Mages and Knights
Summery: AU Takuya is the son of a poor farmer and on one day discovers he is an Elemental. Powerful people are out to get him so he travels to a School were he meets a lot of interesting people. And maybe fall in love with one of the strangest. Kouji/Takuya
Warnings: Digimon crossover, Cursing, Yoai, T rating for later chapters (This time its permanent I swear!)
Chapter name: The Fire Inside
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or anything else for that matter...
Author Notes: Thank you all for your lovely reviews. They make my world go round! I would just like to say I have started another story so for those who like Yugioh go to my profile and check it out. I would just like to say that I'm not sure how often I will update because, well, I entered school, so yeah. Anyway stay tuned.
Just as a side note: In this fic the current year is 263, OK? Cool.
"Now stand still and out your essays on your desktop," Tanshin said as he got up from his desk where he was seated waiting for his class to arrive.
Takuya sat down in his usual seat with his friends. The past week had been fun if not exhausting. The classes all were interesting if not a little boring depending on the class and teacher. Takuya pulled out his first piece of homework that he had worked on for the last three days. He had to rewrite it several times because it was unreadable; getting the information was just as hard. He didn't have as much of the education that his other classmates had and the books in the library had a lot of big words.
One of his favorite classes was one that he was naturally good at: Arithmetic. Takuya had been overjoyed when he found out that Arithmetic was a big word for math. Takuya had aced the class easily to the surprise of his friends and classmates. The teacher, Hinote had been impressed at how easy numbers and equations came to him. Hinote had even told him that if he kept the good work up he would be transferred to Advanced Arithmetic with the older years. Takuya eagerly accepted; writing numbers was a lot easier then writing letters.
Healing Aura was relatively laid back class. The teacher, Meimu was the school nurse and was kind and easy going. They studied healing salves, spells, and objects so far. Meimu had even given Takuya an overview on what to expect following the review. It seemed all the teachers gave reviews on the first few weeks of the year.
Celestial Bodies was basically a star watching and identifying class. According to Mistress Katame on certain days the stars or planets would create forms somehow shifting the planes creating holes or gates from Hell or Hades so it was important to know when it would happen to take care of it. The bad thing was that it was a nocturnal class but it was usually on Fridays so the next day they could sleep in.
Spectral Chanting was an odd class with an even odder teacher. It was usually a Seer class. Their desks were all in a circle formation with a little candle on each tabletop. Takuya had been scared out of his wits when the teacher snuck up behind him on the first day. Spectral Chanting was where you learned how to get in tune with the planes for the Seers or Earth for Takuya. They would look over ways to get become 'one' with the plane. Takuya had no idea why he was here.
History of the Users was still boring as hell.
Maki had been true to his words and after stretching, he would take the beaten students off to the side and fixed their errors while the others spared. Takuya would end up exhausted afterwards. It didn't help that it seemed that Ryo had a grudge against Takuya after the first class while the other beaten would now being friendly with him. It looked like standing a certain amount of time against a Lone Wolf won their respect.
His tutoring lessons had been going well but that depends on your definition of well. Ken was a genius prodigy that believed that hard work was a remedy to Takuya's nonexistent education. He was a mostly emotionless but sometimes a kind tutor that helped Takuya on not only his work but his homework. Takuya was now really glad that Tanshin signed him for tutoring. And maybe he could get closer to Kouji by hanging with his best friend.
Kouji had almost been like he was ignoring Takuya. Takuya would watching him from afar and wonder what he did to get treated like this. Takuya and Kouji had been having a good time before they came here so what happened? Did Kouji think his reputation would get ruined if he hung out with a loser like Takuya? He was always hanging out with the other Wolves especially Ken. Takuya would sometimes wish that he was one of them just to hang out with Kouji.
This is what has been irking Takuya lately. Takuya would try to focus on his studies or his friends when Kouji's face would appear in his mind or something would remind him of Kouji. His face blushed and his body heated up when he thought of Kouji. And the worse part is that he didn't have anyone to talk with. He just felt too embarrassed and somehow ashamed of his feelings to talk with Juri, who knew a little or Takato. But the thing he noticed as the week progressed is that his feelings were building up inside and slowly increasing. At the beginning he would just feel impressed by Kouji's looks or his strength but now he just felt sad when he walked by not even looking at him. Takuya had to try his best to ignore it.
Takuya put his essay on the desk and, in a flurry of papers, all the other essays including his floated on top of Tanshin's desk. Tanshin quickly checked the number of essays to insure that all had been turned in.
