-and rain
Chapter Five: Baby Steps
A/N: *squeals* Thank you so much for your reviews!! I'm so happy! Oh, I don't own Digimon or Gathering Blue :p
*
"Well Sora-san, you're three days are over, and by the looks of it, your ankle is doing very well. I see the swelling has come down a lot. Now try moving your ankle, we'll see if it still hurts," Mitsuki-sensei said as he examined her ankle.
Sora lifted her leg off the pillow and rotated her ankle for the first time in weeks. "It feels really stiff, and there is a mild sore spot, but just barely. Other than that it feels wonderful."
"Good, the reason why if feels stiff is because you've kept it inert for the past few weeks, as you should have been doing. It just needs to be massaged a bit so the blood can start flowing again. I'll be back, I need to go bring some of my hot oils. Don't move Sora-san, you are to remain in bed until I get back." Sensei said as he turned to leave.
He opened the door and waiting outside were Tai, Mimi, Joe, T.K., Yamato, and Yolei.
"Is she okay Sensei?" Mimi asked worriedly.
"Will she be able to walk?" Joe asked.
"Can we see her?" Yamato asked, sounding impatient.
Sensei laughed, "yes, yes, and yes, but don't get her too excited!"
T.K. was the first to rush into Sora's room. He jumped on her bed and sat cozily next to her. Then one by one everyone entered her room. Sora was bursting with delight at the sight of all of her new friends.
"Oh Sora, we're so glad you're going to be okay!" Mimi cried, draping her arms around Sora.
"Calm down Mimi, I'm not dying!" Sora laughed.
"I wasn't worried at all. I knew you were going to be okay right from the start!" T.K. boasted, grinning widely.
"So what did the doctor say?" Yamato asked.
"Well, he said everything looks fine. He went to get some oils," Sora said.
"That's a relief. We were all really worried about you," Yolei smiled.
"What for? I just twisted my ankle," she said. All throughout her life, the only person who really ever worried for her was her mother. But now, here she had six people fretting over her.
"But still, we're just glad you'll be able to get out of bed," said Yolei.
"Me too! I can't wait to go back outside!"
"Okay, okay, make way." Mitsuki-sensei said, a bottle of lavender oil in one hand, and a large earthen bowl in the other. He pulled up a chair next to Sora's bed and poured the oil into the bowl. "Sit up Sora, I don't want to get any oil on your bed."
Sora flung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up. Sensei dipped his hands into the oil and began to rub Sora's ankle. It was hard for Sora to contain her fits of laughter. Her most ticklish spot was the bottom of her feet. She could feel her ankle loosen and become more flexible.
"There, how does that feel?" Sensei asked.
"Much better!" Sora sighed, wiggling her ankle.
"Good. Mimi-san, would you bring a damp towel please?"
Mimi nodded and turned towards the bathroom. She returned, handing Sensei a warm, moist towel. He wiped off the excess oil from Sora's leg. "Okay, well I think we're ready to try walking. Where is your walking stick?"
Sora reached for her new walking stick, which rested against the wall.
"My, my, look at how elegant your walking stick is! I don't remember you using this one before," Mitsuki-sensei said, admiring the carvings on the stick.
"The other one broke, a friend made this one for me," Sora said, glancing at Tai.
"Well it's very impressive. Alright, let's get you off this bed," he said, helping Sora to her feet. It was a struggle to regain her balance, but with the help of her doctor, it became easier. He handed Sora her walking stick and backed away from her.
"Baby steps Sora," T.K. said. Sora laughed to herself. With the help of Tai's gift, she was able to walk again. Everyone cheered as she made her first few steps. Sora beamed at her new friends. Her new family.
*
Sora was eager to step outside. She laced her sandals and headed out towards her dyeing shed. She had used up all her old threads, and now she had to color new ones. Before leaving, she had made a list of the colors she would need and the plants that produced them.
She dropped off the list with Yolei and asked her to bring them to her private garden. She sat outside on her bench and began to soak the madder roots in a pot of water. Sora loved being outdoors. The fresh air cleansed her mind, she was at peace when she was outside.
