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: Premonitory Allure
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon
Author Notes: Hey, it has been a while hasn't it? Well, my graduation just passed and I had a bit of a complication with everything happening and all. Well, LyricalLemon here asked me if she/he would like to do a RPG with my characters and I would say that as long as you give me the credit, go right ahead and knock yourself out. And for all those who have similar requests either review me the request or email me to make sure it's alright.
Right, thank you al reviewers for your collaboration in my search to become a better writer. Oh, and on a totally random note I am now officially addicted to Pixiesticks! I love those things and if I could choose any death it would be death by Pixiestick sugar poisoning. And guess what Call Me gave me! She/he is so awesome because now along with my Never Ending Golden PixieStick of Yaoi I have the Platinum Ramen Bowl of the Twelfth Plane of Never Ending Yaoiy Goodness! Hah! More food. Thank you! I will cherish it!
There are many things in this world that don't make sense and people, from all different kinds of backgrounds, have tried to make sense of the foggy fog that is this world. They would have liked, he knew, for the world's people to know everything there is to know, like when the next earthquake is going to happen or if the fabric of a sofa would affect the symmetrical look of a particular room the next time a visitor would walk in to discus if the exchange of a cow for two mules was fair. They would also have wanted to know the answers to the most mind boggling questions. For example, why do cats climb trees when they always get stuck? And why do people say they 'slept like a baby' when a baby wakes up every two hours? And another thing that strikes him funny is that if corn oil is made from corn and vegetable oil is made from vegetables then what is baby oil made out of? That and also why he was standing in front of the training building when he could be inside, calmly eating a bowl of clam chowder.
He scowled to himself, trying to pass off the anxiousness inside him as wanting to hurry this up to get out of the cold. Why was he here? Well, the more obvious answer would be that he was here at the request of a certain Knight but it dissatisfied him for some reason. Yeah, he gave his word and he would do whatever he could not to break it but nevertheless he had half a mind to turn around right now.
But his feet refused to move backwards. Why do his body parts always rebel against him at the most crucial of moments? A blast of wind made his teeth chatter and he grabbed the cloak to wrap it as firmly as he could around him. The logical voice in his mind told him to get his ass in the most likely warm building. It was senseless to stand in the cold staring at a place that would warm him up if would just take the time to open the door and cross into the threshold. But the problem was who lay inside or, more specifically, who could be there.
He still couldn't get rid of the anxiousness twisting uncomfortably inside him. What was the matter with him? Takuya bit his lip as he shifted around uncertainly. He was ready for this. Of course he was and he's not blowing this way out of proportion, no way. He was just…steeling himself, yeah. He wasn't stalling or doing anything ridiculous like that. Pfftt, there wasn't anything worth steeling himself anyway, he was just being safe than sorry.
Yeah…
…
Fine, he was as nervous as hell. And he didn't even know why! Well, deep down, so deep in fact that Takuya did his best to ignore it, he knew why, kind of. Once again he didn't know from which way to approach this situation. But, that was one thing he didn't get. This was not like him at all. He wasn't nervous but if he ever got nervous he would do his best to go with the flow. Why wasn't he going with the flow? That had a simple answer: There was no goddamn flow!
After much deliberation and migraines Takuya has reached a verdict. Yes and he has declared that…Kouji was a dick. A bit crude but Takuya was never known for his subtlety. That dude was not racking up any points in his favor. He was indignant and rightly so. What sort of idiot just kisses him silly then just walks away without letting him get a word in otherwise. But he had to admit that it wasn't technically true, as he has said something to the other but for the useless answer he got he might have had better luck trying to freeze his fire.
Takuya was bitter, he knew that and it didn't really bode well with him but there was nothing he could short of strangling the Knight (or talking without him running away was fine too). His nerves were on high, something that made him slightly paranoid as his eyes looked apprehensively around him. Then he felt his eye twitch. He was annoyed now not only at Kouji but at himself for allowing Kouji to unnerve him this way. He had faced things way worse than this with less turmoil. This was a piece of cake compared to what happened over the course of his first fourteen, almost fifteen, years of life. But, a little voice nudged him from the back of his mind, saying they never affected you this deeply. It was true, he frowned. Kouji helped him calm down from burning the school down and to put his fears temporarily at rest.
