Disclaimer: Me + Digimon \ the truth. Songs = Dream Street's. However, I do own Wakoki Records, Jack, Corey, Kevin, Corbette, and Sakira, and all their problems.

A/N - I'm in the best mood! My least favorite person on American Idol got kicked off. The nightmare is finally over. No offense to her or anything, I'm sure she's a really great person and all, but she sort of sings like a sheep. (A/N as of later - By the time I finished this, one of my favorites had been kicked off too, but it was after a great performance so it's better than after a crappy performance. Then (it took three weeks), this good person got off, but I didn't like her that much, even though she was one of the best, and my second favorite got kicked off, which leaves my favorite and this cute guy. And then (yes, it took six weeks), my favorite won! Go Kelly Clarkson!)

Anyway, this is chapter 7. It's so hard to believe that I'm here. I intended to stop at chapter 2 because it wasn't doing well. I think I'm going to be thanking DJ Clue forever. That was such an inspirational review. Actually, I'm not really writing this to anyone but her and PhoniexChild (and now Flame), since they're the only ones that ever review. I also owe DJ Clue the biggest apology. In the last chapter I said him, instead of her. I feel really bad and I'm sorry.

Flame, the reason TK always "wins" the fights with Matt is because he has a reason for fighting. Don't worry, though. You haven't seen the last of their fights and Matt starts to understand what it's like to have something to fight for.

In this chapter, Sakira's past is revealed, we find out why Kevin hates Furukawa, we get inside Matt's head, and we meet a new fan, who's totally obsessed with Matt—and makes it very public.

Shout outs to Dreamer4, Dark Gamer, Light Gamer, EeyoreP, Knight, SaturnsChild, EvilTenchi, PhoniexChild, TogetherAgain, Wolfie, Archangeluk, Arylwren, Digicowboy, Blackout12, Phire Phoenix, Authormon, Insane Friend 02, sweetchick08079, alfogamer2, Takari's Baybee, Immia, AlexPG13, and shadow2k. Dedication to (as usual) DJ Clue for the reasons listed above.

The Ishida Brothers

By: Hopeful Writer

Chapter 7 - Truth Be Told

"What kind of trouble, Kevin, Saki? What's going on?" Matt's voice had a very demanding ring to it and Sakira nearly collapsed in sobs. She shivered, her face pale, and Kevin took the risk of clutching her hand. Corey and Corbette exchanged knowing looks.

"Okay, here's the deal," Kevin began. "Last night, me and Saki were exploring around the hotel and we heard some weird noises from Jack's room. We, um, opened the door—"

"How?" Corbette asked predictably.

Kevin grinned sheepishly. "Did you know that if you put a credit card in the lock it opens the door?"

"Kevin!"

"What?" Kevin was a little annoyed at the details his brother was picking up on. "Anyway, Jack was downing cup after cup, or shot, or whatever they're called, of alcohol. This morning I heard the noises again. We checked it out, he was doing it again, but this time with marijuana too."

For the first time Kevin could remember, there was dead silence in the room. Sakira shuddered and Kevin tightened his grip on her hand subconsciously. Corbette looked at Matt, who looked at TK, who looked at Corey, who looked back to Corbette. "Well, now what?" Corbette ventured. He was met with shrugs.

Corey was yawning, even though it was still fairly early. It had been an exhausting day. "I say we go to bed," the young boy suggested. "Tomorrow we can think about this."

There was a muffled agreement from everyone else as they parted. The last Kevin heard from them was Corey order, "TK, don't even think about calling Kari until I'm asleep. I'm not sleeping with Kevin again." The older boy laughed.

Kevin closed the door softly. "Now what?" he asked his roommate.

Sakira sighed. "We need to talk, too."

Kevin had been dreading this. He rubbed the back of his head nonchalantly and shot a flirtatious grin at her. "Sure. About what?"

Sakira glared at him. "You know full well, Kevin Ishida. Are we or aren't we a couple? I saw how quickly you avoiding the question when Annabelle asked it. I think we need to sort it out."

