A/N: Hey, Inconnu, are you a bigger Taiora fan or a Sorato fan? I don't know...just wondering. You should consider writing a Taiora, I LOVE your writing style! It's amazing! Oh also, if you read my other story, you might just see a love triangle between Tai, Sora, and Matt. *wink* *wink*
Lol... anyways, I LOVE YOU ALL!! Thanks for the reviews! I had fun reading them, and re-reading them and re-reading them again...hehe.
As for the love triangle, it's a *drum roll* Izzy/Mimi/Matt! (but we all know what it's going to be ;)
*I'm having trouble spelling two, too, and to correctly to fit the sentences I want them to go into. I don't understand why...*sadness*
Someone asked if I'd put Kari and TK back into the story. Of course I will! This story is partly about them! Lol. But since this is a Taiora, they're not going to be mentioned much. And besides, I have a love triangle to juggle with along with the Taiora. That's okay right?
As for Matt being a bad guy or a good guy? You'll just have to see. But don't worry. I don't hate Matt. ^__^
WARNING: One-sided Jyoura. (No Jyou bashing, just to let you know. Jyou's more of a...well, let's say he has a one-track mind in this fic!)
Oh yes, and about the modern day way of speaking (expressions such as 'cool!' or 'awesome!'), as I said, this is a 'Voguish' Fib, Voguish, meaning modern, contemporary...etc... I did it all on purpose!
Voguish Fib
chapter 11 - For Better or Worse
"Your Highness, we've tracked her," Myotismon started as he burst into the room. He paused to allow the message to sink into the woman's conscience. "The kidnappers were none other than the Yagamis! There must have been a raid because we found a quickly-made civilization in Akaguchi near Furugawa, bombed to the tiniest pieces. There was an injured guard who must have been delirious because he told us what had happened. Said it was Prince Taichi Yagami," Myotismon explained.
Queen Takenouchi was staring at her advisor with utter disbelief. Was her daughter really found? She couldn't help but feel grateful for the news. "I thank you my friend. We will send an army immediately to retrieve Sora. I'm sure she's dying to get back."
"My Queen. It will not be so simple. The Yagami army is highly trained. Many of them have a ridiculous amount of power. You must send someone to kidnap her back," her advisor advised. (hehe)
"That may be the right thing to do. Shall I make plans for one of our skilled men to go and take her?" Queen Takenouchi suggested.
A sly smile curled on Myotismon's lips. "Why don't you send the chosen suitor to go get her. You told me yourself that he was an exceptional young man."
Queen Takenouchi looked up into his bright eyes. It seems she had been following his suggestions ever since Sora had been kidnapped. Maybe she was losing her sense of reason and practicality? She was relying on Myotismon more and more.
So why stop relying on him now?
"That's a good idea Myotismon."
)()()()()(
"Ahhh..."
Sora was so glad that Mimi recommended giving her a bath before anymore could be discussed. She couldn't even remember the last time she had a bath. A real one. With no imposter prince bursting in, or bandits bombing the place to bits.
Well, hopefully it didn't happen now...
Sadly, during this period of cessation, she had nothing else to do but scrub and think. As she lifted a leg to scrub from toes to thigh, she thought about that kiss she and Taichi shared. They never even talked about their feelings for one another. Sure she was fond of Taichi (maybe a little too fond), but the feelings that circulated weren't exactly revealed to the other.
What if Taichi did only think of her as another Fuyuko?
That thought only caused her to sink deeper into her oppressive depression. She brought her leg down and sunk into the thick bubbly water until only her eyes were visible on the surface.
Eh, this isn't so bad. I have friends who care about me, she thought, attempting to be a protagonist. Too bad it wasn't working very well, for the next thought she had brought her back to reality. I'm still a prisoner though...
"Psst!" came a call from somewhere nearby.
"Ack!" Sora croaked, choking on the water from surprise. At the window of the bath house was a mass of brown hair that could only be owned by one person: Taichi.
How does he always manage to bother me while I'm bathing? Sora thought, sinking deeper into the water.
"Taichi! You perverted idiot! Couldn't you talk to me after I take my bath?" Sora hissed, grabbing a nearby towel to cover herself up.
"You know I'm impatient. Besides, this can't wait. I had to tell you that the trainer, Gennai-sensei is planning to train you tomorrow afternoon! You have to be prepared or he'll kick your ass! I had to convince my father that this would be the best way to go in order for your powers to be useful--to you and to us," Taichi whispered back. Sora stepped out of the bath, clutching the towel to her.
She nearly laughed at the sight, but decided to smiled instead, knowing her laughter would be somewhat controlled if she did. Besides, she didn't want him to think she was happy to see him.
He looked absolutely ridiculous (and absolutely adorable at the same time) hanging on as if for dear life. He had climbed the second level of the chateau and was clinging desperately to a vine that looked as if it was going to peel off the wall. He twitched every now and then when he realized he was sinking back.
"Why are you whispering?" she asked, leaning over him, her palms flat on the sill.
"Because I'm not supposed to be here," Taichi continued to whisper. "Help me up."
Sora's smile suddenly faded. She folded her arms and took a step back. "Why should I do that? You locked me in a carraige," Sora told him, her crimson orbs boaring holes through his eyes. Now it was time to let the bitterness out. "And you didn't say please," she added.
Taichi sighed and glared at her for a second before climbing up on his own. Once he got a hold on the windowsill, he fell back.
Sora watched him, emotionlessly, as he struggled to enter the window, sweat forming on his brow.
"You didn't answer me," Sora said, her voice stern, still lacking emotion.
