Chapter One

Chapter One

"Tell me how we got roped into this again."

"You were the one who insisted in coming here while your dad was away. We could have gone to Koushiro's, but no."

"How was I supposed to know that Hikari was going to have a sleepover?"

"You knew it was her birthday."

"Quit stalling you guys." Sora said, interrupting the whispered conversation between the embarrassed boys. Both of whom looked ready to bolt.

"Is it too late to switch to truth?" the brown haired boy asked quickly; trying to preserve a bit of dignity. The group of ten girls shook their heads yes. Taichi sent Sora a death glare, then turned to the blushing Yamato. Slowly the two leaned in and gently kissed, before quickly pulling away and blushing furiously, much to the enjoyment of the girls present. Sora sat there smugly as Taichi picked up the slip of paper that would name his victim. Sora's smirk was wiped off her face at the sight of Taichi's predatory grin.

"So Sora… Truth of dare?"

~~*@*~~

Sora was the first to wake up, followed closely by Miyako. By the time the younger girl found and put on her glasses, the older girl was quietly searching for something.

"What are you looking for?" Miyako asked softly, so as not to disturb the others.

"Hikari's camera. Do you know where she keeps it?"

"Did you try next to the computer?" Miyako asked in a yawn, as Sora finally snagged her prize. "Why do you want her camera anyway?"

Sora just grinned and motioned Miyako closer to the bunk beds In the lower one, lay Taichi and Yamato –which was no surprise to Miyako. What was a surprise, was how they lay there. Both boys were on their sides facing the wall. Yamato, the one closer to the wall, had curled up into a ball. Taichi had apparently turned over sometime during the night, and was now curled around Yamato. Taichi's right arm lay across Yamato, right under his rib cage. They looked absolutely cute together. And, with a quiet click, the scene was captured in time. The boys stirred, and Yamato snuggled further into Taichi's embrace. Sora took a picture of this too. Taichi slowly opened his eyes, savoring the feel of the body against him. His gaze caught the sight of his friend's golden hair; disheveled through sleep. Taichi smiled dreamily (still half asleep himself) and breathed in Yamato's scent. Just waiting for Yamato's ice blue eyes to open. Slowly, Yamato's eyes began to flutter open. Eyes that shot fully open the moment a click was heard in the otherwise quiet room. As one, the boys looked down to see how they were positioned, then at Sora. Sora. Who was holding a camera. That had, as indicated by the click, taken a picture. Which apparently was of them in their unintended embrace. Sora saw that they both were awake and looking at and the camera she held. So, she did the only thing she could have; she ran. And as the boys chased her, they unwittingly woke up the other girls. Who were happy to do so if it meant that they got to see the Yamato in nothing but a pair of boxers.

~~*@*~~

Sora and Taichi walked through the park. They stood close, but kept a bit of distance between them.

"So…"

"So what?"

"How did you like it?"

"Like what?"

"Tai…"

"Okay, okay, okay. It was wonderful."

"And…"

"And nothing! He doesn't like me that way."

"Are you sure about that? From what I saw, he did."

"Sora…"

"Tai, you have the Crest of Courage. Use it. Tell Yama how you feel."

"It's not that easy." Taichi said as he stopped walking. Sora went about five steps before she realized that her companion was no longer with her.

"I know. No-one ever said it would be."

"What am going to do?"

"I don't know. There are going to be a lot of rumors floating around. But there's not much we can do about that. Some people refuse to listen to reason, and any explanation just adds fuel to the fire. The best thing I can think of, is to set off counter rumors. Tell them specific stuff isn't true and have both you and Yamato proclaim that that stuff isn't true."

"Are you sure about that counter rumor thing…"

"Well, it does kinda make sense. You know how the rumor mill gets. Besides, it worked in this book I read. How hard can it be?"

~~*@*~~

"My life is over." Yamato muttered into the couch cushion he was using in a pathetic attempt at affixation.

"What was that?" Takeru asked as he entered the living room with a glass of soda. He flopped down next to his brother, as Yamato reluctantly lowered the pillow.

"My life is over."

"What makes you say that?" Takeru asked, taking a sip of his drink.

"Because by the time I put my foot through the door, everyone will know that I kissed and slept with Tai." Yamato groaned before bringing the cushion back into its suffocating place. Takeru, upon hearing this, promptly spit his mouthful of cola back out –and almost halfway across the room.

"What the hell?" Takeru asked, after wiping away any excess liquid.

"Sora dared Tai to kiss me –which he did reluctantly I might add. And Tai and I shared the lower bunk that night. I swear, all we did was sleep."

Takeru just looked at his brother oddly; mentally making a note to talk to Hikari about this later. If he handled this right –which meant getting the details strait and from the horse's mouth so to speak –then he wouldn't have to pay up to her.

