Disclaimer: And the Lord said unto you..."I do not own Digimon."
PREVIOUSLY...
Investigating a rogue energy source coming from the Digital World, the Digidestined discovered a double of Sora Takenouchi living in Etemon's pyramid. This second Sora had identical features and similar memories of the Digidestined's first adventures, prompting Izzy to return her to the real world for examination, later pronouncing the two girls as the same person. The double quickly found a place to stay, as Mimi offered to have Sora "room" with her. But while Sora had survived all these years, so had her affections for her best friend, Tai Kamiya. Unfortunately, the "original" Sora had fallen in love with Matt, rendering Tai emotionally scarred. This caused him to resist the advances of Sora's double, leaving her heartbroken at his rejection. Still, Tai was inclined to spend time with her, especially when Mrs. Takenouchi wanted to greet her new daughter. Scared to meet her mother alone, Tai agreed to go have dinner with Sora and her parents, whom she did her best to prepare to meet again for the first time...
Digimon - Second Chances For Sora
Chapter 8 - The Start of a Second Chance
The pair couldn't do anything but stand and stare. They were almost completely frozen...Sora more than Tai. No surprise, though.
Sora nervously gulped and shivered a little. The fact that her mother was right there, in front of her just didn't seem to be able sink into her mind.
Out of the corner of his eye, Tai could see Sora's expression. And judging from the distressed look on her face, it was apparent that she wasn't going to make the first move anytime soon. So it looked like Tai would have to been the one to get the ball rolling.
"Uh...hey, Mrs. Takenouchi! We're here!"
Unbeknownst to Tai, Mrs. Takenouchi seemed to be at a loss for words just as much as her daughter. But she quickly noticed the growing silence and joined in.
"O-oh, right! Um...won't you both come in, please...!" she stammered.
Tai and Sora looked at each other and shrugged, before entered.
Sora did her best to pretend like she hadn't been here in years, since her mother was unaware that her daughter had been here a couple days ago.
But for Tai, it really had been a while since he'd visited Sora's home...for obvious reasons.
"One moment, you two. Dinner will be ready soon, so in the meantime I'll get you something to drink. Would you like a root bear, Tai?" Mrs. Takenouchi asked.
"Yeah, that'd be great," Tai quipped.
"Uh...! One for me...too..." Sora added.
Her mom nodded and headed into the kitchen, while the two teens sat down on the couch.
"Y'know what, Sor?" Tai asked Sora.
"Hmm?" went Sora, partially lost in thought.
"I kinda wish you would spend the night here."
"Oh, not you too..."
"Well, think about it. If you did...then you'd be able to invite me over to play more often."
It was then that Sora realized that Tai was trying to make a joke. She blanky stared at him for a second, then started to sincerely giggle. Tai laughed a bit, too.
Sora's parents peeked into the living room and saw them laughing together. Mrs. Takenouchi smiled at this, how Tai and Sora seemed to interact so...naturally with one another.
"Even after all this time..." she noted to her husband, "...they still seem like the best of friends."
"Indeed," Mr. Takenouchi agreed. "When you called me up and told me that our daughter had started to date that Matt kid, I started to get worried about how this might affect her best friend. But now that we've apparently had twins..."
"Yes?"
"Well, maybe there's still some hope after all...for the entire family, I mean."
"I'd like to think so, too. Here, honey...why don't you bring Tai and Sora their drinks?"
Mr. Takenouchi nodded, took the two root beer bottles, and headed into the living room.
"Umm...Sora?" he said a little nervously.
Sora looked towards the man who called her name. Even though her mother noted that he was home from his trip, Sora was somewhat surprised to see him standing there, plain as day.
"D...Dad?"
Her father nodded, and handed the kids their sodas. Sora moved a little to make room on the couch for him.
"Hi...well, as you can see...I'm back from my last business outing. But just because I've been away doesn't mean that I've missed you any less, Sora."
Sora acknowledged this fact and nodded. But before she could respond, Mr. Takenouchi started eyeing the hair clip she was wearing.
"That's a nice hair pin, sweetheart. Where'd you get it?" he gently asked.
