Hey there. The last chapter was a bit rushed, so I apologise for any strange inconsistencies. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Reminiscence
Taichi walked behind the disgustingly happy couple with Yamato, glaring darkly at Takeru's back.
"You know, that won't help anything," Yamato commented dryly.
"I know, but it makes me feel better."
Yamato grinned. "If it helps any, I was as shocked as you."
"It doesn't help." Taichi looked pained. "She's my little sister. She's sweet and innocent and all grown up and I wasn't there. Now I have to deal with the fact that there'll be another member of my family. Don't get me wrong," Taichi assured Yamato, who was looking at him strangely, "I like Takeru, he's always been like a younger brother to me, but I just feel ..."
"Resentful?"
Taichi nodded. "Yeah. She didn't tell me."
Yamato shrugged. "You haven't been around. Like me."
Taichi looked over at him. "You seriously had no idea?"
"I call even less than you do apparently." Yamato smiled gently, staring at the two of them. "I kind of like the idea. Hikari's like family to me too."
Taichi sighed. "I guess. It'll just take a bit of getting used to." He looked over and smiled. "It's the park. Kars."
Hikari turned around at the sound of her name. "Yeah?"
"Do you mind if we go to the park for a bit?"
Hikari chuckled at the sight of Taichi acting like a little kid at the prospect of going to the park. "Sure, why not?" She looked over at Takeru, who was also smiling and he nodded. "We're in."
"Matt?" Taichi looked over at Yamato, who had a faint smile playing about his lips. Yamato looked back over at him and nodded. "Yeah! Let's go then!" Taichi grabbed Yamato's wrist and dragged him towards the entrance. He was halted in his progress by a ringing phone.
"Excuse me," Takeru muttered and answered it. "Takeru here." He nodded a few times, muttering, "yeah" and "uh-huh". Hikari was watching him curiously. Takeru finally hung up and sighed. "Sorry guys but Hikari and I have to go into work for a new assignment."
"Now?" Hikari sighed and looked over at the two older men apologetically. "Sorry you two. I don't know how long we'll be. Why don't we meet up later at the restaurant?"
"Sure." Taichi grinned and tried to sound nonchalant about it, but he couldn't keep a slight wavering from showing in his voice. Hikari didn't notice, but Yamato and Takeru did. Yamato looked away slightly in pain and Takeru studied both of them carefully. Taichi cleared his throat. "I think we can manage to find it."
"Great. We should be off then Takeru. We'll see you at four." Hikari waved and dragged her fiancée off down the road.
"I would pity him for marrying her, but as he is taking away my little sister I won't." Yamato laughed.
"Let it go Taichi, just let it go."
"What if I don't want to?" Taichi whispered, lowering his head slightly.
"You just have to let go of some things," Yamato replied, his forehead creasing with a frown at Taichi's sudden change in mood.
"But not all things?"
Yamato shook his head. "Some things you should never let go of."
Taichi smiled softly, reassured about something. Yamato was still looking at him curiously. "Come on. Let's go to the park. We've still got about two hours to kill before we have to meet up with the others."
Yamato grinned as Taichi dragged him into the park. "Where to first?"
"Old favourites are always the best." Taichi gestured to the lake and Yamato smiled and nodded. They were about to move off when they both heard something that made them stop in their tracks.
Yamato sighed and turned around as he heard someone giggle and hesitantly say his name. He put on a friendly smile and faced a small group of fan girls.
"Hi there." One of the girls started giggling and one of the other nudged her while their blushing 'leader' continued to talk. "You're Ishida Yamato, aren't you?'
"Yes I am." Yamato could see Taichi from the corner of his eye trying not to laugh at him. He turned his attention back to the girl and tried ignoring him. "Did you want something?"
The girl blushed. "Uh, we were wondering if we could maybe get your autograph."
Yamato continued to smile though Taichi could tell that he was slightly resigned. Poor Yama, he must get this an awful lot. Serves him right for becoming famous though. Taichi couldn't help it, he grinned.
Yamato would have scowled at him, but he was too busy signing pieces of paper for the excited girls. He finished the third and last one. "There you go," he grinned.
The girls were staring awe-struck at the paper and giggling.
"Well, if you'll excuse us ladies," Taichi but in, grinning at Yamato, who scowled softly his way, "we must be on our way now."
Two of the girls nodded, but the third, the brave one who actually talked, was looking at him curiously. Taichi was getting a bit nervous with the stare. Why is she looking at me like that ... oh, wait she's wearing ...
"You're Yagami Taichi!" She squealed rather loudly. "I've been to every Kyoto game for the past two seasons, I'm a huge fan, all of my family is."
Taichi started sweating slightly. He could see Yamato's amazed expression that slowly shifted into a smirk. "Uh ... so you've seen all of my games then."
The girl nodded and blushed. "Do you think that you could autograph my shirt? My family would be so excited. We all came to Tokyo just for the finals. It's been so exciting seeing Kyoto get so far."
