Chapter Ten
Tasting French Vanilla
Yuuta stretched. She opened her eyes quickly when her fists hit something that grunted back at her. She looked up. Miyako snorted and turned over. Yuuta stifled a giggle and rose onto her elbows. She looked back down when she realized a weight was resting on her abdomen.
Koushirou's dark lashes were curled over his pale cheekbones, the red hair blazing in the dawn-lit room. His fair skin seemed to glow. She smiled softly and ran a hand over his thick red hair. He was wearing a pair of black denim pants with yellow hemming, courtesy of Eri. A black shirt with 'I have no idea what's going on' covered his abdomen.
She gazed around Chidori's gigantic room, her eyes resting on each person sprawled on the floor or bed. Daisuke and Taichi had taken over the walk-in closet. They were both snoring slightly, arms and legs entwined. Ken and Iori were curled up near each other by the door. Both were wearing their clothes given to them by Gennai. Yamato had Sora pressed up against him in a spooning position, her hair ruffling with his breath. She was wearing a long shirt and socks while Yamato was just wearing his blue pants. Miyako was resting her head on Hikari's stomach, her purple hair fanning over the floor and the helpless Hikari. Both were wearing T-shirts and sweatpants. Mimi was snuggled on the bed with Chidori and Tsumi. Mimi and Tsumi had on spaghetti strap shirts with matching shorts and Chidori had her own matching top and bottom pajamas. Eri was lounged over both Jyou and Takeru, one leg hooked over Jyou's stomach and one arm on Takeru's face. Jyou's glasses were lying on her face. She wore her gym outfit and the boys were wearing her baggy pants and shirts.
Surprisingly, all the Digimon had taken refuge under the huge bed. Of course, considering what Tsumi, Mimi, Miyako, and Eri had been trying to do to them, it wasn't that surprising. Digimon weren't meant to wear human clothes.
Yuuta stretched once more and decided even though her mouth tasted nasty from nighttime build up, lying with Koushirou was a much better option. Especially since he wasn't letting go of her waist any time soon. She wriggled back down unto the carpet. She smiled and shifted closer, nuzzling his chest. Koushirou was much easier to deal with when sleeping. She jerked in surprise when his hand moved from her waist and touched her hair.
Brown eyes flew up to meet his black ones.
"O-ohayo gozaimasu..." she whispered. She covered her mouth with her hand quickly. Morning breath, ewww.
He pulled her hand away gently, eyes serious. He leaned down, his mouth over her temple.
"Ohayo gozaimasu." His warm breath glided over her ear.
What is going on? I do not even feel this way watching Motomiya-sama and Yagami-sama make-out! Yuuta thought confused, increasingly aware of his hand as it traveled back down to her waist. Her skin burned through her lavendar blouse where his hand rested on the dip above her hip. She kept her face directly in front of his chest. He knew how to read eyes so well, and right now, she didn't even know what she showing!
Calm down, Kokubunji!
Meanwhile, Koushirou face was increasing in temperature rapidly. Fifteen, fifteen, fifteen! Koushirou yelled at himself. Yuuta is only fifteen. Hands off! He glared at his disobedient hand lying on her waist. Fine, then just don't move! He relented.
Both were frozen in place, confused and awkward...but strangely, content. Yuuta with the burning his hand seared, and Koushirou listening to her heart beat in time with his. The world of technology was one thing, but anatomy had always perplexed, and intrigued him. It was astounding, all the levels of emotions and senses the human nerves could perceive. Right now, his nerves were going haywire with her being this close. His mind reeled with questions his baser needs really wanted to answer. For once, he wasn't sure if he liked his mind being in control.
Knock. Knock.
"Excuse me...it's six fifteen, Chidori. Time for school." Mrs. Hiroki said gently, her eyes to the ground.
"Wha-wha?" Daisuke sat up abruptly and looked around with half-lidded eyes. He slapped the floor beside him. "Five more minutes." He flopped back onto the ground.
"Um...was he trying to turn off an alarm or something when he slapped the ground?" Eri asked hoarsely, rubbing her eyes.
"I believe so. Well, everybody up! Whoever wants a shower better run for it." Chidori hopped off her bed and took her own advice.
"How about we share, Takeru?" Eri teased poking his side.
