Disclaimer: *BEEP* Hi, this is Whose Liner. I don't own Digimon and I
can't come to the computer right now, but you leave a review at the sound
of the beep (or when you finish reading this chapter), I'll try to get back
to you as soon as I can. Thanks! *BEEP*
Warning: This is the second to last chapter!
LIKE, IN THE LAST CHAPTER (OR SOMETHIN' LIKE THAT…)
Sora finally confessed her true feelings to Tai, and he wasn't sure how to go about it. But just as they were about to make up with each other (privately in the Digital World) the rocky cliff under Tai's feet gave way, and he fell! Umm…that's about it! So, like…read on, I guess.
From Courage To Love - Chapter 12
Sora would've screwed her eyes shut, if she could. She could not believe this was happening. She thought she'd finally made up with Tai, but here he was (…er, wasn't?) falling off a very high mountain. Never before had she felt so useless, so vulnerable, as did Tai. Speaking of him…
Tai did his best to brace for impact, but it would serve little purpose, since he would be dead long before reaching bottom. Suddenly, his mind snapped open like a Venus Fly Trap (or, whatever they're called). This couldn't be the end! It just couldn't! Tai was a Digidestined! And Digidestined never say "die"! (Bet they never spell "Schwarzenegger" correctly, either.)
Tai wasn't at all sure why he did what he did, but he did…it did…didn't he…urgh…
Tai didn't know what came over him, but he yelled…
"HELP!!!!!"
Nothing. No response from anything. This WAS the end.
Tai felt his mind turning into jelly, and his consciousness turning off…
Sora on top of the cliff, closed her eyes tightly, and cried harder than ever.
The two off them both quietly prepared to mentally whisper to each other those little words that held big meaning-
"MARCHING FISHES!!!"
"Huh?!?" Tai wondered, but his senses came to a halt, as he felt a somewhat slippery surface stop his fall.
Sora opened her eyes, as well, and stared in amazement at the sight. It was a gigantic group of little, different colored fishes formed a small mountain to catch Tai, and then gently and safely lowered him to the ground. Sora couldn't believe it, and wasted no time in climbing down the mountain.
Tai shook his head to beat back the stuffiness in his brain, and watched as the fishes swiftly returned to the river. He wasn't too sure as to where this miracle originated, but his answer came as he heard a somewhat high- pitched, wacky voice entered his ears…
"What is this? I save your life, and I don't even get a 'thank you'?"
Tai turned around to find that his savior was indeed whom he suspected it was. It was none other than the courageous, calm and collected-
"Gomamon!" Tai exclaimed with pure happiness. Tai immediately took Gomamon in his arms and gave him a BIG hug.
"Hey, watch it!" Gomamon complained. "Don't get all mushy on me! It was the least I could do after you decided not to intrude on my fishing territory!"
Tai just laughed. Meanwhile, Sora had made it back down Infinity Mountain in record time, and set her eyes on what she thought to be the impossible…Tai, alive and in one piece. She called for him.
"TAI!"
Tai whipped his head around to face Sora, whom he had briefly forgotten shortly after his rescue.
"SORA!"
He then literally dropped Gomamon (who elicited another complaint), and stared at Sora, who stared with equal feelings.
"Tai, I…"
"Sora, I…"
Tears dropped from their eyes, and they realized that NOTHING was in their way now. No other friends with crushes on them, no evil digimon, no misunderstandings.
Tai and Sora ran toward each other like there was no tomorrow and wrapped their arms around each other so hard that it really hurt, but neither of them cared in the least. And they both knew what had to be said…what was meant to be said, and should have been said from the start…
"I LOVE YOU!!!!!"
The two of them looked at each other for a solid second, noticing the everlasting, unbreakable bond in their eyes. All rational thought was lost as the two "bestest" friends wasted no time executing the one action that they both longed to do all their lives. They slowly closed their eyes and they both blushed in anticipation as their quivering lips gently brushed. The initial contact felt so good, that they finally dropped their fears as their lips wrapped around each other, as only lips could. Tears were still exiting their closed eyes, but these were now pure tears of joy, nothing more and nothing less.
As they reluctantly ended the kiss, they once again looked at each other still crying, but genuinely smiling like they never had for the first time in…well, to them, maybe the first time ever. Neither of them could remember ever being so happy and content before in their entire lives.
Though neither of them had anything to say, Tai opened his mouth to speak, but Sora quickly pressed her index finger to his lips and smiled as she shook her head. Nothing really needed to be said. Their now open, clear feelings said it all.
"Uh, guys…ya think you could do that somewhere else?" said a voice.
Tai and Sora looked downward and at last took notice of Gomamon. The two teens finally loosened their grip on each other, and laughed heartily.
