Author's Notes:
Hey everyone! Due to some much needed encouragement, I've finally gotten off my lazy tail and decided to update this story. Seriously, I was thinking of winding things up here, but then I decided that would be going the corny route (Dai and Kari hooking up and living happily ever after), so you can be sure there will be some more character development before this thing wraps up. The only thing that I can say about this chaper is that there will be some hinting at possible couples and some issues put to rest. However, the next chapters should be more action packed than this one. Well, I'm going to shut up and let you enjoy......
And to John Yagami...THANX!!! ^_^
Disclaimer: Digimon was, is, and will never be mine! So if you are a lawyer and you are reading this, go find someone else to sue! ^_^
"dialogue"
/thoughts/
POV
Second Time Around
By Dream-chan
Rating: PG-13
Editor: me, myself, and I
Email: dream_chan@hotmail.com
Kirei
It's been about a month since I've moved to Japan and I can safely say that it feels as if I walked into a real-life soap opera.
Why you ask?
Let me just give you the run down of the situation...
You have a young man that was deep in love with a girl. Said girl was in love with boy too, but felt that his feelings weren't sincere. Boy finds girl kissing another boy. Boy moves away and girl finds out too late. Now boy comes back and girl tells him that she loves him. Boy says he only wants to be friends although he still has deep feelings for girl.
What is a person to do?
Just thinking about the complexity that is Daisuke and Hikari's relationship can bring on a migraine. Personally I feel that Dai is being a bit of an arse for putting him and 'Kari-chan through this, but in a way I do understand. You see, now he feels that Hikari is the one who has insincere feelings...that she has these feelings for him out of guilt.
However, understanding can go but so far. You would get upset too if you ever saw those two together. After having their deep conversation, which Dai-kun still won't give details too, it seems that everything has fallen into place for them. I remember during the whirlwind tour they took me on, I couldn't help but notice the little looks they kept sending to one another when they thought the other wasn't looking. It was so kawaii.
I know that I'm not alone in my frustration. The rest of the Chosen seemed just as frustrated by his stubborness as I am. The reason that I am blaming this solely on Daisuke is he is the only one holding them up. I bet if Hikari had her way, they would be picking out their china pattern right now. Looking back on that first night, I have to admit, that it was sort of funny to see the acid looks she shot my way. That just tickled me.
I also have to admit that it was nice meeting the rest of Daisuke's friends. There were just so many different personalities in their group, so many different styles...so many hotties.
You know the saying 'Like attracts like'? Well it most certainly applies in this case. First you have Yamato and Taichi. When I found out they were a couple, I wanted to shout that it wasn't fair, but lo and behold someone must really like me up there, because that was when I spotted Takaishi Takeru. A miniature Yama clone with the brightest smile that I have ever seen. The first thing that popped in my head was 'toothpaste commercial'. Then came the mysterious Ken, who I had heard so much about, but he too came attached to the hip of Takenouchi Sora. Moving along we have Hida Iori, Izumi Koushiro, and Kido Jyou who have that whole sophisticated intellegence thing going. The variety is all there. In addition, I've also become close to the girls in the group. Sora, Mimi, Miyako, and HIkari have been great in showing me things that only girls love doing...it's good to know that they were willing to accept me rather giving me the cold shoulder as the snobby bitches back home would.
"Kiki!" I heard a familiar voice yell, turning around to see burgundy spikes approaching at a swift pace.
"Ohayo Dai-kun!" I yelled back, stopping to wait for him to catch up.
Once he reached me, we continued our daily trek to the hell we call 'higher education'.
"Whassup?"
"Nothing much. Just thinking that no matter what country, men can still use the most pathetic pick up lines in existence." I say glibly as we walk through the gates of Odaiba High.
"Who was it this time?"
"Tanaka Ryo. Know 'em?"
"A little. I used to play soccer with him before I moved. So what happened?"
"Nothing much. Just your standard 'Baby you are sooo fine' crap. I mean, can we come with some originality?" I roll my eyes and we both laugh.
"Well instead of waiting for them to come to you, why don't you go up to him?" he suggests as he begins his daily fight with his locker.
"What do you mean by 'him'?" What is he trying to say? Does he know something. Just stay cool Kiki. Remember you are in control.
"C'mon Kiki. You can't hide it from me. You seem to forget that you are talking to the one person that knows the signs..." he laughs, finally yanking the door open.
"Signs of what?" I ask coolly, having a funny suspicion that the tables were about to be turned.
Control is slipping...
"Crush."
Control is slipping...Control is slipping...
"Really? Well since you know so much, do you mind telling me who it is?" I shoot back, hands on hips and tapping my foot of the floor.
Control is slipping...Control is slipping...Control is slipping...
"Takaishi Takeru" he delivers smoothly, my hand itching to slap that smug smile off his face.
And with that name, control is gone.
Must not blush. Feeling heat in my face. Growing...growing. Damn him!
With that mischievous light twinkling in his eyes, he starts to grin and cheers, "I'm right! I'm right! Wait till I tell Ri-chan about this," he laughs again, trying to stuff the rest of his mess back in the locker. It's a wonder the door even closes.
"Shut up baka!" I hiss, trying to ignore the stares from the other students around us.
With a final click, he turns to look at me and gives me a knowing smile. "You know he likes you too."
"What makes you think that I can't get him myself?"
"I figured since everyone is so hellbent on getting 'Kari and I together, I would give the same services to someone in need."
"And I'm the lucky candidate?" I reply sarcastically, trying to ignmore his little comment about our
'helping' him with Kari-chan.
With that tradmark grin of his, he just winks and throws up a victory sign. "Bingo!"
