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
Chapter name: The Other Side of the Coin
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or anything of the like.
Author Notes: Hello! It is lovely to see you again. Thank you once again for the reviews. All so exquisite and nice and you are all just so precious. Now do you remember the little vote we had last chapter about the change in POV? Ok, now for all those who reviewed and those who don't but still read (stern look for those cowering) I have the long awaited results! Drum roll please! (Drum roll) and here they are!
Takuya's POV: four
Kouji's POV: four
Oho! We have a tie! So what to do? What to do? Hmmm, I guess I'll do a bit of both from now on. Is that OK? Alrighty folks, but I have to warn you. You may have sealed the fate of this story. I'm not sure how good my Kouji POV will come out so bare with me here till I get my bearings. I think this chapter came out more like in third person more than second, but oh well, what can you do? Review and tell me if this really stinks which I am pretty sure it is. Promise?
He panted slightly as he brought his katana up to block the uppercut from the large broadsword. The two metals made a sharp chime and sparks flew into the air. He leaped back, his feet finding traction on the floor, enabling him to make a sharp left to avoid another down stroke. His hair whipped around his head, darting into his eyes but he ignored them. His core vibrated in time to his heart beats as his power fueled his limbs and his fast thinking mind.
He leapt forward and shot fast three consecutive blows to his opponent, aiming for his throat, chest, and stomach on each jab. The broadsword moved and blocked all three with minimum difficulty as he had expected. He mentally simpered and brought the hilt of the katana swinging into the other's stomach but, there was nothing there. Instantly his feet stopped on the wooden floor and he swung around, his blade just stopping the attack from behind with another clang; his arms were rock solid as his magic reinforced them so the blades locked each other in the air.
"Nice try, Kouji," Yamato said, smirking faintly as he slid his blade down the length of Kouji's katana and made a screech that resonated in the air. Kouji allowed it to push him back and, with a smirk of his own, dropped down on the balls of his feet. His left leg swept in an arc towards Yamato's legs, making the older jump away from immediate attack range. Kouji instantly backed up and forced his magic into his legs, making his muscles constrict tightly.
"I'm haven't even started, Yamato," Kouji replied, his mind finding the small unprotected cracks in Yamato's defense. His feet pushed off the floor and raced to Yamato, who was standing ready. He brought down his katana at a forty degree angle, forcing Yamato to back up.
His blade ran through the air in front of Yamato's chest as Yamato bended back like a willow in a strong wind. He caught a glimpse of metal from the corner of his eye and he ducked. As the broadsword almost gave him a new haircut, the point of his blade was poised to jab into Yamato's throat. It missed because Yamato had brought the hilt of his sword to stop Kouji's attack just in time. Both of them sprang back, neither pair of blue eyes leaving the other.
Then they clashed together mercilessly without further ado. To any onlookers, both boys were only blurs with two points of blue near the place were the face would be if they were distinguishable. Flashes of steel against steel shone at intervals and clanged when the two swords met with ferocity, neither giving in. Kouji grunted softly each time their swords banged against each other. He kept his magic from spreading to the other parts of his body where he didn't need them. That would just be a waste of power and effort. Instead he sent steady flows of magic to his legs, stomach, arms, and lungs, each receiving enough magic to function with ease.
Kouji dodged to the left and swung at Yamato's head and, as his broadsword moved to block it, changed directions and aimed for the left shoulder. For a second Kouji thought that he would actually hit it but he was proven wrong when Yamato's sword dropped and stopped it. They sprang apart again, their clothes sticking to their bodies with the sweat of their efforts.
Kouji was readying himself to launch another attack when the sound of a miniature bell sounded from the corner of the room. Kouji dropped his katana from its defensive position and straightened himself with a huff. Yamato followed Kouji's example and relaxed, shouldering his broadsword with one smooth movement, careful not to slice his skin with a careless move.
"Not bad," Yamato said, wiping the sweat from his brow with his free arm. "You've been practicing more than usual lately." A vaguely suspicious look was aimed Kouji's way with exasperated eyes.
Kouji answered with a shrug. "What did I do wrong?" he said instead.
Yamato swung his blade in small circles then pointed the end of the sword at Kouji's left shoulder. "You keep dropping your left shoulder every time you defend," he said. "It hinders your speed and, in a real battle, you need as much speed as you can especially when defending. You need enough speed to move your sword when the enemy's changes direction like you did to me. The first hit can also be the last."
Kouji nodded absentmindedly, taking in Yamato's observation. He did have that tendency to drop his left shoulder; it helped him adsorb the blow better. He would have to work on that. He turned around and walked over to a plain gold ball on a table in the rightmost corner of the room. He grabbed his black and silver sheath from where it was laid earlier and quickly inserted his katana into its protection.
He saw Yamato reach his side and grab his own sheath, which was plain dark blue color. The broadsword was put into it snuggly and the elder student moved to the doors that lead to the outer hall that, in turn, lead to the bathrooms and showers. Kouji noiselessly followed him; the hand that wasn't holding his katana moved the strands of his black hair from the back of his neck where they were stuck there because of the sweat. He pulled a slightly disgusted look as they pasted the open door.