~~*@*~~

[Mad_Programer has entered the chat]

Cupids_Poppy: At least he's not into puns.

Mad_Programer: Who's not into puns?

Hope_of_Light: Some author Sora was telling us about Terry something. He writes this funny sci-fi series.

[Mr_Sensible has entered the chat]

Light_of_Hope: I think it was Teri Prechant, but I could be wrong.

Mad_Programer: Terry Pratchett?

Leadmon: Yeah. That's him. Sora lent me a book of his called 'Interesting Times'

Mad_Programer: How far have you gotten in it?

Leadmon: Not very far

Mad_Programer: Why not? It happens to be a good book

Leadmon: I only got it this afternoon, and I've kinda had other things to do. Like homework.

Mad_Programer: Oh.

[DemiLeadmon has entered the chat]

[Kind_Cruelty has entered the chat]

[Harmonic_Wolf has entered the chat]

[Pink_Butterfly has entered the chat]

DemiLeadmon: Is what my sister says true?

Leadmon: What's she saying?

DemiLeadmon: That you and Yamato kissed and that you slept with him.

Pink_Butterfly: WHAT?!

Mr_Sensible: brb

Harmonic_Wolf: I can explain.

Leadmon: I can explain!

Harmonic_Wolf: It was a dare. He *had* to kiss me

Leadmon: It was the only thing we could think of to keep Kari's friends from fighting over who slept next to him.

Harmonic_Wolf: Nothing happened!

Leadmon: Nothing happened!

Mr_Sensible: back

Mad_Programer: Where'd you go?

Mr_Sensible: I had to clean up a spill before it stained

Pink_Butterfly raises an eyebrow

Mr_Sensible: I was drinking some V8 and accidentally knocked over the glass.

Cupids_Poppy: Mimi, have you been reading a lot of fan fiction lately?

Pink_Butterfly: I have the flue. What do you expect me to do all day?

Mr_Sensible: -_-;

Mad_Programer: -_-;

Phlying_Phreak: Ne way… You think you'll be able to make it to the Digital World the day after tomorrow?

Pink_Butterfly: Probably. I've been sick for the past three days, so I should be fine by then.

Phlying_Phreak: That's good. I'll send you the coordinates for where we're meeting.

Pink_Butterfly: We gonna do anything in particular?

Phlying_Phreak: No. It's a picnic to celebrate the defeat of Arukinimon and Mummymon.

Pink_Butterfly: cool.

Kendo_Knight: I've got to get going. Dinner's almost ready and I have to set the table.

[Kendo_Knight has left the chat]

Kind_Cruelty: It's time for dinner already? I'd better get going then. See you tomorrow Daisuke?

DemiLeadmon: Sure. Should we meet at your house, my house, or the park?

Kind_Cruelty: My house. Say around noon?

DemiLeadmon: Ok

[Kind_Cruelty has left the chat]

[DemiLeadmon has left the chat]

Phlying_Phreak: Looks like I'm with them. Bye.

[Phlying_Phreak has left the chat]

Light_of_Hope: I better get going too.

[Light_of_Hope has left the chat]

Mad_Programer: If you like 'Interesting Times', I can lend you 'The Lost Continent'

Leadmon: I'll let you know once I'm done reading it.

Harmonic_Wolf: Koushiro, ever try Peter David?

Mad_Programer: I'm right in the middle of the end of 'Q Squared'. It's good, but confusing. Gtg.

[Mad_Programer has left the chat]

Mr_Sensible: I'll talk to you guys later. My dad just told me we're leaving in ten minutes. He wants to give me a tour of the ER.

Leadmon: My condolences

[Mr_Sensible has left the chat]

Harmonic_Wolf: I better start making dinner. Dad'll be home soon.

Cupids_Poppy: No bad practice?

Harmonic_Wolf: Tenchi had to go to his cousin's wedding.

[Harmonic_Wolf has left the chat]

Pink_Butterfly: It's been nice, but I better get going. Michael's going to come over soon with today's homework.

[Pink_Butterfly has left the chat]

Leadmon: I wonder if there are going to be any wedding bells for those two

Cupids_Poppy: smacks Tai on the arm.

Leadmon: What? Either she's with him, or she's talking about him.

Cupids_Poppy: I have to get off now. My mom wants some help in the shop.

Leadmon: Sora?

Cupids_Poppy: Yes Tai?

Leadmon: I'm going to tell the others at the picnic.

Cupids_Poppy: That's great! Now I've *really* gtg.

[Cupids_Poppy has left the chat]

~~*@*~~

"Tell us what Tai?" Taichi fell out of the chair he was perched on at the sound of his sister's voice. Standing up, Taichi crossed the room and shut the door.

"If I tell you something, do you promise not to tell anyone else?"

"Sure."

