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: Kibitz Given
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon (Don't pick on poor people!)
Author Notes: Guess what I have! Guess what I have! A very generous reviewer called Call Me! has given me the Never Ending Golden PixieStick Of Yaoi! I feel so loved! All those beautiful reviews just made my month! I also want to thank all of you who have my story on their favorites list and have me on their favorite authors. I… (Breaks down) sorry. It's just…the love! I had some long reviews and I love long reviews but just a few words like 'good going' or 'update soon' are perfectly fine as well. All that counts is that you're all supporting me and keeping my inspiration going. (Smiles) Thanks.
Anyway, yes, a few of you were confuzzled about Kouji's reaction to Takuya and their kiss. Most of everything will be here since the basics for the story are down and will be focusing more on the relationships and powers. There will be a few more chapters until the real event goes down and the stuff will happen. (Shifty eyes)
Kibitz is a real word, just to let you know.
"You're not concentrating, Takuya."
Did he look like he was concentrating? Of course he wasn't concentrating, how could he be concentrating? Concentrating meant to put all your mind into doing a certain specific action. Concentrating for a certain action was not for somebody concentrating on not blowing up the school. He could not concentrate on something else when he was concentrating on concentrating to keep all his concentrated anger and frustration in. He could not concentrate when there were people telling him to concentrate, breaking his almost concentrated concentration. A person needed a clear mind to properly concentrate and an already concentrated mind cannot concentrate on something else other than what it is already concentrating on.
"Takuya you look tense. You need to relax."
Relax? As in calming down and being at peace with the whole world, inside and out? Relax as in not tense? That could not be him seeing he was tenser than a cat in front of a dog. Relaxing he could not do. Relaxing was for those who were not emotionally charged up and were tense. Tense as in not being able to move without breaking a joint because that was how tense he was with all his muscles intimidating a tense boa constrictor that just ate some tense rodents that were not relaxing in the tense snake stomach. If someone looked up the word 'tense' in a dictionary, his picture would appear next to it. He was the embodiment of tenseness.
"Takuya, are you listening?"
How could he be listening with all this noise in his hears making him not listen to words that he needed to be listening to? The un-listened words were flowing out of his head as other different listened words were telling him to make a certain other listen to his words that were not listened the two nights before when they needed to be listened. He listened when the other told him his listening words but he could not listen when he told him listening words that were not listened to because he didn't want to listen back. Would the world listen if he yelled that that was unfair? If not he would make everyone listen even if they were deaf and unable to listen.
"Takura, are you really okay? Do you need something?"
"I need a better vocabulary."
Tanshin blinked, confused, steps faltering for a second then continuing before stopping in directly in front of Takuya. "Well, you'll have to study with a dictionary or a thesaurus for that."
Takuya sheepishly grinned and rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't actually mean to say that out loud. He didn't really blame Tanshin for looking confused because, heck, he would be too if someone said that to him out of nowhere. "Sorry I was thinking about something else."
"Obviously," Tanshin said dryly before grinning in an understanding way. "You must have quite a bit on your mind for you to diverge from your exercise. You usually are not this spacey on something we have been doing for the past month and few days. This has not been the first time and it is becoming worrisome." His eyes were soft and warming with the tiniest bit of annoyance mixed in.
"Yeah," Takuya sighed through his nose. "Right back to work. No more slacking off." He took a deep breath, pushing his thoughts to the back of his mind for another time were he could concentrate on them without disturbing –or destroying- anything. It was hard and his anger boiled over a bit before his practiced calm blew over it nicely, keeping him passive. For now.
"Alright," Tanshin smiled and the reached in his robes, taking out a small candle. The kind that are a bit bigger than birthday candles. He placed in front of Takuya on the desk he was sitting in, placing it in the metal holder. "You know what to do." And without further ado, he stepped back and walked away to a safe distance behind the teacher's desk. Gee, such confidence he had in Takuya.
Takuya frowned at the candle half a foot in front of him and raised an eyebrow at Tanshin who just smiled back, apparently waiting for him to start. Ah, come on! He passed this exercise weeks ago. Why did he have to do it again when he could already do it?
"What? You can't do it?" Tanshin questioned with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, knowing his student enough to know how to get him riled up.
Takuya scowled at the other. "Of course I can," he snapped and narrowed his eyes at the candle that seemed to be taunting him. Of course he could, he'd done it plenty of times before.
Takuya closed his eyes, briefly rushing past the stifling dark with much more ease that before and activating his core. A flood of power was stopped behind the barrier he learned to make. It was a bit odd, like feeling his blood stop behind a closed vein, like his body stopped energy from itself. He released a tendril of power from the barrier and felt in travel across his body, making it his bones sing. Takuya opened his eyes, blazing red and fixed them on the candle. He liked to think that it was trembling but it was probably just his imagination.
He took a deep breath, aimed swiftly, and exhaled loudly, a stream of fire shooting forwards. There was a flash as the candle was engulfed in flames before the fire settled and was sitting neatly on the wick, give or take a couple of centimeters of wax. Takuya smiled, pleased with his work and left the energy slip back inside. The whole thing took less than fifteen seconds.
"Nicely done," Tanshin commented, walking back in front of him. "You only melted about a quarter of the candle this time. An improvement." He poked at the puddle of wax around the metal base and it bubbled slightly before shriveling away. "Your shirt is on fire."
Takuya looked down and found that a corner of his shirt was indeed on fire, probably done by a stray spark. Since his cape was removed just in case it got damaged it was safe. He quickly pressed both palms on either side of the patch of cloth on fire, absorbing the heat into his hands and then into his core, warming him slightly inside. Another handy trick Tanshin had taught him along with the barrier. He could absorb small amounts of normal fire not just the kind he made. It was very helpful when he overshot and put something on fire. Like his teacher's hair… Um, yeah.
Like Tanshin had explained to him their first session, fire is something that the Five Users and normal people have been struggling to control for years. Once out of control it is very difficult to rein it in. Mages can control the imitation of fire they create but only true Fire Elementals can use nature's power to the fullest. But even they play with power that requires a cost, sometimes that cost is great. It takes a toll on the body as the body grows accustomed to the energy and loss of it as they use their power. The people around them are also at risk therefore it is their duty to control it or never use it. Elementals have always been the most obscure and unpredictable of all because most are like their element and the elements always turn and twist in the way that no one expects them to. People could control fire to an extent but everything about it is deadly. Too much of its heat and you burn, touch it and you burn, inhale too much smoke and you can't breathe, drop it and everything burns. Little things like those can cause a disaster. Fire is a destroyer which eliminates all evidence.
