Disenchantment
Inoue Miyako's room was in a disarray as she paced, throwing outfits over her shoulder as she did so. Part of her kept asking why she was making such a big deal out of this. Yeah, so he was the lead singer of the band he'd gotten her a ticket for... that was no reason to make a big deal out of it. It was probably just some prank anyway. She was probably just setting herself up for some heartbreak.
But she didn't care.
She was going to show up looking as best as she could and... maybe he'd see her in another light. Maybe, just maybe, he'd see past the sarcastic remarks and her smarts. Maybe see the girl beneath.
Miyako snorted lightly. What was she thinking? She was sounding like some hopeless romantic or fangirl of Ishida's.
'Not that you hadn't dreamed of him asking you on a date,' a part of her mind piped up
.Rolling her eyes heavenward Miyako ran a hand through her dark lavender hair. Sometimes inner voices can be a pain in the neck. They always reminded you of things at the most awkward of times. Suddenly a black dress caught her eye. Frowning she pulled it out. She'd bought it months ago on pure impluse, never believing that she'd ever wear it anywhere outside the boundries of her own bedroom.
Licking her lips she glanced over at the clock. It was late in afternoon, 3:30 P.M... and the concert started at 5 o' clock! Forcing down her panic at being late and swallowing back the little voice that told her she was being foolish, Miyako began to get ready for what she felt would be a night to rember. If she'd only known how right she was....
Nervously, the child of pure love walked into the club where The Teenage Wolves usually headlined. A faint flush fought to climb her neck as she walked into the the abyss of fans. The phrase small fish in a big pond came to mind as she made her way through. This wasn't her world. Her world consited of books, school, and saving the Digital World. Not make-up, mini-skirts, and partying all night. For that was the world of all those around her.
Insecurely she twirled a lock of hair around her finger. She was a little late, due to traffic and that her brother had grilled her for a while about the ways of guys. Some girls got it from their fathers, she got it from her sarcastic brother. Who, for once, had seemed genuinely concerned for her. Kami-sama, it was pretty ironic really. He treated her with the utmost disrespect, now acted like her really cared. Ah, the mystery of one's brethen.
Miyako felt a blush climb her face as she saw a guy cheaking her out. Turning away, she self-consciously smoothed her dress. It was black with transparent spaghetti straps. The velvet black dress was short, reaching her thighs in length. It clung against her curves and fit every movement like a glove. Black stiletto heels gave her another half inch on her height.
Slowly she rose her gaze for the first time to the band playing on the stage. There, blond hair gleaming under the spotlights he stood. Bright icy eyes surveying the crowd with conceiled emotion as he sang. At that moment time seemed to slow as icy blue meet golden head on.
It was like being struck by lighting, was the only way Miyako could describe it. For the first time in her life, she felt as though she was drowning and didn't want to rise from it. His eyes held her, drawing her in. They seemed to see right through her, see through every barrier and destroy every defense she had not take a leap of faith in allowing any emotion aside from anger for him grow.
At that moment the song ended and Miyako couldn't stop herself from getting closer. Silently she made her way along the wall, the shadows that fell on her giving her little comfort for she could see his eyes following her every movent.
He seemed to smile slightly at her as he began to speak. "E- everyone, I know so far tonight I've played all the songs you've heard and love... But now, I- I want to play something a little different. Its dedicated to a certain girl out here tonight that made me see beyound the surface of things. I- I won't say her name because she knows who she is. I know she and I always had a rocky relationship, but I hope this song will help her see certain things. Anyway, it's called 'Eyes On Me'.
The crowd was deafeningly silent as the first few chords to the song were plucked. Miyako was frozen to her spot as the music captured her. She couldn't move. She couldn't have run if she wanted to.
"Whenever I sang my songs
On this date on my own.
I never said my words
Wishing they would be heard
I saw you smilin' at me
Was it real or just my fantasy?
You'd always be there In the corner
Of this tiny little room
But last night here for you
Same o' songs
Just once more
But last night here with you
Maybe yes, maybe no
I kind of liked it your way
How you shyly put your eyes on me
Did you ever know
That I had my eye on you?"
Miyako felt her breath stop in her throat. He had his eye on her? All this time? All the arguing... all of everything he'd... had feelings for her? The thought seemed so absurd at first....
'But what if?'<\i> She thought silently, hope kindling in her heart.
Unable to break her gaze from his she stared into those icy orbs with no desire to look away. Sincerity rang from those eyes of ocean blue.
"Darlin' so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you never hurt
As if you never doubt
Shall I be the one for you
Who pinchs so softly
So unsure
I promise you then
I will know that you are no dream
So let me come to you
Close as I wanna be
Close enough for me
To feel your heart
Beating fast
And say there are also whisper
How I love how you place your eyes on me
Did you ever know
I had my eye on you?"