"Huh?...oh, uh...Tai gave it to me..."
"Oh, that was nice of him. Wait a minute...that reminds me...y'know, your 'sister' has one just like that..."
"So I've heard."
"By the way...dinner will be ready in a few minutes, okay?"
Sora hesitantly nodded. Of course, anyone could see from a mile away the nervousness continuously brewing inside of her.
"I'm sorry, Sora," Matt said to his girlfriend over his cellular phone, "But I promised T.K., Izzy, Davis, and Kari that I'd head over to the miniature golf course with them."
"Golf, huh?" Sora asked, making sure her heard right.
"Yep. Why doncha join us? Then Kari won't feel so outnumbered by the guys..."
"Uh...thanks, but no. I was gonna catch a movie with the girls, anyway. I just wanted to know if you could see it with me."
"Oh, well...I'm sorry again, Sor."
"Me too," Sora said, nodding solemnly.
"Tell you what, I'll try to make dinner reservations at that nice French restaurant you like, okay? I know we haven't able to get together lately..."
"You're telling me. Well, I'll talk to you soon, all right? Love you, Matt."
"Love you too, Sora. See you later."
The fifteen-year old girl sighed as she turned off her phone.
"Yo, Sora! Over here! Come on!" yelled one of her friends standing outside the movie theater doors.
And before Sora knew it, she was already in a comfortable seat munching on popcorn, watching the movie previews.
Before Sora knew it, everyone made their way to the dining room table, eager to relieve themselves of their growing hunger.
Getting back to that "nervousness" thing for a moment, it should be noted and repeated that those emotions extended to Sora's mother, which proved to be just as intense.
"Um...Sora, I wasn't exactly sure what you wanted for dinner, so I prepared a few different dishes for you and Tai."
"Whatever it is, I'm sure that it's edible," Sora said almost coldly.
Her parents had no response, but instead sat down at table to begin their meal.
"Would you care for some curry? Maybe some stir-fried vegetables? Or how about some noodles?"
"Mom, take it easy! Don't bust a gut! I'll just pick my own food, thanks!"
Tai glared at Sora a little, and then glanced at Mrs. Takeouchi, who looked a little hurt at her daughter's outburst. He understood that Sora still felt hostile towards her mother, but she was clearly trying to make peace here. Sora's dad put a comforting hand on her wife's shoulder and attenpted to smile reassuringly. But try as she might, Mrs. Takenouchi found it difficult to do so.
Looking at Sora, Tai noticed that she was quitely munching away on some food. She had a death grip on her chopsticks, and amid her jaws chomping, her face displayed a grouchy expression that said-
"HMPH!"
As Tai sunk his teeth into a biscuit, he began to worry about how this whole evening was going to play out.
But then it hit him.
Was it possible that Sora wanted him to be there, not just for support, but also to make sure that she behaved graciously? Whatever the reason, Tai saw a chance to do just that. And right now, he seemed to be the only one who could start changing the uneasy enviroment here and now.
"Oh, uh...Mrs. Takenouchi!" he nearly sputtered, "These noodles are great! My mom usually relies on that instant junk you hafta buy at convenience stores!"
"I'm glad you like them, Tai!" she said, perking up a little. "I'd be happy to lend your mother a hand in the kitchen sometime!"
"That would be great. It's been a while since you've been over. My whole family misses you a lot."
"I'm sure they do," Mr. Takenouchi agreed. "Wouldn't that be nice, Sora? Our family getting together with Tai's? I sure it would be a splendid-"
"Whatever," Sora grumbled. "Just try not to pick out food for Tai's mom when you're over there..."
Tai stared wide-eyed at what Sora had just said. Not wanting to hear her parents gasp as Sora's rudeness, he did what was the only logical and seemingly necessary thing to do...kick her.
"OWW!" went Sora, as Tai's foot lightly kicked her jean-covered ankle.
"Are you all right?" asked her father.
"Ah...I'm fine, just a little ache in my ankle," she replied, reaching down to rub it.
"Um, do you have any ice packs, Mrs. Takenouchi?" Tai quickly asked.
"Yes, go to the kitchen. They're in the freezer," she said, pointing.
