That took me along time to make.... I dunno. It was a bridging chapter..... plus I was out of town for 10 days in the middle of it. Oh well.... we still don't know entirely what Tai is up to.... so read and find out.

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Sora ran into the house all of 15 minutes after Tai had left. She had a couple of bag's with her, and she went straight to her room. Her mom didn't ask, and continued to prepare supper.

"I dunno..... I need someone else's decision. I like them both... but which will Tai like better. I should get a guy's opinion...... but..... no. I'll ask mom... she will have to make the final choice. If she doesn't like one..... I can't wear it..." she thought, with a sigh. She threw the first one on, and walked out to see her mom. "Mom? What do you think of this?" She turned around for a second and turned back to the supper. Then, she did a double take. "Uh...Uhm......" She was speechless at the gown. Sora spun around, and showed off the whole gown. It was knee length, and a lovely Blue colour.... blue like a lake. Sora fit well into it, and didn't seem tight at all. The front of the gown went fairly high, to not show off any cleavage. It had a small part cut out, obviously to show off the navel, or belly-button, if you will. The back of the gown was low cut. It followed the line made by Sora's shoulder-blades perfectly, and made a nice "U" shape above the small of her spine. The bottom of the gown seemed to flow into itself as she spun, and looked frilly at the bottom. As her mother was about to comment, Sora held her hand out. "Wait mom, let me show you the other one..." she said, as she turned back towards her room.

"Oh god... that one was gorgeous. A little revealing at the back.... but I just loved it. Plus, it didn't show off any cleavage. That's always good. As much as I trust Tai.... I don't want people thinking my daughter is...... uhm.... that way" Sora's mom thought, as Sora quickly threw off the one dress and put the other on. She walked out and shrugged, and did a quick turn about.

This gown was almost to the floor, and was black as night, with white sparkles in it. It was obvious that this gown was a little tighter. It still fit Sora very well, but it accented her figure more than the previous one. Also, the front of the dress made a "V" cut, and showed off some cleavage. The back of the dress was similar to the other one, only the "U" was in the middle of her back.... thus the reason it accented her figure more. The bottom of the gown went to her ankles, and was very stiff. The bottom seemed to hardly move as she twirled around.

Sora shrugged, and inhaled. "OK mom.... now you can criticize!" said Sora, with a sarcastic tone. Her mother smirked, and turned around, to turn down the boiling pots. "Sora.... which one do you want to wear?" Sora's face changed into one of extreme surprise. "You mean, you like them both?" Sora's mother just laughed. "I may have a few details here and there about them.... but ultimately, I leave it to you" Sora wheeled around, and went back to her room. Meanwhile, Sora's mother rolled her eyes, and sighed. She finished the meal, and put it on the table. "SORA! Supper!" Sora ran out, in the clothes she was shopping in. She sat down, and began to eat. Her mother started up the conversation. "So.... which one did you chose?" she said, almost giddy. Sora laughed with her mouth full, and she sprayed a bit. "Oh god!" she said, embarrassed. Her mother just laughed, and grabbed some paper towel. Sora began to clean up the ... mess..... and her mother started back up. "What was so funny?" she said, inquisitively. Sora looked up at her, and finished the cleaning job. "Well... you almost sounded like Mimi there.... you seemed giddy..." she said, laughing. "I'm just wondering...." she replied. "Well..... I'm going with the Blue one. I love them both, but in that other one, I felt like Vanna White or something..... like I was on display...." she shrugged, and they finished their meal..... with an odd feeling of anticipation in the air.

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Tai walked into his house, fearing the worst. "Hi Tai!" he heard his mother call out. Tai sighed, as he felt strike one go across the plate. His mom was home... and dinner time meant the likely hood of a home made meal was high. She walked over and grabbed his jacket, before he threw it on the floor. "Tai, I want you to try something! I heard it was good.... try it!" Tai's eyes went wide. There went strike 2. He hadn't said anything yet, and his mom was already wanting him to try something. Tai closed his eyes, and tried hard not to smell, when she handed him a box. "These TV diners are supposed to be pretty good... try them!" Tai opened his eyes, and saw the TV diner. HOMERUN!!!!!

