The Game of Life
By theladyknight
Disclaimer: Digimon—not mine!
A/N: Yay! Two tests done, five to go! Lol! I hate semester finals/tests/exams/midterms whatever you want to call them. The only good thing about this week is that I get out early every day and have no school on Friday! So here's chapter 9. Please R&R!
Sweet-sorato: I much prefer dolls to eggs or veggies! Lol!
Nickygirl: "A Million Points of Light", the final episode of season 2. It tells what jobs everyone got. I had to change a few to make them work but for the most part they're the same.
Cute-cleo: Glad you like!
K: Thanks…
B.R. Wells: Thanks for all the reviews! Taichi would be one to eat baby food…
Kat: I was really considering adding that but ::whispers:: there's some kissing in here.
Princessstphanie: Thanks for the review!
Dave: Hope midterms went well…I despise them.
Emotionless gurls37: Yamato says the exact same thing somewhere in here…
Kira toa of the blade: Thanks!
Xymi Angel Ghost: Tai is always my favorite to write.
Placid Snowflake: I haven't seen one go off in class but no doubt it's amusing. Sora lectures…ugh, bad word choice…"explains" to Hikari and Mimi her views about perfect…
Sorato4eva: Thanks!
Kazama Fangirl: Don't worry about it. I like reviews that tell me what I'm doing well and what can be improved on…usually, lol!...that way the story turns out the best it can be. When it came to choosing a movie, I wanted to have something in their about the kids liking it or being too young…Shrek 2 was the first thing that came to mind…
Blondie121147: The twins thing was Crazyamzy's idea but I couldn't resist putting it in…
Tehee: Thanks! I wanted to tai Davis in here somehow.
Youkaiwriter: Glad you like it!
Jodi Crystal: They do say picking on someone or teasing someone of another gender is a sign of flirting…at least I think they say that…
Scorpion05: Tai wouldn't be the first person I'd call to babsit, unless of course it was for his little sister. The band had two wait…let's see, thirty minutes sounds good. I loved Shrek 2! I was trying to think of a "kids" movie so that the dolls, had they been real, would like it! Lol! Btw, the golf ball didn't hit the cows!
Mini Moose: Yikes! A twin and older sister…lucky, I think.
Animesmistress419: Yep, the dolls do have computers and they record everything!
Indigowolf: I agree!
Moneymakesmesmile: ::smiles:: thank you!
Kawaii-konnichiwa: I haven't seen any teacher blow up over them. I think they get a kick outta them…the Child Development teacher sure does!
Armitage: I had to laugh when I read your review. My school is definitely not loaded. Lol! We unfortunately, being a private school, don't get government funding. At the moment the school launched a campaign to raise 5 million dollars for the school in the future and we're halfway there. Maybe we'll finally get a heating system that works in the winter instead of the summer and air-conditioning that works in the summer and not winter…
Crazyamzy: T.K. had a coin like that but Davis uses it on the show when he and T.K. are arguing about whom will save Kari. I'd say at the moment, having kids is not in the near distant future…first Yama and Sora have to get together.
Dream-rose/fanfictionist: It's no problem. Glad you did get to review!
Kkornelia: I'm not sure how much they actually do cost.
Inconnu: Thanks! ::smiles:: I think writing this fic has scared me away from taking that class. Lol! My schedule's already full anyway.
Starr-lover: They'll actually only have the kids, really, for about a week and a few days. If I had to watch one, it probably would die!
SoratoFan: Thanks! Peace…
Dark Magician and Holy Mage: My sophomore English teacher was petrified of clowns!
Chapter 9: Taking it Easy
"Dude, I can't believe Sora's mom gave you a key to their apartment."
"Why wouldn't she?"
"Hello! It's you!"
I heard the voices around me and slowly opened my eyes. The sun was coming in through the windows and I could tell it was morning. Opening my eyes, I realized I wasn't in my bed but on the couch, wrapped in Yamato's arms.
As the four intruders came closer, I shut my eyes. It was obvious who they were, I just wanted to know why exactly they were here, especially this early in the morning.
"I wonder if Sora's got any food here!"
"Is that all you think about, big brother?'
"Obviously it is! He left our doll in your dad's work van overnight and couldn't remember where he put her! She had been crying all night. Ms. Greene is going to fail us dismally!"
I bit my lip to keep from laughing. Sadly, I can see Taichi doing that. "I said I was sorry."
"You'll be more than sorry if we fail this class, Taichi Yagami!"
"Easy, Meems. You can beat him up later." The voice paused. "Hey, isn't that cute?"
"Aww…they fell asleep together."
