AN: Oy, just took the SATs on Saturday. Bombed the verbal part, hahahhahahaha. This chapter is extra long, but also extra choppy, hope it's okay.
Okay, I forgot that someone asked what's the meaning of Final Fantasy. Well, the name is Final Fantasy because *clears throat, ahem, when the company Squaresoft (before it combined with Enix to form Square Enix) was still struggling many years ago, they were running short of money as most of us do. Their ultimate goal was to make a game so wonderful, that it could actually beat Dungeons & Dragons in Japan (which was uber popular at the time). Due to financial issues, they had money left for only one game (the horror!) so it was their last hope, their Final Fantasy. ^ ^ yup yup, fortunately, it was a hit, so thus, we now have ffxii. Yes, I am advertising for Final Fantasy.
So with that over, I shall continue writing!
Sorry, I couldn't give Yamato a role in the play, but I have plans for him! And Tai… um I wanted to put him in the play, but I didn't really want Yamato to get jealous over Tai. Thanks for the suggestions!
Disclaimer: Digimon = not mine.
Chapter XXIV – Child of LoveWithin a week, the first rehearsal was organized. Yamato had band practice and couldn't make it to Sora's rehearsal that day. The auburn haired girl walked down the hall by herself, her shoes gently clicking against the smooth floors.
"Sora, Sora!"
She turned immediately at the call of her name. Laying eyes on the eager brunette standing at the end of the hall with a familiar blonde, Sora smiled. "Kari, Takeru, you guys made it!"
The younger girl ran to where the other stood, "Yeah, sorry we missed you last time we were kinda late thanks to someone," she glared at Takeru momentarily before continuing, "I was told you were amazing, though."
Sora felt herself grow hot in the face, "Nah, I'm just grateful I got a part."
"Don't be so modest Sora, Bro told me you were supposed to get the role of Helena." Takeru spoke up.
"He did? Well, it wasn't a certain thing or anything…" the auburn haired girl replied.
"I stayed after to talk with Mr. Kaufmann, that's when Mimi and Koushiro came in to tell him that you wanted a smaller part. I gotta say Sora, he looked really broken right then." Kari added.
The older girl remained speechless and blinked a couple of times. "What are you guys talking about?"
"That's right Sora, just keep pretending you don't know what we're talking about." Kari teased, while heading towards the auditorium doors, closely followed by Takeru. Turning around, she smiled innocently at Sora, "You're coming, right Sora?"
"Uh, of course."
* * *
"Nick?" Sora repeated the familiar name. "Who is he playing again?"
Mr. Kaufmann glanced briefly at her before replying, "He's going to be playing Oberon, king of the fairies," he paused and smirked, "You're going to have to kiss him, Miss Takenouchi."
"Nick…" the redhead said for the sixtieth time. The name was so familiar, but why couldn't she pin point it?
"Yup, that's my name."
The girl spun around in her seat to face a boy with chocolate brown hair like Tai's and emerald green eyes. Nick! The guy from chemistry class that had asked her to be his partner for the project before Yamato had cut in. "Oh, hey Nick," she greeted, giving him a dazzling smile. Sora's mind was in chaos; someone up there really hated her. When Yamato found out about this, he was sure to freak. Him and his stupid jealousy, but okay, it was kind of cute.
"Sora! So you're the fairy queen I get to kiss, score!" Nick cheered, sending his fist into the air.
Mr. Kaufmann shook his head in disapproval, "I don't get it, you teenagers these days, I posted all the roles outside, why are you all so surprised by this?"
"Sir, us teenagers also have selective vision." Sora explained matter-of-factly while Kari and Takeru held back their laughter.
"Yes… let's just start practicing." The teacher stood up and announced in a bellowing voice, "All right people! Since this is the first practice, we're just going to read our lines out, that's it, but I expect you all to practice in your spare time. By February, I'd like to see us on that stage practicing our acting as well. Got that?"
A series of nods and meek yeses were heard around the large auditorium.
* * * * *
It seemed like it was a long time, but February came all too fast. Mr. Kaufmann hadn't really expected them to work on their lines at home, but the students surprised him and improved dramatically by the days. When February came, the lines weren't memorized (that would be asking for too much in a couple of weeks), but the students were definitely good enough to be acting out the lines.
