Hello everyone! It's that time of the month again lol! Also, chapters 2 and 3 from the rewritten version are up already on AO3 and chapter 4 will be posted on Tuesday. The link is in my profile. To all Sorato shippers who have been waiting for their kiss, this update is for you! I hope you like this one! Please review!
Chapter 20: Camping
The sun still shone shyly in the sky, but the temperature was only going up. Taichi and I were already up and about to have breakfast before leaving for our mission. I was glad Yamato lived in the same building as us, otherwise we'd be late already.
"This smells delicious." Taichi stated beside me as our mother placed a plate full of toasts in front of us. He grabbed around four at once and put them on his plate. He noticed I was staring and looked at me. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I said with a shrug. "Today you seem hungrier than usual."
"I need to store as much energy as I can for the fight and…"
I gave him a death glare and he immediately stopped talking. I could only hope our mother hadn't heard it, which was quickly proved wrong.
"Who are you fighting against, Taichi?" She asked as she brought a plate with scrambled eggs into the table.
"Me? I'm not fighting anyone. You must have heard it wrong."
She made a 'hmmm' sound that showed she wasn't very convinced, but I chose to ignore it instead of being fully open to her. Both Taichi and I knew fairly well she wouldn't allow us to go camping if she knew the true reason behind it, considering how worried she and dad were while watching our whole fights with the Dark Masters and Apocalymon three years ago. From the corner of my eye, I could see my brother was relieved as well.
"We should get going or we'll arrive at Yamato's late." Taichi said as he shoved a rather large piece of toast into his mouth and drank a long sip of milk to help it go down. He had to tap on the bottom part of his neck in order not to choke with the food.
****
Sora, Mimi and Koushiro were also heading to Yamato's apartment. Each one of them had a bag full of food on their backs and was carrying two more in their hands. Sora was chewing her lower lip; a sign something was worrying her. Koushiro looked up at her with a confused face.
"Is everything okay?"
"Not really." She admitted. "I didn't think we'd be fighting new enemies again, let alone a human. I don't know what to think and feel."
"I sort of know what you mean. I wasn't expecting it either, but since it appeared we need to do what it takes to save the Digital World before things get more out of control and Digimon start appearing in our world too."
"God, I don't even want to imagine that." Mimi said with despair. "It was bad back then already."
"I believe there will be stronger enemies coming, so we need to be prepared."
"It's going to be so hard to balance our duties as Destined Children and school year." Sora said. "How are we supposed to do that?"
"I don't know. But we'll figure out something. There has to be a way."
"Maybe we can take turns?"
"That wouldn't work completely, Mimi." Koushiro replied looking at her. "At a certain point all of us will be needed."
"But the other six Digimon were finally able to reach their mega levels. We're stronger than ever."
"That's true. I'm so happy Palmon was able to evolve to Rosemon. I've always been curious to know what she would become."
"Me too. I wanted to find out what Piyomon's mega level was for who knows how long."
"I'm glad they managed to reach it. They can be much more helpful now."
"Why don't we think about that when the time comes?" Mimi suggested. "This is summer!"
"Mimi, we're not really going to have fun." Koushiro replied. "This is just an excuse because we may spend nights in the Digital World and don't want our parents to think we disappeared or something."
"I know, but that doesn't mean we can't have fun anyway."
"Mimi's right. We deserve a little fun after all." Sora pressed the button to Yamato's apartment when they arrived.
****
By nine o´clock, the Ishida family apartment was a little noisy due to eight people talking at the same time. Mr. Ishida was beginning to regret his decision of going camping with us.
"Is it going to be like this?" He asked Takeru.
"I don't think so. Actually, we haven't talked about how we are going to do with everything."
"I was hoping for some peaceful days in the woods."
"You can still have that, dad." Yamato joined the conversation. "In fact, I think the house will be really quiet, as we'll be focusing on what's going on in the Digital World."
"That's true." Takeru agreed. "I believe we are going to divide into two groups at first, but we'll make sure to leave the quiet ones in the camp."
"Alright, I guess." Hiroaki said with a shrug. "Since everyone is here, can we get going now?"
"Sure." Yamato said and then stood up. "Guys, are we ready to go?"
"I think so." Koushiro replied.
"So let's go!" Taichi exclaimed in his true leader style.
