Artistic Differences
By theladyknight
Disclaimer: Digimon is not mine!
A/N: I've been waiting to write this forever…hope you all enjoy it and R&R!
Kkornelia: Thanks for all the reviews! Cody is one of the servants in the castle and a few others have been mentioned as well. More will show up later. I didn't want Matt to give her a red rose so yellow for friendship sounded good! Matt plays guitar in 02 but this fic didn't have anything to do with that so I had him go back to the harmonica. And just for you, there's more with the harmonica in this chapter!
Raine189: Jun wanted to save the best for last! Lol!
Nessa: Thanks!
My Name is R.C.: Yep, Tai invented the concept of tuxes. Earlier on, Matt invented the concept of dating and he and Sora invented the idea of a movie (that one wasn't as obvious as the other two)…and there are more to come…
Neko: Read to see…
Placid Snowflake: I watched a little bit of it before my dad made me switch channels. Then I think I actually went to do my homework!
Thetwentyone: I agree!
Cute Lil Sora: Hope you're feeling better…I've still got my appendix…
Windedlove: Here's the chapter!
Ballet Kitty: The spy will be revealed eventually but there are some clues…
Cute-cleo: -smiles- thanks!
Kat: Yes I have seen Shrek 2, and it was great!
Starr-lover: I always knew I wanted to end last chapter like that…
Angelic-demon914: In the room or the spy?
Sorato4eva: I have yet to find someone…
Kay: Read on…
Indigowolf: I'll keep that in mind…
Mini Moose: I'm going to borrow Marcus back because I need someone to do my homework, clean my room, and my neighbors own potbellied pigs—and their pen needs to be cleaned…
Yume-dream: I think the reviewers will kill him before Matt or Sora…
Armitage: Big, large, ugly clown shoes!
Crazyamzy: Sora's dad thinks Matt's innocent…it's explained more in the beginning of this chapter…
Curtis Zidane Ziraa: You'll see…
Scorpion05: Damn those people!
Blondie121147: Tai is a dork…but we love him anyway! I wouldn't do something mean like that…
Star tenshi: -grins- thanks! That's probably the nicest review I've ever gotten! I agree about the Marcus part too…
Chapter 15: Balcony Scenes
The princess's eyes shot towards the balcony. Someone's out there. She hadn't shut the doors all the way, and they had begun rattling in the wind.
Sora picked up a candlestick, the only thing resembling a weapon and slowly crept towards the balcony. Trembling, the girl barely had to touch one of the doors before it opened.
She held the candlestick up and looked around. A hand found its way to her mouth, and Sora soon found herself in a man's clutches. Her captor turned her so she was facing him yet he still kept his hand over her mouth. As their eyes met, the girl let out a muffled gasp…
-Ballroom-
"King Haruhiko, you've got to stop this! The Ishidas are innocent, and Matt's not the spy!" Tai shouted as T.K. was being chained up.
"Believe me, Tai, I know as well as you do." The King answered. "Lord Ichijouji, I beg you: let the Ishidas go and end the manhunt for Matt. I will vouch for their innocence."
"Your majesty, I've told you before, I'm sworn to do whatever I can to protect the royal family. The Ishidas being here and the attack fit together perfectly. If you add that to the fact Matt has no alibi, you'll see why I'm taking action!"
"Haruhiko, what's going on?" Queen Toshiko asked as she ran down the stairs. Her husband briefed her on what had happened, and she too faced Lord Ichijouji. "They are innocent and have been framed!"
The man glared at the queen. "My decision stands firm."
Nancy Ishida was being led down the stairs by a group of guards and led over to her husband and son. "Are you okay?" Queen Toshiko called.
"I've been better." The woman admitted.
"Malcolm, Nancy, and T.K. Ishida, you are placed under house arrest for high treason and plotting against the royal family." Lord Ichijouji announced.
Nancy looked around. "Where's Matt?"
"Your oldest son has fled after being condemned the spy, an offense punishable by death."
Sora's mother rested her head on her husband's shoulder. "We will clear all of your names." King Takenouchi promised.
"Thank you," Malcolm answered as they were led to the dungeons.
"Does Sora know yet?"
