I've Seen More Spine in Jellyfish
- jimmySLOTH

Sorry that it's been so long since I got a chance to write more . I had my eighth grade Formal Dance [kind of like a prom] which was last Friday, and before that I had my research for my term paper on AC/DC due, and also my Algebra test on chapters 11.2 and 11.3... so that explains my absence. Also, I'm away on a band trip on Friday and Saturday so... I'd appreciate if you left me something nice to return to!! Okay, now on to the shoutouts...

LadyK Na-No-Da: =D thanks. It's okay, by the way, and thanks for reading THE REASON... thanks for the review again, and I thought the part about the eyes was pretty clever too Tai's a sweetie.

BessArtist: You are HOPELESSY and HELPLESSLY in love with Taichi =) but we're okay with that. Thanks for the review, love you the most!!

Xiamandelaine: I agree. Way to go, Yamato! Somehow he still manages to take care of the little brother he holds so dear to his heart. Don't worry, Taichi's coming up very soon. Thanks for the compliment!

Violette Mai: =) thanks for being a Loyal Reviewer! I think that you'll find out Taichi's role in some up-coming chapters so don't worry about it.

Sanura-Sama: Mmm, angst. Who doesn't love angst? I take it you definitely do. Hope I don't let you down! Thanks for the review... =D hehe

nEo-cHaN: thanks for being the first person to acknowledge the Daikeru coupling! You get the official thanks for the Daikeru recognition speech – but not right now Just be glad you're that special person in my heart!

NMMIpixie: So yah like Brand New too, huh? They're one of my favorite bands. Thanks for being so nice and taking time out of the story to send a review to each chapter, I seriously appreciate it. =) Hope I don't let you down!

YamatoFangirl: Thanks for the abundance of compliments. I feel so loved! Hehe, I hope I don't let you down! Thanks Thanks THANKS!

yamatoforever: Hey again, thanks for the really nice review! And I guess I should really start thinking about ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU, since you seemed to like it so much. I wish I had Yamato to run to... ;; well, see you around. Thanks for the review again!

Many special thanks to: Heaven's Angel Chick, Sillie, DragonBlade, and also DarkMetalAngel of Destruction. =D LOVE YOU ALL LOTS TOO!

And now without further ado [no more parties, dances, tests, nada...] I present to you, the latest, hot-off-the-press chapter of I've Seen More Spine in Jellyfish. :]

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:FLASHBACK:

I smoothed my fingers over the fresh scars on my wrists. My life was stupid. Sometimes I wish I could just cut a little deeper, just a tiny bit deeper... maybe then I wouldn't have to deal with this anymore. There was a knock on the door, and I pulled my sleeves back down. How could I let anyone see this? How would I explain myself?

I opened the door to the bathroom lightly, and then made my way to the front door. I twisted the knob casually, and fell back slightly as I opened the door. In front of me stood Taichi Yagami, one of my best friends and the only person I could ever be completely [or almost completely] honest with.

His eyes were dark with a mixture of anger and confusion. "Yamato. I need to tell you something," he said softly, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I looked back at the brunette boy in shock. I had never seen Taichi so vulnerable. Normally it was I who was the vulnerable one, the scared one who needed his strong words to help me. I smiled at him, and replied, "You know you can tell me anything Taichi."

He looked away from me. When he finally turned his face back to mine, I was shocked to see his eyes full of tears. "I... I'm moving, Yamato."

I didn't want to hear that. I was only 13, what was I supposed to say to him? I'm glad you're leaving me to deal with life all alone? I can't wait for you to forget who I am and never bother to keep in contact? Have a great time meeting a new best friend and making new lifelong friendships? So I just stared at him for the longest time, before softly saying, "That's too bad. That's really too bad. But you have to leave now." I pushed him out the door, closed it, locked it, and sat against it, crying myself into oblivion.

I was really going to miss him.

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I woke Takeru up the next day at around two o'clock in the afternoon. That boy could sleep for hours and hours, and wouldn't even notice it. I myself could not sleep half as long as my brother, but I guess I have my reasons.

Takeru moved sluggishly for such a young boy. I detested the fact that he could take such a brilliant life for granted. I could take mine for granted. I had no reason to be happy, and I damn well showed it. I guess that's why people stayed away. I don't think I really smile much around others, and I guess that's a put off, so they just wonder what the hell is up with me and keep their distance. It's better that way.

:FLASHBACK:

Who is that? Why don't I know him? Is he new? He's really cute! Should I ask him out? Wonder why he's here...

