Well, after much work here is the next part to my story. I hope that you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Some of you are hostile. I don't know if Tai or Matt or even Joe for that matter will end up with Sora. Actually, I do know. But I am not going to tell you. Figure it out, it's pretty obvious if you ask me. But, I can see it all in my mind. Well, enjoy.
The Elite
Chapter 5
The next morning found Sora at Mimi's home, pacing. Sora tended to do that a lot. As Sora paced she noticed all of the flowers from gentlemen that wanted to impress Mimi based on meeting her the previous night. It always made Sora laugh at how many suitors Mimi turned down a day. But she had her own problems today. She had two very serious suitors of her own, plus a man who she felt something for but apparently didn't return her regards. She continued to pace the room as Mimi came down the stairs.
"You're going to put a hole in my carpet, Sora!" Mimi said
Sora smiled and said, "How do you manage with all of these suitors?"
"I just imagine all of the gifts that I will be getting." Mimi replied. Sora smiled as she followed Mimi into the front parlor. She and Mimi were due to meet the others at the park in twenty minutes, and as always, Mimi was making Sora late. Not that Sora was ever on time anyway. As they stepped out the door Sora noticed a hackney and knew they were lucky it was there. They got in and Sora told the driver where they needed to go.
"I don't know what I would do with that many men calling on me at every second." Sora said.
"Sora, darling. None of them are serious. They all just want to call on my a little and then their attentions fall off. It's not like with you. You have men asking you to marry them right and left." Mimi said laughingly.
"I know and I don't understand it. I certainly don't encourage them." Sora sighed. It got quiet in the carriage and she glanced out the window. "Wait a minute, this isn't the right direction." She poked her head out the window. "Driver, we need to go to the park. The park is the other way." But the driver just ignored her.
Mimi said, "Maybe he knows another way around to the park. You have to admit that you still don't know all the ways there is in London."
"I guess your right." But as the drive continued Sora's doubts began to grow and she became really worried.
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The park was really beautiful this time of day, but one of the people in it was determined to ruin its beauty. "Where the hell are they? Mimi always makes her late, but not this late!" Tai yelled.
Kari, his sister, was at his arm. "Tai, I notices last night that things were strained between you and Sora. Did you have a fight?"
Tai frowned, "Yes, we did have a fight, not that it is any of your damn business." He glared at Matt as he said this, a glance that Kari didn't miss. "Sora and I aren't talking, but why would that affect her not being here now?"
Izzy put in, "Well that's it then. She's probably not coming to teach Tai a lesson."
Matt walked up to Tai and punched him in the face. "What did you do that for!" Tai said as he raised his fists to hit Matt in the face.
"Thanks a lot, Tai. This is quality time that I don't get to spend with her! You could have ruined my whole future." Matt ground out.
Kari noticed the fight that was brewing between the two friends. She glanced helplessly at TK and he nodded.
"Well, lets finish our ride and forget all about them for the time being. Come on Matt, Izzy, the last one to the bridge buys drinks for everyone." TK interceded just in time.
Kari smiled at her love and blew him a kiss as he rode off with his brother and their friend.
Then she turned her gaze on her own brother. "What is going on between you and Sora! You have known each other forever and never fought like this before. What on earth could make you be mad a Sora?"
Tai sighed in defeat because his sister wouldn't let it rest until he talked. He ran his fingers through his unruly hair and said, "That's just it, Kari. It's something more than that between me and Sora. I think that I feel something more for her than friendship."
Kari jumped up and hugged him, "Oh Tai, that's wonderful!" She kept hold of him as she added, "Of course TK is going to be mad. He keeps telling me that Matt and Sora are going to get married. But, I knew that you wouldn't let that happen. You care too much for Sora and..."
Tai interrupted her banter, "If Sora wants to marry Matt then let her have at it. I don't give a damn. Besides, I am never going to give up my life as it is now."
Kari stepped back and looked into her brothers face, "Oh Tai, you can't mean that. Are you willing to give up the best thing that could happen to you just because of your fear to change your life!"
Tai snapped, "Drop it Kari. Stay out of things that you don't understand."
Kari voiced, "Oh but I do understand. It's love. I love TK with all of my heart and living a life without him would be no life at all. He is my other half. I am not complete without him. And I know that you feel the same for Sora. Don't live without her, don't do that to yourself or to Sora." By this time Kari was in tears.
