Chapter 3

A/N: Ahhhh… I can smell the weekend! Thank the Lord! Work is a mess! I should have never EVER taken that "promotion" *grumbles* If I would have know what I was getting into, I don't think I would have ever taken it- So sorry to those who I usually talk online to, but I'm booked- no time for slacking at work :( And I so liked slacking days!!!

But it's ok *sniff* really. I have my CB movie… my tickets to Gen Con coming up in July (so it's more of a gamer convention- but I'm going with my friend, besides where's there are gamers there's usually anime! I've been brushing up on my gamers skills too- I even have my own character in one of her games) But now Kate's babbling… I'll get to the good stuff-

-

The encroaching forces stared at her plight. She knelt there holding her bleeding brother. Several dismounted and approached them. One even grabbed Sora's arm from behind. Rowan ignored the pain and rushed the man- only to be stabbed in the stomach and back by other swords.

"Rowan!" Sora screamed, as she broke free of the man's grasp. "NO!" She cried as she tried to stop the massive bleeding of her brother's wounds.

"Please brother, please… not you too… I need you… please," she cried seeing she couldn't help.

"Sora… little sister, I love you and… I'm… I'm sorry." Her brother before his dark eyes looked on her for the last time. "I'm sorrr…"

"NO!" She wailed as his body went limp in her arms. "Brother…"

"You're coming with us Missy," a solider said as he grabbed at her arm. Sora fought back but was just hit on the back of her head and knocked out. The men lifted her on to the back of her horse and the group took off back to their newly conquered town.

-

"You got her?" Matt smiled as he saw his men returning.

"Yes sir. We had to knock her out- she wasn't going to come back willingly."

"Understandable." Matt smiled.

"SORA!" Her father's voice came from the doorway of the hut. He was leaning against it for support.

Taking on close look at the blood soaked clothing and torn pants he willed himself to run to her.

"What did you do to her?" He cried as he fell to the ground after pulling her from the horse.

His injured leg didn't allow him to stand any longer, as he clutched her tightly. Tai could only stand there silently watching the grief stricken man as he broke down and cried.

"Sora wake up… my baby…girl, please…" He said while tears came from his old eyes. Slowly he got a response from the girl in his arms. As consciousness slowly returned to her she groaned as the pain returned to her body.

"Daddy?" She asked as she opened her crimson orbs a little. The first thing she saw was his tired face looking down on her. "Oh daddy… Rowan… they… he's dead…" She cried into his shirt.

"Sora, it'll be alright child. Calm down." Her father tried to soothe her.

"Touching moment- but we have things to do and a mission to compete." Matt said as he walked closer to the remaining family members.

Tai watched the two- his heart ached with their pain. If it were up to him he wouldn't be separating the family. But his father, his king had spoken.

"Who gave the order to kill the son?" Tai pulled Matt aside- giving the girl time with her father.

"Ease up Taichi. He wasn't about to just give her up! So what were we to do?"

"I don't want anymore death! NO MORE!" Tai told him angrily as he grabbed Matt's uniform collar.

"Fine, calm down. I promise- no more bloodshed."

"Good! Now get the area secured. You, I and about ten knights will escort our guest back to the capital palace."

"Consider it done. We'll be ready to go in under an hour." Matt said as Tai released him from his grip.

Once Matt was gone the prince's attention returned to his future bride. He couldn't deny she was beautiful- even dirty and in blood soaked cloths, she still was an awe inspiring creature. Then there was her spirit. She was quite fiery. He wondered if she also could be just as caring and compassionate.

When her sobs were finally quieted, he approached the two slowly. Mr. Takenouchi looked up at Taichi and held tightly to his daughter.

"Please your highness… she is all I have left… you have taken enough from this town already and now you ask me to part with my now, only child?!"

"…" Tai didn't know what to say to that? "Why doesn't she go and get cleaned up and we can discuss things." Tai suggested seeing the shredded outfit still stained with blood.

"Sora, please go change. There are cloths in the house there. But don't take long."

"Yes father." She replied as she attempted to dry her still watering eyes.

"I have orders mayor. I am to bring her back with me."

