A/N: Hello All! I am back- I hope everyone's holidays went well- any of those dreaded sweaters from your dear sweet, but so misguided in matters of fashion, relatives? Personally, my holidays were quite nice- I even survived the dreaded family get togethers… Oh course they didn't understand me when I started to swear at the most annoying ones in Japanese ^_^; I LUV that language!!!! No one, I tell you NO ONE speaks even a bit of Japanese where I come from- stupid frozen wastelands of Minnesota… Only the Germans and Scandinavians would want to live here! No offense- I am from mainly German and Norwegian ancestry myself, but still Kate does NOT do well in cold weather!
Ok getting off my rant about the subzero temps and the annoying relatives- I had a good
'break.' If one would call it that…
Anyway- Here's the next chapter! Hopefully the details will come to me during the weekend- I want to get this fic done, because I have another Taiora in the works- I'm sorry for those who've asked for some other coupling fics- but Taiora just seems natural to me.
But this next story is looking very good! I had a great idea in the middle of a good old fashioned round of drinking games and anime watching with my oh so US legal aged semi-alcoholic brother! He bought me sake! I luv my brother! --He's not really an alcoholic- but he knows his stuff! Ever tried 'After Shock'? It BURNS!!!!! But oh so much fun! Take my word on it ;) -- *Insert lawyer talk here: Kate is in no way shape or form recommending the consumption of said liquor products in large amounts… blah blah- :( end lawyer mode*
Ok- enough talking- on to the fic!
Arigatoo for the reviews! Keep them coming, I enjoy them!
-
Chapter 6
The prince had left the girl's side quietly as she drifted back into a light sleep. The conversation they had had seemed to make him like this girl even more. There was just something about her, her courage and gentleness she had shown him was extraordinary.
They hadn't talked of his problems, but he felt better hearing her story of her life and holding her hand as she told of the hardships.
How someone could live through that physical and mental abuse from a parent, even a what she called a stepfather, was unimaginable for him.
Just listening to her voice contented him; holding her hand had calmed him. The young monarch was able to forget his problems of the country as he comforted the auburn haired beauty. She had so much pain inside her. He didn't have the heart to bore her with his troubles.
But the thing that still wasn't exactly clear was how she was to save them in this, their hour of need. The only conclusion he could get was that he would have to confer with the ancient texts that told of their troubles and a mysterious woman appearing to lead them back to the golden era for their land.
'She is not from this world.' He thought to himself as he walked. That was part of the text he remembered…but how could such a frail and disheartened girl be able to face the horrors they faced? He wondered. She didn't seem to know how or to where she was… and yet what she had done for him was amazing. Maybe her mysterious gift was the key to saving his kingdom… but that could wait for now, or at least until their once old allies made the first move.
Walking down the hallways contemplating the many issues on his mind, Tai almost bumped into a small figure that came out from an adjoining passage.
"Tai?" A feminine voice started as the figure avoided the collision.
"Kari, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there." Tai said as he saw the face of his little sister standing in front of him. "What is it? You look worried about something…" Tai asked seeing the worried brown eyes of his only sibling.
"Taichi, it's them… they've taken another town on the border." She said sadly as she handed her brother a message from field commanders. "I think the war has finally started… and…"
"Don't worry about it Kari. I'll have my finest men meet them on the battle field… it looks like our old friends have now become our enemies…" Tai said after he hugged his sister hushing her worries and doubts.
"And we've got the one, the key like the texts said right?" She asked meekly, almost afraid to ask.
"I think so… I just need to check on a few things. But she's already shown she can be… surprising and very courageous."
"And… what about our friends? We can't just fight them like they mean nothing to us…"
"Kari, I know…" Tai sighed. He knew that even though things were hard on him, Kari took things even worse. She was too sensitive and kind hearted. Something that reminded him of their mother. "We'll figure this out… will you check on our guest periodically for me?"
"I will." She smiled as he squeezed her hand reassuringly. And then he continued down the hall towards his court.
-
Sora once again awoke from her light slumber as the sun shown into her room. By the looks of the sun it was already near midday-
"When did I fall asleep again?" She mumbled as she sat up and looked at the empty spot where the Prince had sat.
