On Your Knees

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 15:44:01 GMT

Title: Mother
Character: Sora
Fandom: Digimon
Rating: PG-13
Drabble: 052

her friends were all patting her shoulders and professing comforting words to her. she didn't give a fuck. her schoolmates had taken to whispering among themselves, and didn't have the common sense to not invade her privacy. she didn't think she cared. her mother had just died in a car crash, on the way to delivering flowers for her client's wedding. sora thought it was so ironic that on the way to a union for two people she didn't know anything about, her mother had torn everything between them. forever.

Shrug.

Drabble: Future: Hilary

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 07:44:51 GMT

I haven't tried angst for a while, so here it is. It's also for my table.

Title: Future
Character: Hilary
Fandom: Beyblade
Rating: Strong PG, light PG-13
Warnings: Angst. Some more angst. The usual.

She had a ten-year plan, and it was supposed to work. She was going to graduate at the top of her class, study law or something extra hard just for the heck of it, get married somewhere along the line, and have two beautiful children. Whether it would've been a boy and a girl, two boys, or two girls, she would've been satisfied.

Unfortunately, her future was set in stone a long time ago. For something else, and while she's holding her friend's hand in the hospital, she's suddenly understanding what it is.

Her friend was prone to accidents. He could be stupid, a dimwit, and have a heart of gold. His head was in the clouds with his feet floating far above the ground. It should've come to no surprise to her when she heard he was in the hospital because he had accidentally fallen down the stairs, but it had.

Truth be told, she didn't know why she was even friends with him in the first place. They argued nonstop, he drove her batty, he contradicted her in every way, but she was more than sure that she harbored a small crush on him.

There was no one else in the hospital, and she's been the last one there for hours. She's not going to leave though. It's simply because she can't, because she has no other place for her to go.

Her future was destroyed years ago, and now all she has is this sick form of the present. Which she's simply...drifting into...

It was ironic. Who was it that had won 'Most Likely to Succeed' after all? Now, her life was in shambles, and not one day passed when she felt cold.

Her hand stays in his the whole night, and she watches him sleep. He used to have a childlike face, but nowadays she's seeing more lines than she really wants to. She wishes that he'd learn to become that child again, and that he wouldn't have to grow up so fast. The whole night her eyes stay open.

The morning comes soon though, and the hospital's back up and running. Someone's opening the door, but she doesn't really care and just continues to hald the boy's hand. Then two children walk in, and she recgonizes them as her classmates, though no one very important.

"Why are we here so early?" The shorter boy asks his friend. She's wondering the same thing, and why they're both just ignoring her.

The taller one shrugs. "So we can beat the crowd, I guess. I mean seriously, Tyson's really popular, even when he has a small concussion."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," agrees the other one and her. "Look at all the flowers he has. It's so sad though. How he accidentally fell down the stairs. Tyson must have been really out of it."

"Oh, who can blame him?" The second one's sad tone catches something inside her. "He's been so depressed these past few weeks. I mean, Hilary was a really good friend of his, and the news of her death must have hit him hard."

The boy nods. "You're right. We were all upset about the news about the car crash. It just didn't seem like those sort of things that happen to us."

"Who can say it was that sort of thing? Tyson really must be hurting though. You can tell that he always had a small crush on her. And Kenny, Tyson, and Hilary were like their own quirky trio."

"Yeah. Now it's like a peice is missing. Kenny isn't doing all that good either. He hasn't been in school lately."

Both of them sighed in unison. "Come on, let's put the card on the desk and get out of here. The parents are waiting." He motions outside, and she snorts. People these days were so impatient.

As they both walk away and out the door, she can still hear tidbits of their conversation. One of them was asking, "You think Tyson's ever going to get over it?" and the other one answers, "Maybe. He's got to though, if he wants any sort of future without grief."

Her smile is so sad, as she lets go of his hand, and floats out the window. Even though his future's got hope, hers was gone a long time ago. She'll never have the chance to get over it.

End.

I think that was a good excercise for my brain and hand.

Danny Phantom stuff

Sat, 05 Aug 2006 14:17:22 GMT

Beeeeeecause I've decided to expand my horizons and yadda yadda yadda, I am here writing two Danny Phantom stories. One is Danny x Sam, and the other is Tucker x Sam x Danny (It's a threesome, well sorta. It's a one-sided threesome).

First one's happy and slightly fluffy, but second one's kind of sad.

Title: All Night
Fandom: Danny Phantom
Pairing: Danny x Sam
Warnings: OC, slight OOC, profanity, AU

Danny doesn't know what makes things like this. Things like when it's late at night and he's at Sam's house, and she's laying beside him in her bed, both of them fully clothed. He thinks he can see the city lights outside get brighter and brighter until they become the blinding stars of the night. He'll still be in this bed with Sam.

It was closeness. It was intimate. And his pants are still on.

He's glad though, that Tucker's not there, and that it's just the two of them. He doesn't even feel guilty about thoughts like those, because Tucker would understand and he'd get it. There are things he does with Sam and things he does with Tucker and things he does with TuckerSam. It's almost like categories.

Sam is leaning her head against his shoulder and snuggles that much deeper. They're not quite friends and not quite in a relationship, and that's probably why Danny likes this so much. These are things like the moments that describe exactly what they are.

A breath of cold air escapes his mouth before he can stop it, and Sam's eyes awake before he can shut them.

"Go get them," she murmurs into his ear, already more than half-asleep. So he tears himself away from her, which is just so cruel in it's own way. Then Danny transforms into his alter ego and flies out to see his newest arch enemy.

"I'm taking a break," he tells a gleeful ghost. "Destroy the city tomorrow." Without checking the ghost's reaction, he flies right back to Sam.

"Turn off the lights," Danny tells his potential girlfriend. "I might just spend the night."

Title: No Limit
Fandom: Danny Phantom
Pairing: Danny x Sam x Tucker threeeesome
Warnings: Profanity, and maybe slight bastardization of Tucker and Danny

Almost everyone in school thought it was just oh so sweet that Tucker and Danny were dating.

Sam hated it.

Oh, she didn't hate the fact that Tucker and Danny were dating (much), because she thought it was sort of sweet too. She simply hated the fact that all the other highschool girls would just giggle to each other about how sweet they thought it was. Damn it all, they were Sam's boys and only Sam's boys.

And they were ignoring her.

It started with the little things. When they had first gotten together, Danny and Tucker had opted to go to the Nasty Burger without her. Then they were passing notes in class without her, giggling privately. It had gotten to the point where only Tucker accompanied Danny in ghost fighting, and neither had asked why she hadn't come.

Sam hated it. She hated it a lot more though, because she couldn't understand it.

There was always something niggling deep in her stomach when Sam saw Tucker make eyes at Danny, or when Danny reached across the table to hold hands and acted like it was just the two of them. Every time she watched them publicly make out she wanted to hit something. But deep down, Sam knew she was happy for her friends. So the sick feeling inside her wasn't even an option.

Even if it made her question: why can't they be happy with me?

Not that she wanted Danny. Not that she wanted Tucker. That she wanted both of them, and they were fine without her.

I'm still working on revising IWD chapters. Once I've finished with most of them, then I'll post them. It's not a one-by-one thing, it's a won't-post-revisions-until-they're-all-done thing.

Drabble, Drabble, Babble

Fri, 30 Jun 2006 10:09:53 GMT

Title: Morning
For: 100_women
Drabble: 58 - Morning
Character: Sora Takenouchi
Fandom: Digimon

The curtains are closed, leaving no room for sunlight. She's been staring at the closed window for hours, wondering what it takes to open it, and whether she's up to it. She's thinking that if she opens the window, the sunlight would probably burst through and momentarily blind her eyes.

Then she'd blink, draw back the rest of the curtains and prepare for her morning. She'll get dressed in a hurry, stumble down the stairs to eat a peice of burnt toast and kiss her mother on the cheek, then dash to school, while on the way probably running into her musician and her soccer player. The rest of the day will fly by, because it's the morning that always lasts the longest.

She's pushing the curtains back, back, farther apart, they aren't touching anymore, and she's looking out the window.

To see that it's raining quite thoroughly, but quietly. Like a light drizzle.

"Oh that's right." Sora's smiling sleepily. "It's a weekend." On Sunday morning rains she'll pause very quickly, then fumble her way through her bedroom-

So she can go back to her bed.

"And sleep," her whispers are pressed into the pillowcase, before they disappear forever when she starts dreaming.

I was in a rainy-day mode myself, and listening to The Fray. Those two are very 'sleepy and rainy' combinations and gave me the mood I wanted for this drabble.

Another Beyblade Drabble

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 13:34:42 GMT

Title: Red (I've decided to just use the drabble titles as actual titles, because it saves me the creativity. Yes, I'm very aware that I sound like a cheapskate)
Author: trapped_strife
Drabble: #79 - Red
For: 100_women
Character: Hilary
Pairings: Tyson x Hilary x Kai thing
Warnings: Um. Panty shot. Wheeee.

The whole thing had been a blur for Kenny. He remembered his beyblade Hopper getting stuck in a tree, Daichi refusing to climb up and get it, while everyone else had chickened. Then Hilary had offered help out of impatience, and next they knew she was climbing the tree. In a skirt.

Which actually didn't reveal anything, except that circumstances had come up and Hilary ended up hanging upside by the tree branch with her skirt obeying the forces of gravity. Kai and Tyson had collapsed with bleeding noses.

"Red panties," were their first words when they woke up. Past that, Kenny hadn't remembered much when Hilary proceeded to turn a shade of red that matched said undergarments.

*grin*

Writing to Release

Sun, 25 Jun 2006 14:44:26 GMT

I am VERY frustrated/exhausted/excited now. If this is possible. I've been incredibly busy editing and revising chapters of IWD. I'm proud to say that I'm almost finished editing five chapters of it, but that I'm almost burned out. Which is why I've decided to do what I always do, and write. Very short writings. As in, proper 100-200 word drabbles. All of them Beyblade.

Title: Bones (because I was lacking creative flow and bones just 'fit' it okay!!)
Author: trapped_strife
Character: Hilary
Drabble: #27 - Bones
Rating: PG-13

delving past her brown hair, hands clutch her skull and pause for a second to kiss it's heat before continuing downwards. slipping down her skin, they clutch her collarbones and want to choke her. they go out to her arms and curl themselves around her knuckles, hard enough to cause bruises. they resume their chase southwards, touching parts of her body that no one else can see. but no, they do not clutch the skin, nor even to admire the countours they create.

they are grasping at her bones, to break them and mend them. to admire THEIR shapes, THEIR contours. her hands want to know what would happen if they pierced through the bones, and cracked them until there are merely splinters. they all want to reduce her body to a pile of rubble, like a demolished building.

my bones are broken. inside i'm only flesh and blood, she says.

I think I'll post another drabble later.

019: Lies

Fri, 16 Jun 2006 15:31:30 GMT

Title: Confessions of a Plain Jane
Author: trapped_strife
Fandom: Digimon
For: 100_women
Character: Sora Takenouchi
Pairings: FAKE Mira (Mimi x Sora), real Sorato, with some Hisuke, and mentioned Miyaken.
Summary: Sora's nice. Just crazy inside.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Kissing, fake shoujo-ai, profanities, hetero.
Notes: You can say this is an awkward plot idea, and I would agree with you. That's why I'm writing it. This is the long one-shot I promised for Sora.

Also, this story tends to sound very weird, because Sora seems to be directly talking to the reader, but that was just the effect I was going for. Maybe.

I'm a nice person. Seriously.

I work hard and get grades, perhaps not perfect ones, but I'm definitely one of the more smarter girls in our grade. I've never really ridiculed or made fun of anyone in a malicious way or with malicious intentions. I mean, even my looks are nice. I am probably the last person you would call 'gorgeous' or 'sexy' but I don't have any imperfections. I'm Plain Jane resurrected.

Which might not have made a lot of other people happy, but I practically lived by Plain Jane's rule. Because Plain Jane was or is like, the nicest person in the universe.

Except that it sucks. You know, when being nice gets you in deep trouble. You've heard all that stuff about how 'nice guys finish last' and how there's such a thing about being 'too nice.' Don't pretend you haven't.

And maybe if you're smarter than I was, you'd have chose to listen.

Our school has some real A-Class bitches. Who doesn't? Though I'm happy to say that modern school society has developed into something more refined, and the A-Class Bitches usually turn out to be the 'School Sluts' instead of the popular crowd. The popular crowd's pretty stupid and dim-witted, but they're not bitches.

Except for Yamato though, he's popular and not a bitch nor stupid. God he's great.

I guess by this point it sounds like I'm in love with him or something.

Well-

It-

That is so typically you. I'm not effing (told you I'm nice. Can't even swear right in my head. Sometimes) in love with anyone right now, least of all Yamato.

Seriously. I just have this small infatuation. My heartbeat increses, my hands get clammy whenever I get near him, sometimes I just want to lean into him and smell his hair, cause I swear he uses this great shampoo that just makes my sense of smell DIE.

But I'm not in love with him. I can give you real proof. When I fall in love, it's comfortable. Slow. Without sensing it, love happens. Naturally. Because that's just me, that's how I love. And I'm not anywhere near that stage with Yamato, which would so suck, because being the original bearer of Love, I know how it could either mess things up or bring them togther. For Yamato and I, it was probably the former.

"TAKENOUCHI!"

Ouch. Deaf much? Oh yeah, that reminds me of my main point. The thing I was just talking about before I got distracted with talking about Yamato. You know, the biotches.

I put on a polite smile and turned around to face Aiko, Bitch #241. "Yes Aiko?"

She narrowed her eyes at me. "I wanted to ask you that girl who I see sometimes around you."

My eyes scrunched together, looking puzzled. "Hikari? What about her?"

Aiko laughed loudly, flipping her hair over her shoulder and leaned against the door. "No, not that mousy little weirdo. I mean the prettier one with all the brown hair and big eyes."

"Oh, you mean Mimi." Ever since Mimi's begged her parents to move her back to Japan so she wouldn't have to hang out with us a-la-long-distance, she's been pretty popular at our school, though that was no surprise. I suppose that Aiko's going to whine at me about how Mimi's been stealing all of the boys' attention, though no one even look at Aiko twice.

Sadly, I was quite mistaken.

Aiko smirked, which was never a good sign. "The girls and I have this little bet going on... and I wanted to know if this Mimi and you are dating."

As a very nice and somewhat boring person, I have very limited 'shocked' or 'stunned' expressions. So, I simply let my jaw drop even though inside I was going, 'WHAT THE FUCK? WHAT THE FUCK WHAT THE FUCK WHAT THE FUCK WHAT THE FUCKIN' FUCK?' It was just a tad spaz-like.

"Um. No? Why are you asking?"

