Author's Note: This story is considered the next chapter/sequel/ending to my story "Abuse and Consequences". I originally wrote this story under the influence of System of a Down's song "Metro". So enjoy it, because you asked for it.

P.S. Don't blame me if this suffers from SSS. That stands for Shitty Sequel Syndrome.

P.S.S. Yes, it's a Taiora.

Why does it always rain for stuff like this thought Tai as he pulled the collar of his long coat up snugly around his neck as the drizzle hazed his view. He snuck a peek at his watch and then looked for the hundredth time at the letter. It was her writing, no doubt about it. Sora. The letter had been brief and to the point.

Dear Taichi,

I'm coming back to Odabaiya. If you want, meet me at the New Truck Line station on Tuesday. I'll be arriving on the four twenty-four train from Osaka on Platform 7. I really hope you will come.

Sora

That was all, no emotions, just straight facts. Tai had decided to come, after all, what else did he have to do? The Asian Soccer League season was over. And Tai, the greatest halfback the Japan Storm had ever seen, was completely free and clear for two straight months. He only wished it wasn't in the middle of the rainy season.

Four-twenty. Only four more minutes until they met. Why had they parted ways, all those life times ago? It had been right after he, Greymon, and Birdramon staged the greatest rescue ever. He and Agumon had returned to the Cody's restaurant to discover that Sora and her children were already gone.

[Flashback]

"Where is she?" demanded Tai as he flew into the main dining room where the other digidestined were gathered around a table.

"Tai," began T.K., but Kari interrupted him.

"Tai, I sent her off. I knew this was going to happen, and so I sent her and the kids to Osaka," explained Kari as Tai sat down.

"Son of a bitch," whispered Tai, "How could you know? Unless, you knew this was going on!"

"Tai, I wasn't sure. I wasn't able to confirm it until a few hours ago but I had had enough visions to know that something was wrong," said Kari defensively.

"And you didn't tell me! I only knew because Biyomon had heard Sora confess it you! You should have told me damn it!"

"Tai, hold up," said Joe as he put an arm on Tai's shoulder, "Think about this rationally for a second. Do you really think that it would have been better for her to stay here? From what Sora told us, this guy was trying to rape their five-year-old daughter! This was a sick fuck! There was no better alternative!"

"Tai, listen. I may be your little sister but I'm twenty-four years old. There was a call to make and I made it," said Kari as her voice began to lose the angry edge and came more compassionate, "I sent her to Osaka so she can start over. I know you care for Sora, so do the rest of us. But you can't do anything for her right now, she needs to heal herself."

"I know Kari, but still," said Tai as he closed his eyes and rested his head into his hands. Kari stood up and sat down next to her brother and wrapped him in her arms as tears dripped out from between his fingers.

"Here," said Cody as he put down a cup of hot coffee in front of Tai and patted him on the shoulder, "Drink this. It will make you feel better. I mixed in some brandy."

"Thanks, Cody," whispered Tai as he took a deep drink.

"Listen Tai," said Matt as he stood up, "I hate to say this, but you know what, you can't do anything! You may have helped more than you know by stopping this. All right? Get your act together man!"

"But Matt, she didn't want my help," said Tai, as tears began to well up in his eyes.

"Taichi, you are so going to thank me for this," said Kari as she leaned back and slapped him across the face. "See if that can clear your fucking head."

Tai sat there stunned momentarily as he put his hand over the imprint that Kari had left on his face. Finally he stood up and said, "You're right. Both of you. Thanks for clearing my head."


[End Flashback]

Four twenty-two. It was almost time for her to be here. He tried to think happy thoughts. He remembered the first time they had played soccer together. Sora's hair had been long then. He remembered that they were running and she was in front of him. For some reason, he reached out and grabbed the long braid that had been flopping on her shoulder. She had screamed and he had fallen on his butt in surprise. She had turned around and started yelling at him, calling him a yucky boy and a creep. Later though, they became good friends.


Had it really been only a year since she had left?

He remembered the first time he had realized his true feelings for Sora. It had been at their first dance. He had asked her to go and she had said yes. God, he yelled his vocal cords raw when she had told him that. He gave a small smile as he remembered how Sora looked when he picked her up. He had dressed in khaki pants with a black turtleneck. She had answered the door wearing a knee length sky blue dress along with sandals. He looked at her, and in her he saw everything he ever needed.

