Tangled Web
The Way It Was
Starrysapphire, Taito Empress
Disclaimer - I don't own Digimon and never will. Okay? Happy now? (I always think it would be really funny if you clicked on a fanfic and it said "Actually, I DO own whatever-the-fics-about." Now that would be funny!) But I don't. Own Digimon.
Kari was woken up by the phone ringing. She scrambled up and answered it, glancing at the clock and deciding that this was an indecent time to be calling anybody.
If this is Tai, I'll string him up she thought grimly.
"Hello?"
"Kari?"
It was Sora. She sounded like she'd been crying.
"Sora?" Kari said "What's wrong?"
"Did you know?" Sora asked.
"Huh?" Kari said.
"Did you know?" Sora said, her voice rising slightly "About....about Tai and Yamato?"
Kari stifled a groan. Oh no....
"Sora..."
"Did. You. Know?"
"Yes," Kari said softly "Yes I did. Oh Sora, I'm so, so sorry."
"Yes," Sora said, her voice bitter "Yes, I'm sure you really are."
"What happened?" Kari asked.
"Why don't you ask your brother?" Sora said angrily "If he's not too busy frenching my husband!"
She slammed the phone down. Kari groaned aloud and ran her fingers thought her hair. Oh typical.
"Kari? What's up?"
It was Davis.
"I thought you weren't speaking to me," Kari said miserably.
"Oh that. Well....I'm sorry," Davis said awkwardly "I know I was out of line. I shouldn't have said what I did. I know that you'd never cheat on me and TJ'd never ever cheat on his wife."
Kari hugged him tightly, not even bothering to say that it was TK. She started to cry.
"Kari, don't cry!" Davis said "I'm really, really sorry. What's wrong?"
"Oh Davis, it's all getting messed up!" Kari said miserably.
She told Davis what Sora had said. Davis listened.
"I thought Matt and Tai had broken up," he said.
"So did I," Kari said sadly "Obviously they made up. Oh Lord, I'll have to apologise to Tai," she added, remembering what she'd said on the phone the night before.
Davis hugged her again.
"It'll all work out," he said "You'll see."
Kari hoped that Davis was right.
* * * *
Joe was preparing to start the day at work when Sora phoned him. She was crying.
"Sora, what's happened?" Joe asked, hoping this wouldn't take too long.
"Tai and Yamato," Sora sobbed "They've been.....they've been sleeping together!"
Joe felt his mouth drop open. Oh boy....
"Oh?" he asked weakly.
"Uh huh," Sora said "Sento told Tanoshii that he'd seen them kissing and then I went over there and I saw them!"
"Oh Sora, I'm sorry," Joe said.
"You don't seem very surprised," Sora said.
Joe winced. Trust Sora to notice something like that, even when she was really miserable.
"Um well I...." he stammered, wishing that he was a better liar. Everyone else had changed so much, why couldn't he have learned how to lie.
"Listen, I have to work now but I can come over at lunch and see how you are. Would that be okay?" he said quickly.
"Yeah. Sure," Sora said "I'll have something for you to eat."
"Okay," Joe said.
He hung up and groaned. Oh typical. Now he was going to have to make something up. Or tell Sora the truth of course. That all the Digidestined had known that her husband and boyfriend had been sleeping together before her.
Joe muttered something irritable about guys who couldn't settle on one person before seeing his first patient.
* * * *
Tai was sitting on his sofa, resting his head on his fist, deep in troubled thoughts. He didn't register Matt sitting beside him until two warm arms slipped round him and Matt rested his head on his shoulder.
"Hey," Tai said, looking down at Matt and smiling tiredly "You okay? You didn't look like you were going to wake up for a while."
"I was tired," Matt said.
Tai nodded. He kissed the top of Matt's head and rested his own head against the tangled mop of blonde hair.
"Was Sento okay?" Matt asked.
"I guess," Tai said "He was pretty upset about the whole thing. I've promised to take him swimming tonight as a reward. Want to come?"
"I don't know Tai," Matt said, his voice sounding uneasy "People know I've recently split with Sora and if they see me and you together...well, they might jump to conclusions."
"So?" Tai said "They'd be right then wouldn't they?"
Matt shifted uncomfortably.
"You think Sora's going to keep this a secret?" Tai said "I bet she's phoned everyone she knows and told them that we're sleeping together. People are going to know."
"I know that but...." Matt's voice trailed off "I just don't want to Tai."
"Please?" Tai said pleadingly "Pretty, pretty please?"
"Tai I....umph!"
Matt broke off as Tai leaned down and kissed him. Tai lightly tangled his fingers in Matt's hair and ran his fingers though it, smoothing it. Matt kissed him back happily. Tai pressed closer, then drew back.
"Please?" he breathed in Matt's ear.
"Well...."
Tai let his hand fall lightly into Matt's lap. Matt squeaked.
"Okay."
"Thank you," Tai said, before going back to kissing him.
* * * *
Sora stood glaring at Joe who was staring at his feet and shifting guiltily. She knew he was lying and she knew that he was about to crack.
"You knew that Matt and Tai were sleeping together didn't you!" she shouted angrily "Tell me the truth Joe!" "Well um...." Joe mumbled "I um...."
"Didn't you?" Sora yelled.
Joe sat down with a defeated sigh.
"Yes Sora," he said sadly "I did. I'm really sorry...."
"Who told you?" Sora demanded "If it was Matt, I'll skin him."
"Izzy," Joe said in a small voice.
"IZZY!" Sora yelled.
"Yolei told him," Joe explained "Ken told her, Davis told him and Kari told him."
Sora sat down. All the anger had gone out of her now and she was just upset. Joe uncertainly patted her back as she started to cry.
"All my friends knew before me!" she sobbed "All of them knew before me!"
Joe just shrugged.
"Why?" Sora asked "Why'd he do this to me?"
Joe said nothing. Sora eventually looked up. Joe drew back slightly. She looked mad.....
"Sora," he said nervously "I am really, really sorry..."
"Oh that's okay," Sora said "It's not your fault. You'd better be going though. You'll be late." "Sora...." "I'll see you soon," Sora said.
After Joe had left, Sora grabbed the phone book and began flipping though it until she found the name she was looking for. Then she dialled the number.
* * * *
Tai looked at Matt. Matt was sulking, he could tell.
"Oh come on Matt," Tai said eventually "You had fun."
Matt said nothing. He got out a comb and began to fuss with his hair. Tai sighed.
"What's up with Uncle Matt?" Sento asked "Didn't he enjoy swimming?"
"He's just worried about his hair," Tai said.
Sento giggled. He was in a good mood. His father had taken him swimming and he seemed much happier now.
The doorbell rang.
"I'm busy," Tai said promptly.
"Doing what?" Sento asked.
"Breathing."
Sento rolled his eyes and went to answer the door. A woman was standing there who he didn't know. This wasn't unusual. Sento often didn't know his father's callers. Behind her was a man.
"Are you Yagami Sento?" the woman asked, smiling at him gently.
"Yes," Sento said "Dad's busy."
