Chapter 6

"Well gentlemen, if we are finished talking, I need to get the fitting done and a physical for our newest member here. And afterwards the two of us have an appointment we need to keep."

"Yes sir." The two men straightened up quickly.

"I want you two to go ahead and help the techies finish the prep work." Without question the two saluted and were out the door. "Matt, I'm taking him off your hands." And with that Tai followed the red head out the door and down the long and empty hallways.

"The official med bay is kind of busy at the moment. Our staff has been diverted to the main hospital and the front lines clean up operation. So it looks like I get to play doctor." She told him as they entered a small medical examining room. "Ah, the bastards could have at least left me some supplies..."

Tai was amused at the frustration of the woman before him. It wasn't that he was mean, but it was the first time she was showing him this side of herself. The more he learned about this woman the more intriguing and unique she became to him.

"Well, I get to use old instruments, but they work. Don't worry, I have medical training… besides, we can't do any blood work here." She sighed looking at the lack of equipment and she went to work testing his reflexes, checking his eyes, and even his temperature.

"You don't have any allergies, past surgeries?" She asked almost as cold as a doctor would when trying to assess the patient ans she continued to look for any signs of injuries.

"Nope, I'm perfectly healthy." Tai replied with a slight blush under her scrutinizing look.

"Well, that's good. You seem to be ok; however, you might experience some throat and sinus problems in a few days. Our atmosphere isn't the quality you had back in your time. I don't think it will be a big problem, but let me or Matt know if you do feel a little stuffed up." She said as she felt his throat and applied a little pressure to his glands in the area. "They don't hurt now do they?"

"N…no. I feel fine." Tai responded quickly trying to cover up staring at her when she was this close.

"Well then we're done here. Next we get to fit you with some gear. I think Matt wants you to have a sidearm. So tomorrow I will take you to the training room and we'll see what suits you best."

Tai nodded dumbly and followed once again.

It was a matter of minutes and the two were reunited with the other two men from the control room.

"We didn't really know his sizes, so we pulled a few of each." Ken said motioning to the table with gear on it.

"That'll do. I really don't need you then until tomorrow at the training range. We'll put Mr. Kamiya through the range and a basic course at survival. Since Matt insisted you two be involved, I'll have you two work with him as well."

"So we're off the rest of the day?" Davis' eyes went wide with excitement. "Sweet! More time to drink!"

"Just don't be drunk tomorrow, or else…" Sora's tone told the younger man there was no messing around while she was on duty. With a salute and a 'yes sir' the two left the room.

"Strip." She said nonchalantly as she turned back to Tai.

"Whhh.. What?" Tai stuttered a bit looking at her as if she was speaking a foreign language.

"You need to get out of those clothes before I can fit you in the uniform. Trust me it's complicated, so I'll help you do it. You just need to pay attention… oh…" She stopped when she realized what her request could have sounded like to him not knowing what was going on. What surprised her was that his blush was mirrored ever so slightly by her own. "You can take off your clothes and then I will help you suit up in our protective gear. It's nothing to be embarrassed about; I help suit people up all the time."

For some reason, Tai didn't feel too much better. However, he had little choice in the matter. Thankfully she turned her back to him and pretended to be busy with something to ease his discomfort. Tai dropped his pants and took off the shirt Kari had lent him.

Left in his boxers and socks, Tai stood there as the woman before him turned and with a tape measure took his measurements. And after slowly showing him how to suit up the protective gear, Tai was redressed in dark attire.

"At least you fit in better now." She smiled looking him over. "No more sniper fire to worry about when you're walking outside."

"Well that's good to hear." He added as he finished zipping up the vest and weapon harness. Looking around the large room, Tai noticed the weapons racks on the walls.

"We'll start you out on small ones tomorrow." Her voice broke him from his moment once again. "No worries, you're not going to do any fighting. That's my job. All we want is a side arm, just in case. Now if you're up for it, we have an important meeting with the elder."

"The elder?"

"Didn't Matt explain anything, wait knowing him… he wouldn't. Well, we're going to get some of your questions answered. And maybe shed some light on what exactly makes you the savior of the world."

"By all means, lead the way."

The two made their way towards the edge of the city. Tai watched as Sora stayed on alert as they made their way to a temple-like building. Outside the appearances were calm and serene. The lush grass and flowers were a huge opposite from the inner city area they came from. Behind the stone building stood a small forested area with trees, everything about the place was like magic.

"It's gorgeous here…"

"Ya, it's the only place where some of these plants still survive. Outside the shield they would die of the pure pollution out there. You don't notice it at first, but a prolonged experience kills off most of the weakest plants." Sora said as she bent down and carefully touched one of the blooming plants.

Looking up towards the building, Sora remembered many happy moments at this particular garden. However, this was no time to reminisce. She had a mission to do.

"Once we get inside, don't stray too far. And don't worry, everything should be explained by the Prophet."