The king shook his head. Breaking the news will be one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life…
-Sora's Room-
The captor slowly removed his hand when he was sure the girl wouldn't scream. "How…how did you get up here?"
He only turned and pointed to the rope ladder.
How could I have forgotten? Sora threw her arms around the man. "Oh Matt, you'll be in so much trouble if someone catches you!"
He forced a smile as he kissed her. "I'm not going to let them capture me. But I wasn't going to leave without seeing you. And there's something important I have to do."
"What?" He captured her lips again and gave her a long fiery kiss. "I love you, Sora."
"I love you too, Matt, more than words can say."
He pulled something out of his pocket. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you and love you forever." The blond slipped the ring on her finger. "Be my wife."
Sora gasped. "Of course, Matt! I don't care what anyone else says!"
He grinned as they walked into the bedroom, moving away from the open window and outside world full of hate. "Your father gave me his blessing."
Sora's face lit up, and she wrapped her arms around him. "I have a feeling your family and the Yagamis won't mind either."
They looked at each other, forgetting about the situation at hand, lost in their own happiness. Their lips met in a trail of hungry kisses and Matt backed them up, gently laying the princess on the bed. He kissed the flesh near her neck and then made his way back up to kiss her lips.
Sora pulled him onto her and the kissing grew more heated. As the blond began tugging at her shirt, the girl pulled away. "Matt, I want to continue as much as you, but someone may come in. My parents are probably going to come up soon to tell me what happened, and they may have a guard with them…"
He sighed. "You're probably right. Besides, we need to figure out what to do." He responded, rolling off her but still lying on the bed. "But first you may want to change out of those clothes. They might get a bit suspicious if you're not wearing your gown."
The princess nodded and walked behind her dressing doors, approaching moments later. Sora handed him the clothes she had been wearing. "These are yours. You may need them."
"Thanks." He murmured, joining him on the bed. "I'll most likely be using them."
Sora studied the artist. "Matt, how did this happen? How did Marcus and his father get a hold of all this?"
"I don't know, Sor. I'm assuming they heard word of the ball and began plotting to destroy your family. Their spies probably learned my family had been summoned, and Thelonius most likely realized he could kill two birds with one stone."
A frown found the girl's face, and she rested her head on Matt's chest. "Marcus has it out for you. And I fear he's after me."
"If he tries anything, I will rip him apart limb for limb."
The redhead smiled. "As good as that sounds, I think I can handle Marcus should he try anything. But right now, we need to figure out how to free your family and clear your name."
"I know. I need to find somewhere to escape to as well."
"You could hide in here." Sora gestured to her room, getting a laugh out of Matt.
"As much as I would like that, you have too many people going in and out of here. Someone would find me. I'd be better off hiding in the forest."
Sora bit her lip. "We'll keep thinking. I wish there was a way you could let your family know you're okay." She snapped. "I got it! Write your family a letter, and I'll bring it to them."
"But the guards…"
"My parents will let me go. I'll bring Tai and have him create a diversion while I slip it to your parents."
Matt grinned. "Add Mimi to the diversion and that may just work. When you get down there, show my mother the ring. She'll know that I'm okay and that you've spoken to me."
"Okay." The princess stood up, walked over to her dresser, and pulled out a container. "Here's some paper and a quill." As she handed him each thing, her eyes landed on something else. It was a stamp Izzy and Joe had created for her sixteenth birthday. The stamp showed her initials and the crest of love in the background. It was a one of a kind thing and Sora's personal symbol that she used to communicate with her friends. Joe and Izzy also had one. She gasped. "That's it!"
"What?" the blond asked.
"I know…"
The door of Sora's room began to shake and they could hear a key being put in the lock. Matt and Sora's faces both blanched. "Quick!" Sora whispered. "Get under the bed!"
Wasting no time, the artist grabbed the letter he had begun and slid under the bed just as the door opened. Sora managed to sit down and was smoothing her hair down. "Mother, father; did you find out who was responsible for the attack? How did things go?" I have to play dumb! They can't know I was down there!
King Haruhiko sat down on the bed and his wife soon joined him.
