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, M rating for later chapters (I keep switching ratings sorry)
Chapter name: Hardcore Learning
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon. I don't own anything, anymore (cries heart out)
Author Notes: You know what? I only have, like, one week left before school opens againWhy me? Oh, well, now today's chapter is the beginning of Takky's school classes. Ha, ha, ha, what crazy schemes will happen to our poor little fire-boy? Read and be enlightened by my awesomeness in authoressness. (Evil laughter echoes thru room)
On another note, I have over a 1,000 hits to this. OMG! I never thought so many people visited my story. Thank You All! I LUV YOU ALL! No celebrate I'll make this chapter even longer than the others…
Takuya saw fire.
All around him the hot flames curled, flared, and dancing their deadly dance. It was crackling and spiting as it ran across his body, across his legs and chest. He could only see the red nothing else; it was the floor, the ceiling, the walls, the whole world. Embodying him in their arms, their shackles unwilling to let him go. The flames turned red as the dying sun, bronze like the sharpest blade, willing to kill, ready to burn anything in its path.
The flames laughed in his ears. Crackling and moving with their inner breeze making the now inexistent world fade away as if it never was. He could hear how the flames moved, their language reaching deep inside him, touching his soul and mind. They moved as if the puppeteer moved them with his strings in to some mysterious music.
He could smell the smoke and taste the ashes. He could sense the air leaving his lungs, being burned away and replaced with the black smoke of the reining flames. He need not to breathe, he didn't know how to breathe.
The flames, the fire touched his whole body and it was burning him. Striping him of his skin and mind. He could feel the pain, the burn that was driving him insane. It needed to stop, JUST STOP! Death would have been so great just then. But the flames wouldn't let go of their prisoner. His mouth was open in a scream but no noise reached him thru the laughter, the cruel laughter. His tears evaporated away before they left his eyes. The only thing that registered in his blank mind was the pure force and will on the fire. There was no time or space; it could have been a minute or years.
The flames encompassed him in a painful but gentle embrace. Soothing him with the laughter of the language of flames. It hurt so much, he wanted it to end. The smoke, the fire it all suffocated him, pressing him into the fiery furnace, striping him of his shell, all that makes him human. He was stuck in this new house of torture. His house because…he was one of them now.
He was one with fire.
"Takuya wake up! Takuya!" Kouichi's voice broke thru the net of the dream that snagged Takuya. Takuya's eyes shot open and he gulped air by the lungful. His eyes couldn't help but to look at where he was. The fire! Where was it?
"Takuya! Are you Ok?" Kouichi was kneeling next to his bed looking worriedly into his face. "It's alright. It was only a dream." Takuya calmed down, the panic started going away at the words. It was only a dream…a dream. His heart beat like a drum as he sat up and he groaned.
"Are you alright?" Kouichi said still kneeling on the side of the bed. He was still in his night clothes.
"Yeah," Takuya's scratchy voice said. He was sweating but taking deep breathes trying to clam his heart rate. He was wired on adrenaline from the dream. His white hands started shaking as he grabbed the sheets trying to get a grip on himself.
"Are you sure? Maybe we should go to the infirmary," Kouichi said getting up and taking in Takuya's shaky profile. Takuya shook his head firmly. "Well," he said unconvinced. "If you're sure you're Ok-" Takuya nodded again. "-then we should start getting ready for classes. They start in an hour and a half."
Takuya smiled as best as he could to reassure Kouichi but he didn't think it worked very well because Kouichi still looked worried as he walked into the bathroom. Takuya's smile dropped and he started shaking again. Ok, Ok take deep breathes Takuya he told himself and his body stopped the shaking. The dream. It just seemed so real. He could still smell the smoke and his skin still stung. But this was so weird. He was a Fire Elemental; fire couldn't hurt him could it? Takuya decided that this was all too confusing he had more important things to do than freak out over weird dreams. Takuya got out of bed walked into the bathroom. Too bad he never noticed the flash of light from under his bed.
The mirror was steamed because Kouichi had turned on the hot water. It was stuffy in here. Takuya quickly stripped and stepped into the empty shower. He turned on the water into the cold. He just needed to cool down for a bit. Last night they got back from the banquet late and didn't have the chance to shower, he just fell like dead weight on his bed.
He quickly shampooed his hair with an expensive looking purple shampoo that smelled like lavender. The cold water on his skin felt heavenly, washing away the memories of the dream.
Today was the first day of classes. According to Kouichi, they would get their schedule for the week at the Banquet Hall from their first class teachers. The hazy figure in the other shower stepped out and the water turned off. Takuya closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation of the shower. Back in Izumai his family didn't usually have showers, just a tub in which to take a quick bath. The water usually was not really clean since the whole family used one tub of water a day so the first one was the one who got the clean water.
