"Sir, there are signs of rebellion among the new recruits," a quivering Digimon said to a strange figure sitting on a throne

"Sir, there are signs of rebellion among the new recruits," a quivering Digimon said to a strange figure sitting on a throne. "I'll take care of them later," the figure purred, waving an elegant hand. "Any other reports?" The Digimon looked down. "According to spy reports, your brother has been reported around certain areas, seen in the company of Count Yamato and Duchess Sora." The figure seemed shocked, interested, and full of hatred all at once. "Hmm, dismissed," it said coolly, waving a hand again. The Digimon bowed and slowly backed out of the room. "Interesting," the figure said, thoughtfully examining scarlet colored nails. "My long lost brother, my enemy, and my soon to be husband. The plot twists and turns. I will just have to stir this pot and see what floats up." It then started cackling madly, the sound echoing eerily in the cavernous chamber.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Come on Davis, wake up," something stirred Davis from his warm nest of quilts and sheets. "Just a little more, Mama," he muttered and turned. He heard a snort and a good deal of suppressed laughter. Then he thought he was having a heart attack. "DAVIS! WAKE UP!" He thrashed around before falling to the ground with a very loud thump. "All right, all right, I'm up," he grumbled, coming to his feet. He then saw Takeru, fully dressed, grinning at him. "Sorry to disturb your sleep, Sleeping Beauty," he said. Davis yawned and moaned, "What time is it?" "Dawn," Takeru answered, tossing a set of practice clothes to him. "Hurry up, breakfast is starting." Davis grumbled, but pulled on the clothes and followed Takeru. They went down a hallway and ended up in a large hall. They sat at one of the large tables, helping themselves to porridge, fruit, and juice. Davis yawned, but enjoyed the fact that he now had plenty to eat a breakfast. Soon the meal was over.

Everyone got up and hurried to a pair of doors. "First years here!" Yamato yelled above the uproar. A number of kids went to him. Takeru motioned for Davis to follow him. Yamato lead them into a small classroom. He faced them as they settled themselves into the varied chairs around the room. He picked up a thick walking stick. "Now, fighting isn't everything. It should only be used if absolutely necessary. It is also a delicate art. In this school, you will not be just sparring everyday, you will also be learning about philosophy, chivalry, and academics. Those are important skills that will come in handy someday." He snapped the stick calmly. "Any questions?" Everyone shook his or her head. Yamato turned to a long curtain in front of the room. As he opened it, he continued his lecture. "Good, now as we- ah!" For the minute the curtain had gone up, a strange drawing was on the board behind it. It was actually very funny, but the students didn't dare laugh out loud. There were two pictures, one obviously of Yamato and the other Sora. They were very crude, but noticeable. Hearts were drawn in-between the two. Written in very bold and large letters was Yamato Loves Sora! There were other scattered profanities written all around. Yamato turned red, as some of the braver students muffled giggles. "Tai!" he yelled. There was a loud thumping of feet and someone skidding. Tai rushed into the room, panting. "You called?" he mock-glared at Yamato. Yamato just crossed his arms and tapped his foot. "What's the matter?" Yamato just pointed to the board. Tai glanced at it, and started chuckling, then laughing. Yamato looked like he was going to explode. "You did this, didn't you?" Yamato shouted. "You son of a-"

But something had stopped him. The class and Tai turned around to the doorway and saw Sora standing there. But she looked absolutely furious. She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. "What is the meaning of this?" she said in a soft, dangerous voice. "Well-" Yamato started. "Why are you making a racket and shirking your duty Ishida-san?! Aren't you supposed to be teaching the first years instead of screaming out the whole world! I was trying to get some rest after a long night and this what you do?! For God's sake Yamato, this is a school!" Sora screamed. Yamato cowered down at Sora's fury. Tai smirked at him. Sora turned around and faced Tai. Although she was slightly shorter than him, he was cowed by the furious look on her face. "As for you, what are you doing here? You're supposed to be teaching!" Tai gulped and said, "Sorry?" "Well, you'd better be," Sora hissed. She turned around and saw the drawing. To everyone's surprise, she started laughing. "Yamato!" she said in between laughs. "This is what you were so worked up about? I can't believe it!" Yamato turned so red, it rivaled a tomato. She wiped a few last tears from her eyes. She shook her head and faced the class. "I'm sorry for disturbing the class," she said sweetly. "But these two idiots at times are very trying. You can carry on." The class just stared, shocked at how the sweet and gentle Sora could be so- terrifying, especially toward two tough warriors. She strode out of the room, yawning. Taichi and Yamato shared a look and shook their heads. Taichi followed Sora out of the room.

"Okay," Yamato said, grinning sheepishly. "I think it's time to see how much you guys know." He led them all into the main courtyard. He then had all of them in pairs and teaching them various punches, kicks, and blocks. By the time a bell rang, marking noon, Davis was exhausted. He looked around at the rest of the class. Some of them looked as tired as he was and others looked slightly winded. Yamato, however, looked fresh and full of energy. He frowned at them. "Come on, don't tell me you're all tired already! The training's just begun!" The group exchanged looks of horror. He took them into the hall again, and all the students helped themselves to varied dishes.