Fears…now that brought something else to mind. Rika's warnings. Rika never talked to him before today, in fact, Takuya hadn't even been sure she knew he was alive. But it was the fact that the warning she had given him had been so important that she actually recognized his existence, that made him start to think that the warning wasn't that fake. Takuya scowled mentally. He disliked cryptic people, or at least he wouldn't go out of his way to help them if they were going to say something that gave him headaches. Forwardness, smiles, and strong will, yes, that was him in a nut shell. So where did all his forwardness run off to?
Alright! Enough stalling. Takuya took a deep breath, trying to suck it all the way down to his toes and they reluctantly unfroze from their position on the ground. He was not going to stand around here like a shaking leaf waiting to be blown away. Takuya inched his way carefully, sliding bit by bit until he came right in front of the door. The damn wood looked like it was mocking him, with its smug woody complexion. Before Takuya could help it he quickly ran his hand in front of the door, fire sprouting in a long, angry burst, catching the dry wood in its path. Luckily though Takuya rapidly realized what he did and with wide panicky eyes, slapped both hands on the fire spreading outwards, taking a big breath. The fire followed the suctioning motion and drew into his hands obediently, making them warm for a few seconds.
Well, so much controlling his temper. Takuya guiltily eyed the wide black strip of charred wood and wondered if anybody would notice. Takuya coughed awkwardly and looked around to see if anyone had been looking. When he didn't see anyone, he quickly opened the door, grimacing as little flakes of brunt wood dropped to the ground, and crossed into the building, shutting the door behind him. If anyone asked he would just deny it.
His attention was drawn back into the building as he felt the gratifying change in temperature. Mmm, much better. His chilled skin was slowly but steadily gaining its warmth back. Thank the Gods for that. Takuya grinned slightly and started walking down the hall, noting the several doors that dotted the hall. The air was totally still, almost dead as it hung heavily around him. Maybe it was just him feeling things but he felt as if there was no one here, causing his stomach to drop profoundly.
Takuya felt his nervousness grow slightly stronger the further he went inside, knowing that his suspicions could be proven false or true. He didn't want them to be true but what choice did he have other than to listen? He didn't know but he would love for someone to tell him. Well, someone he trusted. He mentally shuddered to think of what Izumi would command him to do if given the opportunity.
Suddenly he screeched to a halt as a thought hit him fast, his eyes growing wide then narrowing and groaning softly. And he just thought of this now? Takuya shifted around, unsure of where to go. Yeah, Kouji said to meet up in the training building but the place wasn't exactly the smallest one in the world if you catch his drift. Where inside was he supposed to go? This was just perfect. It just added frustration into his pool of already conflicting emotions.
Stupid Kouji, giving him inadequate directions. It looked like the only choice he had left was to scout the place from top to bottom, hoping he would find the other before his courage ran out on him if the other even bothered showing up at all.
"Okay," he muttered thoughtfully. "So if I were Kouji where would I go?" Well, that was a stupid question. If he knew where Kouji was Takuya would have found him when he was looking during the past few days. "Alright, back track. Start with…this door!"
Takuya impulsively opened the door closest to him: Door One. Behind Door One he was disheartened to find that it was an empty sparring room, completely devoid of life but it gave him some sense of relief. It gave him more time to steel himself. Not that he needed to or anything. Takuya quietly closed the door, hearing a soft click as the door fell into place. And so he went and opened every door on sight, checking the insides for anything that might look remotely like Kouji. But all that he saw was shadows and empty room or storages.
The more rooms he went through the more he was certain that Kouji wasn't here. After the fifth door he was convinced that he was stood up. He felt like he was in shock. Sure he considered that Kouji wouldn't come but now that the proof was staring him in the face, he was shocked into stillness and speechlessness. He had never felt so disappointed in his life, like someone he had trusted with his life turned his back on him. A wave of self-pity crashed over him before anger swamped over it.
So Kouji went out of his way to keep Takuya's hopes rising then squashing them. Takuya felt tears prick his eyes before he pushed them back. It looks like what Tai said was right. "Lone Wolves mean everything they do and aren't afraid of doing what they want even playing with people." Takuya didn't want to believe that, his heart didn't want to either but the proof kept piling up as the more doors he opened with increasing frenzy kept empty.
