A/n: I meant to add more but classes are bombarding me with tremendous homework and then writer's block just set in. Thought and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Someone once said "Love is blind." What they didn't know was that it also has a twisted, double-mind. To some it is a blessing. To some it is a curse. To one it's just around the corner. To the other it sneaks away unnoticed. It can rip and shred your soul without a care in the world. Or, once touched with a gentle spirit, is able to open blinded eyes and reveal new senses and worlds. It is powerful. It is influential. It is scary. Love is always.

Love also has its moments – like paralyzing cats.

"Fluffy!" Sora cried gazing down below from her balcony. Of all darn places that cat had to end up there.

Yamato's jaw dropped as he watched intensely for any signs of life from the lifeless animal to form. He couldn't believe it. He went from the world's hero to a murderer. He may have actually killed a cat. And what was worse, it seemed to have been Sora's cat. Could there be anything worse than that? He watched as his former girlfriend's horrified gaze slowly turn to his in speechlessness. Yes, there seemed to be something worse. Not being able to tell what she was thinking for once in a long time and because of that causing him to sweat.

Quick, stupid mind! Think of something to say!

"Uh…Konnichiwa?"

Sora blinked several times becoming silently upset.

Arg! No! Think of something else!

"I mean," he paused to look over the balcony once more, Sora following his same actions. He had to make a superb comeback. "She's going to be fine," he insisted with enthusiasm as he sprang into action running down the apartment complex stairs with his Superman-like strength. Good thing the space program always made sure he stayed in top shape.

A small crowd of school age children were circling the house pet as he arrived on-scene. Parting his way through, Yamato placed the broken planter aside as he knelt down cradling the cat in his lap. Ignoring the kids various questions about the incident he continued to softly pet and shake the animal in hopes that it was simply knocked unconscious. For once his prayers were answered.

"See?" Yamato shouted to Sora, whom was on the third floor, raising the cat in the air as he stood to his feet for her to see. He was relieved to avoid a disaster. "Fluffy's fine."

He watched as what seemed like Sora resting her forehead in her hands as she leaned on the balcony railing then looked back, this time with relief. The school kids that were there shouted with joy causing Keiko to stop outside to see the setting.

With glee the little girl yelled to the kids. "Guess what! That man is my mommy's friend. And he's a famous gaigin astronaut with a funny accent too. What's he doing to the cat?"

Yamato twitched. Gaigin? Accent? Again?

"Keiko," Sora corrected mildly.

"He tried to kill the cat!" One of the kids yelled back.

"What!" Keiko screamed horrified. "You terrible mister! You meanie!"

"Suzuki Keiko!" Sora gasped from the little girl's outburst – not that she wasn't surprised with the bluntness anyway. She had to pick her up, holding the girl horizontal-wise and pinned by the waist carrying her inside. If it meant avoiding any sudden actions as well it was well worth it.

"You booger-eating, slimy monster! You no good animal hater! You're just like that doll boy: You never could catch the meaning of style! Not even with your hair – of what hair you've got's left! Hey! Mommy! No! Don't close the door on me! No fair!"

Keiko's outburst didn't help with the school kids thoughts. Yamato sighed shaking his head cradling the still dazed cat close to his chest while scratching behind its ears as they continued to shout to him their assuming ideas. Walking back to the apartment, this time pressing the elevator button, and once again ignoring the following group of kids, a realization hit him.

Since when did his Sora like cats?

He quickly retraced his steps until he was in full view of the apartment again at the same time as Sora returned outside again closing the door from behind minus one very opinionated little grown-up. Something just didn't add right.

One school age boy of about seven snickered as he elbowed his friend remarking, "I know what he's going to do with the cat. He's gonna cook it for lunch and sell it to all the old ladies for four yen."

Slightly peeved at last, Yamato turned to the group. "Where are your parents?"

"Ah!" the seven year old screamed pointing a finger at him. "The cat killer speaks! Run away!"

"Help! The cat killer's talking to us!" The rest of the kids ran off in different directions.

"I'm not a cat killer!" growled Yamato. Check that out. When was the last time he let a bunch of seven year olds ruin his night? He quickly faked a grin to Sora yelling to her so she could hear as he began to walk back to the elevator. "Crazy kids, huh?"

"Yamato!" Sora yelled a quick warning but was too late.

Three old ladies had come to the supposed kids rescue equipped with rolled newspapers and bulky purses slapping and beating the poor, innocent Astronaut shouting obscene names to this cat killer. Struggling to gain access to the elevator he eventually fell to his hands and knees, one hand still holding that darn cat, and began his slow, painful journey to his escape not knowing Sora was already rushing down to his rescue, regardless of still being in her night robe.