Kevin swallowed and blinked once before answering. The silence bothered Sakira, but before she could say anything, he already opened his mouth. "Willyoubemygirlfriend?" he blurted in a rush, mentally kicking himself. He took a deep breath and tried again. "I mean, will you be my girlfriend?" he asked. He ran a hand through his still-spiked hair and tried to be suave. He'd already made a fool of himself once. Let's not do it again.

Sakira was beaming at Kevin. "I'd gladly be your girlfriend." She kissed his cheek and Kevin couldn't help sighing in relief. Only one thing bothered him. He was itching to kiss her lips. He wet his own nervously, unaware that he was staring. His blue eyes were somewhat troubled and they burned with lust. Then he blinked and put up a mask, hiding it all.

Sakira felt relieved. They'd fixed one problem. Now they could move on to the second. At the thought of her uncle, her mother's only brother, she shivered again and Kevin noticed. "What's wrong?" he demanded, propping himself off his bed.

She stammered for words and found only a strangled moan leaving her lips. But Kevin understood; he always did. He sat next to her, on her bed, and hugged her, rocking her gently until her tears subsided. "Have you always been close to him?" Kevin asked quietly.

Sakira's head snapped up and she pulled away, her usually cheerful face clouded with anger. "I've never been close to him," she hissed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't want to go into this story. It'll only hurt more than anything."

"Saki." Kevin's voice was soft and soothing and he was rubbing her back. "Talking will help. It'll help ease the pain."

Sakira was surprised that Kevin could see that it caused her pain, then realized how obvious she was being. She took a deep breath and began to speak. "When I was nine, my father died and my mom left. She said she needed a vacation to forget him. She left me with Uncle Jack. She was gone for three weeks. For three weeks, he hit me and... and touched me and... abused me without anybody knowing. I was nine, I didn't know I should tell people. He got away with it all and my mom came back and took me back and I never said anything to anybody before now." She stared at a very bewildered Kevin. "How did you just get that out of me?"

Kevin didn't answer right away and it didn't seem like he was going to. He just hugged Sakira and held her there as she cried into his shirt. Finally he replied, "I don't know. I've learned that with most people, animals too, if you rub their back and whisper softly to them, they tend to open up for you. I suppose it's from taking care of the younger kids at the orphanage for a while."

"You were in an orphanage?"

Kevin was surprised Sakira didn't know. "I'm adopted. Well, actually there's a rather confusing story behind that. My parents had me when they were divorced, so they put me up for adoption and adopted me back into the family after they remarried, which was when I was about eight. So I took care of some of the younger kids who came there and wouldn't say a thing about where they were from or what happened to them. A lot of them were abused, but they opened up to me for some reason." He blushed slightly and grinned.

Sakira hugged him, startling him out of his memories. "That's so sweet," she told him.

He smiled wider. "You think so? Maybe I ought to do it more often." Sakira beamed at him.

She yawned. "I'm tired. Let's get some sleep." Kevin nodded, but hesitated. "What's wrong?" Sakira looked concerned. Kevin said nothing, just stared at her. "Kevin," she began, but was silenced by a kiss. A firm, hard kiss straight on her lips.

Kevin felt his heart racing and butterflies filled his stomach. He was lightheaded and his lips were tingling. His palms were sweaty. He broke off after what felt like an eternity, but was merely five to ten seconds. He was flushed and his hair was a bit disheveled where Sakira had run her fingers through it. "Sorry," he mumbled, moving to his own bed. "I just... I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" she asked, genuinely perplexed. Her normally pale face was tinged with a pinkish color, making her look like she'd finished running a race. She wore a big grin, one that would have looked silly to anyone but Kevin.

"For... for... you enjoyed it?" Kevin was aware that he was stammering, was aware that he couldn't stop it, and blushed.

Sakira gave him a look that made him smile. "Yes. Good night, Kevin." She pulled the covers over her and closed her eyes peacefully.

"Night, Saki." He studied her gentle features as she relaxed into sleep. Wisps of her soft black hair fell across her face. Her full rosy lips were pursed, almost as if she was sucking on a bottle. Kevin could only wonder what she was dreaming about. Her hands clutched the blanket as if it was her only protection. She looked content and warm.

