A/N: Hello all!
Ah… another Thanksgiving gone- and another Holiday season of insane shoppers, so called 'Sales' and crappy presents given by grandparents worldwide.
I know I should be grateful for what I have, and I am- but there's something about the commercialization that has just killed my Christmas spirit… I know I'm not alone feeling this way. Oh well- not much I can do, but avoid the malls like a plague for the next 20+ days. I have enough anime to last me a month- I don't need to make a trip to the local anime/game shops… the only thing I'm running low on is the Pocky… NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMGWTF!!!1 ;)
Ok- tangent over. Here's the next chapter of the fic- Some of the readers that frequent my fics enough might see some similarities with my other stories… there does seem to be a little of that- but I assure you it's different. Also I took several ideas from random anime to write this story- At least to me, so far it's Fushigi Yuugi and El Hazard inspired…
Anyway- on to the fic- thanks for the reviews and as always:
I assure you it will be a happy ending TAIORA! (Just in case there are a few worried people out there after this chapter ^_^;)
-
Chapter 3
"You'll have to excuse my earlier actions- I've never been struck by a woman before. I guess I deserved it." He said scratching his head. "And I can't be too careful with strangers either. An adjoining kingdom has made several attempts on my life… I…apologize for acting so harsh." Those words seemed unacceptable even to his own ears, let alone usually unheard of.
'I usually never apologize… what's come over me?' He wondered but that was suddenly dismissed as he looked over at the girl that stood before him. She had all of a sudden become so pale…
Sora felt ill without warning. Her vision became a blur and darkness suddenly came over her as she fell into soft, yet strong arms.
-
The next thing she became aware of was a damp cloth being dabbed on her forehead. Slowly consciousness returned to her. Opening her eyes Sora took in her surroundings in silence.
She was lying in a large bed. Never before had she felt sheets so soft and smooth. Slowly she turned her head and saw a woman with brown hair and warm brown eyes gently coaxing Sora from her slumber.
"I'm glad you're awake. You worried us there for a while." The young woman said. Sora looked her over. She wore elegant clothing, signifying she wasn't just anyone around the castle. She also looked a few years younger than herself.
"What happened?" Sora groaned, "Where… where am I?" She asked as she slid up a bit on the bed. 'Maybe all this was a dream…I must have hit my head in the temple and… and…' But Sora stopped her internal dialogue. 'If it was all a dream… then where am I?' Resting her head on the large bed's ornate headboard.
"You're in my brother's room. When you fell earlier, you and my brother fell into the pool. He was able to pull you out and he brought you here. It was the closet room, and then he came and got me to help you."
Sora felt the cold air hit her skin as she let the covers slip. Realizing she was in a light nightgown and not her regular cloths, she pulled the sheets up to cover her bruised arms.
"You have those all over-" The girl sitting at the bedside started shyly, not knowing how to approach the topic. "What happened? You must have been through a lot. Taichi mentioned you are from Japan… I've never heard of that place… is it far?" The girl continued her smile never leaving her face. "Oh I'm sorry, my name is Hikari. But everyone calls me Kari. Your name is Sora right?" Sora only nodded her head still looking over the woman and the strange, but gorgeous room she was in.
"My brother should be coming in soon. He is finishing a cabinet meeting presently. But he wanted to make sure you were cared for." Kari smiled.
"Your brother… the prince…ah…" Sora stopped everything and grabbed her head. The throbbing pounded within her skull began again. In amongst the pain, a vision came through suddenly. The face of a young boy with blonde hair… Sora had no clue who this person was, but the girl next to her seemed to know him… and there was something special about him.
"What's wrong? Sora?" Kari scrambled closer to the older girl as she cried out in pain. "Sora- calm down… you have to calm down."
But no matter how much coaxing the girl tried to give her, the closer she came the harder Sora's head throbbed.
'That boy… there must be something she's trying to hide about that boy… but what? My head… it hurts so much! I can't stand this!' She screamed to herself as she got out of the bed and began running.
