Kingdom Of Peace

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon, if I would I wouldn't be writing this fanfic, I'd be turning it into an anime.

Summary: AU: An ancient legend. Wars seeming to be unending. The Priestess as will her Warriors. Their path difficult, tragedies awaiting them. Old memories, feelings, and destinies take hold. Will they be able to fulfill their destinies as they search for a Kingdom of Peace. (Summary hybrid between myself and Hope Night)

Chapter Two

His head lifted wearily. Piercing blue eyes gazing up at the crystal blue eyes, soft clouds rolling across it. A yank caught his attention, forcing a yelp as he stumbled forward a step or two. Losing his balance he toppled into the mud. Sprawled out, his hands chained in front of him. The chains attached to a nearby cart full of a few other prisoners. There were commands that reached his twitching slightly pointed ears followed by hoof steps. A cry escaped him as he was roughly heaved to his feet by his hair. A sharp glare setting in his eyes as the man holding his hair chuckled. "You should watch it with that face boy. Be a shame to scar something so pretty."

As a response, the boy merely spat on the man's face. It forced a growl; his body being shoved roughly to the ground. His teeth gritted together forcing back the cries of pain that wanted to escape. He would not give his captors the pleasure of hearing him scream again. Already he felt degraded knowing that they had managed to capture him along with other prisoners, or more to the point slaves. That's what they were now and he had no doubt they were being taken away to be sold. His eyes glanced to the cart. He winced slightly feeling a twinge of guilt. It was his fault they had been captured. Only one or two were soldiers. The rest were villagers. Ones that had taken he and his comrades in. His eyes lingered on the one person brave enough to gaze out at him. A young boy, perhaps a year younger then himself; light brown hair sweeping to his chin pulled back slightly. Jade eyes met his own sapphire before the boy looked away hugging the little girl who sat besides him. Her same light brown hair in small pigtails. Siblings he gathered; another twinge of pain shot through him. He was snapped out of his musings shortly there after. With a yelp he was pulled the soldiers tearing his worn shirt off. Out of the corner of his eye he could clearly see the boy look back, eyes widening. His hands were unchained each arm being held by an enemy soldier. The leader, the one who had threatened him earlier, smirked as he walked around him. Finally stopping when he was behind him.

"This is an example to any of you who think of defying us or fighting back." He spoke back to the prisoners, all of which he was sure could see him clearly. A whip cracked through the air shortly followed by his scream of agony. Blue eyes widened while his pupils contracted into mere dots. The leather whip biting into his back. Another crack sounded blood spurting the wounds, weak knees giving way only to be held up by the two soldiers. The torture went on for what felt like hours before, finally, he felt them release his arms. His body fell forward into the ground. Breathing coming in short gasps wide eyes gazing ahead, tears of pain spilling from them. He felt the warm, sticky red liquid run down his back. Pooling around his weakened form. A sharp boot collided with his side as he was forced to roll onto his back. Another scream ripped from his throat. Dirt and rocks burning the freshly made cuts. For a moment the world went black before it came back. The leader was shouting commands again. To move out. Hands heaved him up to his feet; the chains returning to his wrists. The world was spinning as the cart began to move. His feet stumbled forward; body swaying as he tiredly began to walk. Eyelids began to feel heavy. Before he could catch himself his legs gave out, body falling into the dirt. For a moment he laid still before he felt the cart begin to pull his body. He cringed trying to get up but couldn't. His body was far too weak. Another command reached his ear before he felt the cart stop. Hands grabbed his arms the chains becoming free from his wrists. He felt his body be flung back. Dirt once again stinging the wounds on his back. Another command the sound of the car moving reaching his ears. They were leaving him here. Leaving him to die…

"You can't leave him there! He's gonna die!" The voice shot through the air. It was slightly obnoxious sounding. Reminding him of someone who acted like a tough guy. His head turned limply only to see the brown haired boy had been the one to shout. His hands gripping the bars of the car eyes wide in shock. "Are you listening!? He's gonna die! You can't leave him you bastard!"

And then it happened so fact he barely realized what had happened. The cart's door swung open the leader snatching the boy by his small ponytail yanking him out. In the process shoving the little girl away as she tried to stay with him. The boy hit the ground with a wince but immediately bounced to his feet prepared to fight; despite the fear that clearly showed as his eyes flickered back to his sister. The leader spoke again hands folded behind his back. "You care so much then stay."

"What?" The boy questioned blinking dumbly.