He wasn't here.
Takuya was so stupid to have trusted a person he barely knew. Takuya suddenly wanted to be back home, struck by a bout of homesickness. As childish as it sounded he wanted his mother or Mimi to reassure him that there was someone in this world who wanted him. What was he thinking? He wasn't alone, his friends were here in the school and they protected him back when he needed it. Just because Kouji turned out to be a coward didn't mean every person was. But…Takuya had really trusted Kouji for some reason, he felt so content in his arms. He felt protected. At least for a little while. Takuya should have known, he should have.
Takuya only had one door left to open after climbing the small, narrow staircase at the back of the building, next to the storage room where he had served his detention. Only one person at a time would be able to climb up the twenty-five thin but sturdy steps. The further up he climbed the more his heart dropped down. He didn't want to go up there but his feet lead him there anyway.
Sooner than he would have liked (a few thousand years later would have been closer to his liking) he was at the top and staring at the door. Doors were conspiring against him, he just knew it. He was acting like a wimp, he realized and narrowed his eyes, squaring his shoulders. A stupid, mistake like this wasn't enough to break him. He had passed and endured taunts worse than this.
Without further ado, he yanked open the door and cautiously peeked inside. Takuya wasn't shocked to see that there was nothing or anybody inside. A single light bulb hanged from the ceiling. Somewhat distinctly hoping that the light would uncover someone, he touched a square metal pad next to the door on the wall. A dull but strong spark of light lit up in the bulb, sending light into the small room.
The only things he could see were the shadows that clung to the corners of the small room. It looked like the room was once a storage room but was unused for several years. Dust littered the floor thickly and he could see small cobwebs stuck to the ceiling, forgotten and stringy, kind of like he felt at the moment. Crates and boxed dotted the room, looking lonely with only covered stands to keep them company. The sheets over the stands were once white but were now a dull gray with moth-eaten holes and frayed edges. The room looked ancient.
Takuya sighed deeply, one hand still on the door knob. "Looks like he isn't coming after all," he whispered to himself. "Who cares? Stupid prick, I don't know why I ever believed him."
"Because it's in your nature to believe in people."
Takuya stiffened and his heart sang as he spun around to see Kouji behind him, one booted foot on the last step. He-he was here. Suddenly it seemed as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders, letting him breathe freely. He couldn't believe what was in front of his eyes. He was so sure that…but he was standing there, leaning against the wall, hair dancing in front of his flawless face and shinning azure eyes.
Takuya didn't know what to do, once again but his heart quite rebelliously wanted to run to the other and throw his arms around the taller boy's neck and he almost did just that but one glance at Kouji's freezing eyes brought back his anger and irritation at the other. Takuya's face visually changed from a smile to a scowl with crossed arms, the air around turning warm literally.
The other seemed to notice the change and a slight frown marred his features like he was confused. Playing innocent was he? Takuya scowled even more and narrowed his eyes as much as he could without closing them all the way. He was going to so burn this jerk to a crisp if he gave another half-shitty excuse like he gave the last time. He didn't want an excuse, he wanted a reason.
"Well?" Kouji said, his voice making Takuya want to smack him and kiss him at the same time. "Can I come in?" Oh, right, Kouji was still out the little dusty room so Takuya stiffly inched a few feet to the right, letting the stupid Knight stride in with his hands in his pockets and an uncaring look on his face.
Takuya simmered impatiently, gritting his teeth in an attempt to wait until the other had said his thing to torch him. He watched as Kouji unhurriedly looked around, footprints leaving a trail to show where he had walked. Kouji seemed to make a decision and crossed the room to sit on what looked like a relatively clean thing that once resembled a box, now it looked like a desk that had been turned clumsily into a chair then dropped from a great height. There was one plank that adorned the top that was sturdy enough to hold the other's weight.
The whole thing took approximately two minutes but it was two minutes too long for Takuya. So as soon as the self-righteous bastard was seated and looked at him, he exploded.
