Okay, originally, this was just going to be a Takari fic
but I decided to make it Takari AND Taiora for, as it says in the summary,
Steve Jester's Taiora and Takari Fic Contest. I've written a Taiora fic before
but this is my first fic with major Takari so I hope I wrote well and enjoy! BTW,
I know that the title isn't all ahem…original or anything but I really couldn't
think of an appropriate title considering I don't even know what's going to be
happening in the next chapter yet! So sorry. Anyway, review at the end please!
Chapter 1: Takari
By: ME jus1digigirl *Maura*
The wind blew roughly, the rain
poured down hard from the dark skies above, and leaves & branches were
strewn everywhere. Among it all walked a young teenage girl. Alone. Her
footsteps could not be heard through the violent storm that raged on and her
tears mixed in with the falling rain. Soaking wet, she continued onwards
towards her destination. No one else dared to venture out in this kind of
weather without an umbrella but she had no other choice. Not a single person
offered her a ride in their nice warm cars while she walked and no one but she
roamed the streets. Lights had been turned on though it was still day and the
storm continued.
She walked more quickly still, teeth
not having any more energy to chatter, body drained of the power needed to
shiver. Boots splashed the puddles but it was only making her already wet
clothes the slightest bit wetter.
It didn't matter. Nothing mattered
anymore. The boy she had long since secretly given her heart to, was taken by
another. He had accepted the offer of another, ignoring her still waiting
heart. But no, her heart was no longer waiting, it was gone. Gone like the
water that disappeared down the drains. Down beneath the soaking ground into
the sewers. Just gone.
Thunder rumbled above her and the
water continued pouring ever more. Drawing her hood tighter helped her neither
to breath nor to keep drier. But it comforted her just the slightest. It was a
shelter, a hiding place from the cruel world outside.
She knew that being a teenager, she
should not have such problems. Problems of such sorrow, of such despair, of
such depression, of such betrayal. But it couldn't be helped. She knew him from
such a young age. For a few years, they had gone their separate ways but been
reunited once more in middle school. And now to high school they stayed friends
together.
Friends. And only friends. Nothing
more. How she had wished and hoped with all her might that it might be more but
she was too shy to make the first move. Not knowing if he cared for her the
same way. But knowing that if he refused, her heart would just tear. So she had
avoided the subject all together.
And now, it was too late. He was
going with another. Another girl. One who had been chasing him for years like
one boy had chased her. Although, her heart had not torn as she had thought it
would. It had simply...fallen, been crushed.
Looking and trying to wipe the
rainwater out of her brown eyes, she squinted to see the street name above.
Yes. She was almost home. Two more blocks and then, she could die from
pneumonia or a fever. The pain and remorse would all end tonight.
Quickening her steps by the second,
she cared not of the people staring at her through the windows and most
probably thinking her delusional for walking without any protection against the
weather.
Slowly, her house came into view. No
lights turned on, no cars in the driveway. Images suddenly began to blur. It
was just the water. She tried to wipe her eyes once more but it helped not. The
house faded in and out in front of her. What was this? An illusion of the mind?
A trick of the eye? She tried to focus, tried to make the last steps to the
front walkway but it was too far even then. Without a single sound, without a
single more tear falling, without a single other thought, she simply collapsed
on the dark, wet grass.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The
rain pattered down on the umbrella that covered a young teenage boy's head and
the thunder boomed but inside, he felt as light as a feather. Today was the
day. He knew it. Today was the day that he would finally ask her. Ask the girl
that he had so longed for. Being nice, it was quite hard for him to refuse the
offer of another girl to the dance and in fact, he had accepted quietly. But
just two minutes later, he had declined, telling the girl his reason for doing
so because he felt so terrible at her dejected face.
But
he could not go with her. There was only one girl that he would truly be happy
with. One girl whom he had known since who knows when. Since the age of eight
to middle school and on to ninth grade. A few years had been lost in between
because he lived elsewhere but they had made it all up. Oh the years they spent
together were unforgettable. They were the best of friends that a boy and girl
could be.