Tai looked at her for a minute and then turned away. " I said to drop it. You don't know how I feel or how she feels for that matter. I'm leaving and I want to go the rest of the day without hearing her name!" He jumped on his horse and left her standing there gaping.
He rode as fast and as hard as he could, trying to get Kari's words out of his mind. Did her really love Sora like Kari said that he did. And if he did love Sora like that, then could he let her go all for the sake of his masculine pride. He shook his head and decided to put her out of his mind for the time being. When he reached his home and the groomsman took his horse he was greeted by his butler.
"Sir, Lady Takenouchi is here for you." his butler said quickly.
Tai groaned and scowled, "Can I not go one damn day, or even an hour without hearing about or seeing Sora!"
His butler added, " Oh but sir, this is her mother."
Tai immediately stopped. Lady Takenouchi never came to visit him. "What the devil does she want?" Probably to berate me for being mean to Sora. So, she sent her mother to get mad at me. He was dreading this encounter and wondering why she was there when he entered the room.
Lady Takenouchi was on her feet the minute that he entered to room and crossed over to him, "Oh Tai, What am I going to do!"
Tai was instantly concerned, "What is the matter, Lady Takenouchi."
Much to his surprise he was answered with, "Sora is gone!"
His heart quickened, "What do you mean that she is gone!"
Her mother started to cry as she related the story, "Last night she told me that she was to meet you this morning and was going to be gone early. So when I awoke I didn't think that there was anything wrong with her already being gone. When I went downstairs I noticed a note on the parlor table. Here read it." She handed the note to Tai. It read:
Dear Mother,
I have some things to think about. So, I have decided to take a trip for awhile. Mimi is coming with me, so don't bother to find her and ask her what this is all about. If you really want to know, then ask Tai. I will write to you soon and tell you where I am .
Sora
Tai instantly recognized that Sora had not written this letter. He didn't voice his opinion so as not to alarm her mother. "Lady Takenouchi, I think that Sora is fine. We had a fight and I think that she is just blowing off some steam. The best thing that you can do is go home and rest and wait for her to write again. If it makes you feel any better, I will find her and make things right again."
She sighed and said, "Oh Tai, you've always been like a son to me. Thank you so much for doing this for me. Keep my Sora safe."
After twenty more minutes of making sure that Lady Takenouchi was of sound mind to return home, he sent her on her way. Then he turned to the task at hand. He read and reread the letter.
His heartbeat quickened more and more each time he read the letter. It was not like Sora to do something like this and she did not write this note. There was only one explanation for this, Sora had been kidnapped. His heart literally skipped a beat when it occurred to him. If they hurt one hair on her head!
But, who would want to kidnap Sora and make it seem like she had just up and decided to go on her own? Not someone wanting a ransom. Who did they know that would want to take his Sora? 'My Sora!' His heart was breaking. Where are you Sora? How can I find you? "Jeeves!" he yelled out
His butler was there in an instant, "Yes Lord Kamiya"
He had one hunch and was going to find out the truth right now. "I want you to send someone to Lord Joseph Kid's home and bring him to me, now!" Jeeves ran out of the room, not wanting to face his master's wrath.
Tai sat down in defeat and said to himself, "Oh Sora, Please be all right."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The carriage finally drew to a halt, hours later. Sora had no idea where they were. She leaned down and woke up the sleeping Mimi. "Mimi, we've stopped."
Mimi whimpered, "Where are we?"
Sora sighed, " I don't know." She knew that she was going to have to be the brave one in this if they were going to make it through.
Mimi started to cry, "Sora, are we going to be okay?"
Sora smiled at Mimi, "Of course. No matter what is going on, I will get us out of this predicament. Stick with me at all times." As she was saying this the door to the carriage opened and the driver gestured for them to follow him. Sora led and Mimi held onto Sora as they were brought before a huge house. "Wait, I recognize this house. This is..."
She was interrupted as the door to the mansion opened and out stepped a familiar figure. "Sora, Mimi. It is good to see you."
Sora was angry and went right up to the figure, "Sir Gennai, I demand to know why you have abducted us."
