(Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon and its characters. The plot is pulled from several other stories I enjoy.

A/N: Please refrain from flaming the writer personally; we're only writing fanfiction. If you're not a fan of the characters being shipped, simply don't read it because everybody is entitled to their own preferences without deserving to be disrespected.

Fast forward 6 years from the last update – I decided to rewrite this story after I re-read it. Despite the cringe-worthy moments—which I have removed—I felt it would be a disservice to those who follow the story for me to give up and delete it. Thank you for your continued support and please read and review!

New chapter, yay! If any of you are curious about the dresses the girls wore to the party, I will include the links below.)

Yamato, Taichi, Sora – 18
Mimi, Koushiro, Michael – 17
Takeru, Hikari, Daisuke, Ken – 15
Miyako – 16
Jou – 19
Iori – 14

Hearts and Daggers

Chapter 8: Launch

The week of the company launch proved to be very busy for everyone. Mimi pouted as Sora blew her off for the third day in a row. Mimi apologized to her friend again about Michael but Sora insisted that wasn't the reason at all. She explained that Mimi's father had commissioned her mother's shop for the launch party's flower arrangements. He thought it would showcase her work to prospective customers in the Tokyo metropolitan area and increase her business. Being a one-person shop, she enlisted Sora's help which kept the young girl too busy to spend time with Mimi.

The party was in three days and she had to make sure everyone had picked up their formal attire. The party was being held at Aman Tokyo and formalwear was mandatory. Her father was kind enough to reserve several suites for her friends since it was far enough away so she had to make sure none of them would back out. Mimi made Sora promise to accompany her with the girls to pick up their dresses. There was a makeup team assigned to take care of Mimi's friends for the day-of.

Mimi sighed as she left for her piano lessons. Her father asked her to perform a piece at the gala so she was determined to master it. Luckily for her, she could pick her own song and she chose Arwen's Vigil from The Lord of the Rings. It was a beautiful track and she had been practicing it for her recital in New York. This was a way to honor all the hard work she put into learning the song.

Ever since the night of the game, Michael had been AWOL. Mimi felt bad for striking him but if she was honest with herself, he deserved it. Making light of Yamato's traumatic childhood was not acceptable. She was ashamed of Michael for what he did and they had not seen or spoken to each other since. She wondered if he was going to the party. She sincerely hoped not so as to delay what she had been dreading to do since that evening. She hated confrontation and would avoid it as long as she could. Unfortunately, Michael's stepmother was the CFO of her father's company and she knew that her husband and stepson would have to make an appearance. She resolved herself to do what she should have done months ago. There was no going back.

A limousine had picked up the Chosen Children, sans Mimi, to take them to Aman Tokyo, one of the most luxurious hotels in Tokyo. They all had their outfits in garment bags since according to Mimi, they were to get ready at the hotel.

"What? Mimi, no one is touching this hair," Taichi gestured to his iconic mess of a hair before hopping into the limousine.

Mimi pouted, her puppy dog eyes pleading with him, "Please, Taichi-kun, for me? I'll owe you big time!"

Mimi had asked him to trim the giant bush atop his head to make styling easier. She wanted her friends to look polished and Taichi's hair was anything but. Taichi sighed, "Well… I can't say no to a beautiful lady."

"You mean you can't say no to the favor she will owe you!" Hikari grinned from inside the car. The group laughed as he was called out. Mimi ushered him in the car and watched as they took off.

Mimi decided to spend the entire weekend in Tokyo so she decided to drive her car.

They soon arrived at the hotel, the style team splitting them up into two groups, boys and girls. They were led to two different suites to get ready. The party was not for several hours but they were taken early for manipedis, including the boys, massages, and hair and makeup. It was a rather extravagant affair; one would think they were attending a royal wedding.

The boys looked dashing in their tuxedos, their handkerchiefs matching the color of their crests. The hair team styled each of them similarly, trimmed and combed to the side, Yamato being very particular about his own style but they compromised on a look that suited him nonetheless. Taichi had the biggest style change as his giant bushy hair was not merely trimmed but cut shorter than he had originally agreed to. His hair was styled back with hair wax, giving him the look of a sophisticated gentleman. He smiled at himself in the mirror; he was unrecognizable.