Friends.
They had been friends all those years. He, being too shy to make a move for
fear of being rejected. Not knowing how she felt. But his heart ached at the
thought of her, tore at keeping his feelings a secret. But tonight, he would
finally admit them to her, whether she returned them or not. He had to tell and
she had to know.
The
happy feeling faded slightly at the thought of being put down. But they had
known each other for so long. How could she choose someone else over him?
Well,
there was only one way to find out and it was by talking to her. That's why he
was headed over to her house this moment to tell her the truth. It would kill
him if he didn't do it tonight. It was busting to come out, he wanted to yell
out his secret to the streets but of course, no one would hear him in this
terrible weather.
The
weather, he thought. He shivered slightly, silently thanking his mother for
making him take him umbrella. Although all around him, it was chilly, he felt
nice and toasty in his fleece jacket, warm and dry.
After
a while, he glanced up and sure enough, her house was standing there in front
of him. Strange. No lights were on nor any cars in the driveway. He was sure
that he had seen her leave the school just a while before he. Maybe she was
taking a nap. Shrugging, he decided to check, hoping that she wouldn't be mad
for waking her.
He
walked across the dark, wet grass, keeping his eyes on the house door when
suddenly, he tripped over something large. Falling face down, the wind blew his
umbrella out of his hands and towards the door. Now he began to get soaked but
instead of chasing after his protection gear, he felt the need to see what
large object had tripped him. Squinting against the rain, he slowly turned and
gasped.
Laying
there on the grass, he could make out the figure of a girl. It was her! What
was she doing out here in the rain? She had fainted somehow and with a quick
glance around, he saw no umbrella that she might have had. How long had she
been lying there? Quickly, he crawled over to her motionless body and began to
heave her up, as gently as he could. Now that they were both dripping wet, it
was hard because she slipped and sloshed against his body.
But
he was determined. If he left her out here, she would die. But where could he
take her? There was no one inside the house to open the door and he lived to
far away to take her. Frantically, he searched the girl's pockets for keys.
None. He scanned the ground and there! A flash of sliver. Kneeling down, he
scooped the keys up. She was slipping fast and he tightened his grip on her. As
fast as he could, he hurried towards the front door and fumbling with the keys,
managed to get it into the keyhole and turn it. Slowly but surely, the door
swung open, creaking all the while. He rushed in, not caring about getting the
carpet wet or leaving the door wide open.
Warmth.
He had to get her warm enough to start moving but to do that, she had get into
some warm clothing. Now, it was a problem. How was he supposed to change her
clothes? Sure it was a matter of life and death and he shouldn't be thinking
about whether the clothes factor mattered or not but it was all the same.
Gulping, he now slowed down enough to place her gently on the carpet so as not
to destroy the Persian sofa. He turned the heat up about five notches until it
was at eighty-five.
Now
for some dry clothes. He walked back to the door and closed it shut. Then, he
glanced up the dark stairs. Gulping, he made his way up. First, to get into
some dry clothes himself. He would be no use to her if he too fainted. So
instead of heading towards her room, he headed towards her older brother's.
He
opened the door and walked to the closet. He knew that her brother had plenty
of clothes and he wouldn't mind if he borrowed some to keep from dieing.
Quickly, he pulled out an overlarge pair of pants and a shirt. Stripping off
his wet clothing, he put on the drier ones, hanging onto his own underwear of
course. Once done, he left his clothes to let the carpet absorb the water. Now
to her room.
Taking
a right down the hallway and there it was. He knew of course for how many times
had he been to this house? Wasting no time, he took a deep breath, he went to
her closet and pulled out a pair of pants and a soft, comfy sweatshirt. As for
the undergarments, well when she woke up, she was just going to have to deal
with damp underwear.
Taking
the outfit in his arms, he ran down the stairs, taking two at a time and into
the living room where he had left her. It saddened him to see her in such a
state. Outside, the sky continued blackening and it didn't seem like the rain
was likely to stop any time soon.
