis. My mother apologised over and over for missing the games and then I realised that she meant it. I knew that if she could have been there she would have and this caused me to feel bad about how I felt about it at the time. The conversation moved on to the flower shop and how I'd offered to work there once the end of the year approached. An hour passed swiftly and I had to excuse myself to prepare for tonight.

Once I had showered I was standing in my room deciding what I would wear for the concert. Mimi and I had already spoken about whether we should dress comfortably for the concert or smartly for the after party. Still not having decided on an outfit I pulled on a pair of baggy, pale grey sweat pants, and a white tank top. I made my way towards my dressing table and away from the open closet that was offering no inspiration. Looking in the mirror from my position behind the stool, I combed my hair with my fingers into a messy bun and stared back at my reflection. I noticed that the girl looking back at me was happier; her cheeks pinker and her smile wider. I looked away, a smile still playing on my face and picked up my make-up bag and packed it into my messenger bag which was placed on my bed.

I had everything I would need packed into my bag but had yet to pick an outfit. Once again I was standing in front of my open closet when a card carrier bag on the floor caught my eye. Looking inside the bag I remembered the dress I had bought one time I was shopping with Mimi. I removed it from the paper bag and neatly folded it away into the messenger bag. I also packed in a teal chiffon blouse and a pair of black skinny fit jeans with embroidered patterns on the back pockets.

Having double checked I had everything I needed I made my way out of my room. As I did so I noticed Yamato's band shirt was still hanging up on the back of my door. Before leaving my room I tucked it into my messenger bag and made my way out of the apartment pulling my black Chuck Taylor High-Tops on before I left.

I was walking towards the Yagami residence where I would meet Hikari and Miyako before heading to Mimi's. The streets were a little darker now and the air was crisp, a gentle breeze playing with the wisps of hair that had escaped my bun. As I listened to the wandering sounds of night time I got the impression I was being followed. I turned my head around but saw nothing there. I continued walking when I was sure someone was following, or at least walking behind, me. I slightly moved my head and looked deep through the corner of my eye. I was sure I could make out a figure wearing a baseball cap; a man with his head low and his hands in his pockets. I picked up my pace and readjusted my bag leaving it resting on my right shoulder.

By my renewed pace I reached the edge of the road and could sense the dark figure behind edging closer and closer. As my anxiety and fear grew, I lightly bounced on the balls of my feet while I waited to cross the busy road, greatly aware of the person getting nearer and nearer still. Ready to run, I looked behind me and was shocked when I saw nothing. Nobody was around me at all. Puzzled, I stared down the street I had just walked looking for any sign of movement. Seeing none, I turned back around and crossed the road and finished walking to Hikari's.

We had been at Mimi's for a little over two hours. After having watched a movie and eaten something it was time to start getting ready for the concert. We had gathered in Mimi's bedroom- a room twice the size of my own and it had an en suite bathroom- and were starting with our make-up. The conversation drifted from topic to topic and was currently focused on the relationship between Hikari and Takeru.

"So, how are things between you two?" Miyako pressed.

"Uh…well…" Hikari stammered, a blush creeping over her cheeks.

Mimi walked in her direction and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's alright if you don't want to say anything, Hikari. We're curious but we don't want to pressure you into saying anything you don't feel comfortable with." my pink-haired friend spoke with a sincere smile.

Hikari looked up from her lap and in my direction. I was sitting on a soft chair in the corner of the room with my legs hanging over one of the arms. I gave a soft smile in Hikari's direction, hoping that she would be able to depict my support in whatever she chose. She smiled back and started to tell us about her and Takeru.

"It's odd, to say the least. I've actually had feelings for Takeru for a long time but never dreamt that he would feel the same way. It does feel like we've jumped a few stages though. Because we've been such close friends we know so much about each other and it seems as though we've nothing new to learn. I know that's not how it is, and I'm enjoying being able to go on dates and discover the little things that make Takeru Takeru. I…I really care for him…" she trailed off. A small smile played on her face as her face started to lose the red colour.

"Don't worry, Hikari. That's how I felt at first when I started dating Koushiro. You wonder what you don't know about someone after having spent so much time with them, but then something changes and suddenly it's like a cloak has been lifted off of them. All along it was hiding all these little quirks that make him who he is; that you love." Mimi added to the conversation.