"You've improved very well, Takuya, better than I expected," Tanshin commented, smiling and making Takuya grin back at the compliment. He grabbed a chair from its desk and turned it so that it faced the other end of Takuya's desk. He sat down on it and put his elbows on the wood, clasping his hands together. A semi-melancholy air swirled around them and that made Takuya lean back somewhat, wary of whatever made him so serious. Tanshin was usually not like this. "Takuya is there something you want to tell me?"
Thoughts immediately flew into his panicky mind. Did he find out about raiding Netto's office yesterday? How could they find out? They were so careful not to get caught. Maybe some of the servants confessed and they were going to get punished but Izzy assured him that they all liked Takuya and swore not to tell anyone that questioned them. They covered their tracks well. What…
"W-what, do you mean?" Takuya stammered, looking away, cursing himself for stuttering. Yeah, he's acting so inconspicuous.
"As I've said before, you have been acting distracted and it isn't becoming of you," Tanshin said softly. "I just wish for you to know that if you want to tell someone you can always come to me. I will do my best to listen."
Takuya felt himself deflate with relief. This wasn't about the raid, thank the Gods. Tanshin was asking about why he was so distracted today, often spacing out. Takuya looked at Tanshin's eyes, such a familiar blue. Blue…Takuya's grip tightened on the edge of the desk, knuckles turning white. Yes there was something bothering him. Yes it is distracting him. And that something is apparently his hard-headed, puzzling, stupid nephew.
No, Takuya wasn't just a bit angry with the Knight…hell, he was positively fuming and mad at the other and with good reason! What kind of guy kisses another nearly senseless with sweetness then just leaves without so much as an explanation? Well, apparently Kouji Minamoto does. Takuya snapped out of his stupor slowly a few minutes afterwards and made his way back to his room, where everyone was still there. Immediately, Juri was in his face, asking if he was alright, if he needed a friend, all the while sending glares to a guilty looking Hazu.
In the end Takuya found out why Hazu got all defensive. He had told them that his mother was killed by the Black Oracle. She and his father had been commanders in the army of the kingdom and, during the take down of the important city Takuya heard about, Malaen, she had been captured and killed, not telling them where the weak defenses in the kingdom's borders where. Takuya understood why. Hazu's mother sacrificed herself so that more people wouldn't die. One life for a thousand. Just like Yume, Ristek, and Shiut. Hazu had apologized ferociously and so fast that Takuya had chuckled despite his mood.
Destiny's book had turned blank again once Takuya had run out of the room and nothing they could do could make the writing appear again even using Kuroi wielded no results. It seemed that this study session was over for the time being and the Weavers were content with what they learned.
Now the only thing left was the excruciating anger and frustration that Koji left behind and that boiled quickly. Who does that guy think he is? Just because he was halfway to royalty and one of the top students at a prestigious school for Users is no excuse for being a pompous ass! Sure Takuya still liked him more than he deemed was healthy but that didn't stop him from righteous anger. That was the second time that Kouji had ignored him and even after all Takuya said, he went around and pulled that out of his cape. He never gives him straight answers and it was driving Takuya up the wall. What the hell does he want from Takuya? Why wouldn't that idiot just say it instead of dodging the point like that? He hated being ignored especially after something so significant. Next he sees that poor excuse of a love interest he was going to meet something that he would wish he never saw.
And that was Takuya really mad.
Takuya noticed that Tanshin was patiently waiting for his answer and blushed slightly. "Thanks, Tanshin," Takuya said, smiling genuinely that Tanshin was worried for him. Not every teacher would do that for his student. "But I have to think on this for a while longer."
Tanshin gave him a searching glance before nodding, accepting Takuya's decision. "Very well then," Tanshin said and reclined back in his chair. "Now on to other matters. It has been almost two weeks since the end of the first trimester and the results of your exams came in." His eyes were twinkling madly. "Usually the don't get released until later but I think you deserve a look at them."
Takuya wringed his hands nervously, watching breathlessly as Tanshin stood up and made his way to his desk. Time to see if all his hard work and effort finally paid off as the first step of the way he wanted his life to go. Please let me pass, Takuya thought, crossing his fingers. Tanshin was rummaging around his drawer, a pensive look on his face. If he didn't pass then Ken would kill him, making him spend all his free time everyday holed up in the library, under his watchful eye. If there was one thing Takuya knew about Ken, it was that he didn't like to lose and Ken was teaching him so if Takuya failed even one test then he would take it as a personal loss. Not good for him and his sanity for sure.
"Here we are," Tanshin murmured and he brought out a stack of papers. He held them with one hand while flipping through them with the other, nodding as he walked back at a leisurely pace to his seat in front of Takuya.
Takuya just wanted to growl at the elder, his emotions running high ever since his last run in with Kouji. Once again Kouji was doing the same as last time. He was ignoring Takuya and he hadn't seen hair nor hide of the Knight. Takuya was shot on nerves, feeling his eyes narrowing. No one played with his emotions like that! And if they did then, heads would roll. He had always turned a blind eye on the outside to the stinging comments of villagers and school students even though they hurt. They did hurt sometimes a lot and sometimes very little, getting use to the same taunts. But they never did something that hit the very core of his soul. Sometimes they hit in the deepest places in his heart like his family and friends but this time he was dealing with his heart and emotions. Takuya would and will protect the ones dearest to him. Kouji would answer to him next time he saw him whether he want to or not.
Tanshin raised an eyebrow at Takuya's clenched hands, feeling like this was not on the excitement and apprehension of seeing his test scores. He sat down in front of the obviously stressed boy. "Well, let's see what we have here," Tanshin said, louder than he needed to.
Takuya blinked, snapping out of his avenging thoughts and fixed his sights on the papers. He stared at them so intensely that one would think that he could see through them and read something really interesting on the other side. The time of truth has come!
"Hmm," Tanshin hummed, settling himself comfortably as much as he could in the student-sized chair. He was still flickering through the pages, eyes darting around. It was torture to watch. "Hmmm." He stopped his fingers and stared at a particular page, eyebrows raised.
"What is it?" Takuya asked, wanting to reach over and shake the answer out of him. His fingers twitched as if he had to restrain them from actually doing just that. "How did I do?" He leaned forward, his chin almost touching the tip of the candle flame. Takuya took no notice.
"Well, to put it simply," Tanshin started slowly, still reading the page. "You surprised me a bit."
"Is that good or bad?" Takuya sighed, breath making the flame flicker. Damn him and his family trait of making people wait in anticipation.
"Depends on your point of view, really," Tanshin said. He finally looked up and gave a small smile. "I won't keep you in suspense any longer." About time! "You passed most of them at about average. An impressive feat considering your educational background, not many could have done the same. I was right to recommend Ken for the tutoring program. He certainly has great potential. I must tell the headmaster," he murmured the last part.
