Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, just Aya.

A/N: Just so you guys aren't confused, this is not a crossover. I picked Ayame's name before I knew about Ceres. Okay, I don't think Tai and Sora ever went out. That is just my opinion; I am a die-hard Sora-Matt fan. However, I do think that Tai liked Sora (I mean who doesn't?).

Chapter 2

Aya was no longer the awkward teenager he had come to know. She had matured into a gorgeous young woman. Her wheaten locks radiated health and vibrancy; her ocean blue eyes swam in a sea of white as she stared at Tai in surprise.

"I-I thought you were in Tokyo," she stammered.

Tai gulped, the words stuck in his throat. "Um…I transferred here on a soccer scholarship."

Yamazaki strolled over to the oblivious pair. "Yeah, um, the guys and I are hungry, Kamiya. You comin'?"

Tai continued to stare at Aya, at her ocean eyes that shone surprise. "Uh, y-you guys go on ahead. I would like to talk to Miss Higashiyama."

Aya's fist clenched at the pronunciation of "Miss Higashiyama." Has it changed this much? Is there nothing left?

"Here," Tai bent down. "Let me help you with your bags."

Aya reached for her peach duffle bag at the bottom of the pile. Tai reached for the same one; his hand surrounded hers. White engulfed Aya's pupils as she abruptly pulled her hand away, her face staring the ground. Why does it have to be like this? she asked, her heart pounding.

Tai grimaced. Idiot. Nice going again, he scolded.

"Do you have a place to stay?" Tai gingerly queried.

"Um…" she hesitated. "Um…Oxford sent me here for their study abroad program. I'm here at Toyama University for the semester. But my dorm's not ready yet." She stared at him, her eyes wide like a scared cat's.

"Well, ah…" Tai stammered. Go on! "You can stay at my place until it's ready. Well, we can have dinner there," he quickly finished.

Tai…she internally grimaced. This is so painful…

"I guess that's okay," she covered. "My dorm's supposed to be ready tonight."

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Tai's apartment faced away from the university in an attempt to relive him from the stress of college. There were three rooms; one center kitchen/living/dinning room, one bedroom, and one computer room. In the center of the living room lay one large, wrap-around, black couch facing a large TV and a coffee table. From the couch, Aya could see the bay, the warehouse lights, and the bustling fish market. She looked around to find many photographs hanging from the wall. She strolled around, looking at each. The first one she came by was of Tai. He was receiving a high school diploma. A smile swallowed his face. In the next photograph, there was Tai again, but also with Agumon. They both wore goofy smiles. She ambled over to the next; her breath caught in her throat. It was of her and Tai. She could remember the circumstance. It was a school trip and he was her chauffer; Tai gave her a piggyback ride throughout Tokyo Disney. Wow, we look so young. Those were happy times.

Tai strode next to her. "This is my apartment."

Aya twirled around, startled to see him so close. She stared into his brown eyes. "Where did it go wrong?"

He looked away. "…right about the time Matt's band got really popular…"

"Oh…yes…" Aya clutched her purse to her chest. Why?

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Aya walked down the dark hallway to congratulate Matt on his awesome performance. She paused, hearing yells. She tiptoed closer, straining to hear what was said.

"Matt, you have to stop flirting with your fans!" It was Sora.

"Sora," a pleading voice…Matt's. "They are nothing. I only like you!"

A stomp and a huff. "Then show it Matt! I can't just wait around for you! …Maybe Tai was right. Lately he's been showing me more attention than you have."

Aya stopped, her body pressed against the wall. Tai? Wha-what is he…but I'm with him now…not Sora!

A muffled scream from Matt. "Then if you like Tai so much, then go to him! Nothing's holding you back!" A pause, now in a quieter voice, "Not even me."

The door to Matt's room flew open, a livid Sora stormed out. In her furry, she did not notice Aya plastered to the wall in fear and denial.

Tai…how…how could you…Aya slide to the floor, holding herself, crying…

The door to Matt's dressing room opened once again; he dashed out to catch Sora. He paused and glanced down to Aya's flaccid form. "A-aya! Di-did you just hear everything?"

She stood up, wiping her tears. "I am so sorry," she managed.

He tried to hold back his tears. Aya grabbed him, encouraging Matt to emote himself. He grew into her hug, letting his tears flow. He could feel the silent tears Aya shed that night for both her and himself.

"We are now both here for each other..." she choked. "Sora's probably already with Tai," a new flow of tears, "We don't matter to them anymore…"

Matt stroked her sobbing form. "You're right…we're here for each other…now and forever more…"

They sank to the floor, holding each other, sobbing, supporting the other…

000000End Flashback000000

"I'm sorry," Tai managed. His head hung in shame. "I shouldn't have sheltered Sora that night…I should have stayed loyal…to the one really liked…loved…"

Aya's head snapped to face him.

"I was a stupid teenager, ruled by hormones…I thought I could get lucky with her…I was so immature…" He knelt on his knees at gazed into Aya's deep blue eyes. "There should be no forgiveness for someone who didn't know then which girl he liked better…but please try to forgive me…" he pleaded.

She stared past him, into space. Aya staggered to the couch and fell onto its comforting pillows.

Tai crawled to her. "I loved you then…let me love you again…"

"Tai…" she spoke softly, her eyes brimming with tears. "You have no idea how it feels to be rejected like that…to have your heart ripped out of your body and danced on by both you and Sora…then to see you both together…while I was alone…"

Tai slammed his fist against the carpet. "I am so sorry…" he cried.

"…The only thing that kept me afloat…was Matt. You never came…not even after you argued with him." Aya's sea blue eyes brimmed with tears.

"I'm coming now…" Tai begged. "Please…please, just let me make up for my crimes against you…I always thought of you. Even today, I thought of all our good days, when we laughed, when we were all together…"

"Tai…I loved you back then…" she gazed at him. "If what you say is true…that you love me then…" Aya paused.

Tai took a seat next to her on the couch. He reached his hand to her face, caressing it. "I love you now…"

Aya closed her eyes, consenting.

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Ring.

"Tai…" Aya groaned.

He kissed her neck gingerly, opening her blouse.

Ring.

His other hand traveled to her thigh, stroking her slender legs. She kissed his head, fondling his locks. Tai's hand ventured to her skirt, lifting it.

Ring.

Aya gurgled and slipped out of her blouse. Tai grinned and worked at her skirt. "I love you," he whispered into her ear.

Ring. Beep.

The answering machine clicked as it recorded the message.

"TAI…It's Matt…oh God, you have to help me."

They stopped, frozen with fear, and stared at the blinking red light in the darkness.

They heard a scream. "Keep your head down!" Matt yelled away from the phone. "Tai…I'm at Haneda Airport near Odaiba…oh, God, they just came out of nowhere." An explosion in the background. "I-I think they're digimon…please, you're the only one I can reach…please…" A big boom. "Please, Tai. What happened doesn't mater anymore…just get the others…oh, God…" A clatter rang and they heard Matt yell, "Get awa—" The line died.

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Hey, its Wolfie again. I won't be updating for maybe a week because I have ACT, and essay, and too many things have been happening. My dog died April 3, and I just found out on the first day back from Spring Break that one my friends did too. This is for you Nala and Brando.

Wolfie 04.04.05