He addressed the class, "Now that we have covered the basics on Knights, Mages, and Seers we will move on to cover Wizards, Enchanters, and, an added part on the curriculum, Elementals." Most of the students glanced at Takuya as he ignored them by unscrewing the lid off the inkwell.
The little levitating piece of chalk flew again to the blackboard. The chalk has even better handwriting Takuya thought as he enviously watched it. I'm jealous of a piece of chalk, when did I become mental?
"Now, Enchanters are the User that transfers their magic into or onto objects," Tanshin began lecturing. Takuya felt his eyes shift over to the back row as much as he couldn't stop them.
Kouji, Ryo, and the navy haired teen and the blonde that Takuya had yet to learn the names of were all lounging around. The navy teen suddenly looked up and locked eyes with Takuya who jumped. He had soft green eyes that seemed to smile slightly. Takuya gave a small unsure smile back. As he turned to face the front again he saw that Ryo had engaged with the teen in a not so friendly whispered conversation.
Takuya frowned. Just because he had a spar with him and he didn't exactly win he was now on Ryo's hit list. Not fair! What was he suppose to do? Let Ryo slice him like cheese?
"An Enchanter channels the magic from herself or himself into the object or from others," Tanshin said looking for inattentive students. Funny, how Kouji and his friends all seemed to snap to attention just before the teacher located them. "But, unlike Mages, they don't need to be bonded to transfer the magic since the only humans who have magic are the Five Users of Magic who can not be bonded to other Users."
Takuya mentally cursed at the stupid pen as it slipped from his fingers. Suddenly it came shooting back up onto the desktop and landed with a small thump. Takuya looked at Takato, who was the only Mage in the group, but he was paying attention to the teacher. Takuya looked around confusedly and then spotted the navy haired boy gazing calmly at him. He blinked and slowly turned back to the front. Creepy.
"The Enchanters use runes or the written language of magic to convert the object into a magical artifact. A specific rune charms the object to do a specific function. According to Mibea Iroka, a well known Enchanter who died during the War of the Canted in 123, there are 149 runes in existence but only 145 are to be used. Can anybody tell me why?" Tanshin asked and picked a girl near the back.
"The four runes of the Dark Seeker," she recited promptly. Takuya noticed that Juri, who was seated next to him shivered slightly. "Are the four forbidden runes that where declared dangerous by Queen Naname in 249 after her son was trapped in-" she broke off unexpectedly, looking down.
Tanshin nodded solemnly. "Yes, it was a horrible time for the Royal family and ever since anyone who has been reported to use one of them would be cast into the Ever Realm." The entire classroom shifted uncomfortably. Takuya wondered uneasily what happened to Naname's son and what are these four runes of the Dark Seeker? And what's the Ever Realm? Maybe he would go to the library after all; no one here seems to want to discuss it.
Tanshin cleared his throat, "Now many of you are wondering why I am bringing this up?" Most of the students nodded. "This is an important part of history and a severe warning to any of you who are willing to write those runes if you know them." He looked sternly at all his students and said softly, "But I would hope not."
This made Takuya even more apprehensive and curious. What happened all those years ago?
"Now," Tanshin said slightly more cheerful. "A rune can react differently to the object depending on the material the object is made of. Can some one tell me what, at any cost, can you not write a rune on?" Tanshin said. "Yes, Juri?"
"The most basic rule of an Enchanter," Juri said cheerfully. "Is to never, ever, charm a human, User or not."
"Can you tell me why?" The little piece of chalk was now running out of room on the blackboard; it had filled all the way to the bottom.
"Of course! If the charm is too powerful it can make the person explode literally," she said. Takuya wondered how she could say it with such a cheerful voice.
"Correct Juri," Tanshin said as he waved a hand at the blackboard. The full board was now empty. "To the second order of business! Wizards." The chalk wrote the word 'Wizard' in big and curvy letters. How he hated that piece of chalk! He knew it was laughing at him he just knew it.
"Any Wizards in the area?" he asked and three people raised their hands. "Yes, as you've noticed Wizards are sparingly rare in comparison to the other four Users not including Elementals. Now like Seers, Wizards have the ability to open a gate but they can open into Hell since they have Demonic magic as their core magic. Demonic magic is like that of Spectral magic in Hades. It's the main satiability of Hell.
Now to the inhabitants of Hell," Tanshin continued as Takuya drew slightly back. He didn't like these inhabitants after his last experience with one. "A Wizard can open a gate to call forth a demon or daemon depending on his or her power and experience. What is the difference between the two?" There's a difference?