Groaning, I roll my eyes at his little display, not finding the humor in the situation. "Sometimes I can't stand you..."
"Oh, you know you love me..." he responds, throwing an arm around me. "Anyways, I wanted to know have you talked to anyone else from London?"
"Well I got an email from Justin yesterday. He told me to tell you that he doesn't like you anymore because the football team blows. Now his bookie business is going down the drain."
"That sounds like something he would say." He grins, knowing about the lucrative 'business' our friend had started.
Walking into homeroom, we slipped in our seats just before the tardy bell rung. Lucky for us, since our teacher was known to close the door one second after class begun. Giving a quick wave to Takeru and Hikari, we look forward to begin yet another day of torture.
"Class please setttle down. Today we will begin work on a project that will require you to work with a partner. I would have paired you up but I feel that you are old enough to do this for yourselves. Please don't make me regret it. Now, go find a partner and do it quickly!" our teacher clapped her hands indicating for us to hurry with the task at hand.
Looking over, I could see that Hikari and Daisuke were already sitting side by side, resuming their game of cat and mouse.
/Those two need to be on a game show for all the playing they do with each other./ I thought smugly, watching yet another act unfold in this drama.
"Uh..Kiki?"
Turning around at the sound of my name, I am assaulted by the beautiful image of flaxen hair and sapphire eyes.
Praying that my heart doesn't beat out my chest, I ask calmly, "Hey Take- kun. How are you doing today?"
/Please say you wanna be my partner...please please please!!!/
"Good. I just wanted to know if you wanted to be partners. If you don't-"
"No! That's great. Pop a squat and then we can just wait for Seto-senshi to get started" I offered with a smile, gesturing to the seat that Dai had vacated moments before.
"Thanks." he says, giving me that Colgate smile. I girl could definitely get used to seeing that everyday.
"No, thank you. Besides, I think it's time to get to know each other more, being the best friends of the two idiots sitting over there. What do you think?" I say, flashing him the smile that I have perfected to drive men to their knees." And I wasn't disappointed by seeing a brilliant blush spread across his cheeks. Hmm...maybe I won't need Dai's help anyway.
"I'm in, and I'm pretty sure that we can get the others in on this. What do you have in mind?"
"A direct assault." I grinned, already setting up the possibilities
Confusion and a slight twinge of apprehension could be seen clearly on the blonde bishounen features, so I hastened to reassure him.
"Nothing to dangerous Takeru-kun. Just putting them in circumstances that will make him realize that he's being a baka and finally give Hikari and himself the happiness they both deserve." I say confidently, taking another glance at the 'non-couple' sitting across the room.
I know that Dai may not like me after this, but I refuse to let him sit and suffer when he can be happy.
That's what friends do for friends.
Daisuke
This last month has been interesting to put it nicely. First with the arrival of Kiki, everyone just has accepted her a part of the group. It still sort of funny how people just assumed that we were girlfriend and boyfriend. Second, being able to get to know my friends again has been a whirlwind experience. Even though I have blamed most of my leaving at Yamato's and Hikari's feet, I think that was not sole reason. Except for Ken, Taichi, and Hikari, I wasn't really all that close to the others, so I felt that they really wouldn't care if I stayed or not. I think that after the lectures and punches that I've gotten from everyone, that I know better now.
However the best part has been getting to know Hikari again. I have to admit, as much as I claimed to love her, I really didn't know that much. Like who would have thought that she likes to watch kickboxing matches and has a secret obsession for strawberry Pocky? Not me, that's for sure. Then there are there are the times I just want to kiss the daylights out of her, but thankfully I learned self-control over the years. I don't think that would go over to well after I'm the one that said we should be friends.
Me and my big mouth.
Laying down, I close my eyes, nodding off to the sounds coming from the television show that Chibi thought was so hilarious.
As with anything in our house I should have known that my impromptu nap was going to be interrupted.
"'Ke-chan!" I heard my sister yell, the sound of the footsteps in the hall.
"In here" I hollered back, getting a sneaking suspicion that I would be getting a lecture from my nosy 'neechan. Between her and Kiki, I don't know who is worse.
About a minute later, Jun bursts in my room, apple juice and vanilla wafers in hand. Plopping down on my bed, she settles down getting comfortable. Damn, this looks like it's going to take awhile.
"So, what's going on in your life little brother? Still making Yagami-san wait?"
"You've been talking to Kiki again?"
"Yep and I still think that she is right in calling you an idiot."
"Fine. Take her side."
"Oh don't be that way. I just want you to explain to me why you turned down the one person who you pined over since you met her..."she asked, giving me this look that clearly said 'You are a dunce!'
"Smart ass"
"You know it. Now tell me..." she grinned, completely rolling off the insult.
"Simply put, I don't want to rush into anything. I want to make sure that she is sure about how she feels for me, not just because she feels some sort of guilt." I say evenly, trying to hold my annoyance in for answering the same question for the thousandth time.
"And I repeat, you are a BAKA!" she yells, smacking me upside my head to get the message across. Sometimes, I wish my family wasn't so touchy feely.
"Shut up Juju!" I snapped, adding on the dreaded nickname for added effect. Maybe if I irritated her enough, she would get pissed, we would argue and she would leave me alone.
No dice. She simply brushed her hair out her eyes and gave me the most serious look I've ever seen on her face."Well you can delude yourself all you want to. All I'm going to say is don't wait too long."
"Just keep pounding that into my head, why dontcha?"
"I'll keep that in mind." she threatens, smiling to take the edge off. Leaning over my bed, she plucks Chibi off the floor and gives him a squeeze.
"So what are you up today? I figured that we could have a 'sibling' day or something. We haven't had one in awhile." She says while scratching Chibi between his ears.