"Hurry Takuya, if you want breakfast," Kouichi said as he rapped a towel around his middle. Takuya quickly finished rinsing the shampoo from his hair and reluctantly turned off the water. Takuya stepped out and also reached for a towel. Both boys quickly dressed and put on their respective capes.
They exited into the bedroom. Takuya flopped back on his bed and bounced on it. Takuya turned over on his back and saw that Kouichi was looking at him as if looking for a sign of illness from his seat on his bed.
Takuya smiled, "I'm fine, really. Look." He jumped up and threw himself on Kouichi's bed. The rebound caused Kouichi to yelp and slide from the bed onto the floor.
"Hey! No fair," he pouted from the floor as Takuya cracked up at the indignant expression. "Well, if you're really all right..." and he launched a tickle attack on the helpless Takuya. Takuya tried to cover himself but Kouichi's probing fingers rendered any retort disappear as he laughed uncontrollably.
"Alright! Alright, I give, I give!" Takuya shouted between giggles and snorts. Kouichi grinned in triumph and stopped. Takuya took a moment to catch his breath then jump off and gave Kouichi his back. He mock marched to his side of the room and dived in his trunk.
"What do we need?" he asked his voice muffled as he shifted around inside.
"Don't know as far as books," Kouichi said as he shouldered a leather bag. "We have to wait until breakfast but pack paper, pens, an inkwell, mind you its screwed tightly because last time it spilled all over the desk, that was embarrassing let me tell you. We'll probably have Core Magic first, its kind of a tradition to have it on the first day so take 'Magic from the Heart' and the Meter."
Takuya gave Kouichi a blank look. "The Meter is the weird crystal ball thing." Ah, so that's what it is. Takuya did as Kouichi said tucking in the said items into his brown bag and, for good measure, his Traker.
They both stood. "So what are we waiting for?" Takuya declared with a grin. "Onward to breakfast!"
Kouichi laughed and they exited the room. They walked down the hall that was dotted with students. Several of them stared at Takuya and whispered behind their hands to their neighbors. Takuya ignored them. He was sort of accustomed to the whispers since back in Izumai the people were always talking about him behind their backs. They walked past the Stone Entrance room. Takuya looked at the tablet and saw his named still kind of glowing around the edges. Takuya stopped Kouichi. He looked back at Takuya.
Takuya pointed at his name. "Is it supposed to do that?" he asked and clusters of students approached and the whispers increased. His name was the only one still glowing.
"No, it's never done that before," Kouichi frowned analyzing the problem. "We should ask Tanshin." And with that Kouichi swept Takuya past the room saving him from the staring teens. Takuya followed Kouichi into the corridors they pasted yesterday. The sunlight glowed from the windows illuminating the passage ways. All the torches were flameless and hung limply in their holders. Their soft footsteps made little noise. When they neared the entrance to the Banquet Hall Kouichi stopped.
Kouichi fidgeted and said kind of nervously, "Umm, Takuya?"
"Yeah," he said cocking his head sideways making his brown hair sway in front of his eyes.
"I kind of invited some of my friends to eat with us, is that Ok?" he looked pleadingly at Takuya.
He grinned and nodded, "Of course! The more the merrier." Kouichi looked relived and thanked him with a smile. It made him a little apprehensive to met new people but if they were Kouichi's friends they couldn't be that bad, right? They managed to enter the hall with little people noticing them. The Lone Wolves were at the table, some eating but mostly lounging and looking bored. Though two pairs of eyes zeroed in on Takuya. Kouji's sapphire eyes immediately made Takuya redden. The violet-blue haired guy next to him gave Takuya emotionless black eyes that made him look as if he was related to Master Ashi.
Kouichi tugged Takuya's sleeve and lead him to a table. On the table, Takuya noticed was a red spiky haired guy waving his hands like no tomorrow hitting the other brown haired guy next to him repeatedly on the head. As approached the table they were joined by Juri who had just come into the hall.
"Oww, stop it!" the guy next to the redhead trying to fend of his hands. "They see us already." Kouichi grinned and all three sat down across the two. The redhead grinned broadly and stopped his hand waving to the relief of the other guy.
"About time! What took you so long, Kouichi?" the redhead said joyously.
Kouichi snorted, "We didn't take that long. You usually sleep so much that you are constantly late for classes." All five began loading their plates with eggs, toast, and other breakfast foods. The red haired loaded so much food on his that Takuya and Juri stared at him.
"Oh ignore the bottomless pit," the guy said next to said bottomless pit. "I'm Takato Matsuki by the way, 3rd year Mage."
"Imff Diaffush Moffomshyaik," the redhead said thru all the food in his mouth. Bits of food littered the table. Juri drew back a little and raised her eyebrows.
"Don't talk with your mouth full," Takato said and he thumped the redhead's back who started chocking. "You'll die of over eating one day. I'm telling you." He rolled his eyes at the others and Takuya snickered. Those two looked like good people.
