Disclaimer: I have no claim on digimon, blah, blah, blah...
Trapped in Destiny: Chapter One
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"So it's agreed? The Prince and Princess will see each other once a year, switching castles each year." The King announced to the room filled with scribes, nobles and the two giggling Queens while looking worriedly at the two children staring daggers at each other across the room. He leaned over to his wife and whispered quietly, "Are you positive this is a good idea?" He flinched slightly as the Queen glared at him.
"Of course I'm sure!" She hissed at him, then turned back to the princess's mother, muttering slightly about idiotic husbands. Rubbing his temples again, this time in complete bewilderment, he waved away the nobles.
"You are all dismissed to go about your business..." The King sighed, and the courtiers left, all tittering about how cute the two children were, and what a perfect match. The king's eye twitched, as he tried desperately to ignore how incompetent these fat, stupid nobles were. The children were glaring death threats at each other, for goodness sake! How the hell was that a good match!?
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He was going to die. If she just glared hard enough at that ugly face, the boy would drop dead, and all her problems would be solved. She could just picture the flames erupting from her eyes, and consuming him into a small pile of ash, that would be dumped in the slops and eaten by the pigs. Sora then sighed in annoyance and turned her flaming crimson glare upon her mother.
And her. She deserved much worse fate then that. This was all her fault! Why the hell did she have to have a stupid arranged marriage! Her mother would die, die, DIE! That was it, she wasn't going sit in this hot, stuffy room listening to her life being planned out before her anymore. If they weren't going to ask her opinion in this, she was leaving.
With that Sora stood up from her seat quickly, anger swirling in a storm around her small form. All the eyes turned to her, her mothers flashing dangerously with warning. Sora just managed to smile stiffly at the adults and curtsy.
"Majesties, Could I please ask permission to depart from this discussion, if I am no longer needed?" She asked, keeping the venom in her tone as little as possible. Her mother frowned, but the others smiled and nodded at her.
"Yes darling. You may leave if you wish. Taichi, show her around, and this time no fighting." The Queen of Kamiya's eyes flashed angrily at her son, placing all the blame of before on him. Sora's mother was doing much the same to her.
"I give the same instructions to you Sora." The Queen of Takenouchi warned, an edge hidden in her light tone. The two smiled brightly, and bowed their way out of the room, Sora only stumbling once over the hem of her dress.
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"UGH! I hate this dress!!!" Sora growled as soon as they exited the conference room. Taichi looked at her with a smug smirk, but wisely chose to stay silent at the glare she was giving him. They stood there for a moment in silence, unsure of what to do. Then Sora decided to break the silence with a question she'd been dying to ask. "Do you have a practice court?" For a moment Taichi just gaped at her with an expression torn between surprise and laughter. "Well? You look like a fish when you do that, so answer the question!" Sora snapped impatiently.
"But-but you're a girl!" Taichi snickered mockingly, not trying in the least to hide his amusement. "Girls don't ever like fighting!" Sora's crimson eyes flashed with anger, and she visibly bristled.
"Oh?" She hissed, poison sweetness seeping into her voice, "Don't we?" Now most intelligent people, when seeing someone practically flaming with anger, would back off and apologize. But you see, Taichi couldn't quite do this at the moment since he was bent in two in laughter. "Stop Laughing Now!!!!!!"
Now that got his attention, as the girl leaped at him and embedded her fist in his stomach.
* ~~~~~~~~~~ 1 Year Later ... Sora's Castle... ~~~~~~~~~~ *
Sora was panting slightly as she circled around the ring, crimson eyes narrowed at the man across from her. She held the deadly blade in a tight hold in her sweaty hand, holding it with natural ease and practice. The older man across the ring, scar lined against one shaven cheek, white hair held back with a strip of leather. He was wearing trousers, and a loose white shirt, as was the nine-year-old flame haired girl. He held a sword in his weathered hands with years of experience, and his blue eyes were set grimly in determination, identical to the unwavering crimson pair.
With silent ease Sora raced across the ring, and the paring began, swords clashing in lightning, sweat dripping in the heat of the day. They blocked each blow, from one to the other, never faulting, never pausing. It went on for timeless ages, then finally in one deadly mistake, Sora stumbled and fell back to the ground. She flinched and the sword came flashing down on her, as she tensed, ready for the killing blow. She opened her eyes slowly to find the blade an inch from her face and blue eyes twinkling at her in amusement.
"You were too slow in your blocks. We have to work on that." He simply said and sheathed the sword, offering her a leathery hand. Sora sighed in disappointment and accepted the hand as he pulled her to her feet. Sora grabbed her sword from the ground and sheathed it two, and she bowed slightly to the old man, a gesture her returned.