Yamato lead him down the hall to the showers. About ten stalls and showerheads sprouted from the wall, opposite to the urinals and toilets on the other tiled wall. Next the showers, a good distance away, were the square holes in the wall where the students could put their possessions and clothes before they showered so as not to get them wet or dirtied. It was squeaky clean like always.
Both students made their way to the bench in front of the cubbies. Kouji put his katana next to the wall, leaning against it; an imitation of its earlier position in the training room. Without further ado, he reached for the bottom of his shirt and pulled it over his head, baring his chest into the open. From the corner of his eye he saw Yamato doing the same but, went on taking off his clothes anyway. They had done this too many times to be embarrassed with each other. Without a word, both of them finished stripping and, with nothing on but their skin and an extra towel in their hands, stepped into separate shower stalls.
The cold tiles bit into his feet but, he ignored it, knowing that the coldness would soon go away and closed the stall door. He had no problem leaving it open but, after the workout, the air felt cold against his heated skin. Kouji left the towel on the hook on the back of the door. He grabbed the shower handle and put it to a comfortable water temperature. Somewhere around warm and a tad cold like hot chocolate that had been sitting out for an hour.
He sighed as the water ran down his face and chest, dripping down his feet and into the drain. Tension and stress melted from his muscles and his whole body relaxed as if the water had grown fingers that massaged his shoulders and neck. He shook his head and ran his fingers trough his damp hair, droplets landing on the shower walls. He looked around until he found the recluse bottle of shampoo at the bottom on the stall. He stooped down and picked it up with ductile fingers. He flicked open the cap and squeezed the blue liquid into his open palm.
Kouji carefully scrubbed his long black hair, making sure to close his eyes as not to get shampoo in his eyes. He always liked to take his time showering. It made him feel clean and peaceful for a while before having to get back to the outside world. Back at the manor, Kouichi was always racing him to get the bathroom first because he took too long. Yeah, sure, the manor had more bathrooms in the other unoccupied halls and wings but, the one in the middle of their rooms was the one with all their toiletries and stuff so it was their preferred bathroom.
He put his head under the running water, washing away the all the bubbles and excess shampoo as he briefly closed his eyes. For a second a smiling, tanned face with large, clear russet-colored eyes appeared in his mind. His eyes snapped open in alarm as heat pooled in his stomach leaving the faint warm feeling of contentment.
Damn it, he mentally cursed and shook his head as if to shake the image from his head. His hand fisted at his side and closed his eyes again, willing himself to think about something else. But this time an image of the lithe, brown-eyed boy was shown in the close-up view when Kouji leaned into him, his lips an inch was from his. Kouji scowled at the memory and looked at the tiles on the side of the wall, the mood turned from peaceful to tenseness and irritation. Damn this feeling. Damn his fast beating heart. Damn Takuya for making him like this.
He laid his back against the wet tiles and aimed his face upwards. The spray landed on the same spot that Takuya's lips had touched; not exactly the feeling he wanted to have at this moment.
He never really knew what made him interfere in that fight the day he and his uncle arrived at the little unremarkable village after scouting the Eternal Star Forest in search for signs of Black Oracle activity. He just happened to see a boy around his age being threatened by a bigger boy with the villagers looking on without doing anything. But there was something about how the smaller boy stood up and defied the other openly that drew his curiosity from its hiding place. When the fat one grabbed the other and fitted him off his feet, Kouji knew that he would have to do something. And blaming his sense of justice, he landed one soft punch to the stomach that made the kid drop the other and runaway.
It surprised him when the boy stood up to him as well even after seeing what he did to the other. The thing he noticed the most was the boy's eyes. They were almond-shaped and tinted the color of milk chocolate with flecks of lighter brown, common eyes. But they were swimming with such anger and disbelief at the moment they locked gazes, it made them seem a total different color. He had never seen such expressive eyes. Not in his family, his friends, nor his classmates. In fact, every move the boy made reflected his emotions and made them known without shame. He made sure, though, that his amazement never showed. Even when his amazement grew as he witnessed the eyes turn a burning scarlet like the color of an exploding sun and tendrils of flames sprouted from the ground, he stayed calm. And that's how he discovered the first Elemental in over a hundred years. Just by curiosity.
Funny how they somewhat completed the mission that had been entrusted to Tanshin after all. They found out why the Black Oracle had been hiding in the Eternal Star Forest and, to be truly honest, he didn't like it at all. He knew that the times that Takuya had managed to tap into his power, in the village and in the School, was just a small portion of what he was truly capable of doing. He had read the scarce books on the sixth User enough to know at least that. He also knew that the bigger the power source, the harder it was to call it and control it. He had been practicing ever since he was little and he was really close to controlling his magic easily in dangerous and tense times like the occasion in on the Green way in the Opal Forest. Takuya didn't have nearly as much time but, even with his temper, was doing pretty well this past month. After the disaster in the fields, Takuya had been working double time to control his magic with his uncle. And, according to Ken, was really improving on his writing and reading skills. Ken was a better teacher than him anyway. Even Maki had once told Kouji that Takuya had been doing his detention without complaint, unlike some others. Which from him was a compliment.
