Thanks to KawaiiKilala77 for the review.

I would also like to give a shout out to all the people who have read this story and for your support throughout the years. You remind me why I love writing. One day I might even get my own work published :)


Battlefronts

Chapter 9


Embarrassment flowed through me followed quickly by an intense rage I had never felt before. Without thinking I launched a hard right cross at the weirdo's face and it connected with a loud crunch. Everyone's attention flew to me as I then followed that with a jab. The idiot threw up his hands to defend his face but my punch slipped through easily and cracked him in the nose. Without thinking I threw another hard cross and Zach fell backwards into the sand.

"T.K. stop!" Taka tried to grab me but I ducked through and launched myself at Zach who had staggered to his feet, blood flowing freely down his face.

A strong arm grabbed my shirt and hauled me backwards before my next punch could connect with my opponent's face. Electricity zapped through me as muscular arms trapped me against a strong chest. I ignored the sensations and focused my attention on getting to the bastard struggling hard against the grip that held me in place. A grunt of effort met my ears as my captor fought hard to keep me away from the brunette.

"You little punk!" Zach growled angrily as he wiped away blood.

I ignored the words flying past my head and launched a verbal diatribe on the prick. "We heard every word you said you bastard. How dare you accuse Tai of taking advantage of me! You nothing about me or about him. Even if he was interested in me in that way it's none of your fucking business!" I snarled angrily. I jerked against the grip again trying to break free.

"Damn straight it is T.K. You are too young to be involved with someone Tai's age." Matt's voice hit me like a tonne of bricks.

The focus of my fury changed with those words. "You do not have the right to dictate who I decide to initiate a relationship with!" I screamed back pushed past my limit.

"You're 16!" Matt shouted back at me.

An intense dislike ripped through me and I didn't bother to hide it from anyone. "Tai's supposed to be your best friend yet you jump to the worst possible conclusion because some random stranger suggests there is something going on between us! Tai has never once tried to seduce me or even encouraged me to think if him that way – he's been trying to help me deal with some personal issues. I've been through shit your tiny mind can't comprehend. Don't you dare try and tell me what or who I can do. If I had decided to take up with a female of Tai's age you wouldn't have cared. The thought of me taking up with a male your age is freaking you out because you're a homophobe! You disgust me!"

Matt jerked back like I'd hit him, hurt evident in his eyes. I turned my focus on the arsehole that had caused all this. Mimi hovered next to him trying to stem the flow of blood from his nose. "You come near me or my friends again and I'll put you in the hospital." I hissed angrily.

Adrenaline pumped through me and I broke the strong grip that had been preventing me from attacking the other man. He flinched away when I did so and I let my lip curl up in disgust.

"You'll pay for hitting me you little brat." Zach snarled at me, trying to recover losing face.

"You think I'm scared of you?" I laughed derisively. The venomous look I got in response made me laugh again. I sneered at him and opened my mouth to launch more scathing words but something caught my attention.

Taka moved into the clearing near Zach with the nastiest look I had ever seen plastered across his face. I blinked rapidly as I watched my best friend. "He's not scared of you and neither am I. I believe you know my brothers Makoto and Yukio? They just overheard the entire conversation between what you thought was just you and Tai as well as your threats to T.K. They want to have a chat with you…" He said waving his phone in the air.

Zach had gone white at the mention of Makoto and Yukio's names I noted with interest. "They don't scare me." He tried to bluster.

"I think they do." Kari said with interest, arms propped up on her hips.

Zach glared around at me, Tai, Taka and Kari before storming off in the direction of the cabin muttering threats as he went. Mimi trailed along behind him. When they disappeared from sight I refocused my contempt on Matt.

"You suck!" I snapped at him and then I glared at Sora. "This is all your fault."

I stormed off, shaking off the hand that had tried to restrain me.

"T.K.!" Taka's voice rang out behind me. Rather than go back and let them see the tears that were welling in my eyes I broke into a run leaving them behind.


*ts*


I watched mutely as T.K. bolted away from us. "You're an idiot." I said to Matt with an exasperated sigh.

Ever the one to jump on the I-hate-T.K.-bandwagon Sora immediately came to her boyfriend's defence. "He didn't do anything wrong! T.K.'s is acting like a brat!" She snapped at me.

"Sora. Stop being a bitch." I snapped back. "You don't like T.K. we get it but you can't blame him for everything that is going on. Zach just accused me of seducing T.K. and being in love with your boyfriend. Instead of looking at that you focus on T.K. defending my honour and himself and you're having a go about it? Get over yourself."

Sora gave me a hurt look and opened her mouth to give me a lecture. "I'm not a homophobe." Matt said quietly, he looked up at me giving me a hurt look. "I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions Tai, T.K. was right I should have been defending you."

"You are a bit homophobic sometimes Matt. I know you're not exactly comfortable at times but I can assure you I have no romantic interest in you at all. You're not my type." I said with a shrug.

"I know you're not interested in me. Remember I've met a couple of the guys you date." Matt said, shifting slightly trying to hide his discomfit.

"That's not the point Matt." I replied sharply.

Matt gave me a weak smile. "T.K.'s only 16. He shouldn't be involved with someone older than him."

"I remember you were told when you were 16 that you weren't allowed to date that older woman Mai and you flipped out on your father when he tried to forbid you from seeing her. Pot calling the kettle black Matt. You're feeling uncomfortable because you know what he said is true – double standards." I said refusing to allow him to ignore the points T.K. had raised.

