Disclaimer: Don't own digimon, no bishie boys, no irritatingly kawaii digimon, nada, nothing, zilch.
Warning Note: The warning for this chapter is simple, there is nothing bad here. No angst, torture, drama. Just a simple day in the life of the unaware.
Author's Notes: For those keeping track of time. I figured out a basic timeline of ages for our heroes. When Matt and Tk's parents divorced, Matt was 8 and Tk was 5. When they went to the digital world, Matt was 11 and Tk was 8. The second season with the newer digi-destined happened when Matt was 14 and Tk was 11. I find it interesting that Tk sort of mirrors Matt's critical points. Each age that something drastic happens to Matt is followed by something drastic happening to Tk at that same age.
For the purposes of my story, the main portion takes place in the time of the new digi-destined. Matt is 14 and Tk 11. I will try to give clues as to when the letters were written within the letters themselves. Make no mistake there will be more letters. You will get to read them, but whether they are found in time is another story altogether. (Actually, it's not. It's this story )
The prologue is automatically numbered chapter1 by ffnet, so therefore, this is chapter 2. I'm just trying to prevent confusion later on. On that note, I'm revferring to the characters by their Americanized names. I know the original, but not everyone does.
Now, enjoy :)
Happy Birthday
Chapter II: When I Pretend
Lying my way from you
I wanna be pushed aside so let me go
Let me take back my life, I'd rather be all alone
Anywhere on my own cuz I can see
The very worst part of you is me
- 'Lying from You,' by Linkin Park
"So we take the sum of the roots and multiple. Now, who can finish this equation?"
Tai yawned widely, his right hand making a vain attempt to hide it, as his math teacher droned on. Math was his least favorite subject. Thankfully, it was the last class of the day for him. After this, he had soccer, his favorite sport, and then it was home-free.
Why do I have to take this stupid class? It's not like math is important for anything. That's why god created calculators. I bet adults just make us take this as revenge because they had to take it when there were young. Jerks. At least I get to share this boredom with a few friends.
Tai chuckled evilly to himself as he looked at Sora, sitting two desks over from him. Her eyes were crinkled slightly as she frowned up at the chalk board intently. He was relieved to see that he wasn't the only one having trouble with the teacher's problems. He was even more relieved when the teacher picked her instead of him to solve the equation on the board.
With his teacher's attention on Sora, he faked a stretch and glanced back at where Matt was sitting in the last row of desks. Matt was leaning back in his chair, rocking on the back two legs. His pencil was tucked behind his right ear and he was watching the teacher with calm disinterest. He didn't really look bored, but rather had a 'been-there, done-that' expression on his face. Tai almost laughed out loud, wondering if Matt had copyrighted that look.
Matt noticed Tai watching him and lifted one eyebrow inquiringly at him, than gave him a slow, half-smirk and a wink. That last wink broke Tai of what little self-control he had been clinging to and he burst out laughing. Unfortunately, his timing couldn't have been worse. Sora had finished the problem on the board and the teacher had just announced that her answer was wrong. The other kids' laughter drew his attention back to the front where Sora was staring daggers at him. His teacher didn't appear to be very happy with him either and was glaring at him disapprovingly.
"Tai, since you think math is so much fun why don't you come up and solve the next problem."
Groaning, Tai stood up and dragged his feet all the way to the chalk board. He walked like a condemned man on his way to the chair. Sora waited for him at the front, her eyes still blazing.
"Here, Tai," she said with sweetness underlaced with iron, "your turn."
"Thanks, Sora," Tai mumbled under his breath, "you're too kind."
She handed him the piece of chalk and returned to her seat. He could feel her eyes on him, watching and waiting for him to mess up.
Well, at least she won't have to wait long. Damn it, Matt. This is all your fault.
"Alright, Tai, here's your problem."
The verbal nudge from his teacher brought him back to the problem at hand. He stared at it for a while, completely at a loss for how to solve it. Tilting his head a little to the left, he let out a thoughtful, "hmmm."
I wonder how long I can bluff thinking.
Sparing a hidden glance at his teachers, he tilted his head to the right and added an, "uh-huh."
A light giggle from behind him let him know that Sora had caught on to his cunning plan. The loud clearing of a throat beside him told him the teacher had caught on as well.
"We're all waiting."
Knowing he could delay no longer, Tai reached up with the chalk to begin writing his answer for the problem he didn't have a clue to understanding.
RING
The loud dismissal bell rang out and Tai didn't even try to hide the sigh of relief.
"Well, what do you know," drawled his teacher, "Looks like you got a stay of execution."