Soon lunch ended and Yamato led them into a classroom. "Now, being a warrior isn't all about fighting. A warrior must have honor also. That's why chivalry will also be taught. Swords and arrows aren't the only weapons in this world. Knowledge is a weapon within itself. How many of you know how to read, or at least know the alphabet?" Several hands rose in the air, Takeru included. Davis hesitantly raised his hand also. His parents managed to teach him how to read before they died. He knew some of the basics, but books weren't always available to peasant boys. Yamato looked a bit disappointed, but had a determined look in his eye. For the rest of the afternoon, the class listened to Yamato's lecture. Finally, a bell rung, dismissing them from that class. "I'm going to hate that bell," Davis muttered to Takeru as they got up. Takeru chuckled.

After a quick supper (Davis practically inhaled his food.), the two boys headed down to their bedrooms. But to Davis's surprise, Takeru gathered up fresh clothes and a few towels and started to head out the door again. "Where are you going?" Davis called out. "To wash," Takeru answered as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Why?" Davis asked. Takeru gave him a half exasperated half disgusted look. Davis scowled at the blond, but followed suit and followed the boy out, carrying a towel and clothes also. Takeru led him through a maze of passages and opened a door. Inside was a large room that had a sunken pool in the middle and filled to the top with steaming water. Several other boys were in there, splashing each other or washing. Takeru hung up his things onto hooks set into the wall; Davis following suit. Takeru stripped down and slipped in the pool precariously. Davis also followed suit and eased himself into the water. The hot water felt good on his sore muscles and stiff bones. He leaned back and closed his eyes. He almost dozed off when something grabbed and pulled him under water. His eyes flew open as he screamed but water just flooded in. He went up to the surface and stood, gasping for breath. "Who did that?" he growled. The boys looked innocently back except for one who whistled and looked away. Davis growled and shoved the boy making him fall back with a loud splash. The boy got up, sputtering and splashed water right back at Davis. Soon a water fight was ensued. After about fifteen minutes, the boys sat, panting, in the pool, the water level considerably lower than it had been. "We- just made complete idiots of ourselves," Davis panted. The others just nodded wearily. They soon changed quietly and separated into their dormitories. Davis sunk into his bed and drifted off to sleep.

Six years later…

"Just how- do you keep this up?" Takeru demanded, panting.

The brunette fighting him grinned. "My secret."

The two young adults were battling with swords, Davis having the upper hand. With a quick move, Davis disarmed the blond. Takeru grinned at his friend as they both bowed to each other. They had changed since six years ago when they were both twelve. The two men were about the same height, Takeru being a bit taller, and both were muscular and tanned. Davis still had his goggles, but his normally spiky brown hair had smoothed down more and was longer. His brown eyes still sparkled with spirit and determination. Takeru still had a mane of blond hair, but it was now tied back into a horsetail (ponytail) normally. His turquoise blue eyes were just as kind and gleaming as they were six years ago. The two friends were both outside alone, many students choosing to avoid the heat of the day on that particular day. They rested, thirstily gulping down water and wiping off sweat. Both of them were criticizing each other jokingly when they heard the thuds of horse hooves quickly approaching. The two warriors got up warily, clutching their practice swords. The dull weapons weren't the best, but the two men were willing to defend the school, with their lives if necessary. As they waited, a frantic horse came tearing out of the entrance, frothing slightly at the mouth. The rider on it had an arrow sticking out of his arm. Takeru and Davis immediately recognized the rider. He was a friend of theirs that had gotten out on a scouting mission with a few others earlier that morning. The two men stopped the horse and helped the rider down. The boy's face was pale and feverish.

"Edward!" Takeru exclaimed. "What happened?" "Got- ambushed," the scout said. "Warn everyone- Invaders coming." The boy then went unconscious. Takeru checked the boy's pulse to make sure he wasn't dead. Davis led the horse into a stable and then started yelling at the top of his lungs, "Yamato, Sora, Taichi!" For good measure, he started to ring a large bell outside. The trio of teachers soon ran outside. "What is it?" Taichi gasped. The teachers knew that Davis wouldn't call them if it weren't an emergency. Davis gestured toward Edward. Yamato's eyes widened. "Oh my God!" they swore. Sora acted quickly. She broke the arrows shaft and carefully drew it out. A spark of red fire could be seen as she cast her magic on the arrowhead. Her face immediately went pale. "Taichi," she forced her voice to be calm. "Take him to the infirmary quickly, we don't have much time." Taichi nodded and carried the boy inside. Sora faced the rest of the men. "Yamato, gather the third years and higher students. Have some of the older ones get the young ones out of here just in case, got it?" Yamato nodded grimly. "You two, stay out here and arm yourselves. I'll come out soon. Block the entrance. Takeru, Davis you both know how to do it." Sora hurried inside. Yamato followed after her. The two men remaining went through the entrance and through the tunnel. At the end was a large iron door. They both pushed the giant locks and bolts into place, grunting at the effort. "That should hold for a while," Takeru said grimly. Davis's face was in a mask of firmness. "There are other ways to get through though," Takeru remarked. Davis smiled sardonically. "Then we have to be waiting."