Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon Frontier or anything related to Digimon, except this piece of literary work. This is only written for amusement and entertainment purposes only. Please do not sue me for anything. Thank you.
Dedication: This is dedicated to my new bed sheet, because I wrote this on the day I replaced my bed sheets after getting coke all over it. Hahaha.
Zero*Clue: So… yeah. This is a two-chapter fic retelling about the 'talk' Takuya and Kouji had after losing to Duskmon. Perspectives and points-of-view shifts between Takuya and Kouji, but it's mostly Takuya-centric.
I included the conversation they had had in this fic, simply because I loved that scene (and as a refresher for memory, although you could just watch it on youtube). The conversation doesn't change, but what happens after that does. I watched both the dubbed and subbed version (I forgot who subbed it though), and purposefully mixed the two versions 'cause there are some lines that I like in both, and some that didn't really get to me in both. Although they're kinda the same, more or less. XD
Also, I messed with their ages so that Takuya and Kouji will be 14. Tomoki will be 12, Izumi is 14 as well, and Junpei is 15 (though the last three doesn't matter because they won't play a major role in this fic). I can't allow them to fall for each other at age 11, sorry. Well, 14 is still a bit too young, but I think Kouji's mature enough for both of 'em. XD
Oh yeah, if you wanna skip the 'talk' they had, just look for the [~***~] sign. The second one, or third, if you counted the one in this sentence.
Anyways, enjoy! And please review as well.
[~***~]
"I don't like it." Kouji said, receiving a unanimous 'huh?' from the rest of his companions. He sat alone by the fire; eyes sternly looking at the group huddled on the other side. Takuya just finished explaining his brilliant plan in defeating Duskmon. He glared at Takuya.
Takuya frowned at the statement. "Again? Won't you do anything I say?" he muttered, more to himself than to his bandana-wearing friend.
"Up until now, we haven't faced anyone like Duskmon. We aren't ready to fight." Kouji reasoned. His voice dared Takuya to disagree, which the brunette did, of course. Takuya never backed down from a challenge, especially not one coming from Minamoto Kouji.
"So you say running is a better plan?" Takuya shot back.
"That's right!" Kouji said, his voice rising slightly as he tried to prove his point.
"You're pathetic!" Takuya said. "What makes you think we'd be able to get away even if we wanted to? I told you before, running away won't do anything!" He glared at Kouji. Kouji glared back.
Tomoki didn't like where this was going. "C'mon! Don't fight!" he said. Junpei and Izumi seemed to agree with him, but they remained silent. It wasn't wise to involve oneself in another one of Takuya's arguments with Kouji. Bokomon just watched the scene unfold with Neemon, completely unsurprised at the turn of events. But that didn't mean they liked it either.
Kouji scowled and stood up. He walked up to them, hands in his pockets, and paused just a few steps ahead of Takuya. "I want to talk to you," He said coldly. "Alone."
"Fine by me," Takuya said, irritation plainly heard in his voice. He put his hands in his pockets as well, mimicking the other boy's actions, and followed Kouji to the inside of the abandoned building.
"Guys! Don't do anything stupid!" Izumi called. She didn't want to involve herself, but she didn't want to get things out of hand either. This wasn't the time to fight, especially with Duskmon looking for them out there.
"Don't worry," Kouji replied. "We're just gonna talk."
"I'll talk but I won't let you stop me," Takuya's voice quickly followed. Soon, they disappeared into the abandoned building, leaving Tomoki, Junpei, Bokomon and Neemon staring at the entrance. Izumi sighed, resting her head in her hands. She felt tired all of a sudden.
The inside of the abandoned building was dark and musty. There was dust all over the place, and some debris here and there. There's nothing much to see; nothing really. The stairs led the two boys downstairs in a wide, open area. A basement, perhaps? The place was run down, and nothing but cement, dust and wood littered the room. The room itself was barely held up by a few pillars that were still standing.
Kouji led Takuya to the center of the room. When he stopped walking, Takuya spoke first, "All right, so start talkin'."
Kouji decided to ignore the irritation floating in Takuya's voice. "Why do you think you're here, Takuya?" he said, his back still facing the brunette.
Takuya's eyes widened slightly at the question. Perhaps it was out of surprise or confusion, since he was half expecting Kouji to shout or start a brawl. Kouji's words didn't really register in Takuya's mind until a moment later, so all he could say was an unintelligent, lame 'Huh?' in return.
"Answer me. I wanna know why you're here." Kouji said. He still didn't face him. "Why do you fight?"
"Why do I…?" Takuya's voice trailed off. He looked to his side, contemplating on Kouji's words. "Well, you know. We're here to save the world." He might have said the last part too fast.
"You say that like you don't know what it means – what's at stake. You seem to treat this world like a videogame. If it isn't clear to you, you should stop," Kouji said.
"What are you saying? That's not true!" Takuya's voice was getting louder. "I'm not stupid, you know! I know that!"