Whispers hovered over my head that day, hanging around the dingy hallways of my new high school. I shifted my backpack uncomfortably on my shoulders. Several girls were staring at me and giggling, which made me even more uncomfortable. Was I that different? Sure, my mother was American, and I had gotten this damned blonde hair [which was uncommon among Japanese boys] from her, but why was it such a big deal?

The leader of the giggling girls approached me. My mind raced with ways to make her go away, to stay away, and to take her stupid giggling friends with her. She smiled sweetly at me and said, "Hi, I'm Arika, would you mind telling me..."

I cut her off viciously. "Listen, just leave me alone, alright?" I snapped, stalking away from her and into the front office. I could hear her criticisms and shocked comments from her no longer giggling buddies down the corridor but nothing stopped me. I had lost everything. My father, my home, my brother, my best friend... where would it stop?

I want you to hurt.

I don't know you but I want you to hurt.

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Takeru pointed out a hat to me. It was blue and grey, and very fashionable, and I really thought it looked cute on him. I smiled and replied, "It's really nice, Takeru, you should get it." Jesus, everything looks good on that boy. He's got an athletic build to him, muscular, so everything fits right. I, on the other hand, am awkwardly built; too skinny for tight shirts, too skinny for baggy shirts, too skinny for tight pants, too skinny for baggy pants, too skinny for anything. I envy Takeru. I envy him more than he could ever know.

I turned around to pick up another hat and smacking into a person, sending the both of us flying. WHO THE HELL HAD BEEN STANDING BEHIND ME AND WHY HADN'T I SEEN THEM?! Sometimes I feel like SUCH an idiot. I felt my face turning red as I hurried to help up the person I had knocked over. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you, I should have been more..." My words stopped in my mouth as I finally glanced at the person I had knocked over.

It was none other than Taichi.

That son of a bitch, Taichi Yagami.

He was grinning lopsidedly at me, as I finished off my sentence, "...careful..." He smiled at me and motioned for me to give him a hand up.

He grabbed onto my hand and said, "Hey Yama, didn't think I'd see you quite so soon. It's amazing what a small world..."

"Don't call me Yama like I'm one of your little soccer geek friends. Nobody calls me Yama. They call me Yamato. It's been a long while since anyone has called me Yama, but it's not like you'd know, you were never there."

My words hit him like a brick of ice. I could see it in his face. Maybe I should have been nicer...? But that was my nature, spit out stupid and meaningless words before rationalizing the situation. Why was I such an idiot? I slammed into HIM. He didn't ask for this, he was just here. But no, no. Smart-ass Yamato has to step up to plate and instead of hitting a home run, walk out to the pitcher's mound and bash their skull in.

Taichi smiled lightly at me. "Sorry, you're right." He picked up his bag of items from the floor. "I really don't know you anymore, do I?" He paused awkwardly. "Well, I'd like to get to know you again. Want to go get some coffee or something?"

"No."

I felt a hand on my shoulder. "He'd love to Taichi." My brother was smiling at me, gripping the paid-for hat in his hand. He whispered into my ear, "Just do this one thing for yourself Yamato, it'll pay off sometime, it'll all pay off sometime." He smiled softly and walked out the door, shouting over his shoulder casually, "See you at the apartment later, ne?"

Taichi looked at me. "Listen, if you don't want to talk to me, you don't have to. I don't want you to feel like this is some sort of 'peace maker' talk either, I don't expect you to be the friendliest of people towards me. I also want you to understand that I didn't move on purpose. I didn't have a choice, Yamato, I didn't have a choice." He smiled a little more awkwardly at me.

Bullshit. You always have a choice. I didn't say anything to him, except, "I know Taichi." Father told me that sometimes it was better to have a passionate ear than a passionate heart. I understand it now. He told me that because I have neither. Maybe Taichi would be the perfect way to gain them... maybe then I'd be like all the other normal boys out there. Maybe then I wouldn't feel so much pain.

He smiled more openly. "Espresso? Or Latte?"

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Yes, I know, I am evil, bringing you through all of that, having him meet up with Taichi, and yet, nothing. It won't be like that for long, I promise that in the next chapter, things will get a little spicier. Thanks again to yamatoforever/BessArtist/Lady Na-No-Da... you guys keep me writing. =D Check ya later! [hey this quick preview edit thingy that ff.net just got lets me make things BOLD and iTALiC! COOL!]

Love, jimmySLOTH aka MEG iSHiDA