"I just can't believe you!" Takuya snapped, faint smoke rising from his hair as his magic started to spin out of control. "How can you just sit there? The last past days you have ignored me AGAIN! I gave you another chance but it seems like you don't want it! I told you! And you just act like a brainless, insensitive, selfish, blind JERK!" It felt good to see his slightly taken aback expression so words tumbled from his mouth as his voice rose in pitch. "Is what you gave me really that meaningless? Then SAY it to my FACE and stop dodging around freaking BUSHES!" In between words he subconsciously repressed his core from exploding and turning the whole place into an inferno with lava pools.
Well, this wasn't how he planned things to go. They were supposed to rationally and logically talk things out and get into a nice truce. Of course the other person in said talk was Takuya and he knew that the other would not fall into his plan without smoothing over. So Kouji let Takuya ramble into infinity while he unconsciously noted ever feature on Takuya's face.
His brown chocolate eyes were starting to turn red around the edges, setting off alarms in his mind and causing him to check the nearest emergency exits. This wasn't exactly the place he had intended for them to meet but he had arrived late and caught Takuya already up the stairs. He got the idea that suggesting to move to the room he had scoped out before hand (it had three windows and a sliding door that opened to the back) would result in Takuya's temper getting even more out of hand. He didn't want to be the cause of a forest fire.
"Why do I even BOTHER to see you again? You kiss me one and a half times and you RUNAWAY! I don't know about your HIGH class selfish life but where I come from that is RUDE and DIRTY! You stupid NOBLES are all the SAME! You all think you're so better than anybody else when you're NOT!"
The brown and red in his almond eyes were started to merge then separate again so Kouji knew that Takuya was trying to suppress his raging magic. They were just so alive, swimming with anger, emotion, and life. They drew him in even when they were glaring at him with the force of a firestorm. They were the total opposite to his own blue sub-zero pair. In fact everything Takuya was, was his opposite. Like fire to ice. Like light to dark. They had almost nothing in common. So why did he have this attachment to Takuya Kanabara?
He knew he ran away again and it was putting a great dent in his pride. Kouji had always thought things through first then acted, it was the way he was taught by his father to think. Always think about the consequences. Kouji left, leaving Takuya with only a backwards glance, because he couldn't think. Emotions clouded his mind and it made him unpredictable even to himself, leaving him disoriented. He hated that. Not having control about himself, the only place where he knew he reined over everything and Takuya tilted his world sideways. It was like Takuya was coxing out the insecure child in him and that was absolutely not acceptable, for him and his future. The most secure path for him to take was to turn his back on Takuya and the feelings that he brought with in him, he didn't own the other anything.
So why was he sitting, watching Takuya yell at him? It brought his feet to this very room, willing to let Takuya threaten him to Hell and back when he would have broken anybody else's spine the second the other's mouth opened. He was being illogical; no, Takuya was causing him to be illogical, all the more to get away from him and return to the way he was suppose to act, his own way.
"Are you eve LISTENING! Ignored AGAIN! What is your goddamn problem! You go and kiss me of all things, my FIRST kiss I'll have you know, not that you probably care! You go and say those things to me make me feel OKAY, even APPRECIATED then you disappeared like a COWARDLY GHOST! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DO TO ME?" The smoke was become a bit thicker and starting to gather along the ceiling of the room.
But for some reason, he couldn't. He didn't know exactly why but he did know when it happened. Whenever his emotion got too wild for his tastes- his future- he barricaded himself in his shared room. He never did that for anybody else but he never felt this way either. There was nothing to balance out. It was like a scale; on one side was him and his emotions, insignificant practically, and then there was Takuya side, heavy and profound. Takuya went down while Kouji went up, unable to see where he was in the air, unable to get down.
Was he falling in love? He didn't know and he couldn't answer that one question which burned his mind. The answer was there but he couldn't find it. Takuya had the answer in his pocket and that was why he was here.
He had to know.
"I CAN'T believe you had the guts to come here like nothing happened! I want to make damn FIREWOOD out of you and, by the freakin' God's, you fucking DESERVE it! I don't even want to LOOK at you! Go away and go back to the little HOLE you always crawl into!" By the end of his ranting session his voice had risen to a shout, a very loud one that made some cobwebs drop from the ceiling onto the dusty floor like stringy pieces of clouds.
