Mages and Knights
Summery: AU Takuya is the son of a poor farmer and on one day discovers he is an Elemental. Powerful people are out to get him so he travels to a School were he meets a lot of interesting people. And maybe fall in love with one of the strangest. Kouji/Takuya
Warnings: Digimon crossover, Cursing, Yoai, T rating for later chapters
Chapter name: The Decision of a Life Time
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon (I so would kill to own it!)
Author Notes: Thank you so much for those who reviewed. I luv y'all! This is my second chapter so read up. Tell me what you think don't be shy!
Oh Gods, how did it all come to this? What all started as a simple shopping trip turned into a complete disaster. Now Takuya was walking home, without the candles he was sent to get n the first place and leading a Mage and a Kight-in-traning. No wonder he was so twitchy.
The sun was on its last legs, barely illuminating the sky. Takuya kept shooting glances at the two following. Kouji was walking next to Tanshin his blue-eyed gaze always fixed on Takuya. That for some reason was what made Takuya really self-conscious and he kept picking at his shirt, dusting the ash off tiredly. The Mage had a thoughtful face on and looked like he was thinking hard about something of great importance. They were probably getting ready to tell Takuya's parents he was a daemon or something and needed to be taken cared of.
Takuya felt awful. He lost control again even after his mother specifically warned him. He could have burned the town down with all of its inhabitants including Mimi. He could still feel her worried face on his back as he was lead out of Izumai. God, if he hurt Mimi in any way he would never forgive himself. He was limping, his muscles groaning with the effort to maintain himself upright. Takuya was doing his best to hide it not wanting to show any weakness but it was getting harder and harder. Takuya was sure Kouji had spotted his limp but was doing nothing to help.
Not that I need any help, Takuya thought wearily as he neared a bend in the path, that jerk probably wants me to fall so he can insult me more! With that in mind he called in all of his reserve energy and refused to slow down.
What were his mother and father going to say? Not only did he cause a temper flash, he brought a famous Mage who was working for the King, judging by the symbol on his pin, and who was probably going to press charges against his family. Takuya's family needed all the money they had to survive, they couldn't take it away.
Takuya whirled around and faced Tanshin and Kouji. They both stopped, surprised at Takuya's sudden stop.
"Ok, look whatever I did put the blame on me. My family had nothing to do with it. They kept trying to help me keep control so what I did is my fault. I'll pay the charges or whatever you want-" Takuya's frantic rambling was cut short by Tanshin's raised hand.
"Don't worry, boy. I did not come to press charges. I just need to talk to your parents about what happened," Tanshin said with a kind smile.
Takuya felt relived. They were not pressing any charges against his family. Then Takuya felt suspicious. Why did they need to talk with his parents? Did they want to reprimand his parents about why they didn't tell anyone official about him? Takuya's parents kept Takuya a secret because they were afraid someone might take him away or kill him for being what he was even though no one even them knew what he was. All the people of Izumai also helped keep the secret. Even though most would like to get rid of him, they liked the peace of the little village. If someone would tell, the town would get swamped by officials.
Takuya decided to put on hold all the questions for now and nodded. He turned around and almost fell over. His tired boy was making him sleepy and the sudden turn disoriented him. Takuya would have fallen over if some one had not caught him as soon as he started to fall. He looked up right into Kouji's face. Whoa, how did he get from next to Tanshin over here, Takuya thought. Then he remembered Kouji's Knight speed.
Kouji sighed and bended down, lifting Takuya into his arms easily. Takuya squeaked as he felt his feet leave the ground and he grabbed Kouji's forearms.
"He-e-y wh-a-t are you doing?" Takuya stammered, a blush adorning his face. Who does this guy think he was? He can't carry me, Takuya thought trying to wriggle free.
"Stop squirming. I can tell you're tired and, at this pace, well never get there," Kouji said and started walking down the path. Takuya kept wiggling trying to escape but only t caused Kouji's arms to tighten their hold on him. Takuya sighed, and relaxed, giving up the struggle. It wasn't that bad to tell the truth, in fact, it was nice, if not a little awkward, to be carried by the black haired Knight.
