A/N: Well another night of not doing homework. I've been skipping it for some reason...(the reason being I am a lazy bum who'd rather do anything else but study or do homework--during finals week too.)
Welps, this is the result of my homework neglect.
Voguish Fib
chapter 5 - Intended & Unintended
"I can't believe you're dragging me along with you," Sora grumbled as she grabbed stone step by stone step, preferring to crawl up the steps instead of walk it. "Why can't you just go up and I'll wait for you down here?"
Taichi scoffed as he walked carelessly up the steps, ignoring Sora's complaining. He looked up, keeping his eyes away from Sora's view, hoping to hide the fact that he was a bit acrophobic; looking down would only make him want to stop walking and turn back around.
"So who is this 'Wise One'?" Sora asked, looking at the back of Taichi's head as she concentrated on her crawling.
"Doesn't his title give it away?" Taichi retorted almost sarcastically.
"No," Sora mumbled, grabbing each stone step with a rhythmic precision. She decided to continue talking anyways. "I bet he's like one of those old spiritual priests who sit in thrones all day and give people advice. Or maybe he's one of those telepathic beings who float in the air in a sitting position half-naked."
"Or maybe he's really powerful and can find a way to shut you up!" Taichi continued in a sarcastic giddy tone. Sora couldn't help but feel the bitterness she felt for that boy.
"God you're awful..." she told him.
He ignored her. "We're almost there. Hey, listen to me. When we get there, DON'T say anything. Let me do the talking. Your voice might offend him," Taichi commanded in a gruff tone. She noticed that he was almost 20 steps ahead of her. She sighed, refusing to stand in fear of sliding down the smooth rock. She continued to crawl in her languid pace.
"Your face might offend him ," Sora spat. She watched Taichi ignore her all the more as he continued to step up the stairs with graceful ease. He just thought he was so perfect didn't he? He just thought that he was so much better than her, huh? Is that why he kept putting her down? Or maybe he had something against princesses, or maybe she'd met him before and she'd done something mean to him...he did look subtly familiar...
She decided to stand up. She placed a foot on one of the steps and kept the other one behind her as she attempted to balance. Her stance was almost perfect but her arms weren't in position. She nearly toppled over, but she held her arms straight out in a way that it almost seemed like she was gliding and closed her eyes.
Then it hit her. Yes, she'd met him before--the market!! He was the little boy who got cheated from the last net of oranges because she'd used a fake coin with two tails. Her eyes flew open. "Taichi! I remember you!" she called after him.
"Huh?" Taichi head turned so he could face her, but his eyes caught the treacherous drop to the bottom. His heart instantly began to race as he looked down at the rocky darkness that was hundreds of feet away by now. "Ack!" he yelped when his foot suddenly slipped from under him and he fell on his back down the wet, smooth stone steps. Sora's eyes widened as she took a cautious step back.
Was that my fault? she wondered as she watched Taichi slide in her direction.
"Sora! Get out of the way!! Get out of the fucking way--!!" Taichi began, his eyes wide with fear and apprehension.
"No! I'll catch you! I won't let you fall!" Sora insisted as she stood in a solid stance, waiting for him to slide to her. Her heart began beating faster without her knowledge as she watched Taichi slide helplessly towards her direction. His feet were in a panic as he tried to catch a snag in one of the rocks on the side of the mountain but his foot only slid in mud.
Dammit! If I die I'll just die a disappointment to my father...Taichi thought amidst the panic of his sliding.
He suddenly caught Sora's concentrating crimson eyes and watched as her face got closer and closer as he toppled and slid her way. He knew he might kill her too if she didn't get out of the way, but the stubborn girl continued to stand there, really thinking she could catch him.
He realized his heart was beating wildly out of his chest. It was enough to give anyone a heart attack with all the fearful apprehension. He closed his eyes knowing that any second the two of them would go sliding down together and maybe even fall off the edge of the stairs to their deaths. Damn, he hated heights...
But then he felt his body come to an abrupt halt. He opened his eyes to find bright crimson ones smiling at him. He turned his head and looked at his surroundings. She stopped him from tumbling to his end!
"You thought I wasn't going to catch you," Sora stated in an 'I can't believe you didn't trust me!' sort of tone.
"Well, you are just a weak little nymph..." Taichi grumbled despite the fact that he was starting to notice how close they were together.
"You know, you shouldn't insult someone who just saved you," Sora returned, her eyes darting until they caught his gaze. Taichi could feel her sharp breath against his face. She'd been nervous too. By the look of her eyes and the feel of her breath, he could tell that she didn't think she could've caught him. He felt a rush of affection for this bratty nymph.
"Why?" Taichi managed to retort. He attempted to be roguish to her again, but from the look on her face, he could tell it wasn't working.
"Well......because..." Sora replied in an almost hushed whisper. She couldn't figure out a response. The way Taichi was looking at her made her lose her train of thought. Taichi on the other hand had suddenly realized how cold it was and how Sora's lips had turned blood red from the iciness of the weather. She was so beautiful... He looked back up into her eyes and noticed that she was staring back at him in a sort of strange way...
Again, Taichi was aware of their closeness, their noses were almost touching, and the heat from their bodies radiated onto each other. Strangely, the two didn't budge from their position, each one afraid to break that uncanny connection they had just made.
"Well uh...thanks for...um...saving me...I guess..." Taichi blurted out, though he'd promised himself once he would never intentionally thank her for anything--even if it was for saving his life. What the hell am I doing? he found himself wondering.
"Mm..." Sora answered in a small voice. "I think..." Sora began as she shifted into a more comfortable position. Taichi didn't seem to notice much of anything but her face at the moment. He could only feel an added part of his thigh become warm from the pressure Sora placed on it when she shifted.
"You think...?" Taichi's shuddering whisper questioned. His eyes almost begging to know what she wanted to say. Sora's lips parted to begin to speak, but her eyes were frozen in place, holding her lips back from uttering even a mere breath.