He
turned back to her and placing the dry clothes on the floor beside her, he
knelt down. Taking a deep breath, he slowly lifted her up and leaned her
against the wall. He grabbed the hem of her shirt and closing his eyes, he
pulled it off with some difficulty. Still keeping his eyes shut tight, he
groped the floor for the sweatshirt, found it, and pulled it over her head.
Once he was sure that she was covered, he inched his eyes apart. Relief. The
harder part was done. Now for the pants. He lay her back down again and ever so
slowly, pulled off the sopping pants. There was no way he'd be able to do this
with his eyes shut so instead, he trained his eyes on her feet.
Her
feet! As soon as he had taken off her pants, he quickly pulled off her wet
shoes and socks. He had left his in her brother's room. Now, to put the other
pants on her. Ever so slowly and gently, he managed to pull them on her and zip
them up. Whew.
She
was finally mostly dry but her hair still dripped. He rushed to the linen
closet downstairs and grabbed about ten towels and rushed back. Never before
had her dried anyone's hair but his own and his own hair was much shorter than
hers.
What
to do. Slowly, he lifted her head up onto his lap, which he had covered with a
towel. He draped two other towels on her to keep her warm and took another to
dry her hair.
Slowly,
he massaged her head with the towel, drying it all the same. He had always
wanted to do this but not when she was half-alive. Then, softly, he began to
call her name. Softly and still drying her hair. The color had started to come
back into her cheeks and he could feel her body warmth.
At
last! She was coming to. He continued to call her name as she stirred and then,
her eyes fluttered open.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The
girl blinked slowly and it took a few seconds for her surroundings to click but
when her brain had adjusted, she took notice of the boy's head above her,
staring down. It made no sense. What was he doing here? Shouldn't he be getting
ready to go with that other girl? And furthermore, how had she gotten inside.
Last she remembered, she had fallen onto the grass in front of her house and
her clothes had been soaking wet. Now here she was, in her house, her head on
his lap, wearing dry clothing.
It
didn't make sense unless he had brought her in and perhaps her mother had
changed her clothes but then she remembered. Her parents were out for the
night! Then who had...she looked up. He was still there, a look of concern and
relief on his face. He had changed her clothes? Oh my gosh! But there, written
on his face was concern. He had only done it because he cared about her. But
then, why was there relief? Was he glad that she was awake so he could leave
her for the other?
Yes.
That was it. Of course. He was only concerned because they were only friends.
She didn't look back up at him but continued staring at the wall across her.
But
his voice, his sweet, innocent voice called to her and she could not resist
looking up into the sky blue eyes.
"Kari?
Please Kari. Don't tell me you've got amnesia. You do remember me don't you?
Kari, talk! Say something to let me know you're okay," he pleaded.
Slowly,
she nodded and then opened her mouth but nothing came out. She coughed and then
shivered. Her mouth was numb from the cold.
"Oh
no! Hold on. I'll get you some hot cocoa," he said and he gently placed
her head down on the carpet and raced off towards the kitchen. It was then that
she noticed that he was wearing her brother's clothes. Strange. Why would he of
had to change? Unless.... she gasped inwardly. He must had been willing to get
drenched as well only to save her and bring her in to the warmth.
From
the kitchen, she could hear the microwave humming a boring tune and then ding.
She could hear it being opened and then a spoon hitting the sides of a cup as
someone stirred. Then, footsteps coming back towards her. He came holding a steaming
cup of hot cocoa in his hand.
She
saw him smile kindly and helped her to sit up. She took the cup he handed her
and slowly took a sip.
"Ouch!"
she yelped.
Immediately,
concern and worry filled the boy's face. "Oh no! I knew it was too hot!
Did you burn your tongue? Let me see?"
