Written 22.o2.o8

Thank-you, Thank-you, THANK-YOUs too SpiffyCookie, the-lioness, AnimePinkCess, Waltz Turner, nickygirl, TheWitchLady, Yamora Love n Friendship, theladyknight (for reviewing quite a few all at once), Mrs. Radcliffe 13, BrownEyesAngel and SkuAg.

(a/n) This chp has come out early (for once). Enjoy! It's longer too!

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My Funny Valentine

Chapter Thirteen

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As the limousine swerved the slippery corner, his right hand was tightening around his mobile that it appeared as if he wanted to crush it to pieces. "You've got to be kidding me!"

"I kid you not. Now get your ass down here as soon as possible!" Takeru roared from the other end of the line. It wasn't usual that Takeru acted this stressed especially with his carefree attitude, but then again with the circumstances he had just heard from him…he'd be too.

"How long are you going to be?"

Yamato gazed out the window to see where he was. All that he could make out was blurs of colours. Out of all times, the storm clouds had decided to sabotage that night. "We're down 7th avenue. We'll be there in approximately 5," Jyou, who had been listening to the conversation, informed.

"5 minutes."

"Well hurry up your ass here!" the line was cut off and Yamato felt Sora poke his shoulder. Jyou heard Takeru's yell and took his queue as driver to step harder on the accelerator because both Yamato and Sora were thrown forward.

"Sorry," she apologised for the tenth time, straightening back against the leather interior. "We wouldn't be running late if it wasn't for me. I really thought the meeting would take less time...I really didn't know about-"

"Don't worry about it," he smiled. "I'm actually more scared about going to that place now. Right now all I wish all we could do is drive the opposite direction."

"I can do that if you want," Jyou offered.

"No, it's okay…because then TK will kill me," Yamato laughed bitterly. "What?" He asked when he saw Sora scrutinising him with a pondering look.

"Why are you scared? Why does TK want you there already? What's so terrible about this?" she interrogated. "It's your parents, your grandparents and TK and Kari…what's wrong about that?"

"Ha. You've forgotten my parents were divorced."

"No, I know about that…just…what's the big deal? Either way if they don't get along they won't be sitting close to each other…and they can avoid each other the whole night and talk to other people."

"No, that's not it," he stifled a sigh. "My mother brought along a date…when she clearly didn't tell us she would."

"So?"

"You see," Yamato cleared his throat. "My father still loves my mother. Sure, he's gotten it together and fixed his life on track…but deep inside he still cares for her."

"That's sad."

"Yeah, it is," he agreed. "Though…it was his fault from the beginning. He cheated on her…and she never forgave him."

"That's why I never dated when I way younger," she said matter-of-factly. "I'm smart."

"That is pretty wise of you. Still…I find you insane. Being a pretend wife suits you more?"

"I'm unpredictable."

"I think I remember using that line on you before," Yamato chuckled.

Just in time the vehicle stopped. The passenger door swung open and soon they were out in the drastic weather. Jyou, being the gentleman he was, pulled out a black umbrella and led each one of them to shelter.

A waiter opened the door and they entered the exquisite place. From one glance, he knew that his whole family were going to forcefully make him pay for the cheque. The hallway glistened and sparkled from the intricate chandeliers draping over them. Sora excitedly proceeded down to the opposite side of the building with Yamato and Jyou tagging behind her. The blond haired man started dawdling as he looked at the reflection on one of the mirrors, fixing his collar. The night beforehand, Sora had rang him up to tell him what colour to wear so that they would suit…so he was wearing a buttoned-up long sleeved navy top accompanied with a dark grey blazer and matching pants.

His gaze flickered to Sora to check if they were wearing the same shade. When Sora had hopped into the limousine, Jyou sped to their destination straight away – thus he had forgotten to notice his wife's dress. He didn't get a proper view since her back was facing him…but damn she had a nice back. The dress was doing her justice too. It didn't show all of it, but the criss-crossed straps exaggerated her posterior body a bit more. The dress was (gratefully) close to his navy coloured top and flowed a bit longer down her knees. Her long auburn hair was put up in one of her typical buns but had a few silver jewels sprinkled while her high heels were black. Her attire was simple…but somehow she still pulled off 'glamorous.'

Jyou turned around to see why Yamato was sauntering behind and a smirk flickered on his face, he raised an eyebrow at him. "Checking her out?"

"No," he immediately spluttered the response. "Thank-you Jyou, you can leave now. Sora! Jyou's leaving!"