"Can I come too...please?" he asks in that cute voice of his, looking at my sister with those big red eyes of his. Sometimes, he makes me jealous at how easy he can make my sister fold.
"Of course Chibs." My sister smiles,tickling his belly. Sometimes you would think that they were Digiworld partners.
As I watch the tickle war, my mom calls out, "Dai-chan! Ken is on the phone for you honey!"
"Thanks Mom." I yell down the hall, getting a funny feeling as to why he was calling me.
Setting the small dragon down on my stomach, 'Neechan walks to the door, but not without letting me know one important thing. "You do know that this isn't finished. Come get me when you're done." and with one last enigmatic smile, she walks out.
Flopping back on my bed, I let out the tortured groan I've been holding in ever since she walked in here in 'concerned Big Sister mode'. Great...just great. Another person that is trying to play matchmaker.
Turning to my nightstand, I pick up the reciever, figuring that I've made Ken wait long enough. Knowing that slag irritates Ken to no end, I decide to have a little fun.
"Whassup?"
Hearing an exasperated sigh, I know that I've gotten the desired effect. Ken can be so easy at times.
"Can't you answer the phone like a normal person?"
"I thought you already knew...I'm not normal" I reply back, not missing a beat. "What do you want?" I askl bluntly. I don't want to give him time to soften me up for anything.
"Nothing big..." he says cautiously, letting me know that it's anything but.
"Ken-" I muttered, putting a warning tone in there for good measure.
"Just wanted to know what your doing tomorrow. Sora and I were thinking that it's time to have a gathering of all the Chosen and their friends..."
"Sounds like a party to me." There are twelve of us and adding friends to the mix would make that number skyrocket.
"Didn't I just say it was a gathering?" he huffed which was a clear indication that he was getting annoyed. "Anyway, I just wanted to know if you had plans or not."
Knowing that he wouldn't stop until I agreed, I decided to be give in for once.
"Count me in."
Hearing an audible sigh of relief, he continues, "Great. By the way, I guess I should warn you. Sora has some plans."
"Tell her to back off Ken. 'Ri-chan and I will be fine, as long no one interferes. Matter of fact, pass that on to the rest of the group."
"Like they'll listen anyway."
"True."
"Alright then. I have to call the others, so I'll catch you later. Ja." and the next moment, I heard the buzzing of the dial tone in my ear.
Damn! I wish they would just leave this alone. I would have thought they would be happy to see that I wasn't such the hothead anymore. That I wanted to take things slow. I swear my friends are fickle. Hearing the phone ring again, I just rolled my eyes, thinking that it was Ken calling back to make me pinky swear into coming to his and Sora's little bash.
"Ken, I said I was-"
"Uh...no this isn't Ken. Is that you Daisuke?" the person asked, sounding slightly familiar.
"You've just won a million dollars! Who's this?" I said, having the nagging sensation that the voice sounded familiar.
"Yamato."
What in hell is going on here?
"Hey Ishida-san. What can I do for you?" I ask politely, just like my mom taught me.
"First, call me Yamato and second, I was wondering if I could talk to you, face to face?" he asked in a subdued tone, which seemed totally out of character for him...especially when he was talking to me.
So it was with caution that I began to answer his question. "Look, I don't want to get into another argument-"
"We won't. I just think that it's time we clear up some things between us. Can you meet me at Sherbert Slide in an hour?"
"Sure, if you promise to buy Chibi and I large sundaes." I offer, feeling each bounce on my stomach from the energetic blue furball.
"Do you know how much that's going to set me back?"
"Sundaes or no deal." I say, not budging from my terms. I figure I might as well get something out of this if things don't go as planned.
"Fine brat. See you in sixty." Came his laughing response followed by a dial tone.
I still don't know how long I looked at the reciever in my hand. Is there too much wax in my ears or did I just hear Ishida Yamato laugh?
I hope this doesn't mean the end of the world is near...
Returning the receiver back to it's rest, I get up and pick up Chibi and my bookbag.
"Where we going Dai-kun?" he pipes up from the bag, snuggling down to get comfortable.
"How would you like some free ice cream?" was all I said before Chibi jumped in my backpack and zipped himself inside.
"In a hurry aren't you?" I chuckled at my partner's antics.
"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!" he yelleed from inside my knapsack, making it bounce against my back.
"I am I am I am I am!" I laughed, mocking him.
Running down the hall, I am about to run down the steps when I hear an irritated voice yell out, "And just where do you think you are going?"
"Um, I gotta go!" I yell back, running out of her 'grabbing collar and pull back' range.
Just as I hit the bottom step, I heard a door slam open and heard an angry voice scream, "Oh no you don't! Come back here! We were supposed to spend the day together..."
"We will. I just have to clear up a couple of things." I yelled back, stuffing my feet into my trainers and walking out the door.
Yamato
Where the HELL is that brat. It seems like he would be late to his own funeral. If he isn't here in five seconds, he can kiss those sundaes goodbye.
5
4
3
2
"Hey Ishida! Sorry I'm late but I had to ditch my sister for little talk and she wasn't happy about."
"I understand, and what did I say about calling me Ishida?"
"Don't" he says a little sheepishly, reminding me of Tai when he caught doing something he isn't supposed to.
"Well..." I prodded, raising an eyebrow in the same manner that always made Takeru do what I wanted.
"Gomen. Hey Yamato-san" he says again, a touch of sarcasm tinting his words.
"That's a start. Now what would you like?" I ask him politely, wanting this to start on the right foot.
"Two Double Chocolate Rocky Road Fudge Supremes and a reason why I risked having Jun breath fire down my back..." he smirked, settling down in the seat across from me.
