Yes, the next chapter. In the last chapter, Yamato knows something's wrong with Taichi...but what is it? R&R!!!

~Tears from the Sky~
*A Glimpse of What Would Be*

"Hi, um, Koushirou?"

Izumi Koushirou looked up from his computer to see Ken Ichijouji standing at the doorway in his gray uniform. He looked a little shy judging by his posture. Koushirou quickly saved and shut his computer before directing his full attention to Ken.

"Konnichiwa, Ken," he greeted. "How may I help you?"

"Aside from some fundamental computer homework help?" Ken asked, approaching the table where Koushirou sat. "Well, it's a bit...um, personal."

"I'm surprised you came to me," Koushirou admitted, rubbing his hair a bit.
"I mean, everyone comes to me when they have computer problems, not for personal or social problems." He then grinned. "But I'll try to be as...well, as accurate as I can be. What's up, Ken?"

Ken took a seat next to Koushirou, his chest on the back of the chair. "It's about Miya-chan, really," he began. "I really don't know what to do. I have this strange feeling about her, something I can't ignore."

Koushirou felt like fainting. It's funny that Ken came to me, he thought. I mean, I've rarely gone out anyone,let alone fantasize being with someone... well, except for Mimi-chan, but I was a kid...and Miya-chsn, so how can I be sure about how he feels and how to deal with it? What advice can I give him? I care for her so much...

"Um...what does it feel like?" he asked dryly, licking his lips. "Like...does it feel like you'll hurt her?"

"No! No, of course not," Ken said quickly. "It's more...more happy-like. Like, she's the best thing that's ever happened to me...other than meeting Wormmon, that is." He sighed, trying to find the words. "Like she's the one! Like she's it." He sighed heavily. "I'm not even making any sense..."

Ohmigosh, he likes her, he thought sullenly, as he felt his world darken. I had brought this upon myself. I should've told her a long time ago how I felt, but I could never had mustered up the courage like Yamato-san did to Sora-chan. But Miya-chan is special...now I suppose I'll never have the chance. Be happy for her, Koushirou, be supportive, for her sake.

"It's okay, Ken," Koushirou replied thickly. "It's not your fault...I'm sure that this relationship is just at its beginnings. It's perfectly normal to be confused at the beginning." He shrugged. "I can't say...I don't know what to tell you. I suppose you should ask someone like Yamato or Sora for some advice." He shrugged again. "I can only tell you not to let go. She's a great girl," he added.

Ken got up on his feet. "Arigatou, Koushirou-san."

"Ja ne, Ken."


"...And how can I stand here with you," Takeru sang as he was chopping up some vegetables for dinner with a kitchen knife. His voice sounded terrible but he didn't care; he felt great! "And not be moved by you....Can you tell me...how could this be! Any better than...this!"

Then he heard some clapping. Takeru turned around to see his older brother, Yamato appear. His hair was slightly longer than the last time he remembered seeing him and he looked a lot more weary than he remembered. His clothes were slightly crimpled as if he hadn't been ironing and his knapsack was slung over his back.

He smiled crookedly. "Nice singing, bro," he remarked gruffly. "If I were the judges, I'd give you a...oh, I don't know...a five?"

"Gee, aren't you nice?" Takeru shot back, grinning as he wiped his hands. He then tossed the cloth aside and grinned up at his older brother. "Anyways, hey stranger! No time no see!"

Yamato grinned, embracing his little brother. "So now I'm just a stranger, huh?" he asked, looking at him carefully. "Damn, you grew even more! Y'know, I'm guessin' we both got dad's height." His grin died away as he asked, "Why the singing, bro? You never sing!"

"Oh, well, I was just feeling great, y'know," Takeru mumbled with a shrug.
"No, I don't know," Yamato pointed out, grabbing a stool and sitting up on it while Takeru leaned on the counter, arms folded. "So tell me, Takeru, who's the lucky girl?"

Takeru blushed ten times his colour.

"C'mon, you can tell me," Yamato coaxed and a sly smile. "I am your bro."

Takeru was still blushing when he blurted, "It's Hikari!"

Yamato dropped the smile and was replaced with disbelief. His bangs swooshed over his forehead as he dropped his jaw. "Whoa, whoa, waitaminute here!" he said slowly. "Yagami Hikari? Hikari...Taichi's sister Hikari?"

"You make it sound like it's impossible," Takeru snorted, folding his arms and frowning, his brows burrowing. "Yes, Yagami Hikari, Taichi's younger sister, the Digidestined of Light and Gatomon's partner. Who else could I be talking about, Yamato?"

Yamato said nothing, turning to the window.

