Thank you so much for your kind reviews. For all you 'youngens' as my grandmother so efeciuantatly terms you, this chapter SUGGESTS that something 'happened' between Tai and Sora. No details. No nothing. Don't worry, I'm only 15 myself lol. So just to give you a heads up on that one! Enjoy.

Chapter 9: locked shut

Sora softly padded up behind Tai as he buckled his pants, and gently held his hand in hers, "What we did last night . . . "

Tai looked up into her eyes, sheepishly, "I'm sorry, it was too early, I'm sorry."

Sora shook her head, "No, no . . . it was fine, I . . . it was alright." She looked away from his eyes.

"Sora, are you mad at me?"

Sora looked up surprised, "No, of course not, I . . . it was, well, I never expected, I . . ."

They fell into a soft silence.

"So," Tai asked, his voice barely a whisper, "Where does this leave us?"

Sora looked up into Tai's eyes then blushed, "I, well . . . how do you think Yama would take it? I mean . . . "Her voice trailed off.

Tai leaned in closer, "He doesn't need to know just yet. We could date secretly until we figure out if this is right."

"You don't think this is right?" Sora asked a bit startled.

"No!" Tai said startled, "NO God NO! I know this is right, I—what I meant was, he shouldn't have to go through that again unless we know this is going to be . . . I don't know. I can't explain it."

"Unless it's something special," Sora finished.

"Yeah," Tai answered tentatively rubbing Sara's arm.

"We'll keep it secret then," Sora said smiling up at Tai.

"OK," Tai agreed, "Just until the time is right to tell him."

Sora nodded, and the two fell into a comfortable silence, "You should go," Sora said softly, squeezing Tai's hand lovingly. "My mom will be home soon."

Tai nodded, slowly getting up from his sitting position on the bed. As he pulled his shirt over his head he marveled at Sora's beautiful eyes. Crimson red. Beautiful.

Sora walked Tai to the door in silence then turned to him, "Thank you Tai. Last night . . . it was right. I—I'm glad it was with you."

Tai nodded squeezing her hand affectionately, "I'm glad it was with you too Sora." He answered. He leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek then stepped out the door, but not before saying he'd call her later. She nodded, and closed the door behind him.

Letting out a soft sigh of emotion, she slowly went to the phone to check her messages . . .

Malcolm received a very distressed phone call from Sora a few moments later, little did he know that as he spoke to the girl, reassuring her that Matt was fine, a sinister plot was being formed against his very son. Two days later he left for Israel . . .

"You promise that you'll be ok?" Malcolm asked as he turned to say good bye to his son once again.

Matt rolled his eyes, "Yes dad, I promise I will. If anything happens I'll call you, and Moms in the city if it's really serious. I'll be fine."

His father took another worried look at his son. He was truly concerned for the boy, considering the way he had found him, laying on the floor, shivering and whimpering. For Matt Ieshda, this was something that was never done, even when unconscious, which had lead his father to believe that something was seriously wrong. But his son seemed fine now, the haunted look that he had seen in his eyes was now slightly abated, and work did call, yet . . .

"Dad," Matt said giving his father a stern look, "You have to go. You can't stay here forever."

Malcolm nodded sadly, "Just, don't take any more showers while I'm gone," his father joked.

"Then I'm afraid when you come back you'll have one smelly son," Matt answered.

With a chuckle his father patted his eldest son on the back and carried his bags out to the hall, "I'll be back in three weeks." He said, then turning he left down the elevator.

Matt sighed, suddenly very tired. It was good to see his dad, even under the circumstances. Turning, he closed the door behind him and walked back into his apartment, still unaware of the menacing evil that now lurked in his midst.

In a dark corner the shadow waited, this time, he would do it differently. This time, he would have no interruptions.

The door to the apartment locked shut.

This time he would succeed.

----

Well I've gotten my self into a bit of a mess with the next couple of chapters, because in the present, Matt has no cuts or scraps or ANYTHING! So Matt can't get hurt . . . technically . . . I think I've figured out a way to get around that though. God, you guys must think I've some kind of sadistic freak by now! I swear I'm not! I'm a good girl! I take my vitamins and everything!!! ::sigh:: oh well. Feed back is always welcome. I'll post the next chapter by tonight. No promises after that I'm still trying to figure out how the hell to pull this off!

Reion

June 27, 2004