A/N: MRE's mean meals ready to eat
The famed Astronaut Cat Killer gritted his teeth as he walked off stage to the awaiting company car that next bright and early morning taking a seat in the back. He shut the car door on the hovering mounds of reporters and flashing lights. He needed a break from reality before going to work that morning. Even coffee was sounding good.
"Yoshi," he spoke to his driver as they pulled off. "Let's make a detour before work."
"Yes sir. Where to?"
"5297 Fuji Street…Better yet, just drop me off there and I'll catch the sub later."
"Sir, I'll wait as long as needed."
"Arigato. But I'll be fine."
JAXA was the one to rush and announce the emergency press meeting. It was JAXA to offer a company chauffeur until things died down. Would JAXA mind also to invent a time machine?
But that cat. Something just wasn't right from yesterday. Yamato couldn't place his finger on it, but a question kept lingering in his mind: Since when did Sora like cats? Granted, people's taste change over time and it may not be a big deal. He had a feeling to work harder on winning Sora over. When this press conference is aired who knows how the media will twist the truth.
The car pulled in front of an apartment complex dropping Yamato off. Right as he stepped from the elevator onto the seventh floor his cell phone rang. With a tired smile he answered continuing to the apartment door.
"Moshi moshi?"
"Yamato? What happened? I just turned on the news."
"Morning, Dad. The truth, you ask?"
"Of, course the truth! Are you alright?"
Instead of answering Yamato knocked on a door. His father answered on the other side, his eyes widening as he lowered the phone from his ear slowly, studying the deep scratches on his son's face.
Yamato answered his dad's question with a sheepish grin putting his cell phone away. "Any coffee to spare before heading to work? The story will be well worth it."
Yamato's father leaned back in his chair at the kitchen table, arms crossed at the chest, listening intently as his son brought him up to date with the situation. They left the coffee pot at the table for convenience. Yamato paused from the story to finish the last bit of coffee from his cup then continued.
"I don't get it, Dad. One minute it's like Sora admits she still cares for me. And then the next thing you now it's back to square one with being short and uneasy. It's like a tug-o-war or something. I don't know."
"Yamato, nine years is a long time."
Yamato glanced around the room in thought before speaking. "I was kind of hoping you'd say more than that."
His father relaxed his arms after the spoken statement. A parent's job was never done, no matter how old. "Son, let me share something with you that I found out too late in life. Find the one you can't live without – and keep her. No matter what. Yamato, listen to me. I don't know why Sora is acting the way she is. Maybe that area isn't the concern. Perhaps trying to be her best friend again instead of her boyfriend is what she needs right now. And especially with a baby on the way she is going to need all the support she can get."
The twenty-seven year old ran his fingers through his hair blowing out air. "I love her, Dad. I'll do anything to find favor in her sight."
His dad's face softened as a memory resurfaced. "Remember when you came home from your first date with Sora? Remember when you were upset because I wouldn't let you order her two dozen roses to be delivered to her the next day?"
Yamato laughed. "I thought you were heartless. I can't believe you still remember that."
"Sure I do. It was my boy's first date. Do you remember why I said no?"
The blonde thought for a second then quoted what he was told long ago. " 'A man never comes on strong during the first few dates.' Did Grandma tell you that?"
His father winked. "It was one of the things that helped me catch your mom. Mainly, that statement is about keeping slow, steady, and having patience in any type of relationship."
"I understand that," Yamato said becoming slightly peeved. "I guess what I'm trying to state is I don't understand why the relationship ended after I left when we both discussed about it."
He raised a brow with a slight sigh leaning his head to one side. "Did you ever ask her why?"
Yamato threw his hands in the air. "How can I when she won't talk to me!"
"She let you in yesterday."
"Only because I surprised her and nearly killed her cat."
"I rest my case, my son The Cat Killer."
Yamato squinted his eyes no the least bit amused. "Hilarious."
"Now get out of my house and get to work. If we keep this up you'll owe me another bag of coffee – which I'm sure you can afford with that cat business of your booming with recognition." He joked knowing full well his son's reaction would be to twitch uncontrollably with anger. Not that he was trying to be cruel. He just missed his son's, sometimes weird, ways.
He stood to his feet clearing the table until something hit him. Still holding that coffee pot in hand he asked turning to face him. "By the way, maybe I've gotten crazy in my old age, but do I hear an accent?"
