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Written: 24.o7.o6
T H A N K Y O U to: rainingOnyourParade, Princessstphanie (Ha…don't worry, I've had my share of lectures from my parents. I hope you like the TK/Kari/Catherine/Daisuke bits in this chapter. Newborn baby? Aww…C'mon it's a newborn baby! Your nephew or niece! LOL) pain herself (whoa. new reviewers. thanks for reading limitz & limitz II so far. yes, i'm going to finish this story...it's just going to take a long time. tk & kari have a little competition? i'd like to include it...but everything's already planned out at the moment. anyway...there are plenty of interferences between kari and tk...thanks for the comment though!), crest-of-music (whoa. thanks for reading both stories as well. yeah..i know that with would be wit. it's just i'm using less slang in this story because i hate saying 'ignore' in spellcheck. lol. i'm a perfectionist..and i hate red squiggly lines under words! haha.. thanks for telling me anyway), michi-fan (glad you liked mimi's flashback...rippling abs indeed), 4everDestined (nuh...i haven't mentioned in the prequel or this story that Mimi was the last member to join. nevertheless, thanks for picking it up!), JyouraKoumi, Wishinstahhz & miaow227 (yes..i understand social life. lol..it's a bad combination with school. haha. glad you also liked the rippling abs..ahah)
N o t e : Sorry for the spelling/grammatical errors throughout the piece. (I really don't have the time to go over my chapters these days due to my time constraints)
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LIMITZ II
Catching Up
By flipstahhz
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Her new friend stretched her arms, punching the air. A grin plastered onto her face as she laughed hyperactively, " I can't believe Mr. Anderson's away sick. I love him!"
" Literally?" Mimi cast a concerned gaze at Rosalyn as she unfilled her books out of her locker and packed them into her bag. " The school wouldn't approve on a student-teacher affair."
"Ha!" Rosalyn sniffed. " You're one to talk. Tai and you? Have you forgotten about your illegal relationship?"
" Well…it isn't exactly a student-teacher affair when we are an item. Plus, we became an item before we both joined this school," Mimi corrected.
" Yes yes…same thing," Rosalyn smirked. Before Mimi could protest back she was babbled on, " Anyway…this is what you call life! Mr. Anderson is away…away! Which means…we both get to leave school early."
" You don't say," the brunette shook her head. Mimi wasn't as content as her friend was. Mimi had Mr. Anderson for only English class. Whereas Rosalyn had Mr. Anderson for both English and History classes considering he taught both subjects.
After Mimi had closed her locker, the pair strutted down the school's corridor about to depart from the school when someone shouted after them. They turned around.
Rosalyn offered him a wave as Mimi teasingly folded her arms and played a pseudo scowl on her face but a smile still managed crawled onto her face. With an eyebrow arched high she greeted, " Hey Tai, what's up?"
" Don't 'what's up' me," he chuckled, planting a light kiss on her cheek.
The other girl laughed, " Mr. Kamiya…you're the phys-ed teacher…you can't be seen doing that."
" I know," he shrugged. " Couldn't be helped…don't want the Mrs. to get angry with her short temper."
" Hypocrite, you're the one that has the short temper…and I'm not married to you-"
" Yet…"
In response she pouted just as the bag's strap fell of her shoulder. She adjusted it back on.
Taichi caught his girlfriend's movement, gazing down at her weighty bag. " Going home already? Are you wagging school? Umma you naughty girl. I think I'll have to report you to the principal and dish out a detention to the both of you!"
" No…Mr. Anderson's away, doofus," Mimi explained. " We get to go home early."
" Oh, okay. I'll see you tonight," Taichi shrugged. He checked his watching, frowning, " I'm already late for class."
" Tardy Tai," Rosalyn sneered, causing Taichi to playfully whack her gently on the back. He was about to turn around and head to gym, but Mimi held onto his arm.
" I forgot to tell you…I'm going to be at Rosalyn's tonight because she's going to help me with my maths homework. So I can't see you tonight."
" Alright…so it's tomorrow night," he muttered. He scratched his head, searching Mimi's face. " Hurry up and tell me, Mimi. I know there's something else."
" Sora," Mimi muttered. " Is it okay if you keep her company? She doesn't really want me about right now since I've probably been nagging her like crazy…and I don't think it's a good idea to tell her I'm at Rosalyn's. No offence, Rosal…"
" None taken," Rosalyn said, tone carefree. " If I were in her position…I'd think that I would be stealing not only her guy, but her best friend too."
" That's true," Mimi giggled, but her expression turned serious when she saw Tai tapping his foot impatiently. " So…I just want you to check up on her, you know? It's not good that she'll be alone with her thoughts."
" I guess it couldn't hurt. I haven't caught up with her for a while," Taichi said pensively. " Consider it done."
" Great!" Mimi grinned, " Thank Tai."
" You owe me a make up scene," Tai winked before disappearing around the corner.
