*Disclaimer: Digimon doesn't belong to me. Taichi, Yamato, Sora and Mimi don't belong to me. So leave me alone! Ugh, I'm getting tired of writing these disclaimers. T_T
Feathers in the Sky
By: RaspberryGirl
The following night, when Yamato came again, Sora could hardly control her excitement. Her handmaidens were also restless with newfound hope.
"I know the cure to the spell!" Sora burst out as soon as Yamato reached her side.
Yamato's eyes widened. "You do? How?"
"It doesn't matter," Sora said. "But what does matter is that I've found something to believe in, a future to hope for after these last two years!" She laughed; something she had not done in a long time.
"I'm happy for you," Yamato said sincerely. And to Sora's surprise, he caught her in his arms and whirled her around. When he set her down, she was blushing.
"Now," said Yamato, "what is the cure?"
Sora flushed even more. When she spoke, her voice wavered, "Some-someone must ask for my hand in marriage out of true love. And when I am wed to that person, the spell shall be broken."
Yamato was silent for a moment. "Is that all?"
Sora nodded.
After another pause, he said, "Then I shall be the one to ask for your hand."
"Oh!" Sora was taken aback. "Yamato, y-you don't have to. This is something serious. I—I don't want you to feel forced to do it out of—of kindness."
"No," Yamato said slowly. "I'm not doing this out of sympathy. I'm doing this because"—he glanced at Sora—"I care about you."
Sora only stared. What did he mean?
"I love you, Sora."
Sora held down a startled cry. "But—but you've only known me for three days!"
The prince laughed. "And I care deeply for you already. It's the truth, Sora." Yamato studied the princess's face. "Don't you want it to be this way? Perhaps…perhaps I was right. You still have feelings for that magician."
Sora bit her lip.
"You don't love me, do you?"
"I—I…" Sora couldn't make her mind think. Did she care for—perhaps even love—Yamato? Or was he right in saying that she still had traces of her old feelings for Taichi? "I do care for you," Sora said finally.
"Then marry me!" Yamato said eagerly. His face brightened. "If we wed, you'll have your freedom and my love as well. Be my Queen, and we shall rule Takenouchi together."
Sora looked up into those steady blue eyes. "All right," she whispered.
Yamato broke into a smile. "In four days, my mother and father plan to throw a ball for me, in hopes that I'll find a bride. I haven't told them about you yet," he added quickly. "Knowing my parents, they'd probably think you were some apparition or evil spirit. They would've kept me away from the lake." Yamato took Sora's hand. "The ball would be the perfect place for me to declare my love and ask for your hand in marriage."
"But how would I get to the new Takenouchi castle?" Sora interrupted. "I have no horse, and walking would probably take days. I'd turn back into a swan before even getting halfway to the castle. Or worse."
Yamato looked thoughtful. "I'll send my most trusted servant to fetch you then," he said. "At midnight. You'll be a little late for the ball, of course, but that can't be helped."
All of a sudden, Sora felt a twinge in her chest. The lake called to her and she knew her human hours were waning.
"In four days, Sora," Yamato whispered. Quickly, he slipped a ring from his finger onto hers. "Four days, and you shall be free."
Sora nodded, the ring giving her reassurance. The band was still warm from Yamato's hand. Gently, Sora freed herself from Yamato's grasp and retreated to the lake with her handmaidens. Yamato waited until they had transformed into swans before taking leave of Swan Lake.
* * *
Mimi sat on her bed, a small red book in her hands. She was in a good mood. She'd tended to Sora and her companions earlier in the night, then hid among the trees as she made to leave, waiting for Sora's princeling to turn up. Mimi had not been disappointed when Yamato showed up a short while later. Mimi had heard their entire conversation, and the reason she was content was because she'd heard that foolish young man propose to Sora.
Just as Mimi planned.
Four days, she thought, and you shall be gone from my life, Sora. And Taichi's too.
Feeling very giddy, Mimi glanced at the red book in her hands. It was small, barely bigger than her palm. The red leather cover was old and worn, and bronze clasps at the side held it closed. A silver seal, resembling a circle of ash trees, was stamped onto the cover.
Mimi flipped open the book and looked at the familiar first page. The ancient markings seemed to mock her. Over many months of hard work, Mimi had managed to decipher some of the words. She read aloud, "Open not…this book of red…or with your life you shall pay. If you dare to go beyond…the ring of ashes will be your grave—"
Mimi slammed the book shut. She always got a sinking feeling after she read this, so she had never bothered to finish. She knew what it said by heart anyway. The book was clearly warning her that if she went beyond the first page, the warding spell would kill her. And Mimi didn't want to die.
