"So let me get this straight. My knowledge is going to help lead you to victory, along with my daughter uniting the fighting tribes of your people?" Tai asked looking at the woman before him like she was speaking a different language.

"That's the basics of it my boy." The old woman smiled. "I know its a lot to handle. I am truly sorry that your world has been torn apart. But you have the power to save this world. You can find a new life in this world. A new family."

"But..."

"Will you help us? Just try. We are not expecting you to do it on your own, but I know that you have the ability to do great things... I can see it in your heart. You need to let the walls of doubt crumble and build up walls of love and courage."

"How?" He asked nearly on the verge of tears. "How can I do all that? How can you expect me to even try to do all that?"

"We can't... you have to choose to help us and yourself. We can only provide people to help you on your journey until you are the man who can do all that and save this world." Gennai added as she placed her hand on his shoulder. "I wish you would try and get to know the many people offering you support."

"I understand what you're saying. And I appreciate it all. But have you looked at this from my point of view?"

"More than you know young one. But have you looked at it from ours?" She quickly countered looking at him sternly. Suddenly Tai felt like a little boy getting scolded.

"I guess I haven't..."

"We're not asking you to give your life on the front lines, or to be some spectacular tactician. All I ask is that you work with Sora, and Matt... together the three of you might be able to come up with some thing that could help us. We are nearly at our last resort Taichi."

"..."

"I think that's enough for you to swallow today. You should go out and clear your mind. Then take a look at our people. Can you forsake them if you could do something to end their pain?" There was a silence for a short time. "I'm again sorry for pushing all this on you and for your loss, we tried to save your family. You should know that the Takenouchi's gave their lives believing in you without even meeting you. You too should practice that trust and belief in the good of others."

"Ya... I'll do that." Tai said somberly. His mind was a mess. There had been too much to taken in, that's true, but what made him feel worse was that he hadn't even thought about these people's side. They did save him. Sora's parents died saving him and attempting to rescue those important to him. He hadn't even thanked them for saving him and getting him away from those creatures.

"If you ever need to talk, you are always welcome in these halls. The gardens also bring many some form of spiritual peace in these harsh times."

"Thank you Gennai. I will." He said standing up. Before he could turn to leave, the old woman took him in a big hug.

"I know you will do your best. Things maybe hard, but remember to trust in love and you will find the courage inside."

Tai exited the temple to be greeted with the sun high in the sky. He had been in there for what seemed like hours. He had many questions answered, and a few still unanswered. However, he felt different. Gennai was right. These people did deserve a try. He would try and help wherever he could. It was his only way of thanking the many nice people he had met so far: Tk, Kari, and the mysterious, yet intoxicating Sora Takenouchi.

As he walked down the steps, the first thing he noticed was the auburn hair amongst the flowers off the stone pathway. She was laying on her side, asleep. He could tell she was sleeping because of the slight rise and fall of her chest and her still form.

Moving quietly over to her side, Tai sat down. He didn't look at her for a long time because he would have blushed something awful if she woke. But after finding her still sleeping even after he sat down, Tai could not help but look down at her.

She seemed to fit there, peacefully laying near the flower bed. Tai felt like he could sit there and enjoy the day without a care. The bleak and ugly world he had been introduced to just houser before seemed a little better. Maybe that Prophet had a point. Maybe he could find a new family and possibly love in this time, in this place.

"You seem to be in a better mood." Came a sleepy voice. Tai was startled, but then realized Sora had woken up. "This is one of the only places I can truly relax... so did you get your answers? I'm sure the prophet was clearer with all the details."

"Can I ask you something?" Tai asked looking at the girl next to him. Sora sat up and looked at him for a second before nodding.

"Do you think I'm this savior guy? I mean really, what do you believe?"

"That's a good question..." she sighed after thinking things over for a moment. "I use to believe that with skill everything was possible. Those who died in battle were not skilled enough or they were poorly trained. But now that my parents are gone... I know that can't be the case. They were the products of hundreds of years of Takenouchi training and strength. They had no equals in skill, strength, techniques... then you came. I don't know what to believe in anymore... Sorry, I guess that doesn't really answer your question, does it?" She smiled a little trying what to say next.

"To me, you are Taichi Kamiya. Someone from the past who the prophets say will lead us to freedom from those bastard creatures. This means I will protect you with my life. You won't have to worry about your safety while you are at my side... but me personally? I don't know if one man can change our future. We've been fighting so hard, how can you just change everything and make it better... I'm sorry, that sounds really mean of me."

"No, it's ok. I totally understand." he nodded knowing that's exactly how he felt as well. "Sora?" Tai started taking a breath and looking up into the sky. "Thank you."