That felt good, he had to admit, to let everything out. But just as he was regaining his breath, he noticed that Kouji hadn't even twitched the whole time he was yelling his face blue. He just sat there like a lump of coal, his eyes never leaving Takuya. The air was thick with Takuya's anger and slight smoke. Takuya didn't even feel like he wanted to control his magic anymore. Why was Kouji ignoring him? "Aren't you going to say anything?" Takuya practically snarled uncharacteristically. If Kouji didn't say something smart soon he was going to attack with his bare teeth and nails (magic would take too long).
Kouji looked at him in the eyes, momentarily locking him in place then looking slightly to the left. "What do you want me to say?" Kouji asked quietly, eyes calculative. Maybe if he did what Takuya wanted for a while he would calm down.
"What do I want you to say? What kind of a stupid question is that?" Takuya said angrily as he sat down so hard on the floor he could have fractured his butt. His yelling session had thankfully drained enough of his anger so that it was only high irritation that he held in at the moment. The wonders of ranting. "What do you think? A reason for ignoring me again would be a good start." Takuya crossed his arms and noticed that his hair was smoking. Perfect, he looked like a chimney.
Kouji nodded slowly, thinking the right way to put his words in order so that Takuya might understand them better. It was one of the two obvious questions he had expected to be asked. He felt slight uneasy about exposing himself like this but if he wanted one last chance with Takuya he would have to do this.
When Takuya opened his mouth to demand why Kouji was taking so long, a pale hand stopped him. Takuya blinked then pouted as if he had been made to wait for something he really wanted. Takuya was relived to feel that his irritation was too melting away slowly but he held on to it for a few more moments because he had a feeling that in order to get what he wanted out of Kouji he would have to be a tad forceful. The walls around that guy would put diamonds to shame.
"Alright," Kouji sighed, deciding that the best route to go was the direct one. It was going to be awkward for him. "You better listen well because I will only say this once." Takuya scowled a bit but nodded nevertheless.
"I told you before that I didn't know why. Do you remember?" Kouji waited until Takuya nodded again before continuing. "That still holds true but I believe I have a better understanding. I have a theory on the why of my actions." He took a slight pause, noticing that Takuya was fiercely concentrating on him. It was kind of creepy the intensity of which Takuya was staring at him as if Kouji was the only one able to tell him the meaning of life.
"I…I haven't really been myself lately. Ever since I met you in that little insignificant village I find myself doing things that I normally wouldn't do. The fight with that other boy, what's-his-face, and you. I intervened instead of walking along without a backwards glance. It had nothing to do with me even though I told you it was my duty. In a way it was but it was not my place. I was an outsider in a private village affair. I had no right to get in the crossfire."
"Then why did you do it?" Takuya asked curiously. He could see the scene like it was yesterday though felt like it had happened years ago. He still felt faintly embarrassed about being rescued like that. But- hey! His village wasn't insignificant!
"You," Kouji said shortly, looking at the wall over Takuya's head thoughtfully. He never tried to put his emotions into words but, surprisingly, it was easier than he thought. He just had to make sure he didn't say anything stupid. "You were…smaller compared to the other and yet you were still willing to fight while the rest look on. I found it odd. But it started to make sense as the fat boy started talking. Most rich family indeed." A bit of amusement crept into his voice.
"Stupid Junpei," Takuya muttered. He had actually forgotten about his former rival until this moment. This brought a flash of alarm. Was he forgetting everything about his home? No, that couldn't be. His home meant too much for him to forget after a few months away.
Kouji chuckled, making Takuya start to melt. No, irritation and rage and bloodlust come back. Where are you? Ah, there you are hiding under his heart. Stupid things didn't want to come out.
"Yes, well, it turned out fine in the end. My uncle's mission was completed," Kouji suddenly stopped and frowned, shaking his head. "No, that's not the entire reason. Takuya, has Kouichi told you of my father and what he does?" He was going to do this, he gave himself no other choice.
Takuya started at the question. "Yeah, he told me he's one of the ten Knights that guard the king, right?" That was a random question.
"Actually there are twelve Knights but yes that's the main idea," Kouji said. He knew that Kouichi would have told Takuya about their background. His twin is too open for his liking but he's not the one to talk. He was planning to bare his soul raw to Takuya right now. "My father is planning to pass his position to me and has been training with me during vacations and school breaks. If I pass the Initiative then I will be one of the twelve most high ranking Knights."