Kouichi had become good friends with Takuya since the first day, naturally because they were roommates at any rate. He remembered the occasion when Tanshin had told him to give Takuya a Traker, just in case anything happened. He had grudgingly done so and found Takuya's room easily. He opened the door to see Takuya and his brother sitting on the same bed with their faces an inch away from touching. He didn't know why but, in the very pit of his stomach, burst a bolt of pure jealousy; he hadn't felt that strong of an emotion in years. It startled him so much that he slipped his face into an expressionless look but, couldn't stop the stiffness in his moves from showing. And the disturbing part was that the jealousy wasn't aimed at Takuya, it was focused on Kouichi being with Takuya.
To make matters worse, the same thing happened when, in the beginning of Weapon Training, Takuya had to run laps with a green haired Mage that had been in his class but had never really noticed. His eyes had instinctually tracked their every move and he didn't fail to notice how Takuya's face flushed red at something the other kid had said. He felt it again: the burning sensation of envy and spite at the other. He had held it in, the only people who noticed where Takeru, Ryo, and Jenrya, who ignored it for the time being, knowing that Kouji wouldn't thank them anytime soon if they sprouted a conversation in the open with so many witnesses around. He had always had a good bond with his teachers (one of the many perks of being a top student). He suspected that Maki had suspected what had been going through his head at the moment because he had been paired with the green haired kid for a practice spar (he later found out his name was Hazu but that's not relevant right now). He couldn't stop himself from beating the shit out of the little punk.
His lack of self-control had put him on high alert. He had gone out of his way to ignore Takuya from then on. He wouldn't even look at Takuya when he was in the same vicinity much less in the same classroom. He had tried to keep it low key but the others had picked it up, noting his tendency to swerve away when he caught sight of the Elemental. The others had known him for a long time and quickly caught on his confusion and tenseness. Ken, in particular, had warned him that Takuya would resent him quickly if he kept this up. Yamato threw in his two cents and advised him to get up there and say whatever the hell he needed to say to the little brunette, resulting in Takeru flicking him in the head saying to keep his comments to himself.
Well, as it turned out, Ken's prediction came true after Takuya and Izumi both met. Kouji had known Izumi ever since they both entered in their first year. How could he not know? That girl was either stalking him or clinging to his arm and drooling all over his work. She was from a good family and to insult her was to insult her family directly. The Orimoto family was just about at the same standing as the Minamoto's; it wouldn't be wise to get on their bad side in the event that they ever needed allies. He had just allowed the annoying pest of a girl and her little posse to hang around. The guys had been cool with this even though they came close to butchering them several times, even Ken and Lee, the most level-headed of them. Not that Kouji would have minded but, you know, the whole family rank ally thing. But she had finally stepped over the line. He had no idea how she found out about his complications with Takuya. Maybe it was his inattentiveness towards her that did it. No, he had always ignored her as much as he could but could she have picked something up? Anyway, she had no right to go at Takuya like that and he was sure to tell her so next time he saw her. He had heard from the headmaster that Izumi and her posse had been sentenced their punishment and it served them right.
Then the scene that had nagged at him and left him with many restless nights happened. Takuya had confirmed Ken's words and he remembered the look on Takuya's face as he said that much. He recalled the way his body moved on its own and stopped the boy from leaving. And his words… Had he really said that he would always choose Takuya over Izumi? There was just something inside of him that had prompted his mouth to form and say those words. He had never said anything even faintly resembling that before to anybody. He remembered the chapped but soft feeling of those lips even if he only touched a corner of them.
Why was he so infuriated with the boy? Why did he pick the boy up bridal style at night in the village? Why had he said, "I'll protect you" to him the day after? Why did he accept to teach him when he could have had more time to do other more important things? Why did he like spending him with him? Why did he feel so jealous and protective towards him? Why had he kissed him that day in the infirmary? Why did he like it? Why did he want to hold the boy in his arms and kiss him over and over again? Was that why he asked Yamato to train with him in the afternoons and weekends? To impress Takuya? Why was he even thinking about this in the shower? ….
Why the hell was he asking so many questions? It's not as if someone would just pop up and tell him all the answers to his questions.
He ran a hand across his face, sighing. Kouji was about start scrubbing himself with a conveniently placed bar of soap which he had just noticed when there was a knock at him shower stall door.
"Kouji? Did you drown in there?" he heard Yamato's slightly curious voice call from the other side.
He called back through the downpour of water. "Coming." He must have been thinking too much and too long.
Kouji stepped out of the direct range of the water and quickly lathered his body with the soap, relishing in the sensation and feeling distinctly disappointed that his time was cut short. Once all the bubbles and soap had been washed off by the water, he shut off the shower. Instantly, the cold in the air raised faint goose-bumps on his skin and a light shiver racked his tall, lean frame. He grabbed the towel from the hook and wrapped it around his waist, making sure it was firmly on. He opened the stall door, dripping slightly.