"You should really thank Gomamon…he's the one who made the big save," Tai noted.
"Oh, of course!" Sora exclaimed happily. She swiftly picked the little digimon in her arms, gave him a small kiss on the forehead.
"Hey! Yuck!" Gomamon said, quickly wiping the kissed spot on his forehead with his paw.
Sora began to laugh again, and soon Tai joined in, as well.
*********************
A few days later (Two, to be exact…there was no school the next day, remember?), life finally appeared to be returning to normal. Sora apologized to Joe for beating him up, Kari let go of her anger at Sora, and Izzy soon returned to school.
(Come to think of it, maybe he was ALWAYS there and I just didn't mention him. Who knows?)
The only thing left was how Tai planned to explain to Jane what was going on between him and Sora. Surprisingly, she took it pretty well, but Tai couldn't help but feel guilty about the whole thing.
"Are you sure you're gonna be okay?" Tai asked Jane for the fifth time.
"Trust me, Tai! I'll manage! I'm cool with this! Really!" Jane replied.
Tai exhaled a breath of relief, but Jane's next words would hurt…
"Of course, I'd be lying if I said this wouldn't completely hurt me…" As Tai listened, her words felt like knives and swords, stabbing him in every place.
"And my date with you was my first one ever…" Jane almost mumbled, turning away from Tai.
*STAB*
"And I thought that we really had something steady…"
*STAB*
"And I was lacking so much confidence when it came to dealing with boys…"
*STAB*
"And you were truly the only boy I really liked…"
*STAB*
"And I thought you really liked me back…"
*STAB*
"And I hoped that we could get married one day…"
*ST- Wait a minute, thought Tai.
"Huh?!?"
Jane quickly turned around, without a single shred of sadness on her cute face.
"GOTCHA!" she said, playfully and gently jabbing his chest.
Tai rolled his eyes and the two of them – who were now good friends – laughed.
"But seriously, Tai…I do feel like I have more confidence in dating now…thanks to you."
"You're welcome, Jane." Tai said warmly. "So what are you gonna do now?"
"Well…I do have my eyes set on a certain someone with high intelligence, dark blue hair, and thin glasses…" Jane said, slightly blushing.
"Uh-HUH…" Tai joked, with a wink.
Tai saw Matt and Sora walking down the hall, talking and laughing.
"So everything's cool now between you and Tai?" Matt asked.
"Hey…we're in love, and I don't think it gets any better than that," Sora replied.
"I'm proud of you, Sora…you really followed your heart."
"And it led me down the road to pure happiness," Sora finished with a smile.
"I'm happy for you," Matt said, giving Sora a warm hug.
"Hey guys!" said Tai, with Jane.
Sora gently broke away from Matt, and proceeded to hug her new boyfriend. Jane pulled a tissue out of her pocket and attempted to dry the new tears that now were escaping her eyes. Matt began to cry too.
"Aww…" she sniffed. "That's so romantic!"
But then Jane noticed Matt's cries, as well. "Don't worry, Matt! There are other girls!"
"That's why I'm crying!" he said. "Now that I'm single again, all the other girls are gonna chase me endlessly! I'm doomed!"
Jane couldn't help but laugh a bit.
As Sora let go of Tai, she noticed that someone was missing. "Hey, Jane? Where's Mieko? She's never sick."
Jane rolled her eyes, and hesitantly replied. "Uh…she's, well…maybe you better come with me."
Sora followed Jane, with Tai and Matt tagging along. "Lesse…ah, here we are! Locker number 101! Brace yourselves, guys."
Jane knew Mieko's locker combination, and swiftly opened her locker door. Tai, Sora, and Matt gasped as what they saw. Mieko was inside it, and apparently locked in the passionate (or lustful, take your pick) embrace of a male classmate. Mieko couldn't help but moan, giggle and squeal as the boy kissed her on her lips or her neck. Surprisingly, she didn't seem to mind that Jane decided to turn their encounter into something of a circus show for all to see.
Mieko continued to giggle as Jane's friends stared at the scene opened mouthed and wide eyed.
(*SIGH* Yes, AGAIN.)
"Sorry, Jane…" Mieko said out of breath (no surprise there), reaching to pull the locker door closed. "But we're gonna need a few more minutes."
With that said, the metal door slammed shut and banging sounds inside were heard. Jane, Sora, Tai and Matt broke down into more laughs. Then the bell rang for the next classes to start.
"Well, I gotta go, see you guys later!" she yelled as she left.
"Uh, listen I gotta get to class, too, but…" started Matt.
"What is it, Matt?" Sora asked.
"Well, I'm holding another concert tomorrow night. You two wanna come?"