Mimi flipped him the finger, but it obviously was too late for him to catch it. Minutes later the two adolescent females had departed from the school grounds and were currently closing down to the nearest restaurant for lunch.
Rosalyn ordered Tuesday's Special (pumpkin soup) for the both of them and soon they were patiently waited for the food to arrive.
" Sorry about taking you out for lunch. There's hardly ever any food at home because Bri eats it all," Rosalyn remarked in annoyance at mentioning her brother's name.
" No. I'm just really grateful that you're going to be helping me with maths…"
" Don't worry about it."
The soup finally came and the two immediately decided to postpone sipping down their soup considering it was still burning hot. In the silence, Rosalyn suddenly bubbled up into laughter. Mimi stared at her curiously until the other girl admitted, " Your boyfriend's still the same. Some things never do change."
" Still the same?" Mimi repeated. She was still curious with what Rosalyn had to say about Tai. Even though Mimi had only met Tai about three years ago, there were sides of him that still remained a mystery. Plus…Mimi had caught on with some sort of familiarity between Tai and Rosalyn back there. She couldn't avoid why Tai had hit her friend on the back. " Still the same. What do you mean?"
" You really don't know?" Rosalyn asked, stirring her soup with the spoon as she adjusted her back against the wooden seat.
" That's why I'm asking you, dear."
" Oh!" Rosalyn hit herself on the head. " I keep forgetting that you weren't born here…Yamato told me…well he told me a lot." She paused. For a second Mimi caught Rosalyn portray a distracted look on her face, until she hid it and continued to speak, " So what was it that you wanted to know about good ol' Taichi?"
" Who he was. His love life," Mimi counted down. " And…well who he hanged around with."
" You don't know much about your boyfriend?"
" Well…I do…I just hear it most from other people," Mimi replied, remembering the few times she'd talk to Hikari about her older sibling.
" Before I answer these questions, I want to remind you, that what he did in the past…is the past. It's over now."
" You're making me worried…you're making me think he was a really bad person."
" No, you've got me wrong, Mimi. Tai was never a bad person from the start," Rosalyn said quietly. " It was just the people he would hang around with."
" What do you mean?"
" Stop jumping in. If you want me to explain…I'll explain all I know about him," Rosalyn sighed, still stirring the soup. " If you didn't know…I was dating Matt at that time. Through Matt, I met Tai…as well as the rest of the Kamiya family, in fact – since after the Ishida's had abandoned their children…What I mean to say…is that Matt introduced me to Tai."
" You're going around in circles, Rosal."
" I know…but I'll get to the point," she laughed again in response. " The fact is…I've known Tai for quite some time. Being a good guy…that's what he's natural at. But when his father got lung cancer, which was when Taichi got stressed out. In the same time Matt joined our band and Tai felt alone because his best friend wasn't always there for him. So he made new friends and became some sort of leader to a tough group, or gang I should say, that would raid the Odaiba streets. Matt was there, mind you…he was there for Tai. But Tai never appreciated it because he wasn't always there."
" Tai couldn't rely on Yamato all the time. He's got TK…he had his martial arts…and the old band -"
" Exactly," Rosalyn replied. " Hell…I'd never expect their friendship to make it out in the end. I guess they've grown up."
Realizing Rosalyn was going off track, Mimi spoke again, " So what happened after Tai joined the group."
" Ah…he got into lots of fights. Tai wasn't a fan of drugs…but he was a fun of beating the pulp out of people…even innocent people, at times. It was some sort of stress relief to get his anger and anxiety out…it was unhealthy."
" Tell me about it," Mimi sighed. The soup wasn't as hot anymore and the brown haired girl had started sipping a few spoons of the pumpkin soup.
" Then his father died, Tai went worse. Until…well…Matt finally helped him out of the trouble…and asked him to join LimitZ – the new dance group," Rosalyn smiled. " Yeah…that's how it was. But from the looks of things, Tai's as better as ever. You've whipped him back into shape! He's even talking to Kari now. "
" Yeah," she returned the smile. " I've seen that bad side to Tai many times before…but now he's making an effort to become a better person. I hope he stays the same."
" He will. He's got you," Rosalyn's smile wavered. " You know…I thought you'd hate me…since you're Sora's best friend and all."
" I'm not really like that. I want to get to know the person first before I judge them whether I like them or not," Mimi said matter-of-factly. " Right now you're in my good books. But there's just still something lurking in my mind."
" Spill it."
" Why'd you kiss Yamato? Sora saw you guys making out, you know. She's been really hurt since," Mimi said seriously.
" That…" Rosalyn said silently, " Was a mistake. It was Yamato that kissed me…I pushed him off. He was mistaking me for Sora…because he thinks that he can never have Sora."
" What a load of bull."
" I'm not lying, Mimi. I swear I didn't kiss him."
" Not that bit…you still care for him," Mimi said. Though she only had met Rosalyn for a short period, she could read many things about people through their facial expressions…and right now Rosalyn appeared a bit pinker than usual.