Then finally, "I think that--"
"Hey you two lovebirds!" came a voice from the distance. The two turned and noticed a small boy at the top of the mountain where the shrine was. He was waving at them. They turned back to each other and realized what position they had put themselves in.
"Get off me nymph!" Taichi shouted, pushing Sora off.
"You're the one who slid under me remember?" Sora berated, poking him in the arm.
"Well I wouldn't have slipped off if you hadn't opened your big mouth to talk to me again!" he yelled in her face.
"Well," Sora returned. "It's not my fault that you're afraid of heights you worm!" Sora yelled back.
"I'm not--"
"LIAR!"
"I I'm NOT--"
"Liar, liar, liar, liar--" Sora chanted loudly, slamming her palms against her ears, just to piss Taichi off.
"Hey!! HEY!" called the boy from the mountain.
"WHAT!?" Taichi and Sora shouted back simultaneously.
"I'm going to get these dragons to come and get you okay?" he called, oblivious to the anger seeping out of the two.
"Fine..."
"Okay..."
All the while the two avoided facing each other because they were blushing.
)()()()()()()(
"So you're saying you're lost?" the boy asked as he sipped his tea.
"Yeah, all because of this damn nymph," Taichi accused, narrowing his eyes at Sora who avoiding him as she sipped her own tea casually.
"Well Taichi, I think I can figure out a way to help you out," the boy said.
"Wait--" Sora interrupted. "Where's the Wise One?" she asked, a bit confused.
"He's the Wise One you idiot," Taichi hissed as he pinched her arm.
"Ow!!" Sora cried out as she rubbed her arm. "I was just wondering..."
"Yes, it appears a bit mind-boggling that I, a mere child, would have such a tremendous title. But you, though you may percieve me as a child, my mind actually has experienced many things in many, many years."
"Koushiro, can we get back to what were talking about now?" Taichi asked, snapping his head towards Sora. (A/N: Yup it's Izzy! Someone said it was Gennai--good idea...I never thought of that... ^__^)
"Sure. As I was saying, I can help you, but you must help me as well," Koushiro replied, looking up at the two teens solemnly.
"You never asked anyone else who came here for help!" Taichi complained.
"Yes, but I'm asking you, Taichi, because you are my friend," Koushiro said softly. Taichi could only nod at this. "I want you to help me get out of here."
"Why?" Sora suddenly asked. "Don't you like being able to help others with problems?"
"Yes but it's eccentrically ironic since I am perched up here on this dangerous mountain. Only few creatures with proper transportation can come up here." Koushiro sighed and turned to Sora. "But it's not only that--it's falling apart--this shrine...and--and I want adventure...I want to get out of here and be free! I've never seen the world out of this shrine and if somehow you can take me out--"
"I'm sorry Koushiro but I'm acting as a delivery boy for my father. I can't be burdened with anyone els--" Taichi began. "Oh don't look at me that way!"
Sora shoved Taichi impulsively. "Why do you have to be such an ass? He's your friend and he's helping you find your way! Can't you at least be nice and bring him along?" Sora shouted.
"What did I tell you about not speaking?" he scolded her like a child. "And--NO! This isn't the way it's supposed to be--" he stopped when a large claw shot through the ceiling of the roof, distracting everyone from their conversation. "Holy shit!" Taichi swore as he ducked behind one of the futons.
Sora and Koushiro flew to the ground and were instantly crouched together behind another futon, their heads under their arms. "What's going on?!" Sora whispered to Koushiro.
"I believe the shrine is being attacked," Koushiro answered quite evenly.
"What!?" Sora exclaimed.
"I said, 'I believe the shri--'" he began again a bit louder.
"No, I mean--how can you be so calm--someone or something-- is attacking your home and you don't look a bit worried!" A peircing screech rang out through the mountain, causing Taichi, Sora, and Koushiro to shut their ears tightly from the awful disturbance. It rang like nails on a board, like the sound of blood in a dying girl's voice.
"Ow--that noise--" Sora cried. She felt arms around her waist and felt her body lifted off the ground and led to some place where the screeching noise suddenly disappeared. She looked up and saw Koushiro and darkness.
"Are you all right?" he asked. She nodded wordlessly, staring up at him with admiration. Where did he bring her?
"Wait--where's Taichi?"
"I didn't see him after some more rubble fell. I'm sure he found a safe place to--" Sora's eyes widened.
"No, we have to find him! We can't just leave him--what if something bad happened to him?" Sora panicked. She looked around the dark room and noticed another pair of eyes moving towards them.
"Worried about me nymph?" the voice asked mockingly. She felt her face turn bright crimson and she didn't know whether it was from anger or for actually being worried about him. It was an awfully good thing that it was dark in that room. Sora scoffed to hide her blush.
"No. I was just concerned that my guarantee to get back home was dead," Sora told him casually.
"Uh huh..." Taichi nodded disbelievingly.
"Hello, you two? We have to get out of here," Koushiro announced, peering through a small crack in the walls.
"Where are we anyways? And what the hell is that thing?" Taichi asked.
"We are in a shelter I made in case there was any trouble out there. It's sound proof, water resistant, earth resistant, lightning resistant, every kind of resistant and proof you could possibly think of," Koushiro expounded. "Oh and that wrecking everything is a Birdramon. He wants to decapitate me and feed me to his chicks."
"What--why?" Sora asked.
"Because I was stranded here a couple months ago with no food or water and I found his female's eggs in a nest nearby and I--" he gulped, "--ate it."
"You idiot!" Taichi growled, hitting him in the back of his head.
"Taichi stop that!" Sora scolded. She returned her attention back to Koushiro. "So now he's after you? Goodness...with a title like the Wise One, I thought you'd have more sense than to eat a murderous bird's eggs!"
"I was hungry!! A man's mind can't compete with his stomach," Koushiro stated stubbornly.
"Okay...fine, can we just try to get out of here before get eaten?" Taichi hissed when a heavy thud sounded on top of the roof of Koushiro's shelter.