Taichi grinned. "Yeah, we're pretty ecstatic about it too." He took the girl's pen. She turned around so he could sign the Kyoto team shirt. "What was your favourite game this season?"
"Definitely the one against Osaka in the second round. That was so close and you managed to win even with five people out, including the captain. You're a fantastic vice-captain. I can see why you were chosen seeing that game." Taichi grinned hearing this and finished signing. He gave her back her pen and she squealed happily again. "Thank you so much."
"No problem." Taichi was still smiling as he watched the girls walk off.
Yamato laughed. "You should have seen your face when she asked about you. It was simply priceless."
Taichi scowled and took a playful swing at the laughing blond. "That was my first ever signing thank you very much."
"Really?' Yamato looked surprised. "I wouldn't have thought that."
"Well, I've only been playing for a season and a half and I've only been vice-captain for a season." Taichi shrugged and started walking again. "I never really come into the public eye much."
Yamato shrugged. "You'll be surprised at how much you don't know. More people know you than you think."
"Really?" Taichi looked surprised. "Kars and Takeru didn't know a thing and neither did Davis and Ken. That was the really surprising thing."
"Well like you said, you're fairly new and Kari and Teeks have been busy with their jobs. I don't think they took too much notice of sport and stuff. As for Davis and Ken, they've probably been busy with their own careers."
"And they were in second division for most of this year." Taichi nodded.
Yamato grinned. "Still, you should have seen your face." Yamato started laughing and Taichi shoved him a bit. Then he grinned.
"I'll race you to the rock." Taichi took off.
"Hey!" Yamato called out indignantly, straightening himself up. "That's not fair, you got a head start and you're an athlete." Yamato caught up with him at the rock and glared. "You never liked playing fair."
Taichi shrugged, taking a seat. "Where's the fun in playing fair?"
In response Yamato stuck his tongue out. Then he sat down beside Taichi and looked out over the lake. "It hasn't changed a bit."
"Yeah."
"I'm glad some things never change." Yamato saw Taichi turn away but didn't say a thing. He still couldn't talk about it with him, not yet anyway.
"Some times things look the same but aren't really," Taichi whispered, unconsciously raising his hand to his chest and clasping the pendant there.
"Maybe that's how it should be."
"Do you really believe that?"
Yamato couldn't answer Taichi. So they both continued to sit there on the rock in silence, each contemplating their situation.
* * *
Hikari sighed as she walked through the busy office of the magazine where she worked at. Takeru looked over at her, noting her irritation and hoped that the meeting wouldn't go for too long. They made their way to a side room set up for a meeting.
"Glad you two could make it, I know this is your day off." Takeru smiled at their boss, but Hikari only nodded in greeting.
"Well, I'm curious as to what's so important that you had to call an emergency meeting?"
"I think you know what's so important." Takeru sighed and took a seat beside another editor. Hikari followed suit. Their boss cleared his throat and looked around. "I'm not sure how they managed to keep it down, but we've found out that Ishida Yamato and the Teenage Wolves are here. Apparently they've been asked to play at the soccer finals tomorrow."
"So, we could kill two birds with one stone," one of the reporters suggested with a smile. "Get and interview with Ishida and with that new Kyoto hot-shot."
"Wait, Kyoto hot-shot? Who are you talking about Sari?" Takeru looked a bit confused.
Sari roller her eyes. "Where have you been for the past six months? The Kyoto vice-captain is liked the hottest and most talked about player around these days in the sports corner. Twenty-one and he's already risen so high. How could you not hear about him?"
"I'm wondering that myself," Hikari muttered. "I guess neither of us have been into sports that much."
Sari sniffed. "I know you wouldn't, being a columnist and all, but surely you would have known about this Takeru." The reporter batted her eyelashes at him, ignoring Hikari's glare.
Takeru shrugged. "I kind of gave up on sports after high school. Having friends who play soccer professionally is enough for me. I didn't bother with knowing anything more than I had too."
"Oh." Sari looked a bit taken aback. Then she looked over at their boss. "Maybe Takeru and I should go to the finals. Being the sports writer I should have no problem getting an interview and neither should Takeru with Ishida."
"Wait, you're going to send me because I'm related to Yamato?" Takeru looked furious.
Everyone except the boss looked stunned.
"I was talking about your reputation," Sari informed him with a small voice, "you're pretty well known in entertainment circles Takeru." She looked over at the boss and saw his lack of surprise.
"Do you have a problem with that Takeru?"
Takeru looked away, still fuming but knowing how determined and competitive his boss could be. "No, sir."
"Good then I'll send you with Hikari." Sari looked shocked. "There's apparently no media interaction allowed with the players for at least twenty-four hours unless asked for specifically by the players. I'm sending Hikari for the same reason as Takeru. She can get me my interview without waiting."
Takeru groaned. "Oh I am so going to get knocked out for this."
"Hey, you're not the only one they'll be pissed with."
"Yeah, but Mat wouldn't hurt you and Taichi adores you obviously."
