Artistic Differences
By theladyknight
Disclaimer: Digimon—not mine!
A/N: Here's chapter two. Sora meets the Ishidas for the first time but not all the impressions are what you'd call pleasant. Hope you enjoy this chapter and please review and thank you to everyone who reviewed Chapter 1!
Silent Stalker: I'm glad you're interested and hope you like this chapter and what else is to come!
GtaJake MK-II: That was definitely better than an automated response! You may just have to keep reading and see if I have any tricks up my sleeve. As of right now I'm not thinking past chapter four, but I do have a couple ideas I may throw in for later…guess you'll have to wait and see. Hopefully by the end of this story, I'll get some sort of positive response from you!
Curtis Zindane Ziraa: Thanks for the info. I found a way to tie it into the story…
Aino Yuy aka Usagi-Hater: Thanks again for the support you've given me on both my fics and I'm happy you like the story!
Chapter 2: First Impressions
Sora approached her room and turned the large door handle. Lying on her bed was a shiny golden gown she had never seen before. I guess I should have figured this. Every time we have visitors the seamstress gets an excuse to make me a new dress.
Knowing she would get in trouble if she wasn't down by the time these Ishidas arrived, Sora grudgingly put the satin gown on. As much as I hate dresses, I'm happy the seamstress at least can make them comfortable enough.
Sora took one glance in the mirror, really not caring how she looked. The sooner I get this over with, the better. She once again walked thorough the halls to meet her parents, only this time she walked down the grand staircase, the one part of the castle that wasn't in need of a new design.
"There you are, Sora! The Ishidas have just arrived." Her father said. The Takenouchi family stood in a row waiting for the artists to be ushered in. The two huge, silver doors creaked open, pushed by a pair of servants.
"Your majesties, the Ishidas." One of the servants said, bowing. Sora peered over the two, trying to get a good look at this family that would soon be taking up residence in the castle.
There was a brunette man and woman whom Sora assumed were Mr. And Mrs. Ishida. Next to them was a blond. He looked a few years younger than Sora. He had bright blue eyes full of life and energy. The boy caught Sora's eye and gave her a smile, which she readily returned. He seems like a okay kid.
Her eyes strayed away from the younger boy when she caught another flash of blond. Must be the older brother. Sora stared intuitively at the sight which greeted her. He sure isn't bad on the eyes. What am I thinking! I've seen plenty of other handsome guys before. There's nothing special about this one. She could tell the younger blond resembled this older boy quite a lot. The elder blond, who looked her age or maybe older, had spiky hair and his eyes were the bluest shade of blue the princess had ever seen. He too met her eyes but unlike his younger brother, his eyes held absolutely no emotion. This mysterious boy gave no sign of greeting, no smile or nod of the head. At least the younger blond appears friendly.
Turning her attention back to this family, Sora watched as they all bowed down before the Takenouchis. "Please stand. Don't bother with such silly signs of greeting." The queen said with a wave of her hand.
Sora's father extended a hand in greeting. "It's great we finally get to meet you. I've heard nothing but positives from people about your family and skills."
"Thank you King Takenouchi." Mr. Ishida responded.
"Please, call me…"
Mrs. Ishida cut him off. "Don't be silly, your majesty. You are royalty and should be spoken to with a title, and we intend to address you by the title."
Sora's father, seeing that they would change their minds that easily, nodded in agreement. "Let me introduce us." Mr. Ishida said with a smile. "This is my wife, Natsuko, but she goes by the name Nancy more often. This is our eldest son Yamato, but he prefers to be called Matt." The man pointed to the taller blond. "Takeru, well he goes by T.K., is our youngest son. My name is Hiroaki, but everyone calls me Malcolm. It's a nickname, and there's quite a long story behind it." He finished seeing the confused looks on the royal families faces.
Sora smiled. I like this family. They all seem pretty down to earth and easygoing. Well all except that Matt guy. Wonder what his problem is.
"And who is this beautiful young lady?" asked Nancy.
The King and Queen both beamed. "This is our daughter, Sora." Her mother answered putting an arm around her. "I have an idea. Sora, why don't you show Matt and T.K. around the castle while we grownups head to the dining room? We'll send someone to tell you when supper is ready."
"Yes mother." Sora answered politely. She looked over at the two blondes. "Follow me." Sora turned around and headed in the opposite way, hearing two sets of footsteps following her.
The three walked down the long corridors in silence. Deciding to break the silence, Sora popped a question. "How was your trip here?"
"Long." Answered the younger blond, T.K. "It's good to be here."
"Well I hope your stay here is good then."
"Thank you, princess." He answered.
"Please, call me Sora." She answered. "Princess is way too formal. What do you think of the castle?" she asked as she pointed out the kitchen chambers.
"It needs a lot of work." The older blond finally decided to speak.
"Will you be able to manage?" Sora asked, intrigued.
He glared at her through deep blue eyes. "Of course, Princess." He answered somewhat sarcastically.
The party toured the ballroom, living quarters, towers, and the rest of the castle when Cody showed up. "Pri..sorry, Sora, you all are supposed to go to the main dining room. Supper is ready."
