A/N: Sorry for the delay- things have been busy. The weather is getting a little cooler here- and the death marches are becoming a little bit better. Just spent a happy fun three day (typhoon) weekend on Anime Heaven on Kyushu! I shopped till Fukuoka could not give me more anime stores- we even walked around for thirty minutes trying to find a phantom 'animate' store- where I dropped more than 5000 En (about 45USD)! Heaven... for now. Tokyo is real anime heaven...

I am happy to see so many people are reading this fic and that you are enjoying it. Thank yous go to all the reviewers who dropped a line. I enjoy those. So I best get on with the story! FYI- there's a lot of Taiora action in this chapter, including implied "stuff." Ah the implied stuff! Also a curve ball thrown into the mix and more fun to come!

Review and Enjoy!

Early the next morning, Tai got up and left for the hospital. It felt weird not sleeping in a chair at night, but he understood that Kari would want some company. Sora told him that he should go as well. But he felt bad knowing that Sora was alone at the moment.

He knew the hospital area like the back of his hand now, so he knew where to go without help. Walking at a quick pace through the hallways, Tai was anxious to see how Sora was doing this morning.

'I wonder what Matt said to her last night.' He pondered as he rounded the last corner before her room. Tai stopped sharply as he noticed the door to Sora's room had a sign on it.

"No visitors?" Tai read aloud not understanding why he couldn't see her. Walking up to the door and looking in the small window, Tai could see a group of doctors hovering around Sora's bedside. Some were checking her pulse, others were injecting her with some strange liquid... the blood in Tai's body felt like it drained in an instant. He went cold and numb as he stood there not understanding what was going on through the door.

"I see you came as expected." A voice from behind him said. Turning quickly he saw the one man he didn't want to deal with at the moment.

"Matt... what?" Tai tried to ask but stopped.

"She went into shock in the middle of the night. Joe called me and I've been here since. They don't think they need to redo any of the surgery, but they are monitoring her more frequently now... They aren't telling me anything more..."

"I guess that's something about doctors that will never change." Tai sighed. "Even in my time they were mysterious and not always forthcoming with everything... But she's going to fine, right? I mean after she recovers?"

"I know she will. It just looks like this time she won't have a miraculous recovery like the other times."

"Just how often does she get injured like this? Everyone keeps saying she recovers fast, or that she's cheated death before... but..."

"She takes her job too seriously. It's a rare trait in this era. Most have lost hope and the will to fight. Not Sora... and that's what is going to get her killed." Matt said in a serious tone. The look in his face told Tai that Matt had seen her in such situations many times before... and of the pain it caused him.

Tai saw Matt as a normal man for maybe the first time there in the hallway. All the animosity aside, Matt truly cared for Sora.

"But she won't stop... that's what I admire the most about her." Tai said sitting down next to the door. "When I first saw her at the grave site. I was in awe of her strength. Then she saved me, not once, or twice... but she continued to help me. I thought she was some sort of super human. But then she opened up and finally talked to me near the temple... and from what Gennai has told me I found a new understanding of Sora... I don't think she understands there are others to help out once and a while..."

"That's Sora for you." Matt sighed as he too sat down and rested.

The two seemed to get along better for a time. They sat and discussed many things while the waited for word on Sora.

It was nearly an hour after Tai arrived that an exhausted looking Joe exited Sora's room with a group of doctors.

"I figured you'd both be waiting here... and before you ask me all the questions I'll just tell you. We took some pictures of her internal organs and there were a few things that didn't heal the right way... we don't want to go back in redo the surgery for a few reasons. It's nothing life threating... but they will cause her some complications later. I've given Sora her options and she needs to make a decision if she wants to risk the additional surgeries that might not do anything but cause more complications... I don't think it is my place to explain the rest... Sora in her time will tell you."

"But she's fine now?" Tai asked looking from Joe to the door.

"She was asking for you Tai. She wants to see you now... but try anything like yesterday and I will personally make sure you can't see her till she is out of this hospital." Joe said in a tone that bordered on warning and a serious threat.

"I understand." Tai said as he walked towards the door.

"Well, I guess that my question is answered." Matt said in a dejected tone. Tai momentarily looked back and saw Joe putting a hand on Matt's shoulder before opening the door.

"Sora?" Tai called as she entered the room and walked towards her bed. She was quiet. Her eyes looked like they were on the brink of tears. Something Joe had told her was hurting her deeply.

"Sora? What is it? What's the matter?" Tai asked as he sat down and took her hand. "You can tell me... please. Let me help you get through this..."

"There's nothing I can do now... it's over." She said as she looked at him for a second. Quickly she turned her head away and began crying. Tai could tell she didn't want him to see her cry, but he could tell she was.

"What's over? Nothing is over. Everything will be fine, I promise."