"Thanks? For what?"

"For saving me, being honest and for being nice to me. It's nice to have a few friendly people around when you're in a different time, place... yeah."

"Well you won't be calling me nice after tomorrow morning's training routines. I can be quite the slave driver. Or that's what a few of the guys tell me." She laughed as she stood up and offered him her hand. "Well, we can't just sit around here all day, now can we? I need to pick up a few things at my place and then we'll return for a nice home cooked meal made by Kari, since we'll both be living there for a time."

"And Matt?"

"Ya, Matt and Tk also live there. Why? Has Matt given you a hard time? He's not one for being nicey-nice to people he just met. But he is a nice guy."

"Nice guy? Is that what you think of him?"

"Um, is this some from of that ancient game from your time '20 Questions' or something? Matt is... Matt. He's a friend that has been at my side since I could walk, we've survived trials by fire together. But he's more of the behind the scenes guy now. Ever since he was injured in the big training accident, his knee acts up every now and then. He gets mad he can't do more than he is... Look, if he gives you problems, just call him Gimpy and walk away." She smiled at the old name she used to really make Matt mad.

Tai felt a little better as they made their way back towards the city. At least she was talking to him a little more. The little things about her made Tai all the more engrossed with the fiery spirit in front of him.

Yet, a rain cloud once again found its way into the equation. Once they were at their destination, reality hit once again. The death of their parents seemed to slap them both on the face as they entered the dark and silent house where Sora and her family resided.

"Um, come in... It's kind of a mess... we hadn't been home much before..." She stopped for a moment. "Well, you can look around while I get some things together. I'll be done in a few minutes."

While Sora disappeared into the house, Tai wandered the halls. The house was full of family photos of generations of the Takenouchi clan. The walls held many memories. There was not much to the house itself. It seemed almost too stale for his tastes. But there were touches that brought color into home. Moments captured that told Tai more about the background Sora came from.

He could tell from the moment he met her in the bunker, that she was a proud woman. She had a stubbornness that made her want to be the best,never admitting or accepting help easily. Looking from the photos and articles on the walls and on shelves, that there must have been a great amount of pressure on her.

Yet, the love in her parent's eyes told him that she did not go without love. He realized that he had taken his family for granted. He remembered the looks of pride on his own parent's faces. Granted they didn't come often for the often lazy student he was, but graduations and different school activities, they too had been proud and loved him.

Continuing to wander Tai stumbled into a room that didn't seem to fit the main room and its cold, yet proud surroundings. There in a large glass enclosed room was a breathtaking array of flowers, trees and other vegetation. Looking closer he found flowers that looked exactly like those in front of the Prophet's temple.

The care poured into these plants amazed him. Each bloomed a vibrant color of the rainbow.

Moving further into the room, the outside world and it's massive problems seemed not so harsh. Tai was mesmerized by a small fountain in the center of the lush greens and flowers.

"I figured you'd find your way here." Sora's voice came from behind him, nearly causing Tai to fall into the fountain bed. "Sorry, if I startled you."

"Oh, I didn't mean to wander off, it's just that... um... this place it's..."

"My father made this room for my mother. It was her wedding present. They added on to the room around the time I was born."

"These flowers, they're like the ones outside the temple."

"Oh, so you noticed. We grew them here and then every spring my mother, Kari and I would transplant them there..." Sora stopped and a look of contemplation came over her face. "Well, I'll come back tomorrow and tend them. We should get going." She motioned for the door.

Tai, not wanting to upset her followed her back to the main hallway.

"That bag has some clothes for you. I looked through some old things of my father's. Matt has a thing for his own things, so I thought it would be easier if you used these."

"T.. thank you Sora." Tai said taking the bag of clothes. "Do you need my help carrying that box?"

"I should be able to get it." She stubbornly attempted to lift the box of clothing and personal items of her own. Tai could see it was hard for her to balance, so before she could protest, he took it from her grasp.

"Call it payback for all the things you've done for me so far." He smiled and left the building leaving a confused Sora standing there.

Well, another chapter completed. So how is everyone liking it? Let me know by pressing that little review button down there (wink, wink).

I appreciate the few reviews- thank you for coming back and taking the time to let me know how things are going.

But you know... if you want a happy fanficition writer, you might want to leave me a few treats... indulge the attention whore side of me! Oh Pretty please? O.o (Cough, cough REVIEW cough, cough)

Anyway- that's all for chapter, um... six-ish... no it's seven! Wow, am I with it, I don't even remember the chapter number. But I guess it doesn't matter. As long as you get the updates of the Taiora, ne?