Yamato sat in one of the seats in the auditorium, watching his girlfriend recite her lines on the stage. The light reflected brilliantly off of her hair, hastily tied up in a loose bun. She was dazzling, sparkling, glowing, and nothing short of beautiful. It was a shame that the one holding her wasn't him.
Taichi was also there, watching as the alluring girl practiced her lines. He glanced over at the blonde who was currently scowling noticeably. Taichi laughed, "Hey man, anyone ever tell you that if you do that for too long, you face will stay like that?"
Yamato glared, "Man, I don't get it, why Mick?"
"It's Nick."
"Whatever! Why the idiot who was hitting on her?"
"I'm guessing it's because he's good."
"I'd audition for that role and kick his ass, but I have band rehearsals." Yamato paused to turn his head slowly towards Tai, "Why couldn't you audition for it?! I'd rather it be you up there!!"
The chestnut haired boy backed away a little bit and held up his hands in defense and chuckled. "Hey man, I'd rather it be me too, but acting isn't my thing, you know?" On a lighter note, he added, "Tomorrow is Valentine's Day right? You'll have her all to yourself then."
The handsome singer grinned childishly, "That's right! It's gonna be awesome, man!"
"What's gonna be awesome?" A gentle voice called out to the two boys.
"Sora! What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be up there?" Yamato asked.
She laughed, "Shows how much attention you've been paying. Rehearsal just ended, Yama."
"Oh… I knew that!"
His girlfriend giggled at his sad attempt. Turning to Taichi, she smiled sweetly, "Hey Tai, how's it goin?"
"It's been good. You were amazing up there, Sora." Her best friend complimented.
"Save the compliments until after we do the play, Kamiya."
Taichi laughed, "Okay okay, so… you're going to kiss Nick?"
"Yeah…" she paused, noticing how Yamato's jaw clenched uneasily. "It was supposed to be two guys actually, but I got Mr. Kaufmann to make it one person. I mean, the other guy is gonna be in a donkey mask anyways, so I don't think it matters."
"Then how come you can't kiss the ass?" her boyfriend blurted out.
"Yamato! Anyways, I can't. Kaufmann says that it's gotta be Oberon." She reached up behind her head and untied her hair, letting the wavy strands tumble over her shoulders. "You know Yamato, Valentines day is tomorrow," she said, giving him a wink.
"Your place or mine?"
"Mine."
Tai listened to the conversation with interest. Apparently, they had already planned out something for the two of them. He chuckled, "Hey you two, behave! Don't do anything I wouldn't."
"Tai!" Sora called out, laughing. Picking up her schoolbag, she slung it casually over her right shoulder and looped her arm around Yamato's. "Come on guys, let's go home."
* * * * *
AN: Forgive me! I skipped so much!
Sora awoke to a faint scent of roses. Slowly waking, her eyes took a second or two to focus on a large bouquet of roses that blocked her line of vision. Wait, roses? This wasn't right, Sora swore she fell asleep on her own bed with nothing but the pillow, Matt (the stuffed animal wolf), and her blankets. How did roses get on her bed? Her eyes shot wider, was she even in her bed?!
In a second, Sora had shot up in her bed and hastily glanced around the room to make sure it was hers. She relaxed a bit when the familiar scenery greeted her. But where did the roses come from?
"Hey baby," a husky voice whispered into her ear.
Sora was about to turn around and brutally slap whoever had invaded her privacy if the voice hadn't sent shivers down her spine. Only one person could do that. She turned around instantly, "YAMA-" she yelled, but was cut of when the blonde placed his lips over hers. Sora shoved him away, hard.
Yamato fell off the bed with a loud thump. Sitting up, he began to rub his head gently, "Ow, what was that for?" he pouted.
"First, what is wrong with you?! Don't scare me like that! Two, don't kiss me before I brush my teeth, and three, don't call me baby." She paused to observe her boyfriend's stunned face and added, "Oh, and thanks for the roses, you're so sweet."
Yamato blinked, he was trying to put together what she had said, but unfortunately lost count after… heck, he wasn't even sure if he had been listening. But he heard the last part loud and clear, "Happy Valentine's Day," he said, giving her an award-winning smile.
"Happy Valentine's, Yama." Sora replied with a sweet smile. "What time is it anyway?"
