The Morning After
Disclaimer: Digimon doesn't belong to me, it belongs to Akiyoshi Hongo, Toei Animation, and BanDai. I'm just borrowing the characters, and I am not receiving and profit for writing this piece of fiction.
Notes: Okay, I think it's almost done. Would you object to it being almost done? Don't worry, though. There's still a few more things to deal with. The good part isn't over yet!
Started:
March 7, 2001
Finished: March 8, 2001
Part 7: Apology Accepted
Tai sat in his room on Sunday night, thinking. It was almost 10:00 p.m., so he started to get ready for bed. As he did so, he only had one thing on his mind: Sora Takenouchi. The same person he had been thinking about for days, and how he could make it up to her. In some ways, he felt maybe he couldn't. But, he did know that being away from her was killing him. He had been in fights with Sora before, but nothing like the week before. Hair clips and throwing up in hats just didn't compare.
But...would she forgive him for what he had said and done to her? He really hoped so, but he couldn't imagine it happening. Sora could be quite stubborn in her decisions, sometimes.
Tai got his pyjamas on, and crawled into bed. As he lay there, trying to fall asleep, he thought of ways he might try to apologize to his best friend...
* * *
Sora got through her morning as usual, although slightly more sluggishly. There were so many things bothering her. She could hardly deal. One of the most obvious ones was the thing growing inside of her. Another one, her mom. Would she see her soon? Ever again? Another problem, Tai. She knew she had to apologize, but she felt so horrible that she couldn't. She surveyed the classroom around her.
Next problem, school. How would she deal with that? It would definitely start to show within four months that she was pregnant. She didn't want to quit school, but she couldn't think of many more options. Questions flew through Sora's head as she finished up her work from the class. Suddenly, a voice came over the school P.A. system that broke her line of thought.
"Please excuse the interruption. Would Sora Takenouchi please come down to the office? Sora Takenouchi. Thank you," the voice said, monotonously.
Sora put her pencil down, got up from her chair, and walked out of the classroom, responding to the announcement. She slowly walked down the hallway, unsure of why she was called down. Was something wrong? Was it her mom?
Man. I have got to calm down! I'm just worrying myself because I'm worrying so much! Calm, Sora. Calm is the key.
When she got to the office, she walked up to the secretary.
"Um...I was just called down to the office?"
"Are you Sora Takenouchi?" the woman replied. Sora nodded in response. "Could you please go outside for a minute, Sora? Someone is waiting for you." The secretary smiled. Sora nodded once more, then left the office. She went outside, and was a bit surprised to see who was there. Tai was leaning against the building, looking at the ground sadly.
"Tai?" she said quietly.
Tai looked up when he heard his name being called. He mentally sighed when he saw it was Sora there.
"Hi, Sora," he replied. There was silence between the two for a minute.
"I'm sorry," they said simultaneously. Sora smiled.
"You always know what I'm thinking, Tai." The boy frowned again.
"Not always. Sora, can I go first?" Sora nodded.
"I...don't know if anything I can say will make up for the way I acted. I was wrong, and I...I understand if you never forgive me. I am desperately hoping that's not the case, but I have no control over it. It's all up to you. I was really, really rude, and horrible, and not accepting, and...rude, and all those other words you can use to describe an idiot like me," Tai confessed, melancholically. "Sora, I don't know what else to say besides 'I'm sorry.' I've been really miserable this past week. I really missed being able to talk to you at lunch, and tell you about my day, and listen to you tell me about your day, and Math tests and singing German songs and..." Tai stopped himself short and sighed loudly.
Sora felt her eyes start to water. She had been extremely sorry for what she had done, so she didn't expect Tai to be that sorry, too. Without even thinking, Sora jumped toward Tai and flung her arms around him. Tai was surprised at first, but then gave in and put his arms around her, as well. They hugged each other for a minute, until Sora pulled away. She looked at Tai with tears in her eyes and stains on her cheeks.
"Tai...thank you, so much. That was the greatest apology anyone has ever given me," she confided. Tai smiled. "How could I not forgive you?"
"I..."
"To tell you the truth, Tai, I didn't think...well, I thought you were really mad at me."
"No. Sora, I was only worried about you. I...didn't mean to get so angry and say all those things. I really, really didn't. Can I say I'm sorry enough? I feel like I can't. I was so afraid you..."
"Tai, sure I was mad at first," Sora interrupted, "but how could I stay mad at you? You're the best friend I've ever had. I really missed you this week, too. But I was too afraid to say anything, just like you were." She smiled reassuringly. Tai smiled back.
"So, we're friends again?" Tai asked.