"How can you say that? It is over... it's the end with me." She cried still not making sense.

"If you tell me, we can work things out. Let me help you."

"The clan ends with me... there's no hope for the Takenouchi clan... it's over."

"Sora, what do you mean? It's not over..."

"I can't have children now!" She screamed as she buried her face into her hands and wept.

Tai went silent. So this was one of the complications Joe spoke about. Sora was truly the last of her clan... Tai's heart ached. He had done this to her...

"I'm so sorry Sora... this is all my fault... All my fault." Tai muttered as he closed his eyes. Leaning down, he rested his head on her shoulder and cried for her as well. "I'm so sorry..."

"It's over... I've failed everyone."

"No!" Tai said lifting his head. "You have NOT failed and it is NOT over!" Tai insisted. "You'll see..."

"Don't you get it? I can't have children! Not only is my clan ended, but... but... I'm... we can't..."

"Sora... you think that I wouldn't love you if we can't have children? Do you think so little of me?"

Sora was silent as Tai took her face in his hands. Her eyes met with his and Tai hoped she saw the love he had for her.

"You are perfect Sora. In every way I love you. I don't care what you can or can't do... I love you and only you." He said in a sincere voice as he moved closer to her. Soon their lips were together and Tai hoped that all doubt in her would leave. It didn't matter to him what happened, as long as she was at his side, they could tackle any problem.

"Tai..." She broke his kiss and tears welled in her eyes once again. "But what about the prophecy?"

"Fuck the prophecy! I love you and only you. Can't you see that nothing in this world matters more than you?"

"I love you Tai." She smiled through tears.

"I love you too, let me show you... it will be perfect just the two of us. Let me love you for the rest of our lives..."

In the small recovery room, amongst the sterile surroundings the two found a new world within each other's embrace. Tai held her gently as if he felt she was going to break. He worshiped her, and made sure that she felt utterly loved before they shared a new level of their lives.

"Can't you see we were made for each other?" He asked as he curled up against her naked frame. Pulling the sheets to cover themselves, Tai kissed away the tears as she clung to him. "I will never share something like this with anyone but you. I love you Sora."

Tai felt more connected to his current surroundings. Ever since that morning in the hospital, he and Sora seemed to taking everything one day at a time. Joe said that she was looking better and better with each passing day. There still was a long way to go before she was fully recovered, but she was on her way.

The city was a buzz with excitement and anticipation as the outside clans were due any day now. Tk had radioed that he had met them and they were hours away from the city. Everyone at headquarters was busy, so no one noticed or even cared that Tai would slip out of the preparation meetings and such to be with Sora.

They had shared several nights together just holding each other, or making love. Tai was still cautious about Sora's condition, but things were still heavenly. He was happy. No, more than happy. Tai had found his other half in life. Things were looking up.

"So, what do you want to do after this fight is over?" Tai asked Sora one night after they had relaxed back in the hospital bed. His arms held her close, their bodies still slick with sweat.He loved the feeling of her curled up to him- their skin touching.

"Stay like this till I die." She replied resting her head in his chest. "You?"

"I have no complaints." He smiled as he ran a finger down her arm. "Do you want to live in your family house? Or should I build us a new place? Somewhere far away from people."

"Why away from people?" She asked.

"So it could just be the two of us... forever."

"That would be nice." She smiled back. "Tai?"

"Ya, what is it?"

"I wanted to know... do you think I should..."

"You should what?"

"You do want children, right?" She asked not looking at his face.

"Sora, it doesn't matter to me."

"But it matters to me! I want to give you a child, not only to continue my clan... but because I love you... and then the prophecy... maybe we could... I... I was thinking about asking Joe to..."

"Risk another surgery? Joe wasn't sure if he could fix it... it's dangerous Sora." Tai said hugging her tight. I really don't need a child to know you love me. We can always adopt or just not have any at all..."

"But..."

"I said forget that stupid prophecy! I've been working with the technical people and the info from the fight gave them new ideas. We can beat them without the final part of that prophecy. I don't want you to risk your life just so you can have a better chance at having children. Did Joe say it was impossible? No, he said that he thought you won't be able to have them... 'thought' Sora, it's not for sure. So let's just drop it and be happy." He ended with a kiss to her forehead.

"All right." She replied as she hugged him tighter. "Do you have to leave soon?"

"Well, we don't want to get caught in this kind of situation, do we?" He smiled with a wink. "Besides, I need to be ready for the outside clan arriving. Why don't we just tell everyone anyway? Then we wouldn't have to sneak around like this and hide behind closed doors..."

"Not yet... please? I'm just not ready yet..." She pleaded. Tai had gone along with her wish to keep their relationship a secret. At first she had said she didn't want to hurt Matt's feelings too bad, but now it had changed. There was something that Sora wasn't telling him. He had a good feeling it had something to do with the outside clans and the prophecy...

