I don't own Digimon Frontier :P ;; o

Star: good enough of a cliffhanger in this chappie? :P

Chibi minamoto: ask away what you don't get, I'll answer anything that won't spoil

Einatsu: evil witch tsumi. That's rich XD

Two Sides of a Coin

Chapter 13  - Not too good a development

It was another beautiful day in the vilage. People went out to the streets to do their daily business, not giving a second look to the small chidish figure dressed as a clown. Occasionally one would burst out laughing for no reason, raising a sadistic smile to the jester's lips.

'That boy... I merely tasted his soul, and such a small part of it, yet he reacted the way he did towards the prince... and I remember this place as though I was born and raised here. His soul is truly a remarkable one. Makes me want to taste it more... and if what I saw is true, that boy's as well.'

He licked his lips, but stopped for a moment, seemingly terrified of something, yet in reality he was growing steadily excited.

'Perhaps... if I gave the Master that boy's soul as well as the prince's... I could keep Takuya's soul for myself... just maybe...'

People stepped out of his way in an almost scared manner without actually acknowledging his presence. Suddenly, he stopped to staore at a 16 year old boy, who was staring back.

"Hello!"

Tomoki chirped childishly. Junpei nodded back at him from his spot next to his father's stand in the market place.

"I'm Tomoki!"

"The court jester, right? I heard you were really good, making everyone laugh."

The child humbly scratched the back of his head.

"Well, I'm flattered…"

The jester's eyes narrowed slightly.

'What's this? His soul carries a faint trace of Takuya's soul… as well as… the prince's? hm…'

He licked his lips, even more so at the dominant flavor in the boy's spirit.

'Could it be… this exotic, wild flavor… perhaps… that boy's?'

"Is something the matter?"

Tomoki snapped back to reality and smiled sweetly.

"Pardon?"

"You seemed distant. Everything ok?"

"Yeah, yeah… say, where's Minamoto's store?"

Looking around, the childish figure missed the second in which Junpei tensed before putting on a friendly poker face.

"It's over there, that big shop next to the farm on the edge of town. You can't really miss it."

"Thank you!"

Tomoki hopped away and Junpei stared at the people who burst laughing in his path, not quite the same afterwards.

'So… the rumors about him are true… no wonder Kouichi ran away… but now Kouji and Takuya are in trouble! I've gotta do something, and fast.'

"Man, this sure is heavy…"

Kouichi complained as he carried a large wooden box towards the shop.

"I wonder what's in there…"

He almost dropped it when he saw Tomoki standing outside the shop and hurried through the shop's backdoor, kneeling next to the door into the shop itself. He heard the door bells ding and felt his stomach turn into knots.

"Welcome! What can I…"

"You can talk, that's all I want."

Kousei could only stare as Tomoki hopped to sit on the counter. The child grinned at him.

"You're…"

"It sure has been a while, Kousei-san. Or should I say the man who was bestowed the power of angels, Serafi-sama?"

Kouichi's eyes widened. The name sounded familiar, painfully so. But why?

"Never speak that name in my presence again, Jester."

There was a moment in which the silence knew not whether to be tensed or pregnant.

"You'd think someone like you would like to make sure his achievements were remembered…"

"Had I wished for that, I never would've left the royal court."

For a moment it seemed like another silence was to come, but it was only due to Tomoki's efforts to stop his laughter.

"Knock it you! You didn't leave to get away from the spot light, we both knew you just weren't cut out to standing all that pressure!"

The man didn't reply, only went on to arranging items on the shelves.

"Quite a place you got here. Business are fine, I assume…"

"As long as you don't scare the costumers."

"Funny."

"Kindly refrain from wasting my time. What do you want?"

The dislike in his voice was evident.

"To talk."

Kousei eyed him suspiciously and moved to the opposite shelf.

"Then talk."

"The queen's condition isn't that well."

"Tell me something I don't know."

It was common knowledge all over the kingdom that the queen's health was lacking.

"I will. Her condition's gotten better rather suddenly."

"Oh? That's good. Any idea why?"

"Her son."

The man froze for a millisecond and then, like Junpei, moved on like it was nothing.

"Kouichi? What about him?"

"He changed… smiling differently… the queen was really captivated by it."

Kousei was silent for several minutes more, and then a smile rose to his lips.

"Perhaps it's not the change in Kouichi that helped, rather, being close to…"

The rest of the sentence was cut off as the front door opened.

"Kousei, have you seen…"

Satomi asked as she entered in a somewhat storm, looking as lively as ever in her shy way.

"Oh, hello."

Tomoki smiled cutely at her who smiled back uncertainly.

"What is it, Satomi?"

