A/N:

Ah, another chapter. Go me! And it's not a full month this time. I guess I've just been in the mood to write and type. Anyway, enjoy and thanks for the reviews. Comments, randomness, doesn't matter, I enjoy hearing from people.

Kate's out!

The thumping down the stairs and the clatter in the kitchen caused Tai to awake with a start. Looking out the tinted and enforced windows the sun shown in and he knew it was morning. His body however, did not compute this as a message to get up.

His body was sore in every joint- he barely was able to muster enough strength to roll onto his back.

"Why are mom and dad so damn noisy?" He wondered until he didn't find anything of his current surroundings familiar.

Sitting strait up, Tai recognized the room he was in and here that placed him. Slowly rolling out of bed, Tai felt a little nauseous. Getting his bearings, Tai ventured out to the voices in the dinning room.

"Matt wants him at HQ this morning." A male voice sounded, Tai figured it was the younger blonde.

"I know, but he needs to sleep as well, he went through hell yesterday." The gentle voice that belonged to Kari countered. "Here are some leftovers, sorry I can't stay longer, but the hospital is a mess..."

"It's ok, I'll be fine. Thanks." Takeru's voice held so much caring in it. "I'll let him sleep a while longer, ok?"

"Thanks, when he's up, give him some more of Matt's clothes and breakfast. I've got to run." She added with a quick kiss and then quickly left the room.

As she did, Tai couldn't react fast enough to stop from colliding into her as she entered the hallway where he stood.

"Oh," she squeaked as she ran into his solid body. "Tai, you're up?" Kari asked surprised after she was back on her feet.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep much..."

"Sorry if we were too loud. There's food on the table and TK will show you around."

"Thanks," He said before she continued on her way out.

Entering the dinning room, Tai was greeted by a welcoming smile from TK.

"Morning." Tai responded as he took a chair. TK got up and served Tai some food and watered down, but otherwise decent coffee.

"When we're done, I'll take you to HQ and we'll get things straightened out. Kari and I already decided you can live here with us if you like. Otherwise, another place can be arranged."

"It's nice here…" Tai said with a smile. The décor of the house was warm and inviting, Tai needed that right now.

After Tai finished eating, new clothes were given to him. The two men then left the house and made their way to the central base of the resistance. Tai had a hard time taking in the massive amounts of technology and then the lack of technology in some areas. Large scale computers lined the walls or the security systems keeping the streets safe, however passing through a few areas the run down buildings told that this war had taken a lot from the people living there.

The headquarters TK had talked about was nothing that he had imagined. It was what one would call an impregnable fortress in the middle of the city. The security systems, the lines of defense- everything would make for a militarist's dream come true.

Passing through the security lines, Tai couldn't help the feeling he was being watched. Not only by those they passed in the hallways, but the thought that they were probably monitored by something else as well. But the whispers in the halls did enough to make him more than a little uneasy.

"They're just wondering who the new guy is. Don't pay them any mind. Once they get to know you, you'll be one of the guys." TK smiled as he opened a large door at the end of the hallway.

"That's easy for you to say... you aren't this so called savior..." Tai muttered as he stayed close behind his guide.

The large room they entered made Tai's eyes light up like a kid at Christmas. Sure he was no techie, but hanging out with computer science major friends taught him to appreciate computers, and nice ones at that. There at the main console was the older blonde busily scribbling on a notepad while checking and reviewing information.

"Ah, thank heavens you're here." Matt said without even looking up from his work. "I need you to run back to the battle field and get a clean up crew. Bring the techies as well, we need a monitoring system set up out there now. If those bastards attacked us that close, I want to know where they are ASAP."

"I'm on it Matt."

"Well?" Matt said looking up and still seeing TK standing there.

"I... I brought Tai like you asked. And Kari was wondering if we were coming home for a dinner tonight? I told her it was probably a 'no' with all this happening."

"Thanks. Call Kari and tell her we'll make it up to her sometime. But right now, I'll be lucky to get sleep tonight." The blonde replied. "Be careful with that trip take all the guards you feel you need..."