The elderly man sighed and said, "I apologize for taking you in the way I did, but you see it was necessary. By taking you, Lady Takenouchi, I ensured that they rest of your friends would come."
Sora bristled, "What do you mean to do with us?"
Sir Gennai smiled and said, "I promise that no harm will come to you. Please come inside and have some tea while I explain everything." They followed him inside and Sora knew that everything was about to change.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tai was seething with anger by this time. "What do you mean no one knows where he is! If he is the reason for Sora's disappearance then I will kill him." Tai was getting really agitated. Sora, his Sora was missing as well as her cousin. Now that man, that intolerable man, Lord Joseph Kido, was missing as well. 'Why did I fight with you, Sora? I should have been there to protect you. I'm sorry.' Then he yelled, not for the first time that evening, "Bring me my horse! I am going to Matt's!" He didn't know what he was going to do but he knew that his best friend would help him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
At this point Sora was really upset. "So you are telling me that you need eight of us to take care of this for you? But why us in particular?"
Gennai said, "Well, you see - Out of all the people in the ton you re the best representatives of eight character traits. Others are all too self-involved, out for themselves. Once everyone is here I will explain in more detail."
At that moment they heard a new voice in the hallway. "Where am I?" Sora and Mimi rushed into the hallway to see Joe being led into the house much the same way they had been. "Sora, Mimi! Where are we? I was kidnapped and so afraid." He was trembling and looked white as a sheet. Mimi went up to him.
Sora was concerned, "Well, it's complicated. Mimi lead Joe into the drawing room and explain to him what is going on. Sir Gennai...." But as she turned to ask him another question she noticed he was gone. With that she started to pace, wondering who else was to become part of this fiasco.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Matt opened the door to stop the pounding to see his best friend, Tai. "Tai, its the middle of the night, what are you doing here? If this is about today then I am sorry. I overreacted...."
Tai pushed past him, "Shut up, Sora has been kidnapped, and I think that it was Kido."
Matt shook his head, "What makes you think it was him. Why could he possibly want to kidnap Sora for. Was there a ransom? Who else could have done it?" As the two started to pace and try to figure out what was going on there was another knock at the door. "What is it with people and this late of an hour!" Matt said as he opened the door, again. "There's no one here." He looked again and a knife pinning something to the door. "Wait, there is something pinned with a knife to the door. It must be serious. Tai come and look at this!"
Tai pulled the knife out of the door and read the note, "If you ever want to see your Lady again then rendezvous at the following address at 8:00 in the morning." Tai then said, "This is the same handwriting on the note that was supposedly written by Sora."
Matt asked, "What note written by Sora."
Tai cut him off, "Lets go now, I will tell you the whole story on the way."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sora sighed, yet again. "TK, take her in there and calm her down." TK and Kari had just arrived, and Kari was in tears. "Izzy explain to them what is going on." She shut the door to the parlor that contained Izzy, Joe, Mimi, TK, and Kari as she heard Izzy's voice start the explanation that she had just given him not an hour ago. By now Sora had become agitated. Izzy had arrived an hour earlier, his curiosity piqued by the whole situation. She still didn't know how they got him here. Now TK and Kari had arrived. TK had told her that both he and Kari had received notes saying that their brothers were in trouble. Kari had become hysterical and gone to TK and they had set out together to save their brothers. Sora knew that the only two missing were probably going to be Tai and Matt.
A voice behind her startled her from her thoughts, " I knew that I had done the right thing by taking you first. You have kept this group from falling apart until their leader comes."
Sora turned to him, " I really wish that you would stop showing up and startling me and then leaving before I can ask you more questions. Besides, it is very late and we are all exhausted. Is there somewhere that we can all go to sleep."
He answered, "It has already been taken care of. You all have respective rooms waiting for you. But, I ask that you wait a little bit longer in the library. It is essential that you be here and awake when the last of the chosen arrive."
Sora had to smile, "I can't imagine what you did to get Matt and Tai here. Did you have to beat them over the head, because kidnapping wouldn't go too well with those two."
He smiled as he left her alone, "Let's just say that your involvement has helped quite nicely."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tai was once again pounding at a door, furiously. He was desperate to see her by this time, he knew she had to be here. He would kill the person responsible for taking his Sora. Matt was pacing behind him keyed up for a fight. The door opened and as they prepared to charge they were left agape. At the door stood Sir Gennai. "Sir Gennai, I don't understand. Were you taken too? Where is Sora?"