She was very confused at the moment. This young man seemed to be confusing her more and more lately… when they first met he was very rude and offensive. But little by little he had shown her something else… 'As if he opened up to me' she thought as she looked in the large closets and found a beautiful dress there for her.
But Sora couldn't help but think of the weird thoughts she had read from the prince as they talked together. Not wanting to bring up the subject of his kingdom's problems or the thought of a mysterious tale or legend that seemed to be always there whenever he looked at her.
After changing into the luxurious blue gown, Sora could not hold back the urge to turn around and admire the dress in the large mirrors that adorned the wall. The gown seemed to flow around her as it puffed out at the bottom. The silky feeling material hung low, exposing the creamy skin of her shoulders.
Never in her wildest dreams was she ever pictured herself in such a setting or gown.
"It suits you very well." Came a voice that startled Sora a bit. She had felt another person in the area, but the excitement of the dress had made it slip her mind.
Sora turned and saw a familiar looking girl as she walked into the room closer to where Sora stood. But this time, Sora's head did not throb as it had before when she first had awoken near this girl.
"But excuse my interruptions. I… I… have to ask you something. Are you really the one who…" But before she could finish her question, Sora interrupted her.
"Who is that blonde boy… the one you try to hide deep down? There's pain all around you…" Sora asked. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pick into a tender subject…" She silenced her questions and tried to stop Kari's thoughts from entering her own head as the expression to the Princess' face turned gloomy.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry or anything… but it's just that you think of him often and he's very important to you. How could that make you sad?" Sora continued.
"I suppose you wouldn't know." Kari said looking down at her hands and away from the crimson eyed girl before her. "That boy was once truly important to me… but now…" Kari stopped and quickly wiped away a tear that was forming. "Now he is our enemy… him and other very dear friends of ours attack us to gain what they now crave. But no one has informed you of our situation yet, have they?"
Sora shook her head in response. In fact no one had mentioned anything except that the kingdom that was under the control of Taichi's family was in trouble.
"Takeru was the love of my life…" Kari began as she brushed a tear from her eyes. The two women had left the confines of the palace walls and were now walking in the gardens where Taichi was attacked just hours before. Sitting down near the fountain the tale was told.
"He had proposed, well he had asked my father for my hand and we were so close to actually being wedded… until he changed suddenly. It was like over night he changed from the caring, peaceful and gentle man I loved, into a cruel hearted and power hungry being."
"But why did he change?" Sora asked as she watched the troubled soul before her tell the painful memories.
"He never told me… it was so sudden, I woke up and he was gone. He mentioned that he wanted to amass a great wealth or something vague like that before..."
"And you don't believe that…" Sora added reading the thoughts inside Kari's mind that the girl was afraid to say. The pain of this girl not much younger than she was herself, caused Sora great trouble. Her heart went out to the similarly troubled soul. "He came back… not to long ago wanting you to join him in his own kingdom, but you refused…and now he wants to take you by force, right?"
"How did you know?" Kari asked looking shocked.
"It's strange really… ever since I came here I can hear thoughts. Yours are quite strong and clear to me. When I first met you, you were very distraught and it caused my head to ache. But now you seem almost calm. Why is that?" Sora asked not wanting to pry into anyone's mind. She had not yet tested how far she could go into people's minds. Besides, she liked this Kari, and hoped to gain her trust.
"My mother always said to talk about things… but I won't ask you if it's too personal or anything…" Sora said looking away feeling worried she had offended the kind princess.
"It's because of you…"
"Me?"
"It's hard to explain. Ever since I was little Taichi would have our mother read us a story about a mysterious entity with special abilities. And one day when our kingdom was in dire trouble, we would be saved."
"And you think that…"
"I really don't know- you did somehow come to our lands from yours…how did you do that?" Kari asked looking over at Sora.
"It was an accident really… I had runaway from my home after my mother passed." Sora began. "And then I found an old shrine and a tapestry on the wall caught my eye. The next thing I knew I was falling and then I woke up to with your brother in the gardens."
"He likes you, you know." Kari quickly added surprising Sora.
"What?"
"My brother. He likes you. I've never seen him open up like he has to anyone except Matt and Joe."
"But why is he so… closed off to the world? Why all the barriers?"
