z: okay...um...another fic. don't know where this one is going or what not. i've just felt compelled to write it. not sure if it's any good right now. maybe as it moves on and builds up...hmm...

i need a life...lol...

Disclaimer: no and no and no. dont own them.

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Prologue: Graduation and Accident

Matt sighed and fidgeted with the end of his shirt. He bit his lip, trying to ignore the butterflies in his stomach. Graduation was in four hours. Four hours! And after those four hours, after graduation, he was no longer a high school student. In four hours he was free yet not free all at the same time. In four hours, he'll be an "adult" in the "real" world. Waiting for him to fail in some form.

"Matt, you okay, man?" Came a concerned voice.

Matt glanced up to see Tai frowning down at him, his arms over his chest. He tilted his head a little and the sun came into Matt's view, not letting him see what Tai was feeling. The two were outside, at the park, watching their friends run around and celebrate an early graduation.

"Yeah, yeah I am," Matt lied, dropping his head a little and sighed again. He flopped onto the warm grass and stared up into the endless blue sky. Or at least, it seemed endless to him.

"Right. You're lying." Tai observed, walking over and then plopped down next to his blonde friend. He gave him a gentle poke in the ribs and grinned.

"You lie horribly." Tai teased and poked him again.

"Ow. Hey, I do not." Matt shot back, rolling his eyes and rubbing his side. "Stop poking me."

"Well--" Another poke. "--you do to me cuz I know you better than anyone else." Another poke.

"Quit it, you jerk!" Matt rolled his eyes again, annoyance seeping through. "Or I'll knock you out."

Tai snickered. "Threats? From a puny little rock star wannabe?"

"That does it!" Matt exclaimed and then tackled Tai, and then the two started to wrestle.

Mimi and Sora glanced at the boys and rolled their eyes. Yet they couldn't help but share a laugh and knowing grins. They knew Tai would help Matt loosen up and not be so nervous--that was the great thing about the two. They were best friends and knew each other inside and out. They were inseparable.

"Nervous about graduation, Sor?" Mimi asked, as she took a sip of her cola. "I don't graduate for another year and I'm feeling nervous about it already."

Sora chuckled. She shook her head, and a few of her strand of her red hair fell into her face. "Nah, I think I'm ready for it. Been ready to be honest. I just wish some people would relax some what." She answered, jerking her head at Matt. "I think he is the only one that is really nervous."

"Ah. I wonder why." Mimi wondered.

"Dad may not make it, I think that is apart of the reason," Tk explained as he and Kari came near enough to them. He grinned and snatched the nearest cookie and munched on it. "Dad's always busy. . .with work. I guess being a reporter has its downs. But I over heard the two of them arguing about it one day."

Sora raised an eyebrow. "Arguing about graduation?" She ventured.

"Yeah. How it would mean a lot to Matt if dad actually showed up and showed interest in his son's life. Or something along those lines." Tk nodded.

"Harsh." Mimi commented.

"Just a little. But I'm sure they made up. Last I knew they were on speaking terms. I just hope dad does show up or Matt will not talk to him again." He paused. "And I mean, like for a few years again."

"Matt's been trying." Kari said gently. She took her eyes off her brother and his friend. She blinked and then shrugged. "Trying to let his dad in on his life. I overheard him and Tai talk about it."

"I notice that the two of you do a lot of eavesdropping!" Mimi teased.

Kari laughed and Tk rolled his eyes.

"Well, when it concerns the two of them--"he jerked his head at the two still wrestling-- "it is rather fascinating. They don't lead ordinary lives like we do. I swear one day they'll confess their love for one another or something."

Kari giggled. Mimi and Sora stared at Tk with dumbfounded looks and then exchanged their own glances that Kari and Tk couldn't understand.

"What?" Tk asked slowly.

"You think they love each other that way?" Sora asked, raising both of her eyebrows. "Maybe they're just best friends."

"I was joking." Tk said flatly. Then a gleam in his eyes shone. "Although, it would be really awesome if the two of them did get together."

"Tk," Kari warned. "No. No meddling. Remember? We made a promise. So we can't go around asking them if they love each other that way."

"You guys made a promise?" Mimi snorted. "I wonder how long that'll last. You two are always meddling and helping out and pushing other people together."

"Well, it is what we do best. . ." Tk trailed off at Kari's glare. He grabbed another cookie and said, "Okay, I'll shut up. But that doesn't mean that one day. . ."

He took off before Kari could smack his arm. She rolled her eyes and Mimi and Sora burst into laughter.

