I don't own Digimon Frontier or the prince and the pauper.

Star: I said I'd open such a site a long time ago :P and Kouji doesn't mind. Ne? *watches my Kouji muse hitting a straw dummy of me with his sword* see? ^^

Chibi minamoto: Kouzumi's cute, and I think they'd look good together, but it's one of those couples I see and just say "could happen, but won't because this-and-that-couple works better and has more proof." I think Izumi could have a chance with Kouji the way he is at the end of the show, after all the character development… but by then he already fell in love with Takuya ^__^ that's just my point of view, of course you don't have to accept it.

Wand3ringspirit: something disturbing about the jester… how about… the jester? :P

Sapphire Luna: was it really just a dream? :]

PrincessSwifty: don't worry about the reviews, I got them long before your review ^^;;; again, thanks minna, I love you :D

Beta 4 hire: o.O eh?

Einatsu: I already told you on ICQ how much I loved your review XD though my Kouji muse disagress :P (Kouji: does this shirt make me look fat? Takuya: this had better be a boy ~.~ Kouichi: I want a girl! *sees a little Kouji in a dress in his mind's eye* Takuya: @_@ you're dropping the baby)

I love Wolf. He ownz. Bishie~ ^___^ Wolf/Kouji pwnz XD

Two Sides of a Coin

Chapter 15 – Trying to Get Your Feet on the Ground

It was weird not to hear the bells ring as the door opened and closed, but Kouichi deemed it not unpleasant. However, there was no time for meaningless relief. Why was Tomoki there? He and Kousei seemed familiar with one another, how come? And what went on between Kouji's father and Junpei?

"Penny for your thoughts?"

The prince jumped a bit at Junpei's voice but quickly calmed down.

"Oh, hi Junpei."

"You seem troubled."

"I could say the same about you."

"I suppose..."

The two stood in silence for a while, looking rather awkward.

"So did you see that jester?"

Junpei began, looking at Kouichi with just a hint of suspicion.

"Yeah... wasn't he the court jester?"

He hoped he seemed clueless enough.

"Yeah... better look out for him... he's bad news."

"How, how come?"

The prince asked, worry seeping into his heart. He knew the jester was trouble, but if even Junpei knew from just seeing him that little...

Junpei glanced at him for a moment, smiling just a bit.

"...call it a hunch."

Instead of relief, he felt like Junpei was hiding something. Yet, for the first time, it didn't feel like it was from malice, rather, a wish not to worry the boy. A slight blush rose to his cheeks as once again Kouichi realized the difference between the environment in which he grew up in and the place he was currently in. And again, he wondered if 'that boy' Takuya was worth that much to keep Kouji there.

"Well, I really gotta get going, mom still needs help."

"Good luck."

"Thanks."

He was about to go off, but then stopped to look at the castle.

"I wonder how's life there with that guy around."

Junpei looked at him, not saying a word.

"I hope nothing's wrong with the queen and the... prince..."

It came more naturally to address his former title in third body.

"I'm sure they're ok. That place is pack-filled with people who know their job, no way would they let him run a mock."

"I sure hope so..."

A moment of silence once again passed.

"Well, my dad was calling, right? And so was your mom..."

"Yeah... listen, what're you doing later?"

Kouichi asked, feeling a little curious as to what Junpei knew about the clown, but the older boy apparently had other plans.

"My? I'm going to visit an old friend."

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

"Kouichi-sama! What's wrong?"

"Give him space, girl! Kouichi-sama..."

The boy could hardly make out the voices past the haze that still clouded his thoughts, but he still tried to focus.

Izumi was standing next to the bed, her hands covering her face, though her eyes were shocked and terrified. Wolf was sitting on the bed next to him, looking at him worriedly. He himself was lying on his stomach, head out of the bed's edge, starting at his breakfast after it came from the wrong end.

After a moment in which Wolf was calmed somewhat by the fact the boy was still alive, he returned to his senses.

"What are you waiting for, girl, go get the doctor!"

"Ah, hai!"

Izumi rushed to the door, looking one last time at the prince.

'I... I didn't... what was that dream?! That wasn't my doing...'

"Go!"

Wolf scolded and the girl was gone. Now alone, he touched Kouji's shoulder gently, but the prince was still out of it.

"Kouichi-sama, are you feeling well?"

The boy managed to shake his head, but the movement caused him to throw up again. Wolf hurried to fetch the water and once Kouji was done, the tutor lifted him gently to a sitting position and watered him.

"Care to tell me what's wrong?"

He asked in a quiet voice. Not receiving any response, however, he splashed the teen with the reminder of the water and put the now empty bowl aside. Kouji coughed several times and turned to look at Wolf for answers when said swordsman brought a hand to his forehead. His face twisted with a troubled expression.

"You're burning up. This doesn't make sense..."

Wolf stopped when he noticed Kouji's hands, resting in the boy's lap. One hand still up to the teen's forehead, he took Kouji's left hand and examined it. The cut wasn't bleeding, but a lavender hued trail still lingered across his palm.

