Shattered Illusions

Summary: Yamato ran away from a past full of pain and suffering. Then, he met Taichi- a stunning image of beauty. But then, any illusion, including the most stunning, can be shattered by the smallest whisper of emotion

D-Angel: And so here we are, final chapter time! Short, sweet and very much to the point. Hope you enjoy it my lovelys.

Warnings: The end of an era? Lol

Chapter 16 Let's go

Usually, the wind seemed to settle whenever I set foot into the graveyard, but this time a warming breeze danced around me, surrounding me like a bustling crowd eager to spy a particular event. The tree branches swayed silently, displaying their beautiful blossom; petals of which were starting to fall to the ground like delicate snowflakes.

I crouched down and placed a bouquet of fifteen yellow roses by his gravestone, then carefully ran my hand across the inscription.

Kazu Sakuma
(Born 7th June 1990, Taken away aged 14)

'Tread gently, a dream lies buried here'

It had been over a year since I'd last visited him, and for that I felt guilty. Time sure did fly by. Four years had passed after my decision to drop out of University. Despite trouble would no longer follow me, or threaten those I loved, I still craved a fresh start, and I wanted the same for Taichi. Therefore I moved away from Odaiba to Chigasaki in Kanagawa.

I took the courage to leave once I knew Tai was on the road to recovery. After that horrific night in our apartment he'd been balancing on the cusp of death. He had lost just over half the blood in his body, and Zenaku and his henchmen had broken over twenty bones in his body, including shattering several of his ribs.

His chances of survival were, according to the surgeons, slim. But I always knew Tai was a fighter. Numerous blood transfusion attempts later, his body started to accept the foreign blood flowing through his veins and arteries.

And so began his second life.

I sat by his side in that hospital, fretting too much over him to even worry about having a panic attack. He remained there for three long months whilst his injuries healed, which is why he had to repeat his first year at University. Law was just one of those subjects you can't blag your way through.

My own injuries could have proved to be fatal- a pierced artery in my leg- but fortunately the paramedics showed up, alongside the police, in the nick of time. Naturally, I was questioned when I was dismissed from the hospital, but they saw no reason to prosecute. Zenaku had a history of violence, the police were very much aware of this, so I had rightly acted in self-defence.

As for what was left of the money Zenaku had wanted back, I'd split it evenly into two separate bank accounts prior to the unforgettable day in November; one half for me, and the other for Tai.

After everything I'd put him through, he deserved it, on top of the money he gained from selling our old apartment. Despite what had occurred in that place, the flat was snapped up barely two months after it was put back onto the market by a couple who were apparently eccentric about death and ghosts and all those peculiar paranormal things.

Feeling grateful I'd been given yet another chance in life, I decided to donate part of my cash to the clinic that had helped me overcome my drug and alcohol addictions and kept the rest so I could rent out a two bedroom apartment. I realised to be happy, all that's required is to take a few chances, and never be afraid of loving.

I didn't have to glance back when I walked away from Kazu's resting place and headed back to my car, I could sense his presence by my side; proud that I had moved on, and grateful that I would never forget about him.

Guitar case hoisted over my shoulder and a lit cigarette pressed between my lips, I strolled leisurely along the pavement, my head swaying along to the personal rhythm flittering through my body from head to toe. The emptiness I was used to feeling, the emptiness I had become accustomed to, it was long gone.

Approaching the doorway to my apartment block, my key grasped in the palm of my hand, I stopped dead in my tracks and my chest tightened.

He was already there, perched on the stone steps, a suitcase straddled between his legs and a backpack slung over his shoulder. When he saw me staring, his infectious grin fell across his matured face.

Yagami Taichi; impatient as always. He wouldn't take no for an answer, even when he decided he wanted to move in with me during his final year at Uni. It was a decision even Timmy encouraged, which was naturally a shock to the system. He'd found love with James, funnily enough, so I assumed he just wanted Tai to be happy as well.

I couldn't break the promise I'd made to him when we were nineteen; showing him freedom was the best thing to do, rather than try to give him it. So now, after graduating, Tai was desperate to travel the world with me; starting with England. We had the cash, and with my flexible career as a private music tutor, we had all the time off we needed.

Experiencing new things together, it gave us both a focus.

I relaxed as I climbed the steps, crouching down so I could ruffle my hand through Tai's wild brown hair. He closed his eyes tilted his head to the side, like an affectionate kitten. He'd been traumatised by the incident with Zenaku, who wouldn't have been? But the courage he possessed seemed to override the everlasting scars that had been forged.

Now in our early twenties, we were only still young; there was a need to go travelling, to explore the places we had only ever dreamed about. Even it was only for a few months, I knew we'd make the most of it together, even if we didn't get our fairytale ending.

Any illusion can be destroyed. Even the most stunning can be shattered into the smallest of pieces. However, given the right amount of time, they could reform into something a million times durable, less prone to breaking again. I had come to the conclusion that such an illusion was worth keeping hold of.

"Come on then," Taichi beckoned, his persuasive eyes glimmering with wild passion, teamed with the keen smile of a true adventurer, "go grab your suitcase and let's go!"

Le End

D-Angel: -Jazz hands- And we are done here. I thought I had to close the story in Yama's POV since that's the way I started it all! In hindsight, I wouldn't have written the first chapter in Yama's POV, but I really can't be bothered to change all that now. Also, I never really followed on with the whole Sora drugging Tai incident thingy, but let's just assume that she was disowned by everyone after she did that… Yeah :)

So, yeah, I hope you guys enjoyed the ride. Let me know what you thought of everything… I was going to go with a tragic uber sad ending originally (basically Tai or Yama, or both of them were gonna die), but I didn't want to piss you guys off!

Thought I tied everything up rather nicely -wink-Only took six or so years! If I think of anything more I can add to this chapter, or if anyone else is like 'so what happened to (blah)' etc… then I will make some edits.

Oh, and as for the fifteen yellow roses Yama puts on Kazu's grave, there's a signifcance. As you may or may not know, each colour rose holds specific meanings, as do the number placed in each bouquet.

Yellow - Joy, Gladness, Friendship, Delight, Promise of a new beginning, Welcome back, Remember Me, "I care" (It can sometimes represent jealously as well, but not in this instance)

Fifteen - "I'm sorry." (Aka the guilt Yama will always feel for Kazu's death)

I thought it was a sweet thing to add :)

Anyways, this means I now have time to focus on my other stories… I won't be starting any new multi-chapter fanfics, or at least I won't be posting them up on here due to being a very busy business girl most the time :(

Big thanks to all my reviewers, especially Caliboy who kept me motivated during the last few chapters. Never thought I'd finish this story, but I got there in the end!

Angelfish369 and PinkBrideGoneBad, so much love and a shout out to you guys as well; your constant feedback always makes me smile/proud to be a writer. Of course, I also throw out appreciation to the people who may have read every chapter and not left any reviews (I understand, I do the same, hehe).

Bonus chapter I hear you all shout out in eagerness? Well, maybe you'll be in luck. Stay tuned…

See you next bonus chapter… maybe?

D-Angel
Story completed: 29.5.11

(Can't remember the exact start date, but it was sometime in late 2004 or early 2005)