OK, chapter 3...wow....I'm so proud. My 2nd fanfic and I am loving how this is going, please R and R....Disclaimer: Digimon isn't mines. I'm just borrowing the character. But I do wish digimon [was] mines. That way we Americans wont get the crappy/evil dub version. Unfortunately, though its not. So don't go and sue. PS: When I have [ ] around something, that means it suppose to be italicized.

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Title: Please Let It Not Be True Chapter 3:  The Marriage Proposal

By: Burningwaters

After we finished eating we left. I was heading toward my mom's house and Taichi was heading home. Dad was not going to be home tonight. He called before and told me that. Something about the TV station going out of business. He's not home a lot these days. I walked with Taichi part way toward our destination in silence.

I sigh, "Well, this is where we go our separate ways and meet our doomed."

Taichi smiled his sweet smile, "You mean, Hikari's and Takeru's doom. Not [ours] but theirs."

"Yeah, right," I punched his arm lightly and we said our goodbyes.

I walked to mom's and Takeru apartment. Thinking, thinking hard. Oh, man, what am I going to tell Takeru? This is going to be hard. The apartment is in site. Well, here it goes. I headed to the elevators so it can get me to the 14th floor. Apartment #345. When I got there, I just stood there. Like I was rooted there. Oh, man, oh man. I do [not] want to do this. I don't know how long I stood there, until I heard a voice. I looked up and see mom standing next to me. She was carrying some bags. Obviously she just came home from the store.

"Yamato?" She asked, as she shifted the bags for a better view of me, "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, hi mom." I took a bag from her, "I wanted to talk to Takeru about something."  Was it just my imagination? Or did she look a little hurt that I'm here to see Takeru but not her? Whatever it was, it's gone now.

"Oh..." she said, "Why don't you come in then." She took out her keys and opened the door. I followed. Takeru came walking out at the sound of us coming in. His face fell when he saw me. Well, there goes the intro. to my speech. Guess he already knew why I was here.

"Hey, mom, Yamato." He took the bag from mom.

"Thank you, Takeru, could you boys put away the groceries? I need to change," she asked us.

"Sure, mom," we said, kind of awkwardly. Of course, she didn't notice. I set down my bass on the couch, then took my bag over to the kitchen and started helping Takeru put away the groceries.

"So..." I said, in a happy voice. More happier than I intended.

"So what?" he mumbled back.

"Are you going to tell me? Or am I going to have to ask?"

"Tell you what?" I scoffed, like he didn't know what I was talking about.

"You know what I'm talking about, TK," I said, using his nickname that I have for him.

"No I don't." So he's going to play it that way, huh? Well, this is going to be harder than I thought. I stopped and turned to him. I had the words formed in my mouth ready to come out.

"You know what I'm talking about, I'm talking about that thing you asked Hikari, you know- " I was cut off, mom walked back into the kitchen.

"Is that what you wanted to talk to Takeru about? Hikari?" D-oh! Guess she heard. I looked at him, waiting for him to answer. Mom did the same. Awkward silence. Whoa...You could just hear the crickets starting to chirp and the tumbleweed rolling by. I smile at the thoughts.

Mom saw that smile, "Why don't [you] tell me what you're doing here, Yamato."

I blushed, "Umm...yeah, mom, I wanted to talk to Takeru about Hikari." It was true.

"About what?" Darn! She was pressing it.

"About...."  I was at a lost. I guess Takeru saw that. He jumped in.

"About how I can ask her to the.... dance on Saturday. Yeah, that's it," he blushed.

"Oh, Takeru, don't worry! You'll do fine! All you have to do is be yourself. Besides, Hikari already likes you. You don't need to impress her!" Whew, she bough the story.

"I know...but...still..." he said, then he looked at me, "C'mon Yamato, lets go for a walk."

"K," This is my chance, he knows it, I know it. This talk is going to happen. No more avoiding it.

Takeru glanced at mom, "Is that okay mom?" She nodded.

