Disenchantment
Inoue Miyako awoke slowly. Rubbing her eyes lightly she rose sleeply from the bed and walked to the bathroom. Golden eyes lingered upon the girl which stared back in the mirror. Her cheeks were red and rosy, her eyes sleep-ridden, and her lips full and red. She frowned knowing the rosiness of her cheeks would diminish after she washed her face, and if she didn't wash her face it would be gone later anyway leaving her face oily.
With resignation, she quickly washed her face and brushed her teeth and hair. Leaving her hair loose around her shoulders she quickly changed into her school uniform and slipped her books into her brown leather case. Slowly she walked over to her computer and picked up her D-3. For a moment she stared at it. Stared at the gift given to her by the Digital World.
Closing her eyes she recalled the day before. When she had 'helped' the Digidestined. Why had she done it really? They didn't care for her, they didn't speak to her, nor did they seem to like her; not to mention her hello's to their little clique was ither ignored or answered with terse words that killed any conversation.
'I don't need them,' she stated in her mind. 'They don't care about me anyway. They'd just want my power if they knew who I was.'
Quickly she slid her D-3 in the digital camera case and dropped it around her neck and under her deep green jacket. With a lazy stroll she made it out of the house, ignoring her brother's jibes about her hair and how she'd never get a boyfriend looking like that as she walked out.
Smoothly she walked forward, her head high and her shoulders back. It wasn't long before she reached the school building. It loomed before her like some kind of prison. A prison full of torture chambers. She snickered slightly at the truth of those words.
Miyako entered the building just as the bell rang. Hurriedly she made her way to first hour. She had computer. A class that was nearly depressingly easy for her. Sighing lightly she walked to her assigned seat and sat down slowly. She loved the class except their was just one thing wrong with it. One thing that always made her day hell from the very begining.
Assigned to sit right next to her was, Ishida Yamato. Teen rockstar and all around pain in her neck every day. Propping her backpack against the seat she turned on the monitor. Maybe he would leave her alone today. Miyako snorted.
'Yeah right.' She thought. 'He'll probably grill me with questions about the Digital World to see if I am the one who saved him yesterday. Though why I saved that egomaniac of a baka, I don't know!'
Frowning she quickly typed in her name and password. At that moment she felt him enter the room. She didn't have to turn and look. His very prescence was always known to her. She could tell both from the reactions of awe from those around her and also the crawl of her skin that rose whenever he was around to breath the same air as her. Frowning she knew she wouldn't be able to make good on the threat she made yesterday. Yamato was twice her size, and she figured he wouldn't have a problem 'putting her in her place' as he would call it.
While if he would actually hit her, she didn't know. Whether he would make her look like a complete and utter baka, that was a given. Sighing she felt her back go rigid and her head lift slightly higher as she opened her programmes and began with her work. She was actually farther ahead with the rest of the class, not that she minded. Personally she took pride in it. She did have one last assignement to do, then she would be done at last.
Her fingers went numb as she felt him slide into the seat next to her just as the last bell rang. Forcing herself to ignore his arrogant aura she countined to type. He said nothing, for once, and merely logged in and began his work as well. For a little while Miyako felt herself relax. He was going to leave her alone! The thought made her want to grin with joy. No wounded pride today. No feeling lower then dirt and wanting to literally disappear off the face of the earth.
Her bubble was busted, however, as the teacher left for an errand and he stopped typing abruptly. Miyako felt herself nearly stop typing as he leaned close, his breath carressing her neck. His breath was warm and soft feeling against her flesh.
Tensing she stopped typing and turned to look at him. "What?" Her voice was cold but also soft, due to the main fact she was afraid her voice would tremor should she raise it.
"That stunt you pulled yesterday, why'd you do it?" His voice was soft as velvet, deceptably sweet and low. It reminded Miyako of the poison apple in 'Snow White. Beautiful, but cold as death.
Miyako lifted her head higher. This was it. She could let on that she knew he meant what happened at the Digital World or play dumb. Obviously she choose the latter.
"You annoy me. Even as you are now, so for the final time leave... me... alone!"
Frowning she began to type once more, ignoring his breath so near and his hands which hovered next to her mouse. So near. So close. Holding back the sigh of relief as he pulled away from her and began to work on his own project. Why did he have that effect on her? Did he have that affect on all women, or just her? Gathering her wits she looked at his monitor out of the corner of her eye. She couldn't keep the smirk from lifting onto her face. He was at least 6 projects behind the rest of the class!
