A/N: Sorry it's been a while. Again I meant to have things done faster. But school is now done for a week- then summer class… my last two classes of my undergrad career… then it's off to Japan (again).

As a way of saying 'don't hate me for taking a while' and 'thank you for the reviews' here's a long chapter for you.

Enjoy!

Headquarters was a buzz with activity. Word of the outer clan's journey to their city brought a wide gamete of sentiment and feelings.

The majority were doubting the intentions of the other clan and suspecting a repeat incident of the last meeting of the two clans. And there in the middle of it all once again was the red headed woman trying to stay out of the gossip and buzz.

Several times on their way to the conference room, where they were to meet up with Matt, they had people come up and ask Sora's opinion on the upcoming meeting.

Tai could see that the woman at his side only wanted to get to their destination and forget all the other things going on around them. She dodged the questions about her take on the outer clan's visit- and soon they reached their meeting place.

Matt was waiting for them as they took their seats along with several other familiar faces.

"Now that everyone's here, let's begin." The older blonde said keying up a computer screen for the group to see a large map.

"Our first order of business is the outer clan's meeting. Izzy, I want you to send out sensors this afternoon. I want to see all bug activity within a mile of the route. Also check out the old training grounds they will be the staging area for the group that is going with Tai."

"Roger that. Do you want the data in..."

"Just give me a print out with the raw numbers. Nothing special." Matt smiled knowing Izzy was going to ask a computer specific question. "Tk, Ken and Davis, you all need to prepare the vehicles that will bring you as far as conditions allow."

The three nodded as Matt continued to check off things on the list. Joe and Kari were instructed to get medical supplies ready for both groups, as well as assigning medical staff to the group.

"I would like to accompany Tai and the rest on his journey if that is possible." Kari asked for permission.

"I don't see why you can't. Sora, any objections on the addition to your group?"

"Who all is coming along beside Tai and me?" Sora asked looking over the group.

"Well, I wanted Ken and TK to make up the rest of the security. Maybe take another person to add to security, and now Kari."

"To be on the safe side, I will add that extra person. Izzy, could you give me a copy of those data files as well? I want to map out the best path. If I am not needed for a while, I will be talking with Gennai for a little bit."

"Understood. I would like to talk to you later on today about..." Matt stopped, and motioned to talk to her privately for a moment. Tai watched Matt closely as he talked to Sora.

She didn't look too thrilled at whatever he was asking her. The arm on her shoulder seemed less welcome than some of the questioning people this morning. For some reason Tai felt better knowing that after he and Sora talked this morning he had little to no competition.

"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."

There was a silence in the room. Tai could only blink as she looked at him, into him… Her orbs searched his for something that he hoped she would find.

"Love?" Sora repeated looking away from his hope filled eyes. "Do you really know what love is?"

"I know what I am feeling." Tai replied in all seriousness. "I can't explain everything yet, but I felt we were connected since I first saw you at your parent's grave."

"But so soon? Something so important cannot just hit you… it takes time and…"

"I know. But you said so yourself you've never felt this way before. Doesn't that mean you know it too? Deep down?"

"I can't." She said standing up and turning her back to him.

"Can't or don't want to try?" He asked following her. Keeping the fear from shaking his resolve, he turned her back so she was once again facing him. He wanted so much to see her crimson orbs. But they were blocked from him as she closed her eyes and too a few deep breaths.

"Not right now, please? It's more complicated than just that… believe me. I just… can't… " She pleaded as she opened her eyes.

Tai nodded weakly as he saw confusion and fear in her. He couldn't push this. If he did, he could chance losing her. 'Can't you see that you are the one Gennai said I would find?'

Tai respected her wishes and relented. 'For now.' He told himself.

The day continued on after the meetings ended. Sora still had not come back, so Tai instead went to help the others get things in order for their departure tomorrow morning. While doing that Tai couldn't help but end up with more questions.

He didn't know what he felt more nervous about- going out on this journey or having these outer clans people come and visit him. Heck, when it came back to it, he still didn't understand how he could save anyone, let alone a species.

'But I'm going to try. And then, then Sora should have no worries about starting a relationship.' He smiled to himself as he continued to back a bag of supplies.

"So Tai, how do you feel about the leader of the outside clan's daughter coming to see you?" Davis smiled as he came up and patted the confused man on the back.

