Disclaimer: I don't own digimon

Thanks for all the reviews guys this chapter still doesn't have the Sorato part yet but the next one will. Thanks a lot you guys I really appreciate it ;)

Now on with the story…

He's Back and An Ounce of Freedom!

Takeru just woke up recently and his family just finished eating breakfast together. Lucky for him, his father had to attend some kind of meeting with the country's other leaders, so now he had some privacy especially since he's got a lot of explaining to do with his brother.

"Hello Yamato, good morning." Greeted Takeru as he approaches his older brother with a happy smile

"Oh hey there Takeru." Replied Yamato, then he realized the smile plastered on his brothers face and looked at him questioningly, then he asked "Okay what's with the happy smile all of a sudden? You rarely smile that way early in the morning or any hour of the day for that matter. Mind telling me what's wrong?" he asked

"Well…you see about yesterday…" started Takeru while putting a hand behind his head

"Speaking of that, you still owe me an explanation Takeru, where were you yesterday?" asked Yamato

"Well would you mind if I told you outside. I don't want anyone to eavesdrop on us or something…so what if I told you while we were riding? Is that okay?" asked Takeru

"Yeah it is, just be sure to tell me what happened to you yesterday." Said Yamato as he got up and he and his brother headed out for the stables to get their horses and have a little ride.

Meanwhile in the town things went on as usual, Tai still woke up pretty late today and Ken still made it to work earlier than he did, you know same old stuff. Kari was heading to Sora's flower garden today and she was in her happy mood and as usual had a happy smile on her face. She got into the flower shop dropped her things and went behind it to the flower garden. There she saw Sora tending to the flowers.

"Good morning Sora, how are you today? I hope you didn't have a hard time while I wasn't here yesterday." Said Kari looking at Sora

"Well I'm fine of course and…lets see nope I was alright yesterday I hope you enjoyed that day off I gave you." Said Sora

"I really did Sor thanks." Said Kari, Sora noticed Kari's smile and she stared at her then she didn't hesitate to ask

"So Kari I see that you're happier than usual today. Did something happen that I missed out on?" asked Sora

"Huh? What do you mean Sor aren't I always like this?" asked Kari questioningly

"Nope I can tell that you're happier than usual today although I can't seem to tell why though. Do you mind filling me in, or do I have to ask Tai for some information?" joked Sora

"Oh…Um…okay I'll tell you about although I thought Meems could have filled you in. I guess you haven't seen each other yet then." Said Kari

"Oh so Meems knows about this?" asked Sora

"Yeah Meems, Ken and Tai were there when it happened yesterday." Started Kari as sje noticed the look in Sora'a face

"And what did happen yesterday? Please do enlighten me." Said Sora as she temporarily stopped what she was doing to be able to listen to whatever story Kari was about to tell her.

"Okay well you see yesterday when I came back from the meadows and fields to pick up some flowers I went straight back to the restaurant. Then I saw Meems, Ken and Tai there, but they weren't alone. The prince was there too." Started Kari as she started the story Sora's eyed were already in shock about what she was hearing

"Why was he there Kari? And which prince are we talking about?" asked Sora

"Well the younger one Takeru Ishida. Meems said she took him there so he could eat, when I asked him what he was doing here he said he ran away, he told us why he did though and well…Tai and the rest of us understood his situation. He said he left the palace to be free for a while. Free from all the imprisonment I guess." Explained Kari then she continued her story "He also mentioned not having too many friends his age and how he felt so trapped in the castle where he couldn't even make his own choices. He was really sad Sor we could all see it."

