Playing The Part

Playing The Part

Disclaimer: Digimon and its characters are not associated with me. Tolei owns them. Even Yamato. (T.T) Besides, if I was Tolei I would not have come up with a series called Digimon Tamers…without the old digidestined.

A/N: My humblest apologies for being so very late with this chapter. I was sorely lacked for inspiration. Then I discovered that the geniuses at TV2, bless their souls, were showing digimon re-runs. Thus, I am fully inspired and ready to write. Domo arigato to all the people who reviewed the last chapter. This one is longer, and I think it will appease all you Sorato junkies. Oh! This takes place directly after the last chapter. I'll shut up now.

Yamato: *mutter* Finally…

Smabbi: *whaps Yama* I wouldn't talk…you're not gonna like this chapter…

Yamato: *runs and hides* Save me!!

(*)(*)(*)

Chapter Seven: Conflict of Interests

"Give, damn it!" Taichi tightened his hold. He had Yamato in a headlock which technically meant that he had won their little fight. Yamato had, however, decided that stubbornness was the way to win.

"Ne-never," he choked out melodramatically, struggling to free himself. His head was starting to turn a brilliant shade of purple.

"Dude, I don't wanna kill you," Taichi protested, "Just give up. It can't be that important!"

Yamato's hands gripped Taichi's arm, trying to pull it away from his neck, "I am not letting you win!" He coughed violently, trying to free his trapped head.

Taichi let go and the blonde teenager fell to the ground, gasping for breath. Gradually, his face returned to its normal colour. Taichi studied his recovering friend worriedly. Yamato was stubborn about certain things, but what could he have thought about Sora, a mutual friend that was so secret? Unless… His eyes widened.

"You like her," Taichi accused.

Yamato glared from his seated position. "Of course I like her, baka! She's my friend!"

"Uh uh," Taichi shook his head emphatically. "You like her." He grinned, "Yamato's got a crush on Sora!" He sang, dancing around in an insane manner, "Yamato's got-"

He grabbed the big haired boy and pulled him into a seated position next to him, "Shut up!" He hissed, "Why don't you just tell the whole freaking school?"

Taichi grinned triumphantly, "You do like her!"

"I-" Yamato sighed, running his fingers through his hair, he'd walked right into it. How'd Taichi get so smart? "Look, just shut up okay?"

Taichi settled into a comfortable position, "Why don't you tell her?" He eyed his friend, watching for his reaction. Yamato shook his head in response. "What?" Taichi asked sarcastically, "Too wild and outrageous for Mr Cool Ishida?"

"It's not that. She's Sora."

"Uh huh," Taichi nodded like he understood. He paused, waiting for Yamato to elaborate. When his friend clammed up again, Taichi got impatient, "Was there more to your wisdom or was that it?"

Yamato resumed glaring at his friend, "I'm getting there! Jeez…I'm just not telling her, okay?"

Taichi whapped him on the back of his head, "You've got to tell her, baka!"

"I can't," Yamato moaned miserably, "She hates me!" He buried his head in his arms.

"I don't think so," Taichi replied doubtfully, "She was miserable at school today. She'd hardly talk to me!" He added, making it sound like Sora not talking to him was the all important factor.

"Really?" Yamato brightened visibly, "She was miserable?"

"Don't sound so happy about it," his friend grumbled, "Sora miserable is depressing."

"No, it's just that she doesn't hate me!" Yamato cheered. He checked his watch, "Crap! I'm late for rehearsal!"

Taichi rolled his eyes, "Will Sora be there?"

"I think so," Yamato said, climbing to his feet.

"Are you going to tell her?" Taichi leaned back so he could look his now standing friend in the eye.

"No, I have to apologize first," Yamato said, taking off at a run when he realised just how late he was.

Taichi didn't move from his seat on the ground as he watched his friend's departure. "There goes the biggest baka in Japan," he mumbled under his breath.