This
rush of concern made her smile and she shook her head. Taking another, much
longer sip, she could feel the hot drink slid down her throat and ease her
mouth and vocal box. It filled her with warmth all through her insides and
instantly, she felt much better.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
He
watched as she took another gulp of the hot cocoa. He really hadn't meant for
it to be so scalding but she seemed to like it and that's all that mattered. He
hoped that it would soothe her throat enough to let her talk. He loved to
listen to her sweet voice. Suddenly, he shivered. He had forgotten. His hair
was still wet from the rain and his body wasn't completely dry though he wore
dry clothing.
He
hoped that she didn't notice but she had and now her eyes filled with concern.
"TK!
Here," she held out the hand that held the cup. "Take a sip of
this."
He
shook his head. "No. I'm all right. Really. I made that for you. "
Kari
leered at him. "You made it for me, fine. But now I demand that you drink
this. You saved me from dying and catching pneumonia and now you've got to
think of yourself."
Reluctantly,
he held out a shivering hand and took the cup, taking a long, sip. Now warmth
filled him and he felt wonderful. Handing the cup back, he smiled at Kari but
she didn't smile back. Instead, she seemed to be thinking.
"What's
wrong?" TK asked softly.
Slowly,
Kari turned her light brown eyes on him. For a moment, she seemed to be
studying him and then, "Thanks. But can I ask you, how did you, I mean why
were you over here?"
TK
thought for a moment how to tell her. Now was the moment of truth but how to
say what was on his mind? After all, this scene wasn't at all how he pictured
telling her. Two teens sitting on the carpet, clothes wet but hair and body
still somewhat damp. And one holding a cup of cocoa.
"Well,"
he finally started and felt a slight shiver go down his back. "Let me get
a blanket because I'm getting cold."
She
pointed underneath the piano. "There's a wool blanket. You can get
that." Then a sly smile spread across her face as TK got up to retrieve
it. "Tai put it there on purpose so it'd just happen to be sitting there
while he and Sora are here. So if she gets cold, he can be like, 'oh lets just
share'." She giggled.
TK
laughed at the Tai's scheming. "Well, he'd do anything for her wouldn't
he?"
"Yeah."
TK
grabbed the blanket. The material felt nice, soft, and warm. As he crawled back
to Kari, he asked, "This wool?"
She
nodded and pushed back a strand of damp brown hair from her face. The girl
watched as he spread out the blanket over her and sort of sat to the side, as
if not knowing whether to share or not. He's probably uncomfortable since he's
probably got a girlfriend now. Kari thought bitterly. Well, let him be cold.
But
she couldn't be that mean. He sat still shivering and looking down at the
floor. Kari sighed and lifted one side of the blanket and motioned to him.
"Come on. We're both cold so we might as well both get warm."
Smiling
gratefully, he scooted over and wrapped his side around him.
"Well?"
Kari implored looking at him. She felt slightly strange sitting next to him so
close. Not even an hour ago had she been so depressed, so sunk in deep thought,
so close to getting terribly sick. But just his presence made her feel so nice
and wonderful inside. Even though she knew that he belonged to another, he
still made her feel good and he didn't even know it.
He
cocked his head to look at her. "Well what?" He knew what she meant
but he was stalling. He still had no clue how to tell her but at least the
atmosphere was slightly better. Both of them sitting snugly under one blanket.
Kari
raised an eyebrow. "You know. Why you were over in this neighborhood in
the first place. And why you're wearing my brother's clothes. And why I'm
wearing different clothes. And why you didn't just call the hospital instead of
trying to take care of me yourself." She knew part of the answers but
still, she wanted to hear them straight from him.
TK's
mouth dropped. It hadn't occurred to him to call the hospital and from his
stunned look, Kari knew. "I-I...well, let me answer you first question. I
was uh...coming over here because-because...uh..." he stuttered and then
took a deep breath. "Because I wanted to tell you...well actually, let me
answer the rest and come back to that."
Again,
Kari raised a questioning eyebrow.
