A/N: Well it kind of sucks that I have been super busy the last few weeks. Nothing really super spectacular going on except several drinking party with some co-workers. Japanese people love their beer! Understatement of the year! We get on the bus and they magically whip out a cooler larger than some of the students full of beer. At breakfast the next day what magically appears? Several bottles of beer. I have found my true people!
Anyway- back to more important matters. The story! Thanks for the reviews. I hope you are enjoying things.
Tai was in shock. His conversation with Matt replayed in his head...
"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..."
'Nothing to worry about? Nothing... then why is this 'nothing' kicking me in the ass now?' He wondered as he forced himself to breathe.
The curtains were now opened and slowly from within came the figure of a young woman. Tai felt like he was going to faint.
The girl had long brown hair that was braided and weaved perfectly to frame her face. There was not a single strand out of place. Tai could tell from her appearance, that she had not worked a day in her life... the tone of her skin was a pale peach, her hands and skin looked soft... she was definitely attractive. The clothing she wore was made of silks and expensive fabrics that Tai had not seen in the city. The girl looked like a fairytale princess to him.
"It is good to finally meet my future husband." She spoke in a quiet voice making eye contact with Tai. It was those last words that finally woke Tai up. 'My... husband...'
Instead of the girl before him, Sora's image flashed in his head. Sora... Sora's skin was definitely not that soft, she had endured many things and her body was scarred with trials and reminders of the past.. Sora who saved his life many times, Sora who told him that she loved him, let him love her... Sora was the one he wanted...
"I'm sorry, but there must be some mistake. I can't marry you." Tai said as he tried to inch his way away from the woman who was approaching him.
"What? Commnaader, what is this that he says?" An old man asked just as shocked as Tai had been a moment ago.
Matt took a step forward. "Please forgive him, Tai has just returned from a long journey where much has happened. Right now he is dealing with a lot of injuries and stress. Maybe we should continue with the party and talk of this later."
"Later? No Matt, I think we need to discuss this now... I can't marry her because... because..."
'I have Sora.' He wanted to say. But Sora had been so adamant against telling others about their relationship...
'I don't care what happens in the future... I don't care about the consequences of this right now... All I want is for you to hold me as long as you can... as long as we can be together, even for a short time... It will be heaven.' Sora's words echoed in his mind. She knew about this... she knew that he would have to marry some other girl...
'Why Sora? Why didn't you tell me?' He cried inside.
"Because right now- we need to worry about the ceremonies and preparations. We can discuss this later." Matt interrupted. The look in Matt's eyes were one of hate and anger.
'Does he know about... Sora and me? He has to know- if he didn't, he wouldn't be pushing so hard to get me away...'
"Well, until tomorrow then." The elder said taking the girl's hand in his own. "Right now, you two must get to know each other better. Come, let us enjoy the celebration." Tai found himself being dragged along with the group until they led to a small table.
Soon he found himself alone with the girl from the outer clan, this Princess Mimi.
"So, you are really from another time?" She asked in a timid voice after they settled at a private table.
"Um, yeah..."
"You don't want to marry me do you?" She asked bluntly putting Tai on the spot.
"It's complicated right now... I... I just thought that we could work together and form an alliance through things... other than marriage... and all..." He said trying not to hurt her feelings.
"It is what the prophecy tells. We must be married and we must have a child!"
"Why? Why are you so willing to give up everything for a prophecy? You don't even know me..."
"Because with our child we can finally be freed of the evil of this world... My family has been raised believing in this ancient tale, we were chosen to unite with the one that could come to us... I am here to be your wife." She said as she leaned in to kiss him.
"But you don't live me! I can't do this right now... I'm sorry... Can we talk in the morning?" Tai asked as he scrambled to avoid the contact. Standing up he quickly bowed and rushed off into the crowd.
'Such an aggressive woman... I don't even know her and she wants me to have a child with her.' He said as he made his way farther from the crowd.
He hadn't realized it, but after wandering for a time he found himself in front of the temple.