"Yes, of course, let's go," Koushiro said, leading the two into an underground door that they really couldn't see through the darkness. They went through and crawled through a seemingly endless tunnel that went downhill.
Taichi and Sora assumed it was an alternative route back down the stairs. As they crawled further, the noises of the screeching bird became distant and garbled until they couldn't hear it any longer. Then finally, Koushiro pushed some sort of door and sunlight bursted through the endless darkness they'd been in for almost half an hour. Sora coughed and sputtered while Taichi dusted dirt and grime off of himself. Koushiro looked perfectly clean when he came out.
Taichi eyed him strangely. "How...wha--" Koushiro blinked at him. Taichi shook his head. "I'm not even gonna ask."
"So this means I can come with you right?" Koushiro asked, a bright smile plastered on his childish face. Taichi opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Sora.
"Yes. You can come with us," she said sternly, giving Taichi a dangerous look. He put his hands up as if in defeat and backed away.
"Let's just get the hell out of here," he said. The other two agreed and followed him. Sora glanced back up at the mountain and found the large bird-like demon screeching and flapping its heavy wings, destroying the area where the shrine used to be.
She had a feeling this wasn't going to be the only life and death situation she was going to go through during this trip.
)()()()()()()()(
"Are you sure it's safe here?" Sora whispered to Koushiro as they entered a small village.
"Yes. They're all humans. They wouldn't be able to sense magical powers in you or Taichi unless they have a priestess in this village--which I highly doubt--but I believe it is quite safe either way. I don't think they have anything against nymphs or--" he paused when Taichi stepped on his foot. "Or...other beings in their village unless they were trying to hurt them."
Sora eyed Taichi suspiciously but continued to walk, deciding to ignore him during the rest of the trip. Her eyes examined the village casually, taking in the sight of the seemingly hospitable people who greeted them as they entered the village. One girl, in particular, with a moderately large chest, decided to have a chat with them--or more like Taichi. Sora noticed the entire time that her eyes would occasionally glance at her or Koushiro, but the rest of the time, they were rested on Taichi.
"So you're just passing by--like travelers!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together enthusiastically. "You look so strong and rugged...and manly from your trip!" she chirped, giving a glance at Sora when she said the word "manly". Sora gave a noticable grimace.
"Well, you know. After an angry, vicious bird and a man-eating plant tried to attack us--" Koushiro began.
"The bird was your fault and that man-eating plant was a thorny weed!" Sora growled.
The girl ignored them. "How exciting it must be..." she sighed in Taichi's direction. He gave a short shrug.
"Oh yes, very exciting," Sora replied, the sarcasm thick in her voice. Koushiro gave her a scolding look and she shut her mouth.
"Actually, it's not much. I'm just bringing um...her over to see my father, and he's just accompanying me. Right Princess?" Taichi said, nudging Sora's shoulder softly. She sneered at him and distanced herself from the group. Taichi quirked an eyebrow in her direction and whispered to Koushiro.
"What's wrong with her?" Koushiro simply shrugged.
The girl continued to talk. "So...her...the girl...is she your fiancée?" she asked, giving a curt, disgusted glance over at Sora. Taichi felt his face become hot, but he suppressed it (he hadn't noticed the look she gave Sora.) He turned to Sora. He thought he heard a scoff...
"No. Definitely not!!--it's for completely different reasons," he replied.
"Oh...so...you DON'T have a fiancée?" she asked, throatily, touching Taichi's shoulder. Sora reflexively rolled her eyes, though she didn't understand why. She wasn't jealous or anything. She despised Taichi. Why would she care if this attractive, big breasted girl was flirting with him?
"No, I don't. I don't plan on having one any time soon. I don't really think I'm ready," Taichi said with an innocent shrug. He seemed to be trying to evade the girl's little flirty antics. Sora smirked devilishly at this, but kept her distance.
The girl who was seemingly naive, didn't catch on. "Oh...but you do court girls, do you not?" The girl blushed. "I'm sorry...it's just...I thought that someone like you already be taken by some beautiful goddess who adores you."
"Well, there isn't," Taichi replied softly. He gave the girl a small grin. "You know...I could be taken by a beautiful goddess. If she'd take me." Sora's devilish pleasure suddenly ceased.
I can't believe the idiot is going along with her, Sora thought, exasperated. Taichi glanced in her direction. With a glimpse, Sora saw his eyes smiling at her. He was flirting with that girl on purpose! Go ahead! she thought. I don't give a four-legged snake's ass if you flirt with that floozy!
"If he's good, maybe she'll consider him," the girl returned, smiling seductively at him as her eyes roamed his body. Taichi was about to respond to her, but was interrupted by a sharp tone.
"I'm going for a bath. Miyako-san offered to bring me. Such a nice girl don't you think?" Sora suddenly announced. She feigned a smile in Taichi's direction when his eyes met hers, and gave Koushiro a genuinely friendly one as she was led away by the young girl. Taichi's eyes continued to follow her.
He started to wonder about that girl...what was with her?
)()()()()()(
"Wow...this is a large scar..." Miyako gasped when she saw the large mark on Sora's back.
Sora shrugged. "I got that a long time ago. It doesn't bother me anymore," she answered, scrubbing her arms while Miyako helped scrub her back.
"Really? How'd you get it?" she asked, her violet eyes large with curiosity.
"I pretended to be one of my father's army men just as a joke--but I had no idea a war was beginning that instance and that I had to fight in it."
"Did you?" Miyako asked anxiously.
"Of course I did! I actually thought it was exciting so I went. Then some large monkey demon threw a spear on my back and that was the end," Sora replied, rubbing the scar.
"Wow..."
"It was fun--not the part where I was struck--but I actually killed a satisfying amount of enemies. I was awarded a badge before they realized I was the general's daughter," Sora said with a short chuckle.
"You're life must be exciting," Miyako sighed.
Sora tensed at this. "Here, turn around," she said.
