Author Notes: I'm really sorry, it took longer than I expected to get this chapter out. I've been quite busy this week unfortunately. Although it is after Christmas I'll still keep posting. It would be wrong to just stop posting after all the nice people read the first chapter. Only one more chapter after this one I think anyway.
Thank you to Redrum, Angel of Peace, nEo-cHan, kellyQ, neo, FireDemon, WildfireFriendship, Crysie, Debra, Leiko and Sophie V for all your reviews. It is appreciated very much. I hope this chapter is all right.
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, please do not sue.
The loneliness joy brings Chapter two: Best ever?
The happiness Taichi had experienced just hours ago was gone leaving him with feelings of sorrow and confusion. He couldn't escape the thought of Yamato sitting in a hotel room all by himself. It was no wonder that Yamato wasn't happy about Christmas. Taichi remembered all the Christmas's he and his family had went and spent at his aunt's house. There were so many relatives there that Taichi could barely breathe let alone move. But now the thought didn't seem so bad, besides on the plus side he got lots of presents from lots of different relatives, even though a lot of them proved to be rather crappy gifts.
"Poor Yama…"
He opened the door to his apartment and reluctantly walked in.
"Oh hi honey, you're just in time for dinner." His mother called to him cheerfully.
"Onii-san!" Hikari got up from the couch and ran to greet her older brother.
"Hey, Hikari."
"Hey what's that you have under your arm?" the young girl asked curiously.
"Huh?" He looked under his arm suddenly realising that he was holding his sister's present. "Ah!" Quickly he pushed it behind his back. "It's nothing! Don't look!"
A large smile grew upon her face. "It's my Christmas present isn't it?! Come on Taichi show it to me!" She cried while trying to grab it off him.
"Hikari, leave it alone! Go away!"
"Awwww come on Taichi…. Please?"
"No!"
"Hikari, Taichi it's time for dinner!"
Hikari groaned. Reluctantly she went and sat at the table while Taichi ran into his bedroom to hide the little art kit.
"Taichi hurry up!" yelled his father.
"I'm coming, I'm coming." He sat down at the table and stared silently at his family who had all ready started eating and were now talking amongst one and other. The guilt of Yamato being all alone grew stronger. Looking around at his family he began to realise just how lucky he was. He hated Yamato's father for leaving him alone on Christmas even though it wasn't entirely his fault. This sucks…
"Taichi is something wrong?" his mother asked, concerned over her son's quietness.
"No mum, nothing's wrong."
"Are you sure son?" his father queried.
"It's just that you seem kind of distant. This morning when you woke up you seemed really happy, but now you seem rather down."
"Yeah this morning you couldn't even shut up for a minute!" Hikari added easily realising that her brother wasn't acting himself."
"No, nothing is wrong." The brunette stated becoming slightly aggravated.
"Taichi…"
Taichi stared down as his plate. "Well maybe there is something wrong… It's not me, it-it's Yamato…."
"Oh my, what's wrong?" his mother asked worriedly.
"Yeah what's wrong with Yamato?" asked Hikari as equally concerned as her mother.
"His dad is going on a business trip and he has to go with him."
"Oh is he worried about going away? I thought he had been away on trips with his dad before."
"Yeah, but this time its on Christmas. His dad is going to be really busy meaning Yamato will have to spend most of the trip all alone, including being by himself on Christmas day in some stupid hotel room."
"That's awful. I knew Yamato's father was a really busy man but I would never have thought that the television station would have made him work and travel during Christmas. Couldn't the Company just ask someone who's not going anywhere on Christmas day to cover for him?"
Taichi shook his head sadly. "No, that's what I asked. There are so many people after his job that he couldn't give it up. He can't stay with his mum either because she and Takeru are going to Osaka to spend the holidays with some relatives."
"Poor kid, he must get awful lonely at time." Stated Mr. Yagami before shoving a mouth full of potatoes into his mouth. "But I suppose with Ishida-san's situation he has no other choice."
"Don't eat with your mouth full." Mrs. Yagami sighed.
Taichi bit on to his lower lip. An idea was forming in his mind. He looked up again at his family who were now talking about something that he hadn't paid attention too.