Taichi gave up and just hung there when he figured that he couldn't swing his leg onto the sill.
It was hard enough that he had to cling to the wall, and now she wanted him to explain himself too? Oiy...she was a tough cookie.
Or more like a poisoned cookie.
"Because I was being a little selfish okay? Besides, I couldn't help it! My father has a way of getting into my system and clogging everything, making me feel as insignificant as dead skin. I really care about what he thinks of me, Sora," Taichi explained, a little out of breath. "Now, can you help me up? Please?"
Sora hesitated, then slowly walked over to him and stuck out her hand. He grasped it and was gradually pulled in.
Once he was in, he was looking Sora in the eyes, his own filled with mixed emotions (one being frustration from not pulling him into the bath house in the first place), ranging from underlying affection to aggression.
But despite all the emotions that ran through his body, he couldn't help but want her.
Then, without even thinking, he grabbed her waist, pulling her close and kissing her. Sora had been too surprised to react, but suddenly felt herself melting as he kissed her.
Too bad (for Taichi, that is) she had an ego.
Sora shoved him away and staggered back. "What are you doing? Do you think that by kissing me, you'd take away that betrayal I felt when you put me in that carraige? I thought--I thought we had something! You're such a jerk!! From the beginning! To the end! This is the end for our friendship! Or whatever the hell you ca--" before she could continue, Taichi had closed the space between them once more, kissing her hard, his lips devouring hers in a searing kiss.
Sora's hand had lifted to slap him, but Taichi grabbed it and began stroking her fingers with his own, manipulating her until her entire body adhered to him. She slowly began returning his kisses, her mouth moving in the same rhythmic pace as his, almost desperate, longing, abiding. She was moaning now and her hands were tightly in his grasp, but she didn't seem to notice as she stepped closer to him, returning the kiss with more passion than she'd ever felt in her life.
But it was not only passion that she felt, she also felt appreciated...maybe...loved?
Then Sora tore herself away, face flushed, expression angered, and succeeded in slapping him. The surprise hit him so hard that the stinging on his cheek was unnoticable.
"I hate you!" she spat at him before speeding out of the bath house, hiding the expression that suddenly appeared on her face.
Taichi stood there for a second before realizing how fast everything had gone by. He took a step forward to go after her--
"Wait, Sora!"
--but instead, slipped on the wet floor.
)()()()()(
Yamato had been standing outside of Taichi's chambers when Taichi saw him. It was some sort of unspoken rule between them that they treat each other like simple acquaintances in the castle instead of like real buds.
They gave each other a respectable bow.
"Hey, Grease-face," Taichi greeted.
"Hey yourself, dumbass," Yamato returned with a small smirk on his face.
A guard walked by and the two ceased speaking for a second.
Once he was gone, Yamato began walking down the hall, signaling Taichi to follow.
"So what did you do with the prisoner?" Yamato began.
"She's not a prisoner Yamato. I already told you that! I told the guards to get her out and bring her to Mimi."
Yamato sighed.
"What was that?" Taichi asked, clearly noticing what he just did.
"What was what?" Yamato's question was so innocent...
"What was that--" he sighed, demonstrating, "--that sigh?" Taichi asked, agitated.
Yamato placed a careful arm around his shoulder. "Taichi, we're friends right?"
Taichi lifted a brow in confusion. "Yeah...?"
"Then listen to me: You can't trust these nymphs. You heard what they do to get people to trust them."
Taichi, shrugged Yamato's arm off of his shoulder. "Yamato. These nymphs are just like humans! They have feelings, rules, etc. They betray people and they're loyal too. You can't expect them to be perfect angels, now can you?" Taichi argued. The fact that Yamato called Sora a prisoner still really bothered him.
"You're mistaken my friend. Nymphs aren't like your regular people. They have super powers that can destroy your ass!"
"I don't believe you. During our trip, Sora has done nothing but be nice to me. She made me think of things other than my father. She made me feel...happy again, if there's such a thing," Taichi explained.
Yamato didn't answer for a second. Why didn't I notice this before? he thought.
"You're in love with her!"
Taichi blushed at the word. "Shut up before someone hears you!" Taichi growled, his eyes darting to see if anyone was close by. When he noticed that the coast was clear, he continued. "I'm not in love with her...I don't really know her...I just know that she makes me feel different from every other girl I've ever met in my life. I don't know what it is, but she's just...amazing. She climbs trees Yamato!"
"All the more reason not to trust her! You can't trust a girl who can climb a tree!"
Taichi scoffed. "Yamato, don't be dumb. Just see for yourself. Sora's different. I know it."
Yamato said nothing after this. He looked his friend over. Taichi changed over the past few days...and it was really starting to scare him...
)()()()()(
Early the next morning, Sora awoke even before the maids in the castle. She glanced around her futon and noticed that her windows were open and the curtains were floating in and out as the soft breeze flowed through it. She sighed, suddenly remembering the dancing couple in her memory.
Confusion swept over her when another memory came back to her. "At least I have a father," she recalled Taichi telling her.
Were those two memories related somehow? And why couldn't she remember?
There was a knock at the door and a girl holding a tray in her hands. Her eyes were on the ground as she attempted to place a door stop on Sora's bedroom door. Sora watched her until the girl looked up at her, again, her memories went away in a split second.
Sora smiled. "Mimi? What are you doing up so early?" she asked.
"Oh, I'm always up early. Besides, Taichi ordered me to give you whatever you wanted as long as you were here."
Sora looked down at the futon. "Oh," she mumbled.