Sora smiled at Biyomon's comment as she kept several pins sticking out from her pursed lips while adjusting the seams on a kimono Biyomon was modeling at work. Just a few more tucks here and there and the show would be one the road. This brought joy and life to her days. Especially when the proceeds were to benefit those of unfortunate needs.
She had convinced her boss to allow her to start this fashion show fundraiser every year as head, recruiting people from the workplace. In turn, not only would the workplace gain recognition in the city, but also the co-worker's original designs (and hopefully Sora's) would be noticed by top people. Nothing could turn her work day upside-down today.
"Think I could turn other Yokomon's heads with this outfit, Sora? I really love how the colors blend."
"Biyomon, with these colors they bring out your complexion," she agreed with a wink.
"Sora," a co-worker passed by, "Have you picked out a family to sponsor?"
"Sure have! How many thing have you crossed off your family's list?"
"I'm down to five."
"Nice job this year," Hiroki came by with a pencil in ear. "Not that it's not impressive every year."
She blushed, attending back to her mending. "Thank you, Hiroki. The show's next week. I gather your sketches and finished wish list will be at my station before the dead line?"
He grinned holding a victory sign as he continued towards his destination waving a portfolio in the air. "Right ahead of you."
"Good – Hey! Biyomon?" Sora whipped around as Biyomon jumped off the stool still wearing that kimono towards a group of people. "What's gotten into you?"
The pink bird-type scratched her head with a puzzled look turning back towards Sora after a momentarily delay. "I thought I just saw Ken."
"What?" she stated in disbelief placing her hand son her hips, her eyes scanning the busy work area. "What would Ken be doing here?"
"Beats me."
"Is it true?" Hiroki placed a hand on her shoulder with concern. "Did he hurt you?"
"Eeehh?" What was he talking about? If Hiroki was trying to pull a stunt he had one thing coming to him for sure. He had the wrong girl to cross. She turned her attention to the man very much bewildered.
Recognizing from her expression that she had no clue as to who he was referring to he urged her to follow drawing her attention to the front page article in the newspaper at his desk. Biyomon dashed to push a chair from behind to catch Sora as her knees buckled, reading the article briskly and to herself.
"Witnesses claim to have seen Ishida Yamato selling cat's blood in specially marked bottles behind McDoogle's alley ways for seven yen – a three yen raise from last year in America. Does this mean that Ishida, Japan's most eligible bachelor, is suffering in expenses? Perhaps that's why he's quickly become involved with Tokyo's rising fashion designer, Takenouchi Sora. With these two income combined there's no doubt all debts will be paid off.
"Interestingly enough, a report was made yesterday that Takenouchi had mentioned she also has a busy love life and may be involved with an unidentified dark-hair man at work as well. No further comment was mentioned.
"Now with one possible Tokyo hot couple on the rise (with to question if their relationship will continue with this uncovering) many questions are left unanswered:
Are our house pets safe with The Cat Killer on the loose? Will Takenouchi put aside her career to follow in his brainwashing techniques? Can they lick their elbows while doing a tushy dance? Where did Takenouchi buy that night robe? Was that night for them supposed to be a special night turn sour – and sour for that mystery man?
"More importantly, where did that cat disappear to – or sold to?"
- Turn to page 4A titled "Save the Kitties"
for the continuation
Sora's face paled dropping the article on her lap. Her throat had tied in knots. The world had stopped spinning. Yamato wasn't kidding. A crowd surrounded her as the co-worker who had passed by earlier placed a portable black and white tv on Hiroki's desk putting on the news. Guess what the top story was?
Sora licked her dry lips, taking deep, slow breaths. She leaned over from her seat to click the tv off then tightly held the sides of her seat trying to calm the inner rage as the pain in her stomach returned.
"Can I get you a glass of water?" Biyomon asked trying to comfort.
She hid her face behind her hands from major embarrassment and to shield the evidence of the tripling pain. "I'd like a new life, if that's poss…"
There laid a red-hair twenty-seven year old woman crunched once more on the floor in a fetal position unable to hide her pain any longer. No sooner had Hiroki called the emergency line while some co-workers and Biyomon tried to shake her, Sora had gone unconscious.
"Six o'clock and all is well," Yamato grinned entering the apartment that now he and Takeru shared.
Despite the stress of that morning he had put it aside for tonight. He knew he'd have to rush home to change then head to Sora's hoping she didn't take the stretched news to heart. What stopped him was seeing Keiko – again – in the living room. His living room. Even better was seeing Hikari sitting on the couch with a worried look, Takeru sitting next to her with an arm around her shoulders.