"Thanks Cody." Sora answered and led the two boys back the other way. They approached the doors, and Sora found the door opened for her. She looked to her right and was shocked to see Matt opening the door for her. "Thank you," she answered smiling at him. But yet again he made no return gesture of any kind.
Supper was pretty uneventful. The two families made light conversation while they ate their delicious meal. Soralearned quite a bit of information regarding this artistic family. Matt was her age, and T.K. was three years younger than them making him sixteen. Nancy and Malcolm were very talented sculptors, T.K. was the designer, and Matt could do just about anything though his specialty was painting.
When the meal was finished, both Matt and T.K. asked if they could be excused to their rooms for the night. Cody was sent for, and the two blondes bid goodnight to everyone. Sora, noticing the adults lapse into another conversation, which bored her, asked to be excused as well. What she really wanted was time to think.
These Ishidas were some pretty nice people. She felt quite lucky to be in their presence and around their company. But something still bothered her. There was something about that Matt guy that just drew her to him. Sora had no idea what was calling her to him. She knew plenty of other gorgeous men but looks weren't everything. There was something more to him; she knew it. He was so quiet and almost lonesome. The thing Sora really wanted to do was befriend him and learn more about him. Maybe then I'll be able to unravel the mystery that is Matt Ishida.
Instead of heading to her room, Sora made her way out to the garden. The crisp night air chilled her and she wished more than anything she had a jacket with her. Going into the garden was Sora's way of cooling off if she had a fight with her parents or just needed room to breathe or think.
With her mind in the clouds, Sora didn't realize the obstruction in her way before it was too late. "Ouch!" she exclaimed rubbing her head.
"Sorry." A quiet voice answered. Sora gasped. It was Matt.
She couldn't contain her curiosity. "What are you doing out here?"
"Is it a crime to think?" he answered back.
"Of course not! I was just wondering how you found this place when no one had shown it to you."
"I could see it from my window." He answered and Sora flushed red. Guess I forgot about that. Sora tried to think of something that would break the silence that had once again enveloped the two of them. She felt her teeth chatter as the temperature dropped. "Here." Matt said suddenly, walking up behind her and draping his cloak around her shoulder.
"What about you?" Sora asked.
"I'm fine." He answered. "I'm used to this kind of weather."
"Is it cold where you come from?"
"You could say that." Still all Matt would give her is vague answers.
"Do you like being an artist?"
"Do you always ask so many questions?""Excuse me?" Sora answered.
Matt looked at her. "You heard me."
"Are you always like this?" Sora answered.
"Do you have a problem with the way I act?"
Sora glared at him. "Why yes I do! Are you always this cold and distant?"
"Why do you care?"
"I'm just trying to be nice. We're only going to have to see each other EVERY day for the next two months. We may as well get off on the right foot."
"Two months. Yay!" he exclaimed sarcastically.
"What IS up your butt, seriously! You can't seem to say anything nice at all!" Sora finally exclaimed, her fiery temper taking control.
Matt folded his arms and looked at her. "My only problem is with people like you, Princess. All you royal families are the same whether you'd like to admit it or not."
Sora's mouth hung down. She definitely hadn't expected that. "What, what do you mean?" she asked, her voice losing the fire it had held mere minutes ago.
"That is none of your business, Princess." He answered sharply.
"You are so arrogant! Why can't you just tell me what your problem is!"
"Matt! Sora! We heard some shouting coming from out here. What's going on?" Sora's mother asked. She and the three other adults had made their way to the garden. We must have been pretty loud, Sora thought.
Sora opened her mouth to speak but Matt beat her to it. "We were just having a discussion and realized we have a few…" he paused, "artistic differences."
Malcolm cleared his throat. "Well I certainly hope you two will clear them up soon. You two are going to be spending a lot of time together."
"What do you mean?" the two young adults asked in unison.
"As you know the whole castle is getting redone." The king said. "Matt, your first project is going to be Sora's room."
"What!" they both chorused.
Nancy looked at them reproachfully. "Is that a problem?"
Matt shook his head while Sora responded. "No. I just didn't realize my room was going to be redone and all." Matt glared at her and she responded in the same fashion.
"Well," Nancy said, "it's getting late and we'll have plenty to do tomorrow. I think I'm going to retire for the night. Matt, you'd better be heading to bed as well."
"I agree." Her husband said. "Goodnight everyone." Choruses of goodnights were heard as the three Ishidas made their way back into the castle.
"I think it's time we all headed back in too." Sora's father said. She followed her parents in, just then remembering Matt had left his cloak around her shoulders. Better give it back to him in the morning. I wonder what his problem with royalty really is. Oh well, why should I care at all?
Sora bid her parents goodnight and headed to her room. I can't believe I have to put up with him and his pessimistic attitude for the next two months, she thought, though a little voice which we like to call a conscious reminded her there was something about him that she just couldn't put her finger on that made her want to believe things would be all right. Maybe that's why he gave me his coat. Maybe friendship is in store for the two of us. Sleep finally overwhelmed her as she lay down on the bed, giving into the darkness of the night.
A/N: So what'd you think? Next chapter'll hopefully be up soon. Sora's gonna attempt to learn Matt's problem, and Tai and a few others are going to be introduced. Also I'd really appreciate it if someone could tell me the dubbed or Japanese names of Sora's parents! Until then, please review!
Theladyknight