Hands Full Of Rainbow

-Reiye

Chapter Seven: Bandages and Sweet Rolls

A/N: Wow, look at all the reviews!! Man, I am SOOOO sorry for not updating in so long! Truth is we moved! Yeah so my computer was locked away and everything. Well if that wasn't bad enough, right as soon as we moved in to our new house, my grandfather died… so we had to pack everything and fly over seas for his funeral. AND I had a terrible writer's block on this! But now, I am back, and my computer is finally hooked up! Once again, very sorry for the delay!

Disclaimer: I own nothing

It didn't stop raining. For days the clouds leaked and spilled rain, trampling down upon the soggy Earth. The village was quiet; no one was outside, not even the children. The days were wet and humid, and the nights were blistering cold.

She stared out her window and watched the Advisors set up tents and shelters as they tried to salvage her threads and plants. The rain calmed to a miserable drizzle as the last canopy was heaved up and fastened to the ground.

She heard footsteps coming. It was Joe. He was soaking wet, and the hem of his cloak was caked with mud. "Well, it's fine. Everything is still in its place and it's all … f-fine," he panted.

Sora smiled, "Thanks Joe. Mimi will be here soon with tea, would you like to join us?"

"N-no thanks, Yamato still has a few tasks for me to see to," he said as he left.

Sora stared down at the magnificent robe in her lab. It was almost finished. It looked almost new. The colors were infused back into the threads, and the pictures seem to dance along the fabric. The only thing missing were the future scenes that had yet to be filled. Their absence left a wide square of bare cloth.

She laid her bone needle down in her basket and gently folded the robe back into its proper drawer. She picked up the loose threads that lay scattered across the floor and saved them for future use.

She rose from her chair and stretched. Her leg had completely healed, so she was finally able to move without her walking stick. She still kept it though, it was a gift and her mother taught her to treasure and respect every gift she received. Plus, it was made and given to her by a close friend of hers whom she was very fond of.

Mimi stopped by with tea, but couldn't stay for long. Sora was a bit relieved. She liked Mimi a lot, but she had a way of rambling on and on without ever stopping.

After Mimi left, Sora picked up the tray and walked down the hall. She stopped in front a familiar door and knocked.

The door swung open and there stood a tall, very handsome, very shirtless Tai. Sora flushed pink. "Sorry Tai, I didn't-"

"That's ok, it gets really hot in this room! Come on in," Tai said rather casually as he grabbed his shirt from the back of a chair.

Sora, who was still a very noticeable rosy color, sheepishly crept inside the room. The tray shook violently in her hands to the point where she almost dropped it.

"Hey," Tai said gently as he took the tray from her hands and set it down, "you okay?"

Sora nodded brusquely and gave a quick smile. "We always eat in my room, so I thought maybe today we could try your room."

Tai smiled. "Yeah, well if I had known you were coming I would have cleaned a bit." He looked around his workroom. Blades and shards of wood were scattered all over the tables. He quickly began to wipe away the chips of wood in the dustbin and collect his blades.

"Ah!" Tai winced.

"What's wrong?" Sora asked immediately. She saw Tai clutching onto his hand as one of his knives dropped to the floor. His white shirt was quickly turning a deep red. She rushed over to him. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine…" Tai said, but the blood continued to leak from his hand.

"Tai let me see," Sora said sternly.

He hesitated but then brought out his hand from his shirt. Sora gasped.

"Tai, it looks deep!" She tore a strip from her apron and wadded it into a ball. "Keep pressure on it, I'll be right back."

Tai did as she said. She returned moments later with a basket made from river grass, and a bowl of water. She knelt down beside him and withdrew a small vile filled with crushed leaves.

"It's witch hazel," Sora explained as she dumped some of the crushed leaves into the bowl. She stirred in the leaves with her finger as an invigorating scent lifted from the bowl. "My mother used to use it on me when ever I got cuts or scrapes."

She took Tai's wounded hand and began to wipe away at the excess blood. She didn't wince or cringe at the ghastly sight; instead she was too full of concern.

Tai stared at her as she slowly dipped his hand into the water. All of her attention was focused on his hand, but he continued to watch her. She was so worried and determined. It was as if she was healing her own hand, not someone else's.

It was only when she met his gaze that he realized she was finished. He looked down at his hand expecting to see a fleshy gash, but instead he saw that it was neatly wrapped in bandages, and the pain was gone. "Thank you."

