Chapter 1

The Beginning

"Yo!" someone boomed in her ear. Sora jumped. Then looking who it was, exhaled loudly.

"God! Taichi! You killed me!"

Taichi grinned as he easily fell in step beside her. "That was the plan. "He said fingering through his hair hastily, trying to make them wilder.

Sora twisted her mouth lopsidedly in exasperation. "Sure.", then as if she found it odd, she asked glancing at him, "Aren't you a bit early Taichi? You usually like to participate in a single-man race to school."

Taichi sighed loudly, a visible slump in his shoulders. Sora gave him a sideways quizzical look. He was being quite theatrical.

"Yeah, well. Technically, am still running a bit late. But, whatever. Our coach wants to hold an early discussion session regarding our next match of semi final. So that later, in practice session, we won't waste time in setting our strategy. We would just practice hard."

Sora felt a pang of sympathy for him. They had been practicing like crazy the whole last month. It showed when their school reached to semifinals. Now the whole school is ecstatic, giving encouragement in passing any member of team. Although it was all good-willed, the soccer players were feeling more and more pressurized. Taichi, specially, being the captain, was ready to do or die. Sora nodded, smiling slightly.

"I will be there cheering you guys. You guys are really covering all limits. It won't go to waste. Just try to relax. Don't worry. You guys will do awesome. Even without me." she smirked smugly.

Taichi rolled his eyes, "Right. Don't be so obnoxious. Thanks for the speech though." "What? So you don't like people copying you, O The True Obnoxious?" Sora teased.

Taichi just grinned and shrug "I can't help it. What being the best on team and captain and all that. . . ."

Sora hit him playfully on shoulder, laughing when he gave a fake howl "You really are hopeless. No cure. Absolutely."

Talking about their previous matches, they soon arrived at school. As they enter the school, Taichi started jogging ahead, leaving Sora behind, "I have to go to the meeting. Bye Sora." he yelled, starting to run full sprint.

"Bye! See u later." Sora waved back. Taichi really was one of a kind, she thought. Where he always manages to scoot in the class at the very last minute, he proudly claimed to be never late for any football practice in his whole school life. Sora has to admit that he was right. He could be sloppy and forgetful in studies, but as football team's captain he set a very good example. Walking at her usual pace, Sora went to her locker, retrieving books and copy. She felt a faint movement beside her and then . . .

"Hello Sora!"Someone said from beside her. For the second time that morning, Sora jumped. Breathing in relief as she recognized the voice, she turned around.

"Hey Koushiro! How you doing?" she smiled gently at the boy genius, closing her locker and setting two more books on the pile in her arms.

"Great. Just thought I might drop a hello before going to class." Koushiro said, looking embarrassed for making Sora jump.

"Well, thanks." Sora said, chuckling. She paused before adding, "I didn't get to meet you yesterday either. You were late or something. . .?" Sora asked.

Koushiro nodded, shifting his laptop to a more secure position over his shoulder, "Yeah. A bit. Slept late the night before."

"Oh. I hope you are not exhausting yourself too much over studies." Sora said a bit reproachfully.

"No no." Koushiro shook his head quickly, "It was just a one-time thing. Am good now Sora."

Sora looked at him suspiciously, not trusting his explanation. Koushiro gave an uneasy smile before adding, "Really Sora. Believe me."

She finally smiled at his reassurance, "Ok then. I should be get going for my class."

"Yeah, me too." He said looking relieved. Sora can be very protective for her friends sometimes. If she get so much as a hint of Koushiro not resting enough, Koushiro will be hard-pressed to relax. But that's what makes her such a good friend too.

"I have Electronics class next. Better not to be late. You never know what you might miss. Bye. See u later." Koushiro said, turning to move on.

"Sure. Bye." Sora said, chuckling once again at his enthusiasm and walked down the corridor for her own class.

Sora could not help smiling to herself. Poor Koushiro. He took a bit too many difficult subjects this year. And now Sora has to watch him struggle through all the assignments. As much as he has an ever-growing passion for computer, it was still hard to manage so much being the head of computer club. Sora remembered pointing out the fact to him at the beginning of year. But he assured her then that he would manage alright. Sora hoped he judged his capabilities correctly. It would be too bad if he had to struggle too much. She knew he would sacrifice his rest for his studies if he felt like its getting too difficult to manage.

At the entrance of the class, Sora came to earth from her thoughts after crashing into someone, her books toppling over and out of her arms.

"Oh sorry. Really." she said hastily, bending down to pick her books. She heard a low chuckle as someone leaned down in front of her, helping her.

"You seem preoccupied."

Sora looked up to find azure eyes crinkled around the edges with a smile, covered slightly with a lock of blonde hair. She smiled back.

"Hi Yamato. Sorry about that." she said, taking her books from him.

They both stood up.

"It's alright." he said, shaking his head.