Tai and Sora looked at each other and shrugged. Quickly, Matt put his hands up in slight protest.
"Oh, but I don't wanna force you or anything! If you wanna be alone then that's perfectly co-"
Sora put up her hand to stop Matt's babbling. "Matt, we would love to come to your concert. Right, Tai?"
"Yeah, Matt! Sure!"
"Great! I'll getcha tickets by tomorrow morning! See ya!" Matt said as he ran off to his own class.
Sora and Tai just kept smiling as they walked into their next class together holding hands.
*********************
Tai asked Sora to walk her home after school, and she accepted.
As they walked they talked about this and that, and for the first in weeks, (maybe months,) they felt completely at ease with one another.
"Y'know…it finally feels like everything's going back to normal now," said Tai, putting his arm around Sora.
Sora softly kissed Tai's hand and replied, "Or like everything's falling into place."
"I still can't believe it…Mieko actually found a guy!"
Tai and Sora began to laugh so heartily, that they hadn't realized they'd reached Sora's house.
"Uh, soooo…" Tai said, kind of nervously. (That line's for you, ShineyEye 02! You know who you are.)
"So? What's wrong?"
"I know that we're together now, but…I'm still nervous about…"
"Just go ahead and say it, Tai. I don't think we have anything to hide from each other anymore."
"Uh, ok…here goes…"
Sora nodded and waited for Tai to speak.
"So, Sora…you goin' to the concert with anybody? Not that it matters to me…just wondering."
Sora calmly breathed in and out, and just smiled at Tai's adorable face. But Tai was surprised when she turned away from him.
"Well, actually…" Sora couldn't believe that she was saying it, but…
"Well, actually what?"
"You won't believe this Tai, but…somebody already asked me, and the thing is…I said no to 'him' the first time he asked me out…"
"But…WHO?!?"
"Aww, Tai…please don't be mad."
"Is it anybody I know?" Tai asked in a VERY stunned tone.
"Y-yeah. Umm…one of your friends, I'm pretty sure."
Just great, Tai thought. ANOTHER one.
"What's this guy like?"
"Well, he's strong, courageous, kind, loving, polite…"
Tai just crossed his arms, rolled his eyes, and "hmph-ed."
"Oh, yeah…he plays soccer and is just a plain 'ol sweetie," Sora finished with a smile.
Tai looked at Sora in a strange way. "Are we talking about the same person here???"
Sora laughed. "I don't know who you're thinking of, but I'M talking about YOU, you dope!" she said, playfully punching his arm.
"Oh…" Tai muttered, slightly embarrassed. He began to blush a little.
Sora giggled. "C'mere," she said holding her arms out for a hug. The two once again wrapped their arms around each other, and pulled themselves to each other for a sweet, loving kiss.
*********************
It was already nightfall when Matt and his band were preparing for their performance. Since the concert was being held outside, people had crowded out far just to listen to and hear the Teenage Wolves. Tai sat down on a small grassy hill, not to far away from the gigantic stage where Matt was standing. Both of them tried his best to wait to wait for Sora. However, Tai was partially worried that Sora wouldn't show up. Boy, THAT would be a disaster. What with everything that had happened recently, Tai wasn't too sure if he would be able to handle something like that. But what if she actually had decided not to-
"Hey, you!"
Tai turned his head, and exhaled in relief. "Hey, Sora."
Sora walked over to him holding a wrapped present in her arms, which caught Tai's eye, as well as his curiosity.
"Whatcha got there?"
Sora blushed a little. "Oh, well…Matt's gonna a take a little while before starting up…so…"
"Soooo?"
"Well, I remembered a promise I made while back, so…I whipped…er…baked up a little something for us to snack on, while we wait."
Tai smiled as Sora handed him the present. "Aww, Sora…you didn't have to do this…hey, something smells good!" he said, sniffing.
"I know," said Sora. Ever she made up with Tai, she felt so good and warm inside. And not that she wondered about it much, but she also couldn't help but smile almost every waking second now.
Tai stared with glee as he opened the wrapped box. Inside, wrapped up in…wrap was a (fresh) batch of cookies. Tai put on a joyful (and tearful) smile.
"Sora…this is really sweet of you…"
"Yeah…"
"Just make sure to save some for Augumon, okay?"
Sora just laughed. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten."
As Tai continued to stare at the cookies, he began to drool.
Sora shot him a funny look. "Skipped lunch today , huh?"
Tai nodded vigorously.
"Well, then…let's dig in!"