Stupid spell, Mimi thought. But it made sense that it was there. After all, it was Allemar's personal journal.
Setting the book aside, Mimi blew out the candle and climbed into bed. Taichi had found the journal about five months ago and only after a month of trying to figure it out he'd given up and had cast it aside. Mimi had taken an interest in it though. She knew Taichi wanted to know what was written in the journal. He believed the pages held bits of information about his clouded past. It was obvious, no matter how much he tried to hide it, that his past meant a lot to him. Mimi had always felt there was something missing from Allemar's story of finding Taichi in the woods. She wasn't sure she believed it. If Mimi could only read Allemar's journal…
But I can't even get beyond the first page, she thought angrily, throwing it aside.
But one of these days, she would get past the spell, and reveal all of Allemar's secrets. And Taichi would be forever grateful.
__________
During the next four days, Sora began to notice things about Taichi she'd never paid much attention to before. Little things, such as lines on his face and slight bags under his eyes.
It's just my conscience exaggerating things, Sora told herself. Now is not the time to feel sorry for him. Not while you're so close to breaking the spell.
Finally, the fourth day came. Taichi came with Mimi earlier than usual that night. The two didn't stay long. Sora breathed a sigh of relief as they disappeared into the trees. After she was sure Taichi and Mimi had gone, Sora began looking for any signs of Yamato's servant.
* * *
The reason Taichi had Mimi come was because he was not feeling well. As the two walked back to the cottage in the ash clearing, the young magician had to lean on Mimi for support.
"Are you all right?" Mimi asked worriedly.
"Fine," Taichi said, a little breathlessly. "Just experiencing the after effects of the warding spell I cast."
Around seven nights had passed since he cast it. Mimi didn't know the effects would drag out this long. And speaking of the spell how did that young man, the one called Yamato…He must've still been by the lake when Taichi cast the charm, Mimi decided. So the wards don't work on him.
All for the better.
"It'll be her birthday soon," said Taichi suddenly.
"What?"
"Her," Taichi mumbled. He sounded half-asleep. "Sora."
Mimi was startled at his talkativeness. A searing sensation of jealousy welled up in her chest. "I see." She had never seen Taichi this way. Taking advantage of the situation, Mimi asked, "Do you still like Sora?"
Taichi blinked then gave a sluggish shrug. "I don't know."
This answer was very disheartening to Mimi. But at least it was better than a "Yes."
"Maybe I'll do something for her on that day," he continued groggily.
Mimi stared at Taichi. Since when had he cared for these things? He'd always been so cold, so distant. But…maybe he'd always cared. He'd just never let it show. Or perhaps what Taichi hid was himself.
Just then, the young magician groaned and stumbled, nearly taking Mimi down with him. "We're almost at the cottage," Mimi said as she hauled him up. She tried to sound comforting.
"Can't…" Taichi mumbled. "Too tired…"
And then he fainted.
* * *
Sora was getting worried. There was still no sign of Yamato's servant. What was taking him so long? After waiting for what seemed a very long time, the princess told her handmaidens, "Wait here while I go and look for Yamato's servant. Don't worry. If I don't come back it would most likely mean I found him and left for the castle. Miyako, make sure the others don't stray." Sora motioned for Miyako to come to her. When the girl reached the princess, Sora leaned forward and whispered, "If Taichi or Mimi come back, distract them. Make sure they don't know I'm gone."
Miyako nodded. "Good luck, Princess."
"Yes," Sora agreed. "Good luck to us all."
With a last look at her companions, Sora entered the forest.
* * *
Mimi paced at Taichi's bedside, stopping once in a while to stare down at his sleeping face, tears threatening to overflow. The things he'd said before he'd fainted were sincere—she was sure of it. Mimi's guilt was almost overwhelming. How would he react when he found Sora gone the next night?
Mimi fiddled with her hair. A moan escaped Taichi's lips.
I must tell him.
Seizing the young magician by the shoulders, Mimi cried, "Taichi! Taichi!"
Taichi only mumbled something in his sleep.
"Sora's gone, Taichi!" Mimi wailed. "Wake up!"
That seemed to get Taichi's attention. He bolted upright, blinking the last traces of slumber from his eyes. "What?"
"Sora left," Mimi whispered, suddenly afraid. "She figured out the cure and the new Takenouchi prince from Ishida has offered to marry her. She's probably on her way to the castle right now."
