Eight: Annual Fair

It was already Saturday morning, around 9:00. Yukino was inside Sora's room, watching an animated movie. While trying to be engrossed with the movie, her mind kept on thinking about last night. Yukino frowned. She can't forget the event. Her parents fought… again. I hope I can do something to bring Daddy back here, she thought. She wants to see Shin again. They were having such a great time last night. Shin was talking non-stop about how great their father is and how excellent he plays the bass guitar, how fun their father could be with. And Yukino proudly told Shin how sweet and caring their mother is. How she cared for her when she was sick, how they played and teased each other during nights. Oh it was so fun!

Yukino sighed and flopped down on the bed. She continued to watch, but her mind still continued to ponder on ideas on how to set her parents up and to stop their fighting once and for all.

The door opened after three knocks made by Sora. Yukino turned her head and smiled. "Want to join me mom?"

Sora smiled and felt a sense of euphoria upon seeing and hearing Yukino. It felt good being called 'mom'. Sora sat down beside Yukino on the bed and asked her, "Are you angry at me?"

Yukino shook her head. "If it's about last night, I ain't angry at you mom. I was just… I don't know… It's miserable seeing you and dad go into a fight. I thought everything's going to be okay when dad and Shin visited us… I guess I was wrong…" she answered, bowing her head in dismay.

Sora sighed upon hearing Yukino's response. She suddenly lit up and cheered Yukino. "There's a fair in the park. It's celebrated annually. How about we spend our afternoon there, huh?"

Yukino blinked. "Are we going to call dad?"

Sora smiled softly at Yukino. "I'm not ready to see him yet, Yuki-san. Maybe some other time…"

Yukino sat up and stared at her mother hopefully. "When? When will you be ready?"

Sora stood up and looked away. She still doesn't want to face Yamato. I don't know… I guess I'm still confused with everything… "I don't know…" she answered. "I'll be back here. I'll just talk to mom."

After Sora exited the room, Yukino grabbed the remote and minimized the volume of the TV. She crawled on the bed and picked up the phone sitting on Sora's desk. Yukino then opened the chest drawer and took Sora's address book. She opened it and tried to find her father's number.

"Ishida Yamato… The Oh so popular cute fantastic guy friend of mine with a really large ego and has a legion of girls flocking over him…" Yukino shrugged upon reading the description. "I wonder why mom wrote that…" She dialed the number and waited for it to be answered.

"Ishida residence. Yeah?"

Yukino smiled upon hearing her father's unruffled voice on the other line. "Dad!"

"Yukino?! Why? Something happened there?"

Yukino giggled and shook her head. "No! I called because I want to say something."

"Does Sora know that you're calling me? I mean, she might freak out. I think she's still confused about last night."

"Oh, mom? She doesn't know." Yukino answered, looking at the door which was closed. "She's downstairs talking to grandma. Dad?"

"Hmmm?"

"Mom and I are going to the fair after lunch."

There was silence at the other line. Then, Yamato spoke. "Are you setting us up?"

"No!... I mean, I just want to say that we're going at the fair and I hope you'd be there with Shin."

"You are setting us up. *laugh* Anyway, I'll try and see if Shin and I can go."

"Don't try dad…" Yukino said, "Do."

Taichi slumped down on the sofa and flipped on the TV, throwing the remote on the armchair. He yawned and looked at the clock that says 8:00 in the morning.

"It's just 8:00…" he grumbled.

"Tai. Don't you want to have breakfast?" his mom asked.

Tai looked up from the sofa. "What is it?" He sniffed the air then sat up. "Bacon and eggs, pancakes and…"

"Peanut butter sandwich." Hikari cut in. She sat down on the chair and took a bite on a peanut butter sandwich.

Tai stood up and sat on the chair across from Hikari. He looked at her mug. "How come she has hot choco?"

"She made it herself." Their mom answered.

Tai raised and eyebrow and looked at Hikari, who in turn shook her head. "Mom, big brother wants me to fix him a hot choco!" Hikari said, laughing.

"What?" Tai said innocently. "I didn't say anything!"

Mrs. Kamiya rolled her eyes and placed a mug of hot choco on the table. She looked at her son and grinned. "Don't I appreciate a thank you?"

Tai smiled sheepishly. "Yeah. Thanks mom."

