Authors Notes: I'm really sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out. *Bows apologetically* I have lots of exams coming up and with the extra increase on homework, I don't really have much time to write stories then type them up. But of course I'll try to get chapters uploaded as soon as possible. *sighs* Exams are evil. So are teachers. Damn them for giving me so much homework.
Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed it's appreciated very much. I hope this chapter will be okay.
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon. Please do not sue.
Hate before love: Chapter three
Everyone gazed at the golden haired boy in alarm.
"Ya-Yamato…" Taichi stared deep into his deep blue eyes. It almost seemed like Yamato had placed barriers upon each layer to prevent anyone from coming close to reading his thoughts. He always kept to himself. He hated showing emotion to anyone. And this time was no different.
"You-you'll go with me?"
"Yeah, well I know how much you care about your sister, and I don't really want to see her die either."
Taichi frowned slightly. "Maybe it would be best if you just stayed here."
The blonde boy snorted. "Fine, if you don't want my help."
"Come on Taichi, let Yamato go. It will be much safer, plus if you ran into any of the Dark masters, it would be easier to fight." Stated Sora.
"No offence, but I'd rather go myself." He answered stubbornly.
Sora frowned. "Taichi…"
"Show's how much you care about your sister." Yamato stated coldly. "You and I both know that with two mega Digimon, we can get there faster. But if you want to risk your sisters life just cause you don't want my company…."
"What the hell did you say?!" Angrily Taichi grabbed hold of Yamato's collar, raising his fist. "You better take that back or I swear to God that I'll kill you."
"Go ahead, see if I care." Yamato replied coldly.
"Taichi wait!" cried Sora, trying to release Taichi's grip of Yamato.
"Yamato's right. We don't even know if Hikari will last forty eight hours." Stated Jyou as he tended to Hikari's high temperature.
Giving a loud sigh, Taichi dropped Yamato, feeling partly ashamed for his behaviour. He wasn't used to the lone wolf helping out much. He was worried that if he and Yamato got into an argument, that they would be wasting time, while innocent Hikari's fate rested in their hands. "You're right. Gomen, Yamato. You can come."
The blond boy got up and stared into Taichi's brown eyes. "I'm doing this for Hikari. Not you…"
Taichi nodded. "I know."
"Oniisan, I want to go too!" cried Takeru.
"You can't Takeru, it's too dangerous." Yamato quickly stated to his younger sibling.
The younger boy frowned. It angered him that even though Hikari was the same age as him, the others still treated him as the baby of the group. "If you can go, I should too!"
Yamato sighed. "Look, Takeru, I said no."
Tears filled eyes. "You don't want me around! You think that I just get in the way!"
Yamato was overcome with shock from his brother's words. Takeru thought that he didn't want him around? Yamato loved his brother so much. He wanted Takeru to be safe, and wanted to protect the younger boy from any form of pain that stood in the way.
Takeru, Taichi, Sora… They don't need me around anymore. Most of the time, nobody even notices that I am there. I hate this feeling. I hate it so much. No matter how much I deny it, the feeling of being ignored hurts me. And now I have done it do my own brother….
"Takeru…"
"All I want to do is help." He replied, wiping away his tears.
Yamato tried his best to put on a smile. He bent down and grasped Takeru, hugging him tightly. "I'm sorry. I really didn't mean to make you feel this way. You're my little brother. I love you very much, and I do enjoy being with you, I just don't want to see you getting hurt."
Slowly Takeru pulled away from Yamato. He gazed deeply into his brother's eyes, and unlike when Taichi had looked into them, they were bursting with emotion. "I know you want to protect me, but I've grown up a lot since we came to the Digital world. I've learned a lot about taking care of myself, and remember Patamon's here to protect me, too"
Yamato's heart faded, realising that Takeru no longer needed him. The little boy that had once been stereotyped as a cry-baby, had grown up so much. He had changed for the better. And because of this, Takeru no longer needed him. Yamato was the one that need him…
"Well can I come?" The younger boy asked again, hopefully.
"Hikari needs you here."
"But-"
"Just think of how sad Hikari is going to be when she wakes up and finds out that he big brother and best friend aren't there. Taichi has to go, but you can stay here and make her feel better. And if an evil Digimon attacks, you can stay here and protect Hikari and the others."
The young boys smile transformed into a small smile. He nodded slowly. "Okay, Oniisan, Hikari needs me, so I'll stay here and try my best to protect her."
"That's my boy." Replied Yamato, teasing the younger boy by ruffling his hair with his hand.