"How do you put up with him?" Sora asked, still laughing. "Better yet, how does he put up with you?"

Mimi giggled and ducked when Kari threw a handful of cookies at the two of them. She smirked and replied, "I guess we're meant to be together."

"Of course, breaking poor Davis' heart." Sora said, as she glanced over to see Davis sitting with Ken and the two were talking quietly. "But I think Davis may have another crush."

"Oh!" Kari's eyes lit up and she hid a knowing smile. "Well, anyways, I'm going to go annoy Tk a bit. I'll catch up with you guys before the graduation." With that, she made haste to where Tk was, leaving Mimi and Sora with exasperated glances.

"Those two. . .," Mimi muttered. "They were meant to be."

"Of course." Sora agreed. She paused, biting her lip. "You think that Matt and Tai feel that way for each other?" She asked, curious.

Mimi shrugged. "I don't know. I think the two are just really close. That's all. I think we're all reading far too much into this. . .you know what I mean?"

"Yeah. At any rate, we need to head to the school to get ready in like two hours. I'm glad they didn't want us there too early. I want a chance to relax and enjoy myself before I'm considered as an adult. Or whatever." Sora smoothed down her shirt and then sighed softly. "It's going to be so different once this happens."

"Only if you let it be different." Mimi told her gently. "You're still the same person. You're just not in high school. If you go to college, then. . .you're still in school. Just higher up there."

"That makes sense. . .in a weird sort of a way," Sora laughed. "C'mon, Meems, let's just relax and enjoy the nice, warm sun."

Mimi smiled. "Of course."

After that, the two girls didn't speak much. They simply sat and watched their friends be their selves and tried not to get overly excited. They were all invited to Matt, Tai and Sora's graduation. Who wouldn't want their friends there?

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"So, Matt, you okay now?" Tai asked, after Matt had pinned him down a couple times. After that Tai had given up, realizing that Matt would probably just keep pinning him down. He knew that their wrestling had calmed down the blonde just a little.

"I guess." Matt answered, laying on his stomach. He turned his head and looked at Tai, who was next to him. "I just want dad to come. That's all. I want him to see me graduate. I want him there, Tai."

Tai sighed quietly, knowing this is what was really bothering the blonde haired boy. He also knew that if he gave Matt time, he'd eventually tell him what was really bothering him. He narrowed his eyes and asked, "Have you told him that you felt like that?"

"Yes and yes and yes again." Matt groaned. He buried his head in his arms. "But his job is too important for the likes of me and my life." He continued, only it was muffled.

Tai rolled his eyes, and sat up. He reached forward and gently shook his friends shoulder. "C'mon, Matt. Maybe he will show up. Don't be so hard on him or yourself. You two have gotten closer over the course of the years. . ."

Matt's head poked back out and Tai bit his lip, seeing that tears were threatening to spill. He leaned down and said, softly, "Matt, don't get upset, please. You know I hate it when you're upset."

"I'm sorry, Tai, really I am. I just didn't think how important this was to me until now." Matt replied, and wiped his eyes quickly. "Maybe. . .maybe I should just call him."

Tai smiled. "You should. Tell him it would mean a lot to you if he showed up. And if he can't. . .that you, Matt Ishida, understand that he can't make it." He instructed, as he dug out his cell. "Got it?"

Matt nodded. "Yeah." He answered, as he reached for the cell. He sighed and dialed his father's cell number and waited for the ring.

It only rang once before Mr. Ishida answered. "Hello?"

"Dad. . .it's me, Matt. . ."Matt said slowly. "Um, listen, I would like it if you came to my graduation. It would mean a lot to me. But if you can't. . .I understand. Really I do."

Tai nodded encouragingly.

"Matt," Mr. Ishida said gently, "I'll be there. Don't worry, and I'm sorry if I made it look like I didn't care. I do. I'm very proud of you. I love you. I wouldn't miss your graduation for the world."

Matt beamed. "Thank you, dad. I love you too." He said, happily.

"I'll come by early just to help you calm your nerves. Although, if Tai's there, I'm sure he's already doing it." Mr. Ishida teased. "He's a good friend, Matt. I am glad you have someone like him."

Matt smiled warmly at Tai, who looked confused. "Me, too, dad, me too. So, come by around three thirty, okay? That way you can find a good seat." He replied.

"Okay. Three thirty it is. See ya, then, kid," Mr. Ishida said and then the phone went dead.

Matt gave Tai his cell back. "Here you go, Tai." He grinned.

