Hey guys. Sorry for the really long time between updates. Unfortunately life got unusually busy.

I would like to thank Relyksterrier, TKViedarts, latdh1, theMonsterThatLivesUnderUrBe d, & Piko-Chuu97 for the reviews


Battlefronts: 5


I sat idly at the table sipping my coffee as Matt finished putting away the breakfast items I had washed earlier. A creak of the boy's bedroom let us know that they had finally risen. Mr Ishida, Sora and Kari had left 45 minutes ago for town leaving us to our own devices for the day. Prognosis was excellent.

Takao and T.K. staggered in; Taka was still half asleep while the younger blonde looked pale and drawn.

"Morning!" I said cheerfully. I managed to hide my smile behind my coffee mug as I got mumbles in reply. Matt flashed me a smirk before he opened the oven retrieving the scrumptious breakfast he had made.

The smell seemed to perk both of them up. Matt deftly split the bounty on to two plates and served the pair with a flourish. He gave me a real smile at the appreciative thanks he got. Matt sank into a chair after retrieving his coffee. With a nod of encouragement from me, he addressed his younger brother hesitantly.

"T.K. I know you are on bed rest but I...I was wondering if you wanted to help me do some cooking..." he trailed off when two pairs of eyes, one blue and one brown, looked up from their meals and stared at him intently.

T.K. studied Matt seriously. A swift kick from Taka ended the awkward silence. "I'm not very good in the kitchen...I can't even boil an egg." T.K. said despondently. Taka patted his shoulder reassuringly.

Seeing Matt flinch at the rejection, I decided to intervene. "T.K." I began, both younger boys turned their attention to me. Matt took a sip, using his mug to hide his face. "If Matt can teach me to cook then he is more than capable of teaching you to cook. I couldn't even boil water without burning it. Now thanks to Matt teaching me I can make a pretty mean teriyaki beef stir fry."

Matt shot me a grateful look, T.K. one of surprise. The younger blonde glanced at Takao before looking at his older brother. "Ummm. As long as you don't mind me being underfoot." He told Matt.

Taka nudged T.K. and gave him a big smile before digging into his meal again. Neither of them noticed the happy look Matt gave him.

Deciding to take the chance to get Taka alone I nudged the younger man with my foot. He looked at me with surprise. "Hey dude. You want to go surfing?"

The astute teenager's eyes flicked between Matt and T.K. He gave me a wink before agreeing happily.

I noticed T.K.'s shoulder drop slightly. "Hey T.K. when the doc gives you the all clear. I will give you private lessons and I will turn Taka over to Kari." I said with an evil laugh. Getting up I clapped T.K. on the back before heading to my room to prep my gear.

"We leave in 20 minutes Takao." I called over my shoulder.


ts


I perched nervously on the edge of my bed as Taka gathered everything he was going to need for a day out surfing.

To be completely honest I was extremely jealous of my best friend getting to have some private lesson with Tai. For the very short time I had been allowed to surf (after the initial lesson) I had thoroughly enjoyed it. I knew it was going to be like kendo. Addictive.

"What's wrong T.K.?" Takao asked me. I looked up from my musings.

"You were thinking so hard last night; I didn't want to disturb you. You're having nightmares again aren't you?" he asked me gently.

I nodded reluctantly. "I had a nightmare yesterday during an afternoon nap. Tai heard me. I am fairly sure he knows."

I squirmed as Takao studied me intensely. "Are you going to talk to him about it?" he asked me.

I played with the hem of my shirt. "No. Not yet. Please...please don't say anything." I asked voice cracking slightly. My fear began to spiral out of control as the memories floated to the surface.

Recognising the signs I was beginning to have a full blown panic attack. Taka walked over and grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me. "Stop freaking out!" he ordered. "I would never tell anyone without your permission. However. I do think he is someone you could trust."

I looked up at him focusing on my breathing. I opened my mouth to say something but Taka cut me off. "You're worried he might have told Matt aren't you?" he asked shrewdly. "Is your dad here asking awkward questions? Is Matt?"