"What are you talking about?"

"Haven't you heard? It seems that they want you to 'meet' this clan's lady. Lucky guy. You arrive and they give you chicks."

"Come again?" Tai became flustered and confused. Putting down his work, he turned to looked from Davis to TK for clarification.

"Davis, what the hell are you talking about?" TK asked looking just as confused.

"Matt didn't tell you?" Davis replied looking confused himself. "Matt said that the clan is looking to enter into a physical bond with our city here. Physical meaning marriage. Marriage meaning…'

"We get it, can you shut up now?" TK said stopping the younger boy before his perverted mind spelled out everything. "But why Tai?"

"Duh, he's the big 'deal' after all. I guess it had been in the works for some time. Your arrival just made them bump up the meeting and has it on better terms. Matt said they had originally wanted to marry into the top clans, but most of them are old or wiped out. The leader also has a son, but he's a lot younger and not at the marriage age."

"Wait a minute; they discussed the possibility of Sora, as the only unmarried clanswoman, marring him?" TK asked suddenly getting mad.

"No, her parents would not allow it, neither would her boyfr... I mean Matt."

"That's messed up." TK added. "So what now? Tai's suppose to marry someone he doesn't know? Ridiculous. Why can't they just be an ally?"

"I don't know, ask Matt. He's the one who talks with them, not me." Davis said shrugging his shoulders and going back to his work.

Tai didn't know what to think- true the topic had come up once before, but he had totally forgotten about it. It also seemed less likely to actually happen then. But now… just his luck. Here he was on the verge of a relationship and now rumors were going around about his 'betrothal' to some person he didn't even know anything about. Things were certainly 'messed up.'

'I wonder if Sora knew about this? Could this be part of the reason she was hinting at?' he needed to know. Making up his mind, he decided to confront the source of this rumor. Go to the very man with the information and calling the shots- Tai hated that the same man was after Sora's attention as well.

"I need to go talk to Matt. TK do you know where he is right now?"

"Sure Tai, he's probably in his office now."

"Matt, we need to talk now." Tai said none to subtly as he entered the room.

The blonde looked up from his desk, but hardly acknowledged the other man's presence.

"About?"

"You know what it's about. Is what Davis said true?"

"Looking at the source, I believe that you should be careful when getting information from that man- especially when off the battle field." Matt said un-phased.

"So you know nothing about this outer clan chick I'm supposed to marry?"

"A marriage would be a lasting symbol of the clans uniting. It would also be a solid link. Treaties can easily be broken. You said you wanted to help…"

"But why me? No one asked me, I don't even know the person, let alone anything about her 'clan.'"

"It is not final. You have nothing to worry about. Instead of listening to an idiot and believing every word Davis says, you should be concentrating on your own personal journey. You leave tomorrow and if you are bothered by the current situation, you will end up dead."

"You know something?" Tai said getting really mad at the smug attitude Matt was expressing. Ever since last night it seemed like there were open hostilities between the two men. It was obvious why- Matt's territory had been compromised. "I think I know why you're all of a sudden such a jackass." Tai slammed his fist on matt's desk finally getting the blonde to look at him, eye to eye.

"Why is that oh great savior from the past?" Matt's tone was dripping of held back anger and spite.

"You're scared. You know that Sora is going to turn you down. And it makes you beyond angry not to get your way."

"Like you would know anything about us. I've been at her side through hell. You think you are more of what she wants in life? A weakling that is no use to us at all. I could better battle these things than you."

"I don't know what she wants, I can't read her mind. And I sure as hell am not going to force her to like me no matter how much I may like her. All I know is that she doesn't love you."

"How do you know? How would you know? You know nothing!" Matt said standing up quickly. Tai was afraid for a mere second when he thought the other man was going to jump the desk and attack. But it never came. Before either could strike, someone interrupted them.

"And what the hell is going on here?" The voice of Sora nearly echoed through the building. In an instant she was standing in between the two men. "If we are finished with your pissing contest, can we get things back to normal? I could hear shouting down the hall. Just what in the hell was so important to be yelling so loud?" She asked.