Kari called out after her- but that didn't stop her. Not knowing where she was going or when she would stop, Sora kept on running down the hallways. Away from the pain- her pain, and the pain Kari was trying to keep hidden…
Her blind running was stopped as suddenly as it had started. Colliding into a soft but firm frame, Sora almost took a nasty tumble to the hard marble floor. Almost that is- if it wasn't for two arms that had wrapped her close and steadied her.
Finally opening her teary crimson eyes she was once again face to face with a blonde haired, blue-eyed man that looked strangely familiar.
"Hold on there." The blonde said as he clutched her and supported her while she got her bearings once again. "The Prince told me check in on you since the meeting was dragging on longer than expected…" The man said a little reserved handing her a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. "Are you alright?" He asked as he held her at arms length away so he could look at her face.
She was visibly shaken, not to mention physically shaking as well. With the pain lessening, she was able to begin to think again.
"The vision… I saw… and the pain…" She began to mumble as she shook from not only the questions she had, but also from the cold.
"Forgive me Lady Sora, I am Yamato Ishada. I am the Prince's loyal servant and general in the kingdom's army. But for one as lovely, you may call me Matt." He said with a small bow. While he rose up he couldn't help but let his eyes slip from her face and took in her visage. A slight blush formed on his cheeks as her appearance in the shear nightgown. Sora noticed his blush, and quickly found the reason for it in his mind. Drawing her arms up to cover herself more, she only realized he could see her scars and bruises more clearly. She felt ashamed of the marks that her so called father had inflicted on her, and yet she didn't find any disgust in his mind- nothing but a gentleness seemed to envelop her as he took off his cloak and draped it around her shoulders.
"It's cold and someone of your beauty should not be left to suffer." He merely said. "We should really get you back to bed… the prince suggested you stay in a guest room… that way you can get comfortable while you stay here."
"Stay here?" Sora asked wondering what he was talking about.
"Well naturally you'll want to stay here until we find a way to get you back to this Japan. The Prince mentioned it while we discussed your arrival. Isn't that where you say you're from?" Matt smiled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder to steady her as they walked back down the direction Sora came running from.
"A way home?" Sora questioned not yet letting his words sink in. "You mean…" She stopped them in the middle of an ornate hallway. The evening sun shown outside the large arching windows as she glanced out at the landscape.
"I promise, as a man and a warrior, I will get you back to your home." Matt smiled seeing her face suddenly contort to a bright smile at the word home. "But first I think we need to get some color back into your skin… or are people from you lands so pale."
If Sora wasn't able to read his mind and confirm that he didn't mean that in a negative tone, she would have slapped him. But this man had a kindness to him and he seemed to no try and hide things from view like the Prince did. It was then she noticed how extremely tired she was.
"Thank you." She smiled as they continued to walk down the hall.
"Here we are." Matt said stopping at a large door. "It's got the best view of the horizon in the morning…" He commented as he opened the door and they entered the ornate bedroom. In the center of the room was a large canopy bed fit for royalty. Across the room was the largest balcony Sora had ever seen. It was exactly like a fairytale, except that this was real… wasn't it?
"The Prince has ordered the royal tailor come first thing tomorrow and make you a few garments. If you need anything the Princess Hikari, Joe and myself will be in to get you anything you need." Matt said as light a few lamps on a large dresser and end table near the bed. "Can I get you anything before I return to his highness?"
Sora turned away from the large room and breathtaking view of the window, and looked once again at the handsome blonde before her.
"No… I'm fine thank you…" She managed to squeak out as her cheeks blushed.
"I'm glad." Matt said as he walked closer to Sora. Taking her in his arms he kissed her forehead lightly. "And I hope that we will get another chance to talk. I really look forward to showing you around our country…having such a truly beautiful woman in the kingdom is a rare occasion." he said smoothly. "But for now, just relax and rest."
-
A/N: Taiora… dare I even think of writing a… you know what- I will not mention that alternative pairing's name…. I could just be evil enough- but no, I prefer the Taiora! Until next time- will Tai be able to beat Matt to win Sora's heart? I don't know… Matt is putting on the charm factor… what kind of girl can with stand the charms of a bishie?? Maybe another equally cute bishie…. You'll just have to wait and see.