"Is he in?" the woman said, frowning.
"Yes," Sento said "But he's busy. Can I take a message?"
"I'm afraid we must see him now," the woman said "Can you tell him that an Iljima Yoko is here to see him?"
Sento obediently went off. He found his father kissing his Uncle Matt and coughed. His father jerked guiltily away and smiled at him sheepishly.
"Sorry," he said.
"An Iljima Yoko is here to see you," Sento said.
His father frowned.
"Mrs Iljima?" he said.
Uncle Matt raised an eyebrow.
"She's a social worker," Tai explained "Okay Sento, bring her in."
Sento fetched the lady and her friend in, wondering what was going on.
"Hello Mrs Iljima," his father said. He looked nervous.
"Hello," Mrs Iljima said. She wasn't smiling "Sento, perhaps you could go into your room for a few moments with my colleague Mr Hongo? I need to speak to your father."
Sento frowned and obeyed. Tai looked at Mrs Iljima.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm afraid something is wrong," Mrs Iljima said briskly "I'm afraid that your ex-wife, Nishizono Ritsuko has accused you of being unfit to care for Sento. I'm afraid we have to take him away while we examine these allegations."
"What?" Tai said "Unfit to take care of Sento? But I won the main parental responsibility! I am a fit parent!"
"I'm afraid that's not what Ms Nishizono says," Mrs Iljima said calmly "Apparently she has been told that you have been exposing Sento to some....unsavoury things."
She looked pointedly at Matt. Tai's eyes got very wide. He was looking panicked now.
"But you can't take Sento away!" he said "You can't! He's my son! Where will he go?"
"He will stay with Ms Nishizono until these allegations have been examined fully," Mrs Iljima said "We would prefer it if you made this as easy as possible Mr Yagami. For Sento. If you do not co-operate, we will be forced to bring the police in."
Tai opened his mouth, preparing to yell. Matt put a restraining hand on his shoulder.
"He'll co-operate," he said quietly.
Tai swallowed painfully. He shook Matt's hand off.
"Tai you have to co-operate," Matt whispered urgently "Do you want to keep Sento?"
Tai swallowed again.
"Fine," he hissed "When does he have to leave?"
"I'm afraid we must take him immediately," Mrs Iljima said "We will pack some of his things but the rest of it will be fetched at a later date."
Tai bit the inside of his cheek and went into Sento's bedroom. He was pleased to see that Sento was doing his homework with Mr Hongo watching him.
"Sento?" he said, forcing his voice to sound normal.
Sento looked up.
"Yes Dad?"
Tai tried to think of a good thing to say that wouldn't worry Sento.
"There's no need to worry," he said "But you're going away to your mother's for a while."
"Mum's? Why? I don't want to," Sento said promptly.
"I'm sorry," Tai said "I can't do anything about it. But you'll be back here soon though."
"Why?" Sento repeated.
"It's very complicated," Tai said, wishing he didn't feel so obliged to be polite about Ritsuko and not say that it was all her fault "But you have to go for a little while."
"Mum's trying for custody isn't she?" Sento said.
"Yes," Tai said honestly "Yes I rather think she is."
Sento's eyes began to fill with tears.
"But you said it was over," he said "You said that I was going to live you now and I wouldn't have to worry about custody again!"
Tai nodded.
"I didn't know this was going to happen," he said "See, your mother thinks I'm not looking after you properly. So you're being taken away until I can prove that I am good dad for you."
"Dad," Sento said "Daddy I don't want to go."
Tai picked him up and hugged him.
"I know," he said "I know but it won't be for long. And you'll be okay. You just make sure you're a good boy and you behave for your mother."
Sento buried his head into his father's shoulder.
"If Mum wins, will I get to see you again?" he mumbled.
Tai said nothing, just hugged him tightly for a moment, then gently put him down.
"Okay. We have to pack some things up for you," he said "Not too much, just school stuff and anything you can't live without."
Sento cried all the time they packed. He clung onto his father desperately.
"Daddy please don't make me go!" he wailed.
"I'm sorry," Tai whispered "I'm sorry. But you've got to be a good boy okay? You promise me you'll make me proud?"
Sento nodded. Tai kissed him and put him down.
"Now you behave for Mrs Iljima," he ordered "And I'll see you very soon."
He watched as Sento went out, then turned to Mr Hongo.
"What happens now?" he asked, keeping his voice tight. Matt gently put his hand back on his shoulder, massaging it lightly.
"You will be interviewed, as will your son and friends," Mr Hongo said "You will also be alerted for the court appearance." He looked at Tai and Matt and his lip curled slightly "If I were you Mr Yagami, I'd get yourself a good lawyer. People like you very rarely get awarded custody. It was probably a mistake to award it you originally."
Turning, he walked out and down to his car. Tai stood there staring as the car drove away. He could see Sento staring out of the back window.
"Oh no...."
He waited until the car was out of sight, then turned and ran back into the house. He barely got into his room before collapsing on the bed in tears. He heard the front door being closed, then footsteps coming into the room.
"Tai."
Tai ignored him. He felt the bed dip and then Matt's arms going round him, his head resting on the side of Tai's.
"Tai, it's going to be okay."
Tai shook his head. He pulled away.
"How can it be okay?" he sobbed "They've taken my son! They've taken my son and I don't know why!"
Matt shook his head too. Reaching out, he pulled Tai back into his arms. Tai went limp and pressed into Matt, crying bitterly. Matt stroked his hair, struggling to soothe his lover, wondering why Nishizono Ritsuko would want to hurt Tai this way.
* * * *
Kari was playing Monopoly with Shinseru and Davis when the phone rang.
"We're not in!" she yelled at it. Shinseru giggled as the answerphone picked up. Kari had always loved the message on their answering machine. Davis had recorded it and she wouldn't let him change it as it was so funny.
"Hi this is the Motomiya household. We're not in right now but I'm sure we'll be back later to listen to the message which you're about to leave as soon as this thing beeps. Okay? Okay. Kari, how do you switch this thing off?"
Davis scowled in embarrassment like he always did. Kari opened her mouth to soothe him, then froze.
"Kari? It's me, Matt. We need you here now."
Matt sounded awful. He sounded tired and miserable.
"The social services have taken Sento away. Ristuko's accusing Tai of being a bad father. Tai's in a bad way. Kari, when you get this message, please come over. I know it's a lot to ask but...." Matt's voice trailed off in confusion "Please Kari. He needs you."
The answering machine beeped calmly and then there was silence.
"Social services?" Shinseru said "Who are they? Why have they taken Sento away?"
"I don't know," Kari said grimly. She leapt up and grabbed her coat "I have to go."
"Right," Davis said "Wish him luck."
"I will," Kari said "I'll see you late sweetheart. Sorry to interrupt the game."
She hurried out of the house leaving Davis - for one of the first times in his life - worrying about what was happening in his circle of friends.
* * * *
Tanoshii peered out of his room. Shinji was standing just behind him, wondering why his brother was listening to his mother's phone conversation.