"And force her into a loveless marriage?" He quickly added to Tai's statement.

"Know that I swear to you no harm will ever come to her. I will deny her nothing within my power. She will never be treated badly or disrespected as long as I walk upon this Earth."

"And if I still refuse?"

"Then the guards are ordered to slaughter the entire town." Tai sighed. "Orders from the king himself. Look, I don't necessarily like the idea of a forced marriage, but know I will care for her and protect her."

The silence between the two was ended as Sora exited the house where she changed. She walked straight to her father's side and knelt down next to him. All the while she eyed Taichi suspiciously with livid eyes.

"Father is something wrong?" She inquired. Her face was tear stained same as before, but she had changed into a clean set of pants and shirt. Her auburn locks were still held back.

"Sora… my child… I don't know what to tell you.." he started.

"Your highness we have secured everything and drawn horses- will the lady be riding with you on your steed or will we need another horse?" A guard asked as he interrupted the mayor's words.

"Everything's fine- thank you. Tell the men we'll be returning shortly." Tai said.

"Lady? What lady?" Sora asked her father.

"Sora…" Her father continued.

"So Taichi- is she ready to travel? We need to leave soon if we are to get back to the palace before two nights have passed." Matt said while approaching the trio.

Sora looked confused- what where these people talking about? Who was going back with them and why was everyone looking at her? She wondered before the truth sunk in.

"Father… please tell me it's not so. They aren't going to separate us… are they?" She looked from her father to the dark haired man. "Father?" She squeaked as he had tears in his own eyes. "No…"

"Sora… there's no choice… they would murder us all if you didn't…"

"You have twenty minutes to say your goodbyes and pack a few things… I'm sorry." Tai said as he looked away from the sad pair. He walked away from the sobbing girl quickly. He couldn't take seeing her cry… her eyes were so sad… he couldn't look at her like that.

-

"I understand father. Please take care…" Sora said trying not to cry after the time was up.

"Sora… daughter. I'm sorry." He said as he reached under his shirt and took off a necklace. "Take this child. It was your mother's favorite. Did I ever tell you that you look just like her? I so wish you would have gotten to know her…"

"Father…" She couldn't speak anymore as he put the red amulet around her neck.

"I will miss you…" He wept as he hugged his only remaining child for the last time. "I don't know if you'll forgive me…"

"I already do. You had no say in this… besides I should be able to come and visit… right? It's not like this is forever." She said trying not to think about leaving her father for the first time ever in her life.

"We're leaving now." Tai said in a somber tone as he witnesses the sad moment between the father and daughter.

"I love you father… and make sure you get someone to change your dressings at least twice a day… and stay safe. I love you so much…"

"I'll miss you my daughter. Take care of yourself and be good… I know you'll make a good queen. I'll always love you…" He said as Sora kissed her father and slowly walked away from him and towards the awaiting riders.

"I'll take care of her and love her till the end of my days… you have my word." Taichi said as he bowed to the depressed looking man and left.

-

"I'll take that for you." Tai said as he took Sora's small bundle and attached it to his saddlebags. Offering her his hand he helped the silent girl up on his horse. He mounted and sat behind her. Taking the reins he nudged his horse and they started on their trek back to the Kamiya palace.

Sora took her last look at her home and couldn't help the tears that came. Never before had she cried so much in her life… then again her heart had never ached like it did now.

The ride was mostly silent. The blonde, Matt she thought was his name, talked a great amount. He had tried to start conversation with the man she rode with. The prince however remained mostly silent. He would place a hand on her back every so often to try and comfort her, but nothing could help.

"We'll stop here and rest the horses." Came his voice breaking the silence. "I think we could also use some food. I could have sworn I heard your stomach growl… you must be tired and hungry." He said helping her down off the horse. Almost hoping she would make some kind of response to his gesture, he found himself disappointed.

Instead he could only watch as she walked away from him….

A/N: Ok- that feels good to just type and get out all my problems on paper! Oh well- thanks for the reviews :) I don't know how to tell you they are greatly appreciated and enjoyed!

Kate's going to sleep now… it's like 1am here right now- got to work at nine…stupid work… *grumbling*

TGIF!!!