Unlikely Heros
Insert disclaimer here: _____
As Tai and TK were talking they heard a commotion outside the door.
"It sounds like a struggle." TK said as he went to the door. He and Tai looked out and saw Sora fighting with a guard.
"Sora." Tai yelled and pushed the door open to help her. Together they took out the guards; they were out on the floor. Sora ran into Tai's arms.
"Oh Tai!" She cried. "We have to leave now. They are going to kill me if they find me!"
"What did you do?" TK asked. He was interested in finding out what had happened to his brother.
"Not now- let's go. Please?" Tai nodded and took her hand.
"Sora, your arm, it's bleeding." Tai looked at her arm above her elbow. It had a nice sized gash in it from a blade cut.
"I'm fine, let's hurry." She looked down the corridor. "TK which way?" She was lost.
"Follow me," he said as he ran down the hall. Tai picked up the unconscious guard's sword and ran with Sora after TK. They were running for what seemed like hours through the passageways of the enormous residence. The doors that lead outside were insight. "We are almost there!" TK was happy. He felt good helping the two escape.
"Not so fast!" It was Matt's voice. The doors were slammed shut. The three were trapped inside the courtyard. Matt's guards came from every direction. "So little brother. You have betrayed your family! How typical."
"Wrong Matt. You have betrayed our family, by doing this to innocent people!" TK shouted back. He couldn't see Matt, and didn't know where he was. Suddenly he came out of the shadows behind Tai and Sora. He powerfully slapped Sora across the face, sending her flying to the ground. Tai went to her side. "That was for earlier! You will die with your precious Taichi now!"
Tai was getting furious. "No one hurts Sora and gets away with it!" Tai ran at Matt, sword in hand. But a guard stopped his blade from touching Matt. Matt began to laugh.
"This is so heart warming. It makes me sick." He turned to TK. "So you ally yourself with them?"
"I couldn't just let you kill them Matt!" TK yelled at his brother. "You have gone to far!"
Sora had picked herself up now, and assumed a fighting position. "Why don't we just finish this Matt?" She said as she picked up the sword that was lying at her feet.
"You want to duel? One on one?" Matt was smirking. "So you or Tai? Who is going to fight me?"
Sora looked at Tai. "I will!" She said.
"No, Sora. Don't. I'll do it." Tai said as he tried to get out of the guards hold.
"Tai, I'm better trained in sword fighting, let me do this." She took her sword and walked up to Matt. "Well? If I win, you let us three go alive and unharmed."
"And if I win?" Matt smiled. "I get you, and Tai dies?"
Sora nodded. The fight began. Matt swung the first attack. Sora dodged it. She quickly sliced a slit up her dress, so she could maneuver easily. Both sword fighters were well trained. Sora seemed to have the upper hand for most of the battle. She was pacing herself, not using up all her energy at the beginning. Matt was doing the same. Both fighters were bleeding from the numerous cuts inflicted by the other.
Tai couldn't do anything, but watch as she fought for both of them.
"You are well trained." Matt grunted as he pushed away from a blocked swing.
"You are not so bad yourself." She replied. They both were getting tired. Matt's glance quickly moved to a guard standing off to the right. He nodded and without warning the guard ran a sword blade into Sora's shoulder. She fell to the ground in pain, holding her wound. Matt laughed as she wailed in pain. Tai's anger raged out of control at the sight of her in anguish. In one movement he escaped the guard and ran up to the guard that had stabbed Sora. He picked up a sword and ran it through him. Matt was still laughing, and didn't see Tai coming. He came from behind and stopped the blade right at Matt's neck.
"You are going to die bastard!" Tai growled. Matt's laughter stopped. And the guards stood shocked at the situation. TK ran to Sora's side, and began to treat her wound.
"Just relax Sora," TK said as he pulled the bade from her bloodied shoulder. She screamed in pain. Tai's eyes burned with wrath.
"It's your turn to die." Tai told Matt. Tai was about to slice Matt's throat, but was stopped by Sora's voice.
"No. Tai, don't." She cried. Tai stopped. He looked at her. Her eyes were full of pain. "Please, don't Tai."
"Sora, but why? Look at all he's done. He deserves this." Tai said.
"Tai, no. Then we are like him, and besides. I owe him. He spared my father's life. I must grant him the same. Please Tai." She was begging Tai to spare the reason for all of her pain. Tai was confused. But he listened to her.