Mrs. Kamiya looked at the clock. "Oh. I'll just go buy something for lunch. Anything you want?"

"Cupcakes." Both answered.

She smiled. "Okay." She then went out and proceeded to her shopping.

The phone rang, causing Tai to ran to it. "Hey, Taichi here. Who's this?"

"Hey Tai! It's me Takeru. May I speak to Hikari?"

Taichi grinned then pretended to act like a cool brother. "What? You just saw each other yesterday! What's going on?"

"Huh? But Tai – "

Hikari snatched the phone from Tai and looked at Tai crazily. "Don't do that! You keep scaring Daisuke and TK!"

Taichi laughed and winked at his sister. "Oh c'mon! They both know it's just a joke. Well, unless there really is something going on."

Hikari rolled her eyes and talked to TK. Taichi went back to the sofa and surfed the channels for a soccer game.

After a few minutes, the doorbell rang. Taichi looked at his sister, who was still chatting with TK. "Hikari. You shouldn't be there for more than an hour." He reprimanded.

Hikari covered the phone with her hand. "How come you talk to Minako for more than an hour every night saying how cute she is over and over again?"

Taichi fumed. "You eavesdropper! Why I – " The doorbell rang again. Taichi sighed then stood up and walked towards the door, opening it.

"Hi there Taichi!" the bubbly voice of Mimi greeted. Taichi blinked. "Well this is a surprise! I thought you're back in America."

Mimi shook her head and beamed. "No! I'm staying in a condo right now! Isn't that great?! We can be all together again!" Mimi squealed. "Now, I know you all missed me so here I am!"

Taichi scratched his head. "Uh… I don't recall anything that I said I missed you…"

Mimi flared and strangled Taichi. "Ouch! Hey! Hikari! This crazy woman is strangling me!" Taichi yelled.

Mimi glared at Tai and shook his shoulders wildly. "WHO'S CRAZY?!"

Hikari appeared on the doorway and gasp. "Mimi! It's a surprise!"

Mimi smiled and left Taichi on the doorstep, cringing in pain. "Hikari! How's everything?"

"The same. We just saw each other yesterday!" Hikari said giggling. Both went inside. Taichi soon followed the two and sat beside his sister.

"My neck hurts…" Tai muttered.

"Isn't there a fair right now or has my memory been jumbled?" Mimi asked, not hearing Taichi's whining.

Hikari clapped her hands. "Of course! I almost forgot! It's the annual fair!"

Mimi grinned and stood up, a huge idea cooking inside her head. "That's it!"

"What's it?" Tai asked, still massaging his neck. Mimi smiled and thought, "We should get everyone together and we'll celebrate the annual fair! Isn't that a fantastic idea?"

Tai rolled his eyes but then smiled nervously when Mimi was glaring at him again. "Of course." He squeaked.

Hikari agreed. "Let's call everyone up!"

Afternoon

After brushing her teeth, Yukino changed clothes then rushed to where Sora is. "Mom! We'll be late!" she said, opening the door of Sora's room.

Yukino smiled and looked at her mother who was wearing a pale blue kimono. Drawn on it were white feathers. "It's the second time I saw you wear a kimono…" Yukino said, smiling.

"Really?" Sora asked, "When was the first?"

Yukino thought for a moment. "I remember dad giving you a large present and it was a really beautiful yellow kimono. When you wore it, dad was smiling and he said you look beautiful…" Yukino giggled, remembering the event.

Sora blushed. "I don't wear them too often…" Sora brushed her hair and tied it in a bun. "There! All done." Sora said, looking at Yukino.

Yukino beamed and took Sora's hand. "I think it's going to be a memorable fair!"

Same time

"Shin, what's better? This one – " Yamato raised his left hand holding a black shirt. Printed on it in white was: Rock My World. "Or this?" Yamato continued, raising his other hand clutching a brown turtleneck.

Shin looked at his father in wonder. "You always take the opinion of mom."

Yamato smiled then asked Shin again. "Which one?" Shin shook his head. Yamato sighed and looked inside his wardrobe again. It's just the fair… why am I going on a dilemma on what will I wear anyway. Yamato laughed at his thought and pulled out a black button-down polo then showed it to Shin. "How about this?"

