(A/N) This story was written about two years ago and has not been proofread, so expect grammatical errors, spelling mistakes and the whole jest of it. I 'would' edit it, but if I did I don't think I'll have time to edit my other stories before my last school year begins. Another reason why I'm not editing this is because this story was written when I was going through a hard phase of depression; therefore I wrote it with a whole lot of emotion and negativity. I don't plan to revise it again, so I hope you understand my decision...

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The Lone Wolf's Burden

CHAPTER 3

By flipstahhz

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I sighed quietly.

I was in dad's car and we were going to this stupid and useless camp.

Why?

To see Takeru and have a little family reunion and bonding time.

I mean to tell you the truth it wasn't a bad idea or anything…but I loathed being in the car with my father. It was about three or two years ago I had split up with my loving mother and brother. I was so dumb and ignorant at that time that I wasn't even sure what was going on. I had been deceived…

But it hurt the most how my father didn't tell me the truth about what had been happening.

We had a huge fight when we arrived at our new house in Odaiba. From that day I admit I had become pretty cold and isolated from everyone. I began shutting everyone out and talked it was necessary, when I had or was forced to. I had even forgotten how it felt like to be cared and loved or how to show them to anyone.

I learned from that day on to never care or love for anyone…why?

Caring and loving caused nothing but pain. You never know when you'd be betrayed or put down…that's the risk of friendship. Trust is one of the main things in friendship…but I was pretty sure that I didn't need any of this when I wasn't involved in any…boy was I wrong.

I had cried all my tears away. One word to describe how I felt was - numb. I was certain that I had not a single emotion left in my dying soul.

"We're here Yamato. Get out," my father informed gruffly.

My dad had learnt how to cope with how I was, and that's how I liked it. I gave a brief nod and slammed the door as I got out. I made my way to the boot of the vehicle and lifted the heavy luggage, with all of my strength, by myself.

When you're alone for a long time…you must always learn to be independent instead of seeking one's help and charity.

The car sped away leaving me with all the happy campers saying their farewells to their happy parents and happy family. I noticed a few of my classmates making their way onto the bus.

Taichi Kamiya was there. He wore his goggles on his brown nest of a head as usual. With a cheesy grin he waved to his parents as he got into the bright yellow bus.

Sora Takenouchi was also another person in my class; she gave her mother a swift hug and followed Tai's direction.

I shrugged.

So what? Everyone's got a nice and happy family while I have nothing…I didn't really care. Anyway, caring caused trouble.

I looked down at my feet, but noticed that my runners were covered in snow.

"MATTTT!" a voice called.

I turned around to meet a boy with a familiar green hat on; he immediately hugged my waist. It was Takeru. He let go and still beamed up at me.

I realised it when my mother came walking towards us with a proud grin. Our family had had brief meetings once a year…but a lot had happened this year. Takeru had almost grown a head taller, which was why I didn't know him straight away on my first attempt.

"Matt it's so pleasant to see you son."

My mother tightened me up in her usual embrace and let got while giving me a quick peck on the cheek. I moved my head away as she did so.

"Come on Matt…why don't you hug me like we used to?" she questioned.

I glared then spoke softly but furiously with disapproval in my voice, "Why should I?"

She returned a glance, and in her eyes I could see that I had hurt her.

I didn't care.

"You'd best be off…" she avoided my eyes and looked at Takeru, " TK go on the bus now, I already put your luggage in the bus honey. And you Matt…take care of TK for me. I love you."

I stiffened. I hadn't heard someone say that to me in a long time. Shrugging it off I watched as TK ran into the bus. I dragged my luggage, leaving a trail in the white snow.

"We are departing in two minutes. Make sure everyone is seated within 8:25 and that all luggage is placed in the trailer of the bus," declared a strict voice from some speakers.

If I was going to be late…too bad then. I'd rather be here than stuck in some useless camp with people putting on fake smiles all the time.

Taichi jumped off the bus and walked towards me in a fast pace then held out his hand for me to shake. I hesitantly shook it.

"Hey Matt! There aren't any seats left on the bus so you're probably sitting next to me!" he goofilly spoke, " Everyone's waiting for you…here I'll help."

He snatched the other end of my bag and we quickly made our way to the trailer.

I didn't even have time to say that I didn't need his help.

Taichi was speaking all the way. I only managed to hear that his sister couldn't come because she was ill.

We both made our way to our seat, which was situated at the far back of the bus. He already put a face on that he wanted to sit next to the window. He finally realized that I didn't really care, then became persistent.

The bus was cheerful throughout the way to camp, with the whole bus singing to songs. But Taichi sang the loudest and made me want to punch his head in.

Everyone settled down, but I was still dubious of what I did.

"The camp was cool last year. I never knew that you'd come this year!" said Tai, " I was in shock! But isn't it fantastic? Now I'll get to know you more better."

I grunted and turned my MD on, putting the volume full. I stared blankly at Tai who opened him mouth, but what he said was mute because of the loud music trashing into my ears.

I pulled one side of my earphones away and screamed loudly, "WE'RE HERE! HERE AT CAMP CAN YOU MOVE PLEASE!"

I shrugged, put back my earphone on, and sank deeply into the chair…aware of his fury…but I didn't care.

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