Close? He wanted to be close to her? But she thought for sure that he hated her. Loathed her very essence and wished she would disspear so he'd be rid of her horrendous presence. But no... he cared...
."Darlin' so share with me
Your love if you have enough
Tears if your holding back
Of pain if thats what it is.
How can let you know
I'm more then a tracks and a voice
Just reach beyound
And you will know
That you are not dreaming"
Pain? How could he have seen her pain, she'd thought she'd hidden it so well. Hidden it behind a shield of silence and defiance to the world. Reach beyond the surface? But to what? What if when she let her guard down for him, he hurt her? What if when she gave him her heart, what guarantee did she have that he would not break it?
"Darlin' so there you are
With that look on your face
As if you never hurt
As if you never doubt
Shall I be the one for you
That you softly, but sure
I promise you then
I will know you are no dream...."
By the end of the song Miyako felt her heart thudding loudly in her chest. For the first time in a long time Miyako felt her defenses crumble compleatly and she didn't feel vulnerble. Slowly she glanced at her watch. The concert itself would be over in a half hour. She'd talk to Yamto then. Get some answers. See if the love she felt through the song was true. Leaning farther into the shadows Miyako waited. Patience was not her virtue... that was for sure.
"He wants you to meet him, the bridge that goes over Heartbreak River. 11:00 P.M. sharp." His voice was husky and low. Obviously showing, no one else was to know.
Miyako looked at him in suprise, barely managing to nod her head. Instantly the security guards walked away toward the back of the stage. Turning abruptly she made her way to the exit. Not long after walking out she saw her brother's car waiting.
"Ryou nii-chan, what are you doing here?"
"Yeah, like I'm really gonna let ya walk home. Get in." He responded, his voice leaving no room for argument. But then, Miyako wasn't one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Quickly she opened the door and slipped in. The dark cared smelled of old plastic and bannanas. The ride home to the apartment was filled with a silence that the two Inoues had rarely, if ever, experienced. By nature, they were a loud and rowdy bunch. Silence was deafening, but for Inoue Miyako this was a silence she welcomed with open arms. For silence can be a savior. It can save one from unwanted questions, it can hold you close in a cocoon of safety. But it also leaves room for allowing memories unwanted to rise.
Reaching the apartment all too soon, Miyako hurried past her brother into the building, up the elevator and into their apartment. Quickly she pulled off her heels, holding them in her hand she hurried into her room, a goofy smile fleetingly crossing her face. Carelessly she dropped her shoes in a corner of her room.
Biting her bottom lip in anticpation she stripped off her dress and hose. Running over to her disorderly closet, nearly tripping over a few dresses discarded carelessly on the lavender carpeted. Blindly she pulled out a small dark red shirt that had the symbol of fire emblazoned on the front. Running over to her dresser she pulled out a pair of dark blue, glittery flare jeans. Carefully she ran a hand through her hair. Smoothing down tangles that didn't exist.
Slowly she glanced at the clock. She had 15 minutes before she had to meet Yamato. Fluffing her hair slightly she stuck her head out the door.
"RYOU! I'M GOING TO BED!" Her voice echoed softly over the walls.
"WHATEVER!"
She laughed silently at his response.
He was back.
Quickly she shut the door, locking it softly as she did so. Turning she ran grabbed her denim jacket from the floor and went over to her window. Barely hesitating she climbed out and onto the balcony and leapt over every iron gate which seperated one apartment from another until she came to then end of her floor and climbed out onto the landing and made a beeline for the elevator. Sucking in a breath she climbed into the car, her heart thundering in her chest.
She had to hurry if she wanted to meet Yamato in time. Inwardly she shut off the side of herself that told her to turn and walk home, walk away from whatever it was that Yamato was offering her.
But she couldn't.
She wouldn't.
The air was brisk and warm against her flesh as she ran. A smile crept across her face as she went. Never had she felt so light and carefree. It filled her every essence and made her heart pound with unspeakable joy. Such an awkward, yet joyous feeling really.
The bridge wasn't much farther now.
Speeding up she saw it slip into view. The white marble bridge gleamed brightly in the liquid silver light of the moon. She slowed to a stop on the middle of it, her eyes falling onto the crystaline water with an excited glow.
She felt so happy, the feeling seemed nearly foreign. She hadn't felt so elated in a very long time. Being in the Digital World with Hawkmon and soaring through the sky was wonderful, and having him as a friend brought her much joy. But... it wasn't the same thing like what she was feeling now.
Knowing that someone cared for her... that- dare she think it- love her gave her a feeling like she was on a roller coaster that she didn't want to end.
The sudden footsteps to her right nearly made her heart leap from her chest. Feeling a shy smile brighten her lips she turned.
There he stood.
His short golden hair gleamed in the moonlight, his bright blue eyes glittered with a secret unknown to all but him. He was dressed simply in a pair of black jeans and a blue shirt with a black jacket.