He
just gave her a quick lopsided grin and continued. "Uh...see, I was coming
over here and then I tripped over you. Well, at first I didn't know it was you
but when I did, I quickly brought you inside after I found the key. Which was
lying on the grass. Anyway, when I had tripped, my umbrella flew out of my hand
so naturally, I got wet and after I had put you on the floor, I figured that we
uh...both needed a change of clothes otherwise we'd both catch fevers. So I
borrowed some of Tai's clothes and then took some of yours and uh..." now
the boy began to blush a brilliant shade of red. Kari thought that she had
never seen anyone go quite so red and it would have been amusing except for the
fact that he was talking about changing her clothes for her. But then, she had
been unconscious.
"I
didn't look or anything I swear!" TK said quickly hoping that she believed
him. "I mean, what's a guy supposed to do when his friend is lying there
in wet clothes and she's not waking up? And I was so worried Kari! You scared
the living daylights out of me! I tried to remain calm and cool and it was the
only thing to do and I'm sorry if you disapprove but I wasn't going to sit there
and watch you die in wet clothing. And as for uh...not calling the
hospital," he took a deep breath. Now was the time. "I guess-I guess
I was too worried about you to think of anything else except taking care of you
and getting you warm and awake. Look, that's the reason I came here." He
looked down, too afraid to look into her face. "I care too much about you
Kari. I always have and I always will even if you don't. When we first met, I
knew we'd get to be the best of friends. When we re-met in middle school, I
knew that my feelings for you had grown much more. And now, in high school, I
guess we're still kids to adults but we're still much older than the first
meeting and I really do care for you in a way no one can imagine. So please
believe me when I say that I was just trying to do the best for you. And if you
don't feel the same way about me, I completely understand. But I just had to
tell you today because if I didn't, I'm sure my heart would've burst from
keeping it bottled up for so long." He stopped and didn't dare look up.
If
he had, he would have seen that Kari was staring at him. Tears were silently
falling from her eyes and down her pale face. She had been wrong all along! He
really did care for her! That's why he had soaked himself just for her! She had
been so wrong! Inside, she felt horrible because she had nearly drowned herself
in sorrow because she had thought the opposite. Now, she decided was her turn
to tell him.
She
took a deep breath and opened her mouth. "TK." He jerked. "I
guess, I guess I should first say, I'm sorry. And I should also tell you the
reason why I had fainted on the lawn in the first place. See, I heard you tell
Clarissa at school that you were going to the dance with her or something like
that. All the years I've known you, you've never said 'yes' to any girl so I
thought that you must really like her. It tore my heart because see, I really
do care for you too. Really I do. That's why when you said yes, it broke me. I
was so down that I didn't even realize it was raining until it was too late and
then, I just decided, 'What the heck? Let it rain on me for all I care. I lost
him, I lost him.' And so I just walked home in the rain but then I couldn't
make it to the front door and I'm ever so thankful and grateful that you came
by. I'm so very sorry TK! I almost killed myself because I misunderstood
everything! I have and always care for you too Takeru Takiahsi." She took
his hand and TK didn't pull away. "Please believe me. I really wasn't
thinking right and I guess I cared for you so much that when I heard you
agreeing to go with someone, well, I couldn't bear the thought."
She
finished and took another deep breath, waiting for his reaction. Slowly, very
slowly, he turned his blue eyes on her. "Kari, I did agree to go with
Clarissa because I figured, 'Hey, I'll just be nice for once.' But then, two
minutes later, I told her 'no' because i too couldn't bear the thought of going
with anyone other than you. You must have already left by then so you didn't
hear me change my mind. I'm really sorry to have made you feel this way and I'm
glad to hear you say that you care for me too. If there's anyway to make it up
to you, just tell me and I'll do anything!" He declared.
"Well,"
Kari said, a slow smiling creeping across her tear-stained face. "There is
something. First, do you forgive me?"
"If
you forgive me," came the reply.
"Agreed.
Okay then, second," she leaned her face closer. TK got the message and
leaned over as well.
Nothing
more was said as the two closed their eyes and moved closer still. The kiss.
Their first. It was as if nothing else mattered in the world anymore as they
shared this magic moment. The rain continued to pour down it's hardest on the
roof above, the thunder continued to boom it's loudest, and people continued
going about their way. And TK and Kari went about their kiss.
