Yamato, the Vampire Slayer
Secrets.
By the Empress of the Eclipse
Disclaimer - I don't own Digimon or Buffy which is probably a good thing considering some of the stuff I'd do with them!
"I always worry when it's something surprise," Sora said, looking at her lunch "I mean, what's the surprise?"
"Normally that it doesn't contain what it says it does," Tai said "Or that it's not acceptable for the human digestive system!"
Sora and Izzy both laughed. They looked at the food.
"I think the surprise this time is - " Izzy began, then stopped "Look."
Tai looked. It was Matt. He was sitting by himself at a table, absent-mindedly eating while reading a magazine of some sort. He moved slightly and Tai saw the rather impressive black eye he was sporting.
"What's going on with him?" Sora asked, sounding sad.
Tai shrugged and looked at his plate. The last time he'd had a proper talk with Matt had been about two months ago now. And that had ended with Matt breaking his nose. Since then, Matt had been withdrawing into himself.
"It's amazing to see him here," he said bitterly "Normally he misses lunch altogether!"
Sora looked sad.
"You two used to be so close," she said.
"I haven't spoke to Matt for ages," Tai said dully "Still never mind. He doesn't speak to his band anymore either."
Sora and Izzy both looked at each. The school had been hot with gossip about Matt Ishida and the band. While Matt hadn't officially left the band, everyone knew that he rarely got to practise anymore and he never seemed to talk to anyone.
"I just want to know why he's changed," Tai said "Even TK doesn't understand anymore. Apparently Matt's practically cut off communication with him too."
"I can't imagine that!" Izzy said "Matt and TK were always so close!"
Tai sighed.
"I just wish I knew that had changed him," he said sadly.
As they watched, a group of kids walked past. One of them leaned down and grabbed a handful of Matt's hair, giving it a yank. Sitting by yourself in their cafeteria just opened you to bullies, even if you were Matt Ishida. Tai winced, not sure what would happen. To his surprise, Matt twisted out of the boy's grip easily, reached up and grabbed the boy's arm, throwing him over his shoulder so he landed with a bang on the table. The whole cafeteria looked up with gasps.
"Don't touch me!" Matt yelled "You never touch me!"
The boy rolled off the table looking shaken. Matt turned and left the cafeteria.
"Where did he learn that?" Sora whispered.
Tai just shrugged.
* * * *
Matt cut the rest of school. He couldn't be bothered. Besides, he'd already missed so many classes, one more afternoon wouldn't make a difference. He mooched around and finally went home. Taking out a stake, he began performing some of the exercises Ms Fuyutsuki had taught him. It passed the time. Then he flopped down on the sofa and watched TV for a while, not really paying attention to what he was seeing. He only listened when it got to the news, listening for reports of unusual deaths. It was almost instinctive now.
Someone knocked at the door.
"Who is it?" Matt called dully.
"Toshiki."
Matt slowly got up and opened to door.
"Hey Toshiki," he said.
Toshiki looked at the black eye before coming in. He sat down and looked at Matt.
"What's going on?" he asked bluntly.
"Nothing," Matt said.
"Liar," Toshiki said "Matt, you've practically quit the band. You never speak to your friends. You cut class. You've got a black eye. You've always got bruises."
Matt hung his head.
"Toshiki, nothing's going on. Really," he said.
Toshiki swallowed.
"Matt," he said softly "Is...has your father been beating you?"
Matt looked at him, shocked.
"No! God!"
Toshiki looked relieved. Matt reached over and touched his wrists gently.
"It's okay," he said quietly "Toshiki, it's nice of you to worry about me. And I glad that you care enough to ask that. But...but it's not like that. And there is something going on but I can't tell you about it."
"Why?" Toshiki asked "Why not?"
Matt shook his head.
"It's too complicated," he said "And there's nothing you can do. It's....it's just there, that's all."
Toshiki looked miserable. Matt gave his friend a hug.
"I'm sorry Toshiki," he said "I swear I'm fine. And I'm sorry about the band but..."
Toshiki sighed.
"But why can't you explain?" he asked "Matt, we're your friends. We wouldn't judge you! I mean, look at Akemi!"
Matt shook his head.
"Toshiki, I know," he said "But...but I can't tell you anything. I'm sorry."
Toshiki sighed.
"Well, I tried," he muttered "I'll see you around Matt."
Matt saw him out. He closed the door, then sat down and cried. He cried until he heard his father coming in, then stopped himself. His father didn't even notice.
* * * *
Angel was woken up by Spike bouncing on the bed.
"Spike, piss off," he ordered.