"So far, only Sora knows this." Taichi said, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I'm attracted to both girls and other boys; I'm bisexual." Taichi breathed a sigh in relief as Hikari didn't seem upset about his revelation.

"Oh. Are you going to tell mom and dad?"

"Eventually. But it's something I want to put off for as long as possible. I don't think dad would take it very well."

"Tai! Kari! Dinner's ready!"

~~*@*~~

Joyu turned off his computer and looked at the red stain on the desk. Too bad he had knocked over his glass before he could drink any of the cool red liquid; now nothing but a blood red patch on the blond wood. He wouldn't have time to grab more before he had to leave to visit the hospital with his father and Shin.

The closer the trio got to the hospital, the more nervous Joyu got. Neither his father or his brother seemed to notice this. They both knew that Joyu was squeamish when it came to blood. By the time they got there, Joyu had (or so he thought) gotten enough of a handle on himself. Not that it would be easy –it was never easy when it involved him being around blood. Fate, it seemed, was definitely not with him this night. The ER was awash with the smell of blood. As soon as this registered in his mind, Joyu clamped his mouth shut. He could feel his canines lengthen and sharpen into the tools of a predator. It was not something he could explain, but it was something he could deal with.

"Joyu! Shin! I haven't seen you two in years!" Exclaimed a middle aged, overweight woman standing at the admitting desk. Dr. Kido shepherded his two sons over to his old friend. Obligingly, they hugged the woman who was like an aunt to them.

"You've grown so much, Joyu, that I hardly recognize you. How's school?" she asked during her embrace. Joyu knew he had to answer her, and he was glad she wasn't able to see his face.

"School's good."

"Great." She stated, letting the blue haired boy go. "Now, if you and your brother will just sit over there," she said, indicating two empty chairs that sat out of the way near the entrance. "and I'll give you the tour once I go on my break."

Shin and Joyu sat in the offered chairs without complaint. Shin sat relaxed, while Joyu had his arms clamped firmly across his stomach. Shin carefully laid a hand on Joyu's back in a comforting way. A few minutes after they had sat down, EMTs rolled a blood soaked man past them. Joyu felt the hunger slam into him. It felt like it was trying to eat him alive. He doubled over with the pain of his hunger. Shin looked at Joyu with concern.

"Are you okay Joyu?"

Instead of answering, Joyu simply stood up. Still clenching his complaining stomach, Joyu hurried out of the ER. After a few breaths to clean the delicious scent of blood from his mind, he sagged against the side of the hospital. ~It's never gotten that bad before. Maybe I should start carrying garlic to help block out the smell. How can I be the doctor my father wants, if this keeps happening to me?~ he thought as he tried to put a clamp on the hunger.

"Joyu?" asked Shin, as he came out looking for his brother.

"I just needed some air. I couldn't stand to be in there one minute longer."

"It's okay Joyu. I don't hold it against you. Look, I'll talk to dad about letting you go home early."

"That's Shin. Shin,"

"Yes Joyu?"

"I know that I'll never be a doctor like dad wants, but how do you think he'll feel about my becoming a psychiatrist, or a dentist, or a lab technician… You know, not a doctor but still in the medical field."

"Is that what you want?"

"I don't know. I guess so. It's just that… I want to help people, but I just can't deal with the blood."

"Don't worry about it Joyu. You still have time to figure out what you want to do with your life. It's you life; not his."

"Thanks Shin."

"No problem. What are big brothers for?"

~~*@*~~

"This is heaven!" Daisuke exclaimed as he stretched out languidly on the bed. Ken looked at him quizzically and brushed a loose strand of indigo hair out of his face. Daisuke looked up at his friend. "No obsessed sister ranting on and on about a boy, who doesn't even like her, is totally in love with her."

"She still going around the house on her 'he's not gay' rant?"

"That and the 'evils of gayness'. Which, by the way, is why I'm late. She grilled me about where –and more importantly with who –I was going. I'm not this bad with Hikari, am I?"

"Not lately. And I don't think you were ever that bad. Just persistent."

"Sometimes… Sometimes I wonder if I really liked her in the first place."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, did I fall for her or for the idea of falling for her. After all 'soccer star falls for Miss Popular' is normal, right? Did I get a crush on her because I wanted her to be my girlfriend, or because I was supposed to want that?"

"I really can't say. But what do you feel now?"

"A little jealous. I mean, they're my friends and I'm happy that they're happy, but there are times when I wish I could have what they have; be in love and not having to hide it."

"Are you saying that you regret…"

"Of course not. I could never regret that. I'm happy it happened, and if I had the chance to go back and change it, I wouldn't do anything different. I'm probably just in a slump. And thinking about the meaning of love isn't helping. At least it isn't as bad as it was a few years ago. I know what it is now, and I know how to manage it."

"You know I worry about you."

"I know. I'm okay. Honest. Now… If I remember correctly, you said something about a new computer game…"