Gennai let them in and motioned for them to follow him, "Please follow me into the parlor."
Matt interrupted, "Is Sora in there? What the hell is going on?"
Gennai just kept walking, "All of your questions will be answered. Sora is perfectly find and as soon as I tell you what I have to say I will show her to you. She has been quite the little leader since she got here. I had to think of a reason to get you here. Please follow me." He led them into a room that had only hours before been full of their friends, unbeknownst to them. "Please sit. Tea, crumpets.
"No." Tai said. "I don't want anything, not even your explanation. I just want to see Sora." The two wouldn't sit down. They just hovered like predators about to strike their prey.
Gennai sighed and went to a door at the other side of the room. "My dear, I am afraid that these two won't calm down until they have seen you." He was followed by Sora into the room.
"Sora!" the two gasp and ran to her.
Tai was the first to her and took her in his arms. "My God, Sora. Are you all right? Are you hurt? I don't understand what is going on!" He had her held so tightly and as he said all of this it was muffled because it was said into the top of her head.
Sora laughed, "I am find Tai. I need to breath. Sir Gennai had a most odd way of getting us here. What did he tell you two?"
"Only that you were kidnapped and the only way that we would see you again was to come here." Matt said as he wrenched her from Tai's grasp and hugged her.
Sora pulled out of both of their reaches. "I can't believe you, Gennai. Even though that was true." She didn't notice the look that Tai was giving her. It was almost as if he were claiming her or something. It both frightened and excited her at the same time and she shivered at his gaze. "Well, Gennai, you better explain to them why they are here."
"I suppose that you are right. Please sit and let me explain." Gennai started. Tai took Sora by the arm and made her sit next to him. Matt, not missing the gesture, sat next to Tai on the other side of the chase. Sora just nodded towards Gennai. "You see it all started twenty years ago...."
A/N - There, this chapter is done. It took me forever and I have been so busy lately. I hoped that you liked it. I can't wait for the next part. Its already forming in my head. You know how some things write themselves? Well, this story is definitely doing just that. I had a dream about the opera and this story stemmed from that. Funny, huh? Well, please read and review.
The Elite
Chapter 5
The next morning found Sora at Mimi's home, pacing. Sora tended to do that a lot. As Sora paced she noticed all of the flowers from gentlemen that wanted to impress Mimi based on meeting her the previous night. It always made Sora laugh at how many suitors Mimi turned down a day. But she had her own problems today. She had two very serious suitors of her own, plus a man who she felt something for but apparently didn't return her regards. She continued to pace the room as Mimi came down the stairs.
"You're going to put a hole in my carpet, Sora!" Mimi said
Sora smiled and said, "How do you manage with all of these suitors?"
"I just imagine all of the gifts that I will be getting." Mimi replied. Sora smiled as she followed Mimi into the front parlor. She and Mimi were due to meet the others at the park in twenty minutes, and as always, Mimi was making Sora late. Not that Sora was ever on time anyway. As they stepped out the door Sora noticed a hackney and knew they were lucky it was there. They got in and Sora told the driver where they needed to go.
"I don't know what I would do with that many men calling on me at every second." Sora said.
"Sora, darling. None of them are serious. They all just want to call on my a little and then their attentions fall off. It's not like with you. You have men asking you to marry them right and left." Mimi said laughingly.
"I know and I don't understand it. I certainly don't encourage them." Sora sighed. It got quiet in the carriage and she glanced out the window. "Wait a minute, this isn't the right direction." She poked her head out the window. "Driver, we need to go to the park. The park is the other way." But the driver just ignored her.
Mimi said, "Maybe he knows another way around to the park. You have to admit that you still don't know all the ways there is in London."
"I guess your right." But as the drive continued Sora's doubts began to grow and she became really worried.
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The park was really beautiful this time of day, but one of the people in it was determined to ruin its beauty. "Where the hell are they? Mimi always makes her late, but not this late!" Tai yelled.
Kari, his sister, was at his arm. "Tai, I notices last night that things were strained between you and Sora. Did you have a fight?"