"Nope!" Spike said "I want to talk to you."
"I'm going to kill you if you don't bug off," Angel said.
Spike sprang up gracefully and dropped heavily onto Angel's middle. Angel doubled up with a muffled curse.
"Spike, what the hell do you want?"
Spike stared down at him.
"That Boy-Slayer," he said "We should help him."
"You think?" Angel said "Why?"
"Cause he's just a kid," Spike said "And he likes you which is a sign of good taste. And that Watcher's a useless bint! And I think he might turn into a Faith if he doesn't get his friends helping."
"Why do you think that?" Angel asked.
Spike shrugged.
"Because," he said "If he doesn't have friends like Buffy did, he's going to become a Faith. We should help him."
Angel sighed.
"Spike," he said "I have to go back to LA sooner or later."
Spike shrugged.
"We should help him for a while," he said "Don't you think?"
Angel nodded.
"Let's contact Ms Fuyutsuki," he said "We can try."
Spike cheered. He got off Angel (to Angel's relief) and snuggled up (which wasn't to Angel's relief). Trust Spike.
"Do you think he's attractive?" Spike asked.
"What? No!" Angel spluttered.
Spike looked at him, a wicked glint in his eyes.
"You used to think I was attractive!" he said.
Angel turned crimson.
"Spike, shut up!" he said.
"Angel, you and me used to screw!" Spike said "We've only stopped because you're a great big puff with a soul and fell in love with a Slayer! You used to screw guys all the time! Now tell me if you think that the Boy-Slayer's attractive!"
Angel rolled his eyes.
"Yes! All right? I think that he's attractive!" he said.
"Woo-hoo!" Spike wolf-whistled and started bouncing up and down "Angel's got a cru-sh. Angel's got a cru-sh!"
"I don't!" Angel hissed "I just think that he's attractive! Spike, if you don't shut up I'll kill you!"
Spike giggled and snuggled up again.
"I wonder what he'd say..."
"Oh shut up!" Angel snapped.
* * * *
"Tai. It's nice to see you but Matt's not here," Mr Ishida said "And I'm just going out."
Tai shrugged.
"It's okay," he said "I'll wait. I'll be fine."
Mr Ishida nodded.
"Okay then," he said "Matt shouldn't be too long."
Tai walked into Matt's bedroom. He'd known that Matt was out or rather, he'd guessed.
He felt guilty about what he was about to do but he'd had enough. He was going to find out what was wrong with Matt and this was the only way.
Tai began to search the room. He felt terrible but he had to find out what Matt had been doing. Most things were completely normal. Tai remembered this stuff from when he and Matt actually spoken.
He was looking through the bottom of the wardrobe when his hand connected with a bag. Tai pulled it out and opened it, then stared.
The bag was filled with weapons. Tai could see wooden stakes, knives and spiked brass knuckles. It also contained bottles and jars filled with water and crosses. Tai stared at it, completely confused. Pulling the bag with him, he looked under the bed. Spotting a leather-bound book, he pulled it out.
"Matt's diary," he muttered.
He felt a pang of sick guilt but ignored it. Slowly, he opened it in the middle.
Dear Diary,
Too tired to write anything much. Ms F. had me smacking a punch bag all day. I hate that stupid punch bag! I'm going to burn the stupid thing! God, I hate this. I hate this. Why did this have to happen to me?
That was all. Tai blinked. Well, that was a fairly useless entry. He flicked back a few pages.
Dear Diary,
Oh my God this isn't real.
Today, this woman approached me after school. Her name was Ishiko Fuyutsuki. She calls herself 'A Watcher'. My Watcher. And she's says that I'm a Vampire Slayer.
Tai slowly continued to read. He read the entry about three times before finally managing to take it in.
"Oh my God," he said dully.
He slowly flicked through the rest of it. Each entry detailed the strangest things, Matt's studies on different demons, on his different exercises, on his different feelings.
Including his feelings for Tai.
"Tai?"
Tai looked up. Matt was staring at him.
"Matt," he blurted.
"My diary," Matt said softly "My things."
"Matt, what the hell is this?" Tai said "What the hell is all this? Is this some sort of sick joke?"
Matt snatched the diary out of his hands.
"How much have you read?" he demanded.
"Enough!" Tai said "Matt, tell me this is a joke!"
"Would it matter if I said it was real?" Matt asked "Would you believe me?"
"Of course not!" Tai said "Matt, what the hell is wrong with you? This can't be real!"
"No," Matt said "It can't be real, can it? Vampires aren't real, demons aren't real. There's no such thing as a vampire slayer. No such thing."