"Maybe tomorrow." Takeru flapped a hand at her and turned over, relieved of his burden, namely, her arm.
"I'll make sure you don't forget." Eri snickered. Yuuta giggled with her.
"Come one, Eri. Let' go before Tachikawa-sama, Tsumi, or Ishiida-sama get up. They look like the kind to take hour long showers."
"Good assessment. How many bathrooms are there?" Koushirou asked rising.
"About...two. But you see, they have outdoor baths. The showers are like the ones in school gym rooms. They're mainly for washing hair. Real old-fashioned, ain't it?" Eri grabbed Yuuta's arm and dragged her away.
"Of course, Ishiida-sama and the other two girls, do not know." Yuuta giggled, blushing shamefully. "Eri promised me Harry Potter slash doujinshi if I went along." Yuuta admitted blushing more red as she zipped around the door.
"You wouldn't guess it looking at her, would you?" Jyou noted, blinking blearily.
"I believe Rokunda still has your corrective lenses, Jyou." Koushirou grinned.
"Well, we might as well follow then." Jyou got to his feet and went quickly to the door. "Coming, Koushirou?"
"Hai."
Soon, most of the group was either bathing or rushing to Chidori's room to get into clothes. Taichi and Daisuke had been kicked out of their closet so people could change inside.
"MIMI! HURRY UP!"
"TSUMI! HURRY UP!"
Jyou and Chidori looked at each other and smiled. Both had shouted at the same time.
"YOU TOO, ISHIIDA! OR I'LL SLEEP WITH MIYAKO TONIGHT!" Sora shouted.
A loud crash followed by a 'Damn it!' sounded from the boys' bath.
"Nice one, Takenouchi." Eri grinned. Sora frowned.
"I thought you were calling us all by our first names?"
"Oh, I do, when I want to. I thought using your last name then sounded just right." Eri dimpled. "By the way, you look hot in red."
"It brings out the red in your eyes." Yuuta agreed. Sora blushed and shifted her feet.
"Really? You think Yamato will like it?" Sora asked shyly, twisting a bit.
"He'd drop dead salivating." Eri nodded.
Sora looked down at her red tank top and pleated black skirt with a hanging star-studded belt. Red knee-length socks with short-heeled black shoes adorned her feet. Her hair was pulled back by a headband.
"I don't really want him to die." Sora laughed.
"It's not a cool way to die either." Taichi grinned. He had stolen Eri's baggy, used-to-be-shin-length-but-knee-length-on-Taichi shorts with chains criss-crossing the back. He had on Chidori's loose burgundy cardigan with a white T-shirt underneath.
"You look hot, too. What is with all you hot people?" Eri demanded.
"You make Eri look bad wearing her clothes." Chidori sniggered.
"Aw, shove it. It's only because I have to wear this stupid school uniform. Lucky jerks, get to wear whatever they want." Eri pouted angrily.
"We're going to be late." Chidori tapped her foot impatiently.
"Beauty takes time!" Mimi called out.
"And so does vanity! Get out here before I come in after you!" Miyako demanded. She flipped her braided pigtail over her shoulder, her moccasin tapping the floor also. Tall white socks encased her long legs and a pleated plaid skirt hung on her hips. A yellow three-quarter-sleeved shirt with a length-wise oval neck showed the straps of her white bra and her shoulders. She pushed her glasses up with an eye-roll.
"I'm out. There, happy?" Tsumi grumbled.
"All you did was put on your uniform. What took you so long?" Daisuke asked amazed. Tsumi patted his cheek.
"Be glad you're gay, hon. Be very glad."
Daisuke blinked at her, still befuddled. He wore an ivory tunic from Tsumi and a pair of jeans way too big on him, stolen from Chidori's dad. The goggles Taichi had given him were still on his head.
"I'm finally done." Yamato announced. His hair messed up artfully, as usual. "Hair gel, something I have missed for a long time."
"How did you fit into Eri's normal pants?" Jyou gaped.
"I'm slim." Yamato said loftily. Sure enough, he was wearing a pair of washed out, low-ride jeans and a fitted dark, green T-shirt. "Thank god your mom's shoes are androgynous."