" Matthew? No… there's nothing going on between us right now. He was my first love…he's nothing but my own personal confidant now," she said.
" But you still like him."
" I'm not going to deny that I still care for him, Mimi, because I really do. It's just I'm not going to avoid the reality with knowing that he loves someone else," her voice was a raspy whisper now.
" Sora?"
Mimi watched the girl across her bite her lip, eyes glazed as she stared down at her soup. " I thought I was over him, you know? I guess I was wrong…I guess I'm jealous of her for it…"
" Oh…Rosal…"
Mimi couldn't quite understand how Rosalyn was feeling at the moment. The only closest feeling that she could related to unrequited love was the betrayal between her old best friend (Jezebel) and her ex-boyfriend (Acey).
" Mimi…I know that you probably don't want to hang around me because you're walking on eggshells right now…you're Sora's best friend for crying out loud. Sora will probably hate you-"
" No…Rosal," Mimi lifted from her seat and went over to her broken friend. " Just because I'm Sora's best friend doesn't mean I won't be friends with you. I'm not going to contradict that both Sora and Yamato share the same feelings for each other…but it doesn't mean that I don't want to be your friend."
" Thanks Mimi," Rosalyn said. Mimi bent down, giving the other a reassuring embrace.
" Everything will be fine."
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He rubbed his cheek. Leigh sure did have a mean punch, Yamato noted. He hadn't expected the electric guitarist of his band to hit as hard as he did. But Yamato certainly knew and expected that a nasty bruise would appear on his face the next day.
He had encountered the punch during training early that morning. Leigh had 'accidentally' hit Yamato's face instead of aiming at the punching bag, causing the blond headed person unnecessary suffering. Yamato squinted his eyes from the bright sun, then couldn't help but clench his teeth from the sting on his cheek. He felt weak for sensing so much pain from merely on hit. It reminded him of when he was younger. It reminded him of how he could easily throw the pain aside and only aim back to his goal to pursue getting stronger. How things had changed…
His cobalt eyes wandered over the surrounding. It felt a relief to be in touch with nature once again. He was sick of the thick air of pollution and consumerism in the city. The retreat dwelling, where he was staying at that moment, was rather reinvigorating. He walked on the soft blades of grass, heading towards the pristine lake. There were no problems here, just peace. He wished it could last forever, but he knew it wouldn't. He couldn't run away from everything and expect a change. He had to do something. Reality would disturb him no matter what he did.
In some sensei, he agreed with his sensei. So far going on the retread did, in fact, cleanse him and gave him an illusion of 'peace of mind.' The meditation probably did it. Now he knew, and hopefully would stay decisive, what he wanted in life. When he would return back to Odaiba it would be a matter of applying courage to achieve what he wanted.
Courage was always something he had envied about his best friend. Tai never lacked it.
While he did…
On spot, his cell phone rang aloud breaking the calm atmosphere. Yamato hastily flipped his phone and answered, " Hey."
" Matt, you idiot."
He blinked, taking his phone away from his ear and studying the name flashing at him.
" Catherine?"
" Darn right it is!" the other person on the line boomed. " If, right now, I was face-to-face with you I'd kill you!"
" Hey, calm down cuz," Yamato ran his vacant hand through his dirty blond disheveled hair. He couldn't help but allow a smirk to tug his lips. " It's been a while…how are you? I haven't seen you for over a year!"
" It's been a while? Is that all you've got to say? Why do I have to check up on you! Why can't you ring me up instead!"
" I never asked you to."
" Damn it, Matt! That's besides the point!" she paused, (taking a breath, Yamato presumed). " I know what happened…why didn't you tell me? I almost wanted to punch TK more than once -"
" Punch TK?" Matt was now confused. " What are you talking about? I thought you were off at boarding school – oh."
Matt suddenly remembered that Catherine was attending the same school as his brother's, only the sister campus. He hadn't even that his cousin had been attending St. Margaret's along. Off course she was bound to bump into Takeru.
Amusement stirred within him when he let her words hit him. Catherine had punched TK. Ha. Yamato could actually visualize that happening. Catherine held a rather 'in-your-face' personality.
" Why did you punch TK?" he questioned curiously.
" The same reason why I want to beat you into a pulp!" she complained. " You didn't tell me about your mother!"
" Oh," Yamato muttered. He didn't understand why Catherine was so concerned about his mother's death. His mother was only an aunty-in-law whom hardly even knew that his cousin existed. " Is that it? Is that why you rang up…just to scowled me off? I know when it's your place to be informed…and I know when it's not."
" That's the thing with you, Matt. Ever since we were little you only saw TK and me as a burden. You always kept things inside you…and never bothered to tell us anything."
" I know," Yamato replied. " But you were always closer to TK."
" Maybe because you hardly made yourself available."
The peaceful atmosphere had long time vanished now. He was bombarded with yet another problem – realizing that he hadn't spent much time with his younger cousin. He couldn't help but feel guilty…
" But I understand why, Matt." He blinked, not expecting the response. " Which is why…well…I want you and I to catch up some time. Hang out…do stuff. Is that okay with you?"