"Ya, I will. Take care Tai, I'll see you around." And with that the man was out the doors and on his mission.

Tai was confused. Matt had not once truly acknowledged his presence yet.

"We'll get you assigned a team of bodyguards. Don't worry; we'll get you our best agents." The older blonde said as he read over more incoming reports.

The atmosphere of the command center was tense, and his host at the moment didn't seem to inviting. The large computers were blinking the damage reports from the attacked area. Many people were lost and the toll could be seen in many people's eyes as they appeared on screen to report in.

The man before him looked like he was trying to keep his cool demeanor; the tension and stress seemed to be compiling on the man's shoulders. Tai couldn't help but feel the worry that was in the air, not only from the man before him, but the others they passed in the halls.

"We can sit down and talk right after I get these reports sifted through... It shouldn't take too long..." Tai nodded and continued to attempt to take everything in one thing at a time.

A commotion outside the doors drew his attention. Without warning the large metal door swished open and the same woman who had been running through his mind entered.

Walking with a slight limp, she went straight for the man by the computer. The anger and confidence in her body language told Tai she was not about to let her temporary injuries stop her from what she intended to do.

"Sora?" Matt began setting down his reports and walking to meet her. Putting his arms on her shoulders, he knew what this conversation would be about. "I thought you were resting..."

"Save it. You know why I'm here." She said. Her voice was truly frightening at the moment. "How dare you think of putting anyone else on this mission?"

"Sora, look..." He tried to calm the red head down. Looking over at the other man listening in on the conversation, he felt a little embarrassed.

"No, you look. I am the most qualified. Even with a few minor scratches!" She fumed. "You owe me! I've done things harder than this and I've been hurt worse. I saved your life even! You know I can do this!"

"Sora, I know you can, it's just that..."

"My family has earned this right. I was raised to do this job; you of all people know that. I've been through hell and back, and I'm not about to let you tell me to sit this one out... if you don't approve me on this mission, I'll do it myself."

"I'm worried about you. So many things have already gone wrong... you've lost a lot in such a sort time." He tried to sooth her as he pulled her into a hug and let his own worries spill out a bit. "I don't want to bury another friend... not you."

Sora allowed the embrace. She had nearly forgotten all that she had lost. Working hard had always been her escape for the pain and many other problems... and now was not the time to mope around, not when the sole person her family was sworn to protect was finally here.

"I can do this..." She whispered. "Mom and dad died doing our family's duty... if I don't step up now, I will dishonor the Takenouchi line... please... let me do this."

"Will you at least compromise this time?" He asked pulling away and looking into her eyes. "I'll let you take lead, but until you're back up to a hundred percent you'll have a back up."

"I could work with that."

"Okay, I'll let you figure that out... oh, Kari and I were talking this morning. We want you to stay over. I don't want you in the big house alone for a while and it would be easier to keep an eye on our friend."

"Sure, I guess that would be fine... Matt, I..."

"I understand." Matt smiled knowing how much her pride would be hurt if he forced her to say anymore.

"Well, I better get to the arms locker and get things ready for his fitting. I'll drop by and pick up our friend after you're done here."

Tai watched the whole conversation. The body language between the two told him a great deal... the blonde and auburn head were obviously close friends, if not more. And that's what bugged him deep down. What added to his discomfort was the quick kiss that the blonde received before she went off to who knew where.

Watching the blonde's eyes follow the retreating figure before the doors swished closed also said a great deal. With a sigh from the blonde, Tai saw the mental and physical strain on the other man return.

"Well I don't know if I did you a favor or not... but Sora will head your security detail. I've found it is best to let her do things her way. She's hardly wrong, and her stubbornness... just don't piss her off, got it?"

"You make her sound so bad... but you've survived, right?"

"If I didn't owe her my life a few times over, or know she's one of the best military tactical minds in the organization, I would have seriously contemplated locking her up. She's my best warrior and biggest headache at times like these." After a sigh, the blonde picked up where he had left off before the disturbance.