Yamato…
"Mum? Dad?"
"What is it sweetie?"
"I-I was just wondering… well since Yamato is going to be alone this Christmas, and well since we're not going to aunt Mayuko's this year, I was just thinking why don't we invite Yamato over here?"
There were a few moments of silence. Taichi eye's stared at his knees while waiting for answer, to afraid to look up at his parents in case the answer was No.
Mrs. Yagami gave her son a sympathetic smile. "Will this was the first Christmas that we were going to spend just the four of us, but it just doesn't seem fair to leave Yamato alone, so of course he can come."
"Really?! He can really stay?" Taichi called out excitedly, a huge smile forming on his face.
"Yes, but we must make sure it's all right with his father first."
Hikari smiled cheerfully. "It will be fun to have Yamato stay with us."
"Great! I'm going to phone him right now!"
"Huh, Taichi what about your-" but before Mrs. Yagami could say anymore, he was all ready away in his room. She sighed and looked at his plate still full of food. "And I worked so hard making this. I suppose I can just wrap it up and put it away for him for later."
"Honey wait!" her husband shouted quickly grabbing the plate off her. She stared in confusion. "I'm sure Taichi's far to excited about his friend spending Christmas with us to eat anything, and well you know what they say, food always tastes better when first ready. So instead of wasting that great taste I'll just eat it."
Mrs. Yagami cocked an eyebrow at him. "Such a pig…"
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Yamato gave a sigh as he flicked through the countless number of television channels. And despite the large number nothing worth watching was on. Annoyed, he switched off the television and threw the remote control on to the floor. He lifted his legs and suddenly curled into a small ball. He felt so empty, yet there were hundreds of emotions flowing through his mind, so many that he didn't even know what to feel. Part of him was sure it was hatred, hatred for this stupid, meaningless holiday. There was really no point to it. Commercialism had taken over long ago anyway. His thoughts were driving him insane. He wanted to distract himself from the self-pity growing inside of him. But there were no books and nothing good was on Tv to calm his mind. I hate this….
Suddenly the phone rang giving the blond boy a small fright. Rolling his eyes, Yamato got up to answer the phone. He expected it to be his father telling him that he was sorry but had to work late, but to Yamato's surprise it wasn't his dad who called.
"Hey Yama, it's Taichi!" a voice shouted from the other line.
"Oh, hi."
"Guess what! You won't have to spent Christmas all alone this year!" Taichi cried out excitedly.
"Uh?"
"I asked my parents and they said that it would be okay if you came spend Christmas with us. Now you won't need to be all alone isn't it great?! But my Mum said you'd have to ask your dad first. Is he still at work?"
It took Yamato a few moments to take in all that had been said. Had Taichi just invited him to spend Christmas with him and his family? The thought made Yamato's heart give a leap. Taichi cared about him enough that he invited him over for Christmas? He would no longer need to spend it in some stinky hotel now. Now he could spend it was his very best friend. Such a thing seemed too good to be true. A small smile flickered upon his face, yet the smile didn't last as his pessimistic nature kicked in. The only reason the Yagami's were even letting him stay was because they felt sorry for him, that was all. All of this was out of self-pity, not because they really wanted him there. God, he was pathetic, and at that moment Yamato wished desperately that he could just scream.
"Yamato? Yamato are you still there?"
"Huh? Oh um yeah."
"So you think your dad will allow you to come spend Christmas with me?" Taichi asked feeling hopeful.
Yamato bit his lip. Now that he knew the truth, he wasn't sure if he wanted to go.
What do I do? I don't want to lie to Taichi. I hate lying to Taichi. Maybe my dad won't let me stay, then I'll have to go with him to Shibuya. But then again, I don't want to go to Shibuya either. Man, I don't know what I want…
"Um I'm not sure, I'll have to ask him…" Yamato replied, his voice full of unease.
"Okay. I'm sure he'll let you stay, won't he?"
Yamato sighed. "I'm not sure, and besides I really don't want to intrude on your family."
"What? Hey come on your not intruding! We're the ones that invited you, remember. You can't intrude if you've been invited over so don't threat about it."
Yamato nodded despite the fact that his friend could not even see him. "Thanks Taichi your good friend."