The redhead hacked and after he was sure no more food was in his mouth he said, "The name's Daisuke Motomiya. I'm a 3 rd year Knight ready to protect whatever needs protecting!" and he picked up a near by fork and banished it around making the people seated around shield away.
Kouichi looked at Takato, "Now, how much sugar has he had exactly?" Takuya laughed along with Juri and Takato while Daisuke looked insulted and started poking Kouichi with his fork. "Hey, don't look at me! Stop poking me."
A few minutes later after several fork induced bruises (sometimes Knights don't know their own strengths) on poor Kouichi they introduced themselves and finished eating. Takuya scooped a spoonful on egg into his mouth. His eyes were unexplainably drawn towards the middle table. All six had already left but the blonde girl, Izumi, and her friends were there looking disheartened.
The servants were lined against the far wall waiting for the students to finish. Takuya spotted the little kid from last night there. Takuya waved and the little kid smiled shyly back but stopped when the servant next to him said something. Takuya looking a little confused turned to Juri but she was talking to Takato.
Tanshin stood up from the teacher's table and swept down the hall with a packet of papers. He stopped and gave papers to certain people on the tables. Daisuke rubbed his hands with anticipation his eyes gleaming strangely. They waited then finally he arrived at Takuya's table he smiled at the quintet.
"How are you this morning children?" he asked passing out papers to them. They responded in a variation of 'good morning' and Takuya looked at his schedule and strained to read it. Tanshin moved on.
"Yes! I have Weapon Training today," Daisuke cried doing his happy dance in his chair.
"Yeah but after History of the Users," Juri said looking at his schedule over his shoulder. "Gods, Master Netto is the most boring teacher in the school and, our luck, he got the most boring class too." All four, except Takuya groaned. Takuya looked back at his schedule cursing it in his mind. The only one who knew he couldn't read was Juri.
"Hey, Takuya whatcha got?" Daisuke asked.
"Umm," he said looking away and ringing his schedule in his hands. Juri quickly caught on and grabbed it.
"He's got Core Magic, Healing Aura, History of the Users, then Weapon Training," she informed the rest. They were eying Takuya curiously.
"Takuya?" Kouichi asked clearly wanting to know about his reaction. Takato and Daisuke both acted the same thought Takuya had a feeling Takato had a small idea.
"Drop it," Juri said sharply defending Takuya instantly. They looked startled. Takuya smiled softly at her. It really wasn't fair of him to do that when they have only been friendly to him.
He put his hand and her arm, "It's alright, Juri." Juri nodded and he turned to the others. "I…can't really read or write that well." His cheeks blushed slightly as he others stared at him in surprise.
"What!" Daisuke exclaimed loudly and Takato quickly hit him on the back of the head. "What," he said more softly. "You don't know how to?"
Takuya shook his head, "Never learned. I came from Izumai, a little village near the Eternal Star Forest. Kouji and Tanshin found me there and took me here. I met Juri in the town and Kouji gave me some lessons but I didn't really catch on." He rubbed the back of his neck bashfully.
"Kouji one of the ice blocks?" Takato asked apparently thinking. "He must like you to do that."
Takuya blushed beet red and stuttered, "Wh-a-at! He doesn't like me! Tanshin asked him to that's all."
Kouichi grinned broadly, "Trust me Takuya; Kouji doesn't take orders from just anyone and that includes Tanshin. If he truly doesn't want to do something there's no budging him night or day." Takuya lowered his head trying to cover the blush that Takato and Daisuke were grinning at.
"Time to go to class!" Juri said coming to Takuya's rescue once again. Daisuke groaned and tried to shovel as much food as he could into his mouth. Takato and Kouichi had to drag him away in the end. The quintet started walking towards their first class after they split up to get the needed books from their rooms. They took a much airier corridor towards a staircase which they climbed up. Takuya did the best to remember the way but with so many twists and turns he couldn't truly say that he made much progress.
They finally came at a wooden door that was open. They stepped in. The whole room was filled with what looked like long benches that ran across from one side of the room to the other. Three big windows poured sunlight into the classroom giving it a cheerful aura. In front of the benches on the floor was a sturdy plank of wood. The rooms was littered with students some that glanced at Takuya's little group. Kouji was there with the navy guy and the younger blond and Izumi was attached to his arm. For some reason she threw Takuya so nasty a glare that he couldn't help throw his own in. At the front were a blackboard and a teacher's desk.
They sat at empty spaces on the benches. Takuya sat in the middle with Kouichi and Juri on one side and Takato and Daisuke on the other. As soon as he sat the plank of wood levitated and stopped at the right level to make a good table. Takuya jumped and looked at Takato. He was putting his bag on it while Daisuke fell asleep on it. Takuya followed suite (to Takato not Daisuke) and he took out his book and paper and all that jazz.
All the noise stopped when Tanshin walked thru the doorway with a smile. He walked to the front and stood next to the blackboard.
