First, I like to say that this chapter is really short. second, this is the start of Taiora and Junato parts but there might be one chapter with a little sorato. Now, please don't be angry! It's for the sake of my fic, so please bear with it. I'll bring them back together. Third, Please review!

Part 12:

Care and Lust

The queer sound of rustling trees made Sora stir in her calm sleep. She slowly opened her eyes and sat up, eyeing the place. She was on a soft bed in a wooden room. A fireplace warmed the area and beside her was a small table. On it were a pitcher, a bowl full of water and some food.

Sora sighed and touched the back of her head. She felt the texture of cloth. Someone must have had took care of me…

She went out of the bed and leisurely made her way to the door. Before she opened it, she heard someone speak.

"Is she still asleep?" a familiar voice said.

"Yes, brother. She's fine. Why don't you go to Izzy so you could be at peace? I'll be with Miyako. I'm sure she'll be fine."

The male voice uttered a reply and, when Sora heard them go away, she opened the door slowly.

She gasped in surprise as she saw people with queer clothes move in front of her. She made her way outside.

I'm in a village. She thought, looking around.

She stopped walking when she felt someone tugged her dress. "You're not supposed to be up, lady!"

She was a bit smaller than her, with familiar brown eyes. Sora smiled at her. "Are you the one who saved me from – "

"She's my sister."

Sora quickly turned around upon hearing a familiar strong voice and saw none other than the leader of the bandits. She closed her fists and eyed the man angrily.

"You…" she said harshly.

Tai smirked. "My name's Tai, princess. I'm very surprised you forgot it already."

Sora watched the man with fury as he stepped closer to her sister.

"I thought you were watching her." He said.

"She went out of the room by herself, brother."

Tai turned back to Sora and planted his hand on his hip. "You need to go back to your room if you want to in good health."

"And who are you to tell me what to do?" Sora snapped.

Tai muttered angrily about "princesses being stubborn and conceited". He sighed and approached her and hugged her waist. The sudden action of Tai surprised Sora.

"What the…"

Tai carried her on shoulders and headed to the small house.

"Big brother!" he heard his sister call out.

"Let me go!" Sora yelled stubbornly, punching Tai's back. Tai opened the door and went inside together with Sora. He placed her on the bed and eyed her.

"Listen you stubborn girl, before you jump into conclusions, hear me out first!"

The sudden outburst of the angry brunette caused Sora to shut herself up.

"Now, I don't care if you're the princess of Tarben. And since you're here in our territory, I'm in charge. Everything I say, everybody does… including you." Tai said, saying the last two words clearly.

"I did not kidnap you, if that's what you're thinking. We were just checking out our area if the Celetites are around and thought you were one. But, since we thought wrong, I brought you here in our village. You've been unconscious for 2 straight days and our trusted Jyou told us you have been under great stress."

He sat beside her and pointed to the bandage wrapped around her forehead. "My sister treated you…Do you still feel some pain?" he asked gently. Sora looked at the man, surprised at how he can change his attitude from being dominant and serious to being a calm and gentle person in just a snap of a finger. She shook her head slowly.

Tai smiled. "Good."

Sora looked down on her lap and bit her lip. "You should have killed me…" she whispered, tears escaping form her eyes.

Tai's eyes saddened and moved closer to the crying woman. "Something wrong?"

"You should have killed me!" she yelled. In one swift move, she got the bandit's small knife and pointed it to him.

"If you don't kill me, I'll kill you!"

Tai looked at her calmly. She gazed at her eyes and saw it glint with nervousness. Tai smiled inwardly. He shook his head and touched her hand, getting the dagger from her. "We don't kill people without proper reason… especially a woman…" he whispered huskily and brought her to an embrace.

She didn't know why, but she cried again. Yamato's image appeared in her mind; wounded and hurt.

"Yamato… my Yamato…" she whispered, crying on Tai's shoulder.

Yamato? He thought bitterly. It sounded familiar, but he couldn't quite remember whom. "You should rest…" he whispered against her ear.

"NO! I need to get away from here and find Yamato…" she said. She began to feel dizzy again and touched her forehead.

"Rest." Tai said, pushing the girl slowly on the bed. "Just rest…"

Sora closed her eyes, tears continue to ran down her cheeks. "Yamato…" she whispered.

"Do you defy being a Tarben? Do you take pledge on being a Celetites?"

Yamato looked up slowly and eyed the man with anger. "Never…" he gritted.

The man raised his hand and hit Yamato's back with a whip. Yamato's yell echoed on the stonewalls of the dungeon. Its sharp edge cut his skin. Yamato could feel fresh blood dripping behind him, but he didn't care less.

"Just kill me!" Yamato yelled.

Jun brushed her hair for the last time and studied herself in the mirror. She smiled, admiring her beauty that was envied by everyone in their land and Jun wanted the whole world to be jealous of her undying beauty. Then, the name Sora Takenouchi reached their land. It's been said she's been one of those beautiful maiden that have ever walked on land. I wanted to be know in Tarben…Jun's face begin to cross and she threw her brush on the mirror, breaking it. I hate her… she thought angrily.

And yes! She was so envious of her. She always sends her trusty crow to investigate her. Whatever the crow sees, she sees in her mirror. There, she saw her lover. A handsome guy with blonde hair. It was the man in Jun's dream.

He was meant for me… not for her! And I'll make him mine!

Yamato bit his lip with pain. His back has been hit for many times and it was now covered with blood. Then, the dungeon door opened and Yamato turned his head, not minding the pain. A woman dressed in fine robes entered the filthy place. Yamato studied her. She has long maroon hair and dark eyes.

She stepped closer to Yamato and smiled. "I've finally met you, Sir Yamato…" she whispered, running a hand on his cheek.

Yamato turned away. "Don't touch me." He said coldly.

She smiled and cupped his face. She eyed him and leaned close. His blue eyes flared with madness. She could feel him getting tense, so she smiled more.

Finally, she drew their lips together. She noticed he didn't participate in the kiss, so she pulled back. "Your lips taste sweet… I wonder if other parts as well…"

Yamato looked at her with disgust. "Lustful bitch…" he muttered. Her eyes widened and she raised her hand, and slapped him on the face.

"Listen, whether you like it or not, you will be married to me!"

Yamato laughed sarcastically. "You must be joking! I'd rather die than be with someone I do not love… much less like."

She stepped closer to him. "We were destined to be together and I would do everything to get a handsome guy like you fall head over heels over me." She whispered.

"I'd like to see you do that." He snapped.

"Oh, I will do that. Trust me." She leaned again to kiss Yamato, but he turned away. She frown in defeat, but smiled suddenly.

"Don't punish him anymore. I want him well and good before our marriage. Punish the twins instead, after all..." She smirked at Yamato. "Poor women like them do not deserve to live in this world."

"You're the one who is not even worthy to live, all of you!" Yamato rebuked.

Jun's eyes flared with hatred. She motioned the guard to open the cell door of the twins. Then, a horrifying scream broke out, causing Yamato to gasp.

"Stop it! They haven't done anything!" Yamato yelled. Smiling, Jun turned around. "I don't want you to die before our marriage. It's better for the twins to be punished."

"Look, I'd do everything you wish just don't punish anyone in here."

Her eyes twinkled. "And what do you want in return?"

"Nothing. Just don't harm anyone."

Jun walked close to him. "Kiss me." She ordered, circling her arms around Yamato's neck.

Yamato closed his eyes and he thought of Sora. Jun's lips rested on his own and a small tear escaped his eyes. Sora… he thought.

insane_chick