I don't own Digimon Frontier or the prince and the pauper.
PrincessSwifty: don't diss Izumi all that much :X I have great plans for her :}~
Star: well, sorry for the lack of Takuya :\ more than enough, I hope, in this chappie XP and this fic is meant to make people love Junpei! He pwnez :D
Chibi Minamoto: I'm honored mine is the first Takouji you've read ^^
Dreamer: me too ^^;;;
Einatsu: Kouji x Wolf *-* the best thing about this story? No characters are made up XD none!
About Wolf calling Lowe a bastard... you'll see.
Izumi just panicked, is all.
*grabs a chibi Junpei fairy and cuddles it* ^.^
Darkened Loner: yes sir/ma'am o_o;
Rogue Runaway: I'm very flattered that you liked it that much ^_^ there was to be Takouji development in this chappie... but it turned out too long ^_^;;; expect the real development in a few days.
Sapphire Luna: all this and more, one the next chapter off...
Two Sides of a Coin
Chapter 16 – Talking is Good
The two old friends watched each other for a while, both smiling in relief. Junpei kept glancing at the room while Kouji moved to a sitting position on the bed.
"Some set-up you got there... tell me, is life here as good as they make it out to be?"
"I donno, I've been running around between lessons and running around from mad sorceresses."
"Really? You little dog."
"Don't even joke about that."
The smile on Kouji's lips softened as the relief washed over him completely. It was good to see someone whose sole purpose wasn't a – sucking up, b – more sucking up, or c – make Kouji into her own personal sex slave.
"How're things going back home? How're my parents?"
Junpei moved to sit on the opposite side of the bed.
"Everything's ok. The shop's as always, the farm's ok, and your parents are healthy as ever. Your mom just bought a new horse. Said she misses Snow..."
"But not me."
It was more of a joke, but the bitterness slipped through nonetheless.
"How is my stand-in? ruined my life yet?"
The would be prince crossed his arms behind his head and collapsed on the bed. Junpei looked at him from the corner of his eye, causing Kouji to chuckle.
"You know... Kouichi-sama?"
There was no response.
"Come on, you figured out where I was, no way you didn't figure Kouichi out."
The reply began with a sigh.
"I did, quite a while ago..."
"But?"
Kouji blinked as another sigh escaped Junpei's lips.
"I'm kind of worried about him?"
"Eh? How come?"
The now short haired boy asked as he sat back up.
"I assume you met the jester."
The shiver that went through Kouji's body was quite visible.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"A big fat one, what about him?"
"Well..."
The older boy wouldn't meet his friend's gaze.
"...Kouichi's worried about everyone in the castle, and especially you, I reckon..."
"How come?"
"He looks at the castle worriedly everyday."
"I see..."
Biting his lip, Junpei wondered whether to talk about it or not, yet decided to go for it.
"About the jester..."
"What about the little devil?"
"He... came to visit your dad."
"My dad?"
Kouji asked, more than a little surprised. His earlier paranoia caused by his dream, which soothed with time and at seeing his friend, sprang to life again.
"Yeah..."
At a wave of intense panic, Kouji grabbed Junpei's shirt collar, his pupils minimizing to dots as he stared around rather fanatically.
"How's my dad? Is he ok?! What about my mom, tell me she didn't meet him!"
Junpei once again refused to look eye to eye.
"She did... but he didn't do anything to her!"
It calmed the younger boy down, but only slightly.
"If he did anything to her..."
Junpei had to feel for Kouji. From having no mother, to having a step one, to actually accepting her, he's been through a lot. He could understand his worry.
"Your mom's fine, I swear."
"She had better be! That jester... he's nothing but bad news..."
The later part of the sentence was said a bit more calmly as Kouji pulled away, trying to regain his composure. That added another side to Junpei's sigh of relief, the other being Kouji's cluelessness as to the jester's true nature.
"So how're you doing? And how's Takuya?"
The would be prince was about to answer, then turned away, slightly blushing.
"He's..."
"Something's wrong with him?"
"I hope you know what."
"That's why I'm here, to help however I can."
The slightest look of relief crossed Kouji's face as he began talking.
-
"Mou, Takuya, hurry up, would you?!"
Arbor complained as he waited outside the cadets' dormitory.
"We're gonna be late!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming!"
Takuya stifled a yawn as he joined his friend and the two began to make their way towards their post. Nightshift. Again.
"Man, why do we always get the night shift?!"
Arbor once again complained, yet received no response.
"Man, not again!"
Groaning, he smacked Takuya. The taller boy glared at him, yet still said nothing. Arbor stomped his foot down angrily.
"Give me a break, would ya?! What's up with the silence treatment?! You've been like this ever since your talk with the prince!"
Takuya seemed ready to say something, but a group of other cadets looking at him at a mention of a connection with the prince made him choose silence again. Not that he'd have spoken freely were they alone.