"Of course. No questions about it. I'm sorry, and you're sorry..."
"I'm tremendously sorry," Tai cut in.
"Okay, I'm sorry, and you're tremendously sorry. And that's that," Sora declared.
"So, um..."
"Oh, Tai...one more thing."
"Yes, what is it?"
"I need to know how you feel about me," Sora said, seriously. But, she already knew the answer.
"Well, you're my best friend Sora. You know that!" Tai wondered why she might ask such a strange question. Sora gave a half smile. She knew Tai would never just admit it to her. So, she decided to tell him.
"Tai, Matt told me. I know," she said. Tai wasn't sure what to say. "Please, don't be mad at him. He told me that I wasn't supposed to know, so I shouldn't tell you, but...it's important. You shouldn't just leave emotions like that and not tell me. Tai, I'm really sorry."
"Oh," Tai said, understanding. He felt some anger at Matt for telling Sora, but at least she didn't laugh in his face. "Sora, I..."
"Tai, wait," Sora hushed Tai. "I need you to understand. I do love you, Tai, but not in the same way. I don't know if I ever will. But don't give up. Just, know that I can't love you the same way now. I love Matt," Sora said. She knew what she was saying was hurting Tai, but it had to be said. "Tai, I really don't mean to hurt you, but...sometimes the truth hurts."
"Sora, I...I understand. I just..." Tai didn't know what to say. "Well, thanks, Sora."
"Hey, that's what I'm here for. Okay, not to break your heart, which I am really sorry for, but to be your friend, so you can talk to me."
"Yeah." Tai looked downcast, so Sora tried to cheer him up. She took his hand lightly.
"Tai, things won't change too much, will they? Like, we can still eat lunch together, I can bore you with...uh, boring tales of boring stuff?" Sora said, searching for words. Tai looked up and smiled.
"Yeah, Sora. I wouldn't have it any other way."
"That's good, Tai," Sora said, smiling. She dropped her hand, and let go of his. "Now, what shall we do? Class is boring."
"Hm. Why don't we go home?" Tai suggested.
"Sounds good," Sora agreed.
"Okay. I can tell the office you're sick or something, that I'm gonna take you home 'cause you're not feeling well, bla bla bla. Just go get your stuff, alright?" Sora nodded. The two of them walked through the front doors of the school, Sora headed for her classroom, and Tai headed for the office.
A few minutes later, they met back at the doors, both of them with their school stuff. Tai looked at Sora.
"Do you want to go home? Or somewhere else? We could just...oh, I dunno. Why don't we just go home?" They began to walk toward his and Sora's building. When they got to the street their building was on, Sora stopped, while Tai kept walking toward his building. Tai turned when he saw Sora wasn't walking beside him anymore. Tai was confused. Sora bit her lip.
"Actually, Tai, home is there," Sora said, pointing to the building opposite Tai's.
"What?"
"I...don't live there anymore," she said, pointing to the building Tai was headed for.
"Why?"
"I was kicked out, because I made and continue to make stupid decisions."
"Oh. I'm really sorry, Sora. But wait...why that building? You like...get your own apartment, or something?"
"No, I...Matt lives there, remember?"
"You're living with Matt?!?" Tai yelled, surprised.
"He offered, Tai. And I had nowhere else to go at the time."
"Well...you could have come with me," Tai offered. Sora smiled.
"I don't think you have enough room!" She joked. Tai thought about it.
"True," Tai said, having forgotten about Kari. "Well, as long as you're happy, Sora, so am I."
"I am happy. Thanks, Tai."
"You're welcome, Sora. So, why don't you run your stuff up, and then come on over? We can veg out and watch TV, if you want."
"Sounds like a plan! Be right back," she finished, and ran off to her apartment. Tai went up to his, and a few minutes later, she met him there. Tai let her in, and they sat down on the couch in the living room.
"So, what do you wanna do?" Tai asked.
"Oh, I don't know. Hey, Tai, how's Kari doing?" Sora asked, concerned.
"Oh, she's fine, as far as I know. Why?"
"She hasn't said anything about TK, has she? Or Davis?"
"Davis? Why would she talk about Davis? She doesn't really even like the guy! But, she has been talking about TK for the last little while. But, not in the happy way. I think she thinks TK is mad at her," Tai told Sora. Sora laughed. "What's so funny?"
"No, it's just that I was talking to TK on Saturday morning...he thinks that Kari isn't happy in their relationship!"
"That's not possible. She's just worried TK doesn't like her."
"TK thinks Kari is using her to make Davis jealous. That's why I asked about Davis."
