Hello again- With the weekend and all- I had time to type after got my homework done :) Go Kate! I finished homework early!!!! Anyway- I'm getting back into the swing of things and I've found time to keep writing! I enjoy writing- anyway on to the story!
Disclaimer- I don't own anything

Chapter 2

As Tai walked up the stairs to the house, he heard screams coming from inside.
"Oh GOD- what happened to my baby?" A large black woman practically screamed. It was Tilly, Sora's nanny and servant. She burst through the front doors and towards Tai. Sora opened her eyes and looked at the frantic woman.
"I'm fine, really. Tai you can put me down now."
"She passed out for a little while out in the fields." Tai explained to Tilly, who was hovering around Sora making sure she wasn't hurt.
"Miss Sora, you need to stop this! That kind heart of yours is going to kill you and just look at your dress! Come on- let's get you cleaned up before your father sees you!" Tai gently set Sora down on her won feet and Tilly took her up the stairs to her room.
Tai stood there with out a shirt, his wet one slung over his shoulder.
Out of nowhere a man came up to the porch. He was wearing an expensive black suit coat. It was Sora's father.
"Why hello Taichi, having problems with your shirt I see."
"Oh hello Sir." Tai said. "Um.. Yeah. I guess I am." The two men chuckled.
"More lie my daughter is causing the problems… come with me and we'll get you a new one." Tai would have turned down the offer, but arguing with Sora or her father was a losing battle. They were so similar- stubborn and proud.
"I'm sorry again my boy."
"No it's alright sir, it really wasn't her fault. We were bringing water to the workers and she fell for a second…"
"I see she's been dragging you into her schemes again."
"She didn't drag me… I .. Wanted to help her."
"I know. Those eyes are hard to say 'no' too. Her mother had the exact eyes…"
"Um.. I…"
"Don't worry taichi, my boy. I like you- you're a good man. Sora needs someone who can put up with her temper."
"Um.. Sir. What are you talking about?" Tai asked, a bit embarrasses. Of course deep down he had wanted to talk to Sora's father about officially courting her, but the old man beat him to it.
"I'm not blind. I was young once too. It's the best thing I the world to find that part of you." He told Tai patting him on the back.
"Then.. It's ok?" Tai asked almost stupefied. Every time for the past year he had come over hoping to ask Sora' father, but he had always lost the courage… he didn't want to get on her father's bad side. When Sora's dad got mad no one disobeyed him… except Sora, of course.
"Of course my boy- you know your parents and I had always wanted one of you two boys to marry my daughter. But you seem to handle her better. Your poor brother was given quite a scare the last time her came over…"
'My brother.' Tai thought. Tai was the younger of two boys. His older brother was two years older than him and Sora. Tai also didn't look much like him. Tai had brown hair like his father where as the other was blond. The worst thing was they both liked Sora… the three grew up together playing. Lately a competition of sorts had been going on for Sora's affection.
"So how is your family doing?" The man asked as he pulled a shirt out of a drawer and gave it to Tai.
"We're fine. Mom and dad left for a trip to New York yesterday…"
"Ah- that's where those two ran off to. And they left you boys in charge?"
"Well actually they left Matt in charge." Tai said. His older brother… Matt…. Tai liked his brother, but when he tasted power everyone beware! That's why Tai decided to come over for a day- to get away. Matt would try and up production today and Tai couldn't stand seeing the way the workers were treated when Matt took charge. "I would only have gotten in his way, so I thought I'd come over and keep Sora out of trouble." Tai laughed. "But that seems to be impossible."
"I agree with you there. Well I would like to stay and chat, but I need to get out and over see the new well we're digging for the worker's homes."
"It was nice talking to you again sir, and thank you."
Tai returned to the main hall where he had entered. There he found Sora being lectured by Tilly. Sora was in a lighter looking dress. To most women of the day, the dress she wore would be considered scandalous. It was short sleeved and she wore no ruffle underskirts underneath the skirt. She looked like an ordinary farm hand, one with no class standings or money, but to Tai she still looked like a goddess.