"Aw, that's so cute!" Miyako chirped, clasping her hands together in front of her, "I'm starting to wonder if Ken will ever get the idea that I'm crazy for him."

"I was going to ask. Miyako, did you ever think of telling him how you felt. Ken is very shy; maybe he's nervous that you'll not feel the same way."

"You could be right, Hikari. I never thought of it that way. I need to make sure I don't push him into anything and scare him off."

Our laughter floated through the room as I got up to start applying my make-up. The others continued to discuss their relationships, or in Miyako's case, their desired relationships. I contributed to the conversation in the ways I could, especially when Mimi was stating the depth of her feelings.

"When we parted before I was devastated. Even at that young age I knew Koushiro was special. Now, though, I know he's so much more. He's very attentive. Even when we weren't together he learnt so much about me. It pleased me because for all those years I was in America there was a part of me hanging on to the feelings I had; hoping that maybe one day we'd be together again."

"You two do look pretty serious." I added.

"You think? I'm sure of how I feel but I'm a little paranoid about how Koushiro feels. I've never been in love with someone before so—"

"Wait, you're in love?" Hikari spoke the question on all of our lips.

"Oh…well, yes. I am." Mimi declared. Loud chatter and squeals were all I could make out as both Hikari and Miyako moved closer to Mimi to ask further questions. I began to drift out of the conversation as I came close to finishing my make-up.

"…Sora?" I made out of a muffled voice.

I turned around, "Huh?"

"I said what about you, Sora? Is there anyone you're interested in?" Mimi repeated.

"Uh…" I spoke and moved towards my bag. "I'm going to try this on, let me know if it's suitable or not, yeah?" I tried to make my way to the bathroom when I was ordered to wait.

"Does that mean there is someone? Or are you seeing someone behind our backs?" Mimi pouted.

Yet again I could only manage incoherent noises as I turned to look at Hikari who was staring at me. She looked concerned and I tried to smile back at her so she wouldn't feel bad. With a cough I was able to speak in sentences again. "I'm not seeing anyone, no. As for anyone I'm interested in…" I trailed off playfully. In return for the looks I was getting off of Mimi and Miyako, I winked and ran into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. Through the wood I could make out 'Who is it?' and 'What's he like?' Knowing I didn't want to get into it I pushed my back against the door.

"You don't want to know."

I managed to stretch out the time it would normally take me to put on a dress and stated I would only come out if the questions about the mysterious crush of Sora Takenouchi ceased. After they conceded I walked out and was greeted with a quiet chorus of compliments.

I walked closer to my friends as I smoothed out the front of the dress. It was primarily black and clung to my curves and finished halfway down my thighs. Atop of the black fabric was a layer of black lace which extended upwards to create a high neckline and long sleeves.

"What do you think?" I asked.

"Sora, you look amazing." Hikari said, Miyako nodding fervently.

"Mimi?" I added.

"I love it. You look fantastic. I never saw you in it when you bought it…" she mused.

"What is it?"

"You're really wearing it with sneakers?" I laughed at her question and helped the others to get ready.

I was sitting on the edge of Mimi's bed when I noticed my hair was still in a bun. "Mimi, what do you think I should do with my hair?"

She walked towards me as I pulled out the band keeping my hair up. My hair had dried and created a soft curl in the process. Mimi smiled at me as he teased the curls, "Leave it like this." I stood up to look in a mirror and noticed the volume my hair had increased and the soft curls delicately framed my face. I nodded in reply and started to tidy my things away.

I was about to zip up my bag when I remembered Yamato's t-shirt was still there. I placed in next to my purse and finished closing my things away.

As we were all leaving to go to the concert I pulled the t-shirt on and bunched up the material and tied it at my right hip using the band that was in my hair.

"Sora, how did you get Yamato's band t-shirt?" Mimi asked as she touched up her lip colour.

"Uh…I borrowed it one day when I was at his apartment. I never got round to giving it back so thought I would tonight…Why, do you think should leave it?"

Mimi didn't reply as such. She gave me a look of deep thought and I began to wonder if Hikari had said something when I wasn't around. Knowing Hikari wouldn't do something like that I shook the thought from my head. We were leaving Mimi's home when a new thought came to mind: was my façade was slipping.

The group had planned to meet outside the arena before the concert so we could all go to our seats together. I was talking to Taichi about Hikari and Takeru, something he was still struggling to deal with, when I noticed Mimi looking at me from where she stood with Koushiro. They were whispering something to one another and I soon faded out of the conversation with Taichi.

