The Miracle of a Courageous Light.
Into the City.
The first term had gone surprisingly well for Taichi and Hikari and the Manor. They'd both made a group of great friends and managed to still keep in touch with Sora and the rest of the guys from Japan.
Taichi had carried on watching Yamato dance, this time with his permission. Keirei even came along sometimes, book in hand and together they sat in silence as they watched Yamato dance.
Taichi watched him in awe. He had never thought that this moody, problematic teenager had the grace and sensitivity to perform something so moving and so graceful. It was breathtaking. Every flex, every move was made to the point of precise accuracy. The steps, the turns and even the odd stumble in his steps looked as if they had been thought out very carefully.
It had taken Yamato a while to get used to people watching him. At first the teacher, whose name Taichi still didn't know, would get wary of the way Yamato was dancing. She kept saying how Taichi and Keirei were making him unfocused but as the weeks went on the teacher was silently thanking Taichi for coming to watch. Something about this new comer had affected Yamato more than even he himself had realised.
"That was, wow." Taichi said as they walked out of the dance studio together. Keirei had decided to study that evening and said she would meet them at dinner. Yamato grinned.
"That never gets old." Taichi laughed and playfully punched the blonde in the arm. "That either." He smirked at the brunette. They both laughed and carried on walking towards the dining room. Just as the walked past the computer suite they heard giggling.
"Who's that?" Taichi asked. Yamato shrugged. Taichi walked towards the door of the suite and looked inside. "Can't see anyone." He slowly pushed the door open. Yamato followed Taichi inside. They heard a few short gasps and a female voice whisper something that sounded remotely like "…hide!" The boys followed the direction of the voices.
"Come out, come out wherever you are." Yamato said as he turned on of the corners into the second room of the computer room. In the corner he was the flash of a hand pick up something small from the floor. He walked over to where he saw the movement. "Taichi, come see this." He called looking down at the couple. They were giggling as Taichi walked over.
"Hikari?" Taichi exclaimed looking down at his blushing sister. Sat next to her was a blonde, breathless and blushing Takeru Takashi. Yamato burst into laughter at the pair. Taichi looked at Yamato then back at his sister.
"Hey Otouto." She said. The laughter was still thick on her voice. "Shall we walk with you to dinner?" She asked sweetly. Taichi shook his head and smiled then turned around and started making his way out of the computer room, Yamato close behind him and their siblings walked together looking as if they'd just got caught.
"What where you doing?" Taichi asked as they got outside the computer suite. The two of them giggled again and started walking ahead.
"See you at dinner." Hikari shouted before running off towards the dining room. Taichi shook his head. Yamato laughed.
"So when's this trip to the city?" Taichi asked changing the subject before Yamato had a chance to make fun. Yamato got the hint.
"It's Tuesday."
"Everyone going?"
"As far as I know." Taichi nodded. They walked back towards the dining room quietly.
"Hey guys, Mimi has this great idea about next weeks shopping trip." Hikari said after the two boys sat down with their food.
"Oh Hikari, it's really only a suggestion and besides I'm not sure whether it'd work out or not, considering Iori can't go and Keirei-"
"I'm not going either."
"What? Why?" Yamato starred at Keirei for a few seconds. She looked up from her book and starred right back. He nodded and then sighed. It was as if they could read each others minds. "What was your idea Mimi?" He prompted her to go on. Mimi looked at Keirei and frowned. She'd gone back to reading.
"Well, as I was saying, if you're sure Keirei?" Mimi turned to the girl and waited no a response. Instead Keirei looked at her and forced a smile, stood up and walked out of the dining room. Yamato instantly followed her. Mimi sighed. "Should I go on?" Mimi asked looking at everyone in turn. Hikari nodded. "Well, as we're not sure whether we'll be able to go on the next trip I thought it would be a good idea if we got each others Christmas presents." She said simply.
"And I thought, we could go out in pairs then meet back up near the end of the day and grab some pizza together or something."
"You know what I'm really missing? Some good old chocolate rice balls!" Mimi squealed. "How about we try and find a Sushi bar or something? I don't know about you guys but I am feeling a little homesick." Everyone was quiet for a few moments. None of them had really had a chance to think about home, they'd been too busy. The Manor had did its best to try and provide the students with meals from all over the world but nevertheless it had been a while since the students had had something they were used to having at meal times. Everyone agreed.
"So, shall we organise the pairs now?" Taichi suggested.
