I don't own the Prince and the Pauper or Digimon Frontier. This disclaimer was brought to you by copy paste.
Two Sides of a Coin
Chapter 3 – Salute!
"Don't touch me!"
The prince's cries rang through the castle, accompanied by the sounds of what one might think of as a battle.
"But, my prince!"
"What part of the sentence don't you understand?! Don't. Touch. Me!"
The servants were at a loss for the prince's odd behavior, yet had little choice but to obey his commands.
"My apologies, Kouichi-sama."
Once again being referred to with a name not his own, the boy calmed down enough to stop scaring the women around him.
"I'll wash myself. Prepare my clothes and leave."
The maids wordlessly obliged, and on their way out, a young girl turned back to him.
"Please, Kouichi-sama! Forgive us! We meant you no disrespect!"
The sight of the girl, no doubt a commoner like himself, begging for his marcy, just felt wrong. He was about to reassure her when the maid in charge scolded her.
"What are you doing?! Leave the prince alone!"
As the door closed, he hoped she at least saw him smiling at her. He was about to enter the bath when the murmurs of the servants, not yet far enough, reached him.
"Such strange behavior."
"I've never seen him this… violent… before."
"Have you heard?"
"What about?"
"The rumors of what happened to him last night…"
As they left hearing range and it was quiet again, Kouji punched his fist against the wall, not caring about the pain.
'Great going, Kouji, you're Kouichi for less than a day and you already managed to screw up!'
Deciding not to let it get the better of him, he undressed and went in the water. It was warm and soothing, and Kouji realized how tensed he was that morning. Of course, who wouldn't be, being assaulted by a dozen female maids.
'I better get a hold of this prince thing… IT seemed so easy last night…'
He closed his eyes and began to wash himself, the warm water calming his.
"Takuya, do you mind…"
Force of habit combined with wishful thinking plotted against him, and Kouji bit his lip.
'Stupid, Takuya isn't here to wash your back… or for you to wash his…'
"So get a grip!"
His voice echoed in the empty room, making him drown in thought.
'I wonder if I'll see him today'
Finally clean, Kouji got dressed only to find that the clothes prepared for him were the least comfortable ones in the house. He stared at the cape and it was just about to stare back when a knock came from the door.
"Come in."
Seeing as it was Boko who entered, the boy stood up just barely able to keep from bowing.
"The maids tell odd tales, my prince."
The old man said with a smile, causing Kouji to sigh.
"I'm 15 years old. I can wash myself."
He was lucky to be the same age as Kouichi, he realized as what might've been a slip of the tongue was let off.
"But the maids have such a gentle touch…"
"I'm not interested in girls."
Kouji quickly said, not liking the direction the conversation was headed in.
"Of course. My lord has more pressing matters than such childish affairs."
"They aren't childish."
Kouji insisted, feeling that as he semi contradicted himself he would have to explain.
"I just… haven't met the right… girl… yet."
"Of course, of course."
He still had an odd glint in his eyes.
"Well then, Aguni informed me that you were rusty as to what your duties were in the ceremony."
"That I am."
"Very well then. I will inform you on the way. Follow me please."
They entered the hall and Kouji looked outside the windows, again marveling the view.
'I don't think I could ever get used to this.'
They passed by a group of maids and among them, Kouji recognized the girl from before. He stopped, making Boko look at him questioningly.
"My prince?"
"What is your name?"
The girl was caught off guard while the other maids looked at Kouji oddly.
"I, I beg your pardon?"
"Your name. I want you to tell me your name."
Blushing, the looked downwards.
"I… It is not m place to have such audacity as to announce my name to his royal highness."
Putting his hands on his hips, the teen hoped he looked more casual and less threatening. Seeing as the girl managed to look at him again, he smiled.
"All right then, I order you to tell me your name."
The maids around them began to whisper among themselves, adding to the girl's furious blush.
"La, Lana, your highness."
"Lana. That's a lovely name."
