Frontier 02: Home Frontier – Chapter 16: Fading Memories
madjack89: Hey everyone! How you doing? Did you like the last chapter?
Kouji: Why don't you read their comments and find out?
madjack89: You're no fun, Kouji.
Kouji: Whatever.
madjack89: And I'm surprised that you're not mad at me for the last chapter.
Kouji: You're the one who said you like happy endings.
madjack89: Well yeah, but still.
Kouichi: At least my problems are solved for the moment.
Kouji: See?
madjack89: Oh, just shut up, everyone!
Tommy: I'm sorry.
Takuya: She didn't mean you, Tommy. She meant Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb over there, and don't even try to think of a comeback to that, Kouji!
Kouichi: You realize that you're insulting me too, right?
Takuya: Sacrifices must be made, Chief.
Kouichi: Okay, I've been putting this off for awhile, but I have to say something now. How did you come up with a nickname like 'Chief' for me, JP?
JP: Well, I was trying to use a shortened version of your name, but all I could come up with was 'coach,' and I didn't think that sounded right. Then I started thinking of names related to coach, and I eventually thought of 'chief' and thought it was perfect!
Kouichi: …I can't believe you gave that much thought to coming up with a nickname.
JP: Hey, I'm the nickname guy. It's what I do.
Tommy: You didn't give me a nickname.
JP: Yes I did. I always call you kid.
Tommy: That's not much of a nickname.
Takuya: It's better than Taki.
Kira: I like the name Taki.
Takuya: I don't mind if you call me that, Kira.
Kouji: The Yankee gets special privileges.
Kira: I am NOT a Yankee! I'm a juvenile delinquent at worst.
Kouji: Whatever, Yankee…
Kira: I'm gonna kick your ass!
Takuya: Wait, let me get a camera!
Zoe: Please start answering reviews now, Madjack.
madjack89: Alright, here I go.
*break*
Megmo8214: Thank you very much! I hope that I can get better and better at writing (I've been giving consideration to someday becoming an author). And cookies are awesome! (Daiki: Yay!)
kyokoaurora: Thank you very much! I try my hardest to do well when writing!
babytigera: …I'M SORRY! Are you okay? I know it's not really my fault, but still! I feel bad now, I didn't want to make people feel bad or anything…(and don't feel bad about me feeling bad, because I feel bad for people for the smallest of reasons). Alright…well, in answer to your question, Neji Hyuga is a character in the anime Naruto who is voiced by the same voice actor as Kouji (and he's one of my favorite characters on the show!). Okay, I hope that this chapter is less painful for you. Thanks for reviewing!
greywindfalcon: Um…well…Shino is…I'll explain more about it later. And I'll have to share these cookies and brownies with everyone at the end! Hooray! Thanks!
GoldenDragon326: Yean, fun times! I think these guys definitely make a sucky search party (sigh). Oh well! Thanks for the review!
*break*
madjack89: Okay let's start this chapter! And Kira, don't really beat Kouji up.
Takuya and Kira: Damn it…
—
"Okay class, we've got a new student today!" said the fifth grade teacher, beckoning in the child standing outside the door. "Please say hello to Kouji Minamoto!"
The child walked reluctantly into the room, slightly nervous. I've been to at least six different schools, and I still get nervous on the first day. Oh well, it's not like I'll be here long, anyway. He glanced up at the student's expectant faces, fidgeting with the slightly over-sized blue hat sitting on his head.
"I'm Kouji Minamoto, and I hope that we'll all get along," he said generically. He had already rehearsed this many times before.
The teacher smiled and whispered, "Don't worry, you'll be fine!"
Kouji rolled his eyes. He had been through this routine before. Suddenly, he heard a girl giggle. He scanned the room, finding the girl who looked up at him and began to giggle harder. His eyes narrowed. She was laughing at him! How dare she!
"Okay Kouji, why don't you sit in the seat beside Seiko? Seiko, please stand up!"