As Sora turned to face them, Jyou took off his hat and gave a comedic dramatized bow before departing. Yamato groaned when he still saw Jyou's smirk when he left. Sora walked towards him. She playfully, but meaningfully, hit him hard on the arm. "Why didn't you invite him to come? That was mean of you."

"Oww! He told me earlier that he had a date tonight," he said honestly, rubbing his arm where she had hit him.

"Still, that was mean. Next time you should invite him. You forget that he takes time off his studying to drive him around. You should appreciate Jyou…he's such a good person."

"Yeah, I know," Yamato agreed as they waited in the line to be served. "What do you suggest I do back for him?"

"Pay for his university course."

"Wow, aren't you generous. Hey…you're going to get as much money as me soon…so why don't you donate it to him instead-ouch!"

"Don't be so stingy," she warned. Even though she looked beautifully harmless that night, she still whipped a good hit when needed.

A waiter was now standing before them. As expected from a highly classy restaurant, his posture was scaringly straight and was so well groomed that it looked like he was made out of plastic. From staring at him, Yamato scolded himself when he recollected that he had forgotten to shave. Not that it was really noticeable; he just always preferred being clean-shaved.

"Good evening, Sir, Madam," he gave a bow, similar to Jyou's exaggerated one earlier. "Have you made any reservations?"

"Yes, I think it was under Takaishi," Yamato said, knowing for a fact that if it had been under Ishida…it would have been either his father or he who had booked the table. There was no way in hell he would picture his father do it, and he knew that he hadn't unconsciously book a table.

"Come this way."

As they followed the worker's tail, he glimpsed the place taking in the restaurant. No matter how rich he was, he could never get used to this sort of place. It sickened him to think how much it would cost if he were to accidentally bumped into one of the statues. Not like he was going to try it, mind you. He drank in his surrounding as they continued to loop around the various tables. In fact, almost every table there had couples seated down. He swore he even saw one of the men propose.

"Here you are," he said. Yamato gave a thankful nod at the waiter who gave another bow before going off to one of his other duties.

The first thing he noticed was the uneven number. On one side of the table were his brother and Hikari. There were two vacancies next to Hikari, so they took their seat there. But that wasn't was bothering him. The vibe was distressing and gloomy. The other side of the table was the one that worried him the most. His grandparents were in the middle. On his grandmother's left sat his own mother and next his mother was her partner. Whereas on his grandfather's right was his own father, Hiraoki.

He caught sight of his father who looked quite relieved to see him. "Yamato." He was lucky that his father was on their side of the table. He offered Sora a seat next to Hikari. When they were seated and greeted each other, they all began unfolding back into their own little conversations. "Hi dad, it's been a while. This Sora. Sora, this is my dad."

He nodded, smiling so widely that the candlelight gleamed his white teeth. It was so fake that it made Yamato's insides turn. There was no hiding the fact that his father was suffering here. "I should have brought my own date, ey?" he asked in a soft sarcastic tone so that his grandfather couldn't here. His father nudged his head to the opposite end of the table where he spotted his mother clearly flirting with the person she had brought along to their dinner. "If I knew, I would have told you."

"I know," he said.

Sora entered the talk, "So what do you do, Mr. Ishida?"

"Oh, I'm the head of Fuji TV's sports show," he said.

"Whoa. You're doing well," she marvelled. "Your family sure is something. TK's a write…Matt's a lead singer, you're the head of one of the department's on Fuji and your wife-uh…um…"

"The same could be said for you, miss," his father smiled, dodging what she was about to comment on. "Yamato's told me about your own rise to popularity."

"I wouldn't really call it popularity. Not many people in Japan know of my company yet. Only the main store has been released, the other stores are yet to be opened to the public."

All was going well until his grandfather intervened. "Hiraoki, you should be proud of yourself."

"And why is that, Michel?" Yamato's father spoke through gritted teeth. Before they were smiling, but now they were glinting dangerously as if he were ready to shred someone with them into pieces.

Sensing that something was beginning to steer, the table had stopped talking and was solely focused on Yamato's end of the table. Sora was starting to turn pale. Even though she had never seen any of those grudging quarrelling disputes between his father and his grandparents she already could tell it would be rotten.

"Before you were just some TV consultant. What did you do to gain such a high position, Hiraoki? You didn't sleep with someone to get a higher position, did you? Oh, knowing you…you would have," he spoke roughly. "Yes, you should be proud of yourself."

Though his grandfather didn't speak much, whenever it came to anything serious that he was strongly against…he darn hell wasn't afraid to speak his mind. It was obvious that his grandfather had never forgiven his father for the collapse of their marriage.

"Dad," he heard his mother gasp.