"Ok…" Tai quickly said as he followed her. The inside was just as grand as the exterior. The walls were decorated with cloth tapestries, and paintings of serene scenes and landscapes. The faintest hints of incense mulled in the air, the lights were dim, and candles glowed all of these things and more gave the ambiance of a holy and spiritual place.

A man in a robe greeted the two as they entered a wing off the main hallway.

"I need to speak to…"

"We know. She's expecting you, and she is most interested in our guest. Please, you know the way." The man said as he motioned towards a door and left.

Tai watched the emotions play on Sora's face. She seemed to be troubled. With a deep breath, she seemed to be giving herself a mental pep talk for what they would face ahead. This caused Tai to worry a bit.

And then her face returned to its normal confident and strong expression. Tai couldn't help but be puzzled. This woman was such a mystery… strong one moment, and then fragile the next… Yet, no matter the emotion she displayed, she always had warmth to her.

She entered the room first, him close at her heals as they made their way through the darkened room to a smaller room.

"Excuse the interruption," Sora began, "I brought Taichi Kamiya to see you." Sora said with a slight bow of her head.

"I know. I've been expecting Mr. Kamiya, but first, Sora… Come here." The woman's voice came from a darkened corner. Tai could hardly make out the elderly form of the woman sitting in a chair.

As they entered further Tai got a better look at the woman they called the Prophet. What surprised him was that once Sora was close to her, the older lady stood and embraced Sora tightly.

"My poor baby… you must be in so much pain…" The woman comforted the younger. "They were good people, your parents. And I know they were proud of you and how strong you've been. But you're not alone. Remember that child."

"I will." Sora said fighting the tears once again. "I know they died for a cause they believed in, and I will follow in their footsteps… I will honor the clan as the last Takenouchi."

"There you go being all serious again… you are allowed to be happy as well. Your parents wouldn't want you to throw your life away and not find some happiness in life." Sora pulled away a little to look the woman in the eyes.

"You are going to guide our guest in this land, be sure to show him everything… and not only the negatives. Remember to show him the good things about our world, the reasons why we fight and need his help… You've grown so much since you first came here to visit me with your mother and father…" Sora smiled as the woman patted her cheek. "You can find strength in letting others help you as well."

Sora nodded as she watched the woman turn her head to look at the other person in the room.

"I think I will have you wait outside for a time. I need to speak with Mr. Kamiya alone. But remember Sora, don't dwell on the pain. Let your heart be opened to others and you will find a new strength."

The older woman placed a quick motherly kiss to Sora's forehead and then the crimson eyed woman left the room. Tai stood there watching the door close… he was alone now.

"Mr. Kamiya, please take a seat."

"Thank you ma'am." He said politely as he sat in the chair across from where she was sitting when they entered.

"You've traveled quite a ways to get here… you must be confused beyond all belief. I apologize for all that. Other than that, have you been treated well? You're not in any pain? Are you hungry?"

"Um, no… I guess I'm fine ma'am."

"Oh, where are my manners, I'm sorry. But no need to call me 'ma'am'… makes me sound older than I am." She smiled. Tai seemed to relax some with the good nature of the woman before him. It felt like visiting with one's grandmother. Her silver hair was pulled up in a bun on the top of her head. Small trinkets hung from the top of her bun. Her ears were pierced with several small earrings, and she had a pair of old glasses hanging from a chain around her neck. She was dressed in a long blue tunic with red shoulder pads and other small details.

"You'll hear me being referred to as the Prophet or the Elder, but I prefer for my close friends and family to call me something less… formal. When Sora was but a tot, she often called me Granny. You can if you want, but my name is Gennai. And don't feel as if you need to be so formal. I'm here to help. I want to answer your questions, as well as get to know you. If there is anything you need during your stay here, please don't hesitate to ask Sora, or you can come to me."

"Thank you, um… Gennai."

"So I think I know where you want to start. Why you are here? Is that correct?"

"Um… ya. It is."

"Well, Taichi… there is no simple answer. I wish there was, but this is what I know…"

A/N: Well, before some of you hate me, let me explain why I made our loveable Gennai into a female…

As the story progresses, I wanted several of the characters to have a deeper connection to the Prophet figure. Sora will especially have a deep connection to Gennai later when all hell breaks loose, and I also wanted Tai to also have Gennai as a mother/grandmother figure there for support, council and other things.

I didn't feel that Gennai as a man, or digital being could really fit this mold. It would be toooooooo out of character for Gennai as we know him from Seasons 1 & 2… so I tweaked him! That's right, I did it…. And I'll do it again! …. Ya, k… Kate's been without sleep for a while, can you tell?

Anyway, thank you for listening to my little disclaimer thing. I don't see it as too much of a problem. I could be wrong. But it's just a story after all…

Thanks for the reviews and such. Sorry I didn't get this up sooner. I was meaning to do it before the Holidays… but it didn't happen. Oh well… stay tuned for more action!