"Stay." The leader said again before turning to his man after they had locked up the cart. "Move out."

It took a moment for the words to register. His eyes widened as he stepped towards the cart. "Chika!"

"Masaru-nii!" A little voice screamed the girl barely managing to look out the window pure terror on her face. The boy, Masaru as he could gather, started to run towards the cart. Only to be punched harshly in the gut by a soldier. Blood escaped his mouth as he fell to the ground unable to recover seemingly. The little girl continued to scream. Her voice echoing into the air until the cart was a good distance away. He gazed weakly at Masaru who stared after the truck in shock before he felt the world spin. Darkness encompassing his mind.

(-)(-)(-)

He came too slowly. Eyes slowly opening as he gazed around groggily. His eyes met the sight of a thatched wooden roof. Confused he turned his head looking around the room he had found himself in. A hay loft it appeared; his body lying in a pile of hay; a blanket acting as a mat between himself and the straws. Another blanket laid over him. Weakly he managed to push himself into a sitting position. Tired blue eyes glanced around in confusion. Trying to figure out where he was. The first thing that registered in his mind however was pain. Vines of hot white pain shot from the deep bandaged cuts. Automatically teeth sunk into his bottom lip. Splitting it in the process to try and ignore the pain. Movement caught his attention as a brown head of hair poked its way into view. The boy from earlier climbing up the ladder into the loft, jade eyes catching sight of him. Masaru (yes, he recalled that was the brunette's name) climbed faster stumbling as he came to a stop beside him.

"You shouldn't be movin'!"

"I'm fine."

"You nearly died."

"Where are we?" He asked simply ignoring the annoyed look Masaru gave him. The brunette gave a sigh flopping back into the hay.

"Some old ladies place. She's letting us crash in her barn 'till your ready to move. Her kids are pretty nice. Helped me get you up here and the girl helped bandage you up." Masaru grinned a bit looking at him. All he did however was nod simply looking around silently. Masaru watched him frowning a bit before he spoke. "Y'know you could thank me for saving your ass."

"Didn't need your help." He shot back turning his head to glare. Masaru only snorted shutting his eyes.

"Sure, whatever you say… Uh…." He stopped. His frown deepening. "Oy! What's your name!?"

He looked at him. A hand moving to push black bangs from his eyes. Normally he would try to avoid the question. He barely knew this boy. However his mind thought back to when he had been lying half dead in the dirt road. Being left for dead… "Kouji."

"Nice to meet you Kouji, name's Masaru." Despite already knowing this Kouji nodded. Looking passed his strange new companion. Brows knitting together.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Nearly a week." His eyes widened as his head turned to stare at him in disbelief. Masaru showed the truth however. Kouji was quiet gazing off blankly. Silently he shifted, moving into a standing position as he walked weakly to the ladder. Masaru was on his feet in an instant, grabbing hold of Kouji's arm. "Where the hell do you think your goin'!?"

"I'll attract trouble. I don't want to put anyone else in danger."

"Ah geeze," Masaru's jade eyes rolled as he released Kouji's arms. His tan ones moving to cross over his rest in pure annoyance. "I risked my sister and myself to help a little prick."

"I didn't want your help!" The darker haired boy snapped spinning around. He regretted it immediately. The world twisting dangerously. He felt his legs turn wobbly. Quickly losing his balance as he stumbled back. Masaru's eyes widened as he cried out reaching forward but was too late. Kouji had already fallen over the edge of the loft's ledge. His body plummeting to the ground…

But he never hit the ground. Instead he felt a lithe arm loop around his waist. Catching him from falling and quickly easing him onto the ladder. "Easy kid. C'mon let's get you back up there."

It was a female voice though Kouji couldn't place it. He was lead back to the stack of hay. Surprisingly firm hands firm as they forced him to sit before pulling away. He looked up at the figure, only to see there were two. The first was the one who had spoken to him. A girl only a year or so older then him, red colored hair pulled up into a high ponytail. Her silver dress reaching her knees. She smiled kindly looking at him with amber colored eyes. Behind her Kouji could see another. A boy, seeming to be no older then twelve, at least he guessed from his height. He was peering out from behind the girl, golden eyes looking through his mop of unruly red hair. One hand gripping the other's dress as he ducked behind her again. The girl frowned in disapproval looking slightly over her shoulder at him. "'Toru," she began in admonishment. "C'mon, no hiding. He's not going to bite."

