Mayu

nickygirl: lol yeah, that can't be helped. The Sorato pair seemed to need a lot of nudging in the right direction.

blueicepop: Yeah. Mimi's story basically ends there. This chapter (except the first tiny bit) is pure Sorato sort of fluff.

Kat: Thank you. :)

JyouraKoumi: nods. Yeah, the Mimi story ends very poorly with no resolution. But hey, since it's a Sorato, mainly it is Sorato focused. It's a shame that Mimi didn't sort things out with Izzy but the truth is, many people leave things unresolved in life and then regrets it way late. I had half a heart to try to make Mimi and Izzy reconcile, but there's also Taichi. If Mimi did resolve the issues with Izzy, what would their relationship be like? What would Taichi think? Izzy was clearly hurt byMimi, does he still love her? If so, how should Mimi respond without hurting him again? There's too many questions and complications and I had to leave it.

Yurikitsune: Given the fact that I am a HUGE Sorato fan. Of course it will be a happy ending...lol :D And since this is the last chapter, I think it's about time I worked on my other fics...lol. Hope you will like them too!

windedlove: I had half a mind to put the parents in this last chapter to spy on the happy couple but decided against it, like Mimi and Izzy, the parents are have too much trouble of their own. I would be WEIRD to find the parents hiding behind a bush and listening to their teenage son and daughter confess their undying devotion...lol

Priss Yoshisuky: Rejection hurts but I think Sora should rejoice in the fact that it was unintentional and as for Yama? He adores her! At least I am going to make him adore her...XD

theladyknight: You've done it again! Another looong review. Golly! Yamato? I just HAD to make him suffer a little. I think a run around the town isn't too bad! Try two or three rounds now THAT will be pure torture. This chapter, I used the song Call Off the Search by Katie Mellua. Very soothing and makes me very calm...

Chapter Seven – Call Off the Search

Yamato stared at the lifts impatiently. They are trying his patience! How long does it actually take for the damned thing to reach the ground floor? With a grunt, he decided that he'd probably be faster if he took the stairs. Sora only lived on the 8th floor of the 16-floored apartment.

With such assurance, he made his way towards the stairs and started the long climb up.

How many floors had he climbed? Yamato paused to take a breath.

Whoever designed the building with so many flights of stairs and only two extremely slow lifts should be hanged for murder! It's down right torture to be made to climb the stairs if the lifts malfunction or when one's short of time.

His eyes caught the Roman numeral 7 and gave a sigh of relief. Well, at least he's almost there.

Now, fingers crossed that she did go home and didn't by chance leave via the lifts while he was busy conquering these blasted stairs.

He groaned at the thought of that. Real smart Yamato! He had to fully restrain himself from banging his head on the wall, if she did ever decide to leave, he'd have a better chance of catching her if he waited for the lift.

Yamato grimace as he began his last flight of stairs. This is just bloody brilliant.

"You know Sora. That Yamato of yours sound like a keeper."

Sora's faced turned to a lovely pink hue at Mimi's not-so-innocent sentence and in the most reproachful tone she could muster, she replied, "For starter, Yamato is not mine and second of all, I am not planning to marry him."

"Yeah, so why do you blush every time I mention the 'Y' word. You do want a long-term relationship with him no?" Mimi was teasing Sora relentlessly and she enjoyed every minute of it. "Come on, tell me that you've undressed him with your eyes at least."

Sora coughed and spluttered and nearly dropped the keys while she locked the front door. "This is disgusting! Uh! I don't think I can ever see him in the same light again! Undressing him with my eyes!" Sora shuddered, "that's worse than dissecting a frog!"

Mimi answered with rich laughter. "Oh, don't tell me that I have corrupted your innocent little mind and scarred you for life."

Sora scowled "There are times when I wished I could dissect your head to analyze the way your brain function. Seriously, you can come up with the most demented and kinky stuff."

"Well, someone has to prepare you for your sizzling and dangerous liaison with Yamato."

"For the last time, I do not have that sort of relationship – Yamato!"