Catherine was, as usual, random as ever. He was still recovering from the unusual response. He had expected her to give him another lecture (which he wasn't in lack of), but she didn't. She wanted to spend time with him.
" So what about it?"
" I guess…sure," Yamato laughed. He stopped laughing when he caught sight of a gray haired elderly man from the distance. " I need to go now. I'm at a retreat. If my sensei catches me with my cell phone for the second time…he threatened he'd throw it in the lake."
" Yikes, that's bad," Catherine giggled. " Okay…take care."
" You too! Thanks for ringing up," Yamato smiled. " We'll definitely catch up."
" Mad."
The phone call ended and Yamato slipped his cell phone back into on of his black Jean's pockets. Other than fixing his friendship with TK, Sora and the rest of the LimitZ crew…Catherine – his cousin – was another addition to his to-do list.
When he got back to Odaiba, he was going to take on the challenge…
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The blond headed boy followed his friend out the door. He couldn't help but roll his azure eyes when he noted his friend parading and skipping, in the corridor of St. Kevin's College, like some lunatic. At that current moment, TK wished he didn't know him…damn Daisuke was embarrassing…
" Won't you take me to? …." TK eyes his friend, shaking his head. " Funkkkkky towwwn."
" Won't you take me to?" Daisuke turned around to face him, giving him the 'cmon-sing-along-with-me-you-spoil-sport' look.
" You've lost it," TK declared the obvious.
" Your no fun! Funky town! You were meant to say -"
" I am not going to join your stupidity in looking like an idiot," TK grumbled in reply, " Just because you got a high mark."
" Aww Teeks! It's not like that…I work my ass off for that mark, I deserved it," he grinned. " One hundred percent, baby!"
" Gordon got the highest. The highest was 97, moron. You got a 92."
" Whatever…I still rock!" Daisuke winked. " You got 62."
" Great way to rub it in when I don't really care," TK shrugged. " I still think English is the better subject. Solving mathematical equations and all that shit is a waste of time. It's not like your going to be solving a stupid equation when you're falling off a damn cliff. You'll be using English in screaming HELP!"
" Your sarcasm never seizes to amaze me."
" I'll take that as a compliment."
" Why…thank you."
" You're not welcome."
" Shut up."
" No, you shut up!"
" No foul language is to be used in this school, Mr. Motomiya and Mr. Takaishi," a teacher warned from behind them. Both boys spun around, plastering fake smiles on both their faces.
" Hello Sir," Daisuke said cheerfully. " How may I- we- help you?"
" Ahh…petty sucking up doesn't work for me, I'm afraid," the old teacher uttered. Pushing his spectacles up his nose. " I believe you're meant to be going to the hall now? The second bell has already rung."
" Oh…okay," TK replied, mildly bemused. " But why is that? Why do we have to go the hall?"
" You've got ballroom practice today. The ladies from St. Margaret's have arrived ten minutes ago," the teacher delivered the news. " So if I were either of you, I'd better get a move on. Your dance instructor may -"
" We got you, sir! Thanks," Daisuke exclaimed, running down the corridor, pulling TK along as they headed in the direction of the hall.
" Mr. Motomiya and Mr. Takaishi, no running in the corridors!" the teacher's voice boomed behind them, but the pair weren't interested and were rather absentminded on what he had said. They didn't want to be late for practice…their strict devout dance instructor would have their heads.
" It's Tuesday today!" Daisuke said, then questioned, " Why didn't you remind me?"
" You're the one that was off in funky town," TK drawled.
" Great. You say 'funky town' when I don't want to hear it."
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Where were they?
Kari's eyes wandered from the lecturing dance instructor, snatching a gaze at the time. Fifteen minutes late. Kari shuffled on her feet nervously that caused Catherine to gaze at her.
" Kari, what's up with you?"
" They'd better come. I don't want to dance with strangers," Kari muttered, folding her arms nervously.
She didn't mind dancing with strangers…but when she did dance with strangers she wouldn't see them again. She didn't want to be stuck with someone for the remaining ballroom dancing sessions. She proffered dancing with TK – with him she felt comfortable. After all, she was used to TK's dancing tactics. She didn't mind Daisuke…but Daisuke had given her numerous bruises on her toes the previous lesson. Daisuke had the talent for stepping on her toes.
" Ohh Kari's scared. Haha. No that you talk about it…I see some guys checking you out," Catherine smirked.
The brunette sent her a warning glance. Suddenly chatters broke the air as the girls and boys from both schools began mingling. It was obvious that the dance instructor had ordered them to find a partner nowKari gritted her teeth when she saw a couple of guys head their direction. TK had better get his ass here…
Catherine also saw them coming, the smirk disappeared and was replaced with a frown.
" Hey Catherine!" one of the boys grinned. " How are you?"
