Artistic Differences
By theladyknight
Disclaimer: Digimon—not mine!
A/N: Matt's birthday party…what more is there to say. Please R&R and enjoy!
Kat: Yeah, I hate it when people make Tai evil. Tai's not evil, he's the complete opposite. And his character is definitely my favorite to write about. Thanks for the review.
Mimz: You can expect a little to be coming soon…
Yama-sama: I completely forgot Donkey was colorblind…damn, I that would have been funny. And nice guess on Sora's gift…I'm glad u like it!
Curtis Zidane Ziraa: You'll find out soon, I promise!
Crazyamzy: My computer's screwed up too…oh well. It's no wonder Tai reminded you of Donkey from Shrek, cuz that's who I based him off of. I watched it again the other day and the whole flower thing sounded like the perfect distraction for Tai! LoL! Thanks!
Chapter 7: The Birthday Party
Sora awoke to bright sunlight, and it didn't take her very long to realize it was already midday. God, who knew shopping could take so much out of you. Then again I had to put up with Mimi and Tai, which explains a lot of it. Sora got up and dressed, then headed down to the kitchen. She wasn't surprised to find her other three shopping partners downstairs as well, looking as though they had just gotten up too.
"Good morning, sleepy head." Mimi announced cheerfully.
"Morning." Sora replied, sitting down next to Kari. "So what's on the agenda for today?" When they had gotten home from their little adventure yesterday, the Queen informed them they would not have lessons because of certain other things they would have to do.
"Don't know." Tai replied through a mouthful of food as he continually shoveled more in. "Your Mom and Dad are going to meet us down here soon and tell us."
"Tai that is so gross!" Mimi exclaimed as some of his breakfast went splattering on her dress. "Slow down! It's not like the food's all going to disappear into thin air."
Tai looked up briefly. "I'm not going to take the chance." He answered, quickly resuming his eating. The three girls all rolled their eyes as the King and Queen entered the room.
"Good morning, children." Sora's father announced.
"Good morning, Your Majesties." The teenagers all announced in unison.
"You may be wondering why we called you here and why you aren't having lessons today or tomorrow."
"No lessons tomorrow?" Tai exclaimed, putting the piece of bacon he was eating down and shooting up out of his chair. "Yes!" He began to cough, and Sora hit him repetitively on the back. "Thanks." He croaked. "Guess some of that bacon got caught in my throat. Heh." He said, blushing red and sitting back down.
The others, including the king and queen, were able to hide their laughter as the king began to speak. "Moving on, the reason you won't be having lessons is because we need your help to prepare everything for the party. There are many tasks and we need you to volunteers for each one."
"The first task," his wife began pulling out a list, "is to clean up the forest area we are having the party at. Because the castle is being redone and most of the rooms have been started, we think it would be a better idea to have the party outside. Haruhiko and I chose a very nice plot of land but there are tree branches, leaves, and multiple other things that need to be cleaned up. Do we have any volunteers?" she asked hopefully.
"Tai." The three girls replied in unison and pointed at the lone male teen.
"But…" he started.
"Tai would be absolutely perfect for the job. We need to keep him away from the castle because of his big mouth. I have a strong feeling he's somehow let it slip that Matt's having a party in front of Matt." Sora said automatically. The others nodded in agreement.
"But…" Tai tried again.
Kari looked at her brother and sighed. "Come on big brother. It's not that hard of a job. Wouldn't you rather be outside in the outdoors than stuck in this big castle doing a feminine job?"
"But…" Tai interrupted.
"No buts." Mimi replied sharply. "Be a man Tai and do this. Unless of course you'd rather, I don't know…clean the pond with the fish in it?" Mimi suggested innocently.
"But…" Tai had begun to interrupt but when Mimi mentioned the fish he shut up and immediately turned pale. "Not the fish. I can clean the forest area. I would love to clean the forest area. Cleaning the forest area is something I have always wanted to do. I'll get started on it right away!" he jumped up and ran out of the room.
Everyone sitting in the dining room sweat dropped. "Does Tai even know what forest area he's supposed to be cleaning?" Mimi asked a little confused.
"I highly doubt it." Sora replied.
"Tai still acts the same way he did when he was ten years old." Sora's mother replied.