Tai smiled brightly and dropped the chalk. He was halfway back to his seat to grab his books when the teacher's voice rose above the chatter of the students readying themselves for a quick exit.
"All right, everybody, keep it down. That bell doesn't dismiss you, I do."
Quickly the class ceased its clatter. All the kids sat quietly with their papers and books halfway shoved into their backpacks. Each student stared at the teacher with a hungry, expectant look, hanging on his every word while waiting for the two words they wanted most to hear. The teacher almost laughed at the avid attention the students were giving him. There was nothing like the last class dismissal on a Friday afternoon.
"Homework is pages 179-182, and I will expect each of you to be able to show me the correct answers to them when I call you up to the board." Pausing to let the loud groans die away, he continued, "And, Tai, you'll be first. Please copy the problem on the board, because you'll solve it for the class on Monday. Alright then, Class Dismissed."
With those two last words, the class dissolved into chaos. Students stuffed the last of their belongings into their bags and raced for the door. The teacher took refuge behind his desk, secure in the knowledge that the students wouldn't come within five feet of it for fear of the extra homework problems he might assign them.
Tai had scribbled down the problem and was halfway through the door before he noticed Matt still at his seat. Sora was swept past him as he turned and swam against the crowd to reach his friend's desk. Casually tossing his math books into his bag, Matt looked up to find the brunette smiling down at him. It was a smile that could only mean he wanted something.
"Man, you are always so slow," Tai joked.
"I just prefer not having to fight my way through crowds," Matt answered him, shouldering his backpack.
"Then you shouldn't have become a musician," Tai laughed.
"Maybe you're right," Matt said softly.
Tai glanced quickly over at this only to find Matt laughing at him. The blue eyes were hidden by his messy blonde hair, but his smirk was quite easy to see.
"Maybe I should be more like you, a soccer ace. I've seen the girls mob you after a game, so you aren't one to talk, ne?"
Embarrassed, Tai placed his hand behind his head and laughed. Somehow, Matt always knew exactly what to tease him with. Of course, Matt was right, he had his fair share of screaming girls trying to tackle him after a winning game.
Maybe I should ask for a few pointers from him on how to avoid them. For all his screaming fans, I've never seen him actually get caught by one of them. Damn, he distracted me.
"Did you understand last night's homework?" Tai asked, trying to lead into the favor he wanted. "I tried calling you last night to go over some of the questions, but no one picked up."
"I was out," Matt replied with a careless shrug as he shouldered his backpack. "It was too loud to study at home, so I went to the park."
Tai grimaced sympathetically. Matt had told him about his neighbors before. His apartment was sandwiched between an apartment which housed 4 poor college students who loved to party much more than they liked to study and an apartment with a couple that never seemed to talk to each other in anything quieter than a loud shout. Unfortunately, there wasn't much Matt could do about it. There was no use complaining since Matt's father had told the apartment manager when they moved in that they didn't mind noisy neighbors. It had only made sense since he was always at work and Matt enjoyed playing music. The manager had taken advantage of this and moved all his trouble tenants into the same area of the building. Most of the tenants were happy with the arrangement, after all, they couldn't complain when they were just as loud as everyone else. Matt usually enjoyed the fact that he could play his guitar at all hours of the day or night without worrying about disturbing anyone so he didn't complain about it very often, but it did make it a little hard sometimes to get a little peace and quiet.
"You really shouldn't go out by yourself that late, it's not safe. Not to mention that it's been freezing outside."
"Don't worry, 'okaasan'," Matt teased, as Tai followed him out of the classroom and down the hall to their lockers. "I know how to take care of myself, besides I like the park."
Tai gave up. He knew that Matt would do whatever he wanted to do anyways. With his father always working, Matt had basically raised himself. And as long as he had known him, Matt had gone off by himself when he needed room to think.
"So, about the math homework…."
"Alright," Matt just laughed at his pleading tone, pulling out the books he would need for the weekend from his locker. "Why don't we get together this weekend to work on it?"
"Thanks, Matt," relief colored his answer as he shoved his own books carelessly into his bag. "Why don't we do it tonight? You're coming over, ne?"
"Tonight? I can't. The bands pretty upset that I had to miss the last couple of practices so I'm going to do some serious practice at home tonight."
"That's right," Tai glanced down to see Matt gently rubbing his left hand. "How is your hand now?"
"It's pretty much all healed. I'm just glad it wasn't broken, I would have been out of practice for a couple months, instead of a couple weeks."