"Fair Enough. I just thought that it was high time that I cleared some things up with you...about my behavior towards you." I stated firmly, wanting let him know how serious I was to clearing up these understandings between us.
"Yeah, what about it?" he asked cautiously, is expression unreadable.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the way I treated you back then."
"Did I just enter the Twilight Zone or did you just apologize for acting like the bastard you are?" he quipped, giving me the look of disbelief that I deserved...but that doesn't change the fact that it ticked me off a bit.
"Are you going to be a prick about this or are you going to accept my apology?" I bit out, trying desperately to hold on to my temper. It would do no good to lose it now.
"Apology accepted." He said seriously, allowing a wave of relief to wash through me. We might be able to get somewhere. Unzipping his backpack
"Hey Yamato?"
"Yeah?" I replied, looking at Chibimon making light work of the sundae that was placed in front of him. I bet he really runs up the Motomiya's food bill.
"What was the problem? I mean, ever since we met it seemed that we never got along. Then to find out that we both shared the Crest of Friendship, it felt like one big cosmic joke..." he laughed, although his eyes were anything but happy.
"I'll admit that most of the blame is on me and I'm sorry about that," was all I could say, just now realizing what I did to him because I couldn't handle my own feelings.
"Why though? You can't tell me because you felt pissed about me obsessing over Hikari...." he pressed, leaning back in his chair with an unreadable expression on his face. I knew that he was preparing himself for what I had to say good or bad. I've performed the same routine often enough.
"No. More like your hero-worship and similarities to her brother." I stated simply, taking a spoonful of my own sundae, giving him time to see what I was trying to get across. Confusion was etched on his face for almost a minute until I could almost see the light bulb explode into life. Deciding that he needed a little more information, I continued to clear it up for him.
"Okay, let me summarize this for you. Say you are a hormonal teenager that has just come to accept the fact that you're gay. Now imagine that you have a big crush on your best friend. You begin to avoid said best friend, in hopes that it's just a crush, but unfortunately you are called to help fight in a different dimension once again, alongside another boy who you swear is your crush's long lost twin. Follow so far?"
"Yeah. Basically you would snap at me because I reminded you of Taichi and that pissed you off."
"Okay, but there is more to it. Now say that you are beginning to realize that the crush you have for your best friend is something deeper, but you begin to notice that he spends a lot of time with his own chibi clone. How would you feel?" I explain to him. It takes a few seconds, but slowly the light bulb begins to glow bright.
"Don't tell me you were jealous!" he blurts out, brown eyes widening in disbelief.
"Shut up! This isn't easy you know..." I snap, although I feel my mouth twitching from his reaction.
"Sorry, but you have to admit that it is a little funny."
"Whatever."
After he calms down a bit, I ask him, "So can you understand why I would act like such a cold-hearted bastard to you?"
"I guess so when you explain things like that. So, where do we go from here?"
Looking straight in his eyes, I lay it on the line and hope for the best.
"Hopefully the building of a real friendship. Look Daisuke-san, I've thought about this and it seems that those that are linked to the Crest of Friendship gets a raw deal. However, I do know that any trials that we go through have the tendancy to make us stronger and better than before, wouldn't you agree?"
With a small smile he replies, "Totally."
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that I am willing to live up to our crest. So what do you say? Friends?" I hold out my hand, never once letting my eyes stray from his.
After a few tense moments, he surprises me by getting out of his seat, and comes around the table to give me a hearty hug.
"Friends."
And with that I released the breath that I'd been holding since he walked in. "Now that is over, how about we celebrate this occasion with a noogie?" I suggest, my fist prepared to attack the auburn strands.
"Don't press your luck. Do you know how long it takes for my hair to look this good?" he grinned, putting a protective hand over his shortened spikes.
"Hmm...maybe your not so much like Taichi after all..." I said thoughtfully, looking at him in a brand new light. I have the sinking suspicion that we have all sold Daisuke short.
"Glad someone noticed." he muttered, turnign to look at the people passing by on the sidewalk.
Interested in this new issue, I decided to explore it a bit.
"What does that mean?"
"It just seemed that everyone looked upon me as a 'replacement' for Tai. Granted we have the same similarites on the outside and inside, but there are some things that we just diifer on. However it seemed that people never took the time to look deeper...just made up their mind that I was Taichi's Mini-me. Besides what happened with Hikari, I think that was another reason I left."
"I want to apologize for that too..." I began, before he cut me off abruptly.
"No Yamato. I don't want to hear another apology from you. What past is past and there is nothing that we can do to change it. We have to concentrate on the present and the rest can
"Daaaaaaaiiiiiiiiisssuuuuukkkeee! I want another ice cream PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!" the little blue eating machine pouted, widening his eys to get that ultra-kawaii effect. The day Tai learns how to do that, I will be in deep trouble.
"Umm, you don't mind ordering another one do you? I know that I should have fed him before coming down here, but your phone call was unexpected and I didn't have the time..." he said, scratching his head in embarassment.
"Sorry about that. I almost forgot how demanding In-Training digimon can be."
I agreed, and began to tell him of my adventures in the Digital World. I also told him about the Cherrymon Incident and what I learned from it. It was good talking to him like this...makes me feel worse at all the time that we wasted, but I shake that thought out of my mind knowing that we were on our way to making up for it.
tbc...