****
Yamato closed the car trunk after putting the last bag inside and headed to the large door of the car. His father owned a large van with a bunch of back seats. He told Takeru he could be on the front seat with me, since I was the tiniest one. But Takeru knew really well that his brother wanted to sit near Sora and couldn't help but think how oblivious he has been. Or maybe too obvious. From the rearview, Takeru could see his brother taking the empty seat beside Sora, who sat by the window. Koushiro sat in the remaining spot.
"These two." Takeru muttered to himself. "I think I'm going to have to help them."
"Who?" I asked him as I sat next to him.
"My brother and Sora." He finally told me. "It's taking them way too long."
I discreetly looked over my shoulder and noticed how Yamato opened his mouth twice, in an attempt to talk to Sora, but gave up on both of them. I rolled my eyes and turned my head ahead again. "Yeah, he's going to need it." I said with a nod. "He can be on a stage in front of hundreds of people, but he can't confess he's in love with a girl."
"After we come back from the battle, I'm definitely doing something to help them."
"I'm here if you need help." I said with a smile on my lips.
****
It didn't take us long to get to the place that my brother, Yamato and Koushiro picked for our camping. The house was beautiful. It was made of wood, and I hoped it wasn't too hot inside. In the front area there was a large porch with three hammocks and a big swimming pool at the right side of the house. Next to it there was a barbecue area and a pool table. The house had four bedrooms with three beds each. Me and the girls picked the largest one, despite some protesting from Taichi. He ended up being in the one next to us with Jou and Koushiro. Yamato and Takeru got the one across ours and their dad got the remaining one, that had a bathroom inside.
****
On my way down the stairs, I could see that Mimi couldn't stop staring at every place from the house in awe.
"Isn't this place simply beautiful, Hikari?" She asked me when she noticed me.
"Yes, it is." I confirmed smiling. "I have to admit they did a great job choosing this house."
"Thank you." Yamato said in a proud tone, joining the conversation.
"Hey, you didn't choose this house alone." Taichi protested.
"But I'm the one who found it. Besides, why do you always want to steal my thunder?"
Taichi frowned and folded his arms in front of his chest. He looked to his right and his jaw almost hit the floor when he saw Mimi in a black bikini top and jeans shorts.
"What?" She asked as she approached us.
"Nothing." He walked towards her and slid a hand around her waist, whispering into her ear. "You look hot."
"Do you want to join me in the swimming pool?" Mimi whispered back and smiled when she saw the grin on his mouth.
"I'd love to." Taichi replied and led her outside the house.
****
Sora was tidying her bed with some sheets she brought from home when Yamato accidentally walked in.
"Oh sorry." He immediately said. "I confused the rooms."
"It's okay." She gave him a warm smile. "We just got here, so it's normal to be confused."
"Yeah. Do you need any help?"
"What?" Sora looked down at the bed. "Oh no, I'm almost done here. But thanks."
"You're welcome." He smiled. "So… are you going to join the others at the swimming pool?"
"They went to the pool?"
"Mimi and Taichi. I don't know if someone else joined them though."
"The Digital World being controlled by evil forces and they are in the swimming pool. So typical."
"Well, what can we do?"
"To answer your question, no I'm not. I think I'm staying here. Would you like to join me? I could use some company."
Yamato felt his cheeks burn and he couldn't find his voice, causing Sora to giggle.
"I take that as a yes." She said as she approached him and searched for his eyes. "I know you wanted to talk to me during our trip." She stood on her toes to be at his level and reached out for his cheek. She could feel her heart pounding on her chest. "You should have. I wanted it too. We've waited long enough, don't you think?"
Before realizing it, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him. Their lips finally met in a passionate first kiss both of them had been longing for a long time. They broke away after some minutes to breathe. Yamato's hands were still resting on her hips.
"To answer your question, yes we've waited long enough. And I also think we should make up for that." Yamato leaned over Sora and his lips were welcomed by hers, this time in a more urgent kiss.
When she noticed his tongue was begging to get inside her mouth, she immediately opened it just enough for his tongue to go in. That made their kiss become deeper and she slid her hand up to his hair. When Sora realized what she had done, she pushed him away. Yamato had a confused expression on his face.
"Am I that bad of a kisser?"