Right, so what did this have to do with anything again?
"You make me do strange things, Takuya," Kouji said softly, noticing the confused expression on the Elemental's face. "I normally have great self-control and restraint on my emotions. It's something that I pride myself on, you must understand this Takuya. It is one of the things my father has taught me from an early age. To block strong emotions that may bring unwelcome reactions."
Takuya was startled at that but not necessarily surprised. To suppress…all emotion? Takuya couldn't even begin to imagine how he would live doing that. It just wasn't him. He was open most of the time and he well, he was Takuya Kanabara…..just as Kouji was Kouji Minamoto. The training he had when little shaped him into the teenager he was today. But still, to live life empty?
"Around you Takuya my feelings, some that I haven't felt in years with a great intensity, make themselves known. I- they make me disoriented Takuya, they give me an uneasiness. Since I haven't felt them for so long, with them coming back was like a new experience. My wall, Takuya, keeps them away. But you're melting it. I don't know what to do with them and, as much as it pains me, the only thing I could think of when that happens is to reevaluate them away from the source."
Takuya's breath was stuck in his throat while his eyes were large and amazed. He didn't know. Takuya had been way off in his guessing. Takuya was stirring all those long forgotten feelings in Kouji? Takuya felt a ray of what felt like hope burst to life in his chest, leaving him slightly breathless. Maybe he felt the same way.
"I am trying to find out what in you brings out these changes," Kouji said, finally shifting his eyes from the wall to Takuya, gazes meeting. He saw a small flush adorn his tanned cheeks and he couldn't help but to bring a small smirk to his face. "I have a suspicion but I'm not totally sure."
"What is it?" Takuya asked, leaning forwards slightly. Why'd he stop? Things were getting good now. Kouji was talking nicely, his voice soothing, but now he stopped. Why?
Kouji didn't answer. He just stared at Takuya with those laser-like blue eyes and stared and stared and stared some more. Takuya felt his blush start to grow slowly larger as Kouji continued to silently look at him. "Well?" Takuya prompted, annoyance creeping in his tone again.
The words didn't want to come out of Kouji's mouth. He didn't want to say what could be happening in him. He wasn't scared per say but more of apprehensive and uneasy. But maybe he could do a little experiment? Hmm, Takuya might not like it but then again, as past experiences show, he might very much. Heh.
Takuya was slightly alarmed by the smirk that flickered across Kouji's face. Silently Kouji leaned forwards from his box/lumpy thing to land softly on his knees on the floor, flecks of dust rising a little. Takuya blinked at the sudden movement then started to nervously scoot backwards as Kouji, slowly and deliberately, was crawling in his direction, moving suspiciously like a hunting cat, blue eyes flashing in unlikely mischievousness at his target.
"H-hey, w-what are you doing?" Takuya cried out in alarm, scooting back as fast as he could, his heart beating frantically in his chest. Why was Kouji looking at him like that? And he felt a strange kind of excitement mix with his nerves, sending tingles up through his body.
"Just deciding to show you the answer to your question," Kouji said, rising a black eyebrow slightly, still advancing on his prey. Those nice brown eyes growing big in alarm as he tried his best to stay out of Kouji's range but obviously he wasn't trying very hard as he could have just stood up and run away. It gave Kouji another burst of courage and it quirked one corner of his mouth even higher.
"G-get b-back," Takuya gasped as his back hit something, dust shooting from behind him. He quickly glanced over his shoulder to see that he had hit a sturdy-looking crate which was right next to the wall. Dead end. Takuya heard shuffling in front of him and snapped his head back around.
And stared right into blue eyes one inch away.
For a long second neither boy moved, frozen in their positions. Takuya wouldn't have look away even if he could since the spell that affected Takuya when Kouji was too close bloomed to life and, for some reason, he didn't want to look away. His heart was still thumping loudly in his chest like it wanted to burst onto Kouji's lap. But that would be messy. So it will just have to stay in his chest for right now. Kouji's breath danced across his face, slightly minty, making Takuya want to lean forwards. And he almost did too if Kouji hadn't decided to speak at that precise moment.
"I promise I'm not going to run away this time," the Knight whispered lowly, moving the tiniest bit closer so that their noses barely bumped against each other. "So what do you say?"