Four twenty-three. From far off he could hear it, the sound of the approaching train. He waited in anticipation, wanting ever more to turn and run. To never have to face the truth. He was still in love with Sora. It was the truth. Yet he still held his ground.

"Four-twenty-four from Osaka," announced the soulless voice over the loudspeaker. As the hoards of people struggled to leave the bullet train, Tai craned his neck, trying to find Sora. Just as he was beginning to wonder if he should go to the information desk and have her paged, a gloved hand slipped into his. Turning to his right, he found Sora standing there with a small smile on her face. It was the smile of a person who has been broken, but still has love and hope. Tai took in that smile for a second and then couldn't help but break into a grin.

"Hello Tai," said Sora quietly.

"Sora, you made it," said Tai. They stared at each other silently for a few moments before they both realized that the rain was beginning to come down harder. Turning hand in hand, they ran down the escalator like kids instead of near thirty-year-olds. Finally, they stopped and sat down in the station's coffee shop.

"Was the trip good?" asked Tai as they sat down at a small table with their cheap paper cups.

"Yes, it's so relaxing to see Japan's countryside in the rain. It reminds me of, well you know, the digital world," replied Sora.

"Yeah, I know," nodded Tai, as he sipped from his cup and looked into Sora's eyes.

"How are the kids?" asked Tai

"Physically? They're doing fine. Neither had any lasting marks. Akira started doing the soccer club at his elementary school. He has talent. When I told him I use to play with a member of the Japan Storm he practically begged me to teach him some moves. Sakura started school last month. She's enjoying herself, although she's struggling slightly with English," said Sora.

"Sora, why did you come back?" asked Tai as he finished up his drink.

"Can we talk about something else right now?" asked Sora.

"Yeah, why not," said Tai in a complying tone. The two stood up and exited the station and hopped onto Tai's motorcycle. They talked mostly of old times and religiously avoided the new. Tai drove them to his house, which he shared with Ken and Davis.

The house was very nice. It had four bedrooms, one for each of them plus a guest bedroom, as well as three bathrooms. Tai, Davis and Ken's moms had had a fun time decorating the place, mostly with odds and ends found in the rummage shops since the three were always a little short on cash. It was perfect since they were all members of the Storm. Davis was a forward while Ken had switched to goalie and together, the three of them made a formidable team both on and off the field.

"Nice place you have," complimented Sora as Tai pulled into the driveway.

"Thanks, I'll show you around," said Tai as he grabbed Sora's small duffel bag from the storage compartment. As they entered the house, they were met with the sound of silence.

"Guys, I'm back with Sora," yelled Tai as they entered the family room. Noticing a message on the phone, he played it.

{Hey Tai, it's Davis. Ken and I are going to his parents' place tonight for dinner. We're probably going to stay there. Call us if you want anything. See ya.}

"Looks like we have the place to ourselves," said Sora as she sat down on the couch.

"What would you like for dinner?" asked Tai, "We have rice with fish, fish with rice, or how about a delicious mixture of rice and fish."

"Have you guys ever heard of a supermarket?" asked Sora with a laugh as she went into the kitchen with him.

"What are you talking about?" asked Tai with a grin, "I just went grocery shopping last month."

"Well, at least I know that the sour cream is fresh," said Sora as she took a carton out.

"Um Sora, that's milk," admitted Tai.

"Eww, that's some nasty crap," yelped Sora as she dropped the carton.

"Come on, let's just go out," said Tai.

The two of them went outside and got back on Tai's cycle. Roaring off, they went to My Mother's Cooking. As they arrived, they found that the place was crowded, which was surprising considering it was a Tuesday. But when Cody peeked his head out and saw who it was, he scolded the hostess and had them taken to a private table. He himself played waiter, as he took their orders with a smile and kept them supplied with whatever they needed.

Tai and Sora had a nice meal. The evening passed with small talk. Mostly about Tai's soccer season and Sora's new job as a secretary. Tai though, was careful not to touch on the subjects he really wanted to talk about: why she had come back.

As the dinner ended, Tai asked for the check and was startled when Cody presented him with a bill for 1 yen. Cody was more than willing to give it to them for free, but he knew that Tai's pride would get in the way so he had put the 1 yen in there as a joke.

After Tai and Sora got back to his place, they sat down, Tai in an overstuffed chair, and Sora curled up on the couch with her bare feet tucked under her body.