"Oh, I, er, I'm looking for Kouji, have you seen him?"

The jester looked at Kousei questioningly.

"Kouji…?"

"My son, if you must know. Mine and Satomi's son…"

The woman blushed furiously.

"…And no, I haven't seen him, Satomi…"

The back door slammed and all looked at the door leading to the back room.

"Kouji?"

The woman asked. The prince sighed in relief as they all believed the door slam was from him coming in and not just him slamming it to cause that effect.

"I'm here."

'That voice…'

Tomoki's eyes narrowed at the familiar voice.

"Good, I need some help, meet me out back."

"Be right there."

The prince sighed in relief again at the chance to escape without alerting the man and jester to his presence, but a great part of him still wanted to listen. However, he was found, and thus, forced to leave.

Another door slam later and a smirk rose to Tomoki's lips.

"Now that we're finally alone… do tell me, kind former knight, what are you going to do?"

"Vanquish you and your master, like I have before."

The jester burst out laughing and fell to the floor, hardly able to hold himself.

"You?! Slay… BWAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Suddenly turning serious, the jester pushed himself up and stared intently at Kousei. The man took a step backwards.

"You couldn't slay me then, you won't slay me now, let alone my master. Back then you might've had the chance, but what hope do you have now, having split your holy sword into two?"

Kousei grimced as he thought of his sword, a beautiful saber with a beautiful aquamarine gem. 16 years ago it was the finest sword in the land. 15 years ago it had transformed into two swords of the same physical quality, though with half the original's magical powers. The swords have not been together since, at least, as far as the man was concerned.

"The sword can be remade, and it'll be more than powerful enough to slay you."

"And my master too, I wonder?"

"Yes."

The two stared at each other for a while, Kousei trying to regain his composure while Tomoki was beginning to lose his.

"And may I assume you would be the one to wield it?"

"Nope. The prince will."

Another burst of laughter.

"The prince? That weakling?!"

"The prince as he is now isn't so weak, but I do suppose you know that by now."

The look of disgust mingled with growing fear on Tomoki's face made sure Kousei would have a good week. The man crossed his arms and leaned against the shelf, careful not to drop anything.

"You're bluffing. The prince will not go against me as long as the queen accepts me. And that will happen, as long as I have these…"

He tilted his head, and a small glass ball shattered on a shelf at the sounds of the bells.

"Bells can be cut off, same as your head."

"Pfft."

The jester began walking away and stopped at the door.

"Well then, enjoy your little fantasies about slaying me and my…"

He giggled in a horrible way.

"…master. I'll help myself to a few souls in the meanwhile. One of them's the prince's… I find its taste interesting. The other… your son's best friend."

"Bon apetitte."

Tomoki glared at the mocking comment, but Kousei simply stared at the counter.

"I'll be back."

"Bon voyage."

Yet another door slam, and Kousei shook his head.

"The prince this, the prince that… he has a name, you know. It's Kouji…"

The room was in silence as neither boy spoke. Arbor didn't know what to say in light of Takuya's mood, and Takuya was too deep in thought to start of participate in a conversation. Eventually, Arbor felt like giving it a shot.

"So, ah…"

The attempt was a failure as the lock clicked again, and both turned to look at the door. It opened and in came Lana, Kouji behind her. Takuya shot up and stared intently at the would be prince, who was looking back calmly.

"You…!"

Takuya began, the mix of emotions in him threatening to explode.

"Don't talk like that to the prince!"

Lana barked back, but Kouji touched her shoulder gently, and so she calmed down.

"It's all right, thank you Lana, you're free to go. I owe ya."

"Not at all! It was my duty as well as my pleasure to help you, your highness!"

The girl went to stand outside the door, but didn't quite leave. It took a moment for Arbor to realize everyone were staring at him.

"Ah… ah! Yeah! There! Go! …right away… wait up, cute girl!"

He rushed off at Lana, and his attempts at flirting with her were killed when Kouji closed the door. The two old friends stared at each other for quite a while.

"How did you sleep?"

Kouji finally asked.

"Quite well, thank you. Your bed is soft."

"Isn't it?"

As Takuya kept staring at him, Kouji chose a comfortable spot on the wall to lean against and crossed his arms.

"I suppose you're wondering how you ended up in that position."

The blush returned to Takuya's cheeks, and he nodded.

"I found you in the hall. You were acting oddly. Soon after you fainted. I brought you here and put you in bed."

Not a lie… he merely neglected several details.

"My clothes?"

"Over there."

The boy calmly pointed at the other boy's uniform, resting folded on one of the chairs. Blushing deeper, Takuya gulped and looked straight at Kouji.