As Tai picked up the first cookie, he noticed that on it was written (in that paste or whatever that goop is that you out on cookies and cakes,) was "T + S = LOVE." Tai glanced at the other cookies in the box, and found that there was writing on all of them. Each cookie had its own writing on it like "TAI LOVES SORA", (and vice versa,) or "COURAGE & LOVE." Some had little pictures on them like their crests, their digimon, and one even had a picture of a soccer ball and a tennis racket. Tai almost felt guilty to eat them. Unfortunately, his sense of art appreciation decided to briefly fight with his growing appetite. But as luck would have it, appetite won out.
Conveniently, Tai and Sora finished eating them just as Matt signaled to the audience that he was just about ready to perform. Sora quickly took the last few cookies and wrapped them up for Augumon. Tai licked his lips and rubbed his stomach.
"Wow, those were good, Sora," Tai complemented Sora. "But I'm curious…did you make those kind of cookies for Matt?"
"Well, at the time, they were special to ME, but…if you're wondering if I made them 'with all the trimmings'…no, they were plain."
"Then why did you…"
"Hey…didn't I say I'd bake you some special ones?"
Tai smiled and nodded. But then Sora pointed at his face.
"Oh, Tai you got some cream on your lips."
"Huh?" Tai asked, putting his finger on his lips.
"Yep, close your eyes so I can wipe it off."
Tai did as he was told, and no more had a second passed, as Tai actually felt Sora LICK the cream off of his lips. Tai was shocked and immediately opened his eyes.
Sora licked her lips, savoring the flavor. "Mmm, tastes good."
Tai raised an eyebrow. "Are we talking about me…or the cream?"
Sora just chuckled and pulled on Tai chin, swiftly pulling him in for another soft kiss. Tai began to kiss back, but the mood was cut short, as Matt's voice boomed into the microphone.
"Sorry, to interrupt, people…" Matt started, obviously indicating Tai and Sora. "But we're ready, and I'd like to dedicate this first song to two of my best friends, Tai Kamiya ad Sora Takenouchi, who just found themselves…and each other."
Matt began to strum his guitar, and the rest of his band did likewise, as Matt began to sing…
"Tonight it's very clear, as we're both lyin' here…
There's so many things I wanna say…
I will always love you, I will never leave you alone…"
"Sometimes I just forget, say things might I regret…
It breaks my heart to see you cryin'…
I don't wanna lose you, I could never make it alone…"
Sora and Tai held each other firmly as the chorus came…
"I am the man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero, your dreamy love…
We'll live forever, knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love…"
"You keep me standin' tall, you help it through it all
I'm always strong when you're beside me
I have always needed you, I could never make it alone…"
"I am the man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero, your dreamy love…
We'll live forever, knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love…"
At that moment, everyone could really feel the immense power of the song as Matt continued…
"Like a knight in shining armor, from a long time ago…
Just in time I will save the day, take you to my castle far away…"
While a brief moment of instrumental passed before the chorus returned, Tai and Sora turned their faces towards each other, displaying no wonder, doubts, or trouble whatsoever anymore…
"I am the man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero, your dreamy love…
Gonna live forever, knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love…"
Tai gently took Sora's hand and lightly kissed it, while she stared at his face with a partially dreamy gaze. Her eyes were half open and a crimson blushed was starting to creep into her soft cheeks…
"We'll live forever, knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love…"
"We did it all for love…we did it all for love…we did it all for love…we did it all for love………"
As the words and the music began to echo out before the cheering and applause started, Tai and Sora exchanged loving looks, and talked secretly, as only they could.
"Thanks," Sora whispered.
"For what?" Tai asked.
"Thanks for helping me fall in love with you all over again."
"Thanks for not letting me fall out of love with you."
"I love you, Tai."
"I love you, Sora."
Nothing else needed to be said that night. Tai and Sora wrapped their arms around each other once more and pressed their lips together passionately. As they kissed, they knew that nothing would ever be able to destroy the special bond that they had always carried, and will always carry. Love had finally found its way to Courage, and the combination was invincible. The night progressed and the only sound that should have been heard was the kiss of true love, one of first in the list of infinite kisses.
(STILL NOT) THE END
Hey!!!!! It's me again, sorry this chapter wasn't done sooner, but I got drowned in schoolwork, college work, and housework, and I didn't get many chances to write this story often! But it's here…and btw, this is NOT the last chapter! There is still one more that needs to be written, and I will deliver it as soon as I can! And I also hope none of you were distressed that Mimi wasn't in the fic…I just couldn't find a place for her in the story! (She'll make her debut in my NEXT Taiora.) Oh yeah, one more thing…I most certainly do NOT own the Peter Cetera song "Glory Of Love." But being the love theme from "The Karate Kid Part II", and just being a helluva good song, I included it here! Well, that's all the time we have for now! Keep reading and reviewing all my fics (including this one, of course), and keep a sharp lookout for the LAST chapter of this horrible (lol) story, coming soon. See ya then!