How could he tell Arbor about it? What was going between him and the prince... really, he thought, what –was- going on between the prince and him?
'Ah, no, can't think about it, Kouji, Kouji, think about Kouji...'
But that only made matters worse, as he was hit by a wave of longing.
"TA-KU-YA!!!"
Another well aimed smack made its way to his face, effectively throwing the boy to the wall.
"Ouch... what are you doing?!"
"It speaks!"
Arbor mock-cheered. Takuya rubbed his head and walked on, making it clear he wasn't in the mood. Arbor bit his lip, not quite willing to give up.
"Look, I'm not gonna force you to talk to me... anymore..."
He added once Takuya gave him a questioning look.
"...But I wanna help you! Even a little! Please, Takuya!"
The tanned boy smiled slightly and shook his head.
"Thanks... and sorry, but I'm just not too talkative, I guess. Maybe you should ask to switch post..."
"No way. We're friends, aren't we?"
"...thanks..."
"That's rare to see these days."
Both turned to the voice and saluted, though Arbor was getting less and less jumpy.
"Aguni-san!"
The blond soldier smiled lightly at the two.
"Feeling better, Kanabara?"
"Yes sir."
"That's good, that's good... care to tell me how you managed to get lost on us?"
Arbor chuckled and Takuya remembered what he was told about the prince lecturing Aguni about him. Of course, thought, him still being free while disappearing from duty could only mean royalty involvement.
"I wish I knew, sir."
"Weird... too weird."
"Well, not like it was Takuya's fault, sir. Ask Kouichi-sama."
At the mention of the prince's name, the color slightly left Aguni's name, causing both cadets to chuckle slightly.
"Don't think we won't find out where you were, Kanbada."
"Once you do, let me know."
The tone of voice used was too serious for Aguni to get mad at him.
"Well then, dismissed."
The two walked on rather quickly, more confused than they were.
"You really have no idea? Whatsoever."
Takuya remained silent, but this time instead of a smack, he got a pat on the back.
"It'll be ok. I'm sure of it."
All the taller boy managed was a shy smile.
"I sure hope so..."
-
"So that's what happened..."
Junpei said as he let everything Kouji told him sink in. Of course, the would be prince wasn't too open about everything. Just said the basics of that night... and how Takuya seemed odd the other morning. He didn't tell about his own problems... and dream.
"Do you know why? What's the reason for it?"
The older boy didn't have to take a second look at his friend to know he had enough on his shoulders, he didn't need to worry about a demonic jester's true nature.
"...I have an idea, but I'll have to look it up. Don't do anything until I find out for sure."
"Ok. You got it."
Junpei was doubtful, but let it go with a smile.
"Good. Now I guess I'll head back home..."
"How –did- you get in here?"
"Magic, like, duh. Though it's pretty odd, really."
He said somewhat distantly, scratching his chin.
"What is?'
"Well, naturally, the castle's supposed to have all sorts of protections spells cast on it. But coming her was easier than taking a candy from a baby."
"Well... Izumi's been pretty... preoccupied, I guess it means she's been slacking off with those spells?"
"Izumi?"
"You know... the court sorceress?"
Before he knew it, Kouji was pinned to the bed, a starry eyed Junpei on top of him.
"Izumi?! You mean that old crome-dome Boko isn't the court sorcerer, but some girl with an ultra cute name is?!"
"Junpei?"
"HAI?!"
"You're drooling on me."
A blush rose to Junpei's cheeks as he quickly got odd, standing quite a way away from Kouji.
"So, sorry."
"It's ok. I'm used to having people's saliva on me here. You wouldn't believe the places they'd lick..."
Junpei laughing stopped anymore possible nauseating chatter.
"Ne, speaking of which..."
"What which..."
"I heard a rumor Takuya's been assigned to night shift."
"Is... that so..."
The would be prince turned away, only to find Junpei staring at him. His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Stop teleporting."
"It's fun."
"It's annoying."
"Well then, maybe I'll be going before you have me beheaded."
It was said in good humor, but Kouji was far too stressed from the day's events.
"N, no! it's ok, really, I..."
And he wasn't really in the mood to be left alone.
"I was kidding, relax."
"I..."
This time, Junpei let him turn away.
"Anyways, I'll be going now. Just came by to see how you were doing. See ya later, and if you need anything, don't hesitate to call. After all, it'll be a royal order."
"Junpei."
"Hm?"
Feeling a bit awkward, his smile came out sheepishly.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
The older boy went to the door, smiling as he closed it behind him. Kouji collapsed on the bed, the dream for a moment not seeming that bad.
"Can't love me... I'll make you. I'll make you love me."
His eyes widened in fear at the realization of what he was saying.
"I sounded... just like her... what's happening to me..."
Feeling more than just slightly scared, he covered his face with his hands.
