Stay Tuned As Life Continues

Yamato opened the front door for his brother and ushered him in, he then guided his teary eyed brother to their bedroom. As they entered their bedroom Yamato could hear the front door close, signaling that Taichi and Hikari were in.

“Go to bed Takeru, you’ve had a rough night.” Said Yamato.

“What are you going to do?” Takeru sobbed out as he sat on the bed.

“Going to go wash up, and try and clean my shirt. Then I’ll be right back.” Answered Yamato walking back to door.

Takeru continued to sob, “Why did you do it Yamato?”

Yamato stopped, the question caught him off guard. Takeru of all people should know why he did what he did. “He hurt you Takeru.” Yamato turned around and sat down next to his brother. Yamato rubbed a finger against Takeru’s cheek, “And nobody hurt’s you and gets away with it.”

“But he’s our friend.” Takeru protested.

“He is not our friend Takeru, he said it himself.” Yamato said with spite.

Takeru knocked away his brother’s hand, “He still is our friend Yamato, he’s just confused. And when Daisuke doesn’t understand something he gets angry.”

“Why are you defending him Takeru? You heard what he said. You’re still upset about it right now.” Yamato said, his voice still raised.

“That still gives you no reason to do what you did!” Takeru said, raising his voice back.

“I was defending you. I did it for you!” Yamato said.

“I can defend myself!” Takeru shouted. “I’m not a little kid anymore Yamato, I don’t need you to defend me.”

Yamato stood up, “Well you sure fooled me.” He then walked out the door, leaving Takeru alone sobbing alone into the bed.

Yamato walked into the bathroom and slammed the door. He fell against the door and slid down to the floor. Yamato began to scream and bang his fists against the floor. The large build up of anger within Yamato soon shift into sadness and regret for what he had done. He put his hands in his hands, fighting back the tears. Yamato began to quietly sob. He then looked at his hands, the dried blood of an ex-friend was still on them. He then looked down at his shirt, the blood stains made Yamato’s stomach churn. Yamato ripped the shirt off his body and threw it across the bathroom. He then got up and made his way to the sink. He started the water and stared at it as it circled the drain for a while, before washing his hands. He began scrubbing his hands harder and harder until they felt painful and raw. He then bent over and splashed water onto his face a few times. Yamato stood up and looked at himself in the mirror, and listened to the water running. He heard a knock on the door, it was Taichi. After being told to enter, Taichi opened the door.

“Yamato that was really stupid thing to do.” Taichi said before the door was fully opened.

“You think I don’t know that!” Yamato shouted.

“Look Yamato, you screwed up. Big deal, so have I. But you can still fix it.” Taichi reassured Yamato.

“No I can’t Taichi, I’m not you. I can’t fix things, I can only fuck things up. That’s all I seem to be doing lately.”

“Yamato listen, I’m just trying….”

“To make me feel better, I know Taichi. But don’t waste your breath, it won’t work. I’m leaving.” Yamato said turning off the water. He then squeezed past Taichi and made his way to the front door.

“I talked with Takeru. I calmed him down a little but he needs his brother, he need YOU Yamato .” Said Taichi, trying to keep Yamato in the apartment.

“No he doesn’t Taichi, he told me so himself. And if by chance he was wrong, you’re here. You’ve once again become a better big brother to him then I have.” Said Yamato, grabbing his jacket and leaving the apartment.

After an hour of walking Yamato stood in front of a door. He had knocked moments earlier and was waiting for a response. He heard locks clicking and not long after the door opened. There in front of Yamato stood his band’s drummer. Yutaka spoke, “Hmmm….a half naked Yamato is standing at my door in the middle of the night. Been at Club Chi again, I take it?”

“I wish. Yutaka can I come in?” Yamato asked.

“Of course you can.” Yutaka opened up the door and stepped aside, allowing Yamato to enter.

The light shone brightly into Yamato’s closed eyes. He opened his eyes and they rather painfully adjusted to the brightness of the room. As he looked around the room he remembered that he never returned home the night before. Yamato groaned, in case he wasn’t on Takeru’s shit-list he was now for sure. Yamato searched around the room and found a pen and paper and quickly scribbled out a thank you note for his friend, thanking him for a place to crash as well as a friendly ear and left the apartment.

Yamato inserted his key into the lock of his apartment and twisted it until he heard of the clunk of the dead bolt unlocking. Yamato turned the knob and walked into the apartment, as ready as he could be to take the ass chewing he knew he was going to receive. Yamato walked into the kitchen where his friends and brother were having breakfast. Takeru wouldn’t look at him, but Taichi was more than making up for it. But before Taichi could say something Hikari jumped up, “Taichi why don’t we go to park and you can show me your new soccer moves.” Taichi stood up with a humph and put their bowls in the sink and walked out of the apartment. Hikari patted Takeru’s back and whispered, “If you need me, don’t hesitate to call.”

