All's Fair in Love...
Raistlin: Cager doesn't own Digimon, the Anime Kitties, Gilthanas, Tasslehoff or I. She owns the plot of this fan fiction, the character Haruka and the Anti-Clones. Read now!
Cager: What?! Aren't you going to let me say anything funny or time-consuming?!
Gilthanas: Why should he? You're not interesting in the slightest.
Cager: You're both mean! :(
Jouti: You wanted them here, Cager. You have to deal with them.
Joey Kitty: Jus' read and remew!
Cager's Terriermon: Cager would also like you all to know she does not favor any type of relationships except for Kenyako. Why did she write this fanfiction, then? Because she felt she needed to write it. The idea was original and she writes fanfictions only for originality's sake. ^_^ If you wish to flame her, don't flame her over the kind of shippy she uses, flame her over her writing style or something she really believes deserves to be corrected. JUST CAUSE SOME OF YOU PEOPLE ARE OPPINIONATED DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE RIGHT! (P.S~The first grandmother mentioned in this chapter is the one you see on the movie, who lives out in the country(she's from the Takashi side). The Grandpa on the phone is the one who lives in France(he's from the Ishihida side).)
Chapter 3
"Really!?" gasped Kari as she finished changing Haruka's diaper. "He's already had her for three months?" T.K. nodded as he let go of Haruka's struggling arms. Kari laughed. "She's such a wiggle-worm!" T.K. chuckled as well as he picked up his niece and held her hands to help her balance.
"I'm surprised Matt hasn't come to live with us yet," sighed T.K. after his chuckles had subsided.
"Is your mom still worried about him?" asked Kari with a frown.
"Yeah, especially since we're going to be gone next week."
"What!" gasped Kari looking up at T.K's calm face. "Where are you going?" T.K. sighed and stayed silent as he watched Haruka, her hands still in his, try to balance and take a wobbly step towards him, even though he held most of her weight.
"You see," said T.K. after a few moments, "our Grandmother is very sick. They don't think she's going to live much longer. My Mom can't get her to come live with us or go to a hospital for care. She just... she wants to live her last days in the house she's lived in ever since she got married to Grandfather."
"But that's way out in the country! The nearest town is--what?--ten, maybe even fifteen miles away?" demanded Kari in shock.
"Yeah, but she won't change her mind." T.K's frown turned into a wry grin as he added, "You know, my Dad wasn't the only one who was stubborn in our family."
"So,... who is Matt going to get to take care of Haruka when he's in school and at work?" asked Kari timidly as she took the baby girl from T.K. so he could stretch his legs.
"We don't quite know yet. Chizu, Yolie's sister, sometimes watches Haruka when Matt's working... but she still has school to go to. And, he could use the school nursery, but... he doesn't really like that alternative. He likes to keep Haruka with people he knows."
"Tai and I would always help out with Haruka if we didn't have school and our Mom would love to take care of her too but... well, you know how she can be when it comes to feeding time." T.K's laugh startled Kari but she eventually joined in herself as Haruka looked up at them curiously. Kari set Haruka down on a small mat with some play toys while her giggles subsided and turned back to T.K. with a smile. "I can see it now--Haruka, the first child since Tai and me to brave my Mom's infamous Mashed Garlic-Onion Surprise!" This arose another laugh fest for both teens but they eventually calmed down and went back to playing with Haruka, the conversation taking on a nicer turn.
* * *
A few nights later...
"...So, Grandpa, do you think you can put in a good word for me?.... Alright! Thanks, Grandpa!... Yeah, I'll make you proud.... Okay, then. Now, stay out of trouble! I don't want to wake up one day and see you on France's Most Wanted.... Hahaha! That's right! Grandma beat you to that, didn't she?... Well, thanks again. I'll see ya later, Gramps." Matt hung up the phone and chuckled to himself while memories of his crazy French Grandfather ran through his mind. A slight breeze came just then and snatched those memories from his head as he concentrated on pulling his jacket closed. It was starting to enter into winter and if he didn't have a good, thick coat before if finally came, he was going to be in trouble.
'I could use a phone of my own, too,' thought Matt as he grimaced with the thought of having to use another pay phone. They were really starting to wear down on his wallet. A new thought struck Matt's mind just then and he smiled. He continued down the street while whistling one of his old band's better hits.
After picking up Haruka from Chizu's he would make one more stop then walk straight home. He was happy he had been able to pay for a warm coat filled with down for Haruka the week before. The last thing he needed right then was for his daughter to get sick. Matt was starting to feel sick himself after thinking over what he was just about to do.
'It's not like I have much of a choice, anyway. She's the last person on my list. Oh! If only Ken's parents hadn't been so busy! If Izzy's parents had only not gone on vacation! If... IF!!' With one last groan, Matt continued down the sidewalk, picking up the last pieces of his pride along the way.