"But Tilly." He heard her say. "it's wrong and you know it. I want to help. I just can't sit and do nothing."
"Sora hun, I know it's hard for you to see this, but most of us slaved like it here. We accept our fate and well we're treated better here than most dream of. Your family has always been kind to their workers." Tilly told her.
Tai entered the room. "Why hello Master Taichi. I'm sorry I didn't greet you before, it's just.."
"Don't worry about it Tilly." Tai said with a smile. "You have your hands full looking after Sora here.."
"And what is that suppose to mean?" Sora remarked angrily.
"Just that I'm surprised you haven't given poor Tilly here a fatal heart attack, that's all."
"Tai! You're such a jerk." Sora commented and acted as if she was mad. Tai and Tilly just laughed.
"Now I know you haven't eaten yet, so I'll fix you up something before I go and help the cooks make the bread for the day."
"Can I help Tilly? Please?" Sora pleaded.
"yeah I wouldn't mind helping." Tai added. "Besides she can't get into too much trouble if we're both keeping an eye on her."
"Well alright then.. Come on you two." Tilly smiled as Sora frowned at Tai's comment.

They spent the rest of the early afternoon baking the bread. Sora and Tai joked and talked with the servants, who were not use to talking with others besides fellow slaves. But they all soon warmed up to Sora and her cheerful disposition and limitless enthusiasm.
When the bread was all done they went and distributed it among the workers, who were given a break after much debate between the field master and Sora. Of course Sora, being the stubborn and persistent person she was, was granted the request for a fifteen-minute break.
Tai was still distributing some bread among the men, while Sora went off to play with some of the worker's children.
"that miss Sora's a special one." An elderly slave said to Tai. "Her heart is limitless. I wish others could be as loving as she is."
"You best take good care of her Master Taichi." Another spoke up. Tai felt a red blush surge over his face. Were his feelings for Sora that obvious, that even the workers saw it?
"Don't worry, I will." Tai said as he sat down and joined the men for a break. Sora sure did get him tired out when he came over.
"are you sure you can handle her?" The men chuckled at Tai. He was obviously the youngest (not to mention the only white person) in the group of large, muscle bound black men he sat with.
"She's a sure spitfire and can be quite a lot of trouble at times."
"I'll manage some how." Tai laughed wit them.
"So have you gotten the master's blessings yet?" Another man asked.
"Actually I did.. Today actually.. I just have to tell sora that…" Tai sighed as he watched Sora run around with the kids.
"you'll do fine master Taichi You know the way she acts around you, I know she feels the same way for you."
A few minutes later Sora came running over to where Tai and the men where sitting. She smiled as she caught her breath. Her smile was contagious. She took a seat near Tai's side.
"So have you guys heard the news?" Sora asked.
"And what would that be?
Tai asked giving her a crooked grin that made her laugh.
"Senator Lincoln is going to emancipate the slaves once he's in office as president." She said. "Isn't that great news?"
"It won't be that easy though… there's already talk of succession." Tai added on a serious note.
"They talk of civil war." A slave added. "What's going to happen then?"
"I don't think it'll go that far, at least I hope not." Sora said.
"Sora, not everyone in the South thinks about slavery like you and me." Tai added. "I don't doubt they'll fight to keep it… even Matt had talked about joining in a Southern army."
"Tai, you wouldn't fight in a war would you?" Sora asked, her spunk turned serious and worried.
"If I have to, but I'd be fighting for the North and not for the South."
The talk of war was dropped and the break was soon over. The workers returned to the fields after thanking Sora for the act of kindness.