"I guess he had a good reason to run away…who knew that someone who has everything we don't is still being miserable." Sora hearing Kari's story felt the loneliness that Takeru could have been experiencing his whole life. She felt really sad that he'd be stuck therewith no friends who he could just hang out with and be himself. This thought Sora just proves that money, wealth or riches can't buy you true happiness

"But you know what Sor, Tai was happy about meeting Takeru and so was everyone else there. He became our friend Sor and for the first time I think that he was really happy. He told us that he wanted us to call him by his first name, then Tai said it wasn't possible not until he became our friend." Said Kari with a kind smile

"Oh, that's just like Tai. If he's our friend now then I can't wait to meet him. He's about your age isn't he Kari?" asked Sor

"Yup and Tai told him that the food would be paid for if Takeru promises to come back and visit us, he agreed and said he might even bring his big brother along. He left when the bell from the castle rang and I just hope he didn't get caught. He's a really nice person Sor, you should've met him he doesn't even seem like a prince from a royal family, he's just plain old T.K." Kari had a kind and warm smile while she was telling Sora all about T.K and this was something Sora didn't fail to notice

"T.K? Where did that come from?" asked Sora

"Oh that was the nickname we gave him, because calling him Takeru all the time seemed too long." Said Kari

"Alright then one more thing…Why do you have that look on your face Kari. If I'm guessing right it seems to me that you really like this guy and that you're starting to…" before Sora could finish Kari cut her off

"You're acting like Meems. Sor, I'm just worried that something might have happened to him like getting caught or something and I just told you what he was like." Said Kari

"Yeah I know let me finish here. All I'm saying is one, you never talk abut a guy that way. Two, you have this warm look in your eyes that we don't see everyday now do we. And three, all the things that you've been telling me seems to me like this guy is really great I haven't heard a single negative side about him from you at all. It's as if you worry for a reason Kari and not just because he's the prince. You know Kari I think that you're…" before Sora could finish her sentence the doors were opened and a voice was heard

"Sora, Kari are you in here?" called out the voice that belonged to no other than Mimi

Without any further delay Kari got up and went to greet Mimi, this left Sora to her own thoughts "I guess I'll have to talk about it with her some other time." And with that she also got up left the garden and went to meet Mimi.

Back at the castle Takeru and Yamato were riding on their own horses, of course they were still bound inside the castle and well since they were rich they owned a huge portion of land which didn't make it hard for them to ride with their horses. Takeru rode on Asellor as usual and Yamato rode his horse Chronos. There were only a few distances away from each other so they could hear each other speak clearly. Once they were riding their conversation began.

"So do you mind telling me where you were yesterday little brother, and why you suddenly disappeared?" asked Yamato looking at Takeru for an answer

"Well…I…I…I ran away yesterday big brother. I went to the town…" said Takeru in a low voice, but seeing as Yamato's eyes widened un shock he was sure his brother heard him pretty clearly

"Y-you did WHAT?!?" asked Yamato in an almost yelling tone he was trying hard not to have an outburst because he knew that if someone were to hear them Takeru would be in big trouble so he calmed himself down and spoke again "Alright Takeru, you better not be fooling around and you have about ten seconds to breath then start explaining what you meant by running away and you better have a good reason why you did that."

"A-alright, listen big brother it's not like I wasn't planning to come back. It's just that after the argument we had with father yesterday I couldn't take it anymore. Being stuck here unable to be free. I know that you feel the same way, we both do. I couldn't take the fact that they wouldn't stop telling us what to do. We're human beings and have feelings too I just couldn't stand sitting around and letting people control me anymore." Explained Takeru, he was looking straight ahead not wanting to see the reaction that his brother might give off

"…" Yamato was silent he couldn't believe that his brother had the guts to tell him those things straight in his face and what was even more surprising is that Takeru's running away meant that he stood up for what he believed in, it meant he took the chance.

"Listen, I'll do what anything just please don't tell mother and father, they'll kill me." Said Takeru then he continued "I was lucky alright that I have to admit I mean no one other than you noticed that I was gone and when I got home late Nicholas was nice enough to still open the gate for me to go in."

"Takeru…I'm not mad, I'm really proud of you, and you know I wish I had the guts to do what you did." Said Yamato looking at his brother

"Really? So does that mean you won't tell?" asked Takeru with grateful look in his eyes

"No I won't, but in return you have to tell me everything you went through yesterday." Said Yamato with a smile on his face

"Thanks, and you bet I'll tell you everything." Said Takeru with a huge grin

Back with Mimi and Sora, Mimi dropped by to tell Kari and Sora to come over at Tai's place pronto. She said that they were going to have a little chat about the events that happened yesterday. So Sora and Kari took their things, locked the flower shop and placed the 'CLOSED' sign on then went straight for Tai's restaurant.