"You don't understand!" Yamato tried to explain. "Ouch! – No! I didn't – Ouch! Ouch! – Who said – Ouch! – I tried to sell cat's – Ouch! – blood? You're making – Ouch! – Stop it!"

"Cat's blood?" A nearby photographer/journalist overhearing the brutal combat ran over. What a surprise to find Ishida Yamato, the Astronaut now turned cat killer! "Smile for the camera!"

Simultaneously, as the big camera's flash went off surprising Yamato he jerked forgetting about he cat. From the reaction, by accident, he had squeezed the cat causing the cat to screech once more clawing its way out of his hold and had created a nice scratch design on his flawless face.

Maybe he should have just stuck with flowers, not a plant.

Sora sighed somewhat shaking her head when she noticed his expression. It was seven forty-five in the evening and there the two of them were in her apartment bathroom, Yamato sitting on the rim of the bathtub wincing as she applied medication to the wounded areas, mainly to his face, while she sitting on the closed toilet seat. They had barely escaped the mob if it weren't for Sora pushing through the crowd and dragging him into the elevator just in time.

"You remind me of your dad when you make that face."

Despite the stinging Yamato forced an eye open to speak his mind then closed it tight again. "I won't have to look in the mirror any more to see my dad. That false article will be out tomorrow first thing in the morning and guess who'll be the first to call?"

She answered softly after some minutes of applying medication to his wounded face again. "I'm sure they'll quiet down if you ignore them."

"That's not what I'm afraid of. You saw those women. There's one thing man always learns early in life: When a woman is upset get out of her way. But when she brings her friends into the picture pray for mercy. And I'm really sorry about Fluffy. That was dumb of me. If it looks like she needs medical attention I'll pay for all operating expenses."

Surprisingly, a small, quiet laugh rose from within Sora as she shielded her mouth with her hand. All these years she thought, well, she didn't know what her first reaction would be if she'd ever come face to face with Yamato. And now this man had somehow managed to create an atmosphere as if nothing had happen. Odd. Not what she had in mind if faced with him again. Instead of telling him to stay out of her life while feeling her heart shred more, her heart took over her mind; just like the phone conversation. Sora had to gain control of herself again.

"What?" he asked.

She shook her head throwing the blood-spotted wash rag at him lightly, regaining her composure. "From groupies to senior citizens; you're moving on up. Why, Yamato, I would have never imagined you'd go for older women."

"Groupies or not, there's only been one woman that has captured my heart."

The shoulder length red head fashion designer suddenly found herself having a hard time breathing. A light pain in the stomach region resurfaced while she placed a hand over her stomach. Perhaps it was time to ask him to leave. She had made her decision to not hinder his career and it would remain so. She cleared her throat casting her gaze downward.

"That should do it. I'd recommend a hot soaking for what beating you took. Your body will thank you tomorrow."

Yamato gazed curiously at her. "Tell me. Do you still keep in touch with the gang?"

"Excuse me?"

"Forgive me, but the first impression I got from my brother when I got here was that you sort of secluded yourself."

Sora narrowed her brows waiting for a further explanation.

He leaned in, his hands resting on his thighs. "Come on, Sora. He said whenever someone said where you lived you'd move – which, by the way," he added quickly, "I found out by myself."

Standing to her feet in silence Sora walked to the sink to wash her hands trying to keep a straight face from her broken heart. The worsening pain was starting to become unbearable.

Yamato nodded his head acknowledging her no response. He opted for a second mind-lingering question. "How old is your daughter?"

"Eeehh?" she automatically responded in shock. "Have you gone insane? What daughter?"

Yamato locked eyes with hers questioning and half not expecting that answer. "Isn't Keiko your daughter?"

Sora's mouth hung open. Then without warning she laughed out loud seeing the misunderstandment. The pains had quickly diminished. "I'm babysitting her for the week. She's the next door neighbors."

Yamato's cheeks turned a light pink. "Wait. So then why does she call you Mommy?"

"Mommy," Keiko walked into the bathroom with her hands on her hips speaking in a thoughtful, yet serious tone. She had already dressed in her pajamas with her messy attempt of pigtails to accompany the outfit. She wasn't about to acknowledge Yamato, the cat killer. "S'pane some'n to me."

"Honey, why don't you find something to do? Yamato and I are having a conversation."

" 'K," she ignored Sora's request. "You're a girl, right?"

