A/n: Sorry for the wait. End of the school semester fun was more pressing than typing. If I had my way, it would have been the other way around.
Anyway, I hope you all had a great holiday season- no matter what holiday you celebrate.
Here is the next chapter of the fic- I have less than three months to finish this fic- so be on the look out for more frequent updates! Fun! Then I am off to the land of anime!
So enjoy!!
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The two stayed silent as they waited for Sora to return. Even after the object of their affections returned, the two found that it was difficult to speak.
There before them was the vista of a goddess. Her flawless body was covered in blue and gold silk. The small patterns in the fabric seemed to entrance the entire room.
Blushing a little, Sora smiled and turned around so all three at the bar could assess the dress.
"Well?" She asked a little worried something was wrong. The faces all three wore made her try to stifle the laughter that threatened to flow.
"You… you look…" Tai began to mutter finally waking up from the dream before him.
"Like an angel. It looks even better than I had dreamed." Matt cut in standing up quickly. Coming closer to Sora, he suavely kissed the back of her hand. "I couldn't dream a more beautiful woman."
"You really think it looks alright? I'm not sure it's really my color. Tai, do you like it?" She asked looking over at the other man sitting at the bar. She did not know why she had asked such a question, and specifically directing it to her new partner. However, there was not taking it back.
Tai's eyes went wide at the question directed his way. He would have been content to stay there and silently bask in her beauty. Things would have stayed that way, except for the question.
All eyes focused on the brown haired man and his silence. A faint blush rose on his cheeks as he lifted his arm to scratch the back of his head. The wide smile that spread across his face only made Sora's stomach flutter. He was so handsome and there was just something about that smile she loved.
"Sora, you look good." Was the only reply that came from his lips. Disappointed with himself, Tai forced himself to look away and take a large swig of beer. 'That sounded so… so… dumb. Good… you look good. That was the best way to describe her- not gorgeous, the most beautiful woman I've ever laid eyes on, a goddess on earth- no just good.' He mentally sighed and hoped she wasn't disappointed.
Sora tried not to look too saddened by the neutral comment. 'Good. I look good. Is that all? Why do you make me feel so…' Sora's internal struggles where cut short when Matt cleared his throat and took her hand.
"My lady, I do believe we have dinner at my homestead waiting."
"Oh, yes." Sora smiled covering up the confusion in her heart. "I'm sorry Matt, we should be going then." She waved to Joe and quickly looked over at the brown-haired man at the bar. He didn't even look at her. "Goodnight Taichi." She whispered her voice a little disheartened.
Tai sat there in silence thinking of Sora going with Matt to his homestead. He couldn't help the jealous and spiteful feelings arise inside him. His hand must have balled into a fist because Joe placed a supporting hand on his.
"You like her." Joe simply said before picking up an empty glass off the counter. Before Tai could voice anything, especially the false denial on the tip of his tongue, Joe began again.
"You're eyes say it all. Sora's an amazing girl. You would have to be blind not to like her. However, it seems that there's more to it… am I right?"
"What?"
"You don't have to tell me anything. I think I've got the situation pretty much understood from here." Joe spoke as he wiped another glass and placed it in front of a customer to the right of Tai.
"You do, do you?" Tai said skeptically trying to ignore the blue haired man. Pride and a little shyness kept Taichi from allowing the truth to be told. He felt foolish feeling so deeply over a woman he hardly knew, added on top of that she was practically taken by another.
Turning back to his drink, he allowed his mind to drift down the negative path; the one where he would never fulfill his goal, and be alone for the rest of his life.
"Damn," he suddenly uttered as he slatted his forehead with his palm. He had nearly forgotten about his reason for journeying to this little town in the first place.
"What did you say Tai?" Joe asked turning back to the other man.
"Nothing, I just remembered that I didn't come here to worry about some woman, I have a job to accomplish." Tai mumbled more to himself than to Joe. "I had best be off. I still have a lot to do before I infiltrate the enemy's camp."
"Well, stay safe. And be extra careful later tonight if you'll be walking home. Those men can get rather rough on innocent passersby." Joe warned. "I just thought you'd like to know- you're not the only one confused. Don't lose hope." The man smiled and returned to his bar work and customers.
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Matt had taken Sora out for a quick round of shopping before returning to his nice and cozy homestead. The house was a single story house that looked to Sora like a mansion compared to her small and lowly apartment. He had thought of everything with this house, spared no expense in constructing the wooden log home and matching barn.
On the elaborate table, Matt had set out his best chinaware and the beginnings of a delicious meal. He sat Sora down at the table and kissed her hand before leaving the dinning room and entering the most up-to-date kitchen in the area.
They talked while eating and then went out to sit on a blanket to watch the sun set. Sora could not deny that Matt was charming. He had always been a dashing young man, and Sora had often had to talk herself out of accepting his offer.
The only things stopping her for becoming the next permanent resident in the perfect homestead were her mission and a broken and confused heart. She really didn't understand love anymore. Her family had been taken away at a young age that she didn't know how to be part of a family anymore. She wasn't ready to settle down and start one of her own.