"Let me guess. Elvis is alive and stole all the Little Rika's toys around the world."
"Don't make me throw my Little Rika slippers at you," Keiko mumbled.
Yamato's grin faded after seconds of no response from the adults. He cautiously took a step forward. "Where's Sora?"
"That's what I wanna know," Keiko promptly placed her hands as fists on her hips directing the statement to Hikari.
She didn't like to find out the teacher in the classroom next to hers was Sora's friend. Now there might be a leak to her dad if she did anything wrong. Drat. "Daddy said I gotta stay wit' Mommy. Why am I here?"
Hikari, being unsure and uncomfortable on how to word the situation in front of the little girl, prayed with all her might that her friend would understand in a tactful way. If not, Takeru would have to distract Keiko and she knew that wouldn't last long. Keiko was sometimes too smart for her own good. She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"Sora had a tummy ache. So work told her to see Jyou. And you know how he's always hanging out at that big mansion on Aki Drive. But Sora needed a ride there. That's why Jyou had his friends pick her up in that van with the flashy lights. That's the last we heard."
"Any questions?" Takeru asked.
Yamato eyed all three people. What the heck? Was he understanding correctly? The baby! He tried to remain calm. "How much of a tummy ache?"
"Mimi and my brother are with her. Why not stop by at Jyou's? If anything, Keiko will stay with me for the time being."
Words left his mind as his brain switched into action. Without as much as a goodbye the young astronaut turned right back around and rushed out. This made Keiko frown.
"Alright, people. I want the truth and not'n but the truth."
"…Uh," Takeru nervously chuckled. Keiko squinted her eyes giving both adults the stare down.
"Hey! Look!" Hikari motioned to Patamon who had just happened to fly in from the bedroom from taking a nap landing on the kitchen table. "It's a pig bat!"
"A what?" Keiko gave the Kindergarten teacher a scrupulous look.
"Excuse me?" Patamon coughed in surprise. "I'm a what?"
"Whoa!" the little girl shouted in delight as she saw what Hikari meant. "Cool! Can I touch it?"
Immediately, Patamon flapped his wings rising in the air to get away from the girl. There was something about her that scared him. " 'It' has a name. Takeru, I can use help at any time!"
Takeru groaned lowering his head. She had to use Patamon of all mons. He wasn't going to sleep well for the next several days. Patamon would make sure of that.
"Why was I the last to know?" Yamato asked Taichi craning his neck to peek into the door window of where on the other side was Sora's hospital room. Mimi was inside holding Sora's hand as Jyou was talking to Sora.
"I don't know your work number," Taichi said.
"What do you mean?" he glanced over quickly, eyebrows scrunched. "You're the Ambassador. You can get anything."
"Oh, right. I'm supposed to pull strings and have the phone number in a snap."
"Hey, Taichi, have you heard of the White Pages, under the blue section?" he asked turning his full attention to his best friend.
"…There wasn't any around," he stated with a triumphant grin after a brief hesitance.
"What about the invention of the cell phone? Many have dared to purchase this fascinating piece of technology."
"Shut up."
He grinned for a second. "Make me."
"Twank!"
Yamato twitched.
"Okay, you two. Break it up." Jyou spoke walking outside. "You can both see her now."
Yamato put a hand on Jyou's shoulder as Taichi went inside grumbling. "How is she? How's the baby?"
Jyou's expression turned to that of shock. He stuttered before making out a sentence. "She's fine…What baby?"
He frowned. "She told me. No use in hiding it from me."
"…Right. Uh…Go talk to her," Jyou slapped a hand behind Yamato's back then rushed off. "We should hang out sometime. Make an appointment!"
If it wasn't for coming for Sora, Yamato would have said Jyou didn't have the slightest clue what he was talking about. Strange. Then again, Jyou always was somewhat strange. He shook the weird behavior aside, quietly stepping inside the room.
"What did you name her?" Mimi asked Sora excitedly.
There laid Sora, the bed turned upright, alert as ever. Her face was a bit flushed. Nevertheless, she never looked more beautiful in her life. Mimi sat on one side, Taichi on the other. All three turned their attention to Yamato as a soft smile stayed on his face. She was okay. And Mimi said it was a girl. Both were going to be alright.
He cleared his throat awaking from his dream world feeling awkward from the stares. "How's the baby?"