Forcing her concentration back to her own work she quickly finished the project and made minor touch-ups on others that would already be an A+ anyway. Finishing with her work she fiddled around aimlessly typing. Seconds later the teacher re-entered the room and walked back over to his desk.
Sighing boredly she leaned back in her seat her fingers taping the keys absently. Slowly her eyes began to drop. Stifling a yawn she leaned forward and tried to wake herself up. God this class had to be the most tedious monotonous thing she'd ever done. Why had she taken it again? Oh yeah, she needed the credit for this year. Stifling another yawn she smirked in amusment. Not that the class was much of a challange anyway. She was a master at computers. As she was at so many other things.
Startled Miyako jumped with a start as the bell rang, rustling her rudely from her thoughts. Blushing slightly she quickly logged out and grabbed her books. It was going to be a long day, she could feel it already.
Miyako walked slowly through the rows of books in the school libary. It was a lavish room with books climbing up the walls on nearly any topic one could imagine. It was lunch time, and Miyako had already finished her mother's bento. She never liked staying the lunchroom very long anyway. A few times Sakon had actually had the audacity to throw food at her, and since humilation wasn't something she relished even if she lived with it every day, she wasn't going to try and go for more.
Lightly she ran her fingers across the book spines. Stories of countless worlds, wars, bravery, and fantasy lined so many pages. Lifting ones spirit high or dragging it down with against emotion. Before learning of the Digital World she'd spent every hour of every day engrossed in the written words of countless authours.
Pretending each time that she herself was the heroine. That it t'was she doing such deeds. That she was the one whose weapon was brandished to the sky to declare she would not cower beneath the enemy. That she would stand tall and proud and fight till her last breath would errupt from her chest.
Such were her thoughts. And part of what she had learned from the bravery from the books, she used in the Digital World. She'd even found a few of the tactics, modified to fit her situation of course, were of great use.
Slowly she reached her hand up to touch the case where her D-3 hung. It had changed her life. In so many ways. In some ways it had complicated it, but in others it had helped her. Mainly in the latter really. It had given her a purpose. A friend, a mission in life, and joy.
Miyako froze as she suddenly felt someone's eyes on her. Slowly she looked out of the corner of her eyes behind her. Watching her was a few of the group of 'Digidestined.' Apparently Yamato wasn't the only one suspicious.
Pretending not to notice, Miyako pulled the book 'Demon Within' from the shelf and turned around to face them. Quickly they all pretended to be occupied with something that was in no way in her general direction.
Rolling her eyes she cut through the rows at checked out the book quickly. She walked over to the chair in the corner that hat been hers since she'd started coming to the library during lunch. Focusing her eyes on the first page she looked as though she was completely engrossed in the novel.
But in reality her gaze was focused on the leering Digidesteined which at the moment were blantantly staring at her and whispering among themselves.
'How rude.' Miyako thought sourly. 'If they're going to talk about me and not to mention spy, they could be a little more subtle for goodness sake!'
Rolling her eyes beneath her lashes she watched them as Takeru and Daisuke shoved Yagami Hikari, younger sister of Yagami Taichi, forward. She looked at them all coldly before turning and walking toward Miyako; a false smile on her face.
Boredly she lowered her book and golden eyes hard and unyeilding. Suspicion clouded over her face as Hikari reached her.
"Inoue-san?" She said tentatively.
Miyako supressed a wince at the sugary sweet voice. Hikari was one of the most popular girls in her grade. Mainly due to her brother, Taichi, and to the fact everyone saw her as a 'sweet, innocent, perfect' girl with no flaws whatsoever. Whatever!
Closing her book with a flick of her wrist, Miyako looked up at Hikari with hooded eyes. "Hai?"
"I was wondering do you wanna h- hang out some time?" She stuttered lightly, as though the words were foreign on her lips. Like it was some kind of pity thing or something like that.
Miyako felt her eyes narrow into slits. Inoue Miyako took charity from none.
She frowned deeply. She wasn't stupid. This was ither some cruel joke that they were setting her up for or they had a theory she was the girl that saved them in the Digital World. Either way Miyako wasn't taking any chances. Besides, the pity alone in Yagami Hikari's eyes was enough to make her in no way consider the offer.
"Why? So you and your friends can have a little entertainment, Yagami-san? Go find someone else, I'm not in the mood for games. I don't accept your feeble attempts of pity either, go find another person to bow before you. 'Cause I'm sure as hell not going to."
Standing up Miyako brushed past her as though she didn't exist, feeling proud of herself. Sure maybe Hikari had not had an alterior motive; -maybe- being the keyword. Keeping her pride Miyako kept walking, watching the astonished Digidestined out of the corner of her eye.
