A/N:

So, I had wanted to finish this fic before I left. Since I leave in um, less than three weeks… that will not happen. However, I will continue with the updates while abroad. Maybe they will happen more frequently… um, let's just plan on the continuing of the regular schedule. That's a good goal.

Anyway, I'm glad people have been enjoying the fic so far. More drama ahead in this chapter! And a major turning point for several of the characters. All you Taiora lovers out there will be happy, well maybe not… you'll have to wait and see! So sit back and I'll begin the thrilling next installment of our Taiora story!

Tai awoke to a gentle shaking. Rolling over he tried to ignore the voice that was calling to him.

"Not now mom, I'm having a good dream."

"I'm sure you are, but now is not the time. And I am not your mother." The voice continued and so did the nudging.

Reluctantly, Tai opened his eyes to find an amused Tk poking him awake. Groaning he sat up and looked around. There was clattering coming from outside the old barracks where they had slept, telling Tai that he was the last one up.

Feeling a little frustrated with himself he got up quickly and began dressing back into his uniform. If he was going to ever feel like an equal to the rest of the team, he was going to have to get use to waking up early.

Like he had assumed, everyone was up and breakfast was cooking. Kari was serving up the meal while tolerating Vincent's stories. When she saw him following Tk, her smile greeted them.

"Morning sleepy head." She said as she handed him a plate of food.

"Sorry, I slept in. I guess I'm not use to getting up at..."

"0600 hours." Ken said as he walked past the group and over to where Sora was looking at several maps and mapping devices.

"Wow is that guy always pissy? Or is it just me?" Vincent hissed like a cat as he watched Ken walk by.

"Ken and Sora are serious about their work. They got some weird reading from Izzy's machine about some activity in a sector adjacent to our destination." Kari defended the two.

"I'm just saying that it wouldn't kill them to be social every once and a while." Vincent added as he finished his breakfast.

After the group had finished Sora began the second wave of the journey. Following her in a line formation through the brush they ventured on foot always being cautious.

Getting over the initial pain of marching for hours, Tai actually felt good as he got into the swing of things. He felt better seeing Tk, Vincent and Kari all tried as well. Looking ahead he once again was in awe of the woman at the front of the line. She didn't even look like she was sweating. Her steps were always in rhythm and she never stumbled. He couldn't help but watch her and follow.

His mind was focused on her and keeping up with the group, that when a break was called he nearly tripped over Kari when she stopped.

"Take a few minutes guys. I need to consult with Izzy's machine before we head any further." Sora's face told Tai that the excuse was a lie. She knew they needed a break. No one had spoken up because of sheer stubbornness he assumed.

"Thank you!" Tk huffed as he dropped to the ground and chugged water from his canteen. "I'm in good shape, but after that hike... I've never been this tired… well maybe since your near death march at the academy."

"Well, you were prepared then. I take it as a compliment." She smiled as she walked ahead a few meters.

"Sora, can you check and see if there is a water source nearby?" Kari asked shaking her canteen. Tai checked the contents of his own and found it rather low.

"There is one about fifty feet to the west. We've been following the river at a safe distance for some time now. Just be careful and go as a group."

"I'll come with you Kari." Tai said wanting to be helpful.

"Take Tk and Vincent with you then." The tone in Sora's voice was a harsh one. And in some ways it hurt Tai knowing that she still felt as if he was needing to be protected. On some level he knew she had a point, but it still didn't make him feel too good.

"Roger!" Tk said as he found some energy and jumped to his feet. "Let's go guys!"

"Guys! Over here!" Kari signaled the group as they found the area leading up to the river's shore. "I can't believe this!"

"What is it Kari?" Tk asked as he ran to catch up with her.

"Hot Springs!" She jumped up excited. "I can't believe that there's a hot spring here."

"A hot spring? I haven't been to one of those in ages." Tai added as he peered over the small ridge and looked at the bubbly waters. "Should we continue on to the river?"

"Tk we need to convince Sora we need to make camp here." The younger girl smiled up at her boyfriend.

"Kari, you know Sora. She probably will want to keep on going." Tk tried not to ruin her day.

"We can always ask." Tai commented as he looked over to the river. "Let's get our job done and then we'll talk with her."

