What 'Love' Means to Me
By theladyknight
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or any of its characters and the song "Walk On" belongs to U2.
-Normal spiel; there are more changes added in, and quite honestly, I think the story improves tons with them-
A/N: Hey everyone! I'm back with the next chapter. Yama's remembering the time he, Sora, and the other Chosen are back in the real world, searching for the eighth child. And of course there is plenty of sorato! Please read and review, and I hope you like it…
Sorato fan all the way: Thank you! You said basically a lot of the things I've been thinking after I received the review! Sorato forever! (I wonder if that last comment will merit another "award"?)
Gta Jake MK-II: There's something I've been meaning to ask you; if you don't like the fic then why do you read it and "write a long-winded review on how horrible this fic is." I'm sorry you don't like the fic, and you seem to think I'm a bad writer. Quite honestly, if you have a problem with my writing or writing style for that matter, I would appreciate a review telling me what exactly you hate about it instead of an automated response denoting me as someone who "horribly raped a character of their good image" or is "a standard idiot". And maybe you should follow your own advice; respecting other peoples reviews and opinions and not insulting them. Aren't you doing the same thing you harped upon in your review by belittling my reviewers and myself? Just some food for thought...
Dark Cow: Thanks for your support! I hope you like this chapter!
Sorato4eva: Thanks! I like your stories too and hope you update soon!
Yume-dream:I really appreciate your review and hope you like what's to come in the story.
BlueRag: I'm glad you like it; and you may expect some Koumi in the future…
Aino Yuy aka Usagi-Hater:Thanks for both the very supportive reviews and sticking by my writing and me when other reviewers have insulted it and me.
Chapter 3: Walk On
After hours of thinking about Sora, I turned on my computer to see how the other chosen were dealing with the news of Sora's departure. I logged onto the Internet and went straight to my e-mail inbox in case any of the others had written with more information or in an attempt to sort out their emotions. My inbox was full with plenty of e-mails from both Digidestinded and junk mailers, but one caught my eye immediately. It was from Mimi and the subject was "Regarding Sora". I opened it up to find out Sora had divulged in great detail what had caused them to move and when it would happen.
Her father had been offered a top job as a guest lecturer at a university in New York, just as Sora had told me, and this job would be very beneficial to him and his family should he accept it. Her mother and father both agreed it would be in the family's best interests for him to accept the position. Underneath it all, I know Sora, and the rest of us as well, understand her family is making the decision that will best help them, and she respects that, but she also has so much here she doesn't want to leave behind.
I closed Mimi's e-mails and quickly read the others' responses to Sora's news. Most were confused and saddened, others like Taichi were nearly beside themselves. He and Sora had known each other since they were very little and had always been the best of friends through thick and thin. I typed Taichi a note telling him I know how he feels, leaving out the fact I have a growing infatuation with Sora which is possibly, rapidly turning into something more. When I had read everything I could bear to read, I logged off and shut down the computer. According to Mimi's message, Sora would be leaving in three weeks, the same time she, Taichi, and I would have begun school.
Looking at the clock, I realized my father would be home soon, and I had better be in bed before them. With a heavy heart, I lay down and somehow drifted into a strong slumber full of visions of Sora.
The next few days passed pretty quickly. Taichi, being the leader and quick decision maker, decided we would make these last three weeks the most fun Sora had ever had. From pool parties to sleepovers we did everything we could to make her last days in Japan as memorable as possible. If one of us chosen had to work or do something else, chances are the rest of us would be right there with them. We went to all of Taichi's soccer games, Takeru's basketball games, helped Sora and her mother pack up the flower shop, and a lot of time was spent listening to my band sit and rehearse.
That always seemed to be Sora's favorite thing to do. She would sit there with her eyes closed, listening to the music, occasionally tapping her foot to the rhythm. I assumed music helped her escape from the world and problems she was facing now, the same reason music has appealed so much to me in my life.
Music had affected my life so much. In the digital world, my harmonica usually was my one escape. If I had fought with Taichi, yelled at Jyou, or been too protective of Takeru, I would go off by myself and let the sweet sound of music take over me. That is probably one of the reasons I decided to take up the bass guitar after we had arrived back in the real world. Music had helped me get through my problems and relaxed me, which ultimately led up to making friends with seven of the greatest people I have ever met. I wanted to share this wonderful gift that had saved me from a life of depression and darkness with others.
So during at the beginning of our current break, I sought out three other guys my age that could play instruments and possibly sing. Yutaka, Akira, and Takashi, three guys in my grade and in a bunch of my classes were the perfect candidates. They were all talented and up to the challenge. Together the four of us make up the Teenage Wolves; try and guess where the name came from. I, being, the founder am basically the leader.