When they got there it was surprisingly empty, no one was there not even a single customer. The only people who were there was their group. So once they were all seated Tai began their conversation.

"Okay guys I called you guys all here to tell you that we have a new friend in the group." Said Tai as he looked at everyone

"You called us all the way here to tell us that?" asked Davis

"Yes and if I was just going to tell you that it might seems useless to call you here nut that's not all of it." Continued Tai

"Then what is it Tai? And where is this person that you're talking about?" asked Yolei

"Well…he couldn't be here today. His name is Takeru Ishida or T.K for short." Said Tai

Koushiro had this unbelievable look in his face and then he came to face Tai again then he asked "Tai are you sure about that? Because if my information is correct the name Takeru Ishida belongs to the younger PRINCE of the royal family."

"Yeah I knew that Koushiro." Said Tai knowingly and he saw the look in all of his friends faces. Looks of shock and surprise of course this doesn't include Ken, Kari, Mimi and Sora.

"Wait, so you're saying that the prince will be our friend?" asked Yolei "Is that even possible?"

"You see he came by here yesterday and well he was a really cool guy. All he ever wanted was to be free and have friends so why not let him join up with us right. Come on you guys you can at least give him a chance you know he really is a nice guy." Said Tai as he tried to convince his friends about T.K

Mimi and Ken joined in telling the others about how T.K got here and how they became friends with him. They also told the others about the reason why he was here to begin with and the others just sat there. They were all feeling the pain of being some kind of prisoner more than a real normal kid, and maybe having T.K as their friend would be a really great idea after all.

"Alright Tai we'll give this guy a chance, I just hope he isn't some kind of a bossy royalty type of guy." Said Davis

"He's not Davis, in fact T.K is a really nice guy just like what Tai said and he's really easy to get along with." Said Kari with a smile

"You seem to really approve of him Kari." Said Cody while Mimi, Sora, Ken and even Tai already got what Cody meant by that. Kari rarely talked about guys that way and even Tai was beginning to see something whenever Kari talks about T.K, but as her brother he still wants to be sure about that.

"W-what's that supposed to mean?" asked Davis

"That means you've just earned yourself some competition Davis." Commented Yolei as the others burst out laughing as well at least everyone except for Davis who was pissed and Kari who was blushing deep red.

"And from the looks of it Davis you're going to have to work for it too. It's going to take a while." Said Mimi seeing the look in Kari's face, Davis saw it too and he couldn't help but ask

"Come on Kari, you don't seriously like this guy don't you? I mean you've just met, he might be hiding his true colors on the inside." Said Davis anxiously waiting for Kari to tell him that she didn't like T.K

"Look, Davis knock it off. Come on guys give her some rest about this topic alright. We don't know for sure when or even if T.K might have a chance to come back here, so for now let's just wait." Said Ken, he wanted to drop the topic about Kari and T.K in his own point of view it was really Kari's choice and not anyone else'.

"Ken's right you guys cut it out, and Davis stop trying to get to my sister alright. I already told you that before you could get to her you'd have to go through me. And to be fair same goes with T.K prince or not." Said Tai starting his overprotective brother form again and by this time Davis already clamped his mouth shut. Kari then gave Ken and Tai a grateful smile saying Thank You.

Deep within Kari's thoughts was only one thing "I really do hope you come back and get to meet everyone…T.K."

Yamato and Takeru were still riding and by this time Takeru started to tell his brother about Tai, Ken and Mimi. He didn't tell his brother about Kari yet, but he was at the part where Kari was about to enter the restaurant that day.

Yamato was listening to Takeru's story and he could see that his brother really had the time of his life. Truth be told Yamato envied Takeru and wished that he could've gone with his younger brother.

"Then well…a few minutes after Tai came out of the kitchen his sister came in. She introduced herself, her name's Hikari Yagami." Said T.K and the simple mention of Kari's name made T.K feel something inside of him and Yamato noticed.