The party was soon to start and they had been ushered to the cocktail area where hors d'oeuvres were served. Just as Taichi and Daisuke were about to stuff their mouths, the collective 'oohs' and 'ahs' of the crowd stole their attention. Upon the grand staircase stood, Miyako, Hikari, and Sora.

Miyako wore a Theia brand rich plum-colored fit and flare cocktail dress, petals fashioned with tiny beads increasing in size as they dramatically cascade down the length of the dress, which stopped right above her knees. It had an elegant bateau neckline and cap sleeves, the backside scooping low to her mid-back. Her hair had a zig-zag part in the middle, her fringe fell in loose curls to frame her face as the rest of her hair fell on her left shoulder in a messy fishtail braid. She wore her amethyst studs and silver satin high-heeled peep-toe pumps, a matching sleek metallic silver clutch in hand, sans glasses.

Hikari wore a light pink Elizabeth and James sleeveless dress with a button back keyhole, grosgrain ribbon trim on the bodice, and the skirt a sparkling layer of tulle that stopped mid-calf. She had on a rosy pair of high-heeled sandals with straps wrapped along her ankle, adorned with crystals. The thin strap of a blush pearl clutch hung on one shoulder. Her short hair had 20's-styled finger waves, sleekly clipped up on one side to show her left ear; she was wearing dime-sized pearl stud earrings.

Sora was in a Theia brand abstract printed ball gown in red. It had a strapless sweetheart neckline, wrapped and pleated bodice with a bow tied at the back, and an A-line skirt with a fluted hem. She wore high-heeled black velvet shoes, crystal drop earrings that fell past her chin, a black velvet clutch in hand. Sora's hair was in a sleek tight high bun, a braided portion wrapped around the tiny bun, showing off her neck and back.

The girls made their way down the staircase and towards the group who still held their plates of hors d'oeuvres, unmoving. Ken offered his compliments to the ladies, his arm offered out to an internally frantic Miyako. Hikari made her way to a smirking Takeru, his hand lifting from his side to reach out to her, but Daisuke stood before her, stammering sweet words as he held out his arm. Hikari sighed and took it, taking a glance at Takeru before Daisuke led her to the plates. Sora stood with the rest of the guys, accepting their compliments shyly, trying to avoid Taichi's burning gaze.

"Where's Mimi?" Jou asked Sora as he looked around.

"She's with her parents. I think they are heading down together which should be…" she looked at her cellphone screen. "…any moment now."

Yamato fumbled with his cuffs, unsure of what to do. Sora looked beautiful and he found himself feeling unsettled after her confession just the week previous. They haven't spoken since during the week, he even avoided Mimi as much as he could. It wasn't hard, everybody was busy with preparations for this party he didn't even want to go to.

As he brooded over his predicament, a gentleman announced the new director of the Japanese branch and his family. Standing at the top of the staircase was the Tachikawa family. Keisuke had a small entrance speech he delivered as his wife and daughter stood by his side, an air of royalty about them. As Keisuke finished his speech, an applause erupted; he kissed Mimi on the cheek—an indication that she was free to go—and held his arm out to his beautiful wife who wore a long white, off-shoulder gown silhouette gown.

Yamato swallowed as he looked up at the staircase, a goddess slowly descending towards him. She wore an elaborate strapless mermaid gown by Sherri Hill; a shiny fitted bodice wrapped in a glorious web of pearl strings and embellishments, opening up at knee-length to reveal a layering cascade of white and nude organza. Her hair was in a low up-do made up of twists and her fringe in soft waves framing her face. She wore a pair of diamond drop earrings that stopped above the chin and a small diamond necklace. She wore Emmy London's Aurelia peep-toe sandals, and the embellishments peeked out with each step she took. She looked like a bride making her way down the aisle to her soulmate.