"Matt. Tell your guards to leave and open the doors!" Tai commanded.
Matt complied. And the doors were opened.
"TK, thank you." Sora was looking up at the young boy helping her to her feet. "What will you do?"
"I cannot stay here." He looked at his brother.
"Come with us." Sora weakly suggested.
"Really?" He asked. She nodded her head. Together they walked next to Tai. Tai threw Matt to the ground.
"Instead of revenge, you only brought more dishonor to your family." Tai spat at him. "If you even dream of pulling something again. I will kill you and nothing anyone says will save you!" Tai then picked up the injured Sora and walked out of the compound with TK at his side.
They said nothing as they quickly left the evil behind them. They had made good progress into the woods near Mt Fuji, when it neared sunset.
Sora was asleep in Tai's strong arms as they decided to stop for a rest. Tai gently set her down. And began to make a fire, with the aid of TK.
"I want to thank you again TK, I owe you everything." Tai said breaking the silence.
"Your welcome Tai."
"Do you think your brother will come after us?" He continued.
"I don't know. He was really angry." TK looked over to the sleeping Sora. "We need to get her to a doctor first. Then we can worry about Matt."
Tai went over and looked at the wound. It had stopped bleeding badly, but they still had to change the bandage often. He was worried about her. He sat by her side and stroked her auburn strands off her face.
The sun was completely gone by now, and Tai and TK were all ready to continue their trek.
"Don't you think we should stop for the night?" TK asked.
"It would be nice, but I don't know if Sora will be able to hang on that long." Tai said as he looked into the sky. They had stopped deep in the forest. Not to long after, Sora's eyes fluttered open. She gave a weak whimper as she tried to move.
"Sora! Don't move. We'll get you to a doctor soon." He held her in his arms as they walked through the brush.
"Tai?" Sora said in a frail voice.
"Shh, just relax, you are safe. We'll get you to a doctor's."
"Hey, I heard something over there." TK said quietly. "It sounds like riders." TK ducked to the ground, Tai gently set Sora down and laied close to her. Their breathing slowed down as the riders got closer.
"They couldn't have gone far." It was Matt's voice. He was leading a group of more than thirty riders. "She's injured, so they can't move that fast. Search the surrounding area! Find them!" The group separated. Luckily the three were not spotted because of the tall brush and the cover of night concealing them.
"What do we do now?" TK asked Tai. Tai was at a loss for words. He hadn't expected Matt to be after them so soon.
"Damn it, this guy is persistant." He wanted to curse some more but Sora began to speak.
"Tai, we need to.." The pain from her upper shoulder was throbbing causing her breathing to be difficult. "head for the river near the west side of Mt. Fuji." Tai was getting concerned, she was almost gasping for air. "the river will lead us straight… to the capital city of Kyoto." Tai nodded. He would do anything for her. If she had asked him to stand up and take a sword through the chest he would do it, to make her happy. He stuck his head up to see if there were any guards.
"It's clear for the moment." He whispered as he picked up Sora. "Lets' move."
As they were about to sneak off to the river, a thunderous roar raced across the ground. The soft earth shook violently. Tai looked up to see what the source of the commotion was. His eyes light up as he saw the crest of the emperor waving back and forth on numerous flags.
"Looks like my dad decided to save us after all." Tai was shocked at the sight. A few dozen samurai were forming fighting formations as they rode closer to Matt's troops.
Soon a battle between the samurai and Matt's riders waged. Both sides were about equally matched. Tai set Sora down and grabbed a sword. He ran into the battle field looking for Matt. He wanted to settle a few things.
"What's he doing?" TK questioned as he helped Sora to her feet. Sora gave him a confused look.
"I guess he wants to get in on the fighting. Hey, where's Matt? He's not fighting out there."
"Ya, I can't see him anywhere."
"That's because he's right here!" A voice from behind the two said. Sora and TK quickly turned around and saw the source of the voice walking towards them, a sword in hand. It was Matt.
"I'll get my revenge one way or another!" He evily scowled at TK. "Starting with my dear little brother the traitor." With that he lashed at TK swiping the sword blade across his arm. The blood rushed out as TK fell to the ground holding his arm. He screamed out in pain. Sora swiftly rammed Matt with her unhurt shoulder. Knocking them both to the ground. The two fought over control of Matt's sword. Finally Matt pushed Sora off of him. He still held the blade. He stood up and walked over to where Sora was lying on her back.