"Please tell me they're both fully clothed!"
"Taichi!"
"Sorry!" I could hear the group walk over in front of us. The bushy haired male kneeled down and waved a hand in front of my face. "Can I scare her?" he begged. "AHHH!"
It wasn't he who scared me but the other way around. Hikari and Mimi started laughing at the startled expression on the brunette's face. "Why are you guys here?"
Mimi finished laughing at Taichi and faced me. "How long have you been up? And aren't you missing a few people?"
"Oh, Koushiro is at a math competition and Gwen has a family reunion." Takeru answered my second question. "Sucks to be them. We thought we'd come over and check up on you." He set the baby carrier down on the coffee table next to another one, which I assumed belonged to Tai and Mimi.
I unwrapped myself from Yama's arms and moved the blanket, standing up and yawning loudly. "Since you guys got here. But I was up like eleven times during the night with Ryo and Megumi. They refused to stop crying."
"You look exhausted." Takeru replied. "Didn't Yamato help?"
I just stared at the younger blond. "He was out at 11:30 last night. I called him a hairy goat and he agreed with me." Taichi and Takeru both snickered, no doubt planning on calling him that later. "And we all know Yama's just like Tai. They could both sleep through a hurricane and tornado."
Taichi moved in front of the blond. "Yaaammmaaatto!" he cried. "Yaaammmaaatto!"
The blond didn't stir and we surrounding Taichi had to laugh at his crazy failed attempt to wake the rock star up. Smirking, I got an idea. I sat back down next to him and cupped my hands over his ear. "Yama, Tai's here and he's ready to dye your hair. You didn't forget you promised to let him dye it purple, right?"
Yamato shot up and looked around. Rubbing his eyes, he looked from face to face until his blue orbs finally landed on me. "That was mean, Sor."
"What'd she tell you?" Hikari asked.
"Taichi was going to dye my hair purple!" he mumbled, shedding the blanket before standing up and stretching.
"Ooh!" the brunette exclaimed. "That's awesome! Can we try it? Sora, do you have any purple dye?"
I shook my head. "Nope."
"Are you positive?"
I rolled my eyes. "Weren't you hungry?"
Hikari laughed. "When is he not hungry?"
"Good point," I replied. "Mom and dad left a lot of food so we can go and eat."
"That's exactly the thing I wanted to hear." Taichi announced, leading the group into the kitchen.
I picked up Megumi and her carrier while Matt took Ryo. "Sor, you look really tired. Didn't you get enough sleep?"
I shook my head, realizing he hadn't been part of the conversation this morning. "These two kept screaming all night."
He gave me a look of confusion. "They did?"
That made me laugh. "Ishida, you can sleep through anything. They were very loud last night and early this morning."
Yamato gave me a small smile. "I'm sorry. Why didn't you wake me?"
I shook my head. "You would have been half asleep. And you don't pay much attention when you're half asleep."
He rolled his eyes. "Well, you still could have woken me up." He paused. "I guess this is payback for you forgetting to give me the bracelets last night."
"Didn't we already argue about this and decide to drop the topic?"
"Yes, but I'm instituting it again."
I sighed as we entered the kitchen and discovered the others, most likely Tai, had found the food. "Yama, for the hundredth time, I didn't do it intentionally. It was a mistake."
"Why are you two arguing?" Takeru asked while taking a seat at the table.
His older brother set Ryo down. "I watched both kids yesterday while she was at tennis. Ryo cried for an hour because Sora had his wristband."
Hikari winced. "That's nothing compared to what Tai and Mimi went through."
"What exactly happened?" I asked as I began warming up various foods.
Tai swallowed the sausage he'd begun to eat. "Okay, this is exactly what happened. Dad picked me up from soccer last night and I set Sakura, the doll, on the floor of the backseat. Well, I had so much other stuff with me that I kind of forget about her and left her in the van."
"Why didn't you go back and get her?" Yamato answered.
"Because my aunt was at our place and we were actually having edible food and plus it was pouring outside and mom was going to yell at me if I went back outside."
I've tasted his mom's cooking before and believe me, just about anything is better than it. Real food is a rarity at the Yagamis. But I can see where he's coming from on both levels. "You still should have remembered her, Taichi."
"Yeah, I know."
"Can we just stop talking about the dolls?" Hikari demanded. "It seems they're bringing a lot of stress and unwanted arguments!" Yamato and I exchanged a guilty look while both Mimi and Taichi avoided eye contact. "Thank you."
The rest of breakfast went by very fast. I hope mom and dad didn't expect that food to last me all weekend because there's absolutely nothing left. Guess I'll just go out to eat tomorrow.