"Yeah," Sora was saying "I bet that shocked our little Taichi, the social services showing up at the door.......Yes, I am sure. I know that Tai's been neglecting Sento and I know that Sento's seen him kissing guys and strange women.....My own son told me. Plus things I've heard from both Kari and Joe. And I bet Yolei and Mimi will help us.....Oh, I'm sure he'll be okay. Kids always bounce back......I think that Tanoshii and Shinji are getting over him leaving. They don't ask to see him any more anyway. And they haven't noticed that he's stopped phoning....Oh thank you. That's nice. Yes, Sayo's fine. Sleeping like an angel. Unlike her father....oh really? So Sento was that quiet too?"
Tanoshii carefully closed the door frowning.
"Why's Mum so angry?" Shinji asked in a small voice.
"I don't know," Tanoshii said, frowning harder. Things were all wrong here. He was only eight but he could feel it. His mother was so angry. She been unhappy before but now she was just angry. He wasn't sure who she was talking to but she seemed to be talking about Mr Yagami and Sento. Had Tanoshii done something wrong when he'd told his mother about his father and Mr Yagami? He hadn't known that he was. He'd just wanted to know. And he wanted to see his father again. And why were they comparing Sayo to Sento? He wasn't sure but he could feel that everything was bad and horrible.
"Tanoshii? Tanoshii?"
Shinji was tugging his brothers arm. Tanoshii looked at his brother.
"When are things going to be normal again?" Shinji said "I want Daddy. I want Daddy to come home!"
He started to cry loudly. Tanoshii stared at his brother, not sure what to do. He could feel tears stinging his own eyes but he blinked them away. He had to be a big boy now and he couldn't cry. He had to be good.
But it wasn't easy.
* * * *
Kari looked at Tai. His face was blotchy and miserable and she'd never seen him look so bad before. He'd dozed off now and was tossing fretfully in the bed. She went out to talk to Matt. He was pacing up and down, his face angry.
"I'm going to kill her," he said "That whats-her-name - Ritsuko. I'm going to kill her! How dare she accuse Tai of not being a good father?"
Kari shrugged. She was as angry as Matt but using relaxing techniques to calm herself down. "Matt, I'm as mad as you are, but violence won't solve anything," she said firmly "We have to work out what to do. The first thing to do is to get Tai a good lawyer."
"Iori," Matt said "He'll help."
Kari frowned.
"It might be better to get someone who doesn't know Tai," she said "People might claim that Iori was biased in Tai's favour."
Matt kicked the wall.
"Matt, calm down!" Kari ordered "This isn't helping anybody. Tai needs you to be strong for him."
Matt sighed and sat down with his head in his hands. Kari waited, giving him a chance to calm down. It gave her a chance to think.
Why would Ritsuko suddenly do this? She'd been angry when Tai had won main parental responsibility but that had been a long time ago. And why was she accusing Tai so suddenly of being an unfit father? Okay, so Tai's parental skills had been somewhat off par recently. But Ritsuko couldn't possibly know about that.....
Or could she?
"Matt," Kari said slowly "Sora saw you and Tai kissing the other day didn't she?"
Matt blinked.
"Yes," he said "Yes she did. Did she yell at you?"
"No. Well yes - but that's not the point," Kari said "The point is, she was mad as hell."
Matt frowned. Then his eyes narrowed.
"You don't think...." he said "Sora....."
Kari shrugged.
"Only one way to find out," she said.
Grabbing the phone, she dialled Sora's number. Sora answered.
"Hello?"
"Sora, it's me," Kari said, trying to keep her voice normal "Have you been in contact with Nishizono Ritsuko?"
Sora gave a harsh laugh.
"Yes I have," she said sharply "And now Tai's getting what he deserves."
"Sora!" Kari cried angrily "Sento's his son!"
"Oh, and you think that Tai's the perfect parent?" Sora said "He works for a phone-sex line! He's promiscuous and - among with God knows how many other people - he's been sleeping with both me and my husband, splitting up our marriage. He's been neglecting Sento recently, I know he has and so do you. Think about that and then try to tell me that Tai's a good parent."
Kari said nothing. She knew that in effect, Sora was right. Tai hadn't exactly proved himself to be the perfect parent.
"Sora...." she said eventually.
"Skip it," Sora said "I'm seeing that Tai gets what he deserves. And his precious Yamato too. You might what to tell Matt that if his darling boyfriend gets declared an unfit parent, how much chance does he have of seeing his kids? Oh, I forgot. He doesn't care about his kids."
She hung up. Kari stood there, numb with shock.
"Kari?" she heard Matt say.
She put the phone down.
"Sora was the one who told Ritsuko," she said "She means to help Ritsuko prove Tai an unfit parent. It's the ultimate revenge on both of you."
Matt groaned and put his head in his hands. Kari sat next to him, patting him on the back gently. Matt ran his hands though his hair.
"This is all my fault," he said.
"Rubbish!" Kari said.
"It is," Matt said "I shouldn't have started sleeping with Tai in the first place. And I shouldn't have left Sora. I should have stayed for the kids."
"Matt, look at me," Kari said "This is not your fault."
Matt just sighed. Kari looked mournfully at the ceiling and wished for a peaceful life.
* * * *
Sento sat in the room. The woman was smiling at him but Sento refused to smile back. He didn't want to talk to her, didn't want to tell her anything. Anyway, he wasn't sure what to say. His mother had bought him down to the place, hugged him and told him to tell the truth and everything would be okay. Sento hoped that meant he could go back to being with his father. He loved his mother but he wanted to stay with his father, even if his Dad sometimes forgot about him or left him alone so he could be with his girlfriends and boyfriends....
"What's it like living with your father Sento?" the woman said gently.
Sento shrugged.
"It's good, I like it," he said "Better than being with Mum."
The woman nodded.
"Does your father spend a lot of time with you?"
Sento paused. He couldn't truthfully say that his father did. His father rarely spent lots of time with him.
"Well not exactly," he said eventually.
"Does he leave you alone in the house a lot?"
"Not often," Sento said "Only a few times."
"When was the first time?"
"I don't remember."
"How old were you?"
Sento pondered.
"About seven. But that was only once and for like, five minutes or something. He didn't do it again until recently."
The woman nodded her head.
"I see. So when your father is in, do you spend time with him?"
"Sometimes. When he's not working or got friends over."
"Does he have lots of friends over?"
"Yes."
"And do you like them?"
Sento paused.
"I don't really know most of them," he said "They're Dad's friends, not mine and they don't often come back anyway."
"Men and women friends?"
"Yes."
There was a silence then. The woman was staring at him, looking thoughtfully. Sento looked around, trying to think of something to say.
"Why don't they often come back Sento?" the woman asked.
Sento paused.
"They're only boyfriends and girlfriends," he said "Why should they come back?"
The woman frowned.
"How do you know that they're boyfriends and girlfriends?" she asked.
"Well he kisses them," Sento said, wondering if the woman was stupid "And he goes into his room with them and closes the door. When the door is closed, I have to stay away. And it only closes when Dad's working or when he's got girlfriends or boyfriends over."
