Never Meant to Be

By Anime Queen

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Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or its wonderful characters ^_^

Warning!! The end of the chapter is very emotional, and the only way I can take pride in it is if you guys cry at the end. Especially, I'm calling on the Sorato fans!! Tell me in the reviews if it was effective ^_^

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Chapter 8

Yamato's POV:

Even as I hung up the phone and raced out into the cold without a jacket, I still couldn't believe that Sora was back. Deep down, I thought that she was gone for good, that I won't have to think about telling her anything, that I was now free and never will be tortured by her constant presence, and I hated myself for thinking that way. I ran all the way to her house. I didn't even have to ring the doorbell, for Sora's mother opened the door as soon as I got to the top of the stairs.

"Good evening, Mrs. Takenouchi," I panted and gasped for air. "Thank you for calling me."

She smiled, and held the door open.

"Would you like some water? Heard you panting all the way up the stars!" she laughed a little, and I blushed, smiling.

"That would be great."

She waved me in and shut the door. I started to walk into the living room, but Sora's mother beckoned me into the kitchen with her. Pouring me a glass of water, she explained,

"Sora just got back home a few minutes ago. I tried asking her where'd she been, but she said she was tired, and I let her go to bed."

I was kind of disappointed. I wanted to talk to her.

"I'm so worried about her. She seemed very detached and sad. Yamato, I want you to talk to her, that's why I called you. I would call Mimi's house, but they still haven't found her. You two are close, right?"

I nearly chocked on my water, and had to spit in the sink. What happened to her that she wouldn't even tell her mom?

"But you said she was asleep, so..."

"I don't think she's asleep. I need you to talk to her, please? I need to find out what really happened!" she seemed really nervous.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Takenouchi, I'm sure she'll tell you everything tomorrow," I tried to make her feel better, and she smiled sadly.

"I knew you were the right person to call, always so reasonable. But still. Don't you want to see her?"

I blushed again. It's like she could see right through me. I nodded, and she took me to Sora's bedroom door, and knocked softly.

"Sora? Honey, Yamato's here to see you," she called through the door.

"Come in," Sora's faint voice said without any emotion. Mrs. Takenouchi nodded at me and smiled.

"I'll leave you two alone."

Alone. That word had so many meanings and consequences. But alone with Sora... Man, I got to stop thinking that way!

I opened the door far enough to slip through into the room, and closed it quietly behind me.

"Sora."

She turned her head a little from her spot on the bed, and smiled a sad kind of smile that sent shivers down my back. What happened to her?

"Hiya Matt, what are you doing here?" she inquired, still kind of smiling, in her melodical voice. She was still wearing her school uniform, and it looked freshly washed and ironed.

"I... uh... I came to see you," I said quietly, and then walked into the room to stand right in front of her. She was still staring at me the same way, and I felt like my chest was about to burst. Sora wasn't acting like herself. It was hard for me to see her so sad. It was like she wasn't aware of anything around her.

I sank down onto my knees, holding down the sobs of anger at myself, not knowing what to do.

"Sora, what happened?" she was still staring at my face, her eyes kind of sparkling, that melancholy smile on her lips.

"It doesn't matter now, does it?"

"Of course it does! Please tell me why you've been gone!"

"Why would it matter to you?"

My heart skipped a beat. I knew why it mattered - because I loved her. But there was no way I could ever tell her that.

"I... was worried," I told her quietly. She smiled a little more.

"How come?"

Is she messing with me? I asked myself. Has she figured out that I'm a pathetic coward who would rather go crazy than tell her how I feel? Tai said she would notice. But maybe she hasn't.

"Because... because..." it just wouldn't come out.

"It's nice to know someone cares enough to miss you when you're gone, is it not?" she laughed a little. "But why would anyone care about me?"

She's so depressed, it's almost like she feels guilty about something. If only I knew...

"Because you're a wonderful person, Sora, you're generous, and friendly, and you're always cheerful, and I care a lot for you, and I hate seeing you like this! If you don't want to tell me anything, I'm not going to pry, but please don't be like this," I begged her. I grabbed her hands, folded in her lap. I was on the verge of crying. "Please... Sora-chan..."

All the frustration I felt during the past days, at being unable to do anything, flowed out with my tears, falling onto her lap.

"I had no idea you cared so much," Sora whispered.

I looked up and realized that I'd been really crying, and for some reason I felt ashamed.

Sora stopped smiling, and looked down at her hands, held tightly in mine.

"Yama, what can you do when you know you're guilty, but you can't escape it?"

The question took me by surprise, and I searched in my mind for a suitable answer. Why would she ask such a thing? I had to say something, but I didn't know what, so I kept looking at her face helplessly, not saying anything.

Suddenly she slid off the bed onto her knees, clasping her arms around my neck, and burying her face into my shoulder.

It felt so wonderful to feel the warmth of her body next to mine - it had been what I have dreamed about for so long. But under these circumstances, I felt like crying even harder. Sora was hurting inside, and it was like I could feel the pain too, even if I didn't know why.

She started sobbing, and I pulled her closer and held her. Her tears seeped through my shirt, leaving warm stains where they made contact. I started crying quietly as well. I felt her take in a sharp breath, and the sobbing stopped.

"Yama... I've done a terrible thing."

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Done! Please review, and tell me what you thought of the ending!! Originally, I had a little bit of trouble as to whether I should make Yama- kun tell her that he loved her (he came pretty close tho!) but then I thought that Sora's current problem was more important in this particular chapter. I made illustrations to this chapter, but I don't have a scanner... *cries* I'm so pitiful. Newayz, review!!!! ^_^