Why couldn't she have hid me somewhere other than under the bed! Dust flew down Matt's nose, and he had to do everything to keep from sneezing.
"That's what we came here to tell you. Our guards killed all of the Lockton fighters but one. He claimed, under heavy pressure, there was a spy here. Marcus stepped forward and said it was one of the reasons he had come here, and he'd figured out the spy was Matt…"
"What?" Sora exclaimed, standing up quickly and facing her parents. "Matt is not the spy! If anyone's the spy, it's Marcus! Let me at that dirty, lying bas—"
The Queen put her arm on her daughter. "Sora, honey, calm down! We feel the same way you do. The Ishidas have been placed under house arrest, and Matt has been named the spy spy. The penalty awaiting him, until we clear his name, is death."
"Can't you overturn it? You know they're innocent!"
King Haruhiko sadly shook his head. "If Lord Ichijouji feels we are being threatened, he can make the arrest. Getting rid of him won't do any good either because his predecessor would make the same decision. The aristocracy and officials of this kingdom don't know the Ishidas the way we do and if you add that to the fact Matt has no alibi…"
"He was dancing with me and then ran up to his room to get something."
"We understand that but because Matt can't admit what he was going to get..." Though Haruhiko and I know what it was.
"It's not fair!" Sora exclaimed, throwing her body onto the bed. I'm sorry Matt! The bed sagged down and bounced back up.
There's so little space down here and so much dust! Matt suddenly began to cough, unable to control himself.
"What's that noise?" the queen asked.
Oh no! The princess began tapping her foot against the floor. "That's just me, sorry. Father, is there any chance to free Matt and the Ishidas?"
"I promise you, Sora, we will do whatever it takes to free them and locate Matt."
"Huh, locate Matt?"
"He ran. The guards lunged for him, but Matt made a break."
"At least he's safe for the time being." Sora murmured. "We have to find him. I love him, and he is the one I've chosen to marry."
Both the king and queen's faces lit up. She finally admits it!
I'm going to be a grandmother someday!
Her parents enveloped the girl in a hug. "We've been waiting a long time to hear you say that. And Matt has asked for your hand in marriage and received it. He was going to propose to you tonight during the ball but obviously…"
There was silence.
"Aren't you happy?" the queen wondered.
Uh oh! Keep up the act! Keep up the act! Sora's eyes widened as though the reality had just sunk in. "Oh my God, Matt and I are going to be married!"
The king grinned. "As soon as we clear his name."
"Well then let's get started." Sora said, standing up.
"I agree. We start first thing in the morning." Queen Toshiko answered, joining Sora.
Thank goodness they're leaving. Matt wiped the sweat off his forehead and unknowingly stuck his hand out towards the side of the bed.
"Go ahead and get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a big day." King Haruhiko stood up as well, but felt his right foot step on something. "What was that?"
Matt pulled his hand away and held it to him in pain. I can't believe I let myself do that! They're going to find me!
"What is it, father?" Sora asked.
"I think I just stepped on something." He looked down at the bed, and Sora bit her lip in fear.
"I don't see anything." The redhead quickly answered. "I'll check under the bed so you don't have to bend down, father."
Sora bent down and pushed the covers back. She caught the blonde's eye and winked to him before looking around. "I don't see anything."
"Oh well," the queen said, "we should let you sleep. Goodnight, dear."
"Goodnight, mother. Goodnight, father." Sora yawned and stretched out.
"Goodnight. We're going to unlock your door, Sora. You won't do anything stupid like try to find Matt on your own, right?"
She shook her head and lay down on the bed. "Of course not, father." The girl closed her eyes. "Will you allow Mimi, Tai, Kari, and I to go visit the Ishidas tomorrow?"
How much dust is under this bed! Sora really needs to get someone to clean under here. At least I'm sure they're almost ready to leave now. I'm getting claustrophobic…and the dust…oh no…
"We have no problem." The king and his wife left the room and shut the door. Sora crept off the bed and placed her ear against the door.
"That went better than I thought it would." The queen admitted.
King Haruhiko sighed. "Yes, and I'm very happy she reacted the way she did to the news we gave her. I can tell she loves him too."
