Tale of Two
Chapter Two
----I edited the Chapter One so you could read more clearly the words... I didn't notice that there was something wrong with it since when I did it, there wasn't anything like that. Please forgive me for it. But I hope you would like this next chapter!
Slowly, Sora opened her eyes to see a glimpse of a sleeping figure by the wall of a warm cave. Hey eyesight adjusted to the surroundings and slowly, she sat up and looked around. Her clothes were being dried up near the fire. She quickly tried to cover her half-naked body but found it inevitable since there were no scarps of garment that were dry to cover her.
Although that, her eyes wandered to the man who had rescued her. She hated the thought of being rescued and treated like a damsel in distress...well, even if she really was. Sora saw the man who had saved her, at the same state, as she was, half-naked. Well, except for his pants but his whole chest area, was obviously stripped off.
Sora looked at her knight in shining armor in full admiration. His bare chest that went up and down evenly made Sora's heart throb faster than it's regular pace. Something inside of Sora made her want to actually thank this man for saving her.
Sora slowly stood up and walked towards the man. Once she was inches away from him, she drew close to him that she could even hear his breathing. Sora brushed away the chestnut locks that had fallen around her saviors' face.
But suddenly, a strong yet firm grip held Sora's hands and when she looked up, she met eye to eye with a pair of chocolate brown eyes.
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Taichi opened his eyes, eager to see where those soft caresses came from. He could feel the warmth and care of the delicate hands that had been brushing his face and the sweet smell he's been smelling.
When Taichi opened his eyes, he was met with a pair of blazing ruby eyes that showed so much love and care.
"Princess Sora?" he asked.
Sora slowly nodded.
Taichi's heart began to do flip-flops. This woman in front of him was his soon-to-be-queen. This goddess... this fairy... this... this innocent soul was going to be his queen!!!!
"I'm Prince Taichi of the Yagami Kingdom... I am pleased to meet you." He said politely as he gave her his charming smile.
Sora gave a small laugh that made Taichi's heart beat faster.
If her small laughter can make his heart do this, what more can it do if she kissed him!?
Sora and Taichi didn't stop staring at each other until Sora finally had let go of Taichi's hold of her hand.
"Thank you for saving me." Sora said as she quietly walked away to the other side of the cave. Realizing that she was actually half-naked, Sora had just to hide the shame.
Taichi immediately stood up and followed her, "The pleasure's all mine, my Princess. It is my duty as your-soon-to-be-husband to actually protect you and-"
Before Taichi could even continue, Sora's head whipped to his direction, "Your what?" she asked.
Taichi dreaded this. For the first time in his whole entire life, he had actually fallen in love with this goddess in front of him and yet, she may not even feel the same way!
Taichi tried to remain calm. "You and I are engaged, Princess Sora. Our fathers..."
Taichi related to her the whole story but Sora wasn't actually listening.
'No wonder... What I heard among the advisers the other day was indeed true then. This man here... is really my soon-to-be-husband...'
Sora tried to examine Taichi from toe to head.
She blushed.
She never saw a half-naked man before.... And the mere sight of him, made her heart melt into pieces. She couldn't understand why but this was only the first time she had seen Taichi but to her, it seemed like she had known him for the longest time. For that, Sora is actually willing to already give up her life for him.
"Sora, are you listening?" Taichi asked.
Sora snapped away from her thoughts.
"Yes, I am." She lied.
"And I understand." She added.
Taichi couldn't believe his ears. "SO... you're actually agreeing to marry me...?" he asked.
Truthfully, Sora still wanted to know more about Taichi but she couldn't give the right words to say.
Taichi seemed to understand her discomfort. "Don't worry, Princess. There's still plenty of time... we could still get to know each other..." Taichi said as he walked towards Sora.
They were facing each other and Sora looked into Taichi's eyes just as Taichi was looking into hers. Suddenly, Taichi pulled Sora into a tight embrace.
Sora wanted to protest but her, being in his arms looked so right...and felt so right too. "You're getting cold..." Taichi whispered on her ear.
Sora couldn't reply after that.
She had a lot of suitors before and she turned all of them down. It always angered her when someone would try and get her but with this man... she couldn't say no. it was as if it was destiny that told them to be together.
And yes, she couldn't resist.
Taichi on the other hand, didn't know what came to him. Suddenly, he felt the urge to embrace the woman in front of him. Her shivering fragile body called to his senses and yet, he responded. Taichi didn't know what to do next.
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"Where are they!?" The Queen asked as she paced back and forth.
Hikari, who was in the room with her, watched her mother paced to and fro. By her side, was her fiancé, Prince Takeru.
"Don't worry, my Queen. I am sure Taichi and the Princess is alright." Yamato said as he looked outside the window.
Ever since last night, the rain hasn't stopped.
"It would be days before it would be safe for our men to go out, mother. It is best we wait." Hikari said with a small smile of comfort.
"And besides, mother. You know big brother... he's careful enough to handle his own." Hikari added.
This didn't ease the queen one bit.