'Always the last to know.' He sighed to himself and kissed Sora on the lips.

"Well love, I better get some pants on... I can't greet important people in my birthday suit. Can't have you getting jealous now can we?" Tai smiled with a wink.

"Are all men from the past so full of themselves? Or did I just pick a bad one?"

"Nope- you've got me and only me. So you better get use to it." Tai said as he finished dressing. "I'll see you after the welcoming meeting then?"

"You think I'm going to have enough energy to do that again? You forget I'm injured... I wish I could go and see the festival..."

"When you get better, we'll have our own festival just for you. Besides, the dignitaries of the outside clans will be coming here to meet you. So it will be like a mini festival in here."

"Festival or boring meet and greet session? Maybe I'll play sick and get out of it till I have you to drag along."

"Do what ever your little heart desires. I've got to run- Matt is expecting me at headquarters for an all night prep-a-thon."

Tai walked happily back to the headquarters after spending a few more minutes just holding Sora. He truly felt like a new man. Rounding the corner, Tai entered Matt's office only to find that there was a group waiting for him.

"Oh, our guest of honor has finally arrived." Matt said with a frown. "I've been trying to get a hold of you for thirty minutes on the communicator. That is its purpose after all."

"Sorry, I must have turned it off by mistake." Tai rubbed the back of his head in apology. Looking at the group in the office, Tai knew that they were from the outside clans. Their appearance was different in a slight way. Aside from the different clothing, their facial features were lighter.

"Elders, this is Taichi Kamiya. He is the man we brought here from the past." Matt introduced Tai as the group all stood up and looked him over.

"This is the man of the prophecy?" One asked.

"It finally comes true." Another commented.

"Thanks be to the heavens, we are finally saved."

"He doesn't look anything special." Came a fourth voice. Tai did a double take as a younger man stepped forward from the group of older men. His hair was a lighter shade of orange and stood about the same height as Tai.

"Ryo, hold your tongue." One of the older men said. "We are sorry for his harsh words... It's just that we've been waiting for the one to come for a long time..."

"I understand." Tai smiled. "I ask myself similar questions when I first came."

"Tai has been very helpful in finding the weaknesses of the bugs. We had an incident a few weeks ago where several of our best officers were confronted with a bug attack. The new look on the creatures and their habits Tai brought back, helped us a great deal." Matt said.

Tai almost thought something had hit Matt on the head- 'he's never said anything remotely in praise about me before...'

"I heard of this attack from your officer Tk on the way here. I understand the last member of the Takenouchi clan was badly injured. We would like to meet with her before the rest of our group arrives." Ryo said speaking for the group.

"She's still recovering. I will ask the doctors if she is up for visitors." Matt said.

"But you said that he just came from there. We can just ask him." Ryo continued.

"How was she Tai? Is she up for more visitors?" Matt asked.

"She was a little tired out- it is night time after all..." Tai replied. "Maybe tomorrow after she is done with her check up."

"Is tomorrow morning acceptable?" Matt asked the outsiders.

"That should do. Our second group should be here by morning or noon at the latest." The elders responded.

"Shall I show you to your quarters? You all must be exhausted." Matt smiled.

"That will be nice." Another elder said and followed Matt out of the room. Tai sighed as he thought the group had left.

"I still don't believe that YOU could be worthy of the princess." Ryo's voice broke the silence.

"Excuse me?"

"You'll see. I'll fight this till the end if I have too!" And with that Ryo exited the room and caught up with the others.

"And just what was that about?" Tai shrugged and took a seat.

He was awoken by a gentle hand shaking him.

'Sora?' He moaned before opening his eyes.

"Wrong, guess again." It was Kari. Tai opened his eyes and found he was still in Matt's office. He had fallen asleep there.

"Having a good dream?" She smiled seeing how red his face went. "Well you seem to be awake now. So I haven't seen you in a while, keeping Sora company are you?"

For some reason he felt like a kid being caught doing something naughty and about to be scolded.

'Kari knows? Crap! I mean how?'

"She's doing a lot better now." Tai said trying to change the subject.

"I wonder why?" Kari smiled. She was enjoying this...

"Well, look at the time. I better get over there before the outside clan sees her." Tai said standing up and leaving the room quickly.

'That was close.' He sighed and ran to the hospital.

When he arrived he wasn't the only one waiting for the doctors to finish. There in the hallway stood that punk from last night.

"Good morning Taichi." Ryo smiled. "I wanted to talk to her first thing this morning before the others arrive. I see you are anxious to talk to her as well."

"I'm the reason she was hurt, of course I want to make sure she is doing better. More importantly, Sora is my friend."

"I heard about that incident." The other man said cooly.