Takuya saw Tanshin shoot an amused glance at Kouji. Kouji ignored his uncle and looked straight ahead. Why was Kouji carrying him? Was it only because he was impatient and wanted to go faster? If Takuya wanted anybody to go faster he would push them or race ahead so why didn't Kouji do that? Well, they both have different personalities so they would do different things but this was a little extreme to Takuya. This Kouji was a puzzle to figure out but it good because Takuya liked puzzles.
Nobody said a word as they continued down the path. Takuya was dreading getting home. He was so busted, he even melted the candles he was sent to get. He was such a clumsy fool. Takuya could feel Kouji's steady breathing, his chest heaving up and down. Takuya marveled at how firm his chest felt, how he kept at a steady pace, never slowing down, never speeding up…. Takuya mentally slapped himself. What was he thinking? The temper flash must have melted all his brain cells.
Then pinpricks of light shone through the trees up ahead. They were at a three minute walk until the house. Takuya started thinking furiously, what was he going to do! Maybe he could somehow escape Kouji's arms and run into the forest and live there for the rest of his life. His mother would be pissed, he could see her now. Her hair on fire, the ferocious scowl on her face, her mouth moving at incredible speed outlining his painful death by a month-long grounding.
Takuya shivered, just thinking about it made him want to go run away.
Kouji, probably thinking he was cold, shifted Takuya in his arms into a warmer position, closer than before. This surprised Takuya; Kouji was actually trying to get him warmer and more comfortable. The action made Takuya feel a happy buzz inside. Takuya never thought Kouji could be so considerate, he thought Kouji was this 'Holier than thou' person. Just shows how you can never judge a person by his cover. This was especially true for Takuya, many people underestimate him because of his size but that never stopped him from living life to the fullest.
Tanshin never said a word just smiled and walked. Takuya had the feeling the situation was amusing him.
Takuya scowled, "What's so funny?"
Tanshin just smiled and shook his head. Stupid Mage.
They neared the house at a good pace. It was a small one-storey building made of stone right next a big field filled with wheat and rice and a lot of other growing things. Takuya usually doesn't notice what he plants; they are just seeds that need to be put in the earth.
"Is that you house?" Tanshin asked catching up to Kouji as they stop in front of the house.
Takuya nodded and Kouji shifted his arms. Takuya thought Kouji was letting him down and he was right just not the way he thought. Kouji let his arms fall to his sides causing Takuya to fall hard on his butt for the second time today.
"Hey, what did you do that for?" complained Takuya as he gingerly stood up. He glared at Kouji.
Kouji shrugged, "We're here. It's almost like you wanted me to carry you." He looked at Takuya with a raised eyebrow.
Takuya stuttered, the blush coming back, "I did not! But you didn't have to drop me." The truth was that Takuya kind of liked being carried and not to mention his muscles were still aching horribly.
"Takuya you're home," Takuya's mother came out of the house, wiping her hands on the towel around her waist. "About ti-" She stopped staring at the unfamiliar people around Takuya, her mind clicking the pieces together.
"Uh, hi mother?" Takuya said weakly waving. He was going to get it now. He just hoped the cemetery had a space open.
"Takuya what did you do?" came her ferocious, not to mention angry whisper.
"Nothing, really, I just sort of lost control," said Takuya resigned. Maybe Mimi would visit his funeral…..
"You lost control again!" she practically yelled at Takuya, who cringed away. Someone save me, someone save, someone save me, was the only thing passing through Takuya's mind. Luckily someone did.
"Ma'am, I am Tanshin Minamoto and I would like to talk to you about your son's talent," Tanshin said smiling. He reached out a hand and Yuriko automatically took it, dazed to meet some one of his stature. Yuriko quickly shook it off and smiled.
"Hello , I am Yuriko Kanabara, Takuya's mother. Would you like to come in?" she asked politely.
