I know I threw Billy in quickly, but like I said, he's very important for Yamato and Taichi to get together. And we all went Yamato and Tai to be a couple, don't we?

Yamato

I breathe out. I know how he feels though, so I simply pretend I didn't see it. I jump up, and grab his wrist. I pull him to his feet, at the same time he grabs the one backpack he has with him. I hold onto him, and I lead him as Takeru leads me. We're getting funny stares, and I hear Billy's voice almost touching my ear.

"I need a bathroom." I grab Takeru's arm.

"Bathroom?" I ask him. He turns to the left, and I drag Billy with me. Billy disappears as soon as he can see it. We wait.

"He's uhm.."

"He's tall, and probably sore, so don't say anything about his face."

"I don't speak English."

"Don't say anything, to anyone."

"Okay." The door opens, and Billy reappears. He is no longer bruised. It looks more like he walked into a door and it just happened to hit him in the eye. He looks much better, and I'm glad he was smart enough to cover up before we got to my mother. She'd have a huge fit. Takeru looks more impressed then I could ever be over it. I spent too many days of my life trying to make sure no one ever found out.

"Let's go," I mumble to Takeru, who takes the lead again. Billy doesn't need me to hold onto him, due to the fact he can look up now. We make it to my mother, who has, apparently, not even gotten out of the car. Billy gets shoved into the backseat, and I crawl over him. Takeru walks around and gets back into the front passenger seat. Natsuko looks at Billy in the review mirror. He smiles a little bit, before looking down.

"Mom, Billy. Billy, Natsuko." I say first in Japanese, then English. They share another glance, then my mom starts the car, and we begin our ride home. Baby is all over Billy, and all those he doesn't look at her, he can't avoid touching her, as she's in his lap licking his face. He pushes her away absently as I watch.

"Enough, Baby." She looks at me, ears perked at her name. I point at her spot in between us, and she curls up there. Billy's fingers find her, and he strokes her fur. He is thinking about something, so I opt to stay quiet and let him think. I will have all the time I need to get to know him, and talk to him, later. Natsuko and Takeru speak quietly, and Takeru watches Billy with curious eyes.

"Is he okay?" Takeru asks me.

"He looks okay, doesn't he?" My tone catches Billy's attention. Takeru pretends the acid isn't there.

"Well, sure, but I mean, if he was actually b-" He looks at Natsuko.

"If he actually got kicked out, I'd think he'd be upset."

"Doubt it. He's almost 21."

"Oh. Well then. Is he gonna stay in Japan, or go back to Italy?" I shrug. I desperately hope he stays. Takeru turns back around, and Billy stares out the window. Billy knows everything there has ever been to know about me. Maybe not all the worst details, but.. he knows more then enough. That realization alone is enough to throw questions into my head that I must get the answers to. Why would he come here, of all places? He had real friends. I knew he did, I had spoken to most of them over the phone, or online when he had to go talk to a parent or something. Did I really mean that much to him? Or was this just a trick from Andrew, or someone like him? What if Billy was like him. My head spun, and the last thought almost makes me sick. What if, what if, what if. What if's are bad, and I shove the 'what if's' out of my head for now. As we pull into the drive way, another car gets my attention. Takeru obviously has the same train of thought, because he gets the words out before I do.

"Mom? Does dad know about Billy coming to stay?" Silence.

"Mom?" Takeru and I say at the same time. Billy has again, picked up on my tone, and looks at me. He bites his lip.

"Is something wrong?" He asks. The accent makes me smile.

"I don't think so. And even if there is, it's nothing you need to worry about, okay?" He thinks it over for a minute, then nods. The car is parked and my mom looks at me.

"I'll go first." Natsuko says. Takeru's head hits the back of the seat. Billy gets it from the look in my eyes.

"No one told dad, eh?" I sigh.

"It's alright, I don't have to stay here."

"You're staying," I snap, then open my car door, because my mom still hasn't moved. Baby jumps out first, and I follow her.

"Get out." It is an order. Billy gets out, and Takeru follows, even though he didn't hear the order in Japanese. Billy follows a step behind me, and I open the door. My dad is exactly where I'd hoped he be. The kitchen. I go to my room, with Billy.