"When Sora returns, we'll get you settled in with us and hopefully we'll get some of those questions answered."

"Could we, um, possibly discuss things now? Like, say... can I ever get back to my time? Why those things know I'm supposedly a perfect target for an extra hole in my head, and oh ya, get this- what the HELL am I going to do to help?" Tai was now a little frazzled.

He had been content for the moment; however a migraine decided to return. Tai was not one who worked well with a pounding in his head; the unanswered questions only added to the complications.

"Calm down." Matt said putting down the files once again. "Well, have a seat." He again motioned to the chair.

"I think I told you about the bugs. Our large scale computers and records of the time were wiped out after the first wide scale colonization attempt. People disputed the exact dates, so to stop stupid fighting within the species, we now count the years from the period they attacked. Hence the 50 After Colonization Attempted."

"I get that- but where are those things from? What are they? And just what exactly does that prophecy say?"

"Fine," The other man gave an irritated sigh. "First, we are not sure what they are exactly. And it's anyone's guess as to where they came from. Many like to think that they're aliens, others think we created them with all the pollution and nuclear wars."

"We had nuclear wars?"

"Ya, nearly two... but no one knows what to think. Could nuclear weapons really create those? Due to those wars healthy populations of humans were hard to find. They began this settlement here in a valley that was far enough away from the epicenter of the wars. There were internal struggles and what was left of the weapons nearly turned on our people again. The elders were able to stop the fighting and a group of people decided to live outside the technology and controls. To them, the insiders caused both wars. Ask most in here, it's the outsiders that are the liars, and the war mongers."

Tai watched Matt rub his temples. "I think I'll arrange it with someone to take you to see the prophet later. She'll be able to better explain things... she's the last survivor of those times. She also has an exceptionally strong connection with the texts that said you are a threat to the bugs and their plans to over run this dirt hole of a planet."

After some time of explaining the basics Tai had a better understanding of how things worked. However he was a long way off from connecting all the dots to get the full picture.

"Thanks." Was the only thing he could think to utter.

"I'll have Sora get over here now. I can tell you're aching to get things straightened out. You'll also be fitted before you two leave the compound."

"Are you sure she's ok? I mean she was just hurt..."

"I'll let you ask her that question. I've tried to talk some sense into that girl. Like I said, it's best to let her go."

Pushing back his sleeve, Matt spoke quickly into what looked like a watch on his wrist. "Is Sora ready?"

"Affirmative sir. The commander has just finished down here. The techies here are helping her bring up the equipment as we speak."

"Roger that." Matt was relieved. "Well, your guides will be up in a few minutes. You did say you knew how to use a gun, right?"

"Um, a small gun back when I was a kid..." He replied not knowing why he needed gun skills now.

"Ok, I'll have her put you through a gun course tomorrow. We need every citizen here able to at least shoot at those bastards if they attack. Granted you'll be far from the battle, hopefully, but it's still better to be safe."

The two did not attempt to make small talk while they waited for the return of the commander. Instead both seemed to continue to size up the other. Appearance wise they looked to be the same age. Matt had greater height and physical build, but only by a little. Tai wasn't able to understand anything more from the other man. His body language said clearly he was strong and very influential. He seemed to carry scars both physically and mentally due to the battles he had faced.

To Tai, Matt was an enigma. The only time he changed his tone and demeanor, was for that brief moment with that girl… Sora.

It was a beautiful name, it fit her perfectly… even when she looked like she was about to burst with anger, she had an aura to her that radiated kindness, no maybe not kindness, he thought. She looked like she could have killed anyone that got in her way… kindness was not the right word that explained her. Tai tried to pin point the right feeling, but couldn't.

Before too long the doors opened again and Sora re-entered. Behind her came a tall man with dark hair and goofy goggles around his neck and trailing along behind him was another cool character with short blue hair that framed his face.

"I see you brought Davis and Ken along." Matt said as he assessed the group Sora had chosen. The three stood at attention as Matt approached them. "Ok, guys. I'll do a quick briefing and then I want Sora to escort Tai here to the prophet's place for a meeting. So… where to begin?" Matt said looking over towards Tai. "I guess introductions would be a fitting beginning. Men, this is Taichi Kamiya."