"Takeru…you still there?" asked Yamato eyeing his brother

"Huh? Oh yeah, um about Kari she was the one who ask me what I was doing there in the village and that's when I told them that I ran away. After that they said they couldn't call me by my first name when I wanted them too because we weren't friends yet. And well that's when I became good friends with them." Explained T.K snapping back to reality, but a part of him was still thinking about Kari though.

"Oh that's great Takeru it looks like you've made a lot of friends, wish I could've gone with you." Said Yamato sadly

"Well I told them stories about you too and they said they'd be happy to meet you." Said Takeru with a smile

"Really, well that's if we ever get the chance to get out of here again." Said Yamato

"I hope so I want to see them again you know…I mean she even gave me a nickname…T.K" said Takeru

"You want to see them again? Or do specifically just want to see Kari?" asked Yamato in a teasing tone, with this Takeru's face turned into a deep shade of red. And Yamato ended up laughing "I knew it! It looks like cat got your tongue. You like this girl don't you?" asked Yamato looking at his little brother.

"I-um……….." T.K was blushing deep red and Yamato was enjoying this at least better than he was then suddenly someone called them from a distance

"Yamato! Takeru! You have a visitor." Called no other than their mother Queen Natsuko

"Mothers calling big brother we better go." Said Takeru before he sped off to drop Asellor unto his stable and leave ahead of Yamato

"Way to avoid the topic Takeru." Thought Yamato as he laughed a bit, he was happy for his brother and if given the chance he'd like to meet these people that Takeru talks so much about. Then he followed suit after his brother

They went to the huge throne room and saw their mother waiting for them there. She was standing with a smile on her face and she greeted her two sons with a big hug.

"Mother what is it? Is this some kind of emergency?" asked Yamato

"And where's father?" continued Takeru

"Well your father it still in his meetings and now I called you both here because someone came all the way here to see you two." Said Queen Natsuko with a happy smile

"Oh who is it mother?" asked Takeru acing his mother with a questioning look

"Well…you'd have to wait and see…" replied Queen Natsuko

Yamato on the other hand didn't want to know whoever their visitor was and deep down he was only wishing for one thing "Please don't let it be Cassandra please don't let it be her."

Queen Natsuko saw the look Yamato was giving off and giggled then she said "Don't worry Yamato this person doesn't bite." Then she saw the door open a little bit "Oh your visitor is here."

Takeru and Yamato didn't have time to turn around, because before they had a chance to do so a familiar voice spoke "Hey there your highnesses, wow Yamato you seem scared that I might hurt you or something." The voice said with a little laugh

That voice immediately made the two boys smile and they both turned around and yelled "JOU! You're Back!"

"Hey you two it's been a long time hasn't it." Said Jou as he approached Yamato and Takeru who greeted him with a big smile. That's right Jou Kido was back and he's been in the service of the castle for quite some time now and in the process made good friends with the two other boys.

"Jou, I'm glad that you're back as well. How was your trip?" asked Queen Natsuko who welcomed Jou with a hug

"It's really nice to see you too, all of you." Said Jou with a smile

"Well I'll be going now the three of you have a lot to catch up on I'll take my leave then." With that said the Queen left the room leaving the three boys to themselves

"Where have you been, it was pretty boring without you here to visit us Jou." Said Yamato

"Well same as always I traveled to different countries and as you know when I came to visit two months ago I wanted to stay and everything but I was here because of my job so I had to leave as soon as I was done here, sorry for that." Said Jou apologetically

"No need to apologize Jou, we're just really glad that you're here and everything, so how long will you be staying?" asked Takeru he hoped that Jou would stay longer this time since they really were bored around here.

"Well…that's the good news. I'm staying here permanently again. You know to catch up on what I've missed out on. I mean I grew up here and I really miss the village and everything…" said Jou with a happy smile

"You mean to say that you'll be staying here? That's great, but can't you just stay here with us?" asked Takeru

"Thanks for the offer, but no thanks. You guys I'm not saying that I don't want to be here. It's just that I you know…I want to…I really miss my home you guys I grew up here in the village to be specific, and I have a home there." Said Jou

"We understand Jou. You have to promise to visit us though." Said Yamato with a smile

"Of course as often as I can. I wish you guys could visit me for a change. The village is really great." Said Jou

"Yeah I know." Said Takeru

"Yeah, he should know, he's been there." Said Yamato

"And what's that supposed to mean Takeru." Asked Jou turning to the younger blond

"Well you see…" Takeru soon began to tell Jou all about his journey to the village while walking around the castle and soon he got to the part to where he met no other than Mimi.