"That's what you think. They definitely look feminine to me." Jyou joked. He wore a pair of slacks borrowed from Mr. Hiroki and a buttoned-up shirt as well. A tie also hung around neck. It was all a bit baggy, but long enough.
"Whatever, Kido. You know I'm hot." Jyou choked as everybody laughed.
"Ahem. But are you ready to go, or are we going to laugh the day away?" Mimi asked with an eyebrow arched.
"It's about time, Mimi. Let's go." Sora grabbed her hand.
"I'll trip over my shoes!" Mimi cried. She was wearing her hair flowing down her back with a loose scrunchie. She wore short-shorts and a spaghetti-strap frilly shirt dotted with tiny flowers. Her 'shoes' were white, pink-tinted high-heels.
"Are you sure going to school is a good idea? Need I retell the story of the ice cream shop?" Tentomon asked worriedly, hovering by Koushirou's head.
"We can't just skip school. We will need jobs later." Koushirou answered.
"Plus, there's a Takaki, Momiji in Chidori's class. You might want to check him out." Eri added.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Taichi grinned. They all trouped out waving and calling thanks behind them.
"I can't wait to hit the books again. It's been so long. I hope I can get into a good math class. Maybe they'll have some more advanced classes now." Koushirou said wistfully.
"I know what you mean. I miss all my computer classes." Miyako sighed.
"My favorites were Japanese Lit, English, and History. I did not really try in math, I am afraid. The written world fascinated me." Yuuta confessed shyly. "Ditching the human world for two years did not really help. I am probably so behind."
"Really? Japanese Lit was my second favorite." Ken smiled.
"Don't worry about it, really. You'll do great. Plus, you have a genius to help you. Ken-san has a very high I.Q. himself." Koushirou reminded her.
"I thought Ichijouji-sama was a genius, too?" Yuuta queried.
"Well...I was. It's kind of complicated. I'm still above average, but I'm not a-"
"Kid-tested, mother approved? Stop talking like being smart is a good thing!" Eri cried.
"Isn't it?" Koushirou rose his eyebrow.
"No, tennis is a good thing." Eri nodded with a sly smirk.
"Oh, I love tennis! Can I still join?"
"I don't see why not, Sora-chan." Eri and Sora clasped hands and started talking excitedly about loves, volleys, and Wimbleton.
"Is that a foreign language to anybody else?" Miyako asked to no one in particular. Everyone raised their hand besides Tsumi.
"It should be, but my boyfriend is a tennis freak. I go to the games all the time, so it kinda crept in on me." Tsumi explained sadly.
"Oooh, boyfriend. Cute half-American?" Mimi asked.
"As if I would date anything less than cute, in-shape, and tanned?" Tsumi tossed her hair. The two girls giggled.
"Urg. I may not enjoy school, but I enjoy intelligent conversations." Chidori groaned.
"Um, Hi-Hiroki-sempai, where...where do I turn?" Iori asked quietly from beside her.
"Oh, I'm sorry. You're in the middle school. I forgot about that. One of us is bound to be late..." Chidori chewed her lip.
Iori met Armadillomon's eyes sadly. All the Digimon, besides Gotsumon, Mushroomon, and Gizamon, stayed home with Tyrannomon, who was sick of being alone during school hours. They decided that Deities showing up was bad enough, add in extinct Digimon...well, mobs of people and no school, period. Yuuta just didn't want any bad memories flaring when she showed up with Nekomon. They all decided the world should take them in small doses. Because Iori would be alone in the middle school, Armadillomon was the first to be chosen to go to school.
"Pardon me...but did you mention the middle school?" asked a voice behind Sora. She jumped and turned. Eri bristled warningly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." The boy apologized.
Sora almost melted hearing that melodious voice. She blushed as he smiled and bowed at her. He had black hair and dark eyes behind thick glasses. He wore the male version of Eri's school uniform.
"Yes. Hi...Hida-san needs to get to the middle school, but we left a bit late." Chidori explained.
"I could go myself, honto. I...I just don't know the way." Iori shuffled uncomfortably.
"You're in luck, and so am I, it seems. My sister, you see, is new to the middle school, but she knows the way. But we also left late, and I need my class schedule. I hesitated to send her off on her own, but I found you. Would you please escort my immouto-chan? ...Immouto, stop being so rude." He murmured lowly.