"Matt, why?" Sora said as the tip of the sword ran gently across her neck. Matt was playing with her now. He didn't draw any blood from the sword movements as of yet.
"You thought I would just let you three go free?" He began to laugh. "What? Do you think I would just forget about the wrongs done to my family because you spared me?"
TK looked up from the place where he had fallen. He could not move. He was frozen with fear. 'Tai where are you?' he thought, as he held his injured arm tighter to stop the pain.
Sora did not answer; she closed her eyes. Her heart was pumping rapidly. "Fine… then get your revenge over with! I am prepared to die with honor." Her eyes remained closed preparing herself for the final blow.
Tai had just finished off one of Matt's men. He pulled his blade out of the dead man and he scanned the area for Matt. He wanted to finish Matt off for hurting everyone, and especially for hurting Sora. His eyes stopped on Matt across the field. He had his sword pointing at someone who was on the ground defeated. Tai looked harder and saw TK injured. 'Where's Sora?' He thought. 'I left her with TK.'
"TAI!" A weak voice yelled. It was TK's voice. Tai's world stopped as he recognized the auburn hair flying in the wind . Sora had sat up. She propped herself up with her elbows. Tai's world began to crash down as he saw Matt reading a swing.
"NO!" Tai yelled as he began to run towards them. He had never ran so fast in his life.
As Matt's blade pearced Sora chest Tai jumped on Matt pulling him backwards and away from Sora. The blade fell to the ground. It's tip was covered in crimson liquid. Sora fell flat on the ground once again.
Tai began to beat Matt senseless. He continued to throw punch after punch until one of his father's samurai pulled him of the unconscious Matt. Tai was covered with blood, Matt's blood, the blood of the solider he killed and his own. He calmed down and instantly his thoughts returned to Sora. He ran to her.
TK was already at her side. TK had forgotten about his own wound, and was trying to stop Sora's bleeding.
"Oh Sora." Tai said as he looked at her. Her face was dirty and full of sweat. Her eyes spurted tears of pain. Blood as all over. "You can't leave me, not here." Tai commanded as he knelt and began to aid TK in treating her wound. "Doctor! Are there any doctors here?" Tai cried as five men came over to him. They were his father's guards.
"Your highness, we are pleased to se you are well." One said
"Shut up and get a doctor over here." He instructed.
"Yes, sir right away." The man ran to where the men were regrouping. The ground was littered with the bodies of fallen soliders, both Matt's and the emperor's. There was only one medic with them. He came running over.
"Yes, your highness." He bowed. Tai grabbed him and pulled him down to ground.
"Save her!" He demanded. A single tear ran down the boy's face as he held Sora's weak hand. She forced a smile at him. Their eyes met. Tai was fully crying now. He hadn't been fast enough to get to her. "I'm so sorry." He wailed as he closed his eyes for a second. When he opened them the medic was quickly wrapping Sora's chest in a white bandage.
"We need to get to the palace." The doctor looked at Tai. "I can't save her here."
"Then we are getting her there!" Tai stood up and ran to get a horse. He mounted the horse and motioned for them to hand him Sora. The doctor gently picked her up. She moaned in pain. He handed her to Tai. He held her tightly as he took off on the horse. The doctor got on another horse and followed along with the guards who survived, and TK.
"Hold on Sora." Tai said as he looked down at her. He had his horse going at full speed. "You'll get better, just hang on. Please." She was falling in and out of conciousness by this time because of the loss of blood.
"Tai?' She questioned weakly.
"I'm here. Just a little further. You can make it."
"I can't take the pain…" She whimpered.
"Sora. Listen to me. You can't leave me, I love you!"
Sora's eyes pushed themselves open when she heard this. 'He loves me.' She thought. "Me too." She weakly responded. And with that she blanked out. Tai felt her body go limp. He pulled her closer and was reassured as he felt her heart still beating. The palace was in sight as his horse raced across the plains of the Kyoto area. Everyone else was not much behind.
As Tai galloped into the palace, he jumped off the horse, Sora in hand. And ran as fast as his legs could carry him to the corridor where the royal doctors and magicians lived. He screamed orders at the men to save her. They took the wounded girl from his hands, and began the long process of healing her wounds.
Hours past. Tai stood outside the door of the operating room the doctors used. He paced up and down the halls. TK's arm had been treated and he soon joined Tai in the anguishing wait. All Tai could do was think of Sora.