Takuya let out a sigh of relief. He passed most of his test, wait. Most of them? "You mean I failed some!" he exclaimed, horrified. Ken was going to murder him before he turned fifteen! And that was in about three weeks too!
Tanshin chuckled and shook his head, making Takuya instantly relax. "I said you passed most of them at about average. I never said you failed. There was one specific test that you did extemporarily well on. Meimu was very pleased." He then passed Takuya one of the sheets of paper.
Takuya grabbed the sheet and looked down, seeing that it was his test, all nice and corrected with a few red marks. Wow, he did better than he expected to do. That was odd to him because he mostly spent his time studying for others classes that he was shakier on like History of Users, Celestial Bodies, and Spectral Chanting. That last class still boggled him.
"Cool," Takuya beamed, pleased. He sat down correctly in his seat "But I never really studied for it much."
"Then you must have a natural talent," Tanshin commented. "But there is a slight problem with your test results. As you know and did, each student takes a test at the end of each trimester, correct?"
"Yeah," Takuya frowned. Where was this going?
"Most of them are written exams during a period of time," Tanshin explained oddly. Takuya already knew this, so why was he going over it again? "But there are a few classes where it is not possible to take a written test especially where Knights are concerned. They are mostly connected to the physical part of their bodies and cores. A written exam would not tell the teacher more than how fast they could write."
"So?" Takuya asked. "What does that have to do with me? I'm not a Knight." The thought of Knights sent images into his brain where he was choking a faceless black-haired figure.
"Not directly but it does," Tanshin smiled slightly and laid a piece of paper upside down next to the candle at a safe distance so it wouldn't burn accidentally. "The test you took for Weapon Training was physical was it not?" Takuya nodded warily. "Well, it seemed like Master Maki didn't deem you advanced enough to pass. It was close though." Tanshin's voice was apologetic as he turned the paper around.
Takuya's eyes bulged as he glared menacingly at the report written by Maki. He was short fifteen points from passing. The bastard! He worked so hard for that and for what? A failing grade.
"What?" Takuya groaned then fisted his test. "What did I do wrong? I mean, I did everything he asked at the test!" At least Ken can't get on his back on this one since Ken only helped him with educational classes that you don't hit people over their heads with big hunks of metal.
"I don't teach that class," Tanshin reminded Takuya. "So I wouldn't know and he doesn't talk to me outside of school matters. We don't get along very well." Who would have thought there was a person who didn't like Tanshin? "Why don't you talk with him?" To Takuya's amazement Tanshin seemed to find all this funny. Weirdo.
"Yeah, I'll do that," Takuya nodded sharply and stuffed his crumpled test report into a back pocket.
"Very well, that is all for today," his teacher said then blinked. "Oh, I forgot. Are you planning to go to Canalis this weekend? There is only one trip every trimester and I would recommend you to go. It is nice to get out of the school once a while and get some fresh air."
"Sure," Takuya grinned at the not to subtle push for him to go. He had been planning to go anyways and Juri would have removed him bodily from his room if he refused to go. But the weekend was two days away and that would mean that he would have to survive tomorrow afternoon. He had half a mind not to go but he knew he would go anyways. Takuya gave his word and surely Kouji wouldn't break his. He was the one that wanted to talk to him. But that was before what happened in the forest and maybe that caused him to change his mind. No, he would tell Takuya but how could he tell Takuya he changed his mind if he was avoiding Takuya? Whenever Kouji was involved, nothing made sense.
"Good, I will see you tomorrow then," Tanshin said as he watched Takuya get up and retrieve his cape, wrapping it around his shoulders snuggly.
"Bye, Tanshin," Takuya smiled and grabbed his bag from next to the desk.
"Goodbye." Tanshin stood up and returned to his teacher's desk, sitting and taking out some papers which he then started to grade. Fine! Go and ignore him.
Takuya huffed good-naturedly and walked out of the classroom into the hall. As he walked down the hall, he ran into few people who mostly scooted out of his way and whispered among themselves. He didn't expect them to do anything else so he didn't say anything to the loud whispers that followed his footsteps. He made his way determinedly down to the field around the back of the school. He wasn't supposed to meet anyone for a while other than Kouichi and Takato but that was in about an hour since his classes with Tanshin ended early. Enough time to talk with a certain somebody. No, not the first certain somebody, the second or was it the third? Hmm, anyway he passed the big wooden doors and felt his hair stir pleasingly as a cold gust of wind swept into the hall from outside.
His eyes racked over the expanse of field, trees, and lake, noting that some of the leaves in the trees were starting to turn brown and yellow. Most of the flowers and petal of the trees were on the ground, mingling with the grass. It was going to be fall soon as summer started to end. Takuya was looking forward to see if the silver lake really looked silver in the winter.
He turned and walked down the path that leads to the training building. He shivered slightly and clutched his bag closely to his side. Why did they have capes that didn't warm them in the slightest? There were a few brave students wandering along the field but there where at a distance so Takuya guessed they didn't see him. There was a crunching of grass to his left, making Takuya stop and turn quizzically at the noise. He instantly walked again and quickened his strides down the path, his eyes fixed intensely at his destination.
Yes, he had seen a horse. It wasn't as big as the horse that Takuya had been forced to ride on the way here. It was thinner and more slender but it was a big, menacing animal of burden that could kick your brains out, therefore, it was avoided. Thankfully the stallion was being manned by what looked like a third or fourth year with orange hair; it was too far away to be seen accurately. Evil. Hiss.
The sparring arenas were covered with leaves blown over by the wind. Takato had commented that they would move inside the building to take classes once Maki deemed it too cold to pay attention properly. It seemed that there was a big room inside used for sparring. And here he wondered why two classes ago they had practiced in the pouring rain. He shivered harder as a particularly cold gust ran over his lithe body, making his fast-walk to the training building, leaves crunching loudly under his feet.
"Ah," he quivered and yanked open the door, quickly passing into the warmer hall. "If this is fall I don't want to feel winter," he mumbled, rubbing his shoulders. He never liked the cold and didn't plan to spend too much time in it for whatever reason if he could avoid it.
Takuya took a look around the empty halls. It looked like there was no one there. Would Maki be here? Other students swore that Master Maki practically lived in this building. They had good reasoning since they only time he was seen was out in the sparring arenas and in the training building. In fact, Takuya had only seen him out of that at was at the opening ceremony and he had been the first to leave. He had gotten the impression that Maki liked his privacy.
A sudden thumping of metal against wood alerted him that there were people in here. Probably someone practicing or something. He had not been in this building once he finished up his moth long detention and all his classes had been outside. Oh, he liked the class well enough, the physical exercise kept him well in shape, and he tried his very best, he really did. Why would Maki give him this…grade? Did he just didn't like him or something equally as biased?