The group nodded in agreement and collected some water.

Returning to the others Tk and Kari approached Sora as she sat up against a tree.

"Hey, Sora. We got the water." Kari smiled nudging Tk forward.

"We'll get lunch ready; you look like you need to take a break. So don't worry about a thing." Tk tried to broach the subject but first getting their leader into a good mood.

"Ok, what do you want?" Sora said as she opened one eye and looked at the group.

"We were actually wondering if we could stay here the night." Vincent came forward and told her straight up.

"We found this beautiful hot spring over close to the river. I haven't ever been to one. Sora, please please can we just stay the night." Kari pleaded.

Tai couldn't help but want to laugh as he noticed the slight smile on Sora's lips. For some reason he knew that she was going to cave. However, it seemed that she wanted to make her friends squirm for a bit before relenting.

"We could all use a relaxing swim. And it's safe here right? So why not give us tonight to get ready for another long trek tomorrow?" Tk added.

"We'll walk twice the distance tomorrow. No complaints this time." Vincent continued knowing Sora hated his whining during the day's hike so far.

"I am against this side track. Gennai's instructions did not mention a 'spa' day." Ken said coming up to the group and making his feelings known.

"But she did say that Tai needed to get away and find a peaceful spot to find himself." Kari stated on the defensive.

"And he's going to find himself in a hot spring?"

"I..."

Tai was expecting a fight would break out until Sora stood up. The group went silent waiting for her response.

"As long as we make up the time later, and there is no whining tomorrow. I don't suppose staying the night will do any harm to the mission." Kari instantly jumped and hugged Sora as Tk and Vincent smiled. "We will stake out the area before anyone steps foot in that spring."

"Yes Ma'am!" Tk and Vincent both saluted.

"Ken, go with them and scout the area around the river. Kari, Tai and I will prep camp in this general area."

"This is the life." Kari smiled as she sank into the warm waters of the spring in a pair of Tk's sorts and a tank top. The two younger men were already stripped down to their boxers and in the water.

"Come on in Tai!" Vincent yelled as Tai came up to the group.

"I was going to wait for Sora and Ken... but I think they are busy working on something."

"Ah, forget about them. It's your vacation of sorts. You deserve to relax a bit." Vincent commented looking over at Tk and Kari for their agreement.

"She'll more than likely come in once we all are done." Kari sighed as she wet a cloth and put it on her forehead. Tai realized he must have looked disappointed because Vincent gave him an unnerving smile.

"Does our savior have a crush on someone?" Tai looked at Vincent a little surprised. Trying to cover up his embarrassment, he quickly got into the spring and tried to ignore the other man.

"They say that no response is an automatic admission."

"Think what you want. I respect her as a truly interesting and powerful woman. I can't help but feel like a burden to her and it annoys me." Tai replied not looking at Vincent as he did.

"It's ok Tai, until this is all over, everyone is a burden to some degree. Life is full of them. We just need to be the best person we can be and try to minimize the dependence on others." Kari said as she put a hand on Tai's shoulder. "You're not a big burden. And I understand how you feel. I am always looking to Sora and Matt, even you Tk... I feel useless at times."

"But you're not. You're a nurse and you do a lot... what do I do at the moment?" Tai asked feeling a little depressed.

"That's what you need to find out. And you will." Kari smiled as she went over and hugged Tai. "I believe in you."

"Thanks." Tai replied.

"I don't know about you guys, but I've had enough hot spring for a while." Tk smiled as he climbed out of the pool. "Are you guys coming?"

"I suppose. Tomorrow is going to be hell isn't it? Sora's going to run us to death..." Vincent groaned as he too left the pool.

"I think I need some time to think." Tai said staying in as Kari was helped out by Tk.

"Ok, but don't stay in there too long." She waved as they left and returned.

Tai sat in the spring alone for a time staring off into the distance. Nothing really was crossing his mind; he just enjoyed the pleasure of the warm water and zoneing out for a time. A feminine voice came from behind and Tai tensed up a bit.

"Mind if I join you?" It was Sora. Turning around slowly Tai saw her standing at the edge of the pool. She was dressed in a pair of shorts and a sports bra top, waiting for his reply.

