Ah Mondays… they usually suck. Especially since I did not really get a weekend… coughing up a lung and dealing with a runny nose kind of killed my fun…. The plus side was the weather was kind of crappy and I did not feel so bad staying in.

I also got A LOT of sleep- Blessed Nyquil!

Anyway, Monday! Taiora Monday!

Thanks for the reviews. I really enjoy them!

It is good to be alive, 'cause here is chapter 5!

Today was the day. Not just any day, but THE day. Today's game was called the 'last chance' for a reason. If you were not already listed as one of the lucky few to make the cut, the game would be your last chance to impress the coaches, trainers, and owners.

Ever since the whole Tai incident, Sora could tell that some girls wanted her gone. This was also more evident when the blond haired player from the men's team seemed to suddenly want to talk to her at every chance he could get. Sora did her best to distance herself with any and all players on the men's team. This included Taichi Kamiya.

There were more important things to deal with and she didn't want to cause a scene in front of the coaches. Causing problems for the team would be bad for her chance of becoming a permanent member of the team.

After warm ups as a team, they were split into two groups. Team A would be the home team, and Team B was the away team. Current and want to be players were on each team, it truly was now or never.

As a member of Team A, Sora took her place near the other team's goal area. She was super excited, and her friend Yui could tell just by looking at her.

The Ladies Thunder's current Center Forward Star, Yui, had become a good friend to the rookie Sora ever since the incident in the locker rooms. Sora had come to know the taller dark black haired girl as a confidant and good practice partner. So maybe there was one good thing about the mess that was definitely not settled.

"GGGGGOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!" The announcer bellowed into the microphone. Sora struggled to catch her break after the nearly three minute play that ended in Team A getting the first goal of the game.

Yui and Sora had tag teamed the defense to get a miracle shot into the net. Sora smiled as Yui gave her a thumbs up and the two went to take their positions for the next play.

Once the ball came over the line and it was officially theirs again, the two forwards pounced on their chance to score again.

This time the rookie defender, and ringleader of the 'anti-Sora' campaign was ready to block. The ball quickly went over to Team A's side. Sora had to wait for another chance.

The mini crowd was rather quiet for such a close game. The owners and coaches sat there and were watching every move; once and a while they would give a clap or a nod at a good play, but the atmosphere was lacking. Then out of no where as if she had asked for excitement from the crowd, the men's team came a live and began to cheer and yell.

Looking closer at the crowd of now yelling men, she saw a man with big brown hair seeming to instigate the noise. Soon she felt right back at ease and the game continued.

Tai couldn't stand it. It was too quiet. Way too quiet for such a good game. He stood up and began to shout. He didn't know what he was shouting, or at whom, but he just needed to do something. It didn't hurt that it got her attention either.

As much as did not want to admit he felt something special about the girl with the fire in her eyes and spirit, he knew something was there. He hoped it was not one sided, but recently it seemed as if it was.

Some how she was giving both Matt and him the slip. As much as it amused him to watch Matt get all worked up about her disappearing on him, or blowing him off, she was also trying to stay away from him as well.

Tai wondered if the secret source incident had been the cause, or if she regretted giving her special play away… he wracked his brain for hours on that issue.

But the flame of hope was rekindled as she smiled up at him in the stands. He had made her happy; even if it was by adding a little fun to the game. He always preferred a happy crowd when playing.

Keeping the crowd up and cheering was his job now. Maybe if he was lucky, he could get a quick chance to talk to her after the game.

Tai smiled at the thought of talking to her once again. She definitely was something special.

The teams returned to the pitch after a quick break before the second and final half started. The teams were tied at one goal each. It was nearly going to be a shut out until the last minute before the break. Team A's goalie tripped and let the other team score.

Sora and Yui, along with the rest of the offensive players had talked over the break. They had several plays that they were going to use; first up, the secret striker. Hopefully the other team would not recognize the play from the newspapers or the last game with the Thunder.

Sora waited around midfield as the ball went right past her. This confused the defensive players, especially the one that had been covering Sora heavily ever since the game started. Sora saw her moment and took it.

Tai had a big smile on his face as he saw what they were going to do. It really was a good play. It was even better then when they used the other day, Sora's speed was incredible.

She took possession of the ball and drove it into the net. To many it was like a blur, she moved that fast. Tai looked over to Matt and smiled. Looking at the owners and coaches, he got a good feeling that Sora would definitely make the team; they needed a powerful striker like her.

Sora jumped up and down as the goalie looked stunned at the sheer speed of the play. None of them had seen that coming. Yui ran over to Sora and gave her a big hug as Team A cheered for their teammates.