Yamato turned to Tsunomon, signalling for him to Digivolve. "You, ready?"
"Yeah. Tsunomon Digivolve to Gabumon!" The little Digimon transformed back into his Rookie form of Gabumon.
"Feeling any better?"
"Sure am." Replied the dog-like creature. "Now let's go, we need that herb for Hikari, and fast!"
Yamato nodded and turned back around to Taichi. "Taichi?"
The brunette wasn't listening. He knelt down beside his younger sister. Softly he placed his hand on her burning forehead, and used his other hand to run his fingers through her hair. She had been unconscious for hours now. He prayed to the Gods that she would wake up soon, and just return to normal. Unfortunately, the world didn't work that way, not even the Digital world.
"Don't worry, Hikari. I'll get you that medicine. You'll get better, I promise. I love you so much." His tears fell softly on to her cheeks. "I'm-I'm so sorry… I promise I'll be back soon. I'll get you that medicine no matter what."
Slowly he forced himself up, turning away from his sister. "Agumon, let's go."
The Digimon nodded and began to Digivolve. "Agumon warp Digivolve to….Wargreymon!"
"We'd better hurry up and get a move on." Spoke the large dinosaur like Digimon.
Taichi seemed very confident that they would find the herb on time, yet on the inside Yamato was sure the brunette thought differently. Yamato hugged Takeru good bye and joined Taichi who was looking at Koushiro's laptop to ensure he remembered what plant he was to take.
"Remember that it's this plant that you have to find." Stated Koushiro, pointing towards the computer screen.
"Shouldn't be hard to find considering I've never seen anything like it before." Taichi replied. "Hey Yamato, are we going, or what?" Yamato nodded and followed the brunette towards Wargreymon. Along with Gabumon, he climbed on the large creature's back.
"Take good care of Hikari, will you Sora?" Taichi queried.
The redhead nodded. "Don't worry Taichi, I'll take good care of Hikari-chan." She cried as Wargreymon started to take off.
Yamato couldn't help but smile at his brother's kindness. He was so sweet, friendly, caring, everything he was not…
The other chosen children yelled out as Wargreymon flew away, telling them to be careful and to do their best. The large Digimon bolted fiercely through the sky. Yamato was amazed that the pressure from such a speed hadn't thrown him off yet. He held tightly on to Gabumon, gazing at Taichi who sat further up front. No matter what the brunette said or did, he was going to try his absolute best no to get into a fight with him, after all, Hikari's life depended on them.
Taichi please don't make me get mad. I only want to help….
*******************************************
Wargreymon had been following the wining river for what seemed like hours now. It was obvious that the dinosaur was tired, but Taichi wasn't so keen on letting him rest with his sister's life on the line.
"Taichi, do you want Gabumon to Digivolve into Metalgarurumon to give Wargreymon a rest?" Asked Yamato, trying to be helpful.
"Wargreymon can handle it, we don't need your help." Tiachi stated coolly, not even bothering to look around.
Yamato frowned. God, why did he have to be so stubborn?
"Yamato, should I warp Digivolve into Metagarurumon?" The dog-like creature asked quietly.
The blond snorted. "No, goggle boy over there thinks he can handle it all by himself."
Taichi turned around, angry about the other boy's remark. "I wasn't the one who asked you to come, you know. So why don't you just but out!"
"Well, you know-" Suddenly he stopped, remembering what he had promised himself from earlier.
"Well? What?!" the brunette demanded.
Sighing he turned away. "Nothing, just forget it."
"Fine."
Man, this is going to be harder than I thought. All I want to do is help, and he treats me like shit. Usually he's busting his ass off trying to give the others orders, but when it comes to me…. He doesn't even care if I'm dead or alive.
Yamato suddenly realised just how hungry he was. He, neither Gabumon hadn't eaten in hours. Sighing, he lay his head back and curled up into a little ball. Night had finally arrived, and the stars shone brightly in the sky.
It's beautiful.
Usually he never looked at things just for their beauty, but he could never resist the black glittering quilt of sky at night. He had spent many nights after his parent's divorce, just gazing at it. He found that by doing this, he could distract the feelings of loneliness that were eating away at his heart. He desperately missed taking care of his younger brother. It had never occurred to him, that one day Takeru would no longer need him. This had come all too soon, and knowing the truth had broken his heart.