Yamato watched him with an amused expression as he stepped out. He had changed into a new outfit. He had on a pair of comfortable looking black trousers with a leather belt wrapped lightly around his hips, no doubt just because he wanted to. The pant legs covered the top part of his dark boots leaving the bottom to faintly shine. Under his blue-rimmed cape was a dark blue top with long sleeves and cuffs at the ends that made his blue eyes stand out more. His damp blond tresses were plastered to his forehead and neck, slightly frizzed around the edges because they haven't been combed yet. Yamato wouldn't let anybody but his close friends see him without his hair done in perfect order. Yamato had a slight obsession with his hair but it was justified. Kouji had seen Yamato in the mornings and, trust him, it wasn't pretty.
"About time," Yamato mused, his hand snaking to a nearby towel on a rack and rubbed his hair with it. His eye peaked under the towel, scrutinizing him carefully as if looking for an illness. "Did you have some sudden revelation in there or something?"
"As a matter of fact, I did," Kouji easily replied, moving to the cubbies. He left a trail of water drops behind him. He reached in for the fresh clothes he had placed there when they entered the training building that afternoon. He grabbed them and laid them on the bench.
Kouji dropped his towel leaving it to pool around his feet. He put on his clothes he had taken out of the bag in the cubby without any rush or hurry. There was no need; he had known Yamato ever since his first year and he was like an older brother to him, more or less.
"Oh?" Yamato cocked an eyebrow. He leaned against the wall, waiting for Kouji to finish so they could leave, with his hairbrush in hand. He was carefully combing every strand back into place, puffiness all going away with each stroke. Yamato had really adaptable hair and it looked great when he finished anyway.
"Yes," Kouji said, finished dressing. "I remembered where Takeru left his shuriken."
He was fitted with a thin light green shirt with the sleeves going to the elbows. On top of that he had on a fitting black vest with silver buttons going up the front, each with a smaller dab of black in the middle, complimenting his the firmness of his slender body nicely. One of his favorite pair of slacks was on his long legs and tied with a large green silk cloth acting like a belt. On his feet were a pair of boots, the same kind that Kouichi had; they got them as a gift from one of their relatives (he has so many that he forgot which one). His long black hair was tied in the customary ponytail. Overall, he was clothed in one of his preferred outfits when he felt the need to relax from Weapon Training or any kind of exercise.
"Really?" Yamato said, his brush stilling for a few seconds as he looked at Kouji. "Where?"
Kouji shrugged on his blue-rimmed cape and fastened it. "Maki found them after class and put them in his office so, if you don't want your brother to spend the rest of the day tomorrow running, we better get them now."
He found out right when they entered the building earlier today, actually. They passed the doorway to Maki's office and, just by pure chance, it was left open, leaving a view of what was inside. He had been planning anyway to retrieve Takeru's weapons when they finished training.
Yamato nodded, looking relived and amused. Kouji knew that Yamato cared about his little brother more than anything. Their parents divorced when Yamato was a little boy and Takeru even younger. Their father took Yamato and their mother took Takeru; they had moved to different cities and hadn't seen each other in years. It was only the coincidence of both siblings attending this school that brought them together again. Ever since then, the two brothers had been inseparable. And since Kouji and Takeru were in the same year, they knew each other and became shaky friends at the beginning though, with time, by got closer, so Kouji met Yamato by Takeru.
Kouji packed all his things in the bag, double checking that he didn't miss anything. He threw it over his shoulder with his hand grabbing firmly to the straps and the other hand grabbed hold of his katana. Kouji and Yamato exited the showers and made their way down the hall. Their boots made soft echoes that rebounded in the empty halls. It was a Thursday afternoon and most of the students were in the School doing make-up work or studying for up coming tests. Kouji had asked Yamato to help him on these free times because Yamato never went out for some reason and was constantly bored and Kouji wanted to improve on his skills so it was a win-win situation.
They neared slightly open timber door and cautiously looked inside. It was a plain room for a teacher's office. A bookcase filled with battle tactics and history books stood on one of the walls next to two twin swords mounted on the walls, crossed in an x. In front of the swords was a desk and the surrounding area was full of paperwork and boxes of different sizes, the smallest being about the size of a small pocketbook while the biggest was the size of Kouji's chest. There was no one inside.
Yamato entered silently and walked to the desk, looking for the recluse box filled with the small throwing stars. Kouji waited by the doorframe, not willing to leave more evidence than necessary for the Weapon master to find. He looked on as Yamato reached for a small fir box near the farthest edge of the desk. He grabbed it and tucked it under his arm, not disturbing anything else. Yamato quickly walked out of the room and down the hall with Kouji following him not making a noise. To anybody who happened to be looking, the two students looked like they always did, cool and unhurried but in reality all they wanted was to get out of the building before anybody else found them with the box especially Maki. They breathed correctly when they felt the hazy sun shine down on their damp skin once they exited the building and were outside near the spar training outdoor arena.
The grass crunched softly under their soles as they made their way to their dormitories which happened to be pretty close to one another. A few packs of students stared and whispered at their companions as Kouji and Yamato crossed the lawn. They gave no obvious response to the other students and ignored them with out much thought because, after all, they were use to such treatment everyday.