"Sometimes, I really don't think you do," Kouji sighed and faced Takuya. Said brunette's eyes were determined, and his face showed his anger towards the other teen. But he was listening, and that was all Kouji wanted. "There's no second chances for us, get it? Don't forget, if you lose, you die!"
"Yeah! I - I know!" Takuya couldn't seem to put his thoughts into words. He looked away, tearing his gaze from the bluenette. His voice seemed unsure as he spoke, "That's not…"
"Then what is?!" Kouji's voice was rising, and Takuya had no response to that. "With such a naïve plan as an example, you honestly don't understand what could happen to your friends!"
Takuya felt offended. "Then running away will make things better?"
"That's not what I meant!"
"Then what are you saying?!"
Kouji's eyes flashed with anger. He roughly grabbed for the collar of Takuya's red over shirt and lifted him up, slamming him to the wall behind them. 'Why won't he understand?'
Takuya didn't struggle under Kouji's hold, despite the uncomfortable position he was in. His eyes were locked onto Kouji, full attention. He could feel pain searing in his back as he was slammed to the wall, but he ignored it.
"Listen carefully, Takuya." Kouji's voice demanded full attention. "You weren't there when I crossed swords with him, okay? I doubt he was even using half his strength against me! That fight – we were like playthings to him…" he whispered the last part.
Takuya looked away, mulling over Kouji's words. "I know that." He looked at Kouji again, this time with more confidence. "I know he's strong! But we all have obtained two spirits each! Every time we run into someone more powerful than us, we've worked together and everything has turned out fine! I said it before, with everyone's power it will work out somehow!"
"Ah! Takuya, open your eyes!"
"Open your own eyes! We're more powerful than you think!"
"Takuya…" Kouji whispered. But there was still frustration in his voice.
"We've gotten this far together, haven't we?"
Anger flashed through Kouji's eyes for a moment. There was heavy silence between the two of them as they glared at each other, daring the other to look away.
Takuya challenged the other boy with a defiant look. He was nearly as tall as Kouji now, or perhaps taller, in the position he was in. He subconsciously noted that, and would have grinned if it weren't for the tense atmosphere between them.
Kouji was the first one to look away from the glaring contest. He closed his eyes and sighed. 'He just doesn't get it,' he thought. Slowly, he loosened his grip on Takuya's over shirt, and eventually let the goggle-head go. He turned his back on said brunette. "Make a promise." He said. "It's obvious you don't care about yourself, I know you're not stupid enough to die. But you should take care not to let the others get in trouble. If you can't promise that, then you should go home, now!"
He started to leave, not caring if he left the goggle-head behind, nor did he decide to wait for a reply. Takuya wasn't that stupid not to get the message. He'd make that promise, and he'll fulfill it, even if Kouji didn't hear anything from the brunette. Or at least, that was what Kouji hoped anyway.
He needed to get away from Takuya. He needed to be alone. Unconsciously, he quickened his pacing as he headed for the stairs. Some fresh air will do him good. Yes, that's what he needed right now.
[~***~]
Takuya was left alone in the abandoned building, staring at the entrance. His mind was racing as he thought about the conversation they just had. He could hear Kouji's voice echoing in his mind, every action being replayed. He didn't want to think about it; it made his head spin and his heart heavy, and he didn't know why. After all, he always argued with Kouji. It was like a part of their routine; a necessity. Their day wouldn't be complete without one of them snickering at the other's actions.
So what made this any different? What was in their fight that made him want to just run away and forget about everything that happened?
"If you can't promise that, then you should go home, now!"
It rang in his head endlessly. Takuya groaned and sat down, curling up into a ball. He hugged himself and buried his head on his knees, having no desire to leave the building yet.
"You seem to treat this world like a videogame. If it isn't clear to you, you should stop."
"But it's not like that," Takuya whispered to himself. "It's not like I don't understand the risks."
"Why do you think you're here, Takuya?"
Takuya pulled his over shirt closer. It suddenly got cold in the building. He sighed, wanting to get his head clear of Kouji's cold voice. He'd do anything to stop it from ringing in his ears over and over. Oh, he'd really do anything.
"Why can't he just see that we can beat Duskmon if we worked together?" He glared at the entrance, as if expecting Kouji to appear all of a sudden. "It worked before! What made this any different?"
"That fight – we were like playthings to him…"
Takuya tried to ignore the rewinding memories. It kept playing over and over in his head, and he was getting sick of it. But it also amazed him how he was able to remember the exact words and movements the bandana-wearing boy said and did. If it was any other person, he might've remembered the meaning behind the words, but not the exact words that were said. If it was any other person, he wouldn't have remembered the smallest details, the slightest actions. If it was any other person…
"Ah! Takuya, open your eyes!"
"But you should take care not to let the others get in trouble."
He was always the leader, even if it wasn't 'official'. Everyone followed him (most of the time), even Kouji; although Kouji would bicker with Takuya as he followed along with the brunette's plans. 'Why won't Kouji listen now?' Takuya thought angrily.