From the other side of the table Takeru's eyes were wide open and Hikari was gaping in astonishment. His grandmother was shaking his head and Sora…well…Sora held his hand under the table and squeezed it in support. It was just like what he had done when she was having trouble when the media had ambushed her the day before.

His dad stood up from the table, politely excusing himself as he walked out. His father was a closed book whenever he got angry or aggressively mad. When he did, he usually locked it inside or would throw things around. Obviously, he couldn't do it here. Or…he would go outside and…

"Take a bloody smoke! Turn your back, why don't you! You've always been like that. You're too chicken-shit!" his grandfather growled loudly after him, causing heads to turn where they were seated. "I always disapproved of you marrying my daughter."

He lowered his voice and stared at Sora who was right in front of him. "Not that I disapprove of you, hon. Or Kari as well. My grandsons' picked fine women."

"You're a bastard, you know that?" Yamato said, standing up and throwing his napkin onto his plate. He let go of her hand and stormed away.

He ran out the door, retracing his father's steps. The cold breeze gusted through the navy shirt he had been wearing and soon he regretted that he hadn't put on his blazer before heading out. The pelting rain had changed into drizzles now. His heart pulsated through his body and goosebumps formed when he saw the battered figure leaning against the wall. Yamato confirmed that his father's pseudo act was now out the window.

As his grandfather had predicted, his father was already at it like a chimney. When Yamato neared him he didn't face his direction. He mumbled his thought aloud, "I didn't think that she'd take someone. It was blatantly obvious she would. She's Natsuko…of course she would."

Yamato shrugged, not knowing what to say and concluded that he wouldn't speak. Even though they hardly exchanged words with each other they were used to silent pauses between them. That's how it always was between them. They spoke when they had too, not uttering useless words or indulging each other in falsities. Sometimes it was best just to be there. That, on its own, was comforting enough.

He had always been closer to his father. They always had had a mutual understanding of each other. He didn't gain the title of 'Mama's boy' because Takeru had evidently taken that place. Actually, Yamato didn't really like his mother all that much. He was particularly bias because his father had been the one that raised him up for most of his life. Yamato was glad that his father had gotten custody over him because if it had been Takeru who had seen their father's state after the divorce…he knew it would have damaged his soul.

On his part, it had – it still did.

Even if it wasn't him suffering, it still hurt seeing his father battling against himself. After so many years, he still was. Looking at him like this was always heart wrenching to some times handle. He watched his father take another mediating whiff from his cigarette. Looking at his father reminded him of how love can take another route.

His father still loved his mother…there was no denying that.

From the chain smoking, the countless nights he had witness his father get drunk after the divorce…he could never quite recover from it. Love was scary like that.

"For mum…I didn't think she'd go that low. I didn't think she'd take some one. But I don't think she did it intentionally to provoke you," Yamato tried. "Let's go back in dad. They'll be waiting for us."

"Give me a minute," he whispered coarsely, letting his arm slide across his eyes and doing it so casually that it looked like a normal thing to do. "You know, son, I was about to give her this…"

The next thing he knew, Yamato was holding the gift delicately with both of his hands. It was a tiny strange velvet box. He unfastened the lock and opened it. After turning the box in different directions to get the best light possible he realised what it was. It was one of those common glass rectangular ornaments that were made for being put on a small moving stage so that different shades of light would filter through; The ones where you could easily get from a flea market.

Before the divorce, he remembered the house was filled with the ornaments that his mother refused to throw out. As a kid he recalled playing with the glass pieces and lights when his mother wasn't looking. He was never allowed to touch them because they were fragile and easily broke. But the thing that stunned him was what the design was of..."A treble clef? Why of that?"

"You've heard this story many times…but I'll refresh you," he said in an amused voice, staring into the distance as he lunged into the past, finding the perfect words to describe it. "In my teenage years I was a part of a band too. Of course, it didn't obviously become as famous as yours…most likely because we sucked and were of pitch quite a lot. But nevertheless, it was how we first met. She had long hair at that time…boy was she beautiful."

"She was jumping up and down like an idiot. Not even jumping to the beat as well. But she was my first fan."

"And you were planning to give it to her tonight? Why?" Yamato queried.

"Reminiscing, I guess. That's all…mainly because it's Valentine's Day," he chuckled softly. "You know what? Why don't you give it to that girl of yours."

"She's not my girl, dad! I've already told you countless times about the scheme and-"

"Hey, you might as well enjoy it. It's not normal that you have a date for Valentine's Day. I mean, I completely get you if you've already gotten her a present and don't want this petty cheap gift…"

"It's Valentine's Day?" the words finally stuck together in Yamato's mind. It clicked. That had been the reason why practically every table was taken that night and why even Jyou was going out for dinner. "I didn't know…was that why Grandma was so determined to book this day?"