Kouji moaned as the giggling girl stood abruptly, trying to stifle her laughter. Kouji trudged to his seat, sitting down and trying to angle himself away from the giggly Seiko girl.
The teacher started a lecture about some boring subject that Kouji had already studied at his last school. His attention began to drift as he thought how unfair his father was. He just had to go and marry that woman! We were fine on our own. He thinks that I need a mother, but he's wrong! I don't need anyone!
Kouji felt a tap on his shoulder, breaking him out of his reverie. He turned his head, seeing the giggly girl smiling at him cheerfully. He glared at her. What is this girl's problem?
She pushed a piece of paper at him, motioning for him to read it. Kouji unfolded it and read:
Hi there, Kouji! My name's Seiko. I hope that we can be friends. You seem really nice and funny! I thought I was going to die of laughter when you rolled your eyes at the teacher like that!
Kouji sighed. She was another one of those crazy giggly girls who never leave you alone. And she thought he was funny, which just made it worse. Kouji took out a pen and wrote:
Yeah? Well, don't get too comfortable. It won't be long before my dad ships me off to some other school.
He shoved the piece of paper back at her. A few moments later, she passed the paper back to him. It read:
Really? It sounds like you travel a lot. But you don't really want to leave, do you?
Kouji's eyes widened in surprise. No one had ever asked him this before. They were usually just curious to know where he'd been. He glanced at Seiko for a moment. She had shoulder length straight, dirty blond hair. Her hazel eyes were focused on the teacher as she paid close attention to the lecture.
Kouji smirked. She looks so serious. She must be one of those dim-witted types that try their hardest to get a passing grade and end up failing anyway.
Kouji looked back down at the paper, considering what to say. Finally, he wrote down a single word.
No.
—
Kouji smirked, staring at the grave in front of him. He chuckled darkly. "We had some good times, didn't we…Seiko?"
-They'll be here soon. You know what to do.-
"Yes," muttered Kouji, smiling. "I'm going to end this. Once and for all!"
—
"Okay Kouichi, concentrate," said Takuya, grasping Kouichi's shoulders.
Kouichi sweatdropped. "Takuya, you're beginning to scare me," he said slowly, trying to get out of Takuya's grip. "I'm pretty sure I don't have freaky twin…whatever you just said."
"Well, we have to try something!" exclaimed Takuya. "Kouji needs our help!"
"I know," Kouichi muttered. "I wish I could help, but…I can't."
"It's okay, Kouichi. We'll find him," said Zoe, putting her arm over Kouichi's shoulders.
"Oh!" exclaimed Daiki suddenly, causing everyone to jump. "You two are going out now, aren't you?" he stated, pointing at Kouichi and Zoe.
Kouichi and Zoe blinked, startled. "Um…yes," said Zoe.
"I knew it!" said Daiki happily.
"What?" exclaimed Takuya. "You two are…what?"
"It'll be okay, Taki," said Kira, patting Takuya's head. "I'll explain it to you later. Good going, Zoe. You too, Chief."
"Congratulations," said Hotaru, smiling briefly. Everyone stared at him.
"Oh my god, we got him to smile," said Zoe, awestruck.
"This day is very confusing," muttered Takuya.
"Let me take over, Taki," said Kira. "Alright guys, let's get back to business. We can't waste any more time with these stupid diversions. Let's just split up. Taki, Chief, and Zoe can go that way, and me, Dai, and Hotaru can go this way," ordered Kira, pointing them in different directions.
With that, Kira and her group left, leaving Takuya, Zoe and Kouichi behind.
"Sounds good," said Zoe. "C'mon guys."
"Alright," huffed Takuya, wondering why he couldn't go with Kira. "C'mon, Chief."
Kouichi began to follow them, and then he heard something that made him pause.
-Kill them…-
Kouichi's eyes widened. What?
Yes…I'll end it.