Warning: This is the second to last chapter!
LIKE, IN THE LAST CHAPTER (OR SOMETHIN' LIKE THAT…)
Sora finally confessed her true feelings to Tai, and he wasn't sure how to go about it. But just as they were about to make up with each other (privately in the Digital World) the rocky cliff under Tai's feet gave way, and he fell! Umm…that's about it! So, like…read on, I guess.
From Courage To Love - Chapter 12
Sora would've screwed her eyes shut, if she could. She could not believe this was happening. She thought she'd finally made up with Tai, but here he was (…er, wasn't?) falling off a very high mountain. Never before had she felt so useless, so vulnerable, as did Tai. Speaking of him…
Tai did his best to brace for impact, but it would serve little purpose, since he would be dead long before reaching bottom. Suddenly, his mind snapped open like a Venus Fly Trap (or, whatever they're called). This couldn't be the end! It just couldn't! Tai was a Digidestined! And Digidestined never say "die"! (Bet they never spell "Schwarzenegger" correctly, either.)
Tai wasn't at all sure why he did what he did, but he did…it did…didn't he…urgh…
Tai didn't know what came over him, but he yelled…
"HELP!!!!!"
Nothing. No response from anything. This WAS the end.
Tai felt his mind turning into jelly, and his consciousness turning off…
Sora on top of the cliff, closed her eyes tightly, and cried harder than ever.
The two off them both quietly prepared to mentally whisper to each other those little words that held big meaning-
"MARCHING FISHES!!!"
"Huh?!?" Tai wondered, but his senses came to a halt, as he felt a somewhat slippery surface stop his fall.
Sora opened her eyes, as well, and stared in amazement at the sight. It was a gigantic group of little, different colored fishes formed a small mountain to catch Tai, and then gently and safely lowered him to the ground. Sora couldn't believe it, and wasted no time in climbing down the mountain.
Tai shook his head to beat back the stuffiness in his brain, and watched as the fishes swiftly returned to the river. He wasn't too sure as to where this miracle originated, but his answer came as he heard a somewhat high- pitched, wacky voice entered his ears…
"What is this? I save your life, and I don't even get a 'thank you'?"
Tai turned around to find that his savior was indeed whom he suspected it was. It was none other than the courageous, calm and collected-
"Gomamon!" Tai exclaimed with pure happiness. Tai immediately took Gomamon in his arms and gave him a BIG hug.
"Hey, watch it!" Gomamon complained. "Don't get all mushy on me! It was the least I could do after you decided not to intrude on my fishing territory!"
Tai just laughed. Meanwhile, Sora had made it back down Infinity Mountain in record time, and set her eyes on what she thought to be the impossible…Tai, alive and in one piece. She called for him.
"TAI!"
Tai whipped his head around to face Sora, whom he had briefly forgotten shortly after his rescue.
"SORA!"
He then literally dropped Gomamon (who elicited another complaint), and stared at Sora, who stared with equal feelings.
"Tai, I…"
"Sora, I…"
Tears dropped from their eyes, and they realized that NOTHING was in their way now. No other friends with crushes on them, no evil digimon, no misunderstandings.
Tai and Sora ran toward each other like there was no tomorrow and wrapped their arms around each other so hard that it really hurt, but neither of them cared in the least. And they both knew what had to be said…what was meant to be said, and should have been said from the start…
"I LOVE YOU!!!!!"
The two of them looked at each other for a solid second, noticing the everlasting, unbreakable bond in their eyes. All rational thought was lost as the two "bestest" friends wasted no time executing the one action that they both longed to do all their lives. They slowly closed their eyes and they both blushed in anticipation as their quivering lips gently brushed. The initial contact felt so good, that they finally dropped their fears as their lips wrapped around each other, as only lips could. Tears were still exiting their closed eyes, but these were now pure tears of joy, nothing more and nothing less.
As they reluctantly ended the kiss, they once again looked at each other still crying, but genuinely smiling like they never had for the first time in…well, to them, maybe the first time ever. Neither of them could remember ever being so happy and content before in their entire lives.
Though neither of them had anything to say, Tai opened his mouth to speak, but Sora quickly pressed her index finger to his lips and smiled as she shook her head. Nothing really needed to be said. Their now open, clear feelings said it all.
"Uh, guys…ya think you could do that somewhere else?" said a voice.
Tai and Sora looked downward and at last took notice of Gomamon. The two teens finally loosened their grip on each other, and laughed heartily.
"You should really thank Gomamon…he's the one who made the big save," Tai noted.