"You mean the 'for show' items he keeps around? And the act of being all stoic and such?" Kari sighed. "Taichi works very hard to be king. He takes his role seriously. Joe, Matt and Taichi have all tried to keep up his image as a strong and powerful leader. But Taichi doesn't really have a mean bone in his body. Inside he wants to be just a regular person."
"That explains a lot." Sora replied. "But really what is it that this person, err… what am I suppose to do to help you?"
"None of us know that… yet."
Ok getting off my rant about the subzero temps and the annoying relatives- I had a good
'break.' If one would call it that…
Anyway- Here's the next chapter! Hopefully the details will come to me during the weekend- I want to get this fic done, because I have another Taiora in the works- I'm sorry for those who've asked for some other coupling fics- but Taiora just seems natural to me.
But this next story is looking very good! I had a great idea in the middle of a good old fashioned round of drinking games and anime watching with my oh so US legal aged semi-alcoholic brother! He bought me sake! I luv my brother! --He's not really an alcoholic- but he knows his stuff! Ever tried 'After Shock'? It BURNS!!!!! But oh so much fun! Take my word on it ;) -- *Insert lawyer talk here: Kate is in no way shape or form recommending the consumption of said liquor products in large amounts… blah blah- :( end lawyer mode*
Ok- enough talking- on to the fic!
Arigatoo for the reviews! Keep them coming, I enjoy them!
-
Chapter 6
The prince had left the girl's side quietly as she drifted back into a light sleep. The conversation they had had seemed to make him like this girl even more. There was just something about her, her courage and gentleness she had shown him was extraordinary.
They hadn't talked of his problems, but he felt better hearing her story of her life and holding her hand as she told of the hardships.
How someone could live through that physical and mental abuse from a parent, even a what she called a stepfather, was unimaginable for him.
Just listening to her voice contented him; holding her hand had calmed him. The young monarch was able to forget his problems of the country as he comforted the auburn haired beauty. She had so much pain inside her. He didn't have the heart to bore her with his troubles.
But the thing that still wasn't exactly clear was how she was to save them in this, their hour of need. The only conclusion he could get was that he would have to confer with the ancient texts that told of their troubles and a mysterious woman appearing to lead them back to the golden era for their land.
'She is not from this world.' He thought to himself as he walked. That was part of the text he remembered…but how could such a frail and disheartened girl be able to face the horrors they faced? He wondered. She didn't seem to know how or to where she was… and yet what she had done for him was amazing. Maybe her mysterious gift was the key to saving his kingdom… but that could wait for now, or at least until their once old allies made the first move.
Walking down the hallways contemplating the many issues on his mind, Tai almost bumped into a small figure that came out from an adjoining passage.
"Tai?" A feminine voice started as the figure avoided the collision.
"Kari, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there." Tai said as he saw the face of his little sister standing in front of him. "What is it? You look worried about something…" Tai asked seeing the worried brown eyes of his only sibling.
"Taichi, it's them… they've taken another town on the border." She said sadly as she handed her brother a message from field commanders. "I think the war has finally started… and…"
"Don't worry about it Kari. I'll have my finest men meet them on the battle field… it looks like our old friends have now become our enemies…" Tai said after he hugged his sister hushing her worries and doubts.
"And we've got the one, the key like the texts said right?" She asked meekly, almost afraid to ask.
"I think so… I just need to check on a few things. But she's already shown she can be… surprising and very courageous."
"And… what about our friends? We can't just fight them like they mean nothing to us…"
"Kari, I know…" Tai sighed. He knew that even though things were hard on him, Kari took things even worse. She was too sensitive and kind hearted. Something that reminded him of their mother. "We'll figure this out… will you check on our guest periodically for me?"
"I will." She smiled as he squeezed her hand reassuringly. And then he continued down the hall towards his court.
-
Sora once again awoke from her light slumber as the sun shown into her room. By the looks of the sun it was already near midday-
"When did I fall asleep again?" She mumbled as she sat up and looked at the empty spot where the Prince had sat.
She was very confused at the moment. This young man seemed to be confusing her more and more lately… when they first met he was very rude and offensive. But little by little he had shown her something else… 'As if he opened up to me' she thought as she looked in the large closets and found a beautiful dress there for her.
But Sora couldn't help but think of the weird thoughts she had read from the prince as they talked together. Not wanting to bring up the subject of his kingdom's problems or the thought of a mysterious tale or legend that seemed to be always there whenever he looked at her.