Miyako turned and this time, Sora scrubbed her back. "I bet yours is more interesting than mine...my life is confined...it's always confined...even when I'm out here..." Sora trailed off.
"What do you mean?" Miyako asked. She felt the rough ends of the scrub tickle her skin when Sora began scrubbing absently. Sora shook her head.
"Um--never mind!! I was just drifting off...this hot water is really nice. Don't you think so?" There was an uncertain silence. Miyako gave her a sideways glance, knowing that she didn't want to talk about it anymore.
"Hey Sora-san--"
"You can call me Sora."
"Sora," Miyako tested it on her tongue. "So Sora, who's that crazy-haired boy with you?"
Sora made a face, but was glad that Miyako didn't ask further about the subject. "Just Taichi."
"'Just Taichi?'" Miyako eyed her. Sora pretended not to see her eyes and shrugged off the comment. "Really? So you two aren't lovers?"
"Ha! The day I'm lovers with that selfish, egotistical, narrow-minded, vindictive, sadistic, cynical, ass of a bastard, not to mention juvenile, irritating, reckless, unscrupulous--" Sora paused thoughtfully. "--wait...what are we talking about?" Sora suddenly asked.
"We were talking about how much you've fallen for that Taichi boy," Miyako stated as clearly as day. Sora felt her face become suddenly warmer than the bath itself.
"What are you talking about? I hate that kid with a passion! He's so...enigmatic and--and rude. There is no way on this planet I could fall for such an evil-minded, grotesque, unjustified--"
"Sora. A girl mustn't be too obvious," Miyako said, matter-of-factly as she wagged a finger at Sora. Sora opened her mouth to protest, but Miyako interrupted her. "I won't tell...promise!"
"I don't like him! I like the rotting carcasses of dead rats buried behind ancient walls much more than I like him," Sora spat acidly. Miyako sighed.
"Oh all right. If you insist on acting this way--anyways," Miyako said quickly, changing the subject. "Today is a special holiday. Have you heard of it? It's called White Day."
"No...actually I haven't. Is it...some sort of human ceremony?" Sora asked.
"Um...no...it's just a simple holiday. But since you obviously have never heard of it, I guess only us humans celebrate it."
"What's the holiday for?"
"Um...how about you attend the little celebration tonight and I'll show you?" Miyako replied, a glint of promise and deceit lying beneath lying in all that innocence. There was something about this little holiday of hers that seemed a bit out of proportion.
)()()()()()()(
"How long are we staying here Taichi?" Koushiro asked as he changed into a much more comfortable outfit. He fitted a white haori* and placed a woolen sweater over. Taichi was sifting through the clothes that the townspeople offered but found none that fit. He barely heard Koushiro's question as he concentrated on the clothes. (*A sort of ancient Japanese jacket or sweater of some sort.)
"Huh?"
"I said, how long are we staying here?"
"Maybe tonight...um...morning...then we leave. We have a lot of ground to cover and you still have to help me get there..." Taichi mumbled. He picked up some pants that were too small for him. He shook his head and muttered something about little girls before he put it down and searched for another pair.
Koushiro's eyes widened. "Tonight, hm...well then you'd have to stay indoors all night."
"Why?" Taichi asked absent-mindedly as he examined a shirt.
"They're having a celebration. It's for White Day. I have a feeling you wouldn't want to join in their activities."
"What the hell is White--no...forget it. I don't think I want to know and I don't think I care--ah ha!" Taichi exclaimed as he picked up a creme colored hakama* that seemed to be perfect. He put it on with a satisfied grin on his face. He turned back to Koushiro who had already settled in one of the futons in the room. (*pants from the those days ^_^)
"Have you spoken to Sora yet? She seemed upset with you earlier," Koushiro said out of the blue.
"Ya think?" Taichi huffed. "I don't know what her problem is...where the hell is she anyways? Do you think she's trying to run away?"
"There's no where to run to. Besides, I heard she spent the whole day with that girl Miyako. I don't think she would want to abandon her new friend. I don't think Sora's the type of person to do that. What have you done to make her so angry with you anyways?"
"How the hell should I know!?" Taichi growled. "I didn't do anything to that stupid brat!"
"Maybe that's just it."
"What?!"
"You call her names, ignore her like she's a pebble in the middle of the forest, and flirt with other girls. But I believe there's a way to make it up to her."
"I wasn't flirting with that gi--" he stopped and narrowed his eyes at Koushiro. He knew he was going to say that!
"I don't have to make up shit to her..." he trailed off. Taichi still kept his feigned arrogant façade up but it was slowly fading. He had this strange anxiety to know what Koushiro was going to tell him.
He walked over to where Koushiro was laying comfortably in his futon and crouched over onto his haunches, resting his elbows on his thighs, his chocolate eyes peering at Koushiro's loosely closed eyes. He seemed to know that Taichi wanted to know what he was going to say. He could feel Taichi's presence near him and that thick air of silence that he knew Taichi wanted to break so badly...
"Well?" Koushiro asked, breaking the silence with ease.
"Well what?"
"Do you want to know?" Taichi simply stared at him silently. His were eyes still peering as Koushiro picked up an eyelid to peek at Taichi. Taichi seemed to be concentrating, his mouth set in a tight line and his feet quivering from the strain his weight was giving his ankles.
"If it'll get her to stop acting like a stubborn bitch!" Taichi answered in his usual tone. He turned back to his futon and sat in it.
"All right then," Koushiro nodded with a knowing nod.
"Well?" Taichi asked almost impatiently. "What do I have to do?"
A/N: White Day really exists!! It's the equivalent of Valentine's Day...from what I heard. I believe in this event, only the man gives his woman a present. There is another day where only the woman gives the man a present, but I don't remember what it was called. I'll look it up!
Anyways...so what do you think will happen? Hehe...anyways, I already have the next chapter title figured out! "White Day!" It will be dedicated solely to that night. Hm...a pretty romantic setting don't you think? But still...every happy moment or occurrence must come to an end sooner or later. What comes up, must come down...