A small vividly red face appeared from behind him. She was about the same height of Iori, with blue hair falling in strange, zigzagging curls around her face. Her eyes were black and wide with curling lashes.
"K-konn-nichi...wa!" she stuttered.
"Kira, it's the morning."
"Ohayo gozaimasu!" she squeaked, turning a shade none had seen before and hiding behind her brother again.
"You're too big for that."
Iori stepped forward and bowed.
"My name is Hida, Iori. I'd be honored to escort you, Miss...?" Iori looked up at the boy.
"Kinabara, Kira. I'm Kinabara, Hatsuharu."
"Well, hurry on! You'll be late!" Miyako pushed at Iori sending him stumbling forward as Hatsuharu stepped aside.
Kira grabbed Iori's hand before he fell. Before she could let go, his grip tightened just slightly.
"Let's hurry, Kinabara-san." Iori smiled.
"Don't worry! I don't bite! Unless you're food, of course. I love food." Armadillomon said merrily. Kira giggled without meaning to, and the three, plus the Digiegg she was holding, turned the corner out of sight.
"How cute. Chibi love!" Miyako sighed with stars in her eyes.
"It is, isn't it?" Mimi agreed.
"Let's hurry ourselves." Taichi suggested.
Everyone raced off. Sora slowed and turned.
"My name is Takenouchi, Sora. Come on, Kinabara-san, you don't want to be late, do you?" Sora smiled, holding out her hand.
"Arigatu, Takenouchi-san." She led him quickly after her friends. Hatsuharu smirked. "Arigatu..."
Yuuta tried to push away the rubbed-the-wrong-way feeling and glanced at Koushirou. He nodded once to show he felt it, too.
& & &
"Whew...all this junk is making my manicure curl." Mimi complained, flopping onto her bed. Miyako was laying her stomach on her own bed, reading a large book contentedly.
"I like it. I feel like a teenager again. Doing homework makes everything easier to handle." Miyako laughed with a bitter edge, "Even if the teachers changed, the books really haven't."
"I kinda get what you're saying." Mimi mumbled looking out the pink-curtained window, wrapping her arms around her knees.
It had been two months. So far...they were still worshipped. The teachers tried to let them off when they did stupid crap or when they didn't like the homework. The other teenagers were too in awe to really hang with and people gave them free stuff on the side of the streets. One old homeless dude begged them to please grant him a miracle. A half-crazed woman begged them to heal her blind son's eyes. The police pulled the fanatics off and asked for autographs. Not to mention other random acts of devotion that freaked them out. Now, even the Chosen Children were changing.
Takeru was starting to act weird and Hikari kept on disappearing. Iori was always with Kira. Sora and Yamato were either fighting or not speaking, nobody knew why. Miyako was getting bitter and venomous. Daisuke was caught smoking by Taichi, and it was soon found out he had been stealing. All the pressure of being a god and the getting away with anything was hitting Daisuke hard. Taichi was on short fuse, trying hard not to break down, unable to help Daisuke. Jyou was avoiding everybody, especially Sora, and was accepted into a prestigious medical college like his old one. Ken was hanging with Eri so much, he was slowly becoming goth. Though, everyone agreed it was for the best. He was hot in the clothes Eri got him. Mimi was still Mimi, if preppier, but something lay beneath the surface. A darkness no one saw until it was too late.
The only two that really seemed the same were Yuuta and Koushirou. But they were touched too. Koushirou locked himself in Mr. Hiroki's study for hours, sometimes until dawn. If he wasn't here, he was on his laptop, at the library, or at school just to see Yuuta. Yuuta was living at her own house, and was so immersed with school work -trying so hard to catch up- she was staying up until dawn herself, and couldn't really see the difference in Koushirou, or was too busy to try and talk to him. Everyone had the feeling the school board was loading her down on purpose. Nobody could prove anything, however, and the thought stayed on the shelf.
What really hit them was their own Digimon. Touched deeply by their partners' changes, the Digimon were either silent or among themselves. Something was happening, and nobody could stop it. They couldn't even find the problem!
"I'm going to go take a bath." Mimi said without emotion.
"That's all you seem to do now-a-days." Miyako tonelessly replied.