The air changed to a much cooler temperature once they entered the stone school. The torches on the walls glowed where the main light spells could not reach very well, lighting the way. Not that they needed, they could have used their magic to enhance their eyesight. They met only a few servants along the wall to their rooms but, otherwise, the trip there was uneventful and calm. They entered the Entrance Stone room and took on the hallways on their right. They passed several doors, some open with noise barreling out and some closed and quiet. The latter kind became more common the further down they went. Kouji didn't mind the quietness; he was one of the kids that preferred to observe and analyze rather than jumping into the conversation with a second thought.
Kouji and Yamato came to a dark colored door on the left with two Judses as keyholes. Kouji handed Yamato his katana and knocked on the door with his knuckles of his free hand hard enough to alert whoever inside of their presence but enough not to disturb anyone else.
"Enter." He heard Ken's voice announce. That was odd. Ken usually was in the library on free days and times checking on extra credit work or something along those lines and this wasn't even his room.
Kouji pressed the Judse on the far right and the door swung open. Kouji saw inside that Ken wasn't alone. Lee and Ryo were on the floor surrounded by books and scrolls of paper probably doing their homework that wouldn't be due for another week at least. Takeru was on the bed with his back against the wall, chewing on the end of a pen distractedly as he gazed at the book in his hands. Ken was sitting at his desk, scribbling on his paper in his elegant manuscript.
So that's why Ken was in his and Ryo's room. At least once every week the Lone Wolves all gather together to do their work, spar, converse, or just hang out in one of their rooms or outside. It was a tradition they had established somewhere in their second year, or in Ken's case, his fourth year. It must have been one of those days today. How did he forget?
Takeru glanced up, his pen hanging from his mouth. He grinned. "About time," he said and he grabbed his pen, pointing it at Kouji and Yamato. "We thought that you forgot."
Kouji shook his head, the corners of his mouth curling faintly. "No," he explained as he crossed the room to sit down on the empty bed. He dumped his bag on it and turned as Yamato threw him his katana. Kouji caught it easily and put it next to his bag. "We were sparring. Brought you a gift."
"Oh?" Takeru lifted an eyebrow that eerily reminded Kouji of Yamato.
Yamato walked in front of the bed that Takeru was sitting on and removed the box from under his arm. Takeru sat up straight at the glance from his lost possession, his face glowing with surprise then relief.
Yamato transferred the fir box from his hands to Takeru's eager ones. "You should be more careful, T.K.," Yamato said, using his nickname for his little brother. "Next time you're on your own."
Takeru chuckled and nodded knowing that Yamato wouldn't do well on his words; Yamato was too protective to do that.
Takeru and Yamato looked just like real brothers. Both boys had blonde hair though; Yamato's locks were more of a dark, sun-kissed shade while Takeru's was a lighter shade like wheat. Likewise Yamato's aquamarine eyes were darker that Takeru's azure orbs. The both of the Knights were tall and lean with long legs. Yamato was stronger emotion wise while Takeru was more of a pacifist. Both boys were good-looking and stunning to anyone who glanced in their way. Nobody could, though, say that the brothers didn't care for each other.
Takeru opened his box and counted the shuriken to make sure that they were all accounted for. "Thanks," he said, gratefully when he finished counting and closed the lid with a hallow thump. "I didn't know what I would have done next class. Maki would have made me run forever."
Yamato nodded and plunked down next to him, crossing his legs over the edge of the covers.
Ken looked over his shoulder at Kouji, analyzing his best friend. Kouji looked back at him, his brows slanted in question. The Wizard just smirked a bit and said, "Finished thinking yet?"
Kouji puffed out a breath and busied himself in searching through his chest looking for next week's essay about the murder of Fafdin, a court Seer in the year 117 by a freak avalanche that Master Netto had assigned to the class, not bothering to answer Ken's question.
Ryo raised his head from his book. "Just tell the little brat that you like him," Ryo said, a bit sarcastically.
Kouji grabbed his scroll and shot a withering look at Ryo, who looked back undaunted. Ever since the spar in the first Weapon Training class, Ryo has held a dislike for Takuya even though Kouji and the others managed to soothe him a bit by saying that he never lost just he never won either. Ryo had a thing for grudges though they never lasted too long.
"I don't like him," Kouji said, trying to go for the nonchalant look.
Yamato snorted and Ryo shook his head infuriated. Takeru started to sing annoyingly, "Denial, denial, Kouji's in denial!" Ken's pen halted for a fraction of a second as his shoulders trembled slightly which made Kouji suspect that he was either laughing or snickering, neither of which made Kouji happier. Lee had his small infuriating smile that looked like he was laughing at you and comforting you at the same time (which is really hard to do).
"Why do I even hang out with you people?" Kouji asked, shaking his head at the only people in the School who actually understand him other than his brother and maybe, just maybe, Takuya too with time.
"Because you're too much of an ass for other people to support being with you," Yamato said, smirking as Kouji threw a random book from his chest at his head. Naturally, Yamato caught it easily.
"Nice try, Kouji," he said. He opened the book his hands and started reading whatever Kouji had chucked at him.
