I don't own Digimon Frontier or the Prince and the Pauper
Sakura-Riddle: that's one option I've considered :P we'll see how Tomoki's popularity in this fic goes, and I'll consider your offer ^_^
Einatsu: :P
Redrum: it isn't :P
Kimra Dattei: Yes, Takuya's cute ^_^ Izumi's side of the story will be explained later :P And about Tomoki… well, just read the freaking chapter :P it's a long one
Hikari no Inu: well, you're gonna love this one, it's a longie :P
Two Sides of a Coin
Chapter 11 – Let's Talk About You
"Why are they scared of me?"
Kouichi sighed bitterly as yet another sheep turned her back to him. It had been that way all morning, it was either the animals ignored him, or downright denied his existence.
"Come on, I don't bite!"
He finally shouted, stomping his foot down. Kouji's dog raised his head for a moment before going back to sleep.
"I'm a prince and I can't even get animals to look at me."
"Maybe if you bribed them…"
For a moment he froze, but as no farther proof was given that the sentence was heard in full, and so the voice was a welcomed interruption. Kouichi turned around to see Junpei, feeding some bread to the dog, getting his face licked in return.
"Hi, Junpei."
"Yo."
Heaving a sigh, the prince approached the older boy, sitting under the nearby tree's shade.
"You came here to help, or just over feed the dog?"
"Neither, actually."
A pack of chocolate was offered and he accepted it with a smile.
"Thank you."
"No problem."
The wind picked up, the only thing that broke the silence. It wasn't embarrassing, simply empty.
"Good chocolate."
"Aint it?"
There was another silence.
"It's good to see you out here. I'm glad you're doing better."
"Huh?"
"About… you know."
Motioning with his head towards the castle, Junpei hoped to get his point across. He did, though not quite the way he wanted. Then again, it wasn't Kouji standing in front of him.
"Ah. Yeah, I… after everything you said, how can I now try and get over it?"
"Well, keep it up. Remember, I'm here for you."
"I will."
Feeling a bit better, even though the subject was raised, Kouichi considered continuing the conversation, in a different direction.
"Junpei…"
"Snow!"
Kouichi looked up to see a snow white horse ride towards them, or rather, towards Junpei's chocolate. The boy let her have it, yet received no thank you in return.
'Even she knows…'
"Haven't seen her in days!"
Junpei patted her mane, receiving a friendly sneer for it.
"Wow, you seem to be in great shape. Someone took care of you, girl?"
'Yeah, the castle's horse caretaker.'
Kouichi thought, amused.
"But you came back, eh?"
'Did he let her go? Obviously… he must be staying there for much longer and wanted her to have her freedom.'
He concluded grimly.
"Well, this is a nice surprise, but I better get going. My dad needs help with the inventory."
"Thanks for stopping by."
On his way off, Junpei looked at the castle, catching Kouichi's attention with a name he almost got sick and tired off, to longing for the past few days.
"Prince Kouichi…"
The prince tried not to freak out.
"What, what about him?"
The older boy paused for a moment, contemplating 'Kouji's hesitation.
"You know my dad gets the latest news from the castle, cuz he trades with them."
"Yeah…"
"Well, on the last recruiting ceremony, they made a fight between the prince and Wolf."
A look of bewilderment crossed Kouichi's face.
'Wolf? I was going to fight Wolf in front of all those people?! And… no doubt… lose…'
"I'm… sure Wolf took it easy on him."
"By the prince's request, he didn't."
Another shock.
'He… went against Wolf head on?! Is he insane?!'
"How badly did he lose?"
"That's the thing…"
Junpei look at Kouichi, unexplained pride in his smile.
"He won."
And then he took his leave, leaving Kouichi to digest the news.
'Kouji… Kouji went against Wolf… and… and… and won?!'
Looking down at his hands, the prince felt a mixture of emotions run through him.
'It's been my dream to defeat Wolf… to be as strong as he wanted me to be… all my life, yet…'
Fists clenching, he both hated and adored Kouji for accomplishing the deed in his stead. Kouichi stood up, unable to remain sitting.
"I promise, one day, I'll beat Wolf on my own. And one day, I'll beat you too. Just watch me, Kouji!"
"How can you beat me…"
A sword was pressed to his back, and on instinct, the prince raised his arms slowly.
"…when you keep falling for the same old trick?"
Quickly ducking under the sword, Kouichi jumped at his assailant. The sword was discarded and the two rolled on the ground, each trying to end up on top. Eventually, the prince turned on the bottom.
"Gotcha."
Blue eyes staring into similar blue eyes, identical lips curled up into equal smiles.
"Hi, your highness."
"Hello, my good man… mind getting off of me?"
The boy on top obliged and the two sat there, watching each other. Though they were happy to see each other, there was tension in the air.
"You're looking better than a few days ago."