Tai gobbled down the TV dinner at record speed. He sauntered over to the living room, and turned on the TV. His mother peered in as Tai flipped through countless sports programs, and comedy sitcoms. She almost fell over when he stopped on a channel shoeing ball room dancing. She was even more amazed at the fact Tai was taking mental notes. She could tell when he did, because his lips moved, and he closed his eyes as he did it. She almost could have started laughing, as Tai had such a serious face as he watched. She was very intrigued, and walked into the living room, drying a plate. "So Tai.... why are you watching this?" Tai shrugged. "I dunno.... seems to speak to me. You know I dance badly... maybe I can learn something... heh." he said, with a stout laugh. His mother wondered exactly what his real motives were, but knew that if she were to ask, it would only bother Tai.... so she decided to leave him to his dance program. "Hmm.... it's not as hard as I thought. I mean, all he does is really sway to the general off-beat of the music... then switches to the beat with some flare of dance moves. Still.... to get this down in three days will not be easy. *sigh* And also trying to do this with mom and Kari in the house will be embarrassing.... almost too embarrassing." thought Tai, with the most angry sigh his mother ever heard. She took a peek out, and said "Tai? You alright?" Tai shrugged. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about the future..." She decided to leave it at that, and leave Tai to his thoughts.

Tai watched for another 20 minutes.... and was so bored, he decided to switch to a better program. He stopped at Seinfeld.... because he loved that show. He believed as well... that Sora and himself are alot like Jerry and Elaine. They have much caring for each other, but they always fight. Tai always chuckled at it. They never did breach the gap, like Sora and himself. Although, he also loved Kramer. So odd.... yet sometimes, makes the most sense out of all of them on the show. Thinking of Sora again, his mid re-adjusted to the task at hand, but of course, after the show was over.

Tai turned the TV off, and went to his room. He flopped onto the bed, and began to think to himself. "OK... we have Mimi.. and the music. What else should I do? Oh, and the dancing of course...but what for dinner? And what of mom?" Tai decided to figure out the one problem right away. He walked back out, and walked up to his mom. "Hey mom, what are you doing Sunday night?" She thought for a second, then her eyes beamed with intelligence.... meaning she remembered. "That is my first day of Grave-Yard work... I hope you'll be alright for supper....." Tai smiled, seeing the biggest problem is gone. "Uhm, yeah, I can manage mom. Just have a good day... I suppose actually, have a nice night at work" She laughed for a moment, and Tai swiftly returned to his room.

"Well, one problem gone. Of course, Kari might cause problems in the way of spying, but I don't know of a way to dump her off.... so I'll have to make due. Besides, she could" Tai's thoughts were broken with a knock at his door. "Yeah, it's open!" said Tai, non-caring. Kari walked in, and closed the door slowly. She had some goofy smile type look on her face. "Whatta you want?" said Tai, getting up. Kari ran over and gave him a little hug. Tai was rather surprised. "Uhm.. what was that for Kari?" Kari smiled, and sighed. "Oh, just because TK told me what happened today...." Tai should have guessed. TK always tells Kari everything. Tai sighed, and flopped back onto the bed, and Kari sat on the end. "What are you planning for supper?" said Kari, waving a hand in front of Tai's face. Tai grabbed the hand, and moved it out of the way of his ceiling fan. "I dunno yet... just thinking of it. And, where to put his stuff... so she can't see it's here. Supper actually isn't the biggest of my worries......" he said, with a shrug. Kari laughed, and Tai got up. "What's so funny?" Kari stopped, and saw that Tai was serious. "Heh.... well, the supper is very important. It leads the rest of the date to disaster or success. Believe me, I know...." said Kari, trailing off. Tai decided not to ask her what she meant about her knowing, but did take her advice as she walked out of the room. She laughed again, and with saying this, she left the room. "Tai.... you have a way with relationships. You are one of them lucky guys who gets it.... so with a little help here and there.... this will be a long time relationship. Don't be afraid to have some help, alright?" Tai nodded, and flopped back onto the bed.

"Supper eh? Well.... I wonder if I should order something in.... that way, I know I wouldn't give her food poisoning or anything. Then again, that is rather impersonal and you never know what you are really getting. They could spit in it for all I know.... and while I may not even know..... having that in the back of my mind will just make me lose my mind. I suppose then I'm just going to have to make it myself.... I hope I do everything right. Now.... just what should I make? I suppose I should make something expensive.... but then again, that would seem like I'm trying to buy her off. No..... I just don't know...." sighed Tai angrily. He continued to think of that night until the late hours of the night, when he smirked slightly. "Alright, I think I have it all figured out. Put the stuff in mom's room, either shovel off Kari with TK, or have her stick around, spying on me. Doesn't really matter, she wouldn't screw around with us. Now, about supper....." Tai stopped, and just smiled.