"I know Taichi can handle himself, Hikari. But what I worry about is the man who attacked the King of Takenouchi Kingdom and Sora. I know well enough that... this wouldn't be looking good... I am sure of it, he's back... just like he said he would." The Queen answered.
Hikari, Yamato and Takeru threw confused glances at each other.
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Taichi's mind was already awake but somehow, his eyes wouldn't open. Last night, he had a wonderful dream. He dreamt that there was this beautiful angel inside his arms. He was afraid that once he opened his eyes and found that his angel was just another dream, he would die... he wanted to see those glittering ruby eyes that held so much passion and fire, those soft delicate skin that touched his soul and the flaring hair that mystified him so much.
He wanted to see her.
He needs to see her again.
Taichi slowly opened his eyes and gazed down. Right enough, in his arms was Sora... cradled in his arms with a soft smile.
Taichi couldn't be happier than that.
Slowly, Sora started to wake up.
"Good morning..." Taichi whispered.
Sora almost jumped up from surprise but slowly smiled.
'If this is going to be my everyday routine once I become King, then I wouldn't complain one single bit.' Taichi thought.
"I think our clothes are dry." He said as he looked over the clothes that were near the fire.
Sora nodded and sat up.
Taichi got up and picked Sora's dress, then handling it to her.
"I'm sorry if I took off your clothes without permission but you were soaked dry and I was worried you'd get sick." Taichi said.
Sora nodded.
"Thank you for your concern." She replied as she moved to a corner and started to put her dress on.
Taichi did the same.
When he was done, "I'll go have a look around to find some food. I'll be back in a minute." He said as he rushed out of the cave not letting Sora say another word about it.
Sora looked at where Taichi disappeared. She couldn't help what to think about him. All she knew was that the mere thought of him made her heart pound.
Although it was the first time Sora had felt this way about a guy, she couldn't help but feel afraid as well. These emotions she was having were making her very afraid of what to do.
'This isn't like you, Sora.... You shouldn't be afraid of anything.' She thought mentally as she sat down by the fire and watched it dance.
She suddenly remembered her father... her father was dead... killed by that heartless man who claims her to be his queen.
'I don't belong to anyone...' she thought miserable as tears started to form in her eyes.
Sora didn't want to cry... she was afraid to cry. Everyone in her kingdom knows Sora well. They never saw her afraid of anything, the darkness, wild beasts... no... she was the bravest and strongest of them all. But what they don't know is that Sora has an immense deep pride inside of her. She never wanted to be alone... never want to be apart from anyone she loves...
That's her greatest weakness.
'Father... how I miss you so...' she cried inside.
She heard dragging footsteps and in moments later, Taichi appeared with some fruits. He sat beside Sora and handed her one.
"I was able to pick these up for you..." Taichi said.
Sora looked closely at the fruit.
"You can't eat this one, Prince Taichi... it's-"
"Please call me Tai..." Taichi said.
"Tai." Sora corrected.
"I believe you can't eat this yet... it's still unripe." Sora said as she looked at the yellow gold fruit in her hands.
Taichi chuckled to himself as a small tint of red can be traced.
"Sorry... I don't know how to pick up fruits..." he said apologetically.
"Here... there must be some ripe ones here." He embarrassedly said as he gave all the fruits he picked to Sora.
Sora took a close look on each and in the end, laughed.
"hey, what's with the laughing?" Taichi asked, a bit offended.
"I'm sorry to have offended you, Tai. But you see... none of these fruits are ripe. They're all still young and can't be eaten..." Sora said in between her laughter.
Taichi cursed inside of him for not listening to his biology teacher.
"Well.. I was never a nature person." He said a bit annoyed.
Sora laughed louder.
For a while, Taichi stared at Sora but slowly, he too began to laugh.
"Takenouchi Kingdom is a place surrounded by nature. Inside of our territory, nearly ½ of it is nature itself. My father always said that it is safe to be close with nature since we all came from there." Sora said.
Taichi nodded.
"My Kingdom may be a little different from yours, Sora. You see... my father wants to improve financially. That's why we're more of an urban civilization." Taichi explained.
Sora gave a thought.
"I see... my father used to tell me how great your father was in ruling his kingdom. He is very wise and very fair towards matters of politics. How about you, Tai? Do you like politics?" Sora asked.
Taichi's face grew red.
No one ever called him Tai in his life...
And that nickname seemed to make his heart melt...
"Tai?" Sora called again.
"Oh. Uhm, politics...? Uh.... Well.... Um..."
"didn't study huh?" Sora asked playfully.
Taichi slowly nodded with his hand at the back of his head, scratching.
Sora laughed once more.
"Don't worry. I don't listen to my history teacher as well." She said.
Taichi laughed with her.
Finally, someone who he could be comfortable with! All the girls he met always liked someone who knows everything. The world, the history, the politics, economics' ups and downs. If they're not talking about that, they'll talk about dresses and jewels. But Sora...