Kouji said, looking jealously at his reflection's comfortable clothes. The real prince seemed less pale, a bit healthier, and there was a new spark in his eyes, all along blushing lightly at the intense stare.
"Well, there's good air, plenty of sunlight, good food…"
"Good people."
"…good people."
Both felt rather awkward, yet Kouji still seemed carefree, lying down on his back.
"Ah, this feels nice. Been a while since I've done this."
"Days, eh."
"Yep. No lawns in that castle of yours, you know."
The air was light, though Kouichi's heart was heavy.
'Maybe he came here to switch back… is that why he's so happy? He finally saw how bad it is there…'
He refused to even consider his distress had anything to do with his dream.
"Get down here."
Looking down, he saw Kouji patting on a spot of lawn next to him invitingly.
"Come on, it feels nice. Lie down so we can talk like equals. And I'm not gonna sit up."
Hesitating momentarily, the boy leaned backwards into the grass. The two stared at the clouds above, not daring to look at each other.
"Look, a duck!"
Kouji's tone of voice resembled that of a five year old, lightly startling Kouichi.
"Looks like a bunny from here."
"And over there's a teapot!"
"Looks like a cave from here."
"And a book! …I've been hanging around Lowe for too long."
"That's not a book, that's…"
Squinting his eyes, Kouichi really tried hard, and Kouji's smug grin was really starting to bug him.
"That's… Lowe's fault all right."
Kouji sat up, drawing Kouichi's attention away from the clouds, not by the actual action, but for the expression on his face.
"That's the thing about clouds. Everyone knows it's just a cloud, yet they still call it so many names. And each person sees something else, so the number of names is the number of people. And no one cares it's just a plain cloud until it rains on them."
Blinking, the real prince sat up as well, according to Kouji's words from earlier, to be on equal ground.
"Kouji?..."
The other boy looked at him, now smiling.
"Ah, forget it. So do tell how messed up my life is now."
'Forgetting about it', Kouichi shook his head.
"Well, not messed up, rather… a tad different."
"In a good way, I hope."
"…you're working full time at your father's store."
"Prepare to be beheaded."
Kouichi paled, and Kouji was the one to shake his head.
"It's called humor, pal."
"It's not funny when the person everyone sees as prince says it."
"Well, excuse me! Jeez, haven't Takuya taught you any…"
He stopped and lied back down, covering his face with his hands.
"Takuya isn't here."
Kouichi said in a sad voice. It wasn't like Kouichi thought, sadness over not meeting Takuya. It was mourning the fact the once long haired boy seemed to always be out of Kouichi's grasp. No matter what he would do, it would be like he was constantly under Takuya's shadow. The best proof? The two boys sitting there switched lives.
And it wasn't like Kouichi didn't want to see Kouji more. Ever since they met several days before, the prince considered his counterpart a mystery, a puzzle most intriguing. And the first real friend he had ever made.
"But your life suits me just fine, really."
He hurried to say, wanting to break the uncomfortable silence.
"Turns out I'm stronger than I thought, and your parents are really nice. They love you dearly."
The boy looked at Kouji, expecting to see a proudly smiling face. Instead he found him brooding.
"She isn't my real mom, you know."
"…I know."
Kouji chuckled rather bitterly.
"What gave it away?"
It took a moment for Kouichi to reply.
"The pictures on the wall. Until you were about eight, it's just you and your father…"
He hadn't a chance to continue.
"My real mom… disappeared when I was a baby. My dad doesn't like to talk about what happened so I don't know if she's still alive and where she is. He remarried when I was 8. That's my step mom other there."
He needn't get up to know Satomi was hanging laundry outside the house. Kouichi looked, wondering when was the last time he knew where his mother was.
"...but don't get me wrong. She might be my step mother, but she's the only mother I've ever known."
Ironically, the same could have been said about Kouichi.
"I love her with all my heart, and should something ever happen to her, it would mean hell for someone… Just thought you should know."
Kouichi looked at Kouji again, now lying with his hands behind his head, eyes closed. Neither really wanted to continue with the conversation.
"So how about you, then?"
The prince finally broke the silence.
"How 'messed up' is my life?"
An apologetic smile was the beginning of the reply.
"For starters, Lowe either hates me, er, you, or thinks you're possessed. He had states quite a few demons who might've been the reason for the drastic change in you."
"Has he mentioned any clowns?"
"Huh?"
Biting his lip, Kouichi shook his head, though the sad seriousness only intensified.
"Does that change include winning against Wolf? Congratulations, by the way."
A chuckle came his way.
"Junpei's dad spreads the news?"
"Junpei came to say that… I think he suspects something."
Kouji opened half an eye to look at his friend before closing it again.
"Don't let it get to you. He's ok, probably just your imagination."
"If you say so."