It's always like that.
Welps, this is the result of my homework neglect.
Voguish Fib
chapter 5 - Intended & Unintended
"I can't believe you're dragging me along with you," Sora grumbled as she grabbed stone step by stone step, preferring to crawl up the steps instead of walk it. "Why can't you just go up and I'll wait for you down here?"
Taichi scoffed as he walked carelessly up the steps, ignoring Sora's complaining. He looked up, keeping his eyes away from Sora's view, hoping to hide the fact that he was a bit acrophobic; looking down would only make him want to stop walking and turn back around.
"So who is this 'Wise One'?" Sora asked, looking at the back of Taichi's head as she concentrated on her crawling.
"Doesn't his title give it away?" Taichi retorted almost sarcastically.
"No," Sora mumbled, grabbing each stone step with a rhythmic precision. She decided to continue talking anyways. "I bet he's like one of those old spiritual priests who sit in thrones all day and give people advice. Or maybe he's one of those telepathic beings who float in the air in a sitting position half-naked."
"Or maybe he's really powerful and can find a way to shut you up!" Taichi continued in a sarcastic giddy tone. Sora couldn't help but feel the bitterness she felt for that boy.
"God you're awful..." she told him.
He ignored her. "We're almost there. Hey, listen to me. When we get there, DON'T say anything. Let me do the talking. Your voice might offend him," Taichi commanded in a gruff tone. She noticed that he was almost 20 steps ahead of her. She sighed, refusing to stand in fear of sliding down the smooth rock. She continued to crawl in her languid pace.
"Your face might offend him ," Sora spat. She watched Taichi ignore her all the more as he continued to step up the stairs with graceful ease. He just thought he was so perfect didn't he? He just thought that he was so much better than her, huh? Is that why he kept putting her down? Or maybe he had something against princesses, or maybe she'd met him before and she'd done something mean to him...he did look subtly familiar...
She decided to stand up. She placed a foot on one of the steps and kept the other one behind her as she attempted to balance. Her stance was almost perfect but her arms weren't in position. She nearly toppled over, but she held her arms straight out in a way that it almost seemed like she was gliding and closed her eyes.
Then it hit her. Yes, she'd met him before--the market!! He was the little boy who got cheated from the last net of oranges because she'd used a fake coin with two tails. Her eyes flew open. "Taichi! I remember you!" she called after him.
"Huh?" Taichi head turned so he could face her, but his eyes caught the treacherous drop to the bottom. His heart instantly began to race as he looked down at the rocky darkness that was hundreds of feet away by now. "Ack!" he yelped when his foot suddenly slipped from under him and he fell on his back down the wet, smooth stone steps. Sora's eyes widened as she took a cautious step back.
Was that my fault? she wondered as she watched Taichi slide in her direction.
"Sora! Get out of the way!! Get out of the fucking way--!!" Taichi began, his eyes wide with fear and apprehension.
"No! I'll catch you! I won't let you fall!" Sora insisted as she stood in a solid stance, waiting for him to slide to her. Her heart began beating faster without her knowledge as she watched Taichi slide helplessly towards her direction. His feet were in a panic as he tried to catch a snag in one of the rocks on the side of the mountain but his foot only slid in mud.
Dammit! If I die I'll just die a disappointment to my father...Taichi thought amidst the panic of his sliding.
He suddenly caught Sora's concentrating crimson eyes and watched as her face got closer and closer as he toppled and slid her way. He knew he might kill her too if she didn't get out of the way, but the stubborn girl continued to stand there, really thinking she could catch him.
He realized his heart was beating wildly out of his chest. It was enough to give anyone a heart attack with all the fearful apprehension. He closed his eyes knowing that any second the two of them would go sliding down together and maybe even fall off the edge of the stairs to their deaths. Damn, he hated heights...
But then he felt his body come to an abrupt halt. He opened his eyes to find bright crimson ones smiling at him. He turned his head and looked at his surroundings. She stopped him from tumbling to his end!
"You thought I wasn't going to catch you," Sora stated in an 'I can't believe you didn't trust me!' sort of tone.
"Well, you are just a weak little nymph..." Taichi grumbled despite the fact that he was starting to notice how close they were together.
"You know, you shouldn't insult someone who just saved you," Sora returned, her eyes darting until they caught his gaze. Taichi could feel her sharp breath against his face. She'd been nervous too. By the look of her eyes and the feel of her breath, he could tell that she didn't think she could've caught him. He felt a rush of affection for this bratty nymph.
"Why?" Taichi managed to retort. He attempted to be roguish to her again, but from the look on her face, he could tell it wasn't working.
"Well......because..." Sora replied in an almost hushed whisper. She couldn't figure out a response. The way Taichi was looking at her made her lose her train of thought. Taichi on the other hand had suddenly realized how cold it was and how Sora's lips had turned blood red from the iciness of the weather. She was so beautiful... He looked back up into her eyes and noticed that she was staring back at him in a sort of strange way...
Again, Taichi was aware of their closeness, their noses were almost touching, and the heat from their bodies radiated onto each other. Strangely, the two didn't budge from their position, each one afraid to break that uncanny connection they had just made.
"Well uh...thanks for...um...saving me...I guess..." Taichi blurted out, though he'd promised himself once he would never intentionally thank her for anything--even if it was for saving his life. What the hell am I doing? he found himself wondering.
"Mm..." Sora answered in a small voice. "I think..." Sora began as she shifted into a more comfortable position. Taichi didn't seem to notice much of anything but her face at the moment. He could only feel an added part of his thigh become warm from the pressure Sora placed on it when she shifted.
"You think...?" Taichi's shuddering whisper questioned. His eyes almost begging to know what she wanted to say. Sora's lips parted to begin to speak, but her eyes were frozen in place, holding her lips back from uttering even a mere breath.