He sat down on the bed, not looking at Tai.
"I'm just crazy right?" he said, his voice rising in pitch "Just gullible, stupid, crazy. Don't understand anything."
"Matt," Tai said "God Matt, don't say that. You're not crazy you're just..."
"Just what?" Matt screamed, whirling round "Just stupid? Just sick? It's real Tai! This is all real! You think I'd do this by choice? Lose my friends, my band, just because I'm sick? This is real!"
"It can't be real!" Tai yelled "Matt, maybe you are crazy! This isn't real! You need help!"
"I'm not crazy!" Matt yelled "Okay? I'm not crazy, I'm not sick! I..."
"Of course you're sick!" Tai yelled "You think you're a vampire slayer who kills vampires and demons. And then there's..."
He broke off but it was too late.
"There's what?" Matt snarled "Go on! Go on! Finish it! I'm gay or transsexual, whatever! Go on, say it!"
Tai hung his head.
"Matt, I..."
"I'm not transsexual!" Matt cried "I'm not, I'm not, I'm not! I can't help this! I'M NOT CRAZY!"
He was crying, Tai saw, crying violently. Almost instinctively, Tai reached for him.
"Matt...Matt, please don't. Please. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."
Matt twitched away from Tai's hands.
"Why did you have to do this Tai?" he cried "Why? Now nothing's ever even going to be the same because you think I'm crazy!"
He sank onto the floor and buried his face in his arms. Tai just sat there. Matt suddenly looked up and stared at Tai.
"You mustn't tell anyone," he said flatly "You mustn't tell anyone ever. Think whatever you like. But this is our secret."
Tai stood up.
"Fine," he said dully "Fine. I won't tell."
He left slowly in a daze, leaving Matt huddled bitterly on the floor behind him.
So now Tai knew. Tai knew that he was a vampire slayer. Or rather, Tai knew but didn't care. Because he didn't believe.
Matt gave another violent sob. What was Tai going to do? Would he tell everyone? What would happen?
Matt shuddered. The thing was, Tai had voiced his own thoughts. Maybe he was crazy. Maybe he was sick. Maybe this was some weird twisted fantasy thing.
Matt scrambled up. Grabbing a bag, he shoved weapons in it then left the apartment. He had to escape, he had to prove that he wasn't insane.
Why had this happened to him?
End of Part 3.
Secrets.
By the Empress of the Eclipse
Disclaimer - I don't own Digimon or Buffy which is probably a good thing considering some of the stuff I'd do with them!
"I always worry when it's something surprise," Sora said, looking at her lunch "I mean, what's the surprise?"
"Normally that it doesn't contain what it says it does," Tai said "Or that it's not acceptable for the human digestive system!"
Sora and Izzy both laughed. They looked at the food.
"I think the surprise this time is - " Izzy began, then stopped "Look."
Tai looked. It was Matt. He was sitting by himself at a table, absent-mindedly eating while reading a magazine of some sort. He moved slightly and Tai saw the rather impressive black eye he was sporting.
"What's going on with him?" Sora asked, sounding sad.
Tai shrugged and looked at his plate. The last time he'd had a proper talk with Matt had been about two months ago now. And that had ended with Matt breaking his nose. Since then, Matt had been withdrawing into himself.
"It's amazing to see him here," he said bitterly "Normally he misses lunch altogether!"
Sora looked sad.
"You two used to be so close," she said.
"I haven't spoke to Matt for ages," Tai said dully "Still never mind. He doesn't speak to his band anymore either."
Sora and Izzy both looked at each. The school had been hot with gossip about Matt Ishida and the band. While Matt hadn't officially left the band, everyone knew that he rarely got to practise anymore and he never seemed to talk to anyone.
"I just want to know why he's changed," Tai said "Even TK doesn't understand anymore. Apparently Matt's practically cut off communication with him too."
"I can't imagine that!" Izzy said "Matt and TK were always so close!"
Tai sighed.
"I just wish I knew that had changed him," he said sadly.
As they watched, a group of kids walked past. One of them leaned down and grabbed a handful of Matt's hair, giving it a yank. Sitting by yourself in their cafeteria just opened you to bullies, even if you were Matt Ishida. Tai winced, not sure what would happen. To his surprise, Matt twisted out of the boy's grip easily, reached up and grabbed the boy's arm, throwing him over his shoulder so he landed with a bang on the table. The whole cafeteria looked up with gasps.
"Don't touch me!" Matt yelled "You never touch me!"
The boy rolled off the table looking shaken. Matt turned and left the cafeteria.
"Where did he learn that?" Sora whispered.
