A/N: 3500+ words. Am I awesome or am I awesome? I thought about breaking it up into parts again and then I thought, no I should just give it all one go. I always thought that Takeru and Hikari would refer to all the older kids as Nii-chan or Nee-chan because of their closeness so beware the all the nii's in this chapter. I never watched 02 properly so I don't know the personality they gave to Hikari in that one, but in my opinion, I think she would grow up to be a little hot-headed and fierce since she had Taichi for an older brother (You can't live with him without him rubbing off on you). Also I have a feeling that she would get along better with Sora, rather than Mimi as their personalities would clash. Apart from that, I haven't made up my mind about Takari or Daikari so that end is going to be dangling through-out.
A huge thanks to MaikeruDesu for their wonderful review for the story up till now and thanks to Kimi and Crazy with Happiness for reviewing as well!
-x-
Takeru was trying his best to keep quiet and not cry out in pain as Jou-nii bandaged his hand softly, all the while reprimanding him for starting a fight. The blond was very grateful that the older boy had come over at such a short notice and had also decided to miss an important lecture for Takeru's sake. He was also sure that if he would've been left alone with his brother and Hikari-chan a second longer, a few scratches and bruises here and there wouldn't have been the only thing Jou-nii would've had to treat. He was sitting on the couch with the blue haired senior fussing over him, making sure that he didn't miss anything. Takeru had his eyes trained to the ground and still he could feel two pair of eyes intensely glaring at him. He hoped that Jou-nii wouldn't bother asking the one question which could send the two people hovering around the couch, glaring at him into a fit of rage. But then again, Jou-nii had always been a little unaware of his surroundings in these types of situation.
"Takeru, this is so unlike you. You never get in to fights!" Jou exclaimed, as he sorted through his first aid kit, "If it was Taichi or Daisuke, or even Yamato I'd understand, but you're the most peaceful out of all four of them. This is a huge surprise."
Takeru groaned internally as he heard his brother grit his teeth in frustration but the older blond decided to let the short haired brunette next to him do all the grilling this time.
"It wasn't much of a fight, Jou-niichan." Hikari hissed angrily.
Jou eyed Yamato and Hikari in confusion, "What do you mean?"
Hikari opened her mouth to yell at the younger blond but she was interrupted by the doorbell. Takeru was relieved as he heard Mimi-chan's loud voice through the doorway, announcing her arrival, she was always the peacemaker between the eight so if Hikari did actually start shouting at him, Mimi-chan would definitely take his side. He turned towards Yamato with hopeful eyes and realized that a full minute had passed and his brother hadn't move towards the door at all. The pink on his cheeks was barely visible and Takeru himself had to strain his eyes to notice that his brother just might be blushing. Before the younger blond could question his brother, Hikari beat him to it.
"Aren't you going to get that, Yama-nii?" Hikari turned her gaze towards the older boy, her voice oozing irritation.
"Uh…yeah…I-I should." Yamato stuttered quietly as he made his way towards the door and Takeru followed his movements. His brother walked slowly and awkwardly, taking as long as possible to get to the door and he was a hundred per cent sure that something was going on with his brother that he wasn't aware of. As soon as he opened the door, a frantic Mimi came rushing in, followed by a concerned looking Sora.
Mimi immediately took a seat next to Takeru and while he had hoped that the subject of how he had gotten hurt would be dropped she immediately brought it up, "Oh, Takeru-chan! How did this happen? You're so sweet, why would anyone wanna hurt you?"
He saw Hikari roll her eyes at Mimi and scowl at the older girl. He was amused by the fact that she was annoyed and a tad bit jealous of Mimi's proximity with him because it meant his feelings weren't a lost cause entirely yet. Though Hikari wasn't the only one who had problems with Mimi, his eyes landed on his brother who looked like he was trying very hard to stay mad at Takeru but his gaze kept shifting to the brunette sitting next to him and his glares kept dissolving. The younger blond didn't need any more proof about what was wrong with his brother as the answer was right in front of him. Before he could start with his little plan to embarrass Yamato, Hikari started on him instead.
"So as I was saying Jou-nii, the reason this idiot is lying over there is because he's such a wuss you wouldn't believe what he di-"
Yet again she was interrupted by the door suddenly opening and Koushiro-nii and Taichi-nii rushing in, both looking tired and concerned at the same time. Taichi was the first one in, since he had a spare key to the apartment he didn't even bother ringing the doorbell. Koushiro followed him in, locking the door behind him.
"Is everything alright?" Taichi asked, his eyes taking in the sight of the injured Takeru.