He yearned so deeply to play his harmonica, it would help release his stress. Music seemed to be the only way he could truly express his feelings. But if he started play, Taichi would probably get mad and start shouting at him. He didn't wish to get into another fight with the brunette, not right now. Slowly he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
**********************************************
Hours later, Yamato could feel someone nudging at his arm, but he was so tired and the temptation to go back to sleep was so appealing. Suddenly he remembered his current situation and quickly got up.
"I think we're nearly there, Yamato." Stated Gabumon, the one who had been nudging him.
"About time." The blond replied, stretching his arms out and yawning. He crawled over to Taichi and stopped behind him. A look of shock was plastered upon Taichi's face.
Yamato blinked. "What's the-" He stopped, catching sight of what Taichi was so shocked at. "God, it's huge!" The mountain was enormous, the top seemed completely unreachable!
"Huge or not, I'm still going!" exclaimed Taichi.
"I know." Yamato replied. And it was true, he did know. Taichi would do anything for his little sister, something he had learned about the brunette along time ago. After all, he would do the same for Takeru. Wargreymon flew down and stopped on a large pathway. After Taichi, Yamato and Gabumon got off, Wargreymon De-digivolved back into his rookie form of Agumon. The little reptile Digimon sighed, and instantly sat down. "Phew. That was a long trip."
"Come on, get up. We don't have the time to rest. We've got to find that plant." Taichi urged.
"Come on Taichi, you can't really be serious?" sighed Yamato. "Don't you think he deserves a little rest? He's been flying for hours."
Taichi chose to ignore this and continued to urge his Digimon to get up. "Come on Agumon, please get up. Hkari's life is depending on us!"
"You know if you had just let Metalgarurumon take over flying for a little while earlier, Agumon wouldn't feel so tired." Stated Yamato.
"Butt out and mind your own goddamn business!" Taichi yelled angrily.
Yamato sighed yet again and turned to walk away. "Fine, sorry for trying to help you safe your little sister's life."
Taichi frowned slightly as he watched Yamato walk away. "Well maybe we could rest for a little while."
"Sorry Taichi." Replied Agumon, sadly.
"It's okay, just try to get some sleep. We need to find that herb and fast."
"Right, Taichi."
Within a few minutes, the Digimon had fallen asleep. Taichi on the other hand was in no mood to go to sleep. Unable to get his sister's limb and frail body out of his mind, he started to make a fire. Quietly he began to rub two sticks together in order to create a flame. Usually he would just have Agumon start a fire with his pepper breath attack, but he didn't want to disturb the slumbering Digimon right now.
Taichi gazed at the crackling fire, dazzling with a mixture of reds and oranges. "God, please let her be alright. Please don't have me break that promise…"
A familiar sound filled his ears, and instantly he awoke for his haunting thoughts. It was Yamato playing his harmonica. Although he wasn't close to Yamato or anything, he still knew him well enough to know that when something was bothering him, he turned to the small instrument for relief. Often the blond boy would disappear into the forest at night for hours, just so he could play it.
Slowly Taichi got up and began to follow the faint sound of music, which soon led him to Yamato. Quickly he hid behind a giant rock so he wouldn't be seen. He's good.
Half an hour pasted and Taichi was still situated behind the rock, listening to Yamato play. Okay, it didn't create the most beautiful sound in the world, but he still liked to listen to Yamato play. He closed his eyes and leaned against the rock. As he let his body drift down, his foot skidded upon a stone, making him tumble over. "Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!"
"Who's there?" Yamato demanded, grabbing a stick for protection.
"Relax, it's just me." Spoke Taichi in embarrassment as he came out from behind the rock.
Yamato sighed in relief. "Sorry, I thought it might have been an evil Digimon or something. What were you doing behind that rock anyway?"
The brunette sweatdropped. "Um, nothing really. I was just listening to you play the harmonica. You're pretty good."
The blond shrugged. "It's not too hard to play."
"So have you being playing long?" Taichi asked, curiously.
"A few years now. My dad gave it to me when I was little, just after he and my mum got divorced. He thought it would be good if I played it when I got lonely, so I'd have something else to focus my feelings on besides the divorce. We were kinda short on money after the divorce, or he would have got me something else. I guess after awhile, he forgot about buying me a new instrument. I've gotten used to this anyway."
"Yeah I always heard that music was a good way to get your feelings out. So, are you lonely right now?"
"No." Yamato replied instantly.
There was a long silence, and all that could be heard was the faint sound of wind blowing in the distance.
"Yamato, how come you always play depressing songs? I mean out of every time I've heard you play, the songs are all sad. Why don't you try and play something a bit more jazzier or happier or something?" voiced Taichi.