:::runs away from flying fruits and veggies:: OUCH!!! I'm sorry I'm sorry!! I know that there wasn't that much Daikari in this chapter but I said that up top already. However, I also said that the next chapter will be Daikari GALORE with slight fluffiness of Kenora, Takirei, and Taito. So, be on the look out for chapter 6 in the next few weeks.
ja ne minna
dream-chan
Hey everyone! Due to some much needed encouragement, I've finally gotten off my lazy tail and decided to update this story. Seriously, I was thinking of winding things up here, but then I decided that would be going the corny route (Dai and Kari hooking up and living happily ever after), so you can be sure there will be some more character development before this thing wraps up. The only thing that I can say about this chaper is that there will be some hinting at possible couples and some issues put to rest. However, the next chapters should be more action packed than this one. Well, I'm going to shut up and let you enjoy......
And to John Yagami...THANX!!! ^_^
Disclaimer: Digimon was, is, and will never be mine! So if you are a lawyer and you are reading this, go find someone else to sue! ^_^
"dialogue"
/thoughts/
POV
Second Time Around
By Dream-chan
Rating: PG-13
Editor: me, myself, and I
Email: dream_chan@hotmail.com
Kirei
It's been about a month since I've moved to Japan and I can safely say that it feels as if I walked into a real-life soap opera.
Why you ask?
Let me just give you the run down of the situation...
You have a young man that was deep in love with a girl. Said girl was in love with boy too, but felt that his feelings weren't sincere. Boy finds girl kissing another boy. Boy moves away and girl finds out too late. Now boy comes back and girl tells him that she loves him. Boy says he only wants to be friends although he still has deep feelings for girl.
What is a person to do?
Just thinking about the complexity that is Daisuke and Hikari's relationship can bring on a migraine. Personally I feel that Dai is being a bit of an arse for putting him and 'Kari-chan through this, but in a way I do understand. You see, now he feels that Hikari is the one who has insincere feelings...that she has these feelings for him out of guilt.
However, understanding can go but so far. You would get upset too if you ever saw those two together. After having their deep conversation, which Dai-kun still won't give details too, it seems that everything has fallen into place for them. I remember during the whirlwind tour they took me on, I couldn't help but notice the little looks they kept sending to one another when they thought the other wasn't looking. It was so kawaii.
I know that I'm not alone in my frustration. The rest of the Chosen seemed just as frustrated by his stubborness as I am. The reason that I am blaming this solely on Daisuke is he is the only one holding them up. I bet if Hikari had her way, they would be picking out their china pattern right now. Looking back on that first night, I have to admit, that it was sort of funny to see the acid looks she shot my way. That just tickled me.
I also have to admit that it was nice meeting the rest of Daisuke's friends. There were just so many different personalities in their group, so many different styles...so many hotties.
You know the saying 'Like attracts like'? Well it most certainly applies in this case. First you have Yamato and Taichi. When I found out they were a couple, I wanted to shout that it wasn't fair, but lo and behold someone must really like me up there, because that was when I spotted Takaishi Takeru. A miniature Yama clone with the brightest smile that I have ever seen. The first thing that popped in my head was 'toothpaste commercial'. Then came the mysterious Ken, who I had heard so much about, but he too came attached to the hip of Takenouchi Sora. Moving along we have Hida Iori, Izumi Koushiro, and Kido Jyou who have that whole sophisticated intellegence thing going. The variety is all there. In addition, I've also become close to the girls in the group. Sora, Mimi, Miyako, and HIkari have been great in showing me things that only girls love doing...it's good to know that they were willing to accept me rather giving me the cold shoulder as the snobby bitches back home would.
"Kiki!" I heard a familiar voice yell, turning around to see burgundy spikes approaching at a swift pace.
"Ohayo Dai-kun!" I yelled back, stopping to wait for him to catch up.
Once he reached me, we continued our daily trek to the hell we call 'higher education'.
"Whassup?"
"Nothing much. Just thinking that no matter what country, men can still use the most pathetic pick up lines in existence." I say glibly as we walk through the gates of Odaiba High.
"Who was it this time?"
"Tanaka Ryo. Know 'em?"
"A little. I used to play soccer with him before I moved. So what happened?"
"Nothing much. Just your standard 'Baby you are sooo fine' crap. I mean, can we come with some originality?" I roll my eyes and we both laugh.
"Well instead of waiting for them to come to you, why don't you go up to him?" he suggests as he begins his daily fight with his locker.
"What do you mean by 'him'?" What is he trying to say? Does he know something. Just stay cool Kiki. Remember you are in control.
"C'mon Kiki. You can't hide it from me. You seem to forget that you are talking to the one person that knows the signs..." he laughs, finally yanking the door open.
"Signs of what?" I ask coolly, having a funny suspicion that the tables were about to be turned.
Control is slipping...
"Crush."
Control is slipping...Control is slipping...
"Really? Well since you know so much, do you mind telling me who it is?" I shoot back, hands on hips and tapping my foot of the floor.
Control is slipping...Control is slipping...Control is slipping...
"Takaishi Takeru" he delivers smoothly, my hand itching to slap that smug smile off his face.
And with that name, control is gone.
Must not blush. Feeling heat in my face. Growing...growing. Damn him!
With that mischievous light twinkling in his eyes, he starts to grin and cheers, "I'm right! I'm right! Wait till I tell Ri-chan about this," he laughs again, trying to stuff the rest of his mess back in the locker. It's a wonder the door even closes.
"Shut up baka!" I hiss, trying to ignore the stares from the other students around us.
With a final click, he turns to look at me and gives me a knowing smile. "You know he likes you too."
"What makes you think that I can't get him myself?"
"I figured since everyone is so hellbent on getting 'Kari and I together, I would give the same services to someone in need."
"And I'm the lucky candidate?" I reply sarcastically, trying to ignmore his little comment about our
'helping' him with Kari-chan.
With that tradmark grin of his, he just winks and throws up a victory sign. "Bingo!"
Groaning, I roll my eyes at his little display, not finding the humor in the situation. "Sometimes I can't stand you..."