Shin pouted his lips and pointed at his black shirt with print. "The first one will do."

"Hey! It's Sora. Sorry but no one's home right now. Please leave your message after the beep."

*Beep*

Hikari put the phone down and shook her head at the others. "I only got Sora's voice message."

Mimi sighed. She wants to see Sora badly. She wanted to confide to her everything that happened to her in America. "Oh well… I guess there could be some other time."

"Call Yamato. Maybe he's not doing anything." Tai ordered his sister. Hikari nodded and dialed Yamato's number.

"This is Yamato. Nobody's home right now. So just leave a message."

*beep*

"No use…" Hikari said, putting the phone down. "Yamato's out."

Takeru held his chin. My brother's out? Where could he be? I guess he's talking things over with Sora… he thought. Yamato told him about what happened last night and it really wasn't a good conversation.

TK's train of thought was disrupted when Hikari patted his shoulder.

"Something wrong?"

Takeru sheepishly smiled and winked at Hikari. "Nothing."

"Guys, I think we shouldn't be doing something right now. Didn't you hear Gennai yesterday?" Daisuke asked. Inside the Kamiya's house were all of them(Tai, Mimi, TK, Daisuke, Hikari, Iori, Ken and MIyako). Except Jyou who has reviewing for a midterm exam, and Sora and Yamato.

"Well, everything seems to be going okay…" TK said reassuringly.

"Besides, Gennai would contact us if something's going on." Hikari said, as if finishing TK's sentence.

Taichi looked at the clock that said 1:30. "We just have to wait for Izzy to come, then we'll go to the fair."

Sora stopped walking and gazed at the wonderful costumes and designs in the park. "They made a good fair today." Sora said, looking at Yukino who was smiling.

"Well, you're too bubbly today… what's up?" Sora asked.

Yukino smiled wider and crossed her fingers behind her back. "Is it wrong to smile?" Sora laughed. "You sound like Yamato." Sora said, then realized what she just said. Yukino held her mother's hand. "Mom, let's go!"

After Yukino won a game in archery, both sat down and tried to eat. "You're quite good in archery." Sora said while munching on a donut. Yukino nodded and looked at Sora happily. "They taught us that in school. And I joined the drama club! We'll be having another play again."

Sora looked at Yukino with amazement. "You're quite a busy girl. Where do you get all the energy to be busy in school activities?"

Yukino drank her orange juice and smiled softly. "When Dad visited us one day, he told me to be happy. He told me to do what I really want. I shouldn't be down because you and daddy don't live together anymore. I should be happy. Because if Shin and I are happy, so is he."

Sora stared at Yukino with sadness. Divorced… it's so surprising. Why would they be divorced? While Sora continued to think, someone stood behind her. When Sora looked back at Yukino, she was looking behind Sora with a bright smile on her face.

Sora turned her head and gasp. There stood Yamato with Shin beside him, busily eating a cotton candy and clutching a brown bear. She looked back at Yamato, who smiled.

"Care if we join you?" he said in his cool voice.

Sora blinked for a moment then nodded her head meekly. She scooted so that Yamato could sit beside her. Shin finished eating his cotton candy and sat between Yamato and Sora. Yukino stayed put beside Sora.

Sora glanced at Yamato, who was smiling. She blushed, recalling everything that he said last night and the other days before it. Yamato noticed Sora's flushed face and smiled wider, thinking how pretty Sora is in a kimono plus the fact that she's thinking about him. Yamato chuckled a little. Just don't get it all in your head Ishida…

"Dad! I joined the archery contest!" Yukino squealed. Shin took his teddy bear. "Dad won too! He shoot the ball in the bottle three times and won me this."

Sora looked at Yamato who was laughing. "After six tries, I finally won." He said. Sora smiled and cock her eyebrow. "You can't even manage to shoot it for the first try?" Sora teased.

Yamato smiled back. "As if you could, Sora." Yamato said, making Sora stare at Yamato in disbelief. "If I could remember correctly Mr.Teen-Rocker-Egoistic-Ishida, I beat you in soccer." Sora said amusingly.

Yamato blushed. It was three years ago when Sora beat him fair and square in soccer. "Egoistic? Since when? Anyway, you were like Tai. And besides, I beat you in basketball." Yamato said, smirking.