"But…" Matt began

"But nothing. If we did start something there is nothing you could legally do to stop it." I pointed out. "Now I'm going to have to go find T.K. and make sure he doesn't do something stupid because something tells me he isn't going to talk to you anytime soon. If he is anything like you he won't speak to you for a couple of days until after you apologise to him."

I walked off and heard a movement behind me. "Tai." Matt called out red-faced with embarrassment.

I looked back and waited for him to continue. He scuffed his toe in the sand and blue eyes looked into mine pleading. "If you did want to see him you are right there is nothing I could do. He'd be lucky to have someone like you in his life…"

I partially turned to study Matt and for the second time in less than an hour I was left speechless. Sora, Kari and Taka looked back and forth between us. "I know enough to admit when I'm wrong. You have a point and while the thought of T.K. taking up with an older male makes me cringe you are both right. I won't stand in your way if that is what you both want."

I looked Matt up and down once biting down a response. Taking a deep breath, I managed a civil reply. "Thank you, Matt. Your…support is appreciated. I'm more interested in making sure T.K. is okay. Could all of you possibly make sure that Zach is gone before I bring T.K. back please?"

"He really said all that to cause trouble for you?" Sora said quietly. I nodded sharply once.

"If you want the full details apparently those three overheard everything." I said glancing at Kari and Taka. Both nodded confirmation that they had overheard.

Looking at Kari I discreetly signed to her asking for her to tell me when Zach had left. She gave me a small smile before promising she would, keeping her hand movements discreet.

I strode off before Matt or Sora could say anything else. The anger that had been building up rolled off of me when I heard the sounds of waves hitting the sand not far away. A feeling of peace and tranquillity replaced the negativity and I gave a sigh of appreciation glad to be out of that situation.

I continue to follow the small trail of destruction T.K. had left as he fled the clearing. I was surprised by the level of contempt the younger boy had for his older brother. They were more alike than either of them realised unfortunately. Neither liked being told what they could and couldn't do and it was going to take a lot of effort to coax T.K. to forgive his brother I suspected.

I frowned a little when the obvious signs of the blonde's path had disappeared. Stopping a moment, I looked around…he had probably gone to the cove. That seemed to be safe haven and one that Matt or Sora would not know about so there was little chance of them interrupting my efforts at persuading him to come back. With a shrug I checked behind me before stepping onto the tiny trail that led to my intended destination.

As I finally entered the quiet space I saw T.K. sitting on the edge of the rocks his legs dangling into the surf that would slide up the rocks. I gave a small smile and strode over to where he's left his shoes and took mine off. I clambered up next to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

He looked at me with a tear-stained face. I jerked back a little like I had been slapped. "Are you okay?" I asked gently, concerned.

Blue eyes studied mine intently before he wrapped his arms around me in a hug. A fluttering sensation settled in my stomach and I returned the hug gratefully. It seemed the blonde had taken my word that I was his friend and wouldn't turn a way from him.


*ts*


His arms held me tight and for the first time in a long time I felt safe. I looked up, Tai had a silly smile on his face and I felt heat flood through me. He looked down at me and it hit me, Zach was partially right.

Without thinking I reached up and kissed Tai. His eyes widened and mouth fell open and I took advantage of the shock and slipped a hand up and tangled it in his hair, deepening the kiss. Electricity shot through me and hesitantly I invaded his mouth. Hands grasped my arms and tried to push me away but I pressed myself harder against him.

The need to breath forced me to break the kiss and I stared up at him chest heaving. Chocolate brown eyes were wide with shock and just stared at me. Hands still grasped my arms as he tried to process what was going on. I flashed him a smirk, thrilled to have finally thrown the older man for a loop. I pressed the advantage and pulled him back into another searing kiss.

"T.K. stop!" Tai said managing to tear his mouth away from me. I pouted a little but refused to release my grip on the older man. He looked at me, chest heaving.

I fingered the shirt he was wearing coyly, looking up at him through my lashes and flashed him a flirtatious smile. "What's wrong Tai?" I asked innocently.

"I'm not a way to get back at your brother!" He snapped trying to pull away from me.

I refused to let go and gave him a puzzled look. "I'm not using you to get back at Matt." I said hesitantly.

"T.K. you're just confused. You've been through a bit of emotional upheaval and you're projecting on me." Tai said gently.

I pulled my hands away and scooted away from him horrified at what he was suggesting. "I'm not confused. Why do you all insist on treating me like a kid?!" I yelled furiously. Tears welled up in my eyes and I turned around to prevent Tai from seeing them.

"T.K. it's okay. It happens." His hand brushed my arm and heat flooded through me.

I was too angry to accept being touched and I jerked away. Unfortunately, that motion caused me to slip on the rock's wet surface and I tumbled forward into the water below. I hit the water hard and slid under and I clawed at the surface but to no avail.


*ts*


Horror washed over me as T.K. went tumbling over the other side of the rocks and into the churning water below. I jumped down to the sand and ploughed into the water without any regard for my clothes.

"T.K.!" I yelled. The blonde's head hadn't surfaced and I dove under the wave. His hand was not far from my face and he was sinking fast. Adrenaline pulsed through me and I grabbed at his arm and pulled him to me. I pushed through to the surface and managed to get him to land in short order. I put him into the recovery position and leaned over him to check his breathing. It was faint but there and when I made sure his airways were open he began to cough up water.

I waited until he finished. "Are you okay?" I asked gently. Blue eyes looked at me dully.

"Teeks." I started to say. He turned his back on me and refused to acknowledge my concern. I sighed to myself. I really cocked up this one.


Please leave me a line or two and let me know what you think? Constructive criticism is always welcome and I was a little unsure about this chapter.

Thanks again for your support.

Lots of Love

Storm xox