Artistic Differences
By theladyknight
Disclaimer: Digimon—not mine!
A/N: Wow, thank you everybody for such an enthusiastic response to chapter 4! To tell you the truth, the fish story wasn't really gonna be in there but after watching my 4-year old niece play a computer game with some fish in it, the idea just kind of came to me, weird huh. Please R&R and thank you to everyone who does! Enjoy chapter 5!
Silent Stalker: Thanks! I keep getting ideas for the story, and if I don't write them down I'm gonna forget them—that's probably the reason I update fast, but oh well, glad u like!
Yama-sama: We find out a little bit of the secret in this chapter…thanks for reviewing!
Yume-dream: Thanks for catching that…it was supposed to say, 'Mimi noticed the exchange between Sora and Matt and nudged Kari (not Mimi)' Thanks for noticing and reviewing!
Blondie121147: Croquet's not that bad…it's just kinda boring… thanks for the review!
Chapter 5: Confessions and Surprises
The rest of the day passed rather quickly. Matt spent the afternoon working in a few other rooms because at the moment there was nothing more he could do with Sora's room. Meanwhile Sora and the others attended the rest of their educational and weaponry lessons.
At the end of the night, Sora walked back to the room pleased with the day's events. In addition to completing all her work in class and getting a perfect evaluation on her archery test, she felt she had gained Matt's trust and friendship. The moody young artist finally relented to her persistent pestering, honoring her request to be called Sora and going so far as to say he'd think about being friends.
Sora nearly skipped back to her room. Just thinking about Matt gave her a tingly, happy feeling in her heart and soul that washed over to the rest of her. She couldn't think clear. Matt clouded all of her thoughts. How does he do this to me? I don't know what it is about him that draws me to him. He's definitely very good looking; charming; funny; creative; talented, I could think of a lot of words to describe him. Wow could I have a crush on him?
Sora was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't realize she had passed her room. She finally snapped out of it, wondering where her carelessness had taken her. Hearing an almost enchanting voice singing an epic song minstrels and travelers sang coming from the room in front of her, sparked Sora's interest.
Curiosity, again, got the better of her. She quietly pushed open the door and peaked inside. A shirtless, gorgeous, very masculine body entered her line of vision. But it wasn't the well-toned body or the stunning rich voice that stood out the most to her. It was the blond hair. Sora gasped, realizing who it was.
The gasp caught the man's attention, and Matt turned around to see Sora trying to look innocent. He stopped his beautiful melody and stared at her. "Oh, Princess Sora, what brings you here?" he asked sitting down on his bed and gesturing for her to come in.
She debated walking away for it was getting to be rather late and knowing she would get in trouble if found out this late, especially in a boy's room. However, against her better judgment, she walked slowly into the room, closing the door and joining Matt on the bed. "I was just walking around, thinking about some things, not really paying attention to where I went." They sat in silence for a moment. "Matt, you have a very good voice. What was the song you were singing before I interrupted you?"
"It was nothing." He responded flushing, a light shade of red. Seeing how she wouldn't take no for an answer, he instead said, "Just a song my parents taught T.K. and I when we were little. It's the tale of a boy becoming a knight and winning the heart of a princess."
"That's neat." Sora answered and as an afterthought replied, "I always loved hearing about the adventures of knights."
"Really," Matt replied.
"Yeah. I guess it's always fascinated me. They get to go on so many adventures and prove their skills, loyalty, and bravery. I wish some sort of adventure would happen to me." She sighed dreamily.
Matt studied her. She has no idea. "Sora, the adventures the knights fight are not all that glamorous and fascinating as they're made out to be. Quite honestly, battles and adventures are not things most knights would want to talk about, particularly bloody ones."
Matt spoke earnestly, and Sora knew he had experienced this. "Have you ever had to fight?" she asked hesitantly.
The blond boy looked at the princess. "No, thankfully, I am just an artist, not one who would be asked to go out in a time of battle. But…"
"But what…" Sora responded.
"I was forced to go through training with the knights by King Thelonius of Lockton when we worked on the castle up there. You said T.K. already told you the story about it, but there are some details even he doesn't know." Matt paused.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." Sora whispered.
Why am I telling her these things? I just can't stop myself. "I had to go through eight hours of training everyday from the crack of dawn to turn me into a "real man". The king was so bent upon killing the innocent and so obsessed with slaughter, he made his soldiers train like crazy. I had no friends there either, well expect my little brother. You see, the king has a son by the name of Marcus, the exact same age as me, and he didn't like the fact his father was paying so much attention to me. The only reason for that was because his father believed I needed to be taught the ways of world and made into a proper boy."
"That's terrible!" Sora exclaimed. "No one should have to go through that."
"I wasn't the only one. There were a few other boys he had tracked down, mostly thieves and homeless boys that he saw potential in. But the king always paid special attention to me; something I never understood. But thanks to his son, I was all alone for those eight hours and had no one to laugh with, cry with, or even just relax with. The knights were also taught every man for himself, and I guess by the end of our stay there, that mindset had caught me too."
