Chapter 4

Reb: Yes. I know this story is rushed, but when I wrote it I was rushing. I finished the whole thing rather quickly. If I had written this in the same speed I usually write, it would have been more drawn out. Sorry.

"Hey, Kou. You'll never believe what I saw at school. You know that kid from 3rd period who's getting a little chubby?"

"Ya?"

"I saw him hopping around at school. Everyone was pointing and laughing because he was trying so hard to catch a frog. And it wasn't even a real one."

–

"Hey, Kouji?"

"Ya, Kouichi?"

"Nothin."

–

"Kou!"

"Kou!"

"Kouichi!"

— — —

Kouri sat up from his dream. He could hardly remember what it was about but he'd heard his voice in there somewhere. All the events of the last few days came rushing back to him.

The 4 teens still hadn't been caught. It was the dawn of the second day. Something kept nagging at him. Oh well.

Knock! Knock!

"Ya?"

"You're breakfast sir." an elf walked in and set down his food before hurrying out, afraid of him.

"Izumi.." Kouri missed the blonde elf. He could really use her right now. Just to talk to... but he didn't know why.

– – – – – –

Kouri tied his hair in a ponytail, unusual for him. He took his mask off and stared into his mirror before holding the mask in front of his face and then comparing himself. He put the mask on.

"Kouri. I serve Queen Lana. I know who you are." he removed the mask and glared at his reflection. "But who are you?" he asked. He tried to remember the face he saw. He slammed his mask down so hard that it shattered. He stared at his hand, which was now bleeding. "Hm..."

"Ow!"

"Kouji. How'd you manage that?" a woman giggled.

– – – – – – – – – –

Kouri had crept through shadows to Lana's thrown room. He stood behind her thrown, back to her and hand over his face.

"Kouri?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

"Lady Lana. I had an.. Accident... this morning."

"Hm?" the fox ears atop Lana's head perked up. "What kind of accident?" she asked, some chill in her voice.

Kouri set the broken mask down by Lana. She stared at it, interested as too what would make him do that. He took a step to leave when her voice came.

"Oh Kouri."

"Yes?"

"Come see me again for lunch. Until then, make sure no one sees your face... this means you can't leave the castle either."

"Yes ma'am." Kouri bowed, glared, and vanished into the dark. When she was sure he was gone, Lana snapped her fingers and a brunette came in.

"Flora. Gather up the elves and nymphs. You're going forest diving for traitors." her voice was full of malice.

– – – – – – – – – –

Kouichi and the others had reached the bottom of the hill now. The edge of the forest ended there so they'd have to keep moving and hope they weren't spotted as they made the final stretch toward the castle. Kouichi had been thinking some more about Kouri.. No. Kouji. He and Izumi were in the front.. Or he should say Izumi was a mile ahead on look out duty and they were trying to keep up.

Suddenly, Izumi came back and ran, keeping pace with Kouichi. She seemed excited.

"Izumi." Kouichi began to talk when they paused for a rest in an overgrown section on the way up.

"Hm?"

"Lana's powers. Are they forever? Like.. Do they have complete control?" he asked. Izumi shook her head.

"No. I'm proof. All she does is suppress the memories. If you come out of her power she just does it again. It usually takes a good 20 or more years to break her control." she explained.

"But then how did you.."

"I've been playing her servant for 2 years now." she held up too fingers and smiled. "I must be a good actor."

"Why didn't she re-suppress your memories?"

"Like I said. I'm a good actor. She never noticed that I was myself again." Izumi looked up at the castle and then down at the others. She whistled like a bird and they all looked at her. She motioned to follow her.

As they dashed up the final stretch and were approaching the gates, a question nagged Kouichi. Izumi showed everyone the secret back entrance to the castle and as Takuya, Tomoki, and J.P. made their way in, she heard Kouichi's voice.

"Izumi. You said we had to bring back a memory of one of her warriors. What are we going to do?" he asked. Izumi smirked.

"We're going to wake up your brother." and with that she slid into the secret passage. Kouichi smiled and followed.

– – – – –

They were nearing the end of the passage when Izumi slowed down to talk to Kouichi.

"If we have to fight, Izumi, how will we win? We're only human." Kouichi asked.

"Fists I guess. But you can seal them in ice too."

"Huh?"

"Nothing.."

A few minutes passed in silence.

"Kouichi.. I bet.. If you wanted to.. You could freeze time."

Kouichi was going to ask about that when Izumi quickened her pace and moved ahead of the others.

