Tale of Two

Chapter Three

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Before Sora could fall back any further, Tai was at her back; to her rescue.

"Are you alright, Sora?" Taichi asked as he gave a small look of concern.

"Tai!" Sora gasped in surprise. "I-I'm fine…" she mumbled.

"How about you, are you alright?" Sora asked as she turned to face Tai, who was clutching his stomach.

"Nah, I'm alright." Taichi lied.

Leo hopped over Tai and he gave a loud yell.

"Leo!" Sora said as she pulled her misbehaving pet away from Tai who was screaming in pain.

Leo gave a small snarl and went to the side as Sora knelt over to Tai.

"You're in pain, aren't you, Tai?" Sora asked.

"Peachy fine, Sor." Taichi said with a weak smile.

Sora gave a small smile back.

'I'd do anything for you, Sora… even if it costs my life.' Taichi said as his eyes slowly closed.

"I'll take care of you, Tai… don't worry about it." Sora said as she kissed Taichi's forehead and slowly, Tai's eyes closed.

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Taichi slowly opened his eyes and he felt the familiar warm rays of the sun hit his eye.

When his eyes opened, his eyesight adjusted to his surroundings…

'Why am I here?' he thought as he saw that he was in his familiar room.

"You're finally awake, Tai." A voice Tai knew well said.

Taichi turned to his right to see a blonde king with eyes as blue as the sky.

"Yama…." Taichi said.

"Morning." Yamato greeted.

"Where…? Why am I here?" Taichi asked as he slowly sat up.

"Woah! Take it easy, pal…" Yamato said as he tried to stop Tai from getting up.

"Yama… Sora!!!! Where's Sora!? Is she alright?!" Taichi cried frantically as he remembered that he was supposed to be with Sora.

"Sora? Oh yes, the princess. Don't worry about her, Tai. She's well." Yamato said with a tug of smile.

Taichi smiled in relief. "Thank god… I thought that mad man came to get her again…"

Yamato couldn't help but smile. "I see that you've fallen for her, huh?" he asked.

Taichi's smile dropped into a small pout. "I can't imagine anyone not falling for her, Yama. She's an angel…" Taichi replied.

Yamato gave a chuckle. "That's what I thought too when I saw her for the first time."

Taichi's eyes darted towards Yamato.

Yamato laughed. "I know she's your fiancé, Tai. So don't worry… I wont get her from you."

Taichi nodded. "you better stay clear off her, Yama. She's mine." Taichi warned.

Yamato laughed harder. "I can't believe it. My best friend… my best friend has FINALLY fallen in love!" Yamato said in great happiness.

Taichi couldn't help but smile. "I don't know Yama… it's as if… the first time I saw her… I knew that she's already for me… I can't help thinking what my life would become without her by my side… Yama… I… I…"

"Say no more, my friend! I know what you're feeling."

"You do?"

"Of course…. I did fall in love once, didn't I?"

"You did?!" Taichi asked in surprise but realized what Yamato was talking about after some time…

"You meant… HER didn't you?" Taichi asked.

Yamato nodded as he stood up from the chair he was sitting and walked to the window beside Taichi's bed.

"You know how much I loved Mimi, Tai… and… I knew that she was for me. But…"

"She left you, huh?" Taichi said.

Yamato stayed quiet for a while as memories of the past came flowing back.

"I didn't know what wrong I did, Tai. I gave her everything… wasn't it enough?"

"I don't know, Yama… but maybe Mimi had a reason for leaving you."

"And breaking my heart into pieces, that is!" Yamato said in anger.

Taichi knew that his best friend was hurt. Hurt by the only woman whom he truly loved. After what Taichi saw Yamato had gone through, he vowed he would never fall in love too. He knew that just like Yamato, he was afraid to get hurt.

But Sora wouldn't do that, right?"