"Oh, of course!" Sora exclaimed happily. She swiftly picked the little digimon in her arms, gave him a small kiss on the forehead.
"Hey! Yuck!" Gomamon said, quickly wiping the kissed spot on his forehead with his paw.
Sora began to laugh again, and soon Tai joined in, as well.
*********************
A few days later (Two, to be exact…there was no school the next day, remember?), life finally appeared to be returning to normal. Sora apologized to Joe for beating him up, Kari let go of her anger at Sora, and Izzy soon returned to school.
(Come to think of it, maybe he was ALWAYS there and I just didn't mention him. Who knows?)
The only thing left was how Tai planned to explain to Jane what was going on between him and Sora. Surprisingly, she took it pretty well, but Tai couldn't help but feel guilty about the whole thing.
"Are you sure you're gonna be okay?" Tai asked Jane for the fifth time.
"Trust me, Tai! I'll manage! I'm cool with this! Really!" Jane replied.
Tai exhaled a breath of relief, but Jane's next words would hurt…
"Of course, I'd be lying if I said this wouldn't completely hurt me…" As Tai listened, her words felt like knives and swords, stabbing him in every place.
"And my date with you was my first one ever…" Jane almost mumbled, turning away from Tai.
*STAB*
"And I thought that we really had something steady…"
*STAB*
"And I was lacking so much confidence when it came to dealing with boys…"
*STAB*
"And you were truly the only boy I really liked…"
*STAB*
"And I thought you really liked me back…"
*STAB*
"And I hoped that we could get married one day…"
*ST- Wait a minute, thought Tai.
"Huh?!?"
Jane quickly turned around, without a single shred of sadness on her cute face.
"GOTCHA!" she said, playfully and gently jabbing his chest.
Tai rolled his eyes and the two of them – who were now good friends – laughed.
"But seriously, Tai…I do feel like I have more confidence in dating now…thanks to you."
"You're welcome, Jane." Tai said warmly. "So what are you gonna do now?"
"Well…I do have my eyes set on a certain someone with high intelligence, dark blue hair, and thin glasses…" Jane said, slightly blushing.
"Uh-HUH…" Tai joked, with a wink.
Tai saw Matt and Sora walking down the hall, talking and laughing.
"So everything's cool now between you and Tai?" Matt asked.
"Hey…we're in love, and I don't think it gets any better than that," Sora replied.
"I'm proud of you, Sora…you really followed your heart."
"And it led me down the road to pure happiness," Sora finished with a smile.
"I'm happy for you," Matt said, giving Sora a warm hug.
"Hey guys!" said Tai, with Jane.
Sora gently broke away from Matt, and proceeded to hug her new boyfriend. Jane pulled a tissue out of her pocket and attempted to dry the new tears that now were escaping her eyes. Matt began to cry too.
"Aww…" she sniffed. "That's so romantic!"
But then Jane noticed Matt's cries, as well. "Don't worry, Matt! There are other girls!"
"That's why I'm crying!" he said. "Now that I'm single again, all the other girls are gonna chase me endlessly! I'm doomed!"
Jane couldn't help but laugh a bit.
As Sora let go of Tai, she noticed that someone was missing. "Hey, Jane? Where's Mieko? She's never sick."
Jane rolled her eyes, and hesitantly replied. "Uh…she's, well…maybe you better come with me."
Sora followed Jane, with Tai and Matt tagging along. "Lesse…ah, here we are! Locker number 101! Brace yourselves, guys."
Jane knew Mieko's locker combination, and swiftly opened her locker door. Tai, Sora, and Matt gasped as what they saw. Mieko was inside it, and apparently locked in the passionate (or lustful, take your pick) embrace of a male classmate. Mieko couldn't help but moan, giggle and squeal as the boy kissed her on her lips or her neck. Surprisingly, she didn't seem to mind that Jane decided to turn their encounter into something of a circus show for all to see.
Mieko continued to giggle as Jane's friends stared at the scene opened mouthed and wide eyed.
(*SIGH* Yes, AGAIN.)
"Sorry, Jane…" Mieko said out of breath (no surprise there), reaching to pull the locker door closed. "But we're gonna need a few more minutes."
With that said, the metal door slammed shut and banging sounds inside were heard. Jane, Sora, Tai and Matt broke down into more laughs. Then the bell rang for the next classes to start.
"Well, I gotta go, see you guys later!" she yelled as she left.
"Uh, listen I gotta get to class, too, but…" started Matt.
"What is it, Matt?" Sora asked.
"Well, I'm holding another concert tomorrow night. You two wanna come?"
Tai and Sora looked at each other and shrugged. Quickly, Matt put his hands up in slight protest.