Takuya carefully turned the pages of the borrowed Advanced Arithmetic text book he was given, examining the equations and variables needed to complete the worksheet that Hinote had passed out minutes before. His eyes glimpsed the needed equation and worked out the problem on his scratch piece of paper with his pen. It took a few tries but he managed to get an answer that fitted the problem correctly. Only twelve more questions to go.
Twenty minutes later, he put down his pen and surveyed his worksheet for any noticeable errors ignoring the sounds of other pens around him. None that he could see! He nodded happily and laid his chin on his arms on the sturdy desktop. He looked around the classroom.
The Advanced Arithmetic classroom was the same room as the normal Arithmetic classroom but just in different times and days. It was a square shaped classroom. Once someone entered the room the first thing they saw were the risers that were used as desks with isles put on in regular distances so about three to four people could be seated in between two isles. The students at the end of the rows were higher up than the students at the beginning so they all could see the teacher and not the back of the heads of the students in front of them. Very smart in Takuya's opinion. In front of all the students were the teacher desk and a giant blackboard with tons of the accursed floated chalk in the little chalk holder thing attached to the bottom on the blackboard. The teacher's desk was situated next to the board. Hinote was currently checking the homework they gave him today. Takuya just gave him the homework he had assigned to his Arithmetic class since today was his first time at his new Advanced class. It had taken some rearrangement in his schedule to allow his time for his new class. The teachers had just finished confirming his new class and so here he was.
Advanced classes were more challenging and complicated than normal classes. He had to strain a bit to work on the same level as the other older students. Years fifth and up had mostly Advanced classes since most of them already passed the normal expectations in certain classes. It was a good accomplishment for a younger year to advance up in the classes.
The scratching of a pen next to him stopped and he looked over. Tai was arranging his pieces of paper and his worksheet. Tai had used just about a whole scroll as scratch paper for the problems and they had to turn everything they did to the teacher including the scratch paper. Takuya was lucky in having all his classes with someone he knew even though Tai almost had a heart attack when Takuya sat next to him this morning. Nothing a little explanation couldn't fix.
Ever since Tai had confessed about a month ago, Takuya had felt some sort of connection with him. Takuya doesn't know about how the other's feelings yet but for right now he was grateful for not being the only one with strange feelings. Nothing had changed in Tai's attitude and acted the same way he always did but he seemed now a bit more carefree and light. But as Takuya looked sideways at him, he saw Tai shoot a sideways look that was almost too small to be noticed to his right. Takuya glanced at the direction and saw that Tai was shooing the look at a tall blonde haired teen, Yamato. Takuya grew a small smile. Only of someone was really looking hard at Tai they would notice the sneaky looks. It saddened Takuya a bit to see Tai keep doing that even after five years. Tai must have a really big crush or actual love for his emotions true for so long. Could it really be love?
Takuya examined Yamato as discreetly as possible. Takuya could see what attracted people to him. He had brilliant golden hair that was rare these days, most just had pale yellow or the color of wheat hair. Maybe it was mostly the way he was lean and thin but at the same time could see that he could best anyone in a fight. He wondered how Tai had so much self control. He certainly wouldn't have lasted that long.
Then he reluctantly looked over at Sora Tekenouch who sat behind Yamato. In the time they spent together in the class that Takuya had seen, they pointedly avoided each other and they went their ways, sitting as far away from each other as possible with her still being close to Yamato. He noticed at the she had smirked at Tai as she had sat behind Yamato. It hurt Takuya now that he had known how close the two once were and what they had become now.
Next to Yamato sat his tutor, Ken Ichijouji who had been finished before anybody else. He wondered about Daisuke's reaction to the prodigy. Ever since the day in Takuya's room he had been, more or less, analyzing the emotions and reactions of his friends. A bad habit he was getting but he couldn't stop himself. A small part of him actually recognized this as a way to try and find out what was going inside him by other people's emotions.
While he was waiting for the end of class, Takuya's thoughts flew to the reason of his confusions. What was Kouji trying to pull with that kiss? Did he really mean to say that he cared for Takuya? Or did he just do it to pacify him? Takuya kept thinking about that timeless moment and how he longed to just touch Kouji again. Why did he do that? Takuya could now recognize that he had a crush on the Knight. He had no idea how to go on now. He had never had anything resembling a crush on anybody before, boy or girl. Did he really have a chance with Kouji? He had said all those things but… He was use to people saying something to him and saying the complete opposite behind his back. He hated that but it just the way he always lived. How could this be different? But this placed seemed light-years away from Izumai looks-wise. The people were another story. His family and Mimi were replaced with his new friends, Takato, Daisuke, Juri, Kouichi, Tai, Hazu, Izzy, and Tomoki, Junpei's hits were now took the form of Izumi's spiteful words, and the wary looks of villager's faces were now on the student's every glance. He thought this place was going to be different but it was really just another form of his home. Not exactly like it but, close enough that he could notice the similarities and differences.