I shook my head, fear beginning to recede. Taka released his grip. "Think on it." He said heading back to his gear. I watched him quietly.

A polite knock on the door interrupted the uneasy silence that had descended. Reluctantly I got up and opened the door. Tai stood there his hand raised to knock again. "Hey T.K. Matt's about ready to start. Takao you ready?"

My best friend replied in the affirmative. Gathering up his stuff Takao walked out the door flashing me a reassuring smile. I gave him a grimace smile in return and trudged down the hall to the kitchen.


ts


I cupped my hands around my mouth. "Takao!" I shouted out. I waved my arm and beckoned him in. He waved back letting me know that he understood. I watched in admiration as he caught a wave back in. He had natural talent that was for sure.

I tucked my board under my arm and waited for Taka to catch up. "Thanks for the lesson, Tai. Pity T.K. isn't allowed to come. He'd love this." He told me.

I flashed him a smile as we began walking towards the house. I asked the younger man about himself and he began to explain about his family and how they lived with his grandfather. I listened as he chatted away; thoughts of yesterday's events circling my mind. When we got to the half-way point I stopped; surprised he did as well. He cocked his head slightly as he studied me. Closing my eyes briefly, I took a deep breath and then looked at him. "Look, I don't know if T.K. told you about what happened yesterday but I really need to ask you something before I talk to him."

Taka interrupted me before I could speak. "He told me that he had a nightmare and you heard it. I am fairly sure I know what you are going to ask me and no I won't tell you. It's not my story to tell. Talk to him."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "I was going to ask you what is the best way of talking to T.K. about sensitive things?"

He turned bright red after he realised that he had given away more than he intended. Gamely he looked me square in the eye. "Get him away from everyone else. Ask him once – don't push him or he will lash out. He needs to understand that you won't tell anyone – including Matt. He's very private and it takes a lot for him to trust anyone."

I studied Taka's earnest face. "He's trying to avoid me. How can I possibly corner him without him thinking that I am a threat?"

"I'll sort that out." He said confidently. "I'm sure Matt and Sora will want to spend some time together without anyone else intruding. If Kari is able to give me lessons, you might be able to suggest to T.K. something about a walk. Convince his dad to let him outside for a few hours; he's going mental having to stay indoors."

I shook my head in amazement, my estimation of him rose. He was very good at reading people. "How'd you get to be so good at reading people?"

"Just picked it up I suppose." He said with a shrug.

I swore when the alarm on my watch went off. If we didn't hurry we would be late. "We had better go. Matt hates it when people are late."

We began walking again at a fast pace. "Why does Matt have such an issue with people being late?" Taka asked me.

"Not sure, it has been one of his pet peeves ever since I've known him. He really has a thing about good manners." I replied. We could just see the house through the trees. "The boards need some work so I will teach you about it this afternoon."

After we had storing the boards away we walked in through the front door. "Honey. I'm home." I called out as we walked through the front door. Taka muffled a laugh.

"About damn time!" Matt's voice echoed down the hall. This made my companion laugh harder. We walked into the kitchen in time to see Matt laying the last plate of food on the table. It was a veritable feast!

T.K. was piling dishes carefully into the sink to soak. He had bits of flour streaked over his clothes and in his hair. I hid a smile and raised an eyebrow at Matt. "Go clean up." He ordered with a wink after Taka's back was turned. With a salute I followed Taka down the hall.

Five minutes later saw us tucking to the food. I felt like I had died and gone to heaven. Matt 's food is indescribably good.

"This is amazing!" I exclaimed between bites of food. Matt hid a smile behind his hand at the pleased look on T.K.'s face.

"Hats off to the chef!" Taka exclaimed happily.

"T.K. did a really good job. I think he will make a much better cook than you Tai." Matt said teasingly. I rolled my eyes at my best friend. I knew cooking wasn't my strong suit.

"It's in his blood. My special talent is eating." I retorted. Matt choked on his food with that comment. T.K. had to thump his back to help him.

I smirked at Matt before taking another bite. "Taka and I are going to work on the boards this afternoon."

"I'm going for a walk before the girls get back." Matt said with a shrug.