"She had brown hair and her name was Mimi Tachikawa. Anyway she took me to Taichi's restaurant and that's where I ate and met some of their other friends…" as Takeru continued Jou's eyes began to widen but he didn't say anything he was lost in his own thoughts.

"He met Tai?!? Now this is interesting…" as Takeru was still telling his story Jou was slowly getting a good idea formed right into his head.

"Hey Jou you still there?" asked Yamato as he waved his hand in front of Jou

"Oh yeah still here, hey um…guys I kind of missed something in the throne room. Ill meet you guys down at the stables okay." Before Takeru and Yamato get to ask Jou dashed off in a really big hurry that left the two brothers dumbfounded, but nevertheless they still made their way to the stables.

Jou made his way to the throne room and when he entered he saw the King and Queen seated there. He entered the throne room and the king and Queen greeted him there.

"Hello there Jou it's been a while." Greeted King Hiroaki

"Yes it has Your majesty." Said Jou as he bowed

"Is there something you need Jou?" asked Queen Natsuko

"Well yes…Your Majesty if I may ask…" as Jou told them of his idea he got the expected

"YOU WANT TO WHAT?!?" said the king in a sudden outburst

"Your Majesty it's just a suggestion all I'm suggesting is that they need a little freedom. Yamato and Takeru have never once experienced a normal life, they've never experienced being surrounded by friends that they could go to when they need them the most. All their life it's as if they've been trapped here, all I want is for you to grant me this one request sire. I'm not doing it because they're princes I'm doing this because I'm their friend…" begged Jou, he really wanted this chance and now ws just the right time for him to ask for it.

"…" both the king and queen were both silent. The king to be precise didn't expect for Jou to ask such a request, but on the up side he valued Jou's courage and was still thinking of the proper response.

"Your Majesty, I ask of you to put yourselves in their shoes. You as a person, would you really like being trapped here all your life never having the chance to experience what it's like to be free…" asked Jou "I might not be in the right position to ask this of you, but I do know what its like to be a normal guy and I just want them to know what it's like. I can assure you that they'll be perfectly safe and if so anything was to happen I'll be made accountable for it."

All was silent for a while then soon Queen Natsuko spoke "Maybe, Jou has proven his point why not give him a chance?"

"Are you simply going to agree to this? Are younot worried of the possibilities that might harm Yamato and Takeru?" asked King Hiroaki

"Well…of course I am but at the same time I trust Jou in this. An we can't deny that we really have been very strict with the two boys dear. Just give them a chance, it might be good for them to try and earn some new friends. And Jou would be with them the whole time and he did say that he's willing to take the responsibility if so something happens to either one of the boys." Explained Queen Natsuko to her husband

Silence loomed over the throne room as they all awaited for the king's answer…

Yamato and Takeru were starting to wonder what was taking Jou so long, they've been waiting for him for quite some time now and he still wasn't there. Then a few minutes later a voice was heard. The two brothers turned around to find Jou running their way.

"Hey Jou where were you? Did you find what you were looking for?" asked Yamato then he asked again "What was it that you were looking for anyway?"

"Never mind that Yamato, right now I want you and Takeru to hurry and grab your horses. Hurry we can't stay here and waste good time can we." Said Jou as he was hurriedly instructing the two brothers what to do And at the same tie they didn't fail to notice the smile plastered on his face

"W-what are you talking about?" asked Takeru with a very confused look on his face

"We're going somewhere and you two have permission to come with me. You can say that that's what I went back there to get, your parents' approval." Said Jou

"Approval?!? You mean we get to go with you? Outside of the castle?" asked Yamato dumbfounded and so was Takeru

"Really?!? They allowed that?" asked Takeru alongside his elder brother

"Yes they did now come on before they change their minds." Said Jou as he waited for Takeru and Yamato to get on their horses and follow him out of the castle

Once they've reached the gates Nicholas was there as always and came to them happily "Hello your highnesses and Sir Jou, what may I do for you today?" asked Nicholas

"Please open the gate Nicholas, we'll be taking our leave for the day." Said Jou kindly smiling at the gatekeeper

"Well this is new isn't it the two princes will come with you? Well that sure is big news isn't it." Said Nicholas giving the two brothers a happy smile. Then he opened the gates and let them pass then as they were slowly making their way out he called "Do have fun and enjoy every memory."