He grinned sheepishly, "It's six."
"SIX?! Yamato Ishida, you better have a good reason for making me lose an hour of sleep!" Sora yelled.
He looked at the ground like a little child who had been caught stealing an extra cookie and the redhead was instantly sympathetic. "I wanted to see you. And since we have so much time, I wanted to give you your present…"
Sora smiled down at Yamato with gentle eyes. Bending down, she kissed him slowly on the lips, not caring how mucky it would be for her since she just woke up. "Thank you, Yama. The roses are beautiful."
"That's not it."
"There's more?" she wondered out loud.
Yamato seemed to have regained his dignity, "Of course! After all, nothing but the best for the sexiest girlfriend a guy could ask for."
"Sexy? I'm oddly flattered." Sora laughed, "Wait, let me take a shower before we do the whole present thing."
"Can I come?"
"No."
"But-"
"No."
"Valentine-"
"No."
"I –"
"No."
The blonde sighed in defeat, "I'll be downstairs then."
* * *
Ten minutes later, Sora stepped out of the bathroom having just taken a quick refreshing shower. She was dressed in her school uniform and her hair was slightly damp, falling to her lower back in waves. Her hair had grown since September, and it was about time she got a haircut. I wonder what Yama would say…
Yamato had busied himself with conjuring up breakfast for his lady and himself. Sora followed her nose and her annoyingly loud stomach, leading her to the kitchen. "Mm, Yama this smells great."
He flashed her a handsome smile and scooped the scrambled eggs onto a saucer. Sora walked into the kitchen and picked up the fork that lay nearby, eager to take a bite. But before the utensil could poke through the eggs, Yamato made his way behind Sora and wrapped his arms around her waist. Burying his head in her neck and taking in a long whiff of her hair, he smiled contently and mumbled, "Mm, you smell great."
She laughed gaily, tossing her head back and reaching an arm backwards to touch Yamato's neck. "Flirt, I'm hungry." Sora let go and managed to squirm out of her boyfriend's grasp, finally dipping her fork greedily into the breakfast platter. "Mmmm…"
Two empty plates sat on the kitchen table. Sora glanced at the clock on the counter, "Alright Yama, we have fifteen minutes before we need to leave for school."
"School?"
She laughed, bringing a hand up to cover her mouth. "You idiot, we do have school, you know. You woke me up too early, now you don't even think there's school."
"Hey, fifteen minutes is more than enough time to give you your present."
"Which would be…?"
Yamato grinned widely and pulled out a small silver box from who knows where, "this."
Sora stood up and moved to sit in the singer's lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him fully on the lips. "Thank you, Yama."
"You didn't even open it yet," he chuckled.
"I know I'll love it." She paused, looking at the box, "But I might just open it to be sure." Picking up the silver container and slowly lifted the lid. Sora stared at the gift with quiet admiration. "Oh wow, it's beautiful, Yama." She leaned forward to kiss him slowly once more. "You spoil me."
He laughed, glad that she liked the gift. "I'll help you put it on," he offered, taking the necklace out of the box and looping it around her neck, also where his Christmas present lay. This time, the chain was gold and the pendant was in the shape of a heart.
Sora fingered the pendant happily, "It's so pretty." Something in the box caught her eye and picking up the small tab, she read the carefully engraved letters out loud, "the crest of love."
"Yeah, that's why I thought it was perfect for you."
She hugged him tightly before running into the living room enthusiastically yelling, "My turn!" A while later, she returned with a light blush and a box in her hands. Holding it out, Sora smiled sweetly and said, "Here, for you."
The boy grinned before taking it from her, purposely running his finger along hers. "Okay, I can open it now, right?"
"Of course."
Excitedly, Yamato unwrapped the package and smiled widely with childish mirth. "You are too cool, Sora."
She smiled and glanced down at the Citizen watch in the box. "That's right, you better like it," she threatened jokingly.
"Let me show you how much I like it." Before Sora could respond, Yamato had risen from the chair and already placed his lips over hers, pushing his tongue into her mouth forcefully.
The redhead moved broke the kiss and laughed, "Yamato!"
He looked at her with innocent eyes, "What?"
"You- you…" she was at a loss of words, busily staring into his eyes dreamily. Damn him. Without another thought, Sora followed Yamato's previous actions.