Tai felt relieved that she did not hear the topic of conversation. He felt kind of bad acting like she had no say in things, but Matt's attitude was just getting to be too much to handle. He never did like the blonde. The very moment they met, he had an air to him that sparked tension and uneasy feelings.

"Fine, I don't want to know. I'm going to head home in a little while. I need to tend the greenhouse and a few things before I head out tomorrow. Did you still want to talk Matt?"

"Actually I do, but it can wait until tonight at the house."

"About that… I think I am going to sleep at my parent's house tonight. I appreciate all the support, but I think I need to be alone for a little while right now. So you might want to tell me now."

Matt looked at Tai and then back to Sora.

"It can wait." Matt decided. "You'll at least be over for dinner?"

"Not tonight. I have some things I need to take care of. I'll see you later." She said as she left the room. Before Tai could do anything beyond showing his disappointment on his face, Matt got up and followed Sora.

Looking around the room more, Tai could tell that Sora was a big part of Matt's life. Pictures and accomplishments were documented. Where there was Matt's name, there was Sora's beside it.

It wasn't as if Tai didn't understand why Matt felt that way about her, he just knew that meeting Sora was not some chance occurrence. There was a connection there even before she opened up to him. It went beyond physical attraction. That is what scared Tai greatly- rejection would be hard to deal with…

'I need to talk to Gennai as well.' He thought as he too left the room.

In the hall Tai saw Matt talking to Sora. She looked sadder than usual for some unknown reason. 'What is Matt telling her?' he wondered.

With a final nod of the head and a quick glance in his direction, Sora walked down the hallway and out of sight.

"If I'm not needed anymore today, I think I will go home as well. I want to talk to Gennai as well." Tai said walking past Matt.

"Do as you like. Tk and Kari will bring you here in the morning. Try and not get them all killed tomorrow, ok?"

Before Tai could react, Matt walked past him and back into his office. Tai had half a nerve to go in there and beat some sense into the blonde. But the physical abilities as well as fight experience held Matt at better odds to win.

It was a long evening, and an even longer night. Tai tossed and turned unable to sleep. He tried to rationalize with himself to find a reason for the insomnia. He was nervous for the next day… he had a cup of their coffee substance before bed… he couldn't stop thinking of her… or what Gennai had told him.

'This journey will change many lives. Not all for the better. But you and your loved ones will survive and grow because of it. Once you return you will feel truly live… but there are consequences and trails ahead. Hold her close and follow the path you choose.'

Whatever that meant. Tai was becoming accustomed to the half riddles and vagueness of the old woman. There was something motherly about her. He understood why Sora had such a good relationship with the woman.

In a way Tai felt strangely at ease in his new surroundings. He had a "family" again full of sibling figures, and even a strange grandmother. The contentment was a weird feeling. Sure he still had a ways to go until he could settle down and maybe have a family of his own, but this place felt right… especially when she was near.

And that was the problem. She didn't come to supper. Kari began to worry until TK and Matt explained a tradition in her family of praying to the Takenouchi ancestors before such a mission. Sora was a private person, which made reading her emotions and expressions quite difficult. Tai couldn't really figure out where he stood.

The kiss they had shared told him she was interested. And the way she didn't out right reject him. 'Good signs, right?' He wondered staring at the ceiling.

The morning came and Tai found at least a few hours of sleep. TK and Kari were eating breakfast when Tai entered the kitchen area.

"Good Morning." They greeted each other. Looking at TK, Tai could see he was not worried at all. A seasoned fighter he assumed. However, Kari looked a little worried.

"You don't have to come along Kari." Tai said as he sat across from them. "It might be safer to stay here."

"No, I want to go. Besides you need a medic." She replied putting up a courageous front. Tai smiled at the girl. 'Stubborn,' he thought, 'just like my mother.'

"So shall we get over to headquarters for the final briefing and then off we go?" TK asked standing up.

"Let's go." Tai said with a nod.

To their surprise the vehicle they were going to take was already prepped and loaded when they go there. Working quietly were Ken and Sora. Both geared up like true military soldiers, looking prepared for anything.

Tai's eyes were glued once again on the tight shirt Sora wore. It wasn't anything bad; it just fit right, and allowed her the ability to wear a vest with heavens knows what of weapons and supplies attached.

Shaking himself out of his moment's stupor, Tai followed TK and Kari closer to the machine.