Taichi gave a small laugh. "No problem."
"Well I um better go now."
"Oh okay."
"I-I I'll call you back after I ask my dad."
"Okay. Call me back as soon as he's given you answer okay!"
"O-Okay. Bye."
"Bye!"
Yamato put the phone down with a large frown set upon his face. What do I do now?
A few hours later he went to bed in hope that some sleep would ease his mind, But unfortunately the sleep he so desperately craved for never came. He heard his father enter the apartment. Gazing at the clock next to his bed he realized that it was all ready past midnight. He was tempted to get up and explain to his father about Taichi inviting him to spend Christmas with him and his family. Yet something held him back. Perhaps the anxiety of waiting wasn't as aggravating as he had first perceived it to be. He remembered Taichi telling him to call him back as soon as his father gave him an answer. But the time was late and he was absolutely positive that Taichi's parents would have a fit if he were to call at this time. Finally he decided he would just leave his question until tomorrow. His father probably would have been to tired to get a full grasp of what his son was talking about anyway.
Just go to sleep and forget about it. You really are taking this too seriously.
Sleep eventually came for him only a few hours later that he had hoped.
Waking up early the next morning, he decided he might as well get up. Once finished getting washed and ready, he made a quick start on breakfast. His dad would be getting up soon to get ready for work and no doubt he would be hungry. Yamato was surprised that the Television Company hadn't just asked him to live there with all the hours of work he was forced to do. Most of the time he believed that that his father coming home to sleep and get showered was pointless.
Yamato sighed and continued to flip the eggs he was preparing. Although it was only he and his dad he was making breakfast for, he always ended up making more food than was needed. He was unsure to why he did this for most of the time he would just be making food for himself. Now he just classed it as some strange habit he had familiarly came accustomed to over the years.
"Ya-Yamato?" Yamato turned around to see his father standing in the doorway of his bedroom, yawning loudly. To Yamato's surprise he was all ready dressed. "What are you doing up? I thought you had the day off because of the holidays."
The younger boy shrugged. "Didn't sleep well last night, that's all. Anyway I made eggs with toast for breakfast today. They'll be ready in a few minutes if you want to wait."
"Oh great I'm starving. I haven't had anything to eat since dinnertime yesterday." His father exclaimed, obviously looking forward to eating the meal his son was preparing.
"The company don't give you many breaks do they?" Yamato stated rhetorically.
Mr. Ishida sighed. "That they don't, but at this time of the year things tend to get a bit chaotic. I suppose it can't be helped." The man frowned when his son never replied. "Look Yamato I'm really sorry that I'm going on this stupid trip and even more sorry that I'm dragging you with me. I know this isn't the sort of Christmas you-"
"No I don't mind. I don't care much for Christmas anyway."
"No you never did, did you?" his father spoke with a tint of sadness in his voice.
There were a few moments of silence as both males stared at each other, yet they were directly looking at the other. Both were lost in there own thoughts with there own problems in their own worlds. Yamato's contemplation was interrupted as he quickly remembered the breakfast he was preparing. He got up and
Instantly tended to the food. A small invisible smile came upon his lips upon realising that his food had not been ruined. Switching off the stove he put the fried eggs on to two separate plates and put a piece of toast each next to it.
Mr. Ishida smiled as the plate was set down in front of him. "They look delicious!"
"Orange juice?" asked Yamato taking a bottle from the fridge.
"Oh um yes please." After pouring the orange liquid into a glass for him father, he finally sat down at the table himself.
"Hmmmm this is great! You're an amazing cook!" praised his father.
"Well you wouldn't really know would you since you're always at work. You've barely had a chance taste any of the stuff I cook for dinner. That could be disgusting for all you know." Yamato replied feeling slightly annoyed.
Mr. Ishida sighed and took a sip of his juice. "No I guess I wouldn't. Your mother however said you prepared a wonderful meal for her and Takeru that time you stayed with them."
"That was awhile ago." Yamato stated uncomfortably.
"I'm sorry that you couldn't stay with them while I'm away. If those damn bastards at work had of said something about the trip a few weeks earlier I could have arranged something with your mother! Maybe you could have even went to Osaka with them."
