Small author's note: You haven't yet seen Kyandii's true colors yet ;)
Past and Present Chapter 8
Confusion, Heartache and Love
Later that evening…
Hikari sat on the sofa and was explaining something funny Takeru had done on their honeymoon; which was when he had been walking then someone accidentally ran into him and he fell into the pool fully clothed.
Taichi and Kyandii both sat in the loveseat, she was cuddled next to him she laughed at Hikari's story while Taichi's mind was reeling of the events that all happened with in three months of his return. Just thinking that Sora had kissed him back had given him a feeling that they were meant to be.
He glanced at Sora who did the same they both smiled at each other discreetly then laughed along with the others.
"Oh so what Hikari you were scared to go into the pool when it was raining," Takeru said glared at her.
"I was not!" she shouted back, "As a matter of fact I don't like to go into the pool when it rains," she said calmly.
"Oh sure," Takeru said. Hikari then took the opportunity to hit him in the arm.
"Sora, did you and Ryo have a honeymoon?" Kyandii asked suddenly.
Sora looked at her in surprise, "Yeah, why do you want to know?" she asked.
Taichi frowned at this then interrupted, "Kyandii I don't think either Sora or Ryo want to talk about their honeymoon," he said.
"It's okay Taichi," Ryo said, "I think I remember a funny moment from our honeymoon," he said in thought.
Taichi tried to think of something else to think about other then Sora and Ryo's honeymoon, "You don't have too Ryo really," he said and hoped that no one could tell he was bothered by the subject.
"Taichi, don't worry about it," Ryo said.
Ryo went on to explain about the time when him and Sora were both drunk and tried to open the door when they realized that they were trying to get into the wrong room. Everyone laughed while Taichi masking his true feelings laughed as well.
"I've done that before," Kyandii said laughing.
"Yeah, so have I at one time," Taichi said impatiently trying to get the subject to something else.
"Did you want to see some wedding pictures?" Ryo asked Kyandii she nodded.
Taichi's heart jumped in his chest, "I actually got to be going," he said suddenly. Everyone looked at him, "I have a surgery early in the morning."
"Oh well, it was nice talking with you all," Kyandii said she shook hands with everyone until she got to Sora, she politely put her hand out to her and Sora watching her carefully shook her hand. Kyandii squeezed her hand hard; while Sora was trying to keep her face from showing that, she was hurting her. Kyandii let go and while everyone started to leave with Taichi she gave Sora a deadly stare then left.
Sora got up and rubbed her hand, "That woman is crazy," she said to herself.
The next day…
"Sora, you're lying to me. Answer the question I asked!" he shouted.
"The question you asked is an invasion of privacy!" Sora snapped at him she rushed by him to the door but Ryo had stepped in front of her.
"Sora where did you go with Taichi that the both of you forgot about the party!" he demanded.
Sora was furious, "You want to know fine. We ran into each other at the bar okay…. then we started to talk. Now I have to get to work so move Ryo."
"No…not until I ask you something." He said.
Sora sighed she put her suitcase and purse down, "Okay what?" she asked in an angry tone.
"What happened to the Sora I married?" he asked.
Sora looked taken aback a bit by the question, "I am still me," She said.
"Really because something about you has changed," Ryo said as he watched her.
They were quite, "I want to let you know that we will be leaving on the business trip this Friday," she said.
"I'll record it on the calendar," he said he turned to leave.
"I'm sorry, Ryo, but I have to get to work. You have to know that Taichi is only a friend to me nothing more," she said.
"I know, I trust you," Ryo said smiling slightly.
Sora smiled back and she gave him a kiss on the lips, "I'll see you tonight," she said the left out the front door.
Hospital…
Sora walked to her office she put her suitcase on her desk and took her coat off hanging it up in the corner on a hook she walked to her desk and sat down.
She thought back to everything… when she first met Ryo she really loved him, he was so sweet and nice. Her wedding, walking down the aisle seeing Ryo at the alter. 'What happened?' she questioned herself.
The first day at her work and a young man came into her office and it was Taichi. She was angry at first with him but she started to think back to when they were kids she had missed everything about him.
When she first kissed him, it was like fire, it was new and exciting. Not that being with Ryo was old but there was a feeling within her whenever she saw Taichi.
Suddenly she heard a voice at the door "Hey," Taichi said from the doorway he leaned against the doorframe.