" Fuck off, Benjamin," she leered. " What the fuck do you want?"
" Aren't you going to introduce me to this foxy lady?" he winked at Kari. Kari still had her arms folded…she was so sick of lame pick up lines.
" She doesn't give a fuck about you."
" Oh…Catherine, you take that back you slut. You know what, you deserved what you got. Stephanie was right to-"
Kari looked at both of them suspiciously.
" Stop it, Benj," the other guy who hadn't spoken hit him on the shoulder. Even though it was a soft punch, Benjamin abandoned the small quarrel.
Catherine lifted her gaze at the person who had spoken. Kari realized that her gaze was both grateful, yet dismal.
" Catherine," he said in a husky tone.
" Jamie," she nodded, acknowledging his existence uncomfortably.
" Sorry about that," he offered a wavering smile.
" It's okay," Catherine shrugged.
" HEY JAMIE!" someone jumped on his back, looking down at Catherine in anger.
" Hey sis," he said quietly, as the girl tumbled off her brother's back. It was Stephanie. Jamie's gaze was still on Catherine.
" Why are you here? Why are you even talking to this bitch?"
Catherine ignored her, " Kari and I….we're going now. Take care Jamie."
" Yes," he said calmly. " Benj, Stephanie and I'd better get going. See you."
The three walked off, leaving Kari with nothing but confusion. " What was up with that?"
Before Kari could wait for an answer, music blared out from the speakers. Catherine and Kari exchanged glances. They needed partners. In timing, the hall's doors sprung open to reveal two puffed out boys who both had their hands on their knees struggling to breathe. They were saved…
The music switched off. The dance instructor glared at them, " You're late."
" Sorry but -"
" Hurry up and find yourselves a partner."
Kari waved her hands in the air for the two guys to see them. As soon as both TK and Daisuke recognized them, they immediately approached them. Kari lunged herself at TK, seizing him first before Catherine had the chance to. There was no way in hell she was going to have her precious feet trampled on again.
Catherine shrugged, curtsying at Daisuke as he took her hand. During the time the dance instructor had shown the dance moves and soon everyone was slowly waltzing along to the song. Majority of the people had trouble doing the dance moves. But on their second try, TK and Kari had caught on and were having a casual conversation as they continued to master the dance.
" You know…this very much looks close to incest," Kari said. " We're fake cousins! Who ever thought we'd be in this position? Don't you think it's strange?"
" Peculiar, I guess," TK responded tersely, his jaw tight.
" You alright?" Kari asked, spinning around, then coming back into his arms. She gasped for air, " You seem pretty pissed off."
" Stop assuming, Kari," TK laughed. " I'm fine. Maybe I should be the one that's curious. Why did you suddenly want me to be your partner?"
" What's so bad about it?"
" You don't always dance with me when you have a choice to."
" You're my dance partner…I always dance with you," she objected. " And I want to dance with you, TK. Do you have a problem with that?"
He stared at her, studying her in his arms as they continued to dance. Dancing together was a second nature to them…it was probably the reason why they were instantly the first LimitZ dancers to be paired off first (besides the fact that they were the same age and that Kari refused that her dance brother be her older brother).
Caught off guard, Kari almost stumbled. TK held her in place, amused eyes dancing on her worried face. " Did you remember something?"
" Yes," she said quietly in dismay, her eyes drifted elsewhere. " Acey."
TK's eyes weren't amused anymore. There was one Acey that he knew…and he was in America. He didn't understand why Kari was suddenly all worried about it.
" Acey?"
" I wanted to ring back home," she said, as he lifted her a bit to perform the small step. " But I thought I'd tell you first."
" Tell me what?"
" I watched the news. Detour's coming to Japan early for the competition."
" What does Acey gotta do with this?"
" He's the newest member of Detour."
He stared at her, surprised. " He joined…he can dance?"
" He wants to defeat us in the upcoming competition. I don't know how we're going to tell Mimi…she might -"
" I know."
" What should we do?"
Kari had a feeling he was about to say that they keep it between them. She was close to certain that he would say that, but he shocked her. " We need to tell Tai…or someone else. Keeping secrets has almost torn us apart…we can't continue doing this."
" Okay…I should ring him up now," Kari said hurriedly.
" No…that can wait, Kari," TK sniggered. " We need to practice this dance."
" But we already know it."
" Who cares," he simpered. His arms tightened around her waist as they continued to dance to the music.
Kari fought down the blush appearing on her cheeks.
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" Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!" she groaned, " Watch it, Daisuke! Watch where you step on!"
" Sorry," he grunted apologetically, concentrating hard on not stepping on her feet. He was trying to not blow this opportunity with her. He was having a great day so far and he didn't want to end it with sending her to hospital for having her toes sewn back on.
" You know, Daisuke. You need to relax," she said, putting her hands on his and placing it lower down her waist. " Heck, why am I even telling you this? I seriously can't dance for shit either."