"Oh, you know you love me..." he responds, throwing an arm around me. "Anyways, I wanted to know have you talked to anyone else from London?"
"Well I got an email from Justin yesterday. He told me to tell you that he doesn't like you anymore because the football team blows. Now his bookie business is going down the drain."
"That sounds like something he would say." He grins, knowing about the lucrative 'business' our friend had started.
Walking into homeroom, we slipped in our seats just before the tardy bell rung. Lucky for us, since our teacher was known to close the door one second after class begun. Giving a quick wave to Takeru and Hikari, we look forward to begin yet another day of torture.
"Class please setttle down. Today we will begin work on a project that will require you to work with a partner. I would have paired you up but I feel that you are old enough to do this for yourselves. Please don't make me regret it. Now, go find a partner and do it quickly!" our teacher clapped her hands indicating for us to hurry with the task at hand.
Looking over, I could see that Hikari and Daisuke were already sitting side by side, resuming their game of cat and mouse.
/Those two need to be on a game show for all the playing they do with each other./ I thought smugly, watching yet another act unfold in this drama.
"Uh..Kiki?"
Turning around at the sound of my name, I am assaulted by the beautiful image of flaxen hair and sapphire eyes.
Praying that my heart doesn't beat out my chest, I ask calmly, "Hey Take- kun. How are you doing today?"
/Please say you wanna be my partner...please please please!!!/
"Good. I just wanted to know if you wanted to be partners. If you don't-"
"No! That's great. Pop a squat and then we can just wait for Seto-senshi to get started" I offered with a smile, gesturing to the seat that Dai had vacated moments before.
"Thanks." he says, giving me that Colgate smile. I girl could definitely get used to seeing that everyday.
"No, thank you. Besides, I think it's time to get to know each other more, being the best friends of the two idiots sitting over there. What do you think?" I say, flashing him the smile that I have perfected to drive men to their knees." And I wasn't disappointed by seeing a brilliant blush spread across his cheeks. Hmm...maybe I won't need Dai's help anyway.
"I'm in, and I'm pretty sure that we can get the others in on this. What do you have in mind?"
"A direct assault." I grinned, already setting up the possibilities
Confusion and a slight twinge of apprehension could be seen clearly on the blonde bishounen features, so I hastened to reassure him.
"Nothing to dangerous Takeru-kun. Just putting them in circumstances that will make him realize that he's being a baka and finally give Hikari and himself the happiness they both deserve." I say confidently, taking another glance at the 'non-couple' sitting across the room.
I know that Dai may not like me after this, but I refuse to let him sit and suffer when he can be happy.
That's what friends do for friends.
Daisuke
This last month has been interesting to put it nicely. First with the arrival of Kiki, everyone just has accepted her a part of the group. It still sort of funny how people just assumed that we were girlfriend and boyfriend. Second, being able to get to know my friends again has been a whirlwind experience. Even though I have blamed most of my leaving at Yamato's and Hikari's feet, I think that was not sole reason. Except for Ken, Taichi, and Hikari, I wasn't really all that close to the others, so I felt that they really wouldn't care if I stayed or not. I think that after the lectures and punches that I've gotten from everyone, that I know better now.
However the best part has been getting to know Hikari again. I have to admit, as much as I claimed to love her, I really didn't know that much. Like who would have thought that she likes to watch kickboxing matches and has a secret obsession for strawberry Pocky? Not me, that's for sure. Then there are there are the times I just want to kiss the daylights out of her, but thankfully I learned self-control over the years. I don't think that would go over to well after I'm the one that said we should be friends.
Me and my big mouth.
Laying down, I close my eyes, nodding off to the sounds coming from the television show that Chibi thought was so hilarious.
As with anything in our house I should have known that my impromptu nap was going to be interrupted.
"'Ke-chan!" I heard my sister yell, the sound of the footsteps in the hall.
"In here" I hollered back, getting a sneaking suspicion that I would be getting a lecture from my nosy 'neechan. Between her and Kiki, I don't know who is worse.
About a minute later, Jun bursts in my room, apple juice and vanilla wafers in hand. Plopping down on my bed, she settles down getting comfortable. Damn, this looks like it's going to take awhile.
"So, what's going on in your life little brother? Still making Yagami-san wait?"
"You've been talking to Kiki again?"
"Yep and I still think that she is right in calling you an idiot."
"Fine. Take her side."
"Oh don't be that way. I just want you to explain to me why you turned down the one person who you pined over since you met her..."she asked, giving me this look that clearly said 'You are a dunce!'
"Smart ass"
"You know it. Now tell me..." she grinned, completely rolling off the insult.
"Simply put, I don't want to rush into anything. I want to make sure that she is sure about how she feels for me, not just because she feels some sort of guilt." I say evenly, trying to hold my annoyance in for answering the same question for the thousandth time.
"And I repeat, you are a BAKA!" she yells, smacking me upside my head to get the message across. Sometimes, I wish my family wasn't so touchy feely.
"Shut up Juju!" I snapped, adding on the dreaded nickname for added effect. Maybe if I irritated her enough, she would get pissed, we would argue and she would leave me alone.
No dice. She simply brushed her hair out her eyes and gave me the most serious look I've ever seen on her face."Well you can delude yourself all you want to. All I'm going to say is don't wait too long."
"Just keep pounding that into my head, why dontcha?"
"I'll keep that in mind." she threatens, smiling to take the edge off. Leaning over my bed, she plucks Chibi off the floor and gives him a squeeze.
"So what are you up today? I figured that we could have a 'sibling' day or something. We haven't had one in awhile." She says while scratching Chibi between his ears.
