Moody Yagami's

Yamato walked through school as any other day, as if the morning's events had never occurred. He kept his mind off the bush head that he had actually permitted himself to like for a time and kept his thoughts on those of school.  Japanese, History, computer class, Science... four classes that went by with some sort of normality behind them. Nothing big happened once Japanese class started. History was as prehistoric as ever. Computer class was ordinary except that he got in trouble for knocking over the hard drive of his computer. Science was different and not just because the teacher caused an explosion that knocked down a ceiling tile but because he was the first person to get to class and apparently the person that had the class just before him was Akeno.

Yamato had walked into the classroom and was surprised to see the taller boy still there picking up his books from his desk. The teacher wasn't there, it was just the two of them and Yamato thought that this would mean trouble, so he braced himself for Akeno's infamous wrath but was surprised when the dark haired boy only regarded him with a glare before walking right past him. Yamato didn't understand why he wasn't painted with black, blue and purple bruises because he knew Akeno wouldn't actually forget about his phone, but decided to try to ignore it and get on with the day.

By the end of the day he had successfully shoved the little voice that was asking why Akeno let him off the hook so easily to the back of his mind. He had gathered his books and left the classroom, walking at a moderate rate, for he had nowhere he really had to go. He leisurely placed his books into his locker and eyed his backpack. That didn't seem as full as if normally did. Yamato pulled on his coat then took his books in hand again and struggled to get them into his pack which was about to be completely filled again.  Succeeding at this, he stood and slung the heavy thing over his shoulders before locking his locker and heading to the exit.

He felt the chilling air hit him the moment he stepped out from the doors of the school.  He shivered permissibly and hugged his arms around his midsection for warmth.  Quickly jogging down the steps, the cold giving him a reason to move at a faster pace, he didn't notice his name being called the first time, but as his feet met with the pavement that would lead to the sidewalk by the road, he felt a hand placed on his shoulder and the same voice that repeated it's early word.

"Yamato."  Startled he jumped a bit and turned around to face Taichi, who was smiling at him as he walked down the final step.  "Hey, what's up?  Thought I was giving you a ride." 

Yamato didn't reply at first, sort of stunned that Taichi was talking to him.  Maybe he hadn't understood Taichi earlier.  He had thought the brunette had ended their blooming friendship because of the rivalry between Yamato and Akeno but now he wasn't so sure.  Or maybe Taichi was just tugging him around by a string and playing with him for the brunette's own amusement.  "What would make you think that?  Maybe the smoke from the cigarette you had earlier blocking the oxygen to the brain."

The brunettes eyes widened slightly at the blond's cold words.  "Hey, what's with you?  Your not still fuming about this morning, are you?  Don't worry 'bout it?  I talked to Akeno and got things settled.  He won't be bugging if he sees us hanging out and he won't be threatening you anymore either… and it only cost me seventy five bucks.  Fifty for some bet and twenty five for… because once I told him he wanted more money.  Apparently his gratitude isn't cheap."  Taichi chuckled. 

A small smile threatened to appear on the blond's face, feeling Taichi's light heartedness  through his words, but he forced his face to stay neutral, fearing that if he let himself feel joyous then the positive feeling would be viciously taken away and replaced with something of the contrary.  "What bet?" 

Taichi grimaced slightly and hoped Yamato hadn't noticed as he said, carefully, "Don't get pissed because it was about the phone thing but I was trying to get Akeno to lay off your case and made a bet with him saying you didn't have it."  Taichi paused to see Yamato's reaction.  He felt faintly relieved as he saw that the blond seemed only curios now, instead of the cold exterior he had showed only a moment ago.  "But this was before… I knew," he chose his words carefully, a rare event for the brunette, "…that you took it.  That's why I was pissed that you had because I lost the bet but I told him I'd pay him today and no more will come from it."  He then put a big grin on his face for show.  "See, problem all solved."

Yamato nodded slowly but remained neutral as his inner voices fought over if he should trust this boy or not.  Yamato's eyes hazed over as he put all his concentration into his thoughts.  Taichi watched the blue orbs and thought it was fascinating how he could practically see the battle going on in Yamato.  Yamato's face held no emotions but his eyes were just so expressive and showed all the levels of worry that the blond carried.  He watched as the haze left his eyes and the blond studied the brunette, hoping to see if he was being misled.  Finally, a sigh escaped Yamato's pink lips and he lowered his eyes before looking back up.  "Fine.  It's too cold to walk anyways." 

Taichi's smile widened and he practically jumped with joy.  "Alright!"  He said, hand back on the blond's shoulder as he started leading him to the parking lot.  "Lets go!  It's fucking cold out here!" 

Yamato nodded, the smile now succeeding in making an appearance on the blond's face as he allowed himself to be led to the van. 