"Thank you very much," Tanshin said. Yuriko stepped aside and Tanshin and Kouji walked inside. Yuriko gave Takuya a face that said 'This is not over young man.' Takuya sighed and walked dejectedly into the house. Yuriko closed the door behind them. Tanshin and Kouji were in the hallway as if waiting for further instruction. Kouji was studying the altar, staring at it.
"Show our guests into the kitchen Takuya. I'll go get your father," Takuya's mother said coldly. Takuya nodded obediently not wanting to rile his mother further. Yuriko swept forward through the hallway and disappeared. Takuya motioned Tanshin to follow him and walked the length of the hallway. Takuya walked into the first door on the right into the kitchen.
The kitchen was a small room with little furniture. There was a square table in the middle. The expensive tables were round for some odd reason. It had six chairs, one falling apart near the farthest side. The stove was old and worn but still severed when his mother wants to cook something. Most of the food is served cold, to save fuel for the winter.
Takuya waved a hand at the chairs inviting the guests to sit down. Tanshin sat down, put his elbows on the table, and clasped his hands apparently collecting his thoughts. Kouji also sat down, his eyes roaming the house as if looking for people sneaking in the shadows. Takuya fidgeted nervously, standing to the side. There was a heavy silence then Tanshin broke it.
"It's a nice place you have Takuya," he complimented the startled Takuya.
"Uh, thanks," Takuya said confused. These people were really close to royalty so why would they be impressed by this little house? It didn't make sense but it seemed Tanshin genuinely liked his house.
Tanshin smiled and nodded. Wow, aside by looks you would never think these two were related, thought Takuya watching the two. Tanshin smiled just as much as Kouji didn't. Maybe Kouji was born without the muscles to smile? As Takuya mused about Kouji's inability to smile, Takuya's parents entered the kitchen.
Takuya's father, Hiroaki, entered and shot Takuya a confused look. Takuya grinned bashfully and rubbed the back of his neck. Hiroaki was a lot calmer than Yuriko but still relatively angry. He sighed and sat down, his wife following his example. Takuya sat down on the right next to his mother. It was the first time Takuya had gotten in trouble with officials not just the village people.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kanabara, I would first like to tell you, your son is not in trouble," Tanshin began sensing their anger towards Takuya.
"If it's not because Takuya got in trouble then why would you like to talk to us about?" Takuya's father asked confused. Takuya also confused, they told him they wouldn't press charges but that didn't mean he wasn't in trouble.
"I would like to ask you about your son's unique ability," Tanshin said.
"You mean his temper flashes?" Yuriko asked getting to the point. She was still a formidable person even in the face near-royalty.
"Yes, if that's what you call it. I would like to know how long Takuya has had this power," Tanshin looked at his parents.
Yuriko answered, fidgeting in her seat, "Takuya's first temper flash happened when he was about four but we think it was there when he was born."
Tanshin looked troubled. "Did you check him for magic at any time?"
Hiroaki nodded, "When he first showed at four we immediately took him to a Mage. But she told us he didn't have an ounce of magic."
Tanshin shared a worried look with Kouji whose mouth twisted thoughtfully. Kouji stared at Takuya, thinking, and made Takuya squirm in his seat. Why were they worried? Then Kouji finally nodded to his uncle. Tanshin looked back at Takuya.
"I think I know why Takuya has this power in him," Tanshin stated slowly. Takuya gawked at him. He knew what he was! Why he had this freakish power.
"You know! Tell me," Takuya demanded, waiting to hear the answer he has been looking his whole life. Yuriko shot Takuya a stern look which was lost on him. Takuya was staring at Tanshin, having captured his whole attention which is no easy feat.
"How much do you know about the Five Users of Magic?" Tanshin asked Takuya not answering the question.
"Who cares about the Users? Tell me what I am!" Takuya said furiously standing up making his chair produce a screeching noise. He needs to know what he was, now!
"Takuya! Sit down and answer the question," his mother commanded him, eyes flashing. Yuriko also wanted to know but had more patience than Takuya. Takuya needed to learn patience.