"Great, thanks! We'll be right back!"
With that said, Tai practically yanked Sora out of her seat and nearly dragged her into the kitchen. As the door to the kitchen slammed shut, Sora's parents just looked at each other and shrugged.
"All right, Sora! What was that all about?! Just what didja think you were doing in there?!" Tai hissed.
Sora grumbled again as she sat down in a chair while Tai opened the freezer door to grab an ice pack for her sore ankle.
"What do you mean what was I doing?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about, Sor! How could you even think of saying those awful things to your mom?!"
"I don't like her, okay!? Is that what you wanna hear? If not, then tough! That's all I have to say!"
While Sora and Tai argued, they still remembered to keep their voices low, so that the grownups wouldn't hear them.
"Listen, I realize that you resent your mom a lot! I should know, I was there! But a lot of things have changed in the past four years! Including her! She and your 'sister' get along now!"
Tai paused for a moment and handed Sora the ice pack, who pressed it to her right ankle.
"Well, that's all fine and dandy...but I DON'T feel like getting along with her!"
"Sora...I'm sorry you feel this way. I can only imagine the kind of things she did to you that seemed unfair. But she's here now, and she really does wanna make peace...with both of her daughters!"
Sora almost looked like she ready to cry, but she didn't.
"I'm sure the memories still hurt...but your parents are really trying to give this reunion their all, and you can behave better than this! You're not trying very hard."
"I am too!"
"Well, try harder!!" Tai hissed again.
"I...I don't know..."
"If you won't do it for her...then please do it for me."
Tai locked eyes with her, his face full of determination. Then, something occurred in the next few seconds (through it seemed like hours) that would finally symbolize a true change of heart...
Sora nodded.
"Okay."
"Thanks, Sora," said Tai, finally smiling. "And..."
Sora's curiosity was piqued when the smile turned into a half-frown.
"And?"
"And...sorry I kicked you."
Sora looked at Tai with an expression of amazement. But then she couldn't help what happened next. Her eyes closed, she covered her mouth with one hand, and began to giggle in the cutest fashion.
Tai chuckled a little too, and took Sora's hand.
"Okay, so just to make sure...you REALLY ready this time?"
"Yes," Sora stated, with a small amount of confidence. "Let's go."
Sora's parents were casually talking when Tai and their daughter reentered the room.
"...and afterwards, I found it jumping! I just couldn't believe it!"
"Wow, amazing! That's one heck of a story!"
"Mrs. Takenouchi?" Tai interrupted.
The two adults turned their heads to see what Tai wanted.
"Sora has something she needs get to get off her chest...doncha?"
"Umm...yeah..."
Sora stepped forward and took a deep breath before speaking.
"Ah...well, uh..."
The girl took another deep breath and finally said what needed to be said.
"Mom...I'm sorry. I really...I mean, I honestly didn't mean those things I said back there...but there's no excuse for it. Please forgive me...same to you, Dad."
Her parents smiled warmly as they watched their daughter bow in respect before them.
"Do you need a hug, sweetie?" asked Mrs. Takenouchi tenderly.
"Umm...no offense, but I don't really...er..."
Maybe it was due to the guilt coursing through her system, but whatever the reason, Sora couldn't finish her sentence.
Sora's mother nodded, understanding.
"Well, now that this fiasco is finally over with..." Mr. Takenouchi interrupted, "...how about we all finish our dinner?"
"That's fine with me!" announced Tai.
So with the worst of the evening over and done with, Tai, Sora, and her parents continued and finished their dinner. And when Sora's mother or father asked her a question, she responded as politely as she could. Then came a delicious desert consisting of pie and ice cream.
Afterwards, the four spent some time in the living room looking through some old photos...some of which were of Tai and Sora at very early ages. Unfortunately, these started to remind Tai of all the good times he and Sora had shared over the years. As he sipped a cup of tea, he tried to block out the annoyingly persistent fact that things between him and the "first" Sora weren't so great right now.
But soon thereafter, Sora realized that it was starting to get late, so she motioned for Tai to stand up and move, and she then (sincerely) bid her parents goodnight.