This time the navy haired Wolf was picked to answer. "Lee?"
He answered in a clam assertive voice, "A demon is a low-level creature of Hell who is mostly made of the spirits of deceased animals such as cats, dogs, or other small animals. Now a daemon is much more powerful than a high-level demon because they are usually created by human rituals with the body of an animal of prey like snakes, wolves, hawks or sometimes horses and larger animals."
"Correct Lee," Tanshin said approvingly. It must have been a demon that bit Takuya otherwise he would have died and Ken also said so. "Now it's dangerous for a demon or daemon to roam Earth because even the lowest of demons can kill a non-User but the good thing is that only a demon who has been invited to Earth by a Wizard can enter. But if a demon breaks the controls spell while on Earth it can go on a killing spree as it has happened in the past. That is why you need a license from the king after graduating."
Takuya listened raptly and looked sideways. Kouichi and Takato were taking notes while Juri and he listened. Daisuke was the only one staring into space. It amazed Takuya that Daisuke had passed to 3rd year doing what he does. He hadn't seen Daisuke even open a textbook.
"You can identify the controller of the demon or daemon by looking at the symbol that appears on it when the control spell is activated. The Wizard can disguise it by putting his blood on it but that may wash away so there's no guarantee that it will stay hidden," the teacher said walking around the room so the students had to look over their shoulders to see him.
"Now on to our newest and oldest User, the Elemental. This User is pretty straight forward. An Elemental can channel the power of the chosen God into our plane from the Kamigami Court of Hades were the Gods reside," Tanshin smiled at Takuya. They were all staring at him again.
"Controlling the power of one of the Gods is very hard to do. It often takes years to suffice," Tanshin explained. "Sometimes it gets out of control and a natural disaster occurs as the result. Now the last hundred there hasn't been an Elemental until now. Why? No one knows why till this day."
Tanshin walked calmly to the front of the room and turned to face the class. The chalk was poised and ready on an empty board. "Now all that the Users have in common is that they use magic and where does that magic come from? Every person in the world has a magical core but only those with the magic in his or her blood can activate it. It is the beginning and end of our magic." He looked at the board and the chalk disappeared, unraveling into the floor as dust.
"To control our magic we must connected with our core. Everyone stand, please."
The class rose and Juri dragged Takuya to the wall with the rest of the class. Tanshin closed his eyes and the whole classroom brightened as if someone lighted a million lamps in the room. Takuya closed his eyes and shielded them. When the light dimmed all the desks and benches disappeared to be replaced with several rugs on the floor, one for each student.
"Right everyone take out your Meters and choose a rug," Tanshin said as the class did with much shuffling and pushing. Takuya got a rug near the wall with Daisuke and Kouichi. The other two were at the other end. Kouji was at the other end with them Takuya noticed. Takuya placed his Meter in the sport in front of him like all the others.
"You know the drill, begin!" Tanshin ordered and the whole class sat crisscross and closed their eyes. Takuya looked on as they all took a deep breath in sync like one person. What are we doing?
Tanshin walked to Takuya and squatted next to him. "Right, Takuya," he whispered as the class breathed like one being. "Try to breathe in for seven seconds then out of seven like the others. While you're doing that look inside your self and try to locate your core and try to activate it just a little even though I doubt you will. This will be harder for you than the others but even more important. You don't have the blood to open it but by the force of your will you should be able. Good luck!" He walked away back to his desk.
Takuya blinked; his core? Was his core the part of him that the pedestal probed him at? It was the one that spread his power through out his body. If that was true then he could control how much power went into his body and he wouldn't blank out and forget who he was during a temper flash! Takuya thought excitedly. Takuya waited until the class took a breath in and followed the pattern.
Seven in, seven out, seven in, seven out. Takuya mentally counted in his head as he breathed. This went for about five minutes before Takuya began to feel irritated. It wasn't working. Takuya opened his eyes to see that some of the Meters in front of the students were glowing softly. The Meter must be measuring your magic or something. Takuya frowned, how come they could do it and he couldn't? Did it have to do with the blood?
Takuya was so absorbed with his rant he didn't notice that he was unconsciously still breathing in the pattern. Takuya closed his eyes determined to get it. The whole room was quiet the only sound was the breathing that sounded like one big sigh every time. Takuya's irritation slowly melted away as the silence of the room lulled him to the peacefulness. The world slowly melted away only allowing his counting to penetrate his mind.