A cough from behind him drew his attention and he bowed lightly before the girl.
"Please forgive my actions this morning. I was out of line. Rest assured you will come to no harm."
"The, the prince truly is, is, as, as generous as they say."
She stuttered.
"I wish you well, Lana."
He joined the elder and they walked away, leaving the girl with a dreamy gaze.
"Not interested in girls, eh?"
"The explanation please, Boko-san!"
"Very well…"
"Don't sound so disappointed."
"*cough*"
They arrived at the royal seat watching over the yard in which the new recruits assembled after Boko's explanation. After a series of speeches given by the generals to raise the troops' morale, they would swear their loyalty to both the prince and queen. Afterwards… Boko wouldn't tell him.
"I have been instructed no to tell you. Don't try and thing about it, this is the first time we've done this."
Kouji was slightly thankful, as he couldn't remember something he never knew.
"I have brought him, your highness."
The boy wished the ground would've swallowed him on the spot. All who were there turned to look at him, all three of his heroes included.
"Good morning, your highness."
They all said at the same time, forcing the boy to look down with a blush.
"Mo, morning."
A path was cleared for him towards his seat next to Kouichi's mother, the queen. Out of everything the prince had told the commoner, he spoke the least about his mother. He knew even less than he told.
"Ah, Kouichi!"
She said with a sad smile.
"Mom."
Gasps filled the air and he understood too late that was a mistake.
"What lack of disrespect!"
"Apologize at once!"
"Stop it!"
The queen said, silencing all.
"I happen to like it. Whoever said a boy can't call his mother that?!"
Kouji couldn't help but notice the bitterness in her voice, reminding him of Kouichi's sadness. Neither was happy in the situation they were trapped in.
Murmurs of apology filled the air as he took his seat by her side, for some reason feeling less nervous around the ruler of the land. His eyes scanned the recruits, looking for one certain teen when he felt a hand brush his hair. Looking up, he saw the queen ruffling his hair.
"It looks slightly different."
"Yeah, I mean, Yes, I tried to rearrange it a bit."
"Why not ask the barber to do it?"
He blushed at the fact that everyone there seemed to think that being prince meant being so helpless that he couldn't even breathe on his own.
"I wanted to do it on my own."
She was surprised, but soon smiled proudly.
"If that is your wish…"
Trumpets were heard, announcing the ceremony's start. Kouji looked at the crowd again, as though from fate finding Takuya immediately. He was in one of the first rows, standing proudly. For a moment Kouji wondered what would happen if he waved at him.
'He'll probably get executed, he.'
He tuned out the speeches as he watched Takuya, causing the people around him to wonder what it was the prince found so interesting when the speakers themselves fell asleep speaking.
"The new recruits seem to be all healthy young man."
The queen said in content.
"But I wonder if they're a match for our prince."
Boko said in reply.
"That is yet to be seen."
Though the conversation was about him, Kouji paid it not attention, as one thought pushed all other away.
'He sure looks good in those uniform.'
Takuya stood there, and the boy on the throne smiled as he read through him like an open book. While he was nervous and anxious, it was the happiest moment of his life, the one he waited 15 years for. However, one regret seemed to stick out, as the grin wasn't wide enough to cut his face in two.
'Don't worry, Takuya. I'm here for you. I'm here…'
The sun above him was harsh as they headed high noon, yet new recruit Kanbara Takuya felt it not. He was about ready to explode from emotions, and wanted to yell for all to hear –
'Kouji, you stupid bastard! Why couldn't you be here for me?!'
The grin began to hurt his face and his entire expression broke as a single tear rolled down his cheek. Finally seeing what he was looking at, Takuya's brown eyes met with blue ones so familiar he almost yelled the boy's name.
'Ko, Kouji?!'
But after a moment, he realized it was not his childhood friend but the prince.