Sora wore a blank expression before laughing, elbowing Taichi. "As long as he keeps behaving there won't be any needles used as threats, right Taichi?"
Taichi just smiled at her shaking his head.
Hmm. Guess she didn't want to speak of the baby at that second. Alright. Come on, ingenious Ishida. Think of something again.
"Um, guys?" Sora asked in a soft, meek manner. "Can I speak with Yamato alone?"
Yamato's jaw dropped. Was this girl unpredictable or what? Mimi passed by him while leaving grabbing hold of a hand of his and literally using it to slap his own mouth when she saw his reaction. Alright. Part of it was because, uh, just because. Who could really explain her?
"Close your mouth. No one cares to see the food in your teeth. And my I suggest flossing? You're not in outer space forced to eat MRE's. Now, make me proud and go get her, Gaigin."
Yamato twitched, swatting her hold away. "You too?"
"Thank Taichi," she giggled waving good-bye.
Yamato squinted his eyes at Taichi peeved. Taichi had the simple answer as he followed Mimi out. He flexed his muscles singing what he thought was a sexy song while making his slow departure outside. He cried out, "This one's for you, Sora!" gave one last flex, then off he went.
Both couldn't help but laugh. It was a bit disturbing, but still funny. Sora took a kleenex from the side table and dabbed her eyes when all laughter had died down. "I should call his wife and rat on him. Maybe I'll use the words "seducing act". What do you think?"
He burst into laughter. "I'd think she'd ground him from the way I've seen her treat him."
"I think you're right. Ha!"
It was quiet a while before both could feel the silence grow uncomfortable after a few minutes of nothing. Great. Back to square one. At least there weren't any potted plants around.
"So, uh, was there something you wanted to talk about?"
She turned her head to the side somewhat, as if thinking how to word her thoughts. "When was the last time we talked? I mean, over-the-phone really talked?"
He's heart skipped a beat. She was getting to something. He could feel it. "Almost seven and a half years ago."
"Has it really been that long?" asked the fashion designer with a sheepish facial expression.
He sighed closing his eyes from the deep pain inside then opened them.
She nodded her head, more to herself, as she reweighed her thoughts. After awhile, she spoke again. "There are reasons why I did what I did. That doesn't excuse me from hurting you. I never meant to. I still care for you, Yamato. But with all this going on with the press and work and –"
"Don't listen to the press. Do you understand me? Let the community figure out the truth on their own."
She stayed quiet which made him nervous and think of something.
With much sorrow he asked, "Is it the press and me, or is it just me that makes you uncomfortable? Say the word and I'll never bother you again."
Her eyes locked with his struggling to answer. Nothing would come out. She couldn't do it. She couldn't tell him those words she planned to say that afternoon after she awoke in the hospital earlier. Once again, the heart would betray the logic mind.
"Jyou said it's just stress. He said I need to take it easy for the day, or I'll keep hurting myself. I'll be going home tomorrow…Will you drive me home? If it's okay I'd like to catch up."
Instead of joy, the young man's face softened with a twinge of sadness. "And then what? Stay friends, or avoid me? Either way it's still like a stab to the heart."
She took a deep breath half expecting his answer. Who wouldn't feel that way after being toyed with?
"All I ask is for a chance."
"For what, Sora? What exactly do you want?"
"That rain check from yesterday over drinking coffee and talking."
It took a minute to pinpoint what she was talking about. That's right! Yesterday at her place when Biyomon came in with that grocery bag he left her that offer. She meant it.
"I will if you promise me something."
Her face turned a light pink blushing, knowing she was being cornered. This was what her heart was leading her to do, right? She was doing what Taichi made her promise: To find that one and not let him go. Why continue to fight her mind? Sora switched the nagging voice in her mind off before making a lasting decision.
"Okay."
"I'm allowed to help out with anything and one of us talks to the other at least once a day."
Of all moments those darn butterflies decide to show up. She placed her hands on her stomach and a smile grew. Maybe it might be worth it. Maybe she wouldn't be in the middle of his career. We'll see.
Yamato took hold of one of her hands in a light hold. He was amused watching her fall silent with a smile while her gaze was lowered. "What is it?"
She chuckled. "It's like you're still my Superman."
He grinned, imitating Taichi by flexing his muscles. "Why? Did I save the day?"
She held his hands stopping him from flexing as she laughed. "Somehow, you always do."