It was only him and his blank mind. He was no longer counting; his body continued the pattern on its own. Seven in, seven out, seven in, seven out he went. It was so calm almost like a temper flash except there was no power, no fire, only he and his mind. He felt so at home inside his self. Takuya was floating softly as he forgot the instructions, the world, Kouji, his worries; it was only he and his mind.
It was dark in his mind. Not scary darkness that you didn't know what was out there. This darkness was inviting, sheltering him from the world. It was so comfy and warm here, he didn't want to leave. Suddenly a tiny, tiny almost minuscule, almost nonexistent light appeared. Right in front of him away from the darkness that sheltered him. Takuya huddled back in his blankets of the dark. The light wanted him to leave this place but the light was dangerous. He didn't want to go.
But the light was still there, blinking softly, disturbing his dark. Why couldn't that light go away? It would never leave him alone in peace. Takuya tore himself away towards the light wanting to squish it out. He floated towards it. He dark became lighter and lighter the closer the got to the light. The light instead became brighter and bigger. The color changed from red to yellow to orange to bronze then back to red again. Takuya felt the light and now a scorching heat pushing him back.
Takuya steeled himself in determination as he push forward intent on getting to the source of the light to get rid of it. The light was blinding him; he didn't know exactly where to go just the general direction of it. The heat was so hot it reminded him of something else he couldn't remember at the moment. He was close, so close to the source; he could feel it.
It pushed him back twice as much as when he moved forward. The force was even stronger as he called all his strength into one single bound past the light and the heat into the source. He grabbed the red pulsing ball of light.
Takuya was rudely pushed out of his meditation as a bolt of pure power shot into his whole body. His eyes shot opened and they turned dark red. The Meter in front of him burst apart in the form of fire as the other students around him yelled and pulled away. Takuya's grip on his core slipped away and his power receded back inside.
His eyes turned back to his normal brown. He felt a bit out of it and his eyesight turned slightly fuzzy. He rubbed them.
"Takuya are you all right?" He looked up to see Tanshin looking worriedly at him. All that was left of his Meter was a small burn mark on the rug and even that had been nearly burned away. All the students, even his friends, stared at him in awe and some looked a little frightened.
"I think," he said as his eyes can back into focus.
Tanshin nodded and said to the class, "This is enough for today class dismissed. Takuya stay please." The class packed up with suspicious looks to Takuya while his friends sent him confused and worried looks. Takuya smiled at them as if telling them not to worry. It occurred to him that this was the first time that they saw his magic.
When the class room was empty Takuya walked in front of Tanshin's desk. Tanshin looked at Takuya for a long moment making him feel uncomfortable.
"Takuya," he finally said. "It is very important for you to tell me ever detail of what you felt or saw during your core-seeking meditation." Tanshin looked dead serious so Takuya did as he was told.
He told Tanshin how everything faded away then the welcoming darkness. The lighted ball of heat and light that disturbed his dark and kept pushing him back. Tanshin listened attentively. After Takuya ended Tanshin sat thoughtfully for a moment.
"Well," he said slowly. "What you have described is relatively different from the others even more so than I thought previously. The best I can make out is that you successfully went inside your self with some difficulty but that will get easier over time. If you keep improving at that rate you'll be able to manage to control and use your power just like the others here."
Takuya anxiously nodded. It would be wonderful to be able to call on his power and not have the fear of hurting someone unintentionally especially his new found friends. It would break him if his friends were scared away from him by that like the others back home. Takuya still remembered the loneliness before he found Mimi; she was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He would often wonder how he would be today if he never met her.
"It's your own body that tries to expel you," Tanshin said. Takuya looked confused at him. How had his body tried to expel him? Tanshin noticed this and continued, "The darkness you felt was your body keeping you from reaching your core because it recognizes that you aren't a User until it actually activates unintentionally. And your core also helped pushing you back from it but the barriers will start to break down after time."
He looked at the clock on the wall. "It's time for your next class soon; hurry along." Takuya nodded and grabbed his bag from near the wall and walked to the door. He had put his hand on the knob when Tanshin called, "Takuya?" He looked back at his teacher. "Promise me you won't try to meditate outside this classroom until I say so."
Takuya smiled, "I promise." And he left.
Takuya was walking back from Aura Healing class alone because his next class was Weapon Training and Takato and Daisuke had to run and get their weapons. Takuya had packed his by accident this morning. How? He didn't know but passed it as good luck.