Yamato walked over to the counter and grabbed the cereal and bowl and spoon. He sat down across from his brother and poured the cereal into bowl followed by milk. Yamato put a spoonful of the sweet cereal into his mouth, followed by another. The sound of Yamato chewing was the only sound in the apartment, and even that was hardly noticeable. Yamato continued to eat his cereal, not looking up from the bowl, not until he finished it. He then gave a quick glance over to his brother, and noticed that his bowl was still full. The cereal had broken down into mush, making the once appetizing cereal appear as something the body rejected.

Yamato pushed his chair away from the table and went to stand up, that was when the silence finally was broken by Takeru. “You left last night, and didn’t come back.”

“What does it matter to you?” asked Yamato

“I needed you.” Takeru said, his voice breaking.

“No you don’t Takeru, you told me so last night.” Yamato said bluntly. He then stood up and took his bowl to the sink.

“That’s not what I was talking about. I said I don’t need you defending me. I never said I didn’t need you.” Takeru said.

“What’s the difference?” Yamato spat out before he had time to think about what to say. He then threw the bowl into the sink with a loud crashing sound.
Takeru broke down and started crying. Yamato hung his down in shame, looking down into the sink he saw the bits of broken bowls throughout the sink. {Why do I always let my emotions get the better of me? Why can’t I ever keep my mouth shut or my fists from flying?} Yamato thought. With each sob Yamato heard from his brother, the pain in his chest grew and grew. Soon Yamato’s whole body hurt, the pain of guilt was more than Yamato could stand, but yet he couldn’t move.
Yamato then heard Takeru’s broken voice choke out, “We’re more than brother’s now Yamato. Don’t you remember that? Or has this just been some mistake?” No one spoke, only the sounds of Takeru’s sobs could be heard. A few minutes past before Takeru pushed his chair away from the table and said, “I should go then.” He then walked out of the kitchen and down the hall to fetch his things.

Yamato just stood in front of the sink, his hands clenching the sides, his arms shaking. Yamato’s face burned, his eyes hurt. He focused on the broken bowls. He noticed small drops of water appearing on some of the broken pieces. Yamato rubbed his face and was surprised to find tears streaming down his face. The water droplets in the sink had been his tears, he had been crying and he didn’t even know it. Yamato turned around, he legs tried to buckle beneath him, but he forced himself onward. He entered his room, and saw Takeru over at the dresser, putting things into his suit case. Takeru was shaking terribly and sobbing hysterically. Yamato walked behind him and threw his arms around him, pulling him into a tight one sided hug. The brothers stood there, sobbing loudly with each other, both of their bodies shaking with such force. Yamato eventually choked out, “I’m sorry Takeru. Please don’t go. I’m sorry.”

The brothers stood there, Yamato’s embracing Takeru’s back until their bodies stopped trembling and their sobs died. Yamato then let his arms release his brother. Takeru stood there for a moment before turning around. “I’m sorry too Yamato. I shouldn’t have yelled at you last night.”

“Don’t be sorry Takeru, I deserved it.” Yamato mopped. “I’m such an asshole.”

“You’re not an asshole Yamato.” Takeru said.

“Lying doesn’t suit you Takeru.” Said Yamato.

Instead of saying something, Takeru wrapped his arms around his brother, and shoved his face into his brother’s chest. “I love you Onii-chan” Takeru said. Emotions swirling in his body brought forth more tears.

Hearing his brother cry, brought tears back to Yamato’s eyes. Yamato squeezed his brother close and said, “I love you too Otouto-chan.”

The brother’s enjoyed their long embrace, until Yamato broke the hug and held his brother back enough to look at him. “Now wipe those tears. And unpack your bags, you’re not going anywhere for a while.” Yamato said with a smile.

Takeru wiped his eyes the best he could, and gave a sniffle. “You promise?”

“I promise.” Yamato said. Unaware that his promise would soon be broken.

It was late that afternoon when Taichi and Hikari returned. They found the two brother’s curled up together on the couch watching a movie. Hikari smiled and took their picture while Taichi just shot Yamato nasty looks. Yamato just ignored them and pulled his brother closer to him, and returned his attention back to the tv. Yamato then spent the rest of the day avoiding being alone with Taichi. He already felt like shit over what he had done recently, and Taichi would only make him feel worse.