As silently as he could, he padded his way in the direction of the sounds. They rose in intensity as he neared them. He made his steps as light as possible so that he could hopefully get a peek at whoever it was before he saw him. Maybe it was Maki but it could also be someone he did not want to meet like Izumi or her girls. He doubted they would be here and he doubted even more that they had enough power or will to produce those sounds.
To tell the truth, he was getting very unsettled by the lack of spite and harsh words that she threw at him their first meeting. He knew he should feel relieved but there was something wrong here, he could feel it in his bones and his instincts were almost always right. He hadn't imagined the rage and pure hate that had shinned in her eyes and he knew that a girl like her would do anything to get her way. So why wasn't she doing anything?
Why was she so angry at him in the first place? According to her, he took Kouji away from her but that was pure nonsense. Takuya knew what he felt and he wished Kouji would feel the same way back. But Takuya knew the harshness of the world. Every time Kouji did something that made Takuya think that maybe he liked him back, he retreated. Takuya wanted to, needed to talk with him but Kouji was avoiding him. What was the matter with that thrice damned Knight? The only conclusion that Takuya could come up with made his stomach fill with dread and sadness: Kouji was ashamed of his actions and viewed it all as a mistake.
Takuya wished and pleaded that it would be something else but without Kouji telling him face-to-face, all he could do was to assume the worst. At least he would know if Kouji told him, even if it broke him into a million pieces. Takuya valued the truth from his loved one greatly. He tried to give the same to others but his mind was all messed up with the Weaver's obscure warnings and the mess of emotions he was inside. How could he survive whatever was in store for him if he couldn't first survive his heartache? He was so confused.
Maybe it would have been better if he stayed home after all. Then none of this would have happened. But he was being selfish. He would have put everyone in the village in danger if not by the Black Oracle then by his lack of control. Living everyday, not knowing if the village would still be there tomorrow. He couldn't go back until he was sure he was in full control even if he had to go through all his emotion tornado. He would not become a monster.
He particularly loud thump brought him back from his inner thoughts. Geez, he really had to stop spacing out like that or something bad might happen like doing crashing into a wall. He tiptoed close to the half closed door, hearing grunts and the singing of blades as they sliced the air. Careful to stay in the shadows, Takuya inched his way to the open crack that shone dim light. He peeked through.
It looks like he found the man he was looking for.
Maki was standing with his wide back to him and the door, giving him the perfect spying place. There were loud hacks that rang across the room but it wasn't Maki doing them since he wasn't moving at all, just looking at something right in front of him, blocking Takuya's view. Whoever was fiercely attack a wooden practice post must be fast because the sounds came even faster than before, one right after another. Takuya could never move that fast.
"Keep your back straight," Maki's husky voice called as he crossed his arms. "Elbows tucked in at point of impact."
There was an answering grunt and slight slower striking sounds. It would have been helpful if the guy actually spoke then Takuya could maybe peg him down. Maki looked busy. Maybe he should come back at another time when he could yell at the teacher as much as he wanted… No, he didn't have much free time nowadays since it was either Ken-forced studying or looking around for any hidey-holes that Kouji could have stashed himself in. And he was not going to go out of his way to see Maki another time when he was right here but it wasn't fair to whoever was practicing in there. He certainly wouldn't want some weirdo to barge in and interrupt unless it was somebody come to save him. Then he could go albeit reluctant (secretly relived). Okay, it was decided! He would stay and wait.
He drew back from the door crack and carefully settled his bag next to the wall and unclipped his cape. He folded it somewhat sloppily and draped it on top of his bag. It was kind of conspicuous; it looked like a misshapen lump that was half black half brown in an otherwise empty hallway. Takuya hummed for a bit then toed the cape-covered bag into the shadow of the door. It wasn't much better but it would do.
It sounded as if those two wouldn't end this little training session soon. Takuya sighed at his determination to stay and made himself comfortable on the floor. He was as sure as hell that he wasn't going to wait standing up. Who knows when they might finish? Takuya leaned his back on the wall and looked up at the dull ceiling.
His thoughts began to drift away as he waited. He remembered when he spent that month doing detention for Maki. Every Sunday and Saturday evening he reported outside of Maki's office inside the training building. Takuya had prepared himself for the worst like building a monument or rocks or other things that Daisuke had assured him Maki would make him do. Instead, he was surprised the first evening of detention when Maki brought him to a room in the back where apparently only teachers or higher years were allowed in. It was full of weapons of every size like Inbi weapon shop in town but was more ominous somehow. There were no windows in the room that Takuya could see and the only source of light was a magically operated lighting charm near the ceiling. It didn't have as much variety as the weapons shop but it did have a larger quantity. Maki had told him to check every blade to see if it was dull or was rusting and then sharpen it or clean it accordingly. Takuya had cussed in his mind once he saw what he was doing; it would take more days than he had to clean every blade. This place had thousands! But Takuya had quietly albeit grudgingly did as he was told to. Every time he came back to the dim room, he would go to where he left off and continued diligently. Likewise, Maki showed him the way and left him situated there without a word passing from his lips. He, over the hours, checked up on Takuya's progress, silently looking from the open doorway but his visits became less and less frequent until, during the last week of his detention, he didn't even show up to lead him to the room. That last week was the loneliest because he didn't even have his teacher's almost unnoticeable presence there for a few seconds. The room was full of small daggers and valuable stuff that he could have easily stuffed in his pocket. Did Maki think that Takuya wasn't a threat anymore with expulsion hanging over his head?
"Everyone thinks that same way." Takuya started slightly when he realized he said it out loud. His mouth formed the words that a wise old friend said to him in what seemed ages ago. "It is the point of view and state of mind which makes us turn and take a different route."
He was going crazy, spouting nonsense every which way. He internally groaned and cocked an ear to the air, still hearing that they weren't finished. How long had it been now? The halls had no clocks and the closest window was all the way down to the other end of the hall; he could barely see the outline. Okay, he wasn't going to think anymore. He was going to…play a game! Yeah, that sounds good.
Takuya mused about what game he could play to pass the time. Okay, let's… pick two numbers out of his surroundings and do math with them. Takuya counted a row of tiles on the ceiling and then the number of dark spots that wooden posts around the door had then added them and divided it by the number of books he had in his bag (he checked here). With the quotient, Takuya found its nearest root and took that to subtract the first number and times it with his age. It went like that for a while, his head filled with numbers until he didn't know where they came from. It was nice to just have something logical and rational instead of confusing rhymes.
Takuya didn't know how long he did his favorite hobby in the deserted hallway but a small smile still grew on his face.
"Are you just going to sit there or did you have something to tell me?"