"S... sure. The more the merrier." He smiled.

"That does feel good." She sighed as she found a place to sit and let her body sink to her chin. "I would have to disagree with that statement of more being better."

"Why would you say that? Do you enjoy being alone?" Tai asked before he could think of what he was really saying. He looked over at her and feared that a slap for digging into personal matters would be coming his way. However a contemplative look took over Sora's face.

"No... but I see no choice in the matter. Like I said before I have a job to do."

"You also have a life to live. Don't you want to be happy? Don't you ever feel like you're missing something?"

"I don't think I can be happy." She admitted with a sigh.

"Have you tried? Have you ever done something because you wanted to and not because that's what people expect you to do?"

"I've never..." Sora stopped and looked at Tai. "But we're..."

"What good is fighting a war and sacrificing yourself totally to the cause when you don't know what you are truly fighting to save? Go ahead... you deserve to relax, do something unexpected."

"Unexpected?" He could see the thought running through her brain. Tai knew it was a long shot that she would actually break lose and relax. She was truly a stubborn woman, and logic would kick in sooner or later. She would tell him everything she had been telling him from the first time he kissed her. 'Can't because she needed to protect him, can't because she doesn't know for sure, can't because…'

All of these thoughts and more where suddenly cut off. He would have never guessed it would have happened... it was so unexpected that he thought he was dreaming. But no, there he was and there she was... kissing him.

Her lips were there... on his. Getting over the shock he pulled her closer and added to the kiss.

It was magical. He knew that she felt something. There was no denying it to himself anymore. Sora Takenouchi was the one. He wouldn't settle for anything thing or anyone but her.

The whole situation was perfect. There they were- alone. Dusk was taking over the sky and the feelings were there.

He had said do something unexpected... he certainly got that and more.

With her arms holding his head close, she let go of his lips. Staying close for a few moments longer she finally opened her eyes and Tai tried to put all the emotion he could into his own. He had so much to tell her... how much he wanted her, wanted her to be free of all this mess and live happily.

"I... I had better go to bed. It's been a long day." She smiled shyly. The blush on her face was evident, or maybe it was a flush from the temperature of the water- whatever it was, Tai thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

"You should come back as well." She added as she stood out of the pool pulling on an oversized shirt.

"In a second. Good night." He replied still in a haze. The grin on his face must have been funny looking because the light laugh she let out before she returned to camp.

For the first time in many years he was happy. Truly happy and he was not about to lose that feeling no matter what...

The next morning Tai was up and totally refreshed. To his surprise he wasn't the last sleeping. Looking around the campsite the usual two sleeping mats were already packed up. He imagined Sora and Ken were always the first to wake up. Quickly rolling his own up, Tai found Ken sitting near a fire drinking something that smelt like coffee.

"Morning." Tai said as he looked around to see if Sora was near. Not really getting any response from the other man Tai looked back at the others. It surprised him even more to see that Kari and Tk were the only ones still there sleeping.

"Where did Sora and Vincent go?" He asked finally getting the quiet man to look away from the map he was reading.

"Vincent was gone when I awoke. Sora has gone off to look for him." Ken stated matter of factly.

"How long has she been gone?"

"Not long enough to be concerned. I would have joined her, but she ordered me to stay and watch camp. She said she would return after finding our MIA comrade or 20 minutes of unsuccessful searching. She did not want to wake the others."

Tai looked a little worried. He wondered why Vincent would take off like that… 'Maybe he went back to the hot spring.' Tai thought as he looked over at Ken who seemed unemotional about the whole thing.

"Mind if I go to the stream and wash up?" Tai asked as he picked up a weapon. If he told the other man he was going to go and look for Sora, he would have been denied flat out. However, the stream wasn't too far away and Ken could easily get to him if something happened.

Looking like he wasn't thrilled with the idea of letting Tai out of his sight, Ken consented. Handing him a communicator and making sure Tai had a good weapon, the blue haired man nodded his approval.

Taking off in the direction of the river Tai wanted to check the hot spring area before wandering off.

After a few minutes of fruitless wandering, Tai was about to give up and head back to camp. That was until a rustling sound caught his attention. The sound of a weapon firing off in the distance made him stop in his tracks.