The girl had the nerve to smirk again. She said, "Well like I said, the girls and I had this bet going on. Half of them bet she was sleeping around with every guy in town, and the other half bet she was lesbian. It's a good thing that I was betting she was sleeping around. Duh. I knew she couldn't be after her own gender."

"A-A bet?"

"That's right. So thanks for the confirmation and all." The brunette sniggered. "I'm going to just go and spread the word around school 'kay. Toodles girl." I swear to god, that is what she said to me. Toodles.

So in retrospect, you can understand what I did next. Maybe Taichi's just been influencing me a little too much lately with the whole 'foot in mouth' thing, maybe I wasn't thinking very clearly, maybe I thought it would help Mimi, or maybe I decided to something that wasn't very nice.

Either way, I got myself screwed over.

Mimi gasped with shock, her eyes turning wide and taking a few steps back. "You told them what?"

That's the thing about Mimi. She can act a bit of a drama queen, but usually there's a reason. Or actually, more like an excuse. She tends to make a habit of creating something big out of something really small.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but: I wish those one of these times.

But they're not. Instead, I gave her a very sheepish smile and scratched my bead, wondering if this is how Taichi or Daisuke feels whenever they mess something up. "Look, so I told them that we were dating. Is that really a bad thing?"

"YES IT IS!"

"Why? Don't think you're good enough for me?"

"WE ARE SO NOT HAVING THAT CONVERSATION! AGAIN!"

Oh, don't look at me like that. When one of your best friend is someone who shops 24/7 and can walk in stilettos, you end up having to entertain her with very diverse conversation topics. In the end, I was feeling more than a little insulted.

"Look Mimi, I had no CHOICE! It was either you and I were dating, or you were the future generation School Slut! TAKE YOUR PICK!"

"..."

"..."

"You couldn't have just told them I was a virgin?"

"Mimi, who are you kidding?"

"Good point."

"Or that I just flirted with guys and don't do anything about it?"

"You do plenty of things about it."

"Well fine then, I guess we're dating HONEY BUNCH!"

"Okay by me, SWEETIE PIE!"

There are two kinds of people in the world. There are people like Mimi, who get screwed over because it's indirectly because of some fault of theirs whether it's flirting, vanity, tactlessness, or anything else. And then there are people like me. Who just get screwed over.

"Besides, I hear that guys find girl on girl action hot."

"Don't even go there."

At this point of the story, you're probably realizing just how stupid I can be. Even though Mimi and I already discussed it, there probably were a lot of other things I could have told Aiko other than "Mimi and I are having hot girl sex, and I'm not on top." Not that I actually told her that, just something along the lines of "Mimi and I are dating and I'm whipped."

Either way, there were other possibilites. I could have said that Mimi was in a very serious and secret relationship with Taichi. Or Yamato. I know that with the right amount of prodding, they would have gone along with the charade.

Except that, I didn't want to. If I had said that, I would have screwed over and sold out two of my best friends. And I'm too nice for that.

Actually, that's a lie. I would easily have sacrificed Taichi, if I hadn't already told Aiko that I was dating Mimi.

But Yamato. Oh, I just don't know sometimes. Yes, I've thought about him and Mimi. And on all the times that I think about it, the more I realize how compatible they tend to be. Sure, Mimi's a ditz at times, and Yamato's just plain cold, but they balance each other out. They complete each other.

That's the thing that bothers me so much. I'm not in love with Yamato. But.

As a best friend, a faraway crush, and a potential-girlfriend-but-only-in-my-dreams, it hurts to say that I can't complete Yamato. He and I act so different, but not different enough. I'm a firm believer in 'opposites attract' which is why this just plain saddens me.

In best friend terms as well we're not even that compatitable. He tells Taichi EVERYTHING, while I get stuck with stories about his FANGIRLS and BAND PRACTICES. Excellent trade off, don't you think so?

Also, here's another depressing thought: if Yamato and I were to date, he'd be the prettier one. With Mimi at least, she'd be at his level. Where would I be? Plain Jane dating the rock star. Which is never going to happen.

Anyway, I would like it if you would all stop staring at me with piteous eyes, because sometimes I actually like being Plain Jane. And I've already accepted it a long time that me and Yamato can never happen. I will never be the Plain Jane who is dating a rock star.

You're rolling your eyes and asking me why. That's an easy question.

Plain Jane's already dating Mimi Tachikawa.

Who by the way, thinks it's time to 'tell our friends.'

I told her they'd already know, and probably would just leave us alone.

At this point of the story, you're probably realizing just how stupid I can be.

"Okay Sora, just act calm, walk with me in a calm manner, do everything we practiced, blah blah blah." I could barely pay attention to Mimi's yapping; my feet were shaking, my hands were clammy, and I could almost feel sweat on my forehead.

"Mimi, I CAN'T DO IT! Look, we still have time! Maybe we can turn around now and just stay home and-" For the last time, quit looking at me like that Mimi (you too). So what if I'm spewing bullshit? It's not like I'm not desperate.

"Sora, I haven't even opened the door yet."

"Oh. I just they painted the walls or something."

"Don't make me bitch slap you."

I let her open the door.

The thing about being a Plain Jane is that it's so Easy To Get Used To It. All the Plain Jane does is be one of those semi-pretty-but-quite-plain looking girl who sometimes puts her two cents in, but is just 'there.' No one really notices the Plain Jane.

I've gotten very accustomed to being a Plain Jane, because I get really nervous when I'm in the spotlight, and unlike many others, I don't even dream about being in the spotlight. Trust me, defeating evil ugly Digimon with no fashion sense and saving the world is all the attention I need.

So from these two paragraphs, you can now assume two things.

1. Plain Janes go unnoticed.
2. Saving the world can make you get a fear of the limelight.

Ready for the third thing? Okay, cause here it is.

3. All eyes were on me.

"Sora, my hand is BLEEDING," Mimi gasped as we walked into the hallways, holding each other's hands to give the real illusion that we were in fact a 'couple.' As you can guess, I was being the more nervous one between the two of us.

I whimpered, unable to relinquish my hold. "Sorry Mimi." I tried really hard to relax just a little bit, and loosened my grip on her hand.

It was just that everyone's eyes were on me. And Mimi too, but I could practically hear everyone's thoughts going, 'Who IS that girl with Tachikawa?' Like I said, the attention wasn't making a very positive effect on me.

People were whispering all around us, shooting not-so-discreet glances at us, and pretty much doing everything possible that I wanted to avoid. Mimi on the other hand, looked calm and totally down to earth. It was almost like we switched personalities, but I knew it was because Mimi's just used to the attention.

"Are you ready?" She whispered in my ear as we turned to our Homeroom door, where Taichi and Yamato also were. Sometimes, I thought it was almost freaky how we four had managed to end up in almost all the same classess. I mean, coincidence?

"Sora! Just open the door already," hissed Mimi. I nodded, still feeling nervous jitters in my stomach.

She let me open the door-

And therefore allowing everyone in our homeroom to come up to us and grill us for questions about our 'relationship.' Deciding that Mimi would be able to handle things, I managed to sneak out of the crowd and instead searched the room for two of my best friends (who surprisingly, weren't in the crowd at all).

Only to find they were staring right back at me.

You may ask us, Sora why can't you just tell your friends? I'm sure they'd understand. The thing is, I'm sure they would understand. They'd probably stand by Mimi and I, defend us if any of the other kids decided to call us certain names, and just overall be great.

But here's the other thing. A good majority of the Digidestined can't keep a secret.

Yes, we all did very well when we still had our Digimon and pretending they were our stuffed toys, and pretending that you aren't trying to save the world is quite a big secret in itself. But Mimi and I both knew that this was something far more juicier than any secret we had kept as a Digidestined.

We didn't think that anyone would purposely blab that our 'relationship' was just a ploy, but we also knew that a lot of them were just plain blabbermouths. Taichi and Miyako for instance. People like Hikari and Jyou were quite private people themselves, and would have been able to keep their lips shut. But we knew that if we only told some members of the group and neglected to tell the rest, it would cause a very small rift between the group.

Which is why we remained silent.

Daisuke squealed. Yes that's right, Daisuke squealed. Contrary to popular belief, I always believed he had a bit too much Yamato in him to truly become the next Taichi. And Yamato, well, can be a bit girly. Not that it doesn't make him any less of a man. But I've lost my point. The point is, Daisuke squealed, and exclaimed, "You and Mimi? That's so cute!"

The rest of us stared at him.

"Um," he scratched his head, looking embarassed. "I just. Yeah. It's not cute. It's um, hot?"

Chuckling nervously, I looked at the rest of the group with a nervous smile on my face. "So uh, is this okay with the rest of you?" I grasped Mimi's hand tighter, trying to look the part of a simple nervous homosexual.

Hikari smiled. "I think it's sweet Sora. You and Mimi make a good couple."

Oh Hikari, you have no idea.

"I knew it," declared Taichi. "You've had this dreamy look in your eye for weeks, and had all the symptoms of a lovesick fool." He gestured at my pretend girlfriend. "I just thought it was because of someone like Yamato or something. N-Not that I don't completely support you and Mimi!" He defended himself quickly.

Sometimes I wonder if I give Taichi too much credit, or too little.

Everyone else were very gracious in accepting our relationship, though Miyako looked especially ecstatic that her idol was in a 'serious' relationship, and in some twisted way that I can't figure out this probably raised her hopes for her and Ken. Even Daisuke kept glancing at Hikari more than usual.

"But if you wouldn't mind us asking you," started Koushiro. "Just how did you two get together in the first place?"

"Oh-" We didn't. "-as Taichi had noticed, I've had this big crush on Mimi for weeks. And one time when I was at her hosue I just-" Screwed myself over and told Aiko that Mimi and I were dating. "-couldn't hide my feelings anymore, and it slipped out. I was lucky enough to find that she returned my feelings."

It was a good thing that Mimi and I had already discussed and concocted a version of how we first got together.

"Keep it believable, but simple enough not to raise any questions," Mimi had said the day before.

Miyako gushed. "That's so CUTE!" Koushiro, Jyou, and Taichi rolled their eyes, Takeru and Iori snickered behind their hands, Ken and Hikari gave faint smiles, and Daisuke laughed excitedly, which Miyako glared at.

Yamato was silent. He hadn't said anything the whole meeting. Which was just ironic, because his reaction was the one I half wanted to know, and half never wanted to know. Nonetheless, Mimi's curiousity got the best of her.

"Well." She fixed her hands on her hips and stared at my blonde crush (gah). "Don't you have anything to say Mr. Ishida?" The rest of us sat with baited breaths, wondering what Yamato would have to say.

He did one of his cool shrugs. "Not really. Oh don't get me wrong," he hastened to say when he noticed the looks we all had. "I'm not homophobic or anything like that. I-It's just a surprise, that's all." He shrugged. "But I'm fine with it. Really, you have my support." He gave us another breathtaking smile, and I pretended it was directed only at me, though it towards Mimi as well.

And I don't know, but in a way I'm sort of disappointed. Yeah, on one hand I didn't want Yamato to be a homophobic and turn out to be a total jerk. On the other, I wanted Yamato to protest wildly against the 'relationship' not because he was homophobic but because he was secretly been in love with me the whole time and just now realized he couldn't go another day without me.

Of course, being the jerk that he is, he had to turn out to be the perfect friend.

Making me all the more charmed by him.

Goddamnit.

And for the love of God-

QUIT LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT!

Tennis is, for lack of a better word, exhilirating. Every time that birdie comes at me, I'm ready to meet it with my racket, and there's nothing like it. Sure, I played a lot of soccer when I was young, but there's something about a tennis racket that gets me going. Tennis is like my one and only true love.

If I wasn't crushing on Yamato, I'd probably be married to tennis.

"Sora...you in there?"

And speaking of Yamato...

Blinking, I spun around to find my blonde friend looking at me with a raised eyebrow. "Oh, hi Yamato! What's up?"

Yamato shrugged. "Oh not much, just wanted to check up on you." He gestured to the normal clothes I changed it after Tennis. "Since you're done with tennis practice, how about we go for an ice cream? Taichi said he couldn't come because he had an impromptu soccer practice?"

"Sure."

Unofficially, I have just earned the title of 'Worst Best Friend of the Year' because of how glad I felt that Taichi wouldn't show up. Not that I cared anyhow, not when I had Yamato walking beside me, our shoulders almost brushing.

"Hey lesbo! Tell that girlfriend I want some of that pussy!"

"Yeah, you and your disgusting traditions need to be taught a lesson!"

See. This is the real reason I hate homophobic jerks. They interrupt my time with my straight crush. Yamato saw me tense though, and quickly yelled at the two boys to get lost. Laughing loudly, they both ran off into the other direction, leaving behind Yamato, me, and an awkward silence.

"So I guess you get this sort of thing a lot," said Yamato nervously.

I shook my head. "Not very often actually. Most of the people seem to handle Mimi and I well, which is really good, since it takes off most of the pressure. And even when it does happen, well, we let it slide by."

He nodded understandingly. "Yeah, it's cool that you and Mimi have been able to handle it in the name of love and all."

I laughed. "The name of love? Have you been watching Sailor Moon Yamato?"

To my delight, he gave the most adorabe blush. "N-No of course not. But... you know. Seeing you and Mimi," he gestured at the air in front of him. "I've got to admit I'm a little jealous you know. I've always wanted a nice relationship like yours."

Now it's me who's blushing, and for what? A pretend relationship that I have to lie to one of my best friends about? I couldn't be prouder of myself now. Not. "Oh don't worry Yamato. I strongly believe there's someone out there for everyone. I bet if you searched hard enough, you'd find her."

And, you know, if that doesn't work, you can just come to me. I'll divorce my husband, keep the kids, and you and I can have hot monkey sex in the master bedroom all day.

Oh god.

I did not just think that.

Yamato smiled, unaware of my inner pervertedness I was just discovering. "Well, we'll see. All I really want is someone who I can fall in love with and have that same look of love that you have Sora. It's like you have all the happiness in the world, and there's nothing else you need."

Inwardly, I was gushing at Yamato's romantic words of-

Wait.

It's like you have all the happiness in the world, and there's nothing else you need.

He thinks. HE THINKS I LOOK LIKE I'M IN LOVE WITH MIMI?

I mean for Yamato to come up with such words, it has to mean something. But me loving Mimi for real? The idea's almost laughable. And even when we were pretend dating, I still didn't see the girl as anything more than a friend. As far as I know, I'm truly straight. But Yamato's one of my most perceptive friends. If he could see something like that, then it must true. But.

"One vanilla and one coffee please." Yamato took the two ice cones and handed me the vanilla, which surprise, surprise, was my favorite flavor. "Here you go Sora. Your favorite flavor."

I looked stunned. "Uh. How did you know this was my favorite flavor?" Yeah we were best friends, but I've never told him my favorite flavor of ice cream was vanilla, and whenever we do our daily ritual of ice cream takeouts with Taichi, I always order something different.