He walked outside with minimal wrong turns. Once or twice he had to ask passing students the way. Some glared at him and ignored him but other either swooned or answered with unintelligible whimpers. Takuya dismissed it and asked passing teachers instead; he got much better answers. Now finally on the right track he was exiting the back halls into the back area of the school. The sun hit him in the eyes as he looked sideways. Most of the students were outside either hanging out or coming from the training hold. Takuya found out that some of the Knights or Mages came there on their free time to practice on wooden dummies or with each other. Ridiculous if you ask him. They get enough of a work out at class so why more?
Takuya started down the path on the left towards the training area but stopped. In front of the doors the path split into tree paths. One to the training area, one to the lake (that he learned was called the silver lake because in the winter it freezes and looks like silver), and one off to the right that he didn't know where it went. Takuya stood indecisive for a moment than his curiosity won over; he had a few minutes to spare.
He quickly walked down the path, his shoes making soft crunching noises. The laughter and voices of the other students chilling came with the wind. For a moment he felt the overwhelming desire to join them then continued walking. He came around the side of the school and saw a big, low ceiling building with sliding wooden doors. Next to it was a bigger higher and circular one with no doors, just a big entrance into it. Takuya curiously approached the smaller square one and wrinkled his nose. The smell was none too pleasant.
He stopped at the door when he heard snorting noises and quickly checked to make sure no one was around then slid the heavy door aside. The smell grew stronger and Takuya reached out a hand along the wall looking for a light switch or something. He found a small button and pressed it. Lamps along the walls lit up and Takuya jumped.
The place was filled with stalls and guess what was in them? Horses. Several of the big animals all looking at him. Takuya nervously gulped and started to back away when he heard a familiar bark at him. He hesitated then slowly inched his way to the other end his eyes watching for any sign of aggression from the horses. None came; they just stood there watching him calmly and curiously. He found his way past a big Arabian horse and into a big stall with no door to open and close. He looked up expecting to see another of the animals but instead he found himself looking into wise gold eyes.
Rappa.
So this was where he went. Takuya smiled, more at peace with his surroundings and walked into the stall. Rappa was on the floor with his legs neatly tucked under him, his ears turned to face the new arrival. Takuya gingerly sat down next to him after making sure the floor was clean. Takuya brushed his fingers across the thick chestnut fur. The aura around the deer was one that brushed his worries momentarily.
Rappa closed his eyes and Takuya chuckled. He sat there for a while listening to the noises of the horses in the stable until Rappa nodded his head to the doorway. Takuya looked confused then his eyes widened. His class! Takuya quickly stood up and promised Rappa he would visit later and dashed off. Rappa looked at the back of Takuya as he ran out and laid his head on his legs and seemed to smile.
He ran across the field. It would take longer to go on the path so he cross the field right at the training area hoping against hope that he would be on time. Who knew what Maki does to students who got their late? The small waves lapped on the shore near the silver lake as he ran. The landscape blurred as he ran, full on sprinting at the training grounds. This is why he promptly crashed into someone.
Takuya fell right on his butt, his bag went flying onto the ground a few feet away but the thing that hurt the most was the high pitched shriek that nearly burst his ears.
"Oh my Gods! Look what you did!" Takuya sat up to see a mud splattered girl on the ground surrounded by other girls looking as furious as her. Takuya met eyes with her to reveal blue eyes. Izumi. Her friends all helped her get off the ground while she groaned about her clothes. Suddenly she turned to Takuya with fire in her eyes as he stood up.
"What did you do that for?" she said angrily and her friends spread out to make a semicircle around Takuya making him nervous. Girls didn't like to fight did they?
"Look," Takuya tried to say firmly but you try to stand against six pissed off girls. "I'm sorry I was late to class and I wasn't looking at where I was going."
The red head sixteen year old bristled, "Well, you should have! Izumi's dress is ruined." Takuya looked at Izumi's shockingly pink dress under her cape. It had a few smudges but other than that it looked fine.
"No it isn't," Takuya said backing slightly away to stand next to a big oak tree. "Just wash it and I'm sure it will be fine." He had to go, he was really late now.
Several girls gasped in shock. Izumi glared at him. "I can't wash this! It'll lose its color!" Takuya doubted that; that dress was so pink he knew he could see it from a mile away literally. "You did this on purpose!"
Takuya frowned. If there was one thing he truly hated other than his temper flashes was being wrongly accused of something. He stood straight and crossed his arms. "Look, I said I was sorry. I didn't do it purposely, why would I?"
Suddenly the girl he had seen at Weapon Training walked forward and said quietly, "You're Takuya Kanabara aren't you?" Her eyes defied him to lie.