* * *
"...M-matt?" stammered Motomiya Jun, still astonished to see her old crush standing in the doorway.
"Yeah, um... hi, Jun," started Matt as he summoned the rest of his courage to talk to the older girl. Matt drew a blank after that. He had known what he had wanted to say, but thinking about something and actually doing that something are two completely different things.
"Well, would you... like to come... inside?" suggested Jun after noticing the nervous look on his face. Matt stuttered out an "Arigato" as he stepped over the threshold into the warm apartment building. Suddenly noticing how cold it had been outside, Matt sighed in contentment as warmth washed over his body. Matt had learned to take luxuries, such as a warm fire and a good meal, in good portions when allowed. He didn't think he'd ever take anything for granted again! Haruka then made an impatient noise in her carrier, startling Matt from his momentary peace and bringing him back to reality. He bent to check on her but turned up when he heard Jun's gasp.
"Oh! A baby...," said Jun looking down at Haruka with amazement. "Oh! That's right, Davis told me about that one day! You and Mimi...." Her voice trailed off then and she looked around, as if trying to find something else to occupy the conversation. The Motomiya apartment hadn't changed one bit since Matt had first seen it. It was plainly furnished, with a little bit of junk here or there left out by Davis or his Dad. Magazines had been lain on the table for visitors or whenever their Mother was bored and Jun suddenly found herself intrigued by the highlights of one of the gardening mags.
"Here you go, Sweet," murmured Matt as he placed the pacifier in his daughter's mouth. She sucked it, content for the time being. Matt chuckled to himself before straightening back up. His daughter's presence gave him a feeling of security.
"I know it's a bit sudden but I have a favor to ask of you, Jun," started Matt, "Davis says you're a great baby-sitter. I have work and I'm still in school, so um, do you think you could watch over Haruka for me next week?"
"Let me guess," giggled Jun as a sly grin spread over her face, "all the normal baby-sitters are busy?"
"Guilty as charged, Jun." Matt felt himself becoming more and more comfortable but he hadn't hit the bad news yet. "Unfortunately, there is one... small draw back. I can't pay you back." The grin faded from Jun's face.
"Oh, it's that bad, Matt?" asked Jun with a look of pity. Matt felt his cheeks flame. He didn't like anyone to think he was begging them to do anything for him! He was not a charity case!
"Hey! I'm not poor, I just need every cent I have!" yelled Matt angrily.
"Sorry, Matt. Anyway, I wouldn't have you pay, even if you tried to," said Jun. "There is one thing I would like in return, though." She winked.
"I was afraid of this...," mumbled Matt with a grimace.
"You have to go on a date with me, alright? How about Friday?" asked Jun with a slight giggle.
"Jun, I already told you, I need as much money as I can get," groaned Matt, beginning to feel he may actually have to put Haruka into the school's nursery.
"We don't have to go out to eat, Matt," laughed Jun with a large smile. "We can just go on a walk or something. Do we have a deal then?" She held out her hand. She expected him to just turn and walk out the door with his baby in his arms but, surprisingly, after a bit of hesitation, Matt put his hand into hers and shook it.
"It's a deal, I guess," muttered Matt, accepting the inevitably.
"Alright then, drop her off whenever you like, then!" said Jun, still slightly shocked, but extremely pleased. "See ya, Matt!" And with a small good-bye, Matt was out the door and in the cold once again.
* * *
Ishihida Yamato walked stiffly down the freezing sidewalk. Haruka's carried bounced against his side with each step. It was a little annoying but Matt would never admit it. Too proud for his own good, Matt wasn't about to admit that anything about keeping Haruka was difficult.
Ishihida Haruka, at that very moment, was sound asleep. The rhythm of each swaying step having carried her to dreamland quite quickly. What did she dream about? What do babies in general dream about? New toys? Soft, cuddly kittens and bouncy, happy puppies? Sweet milk and mild juice? That much, we cannot say. She was sleeping peacefully now, so it was plain to see whatever she was dreaming wasn't frightening her.
"I need to get a car," muttered Matt to himself, a small cloud of steam issuing from his mouth as he spoke. Matt knew such wishful thinking wasn't even in the question. A car was just too much money, but... a nice heater to travel with sounded lovely! It was just at that moment, for some strange, yet lucky twist of fate, Matt looked down the alleyway he was just about to pass and saw a sign he'd never seen before. He had walked past this alley for years, never once stopping to look down it. Why hadn't he? Matt didn't know but he was glad he had today. The sign that had caught his eye read: SOUP KITCHEN, RIGHT DOWN THE STAIRS. Sure enough, under the sign, was a flight of stairs that seemed to be leading to some type of basement or storm shelter.
Almost on que, Matt's stomach growled viciously. With his free hand, he clutched around his middle and licked his chapped, freezing lips. Nice, hot soup sounded wonderful! Immediately, all of Matt's pride was forgotten and replaced with steaming chicken broth and crackers. He nearly ran down the stairwell and walked into the door at the bottom.