(*)(*)(*)

He hadn't shown up yet. She supposed that this could be a good thing. After all, out of sight, out of mind, right? On one hand, she was angry, using what had happened as an excuse to not show up to rehearsals was childish. The cast and crew had put so much effort into the play. They didn't have the time to replace Romeo, if they could even find a replacement. On the other hand, she was a little sad. He must really hate me… She sighed, Not that I did anything wrong…

When had she become so unsure of herself? She used to be so confident, so unworried about guys, she'd always been one of the guys. Kissing Yamato had changed all that. She picked at her skirt hem absentmindedly, everything came back to him. It wasn't fair. One guy shouldn't be able to turn her life upside-down that quickly. She caught the rather annoyed look that Takani-sensei was giving her and busily began to study her script.

It wasn't long before she was lost in her thoughts again. This is not fair! She wasn't supposed to be so caught up, so enamoured by one guy.

"Uh, Sora?"

Her heart jumped at the all too familiar voice. There he was, blonde hair suitably messy, crystalline eyes full with a mixture of hope and guilt, lips curved into a sheepish smile.

"Y-yamato," she half stammered, cursing herself for doing so, "What are you doing here?" her voice came out harsher that she'd have liked and his smile faded slightly before re-asserting itself.

"I'm Romeo, remember?" He sat down next to her, pretending to ignore the fact that she was being less than friendly. He was determined to make things right between them again. Unfortunately, his newly recognised feelings were making him nervous and he wasn't sure how to start. Try apologising, baka!

She pretended to study her script, although the words appeared as nothing more than a blur to her teary eyes. She blinked rapidly, How can he just sit there and act like nothing happened? Maybe it hadn't meant anything to him, but it had been important to her, he should have more concern for her feelings. How can he be so cold?!

"Sora," his voice again interrupted her mental ravings, "Look at me, please?"

She sighed; there was that pleading tone she couldn't resist. Reluctantly, she lifted her eyes to his. "What do you want, Yamato?" She asked, deliberately keeping her voice cold, "Haven't you done enough?"

He faltered at that, "I-uh…" A blush covered his cheeks as he realised that the rest of the cast was listening intently to their conversation. At his glare however, most of them hastily returned to whatever they had been doing. Yamato grabbed Sora's wrist, pulled her to her feet and dragged her from the room.

She tried to pull her arm free from his grip, but he was stronger than she was, "Where do you think you're taking me?" She demanded angrily.

He stopped in the small courtyard outside the hall, "Here. We need to talk without nosey people eavesdropping."

She sat down on the bench, justifiably annoyed at his attempt to be commanding, "Talk. I have nothing to say."

Irritated, he ran his fingers through his hair, Why the hell does she have to be so stubborn? He needed a plan. Ignoring this newly sprung animosity was obviously not going to work. "Sora, about last night…" he paused, searching for words.

"Is that what this is about?" She interjected, forcing a weak laugh, "Don't worry about it, Yamato. It's practically forgotten."

"Really?" He asked sceptically, "Then why're you so angry?"

"Because you just dragged me out here like I was your property!" She spat, "You don't own me, Yamato! We're friends; a friendship is based on the fact that we're both equals," She looked him straight in the eye, "And, friends don't take advantage of each other."

He cringed at that, "Sora, I-"

"What? You're sorry? Lately you're always sorry, Yamato!" She was finally giving vent to the anger and frustration she'd been holding back for the last few days, "Try something else for a change!" She was unaware of the tears running down her cheeks.

Roughly, he pulled her into a hug, realising how distraught she was and how much she needed a friend right now. "I know I've been apologising a lot lately," he murmured softly in her ear, "I haven't got any excuse. I got carried away and I… If you never want to see me again, I understand. You just have to tell me." He continued to stroke her hair, allowing her time to think.