She smiled lovingly and said, "Anytime."

"Hello! Knock-knock!" An all too familiar voice rang out. Sora rose from the floor to answer the door.

"Finished?" Mimi asked.

"Huh?" Sora asked. She had completely forgotten why she had come to Tai's room in the first place. "Oh, well, you see we had a little… situation, so we didn't really get a chance to-"

"Oh, that's okay. Should a send up another kettle?"

"No thanks, unless…" She turned to Tai who was still sitting on the floor, gazing up at her.

He snapped out of his awed expression and shook his head."

"Okay, see at dinner then!" Mimi chirped as she removed the tray from the table and left.

Sora walked back towards Tai. "Don't tell me you hurt your legs too."

Tai laughed as he stood up and handed Sora her basket. "Hey, thanks again Sor-"

"Don't be ridiculous Tai, you were hurt. You think I'd just sit around and watch you bleed like that?"

Tai smiled his silly lop-sided grin. Sora laughed. "Well, I better get back to work. Don't do anything that could hurt your hand. I'll be back in the evening to check on it."

"Thanks…mom," Tai said sarcastically. Sora rolled her eyes as she left his room.

---

The sun finally showed its face after about the sixth day of all the rain. It came just in time for the annual Harvest. The Harvest was the village's most prestigious day of the year. It was held on the first day of autumn and everyone would dress in their best clothes and prepare a food dish.

At lunch, families would get together and share their dishes. Then the Singer would come on the stage dressed in the extravagant robe, and with his staff gripped firmly in his right hand, he would sing.

Though the grand festival was still two weeks away, the villagers began preparing for the occasion anyway. Banners and streamers of many colors were strung from every house, and the overall mood of the town was very jovial.

Women crowded the shops searching for new dresses to wear, while the men brought back a hearty amount of game from the forest. Even the children could sense the excitement in the air as they appeared much more cleaner than usual.

Sora was anxiously waiting for the third bell to chime. When it finally rang, she quickly laced her sandals and hurried outside. Mimi was waiting for her when she reached the foot of the stairs.

"This is so exciting! I love this time of year!" Mimi squealed.

"I know! Oh Look! They're setting up the stage!" Sora said with delight. They watched the canopy rise over the wide stage and cheered along with the rest of the people.

"So," Mimi began as they walked along the street, "is the robe finished?"

Sora nodded with pride. It was finally done! After months and months of tedious needlework, the ancient robe was restored at last!

"I can't wait to see it!" Mimi said with excitement. "Let's go down to the bakery, I've been craving one of Mrs. Izumi's sweet rolls for quite some time!"

"Mmmmm! It smells so good here!" Sora sighed as she entered the bakery.

"I know! Hey look, its Koushiro!" Mimi said waving to a short red haired boy at the counter.

"Mimi-san? Is that you?" Koushiro asked squinting his eyes a bit.

She nodded and threw her arms around him. "Oh it's so good to see you again!"

"Yes, and you must be Sora," Koushiro stated as he turned to the girl next to Mimi. "Tai has spoken of you quite frequently."

Sora flushed pink. "Has he?"

"Oh yes, he is rather fond of you…" He smiled. "So, can I interest you in one of my mother's sweet rolls?"

"You read my mind!" Mimi said as she stepped up to the counter. "Would you like anything Sora? My treat!"

"No thanks Mimi, I couldn't-" Sora began.

"Oh go on Sora! You really must try one!" Mimi coaxed, handing Sora a glazed roll.

Sora stared at the tempting offer and finally decided to give in. Together, the three walked down the street, sweet rolls at hand.

"So Koushiro, where is your father?" Mimi asked.

"He's in Hoshino. It's another small village not too far from here. It's where I was born. He is visiting my grandmother who is rather ill."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I didn't know you were born in Hoshino!" Mimi said.

"I moved here when I was about two months old. Would you like to stop by my place for some tea?"

Mimi looked eagerly at Sora. "Why don't you two go, I really must be getting back to the Manor." Sora said.

"Okay, I'll meet you back there soon," Mimi said.

"It was very nice meeting you Koushiro."

"Likewise Sora-san."

A/N: Sorry, I know it was kind of a bad place to end it, but oh well. At least I updated!! I could NEVER forget you Taiora fans!! Well, please review…if you can forgive me! :)