Ah… another Thanksgiving gone- and another Holiday season of insane shoppers, so called 'Sales' and crappy presents given by grandparents worldwide.
I know I should be grateful for what I have, and I am- but there's something about the commercialization that has just killed my Christmas spirit… I know I'm not alone feeling this way. Oh well- not much I can do, but avoid the malls like a plague for the next 20+ days. I have enough anime to last me a month- I don't need to make a trip to the local anime/game shops… the only thing I'm running low on is the Pocky… NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMGWTF!!!1 ;)
Ok- tangent over. Here's the next chapter of the fic- Some of the readers that frequent my fics enough might see some similarities with my other stories… there does seem to be a little of that- but I assure you it's different. Also I took several ideas from random anime to write this story- At least to me, so far it's Fushigi Yuugi and El Hazard inspired…
Anyway- on to the fic- thanks for the reviews and as always:
I assure you it will be a happy ending TAIORA! (Just in case there are a few worried people out there after this chapter ^_^;)
-
Chapter 3
"You'll have to excuse my earlier actions- I've never been struck by a woman before. I guess I deserved it." He said scratching his head. "And I can't be too careful with strangers either. An adjoining kingdom has made several attempts on my life… I…apologize for acting so harsh." Those words seemed unacceptable even to his own ears, let alone usually unheard of.
'I usually never apologize… what's come over me?' He wondered but that was suddenly dismissed as he looked over at the girl that stood before him. She had all of a sudden become so pale…
Sora felt ill without warning. Her vision became a blur and darkness suddenly came over her as she fell into soft, yet strong arms.
-
The next thing she became aware of was a damp cloth being dabbed on her forehead. Slowly consciousness returned to her. Opening her eyes Sora took in her surroundings in silence.
She was lying in a large bed. Never before had she felt sheets so soft and smooth. Slowly she turned her head and saw a woman with brown hair and warm brown eyes gently coaxing Sora from her slumber.
"I'm glad you're awake. You worried us there for a while." The young woman said. Sora looked her over. She wore elegant clothing, signifying she wasn't just anyone around the castle. She also looked a few years younger than herself.
"What happened?" Sora groaned, "Where… where am I?" She asked as she slid up a bit on the bed. 'Maybe all this was a dream…I must have hit my head in the temple and… and…' But Sora stopped her internal dialogue. 'If it was all a dream… then where am I?' Resting her head on the large bed's ornate headboard.
"You're in my brother's room. When you fell earlier, you and my brother fell into the pool. He was able to pull you out and he brought you here. It was the closet room, and then he came and got me to help you."
Sora felt the cold air hit her skin as she let the covers slip. Realizing she was in a light nightgown and not her regular cloths, she pulled the sheets up to cover her bruised arms.
"You have those all over-" The girl sitting at the bedside started shyly, not knowing how to approach the topic. "What happened? You must have been through a lot. Taichi mentioned you are from Japan… I've never heard of that place… is it far?" The girl continued her smile never leaving her face. "Oh I'm sorry, my name is Hikari. But everyone calls me Kari. Your name is Sora right?" Sora only nodded her head still looking over the woman and the strange, but gorgeous room she was in.
"My brother should be coming in soon. He is finishing a cabinet meeting presently. But he wanted to make sure you were cared for." Kari smiled.
"Your brother… the prince…ah…" Sora stopped everything and grabbed her head. The throbbing pounded within her skull began again. In amongst the pain, a vision came through suddenly. The face of a young boy with blonde hair… Sora had no clue who this person was, but the girl next to her seemed to know him… and there was something special about him.
"What's wrong? Sora?" Kari scrambled closer to the older girl as she cried out in pain. "Sora- calm down… you have to calm down."
But no matter how much coaxing the girl tried to give her, the closer she came the harder Sora's head throbbed.
'That boy… there must be something she's trying to hide about that boy… but what? My head… it hurts so much! I can't stand this!' She screamed to herself as she got out of the bed and began running.