"It's all I can do that calms me down." Mimi looked to the floor, her golden-brown eyes hooded. Something flickered, something dark, in their depths. But Miyako did not look up and merely turned a page.
"Have fun, Meems."
Mimi walked out, trying to press down the disturbing giddiness rising.
Sora tossed the ball at the wall and watched it bounce back neatly into her palm.
Bounce.
Bounce.
Bounce.
"Sora, what are you doing? That's right against my wall." Yamato snapped, flinging her door open.
Blank red-brown eyes met his.
"I'm bored. Hikari isn't here...again. Mimi went to the baths again and locked the door. Miyako's doing homework, as is Chidori. I can't stand it." Her voice matched her eyes perfectly.
"Can't you hit another wall?"
The ball fell and Sora rose.
"Not going to flirt? Not going to make-out? I'm alone. Everybody's busy. Well?" Sora stopped just in front of him, eyes boring into his. He looked away. "I hate you." she whispered.
"Sora..."
"Move."
He moved.
She stared at the opening. Suddenly, as if waking up, she ran past him.
Jyou typed furiously. His spacious dormitory was immaculate behind him. Only one bed occupied the room clearly meant for more. He was a god, so he got his own room, the best, naturally.
"One more...less then one more...just one more." he chanted. He finally finished his last page and abruptly pushed away. "I now have three days to edit the damn thing."
I have way too much time on my hands.
His cell phone rang and the familiar text message met him as he opened it.
Onegai.
Jyou felt his pulse race. He walked to his door. He pulled his lock to the side and met the eyes of the person outside. He stepped back and the person entered. The door closed and the chain lock slid in place. In a matter of moments, both fell in a jumble of half-dressed limbs unto Jyou's bed. Kisses so heated their breath steamed took away their breath and their ability to talk.
Not like they needed to anyway. They just needed to melt.
Hikari ran her hand through sweated matted hair.
When did it all go wrong? She thought again.
Music flowed through the room, but it pounded in her head.
When she told me her secret?
The waitress set the glass down in front of her. She smiled humorlessly.
When I turned aside and hurt her trust?
The waitress left with eyes clouded with sadness and anxiety. The familiar gleam of hero-worship was still hovering there, though, holding back her words.
When her eyes told me something broke?
She tipped back the glass, the reflexive gag nonexistent now. Alcohol had no taste, bad or otherwise. She wanted to drink the worship out of the waitress's eyes.
I want to fix her...I didn't want her to break.
Tears slipped down once again as her drunken state broke her walls.
"Iori, you're so smart!" Kira exclaimed. He blushed.
"No, I'm not. Izumi-sempai is, but I'm not." Iori demurred.
"You look up to him, don't you?" Kira realized softly. Iori looked down at his watch.
"I should head home."
"But...my brother's gone. I'm so lonely."
"When...when did they die?" Iori whispered. Kira picked up a picture of two smiling adults.
"I was too young to really remember. I think my sadness...my loneliness is why my Digiegg won't hatch. And why I got it so late." She ran a hand over the gray shell. "It looks as lonely as me."
Iori hesitantly touched her hand. She flung herself at his chest, wrapping thin arms around him.
"Don't leave me, Iori-kun, please." she hiccuped.
"I won't leave you. I promise." Iori muttered.
Her dark eyes narrowed in quiet laughter.
"Arigatu gozaimasu." She sniffled.
Armadillomon stared blankly at the wall.
Taichi leaned on the wall outside the bedroom. His haggard face didn't look like Taichi. He looked older and without the energy he was famous for. He even looked pale.
He slowly pushed open the door to see Daisuke lying spread-eagle on the floor. His hand was in the air above his face, his arm straight above him. The same pale, energetic-less face mirrored Taichi's. Black-brown eyes glanced up at Taichi.
"Did you tell them yet?" Daisuke whispered.
Taichi fell to his knees and ran a hand through Daisuke's hair.
"I won't tell your secrets for you. They know all they need to know until you decide to tell more." Taichi murmured. Daisuke's eyes glittered.
"I feel so stupid," he admitted.
"I love you anyway." Taichi said lowly. The tears fell slowly, sliding over Daisuke's temples.
"I...I love you so much." Daisuke sobbed. "What would I do without you?"