"No it isn't. Three boys ganged up on him and he refused to hit them back!" Hikari yelled, her face red with anger and her eyes brimming with tears that she very effectively held back, "He just stood there and let them beat him to a pulp and if I wouldn't have called Yama-nii and threw in a few kicks myself, he would've probably just let them kill him!"
There were a few minutes of complete silence as everyone took in Hikari's words. Taichi took his younger sister's hand and led her towards the chair next to the couch, making her sit down and then seating himself on the floor next to her. Sora, Koushiro and his brother pulled extra chairs from the dining room and soon everyone was seated facing Takeru. It had been a week or two since the last time the eight had got together so Takeru was a little happy about being hurt right now.
Jou was the first one to break the silence, "Hikari-chan, it isn't possible for middle-schoolers to kill someone by just hitting them, their bodies don't have enough strength. They need some kind of weapon or…"He trailed off as he noticed the glare Hikari was directing him.
Taichi chuckled at her younger sister's behaviour, "Woah Hikari-chan, don't look at him like that. You'll incinerate him. Besides, I'm sure Takeru has an explanation." With a grin on his face he added, "Did you hit them with what I taught you?"
Taichi's grin seemed to affect Hikari positively, she smirked confidently and replied, "Yup. Got them right in the balls."
"That's my sister!" Taichi's laugh lifted the uneasiness that had settled in the room after his sister's outburst and Takeru felt a sense of relief wash over the room as hints of smile could be detected on everyone's face.
Everyone except his own brother, and Takeru knew it would take more than a joke from Taichi to convince the older blond. Yamato was sitting directly across him and was tapping his feet impatiently and looking at Takeru expectantly, waiting for him to explain himself.
"Nii-san, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. But it's just that they were bullying that little kid and I had to do something!" Takeru hoped that what he said was making sense to everyone else.
"Why would you get in a fight that you knew you couldn't win?" Yamato asked exasperatedly.
"It wasn't about winning the fight, Nii-san. I just wanted to make sure that that poor kid got away. And Jou-nii said that I'm absolutely fine so there's nothing to worry about!"
A collective groan was heard as everyone spoke up at the same time.
"Takeru-chan that's too kind, even for you."
"So do you think we should give you a nobel prize now?"
"Sometimes, it's best not to get involved in these things."
"I know I said that your injuries aren't something to worry about, but you must not do something like this ever again!"
"Is this kid for real?"
"Takeru." Yamato said loudly, hoping to make everyone else quite down (and they did). "I don't have a problem with you attempting to be the nicest human being on the planet-"
"Probably dying in the process." Hikari muttered.
"But," Yamato continued, pausing to shoot a glare in Hikari's direction, "Next time I want you to evaluate the situation a little more carefully. And if you don't want to fight or hit people, then you call me and I'll do it. That's what I'm here for okay? To make sure you don't have to do the things you don't want to."
"Wow, Yamato. I have tears in my eyes." Taichi snickered.
His brother scowled at his best friend while Takeru struggled to actually hold back his tears. No matter what everyone else said about his brother being distant and emotionally handicapped, he knew that there was no one else in this world who cared as deeply about the people he loved like Yamato did. Takeru finally managed a huge grin and said, "Nii-san, you really are the best!"
His brother didn't get a chance to reply as Taichi shouted over him, "Okay now that you guys are done weeping, Yama go make me some ramen. I'm really hungry."
Of course everyone understood that Taichi was just being his usual, goofy self and trying to lighten the mood. Yamato himself just rolled his eyes at the brunet and after passing a gentle smile to his brother he got up to head to the kitchen when Mimi suddenly spoke.
"Don't you think you're too arrogant sometimes Tai-chan?"Her voice was sweet but the smile on her face was so icy, it didn't reach her eyes at all.
-x-
There was complete silence in the room as six pairs of eyes went from Mimi to Taichi. Yamato stopped in his tracks and was completely stunned by the sudden change in the brunette's behaviour. Sora had been sitting next to her and she immediately tugged on Mimi's arm, muttering something very quietly in her ear which Yamato couldn't make out. He shifted his gaze towards his best friend and noticed that the goofy grin had already been replaced by a cold and cocky smirk which was not directed at Mimi, but at Sora. The blond groaned internally when he realized what had happened. Taichi had fed him a one sided account of what had happened between him and Sora and he had blindly belived that the latter was at fault somehow.