The blue eyed boy sighed and turned his head away. "I play what I feel."
Taichi frowned. "Does that mean you're never happy?"
Yamato stood up and put the small instrument back in his pocket. "Look Taichi, it doesn't matter what I fell, okay. It doesn't matter what I feel…"
"But-"
"Look you'd better get some sleep or you won't have enough strength to search for Hikari's medicine."
The brunette nodded. "Yeah I guess, you're right. Goodnight Yamato."
Yamato gazed up sadly, watching the other boy leave. "Good night, Taichi-san…" he whispered. He took his harmonica back out of his pocket and stared at it. He ran his finger across the smooth sliver edge, debating whether to play again or not. He frowned and put it away. He lay his head down on the ground, tightly wrapping his arms around his body.
Why? Why do I feel like this…?
**************************************
Not surprisingly, Taichi had only let Yamato and the Digimon rest for a few short hours before waking them up to continue searching. The mountain seemed even larger than before as they pushed up the long winding mountain slope. Yamato along with Gabumon, walked a little bit behind Taichi and Agumon. Taichi was a lot fitter considering he played many sports including his favourite, soccer. Yamato on the other hand hated playing sports, so climbing up the mountain proved to be more difficult for him.
Man, I think I'm turning into Mimi. He looked up, realising how much further ahead, Taichi was. He agreed that both he and Gabumon should hurry up.
Suddenly he remembered what Taichi had asked him the night before. A frown set upon his lips. Does that mean you're never happy?
This was a question Yamato wasn't even sure how to approach, never mind fully answer. He was sure he wasn't sad all the time. But now things seemed different… Takeru no longer needed him anymore, leaving him without a purpose. Plus, it didn't seem like anyone wanted him around in the first place. Taichi hated his guts, and all he seemed to do was cause everyone pain, anyway.
Once Taichi and I find that herb, will the others even need me? Will they even want me around? Maybe I should just leave. Gabumon's a lot better without me, and Takeru doesn't even need me to take care of him anymore. God, I'm so pathetic. I've finally made a decision. I'm-
"Hey Yamato, hurry up!" yelled Taichi.
Sighing, he picked up the speed and began running to catch up with the other boy. There you go again, Ishida. Holding everybody back as usual. When he finally reached Taichi he quickly stopped to catch his breath.
"Don't tell me you're tired already." Wondered Taichi, while staring through the landscape with his mini telescope.
"Not everyone is as fit as you, you know." Gasped Yamato, still trying to regain his breath.
"Yep. That's why I have the advantage."
Yamato rolled his eyes. Taichi could be very full of himself at times. His over confidence about plans tended to annoy Yamato, usually leading to arguments between the two boys. "So, do you see anything?" he asked getting back up on his feet.
"Rocks, rocks, rocks. And hey guess what? More rocks!" replied Taichi in disappointment. "Damnit I can't see any plants anywhere!"
"Knowing our luck, they'll probably be at the very top of the mountain." Stated Yamato, his pessimistic attitude kicking in.
"Then that's were we'll go!"
Their search continued on and there was no sign of the plant anywhere. Taichi had taken Yamato's advice and decided to climb to the top of the mountain, and that was a very long way to go. Finding a dead end in one of the pathways, they decided to test their luck by climbing, which proved to be more difficult than expected.
"Agumon, just how much to you weight?!" cried Taichi pushing the Digimon up the cliff, over his head.
"I don't way that much!" The Digimon retorted in his defence.
"Really? Wanna bet? You've definitely put some weight on. I can't remember you ever being this heavy before."
"Maybe you've just gotten weaker!"
"Wonder if they have any weight watcher courses in the Digital world?" Suddenly Taichi lost his balance. The rocks below his foot cracked, throwing him downwards.
"Taichi!" Before he could fall to unfaithful death, a hand gripped hold of his leg. Slowly he opened his eyes and gazed up.
"Ya-Yamto…"
Quickly the blond haired boy pulled him up on to Garurumon. "Oh my god, Taichi are you alright?"
"Yeah. I-I'm fine." He replied, shaking slightly from the near death experience.
"Thanks for breaking my fall, Garurmon." Said Agumon, seeing that he had luckily fallen onto Garurumon's back.
Taichi gave Yamato a nervous smile. "Hey, um thanks. You saved my life."
Strangely Yamato felt a blush rise upon his cheeks. "Umm…no problem." Taichi stared at the other boy curiously. Oh no, could he see that his face was turning red? "Uh, Taichi we'd better get going."