They moved for the door frame at the same time and collided again. Sora smiled sheepishly, stepping back quickly. Laughing, Yamato stepped back too and gestured with his arm, "Ladies first."

Sora gave him an amused look," Always a gentleman." she said mockingly.

Walking to her seat, Sora gave occasional greetings to her classmates. Mostly her tennis teammates or previous teammates from soccer. Yamato, however, stayed silent, walking right beside her, replying to the greetings of his classmates, mostly girls, with just a nod of his head. He could feel the eyes of several girls on him, but he pretended to be oblivious. He didn't want to encourage anyone just in case they might take him seriously. And being mistaken for flirting was the last thing he wanted.

Sitting beside Sora, he stretched his legs under the table, leaning back on two legs of his chair. Sora has already arranged her books in her desk and was now reading a book, leafing through the pages casually. Yamato sighed looking at the book. You'd think, with only few minutes to class, one would like to enjoy a little time away from book. After a while, he couldn't stop himself.

"You really can't resist, huh?" Yamato teased.

"Hmm?" Sora was already preoccupied, her eyes moving intently on the page.

Yamato reached over and gently took the book out of her arms.

Sora looked up, confused. "What?" she asked.

Yamato closed the book and placed his arms over it. "You can read it all you want at home. Only 5 minutes are remaining till the class start. You should do something else."

Sora looked around the room helplessly, "Like what?"

"Talk?" Yamato suggested.

"Ok. About what?" Sora asked shrugging.

Yamato sighed. Sometimes Sora's good traits can be exhausting. Her nature of not encouraging gossip and useless chatter was something Yamato always appreciated. But right now, it left her staring around the room blankly.

"How about your tennis? Or my band?" he asked. Even though he knew there really was not anything much to discuss about either of them. Her usual practice. His usual practice. No upcoming competition or concert. He briefly wondered how did they hit this lull in life with them being the chosen children and a heavy duty of staying alert for the sake of both worlds on their shoulders which most teenagers lack.

Yet their lives seem always to be filled with some drama or other. Maybe they were chosen because they were so boring, he thought critically. As a favor to bring some adventure into their lives. "Am being a bit too self-depreciating. "He thought chuckling inwardly. They might feel like stuck in this monotonous time for a while, but he knew when things will go bad, they won't have so much as a breath to spare. So they should be grateful for whatever rest they can get before another seriously complicated matter appear, threatening the safety of both worlds.

Sora was idly looking around the room, feeling bored now that Yamato took her book away. Suddenly she noticed something over Yamato's shoulder. A mischievous smile appeared on her face, brightening her eyes as she looked at Yamato.

"Or. . . we could talk about a certain black-haired girl stealing glances at a certain blonde-headed, then looking down on a paper . . . .making a sketch of him or something?" she said, chuckling.

Yamato groaned as he closed his eyes for a moment. He didn't bother looking back.

"Yuki?" he asked warily.

"Uh-hmm." Sora nodded, her smile broadening at Yamato's expressions.

It was around for a while, this small problem with Yuki. She was Sora's teammate on tennis team and supposedly has a serious crush on Yamato. Sora didn't suspect it until she started walking Sora to all her classes, asking endless questions about Yamato, throwing one or two random questions to not to make it too obvious. Sora started feeling irritated and tried avoiding her. As much as she like having Yamato as her best friend, she obviously didn't enjoy talking about his hair conditioners, his room, his band practice, his concerts, his dressing, his grades in every single one of his subjects, his old habits, his attitude towards people other than chosen children and band members, his childhood and phew! Her suspicions over Yuki's involvement with Yamato were confirmed when she found Yamato looking over his shoulder too often. On inquiry, he told her about someone stalking her, asking her to watch his back. On the same day Sora confirmed him that it's Yuki. From then on, Sora enjoyed seeing his face whenever she told him Yuki is looking at him. Like right now.

"I really don't know what she wants from me. I am starting to have goose bumps." he grumbled.

"Want me to ask?" Sora asked innocently.

"No thanks." Yamato said, giving her a sour look. But Sora was still grinning and after looking at her for a while, Yamato couldn't stop smiling himself.

"You know, she just might be serious about you." Sora said after a while.

Yamato raised his eyebrows at her. She was no longer smiling but there was a thoughtful expression on her face.

"Sora. . ." Yamato began exasperatedly but Sora cut him off.

"I know Yamato, that you think all the girls like you for your looks and that none of them are serious about relationships or that they will drop you for the next cute guy, but I think Yuki is better. Really. She is not the type to go after every other good-looking guy."

Yamato just shook his head, looking down at the book in his arms, "Why are we having this conversation Sora? You were never the one to care about people's love life. That's the kind of thing Mimi would do."

Sora gave him an amused look, "Fine. I just thought of helping my friend find the love of his life and I even went out of my character, but what do I get?" she said, faking sadness.

Yamato smiled. "I'd rather you stay in your character."