Before Takuya had the time to answer Izumi laid a hand on the girl's shoulder and smirked at him, "Well, if it isn't the famous Elemental who amazes us with the power of the Gods." Takuya had to push his irritation and anger back at the mocking tone. "Just as I thought." She looked back at her friends who were smiling nastily.
Takuya narrowed his eyes. He didn't have time to deal with petty girls. "What's that suppose to mean?" he asked suspiciously. Takuya noticed that the students around the field and lake were beginning to notice.
She flicked her hair over her shoulder and replied in the same mocking tone, "You are just a poor peasant who arrived here by charity of the school."
Takuya fisted his hands and breathed deeply. Even if she was a total jerk she didn't deserve to be burnt alive. "What do you mean charity?" he ground out.
"Do you really think you'd be here if you weren't a User," she sneered. "You don't even have the blood. The only reason you're here is because you're a threat to the kingdom."
Takuya staggered slightly his eyes widening. It was true what she said, he really was a threat to the kingdom but no, he was going to learn to control his power.
Izumi saw Takuya's stagger and dived in again, "Actually you are a threat to everyone here. You could as easily kill a person as a bug."
Takuya shook his head, "I would never do that!"
Her blue eyes shinned with malice, "It doesn't matter if you would have." She pointed her finger at him, "You have no control over your power. You have no heart; you could kill a village and not feels any remorse whatsoever. Why do you think those losers hang out with you?"
Takuya didn't reply. Any other time he would have defended his friends but Izumi was cutting him up. Her every word was Takuya's deepest fears come true. It was as if she knew just where to hit him to make him bleed even more.
"They fear you," a purple haired girl said smugly and Takuya fell apart inside. They feared him? Now that Takuya thought about it he could see the reasoning behind his friend's ever action. Juri must have known about him; she was always acting so nice, it was obvious that she did it to protect herself and Kouichi… He introduced Takuya to Daisuke and Takato. Takuya had just thought that Kouichi wanted to meet his friends but now Kouichi did that because he wanted to get his friends on his good side.
Takuya started to tremble, his eyes widening in realization. All along they had fooled Takuya pretending to be his friends so they wouldn't get hurt. By the monster that he was. He felt the bitter taste of loneliness and betrayal came back from the depths of his fears. The loneliness always came back even when he was with Mimi, his so-called friends because in the end he knew they would hate him for something he had no control over. He cared deeply for them even if they hated him; he would never intentionally hurt them but the problem was that he could in a temper flash.
Now it came at him even harder. Not only his village and Mimi but now the whole kingdom was at stake. Millions of people could die because of him.
Izumi was standing in front of him in triumph. The disgust on her face just made the words cut deeper. Was that the way Kouji and other people looked when he wasn't around? Why? Why did he have to be burdened with this power? He was even unnatural among the Users. He was a fool for believing that anyone could like him as a friend for what he was. He was a monster.
"Why?" he croaked trying to contradict her feebly. "I never did anything to you." Apparently that was the wrong thing to say.
Her eyes turned to ice and her smirk turned into a hideous frown. "You," she hissed fisting her hands at her side while her friends all glared at him. Now the other students definitely noticed the argument. "What do you think?" she shrieked.
Takuya drew back a little but remained somewhat resistant. It was this habit he developed, when something truly hit home but acted defensive and tried to cover it at best as he could. "I dunno," he blinked.
"You don't deserve him," she raged leaving Takuya even more confused. His hand reached for his bag but the Knight girl kicked it away. "He was mine before you came. You ruined it!"
"Who are you talking about?" he asked as he backed away.
"Who do you think?" she whispered her bangs shadowing her face. "With him we could be perfect but…" She trembled in rage. "You don't deserve Kouji!" she said softly but furiously.
Takuya stopped surprised. What... Kouji? What did he have to do with this? How did he fit in this weird puzzle?
"He deserves him even more than you," a familiar voice said behind him.
Takuya's heart throbbed painfully as he slowly turned around. Standing behind him was all the people who he called his friends. Kouichi and Juri stood with Takato and Daisuke who had their weapons with them. Tai and Hazu stood right behind them standing tall. Why…why where they here? He looked Juri in the eye and only saw defiance and rage towards Izumi. Didn't they fear him? Why were they here standing at his side? What more could they do to him?
They walked steadily until they stood in a line with Takuya. He looked around confused. Nothing made sense anymore.
"Kouji is mine!" Izumi raged at them. People were now clustering around the group sensing a fight.
Kouichi looked at her and steadily said, "My brother never belonged to anyone. He is his own self."
"No he's mine! I spent all my life wanting him and I will have him," she said as her friends stood at her side ready to face off with the gang's.