Her father shook his head. "I was thinking more along the lines of seven but whatever works for you, dear." They all burst into laughter at the last statement.
"Moving on," Sora's mother smiled, "Mimi, we would like you to go down to the kitchens and help plan the food and desserts for the night and choose the cake design."
"I'm good at that!" she answered grinning, curtsying to the king and queen and exiting.
"Kari, we would like you to join T.K. in the classroom and work on decorations for tomorrow night's party. Sora will join you when she's done with her project."
Kari stood up and pushed her chair in. "Okay." She curtsied and waved bye to Sora.
"Sora, your father and I would like you to meet with Nancy and Malcolmto go over all the plans for tomorrow night. One of the things you'll need to figure out is how to distract Matt from finding out about the party and how to get him to the clearing tomorrow night. As we said before, when you are finished you will need to join Kari in the schoolroom."
"Yes, mother, father." Sora answered. "I have a feeling we're going to be pretty busy so I'd better be off!" She gave both her parents a kiss on the cheek and left the room.
Toshiko looked at her husband as tears came to her eyes. "She's grown up so fast."
"I know. So have the others, well with the exception of Tai." Haruhiko nodded.
"Our baby's all ready to get married." Toshiko said tears now coming from her eyes. "I hope she finds someone who really truly loves her and makes her happy."
Her husband smiled at her and wrapped an arm around the queen. "Dear, I think she's already found that special someone. It's just a matter of getting them to admit their feelings and then going from there."
"So we're on the same page about this?" The queen questioned. Her request seemed so vague but it appeared her husband understood it just fine.
"I believe so." King Haruhiko agreed.
A servant entered the room. "Sire, here is the report one of spies sent recently." The servant bowed and left the room.
King Haruhiko studied the letter with a grave, solemn face and turned to greet his wife. "It is as I feared. Thelonius of Lockton is on the move…"
While her parents were locked in their conversation about her love life, Sora was in the hallway walking towards her meeting with Nancy and Malcolm. This should definitely be interesting. She stopped to look out the window overlooking the forest and began laughing at the sight of Tai being attacked by some birds.
"Having problems, Tai?" she shouted through the window. Tai ran around as a bird tried to fly into his pocket. The brunette began hitting his own leg in an attempt to get the bird off.
"Get! Ouch! Off…ouch…you dumb…ouch..bird!" he kept hitting his leg and finally the bird, appearing sick and tired of Tai's beatings, pecked him once on the nose and flew off. Tai looked in his pocket at what the bird had wanted and pulled out a piece of bread and meat.
"Hey! That's where I put these. I've been looking for them."
"What is that doing in your pocket?" Sora asked in wonder.
"I put them in there during breakfast so I could have a snack later on. Yum, still tastes good!" Tai exclaimed. "See you later Sora!" Sora laughed again and as she turned to leave, bumped into someone knocking her to the floor.
A hand appeared and Sora gladly accepted it. "We have really got to stop doing this." A deep voice she recognized right away replied. Sora gazed again into Matt's beautiful blue eyes as a smile worked its way onto her face.
"Your telling me." She responded, letting go of his hand. "What's up?"
"I'm off to work on the entryway again. What about you and everybody else? Is there something going on here that I'm not aware about?"
"What do you mean?" Sora asked, cautiously as they began walking. I really hope he doesn't suspect something.
"You all just seem a little jumpy. Is there something I should know about?"
Sora gave a nervous laugh as she reached her destination. "Not that I'm aware of…" Sora lied. I really hope he doesn't realize I'm a really bad liar! Matt gave her a suspicious look but let the subject go nonetheless.
"Why are you stopping here?"
"Something my dad has requested of me. You know how parents are sometimes…"
Okay, something definitely is going on. Guess I'll have to find out later. "Well, princess, I'd better be getting to work. Duty calls. I will talk to you later." He said bowing and, taking her hand in his,kissing it. Sora felt her cheeks warm up but managed to give the blond a smile before he walked off.
Sora knocked and walked into the room. "Hello Princess!" Malcolm exclaimed, bowing before her.
"Please, don't Mr. Ishida." Sora responded. "Call me Sora and don't worry about bowing. That's so overrated."