"Doesn't matter, those whole family Christmas get together things don't suit me. To be honest they all seem a bit lame to me."
His father laughed. "Yes I know what you mean. But still I just feel so guilty about all of this."
Yamato bit his lower lip and shifted feeling strangely anxious. "Yamato what's wrong?"
"It-s uh…Taichi." He took a small breath before continuing. "Taichi he phoned last night and asked if I wanted to spend Christmas with him and his family."
To say the least, Mr. Ishida was very surprised by the answer he received. But his face soon brightened and he smiled at his son. "Taichi-kun is a very good friend, ne?"
Yamato nodded, but then added quietly, "I don't know if I'll go thought."
"Hmm why not?" his father asked, puzzled.
"I'd feel bad for leaving you alone on Christmas. I mean Christmas is about to be about family and stuff and well you're my family, not Taichi, Hikari and their parents."
"Yes but Takeru and your mother are your family and you're not spending Christmas day with them." Yamato became dishearted at the hearing of this truth. "Yamato be honest with yourself. Do you really want to spend Christmas all by yourself?" He didn't answer. "Taichi is your friend, and well since he invited you, I think it would be a good idea if you went. To be honest it would put my mind at rest."
Yamato blinked curiously. "Why?"
"Oh nothing really. Hmmm." He said shoving an egg into his mouth. "Well I'd better go get washed then leave else I'll be late. Those bastards will kill me if I'm late again." Yamato didn't reply.
As he heard his father shut the bathroom door, he groaned loudly. "Kuso…" He hated it when his father said things like that then not tell him what he meant. He distressed him greatly. Baka.
Twenty minutes later his father left. He sighed and stared at the phone across the room. "I guess I have no choice…" Slowly he got up and picked up the phone. He stared at the keys for a few moments before actually dialling as if pondering if he should really call.
"I'll get it!" cried Taichi rushing towards the telephone. Both his parents blinked in astonishment. "He-he's actually up this early?!"
"Moshi. Moshi."
"Uh, Taichi-"
"Hey Yama! So what did your Otou-san say? Can you stay?"
"Well I don't-"
"Please, please, please say he said yes! I would really love it if you could spend Christmas with us. Hikari-chan is really looking forward to it too."
Yamato's grasp on the phone tightened. "My-My Otou-san he said um…he said it would be all right if I stayed…"
"What?! Really?! This is great! I'm sure we'll have lots of fun. With you to spend Christmas with, I'm sure it will be the best ever!"
The blond boy frowned. Best ever?
"Hey Yamato you do want to spend Christmas with me right?" Taichi asked, his voice filled with doubt making him sound like an innocent little child.
Yamato was got quite off guard by his friend's question. How could he give Taichi an answer if he didn't know himself? But to satisfy his friend's excitement he replied, "Yes"
A smile came upon Taichi's lips, something that Yamato obviously couldn't see. "Good."
"Yeah..."
"So you'll be coming over tomorrow then?"
"Huh? Oh-oh yeah. My Otou-san leaves tomorrow afternoon, Christmas Eve."
"Great, well I'll see you tomorrow then. Call me tonight and we can arrange things."
"Okay, I will."
"Talk to you soon. And um Yamato, I'm really glad I get to spend my favourite day of the years with you. Bye."
The other line clicked and Yamato could not bring himself to say goodbye. Christmas? I'm just glad I get to spend any day of the year with you… But the truth is I really don't know…
Authors Notes: I hope this chapter was okay. The reason I didn't have Taichi ask Yamato to spend Christmas with him right away was so I could show Taichi realising how lonely his friend must feel. Plus I can try to show more character development this way.
Although this was pointless I added in Yamato making more food that is needed to show his loneliness. It can be considered psychological in away, but I did this as away to show that he doesn't actually want to me alone. He would rather make food for a family than just for him and his dad. He makes more food than needed in hope in hope than one day he will be able to share it and not be alone, although he doesn't realise this himself. Okay this was pointless I admit. I just like adding in things like this to try and convey the characters personalities more.
If any one wants me too, I will post the next chapter even though Christmas is over. Thanks for reading. Please review as I enjoy reading them very much, and they help me improve. Arigatou gozaimasu!