"Well, if you would just watch what you were doing," Tai nudged him, "you wouldn't keep doing dumb things like slamming your hand in a door. Klutz."
"Hey, watch who you're calling a klutz. I'm not the one who tripped over my own soccer ball."
"Anyone could have done that," Tai replied indignantly.
"Not while they were looking for said ball," Matt laughed.
Tai just grumbled as he shrugged on his coat. Matt mercifully didn't tease him anymore about it, but silently pulled on his own coat. Looking over at his friend, Tai watched him go through his normal routine.
I wonder if he even realizes he does it each time. Jacket on, brush imaginary lint from right side and straighten collar. Up goes the backpack, and…wait for it…right hand sweep through hair.
Tai snickered as Matt finished his everyday ritual and turned a questioning eye on his laughing friend.
"What?"
"Nothing," Tai replied through his laughter. "It's nothing. So, tonight, don't forget, the new digi-destined have been meeting at my place every Friday. Tk will be there. You can do homework with me while they have their meeting and then you can head out with Tk."
"Pass," Matt closed his locker and headed towards the school exit. "I think I can do without another round of 'Kari likes me best' between my brother and Davis. You'll have to suffer through it on your own."
"No fair," Tai whined, quickly catching up and passing Matt out in the courtyard in front of the school. "You can always practice later. You know you're just going to come over later to pick Tk up anyways, so why not just come over after school and hang out."
Tai had traveled forward quite a distance chatting with the empty air before he realized that he had left Matt several steps behind him. Stumbling to a halt, he turned to see Matt's blue eyes staring into his.
"What do you mean, I'm 'just going to come over later?'"
"What do you mean, 'what do I mean?'" Tai blinked in confusion. "I know you too well to think that you would just let Tk take the subway to your place by himself that late at night."
"I still don't know what you're talking about," Mat said, his blue eyes hard. "Why would Tk be coming to my apartment tonight?"
Tai took a step towards him, confusion evident on his face. He couldn't understand why Matt seemed to be upset. Kari had been telling him all week about how happy Tk was to be spending the entire weekend with his brother. And from how excited Kari was, he could only imagine how ecstatic Tk was about it.
Crap, he didn't know. How did he not know? I wonder if it was supposed to be a surprise. Why didn't anyone tell me it was supposed to be a surprise?!?
"Well, you see…" Tai searched quickly for a way to get out of his slip. "So what songs did you need to practice?"
"Tai, it's no use trying to change the subject. Now just spill it."
Tai sighed in defeat. It was already too late, Matt knew something was up. And Tai knew Matt could be just as stubborn as himself when he wanted to be, especially when it was something concerning his little brother.
"Well, Kari told me, that Tk told her, that he was coming over to spend the whole weekend with you."
Matt just stood silently in front of him as he finished the explanation in a rush. When he was done, Tai posted a winning smile on his face and hoped for the best.
"Don't tell Tk I told you," he explained, "I guess your father arranged it as a surprise."
"He probably did," Matt walked past Tai and said casually over his shoulder. "Tai, you're going to be late to soccer practice."
"Damn," Tai cursed as he looked at his watch, he only had 5 minutes to change and be on the field. "Gotta run!! I'll call you later!"
There was no answer from Matt as he watched his friend's his retreating back as Tai raced off to the locker room.
Once Tai had disappeared around the corner, Matt continued on alone. Unobserved, he went out the main gate and towards the subway station, headed for home.
------later that evening-------
Tai could barely hear the phone ringing in his bedroom over the laughter and arguing in the living room. As per usual, the new group of digi-destined was using his apartment as the location for a strategy meeting. Well, not his, in all honesty, since he lived at home with his parents and little sister. And it was for said little sister, Kari, that Tai had the sneaking suspicion as the main reason these meetings were held at his apartment. Wading through the noisy group trying to get to his bedroom, Tai spared a glance at his sister.
Guess she's not so little anymore. She's 11 now, the same age I was when I first traveled to the digital world. Although I certainly don't remember being as interested in girls then as Tk and Davis seem to be. Makes me wonder how they ever saved the digital world when those two spend so much time vying for Kari's attention. I should be mad at her, the little minx, she's enjoying the attention so much, she isn't doing much to break the deadlock between them. Of course, I could never really be mad at her. Still, I wish she'd just pick one already, their arguing is driving me insane.
Tai finally managed to extricate himself from the group, glad to be away from such juvenile taunts as 'oh yeah, Tb' and 'Let's just see what Kari says, Tp.' Laughing, he closed the bedroom door and grabbed his cell phone just as his voicemail was about to pick up.