* * *
"Crap, crap, crap," a redhead chanted as she ran up the stairs, dragging her boyfriend by the hand and holding the two-dozen roses in the other. "Yamato we're going to be late!"
The blonde sighed and pouted, "But Soraaaaaaaaaa, wouldn't you much rather continue our previous 'activity' rather than go to school?"
"No."
Yamato scowled.
The couple bustled into the chemistry room just at the end of the late bell. Mr. Chin glanced at the two from the chalkboard and nodded at the pair. "Get to your seats." They quickly complied and took out their binders, ready to take notes- or at least look like they were taking notes.
Sora sat with the large bundle of roses in her lap. "Yamato, was it really necessary for me to bring the roses?"
"Hey, hey, it's Valentine's day, you need to show it off."
"What?"
"They gotta know how sweet of a boyfriend I am, and how lucky you are."
"Modest aren't you?"
"Show it off!"
She blinked before laughing quietly. "You're such a girl, Ishida."
"Lesbians are hot."
For a second, Yamato thought about repeating the statement since Sora didn't responds, but soon after, her hand connected sharply against his arm. "Okay Yama, I'm just going to ignore what you said."
He rubbed his arm where she had hit him and grinned, "you mean what I said that lesbians are hot?"
"…yes," she replied, trying to hold in her laughter, but to no prevail.
"Miss Takenouchi, is there something you'd like to share with the class?" Mr. Chin questioned loudly.
"No sir, but I'm sure Yamato would." She replied.
The handsome singer gawked at his girlfriend in disbelief, what did he do? "Uh, yes sir, I'd just like to say um… happy valentine's day to everyone." Lame, yes, but if he were lucky, Mr. Chin would just think it was another strange teenage thing and let it slide.
The girls of the class sighed dreamily and squealed delightfully at the blonde's words. "He's so sweet!" "Be my valentine, Mattie!" "Happy Valentine's Day, Mattie!"
Mr. Chin paused to give the class an odd look and reverted his attention back to the chalkboard.
* * *
[AN: I'm skipping, skipping, skipping, la de da, just tell me if it's getting confusing.]
Sora ran out of math class and lunged for the blonde waiting for her in the hall. "Yamato!"
He chuckled, "Happy to see me?"
"Absolutely not, I just need someone to carry this for me," she replied, handing him the large bouquet he had given her earlier.
Yamato pouted and followed his girlfriend to their lockers. "You don't like it?"
She laughed, "you know I love it, but showing off was your idea, not mine."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." He placed the flowers under his arm delicately and used his free right hand to work on the combination to his locker.
Sora leaned against her locker adjacent to Yamato's as she watched her boyfriend. It was such a sweet sight, him with the roses under his arm, while still trying to look all manly. She laughed quietly to herself and subconsciously twirled a slender finger around the chain to the necklace he had given her. Crest of Love, it was called… many girls had queried her that day about the new necklace, and all she could do was smile dreamily and nod.
Sora was broken out of her daydreams when a mountain of gold chocolate boxes and white roses tumbled out of the open locker. She stared at the pile by Yamato's foot with a raised brow. "Want to tell me something, Yamato?"
The blonde laughed hesitantly, "They're all for you, Sora."
She laughed, turning to start to open her own locker. "Other girls might fall for that, Ishida, but I won't."
"Man, happens every year, I thought they'd stop this year."
"Well, I guess maybe it is your charm," the auburn haired girl joked and turned momentarily back to Yamato to take her roses from him. "I'll be taking these, thank you, I think you have your hands full already." She winked and grinned widely, but in the next second, her expression faded into on of shock as a fountain of crimson red roses flooded out of her locker.
Yamato stared incredulously at the roses. It wasn't that he didn't think anyone else liked Sora, but he wasn't prepared for how he would feel. How did he feel exactly? Jealousy was the first that came to mind, but also fear, maybe someone out there would be able to take Sora away from him? He smiled and forced a laugh. "Looks like I'm not the only one who has their hands full."
She glared at him and broke out in laughter as she bent down to collect the flowers. "This is just unbelievable, it's never happened before."
"Don't tell me no one gave you roses in your old school."
"Well, okay, maybe some guys, but never this many!" Sora paused before something hit her. "How do these people get the locker combinations?"