Kevin turned over in bed, doubting that he would fall asleep soon. But he hadn't accounted for the long day he had experienced. Soon sleep took him as well and sank into a blissful oblivion.

* ~ * ~ *

For the first time in ages, Matt awoke before his twin brother. He stared at the sleeping figure in awe, like he was watching his reflection sleeping. He sighed. He was very unhappy being a twin. Not always, of course, but occasionally. Recently he'd been experiencing one of those times. He and Corbette were concerned about different things. Corbette was thinking about new concerts and the tour. Matt was thinking about his friends, especially Sora, and his fights with TK. It had occurred to him that TK usually wound up the "victor" (A/N - Thanks for pointing that out, Flame!), and he wondered why.

Corbette arose a moment later and they set off for breakfast. "Won't be in this hotel much longer," Corbette mumbled, still shrugging off the last remnants of sleep.

"Yeah." Matt didn't say anymore, and Corbette realized he didn't want to talk.

They went down to find Corey already there. "Hi, guys," he greeted cheerfully.

Matt groaned inwardly. If it had been TK and Kevin he would have said hi to both of them separately. But Corbette and Matt counted as one person. They weren't Corbette Ishida and Matt Ishida. They were Morbette and Catt (A/N - Remind you of Harry Potter?) Ishida, pop star. Not pop stars, mind you. One pop star. (A/N - I think I stole that from someone. Come claim your line.)

Corey left quickly and TK came down. He was somewhat quieter around Matt, but he was yawning a lot. Matt couldn't resist asking, "How late were you up last night?"

TK glared at him, and Matt caught a look from Corbette too. He rolled his eyes characteristically. "11:00, Mom," TK replied sincerely. "I'm just tired, okay? It's been an exciting few days."

"He's right, Matt," Corbette agreed, though his tone clearly meant, Drop it.

Matt changed the subject. "Did Kari see the concert?"

TK nodded vigorously, beaming. "All she did was rave about it when I called her. She was sobbing into the phone." He silenced suddenly. "It made me miss her even more. I wanted to be comforting her." Tears burned in his beautiful blue eyes.

Matt reached out and patted the boy's shoulder. "Don't worry, TK. The time will fly. Just think how proud she is of you, how proud everyone is."

"Like Jimmy Moffit," Corbette laughed, putting a smile back on TK's face.

"Yeah, he can't ever say anything bad to me again," the fifteen-year-old declared proudly. Jimmy Moffit had given TK a lot of trouble about the band, putting them down time after time. Now he just couldn't do that anymore.

Kevin and Sakira came downstairs, both beaming and awake. It reminded Matt of the conversation from the night before. No one else mentioned it, so he didn't either.

"How are you two this morning?" Corbette asked, making conversation as he reached for some butter to put on his toast.

"Sore," Kevin complained, earning a laugh from TK.

Sakira shrugged. "We're not performing today, right?"

"I think Jack mentioned something about being allowed on our own to see the town," Matt commented lightly.

"Yea!" everyone else cheered.

They split up and changed, then met in the lobby for a conversation with Jack. "Good morning, everyone. Glad to see you're all wide awake." He missed the guilty looks the kids through around. "Today is for you. You can tour Furukawa, sleep, eat, whatever. Just meet back in the rooms by 6:00. We're going out to dinner with a very famous American group that's on tour in Japan."

The boys and Sakira left as quickly as possible.

* ~ * ~ *

"Where are we going to go?" Corbette demanded.

TK had a map. "How about this Main Street type thing? It's got a bunch of shops and restaurants and stuff like that. It's about a 5 minute walk from here. We can split up and meet someplace at a quarter to 6 and walk back together."

Matt nodded. "Good idea. Everybody be careful. Do you guys have your cell phones?" he asked his brothers. They nodded.

"I have one too," Sakira announced. She gave out the number to the boys and they split up.

Kevin and Sakira walked down Main Street, holding hands, just enjoying each other's company. It would have been perfect, had not they heard a deep voice from behind. "Well, well, well, if it isn't perfect little Kevin, with his perfect little family," someone drawled.

Kevin closed his eyes for a brief moment and cursed silently. I hate Furukawa, he remembered. And this is why. He turned around. "Hey, Trent, long time no see." He was grinning, but he was scared.