"Well, how about Hikari and Takeru, You and Yamato, Koushiro and I…" Mimi giggled and looked at the red head stood next to her. He was blushing. "…err Daisuke and Ken. I think that's everyone?"
"Yeah that does sound like a good idea."
"So big brother, how've you found lessons so far?" Hikari turned to her brother, smiling.
"Well, soccer has been going great! Daisuke and I got picked for the Manor's team. Of course the matches don't start until after next term. Other than that the lessons have been…you know…alright. What about you Hika?"
"I'm enjoying photography a lot."
"Well you should be, you're really good at it Hikari." Takeru said fondly. Hikari blushed then gave the blonde a small sweet smile.
"Hey everyone. It's almost eight. Tonight's assembly will be starting in approximately seven minutes. Should we make our way over?" Koushiro asked, finishing his meal.
"Yeah, let's get going." Taichi stood and the group walked out together.
Once they were inside the assembly hall Taichi looked everywhere for the sight of his roommate. There was a minute left before the doors closed when Yamato finally appeared. Keirei wasn't by his side, Keirei wasn't there. Taichi had a strange feeling that he was going to actually get something out of Yamato.
Since Taichi had spilled his heart out Yamato had hardly shown any more sensitivity to anybody except when he was dancing. The two had grown closer, no doubt, but Yamato had a lot of barriers around him. Inside, he was actually more vulnerable than Taichi could ever imagine.
"Hey what took you so long?" Taichi looked up at the boy and smiled as he sat down.
"It's nothing." He said. Taichi took the hint and turned to the stage. Yamato looked at him in disbelief. "What, you're actually believing me?"
"Nope, but I figure that your not going to tell me here so I'll just have to wait." Taichi smiled sweetly. Yamato shook his head.
"Good evening students!" The headmaster began as he stepped up onto the stage. "I hope you've all enjoyed this first term at the Manor. I feel it's been a strong seven weeks. You will be receiving your term reports tomorrow. Now, I hope that everyone who's going into the city next Tuesday is excited. For the students who have been before I apologise as you are about to receive the same talk again that you get before every trip." The headmaster paused and smiled at his students sitting in front of him.
"Now, the coaches will be leaving at eleven am. Breakfast will begin at the usual time. It's an hour ride into the city and the coaches will be leaving back to the Manor at eight-thirty pm. If you happen to accidentally 'miss' the coach back, there is a bus service at nine-thirty pm. It's a little longer than the coach and you'll have to pay for it yourselves. We insist that only the older students use this route home and please be aware that the Manor will want a reasonably good excuse as to why you missed the coach." He paused again.
"The rules are simple. You are not to wonder the city alone; you must remain in a group of two or more people at all times. You will not be under supervision whilst in the city however a group of the Manors teachers will be at the Café Moorée. If anything is to happen to a student then please let one of the teachers know. Other than that enjoy, yourselves. The weather is still warm, even in October so if it is a hot day, please drink plenty of water and don't stay out in the sun too long. Now, onto the terms achievement awards…"
Several students accepted awards from the headmaster and there were more announcements about the next term. Students had a week away from classes and instead lesson time would be filled with optional activities for the students. People who had chosen music and theatre as an option were required for two hours everyday throughout the next week. There was a winter ball at the end of the next term which the music and drama students were going to be performing in. Then the headmaster gave notice that anyone wishing to be on the committee of the winter ball was to attend the meeting Saturday afternoon. With that the students left the assembly room and made their way up to their bedrooms.
Yamato had ran off as soon as the headmaster had dismissed them. Taichi had assumed he'd gone back to Keirei.
It was nearing midnight before Yamato came back to their room but Taichi was still awake, waiting for him. He walked him. His eyes were red and he looked as if he'd been crying. 'I wonder what's happened…' Taichi thought as he watched the boy make his way over to his own bed.
"Yamato?" No reply. He walked over and sat down at the edge of the blondes bed. "So, you okay?" Yamato turned to face him. He was defiantly not okay. He sighed.
"No." Then looked down at his hands. 'Why do I feel like this? This is none of my business.' Taichi sighed. 'Why do I want to comfort him so bad? Oh, because we're friends.' '…but you wish it was more' said a voice inside Taichi's head. It was barely audible but it hit Taichi hard. Did he want more than friendship from the boy that sat down by his side? He wasn't sure anymore. He'd never denied that he hadn't found the boy attractive but he wasn't expecting to actually begin to like him. Why would he? Yamato kept himself to himself, he was quiet and sensitive yet he hid it. The fact was, this was what made him who he was and he was so unlike Taichi. 'Argh, what am I saying? I can't even begin to start wanting any other relationship than the one we have.'