Mimi decided to change the subject. "So...I have your breakfast. " Mimi walked up to where her futon was and set up the tray on a calf-high table right next to Sora's bed.
"Thank you," Sora said with a smile.
"No problem!" Mimi replied with a smile. After a slight pause, she stood up and walked over to the door. Then stopped again as she pulled the door stop away. "Oh, Gennai-sensei will see you in an hour for training."
Sora nodded and watched Mimi close the door before staring down at her tray. On it were expensive soup, sushi, rice balls, and sake. She was slightly taken aback.
Wow, being kidnapped isn't as bad as I thought it would be! she thought before digging in happily.
*
An hour later, Sora got ready and headed outside to the location the trainer was said to be at. She was a bit nervous, meeting him for the first time.
Would he be anything like Taichi? Would he be a sadistic bastard with no emotional senses? Would he be ignorant? Humble? Torturous?
Sora twined her fingers in a fold of the kimono Yoshinobu had given her. Her anxiety was increasing at each step.
Why did she care so much about what he thought of her?
Unbeknownst to her, a figure with it's back turned was coming in her direction, holding something large. Sora was somewhere in her own world and didn't notice him until they collided, shocking the other from their thoughts. Objects fell to the ground from the basket that the figure was holding.
"Oh!" Sora gasped, turning, only to find a pair of azure eyes staring back at her.
Yamato. The name came so easily in her mind. Those rude blue eyes that had once been glad she was caught...that night she met him.
"Princess Sora..." Yamato's voice came in a smooth note, causing newfound anxiety rising in her. The two simply gazed at each other for a second before dropping down to their knees to pick up the objects.
"I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going," Sora said, her hands working quickly to grab the items.
"No, no, no...it's no problem at all. I probably should've had someone watching out for me in case something like this might have happened. Please--you don't need to help me," Yamato insisted.
She continued to help him anyways until everything was back in the basket. The two stood up in unison.
Yamato took one glance at her outfit. "Meeting Gennai-sensei?" he inquired.
Sora nodded her reply as her fingers found the fold in her kimono once more.
"Well, Princess--"
"Sora," she corrected.
"Sora... I should warn you that he can be a little strict. You must be careful about what you do in his presence," Yamato warned.
Sora bowed slightly. "Thank you for warning me ahead of time."
"Well..." Yamato paused for a second before the intensity of his blue eyes were once again on hers. "I'm sorry, but I have to be honest with you. I don't really approve of you, but since you're Taichi's friend, I guess I will try and find out what he sees is so wonderful about you."
Sora felt her face suddenly become hot. Taichi thought she was wonderful?
Yamato gave a small chuckle as he reminisced on something. "Taichi heatedly argued that I should give you a chance. I don't mean to offend you Prin--uh--Sora, but your kind and my kind haven't particularly had a stupendous history with each other."
Sora smiled. "I understand."
"I hope we can be friends," Yamato said, holding a hand out to her. She looked up into his eyes then down to his outstretched hand. The pause was long, but she eventually took his hand before he could take it away.
"I hope so too," Sora answered with a slight squeeze.
"I also hope that you two could stop fighting. It's not his fault that you were put in that carraige. It was mine. If I had known how...well...how Taichi felt about you--"
Sora's eyes widened in shock as she interrupted him. "Oh no, no he doesn't..."
"Yes he does. Just forgive him. I think you two have been fighting long enough." Yamato's eyes traveled to someplace behind Sora for a moment, before they rested back on her. "Now go, you'll be late."
He left before Sora could respond to him. She watched him leave before giving a short sigh and walking to where the trainer would be.
Taichi thinks I'm wonderful? she couldn't help but recall.
)()()()()(
Sora fell onto futon, exhausted. Five hours of training...straight!
At first she thought it was all easy stuff since the power was coming from her mind.
Sure...they did mind exercises--for five hours straight.
And it wasn't the kind of mind exercises she did back home with her parents. In Furugawa, the exercises were meant to broaden her way of thinking so that her studies would be easier for her. Here, the exercises were mind-numbing (literally) to the point that she couldn't think about anything but pain for the past half hour.
Of course she never told Gennai-sensei about this because of her stubbornness.
"Since we just started. I took it easy on you," Gennai had said to her kindly. Sora wanted to tear out what was left of his hair at that point.
Well...now she can rest before training started once more.
Before another thought could be considered, Sora fell dead asleep, dreaming of home...
...and Taichi.
)()()()()(
"The layout of the castle is similar to that of the Takenouchi's, but with a fortress around that is twice its size and a half an inch taller. But Kido-san, you must listen carefully to the next information I am to give you," Myotismon explained, his voice low, his gaze clasped onto Jyou's.
"Yes sir," the young man nodded.
Myotismon's lips turned into an awfully bitter smile. He continued. "The Yagami castle is nearly impossible to get through, even with the most skilled assassins and spies. Yet, they have an unnoticable weakness that I have been studying for quite a while now."
"And what's that sir?"
"They have an underground passage straight to one of the guest chambers. Strangely, it is left guarded by the most ridiculously untrained guards. They might as well put puppies there," Myotismon said with a slight chuckle.
"So, you would like me to get through the passage way?"
"Yes, kill those damned guards on your way," Myotismon said carelessly, waving a hand.
"But Takenouchi-sama said--"
"Takenouchi-sama put me in charge of you, so you must do what I say. Do you understand?" Myotismon's voice was filled with a venom never experienced by anyone before. His hands had unnoticably slipped to Jyou's neck, squeezing it slightly for his threatening disposition to take place.
Jyou nodded in fear.