"Hi, I was thinking about the trip to Osaka." she said to him with a smile.
"Oh yeah…I was getting ready for that myself. I have already packed a few medical journals and stuff. Any ways how are you feeling?" he asked.
"Okay I guess," She said kind of sad tone in her voice.
"Are you sure you seem sad," He said.
She nodded her head, "I'm fine thank you," She said.
"Okay if you say so, I'm going to be in my office doing paper work for the good part of the morning." He said Sora smiled at him as he left.
mid-morning….
Yamato knocked on Taichi's office door, "Come in," Taichi hollered.
Yamato let himself in the office, "Taichi about last night what was happening exactly?" he asked.
Taichi looked at him confused, "What do you mean?"
"You know what I mean," Yamato said as he closed the door.
Taichi laughed at him, "You're crazy, I don't know what happened okay?" he said.
Yamato frowned getting a little angry with Taichi who seemed not to know what the problem was, "You idiot, you and Sora. What really happened?" he said.
"First off Yamato I don't appreciate you calling me an idiot and second nothing happened we said sorry and called a truce. Therefore nothing happened," Taichi said slightly annoyed.
"What's your problem?" Yamato said.
"My problem is the fact you even asked that question. As I said before nothing is going on, we simply bumped into each other at the bar there is nothing wrong with that," Taichi said.
Yamato sighed slightly annoyed at his friends arrogance, "You couldn't have just turned off your feelings to Sora after she kissed you…Mimi told me the story," he said.
Taichi looked at him, "You don't know how I feel," Taichi said glaring at him.
"I learned the hard way Taichi. Sora didn't really love me she was really in love with you the whole damn time," Yamato said angrily.
Taichi turned away from him, "Well sorry about how it ended with Sora but that's not my fault," he said.
"God you don't listen do you! That wasn't the point I was trying to make. What I meant when I said that was that there are still unresolved feeling between you and Sora and that can lead to a lot of heartache," Yamato said frustrated with Taichi as he stared at the back of his head.
Taichi turned around, "Yeah I see your concern but you really don't have to be."
"We don't have to be? How can you say that! You've fallen for her again and this time she wants you too!" Yamato shouted.
"Oh give me a break! Is this attack Taichi day or something? Everyone didn't want to tell me that Sora was working at the hospital the first day I arrived and why was that?" Taichi said raising his voice.
"Do I even need to answer that?" Yamato asked.
"How about you get the hell out of my office," Taichi demanded angrily.
Yamato didn't stay anything and left his office, Taichi closed it quickly he was quite irritated what a start to the day he thought bitterly.
Yamato walked down the hall irritated that Taichi didn't admit that he still has those long lost feelings for Sora. He even told him that it was bad idea to keep on seeing her on a number of occasions but that last only a month or so.
He let out a sigh, whatever does he does, I warned him he thought when he looked up he almost ran into Mimi who was coming in the opposite direction.
"Yamato any luck?" she asked.
"No, he got angry at me and then threw me out of his office. You know what Mimi I don't care any more why are we even bothering?" Yamato said annoyed.
"Yamato! You can't say that because we have to prevent this relationship even if it means that we stop them from going to Osaka," she replied strongly.
Yamato shook his head, "Mimi we are too late," he said. "What already happened between them just fueled the fire as it were."
"Well you say that but I'm going to talk to Sora maybe she will have some resolution left it her," she said.
"Fine but your fighting a losing battle, Sora may have reasoning but remember how she was when he left to go the United States?" Yamato questioned.
"Don't bring that up, besides I would think she is a lot more stronger then she was back then," Mimi said.
He look up at the ceiling, "You can try," then looked back at Mimi, "But I don't think she will give it up," he said then began to walk away.
Mimi frowned he was always so negative, "I will make Sora see that going to Osaka with Taichi is wrong," she said aloud to herself.
She continued to walk until she reached Sora's office door she was about to knock on the door when the door opened and Sora came out, "Mimi?" she questioned startled.
"Sora, I wanted to talk to you for a moment if you don't mind," Mimi asked watching her friend.
"Um, actually I was going to get coffee," she said nervously she across from her office to Taichi's door then bit her lip.
"You were then we can talk in your office when you get back," Mimi said.
Sora sighed, "I'll get it later, come on in," she said walking back into her office.
