A/N: This is Part 3, based around Tai as he thinks about his past decisions. From now on, the fic is romance, thanks to an idea from digitally obsessed. It starts out as Taiora in this part but becomes full-blown...and what are you doing, you slacker? You're supposed to READ the fic!
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, but if I did, I would love to own Matt. ;)
The Chaos Realm, Episode 1: The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions
"We're climbing up Infinity Mountain!"
"It's too risky! We won't be able to make it!"
Tai looked up at the ceiling of the makeshift shelter inside the cave where he and the other DigiDestined were sleeping. It had been a full week since the near-disaster at Rainbow Valley, and it had been put right, with them also promising to come back and visit SaberLeomon and the other Digimon Elders once they had sorted the whole of Digi World out. Tai had been right in his decision of making Matt the temporary leader-the blond certainly did have a head on his shoulders. It was like they had traded places-Tai was now dark and miserable, while Matt was bright and cheery. Now Tai couldn't stop thinking of things he had done in the past. Another vision came to him.
"Agumon, come on, eat up! You're the only one that can Digivolve in case we need to fight Etemon! Come on Agumon, you can eat more than that!"
"Hey, Greymon! Come and get me!"
Tai closed his eyes as Greymon Digivolved to SkullGreymon in his mind. Why was I so foolish? Tai wondered to himself. I didn't know what I was doing. I should never had assumed I did.
Come on Yagami, that's all in the past! his better half was arguing. It's true that you didn't know what you were doing, but you paid for it and didn't make the same mistake twice.
Tai's eyes shot open again as more terrible thoughts took over his mind. Or did I?
"Aw come on Sora, what are you, the Queen of the Fun Police?"
Oh God, why did I ever say stuff like that. I nearly got us caught by Etemon's Gazimon patrol. Stupid, foolish, baka me.
Then Sora and Biyomon had been taken away by Datamon. It had been one of the worst days of Tai's life.
I should've had protected her. I should've seen what Datamon was about to do, and let Greymon battle Etemon alone. He was capable, and oh...
"Err!" said Tai aloud. "What's getting into me?"
"Sora, I'm sorry!" had cried Tai in anguish as the group had troubled over Sora's capture.
If I had protected her...if I had done something...God Yagami, do you love her?
Tai couldn't help but roll over onto his side, making Agumon grunt a bit as he gazed at the sleeping Sora, a slight, loving smile on his face. Sora was awfully nice and pretty...
Yagami, she's been on your soccer team for years, and you've known her since forever. You can't possibly be saying you love her, exclaimed one half of him in surprise.
Well, since I've known her for that long, why can't I just tell her I love her? argued his other half.
You know the answer, his other half replied smugly. It's because you're afraid that if you tell her you love her, she won't love you back, and even if she does your relationship will crumble because you've been friends for too long. And besides...what if somebody else has an eye for her?
Then Tai's view changed to look at Matt, standing guard at the fire with Gabumon. It could be possible that Matt liked Sora...
But then again, wouldn't have he said something already? pointed out his other half gallantly.
But you love her, and you haven't said anything either, it would be pretty easy for Ishida to pop the words to Sora soon, insisted his darker half.
I really don't think so, argued his better half, a little more firmly now. Matt would've said something...he would've told you leastwise, you're his best friend...
Tai couldn't help but smile. It seemed like the road to get to Sora was clear, and now that that was settled out...
"You're too intent on looking ahead that you never stop to look back! We've lost some good friends here Tai, and it's nice to remember them once in awhile!"
"If we stopped to do that all the time, the Dark Masters would surely destroy both worlds! We have to keep going!" More recent events had popped into Tai's head.
"Tai, we should stop, this death march is getting to everyone..."
"We're keeping going! Everyone, stop complaining and hurry up!"
God Yagami, stop thinking about that stuff! he scolded himself. Nobody holds it against you, and now Matt's the leader and we're all getting on fine!
Ah, said a nasty little voice in his brain, But of course you know that if had listened to everyone else in the first place, none of this would have happened, you know. You know it's all your fault, Yagami.
A tear trickled down Tai's cheek. He knew something was messing with him...his wits weren't this strong to lure him into thinking everything he had ever done was his fault..were they?
"Tai, what were you thinking? She's just a little girl, and she's SICK!" yelled Mrs. Yagami in agony as Kari was in the hospital, even more sick, thanks to Tai.
"Stop fooling around with me!" Tai yelled aloud. Both Matt and Gabumon's heads snapped around, and Matt's mouth formed a tiny 'o' of surprise. Agumon woke up as well. "What's wrong, Tai?"
"I need some fresh air!" Tai yelled hotly. "I'm going for a walk. Alone!" he snapped, glowering at his Digimon as he stormed out of the cave and into the woods.
"Tai, it's not safe!" Gabumon yelled after him. "Matt, do you think we should go after him?"
"No, Gabumon. I know what he's going through. Somebody-or something-is playing with his nerves. He'll probably be fine in the morning." Matt stared moodily into the fire, the flames reflecting his deep azure eyes.
Meanwhile, the other children and Digimon had awoken in the cave and were now buzzing with interest. "Matt, what's wrong with my brother?" Kari asked Matt fretfully.
"Nothing, Kari. Go back to sleep."
But no one could, now that Tai's fit of anger and confusion had woken them up. Matt and Gabumon went in to join them.
"I hope he'll be all right," said Sora softly. "I mean, I wouldn't want anything to happen to him."
"Sora," asked T.K., his eyes curious, "You don't like Tai, do you?"
"Um..." Sora began to blush.
"Finally! I won't be the only one that actually goes out with a guy in the group!" exclaimed Mimi. "Sora, you go!"
