Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Harsh Memories ❯ Taichi punches and Takeru nods away ( Chapter 22 )

Takeru walked along the street with his head hung. He was still recovering from the fight between Iori and his O-Kaa-san that he had been forced to witness. Takeru wasn't paying attention to where he was going and eventually rammed into another person. He mumbled an apology as he attempted to walk past whoever he had bumped into. Suddenly a hand gripped his shoulder and shook Takeru gently. Takeru's eyes widened as he saw who he had ran into.

Yagami Taichi smiled down at the younger blond. Reaching down, he took the stunned Takeru into a hug, actually managing to lift Takeru off of the sidewalk. Finally, Tai released the now extremely shocked Takeru. "W-What was that for Taichi-sama?"

"Well... you looked so down. I just couldn't resist I guess. Let's call it an impulse hug," the smile never seemed to leave Taichi as he reached down and clamped a hand onto Takeru's shoulder. "So, where are you off to in such a foul mood? Did you forget you had an appointment with Hikari to plan Iori's big birthday bash? " The brunette asked accusingly. Takeru flushed, as he realized he had managed to forget entirely about Hikari. He stammered out a quick apology, attempting to fight the crimson from completely taking over his face. Takeru bowed deeply to Tai as he began to walk towards the Yagami apartment.

Within moments, Takeru found himself walking alongside Tai, as the older boy had easily caught up to him. "Is their anything in particular wrong Takeru-chan? You don't look so good."

"I was over at Iori's the other day... and well... he and his O-Kaa-san had a big fight over his O-Jii-sans will. Apparently Chikara left Iori a certain Shinai... and his O-Kaa-san sold it the other day, " Takeru finished in a rush. He bowed his head as he awaited Taichi's eventual laughter. Takeru was surprised however when he looked up to see Tai absorbed in thought. "She really shouldn't have done that... Chikara was really important to Iori... and he should have had something to remember him by. On the other hand... I am sure that something like that would be valuable... and with the funeral, their family must be pretty hard up right now."

Takeru stared in silence for a few moments before breaking out into a small grin. "Since when did Yagami Taichi become the great pacifier? I never expected you to say anything like that," Takeru shook his head as a light chuckle found its way past his mouth.

Takeru winced as he received a small smack from Tai. "Jeeze Yagami... take it easy... you have a lot more muscle than me, you know."

Taichi burst into a fit of laughter, falling against a nearby wall for support. Takeru raised an eyebrow in confusion. Between gasps, Taichi finally managed to explain. "You (gasp) don't know how (gasp) much like Yamato you (gasp) just sounded!"

The laughing brunette ducked quickly as Takeru launched a lighthearted punch towards him. The two continued their "mock-fight" till they eventually reached Tai's apartment building.

Takeru shivered as the blast of heat from the apartment complex hit him. He rubbed his hands together, thankful to be back in a warm building (A/N: I live in a desert...if it is not this cold in November please excuse my ignorance of you non-desert dwellers) He followed Tai over to the elevator, and leaned against the back wall, while the elevator started its journey. " What where you doing at Iori's anyways? " Taichi's sudden question broke Takeru out of his short reverie. "I heard him crying about something from my room. He was sobbing quite loudly... so I decided I would climb down to his room and see what was the matter," Takeru smiled as he saw the look of shock on Taichi's face. "You mean to tell me you climbed down from your balcony? "

"Hai"

"Onto Iori's balcony?"

"Hai"

"Above the busy city street?"

"Hai Taichi... I did. What's so hard to imagine about this?"

"Well, you just don't look like the dangerous type! I never thought you'd do anything like that."

Takeru shook his head as he moved forward and exited the elevator, with a stunned Taichi following close behind. Takeru knocked softly on the door, before Taichi pushed him aside and

strode in to the unlocked apartment. "You know that's really impolite, " Takeru began before stepping his way into the warm apartment. He removed his coat, hanging on a peg near the entrance, then removed his shoes and placed them by the door. Takeru dogged out of the way, as two larger shoes landed near where he was standing. Taichi chuckled at the reproachful look Takeru shot him.

The two boys made their way back to Tai and Hikari's room, seeking Tai's Omoto-chan. They found her reading on her bed, with Tailmon curled around her feet. Upon hearing the two boys enter she sat up slowly, trying not to disturb the in-training Digimon's sleep. "So, you finally found him? I was wondering if you two would ever show up," Hikari whispered as she stroked Tailmon's back gently, soothing the digimon back to sleep. "Gomen Hika-chan. I was over at Iori's yesterday and there was a small argument. I have been worried about it ever since. I am not sure whether or not Iori's O-Kaa-san will let us throw the party now. "

Hikari looked worriedly over to her O-Nii-san. "Think you could have O-Kaa-san have a talk with her Nii-chan?"

"I don't know what good it will do... but I'll go ask her," with this Taichi ambled off, in search of his O-Kaa-san.

"Now, what do you think we should do for Iori-chan's birthday? I was thinking of a chocolate cake but Miyako was talking about..." Takeru quickly tuned Hikari out as his mind once again wandered over to his Koi. Takeru began nodding at regular intervals, matching Hikari's prompting perfectly. < Another hour of this and I can go and check in on Iori-kun, > Takeru thought happily as his head continued to nod. <What she really needs is one of those water glass birds. >

---------(One hour and 365 nods later)---------

Takeru sighed happily as he left the Yagami residence. It wasn't that he disliked Hikari... far from it. It was just that she tended to drone on about things that really didn't matter. They had already bought the cake for the party so there really was no reason to discuss it. Takeru began to whistle happily as he walked towards his apartment building. He was only a block away when he ran into Yamato and Daisuke. He stopped as the two approached him. " Hey Otouto-chan! Where are you headed?"

"Hey Yama-chan. I was just heading home. Hikari wanted to talk about the 'event'."

"She seems to be real excited about this ne?" Dai asked as he looked off to the left thoughtfully. < I wonder what these two are doing out together. I thought Yama-chan hated Dai, > Takeru thought as he watched his brother look at whatever Dai was looking at. Finally Takeru moved his gaze to mimic them. He watched as Miyako exited he family's shop and began walking towards them. Takeru suddenly wanted to flee for his life. < I already had to sit through Hikari's speech for an entire hour! Not Miya-chan too! > With this thought, Takeru began edging closer to the shop he was standing in front of. As Yamato and Dai rushed forward to greet Miyako, Takeru sneaked stealthily into the store, thus avoiding Miyako's wrath.

Takeru stared at the store for a few moments before he began rummaging through it. < I still have to get Iori-kun something. Maybe I can find something here that will cheer him up. > As he moved through the store, He began to realize that most of the items where second hand. < Must be a pawnshop, > he thought as he picked up an older magazine, leafing through the crumbling papers. He replaced the magazine and continued his exploration of the store. Finally in frustration he walked up to the counter to stare at the jewelry and watches that where on display. His breath caught in his throat as he saw the perfect gift suddenly appear before him.

A/N: That's all for this chapter. I am saving the gift for the next chapter, which will be the birthday party/ coming out party (to the Digidestined). Also, congratulations to Recnamorcen who got the birth date correct. He/she will receive a gift fic for his/her trouble.

Yoshiki.