"What?" She asked. "No, no! You're a good one. I just wasn't sure if it was okay to touch your hair."
Yamato automatically smiled. "You got me worried here for a second. Yes, you can touch my hair, it's okay. Now, where were we?" He approached her again and cupped her face with his hands.
Sora tightened her arms around his neck as he pulled her towards his body, not breaking their kiss. Their tongues dancing perfectly with each other for several minutes. They were forced to pull away for air, though neither of them wanted to.
"Are we telling the others we're together?"
"I think we should wait." Sora replied. "Are we together?"
"For me, yes. What about you?"
She smiled softly at him. "Then we're together."
****
A little after lunch, we all gathered around to discuss our plan to defeat the Digimon Emperor.
"I think two of us can stay here to monitor things from the outside and help the ones in the Digital World."
"But you're the best for this job, Koushiro." Taichi said. "Does that mean you're not going again? You'll miss all the action."
"I know." Koushiro said sadly. "Like you said, I'm the best for the job. But I found a way to join the fight from here, so I'll join it even if I can't be there with you in person."
"I'll stay here with him." Jou said. "Gomamon and I will be ready to help you all."
"Alright." Taichi said and then looked at me, Takeru, Yamato, Sora and Mimi. "Are you ready to go? We can leave in a few hours. The more we wait, the harder it will be for us."
"What happened?" Sora asked Mimi when she saw the worried look on her face.
"I'm scared of what we are gonna find in the Digital World. We haven't been exactly able to go there as much as we would like and that most definitely allowed the Digimon Emperor to expand his army and put up more black towers."
"That's true."
"Either way, we won't come back until we finish everything we have to do in the Digital World. With six mega level Digimon fighting along WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon, I'm positive we have a better chance of winning."
"Don't worry about it, Mimi. We got this."
"If you don't feel like fighting, I can go in your place." Jou offered.
"No, it's okay." Mimi said firmly. "I want to do this."
"Great." Taichi said. "We'll leave in two hours."
****
In the middle of the afternoon, we all got together to leave to our mission. Koushiro was sitting on the outside table setting the last things up.
"You guys ready?" He asked to me and Takeru as he looked up from his laptop.
"Yes!" Takeru replied. "I'm more than ready."
"Where are my brother and the others?"
"Taichi is probably with Mimi. I have no idea where Yamato and Sora are, but they should be here any second."
"Taichi hasn't come yet?" Yamato asked as he joined us. "What a leader he is."
"I'm here, you moron." My brother said as he walked in with Mimi right behind him. "I can't even be away with my girlfriend without you missing me."
"Shut up." Yamato snapped at him. "For your information, I was very busy." He covered his mouth when he realized he had said too much.
"Busy with what?" Taichi asked him with a mischievous tone.
"Busy packing my bag for the trip to the Digital World."
"I don't see Sora around, where is she?" Mimi looked around, searching for her best friend.
"Last time I saw her, she was tidying her bed." Yamato replied and his cheeks became a little pink.
"I glanced over at Takeru and saw he was barely holding his smile. He looked at me and I discreetly smiled at him.
"There you are!" Mimi exclaimed cheerfully when Sora silently joined us. "Where were you?"
"I was sleeping in our room. I wanted to be fully recharged for what's coming."
"I'm not sure I believe it." Mimi said suspiciously. Are you sure you were just sleeping, Sora?"
"I'm pretty sure, Mimi." Sora replied a little nervous.
"Mimi, that's not the time." Koushiro stepped in. "We have more important things to do now."
"Koushiro!" A voice came from his laptop screen.
"Tentomon!" He immediately turned his attention back to his computer.
"Everything's ready here."
"Hey!"
"Gomamon!"
"Jou! Did you actually take a break from your studying to be with your friends?"
"I did. Sometimes it's good to take a break from things."
"I'm happy to hear that." Gomamon said with a smile. "Are you coming with the others?"
"No, I'm staying with Koushiro. But I want you to be ready to help them if they need, okay?"
"Okay, I'm ready!"
"The portal is opened." Koushiro announced.
"Alright, let's go!" Taichi said as he put his goggles over his head and moved towards Koushiro's laptop.
"Remember to not join unnecessary fights and take care."
"Got it." He said with a smile and then looked over his shoulder at us.
We nodded in response and pointed our digivices towards the screen.