" That's good to know," Daisuke couldn't help but give one of his toothy grins. " We'll officially be the worst dancing couple ever-"
" Ow, ow, ow! Watch it!" she screamed into his ear causing a few of dancing pairs to stare at them. All but TK and Kari.
Daisuke spotted them dancing along to the music easily. Yet, they seemed in their own world…
" Check them out," Daisuke nudged his head at their friends dancing. "They're good."
" Ah…While TK inherited the better grooves, I inherited the better looks," Catherine winked, causing him to lightly chuckle.
" I've got to agree with you on that one," Daisuke said, then suddenly wanted to mentally kick himself. He quickly covered up, " Like every guy here. That guy – Jamie – keeps staring at you."
Catherine already had caught on, smiling at Daisuke's cover up but decided it was best to play along and save him from getting shy and flustered. She had to admit that it looked cute.
" He's checking me out, you mean?"
" Yeah," he responded uncertainly. " That's right."
" Jamie's my ex," she said. " It's always been strange like that…ever since we broke up."
" But…" Daisuke connected the dots, " From what I've heard…he's Stephanie's twin brother. And from what I've heard you want to tear Stephanie's eyes off?"
" Correct with both assumptions," Catherine admitted, " But your missing something."
" Well…I'm completely clueless with everything else. You tell me."
" Stephanie and I…" her deep blue eyes abruptly became distant, like she was recovering a old lost memory. " We used to best friends."
He lost balance a bit, regaining it as they continued to dance with expertise to the amateur steps of the routine. They whipped back into dance mode, but soon the rhythm became slower. " I'm sorry."
" Why?" her lashes fluttered up, staring back at him.
" It wasn't my place to intrude."
" It's okay. It's good telling someone, you know? I haven't even told Kari yet," she laughed softly.
" Well," he flashed a goofy beam, " thanks. But you don't have to tell me anything else if you don't want to. I'm not forcing you. We haven't even exactly known each other for a long time."
" Don't worry and feel ashamed of me, Daisuke. I already know that anyone who is close to TK must be a good person." She added, " …In some way."
He laughed. " So something's telling me you have more to share?"
" Maybe I will…some other time. Or now…I might as well tell you know. I'd hate to be left on a cliffhanger," she said.
Daisuke noted that the girl talked a lot, not that he minded. He was one that didn't have control over his mouth as well. TK had even pointed it out one time.
" Stephanie and I used to be the best friends…until two years ago. I don't know if you knew…but about the same time two years ago, I was a pretty famous model in Japan and became some sort of hit…or so the petty magazines say. I'd starve myself…to get the perfect body, I had less time with my family and friends...hardly any time to relax and so forth… Then…I don't know…I realized that modeling wasn't for me."
" You were a model?" Daisuke gawked, still getting used to the fact that Catherine had been a model.
" Yes," she laughed. " It only lasted for a short period, though. I realized that I wanted to finish my schooling first. Something to fall back on, you know?"
" How is this related to your ex-best friend?"
" It's coming," she sighed. They were both not following the beat at all now, too involved in their own conversation that they had brewed up. " When I came back to St. Margaret's…Stephanie began to ignore me - She stopped talking to me altogether."
" Why?"
" I don't know…TK said she was jealous."
" Jealous?"
" No, I don't think so. I think it was because I didn't get to spend much time with her anymore. And then…I was also dating Jamie. So…I guess she hardly had anyone to hang out with because I wasn't there for her anymore…and Jamie was well…always there for me. I don't know what else she could be possibly angry over to make her not speak to me –"
" And jealous. She was also jealous," he specified.
" Your impossible."
" In comparison with TK and Kari not getting together yet - That is what you call impossible."
Their gaze lashed back at their friends, only to see that they had stopped dancing. In fact, the music was switched off and the whole class had stopped dancing…only they were left swaying for who knows how long. Instantaneously they concluded their dance session, reddening over the many heads stilling at their way. As Catherine let go of Daisuke, he wobbled a bit and collapsed onto the ground. Catherine was about to crack up laughing when she felt Daisuke's foot slide under hers when he fell, causing her to tumble down onto him.
" Sorry," Daisuke winced, apologizing for the third time that day. He stared at the girl on top of him and smiled. " We're definitely the worst dancing couple ever."
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He gave one last look at his bedroom. As usual, it was messy…yet it appeared rather lonesome considering it was actually the cleanest it had ever been. The other inhabitants hadn't been living with him for the past two days (well…in Yamato's case – not TK's whom was at boarding school). It felt quite empty and sad. Ah well…
Taichi Kamiya slung his jacket over his shoulder, about to exit the room when his phone rang. He uttered curses under his breath (who would of barked them aloud if his mother hadn't been in the house) and searched every pocket on him. Finally, he was able to retrieve the phone and briskly answered the call. " Hello?"
" Hey Tai, it's Jyou!"
" Jyou!" he flashed a smile. It was good hearing from an old friend. " Sup?"