"But-"
"No buts sit down." This time Takuya complied with a scowl. Gods, the waiting was killing him.
Hiroaki turned to Tanshin, "I'm sorry about that. Takuya was just impatient. He didn't mean to be rude."
"It's alright. No harm done." Hiroaki looked visibly relived. "Now, what do you know about the Five Users of Magic?" Tanshin asked Takuya, repeating his question.
Takuya racked his memory. "Well," he started slowly. "The Five Users of Magic are the five types of casters people with magic lineage can become. They are the Mage, which is the most common and can cast spells, the Seer, which can see into the future, the Enchanter, which can charm stuff, the Knight, who is super strong and fast, and the Wizard, who can call daemons from somewhere." Takuya counted off his fingers. He looked up, "And that basically all..."
Takuya felt a little embarrassed. He never really went to school because his parents couldn't afford it. The stuff he did learn was from Mimi whose family was better off. They owned the only bakery in town so it would only be natural that they had more money. He could read some small words maybe a sentence or two but that's about all. But as far as math that's a different story. Takuya loves numbers. He loves the way they connect with other numbers making a whole different figure. You can never guess the outcome of numbers; you have to do the math and think to find the answer. He marveled in the fact he could beat Mimi at something.
Tanshin looked a little doubtful but nodded and said, "Well, you got the basics down-" Kouji snorted adding to Takuya's embarrassment. "- but did you know that once there was a sixth User?"
Hiroaki's head shot up and fixed Tanshin with a stare. "You mean there really was a sixth User? It's not just a rumor?" Takuya was also focused completely on Tanshin but what did this have to do with Takuya exactly?
"Yes there was. It was the Elemental," Tanshin said his voice filled with seriousness. Kouji also leaned forward no humor at all on his face. Not that there was any to start with…
"'Elemental'" echoed Takuya fascinated but still seeing no connection.
Tanshin nodded his 'yes' and leaned backwards in his chair. "About a hundred years ago there was a sixth User of Magic. The Elementals were the strongest kind of User in the old days. There ten different kinds of Elementals: water, air, ice, earth, metal, wood, light, darkness, thunder and" Tanshin broke off and stared into the wall then straight at Takuya. Takuya scooted back in his chair at the strong look in those blue eyes. "Fire," Tanshin finished softly.
The response was immediate from all the observers. Takuya's father's face went white as he stared unbelievably at Tanshin. Takuya's mother gasped and put her hand over her mouth. Kouji twitched strongly and his hold on the table tightened visibly but his straight face confirmed Tanshin's statement.
Takuya mean while looked confused. What did this have to do with him? Not understanding but wanting to see the reason the statement affected all those around him so strongly.
"What does this have to do with me?" Takuya asked pointing to himself. Takuya's mother sighed and Hiroaki slapped the palm of his hand on his forehead. Kouji stared at Takuya probably thinking along the lines 'this guy can't be that stupid.' Even Tanshin looked a little startled. Wow, this was good for his self-esteem.
"Well, there's no easy way to say this Takuya," Tanshin said. "So I'll have to be blunt. You are the first Fire Elemental in over a hundred years to be born."
Takuya stared at Tanshin, his mind as blank as a page. Surely he misheard Tanshin.
Takuya wildly shook his head not wanting to believe. He was an Elemental? There was no way a guy like Takuya could be such a powerful person. He didn't even have the blood anyway. That reason settled on Takuya and he calmed down.
"Ha ha! That was a good one Tanshin. You had me going there for a minute," Takuya laughed but the serious expression on Tanshin and Kouji's faces made the laughter die in his throat.
Tanshin leaned forward. "Takuya I know it is hard to believe but all the evidence points to you being an Elemental." Takuya paled.
"But I don't have the blood for it! My family is a poor one with no magic," Takuya said still trying to prove Tanshin otherwise.
"Elementals are not beings made by the magic in the family blood, Takuya," Tanshin explained. "Elementals are chosen by the Gods."
