Excuses, Excuses: *dodges fruit being thrown at her as she runs from the angry, angry mob* Well here it is, the long awaited chapter 2. I'm pretty sure some unnatural force didn't want me to get this stupid thing up. At first I had it in my "mail waiting to be sent" box, so I could easily edit it. Then, of course, that got deleted. I then, being the stupid idiot I am, redid the chapter and emailed to myself but of course, no sooner had I done that that aol messed up and deleted all my favorites, my away messages, and yes, my personal filling cabinet which held version 2 of this chapter. I became discouraged and lost all will to finish this stupid thing, but made a few sad attempts that seemed to just get worse and worse as I kept writing (kinda like this one). Finally, at the beginning of the summer, I forced myself down in front of my computer and made myself re-re-re-re-re-re-re-RE-write this chapter. I even saved it on Microsoft word something I NEVER do for fics. But yet again, tragedy struck and BANG our computer got a virus, we brought it to gateway, they kept it for two weeks, and then decided the only way to fix it was to delete everything, including this chapter (and not to mention my 76 mp3s). So now, I'm so sick of this stupid chapter and I have ideas for other fics, but I know I can't write them until I finish this thing. So I force myself to write (this time in a notebook..they don't get viruses >_<) making my work even worse then it is usually. By now I've forgotten the entire story I had planned out in my head and just have to wing it. Result-the piece of crap you are about to read. Before posting it I made sure to start chapter two so it wouldn't be so long of a wait for you guys next time (writing it in the notebook again). I'll be postponing all other work until I can finish this STUPID STUPID story I never really liked to begin with, because it taunts me. It is my personal demon, which I must defeat. For those of you who are JCV fans, this fic is to me, as Sickness was to Devi. Anywho, enjoy!! ^_^
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There was no running away from it now. There they were, face to face, both their children tugging on their arms. Tai hung his head, feelings of guilt rushing so strong he thought he might be sick. He thought of what he'd done before of course but the feelings had lessoned at least a little bit over the years, but now, to see her face, her glaring eyes burning into him, he was heart broken. What had he done? Sora retained her angry face, it wasn't any kind of mask, he had really hurt her, and she was angry for it, as good as it did feel to see her friend again.
The two adults were brought back into reality by Neiko, tugging harder on Tai's hand and saying, "Dad! DAD!" Quickly, they mumbled a time and a place to meet, as was protocol. Then Sora muttered something about an "appointment". With that, she turned around and began to walk away. It took every ounce of that girl's will power not to turn back around and hug her best friend, whom she had missed so much. She was upset with him, but she still loved him. Still, will power was not something Sora lacked; she resisted and kept on walking.
~
Sora had tried on EVERYTHING she owned at least twice. "I like the purple dress mommy!!" Sekera said. Where did that little girl come from? Sora thought as she glanced over at the dress her daughter was talking about. It was frilly and short and Sora couldn't imagine putting her self threw wearing something like that, never the less buying it. Sora smiled at Sekera and hid a laugh. "Hmm...I think I should save that dress for a special occasion, don't you?" Sora said, trying to get out of wearing the stupid thing, without hurting her daughter's feelings. Sekera nodded in agreement.
Sora looked at herself in the mirror once again. What was she doing? Why did she even care? It's just stupid Tai. The same Tai that had put her threw hell. The same Tai she'd been furious with for nine years. The same Tai that she had been sick with worry over all that time, because he had never bothered to call. The Tai that had been her best friend and the same Tai she had fallen in love with. She cringed. All that was over, she had no feelings for him now. But if she didn't...why did it feel so good to see him?
~
Tai had once again resumed his mental beating of himself. He could only imagine how mad Sora must have been. Well actually...he didn't really have to imagine...she looked pretty pissed off when he saw her last. He really didn't want to go threw with this. Sure, he missed his best friend terribly but it was a lot easier just avoiding her and trying to pretend she never existed. His mind quickly flashed to the idea of not going to the park today. No...he couldn't do that to her again. He'd just have to suck it up and go. It would be over soon.
~
Sora straightened out the top and the skirt she had decided to wear. Really what Sekera had decided she wear. Sora had wanted jeans and Sekera had still wanted the purple dress so they ended up with this as some sort of happy compromise. Sora suddenly felt guilty about listening to her daughter. She hadn't put up much of a fight not to wear the skirt because deep down, even though she insisted to herself it wasn't true, she wanted to impress Tai. He's doesn't care about you, he never did. He must have some one now anyway. Just deal with it. Some part of her said. She agreed, and almost as a sign, wrapped her long jacket tighter around her, not allowing any of her daughter's hard work to show.
Sora really didn't want to do this, to be truthful. She was almost afraid to find out what happened. Still, curiosity ruled over fear as she walked into the park. She spotted the place she and Tai had agreed to meet. A sudden anxiety attack left her breathing a lot quicker, frozen a few feet away from the bench where Tai was sitting. Old habits die hard, she thought to herself. She had an almost irresistible urge to run home as fast as she could. It's not like Tai would notice, he seemed a bit preoccupied not to have realized she was standing right there. Still, she was a big girl now, no running away from problems. She wasn't Tai, after all. Sora reprimanded herself for that comment. Maybe he has a good explanation...hopefully. She took a deep breath and walked straight up to the bench. Was he talking to himself? She asked herself and then smiled at the irony. At least she wasn't doing it out loud. Well, that would explain why he seemed preoccupied. "Tai?" She said, trying to level her voice so she didn't sound too amused. He turned around, shocked.