"Stay here." I tell him, before going back to my father.

"Don't you say hello?"

"No. But, I have a friend staying for awhile, kay? Mom already said I could." Natsuko stay hidden in the doorway.

"Oh really, and what if I say no?"

"Too bad for you, I guess. He's already here." I can see him get angry, and that's my cue to leave. I make it back to my room, and 20 seconds later, Takeru closes the door behind him. The yelling starts.

"You're insane!" He spits are me.

"You're pretty good at that anger thing," I tell him. He glares at me. Billy sits still on the bed. He listens to our tones, not our words. He relaxes when he realizes I'm not mad at Takeru for yelling at me. I stick my tongue out and smile. Takeru almost instantly smiles back. He's not mad at anymore. He sits on the floor in front of where I'm standing. I sit with him, and Billy slides off my bed to join us.

"I felt left out." He mumbles. I watch him for a minute, before tackle-hugging him. He hugs me back. Takeru giggles.

"I can't believe you're here."

"Neither can I. I'm just glad you came to get me, or I'd still be at home.."

"What happened?" Takeru stands and starts looking through my room. I watch him, as I listen to Billy.

"I don't know. My dad just kinda came home drunk, and lost it. Then, when I tried to leave, he attacked me again, which, you know, is why I have more bruises today then last night." I nod slightly. He watches Takeru look through my closet. He pulls on the hoodie he always says he likes. He grins when he realizes we're both watching him.

"How do you say his name?"

"Ta-ker-oo."

"T.K!" Takeru says.

"I can say T.K." Billy says with a smile. I repeat it to Takeru, who looks smug. The knock on my door makes all three of us jump. Natsuko opens the door. She smiles directly at Billy, who returns her smile, and then looks away. The most beautiful person in the world, and he's too shy to even know it.

"Tai and Kari are here, Tai has homework for you, Yamato." Takeru and I stand. I offer my hand to Billy and pull him up.

"What did sh-"

"The boy on webcam last night is here."

"Oh."

"His name's Tai. His sister is Kari." Billy follows Takeru and I. As we pass Hiroaki, Billy automatically moves closer to me. I don't think he even noticed he did it. Taichi and Kari wait just outside the door. Tai hands me some work sheets.

"We've got a test on Monday in Biology," His eyes drift to the dark haired boy beside me. His mouth opens, then shuts. He doesn't know what to say. Billy offers a smile to the do Yagami's. Kari returns it immediately. Taichi's takes a second.

"Tai, Kari, Billy." I point at teach of them as I say their name. I hope Billy plans on learning some Japanese, because I can't always translate everything for him.

"Come hang out with us." Kari invites. Takeru and I agree. Kari doesn't look sick anymore, and as much as I hate to admit it, I missed Taichi today. Billy just follows behind. Tai keeps glancing at him.

"Stop starring, it's rude." I say eventually. Tai looks at me, but doesn't say anything. Billy is silent for the two hours we spend walking around doing nothing. Eventually though, it is Tai who finally states the words that will have us separating.

"I'm hungry."

"You're always hungry." Takeru and Kari say together.

"No, I'm really hungry. Like, pass out hungry" I roll my eyes.

"Whatever, come on Takeru." We leave one way, the other two go another. Everything after that is robotized. Eat, shower, brush teeth, get into bed. The only difference if there's a body I'm not scared of beside me. A comforting body. In a big brother sorta way. I turn to face Billy, but his eyes are closed, and he looks at peace, so I let him sleep. I have two full days to talk to him before school. Just as I'm about to go to sleep, Billy's voice floats to me. His voice is soft, like he doesn't want to wake me up, but he needs to make the effort.

"Yeh?"

"Does Tai like you?"

"What?"

"Everytime you look at him he blushes, and he smiles a lot, so I just thought that maybe..."

"I don't know. I think he might."

"Do you like him?"

"I don't like anybody."

"You like me." I stay silent. He is right. I do like him. I like Taichi, too, I just can't admit that. That wouldn't be me, would it? Who am I, anyway?