A/N: Hey everyone! I'm so excited, I'm starting a new fic called, "The Life of the Rich and Twisted." It's kind of a contemporary Ever After/Romeo and Juliet type story...I know, I know I'm supposed to be finishing Spring Ranting too, but I couldn't help myself. The idea just popped in my head! BUT the thing is, I will NOT be posting it until I finish Voguish Fib and Spring Ranting so do not fear! Also...I am definitely not lagging on Voguish Fib on purpose. I wouldn't do that to all of you! I'm just naturally slow (hee-haw...) yeah...ideas take a while to flow through my head. I have the beginnings and the ends of stories, but unfortunately, I just work through the inner content of it all as I go along.

SORRY I'VE BEEN RE-POSTING, THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH MY COMPUTER!

Anyways, I've babbled long enough. This story is almost done, so YAY! It will be my first finished piece of fiction!

Warning! A lot of people have been anticipating, watching out for, and waiting for what Taichi really is. I know I built everyone up—but I assure you, it was unintentional! I just had to wait for the right time to tell everyone…so here it is, chapter nineteen: Surprise After Surprise

Voguish Fib

chapter nineteen - Surprise After Surprise

Yamato was still upset with Taichi when they reached the cave, but he wasn't as bad with Taichi as Sora was when she was mad at him. It was horrible. Taichi got more than a slap. He got a black eye, swollen stomach, and a growl (and especially the classic "I don't think we should be together.")

All the while, Takato was enjoying his time with the three teens. They amused him with their drama and shouting. It seemed so frequent...and they were all directed at the poor Taichi. But of course, Taichi was his mentor, his hero, the type of person he wanted to be when he grew up. He was valiant, good-looking, kind, and trusting. Who wouldn't want to be him?

At the present moment, Taichi didn't want to be Taichi Yagami.

"Maybe you guys should lighten up on Taichi-san," Takato told Sora while they camped out in front of the cave. "He's gone through a lot of abuse during these past days...from what I've seen anyway. I don't know about your past history with him."

"Oh we've had a history all right. It involved oranges and a fake coin...which I wish he would choke on sometimes when he's not thinking," Sora mumbled softly. "And I'm talking about the orange, not the coin," she added. When Takato kept looking at her, she smiled at him. Takato frowned. Sora can be a really scary person when she wants to be.

"I'm just saying...he needs a break, and you all need a break from yelling at him."

Sora simply nodded. Takato had a point. Maybe Taichi had enough abuse from her, and now he was getting it from Yamato. But still...poor Yamato didn't even know that his brother was there...his little brother was alive...

"Yamato! I said I was sorry, all right? I can't take it back! But now that you know, we'll fight together to save him and my sister," Taichi reassured him.

"Yeah...I just need some time alone all right?" Yamato mumbled, walking away from the crowd. Taichi head dropped.

"Sure," Taichi agreed softly. He was so angry with himself that he just wanted to walk into that cave by himself. He knew at this point in their little adventure, he couldn't possibly risk Sora's life. He loved her way too much to do that to her. And Yamato was angry with him...his best friend Yamato had never been so angry with him before, and all this anger and frustration that was directed toward him (as Takato told Sora) was taking a toll on his conscience. He looked into the ebony depths of the cave. I have to go...I have to show them... he thought to himself.

Sora and Takato walked up to him. "Tai? I told you this isn't the time to go to the cave." Taichi looked up at her with a solemn expression on his face.

"It is Sora. I'm getting her out of there whether she's a zombie or not. She's still my sister." Taichi walked past Sora and into the cave. Sora looked back at Takato with a worried look before she turned and followed Taichi into the darkness. Takato called for Yamato.

"Dammit! Sometimes Tai is just a little too impulsive...and he always has to prove himself to everyone," Yamato grumbled, fiercely. "Just 'cause I'm mad at him doesn't mean he has to go and commit suicide."

Like he has to prove himself to his father... Sora thought sadly.

