Hello there again! And this is wind-goddess, still alive and kicking and also having a major writer's block in DREAMWEAVER. But anyway, I'm really, really happy coz I have a new friend (Taka!!!!) and that some people still reviews and your thank-you's is on the bottom page.
I've watched the movie Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves in my grandma's friend's house and the movie inspired me to think of Taichi and his people. I'm not taking the whole plot of that movie though; I'm just inspired with Robin and his people. The setting and the people and the place are perfect for the bandits *daydreams of Taichi*!! And I don't want to just focus on sorato but also on the other people of my story as well. After all, I want something different in this story! *smiles*
Christina told me in her review that Sora has to have those "powers" but not as developed as Jun's. Actually (to give you a hint), Taichi will teach her! *gasp* Okay, that's one Taiora moment. (but as I have said, this'll end as sorato) I assure you Sora will have some sort of magic in her hands. Just wait for the coming chapters!! And taiora and junato really needs to be seen in this story. It spices the story a little
Enjoy reading! --- wind-goddess
Part Seven: Questions need Answers
Bandits Territory
Taichi exited his hut house and eyed his surroundings. He looked sadly at his people as they pack their things up and leave their small houses. Taichi saw her sister and walked towards her.
"Is that all your things?" Taichi asked, looking at Hikari's bag.
Hikari nodded sadly and looked into her brother's eyes. "Why do we need to abandon this place? The Celetites didn't even come here"
Taichi sighed and got his sister's bag. "We need to get out of here as fast as we could mainly of two reasons, okay Hikari?"
"What are those two reasons?" Hikari asked as they walked towards the people, now formed in a circle.
"One, you know that Nelia got a disease. If we stay here longer, her sickness may affect our people and us. Two, we burned Nelia's house and the smoke might have signaled the Celetites. Right now, they might be on their horses and are marching towards here." Taichi explained.
Hikari frowned and looked at the people. "Big Brother, why did the Celetites have a big grudge against us? We didn't even do anything against them! We were living happily in our kingdom" Hikari suddenly exclaimed.
Taichi bit his lip as he comforted his now crying sister. "Shhc'mon Hikari"
"Why?" Hikari muffled against his chest as she continued to cry.
"Because of that damn prophecy" Taichi muttered. When Hikari's cry soon subsided, he left her and stood in front of the circle. His people were looking at him with the same feature in their faces.
Sadness
Taichi took a breath. "We need to leave now! Make sure that you have everything you need! Are there any questions?"
"Do we need to leave our territory over and over again?" One man asked.
"Yes." Taichi answered simply.
The man stood up and looked at Taichi. "Though you're young, I trust in you much. But, won't we still be in danger if we just continue to hide?"
Taichi didn't know what to answer. Roy was right, they would still be in danger even if they get out of this place.
"You're right Roywe'll still be in danger" Taichi started. He rested his right foot on a block of wood and eyed his people.
"I want to charge the Celetites as much as you want to. But we need to have more patience! If we charge there, would we win?" Taichi asked.
There was no answer.
"No! Of course not! They're witches! Demons, most of them!! They know black spell!" Taichi exclaimed, almost yelling.
"But we know magic! Can we not use that?" Daisuke exclaimed, standing up also. Taichi looked at him and asked him a simple question.
"Who taught you magic in our kingdom?"
"Vera, one of the descendant of the Great Magician Villu!" Daisuke exclaimed proudly. Taichi asked another question.
"Vera's father taught me magic also. What was the one thing that Vera always reminded you?"
Daisuke looked away guiltily and answered quietly. "To use magic for one good purpose only"
Taichi nodded and looked at his people's faces. "You heard him. We were all taught of magic and Villu's descendants always told us to do magic for good only. Is revenge good?"
Taichi threw Jyou a look, which caused the tall lad to stand up. Though Jyou's older than Taichi for 2 years, he has a lot of respect for their leader.
"Jyou, answer my question. Is revenge good?"