Another silence followed, and again, it was Kouichi who broke it. It was either Kouji liked silence, or had nothing to say that was worth saying first.
"Ne, Kouji, what did it feel like?"
"What did what feel like?"
"…beating Wolf."
Finally seeing it fit to sit up, Kouji brought himself to Kouichi's level, instinctively throwing none existing hair over his shoulder. Year long habits die hard, if at all.
"It felt… I was shocked, naturally. This is one of my, no, my greatest childhood hero! Beaten by little me! Shocked isn't even coming close, actually… But I was too busy being happy. He smiled and used that tone of voice… the look in his eyes when he looked at me…"
'And saw him.'
A part of him said, and he naturally preferred to ignore it. For some reason, he didn't believe full heartedly that Wolf truly saw Kouichi there.
"…I almost burst with pride. God would've stroke me with lightning, I'd die peacefully. It was outer worldly. I can't describe it in any other way… it just felt good."
"…I wish I know how that felt…"
"I'm sure you will, one day."
Eyes now open, Kouji smiled with them as well as his lips to reassure the prince.
"He respects you, there has to be a reason for that, and you being prince doesn't cut it."
The encouragement was something the prince was slowly growing addicted to. No doubt, step mother or real, Satomi taught Kouji well, and loved him as much as he loved her.
"He… he said so?"
"He didn't have to. It's more than evident in his eyes."
"I… never noticed."
"Because you kept looking away, like you are now."
Kouichi noticed he really was looking away and looked back at his companion.
"Sorry, it's… a…"
"Nasty habit?"
"Yeah…"
Now the silence was pregnant. Kouji took in the familiar, loved environment while Kouichi counted the minutes until the other would announce his return to that world, forcing the prince back.
"…you should grow your hair again. Your mom commented about it too, it looks weird."
A neutral subject was chosen in random.
"Yeah, well, it'll take some time, you know, it doesn't just grow as fast as I'd like it to."
"Ask Izumi."
Kouji's face darkened, but as Kouichi was once again looking away, he missed it.
"I'm sure she has a potion for you."
Noticing the commoner's expression, Kouichi blinked.
"You have met her, haven't you?"
"…yeah… talked to her, too."
"…what's wrong?"
"…we're not really on speaking terms, I fear."
"What happened?"
Kouichi asked, worried.
"You haven't hurt her, have you?!"
Kouji didn't like being accused like so, but he felt slight relief, seeing his mirror image hasn't forgotten his real life. He didn't want that to happen to either of them.
"No… man, how can you stand it?!"
He slightly burst.
"Her stalking you, her glomping you… god, sometimes I feel like she'd just lock me up and throw away the key! No, wait, she'd need the key so she could come and visit."
The prince lowered his gaze even farther.
"That's… how girls that age act towards the boys they like… right?"
"…sure, if you're in a mental institution. Lowe told you that?"
"…yes."
"He he, figures. Shoulda asked Wolf."
Any farther conversation was cut short when Kouji's mother's voice came in, like bells to Kouji's ears.
"Kouji! Can you come and help me for a moment?!"
"…Be right back."
Kouichi standing up reminded the other boy it was not his place anymore, and he sank into bitter sweet memories.
'Maybe I should come back… it's only been a few days, but…'
A clear image of Takuya suddenly came into his mind, smiling and laughing at him, teasing him and sharing good times together. A Smile rose to his own lips as though to answer the dream's gesture.
"Just a bit longer… just until I can get used to not seeing him… just until then…"
His smile faded at the memory of last night.
'And get used to the fact… he doesn't want to see me.'
"Sorry about that."
Kouichi said as he came back, breaking Kouji's train of thought.
"Hi."
"Hi back."
He sat down and for a short while neither said anything, until both began at the same time.
"Kouji…" "Kouichi…"
Both stared before laughing, not as much from amusement as from relief. They needed to hear their real names more often.
"You start first."
"No, you."
"I'm the prince and I command you to go first."
"But I'm the real prince!"
"Well, bite me! …ouch!"
Kouji shot up and rubbed his hand where Kouichi bit him.
"You…"
"You told me to bite you! Prince!"
"It's a figure of speech!"
"…it is?"
"Jeez!"
"Well, excuse me for having Tomoki as the closest thing ever to a normal teenager!"
"Tomoki? …that's sad, man."
"So it seems."
"He's seriously freaking me out."
Kouji shivered slightly, genuinely disturbed by the little jester.
"You should be careful around him."
There was worry and warning in Kouichi's voice, causing Kouji to raise an eyebrow.
"He's annoying, but I thought he was harmless…?"
The prince looked away, his hair long enough to cover his troubled eyes.