Rolling over in bed, Sora pulled the covers over her and rested on her elbow. Looking down on the man she had spent the day and now whose bed she was sharing, Sora let out a quiet sign. Matt lay next to her; he was silently contemplating the heaven they once again experienced together.
"Matt," Sora spoke up looking at his face that was lax and content. His eyes were closed and Sora knew he was probably trying to get some sleep, however a question lingered inside.
"Um?" He half consciously murmured.
"Matt, how do you know you love me?" She asked placing her hand on his bare chest. His eye opened after her question finally registered. Blinking once, he could see she was serious.
"Sora? What's wrong?" He asked sitting up and leaning against the headboard of the bed.
"I just want to know how you can be so sure I'm the one, the right woman you want to be with… I mean it's just that…" She looked away from his concerned orbs. Struggling for the right words, Sora sighed sadly.
"Sora." Matt began with a quiet voice. Reaching out he cupped her cheek with his hand. "I know because I see it in your eyes, and I feel it when we're together and in here." He told her as he placed his hand over hers on his chest. "I want you to know I love you. No matter what or when you decide your future's course… however, I'd really like it if you'd choose me. What can I say? I'm a little bias, waking up next to you is heaven. You're my heaven Sora." He added with a goofy smile that never failed to lighten the mood and get Sora to laugh.
"I wish I could be as sure as you…"
"There's no hurry to settle down officially. You have things to deal with, and I understand. I'll wait forever if it means I can have you by me." He emphasized his point with a kiss. "Now love, we had best get some sleep. Tomorrow is a big day right? Those men are coming for their little party?"
"Matt, you've helped me enough. I don't want you to get any more involved with this than you already are." Sora yawned as she settled back down besides Matt.
"It's too late for that. I'm going to see you through this Sora, the whole way." Matt assured her rubbing her arm. Placing a kiss to her lips, Matt closed his eyes and whispered her goodnight.
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Making her way back towards her small room, Sora began prepping for the long day ahead of her. She had so much to day before she made her way to the saloon; her mind didn't even remember the man with the large chocolate eyes and brown messy hair until she opened the door of her room.
There upon the bed sleeping peacefully on her bed was Tai. His white button up shirt was halfway undone and his boots still on, hanging partly off the mattress.
Her breath stopped as she watched him sleep. There was an ache in the bottom of her heart as she stood there in the doorway. For some reason her heart had been doing a lot of talking the last day or so. In addition, what made things worse was that her brain couldn't keep up with the signals.
Not wanting to wake him up, Sora forced herself to move out of the doorway. Closing the door, she quietly set her things down and made her way to the bathroom. Running some water in the bath, she suddenly felt dirty and in need of cleaning before she faced the day. Heating some water on the stove, Sora was able to whip up a refreshingly warm bath without waking her sleeping house quest.
Shedding the Chinese dress and folding it neatly, Sora stepped into the bath with a sigh. Sinking down into the water up to her chin her mind kept returning to the man in the next room.
She had watched Matt sleep several times over the course of their friendship; however, her heart had never acted like this. Letting out a growl of frustration, Sora finished her bath and threw on her robe.
"Good morning." A tired voice called out to her as she reentered the main room of the apartment.
Sora was startled a bit at the unexpected voice and almost dropped the front ties to her robe. Blushing a bit, she tightly tied the robe front and turned towards the owner of the voice.
"Morning." She began. "Well moving in are we? You boys from out east move rather fast."
Sora didn't know what possessed her to say such a thing- that was twice now that her mind just spurted out things around this man- causing them both to blush.
"I had your keys. You forgot to take them at the saloon, so I wanted wait up for you- but I fell asleep."
"That's alright. I just got back…" She stopped speaking and looked away, her heart twinging with pain this time.
"Oh, I see." Was his unemotional reply. The inside battle on his side was just as painful. He could imagine what happened last night- them together, when it was he who wanted to be in Matt's place. 'Whoa, where did that come from?' He wondered. True he was attracted to her; yet taking such a large step so soon was definitely new.
"I looked over your notes. I should be ready to do a little undercover work. No problems." He changed subjects quickly.
"Yeah- it looks like tonight will be big." She added as she walked to her closet. "Um… Tai…" She began hesitancy clear in her voice.
"Yeah?"
"After tonight… well I have a day or two off and I was wondering if you wanted to… to do a little scouting?" She added instead of her original idea.
"Yah, sure." He replied a little down hearted that it hadn't been another request. "Well here are your keys. I'll let you get ready and all. See you later… Sora." He spoke rather rushed and left the room.
Watching him leave only added to the feelings inside her heart. It felt empty and ached worse now.
"I'm such an idiot." She mumbled as she pulled out a fresh dress and began preparing for the day.
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A/N:
I know, I know- lots of Matt in that chapter- see what happens when people don't review… just kidding!
I was trying to go into a little depth with Sora's confusion and not make the story a Matt/Sora fic. Tai just blew his chances to sweep her off her feet- just like he usually did in the show However, he will get it right- after all this he should be more determined. Therefore, if you believe me, you'll stick around for the next chapter that I know all you Taiora fans will enjoy.
Thanks to the reviews- always appreciated! Keep up the good work clicking on that little button and typing a few words.
That's it for now!
Ja Ne