He gently punched me on the arm and I came back to reality. He repeated that he thought I looked good and that we should probably go to our seats because the concert was beginning soon.

Yamato POV

I was getting increasingly nervous. I had given in to my band mates and told them some of the details about my muse, as they had dubbed it. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might have been, having outsiders know my deepest feelings, but now that the person I was writing about would be sitting right in front of me as I sang the lyrics to a room full of people, panic spread.

Questions popped into my head. Would she know they were about her? Will she even like them? I tried to ignore the questions as I went over the music for the set list. My subconscious had been quiet recently and the sarcastic self-comments were at an all-time low. I didn't miss my voice speaking back to me, per se, more confused at why it had disappeared.

With a sigh I didn't know I had been holding I let my head drop down towards my lap. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the worn piece of paper that was folded into a small rectangle. I opened the original copy of the first song I wrote about Sora. It had been much abused, the folds weak and almost tearing, but still I kept it on me. It was sentimental to me and hopefully it would bring luck for tonight's concert. I sighed once more and pinched the bridge of my nose, my hair still falling over my face. My thoughts were interrupted and forced away when the band and I had been called to stage. I quickly folded the paper back and pushed it into my pocket. I got up and walked out the room following my band mates and not looking behind me as I walked towards my public confession.

We were walking off stage to the sound of cheers, screams, and clapping. The concert had been a huge success and we were taking a quick break before heading back out for the encore I was sure would go down well with the fans.

As I took a gulp from the water bottle I was clutching on to I tried to remember my friends' reaction to the concert so far. I picked up on them singing along to the older songs and when it came to the new ones they looked as equally interested. I tried to pinpoint Sora's reaction to the songs and as soon as her face popped into my head we needed to head back on stage.

Having been directed to allow the others to get ready first I watched from side of the stage. I looked towards my friends and watched their movements. Some of the seats were empty and I skimmed across them until my eyes landed on a sight I had to adjust to. Takeru and Hikari were sitting next to one another, their hands entwined on top of the armrests. They didn't seem to be talking but were looking into each other's eyes. I was happy for them. From both what I had seen and from what Takeru had told me they really were happy and, dare I say it, in love. I continued looking and saw Mimi talking vigorously at Sora who was looking down at her hands which were on her lap. Mimi had placed her hand on Sora's shoulder and it seemed she had stopped taking but a small move of her lips proved me wrong. Slowly, Sora raised her head and looked forward and it almost looked as if she was looking directly at me. I gasped, taken aback by the intensity in her eyes which glistened as if she had been crying. She turned towards Mimi and looked as if she was about to say something when the guys who had left their seats came back into my line of sight. They had gone to fetch drinks and Taichi was handing Sora one. He had his back to me and so I couldn't tell if he was talking but I saw Sora nodding and then Taichi sat down.

I walked back on to the stage and looked towards my friends. The crowd was clapping, as were my fellow Digidestined. Sora, however, was looking down once more and was wringing her hands around the bottle she was holding on to. Concerned about her behaviour yet not in a place to ask her if she was alright, I grew even more nervous.

The set list we had decided on left two songs for the encore; two songs which were about Sora. The first was basically a confession to a melody and the second was more based on our growing friendship and how I wanted it to progress further. I finally reached the microphone and started to speak.

"Okay, guys. We're back for two more songs", the crowd interrupted with loud screams, "and…and I'd like to say that these are dedicated to…you." I spoke the last word quieter and the crowd went wild, perhaps imagining that I meant them all and not someone in particular. I was still standing still and staring down in front of me, past the edge of the stage and to where my friends sat. I was looking right at the crown of Sora's head when she looked up, her eyes directed towards me. Knowing I had her attention I winked and motioned to start the song.

Sora POV

I became anxious when Mimi started talking to me once the band had left the stage. I had cried briefly during the concert. Hearing Yamato's newer songs; knowing there is a girl that he felt that way about was killing me. I thought I had been discreet enough and that nobody had noticed and at first I thought I had gotten away with it. However, when Mimi brought it up once they guys had gone to get refreshments I panicked. How much had she worked out?