Just then the teacher entered the room and all thoughts of girls and relationships were forgotten.

x-x-x-x-x

Sora watched in amusement as Yuki approached Yamato hesitantly. She didn't know what they were talking about but the cold and calculated way in which Yamato seemed to be talking was making her nervous. She could easily make out that Yuki was getting more and more discouraged, visible in the slump of her shoulders and the embarrassment on her face.

After their first class, which was there only class together, Sora and Yamato parted ways. Now sitting at their usual place in cafeteria, called "The Chosen Corner", she remembered how, after all of them came to the table, Yuki appeared, asking Yamato to talk to her "privately" about something important. Throwing a puzzled and frustrated look at Sora, Yamato left the table before Taichi decided to make fun of the situation.

"Wonder what's so important, huh?" Taichi wiggled his eyebrows.

Sora grinned, "Don't you dare make fun of him when he come back Yagami!"She said warningly, "He is already embarrassed."

"Of course not." Taichi said with a fake expression of being insulted, "You think of me so low as to make fun of my friend after he came from a very private important conversation with a girl who has some sort of huge crush on him? How revolting!"

Koushiro, despite himself, laughed. "That would be very mean Taichi, but I will still be all ears."

"At least someone here understands me!" Taichi gave a theatrical sigh as Sora looked at Koushiro, shaking her head in disappointment.

"I would have thought better of you, Izumi."

Koushiro shrugged, "I have my dark moments too."

Just then Sora noticed Yuki leaving after giving a small, dejected bow.

Yamato stared after her for a while, with a growing feeling of frustration. It all felt like a bad dream. And he was so careful all that time, too. But some people can never be discouraged. He hoped Yuki was not one of them.

Turning to his friends, Yamato felt his frustration turning into irritation at the possible aspect of what Taichi will sum this whole scene into. He really was not looking forward to it. One exhausting conversation with Yuki has already used up his quota of patience for today. He felt Sora's eyes intent on him and knew she would like to know what that was all about but would not bother him right now. But to expect such subtlety from Taichi was impossible.

"Soooooo . . . . What was so important Yamato? The girl seemed quite upset." Taichi asked the second Yamato came in hearing distance. Both Yamato and Sora threw him a dark look.

Without bothering to answer him, Yamato sat down.

"Ignore him, Yamato. Ten minutes are left until bell ring. Better have some lunch." Sora said quietly.

"Aww Sora! Don't be a spoil sport!" Taichi protested, "I know you want to know what was up with that girl, too. Or just how involved she is with Yamato. Or where are they going for their first date. Or . . ."

"Shut up Taichi. Just shut up." Yamato suddenly growled through clenched teeth.

Sora gave one wary glance towards him then a warning look to Taichi. Koushiro too, was starting to get uneasy. But somehow, Taichi was not ready to drop the subject, "What? Not ready to share your private chat with your pretty little girl? Or did she already have such influence over you that you are starting to. . ."

"Taichi. . ." Koushiro began with a sideways cautious glance at Yamato,"I think this is not a good time to start something. . . "

"What's wrong with you guys!" Taichi threw his arms in the air, "And Koushiro, I thought you wanted to know too. And now you are backing away!"

Sora watched nervously at Yamato, trying to kick Taichi under the table. It was getting bad. And she was missing Taichi's foot again and again.

"I know," Koushiro said hastily, "But now that I think about it, it doesn't seem like a good option, considering it might. . . ."

"Might what? How many times will you get a chance to make Yamato squirm like that?" Taichi said, smirking. Then he turned towards Yamato, "So, about that girl of yours. You might need some dating advice since you never. . . "

Yamato threw the fork away from him, which went clattering across the table. Sora exhaled loudly, putting her head in her hands. Finally. Yamato stood up, pushing the chair back. "She is not my girl," he said quietly but furiously, "And am not hungry anymore. Bye."

With that, he left the table, long strides taking him away from them. There was an embarrassed silence on the table, one that no one was ready to break.

Then finally, Taichi spoke up, "I guess I pissed him bad."

Sora groaned, closing her eyes, "Too bad, Taichi, too bad. Why, though? You could see that he was not in the mood to be teased. Anybody would see that."

"She is right. Yamato seemed already frustrated when he came back. That's why I was stopping you." Koushiro added.

Taichi slumped. "Yeah yeah. I know I was being a fool. No need to gang up on me. I just thought he would take it cool. He really doesn't blow up that easily."

Sora knew Taichi was right. But she also knew that Yamato was dreading the moment Yuki might approach him. When she might find the courage to actually come to him. And most of all, he was dreading she would approach him in front of his friends. Taichi, specially. And all his fears came true. Just like that. It really was less due to Taichi and more due to his fear of what he think might happen now, that once one girl try to hang out with him, others will be encouraged, that made Yamato snap.

She reached out and gently patted him on the mob of his hair. "He will be ok. Give him time." Though personally, she knew she will have to talk to him about that.