"Can I come too...please?" he asks in that cute voice of his, looking at my sister with those big red eyes of his. Sometimes, he makes me jealous at how easy he can make my sister fold.
"Of course Chibs." My sister smiles,tickling his belly. Sometimes you would think that they were Digiworld partners.
As I watch the tickle war, my mom calls out, "Dai-chan! Ken is on the phone for you honey!"
"Thanks Mom." I yell down the hall, getting a funny feeling as to why he was calling me.
Setting the small dragon down on my stomach, 'Neechan walks to the door, but not without letting me know one important thing. "You do know that this isn't finished. Come get me when you're done." and with one last enigmatic smile, she walks out.
Flopping back on my bed, I let out the tortured groan I've been holding in ever since she walked in here in 'concerned Big Sister mode'. Great...just great. Another person that is trying to play matchmaker.
Turning to my nightstand, I pick up the reciever, figuring that I've made Ken wait long enough. Knowing that slag irritates Ken to no end, I decide to have a little fun.
"Whassup?"
Hearing an exasperated sigh, I know that I've gotten the desired effect. Ken can be so easy at times.
"Can't you answer the phone like a normal person?"
"I thought you already knew...I'm not normal" I reply back, not missing a beat. "What do you want?" I askl bluntly. I don't want to give him time to soften me up for anything.
"Nothing big..." he says cautiously, letting me know that it's anything but.
"Ken-" I muttered, putting a warning tone in there for good measure.
"Just wanted to know what your doing tomorrow. Sora and I were thinking that it's time to have a gathering of all the Chosen and their friends..."
"Sounds like a party to me." There are twelve of us and adding friends to the mix would make that number skyrocket.
"Didn't I just say it was a gathering?" he huffed which was a clear indication that he was getting annoyed. "Anyway, I just wanted to know if you had plans or not."
Knowing that he wouldn't stop until I agreed, I decided to be give in for once.
"Count me in."
Hearing an audible sigh of relief, he continues, "Great. By the way, I guess I should warn you. Sora has some plans."
"Tell her to back off Ken. 'Ri-chan and I will be fine, as long no one interferes. Matter of fact, pass that on to the rest of the group."
"Like they'll listen anyway."
"True."
"Alright then. I have to call the others, so I'll catch you later. Ja." and the next moment, I heard the buzzing of the dial tone in my ear.
Damn! I wish they would just leave this alone. I would have thought they would be happy to see that I wasn't such the hothead anymore. That I wanted to take things slow. I swear my friends are fickle. Hearing the phone ring again, I just rolled my eyes, thinking that it was Ken calling back to make me pinky swear into coming to his and Sora's little bash.
"Ken, I said I was-"
"Uh...no this isn't Ken. Is that you Daisuke?" the person asked, sounding slightly familiar.
"You've just won a million dollars! Who's this?" I said, having the nagging sensation that the voice sounded familiar.
"Yamato."
What in hell is going on here?
"Hey Ishida-san. What can I do for you?" I ask politely, just like my mom taught me.
"First, call me Yamato and second, I was wondering if I could talk to you, face to face?" he asked in a subdued tone, which seemed totally out of character for him...especially when he was talking to me.
So it was with caution that I began to answer his question. "Look, I don't want to get into another argument-"
"We won't. I just think that it's time we clear up some things between us. Can you meet me at Sherbert Slide in an hour?"
"Sure, if you promise to buy Chibi and I large sundaes." I offer, feeling each bounce on my stomach from the energetic blue furball.
"Do you know how much that's going to set me back?"
"Sundaes or no deal." I say, not budging from my terms. I figure I might as well get something out of this if things don't go as planned.
"Fine brat. See you in sixty." Came his laughing response followed by a dial tone.
I still don't know how long I looked at the reciever in my hand. Is there too much wax in my ears or did I just hear Ishida Yamato laugh?
I hope this doesn't mean the end of the world is near...
Returning the receiver back to it's rest, I get up and pick up Chibi and my bookbag.
"Where we going Dai-kun?" he pipes up from the bag, snuggling down to get comfortable.
"How would you like some free ice cream?" was all I said before Chibi jumped in my backpack and zipped himself inside.
"In a hurry aren't you?" I chuckled at my partner's antics.
"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!" he yelleed from inside my knapsack, making it bounce against my back.
"I am I am I am I am!" I laughed, mocking him.
Running down the hall, I am about to run down the steps when I hear an irritated voice yell out, "And just where do you think you are going?"
"Um, I gotta go!" I yell back, running out of her 'grabbing collar and pull back' range.
Just as I hit the bottom step, I heard a door slam open and heard an angry voice scream, "Oh no you don't! Come back here! We were supposed to spend the day together..."
"We will. I just have to clear up a couple of things." I yelled back, stuffing my feet into my trainers and walking out the door.
Yamato
Where the HELL is that brat. It seems like he would be late to his own funeral. If he isn't here in five seconds, he can kiss those sundaes goodbye.
5
4
3
2
"Hey Ishida! Sorry I'm late but I had to ditch my sister for little talk and she wasn't happy about."
"I understand, and what did I say about calling me Ishida?"
"Don't" he says a little sheepishly, reminding me of Tai when he caught doing something he isn't supposed to.
"Well..." I prodded, raising an eyebrow in the same manner that always made Takeru do what I wanted.
"Gomen. Hey Yamato-san" he says again, a touch of sarcasm tinting his words.
"That's a start. Now what would you like?" I ask him politely, wanting this to start on the right foot.
"Two Double Chocolate Rocky Road Fudge Supremes and a reason why I risked having Jun breath fire down my back..." he smirked, settling down in the seat across from me.