Yamato grinned. "You're my best friend. And vanilla? It's just you."

As I accepted the ice cream cone, I distantly wondered if this was what epiphanies and revelations feel like. Like the minute that you've taken your vanilla ice cream from one of your best friend's hand, and accidentally brush your hand against his. That your whole life could be defined that single moment.

It wasn't that I had fallen in love with Mimi.

It was that I had fallen in love with Yamato.

Which should not have happened at all. It wasn't slow (I had gone in two weeks from liking him to loving him), it wasn't comfortable (not when I was in a fake same sex relationship with my other best friend), and it definitely wasn't natural (see previous reason). Yet, without sensing it, love happened. That sucked.

"Uh. Sora, your ice cream's dribbling down your hand, and is about to land in your shoe if you DON'T STOP IT NOW!"

"Yamato, knowing my luck, the ice cream will probably managed to slide into my shoe and wet my socks."

He chuckled. "You can really be funny sometimes Sora."

I love you.

The thing about being friends with Hikari, is that you'd often find yourself scared at how freakishly perceptive she can be. I often find myself wondering how she and Taichi could possibly be related. The girl knows everything, and every time we meet up, I always learn something from her.

This afternoon however, was not one of those times.

Or who knows, maybe it would.

"You're going on a date with Daisuke?" If I was holding a teacup, it would be shattered all over the floor. "Wha...WHY?"

Hikari looked impatient. "Because he asked me to and I said yes. Now please Sora, I'm really nervous and would like your help." She held up two skirts, looking like a girl wondering what to wear for her prom. "Just tell me. Green or pink?"

I was still flabbergasted. "B-But Hikari. It's Daisuke! The guy who you've been rejecting since like, forever! Why the sudden change of mind?"

Now don't get me wrong, because truth be told Daisuke was probably one of my more favored Digidestined. He definitely earned a huge part of everyone's respect (including Yamato and Takeru's) when he was able to forgive Ken so easily.

I was just so puzzled and confused as why Hikari would suddenly not refuse a date from him.

Sighing, Hikari turned away from the skirts to answer my question. "Oh I honestly don't know Sora. I guess that after seeing you so happy with Mimi, I learned that you could find happiness in all sorts of places." She blushed. "Uh, not that I'm in love with Daisuke or anything. I just thought I should give it a chance."

Now I felt guilty. It was almost like Hikari had forced herself onto this date, and it was because of me. Before I could stop myself, I had done yet another Taichi move.

"I'm not dating Mimi."

Hikari rolled her eyes. "Oh haha Sora, nice joke."

"No, I'm serious." I took a deep breath and launched into an explanation. "A week ago Aiko approached me, asking whether Mimi and I were dating. I told her 'no' because seriously, we weren't. And then Aiko told me that they had this bet going on about whether Mimi was a lesbian or sleeping around. I didn't want Mimi to be known as another School Slut, so I pretended that we were dating." I was avoiding Hikari's face, choosing instead to look at her skirts on the floor.

I flinched as I heard her gasp. "W-Why didn't you tell us?"

Smiling softly, I turned to look at Hikari's stunned face. "Oh, you know your brother. Taichi couldn't keep a juicy secret like this even if he tried his hardest. And Mimi and I both knew that if we only told people who could keep a secret within the group, then everyone else might have felt we didn't trust them enough," I quickly added.

"Do you trust us?"

"Yes."

Though Hikari still looked stunned, she seemed to be getting around to the idea. "I-I see. Well Sora, even though you might've lessened Mimi's chances for dating guys, I think it was pretty noble of you to sacrifice yourself." She smiled at me.

I grinned, happy that Hikari understood. Which was exactly why I couldn't let her go through this.

"But that's not why I'm telling you all this Hikari. Look," I gestured to her skirts. "I think Daisuke is a wonderful guy, but you shouldn't have to sacrifice yourself just because you want to look for happiness in 'all sorts of places.' Mimi and I didn't. You shouldn't have to force yourself through all of this."

Then Hikari did something truly shocking (to me at least. You guys were probably expecting this). She threw her head back and gave a generous laugh. Not a snicker, a giggle, but a genuine laugh.

"You want to know something Sora? I'm not just doing this because of your 'relationship' with Mimi." Hikari blushed. "I'm doing this for me. A part of me has always been very fond of Daisuke. Yeah, I always rejected his date offers, but it was like this part of me was in denial." She took a deep breath. "When you and Mimi started 'dating' I guess it just made me come to my senses and I didn't want to keep Daisuke waiting."

Okay, though I was shocked at Hikari's admission, it didn't stop me from squealing and going, "That is so cute Hikari!" It just melted me into this gooey puddle of fluff.

Her blush worsened. "Yeah, I guess. Now please, help me pick a skirt. I would ask Mimi or Miyako for help since I know you aren't into fashion much, but their taste isn't as sublime as mine. Green or pink?"

"Green. Definitely the green."

"Okay."

After thirty minutes of helping Hikari with her make-up and nervousness, she was looking pretty and set to go. Plus I gave her tips on kissing (which I just made up on the spot) and she seemed quite determined to get some.

I admit it.

I am a pervert.

"Uh, Sora. Can I ask you something?" Hikari's voice interrupted my thinking and I turned to face her slightly puzzled expression.

"Go ahead."

Hikari looked awkward, shifting her balance from one foot to the other. "If you're really not dating Mimi then why do you look so in love? I-I mean, not that I'm any expert on that type of thing. B-But you just seem to look so content and happy now."

I chuckled, looking at the floor because I was suddenly afraid to look at my friend. "I'm not in love with Mimi if that's what you're thinking Hikari." I looked up at Hikari, surprised at the wetness gathering around the corner of my eyes. "I'm in love," I choked. "With your brother's best friend. Or your best friend's brother." Despite myself, I giggled.

The brunette looked thunderstruck. "Y-You like Yamato."

"No. I'm in love with Yamato." All the strength in the world couldn't stop that tear from sliding down on my face. God, I was turning out to be such an Angst Girl. Which was actually Yamato's job. How ironic. "There's a difference you know."

"Oh Sora!" Not caring if her make-up would get smudged, Hikari ran forward and gave me a fierce hug. "It'll be okay," She whispered comfortly in my ear.

I sniffled. "Thanks Hikari."

"No problem." The brunette stepped back and gave me another soft smile. "But Sora, you need to let Yamato know. I know you, and I know that you probably have no intentions on telling him, ever." She sighed. "But don't you think that Yamato deserves to know?"

Not having the strength to say anything, I simply nodded. Deep down, I knew two things. One, I had been kidding myself with the whole 'never going to tell Yamato' because there was nothing I couldn't keep from him (except my 'relationship' with Mimi). And two, that Hikari was always going to be right.

I always learned something from her.

So I simply smiled at her as the doorbell rang. "There's your date. Knock him dead Hika!" After she gave me a friendly smile and disappeared out the door, I sank back onto her bed. I knew what I had to do, and I knew it wouldn't go very easy on me.

Mimi looked close to hysteria. "Y-You're breaking up with me?"

"Fake breaking up with you," I corrected her.

She rolled her eyes, looking slightly more normal. "Whoops, sorry. You're FAKE breaking up with me?" she asked sarcastically as she leaned back into her chair. I decided to take her out to one of those regular cool cafes by the street for our last 'date.' Not that we had any in the first place.

I rolled my eyes right back. "That's the general idea."

"B-But-" Mimi's face resembled a goldfish. "D-Don't take this the wrong way or anything Sora, because I'm definitely not interested in you. But, WHY?"

Sighing, I sipped my ice chocolate. "Come on Mimi. You're not trying to tell me you wanted this charade to keep on going?" I gave her a disbelieving expression.

The pink haired girl shook her head fiercely. "Not at all Sora." She raised an eyebrow at me. "But we barely went three weeks. Why the sudden change of plans?"

"I-I just think if we pretend broke up somewhat quickly, then everything would assume that the relationship was just a phase and that we're really straight. And don't worry Mimi, I think you're popular enough not to become a School Slut," I assured her, hoping that she would accept it.

"That does sound like a pretty good reason," admitted Mimi. "But I don't think that's the only reason." My friend stared at me, beckoning me to tell her the truth.

"W-What are you talking about?" I questioned nervously.

Mimi's eyes narrowed. "Do you have your eye on someone else?"

If I had been drinking my ice chocolate, it would probably be splattered all over Mimi's brand new shirt. She should be grateful. "N-No of course not! Can't a girl just do something nice without having a reason?"

"Any other girl probably." Mimi smirked. "Not you Sora."

Oh how wrong you are Tachikawa.

No.

Wait.

Actually, she's right. I have an ulterior motive! B-B-But...

This so goes against everything I've learned being a Plain Jane.

Maybe my Inner Spazz has just taken over or something.

"You got me Mimi." My smile was so bitter it wouldn't need any coffee. "I'm in love with someone else. Sorry. You can keep the kids if you want."

Mimi gasped, but she had this look in her eye as if to say she wasn't very surprised. "Who is it?"

I chuckled. "Yamato." Once again, I felt a familiar wetness at the corner of my eyes. "Since Monday. Since forever." Actually not really, just since Monday.

"Oh Sora!" She reached across the table to grasp my hand firmly. I dimly wondered what it was with girls and their need to touch someone in comfort. Of course, I was being slightly hypocritical. "Of course I'll break up with you!"

"R-Really?"

"Of course! Anything to make you happy!"

I grasped her other hand, suddenly feeling nostalgic. "Thank you so much Mimi. I'm really happy I was able to have someone like you in my life."

"Ditto," she joked. "And if it's any consolation, you were a great ex-girlfriend."

"Aww, isn't that just sweet!"

Except that those words didn't come from Mimi or me.

Freezing, we both slowly turned our heads to the side, only to find that the everyone in the cafe had abandoned their drinks to instead stare us. Feeling my self-concious fear of limelight, I simply ducked my head and blushed as everyone clapped and hooted.

"Go get that Yamato of yours girl!" One of the more rambunctious people shouted to me, the others laughing at his suggestion.

"Yeah, the girl don't know what he's missing out on!"

The funny thing: Mimi and I both choked on our drinks, fleeing the cafe as quick as our legs would allow us.

The funnier thing: The guys at the cafe thought Yamato was a girl. Insert snicker here, please.

The scary thing: I now have nothing stopping me from telling one of my best friends that I love them. Not even the fear of rejection, because I'm telling you, after faking a same sex relationship for almost three weeks, there's not much that can really shake you after that.

The thing is though, that I know practically nothing about confessing my feelings.

And let me tell you, that may sound like a load of bullshit coming from the girl who had the Digimental of Love, but that's the plain and simple truth. Geez, and I thought things were tough when I had to try and rebuild my relationship with my mom.

I don't even know where to start with Yamato.

So, I am about to confess to you something that you will undoubtedly find very funny.

I went to Yagami Taichi. Who, by the way, was no help at all. Though you were probably expecting that.

After listening to him laugh his head off for thirty minutes, hearing exclamations of "Yamato? Seriously Sora. YAMATO?" for the next thirty minutes, he gave me five minutes worth of help. If that guy wasn't one of my best friends, I swear.

"You should just tell Yamato those three little words. And before he can say anything you should go ahead and give him a BJOD," he suggested.

"What's a BJOD?"

"Oh Sora you innocent girl," Taichi chuckled his heart out. "Blowjobs On Demand."

Thanks for the not-so-welcome images Taichi.

After asking Taichi (honestly, what was I thinking?) I decided to ask the more 'intellectual' part of the group. Of course, they were just a teensy bit more helpful than Taichi. All three of them gave similar gasps of shock when they found out the real nature of mine and Mimi's relationship, and then (get this) they gave me the exact same advice.

"W-Well Sora, I would a-advise that you wait for him and see how he a-acts around you," advised Jyou.

"-I mean, if you give him some time and just take a few weeks to look at how he acts when he's with you, it will make things easier," explained Ken.

"-And then once you're sure that he acts different around you than he does around everyone else, you should go ahead and approach him. You should only do this though, once you are armed with proper statistical evidence and a good possibility that he harbors such feelings towards you," told Koushirou.

Except I didn't have A FEW WEEKS. I knew that I had to tell Yamato soon before he went and found himself another girl (following Hikari and Daisuke's approach), and I had to tell him soon.

My next person on the list was Miyako, figuring that as she had taken after Mimi, she would know all sorts of things about guys. Unfortunately, I was right.

When I was at my wit's end and tired of listening to Miyako rant on and on about how guys were all jerks and that they were only after one thing ("It's called the 'Forbidden Zone' Sora, and it's forbidden for a reason!"), how safe sex was the only sex in the world, and even though she was the new bearer of Love she knew when to keep her legs crossed, I had decided that through hell or high water, I would approach the 'clueless' part of the group.

Namely, Takeru and Iori.

"Uh, oh I really don't know about this Sora. I mean he's my brother and all, but even I can't tell how he feels sometimes. I guess you should leave him a phone call or something," said Takeru, with Iori agreeing with him.

Uh. A phone call?

No wonder you two got all the ladies.

By now, I would've gone to Daisuke and Hikari. However, they were apparently 'unavailable,' judging by the sounds I heard outside Hikari's bedroom door. I didn't think they had progressed quite that far into their relationship, and was more than certain that it was only some heavy making-out. Nonetheless, I had spent that evening giving them a remix of Miyako's Use Protection Speech. Yes, not something I necessarily wanted to remember.

And here I am, talking to you.

Well?

What would you suggest?

Because I'm feeling pretty darn stupid myself.

Sadly, Yamato got to me first.

That jerk.

I mean, here I was, sitting under the tree in the courtyard with Yamato and eating my lunch thoughtfully (Taichi and Mimi had made themselves scarce once I told them that I was going to tell the blonde today), trying to settle the matter of how to confess.

Should I go, Oh Yamato, you are my one and only true love. I've never felt this way about anyone else. Please. Won't you say the same to me? Why, your strong and deep ocean blue eyes captivate me beyond words. And your glistening blonde hair that manages to shine even during the darkest times in my life, I would gladly die for. Make me yours Yamato.

Yeah.

I didn't think so either.

Perhaps I should say, Yamato, you are like, so HAWT. Don't ever let anyone tell you different okay? Because if they do, well then they're like my bitches. Rawr. I want that body of your right now! You up for a little roleplay?

Not working huh?

Sorry if I managed to creep out the younger kids.

Or maybe if I wanted it short I could tell him, Yamato. You. Me. Love. Bed. Or the tree. Now.

God this was hard. My heart suddenly went out to every person out there about to confess their deepest feelings to their own crush, and as well to all the people about to propose to their significant other. This stuff sure isn't easy.

"Sora?"