The broken syntax and the bewildered look on Sora's face one can only presume one thing. Mimi turned around and grinned. There he was, perspiration all over his face and his golden blonde hair shined like the sun and underneath the fitting black t-shirt, she was sure that he had a body like a god. Mimi's grin became wider. She had to stop there; she knows for certain that Sora wouldn't appreciate her undressing him with her eyes. No, being the good friend she is, she will leave the more interesting part to Sora.

Tilting her head towards her friend, she whispered loudly for both of them to hear. "You told me he was cute. You never mentioned he was this hot!"

She winked suggestively and both of them blushed furiously at her comment. It was so adorable that she had the sudden urge to pinch their faces and mutter incoherent nonsense like anyone would to babies.

Also noticing their awkward stances, she knew that it her cue to leave them alone but nevertheless, she felt the need to taunt them and grace them with her presence just a little longer.

"Yamato Ishida. I believe." She struck her hand out cordially. "My name is Mimi Tachikawa."

Seeing his awestruck expression, Mimi smiled wryly. Seems like her reputation preceded her. She let her hand drop naturally as another mischievous idea came to her. She boldly took a step forward towards him and gave him a light hug. Oh yes, she might as well take full advantage of her power and give him a bit of a warning.

"If you do anything to hurt her, I will castrate you." She whispered and noting his look of shock, fear and amusement before she took a step back and smiled as sweetly as candy.

"Now, I think its time for me to take my leave…via the stairs…" She added as an afterthought. "You guys can take the lift. I need to keep on moving to reduce my cellulites."

She headed towards the stairs and stopped at the first step. "Now Sora, be a good girl and don't do anything that I wouldn't do. On second thought," she paused to add to the suspense, "Go for it girl. You really should try what we were talking about moments ago."

Sora gapped like goldfish as Mimi skipped down the stairs like a gleeful child who had just got exactly what she wanted. She turned her attention back to Yamato and gulped, she wished that Mimi would come back and remedy the awkwardness.

"So…" It was Yamato who began the conversation but for the next 5 minutes, their conversation was boiled down to the minimum. It mainly consisted of monosyllabic greetings such as, 'how are you Sora?' 'Fine, and you?' and 'how's Takeru?' 'Haven't seen him yet.'

Sora nearly died of exasperation then and there. She never expected such a bunch of boring nonsense to come out of her mouth. That's it! She mentally stamped her feet. They are going to have a decent conversation and they are going to start now.

"This is getting ridiculous." The first quadri-syllabic word in an abnormal and stupid statement, but at least it's going somewhere.

Yamato nodded in agreement. Really, he came prepared with the most eloquent speeches, which are sure to win her heart yet as it is, he find myself tongue tied. All he could do was stand there and stare at her.

"The park?" he offered and found that his voice squeaked in nervousness. He coughed and cleared his throat and decided to try again.

"Would you like to go to the park? It's only a fifteen minute walk…that is, you don't have anywhere else in mind..." There! He thought satisfactorily. Slightly better, although could do without the stuttering. He thought satisfactorily until he heard her stifled giggles.

She had tried very hard to contain her strong urge to laugh, it really wasn't her intention to burst out laughing like that, but it tickled to see someone as confident as Yamato squirm.

"Oh laugh it up. Is it really that funny to see a guy at his wits' end?" Sora felt his glare and she could almost conjure up the image of a young boy pouting and nursing his wound. This image of course, sent her another fits of laughter so strong that she had tears in her eyes.

"The park would be wonderful." In between her laughter, she managed to choke out.

Yamato kept on glancing at Sora nervously as they proceeded towards Odaiba Park. For some odd reason, he could not muster his courage and simply ask her for the reason of her hurried departure.

Sora glanced at Yamato as timidly as he had glanced at her. As they continued their path towards the park, their conversation dwindled and with each passing minute, she felt the urgency to introduce their core topic.

"Why do you put up with me?"

"Why did you run?"

The two of them asked unanimously and were both taken aback by the synchronization.

"Sorry. You go." Perfect timing again and both of them smiled wryly before both fell silent again.