When we had finished, the others and their children went into the living room to watch Shrek 2 (Not mine!) while Yamato and I stayed behind to clean up. "Yam…"
"Sor…"
"Let's just put those two things behind us."
He nodded. "That's what I was going to say. We've gotten into more arguments since we got the kids than before."
"Ms. Greene was right," I responded, "everything up until now was easy. It's not like we're going to play a bunch of ridiculous games in real life. The kids are the most realistic things she's thrown at us so far."
Yamato grinned. "I agree. In the future, how about we try talking things over civilly before deciding to yell and scream?"
"That sounds like a plan."
"Good, cause I don't like being mad at you; it's depressing!" We both laughed, walking into the living room. "Maybe Taichi and Mimi could use that same philosophy."
The two were sitting in the room still arguing, much softer than before. Hikari was shooting them both a dangerous look but it appeared neither noticed. "Yama, I have an idea. I'll take Mimi and Hikari somewhere if you and the guys stay here and hang out. It'll give everyone a chance to cool off…"
"…what's the catch? There's always a catch." He raised an eyebrow.
"You guys keep the dolls."
"I knew it sounded too good to be true. I don't know, Sor…"
"Please, Yamato? We all need a break badly. We've been spending way to much time together as "married couples" and it'll be good if everyone can hang out alone, just girls and just guys. It just seems like I don't get to see them that often anymore. I'm either always at tennis, working on homework or…with you."
His eyes widened. "We have been spending a lot of time together alone. I do miss just seeing the guys." I knew I almost had him convinced. "Alright, but here's the deal, if I watch both the kids today, you watch them both Monday and Tuesday while I have band practice."
I bit my lip. "Tuesday is when they rescheduled our tennis match for. I need you to watch them both that night."
"Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday then?"
"Okay," I sighed, "I can manage that. Thank you for agreeing. Now we just got to convince the others." I grabbed the remote from the top of the TV and hit pause.
"Hey!" Taichi protested, "It was just getting to the good part!"
"Ladies, you're coming with me. Guys, you and the kids are staying here."
"What's going on?" Takeru asked, standing up.
Yamato walked over next to me. "The girls are going out and we're babysitting."
"REALLY!" Mimi exclaimed and I nodded.
"When did we agree to this?" Taichi exclaimed.
"You didn't; I did." Yama answered. "Look, we all need a break and we may as well start here. It's not going to be that horrible guys. Think about it, you two only have to deal with one kid. I have to watch two."
"I guess Kai hasn't been too bad lately." Takeru replied, motioning to the doll he and Hikari had.
"You're agreeing to this?!?!" Taichi turned to the younger blond.
"Look Tai," I've got to convince him, "if nothing else you can use this as a good deed for Child Development. Wouldn't Ms. Greene be impressed if she read in your journal that you volunteered to watch Sakura while you let your wife hang out with her friends?"
Mimi and Taichi's eyes met. "That just might balance out locking her in your dad's van." The pink-haired girl stood up.
Taichi joined her. "Meaning she wouldn't fail us."
"And daddy won't cancel my credit cards!"
"And I won't have to listen to you whine and complain!"
They looked at each other again. "Let's do this!" Mimi and Tai began jumping up and down and hugged each other. "We're not going to fail!"
Hikari, the two blondes, and I all were doubled over in laughter. It's hilarious what the two of them can come up with.
"If you're finished, the women can leave." Yamato announced.
Tai and Mimi realized what they were doing and pulled away. "Sorry, we were so overcome with happiness." Taichi explained.
"I picked that up." I responded rather dryly.
"So what all are we going to do?" Hikari asked.
Before I could say a word, Mimi had already answered for me. "Shopping! And then we can go back to my place and sit in the hot tub daddy just bought!"
I rolled my eyes. Mimi had told me about it. Her father had just recently installed it and Meems had been dying for us to come over. I guess there are quite a few benefits to being wealthy.
"What about us? Can we come?" Yamato pouted.
I shook my head. "Girls day out, remember?"
"Don't worry guys, when this project is over, I'll throw a party to celebrate."
Takeru smiled. "I like that idea!"
"I'm going to go get my swimsuit. You two go over to get Kari's stuff and I'll meet you at my car in five minutes."
"Okay," they answered, walking out the door.
I entered my room and Taichi hit play on the VCR. "Are you sure I can't come? I look pretty darn good in swimming trunks, if I do say so myself."
Laughing, I pulled my suit out and put it in a bag. "As much as I don't doubt that, it's ladies day. You said that yourself earlier, Yamato." I grabbed my purse and joined the blond on my bed.