"Well, goodnight to you, Sora..." said Mrs. Takenouchi as she stood in the doorway to see the two teens off. "I hope that you'll drop by again sometime soon."
"Yes, it was a pleasure to finally meet you face to face," added Sora's dad.
"Umm...th...thank you very much for having me..." Sora replied, bowing.
"Thanks for putting up with me too!" Tai added.
Sora's parents chuckled, and waved as been the two teens left. But before they got out of hearing range Mrs. Takenouchi called out once more to her daughter...
"Sora!!"
The girl ceased her walking, and turned her head in the direction of the voice.
"I just want you to know that...you're always welcome here. This IS your home!"
Sora said nothing, but put on what looked like a sad smile, and she almost unnoticeable nodded.
But her mother saw, and deep inside she cried tears of joy in knowing that she was really starting to connect with her "second" child.
Emotions were definitely starting to brew in Mrs. Takenouchi's daughter as well, while Tai walked her back to Mimi's apartment.
"So?" asked Tai.
"So...what?" went a curious Sora.
"Was this dinner as bad as you thought it would be?"
Sora stopped walking for a moment, took a deep breath, then rolled her eyes.
"All right, I admit...it was...KINDA nice to be with Mom and Dad again..."
"There, ya see?!"
"Okay, okay, so dumb ol' Tai is right for once on his life! But I have to admit...I couldn't have done it without YOU by my side..."
"Sure you co-"
"NO! I really don't think I could...you and I are like...a flashlight and batteries. A flashlight won't work without batteries to charge them, and batteries are useless without an electrical device to charge. I know...it doesn't make too much sense, but..."
"Oh, no...I understand. But I'd leave all the analogies to Izzy."
There was more that Tai wanted to say, but time itself appeared to cease when he felt a pair of arms lovingly hug him from behind.
"Uh..." was all that he could get out.
But Sora just sighed in response.
"Um...Sora? Could...well, uh...ya think you could let go now?"
But she didn't.
"But I..." Sora nearly whispered, "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why can't...why can't we...?"
Tai sighed in emotional confusion.
"Sora...you know why."
The girl slowly, but finally dropped her arms, and turned Tai around to face her.
"No, Tai...even after everything you've told me, I still don't understand."
After Sora had at long last put herself on the path to restoring her relationship with her parents, she decided to take another shot at reevaluating the connection with her best friend.
"Because..."
"Because what?!"
Tai gritted his teeth in anger and annoyance. But those negative feelings were directed at himself, not Sora.
"Because...I don't wanna...be hurt that way again..."
"Huh?! Look, all I-"
"No offense...but I think I'll walk home now. You know the way back to Mimi's apartment, right?"
"Well, yeah! But you and I have to talk about-"
"Later, Sora."
Sora was more confused than sad as she watched Tai slowly walk away into the distance.
Mimi wasn't home when Sora got back, but it was just as well. After yet another failed attempt to express her feelings to Tai, she really just wanted to be alone.
As she walked over to the fridge to get a drink to grab some juice, she saw a small note taped to the refrigerator door, meant for her.
"Hmm..." Sora went as sh started to read the note aloud.
"Dear Sora...sorry, but before we left, my aunt told me that we'll be going across town to complete our errands. We may not be back until very late, so please don't worry. Love, Meems."
Sora exhaled as she noticed something else written on the back. It said...
"P.S. If you're really tired when you get back, feel free to use my bed to sleep in. –M."
The girl smiled, then immediately yawned.
As Tai returned home, his parents were still quite awake. They were watching the news on TV, while Kari was away at a sleepover. He exchanged the usual greetings with them, and made his way to his room.
Tai plopped down on his bed and sighed, while thinking about the visit to Sora's "real" home. Although he was glad that Sora and her mother were starting to get along (again), that little display of raw romantic attraction near the end seemed to leap out of nowhere.
Not waiting to lie in uncomfortable silence, he decided to-
"-turn on the radio," Sora said to herself as she tucked herself under the covers. "Some music might help before I go to sleep."