When the sound repeated again and a third time, Tai began to get worried. Knowing he couldn't just stand there, he had to do something. Grabbing his own weapon he ran over to the source of the commotion.

Not noticing his surroundings, Tai had to quickly dodge a fast moving TK or they would have collided on the way to the noise.

"Tai, what are you doing here?" Tk huffed as they continued to run side by side.

"I was looking for Sora... where is the noise coming from?" He replied not yet winded.

His question was quickly answered as they came to a small clearing. There near a retreating Vincent was a large creature. Tai had to blink twice before he could get a better look at the monster. The sounds coming out of its mouth told of a rage that Tai didn't want anything to do with...

"Vincent look out!" Tk screamed as the semi-visible creature suddenly and effortlessly picked up the soldier like a rag doll.

"Should I shoot?" Tai asked Tk who seemed to be frozen in place at the moment. "I can hardly see it... what if I hit Vincent?"

Tai was torn, he could hardly stand the screams that were coming from the wounded man and the monster, yet if he fired he was more likely to hit Vincent then the beast that was attacking.

As the monster continued to whip Vincent's now limp and bloody body around, Tai realized that once it was finished with Vincent, they were next. He was about to advise Tk to cut the losses and retreat when his heart suddenly stopped. There out of no where she came nearly flying into the clearing.

Tai watched as her small body caught onto the creature and began to attack with such ferocity Tai once again became afraid. This time he was afraid of Sora. Her whole body language told of a primal battle that she did not intend to lose.

The creature cried in pain as she managed to wound him from close quarter combat. For the first time Tai could see more than the outline of the beast. The red blood showed brilliantly against the gray outer shell of the creature that appeared to be standing on its hind legs but still hunched over like an ape.

Just as he was finding awe in the large creature's appearance, his heart began beating three times its normal speed. With a flick of the limb, Sora was sent sailing off of the creature's back. Tai could only watch as she hit the ground with a thud. For a moment he thought she was dead…

"Sora!" He called out to her. Without thinking he ran for her. Sliding on his knees and stopping so he was shielding her from the beast, he shook her till she opened her eyes.

"Tai?" She said in a groggy voice. "What... I..."

"Look out!" Tk's voice stopped all conversation and train of thought. The sharp edged limb of the now increasingly pissed off creature found a potential target to take its pain out on... Tai couldn't move anymore after twisting to see what Tk was yelling about.

Things went in slow motion, just like one of those movies. Tai couldn't more, he didn't have time to even think about doing anything other than blink and let his jaw drop open.

'So, this is it. Great. Just great... Well, I hope it's quick and painless.' He wished for as he closed his eyes waiting for the incoming strike to be over with and done. 'At least I can protect her for once. Good bye Sora…'

"SORA!" Came Tk's voice snapping Tai's eyes open. Suddenly a momentum hit him and his body rolled to the side. As soon as he figured out what happened, he turned and was forced to watch the claw like limb slice down on the woman who once again saved his life.

"SORA NO!" Tai cried as he heard her cry out as she was impaled above her hips. Seeing the blood was too much for him. He began to shake with a mix of fear and anger. Looking around him Tai searched desperately for a weapon of some kind. Anything... he would fight that thing with a stick if there was one in reach.

"Don't move Sora!" Tk cried out getting Tai's attention back to Sora. He could not believe what he was seeing. There on the ground, still painfully impaled with the creature's claw in her and she was not done fighting.

With a small gun, she was hitting the creature's underside causing it to almost roll up like an armadillo. Getting annoyed at the pain, it started to lash out once again. This time its second claw arm found a place embedded in her shoulder.

Tai jumped to his feet as she screamed out in pain once again. He had enough of just watching. He was going to fight with his bare hands to help her.

"No you don't." Ken came up from behind him. The quiet man grabbed Tai before he could get more than two steps closer.

"She's going to die! I've got to..."

"Not get yourself killed. I would advise you stop struggling and retreat." Ken said as his hold stayed strong against Tai's struggles.

"But she's..."

"You'll get in the way and only add another casualty to the mission."

"How can you be so cool at a time like this? She's going to die… I have to save her! LET ME GO NOW!" Tai screamed as he continued to fight against the other man.