Tai just shrugged.
* * * *
Matt cut the rest of school. He couldn't be bothered. Besides, he'd already missed so many classes, one more afternoon wouldn't make a difference. He mooched around and finally went home. Taking out a stake, he began performing some of the exercises Ms Fuyutsuki had taught him. It passed the time. Then he flopped down on the sofa and watched TV for a while, not really paying attention to what he was seeing. He only listened when it got to the news, listening for reports of unusual deaths. It was almost instinctive now.
Someone knocked at the door.
"Who is it?" Matt called dully.
"Toshiki."
Matt slowly got up and opened to door.
"Hey Toshiki," he said.
Toshiki looked at the black eye before coming in. He sat down and looked at Matt.
"What's going on?" he asked bluntly.
"Nothing," Matt said.
"Liar," Toshiki said "Matt, you've practically quit the band. You never speak to your friends. You cut class. You've got a black eye. You've always got bruises."
Matt hung his head.
"Toshiki, nothing's going on. Really," he said.
Toshiki swallowed.
"Matt," he said softly "Is...has your father been beating you?"
Matt looked at him, shocked.
"No! God!"
Toshiki looked relieved. Matt reached over and touched his wrists gently.
"It's okay," he said quietly "Toshiki, it's nice of you to worry about me. And I glad that you care enough to ask that. But...but it's not like that. And there is something going on but I can't tell you about it."
"Why?" Toshiki asked "Why not?"
Matt shook his head.
"It's too complicated," he said "And there's nothing you can do. It's....it's just there, that's all."
Toshiki looked miserable. Matt gave his friend a hug.
"I'm sorry Toshiki," he said "I swear I'm fine. And I'm sorry about the band but..."
Toshiki sighed.
"But why can't you explain?" he asked "Matt, we're your friends. We wouldn't judge you! I mean, look at Akemi!"
Matt shook his head.
"Toshiki, I know," he said "But...but I can't tell you anything. I'm sorry."
Toshiki sighed.
"Well, I tried," he muttered "I'll see you around Matt."
Matt saw him out. He closed the door, then sat down and cried. He cried until he heard his father coming in, then stopped himself. His father didn't even notice.
* * * *
Angel was woken up by Spike bouncing on the bed.
"Spike, piss off," he ordered.
"Nope!" Spike said "I want to talk to you."
"I'm going to kill you if you don't bug off," Angel said.
Spike sprang up gracefully and dropped heavily onto Angel's middle. Angel doubled up with a muffled curse.
"Spike, what the hell do you want?"
Spike stared down at him.
"That Boy-Slayer," he said "We should help him."
"You think?" Angel said "Why?"
"Cause he's just a kid," Spike said "And he likes you which is a sign of good taste. And that Watcher's a useless bint! And I think he might turn into a Faith if he doesn't get his friends helping."
"Why do you think that?" Angel asked.
Spike shrugged.
"Because," he said "If he doesn't have friends like Buffy did, he's going to become a Faith. We should help him."
Angel sighed.
"Spike," he said "I have to go back to LA sooner or later."
Spike shrugged.
"We should help him for a while," he said "Don't you think?"
Angel nodded.
"Let's contact Ms Fuyutsuki," he said "We can try."
Spike cheered. He got off Angel (to Angel's relief) and snuggled up (which wasn't to Angel's relief). Trust Spike.
"Do you think he's attractive?" Spike asked.
"What? No!" Angel spluttered.
Spike looked at him, a wicked glint in his eyes.
"You used to think I was attractive!" he said.
Angel turned crimson.
"Spike, shut up!" he said.
"Angel, you and me used to screw!" Spike said "We've only stopped because you're a great big puff with a soul and fell in love with a Slayer! You used to screw guys all the time! Now tell me if you think that the Boy-Slayer's attractive!"
Angel rolled his eyes.
"Yes! All right? I think that he's attractive!" he said.
"Woo-hoo!" Spike wolf-whistled and started bouncing up and down "Angel's got a cru-sh. Angel's got a cru-sh!"
"I don't!" Angel hissed "I just think that he's attractive! Spike, if you don't shut up I'll kill you!"
Spike giggled and snuggled up again.
"I wonder what he'd say..."
"Oh shut up!" Angel snapped.
* * * *
"Tai. It's nice to see you but Matt's not here," Mr Ishida said "And I'm just going out."
Tai shrugged.
"It's okay," he said "I'll wait. I'll be fine."
Mr Ishida nodded.
"Okay then," he said "Matt shouldn't be too long."
Tai walked into Matt's bedroom. He'd known that Matt was out or rather, he'd guessed.