"Knowing your grandmother, of course she did. And taking that you didn't know…give it to her," Hiraoki said, slapping him on the back.

"Thanks," Yamato said, stuffing it into his pocket. "It matches her too. We met on music as well."

"You told me that already."

"I know," he laughed. When he felt uncomfortable telling Tai or TK things, his father had always been the other best friend. His father had brought him up as a friend more than a son…and he appreciated it. "So what do you say…we go back in?"

His father hesitated, blowing out more smoke into the icy air. "Don't worry what they say or do, dad. If you feel uncomfortable…just leave."

He stared at him thoughtfully and said. "I'm not leaving."

"Why? I'm giving you the option."

"I'll leave once you kiss her…or at least take a step forward."

"Dad," he said. Then again, sometimes having your own father as a friend always had its consequences. "Don't be impossible."

"I'm not. I'm telling you truthfully, son. Don't let this girl get away. Look at me…it's the biggest regret I've made in my life," he said in dismal. "I want the best for you. I don't want you to become as miserable like me. C'mon tell me…isn't this the best thing you've had coming. What else could you possibly love even more?"

"Music."

"You're a disgrace," he declared. "Don't lie to me, Yamato. I know you inside out. Don't you dare pretend when I caught you stealing glances at her besides you when you were sure she wasn't looking! You were secretly asking for the butter just to cast glances at her! Yamato…you can't pull of that technique, that I used to pull of when I was younger, and pretend you're not doing it.

"I hardly know her…I only found out she was a fashion-designer only a few days ago!"

"It's expected. You don't even know her because you haven't made a goddamn effort!"

"But-"

"Just, for once, Yamato…do your old man a favour," he said. "I'm going to stay to at least see one good thing happen tonight. You hear?"

"Fine," he gave in. "Just one kiss."

"Can't be on the cheek either…that's pansy."

"Not on the cheek. Check. I got it," Yamato rolled his eyes.

"It's Valentines Day. Your ever so lovely grandparents would want to see some sign to symbolise your eternal love. Don't be so disappointed."

"I'm going…" he realised that he was the only one making his way back inside. "Are you coming?"

"I'll be watching from here," Hiraoki replied. He caught his son's admonished look. "And yes, I'll go in a bit later. Just going to have one more cig for luck's sake."

"Luck?"

"Luck that you'll finally fall in love. I don't like you being a shadow and comparing all relationships to your mother and my divorce. I don't want you being all so cynical when you've never been in love yourself. It's the best feeling in the world, Yamato. Give it a try. Don't make the same mistake I did. Love is only cure to loneliness."

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When he returned to the table, the atmosphere had changed into a jollier one. Ah, the affects of alcohol. Hikari was giggling a bit more from her bubbling champagne and his brother's charming jokes. His mother and her date were locked in a deep conversation over sparkling wine. And his grandparents were animated in talk with Sora. She pivoted on her chair when he took his seat. "How is he?"

"He'll be good," he said.

"He's always got it easy anyway-"

"Don't start, grandpa. Seriously…don't start," he stressed. Even though he knew that his grandfather was in the wrong, he couldn't help but apologise. "Sorry for snapping."

"You had the right to, Matt," Takeru said. Grandparents' and mother's boy spoke out, shocking the whole lot of them. "You really can't let this family grudge go on any longer…we're already in our twenties now, you've all got to grow up. We have."

"I think you've had too much champagne," Kari giggled nervously, slipping the glass from his hand. It seemed that Hikari didn't want another outburst. She was somewhat right. This night was meant to be for celebration and festivities. It was for a family to reunite and 'show off' their girlfriends (or on his case – his wife).

The night progressed. Yamato was quite disappointed that his mother hadn't made the effort to get to know Sora, nor properly greet them. But he was fine with it. She seemed too preoccupied to care anyway. His father had finally joined the table. His grandfather didn't offer any more snide comments, which was a good sign. But he had resorted to silent treatment with Hiraoki instead – not that his father minded. Yamato was pretty certain he was gratified with his change of attention.

He also found out another new thing about Sora - she didn't like fish. She swapped her dish around for his steak while he wolfed down her fish in pleasure and stole the left overs that she couldn't fit in her stomach.

"You're playing it off well," Hikari whispered at the couple in merriment. "You really are acting like a couple. Can I see your rings?"

She laughed when she saw the fake gleaming. "TK's going to take years to propose to me. You're lucky that you took a leap."