Geez, was this the first time someone had given them a taste of their own medcine? What did they think? That she'd jump when they commanded, that she was so lonely she'd jump at the chance for a friend? She had a friend, sure he didn't live in the real world; but he was her friend nevertheless.
A few of them were staring daggers at her and whispering as Hikari walked over to them. Rolling her eyes and decided not to take it anymore she turned around, her gaze clearly showing she'd not been oblivious to their whispers or staring.
The guys blushed bright red from embarrassment while Hikari narrowed her eyes in spiteful anger.
Giving her a look Miyako called over to them, her voice slightly soft. It was a library after all. "So, Little Miss Perfect and her little escorts are mortal after all. Stay away from me, and stop staring at me!"
Not the best comeback, but not that bad either. Turning on her heel she walked through the library doors just as the bell rang. Time for study hall. Skillfully she made her way through the crowds and to the classroom. Frowning she saw that they had another sub, who was letting the students do as they please again.
Sighing heavly she turned and walked away. Her feet carried her to the gymnasium again. Holding her head high she entered it just as she had done before. Carefully she made her way over to the bleachers and to the seat at the top corner near the rail.
'Deja-vu,' she thought ruefully. 'But hopefully he won't come to "practice" today.'
Taking out her composition book she began to write.
Invisible
I see you every day
I see your false laughter,
I see your hidden sorrow
I see beyond the mask
You wear to hide from all
So many expressions
I've seen in those eyes
Cruelty undefined
Amusement to anger
Dwell within you
I often wonder
What makes you like ice
Even though
I see so deep in you
You see me not
You ignore my prescence
You have to own it all
With but a single glance
It's not fair,
I scream
But my cries fall upon
Blind eyes and deaf ears.
"Hello, Miyako-san."
Jerking with a start she jerked her head upward and saw him standing there, his stance as cocky as ever. Ishida Yamato. Forcing back the growl of frustration edging its way forward she cursed herself for being so involved in her writing and not paying attention to her surroundings.
"Yamato-san." Miyako's lips twisted into a frown. "What do you want?"
Flicking her notebook closed Miyako let her arms fall over it, her fingers curled lightly around the edges. Clear, icy blue orbs meet her own as he stood above her, his hands stuffed in his uniform pockets casually.
"To talk." He responded simply.
Miyako laughed harshly as she stood. "Since when have you ever wanted to talk to me? Aren't you worried what it'll do to your precious little image, Yamato-san? Or is this some kinda joke you and your buddies cooked up, either way I'm in no mood for games."
Slowly Miyako picked up her books and looked up at him with a cold gaze that would freeze another from ten-paces. Casually he shifted his shifted his stance as he meet her eyes with a challenge. A challenge to stand her ground. To stay and talk. To hold a conversation filled with more then mere verbal spars.
"I just wanna talk, but whatever. Come on, study hall won't be over for another hour. Let's just go for a walk. Let's call a truce, for now." He added.
Eyeing him suspiciously Miyako chewed her lip nervously. She suprised even herself by even considering his idea. Just a walk. A truce. That's all. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Alright." Miyako said at last, her voice soft.
Yamato smiled slightly and gestured for her to walk with him down the bleachers. Cautiously she walked down with him and followed as he lead her from the gymnasium out onto the school grounds. Miyako couldn't help the smile that flitted across her face as the wind carressed her face and the sound of birds chirping in the air. The music of nature filled her, and she was entranced by it. So calm, so tranquil.
Returning her gaze to her partner along side her she cocked her head curiously as they stopped beneath the school's Sakura (cherry blossom) orchard. It was beautiful. Beautiful pale pink petals littered the tree limbs. Delicate and beautiful they were.
Miyako joined him beneath the trees, feeling a few fall on her head and shoulders. Lifting her gaze she met Yamato's amused smirk.
"Find some thing amusing, Yamato-san?" Miyako questioned, her voice robbed of the usual stiff, tartness she'd always used with him. Now it was filled with but a teasing amusement, though an undercurrent of anxiety ran behind such amusement.
He smiled slightly. "Yes, I've never seen you so pleased by simple things. Come to think of it, you've rarely smiled aound me."
Miyako turned away slightly. "I never had a reason to." Lightly Miyako leaned against the tree. Not bothering to return her gaze to him she said slowly, her voice devoid of emotion. "Why did you really want to speak with me, Yamato-san? You've never wanted to talk with me before, why now?"