"It's all the stress. You, of all people, should know that he's going through a hard time," Takato reminded Yamato.

"Yeah, yeah...but now I am too," he retaliated.

Takato gave him a half-hearted look before he gestured Yamato to go to the cave with him.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Meanwhile, at Furugawa, Myotismon continued to cook up a way to overthrow the Takenouchis and take over as Emperor Myotismon. As a semi-nymph, he had always been horribly shunned and rejected by the others.

Especially one particular family.

They were the elite of his home town called the Yazuka family. They were the main cause of his beatings and shunning. Their child, a redhead named Kimi was seemingly the spawn of the devil. She befriended him and taught him to commit petty theft in order to eat and survive. Unluckily for him, he didn't know that she was from the family of Yazuka. After a year of friendship, she went behind his back and reported him. He was sent to the dungeons where he was beaten viciously while Kimi watched and laughed that screeching, hateful laugh.

He grew bitter in his home town. When he was old enough, he found out through books at the dungeon he was forced to survive in, that he had been born as some sort of larvae. The shunning, threats, and beatings soon became too unbearable, causing him to flee his home and move to Furugawa where he disguised himself as a helpful advisor to a far away nymph lord.

Now he wanted to overthrow this family who had been so kind to him. He wanted them to feel the pain he felt when he was a child despite the fact that they were nothing but kind to him throughout his stay at their home. He became too bitter, too evil, and too black-hearted to continue existing with a soul.

Sora...he always hated that brat. When he first met her, that moment his eyes met hers, he knew he had to get rid of her. Her appearance was very similar to the girl who practically began all of his humiliating torment. She had to pay...she had to...

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

"Tai!" Sora hollered in the darkness of the cave. Her voice echoed until it diminished in the cave's center. She sighed with disappointment and resentment. If they hadn't yelled, he would've never foolishly tried to "save the day" all by himself…against supernatural beings too.

"Where could that dumb ass have gone?" Yamato muttered as he plodded toward the center of the cave.

Sora hastily chased after him when his blond head disappeared into the blackness. "Yamato! Don't be stupid, it's dangerous in…there…" Sora trailed off once she saw the inside of the cave. "It's empty."

"What—Sora, you said there were a bunch of slimy capsules and possessed children in here—where are they?"

Sora was still in shock as she examined the place and made sure she wasn't seeing things. "I swear they were here…"

"They're not here now. Now what do we do?" Yamato asked. Takato was also dumbfounded, he knew Sora was telling the truth but they couldn't have just disappeared, could they?

We're living in a world where all things are possible Takato, magic or no magic, Takato reminded himself dismally.

"Tai! Taichi, where they hell are you?" Sora screamed. It was helpless…whoever took the children must have took him too…it was hopeless…

When he continued not to answer, Sora began to panic. Where they ever going to see him again? She felt like she was going to explode but didn't know if it was from anxiety or anger. Right now, it didn't matter to her. All she wanted to do was curl up in a tight ball and become invisible.

"I wish I never ran away," she whimpered to herself.

"Sora?" Takato whispered as he took a step toward her small, silent form.

Now's not the time to wimp out Sora! Tai is out there with some energy sucking monster and you're in here being an oversized baby…it's your turn to be the hero Sora Takenouchi! You must save Tai!

"Sora, are you all right?" Sora felt a hand on her shoulder, and like always, the intrusion of physical and verbal contact disrupted her cogitation.

"Huh? Oh—I—I'm sorry, I was just thinking—it was nothing. Let's go find Tai," she assured him and the worried Takato.

"Where do you think we'll find him? We have no lead. We have no idea who's behind this…" Yamato said.

"I think we should have brought the 'Wise One' with us on this particular trip," Sora muttered, resentfully.

Yamato shifted uncomfortably. That Wise One…he was pretty wise or else Yamato would have Mimi instead of him… No! he told himself. Now's not the time to think of that!