"Good morning children," he said cheerfully. "Welcome to the first class of your new school year." The classroom was silent. "Now was usual we should all go over the basics, take notes everybody." Tanshin glanced at Takuya and he understood that this was mostly for his benefit. There was sudden movement and almost everybody took out their writing utensils. Takuya did too, determined to at least try.
"Now let's go over the basic information on Knights," he said and then a piece of chalk levitated and flew to the blackboard positioned to take notes. "Knights are Users that mostly reap their magic upon their selves strengthening their own abilities whether it is intentional or not depends on the experience on the Knight in question."
Everybody was writing except Kouji and his fellow Wolves and the girl Izumi who was drooling all over the desk. Takuya felt jealously flare again as he watched the piece of chalk write on the board. Takuya shook his head. Why are you feeling jealous, Takuya asked himself, you only know him because he found you. He has no other reason to be near you so snap out of it. Takuya felt his mood deflate but, maybe Kouji did like him, after all Kouichi said it was possible didn't he? Brothers should know each other and he felt a tiny hope inside grow slightly. Takuya forced himself to pay attention back to Tanshin and his writing. His wrist hurt and he barely wrote a sentence but it was a start.
"Now Knights are said to have hearts of stone since they are so hard to kill but this isn't truly acceptable as a fact. A Knight uses their magic inside their body making healing and the replacement of energy double in speed," Tanshin continued. "They also can cast their magic to summon their own blood weapon. Can anyone tell me what a blood weapon is?" he asked.
Half the class raised their hands. Tanshin pointed to a violet haired girl in the back row with Izumi. "A blood weapon is a weapon that the Knight bound to his core," she said smugly. "The Knight can call on it in the heat of the battle." She looked adoringly at the guys next to her group.
Tanshin nodded ignoring the snickers directed at her from other students. "That is correct, Miss Inoue. Now to move on to Seers." Tanshin waved his hand and all the writing disappeared causing several students to shout that they weren't finished. Takuya looked at his notes which were pretty nonexistent and sighed. There's no point to do notes if you couldn't write that well anyway. He pushed his notes aside and listened to the teacher.
"A Seer's magic is what we call Spectral magic. Spectral magic cannot be seen on this plane. How many planes are there?" he looked for another volunteer and found Takato this time.
"Three: the demon plane or Hell, the human plane or Earth, and the spirit plane or Hades," Takato said and he continued to write.
"Good. Now Spectral magic is the main force of satiability of Hades so the Seer can make contact with the spirits of the dead that have passed from our world. The same magic creates a bridge. The spirit plane is not touched by the flow of time since time needs a firm foundation that can only be found on Earth," Tanshin said now pacing around the room. "The spirits are free to roam back and forth thru time, into the past or, if the spirit is old enough, into the future.
"Now Seers can look into the memories and experiences of the spirits therefore seeing the past. Seeing the future is a lot more difficult because the older the spirit the harder it is to contact it and even harder to dive into its recollections." Tanshin walked to his desk and pulled out a small silver mirror. "A Seer can use any surface that reflects to drive his unconsciousness into Hades. The Spectral magic needs to touch its own to create the bridge. Seers can also detect lies, for some reason even I know not, and they lose the ability to dream in their sleep." He looked at his students and winked at Takuya who smiled. Wow, this is really interesting… "Now for homework due Thursday I want a description on Knights, Seers and Mages to be a foot long on each User. Class dismissed."
Takuya has never been so bored in his life. He was in History of the Users class and he was falling asleep from the boredom. Master Netto, the teacher just didn't get it, that his class was the most boring thing to be invented in the whole world. Netto was totally engrossed with the history and obviously thought his students had the same interest. He just droned on and on about some famous User or something. Daisuke had fallen asleep years ago and Kouichi was on the edge as well. His eyes drooping and nodding his head. Juri was playing with Bok under her levitating desktop. Takato tried to take notes but he was constantly spacing as well.
It was a bloody miracle when he dismissed the class. The room was empty in seconds. Takato had to drag the half-asleep Daisuke out of the room and they all went to the Hall to get some lunch. They all sat around and started eating.
"Gods," Takuya moaned as he grabbed a sandwich. "That was the most boring thing I have ever been placed thru." He stuffed the sandwich in his mouth.
"Yeah, but Weapon Training is next!" cried Daisuke. "It's my favorite class!"
"I think we know that," Juri said teasingly.
"Good! Hurry up Takato, Takuya we'll be late," Daisuke said jumping up and down. Juri was going to her Rune class and Kouichi to his Foreshadowing class. "I still have to go and get my wakizash from my room."
The five split up at the entrance hall and Takuya walked to his room. He remembered where the Stone Entrance room was and his own room was just down one of the hallways on the right. He touched the Stiphe on the door and entered. He quickly put his books back in the chest. He also reluctantly approached his bed and reached under it.