"Gods?" Yuriko asked looking worriedly at Takuya who was sitting like a statue his face white.
"Yes. There are ten Gods each who hold a different power over our world so when a God chooses a person, the chosen one would have the ability to tap into the God's power," Tanshin said. "The God who apparently chose Takuya would be Aguni, the Lord of Fire."
Aguni, the God that Takuya worshipped and admired the most had chosen him over all the people on Earth. Takuya was filled with happiness. He had never felt so proud in his life. He, Takuya Kanabara, a lowly farmer's son has been chosen to be the first Elemental in a hundred years. Takuya's mother was crying silently overcome with emotion. Hiroaki grabbed his wife's hand and smiled shakily.
"Why would Aguni choose me?" Takuya asked wanting to know what feature he had that separated him from the rest.
"You would have to ask Aguni that," Kouji said softly speaking for the first since entering the kitchen. Tanshin nodded.
"But why didn't the Mage that checked Takuya say he was an Elemental?" Yuriko said tearfully.
"I think it is because it takes anger or some other strong emotion to cause Takuya so channel the Fire Lord's power untrained otherwise Takuya is an ordinary person with no magic. Think of it like this: Takuya is a funnel through which he can suck Aguni's power went presented but without the power source there's no energy," Tanshin said. "That's why the Mage couldn't feel the magic."
"So how did you know I was an Elemental?" Takuya questioned.
"You would have to thank Kouji for that," Tanshin said flicking his head towards Kouji. "When Takuya lost control Kouji immediately contacted me and I managed to get there just in time to restrain Takuya and, trust me, it was no easy task. An Elemental uses a God's power so I had to work hard to stop him." So the device that Kouji had that flashed when Takuya lost control was some kind of contactor. "I took out a magic detecting item and checked Takuya while he was still in power."
Tanshin reached a hand inside his cloak and pulled out an object. He then laid it on the table. It was a small clear sphere with a ring of silver around it. Inside was a small piece of opal that floated in the middle. Takuya remembered the bright red flash that nearly burned his eyelids off.
"Hey why were you in town anyway?" Takuya asked needing to think about something else for a while.
Tanshin grimaced, "That's part of what I wanted to talk about."
Kouji took over from there. "What do you know about a group called the Black Oracle?"
Takuya looked up, surprised at the random question. "The Black Oracle is a well known rebel group that wants to over throw the king," Takuya stated remembering an evening at Mimi's shortly after the Black Oracle tried to take down a important city. Mimi talked about it for an hour with Takuya bored as hell.
"Yeah that's the Black Oracle. My uncle and I received a notice saying that there was an unidentified Black Oracle base inside the Eternal Star Forest. We checked it out but it looked like it was abandoned recently maybe about a week ago. It looked like it was inhabited for about ten years. Right about the time the Mage checked Takuya," Kouji said his eyes never leaving Takuya.
"What are you implying?" Takuya's father asked frowning.
"Have you ever been stopped from moving from this town?" Tanshin answered with a question of his own.
"Yes we have," Takuya's mother said her eyes flashing. "Every time we tried to move we were stopped by some official with laws saying we can't."
"I thought so…" Tanshin trailed off and Kouji started again.
"This town is far away from Kalaiz, the capital so we were wondering why the Black Oracle would set up a base here and I think we have an answer. They were the ones who stopped your family from moving. They were here because of Takuya," Kouji said anger evident in his voice. A dangerous rebel group was after Takuya! Yuriko gasped again her eyes going wide with fear.
"Why?" Takuya managed to say. He was scared but was trying not to show it for his parent's sake. They were as scared as him.
"The Mage must have found something funny about you and told the Black Oracle. They then somehow guessed you were an Elemental and stuck around. They were probably going to kidnap you when you came of age 16. That's when you come into your full powers and use you," Kouji explained his suspicions. "With you as a weapon, they could take down the King and the Kingdom."