Mimi was tentative in her questions but I sensed that she was determined to get the truth. I tried to shield my face from her knowing that I would probably give something away. Quietly, my tears resumed and I tried to get them to stop before anyone around me would hear. My friend had stopped talking and I tried to settle down, her touch calming and caring. Nevertheless, when Mimi said something I wasn't prepared to answer-'Do I know him?'- I started to feel sick.

I was debating whether to tell Mimi the truth. Knowing that I was keeping something significant from one of my closest friends was taking its toll. It was beginning to become tiring to have to watch my mouth all day in case I slip up. In that second I had decided I would tell Mimi she knew him and from there she could guess as she pleased. I turned towards her, her face soft and sincere, and I opened my mouth to say the sacred words. Suddenly Taichi was stood by my side with his arm outstretched. As I reached to take the drink from him, he asked whether I was okay. With a slightly forced smile I managed to confirm I was fine, nodding my head to make up for the lack of volume in my increasingly dry throat.

I took a large sip from the bottle of water I was now holding and the clear liquid was still in my mouth when Yamato's voice broke through the array of noises that had all become one. His voice rang clear as he said 'And I'd like to say these are dedicated to you'. I looked up and swallowed the water, my mouth falling open afterwards. Confused, I looked in front of me straight at Yamato. I couldn't be sure if he was looking at me, the girls behind me or somewhere completely out of range, but he winked with a mischievous smile playing on his lips and then the band started playing.

The melody started out and Yamato was staring at the base of the microphone. It was rare for him not to look out into the crowd. Remembering our conversation a week ago, it clicked that he was feeling nervous. When he started singing Yamato was still looking at the floor.

There's a part of me you'll never know
The only thing I'll never show

A few girlish cheers brought him back to reality and his head rose slowly. It felt as if he was looking at me so I smiled hoping he would notice my muted encouragement. He continued to sing, this time looking less nervous as his eyes focused in my direction:

Hopelessly…I'll love you endlessly
Hopelessly… I'll give you everything
But I won't give you up
I won't let you down
And I won't leave you falling
If the moment ever comes

Paying attention to the lyrics Yamato was singing, my smile faltered and I let my eyes fall towards my hands that were crushing the bottle they were holding. When Yamato started singing again I looked up and I wasn't sure whether I had managed to hide my anguish.

It's plain to see it's trying to speak
Cherished dreams forever asleep

Hopelessly I'll love you endlessly
Hopelessly I'll give you everything
But I won't give you up
I won't let you down
And I won't leave you falling
If the moment ever comes

As he sang, Yamato continued to stare towards the front of the arena, occasionally looking around the crowd in a professional manner. A pang of hurt hit me and I tried not to grasp at my chest. I'd felt this many times in the past weeks and I knew exactly what it was: jealousy.

Hopelessly… I'll love you endlessly
Hopelessly… I'll give you everything
But I won't give you up
I won't let you down
And I won't leave you falling
But the moment never comes

As the song came to an end I managed to make my way through the haze of thoughts and questions in my head well enough to applaud the band's performance as they faded into the next song.

After listening to the band's next song my heart felt as if it had shattered. My eyes were glued towards Yamato who was bowing and waving at the crowd that had erupted into screams and applause. Being brought back to reality by the touch of Mimi's hand on my own I smiled at her and joined in with the rest of the arena hoping Yamato hadn't noticed and took it to mean I didn't like the concert.

Once people started to make their way out I started to wonder who Yamato was singing about and how he had kept it so well hidden from us all. I had listened closely to the lyrics and gathered that whoever the girl was, she sure meant a lot my friend. Yamato had always been somewhat of a closed book but I prided myself in believing I could pick up on things others wouldn't even notice. Alongside being disappointed at myself for not noticing that Yamato was obviously harbouring some deep emotions, I was more hurt by the fact Yamato felt he couldn't confide in me about it. I know I had kept things from him, especially in the last few weeks, but did our crests mean nothing anymore? Love and friendship…The irony of it all stung my already aching chest.

Closing my eyes and trying to pull myself together, I stood up to follow Hikari and Takeru out when I was pulled back my Mimi. She motioned for Koushiro to keep walking out with an odd look on her face. Soon it was just her and me in the arena when she said the last four words I wanted to hear:

"We need to talk."