"You don't get these from sword practice..."

"Wolf-san! I brought him!"

Izumi came rushing in, and upon noticing her, Kouji's eyes widened in fear. His free hand moved to his chest and the shiver that rocked his body was obviously not from illness.

"Get out."

Wolf ordered, hardly oblivious to Kouji's reaction.

"But, I..."

The girl tried to protest.

"Get out! You and the good doctor as well. Out."

"But you said to bring him!"

"I said..."

The tutor was about to force the girl out but at the threat of being left alone Kouji grabbed Wolf's sleeve, looking at him with pitiful eyes.

"Please... Izumi-san..."

It was barely over a whisper, but the sorceress heard it loud and clear.

"...right away, my prince."

The door closed and Wolf noticed the unexplained relief that seemed to wash over the prince.

"Why are you scared of her?"

"I... I'm not..."

"Don't lie to me, you just seemed like you were given a pardon from death row. Why's that?"

He had a good reason to fear the girl, he reckoned as he tried feeling his chest and his eyes widened, as did Wolf's.

"What the..."

The tutor, noticing a spreading blood stain on the fine cloth, hurried to unbotton the prince's shirt to reveal a bleeding gash on his chest, not unlike five deep nail marks.

"Wait. Here."

The boy tried to hold him again, but the young man was already out of reach.

"Where is it…"

He mumbled to himself as he dug around the closet, all along under Kouji's gaze.

"Here we go."

He extracted a small first aid kit and hurried to Kouji's side.

"Can't let you go on wounded, eh?"

Kouji nodded, now having regained a part of himself.

"Had a bad dream?"

The boy nodded again and otherwise held still as the tutor wrapped a bandage around him.

"It's not that bad, but it's better to be safe than sorry, ne?"

"Ah..."

A knock from the door caused both to freeze and Wolf put his finger to the boy's lips. The somewhat helpless look he received caused him to sigh, as it reminded him of the 'old' prince.

"Kouichi-sama? Are you in there?"

Both allowed themselves to breath again.

"Come in, Lowe."

"Wolf?"

Lowe asked as he entered the room, but his concern soon moved to other, more important things.

"Kouichi-sama! You're wounded!"

The boy quickly pulled his top on his shoulders and looked away.

"Nothing to be worried about, Lowe, a mere slip during practice."

Wolf tried to excuse.

"But... I thought the prince practiced alone."

"Yeah, well, he slipped."

The blush was both from the insult of being as incapable as to fall on his sword, and from the half hug Wolf was giving Kouji.

"Slipped... on his sword... five times?"

The teacher asked as he glanced at the wound, being rebandaged as the cloth fell when the task was abandoned due to Lowe's arrival.

"Really... it was a funny accident."

"Really."

"Can you stop talking about it?"

Kouji asked, his voice sore from silently screaming... and his breakfast going out the wrong way.

"We're just worried, you know."

"I know..."

Lowe blinked at the look in Wolf's eyes, a look much softer and fonder of the boy then before.

'What... why...'

"There you go!"

The swordsman smiled and repacked the first aid kit.

"You should have it checked later."

"I've been through worse."

"My fault?"

Wolf asked with a smile.

"Maybe. Time for my lesson now?"

"Ah, ah."

Lowe blinked as the prince stood up and walked to his closet.

"I'll be with you in a minute, just... lemme get something less bloody."

Neither seemed to care the slang he used. Lowe nodded, but his attention was drawn to the other side of the bed, on the floor. He was about to ask about the prince's health when Wolf shook his head at him.

"Well then, I'll be waiting for you in the library, Kouichi-sama..."

"I will also take my leave..."

"Wait."

Both looked at Kouji. He still seemed rather out of it, yet regained much of his ability to stand and speak.

"Can I... could you... keep quiet about this?"

Wolf's expression showed he would, yet Lowe seemed uncertain.

"But, if it's the prince's health..."

"I already said it's nothing much. And I don't... don't want to upset... Mother..."

It felt wrong, saying that about anyone other than Satomi, but he knew he had to, or Lowe would tell on him. The tutor seemed considerate for a moment before nodding with an understanding smile.

"I understand. I'll be waiting in the library then."

"Thank you."

The door slammed shut and Kouji was left alone. He shut his eyes as he felt another wave of nausea.

'Why... what was that dream?! Takuya, no matter what, I... I have to see you!'

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

"All right, what happened there?"

Lowe asked once they were out of the prince's room. Wolf leaned against the wall with crossed arms.

"He had a nightmare and woke up. He's a bit feverish, and to be honest I have no idea where those... claw marks... came from."

"So it wasn't me whom you were trying to put at ease by making up that excuse, it was him."

"Yeah, so?"

"I must say, this is unlike you. You used to be rather harsh, trying to toughen the young prince. But this..."

"This is a new prince. You might say..."

The two locked eyes, both serious as they could get.

"...he's a different person."

Before the dramatic moment could last the door opened and out came Kouji, still a bit pale, but at least he was standing.

"Well, are you ready, Kouichi-sama?"