Mimi followed and the two took a seat on the couch, "So Ryo told me you had a business trip in Osaka," she said.
"Yeah I do but what is it to you?" Sora asked.
"It's more like the problem is that you are going ALONE with Taichi," Mimi said watching Sora expression change to irritation quickly.
"Mimi do not start again," Sora said to her.
"I have too you don't see the seriousness of this," Mimi told her, "I want you to tell Taichi you can't go."
"What! I have to he is counting on me," Sora said she got up off the couch and paced the length of her office.
"He can count on someone else! Sora there other people that can write him a speech he could do it himself!" Mimi said shouting this time frustrated.
"You don't understand I have to do this to make up for all the pain I have caused him in the past," Sora said.
Mimi calmed herself down, "I think you have already did that," she said to her.
"What do you mean I have already done that?" she asked.
Mimi didn't say anything but watched her friend.
"What are you implying?" Sora questioned
"I'm saying that you can't have a relationship with Taichi the way you want it to be," Mimi said quietly.
"There is nothing going on between Taichi and I!" Sora shouted angrily.
Mimi sighed, "What happens when Ryo finds out how you really feel?" Mimi questioned her.
"Ryo knows how I really feel, I love him." Sora said she looked away from Mimi's staring.
"So in the end he will be hurt because you are lying to him?" she questioned.
"I don't get you now. Now you want to help what about before. I had no one to talk to then when Taichi was upset with me I was more upset then before. However, you didn't see it as important. Then last night we made up our differences," Sora said feeling tear rolling down her cheek she wiped them away with a tissue she pulled off the coffee table.
"Sora everyone wants you to do the right things. That's why we want you keep away from him it's for your own good," She said.
"Well guess what you don't have to worry about me! Because I can take care of myself," Sora said.
"Sora Ryo wants to start a family with you and he wants your full attention," Mimi said.
Sora looked away from her and walked to the edge of her desk.
"Sora don't do this, do what is right by your marriage," she said hopefully getting through to her friend.
"I'm not ready for children or family," Sora said.
"Sora you are in your late twenties don't you think your ready?" Mimi said she was a little confused why Sora was acting like this.
"No I don't think I honestly am ready," Sora said she turned to face Mimi once again.
Mimi looked at her disappointed, "What changed then Sora? I thought you wanted a family and that was why you married Ryo," she said.
"People change their minds and I was one of them," she said simply.
Mimi walked to the door and put her hand on the handle, "Well Sora I hope you know what you are doing because I won't talk to you again about this," She said not even smiling to her friend before she left out the door down the hall.
Sora sighed then proceeded to the door and checked to see if the cost was clear. She slowly walked across the hall to Taichi's office opening the door then closed it quickly.
"Sora?" Taichi said as he looked at her from his desk and the pile of papers stacked on it.
"I'm sorry Taichi I didn't mean to come in like that. Mimi came to see me just now," she said with a sigh.
Taichi got up from his desk and walked over to her they both sat on the couch, "Well how did it go?" he asked wondering weather Yamato too was part Mimi going to see Sora.
"That I should start a family with Ryo," she said.
"Then how come you don't?" he asked carefully.
Sora looked at him, "Because I'm not ready. You believe me when I tell you that right?" she asked.
Taichi nodded, "I do it is a big decision after all," he paused for a moment, "I mean I would want children, when I get married that is," he said quickly.
Sora bit her lip as he said that then turned away from him so he couldn't see that she was about to cry.
"You know you should consider it eventually," he said.
"I know, I don't want kids with him I want them with-," she stopped short of what she was going to say then turned back to him, "When I'm ready," she said quickly.
Taichi was uncertain by what she meant, "You want kids with who?" he questioned.
"I'm sorry Taichi, I will have them but just not now," she said to him, "Mimi just upset me is all," she tried to change the subjects quickly.
"What did she tell you?" he asked.
"Mimi doesn't want me to go with you to Osaka because she thinks that we will have an affair," Sora explained.
Taichi didn't say anything, "You know that I would never force you to go to Osaka with me if you don't want to go you don't have too," he said.
"No, Taichi I know you wouldn't. I still want to go after all I owe you so much," she said, "We are friends and this trip will help our friendship. Besides I need to get away from everyone."
"Well, no worries then we will have fun while we aren't working of course," Taichi said with a laugh.