Insert disclaimer here: _____
As Tai and TK were talking they heard a commotion outside the door.
"It sounds like a struggle." TK said as he went to the door. He and Tai looked out and saw Sora fighting with a guard.
"Sora." Tai yelled and pushed the door open to help her. Together they took out the guards; they were out on the floor. Sora ran into Tai's arms.
"Oh Tai!" She cried. "We have to leave now. They are going to kill me if they find me!"
"What did you do?" TK asked. He was interested in finding out what had happened to his brother.
"Not now- let's go. Please?" Tai nodded and took her hand.
"Sora, your arm, it's bleeding." Tai looked at her arm above her elbow. It had a nice sized gash in it from a blade cut.
"I'm fine, let's hurry." She looked down the corridor. "TK which way?" She was lost.
"Follow me," he said as he ran down the hall. Tai picked up the unconscious guard's sword and ran with Sora after TK. They were running for what seemed like hours through the passageways of the enormous residence. The doors that lead outside were insight. "We are almost there!" TK was happy. He felt good helping the two escape.
"Not so fast!" It was Matt's voice. The doors were slammed shut. The three were trapped inside the courtyard. Matt's guards came from every direction. "So little brother. You have betrayed your family! How typical."
"Wrong Matt. You have betrayed our family, by doing this to innocent people!" TK shouted back. He couldn't see Matt, and didn't know where he was. Suddenly he came out of the shadows behind Tai and Sora. He powerfully slapped Sora across the face, sending her flying to the ground. Tai went to her side. "That was for earlier! You will die with your precious Taichi now!"
Tai was getting furious. "No one hurts Sora and gets away with it!" Tai ran at Matt, sword in hand. But a guard stopped his blade from touching Matt. Matt began to laugh.
"This is so heart warming. It makes me sick." He turned to TK. "So you ally yourself with them?"
"I couldn't just let you kill them Matt!" TK yelled at his brother. "You have gone to far!"
Sora had picked herself up now, and assumed a fighting position. "Why don't we just finish this Matt?" She said as she picked up the sword that was lying at her feet.
"You want to duel? One on one?" Matt was smirking. "So you or Tai? Who is going to fight me?"
Sora looked at Tai. "I will!" She said.
"No, Sora. Don't. I'll do it." Tai said as he tried to get out of the guards hold.
"Tai, I'm better trained in sword fighting, let me do this." She took her sword and walked up to Matt. "Well? If I win, you let us three go alive and unharmed."
"And if I win?" Matt smiled. "I get you, and Tai dies?"
Sora nodded. The fight began. Matt swung the first attack. Sora dodged it. She quickly sliced a slit up her dress, so she could maneuver easily. Both sword fighters were well trained. Sora seemed to have the upper hand for most of the battle. She was pacing herself, not using up all her energy at the beginning. Matt was doing the same. Both fighters were bleeding from the numerous cuts inflicted by the other.
Tai couldn't do anything, but watch as she fought for both of them.
"You are well trained." Matt grunted as he pushed away from a blocked swing.
"You are not so bad yourself." She replied. They both were getting tired. Matt's glance quickly moved to a guard standing off to the right. He nodded and without warning the guard ran a sword blade into Sora's shoulder. She fell to the ground in pain, holding her wound. Matt laughed as she wailed in pain. Tai's anger raged out of control at the sight of her in anguish. In one movement he escaped the guard and ran up to the guard that had stabbed Sora. He picked up a sword and ran it through him. Matt was still laughing, and didn't see Tai coming. He came from behind and stopped the blade right at Matt's neck.
"You are going to die bastard!" Tai growled. Matt's laughter stopped. And the guards stood shocked at the situation. TK ran to Sora's side, and began to treat her wound.
"Just relax Sora," TK said as he pulled the bade from her bloodied shoulder. She screamed in pain. Tai's eyes burned with wrath.
"It's your turn to die." Tai told Matt. Tai was about to slice Matt's throat, but was stopped by Sora's voice.
"No. Tai, don't." She cried. Tai stopped. He looked at her. Her eyes were full of pain. "Please, don't Tai."
"Sora, but why? Look at all he's done. He deserves this." Tai said.
"Tai, no. Then we are like him, and besides. I owe him. He spared my father's life. I must grant him the same. Please Tai." She was begging Tai to spare the reason for all of her pain. Tai was confused. But he listened to her.