His dagger box was pulled out and he opened it. Both were lying peacefully in the red velvet. Takuya reached in and took out Shiroi. The white dagger looked innocently back at him. He put his finger on the side on the blade momentarily and sharply withdrew. The soft-looking blade had cut right thru his skin and a drop of blood ran down the blade.
Takuya put his finger in his mouth and replaced Shiroi inside and took Kuroi out. The black blade felt as light as Shiroi did. Takuya used the same cut finger and slowly touched the point. The sharp point immediately cut through this finger even deeper than Shiroi did. Takuya quickly bandaged it.
Takuya shrugged and replaced Kuroi. He took the box and put it in his bag and exited the room. He ran all the way to the entrance to the Hall and saw Daisuke and Takato waiting for him. Daisuke had his wakizash in its sheath. The wakizash was basically a smaller version of a katana. Takato had a Bo staff with a knife like blade on an end. That blade also had its sheath.
"There you are," Daisuke said shifting from one leg to the other impatiently. "Come on." And down the hall he went. Takato and Takuya glanced at each other before speeding after Daisuke. Takuya followed them into unknown corridors and they steadily became hotter and brighter. They finally arrived at a door that was smaller than the entrance door into the outside.
What he saw was a gigantic lake in the middle of a big space of valley near the edge of the Endless Forest. Several cheery, oak, and redwood trees dotted the place as the warm sunlight illuminated the open court. The three boys followed a stone path toward another smaller building. Near the building there were several expanses of dirt and stone free of grass. Students had already gathered around with their own weapons. Almost all looked interestedly at Takuya then frowned as they saw he didn't have a visible weapon. Takuya noticed that there was a single girl in the mist of boys. She had red hair and lavender eyes; she was one of Izumi's friends.
Kouji, the young blonde, and the blue eyed Wolves were laying around waiting for class to start. Kouji didn't even look in his direction. He had strapped on a katana in a black sheath. The three sat down near a cherry tree and waited. Takuya dropped his bag and opened it. Takato and Daisuke were watching curiously along with (not that Takuya noticed) over half the class. Takuya took out his dagger box and laid it aside. Then he waited.
Daisuke glanced at the box to Takuya then back to the box. "Aren't you going to open it?"
Takuya snickered, "No."
"Aw, why not?" Daisuke whined.
"Because." Daisuke spent the next ten minutes whining and pleading, he was quite stubborn but then again Takuya is too. Then suddenly all the students stood up and Takato quickly dragged Takuya up too. Takuya opened his mouth to ask but Daisuke furiously shook his head as a man came out from the building.
He was a sturdy looking man with broad shoulders. He had short dark blonde and sharp brown eyes. On his back were two identical looking swords. He walked with a proud and powerful aura. His sleeveless arms showed his muscled arms. He walked slowly to the attentive students. Takuya could feel that this man did not tolerate laziness. At all. This must the Master Maki that Juri told him about.
Maki slowly examined every student and their weapon without word. Tension was thick in the air. Maki passed Takato on his right and stopped in front Takuya. Takuya swallowed nervously but did his best to keep eye contact. Tense moments passed before he spoke.
"So you are the wimp I've been sent to train," he said in a low voice that only he could hear.
"I'm not a wimp," Takuya growled softly.
"Hmm, we'll see about that," Maki continued down the line making no comments. Then he approached one of the stone arenas and turned to face his pupils. He looked over all of them once last time.
"All of you look pathetic," he said shortly and several students bristled but wisely stayed silent. "It looks like we will have to build up from last year. Divide into your divisions and stretch and I shall know if you're slaking."
All the kids immediately split into groups of four and started stretching. Takuya stood for a moment not sure what to do when the tall brown haired Wolf motioned for him to join his group who had three others. They were all pulling their arms and legs, stretching their muscles and all that. Takuya followed their example. He was used to work everyday in the farm fields so he had some small muscles and a pretty high endurance rate.
After stretching so much for ten minutes he felt as if his arms were going to fall off when Maki shouted, "Hurry up and pick up the pace." And so everybody did. That man is a slave driver thought Takuya as he reached to touch his toes.
"Hey." The whisper was so low he almost didn't hear it. Takuya turned his head to see a green haired boy who held one of his hands behind his back with the other hand. The guy's back was slightly tilted from Maki so he didn't see his mouth move.
"Ya holding up Ok?" he asked now reaching for the ground to bring his face closer to Takuya's. "I know what it's like to be here for the first time."
"Yeah, I'm fine. Name's Takuya," he whispered back.
"I know," his blue eyes sparkled mischievously. "You're at the top of the gossip ladder. I'm Tehazu but call me Hazu." Takuya nodded.
"I didn't believe I gave permission to talk." Hazu and Takuya both jumped and stared at Maki next to them. He had an annoyed expression. Hazu gulped audibly next to him. "Since both of you are such good friends why don't both of you take three laps around the training area to improve your friendship while doing something productive." Hazu immediately took off dragging Takuya with him.
