Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.


When they say you're
not that strong
Well you're not that weak
It's not your fault
When you climb up to your hill
Up to your place
I hope you're well
There's nothing left to prove
Nothing I won't do
Nothing like the pain
I feel for you
Nothing left to hide
Nothing left to fear
I am always here
-"Not Enough," Our Lady Peace


Not Enough
Chapter Twenty-Nine

Taichi was still so much in shock that he had to be led by the arm by Mimi into his hotel room. She gently half-helped half-pushed him onto the small couch and walked over to the mini-refrigerator to get him a glass of water. He barely registered any of these actions as his mind kept repeating the horrible mistake Takeru had made and how he, Taichi, could have possibly prevented it.

"Here," murmured Mimi as she pressed the styrofoam cup of water into his hands. He clumsily handled the cup, dripping some water onto his shirt as he took a sip, and he watched as she slipped away from him to stand in front of the window. Her back was to him as her gaze observed whatever was going down below and her posture was perfect, every inch of her was a picture of nonchalant superiority.

His heart sank as he registered her retrogress into her arrogant disguise that he only now knew was a form of protection from unpleasant realities. The distance between them had returned, probably even strengthened, at the news of Takeru and Catherine's shotgun marriage. He should have predicted this; why would she want anything to do with him if one of his closest friends just made her most bitter rival his wife?

He should have expected this. It still hurt though.

He stiffened as she said, "Maybe it's not as bad as we think. She could really be in love-,"

"That's a lie. And you know it."

"Yes," she titled her face back a few inches so she could make eye contact with him. "Is there anything I can do?"

It was an offer made out of politeness, just a phrase spoken out of moral correctness. The question was empty, devoid even of feelings of friendship, and he felt something hitch in his chest as he answered, "Not unless you can turn back time and stop this from ever happening." He wrung his hands in his lap after disposing of the cup. "I should've told him and then none of this would be happening. But I didn't want-,"

"To betray my family's secret," she finished for him, a ghost of a smile pricking up on her lips. "Thank you. Are you sure there isn't anything I can do? Maybe I can tell your friends at least."

"Yeah, that'd be great. I…I have to get a flight out of here as soon as possible." He winced in memory at his promise of visiting her father with her on a later date. "Could you tell your father that I'm sorry I can't come back right now?"

"Of course. He'll understand." She strode towards the door, passing very close to him, but she never turned back one. "I'll get Koushirou and Miyako. Bye."

The door closed behind her with a snap and he shut his suddenly tired eyes. "Yeah…bye."

Bye for good…


The loft was in chaos when he was finally able to sluggishly return to it; he had just wanted to drop onto his bed and sleep for at least five hours after the long flight and Koushirou and Miyako's banter as the concerned couple had come back with him. He had barely placed one foot inside the door when Jyou had stalked past him, muttering in irritation under his breath.

He understood the cause of his friend's stress all too soon. Yamato was pacing up and down the apartment in a just contained rage, angrily inquiring no one about how Takeru didn't see fit to invite him to the wedding or make him the best man. Daisuke, who should be at his own apartment with Hikari by now, was pacing up and down the apartment in a just contained rage, angrily inquiring no one about how Takeru didn't see fit to invite him to the wedding or make him the best man.

He really wished he could've followed Jyou's example and take off somewhere far away but the two noticed him and rounded on him. After getting away he managed to get an hour of sleep before going out with Yamato as the blonde man was doing everything in his power to track down his brother's whereabouts.

Unfortunately for all of them Takeru and Catherine were not to be found quite so easily. The couple was making quite the nuisance to their friends and family and matters weren't helped by the articles published by the tabloids and newspapers about one of Japan's top male models running off with a virtual unknown French woman. Taichi's insides writhed with guilt over the whole situation and he used almost all of his spare time to search for the newlyweds.

"She's going to ruin him. The only reason she married him was for money…I should've warned him…"

However, two weeks later Takeru waltzed into the loft with one arm wrapped around his wife as though nothing wrong had transgressed between himself and his friends. Yamato had almost launched himself at his brother, either to punch or hug him was impossible to tell, and had to be restrained by Jyou as Daisuke shouted at Takeru while Hikari winced and attempted politeness.

Taichi was too preoccupied by staring at Catherine's face; the blonde woman's lovely features were marred by a large, ugly black eye. She had tried to cover the damage with makeup but it was extremely noticeable.

She glared when she noticed him staring and flipped her hair behind her shoulder before she turned to converse with Hikari, Daisuke, and Jyou. Takeru slouched over to Taichi and his brother and grinned cheekily at both of them.

"Bet you didn't think I'd be the first one to get married huh?"

Yamato frowned but as he was about to make a response Taichi interceded, "What happened to Catherine?"

Takeru flinched. "Oh, that. Yeah, I was surprised too…Mimi just punched her! And right after getting her some cushy job at a magazine too!"

"Wait, Mimi got Catherine a job?" The question Taichi asked was preceded by a mental victory dance over Catherine getting a little taste of karma. "Mimi was here?

The younger man flushed sheepishly. "Yeah, except I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. Mimi wanted it to be a secret…like she was embarrassed or something. I just don't understand that woman."

"Neither do I, Takeru. Neither do I…"

But as Yamato forced out another congratulations towards his brother and his brother's wife, and his friends went to talk amongst themselves, Taichi couldn't help thinking that's what he loved best about her.


The rest of the month went by normally. Jyou and Yamato were out of the apartment most of the time which made him feel like he was living all by himself, and when he used to see that as a good thing, now he saw it as unbearable. But this change in attitude was only because in the silence his thoughts kept going back to Mimi and what she did for them all.

It didn't help that it was raining and there was nothing good on television to distract his mental process. He lay flat on his back on the couch, reading a book, when a knock on the door jostled him out of his own little world. With a grumble, he pushed himself to his feet and opened the door.

He nearly slammed it closed in surprise.

A very wet Takenouchi Sora leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over her chest and shivering, but she smiled warmly at him. "Hey Taichi….Is Yamato here?"

He forced his mouth to start working. "No, he's out right now, but he'll be back soon. Do you want to come in and dry off?"

She smiled. "I'd like that."


Author's Notes: Only one more chapter to go, people. I can't believe this is almost over. I've got other Michi stories up, and more ideas in my head, so I'm not going anywhere. I have two newer ones up right now called Disenchanted and Time and Love so you can check those out if you want. But I'm going to miss this one…Please read and review.