Hazu 'tutt'ed at her, "You know you're hot but you're a real bitch."
"Take that back!" the sixteen year old redhead screamed at him. All the other students around the field were now watching and huddled into different groups whispering while others, mostly boys, were watching with anticipation.
Tai stepped forward, "Actually that's true Sora. You should accept that. I don't know why you hang out with people like this. We use to be best friends, Sora." His tone was filled with pain and sorrow. Takuya looked at him. He use to be friends with Sora? What happened that drew them apart?
Sora's eyes widened and drew back surprised then smirked, "You know why, Tai. Don't try to hide it. You betrayed me and you were the one who destroyed our friendship." She pointed at him. But Takuya saw that maybe just maybe she actually craved it. Friendship. Somehow Tai betrayed her maybe just how his friends did. They tricked him they fear him, that was the bane of his existence. He would always be alone.
This time Tai grew angry. "You know perfectly well that I couldn't stop it, Sora. You fell the same way," he yelled.
Takato and Daisuke stood on either side of Takuya as if they wanted to protect him. Why? Why would they protect him? If they fear him wouldn't they be better off watching from the sidelines. Why go thru the risk of getting hurt to protect him? Takuya's head hurt and well as his heart. What was going on!
"Shut up!" she screeched.
"No we will not shut up," Juri said looking with loathing at Izumi who stared back just as fiercely. Must have some bad past or something. "We came up pick up one of our own."
Takuya gazed at her as she said those words, one of our own. Own… Takuya felt strangely weightless as she said those words. He and Juri locked eyes. "I don't know what Izumi told you but the only thing she says is lies," she whispered and smiled.
They don't fear him? All that they said were lies. He looked at his little group of friends as if for the first time and they all smiled. They cared…they truly cared for him. As friends not because of fear but friendship. Takuya felt so relived it was almost comical. He was so stupid to believe Izumi. Who was he going to trust Juri or Izumi? His eyes shined with happiness. He finally felt like he belonged somewhere.
Izumi saw his change of emotion. She shrieked in frustration, "You idiots! You ruined it!"
"What did we ruin?" Daisuke asked confused. Takato and Kouichi narrowed their eyes.
"He is the only thing stopping Kouji from loving me," she huffed and pointed at Takuya. "That, that, commoner! It's an outrage! The only way I could dispose of him was to do it emotionally and I found his weakness." Her eyes shinned with malice intent.
So all of this was because Izumi thought that he was stopping Kouji from loving her. How on Earth could he do that? He hadn't talked with Kouji since he had barely seen him so how did she come up with that conclusion?
Takato shook his head, "You can't stop something like that Izumi it beyond human reach."
Daisuke agreed, "Yeah, it comes to all of us." What were they talking about?
"How would you know?" the purple haired girl sneered. Both Takato and Daisuke blushed slightly.
"None of your business," Daisuke mumbled.
"All of you are lesser than mud," Izumi said then looked sideways at Takuya. "But at least that better than what you are." Her eyes screamed mercilessly you're a monster.
He flinched and drew back. His friend's faces all darkened at the six smirking girls.
"What did you tell him?" Juri whispered and Kouichi stepped forward.
"You should know," Izumi said smugly and suddenly the air was filled with shouts.
Juri was screaming at Izumi and vise versa. The air rang with so many shouts that he couldn't tell who said what or what they were saying. All had red faces from shouting. His ears rang and his head pounded. He couldn't think all the voices pushed his thought back into his head. Couldn't hear, couldn't think, and couldn't realize what was happening. He was started to panic as his heat sped up. He couldn't take it much longer.
He watched as his friends yelled in his defense. The others were also yelling but insults to them. His blood started to boil. His friends were defending him. They didn't deserve to be yelled at if anything he did. They were against him not them. Nobody hurts my friends he thought and in a sudden jerk of power went inside himself.
It was just as dark as before and the comfort was wrapping around him. Takuya's mind fell into a soft buzz but he snapped out almost instantly. My friends need me and I will help them. He pushed past the darkness that clung to him and straight towards his core. The power of his core pushed him back, blinding him but he still went forward the urgency of his friends fueling him. He was so close and just a little more… Almost there! Takuya steeled himself and grabbed it firmly.
The power that surged into him, jerked himself out. He fought to keep a firm hold on the vibrating core. His real eyes opened turn a deep red like that of blood and fire from corner to corner. Fire leapt out of the sky, ground, trees, himself. They reacted to his core which was vibrating even stronger and grip started to fade. Fire danced on the ground calling him, twirling around their master. Takuya's mind was strangely blank, no thought came to him but only a small part of him was actually aware of what he had to do. A scream pierced his mind and, thru the ten-foot flames, he saw twelve figures backing away trying to get away from the heat of this fire.
