Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Digimon seasons or any of its characters. The plotline is based off a Manga titled "Penguin Brothers", which has not been licensed in America. I don't own that either.

Shades of Gray: Chapter 13

"I remember all the blood that spilled over the concrete," Sora whimpered. "My mother's blood…"

"Sora, stop talking, it's okay…" Yamato hushed her. His hug became tighter.

She wasn't listening.

"It happened because of me. Because I was in the way… because my mother pushed me so the car wouldn't hit me."

The boy's eyes were frantic. He didn't know what to do. The sound of sirens became more distant and policemen were investigating the wreck. Taichi saw them from across the street and started walking towards them.

"You two look comfortable," he commented. He arched a brow when he saw the serious look on Yamato's face.

He didn't say anything. Sora's sobbing became quieter when she heard Taichi's voice.

"Hey, what's wrong with her?"

The blonde glared at him. It was a 'you-really-don't-want-to-start-anything, Yagami' look. "Just keep walking, Yagami."

"When I went to elementary school, Taichi was the one who taught me how to play soccer," she said, pulling away from Yamato to stare at Taichi. "You were my first friend."

"Sora… so it's really you?" he scratched his head. "Why did you forget about us?"

"Because of my…" her eyes closed and her body went limp. Yamato caught her before she could fall on the ground.

"I told you to keep walking!"

Taichi frowned. "She remembered who I am! Probably you too! Shouldn't you be happy?"

He shook his head. "This is wrong. This isn't supposed to happen." He moved her so he carried her with one arm beneath her knees and the other beneath her shoulders. Her head laid gently on his shoulder blade.

"Yamato!" someone called. His eyes turned to see Yuta, her uncle.

"What're you doing here?"

"I was going to talk to the principal about Sora's leave… but," he sighed as he took Sora away from Yamato's arms. "It seems that I have more important matters to tend to."

"Uncle Yuta?" Taichi asked. "Is it really you?"

"Taichi, long time no see," he nodded.

"Uncle Yuta," Yamato stammered, "Sora… she remembers everything."

He sighed again. "I saw the accident as soon as I left the café. When I saw you with Sora I knew she'd have the memories rush back at her. Her dad's not going to like the sound of this."

"Her… her dad?" the blonde stared at him intently. "Where is he?"

"He's waiting for her in America. He didn't want to see Sora when she was traumatized. He trusted me to take care of her. I guess I didn't fulfill that promise." He bowed. "If you'll excuse me…" The man walked away with his niece in his arms.

"Yamato, tell me what happened to Sora! Tell me why she forgot about us!" Taichi gripped the boy's shirt collar.

He took a deep breath, and told him the story.

"Takeru," Yamato gritted his teeth as he made his way through the apartment complex's stairs. "Why do I have a feeling you had something to do with this…?" He gripped the piece of paper in his hands. It read 'Sakura Elementary School' on it.

The boy stopped at the door. Shifting his weight to his left leg he knocked on the door.

No response.

His eye twitched as he knocked on the door again.

No response.

He placed an ear against the door and was met with a mixture of sounds. He clucked his tongue and kicked the door. The sound faded.

Yamato smiled victoriously when he heard footsteps. The door clicked.

"Sorry, I was – Yamato?"

"You've got a lot of explaining to do," he held up the paper. "Didn't I tell you not to interfere?"

The younger blonde sweatdropped. "I know how much you wanted her to remember us… it was just a hint."

"If it makes you happy, she remembers," he said, leaning against the doorframe. "Everything."

"That's great!" Takeru smiled. "Isn't it? Why do you look angry?"

"She remembered her mom's death, Takeru."

The smile quickly faded and his face went pale. "O-oh…"

"Yeah, good job." He gave a thumbs-up with a fake, sarcastic smile.

"Yamato?" a voice said from behind Takeru. "Sorry, I heard everything."

"Hikari," he nodded in recognition. His attention went back to his little brother. "Why do I have a feeling she had something to do with this too?"

"It's just that… when we were very young, we were fond of Sora. We looked up to her a lot."

He was agitated. "Is mom home?"

"No."

"Okay, see you tomorrow, then." And he walked away without turning back.

The rain softly tapped the roof of the blonde's apartment complex. He stared blankly at the broken ceiling fan.

His stare was broken by the sudden noise of his cell phone's ring tone. He glanced at the number that appeared on the small screen and didn't recognize it. Who would be calling at 1 AM? He shrugged and flipped the phone open. "Hello?"

"Yamato? It's Yuta."

He sat up immediately. "Is something wrong?"

"Sora… I went to her room to check on her but she was gone. I was hoping you'd know where she was… or would be."

"I… I have a hunch," the boy replied weakly. "Leave it to me, okay? I'll bring her back."