Not long after that it was the day Nancy Takashi was due back, and Yamato wasn’t looking forward to what he was planning on. He was going to go over to his mothers and somehow convince her to let Takeru stay with him for the rest of the summer break. The issue here was that Yamato never really got along with his mother, although she gave birth to him, that was really the only connection they had. Once his parents got a divorce, Yamato never really saw his mother much. He used to feel guilty about not going and visiting her until he realized that it was a two way street and that she never made the effort to visit him either. They were nice to each other when they met, and got gifts for each other at Christmas, with the occasional phone call once every few months starting only a year earlier.

So Yamato just laid in bed staring up at the ceiling, putting off the visit. He was hoping that she would be so tired from her travels that she wouldn’t put up to much of a fight. For Nancy Takashi had a strong connection with Takeru, infinitely stronger than the connection Yamato and her shared. Nancy was always protective of Takeru, even more so than Yamato was of him. Where Nancy was always wanting to keep Takeru safe by not have him leave the apartment in fear that he would get hurt, Yamato at least would let him out into the world, but stick to him like glue. Although Nancy got better about it once Takeru was older, with him having to save the digital world and all. But when Takeru wasn’t off fighting evil monster’s or in school, he was doings things with his mom. Crafts, watching movies, lots of mother/son bonding activities.

Yamato felt the warm body of his brother snuggle up to him under the blankets. “Are we just going to lay here all day?” Takeru asked.

“No I’m just thinking.” Yamato said, he then tossed the blankets off him and rolled out of bed. He walked over to his dresser and grabbed a pair of boxers and put them on.

“Oh? Really?” Takeru said, watching his brother walk across the room. “About what?”

“Nothing much.” Yamato then grabbed a towel and walked to the door. “I’m off to take a shower.”

Takeru waited till he heard the shower start to get out of bed. He quickly put on a pair of boxers and grabbed a towel and ran to join his brother.

Yamato was surprised when the shower curtain was ripped open. “Takeru, what are you doing? Taichi is still here!” Yamato loudly gasped out.

“No he isn’t he left early this morning, coaches meeting.” Takeru said grinning, he then stepped into the shower with his brother. “You know, we haven’t really had anytime just ourselves for a while, to do something like this.”

“How did you ever get clean then?” teased Yamato.

“I can clean myself, it’s just more fun when you do it.” Takeru said.

Yamato took his soapy washcloth and ran it across Takeru’s chest, “Like that?”

Takeru moved closer and kissed his brother. Yamato’s tongue quickly made it through Takeru’s lips. As Yamato’s tongue began wrestling with his lover’s, his hands moved around to the butt of his lover and began massaging it. Takeru moaned into his brother’s mouth and began to return the favor.

After the brothers ‘shower’ they ate breakfast. As Yamato stared emptily as he twirled his spoon around in his cereal Takeru knew something was on his mind. “What are you thinking about? Whatever it is, it has you kind of down.”

“I’m just trying to think of how to convince mom to let you stay here for the rest of the break.” Yamato said, looking up from his bowl.

Takeru gazed at his brother blankly, “oh umm….I already talked to her.”

Yamato took in the look on his brother’s face, “When was this?”

“Last night.” Takeru answered.

“I’ve told you before Teeks, that lying doesn’t suit you.” Yamato said, he then stood up and walked over to the phone.

Takeru followed his older brother to the phone, “I did talk to her, why don’t you believe me.”

Yamato smiled at his brother, “Because you’re a terrible liar that’s why.” He then ruffled his brother’s hair and picked up the phone.

“Okay, fine. I didn’t call her.” Takeru admitted, “Now put down the phone.”

“Calm down Takeru, I’m sure I can convince her. Don’t worry.” Yamato started dialing. Takeru shot his hands out and snatched the phone, he quickly hung it up.

Yamato shot his brother an angry and confused look, “What the hell Takeru?”

Takeru looked at the older blonde, signs of worry covered his face. He knew that his brother deserved to know the truth, and there seemed to be no escaping it now. “Do you want the truth?”

“Of course I want the truth Takeru.” Yamato put his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

Takeru sighed, his face became very serious before his lip started to tremble. Yamato pulled him in for a hug. Yamato rubbed his brother’s back and made gentle turning motions. Takeru began crying and Yamato held on to him tighter. “What ever is bothering Takeru. It’ll be okay. I…We’ll take care of it. You just have to tell me what it is.”

Takeru sniffled, “Mom kicked me out.”

Yamato stopped and held Takeru back and bit and looked him in the eyes, “What do you mean she kicked you out.”

“She kicked me out of the apartment.” Takeru began to cry again.

Yamato pulled his brother in for another hug. Once Takeru calmed down a little bit more Yamato broke the hug. “Why? When?”