Right now looking at Sora attempting to make Mimi back down and Taichi directing his anger towards Sora even though it was Mimi who had called him out made it clear to Yamato that Tai had conveniently left out the parts where he was at fault. Yamato quickly observed Sora and noticed that she had lowered her gaze, refusing to look in Taichi's direction and when he studied her closely. He noticed that her eyes were red and swollen which could only mean that she had been crying. This was new for Yamato since he knew that Sora barely ever cried over things. But it also explained the reason why Mimi was glaring daggers at Taichi because he knew that the brunette didn't like to see any of her friends upset.
"Don't you think that's old news Mimi-chan?" Taichi returned her smile, only his was more venomous.
Yamato wanted to shout at his best friend to let it go and back down. If Taichi pissed off Mimi, there was no way she would talk to him and the blond didn't feel the least bit bad about being selfish at the moment because his best friend was acting like an ass and he pretty much deserved it.
"Would it kill you to be a little humble and considerate at times?" Mimi questioned again, through gritted teeth.
Before Taichi could respond to that, Koushiro muttered looking utterly perplexed, "Where is this even coming from Mimi?"
"I swear I should've just failed High School and graduated with you guys. I don't come to visit you guys for a few weeks and I lose track of everything." Jou pouted, looking disappointed.
Hiakri was scowling at Mimi, well she had been doing that the entire time Mimi had been here, but now it turned a little more furious. Takeru on the other hand, looked as surprised by Mimi as Koushiro did and he couldn't take his eyes off the brunette.
Taichi met Yamato's eyes and the blond silently pleaded for him to stop and not take it any further but the glint in the soccer ace's eye told him that he was planning to do the exact opposite.
"Oh you mean like Sora?"
Yamato curled up his fists ready to sock his best friend in the jaw and he saw Mimi open her mouth to probably shout, but it was Sora who got the first word in.
She stood up and directly looked at Taichi, "I'm trying my best for you and I'd really appreciate it if you don't mock me, because it hurts." A single tear rolled down her cheek, "And please, please don't do this in front of everyone." This time she looked at Mimi and Yamato as well before continuing, "I don't want this to turn into a war where everyone ends up taking sides. This is between me and him, and it will stay between me and him." The tears were flowing freely now and Yamato was amazed that despite the tears, her voice was extremely calm when she talked, "For once Taichi, I'd like you to think with your brain and not your heart." With that she turned around and headed out, slamming the door shut behind her.
Nobody moved a muscle. Apart from Yamato and Mimi, everyone else looked completely shocked, as if they'd seen a ghost or something. After Sora left, Koushiro turned his gaze towards Taichi, questioning him, "Aren't you going to follow her?"
Taichi just shrugged, his face devoid of any emotion.
"But Nii-chan, you always go after Sora-nee!" Hikari stated impatiently.
"Well, not this time." Taichi replied casually.
Yamato took a deep breath and unclenched and then clenched his fists again, he closed his eyes and with the most stable voice he could manage, he said quietly, "Taichi, if I don't see you walking out of here and after Sora in the next ten seconds, you're not going to walk out of here ever again." Even the most naïve person could've felt the wrath and frustration in his voice. The blond didn't open his eyes immediately but within a few seconds he heard some movement and by the time he did open his eyes, Taichi was gone.
He breathed in a sigh of relief and everyone around the room relaxed a little. The other four looked expectantly at Yamato and Mimi for an explanation of what had just happened between two of their closest friends but the other two just avoided their looks. Mimi got up and saying that she needed some fresh air, she headed towards the small balcony that was attached to the living room. She slid the transparent doors close behind her and only her back was visible to Yamato as she bent down to inspect the few small pots of flowers arranged on the wide railing.
Jou's voice brought Yamato's attention back to the living room, "Well I should head back too, but Yamato, next weekend I'm going to stay here and you're going to explain to me in detail everything that's happening."
Yamato smiled at his friend and nodded, he chuckled slightly as he heard Jou mutter, "Kids these days…Can't keep up with them."
"Ah, Jou-nii, let me walk till the station with you. Daisuke's waiting for me there." Hikari smiled as she picked up her bag and started following Jou out.
Takeru had been happily chatting with Koushiro about something and as soon he heard Hikari mention Daisuke's name, his smile faltered just a little bit but he still managed to happily bid goodbye to both Jou and the younger brunette.
With only the three of them left in the room, Takeru and Koushiro immediately looked at Yamato.
"What?" He asked, not understanding what they were trying to point out.
The two raised their hands together and pointed towards the balcony and Yamato instantly felt his cheeks redden as he shook his head furiously, he looked at Koushiro and said, "Shouldn't you be the one doing this?"