Takuya's head snapped up and hit the wall behind him. He yelped and quickly scrambled to his feet, rubbing the back of his head gingerly. His cheeks colored as he found Maki staring down at him with a raised eyebrow. He never noticed that those two finished and he never heard his teacher walk over to him. For a few awkward moments Takuya just stared at his tall teacher.
"Okay, if you don't have anyway thing for me then I have other things to do," Maki said and turned around, walking down the hall towards the faint outline of the window. His two swords were in their scabbards that crossed on his back, hilts poking over his shoulders.
"Hey! Wait up!" Takuya quickly grabbed his bag and stuffed his cape under his arm, running to catch up with Maki. He glared at the teacher as he had to jog next to him to keep up with his long strides.
"Do you have something worth my time?" Maki said, looking forwards, dark blonde hair moving with the forward motion of his body.
Takuya scowled and searched his back pockets with a bit of difficultly as he was jogging. There was something in those brown eyes that gave him the impression that Maki knew exactly why he was here but still was letting him ask as some kind of favor. "Do you hate me or something? You don't seem to like me very much," Takuya said, narrowing his eyes, but not at Maki, it was more to himself. Why did he say that? He was here to talk about his grade not if Maki liked him or not.
Maki glanced at him for a second before looking ahead again. "Despite popular belief, I do not choose favorites, Kanabara, nor do I choose those that I do everything to make their life miserable. Students are students, no matter what shape or form they come. I train them as I see fit."
"But I thought…" Takuya trailed off, not sure what he was aiming at.
"Yes people tend to do that," Maki said dryly. He suddenly stopped and sighed forlornly as if he was in great sorrow. His sharp eyes looked at the short boy, who squealed to a stop next to him, blinking at him. "You're not going to go away until you get what you're here for are you?"
"Nope," Takuya grinned, making a slight pop at the end of the word.
"Stubborn little imps," Maki muttered under his breath then he took down another hall, making for a door made of pure darkwood timber. He gave Takuya calculating look and Takuya did his best to meet it head on. A callused hand pushed the door open soundlessly, leading into a medium sized room, about the same as Netto's give or take a few feet. There was a small bookcase filled with books, neatly arranged into rows. A teacher's desk stood near the back, in front of a curious arrangement of hooks mounted on the wall above it.
Maki must be some kind of box fanatic Takuya decided because around the desk was filled with boxes. Some were wooden while others were cardboard and all were different sizes like it rained boxes. What the heck would a guy do with so many boxes? He wondered what was in them.
There were footsteps as Maki brushed past him, walking into what could only be his office. Takuya hung around the doorframe, not sure what to do. Maki didn't say anything as he walked to his desk, sidestepping boxes in his path with trained ease. With one smooth movement Maki reached down and unclipped both of his swords' scabbards from the belt around his chest, catching the falling swords before they crashed on the ground. Then he somehow made sense of the hooks on the wall, arranging them so that they hung from the wall, crossing each other at the middle.
He rolled his broad shoulders and walked leisurely to his desk, grabbing the back of the desk chair and lowering himself to rest on the leather padding. The leather groaned as pressure forced it to dip inwards. Maki sighed and reclined back, crossing his legs at the knee and placing his elbows on the armrests.
Takuya shifted from foot to foot. He had never gone in his place but somehow it was odd to enter the office. It was like he did something bad and was going to get punished like a little kid caught breaking a cookie in half and giving himself the bigger piece.
"Well?" Maki drawled, looking at him with the tiniest piece of amusement. "Are you coming in or not? I don't have all day and I doubt you do as well." He waved his hand around either showing him to place or telling him to take a seat.
"Uh, right." Takuya gingerly stepped into the room as if scared that the floor would crumble beneath his feet. Did he mention he did trust Maki a whole bunch? Once he was sure that he would not dg falling to his doom, he found himself faced with another problem. Maki was seated in the only chair and it didn't look like he was willing to give it up if the way he was comfortably sitting on it said anything.
Well he would just have to compromise a bit. He marched over to Maki was, giving him an unimpressed look, he sat down rather hard on the closet box. Takuya was thankful to find out that the box had something inside and didn't collapse or fold him inside it. Now that would have been embarrassing and total unnecessary. It kind of dipped down a bit with his weight but would hold if he didn't go bouncing on it. His hand still held the report with his failing grade and he smoothed it out resentfully then started to fold it into triangles.
Teacher and student looked at each other for some tense moments, Takuya's hands still maneuvering the piece of paper. Then Maki sighed again and crossed his arms; he did that a lot. "What do you want kid? And this is the last time I'm asking."
Such impatience. "Fine," Takuya said, frowning and tried to make himself more comfortable on the box but stopped when the flimsy material threatened to give. "Why didn't you pass me?" He threw the sloppy paper airplane that was his report at Maki but he must have bad aim because it went into a high loop that both their eyes followed until it came down point-first into an open box on the desk…. Okay, that was slightly pointless.
"You have horrible aim," Maki commented. He sat correctly in the seat, the leather creaking again as it right the back. He lazily reached in the little box, creating small shuffling noises then pulled out the paper plane. "And you wish to do so many frivolous energy-wasting things like a kid."
"I'm not a kid," Takuya said hotly, crossing his arms. "At least not any more than any of the others."
"That is where our opinions differ," Maki said conversationally but his eyes hardened, leaving Takuya with the distinct feeling that he should have not gone here after all. Without unfolding the report, he threw it on the desk surface and leaned back in his chair once more, shadows curling around the corners of the office. "So you want to know why I didn't pass you, Kanabara?" His tone was dry and stern at the same time.
"Yeah, that's why I'm here," Takuya responded, anger underlining his tone and growing steadily. "As far as I know I was the only one who you didn't pass. Why? What did I do wrong? I know I haven't been here as long as the others but I did the best I could. From what I heard about you could are strict but fair and I counted on that. That is why I thought that if I did my best then you would pass me. Or did you just not like me enough because I didn't suck up to you and didn't take what you threw at me in silence. Is that it?"
There was silence following Takuya's rant which was only broken by his slightly heavier breathing. Maki had been silent was Takuya fumed with an impatient look on his face as if this was all a great inconvenience. In stretched for a while and Takuya thought that Maki wouldn't answer him so he prepared to leave even if he didn't get the answers he wanted. But before he hopped down, Maki spoke slowly as if behind his impatient face he had been thinking.
"Look's like you've had some anger holed up in you though it's probably not aimed at me," Maki said conversationally and raised a hand as Takuya opened his mouth to retaliate. "You're personal life, however, is not of my concern. Maybe you're deaf so I'll repeat myself again. My personal feelings towards my students do not hold back my ability to grade them. It is true that you're not my most beloved student but that has nothing to do with you grade."
"Then what did?" Takuya asked stiffly.