"Oh, I get it. I told her just to talk to TK, and straighten it out."
"As did I, with Kari. I'm sure it'll come together. You know them. Pretty much inseparable." Sora smiled and nodded.
* * *
Sora got through the next few weeks, albeit a bit uneasily. She was settled down and happy to be living in the Ishida household, and she had the same old relationship with Tai. All in all, she was quite content with her life up to that point. Well, except for one thing: Her mother.
She missed her mother, wanted to see her again. She really hadn't spoken to her in a month. But, what she had said that one Friday night way really just a spur-of-the-moment thing. She hadn't actually meant it. What kind of life was it living without a mother? She still relied on her, even at 16.
That night, Sora tossed and turned in her sleep. She couldn't stop herself, and had woken Matt up on a few occasions. In her dream, Sora felt extremely sad.
Sora felt herself falling slowly down a deep, dark hole. The hole, which she wrongly presumed to be an endless pit, ended abruptly. She sat up, and looked around her, to see a familiar setting. Highton View Terrace. An image of her and her mother walking down the street, holding hands, when Sora was very young, came into view. Sora smiled, as she felt comforted. She noted that what she sat on was quite soft, sort of like a bed. Suddenly, the scene faded and turned to another place she recognized. The Odaiba Mansion. Again, she watched as she and her mother walked again, but this time, she was older. The image of her and her mother going into the apartment disappeared, and was replaced by the sounds of her family. The image of the Odaiba Mansion didn't move.
"...I just don't think it's going to work out between us," Sora heard a male voice saying.
"But, I..." a female voice replied, sadness resonating in her voice.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think this relationship is as loving as it could be. Also, I've been offered a job in Kyoto. I have to take it."
"But, what about us? What about Sora? Are you just going to abandon your family?"
"I can't stay..."
"We need you..."
"I can't stay..."
"Mom, where is dad going?"
"I can't stay..."
Sora began to frown. The last sentence was being played over in her head. The comforting place Sora sat on quickly became cold and lifeless. Just...nothing. Sora began to feel alone and helpless. Nothing was with her, and people were always leaving her life. The image in her head once again switched to the front door of her apartment. It felt like it was real time now, which it was. There was nothing for a minute, but then a brown suitcase popped into her vision, and sat on the doorstep. On the luggage was a small, red flower. He mom's favourite kind. Then, a whisper came out of the silence.
"...I don't want to see you here anymore..."
A tear fell down her cheek.
"Sora...Sora!"
Sora woke up suddenly, pulled out of her dream by something. She felt tears in her eyes, and a hand on her shoulder, shaking her. She knew exactly what the dream had meant.
"Sora...Sora, are you alright?"
I know that voice. Matt...
"Sora, please talk to me!" Sora turned and looked at Matt. His face was full of worry.
"Sora, you were crying and yelling in your sleep. Please, tell me what's the matter." Sora continued to look at Matt's face. In spite of his gentleness, she began to cry once more. Matt pulled Sora into him, so her head rested on his shoulder.
"Sora..."
"I...I..."
"You can tell me," Matt offered.
"I want my mom!" Sora cried. Tears ran down her cheeks and onto Matt's black shirt. He held her tightly, and just let her cry. He knew a bit of how she felt, to have a longing for your mother. But, not in the same way she did. This one wasn't her fault. Matt had chosen not to see his mother anymore. Sora wasn't given that choice.
Matt rubbed a hand up and down Sora's back, attempting to comfort her. Sora felt horrible. She couldn't stop the tears from coming. She was incredibly upset, especially for something she felt to be mostly her fault. She was glad to have Matt there, though. He really was helping, and being sincere about it. What more could she ask for in a guy?
"Sora, listen to me, okay?" Matt told her. Sora pulled away from Matt, some tears still falling down her face. She nodded at the boy.
"Everything will be alright. I need you to be a strong girl for me, like you always are. Please, Sora," he said softly. Sora nodded once again. "Good. Please, don't cry anymore, okay, sweetie? I hate seeing you so sad." Sora listened to what Matt said, and she brought one sleeve up to dry off her tears. Matt waited for her sniffling to reside, then he spoke to her again.
"Sora, your mom loves you a lot. I know she does. How can anyone not love you? And, how can anyone stand being away from you for so long? She's just...I think she's just still trying to figure life out." With Matt's words, Sora felt a few more tears start to fall. "Ah ah, no more crying. Remember what I said? I don't like seeing my Sora sad. Come here," he finished, and pulled her into a deep kiss. As they kissed, Matt ran his fingers through Sora's silky red hair, and loved the feel of it. Sora pulled away from him, and looked into his eyes.