'Oh… it's… just prince Kouichi… of course, now that I think about it, they do look a lot alike… if only his hair was longer…'
His attention was forced back to reality as the boy next to him nudged him lightly.
"Look sharp, it's almost time to go up there."
Takuya nodded and readied himself, and true to the stranger's words, the oaths of loyalty began taking place. It was the longest part of the ceremony, but was in fact the reason they were gathered there in the first place. Each new recruit was to come up to the queen and prince, kiss their hands and vow loyalty.
"Isn't it gross?"
Takuya whispered to the other boy.
"I mean, kissing their hands after everyone else has."
The boy chuckled.
"Think about it like this: at least you're not being kissed BY everyone."
Both laughed silently and smiled at each other.
"I'm Arbor, nice to meet you."
"Same here. I'm…"
"Kanbara Takuya!"
Takuya was snapped to attention and stumbled forward towards the small stage on which all of the land's important people were gathered. The queen smiled at him as he kneeled before her.
"I hereby swear my loyalty to the crown and my queen."
He took her hand and kissed it, as was expected of him, before kneeling in front of the prince. The two exchanged looks for a second before looking away.
"I hereby declare my loyalty to the crown and my prince…"
He was about to kiss his hand when he stopped, smiling lightly.
"Heh…"
"What is it?"
Kouji asked as calmly as he could.
"My best friend has this little scar right there too…"
He said, noticing a small scar between Kouji's middle and fourth fingers. The would be prince blushed, flattered.
"He… must be quite a friend… for you to remember something as little as that."
"Yeah…"
Takuya gently kissed Kouji's hand, sending sparks up the other's arms.
"He's the best."
From the corner of his eye, the 'prince' saw Aguni disapprove, yet 'his' mother seemed satisfied. As for himself, he kept watching Takuya, ignoring the rest of the recruits as they went through the same procedure, the blue refusing to leave his cheeks.
"He seems… happy."
The queen said mostly to herself, yet the prince's two tutors heard her, loud and clear.
"It's that boy."
Lowe said, glancing at Takuya.
"It appears the prince has taken a liking to him."
And from that moment on, Izumi, who was present as well, had to fake her smiles.
"Kouichi-sama…"
Wolf whispered once the last recruit has taken his oath.
"It is time. Please follow me."
Blinking, Kouji was forced to stand up and follow the man as they walked to an area cleared of people, the recruits gathered around them in a large circle. The boy looked around him semi fanatically, yet he spotted Takuya quickly and he calmed down.
"Children! You must've heard of me."
Wolf began, approaching the recruits.
"My name is Wolf. I am the prince's tutor, and like to say, a friend."
Kouji watched him, trying to understand the meaning of the act.
"You are here to serve the kingdom, and we are all grateful for your presence. I know some of you have little to no faith in your abilities, but take this boy for instance."
He pointed at Kouji, and smiled when the boy didn't cower or tried to hide.
'He really has changed quite a bit… I wonder…'
"When I met him, he had no fighting ability whatsoever. Today, however, is a different story. Today, you shall watch him fight."
"Who will be my opponent?"
Wolf turned back to him, drawing his sword.
"Myself. I shall be your opponent, Kouichi-sama."
Murmurs broke through the crowd, and Kouji glanced back at the queen and her court. They all seemed anxious, as though expecting something grand out of him. But no matter what they had in mind, he would not lose.
He glanced at Takuya as he drew his sword, holding it steadily by his side.
"I accept your challenge."
Takuya was watching him.
"Very well. Attack me at will, Kouichi-sama."
No matter how Wolf was used to Kouichi's fighting style, he had other plans in mind.
"I'm afraid I cannot do it, Wolf."
"Eh?"
"By all means, Wolf, be the first to strike."
He took the fighting stance which he was so used to, and smiled.
"He's watching me."
Only Wolf was close enough to hear, and he glanced at Takuya as well.
"Even if it's to you, Wolf-san… I will not lose."
And he could feel far more than he could see Takuya's grin, edging him on.