If it was to help Taichi, then it should be all right with him. "Yeah…I guess you're right. Do you think we should go back to the Yagami Territories and bring him with us?"

"Maybe…but right now we have to figure out—"

"STOP!" Takato interrupted. Both Yamato and Sora looked at him with a look of confusion.

"What is it Takato?"

Takato walked up to both of them, shaking his head and wagging a finger at them. "The both of you are thinking, but not thinking very well." The two were silent as they glanced at one another, but were unsure of where Takato was taking this. He continued. "Are you sure you're ready to take on this mission? Do you know how long this thing has been acquiring power?" Sora was about to speak, but Takato shot her a look. "No you don't. You barely started training and you're shaky with your powers—and you, Yamato, have no weapons—you don't even know what weapons to use and yet you two are already planning a surprise attack?"

Sora smiled sheepishly. Taichi was right, they did need this kid.

"I didn't think of it…" she whispered. "I guess I still have to work on my powers."

Yamato looked at the both of them. "Yagami Territories it is," he replied.

IIIIIIIIIIIII

The three of them finally reached the Yagami Territories after a few days and were greeted at the door with the most unexpected visitor.

"Miyako!" Sora exclaimed when she saw the violet haired young lady at the door.

"Sora! What—this is just…how?" Miyako stammered as she hugged the auburn haired girl.

"What are you doing here?"

"I am a guest of Mimi Tachikawa. We needed to discuss things about…" she paused when she saw Yamato and Takato. She smiled genuinely at them and then looked back at Sora before taking a second glance at Yamato. "Wow, he's cute. What's his name?" Miyako couldn't help but ask.

Sora laughed. "He's Taichi's best friend…and my friend now too," she said with a sincere smile toward Yamato. He returned the smile before pushing Takato in the other direction, mumbling something to him about "girl talk."

"Well, tell your friend that—"

"That you are taken Miyako," Sora reminded her, gesturing toward the midnight blue-eyed boy having a chat with Koushiro at the table. Takato and Yamato joined them shortly after Sora's gesture.

"Oh I know! I just like to look around, that's all," Miyako said, disappointedly.

"But Miyako? Why are you here?"

"Mimi's pregnant," she replied quickly. "But she doesn't want Koushiro or anyone to know…she would probably tell you later, but not yet. She is afraid that her parents will disown her because she's betrothed to someone and she can't be pregnant when she's about to marry someone else!"

Sora hated female drama…but that's what Mimi got for "visiting the Wise One's temple" so often. But they loved each other, despite the obvious dangers they knew they would face if they attempted to remain in a relationship.

"She asked for my help since I was a nurse…but I don't know anything about choosing, if you know what I mean... I've never actually tried removing a child…or even giving advice to a pregnant woman before. I've only dealt with people who were ill or injured."

"Miyako. Don't worry, I'll talk to her. But right now, I'm really tired. We've come a long way and even lost Prince Taichi—" It felt so strange saying his title. "—so I'm going to take a rest first, then I'll speak with her. Is that all right?"

Miyako nodded. She looked relieved.

Sora smiled reassuringly before leaving Miyako and entering the bath house with one of the maids.

It felt so good to finally soak her aching muscles in the steaming water. She gave a big sigh of relaxation, but somehow, she still wasn't relaxed enough. Taichi was still out there and they had no idea how to find him. As she fidgeted uneasily in the tub, she began to think of all the bad things that could have happened to Taichi.

She shook her head. She needed someone with her right now to take her mind off of Taichi. It seemed as if he was all that ever occupied her mind now-a-days.

"Sora?" came a soft voice from the steaming entrance. "Are you in here?"

Mimi. "Yes, I'm in here!" Through the hot water she saw Mimi's pink hair and her hazel eyes. She looked troubled and Sora knew exactly why. What she didn't know was why Mimi was going to her to talk about it.