T.K. looked a bit despondent. "I have to have a nap."

"Cheer up man. The day after tomorrow you should get the all clear; you've done everything the doctor said. You'll be surfing again in no time." I said trying to cheer him up. He looked at me and gave me a small smile.

Matt changed the subject. "Dad rang. He's been held up at work so he and the girls are going to eat in town before coming home. Is everyone okay with leftovers from lunch for dinner?"

"Hell yes!" I said happily. The others gave a more muted response. Matt just laughed at me.

"You're an idiot." He told me affectionately. I just gave him a grin in response.

After eating my fill I tackled the dishes with Taka's help leaving Matt and T.K. to relax. Unfortunately T.K. had a lot of energy and fiddled endlessly. I could see it was upsetting Matt. Nudging Taka I flicked my eyes towards T.K. He caught on quickly and dragged his friend off leaving Matt and I in peace.

"How'd it go?" I asked softly. Matt got up and sauntered over.

"Good. He opened up a little about himself while we were cooking. He really is going to be a good chef if he wants to." Matt said leaning against the sink looking at the kitchen. "He made a cake for dessert; we sampled it before you came back."

"Oh man. What about me?" I asked as I finished off the last pot. I pulled the plug out and gave him a beseeching look.

"You can have some later." He said reprovingly. "I don't know how you can still be hungry."

"You are saying this to ME?" I replied cheekily. He rolled his eyes at me and ruffled my hair. I gave him my best glare for daring to touch my pride and joy. His smile got wider.

Just as it was about to turn into a mock fight T.K. walked back into the room. With a smirk I signed to Matt that I would get him later. T.K. gave me a strange look. I went to collect Taka to begin work on the boards.


ts


I lay back in the sand, content. With the girls and Mr Ishida out of the way it had meant that T.K. had opened up a little and actually talked through dinner. Matt had been really happy that his younger brother was beginning to feel comfortable enough to talk around him.

While we working on the boards I had learned a lot more about Takao and his family. Little anecdotes about the mischief he and T.K. had gotten in had me feel even more resolute about drawing out the younger man.

A heartfelt sigh interrupted my train of thought. "What's up Matt?" I asked lazily half turning so I could see him.

"It's Sora. And T.K." he admitted.

"What about them?" I asked with a little curiosity.

"They detest each other with a passion. T.K.'s my brother and yes he hasn't been a big part of my life but it hasn't been through choice. I want to make sure that we don't drift apart after these holidays. Sora is a really big part of my life. We're moving in together in the coming semester. How do I get them to get along?" he asked plaintively.

"Wow. You're moving in together?" I said looking at him with surprise. "Didn't realise it was quite that serious yet Matt."

"We've been discussing it for a while now. We made the final decision to make the move just before we came here. She's been hunting for an apartment for us since University broke up for the summer." Matt said.

I felt like a bomb had been dropped on me. Matt and I had shared an apartment since we had moved out of home to go to University 2 years ago. I looked away from him and just gazed out at the water feeling a bit numb.

Matt continued to babble away as I tried to just digest the concept of not living with Matt anymore. I truly hadn't realised that they were so serious. It made me feel a little depressed to be honest. At least when we lived together we got to spend time together even with him dating Sora. We didn't take any of the same classes and with both of us having jobs to support us while we studied it was going to be near impossible to spend time any time together.

Matt's voice faded away. I continued to stare out at the ocean. He pushed me with his hand. I looked at him trying not betray my growing anger. "What?" I asked.

"I asked what I should do?" he reminded me.

Shaking my head in disbelief I got up. "Can't help you there Matt." I said brusquely before walking off. I heard him get up and call my name. I ignored him and continued on. I glanced back once as I entered the little bush track and saw him standing there confused. Matt could be really unaware of how his actions affected others sometimes. I know I was being childish about the whole moving in with Sora situation but I really needed to cool off before I lost my temper.


Hehehe. Hope you like this chapter.

If you would be so nice as to drop me a line and tell me what you think I reckon I could have the next chapter up pretty soon. :)

Lots of Love

Storm xox