"Thank you so much, Matt," she told him, sincerely. "I hope I don't sound too corny when I say this, but...you're the most caring, compassionate, and greatest guy I have ever met." Matt smiled.
"I like corn. And you're welcome. Well, I wouldn't have any less for my favourite girl in the world." His last comment made Sora blush, but she smiled at the same time.
"Now, why don't we try and get some sleep? It's a bit early to be getting up." Sora nodded again, and pulled her along as he layed back down on the bed. Sora snuggled up to Matt's chest, and closed her eyes. She slowly tried to stop her sniffles, and fell asleep listening to the rhythmic sound of Matt's heart beating.
* * *
Sora...my darling Sora. I miss you so much. I want you to come back.
Ms. Takenouchi sat on the end of her bed, thinking of her daughter.
Do I always push people away? Is that the kind of person I am? First my husband, and now my daughter. The only people I had in the world are gone.
Ms. Takenouchi had neither seen nor talked to her daughter in what was more than a month. She has done tremendous amounts of thinking during that time, and stopped being upset with Sora at least a week before. She spent the rest of the time figuring out how she might ask Sora back, how she might redeem herself as a parent. She felt that she had failed. By not giving her a stable, loving home with a father, and now, by not even giving her a home.
Ms. Takenouchi put down the picture of her daughter, and looked over at the black telephone. She decided it was time. But, only one thing was standing in her way: She didn't know where to reach Sora. She picked up the receiver, and dialled the number of someone else that she knew, who lived a few apartments below. The phone rang a few times before someone picked up.
"Hello?" a male voice said.
"Hello, is Tai there, please?"
"This is Tai. Who's calling?"
"Oh, hello, Tai. Nice to talk to you. It's...Sora's mother."
"Oh... Hello, Ms. Takenouchi. How are you doing?"
"Well, to tell you the truth, Tai, I'm not doing very well," she told the boy.
"Oh. Well, I'm very sorry to hear that, Ms. Takenouchi. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Actually, yes. Could you...well, I don't know if she'll like this very much, but could you tell me where Sora is staying, and possible give me the number?" She finished. Tai laughed, then spoke:
"Oh, she didn't tell you? She's just at Matt's across the street from us!"
"Oh. Well, that's a relief. At least she hasn't gone very far. I'm sorry, but I am going to need the number, also. I have no way of finding it, I think Sora took quite a bit of her stuff with her," she finished, sadly.
"Sure, that's not a problem. The number is 673-6889. Oh, and if she asks - don't tell her it was me who gave you the number," Tai said. Ms. Takenouchi laughed.
"Don't worry, Tai. I wouldn't. Thank you very much."
"Anytime, Ms. Takenouchi. Talk to you later!"
"Goodbye, Tai." Both of them hung up the phone.
Yikes, I hope Sora won't be mad at me.
Wow, I better not tell Sora...I don't want her getting mad at Tai.
Ms. Takenouchi picked up the phone once again, a bit hesitant to call her daughter. How would she react? She expected not very well, but she decided to try her luck, anyway. She slowly pressed the numbers Tai had given her on the keypad. After three rings, there was an answer.
"Hello? Ishida residence. Sora speaking. May I ask who is calling?"
"She's always so polite on the phone!" Matt whispered to TK, who nodded and smiled back.
"Sora? It's you!"
"W..who is this?" Sora asked again, a bit afraid she already knew the answer.
"Sora, who is it?" Matt wondered.
"Sora, I...it's your mother."
"Mama!?" Sora exclaimed. Matt raised his eyebrows at Sora and the phone. "Mama!" She said. Sora felt a small tear make its way down her face.
"Sora...I miss you. Please, come back. I'm so sorry. Please, come home. I need you to come home," Ms. Takenouchi confessed.
"I...I...I miss you too, mama."
"Sora, please. Come home!"
"O...Okay," Sora said, a bit reluctantly.
Alright, that was supposed to be a bit of a cliffhanger. I don't know if it's leaving you hanging off that cliff, though. You're probably just standing quietly, looking over the edge...
And I understand that the end just kind of...well, Sora just agreed, without even talking about it. Normally, I would not have written her to do that, but Sora was a bit...erm, well, she wasn't really thinking level-headed (I think we've all been through that!). She wasn't thinking clearly, so she accepted the first offer she was given.
Also, I apologize for the bad dream sequence.
Ja ne,
lime_lizard
So, was two days quick enough to get a fic up? *lol* I really tried my hardest this time. I know you said you hate it when I don't upload fic parts quick enough. So, I wanted to make it up to you for taking almost two weeks to get the last part up.