They ran. Hazu let go of Takuya shirt and he ran side by side. "Sorry," Hazu panted. "Couldn't resist a pretty thing like you." Takuya's face immediately turned red as Hazu smirked.
"I'm not pretty," he mumbled not sure if Hazu was joking or not but decided to drop it when he laughed. If you didn't know the training ground was huge with a capital h. By the time they finished the first Hazu was slowing down and taking deep breathes while Takuya started to feel a small burning in the front of his legs. Takuya slowed down to keep Hazu company after all, he didn't want to go back to boring stretching.
When they finally finished their third lap Hazu collapsed on the ground as the others were called from their stretching. Takuya was faintly flushed and was breathing a bit harder.
"Now that our runners are back," Maki said sarcastically as Takuya glared at him. "You will now divide in pairs-" everybody started edging toward others "-that I will choose." They all stopped and stood still. "You and you." He pointed to Hazu and Kouji. He kept pointing to make pairs, not caring if the pairs disliked each other. He finally paired Takuya up with the brown haired Wolf. "You and Ryo over there."
Ryo stood impassionedly with his odachi sword. An odachi sword was a long slightly curved sword but with the end straight like a butcher knife instead of it pointed. Takuya quickly ran ("How can you still walk!" exclaimed Hazu) back to the cheery tree to his box. He picked it up and walked over to Ryo.
"Each pair takes an arena and spar. And absolutely no magic is to be used just your regular abilities," Maki stated sternly. "First to draw blood wins. If you are the winner go inside to the showers. For all the losers, they will have extra training with me while the others take the regular."
Ryo walked over to the nearest stone arena. It was about 20 feet long and wide. He walked to one end and Takuya walked nervously to the other. Ryo drew his odachi and threw the sheath away. He spread his legs and put both hands on the hilt. His blue eyes cold and still.
Oh, I'm going to get the shit beat out of me Takuya thought as he opened his box, but I'm going to give it the best I've got. He grabbed Shiroi in his left hand and Kuroi in his right. The box was thrown on the grass. Ryo narrowed his eyes a bit. Takuya also took the stance with his legs apart with Shiroi pointing behind him and Kuroi across his body. I have no clue what I'm doing Takuya thought I've never learned how to handle anything other than a plow.
Takuya saw Maki as he turned his head examine the pairs and their stances. He corrected some before moving to stand under a redwood where he could watch all the arenas. Then suddenly he shouted "Begin!"
There was a sharp shuffling noise in front of him and Takuya snapped his head around just in time to see the sharp edge of the sword come down in the bottom of a downwards arc. Takuya had no time to think so he did what came naturally.
Instinct.
In one smooth movement he took a quick step back letting the sword pass less than a centimeter from his face. Ryo quickly changed course and brought his sword back up. Takuya used Kuroi to stop deflect the sword and Ryo jumped back. Takuya was wired on adrenaline and he didn't know what to do so he let his body do the thinking for him. He stabbed forward with Shiroi but Ryo sidestepped. The odachi came down and Takuya crossed his daggers in an x. The much bigger weapon was stopped in between with a sharp clang. Ryo grinned as he applied more pressure to his sword. Takuya gasped as the point of the sword started dropping. His arms were shaking in the effort to hold the sword.
Ok sure he had a strong endurance, sharp reflexes and he was faster than most because of his body size but the one thing he lacked in comparison to the other was strength as much as it irked him. He had to do something quick. An idea came and stopped trying to hold up the sword instead as the sword dropped so did Takuya and he rolled sideways throwing the odachi the other way. He stabbed upward towards Ryo stomach but was stopped by the sword. They sprang apart.
This Ryo was good. If this went on much longer he was going to lose. He had been lucky so far he knew that. But as hell if he was going down with out a fight! Takuya ran towards Ryo surprising him. Ryo threw himself to the side and stood to the side. Takuya was thrown off balance but quickly turned to Ryo. Ryo was smirking. Takuya's temper flared as he realized that Ryo was playing with him. Takuya, by habit, started taking deep breathes and his anger started to ebb away.
Takuya charged again sweeping his daggers in opposite arcs. Ryo ducked and smacked Takuya in the stomach with his hilt. Takuya dropped back; his lungs had the wind knocked out of him. Ryo went on the offensive. Clashing his sword into Takuya's daggers as quick as he could raise them. It was obvious that Ryo was going easy on him and it infuriated him. Great now he had to evade Ryo and concentrate on keeping his temper in check.
Ryo was clearly winning. Takuya's arms had started aching, suffering blow after blow. He was being driven back to towards the edge of the arena. He had to get back in the middle; there he could at least have room to maneuver.