"I heard that," TK grumbled.

"Where did you go?" Yamato questioned. He had seen his brother disappear for a second and now he was back.

"Watch my smooth move…and why you'll never be as suave as me," he snickered.

It was at the end of his sentence that the lights dimmed that the only visible lighting was from the candlelights on each table of the restaurant. A live small orchestra started playing a boppy beat. Immediately Hikari grabbed Takeru's hand as they volunteered themselves to be the first pair on the dance floor. Takeru mimicked 'I told you so' to his brother before leaving the table.

It was then that the whole table of older adults were looking up at them expectantly. His father even had the nerve to give him two thumbs up. He inwardly groaned but Sora took the opportunity. "I love to dance, Yamato," she said standing. "Don't reject me."

"How could I?" he chuckled, standing up besides her as they made their way slowly to join the other duo. "Also, any way to get away from them. I'm sorry you had to see that."

"It doesn't matter. You're making it up with me with a dance," she said sternly.

"You're so sure about this."

"I never got to go to my senior school dance," she said quietly. She fluttered her eyelashes up at him. "Please?"

"Fine."

"You're easy."

"You were lying?" he said astounded. "I swear, women and flirting…"

"Hey, I wasn't flirting. I just wanted a dance. Plus…it was true. I never got to dance at my senior deb. If you count clubbing with Mimi, that is."

He caught his father staring at them an pointing at his blazer pocket. He sighed, and pulled it out. "Happy Valentine's Day."

She accepted the small gift, opened the lid and observed it with satisfaction. "It's gorgeous. Thanks." She didn't have to tiptoe to plant a quick kiss on his cheek. "I really didn't expect you to get me something. I've never had a Valentine before either."

"You really need to catch up with the world," he laughed. "Here, I'll hold on to that." He put the box back into his pocket. "I promised you a dance."

When they headed for the dance floor the lively tune translated into a decrescendo and a slow lilting tune became present. The brass and strings stopped playing in the orchestra and a single pianist played her song while a middle-aged man began singing onto the microphone. "My funny valentine / sweet comic valentine / you make me smile…with my heart."

They were besides Takeru and Hikari now who gave them brief beams before focusing back on each other. Yamato thought he'd take this chance to focus on her as well – especially when his father's eyes were leering down on him anticipating for him to break his promise.

He placed his hand on her waist. She was closer, her rosy fragrance was filling his senses now and leaving the scene hazy. "This reminds me of the first time I saw you," her wine coloured lips whispered.

"Really?" he said, feeling her grasp his shoulder. "How so?"

"You wore one of your ridiculous disguises too," she rambled on. "You didn't know me then…but this song…it was playing."

"You're peculiar, you know? Whenever I have my first encounters…I remember talks, not the music or surrounding around me," he said. "I guess it's my turn now. When I first saw you…I remember seeing you drawing on a serviette."

"Really? I don't remember."

"Well…you were spying on me…I guess I have the right to spy as well," he smirked. "You then tossed it aside…and then I went to see what you wrote."

"What did I write?"

"It wasn't a word. It was actually a simple drawing," he recalled, picturing the image in his head. "It was of a bass clef and an upside down treble clef that formed a heart."

"Oh, those," she laughed. "I always do them…they're fun."

"When I saw it…I knew that I had to talk to you. I wanted to know your taste in music…somehow it seemed to matter to me."

"You wouldn't have met me."

"I wouldn't have gotten to know you. You're so peculiar, you know?"

She pushed herself higher so that they were an inch from other. "Well, for tonight…I'm your funny valentine."

From behind her he could see his father displaying a proud grin. He didn't need the signal for letting his lips press against hers. It was bound to happen. He felt his body trembling with a foreign sensation.

Screw if they weren't really a couple…at that moment, their marriage was real enough to him.

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(a/n) So now you know why 'My Funny Valentine' is called 'My Funny Valentine.' (besides it being the first song in this story…if some of you may have/n't noticed). Pretty 'funny' because I just remembered I posted this story up two years ago on Valentines Day. Quite coincidental, huh? LOL. My favourite character writing about in this chp has got to be Mr. Ishida – Yamato & Takeru's father. This is one of the reasons why it's taken me long to get his parents into the frame of this story.

Thanks for reading so far. It wasn't super sappy(okay, may it was), but it's not going to continue like this – I'm a spoiler. HAHA. Let's just say it's going to be running down hill from here…

The angst was bound to hit somewhere. I suck, don't I?

Heart flipstahhz

Ps. Next chp should be within a fortnight!

Pss. Replying to all your reviews tomorrow. I'm dead tired.