They were now ahead by a point.

Soon the ball came back towards Sora, and she began to dribble the ball dodging the defensive line and closer to a position to pass or go in for a goal.

Suddenly out of the corner of her eye she saw a stray foot not aiming for the ball, but her ankle. Sora didn't have time react without losing control of the ball, so she took the hit just after she was able to pass the ball to Yui.

Sora went down face first into the field; her hand only cushioned her fall a little.　The crowd went silent as they waited for the referees to call a foul or something. But it didn't happen and Team A lost concentration on the ball. Team B took the opportunity to get the ball back towards Team A's goal area. Finally the coaches called a time out to assess the downed player.

Tai frantically looked from the referee to Sora and back, waiting for something. Most of the men's team was shouting at the ref for not doing anything. A general dislike of the lack of calling the play was evident. What worried Tai more was that to get an injury now could spell end of career, even before it began.

He could only watch as Joe and several teammates closed in on where Sora laid.

Sora didn't know what had happened, even still on the ground she wondered what was going on. Yui's voice could be heard, and suddenly Joe was at her side.

"What just happened?" She asked as her head pounded and her ankle throbbed.

"You were taken down kid." Joe smiled looking at her ankle and not finding anything really bad with it. "Can you walk off the field?"

"What? Stop playing? I can't." She said as she pushed his hand away and stood up. The men's team and even the other observers clapped and cheered as she began to move again.

"I think you might have hit your head too hard… and your ankle needs a break." Joe said looking at her with worry.

"I am going to finish this game. Joe I can't give up now. I am fine." She tried to tell him.

"I think she can last the last few minutes. After that, we'll have her ice the thing and take it easy at practice." Yui said reassuring the doctor and putting her arm around Sora's shoulder. "She's a tough one, this kid. And she's going to finish the game."

Joe could only nod as he turned and ran off the field. The game resumed.

"Sora, this is the last play of the game. We are up by one. Want to do the PP run we talked about?"

Sora's eyes sparkled at the idea of using a play they had just created during the break; it was also going to be nice pay back for the girl that had made her last weeks of training rather awkward.

"Ladies, make way for the Princess of the Pitch!" Yui yelled as all the offensive players covered the other team's defenders. Sora was basically given a free run to the goal, with the exception of the girl that was covering her, but a little fancy footwork and happy grin, she was at the goal line and that was the game.

Team A won by two goals, and the girls lifted Sora up and carried her off the field.

Needless to say, twenty minutes later, Sora was the newest forward for the Ladies Thunder and had even scored a new nickname. Sora was the Princess of the Pitch.

Tai and the rest of the audience watched with stunned amazement as the last play worked perfectly. It was almost as if the offensive players had been working together for a long time. Their dynamics were unmistakable, not to mention the sheer talent.

Tai shouted loudly as Sora moved right past the girl who had taken the cheap shot at her ankle and scored another goal.

The game was over and still the men's team was all a buzz over the game.

"Tai, you have to help me." Matt came up to him as the rest of the group began to leave the stands.

"And what am I going to help you with?"

"I want you to talk to Sora for me."

"What?" Tai asked needing to know if he heard right. He knew he did, and that was why he felt like he had been stabbed.

"She will talk to you. You have got to help me. I can't ask anyone else. I need you Tai."

"What makes you think she will even talk to me? She has been avoiding us both ever since the newspaper article."

"I know, just try, ok? I am desperate." Matt replied pleading with this long time buddy.

Tai didn't know what to do. On one hand, Matt had never let him down before and he had asked Matt for a lot in the past… but then he really did not want to see Sora anywhere near his friend. Call him selfish, but if the newest member of the Ladies Thunder was to be with anyone, he wanted her to choose him.

"I will try…" Tai sighed, wondering what he was going to do. He felt as if he was back in high school with being a go between for his friend.

"Thanks!" Matt smiled. "I better go break up with what's her name…" The blond said as he anticipated Sora's reply to be a positive one.

"I wouldn't do anything too drastic yet, I mean, what if she doesn't want to talk to me? What if she says no? What if she wants me instead?" Tai asked.

"You? That's funny. You are on a hiatus, right? You said so yourself you didn't want to deal with girls for at least a year… right?" Matt looked at Tai waiting for an answer.

"I'll talk to you later." Tai said as he left the stands and wandered around the field for a time.

Ok- so maybe I lied… there was not much Taiora in this chapter… but I swear it is coming. I mean we will be into the 6th chapter and all… have I ever let you down before? Have no fear the next chapter will make you squee with glee! I PROMISE. Pinkie Swear!

So until then, take care and click that review button!