Then finally, "I think that--"
"Hey you two lovebirds!" came a voice from the distance. The two turned and noticed a small boy at the top of the mountain where the shrine was. He was waving at them. They turned back to each other and realized what position they had put themselves in.
"Get off me nymph!" Taichi shouted, pushing Sora off.
"You're the one who slid under me remember?" Sora berated, poking him in the arm.
"Well I wouldn't have slipped off if you hadn't opened your big mouth to talk to me again!" he yelled in her face.
"Well," Sora returned. "It's not my fault that you're afraid of heights you worm!" Sora yelled back.
"I'm not--"
"LIAR!"
"I I'm NOT--"
"Liar, liar, liar, liar--" Sora chanted loudly, slamming her palms against her ears, just to piss Taichi off.
"Hey!! HEY!" called the boy from the mountain.
"WHAT!?" Taichi and Sora shouted back simultaneously.
"I'm going to get these dragons to come and get you okay?" he called, oblivious to the anger seeping out of the two.
"Fine..."
"Okay..."
All the while the two avoided facing each other because they were blushing.
)()()()()()()(
"So you're saying you're lost?" the boy asked as he sipped his tea.
"Yeah, all because of this damn nymph," Taichi accused, narrowing his eyes at Sora who avoiding him as she sipped her own tea casually.
"Well Taichi, I think I can figure out a way to help you out," the boy said.
"Wait--" Sora interrupted. "Where's the Wise One?" she asked, a bit confused.
"He's the Wise One you idiot," Taichi hissed as he pinched her arm.
"Ow!!" Sora cried out as she rubbed her arm. "I was just wondering..."
"Yes, it appears a bit mind-boggling that I, a mere child, would have such a tremendous title. But you, though you may percieve me as a child, my mind actually has experienced many things in many, many years."
"Koushiro, can we get back to what were talking about now?" Taichi asked, snapping his head towards Sora. (A/N: Yup it's Izzy! Someone said it was Gennai--good idea...I never thought of that... ^__^)
"Sure. As I was saying, I can help you, but you must help me as well," Koushiro replied, looking up at the two teens solemnly.
"You never asked anyone else who came here for help!" Taichi complained.
"Yes, but I'm asking you, Taichi, because you are my friend," Koushiro said softly. Taichi could only nod at this. "I want you to help me get out of here."
"Why?" Sora suddenly asked. "Don't you like being able to help others with problems?"
"Yes but it's eccentrically ironic since I am perched up here on this dangerous mountain. Only few creatures with proper transportation can come up here." Koushiro sighed and turned to Sora. "But it's not only that--it's falling apart--this shrine...and--and I want adventure...I want to get out of here and be free! I've never seen the world out of this shrine and if somehow you can take me out--"
"I'm sorry Koushiro but I'm acting as a delivery boy for my father. I can't be burdened with anyone els--" Taichi began. "Oh don't look at me that way!"
Sora shoved Taichi impulsively. "Why do you have to be such an ass? He's your friend and he's helping you find your way! Can't you at least be nice and bring him along?" Sora shouted.
"What did I tell you about not speaking?" he scolded her like a child. "And--NO! This isn't the way it's supposed to be--" he stopped when a large claw shot through the ceiling of the roof, distracting everyone from their conversation. "Holy shit!" Taichi swore as he ducked behind one of the futons.
Sora and Koushiro flew to the ground and were instantly crouched together behind another futon, their heads under their arms. "What's going on?!" Sora whispered to Koushiro.
"I believe the shrine is being attacked," Koushiro answered quite evenly.
"What!?" Sora exclaimed.
"I said, 'I believe the shri--'" he began again a bit louder.
"No, I mean--how can you be so calm--someone or something-- is attacking your home and you don't look a bit worried!" A peircing screech rang out through the mountain, causing Taichi, Sora, and Koushiro to shut their ears tightly from the awful disturbance. It rang like nails on a board, like the sound of blood in a dying girl's voice.
"Ow--that noise--" Sora cried. She felt arms around her waist and felt her body lifted off the ground and led to some place where the screeching noise suddenly disappeared. She looked up and saw Koushiro and darkness.
"Are you all right?" he asked. She nodded wordlessly, staring up at him with admiration. Where did he bring her?
"Wait--where's Taichi?"
"I didn't see him after some more rubble fell. I'm sure he found a safe place to--" Sora's eyes widened.
"No, we have to find him! We can't just leave him--what if something bad happened to him?" Sora panicked. She looked around the dark room and noticed another pair of eyes moving towards them.
"Worried about me nymph?" the voice asked mockingly. She felt her face turn bright crimson and she didn't know whether it was from anger or for actually being worried about him. It was an awfully good thing that it was dark in that room. Sora scoffed to hide her blush.
"No. I was just concerned that my guarantee to get back home was dead," Sora told him casually.
"Uh huh..." Taichi nodded disbelievingly.
"Hello, you two? We have to get out of here," Koushiro announced, peering through a small crack in the walls.
"Where are we anyways? And what the hell is that thing?" Taichi asked.
"We are in a shelter I made in case there was any trouble out there. It's sound proof, water resistant, earth resistant, lightning resistant, every kind of resistant and proof you could possibly think of," Koushiro expounded. "Oh and that wrecking everything is a Birdramon. He wants to decapitate me and feed me to his chicks."
"What--why?" Sora asked.
"Because I was stranded here a couple months ago with no food or water and I found his female's eggs in a nest nearby and I--" he gulped, "--ate it."
"You idiot!" Taichi growled, hitting him in the back of his head.
"Taichi stop that!" Sora scolded. She returned her attention back to Koushiro. "So now he's after you? Goodness...with a title like the Wise One, I thought you'd have more sense than to eat a murderous bird's eggs!"
"I was hungry!! A man's mind can't compete with his stomach," Koushiro stated stubbornly.
"Okay...fine, can we just try to get out of here before get eaten?" Taichi hissed when a heavy thud sounded on top of the roof of Koushiro's shelter.