"Taichi… I'm your best friend… and I know you've seen what I've gone through… so please, don't repeat what I just did…. Never give yourself completely to a girl, Tai… once you do, they'll break your heart into pieces." Yamato advised.

Taichi just gave a nod knowing that what Yamato was saying came from his heart.

Taichi and Yamato always treated each other more than friends… even brothers… so, there's no doubt that their friendship was something more than others.

Yamato suddenly smiled.

"But I don't think Sora is that bad…" Yamato said.

Taichi arched a brow.

"She's been around the castle for some time now… and to tell you the truth, she's captured everyone's heart. Even your sister's. I say she already adores her and wants her to be her sister-in-law." Yamato said.

"See!" Taichi said with great pride. He knew his Sora can conquer anyone's heart.

"wait…" Taichi said as realization dawned over him. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Oh… for… a week?" Yamato said with a grin.

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"She's perfect, Takeru!!! Absolutely perfect!" Hikari cried as she and Takeru were having tea by the garden.

"I'm glad to hear that, Hikari. I'm happy for you." Takeru replied as he took a sip from his cup.

"Mother and father were certainly happy to see her, don't you think? I bet they're planning the wedding now!" Hikari said excitedly.

"But don't you think this is all happening too fast? Sora and Taichi had just known each other for three days, Hikari…" Takeru said.

Hikari thought for a while. "I guess you're right, Takeru… but I think they already like each other. They just have to get to know each other better!" Hikari exclaimed.

Takeru nodded.

"I really miss Sora… she just left two days ago and it seems that she's been gone forever." Hikari pouted.

"Don't worry about it, Hikari. I'm sure that when Taichi wakes up and sees that she'd left, he'll go running after her."

"Yah, I guess you're right."

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"Your majesty, are you alright?"

Sora looked up from the flower she was staring to the old adviser in front of her.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just… no, never mind…" Sora sad as she walked away.

Leo was waking beside her.

"Oh, Leo! I wonder if Taichi is alright…." Sora said as she knelt beside Leo and started to pat him.

"Do you think he's alright?" Sora asked.

Leo gave a snarl. "You sound as if you want him dead, Leo. Don't you like him?" Sora asked with a curious, amused look.

Leo gave a small pout and liked Sora's face.

"Okay, okay I get the picture. But whatever happens Leo, I'll still love you… we're best pals, right?" Sora asked.

Just then, Leo leaped at top of her and began licking around her face.

"okay, okay. I love you too, I love you too!" Sora exclaimed joyfully.

"Your majesty…?"

Sora looked to her side to see one of the advisers looking at her.

"Yes? What is it?" she asked.

"I think we need to talk about something…"

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"WHAT!? And you let her leave!?"

"My son, please understand. Princess Sora has her own duties to fulfill. After all, you two aren't married yet so, she still has to do what her father used to do for her own kingdom." Taichi's father said.

Taichi sat down on the dinner table with a thud and a pout.

"Don't be such a child, my son. You can always go and visit her and-"

before Taichi's mother could even continue, Taichi had already risen from his seat and walked off.

"Be careful, okay!?" Hikari called out with a wave.

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"What is it we need to talk about?" Sora asked as she sat at her father's throne. A whole council of advisers and elders were around her and each of them gave showed a look of defeat.

"Your majesty… we bring terrible news that we think you wouldn't like…" one of the advisers said.

Sora nodded and said, "Go on."

"While you were…missing. We received news from the kingdom up north… from the Hakutsi Kingdom."

"Hakutsi Kingdom? Isn't that..?"

"Yes, your majesty. You know well enough that that kingdom wasn't in best term with us.. so… they gave us a letter… since you were absent for the moment, we took the liberty of reading it and it brought us terrible news."

The adviser handed Sora a red sealed letter and she slowly read it.

"They're declaring war against us?" Sora asked.

"yes, your majesty. It seems that… after they've known your father died, they plan to take our kingdom and… conquer us." One of the elders said.