"Oh, but I don't wanna force you or anything! If you wanna be alone then that's perfectly co-"
Sora put up her hand to stop Matt's babbling. "Matt, we would love to come to your concert. Right, Tai?"
"Yeah, Matt! Sure!"
"Great! I'll getcha tickets by tomorrow morning! See ya!" Matt said as he ran off to his own class.
Sora and Tai just kept smiling as they walked into their next class together holding hands.
*********************
Tai asked Sora to walk her home after school, and she accepted.
As they walked they talked about this and that, and for the first in weeks, (maybe months,) they felt completely at ease with one another.
"Y'know…it finally feels like everything's going back to normal now," said Tai, putting his arm around Sora.
Sora softly kissed Tai's hand and replied, "Or like everything's falling into place."
"I still can't believe it…Mieko actually found a guy!"
Tai and Sora began to laugh so heartily, that they hadn't realized they'd reached Sora's house.
"Uh, soooo…" Tai said, kind of nervously. (That line's for you, ShineyEye 02! You know who you are.)
"So? What's wrong?"
"I know that we're together now, but…I'm still nervous about…"
"Just go ahead and say it, Tai. I don't think we have anything to hide from each other anymore."
"Uh, ok…here goes…"
Sora nodded and waited for Tai to speak.
"So, Sora…you goin' to the concert with anybody? Not that it matters to me…just wondering."
Sora calmly breathed in and out, and just smiled at Tai's adorable face. But Tai was surprised when she turned away from him.
"Well, actually…" Sora couldn't believe that she was saying it, but…
"Well, actually what?"
"You won't believe this Tai, but…somebody already asked me, and the thing is…I said no to 'him' the first time he asked me out…"
"But…WHO?!?"
"Aww, Tai…please don't be mad."
"Is it anybody I know?" Tai asked in a VERY stunned tone.
"Y-yeah. Umm…one of your friends, I'm pretty sure."
Just great, Tai thought. ANOTHER one.
"What's this guy like?"
"Well, he's strong, courageous, kind, loving, polite…"
Tai just crossed his arms, rolled his eyes, and "hmph-ed."
"Oh, yeah…he plays soccer and is just a plain 'ol sweetie," Sora finished with a smile.
Tai looked at Sora in a strange way. "Are we talking about the same person here???"
Sora laughed. "I don't know who you're thinking of, but I'M talking about YOU, you dope!" she said, playfully punching his arm.
"Oh…" Tai muttered, slightly embarrassed. He began to blush a little.
Sora giggled. "C'mere," she said holding her arms out for a hug. The two once again wrapped their arms around each other, and pulled themselves to each other for a sweet, loving kiss.
*********************
It was already nightfall when Matt and his band were preparing for their performance. Since the concert was being held outside, people had crowded out far just to listen to and hear the Teenage Wolves. Tai sat down on a small grassy hill, not to far away from the gigantic stage where Matt was standing. Both of them tried his best to wait to wait for Sora. However, Tai was partially worried that Sora wouldn't show up. Boy, THAT would be a disaster. What with everything that had happened recently, Tai wasn't too sure if he would be able to handle something like that. But what if she actually had decided not to-
"Hey, you!"
Tai turned his head, and exhaled in relief. "Hey, Sora."
Sora walked over to him holding a wrapped present in her arms, which caught Tai's eye, as well as his curiosity.
"Whatcha got there?"
Sora blushed a little. "Oh, well…Matt's gonna a take a little while before starting up…so…"
"Soooo?"
"Well, I remembered a promise I made while back, so…I whipped…er…baked up a little something for us to snack on, while we wait."
Tai smiled as Sora handed him the present. "Aww, Sora…you didn't have to do this…hey, something smells good!" he said, sniffing.
"I know," said Sora. Ever she made up with Tai, she felt so good and warm inside. And not that she wondered about it much, but she also couldn't help but smile almost every waking second now.
Tai stared with glee as he opened the wrapped box. Inside, wrapped up in…wrap was a (fresh) batch of cookies. Tai put on a joyful (and tearful) smile.
"Sora…this is really sweet of you…"
"Yeah…"
"Just make sure to save some for Augumon, okay?"
Sora just laughed. "Don't worry, I haven't forgotten."
As Tai continued to stare at the cookies, he began to drool.
Sora shot him a funny look. "Skipped lunch today , huh?"
Tai nodded vigorously.
"Well, then…let's dig in!"
As Tai picked up the first cookie, he noticed that on it was written (in that paste or whatever that goop is that you out on cookies and cakes,) was "T + S = LOVE." Tai glanced at the other cookies in the box, and found that there was writing on all of them. Each cookie had its own writing on it like "TAI LOVES SORA", (and vice versa,) or "COURAGE & LOVE." Some had little pictures on them like their crests, their digimon, and one even had a picture of a soccer ball and a tennis racket. Tai almost felt guilty to eat them. Unfortunately, his sense of art appreciation decided to briefly fight with his growing appetite. But as luck would have it, appetite won out.