"Thank you Sir Tamori. I appreciate the advice..." Sighing deeply, Sora broke the polite tone, "But I've been practicing so much! I though I'd might be able to beat you today..." She sighed again, then glared as Tamori started to chuckle. "What is so funny?"
"Princess Sora." That title earned a scowl and another chuckle from the man, "I mean Sora, I haven't been beaten in 40 years! You're extremely talented to have even lasted as long as you do against me. Besides," he tilted his head to the side with a grin, "you could beat any of those idiot squires out there, so why're you complaining?" That got a small smile out of Sora, but it was quickly interrupted as an eruption of laughter sounded from the door to the ring. She whirled around, anger flashing in her crimson eyes as she recognized the arrogant voice from a year ago, and saw the wild haired, chocolate-eyed prince standing by the fence.
"You lost to a old man? What a wimp. Though you being a girl, I suppose I could understand..." Taichi snickered, mockery flashing in his eyes. Sora bristled angrily and opened her mouth to snap out in anger, when she heard Tamori's amused laughter from behind her. She turned around in surprise and her and Taichi looked at the amused man in amazement. Tamori merely smirked slightly and gestured for Taichi to enter the ring, bowing very slightly to the young royalty.
"Ah, my Prince Taichi. Perhaps you would like to challenge Sora to a match yourself and show her your superior skills." Sora opened her mouth in outrage, when she caught the secret glance Tamori shot her and smirked back. This should be interesting. Taichi smiled smugly, and entered, looking very self-assured and confident.
"Sure. Might as well teach a few lessons to the lady. I'll try not to be to hard on you Princess Sora." He took his place on one side of the ring, while Sora went to the other end, and Tamori sat casually on the fence looking blatantly amused. Sora titled her head and a small smirk lit her face as she raised her deadly sword.
"Begin!" cried Tamori, and the two lunged for each other, Taichi with a look of confidence, and Sora one of determination. The fight itself? It lasted about ten seconds at least.
The moment their swords met, Sora put his in a dead lock, and used her free hand to grab his wrist and twist. Taichi cried out in pain and automatically dropped the sword. The girl raised a foot, and kicked him on the chest, and Taichi fell to the dusty ground, eyes clenched shut. He groaned slightly, then flinched as he opened his chocolate eyes and saw a razor sharp blade positioned millimeters from his neck. Sora had a true smile on her face for the first time he had been around, and she sheathed the blade and offered him a hand. Stunned into silence, Taichi blankly accepted her hand as he was pulled to his feet. He was still gaping when Tamori's laughter made him turn sharply in the man direction.
"You were too slow on your blocks and to rash on your attacks. You also have to always watch for attacks apart from the sword itself, young princy. And never drop you weapon." Tamori drawled, his eyes sparkling with amusement, and a half grin lighting his weathered face. "You also must never underestimate your opponent no matter what they look like. You could learn a lot from Sora here, though you do have plenty of natural talent." With that the man walked away, leaving a speechless Taichi, and Sora just managing to hold back her snickers. As soon as the man was out of sight Taichi whipped around to face Sora.
"Who was that man?!" He cried, eyes wide and glistening with amazement. Sora laughed slightly and smirked at him.
"That old man was the swords master Tamori Hanouchi. You know... the one that defeated the Nine Parchi Blades?" The Parchi Blades were a group of assassins the five years ago were traveling from kingdom to kingdom, killing the Royal's. When they arrived in the Takenouchi Kingdom, they had met an unpleasant end upon discovering the Royals assigned protector.
"What?!" Tai squeaked, his eyes covering his entire forehead now. Sora burst into unrestrained laughter and started rolling on the ground. She finally managed to stumble to her feet and patted the terrified prince on the shoulder.
"C'mon... he's very easy going. I'll give you a formal introduction."
"You could have told me who he was you idiot princess!!!!" Sora's eyes flashed angrily at Taichi's outburst. She breathed in deeply for a few moments before regaining control of her anger, and calmly spoke.
"First of all, dolt, I had no idea you had arrived until you had spoken. Second, it is not my responsibility to control your actions, and your manners. And third, I am not an idiot. Really Prince Taichi, you should learn to master your emotions better." With this cool reply, she turned around and marched off toward the castle. Taichi stood there for a moment, a thoughtful look on his face, until he sighed and bolted after her. He grabbed her arm and gently turned her around, ignoring the flicker of irritation that was apparent in her eyes.