Tai frowned, "Yes, we did have a fight, not that it is any of your damn business." He glared at Matt as he said this, a glance that Kari didn't miss. "Sora and I aren't talking, but why would that affect her not being here now?"
Izzy put in, "Well that's it then. She's probably not coming to teach Tai a lesson."
Matt walked up to Tai and punched him in the face. "What did you do that for!" Tai said as he raised his fists to hit Matt in the face.
"Thanks a lot, Tai. This is quality time that I don't get to spend with her! You could have ruined my whole future." Matt ground out.
Kari noticed the fight that was brewing between the two friends. She glanced helplessly at TK and he nodded.
"Well, lets finish our ride and forget all about them for the time being. Come on Matt, Izzy, the last one to the bridge buys drinks for everyone." TK interceded just in time.
Kari smiled at her love and blew him a kiss as he rode off with his brother and their friend.
Then she turned her gaze on her own brother. "What is going on between you and Sora! You have known each other forever and never fought like this before. What on earth could make you be mad a Sora?"
Tai sighed in defeat because his sister wouldn't let it rest until he talked. He ran his fingers through his unruly hair and said, "That's just it, Kari. It's something more than that between me and Sora. I think that I feel something more for her than friendship."
Kari jumped up and hugged him, "Oh Tai, that's wonderful!" She kept hold of him as she added, "Of course TK is going to be mad. He keeps telling me that Matt and Sora are going to get married. But, I knew that you wouldn't let that happen. You care too much for Sora and..."
Tai interrupted her banter, "If Sora wants to marry Matt then let her have at it. I don't give a damn. Besides, I am never going to give up my life as it is now."
Kari stepped back and looked into her brothers face, "Oh Tai, you can't mean that. Are you willing to give up the best thing that could happen to you just because of your fear to change your life!"
Tai snapped, "Drop it Kari. Stay out of things that you don't understand."
Kari voiced, "Oh but I do understand. It's love. I love TK with all of my heart and living a life without him would be no life at all. He is my other half. I am not complete without him. And I know that you feel the same for Sora. Don't live without her, don't do that to yourself or to Sora." By this time Kari was in tears.
Tai looked at her for a minute and then turned away. " I said to drop it. You don't know how I feel or how she feels for that matter. I'm leaving and I want to go the rest of the day without hearing her name!" He jumped on his horse and left her standing there gaping.
He rode as fast and as hard as he could, trying to get Kari's words out of his mind. Did her really love Sora like Kari said that he did. And if he did love Sora like that, then could he let her go all for the sake of his masculine pride. He shook his head and decided to put her out of his mind for the time being. When he reached his home and the groomsman took his horse he was greeted by his butler.
"Sir, Lady Takenouchi is here for you." his butler said quickly.
Tai groaned and scowled, "Can I not go one damn day, or even an hour without hearing about or seeing Sora!"
His butler added, " Oh but sir, this is her mother."
Tai immediately stopped. Lady Takenouchi never came to visit him. "What the devil does she want?" Probably to berate me for being mean to Sora. So, she sent her mother to get mad at me. He was dreading this encounter and wondering why she was there when he entered the room.
Lady Takenouchi was on her feet the minute that he entered to room and crossed over to him, "Oh Tai, What am I going to do!"
Tai was instantly concerned, "What is the matter, Lady Takenouchi."
Much to his surprise he was answered with, "Sora is gone!"
His heart quickened, "What do you mean that she is gone!"
Her mother started to cry as she related the story, "Last night she told me that she was to meet you this morning and was going to be gone early. So when I awoke I didn't think that there was anything wrong with her already being gone. When I went downstairs I noticed a note on the parlor table. Here read it." She handed the note to Tai. It read:
Dear Mother,
I have some things to think about. So, I have decided to take a trip for awhile. Mimi is coming with me, so don't bother to find her and ask her what this is all about. If you really want to know, then ask Tai. I will write to you soon and tell you where I am .
Sora
Tai instantly recognized that Sora had not written this letter. He didn't voice his opinion so as not to alarm her mother. "Lady Takenouchi, I think that Sora is fine. We had a fight and I think that she is just blowing off some steam. The best thing that you can do is go home and rest and wait for her to write again. If it makes you feel any better, I will find her and make things right again."