"Okay. I'll leave her in your hands, okay, Yamato-kun? Sorry to trouble you."

No trouble at all. He nodded, even though Yuta couldn't see. He hung up and changed quickly. He decided he couldn't risk going through the front door; his dad might hear him leaving. His azure eyes glanced to the right. There were windows that led to the emergency stairs and ladder. He decided to take that route out.

Yamato didn't know where to start. It just felt right that he should be on the train. He sat and stared at the ground. Not many people were on the train, just a few who didn't have homes resting beneath newspapers.

The train stopped. He looked out the window and saw the outdoor cemetery. Yamato left the subway and headed in that direction. He searched frantically for a sign of a redhead. He finally spotted her under a tree placing a candle in front of a gravestone. His footsteps were quiet as he approached from behind.

I didn't want this part of my memory to come back... the girl thought. I can't control my feelings… Can I forget about it… if he's by my side?

"What are you doing?" he asked. He stood close behind her to shield her from the rain with his umbrella.

"When I called for her… she wouldn't answer. She stayed there… unmoving in that pool of blood." She pressed her forehead against the gravestone. "I killed her."

"Sora…"

"I was supposed to die." She held her head. "I'm not needed! Not needed…"

"Come with me," he grasped her arm and pulled her away.

She stumbled. "No! Where are you taking me?"

"Just go," he said and dragged her along. "This way."

The girl followed almost unwillingly after. His hand slid and now they were walking, or rather, he was dragging her, hand-in-hand.

They were walking for quite a long time. Sora's knee-high boots became covered in mud. "Where are you taking me, Yamato-kun…"

"Here," he pushed her into a rail. She looked below and saw water.

"This is…"

"If you don't want to live, jump off here," he said as he leaned back against the rail. "Disappear from my sight."

Her fingers glided across the thick wooden rail. "I've been here before." She closed her eyes.

Flashback

"Don't come any closer!" The little boy cried. "I don't believe anything you say! No one really means what they say! No one needs me here…"

The tiny girl pulled herself up on the rail. "If Yamato-kun jumps off, I will too."

"What… what are you doing?"

"There is no child that is unwanted," the girl chirped. "Yamato-kun is my friend, so he's very important to me!"

"Liar!" he cried. He stepped back, lost his footing, and fell. His eyes widened when he saw the redheaded girl falling after him.

Even when he hit the water, she reached for his hand and held on.

End Flashback

"You told me it was good that I lived… that people needed me," Yamato said softly. "Sora, there are many people that need you… Many people will cry if you're gone. After all, wasn't your mother the one who gave you life?"

Her mouth twitched, and she began to sob. She hid her head deep in her arms. The rain had stopped; she could not hide her tears anymore.

Yamato folded the umbrella back. He folded his arms and watched the ocean sweep back and forth.

She pulled her head up, wiping away the tears. "What about Yamato-kun?"

"Huh?"

"You don't care, right? You don't need me." She climbed onto the rail. "You won't feel anything if I die."

"What're you doing? Get down!"

"You told me to disappear from your sight."

A vein popped at the back of his head. "Don't do anything stupid! I felt really bad afterwards!" He grabbed her arm.

She glared at him.

He glared back.

"I'm not joking around. Your words… they hurt me." She felt her heart jerk in pain. "If you think I'm that important, why don't you tell me how you really feel?"

"I've remembered what you told me all those years," he gripped her arm tighter. "Since then, you've been most important to me…"

She felt her cheeks flush. A strong wind blew by and she lost her balance. The only thing keeping her from falling was Yamato's hand holding her wrist, and her hand holding his.

"Let go, or else you'll fall too!" she shouted.

"I'll fall with you, Sora," he said. "But keep in mind, you won't be rescued… I can't swim."

"REALLY…?" she shouted and began to squirm. "Are you for real?"

"Shut up and don't move!"

Sora and Yamato panted as they sat against the rail.

"You know… you're pretty heavy," the boy muttered. "You weren't prepared to die, huh?"

"Thanks, Yamato," she said quietly. "Stay by my side… okay?"

He looked away. "Hn… it's been a while since I talked this much."

She laughed. "Oh, that's right! This is the longest conversation I think I've held with you!"

"It's not funny," he pouted. He stood up and grabbed his umbrella. "Let's go, your uncle is waiting for you."

The sky was a dark shade of red when they returned. The lights were on at the Takenouchi's residence. Yuta was smoking outside on the patio. He stood up when the two were in sight.

"Sora, I prepared breakfast already. Yamato can come too."

Tears came to her eyes and she ran towards him and hugged him. "Uncle Yuta…" she cried. I will try even harder now… I will not waste the life my mother has given me!

To Be Continued…