A/N: My net is really slow and it's taking a while to download Tri (why'd they have to release it in 4 parts ugh) and hence I decided to finish this. Apologies for the late update, in the past month I've submitted around 5 term papers and one is still left and then I have exams and then JLPT. So yeah.

On another note, thanks to my Japanese Society and Japanese History papers, I'm itching to write a Tokugawa era Mimato/Taiora. Yama just fits in perfectly with the opening of the ports and Taichi as an anti-Bakufu revolter. Aah, let me know if you guys would be willing to read that.

Thanks to Taishou, Pamislav, MaikeruDesu, Closet Libra, MoustachedCat, cassiopeia09, Reniel Moza for reviewing. Reading what all of you had to say about the story made me feel like I'm doing something right at least.

(If anyone wants to rant about Tri, feel free to PM me. I'm more than open to squeal and cry over these babies)

-x-

Takeru's eyes shifted to meet his brother's as he re-entered the living room a few minutes after Mimi-chan. The younger blond could tell that his brother had somehow slipped up because even though Mimi-chan was talking excitedly about something, he could see the hurt and pain in her eyes. With her incessant chatter, she was trying to cover up what she really was feeling inside. Takeru couldn't help but shoot his brother an exasperated look which Yamato promptly returned with a cold glare.

"I think we should head home too now, Kou-chan. It's getting pretty dark." Mimi said, and Takeru noticed how a silent understanding passed between her and Koushiro as they momentarily glanced at each other.

"You're right." The computer geek replied automatically, moving to get up. Takeru elbowed him harshly before he could and Koushiro fell back in his place next to the younger blond on the couch, clutching his side.

"Ow, what was that for?" Koushiro yelped, turning around in surprise to face the younger blond. Takeru motioned towards his brother who had taken Taichi's seat in the other corner and was slouching dejectedly. He watched as the dark haired boy's face fell as he quickly looked at Yamato and then back at Mimi. Takeru could see the turmoil on Koushiro's face as he contemplated choosing between one of his friends and the blond was afraid that he would end up picking Mimi.

Takeru knew that he was always troubling his brother with little things here and there but Yamato never complained. Even if it meant accompanying Takeru to some weird event or just dropping him back home, Yamato was always happy to do that as to him it meant that they could spend more time together. There had been a lot of times when he had called his brother half way across town and made him miss important appointments or classes, only to drive Takeru back home. Whenever the younger blond was feeling sad or depressed, it would only take one text message from his side to have Yamato rush over to wherever he was and try and make him feel better.

What he really found admirable about his brother was his patience in dealing with their parents. Takeru always found it annoying even after being divorced for so long, neither of them made any efforts to start a new relationship. If they were still in love with each other, then what was the point of them living apart? There were many instances when Takeru had snapped at his mother or yelled at his father because the pain from only being able to see his brother two times a week and his father even less had just been too much for him to contain. Yamato on the other hand always talked with them curtly and politely, never showcasing his discomfort and disbelief in them as out rightly as Takeru. He always smiled and made small talk with their mother every time he decided to stay with them and he never objected to their dad's late working hours because of which Yamato pretty much always had their apartment to himself. Takeru had never seen his brother shout or get mad at their parents and he always wondered from where did his brother inherit this amazing capability to persevere everything and never complain.

And that's why Takeru had decided that whenever he got the chance, he would go to any extent to make his brother feel happy and loved. Of course, he hadn't expected Mimi to be the one to bring that chance around. Though when he thought about it carefully, the signs had always been there and he could've seen them long ago if he had just opened his eyes a little further. He had to admit however, that his brother and Mimi-chan would make a slightly odd couple because of how different they were from each other, but he also belived that Mimi-chan was capable of brightening up anyone's life and his brother was in desperate need for that kind of attention. As much as Takeru wanted his brother to be happy, he was also very curious as to how Yamato would react to the idea of dating or a romantic relationship. So far his brother hadn't disappointed him with all the blushing and the stumbling.

Of course because of these feelings that he had for Yamato, the younger blond understood if Koushiro picked Mimi, because those two were more or less like siblings. He looked at the dark haired boy sitting next him, he was currently being scrutinized by Mimi-chan and Takeru gave up hope then, he knew Koushiro wasn't going to help his brother.

"Well, I think we can stay a little longer right? I had to help Takeru-kun with his phone anyways." Koushiro muttered in a low voice nervously.

Takeru watched as his brother instantly sat up straight, and the younger blond had to stop himself from breaking into a cheeky grin because an angry Mimi-chan was scarier than even Hikari.

"You can do that tomorrow too right?" There was a smile plastered on the brunette's face but her voice was extremely steely.

"But I'm here right now so I might as well do it today."

Takeru looked at Koushiro and he could tell the older boy himself wasn't aware from where he was getting so much courage to turn down his best friend.

"Well uhm," Yamato cleared his throat, making Koushiro and Takeru turn towards him. Mimi on the other hand turned her gaze upward at the roof in order to avoid looking at the older blond entirely. "Dad's car is here, so I can drive you home if you really want to go right now…"

If Takeru wasn't hurt, he would've jumped up and hugged his brother for making such a smooth move. He was happy that his brother wasn't a complete idiot when it came to such things and could take initiatives on his own. He heard Koushiro next to him breathe a sigh of relief as he was out of the spotlight now. Or at least that's what they thought, but Mimi-chan had something else planned for them.