"Don't know that for a fact," a surprisingly deep voice came from the young boy's mouth. Making him older then Kouji had suspected. Eyes peered out again from behind the girl. Gold eyes locked on Kouji. "He's a soldier after all."

"You two are the same age." That one was a surprise to Kouji. The boy was his age? He was short then; that's all Kouji could say. The red head snorted poking his head out.

"He's a soldier."

"Soldier or not, don't be rude." She chastised with an annoyed frown. With a sigh she took the bag out of the boy's hands. Turning she looked at Kouji; smiling sweetly at him. "My name's Mary, this is my little brother Hitoru. I just need to change your bandages, if that's alright with you. We don't want them getting infected."

Kouji just nodded watching the girl as she knelt beside him, opening the bag. A wince escaped him as she felt her peel away the bandages. The dried blood making it harder, and much more painful. His lip split as he bite into it, as she gently placed ointment on the wounds. Blue eyes squeezing shut as he tried to ignore the pain. She whispered a few soothing words here accompanied by the occasional 'tut, tut' as she examined the wounds. He felt her move gently bandaging them with fresh ones before completing the task. Her arms moved crossing over her chest as she looked at him with amber eyes. "Your wounds are still deep, but there a lot better then before. I'll go get you something to eat alright?"

Kouji murmured a simple, soft 'thank you' refusing to look up at her. She still smiled gently, turning to go down the later though, not without patting her brother's head. Hitoru, that was his name, turned to glare up at her in annoyance. Strange gold eyes turned landing on a pair of piercing blue ones. Only for a moment. In an instant he had turned, climbing down the ladder after his sister. It left Masaru and Kouji in silence. Distantly he heard Masaru sigh, shifting in the hay. Silence was beginning to get at both of them, though neither knew what to say. Finally it became to much for Kouji as he spoke, keeping his eyes on the ground. Voicing the question that had been bothering him for far too long. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Did you help me? Your sister…" His finger began to fiddle with a straw of hay, feeling awkward quite suddenly. It really was none of his business. He knew this very well. However; he just couldn't shake the feeling.

"Cause… You can't die," was the others soft reply, accompanied by a shrug. Kouji looked up. Confusion evident in his eyes as Masaru continued. "I… When they were beatin' ya I saw the markings on your arms."

"The one saying I'm a soldier?" Kouji questioned. Gesturing to the tattoo on his right arm in an off-handed manner. The tattoo was on his forearm. It was of a howling wolf, the moon in the background. A jagged 'L' and 'W' engraved into the moon. For a moment he looked down at it with a fond smile. Though he quickly slipped on his poker face as he looked up at Masaru. Especially when he saw the boy shake his head.

"No. Th-the other one…" Masaru mumbled, fiddling more and more with the hay. A subconscious hand rose, fingers curling around the bandaged part of his upper arm. No doubt bandaged to cover the tattoos. "M-My Mother would always tell me the stories of the Priestess of Wind and my little sis always wanted to hear 'em… Th-the Warrior of Light, sa-said to have that tattoo on his arm. Just like you."

"How d'you figure it ain't just something I did for a laugh?"

"If it was would you be looking so freaked?" They lapsed into silence again. Kouji looked away, knowing there was no use defending it. Masaru shifted again, this time looking up. "I couldn't let you die. I-I mean… The Priestess! She'll need you!"

"And who the hell says there'll be a Priestess!?" Kouji snapped his head shooting around to lock gazes with Masaru. Blue eyes sharp in an ice cold glare while jade green widened in shock from the out burst. Kouji didn't pay attention to that, standing up shakily, Masaru standing up as well. "The Priestess isn't coming! Can't you see that!? The world's going to Hell and no one girl can change that no matter how powerful she is! Thi-This damn mark, its pointless! It doesn't mean anything!"

"It means you're a Warrior of Peace! The one from Legends."

"That ones been dead! He killed himself!"

"Maybe the Priestess won't appear again cause she doesn't wanna be with a pessimistic, bastard like you!"

"What was that!?"

"You heard me! You're a bastard!" A fist collided with Masaru's face before the other could even react. The brunette fell backwards, straight into the hay again. Kouji stood where he was, though his body swayed. Arm outstretched still from the punch. Slowly his breathing steadied as he turned his back to Masaru. Moving to make his way down the ladder (despite the cry of protest his body gave).

"I'm sorry," he murmured. Just loud enough for Masaru to hear. "That you risked your sister for a bastard like me."