Yamato didn't realize he was holding his breath until Taichi snapped him out of his reverie. Taichi greeted Mimi with a hug and said, "Mimi, wow! Is your father trying to shop for a suitor or something? You look absolutely…"

"Breathtaking," Yamato finished, his gaze locked onto her golden honey orbs as he held out his hand.

Mimi smiled, her cheeks flushed as she took his hand and allowed him to escort her the rest of the way down to the hall where her friends awaited. She greeted all her friends with hugs and kisses and began chattering about how great everybody looked. She went over to Taichi and touched his hair, inciting a hue of crimson across his face and ears. "Taichi-kun, you look so handsome! If I was single, I'd totally date you!" she giggled at his reaction to her teasing.

Yamato, however, was not amused. He creased his eyebrows at the two as everybody else joined in on the laughter.

After dinner, Keisuke had announced that his lovely daughter was performing a piece before they open up the dance floor. Mimi excused herself as she made her way up the stage where a grand piano waited.

Yamato stared in wonder, not knowing that Mimi played. He knew she loved music and liked to sing—though he hadn't actually heard her sing before—but the piano, she must have started to play during the four years they had lost contact.

She closed her eyes and the soft melody began as her fingers made contact with the keys. Yamato watched in awe as the music tugged at his heart, feeling the haunting yet beautiful story behind the piece. It was then, when she stroked the last key and opened her eyes that he knew, he was absolutely in love with this girl.

She smiled and bowed before the applauding crowd as her father came back on stage to give her a hug. "That was beautiful, princess. Well done!"

"Thank you, daddy," she said, returning his embrace.

As she made her way down the stage, she received acknowledging nods from the guests. Her father had announced there was to be dancing and the band made its way up the stage, playing upbeat music.

As everyone poured towards the dance floor, Yamato stuffed his hands in his pockets and made for the double French doors, leading out to the garden. He needed fresh air to think. He looked around the lush scenery below him, softly lit with lights as he leaned against the wooden fencing.

His heart was in turmoil as he thought about Sora's confession and his own feelings for her best friend. He cared a lot about Sora, after all, she was the first girl to open up his heart. His first girlfriend, his first kiss. He thought about their relationship and how selfish he was, how patient she was. Their friendship with Taichi suffered. He knew Taichi was in love with Sora and that their decision to date broke his best friend's heart. In the end, he couldn't take it. He shut everybody down, including Sora. It wasn't fair to her but he couldn't help it. He was hurting everybody around him by being selfish. She didn't understand. She tried to get him to open up but he wouldn't. After some time, she decided it was best to break it off. She smiled kindly at him as tears fell down her cheeks, promising to be friends.

He was hurt and alone. He left town for the summer break, visiting his grandfather in Paris. When he returned for school, she had kept her promise. They were friends again, minus the awkwardness of being in a relationship. Taichi had begun to open up again too, smiling more and more as they reinforced their friendship. He promised himself to never again go through that pain again, to risk friendship for love. But tonight, he will break his own promise. He knew it would tear Sora to pieces and it crushed him to know that but, he couldn't help it. Her radiant smile brightened his life. Her angelic voice soothed his worries. Her beauty drove him absolutely mad. He was completely and utterly in love with Tachikawa Mimi.

Mimi looked around the dance floor, looking for a handsome young blond. However, her eyes fell on another blond, smiling and shaking hands with her father, his stepmother's hand around his arm. Mimi groaned. She knew she would have to face him sooner than later but right now, her concerns were on another blond and his whereabouts. She should have known he would duck out of the dancing. She excused herself and looked around, careful to avoid running into Michael.

She found him outside, looking devastatingly handsome as he looked off into the distance. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice her come up to him.

"It's beautiful out here…" she started, a soft smile across her rosy lips.

Yamato turned towards her, his intense gaze boring into her soul. "Hey, I have a question…"

Mimi cocked her head to the side in confusion.

Yamato cleared his throat. "Do you have any interest in dating Taichi?"

Mimi laughed suddenly, covering her mouth upon seeing Yamato's glare. "Sorry, that was funny!"

"No, it's not!" he looked to the side, cheeks flustered.