Sora reached for the built in radio on Mimi's digital clock, and clicked the "RADIO" button. She continuously turned the dial on its side until she found a suitable radio station. A radio voice jumped in.
"-ere you have it! And now for more of our wonderful Late Night Romantic Song Countdown! So snuggle up to your main squeeze..."
"You've got to be kidding me!" Sora complained.
"...and ready your ears for romance! 'Cause we got-"
Like a snake viciously advancing torward its prey, Sora hastily shot out her arm and quickly switched off the radio without even having to look at which button to press. Sora laid back down in the bed, endlessly tossing and turning. After about half an hour, her mind was overflowing with the sting of rejection being cast upon her by Tai. No actual thoughts came to mind, but the feelings that arose were enough to cause her eyes started to water, bearing tears of sadness, disappointment, longing, and any other painful emotion known to man. Her lips began to shake and quiver, and she was calling on every last ounce of strength inside to resist the tempting urge to audibly cry, even though no one would have heard her.
Back at the Kamiya residence, Tai slapped his hand down on his radio's switch, not wanting to hear the love song countdown any more than Sora did. He swiftly wiped the accumulating sweat his forehead and the collected tears for his eyes. He was surprised that he hadn't noticed them sooner. Tai then spent the next half hour or so weighing the pros and cons of being romantically involved with Sora.
Similar to the way Mrs. Takenouchi had been trying to bond with her daughter, Sora was offering her heart to him, freely and eagerly. Potentially, this was something he had always wanted, and yet...something was holding him back. At the same time, he couldn't deny that he still felt strongly for his best friend and longed to take their friendship to the next level.
But still...
Although he was seriously considering such a thing now, he needed a second opinion. And he knew just where to go.
Located almost outside of town was an abandoned warehouse where Matt and his band, the Teenage Wolves, always practiced. Matt knew full well that a successful band must practice more than "often enough" if they wanted to make it, and he wasn't one to turn away from a little hard work.
As expected, Matt was there, sitting on a pile of small wooden crates, strumming a few tunes on his electric guitar. Tai knocked on the door-less frame outside the building to get his attention. Matt jerked his head up and smiled.
"Hey, Tai!" he said, immediately putting his guitar down. "What brings you here?"
"Just thought we could chat...if you got time, that is."
"I have plenty since the others went to go get some Chinese food, soda and pizza. They're gonna bring it back here, and we're gonna chow down like crazy. You can join us if you want."
"I've eaten already. But thanks, anyway."
"No problem, pal. So, what's on your mind?"
"Well...I could use your advice on something..."
Matt was more than willing to listen. And it didn't take long for the whole story to come out. From the moment he saw her, the blonde teen had a sneaking suspicion that possibly this new Sora still had intense feelings for Tai. Feeling sympathetic towards his friend's dilemma, Matt would not hesitate to exercise his powers of Friendship to do whatever he could to help.
"Man...must be stressful for the both of you. Sora's feeling the way you've always wanted her to, and you're ironically rejecting her advances."
"Thanks for repeating everything I explained in two sentences," Tai flatly replied, sitting down on a nearby crate.
"Sorry, man...look, if Sora truly likes you, then why resist? Take a moment to really think about the situation. It's what you've been wanting, so why fight it?"
"I don't know-"
"I think you do..." Matt interrupted. "You're afraid of being hurt again, right?"
"Yes."
"C'mon...no one wants to feel hurt, but this is your big chance for the two of you to live happily ever after."
"But I'm even more afraid that it won't work out. Being heartbroken once was more than enough."
"You'll never know if you don't give it a try."
"But you don't know what it feels like to have heart ripped out and stomped on without a second thought!"
Matt thought that Tai was exaggerating, but one thing was true...Sora barely thought twice about her decision in choosing boyfriends. What Tai said was true...Matt and Sora had struck gold on their first try in terms of finding lasting love.
Hmmm, Matt thought to himself. As much as I hate to admit it, Tai's right. I DON'T know what it feels like...and I hope I never have to find out.
During their first adventures in the Digital World, it was no secret that these two boys went at it often enough. But this time around, Matt knew full well that emotionally, he had really slammed Tai hard. Luckily, he had matured enough to not gloat about it. When he got down to closely examining the situation, he was a little surprised that Tai still considered him a friend.