Everyone was congratulating Sora when Matt broke in. "Sora, I dare you to tell Tai how you feel about him when he comes back."
"Matt, I don't think..." Sora trailed off as she saw everyone look at her, grinning.
"Double dare," Matt said, upping the dare.
"Mmm," said Sora uncertainly.
"Triple," said Matt triumphantly. "No wait, I change the dare. I dare you to go find Tai and tell him. That's what you should do."
"I'm not sure," began Sora.
"Sora, I'll come with you," said Biyomon, a sly grin on her face. "Please? I'll go when you guys get mushy."
Sora glared at her Digimon, and sighed halfheartedly. "Oh, all right. But I'll get you back, Matt!"
Matt threw his hands up in the air, his 'No autographs, please', expression on his face. "Oh, threaten me with whatever you like, Sora. But you'll thank me afterward," he said, grinning crookedly.
"Hmph. C'mon, Biyomon." Along with her Digimon, Sora left the cave to find Tai.
* * *
"Tai, really. You're beating yourself up over a girl," Agumon told his Digipartner, a disgusted look on his face. "Why?"
"So, what's wrong with it?" Tai asked harshly. "Look Agumon, Digimon aren't programmed to know what love is. From what I've seen, anyway." Tai kept on walking, and Agumon had to double his strides to match the fourteen-year-old's.
"You've got a point," said Agumon thoughtfully. "I guess I just don't understand the concept."
"That's too true," Tai muttered sarcastically. Then he heard a voice that sounded like music to his ears. "Tai! Wait up!"
Tai swerved around, trying to keep his expression from becoming excited as he looked at Sora. "Hi, Sora! Why'd you come running after me?"
"Tai...I..." Sora looked at her feet, a blush on her face. Agumon and Biyomon had appropriately disappeared.
"Sora, why?" The suspense was just killing Tai. If there was the possibility Sora loved him...his eyes were filled with hurt and confusion, hope as well, but this was unknown to him.
"Tai-I-I've had some strong feelings for you ever since we came here, back when it was just the seven of us, and I, I think it might be more than friendship." Sora was wringing her hands. "I think it might be love."
Tai blinked momentarily, stunned for a moment. "Sora...what are you saying?"
"That-that I love you Tai." Sora leaned in and kissed his lips. Tai returned the favour, savouring the taste of her lips., his hands holding her head, her fingers digging into his hair. Slowly Tai opened his mouth and caressed Sora's lips with his tongue. She opened her mouth willingly, and his tongue slid inside, exploring her mouth as her tongue did the same to him. Too soon they had to come up for air, gasping. Tai's hair was falling over his eyes and Sora's was messily brushed to the side.
(PG13! NOT NC-17! NO HENTAI!!!)
"Whoa," said Tai, smiling at Sora, unable to find the right words. He tucked a strand of her auburn-chestnut hair behind her ear.
"I'll say," Sora murmured. She slipped her hand into Tai's grasp, and he held onto it tightly.
Suddenly Tai's blood ran cold. "Sora...all of a sudden, something doesn't se em right."
"I know what you mean," Sora agreed, nodding and looking at him with concern. "Where are the Digimon?"
"Agumon!" "Biyomon! Where are you?"
Suddenly the yellow dinosaur and pink-and-blue bird burst out of the trees, screaming and gasping. Something was chasing them, coming near from behind. All four heard a roar of anger, then triumph as it saw its prey.
"What is that thing?!" Tai asked in horror, sweat pouring down his face, shielding Sora with his body.
Agumon stopped, panting for breath. "It's a Cyclonemon!" he began.
"And when they're angry, all you can do is run!" chirped Biyomon shrilly. "So I advise you that's what we should do!"
The Cyclonemon wore a black metal clasp around its neck, not unlike the one Digimon Kaizer had put on all the good Digimon he had used in order to take control of the Digital World. The two teens and Digimon began to run for their lives, screaming their heads off.
From the cave, Matt's ears pricked. "What? I hear screaming!"
"It's Tai and Sora! And they're being chased by something!" T.K. exclaimed.
Suddenly Tai stopped running, and faced the beast, a look of unmistakable anger on his face. "It's time we stop running, and face him!" Tai's crest had began to glow.
"Hunh? What's going on?" Sora looked at her crest, glowing brightly. Biyomon suddenly began to glow with blue light. "Sora-I'm Digivolving!"
"Biyomon, Warp-Digivolve to...Phoenixmon!"
"Agumon, Warp-Digivolve to...WarGreymon!"
Sora stared up at the huge, flaming bird Digimon that was once her little Biyomon. "Phoenixmon..." she breathed.
"Star-Shine Explosion!" cawed the phoenix.
"Terra Force!" echoed WarGreymon, winding himself up.
Both attacks slammed into the Cyclonemon, which roared in pain. Then it disintegrated.
(Well, duh. Two Megas against a Champion. Poor thing didn't stand a chance! ;))
But things still didn't seem right. WarGreymon and Phoenixmon returned to their In-Training stages. Tai and Sora bent to pick them up when-
"Hahaha! Mortal fools! You will never overtake the power of Chaos! Hahaha!"
Suddenly, Sora was picked up off the ground. "Tai! Help me!"
"Sora!" Tai yelled, trying to reach out his hand out far enough.
But then, the girl and Digimon disappeared. "You've only seen the first part, DigiDoomed!" laughed the evil voice. "Hahahahaha!" Then everything was normal again. Tai stared at Koromon, his expression strickened. "Sora...she's gone."
A/N: Gripping, ne? Um...Biy Digivolved because of Sora's love for Tai, I 'spose...anywayz, this is to be concluded (this disappearing act) in part 4, which focuses on Sora. Ja ne!!! ~~Jane Ishida~~