And with that, Kouji left Masaru.

(-)(-)(-)

"Ouch! Dammit…" Groggily Kouji awoke. Still perched on the same tree he had climbed into over an hour ago, where he had gone after the argument with Masaru. Peeking down he caught sight of the familiar red head. That short boy Hitoru. Square goggles covered his gold eyes, a pained look on his face. He was gripping his hand, flames sparking around it. Kouji felt his head tilt to the side as he gazed down. Hitoru pushing himself back to his feet giving his head a small shake. "C'mon 'Toru. No pain no gain… If another's surfaced then she'll come for ya soon. I-I gotta get ready I-I don't wanna let her-"

"Which are you?" Kouji called from his perch. A chuckle escaping him as he saw the boy below him jump in surprise. Head snapping up to look up at him.

"You!" He shouted, dramatically pointing to the darker haired one with a bandaged hand. Kouji rolled his eyes. Carefully slipping out of the tree, not taking note of the boys frown. "Where the Hell have ya been?"

"Sleeping," came his simple reply, though it was muffled by a large yawn. Arms stretching into the air, at the same time causing a wince. Hitoru's strange gold eyes rolled as he sat back on the ground, fishing a bandage out of his nearby backpack. Pulling out a roll of bandages.

"Your friend Masaru's been worried sick. Lookin' all over for ya! And here you've been nappin'." He snorted a bit. Before beginning to unravel the roll of bandages with his teeth, sloppily commencing to wrap his burnt hand. Kouji watched him in silence. The red-head looked up hesitantly before down mumbling softly. "Fire."

Kouji nodded immediately understanding. So this was a fellow Warrior of Peace. The Warrior of Fire. He sighed a bit, yanking the bandages away from Hitoru beginning to help him wrap the injured hand. "You can't control your powers."

"No really what was your first guess," came the snap followed by a roll of his eyes. Kouji glared slightly at him. Finishing with the hurt hand. Almost immediately after the red head yanked his hand away, glaring as best he could at Kouji, despite the fact the boy seemed unable to look threatening. In fact, the glare itself caused Kouji to laugh. With a huff Hitoru stood up slinging his backpack over his shoulder. "You're a jerk. Y'know that?"

"Should I care?" Kouji snapped glancing at him. Hitoru said nothing, automatically seeming to shrink back. Beginning to twiddle with a lose thread. Kouji could not help but pause looking at him. He looked… Frightened almost. "What's the matter? Scared?"

"Me? Scared? Ha!" The red head threw his head back. Releasing a loud laugh. Trying to seem braver then he truly was. Kouji snorted again rolling his eyes as well. Hitoru was quiet. Looking down once again before he shifted uneasily. "The Priestess…"

"What about her?" Kouji murmured a hand moving back to pull the rubber band from his hair sweeping to his shoulders. Fingers ran through them. He couldn't help but make a face, the dark locks were dirty. As well as tangled. A bathe was in order for as soon as possible. Annoyed blue eyes looked at the suddenly quiet red-head. The corner of his mouth twitched down, a scowl forming. "What. About. Her."

"… She isn't… She ain't coming is she?"
"Hell if I know." Came the snort as he tired his hair back up. "Why?

"Just… I'm not ready…"

"Ready for what?"

"To be her guardian…" Kouji blinked turning to look at him far more carefully. Hitoru was looking at the ground. Any walls he had put up previously suddenly broken. Now, before him sat a timid, frightened boy. Kouji released a heavy sigh moving to sit beside him. Nothing was said, Kouji mulling over his own thoughts. Finally however he spoke, softly, but strongly.

"Don't worry about something that probably won't ever happen."

"What d'you mean 'won't ever happen'!? We had the marks! That means she's been reborn!"

"And Cherubi will probably find her and kill her before she even realizes who she is. It's pointless to wait! She isn't coming." Once again they fell into a tense silence. Kouji looked ahead, not bothering to try and hold up a conversation. Hitoru too remained quiet, before standing slowly.

"C'mon, we should head back."

"I'm not coming."

"Your friend is-"

"He's not my friend! He's just some idiotic boy wh-"

"Saved your life." Hitoru finished grabbing Kouji by the arm and pulling the taller boy to his feet. A glare formed on Kouji's face, before he felt his knees buckle. He nearly fell forward. He hadn't realized how much strength he had used up. A grunt escaped Hitoru as he allowed Kouji to lean against him. Muttering something about 'heavy idiot soldiers' the two began to walk. A question lingered in the back of his mind. Blue eyes looking down at the 'leaning post' in curiosity.