“A few months ago. One day after school I came home and Mom was waiting for me as she usually did. I told her I needed to tell her something, when she told me to tell her what it was that was bugging me, I told her I was gay. She freaked out. Saying that I had to be wrong, that it was just a phase I was going through. But when I told her that I was sure that I was gay, she only got angrier. We got in a large argument, it ended with her telling me to get out of her apartment and not to come back, because I wasn’t her son anymore.” Takeru said before starting to cry again.

Yamato hugged his brother tight, trying to hug away the pain that Takeru must have been feeling. Yamato however could feel the rage burning in him. Yamato tried to put it in check but holding onto his sobbing brother only fueled the hatred that he now felt for his mother. Here it was months after the event and it was still causing Takeru pain and sorrow. Someone had to pay for that.

Once Takeru stopped crying, Yamato spoke, “So you’ve been staying at Dad’s place. Does he know about you being gay?”

“Yeah he knows. He was very accepting and caring. I’ve never seen him as upset and angry as when I told him what mom had done. He sped over there and argued with her for hours. He wasn’t able to talk any sense into her so he just grabbed as much of my stuff as he could carry and left.”

“Wow, Go Dad.” Yamato said. Yamato could hear Takeru’s sniffling stop, and give a forced chuckle.

“So is Mom really away at a convention?” Yamato asked.

“No, she’s still at home.” Takeru answered.

Yamato kissed Takeru’s forehead, “I’m sorry Takeru.” He then broke the hug and walked away.

“Don’t be, there’s nothing to be sorry for.” Takeru stood there for a moment before it clicked in his head why Yamato had apologized. Takeru heard the front door opening. “YAMATO WAIT!” Takeru shouted as he ran to the door. Takeru caught his brother before he could walk out the door. “Yamato don’t.”

Takeru looked at his brother. The fires of hatred in Yamato’s eyes burned bright and hot, much more than they had earlier that week. The fires only faded slightly when he said, “I’m sorry. Wait here, I’ll be back in a bit.”

“Don’t go Onii-Chan. Please don’t go!”

“I’m sorry Teeks, but I have to.” Yamato said as he walked down the hall to the stairs.

Takeru followed him slamming the door behind him. “No you don’t! You don’t have to go. Stay Please! I’m begging you!”

“She has no right to treat you that way. You’re her son for God’s sake! Someone has to set her straight” Yamato screamed as he quickly moved down the stairs.

“Just let it go Yamato, please just this once, let it go.” Takeru said, hot the heels of his brother.

Yamato and Takeru snaked their way down the apartment building, with each new floor came a new plea, and another denial. When they reached the parking lot, Yamato picked up the pace, trying to out distance his brother, “The apartment door isn’t locked Takeru. You have to go up and stay there.”

“Not without you!”

“Please Takeru, just go back.” Yamato said as he reached the street.

“If you love me at all, you will stop this and come back up to the apartment with me.” Takeru pleaded one last time.

Yamato paused, Takeru’s hopes rose, perhaps he had gotten through to his stubborn brother. Takeru’s hopes however crashed and broke into a million pieces when he realized his brother had paused just to let a car zoom past.

Yamato began making his way across the busy street. “I’m sorry Takeru.” He said. Just as he was about to step up on the curb Yamato heard it. The sounds that changed his life forever. The sounds that would haunt his dreams till the day he died. The sounds of a horn blaring, brakes screeching, tires screaming against the hot pavement, the sound of glass shattering. And the sickening sound of a body landing on the ground.

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Author's Note/Novel: Where do I begin? Firstly, I would like to be able to say that I'm sorry for making you feel like crap, or very angry stuff like that. But I can't say it because if I did make you feel that way, then I did my job.

Secondly, If you want to chew me out for putting poor Takeru and Yamato through all the shit in this chapter and the last one, get in line. I'm still chewing my own ass out, for doing this to characters that I love. But sadly this is how the story goes, even if it pains me to write it down.

Thirdly for those who care, I originally had this in my head as being the fourth chapter of a short story. Instead this is now the 15th chapter of long story, that's like 11 Chapters of filler/new story points that have came about since I first thought this story up.

Fourthly, please give me a review. The ones I have recieved I love. Especially that one I just got, best thing that happened to me all day. No Joke! I think I may just listen to that evil side of me that says I won't post the next chapter till I get a new review or two. I'm pretty sure that more people read this story than just three of the best people in the world. If you can't take the time to review...at least give me some votes, those make me happy too.

Lastly, THANK YOU FOR READING! I hope we are both getting enjoyment out of this story. I enjoy writing it and watching the # of hits going up. That may sound like I don't have a life....which is only partially true. And I hope you all have been enjoying this story, regardless of the rather dark turn as of late. But you know what they say, "It's always darkest before the dawn."