Last Edited: 27.o1.o6

Written: o8.o1.o6

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Do You Still Think of Me?

PART TWO – Picking up the fragments

Chapter Eight

By Flipstahhz

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" So we're not hiring strippers?" Daisuke said skeptically. " Ohh…man! That's not fair! I've never heard of a Bachelor's party with no strippers!"

The guys chortled at the brunette. The day had come to a close and it was nighttime. They had all gathered together to celebrate Taichi's last night of being 'free' from Mimi's alleged wrath.

Taichi waved his hands in the air as he pointed at Takeru with Steven in his arms, " Firstly, Dai, we are so called partying in my sister's house. Secondly…it's not a good idea when Stevie's here."

" And thirdly?" Daisuke's eyebrow furrowed, questionably.

" All of us men here are obligated to our own girls," Taichi winked. " While you are still maintaining your single status."

The guys laughed harder.

Yamato Ishida looked around the lounge room, pondering. Well, in a way what Tai said was true. Jyou was dating Daisuke's older sister. Takeru was a happy married man. Apparently, Kent was also seeing someone. And it was clearly obvious of Taichi's status.

And Yamato?

He chuckled to himself…it still felt strange knowing he was 'taken' by the woman he had loved for so long. When everyone found out that both Sora and he was finally 'officially' an item, they weren't surprised – no their reactions was just laughter. It was obvious they already knew. And when Sora and he found out how their friends knew…they felt completely humiliated and embarrassed.

He shuddered at the thought. Yamato's eyes darted to the youngest boy on his brother's lap - the troublesome toddler. Yes, it was all Stevie's doing. At a young age, Steven was already doing wonders – the meddlesome kid.

From what Yamato had found out, the little boy had told both Kari and TK about Sora and his 'intimate' time when they were babysitting him. Something like, " They didn't take their clodes ofb!"

Yamato thought to himself …

Somehow, not mentioning any names (KARI & TK!), had blabbed it out to Tai and Mimi and as fast as a torpedo they're wedding was happening within a week. Ha. Little Steven was Mimi and Tai's beacon of life.

" …about it, Yamato?"

He blinked, his transfixed gaze from Steven traveled to his best friend. " Pardon, Tai?"

" Ah…sorry for disturbing your thoughts of Ms. Takenouchi-soon-to-be-Ishida. You're probably missing her already. Don't worry, you'll see her tomorrow…looking her best for Mimi and my wedding."

Yamato choked, a light shade of pink invading his cheeks. This time the group of guys were not laughing at Daisuke – but at him. Garh…and he thought being humiliated by Steven was enough…

" Tai was just wondering," Kent took over the groom. " If you're up for any drinking games?"

" Count me out," Jyou muttered, waving his hands. " Alcohol causes cirrhosis to the liver."

" Thus says the doctor," TK sniggered, but his facial expression turned serious. " I guess it's the same with me – I've got a child to tend to. I'll probably stay here if any of you guys do anything out of hand that may damage my house."

" Alright. That can't be helped," Kent shrugged. A reckless grin slid on his face. " This reminds me back at our Graduation party, right Yamato?"

Matt groaned. What was with everyone and picking on him lately? Sure, it was good to finally be around his friends after living a lonely unsociable life in Tamachi, but he was starting to question that living in Tamachi was better and less humiliating than living in his hometown.

" Please explain," Daisuke prodded, his mischievousness flickering in his warm chocolate eyes.

" Well, back in those days," Kent smiled, enjoying the blond headed boy squirm in his seat uncomfortably. " Yamato was a hell of a drinker. But when final years of school came, he settled. But at the graduation he drank like crazy. I mean, he can't take liquor good. From only three drinks of beer he already was in a bad state."

" Right, Kent," Yamato rolled his eyes, recalling what happened that night. He remembered having some sort of uneasiness with Sora, so he got upset with himself and took Kent's drink. " That drink was yours, Kent. Don't you remember? I got a bit sick after that. Some one drugged it, and it was meant to be for you. You're lucky I drank it for you. In other words, be thankful biatch. I saved your ass."

" What, what!" Daisuke bellowed as he high-fived Matt. " Looks like Mr. Ishida is back in the house!"

" Of course, we are all in a house," TK corrected, a sly smirk curling on his lips.

" Shut up, TJ!"

Kent sneered, ignoring the two younger men at the 'party'. " Gee Yamato, I didn't see you complaining! Oh…of course…because Sora was nursing you at that time!"

" Ay Matt! You never told me that! Some best friend you are!" Taichi said as he placed a hand over his heart, pretending to be hurt.

It was relaxing. Yamato hadn't felt this much relaxed in such a long time…and he was praising every moment of it…even though everyone was bagging the shit out of him.

" Let the drinking games begin!"

" You think you can handle it, Matty-baby?" his former band member gave a suggesting wink.

" I challenge you, Kent. How many beers can you take?"

" Fifty!"

" Well, too bad," Tai jumped in. " I'll beat both your asses!"

" Is that so?" Yamato sniggered.

" Yeah, is that a threat?" Kent added.

" The groom is always the winner!" Taichi announced. " I betcha I can double fifty!"

"I'm in too!" Daisuke grumbled.

Takeru and Jyou shrugged at each other.

" I bet you Daisuke is going to pass out first," TK said, grabbing the wallet from his pocket and counting his money. " Twenty-five dollars sound good enough?"

"I'm in. After what Tai said, I think your brother's going to pass out first," Jyou laughed. " I'm winning this bet!"

Stevie laughed too, though he was unsure what he was laughing at. The poor boy was going to witness a whole bunch of grown men turn psycho…

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She wasn't satisfied.

The auburn headed woman stared at the king size bed in front of her in Mimi and Tai's apartment. Laid upon it, were four identical dresses. The only thing that wasn't identical between the four dresses was that each dress had a varied size. Sora Takenouchi's eyes scrutinized over all four of the dresses.