"No Tai"
Taichi nodded his head again and looked at his people. "We all know that revenge is not a good thing. I told you before and I'm going to tell you againBe patient! Our sufferings will soon end. Do you not see that we were the only ones to escape that fire that engulfed our precious home?! Do you not see that we will be the ones to do the prophecy?!"
The people were quiet. Nobody spoke a word and most of them are looking down on the ground while the woman were holding back their tears as they reminisce the tragedy that befell on their land.
Taichi sighed. "I want to protect all of youI want us to be completeAnd I will give up my life for each and everyone of you!! I don't want anything in return for protecting you! Is everything clear now?"
The people nodded their heads quietly. Taichi grabbed his bag and swung it to his right shoulder while his left hand carried Hikari's things.
"Let us go Izzy has found us a new place" Taichi said as he led the group. Jyou stood up and looked to see if anyone or anything is left behind. He frowned.
Beside the burned house stood a wooden cross. In front of the cross kneels a young boy with brown hair. His eyes held sadness and anger that even his tears could not wipe away.
Jyou stood beside Iori. "Iori"
"JyouI don't know what I'm feeling right now. One part of me wants to stay here and just look at this grave. Another part of me wants to kill the witch that caused this incident" Iori breathed out angrily.
Iori took a breath and continued. "But another part of me says that I should go on and think about the future, not the past. I chose to go on Jyou, but is my choice right?"
Jyou smiled and patted the boy's head. "Yes, Iori"
Ir\ori couldn't help it any longer. The young boy placed his hands on the ground and bowed down his head as tears fell from his eyes. "Mother"
Jyou kneeled down and hushed the boy. "You still have a little sistera big family"
"Family?" Iori asked. "But, my parent's are already dead. It's only me and Lana"
Jyou smiled and helped Iori stand up. Jyou grabbed Iori's bag "YesLana is your little sister. Do you know who your family is?"
"No"
They continued to walk until they saw their group still walking on. When they reached the end of the group, Jyou looked down at Iori.
"Just look in front of you and you'll realize you still have a family "
(After a few hours) Bandits Territory
A black hooded man led his knights as they ride on their horse, eyeing the barren land. There were no peoplejust small houses.
The knight leading the cavalry roared angrily as he got off his horse. "They must have realized that we'll come here" he muttered as he surveyed the place.
"No more people?" he yelled at the cavalry.
"No more Sir. It looks like they've left!"
The black hooded man, turned around and grabbed the knight by his neck. "Of course they have, you imbecile! It's utterly clear that they've left!!" he yelled as he threw the knight away.
The hooded man mounted his horse again. "We're too late! Get back to Celetites!!"
In Celetites Kingdom
The black hooded man ran towards the king and bowed down immediately. The king looked down at his faithful servant.
"Have you killed those bandits?"
"My apologies, my lord. But we didn't find them"
"WHAT?!"
The king stood up and walked angrily towards the kneeling servant. "You fool!! Do you even realize that letting them live means death for our kingdom?!" King John exclaimed harshly as he grabbed the hooded man's arm.
"My lord, give me another chance!"
King John sighed and let go of his servant. "It's a waste of time to kill you! Summon Kaar at once!"
As soon as the black hooded knight scurried out of the throne room, a gray cloud appeared by the ceiling and descended slowly down to the floor, in front of King John.
After descending, the cloud soon took form as it reveals its feet, hands and its head. The cloud disappeared and a sexy, figure of a woman became visible. She was wearing a black dress that hugged her body. A black scarf covers her face, but reveals her eyes.
"You called, your highness?" she said.
The King sauntered back at his seat and massaged his aching head. "Yeshave you finished reading that Villu prophecy?"
Kaar smiled slyly and placed her left hand on her hips. "My Lord, I've finished studying it."
She waved her hands on the air and a piece of scroll appeared. She held it with her hands and walked over to the king.
"You have?" The king asked, his eyes gleamed with excitement. "Well then, tell me what it says!"
Kaar nodded her head and read the scroll.