Myotismon's hand vanished from Jyou's throat, like a ghost. "Good. Besides, you want to see your beloved fiancee? Am I not correct?"
"Yo-you are sir."
"Good. Now take her back as soon as you can. Take this in case she puts up a struggle." He handed her a small vial of black ash. Jyou knew exactly what it was in there. Angemon blood. It was usually used as a type of anesthesia to patients because it put them in a deep sleep with a single sniff. It would only work, though, if it was made into ash.
"Why would she put up a struggle?"
"I have a feeling my boy. I have an exceptionally good feeling."
Jyou shuddered at the thought of Myotismon. He didn't quite understand why Queen Takenouchi trusted him so much. He sensed a bitter evil in him somehow...
"Are you ready?" Willis asked. (He was asked to accompany Jyou, along with another companion.)
Jyou simply nodded, a bit afraid of doing this, but also excited because he would get to see Sora again.
Daisuke took in a deep breath. He couldn't believe that his parents insisted that he go with Jyou and Willis on this "re-kidnapping" of Sora Takenouchi. It was dangerous, and he knew that these humans were known for their exceptional martial arts skills.
The three ran slowly through the high grass until they found the gutter they were looking for.
"Bingo," Jyou whispered. He kicked the rotten wood and listened as it fell to see how far away the surface was.
Daisuke dropped a rope inside and tied it to a nearby rock. Jyou looked up at his two friends and jumped in, holding tightly onto the rope.
Willis and Daisuke listened for a couple seconds--then they heard a very painful sounding thud.
"Ow--!" Pause. "I'm okay!"
Daisuke climbed down next, and then Willis, and the three moved through the gutter, remembering Myotismon's exact instructions.
As they reached what looked like a widened entrance, they saw two guards sleeping. One man had his head on the other's shoulder and the two were snoring, creating an echo through the gutter.
Willis couldn't help but snicker. Then the snickering stopped when he heard Jyou's words.
"We have to kill them," he said.
"Aw, do we have to? They're harmless! It's like killing babies! Except these guys are hairy and grimy...and their feet smell," Daisuke whispered, cracking up. Willis couldn't help but laugh with him.
"Guys, will you stop? Fine...we won't kill them. Just go by them really quietly, or knock them out if they wake up. Okay?" Jyou instructed, a bit distrubed with killing them as well.
"Okay," the two others said in unison.
The three slipped by without disturbing the sleeping lovers, as Daisuke called them.
There were stairs and broken doorways, but eventually they found a small flickering light emanating from a small gap on the roof of the underground passage.
Jyou's heart began to beat heavily. He would see Sora now.
Then, without another thought, he pushed the opening up and climbed through, asking Willis and Daisuke to stay and keep watch while he brought Sora with them.
He looked at his surroundings and found that he was in a closet. He slowly grasped for the door and opened it slowly, so as not to wake anyone there, since they would probably be sleeping at this time.
Once he opened the door and looked up, his heart nearly stopped.
There she was, sleeping soundly on a beautiful futon, her soft, red tresses spread onto her pillow, her hands dangling on the sides. Her body lifted every now end then as she breathed rhythmically. A pretty smile was on her face, as well as drool the side of her cheek.
Not a very lady-like position, but Jyou still found it attractive nonetheless.
He crept over to her and gently tapped her on the shoulder.
"Princess Sora...Princess Sora, wake up, it's me," he whispered.
Slowly, Sora's eyes opened. A soft smile was on her face, but as soon as she saw him, she became fully awoken, her body shooting up from the futon.
"Jyou-san! What are you doing here!?" she whispered.
"I'm here to take you back to Furugawa."
"No...please, I can go back on my own. You can tell my mother that I'm not here as a prisoner. Taichi will let me leave when I want."
Jyou involuntarily twitched at the way Sora had said Prince Yagami's name so informally...as if they were close acquaintances. "That's what you think now, but what will happen after they get what they want from you?" Jyou asked, taking her wrist more forcefully than he imagined. Sora looked up at him and shook her head.
"You don't understand--" she protested, tugging her arm away from him.
"I do! I think I know what happened here. You were probably seduced by Prince Yagami so that you would want to stay here on your own free will. He's not what you think Princess."
"Jyou-san, please, let me go," Sora pleaded.
"No. You've been brainwashed and you're not thinking straight, so I have to apologize for what I'm about to do next."
Sora said nothing but simply stared at him with fear in her eyes, despite the fact that she told herself she wouldn't show her fear to anyone. She pushed him away and scrambled towards the door. Unfortunately, she underestimated Jyou's level of strength and speed. He was pretty damn fast. He blocked the door and wagged a finger at her as if she were an undisciplined child.
"I'm sorry Princess Sora, but I have orders to send you back," Jyou informed her calmly.
"Well, I'm not going with you Jyou-san!" she argued, hoping her voice didn't quaver.
"Myotismon was right. You really want to stay here...even if I don't understand why. I thought you'd be happy to go back home," Jyou told her, his voice sad.
He was in front of her in an instant, causing her heart to beat with an incomprehensible speed. "Jyou-" before Sora could finish her sentence, a cloth was placed over her mouth. Sora's failing attempt at screaming really wasn't working at all and she soon found her movements becoming slower and slower. Thoughts were rushing through her mind but it seemed useless if she couldn't get them out into the open. She continued to struggle, nonetheless, but her body was beginning to respond to whatever Jyou put on that cloth.
Outside she wanted to scream "Taichi!" but nothing came out no matter how hard she tried. Why couldn't he barge in on her when she needed him? Struggling proved futile and before she knew it, she wasn't moving at all anymore.