'Why am I the last to find these things out?' Tai wondered as he looked at the building. He knew Gennai was there... he felt as if he could just yell at someone, all his worries would go away... but it wasn't that easy... Tai knew that.
'Sora knew... she knew that there would be problems and yet she led me on...' For a moment Tai let his anger be directed towards Sora. She surely knew the full prophecy and still she allowed Tai to grow in his feelings.
After kicking a loose stone against the temple wall Tai took a deep breath. He had to get himself in control of his feelings.
"You shouldn't keep all your feelings in." A voice came from the temple.
Tai turned and saw the small figure of the woman standing there looking at him. Quickly turning away, Tai stood there feeling like a little kid who was just caught doing something bad.
"It isn't her fault... it isn't anyone's fault really."
"Yeah well, what do you know?" Tai said angrily.
"Well, considering I am an elder and everything, some would say quite a lot actually." The older woman gave a slight smile before motioning for Tai to follow her.
The two walked in silence back to the room where Gennai usually sat in.
"Have a seat." Gennai said in a motherly tone. "It will do some good if we talk about this."
"Why do I have to marry her?" Tai came right out. "Why can't I be with Sora? Why didn't anyone tell me about this? Why didn't Sora tell me about this? Why?"
"See, we made the first step. It sounds like a common word is 'why,' so let's start there." Gennai said as she too took a seat next to Tai. "To many people a marriage is a stronger symbol than some piece of paper."
"I get that. But why?"
With a sigh Gennai began, "People are scared. Our two clans have been at odds for such a long time, that the thought of our clans merging and finally becoming one people... well, they need a stepping stone. Something to get it going."
"And I get to be this stepping stone? My happiness, my life and my future is being used just so you can start a unified clan?"
"I suppose I should take most of the blame... I didn't explain everything about your role properly... but then again, I thought that you would be able to handle the challenges that would come your way. So no matter what the answers to those questions are, the important thing is what are you going to do?"
"Well, I..."
"If I have learned anything about life in my years upon this Earth, it is that love will find a way. You just need to have the courage to see things through. Don't be mad at Sora. In her own way she tried to stop things from getting this far..."
"This far? Wait a minute... you know about... Sora and me... um..." Tai couldn't help but blush. What was it about this woman that reminded him of a mother? She had the power to make him squirm, make him blush and to help ease his worries.
"Child, there isn't much I don't know."
"You read my mind? I thought you said that you couldn't read minds." Tai asked trying to think of how Gennai could possibly know about Sora and him.
"No child. I can just tell when two people are truly happy. Sora and her change in demeanor gave it away the moment you arrived. Sure, it took some time, but I figured you would pester the poor girl till she gave in." The warm smile on Gennai's face told Tai that he had nothing to worry about.
"If you know about us, can you tell me why Sora wanted to keep it such a secret... I think Matt and Kari know as well..."
"She didn't want you to get into trouble. Some of the elders can be very harsh when it comes to traditions and things relating to the prophecy. The poor thing must be so scared."
"Scared?"
"The first time she falls in love and she's torn between her own heart and doing what she has been taught to believe."
Tai left Gennai and the temple feeling much better. The anger towards Sora had been long replaced with feelings of renewed courage and determination.
'I'm going to make Sora the happiest woman on this Earth if it is the last thing I do. And no man or prophecy is going to stop me.'
He couldn't help but break into a run towards the medical buildings wanting to see Sora. He was nearly out of breath when he arrived at her room. Opening the door, Tai put on a big smile for Sora.
"Sora?" He called out seeing the bed empty and neatly made. Worries from when she had relapsed came once again. 'Where is she?' He screamed inside.
"Before you go and scare my staff, you should know you don't need to worry." Came Joe's voice from behind him. Tai turned quickly and saw the relaxed features on Joe's face. "She went home."
"Home?"
"I figured she was fine to go home. The majority of her wounds are healing well, and she was getting very agitated just sitting in bed all day. She promised to take it easy, and that someone could come and check on her from time to time... so I let her go home."
"Why didn't anyone come and get me?" Tai asked.
"You were meeting with your... the outside clan's princess." Joe said. "Sora also said she didn't want to bother you and had Tk and Davis help instead. That boy Ryo also was there."