Taichi placed Daisuke's head on his lap and continued to stroke his hair. The others knew he had smoked, but he didn't smoke cigarettes. He smoked a stronger version of their time's marijuana. Most of the time he was high was blurred, but an innocence Daisuke had always been famous for was stripped in an act of fanatic cruelty before Taichi could arrive to stop it.
"You know what?"
"What, Tai-koi?" Daisuke's heavy eyes slowly opened.
"We need blue ice cream." Taichi cautiously met Daisuke's eyes.
Daisuke snorted. He choked and snorted until he finally gave in and burst into laughter. Taichi joined him. Both laughed so hard and long, tears streamed from their eyes and they fell asleep, both smiling and crying.
They somehow ended up entwined on the hard floor, finding their freedom once again.
Ken and Eri ran back and forth.
Twang. Thunk.
"That hit the line."
"It did not, Rokunda."
"It so did, cheater."
"I do not cheat." Ken sniffed loftily. Eri laughed breathlessly. "Round...six?"
"Seven. Iie. Water. Now." Eri gasped. She stumbled to the bench and fell with a hard thump. She tipped back her head letting the cold liquid slide down her throat. "Ah. Wan' some?"
"I have my own..." He rose from his crouch, a water bottle in his hand. "Doomo."
Eri blinked.
"You're welcome." She smirked wickedly. "You look just as hot sweaty in tennis clothes as you do in black and hot pink. Wonder what you look like just sweaty?"
Ken choked, water spraying over the green court. Eri laughed and smacked his back.
"I'm just messing with you, Ken-kun." She grinned.
"Well...don't...not like that..." Ken muttered, his flushed face hidden. Eri looked at him. She grasped his chin and turned his head around slowly.
"Maybe I'm not." Eri whispered.
"You just want to because you're just like everybody else." Ken jerked his head away. "I'm a fucking god." Eri backhanded him, leaving a red mark. "What the f-"
"Iie! How dare you think I'm like them? Don't you know me?" Eri growled.
"Do you know me?" Ken shot back. Eri nodded.
"You're Ken Ichijouji who's great at tennis, looks hot in my clothes, and who I want to get naked and so flustered he can't think straight. But we're fifteen, so that won't be happening." Eri kicked her feet, her face to the ground.
Ken stared at her and then grabbed her upper arms. Eri squeaked as his mouth pressed against her own. His kiss was brutal, demanding, and bruising, but delicious all the same. His hands moved down her arms, rubbing up her ribs. Shivers ran up her spine. As his hands touched her stomach, they lowered unto the bench, the metal digging into Eri's back. His fingers brushed the bottom of her bra. Ken looked up as her hands grabbed his.
"Ken...we're at a tennis court." Eri managed to gasp.
"I'm a frickin' deity, aren't I? Who cares?" Ken grumbled.
"I do. You're not some Deity to me. Don't try and prove how normal you are to me." She brought his hands to her lips and kissed his knuckles. "We're only fifteen. The least we can do is get a room." Eri joked. Ken smiled slowly.
"I'm sorry, Eri." He brushed hair out of her eyes.
"Oh, shut up, Ichijouji. And get off of me. Let's go home and eat. I'm starving."
Takeru lay on his back, his hands behind his head. Patamon was curled on the pillow next to his head. His blonde hair shone in the sunlight streaming through his window.
Why? I thought...it was destiny. Why did she leave me? We are Hope and Light. Our Digimon are the angels. We've been together for so long. Destiny...what happened to my destiny? His blue eyes closed in pain.
Hikari's face, dead and tearless, appeared before him. Her words, robot-like, were telling him over and over that she didn't love him. That she had to fix something she had broken and he could no longer be a part of her heart.
He pushed off his bed, sick of wallowing in self-pity. He wandered aimlessly, his blue eyes darted all around, trying to find something, anything, to keep his mind off her voice, her betrayal. A sound of clicking and soft music found their way into his numb brain. His feet automatically took him through the door that was cracked open.
Chidori sat in a swivel chair, long hair in a ponytail. Her glasses were sliding down her nose as her fingers flew over the keyboard, her grey eyes glued to the screen. Takeru felt feeling leak into his limbs once more. Her intensity was driving into him like a nail gun.
"Konnichiwa, Hiroki-san."
"Konnichi wa."