"I apologize Princess Sora... My words were irrational and uncalled for. All of them. Can we begin again?" He held out his hand, "Truce?" Seeing the look of distrust on her face he hurriedly added, "At least until we can find away to call of this engagement?" At that a grin lit up her face darkly, and she gripped her hand in his.
"Done. Now would you like to meet Tamori or not? I may even get him to give you a few lessons if you're nice enough. And if you'd get rid of that annoying 'Princess' at the beginning of my name!" She chuckled, waving him along after her. He hurried to keep up a grin lit on his face.
"Great! ... Hey Pr- Sora? Can I ask you something?"
"As long as I don't feel the urge to hit you afterwards."
"Why do you wear breeches?"
"Why don't you wear a dress, Prince Taichi?"
" ... Point taken. And please call me Tai."
* ~~~~~~~~~~ 3 Year's Later ... Taichi's Castle... ~~~~~~~~~~ *
The young girl's eyes flickered around the sunlit corridor, and waved at her companion to join her. The boy crept up alongside her, footsteps light and unheard. She whispered something quietly in his ear, and he nodded in reply, mischievous grin lighting up his face, as he crept to the opposite side, holding the end of something tightly in his hand. They lay there silent, listening carefully, until they heard the sign off footsteps approaching. Both of their hands tightened on the hold, and they waited tense until a young boy about their age, reached just in front of them, blond hair shinning, blue eyes confident, and sword buckled at his waist. The badge at his breast showed her was a page.
As he came moments before the spot they hid, the two pulled the rope taunt, and cause the young boy, and the jug of water he had been holding to crash to the ground. The two burst into laughter, falling out of their hiding spots in glee as the blonde boy, sopping wet, glare daggers at them.
"Tai! Sora! You KNOW I have to serve at the feast in this outfit, and I'm gonna be late now!!" He hissed, glare enough to burn into a brick wall. But, unfortunately for him, had no effect on the snickering red head and brunette.
"Oh, come on Matt. It was just a joke." Tai giggled, tears of mirth flowing down his tanned cheeks. Page Yamato of the House of Ishida, on the other hand, found this not even remotely funny.
"Joke!! I'll get Stable Duty for this!" He sputtered, shivering at the thought of those dreadful heights. Why has he chosen to be a knight again? Glancing at his friends, who were at the moment choking on laughter, he sighed. And what in the realm of the demons inspired him to be friends with those two? Muttering darkly he stood up and attempted to wipe some of the liquid off his navy blue tunic, to no avail. "I have to go change now..." Still muttering, he jogged out of the hallway, Tai and Sora just able to hear the words 'water, friends,' and 'kill'. Which caused them to fall into another bout of helpless laughter. Sniffing slightly and she wiped a tear of laughter from her cheeks, Sora got to her feet and stretched.
"Hn, I almost feel sorry for him sometimes.." She muttered, snickering slightly, as she gazed down the hall in the direction he had ran off to. When Tai shot her a questioning glance, she just shrugged and added, "How would you like to get picked on that much?"
"He brought this upon himself remember." Tai said snickering, "First time he met us, he implied we were soft handed Royal's." Sora's eyes lit with twisted glee as she remembered the pleasant memory. Pleasant for her, not for Matt. She shook her head, and gave Tai a dry glance.
"You do realize that was over two years ago now?" Tai shrugged, and grinned as he saw a group of servants running down the corridor. "Great, that marriage has to be canceled now!" He was rewarded by a wack on the head.
"You oaf. Do you really think that they're going to cancel the marriage because of that?"
"... I know, I know..."
"Sora! What did I tell you about wearing those breeches!!!???" Sora winced visibly as she saw her mother walking down the hall as fast as a polite lady could manage. Tai patted her on the back with a whispered, "Good luck..."
* ~~~~~~~~~~ 3 Year's Later ... Sora's Castle... ~~~~~~~~~~ *
'clink' 'clink' 'clink' clink'
The fifteen year old princess with long flaming hair that ended at midback, tied up in a braid, wearing a beautiful silvery blue dress made of silk and lace smothered a annoyed sigh as she squinted at the small needle in her hand. Glancing at the clock again, she nearly growled in impatience as it seemed to be going backwards in it's run. She picked up the embroidery again, and scowled at the mess of knots that centered the white cloth.
"Now Princess Sora," A honey sweet voice, mingled with a teasing tone said "Scowling like that will mar your delicate features." Sora resisted the urge to throw a punch at the year younger noble woman with fawn brown eyes, and matching honey brown hair, the waved gently down her slender shoulders, perfect face slightly moved in a gentle teasing glance. Rolling her eyes, this time Sora didn't even bother to muffle her sigh. Lady Mimi could be a wonderful friend, but she was to most lady like and evil person she had ever met! At least the other girl wasn't afraid to express her opinion to the princess, unlike those other ladies.
