A/N: Hi all!
It's that time again. Time for me to actually write a little. I know I should be doing papers and such… but I don't want too!
Plus that fact that I know what I am doing in four months doesn't really entail me passing the classes, I seem to want to sluff off.
That's right- I'm going BACK to Japan! The best part- I'm getting paid to go there! Sweet Jesus! So with that said- I will work my butt off to get this story finished asap- without killing the plot. Does it have plot? Maybe, maybe not… anyway the fact still remains- I'm going back to the land of pervs and anime. AMEN!
So to celebrate- a little Taiora Fluff, a little drama and maybe a confrontation… You'll have to read on!
"Found her!" The voice of the younger man hit the two like a bucket of cold water. Tai and Sora ended the kiss fast and pulled apart in an instant, bringing a decent level of space between them.
Sora seemed to cover easily, composing herself perfectly she looked as if she had never been upset, or melancholy. Nor did she have the flush that Tai felt spreading on his face.
"Sora!" Tk called out entering the garden area and walking up to the fountain where both Sora and Tai sat.
"Sorry to worry you all." Sora apologized as Kari too came running to their side.
"We were so worried." Kari said hugging her.
"I just needed some time. That's all. See all better." Sora explained.
"How did Tai get here so fast? We thought we lost him." TK asked relieved to see Sora was fine, and also that Tai was not lost.
Looking over to Tai, Sora smiled as if asking him the same question. Meeting his eyes she looked away quickly before she too would blush.
"I figured that this would be a good place to start. I mean if I had a bad day and was upset, I would go to a place that could calm me down, a familiar place where I felt safe… home. No matter where or the situation, home is always something important."
His words seemed to ring true in the trio as well, the look in their eyes told him that they understood. Sora's eyes too showed that she truly felt he understood her.
Tai liked that look in her crimson orbs. He felt that his words and actions from before as well were appreciated by that look in her eyes. Tai's heart began to beat faster once again. All it took was a look from her… her eyes… her lips… they held strength and a softness that he believed couldn't exist except in dreams and fairytales.
Before he could say anything more, Kari was already pulling Sora away and out of the garden. TK too offered Tai a hand and soon the group was walking back to their house.
The walk was quiet. Everyone was contemplating the day's events and words spoken. Tai didn't mind it at all; in fact he was glad he was able to work a few things out.
The events from where he found Sora and the kiss were some what of a blur. They talked, he offered comforting words, and then… then they were sharing something… special. He was convinced she was the love he would find here.
'That old bag was right about something… maybe being here isn't all that bad.' He smiled as he looked ahead of him to where Sora and Kari walked.
When they got to the house Kari, acting all motherly took Sora upstairs to their bedroom for some girl time. Tai didn't have any time to say anything or even try to say something to her.
He understood she was tired and had a long day, but there were things he needed to say. He needed to know how she felt about him… he wanted…
"You look like you've had a long day as well." TK smiled entering the kitchen with Tai following close behind.
"Kind of…" Tai replied as he rested most of his weight against the counter as TK pulled out two glasses from the cupboards.
"Want a drink? I sure need one." He smiled as he poured a brown liquid into the cups. Handing one to Tai, TK took his and motioned for them to sit down on the couch in the other room.
Tai felt uneasy for a moment as they two sat down. All of a sudden he wondered just how much TK had saw… would be say anything… what would his reaction be? A million thoughts spilled over and over in his mind. TK was Matt's brother after all; wouldn't he want Sora and Matt to be together? Or would he settle for Sora's choice? What if the kiss wasn't what he thought it was…
Before they could begin their discussion, Matt unrepentantly joined them. He must have been upstairs and heard the group return.
"She seems to be fine. Nothing that a little sleep won't cure." Matt said as he took a seat near Tai. Holding a similar drink, Matt seemed mesmerized by the liquid in the glass.