"Yet I got the feeling she knew more than we did about the situation."
"Maybe you were just imagining things like I was earlier when I thought I heard two voices coming from her room and I thought I stepped on something." The king explained. "Now, it's time for our meeting with Lord Kamiya and my advisors. Jacob, please come with us."
Sora leaned up against the door. So they did bring a guard with them. At least he didn't come in here, and they're gone now.
"ACHOO!"
The princess glanced over to the bed as Matt pushed himself out from underneath. "Matt, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, rushing over and kissing him.
The blond laughed. "And that's another reason I don't want to hide in your room—it's really dusty under there."
Sora smiled as well. "We had some close calls but you're safe for the time being. As I was saying before they came in, I have a plan. I know where you can hide."
"Where?"
"Joe's house!" the girl exclaimed. "Oh, it'll be perfect! He has this extra back room in case he's got a lot of patients. You can stay in there. Joe won't mind. I'm sure he can find some stuff for you to do. And I can send some gold with you as payment."
"Are you sure Joe won't mind me being there?"
"Of course not!"
Matt's face looked hopeful until he thought of something. "But people are going to be out searching for me. Joe'll get into so much trouble if they find me there."
Sora smiled. "But no one will think to look there. Joe's got all sorts of patients going to and from all day that they'd assume you wouldn't pick there. During the day you can hide out in Joe's room. He never lets any sick or injured person in there just so he himself won't get sick."
"Well, you've got me convinced."
"Great! I'll start writing a note to Joe, and you can finish the one to your parents."
He nodded and they began working in silence. Fifteen minutes later, Matt was signing his name as Sora stamped her seal on the letter to Joe. "Here you go." The artist and his fiancé switched letters. "I tried to be vague in there and just tell them I'm safe. I don't want you or Joe to get in trouble if it gets into the wrong hands."
"Good thinking." The redhead answered. "Joe's letter contains almost everything, but you can add more when you see him if you want. Just make sure he burns the letter when he's done reading it."
"Of course. What's that?" Matt asked, pointing outside the balcony. There were some loud noises coming from outside, and it appeared the area had somehow been illuminated.
The two walked to the balcony to get a better look. "Father's letting certain groups who live close to here go." Sora mused. "It appears everyone else is not too happy."
"This is going to make my escape much harder."
Sora put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you sure you want to leave tonight? Tomorrow…"
"…the guards, knights, and ordinary citizens alike are going to be searching for me. I have a strong feeling Lord Ichijouji placed a bounty on me. I must leave tonight." As much as I don't want to. He stared out the window. "Joe's being let out right now. I should go."
"Wait! You shouldn't leave without taking a few supplies. The more Joe has to buy the more conspicuous he looks. I've got another idea."
"What is it?"
"What's your traveling bag look like?"
"It's dark brown and lying on my dresser."
Sora thought for a second. "Okay. Where are your clothes and the dagger my father gave you?"
The blond gave her a quizzical look. "The clothes are in my dresser, and the dagger's in my traveling bag. Why?"
"You'll just have to find out. You'll have to hide again, love."
Matt groaned and mustered up his most charming smile. "Not under the bed, please!"
The princess giggled. "Hide behind my dressing doors."
"Thanks!" he kissed her and dashed behind the doors.
Sora walked over to the door and pushed it open. A sea of people walking by greeted her. I guess everyone wants to leave. Her ruby eyes searched the crowd until she found her target. "Cody!"
The young teenager turned around when he heard his voice. He somehow spotted the princess through the crowd and made his way to her room. "What is it, Sora?"
She beckoned for him to come inside. "Cody, I need you to do me a favor. Can you go to Matt Ishida's room and grab a dark brown traveling bag, some clothes from his dresser, and some of his art supplies?"
Now that's an odd request. "Why?"
"Lord Ichijouji and the others who think Matt is guilty are trying to set a trap for him. My parents and I don't want them to so we're trying to get the stuff before they do."
"I understand. I'll be back soon, Sora."
"Thank you, Cody." The boy entered the flood of people and Sora shut her door.