She sighed and said, "Oh Tai, you've always been like a son to me. Thank you so much for doing this for me. Keep my Sora safe."
After twenty more minutes of making sure that Lady Takenouchi was of sound mind to return home, he sent her on her way. Then he turned to the task at hand. He read and reread the letter.
His heartbeat quickened more and more each time he read the letter. It was not like Sora to do something like this and she did not write this note. There was only one explanation for this, Sora had been kidnapped. His heart literally skipped a beat when it occurred to him. If they hurt one hair on her head!
But, who would want to kidnap Sora and make it seem like she had just up and decided to go on her own? Not someone wanting a ransom. Who did they know that would want to take his Sora? 'My Sora!' His heart was breaking. Where are you Sora? How can I find you? "Jeeves!" he yelled out
His butler was there in an instant, "Yes Lord Kamiya"
He had one hunch and was going to find out the truth right now. "I want you to send someone to Lord Joseph Kid's home and bring him to me, now!" Jeeves ran out of the room, not wanting to face his master's wrath.
Tai sat down in defeat and said to himself, "Oh Sora, Please be all right."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The carriage finally drew to a halt, hours later. Sora had no idea where they were. She leaned down and woke up the sleeping Mimi. "Mimi, we've stopped."
Mimi whimpered, "Where are we?"
Sora sighed, " I don't know." She knew that she was going to have to be the brave one in this if they were going to make it through.
Mimi started to cry, "Sora, are we going to be okay?"
Sora smiled at Mimi, "Of course. No matter what is going on, I will get us out of this predicament. Stick with me at all times." As she was saying this the door to the carriage opened and the driver gestured for them to follow him. Sora led and Mimi held onto Sora as they were brought before a huge house. "Wait, I recognize this house. This is..."
She was interrupted as the door to the mansion opened and out stepped a familiar figure. "Sora, Mimi. It is good to see you."
Sora was angry and went right up to the figure, "Sir Gennai, I demand to know why you have abducted us."
The elderly man sighed and said, "I apologize for taking you in the way I did, but you see it was necessary. By taking you, Lady Takenouchi, I ensured that they rest of your friends would come."
Sora bristled, "What do you mean to do with us?"
Sir Gennai smiled and said, "I promise that no harm will come to you. Please come inside and have some tea while I explain everything." They followed him inside and Sora knew that everything was about to change.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Tai was seething with anger by this time. "What do you mean no one knows where he is! If he is the reason for Sora's disappearance then I will kill him." Tai was getting really agitated. Sora, his Sora was missing as well as her cousin. Now that man, that intolerable man, Lord Joseph Kido, was missing as well. 'Why did I fight with you, Sora? I should have been there to protect you. I'm sorry.' Then he yelled, not for the first time that evening, "Bring me my horse! I am going to Matt's!" He didn't know what he was going to do but he knew that his best friend would help him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
At this point Sora was really upset. "So you are telling me that you need eight of us to take care of this for you? But why us in particular?"
Gennai said, "Well, you see - Out of all the people in the ton you re the best representatives of eight character traits. Others are all too self-involved, out for themselves. Once everyone is here I will explain in more detail."
At that moment they heard a new voice in the hallway. "Where am I?" Sora and Mimi rushed into the hallway to see Joe being led into the house much the same way they had been. "Sora, Mimi! Where are we? I was kidnapped and so afraid." He was trembling and looked white as a sheet. Mimi went up to him.
Sora was concerned, "Well, it's complicated. Mimi lead Joe into the drawing room and explain to him what is going on. Sir Gennai...." But as she turned to ask him another question she noticed he was gone. With that she started to pace, wondering who else was to become part of this fiasco.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Matt opened the door to stop the pounding to see his best friend, Tai. "Tai, its the middle of the night, what are you doing here? If this is about today then I am sorry. I overreacted...."
Tai pushed past him, "Shut up, Sora has been kidnapped, and I think that it was Kido."
Matt shook his head, "What makes you think it was him. Why could he possibly want to kidnap Sora for. Was there a ransom? Who else could have done it?" As the two started to pace and try to figure out what was going on there was another knock at the door. "What is it with people and this late of an hour!" Matt said as he opened the door, again. "There's no one here." He looked again and a knife pinning something to the door. "Wait, there is something pinned with a knife to the door. It must be serious. Tai come and look at this!"