Sora opened her mouth to reply, ignoring the shocked glances of the other young noble females at her rude attitude, "I don't even want to be here Mimi, I hate dresses, and I'll being leaving now." With that she shot a grin at her friend, and bolted to the door, snickering at Mimi's laughter behind her, and skirting past the guards who had been ordered to keep her there, and down the hallway. She shot into another corridor, and dodged into a painting, one of the secrets of the castle. She stood in the small closet sized place, holding her breath as she heard the guards rush past.
When they finally ran down another hallway in search of her, she ducked out, glancing down the long halls for danger. Sighing gratefully she stepped out, and nearly jumped as she heard a voice call out. "Oops.." She muttered, taking off towards the main doors as the guards bolted after her. She slammed open the doors, throwing a small salute to Tamori, who started laughing as she ran past him, and noticed a group of horses standing inside the castle gates, which were blissfully still open.
Seeing a head of wild brown hair, she bellowed, "TAI, GET BACK ON THAT HORSE RIGHT NOW!!!!!" Tai jumped at her yell, and turned slightly to see the runaway princess in a dusty silk dress racing in his direction, a trail of panting guards just behind her. Fighting back laughter, he mounted his young gelding, and put his hand out to Sora, who jumped on behind him. Sora kicked her heels hard into the horse, and they took off out of the palace gates, the guards finally giving up and simply laughing at their retreating forms.
Sora sighed in relief and leaned into Tai's back, and frowned when she noticed he was shaking, "Stop laughing right now, you oaf." She muttered, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist to prevent herself from falling off.
"Y-you're... wearing a dress!"
"I still have my daggers, you know."
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The two finally reached open clearing by a large lake, surrounded by dense forest. Tai reined in the horse, and Sora jumped off behind him, twirling around happily as soon as she touched the ground. Tai watched her with an amused expression as he tied the gelding somewhere he could easily graze. He flopped clumsily onto the ground, a distant smile on his face as she spun, fire like hair kissed with gold in the midday sun. She slowed, and stood face up to the sky, her once neatly made long braid fallen to pieces.
She lay down beside him with a loud sigh and slammed her head into his stomach, making him fight back a groan of pain. He glared at her as he saw a wide grin evident on her tanned face. "Not funny," He mumbled, heat of the day making him tired and groggy, besides the long ride from his Kingdom, "Now, can you explain to me why you were running from those guards?" He heard Sora yawn quietly, and move over so she was laying beside him, instead of on him.
"The ladies from the convent arrived two weeks ago," She answered, tickling his bare arm with a piece of long grass, "Mother and Father decided that if I had some female friends my age and status, I might become more lady like," Tai snickered as she wrinkled her nose and elbowed him, "Anyway, after a few escape attempts, Mother posted a guard outside the door. I was actually counting the day's until your arrival so I could rid myself of those airheads."
"Were they really that bad?" Tai inquired, eyes closed. Sora groaned, and stuck the piece of grass between her lips, nibbling on the sweet end.
"You have no idea. Though Lady Mimi at least had a brain, and wasn't afraid of me like the others. She's probably the only reason I haven't killed myself. Tamori managed to sneak me out of the gossip sessions a few times for battle practice, but that's about it. Want to go swimming?" She asked with a quick change of subject. Tai blinked in surprise, and gave her a strange look, "What?"
"You're wearing a dress. Won't your mother kill you?" Sora shrugged, and started down to the water, kicking off her slippers on the way.
"You coming or not?" She yelled, whooping and running towards a rock ledge that led into the water.
"Gimme a sec!" He hollered back, tugging off his laced boots, watching as she bolted towards the water at breakneck speed. He had just pulled off his other boot, and was jumping up to run after her when Sora reached the edge of the cliff. Suddenly a look of shock flashed over her face, and her bare foot caught on the edge of the torn dress, causing her to trip on the rocky ledge. She fell clumsily, and her head rammed into a sharp stone. The worst part of it was, as Tai watched in horror, is that she continued falling into the water, and a dark liquid stained her face as she fell.
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(Don't you love where I ended it? Okay, sorry if Tai or Sora seemed at little violent... ^^; It's very AU... Review Please! Any advice? Feel free to e-mail me! And this story WILL eventually have a plot, and the other character's come in. I promise... *sweatdrop* ... By the way... does anyone know the names of the children's parents?)