Blinking, I woke up from my daydream to find that Yamato was staring at me again. "Yeah?"

He pointed at my food. "The soy sauce on your sushi is dripping."

"Oh!" Blushing, I quickly guzzled down the whole sushi, quite aware I was resembling a chipmunk as I chewed.

"Sora," Yamato said again, but in a different tone that made me freeze in mid-chew. "I just want you to know that I think it was great what you did for Mimi. Even though, you know, you kind of sold her out. But it was a noble act."

Despite myself, I blushed. "Ymwnks Ymashrooo." Great, just what I needed. To have my mouth full of sushi and my cheeks like a chipmunk as I'm saying, 'Thanks Yamato.'

"I mean," he took a deep breath, as if not noticing my barely deciphered words. "to see that you were willing to do such a thing to help your friends, well, that only makes me like you more."

I gulped my food down (not even noticing). "Well I like you more too Yamato," I joked, my heart plummeting as I wished that his words had a slightly different meaning. I never believed in wishes though, until Yamato's next words.

"Sora," he said again. "I like you. As in, like you like you."

My eyes widened, and just as I was about to respond, he interrupted. "I-I guess you could even say that I," Yamato gulped. "love you."

It's kind of like when you get an injurgy. The first thing you feel is shock. You just sit there stunned, as such a proclamation probably makes you gasp and your jaw slacken, all the while staring at your blusing blonde crush.

Then I melted. Straight into a pile of this gooey little stuff called fluff and love and rainbows and sparkles. I swear, I was the dew on the grass. I mean, Yamato Ishida loved me? It was practically a dream come true. And after all that hard work I did to think about how to confess-

Hey.

Back up.

I DIDN'T CONFESS!

Ohmigod, that is so fucking TYPICAL of Yamato.

To be such an ace jerk and Steal My Confession. God, I didn't even get to say, "Yamato I like you" much less "Yamato I love you." And what was I doing? Going through all the trouble of pretend dating with Mimi, withstanding the looks that everyone in the school gave me, pretend breaking up with Mimi, asking every single member of the Digidestined for help, and more.

What did he do? He stole my words.

I mean-

HOW DARE HE?

Yamato must have noticed my fierce glare, because he gave me the saddest expression ever, that I almost took back my anger. Almost. "L-Look, I knew it was just too much to hope you'd feel the same but," he gave a bitter sigh. "I guess I just couldn't help. I mean, I've loved you forever Sora. And yeah, I guess I did get a bit jealous when you were pretend dating Mimi. I-It's okay if you don't feel the same way."

Ugh. This was too much.

"THAT'S NOT IT AT ALL!" Ignoring the flabbergasted expression he wore and the shocked expressions everyone else had, I let loose. "You just couldn't let me go first could you? Oh no, you just had to steal my confession! You bastard!" I yanked him forward by his turtleneck. "Why couldn't you just let me say I Love You FIRST HUH?"

Literally, I was seeing red (and Yamato's shocked stutter of, "Y-You love me too?") so I did what any normal girl would have done in such a situation.

I leaned forward and kissed him.

Granted, it was a very awkward and clumsy kiss, and basically a clash of lips in which I got to get a good feel of Yamato's girly lips. I wasn't exactly Ms. Gentle, but that didn't matter. What did matter was that I broke the kiss fairly quickly, leaned forward again, and whispered, "At least I got the first kiss."

Beat that Yamato.

"The thing is Sora," he said as he held my hand. "In a world where everyone's quite insane and there's all sorts of suffering out there, a Plain Jane is welcomed with open arms. Well, to me at least. I'd welcome you any time. Besides, you're not completely Plain Jane." He grinned at me.

This guy is enough to make any girl melt.

I grinned. "You want a BJOD?"

*shakes head* Definitely one of my more bizarre writings. At least I finished it at last. I've been working on this thing for like two weeks.

10: Last

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 14:30:40 GMT

This is weird. It's angst, but it's not. It's just... angry. And I highly, HIGHLY doubt she reaaally feels that way.

Title: After This I'm Through
Author: trapped_strife
Fandom: Beyblade
For: 100_women
Character: Hilary
Drabble: 010 - Last
Pairing: None
Rating: PG-13

I didn't get a lot of things in life.

Yeah, I got four point ohs and won all the school elections, because it was always written in the stars that 'Hilary Tatibana is destined to be a winner' in whatever order. And yes, I got to hang out with the great Bladebreakers, be their unofficial cheerleader and part-time coach. Not many girls get to do that, and the guys are really a blessing on earth.

"But," I said as the bartender hands me another drink. "I never had fun. Sure, even I'd beyblade with the guys sometimes, but I'm not a beyblader, unlike everyone else in the entire fucking world. And it gets really boring."

Mr. Bartender-whose-real-name-remains-a-mystery raised his eyebrow at me. "Still, it sure sounds like you've had plenty of real adventures."

I chuckled, surprising even myself at how cynical I must have looked. "I hate adventure. I hate winning, because winning's an adventure in itself. And even when I'm having a 'fun' adventure, I'm stuck hanging out with stupid boys who don't understand the first thing about girls, and maybe sometimes girls who don't understand a thing about me."

"That sucks," said the bartender. A statement which I wholeheatedly agreed on. "This had better be your last drink Red," he goes on to say as he hands me the alcohol.

Okay, I didn't fucking understand a lot of people. I definitely didn't understand this bartender, who thinks that I was a redhead, of all people.

"I'm not a redhead." Christ, I'm not. I'm a fucking brunette who deserves to swear in public and act like she's above everyone else, just because she is. And I deserve to have fun, not just watch at the sidelines as Tyson beats yet another beyblader while Kenny types on that computer of his and Daichi just whines like a girly bitch.

Of course, the bartender doesn't notice my inner turmoil.

"You'd look pretty sexy as a redhead."

Yeah, I bob my head in silent agreement as I guzzle down my drink. I probably would look pretty fuckable as a redhead. Only it would have to be a deep wine red, cause otherwise it would look screwed up. Of all the things that people think I am, I am not screwed up.

"Hand me another."

"That was your last."

I didn't get a lot of things in life.

I think that I'm going to push my plans of working on PoC away for the moment, because instead I'm going to edit early chapters of IWD. Which really, make me cringe at how sucky they look.

100_women Drabble: Sister

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 10:19:38 GMT

Title: I Never Had
Author: trapped_strife
Fandom: Digimon
For: 100_women
Character(s): Sora Takenouchi
Drabble: #054 - Sister
Rating: PG
Author Notes: I can't help but feel guilty, because I gave Hilary this loooong oneshot, but Sora has a small drabble. I'll have to make it up for her later.

The first thing I notice is that there is little need for mascara, because the eyelashes are quite long already. Frankly speaking, I'm almost jealous, but keep silent because I don't wish to bring any awkward moments into something as beautiful as this.

It's so easy for me to comb the hair because it's so soft and yet messy, do whatever I want. At first glance, I thought it would be best for me to tie it into a ponytail. However, instead I put a well placed ribbon into it instead because the ponytail just didn't look right.

"You know, this reminds me of when I did this to my mom," I say as I apply the face cream to my friend's face. "Maybe we should do this more often. You're like the sister I never had."

Though many see me as someone who doesn't really care about makeup, I know my tools quite well actually. Just not the extent as most of the other girls.

My friend says something that I can't quite hear, which puzzles me a little. I'm almost finished though. After I'm done applying the last layer of blush (which I kept to a bare minimum as the cheekbones were very high) I step back and observe my work.

Taichi glares at me through eyeliner-ed eyes and red lips. "You're really evil Sora."

I smile. Blackmail goes a long way.

Two down. Have to remember to add this to my table. And then... I think I'll work on my PoC drabbles. *shrug* I'm a very busy women.

No Pressure.Um.

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 09:41:55 GMT

So, I've decided that no, working on over four (or was it five? holy crap, I think it was six) chapter fics isn't enough for me, oh NO. Absolutely not. Which is why later, I signed up to join the 100_women community. Because I do believe in suicide.

There are several good things about this though. For one, there's the whole 'this should get my creative juices flowing' side of it. And there's also the whole 'I luff writing it ish da bomb!' side of it.

And: I think I'll split the table up into 50 themes for two women. I've seen other people do this so I don't think it's against the rules.

So my two women will be: Sora Takenouchi from Digimon, and Hilary Tatibana from Beyblade. Originally I was going to do Hikari from Digimon and Mariah from Beyblade, but I thought that since I never did much with Sora she would be an excellent challenge, and I decided that I should expand with Hilary.

Ohmigod. My priorities are so MIXED UP!!!111!!22!

001.	Beginnings.	002.	Middles.	003.	Ends.	004.	Insides
005.	Outsides	006.	Past	007.	Present	008.	Future: Hilary
009.	First: Hilary	010.	Last: Hilary	011.	Only	012.	Tears
013.	Laughter	014.	Hope	015.	Fear	016.	Love
017.	Lust	018.	Truth	019.	Lies: Sora	020.	Clean
021.	Dirty	022.	Hands	023.	Hair	024.	Eyes
025.	Skin	026.	Blood	027.	Bones: Hilary	028.	Naked
029.	Perfume	030.	Lipstick	031.	Jewelry	032.	Shoes
033.	Ribbon	034.	Hit	035.	Hug	036.	Kiss
037.	Possession	038.	Obsession	039.	Conceal	040.	Reveal
041.	Wealth	042.	Poverty	043.	Dreams	044.	Reality
045.	Read	046.	Write	047.	Paint	048.	Sing
049.	Dance	050.	Nurture	051.	Destroy	052.	Mother: Sora
053.	Daughter	054.	Sister: Sora	055.	Friends	056.	Enemies
057.	Strangers	058.	Morning: Sora	059.	Afternoon	060.	Evening
061.	Birth	062.	Death	063.	Sound	064.	Smell
065.	Taste	066.	Touch	067.	Sight	068.	Fire
069.	Water	070.	Earth	071.	Air	072.	Winter
073.	Spring	074.	Summer	075.	Fall	076.	Strawberries
077.	Apple	078.	Lemon	079.	Red: Hilary	080.	Blue
081.	White	082.	Black	083.	Here	084.	There
085.	Strength	086.	Weakness	087.	Courage	088.	Cowardice
089.	Dangerous	090.	Comfort	091.	Open	092.	Closed
093.	Choices	094.	Lost	095.	Found	096.	Memories
097.	Writer's Choice	098.	Writer's Choice	099.	Writer's Choice	100.	Writer's Choice

Maybe I can even use this table for my Pasture of Circe drabbles. Hmmm.

Vignette: Mariam x Hilary

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 06:27:11 GMT

I... do not know what to say. I'm half ashamed and half proud of this peice of work. No, I don't have anything against shoujo ai or shounen ai in Anime, but I've never written any for Beyblade. On top of that, this is an incredibly rare pairing. I think it's even the only fanfic ABOUT this pairing.

*yawn* Anyway, here it is.

Title: Slumber Parties
Author: trapped_strife
Fandom: Beyblade
Pairing: Mariam x Hilary, slight Ray x Mariah, and implied other-pairings-which-technically-aren't-pairings
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Shoujo ai, implied shounen ai, OOC
Author Notes: Let's all pretend that the characters are either 16, 17, or 18, depending on your choice.

It was supposed to be a simple girl's slumber party.

A meaningless sleepover to, as Mathilda had told her, "get away from all the boys and their angst-filled beyblade matches" something which she had wholeheartedly agreed with.

That was, until they brought out the beer bottles.

"Come on Hilary," urged Mariah. "A few drinks won't hurt anyone."

"Yeah, live a little," said Salima, who Hilary had no idea how she had gotten here since she hadn't seen Salima (or Mariam, who was also there) since the tournament had started. But she wasn't going to argue, as the redhead was a nice girl. "A few drinks never hurt anyone."

So she agreed, ignoring that gut feeling of hers that said nights with liquor never turned out well.

'Don't do it!' said her instinct, who Hilary never listened to anyway.

"Oh hey, I know. Let's play I Never. It's the perfect Ice Breakers game," Julia said, with everyone agreeing, including Hilary, who was still ignoring her gut feeling and instinct.

'You'll regret it!' her gut yelled.

Perhaps Tyson was right. Maybe she was insane.

"Okay I'll start. I never rode on a roller coaster," Emily said, pushing her glasses up her nose as they had kept sliding off.

All the girls took a small sip from the beer bottle (though Hilary thought she saw Ming-Ming drink more than her fair share), excluding Julia. When everyone had given her questioning looks, the ginger haired girl looked defensive. "I spent my life in a circus okay! Roller coasters looked boring compared to acrobatics." Julia rolled her eyes.

Mathilda giggled. "It's okay Julia," she tried to reassure Julia, who just 'hmphed' and looked away, clearly embarrassed.

"Anyway, it's my turn." Julia's eyes scanned the room, wondering who she should put on the spot, if she would put anyone at all. Her eyes stopped on a familiar pink haired girl, and she smirked. "Sorry Mariah, but I'm just terribly curious. I never..." her smirk widened when she saw how nervous Mariah looked. "...kissed Ray."

Blushing to her roots, Mariah took a quick sip, unsuccessfully ignoring the big grins and raised eyebrows.

"I knew it," Ming-Ming murmured under her breath.

"It was after his big match with Tyson okay! It was just a-a-a sort of friendship kiss! He needed the comfort," the White Tigress replied defensively.

Mariam snickered. "A friendship kiss? So that's what they're calling it these days huh?" She ignored the arm jab Salima gave her, content on snickering at Mariah's humiliation.

"I think it's sweet Mariah," Hilary said, giving her friend a happy grin. "You and Ray have been eyeing each other forever."

The Chinese girl smiled hesitantly, keen on moving onto a different subject. "Uh, my turn next I suppose. I never swore in front of an adult." Her humiliated expression turned to one of shock when she saw that Emily had taken a sip. "Emily, of all people!"

The All-Star girl looked sheepish. "I was working very hard on a beyblade defense mechanism technique. Ms. Tate was helping me with it, but I couldn't seem to get the hang of it. And I guess I got frustrated and said the F word in front of her." Emily shrugged nonchalantly.

"I'm impressed," said Julia dryly.

There was a small ripple of laughter, and their game of "I Never" soon continued, never failing to find some more shocking discoveries.

Juicy secrets had come to light. Everyone found out that Salima had once shoplifted ("I'm not one for fashion, but that handbag was too adorable to pass up!"), Mathilda had stolen her dad's underpants and tried them on ("I was young and curious"), Ming-Ming had slept with the most people ("Hey, I'm a beyblading superstar! It's only right that I get desperate groupies!"), and that Hilary had once cheated on a test.

"Seriously Hilary, you? Tyson told me you were one of those classic four point oh student body presidents." Mariam grinned.