Takeru frowned. "What's wrong, brother?"

"It's complicated," he said distantly.

Takeru scowled, marching up to his big brother and hitting him lightly on the shoulder. "Yamato, I'm 15, y'think everything's complicated to me. Stop treating me like an 8-year-old, I have problems that are complex too, y'know," he told him.

"It has to do with her brother, Taichi," he started, facing his fumed brother. "He's been acting...well, strange, lately. He always hung out with Sora and I, but lately, he's just been waving hello and goodbye at us. He looks horrible, Takeru, and...I think he's hurting himself."

"This is serious," Takeru commented. "Did you ask him what's up?"

"He walks away before I could seriously ask," Yamato replied. "He just says he's okay and that he's tired, y'know." He slammed his fist on the counter hard. "Dammit! I feel so damn powerless, so damn useless to help my best friend! I...I...How can I be the Digidestined of Friendship if I can't help my friends when they need me?!"

"Yamato, cool it," Takeru said, pulling him away from the counter and tossing him on the couch of the living room. "Look, I don't know what's going on, but you've got to cool your jets, got it?" When his older brother nodded, Takeru stalked towards the telephone. "I'll call Hikari and ask her to check up on Taichi..."


"...you absolutely certain, Takeru-kun?" Hikari said softly to the reciever.
Takeru made a mumbling sound. "Positive, Hikari-kun," he replied seriously. "Yamato and Sora are really worried about him, but Taichi's avoiding them both. Sora talked to Jou but Jou only said that Taichi was troubled, that was all mostly. You're the sister," he added, "you can help."

She pressed her lips together. "So you're leaving me to save the day," she conceded sardonically.

"Yup," Takeru said brightly.

"Aren't you encouraging," she said teasingly. "Look, he hasn't left his room for hours...I'll go check on him." She smiled, even though he couldn't see it. "We're still on at 7, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," he replied. "Aishiteru."

"Aishiteru, Takeru-kun. Ja ne," she said, then hung up the phone. Gosh, to hear his voice was exhilirating for her as she twirled on his short hair, smiling. Damn you, Takeru, she thought, now you got me all giddy. She then giggled before she straightened. Taichi...

She crept to his door and knocked gently. "Taichi?"

"What?!" asked a strained voice inside.

Hikari felt a chill down her spine. "I have to talk to you."

"Doesn't everyone?" he asked harshly. "Didn't mom tell you to cook?"

"Already done, Taichi, two hours ago," she stressed, brushing her hair back. "C'mon, Taichi, open the door. It's really important that I talk to you," she begged, tugging at the knob.

"Go away, Hikari, I'm busy," he dismissed.

Hikari kicked the door in fustration, letting go of the knob. "Taichi!" she cried in fustration. "What is it that you're doing that so important that you won't talk to me? Answer me!" Silence. "What are you doing, Oniisan? Cutting your wrists and hurting youself?"

Silence.

Hikari slammed on the door and then leaned on the hall table, gasping.

The door creaked. Hikari whirled around quickly to see Taichi limp out slowly. Takeru was right, he did look horrible. His eyes had large and dark sockets and his skin was pale. His hair was incredibly messy. She could see dark red blots on his shirt, which alarmed her even more.

"Who told you that?" he rasped.

Hikari swallowed dryly. "Ishida Yamato."

Taichi scoffed. "Yamato...who else?"

"Oniisan, talk to me," Hikari pleaded. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing," he replied quickly, looking away.

"That's a lie," she said, sniffling, holding back the tears. "I don't believe this. You are the most confident and the most bravest person I know and look at what you're doing. You're killing yourself..." The tears dropped quickly from her face. "Oh, Taichi...what's wrong? Why are you doing this? You're... you're hurting me..." She looked away and sobbed, covering her face.

Taichi reached out. "Hikari...Hikari, I..." He then stopped for his arm was trembling and blood was beginning to ooze out of his wrist again. Clutching it, he staggered back and returned to his room in a hurry.
Hikari dropped to the floor, crying. "Oniisan...oniisan..."


"Jou?" Koushirou asked into the cell phone. "Why are you calling me?...What?! Damn...alright...yah, yah...yah, so at seven, huh? Okay...yah, I think I can make it...don't tease me, Kido, you also have homework...baka...okay, okay, yah, yah...of course, tomodachi! Right, so at seven, okay? If you get late, I'll...you always have to come up with a smarry retort, huh?...hai, I heard you! Okay...okay...sayonara."

Koushirou closed his cell and sighed, looking at the clear sky.

"Taichi...what the hell are you doing to yourself?"


~End of Chapter~