Yukino and Shin listened to what their parents were saying. It didn't sound like they're fighting, but they're definitely outdoing each other.

"You had TK as your coach. It obvious that TK is better than you are."

Yamato blushed. It was true after all, but it's hard to accept that his brother TK is better than him. "Is not." Yamato replied.

"Don't be such a baby Yamato, admit it."

Shin looked at his sister. "Mom and Dad sound like you and Kyosuke." Shin said, making Yukino giggle. Yamato and Sora looked at Shin. "Who's Kyosuke?" Yamato asked.

"His father is Uncle Tai." Yukino answered, causing Sora to smile and Yamato to laugh. "What's so funny?" Sora asked. Yamato shook his head. "Nothing… it's just that Tai changes girls every week. It's a surprise to know he will settle with someone."

"You're the one who's such a womanizer." Sora muttered, thinking of how many women he has dated ever since they stepped in high school.

Yamato heard it, but was too amused to say anything. So, she is jealous… he thought. He casually glanced at the left side of the park, where the entrance is. He saw Katsui, his classmate, walking in with some of his friends. He rolled his eyes. He never liked Katsui in anyway. He always bosses around the campus. Plus the fact that he thinks he's superior than me… Yamato thought, smirking. Other than that, Katsui is talkative. He would love to see Yamato in deep humiliation. I bet if he sees me with Sora and these kids, he might even tell the whole school that I got Sora pregnant and bore these kids… Yamato thought, laughing. Then abruptly stopped when he realized what he just thought.

"Shit!" Yamato muttered.

Sora glanced at Yamato with a glare. "Yamato! There are kids here! You shouldn't use that word!" Sora reprimanded. Yamato stood up and carried Shin on his arms. He grabbed Sora's right hand and pulled her to her feet.

"Where are we going?" Yukino asked, holding Sora's other hand.

"Are we going to play again?" Shin exclaimed.

Sora gave a questioning look at Yamato who was pulling her. "What's wrong Yamato?"

"Our schoolmates are here." Yamato answered.

Sora raised her eyebrow, not quite following what Yamato said. "…So?"

Yamato tightened the grip on Sora's hand. "So, if they see us with these kids and both look exactly like us, what would they think? Of course, they might think that I got you pregnant and that we have already established our family. Do you want them to think that?"

Sora nodded, looking around her. The elder people were giving them a queer look. "Aren't those two too young to have children?" Sora heard them say.

"I get the message. There's this place in the park where it's a bit shady. How about staying there?" She said, starting to walk already.

Yamato shook his head. "The sun's high up already. The people would probably flock there."

Sora tried to think of a place where to stay, but the fact that Yamato literally gripping her hand is bugging her. "Yamato?"

"Yeah?"

"You might want to loosen your grip." Sora said, smiling. Yamato blushed and let go of Sora's hand. "Sorry about that…" he muttered, a faint blush appearing on his cheeks.

"Mom?"

Sora looked down at Yukino. "Yes?"

"I'm still hungry…" she whispered, patting her grumbling stomach. Shin nodded his head. "Me too."

"I'll go buy the food. Anything you want Yamato?"

The blonde smiled sheepishly and leaned at Sora again. "You."

"Other than that." Sora replied, blushing.

"Noodles would be good." Yamato answered. Sora smiled and looked at Yukino and Shin. "How about you guys? What do you want? No junk food."

"Apple pie!" Yukino answered.

"I'll come with you mommy. I will choose my food." Shin said, letting go of Yamato's hand.

"Yukino and I will stay here." Yamato said, sitting down on a bench a few feet away from the food stalls.

Sora nodded and took Shin's hand in hers and proceeded to one of the food stalls. Since the stall is taller than Shin, she lifted him up and rested him on her arms. "What do you want?" she asked.

Shin licked his lips. "Don't they have fettuccini?" he asked, making Sora raise her eyebrow. "Sorry honey, no fettuccini. I'll make you one this dinner, okay?"

Shin nodded his head. "I'll just have noodles."

Before Sora could manage to order, a hand rested on her shoulder. Figuring it was Yamato, she smiled and turned her gaze behind her. "I thought you'll be staying at our spot?" Sora asked, smiling.

"I didn't know we have a spot."