"We will Nicholas thank you." Said Yamato as he called back at Nicholas

As they left the palace Yamato and Takeru looked at each other then looked at Jou. The silence was soon broken when Yamato asked "So Jou how were you able to convince them to let us go?"

"Well it wasn't easy, it took me a lot of begging to do it. I was lucky that Queen Natsuko helped me out in convincing king Hiroaki." said Jou "They did set a few rules though."

"Like what?" asked Yamato

"Well I have to get you both home right after the bell from the castle rings, and I also have to make sure that you don't get hurt or lost for that matter or else this might be the last trip you two are ever going to get. I assured them that you'd be perfectly safe, and I plan on keeping my word at that."

"I'm glad you got them to say yes, anyway where are you planning on taking us?" asked Takeru

"Well first off we'll stop by my home in the village so that I can drop off my things then I guess I'll just show you guys around." Said Jou

Takeru wanted to ask Jou if they could stop by Tai's place, problem was that he couldn't remember how to get there, so he simply kept quiet about it.

As they reached the village which was as lively as always Jou made a stop into one of the empty houses and took out a key from his pocket, he unlocked the door and went inside with Takeru and Yamato following him close behind

"Well…there you have it this is my home." Said Jou "Sorry I know that it's a bit messy, but I haven't been here in a long time now and I didn't really have the time to do some cleaning around the house."

"Don't worry about it at least it's something new. I'm really impressed by the people here Jou they're really all lively just as Takeru had mentioned earlier this morning." Said Yamato

"Yeah I know, all the people here are really lively, and they really love to have lot's of laughs and as you can see they're all really nice and friendly people." Said Jou

"You must have been really happy to have grown up here huh Jou." Said Takeru

"I was that's why I decided to stay here this time. I miss this place and everyone and everything in it." Said Jou looking at the two brothers then he said "I did this because I wanted you guys to know that there were some things outside the castle that you may find, that may be grater than you have ever imagined. Of course that would be on how you look at things in life and how you value something after the other, but I can assure you that there are things that you still have yet to see and experience. I might not be in your shoes but I can say that I've been really happy with my life so far even if I'm not really someone you'd call rich."

"Trust us Jou compared to the life we've been living we'd give anything to experience something like this…so free, so happy and so…normal." Said Yamato as they walked outside and he began to once again observe all the people that he could see around him

"I think that you guys can experience this if you really want to just keep on moving alright. Now enough of the chat I'd like to show you guys around the village." Said Jou "How's that sound?"

"That would be great Jou." Said Takeru

"Alright then lets get moving then. If you want you can leave your horses here we can come back here by walking it would be no problem. I mean I still have to go with youtwo back to the castle and everything." Said Jou

"Alright." So with that they left their hoses and started walking making their way around the village and around the town. The place was as busy as always and Jou knew exactly where he wanted to take Takeru and Yamato. All he had to do now was to wait for the right moment.

So as they were walking around Jou suddenly spoke "Hey I want to take you guys to somewhere I've really never been to in a really long time, ever since I left this place actually. Is that alright? There are actually a lot of places that I really want to re-visit but lets take them one step at a time okay." Said Jou

"Sure Jo no problem. All we have to do is to follow you there right so it's really no big deal." Said Yamato

"Thanks I really appreciate that." Said Jou as he smiled then continued to walk towards his destination he knew that once they got there the real excitement and joy would begin

Authors Note: That's the story I know it's kind of lacking I guess but I plan to continue it in the next chapter. Thanks again for all the reviews Hope you liked it. Pls. R&R