"Yes, of course, let's go," Koushiro said, leading the two into an underground door that they really couldn't see through the darkness. They went through and crawled through a seemingly endless tunnel that went downhill.
Taichi and Sora assumed it was an alternative route back down the stairs. As they crawled further, the noises of the screeching bird became distant and garbled until they couldn't hear it any longer. Then finally, Koushiro pushed some sort of door and sunlight bursted through the endless darkness they'd been in for almost half an hour. Sora coughed and sputtered while Taichi dusted dirt and grime off of himself. Koushiro looked perfectly clean when he came out.
Taichi eyed him strangely. "How...wha--" Koushiro blinked at him. Taichi shook his head. "I'm not even gonna ask."
"So this means I can come with you right?" Koushiro asked, a bright smile plastered on his childish face. Taichi opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Sora.
"Yes. You can come with us," she said sternly, giving Taichi a dangerous look. He put his hands up as if in defeat and backed away.
"Let's just get the hell out of here," he said. The other two agreed and followed him. Sora glanced back up at the mountain and found the large bird-like demon screeching and flapping its heavy wings, destroying the area where the shrine used to be.
She had a feeling this wasn't going to be the only life and death situation she was going to go through during this trip.
)()()()()()()()(
"Are you sure it's safe here?" Sora whispered to Koushiro as they entered a small village.
"Yes. They're all humans. They wouldn't be able to sense magical powers in you or Taichi unless they have a priestess in this village--which I highly doubt--but I believe it is quite safe either way. I don't think they have anything against nymphs or--" he paused when Taichi stepped on his foot. "Or...other beings in their village unless they were trying to hurt them."
Sora eyed Taichi suspiciously but continued to walk, deciding to ignore him during the rest of the trip. Her eyes examined the village casually, taking in the sight of the seemingly hospitable people who greeted them as they entered the village. One girl, in particular, with a moderately large chest, decided to have a chat with them--or more like Taichi. Sora noticed the entire time that her eyes would occasionally glance at her or Koushiro, but the rest of the time, they were rested on Taichi.
"So you're just passing by--like travelers!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together enthusiastically. "You look so strong and rugged...and manly from your trip!" she chirped, giving a glance at Sora when she said the word "manly". Sora gave a noticable grimace.
"Well, you know. After an angry, vicious bird and a man-eating plant tried to attack us--" Koushiro began.
"The bird was your fault and that man-eating plant was a thorny weed!" Sora growled.
The girl ignored them. "How exciting it must be..." she sighed in Taichi's direction. He gave a short shrug.
"Oh yes, very exciting," Sora replied, the sarcasm thick in her voice. Koushiro gave her a scolding look and she shut her mouth.
"Actually, it's not much. I'm just bringing um...her over to see my father, and he's just accompanying me. Right Princess?" Taichi said, nudging Sora's shoulder softly. She sneered at him and distanced herself from the group. Taichi quirked an eyebrow in her direction and whispered to Koushiro.
"What's wrong with her?" Koushiro simply shrugged.
The girl continued to talk. "So...her...the girl...is she your fiancée?" she asked, giving a curt, disgusted glance over at Sora. Taichi felt his face become hot, but he suppressed it (he hadn't noticed the look she gave Sora.) He turned to Sora. He thought he heard a scoff...
"No. Definitely not!!--it's for completely different reasons," he replied.
"Oh...so...you DON'T have a fiancée?" she asked, throatily, touching Taichi's shoulder. Sora reflexively rolled her eyes, though she didn't understand why. She wasn't jealous or anything. She despised Taichi. Why would she care if this attractive, big breasted girl was flirting with him?
"No, I don't. I don't plan on having one any time soon. I don't really think I'm ready," Taichi said with an innocent shrug. He seemed to be trying to evade the girl's little flirty antics. Sora smirked devilishly at this, but kept her distance.
The girl who was seemingly naive, didn't catch on. "Oh...but you do court girls, do you not?" The girl blushed. "I'm sorry...it's just...I thought that someone like you already be taken by some beautiful goddess who adores you."
"Well, there isn't," Taichi replied softly. He gave the girl a small grin. "You know...I could be taken by a beautiful goddess. If she'd take me." Sora's devilish pleasure suddenly ceased.
I can't believe the idiot is going along with her, Sora thought, exasperated. Taichi glanced in her direction. With a glimpse, Sora saw his eyes smiling at her. He was flirting with that girl on purpose! Go ahead! she thought. I don't give a four-legged snake's ass if you flirt with that floozy!
"If he's good, maybe she'll consider him," the girl returned, smiling seductively at him as her eyes roamed his body. Taichi was about to respond to her, but was interrupted by a sharp tone.
"I'm going for a bath. Miyako-san offered to bring me. Such a nice girl don't you think?" Sora suddenly announced. She feigned a smile in Taichi's direction when his eyes met hers, and gave Koushiro a genuinely friendly one as she was led away by the young girl. Taichi's eyes continued to follow her.
He started to wonder about that girl...what was with her?
)()()()()()(
"Wow...this is a large scar..." Miyako gasped when she saw the large mark on Sora's back.
Sora shrugged. "I got that a long time ago. It doesn't bother me anymore," she answered, scrubbing her arms while Miyako helped scrub her back.
"Really? How'd you get it?" she asked, her violet eyes large with curiosity.
"I pretended to be one of my father's army men just as a joke--but I had no idea a war was beginning that instance and that I had to fight in it."
"Did you?" Miyako asked anxiously.
"Of course I did! I actually thought it was exciting so I went. Then some large monkey demon threw a spear on my back and that was the end," Sora replied, rubbing the scar.
"Wow..."
"It was fun--not the part where I was struck--but I actually killed a satisfying amount of enemies. I was awarded a badge before they realized I was the general's daughter," Sora said with a short chuckle.
"You're life must be exciting," Miyako sighed.
Sora tensed at this. "Here, turn around," she said.
Miyako turned and this time, Sora scrubbed her back. "I bet yours is more interesting than mine...my life is confined...it's always confined...even when I'm out here..." Sora trailed off.