"Yes, it is," she put her hand over his, making him look her in the eyes. "I was joking. I mean I wasn't joking about how handsome he looked, his hair suited him very well. But, no, I'm not thinking about dating him…"

Yamato's eyes flickered to her lips, parted slightly and inviting. He lifted his hand and grazed her cheek, a feeling of longing threatening to overcome him. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by a voice dripping with venom.

"Take your hands off my girlfriend!" Michael emerged from one of the double doors, a bottle of champagne in hand.

Yamato and Mimi quickly broke off, Yamato forming fists at his side. He was the last person Yamato wanted to see right now.

"Michael, stop it! This is my father's gala, do not cause a scene! Please, not here!" her voice was hushed as she came towards him, not wanting to attract any more attention.

Michael grabbed Mimi by the arm and forcefully pulled her towards the lower gardens, farther away from the party. Yamato followed suit as Mimi struggled against Michael. "Let me go!"

"Shut up, you whore!" his grip tightening as she blinked back tears.

"You're hurting her, you bastard!" Yamato reached out and grabbed Michael on the shoulder and Michael swung around, his fist connecting with Yamato's cheek.

Yamato stumbled back, his hand on his cheek as Michael threw Mimi down, a bruise forming around her arm. He took his suit off and proceeded to roll up his sleeves. "Come on, Ishida. Time to teach you a lesson on respecting another man's property."

Yamato tossed his suit on the ground next to him, loosened the neck of his shirt and rolled up his sleeves. "She is not a thing to be owned!"

"You're right, she's my whore!" he said as he charged Yamato and grabbed him around the waist.

"Michael, stop it! Both of you, please stop!" Mimi cried out.

Yamato planted his feet to keep from falling back and shoved Michael, his fist connecting with Michael's jaw. Michael fell back, momentarily disoriented.

Yamato knelt down in front of Mimi, his unbruised hand against her cheek, wiping her tears away. "Are you okay?"

Mimi nodded, concern creasing her brows. "Don't worry about me, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Taichi punches way harder than that guy," he said with a grin as he dipped his head in Michael's direction.

"Look out!" Mimi cried out as she saw Michael charging towards them. Yamato turned and the champagne bottle struck him hard on the brow, shattering into shards as he tried to shield Mimi. Yamato grasped his head as he fell on Mimi, her arms wrapping protectively around him.

"Yamato!" She shook him but he remained motionless.

"Relax, babe, he'll be fine," he remarked flippantly as he stepped closer towards her.

"I hate you!" she screamed at Michael, a steady stream poured forth from her eyes as blood from a small cut on her cheek mixed with her tears.

Michael was taken aback as he reached out towards her, "Baby, you're bleeding…"

"Don't you dare go near me!" She screamed out.

The others had gone looking for them and upon hearing Mimi's screams, followed her voice to the lower gardens where they watched the scene unfold in horror. They ran down, Jou and Taichi taking the lead.

"It's over, Michael. I don't ever… want to see you again," Mimi's gaze was full of furious determination. "Pack your stuff and be out of my apartment by tomorrow. I don't—"

"Mimi, baby, please! You don't mean that!" Michael pleaded, grabbing her arm and pulling at her.

Mimi tried to yank her arm away as Yamato groaned. "I said don't touch me! Don't ever touch me again!"

A strong arm pulled Michael off and tossed him back with ease. "You heard the lady. Shoo!"

"Yagami, this has nothing to do with you!" Michael seethed as the others joined, Jou making his way to Yamato to examine him.

"Actually, it has everything to do with me. You see, those two down there," he pointed without taking his eyes off of Michael, "they're my friends and when somebody hurts my friends, I have a responsibility to hurt them back… worse," he added, cracking his knuckles. Taichi's usual jovial demeanor fled him and all that was left was the unquenchable fire that became him.

"Taichi," it was Yamato, his hand clasped onto Taichi's shoulder, blood trickling down from the cut on his brow. "It's not worth it."

Taichi let out a small laugh that didn't reach his eyes, "Yamato, have you seen your face? One look and you'd be begging me to kick his ass."