"Time's up," the voice of Hinote ran across the silent classroom making students drop their writing utensils, some groaning that they weren't finished. "Come on, class will be over in ten minutes and I want all your work on the desk by then." He had gotten out of his desk and was now standing in front of the blackboard writing stuff, probably for his next class.
A scatter of noise erupted around Takuya. Teens were all getting up and chatting with the others around them, some complaining loudly. Tai got up from his seat moaning. He had gathered all his papers in his hands and walked down the isle next to his seat.
"You hanging in there?" Tai asked over his shoulder.
Takuya grinned back and nodded. He grabbed his bag from under his seat and jogged to catch up with Tai. There was throng of students in front of the desk; they all wanted to give in the work so they could get out of the classroom. Tai waited at the edge of the crowed as Takuya neared him and stood at his side.
"Idiots," Tai commented, shaking his head at the pushing and shoving students. "We're all getting out of here eventually. What's in a few more minutes?"
"Probably a lot for them," Takuya said, cocking his head. "I mean who wants stay indoors with the last of the sun going away? They want to get out and enjoy the sun before winter rears its frozen head in."
"Maybe," Tai nodded. He looked at Takuya, his expression funny. "You know, it still baffles me how you got into an Advanced class."
"What can I say?" Takuya shrugged, his grin widening. "I'm just good with numbers."
"That you are." Takuya looked behind at the owner of the voice. Tai looked over Takuya's head and shifted slightly. Ken was gazing calmly at the two, not in the least bit concerned that he had butted in their conversation uninvited. Takuya saw the reason of Tai's uncomfortable movements. Yamato stood behind Ken, looking uncaring with a rolled up piece of paper in his slender hands. Yamato's eye briefly ran over Tai, who was looking at Ken and pointedly away from Yamato, and smirked enough for Takuya to notice. Takuya noticed that Sora shot a dirty look at Tai as she was cornered by her friends and reluctantly talked back to them. Tai ignored her.
Takuya scooted a touch closer to Tai, trying to reassure the other with his presence. "Thanks, Ken," he said, as his move seemed to work. Tai relaxed a bit and dropped his shoulders trying to look sporty.
Ken inclined his head, his way of recognizing someone without saying anything; he had used it frequently in their sessions. Takuya briefly wondered about Ken's background. Yamato drew closer to Takuya and Tai, swaying with each step then walked past them to the desk of which the students had dumped their paper in something that faintly resembled a pile. Yamato unrolled his page and laid it on top of the others. Ken followed suite. Tai and Takuya also turned in their work.
"So, what class you have next?" Tai asked Takuya, the faintest tremble in his voice probably due to Yamato being next to him.
"Umm, let me check," Takuya said and he opened his bag. He had previously memorized his schedule but, the transfer to an Advanced class had messed up his schedule. Most of his classes were the same but a few had to be moved to other times. He grabbed his timetable from the middle of his Healing Aura textbook and squinted at it. "I have…nothing. I'm finished for today," he said happily.
"Lucky," Tai said, then wrinkled his nose as if he smelled something bad. "I have History of the Users next. I rather lynch myself."
"Ditto," Takuya said, closing his bag again. "The others and I are going to the library. I have to finish that essay for Netto and, you know, the other thing." He looked around suspiciously as if someone was listening in.
"Again with the library," Tai sighed then shot a cautious look at Yamato and Ken. "I really don't think you'll find anything there," he whispered, trying not to be overheard by the Knight and Wizard. "If you haven't by now."
Takuya nodded a bit downhearted. "Takato was going to see if we could somehow get to the top shelf books."
"Good luck," Tai said, shaking his head, bit louder now that Yamato and Ken had retreated back to their seats to get their stuff. "I don't think the librarian would let a bunch of third years look at those delicate books. I mean she wouldn't even let a sixth year even glance at them."
"You never know," Takuya said. "Don't be so negative, Tai."
"I'm not negative," Tai said acting insulted as he put his hand on his chest. "Realistic is what I am."
Takuya's lips arched in a smile and he chuckled. "Reality is only what we see and understand in our individual minds not what may happen in a world that bends its own rules."
"Wow," Tai blinked. "That's deep."
"Takato said that one," Takuya grinned.
"Figures."
"Yep."
"Class dismissed!" Hinote shouted over the noise of the classroom. There were several whoops and the students stampeded out, possibly squishing the poor bloke who was behind the door, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.
"Anyway, good luck," Tai said and moved to go out the door but was stopped by Yamato moving in front of him, his arms crossed. Tai started then looked at the taller Knight in suspicion and slight nervousness.
"You're going to History of the Users?" Yamato asked, tossing his longish hair back. His bag was held loosely in his hand.
"Yeah," Tai said, shifting his feet a little.
"Good, I'll walk you there, Ok?" Yamato said, looking completely like he did this everyday.
Tai's eyes grew wide and he didn't answer for several moments until Takuya poked him in the small of his back. "Umm, er, sure?" he said, looking confused and not believing at what was happening.
Yamato nodded looking satisfied and walked towards the door with Tai stumbling behind him. Tai shot one last look at Takuya, who gave him two thumbs-up and a mouthed 'good luck', and disappeared down the hall.