"I know. What time are you guys going to be back?"
"I'll have us here by 8:00 at the latest. It's already almost 1:00. You guys'll be fine." I took the wristband off my arm and handed it to the boy. "Feel free to raid the fridge. You and Tai know where everything else is too."
"Yeah," he replied and patted my leg. "You should get going. Have fun."
"Of course." I answered. "You have fun with those two."
"Don't I always?" He gave me his charming smile as I left the apartment. The second I shut the door, I heard one of the doll's cry out. I could tell from the pitch of the cry it wasn't Ryo or Megumi. The guys are definitely going to have an interesting day…
"So has he kissed you yet, I mean other than that time in class?" Mimi asked as we sat in the Tachikawas new hot tub in their large house/mansion or whatever fits best.
Hikari sadly shook her head. "No, unfortunately."
I rolled my eyes. That's all they've been talking about since we've been here! Boys! Now I really don't mind girl talk but honestly, if I hear another word about how perfect Koushiro or Takeru is, I'm going to throw up!
"Don't worry, Hikari, he'll get around to it soon, I'm sure."
"I hope so. He's just so perfect…"
"Oh my God, what fun is there in having a perfect guy?" I finally snapped. "Seriously guys, perfect is good for a while but then it's just too boring. What do you have to look forward to if your guy never makes any little mistakes you get to tease him about? Or complain to your friends when he does something that really annoys you? And you never wonder what you'll argue about next or the way he'll find to apologize to you or the way you'll have to admit you're wrong…"
"But Sora, don't you tend to think Yamato is perfect?" Mimi asked.
I raised my eyebrows. "Yamato and I aren't going out."
"But you should be." Hikari countered.
"Yeah, we probably should be but just think about it." I replied. "I started to think he was perfect as well when we started this game but no one is perfect. He's got his flaws and problems. I've always known that. But I built up this false image of him being perfect and flawless and he apparently did the same thing for me. That's the reason we've gotten into a few dumb arguments as of late. Back before this game, he and I got into a share of arguments and debates but none of them were this stressful."
Hikari sighed. "I guess but why can't Takeru be perfect?"
I smiled. "As much as we try, we'll never understand guys. It's just the way it is. But really, like I said before, why worry about making your guy out to be perfect when he's already good the way he is?"
Mimi nodded. "That makes sense. I never thought of it that way." She paused and an evil smirk grazed her face. "For not being "involved", you're pretty knowledgeable about this subject."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Hikari caught on. "Well, you did just admit that you and Yamato should be going out." My face paled. Shit, I did say that. "Please do yourself a favor and admit you like him."
I guess I'm already deep into this. There's really no more use in denying it. I could say it was a slip of the tongue, but…well, they know me better than that. In a nearly inaudible voice I finally relented, "I like Yama as more than a friend."
Mimi and Hikari both let out a shriek. "See, that wasn't so hard."
"Now what are you going to do about it?" Kari asked.
"I don't know, but you had better not tell anyone."
Mimi gave Kari a sly look and whispered something in her ear. They both faced me. "You have three days to let Yamato know. We'll keep our moths shut if you do but if not…"
"Are you blackmailing me?" I asked incredulously.
"Sora, if we don't do this, you and Yamato may never get together." Mimi said.
"I can't believe you guys would do this." I took a deep breath. "Fine. Three days. I will let him know."
Hikari gave Mimi a high five. "Great, now let's get back to your place. I bet the guys are going crazy…"
"You're not going to get it!" Takeru catcalled.
"Don't choke, Hairy Goat!" Taichi taunted. We walked into my apartment and almost started laughing. The guys hadn't notice our presence yet.
"What the hell? Hairy goat?" Yamato turned his attention away from the table and faced the brunette.
"Had you been paying attention yesterday, brother, you'd probably understand." Takeru gave him a sly look.
"Okay…I'll just go back to my turn." The older blond rolled his eyes, obviously confused at why Taichi had called him that. I laughed to myself while trying to figureout what the guys were up to.
They were gathered around the coffee table playing Jenga. (Not mine!) The stack had grown incredibly high and Yamato was trying to get another one out while the other two tried to screw him up. "Got it!" the older blond called triumphantly, placing it on the top.
Takeru groaned and attempted to get a block out. "Shut up you two." He growled while they laughed at him. He grabbed a block and miraculously pulled it out of the shaking stack.
"Damn it." Taichi's turn was next. He spotted a block and way midway through pulling it out when…
"WAHHHHHHHH!"