"This way."

– – – – – – –

They were running as silently as possible through the castle. So far they had only run into two guards, which Izumi put to sleep. As they passed one hallway, Kouichi froze. He came face to face with Kouji Minamoto.

18 years old, long ponytail, and a confused look on. He wore a yellow shirt, blue jacket and Soho pants. Kouichi blinked and he turned into Kouji wearing Kouri's clothes.

"Kou?" the words came out of Kouri's mouth but they sounded like Kouji. Time had slowed down until someone grabbed Kouichi's upper arm and pulled him along.

'Hey, Kou! You'll never believe what I saw at school.'

– – – – – – –

Kouri had been making extra sure to avoid everyone. As he walked down a hallway to meet Lana for lunch, he paused. A short haired boy with navy eyes wearing a maroon long sleeved shirt and a green jacket with white pants was standing in front of him. They locked eyes.

"Kou?" the voice was his, he knew it, but who was Kou and why had he said it? He blinked only to find the boy gone? Had he even been there?

Kouri shrugged and continued to Lana.

– – – – – – –

Izumi led the way through the castle. Kouri's room was in the next hall. She smiled.

"Just around h..." her eyes widened as she turned the corner and Kipith (chp.1) grabbed her around the neck.

"Ah. Izumi. And the traitor brats." he smirked as Kouichi stopped before running into him and then grabbed Kouichi like he had Izumi.

"Izumi!" J.P. exclaimed.

"Kouichi!" Tomoki and Takuya skidded to a halt. They noticed other men surrounding them. Kouichi and Izumi were having trouble breathing but Kipith didn't seem to notice or care.

"Queen Lana is busy at the moment or you'd be taken straight to her. Unfortunately, she's having lunch with the brat. So for now..." he spoke as he walked. "This looks appropriate. Enjoy." he laughed as he threw them all into cells in the dungeons.

The door closed and lamps lit themself to give light. Izumi and Kouichi were in cells right beside each other, coughing and gasping for breath. Takuya and Tomoki and J.P. were in three cells on the other side of dungeon.

"Are you guys ok" Takuya asked as Kouichi and Izumi seemed to regain any missing air.

"Ya.. Fine.." Izumi replied, giving a thumbs up. Kouichi leaned on the back of his cell and looked at the ceiling. He unconsciously started smiling.

"Yo, Kouichi. What are you so happy about?" J.P. asked. Everyone looked at the blue-nette as he continued smiling.

"He called me Kou." he seemed off in his own world.

"Huh?" J.P. looked to the others but they all shrugged and Izumi faked confusion.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Kouri took a drink from his cup. He was having lunch with Lana. Since his mask was off, she had taken to staring at his face or acting like he wasn't there. Most meals he ate with her were in silence. He preferred it this way as he wasn't all that fond of her.

When they finished eating and Kouri prepared to leave Lana grabbed his wrist.

"You're forgetting something." she put a new mask in his hand and he held it up and examined it.

"As perfect as ever, your highness." he bowed and turned to leave, his long hair flowing behind him.

"Ah. Kouri!"

"Yes, Lady?"

"When will you let me cut your hair?"

Kouri just ignored the question and kept walking. Lana pouted slightly and then went to check the status of the elves searching the forest.

Kouri scowled. Didn't that woman understand he wasn't going to cut his hair? Why did everyone have a problem with it? He didn't know why he wouldn't cut his hair, something just told him not to. As he walked to his room he paused.

"Hm?" he looked around. There was a lingering presence around this area. Although it felt familiar, he didn't know who it was. He shrugged it off and went into his room.

– – – – – – – – – –

Down in the dungeon, Tomoki had taken to humming and, when told to shut up by J.P., was joined by Takuya.

– – – – – – – – – –

Kouri was back in front of his blasted mirror holding his newhelmet/mask which he had yet to put on. He stared down at the mask and then at the boy in the mirror. Photographs flashed in his mind.

'Kouji, over here!'

'Two beautiful baby boys, Miss.'

'Hi, Mommy!'

'Mommy, look!'

'Over here! Look at Kouichi, Mom!'

'Look at my handsome little men.'

He squinted as he stared at the image of himself. Were these.. Memories? Or illusions? A flashed image of Kouichi as he stared at him in fear just hours ago filled his mind.

"And why do I care!" he yelled angrily and tossed hismask and it landed safely on his bed. He walked over and flopped down himself, falling into a deep, dreamless sleep.