She started a fire and began to boil the soaked madder roots. Like magic, the clear water began to change into a deep red. Sora dumped in the white threads and stirred them in with a wooden spoon. She hummed to herself. She loved dyeing threads, color made everything so beautiful.
After a few minutes, she removed the soaking threads and drained them. She hung them over a clothesline and let them dry. They were still a little pink, but once they were completely dry, they would become a bold red. (A/N: Ok, I really have no idea how to actually dye threads, so use your imagination!)
"Sora?" A familiar voice called out.
"Over here Yolei!" Sora waved to her friend.
"There you are! Oh wow! So is this where you color?" Yolei asked, carrying a large basket.
"Yes, were you able to find everything? It was a pretty length list."
"Some of them haven't sprouted yet, but once they do I'll bring them to you," Yolei said handing her the basket filled with a wide assortment of shrubbery.
"That's fine, I think this will do nicely. Thank you so much!"
"No problem Sora. Need anything else?"
"Nope, I think that'll be all for now."
"Okay, well I better get back to the greenhouse. The Warden is waiting for me!" Yolei said.
"Bye Yolei!" Sora called. She crouched down and dug into the cool earth. Gently, she placed the plants into their new home, and served them fresh water. She would care for these plants, and in return they would color her threads, and bring smiles to sad faces.
The soil crept under her fingernails and smeared her fair hands with soot, but she didn't care. All her life, Sora had grown up as a carefree child. Life was never a fear, but a joy. Very few girls never went to school; most of them were expected to help their mothers and the other women. Girls were allowed to attend schools, but they had to pay double.
It was very rare to meet a girl or woman who was able to read and write, Sora herself being one of them. Sora's grandfather had taught her how to become literate. He was very respected throughout the village, and she turned to him as a fatherly figure. But like her mother, he too died of sickness when she was twelve. He was an elderly man when he died, ninety-six.
She snapped out of her little memory at the sound of her name. She looked about but couldn't find the caller.
"Up here!"
She redirected her attention upward, to her window. She smiled at the familiar poof of brown hair that blew softly. "Hey Tai!"
"Wanna take a lunch break?" He called down to her.
"Sure! I'll be right up!" She brushed off the dirt from her apron and washed her hands in a pail of water. She poured the remaining water over the fire, and watched it die out.
*
"Is she coming Tai?" Mimi asked, pouring hot water into three cups.
"Yeah, she said she'd be right up," Tai said as flopped down in one of his chairs. He glanced around her room. Most of the furniture was made by him.
"Mind if I join you two?" Mimi asked politely.
"Huh? Oh sure, have a seat," Tai gestured towards an empty chair. Just then a very dirty Sora walked in.
"Hi, sorry I'm late!"
"Sora! Look at you! You're a mess!" Mimi exclaimed.
"Yeah, I guess I got a little carried away planting my new colors," Sora said sheepishly as she looked down at her soiled dress.
"Obviously! Now let's get you cleaned!" Mimi said, disgusted. Tai smirked as he reclined back in his chair. Mimi nudged Sora in the washroom. Sora reluctantly obeyed and began to wash her hands and face.
"There! All clean!" Mimi said brightly as Sora returned. She tossed her dirty dress into a clothes hamper and tied the back of her light blue dress. She sat across from Tai and began to gorge into her meal. She was starving.
It was a pretty quiet meal. A short conversation about the village was all the talking that took place. It was mostly Sora and Mimi conversing. Tai only spoke when a question was directly addressed to him.
Sora felt uncomfortable. Tai was usually a quiet person, but she knew he was able to carry on a conversation. So why wasn't he joining in?
"What's wrong Tai?" Sora asked gently.
"Huh? Oh, nothing. I'm just tired," Tai said as he played with his food.
Sora nodded though she was still suspicious. Mimi went on about the village. It was as if she didn't notice Tai's behavior.
"I've never lived in the village. My father is an advisor, so I was born here. What's it like? Living in a burrow must be pretty cramped huh?"