"I can fight my own battles, Taichi. I'll handle this," Yamato said as he stepped in front of Taichi, teeth clenched.

Mimi ran up to them and stood between the two, her hands on their chests. "Please! I can't take it if you two fought too!"

Taichi's eyes widened at the marks on Mimi's arm and blood on her cheeks. "Mimi, did he do this to you?!" His fury emanated from him anew.

Mimi quickly covered her arm and looked away to hide her face, muttering softly, "I'm fine, Taichi… please…"

Taichi circumvented both Yamato and Mimi as he made his way to Michael, pulling him by the collar. "It's bad enough that you broke a bottle on my best friend's face, you laid your hand on a woman too? What kind of man are you, you bastard!?"

The rest of the guys held Taichi back as Mimi and Jou supported Yamato. His head felt fuzzy. He looked at Mimi's worried face and smiled, his hand wiping the blood from her cheek. "Don't cry, princess. I'm okay, see?"

Mimi buried her face in his chest, sobbing. "I'm sorry, Yamato… I got you into this mess!"

Yamato shushed her as he held her, his free hand stroking the nape of her neck. "I got myself into this mess."

Before the situation blew over, Mimi's mother cried out, making her way down the steps. "Mimi! Your father is looking for you. What—" her eyes widened at the sight of her daughter. "What is going on here?! Sweetheart, are you okay?"

"Mama, please, I'm okay. It was Michael's fault. He…" she averted her eyes.

Satoe touched her bruised arm, "Did he do this?!" her voice rose an octave.

Mimi nodded.

Before she could press on, Koushiro interjected, "Tachikawa-san, is there a room nearby where Jou can examine both Mimi's and Yamato's injuries? He's a med student. Seeing as how this event is very important to your family, I'm sure you'd prefer not to attract any negative attention."

Jou nodded in agreeance. "He's right, I have a first aid kit in my bag. If we can somehow get to my room unnoticed…"

Satoe took a deep breath in resignation. "All right. There's an entrance to the elevators this way."

Mimi's mother held her hand as she led the way followed by Yamato and Jou.

Koushiro turned to the others before they could follow suit and held up his hand, "We need to head back to the party. If we all disappeared, it would arouse Mimi's father's suspicions."

Taichi pulled himself out of Ken and Takeru's hold and huffed as he made his way back to the party, both Sora and Hikari following him. The rest of the group took one last look at Michael before heading back as well.

Koushiro extended out a hand to Michael. "You should go with them too," he said gesturing towards Mimi's direction, "get that hand checked out."

Michael swatted his hand away, pushing himself up. "I'm fine! I don't need your charity!"

Koushiro shrugged. "Suit yourself. But," his voice turned low and deep, his brows creased and his eyes turning into pits of darkness as he stared into Michael's blue ones, "if you ever lay a hand on Mimi-chan again, I will personally end you."

Michael stared at him incredulously. Koushiro's face returned back to neutrality as he turned his back and walked away. He felt humiliated and defeated. Mimi had broken up with him and what's worse, she did it in front of her friends… in front of Ishida. It wasn't fair.

He got up and made his way to the valet parking, speaking to one of the valet drivers and slipping him a large amount of bills. The driver nodded and returned with a set of car keys. Michael clicked the button on the fob and made his way to the resounding noise of the vehicle. He unlocked the door to the white Audi and drove off, tears streaking down his face.

(A/U: The dress links will not properly display on here but I have put down the name to each of them so you can look them up should you wish to. Miyako and Hikari's I looked up, Sora's and Mimi's were taken from the Vampire Diaries prom episode; respectively, Sora had Elena's dress in red instead of hot pink while Mimi had Caroline's. I also included Mimi's cute shoes!

Miyako: Theia Petal Appliqué Fit & Flare Dress

Hikari: Elizabeth and James Sparkle Aneko Dress

Sora: Theia Printed Sweetheart Ball Gown

Mimi: dress - Sherri Hill 2789 / shoes - Aurelia Ivory High Heel Wedding Sandal by Emmy London)