And my people will be the only ones to hold them back
Kaar looked up and looked at the king. "The people mentioned in this scroll are Villu people. But, they're all dead"
"No Kaar, a handful of them is still alive! They're currently hiding in Zimu."
"You mean, the bandits?!"
The king nodded his head and let Kaar continue reading. Kaar looked back at her scroll and read the words.
His powers are greater beyond any mortal
And if ever I die, my people will serve this prince
In life and death, whether good or evil
"Our kingdom, and also Celetites, have princesses that rule their land. This kingdom written in this scroll might not even exist!" Kaar exclaimed.
King John shook his head slowly. "NoI'm sure this kingdom is either our kingdom or Tarben" The king looked at Kaar and pointed at the scroll.
"Does the prophecy say anything about that prince?" King John asked as his mind tries to link the riddles of the prophecy.
After scanning her eyes on the scroll, Kaar looked up and nodded her head. "Yes, my lord. It says:
And will defeat the corrupted kingdom that desires to
Spread the evil in the land
He will ride in his steed
Carrying a golden sword in his sheath
And will stand at the right side of his king
The king's eyes widened. "I've proclaimed a war against Tarben. Do you think he'll come in that war?" John asked Kaar.
"Perhaps, my lord"
They stayed quiet for a while until John stood up. "Kaar, you better be with us in the war. If you ever see that prince, capture him at once!"
(night time) Bandit's New Territory
"Tai, none of the two kingdoms have a prince! We don't have any kingdom to serve. Our people have sacrificed enough to be in this place! We need a kingdom" Izzy pointed out, putting the scroll back on the table.
Taichi and his people have found their new territory beyond a waterfall. The tall and great trees are lush and are full of fruits. They've built tree houses (on trees) and small wooden houses on the forest floor.
Taichi is inside Izzy's house and both are currently studying Villu's prophecy.
"You're right, Izzy" Taichi muttered.
Izzy held his chin and thought for a moment. "Tai, I read something in the scroll that says that we should serve that prince whether he's good or bad. What do you think about it?"
Taichi sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I don't knowIf it means risking our people, then we would not serve him."
"But, the prophecy says so"
Taichi looked angrily at Izzy as he paced across him and sat on
a chair. "I know that! If the prince is evil, our people
will only serve him only if I'm dead."
Izzy took the scroll in his hands and rolled it. He placed it on a shelf, then turned his head to Taichi when something entered his mind.
"Tai, didn't Vera's father told you something about your own destiny?"
Taichi closed his eyes and nodded. "YeahI still remember that."
"What did he say to you?"
Taichi opened his eyes and stared on the ground. "He said
that I'd serve the one maiden that has captured my heart. My
reward for serving her truly and loyally is that I'll have a good
life. But the one thing I can't have is her heart"
Taichi muttered as the vision of the red-haired maiden that he
met in Tarben appeared in his mind.
Izzy smiled at his friend. "What do you think about it?"
"I wish not a word of it is trueMy heart might just broke to a thousand pieces if I saw the only maiden suiting for me in another man's arms. I might not take it" Taichi whispered, causing a faint blush to appear on his cheeks.
Taichi shook his head to clear his mind. He's not used to talk about his private life. "Any other problems needed to discuss?" Taichi just asked, dropping the topic about his own destiny.
Izzy shrugged a bit and sat down on a wooden chair. "Well, there's a coming war."
Taichi turned his head to Izzy and quirk his eyebrow. "War? What war?"
"The war against the Celetites against Tarben." Izzy answered as he let out a sleepy sigh while running his finger on his aching forehead.
"How did you know that?" Taichi asked.
"Yolei foretold me once and our spy sent on Tarben ground has heard it from King Leonard himself."
Taichi thought for a while then shook his head slowly. "No, we should not participateit's better if we stay here for a while. We still need to help our people build houses and more important things. After all, it's Tarben against Celetites and we, bandits, have no place in that war."
Taichi stood up and walked towards the open door. But before he went out, he looked back at Izzy. "Besides, those two kingdoms are not worthy of our people's lives"
And I just don't want to see that lady againI'm afraid to accept the fact that I'm falling for her. Taichi thought as he walked outside Izzy's small house.