Sora clenched her fist. God, give her courage for what she's about to say.

"I –"

She only had the chance to pronounce one word before Yamato grasped her hand and took her running towards the park and stopped promptly before the swings, leaving Sora shocked and out of breath.

"You know, this is where I saw you and fell in love with you." Yamato said as he looked at the swing and was mesmerized by his memories of her swinging madly back and forth. "It sounds awfully corny to say this, but when I saw you. Yes, I admit I was struck by how beautiful you are. More importantly, I felt the tug of fate. I saw a desperate and lonely girl and instinctively knew that I would be the one for her and that I would protect her and love her.

"You know why I am willing to put up with her and her tendency to wallow in despair and nonsense? Because although she thought herself flawed, I know that I too am flawed. I am conceited, brash, egotistic, vain and spend way too much money and time on hair gel and that's to name a few." Yamato chuckled despite himself as he listed his faults. Those were what he heard most often when his name was mentioned.

Truth be told, he wasn't proud of how some people viewed him and didn't want them mentioned in front of Sora. Yet, he has got to make her understand that the world's full of imperfections and that's what makes ones life interesting.

Sora paused and blushed heavily at Yamato's proclamation. It had taken her by surprise when he said that he fell in love with her. Her heart fluttered and her head went into whirlwind of emotions intangible and one of the strongest emotions she felt was joy. Yet despite her joy, her head betrayed her heart.

"I don't believe in love." She responded before the sentence registered in her mind. Sora gasped at her cynicism and her hand flew to cover her mouth, her shocked expression.

Her eyes stared frightfully at the boy next to her, and searched for any sign of displeasure and disappointment. However, instead of being hurt, Yamato's eyes softened and he grinned. "I knew you'd say something along that line." His hands reached out to grab her hands and held them gently. "If there's one thing you are capable of, it would be to love. I know you, you are capable of great love, what you are lacking of is trust. You are afraid to trust - to trust in yourself and in others. But that's alright, I am willing to wait, to wait for you to trust me and love me."

Sora was moved beyond speech by his passionate speech and she find all she could do was stare at him in adoration and thus the two of them fell into silence again; one in apprehension and the other in awe. Slowly, Sora felt him letting go of her hands and she felt his desire to step back and give her more room.

For some obscure and unspeakable reason, she dreaded the moment he'd let go of her hands, it is as if her hands belonged in his. It was precisely that moment Sora realized what an important position he held in her heart, he's the one who would walk beside her in the rain, in the darkest hours. Although she could not trust him, she loved him and that's feeling that has been making her crazy, making her afraid to take the step forward.

Sure, there are differences between the two of them, but it's nothing that they can't work out and those differences are exactly what made them interesting and attractive to one another.

'Mend your speech a little, lest you may mar your fortunes.'

It's strange how the mind operates to prompt one to go forward. Although her current situation has nothing similar to King Lear, the Shakespearean quote jumped out at her, and instinctively, Sora held fast onto Yamato's loosened hands.

She ignored Yamato's dazzled expression, the frantic beating of her heart and warm and uncomforting feeling of blood rushing to her face, turning even the tips of her ears crimson. "I never said I don't love you and to be quite honest, I think you are charming, caring, confident and it is quite possible that I am falling in love with you."

Sora smiled and tried her best not to dart her eyes from Yamato. She's being true to her heart and there's no reason to feel timid, he reciprocated her feelings and there's no reason to be afraid.

Yamato's blue eyes shined and Sora could clearly see the wave of happiness in them. His eyes never leaving hers, one of his arms snaked around her waist and pulled her closer towards him, while the other hand entwined with hers. Sora breathed faster as he leaned himself towards her and tilted her head and closed her eyes in anticipation.

Gently, his lips came down upon hers and both of them were lost in the bliss of the moment.

There's no word to describe the rush Sora felt in her heart and she was thankful that Yamato was holding onto her for she was sure that her knees melted.

Slowly, they parted and Sora found him grinning charmingly at her. Yes, maybe she doesn't totally trust him, but she would begin by trying.