Before Koushiro could answer, Takeru loudly cleared his throat and in a perfect imitation of Yamato's voice he said, "If I don't see you walking out of here in the next ten seconds, you're not going to walk out of here ever again."
Koushiro burst out laughing as Takeru grinned from ear to ear, happy about the fact that he could openly tease his brother now. And it was to escape the two's laughter and smug looks that Yamato followed Mimi to the balcony, with Koushiro and Takeru quietly cheering him on in the background. As the blond opened the sliding door and stepped out, he willed for the blush on his face to disappear and hoped that Mimi wouldn't notice it. He stepped up next to her and in the most nonchalant voice he could manage he asked her if she was feeling better.
She nodded in reply but didn't bother to look at him. Standing next to her, Yamato noticed that she only reached till a little above his shoulders. The air was a little chilly outside and her nose and cheeks were flushed slightly as she had been outside longer than him. It had already gotten pretty dark even though it wasn't past 7 yet and Yamato hoped that Taichi had caught up with Sora on time as it wasn't safe for her to go back home alone in this light. He also furiously wished that the two would make up quickly as he couldn't stand to handle them fighting for another day.
"Would Yamato-kun support Tai-chan even when he was doing the wrong thing?"
Mimi's voice brought his attention back to the balcony and he glanced at her, she was still looking ahead of her, refusing to face him.
"Well, if I stopped then, there would be no one to tell him to do the right thing then right?" He replied in an unsure voice.
Mimi chuckled as she said, "Yamato-kun is a great friend." She was silent for some time and then she added, "Tai-chan is always so fired up for everything, that's what Sora-chan likes about him."
The words slipped out before he could stop himself, "What type of a guy do you like?"
This caught Mimi's attention and she turned her gaze towards him. Her eyes held a surprised expression and the red colour on her cheeks deepened but not because of the cold air. He was half expecting her to just stutter and turn away and quickly change the topic. He hoped that she would change the topic because he had no idea how he had managed to ask her that and he didn't want to go down that lane so soon.
But it was his turn to be surprised as Mimi boldly looked up at him with a determined look on her face and a small smile formed on her lips as she spoke, "The guy I like is…very kind and helpful, though he tries to hide it. He's also very loyal." She met his gaze, her caramel eyes shining brightly and he hated himself for being the first one to look away, very much aware of the colour on his cheeks. She continued, "He's really smart too, and tall and extremely good looking. He's very mature and understanding and well I could probably write an essay about how amazing he is, but to put it shortly, he's the exact opposite of Tai-chan!"
Yamato couldn't bring himself to look at her, he could feel his heart beat faster as she talked about him. He was completely taken aback by what she said because he was pretty sure that he wasn't as amazing as she made him out to be and wondered whether she might be in love with someone else entirely.
"What about you, Yamato-kun?"
"Huh?" He finally turned towards her, unsure of what she had just asked.
"What kind of girl does Yamato-kun like?"
He couldn't believe his ears. Did she just actually ask him that? When he looked at her, he saw that her face was red but despite that she was still looking at him whole-heartedly. It was as if she had decided that she wasn't going to run away from him now. And in that moment, he wanted to tell her everything. He wanted to tell her that he liked how everything she owned was either pink or cute. He liked the way she laughed and the way she squealed excitedly. He liked how much she cared for her friends and how she would go to any limits to make them happy. He liked how cute she looked when she was angry or pouting and how she cried over silly things. He liked her kindness, her innocence and her purity. He liked the colour of her hair, her beautiful eyes and her soft voice. He liked her pale skin and the shape of her lips and how her eyes lit up when he was around.
He liked her.
But he couldn't bring himself to say it. It's as if his brain sensed that he was finally heading towards a happy ending and it decided to take a u-turn. He panicked and hastily muttered, "Ah, that. Well I don't really have anyone I like so I can't really answer that."
He regretted it. He regretted it the minute he said it.
Mimi's reaction was immediate, her face fell and she struggled to maintain her smile.
"Oh. Well it's getting cold, we should head back inside." She said quietly. She slid open the door and went back in without sparing him a second glance.
He stood there with the slightly cold wind blowing, his body shivered but his brain was on lockdown. He turned his face towards the living room and saw her happily talk to Takeru and Koushiro and he wondered, how many more chances was he just going to keep letting go before he could actually do what he should be doing and what he wanted to do?
-x-
A/N: Okay don't worry guys, he's going after her in the next scene itself, which you guys shall read soon enough. Also I'll add a little bit more of Koushiro and Takeru having fun and maybe, Taichi and Sora will sort things out by next chapter. So do leave a review if you can, it would make me really happy!