The band hadn't started out all that great. We'd had plenty of problems, namely settling on a time we could meet and more importantly a place. No one wanted to be around listening to "a bunch of young kids trying to play music." There weren't very many people who felt we even deserved a chance, but Sora did.
Flashback
It had been nearly three months since our little band had started. Truthfully, I'd be the first to admit we weren't that great. Nothing had yet to come together, nothing flowed, nothing made any sense.
We were all beginning to wonder if it had been a good idea to get involved in this mess in the first place. Akira had left one day almost positive he would quit soon. The others, including myself, were all in the same boat.
But it had been Sora who saved the day, go figure. She arrived at our rehersal one night, probably the night the band would have dissolved, not even flinching as Yutaka broke his third guitar string of the night.
Sora pulled me aside as we took a five minute break. "What's wrong, Yama?"
"I'm pretty sure the band has about had it, Sor. Our dream just doesn't seem possible anymore."
"Why not?" She persisted. "You guys shouldn't be giving up on your dream just like that. It's going to take a lot of hard, dedicated work to accomplish this. People are going to be interested in what you do once everything starts coming together. But if you all quit now...well, I'm going to be the only one who knows how great you guys could've been, of course, with the exception of the four of you." She turned to face the others.
Slowly, first Takashi then the others...we all nodded. All thanks to Sora...
End Flashback
A week after Sora had told us she was leaving, I found myself standing outside my father's workplace, the television station. I had a meeting with a high level executive, with my goal being to land us a televised concert sometime. The band was becoming more popular (we hadn't decided to quit, and things were definitely looking up),and we had heard, via my father, they were looking for some specials to help boost ratings. Looking at the radio station made me think of Sora, and for another good reason…
Flashback
We the seven digidestined were back in the real world, searching for the eighth child. Gennai told us we must find him or her before Myotismon did, or the results would be dire. As he was ravaging his attack on the city, my father having escaped from the television station and Myotismon's henchmen, put Gabumon and me into hiding in an old abandoned building. Time passed and I saw Taichi running by carrying Agumon. With him was a little girl around Takeru's age. I figured it was his sister.
Taichi informed me his sister Hikari was the eighth child and asked me to watch her as he went to find their parents. Let's just say, I wasn't exactly a very good babysitter. My relationship with Takeru wasn't the strongest, and I hadn't been around a kid like her for a while and had never babysat anyone before in my life. I was getting pretty antsy for Taichi to return especially after making Hikari cry. My digivice beeped. Taichi said he'd be back by now. I was wondering what the holdup was, and Hikari looked up at me anxiously, expecting me to announce our plan of attack. I didn't know what to do. Out of nowhere I heard a voice. "Hey, is anybody here?"
I turned around and faced the door. I knew that voice and it wasn't Taichi's. Sprinting to the door, I called out, "Sora! What's up?"
Her face came into view as she swooped down on Birdramon who was carrying some sort of Digimon that I had never seen before. "Yamato! Thank goodness!" she said, beaming at me and rushing to the ground. Hikari came out too. "Myotismon's rounded up the whole district; he's holding them all at the convention center." I looked at her eyes that told so much about her. She was worried, and it showed in her ruby orbs.
"So what do we do now?" I asked. Another voice yelled out. He called himself Phantomon and brought with him Tuskmon and Snimon, ordering them to attack us. I called upon Gabumon to digivolve. He and Birdramon took off and began fighting. The battle was not looking in our favor. Phantomon launched himself at me throwing his chain. I dodged it, ducking away.
"Get back!" Sora yelled, coming at him with a stick. He pushed her back, and she landed on the ground next to the other Digimon.
I looked around, trying to find Phantomon. Out of nowhere, a chain managed to wrap itself around my neck. I began coughing and struggling to free myself as Phantomon pulled it tighter. So this was it. Garurumon had gotten thrown over a building and was slowly working his way back but would never make it to me on time. Birdramon was locked in battle with Snimon. I looked over at Hikari, standing there, eyes darting around. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. Sora's eyes locked with mine. Hers were full of compassion, sympathy, fear, and something I couldn't recognize. Goodbye Sora, I never got to tell you how I feel about you. Please watch out for my little brother. I was prepared to feel my final breathes when suddenly a bright red glow caught my eyes as Sora's crest shone through. Phantomon loosened his grip on me, and I took a few quick breaths. I wasn't going to die, at least not yet. "Birdramon digivolve to….Garudamon!"