Hilary retorted, "Well there's a lot of things you people don't know about me." She couldn't help but be unnerved by the bluenette's hard stare. "Besides, it wasn't like I cheated big time. It was a very small quiz and I hadn't had time to study for it."

By that time and point, most of the girls had been more than a little drunk, as they had been sneaking in drinks, unable to resist the alcohol. Even Hilary couldn't help but gulp down large portions of the bottle in front of her.

"Okay now it's -hic- my turn." Ming-Ming gave a drunken giggle, not particularly caring if anyone noticed. These were what real parties were made of. "I've never -hic- kissed someone of the same sex."

The whole room had been silent, waiting for someone to drink from the bottle, and wondering who would.

Julia cut in. "Well I guess -hic- that since no one's going to drink it -hic- we might as-"

Her sentence was cut short, as soon Mariam reached for the bottle and took a long drink, followed by Hilary who waited patiently for her Saint Shields companion to be done with the bottle before she took her own light sip. Both of the girl's reactions varied, as Mariam had a small smirk on her face, while Hilary's had looked completely mortified.

It was times like these that she truly regretted not listening to her instinct.

'Haha, that'll teach you!' jeered the said instinct.

It also didn't help that while she had taken generous portions of the alcohol, she was still more or less sober, so the imprint of the embaressing moment would most likely be remembered.

'You deserve it for not listening to your superiors.' Oh, how she detested that instinct of hers.

Emily's eyebrows had raised past her hairline. "Okay this, I've got to hear." All the other girls had leaned forward towards both Hilary and Mariam, eager on hearing the story.

"There's nothing to tell!" The brunette sputtered out, wishing for all that was Good and Merciful to make this a dream she could easily woke up from.

Both Salima and Mariah pouted. "Please?"

"Yeah!" everyone else turned hteir puppy dog eyes on the two girls. "Pleeeeeeease girls?"

Hilary sighed, and flicked her eyes to Mariam's face, asking for silent permission. Seeing the girl's look of consent, the brunette decided to share their almost scandalous story.

"It was the day before the Saint Shields were going to leave Bakuten for their village, and the Saint Shields had come to this goodbye party the Bladebreakers threw-"

"Ozuma, Dunga, and Joseph had to leave at 10:00 to do some impromptu packing," interjected Mariam, whom Hilary had thrown a grateful look at. The bluenette shot her a quick grin in return before going back to her story. "I had already finished packing my clothes. The Bladebreakers suggested that I stay the night, so I agreed for the heck of it. Soon, everyone but me and Hilary were sleeping, because she was cleaning the dojo and I was helping her-"

"Oh that sounds so romantic," sighed Mariah. She noticed that everyone was giving her weird looks and she blushed again. "Well, Ray never offered to help me clean my mom's house in the village back when we were young!"

"Are you sure that's the only reason you were gushing Mariah?" teased Mathilda. "I never figured you were a Shoujo Ai closet fan."

Mariah's face reddened even more. "I'm not! Anyway, let's just get back to the story."

"So, Mariam was helping me clean the dojo up," Hilary said, taking over the story. She figured that if she was going to be teased, she was going to be teased with all the right facts. "We're picking up some of the confetti, and Mariam suddenly stops picking them up. She turns to me and asks, 'Do you really know me Hilary?' and I say 'I don't really think so Mariam. I mean, we've barely interacted at all' and then-"

"You remember all that?" Mariam asked, a strange look on her face.

Hilary gulped, and then chuckled nervously. "Well, it's sort of hard to forget you know." She locked eyes with her bluenette friend, and wondered why it felt like they were the only two people in the room, even though you could clearly hear Mariah gushing in the background and Emily elbowing her in the ribs.

She looked away first.

"You want to continue the story Mariam?"

Mariam nodded. "There's really not much to tell. After Hilary answered my question, I did the whole spur-on-the-moment thing and spontaneously gave her a very short peck on the lips. Right after that, we just went back to cleaning. The next day I had to leave." She shrugged, and returned to her beer bottle.

Hilary almost laughed aloud at the similar disappointed looks on everyone's faces.

"That's it? A peck on the lips? That's all you guys did!?" Mariah practically shrieked, looking the most let down of all. Mathilda gave her a sympathetic pat on the back, but was unable to hide the grin on her face.

"Well actually-" Hilary started, but stopped when she realized Mariam was giving her subtle hand motions behind everyone else, telling her to 'shut the fuck up.' Choosing to listen to the hand signals, the brunette smiled and shrugged. "Yeah. That's all that happened. We just did a quick peck on the lips."

Salima looked suspicious. "I'm not sure if I believe you."

Julia and Ming-Ming nodded their heads as well, agreeing with the redhead. Emily and Mathilda looked sceptical as well, and Mariah just looked glassy-eyed and hopeful.

The ruby eyed girl flinched, wondering how she would get out of this mess. Her instinct was practically screaming with glee and smugness. She threw a helpless look at her bluenette friend, who looked just as desperate as she did.

"Look, that's really all there is to it," said Mariam, trying to convince the disbelieving bladers. "Hilary and I just had a short peck to-"

Hilary interrupted her. "It's okay Mariam, I think we can tell them." Giving Mariam's incredulous look one of her own 'shut the fuck up' looks, she turned back to the others. "You guys have to promise that nothing gets out of this room okay? Seriously, no one can know."

"We'll be totally silent Hilary. Beyblader's honor," Emily swore, the others soon promising on their own blader's honor. Julia snickered at Mariah's over eager nod, but looked happy herself that she could hear the full details.

Mariam sighed. "Well if you absolutely insist on knowing..." she paused, teasing everyone else by drawing out the moment. Hilary giggled and swatted her shoulder. "Ouch! No need to be so rough Hilary. Anyway girls, Hilary and I really did share a peck to the lips. However, one peck of the lips lead to another, and pretty soon we were doing it on the dojo floor. And many other places."

Even Hilary's jaw dropped at the candid way Mariam had chosen to bluntly tell them. Everyone else had similar looks of shock.

Mariah squealed.

Then blushed for the third time that night as everyone raised their eyebrows at her.

"What? It's sweet okay!"

Julia turned her head back to Hilary and Mariam. "So Mariam, how was she?" she teased.

Hilary's face turned red as a tomato, while Mariam just grinned. "Oh, Hilary was pretty damn good. Probably one of the best I've ever had. I never figured she'd be so flexible." The said brunette couldn't help laughing, as she hit the other girl with a pillow.

"Pillow fight!" Mariah yelled, and soon everyone had joined in, making it perhaps one of the funnnest sleepovers Hilary had ever been to.

It was almost weird though, but through the entire time, she could have sworn Mariam had used the pillow fights as an excuse to grope her several times in certain unmentional places.

She wasn't sure if she would let Mariam know that she had been her first.

End.

Ohmigod. Now I'm practically itching to write a sequel or something. Though I did have to stop myself several times to refrain from making it a TyHil.

Mmkay. I'm just going to ignore that itch, cause I have several chapter fics in which I should be concentrating on.

Fri, 09 Jun 2006 06:32:45 GMT

Title: Dreams
Fandom: Beyblade
Pairing: Tyson x Hilary
Rating: PG
Warnings: OOC, heavy kissage, light angst.
Author Notes: Hehe. I suppose you can say I've come back from the dead with my Beyblade writing. The lines of the summary are from a poem called (what else?) "Dreams" by Langston Hughes.

Dreams

"I have dreams you know. I dream that I’m going to become the world’s greatest Beyblader! That I’ll win all the trophies, all the victories, and definitely all the fame. Yeah. Dragoon and I are heading places."

"Sounds boring."

"No it isn’t! You’re just jealous because you aren’t going to be the best beyblader in the world! Everyone’s going to be worshipping me!"

"Sure Tyson. You just keep on believing that. While you’re at it, dream about a day when you won’t show up late for class."

"Must you always put me down Hilary? And hey! I’m not that late. Ms. Kincaid’s just fine with it!"

"You mean she’s used to it."

"She’s fine with it."

"Used to it."

"Fine with it!"

"Used to it!"

"Fine with-"

In his dreams, their arguments never stop.

---

There’s always red and blue in her dreams. Sometimes the red is like fire, sometimes its blood, and occasionally it’s blended into the blue and her dreams are all of meshed purple shades (purple and lilac). The blue is always changing, and at times it changes right in her dreams. There are blue shapes and words she doesn’t understand in her dreams.

In her dreams there is only one thing constant, and that is histories of shadows and light that hide behind dark brown eyes. Now and then, the dreams are full of darkness and the eyes blend right in, almost unseen. She has dreams of light, in which the eyes stand out of the most.

Just like Hilary can’t put a name to the face, she can’t put the eyes to the person.

She dreams of them every night.

---

He thinks about family a lot. Most of the time it’s just thoughts about his childhood with his mom and dad before they left. Nowadays it’s his grandpa hitting his kendo stick against his head which he remembers with pain, or Hiro’s voice, telling his younger brother things he’s not going to learn from anyone else.

"Blood is overrated Tyson. Lines are what define a real family."

The next day, Hilary is gripping the end of the stadium’s benches so tightly her knuckles are transparent, and he has to (not want to) drape his jacket over her shoulders to warm her.

"Sorry," she says to his shoulder. "I’m just nervous I suppose."

"I am too," Tyson tells her, only he’s not, because suddenly he gets what Hiro was saying. Tyson is indeed a very simple man and he really doesn’t understand a lot of things, but even he gets something that is right in front of him.

Hilary is made of lines. Jacket, hair, clothes, skin has stretched out boundaries all over her and it’s like there’s no end to them. There are more lines than the things between them. Hilary is clutching his jacket so tightly that it’s gone transparent.

If Tyson asked, "Are you part of the Beyblade family Hilary?"

Then she would have said in a sarcastic voice, "Duh. We’re all one happy family of course."

And Tyson would chuckle and snort. "Whatever you say."

After that, Hilary would lean towards him, and he’d probably go a little silent once he’d catch her darker than normal eyes. "Am I part of your family Tyson?"

Then he woke up to Hilary’s fingers shaking him rather vigorously, his jacket still on her shoulders. "Tyson, wake up! You’re up next!"

He yawns, stands up, exchanges a few mocking words with his brunette companion, exchanges a few cocky words with his opponent, chalks up another victory, and goes back to the bench.

She’s still wearing the jacket. "Oh, sorry, do you want it back?"

"Nah, keep it on. It’s fine." He wonders when he started getting jealous of some stupid red jacket.

Hilary smiles at him, Tyson thinks, 'the minute it was all she was holding onto' and he couldn’t see any lines.

---

They clash, that’s the first thing she notices about them. In every Beyblade battle she’s seen so far, Tyson’s battles are the ones where they clash the most. She doesn’t know whether it’s his bitbeast, his beyblade, or just himself, but Tyson always creates havoc when he lets go of his rip cord.

Tyson is not one for the defense, and usually attacks heads on. And usually, his opponent crashes into him. They battle, they fight, they rough the whole area up, and Hilary doesn’t like to admit it to herself but a tiny (very tiny) part of her gets worried every time Tyson steps onto the battlefield and she goes, ‘Let him be okay let him be okay pleasepleaseplease.’

Sometimes Hilary can’t repress it, and when Tyson manages to win another tournament she hugs him fiercely with happy tears in her eyes. A move such as this raises a few eyebrows and news reporters.

Yet she hasn’t regretted a single hug she’s given to him because-

"You’re a real friend Hilary."

He hugs her back.

They fit, that’s the first thing she notices about them. Where he is all rough skin and light hearted she’s sharp angles and heavy minded. She’s smooth where he’s rough though it really doesn’t make a difference at all when they hug. Either way, her knees buckle even though it’s just a hug.

Hilary is not one to be subtle, and usually prefers to be as blunt as possible. Until Tyson fits his face into the crook of her shoulder and she’s wrapping her arms around his torso so hard she can’t hear herself breathe.

He makes her short of breath.

---

Tyson yawns as he leans against the dojo walls. Grandpa had left momentarily to go see Mr. Dickinson for something or the other, while Kenny and Daichi hadn’t shown up yet, telling him they would both be late because Kenny was going to "rewire and reprogram" some of Daichi’s beyblade parts.

So it was just him. And where was Hilary?

"Hey Tyson, sorry I’m late. My mom kept me a little longer than usual." Hilary rolls her eyes and sits close to him. Not close enough.

He shrugs lazily and flicks his eye to his face. Then freezes.

"Tyson," utters Hilary who is wearing red earrings and heated ruby eyes. "I think you’re a really good friend."

Oh, wow and she was pushing him against the walls so hard he could feel every bit of wood against his back. She pretty much helps him ignore it though, as she presses chapped lips against his own. He concentrates instead, on how Hilary isn’t much of an enthusiastic kisser, but makes up for it with her skill. For him, it’s quite the other way around. They fit.

She takes her time molding and pressing lips against him, and by the time they’re both gasping for breath he isn’t sure whether he’s on fire or drowning. Tyson gets one little breath before Hilary’s back onto him. Really, he’d like it if she did this more than actual talking.

Almost forcefully, she’s pried his lips apart and, almost like a cliché, a tiny electric shock makes him curl his toes. Though he’s not sure when it happened, his arms found their way around her way, while hers are at the back of his neck. On fire or drowning, he likes this.

"Tyson. Tyson. Tyson." She says his name over and over every single time their lips are apart. It’s as if she only has time to say just his name, before she yanks him back into a kiss again and again, oh wow.

He gasps. "Hilary I-"

He wakes up.

---

There was a time, somewhere between the before Daichi came and Tyson’s three teammates left, that it was just the three of them. Just Tyson, Kenny, and her. For a week, they were all they had.

One time, Kenny hadn’t been able to meet her and Tyson at the dojo because of some reason that both of them had forgotten. When it was just the two of them, there was nothing left besides arguments. Not that time however.

Tyson had probably been unnerved by the fact that Kenny’s presence wasn’t beside him as usual, or perhaps it might’ve been the fact that Ray, Max, and Kai weren’t there either. For some reason, he had talked to her. About certain things they hadn’t ever talked about.

"Hilary, have you ever thought about the. The future?"

"Yeah, now and then I suppose."

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

At the time, she hadn’t realized how odd a question like that was coming from Tyson. She still doesn’t know why he had asked her that. "I don’t really know. Probably something like a teacher or even a doctor."

"Oh."

"Yeah."

"In the future, do you ever think of leaving Bakuten?"

"I-Why? Are you leaving Tyson?"

"Never."

"Then neither am I."

There was a time, somewhere between before Kenny came and she had to leave for her house, that it was just the two of them. Just Tyson and her. For a few seconds, she was sure that she was all he had.

Sometimes Hilary dreams about that meeting. Every time she dreams about it though, something always changes. Either Kenny arrives early, either he arrives later, sometimes Max or Ray make a surprise visit, sometimes even Kai is there. One time, Kane had arrived earlier and he chattered on and on and on and she and Tyson couldn’t get a word edgewise.