"Get down!" Tk yelled as he came running for the two men. Both Tai and Ken were startled as Tk came barreling down on them, knocking them both to the ground.

"What?"

"She planted a bomb." Tk explained just as the explosion rocked the clearing.

When the smoke cleared the three men brushed the dirt off their clothes and quickly surveyed the scene. The creature was mangled but still twitching a few yards from where it originally stood. Ken quickly moved to finish off the barely alive creature with a few shots to its unprotected body.

The world around him shrunk into nothing as he found the still form of Sora lying in a large pool of blood.

He staggered to his feet, still a little shook up with everything happening so fast. He forced his weak limbs to move. He was at her side in mere seconds. Tai nearly cried for joy as he saw her moving. Her breathing was a bit shallow, but she had survived. Not knowing what to do, he moved to try and remove the large broken piece of claw out of her abdomen.

"No," she hissed. Her voice instantly stopped him from continuing to pull it out. "Leave it in… just leave it in…" Her face contorted with pain as she took his hand.

"Sora… why… oh my God…" Tai couldn't find words as he looked down on her. Wiping away the dirt and ash that covered her face, Tai began to cry. "Tk, get Kari! We need a doctor now!" he roared looking away from Sora for but a moment.

The younger man nodded and took off running, but none of that mattered to Tai. She would survive. He knew she would… she had to…

"Sora, we're getting Kari. She'll know what to do. Don't worry… God, why did you do it…" The tears came faster now as Sora began to cough and wheeze for breath.

"I did something unexpected again." She said softly opening her eyes. Tai was lost as the emotion in them did not radiate pain or fear. She was calm. Her eyes trying to forget the pain she was in… there was something there that made Tai's heart jump.

"No you didn't. You always save me. Even before we met face to face you were saving my ass. That was totally expected." He tried to smile through the tears, but it was becoming more and more difficult as time ticked on.

"But I had different reasons this time…" She smiled up at him moving her free hand to cup his cheek. Her smile made things worse. She had saved him for different reasons… 'She loves me.' His mind sent off little fireworks as his heart thudded in excitement.

"I'm glad I got to do something that made me feel alive… do me a favor will you?" She asked still fighting to keep breathing.

"You're not going to die. So don't you even think about any last requests." Tai said sternly. Looking up he wanted to scream for Kari to get her faster. If he could split himself in two, one half would be running to get her himself… the other would never leave Sora's side…

"Don't leave me alone… stay with me… I don't care about the consequences anymore. I don't want to die alone…"

"I told you," He began trying to keep his voice from shaking with fear, "You're not going to die here. You'll see." Tai took her hand and squeezed it lightly as he kissed her hand. "I'll make you happy Sora. And we'll do a lot of unexpected things. We'll win this war and we'll be able to live together in your parent's house. We'll have lots of kids, rebuild your clan and most importantly… be happy."

"I'd like that…" She whispered as she fought to keep her eyes from closing. "It wasn't cold out this morning…but now…" Sora continued to murmur little inconsistent phrases and words. Tai knew that she was trying to stay awake and so he did everything he could to help. Carefully he was able to move her so her head rested in his lap, trying to make her more comfortable.

"We're going to get you home. And when we get there, I'm going to make you my wife, ok?" He smiled as that got a reaction of out her. The smile that came across her lips was encouraging. "Ok?"

"Sure… I'd…" Before she could get any further in her train of thought her body heaved up as if by some reflex. Her eyes went wide as the pain came crashing back to her. Tai who had been applying pressure to her open wounds and around the claw still lodged in her waist became afraid as warm blood gushed uncontrollably once more.

"No, no! HELP! SOMEONE HELP! SORA!" He screamed as her body relaxed as if nothing had happened. "No… please… Sora… I love you."

"I love … you… too…" Tai could only watch as she coughed up blood and then let her body go lax.

"SORA!"

A/N: Damn, cliffhanger!

I told you this chapter would bring change… but how much change exactly will there be? You'll just have to wait and see. Will our fav couple have a chance at a life together? Or did I just commit the most unforgivable sin a taiora fan could do –no, the Other sin… she is clearly not with Matt- I killed her off! Or did I?

You'll have to review and entice me to write sooner rather than later!