"If I were in your bed, then…"

"I slept over there."

He pointed at a pile of blankets and a mattress in one of the corners. Takuya sighed in relief.

"I must say, you're quite built for someone your age."

The cadet blushed deeper, and Kouji half smirked.

"Don't worry, I only striped you to your boxers, they stayed on you the entire time."

That didn't really help.

"I suppose you'd feel better if you got dressed. Feel free to do so."

Kouji moved to the closet, not looking back at Takuya, who was all but gawking at him.

"What… what happened… to your shirt?"

"Ah, practice. Had to have it washed."

He threw several clothing items at the bed, and Takuya moved to the pile which was his own clothes on the other side of the room. He put on his pants and was about to move to his shirt when he heard a soft banging noise. Turning quickly, he spotted Kouji standing against the closet with his back to him, holding his chest and breathing somewhat heavily.

"Oy, are… are you…"

Kouji waved his hand dismissively and pushed himself up.

"I'm ok, just… feeling slightly dizzy. It's nothing."

Takuya reluctantly let it slide and continued getting dressed. Kouji closed his eyes, trying to keep the room from spinning. Finally feeling enough like himself, he turned back to his old friend.

"Ne, Takuya…"

The boy looked at the prince, waiting silently for what he would say.

"Hai?"

"Why didn't you come two nights ago?"

Takuya sighed and stared at his feet.

"I… I…"

"I just wanted to spend some time with you. Is that so bad?"

"No…"

"Then why?"

For a moment Takuya considered blaming Izumi. Just for a moment.

Oh, what, you're blaming a girl? Or are you scared of her?

Brown eyes widened before the teen drowned in another memory of his friend.

~*&*~

Chibi Takuya pulled his nose again as he sat on the lawn, looking envily at the group of girls, now playing with a shiny blue ball. It was a gift from a passing circus, handing out gifts to the children. The ball could've been Takuya's, but it was the last, and the girls wanted it. He gave up on it, seeing that the girls might cry. But now here he was, fighting the tears on his own.

"I could've had that ball…"

"So blame the girls for it? Think they're worried about you now? Or were you afraid they'd cry? Is that it?"

"But…"

The chibi looked up in time to catch a blue ball, bigger and prettier than the one he lost.

"You really gotta get a grip."

Chibi Kouji said as he sat down next to him, holding a green ball of his own.

"I'm not gonna be there for you forever, you know."

"But… you're here now."

"I promised, didn't I?"

Smiling past the tears that were still on his cheeks, chibi Takuya leaned his head on chibi Kouji's shoulder.

"Thanks."

"Humph, baka."

"You can laugh, but this baka is gonna beat you some day."

"He had better, I don't wanna protect him forever!"

The long haired chibi said, pouting lightly. The brown eyed chibi blushed and snuggled closer.

"You still do."

"And I will, as long as it takes."

"Thank you, Kouji."

He felt his hair ruffled and closed his eyes happily.

"Humph. Baka."

~*&*~

"Takuya?"

The boy stared at the would be prince, blushing lightly.

"I, I'm sorry, you're highness. But… I can't love you."

Kouji stared at Takuya, shocked.

"Co, come again?"

He managed to choke out. He never dreamed anything like that, even in the worst of nightmares. Tears almost stung his eyes.

"Ta, Takuya…"

Takuya stared straight into Kouji's blue pools, trying to master all the determination he could.

"I'm sorry, I can't love you…"

Kouji clenched his fists, digging his nails into the flesh so hard he began to draw blood, frustration running through him. He went to all that effort, switched places, came this far, and now… now, Takuya bluntly said that he, he just couldn't… he just couldn't possibly love…

"…Kouichi."

Kouji's eyes widened and he stared at the boy in front of him. Kouichi. Takuya couldn't love Kouichi. Relief and hope washed over him, adding greatly to the feeling of lightheaded he had, that Kouji had no choice but to collapse on the bed, staring at air. Takuya's determined expression broke, but Kouji couldn't see it.

"I… I'm flattered you like me… but… I just can't see you as more than a friend. Please, forgive me."

Quickly getting fully dressed, Takuya looked one last time at the prince before leaving.

Now enveloped in silence save Takuya's declaration of inability to love, and his twin's name, Kouji covered his face with his hands and fell fully on the bed. Less than a second later he threw his left hand away, looking at a bleeding cut across his palm. A lavender hued drop trailed at the tips of the wound and fell to his face, trailing down his cheek, just barely missing his lips. He unconsciously licked it away, an act which only added to his dizziness. Kouji managed one coherent thought…

"Izumi…"

Before falling into a hazy daze.

"Just… what did you do to me?!"