Yamato's action surprised Taichi. He didn't expect the blonde to move his hand onto his. He also froze at the boy's cold touch on the palm of his hand. For a few seconds he didn't move, he didn't want to spoil this small moment. But it felt so significant to him, finally the boy was letting his guard down little by little around Taichi. Just as Yamato opened his mouth Taichi looked at him and his next action surprised him.
"Don't start now. I can tell your not ready." Yamato stared, mouth open and nodded. He couldn't believe what Taichi had said, was he really that easy to read? He looked down at his hand that was still holding Taichi's and pulled away. He blushed.
"Thank you."
"Now, as you left us during dinner-"
"Sorry-"
"No. There's nothing to be sorry for, you were comforting a friend. I don't know why and I don't know why she was upset or what's happened but I do know I would've done the same thing, and I certainly wouldn't apologise afterwards. Now, about Mimi's plan…" The boys spend a good part of the early hours talking about Mimi's plan, gift idea's and what they thought of their younger siblings new found 'relationship'.
"Ah, so you chose the traditional 'big brother' role?" Yamato asked raising an eyebrow at Taichi.
"What's so wrong with that?" He asked holding his hands up in defense.
"Nothing, listen, we better get some sleep, or we're never going to wake up." Taichi nodded sleepily and walked over to his own bed. He hadn't realised how tired he was. They didn't wake until a little after lunch.
Hikari was making her way over to the upper Manor meeting room. She'd been told to go there as she was interested in becoming a part of the winter ball committee.
"Hey, Kar, where are you heading?" Called a voice behind her. She turned only to see a blonde haired boy jogging up towards her. She smiled.
"Hey Takeru." He smiled back. "I'm off to the meeting room. I want to offer to take photo's at the winter ball." She said. Takeru began walking with her.
"Ah that sounds like fun, I think you'd be good at it. Yamato's band are playing."
"Really?" She asked excitedly. Hikari loved live music, but her parents had never let her go.
"Yeah, they play every year. They're really good!" Takeru replied. "Maybe you should get a few shots of them, you could become the bands professional photographer, you'd be famous." Hikari giggled.
"Hey Takeru." She began, her tone becoming much more serious, a little shaky even. "How come you're here?" She asked looking at the boy. His face fell, but he changed it almost instantly.
"Well…" He paused. "I'm not here for the same reason as Yamato. We're only half brothers you see." Hikari nodded. "My mother divorced Yamato's dad when I was about three, we never got to spend any time together, I mean I only started here myself last year, we hadn't seen each other in ten years, it was a pretty odd experience. Still, my mother had an affair when she was with Yamato's dad, that's why we're only half brothers. When he found out he-he-he beat her to death…I then got sent to live with my real father, and he took care of me up until last year. Yamato's dad doesn't run a very pleasant career path you see, but I don't want to go into that." Hikari stood still, horrified. 'How could someone beat someone to death? Why?' She thought to herself. Without realising she'd dropped all her stuff.
"I'm s-so sorry Takeru." She whispered. He just nodded.
"It's okay, it happened a long time ago now." He smiled. "Of course, I miss my mother, but I never really saw much of her anyway. She drunk a lot…" He looked down at his feet. "Would you like me to walk you the rest of the way?" He asked, looking back at Hikari. She'd suddenly lost all interest in helping with the ball. She just stared.
Takeru was a tall boy for his age, and he had an athletic figure. He was finely built. Hikari looked around for the nearest empty room. She pulled Takeru along with her and she shut the door behind her. He stood there, next to a table at the front of the room. She walked over to him. He smiled.
"What's wrong?" He asked. She shook her head. "No?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. She was next to him, looking up at his face. She raised her hand to his head and slowly traced her fingertips down to his jawline. He blushed at the closesness of the two yet didn't pull away. He looked down at her, into her eyes. She was a beautiful young girl and she was so full of life. He'd known what'd happened to her parents and after he'd found out he had a strong urge to protect her. They carried on looking in each others eyes.
He raised his own hand to her head and gently tucked a few loose strands of hair behind her ear. She blushed herself and slowly moved her foot as if to take a step back but he stopped her. He'd moved his hand down to her waist. She hadn't flinched, but she'd stopped dead in her tracks.