Tai felt put on the spot for the remainder of the briefing. The two new men kept looking him over while Matt told them of the mission. It was relatively simple. Tai was to remain with one of the three at all times. Sora was the team leader; everyone seemed to understand that without question.

When Matt was finished talking, he pulled Sora aside for a moment. While he did, the two officers approached Tai. It was hard to say it wasn't intimidating, because it was. Tai was afraid; everyone looked so intimidating in this time. Maybe it was due to the fighting they had been living with for years; Tai didn't understand it very well.

"So, you are THE Taichi Kamiya…" The man who introduced himself as Ken stated; it sounded more like a statement than a question.

"Um, ya, but you can call me Tai," was Tai's friendly reply. Tai offered the cold man his hand. Before Ken could decide whether to shake his hand, the other man swooped in and shook Tai's hand.

"I'm Davis. Nice to meet 'cha. Don't worry about Mr. Cold and Silent Treatment; he's like that with everyone. We should go out drinking tonight! Want to join us Tai?"

"What do you mean 'us'?" Came Ken's reply.

"Ah come on Ken, our squad gets the night off duty since we held the fort back at the burial grounds. I've even gotten Joe, Izzy and Cody to join us. And if you're nice, I'll convince Yolei to come too." The smile on Davis' face was classic. What made things even better was the slight blush on the stoic man's face. Tai was thoroughly amused at the antics of the goggled toting man.

"Ah, come one man! Think of the girls!"

"You should stop thinking about the girls, especially the engaged nurse you're still infatuated with…"

"Ah, she's only engaged. It's not permanent yet… a guy can still have hope." Davis said putting his fist over his chest and going into daydream mode.

"What?" Tai asked now interested in the conversation.

"Hikari. Davis here has liked her since they first met at the academy." Ken informed their guest. "I'm sure you have met, since you are staying at their residence."

"Yes we have. And for your information she's a relative of mine, so you better back off her buddy." Tai said getting a little protective of the quiet girl that was his only family, even if it was distant, in these times.

"Fine, fine… well who else can I go after? The commander there seems to be off the market, so…"

"Their personal life is none of our business." Ken quickly cut of the other man.

"If you had money riding on the bet, it would be your business."

"What are you talking about?" Tai asked looking at the two men.

"The commanders there… you see there's a rumor going round, well it has been going around for some time..."

"You should leave them alone." Ken once again interrupted.

"You've got to be at least the little bit curious… with all they've been through, they've had to at least do it once. Come on, during the survival training- they must have thought they were going to die and man, I mean I would have done it…"

"That is you. The commanders have more restraint and morals."

"Ouch. Fine then I'll let our new friend in on the bet."

"I advise you to forget everything this one says when it comes to off the battlefield material…"

"Um, thanks…" Tai said now totally confused. Looking over at Matt and Sora, Tai tried to see if there was anything deeper about the way they interacted with each other. Was there something going on? If there was, did it really matter to him? Tai's headache came back and he forced his mind to forget all the questions.

"And she's moving in with them…"

"Idiot! She just lost her family. Wouldn't you want to be around good friends during a mourning time? Besides, Kari and TK live there as well, and so does Taichi for that matter. Having her stay in the same huge house means nothing…"

"Ah… come on and have a little fun with your imagination. Don't tell me you don't find her drop dead gorgeous? If she'd give me the time of day…"

"I don't want to hear it." Ken said his tone was growing with annoyance.

"What about you Tai? You got to see her on the battle field, plus I heard you were getting a little cozy on the transport back…" Davis smiled.

"Um, it was nothing we fell when it stopped suddenly…" Tai said blushing as he remembered the incident. "She is beautiful…"

"See, I told you!" Davis said with excitement.

"Gentlemen," came a stern female voice. "If we are done with gossip time, I believe we have equipment to move and a new comrade to get suited up."

The three sheepishly turned their heads to see Sora standing behind them.