Sora bit her lip, knowing that the person behind her wasn't Yamato. She turned around and saw Katsui grinning.

"Oh Katsui…" Sora said, looking past Katsui and gazing at Yamato far behind who was looking intently at them. "I'm sorry, I've mistaken you for somebody else." Sora said, turning back again at the lady inside the stall.

"Two noodles, whole apple pie and two slices of pizza." Sora ordered.

"It's okay." Katsui said, signaling his friends to move away. "By the way, who's the kid?"

Sora placed Shin down and noticed that Shin was making faces at Katsui. "He's Shin my…well, cousin." Sora just said.

"Shin, this is Katsui."

Shin studied Katsui with innocence. "Are you mommy's friend or enemy?"

Katsui gave a questioning look at Sora. "Mommy? He calls you mommy?" Katsui asked, surprised.

Sora laughed nervously. "Yes. He misses his mom so much!"

Katsui nodded his head slowly. "I thought you don't have any cousins since your mom is also an only child and your far away from your father's relatives…"

Sora gulped and smiled. "It's a long story. You know too much about me, Katsui. That's pretty surprising." Sora said, laughing nervously.

Katsui smiled and brushed up his hair. "Well, let's just say I fancy you too much…"

Sora gulped again. I don't want to know what that means… Sora thought. "Oh look at the time! Shin and I must be off." She said, taking her orders which were placed inside a pack. Katsui smiled and stepped closer to Sora. "Maybe I could accompany you here in the park. Are you with somebody else?"

Sora bit her lip and looked at where Yamato and Yukino were sitting. Yukino was there, but Yamato wasn't. Where did that guy went? He left Yukino! She thought.

"Sora."

Sora turned at her side and saw Yamato striding towards them. "Yamato!" she said, relieved he was coming.

Katsui's face hardened. "Yamato, I didn't know you liked the outdoors." He muttered, pretending to be nice to Yamato.

Yamato gazed at Katsui with arrogance. "What is it to you anyway?"

"Nothing. I thought you'd spend the afternoon scribbling words on paper." Katsui said, smirking.

Sora rolled her eyes. "Shin?" she asked, just realizing that Shin wasn't holding her hand anymore.

"I'm here." He said, sitting on a bench near the three teens. "I'm getting tired of standing."

Sora smiled and looked at the two guys. "Why are you getting into each other's nerves? Anyway, let's just go our own little way okay?"

"I'll accompany you Sora." Katsui said. Sora shook her head. "Sorry Katsui-san, I'm with Yamato." He looked at Yamato, who has a lopsided grin on his face.

Katsui-san? Yamato thought, frowning. It's a bit lame to be down but… how come she doesn't acknowledge me like that?

Katsui turned to Sora again. "Are you free the next day? We haven't got classes that day. I have tickets to the premiere of this new movie. Wanna come?" he asked.

"She's busy." Yamato answered, causing Sora and Katsui to look at him.

"I am?" Sora said. The look on Yamato's face made her laugh, but she resisted it. "Oh…Yes, I am! I'm sorry Katsui, but that day is already full for me."

"How about next week? Saturday?" Katsui asked, glaring at Yamato as if saying to shut his mouth.

"…I'll think about it." Sora answered, taking Shin's hand and standing beside Yamato. "Okay." Katsui waved goodbye to Sora and walked away.

"That good for nothing asshole…" Yamato muttered, walking away followed by Sora and Shin.

"What is asshole mommy?" Shin asked.

"Don't mind your dad…the green-eyed monster took over him…" Sora whispered to Shin, causing the young lad to gasp. "A monster? With green eyes? Is he going to eat dad like in the movies?!" Sora had to laugh.

"He's jealous of Katsui." Sora answered, resisting the urge to laugh.

Yamato frowned. "I am not jealous…" Yamato mumbled. "I just hate that guy. And you call him Katsui-san?" Yamato said, hissing the last words out. Sora just grinned.

"Let's just eat this and go home, okay?"

« did you like it? I know the ending is a bit lame. Like, totally lame. The next part would be better. I promise. I'm going to continue that Dreamweaver and try to include everyone. The reason why I included Tai and the others there because they're in for a surprise in the next chapter. Pls review. And please try to make your criticisms constructive. Thank you for sparing your time.»