The rain beat down relentlessly as Takeru Takaishi scrambled to get to the safety of the nearest overhang

Author's Note: Okay, here's the first chapter to my latest fic. I'm currently working on it and a story for SomeguyY2k's Taiora vampire fic contest. I know what you're thinking, me, write a Taiora??? Yeah, it surprised me too! lol. So please forgive me if I place this story on the back burner while I try to finish up the vamp fic. It'll probably be the only Taiora I ever write. Matt fics are sooo much better! ^_^ Sorry to all the Taiora fans.

Disclaimer: *sighs* You know I don't own Digimon, but I'm flattered that you would think so highly of me. ^_^

Rating: Hmmm…not sure PG-13 to be on the safe side.

The rain beat down relentlessly as Takeru Takaishi scrambled to get to the safety of the nearest overhang. He glanced down at his watch and grasped the zipper on his jacket with trembling hands. He slowly zipped it up and averted his gaze up the street. It had been colder than he had anticipated. He silently cursed himself for not bringing an umbrella. T.K. shoved his hands into his pockets and let out an exasperated sigh. Matt was late again, he thought. It was something he had grown accustomed to. Ever since his brother had joined a band, he was rarely punctual for anything.

A relieved smile crossed T.K.'s lips as he saw a blonde-haired figure running up the street towards him, umbrella in hand.

T.K. gave the young man a playful glare and stood tapping his foot and glancing down at his watch.

"So I'm a little late!" Matt said in response to his little brother's guilt trip.

"A little?!" T.K. shot back.

"Just remember who you're dealing with squirt!" Matt replied as he snatched T.K.'s hat off his head and mischievously twirled it around his fingertip.

"Hey!" T.K. interjected, as his hand snaked out to retrieve the hat. He promptly placed it back on his head. Matt just rolled his eyes and smiled.

"Come on, let's go before we catch Pneumonia!" Matt shouted over some thunder. T.K. complied and ducked under the umbrella, as the two made their way down the street.

"What took you so long anyway?" T.K. inquired.

"Well, Dad called and told me not to stay out too late on account of the weather." Matt stated.

"How does that make you late?" T.K. prodded.

"What does it matter?" Matt remarked, becoming slightly annoyed at the third degree treatment he was receiving.

From Matt' s tone, T.K. could tell he had agitated him. He quickly bowed his head and stared at the ground as they walked, not uttering a word until his brother spoke again.

"So where do you want to go?" Matt asked, his tone gentler than before, acknowledging T.K.'s hurt expression.

"Well I didn't think it would be raining…" he started.

"Look, you wanted to spend some time with me today, so forget the rain." Matt commented.

"I guess we could go grab something to eat." T.K. replied, perking up a little. After all, his brother had a point. He did want to spend time with him, so the rain shouldn't interfere.

"Fine." Matt smiled, "There's a restaurant a few blocks from here." He said as he sloshed through a puddle, kicking the water up. It splashed onto T.K.'s shoes. The younger boy stopped and clenched his fists.

"Oh yeah?" he spat as his brother ignored him and continued to walk, quietly laughing to himself. T.K. waited for Matt to get a little further up the street before he bounded after him. He launched himself into the air and landed directly in a large pool of water next to his brother. The water sprayed up and soaked the entire right side of Matt's jeans and shirt.

"That's it!" he grinned evilly, "Now you're asking for it!" Seeing the look in his brother's eyes, T.K. tore down the street with Matt in hot pursuit.

Not far behind them, a large, black car slowly rolled down the street. Its tinted windows concealed the identity of the driver. It began to creep ever so closer to the two unsuspecting boys.

Matt had finally managed to catch up to his little brother, and currently had him in a head lock.

"You give up!?" he shouted, both of them laughing at this point.

"Never!!!" T.K. growled as he struggled to get free, the rain had now completely drenched both boys, but neither seemed to care. They were far to engaged in their mock battle to notice.

Matt released his hold and whirled around when the car had pulled up right beside the two. T.K. bent down and rested his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath after the ordeal. He looked up to notice the rain letting up and quickly shot his gaze back at the car.

"Who's that?" he asked tentatively.

Matt eyed the car as it sat idling at the curb. He was about to say something when the passenger side window rolled down. Matt jumped back a few feet startled.

The man inside had numerous little scars on his face. His hair was gray and thin and he gave the two boys a sinister look with his steely black eyes. The glare sent shivers up and down Matt's spine and he backed up a few inches more, standing in front of T.K. as if to guard him from some unexpected attack..

"Uh…c-can I help you?" Matt asked as T.K. peered over his brother's shoulder.

"Is your father Malcolm Ishida?" he inquired, holding his icy gaze on the two.

A look of both confusion and suspicion crossed Matt's face and he glanced over his shoulder at T.K.

"Do you know this guy?" he whispered. T.K. only shook his head no. Matt decided that he didn't like the looks of the present situation. This guy gave him the creeps.