"Fair Enough. I just thought that it was high time that I cleared some things up with you...about my behavior towards you." I stated firmly, wanting let him know how serious I was to clearing up these understandings between us.
"Yeah, what about it?" he asked cautiously, is expression unreadable.
"I just wanted to say I'm sorry for the way I treated you back then."
"Did I just enter the Twilight Zone or did you just apologize for acting like the bastard you are?" he quipped, giving me the look of disbelief that I deserved...but that doesn't change the fact that it ticked me off a bit.
"Are you going to be a prick about this or are you going to accept my apology?" I bit out, trying desperately to hold on to my temper. It would do no good to lose it now.
"Apology accepted." He said seriously, allowing a wave of relief to wash through me. We might be able to get somewhere. Unzipping his backpack
"Hey Yamato?"
"Yeah?" I replied, looking at Chibimon making light work of the sundae that was placed in front of him. I bet he really runs up the Motomiya's food bill.
"What was the problem? I mean, ever since we met it seemed that we never got along. Then to find out that we both shared the Crest of Friendship, it felt like one big cosmic joke..." he laughed, although his eyes were anything but happy.
"I'll admit that most of the blame is on me and I'm sorry about that," was all I could say, just now realizing what I did to him because I couldn't handle my own feelings.
"Why though? You can't tell me because you felt pissed about me obsessing over Hikari...." he pressed, leaning back in his chair with an unreadable expression on his face. I knew that he was preparing himself for what I had to say good or bad. I've performed the same routine often enough.
"No. More like your hero-worship and similarities to her brother." I stated simply, taking a spoonful of my own sundae, giving him time to see what I was trying to get across. Confusion was etched on his face for almost a minute until I could almost see the light bulb explode into life. Deciding that he needed a little more information, I continued to clear it up for him.
"Okay, let me summarize this for you. Say you are a hormonal teenager that has just come to accept the fact that you're gay. Now imagine that you have a big crush on your best friend. You begin to avoid said best friend, in hopes that it's just a crush, but unfortunately you are called to help fight in a different dimension once again, alongside another boy who you swear is your crush's long lost twin. Follow so far?"
"Yeah. Basically you would snap at me because I reminded you of Taichi and that pissed you off."
"Okay, but there is more to it. Now say that you are beginning to realize that the crush you have for your best friend is something deeper, but you begin to notice that he spends a lot of time with his own chibi clone. How would you feel?" I explain to him. It takes a few seconds, but slowly the light bulb begins to glow bright.
"Don't tell me you were jealous!" he blurts out, brown eyes widening in disbelief.
"Shut up! This isn't easy you know..." I snap, although I feel my mouth twitching from his reaction.
"Sorry, but you have to admit that it is a little funny."
"Whatever."
After he calms down a bit, I ask him, "So can you understand why I would act like such a cold-hearted bastard to you?"
"I guess so when you explain things like that. So, where do we go from here?"
Looking straight in his eyes, I lay it on the line and hope for the best.
"Hopefully the building of a real friendship. Look Daisuke-san, I've thought about this and it seems that those that are linked to the Crest of Friendship gets a raw deal. However, I do know that any trials that we go through have the tendancy to make us stronger and better than before, wouldn't you agree?"
With a small smile he replies, "Totally."
"Well, I just wanted to let you know that I am willing to live up to our crest. So what do you say? Friends?" I hold out my hand, never once letting my eyes stray from his.
After a few tense moments, he surprises me by getting out of his seat, and comes around the table to give me a hearty hug.
"Friends."
And with that I released the breath that I'd been holding since he walked in. "Now that is over, how about we celebrate this occasion with a noogie?" I suggest, my fist prepared to attack the auburn strands.
"Don't press your luck. Do you know how long it takes for my hair to look this good?" he grinned, putting a protective hand over his shortened spikes.
"Hmm...maybe your not so much like Taichi after all..." I said thoughtfully, looking at him in a brand new light. I have the sinking suspicion that we have all sold Daisuke short.
"Glad someone noticed." he muttered, turnign to look at the people passing by on the sidewalk.
Interested in this new issue, I decided to explore it a bit.
"What does that mean?"
"It just seemed that everyone looked upon me as a 'replacement' for Tai. Granted we have the same similarites on the outside and inside, but there are some things that we just diifer on. However it seemed that people never took the time to look deeper...just made up their mind that I was Taichi's Mini-me. Besides what happened with Hikari, I think that was another reason I left."
"I want to apologize for that too..." I began, before he cut me off abruptly.
"No Yamato. I don't want to hear another apology from you. What past is past and there is nothing that we can do to change it. We have to concentrate on the present and the rest can
"Daaaaaaaiiiiiiiiisssuuuuukkkeee! I want another ice cream PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!" the little blue eating machine pouted, widening his eys to get that ultra-kawaii effect. The day Tai learns how to do that, I will be in deep trouble.
"Umm, you don't mind ordering another one do you? I know that I should have fed him before coming down here, but your phone call was unexpected and I didn't have the time..." he said, scratching his head in embarassment.
"Sorry about that. I almost forgot how demanding In-Training digimon can be."
I agreed, and began to tell him of my adventures in the Digital World. I also told him about the Cherrymon Incident and what I learned from it. It was good talking to him like this...makes me feel worse at all the time that we wasted, but I shake that thought out of my mind knowing that we were on our way to making up for it.
tbc...
:::runs away from flying fruits and veggies:: OUCH!!! I'm sorry I'm sorry!! I know that there wasn't that much Daikari in this chapter but I said that up top already. However, I also said that the next chapter will be Daikari GALORE with slight fluffiness of Kenora, Takirei, and Taito. So, be on the look out for chapter 6 in the next few weeks.
ja ne minna
dream-chan