"You'd make an incredible actress…"
-Cody-
The servant fought his way through the people trying to get out of the castle. They all are afraid for safety reasons but it's more dangerous out there. For once the boy thanked God he was small and thin and could slip between the hysterical women and children.
Cody entered Matt's room and immediately found the bag. He opened the drawers and began putting clothes in it. Cody remembered what the princess had said about the art supplies and grabbed those as well. That's just like Sora…always thinking of others. I just wish there was some light in here.
A flicker of a candle caught the boy's eye. It was heading for the bedroom. Cody grabbed the heavy bag and dived behind the bed. If someone finds me here I'm in so much trouble!
A man entered the room, but Cody could not tell who it was from where he was perched. The man was whistling and tossing an item up and down in his hand.
"That was too easy. The king and queen and everyone else are powerless to stop me. Everyone believes Matt is the spy! Things can't get much better!" He placed the object he'd been throwing around on the dresser. "Not like I want this stupid thing, and there's no way Matt'll be getting this." He laughed and exited the room.
Cody stood up and quietly walked over to the dresser. Matt's harmonica…I wonder who that was. I'd better get back to Sora and let her know!
The boy looked both ways and then blended into the continuous stream of people. The crowd was moving so fast, he almost missed the princess's room. Cody knocked on the door, and Sora called him in.
"Here you go."
She smiled. "Thank you, Cody, you have no idea how much this will help."
"Sora, when I was in there, someone came in and placed Matt's harmonica on the dresser." The redhead gasped. "I ducked out of the way so they couldn't see me, but I couldn't figure out who it was. The man said something like no one can stop him and everyone was fooled into believing Matt's the spy."
Sora bit her lip. "Thank you again, Cody. I'll let you get out of here and get some sleep."
"Goodnight, Sora." She waved to him as he walked out and shut the door.
"That arrogant little ass!" Mat exclaimed, pushing the doors apart. "If nothing else proves he's the spy…"
"Shhh." Sora placed a finger to his lips. "I will find some way to let Marcus have it and make sure you're involved." Their eyes looked and they both knew it.
It was time.
Matt pulled the girl into his arms. "Take the back path through the forest. People will be on the main road and you can't chance it. Make sure Joe sees the seal on my letter right away and knows it's genuine. People are going to be hunting for you, Matt. Always be on the lookout."
They pulled away and Matt placed his harmonica into the bag and pulled out his dagger. "I will be fine. You need to stay safe as well, though. Watch out for Marcus. He and I got into an argument about you and let's just say you don't want to know some of the things he said. He's after you and wants your body."
Sora shivered at the thought and wrapped her arms around him again. "I know. I'll be careful and stick around Tai and the others. Stay in close contact with us. We'll be down to the village soon, and I will see you." She released him and they walked out to the balcony. "Take these with you as well." She handed Matt a bag with gold for Joe, and Matt's cloak. "You gave it to me the first day we met…"
Tears began forming in Sora's eyes, and the artist brushed them away. "I don't want to leave you, princess. Everything in my life was perfect with you by my side until Marcus arrived. I want to be here with you and seek our revenge."
"The second we come up with a plan, you'll be the first to know."
Matt lowered his head to hers. "Know that I love you more than life itself and will do anything for you. If Marcus so much as lays a finger on you, I will be here in a heartbeat."
"I love you too, Matt, and know we will be together." Her crest of love began to grow. "This only proves our love was meant to be."
Their lips met in a goodbye kiss full of so much love and passion. Sora wound her arms around him, clinging to him and knowing this would be the last time they kissed in quite awhile. Matt slowly kissed her and removed his lips. He took her hand and kissed it once more.
The artist climbed onto the ladder and Sora handed him his bag and dagger. "Goodbye, love."
"I love you, Matt." She kissed his lips once more and the blond forced a smile. He began his descent and finally reached the bottom. With one final nod to the princess, he strode off into the forest, cloaked in the dark.
Sora pulled the ladder up and followed Matt with her eyes until she could no longer see him. "Good luck, Matt." She whispered into the night…
Matt quietly found the path to the village. Compared to the rest of the things I went to, this will be the hardest part of my night…
A/N: -blinks- Next chapter: Matt's Nighttime Escape…you know the drill, please review!