I decided that I should tell Mimi everything. I started from the beginning telling her about how Yamato was the boy under the tree, and then onto how I missed him when he went off during our time in the Digital World. I was getting up to the present day when a security guard asked us to move out the arena. As we walked backstage where our friends were celebrating I continued telling Mimi all I could think of. I was relieved to get it off my chest and it literally felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. We had stopped outside the door of where the party was when Mimi finally asked a question. Up until now she had only listened: no comments, no questions. I wasn't sure whether that was good or bad but I was grateful that she hadn't interrupted and that I was able to say everything that needed to be said. Furthermore, it had led me to the answer to her question:

"Sora, are you in love with Yamato?"

With a brief pause I finally answered, "I think I might be."

Mimi squealed and threw her arms around me. She kept repeating how happy she was for me and that she thought there was something between Yamato and me. I was about to correct her by saying that Yamato might feel what I do but it's for someone else when Taichi opened the door next to us.

"Hey, you're missing the party! Come on in!"

Mimi all but skipped past Taichi into the room and went straight to Koushiro with whom she shared a kiss. I was walking inside when Taichi put his arm around me and said, "You alright?"

I wasn't sure that I was feeling alright, as Taichi had put it, but I wasn't up to telling another person what I had just told Mimi. With a slightly forced smile I told my wild haired friend I was great and walked further into the room to enjoy the rest of the party.

I hadn't been in the room very long and was currently talking to Miyako. She had been looking over at Ken all night and was wondering whether or not to make a move. At that moment I felt an arm slip around my waste and I was momentarily startled. I turned my head and Yamato was stood there with a crooked grin on his face. Without noticing I started staring at him and biting on my bottom lip. After a few seconds I gathered my bearings and looked over my other shoulder and saw Mimi looking in our direction with her hands clasped in front of her. Whilst turning my head back to Miyako and Yamato I noticed Ken was looking over. He had a blush on his cheeks and was standing next to Iori and Daisuke but it didn't seem as if he was a part of the conversation.

I turned my head back and said, "Hey, Miyako, I think now's your chance." With a wink I suggested she go and talk to Ken and both I and Yamato wished her luck. I turned my body towards Yamato and his arm dropped down. I missed the contact but Yamato was still standing close to me, our feet almost touching.

It was strange. I had been feeling blue about my current revelation of Yamato's mystery romance but just being in his presence was enough to lift my spirits. With a smile on my face I congratulated him on the success of the concert. I was thinking of another question to ask rather than blurt out 'Who is the girl the songs are about' when Yamato pointed out I was wearing his band shirt.

"Right…I guess it was a little out of line", I paused to pull the shirt over my head, "I'll wash it and give it back to you." I placed the garment next my bag which was placed on the table next to us.

Yamato's reply wasn't quick and after a cough he said: "No, don't apologise. It really does look good on you…but, uh, you really look…you look amazing, Sora." He ran his hand through his hair and took a drink from the bottle in his hand. He was looking down and I took the opportunity to look around the room.

Miyako and Ken seemed to be hitting it off. They both seemed to be laughing and more importantly comfortable. I didn't want Miyako to get hurt if Ken didn't feel the same way about her and it wouldn't be fair for Miyako to force herself onto Ken. However, I doubt that was the case. With a sigh I stated: "Everyone seems to be pairing off…"

I looked back around to Yamato who slowly raised his head to look at me. "Sora, look I-"

He was cut off by Taichi who had walked over to us. "Hey, Sora you look good. I didn't know you had a dress on under that baggy shirt." he said nudging me with his elbow. He also said that Hikari wanted to talk to me so I picked up my things and excused myself from my friends.

Hikari had wanted to ask how I was feeling. She had noticed during the concert that I was upset yet said she wasn't sure what to do. She looked genuinely worried so I comforted her and said that I was upset but that I was feeling better.

I continued to tell her that I had told Mimi the truth but that I still wanted to keep it all a secret. As if she had heard her name, Mimi walked over to us and said she needed to talk to me about something we had discussed earlier. As much as she was trying to be inconspicuous, Mimi kept looking between me and Yamato. I let out a laugh and said, "Mimi, Hikari knows about my feelings, too. I'm sorry that I didn't tell you before now but it's been a difficult time for me. What were you going to ask?"

"I saw Yamato come over you earlier and you looked really close. I was wondering whether something was happening…"

"Nothing happened", I said with a small smile playing on my face, "We were just talking about the concert. Mimi, you're going to have to accept that things aren't going to progress any further than the friendship that we already have." I declared with my head dropping and my voice lowering.