"No." Matt lied, returning his attention to the elderly man.

The man started to look him up and down, trying to judge whether he should believe the boy or not.

"Start walking T.K." Matt said out of the side of his mouth. T.K. obliged and slowly took a step backward, turning on his heel. He started to walk in the opposite direction they had come.

"Sorry sir." Matt shrugged as he quickly moved to catch up with T.K. The man never took his eyes off the two boys and Matt could feel his stare burning into his back. This only made him want to walk faster.

"He was lying." The man commented. The driver turned to face him.

"You want me to go after them?"

"No, we'll take care of this soon enough." The man smiled evilly, revealing a toothy grin.

Once the brothers rounded the corner, T.K. stopped and leaned back against the wall.

"Who was that weirdo?" he asked.

"I don't know. I wonder what he wants with Dad?" Matt queried. T.K. only gave him a shrug.

"Maybe it would be better if we went back to my house." T.K. suggested to his brother, who was obviously lost in thought judging by his blank stare.

"Huh?" Matt said shaking his head. "Oh, yeah okay." He agreed, and the two set out for T.K.'s house.

By the time they had reached the house, the sun had begun to set. Matt gave the house a questioning look as they approached it. He still felt awkward about seeing his mother, after all…she was the one who left his dad. Matt stopped a few feet from the porch and began to scan the ground. A chilly gust of wind forced him to shove his hands into his pockets. It didn't occur to him until after he left the apartment, that a jacket might be a good idea. T.K. reached for the door knob as he wiped his feet on the welcome mat. He glanced over his shoulder to see his brother standing and looking forlornly at the ground.

"You coming Matt?" he asked, with a hint of concern relevant in his voice.

"Uh, no. I don't think so T.K. It's getting pretty late…I should be heading home." He replied, his cobalt blue eyes finally meeting with T.K.'s.

"Well, maybe mom could give you a ride home, then you won't have to walk." He cheerfully suggested.

"No." Matt said shaking his head, "It's fine. Sorry it wasn't much of a day…was it?"

"Hey at least I got to spend some time with you. Are you going to be busy tomorrow?" T.K. replied.

Matt folded his arms and thought for a minute, "Actually, I'm not."

"Great, then let's re-schedule for tomorrow!" T.K. smiled.

"Sure kid." Matt said, a smile crossing his face. This made him feel a little better, and at least T.K. hadn't begged him to go inside. Matt waved good bye to T.K. and leisurely strolled back down the street towards home.

Malcolm Ishida yawned and leaned back in his chair. He stretched his arms and brought them to rest behind his head. Suddenly, his telephone rang. Startled, he managed to tip his chair backwards, sending himself crashing to the floor. Malcolm placed one hand on his desk and hoisted himself back up. He grabbed the receiver and quickly brought it up to his ear.

"Hello."

There was no answer.

"Hello." He tried again.

"Malcolm Ishida?" a gruff voice answered.

"Yes…" Malcolm replied, trying to figure out who the caller was.

"Still a reporter I see."

Malcolm picked up the base of the phone and cautiously walked towards the window with it.

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked as he glanced out the window suspiciously. "Who is this?"

"Oh, Malcolm…I'm hurt. You really don't remember me? Well, I remember you!" the voice snapped.

"Why don't you stop playing around and tell me who this is!?" he replied angrily.

"Can you think of the most important thing in your life right now?" the voice asked.

"Is this a joke?" Malcolm retorted.

"Oh no, Malcolm, I never kid about matters such as this." He hissed. "Just think about the question…what is the most important thing in your life? Surely you can think of something…or someone." He continued. The last lines sounding rather sinister.

"I-I don't know." Malcolm answered.

"Really? What a shame…well then I guess it won't matter, now will it!" the voice spat back, his tone growing all the more louder and angrier.

"What won't matter!? What are you talking about?? Just who the hell is this!?!" Matt's father shouted into the phone. This call was seriously disturbing him.

"I can think of a few years back Malcolm! I've had plenty of time to THINK!!" the line was silent for a few seconds. "Have you any idea what it is like to have the most important thing in your life taken away!?" the voice shrieked.

"I..uh-" Malcolm started, but was interrupted by the strange caller.

"FREEDOM! Malcolm. That's what was taken away from me!"

Mr. Ishida jerked the phone away from his ear as the person on the other end slammed it back down on the receiver.

"Hello?"Malcolm asked, but all he heard was static, then a click, and then came the dial tone.

Malcolm slowly placed the phone back on the receiver. He looked at it like it was going to explode.

"What was that all about?" he questioned, scratching his head.

He he…you'll just have to wait for chapter 2 to see what happens next! It should be up soon…hopefully. Sorry, this does seem to be a rather short chapter. I really like how this fic's coming along, so I'm not going to give up on it pre-maturely. R+R ppl!