Taichi smelled the fresh night air as he puts his hands in his pockets and eyed the full moon.
"If she's the maiden for me, then give me a sign. If I saw her in ragged clothes and she's riding a horse in the twilight of the night, then she's the maiden I'll serve till the end of my life"
(next day) Tarben Kingdom
Sora played with her scarf nervously as she remembered her conversation with Mimi. She let out a small sigh as she entered the palace and went straight to her room. "Oh please" Sora muttered as she opened her bedroom door.
Mimi motioned Sora to sit down beside her. The brown haired lady dismissed her servants and they were alone in the guest room.
"Sora, are you trying to tell me that you're in love with your childhood friend?"
Sora nodded her head happily. She leaned closer to Mimi and whispered, "Honestly, we've been meeting secretly in the end of the day"
Mimi's eyes widened. "What?! If the palace guards, or even your parents, saw both of youthey'll take you apart for good!" Mimi exclaimed.
Sora chuckled slightly, but her friend is right. "Mimi, I told you this because I trust you. Will you please not tell my parents about this?"
Mimi sighed as Sora gave her a I'm-your-friend-so-you'll-do-anything-for-me look. "All right, you have my word. But as a friend, may I ask you something?"
When Sora nodded, Mimi asked her first question. "Do you love that knight?"
Sora gave her a smile. "Mimi, my mother once told me that when the right man for you comes, you'd sense a feeling ofcompleteness inside of you. When your eyes lock together for even just a while, everything around you seems to disappear and there's a feeling like magic that sweeps you on your feet. It's the feeling of love, Mimi. And I felt that whenever I'm around Yamato." Sora explained confidently.
Mimi gave a small smile then asked her second question. "Well then, does he love you back?"
Sora knew the answer to this. Yamato has always told her those three sweet words. But Mimi's question made her think for a moment.
"He says he loves me"
Mimi took Sora's hands and looked at her. "My friend, I apologize for asking those questions butI really care about you and I don't want you to end up getting hurt"
When Sora just kept quiet, Mimi continued with her talk. "Sora, don't take this wrong buthe's a common knight. I know there are richer guys for you. But if you love him, I'll accept that. But as long as he loves you for who you are and not for your riches, then he fits you perfectly."
Sora knitted her eyebrows in confusion. "For who am I and not for my riches? Are you saying that he loves me because II belong to royalty?!"
Mimi sighed and stood up. "My father experienced the same incident. There was a woman he loved dearly and they were about to get married. But even before they got married, his trusted friend told him that his fiancé was in his treasury. My father was curious and he went in his treasury. He got there to late. The woman jumped outside the window and my father witnessed how a man trotted off with my father's fiancé. My father was about to be in great dept until my mother came and they married."
Mimi kneeled in front of her friend. "Oh Sora, I just don't want you to experience that dreadful incident!"
Sora stood up and looked angrily at Mimi. "Yamato would never hurt my feelings! I believe our friendly conversation is over!"
As headed towards the door, Mimi called out her friend's name. "You wouldn't lose anything if you just ask him"
Sora stared at the wooden door the opened it. Before she puts her foot in, a piece of paper on the floor. She looked at the hallways to see if there are any people around, but there was none.
Sora stooped down and picked the folded paper. She opened it slowly and read the neat words that were written using quill and ink.
My princess,
I cannot stand a day without you by my side. How I wish I were your shadow so that I may follow you all day! Or better yet, I wish I were just the wind blowing gently beside you so that I may stay close to you. My dear princess, my heart is in deep longing for you and I wish you feel the same. If ever you're not busy, would you please meet me in the forest where our lake lays quietly as it waits for us to be seen together again? I will wait until dawn.
Your knight
A small smile crept on Sora's face as she folded the paper again. His sweet words echoed in her mind as she closed her bedroom door and walked away from her bedroom. I will meet himshe thought as she walked down the flight of stairs. She headed towards the kitchen and luckily the cooks didn't mind her.