The sky so naturally blue, the sun so warm and affectionate, the gentle breeze lingered with the sakura petals as they floated towards the green grass and the birds hummed joyfully, singing in praise of the season of birth. Everything is as Spring should be, butterflies breaking out of cocoons and lovers in each other's embrace enjoying all that life has to offer.

"Awe! How sweet!" A voice drawled and attracted both of Yamato's and Sora's attention. "I took a walk to the park and guess what I find, Yamato-nii-chan and Sora-nee-chan sitting on a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! Should I go home and tell mom to start prepare for the wedding?"

In a singsong voice, Takeru jested at the two them and sent both Yamato and Sora into another blushing frenzy. "Scram Takeru! Wait till you have a girlfriend, I will be sure to embarrassed the hell out of you!" In the most menacing voice he can manage, Yamato warned as the younger boy skipped away pulling faces at him.

"Jeez, kids these days. Now, about that date of ours..."

THE END!

A big thanks to all you lovely people who read my story Mayu and a even bigger thank you to all those who has taken their time and reviewed and supported me to finish the story. As it is the end, I present to you all a mini drama featuring the digidestineds and I. :D

Yamato: walks onto the stage with a fat bundle of manuscript. "Eili, I've just finished reading Mayu and I have to say, it's a big bunch of nonsense. There's not even a theme running through it! The only good bit is where I got to kiss Sora!"

Sora: blushes heavily as she often does in the story. "I admit. I enjoyed that part too."

Yamato: grins. "Really? Care to try that part again with me?" and tries to pull Sora closer towards him.

Takeru: rolls eyes. "Oh please people! Get a room! You are corrupting young innocent minds!"

Taichi: "Yeah. Innocent huh? I wouldn't trust you with my sister even if my life depends on it"

Everyone else sniggers.

Eili: "Anyway Yamato. I'll have you know that I actually had a few themes and messages in the story. For one, I wanted everyone to know that things shouldn't be taken at face value – "

Yamato: cuts in. "I looked! Believe me, I tried, there's NONE in the story."

Sora: "Yama, let Eili finish what she's saying, I am interested to hear it."

Yamato: pouts and gaze at Sora adoringly. "Anything for you baby."

Takeru: "Ew! The nicknames are grossing me out!"

Eili: frowns at the whole lot. "Anyway, I also wanted my readers to know that people are complex. Take Mimi for example, she may seem like the simple cheerleader girl outside, she's probably the most complex character in the whole story – "

Taichi: "Yada yada. Yeah, I heard it all before. Now can we move on! I am hungry."

Mimi: swats Tai on the head and then pats Eili on the shoulder gentle. "Ignore that idiot. Go on with what you were saying."

Eili: Thinks for a minute. Yeah, now I suppose I'd better explain the title. Mayu is Japanese for cocoon and I think you can guess it by the number of times I referred to butterflies breaking out of cocoons – "

Yamato: looks up at Eili. "You know what, I think it's better if you left all the explanation. Everyone is more interested in knowing what are you going to do next."

Sora: "Yeah, are you starting a new story?" Everyone groans. "Or are you going to finish the other two off."

Jyou: adjusts his glasses "Statically speaking, I think there's a greater chance she'll begin a new story."

Eili: sighs in exasperation. "Well Jyou, since you seem to know so much about me, how about YOU tell the readers about the story. Cause I am sick of you guys repeatedly cutting me off." Throws a fit.

Jyou: "Oh. In that case, okay. Personally, I think you wrote this story just to prove to yourself that you can actually finish a story. Hence, answering Yamato, the lack of content and – "

Eili: grin nervously. "Okay, that's enough Jyou. Everyone, see you next time!" Pushes Jyou off the stage.

Taichi: looks excited. "I'll bet Jyou knows some quality blackmail stuff. Maybe I can use it to my advantage and get Eili to put me with Sora next time…"

Everyone else: sweat drops "Dream on Tai. You know Eili's a devoted Sorato fan."

Eiliriel