~
Tai had walked to the park more afraid then he had been in a long time. He kept itching his arm or straightening his shirt. You know, all those stupid little habits you do when you're nervous.
He'd spent all night planning out what he was going to say but was still working out all the details. Sometimes he wondered why he cared so much and then he remembered Sora back when they were kids, laughing and smiling. This would lead to a large stab of guilt and then he was back to planning. He sat down on the bench and looked at his watch. Sora would be there any minute. He took a deep breath and began to repeat his speech out loud. He was nearing the end when-"Tai?"
~
"O�Sora!!�Hi!" He said blushing. He laughed nervously and itched the back of his head. Sora felt a dizzy lightheaded feeling as she watched him laugh. Oh no..not this again. She ignored the feeling and smiled. Causing Tai to breathe a sigh of relief, she was smiling, that was a good sign.
Tai watched his old friend closely as she walked over and sat down next to him. Her short red hair was pulled back loosely, most of it falling out to frame her face, leaving the two blue studs in her ears barely visible. She wore a choker of the same deep blue color and a longer silver heart shaped necklace that very much resembled her crest. Tai caught his breath in his chest. She still wore it? God, he was an idiot.
*Flash back*
Tai, a much younger kid, just nearing his teens, sat next to a Sora of the same age. It was dusk and they had finished their soccer game only a little while ago. Which was evident by both of their dirty uniforms and Sora who was sitting back against the arm of the bench with her dirty, scratched, and bruised legs stretched out across it. Her shin guards, cleats, and socks lay on the ground, as she rubbed her sore muscles.
"Sora.." Tai said nervously. Sora looked up. Tai blushed. "Sora..I..this is for you.." he said, reaching into his gym bag and pulling out a small box. He handed it to her and waited anxiously for her to open it. She opened it curiously and- "Tai! It's beautiful!" She squeaked, stunned. Tai smiled, relieved she liked it. "Bu-but why?" she asked. "Something to prove you knew Tai Kamiya, the greatest soccer player in the world, way back when," he said in the usual, ego-as-big-as-his-hair Taichi Kamiya style. Sora laughed and rolled her eyes. "Or so, if, you know� you turn into a famous soccer player or...something else happens...you'll never forget about me." He said, still joking, but there was a bit of seriousness in his voice.
You see, Tai and Sora hadn't been hanging out as much as they use to lately so a joke about not forgetting him when she's famous could have been derived from the real fear that she might forget him all together. Sora sensed the twinge in Tai's usually sure voice and understood his worry. "Tai, we're best friends, and will always be best friends, no matter what. I'll never forget you...I couldn't if I tried." She said and gave her friend a big hug.
*End Flashback*
Funny how things work out isn't it? That's irony for you...maybe she hadn't forgotten about him, but he very much doubted they could be called "friends" anymore. Tai remembered the rest of that night. He'd been too afraid to tell her about how he'd been feeling lately, that he thought he might be in love with her. Maybe things would have turned out different, better even, if he had said something. Things might have been different, if the digidestined of courage hadn't been such a coward.
The two had stayed at the park until it was late enough that their parents might be getting worried. He remembered both of them laughing about how much the silver necklace clashed against the dirty soccer uniform. He remembered how good it felt to just sit there and talk and he remembered Sora, smiling and happy, playing with her new necklace the whole time.
The necklace definitely didn't clash now. It was clear Sora was wearing a skirt, very un-Sora like. The skirt was a dark blue and what little of her shirt peaked threw the dark gray jacket she held tightly around herself (though it wasn't cold) seemed to be of a lighter shade of the same blue.
Sora, used to having it on her neck all this time, barely noticed Tai's necklace was there at all until now, seeing Tai, she reached for it as if by instinct, as her mind flashed back to the same scene. It took only a spilt second before Sora was back in reality and not as angry with her friend.
"So.." Sora said, mentally slapping herself, she swore she'd take initiative.
"So.." Tai said, mentally kicking himself, he had sworn to get straight to the point.
They both looked at each other and the both knew what the question was going to be.
Sora asked the question she had been waiting nine years to be answered "So Tai�want to explain why you left me at the altar nine years ago?" She asked it, but was almost scared at what the answer would be.
Whee good LORD I'm glad that's over! Phew! Well, that chapter was COMPLETELY pointless, as I said, it was forced writing, which is never good, + I was so sick of writing the same thing over and over again, + I'm a bad author to begin with, + I forgot where the HECK I was going with this fic.
Left you with a bit of a cliff hanger there...just remember..im a crazy lady�so all is not as it seems *spooky music plays* It shouldn't be too long before the next chapter is up (famous last words) Have you hugged an author today? Write a review and make ones day. (woo�I'm a poet and I didn't know it) If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all, flames will be fed to the rabid pandas. I enjoy being the only one allowed to criticize my work ;)
Love to all J
-Soragirl
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Against the Odds
A Taiora Shrine