Mimi tried to smile, but it was too much of an effort. "Miyako told me that you came…and I hurried here as quickly as I could." Sora looked into the girl's eyes. She was different from when she first met her. She seemed so tough and insistent. But Mimi was just a delicate person…who was naïve and loving.

"I—" Sora began.

"You know. I could see it in Miyako's eyes. She told you about it—but Sora, it's very complicated and I'd rather not talk about it right now, please? I just want to know what's happening with Taichi. Why isn't he with you?" she asked.

Sora wanted to help her but…Taichi was missing… Well, there he is again, invading my thoughts…damn him…

"It's a very long story…but let's say we found what we were looking for then it disappeared and he disappeared along with it," Sora answered.

Mimi shook her head. "Taichi thinks he's invincible. He's no god, he's only human, yet he acts inhuman at times," Mimi scoffed.

"I know what you mean…" Sora agreed with a thoughtful chuckle. "Mimi? Did you say that Taichi was human? So, you're…?"

"I'm just like him. You see…well—it's hard to explain—we're not exactly human because we evolved just like you nymph-folk evolved from nature because of technology. Our bodies evolved differently so that we're more immune to plenty of diseases and 15 times stronger than the 'humans' before us. You saw the way Prince Taichi moved on trees. He's very agile…like a cat…or a monkey."

"So, you're like superhumans?"

"Eh…we're enhanced…numinous, if you must. We're like humans—magnified."

Superhumans…they've become supernatural because of all the magic in our world…they were unable to compete with the supernatural beings so…they used magic to become like us... Sora thought. If she and Taichi ever got married it would never work out—it's only a foolish fantasy. It would be like the age-old question of love, a bird and a fish fall in love…but where would they live?

"Prince Taichi—and I are only allowed to marry our type in order to keep our kind alive…" Mimi suddenly began to cry. Sora grabbed her towel and gently dabbed Mimi's eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"Koushiro isn't like my kind…so there is no way we will ever be together," she whispered. "Even if he is highly intellectual and knows deep things that we don't know, even as superhumans, there is no way he could interpret our law any differently."

Sora looked down at the steaming water despondently and realized that she and Taichi shared the same fate. Even if they wanted to be together, where would they live?

IIIIIIIIIIIII

Training was hard. Sora felt out of breath and out of brain power by the time Gennai-sensei had finished with her that day. He really was the opposite of that thieving Gonnai. Focused, graceful, refined...and most of all tall.

All through the past few weeks Sora conditioned her mind. She would be prepared once they face-off that monster. Along with mental strength, Gennai-sensei had taught her a few fighting skills that she hadn't yet learned from Furugawa. The techniques were different—more definite and rough—unlike the techniques in Furugawa where the attacks were much more firm, clean, and involved more physical attacks rather than magical attacks. During this time, she practiced with Yamato who was learning to become a teacher, just like Gennai.

"Your stabs were a bit low. Aim for the abdomen of the creature when you strike. Keep your elbows high and your legs bent so you can move from side to side when your opponent retaliates," Yamato instructed.

Sora nodded and followed his steps. Each night she would study spells, potions, instructions, symbols, words, calculations, movements, etc, etc until she really felt like her head would explode.

Yet…it was still not enough.

Not enough to find Yamato's brother. Not enough to find Hikari. Not enough to find Taichi.

Would it all really be worth it in the end? Sora wondered as she lost herself in her training.

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A/N: Yeah, I know. It's getting serious now…ooh! Anyways, Spring Ranting…I'm sorry I disappointed a few folks. I wasn't all that proud of that chapter either. I'll make it up with the next one, I promise! I'll edit and edit—but first of all I'll write it…yeah…that would be a good idea…anyways I hope you enjoyed this chapter, despite the fact that people constantly disappear. Oh Sora's gone! Oh Sora's gone again! Oh now where's Taichi? Damn…he's gone too…

Again, thank you for continuing reviewing everyone! I love you all! Oh and I told you, Taichi wasn't all that exciting…sorry…