"Does your father kiss them in front of you often?"
"Well not often. When I was younger it was when he thought I wasn't looking. But now I'm older he's not so bothered," Sento said.
"Does it upset you at all?"
"Not really," Sento said.
"What do you mean?"
"Well sometimes I wish he'd spend more time with me," Sento admitted "But that's okay 'cause Auntie Kari - she's Dad's sister - says that Dad does love me best, it's just he needs lots of people. And he's started spending more time with me now 'cause he's happy now he's with Uncle Matt."
The woman nodded. She was looking sterner now.
"Yes, your Uncle Matt," she said "Sweetie, can I ask you about Uncle Matt and Auntie Sora?"
"You're in charge here not me," Sento said.
The woman smiled a bit.
"We can stop at anytime if you want to," she said "Now, what do you know about them?"
"They used to be married but they aren't anymore 'cause they both liked my Dad and then something happened and Uncle Matt left home and eventually came to live with us after upsetting Dad," Sento said.
The woman nodded.
"What happened when your father was upset?"
"Oh he just got depressed and didn't notice me and forgot to go shopping," Sento said.
"He forgot to go shopping?"
"Yup. I got to eat lots of chocolate 'cause that was all that was there!" Sento said happily.
The woman smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.
"So your father forgot to do the shopping? How many times?"
"Just once or twice after Uncle Matt left him," Sento said.
"Oh. All right then. Did he forget to do anything else?"
"He forgot to send me to bed on time," Sento said "I got to watch all the late night movies!"
"I see. What about school?"
"Oh I got ready and went by myself," Sento said proudly.
The woman nodded.
"All right. Before this, did you father ever kiss Uncle Matt in front of you?"
"Sometimes. He didn't mean for me to see but I'm good at sneaking," Sento said.
"And did you ask him about it?"
"No. I didn't want to make him mad."
"Did he get mad at you a lot?"
"No. Just sometimes. But all Dads get mad sometimes," Sento said.
"Did he ever hit you?"
"No. Well, sometimes when I was little he'd give me the occasional whack on the legs. But nothing apart from that," Sento said. He was getting scared now. Nervous. Were they trying to make it sound like his Dad was a child abuser?
"Does your father show you affection?"
"Yes. He loves me," Sento said "Why are you trying to make it sound like Dad's a bad person?"
"Sento, we're not," the woman said "We're just trying to make sure that he's a suitable parent for you to live with."
"He is! He is!" Sento shouted "I'm fine! We were fine until all this stuff with Uncle Matt and Auntie Sora and that stupid baby and Mum sticking her oar in! I hate her! I hate her and I hate Auntie Sora and I hate that dumb baby! I want to go home!"
He was slightly ashamed when he started to cry but it worked. The woman tried to soothe him but eventually gave up and brought his Mum in. Sento wouldn't talk. He stopped crying and sulked instead. His mother took him over to Auntie Sora's house and told him to play nicely with Tanoshii and Shinji. Both boys were in their room.
"Hello Sento," Tanoshii said.
Sento still refused to speak. He didn't want to. The boys seemed to understand because they didn't press. Instead they went over to the door and opened it a crack to listen to whatever their mothers were saying.
"He got very upset poor thing," Sento heard his mother saying.
"Well it must be upsetting for him. After all, he's lived with Tai for how many years? He's going to have to adjust," Sora's voice replied.
"True. He'll get used to it again soon. Sento's a little like his father that way - he always bounces back."
"Yes."
"So what about Tanoshii and Shinji? How are they coping?"
"Oh, they're fine I think. Still trying to settle. Tanoshii's not working properly in school and Shinji's just playing up but they're calming down. They don't seem to be taking it out on Sayo which is a blessing."
"How is she anyway?"
"Oh Sayo's fine. Little lamb."
"How old is she anyway?"
"Nearing eight months. She's such a sweetheart. Much better behaved than either of the boys were."
"That's babies for you. I'd say it was Tai's influence only Tai's not a calm and quiet person."
"You can say that again!"
They both laughed, not in a very nice way. Tanoshii closed the door and looked at Sento.
"Sayo's not Dad's baby," he said accusingly "She's your Dad's baby."
"How'd you know?" Sento said "They didn't say that."
"They nearly said it!" Tanoshii said "And Mum's said stuff like it before! It's your Dad's fault that our Dad moved out."
"That's not my fault!" Sento snapped "I'm not living with him anymore anyway! And I want my Dad just as much as you want yours so don't you get angry with me!"
Shinji started to cry again.
"Please don't fight!" he wailed "Why doesn't anyone like each other anymore?"
Tanoshii hugged his brother, his anger forgotten. Sento came over and the three boys stood together, confused, unhappy and all feeling miserable. None of them really understood what was happening but they all knew one thing. They wanted things back the way they had been.
* * * *
Matt looked at Tai. He was sitting at the kitchen table, his face very pale. He'd been sitting there since the social worker had left.
"Tai?" he said softly "Tai?"
Tai looked up.
"They don't think I'm a fit parent do they?" he said hollowly.
"Rubbish," Matt said, sitting down beside him "Rubbish. That was one interview. And anyone can see that you are a great parent! You're a super parent! Anyone with half a brain can see that!"
"Crap!" Tai said "Look at me Matt! I work for a sex-phone line. I can't control my hormones. I got a married woman pregnant while sleeping with her husband. I started to neglect my son because I was so busy chasing everything else! Look at me Matt! They're right! I'm a crap father!"
"No!" Matt said "Tai you can't think like that! You're not a bad father!"
"Yes I am!" Tai sobbed "I'm a terrible father! I'm a terrible father and a bad person!"
Matt hugged Tai tightly.
"Tai, it's going to be all right," he said "You're not a bad person and you're not a bad parent. Any court will see that you love Sento more than anything else."
"Sento couldn't see that," Tai said "He accused me of loving everyone else more than him. What's he going to say to them Matt? Why shouldn't he tell the complete truth? And then they'll take Sento away forever and you probably won't get to see Tanoshii and Shinji either cause I'm an 'unfit parent' and...."
"Tai, will you just stop it?" Matt said "None of this is going to happen! I know that it won't! Everything is going to be fine."
"Oh what would you know?" Tai snapped "Half is your fault anyway!"
"My fault?"
"If you hadn't left Sora and let her catch us kissing this would never have happened!" Tai said.
"That not fair," Matt said quietly "You'll understand that when you feel better. You're upset at the moment which is why you're saying these things."
Tai shook his head.
"I'm going to bed," he said.
Matt watched him go. Then he pressed his aching head into his hands. What was he going to do now? Tai was miserable, Sora was angry and he didn't dare ring Sora up to see his kids. He didn't want to bother TK because he knew that Shinoko was angry about all the time he'd been spending there recently. He also knew that TK was probably going to be interviewed over Tai's parenting skills anyway. All in all, at that point, his life was screwed. And Tai was right. A large amount of it was all his fault.
