Intro: Here's Chapter 2 of Triangles Can Be Lines. Weird name, ne? It has to do with love triangles, if you think about it…I was pretty sure what I would do with this story, now I'm not so sure…Guess I'll stick with it! Remember, this is YAOI, and Sora's in love with Yamato.
Triangles Can Be Lines
Chapter 2: Gray Days
Rain. It was raining so hard, and it was freezing, with a cutting wind. Yamato was sitting by a window watching the horrible grayness. The past few days had gone by so fast, so fast he wasn't so sure they had even happened. His two best friends in the whole world hated him. Well, he wasn't so sure about Taichi, but Taichi had been avoiding him the past days, and so had Sora. When he had cornered Taichi, he said, "I don't know…Sora…she's so upset." Sora had been so sad-looking the past days, staring at the ground. No wonder, it looked like her best friend had betrayed her. But it wasn't Taichi's fault. It was his fault. The blonde heartbreaker sighed deeply. Who would have thought? The object of every girl's affections was gay. His family and friends accepted this easily, and the news hadn't been broadcasted outside of that. Everyone still thought he was lucky Sora's boyfriend. Of course, now everyone thought that they had broken up. This has got to be the worst week of my life, thought Yamato. What can I do? I don't love Sora, I love Taichi, but Sora's my best friend. I don't want to hurt her anymore than Taichi does. The blue eyes closed, and the bearer of them gave a slight, bitter laugh. Who would've thought? He was in love with his best friend, and he had hidden it for three years. That's why he had fought so much with Taichi before. The thought of Taichi made him smile. The sunny, cheerful boy could make anyone fall for him. At first in the Digital World, Yamato had had a crush on Sora, but it hadn't lasted. Well, he'd just have to ride this week out. He'd face Sora and Taichi sooner or later anyhow. Please let this be sorted out.
* * *
Sora arranged flower bouquets numbly. The past week had been a blur from the party. About the only thing she remembered was that it had been raining the entire time. Perfect, she thought grimly, just the right color for my mood. She was so mad. Her ex-boyfriend, her two best friends! How could they do this to her? Taichi had been happy for her, too. It was all a lie…all of it. She felt like breaking down and crying, but she wasn't alone, there were people in the store, including her mom. Mrs. Takenouchi had wisely said nothing to Sora, for she had exploded when her mother asked her if anything was wrong. That was pretty bad, Sora very rarely got mad. Well, dwelling's not going to do me any good, the redhead thought, calming herself. Glancing at the clock, she saw her shift was over. Good, I could use a walk. She grabbed her favorite red umbrella with designs like sakura petals, flowers, and stuff that would appear on a kimono. Pulling on her sky blue rain jacket, she left the store, the bell on the door tinkling softly.
* * *
Taichi groaned and stretched out in front of the television. The past week had been pure torture. He had been afraid to talk to Sora or Yamato, so he avoided everyone like they had the plague. Of course, he couldn't avoid Hikari, his own sister, and she was constantly telling him to talk to either Sora or Yamato and straighten the situation out. He just…couldn't. It was such a shock to him. Yamato, his best friend, was in love with him. It was insane! Taichi had nothing against gay people, but, how long had this been going on? And Yamato had never tried to deny it. And Sora…Sora was in love with him. It was like those famous love triangles on soap operas. But this was real life. Sora was his real best friend, ever since they met in third grade. She would be hurting so badly; he had to do something. Try as he might, Taichi couldn't feel for Yamato more than a best friend. That doesn't mean it wouldn't work, a voice nagged in the back of his head. He urged it to shut up, he wasn't about to ruin his best friend's life. But…wouldn't he be ruining his other best friend's life? Groaning again, he buried his face in the pillows, torn. This is worse than trying to save the world, the sixteen-year-old boy thought. Ugh, this room is too warm. I gotta get out. It's too hot in here. Slowly getting to his feet, Taichi stumbled toward the door, then left.
Hikari walked out of her room in time to see him leave without a coat or umbrella. She frowned. "Oniichan, where are you going? You'll catch cold!"
There was no response. She sighed, and hoped nothing would happen, that he would stay in the apartment building.
* * *
Sora wandered aimlessly through the streets. The rain was still going pretty hard. At least the wind had reduced itself to a faint breeze. After walking nowhere for an hour, she had really thought about the situation and felt horribly guilty. What was she mad at Taichi for? It wasn't his fault that Yamato was in love with him. He had done nothing but support her throughout her life, and her relationship. And Yamato. Yamato wasn't chained to her. He was free to love whoever he wanted. She was the only one guilty. Sora felt majorly guilty and foolish. She had to find them and apologize right away. It was only fair. She wouldn't stand in the way of their relationship. But she couldn't bring herself to face them yet. Tomorrow, she promised herself. I'll just finish my walk with a walk in the park. That's the place…where Taichi and I played together as children. I hope we can do it again. Anger flared slightly as she stepped in a large puddle. When was the rain going to stop? Now, though, she had purpose, a destination. She strode off toward the park quickly. Along the way, she rehearsed what she would say to Taichi and Yamato. Before she knew it, she was at the park. She walked a little along the path. It was framed with trees and a large meadow of grass and flowers, except now they were all drenched. She made it to the center of the park, and there, seated on a wet bench, was Taichi. The redhead's breath caught in her throat. Here was her chance to apologize! She noted with motherly concern that he was soaking wet, without a coat or umbrella. But first, she had to apologize.
"Taichi."
He looked up at her slowly, brown eyes not changing in expression. Rain pelted at his head and body, and he was freezing. Not to mention he was sitting on a wet bench, but he just had to.
"Taichi, I'm so sorry."