While he was talking, Sora had unconsciously taken his hand in hers. "Matt, I don't know what to say. How could someone be so terrible and evil to do something like that?"
"I don't know." Matt answered. "I guess my life seemed destined for one of solitude until we arrived here. I don't understand how you and your friends, well with the exception of bushy, were able to break through the cold exterior I had built up so long ago. Thanking you is what I should be doing." He stood up and began to walk toward his dresser but stopped when he realized he couldn't move. Sora let go of his hand, blushing a shade of red.
Matt looked at his dresser, trying to find something fit for the princess. I owe her something, really. She was the one who really got through to me. The others just kind of followed her example. Finally, after finding nothing too elaborate that said his thanks, he settled on a yellow rose from the vase the servants put on his desk.
"Here." Matt answered handing the flower to her. "I really owe you, princess. If not for you, I'd be afraid to see what my life would end up like. I've got a better gift for you, but it will take awhile to get ready." He trailed off, cheeks tinted a light red. Stupid bad habit of blushing…
"Thank you." She answered then caught what he had said. "Does it have something to do with my room?"
"Maybe." He answered. "We'll just have to wait and see. Tomorrow though I won't be working on your room."
"Why?"
Matt grinned. "We're missing a few of the colors I need to start. Guess I'm just going to have to work on it later."
"Pity." Sora said. This means more time with Matt! The longer it takes for the room to get done, the more often I get to see him! I think my feelings for him are more than just a crush…
The clock in the garden began to chime, signifying the hour of the night. Sora gasped. "I've got to get going. If someone sees me out this late, well, I don't want to think about the consequences, especially if they see me in here and you without a shirt…" she trailed off blushing again.
Matt nodded and opened the door slightly checking in both directions. "There's no one. It's safe to go, but be careful."
"I will." The red-haired princess answered. She turned once more towards Matt and surprised him by wrapping her arms around him in a hug. "Thank you for trusting me and telling me those things. I won't tell anyone." She answered, arms releasing him but trailing down his muscular shoulders and arms. "Goodbye."
"Bye princess." He responded smiling to himself. I can't let myself fall for her...
Sora actually managed to make it to her room unnoticed and without getting distracted along the way. She held the rose up to her nose and took in its wonderful scent. Sighing she set in down on her dresser and changed into her nightclothes. She slipped into bed and fell asleep instantly thinking about how good Matt looked without a shirt on…
The next morning Sora awoke with a huge smile on her face. Not a bad way to start a morning. What a dream! In her dream, Matt climbed up her balcony into her room, and the two had ended up kissing for what seemed like hours. Where did that come from? Sora changed and headed down to breakfast.
After popping into the dining room and seeing her father engaged in a meeting with all his advisors, Sora decided skipping breakfast sounded like a good option. She instead went ahead to the schoolroom, waving hi and giving a large smile to T.K. as she passed him.
T.K. on the other hand, was headed in the opposite direction, to the foyer of the castle in search of his older brother. There was something different about Matt; a change that seemed to have happened overnight. T.K. didn't like being kept out in the dark, and he was making it his mission to find out what was going on. The inquisitive teenager had a strong suspicion it had something to do with the princess.
He found his brother standing on a stool and painting the wall of the entrance a light shade of yellow. This was their new assignment. T.K. was to take measurements of the entrance to determine what kinds of statues could be placed there while Matt was to paint the Takenouchi crest on the wall. After calling out his brother's name and hearing no response, T.K. really knew something was up.
"MATT!" he finally said, hitting the older blonde with his measuring stick.
"Ouch!" Matt responded. "What was that for?" he asked getting down off the stool and rubbing the side of his leg.
T.K. crossed his arms. "I've only been calling your name for the past five minutes!" he exaggerated.
"What do you want? I'm kind of busy at the moment in case you can't tell."
"What's up with you? It's like you changed into a completely different person after the croquet match with Tai yesterday. And I saw you earlier this morning, singing to yourself and smiling as you ate breakfast. I won't take no for an answer, Matt."
Seeing how his little brother had inherited his own stubbornness, Matt finally agreed. "Fine. But if one word of this gets out to anyone, you are a dead man, Takeru Ishida."
T.K. nodded his head and gestured with his hand for Matt to continue. Looking around and deciding they looked too conspicuous inside, Matt opened the door and motioned for T.K. to follow him outside. "You want to know what the problem is; I think I'm falling for Sora!" he whispered loudly.
T.K.'s mouth dropped. From the time his family had arrived at the castle, he believed Sora and Matt would make a great couple and saw the chemistry between them off the bat. He had suspected something like this was what Matt was so giddy about but yet was still having a bit of trouble believing it.
"When did this happen?"
"The thing is, I don't know! But what I do know is that it's probably not a good thing! She's a princess; I'm an artist. You do the math!" Matt barked at his little brother.