Yamato laughed genuinely, "Well actually, by now I think someone is selling them."
"And you're not in the least bit disturbed by that?" Sora asked as she closed her locker after donning her coat.
"You get used to it."
Yamato's girlfriend smiled slyly. "So I guess you're pretty used to it now huh?"
"You bet."
"Great, so since you're so used to carrying it all, you can carry mine too!" Without another word, Sora threw her pile of roses onto Yamato's and ran out of the building, leaving the gawking blonde.
* * *
[AN: That wasn't such a bad skip, now was it?]
An hour later, Sora sat in Yamato's arms on the couch in her living room watching You've Got Mail, another one of Sora's favorites. She closed her eyes and smiled dreamily, taking in a long whiff of Yamato's cologne. The blonde had brought up all of his roses along with Sora's and together, they placed them in vases all around the penthouse. But even with Sora's vast supply of vases since her mother used to own a flower shop before she became successful, there were just too many roses. The stray ones were left on the coffee table.
Yamato had watched as the redhead rearranged the roses and baby's breath, trimming the stems when needed and taking out a few leaves here and there. She was so meticulous… she'd make a great wife someday.
Sora picked up a red rose from the coffee table nearby as she put her head on Yamato's lap. She placed the rose against her nose, taking in the fragrance and then putting it up against Yamato's nose. Her boyfriend looked at her oddly before laughing and sniffing the rose as well.
"You're a strange one, Sora," he said.
"Mm," she replied sleepily, slowly closing her eyes. Just as Sora was about to close her lids completely, the doorbell rang, jolting her back to her senses. "Mm aw man." She got up and straightened out her clothing before running to the door and greeting whoever decided to show up at her house. Yamato appeared behind Sora as she opened the door and wrapped his arms around her waist.
A young delivery boy stood in the hall, holding a large box. He smiled politely at Sora and looked up hesitantly at Yamato who was sending him death glares.
"Hi, can I help you?" Sora asked.
The delivery boy lifted up the box, "I'm looking for a miss Sora Takenouchi?"
"That would be me."
"Here, this is for you," he said, handing her the cake box and pulling out a white envelope from his pocket. "Have a nice day."
"Wait, what is this?"
"Don't worry miss, it's all been paid for. Just open it and enjoy it."
"Thank you."
Once inside again, Sora set the box on the kitchen counter and opened the envelope. "What does it say?" Yamato asked while leaning over her shoulder.
The redhead grinned widely, "It's from my mom, she says she preordered the cake and told them to deliver it today. She did it when she was visiting during Christmas vacation."
"Cake?"
"It's not really cake, it's Tiramisu. My favorite from my favorite bakery," Sora explained as she began to untie the ribbons.
"For what occasion? Do you guys celebrate Valentine's Day together or something?"
She smiled, "No Yamato. It's my birthday."
"WHAT?!"
"It's my birthday."
"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?"
The auburn haired girl grabbed Yamato's hand, pulling him closer to her and then placing a finger against his lips, silenced him. "To spend the day with you was all I ever wanted. It's Valentine's day, you got me a present anyways, right?" She smiled and pecked her boyfriend lightly on the lips before turning back to the treat on her counter. Taking out two plates, forks, and a knife Sora got to work, cutting the nicely decorated delicacy. "Besides, you never asked, Yama."
Sora sat next to Yamato on the couch, eating the Tiramisu and continuing with their movie. The handsome singer turned to observe his girlfriend watching her favorite movie. He chuckled quietly to himself. Sora was mouthing the words in synchronization with the actors. Yamato had been scolding himself mentally for not knowing it was Sora's birthday. How could he have not known? He really hadn't asked…
Yamato had subconsciously begun smiling at Sora. Her hair was illuminated by the glow from the television, each curve and wave outlined by a highlight. Her eyes sparkled from her glee of watching her favorite movie.
Sora- the child of love.
Propelled by some unknown urge, Yamato blurted out four words before he could stop to think.
"I love you, Sora."
AN: I've decided to condense the fic a bit. That means, months are gonna go by a lot faster now, but I needed to speed things up a bit before it got really boring, lol. This was a really long chapter, took me a while with my ADD and all. Hehehe.
500 reviews! Wow, this is… wow.