It
was heaven. It was what both had wanted but were too afraid for in the first
place. But now, they were together and they couldn't ask for anything more.
But
then suddenly, their moment was interrupted by a loud bang. They jumped apart,
embarrassed yet happy, both pink in the face and still covered with the
blanket. Kari hoped it wasn't her parents because this was not the best
situation to be in at the moment. But no, it was Kari's older brother, Tai
Kamiya.
He
had seen the light and gone to see who was home. Kari winced as she prepared
for the joking remarks from him but none came. She watched in surprise as the
tall boy flopped across the Persian sofa and groaned.
"My
life my life!" he cried. "It's over!" It was as if he didn't
even notice the two others in the room.
Kari,
not getting up, patted her brother's leg from where she sat. "What's wrong
Tai? Car trouble?"
Tai
sat up straight and the familiar old glint came back into his eyes as he
surveyed the scene. "Well, well, well. What have we here? TK, Kari, and
the blanket Sora and I have used." Then he groaned again, forgetting about
his teasing.
"What's
wrong?" TK asked.
Kari
leaned over and whispered so Tai couldn't hear. "Do you think it's
Sora?"
Another
groan, for he had heard. The two younger teens nodded simultaneously and said,
"Sora."
Yet
again, a fourth groan. "Don't mention her!"
Sighing,
Kari decided that it was time to speak to her brother. She got up and went to
sit beside him on the sofa. "What happened Tai? A fight? Did you forget an
important date? What?"
Dramatically,
Tai sighed and looked at his younger sister. "Well Kari, it just so
happens that I forgot that today was her tennis tournament, which by the way
was played on a large indoor court, and the fact that it was also our two-year
anniversary!" Once again, he groaned.
"Yikes,"
TK commented. "A double whammy right there. How could you forget
both?"
"I
don't know!" Tai said. "I guess I was just so bummed out that the
soccer game was cancelled and that I failed an English test today and forgot to
turn in my history project and that my car is acting up again that those things
flew out of my mind."
Kari
and TK looked at each other. Tai was not like himself today. English was easy
for him though hard to believe and Kari had seen him work so hard on the
project. As for the car, well, it was always acting up ever since he had hit a
tree.
"Don't
worry Tai," Kari said sympathetically as she patted his back. "You've
had a rough day. In fact, so have we so we'll help you out."
TK
looked up. "We will?"
"Sure."
Kari smiled at him. "Remember what we were talking about just a little
before Tai barged in? Well, just keep thinking of that and that you'd want some
help to if something like this happened."
"Huh?"
TK asked. Kari sure could be confusing sometimes but he still agreed. After
all, he'd be working with Kari.
Tai
looked up. "How will you two help me? And by the way, tell me about your
'rough day' over some food. You two look like you need some energy. And I just
now noticed, why is both your hair wet? And in the meantime, can you also
explain why you're wearing my clothes TK?"
Kari
and TK laughed at the sudden fountain of questions. "Let's go to the
kitchen and we'll explain. As best as we can that is. And I'll also tell you
the plan that's forming in my head." Kari said and walked out the room.
The two boys glanced at each other, shrugged, and followed.
TK
was happy that everything was going great with Kari and him and he was sorry
that Tai was having a bad day but he still wished that he had not come in. He
and Kari were having such a good time and Tai had to ruin it. Oh well. Plenty
of time later. Now it was time to help Kari's brother.
***Author's
Note***
Okay, how was it? I
didn't have much time to edit. Another chapter coming of course. That one will
be Taiora. I mean, come on, the end of this chapter is leading onto the next. I
might make it three chapters if I have enough time for the contest left. I'm on
vacation now and I'm glad I found a computer to use so anyway...review please!
BTW, just before anyone says anything, I know that if someone were out getting
drenched in the rain for that long, they'd be sick but for the sake of the fic,
let's just skip over that little fact. Thanks!
*Maura*
Takari and Taiora
By: AngelicFairy