"At your wish, Sora." His wife greeted Sora and the three engaged in a warm, fun conversation for the next two hours. The Ishidas loved the plans the Takenouchi family had come up with and offered only a few suggestions. They also had thought of the perfect way to get Matt to go to the party area. "We'll get T.K. to lead him there telling him he's found this new "inspiration" Matt has to see. The funny thing about this, is that T.K. usually does get an inspiration and ends up dragging Matt out to see it. Matt will totally fall for it."
By the time Sora left, she felt as though she had known Matt and T.K.'s parents forever. Their family is so nice and caring and fun to be around. We're so lucky to have them around. And if they weren't around, I would never have gotten to meet Matt…
The day passed like a blur as Sora and her very tired friends all collapsed into their beds, exhausted from the hard work they had done. Morning came quickly and though she really was still tired, Sora got out of bed with a smile. She walked over to her dresser and picked up her gift for the blond artist. Somehow through her busy schedule yesterday, Sora managed to wrap the present up. I really hope he likes this.
The rest of the morning and afternoon was spent attempting to get any last minute details taken care of. Mimi and the cooks had finished all the food, well Mimi was supervising or so she called it, and T.K., Kari, and the princess had managed to get a load of beautiful decorations made and ready to be hung up. Tai, after being informed he had been working on the wrong part of the forest, somehow got the right part done and it looked quite nice. Unfortunately for him, his nose bore a big lump from where the bird had attacked him.
The time for the party approached faster and faster. Sora found herself up in her room with Kari and Mimi, the two girls waiting for her to appear in her outfit. The seamstress again had a reason to make a new beautiful gown for Sora and for once, Sora was actually not dreading it.
She came out from behind her dressing room doors and both Mimi and Kari's mouths fell to the ground. Sora was dressed in a long elegant light blue gown that flowed out at the bottom. The gown accented every part of her body and looked stunning on her. "If this doesn't prove you are crazy about Matt I don't know what does." Mimi said.
Sora chose to ignore the comment and grabbed her present. "You girls ready to go?"
Mimi, Kari, and Sora all made their way down the stairs and out into the forest clearing. The rest of the invitees were already there awaiting the presence of the two blondes. After being instructed by the king as to where they should stand, Sora and the others joined Tai off in a corner. They made small talk amongst themselves until someone shushed them.
Sora watched as Matt and T.K. appeared in the distance talking and laughing with each other. As they grew closer, Sora could hear bits and pieces of their conversation. "Just keep your big yap shut, T.K. If word gets out about this, I don't even want to think about what will happen." Matt said seriously to the younger blond.
"Matt, you have nothing to worry about. Hey, we're here at the place I was telling you about." T.K. announced. That was the cue for the partygoers.
"Surprise!" Everyone yelled as the attention all focused on Matt. "Happy Birthday!"
Matt looked at the assembled faces and surprised everyone by laughing. "I knew you guys were planning something." He turned in the direction of the teenagers. "You are not a great liar, Princess." He said giving Sora a wink.
"Hey, I did my job." Sora laughed in her defense. Matt was greeted by a sea of people all wishing him another happy year and such. He finally got away and joined his group of new friends for supper.
"Happy birthday, Matt." Kari and Mimi said in unison as the blond sat down with them.
"Thanks," he responded as a hand stuck out in front of him. Matt looked up to see Tai holding it there. Wonder what he wants.
"Happy birthday. I know we didn't exactly get off on the right foot, and I've already apologized for this once but, I want to be friends with you Matt. How bout it?"
Matt grinned. "Sounds good Tai." Tai gasped. He didn't call me bushy. I am good! I am the man. I am unstoppable. Go Taichi it's your birthday. That's the way uh huh uh huh I like it uh huh uh huh. "Is he okay?" Matt asked Kari as Tai got a goofy grin on his face.
"We think so." Kari responded. "We've come to believe that look means he's off in dreamland, but other than that, he's almost sane."
"I see." Matt answered, helping himself to some apple cider. "Things around here are never dull, are they?"
"Nope." The three girls answered in unison. Supper was fantastic and everything went over very smoothly. The night grew darker and later, and Sora still had yet to give her gift to Matt. I've got to do it soon before our parents make us go in.