The end of part 4.
The Way It Was
Starrysapphire, Taito Empress
Disclaimer - I don't own Digimon and never will. Okay? Happy now? (I always think it would be really funny if you clicked on a fanfic and it said "Actually, I DO own whatever-the-fics-about." Now that would be funny!) But I don't. Own Digimon.
Kari was woken up by the phone ringing. She scrambled up and answered it, glancing at the clock and deciding that this was an indecent time to be calling anybody.
If this is Tai, I'll string him up she thought grimly.
"Hello?"
"Kari?"
It was Sora. She sounded like she'd been crying.
"Sora?" Kari said "What's wrong?"
"Did you know?" Sora asked.
"Huh?" Kari said.
"Did you know?" Sora said, her voice rising slightly "About....about Tai and Yamato?"
Kari stifled a groan. Oh no....
"Sora..."
"Did. You. Know?"
"Yes," Kari said softly "Yes I did. Oh Sora, I'm so, so sorry."
"Yes," Sora said, her voice bitter "Yes, I'm sure you really are."
"What happened?" Kari asked.
"Why don't you ask your brother?" Sora said angrily "If he's not too busy frenching my husband!"
She slammed the phone down. Kari groaned aloud and ran her fingers thought her hair. Oh typical.
"Kari? What's up?"
It was Davis.
"I thought you weren't speaking to me," Kari said miserably.
"Oh that. Well....I'm sorry," Davis said awkwardly "I know I was out of line. I shouldn't have said what I did. I know that you'd never cheat on me and TJ'd never ever cheat on his wife."
Kari hugged him tightly, not even bothering to say that it was TK. She started to cry.
"Kari, don't cry!" Davis said "I'm really, really sorry. What's wrong?"
"Oh Davis, it's all getting messed up!" Kari said miserably.
She told Davis what Sora had said. Davis listened.
"I thought Matt and Tai had broken up," he said.
"So did I," Kari said sadly "Obviously they made up. Oh Lord, I'll have to apologise to Tai," she added, remembering what she'd said on the phone the night before.
Davis hugged her again.
"It'll all work out," he said "You'll see."
Kari hoped that Davis was right.
* * * *
Joe was preparing to start the day at work when Sora phoned him. She was crying.
"Sora, what's happened?" Joe asked, hoping this wouldn't take too long.
"Tai and Yamato," Sora sobbed "They've been.....they've been sleeping together!"
Joe felt his mouth drop open. Oh boy....
"Oh?" he asked weakly.
"Uh huh," Sora said "Sento told Tanoshii that he'd seen them kissing and then I went over there and I saw them!"
"Oh Sora, I'm sorry," Joe said.
"You don't seem very surprised," Sora said.
Joe winced. Trust Sora to notice something like that, even when she was really miserable.
"Um well I...." he stammered, wishing that he was a better liar. Everyone else had changed so much, why couldn't he have learned how to lie.
"Listen, I have to work now but I can come over at lunch and see how you are. Would that be okay?" he said quickly.
"Yeah. Sure," Sora said "I'll have something for you to eat."
"Okay," Joe said.
He hung up and groaned. Oh typical. Now he was going to have to make something up. Or tell Sora the truth of course. That all the Digidestined had known that her husband and boyfriend had been sleeping together before her.
Joe muttered something irritable about guys who couldn't settle on one person before seeing his first patient.
* * * *
Tai was sitting on his sofa, resting his head on his fist, deep in troubled thoughts. He didn't register Matt sitting beside him until two warm arms slipped round him and Matt rested his head on his shoulder.
"Hey," Tai said, looking down at Matt and smiling tiredly "You okay? You didn't look like you were going to wake up for a while."
"I was tired," Matt said.
Tai nodded. He kissed the top of Matt's head and rested his own head against the tangled mop of blonde hair.
"Was Sento okay?" Matt asked.
"I guess," Tai said "He was pretty upset about the whole thing. I've promised to take him swimming tonight as a reward. Want to come?"
"I don't know Tai," Matt said, his voice sounding uneasy "People know I've recently split with Sora and if they see me and you together...well, they might jump to conclusions."
"So?" Tai said "They'd be right then wouldn't they?"
Matt shifted uncomfortably.
"You think Sora's going to keep this a secret?" Tai said "I bet she's phoned everyone she knows and told them that we're sleeping together. People are going to know."
"I know that but...." Matt's voice trailed off "I just don't want to Tai."
"Please?" Tai said pleadingly "Pretty, pretty please?"
"Tai I....umph!"
Matt broke off as Tai leaned down and kissed him. Tai lightly tangled his fingers in Matt's hair and ran his fingers though it, smoothing it. Matt kissed him back happily. Tai pressed closer, then drew back.
"Please?" he breathed in Matt's ear.
"Well...."
Tai let his hand fall lightly into Matt's lap. Matt squeaked.
"Okay."
"Thank you," Tai said, before going back to kissing him.
* * * *
Sora stood glaring at Joe who was staring at his feet and shifting guiltily. She knew he was lying and she knew that he was about to crack.
"You knew that Matt and Tai were sleeping together didn't you!" she shouted angrily "Tell me the truth Joe!" "Well um...." Joe mumbled "I um...."
"Didn't you?" Sora yelled.
Joe sat down with a defeated sigh.
"Yes Sora," he said sadly "I did. I'm really sorry...."
"Who told you?" Sora demanded "If it was Matt, I'll skin him."
"Izzy," Joe said in a small voice.
"IZZY!" Sora yelled.
"Yolei told him," Joe explained "Ken told her, Davis told him and Kari told him."
Sora sat down. All the anger had gone out of her now and she was just upset. Joe uncertainly patted her back as she started to cry.
"All my friends knew before me!" she sobbed "All of them knew before me!"
Joe just shrugged.
"Why?" Sora asked "Why'd he do this to me?"
Joe said nothing. Sora eventually looked up. Joe drew back slightly. She looked mad.....
"Sora," he said nervously "I am really, really sorry..."
"Oh that's okay," Sora said "It's not your fault. You'd better be going though. You'll be late." "Sora...." "I'll see you soon," Sora said.
After Joe had left, Sora grabbed the phone book and began flipping though it until she found the name she was looking for. Then she dialled the number.
* * * *
Tai looked at Matt. Matt was sulking, he could tell.
"Oh come on Matt," Tai said eventually "You had fun."
Matt said nothing. He got out a comb and began to fuss with his hair. Tai sighed.
"What's up with Uncle Matt?" Sento asked "Didn't he enjoy swimming?"
"He's just worried about his hair," Tai said.
Sento giggled. He was in a good mood. His father had taken him swimming and he seemed much happier now.
The doorbell rang.
"I'm busy," Tai said promptly.
"Doing what?" Sento asked.
"Breathing."
Sento rolled his eyes and went to answer the door. A woman was standing there who he didn't know. This wasn't unusual. Sento often didn't know his father's callers. Behind her was a man.
"Are you Yagami Sento?" the woman asked, smiling at him gently.
"Yes," Sento said "Dad's busy."