Tyson was always there though, and so was she. They never changed.

---

"Do you have a lot of dreams?"

"I guess so."

"Like…how many dreams?"

"Oh, I wouldn’t know. Never counted."

"What do you dream about?"

You. "Usually I dream about getting the title of 'World’s Greatest Beyblader'! Ooh, and there was this one time when I was eating this entire buffet of food! Oh man, there were sandwiches and-"

"I think I get the idea."

"It was yummy."

"I imagine so." I dream about you too.

I never knew. I do now. "It was such a great dream too."

---

Hilary is dreaming again.

This time, her dream is all purple, meaning that the reds and the blues have meshed together again. Except that she can also see bits of pieces of red and blue, so that’s different.

Eyes. Two dark brown eyes. Except that she can see…lines. Lines shooting out of the eyes and extending down and going up and. They’re curling around each other, forming shapes.

She sees long hair with bangs tied into a ponytail. A red jacket. Gray pants. A yellow shirt. Dirty shoes. And a lighthearted face. A very familiar face.

Hilary knew who she was dreaming about.

And she knew she’d never stop dreaming.

---

She was avoiding him. Or maybe he was avoiding her. Either way, things had been awkward. This was strange, because things hadn’t been awkward between them since their last big horrible fight. They would argue and yell, but it was never awkward.

It was just that every time he closed his eyes he was reminded of certain dreams in which Hilary was wearing red earring and darker than normal eyes. Every single time he closed his eyes, he could almost feel them.

Their friends feel the tension. And mistake it for anger.

"Look, I know that you and Hilary like to fight for some reason that I can’t figure out. The point is that, the both of you are hurt. I don’t really know what you two were fighting about, but one of you have to apologize," says Kenny.

Of course he would be the first to try to help. He’d been there from the very start and he’d go onto the very end. Tyson could count on him for advice, even when his advice was completely pointless.

Because he had no idea what he would be apologizing about.

"You and the old hag need to get a move on! I don’t know if it’s your weird and icky hormones or somethin’ but you gotta smooth things out if we’re gonna win the next tournament!"

Daichi was (surprisingly) the closest to the truth. Except, he was pretty sure that he was the only one with the hormones.

Ray says things like, "Tyson, just give Hilary some time. Even though you nor her won’t tell me what’s going on, I can obviously tell this is something that needs its space."

Tyson eats three bowls of ramen and considers calling Ray the ‘Mother Hen’ of the group later. He dismisses the notion though, because he does not have a Death Wish.

"Aw, don’t worry Ty! Hilary’s just being a girl. I’m sure that once she’s over that Time of the Month thing, you guys will bounce back!"

Max the simpleton. He wishes it were just like those days when he was the simpleton instead and Max was just hyper.

Kai says, "………"

He knew there was a reason he still called the lump of ice one of his best friends. Because you could always count on Kai to say the right thing.

---

She closes her eyes even though that’s so ironic and useless because all she sees is eyes, eyes, eyes. Only not, because she can also see who those eyes belong to, who they’ve always belonged to. Hilary hates her subconscious.

Her friends tried to help, and honestly they would have been very helpful, if not for the fact that even she and Tyson had no idea why they couldn’t look each other in the eye. Oh, Hilary knew why she couldn’t. She just didn’t know about Tyson.

Surprisingly, it was his Grandpa that gave Hilary some real answers.

"What’s a dream Mr. Granger?"

"Something that your subconscious really, really, really wants."

Except that she would have been much happier with any other answer.

"It’s funny. My old boy’s been having weird dreams himself. Keeps tossing and turning more than usual. Don’t really think they’re nightmares though. Rather, he seems to be enjoying them." He winks at her. "Been saying your name in his sleep too."

"…Oh."

---

He’s a very enthusiastic kisser, and certainly doesn’t like to waste his time. Holding her hips very tightly and pressing against her in ways she isn’t sure she can handle, they are both attacking with fervor.

Tyson pulls apart for a second and rests his forehead against hers; both of them are slightly out of breath.

"I dream about you Hilary," is a zealous whisper he gives her.

Then she wakes up and thinks, '…Oh.'

---

"Am I in your dreams?"

"Every single one."

---

Tyson chokes; because he is imagining things and there was no way, just no way that this was happening, yes absolutely no way,and any minute now he is going to wake up and-

"What do you think?" Hilary asks with a glint in her eye. "Like the earrings?"

He’s leaning against the dojo wall (just like in his dreams) and she’s sitting next to too close for comfort (not like his dreams). The only thing is that everyone else is there with them, and this will all probably end up in a very embarrassing situation.

Right now though, she’s still staring at him with that scary glint in her eye. And wearing the exact earrings in those dreams. "I really don’t know if they’re my color though," Hilary says almost thoughtfully, and reaches up to her ears to twist them around right in front of him.

Tyson finds his voice. "Trust me, they’re your color."

She grins (not smiles) at him, and they don’t get much farther than that.

"I’m going to have nightmares about this for weeks," announces Daichi very loudly, and Kenny silently agrees with him. Ray and Max knock their heads together and silently go ‘aww’ at the blatant make-out session.

Kai is not saying anything; he’s already asleep.

---

"I have dreams you know. I dream that I’m going to become the world’s greatest Beyblader! That I’ll win all the trophies, all the victories, and definitely all the fame. Yeah. Dragoon and I are heading places."

"Follow your dreams Tyson."

"Yeah. Yeah, I will. And, I’d um, really like it if you’d follow my dreams with me."

"That depends. Am I going to have to start arriving late for class too?"

"Only if you arrive late with me."

The End.

Long live Beyblade.

Thu, 25 May 2006 07:24:56 GMT

Summer vacation has started. Honestly, I am very, very, very glad. 40% happy. But. 60% glad.

In honor of my boredness (which is not a word I think), I've decided to submit a new peice of writing. However, it isn't fanfiction, nor is it a story. It is a very, very, very simple poem about (you guessed it) Boredom.

This is probably not my best work, as I was feeling very lazy about writing it. And even though it's only four stanzas, I lj-cutted it anyway. It is in short, perhaps my most immature writing yet.

Boredom^{Original title, I know}

Lacks the movement,
Steals your flight,
Boredom will occur
Day or night.

It messes with your head,
But starts with your toes,
Worse than playing dead
And is the reason of my woes.

Brought down the mighty,
Slayed the weak of mind,
Excitement ended badly.
Boredom was never kind.

Against this they fought
And seeked the eternal reward,
But soon they were taught
~~It was way, way, way harder than the Quest for the Holy Grail~~
Its power still soared.

xDDD. It is a force not to be reckoned with.

Three Drabbles: Sorato, RL, Seth/Anna

Fri, 12 May 2006 14:20:25 GMT

I am here, celebrating for the nice fact that I have recently gotten an A+ on our latest Foreign Language test. Here are my self-presents.

Three drabbles. Three different drabble moods. Three different fandoms. And I'm starting to feel like a movie trailer.

Title: Food
Fandom: Digimon
Pairing: Sorato
Genre: Humor/Romance

"So Yamato dear, is it nice?"

This was one of the downsides of being labeled in a Japanese teen magazine as one of the "Hottest Singers Who Can Cook" with a full heart description on how his favorite food was Ebi Temaki, which he hardly ate at all anyway.

"I cooked it myself."

Did all his fans have to decide that the only way to get him to notice them was to continuously try to serve him food poisoning? He was going to die before the day was done. His obituary title? "Vocalist Killed By Food From Fan."

"It's um-" chew, munch, try not to spit it out- "nothing like I've ever tasted before."

"I know." Kimiko fluttered her eyelashes. Yamato wished they'd get stuck that way. "Much better than what Takenouchi makes, I'm sure."

Though Sora didn't even cook, the blonde resisted the urge to run to his girlfriend's house and demand she cook him a five course meal. Oh, and that she should barricade the doors in case some unwanted visitors might come and steal all the food (coughTaichicough).

Chew. Much. Do not spit out.

"Yamato, this ebi temaki is actually quite nice. I don't know why you told me you hated it so much. Why, you practically insisted that I cook all that burnt Teriyaki for you."

"What? Sora, that thing was completely tasteless! I much preferred that Teriyaki. Really, you're a great cook."

"If you say so Yamato. But Kimiko's cooking is fantastic!"

"I couldn't taste a thing."

"Oh? I think I get it."

"Get what?"

"Well, women are always saying the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. And. Well. I've already stolen yours. Your heart I mean, not your stomach."

There is nothing more satisying to the taste buds than love. And chocolate.

Not my best, but *shrug* I had mucho fun.

Title: You Forgive Me, And I'll Bury You Into The Ground
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Lavendar/Ron
Genre: Angst/Romance

In her third year through fourth, Lavendar gets this nasty habit of breaking people's hearts. She doesn't necessarily mean to, but it's simply one of those things that a person just can't help. Not that she hasn't actually tried. Lavendar is addicted to habits because that is how all normal people feel and Lavendar is so normal and superficial it's quite a stereotype.

Dean was her first boyfriend. More accurately, her first fling (it goes vice versa for him too. Lavendar is a first for everyone). No one has never known this though, because she is careful and is so meticulous with the things that actually matter. They kiss for two weeks, he sheds a tear for three, and at the end of the second month she has finished her first cycle. Dean will still have Parvati though, so no big loss. And Lavendar waits for fourth year when Seamus will ask her to the Yule Ball.

Of course Seamus does. Does it with a passive, "Hey Lavendar you want to come with me to the ball?" and in an I-Honestly-Don't-Care-But-It's-The-Predictable-Thing-To-Do voice, but Lavendar says yes anyway. Says yes like she cares. They dance the night away, one of those nameless couples who everyone will giggle about for two days then move on.

(Ron stared at Hermione the whole night.)

Lavendar and Seamus break up the next day and lasted nowhere near as long as Dean and her did, which probably surprised Dean because he was a firm believer in the Seamus/Lavendar soulmate thing going on. Nonetheless, they break up because Seamus makes Lavendar too happy, but she just tells everyone who is within hearing range that Seamus was just "wasn't manly enough girls."

It crashes onto her then, how bad her habit truly is. So Lavendar sets out to destroy her habit, because as fun as it was while it lasted, she will get tired of it, and better to start early then late. The most brilliant thing is that everything is already set out for Lavendar, and all she needs is the perfect guy. Ron finds his way to her in sixth year.

In every plan, there is one complication. That complication was Ron Weasley. A complication that Lavendar was not planning, did not expect at all, because she thought her heart would be broken enough that she in turn would stop breaking boy's hearts because Ron is so gaga over Hermione and that is the Way Things Should Be. Well, the plan actually did work, because one can only take so much "Won-Won."

It was the war. It was that stupid, stupid war.

Lavendar has never loved Harry as much as she has at the end of 7th year (well, not really seventh year at all, since Hogwarts was closed at that time), when Harry eventually killed all those silly horocruxes and the Dark Lord. Just, just why did Ron have to approach her after the war was finished? He came to her house, where she was as prim and proper in a little white dress, and he was bloody as the dead, with his clothes splattered with mud. Mother would not have approved, has she not died at the hand of Nott.

"Hi Lavendar."

She already knows what he is going to say. Lavendar, this war was nothing like I expected. You know, as a kid I dreamed of being the hero, saving everyone, and getting the glory? I-I-I've never felt so sad for Harry. He lost a finger in that war Lavendar. This war has changed us Lavendar. Its changed me.

Ron says that. Goddamnit, Ron actually says all that. But after he says that he touches Lavendar's blemishless shoulder, and makers her look at him. Another nasty habit of Lavendar. She cannot resist blue eyes. Especially when they're saying that they don't want to settle with a Know-It-All that everyone else expected, that maybe they could have had something, and that maybe he can make her happy. No, not happy. Whole.

In the end, it is really the selfish little bitches who win in the end. So Lavendar spends the rest of her life trying not to finish the cycle, and in the end, she succeeds.

There is no CLEAR Hermione bashing, so I really won't say anything about that. Except this was a total mess. And stuff.

Title: Hold Fast
Fandom: O.C.
Pairing: Seth/Anna
Genre: Humor

"When one starts a sentence, they usually sit at their desk, keep their paper straight, lean their pencil to the left or right, depending on which hand they use, and slowly moves the pencil across the paper."

Seth blinked, feeling that this was one of those moments when it was just impossible to understand another human being. Namely Anna. "What?"

And there it is. That oh so familiar, Seth-You-Are-Impossible-Slash-An-Idiot look that everyone gives him. At least now they're treading on familiar territory. "Seth, when you handwrite a paper, you do it standing up, or when you sit down you start bobbing your head, your paper is always aligned diagonally, your pencil is straight up, and your hand moves like you ate coffee for breakfast."

"Ah. But it helps me Anna. With my writing and all that jazz."

"...How does it help?"

Seth grins, and did he just purr? "Well. I kiss like I write. And I'm obviously good with kissing."

"Ngh." Anna gulped, and tried to keep her hands from shaking. "What?"

"Well. I kissing standing up, or have to move my head if I'm sitting, I always tilt my head somewhat diagnally, I have to be straight up, and. I'm a very fast kisser. Want me to show you?"

Anna was now giving him the Deer-In-The-Headlights look. "Um. Where's Summer? Aren't you supposed to be, like, crushing on her or something?" She didn't mean to speak Valley Girl, it just popped out. It wasn't every day that Seth Cohen came onto you. And actually having the upper hand? Legendary.

Seth tells her quite nonchalantly. "I told her that I thought all the make-up people should stop creating new flavors of lipstick since we already have over 200 already and she blew up at me. So now I'm here trying to seduce you."

"Wha-er-um-why?"

"Well. Do you wear lipstick?"

"Chapstick."

Seth licked his lips, and no of course Anna didn't stare at them. "Good enough for me."

The next day, Anna took several snapshots of Seth writing, got rid of all the lipstick she might have had lying around, and told Summer that Seth "kisses like he writes a sex scene."

Yay. Finished. I feel ever so accomplished.

Not For The Woozy (That's A Funny Word)

Sat, 15 Apr 2006 15:19:19 GMT

"Good things come to those who wait, which is why I procrastinate."

Title: Smile
Author: trapped_strife
Fandom: Harry Potter
Pairing: Harry x Ron
Rating: R
Warnings: ANGST, VIOLENCE, major OOC, unintentional bashing, AU-ish, and slash
Author Notes: I've never written anything like this, and R is the farthest rating I've ever gone, so feedback would be more than appreciated.

It starts with Hermione.

When Hermione is stuttering scary words about love and her fearful eyes are peering around the corners of the library, Harry is whisked away to an enchanted fairytale land where blood is drank and vampires are as professional as Fenrir Greyback (who was a werewolf but Harry doesn't see him). It is his little kingdom where the people don't ask for anything and Harry can actually feel himself.