Ryo had several advantages. His odachi had a bigger range of attack being longer and Ryo was bigger than him. He also had experience. Takuya narrowed his eyes. Well, maybe he didn't have the experience from training but there's one thing he did know. He had the advantage of attacking from two places at the same time and he was smaller. After side stepping a downswing he did the most stupid thing he had ever done in his fourteen year life.
"Hey, what's that?" Ryo, startled, looked over in the direction pointed by Shiroi. Takuya, after thanking all the Gods that his ploy worked, ran past Ryo towards the middle and took a stance.
Ryo glanced surprised at Takuya, who grinned, then his eyes narrowed and darkened. Takuya gulped. It looks like Ryo did not appreciate at all being tricked. Takuya braced himself as Ryo ran towards him very fast his sword arcing at Takuya. Takuya knew that all the power of the swing and the running would be transferred to the sword and Takuya would not be able to stop it fast enough. Takuya stepped back and tripped landing on his butt bringing his daggers to across in an x again. Ryo's sword was coming down fast and was thru his dagger shield right towards his face.
"Halt!" And the point of the sword stopped a hair's breath from Takuya face. "Back off." Ryo slowly drew his sword from Takuya, his eyes still dark. Takuya shakily stood up relief washing over him. He looked over to the others edging away from the pissed Wolf. A bunch of beat up looking students stood towards the side, Hazu among them supporting a small gash on his arm. Maki walked over and stood between Ryo and Takuya.
"Well, looks like you've been slacking Ryo," he said and Ryo tensed angrily. "If you've let him beat you." He motioned to Takuya.
"With all due respect due, sir," Ryo ground out. Takuya noticed that this was the first time he heard Ryo speak. It was soft but a tough quality. "He didn't beat me."
"True," Maki said. "But you didn't win either. Hmm." He turned thoughtful. "I suppose that if neither won both of you will have to attend my lessons." Takuya supposed that it was fair in a way, neither had actually had drawn blood but it was clear that Ryo had taken the lead.
"What," Ryo exclaimed indignant and his grip on his sword tightened. "But sir-"
"That's enough," Maki cut off Ryo. "Both will attend and that's final. Hit the showers both off you." Ryo bowed stiffly and marched to the building shaking with rage. "It looks like I underestimated you," he said to Takuya and he felt proud. "But you still have a long way to go." Takuya deflated a bit. "Go with the others and stay sharp." He walked away to the building too.
Takuya stood motionless for a moment then ran to the other beaten. As he approached Hazu and Takato detached from the group.
"Takuya that was awesome," Hazu said awed. "You stood your ground against a Lone Wolf and almost won. You're not only hot but brave too." Takuya's face heated up.
"No one has won against Ryo and won," Takato said as he other boys clustered around him.
Takuya rubbed the back of this neck bashfully. "I didn't exactly win. Ryo was going easy on me until I got him pissed and he was going hard just as Maki called stop," he said modestly. There were sounds of amazement and bravo from the boys around him.
"You did better than me though," Hazu said as he grimaced at his cut. "I must have pissed off Kouji somehow. He went at it hard. He beat me in less than ten minutes while you lasted thirty." Takuya frowned at this. What's Kouji's problem? He hasn't talked to me since I've gotten here. Is he angry with me? Takuya just couldn't figure it out.
"Where's Daisuke?" Takuya asked as the guys around started thumping his back so hard he almost fell.
Takato answered. "He won against some kid with a kama," he said. "Lucky sod."
"Well, what are we standing around for," Hazu exclaimed. "Let's hit the showers. Seeing Takuya all sweaty and hot turns me on." Hazu and Takato linked arms with a red Takuya to the building leaving the rest of the beaten to follow.
Takuya, Takato, and Daisuke, who saw retelling his match with much vigor, arrived at the Hall just as most of the students were leaving. They squeezed in and saw Juri and Kouichi waiting at a table. All five sat down and started telling about their day while eating. Takuya scooped a piece of apple pie unto his plate and started eating it. There was something nagging at him as if he forgot something. Shiroi and Kuroi were safely in his bag so what could it be? Hmm…
"Takuya, Takuya." Takuya was brought back to Earth by Juri's voice.
"Wha?" he said startled.
"I was just telling about your amazing battle," Daisuke said. "But it's not as amazing as mine but still worth to tell…"
"Takuya what's wrong?" Juri said over Daisuke's rambling. She was eating some cinnamon roll with syrup. That's a lot of sugar…
"I just have the feeling I forgot something," he confessed as one hand ruffled his hair.
"Hmmm," Juri said thoughtfully. "Maybe…Oh, I know! Give me your schedule-" Takuya rummaged in his bag and gave it to her "-Ah! Here it is your tutoring is in ten minutes in the Dark Ring classroom."
Takuya, who was just finishing his pie, choked and started hacking. Kouichi have his one sharp slap on the back and the pie flew out. "I what? Holy shit, I'm late!" Takuya jumped from the table, grabbed is bag, and flew out of the Hall, leaving his friends to marvel at his quickness. Takuya sprinted to his room and almost missed it. He charged into the room and dumped his daggers under his bed again. He piled his books in his bag and shot to the Entrance Stone room. He stopped there as a thought hit him.