He saw a hazy blonde figure and the urge to get her away increased. He extended a hand and called his fire. Fire ran down the giant oak tree and across the ground like bright shadows towards that girl. He heard yells as the fire circled her trapping her in a fire tornado. He distinctly felt grim satisfaction.
Then he felt his fire being penetrated by several fast moving figures. Sensing danger his fire bunched in front of the other six figures that were protected by a firm wall of fire. Then his grip slipped and a strong surge flared inside him. All the fire rose twice as high and strong. The wall of fire flared and the six figures yelled as the wall arched towards them. He felt a small panic and urgency and doubled his grip on his strongly pulsing core. Some of the power retreated and the fire drew back to its normal height.
His walls were being penetrated, he knew that. From his fire he could only see several fast blurs. He felt anger leaping into his being. Why were they in his territory? With his anger came a slip of control just as four blurs came at him. Fire grew from the ground around his feet and grew into a fire tornado spiraling outwards pushing back the blurs that came from every angle. They disappeared into his furnace.
A soft awareness came from nowhere and he tried to grip his core again. But somehow his consciousness felt blurry and heavy. His inner hand reached slowly again for his core but it became even heavier and his fire slowly drew back into him. Then three of the blurs, moving a bit slower since he could get a glance of yellow and blue, ran around him kicking up dust blinding him. His red eyes flashed as he made a huge effort and once again got a firm hold. His fire tornado sprouted from the ground and pushed outwards, it seemed that his was his main defense. The blurs arched backwards still running around away from the fire, the dust blinding him.
Then he felt something hard and quick fall downwards from the sky. "I'm sorry, Takuya," a deep familiar voice echoed in this ear. The last thought he had before he fell into the dark was, Kouji?
It was dark but not like his core dark. No, this was a deep dark that could swallow you with out second thought. It was as deep as the night sky. He felt a soft current of air that chilled him. Where was he?
The dark moved slowly changing form and color. The dark changed into stone gray walls that were as smooth as silk. The dark under his feet solidified and turned into a kind of stone that looked like the purest ice but as he was placed onto its surface, felt it wasn't as slippery. His reflection shined back at him looked as confused and lost as he did. All the dark changed and he closed his eyes thinking, where the hell am I?
When he opened his eyes he saw a large circular room with silky stone walls with an ice-like floor. He shifted his eyes and started as he saw the middle of the room. Right in the middle of the ceiling was a skylight but it wasn't light that shone thru no this was more of silver and gray light that looked like moonlight and shadows. The weird light shone down onto a freaky but perfect-looking illusion.
Or it looked like an illusion anyway. Strings and yarn of light spilled from the walls and moved with their own will. They were everywhere crawling, running eternal light of strings. Takuya looked down and saw some of them crawling around the floor in between his feet. The looked like that light at the stone entrance room but these had purer color. They were all so different in color and sizes. Some were the lightest of color, blue and yellow, so light that they were almost white. Forest greens, sea blues, fire reds, night black, all the color imaginable were here, each string a different color. Some strings were so short that they were barely and inch long but others grew from the wall as long as the room.
They all went to one place, the middle. There the strings all twisted around other strings weaving in and out, up and around, sideways and down, all dancing to a similar rhythm. It was as if the strings were being woven by invisible hands, hands made from the weird light that shone down on in. The lights made a big and at the same time so small, tapestry of some sorts. The lights were alive wriggling like graceful worms each knowing their own place in the great tapestry of light.
Takuya looked into it and he saw pictures: forest and cites he never visited, people he never knew, animals he had no clue what they were. The color of the light shifted creating images that left Takuya even more confused. The whole room had an untouchable aura as if this place hasn't been touched by human hands. Takuya drew out of his shock as strings of light shot from the wall into the tapestry right past his face and wove themselves in the dance.
"Where am I?" he asked to the lights. His voice was strangely absorbed into the walls leaving no echo that he had been sure would come. All this unnerved him greatly.
Then someone said behind him in an ageless, emotional voice, "Welcome young mortal."
Ha ha ha! Chapter is finished. Praise me! Oh, you what to know what will happen next? Well, then you have to wait until the next chapter comes out my friends. Review and they will come all the quicker I promise. 8th grade is so degrading I tell you anyway I may not update as much but I will try. Review! Now! Please?