"I try to be as fair as possible," Maki said, sighing. "But sometimes in order to keep someone up to speed a few backtracks are the best course of action. You have been forcing yourself in class. Don't think I haven't noticed. You are quick on your feet and have amazing stamina in you that others would kill to have. You have grown much attached to your weapons and that is very important to a successful warrior. Without a weapon the best you could do to an armed opponent was to somehow disarm him and fight him head on but often they are not that careless. It takes years for most to learn that on their own."
"Uh, thanks?" Takuya said hesitantly, not sure if it was a compliment to him or not.
"Whatever," Maki said then looked up at the ceiling before closing his eyes. "As I was saying, you have a strong will Kanabara, something rare to see in kids your age not to mention in your circumstance. Do not take that as a compliment, it's just an observation. You are a quick learner, I'll give you that. No, that's still not a compliment. But as good as you are with your instincts there are several big problems here."
Takuya's hands fisted in his lap and his eyes narrowed but he didn't say a word. He wanted to spew everything he thought about him but a little voice was telling him to wait a while more.
"One as you probably guessed is your lack of experience. I grade all the years the same way for the same expectations. You are not at level with the others, in a real fight with a 3rd year level opponent you would not come out on top by physical condition alone. You follow the instructions to the best of your ability but it still fell short of the mark. Your basics are still very shaky causing you to do what your classmates are learning wrong and learning bad habits. This cannot do."
"But it's not my fault I don't know the same stuff," Takuya cried in outrage. "I wasn't here for the first two years of school. I didn't even know I was a User not to mention an Elemental until, like, two months ago or something. And-"
"You think I don't know that?" Maki said, rudely interrupting him. "I'm sure you would love for me to take that into consideration but it is against my teaching expectations. Look, the bottom line is that I cannot pass you with these skills you currently have. You are well on your way but you need to work harder in order to meet the next set of grades. That is, if you can." With that Maki gave him a patented 'I don't think you can' look that set Takuya blood boiling in his veins.
"Of course I can," Takuya snapped angrily, a scowl on his lips. "I can do that, no problem. You'll see that I don't give up no matter what." Takuya grabbed his bag and hopped to his feet, steaming indignity and a thirst to prove himself.
"I'll hold you to your word," Maki said quietly enough for Takuya to hear as he turned around and stomped his way to the door. He yanked it open and closed it with a bang behind him.
"Sorry, but it's for the best," Maki murmured to the empty room. "You'll need all the training you can get."
The next day at noon brought Takuya a very uncomfortable feeling. He could barely eat for the bundle of nerves that seemed to have replaced his stomach and liver that morning. He had woken up like he normally did and had done his normal morning routine. He showered, dressed, packed his bag, and left with Kouichi for the Banquet Hall for breakfast and a quick meeting with the others. He had been wallowing in the warm fuzzy afterglow of sleep that fogged his brain when his eyes landed on the empty seat in the middle of the Lone Wolves. It hit him with the accuracy of stampede of boulders raining down upon the Earth. Takuya quickly ran over what could have caused such panic since sleepiness was still hindering his senses and thought for several seconds. Kouichi was staring at him weirdly to the side, probably wondering why Takuya stopped in the middle of the doorway, tapping his chin.
"What's wrong Takuya?" Kouichi asked, blinking at him. His gaze flowed Takuya's to the empty seat and back to him, brows furrowing.
"I have a feeling something was going to happen today," Takuya mumbled, straining to think past the sleepiness. "Something that I had been waiting for a while. What is it? What is it?" There was a clatter of noise around them, filled with voices either shrieking or laughing and the clinking of plates.
"We have class," Kouichi said, not knowing a clue of what Takuya was talking about. "Um, we go to Canalis this weekend? That's really all I can think of right now."
"Uh! I know there something going on today," Takuya cried and then he made the mistake of looking up at Kouichi. Those blue eyes…Oh holy mother of everything holy, Kouji! Today was when they would talk about whatever Kouji wanted to talk about. At this the butterflies in his stomach evolved into screaming crows, pecking at his insides with fervor.
"You alright?" Koichi stared alarmed at his friend. Takuya's face had gone all pale as the blood drained out of it and his mouth hanged open. It seemed that he remembered what was happening today, whatever that was.
"No," Takuya sighed, wilting like a flower in unbearable heat. "Today's the day."
"What's today?" Kouichi said worriedly, not liking the odd look on Takuya's face. "You don't look so good. Do you want to go to the infirmary?"
"No, I'm fine. Really!" Takuya smiled as best as he could which ended up looking halfhearted at the most. "It's just that you remembered that we told you that the Lone Wolves met us after The Plan?" He waited until Kouichi nodded before continuing. "Well, Kouji asked me to meet him alone after dinner to talk." A sigh drew out of him wearily. He crossed his arms. "He better have a damn good reason for all the shit he has pulled."
Kouichi nodded, knowing why his brother acted. He had known Kouji for all his life and knew him very well. But it wasn't his place to tell what Kouji should be telling Takuya. If he told Takuya, it probably would make his brother resent him and make things even more tangled up than they already were. He wasn't surprised at the way things ended up but the way that Kouji was doing things was worrying him. Kouji was never like this. Kouichi eyed Takuya out of the corner of his eye as Takuya unfroze and they made their way to their regular seating spot, noting that they were the last of their little gang to make it there.
Takuya was a mess of nerves for the rest of the day leading up dinner, worrying his friends to the point of insanity. Kouichi had filled them in on the situation and they did their best to comfort him even if it was fraying their nerves to the limit. To tell the truth, Hazu's and Tai's comments did not help in the least.
He was jittery all through his classes, twitching at every thing. Thankfully or not, depending on your point of view, Kouji wasn't in any of his classes, making him a bit more paranoid than he liked. No matter what anyone did something on Takuya was refused to stay still like a jittery knee or tapping fingers as if wanting to bolt and flee for safety. He couldn't help the panicky thoughts that filtered through his head. What if Kouji didn't show up? But what if he did and he was going to say something like he figured out that he didn't like Takuya or was just using him? It was torture to sit there and not know.
Takuya, deep inside, knew that he was scared. He had never felt this way towards anyone and he didn't want this to end badly. Mimi and his mother had always told him stories about this kind of thing and he knew that this way not the way things like this were suppose to go. The thing that scared him the most was he didn't know how he would react if the worst did come in the end. Maybe his magic would spin out of control and then he would be officially screwed. In fact, he was so out of it that he went up and tapped the nearest Lone Wolf which happened to be Takeru Ishida after waving his reluctant friends off before him.
"Yes?" Takeru said sighing, turning around at the tap on his shoulder, expecting to find another blushing and timid girl there, waiting for him to let down as gently as possible when she asked him for a date. "Oh, Takuya, hey. What's the matter?" Takuya usually didn't talk very much with them as Kouji was being a right ass and hiding in his room again. Takuya was looking like he was on a sugar high, jumpy and unable to stay still like he was nervous about something.