Hikari nodded. "I guess you're right." She grinned. "Don't worry, I'm sure Yamato wouldn't be too pissed at you."
"I wasn't worried about Yamato," Takeru muttered.
Hikari laughed. "Oh are you still worried about Tai? Don't be, he'll get over this who engagement thing." Hikari thought for a moment then added, "Eventually." Takeru groaned again at this.
"Engagement?" Sari asked curiously. "What does Yagami Taichi have to do with you two and engagements?"
Hikari just gave her a withering look, saying 'are you really that stupid?' then looked at her watch and gasped. "Keru, we're going to be late for our own engagement party!"
"What?" Sari yelled. "You're engaged?" Her face fell as Takeru nodded and smiled at Hikari.
"Don't worry, I'm sure we won't be the last ones there. Knowing our friends we'll still probably be the first ones there."
"I guess." Hikari smiled. "Any wagers on who will be last? I say Davis and Ken."
"I'll say Matt and Tai."
"Really, why?"
Takeru grinned. "They'll start walking too late and get accosted by so many fan-girls they'll have taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up on the wrong side of town."
Hikari looked at him sceptically. "Yeah right, like that could ever happen."
Takeru shrugged. "Don't say I didn't warn you." He looked over at their boss again. "We'll take it."
"Great. He's the list of questions. I know you're supposed to give them to the interviewee before hand, but I'm not sure you'll get a chance to."
"We'll see them tonight. I'll get Matt and Tai to read over them." Takeru folded the papers and put them in his pocket. "We should get going now, we have reservations."
"Of course," their boss nodded and waved them out. "I'll see you after the finals then. Make sure you have everything ready for the next edition."
"Will do." Takeru and Hikari got up.
Sari watched them leave with a strange expression on their face. "How do they know so many people? Is it just luck or relations or what? Next thing you know, they'll tell us they're close school friends with Tachikawa Mimi." Sari snorted.
Takeru's phone rang as they were leaving. "Takeru here." He grinned. "Hey Mimi, I'm so glad you're here. How was your shoot in Paris? Uh-huh, that's fantastic. How's Sora? That's great. Are you still on for tonight? Great. Here, I'll hand you over to Hikari. She' been dying for someone girly to talk to for a while and no that wasn't an insult." Takeru handed his phone over to Hikari and was about to close the meeting room door behind him when he noticed the stares everyone was giving him. He shrugged and closed the door behind him, leaving a meeting room full of very stunned editors and reporters.
* * *
Hikari stood waiting outside the restaurant, tapping her shoe impatiently.
"Who are we still waiting on?" Hikari turned around at the sound of Mimi's voice and smiled.
"Tai, Matt, Davis and Ken."
"Well, here come Davis and Ken.' Mimi pointed and grinned. "Hey guys! Glad you could make it."
Daisuke grinned and scratched at the back of his head. "Sorry we're late Kari. We got a bit held up with ... uh ... stuff."
Hikari grinned as she saw Ken's face redden slightly. "I'm sure this ... stuff ... was very important."
"Oh it was." Daisuke grinned and Ken shook his head at his boyfriend.
"Let's just go inside," Ken muttered after greeting Hikari and Mimi.
"I guess Keru was right after all."
"About what?"
"Nothing." Hikari smiled as she caught sight of two familiar people running towards them very fast. "I wonder what's' up with those two?"
Mimi shrugged. "Knowing them, something rather juvenile."
"Inside now!" Yamato managed to call out before he and Taichi almost ran into the two waiting females.
"Why?"
"Just do it," Taichi advised and pushed the two of them through the door of the expensive restaurant. They straightened themselves up and caught their breath properly before walking over with Hikari and Mimi to their table.
"Wow," Sora commented as they approached. "You two looked like you ran the whole way here."
"I think we might have." Everyone was looking at Taichi as he said this, so he decided to enlighten them. "See, we realised we were going to be late so we ran for the bus, only people saw Yamato and, being the famous superstar stud he is, they decided to chase him to try and get an autograph."
"Some of them were after you too, this isn't all my fault," Yamato interjected.
"Yeah. Hey, did you guys know I'm famous now too? I had no idea. Guess I should get out more. Anyway, we were running down a street and we finally managed to lose them only to find out we'd ran so far that we ended up on the wrong side of town. We had to catch a bus over a little ways and as soon as we got like two blocks away, more people saw us and went psycho." Taichi sighed. "What is with girls like that?"
"Not all of them were girls Taichi," Yamato informed him.
"I know that and I wasn't that upset by that part, it's just screaming girls are just not my thing." Taichi sat down beside Hikari and kissed her on the cheek. "We're here now, that's what matters right?' He grinned.
Takeru started laughing and Hikari scowled at him.
"You just had to be right didn't you?" She shook her head disgustedly.
AN: Yeah, another chapter out. I would have had this out earlier, but ff.net was down. Still, it's here now and that's what matters, right? ;)