"Well, it wasn't for us," Sora told her friend, "after all, it was just me and my mother. Plus, the only time people are ever in their burrows is during meal times and at night. Everyone is usually outside."
Mimi nodded, "I haven't been to the village in a while, I was planning to go down there after work hours today. Want to go?" Mimi asked as she began to clear the table.
"I'd love to! Do you want to come with us Tai?" Sora asked.
"No thanks, I've got a lot of work to do, so I better get going," Tai said as he stood up.
"Bye Tai!" Mimi called.
Tai waved as he left out the door. "I should get back outside, I'm not done dyeing my threads. Thanks for lunch Mimi." Sora grabbed her walking stick and tied her apron on.
"No problem. There are extra dresses in the drawers just in case you get dirty again. I'll meet you here at the fourth bell," Mimi said as she watched Sora leave.
*
Sora hurried into the bathroom to clean herself up. As usual her dress had gotten muddy so she threw on a simple pale yellow frock and washed her hands and face. Her whole afternoon had been spent outside. She finally had the threads she needed though they were still drying inside the shed. Tomorrow she would stay inside and work on the robe.
The four bells sounded as Sora ran her mother's comb through her auburn hair. A few minutes later Mimi arrived. Her attire was different than her usual royal blue dress and spotless white apron. She wore a basic knee-length rosy pink skirt and blouse.
"Ready?" Mimi asked happily.
"Ready," Sora said, setting her comb down. The two walked down the road that led to the noisy village. They walked past shops and through the market. People were closing down as business hours were over, but some remained open.
They sat together on a bench and watched the people hurry by. "It's a lot different," Mimi said.
"Really? How so?"
"Well, it's a lot quieter, and less crowded."
"Mimi! It's past four bells! Everyone is at home, eating dinner!" Sora laughed.
"Oh, I guess I never thought of that! So, what's it like? Coming back here?"
"I don't know, I miss it, but I also like my new home. Mimi, can I ask you something?"
"Sure, what's on your mind?"
"Tai," Sora said shortly.
"Tai? What about Tai?" Mimi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, today at lunch he was really quiet. He didn't talk much."
Mimi laughed, "Oh Sora, I keep forgetting you're new! Tai is always quiet. Even when we were little, I remember Tai being the shy and quiet little artisan. It's just the way he is. We've all tried to get him to open up, but it's just his nature, you know?"
"But, whenever we eat our meals together he talks to me. It may not be an exciting conversation, but he does talk."
"Really? Actually, I was pretty surprised when he decided to eat meals with you. Usually quiet people like to keep to themselves, but here he is eating and chatting with you! But that's good for him. He needs to talk to someone. He has a friend here in the village. Izumi Koushiro, I think that's his name. Tai sometimes visits him during his free time. From what we know at the Manor, Koushiro is the only person Tai has ever opened up to."
"Izumi? Do they still live here?" Sora asked.
"Yeah, but I don't know where. We try to let Tai visit Koushiro as much as he wants to, but sometimes it gets it the way of his work. So, I'm glad you here Sora. Maybe he can start opening up to you too." Mimi told her. "But be careful Sora. Tai has had a horrible past, and it's not easy for him to summon up all those agonizing memories."
Sora nodded. She looked to the ground. Mimi continued.
"We all love Tai, and we're always worrying about him. It's not healthy for someone to be so quiet and bottled up. He works all day with sharp knives and blades, and quite honestly, we're surprised he hasn't tried anything…rash. You know, like… hurting himself," Mimi sighed. "You have to help him Sora, we've all tried, but now it's your turn. And I know you can do it. Just remember, go easy on him. Baby steps Sora."
Sora stroked her walking stick. Baby steps…
*
A/N: Done! Sorry, it took so long! Great great reviews! Kari will come in the story later on. To be honest, I haven't really come up with her character, but I'll try to get her in! As for the hints of Mimato (Angel Starcalista), we'll see if that happens. I wasn't planning it, but you never know! Thanks! R/R!!
~Rainy