Snimon rounded on Garudamon as Garurumon tackled Tuskmon. Phantomon decided choking me to death was more entertaining then watching the display in front of him. "Kinda chokes you up doesn't it!" he exclaimed sarcastically. The next thing I knew I was being released, and Garurumon came over to me. Hikari was giving herself up to save us. Sora and I yelled at her to stop, but it was to no avail.
"Hurry Yamato, stop her!" Sora exclaimed as Phantomon got ready to bring her up to his evil master in a little bubble.
"No, Hikari!" I exclaimed inching forward, thoughts of my near-death experience long gone. "You don't know what you're doing! You can't give yourself up to Myotismon! He'll destroy you and take control of both worlds! Hikari, no!"
Subconsciously, my legs carried me to the wall. I raised my fist and hit it as hard as I could, not caring about the pain. Myotismon would take over the world all because of me. I hit the wall again repetitively. Sora stood, clutching her hands near her heart.
"It's not your fault." She whispered sympathetically.
"Yes it is." I countered. "I blew it! Taichi asked me to protect her, and I couldn't. I let everyone down! Oh!" I exclaimed. Sora turned to face me, inching closer.
"All right, Yamato." She said sharply. Surprised by her tone of voice, I stopped hitting the wall. "There are two things you can do about this: number one you can stand there and beat yourself up about the whole thing, or number two we" she placed heavy emphasis on the word, "can find a way to rescue Hikari. What's it gonna be!"
I lifted my head up and faced her. "Your right. Let's get her." I tried to walk away, to leave the spot, but my feet stayed planted to the ground. Sora noticed this and walked over.
"C'mon, we've gotta go save Hikari before Myotismon does something horrible to her." Guilt sunk into me once more. I never deserved the crest of friendship or any crest for that matter. Suddenly there was a sharp pain on my face. I held my hand up, feeling the place where she had slapped me. "Ishida Yamato!" she exclaimed. I looked up into her eyes and gulped; they were blazing with fury. She grabbed onto both my hands so I couldn't hit back or hit the wall again. "Would you stop saying it is your fault! Fate just decided to play an evil trick on us. But we will get Hikari back" She was starting to get through to me. "Yamato, why are you taking it all out on yourself."
"I don't want to see another broken family. It would kill Taichi and his family if they lost Hikari." I had no idea why I was telling her this, from the depths of my heart.
She looked up into my eyes, and I noticed a faint blush appearing on her face. But it disappeared as suddenly as it had shown up in the first place. "You come from one, don't you?" I looked at her confused. "A broken family, I mean. I heard you and Taichi talking one night. You said Takeru is your half brother. Is he really?"
Something about the calm way she said everything made me want to spill the inner secrets of my heart out to her right here and now. The gravity of the situation at hand, however, sunk in. "We've gotta go save Hikari."
"We will but answer me first, Yamato. Takeru's not your half brother is he?"
She had caught me. "Fine. Takeru is not my half brother. Our parents split up when we were little. This is the first time I've seen him since the day of the divorce. I just told that to Taichi to get him to stop bugging me about why I'm so protective over Keru." I said using the nickname I used to call him.
Sora smiled at me. "Now that wasn't so hard was it? You don't give yourself enough credit, Yamato. You're more deserving of the crest of friendship then you think." My mouth nearly fell open. How did she know the inner battles my heart fought? "Let's go." We both made to leave and climb on our Digimon when we realized we were holding hands. "Sorry," we murmured in unison and turning bright
End flashback
I stood in the executive's office, explaining to her why a music special would be the right choice to help boost ratings and bring a lot of entertainment to the city. The executive told me she would call after her decision was made, but I walked out of there nearly confident I had landed us a spot on TV.
As I left the station, I looked once more at the place Sora and I had stood four years ago. She had encouraged me to go on after I nearly gave up on myself. And she was the one who encouraged me to go ask for a spot on television. I then noticed the spot that Snimon and Tuskmon attacked us again. The minute they aimed for Sora my crest went off. She was right about my crest, I did possess friendship. Hmm, I never thought about it before but our crests went off for each other when the other was in danger. Could that possibly mean we were meant to be more then friends? I never realized how well our crests go together until now. Love and Friendship...
A/N: I hope you all liked it! Please Review and tell me what you think! I'll update soon.
-I'm going to call it a night; I'm exhausted. I got back from a soccer game 2 hours ago--we won 5-1 and I got a goal and assist--but I was really motivated to go over at least one chapter of this cause one of my closest friends won the long jump at the prestigous Drake Relays. So thanks to her, another chapter got edited...-
…theladyknight