"Sora…how do you know without asking? Hikari, don't you think she should say something?"

"Well, Sora shouldn't be pressured into anything she's not prepared for" Hikari voiced, "But then again…have you ever thought that Yamato might actually feel the same way?"

I didn't want to answer Hikari's question. I had tried not to think of what it would be like if Yamato did feel the same way that I did. I had slipped a couple times and the sensation was pleasant at first but was followed by a searing pain and my mood would plummet. It was along the same lines of a recovering alcoholic watching someone drink. You can watch all you want but it's not going to help you get past it-it's only going to make it worse.

I sighed. "I have imagined it but I can't picture it actually happening. Please can we just keep this to ourselves? I don't want everyone to find out. If something was to make its way to Yamato…"

"Of course we will, but if you really love him you should tell him. He could feel the same way and then you guys can be a couple and we can triple date!" Mimi spoke enthusiastically and at first I actually believed her.

"You love him? I wasn't sure you felt that way. Sora, this changes everything. Can you honestly tell us now that if this was the other way around you wouldn't be standing there suggesting the same thing we are?" Hikari questioned.

I pondered what Hikari had said and realised she was right. All I said in reply was: "Not tonight."

With the thought of confessing to Yamato swimming around in my head I excused myself and headed to the restroom.

I was walking back to the party and was approaching the corner when I heard talking. I recognised the voices so stopped at the corner, peeking round to confirm my beliefs.

Taichi was talking to Yamato outside of the room where everyone else was gathered. I couldn't hear all of the conversation but tried to make out what I could. I knew I shouldn't be listening in on their conversation but my curiosity got the better of me. What did they need to discuss so privately that they had to leave the room?

"Who is the girl from the songs, Yamato?"

"What do you mean? What makes you think there's a girl?"

"You're trying to tell me that you can write songs about being that in love without having anything to base it on?"

"You're calling me a liar and a bad musician?"

I couldn't be positive but I was sure their voices were rising. It had been a while since Taichi and Yamato had fought and it wasn't something I liked to witness. I only hoped they didn't start to fight physically. I wasn't sure how much or little of the conversation I was missing but I was concerned to where it was heading.

"Do I know her?" Taichi continued.

"Stop pressuring me, Taichi!"

I could feel my heartbeat increasing and a light sweat covering my palms. They were still talking, or perhaps arguing would be a more accurate description. I was tempted to run between the two to get them to stop when Taichi said something that made my heart sink: "What about Sora?"

"Absolutely not…" Yamato replied.

From that moment I stopped listening. It was one thing to tell myself Yamato didn't feel the same way but to hear it from him was a whole different matter. My back sank and I was relying on the wall behind me to keep me upright. I could sense the burning at the back of my throat and the tears building up. Breaths became harder to take and I was becoming crippled with the truth. I had to get out.

Looking around me I couldn't see any other way out than to go past Taichi and Yamato. Grateful that I was wearing flat shoes I made a run for it, passing through my fellow Digidestined as the first tears rolled town my cheeks. As I burst through the door I bent over and let out an agonised scream, distorted by the sounds of my cries.

Behind me I heard voices calling out so I started to run. Being inside all evening I hadn't noticed that it had turned stormy outside. The rain stung as it hit my almost bare skin and soon I was soaked through. Not sure where I was running to I started to slow down. I was approaching a dark alley I half recognised. If I took it I would come out not far from home. Debating whether or not to take the alley I reached the edge of the road and turned around simultaneously with a flash of lightning. Looking back towards the arena I saw a silhouette looking around. Masked by a clap of thunder, the last thing I heard before walking off into the night was Yamato calling my name.

Phew. I could have written more and had an idea for something tragic and dramatic. However, I decided against that and stuck with my all but originally planned ending. It might add it in to the next chapter if it fits but sometimes I wonder whether my ideas are suitable for all my readers…

Here are the links I mentioned before:

My sketch of Sora's dress- flickr[dot]com/photos/jemmaauns/6028013246/
Now, I'm not pretending to be an artist and I drew it up in ten-ish minutes.

Endlessly by Muse- youtube[dot]com/watch?v=rQuExgINlSQ

You'll have to copy and paste the links because I am still having a lot of editing/html issues with the documents. Just take out the [dot] and replace with a .

Thanks for reading.