Inside, there were a few tables scattered about on the concrete floor with thread-bare, checkered tablecloths stretched over them. About three stools were situated around each table, all looking quite worn and sunken in. There were two doors, one that led into the kitchen and the other to a restroom. There was only four other people besides Matt who were sitting down. A young husband and wife, with their five year old child, and an elderly old man. It was very warm, though not as warm as the Motomiya's appartment, and many delicious smells wafted from behind the door of the kitchen.
Matt, starting to feel slightly awkward, walked out of the doorway and found himself an empty table. He set down Haruka's carrier at his feet and waited for a few moments. Absently humming one of his own songs to himself, Matt waited for nearly a quarter of an hour before he felt a small tug on his shirt. He looked down and, to his surprise, found the little boy was pulling at his shirt.
"Hey, are you hungry, Mister?" asked the little boy. Matt thought his large, brown eyes and slight lisp were just adorable.
"Yeah, I am," answered Matt, smiling down at the boy.
"Go knock on the door." He pointed to the kitchen. "They'll get you some soup and some bread and some crackers and some water." He smiled back up at Matt as he said all this.
"Thanks, little man," chuckled Matt, ruffling the boys messy, black hair before taking up Haruka's carrier and going over to the door the boy had indicated. He knocked a few time and waited for only a few seconds before the door was opened to reveal an older woman around her mid-fifties. She smiled at him with the smile every Grandmother seems to know before asking for his name.
"I am Ishihida Yamato. Matt, if you prefer, and this," he lifted the carrier slightly, "is Haruka."
"It's nice to meet you, Matt. I'm Aikiko," replied the woman. "It's nice to meet new people. What kind of soup would you like?"
"Well, can you tell me the names of the kinds you have?" asked Matt with a confused look. He hadn't expected to get a choice in the matter.
"Of course. We have Cream of Mushroom, Potato and Onion, Chicken and Noodle, or Tomato."
"I... um, I think I'll have the potato and onion soup, please," asked Matt thinking back to his own Grandmother's potato and onion soup. It had always been his favorite.
"Alright, Hon, you just set yourself down and I'll be out in just a second with your soup." Matt thanked her and went back to his table where the boy and his parents were waiting.
"Has our son been bothering you, sir?" asked the mother as she took her boy's hand in her own.
"No, he actually helped me," chuckled Matt. "If it hadn't been for him I might've waited at the table for hours without food." The mother's face relaxed into a smile when she heard her son had not been cause anyone trouble.
"Sorry we didn't help you ourselves," apologized the young man who was apparently her husband. "We aren't as assertive as our son and we don't like to bother people."
"Don't worry about it," said Matt with a disarming smile. He didn't want them to be upset on any account of him. "My name is Ishihida Yamato. Friends call me Matt." He held out his hand which the husband gladly clasped.
"I'm Natsuke Heero and this is my wife, Chichoumi, and my son, Oishi."
"It's nice to meet all of you." Matt gave them all a smile before he remembered his own child. "Oh! And this is Haruka."
"How adorable!" squeaked Chichoumi as she looked down at the darling baby. Oishi gave his own "ooooo!" as he gazed up at Haruka.
"And where's the mother?" asked Heero in a friendly way.
"Oh, she...," Matt gazed down at Haruka with a sad smile, "she went to America." There was an uncomfortable silence that settled over them all. Matt knew Heero hadn't meant to upset him but he couldn't help but think longingly and sadly about Mimi. Heero knew he should have been subtler but since everyone had been so happy he hadn't really thought of any rain clouds coming down upon them like that.
"I do believe our soup must be getting cold, dear," said Chichoumi softly when she thought both Matt and Heero needed a rescue.
"You're absolutely right, love," sighed Heero turning back to Matt with an apologizing smile. "It was nice meeting you, Mr. Ishihida."
"Same here, Heero," replied Matt, giving the other man a reassuring grin to let him know there were no hard feelings. As the family walked back to their table to finish their own meal Matt noticed they were not much older than him, yet their son was already five. They must have been very young when they had him. Such a discovery only made him more sad and brought up thoughts of what used to be and what might have been....
"Here's you're soup, Hon," announced Aikiko as she suddenly appeared at his side and placed a large bowl of steaming soup in front of him. She set down a glass of water for him as well and bade him good meal.
"Thank you," sighed Matt as the elderly woman bowed and disappeared behind the kitchen door. Matt turned to his bowl and stared down into it for a whole minute before taking a deep breath and starting into it. There was no use dwelling over the past. That was then and this is now. He would get on with his life just as he had for the past three months. Everything would be fine and with his new friends it might even be better. It's always easier to cope with problems if you have friends who cope with the same problems themselves, right?
To be continued...