I don't own neither Digimon Frontier nor the Prince and the Pauper. :3
A/N: I decided to have this chappie as a bastard son of the last chappie, because frankly what I had planned is hardly fit to be named a full chappie, as it only describes shortly the twins arriving at their new homes. Not much to talk about.
Two Sides of a Coin
Chapter 1 part b – Arrival
Soft laughter and murmurs were heard from the room he assumed to be the living room as Kouichi sneaked into Kouji's house, wearing his cloths. He peeked in through the slightly open door and saw a man and a woman, no doubt Kouji's parents, conversing lively. Jealousy tugged at his heart as he imagined the daily conversations his counterpart must've had with the couple. He had spoken very little to his mother, as even as queen and prince their statues were too far apart. As for his father, all he knew was that his father was a brave knight who disappeared shortly after his birth. All he had from him was his sword.
"Kouji?"
He suddenly heard 'his' father say and jumped. Clearing his throat, he tried to make his voice sound the most like Kouji's as he could.
"Yes, father?"
The man chuckled lightly.
"Why being so formal? And what are you still doing up?"
"Just… Went to get a glass of water. Going back to bed now."
"Remember, no need to get up early tomorrow. I got some men to help me, so you can just rest and meet with your friends."
The woman said, care and compassion evident in her voice. His mother spoke to him in a similar manner… or so he wanted to believe.
"A, All right, Mother."
He saw them blinking before closing the door and heading up the stairs. Though the house was far smaller than the castle, it felt much more homey and comfortable to the young man. Family pictures decorated the walls, and as he studied them, Kouichi noticed that they consisted only the father and Kouji until the boy was about 8. That's when his mother began showing in the pictures.
'Weird...'
He found Kouji's room at the end of a small corridor and upon entering, felt like a child in a toy store. Toys were stacked in one corner of the room, practically flowing out of a small wooden toy box. He examined the playthings curiously. There were dolls, and wooden swords, and puzzles, and all sorts of things the prince has never seen before. Getting somewhat attached to a small brown teddy bear, he picked it with him as he continued to examine the room. The walls were decorated with small pictures, both drawn professionally, and both those of a small child. Yet as he went along the wall, it became harder to tell apart, as it was obvious the artist's skills were improving. At the corner, where the pictures ended, a guitar leaned against the wall. He gave up on trying to play; Playing was maybe the only thing he was worse at than sword fighting.
He half collapsed on the bed and a strange sensation washed over him. His hands moved lightly over the mattress and pillow, an odd tingling passing through his fingers.
'He slept here… for 15 years…'
He closed his eyes and began to imagine how life must've been for Kouji. He saw him running outside, picking up a sword for the first time. He saw him with his parents, smiling and laughing. He saw him grow up from an adorable boy to the handsome young man he met… and in his mind, he was with him through it all.
He never expected to be inside the castle in his life. He never expected it would be so easy to get in. He never expected to be treated like royalty by all. And least of all, he never expected even a prince could get away from running away.
"Your highness!"
"We were so worried, your majesty!"
"The Queen was worried sick, what were you thinking?!"
Kouji couldn't help but stare at the servants from his place on top of Snow.
"Prince!"
"Kouichi-sama!"
Kouji looked up at the two voices and felt the blood rush to his cheeks. Running at him were none other than Lowe and Wolf, two characters he had admired since childhood.
"Wo, Wolf!"
The tutor stopped to look the youth over worriedly.
"Is something the matter, Kouichi-sama? You seem unease."
Finally remembering to get off of his horse, Kouji found his knees shaking.
"No, nothing's the matter, Wolf."
The tutor found it odd that the prince would drop the honorific from his name, but let it slide, having always claimed the addition made him unease himself around his disciple.
"Well, it sure is good to see you again, Kouichi-sama."
Feeling obliged to the people who showed him such care, Kouji smiled at them, yet was confused when many gasped in return.
"Wha, what is it?"
"His Highness seems in a good mood for a change."
The servants cleared a path for the chief advisor, and Boko walked by slowly, leaning on his cane.
"Mayhap he happened a kind lady while outside?"
He grinned at the boy, causing him to blush. Not knowing how to get out of the situation he was in, and thankfully remembering the man's name, Kouji bowed.
"My apologies, Boko-san. I hope I haven't caused you too much trouble."
"It's ok, my boy. First time you acted somewhat like your father."
"My… father? What…"
"KOOOOUUUUUIIIIIIICHIIIIIIIIII-SAAAAAMAAAAA!"
Before he managed to blink, Kouji was tackle-glomped by a blonde girl about his age. He was too shocked to do anything but try and keep from falling.
"I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU AND DIDN'T KNOW WHERE YOU WERE AND I WAS THIS CLOSE TO DYING FROM HEARTBREAK, I THOUGHT YOU LEFT ME BUT I KNOW YOU NEVER WILL BECAUSE YOU LOVE ME SO MUCH AND WE'LL ALWAYS BE TOGETHER AND…"
Her eyes widened and her mouth shut as she felt him push her away gently. All around them seemed surprised, yet hardly disappointed.
"Kou… Kouichi… sama?"
"I… I'm sorry… You caught me by surprise."
Now calmer, the girl took his hand in hers as tears welled in her eyes.
"I thought I lost you forever… no matter where we looked for you, no matter who we asked… you weren't there… I… I thought you left me."
Though girls weren't of great interest to Kouji, he raised his free hand to wipe away the girl's tears and lifted her chin lightly so she would look into his eyes.
"Don't cry. Girls shouldn't cry."
She seemed shocked, but soon nodded, looking lively again.
"Well then, the prince is safe and that's all that matters, right?!"
Kouji smiled back, feeling somewhat awkward around her.
"Shall I escort you to your chambers, my prince?"
Lowe said in a calm voice, hardly heard by Kouji over the sound of his speeding heartbeat.
"Yes, please, Lowe… san."
The man smiled as he began to walk towards the castle, the people clearing a path to him. Kouji was about to follow when Wolf's voice came in.
"Kouichi-sama, what about this horse?"
The teen looked at the only reminder he had of the outside and just felt as though the horse was smirking at him. A half smirk tugged at his lips as well, farther surprising the ones around him.
"She just followed me around, so I decided to keep her. Is it all right?"
After a moment's thought, Wolf nodded.
"She seems to be a good horse. I'll take care of her."
"Thank you, Wolf."
Even as the others cleared, the girl remained standing, watching the would-be-prince disappear in the castle. A short figure came hopping towards her, dressed as appropriate for the castle's court jester.
"What do you want, Tomoki?"
The child-like figure chuckled.
"My lady seems distracted. Is something the matter with the crown prince?"
Upon saying the title, he pinched his lips together, making a kissing sound. It was almost too much not to kick him.
"He seems… different. He actually pushed me away."
"Well, it's about time he pushed Izumi-sama away, considering he doesn't feel the same."
"BE QUIET, JESTER!"
He didn't seem to bother too much.
"But, it's not just the way he acts. He felt different."
"Felt?"
The girl blushed.
"I hug him often. He felt much more built than usual."
"I hope you are not forgetting your promise."
He said in a mysterious voice, the bells on his hat jingling as he turned to look at her from the corner of his eye.
"You are still going to make him love you, are you not, Izumi-sama? No matter the cost?"
A somewhat dreamy yet diabolical expression rose to her face.
"What do you think?"