When they reached their desired destination they piled into the van and locked their seatbelts around themselves.  "So," Yamato started, trying for something to fill the silence that was bound to become uncomfortable.  "Who's that girl from this morning?"

"What girl?"  Taichi asked as he got his keys out of his pocket. 

"The girl from this morning… the one with green hair or do you have so many friends that you can't remember all of them."  Taichi gave Yamato a sidelong glance and grinned. 

"I thought I already introduced you to Suzi?" 

Yamato scowled as he looked out the window.  Taichi put the key in the ignition and listened to the car roar into life.  "You told me her name not who she was." 

Tai turned in his seat to face the blond with a mischievous smile, which the blond saw through the corner of his eye.  "Why… You like her?"

Yamato turned his head even further around to hide the flush that he knew were tinting his cheeks.  "No, of course not… not my type, you know…"  Taichi had a feeling Yamato wanted to say something more so waited for him to come forth with it.  Eventually he asked, "You with her or something."  Yamato's voice sounded uneasy while asking it, though he tried to hide this. 

"You mean, am I with her, as in is she my girlfriend?  No,"  Taichi said turning forward again to put the car in gear.  "… Not my type… Even if I did like females." 

Yamato's head snapped around to stare at Taichi with widened eyes.  Yamato opened his mouth to say something before closed it again and just staring at the brunette who was starting to back the van out of its parking spot.  Finally Yamato's voice decided to work and he said, "So… you're gay?" 

Taichi nodded absentmindedly.  "You think you're surprised, you should have seen my father when I told him.  At the time he was trying to set me up with his friend from work's daughter, Sora." 

Yamato sat stock still in his seat looking forward at nothing that could have been much of interest.  "How can you be so open about it?  Aren't you worried what people will think?"

Taichi chuckled.  "You obviously don't know me all that well.  Shame to that."  Taichi joked while he started driving forward, to the exit of the parking lot.  "Are you gay too?" 

The blond adverted his attention to his window again and shrugged with indifference.  Taichi waited for a further response but was surprised when he didn't get one. 

"I just admitted I was, that means I'm not going to be a total jerk if you admit to it."

Yamato hesitated for a moment before saying, "Just don't tell anybody, okay?" 

"You shouldn't be ashamed of it… but fine.  I won't say a word."  Yamato nodded but, otherwise, stayed neutral on the subject as he stared out the window, as the van pulled out of the parking lot and hit the street.  Taichi drove the van northward while letting a stillness fill the air.  Every now and then Taichi would glance at the one beside him with inquisitive eyes, silently wondering about Yamato's reaction to the earlier conversation. 

After ten or so minutes, Yamato wasn't entirely sure for he wasn't really paying much attention to anything around him; the van stopped and jarred him from his thoughts.  He blinked a few times and started to get out when he realized he wasn't at his apartment.  He surveyed his surroundings and was shocked to see that he was at the grade school he used to go too.  He turned to Taichi and said, "What are we doing here?" 

"Hm, oh, I need to pick up my sister.  I won't get into as much trouble if I pick up my parent's precious little baby while I have the van.  By the way, I want you to meet Kar.  I think you'll like her."  Yamato grinned at the voice Taichi used when he said' precious little baby' though it was obvious he really wasn't envious of Hikari. 

A few moments later the bell rang, they both knew that the school got out half an hour after theirs did, and the empty yard quickly filled with kids of multiple ages and parents that came to pick up some of the younger ones. 

Taichi turned off the van and quickly undid his seatbelt as he opened his door to leave. "Come on!  I see her!"  Yamato followed Taichi's example and got out of the van as well.  They passed over the slowly browning lawn towards a twelve-year-old girl with short brown hair.  She was talking to some kids as she walked.  A breeze swept some of her hair into her eyes so she turned her head to through it back in place but stopped half way when she spotted Taichi and a blond she didn't recognize.  A wide smile formed on her lips which made her look older then she was.

She turned back to her friends and said a farewell before walking towards her brother.  "Taichi what are you doing here?"  She asked stopping in front of the two boys.  Yamato stuffed his hands into his pockets and brought up his shoulders, a gesture that he hoped would warm him up some. 

Taichi didn't seem to notice the temperature for he was dressed better then the blond.  "Well, I was on my way home and noticed how cold it was so, naturally, I thought of you and decided to give you a warm ride home.  Basically I'm just here to be a good big brother."  Taichi smiled innocently while Kari gave him a skeptical look. 

"Yeah… or you just didn't want Mom and Dad to ground you for life for taking the van… Sorry to brake it too you, Tai, but I saw how angry Dad was before I left for school this morning and this isn't going to make it any better."  Hikari moved her hair behind her ears as the wind picked up a bit. 

Taichi looked shocked.  "How dare you think my deeds were so selfish.  I had come here because I was thinking about how I, as your big brother, could help you, little sister."