After changing into the luxurious blue gown, Sora could not hold back the urge to turn around and admire the dress in the large mirrors that adorned the wall. The gown seemed to flow around her as it puffed out at the bottom. The silky feeling material hung low, exposing the creamy skin of her shoulders.
Never in her wildest dreams was she ever pictured herself in such a setting or gown.
"It suits you very well." Came a voice that startled Sora a bit. She had felt another person in the area, but the excitement of the dress had made it slip her mind.
Sora turned and saw a familiar looking girl as she walked into the room closer to where Sora stood. But this time, Sora's head did not throb as it had before when she first had awoken near this girl.
"But excuse my interruptions. I… I… have to ask you something. Are you really the one who…" But before she could finish her question, Sora interrupted her.
"Who is that blonde boy… the one you try to hide deep down? There's pain all around you…" Sora asked. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pick into a tender subject…" She silenced her questions and tried to stop Kari's thoughts from entering her own head as the expression to the Princess' face turned gloomy.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry or anything… but it's just that you think of him often and he's very important to you. How could that make you sad?" Sora continued.
"I suppose you wouldn't know." Kari said looking down at her hands and away from the crimson eyed girl before her. "That boy was once truly important to me… but now…" Kari stopped and quickly wiped away a tear that was forming. "Now he is our enemy… him and other very dear friends of ours attack us to gain what they now crave. But no one has informed you of our situation yet, have they?"
Sora shook her head in response. In fact no one had mentioned anything except that the kingdom that was under the control of Taichi's family was in trouble.
"Takeru was the love of my life…" Kari began as she brushed a tear from her eyes. The two women had left the confines of the palace walls and were now walking in the gardens where Taichi was attacked just hours before. Sitting down near the fountain the tale was told.
"He had proposed, well he had asked my father for my hand and we were so close to actually being wedded… until he changed suddenly. It was like over night he changed from the caring, peaceful and gentle man I loved, into a cruel hearted and power hungry being."
"But why did he change?" Sora asked as she watched the troubled soul before her tell the painful memories.
"He never told me… it was so sudden, I woke up and he was gone. He mentioned that he wanted to amass a great wealth or something vague like that before..."
"And you don't believe that…" Sora added reading the thoughts inside Kari's mind that the girl was afraid to say. The pain of this girl not much younger than she was herself, caused Sora great trouble. Her heart went out to the similarly troubled soul. "He came back… not to long ago wanting you to join him in his own kingdom, but you refused…and now he wants to take you by force, right?"
"How did you know?" Kari asked looking shocked.
"It's strange really… ever since I came here I can hear thoughts. Yours are quite strong and clear to me. When I first met you, you were very distraught and it caused my head to ache. But now you seem almost calm. Why is that?" Sora asked not wanting to pry into anyone's mind. She had not yet tested how far she could go into people's minds. Besides, she liked this Kari, and hoped to gain her trust.
"My mother always said to talk about things… but I won't ask you if it's too personal or anything…" Sora said looking away feeling worried she had offended the kind princess.
"It's because of you…"
"Me?"
"It's hard to explain. Ever since I was little Taichi would have our mother read us a story about a mysterious entity with special abilities. And one day when our kingdom was in dire trouble, we would be saved."
"And you think that…"
"I really don't know- you did somehow come to our lands from yours…how did you do that?" Kari asked looking over at Sora.
"It was an accident really… I had runaway from my home after my mother passed." Sora began. "And then I found an old shrine and a tapestry on the wall caught my eye. The next thing I knew I was falling and then I woke up to with your brother in the gardens."
"He likes you, you know." Kari quickly added surprising Sora.
"What?"
"My brother. He likes you. I've never seen him open up like he has to anyone except Matt and Joe."
"But why is he so… closed off to the world? Why all the barriers?"
"You mean the 'for show' items he keeps around? And the act of being all stoic and such?" Kari sighed. "Taichi works very hard to be king. He takes his role seriously. Joe, Matt and Taichi have all tried to keep up his image as a strong and powerful leader. But Taichi doesn't really have a mean bone in his body. Inside he wants to be just a regular person."
"That explains a lot." Sora replied. "But really what is it that this person, err… what am I suppose to do to help you?"
"None of us know that… yet."