There was a knock at his door then, "Who is it?" he questioned.
"Your baby," said Kyandii.
Sora looked to Taichi, "what do I do? She is going to freak out if she sees me here," she said in a whisper.
"Go and hide in the washroom quick," Taichi said pushing her towards it.
Sora closed the door of the washroom and hid in the shower stall while Taichi went to get the door he opened it and Kyandii gave him a kiss on the lips.
Taichi broke the kiss abruptly, "What brings you by?" he asked.
"Oh I was wondering if you would like to grab a bite to eat," she said smiling at him.
"Lunch? It's still early for lunch isn't it?" he questioned her with his eyebrow raised.
Kyandii laughed at him, "You're so funny Taichi it's just five minutes till noon," she said.
Taichi looked at the clock that hung just on top of the door. Time sure flew when he was talking with Sora he then looked back to Kyandii, "Thanks a bunch hun but I'm going to have to decline the request," he said.
"Why? You can't be that busy can you?" she asked looking at the papers on his desk.
"Well yeah, kind of busy," Taichi replied, "But I will make it up to you tomorrow, okay?" he asked her.
"Oh all right, but I will still see you tonight right?" Kyandii asked.
Taichi nodded, "Yes I'll be there tonight," he said.
Kyandii was just about to leave but stopped mid way of walking to the door, "Just curious honey but why did you take a while then you normally do at answering the door?" she questioned.
Taichi swallowed nervously, "I was trying to clean up my desk a bit, I know how much you hate messes," he said.
Kyandii only looked more suspicious at him, "Oh if that is all, I thought you might have been hiding another woman in here somewhere," she replied.
"Another woman does it look like I have time for another woman?" he asked motioned with his hand at the pile of folders and papers on his desk.
"Oh I know Taichi! I was just teasing you," she smiled and hugged him tightly.
Taichi relieved that she didn't figure out Sora was here smiled, "well get going and I'll talk to you tonight," he said.
"Can I have just one more request before leaving?" she questioned him. Then pulled away from him slightly.
"Sure," he said.
Then she gave him a long kiss on his lips, then pulled away, "That's it," she smiled then left his office.
Taichi stood there for a moment then wiped his lips with a tissue from his pocket. He walked out side his office to see if she was still there but she wasn't then went back into his office. "Sora you can come out now," he said.
When she did her face was streaked with tears, "what's wrong Sora?" he asked panicked a little that she was crying.
"It's my entire fault," she said.
Taichi frowned confused to what she meant, "What is your fault?" he asked.
"That I hurt you so much, that I went with Yamato instead. I just want to make it up to you," she whispered tears rolling down her cheeks.
Taichi confused hugged her, "It's the past now don't go down that path again because what happened then happened for a reason," he said.
Sora pushed him away then sat down on the couch, "I have to tell you the truth," she said quietly.
"What truth?" he asked.
"About Ryo," she began, "Ever since you came back the feelings I had for Ryo changed. The reason I don't want to start a family is because I don't feel the same I don't love him how a wife should love her husband," she said looking at him with seriousness.
Taichi broke eye contact with her. He hadn't meant to come back home to break Sora's marriage up with her husband Ryo. He was worried now if they did go to Osaka something could happen between them that was not supposed to happen.
"Taichi?" she questioned.
"I don't think you should go with me then," he said quickly.
"What do you mean?" she questioned.
"Stay home with your husband Sora, it will be better that way," he said.
Sora stood up from the couch, "No, Taichi don't take the trip away from me," she begged.
"Sora you can't go if you get confused about your feelings, I can't be held responsible for what happens. I can't do that to you I wrecked your life already as it is," Sora looked pained that he said that then sighed.
"It was already wrecked before you came," she said whispering she sat back down next to him.
"Don't lie Sora," he said.
"I'm not lying Taichi, I don't want to stay here, let me work with you in Osaka, please," she begged him again.
Taichi closed his eyes, "Okay then you can go," he said.
"I already booked us a room, so you are stuck with me," she told him.
Taichi looked at her uncertainly.
"The room has two beds in it," she said Taichi nodded and smiled at her. She then hugged him, "Thank you Taichi, this means so much," she replied.
"I know it does," he said but he still couldn't help the feeling that this business trip will change their lives forever.
To be continued…