"Hikari." He whispered. "I…" He was cut off as her lips gently pressed against his. It was only for a few seconds but it took his breath away all the same. She'd just kissed him. An amazing girl who he'd got so close to within the last few weeks had just kissed him.
"You're my best friend here." She whispered backing away from the blonde. He looked at her as she walked away. "I'm going to be late." And with that she turned and ran back out the door and turned to make her way up to the Manor meeting room.
"..best friend?" He sighed. "Then what was that?" He shook his head and looked down before leaving the room himself. On his way back to his room he saw Mimi and Koushiro. They were a little ahead of him talking. He turned around and found the longest route up to his room. He didn't bother going down to dinner that night.
The group, minus Takeru and Keirei, were sat around their usual table eating and talking.
"Has anyone seen Takeru?" Hikari wondered as she finished her meal.
"He's up in his room." Koushiro said, standing to go and help himself to seconds.
"Thanks." She herself stood up and made her way to Takeru and Koushiro's room. The boys sleeping quarters were above the girls. Mimi and Hikari had often made jokes with the other 'girlfriends' they had about the smell of boys rising. Hikari laughed to herself at the thought. She knew were Takeru's room was, her and Mimi had often snuck upstairs after lights out to talk with them. They'd never got caught but anytime the boys came down to them it was a different story.
She stood in front of the door and knocked lightly.
"Come in." Takeru called. She opened the door and walked in. Takeru was sat on his bed, he looked at her. "Oh, Hi Hikari."
"What's wrong? Were you not hungry?" She asked sitting down next to him. He shook his head.
"No, it's not that." He said sadly.
"Oh." She said. There was a few moments of silence between them. She almost got up to leave.
"Wait." He said. He stood up and walked up to her, taking her swiftly into his arms and kissed her. This time the kiss was deeper and Takeru poured as much of his soul into it as he could. When they stop Hikari's face was flustered, yet she smiled at him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I'm glad that you feel the same way." She whispered.
The trip couldn't come soon enough. Everyone was excited and ready to go on the biggest shopping trip they had had in a long time. Taichi couldn't help feeling sorry for the guys who'd paired off with Hikari and Mimi.
"Hey Takeru, good luck! Hikari can be a bit of a handful when she shops." Taichi laughed. Takeru smiled.
"Trust me, the pity is with you my friend. You've obviously never shopped with Yamato." Taichi looked at him.
"Seriously?" Takeru nodded. Taichi gulped and made his way onto the coach.
They were in the city in no time.
"So, we'll meet you at 6, outside the pizza place?" Mimi shouted as she began walking off with Koushiro. Everyone went their separate ways to look for presents and new clothes. Before they left Takeru dropped Taichi with a useful hint.
"It's his birthday on 31st." Taichi smiled.
"Why didn't he say anything?" Takeru shrugged.
"He doesn't like people making a big deal out of it." Takeru said before being dragged into a camera store by Hikari. Taichi jogged up to Yamato who was waiting for a bench.
"Are you ready?" He asked.
"I'm not sure." Taichi answered truthfully.
"What's he told you?" Yamato laughed. Taichi smiled. Yamato seemed a little more relaxed out side the Manor.
For Taichi, six o'clock couldn't come soon enough. He was not only carrying his own bags but a few of Yamato's too. Not only was the boy wealthy, he was a spendthrift when he was let loose.
They met the others at six outside a large pizza parlor. Once inside the showed each other a few of the things they'd bought and spoke about all the strange things they'd seen in town.
"Looks like the annual fare has come to town." Yamato said to Daisuke. He nodded.
"Maybe they'll let us go, it won't be set up until the end of the week." Daisuke said as he stuffed another slice of pizza into his mouth. Yamato laughed at the sight.
"Dai, they never let us out for the fare." Ken said smiling. One thing Taichi had noticed about Ken was that he never seemed to eat much.
"You say 'let us out' as if we're criminals." They all laughed accept Yamato. He just gave a small smile and carried on picking at his third slice of pizza.
The trip ended too soon and the group made themselves back to the coach station to get back to the Manor. No one really needed to stay any later than they had already. It marked an end to a good first term but it certainly didn't prepare them for what was about to happen…
AN: I'd like to take this time to quickly say thank you to all that's been reading so far. I've never had so much passion in writing a story, and I can assure you I hardly ever update as quickly as I have been. I really need to know what you think though, I haven't reciceved that many reviews so far and it's just wondering whether you were enjoying it?
What do you want to see happen next?
Any guesses to who the person is that assassinated they Yagami's parents?
Want a little more Taito fluff?