The fashion designer closed her eyes with a smile then opened them. Keiko was one of a kind alright. That little girl sometimes made her think of kids one day. One day. "Yes, Keiko."

"Okay, good," Keiko answered more to herself still with her serious tone as she continued to fumble the main question in her mind.

Sora looked at Yamato humored by the little girl's response as did he. "But," she edged her to continue.

" 'K," she sighed in frustration tapping a foot as one hand went to rub her temple. "Daddy's my dad. But then, what is he?"

Sora chuckled kneeling to the floor as she pulled the little grown-up near to fix the pigtails. "Ritsuo is a guy."

Keiko gasped taking a step back. "No way! Dad's a boy?"

So much for fixing those pigtails. "Yes, honey."

"Are all dad's boys?"

"Yep."

"Really?"

"Yep."

Keiko blinked.

The Astronaut added his two cents in teasingly bringing a third option to the picture. "Either that or all dad's could be a breed all on their own."

The little six year old grown-up weighed this new information mentally. "...I think you're right. Mommy, I'll think about this some more and I'll tell you the truth in the morn'n," she directed back to Sora. "S'quese me, Mommy, Yamato-Gaigin. My Little Rika sticker book and pickles are wait'n for me."

"Yamato? You alright? I think you twitched," Sora asked after seeing him twitch as Keiko walked off.

"Do I have that much of an accent?"

Sora stood to her feet laughing. "Are you letting a six year old get to you?"

"No," he rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "But why do you let her call you Mom? Don't you find it a bit weird? Not that it wouldn't be pract –"

He stopped short. Sora had quickly stuck her head outside the door as if searching to see if Keiko was doing as she said. It didn't seem like she heard. He decided not to bring the subject of her pregnancy up unless she did again.

She shrugged her shoulders after bring her attention again. "She lost her mother when she was young. I guess the closest mother figure she has at this point is me."

Yamato stood to his feet inching his way towards her in silence until they were inches apart standing in front of the sink, both slightly hanging heads in this awkward moment. He knew he should leave. He didn't want to leave. All these years having been separated from her and after finally getting the chance to speak with her over the phone, just hearing her admit that she missed him too was enough to give him some sort of hope that she harbored the same feelings for him.

"I've missed you, Sora," he whispered.

Butterflies; my how they seem to appear in the most inopportune times. Her feelings were betraying her. No, no. She had to snap out of it and keep looking at the floor – anywhere but at him. Sora knew if she looked at him she'd become unglued. How could her former boyfriend accomplish his dreams when she could be someone that would end up distracting him. It was time to end this. It was a mistake to admit her feelings over the phone. It was a mistake to allow him inside the apartment for so long.

"It's getting late."

"Can we talk tomorrow?"

"No."

"…No?" Well, that was blind sighting.

Sora bowed her head with respect exiting towards the front door to hold it open keeping a hand on her stomach while Yamato hot on her trail. "I'll walk you to the door. Thank you for the visit. It's been a pleasure. Unfortunately, I must leave early for work tomorrow and I have children to worry about."

Yamato gave a quick glance at her stomach. It was hard to imagine his Sora pregnant. "Yes, you do."

"Gomen, Sora," Biyomon muffled flying through the apartment side open window holding a bulging plastic grocery bag in her mouth. After releasing it to the floor she massaged her sore beak. "I didn't mean to take that long at the store. Chocolate was on sale and the check-out lines were packed with mons..." she trailed off as the pink bird-type mon stared at Yamato trying to picture where she'd seen him before.

"Yamato!" Biyomon gleefully cried running over to hug his knees. "Sora and I missed you so much! A lot's happened since you've gone. Where's Gabumon?"

He smiled kneeling down to return the hug, unbeknown to him the injured Fluffy was hiding in a corner arching her back with a low hiss.

"Back in America finishing interviews. Ever since the world found out about digimon they've been all the craze. Even more so, one that landed on Mars."

He stood to his feet stopping outside with a small bow. "I'll be staying at my brother's apartment. Just so you know if you'd like to drink coffee and talk. Good night."

Sora slowly released her breath after closing the door (resting her back on it) from watching him walk to the elevator, his trademark hands in the pocket, then giving an awkward wave as the elevator doors shut. Biyomon took a fat, long can out the bag to show her partner.

"Is this baby formula okay? I never knew there was so many to choose from."

Sora took hold of the can inspecting it then glanced in the bag. "This will do. How many did you buy?"

"Six."

"Fine. Saturday we'll buy the crib."

"Did you see Jyou?"

"Yeah. How was your day? Remember, you're helping me at work tomorrow."