After Matt had briefly "turned traitor" against the rest of the Digidestined, fought with Tai and WarGreymon, and finally making his way out of his pit of darkness, he made it a point to become better friends with Tai. But now there was the matter concerning Sora.
Unfortunately for Tai, his two good friends hit it off rather quickly and grew to love each other easily. Matt was almost one hundred percent certain that his friendship with Tai was over when they decided to inform him of the news that they were...official.
At that moment, Matt and Tai stared at each other and quickly realized that they were both thinking about the same thing.
"Hey, sorry!" Matt sputtered. "Didn't mean to bring back any painful memories..."
"S'okay, man..."
"No, it's not...when you started caring for T.K. in the Digital World, I hafta admit...I got really jealous when he started to look up to you more than me. But I came to realize that it was partially because I couldn't be around to protect him. And by the time we all linked up with each other again, T.K. said he didn't need my help. I soon came to realize that it wasn't just because he'd grown a lot, but because you showed him to be brave and how to stand up for himself when he was all alone."
"And all that means...?"
"It means you gave me and T.K. a lot to benefit from. Not to mention that you've greatly inspired just about every member of the Digidestined to some extent."
"So?"
"So...it just feels like you've given us so much, being our unofficial leader and all...and we've given you so little."
"Thanks for reminding me."
"Sorry again. Look, point is...maybe you're finally being rewarded now. You've been given a second chance to get what you what. Being the person you are and considering everything you've done, it's no surprise that life would deal you this kind of hand. Don't pass up the chance to take advantage of it."
"But...what if I mess it up? What if...I make the wrong choices?"
"Tai...I asked the Gabumon the same thing when I was hurting and confused. And I'll tell you what he told me. I know pretty well who you are at heart...I'm sure that the choice you make will be the right one."
Tai stood up and finally smiled. He turned towards Matt and nodded confidently.
"Thanks, man."
"Anytime, bro. Now go on, get the heck outta here," Matt replied, smiling too.
Tai nodded again and ran out of the warehouse as fast as his feet would carry him.
The next day, Tai found that he was in a slightly better mood than usual, partially due to the fact that it was the first day of his school's two-week vacation. And Tai was never one to pass up a chance to sleep in longer than usual. It was a little after ten when he woke up.
But today he was filled with renewed confidence, like he had a new purpose in life, and he immediately decided to tackle that purpose head on. Tai raced over to the phone to call up Mimi. He almost bumped into Kari, who was sort of sleepwalking into the kitchen.
Mimi herself had decided to sleep in, too. In her pink bed she tossed and turned between the pale pink bed sheets, as an annoying ringing made its way into her ears, causing her to grumble. She tried to smother her own face with her pink, soft, fluffy pillow, but the ringing continued. Mimi growled and picked it up.
"M'kay..." she said sleepily. "Unless th' world is comin' to an end...WE'RE NOT BUYING ANYTHING!!"
"Meems, chill! It's me, Tai."
"Oh, go away!"
Tai tried not to laugh at Mimi's fatigued whining.
"Wait, is Sora there? I need to talk to her!"
Mimi groaned and brushed some fingers through her tangled light chocolate hair, but growled again when they got stuck!
"No, she's not here..." she replied through gritted teeth. "...she, uh...wanted to get an early start, so she went into town to buy some pastry ingredients. We're planning to bake brownies tonight."
"Ah, I see...well, if she drops by, tell her that I called. In the meantime, I'm gonna go look for her."
"Fine, fine, do whatever you want, have fun. Now would you kindy get lost?! I need my beauty sleep! Do you think it's EASY to look as gorgeous as me every single day??"
Tai chuckled. "I understand, Meems. See ya and have a nice, lazy morning."
"Bye..." she said groggily as she hung up.
Mimi obnoxiously yawned, aggressively turned over on her stomach, mushed her face into the mattress, and pulled the pillow over her head again.
Sora looked at her red watch as she casually walked to the bus stop. In hand was a bag of cooking ingredients, for the coming evening.
