Soramon's POV

I waited until Sora started doing my hair differently. I closed my eyes and felt her hands mold my hair differently. Now I was just thinking of names.

"Um...How about Nora, or Laura, or...no it can't rhyme with Sora. That's too odd. Claire! Perfect. Claire Kamiya! First, you need a 'real' last name." Sora said.

"Claire? Umm..I like it. How about Claire Kido. I can dye my hair blue and say I'm Joe's cousin."
"Um. Blue? How about dying it black. That'll divert Tai's subconscious from recognizing you for me. Otherwise you're Dead on Arrival." Sora said.
"Black?" I asked. "Why black?"
"It's dark where auburn is light."
"How about bleach blond?" I asked. "Then you can alter my hair style again."
"Well...Yeah, that'll work. In fact, I'll have Matt make a place for you crash in his place and you can enroll in school as his cousin."
"Um...Matt's cousin?" I asked puzzled
"Yeah, he won't recognize you as me. You tell him that your a cousin of his and he and his dad wouldn't know the difference. I'll show you his family album and you can start memorizing his family on his moms side. Then when you get to Matt's apartment, tell him you ran away from home. Give him a hug and pretend you guys are best pals and used to play tag at all your family reunions. Tell them you're from their mom side of the family. Mr. Ishida has probably no idea who you are and wouldn't want to be embarrassed by asking you to verify that story. And he probably lost connection to all of Ms. Takashi's relatives. Leaving you a perfect story." she said.
"And with the blond hair, and a familiar face such as yours. Mentally he'd think I was familiar yet he won't be able to place his finger on it. He'd be clueless and yet undoubtful." I said. "I think you should whack me with that tennis racket."
"Why?"
"Then I could say that my family abused me and that's why I'm running away."
"Sure. Mr. Ishida is a softy and I think he always wanted a daughter." Sora laughed.
"Okay. So its settled. I'm now Claire Takashi on Matt's mother's side. Give me two suitcases and pack it with some uniforms and miscellaneous clothes that you know Matt has never seen you wear."

Later that day.

....
"So you see Matt, I have no place to go and since you and I have always been so close, I was thinking I could move in with you guys. I won't be a burden. I swear. I can take the coach. I'll cook and clean. Just don't call my mother. She'd kill me." I pleaded. Though it was an act. It was working. Matt looked back at his dad who was puzzled as he was.
"Um, Claire? Who was mother again?"
"What? You remember, your aunt..." I said.
"They said you, Mr. Ishida, had the best memory and that why you are such a well positioned news chief. I bet you know."
"uhhh...Of course I do. I'll take your stuff. You can take Matt's upper bunk. Matt's brother is never around anyway."
"Oh how is little TK?" I asked reassuring I was indeed their family member.
"Fine." Matt said.
"Aunt Ruthy wants to give their regards too."
"How is Aunt Ruth?" Matt asked.
"She's getting senile. I don't think she remembers me anymore. Even on the good days." I said.
"Well now that it's settled, Matt can you show me around Odihba. It must be years since I've last seen you."
"Yeah, years." he smiled in a worried and concerned look. It was sort of cute.

After strolling around the park we came across Tai. My heart fluttered. He had one foot planted on a park bench drinking a sports drink. Sweat dripped off his chin.
"Good game, Daisuke, but youth and brilliance never beats age and experience."
"Yeah, yeah." said the smaller boy wearing Tai's goggles. I assume he was Daisuke. The boy grabbed his stuff.
"Davis, aren't you forgetting something?" Tai said holding his hand out. The younger boy grumbled and slammed some money in his hand.
"See ya. Think about it this way. It's not like I'd let my sister down. I mean she'd kill me if I lost and she had to actually date you."
"You don't gotta rub it in, Tai. I just had to try. You understand."
"Hey Tai." Matt called.
"Hey Yams." Matt cringed and I could tell Tai had some satisfaction in calling him that.
"Tai, this is my...errr...cousin...Claire? Yeah Claire Takashi." he said. And I can't believe Sora thinks Tai is dumb. Tai gazed at me and then he smiled.
"Hi, I'm Tai. Have we met?"
"No." I said casually. "Never seen ya. I used to visit Matt in Highton View all the time, but that was years ago. Did you live there too?"
"Yeah" he eyed suspiciously. I was so scared. The last thing I needed was for Tai to blow my cover.
"Hey, Tai, I know you have trouble finding a date for Homecoming. Why not take my cuz?" he said. Tai turned red.
"What you're kidding me. A handsome face like that has trouble finding a date? I'd be happy to go." I said butting in.
"Well. It's not that I have trouble. It's just that I didn't plan on going. I mean I like this girl, but she's taken." he said gloomily.
"Oh, that's okay, I you don't have to go with me." I said disappointed. "Come on, Matt why don't you finish showing me around Odihba."
"Um, Claire?" Tai called.
"Would you mind if I showed you instead?"
"I'd love to." I gasped.
"Perfect," Matt said. "I gotta see Sora anyway. I'll catch you two love birds later." he said darting off. Then he stopped. Looked at me, and then shook his head.
"Shall we?" Tai offered. I grabbed his arm and smiled. "You do look awfully familiar. By the way, if that offer of going to the dance still good, I'd like to take it."
"Sure."
"As just friends, right?" he asked.
"Just friends, I confirmed." I was a little peeved he had his heart set on some one else.
"Let me guess. You have a thing for Sora."
"Did Matt say that?" Tai sounded a little angry. "That little punk," Tai chuckled. "Tell Matt he has nothing to worry, Sora and I are just best friends. I've known her longer than I knew Matt. He has no reason to be jealous at all. If anything, I should."
"Are you?" I asked.
"A little." he answered.
"I know you just met me, but I feel like I've known you my whole life. You can tell me everything."
"Funny, and you look familiar too, but if you must know, yes, I'm still madly in love with Sora, but if she's much happier with Yamato. Who am I to argue. All I want is for her to be happy. I don't need her feeling sorry for me."
"Awww...that's so sweet. I sure hope she appreciates you." I added.
"Well enough about my heart break. Tell me about you? Like how you got that unsightly bruise. Did your family do that to you?"
"Yeah, you could say some one very close did it. I ran away from home and moved in with Matt, even though I'm from the Takashi side of the family."
"Really? You look nothing like TK or Ms. Takashi." Tai pointed out.
"Well, how many blond haired kids you know that live in Odihba?"
"Yeah, actually I do see it." Tai nodded.
"Wanna get bite to eat. I mean, I just beat my friend Davis for some cash. It'll be on me."
"Well, how about you play me? Loser buys." I scuffed.
"You play?" Tai was shocked. "The only girl I know who could play soccer, was Sora."
"There's a lot you don't know about me. Care to find out?"
"After I womp on you in good old Euro football."
"Later Tai. For now, it's too late. You offered, so it's on you." I pointed out.
"Besides I'm the only one can stop that cross flank goal shot you do."
"How did you know I do a cross flank?" Tai caught my mistake.
"I just saw you do it to that Davis kid." I pointed out.
"Oh. Well, lets get some food. I'm famished." Tai.said. I wasn't surprised. He's always hungry.