But he doesn't see Ron in his kingdom, and when Harry comes back from his daydream/kingdom and instead finds Hermione looking at him with a fever in her eyes, he literally sees red.

That night, he dreams of Ron with his mouth wide open and red words which are too blurry to be read carved obscurely on his chest. He awakens to sticky sheets and the disappointment of cheerful mornings.

It starts with Hermione.

"...and Harry, lately I've noticed how Ron keeps staring at you rather differently than how a friend looks at a friend. And well, I have to know exactly what you plan to do about it, because Ron is my best friend as well as yours, and I don't want to see him hurt..."

When Harry is hearing all the nonsense words that Hermione is whispering deliriously into his ear, the corner of his lips are screaming to turn upward into a bitter smile and tell Hermione exactly just what he plans on doing to Ron. What he's planned and dreamed on doing to Ron ever since fifth year when reality had swallowed him whole and shook his earth.

His fingers start itching, and they don't stop until he does.

"Don't worry Hermione. I'll try my best to let Ron down gently and keep things smooth as possible between all of us." You're just jealous because you aren't his God. Because you won't be the one to destroy and unravel him.

It starts with Hermione, but lately Hermione's become an annoying voice in his head that will never disappear. It's quite annoying.

When Hermione is whispering righteous and silly words in his ear, Harry is twisting bits of parchment in his hands; trying to rip the clear lines of reality into shreds. His geek defined glasses hide the extra shine behind his glass green eyes, and the kingdom is living it's Golden Age. He could ask for more.

Injured in his sixth year, and Ron has never looked more beautiful. Harry rescues him once again from the Dark Creatures, but Ron escapes barely alive. His arms and legs are slashed lightly with small emdedded scars, and blood was pouring out of his chest. When they reach their acclaimed castle, Ron is still screaming his lungs out and Harry is still smiling.

That night, Harry dreams of Ron hanging himself. Upon a pedestal, a gallow, and everything a true worshipper deserves. And then when Ron is hanging himself, Harry pictures the same blurred red words carved on his chest, an aching reminder of what he could so easily have and own.

This is Harry Potter. This is Harry Potter resisting Ronald Weasley at his most desired.

It starts with Hermione, but this time, it ends with Hermione.

When Hermione is laying on the battleground with a knowing smile on her face because finally she is seeing what was always there, Harry curls his hand around her cold one and twists it off, watching blood sputter forth, rocky in it's forthcomings. Hermione is still whispering words in his ear, but this time it is words of the dead and Harry is done listening to what the dead have to say.

However, Harry still has his low morals, so he smiles touchingly and wishes Hermione good luck on her way to hell. Respect for the dead, on which Harry will not mourn for.

"Harry? Harry? What happened to Hermione?"

Like magic, Harry's best friend is staring at him with blood blue eyes and scarlet hair. For some reason, Ron does not protest when his hero smiles and tells him that Hermione is gone, that Hermione was never there. He doesn't protest either, when Harry runs a hand down his injured leg (Malfoy's parting message) and lets him enter the kingdom. Harry is his hero, and heroes deserve glory.

That night, Harry takes the real thing with him into his kingdom, and they both share a smiling dream of blood and scars. Ron is closing his eyes with delirium, and Harry is opening his to death and red hair. The battleground has disappeared, one dark God has replaced the other, and the kingdom is being rebuilt. There is only blood, hair, and skin. All theirs.

Before dawn, he carves two unforgotten words onto his best friend's chest, and makes sure all the corpses between them have disappeared. Harry Potter hated obstacles.

He carves 'FOR ME' and the itching has stopped.

...I think I just creeped myself out. And am now wondering whether or not to post this on FF.net. We'll see.

Harry Potter Drabble: Tragic Royalty

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 12:39:14 GMT

I got the urge. The drabble urge. Which is seriously sad since I'm GOING ON VACATION TOMORROW.

That means... you can see this as a celebration drabble I suppose. If not for the thorough angst in this thing.

Side note: I actually did find time to post Life Lessons on FF.net, so yay.

Anyway. This is a drabble. This is angst. This is romance-free. This is Harry Potter. This is post HBP. This is Narcissa Malfoy centric, because writing about under developed characters leave a lot of free range room.

Besides, I <3 all the ice queens of Harry Potter.There's Bellatrix... Narcissa... ~~Snape~~... Narcissa...

Title: Tragic Royalty
Author: trapped_strife
Category: Harry Potter
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: ANGST
Author Notes: The drabble is filled with angst to the brim. And uses indirect POV. Some people might not like using "you" in reference, but I think that the creepiness fits it. Haha.

You were the best mother in the world.

From the minute Draco was born, your attention was undivided. You'd spend nights cradling his crying body, not complaining once. You'd tuck him into bed and whisper lullabies in his ear. You made him laugh, love, live.

Draco makes you feel like the best mother in the world. He lets you believe you are the best mother in the world. No Weasley, Brown, or Longbottom (though she was dead, that unlucky twit) had a chance against you. Your darling boy was your world.

Lucius never lived. When you look back on his life, you suppose it was indirectly your fault. Just like you, Lucius had always alienated emotion. You and him, you and him were unofficially the "Ice Queen & King" couple of Hogwarts. And you liked it that way, because you deserved queen. You deserved a king. Lucius was pure royalty.

Lucius was born the best (in a family of riches and glory) and died the best (by the hands of your dark God). You were so proud when Severus told you how Lucius was worthy of being killed by the Dark Lord.

Draco had nightmares.

When you look back on his childhood, you realize it was all your fault. You'd cradle him in the nights but only let him touch your ice. You whispered him stories about death and torture and how your dark God would be his as well. All the lullabies you sang left him shivering. You were the cause of all the ice in his eyes, because you gave him all of yours and left none for yourself.

When he dies at the hands of Harry Potter, you put your face in your hands and cry tears of joy. Because both of your treasures had famous deaths, and you expect something far less. You were right.

Like the witch you are, they let you melt into the battleground. You are the last Malfoy, and you are the best mother in the world. No one shall ever know.

You

died

peasant.

I wanted so badly to put in some dialogue but there didn't seem to be any oppurtunity. I think I just went all out with this drabble. Except now it's more like a vignette.

Finally. FINALLY.

Sat, 08 Apr 2006 15:37:15 GMT

Right. Well. Um.

*takes a look at three months worth of dustwebs gathering at the corner of her writing sanctuary*

I'll let this oneshot speak for itself.

Title: Life Lessons
Author: trapped_strife
Category: Harry Potter
Pairing: Neville x Luna
Summary: Luna is acting stranger than normal, and Neville is rediscovering life as it is.
Rating: PG
Warnings: Major OOC, rude english words, and chaste kissing
Timeline: Sometime during HBP. Nonspecific.
Author Notes: This is my attempt at Neville x Luna. If you click on the LJ cut, please be aware that will be your attempt at reading it. Please remember that once you click on it, you might never be the same again.

During his Hogwart years, Neville had learned some very important life-lessons, therefore making him incredibly street-smart. In theory at least.

In his first year at Hogwarts, Neville had learned that chess against Ronald Weasley was like having Snape stare you down with an expression of pure exasperation-slash-hate. You knew your fate before it was sealed.

Knowing that Ron played chess with a sharp and calculating mind (perhaps being the only thing he played with a sharp mind) had its purposes. Neville remembered during Christmas when Harry had been up in the library researching on something or the other, and Ron had been bored out of his skull to ask Neville if he wanted to play.

Neville said yes. Then lost in ten seconds flat. Actually, perhaps he was being too harsh on himself. He remembered it being about at least twenty or thirty seconds. Ron had been impressed.

"You know, if you weren't so nervous and unsure about where all your peices were supposed to go, I reckon you would have lasted twice as long. But you're still really good Neville. You definitely lasted longer than Dean. Stupid git doesn't know a thing about chess, always caught up in that soccer thing of his. What's soccer got against chess..."

Somewhere between Ron ranting about how "utterly stupid soccer is" and nine o' clock at night, Neville had learned two minor life lessons. One, was that if Ron hadn't grown into such a dysfunctional family with so many issues, he might have become the next Flamel. Two, was that Neville was smart.

Certainly not Flamel level, but Neville had learned that he knew certain things. Things about Mandrake roots and hippogriffs and nasty dark potion professors. Things about people.

In his fourth year of Hogwarts, Neville learned a life-lesson all on it's own: knowledge.

Professor Moody the Death Eater taught him knowledge.

If Neville were to pinpoint the exact moment Professor Moody had taught him knowledge, he'd have chosen that time when an enlarged spider was twitching on it's last breath of life. When he stared right through the picture of death, and focused on the sudden itching of his fingers. Like he himself was twitching-slash-dying.

When later on, he'd flush with pride and Moody had given him the herbology book about underwater plants. However, he hadn't understood knowledge until Professor Moody had concoincidentally found him in the hallways just minutes after Harry had arrived from the First Task and unleashed that wailing egg of his. Neville was smart enough to know that Moody didn't chat to students very often, but he was lucky enough to be clueless about it.

"You know boy, that book" -Neville was holding the herbology book Professor Moody had given him- "holds many tidbits of information. Information that, while it may not seem very useful boy, will come in handy if you used it with knowledge. Or perhaps, if someone else were to use it."

While Neville had been confused and understood that he'd never understand professors at all, he had gained a lifetime of understanding in knowledge. And that, was to use it.

It wasn't until the Second Task however, that he realized Professor Moody was a man of ulterior motives. Neville hadn't known at the time what those were though. He was knowledgable; not intuitive.

And then, in his fifth year, Neville's life lessons all crash and burn the moment Luna gets into the Christmas Spirits. In February.

"Isn't mistletoe just lovely Neville?"

"Uh. Well." He resisted the urge to run far away from the mistletoe that the blonde girl was holding in her hand and a stranger than usual gleam in her eye. "I suppose it is."

"I remember my fourth year; your fifth; when we were all up in the DA Room and Harry was near the mistletoe. That was a nice memory." Luna sighed her usual dreamy sigh, and fisted the mistletoe.

Neville definitely remembered fifth year. Somehow though, the memory of Luna and Harry and mistletoe had left him feeling a little queer the rest of that day. He didn't like remembering it. He didn't know why.

"Yeah. I suppose it was." He resisted the urge to snatch the mistletoe out of Luna's hands and rip it to shreds. She still had that gleam in her eyes. "You said it was full of nargles."

"Hmm. Yes, I did." Luna unconciously leaned in and Neville stepped back. To be on equeal footing, because Luna was no one's equal. "It was contaminated."

Neville resisted the urge to agree with her. "It was mistletoe."

There was that gleam again. "This is mistletoe too. It doesn't have any nargles though. Rather, they seemed to be filled with Buccleteefs."

"Uh. What are Buccleteefs?" And was he just imagining it, or was Luna giving him her own version of the "look"?

"Buccleteefs are tiny little creatures that build their homes inside plants. They're powers center around bringing two people together using their magic, almost like Cupid. Except that they aren't an evil wizard disguised as a Greek mythological figure and never schemed on taking over the Ministry of Magic using arrows and diapers." Nope. Definitely not imagining it. Luna Lovegood was coming onto him.

And Neville knew that tidbit of Greek history was never recorded in any books, much less magic ones. "Wow. You um, you bloody well know your stuff Luna."

Then Luna crushed the mistletoe by herself, and Neville found himself in a peculiar first kiss with Loony Lovegood.

Later on, he filed that under life-lesson #468863: Luna Lovegood is knowledgable, and therefore a good kisser. In theory at least.

(But Neville wasn't a picky boy. Being smart had taught him that.)

End.

See. I wasn't dead. I just... wasn't very alive. But now I've been resurrected. Sort of.

Digimon Drabble

Sun, 05 Feb 2006 06:32:56 GMT

Bad news: my computer is NOT working at ALL, so not only can I fix my LJ entries and stuff, but I also can't log into my FF.net account. The only thing I can do now is write LJ entries. Not edit or read them or whatever.

Good news: I bring you....dun dun dun, a little short Digimon drabble. It's not a romance one with any pairings whatsoever, more like general-ness. New for me. Let's see if I can do it now, shall we?

Title: Pearls and Fiber
Author: trapped_strife
Category: Digimon 02
Pairing: None
Rating: PG
Warnings: Slight angst, mentions of blood
Author Notes: Starring Hikari, Sora, and raiiiiiiiin. Woah.

She was never a normal girl. She's not normal, because normal girls have big grins on their faces, and long hair, and crushes and blushes, and they spend their lives growing up from being innocent girls to wise, calm women with happy futures. Most of all, normal girls don't know they are normal. But Hikari knows.

She knows who the normal girls are, knows where she fits with them (she doesn't), and most of all, she knows that she is not a normal girl.

Hikari holds soft smiles on her face instead of grins, her hair barely reaches her shoulders, blushes and crushes are not in her vocabulary, and she spent only a month growing from a normal girl to what she is now. She knows she isn't normal.

Hikari is a smart girl, because she knows all of this, and what to do about it. Nothing. Accept it.

Sora is not a normal girl. But Hikari knows Sora doesn't know this.

So Hikari watches Sora, who might not be a normal girl but at least more normal than Hikari is, while Sora watches the rain. People are in awe of the rain, when they take the time to look at it. Because to them, the rain brings them flashes of memories of their childhood innocence, when they'd catch raindrops on their tongue and see things that could be.

When Sora sees the rain, Sora forgets her childhood.

And when Hikari sees Sora smiling at her across in her house, past the rain, Hikari knows that Sora doesn't know.

I'll probably end up posting this on FF.net once my computer has worked out it's kinks or when my Karma is going good. Yep. We'll see. For tomorrrrow is a brand new daaaaay.

Edit: I fixed the lj cut thing. I forgot to put a dash between cut and lj. Stuuuuupid me. And and and my computer is working. A little.

Drabble 10: Mistletoe

Sat, 17 Dec 2005 14:21:00 GMT

This is the last drabble for the 3rd chapter of PoC. After I'm done posting it here, I'm going to go post it on FF.net and then I can sleep. YES.

Here it is folks. After I'm done with this, I might write some drabbles from America if my dad lets me go on his laptop and stuff.

Title: Mistletoe
Author: trapped_strife
Category: Digimon 04
Pairing: Izumi x Kouichi
Rating: G
For: Nightshadegirl

“Get him some mistletoe,” suggests Junpei, because that is what he does. Makes stupid and cliché ideas. That almost never works.

Izumi just rolls her eyes and ‘tut, tuts’ him, then mentally prepares herself to give him yet another lesson girls (and guys. This guy doesn’t even get his own species).

“Give him your lipstick,” Takuya suggests, because he is seriously just that weird. “It’ll make him realize how special you think he is because you’re giving him one of your most favorite makeup stuff. Plus his lips are in dire need of it.”