" You up for beer tonight? I'm shouting you! Free drinks, man. Ohhh come one, reply already, kid. I know you want to come!"
" Sorry man. It's lovely and all…but I can't. I've got plans."
" With who? Mimi…aww…you dawg."
He chuckled at his friend's response. " No, actually. I'm going to do some catching up with Sora."
" When you can do some catchin' up with me? Isn't Sora's Yamato's girl? Why do you want to catch up with her when she's a part of your dance crew? I'm jealous! I hardly see you more than she does," Jyou commented. " And this is probably the only free night I'll have in a long time."
" Hey, mate. Stop whining," Taichi said. " As I said before, I'd love to go but -"
" Hey, I was just playin'. I understand, Tai. Just…we'd better catch up soon, okay?"
" Sure," Tai replied. " It's just that I promised Mimi to look after Sora tonight…I guess Sora's been pretty lonely…she also had a fight with-"
" Yeah, I get it. I getcha," Jyou said in an understanding tone. " It's a lover's quarrel…and your giving a helping hand."
" I guess you can say that. With a side dishing of Yamato's mother dying…both Sora and Yamato are in quite some tangle that it isn't funny."
" Ha…even though you were a bit of an ass, I guess your still the same old Tai, hey? Nice and caring, loyal to your friends - "
" And you're the same ol' Jyou," Taichi snickered. " I'd better go, take care."
" Sayonara, Chi," Jyou cut off the line.
Taichi stuffed his cell back into his pocket, fingers crossed together that Jyou wasn't hurt that he couldn't spend some time with him. He walked out the room, not bothering to muster the strength to shut the door behind him. After strolling down the hallway, he made his way towards the door to go outside his home, only to be caught.
" Where you going? Are you seeing Mimi again?"
He turned around to face no one. He let out a deep sigh and walked about ten steps to where the kitchen was in the small house.
" I'm going to Sora's," he corrected, staring at his mother as she wiped her hands on the apron tied around her waist.
His mother's gaze me his own. Her gaze lingered on him for a while, lines creased on her forehead. " You'd better not be two-timing with Sora. Mimi's such a lovely girl."
" Muuum," Tai cried out aloud.
" I mean it, Tai. Breaking a woman's heart isn't considered attractive nor manly," she remarked matter-of-factly.
" You know me better than that, ma! Why would I do that do Mimi? Better yet…why would I cheat on her with Sora when Yamato likes her?" Taichi couldn't help but blurt out the latter comment. He didn't mind exposing Yamato's feelings to his mother…any approach was good to redirect the attention off of him.
" See? That's why I don't want you pulling stunts like that? Breaking both Mimi and your brother's hearts."
Taichi stared at him mother, shaking his head. She still wasn't on the same mind track as he was. Why couldn't his mother simply see that he wouldn't do such an awful thing? Then again…
He frowned. He had failed her here and there…especially with what happened after his father's death. Taichi wasn't sure how he could handle her after he was being such a hassle and causing a whole lot of trouble. Thank god is 'brother' – Yamato – had awoken up from his own world and helped him deal with the problems he had brewed. It was strange…but he still wasn't accustomed to call Yamato, as well as TK, his brother. His mother had easily adjusted to doing so…but it still felt strange saying it on the tip of his tongue…even if it was after all these years.
" So you're not going to be here for dinner?" his mother said disappointedly. " And I was cooking for you!"
Tai's frown turned upside down. It was cute that his mother had turned all cooking mode on him for the past few days. Yamato usually helped his mother cooking (it was a relief to have Yamato help her out cooking because the food didn't taste as repulsive), but since he had left for the retreat his mother had been preparing the meal in order to impress him. Tai didn't mind her efforts…but he did mind his stomach keeping up with all the scary gruesome recipes Ms. Kamiya would create.
" You know what?" Tai said brightly, " Why don't I take some of your cookin to Sora's? I'm sure she would like your food."
" Okay!" his mother replied instantly.
In seconds she had already planted the wet lumps of food into some Tupperware, and he was soon out the door.
" Bye mum!"
" Take care, Taichi! Be home soon!"
He nodded, watching his mother disappear. He felt rather guilty for leaving his mother alone in the empty household. She usually had Kari, TK or Matt…but now they weren't there. It did feel quite strange that suddenly he was the only one under his mother's attention. He glanced at the Tupperware clutched in his hands.
He knew that accepting the food would make his mother feel better. But as soon as he was out of the apartment, turning the corner he lashed thrust the Tupperware of food into the nearest bin. Even though it did sound mean…he knew it was the best tactic to get rid of the food. He had tried Feeding Kari's cat, but it caused the poor animal to die from food poisoning. That was quite a while ago, yet he still could hear his sister's yelling and scolding in his ears. He shuddered. He gave one glance at the bin. He was saving the world from his mother's cooking. He nodded to himself, feeling a bit better for throwing away his mother's food.
It was for the greater good, he reminded himself.
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" I never knew you'd choose this place, out of all places," she noticed Taichi looking around awkwardly, not used to the environment.