"As long as you be back before 11PM," she called after us. I looked at my watch. It was 9:30PM. OK, that gives me 1 hour and 30 minutes to talk to him.

We walked in silence for a while. When I couldn't take the silence anymore. I asked him the question I wanted to know since hearing about the proposal.

"Tell me, Takeru, how did you ask her?" He stop walking and sat on a near by bench.

He sighed and smiled, "I don't remember. It was...wonderful. Seeing her sitting across the table from me all dressed up..." I didn't say anything. I waited for him to get out of la-la land and continued.

"We talked and one subject lead up to another and...The subject of marriage came up..." he stopped again and was still in la-la land. Oh, well, I'll let him stay there as long as he tells me everything. I'm like a sponge right now, I need to take up all the water before I'm satisfied. 

"And the subject of marriage came up, I...just asked her. I stood up, got everyone's attention. When I did, I got on my knees, pulled out the ring, and asked her with everyone as my witness. The look on her face when I asked her was...priceless. She didn't say anything at first. I thought she was going to turn me down, when she said yes. Everyone hear and started clapping. We kissed the most wonderful kiss and everything just melted. Like we were the only two people around." He sighed.

"Where did you get the ring?" He blinked a couple of time, realizing that I was still there with him. Guess he's not in la-la land anymore, huh?

"Huh? Oh, umm...I...asked...umm...mom...it was hers. The very same ring that dad gave to her."

"So...mom knows and she approved?" I asked in surprise.

"No...not really..." Uh-oh, sounds like someone did something bad. "I'm going to tell her...soon, I just borrowed it. She said that I could have it a couple of month before because we were talking about me marrying Hikari. She thought I was joking. But I wasn't."

"Does she know you took the ring?" He grew even redder.

"Nope. She said that she would give me the ring when we are out of high school and when we are situated in college. But I.... couldn't wait..."

I smiled, "Ahhh.... my little brother, Takeru Ishida...is getting married! Wow, I never thought I see the day. I always thought that I was going to marry first."

He scoffed, "Of course, you have all those girls chasing after you."

"Hey, its harder than you think. I have to find the perfect one first. Obviously you did already."

If it was possible, I swear, he got even redder. He looked at me.

"Wait, Yamato, who told you?"

"Huh?" Busted....

"Who told you that I asked Hikari to marry me?"

"Umm...Taichi did," Uh-oh...what did Taichi do this time?

"Oh..." he looked a little disappointed.

"What's wrong?"

"I just wanted to tell you myself. I was going to tell mom tonight and you and dad tomorrow. But I guess I won't be telling you anymore. Does anyone else know?"

"Ummm...Taichi told me, who said that Hikari called him on his cell and...that's all I know."

"Oh, ok." We were quiet for a couple minutes when we saw two familiar figurines. They came nearer and it turned out to be Daisuke and Ken. They haven't seen Yamato and Takeru yet. I laugh at myself, talking in the third person again. The both of them were holding hands and whispering to each other. Yamato and Takeru looked at each other and smiled. It seems that they just came back from a date. They were right next to the bench before they notice Yamato and Takeru was sitting there smiling at them. Heehee, its like I'm narrating a story and me and my brother are in it!
They smiled back. "Hey, guys," Daisuke said, cheerfully.  Ken just smiled.

"Hey, what are you guys up to?" I asked them.

"Oh, we're just out..." Ken said mysteriously.

"What about you? What's up with you two? Sitting here all alone, in the dark, at night...near make out point," Daisuke smiled evilly.

"Daisuke, we're just talking. Nothing more then that. Nothing your little dirty mind can think up," Takeru resort back.

"OK, ok..." Daisuke held up his hands in peace.

Ken smiled, "What Dai means is that what are you two dong out here for? Like what are you talking about at time hour?" Daisuke blushed at Ken's use of his personal nickname.

"I said it already, we are talking," Takeru was getting mad, I could tell. I jumped in before they could go any further.

"We are talking about something that's...a little personal. So if you two could..." I trailed off hoping they would get my message. They did.