"I've got some news about Toshio," said Tai as he probed her face for emotions, "He stuck a gun into his mouth and pulled the trigger last month. They didn't know who to contact and so he's buried in the State's cemetery."

"Good. If I didn't have a little bit of self-control I'd probably go piss on his grave," said Sora sharply.

"Sora, I know I'm being sort of straight on about this but, why did you come back?" said Tai suddenly.

"Tai, I've been thinking a lot lately. I looked back at the last eight years of my life and realized that I wasted them. What did I get except an asshole for a husband and my soul crushed. If it wasn't for Akira and Sakura, I probably would have blown off my own head. So what am I suppose to do now?"

"Move in with me and the guys?" suggested Tai.

"Fuck you Taichi," burst out Sora suddenly, "Fuck you for loving me so much! What did I do to deserve this? Really! I have done nothing but turned my back on you and your feelings for me and my feelings for you! And for what! A loser husband and a fucked up life where I'm surviving because of friends who I shunned? How the hell can you love me so fucking much!"

Sora dropped her heads as she began to cry, her body shuddering. She sniffled as the warm salty tears ran down her face and into her mouth. Tai sat stunned at this outburst and was completely transfixed for a second. Finally regaining his senses he stood up, walked over to Sora, sat down, and gathered her into his arms. She rested her head against his chest and he silently stroked her hair reassuringly.

"Sora, I love you simply for reasons I cannot explain," whispered Tai into Sora's ear, "To me, it is not a matter of why, but rather how I show my love for you. I have always wanted you to have the best life you could possibly have, and for the longest time I had wanted to be part of it. Now though, I realize that if you don't want me as part of it, I won't stop you, but I still will always be there to help you."

"Fuck you, Tai," sobbed Sora, "Why? How can you love such a failure like me."

"Because love blinds me," replied Tai.

"I love you too," whispered Sora as she realized the truth. She really did love Tai. All those years ago, she had run away because she had been afraid of her realization that she loved him too. What could she possibly do to make it right?

Suddenly Tai's lips touched hers. She closed her eyes and allowed his sweet warm lips to caress hers gently. In that kiss she felt his love and passion for her, and from her own body, all the love she had suppressed for him exploded like a volcano. Their hands began to roam over each others bodies, feeling the passion in each other.

Tai stood up as Sora straddled his waist, wrapping her long legs around his stomach. Tai supported her by her thighs, as they continued kissing. Walking over to his room he threw her onto the bed as he began to strip. On the bed, Sora too was stripping, and as she finally threw off her panties she yelled,
"Damn it Tai, hurry."

Tai was more than willing to oblige, but at least managed to kick the door shut before joining Sora on the bed.

[Author's note: In order to keep my R rating, I am censoring the whole love making scene. So all you perverts who are getting pissed right now, I'm sorry]

"Sora, what is it?" asked Tai as he awoke in his bed. Sora was standing at the foot of his bed dressed in his soccer jersey and her lace panties. Even in the dark, she looked gorgeous.

"Tai, I have to leave," said Sora as she sat down next to him as he sat up in bed.

"What? Why?" asked a stunned Tai as he flipped on the light and blinked.

"Because, well, I don't think our relationship will work out. Look at us, we're twenty-nine years old. Yes, the sex was great, I'm never going to deny that," said Sora as a grin appeared on her face, "But look, how do we know we're really meant for each other?"

"Sora, just because you haven't met a guy with the words 'Sora's true love' stamped on his head doesn't mean that you haven't found him. I've known for a long time that I've really loved you. I think you know this too, you just don't want to admit it."

"Tai, how do you know so much about me?" asked Sora.

"Hey, if there's one thing I've learned, it's how to read your face," said Tai with a gentle laugh, "Come on, I'm being serious, why don't you and the kids come move in here? You can sleep here, the kid's will have the guest bedroom, and I'll crash in either Davis or Ken's room. It will work."

"Tai, I don't want you misplaced because of me," began Sora but Tai held up a hand to stop her.

"The way I see it, it will be temporary. Unless I can share the bed with you."

"Well in that case," said Sora with a laugh. She leaned over and pecked Tai on the cheek, "But what about a job?"

"You know, I heard that Joe needs a receptionist at his office, maybe you could become his secretary there," suggested Tai.

"You've waited for this day haven't you?" asked Sora playfully.

"No, I just keep my ears open," said Tai as he pulled her into his embrace.

"One more go?" said Sora.

"Thought you'd never ask," replied Tai.


















The End