"What? What'd he say 'bout me? What'd I miss?" Tai demanded, and growled when Matt started to laugh.

"Nothing you don't know about, Tai. Just. . .know that I'm glad you're my friend, okay?" Matt said softly.

Tai smiled. "Same here, Ishida, same here. Now c'mon, we wasted an hour already, let's go have some fun!"

----

Three thirty. A half hour before graduation. And Matt was pacing. He kept glancing out the window, wondering where his father was. Mr. Ishida was rarely ever late; in fact he was the most prompt person Matt has ever known. Yet it was a trait that Matt did not have and was often teased about it from his father.

"He'll be here. Traffic is heavy, Matt," Tai said, as he watched his friend pace.

They were already in their gowns and now they were just waiting until the gym room was filled up and then they were ready to walk for graduation.

"He may be a little late."

"Dad's never late, Tai. He is either on time or early. This isn't like him." Matt explained, peering down the hall way.

"Well, in this case, he may be. Give it another fifteen minutes. . .if he doesn't show, you can use my cell to call him again, okay?" Tai answered. He stood up from the chair and stood in front of his pacing friend. "Does that sound good, Matt?"

Matt blinked and nodded. "Yeah. Thanks, Tai." He replied, somewhat distantly.

Just then Sora walked in and was about to say something but noticed Tai's small shake. She nodded her understanding and smiled brightly at Matt.

"Matt, you nervous?" She asked, trying to stay away from the subject of his late father.

"Um, yeah." Matt answered. "You?"

Sora smiled easily. "No. Excited is more like it. What about you, Tai?" She asked the brunette.

Tai laughed. "I've been waiting for this day since I entered high school, Sor. I'm relieved and excited." He answered.

"Well, I just came to check up on you guys. One of the coordinators is asking where you two were so I offered to search for you guys." Sora explained. "I'll go tell him you two just needed to talk and needed some privacy. See ya guys on the floor!"

Sora waved a quick goodbye and left.

"Wait, why would the coordinators need to know where we were? I mean, graduation isn't for another thirty-five minutes." Tai mused. He glanced at his watch and frowned. "Or actually it starts in twenty-five. I didn't think time would go by so fast."

Before Matt could reply, one of the coordinators walked in and glanced at the two of them, worry and grim despair on his face. "Which one of you is Matt Ishida?" He asked, looking from one to the other.

Matt raised his hand a little. "I am. Um, did I do something wrong?" He asked, glancing at Tai, biting his lip. Yet he suddenly had a bad feeling that he didn't do anything wrong but it was about his father.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ishida. It's about your father. We just received a call saying he was in an accident." The man said quietly.

"Is he okay?" Matt asked, worry filling his face. "Can I go and see him?"

The man looked uncomfortable. "I'm sorry. . .He died. He didn't make it to the hospital in time." He managed to say.

Tai instantly glared at the man, who turned and walked away, feeling he was to leave. Tai then turned to his blonde friend who had shock and disbelief written all over his face. Yet he reached forward, gently brushing his friend's arm only to find it trembling.

"Matt. . ." Tai whispered.

Matt paled and sank to the ground but not before Tai caught him He held his friend while he shook his head, whispering, "No, no no. . .no. It's not true. He isn't dead. He's not!"

Just then, Tk and their mother walked in. Matt glanced up and knew that it was true from the look on their faces. He then buried his head into Tai's shoulder and burst into tears. Tk knelt down and touched his brother's shoulder, lightly.

"Matt, I'm so sorry. . ."Tk said his voice breaking. "I'm here for you and so is Mom and Tai and everyone else."

Matt pulled away and bit his lip, nodding. He glanced up and said, "I'm still walking, guys. I have to. Dad would want me too."

"Okay. Good. So, let's go." Tai said, helping the blonde to his feet. "Let's go and graduate, Matt. For your dad."

"For my dad." Matt repeated and followed Tai out of the room, leaving Tk and his mother alone.

"Let's go, Tk. Tai will take care of him for us until the graduation is over." Mrs. Takaishi said gently and led him back to their seats.

"Some graduation this is," Tk said somewhat bitterly.

-----

Matt did walk. He did graduate. With Tai --and Sora's--help he managed to get through it okay. Yet once he got home to his empty apartment, it hit him. It hit him hard that his father was dead and never was to be seen again.

He collapsed onto the soft and sobbed, wishing he could re-wind time back just to see his father one last time.

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i had a hard time ending this ...but i think it was because i wasnt really ending it. another chapter will be up shortly.

thank you