"Matt. Tell your guards to leave and open the doors!" Tai commanded.
Matt complied. And the doors were opened.
"TK, thank you." Sora was looking up at the young boy helping her to her feet. "What will you do?"
"I cannot stay here." He looked at his brother.
"Come with us." Sora weakly suggested.
"Really?" He asked. She nodded her head. Together they walked next to Tai. Tai threw Matt to the ground.
"Instead of revenge, you only brought more dishonor to your family." Tai spat at him. "If you even dream of pulling something again. I will kill you and nothing anyone says will save you!" Tai then picked up the injured Sora and walked out of the compound with TK at his side.
They said nothing as they quickly left the evil behind them. They had made good progress into the woods near Mt Fuji, when it neared sunset.
Sora was asleep in Tai's strong arms as they decided to stop for a rest. Tai gently set her down. And began to make a fire, with the aid of TK.
"I want to thank you again TK, I owe you everything." Tai said breaking the silence.
"Your welcome Tai."
"Do you think your brother will come after us?" He continued.
"I don't know. He was really angry." TK looked over to the sleeping Sora. "We need to get her to a doctor first. Then we can worry about Matt."
Tai went over and looked at the wound. It had stopped bleeding badly, but they still had to change the bandage often. He was worried about her. He sat by her side and stroked her auburn strands off her face.
The sun was completely gone by now, and Tai and TK were all ready to continue their trek.
"Don't you think we should stop for the night?" TK asked.
"It would be nice, but I don't know if Sora will be able to hang on that long." Tai said as he looked into the sky. They had stopped deep in the forest. Not to long after, Sora's eyes fluttered open. She gave a weak whimper as she tried to move.
"Sora! Don't move. We'll get you to a doctor soon." He held her in his arms as they walked through the brush.
"Tai?" Sora said in a frail voice.
"Shh, just relax, you are safe. We'll get you to a doctor's."
"Hey, I heard something over there." TK said quietly. "It sounds like riders." TK ducked to the ground, Tai gently set Sora down and laied close to her. Their breathing slowed down as the riders got closer.
"They couldn't have gone far." It was Matt's voice. He was leading a group of more than thirty riders. "She's injured, so they can't move that fast. Search the surrounding area! Find them!" The group separated. Luckily the three were not spotted because of the tall brush and the cover of night concealing them.
"What do we do now?" TK asked Tai. Tai was at a loss for words. He hadn't expected Matt to be after them so soon.
"Damn it, this guy is persistant." He wanted to curse some more but Sora began to speak.
"Tai, we need to.." The pain from her upper shoulder was throbbing causing her breathing to be difficult. "head for the river near the west side of Mt. Fuji." Tai was getting concerned, she was almost gasping for air. "the river will lead us straight… to the capital city of Kyoto." Tai nodded. He would do anything for her. If she had asked him to stand up and take a sword through the chest he would do it, to make her happy. He stuck his head up to see if there were any guards.
"It's clear for the moment." He whispered as he picked up Sora. "Lets' move."
As they were about to sneak off to the river, a thunderous roar raced across the ground. The soft earth shook violently. Tai looked up to see what the source of the commotion was. His eyes light up as he saw the crest of the emperor waving back and forth on numerous flags.
"Looks like my dad decided to save us after all." Tai was shocked at the sight. A few dozen samurai were forming fighting formations as they rode closer to Matt's troops.
Soon a battle between the samurai and Matt's riders waged. Both sides were about equally matched. Tai set Sora down and grabbed a sword. He ran into the battle field looking for Matt. He wanted to settle a few things.
"What's he doing?" TK questioned as he helped Sora to her feet. Sora gave him a confused look.
"I guess he wants to get in on the fighting. Hey, where's Matt? He's not fighting out there."
"Ya, I can't see him anywhere."
"That's because he's right here!" A voice from behind the two said. Sora and TK quickly turned around and saw the source of the voice walking towards them, a sword in hand. It was Matt.
"I'll get my revenge one way or another!" He evily scowled at TK. "Starting with my dear little brother the traitor." With that he lashed at TK swiping the sword blade across his arm. The blood rushed out as TK fell to the ground holding his arm. He screamed out in pain. Sora swiftly rammed Matt with her unhurt shoulder. Knocking them both to the ground. The two fought over control of Matt's sword. Finally Matt pushed Sora off of him. He still held the blade. He stood up and walked over to where Sora was lying on her back.