He felt guilty about what he was about to do but he'd had enough. He was going to find out what was wrong with Matt and this was the only way.
Tai began to search the room. He felt terrible but he had to find out what Matt had been doing. Most things were completely normal. Tai remembered this stuff from when he and Matt actually spoken.
He was looking through the bottom of the wardrobe when his hand connected with a bag. Tai pulled it out and opened it, then stared.
The bag was filled with weapons. Tai could see wooden stakes, knives and spiked brass knuckles. It also contained bottles and jars filled with water and crosses. Tai stared at it, completely confused. Pulling the bag with him, he looked under the bed. Spotting a leather-bound book, he pulled it out.
"Matt's diary," he muttered.
He felt a pang of sick guilt but ignored it. Slowly, he opened it in the middle.
Dear Diary,
Too tired to write anything much. Ms F. had me smacking a punch bag all day. I hate that stupid punch bag! I'm going to burn the stupid thing! God, I hate this. I hate this. Why did this have to happen to me?
That was all. Tai blinked. Well, that was a fairly useless entry. He flicked back a few pages.
Dear Diary,
Oh my God this isn't real.
Today, this woman approached me after school. Her name was Ishiko Fuyutsuki. She calls herself 'A Watcher'. My Watcher. And she's says that I'm a Vampire Slayer.
Tai slowly continued to read. He read the entry about three times before finally managing to take it in.
"Oh my God," he said dully.
He slowly flicked through the rest of it. Each entry detailed the strangest things, Matt's studies on different demons, on his different exercises, on his different feelings.
Including his feelings for Tai.
"Tai?"
Tai looked up. Matt was staring at him.
"Matt," he blurted.
"My diary," Matt said softly "My things."
"Matt, what the hell is this?" Tai said "What the hell is all this? Is this some sort of sick joke?"
Matt snatched the diary out of his hands.
"How much have you read?" he demanded.
"Enough!" Tai said "Matt, tell me this is a joke!"
"Would it matter if I said it was real?" Matt asked "Would you believe me?"
"Of course not!" Tai said "Matt, what the hell is wrong with you? This can't be real!"
"No," Matt said "It can't be real, can it? Vampires aren't real, demons aren't real. There's no such thing as a vampire slayer. No such thing."
He sat down on the bed, not looking at Tai.
"I'm just crazy right?" he said, his voice rising in pitch "Just gullible, stupid, crazy. Don't understand anything."
"Matt," Tai said "God Matt, don't say that. You're not crazy you're just..."
"Just what?" Matt screamed, whirling round "Just stupid? Just sick? It's real Tai! This is all real! You think I'd do this by choice? Lose my friends, my band, just because I'm sick? This is real!"
"It can't be real!" Tai yelled "Matt, maybe you are crazy! This isn't real! You need help!"
"I'm not crazy!" Matt yelled "Okay? I'm not crazy, I'm not sick! I..."
"Of course you're sick!" Tai yelled "You think you're a vampire slayer who kills vampires and demons. And then there's..."
He broke off but it was too late.
"There's what?" Matt snarled "Go on! Go on! Finish it! I'm gay or transsexual, whatever! Go on, say it!"
Tai hung his head.
"Matt, I..."
"I'm not transsexual!" Matt cried "I'm not, I'm not, I'm not! I can't help this! I'M NOT CRAZY!"
He was crying, Tai saw, crying violently. Almost instinctively, Tai reached for him.
"Matt...Matt, please don't. Please. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."
Matt twitched away from Tai's hands.
"Why did you have to do this Tai?" he cried "Why? Now nothing's ever even going to be the same because you think I'm crazy!"
He sank onto the floor and buried his face in his arms. Tai just sat there. Matt suddenly looked up and stared at Tai.
"You mustn't tell anyone," he said flatly "You mustn't tell anyone ever. Think whatever you like. But this is our secret."
Tai stood up.
"Fine," he said dully "Fine. I won't tell."
He left slowly in a daze, leaving Matt huddled bitterly on the floor behind him.
So now Tai knew. Tai knew that he was a vampire slayer. Or rather, Tai knew but didn't care. Because he didn't believe.
Matt gave another violent sob. What was Tai going to do? Would he tell everyone? What would happen?
Matt shuddered. The thing was, Tai had voiced his own thoughts. Maybe he was crazy. Maybe he was sick. Maybe this was some weird twisted fantasy thing.
Matt scrambled up. Grabbing a bag, he shoved weapons in it then left the apartment. He had to escape, he had to prove that he wasn't insane.
Why had this happened to him?
End of Part 3.