"Is he in?" the woman said, frowning.
"Yes," Sento said "But he's busy. Can I take a message?"
"I'm afraid we must see him now," the woman said "Can you tell him that an Iljima Yoko is here to see him?"
Sento obediently went off. He found his father kissing his Uncle Matt and coughed. His father jerked guiltily away and smiled at him sheepishly.
"Sorry," he said.
"An Iljima Yoko is here to see you," Sento said.
His father frowned.
"Mrs Iljima?" he said.
Uncle Matt raised an eyebrow.
"She's a social worker," Tai explained "Okay Sento, bring her in."
Sento fetched the lady and her friend in, wondering what was going on.
"Hello Mrs Iljima," his father said. He looked nervous.
"Hello," Mrs Iljima said. She wasn't smiling "Sento, perhaps you could go into your room for a few moments with my colleague Mr Hongo? I need to speak to your father."
Sento frowned and obeyed. Tai looked at Mrs Iljima.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm afraid something is wrong," Mrs Iljima said briskly "I'm afraid that your ex-wife, Nishizono Ritsuko has accused you of being unfit to care for Sento. I'm afraid we have to take him away while we examine these allegations."
"What?" Tai said "Unfit to take care of Sento? But I won the main parental responsibility! I am a fit parent!"
"I'm afraid that's not what Ms Nishizono says," Mrs Iljima said calmly "Apparently she has been told that you have been exposing Sento to some....unsavoury things."
She looked pointedly at Matt. Tai's eyes got very wide. He was looking panicked now.
"But you can't take Sento away!" he said "You can't! He's my son! Where will he go?"
"He will stay with Ms Nishizono until these allegations have been examined fully," Mrs Iljima said "We would prefer it if you made this as easy as possible Mr Yagami. For Sento. If you do not co-operate, we will be forced to bring the police in."
Tai opened his mouth, preparing to yell. Matt put a restraining hand on his shoulder.
"He'll co-operate," he said quietly.
Tai swallowed painfully. He shook Matt's hand off.
"Tai you have to co-operate," Matt whispered urgently "Do you want to keep Sento?"
Tai swallowed again.
"Fine," he hissed "When does he have to leave?"
"I'm afraid we must take him immediately," Mrs Iljima said "We will pack some of his things but the rest of it will be fetched at a later date."
Tai bit the inside of his cheek and went into Sento's bedroom. He was pleased to see that Sento was doing his homework with Mr Hongo watching him.
"Sento?" he said, forcing his voice to sound normal.
Sento looked up.
"Yes Dad?"
Tai tried to think of a good thing to say that wouldn't worry Sento.
"There's no need to worry," he said "But you're going away to your mother's for a while."
"Mum's? Why? I don't want to," Sento said promptly.
"I'm sorry," Tai said "I can't do anything about it. But you'll be back here soon though."
"Why?" Sento repeated.
"It's very complicated," Tai said, wishing he didn't feel so obliged to be polite about Ritsuko and not say that it was all her fault "But you have to go for a little while."
"Mum's trying for custody isn't she?" Sento said.
"Yes," Tai said honestly "Yes I rather think she is."
Sento's eyes began to fill with tears.
"But you said it was over," he said "You said that I was going to live you now and I wouldn't have to worry about custody again!"
Tai nodded.
"I didn't know this was going to happen," he said "See, your mother thinks I'm not looking after you properly. So you're being taken away until I can prove that I am good dad for you."
"Dad," Sento said "Daddy I don't want to go."
Tai picked him up and hugged him.
"I know," he said "I know but it won't be for long. And you'll be okay. You just make sure you're a good boy and you behave for your mother."
Sento buried his head into his father's shoulder.
"If Mum wins, will I get to see you again?" he mumbled.
Tai said nothing, just hugged him tightly for a moment, then gently put him down.
"Okay. We have to pack some things up for you," he said "Not too much, just school stuff and anything you can't live without."
Sento cried all the time they packed. He clung onto his father desperately.
"Daddy please don't make me go!" he wailed.
"I'm sorry," Tai whispered "I'm sorry. But you've got to be a good boy okay? You promise me you'll make me proud?"
Sento nodded. Tai kissed him and put him down.
"Now you behave for Mrs Iljima," he ordered "And I'll see you very soon."
He watched as Sento went out, then turned to Mr Hongo.
"What happens now?" he asked, keeping his voice tight. Matt gently put his hand back on his shoulder, massaging it lightly.
"You will be interviewed, as will your son and friends," Mr Hongo said "You will also be alerted for the court appearance." He looked at Tai and Matt and his lip curled slightly "If I were you Mr Yagami, I'd get yourself a good lawyer. People like you very rarely get awarded custody. It was probably a mistake to award it you originally."
Turning, he walked out and down to his car. Tai stood there staring as the car drove away. He could see Sento staring out of the back window.
"Oh no...."
He waited until the car was out of sight, then turned and ran back into the house. He barely got into his room before collapsing on the bed in tears. He heard the front door being closed, then footsteps coming into the room.
"Tai."
Tai ignored him. He felt the bed dip and then Matt's arms going round him, his head resting on the side of Tai's.
"Tai, it's going to be okay."
Tai shook his head. He pulled away.
"How can it be okay?" he sobbed "They've taken my son! They've taken my son and I don't know why!"
Matt shook his head too. Reaching out, he pulled Tai back into his arms. Tai went limp and pressed into Matt, crying bitterly. Matt stroked his hair, struggling to soothe his lover, wondering why Nishizono Ritsuko would want to hurt Tai this way.
* * * *
Kari was playing Monopoly with Shinseru and Davis when the phone rang.
"We're not in!" she yelled at it. Shinseru giggled as the answerphone picked up. Kari had always loved the message on their answering machine. Davis had recorded it and she wouldn't let him change it as it was so funny.
"Hi this is the Motomiya household. We're not in right now but I'm sure we'll be back later to listen to the message which you're about to leave as soon as this thing beeps. Okay? Okay. Kari, how do you switch this thing off?"
Davis scowled in embarrassment like he always did. Kari opened her mouth to soothe him, then froze.
"Kari? It's me, Matt. We need you here now."
Matt sounded awful. He sounded tired and miserable.
"The social services have taken Sento away. Ristuko's accusing Tai of being a bad father. Tai's in a bad way. Kari, when you get this message, please come over. I know it's a lot to ask but...." Matt's voice trailed off in confusion "Please Kari. He needs you."
The answering machine beeped calmly and then there was silence.
"Social services?" Shinseru said "Who are they? Why have they taken Sento away?"
"I don't know," Kari said grimly. She leapt up and grabbed her coat "I have to go."
"Right," Davis said "Wish him luck."
"I will," Kari said "I'll see you late sweetheart. Sorry to interrupt the game."
She hurried out of the house leaving Davis - for one of the first times in his life - worrying about what was happening in his circle of friends.
* * * *
Tanoshii peered out of his room. Shinji was standing just behind him, wondering why his brother was listening to his mother's phone conversation.