"I understand," Ken jumped in before Daisuke could comment, "We'll leave." He took Daisuke's hand and led him towards the forest part of the park. Takeru and I were alone again.

"Let me ask you something, Takeru," I said carefully.

He looked at me questionably. "When are you having the wedding?"

He blushed. I could see it in the dim light. "I don't know...we haven't planned it. We talked about it for a while but nothing specific. I drove her home and we didn't talk. I was thinking if it was all a mistake. I think she was too. We are going to talk about it tomorrow, though. At school."

"OK...I hope you will give me an update..." I stood up and started walking him home. He nodded.

"I'm not a baby, you don't have to walk me home," he knew I was worried about him but didn't say anything else about it.

"It dangerous, TK...especially at night," I stated. We walked to the apartment without saying a word. I headed in with him to grab my bass. Mom was already asleep. We were quiet, not wanting to disturbed her. I went to where I left it and wore it back on my back like I had it before and headed out.

"Oh, and Takeru..." I turned around before I left the place, "If you don't tell mom and dad about this by tomorrow, it can't wait...so I'm going to tell them."

"I understand..." he replied as he headed into his room. I let myself out.

I walked home in the crisp cold night. It was near the witching hour. The time when the streets get really dangerous. I adjusted the strap of the bass and pulled my jacket closer to myself. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't get scared often. But the city's been having a crime spree lately. A lot of people's been robbed and I think it was like 5 people getting killed already. Police said that a new crime ring has entered the town. So far no suspect or witness. All the robbers and murderers wore mask and similar clothing that couldn't be identified. Video surveillance doesn't work either. It seems that whoever is in charge of this crime ring, has a hacker in their mist. The camera's would 'mysteriously' shut down right before the robbery. Even the world's best hacker can't track where it came from. Unless of couse, the worlds best hacker works for [them].

I walked even faster. Not only were there robberies but there were also muggings. It didn't happen as often as the robberies but it happened. This city is becoming dangerous and the police can't do anything about it. I was too much in my thoughts that by the time I notice it. It was too late. I heard footsteps behind. I walked a little fast. Whoever walked faster too. They are following me, the thought hit me like a sledgehammer. Great, a young boy, in his twenties walking out alone at night, with a cell, money and a bass....great...just great, Yamato. I took out my cell without moving my arms much; I called the first person I could think of. Taichi.

"Hello..." Taichi's groggily voice came, he was just falling asleep.

"Tai..." I whispered urgently using his nickname.

"Yamato? What's wrong?" Tai instantly become alert at my voice and the fact that I [used] his nickname.

"I'm walking home and there's someone following me..." I whispered fast.

"Ok...where are you? I'll come and get you..." he was getting up, I could hear him stumbling to get out of his messy room. I could hear Hikari in the background.

I told him where I was. I was getting worried. It sounds like 4 or 5 people are following me. I walked as fast I could without running. "Just make sure you stay in lighted areas, k? It would be earlier for me to fine you," Taichi said, he was worried about me too.

"Ok..." I hung up.

"Get him!" I heard someone say behind me. I ran. I ran for my life. But my bass was slowing my down. It bounced against my back, making it harder to get away. I should have just took it off and ditch it. But it was too late. They caught up to me. Two of them grabbed my arms and pulled me into a nearby ally. The other two was there laughing at me watching my struggle. One of them too my bass off and set it down. The two that was holding my arms slammed me against the wall. I should have screamed but I was just too shock to do that. The air was knocked out of me. Someone punched me in the head. They started going though my pockets. They were talking and laughing. About what? I don't know. My head rung. Suddenly, I was dropped to the ground. I collapse hurting all over. I heard fighting going on all around me. Once my vision cleared, I saw that Taichi showed up and was fighting them. But it was 4 to 1, he can't win. I joined the fight as best as I could. I punched out one guy and started beating up on him. One of his friends went to help him. Taichi went for the other two. The one that I wasn't beating on grabbed me and was about to punch the shit out of my when he dropped me and ran. There were screams all around me. The four thugs ran. Taichi and I was there left bruised and bloody. The ringing in my ear lessened and I finally knew why those thugs ran. Sirens. Taichi hobbled over to me and together we picked up my stuff. Then headed towards his car and drove away before the police came. I'm happy that he lived near by. Close one, Yamato, close one.