"Oh!" cried Taichi, acting like he had just awoken from a daydream. "Yeah, lets get going."
Garurumon leapt from rock to rock with ease, his slender figure making him fast and well balanced.
"You'd better stop here, Garurumon." Spoke Yamato, once they had reached the other pathway.
"Shouldn't we keep going?" asked Agumon, curiously.
"The rocks look really dangerous up there." Replied Yamato, pointing up towards them. "If they were to fall while we were climbing, we'd all be crushed to death."
"Yeah, and then there would be no chance of saving Hikari." added Taichi.
"I guess it would be a pretty long drop."
"We'll find another way up. " Taichi reassured his Digimon. Quickly he dove off of the wolf-like creature. When everyone was off his back, and on the ledge. Garurumon De-digivolved back into Gabumon.
"Why did you De-digivolve?" asked Taichi, slightly annoyed.
"Sorry, but I just don't have the strength to stay in my Champion form any longer." Gabumon stated sadly.
"It's not his fault Taichi. We both know that the Digimon can't Digivolve when they're hungry." Said Yamato in his Digimon's defence.
"Now that you mention it, I am a little hungry myself." Added Agumon.
"But we have to keep on searching for that plant." The brunette urged desperately.
"What we need is to get the Digimon some food. It'll be easier to climb up this mountain if they can both evolve. If they collapse while walking, that will just take even more time from finding Hikari's antidote." Stated Yamato.
Taichi nodded, trying his best to hide the frown that was forming.
"Gabumon and I are going to go find something to eat. We'll bring something back for you and Agumon." Cried Yamato as he walked off with his partner.
Giving a soft sigh, Taichi sulked down beside a tree. He was the one calling Yamato heartless, yet Yamato was the one who could tell when people needed help.
Yesterday, it wasn't Yamato who needed to take a rest, it was Gabumon all along. Maybe I do work everyone too hard. The memory of Jyou yelling at him because Gommamon needed some water came back to him. If we hadn't of got Gommamon to water, something terrible might of happened to him…
Great sadness came over him as Yamato once again circled his mind, refusing to leave. A lot of Digimon have sacrificed themselves for us in the past. Wizardmon, Whamon, Chuumon, Pixiemon… And you act like you don't even care what the done for you! Mimi was showing her respect for what they had done for us and all you do is yell at her! Don't you realise if it wasn't for them we'd all be dead!
Tears filled his eyes as he thought about those horrible words. How could he have been so cruel to her? People always said he was to busy looking ahead for the future that he always forgot everything that happened in the past. Yet the past played a very important role in each and very persons life. It symbolises how people change and grow from when they are younger, so that they learn from past experiences. But Taichi hadn't seemed to have grown or changed at all…
. I'm so sorry! I'm just an inconsiderate bastard! Without all of you on our side, we would have never been able to get this far. Wizardmon, I especially thank you. You jumped in the way of Myotismon's attacks and sacrificed yourself to save Hikari. Without you, she would have been killed… And now she might die for real, and it's all my fault…
"Taichi?"
Instantly Taichi turned away and wiped his tears away at the hearing of his partner's voice.
"Are you alright?" asked Agumon.
"Yeah, of course I am." He replied, trying to put on a fake smile, without much luck. How the hell am I supposed to smile in a time like this?
Agumon nodded even though he didn't quite believe his partner's words. Quickly he tried to change the subject. "I can't wait to get something to eat. How about you?"
The brunette shrugged. "I guess."
The reptile like Digimon frowned. " Tai, aren't you hungry?"
"No- Well, yeah. A little, I guess. But it doesn't seem right to sit here and eat while my sister is lying waiting to die. I should be out searching, not wasting time."
"Yamato is right though. We need to eat to get our strength back, or it will take us forever to find that plant, and of course forever is to late."
"Maybe Yamato's right." He probably is. Yamato seems to be right about everything lately. I bet he would make a better leader than I can ever me. But even though he's right about us having to regain our strength, I still think I should be out there looking for that herb. The others don't need to come. After all, they have the right to rest. But I don't. Hikari's my little sister and I swear I won't let her die. It almost happened once before, and I won't let it happen again. I bet Yamato would still argue with me. Say that I should wait on him and the Digimon. God, why does he have to butt into everybody's busy?! He's so annoying! I hate him!
Slowly he sat down and covered his face in his arms. But if I hate him…why was I thinking about him differently last night when I was trying to get to sleep? Could it be that I have feelings for him? No, it couldn't be. It's impossible…