He was startled slightly. "Why? Sora, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get in the way of you and Yamato's relationship. I want us to be best friends!"
Sora laughed a little. "No, it wasn't your fault at all. I'm so sorry for blaming you. You're my best friend, now and forever!" she paused and glared at him. "Now we are going straight home and you're getting dried off and warm! You'll catch pneumonia or hypothermia out here! What were you thinking? How long have you been sitting there?"
Taichi smiled at her concern. He got up and wobbled a little. "Come on, I'll race you!"
Laughing, they dashed off, cutting across the grass and under the trees. They had just made it to the sidewalk when Taichi stumbled and fell. He didn't get up.
"Taichi!" Sora shrieked. She tried to pull him up, but he was unconscious. "Nonononononononono," she moaned. "Taichi, wake up!"
She hiked him to his feet and desperately tried to carry him, but her arms had gone weak, so had her knees. She almost screamed in relief when she saw him. "Yamato-kun! Yamato-kun, help me! It's Taichi!"
Yamato looked up, startled. He had been going towards his band's practice. His heart did a flip when he saw the fallen Taichi. He rushed forward quickly and helped Sora carry him. "Where should we go?!"
Sora faltered. "Umm…um, the hospital! Yeah! It looks serious!"
The two ran for their lives, or in this case, for Taichi's life. His skin was icy cold to the touch, and he was out cold. They were both gasping for breath and soaking wet when they reached the hospital. Yamato flung open the doors and Sora screamed for help. A nurse took one startled look, and hollered for a doctor. A stretcher was brought, and Taichi was wheeled off. Sora and Yamato were forced to wait in the waiting room. A worker brought them some towels to dry off with.
Yamato turned towards Sora angrily. "Why didn't he have on a jacket?"
She was sobbing hard. "I don't…I don't know! I was walking, and I saw him in the park! He was just sitting there, I don't know why! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" she cried over and over.
Yamato felt tears sting at his eyes. "Sora, I'm sorry for yelling. I'm sorry for everything that happened! I'm the one who should be sorry!"
Sora collapsed against Yamato, still crying hard. They stayed like that for what seemed like eternity, but was only a few minutes. A nurse walked in, and called over to them. They dashed over to her, eyes wide and still full of tears. "What's wrong with him?!"
The nurse shook her head sadly. "He's got major hypothermia. He must have been in the rain for a while without cover. Are you his family?"
Sora shook her head numbly, but Yamato asked sharply, "Will he be okay?"
The nurse was silent. "I don't know…I don't think so. He's too cold. We need to contact his parents. What's his number?"
Yamato gave it to her, then asked, "Can we go see him?"
The nurse nodded gravely. Yamato ran off, dragging Sora with him. They found the room where Taichi was laying, cold and still. The doctors saw them and shook their heads. "He's conscious, but we can't save him. I'm sorry."
Tears sprang again to their eyes, but then Taichi called weakly, "Sora?"
She ran in, and Yamato waited numbly outside. Taichi was going to die. It was impossible. Just yesterday he had seen him alive and healthy in school. After a minute of descending horror Sora came out and whispered, "He wants to see you."
Yamato nodded and walked hesitantly in. Taichi smiled up at him. "Yamato, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't feel for you the way you felt for me."
Yamato shook his head. "Taichi, you'll be all right! I know it…"
Taichi coughed, and whispered faintly, "Yamato, please…be with Sora. Please make her happy. You'll grow to love her like the great girl she is. Please…"
Yamato nodded, tears pouring from his eyes like the rain outside. "I promise. I still love you Taichi."
Taichi gave one final smile, and closed his eyes and died. It was over in a second. Yamato went cold, and gave one final glance at the soaked, brown-haired boy he loved. Then he walked out. Sora was there, and burst into fresh tears from the silent message in Yamato's eyes. He drew her close and whispered, "He wanted the best for us."
* * *
"How could he be so stupid?" exclaimed Koushirou. All the children had taken the news very hard. Hikari could not stop crying, and sobbed even more at his words. Takeru hugged her tightly, and Daisuke said nothing. "Taichi-san was stupid, but how could he forget?"
Yamato shook his head. "I'm not so sure he forgot. He wasn't so stupid. I think…I think he did this on purpose. For us." Tears welled in his eyes.
Sora hadn't spoken a word until now. "No, not for me, please not for me! I couldn't…"
"Yamato, come on, Taichi would've thought of another solution. Death was the last thing on his mind," argued Koushirou.
"I guess we'll never really know what happened," said Mimi sadly. She had come from America to pay her respects and say goodbye.
Yamato held her hand tightly. "Let's obey his final wish. He wanted us to be happy."
Sora nodded. "But…I need to go for a walk." Yamato gave her a look, but she said desperately, "Please! I really need to think. Just for a few minutes." He nodded.
Sora grabbed her umbrella and coat and ran out the door as fast as she could for the park.
[begin 'Shiny Days']
She reached the park breathing hard. Looking around, she saw the bench where she had been sitting. And like a miracle, the sky cleared and the sun came out, reflecting in the puddles on the ground. She stood there for a couple of minutes taking in the fresh beauty. Closing her eyes, memories flashed through her eyes, never to be made again. She breathed in and sighed. "I love you, Taichi Yagami, now and forever. Arigatou, my one and only tomodachi. I promise…"
[end 'Shiny Days']
Ending: Urgh, kinda bad ending. Short too. But it's eleven, and I need my sleep! I couldn't think of anything better, and I really should work on my other story. It's not like me to write a fic like this. I hope you aren't all disappointed. Shiny Days is Sora's 02 image song, in case you don't know. I'm not sure if someone would die like that from hypothermia, but oh well. Arigatou means thank you and tomodachi means best friend. Well, good night!