She didn't know what happened after that.
A/N: So...what do you think? Wow, it seems so long ago since I last updated this...lol.
Lol... anyways, I LOVE YOU ALL!! Thanks for the reviews! I had fun reading them, and re-reading them and re-reading them again...hehe.
As for the love triangle, it's a *drum roll* Izzy/Mimi/Matt! (but we all know what it's going to be ;)
*I'm having trouble spelling two, too, and to correctly to fit the sentences I want them to go into. I don't understand why...*sadness*
Someone asked if I'd put Kari and TK back into the story. Of course I will! This story is partly about them! Lol. But since this is a Taiora, they're not going to be mentioned much. And besides, I have a love triangle to juggle with along with the Taiora. That's okay right?
As for Matt being a bad guy or a good guy? You'll just have to see. But don't worry. I don't hate Matt. ^__^
WARNING: One-sided Jyoura. (No Jyou bashing, just to let you know. Jyou's more of a...well, let's say he has a one-track mind in this fic!)
Oh yes, and about the modern day way of speaking (expressions such as 'cool!' or 'awesome!'), as I said, this is a 'Voguish' Fib, Voguish, meaning modern, contemporary...etc... I did it all on purpose!
Voguish Fib
chapter 11 - For Better or Worse
"Your Highness, we've tracked her," Myotismon started as he burst into the room. He paused to allow the message to sink into the woman's conscience. "The kidnappers were none other than the Yagamis! There must have been a raid because we found a quickly-made civilization in Akaguchi near Furugawa, bombed to the tiniest pieces. There was an injured guard who must have been delirious because he told us what had happened. Said it was Prince Taichi Yagami," Myotismon explained.
Queen Takenouchi was staring at her advisor with utter disbelief. Was her daughter really found? She couldn't help but feel grateful for the news. "I thank you my friend. We will send an army immediately to retrieve Sora. I'm sure she's dying to get back."
"My Queen. It will not be so simple. The Yagami army is highly trained. Many of them have a ridiculous amount of power. You must send someone to kidnap her back," her advisor advised. (hehe)
"That may be the right thing to do. Shall I make plans for one of our skilled men to go and take her?" Queen Takenouchi suggested.
A sly smile curled on Myotismon's lips. "Why don't you send the chosen suitor to go get her. You told me yourself that he was an exceptional young man."
Queen Takenouchi looked up into his bright eyes. It seems she had been following his suggestions ever since Sora had been kidnapped. Maybe she was losing her sense of reason and practicality? She was relying on Myotismon more and more.
So why stop relying on him now?
"That's a good idea Myotismon."
)()()()()(
"Ahhh..."
Sora was so glad that Mimi recommended giving her a bath before anymore could be discussed. She couldn't even remember the last time she had a bath. A real one. With no imposter prince bursting in, or bandits bombing the place to bits.
Well, hopefully it didn't happen now...
Sadly, during this period of cessation, she had nothing else to do but scrub and think. As she lifted a leg to scrub from toes to thigh, she thought about that kiss she and Taichi shared. They never even talked about their feelings for one another. Sure she was fond of Taichi (maybe a little too fond), but the feelings that circulated weren't exactly revealed to the other.
What if Taichi did only think of her as another Fuyuko?
That thought only caused her to sink deeper into her oppressive depression. She brought her leg down and sunk into the thick bubbly water until only her eyes were visible on the surface.
Eh, this isn't so bad. I have friends who care about me, she thought, attempting to be a protagonist. Too bad it wasn't working very well, for the next thought she had brought her back to reality. I'm still a prisoner though...
"Psst!" came a call from somewhere nearby.
"Ack!" Sora croaked, choking on the water from surprise. At the window of the bath house was a mass of brown hair that could only be owned by one person: Taichi.
How does he always manage to bother me while I'm bathing? Sora thought, sinking deeper into the water.
"Taichi! You perverted idiot! Couldn't you talk to me after I take my bath?" Sora hissed, grabbing a nearby towel to cover herself up.
"You know I'm impatient. Besides, this can't wait. I had to tell you that the trainer, Gennai-sensei is planning to train you tomorrow afternoon! You have to be prepared or he'll kick your ass! I had to convince my father that this would be the best way to go in order for your powers to be useful--to you and to us," Taichi whispered back. Sora stepped out of the bath, clutching the towel to her.
She nearly laughed at the sight, but decided to smiled instead, knowing her laughter would be somewhat controlled if she did. Besides, she didn't want him to think she was happy to see him.
He looked absolutely ridiculous (and absolutely adorable at the same time) hanging on as if for dear life. He had climbed the second level of the chateau and was clinging desperately to a vine that looked as if it was going to peel off the wall. He twitched every now and then when he realized he was sinking back.
"Why are you whispering?" she asked, leaning over him, her palms flat on the sill.
"Because I'm not supposed to be here," Taichi continued to whisper. "Help me up."
Sora's smile suddenly faded. She folded her arms and took a step back. "Why should I do that? You locked me in a carraige," Sora told him, her crimson orbs boaring holes through his eyes. Now it was time to let the bitterness out. "And you didn't say please," she added.
Taichi sighed and glared at her for a second before climbing up on his own. Once he got a hold on the windowsill, he fell back.
Sora watched him, emotionlessly, as he struggled to enter the window, sweat forming on his brow.
"You didn't answer me," Sora said, her voice stern, still lacking emotion.
Taichi gave up and just hung there when he figured that he couldn't swing his leg onto the sill.
It was hard enough that he had to cling to the wall, and now she wanted him to explain himself too? Oiy...she was a tough cookie.
