17: Seeing and Leaving

Part One

Yamato gently and quietly closed the door behind him and took a deep breath. I don't know why but I feel nervous about this… he thought. He cleared his mind of such non-sense thought. A Tarben knight must never let himself be overcome by such thoughts. He walked towards his mirror and gazed at himself. He smirked, noticing that he's been losing weight. The fact is he's been eating only 2 times a day maximum, breakfast and dinner. And those meals aren't even full. He just can't stand seeing Jun and eating with the Celetites.

Sora would kill me if she noticed that I'm getting thinner...

Yamato grinned. The thought of Sora reprimanding him makes him yearn for Sora even more. So many months have passed and all he wanted to do over those past months was to stand next to Sora, listening to her cheery laughter, listening to her amusing stories and her sweet lips that he has been dying to kiss again.

I must not waste time…

Yamato steadied himself, clutching the potion tighter in his hand, and stared at his reflection. "Abare Misafa alegru Foshito." He chanted.

Nothing happened.

"Abare Misafa alegru Foshito."

Yamato stared at the mirror, expecting that something would happen. Still nothing.

"Abare Misafa alegru Foshito."

At that instant, he felt a gush of wind surrounding him. He took no notice of this and removed the cork that covers the potion. He immediately drank it up, closing his eyes in the process. Yamato clenched his teeth. Elizabeth was right. The potion was so sour. If he didn't control himself, he would have had vomit.

I must not open my eyes. Yamato thought as he swallowed the potion. He could feel the warmth of it slowly making its way down his stomach. The sour taste is slowly disappearing from his mouth. Just a few more seconds and I'll be seeing you again… Yamato thought.

Sora stood outside Taichi's cottage for a while. It's already midnight, Taichi must already be asleep. She wrapped her arms around her and trembled in the cold. It's getting colder and colder outside and the wind is howling, like that of a wolf in the wilderness.

This is absurd… I should just go back to my cottage… She turned around and walked away from Taichi's cottage. She can't sleep and things have been bothering her. She wanted to confide it again to Taichi.

"Why are you still awake?"

Sora stopped walking and turned her head back to the cottage where Taichi is now standing. He crossed his arms over his chest and smiled a little. Sora stood there and sniffed. "I'm having trouble sleeping. And… I just want to talk to you. But, I'm sorry if I woke you up." Sora said, trembling from the cold.

Taichi rolled his eyes and opened his cottage door wider. "Just stop talking and get inside. I don't want you to catch a cold."

Once inside, Sora let out a loud sneeze. Taichi went to a small corner to get Sora water. While he does this, Sora surveyed his place. It was neat, and beautiful paintings and artifacts were placed on one side of the room. Beside this stood a full length bronze mirror with faces of cherubs etched on the sides. She approached it and touched the mirror, feeling something…different.

"Tai… this mirror is attractive. Where did you get it?" Sora asked, trailing her hand on the side of it.

"That?" Taichi asked while stirring the water. "Oh, it's a Villu treasure. They say that a person with good heart will see his happiness inside that mirror."

Sora was about to ask another question when she let out another sneeze. Taichi laughed and gave her a mug of water, causing Sora to look at him incredulously. "Shouldn't I be drinking warm water rather than a cold one?" She asked, sitting down on Taichi's straw bed.

Taichi smiled and sat beside her. He waved his hand over the mug and looked at Sora. "Drink it." Sora followed what he said and gasp. The water became warm. "It doesn't taste like water."

Taichi nodded. "It's Izzy's invention. It's half water. I don't know what he added there. You'll feel good tomorrow morning." He reassured.

Sora placed the mug beside her and sighed. "Taichi… I think we should-"

"I know what you're going to say." Taichi said, cutting her off. "That we should stop this absurdity of ours." He finished, causing Sora to look at him intently.

"My sister is also aware of our relationship and she thinks it won't do any good for my people and to both of us as well." Taichi continued, staring back at Sora.

Sora nodded her head slowly. "Since from the very beginning it's been a mistake. It has always been a mistake yet we still continue to fool ourselves."

"Do you want to stop?" Taichi asked. He's been asking that question more than a dozen of times but Sora is still unsure of her answer.

"We need to stop…" she said. "But I can't Taichi. I can't stop thinking about you…"

"Then just forget Yamato." He whispered, leaning close to Sora's ear. "Start again Sora. With me. I'll make you happy." He continued, kissing Sora's neck lightly.

Sora closed her eyes then arched her head a little, giving Taichi a little space. "I think we shouldn't be doing this…" she breathed out then stood up, moving away from Taichi.

"Why shouldn't we?" Taichi asked, standing up and in front of Sora. "Nobody's here except the both of us. No one to reprimand us that what we are doing is unfeasible, that we can't work this relationship out." He said in a husky voice causing Sora to look at him. "Taichi…stop this. This is wrong." Sora reasoned out while Taichi lets his hands travel down her arms.

Taichi stopped what he was doing with his hands and stared at Sora's face, only inches away from his own. "One night, Sora. That's it." He simply said, waiting for Sora's reply. She stood there in trance for a while, staring back at Taichi.

"Sora?"

She shook her head slowly while gazing at Taichi's face. She knew what he was asking for. Her mind and heart are saying two different things and both won't agree on one answer.

"Tai…" she started, choosing the best answer. "What you are asking for is really risky. I might get pregnant and Yamato and I will get married soon. What will he say? That I slept with another man while he was held captive by the Celetites?"