Takuya was that powerful? He could destroy the Kingdom and every one in it. Takuya's brain was on overload trying to squish such important information into such short time. Everything he knew about his life was a lie. The town he had lived in had always seemed safe but everyday he was being watched by the Black Oracle, studying him, trying to see if he was an Elemental. If they had been studying him all this time, they probably saw many of his temper flashes and now surely they must know he was an Elemental! Takuya felt fear creep down his spine and shivered. He felt his mother's hand on his shoulder and it calmed him down somewhat.
"What can we do? There must be someway to stop them," Hiroaki said desperately.
Kouji shook his head. "Ever since the Black Oracle appeared the King's best have been doing whatever they could to stop them. They have always evaded us, probably because we had some traitor inside near the King." Kouji looked definably angry. Takuya was sorry for the poor bloke who crossed paths with him.
"So what can we do?" Yuriko asked her hand still on Takuya's shoulder. Takuya could feel his mother's shaking and smiled at her trying to assure Yuriko everything was going to be alright.
"Well, you see, there's one place where Takuya would be safe if we got him there. It's called Calvis School for Magic Users. Maybe you have heard of it?" Tanshin asked his gaze roaming Takuya's family. They all gaped at him.
Calvis School for Magic Users was the best school in the country to learn magic. It was located near a town called Canalis. All the Kingdom's noble families send their kids who are Users there to learn to control their magic. It costs a ton to even get there and even more to actually be enrolled there.
"Calvis! That's the best school in the country to learn magic," Takuya said excitedly.
"Yes, it is also the best protected building in the country after the Palace," Kouji said. "There would be no way in hell that the Black Oracle could get in."
"There Takuya could learn to control his power and be safe from the Black Oracle," Tanshin said.
"But we don't have the money to send him there," Yuriko said disheartened.
"Not to worry, ma'am. Takuya is the most powerful User in over a hundred years. I think I can make an exception," Tanshin said smiling.
"You can make an exception?" Takuya asked filling with hope. He would go to the best School in the country! It's every kid's dream to attend it.
"Yes after all I am a teacher there," Tanshin explained. That made sense. Tanshin seemed like the teacher type. "What do you say?"
The kitchen fell into a silence as Takuya waited his parent's decision. After a few minutes Yuriko said softly after exchanging a glance with Hiroaki, "It's Takuya's call not ours to make."
Takuya was surprised; they were going to let him choose. He locked eyes with his mother and understood. This decision was going to change his life forever so he should be the one to choose a path. Takuya thought about what would happen if he declined, his life would go on normally on the outside but knowing he was an Elemental would change him. Who knows? Maybe the Black Oracle would come back and kidnap him, possibly hurting his family in the process. His family was the most important thing to him and he staying would put them all in danger. If he went with Tanshin and Kouji he would leave Izumai behind and take the threat with him, leaving his family safe. At the School he could learn to fight, control his power, and be strong to protect those he loved.
Takuya's heart ached at the thought of leaving Izumai, his home town but he had no choice if he wanted to protect his family. Maybe in the School he could make new friends with people like him, magical. If he didn't go there the threat of losing control and putting the town on fire was still active.
It would be a whole new adventure for Takuya, a new experience. He would learn magic and live a new life but he would come back to Izumai once in a while.
Everybody was staring at Takuya, waiting his decision. Yuriko and Hiroaki looked like they didn't want Takuya to leave but would let him if that was what he wanted. Tanshin was patiently waiting with an anxious face, wanting Takuya to accept. Kouji was the only one whose face was expressionless, his sapphire eyes watching Takuya with a flicker of something in their depths. It made him squirm, his face getting hot. If he when to the School he could spend more time with Kouji….
What! What was I thinking, Takuya mentally screamed at himself. If I go to the School it is because I want to learn to control myself not to be with Kouji, yeah that's it. Takuya always loved a challenge and learning to control himself would be the greatest. He decided.
Takuya looked up, his mind made up.
"I am going to Calvis School for Magic Users!"
Yah chapter two complete! So what did you think? Press the little 'Go' button for me please! See y'all.