Tai pulled the knife out of the door and read the note, "If you ever want to see your Lady again then rendezvous at the following address at 8:00 in the morning." Tai then said, "This is the same handwriting on the note that was supposedly written by Sora."
Matt asked, "What note written by Sora."
Tai cut him off, "Lets go now, I will tell you the whole story on the way."
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Sora sighed, yet again. "TK, take her in there and calm her down." TK and Kari had just arrived, and Kari was in tears. "Izzy explain to them what is going on." She shut the door to the parlor that contained Izzy, Joe, Mimi, TK, and Kari as she heard Izzy's voice start the explanation that she had just given him not an hour ago. By now Sora had become agitated. Izzy had arrived an hour earlier, his curiosity piqued by the whole situation. She still didn't know how they got him here. Now TK and Kari had arrived. TK had told her that both he and Kari had received notes saying that their brothers were in trouble. Kari had become hysterical and gone to TK and they had set out together to save their brothers. Sora knew that the only two missing were probably going to be Tai and Matt.
A voice behind her startled her from her thoughts, " I knew that I had done the right thing by taking you first. You have kept this group from falling apart until their leader comes."
Sora turned to him, " I really wish that you would stop showing up and startling me and then leaving before I can ask you more questions. Besides, it is very late and we are all exhausted. Is there somewhere that we can all go to sleep."
He answered, "It has already been taken care of. You all have respective rooms waiting for you. But, I ask that you wait a little bit longer in the library. It is essential that you be here and awake when the last of the chosen arrive."
Sora had to smile, "I can't imagine what you did to get Matt and Tai here. Did you have to beat them over the head, because kidnapping wouldn't go too well with those two."
He smiled as he left her alone, "Let's just say that your involvement has helped quite nicely."
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Tai was once again pounding at a door, furiously. He was desperate to see her by this time, he knew she had to be here. He would kill the person responsible for taking his Sora. Matt was pacing behind him keyed up for a fight. The door opened and as they prepared to charge they were left agape. At the door stood Sir Gennai. "Sir Gennai, I don't understand. Were you taken too? Where is Sora?"
Gennai let them in and motioned for them to follow him, "Please follow me into the parlor."
Matt interrupted, "Is Sora in there? What the hell is going on?"
Gennai just kept walking, "All of your questions will be answered. Sora is perfectly find and as soon as I tell you what I have to say I will show her to you. She has been quite the little leader since she got here. I had to think of a reason to get you here. Please follow me." He led them into a room that had only hours before been full of their friends, unbeknownst to them. "Please sit. Tea, crumpets.
"No." Tai said. "I don't want anything, not even your explanation. I just want to see Sora." The two wouldn't sit down. They just hovered like predators about to strike their prey.
Gennai sighed and went to a door at the other side of the room. "My dear, I am afraid that these two won't calm down until they have seen you." He was followed by Sora into the room.
"Sora!" the two gasp and ran to her.
Tai was the first to her and took her in his arms. "My God, Sora. Are you all right? Are you hurt? I don't understand what is going on!" He had her held so tightly and as he said all of this it was muffled because it was said into the top of her head.
Sora laughed, "I am find Tai. I need to breath. Sir Gennai had a most odd way of getting us here. What did he tell you two?"
"Only that you were kidnapped and the only way that we would see you again was to come here." Matt said as he wrenched her from Tai's grasp and hugged her.
Sora pulled out of both of their reaches. "I can't believe you, Gennai. Even though that was true." She didn't notice the look that Tai was giving her. It was almost as if he were claiming her or something. It both frightened and excited her at the same time and she shivered at his gaze. "Well, Gennai, you better explain to them why they are here."
"I suppose that you are right. Please sit and let me explain." Gennai started. Tai took Sora by the arm and made her sit next to him. Matt, not missing the gesture, sat next to Tai on the other side of the chase. Sora just nodded towards Gennai. "You see it all started twenty years ago...."
A/N - There, this chapter is done. It took me forever and I have been so busy lately. I hoped that you liked it. I can't wait for the next part. Its already forming in my head. You know how some things write themselves? Well, this story is definitely doing just that. I had a dream about the opera and this story stemmed from that. Funny, huh? Well, please read and review.