"No thanks." She said, without looking at the older blond, "Kou-chan you have so much free time on your hands, just walk me back and then come here again I really couldn't care less." She added, completely overlooking Yamato.

Takeru slumped slightly, Mimi was definitely pissed with his brother and nothing the three of them could manage would make her change mind right now. The brunette had a stubborn and mean side to her that only came out when she was really upset with something, obviously whatever his brother had done hurt her more deeply than Takeru had imagined and Koushiro suddenly siding with Yamato wasn't helping their case either. For now it would be best to leave her alone so he met his brother's eye and motioned for him to back down for the time being.

"You know, Yamato's being really nice to you, you shouldn't ignore him like that Meems." Koushiro frowned at her as he got up, unaware of the rage that flashed across Mimi's face. Takeru wanted to hit the dark haired boy one more time for speaking up stupidly.

"Well, I don't want his kindness or his pity." This time she looked directly at Yamato, letting him know of her anger and pain with one icy glare. She turned on her heels, and swiftly walked out of the apartment with Koushiro hastily on her trail.

Takeru watched his brother shout frustratedly for a few minutes as soon as it was just the two of them, letting out everything that he probably couldn't put in words. He leaned forward with his face in his hands and talked very quietly.

"Takeru, I don't think I'm meant for things like this."

-x-

Dusk had fallen faster than she had expected, winter was coming sooner, Sora thought as she folded her arms across her chest a little tightly and quickened her pace. Her house wasn't far from Yamato's but walking alone made her a little paranoid. She had this feeling that she was being followed by someone but she was too scared to turn around and check, lest it be a half dead girl or a creepy spirit who couldn't pass over. Yes, Sora did believe in ghosts and spirits and she was pretty afraid of them too. And it didn't help when Taichi always dragged her for those courage tests and haunted houses at every single school festival. She slowed down for a second because was sure that she heard footsteps behind her. She cursed her luck, her day had already been going just fantastic and now she had to face off with a spirit or worse, a stalker-pervert. She counted till ten and then halted, taking a deep breath she turned around.

"Taichi?!"

"I'm sorry for not being a Zombie." Taichi smirked, holding his hands up as if he was surrendering.

"Ha, Ha." Sora spat in reply, ignoring him she turned around and resumed walking. And yet again, she heard his footsteps behind her completely in sync.

"Why are you following me?" The auburn haired girl hissed, turning around she expected him to be far behind her but apparently he had caught up and she almost bumped into him. She felt his hand on her arm, steadying her and she quickly brushed it away. Sora took a few steps back putting some distance back between them which Taichi didn't bother closing again.

"Yamato asked me to." Taichi replied casually, his hands in his pocket now.

"Such an obedient friend." Sora muttered sarcastically. She had no intentions of being mean, but she was in no mood to humour the brunet's roundabout way of admitting things. Especially, after all that happened today.

"Well, I try my best."

"Honestly Taichi, if you don't have anything important to say, can I just go home please?"

"I never stopped you."

Sora scoffed, she deliberated hitting him but she felt too tired to make such an effort, "You're not going to say it directly right?"

Taichi shook his head, "I already made myself vulnerable once."

"Taichi, relationships aren't about power or control."

"But that's exactly what they're about, Sor."

The sincerity in his voice, the way his jaw was tightly set, the steely look in his eyes made her want to give up. She wanted to go up to him and hold onto him tightly and have him tell her that they were going to be okay. She wanted to give in to all his demands, do whatever he wanted her to do because she was just so tired of trying to be angry with him, tired of crying over him and tired of running after him. It had only been about ten days since all the problems started and Sora found herself to be quiet pathetic for not being able to withstand it any longer.

She realized suddenly, that there were tears streaming down her face and all she could think of was, well this is my limit. And then she glanced at Taichi, still standing at a distance making no effort to come over and comfort her. He stood far away from her, determined to have his way. And that made Sora wonder, if she gave in right now, she would be doing it for however long her and Taichi would last. If he had his way now, he would have his way always. She used to love that he was so stubborn and never took no for an answer, but now she thought that if maybe just once, she had been a little more assertive in the past, it wouldn't have come to this.

Look at me still blaming myself while he's just standing there watching me cry, she thought as she turned around and continued walking towards her house. After a few seconds, she heard his footsteps follow.

"Oh, ever the gentleman aren't you, Taichi."

He didn't say anything and she hadn't expected him to. She was aware that she was walking at a slower pace than before and she also knew that was because she was still hoping that he would catch up to her, that he would apologize. She was trying her best to give him more and more chances and he was rejecting them so effortlessly.

When she did reach home, he waited till her mother opened the door and let her in, then without a word he jogged away, not even bothering to look back. She understood then, that if Taichi couldn't make this one compromise, then they really were not meant to be together, that they were always meant to be just friends.

-x-

A/N: Next chapter, Yamato and Taichi together try to figure out how to redeem themselves in the girls' eyes. That should be fun right? And of course, the other three boys are there to back them up. Well Takeru's there to make fun of them but it's pretty much the same thing.

You can expect the next chapter around the second week of December, since that's when my exams end.

Till then, read, enjoy and review!