Tai's moved his hand in surprise and the whole tower came crashing down on him. Everyone else in the room began cracking up and Yamato went over to Megumi. "That's my girl!" he exclaimed while putting the wristband in her back.
"Not funny, Ishida." Tai cursed as he dug himself out of the pile.
"I thought it was hilarious." Mimi laughed.
The guys finally noticed we were there. We walked further into the room and Kari and I set our shopping bags down.
"Thank God you guys are here!" Takeru called. "We were getting bored."
"How long were you playing Jenga?" Hikari asked.
"Half an hour." Yamato supplied.
"That explains it." We three girls answered in unison. Mimi looked at her watch. "Well, it's 8:15 right now. I have plans with Koushiro tonight." She got up and turned to leave.
"Don't forget Sakura!" Taichi stopped her from leaving. "I watched her last night and today." Mimi sighed but nonetheless took the doll and diaper bag from Taichi, who looked very relieved.
"See you guys."
"What do you guys want to do now that Mimi decided to leave us to go spend time with her boyfriend?" Taichi asked after murmuring something about Mimi under his breath. Do I sense some jealously there? I think someone's developing a little crush!
"We could watch another movie." Takeru suggested.
I wrinkled my nose. "Maybe later."
"We could play a game!" Hikari replied.
"Make it good though." Yama answered.
"I got it!" Taichi finally announced. "Strip spoons!"
"WHAT???"
"It's like regular spoons, but instead of getting the letters S-P-O-O-N-S you lose an article of clothing each time you lose."
I stared around from face to face. It was an idea and nobody else was suggesting anything…
Half an hour later, Takeru was missing his shoes and one sock. Hikari was wearing her shorts and the tank top she had under her shirt. Yamato was missing his socks, shoes, and shirt. Taichi only had his boxers on and I was in my jeans and bra. Fun, no?
Actually, it was surprisingly entertaining. The game, I mean. We had all had a good laugh as Taichi had been the first to lose. It appeared he'd be naked, a sight none of us wanted to see, very soon but miraculously he went on this large winning streak. But then he began to lose again. Even he was laughing as he had to take off his pants.
I was very self-conscious about taking off my shirt when I lost my fourth hand but I eventually got over the initial shock. Taichi and Yamato had both stared at me until I gave the brunette sitting next to me a hard kick in the shin. I glared at the blond across the table and he gulped after seeing what I did to Taichi. So with a wink, he looked away.
With the game over, we gathered our clothing and put everything back on before settling down to watch a movie. Feeling sorry for Taichi, we decided to let him choose. Let's just say it was a good thing the dolls were number one, not real and number two, sleeping at the time. But he did choose a good movie.
When the movie finally ended, the two Yagamis and Takeru took their leave. Yamato walked over to me. "Well babysitting went well. Megumi and Ryo only cried a few times. Keru and Tai weren't so lucky."
"I'm glad to hear that," I answered as he handed me one of the wristbands. "Well the part about our kids being good. I guess I get Megumi for the rest of the weekend."
"You guessed right. I better be getting home. Dad's actually off work for tonight." He gave me a hug and I returned it. "I hope she doesn't keep you up again."
"I agree. And thanks for all the help today and yesterday." I whispered and leaned my face up to give him a kiss on the cheek. But he moved his head at that exact moment.
Our lips met lightly at the unexpected kiss but soon we were both into it. I pulled him closer while deepening the kiss. I could tell he was a little shocked by my movements but it didn't take him long to kiss me back. His tongue found its way into my mouth and I let out a moan. We kept kissing, neither of us wanting to let go.
"WAHHHHHH!!!" It was Ryo this time. Yama and I pulled apart quickly, both blushing. He picked up the doll and after another few minutes, deciding he was tired not hungry, Ryo stopped.
The blond faced me while still holding Ryo. We both looked at each other, neither of us knowing what to say. "I'd better go." Yamato said as the silence grew more and more awkward.
"Yeah," I mumbled half-heartedly, really wishing he would tell me if he felt something from the kiss. I tried to get my mouth to work, to tell him that I cared about him a lot, maybe even loved him, but no words came out.
"Talk to you tomorrow." He waved once and I walked out the door.
I sighed as the door shut and I heard his footsteps echoing down the stairs. Mimi and Hikari are right. I've gotta tell him how I feel soon. Very soon…
A/N: Please review! This story's still got another four or five chapters left. I had to rework it out; the original ending was too…blah…well hope you enjoyed this. "To the Highest Bidder" should be done by Sunday at the latest. I'm now going to suffer through studying for my three semester finals for tomorrow…