Conveniently, Tai and Sora finished eating them just as Matt signaled to the audience that he was just about ready to perform. Sora quickly took the last few cookies and wrapped them up for Augumon. Tai licked his lips and rubbed his stomach.
"Wow, those were good, Sora," Tai complemented Sora. "But I'm curious…did you make those kind of cookies for Matt?"
"Well, at the time, they were special to ME, but…if you're wondering if I made them 'with all the trimmings'…no, they were plain."
"Then why did you…"
"Hey…didn't I say I'd bake you some special ones?"
Tai smiled and nodded. But then Sora pointed at his face.
"Oh, Tai you got some cream on your lips."
"Huh?" Tai asked, putting his finger on his lips.
"Yep, close your eyes so I can wipe it off."
Tai did as he was told, and no more had a second passed, as Tai actually felt Sora LICK the cream off of his lips. Tai was shocked and immediately opened his eyes.
Sora licked her lips, savoring the flavor. "Mmm, tastes good."
Tai raised an eyebrow. "Are we talking about me…or the cream?"
Sora just chuckled and pulled on Tai chin, swiftly pulling him in for another soft kiss. Tai began to kiss back, but the mood was cut short, as Matt's voice boomed into the microphone.
"Sorry, to interrupt, people…" Matt started, obviously indicating Tai and Sora. "But we're ready, and I'd like to dedicate this first song to two of my best friends, Tai Kamiya ad Sora Takenouchi, who just found themselves…and each other."
Matt began to strum his guitar, and the rest of his band did likewise, as Matt began to sing…
"Tonight it's very clear, as we're both lyin' here…
There's so many things I wanna say…
I will always love you, I will never leave you alone…"
"Sometimes I just forget, say things might I regret…
It breaks my heart to see you cryin'…
I don't wanna lose you, I could never make it alone…"
Sora and Tai held each other firmly as the chorus came…
"I am the man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero, your dreamy love…
We'll live forever, knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love…"
"You keep me standin' tall, you help it through it all
I'm always strong when you're beside me
I have always needed you, I could never make it alone…"
"I am the man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero, your dreamy love…
We'll live forever, knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love…"
At that moment, everyone could really feel the immense power of the song as Matt continued…
"Like a knight in shining armor, from a long time ago…
Just in time I will save the day, take you to my castle far away…"
While a brief moment of instrumental passed before the chorus returned, Tai and Sora turned their faces towards each other, displaying no wonder, doubts, or trouble whatsoever anymore…
"I am the man who will fight for your honor
I'll be the hero, your dreamy love…
Gonna live forever, knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love…"
Tai gently took Sora's hand and lightly kissed it, while she stared at his face with a partially dreamy gaze. Her eyes were half open and a crimson blushed was starting to creep into her soft cheeks…
"We'll live forever, knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love…"
"We did it all for love…we did it all for love…we did it all for love…we did it all for love………"
As the words and the music began to echo out before the cheering and applause started, Tai and Sora exchanged loving looks, and talked secretly, as only they could.
"Thanks," Sora whispered.
"For what?" Tai asked.
"Thanks for helping me fall in love with you all over again."
"Thanks for not letting me fall out of love with you."
"I love you, Tai."
"I love you, Sora."
Nothing else needed to be said that night. Tai and Sora wrapped their arms around each other once more and pressed their lips together passionately. As they kissed, they knew that nothing would ever be able to destroy the special bond that they had always carried, and will always carry. Love had finally found its way to Courage, and the combination was invincible. The night progressed and the only sound that should have been heard was the kiss of true love, one of first in the list of infinite kisses.
(STILL NOT) THE END
Hey!!!!! It's me again, sorry this chapter wasn't done sooner, but I got drowned in schoolwork, college work, and housework, and I didn't get many chances to write this story often! But it's here…and btw, this is NOT the last chapter! There is still one more that needs to be written, and I will deliver it as soon as I can! And I also hope none of you were distressed that Mimi wasn't in the fic…I just couldn't find a place for her in the story! (She'll make her debut in my NEXT Taiora.) Oh yeah, one more thing…I most certainly do NOT own the Peter Cetera song "Glory Of Love." But being the love theme from "The Karate Kid Part II", and just being a helluva good song, I included it here! Well, that's all the time we have for now! Keep reading and reviewing all my fics (including this one, of course), and keep a sharp lookout for the LAST chapter of this horrible (lol) story, coming soon. See ya then!