"This journey Gennai is sending you on… I want you to take Ken, and Tk under Sora's command. And if Kari is up for it, she can go as the medic. Just in case." Matt sighed. "We'll prepare tomorrow and get the group briefed on the path out there. Our reports seem to show that the bugs have left that area in recent years, so you won't have that much to worry about."
"That's good." Tk sighed; Tai could tell the younger blonde was worried about this trip among other things.
"I also got word from the council that the outside clans will be sending that delegation to meet you. I have to send out a party to go and retrieve them tomorrow morning, so I will meet with you all in the afternoon. You can leave for the journey the next day."
"Why are they so insistent on all of a sudden joining us?" Tk asked. "We weren't good enough to work together with before Tai came?"
"Tk, the politics of this world are… messed up. There's no getting around the stupidity, hypocrisy and greed. They see this as our greatest opportunity to create some sort of collation. If that is all Tai can do- foster that bond- then I believe he's done his job." Matt said looking at Tai.
"I will try my best to help you and the other clan to get along."
"We'll hold a large party in your honor then. An official welcoming party if you want to call it that."
Tai nodded and couldn't help yawn. It had been a long day indeed.
"Why don't you get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a busy day."
"When are things not busy?" Tk smiled as he stood up and left the room. Tai was about to follow when Matt stopped him.
"About today and the council meeting… I have decided what I can do to help Sora. When you return from your journey, I am going to ask Sora to marry me."
Tai froze, nearly dropping his drink he looked over at Matt. The blonde man looked serious and truly determined. Tai felt like someone punched him in the stomach. Trying to hide his emotions, he could hardly speak.
"You are…."
"She knows I love her, and I am sure she has some feelings for me in return…"
"Why are you telling me this?" Tai asked not knowing just how he felt at the idea of Matt proposing to Sora.
Matt shrugged and silence blanketed the room. The two men once again began eyeing each other. They were trying to understand and sizing up the competition of sorts.
"Just thought you would like to know how we are going to deal with today's events, I guess."
'You guess? What the hell?' Tai thought to himself. Nodding, he excused himself from the room and went up to his room.
Matt's little confession just ruined his good day. All thoughts returned to the woman in the middle of it all… 'She couldn't possible marry Matt… not when I … love her.'
Despite his lack of sleep, the sun signaled the world to begin a new day.
'Damn you Matt…' Tai growled inwardly as he tried to hide from the sun. 'I didn't get much sleep- too many things to think about. However, they all seemed to tie back into Matt's words last night.
Rolling out of bed, Tai walked downstairs after getting dressed. Matt had asked him to come to a briefing session about the arriving outside clans that morning. Since he was the guest of honor at the celebration they were holding he felt obliged to attend the meeting.
The house felt empty. Tai figured everyone was out and at work already. He felt kind of lazy being able to sleep in when others got up so early to get to their important roles.
Sauntering into the kitchen, he expected to see a nice half prepared breakfast sitting on the table for him. Kari would do all the prep work before she left; all he had to do was heat up whatever it was and eat. She didn't have to do it, but he appreciated it.
However today was different. He was taken back for a moment, startled to see another figure sitting at the table, sipping coffee.
"Sora?"
She turned and looked at him.
"Good morning." She smiled as she continued to sip her drink while flipping through a book of some kind.
"Morning." He replied as went to finish making the rest of his food. To his surprise it wasn't there.
"I kind of ate your food by mistake. But I made something else for you. Sorry about that." She said turning around to face him as he looked for his food.
"Oh, no problem." He said not sure of exactly what to say to her. There were so many things he had to ask, things he needed answers to.
"Here, sit down and I'll finish it." She said getting up from her spot and moving around the kitchen like an old pro.
Tai complied and took a seat next to the one she used. Glancing over at the book she was looking at he noticed it wasn't a book after all. Well, not a book he had ever seen.
"Here you are! Takenouchi special breakfast number 3." She smiled and sat back down.
"It looks like eggs to me." Tai smiled looking at her after he examined the regular looked egg, toast, some kind of meat and green veggies.