"Kouji…" murmured Kouichi, trembling.
"Chief?" Takuya stopped, staring back at Kouichi.
"Kouichi, are you okay?" asked Zoe.
Kouichi slowly shook his head. "No…Kouji is…we have to hurry!" He began to hurry across the street, beckoning for Zoe and Takuya to follow him. "I know where Kouji is!"
Takuya and Zoe glanced at each other and nodded. Then they followed Kouichi to who knew where.
—
Shino rose slowly to his feet, clutching his arm. "Kouji…why?"
"Shino?" Shino turned to see Kira, Daiki and Hotaru staring at him. "What are you doing in the middle of a garden?" asked Kira.
Shino frowned, glancing around at the dense shrubbery. "He tried to make it so no one would find me…"
"Who?" asked Daiki.
"Kouji," Shino said. "In case you haven't noticed, there's something dark going on inside him."
Kira and Hotaru glanced at each other while Daiki said, "I don't know what you mean, but Kouji's acting weird, so we were trying to find him before something bad happened."
"Something bad has happened," said Shino. "I don't know what either, but I know we have to stop it."
The others stared at him, confused. Shino sighed. "Okay, let me explain…"
—
Kouji sat in front of the grave, watching the sun set. He smiled. "That's ironic. One day ends, and soon, another begins. Once they get here…"
Suddenly, Kouji's eyes got less cloudy. "No," he said, eyes wide with fear. "I won't! I won't be your puppet! And I won't kill them! They're my…" Kouji glanced back at the grave.
-Your what? Your friends? You are pathetic! Like it or not, I have control here. I don't even have to sweet talk you anymore!-
"ARGH!" cried Kouji, clutching his head. His head throbbed as images flashed through it. Yelling at his father…going to the Digital World…protecting Takuya from Duskmon's attack…having to fight his brother…watching Kouichi sacrifice himself…watching Seiko…
"NO! ARGH!" Kouji fell completely to the ground, tears rolling down his cheeks. "Why…why does everyone try to protect me…I don't deserve it…I…"
Kouji's eyes clouded again, letting his mind be overtaken again rather than suffer through this torture.
—
I remember all too well what I first thought of Seiko. I thought she was dimwitted and idiotic. Of course, I never told her that because I didn't want to hurt her. I never wanted her to be hurt, especially not by my own hand…but I guess that was too big a wish.
—
Kouji sat alone at lunch that day, trying to make it clear to everyone that he wanted to be left alone. Then he felt another tap on his back. He turned and there stood Seiko, grinning stupidly down at him. He frowned. What, is she stalking me?
"May I sit with you?" she asked, gesturing to the seat beside him hopefully.
He sighed. If it'll get you off my back… "Fine."
"Yay!" exclaimed Seiko, plopping down next to him. Kouji stared at her, thinking she was almost graceful and clumsy at the same time. I guess I can just ignore her, he thought, continuing to eat his lunch.
They sat in silence for a few moments. Then Seiko said, "You know, I'm a pretty shy person too." Kouji glanced up, realizing that she was talking about him.
He glared at her accusingly. "What makes you think I'm shy? Maybe I just don't want to be around any of you. Maybe I just don't like any of you!"
Seiko paused, and then smiled warmly at Kouji. "I think that you're afraid."
Kouji flinched. "What do you mean?"
"Well…you told me that you wanted to stay. You act like you don't care what happens, one way or another. But really, you don't want to have to move around anymore. You want to stay in one place and call it a home. You want to make friends, but you're scared to have to say goodbye to them. You just don't want anyone to leave."
Kouji stared at her, awestruck. She had read his feelings like a book. Seiko looked at him and giggled. "I guess I got it right! But Kouji…please don't be afraid around me. I won't leave you, I promise."
—
What an empty promise. I know now that everyone leaves and, as much as I hate to admit it, someday I'll be alone. Seiko got it right. I'm afraid of the loneliness, but the thing I'm most afraid of is hurting the people I care about. Seiko…Kouichi…I'm sorry! I'm sorry…for everything.