When she was almost close to the stables, she stopped for a while.
You wouldn't lose anything if you just ask him
Mimi's words entered her mind. Sora gave a sigh and stared down the ground. Mimi's a long time friend of hers and Sora trusts her more than anything.
She headed towards her own stable and opened the stall quietly as she led her white mare out. "Maybe I should just ask himIf he really loves me, he wouldn't be angry"
(By the pond)
Yamato threw another smooth pebble across the pond, making it jump on the water three times.
"Please let her comeplease let her come" he muttered as he threw another pebble angrily on the water. The pebble leaped on the water four times.
"How long have you been throwing rocks?"
He turned around and saw his lady. A wide smile appeared on his face as he ran to her. He picked her up in his arms and placed a kiss on her lips.
"I thought you'll never come" he murmured against her ear. He placed light kisses on her neck and returned his attention to her soft lips.
"Well, I'm here" she whispered as she cupped his face. She holds his hand and led him towards the lake. Yamato let her pull him. She stared at the glistening water for a while as she lets go of his hand.
Yamato smiled and stood behind her. He circled her slim waist with his arms and rested his chin on her shoulder.
"How was your meeting with my father?" Sora asked, but her eyes still gazed at the lake. Yamato didn't move from he's position but answered her question.
"Something about more training for the menactually, I haven't been really listening. I was wondering where you are" he whispered, leaning closer to her.
Sora's smile faltered a little and she moved away from Yamato. "I paid Mimi a visit. We haven't been seeing each other lately"
"Oh" Yamato replied. He turned to her and eyed her for a moment. She seems to be in daze. She was awfully quiet. He walked towards her and looked at her face. Yamato looked in her eyes. Her ruby orbs weren't as bright as before. It was like she's hiding something from him.
He ran his left hand through his shoulder-length red hair and touched her cheek with his right hand. "Tell me what's bothering you"
Sora gulped and looked away from him. Why did he have to read my mind? She thought bitterly as Yamato tilted her face back to face him.
Sora sighed and took both his hands. "Yamato"
"Yes?"
"I need to ask you something"
heheI figured this'll be a nice ending to this chapter. What do you think will happen? Not much sorato right? I promise that the next chapter will focus on Yamato and Sora only, but sorato sadness will come. You'll find out soon enough!
My thank you's:
Synthetic Iris, hyper_shark, Miyu444, Tori, Christina - thanks for reviewing!
Raie - whoa!! You're review surprised me a bit. Are you a psychic or something? Coz you just wrote something (in your review) that will exactly happen in the coming war! Make a wild guess whether who it is*slaps forehead* I'm giving away hints!!!
CherryBlossom - a special thanks for ya! You've reviewed all the parts of this story!! Thank you!!!*bows down* Arigatou!!*bows down again*
Jasper - thanks for reviewing!! And what you said in your review about junato is a bit right. And Tai has a really big part in this story. Besides being a bandit, Tai is Sora's protector and savior against the evil prince. *winks* you'll find about the evil prince in the coming chapters.
And to lily-angel - Break them apart? Hey, that would be a great idea for my story!! (Just kidding!!) But honestly, there's gonna be two or three parts of this story that needs Yamato and Sora to be apartfar apart from each other. *suddenly clamps mouth with hands* uh-ohI'm giving away the story!!!!!
And to Quantum Weather Butterfly - well, yeah, there's gonna be Jyoumi, but it's only for, like, a few minutes. But if you want, I'll tell Jyou to kidnap Mimi and let her join the Zimu bandits. I can easily add it to Jyou's script! *winks* Just tell me if you want Jyoumi to seen until the last chapter and I'll gladly think of something!! Just tell me, okay?
To the readers:
Umif you ever want something to be seen in this fic (like couples you like or whatever), just tell me. And please review!! Authors love to have reviews especially me! *o* And alsso, if you're having trouble understanding the prophecy, just tell me and I'll explain it in the next chapter or I'll just e-mail it to ya!
till next time!!!
--- wind-goddess