"He came by the castle a while ago… our court jester jest recently disappear, and our court's depressing enough as it is, we needed a new one… one day, Izumi brought Tomoki. He was a complete mystery. No one knew anything about him, yet no one seemed to care. Not even Aguni, who's extremely suspicious and on edge. He just seemed to become the court jester just like that. People began to act weird ever since… and Izumi began jumping me on every corner. The only thin I can tell that might've caused it…"
"Is Tomoki showing up."
Kouji finished, and Kouichi nodded.
"I'm really worried about everyone… this is one of the reasons I felt that night… I heard there were several magic users here in the village, and I was hoping to find out some stuff…"
"Of course, you learn tons by talking to sheep and worshipping cows."
He blushed quite furiously.
"Kouji, I'm serious here! You should be careful!"
"If you knew this, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
There was no accusation in his voice, only grim curiosity and concern, not for himself, but for the boy next to him. Kouichi couldn't look him in the eye.
"I wasn't really thinking back then… all I saw was the chance to get out of there."
"Well, I don't think I was too rational either. I just couldn't bear being away from Takuya…"
He looked at the sky above, while Kouichi stared at the ground.
"You should… warn him too…"
"Ah, I will."
A ring came from the village as the great clock struck twelve, and Kouji jumped to his feet.
"K'so! I'm late for class! Snow!" (K'so = damn)
Kouichi watched as Kouji whistled to the horse and jumped on her back as she rode by.
"Kouji, I was really happy to see you again!"
He was blushing lightly as he said that, especially at the sight of Kouji, dressed as a prince, on a snow white horse.
"Me too! Give my mom a hug for me, k? Let's go girl!"
The horse sneered and began running to the castle, leaving the real prince behind.
"Take care, Kouji… take care of your self, and everyone there."
The soldier was still passed out when Kouji returned and he simply closed the door to Snow's cubicle, and she simple licked his face fondly.
"Yeah, been a while since we went out for a ride, eh? Had fun with the rest of the horses?"
It almost seemed like she nodded.
"Well, I'll come to visit later, gotta run! See ya!"
A day spent in the fresh air caused him to forget the damp, still air of the castle and he coughed several times upon entering. Kouji knew he was late for class, yet he made no effort to get there quickly.
'I wonder if anyone noticed…'
Passing by a group of cadets, all of which were saluting, he noticed a familiar face.
"Arbor!"
"Your highness."
The cadet smiled at the approaching prince, getting jealous glares from the others. A quick look at the faces around him, and Kouji knew something was missing. Or rather, someone.
"Where's Takuya?"
Worry showed both on Kouji's face and in his voice. Arbor shook his head.
"I don't know. In the middle of practice he went to talk to Izumi-san…"
At the mention of the name, Kouji's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…and he's been missing ever since. For some reason, no one seems to care."
Where has he heard that before?
"Izumi… how long ago?"
"About an hour ago."
"And no one noticed?!"
"Your highness!"
Kouji turned to look at Aguni, not trying to hide his glare.
"You have a cadet missing for an hour, and no one cares?!"
The soldier blinked as the boy began stomping away.
"Kouichi-sama!"
He paid him no attention.
'Takuya… if that girl's done anything to you… anything at all…'
He arrived at her room, his anger leading him where his sense of direction failed him earlier.
"Izumi!"
He knocked harshly on the door.
"IZUMI!"
Still no answer.
"Where could she be?!"
Refusing to give up, he began searching the areas he knew of the castle, and eventually headed back to his room, quite defeated. No matter who he asked, where he searched…
'No trace of either of them… why… where could they…'
He came to a stop a bit away from the door to his room. Next to it stood the very person he was looking for. Relief was about to take over, but something was wrong.
"Takuya?"
His eyes were covered by brown locks, but the rest of his composure was off. Something was very wrong.
"Takuya, I was so worried, where were you?"
"Kou…"
"Takuya?"
the boy pushed himself off of the wall and began walking towards Kouji, his hands hanging limply at his sides, dragging his feet as though he was some sort of zombie. Kouji's senses screamed in his mind.
"What's wrong? Oy, answer me!"
"I… I love… you…"
Having said that, Takuya collapsed, and Kouji hurried to catch him, having to fall to his knees to manage to do so.
"Takuya, what's wrong, talk to me…"
He stopped and blushed as Takuya's hand gently caressed his cheek.
"I… love… you…"
The blush deepened, and Kouji was speechless as Takuya began pulling closer.
"Wha…"
"Kouji…"
The way he said the name, the desperation in his voice, the neediness… and to his real name…
Looking up, Takuya's eyes met with Kouji's, and to the prince's surprise, the brown eyes he loved so much… were blank.
However, the next thin that came out of the lips he dreamed about, the blunt request spoken, made it all go away.
"…kiss me, Kouji…"
Rational thought was not an option. Trying to swallow the lump in his throat, Kouji closed his eyes, and began leaning forward.
A/N: *hears fangirls both squeeling and threatening me* ;