Yamato tilted his head to the side, depthless blue eyes slanted as he spoke. "Why does it matter?"
Miyako smirked lightly as she walked around the sakura and leaned out from behind it. "Because in all the time that I've lived here, gone to this school, seen you, spoken to you, yelled at you and such, never have you shown the slightest intrest in speaking with me other then to try and humilate me."
The words were spoken with such casualness and lack of passion that it suprised the young rockstar as he stared at her, something akin to guilt perhaps sliding into those icy eyes.
"Things have changed." He responded slowly.
Miyako nodded slightly. "But for the better or worse?" She questioned. Miyako walked past him slowly."Things don't change so easily, Yamato-san."
"And why not?" Yamato asked, arrogance seeping into his voice. "In this place, this town things change and I know it always happens."
"Is that what you think?" Miyako shot back, anger seeping into her voice. Truce forgotten and rage of his ignorance awoke in her blood. "Well your wrong, Yamato-san. You are nothing but a fool. One day this will all be gone, you know. One day your fans and your fame will be gone and you will be sorry for the way you've treated everyone. Your arrogance and stupidity is the main reason why things will never change into even a casual freindship between us, Yamato-san."
"And why's that?"
Miyako rolled her eyes heavenwards. "Becouse your an egotistical jerk! And now I think I'll be going, I've had enough. Truce over. This was a dumb idea anyway."
Miyako quickly began to walk away, only to stop short as Yamato ran in front of her. "You're not leaving just yet."
Golden eyes narrowed as fire flashed heavly within. "I'm not one of your little 'slaves' you can order around, Ishida. Get out of my way."
"And why should I do that? I'm not done with you yet."
Fire raged as she meet his eyes. "Unless you wanna get hurt get out of my way."
"What are you going to do? Hit me with your books. Ohhh I'm scared!" He mocked, holding up his hands in a panicked fashion.
Miyako dropped her books and took a fighting stance. "You don't wanna go there, Ishida-san."
"Ishida-san, is it now?" He said taking a similar stance to her own. "Let's see what you've got, Miya-chan." He smirked as her eyes widened at the affectation '-chan.'
"I didn't give you the right to call me that, Ishida-san!"
Quickly she turned around and aimed a high kick at his head. Easily he moved and blocked it. Controlling her emotions she listened to her sensei's words in the back of her mind.
{'The fist is connected to the mind, Miyako-san. Rember that.'}
Closing her eyes Miyako took advantage of her 5 senses. She was alert. She was a warrior. And as any warrior, she could fight. Snapping them open she sent several blows to his midsection then dropped and swiped his legs out from under him.
Standing above him Miyako looked down on him.
Yamato laughed slightly. "Not bad. But not good enough!"
In a split second he was up again and grabbed Miyako's arm as she swung to strike. Pulling it behind her back then grabbed her other arm and spun her heavily in the air then slammed her nearly on the ground, bracing her suddenly with his leg.
"Arrogant ass!" Miyako murmured as she jerked out of his grasp and stood up. Her back turned to him. Whirling around she took stance, "again?" She questioned. "Or you afraid to have your ass kicked by a woman?"
Pride stung he stood up. "Fine! Let's go!"
For the remainder of the hour together they exchanged blows, each never really landing a good hit and each slightly pulling their blows so as to not hurt the other. By the time the bell rang each were exhausted.
As the sound peirced the air, the spell between the two and as well as the symphony of nature and solitude. Running a hand through her damp hair Miyako picked up her forest green blazer that she'd flung off in frustration at some point during their little fight.
Silently they meet eachother's eyes. Understanding each that which would not be said aloud. It didn't need to be. The truce they'd had was over. It was time to rejoin the real world. The world where their stations defined them.
Gathering her books from the grass Inoue Miyako walked away, sparing herself only a single glance over her shoulder before hurrying away. All the while she could sense those icy orbs boring endlessly into her back....
Confusion marred Inoue Miyako's face as she walked home. Confusion haunted her as she made her way down the streets. What was going on? Why this sudden intrest in her? The whole time they'd had the little 'truce' he hadn't mentioned anything about the Digital World.
Could it be he was just toying with her? Needed a laugh so decided to try and win her trust and then pull some prank? Nah, it wasn't really his style. He wasn't as into sneaky tricks like that really. Took too much time, she sopposed, and judging by his school work he wasn't into legthy work like that. Even for a laugh.
Golden eyes rolled heavenward as she made it to her apartment building. Hurrying she boarded the elevator car. Her mind elsewhere she let her feet lead her to her family's apartment. Unlocking the door she shut it silently behind her. Carelessly she slipped of her shoes and made her way to the bedroom.