She and Tai just stayed silent for a while longer. Both had their minds on war and what it would be like. Sora looked at Tai. She didn't want him to go- she wanted him to be her friend forever, well maybe more than a friend. For him to be at her side to the rest of her life was that she truly wanted…
Suddenly Tilly's yelling sobered them ad they got up and walked to the house.
The supper meal was being set on the table. There was an extra place set for Tai and then two more.
"Tilly who's the extra places for?" Sora asked.
"Dear girl your father is having the governor over remember? Now run and get dressed." Tilly shooed Sora up stairs. "Taichi you can join the gentlemen in the parlor if you wish."
Tai straightened his attire and entered.
"Ah Taichi! I see you and Sora finally came in." Sora's father said as he motioned for Tai to join them. "Governor, this is Taichi, his family owns the plantation to the right a ways. Tai, this is the governor of South Carolina, and his friend representative Johnson."
Tai politely shook hands and conversed with the men. Not to long after Sora entered the parlor. She had on a fancy blue dress and her hair was put back into an elegant bun, with several auburn curls hanging down her near her pale skin.
"And there's my baby girl now." Her father said as he hugged her. He then introduced her to his guests. "Well then, shall we have supper?" He asked as he ushered everyone into the formal dinning hall. Sora and her father rarely used it, only for special occasions and for guests.
Tai offered his arm to Sora, who accepted it- proper etiquette of course. Tai helped seat her and then took the place at her side.
The dinner conversations started out light and good-hearted at the table.
"So Miss Sora, what ever did you do on such a hot day? Some stitching perhaps?" The governor asked trying to continue friendly chitchat.
"Oh no sir." Sora said. "I don't care much for stitching and such."
"Well t hen what do you do to keep yourself amused?"
"Today I was outside." she plainly said.
"Relaxing in nature, how nice. I enjoy that myself."
"I do like relaxing, but I haven't done much of that today. You see Taichi, and I were brining water to the workers an then we ate a bit of lunch with them." The governor was shocked at her comment.
"Why in heavens name would a pretty thing like you socialize with slaves?"
"They are people too." Sora quickly added. She was about to fully let the governor have a piece of her mind, but Tai put his hand on hers. She looked at him and noticed the worried look on his face. His eyes pleaded with her to be quiet for once in her life.
"You see governor, we look on our slaves a little differently than most." Sora's father spoke up. "They are not just slaves, they are valued workers. Sora has always had a kind heart and well, we always treat our workers with human compassion and respect."
"Good sir, the reason of our visit was to discuss just such a topic.. But I see that you have not sided wit us… it's a pity. Such an upstanding citizen like yourself could have found many advantages if you would only consider joining us." The governor cleared his throat. "We have been organizing a group of loyal southerners that are wiling to succeed if Mr. Lincoln tries to bring forth legislation about slavery."
"I'll consider it governor." Sora's father said plainly.
"But father that mean.." Sora stood up in shock at what she was hearing.
"Sora, please sit down. You are embarrassing me by not respecting our guests. I taught you better than that." Her father said sternly.
"I.. I'm sorry father." She said defeated as she took her seat.
"and what about you and your family Mr. Taichi?" The governor asked.
"You'd have to ask my father, because I know I don't speak for anyone, but myself. Personally sir, I agree with Sora on this. They aren't things, the are people." Tai replied in a calm manner.
"well I am quite ashamed. Proud Southerners like yourselves siding with the North?"
"I never said that governor." Sora's father interrupted. "Why don't I think it over and 'I'll come and talk to you." With that the three older men walked out of the dinning room.

Sora remained silent. She stared at her hands, her head hung low.
"Sora!" Her father came back into the room once he bid his quest farewell. "You know better than that! What were you thinking?" He yelled. This was the first time Tai had seen him yell at Sora. Usually it was a joke, but now he was serious. "I let you do some of the most unladylike things, but that was unacceptable… I know growing up with out a mother was tough, but what do you want me to do?"
Sora remained silent, although tears began to stream out her eyes.
"I'm sorry daddy." She cried as she ran out of the room in tears.
Tai remained silent during the whole conversation.
"God.. I'm sorry baby." He tried to tell her but she was already upstairs. Her father sighed. "Taichi, why don't you go and see how she is doing… I didn't mean to loose my temper at her… it's just all this political pressure… things are changing Taichi." Tai placed an arm on his shoulder. "I'm sorry you had to witness that."
"It's alright sir, I'll go and check on her." Tai said as he left.

He walked up to Sora's room and knocked.
There was no response, so her slowly opened the door to find an empty room with an open window. Tai walked out to the balcony and found it vacant. But he heard a soft sobbing sound coming from above on the roof. He turned and found Sora huddled against a window frame of the attic.
"Sora." Tai said as he began to climb up to see her. "Sora, are you ok?" He asked as he sat beside her. Putting his arm around her, she curled up to him and sobbed. He drew her closer and kissed her head.
"It's ok Sora, he isn't mad anymore… it's alright."
"I'm so stupid… I couldn't even keep my mouth shut and now I've created problems for daddy.."
"Shh… the governor was just trying to intimidate us anyways. The South couldn't possibly go to war and win against the North.. So it probably won't happen."
"But what if it does? Taichi… what if you… have to leave? What if you.."
"Sora that won't happen. I could never fully leave you… because well… Sora … I … I jus won't, ok?" Tai cursed at himself. He had it right on the tip of his tongue… but he just couldn't say it as she cuddled up to him. In all his years he knew her, she never seemed this scared. And he hoped that such a beautiful spirit never had to witness a war, if it was in the future. They spent several more moments in silence.
Sora fell asleep there, peacefully in Tai's arms. He decided it was too late to leave, so after he brought Sora in her room he went and slept on her couch.