"Yeah," Sora was saying "I bet that shocked our little Taichi, the social services showing up at the door.......Yes, I am sure. I know that Tai's been neglecting Sento and I know that Sento's seen him kissing guys and strange women.....My own son told me. Plus things I've heard from both Kari and Joe. And I bet Yolei and Mimi will help us.....Oh, I'm sure he'll be okay. Kids always bounce back......I think that Tanoshii and Shinji are getting over him leaving. They don't ask to see him any more anyway. And they haven't noticed that he's stopped phoning....Oh thank you. That's nice. Yes, Sayo's fine. Sleeping like an angel. Unlike her father....oh really? So Sento was that quiet too?"
Tanoshii carefully closed the door frowning.
"Why's Mum so angry?" Shinji asked in a small voice.
"I don't know," Tanoshii said, frowning harder. Things were all wrong here. He was only eight but he could feel it. His mother was so angry. She been unhappy before but now she was just angry. He wasn't sure who she was talking to but she seemed to be talking about Mr Yagami and Sento. Had Tanoshii done something wrong when he'd told his mother about his father and Mr Yagami? He hadn't known that he was. He'd just wanted to know. And he wanted to see his father again. And why were they comparing Sayo to Sento? He wasn't sure but he could feel that everything was bad and horrible.
"Tanoshii? Tanoshii?"
Shinji was tugging his brothers arm. Tanoshii looked at his brother.
"When are things going to be normal again?" Shinji said "I want Daddy. I want Daddy to come home!"
He started to cry loudly. Tanoshii stared at his brother, not sure what to do. He could feel tears stinging his own eyes but he blinked them away. He had to be a big boy now and he couldn't cry. He had to be good.
But it wasn't easy.
* * * *
Kari looked at Tai. His face was blotchy and miserable and she'd never seen him look so bad before. He'd dozed off now and was tossing fretfully in the bed. She went out to talk to Matt. He was pacing up and down, his face angry.
"I'm going to kill her," he said "That whats-her-name - Ritsuko. I'm going to kill her! How dare she accuse Tai of not being a good father?"
Kari shrugged. She was as angry as Matt but using relaxing techniques to calm herself down. "Matt, I'm as mad as you are, but violence won't solve anything," she said firmly "We have to work out what to do. The first thing to do is to get Tai a good lawyer."
"Iori," Matt said "He'll help."
Kari frowned.
"It might be better to get someone who doesn't know Tai," she said "People might claim that Iori was biased in Tai's favour."
Matt kicked the wall.
"Matt, calm down!" Kari ordered "This isn't helping anybody. Tai needs you to be strong for him."
Matt sighed and sat down with his head in his hands. Kari waited, giving him a chance to calm down. It gave her a chance to think.
Why would Ritsuko suddenly do this? She'd been angry when Tai had won main parental responsibility but that had been a long time ago. And why was she accusing Tai so suddenly of being an unfit father? Okay, so Tai's parental skills had been somewhat off par recently. But Ritsuko couldn't possibly know about that.....
Or could she?
"Matt," Kari said slowly "Sora saw you and Tai kissing the other day didn't she?"
Matt blinked.
"Yes," he said "Yes she did. Did she yell at you?"
"No. Well yes - but that's not the point," Kari said "The point is, she was mad as hell."
Matt frowned. Then his eyes narrowed.
"You don't think...." he said "Sora....."
Kari shrugged.
"Only one way to find out," she said.
Grabbing the phone, she dialled Sora's number. Sora answered.
"Hello?"
"Sora, it's me," Kari said, trying to keep her voice normal "Have you been in contact with Nishizono Ritsuko?"
Sora gave a harsh laugh.
"Yes I have," she said sharply "And now Tai's getting what he deserves."
"Sora!" Kari cried angrily "Sento's his son!"
"Oh, and you think that Tai's the perfect parent?" Sora said "He works for a phone-sex line! He's promiscuous and - among with God knows how many other people - he's been sleeping with both me and my husband, splitting up our marriage. He's been neglecting Sento recently, I know he has and so do you. Think about that and then try to tell me that Tai's a good parent."
Kari said nothing. She knew that in effect, Sora was right. Tai hadn't exactly proved himself to be the perfect parent.
"Sora...." she said eventually.
"Skip it," Sora said "I'm seeing that Tai gets what he deserves. And his precious Yamato too. You might what to tell Matt that if his darling boyfriend gets declared an unfit parent, how much chance does he have of seeing his kids? Oh, I forgot. He doesn't care about his kids."
She hung up. Kari stood there, numb with shock.
"Kari?" she heard Matt say.
She put the phone down.
"Sora was the one who told Ritsuko," she said "She means to help Ritsuko prove Tai an unfit parent. It's the ultimate revenge on both of you."
Matt groaned and put his head in his hands. Kari sat next to him, patting him on the back gently. Matt ran his hands though his hair.
"This is all my fault," he said.
"Rubbish!" Kari said.
"It is," Matt said "I shouldn't have started sleeping with Tai in the first place. And I shouldn't have left Sora. I should have stayed for the kids."
"Matt, look at me," Kari said "This is not your fault."
Matt just sighed. Kari looked mournfully at the ceiling and wished for a peaceful life.
* * * *
Sento sat in the room. The woman was smiling at him but Sento refused to smile back. He didn't want to talk to her, didn't want to tell her anything. Anyway, he wasn't sure what to say. His mother had bought him down to the place, hugged him and told him to tell the truth and everything would be okay. Sento hoped that meant he could go back to being with his father. He loved his mother but he wanted to stay with his father, even if his Dad sometimes forgot about him or left him alone so he could be with his girlfriends and boyfriends....
"What's it like living with your father Sento?" the woman said gently.
Sento shrugged.
"It's good, I like it," he said "Better than being with Mum."
The woman nodded.
"Does your father spend a lot of time with you?"
Sento paused. He couldn't truthfully say that his father did. His father rarely spent lots of time with him.
"Well not exactly," he said eventually.
"Does he leave you alone in the house a lot?"
"Not often," Sento said "Only a few times."
"When was the first time?"
"I don't remember."
"How old were you?"
Sento pondered.
"About seven. But that was only once and for like, five minutes or something. He didn't do it again until recently."
The woman nodded her head.
"I see. So when your father is in, do you spend time with him?"
"Sometimes. When he's not working or got friends over."
"Does he have lots of friends over?"
"Yes."
"And do you like them?"
Sento paused.
"I don't really know most of them," he said "They're Dad's friends, not mine and they don't often come back anyway."
"Men and women friends?"
"Yes."
There was a silence then. The woman was staring at him, looking thoughtfully. Sento looked around, trying to think of something to say.
"Why don't they often come back Sento?" the woman asked.
Sento paused.
"They're only boyfriends and girlfriends," he said "Why should they come back?"
The woman frowned.
"How do you know that they're boyfriends and girlfriends?" she asked.
"Well he kisses them," Sento said, wondering if the woman was stupid "And he goes into his room with them and closes the door. When the door is closed, I have to stay away. And it only closes when Dad's working or when he's got girlfriends or boyfriends over."