"You got the man, what can I do for you?"
Soft laughter came through the receiver at his greeting. "Don't you mean 'da mon'?"
"Matt, shoulda known it'd be you. Tk is still with the others, what's up?"
"Actually, I was calling to talk with Tk. Could you get him for me?"
"Alright," Tai answered slowly, "hold on a minute."
Tai frowned at the phone as he placed it down on the table and started to head back to the other room. He didn't like the tone in Matt's voice, it was too serious. That usually meant Matt was planning something. And, as usual, he wasn't planning on letting Tai in on it. In the last three years, Tai had learned to read Matt fairly well. Heck, they were best friends after all. But he still had the feeling that Matt kept a lot of things to himself. And the longer he was friends with Matt, the angrier he became that his friend was hiding things from him.
"Tk, phone's for you. It's Matt."
"That's Matt for you," Tk laughed, standing up and heading for Tai. "He's probably just checking to see what time I'll be over."
"That's right," Tai said, feigning ignorance. "You're spending the weekend with him, aren't you?"
"Yep," Tk nodded as he grabbed the phone. "It's been awhile since we were able to spend any time together, months at least."
Tai frowned sympathetically as Tk lifted the receiver to his ear. He couldn't imagine not being able to see his sister every day. Not that she couldn't be a pest sometimes, but, still, she was his little sister and he loved her. He was glad that Tk and Matt would have the whole weekend to spend together.
"Hey, Matt, what's up?"
Tai eavesdropped shamelessly to Tk's half of the conversation. After all, they were friends, no secrets here.
"This weekend? I can't wait. You got anything fun planned yet? It's okay if you don't, we can just hang out."
Tai watched Tk's smiling face as he chatted happily with his brother. He was obviously thrilled to spend time with Matt; he was talking so quickly, he didn't leave any room for Matt to get a word in edgewise. When he paused for air, Tai saw his smile slip and then fall completely. For several minutes, Tk simply held the phone and nodded mutely, even though his brother could not see his movements. Tai was puzzled by the sudden change in atmosphere; one moment, Tk was all smiles and happiness, and the next moment he was all gloom and doom.
"I understand," Tk finally said in a subdued voice. "It's alright, we'll just hang out some other time."
Tai felt his anger build up as he saw his friend's disappointed face. The young blonde nodded a couple more times before finally hanging up. For a while the younger boy didn't say anything. Unable to take it any longer, Tai finally decided to break the heavy silence himself.
"Well," Tai drawled, "Are you going to tell me what's going on?"
"It's nothing." Tk mumbled to his feet. "Matt called to tell me he has to cancel our weekend together. He said he's going to be too busy with school work and his band so he doesn't have time this weekend."
"Bullshit," Tai exploded. "That's no excuse. I'm in his classes, I know how much homework he has. It's not so much that he couldn't spend time with you. He's blowing you off."
Silence met his words and Tai started to get a bit suspicious at Tk's lack of defending his brother. Usually the young blonde would leap to his brother's defense if anyone dared to say a word against him.
"Alright, kid," Tai growled, becoming even angrier if possible, "Spill. Has he ditched you before?"
"Yeah," Tk spoke softly, still addressing his shoes, "But he's busy. He can't spend all his time with a tag-a-long."
Tai had had enough. Listening to Tk trying to defend his brother to himself was just too sad. It was times like this that made Tai glad he was known for his quick temper and thoughtless actions. Stepping past Tk, Tai grabbed the phone and dialed a number from memory. It took three rings before his call was answered.
"Hello?" came the confused answer.
"Matt, you jackass, what the hell do you think you're playing at."
"Oh, it's just you, Tai."
"Just me? Just me!" Tai was seeing red at Matt's calm reply. "Yeah, it's just me, your Best Friend. And I want to know what's up. Tk has been waiting for this weekend, he's been dying to spend time with you, and you blow him off?!? And it's not the first time I gather. What the hell is your problem?"
"My problems are my own, Tai. They have nothing to do with you, so just butt out of it. And, in case you've forgotten, Tk is my little brother, not yours."
"Well, it's kinda hard to tell from the way you treat him," Tai could tell he had gotten a rise out of Matt with that. Matt was practically spitting in anger.
"Look, Tai, I don't have to explain myself to you. Tk can't come over this weekend and that's all there is to it."
"So, you really don't want to spend time with your brother?" Tai glanced over to where Tk was standing, listening to the conversation with wide eyes.
"Of course I want to spend time with him, you idiot."