"I bet they're the ones who planned to kill you."

"No. it couldn't be the. I know the Hakutsi's. they aren't unreasonable as that…" Sora replied.

"What do you plan on doing, your majesty?" the elders said.

Sora laid back to her chair and closed her eyes.

She knew that this war… will cost them dearly. Her kingdom never went to war when her father ruled the kingdom since he was feared as a great fighter. But now that her father is gone, Hakutsi Kingdom may be just one of those many kingdoms who would want their wealthy land. What was she to do?

She's their ruler now. And her every step will determine the future of her very own kingdom.

"Your majesty?" they asked.

"We'll fight." Sora said.

The advisers looked at each other, then to Sora who had just stood up.

"We will not give up our land easily. No matter what happens, we will protect the land that we were born it. And no one can take it away from us."

And everyone cheered.

They knew what Sora had just said was right.

They can't just give up their land to some unknown humans. This was theirs…and they're here to keep it, whatever happens.

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"Taichi? What are you doing back here?" Taichi's mother asked as she saw her fuming son barging into the throne.

Taichi's mother knew when someone is in love. And the look in the face of her son tells her he is.

"The roads to the Takenouchi Kingdom had been blocked, mother. I can't pass through it even make a detour!" Taichi cried angrily.

"It must've been from the landslides from the storm the other night." The King said with an amused smile on his face.

He was happy knowing that his son is somehow…interested in something for a change.

"Your highness… this is a letter from the Takenouchi Kingdom." A messenger said as he entered the throne room.

Taichi walked to the messenger to take the letter and held it in his hands. He was about to open it but decided against it.

"Here you are, father." Taichi said as he handed the envelop to his father.

The King arched his brow.

"Why, my son?" he asked.

"I know I am curious as to what the letter is… but I can't open it for my own purpose since… well… it is not for me. It is addressed to you, father." Taichi exclaimed.

The king nodded in approval but deep inside, he felt bundles of joy and pride inside of him.

His son was FINALLY learning the ways of a king.

The king opened the letter and read its contents. He was reluctant to show any emotions as he read the letter, knowing that his son was watching his every move and comment.

"Well, father…?" Taichi asked.

The king dropped the letter and said, "The Takenouchi Kingdom are going to war against the Hakutsi Kingdom… and Sora would be leading the fight."

"WHAT!? She can't fight!!! She-" Taichi's outburst echoed throughout the castle.

"MY son, you have to remember that Sora is doing her duty as the ruled of her kingdom. Without her father by her side, she can't do anything but accept this fight." The king said.

"But father! There hasn't had any war for… 50 years!!! Even in her father's rule, there weren't any wars between the neighboring countries!" Taichi exclaimed.

"I know, Taichi. That's because her father was feared as one of the greatest warriors…" the queen answered.

"But it still isn't fair! Her kingdom will be turned into crisps!!!" Taichi said.

"We know. But what we don't know is how Sora will resolve this fight. Sora may look tougher than she looks, Tai. And I know you know that." The king said.

Taichi was silent for a while. "Then, I'll go and help her." Taichi said.

"I'm afraid you can't, my son." The king said.

"Huh? Why?" Taichi asked.

"because Sora had written that no kingdom shall help them in their war. This is between them and the Hakutsi." The king added.

"Then, what was the letter for?" Taichi asked confused.

"She wanted to tell the other kingdoms to be careful and not to let their people cross their boundaries in fear that they might get in harm." The king said.

"What a thoughtful child, that Sora. My king, I think she is just right for our son." The Queen said teasingly.

"Well, if you won't let me go to war, then I won't have the bride you want me to have, mother." Taichi said threateningly.

The Queen looked at her husband who shook his head.

"You are not going there, Taichi. I know well enough what you plan to do…but to tell you the truth, it is not going to work. Sora… Sora wants to prove herself to the other kingdoms what she can do. And you helping her is not a good idea. She knows that you will come to her aid that's why she ordered me, to keep you locked up for a couple of weeks." The King said.