Or more like a poisoned cookie.
"Because I was being a little selfish okay? Besides, I couldn't help it! My father has a way of getting into my system and clogging everything, making me feel as insignificant as dead skin. I really care about what he thinks of me, Sora," Taichi explained, a little out of breath. "Now, can you help me up? Please?"
Sora hesitated, then slowly walked over to him and stuck out her hand. He grasped it and was gradually pulled in.
Once he was in, he was looking Sora in the eyes, his own filled with mixed emotions (one being frustration from not pulling him into the bath house in the first place), ranging from underlying affection to aggression.
But despite all the emotions that ran through his body, he couldn't help but want her.
Then, without even thinking, he grabbed her waist, pulling her close and kissing her. Sora had been too surprised to react, but suddenly felt herself melting as he kissed her.
Too bad (for Taichi, that is) she had an ego.
Sora shoved him away and staggered back. "What are you doing? Do you think that by kissing me, you'd take away that betrayal I felt when you put me in that carraige? I thought--I thought we had something! You're such a jerk!! From the beginning! To the end! This is the end for our friendship! Or whatever the hell you ca--" before she could continue, Taichi had closed the space between them once more, kissing her hard, his lips devouring hers in a searing kiss.
Sora's hand had lifted to slap him, but Taichi grabbed it and began stroking her fingers with his own, manipulating her until her entire body adhered to him. She slowly began returning his kisses, her mouth moving in the same rhythmic pace as his, almost desperate, longing, abiding. She was moaning now and her hands were tightly in his grasp, but she didn't seem to notice as she stepped closer to him, returning the kiss with more passion than she'd ever felt in her life.
But it was not only passion that she felt, she also felt appreciated...maybe...loved?
Then Sora tore herself away, face flushed, expression angered, and succeeded in slapping him. The surprise hit him so hard that the stinging on his cheek was unnoticable.
"I hate you!" she spat at him before speeding out of the bath house, hiding the expression that suddenly appeared on her face.
Taichi stood there for a second before realizing how fast everything had gone by. He took a step forward to go after her--
"Wait, Sora!"
--but instead, slipped on the wet floor.
)()()()()(
Yamato had been standing outside of Taichi's chambers when Taichi saw him. It was some sort of unspoken rule between them that they treat each other like simple acquaintances in the castle instead of like real buds.
They gave each other a respectable bow.
"Hey, Grease-face," Taichi greeted.
"Hey yourself, dumbass," Yamato returned with a small smirk on his face.
A guard walked by and the two ceased speaking for a second.
Once he was gone, Yamato began walking down the hall, signaling Taichi to follow.
"So what did you do with the prisoner?" Yamato began.
"She's not a prisoner Yamato. I already told you that! I told the guards to get her out and bring her to Mimi."
Yamato sighed.
"What was that?" Taichi asked, clearly noticing what he just did.
"What was what?" Yamato's question was so innocent...
"What was that--" he sighed, demonstrating, "--that sigh?" Taichi asked, agitated.
Yamato placed a careful arm around his shoulder. "Taichi, we're friends right?"
Taichi lifted a brow in confusion. "Yeah...?"
"Then listen to me: You can't trust these nymphs. You heard what they do to get people to trust them."
Taichi, shrugged Yamato's arm off of his shoulder. "Yamato. These nymphs are just like humans! They have feelings, rules, etc. They betray people and they're loyal too. You can't expect them to be perfect angels, now can you?" Taichi argued. The fact that Yamato called Sora a prisoner still really bothered him.
"You're mistaken my friend. Nymphs aren't like your regular people. They have super powers that can destroy your ass!"
"I don't believe you. During our trip, Sora has done nothing but be nice to me. She made me think of things other than my father. She made me feel...happy again, if there's such a thing," Taichi explained.
Yamato didn't answer for a second. Why didn't I notice this before? he thought.
"You're in love with her!"
Taichi blushed at the word. "Shut up before someone hears you!" Taichi growled, his eyes darting to see if anyone was close by. When he noticed that the coast was clear, he continued. "I'm not in love with her...I don't really know her...I just know that she makes me feel different from every other girl I've ever met in my life. I don't know what it is, but she's just...amazing. She climbs trees Yamato!"
"All the more reason not to trust her! You can't trust a girl who can climb a tree!"
Taichi scoffed. "Yamato, don't be dumb. Just see for yourself. Sora's different. I know it."
Yamato said nothing after this. He looked his friend over. Taichi changed over the past few days...and it was really starting to scare him...
)()()()()(
Early the next morning, Sora awoke even before the maids in the castle. She glanced around her futon and noticed that her windows were open and the curtains were floating in and out as the soft breeze flowed through it. She sighed, suddenly remembering the dancing couple in her memory.
Confusion swept over her when another memory came back to her. "At least I have a father," she recalled Taichi telling her.
Were those two memories related somehow? And why couldn't she remember?
There was a knock at the door and a girl holding a tray in her hands. Her eyes were on the ground as she attempted to place a door stop on Sora's bedroom door. Sora watched her until the girl looked up at her, again, her memories went away in a split second.
Sora smiled. "Mimi? What are you doing up so early?" she asked.
"Oh, I'm always up early. Besides, Taichi ordered me to give you whatever you wanted as long as you were here."
Sora looked down at the futon. "Oh," she mumbled.
Mimi decided to change the subject. "So...I have your breakfast. " Mimi walked up to where her futon was and set up the tray on a calf-high table right next to Sora's bed.
"Thank you," Sora said with a smile.