Quickly she pulled off her school uniform and let it fall dejectedly on the floor. She pulled on a pair of shorts and a black sleevless shirt. It saved time so that when she came back from the Digital World she didn't have to change if her parents were home.
Retrieving her D-3 from its case she quickly opened up the Digital Gate. Pressing it against the screen Miyako closed her eyes as she felt herself be sucked into the computer and fall through an abyss of data before reforming in the Digital World.
Opening her eyes she smiled down at the same outfit and waited for Hawkmon's arrival. She didn't have to wait long. Before too much time passed he appeared, his small wings flaping in the air.
"Miya-chan!" He said, happiness ringing heavily in his voice. "I've been waiting for you. The scoundrel has yet to show himself here again. Apparently we did a good job yesterday, as usual." He added with a smile in his eyes.
"I guess. But even so we should make our rounds. Never know what could happen."
"You're quite right about that!"
"HAWKMON ARMOUR SHINKA... HABATAKU AIJOU, HORUSMON!"
Miyako smiled lightly and climbed upon her Digimon's back. Easily he took flight, his great wings flapping effortlessly through air. It was wonderful. The feel of the air carressing her skin, the taste of sweet nature swimming through the wind.
Throwing back her head she wished she had wings of her own to soar the sky, even if flying with Horusmon was more then she'd ever imagined- having her own wings would have been even better. Smiling slightly she nuzzled into his down.
The day in the Digital World passed quickly. For once it was rather uneventful. No new control spires, from the latest gossip she'd heard he was too busy fighting the other Digidestined to spend his time re-conquering some of the other areas.
Oh well. Meant less work and fighting for her anyway. Besides this way she could help rebuild some of the Digimon villages that had been destroyed in the battle. So that's what she spent her day doing. Helping the free Digimon. It was nice really. Got her mind off things.
When the sun began to fall into the horizon she had Horusmon fly her back to the Digiport. Hugging eachother close they bade eachother goodbye and Miyako let herself get sucked back into the computer. Miyako winced as she hit the soft carpet of her floor. She really had to find an easier way of landing after coming from the Digital World. She was starting to get carpet burns from landing so hard.
Laughing softly at her own thoughts Miyako rose from the floor and walked out of her bedroom. Strangely it was still empty. Shrugging her shoulders Miyako walked into the kitchen to get something to eat. Saving another world sure did make you hungry. Grinning greedily she pulled out some left over pizza and stuffed it into the microwave. Grabbing a Diet Coke from the fridge she leaned agenst the counter and watched the numbers on the microwave tick backward.
Miyako jumped with a start as the sound of the phone ringing cut through the thick silence of the apartment. Clapping her hand over her heart, furiously she walked over to the phone. This was certainly odd. The phone rarely rang when she was home alone.
Slowly she lifted it off its cradle. "Hello?" Miyako said, uncertainty tinging her voice.
"Hey, Miyako-san. It's me, Ishida."
Miyako felt herself nearly fall. Ishida Yamato was calling her! What was up with this? What freakshow had she fallen into now? What was wrong with the universe?!
Working up her voice Miyako forced it to take a bit of an edge. "Hai, what do you want Yamato-san?"
Miyako winced slightly, she could amost hear the guys smirk over the phone. "I was wondering if you could make it to my concert tomorrow night... I got you a ticket."
Miyako frowned. "Why?"
"Thought maybe you and I could hang out more."
Miyako sighed, annoyance creeping through her. "What in Kami-sama's name is wrong with you Yamato-san?! What is this? Some kind of, 'reach-out-to-tormented-freshmen-week'?! I'm really not in the mood for one you or your buddies jokes!"
"This isn't a joke!" He barked. "I just thought maybe you'd like to hang out a bit."
"Whatever. Go find Jun or Sora, or one of your other fangirls in school. 'Sides I've better things to do than be with you on a Saturday night."
"Like what? Play on your computer? Study or read? Geez, have you no life?"
"I do so have a life! Stay out of my affairs, Yamato-san! You're treading on thin ice so I suggest you back off!"
Yamato chuckled over the phone. "And why should I do that? You're kawaii when angry."
Miyako's face burned. "W- whatever!" She stuttered.
"Anyway, will you be there?" Miyako felt herself bink in suprise at the semi-pleading hope in his voice.
"I'll be there." Miyako felt herself saying.
"Great! Ja."
With that the phone went dead. Mechanically Miyako hung it up, her mind puzzled. Her life had just gotten a lot more complicated.