"Sora ordered you to do so?!" Taichi asked.

"Yes." The King said.

"You wouldn't dare…" Taichi said with his eyes turning to darts.

"Yes, I would. To keep you safe and her safe. GUARDS!!! Arrest Taichi and take him to his room! Lock him up there and no one should enter! Not even Hikari!!!" the King yelled.

The guards quickly did as they were told and Taichi came screaming and yelling at his father.

"My darling, Taichi-"

"No, my love. This has to be done… and besides, I already know what the outcome of this fight will be" The king said as he walked away.

"And it isn't pretty good." He added in a soft murmur.

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Taichi started banging on the doors of his room with his fists all clenched together.

"Father!!! Father!!!! You can' trap me here!!!! I will get out!!!" he yelled.

After long minutes of banging, he finally drew to a call and slumped over the wooden door.

"Sora…" he muttered aimlessly.

"Big brother…?" a voice called.

"Hikari!" Taichi said as his hopes began to stir up once more.

"We're sorry, Princess Hikari. But your father told us not to let anyone come into Prince Taichi's room. Even you." One of the guards said.

"Hikari!" Taichi yelled from his room and started banging again.

"Big brother, please… calm down… Yamato and Takeru went to the Takenouchi Kingdom… they said they will try to let Sora come back with them…" Hikari said.

"Come back with them?" Taichi asked.

"Yes. Yamato said that there might be a chance to not let Sora fight. Sora has no experience in fighting…he said Sora's people will definitely understand this." Hikari said.

Taichi sighed.

"Just hope for the best, big brother… and believe…" Hikari said and he heard her retreating footsteps.

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Princess Sora, please listen to me. Prince Taichi is very worried about you… he wants you alive…" Yamato said pleadingly to Sora who was in her fighting outfit.

"I'm sorry, King Yamato. But I cannot agree to your offer." Sora replied.

"Your Highness, I know I have no position to tell you this, but whatever King Yamato said…. I totally agree. We had lost our King… and you might be next. There will be no telling what will happen in that war." One of the elders said.

"Yes, your highness. We beg you. Let the knights fight… you have no-"

"I won't tolerate this any longer. What I decided upon is what I will do. I will fight in first line with my knights to protect my kingdom and that is that!" Sora said as she left the throne room and proceeded to war.

Yamato and Takeru looked at each other in defeat.

"What shall we do, brother?" Takeru asked.

"Shall we go home?" he added.

Yamato sighed. He knew that Taichi would definitely be not pleased with his heartbreaking news.

"King Yamato… we appreciate your concern for us… but we have to ask you to leave… our kingdom… will not be safe for you and your brother any longer." One of the advisers said.

Yamato nodded. "I understand…"

Yamato and Takeru started to leave the throne room until one of the elders spoke, "We love our Princess very much… and we know that what she is doing is not only for us but also for her father. We wish for her happiness… and nothing more. We know that once this war is over and she has survived, our kingdom, together with the Yagami's will be a new beginning for a new age…"

Yamato smiled, "I believe so too."

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Sora, on top of a black horse and Leo by her side, marched in the front line to lead her army of knights.

She wasn't scared.

She knew that one false move in this fight will lead to her kingdom's failure… and she will not allow that.

"I will fight for my kingdom…" she said as she carried the flag of the Takenouchi Kingdom which by her left hand.

By the other end, she saw the King of the Hakutsi Kingdom with armies thrice their number.

Sora never understood why this kingdom suddenly pledged war against them. But with no other alternative, Sora and her people must fight. If not, their home would be burned to the ground.

The King of the Hakutsi Kingdom put the flag on the ground and Sora did the same.

This signaled, the start of the war.

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Well? What do you think about the story!? Hahaha, sorry if it took me longer to update it!!!! Anyways, read and review please!