"Can I ask you something?" Takuya asked breathlessly, wringing his hands.
"Sure, just a second," Takeru said reassuringly. He turned around and waved to a couple of his friends that waiting for him up the hall. "Go ahead! I'll meet you guys later!" he shouted at them, facing Takuya again.
"You better hurry up!" a boy shouted, looking warily at Takuya, apparently not wanting to leave Takeru alone with him. The other boy eyed him and the girl next to him, the red head Knight girl, just gave him a warning glace that promised threats to him then she sneered and pulled the other two boys away with her, both who trotted away without hesitation.
"I'll just be a few minutes," Takeru called back, chuckled at Rika's control over guys twice her weight. He looked back at Takuya, noting the uneasiness in his eyes. What now?
"Do you know where Kouji is?" Takuya asked hesitantly, a spark of anger igniting in his gut. "I have to talk to him now not later."
"Um, maybe?" Takeru inwardly winced. If he told Takuya and Kouji found out then not even Yamato will be able to stop him from throttling Takeru to next season. "Look before you chew me out, hear my explanation okay?" Takuya pursed his lips but nodded stiffly. "You have to understand that my first loyalty is to Kouji as his friend, alright? I would love to help (seriously I would) but I like having all my limbs intact."
Takuya looked like he wanted to comment something nasty at him but deflated slightly. "Fine, just tell him not to be late and that I am fucking pissed off at him. Thanks." With an eerily calm smile that kind of spooked Takeru, Takuya nodded once and stomped his way to his next class, groups of students climbing over each other's shoulders to avoid getting in Takuya's way, a thing Takuya would have noticed if he wasn't seething in his fury.
"Kouji is not going to like this," Takeru muttered, shaking his head. "Well it is his own fault. Really…" He walked down the hall to his next class, noting that he had two minutes before his teacher locked him out of the classroom.
It was colder outside than the pervious days but the horses were snuggled comfortably in the stable. It was spelled so that cold and hot weather stayed outside and didn't bother the horses more than they wanted to. The school horses weren't in any way weak but horses, especially the bays, were susceptible to get colds and fevers in cold and wet climates. It was better to be safe than sorry with these big animals since they were the school's main transporting system and they were not cheap at least not horses with their pedigree. Most of them were purebreds but a few of them were mixed due to breeding between two different high blood horses to increase the lineage.
They were well cared for by servants and stable hands although some students personally look after their welfare. Some horses belonged to their family and were allowed to bring them to school. When that happened most left their horses to be cared for but some cared for their mounts enough to check up on them.
Personally, Rika did not trust any of the servants or stable hands to take care of Rena, her Akhal Teke mare, properly and there was no way that she would leaver her at home. Rika brushed Rena's coat with a curry comb in long, firm strokes long her skinner flank. Akhal Tekes are hardy and intelligent horses, long striding, fast, comfortable and with plenty of stamina. Rika didn't really care about the blood of the horse as long as it did what it was told to properly and was in good health. Rena did exactly that.
Rena whined softly and flickered her long thin ears forwards. Rika slide her lavender eyes in the direction, already narrowing in warning to whoever dared to interrupt her time with her horse. Her eyes softened a fraction when she saw who it was though she would have denied it if anyone dared to comment.
"So where have you been, you pathetic excuse for a horse?" Rika threw over her shoulder as she continued to brush down Rena. The clicking of hooves on the floor was her only answer. The clicking became louder then softer as the owner passed the stable Rika and Rena was in and onto the other side. Rika knew without looking that he was making himself comfortable in his stable a few stalls down, shuffling the straw on the floor around.
Rena stood patiently as Rika picked up a fine tooth comb and ran it through the silky but sparse mane and tail, not once shifting as other horses might have done. "What the hell did you do to your mane?" Rika muttered, yanking the comb through a knot. "You better have not been rolling in the grass again."
A soft whine made her narrow her eyes. "Damn you and your nasty habits," Rika sneered at her horse, still working her way through the knots until there were none left. She threw the comb accurately into the bin hanging from the wall and it clattered inside slightly, shaking the pail.
Without looking backwards, she unlocked the gate to the stall and walked over to the feeding room. She threw open the door, smelling hay in the air. Piles and piles of wheat piled on the floor; each layer of the grass was tied with twine for easy transportation. And barrels of barley, each weighting about thirty to forty pounds, had been carried and pushed against the wall to create neat rows. Brooms and other cleaning supplies were hooked to the wall, ready for use. Rika sneered; she would never be caught dead using those things.
She strode over to the nearest pile of wheat, boots scrapping on the hay-littered floor. With a distasteful glace at the piles of yellow grass, she reached over and yanked the top layer of wheat of the rest, grass flying every which way. With a hand barely holding the twine of the ten pound layer of wheat, she walked without difficulty back to Rena's stall. With a flick of her wrist she dumped the wheat into the feed trough. Rika grabbed the stall door and locked it with the latch. Rika saw out of the corner of her eye that Rena had her nose in the wheat, chomping away.
"Disgusting," Rika mumbled to herself. She started walking away to the opposite end of the stables, away from the door.
She came to stand in front of a wide opened stall. "Well, look what nature rejected," Rika smirked at the inhabitant. "You took your sweet time didn't you? I keep telling Tanshin you shouldn't have this much freedom but he doesn't listen to me. He's one of the minorities."
Rappa just looked at her and let out an amused snort, his black nose aimed high at her. He was lying on the floor with his legs folded under him. Those damn antlers waved slight as he snorted as if waving at her. His short tail dragged across the floor, clearing the short area of pesky hay.
"Freak," Rika said critically, leaning against the stall frame, crossing her arms. "One of these days I'm just gonna cut off those ridiculous branches off your head and stuff them somewhere painful."
The stupid deer didn't even look phased. Oh, yes, to some it would be past insane to talk to a deer but this particular deer was a familiar meaning it had more of personality than most animals. Most animals had a sixth sense when it came to humans but familiars had something of an eighth or ninth sense. Rappa knew exactly what she was saying to him and had an individuality that was creepily similar to Tanshin's. Rika thanked the Gods that she had a regular animal.
"I don't know why Tanshin just doesn't chop you up for meat," she said darkly then pushed off the frame to stand on her feet. "Well, I'm not going to waste my time talking to a deer. Later." Rappa said goodbye with a short snort and closed his eyes.
She glared at him then walked out of the stable entirely, grabbing her cape off a peg on the wall on the way out. She pulled it over her sweatshirt, kicking the large barn doors open easily, striding out into the clod air. She ignored the goose bumps on her arms and started for the castle, wanting to get back Izumi before she threw a temper tantrum.