"Ah..."

"Let's go then. Wolf."

"Lowe."

The teacher began to lead the boy away, leaving the other tutor behind.

"I really think you'd enjoy the lesson today, Kouichi-sama."

"Re, really?"

The last time Lowe said that, they studied about a fellow country's botanic garden.

"Yes! I chose quite a few interesting books after a short talk with Boko-sama."

Wolf looked up suddenly at their retreating forms, a smile crawling to his lips, and slowly turning into a grin.

"Lowe! You little bastard!"

Lowe smiled back, adding to Kouji's confusion. But hey, if he'd keep awake during the lesson, what different did it make? He really didn't want to fall asleep. He doubted he'd be having pleasant dreams.

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

"Enjoyed his dream?"

Wolf said once the two were out of earshot. Izumi approached him, slightly flushed.

"The doctor said he'd be ready whenever the prince would need him... and I have no idea what you're talking about."

She said, looking rather indifferent. The tutor remained with his back to the wall, keeping an eye on the girl.

"It's really weird that he'd suddenly fall ill... just when the prince was starting to get physically healthier... I'm sure you've noticed how well built he turned..."

The blush acted as proof that she indeed has.

"...but now he has quite a fever... that's odd, wouldn't you say?"

"Perhaps he is pushed too hard physically..."

"Or perhaps... there was outside intervention."

"Are you implying something, sir Wolf?"

She took a step forward, but he wasn't the least bit phased.

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. I'm just worried about the prince."

"So am I..."

"Stop playing with me!"

Suddenly leaping at her, the man pinned the girl to the wall. They locked eyes, yet neither seemed to be afraid of the other. Too much.

"He had a bad dream, a dream so bad it affected him physically. And it had something to do with you. What could that dream be about, girl?"

"I don't..."

"And what the heck were you doing there, looking so shocked of what he was dreaming?"

"I have nothing to say to you!"

She tried to sneak off but he caught her hand, his patience long since depleted.

"Don't play with me, girl. I'll find out what you're doing to the prince, and I will put an end to it."

"Those sworn to protect at the cost of their lives sure are pesky, ne?"

Wolf let go of her hand and both turned to look at the court jester, who was smiling sweetly at them.

"My, my... was I interrupting something?"

"No, we were just finished..."

"In your dreams."

Wolf contradicted quite harshly.

"You're walking on thin ice, girl."

He informed as he began walking away.

"I'll be watching you."

She kept watching him until he disappeared from sight and was then startled to discover Tomoki right beside her.

"Don't sneak up on me like that!"

He idly ignored her.

"Looks like the big bad Wolf wants to spoil our fun..."

If Izumi hadn't any problems with accepting that term before, Kouji's dream sure gave her ones.

"...should I take care of him?"

The smirk on his childish face sent shivers down her spine.

"N, no... he'd make a good handicap."

She bluffed.

"Oh, the lady still remembers our bet! What sportsmanship, I'm flattered. Well then, I shall be seeing you. See ya!"

He disappeared in a puff of smoke, but she was long since used to it.

"Things are getting troublesome... maybe it's time to get really serious..."

Her train of thought was cut off as she turned around, eyes narrowing.

"Someone just... teleported into the castle?! I let my guard down. Careless. But... who? Why? ...and why is he near the prince?! Could it be... that friend you keep mentioning, Jester? Oh gods, please, don't let it be!"

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

Kouji sighed as he entered his room several hours later and locked the door. Izumi had came into the library several times, trying to look for something... or someone. Which he found quite troublesome. It truly was an interesting lesson, like Lowe promised. Instead of studying boring royal histories they learned things much closer to the common people for some reason. He had especially enjoyed studying about the legendary knight "Serafi", but then Izumi broke in, again, and resumed to stalk him on his way back. Luckily, he managed to sneak away.

"Girl can't... take a hint..."

He tried to act calmly, but the now dull pain in his chest ruined the effort. Thankfully, he collapsed on his bed.

"Someone cleaned up nicely..."

He mused, looking around the room, unable to do much anything else. He loved the windows, it was like looking into a dream. The ceiling was tall as hell, creating quite an annoying echo. The bed he knew best, next to it was the nightstand, over there was the bookshelf, and next to it was...

The boy blinked. What was _he_ doing there? Not that he didn't want to see him, just... surprised...

"My, what a big room you have here! It's as big as half my house! Man, and the echo in here's scary... look at all these books!"

Kouji pushed himself up, the sound of sheets rustling bringing the intruder's attention to him.

"Yo, your highness. Or would you prefer 'My prince'?"

A smile slowly rose to the would be prince's face, and in turn, widened enough to cut his face in two.

"I got it. How about "Kouji-sama"?"

"You can call me anything you want! What're you doing here?"

He was insanely happy. Openly for seeing a familiar and loved face, subconsciously for having the pain in his chest disappear. The newcomer smiled in relief at that.

"Just stopped by to see how you were doing."

"Good to see you, Junpei."

"Ditto, pal. Ditto."