"And your point being….?" She smiled back. "So I don't get high marks on the cooking skill test, but it works. Be glad I didn't make you number one- a piece of toasted bread with jam, or two- fruit."
"I never said it didn't appreciate it." He smiled at her playful side. "So what are you looking at?"
"It's a holo-book." She said as she let him hold the small rectangle contraption. The rectangle was light and black. He looked at her like she was crazy before she moved to turn it on. Pressing her finger on a small square the pages magically appeared springing forth from the 'binding' he held.
"I swear some of this technology is amazing! You can do so much with this."
"To flip the pages just tap on the corner and to enlarge the photos all you have to do is touch the area like this." Sora said as she leaned in and enlarged a picture on the screen. "Yeah, they are really important advances, but people don't seem to see any necessity to use them for better things…"
After the sheer technology factor wore off, Tai realized what the image was.
"Are those your parents?" He asked looking at a happy couple all dressed up. It was clear that the tradition of wearing white from his time still carried through on wedding days here.
"They were so in love." She murmured as she affectionately touched the hologram. Touching the corner, she moved on to the next photo. "And happy."
"You aren't seriously thinking about getting married just to let those… those assholes have their way." Tai said just noticing the significance of Sora looking at the wedding album of her parents. 'The council's demands.'
"Not yet…" Sora clarified quickly. "I can't just commit to that… not right now. I will try fighting my way for a little. And I know Matt is going to ask sooner or later… it's just that…"
Tai looked at her down cast face. Her eyes held so much worry and something a kin to sadness. Forgetting everything he pulled her into a comforting hug.
The holo book dropped from her hands as she was suddenly engulfed by warm arms. Tai was glad she didn't fight him and his sincerity. Sora, of what he had witnessed so far, was a very proud and strong woman. If she felt you were placating her, she would let you know… painfully.
The innocent hug was defiantly not enough for Tai. He could hardly control himself as he allowed his heart to take over. His lips began at the crook of her shoulder and worked up to her jaw bone.
Tai felt more confident as a delicious groan came from her lips. The shutter her body involuntarily did excited him to no end. Turning her to face him positioned himself to once again kiss her sweet lips.
"No." She said quickly turning her head suddenly. "We can't do this… I…"
"Sora?" Tai asked, some of his passion cooling slightly as he pulled back and gave her space.
"I… it's just…."
"Did I do something wrong? Am I moving too fast?" Tai questioned her needing to know if he stood a chance in her eyes to make her happy… to be with her forever.
"I don't know… I've never…"
"You love someone else, I understand…" Tai said his heart felt like her silence was stabbing him in the heart. He nodded his head in a silent understanding. Feeling utterly embarrassed he turned and made to leave the kitchen.
He was stopped with a hand pulling at his shirt.
'Please let her want me…' Tai prayed knowing he had found the one thing he wanted more than anything.
"It's not that… It's just that I've never… felt things before like I do… with you near." She began getting a little flushed. Tai could tell that her inner pride was not letting her go without saying what she needed to be said. It was actually cute, Tai thought as he took a step back closer to her and took her hand.
"But?" Tai asked trying to help her along.
"My job… is to protect you. Not to date you. I like you, really I do… but I just can't. Do you understand?"
Tai didn't know what to feel. So she did like him, she said that she have never felt this way before. That was good, right? But she didn't want to get involved… damn those employee/employer relationship complications. So where did that leave them?
After she realized she could be with him and it would not compromise her job and responsibilities, would she come around and accept his love?
"Sora, I've never known these feelings either, but I do know that I will wait for you to figure out your own feelings… because I think… I love you."
A/N: OMG- Is Sora going to accept Tai or Matt's feelings? Will the journey end in disaster? What about those outer clan people- I smell a twist in the road ahead!
However, you'll just have to wait. Classes end the 5th of May, so I will have a two/three week break before summer session begins. I know- I should really just take a break before I leave again, but there are some really interesting classes.
Anyway let me know what you think of the fic so far- keep the review coming and I'll do my part with faster updates