Kari called out after her- but that didn't stop her. Not knowing where she was going or when she would stop, Sora kept on running down the hallways. Away from the pain- her pain, and the pain Kari was trying to keep hidden…
Her blind running was stopped as suddenly as it had started. Colliding into a soft but firm frame, Sora almost took a nasty tumble to the hard marble floor. Almost that is- if it wasn't for two arms that had wrapped her close and steadied her.
Finally opening her teary crimson eyes she was once again face to face with a blonde haired, blue-eyed man that looked strangely familiar.
"Hold on there." The blonde said as he clutched her and supported her while she got her bearings once again. "The Prince told me check in on you since the meeting was dragging on longer than expected…" The man said a little reserved handing her a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. "Are you alright?" He asked as he held her at arms length away so he could look at her face.
She was visibly shaken, not to mention physically shaking as well. With the pain lessening, she was able to begin to think again.
"The vision… I saw… and the pain…" She began to mumble as she shook from not only the questions she had, but also from the cold.
"Forgive me Lady Sora, I am Yamato Ishada. I am the Prince's loyal servant and general in the kingdom's army. But for one as lovely, you may call me Matt." He said with a small bow. While he rose up he couldn't help but let his eyes slip from her face and took in her visage. A slight blush formed on his cheeks as her appearance in the shear nightgown. Sora noticed his blush, and quickly found the reason for it in his mind. Drawing her arms up to cover herself more, she only realized he could see her scars and bruises more clearly. She felt ashamed of the marks that her so called father had inflicted on her, and yet she didn't find any disgust in his mind- nothing but a gentleness seemed to envelop her as he took off his cloak and draped it around her shoulders.
"It's cold and someone of your beauty should not be left to suffer." He merely said. "We should really get you back to bed… the prince suggested you stay in a guest room… that way you can get comfortable while you stay here."
"Stay here?" Sora asked wondering what he was talking about.
"Well naturally you'll want to stay here until we find a way to get you back to this Japan. The Prince mentioned it while we discussed your arrival. Isn't that where you say you're from?" Matt smiled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder to steady her as they walked back down the direction Sora came running from.
"A way home?" Sora questioned not yet letting his words sink in. "You mean…" She stopped them in the middle of an ornate hallway. The evening sun shown outside the large arching windows as she glanced out at the landscape.
"I promise, as a man and a warrior, I will get you back to your home." Matt smiled seeing her face suddenly contort to a bright smile at the word home. "But first I think we need to get some color back into your skin… or are people from you lands so pale."
If Sora wasn't able to read his mind and confirm that he didn't mean that in a negative tone, she would have slapped him. But this man had a kindness to him and he seemed to no try and hide things from view like the Prince did. It was then she noticed how extremely tired she was.
"Thank you." She smiled as they continued to walk down the hall.
"Here we are." Matt said stopping at a large door. "It's got the best view of the horizon in the morning…" He commented as he opened the door and they entered the ornate bedroom. In the center of the room was a large canopy bed fit for royalty. Across the room was the largest balcony Sora had ever seen. It was exactly like a fairytale, except that this was real… wasn't it?
"The Prince has ordered the royal tailor come first thing tomorrow and make you a few garments. If you need anything the Princess Hikari, Joe and myself will be in to get you anything you need." Matt said as light a few lamps on a large dresser and end table near the bed. "Can I get you anything before I return to his highness?"
Sora turned away from the large room and breathtaking view of the window, and looked once again at the handsome blonde before her.
"No… I'm fine thank you…" She managed to squeak out as her cheeks blushed.
"I'm glad." Matt said as he walked closer to Sora. Taking her in his arms he kissed her forehead lightly. "And I hope that we will get another chance to talk. I really look forward to showing you around our country…having such a truly beautiful woman in the kingdom is a rare occasion." he said smoothly. "But for now, just relax and rest."
-
A/N: Taiora… dare I even think of writing a… you know what- I will not mention that alternative pairing's name…. I could just be evil enough- but no, I prefer the Taiora! Until next time- will Tai be able to beat Matt to win Sora's heart? I don't know… Matt is putting on the charm factor… what kind of girl can with stand the charms of a bishie?? Maybe another equally cute bishie…. You'll just have to wait and see.