(*)(*)(*)

His closeness unnerved her, Why does he have to be such a good friend? She knew he was waiting for a response, a response that she didn't have. She could say that she never wanted to see him again, that would mean throwing everything away. Their friendship, begun in the digital world and cultivated long after that. Can I do that? Can I just tell him to leave? Could she handle losing one of her closest friends? Not without serious heartache. Not without forever wondering what could have been.

But, I don't know if I can't forgive him… She knew forgiveness wasn't the real issue. There was nothing to forgive. The pain came from being near him, being close to him, but always being a friend. Nothing more. Can I live with that? She would have to tell him that the kiss, the one that meant the world to her, meant nothing. She had never been a good liar, how could she hide the extent of her feelings for him for any amount of time?

I can't be apart from him, but I can't be near him…kami, what do I do?

(*)(*)(*)

His heart was pounding so loudly that he was surprised that she didn't hear. He fought to keep his breathing even. He closed his eyes, despite the tension; he wanted to savour the moment. Whatever she decides, I'll accept it He had to, he could deny her nothing, if she said that she never wanted to see him again, he would make sure that he was never in her presence.

If only I could hold her like this forever…

He would tell her, no matter what she said. He had to tell her, his heart felt like it would burst with the amount of emotion that was bottled there.

He was, however, plagued by doubts. What if I tell her, and she doesn't feel the same way? He breathed deeply, inhaling the scent of her shampoo, What am I going to do?

All his life, Ishida Yamato never had to worry about whether a girl liked him. Girls were literally throwing themselves at his feet. He was the centre of their teenybopper universe, and he kind of liked it that way. There was nothing to worry about; his fans would do anything for him, he was always the one who ended a relationship, confident that it was the right thing to do.

Now, he found himself completely out of his depth. He had no idea of how to proceed, how to make her feel the way he did. He held her tighter, never wanting to let go.

I can't lose you now, Sora, not when I've just realised how I feel.

(*)(*)(*)

I can't do it… She felt her resolve slipping; I can't tell him I never want to see him again. Pulling from his embrace, her eyes met his azure ones and there was nothing she could do to stop the words from her mouth, her heart had made the decision for her.

"Yamato, this is silly," she forced a weak smile, "I'm just wound up because of the play. Last night, you confused me, that's all. Of course you're forgiven! It was nothing, right?"

The words that had been forming on his lips died. Nothing? It meant nothing to her? He had been such a fool, thinking that she could love him too. Kami, of course she wouldn't. How could I have been so stupid? We're just friends, that's all we'll ever be. He had to say something, she was still waiting for him to respond, "I-"

"Sora! You're wanted on stage now!"

She looked at him pleadingly, "Yamato?"

"Sora!"

He winced at the harsh shout, "Yeah, we're fine," he gave her what he hoped was a reassuring look, "You'd better go," he reminded her gently.

"Yeah," reluctantly, she slipped from his embrace, "Aren't you coming in?"

"Soon," he replied, unable to shake the melancholy tone from his voice, "It's quiet out here," he grinned half-heartedly, "No fangirls you know."

She smiled, "Yeah…" He'll be okay, but I don't know if I will be. Keeping the smile on her face, she ducked through the open doorway.

(*)(*)(*)

He watched her retreating back, wishing that she had never left his arms. Sora… His blue eyes were pained; I don't know what I feel anymore. These feelings were overwhelming him, confusing him.

His eyes wandered over to the empty doorway and he sighed, Sora, I think I'm falling in love with you…

(*)(*)(*)

A/N: Ahh, done! Well, I hope you guys like the chapter. Sorato, right? Don't worry, it won't be angsty for long. No really, how much Yamato torture can I write? I luv him really! On a fanfic posting note, (for FF.net readers) I won't be posting new fics on FF.net due to the numerous changes to the feedback system. I'll keep posting chapters though. Visit my webpage to find new fics.

Yamato: *reads the above chapter* Oh kami! You've turned me into a lovelorn sap!!

Smabbi: Yama-kun! You came out of hiding! *glomps*

Yamato: ICK! *struggles to get free*

© Smabbi-chan

2001-10-09