"So where is she now?"
"I assume she went home to rest."
"Thanks!" Tai replied as he ran out of the room.
Tai moved fast through the streets of the city. There was a lot of activity and people having a good time with the celebration, but Tai ignored all of that. Turning the corner, he felt lost for a few minutes before he recognized the area.
'Sora's house is just around that corner.' He told himself. 'I'm sure of it.'
Sure enough, the familiar looking building came into view not to long afterwards. Knocking on the door, Tai waited only to get no response.
"Sora?" He called not caring if anyone else heard him. He waited for a few minutes, but nothing happened. Feeling a little weird with just entering, he decided to just get it over with.
Once he was inside he felt as if he knew exactly where she would be... the garden.
Just before entering the garden, Tai stopped. He hadn't once thought of what he was going to say, or do. What would one say in this situation?
'Screw everyone else, I love you.'
'Don't worry about it, we don't need that child like the prophecy said...'
No... this was complicated. He knew that Sora must be just as confused, if not more so then him. He had to talk to her... gathering his courage he entered the room.
Silently he opened the door and went inside. Looking around he couldn't see anything but plants. 'The fountain...' He thought. She had to be there.
The lights and noise from the streets outside told of a joyous place, but the mood inside the garden was completely different. Tai could feel the heartache that she gave off. Noticing that, what ever pain lingered in him dissipated.
He heard her faintly as he drew nearer to the center of her sanctuary. She was trying to suppress her pain... the half sobs came out of her mouth in heartbreaking sounds. Tai couldn't breath as he stopped for a moment. Secretly watching her pain was eating away at him.
'Courage.' He told himself as he decided once again that he was not going to let this girl go.
"I missed you at the festival." He said announcing his presence. Much to his disappointment she did not react like he had expected. Hell, she didn't really react at all. She stayed in the same position with her back to him, face hidden in her hands leaning over the fountain. Tai walked a little closer to her. He could almost see her reflection in the water.
He watched as she sucked in a breath of air and tried to steady her breathing. 'There you go with the strong face again... I thought we were past that.' He said to himself waiting for any sort of reaction.
"Sora.. we need to... I mean I... I went looking for you. I thought you were at the hospital... but... I.." He trailed off still trying to figure out what to say.
"Why?" She asked plainly as she lifted her head and whipped a few tears off her face.
"Sora?" Tai asked taking a step forward. He was now standing next to where she sat. Looking up at the see through ceiling, Tai wondered what she was thinking at that moment.
"Why did you come here... after... God I'm such a horrible person." She still tried to stop the tears. But Tai knew better- the tone of her voice was breaking from the strong front she had attempted to rebuild.
"Sora?" He crouched down and was about to embrace her until she turned and stopped him.
"I'm horrible Taichi... How can you bear to look at me after all this? I can't possibly forgive myself for doing this to you..."
"Sora? What did you do?" He asked as he pushed past her defenses and took her in his arms.
"I'm so sorry." She said as she finally broke down and cried in his arms.
"Sora, there is nothing you did that calls for asking for forgiveness."
"But I... I..."
"Loved me? Is that what is so bad that you can't even look at me?" He said while moving so that he could see her face. "Look at me Sora."
"I can't... I am so selfish. Just please forget about everything... I can't..."
"Forget everything? That's impossible. How can I forget anything when it comes to you?" Tai asked as he brushed away another tear that fell from her crimson orbs. "Your smile, your eyes, the first time you saved me, the first time you opened up to me, when you said you loved me... when we became one in body and soul... I'm not going to forget. And I am not giving up on us. To hell with the prophecy. To hell with this whole world! What good is it without you?"
"No... we can't!" She shouted as she tried to break free from Tai's grip.
"Why Sora?" He asked. "Don't you want this? I'm willing to fight for us... but I need your help."
"I don't love you..."
A/N: So... what's going to happen now? Complications, complications, complications... Ah the fun. Well, you'll just have to wait a little while for the next chapter to see what happens. Shit is about to hit the fan!
Until then- review!