"She figured out the cure?" Taichi cried. "How?" His eyes narrowed on Mimi. The girl backed away. "You had something to do with it, didn't you?" he said quietly. His voice was back to normal, reserved and unfeeling.
Sobbing, words began to tumble from Mimi's mouth and before she knew it, she had told him everything.
"Come with me," Taichi said brusquely after Mimi had finished. "Since you were the one who started this mess, you're going to help me fix it." Seizing her by the wrist, he dragged her out of the cottage.
* * *
After a careful search, Sora finally found Yamato's servant.
When the man saw her at first, he backed away in fear, but then realized who she was. He began to stammer. "Y-you're Princess S-sora…the—the one Prince Yamato told me about. I'm sorry, Your H-highness, but my horse and I must have gotten lost b-because I couldn't find the lake and—and when I thought I was close…there seemed t-to be some sort of wall b-blocking me from—"
"It's all right," Sora said quickly and urgently. "Take me to the castle, before time runs out."
The servant nodded and swung Sora onto the horse behind him. Urging the steed into a speedy gallop, they rode away in the direction of the royal castle.
* * *
Using his magic, Taichi transported both Mimi and himself to the new Takenouchi castle in a matter of seconds.
Mimi, who had been instructed to hold onto Taichi, let go when she saw the beautiful castle before her. The world spun and she wobbled dizzily.
"This way," Taichi hissed sharply, then grabbed the girl and took her to a heavily shadowed part of the castle.
"What now, Taichi?" Mimi asked in a small voice.
"Be silent and stand still," Taichi snapped. He looked Mimi over. "Maybe you'll be of some use after all." Taichi took a step back. "I want you to pretend you look like Sora. Imagine you had her hair, her eyes, her face." Taichi set his hands upon Mimi's shoulders. "Now close your eyes and do it." It was not a request, but a command.
Mimi obeyed. She thought her hardest. She remembered Sora's features to the last detail and wished them upon herself. Finally, Taichi's voice told her to open her eyes. When she did, she could see a wisp of a harsh smile on the young magician's face. "It's nice to see you…Princess."
"What?" Mimi looked around. Was Sora here?
"You're a fool, Mimi," Taichi sneered. "Don't you understand? I want you to be 'Sora' for tonight. Enter the castle and get the prince's attention. Dance with him, talk to him, do whatever you want—just remember that you're Sora. After all, our scheming princess can't be freed of the spell if her Prince Charming proposes to the wrong girl. And when the real Sora does arrive and sees the prince with you, she'll think he betrayed her and run off." Taichi gave Mimi a push. "Now go."
Nervously, Mimi found her way to the castle ballroom. As she passed a wall of mirrors in one of the halls, she gasped when she saw her reflection. The face of Sora stared back at her. She was in a long, trailing black dress with a low-cut front and flowing sleeves. Mimi swallowed. She couldn't let Taichi down.
As soon as she entered the ballroom, the prince rushed to her.
"Sora!" he cried. "You're here!"
"Yes," Mimi responded. She held back a sigh of relief when she realized her voice sounded exactly like Sora's.
"A dance then, Princess?" The prince asked with a gracious smile. "I don't want to be too hasty with my proposal."
"A dance would be wonderful," Mimi answered and the prince led her onto the dance floor.
* * *
Sora's heart pounded as the horse reached the castle. It was magnificent, with spiraling towers and sweeping archways.
"You must hurry, Your Highness," the serving man warned. "The prince was expecting you quite a while ago, and he must be worried out of his wits by now."
Sora thanked the servant before hurrying into the castle.
Thanks to the serving man's directions, the princess was able to locate the ballroom quickly. She was slightly embarrassed at having attended the ball in nothing but a ragged white gown that only reached to her shins, a worn neckline and shredded sleeves. Her arms and legs felt naked and she was also barefoot.
Sora stepped into the ballroom, and it was much to her surprise when she saw the throng of people part in half. In the middle of the room, a young man was on one knee in front of a slim girl. Sora gasped when she realized the young man was Yamato and that the girl was…
Her.
Sora blinked twice. Was she seeing things? No, it really was her. Or someone who greatly resembled her anyway. And what was Yamato doing? Was he proposing to that girl?
"Yamato!" Sora cried. How could he? Had he forgotten his promise so quickly? Was his heart so fickle that his feelings could turn to another girl in just one night? Boiling inside with rage and hurt, Sora took Yamato's ring from her finger and threw it in his direction. Then, whirling about, she fled down the halls, the tears blurring her sight.