Suddenly she saw a form walking on the path to the training building, alone and huddling in his or her cape. Who would be stupid enough to walk without a sweater or sweatshirt? They could catch a cold with the season quickly turning to fall. Winter was deadly and snow and hail fell by the bucket-full. Hmph, like she cared. But her curiosity nagged at her and focused her sight on the distant figure, pushing magic into her eyes. The view zoomed in on the figure. She caught wide brown eyes and a small, slim figure as he waddled around a puddle.
Well, well, well. What do we have here?
This might be fun. Izumi can wait for a few more minutes. With magic pumping through her system, she ran over to Takuya's distant figure. The scenery becoming a multicolored blur as she ran at an average Knight's speed, rapidly approaching as her feet barely made a sound on the ground.
She jumped slightly into the air, magic residing back into her core, landing behind Takuya, who was cursing at the weather and oblivious to her. She silently walked behind, arms crossed pleasantly. A wide smirk threatened to split her face as he continued to cuss under his breath.
"Stupid weather, if I don't get killed by him, I'm going to slip and bash my head," Takuya snarled to himself, wrapping his thin cape closer around him. He sidestepped a threatening puddle. "Why would want to meet there by all things holy and dammed?"
"Who are you suppose to meet, little fire-boy?"
"HOLY SHIT!" Takuya shrieked, turning around so fast that he almost toppled over. His arms pin-wheeled frantically, straining not to fall into another puddle. No matter what he did, his back was going to meet the ground. Crap.
Suddenly his descent was stopped by a finger curling under the clasp of his cape, almost chocking him. He hanged there for a few moments, hair in his eyes. He glanced up at his unexpected visitor and gasped, "You!"
Rika smirked at him, "Yes, me." She let go of his cape and he hap to do this weird hopping thing on one foot comically while she watched on, not even worried that he might fall. She did help him didn't she? That was enough, in her opinion.
Takuya was going the most embarrassing dancing thing, all the while cussing to the best of his ability. It didn't help that the Knight girl wasn't helping any; in fact, she looked like she was enjoying watching his struggles. Takuya managed, thankfully, to regain his balance but he put his foot down right in a puddle. "Ug," Takuya said, shaking his foot around. Thankfully, he had on boots so none of the water got in his shoes. That would have been uncomfortable.
"Uncoordinated today, aren't you?"
"What do you want?" Takuya spat at the girl, resentment curling in him. "Go away I have more important things to do." He glared at her, wishing nasty things on her mentally. He remembered what happened at the field all too well and he wasn't going to be nice anytime soon.
Instantly a fist shot and grabbed his shirt in a strong grip, pulling him face to face at the girl, her eyes blazing dangerously. "I don't take orders for anyone, you got that?" she sneered in his face. "And I go where I please." He forgot that she was a Knight didn't he? Of all the things to forget…
"Let go," Takuya snarled, trying to twist from her grasp.
"I told you, I don't take orders from anyone," she whispered in his face like acid. She pushed him away from her with ease and looked down her nose at him.
Takuya scowled and smoothed out the wrinkles in his shirt, shivering slightly. "Well, what do you want?" he said with forced politeness. "Don't you have to get back to Izumi or something?"
"Heaven forbid that girl doesn't get something she wants," the Knight gild said easily and mockingly, tossing her head like a horse. Her stance told him that she was in charge here whether he liked it or not.
"It sounds like you don't like her every much," Takuya said slowly, not sure how to approach this but wanting to know all the same.
"I don't like anyone, pip squeak," she said, the sneer still on her face. "That includes her. I just tolerate her and her little groupie."
"Aren't you part of her groupie?" Okay, now he was getting confused.
"No, I'm not idiot. I am part of no ones 'groupie', got that?" She narrowed her eyes at him. "I dislike Izumi and everyone else on this plane."
"Then why do you stay and hang out with her?" he couldn't believe they were having this conversation.
"Connections and privileges," she said, approaching menacingly to tower above him. Damn his short stature. "She is one of the most influential students at the school, meaning she can do things other students would be expelled for. That and they are seen with the Lone Wolves more times that none. You tell anyone what I have told you and I will make sure you never tell anyone else anything anymore." There was real menace in her voice that caused Takuya to believe her instantly.
"Fine," Takuya scowled. That kind of made sense. "Then why did you go along with what Izumi did that day in the field? If you didn't like her then why did you do it? I almost got expelled for that!"
"Use your brain fool. If I didn't go along with it then Izumi wouldn't trust me anymore. That and I enjoyed watching you in pain." Can someone say sadist? "Right so shut up because I'm going to tell you something that could get me killed, alright?" Takuya nodded, shocked at her serious tone. "Stay away from Izumi, whatever you do. You have no idea of what she could do to get the things she wants."
"What?" Takuya croaked, backing away. She followed, matching each step back with one forwards.
"You heard me. You are already marked but if you stay away from Kouji then she could possibly back off," she said softly but firmly. "I'm only doing this because I don't like her alright? Stay away or painful things in the future will get even more painful. That's my only warning." She threw one last intense look at him then turned around and stared to walk away without further ado.
Takuya stood there, shocked speechless. Then he regained his voice and indignation. "Hey! Stop," he called out, hands fisted. For a moment he didn't think she would comply then she stopped, still not looking back, giving him the chance to say what he wanted to say.
"Look, I don't know why Izumi thinks I'm taking away Kouji. If anything Kouji is taking away me from myself. I…I just can't leave him alone, can't you people get it!" His voice grew unintentionally louder. "I don't know why I can't but it hurts inside when he ignores me and I will not just let it lie! This is between me and Kouji and if Izumi wants to butt in then it's her problem! You tell her that!" Takuya calmed down, breathing hard at the Knight's unmovable figure.
After a short while, her voice floated back to him. "You are so damn naïve, fire-boy. You have no idea…Do what you want just remember my warning and of what the consequences in the future could hold for you." Takuya watched her without saying anything until her figure grew smaller and smaller and she disappeared inside the castle walls.
Why would she go all this way to give him a warning? Him, a boy she told that she didn't like. What could Izumi, a girl of his age, do to make her sound so serious and grave? Surely no mere girl could do something that hideous. Takuya didn't know what to make of it and it just added to all the shit he had crammed into his head. Damn, what did he do to deserve this?
With a sigh, he trudges back on his way to the empty training building where he would meet Kouji and hopefully know the answers to his questions. If not then he would just wring them out of him.
I am so sorry that took so long. I kind of had a writers block. Anyway, please review for me and maybe I'll put some more Yaoi action for all you Yaoi lovers. Akhal Teke is a real horse breed just to tell you.
Review, please.