We drove in silence back to my place. By the time we got there it was midnight, the witching hour. I let us in. I checked in dad's room seeing if he's home yet. He wasn't. I went to the bathroom and got the first aid kit. I helped Taichi clean his cuts and he helped me with mine. We didn't say anything because it just goes without saying anything.

"That was stupid, Yamato..." he mumbled.

"What was?" The part about walking home alone? The part about not screaming when I had the chance? Or the part where I should have been paying attention when I didn't? I didn't say those stuff out loud. No, I just acted innocently.

"Oh, you know what I'm talking about," he mumbled still.

"Yeah, I know...that was stupid. I wasn't thinking straight. You know, with the proposal thingy," I gave in, I'm not go to pretend anymore. I looked at him. I notice that there were tears in his eyes.

I smiled, "Taichi Yagimi, are those tears in your eyes?" He turned and wiped them away, I could see that it bothered him a lot so I stopped smiling.

"I was worried about you, I thought that you were going to be killed when I couldn't find you at first," he eyes glistened with tears again. No more pretending, I told myself again. I looked at him and saw that his brown eyes were the cutest eyes I've ever seen. How come I've never notice this before? I pushed the thought away.

"Taichi...Tai...thanks...I didn't know that you cared so much," I said sincerely.

He looked at me appalled, "How could you say that? You are my best friends....and I hope that I am yours too."

"Of course, no doubt about it," I answered back sincerity.  When we finished cleaning up our cuts and bruises we both leaned back.  I don't know how long we sat there until we heard a ring. I looked around for the cordless and Taichi looked at his cell.

"Hello?" he said, oh, it was for him. I tried not eavesdrop but it was hard. Considering that we were in an apartment alone and there were no other noise other then Taichi's talking.

"Oh, hi, Hikari.....yeah....I'm ok....I found him.....I didn't at first...yeah....I heard fighting in an ally and followed the noise....uh-huh....I beat up two guys....hey, they started it first....yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it was stupid to just enter that fight recklessly like that....the cops did come.....oh, we didn't talk to them, we got out of there before the came....We both fine, got cuts and bruises, nothing that cant be healed....I'll be home later.....I'm at Yamato's apartment.....ok....ok....bye, Hikari." He hung up and turned to me.

"That was Hikari," He stated. I looked at him with a look in my eyes that said 'loser'.

"Of course not, Mr. States-the-obvious...you only said her name two times," I smiled my most goofy smile. His eyes twinkled and he started laughing. I laugh with him, even though it hurt to do so. 

Taichi stayed for another hour and went home. It was near 3:30 AM and dad still wasn't home. Guess he was telling the truth after all. He's going to sleep in the office. I said goodbye to Taichi and went to sleep. I toss and turned for a while. It hurt to sleep. Bruises everywhere. I don't know how long, but when I drifted into a dream.

[I was walking into the store with Takeru. It was late in the night. We needed to get something before heading home. Right when we went through the door, I was staring down a gun barrel. It was round and dark. Someone was screaming something that I didn't hear. The gun went off. BOOOM! Takeru jumped in front of me. Taking the bullet that was meant for me...."TAKERU!"]

"TAKERU!" I woke up screaming his name. A dream, it was a dream. I was breathing hard. I glance at the clock and it was 6 AM. No chance of falling asleep again. I got up, still breathing hard from that dream. Dad still wasn't home.

"God, I hope that wont ever happen," I told myself out loud, truly hoping that it would [not] happen.  *Please, [please] let it not be true* I thought to myself.

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This is my 3rd chapter, no-duh...lol....I hope you like it....heehee...Good? Bad? Continue? Review Please....^_^