"You say that like you don't know what it means – what's at stake."
Takuya didn't understand. Or rather, he didn't want to, and he didn't know why. Perhaps it was because he didn't want to give Kouji the satisfaction that he had been right and the goggle-head was wrong. Not that Kouji would openly gloat about it, but it'd hurt Takuya's pride, nonetheless. They were still rivals – somewhat – and Takuya's competitiveness and stubborn attitude wouldn't let him lose to Kouji, no matter what.
But… he was gambling lives here. Not just his, but Tomoki's, Izumi's, Junpei's, and even Kouji's life. And if it ever came to that – to the point where they were gone completely – it would have been his fault.
He was their leader, after all. He didn't have the power for that, but he was still their leader. Their lives were his responsibility too. They depended on him – trusted him – on that.
"Make a promise."
Takuya groaned. He hated it. Kouji was right, and he hated him for it. He still has his pride after all.
He also hated himself for not seeing it. He should've seen it.
His friends' lives were in his hands. Even if it wouldn't be completely his fault if they died – and he really hoped that they wouldn't even come close to that – it would still be his fault. Partly his fault. He didn't like dwelling much in that idea. He didn't want to think of the possibilities (and there were many of them) that could lead them to Death's door. He didn't want the other's to get hurt. And he certainly did not want to partly be the cause of it all.
"What are you talking about, Takuya?" He scolded himself. "You're taking Kouji's words too far."
He wouldn't admit it, but he knew that Kouji was right… at some point. Takuya knew that he himself was right as well – he was just stubborn that way.
He didn't like where this was going, though. His friends wouldn't die. He wouldn't allow it. Kouji wouldn't allow it either, and he was glad that Kouji showed that he cared, even if he said it in an angry, sort-of-accusing way.
It hurt Takuya, though, how Kouji didn't seem to care much about the brunette.
"It's obvious you don't care about yourself, I know you're not stupid enough to die."
Sure, Takuya could take care of himself. But it still hurt him how Kouji didn't seem to care about the goggle-head's life as much as he did to the others, considering that Takuya was the closest friend to Kouji amongst the five of them.
Well… maybe Kouji didn't see him as a friend, but there was no denying the fact that Takuya was the closest person to Kouji. Hell, even Takuya thought Kouji was his closest friend in the group. He could relate to him more, unlike when he talked to the other digidestined. Junpei was older than him, and saw Takuya as a friendly competition to Izumi's heart. Not that Takuya liked Izumi that way, but it was somewhat awkward to talk to someone who was jealous of you. Tomoki was younger than him, and Takuya thought of him as more of a little brother than a close friend. Izumi was a girl, and while Takuya didn't have any problem when dealing with girls, there are still some things that Takuya didn't feel comfortable with Izumi.
That left Kouji Minamoto. Sure, he was more of a 'loner' type, and was more difficult to approach to compared to the others, but Takuya felt like the bluenette was the closest friend he had. So… why wasn't Kouji worried about him as much as he did the others? What was he to him?
Kouji could've also said 'you should just go home' to Tomoki, Izumi or Junpei. So… why? Why him? Did he really hate – dislike – Takuya that much?
"Argh!" Takuya yelled, standing up. He hated thinking too much. It made his head hurt.
And right now, he hated Kouji too. Why won't the bandana-freak care about him as well? It hurt Takuya to think about him, and he didn't know why. It infuriated the boy how much Kouji affected him so much. And he really hated himself because he didn't know why he even felt like this.
Sure, Kouji didn't seem to care about him as much. But Takuya couldn't help but take it personally. Hell, the bluenette even told him to just 'go home'. Did he really want Takuya to go away that bad? It really hurt him.
Kouji hurt him.
"*** it!" He yelled yet again. "Why am I thinking like this?! Why should I care? Why won't you care?"
He needed some fresh air. Kouji was corrupting his mind; he knew it. Now he couldn't think of anything else but Kouji, Kouji, Kouji.
'Stupid Kouji!' The brunette angrily thought, which was soon followed by a colorful string of curses and inappropriate language directed to a certain freak – I mean boy – named Minamoto Kouji.
"*** it! *** it! *** it!" He yelled again, stomping out of the building. He started building up on his 'why I should hate Kouji' list. "I hate you!"
He left the building after that.
Zero*Clue: Whew! I hope I didn't make Takuya too OOC. I want to keep him and Kouji in-character, but since Kouji's words hit Takuya's heart badly, I guess Takuya is allowed to be angsty here. I think. He's still confused about his feelings for Kouji here. Hehehe. Man… I think made them too OOC.
Now click on the "next chapter" button right now! C'mon, since you read it all the way here (I assume), why not continue? It's just one chapter. Just one more chapter, and this'll be done. Pretty short, ne?
Anyways, please review!!! I'd appreciate your feedbacks, positive or not. ^^