"I'll see him, just... see him. He can't keep that from me. Definitely..."
A few deep breath later, he opened his eyes and a rather naughty, boyish glint was in his eyes, a touch which was void from his eyes for the past day.
"Night shift, eh?"
-
Junpei sighed as he leant against the closed door. Worry was eating at him.
'This entire castle is eaten almost to the core, and it's getting to him too. It's a wonder the real prince managed to get out of it so light. His entire soul's intact... while Kouji's soul... How? Why? It couldn't have been the Jester... this is a different type of... curroption... who? What could've done this?'
"Who's there?!"
He looked up quickly to see a beautiful blonde girl in a silk dress. Her blue eyes looked at him rather harshly, but being the guy that he was, he still fell in love instantly. A faint blush rose to Junpei's cheeks as she took a step towards him.
"Who are you?"
Reality hit him, reminding the boy he wasn't supposed to be there. Quickly he stood up, straightened his clothes and bowed lightly.
"My apologies, milady. I am a new servant, and went a bit lost."
"Well get going then, this is no place for new servants to be. Go."
There was something in her eyes that stopped him from being insulted, a part of her asking for his forgiveness.
'This one still has hope.'
"If someone as beautiful as you asks me to?"
Her expression twisted with surprised and was soon covered with a blush.
"How can I refuse?"
He began walking away, when her voice made him turn back to face her.
"Beautiful? You... you think I'm..."
"Beautiful?"
His expression was sincere and she found her eyes watering.
"Anyone who doesn't think the same is a complete fool."
Her blush deepened and he smiled.
"Don't worry, I'm sure the guy you like think so too, even if he doesn't feel back for you. If he doesn't, he's in denial."
His smile widened as a spark appeared, even for a moment, in her eyes.
"Well then, I'll be leaving. Good night, milady."
He bowed again, but before she could return the greeting, a loud creaking sound came from the prince's room.
Izumi turned.
Another "poof" like sound.
She turned again.
Junpei was gone.
"Wha, where... Kouichi-sama!"
She barged into the room and looked around fanatically. There was no sight of Kouji.
"What the... where could he have gone to?!"
A sudden chilly breeze made her hug herself as she looked up to see one of the large windows open.
"Impossible! How could he have opened it?! It leads to the roof, where..."
Her eyes widened as she stared at the window.
"No. No no no... Kouichi-sama!"
Taking off her high heels, she swallowed a lump in her throat and began climbing.
"Kouichi-sama... where are you?!"
-
A sneeze.
"Bless you."
No reply.
"You're welcome."
"Thanks."
"Late reply."
"Leave me alone."
Arbor frowned at the reply, or rather, lack of. They were both at their post on the castle walls, shivering lightly despite their warm clothes. Arbor tried desperately to start a conversation. Takuya was all but mute.
"Look, I realize you have a lot to think of now, obviously, but you could at least try to think about the people around you once in a while! Or it's something against me?"
"No, just, I..."
"I swear, say it's not me, it's you, I'll throw you off the wall."
A glimpse downwards later, Takuya seemed a bit more willing to cooperate.
"I'm sorry."
Arbor sighed as he sat down next to Takuya.
"I really want to help you, you know?"
"I know."
"After all, you're my friend, and I care..."
He was cut short as something caught his attention. Takuya blinked, but got no reply. He began to see why Arbor got so pissed off.
"I'll be right back."
Taking his things, the boy disappeared, leaving Takuya alone. Certain no one was around, he allowed himself to sigh.
"Sorry, Arbor. I just can't be happy right now."
Closing his eyes, his mind wondered to that morning. The prince seemed to devastated, so utterly broken at his declaration...
"I can't love you."
He repeated, though it didn't sound quite as convincing all of a sudden.
"I can't..."
The prince in his mind suddenly grinned, flashing a rather chickey smile he knew so well. His eyes snapped open and he stared into nothingness for a few minutes.
"Of course, Kouichi-sama and Kouji truly do look alike... even their names are similar..."
The grinning prince went on changing. His skin became more tanned. His eyes livelier. His figure slightly more built. And his outfit, the baggy clothes Kouji would wear, not caring much about his appearance. Lastly, the figure's hair grew longer, tying into a low ponytail as he'd always wear it.
The figure as though mocked him, tempting him.
"I'm sorry, Kouji..."
He said, denying the tears threatening to be shed.
"I can't smile right now."
"So don't smile."
"Yeah... that's what you'd have said..."
His eyes snapped open again and he quickly turned around. He found the prince, standing on the ledge, leaning against a support pole, arms crossed. He was staring at the moon, seeming oblivious to Takuya's presence.
"Yeah... that's what I thought your... friend... would've said."
-
-
A/N: this was supposed to be longer, but it was getting too long. ^_^; expect the next chappie in a few days :D