She had designed all the dresses from every stitch. It had only taken her a week to get all the dresses done (of course with the help from the new company she worked at and getting cheaper discounts for the materials used). Still…she wasn't particularly satisfied with the outcome of how she designed the bridesmaid's design for her best friend's wedding.

Since Sora was forced to come up with a design on the spot, she selected the first styled dressed she had designed back in high school. The dress that was coloured black, made of silk with a criss-cross pattern formed on the back that consisted of a halter neck that was tied around the neck twice to appear as if the person that was to wear it had a necklace choker on. Of course, Sora had altered the design to suit the wedding. Instead of having the 'choker' effect on the dress, she had designed it to wrap only once around the neck and to form a small silk bow…making the dress appear unique. Also, instead of the dresses being black silk, she had decided on a pale cream to match all the pink cutlery and decorations at the venue. Too much pink would over do it.

Mimi had wanted a simple wedding. And usually simplicity looked the best. Over doing it, was enough. Sora was well aware that Mimi and Tai were well over their expenses because of rescheduling and so forth…which was why she had volunteered to design the dresses. Yet…she couldn't help but feel uneasy about it. She knew there was something missing.

Instead of celebrating the bride's party, Sora had snuck into Mimi's room to double check on the dresses. Sora was becoming stressed…she had 'finished' all the dresses before schedule …but she dearly wanted to make some modifications.

The bedroom door gaped open.

" Sora?"

" Oh, hey Meems."

" Why aren't you out with everyone else?" Mimi queried as she stood next to her, gazing upon the silk dresses on her bed.

" There's something missing…," Sora said truthfully.

" Sora," Mimi assured. " The dresses are perfect. I don't know what you're talking about! The wedding's tomorrow…you don't need to alter them anymore. The dresses are beautiful as they are."

" But it feels like…I'm missing something."

" If you don't even trust my judgment, then could you at least let me get a glimpse on my wedding gown?"

Sora glared.

" I was kidding, Sorr!" Mimi giggled. " I already know I'll love it cause seeing the bridesmaids dresses are absolutely spectacular!"

The auburn haired woman had selected the suits for the men, designed all the dresses including Mimi's gown. They were her presents to both Mimi and Tai for their wedding. The hardest challenge was measuring and designing Mimi's gown without letting her try it on. The gown was going to be a surprise for her best friend. She felt a bit worried that Mimi wouldn't like the dress since she hadn't even showed Mimi yet. But both Yamato and Taichi had reassured her that the bride would adore it (even though they had no expertise in clothing whatsoever).

" Oh Sora, do you like the flowers Tai sent me?" Mimi questioned as she cradled the bouquet in her arms.

Flowers…Sora considered.

" That's it!" she said aloud.

" What's it? You like the flowers, don't you? I thought so!"

" Yeah, the flowers are beautiful…but that's besides the point!"

Mimi looked at her, baffled. " And the point is?"

The brunette headed bride watched Sora as she sat on the ground and took one of the huge plastic bags she had brought along with her that night. She spilled the contents onto the ground, displaying a pale cream silky mess.

" Sora?"

Sora ignored Mimi as she took some other utensils from her bag, cutting strips of silk in a specific way. " I just hope this doesn't fray…"

" Sora?" Mimi repeated again, still bewildered what her best friend was going on about. "You shouldn't be working…you should be relaxing and getting some rest for tomorrow…SORA?"

That finally caught her attention.

" What are you doing?"

" I'm making flowers with the left over material!" Sora said excitedly. " Then I'll attach them to the dresses!"

" Are you crazy?"

Mimi's eyes widened. " You've done enough…"

" Mimi…just let me finish this off, please? I know I'll get this done. Please?"

" Sure. It's not like you're going to listen to me anyway," Mimi frowned. " But I want to ask something first, before you continue doing this…"

" Yes?" Sora looked up from the pair of scissors and silk in her hands.

" Well…I never really got to talk to you by yourself for a while…with everything so hectic with the wedding. I personally wanted to, as a best friend, congratulate you finally getting your man. I'm glad that you're finally together with him. My maid of honour and Tai's best man…what else could be better, huh?" she laughed, cracking a smile.

" Thanks Mimi," Sora returned a beam.

" Who would have though about it. Sora Takenouchi's first boyfriend is the Yamato Ishida from the Teen-Age Wolves!" Mimi declared, whistling.

Sora's simper widened.

" Haha. Before you get started on this, why don't you just eat dinner with all of us. I don't want you to overwork," Mimi laughed.

She guided Sora to the dining room where Kari and Jun were seating eating and chattering along.

" ….yeah, I just hope TK's taking care of Steven. And that there's not strippers in my house. And no vomit on the carpet," Kari listed. " I hope my baby is okay! But if I had brought Steven…I was scared he might of dirtied the dresses….and Mimi's house!"

" Don't worry about him, he belongs with the guys. This is a all-female strange dinner party, true?" Jun Motomiya smiled. She suggested, " I say we hire guy strippers!"

" Somehow, I think you're brother would have said the same thing at the bachelor party…only that he would be referring to female strippers," Mimi winked.

The woman gossiped on, until they could gossip no more.

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Thanks To: PrincessSakuraTenshi12 (thanks for reading those whole bunch of chapters and reviewing. Haha. You reviewholic. lol), Shina-Sama (thanks for honestly telling me about the mistakes. it's in that previous chapter specifically, yeah? hm...i need a proofreader. LOL. I'm just so lazy revising. haha), Yume-dream (Stevie rocks. aha), Sora Takenouchi Ishida ( i love you too ;D haha) and Jyoura Koumi ( Belated Christmas & New Year back atcha)