" You didn't have to come, you know. I thought you wanted me to choose a place to hang out…" she said regretfully, " I know, I shouldn't haven chosen this place…."
" No, that's not what I meant," Tai chuckled, waving his hands in the air. She still could see him looking around alertly. " It's just I never thought you'd be the type to listen and hang around here. I thought you would of chosen the good old-fashioned clubbin' scene. You've grown so much, that I haven't noticed you went all grandma on me."
She glared at him.
" In a good way," he said, shuffling in his chair. " It's just…I've never seen you as a jazz person."
" It's actually not that bad," Sora shrugged, auburn hair glinting in the dim light of the bar. " As well as knitting."
" You've lost me," Tai blinked. " Since when was the tomboy I fan of making clothes…and jazz? This is insane."
" My mother's influence," she said quietly. " While monitoring the florist…I came about her old stuff. She'd listen to jazz and knit clothing when she had no customers…I sort of fell in the same trap, copying her. I've been knitting whenever I have no customers lately…"
" Really?" Tai queried, still finding it difficult to believe. " Knitting?"
" Oh, shut it, Tai," she smirked, leaning over the table and hitting him on the head. " You know, this feels really strange. It's like we're on a date or something."
"Yes, off course. Sorry Sora, but I'm taken…I know I'm really good looking, sexy, attractive, handso-"
" And there goes your infamous ego," Sora laughed, interrupting his from indulging in his self-interest. " You know what? I'm glad your hanging out with me tonight…everyone I've been hanging around lately have been pestering me about Yamato -"
" Which is what we've also got to talk about…"
Her eyebrow quirked suspiciously, " So…is this what it was all about? Just for you to lecture me…Mimi set this all up, didn't she?"
" Sora," Tai sighed. " Stop being so tense. You keep getting mood swings -"
" Then you're going to blame it on PMS. Really Tai, I was having a good time until your brought him up!" she exclaimed. " Why can't you understand?"
" Understand what?" he shot back.
" Understand that…argh," she said in annoyance. " Why can't you and everyone else understand that Yamato and I will solve it on our own…even if it takes a while. I need time to breathe…I need space, you know?"
He studied her. He didn't completely understand what she was talking about, but he understood to a certain extent. If she needed space, as a friend, he'd give it to her…but he wanted to get it out straight first…
" He cares about you."
" I thought I did too," she said quietly. " Everything's just not working out…I don't know w hat he wants – wants us to be…"
" It's so apparent and easy to see…you both want it."
" But what if our relationship doesn't last…what if -"
" Don't be a coward, Sora," he said. She stirred her drink. The jazz music erupting into their silence. She felt comfortable that Tai was being all straight forward with what he wanted to say.
" Enough of that," Tai smiled. " Really… how are you?"
She returned the smile. It was good that that was finally settled with. She knew that he wasn't going to repeat the conversation, like Mimi had done a lot. When it was with Tai, he got it over and done with. He didn't backtrack. When it's said – it's said. That was how it had always been with their friendship, even trailing back to when they were little kids.
" The business is running well. I didn't think many people would buy so much -"
" No, how are you?" he said.
She rolled her eyes, " Fine. I'm fine. Yourself? Damnit Tai, stop being so formal."
He chuckled this time, " I'm great."
" That's fantastic!" Sora said sarcastically. " So how's teaching? Especially with Mimi as one of your students at your school."
" Strange."
" You reckon?"
" I'm meant to be speaking here," Tai winked.
" Okay okay…so how is it?" Sora interrogated. " Give me the juicy details…"
" There are quite a number of hot chicks -."
" Tai! Not those details! As in….your escapade of being a teacher?"
" Strange," he repeated. " Never expected to find myself in the position. It's quite ironic because some people I'm teaching are my old friends…"
" Yeah, I'd find that strange too."
" I'm going on a soccer trip as well," Tai said. " Mimi's going to have my head – I haven't told her yet…"
" Soccer trip?" Sora stated, " I bet you I still could kick your ass at one of those games."
" Oh yeah? Sure about that?" Tai's eyes flickered with amusement.
" Definitely."
And so went their conversation, ending with the two scheduling a rematch later on that week. Their voices toppled over the instrumental music, causing jazz fanatics to give withering glances at the pair…but Sora and Tai didn't mind. They didn't come to the jazz bar to listen to music…they had mainly went out to catch up. Nothing else…
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It's been exactly a month since my last update. My apologies and the rest…but I'm not going to restate myself with my reasons why I've been busy. Take care dears…hope you liked the chapter ;D
Heart flipstahhz
P.s Do you think I should make a timeline for both LimitZ and LimitZ II so you can refer back to the events? I thought this idea might be useful for some of you because this is quite a long story…PLEASE tell me ;D
P.ss There are about 8 chapters (including the Epilogue) left. Though, there still may be alterations…but it's approximately 8 chapters till this whole LimitZ series is going to be completed.
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