"Why do you hate soldiers." It was more of a demand then a question. Hitoru grumbled even more now as they walked.

"You're all lousy bums that's why!" Kouji stared before he allowed himself to burst out laughing. The red head's head snapped up to look at him. A fanged like scowl forming. "What!?"

"Th-That isn't a real answer," Kouji managed to choke out. Head hanging back as he laughed more. Tears beginning to fall. He couldn't help it; he didn't even know why this struck him as funny. But for some strange reason it was. Maybe everything was building up inside him, causing him to finally snap. Maybe that was it. Hitoru stared at him in pure annoyance as Kouji kept laughing. His lungs began to hurt, his sides becoming sore and yet he couldn't stop. He only barely managed to choke out a simple statement. "That's a horrible reason!"

Hitoru looked at him before allowing himself too to laugh, though not as much as Kouji. "Yea, guess it is."

And that was all that needed to be said.

The walk back was done in silence. But it wasn't the tension riddled silence they'd fallen into before. It was a peaceful one.

When they arrived back Kouji was attacked by Masaru. The brunette boy really had been worried out of his mind. It caused him to smile a little. But, just a little…

It was night time when Masaru and he finally talked again. They laid in the barn's hay loft. Half-lidded blue eyes gazing lazily at the roof. His body felt like it was made out of stone, he wanted nothing more then to go to sleep. He couldn't though, a thought kept running through his head. Something he had to say before he could allow sleep to take him. "Masaru?"

"What is it?" Came a snappy reply, the brunette obviously having been nearly asleep.

"I… I want to make you a promise." Jade eyes blinked as Masaru shifted. Propping himself up on one arm while he looked at Kouji curiously. There was no need for further prompting, Kouji hesitantly continuing. "I want to promise, no swear to you. On the lives of my family, on the lives of my fallen comrades. I will find your sister, and when I do, I'll reunite you too."

"… You don't have to do that…" Masaru whispered looking away. Suddenly saddened at the remembrance of his poor baby sister. "You've got more important things, the Priestess and all…"

"I want too," Kouji found himself saying, shaking his head at Masaru's statement. "No siblings deserve to be separated. And its my fault you were, so let me do this for you. Idiot."

"Fine, on one condition."

"And that is," Kouji asked dryly hearing Masaru settle back into his hay stack.

"Train me to be stronger."

Kouji turned his head looking at him. Determined eyes met his. And all Kouji could do was nod. "Deal."

(-)(-)(-)

The memories jarred him from unconsciousness. Sleepy blue eyes opening before closing again. He groaned, turning onto his back before stretching languidly. Once again his eyes opened as he sat up rubbing the back of his neck. Yawning widely. Eyes drifted through the lit room to the window. The sun was already up, hanging in the sky like some sort of beacon. Leaves blew against the window. Pushing the unruly covers over his body he swung his legs out of the floor. Bare feet touched the floor boards as he walked to the window opening it in a fluid movement. Resting his arms against the window sill he stuck his head out. Eyes slipped shut again as he felt the wind blow again. Inhaling deeply.

Over three years had passed. Chika would be eleven by now, and Masaru would be around sixteen. A heavy sigh escaped him as he felt the wind blow at his braided hair. He had still yet to find Chika, and he had not spoken with Masaru in nearly two months.

Why had he dreamt of the past? Why? It made no sense to him. Shaking the questions from his head he allowed his eyes to opening again. The site of a bustling country town met his gaze. A ghost of a smile forming. It was nice, staying in such a small town. Even if it was only temporary.

A pinch caught his attention. Drawing him out of his thoughts. Hands moved rubbing his upper arm. Another twinge as he gripped the arm. The wind blew against him. Sweet words whispering into his ear. Eyes widened as he looked at the sky.

The winds had changed.

(-)(-)(-)

GG: Y'know when you have this really good idea, and it seems amazing at the time but ten when you start working it out its harder then you thought? XD Yea that's what happened here. The memories obviously take place a couple years before the first one.

Heh, hardest part of this chapter was making it as good as the first one. It probably isn't. Its defiantly shorter then the previous one –sweat- sorry bout that. I'll try getting a longer chapter next tome!

Not much more to say about this. Least not that I can think off. Sleepy… Gonna go sleep.

Review please, and please point out any errors you see. I know I probably missed some!