"I always thought that it wouldn't be too important. I mean, what happened has happened. What's the point of studying them again if you know that the times before aren't like the times today, right?" Taichi asked.
"Exactly!!!!" Sora pointed out.
"I used to snake out of my teacher's lecture and head to the garden at the castle. I'll hide on top of this tree that no one could climb except me." Sora said in a soft whisper.
Taichi smiled. "In my case, I ran away as fast as I could and hide in the kitchen."
Sora laughed louder.
"In the kitchen? Why in the kitchen?" Sora asked.
"You wouldn't laugh if I tell you this...?" Taichi asked in a hoarse whisper.
Sora nodded eagerly as she leaned close to Taichi.
"I like to cook."
"There. I said it. Now, don't laugh, okay?" Taichi added immediately.
Sora smiled.... A smiled so genuine that made Taichi blush so furiously.
"Really, Tai?" she asked.
"Yah." Taichi replied.
Never in her whole life had Sora heard someone to know how to cook. Most of the men he knew were gallant men in swords and armors.
"That's so nice. Would you cook me something good when I come to your kingdom?" Sora asked.
This made Taichi's heart glow.
"No problem! I can cook any dish!!! Just name, it Sora!" Taichi said.
Sora clapped in joy for his answer as both of them continued to laugh.
Sora was so comfortable with Taichi. Just as Taichi was with Sora. He doesn't know what to do next as silence entered their cave.
Taichi instinctively stood up and Sora's head whipped to the entrance of the cave. Both of them heard something outside.
The rain hasn't still stopped and it was too misty to be able to figure out what's beyond.
Taichi took hold of his sword and let Sora stay at the back of him.
Suddenly, out of nowhere a flash of light came pass Taichi. The next thing he knew, Sora was on the ground with a white fur creature on top of her.
"Easy, Leo! Easy!!!" she called out in fits of laughter.
Taichi looked at the enormous creature in front of him. It has a shape of a panther yet its paws were like of a tiger.
"Sora... you okay?" he asked not knowing what else to say.
Sora sat up.
"Don't worry, Tai. I'm fine." Sora said as the creature named Leo sat obediently next to her.
"Tai, I would like you to meet, Leo. He's a gift from my father since I was a child. He's my best friend." Sora said brightly.
Taichi smiled. He started to walk towards Sora but before he could have another step, Leo growled at him.
Taichi stopped in his tracks.
"I think it doesn't like me." Taichi said.
"don't be silly, Tai. Leo is friends with everyone." Sora said with a smile.
Taichi sighed.
'I can feel that this animal hates me... by the look in his eyes, it's like he knows that I'm Sora's husband and he's warning me against it.' Taichi thought miserably but still, a smile was on his lips.
Taichi felt another presence and he immediately stood up just in time to protect him and Sora from an attack that came from outside.
"Who goes there?" he asked angrily.
Sora and Leo both stood up.
A black hooded figure came in view.
"It's you!" both Taichi and Sora said.
Leo sprang into action as he pounced on the hooded man. But before he could even attack it, the man waved his hands and Leo was thrown away.
"he's using magic!" Taichi called.
"It's called black arts, Prince Taichi. It is something you wouldn't be able to defeat." The man said.
Taichi didn't care. He knew that this man was after his Sora... and no one gets her away from him.
"I'm here to collect what's mine." He said.
"I don't belong to anyone!" Sora said as she started to walk towards him furiously. But before she could even go further, Taichi stopped her.
"Don't treat me like a damsel in distress, Tai." Sora warned.
"I'm not. What I'm doing is something I just like to do. And that is to protect you." Taichi answered as he swung his sword and he and the hooded man started to fight.
Sora stopped on her tracks and digested whatever Taichi had told her. She was touched. She was happy. She was ecstatic. Taichi already cares for her!
Leo guarded Sora while Taichi and the hooded man started to fight.
Finally, the hooded man fell to the ground and Taichi aimed the sword right at his throat.
"Go ahead and kill me." He said.
"I don't kill anyone." Taichi replied.
"But you killed the King..." he added.
"I know. And I have no regrets of it. Kill me now before you regret it, Prince." The hooded man said.
Taichi held his sword tightly. But no matter how he forces himself to do it, he couldn't kill this man. Something inside of him was stopping him.
"Fool!" the man said as he caught Taichi off guard and used his sword to throw Tai's sword away. Then, he plunged into Tai, aiming at his stomach where the man's sword went through.
Taking as his cue, Leo launched forward and bit the man's arm.
The man fell back but started to get up on his feet. Before he could even have another step out of the cave, Sora blocked the entrance.
"S..Sora..." Taichi called silently as he was arched over on the floor, trying to stop the blood that was pouring aimlessly.
"You've caused enough trouble... and you've hurt me more than once." Sora said angrily.
"It isn't my wish to hurt you, my love. But what has to be done should be done. You should know where you truly belong. Not in my brother's hands... but mine." The man said as he pushed Sora aside and ran off.
TBC
What do you think? Was it good? Please review!!!!