Where's the Dark Ring classroom?
Takuya groaned and felt like hitting his head against the wall. He sighed and decided to pick a random hall and pray that it lead to his destination. OK, one, two, skip a few, you. He ended up pointing to a hallway on the left. He took a step toward it when he heard a small shuffling behind him. He turned to look and saw a small redhead servant. Might as well ask.
"Hey, excuse me?" he called and the servants head jerked up.
"Yes sir?" he said politely. Takuya blinked. Since when was he a sir?
"Can you tell me were the Dark Ring classroom is?" he asked and it was the servants turn to blink.
"Of course, follow me," and the servant walked in the opposite direction. Takuya hurried to follow the little dude. They walked down and fell into a silence. Takuya started to fidget as they took a turn left, and he could no longer stand it.
"Sooo, you, uh, work here?" he said tensely trying to break the silence.
"Yes, sir," the servant said shortly.
"Oh, OK then," Takuya felt a bit disappointed at this response and decided to kick things up a notch. "I'm Takuya! What's your name? And please stop calling me sir, I'm not a sir."
The servant jumped at Takuya's cheerful voice and grin and looked a little suspicious. "I'm Koushiro Izumi, master."
Takuya snorted, "I'm not a master either. Call me Takuya."
The servant looked confused, "But you're in higher rank than me. I should address you as so."
Takuya shook his head and grinned. "Nah, that's not me. I'm just a farmer's first born not one of those nobles so where basically in the same spot." The servant took a tentative smile and Takuya nodded satisfied. "And you know what? Koushiro is such a long name so I think I'll call you Izzy."
"Izzy? How does that relate to Koushiro?" Izzy asked and they neared their destination.
Takuya shrugged. "I don't know but Izzy's a cool name. Friends can call each other by their nicknames right?" They arrived at a black door.
Izzy shook his head furiously. "No! I can't do that. Servants aren't allowed to make connections with the students. Junsei would catastrophe me!" Takuya frowned.
"Well, that's stupid," he informed Izzy. "We can be friends if we can." Izzy opened his mouth to protest but Takuya held up a hand. "Look do you want to be friends?" Izzy thought for a moment then slowly nodded. "So we both want to so if this Junsei would kill you or whatever we just don't tell her period. What do you say?" He offered his hand.
Izzy bit his lip and fidgeted then he took Takuya's hand. He grinned and pumped Izzy's hand up and down. "Great! So my new buddy Izzy, I have to do to tutoring now."
Izzy nodded and started walking away saying, "I'll see you later si- I mean Takuya." He smiled shyly and ran away. Takuya grinned. Ohh, I'm on a roll!
Takuya braced himself and opened the door. The classroom looked like the Core Magic classroom except there was no windows just a big lamp on the ceiling. It was a somber looking room and it was bit cold. Takuya shivered then jumped as the door closed behind him. Takuya heard a small noise to the right and turned. On a chair in the first row was a boy with black eyes and blue-violet hair. Great my second Wolf in the same day.
The guy stood up in one fluid motion and walked to Takuya his footstep echoing across the empty room. Takuya felt a little more than a bit apprehensive. The black eyed guy stared down at him. They stood there for a moment not talking then his hand shot out and grabbed Takuya's hand and brought it to his face. Takuya gasped and a blush rose to his face. Takuya tried yanking his hand back but no dice.
"This was made by a demon," the guy said softly. Takuya noticed that he was staring at the bite mark on the back of his hand.
"Um, yeah," Takuya said still trying to get his hand back. He didn't really like anyone touching it. Brought back memories you know. He released the hand and walked back to his desk and motioned for Takuya to do the same. Takuya did.
"My name's Takuya," he smiled trying to lighten the atmosphere. The guy nodded and brought out paper and all that. "What's yours?" he asked annoyed when he got no answer.
He glanced at him. "Ken Ichijouji 6th year Wizard."
"6th year!" Takuya said startled. There was no way this guy could be a 6th year. Tai was in 5th and Ken was defiantly younger. "But you're no older than me."
"I skipped 2nd and 3rd then 5th," Ken said as Takuya stared at him. Wow, this guy must be super smart to skip all those grades.
"Let's start. I promised Master Ashi that I would have you caught up by the end of the second trimester and I don't break my promises," Ken said and Takuya thought that this is going to be one hell of a year.
Ha ha ha! You know, what today I'm going to the zoo! I get to see all the bats and wolves running around (or in the bats' case flying). How'd ya like it huh? Huh huh huh? (Snicker) Please review for me pretty please? (Puppy eyes) Till chapter seven! Tell me if I have any mistakes or what not in there.
Illusionwolf logging out.