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Sora threw herself on her bed with such delight, it would seem as if she won the lottery. She smiled as she grabbed her dress and put it back on. "WOW SORA! YOU ARE SOOOOO HOT IN THAT!" she said, in a masculine voice. She just laughed. "I doubt Tai would say that... although, I'm SURE he'll be thinking that. I got all the right moves for this. But..... I don't think I'll be able to stay more than midnight.... mom will worry. Oh well..... 4 hours with Tai.... can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday night. And, with Monday off..... maybe I can coax mom to let me out for awhile longer. I hope Tai will like my present.... but I still need to wrap it......"

She pulled a photo-album from underneath her bed, and flipped through the pages. She stopped at one, a picture of Sora and Tai, both 9. Tai was kissing Sora on the cheek, for her birthday. She laughed, and pulled the picture out of the album. "And to think... that was our first kiss. Although, at the time, I wanted a new soccer ball.... he gave me that for a present.... although, I know it was just because he didn't have the money for the ball. He even apologized after it.... saying he really wanted to give me the ball. I didn't even care what he said.... I just got mad at him. I suppose a lot has changed since then. I'd be even more happy with just a kiss.... or, maybe a bit more..." she thought, chuckling. She flipped through a few more pages, until she found a picture of them in the dark of the night. She sighed, and began to reminisce.

******************************FLASHBACK******************************

Tai ran up behind Sora, and covered her eyes. "Can you guess who it is?" he said, coy smile on his face. Sora laughed, "Of course, it has to be Tai!" She turned around, and indeed, it was Tai. He laughed, and sat beside her. "I told ya I'd get here in time Sora!" he said, excitedly. She laughed. "Well, it would have been your loss if you missed the fire works...." she trailed off, looking at the sky. The night sky was lightened by a few twinkling stars, and a half crescent moon. It was a gorgeous night, for a 4th of July Celebration.

Sora and Tai both suddenly jerked their heads up as the first explosions were heard overhead. The sky turned a lovely orange, as it exploded into a star, and slowly glittered as it fell out of view. Sora and Tai smiled, as they heard another one shoot off.... and they waited for a moment, and giggled in delight as the thing exploded in a mix of blue and white, and slowly disappeared from view. Next came a series of fountain like fire-works, in all the colours of the rainbow. They were so beautiful, they seemed to dance between the stars, and clash with the moon! In awe, the two kids would not take their eyes away from the night sky.

As the lights cascaded downwards, and the fireworks began to slow, both squealed of how great the fireworks were. "Wow, that was GREAT!" shouted Tai, loud enough to wake the neighbours. Sora shouted back at him. "YEAH! They were so SPECIAL!" Tai laughed, and looked at Sora. "They aren't as special as you are Sora...." he said, totally straight and unwavering. It couldn't be seen, but she blushed. "Thanks Tai... I think you are too!" she said, the same unwavering voice. Tai put his arm around her. "Well.... that means we are supposed ta like, kiss or something, I think...." he said, scratching his head. Sora kinda backed away, and shook her head. "Well.... at least that's what mom and dad say is kissing is about. Showing to that person that you think they are special! I suppose we have to then...." he said, moving back to her. She wondered about it for a moment, and shrugged. "I don't really know.... but hey, I'm sure your mom and dad wouldn't lie about that... SURE!" she said, turning to Tai. As they inched closer to each other's lips, a flash blinded them. Sure enough, there was Sora's mother laughing, holding onto her camera. "MOM!!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Sora yelled angrily. Sora's mom just ran away, laughing. Tai and Sora both sighed, and looked up and watched the rest of the fireworks.

************************END FLASHBACK******************************

Sora chuckled to herself at the simple statement made by Tai. "To show someone that they are special......" she said, her head hitting the pillow. I wish it were that easy now. When your a child, everything is so black and white. Society changes all of that as soon as you are like 14 or 15. Now, you have to talk about sex, emotions, jealousy, other people butting in.... I just wish it would all leave us alone, and let us live in our quiet little shell. But that can't ever happen....... so it will be us who have to adapt to the pressure. She began to tire, and with a noiseless sigh, she feel asleep.



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AUTHOR'S NOTE : Sorry this took so long to make... for anyone who actually reads these. I hit some writers block, and school started, and the site has been off and on for almost the entire summer.... I'll try and get my chapters out a little faster.