Taichi stepped away from Sora a feet away. "That damn name again! Yamato's dead Sora! Just accept it!" he shouted, causing Sora to gasp. Taichi blinked, realizing what he just said to Sora. "I…I'm sorry Sora… but we haven't got a clue if he's still alive. And it's been months since. Maybe he's gone…"

Sora quivered at what Taichi said. Yamato…is…dead… she thought, repeating the words over and over again in her mind. "No…" she answered, looking down at the floor while tears form in her eyes. "He promised me he'll come back…" she whispered, kneeling down on the floor.

Taichi softened and approached her. He hated seeing Sora like this. And it's all that bastard Yamato's fault. He shouldn't have left Sora…Taichi thought, hugging Sora tight as she cried on his chest, whispering Yamato's name.

Taichi tried to remember Yamato's features. He was as tall as him, handsome with blonde hair. When he was holding Sora a few months ago, when they attacked Tarben, Yamato's blue eyes were full of fury.

I know you love Sora…Taichi thought. But I'm pretty sure Sora would be a lot happier if you would just leave her for me… Taichi looked down and realized Sora fell asleep. He brushed her soft auburn hair and placed a kiss on it. He carried Sora in his arms and placed her on his bed. She stirred for a while then fell asleep again, her cheeks still wet from tears. He sat down, wiping her face with his finger, then stared at her. "It really pains me to hear that you love him more than me. But if Yamato leaves you, I'll still be waiting Sora…" said softly, not wanting to wake her up.

He stood up and went to the door. I need to breathe some air. He thought, opening the door and proceeding outside.

Sora opened her eyes a little. She indeed feels sleepy, but she's still half awake and she heard what Taichi just said. Taichi, I'm sorry for letting your hopes up… she thought, letting her half-opened eyes stray at the bronze mirror.

"… They say that a person with good heart will see his happiness inside that mirror."

She stared at it for a while, thinking that Yamato would show up inside that mirror. She gazed at it for a while then, amazingly, saw a person standing inside it. "Yamato…" Sora whispered.

Though sleepy, Sora could still make out the blonde hair and the fair skin of Yamato. The person looks a lot like Yamato, but his eyes were closed. I think I'm already dreaming of Yamato…Sora thought, closing her eyes.

"Sora? Wake up…" Sora heard the voice of Yamato calling her.

Sora opened her eyes slowly upon hearing Yamato's voice. She might be dreaming but his voice sounded so real.

"Sora…"

Sora opened her eyes fully and sat up on the bed. "My good Lord, am I not dreaming?" she asked herself loudly. She walked away from the bed and approached the bronze mirror. Inside it was a person but it was not clear.

Sora resisted to say Yamato's name, but…what if it is really him? She thought as she stood in front of the mirror. "Yamato…" she said in a soft voice. In that instant, the image became clear and to Sora's surprise, it took the image of Yamato. Sora blinked and let her mouth slowly open. The figure, which looked exactly like Yamato, opened his eyes.

"My Sora…I'm glad to see you again." He said with a smile on his face. Sora covered her mouth with her hands in shock. "Ya…Yamato?!"

He meekly nodded his head. "Yes Sora. I'm here talking to you and you are not dreaming."

Sora instantly cried in joy. "For good heavens! You are alive! I… I worry about you so much! I thought something happened to you… I thought you already left me! I-"

"Shh…" Yamato hushed. "I'm glad I saw you again." He said, gazing at Sora. "God…you don't know how much I want to take you in my arms…"

Sora placed her hands on the mirror, hoping to touch Yamato. "Come back…" Sora whispered while small tears escaped her eyes. "Please come back to me…"

"Tomorrow…I will escape tomorrow. I have two friends here that will help me escape. Tell me where you are."

Sora straightened up. "I'm with the bandits of Mt. Zimu."

Yamato's face turned serious. "The bandits? Have they done something to you?!" Sora immediately shook her head. "No Yamato. They are good people."

Yamato nodded his head. "I know where we could meet. In Mt. Zimu stands the tallest tree. Let us meet there around midnight. Ask the bandits about it. Bring a horse so that we could return to Tarben."

Sora nodded her head. She can't believe this, she'll be seeing Yamato soon. "Yes!" Sora exclaimed. "I will!"

Yamato smiled. "Just wait for a day more Sora. We will see each other again. I must go now." Yamato slowly turned around and his image is slowly vanishing until nothing is left but a mirror that reflects Sora's image.

The cottage door opened and Taichi came in then saw Sora standing in front of the mirror. "Sora? What's wrong?" Taichi asked, walking towards Sora.

Sora turned her head to Taichi. "Yamato's alive… and I'm going to see him tomorrow Taichi. We're going back to Tarben tomorrow night."

(While Yamato was conversing with Sora)

Jun stood in front of Yamato's mirror. She raised her hands and pointed it toward the door. "I'm sorry Yamato…but this is the only way that I can make you stay here…" Jun sneered, smiling evilly. Gray smoke suddenly appeared and crawled inside Yamato's room. Since Yamato is in a trance, he didn't notice the room being filled with strange fog. Outside, Jun closed her eyes and concentrated.

"I call upon the low spirits of the dark

Summon a spell and fill this room of wrath

Let this spell enter the mind

And dwell in it for good

And let the spirit dwell in him forever

And make him disregard his times of yore"

Upon citing this spell, inside, Yamato has just finished conversing with Sora. In that instant the fog in his room circled him and entered his body, causing him to faint on the ground.

Jun opened her eyes and stared at the doorknob, which opened by itself. Jun stepped inside and stared at Yamato's weak body on the floor.

"Welcome, my prince…" she whispered, with an evil grin placed on her face.

how was it? Like the ending? Personally, I like what happened in this chapter. Pls review! NO stealing of story plot. And yeah, pls read Dreams&Wish and tell me if I should revise the last chapter. Review okay? Poll: Should i write a sequel for One Sweet Day? Thanks!