"Uh huh."  Yamato laughed as the doubtful look remained on the young girls face.  Taichi smiled innocently as his sister sighed and turned her attention to Yamato.  She held her hand out to him and said, "Hello.  I'm Hikari.  I'm guessing you and my brother are friends… I give you my deepest sympathies." 

Yamato shook the smaller hand with one of his own, shivering slightly as the skin came in contact with the cold air.  "Don't worry, I'll get over it, some day."  Taichi snorted as the two smiled to one-an-other.  "I'm Yamato." 

"Nice to meet you.  Why don't we get going, though?"  She looked up at the clouds that were covering the sky that seemed to be getting darker, as she ended the handshake.  "It looks like a storm might be coming."

"You could be walking Kar."  Taichi warned.

She gave him a glare and said, "If you don't give me a ride and stop calling me that, then I won't put in a good word for you to Mom and Dad."

Taichi sighed as they started walking back to the van.  "I really wouldn't make you walk, Kari.  Really."  Kari rolled her eyes as she walked ahead of them. 

Yamato hit Taichi lightly on the arm and said, "Your right, Taichi.  I do like her." 

"I knew you would."  Taichi said, though he didn't seem as proud as he did before. 

**

Yamato and Hikari seemed to be getting along really well, to Taichi's disdain.  The two talked all the way along; usually Kari spent her time telling Yamato stories of embarrassing moments in Taichi's childhood and Yamato teased Tai about it for a few moments before Kari would tell him something new.  Yamato had found out that, though Taichi had dark skin, it seemed to turn the brightest red when he was embarrassed and would turn a rusty red when he was angry and suppressing a number of words he was taught to not use in front of his younger sister.

The brunette pulled up to the building of his apartment and glared at his sister in the rear-view-mirror, warning her that if she didn't get out now that she was so going to be dead later.  She gulped and said good-bye to Yamato, who said good-bye back and was startled when Taichi pulled out onto the road the exact moment the back door slammed shut, leaving the young girl at her apartment complex.

He looked around and noticed Taichi was driving faster then he was before, faster then the speed limit aloud and to the point where he was starting to feel afraid.  "Taichi, I think you should slow down."  He said but the brunette didn't show any signs that he even heard the blond. 

Yamato looked over at him and noticed that the same rusty red was still tinting his cheeks.

"Taichi, pull over."  The blond checked that his seatbelt was secure when Tai still didn't pay him much mind.  He looked over at Tai again and saw that Taichi hadn't been wearing a seat belt and the need to stop the van grew stronger.  "Taichi, why are you going so fast?  Stop now!"  He felt his body jerk sideways as the brunette, with haste, pulled into an ally and stopped just as suddenly.  He thanked that he had been wearing his belt at that moment, knowing he wouldn't have been in the seat if he hadn't have. 

He turned his head to the brunette who seemed unaffected by the occurrence.  Taichi just sat there, staring forward into nothing, hand firm on the steering wheel and face still tainted with the rusty red. 

Yamato knew he had to do something to ease the brunette's anger so he outstreacheda hand and placed it on the brunette's shoulder.  Taichi flinched and jerked his shoulder away as he turned his eyes on Yamato who looked away from the intense glare he was receiving.  "You angry about the things Kari was saying?"  Yamato asked and tried to get his eyes to meet the brunettes.

Tai looked away and sighed, forcing his muscles to relax as he rested back in his seat.  Taichi looked at the blond who's eyes were slightly wide and watching him with caution, afraid if the brunette would do something that would put them both at risk again.  His pale hands held his seatbelt as if debating to take it off or not.  Tai sighed again and looked forward before closing his eyes.  "Sorry… I was just angry that my sister was saying all that shit just to piss me off.  She's so moody nowadays." 

Yamato relaxed too and sat back in his seat, placing his hands in his lap.  "Yeah… Sorry too.  Guess I shouldn't have teased you so much." 

Taichi nodded.  "No, no.  It's okay.  I usually can handle being teased.  I don't know what got into me." 

Yamato chuckled which brought Taichi's eyes back on him.  "Maybe moodiness is in the Yagami's bloodline."  Taichi snorted but couldn't help the grin that crossed his face as he shoved the blond's shoulder lightly.  Yamato smiled too and said, "Well… since we're friends now, why don't I make it up to you." 

Tai raised an eyebrow.  "Like, how?" 

The blond shrugged and looked around the dark, dirty alley they were in.  "I don't know.  Name something." 

"Go out with me." 

A/N:  okay.  This is really only half the chap.  It used to be longer but I was writing this really boring part that… well, was boring, so I decided to change it.  This chapter was going to be a big turning point in my story.  It was going to be what got this story up off the ground but now I need to figure a way to do that with the new change I added.  So instead of making you wait for me to figure this out and then type it up I decided just to give you a half a chap instead of a whole one, two months later.