Takeru sat down on the "pleather" couch and waited silently, his eyes reading the spines of books filling the bookshelf beside her to the brim. Chidori made quick, jerky movements and suddenly spun around. She pushed back her glasses and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Well, what's on your mind, bishonen?"
"Nani?" Takeru asked, surprised.
"All of you so-called gods have been acting drugged. Your Digimon aren't even around you anymore. That's a sure sign of a problem. You obviously came in here looking for an answer."
Takeru bit his lip and said nothing. And neither did she. Finally, he let out a pent-up breath.
"Do you believe in destiny?" he blurted lowly.
"No." Chidori replied so bluntly he looked up startled. "Your life is not planned out for you. Your only destination is what you choose to be your destination. If you come to a fork, you may turn left, you may turn right, no matter what though, someone does not know your decision before you make it. You could easily turn right when you should've turned left. Humans are meant to make stupid mistakes. God, if there is one, has enough problems before planning out your life for you." Chidori explained precisely.
"I guess..."
"Don't guess, know. Nobody but you knows what turn you'll make. Sometimes, you don't even know. No matter what, there's only a choice to change. That is the greatest gift an organism has, a choice."
Takeru's lips began to bend upwards. Chidori smiled back.
"Finally, someone's smiling again."
"Doomo. I needed that." Takeru noticed absently how grey her eyes were when she smiled.
Sora sat at a tiny table at the back of the quiet café. She silently lifted the thick, white cup to her lips. The bitter taste of unsweetened green tea made her shudder. She sipped once more.
"Takenouchi-Deity?"
Her red-brown eyes met the speaker's.
"Iie. I am Sora." She said firmly. Her mood began to lighten. "I don't know you...but you are making me feel much better. Please, call me Sora." she pleaded.
"Then call me Hatsuharu." He bargained.
"Deal." Sora nodded. "Do you want tea?"
"Sure. Dutch?"
"I'll pay, really."
"Dutch, please."
"Oh, all right. At least I get to throw down some money." Sora relented.
"Win-win, it appears." Hatsuharu smiled.
"Hai." She smiled back.
Koushirou knocked, running a hand through his hair. No one came. He forced himself to knock louder. From the other side, he heard shuffling. They door opened to reveal a sleepy Yuuta.
"I am surry. I fell asleep." She rubbed her eyes.
She looks exhausted...and so cute.
"I'll come back again later."
"Iie! Dozo, I miss you." She caught his hand quickly. "Let me go splash some water on my face and freshen up. I will be right back. Come in." She jogged down the hall.
Koushirou sat gingerly on the couch. The house seemed empty. But...her parents wouldn't have left her alone would they?
"Sorry, I took so long." Yuuta apologized walking in.
"You didn't take long at all." He smiled wearily. She immediately knelt in front of him, touching his face.
"You look so tired. What have you been doing? Have you slept at all these past few months?" she inquired.
"I think so, but not much. I've been researching something." He stared deep into her eyes and traced the line of her jawline beneath the soft skin.
"Izzy-sempai..." Yuuta murmured, distressed.
"I'm fine...I just...I..." He pulled her up onto the couch. "I need to taste vanilla." he whispered. He wrapped his arms around her, rough and trembling.
"Izzy-sempai, dozo, what is wrong?" Yuuta placed her hands against his chest between them, his heartbeat beneath her palm.
"I read it so many times, so many. Always, my conclusion remains the same." His trembling became more violent. "I can't let it happen." He gritted.
"Izzy-" His lips collided with hers.
In frantic urgency, his hands ran down her arms, her hips. She fell backwards unto the couch, pinned beneath him. Her hands began running down his body, catching onto his need. His right hand twisted into her hair, pressing her mouth closer. His healed arm ran along the skin exposed as her shirt ran up.
"Izzy...wh-wa..." Yuua mumbled dazedly. He shook his head.
"I can't..." he whispered. Yuuta met his gaze.
He pushed the small of her back, making her arch towards him.
I won't let you fly. I won't let you go. I'll let the world explode, if only I can keep tasting French vanilla. He held the back of her head, the silky strands of brown silk flowing though his fingers. His brows were drawn, and his jaw set stubbornly.
Yuuta laid her nose against the groove of his collarbone, his scent, the taste, and feel of him, invading her.