Tai stood up. "Um, I'm going to go admire the stars. Mimi, you want to come." He said, winking very noticeable.
"Okay." She grinned, taking his hand as they walked off deeper into the forest.
"I'm sure they're going to be doing a lot of stargazing." Matt smirked.
Everyone laughed. "Yeah, you'd think Tai would come up with a better excuse but then again, it is Tai." Sora stated.
"Shall we go spy on them?" Kari questioned, trying to look innocent.
"Sounds like a plan to me." T.K. answered. The four teens stood up and followed the same path Tai and Mimi had taken until they reached a fork in the road. "Which way should we go?"
"Sora, you and Matt go left, and T.K. and I will go right." Kari suggested. The group agreed and split up.
Sora turned to look at the two younger teens. "If you wanted to be alone too, you could have just told us!" She shouted grinning at Matt and seeing the two blush. Sora turned her attention back to the path ahead as she and Matt walked in a comfortable silence.
Finally mustering up the courage, which usually wasn't a hard thing for her to do, Sora spoke. "Matt, I have a present for you."
"For me?" he asked.
"Well it is your birthday." Sora answered sarcastically.
Matt flushed. "Hey, I'm not used to getting presents." Sora held out the gift and Matt unwrapped it to reveal something that was shiny and silver. "A harmonica…" he trailed off smiling. "…I used to have one of these when I was little. Man, I haven't seen a harmonica in like ten years."
"Jeez, you're old." Sora joked.
Matt looked over at her again and chuckled. "You'll get there soon. Thank you so much Sora. This really means a lot to me." It was Sora's turn to flush red.
"It's no problem Matt, really. I saw it, and I thought of you." The two once again lapsed into silence as they reached another clearing. Sora put her hand over her mouth trying to conceal her laugh.
"We were right about the stargazing thing…" Matt looked in the direction Sora was looking at and smirked. There was Tai and Mimi, all right, locked in a tight liplock sitting on a log. Tai wrapped his arms around the girl as Mimi let out a giggle.
"Tai, I love you." They heard.
"I love you too, Meems." He answered as he kissed her passionately once more.
Matt noticed something else and immediately pointed it out. "Guess the other path led here as well." He whispered in her ear, causing her to blush again. Sora watched T.K. and Kari, who were sitting on the ground actually stargazing, Kari resting her head against T.K.'s shoulder.
"I knew she liked him." Sora muttered triumphantly.
"Come on," Matt said, taking her hand. "Let's head back. Your parents will send out a search party if you aren't back soon."
He hasn't let go of my hand. Sora and Matt walked back in the direction they came from. "Do we really have to go back already?" Sora asked. "We could just sit here and talk." She suggested, pointing to another log.
"Sounds good to me." Matt answered, sitting down next to her. God she's so beautiful. I can hardly keep myself from staring at her. But she would never go for someone like me. Matt's eyes rested on Sora's crest of love. "What's that?" he asked, motioning to it.
Sora launched into the story of how she had acquired it. "I'm supposed to pass it on to my children after I get married. It's supposed to bring luck and love to the beholder." She explained.
"I see." Matt answered. "I have something like that. My mom gave me this when I turned fourteen. I think I have it with me." He pulled something out of his pocket. It was a gorgeous ring with an engraving bearing the words, everlasting love, etched into it. "I'm supposed to give it to the girl I fall in love with, almost like a ring you royals have." He explained.
"Have you found that girl yet?" Sora whispered hesitantly.
"I'm…not sure…" Matt whispered back uncertainly, brushing one of Sora's bangs out of her eyes. Her eyes have such an effect on me. I know it; I'm in love with her.
Matt's finger ran up and down Sora's cheek as she stared into his blue orbs. I love his eyes. I love his personality. I love everything about him. I love him…
Sora felt her face moving closer towards Matt's and managed to draw her gaze away from his enchanting eyes. She closed her eyes anticipating the contact. Matt as well had shut his eyes and could feel her hot breath ready to meet his. This is right, I know it. She is the one. Their lips were now almost at the point of no return and neither of them had any regrets at all. Slowly their lips inched closer ready to connect…
A/N: Sorry to leave it there but I thought it would be a good place to stop. The chapter kind of sucked but please review and tell me your thoughts!
theladyknight