"No problem!" Mimi replied with a smile. After a slight pause, she stood up and walked over to the door. Then stopped again as she pulled the door stop away. "Oh, Gennai-sensei will see you in an hour for training."
Sora nodded and watched Mimi close the door before staring down at her tray. On it were expensive soup, sushi, rice balls, and sake. She was slightly taken aback.
Wow, being kidnapped isn't as bad as I thought it would be! she thought before digging in happily.
*
An hour later, Sora got ready and headed outside to the location the trainer was said to be at. She was a bit nervous, meeting him for the first time.
Would he be anything like Taichi? Would he be a sadistic bastard with no emotional senses? Would he be ignorant? Humble? Torturous?
Sora twined her fingers in a fold of the kimono Yoshinobu had given her. Her anxiety was increasing at each step.
Why did she care so much about what he thought of her?
Unbeknownst to her, a figure with it's back turned was coming in her direction, holding something large. Sora was somewhere in her own world and didn't notice him until they collided, shocking the other from their thoughts. Objects fell to the ground from the basket that the figure was holding.
"Oh!" Sora gasped, turning, only to find a pair of azure eyes staring back at her.
Yamato. The name came so easily in her mind. Those rude blue eyes that had once been glad she was caught...that night she met him.
"Princess Sora..." Yamato's voice came in a smooth note, causing newfound anxiety rising in her. The two simply gazed at each other for a second before dropping down to their knees to pick up the objects.
"I'm terribly sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going," Sora said, her hands working quickly to grab the items.
"No, no, no...it's no problem at all. I probably should've had someone watching out for me in case something like this might have happened. Please--you don't need to help me," Yamato insisted.
She continued to help him anyways until everything was back in the basket. The two stood up in unison.
Yamato took one glance at her outfit. "Meeting Gennai-sensei?" he inquired.
Sora nodded her reply as her fingers found the fold in her kimono once more.
"Well, Princess--"
"Sora," she corrected.
"Sora... I should warn you that he can be a little strict. You must be careful about what you do in his presence," Yamato warned.
Sora bowed slightly. "Thank you for warning me ahead of time."
"Well..." Yamato paused for a second before the intensity of his blue eyes were once again on hers. "I'm sorry, but I have to be honest with you. I don't really approve of you, but since you're Taichi's friend, I guess I will try and find out what he sees is so wonderful about you."
Sora felt her face suddenly become hot. Taichi thought she was wonderful?
Yamato gave a small chuckle as he reminisced on something. "Taichi heatedly argued that I should give you a chance. I don't mean to offend you Prin--uh--Sora, but your kind and my kind haven't particularly had a stupendous history with each other."
Sora smiled. "I understand."
"I hope we can be friends," Yamato said, holding a hand out to her. She looked up into his eyes then down to his outstretched hand. The pause was long, but she eventually took his hand before he could take it away.
"I hope so too," Sora answered with a slight squeeze.
"I also hope that you two could stop fighting. It's not his fault that you were put in that carraige. It was mine. If I had known how...well...how Taichi felt about you--"
Sora's eyes widened in shock as she interrupted him. "Oh no, no he doesn't..."
"Yes he does. Just forgive him. I think you two have been fighting long enough." Yamato's eyes traveled to someplace behind Sora for a moment, before they rested back on her. "Now go, you'll be late."
He left before Sora could respond to him. She watched him leave before giving a short sigh and walking to where the trainer would be.
Taichi thinks I'm wonderful? she couldn't help but recall.
)()()()()(
Sora fell onto futon, exhausted. Five hours of training...straight!
At first she thought it was all easy stuff since the power was coming from her mind.
Sure...they did mind exercises--for five hours straight.
And it wasn't the kind of mind exercises she did back home with her parents. In Furugawa, the exercises were meant to broaden her way of thinking so that her studies would be easier for her. Here, the exercises were mind-numbing (literally) to the point that she couldn't think about anything but pain for the past half hour.
Of course she never told Gennai-sensei about this because of her stubbornness.
"Since we just started. I took it easy on you," Gennai had said to her kindly. Sora wanted to tear out what was left of his hair at that point.
Well...now she can rest before training started once more.
Before another thought could be considered, Sora fell dead asleep, dreaming of home...
...and Taichi.
)()()()()(
"The layout of the castle is similar to that of the Takenouchi's, but with a fortress around that is twice its size and a half an inch taller. But Kido-san, you must listen carefully to the next information I am to give you," Myotismon explained, his voice low, his gaze clasped onto Jyou's.
"Yes sir," the young man nodded.
Myotismon's lips turned into an awfully bitter smile. He continued. "The Yagami castle is nearly impossible to get through, even with the most skilled assassins and spies. Yet, they have an unnoticable weakness that I have been studying for quite a while now."
"And what's that sir?"
"They have an underground passage straight to one of the guest chambers. Strangely, it is left guarded by the most ridiculously untrained guards. They might as well put puppies there," Myotismon said with a slight chuckle.
"So, you would like me to get through the passage way?"
"Yes, kill those damned guards on your way," Myotismon said carelessly, waving a hand.
"But Takenouchi-sama said--"
"Takenouchi-sama put me in charge of you, so you must do what I say. Do you understand?" Myotismon's voice was filled with a venom never experienced by anyone before. His hands had unnoticably slipped to Jyou's neck, squeezing it slightly for his threatening disposition to take place.
Jyou nodded in fear.
Myotismon's hand vanished from Jyou's throat, like a ghost. "Good. Besides, you want to see your beloved fiancee? Am I not correct?"
"Yo-you are sir."