"Can I ask you what I did to piss you off so much? I mean, I never asked to be this so called savior. All I can do is make the most of the situation. I am doing everything I can do to help everyone... do you think I liked watching my parents die? Do you think I like it that the future of my species ended up like this? I've got news for you buddy, I never wanted this responsibility, and I certainly am not going to take shit from a kid who knows nothing about what I've been through and what I have done so far."

Just as Tai was about to really lay into the outsider, Joe exited Sora's room.

"Good Morning Tai. I see you have a friend today. You're an outside clans member, correct?" Joe asked lifting his glasses to get a good look of the other man. "Interesting. I've never seen anyone from your clan before... but anyway Tai, I am glad you are here. I was wondering if I could perhaps take a bit more of your blood. It seems that Sora is still bleeding a little more than I thought... I want to have a good supply on hand in case anything happens."

"Sure Joe, I'll find you after our little meeting here." Tai said as he stood and motioned for Ryo to stand up as well.

"Sure thing. And remember to keep it to a minimum, I want her to rest well this week, and I will release her next week if nothing goes wrong."

"That's great news." Tai smiled as he totally forgot about Ryo and entered the room with a big smile. "Good news!" Tai said happily.

"I get to go home today?" Sora smiled back as she settled into a sitting position propped up with pillows.

"Close, but not quite. A weeks time if you are good!" Tai said forgetting the tag along right behind him.

"So who is your new friend?" Sora asked looking at the man behind Tai. He could see a look of confusion cross her face.

"Oh, him? This is one of the outer clansmen."

"My name is Ryo. And you are of the Takenouchi clan?"

"Yes, the last to be exact. My parents were killed in the battle to bring Tai here. Leaving me as the sole survivor." She said with pride in her voice. Tai could tell that the subject was painful... She really took pride in her family line and now being unable to continue on, it must be truly heart breaking to even think about it.

"I am sorry to hear about that. I am sure you heard of the accounts that your clan tried to bring some of our clansmen here a long time ago and what happened after that..."

"I know the story, yes. It wasn't your fault. No one knew that the bugs were going to attack. The Takenouchi clan is always ready to lay down our lives if it means that we were able to help out the cause of mankind even a little."

"I see that same theory is what brought you here." He motioned to the hospital room.

"Indeed. But I regret nothing." She replied firmly.

"You don't look like one of the city..."

"And just what does that mean?" Sora asked not liking the guy before her.

"It's nothing. I am sorry for being so rude. On behalf of my people I wanted to apologize for the past and to thank your clan for protecting our people even when it cost you dearly. If you'd allow me to come again, I would like to talk to you some more."

"I suppose it would be alright." Sora consented still intrigued by the man before her and his interesting features. "Have I met you before by any chance?"

"It would be impossible for us to have met, since this is my first time out of my village. Good day, I must meet with the elders before the rest of my people arrive. Taichi." The man nodded and excused himself.

"Well that was weird." Tai shrugged. "I still don't understand that little punk. Where does he get off talking to you and me like that? Sora? Sora? Is something wrong?" Tai asked not getting a response from her.

"Um? Oh, it's nothing. He just looks familiar is all... but it's impossible to have seen him before. Forget it." She smiled. "I'm glad you came."

"Really?"

"Tai... whatever happens in the next few days, I want you to remember one thing... that I love you, ok?"

"Ok... Sora what's wrong? You've been acting weird ever since you heard that the outside clan was arriving today. You can talk to me. We'll work it out."

"I don't think we can..."

The night came and so did the rest of the outside clan. IA large procession a group of nearly twenty people came walking down the main street of town. There was much pomp and circumstance happening with the procession. Tai knew someone important must have came along.

Matt and the rest of the officers had a grand welcome waiting as the people neared headquarters. The streets were full of city folk dancing and having fun. Tai wanted to go and join them, or be with Sora instead of sitting next to Matt and some members of the elders council. The outside clansmen were also dancing and rejoicing on arriving safely.

At the end of the procession, carried on the backs of six very musclebound men was a carriage covered with veils and rich looking materials. The VIP treatment told Tai that this was the person the whole fuss was for.

The carriage was set down and an elderly man stood in front of it to make an announcement.

"We, the outside clansmen want to thank the city clan for inviting us to such a wonderful occasion. We are glad to know that mankind's deliverance is at hand with the help of the one foretold in the prophecy. We, the outside clans bring forth our half of the prophecy so that we may finally be joined together once again in a sign of good will and repentance. With the union of the world's savior and our clan's princess, we will once again be united in our fight against mankind's worst enemy, the bugs."

A round of applause drowned out all confusion that Tai's mind was trying to process. "Union?" Tai wanted to ask Matt. They had said nothing like that was necessary...

"I present to Mr. Kamiya, his newly betrothed, Princess Mimi of the outside clan."