I hope that I can pick up some cooking pointers from Mimi, Sora thought. Well, tonight I find out if I'm able to cook more than just...
"SORA! SORA!!"
"Huh?"
The girl turned her head in the direction of whatever was calling her name. But she smiled when she saw who it was.
"Sora! Over here, it's me!" Tai yelled as he ran down the block after her.
"Hey, Tai! What's up?" she said cheerfully as she saw him approaching.
No matter what the situation, she was always glad to see her "bestest" friend in the whole, wide, world.
That very friend had now just reached the bus stop, but before he could say anything, he slightly bent over to catch his breath. Sora just stared him in concern. What could be so important that he came sprinting down the sidewalk like a maniac?
After a few seconds, Tai's breathing finally started to slow down.
"Umm, no offense...but I'm waiting for the bus to come. So you better make it snappy," she said with a cute little giggle that was impossible for someone to ignore.
Someone...like Tai.
That does it, he thought with searing rage of blazing emotions in his heart.
Sora became a little scared as Tai marched closer to her. She gulped and took a couple of steps backwards.
"Tai? T-Tai, w-w-what are you do-"
Sora gasped and her eyes were as big as dinner plates as she realized that Tai was actually kissing her! As he grabbed her firmly by the shoulders, nothing else seemed to matter anymore and the bag of groceries in her hand were dropped and spilt onto the sidewalk, already long forgotten. Sora felt a bit intimidated at first, so much so that she kept her eyes wide open. Mild embarrassment swept through her veins, causing her cheeks to redden.
Breaking apart, Sora's mouth curled into a half-smile at Tai's sudden change in heart. Whatever the reason was behind this turn of events, she wasn't about to argue. The two teenagers just stared at each other in realization of what just took place.
"Tai..." she said between breaths. "Is this-"
But the girl was forced to close her eyes again as Tai pulled her in again for another kiss. This time, however, she responded accordingly, gently wrapping her arms around his waist and pulling him even closer. For the first time, both felt as if they had full access to each other and every single molecule that made up their being.
While the two teenagers embraced, the very bus that Sora had been waiting for came. But maybe it was just as well that none of the passengers had to get off at this stop, however, a couple of them whipped out cameras and took pictures at the romantic encounter which was taking place. The bus driver opened the doors and repeatedly asked either teen if they were getting on. But Sora and Tai completely ignored anything that was occurring outside their private little world. The driver then just shrugged, closed the doors, and drove off.
Finally, they let go again, and Tai decided to let Sora talk.
"Okay, Sora...what were you gonna say?"
"I don't know and frankly...I don't care," she said dreamily.
"Sorry," Tai noted. "I...made you miss your bus."
But Sora just stared her love.
"What bus?" she finally asked.
Tai laughed heartily at her words.
"Tai..." Sora began to ask with a small amount of caution in her voice. "Is this for real? Tell me you're not messing with my head."
"This couldn't be more real if you wanted it to be..."
"Then...you mean..."
"I realized last night...that I have a second chance to make things right, and give it a happy ending."
"You're wrong about that," Sora corrected him.
"Oh, am I?" he said, still smiling.
"Mm-hm," she said bravely. "There won't be a happy ending for us...just a happy existence."
"Whatever you wanna call it, I'll take it! I don't just love you...what I feel for you can't even be put into words..."
"Then don't try," Sora stated with a wink.
"And to think I originally just wanted to talk to you this morning!"
"Well, then...we should talk more often like this. Matter of fact..."
"Sora?"
"Yeah?"
"Shut up."
"Okay."
With nothing left to say, Tai and Sora embraced each other once more, and sweetly kissed one another in broad daylight. Their hearts were filled with passionate, loving emotions, and their minds had never clearer. And their souls had been imbued with renewed confidence, and something told them that from now on, they'd be able to handle anything better than ever.
(This story is SOOOO) TO BE CONTINUED...
To tell ya'll the truth, this fanfic is over! NOT! You didn't really think it'd end here, did you? Things are just starting to get good! It's FAR from over! The next chapter details...Tai and Sora's FIRST DATE! A chapter you'd be a fool to miss! SO DON'T!