"What do you mean?" Miyako asked. She felt the rough ends of the scrub tickle her skin when Sora began scrubbing absently. Sora shook her head.
"Um--never mind!! I was just drifting off...this hot water is really nice. Don't you think so?" There was an uncertain silence. Miyako gave her a sideways glance, knowing that she didn't want to talk about it anymore.
"Hey Sora-san--"
"You can call me Sora."
"Sora," Miyako tested it on her tongue. "So Sora, who's that crazy-haired boy with you?"
Sora made a face, but was glad that Miyako didn't ask further about the subject. "Just Taichi."
"'Just Taichi?'" Miyako eyed her. Sora pretended not to see her eyes and shrugged off the comment. "Really? So you two aren't lovers?"
"Ha! The day I'm lovers with that selfish, egotistical, narrow-minded, vindictive, sadistic, cynical, ass of a bastard, not to mention juvenile, irritating, reckless, unscrupulous--" Sora paused thoughtfully. "--wait...what are we talking about?" Sora suddenly asked.
"We were talking about how much you've fallen for that Taichi boy," Miyako stated as clearly as day. Sora felt her face become suddenly warmer than the bath itself.
"What are you talking about? I hate that kid with a passion! He's so...enigmatic and--and rude. There is no way on this planet I could fall for such an evil-minded, grotesque, unjustified--"
"Sora. A girl mustn't be too obvious," Miyako said, matter-of-factly as she wagged a finger at Sora. Sora opened her mouth to protest, but Miyako interrupted her. "I won't tell...promise!"
"I don't like him! I like the rotting carcasses of dead rats buried behind ancient walls much more than I like him," Sora spat acidly. Miyako sighed.
"Oh all right. If you insist on acting this way--anyways," Miyako said quickly, changing the subject. "Today is a special holiday. Have you heard of it? It's called White Day."
"No...actually I haven't. Is it...some sort of human ceremony?" Sora asked.
"Um...no...it's just a simple holiday. But since you obviously have never heard of it, I guess only us humans celebrate it."
"What's the holiday for?"
"Um...how about you attend the little celebration tonight and I'll show you?" Miyako replied, a glint of promise and deceit lying beneath lying in all that innocence. There was something about this little holiday of hers that seemed a bit out of proportion.
)()()()()()()(
"How long are we staying here Taichi?" Koushiro asked as he changed into a much more comfortable outfit. He fitted a white haori* and placed a woolen sweater over. Taichi was sifting through the clothes that the townspeople offered but found none that fit. He barely heard Koushiro's question as he concentrated on the clothes. (*A sort of ancient Japanese jacket or sweater of some sort.)
"Huh?"
"I said, how long are we staying here?"
"Maybe tonight...um...morning...then we leave. We have a lot of ground to cover and you still have to help me get there..." Taichi mumbled. He picked up some pants that were too small for him. He shook his head and muttered something about little girls before he put it down and searched for another pair.
Koushiro's eyes widened. "Tonight, hm...well then you'd have to stay indoors all night."
"Why?" Taichi asked absent-mindedly as he examined a shirt.
"They're having a celebration. It's for White Day. I have a feeling you wouldn't want to join in their activities."
"What the hell is White--no...forget it. I don't think I want to know and I don't think I care--ah ha!" Taichi exclaimed as he picked up a creme colored hakama* that seemed to be perfect. He put it on with a satisfied grin on his face. He turned back to Koushiro who had already settled in one of the futons in the room. (*pants from the those days ^_^)
"Have you spoken to Sora yet? She seemed upset with you earlier," Koushiro said out of the blue.
"Ya think?" Taichi huffed. "I don't know what her problem is...where the hell is she anyways? Do you think she's trying to run away?"
"There's no where to run to. Besides, I heard she spent the whole day with that girl Miyako. I don't think she would want to abandon her new friend. I don't think Sora's the type of person to do that. What have you done to make her so angry with you anyways?"
"How the hell should I know!?" Taichi growled. "I didn't do anything to that stupid brat!"
"Maybe that's just it."
"What?!"
"You call her names, ignore her like she's a pebble in the middle of the forest, and flirt with other girls. But I believe there's a way to make it up to her."
"I wasn't flirting with that gi--" he stopped and narrowed his eyes at Koushiro. He knew he was going to say that!
"I don't have to make up shit to her..." he trailed off. Taichi still kept his feigned arrogant façade up but it was slowly fading. He had this strange anxiety to know what Koushiro was going to tell him.
He walked over to where Koushiro was laying comfortably in his futon and crouched over onto his haunches, resting his elbows on his thighs, his chocolate eyes peering at Koushiro's loosely closed eyes. He seemed to know that Taichi wanted to know what he was going to say. He could feel Taichi's presence near him and that thick air of silence that he knew Taichi wanted to break so badly...
"Well?" Koushiro asked, breaking the silence with ease.
"Well what?"
"Do you want to know?" Taichi simply stared at him silently. His were eyes still peering as Koushiro picked up an eyelid to peek at Taichi. Taichi seemed to be concentrating, his mouth set in a tight line and his feet quivering from the strain his weight was giving his ankles.
"If it'll get her to stop acting like a stubborn bitch!" Taichi answered in his usual tone. He turned back to his futon and sat in it.
"All right then," Koushiro nodded with a knowing nod.
"Well?" Taichi asked almost impatiently. "What do I have to do?"
A/N: White Day really exists!! It's the equivalent of Valentine's Day...from what I heard. I believe in this event, only the man gives his woman a present. There is another day where only the woman gives the man a present, but I don't remember what it was called. I'll look it up!
Anyways...so what do you think will happen? Hehe...anyways, I already have the next chapter title figured out! "White Day!" It will be dedicated solely to that night. Hm...a pretty romantic setting don't you think? But still...every happy moment or occurrence must come to an end sooner or later. What comes up, must come down...
It's always like that.