Izumi pauses to actually consider it, but then shakes her head and asks all the other boys she knows if they would mind going on a date with the goggle boy.

“Give him cookies and milk. Santa Claus likes it when I do that. Though I’m not so sure he’d kiss me if I did that,” Tomoki crinkles his nose in a horribly adorable way before shaking his own head and disregards his own advice.

Izumi giggles, but inwardly wants to tear her hair out.

“Give him some mistletoe,” suggests Kouji, because his ideas always make sense even though they’re not supposed to. “He’s a sucker for romance.”

So Izumi gives Kouichi some mistletoe, watches him blush himself red before giving her a peck on the lips, and she wonders why Junpei can never have good ideas like Kouji can. She supposes it’s a guy thing.

End.

Yes I had to end it on something holiday-ish. Sue me. Actually, please don't.

Happy holidays! Or Christmas. Whichever one you guys prefer.

Drabble 09: Accent

Sat, 17 Dec 2005 13:54:09 GMT

Title: Accent
Category: Digimon 02
Pairing: Yuri x Miyako
For: Dark Qiviut

It would be a lie to say that Miyako enjoyed a preference towards wimpy men. Even when she was growing up, she was headstrong, stubborn, and not a wimp. The sort of guys she preferred was supposed to be just like that. Perhaps that was the reason her crush on Ken had disappeared after he reverted back to being good (not that she preferred the Kaiser. Ew).

Nonetheless, she did occasionally take a look at the soft hearted guys. But those never worked out for her, as she often took the reins in the relationship and ended up breaking up because they couldn’t really “tame” her fire. That was one of the many reasons she actually enjoyed fighting with Daisuke. It gave her something to do.

If Miyako was to pick a certain type of boy to date, she’d date someone Russian. There was just something so alluring and attractive about their husky voices, their gruff accents that just made her shiver.

What she liked most about Yuri when she first saw him was his young, boyish, rough tone of adolescence. He had blushed and she had flirted.

“Oh he was definitely looking at you,” Sora reassured her later on after they were done with Russia. Miyako had beamed.

When she comes back to Russia, she hears his accent again. But this time she hears a perfect husky voice with gruff underlining that makes her shiver to her toes. She flirts again, and he still blushes. But then he flirts back, and she smiles.

Yuri isn’t a very rough boy in personality (but he was certainly not weak) and Miyako would have had to be stupid to give that voice up.

She likes it most when he whispers sweet nothings in her ear.

End.

ONE. MORE. DRABBLE. LEFT!

Drabble 08: Fox Trot

Sat, 17 Dec 2005 13:51:30 GMT

YES. Even though I originally decided to put all last three drabbles together in this post, I decided not to because I didn't want to mess up my memories features and stuff. So here is Drabble 08!

Title: Fox Trot
Category: Digimon 03
Pairing: Hirokazu x Ruki Friendship
For: Dark Qiviut

It wasn’t his fault really. If anyone was to blame, it should have been Takato. That guy was such a-a-a-a – well, there really was no word to describe him. After all, he was the only (not even Lee or Kenta would stoop to such levels) to sign up the whole group for-

"STOP STEPPING ON MY FEET YOU MORON!"

Dancing lessons.

At first, he actually thought the experience might have been cool. Lee and Kenta both thought it might be a good cultural experience, Ryo thought it would be a “ghetto bang wang” time (he was going through a rather weird…phase) and even Ruki had agreed to come along once Takato had turned his Puppy Dog Eyes on her. He himself had given a nonchalant shrug, though inside he was quite excited.

Of course, it wasn’t like things had –ever– worked out for him before. Dancing lessons were no different.

First he had found out that the dancing teacher was a guy (what was up with that?) who was a little too fixated on ballerina shoes. Something that Kazu had worked hard to erase from his mind.

The teacher had told everyone to get a dance partner for the first dance, in which he was going to teach the Fox Trot. Since the teacher wanted boy/girl pairs, Kazu just relaxed and waited for his usual fangirls to beg him to be his partner.

It didn’t work that way.

Kazu had to blink a few times to make sure he wasn’t seeing things at first. Most of the girls were actually gushing and fawning over Takato (who took it like a real man with lots of blushing and shy looks) and his “cuteness.” Lee had found himself a partner in no time, as well as Ryo. Even Kenta had gotten someone. By the time Kazu had decided to approach someone, everyone was already paired up. Except for one person that is.

"YOU STEPPED ON MY FOOT AGAIN!"

Ruki.

It wasn’t his fault the fox trot was a complicated steps made up of intricate feet positions. A lot of the other boys were stepping on their dance partner’s feet too, but did the girls yell at them? Oh no of course not, it was only him, the lucky guy.

"STOP IT BUTTERFEET!"

On second thought, perhaps he wasn’t that lucky.

"STOP-"

"-stepping on your feet. Yadda yadda yadda. Yep. Got it."

Giving Kazu a very dangerous smile, Ruki raised her foot and then slammed it down to his to gorge a whole in his foot.

Yelling at the excruciating pain, Kazu made a descision to kill Takato the next time he even mentioned dancing. As long as Takato didn’t use his Eyes that is.

Drabble 07: Goggles

Sat, 17 Dec 2005 11:44:11 GMT

Okay. I think...I think I can do it. Finish up all the drabbles I mean. Look, I'm already down to #7! Yep. Things are going my way today.

Title: Goggles
Author: trapped_strife
Category: Digimon 04
Pairing: Takuya x Izumi
Rating: Strong PG
Warnings: OOC, slight angst, and kisses
For: Dark Qiviut
Word Count: 318 Words
Author Notes: Why can I never seem to write Mimi and Izumi in character? By the way, I'm experimenting with my spacing. Just go with it.

Takuya’s goggles were said to have been his most precious possession. Truth be told, a statement like that wasn’t too far off actually.

Though he may not have seemed like it, Takuya was actually a pretty lonely kid when he was younger. True, he might not have been quite a loner like Kouji or too shy to have made friends like Kouichi, and he did have a few elementary school buddies, but that was as far as it went. He had no close friend, something who he had instantly clicked with.

His family was as far as it got. And even they did not have the right kind of closeness he craved. Thus, his goggles were brought into the picture. Some people might have looked for their solace through their dolls and toys. Some might have found a hobby, a passion, a living. Takuya found himself in his goggles.

Really, those goggles symbolized something to him as well. He had always put them on top of his head, and sometimes even slept with them on. Through his adventures in the Digital World and his home world, his goggles would always remain perched on top of his brown hair.

It was a sign that things would never change for him.

A year later though, he loses himself in something else. Something real and would always be there for him. She maybe, no wait, did understand him.

“That’s one of the reasons I like buying accessories really. I can throw them away after I’m done, but I know which things to always keep and which never goes out of style. It’s vintage,” she says softly, then gives a ditzy laugh and kissed him on the mouth, fire beading down inside his skin.

He changes.

“Why are you not wearing your goggles Takuya?”

She changes.

“They look better on you.”

They both pause to hold the moment, and then change again.

End.

Uh…not quite sure what to say about this. I intended to make it funny and lighthearted; it turned out serious and dreamy. At least it isn’t downright mush anymore.

Drabble 06: Library Book

Sat, 17 Dec 2005 07:39:57 GMT

Okay. Since I JUST FOUND OUT that I won't have time to write up the last three drabbles tomorrow because we're leaving at 10:00 in the morning (a fact my parents told me just now) I've decided to try and finish them all today.

Without further adieu, here's drabble 06.

Title: Library Book
Author: trapped_strife
Category: Digimon 02
Pairing: Yamato x Daisuke x Taichi Friendship
Rating: PG
Warnings: OOC and scary librarians
For: Mia Kamiya
Word Count: 338 Words
Author Notes: Yes, I love the Yamachisuke friendship. Yes I love libraries. Yes, Daisuke has a certain phobia in this drabbly.

“I’M NOT GOING INTO THAT PLACE! NEVER!” Daisuke shouted as he held onto the street pole.

Yamato grunted, trying to pull the redhead off the pole. Darn, but that boy had a strong grip. “Daisuke,” he said through clenched teeth, “just get off the pole so we can visit the libr-”

“DON’T SAY THE WORD!”

“Right. Sorry.”

“C’mon Daisuke,” Taichi said soothingly as he worked on removing Daisuke’s hands from the pole. “It won’t be that bad. Yamato and I will be right beside you all the way.”

Daisuke sniffled. “Promise?”

“Absolutely,” promised both boys (though Taichi’s grin seemed a little too large and Yamato’s a little too small).

“O-O-Okay.” Daisuke released him grip on the pole, then with both of his mentors, he walked hesitantly into the big building. Once he was pushed through the doors, his eyes almost rolled into the back of his head as the smell of books made his head feel fizzy. He had to be the only person to get high off a library.

Gulping, Daisuke shuffled to the front desk of the library, making sure to keep his head down. He could hear Taichi and Yamato right behind him, which gave him a little relief.

“Uh-uh-uh-uh Miss?”

The librarian inspected him through her coke bottled glasses. Daisuke resisted the urge to flee.

“Yes?” she barked (that really was the only way to describe it).

“Um…um…um…I was wondering…if I could return a book?”

Her gaze warmed. Slightly. “Of course you can sir.”

“Great.” Daisuke dug around his backpack until he found the book and produced it with a flourish to the librarian. She took the book from his hands, and as she inspected the title, Daisuke could have sworn he saw a hint of a smile on her face.

“Ah yes. This is certainly one of the more popular books we’ve had.”

And written in bold letters, was the title: How to Become Exactly Like Your Role Models.

No wonder Yamato looked as hesitant to split with the book as Daisuke had.

End.

Now don’t you just miss the days when Daisuke was an adorably stupid/clueless boy and his mentors would get him back on his feet? Heh.

Drabble 05: Calligraphy

Sat, 17 Dec 2005 03:00:40 GMT

Okay. Let's get to work. Remember, early to bed and early to rise makes a mean healthy, wealthy, and wise.

...Not that it has anything at all to do with this.

Anyway, I've gotten drabble 05 finished, so after I post this that means I'M HALFWAY THROUGH. What I'm planning to do is finish up to drabble 7 (if I can) and then I'll finish up the last three tomorrow and post it on FF.net. I think it could work.

Title: Calligraphy
Author: trapped_strife
Category: Digimon 02
Pairing: Taiorato triangle
Rating: PG
Warnings: Slight OOC
For: Aino Yuy
Word Count: 420 Words
Author Notes: Yes. When I say a Taiorato triangle I mean Sora in the center (the triangle point if you will) who Taichi and Yamato think about. Or in this case, Sora who thinks about them.

Enjoy.

The air smells of aged paper, wood and words, and the melting of candle wax on her table. Thin streamer of smoke rises and fills the air with foggy wishes, but she doesn’t notice, used to feeling time stop. She drops her barriers and weapons, lavishing the feel that everything in this room is in her heart. She wants to hold the moment a little longer.

Holding up the brush with an arm made coordinated thanks to tennis; she poises it right above the aging paper with the grace of a dancer, a ballerina about to take her first step. Then she is ready, and then she pervades over her material and paints an intricate web of words and phrases and thoughts that don’t really mean anything.

The only sounds she hears is the sound of her brush against parchment, the air crackling against the smoke (she isn’t breathing), and them breathing sleep.

When she sees them on her couch one late night (they huddle together for warmth) the first thing she notices is that they sleep differently from how they live. Yamato, though he might never admit it, snores. He snores quite lightly, through his nose and makes small drawn out noises, like he’s pulling them out. Yamato sleeps with a smile on his face and it makes him look ages younger. Occasionally, he moves in his sleep, but only to curl closer to Taichi for warmth.

Taichi on the other hand, sleeps like he is dead. His head always lies on top of the pillow, and he lays perfectly align, never on his side. Straight. She’s a little surprised to found out that he hardly –ever– snores. Instead, he breathes through his mouth every few seconds in a regular pattern. His expression is a solemn one when he sleeps, and he ends up looking like a wise man beyond his years.

She realizes that it’s not that Yamato looks innocent when he sleeps, nor does Taichi jaded. It’s that they both look content, like all their dreams are pleasant and never ending. That’s all she’s ever wanted to give them, happiness, but it’s a fleeting thing that always disappears when she thinks its there to stay.

She turns back to her paper, and writes both their names on her parchment, because they’re hers. And when they all lie next to each other, she likes to think she’s the gray between the white and the black. The medium for them.

Sora breathes them in, and the smoke clears up.

End.

Sorry if it seems either more like a friendship or a threesome instead of a triangle, but I wanted to get something down in Sora’s POV. I was just basically identifying the lines of their relationships with each other.

Drabble 04: Grandiose

Thu, 15 Dec 2005 09:43:52 GMT

Okay. So I've organized my priorites and have decided to just finish up my PoC drabbles as quick as I can. So here's the next drabble. It's a Koumi, and I'm not sure whether I like it or not.

Title: Grandiose
Author: trapped_strife
Category: Digimon 02
Pairing: Koushiro x Mimi
Rating: G
Warnings: Huge amount of sap, OOC, and fluff
For: Koumi_Locc
Word Count: 351 Words
Author Notes: I've never been that good at indirect speech. This one just...proves it.

Few people think of you as a simple girl. You know that when they look at you, they see you as a loving and caring and kindhearted individual, and that’s nice to see because it makes you feel modest (really, you don’t feel it that often).

But there’s also something inside you that curls inside, makes you feel slightly nauseous, because you know that they see you as a challenge (or someone easy), a trophy to show around and flaunt. They see you as the antonym of simplicity. You don’t really blame them, as it’s not like you don’t really portray a simple image, what with your pink clothes and your pink hair and your girly jewelry that really just makes you feel a little dirty.

It’s still okay with you though, because at the end of the day, you can come home to a boy who looks at you like you’re something like glass, except nowhere near fragile. He sees you as someone clear, not empty, and that you don’t need be grand, you don’t need grand things to show who you are.

He sees that.

It’s one of the reasons you love him. He’s always been the smart one of the group.

And you like that he’s smart. That he understand you. That he knows that you’re really like anyone else, and that’s all you want to be. Not some grand little thing that people think needs to be flaunted around. He never flaunts you around (but that’s because he’s just not the type. Computer genius and all that).

“You know what pink signifies?” He asks you this, and you take on a confused expression, because you honestly have no idea what he’s talking about. He gives you a small smile though, and leans across the table to tuck a strand of your pink hair behind your ears, and then he whispers the answer.

“Purity and passion.” It really was the most romantic thing you’ve ever heard (and sweet too). You’d be stupid not have kissed him after he said it.

Romance has always been very simple for you.

End.

Great. I have officially lost all grasp on Mimi’s character. I just don’t know what it is about her that makes me so unable to write her in IC. Gah. I’ll figure it out eventually.