"Good. Now take her back as soon as you can. Take this in case she puts up a struggle." He handed her a small vial of black ash. Jyou knew exactly what it was in there. Angemon blood. It was usually used as a type of anesthesia to patients because it put them in a deep sleep with a single sniff. It would only work, though, if it was made into ash.
"Why would she put up a struggle?"
"I have a feeling my boy. I have an exceptionally good feeling."
Jyou shuddered at the thought of Myotismon. He didn't quite understand why Queen Takenouchi trusted him so much. He sensed a bitter evil in him somehow...
"Are you ready?" Willis asked. (He was asked to accompany Jyou, along with another companion.)
Jyou simply nodded, a bit afraid of doing this, but also excited because he would get to see Sora again.
Daisuke took in a deep breath. He couldn't believe that his parents insisted that he go with Jyou and Willis on this "re-kidnapping" of Sora Takenouchi. It was dangerous, and he knew that these humans were known for their exceptional martial arts skills.
The three ran slowly through the high grass until they found the gutter they were looking for.
"Bingo," Jyou whispered. He kicked the rotten wood and listened as it fell to see how far away the surface was.
Daisuke dropped a rope inside and tied it to a nearby rock. Jyou looked up at his two friends and jumped in, holding tightly onto the rope.
Willis and Daisuke listened for a couple seconds--then they heard a very painful sounding thud.
"Ow--!" Pause. "I'm okay!"
Daisuke climbed down next, and then Willis, and the three moved through the gutter, remembering Myotismon's exact instructions.
As they reached what looked like a widened entrance, they saw two guards sleeping. One man had his head on the other's shoulder and the two were snoring, creating an echo through the gutter.
Willis couldn't help but snicker. Then the snickering stopped when he heard Jyou's words.
"We have to kill them," he said.
"Aw, do we have to? They're harmless! It's like killing babies! Except these guys are hairy and grimy...and their feet smell," Daisuke whispered, cracking up. Willis couldn't help but laugh with him.
"Guys, will you stop? Fine...we won't kill them. Just go by them really quietly, or knock them out if they wake up. Okay?" Jyou instructed, a bit distrubed with killing them as well.
"Okay," the two others said in unison.
The three slipped by without disturbing the sleeping lovers, as Daisuke called them.
There were stairs and broken doorways, but eventually they found a small flickering light emanating from a small gap on the roof of the underground passage.
Jyou's heart began to beat heavily. He would see Sora now.
Then, without another thought, he pushed the opening up and climbed through, asking Willis and Daisuke to stay and keep watch while he brought Sora with them.
He looked at his surroundings and found that he was in a closet. He slowly grasped for the door and opened it slowly, so as not to wake anyone there, since they would probably be sleeping at this time.
Once he opened the door and looked up, his heart nearly stopped.
There she was, sleeping soundly on a beautiful futon, her soft, red tresses spread onto her pillow, her hands dangling on the sides. Her body lifted every now end then as she breathed rhythmically. A pretty smile was on her face, as well as drool the side of her cheek.
Not a very lady-like position, but Jyou still found it attractive nonetheless.
He crept over to her and gently tapped her on the shoulder.
"Princess Sora...Princess Sora, wake up, it's me," he whispered.
Slowly, Sora's eyes opened. A soft smile was on her face, but as soon as she saw him, she became fully awoken, her body shooting up from the futon.
"Jyou-san! What are you doing here!?" she whispered.
"I'm here to take you back to Furugawa."
"No...please, I can go back on my own. You can tell my mother that I'm not here as a prisoner. Taichi will let me leave when I want."
Jyou involuntarily twitched at the way Sora had said Prince Yagami's name so informally...as if they were close acquaintances. "That's what you think now, but what will happen after they get what they want from you?" Jyou asked, taking her wrist more forcefully than he imagined. Sora looked up at him and shook her head.
"You don't understand--" she protested, tugging her arm away from him.
"I do! I think I know what happened here. You were probably seduced by Prince Yagami so that you would want to stay here on your own free will. He's not what you think Princess."
"Jyou-san, please, let me go," Sora pleaded.
"No. You've been brainwashed and you're not thinking straight, so I have to apologize for what I'm about to do next."
Sora said nothing but simply stared at him with fear in her eyes, despite the fact that she told herself she wouldn't show her fear to anyone. She pushed him away and scrambled towards the door. Unfortunately, she underestimated Jyou's level of strength and speed. He was pretty damn fast. He blocked the door and wagged a finger at her as if she were an undisciplined child.
"I'm sorry Princess Sora, but I have orders to send you back," Jyou informed her calmly.
"Well, I'm not going with you Jyou-san!" she argued, hoping her voice didn't quaver.
"Myotismon was right. You really want to stay here...even if I don't understand why. I thought you'd be happy to go back home," Jyou told her, his voice sad.
He was in front of her in an instant, causing her heart to beat with an incomprehensible speed. "Jyou-" before Sora could finish her sentence, a cloth was placed over her mouth. Sora's failing attempt at screaming really wasn't working at all and she soon found her movements becoming slower and slower. Thoughts were rushing through her mind but it seemed useless if she couldn't get them out into the open. She continued to struggle, nonetheless, but her body was beginning to respond to whatever Jyou put on that cloth.
Outside she wanted to scream "Taichi!" but nothing came out no matter how hard she tried. Why couldn't he barge in on her when she needed him? Struggling proved futile and before she knew it, she wasn't moving at all anymore.
She didn't know what happened after that.
A/N: So...what do you think? Wow, it seems so long ago since I last updated this...lol.