"We could have helped you know." TK said taking the last bag and putting it into the craft.

"No problem, we were here, so we began to pack up. Alright, are we ready for the briefing?" Sora asked motioning for the group to gather around her. "We will drive to the edge of the forested area. Beyond that it's on foot to the abandoned training/outpost base. There we will scavenge the remains and make a fall back camp incase of emergencies. From there we will hike about two maybe three days to get to the site Gennai talked about." Sora displayed the course out on a map as she spoke.

"Any questions?" She asked looking around the group. "Tai will always be at someone's side. You are not to wander off alone, understood? Good."

"Good luck you guys." Davis called as he, Izzy, Joe and Matt went outside to see them off.

"You have everything?"

"Roger that. It's all packed up. Besides, there are supplies left at the old base." Sora added. Matt nodded approvingly. "Our additional crew member, Vincent Yamada should be arriving any minute. He's the best shot in his class." Again Matt nodded.

"Be careful and the minute it becomes too much, pull back. There is no room for error in this mission. Understood?" Matt said in a commanding voice.

Each one of the team members saluted and shouted a "Yes, sir." That was, except for Tai.

Once the backup Vincent arrived the crew boarded the vehicle and they were off on their journey.

The back of the craft was a lot more crowded than he remembered. It was the same model as the vehicle TK used to pick up Sora and him after he first arrived. The ride wasn't as memorable as the last either. Kari sat up front with TK as he piloted the craft with ease. Sora and Ken discussed alternate routes for emergency situations, which left Tai to talk with Vincent, or Vin as he was called.

The man was nice, nothing too special or noticeable with the older man. He had medium length black hair and tanned skin. He had seemed like the quiet type, until Tai got him talking. Now he wished he had just sat in silence, at least he could hear Sora's voice if he had. Now he was stuck discussing some new military model of weapon or something like that. Tai was only paying so much attention.

Every once and a while he would look over and see what Sora was doing. When she wasn't discussing mission technical things with Ken, the two sat in silence. Her eyes were closed, but he could tell she was not sleeping… her breathing was too irregular to be asleep.

It seemed like they were making good time. By the time they stopped it was only noon. Tai had been able to get a short nap half way into the ride, once Vincent had finally stopped talking. It felt good to get out of the transport and actually walk around.

Taking in the scenery, Tai was intrigued by the off landscape. They had crossed a barren, almost desert area and now before him was a forest. It seemed to have sprung up out of no where. Shrugging his shoulders, he helped unload the craft and they began to put things on their backs.

After camouflaging and securing the craft for their return trip a week later, the group headed out into the forest.

The hike was a rather long one. Tai was amazed that Sora could keep up, being injured not too long ago. As leader of the group she refused any help caring her portion of the gear. Tai tried to press her, but decided to stop when TK advised him that during missions, Sora was the mission leader and not the same 'civilian' Sora.

It made sense, she was less relaxed it seemed. She was on alert and it pained Tai that she became this cold. However, he reasoned she was only trying to protect those under her care. He was not going to let her get hurt again because he was being stupid.

While the group walked TK informed Kari and Tai about the history of the base they were approaching. Tai was fascinated with the legend status of the site- only a few years before it was a fully operational training and scouting outpost base. However, the attack on Sora's scouting mission and assault on it put a stop to the use. Many of their old friends were buried there.

As they grew closer an air of extreme caution and regret seemed to over take Sora. It was only natural since this was her first time back since she had escaped with Matt. He could only imagine the chaos that had occurred. She hadn't spoken too much about it- just that the bugs somehow knew what they were doing, lured them in and attacked without mercy. The remaining personnel fell back to the base where they were able to hold off the bugs for a time. However, no reinforcements came and Sora and Matt being the only ones left, escaped.

It sounded like to large of a mission was placed on the heads of such young soldiers. Tai could hardly comprehend how she must have felt. Being so stubborn, he knew she must have wanted to fight to the death defending the base.

"Ken, set up a perimeter around the remains. TK check the storage shelters for signs of recent bug activity. Izzy said they were gone, but I'm not taking chances." She said motioning for the group to inspect the area. "Tai, Kari and Vincent, stay back until given further notice. You hear gun shots, you run like crazy back to the craft."

"Roger." The group replied and split up.