"Matt, why?" Sora said as the tip of the sword ran gently across her neck. Matt was playing with her now. He didn't draw any blood from the sword movements as of yet.
"You thought I would just let you three go free?" He began to laugh. "What? Do you think I would just forget about the wrongs done to my family because you spared me?"
TK looked up from the place where he had fallen. He could not move. He was frozen with fear. 'Tai where are you?' he thought, as he held his injured arm tighter to stop the pain.
Sora did not answer; she closed her eyes. Her heart was pumping rapidly. "Fine… then get your revenge over with! I am prepared to die with honor." Her eyes remained closed preparing herself for the final blow.
Tai had just finished off one of Matt's men. He pulled his blade out of the dead man and he scanned the area for Matt. He wanted to finish Matt off for hurting everyone, and especially for hurting Sora. His eyes stopped on Matt across the field. He had his sword pointing at someone who was on the ground defeated. Tai looked harder and saw TK injured. 'Where's Sora?' He thought. 'I left her with TK.'
"TAI!" A weak voice yelled. It was TK's voice. Tai's world stopped as he recognized the auburn hair flying in the wind . Sora had sat up. She propped herself up with her elbows. Tai's world began to crash down as he saw Matt reading a swing.
"NO!" Tai yelled as he began to run towards them. He had never ran so fast in his life.
As Matt's blade pearced Sora chest Tai jumped on Matt pulling him backwards and away from Sora. The blade fell to the ground. It's tip was covered in crimson liquid. Sora fell flat on the ground once again.
Tai began to beat Matt senseless. He continued to throw punch after punch until one of his father's samurai pulled him of the unconscious Matt. Tai was covered with blood, Matt's blood, the blood of the solider he killed and his own. He calmed down and instantly his thoughts returned to Sora. He ran to her.
TK was already at her side. TK had forgotten about his own wound, and was trying to stop Sora's bleeding.
"Oh Sora." Tai said as he looked at her. Her face was dirty and full of sweat. Her eyes spurted tears of pain. Blood as all over. "You can't leave me, not here." Tai commanded as he knelt and began to aid TK in treating her wound. "Doctor! Are there any doctors here?" Tai cried as five men came over to him. They were his father's guards.
"Your highness, we are pleased to se you are well." One said
"Shut up and get a doctor over here." He instructed.
"Yes, sir right away." The man ran to where the men were regrouping. The ground was littered with the bodies of fallen soliders, both Matt's and the emperor's. There was only one medic with them. He came running over.
"Yes, your highness." He bowed. Tai grabbed him and pulled him down to ground.
"Save her!" He demanded. A single tear ran down the boy's face as he held Sora's weak hand. She forced a smile at him. Their eyes met. Tai was fully crying now. He hadn't been fast enough to get to her. "I'm so sorry." He wailed as he closed his eyes for a second. When he opened them the medic was quickly wrapping Sora's chest in a white bandage.
"We need to get to the palace." The doctor looked at Tai. "I can't save her here."
"Then we are getting her there!" Tai stood up and ran to get a horse. He mounted the horse and motioned for them to hand him Sora. The doctor gently picked her up. She moaned in pain. He handed her to Tai. He held her tightly as he took off on the horse. The doctor got on another horse and followed along with the guards who survived, and TK.
"Hold on Sora." Tai said as he looked down at her. He had his horse going at full speed. "You'll get better, just hang on. Please." She was falling in and out of conciousness by this time because of the loss of blood.
"Tai?' She questioned weakly.
"I'm here. Just a little further. You can make it."
"I can't take the pain…" She whimpered.
"Sora. Listen to me. You can't leave me, I love you!"
Sora's eyes pushed themselves open when she heard this. 'He loves me.' She thought. "Me too." She weakly responded. And with that she blanked out. Tai felt her body go limp. He pulled her closer and was reassured as he felt her heart still beating. The palace was in sight as his horse raced across the plains of the Kyoto area. Everyone else was not much behind.
As Tai galloped into the palace, he jumped off the horse, Sora in hand. And ran as fast as his legs could carry him to the corridor where the royal doctors and magicians lived. He screamed orders at the men to save her. They took the wounded girl from his hands, and began the long process of healing her wounds.
Hours past. Tai stood outside the door of the operating room the doctors used. He paced up and down the halls. TK's arm had been treated and he soon joined Tai in the anguishing wait. All Tai could do was think of Sora.