Trent Sky gave him a menacing look. "Got a girlfriend, Kevin? You know what I like about girls?" He pulled Sakira away from Kevin, and she squirmed vigorously. "They're so weak." He pulled her into a slobbery kiss, and Kevin felt his blood boil.

Sakira jerked back. "Weak, am I?" She sneered and brought her knee up sharply to connect with his groin hard. Kevin winced in empathetic pain, and Trent dropped to the ground and curled into the fetal position, crying.

Sakira grabbed Kevin's hand and dragged him a safe distance from Trent before looking at him questioningly. Kevin sighed. "This is my hometown," he explained, trying to sound as light as possible. "This is where my orphanage is." He smirked and spread his arms out. "Trent Sky was the bully of the orphanage. He was always in trouble, so he never got adopted. If he's still the same as he used to be, and he seems that way, he's probably still there. He resented everyone who was placed because... well, he wasn't. He never liked girls much, always thought they were pushovers, as you noticed, I'm sure. Boy, did you teach him a lesson." Kevin beamed with pride, and Sakira smiled gently.

Kevin draped an arm around her shoulder. "Let's forget about him and go on. Hopefully we won't see more of my past here. It's not something I'd like to relive. Today's supposed to be fun, right?"

"Yeah." Sakira nestled against his shoulder and they walked on.

* ~ * ~ *

Matt and Corbette strolled in the opposite direction of their brothers and temporary sister. They were quite content, and Matt didn't feel the resentment of being a twin right then. Several girls paused to check them out, and Corbette smiled flirtatiously at each one, sending them into bouts of giggles. Matt gave a charming half-smile, giving him that sexy, confident look.

Suddenly there was a high-pitched yelp. "OH, MY, GOD!!!!! YOU'RE MATT AND CORBETTE ISHIDA!!!!! I'M YOUR NUMBER ONE FAN!!!" Later, Matt would think, You sure are, baby. But now he was thinking, Cover blown.

"Uh, hi," he greeted casually. "What's your name?"

"I'm Cammie Mortier. I'm such a big fan of you and your brothers. But you're my favorite." She said the last part with a seductive smile and a giggle. Matt raised an eyebrow and thought of Sora to keep him from wanting anything to do with her.

It wasn't that she wasn't pretty or nice. She was beautiful, with dirty-blond hair to her shoulders and dark brown eyes that glittered with laughter. She seemed nice enough, a little giddy perhaps, but nice. But Matt had his sights set on Sora, and he wouldn't settle for anything different.

Corbette noticed his dilemma and came to his rescue. "We've got to go now, Cammie. We're supposed to meet some friends at a restaurant nearby."

"Can I come?" She was tense with excitement.

Matt shot Corbette a pleading look, but Corbette was out of ideas. The older twin thought fast. "No, uh, our friends don't think of us as band members, they think of us as regular guys. If a fan came with us, it would bother them."

(A/N - I stole this part from an episode with Matt and Jun) She frowned. "You're lying," she accused. "You're not meeting friends." She suddenly grinned stealthily. "I promise not to tell anyone you were lying to me, and I'll save your reputation, if you go out on a date with me. Take me out after your next concert. I'll be there, no matter what. Bye." She gave a small wave and walked down the street smugly.

Matt's jaw dropped. "How did I get myself into that mess?" Corbette sniggered sympathetically. "Oh, shut up," the former ordered, whacking Corbette's shoulder, struggling to hold his smile. They walked on, thoughts of Sora and Cammie filling Matt's head.

A/N - There's a good stopping point, before it takes any longer. This chapter is a bit boring, but there was some stuff you needed to know about Sakira, Kevin, and Matt. I'll finish chapter 8 as soon as I can. School is starting soon and I still have a lot to do to prepare. That's my number 1 priority, but hopefully it doesn't mean that I have to stop everything else. Peace!

§--HW--§ (http://www.geocities.com/msbjewel and http://www.geocities.com/phoniexchild)

NEXT TIME - The big dinner, the move to the next town, and the first time Jack makes his problem common knowledge to the kids.