Sexy as hell though.
As always.
Miyako nearly blushed at her thought, though she knew it to be true. She'd seen him before, but never really looked. Mainly becouse he'd been such a jerk... but looking back maybe that was simply the only way he could think of to show his affections. A strange theory perhapes but the only one she could really think of at the moment.
"You came." He said softly, though his voice conveyed that he'd expected her to be there. As though he'd known she would show. That she wouldn't turn her back and forget that this night had happened.
"The song was for me." She stated softly, knowing already it to be true.
"Yes."
Finnaly she asked the question. "Did you mean it?" Her voice was timid, as though fearing his response.
"...Yes...."
For a second she thought she saw a flash of regret glimmer in his eyes, but it was gone so fast Miyako didn't know if she'd imagined it or not.
A soft smile curving her lips Miyako boldly steped closer to him and kissed him firmly on the lips. Passion flared in her blood as she felt his arms wrap around her body. When she felt his tounge flicker at her lips she gasped in suprise, opening the gateway of her mouth to his curious tounge.
Instinctively she leaned closer, intwining her tounge with his in a courtship dance she never wanted to end. She felt the silky softness of his hair as she ran her hands through the straight mass of it. Suddenly a bright light flashed at her closed eyes.
Reluctantly she broke the kiss to see Sakon Chiba and a few others of Yamato's group standing around them. Golden eyes widned as she saw that held loosely in Chiba's hands was a camera.
Confusion marred her face as she looked up at Yamato whose features were contorted with a rage of hormonal passion perhaps... and also... was that regret staining his features? Pity perhaps?
'What's going on?' She thought frantically, her hands squeezing the collar of Yamato's jacket.
Sakon slapped Yamato on the back and stuffed a 5,000 yen (A/N: about $50 U.S.) note into his pocket.
"Didn't think you'd actually get her to do it. Guess you are the master, Yamato-kun!"
Hurt burst through Miyako as she tore herself from his arms. "A Bet!!! This was a BET?!" She yelled, fury rising within her to match the pain that flared to life so hard within.
Yamato swallowed hard. "Hai, Miya-"
Miyako snarled in fury. "You've no right to call me by my first name, Ishida!!" She stated coldly.
He ran a nervous hand through his hair. "It was... just a joke, Mi- Inoue-san." He corrected quickly.
Tears overflowed her eyes and fell down her cheeks. Wasting no time Miyako stepped forward and backhanded the young rock star hard across the face.
"You- you-" Miyako spluttered for an insult at last she sneered. "Any insult wouldn't do you justice, Ishida-san!"
Sakon laughed as he noticed the tears flowing down her cheeks. "Aw, a little hurt Miyako-san?"
Golden eyes flashed fire. "Do not test me, Chiba!"
Ignoring her obvious fury and the fact that he was walking on thin ice Sakon persisted on. "This shouldn't be such a shock, Miyako-san,-"
"Inoue-san to you." She interrupted angrily.
"-it shouldn't suprise you," He countinued on as though not noticeing the interruption, "that a guy had to pay to even kiss or even say they like you. You're just some little geek Miyako-san. It's about time you learned your place anyway. No one likes you, no one ever will."
Miyako staggered slightly as though she'd been hit. Tears of pain streamed down her face as she whirled on her heel and ran.
Ran from them.
Ran from the pain, the humilation, their cruelty.
"Baka... baka...!" She choked out between the sobs that claimed her as she ran.
On and on she ran untill she made her way to Rainbow Bridge. She wasn't far now. Home. She had to get home.
'What's left there?' Her mind whispered. 'You'll have to face them next week at school anway.'
"Digital... World...." She murmured as she made her way farther through the empty streets as she nearly stumbled coming off the edge of the bridge.
Hai. She could hide in the Digital World. Hide from her pain... her fury... her humilation.... and most of all him.
Faster and faster she ran, her feet hardly seemed to touch the cold ground beneath her feet. As she reached her building she ran into the elevator, then entered her apartment on silent feet. She fell on her bed, wrapping herself in a tight emotional ball as she did so.
Pain flew passionetly through her as she squeezed her eyes shut and let the sobs clutch her close. Slowly she got up off the bed and grabed her Digivice. Quickly she opened a Digital Gate and pressed her D-3 against the screen.
Seconds passed and she found herself staring at the dark forests of the Digital World. Pushing her mask on top of her head she looked around.
What she sought soon crept from the shadows, its dark brown wings rustling lightly in the wind.
Through bleary eyes she noticed her Digital Partner was in his armoured form. But she didn't care. Wasting no time Miyako ran forward and wraped her arms around his neck.
"Miyako-san?" Horusmon said worriedly as it nuzzled against her. "What's wrong? What's happened?"His questions fell on deaf ears as Miyako cried harder. Her world had tumbled down, crashing into a thousand shards....