"Please see Jyou again," Biyomon warned in a soft manner. "You're not as good at hiding the pain as you think you are."

She hung her head for a second seeing she was caught. "Do you think Yamato saw it?"

"I think he knew something was wrong. Go see the doctor soon. Which reminds me: What happened to his face?"

The next day's newspaper was ferociously slammed on the table at the local coffee shop in that bright and early next morning making some customers either jump in their seats or spill their coffee. Ken took his detective hat that he was wearing and pulled it over his eyes as he quickly sunk in his seat with Wormmon in embarrassment from his friend's reaction.

"This is outrage! The nerve! He'd never do that! Cat's blood isn't the ticket in the first place. Everyone knows that. Do you see how big they made the front page?"

"Daisuke, please, contain yourself. We know that's a lie."

"A lie, it is! And in the first place, if they were to make a lie, why cat's blood? Why not dinosaur's blood?"

"Yeah! Why not dinosaur's blood?" Veemon chirped.

"Because they're non-existent," Wormmon answered.

"So is that muffin I just ate," Daisuke shot back.

"…I don't get it," Wormmon told Ken confused.

Before Ken could bring reason to the table the coffee shop doors swung open allowing the Ambassador of the Digital World to dart over to their table throwing this newspaper on the table in the same manner as Daisuke causing the same reactions from everyone around.

"The outrage! The stupidity! Yamato wouldn't do that! And why cat's blood from all other lies they could have picked from?"

"Like dinosaur blood?" Veemon asked.

"There you go! Like dinosaur blood."

"See?" The blue dinosaur-type told Wormmon wearing a huge, gloating smile.

"That's why I've called this meeting," explained Taichi joining them at the table after clicking a television set on that was hanging nearby to the local news that was showing a live press interview starring Yamato, who was doing his best to clear the misunderstanding. "We all understand the reason why Yamato moved back was to stay close with family with the possibility of rekindling his relationship with Sora. But with things going on in their lives, trust me, they might need help."

"Hold on," Ken interrupted in protest. "I don't mean to sound selfish, but you mean to tell me that I pushed an eight-thirty missing person's case aside to become involved in an issue that has no need for anyone to be involved with in the first place? They're adults. This isn't our concern."

Taichi tapped the news article with his index finger leaning forward. "This man is going to need all the help he can get. And because of this lie the media isn't going to let him go that easily."

Daisuke grimaced watching the broadcast when he saw the close up of the Astronaut's face, the scratch marks, some deep, showing scabby designs. He wondered how much medication he had to take to mask the pain. "Are they sure he wanted cat's blood and not his own? Geez. Check that out."

Ken turned the news article to face him studying the photo. What the picture had frozen in time was the bunch of old women huddled around beating the tar out of the poor guy as he was crawling on the floor, the cat caught in midair with one paw showing claws, and Sora dressed in her night robe in the mist of running to the crowd to bail him out. He then read the caption underneath. Slowly, his eyes rose looking at Taichi after reading new information.

"What is it?" Wormmon asked.

Ken spoke having sympathy for the two. "It says here…well, I'll say it in nicer words, that they speculate because she came down from her apartment in her night robe that they're in a relationship. Guys, if there was ever a time that Sora may distance herself further from Yamato this would be it."

Taichi nodded. "Now you got it."

"That's horrible," Veemon spoke.

"Then let's do something," Daisuke agreed with Taichi's earlier statement. "What's your plan?"

He leaned back in his chair placing both hands behind his head. "My friends, I'll each need your help in certain areas. Daisuke, you and Veemon cook the best meal as if your lives depended on it when I give the word. Call it more of a surprise get together."

Veemon saluted him. "Aye aye, captain."

"Ken, I'll need you and Wormmon's expertise in following Sora."

Wormmon scratched his head confused. "Follow Sora?"

"I have a theory I want confirmed," he reassured. "Believe me, I'd do it myself but my wife would have my head if I were late coming home again if there wasn't an emergency back in the digital world. Good thing Agumon if filling in for me this morning. We'll call this Operation Hot Stuff."

Ken grinned remembering all that his wife had told him from yesterday. "Oh, that plan. Miyako told me about that."

Taichi panicked, gasping, turning to Daisuke to clear all matter before Ken could say anything more. Why couldn't people let things go?

"Ah! It wasn't my fault! Honest! That picture just popped from up from its own."

This time Ken and Wormmon laughed. "I meant about your plan, not about your slippery fingers."

The Ambassador groaned in defeat. What was the use? Wives were tricky.