Takuya smiled, happy. Well, it looked like Tai was now definitely known by the other. Maybe Yamato just had to talk to him face-to-face to actually notice the brown haired boy. Tai at least deserved to talk to the other and, hopefully, go farther. Tai was a nice guy and deserved something good to happen to him.
He was one of the last people out of there. He crossed the halls to the Banquet Hall where the others were all to meet. He at least now knew the ways to his classrooms, room, and the Banquet Hall. He still got lost occasionally in the maze of halls and corridors but they became less and less frequent but if he did he would ask passing servants. At first most were shy and defensive towards him but as he talked to them over time most servants turned out to be pretty nice people. It also seemed that Tomoki and, a little less, Izzy had been talking about him in the servant quarters and kitchens, leaving him with a pretty good reputation in the servant ranks. A good thing when he got lost and asked for directions.
Whispers and comments reached his ears. He looked around and saw groups of kids whispering to each other and glancing at him. It didn't take genius to see that they were talking about him. Some had fearful looks, while others had on spiteful ones that made him want to punch them of their faces. If they had something to say why didn't they say it to his face? Afraid they were going to be burnt alive? They shouldn't bother, Tanshin hadn't taught him enough to spit fire at one target in specific yet. In fact, Tanshin promised they were going to do that next time they met again.
He ignored the gossips and walked as fast as possible without looking like he was going too fast. He arrived to the Banquet Hall in time to see that he was the last one to get there. The others were already there with Daisuke stuffing his face with anything coated with sugar.
"Takuya, you're here," Juri said, scooting over to leave him room on the bench. "Tai?"
"He still has class," Takuya said, taking the offered spot. He decided that Tai should tell the others about the development with Yamato, if it went well that is.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot about that," Kouichi said.
"That's disgusting," Hazu informed Daisuke, who looked like the only thing he cared about was how to fit two pastries in his mouth at the same time before they had to leave.
"Let's not waste anymore time," Takato said, all jumpy and impatient to get to the library and see if they could find anything.
"Please, you know me. I won't let anything happen to them, I promise."
"That isn't the point, Takato. I can not give them to you."
"But Kikan-!"
"There will be no buts Master Matsuki. You won't touch those books without teacher approval and that's that!"
Takato gaped at the Head Librarian and drifted back to them, looking as if someone had hit him with a shovel. He took an empty seat at the table they were sitting at and let his head drop on the table with a thump. Takuya winced and peeled Takato's forehead from the tabletop.
"That's the first time she hasn't let me touch a book," Takato said with wide eyes.
"Well, so much for that idea unless someone fancies a walk in the night," Hazu said leaning back in his chair.
"Kikan isn't the Head librarian for nothing," Takato said, now more or less recovered from the shock. "If someone asks for the books she immediately puts a chain spell on them for nights after."
"Then the only other place we can get information on the Weavers or history with Elementals in them," Kouichi said, frowning. "Is probably in Canalis's book stores or a teacher's personal book collection in their offices."
"We won't have another chance to visit Canalis until the weekend after the next," Juri said worried. "Do you think we have enough time?" She looked at Takuya.
He shrugged helplessly. "I don't know. They said that they would talk to me another time but didn't specify and the daggers are not helping." Takuya had checked the daggers every night for clues or something. He even went so far as to talk at the motionless items.
Daisuke sulked, irritated. "We've looked at every single book in this library at least twice! And there's nothing at all about freaky, flashing people destroying towns and armies."
"He's right," Takato sighed and took out a book from his bag. "The closest thing we could find was this passage in this book, 'User's Spirits' Mechanics". 'Of all the spiritual energies of the Kamigami Court of Hades two unidentified entities over power the life.' That's all! Nothing else in the whole library."
"So now what?" Takuya asked, ready to rip his hair out by the roots in frustration.
"We chose a teacher and raid their office while their not looking," Hazu said easily. "Probably best after dinner since winter is coming in fast so we will have more night to do this thing."
"But we'll get in trouble if they find us in there without permission," Juri whispered urgently. "Especially Takuya, he's already on watch after what happened last month."
"That's why we won't get caught," Hazu said, smiling as one would do to reassure an infant. "You have to learn the trade, babe."
"But even if we do it," Juri said, wringing her hands. "Who will distract the teachers because if one of us does it, the teachers will know it was the others who did it. They know that we're friends."
"So, we get someone else to do it," Hazu said, rubbing his chin, his eyes shining with excitement. "Who, who, who?"
Takuya thought and a hazy idea began to form in his mind. It was crazy. They probably wouldn't want anything to do with it but if they did it could work. All they had to do was set a date and organize themselves. They could do it!
"I have an idea," Takuya stated and grinned. The others leaned in and listened, grins forming.
I am sooooo sorry about the late update. Check my profile if you want to hear my pathetic excuses. (sigh) Anyway, I have a challenge for you. Ok, I have about eighty and so reviews so far and about 100 to 200 hits every chapter. If I get 100 reviews or more I'll make the next chapter extra long and set it in third person so you get a little of everyone's opinion. Alittle more Kouyua? Hmmm, you like that? Well, review and make me happy!