"Great!" Tai pounced on the opening, not letting Matt finish his sentence. "Then why don't you meet us tomorrow."
Tk was beginning to smile as he saw what Tai was doing. Matt had always been a very private person. He never made a lot of friends or even allowed people to get too close to him. That had changed significantly since they had gone to the digital world. He made friends with the other digi-destined, even becoming best friends with Tai. And Tai could get him to do just about anything, whether though wheedling or provocation.
Tk smothered a giggle as he heard the long-suffering sigh come from the receiver.
"Fine, I'll meet you guys tomorrow. Where."
'The Park,' Tk mouthed at Tai.
"Let's meet at the park near my place," Tai nodded in agreement to Tk.
"Man, weren't you the one who said its freezing out? And it's supposed to snow tomorrow, too." Matt whined.
"And you were the one that said you liked the park. It'll be fun, when was the last time you got to play in the snow." Tai laughed at Matt's grumbling.
"Fine, fine. I'll meet you guys at 9 am tomorrow at the park."
Tai gave Tk a silent victory sign and said his goodbyes to Matt.
It's for your own good, Matt. It's not like you to not want to spend time with your brother. I'm going to find out what's up between you two.
-----tbc
Wow, haven't written a chapter this angst free in a long time. I think I needed it.
Since people take the time to read and give me encouragement, I find it is only fair to respond to them. So I will always include a reviewer thanks section.
Special Thanks to:
Fey Phantom: Thank you for the light ;) it was a great way to start a new story. Yamatto is definitely my favorite character too. He seems so deep and has a fair amount of emotional baggage from how he acts in the show. That makes him more fun to play with. I hope you had fun, and that you enjoy this chapter when you get back.
Takato the dreamer: Hands out tissue. I know you don't need it for this chapter, but stick around, I'm sure to make you cry again.
DragonBlade: yep, sad, but hopefully good. More to come. I never write what I don't intend to finish.
Birdboy2000: I agree with you. I know that Masaharu is a good guy, and that it is a bit cliché in the fanfic world to make him the villain, but…every story needs a bad guy and since I'm writing it for the humans and not the digimon, I needed a human bad guy. Besides, there is no worse bad guy than a person who is supposed to love and protect you and instead destroys you. I hope you enjoy the story despite it's clichéd bad guy.
Blondie121147: I'm glad you enjoyed the letter. It was hard to get it just write. I wanted to make it a bit vague and still give away the basic knowledge of his pain. Plus, he's pretty young, so it had to be a hard letter for him to write.
Sen-Tay: Hope the wait wasn't too long, I will update, but speed right now is not something I'm very good at. Be patient, I vill be back ;)
YamatoFangirl: Wow, great praise. There will be more. Some very angsty, some very light. Stick around.
Yakari Taito: I seem to be making everyone cry. But since that is what I was aiming for. Yatta!!
LaDiNi: Thanks for checking out my new story. I'm not the biggest digimon fan, but I do love Matt. I hope you don't find the story too disturbing. Well, it'll be disturbing, but hopefully you'll weather it okay. (sorry for the email, I know you know what I mean. I'm feeling better now. As much as I can be.)
Ice Demon: Thanks. 'intricate art' I'm so happy. That is a beautiful compliment. I try very hard to write a deep story, I'm so happy when it's appreciated.
Moi: Thanks for the review. I will keep working hard. Keep reviewing as a reward? Thanks!
Life's Scar: starts CPR I can't have you dying so early in the story (love your name by the way) I know this chapter was tamer (pun noticed too late and left because it is too pitiful) but I hope you stick around, it's just the beginning after all.
Spazattack: laughs hmm…having Matt die..that would be an interesting twist…hmmm…I do love interesting twists ;)
Syaoran-Lover: Thanks for the review. I do seem to be picking up a lot of readers from my other story. ;) I'm glad you enjoyed the prologue, there will be more I promise. I hope it doesn't disappoint.
Kai the Ruthless Blader: on the floor giggling hopelessly Very encouraging, now please put the blowtorch down ;) I think you must be psychic, the story is all about the letters and the brothers. Do you think I'm mean enough to just kill Matt and leave the letters lying undiscovered? I'm not that cruel. Of course, the question of whether they are found in time is another level of evil altogether ;) we'll see…
Random Kyuubi: Gomen. While there will be brotherly love and angst, this will not be a Yamakeru. That's a ralationship I can't quite see. I hope you enjoy the story, even if it isn't shonen ai ;)
Thanks again to all readers, even those who don't review ;P Please stick around, I'll post again when I'm able.