"Does your father kiss them in front of you often?"
"Well not often. When I was younger it was when he thought I wasn't looking. But now I'm older he's not so bothered," Sento said.
"Does it upset you at all?"
"Not really," Sento said.
"What do you mean?"
"Well sometimes I wish he'd spend more time with me," Sento admitted "But that's okay 'cause Auntie Kari - she's Dad's sister - says that Dad does love me best, it's just he needs lots of people. And he's started spending more time with me now 'cause he's happy now he's with Uncle Matt."
The woman nodded. She was looking sterner now.
"Yes, your Uncle Matt," she said "Sweetie, can I ask you about Uncle Matt and Auntie Sora?"
"You're in charge here not me," Sento said.
The woman smiled a bit.
"We can stop at anytime if you want to," she said "Now, what do you know about them?"
"They used to be married but they aren't anymore 'cause they both liked my Dad and then something happened and Uncle Matt left home and eventually came to live with us after upsetting Dad," Sento said.
The woman nodded.
"What happened when your father was upset?"
"Oh he just got depressed and didn't notice me and forgot to go shopping," Sento said.
"He forgot to go shopping?"
"Yup. I got to eat lots of chocolate 'cause that was all that was there!" Sento said happily.
The woman smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.
"So your father forgot to do the shopping? How many times?"
"Just once or twice after Uncle Matt left him," Sento said.
"Oh. All right then. Did he forget to do anything else?"
"He forgot to send me to bed on time," Sento said "I got to watch all the late night movies!"
"I see. What about school?"
"Oh I got ready and went by myself," Sento said proudly.
The woman nodded.
"All right. Before this, did you father ever kiss Uncle Matt in front of you?"
"Sometimes. He didn't mean for me to see but I'm good at sneaking," Sento said.
"And did you ask him about it?"
"No. I didn't want to make him mad."
"Did he get mad at you a lot?"
"No. Just sometimes. But all Dads get mad sometimes," Sento said.
"Did he ever hit you?"
"No. Well, sometimes when I was little he'd give me the occasional whack on the legs. But nothing apart from that," Sento said. He was getting scared now. Nervous. Were they trying to make it sound like his Dad was a child abuser?
"Does your father show you affection?"
"Yes. He loves me," Sento said "Why are you trying to make it sound like Dad's a bad person?"
"Sento, we're not," the woman said "We're just trying to make sure that he's a suitable parent for you to live with."
"He is! He is!" Sento shouted "I'm fine! We were fine until all this stuff with Uncle Matt and Auntie Sora and that stupid baby and Mum sticking her oar in! I hate her! I hate her and I hate Auntie Sora and I hate that dumb baby! I want to go home!"
He was slightly ashamed when he started to cry but it worked. The woman tried to soothe him but eventually gave up and brought his Mum in. Sento wouldn't talk. He stopped crying and sulked instead. His mother took him over to Auntie Sora's house and told him to play nicely with Tanoshii and Shinji. Both boys were in their room.
"Hello Sento," Tanoshii said.
Sento still refused to speak. He didn't want to. The boys seemed to understand because they didn't press. Instead they went over to the door and opened it a crack to listen to whatever their mothers were saying.
"He got very upset poor thing," Sento heard his mother saying.
"Well it must be upsetting for him. After all, he's lived with Tai for how many years? He's going to have to adjust," Sora's voice replied.
"True. He'll get used to it again soon. Sento's a little like his father that way - he always bounces back."
"Yes."
"So what about Tanoshii and Shinji? How are they coping?"
"Oh, they're fine I think. Still trying to settle. Tanoshii's not working properly in school and Shinji's just playing up but they're calming down. They don't seem to be taking it out on Sayo which is a blessing."
"How is she anyway?"
"Oh Sayo's fine. Little lamb."
"How old is she anyway?"
"Nearing eight months. She's such a sweetheart. Much better behaved than either of the boys were."
"That's babies for you. I'd say it was Tai's influence only Tai's not a calm and quiet person."
"You can say that again!"
They both laughed, not in a very nice way. Tanoshii closed the door and looked at Sento.
"Sayo's not Dad's baby," he said accusingly "She's your Dad's baby."
"How'd you know?" Sento said "They didn't say that."
"They nearly said it!" Tanoshii said "And Mum's said stuff like it before! It's your Dad's fault that our Dad moved out."
"That's not my fault!" Sento snapped "I'm not living with him anymore anyway! And I want my Dad just as much as you want yours so don't you get angry with me!"
Shinji started to cry again.
"Please don't fight!" he wailed "Why doesn't anyone like each other anymore?"
Tanoshii hugged his brother, his anger forgotten. Sento came over and the three boys stood together, confused, unhappy and all feeling miserable. None of them really understood what was happening but they all knew one thing. They wanted things back the way they had been.
* * * *
Matt looked at Tai. He was sitting at the kitchen table, his face very pale. He'd been sitting there since the social worker had left.
"Tai?" he said softly "Tai?"
Tai looked up.
"They don't think I'm a fit parent do they?" he said hollowly.
"Rubbish," Matt said, sitting down beside him "Rubbish. That was one interview. And anyone can see that you are a great parent! You're a super parent! Anyone with half a brain can see that!"
"Crap!" Tai said "Look at me Matt! I work for a sex-phone line. I can't control my hormones. I got a married woman pregnant while sleeping with her husband. I started to neglect my son because I was so busy chasing everything else! Look at me Matt! They're right! I'm a crap father!"
"No!" Matt said "Tai you can't think like that! You're not a bad father!"
"Yes I am!" Tai sobbed "I'm a terrible father! I'm a terrible father and a bad person!"
Matt hugged Tai tightly.
"Tai, it's going to be all right," he said "You're not a bad person and you're not a bad parent. Any court will see that you love Sento more than anything else."
"Sento couldn't see that," Tai said "He accused me of loving everyone else more than him. What's he going to say to them Matt? Why shouldn't he tell the complete truth? And then they'll take Sento away forever and you probably won't get to see Tanoshii and Shinji either cause I'm an 'unfit parent' and...."
"Tai, will you just stop it?" Matt said "None of this is going to happen! I know that it won't! Everything is going to be fine."
"Oh what would you know?" Tai snapped "Half is your fault anyway!"
"My fault?"
"If you hadn't left Sora and let her catch us kissing this would never have happened!" Tai said.
"That not fair," Matt said quietly "You'll understand that when you feel better. You're upset at the moment which is why you're saying these things."
Tai shook his head.
"I'm going to bed," he said.
Matt watched him go. Then he pressed his aching head into his hands. What was he going to do now? Tai was miserable, Sora was angry and he didn't dare ring Sora up to see his kids. He didn't want to bother TK because he knew that Shinoko was angry about all the time he'd been spending there recently. He also knew that TK was probably going to be interviewed over Tai's parenting skills anyway. All in all, at that point, his life was screwed. And Tai was right. A large amount of it was all his fault.
The end of part 4.