—
"Kouji!" Kouji looked up, broken from his thoughts. Before him stood Zoe, Takuya, and Kouichi, all breathing hard as if they had been running.
He smirked. "I underestimated you, brother," he said, saying the last word with malice. He smiled as Kouichi flinched. "You're a lot more perceptive than I thought, oh great warrior of darkness!"
Zoe's eyes narrowed at Kouji. "Why are you taunting him? What has gotten into you, Kouji?"
Kouji chuckled. "That's the million dollar question, isn't it? What HAS gotten into me lately? Maybe my brother can tell you? Oh, that's right; he's too busy with his love life to worry about me!"
Kouichi stepped back. "Kouji…I…I'm…"
"You're sorry, right?" Kouji sneered, taking a step toward Kouichi. "Well, sorry won't fix me, will it?"
"Knock it off, Kouji!" exclaimed Zoe, stepping in front of Kouichi.
Kouji stared at Zoe, smiling. "Well, would you look at this? Kouichi is so pathetic that he can't even hold his own against his twin brother without his girlfriend stepping in to defend him!"
"I said knock it off, Kouji!" yelled Zoe fiercely, fists raised.
Kouji laughed darkly. "You're going to fight me? Ha! Step aside, Zoe, you're blocking the way to my wimpy, pathetic brother!"
"Kouji!" yelled Takuya, pushing past Kouichi and Zoe and grabbing Kouji by the collar. "I could take it if you mocked me, but how dare you mock Kouichi like that! How dare you insinuate that he doesn't care about you? Have you forgotten what he did for us in the Digital World? We would all be dead if it wasn't for him!"
Kouji stared Takuya straight in the eye and murmured, "Put me down right now, or I'll kill you!"
Takuya's eyes widened in shock. Something about the way Kouji said it…something about the look in his eyes told Takuya that Kouji truly would kill him. Takuya slowly lowered Kouji to the ground, arms trembling.
Kouji saw Takuya's fear and laughed. "What happened to that can do attitude of yours, Takuya? I thought that you could face any obstacle, tackle any enemy? What makes me so different?"
Zoe glared at Kouji. "What are you saying, Kouji? You're scaring me…"
"That voice…" muttered Kouichi slowly. What is this that I'm remembering? Ilsemon…Duskmon…what is this?
Zoe glanced back. "Kouichi?"
Kouichi stayed fixated on his new memory, not realizing that Zoe had spoken.
Kouji smiled, forgetting about Zoe and Kouichi for the moment. "That's right, Takuya," he whispered, leaning close to Takuya's ear. "I'm betraying you. I am no longer your friend. I've decided that friends are nothing but trouble, so I'm going to end it here!"
Takuya's eyes widened in fear, tears threatening to roll down his cheeks. "You…you're going to…kill me? W-Why?"
Kouji paused, and then chuckled darkly. "Because I hate you!"
—
madjack89: Wow…what a note to end on, huh?
Kouichi: Yeah…
madjack89: But on the bright side, I have the cookies and brownies that greywindfalcon gave us right here!
Daiki: Cookies! *begins to gorge on cookies*
Takuya and Tommy: Sweet!
Shino: Hey, let me have some!
Takuya: Here's a brownie, Kira.
Kira: Thanks, Taki!
Shino: What the hell!
Kouichi: You know you can't win against her, Shino.
Shino: *sigh* I know.
Zoe: These cookies are pretty tasty, huh Hotaru?
Hotaru: Yeah.
Kouichi: Don't you want something, Kouji?
Kouji: I guess…I'm not much for sweets…
Takuya: Um…any reason why JP isn't having anything?
JP: I am going on a diet.
Everyone: *gasp*
madjack89: Good for you, JP!
JP: Thank you.
madjack89: Alright, see you in the next exciting capitulo!