I don't own Digimon Frontier or the Prince and the Pauper.
A/N: w00t, another chappie. Let's go.
Two Sides of a Coin
–
The halls were dark and quiet. Not even the wind dared blowing, and then, there was a whirlwind. Three forms came into being as the wind formed, giving reality into two teens and a grown man. The torches around them died out, though they were already alert and prepared.
"Be on your guard."
The man said, though his lack of obvious weapons stood in a kind of contradiction to his order.
"It's quiet… almost…"
"Too quiet?"
The teen with the sword completed the question, making the older teen pout in return.
"I wanted to say that! Do you have any idea how hard it is to say that in real life!"
"Sorry."
"That isn't really on your guard, you too."
Kousei pointed out, making both his son and companion seem ashamed. While he wanted to comfort them in light of the given situation, he had to also keep them alive.
"Sorry, Kousei-san."
"Keep your apologies to yourself, Junpei, and just keep an eye out. This is enemy territory."
Nodding, the two looked around them, but neither knew exactly what to expect.
"Say, Kouichi, you know this place well, don't you? You can show us ar… no?"
Junpei began asking, only to have Kouichi shake his head almost too violently.
"I… get lost easily."
He replied, his cheeks red.
"I see…"
Kousei said nothing, feeling something boil in the air.
"Ne, Junpei… can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"You knew we switched."
"Right."
"Then why didn't you say something?"
Junpei chuckled.
"Two reasons. First being Kouji. He's one of my best friends along with Takuya… I couldn't possibly tell on him, even if he did commit something of a treason against the crown and all. Or maybe that's exactly why I couldn't tell on him, eh?"
"And the other reason?"
Junpei paused to give the prince a long, meaningful look.
"Because I didn't have a reason to tell on you."
"I… see…"
"Look out!"
Kousei suddenly cried out, making the two realize too late someone was running towards them. Drawing his sword, Kouichi turned around just in time to be tackled to the ground ruthlessly.
"Kouichi!"
Both father and friend cried out, turning towards their fallen ally.
"Kouichi!"
The supposed attacker cried out as he pushed himself up, staring right at Kouichi. There was deep confusion in those brown eyes as he looked down at the boy. Confusion, and disbelief.
"No, it, it can't be…"
Those eyes… that face… the messy hair, and the clothes…
"Kou… ji…"
"Close."
Junpei said, chuckling now that the assassin's identity was assured and deemed mostly harmless.
"Kouichi-sama, meet Kanbara Takuya, the one too many. Takuya, say hello to the real prince Kouichi.
And the two boys blinked in unison, utterly confused.
–
–
"You love me, don't you?"
The seemingly innocent question seemed anything but as the girl sorceress asked it, aiming it as though towards the shadows that filled the room. The boy whose head rested in her lap laid lifelessly, the shadows as though flowing from his body, though they only rested around him.
"You do… you just can't say it… I know… it's ok… really, it is! Because… because you soon will… right? Right…"
She caressed his cheek gently, gazing lovingly at his face. Even covered with darkness, he seemed almost surreally peaceful.
"You're so beautiful… I've always admired you… since I was little… a prince like you… since then, I've always, always loved you… My soul… for you…"
Their lips were less than an inch away when he uttered a single word, a single name. A single memory of a loved one as it crossed his clouded mind.
It was enough to make the girl scream in rage.
"It would seem, my dear…"
A voice offered from behind her and she froze, as did the shadows around her.
"…your control over the young prince isn't as good as you've let yourself believe."
Izumi's eyes narrowed as the figure approached, and she hugged Kouji closer protectively.
"I don't need to hear about lies and false assumptions from a traitor! Or do you think turning out to be on 'our' side after all you've done gives you credit, Lowe!"
The man appeared from the shadows as though he was a part of them. A shiver ran down Izumi's back as she watched him.
"Think of me what you want, it matters not."
Lowe said, gazing at the girl with amused interest.
"For what matters, I never stopped being true to myself."
"I suppose that means trust no one, cuz they might be as traitorous as you are?"
He chuckled.
"Maybe. But at least then I don't set myself up to getting hurt. Unlike a certain court magician I know."
"Whatever."
She announced as she looked away, but neither fell for the hollow statement.
"Once Kouichi-sama wakes up and says he loves me, the bet'll be over. I'd have won, and not you nor that accursed jester could do anything about that. The prince, the powers you gave me, the status I gained inside the court, are all rightfully mine."
She wondered why all of a sudden, all that didn't seem all that worthwhile.
"True. However…"
"However?"
Her voice was still calm and superior, though she felt a panic growing inside of her. The fang bearing smile on Lowe's face did little to help.
"This was not what we had originally bargained for."
The sound of her heart stopping was almost audible.
"Get out."
She hissed through clenched teeth.
"But my lady…"
"I said get out!"
She yelled, her flushed cheeks obvious against her otherwise pale face. His smile deepened.
"Very well."
Her gaze didn't leave his form until he disappeared in the darkness, though his voice still hunted her.
"Keep in mind, though, my sweet girl… dues will most definitely be paid."
She felt his presence melt away into nothingness, and felt relief mixed with even more dread.
The better side of her knew who really was to blame for the whole situation, but it was all too convenient to push the blame onto someone else, and humans did always leash out at the people they held dearest…
"It's your fault."
She uttered, turning to look at the one in her lap.
"Your fault!"
Her eyes widened when she realized he was awake, gazing back at her softly… warmly… His eyes filled with regret and guilt at her words, and she hated herself just a little bit more. His following words, however, were much, much more than she could ever bear.
"I'm sorry."
Unable to help herself, she let out a bitter, cynical laughter as the tears welled in her eyes.
"You… you're sor…"
She was stopped short as his hand rose to her cheek, wiping several tears away.
"Girls… shouldn't be crying."
Shaking her head in utter disbelief, she held onto him tightly, crying out all of her frustration and fear. The irony of the matter was she was finding comfort in someone who, at that very moment, knew not whom he himself was, let alone she and what she wanted with him.
"I'm sorry."