T.K. was quiet. His brother was finally happy and had found happiness but society would do everything to keep Matt away from Sora. They both knew it. T.K. knew how happy Matt had been lately every time he was around Sora. He also knew the likewise was true.
In fact that was exactly what he and Kari had been talking about yesterday when Tai went into his rant about croquet. They had both noticed some sparks flying between the two older teens. T.K. had also observed the cheerful, blissful way Sora had greeted him this morning with a strong belief his brother had something to do with it.
T.K., though knowing these other pieces of information, did not choose to disclose them to his brother yet. He had to talk to Kari and the others and see what their thoughts were. "Well, bro," he finally decided on his words, "If nothing else keep her friendship, please. Sora found a way to bring back my brother and I don't want to lose him again."
Matt looked solemnly at his brother, noticing how sincerely he was speaking. If anything I don't want to lose her friendship. But why do I get the feeling T.K. is hiding something from me? Oh well. "Thanks for listening Teeks." He said, ruffling the younger blonde's hair. Matt picked up the measuring stick and threw it to his brother. "Let's keep working…"
-Schoolroom-
Meanwhile, Sora, Tai, Kari, and Mimi were sitting through their history lesson. Master Gennai was attempting to question them about ancient Egypt. History just didn't appeal to them all, though. Sora liked it while all the others, particularly Tai, had a hard time staying awake. "Tai," he yelled at the lone male, "tell me something about the Egyptians."
Tai shot straight up. He had been off in dreamland. Who are we talking about? Why'd he have to wake me up from such a good dream? What a feast! There was chicken, turkey, potatoes, cakes, and chocolates…mmm… Tai's mouth had begun to water. And it was ALL for me! He had begun to drool and got a goofy grin on his face.
"Do you find something funny about the Egyptians?" Master Gennai asked.
Tai stood up. "No sir." He made a show of clearing his throat. "Um, the Egyptians were from…Greece!" he stated proudly sitting down.
The three girls burst out into laughter while Master Gennai fixed Tai with a cold, hard reproachful look. "Tai, you dork, the Egyptians were from Egypt!" Sora giggled.
"I knew that." He answered turning a little red. "Um…their leader was Julius Caesar."
He tried again knowing Master Gennai wouldn't let him off the hook until he gave a right answer.
Instead he was greeted with a "Wrong, again. Try another answer."
Tai had begun to sweat. "Uh…they invented the wheel?" Can't he just leave me alone!
Master Gennai covered his face with his hands. "Can someone, PLEASE, refresh Tai's memory about the ancient Egyptians."
"They built the pyramids and the Nile was their main water source." Mimi replied.
"Does that help any, Tai?" Master Gennai then asked.
What am I supposed to say? "Uhhh…." There was a knock at the door saving the bushy-haired teen. He sighed in relief and slouched in his seat only to sit straight up when he noticed who the visitor was.
"Your Majesty." Everyone said, standing and bowing/curtsying.
"What brings you here, Your Highness?" asked Master Gennai while the others all sat back down.
"There is a matter I would like to discuss with the students. You all are familiar with the Ishida family, particularly their two sons Matt and T.K., I assume."
"Yes, father." Sora answered for the others, wondering where the conversation was leading.
"Well in two days, it will be Matt's twentieth birthday and we would like to throw him a party in celebration of his birthday and in appreciation for all the work he has put into this castle so far."
"What a great idea!" Kari exclaimed while the other two girls nodded enthusiastically. Tai somewhat reluctantly nodded, admitting it was a good idea.
"The cooks have come up with a list of things needed from the village and there are a bunch of other things I imagine we'll be needing from there. I'm asking the four of you to go in to the village and purchase the things we'll need, decoration materials, cooking ingredients, and such items. What do you say?"
"Of course!" they answered. Tai almost stood up with happiness. No more ancient Egyptians!
"Great." King Takenouchi replied. "I'll meet you in the foyer in approximately thirty minutes with your list and a few other things. Please go change into some more…relaxing…clothes that'll make you fit in when you're in the village." He bowed to them all and began to leave but paused as he reached the door. "You may tell T.K. about this but whatever you do, do not let Matt know."
The four teens all nodded as the King left. Master Gennai dismissed them, and they all left in a hurry, glad to be out of there. "You know what this means, ladies." Mimi began.
A huge smile found its way to Kari's face while a sarcastic one grazed Sora's lips. "SHOPPING!" they exclaimed in unison, though Sora's exclamation was rather sarcastic. I'm not a great big fan of shopping, but if it's for a party, and if it is for Matt then I think I can handle it. Her smirk had turned into a real smile.
Tai walked by them with his head hung low. "I HATE shopping! I'm going to have to carry all your bags all day. We really need to get a few more males in this castle. At least I don't have to hear any more about the ancient Egyptians…"
A/N: Thoughts? There wasn't too much humor until the end but I can promise a lot in the next chapter. But what else can you expect when Tai goes shopping with three girls? Please review!
Theladyknight