Somehow, against all odds, Takuya managed to find his voice and drag it out of the hole it hid in. "You better not run away." Takuya's voice barely was heard but it brought the faintest smile on Kouji's face. His hands fisted on the ground next to his sides as his vaguely heavier breathing.
"On my Knight's honor," was Takuya reply.
A smile- a smile- graced Kouji's face for the briefest moments before he moved his head and, for the third time, laid his lips on Takuya's.
At the beginning it was much like the first one and a half kisses: warm, soft, and totally mind-blowing. A bomb of fuzziness exploded in his stomach, traveling along his nerves to the tips of his toes that curled inside his shoes. Kouji's completely unique sent invaded his senses and made him lean forwards into the other. He felt weightless and so- so- utterly happy. The ache that had created a crater in his heart vanished as he felt Kouji's hand travel up his leg to rest on his hip, lips pressing with more force.
That feeling again. It had been small the first time, strong enough to alarm him the second time and, now, overwhelm him the third time. It was only the self-control that Kouji had been talking about that that stopped him from doing things that he should not be doing. Dread accumulated in the back of his clouded mind. If this didn't confirm his suspicion then nothing would.
Damn… He really was-
Gods, why did Takuya have to move like that? Kouji barely suppressed a growl and kept his lips pressed against Takuya's glorious cherry red ones. Cheesy yes but it was the best way he could describe Takuya's pair of lips. His hands seemed to have moved to either of Takuya's hips and were moving to the small of his back, wood on the back of his hands. His eyes were looking at Takuya's face, reveling in the bliss he found there. He made Takuya feel this way and, somehow, he wanted to be the only one. Protectiveness and possession surged inside him.
Takuya was out of there, his mind somewhere in between La-la Land and his Happy Place. And that was before he felt something wet lap quietly but roughly at his lips. Holy crap, what was that? The thrill that went down his spine made him gasp. He could have sworn that his hair was standing on end, that was how electrified he felt. And then what was probably (his mind was way gone) Kouji's tongue licked around Takuya's lips then dived in, pressing Takuya's body even harder against the box behind him. It didn't even cross his mind to stop the other.
He was instantly hooked on the taste. He had heard that every person has a smell or taste that was totally their own. That had always sounded sketchy to him because it would only take a mint or a spray of perfume to change it. But he was now firm believer of that. The taste and smell that attacked his senses were indescribable. It was purely Takuya: bold yet reclusive and faintly vanilla with chocolate. And he wanted, like he had never wanted anything before, to get more of it.
Takuya felt a whimper simmer out of him as that tongue licked all the inside of his mouth, in every nook and cranny, nothing left unexplored and it felt so good. He- why hadn't he done this before? He was still coherent enough to know that he had no idea what to do with his hands that where laying on either side of him. Then that tongue ran over the back of his teeth and, in a flash that rivaled a Knight's speed, his arms were thrown over the strong shoulders and submerged themselves in his silky black hair that felt like water.
He felt his own lax tongue being prodded by Kouji's, caressing it and coaxing it to join in the dance. With hesitance and shyness (he had no idea what to do) he did join in and –shitshitshit- this was amazing. Takuya was thoroughly enjoying himself until his fingers hit something. He mentally frowned, his mind still buzzing, as he fingered the tie that held Kouji's hair in a ponytail.
This will not do, no, not at all.
Kouji was surprised when he heard a snap and then a tickling sensation around his neck as his hair was released from the ponytail. Deftly fingers entwined with his hair and ran through it deliciously. Maybe he should start wearing his hair down from now on if only to let Takuya do that again.
There was no fighting it anymore as much as he wanted to. The proof was right in front of him, running his hand through his hair. He wanted to scream and tell himself that this was all a mistake, that he was mistaken. He could have one too many weaknesses, one too many disadvantages being like this. He shouldn't be feeling like this, for this. He could always fight himself, his emotions, into submission but this time he was rapidly loosing the battle and watching himself plummet. Because this wasn't a battle against himself, this was a war against his heart. He couldn't win but…maybe…He didn't want to.
Why hadn't he tried this before? Maybe because there was nobody that attracted him like this but this wasn't the time to think about things like this- he was being kissed people! By Kouji Minamoto of all people. Now he knew why couples were always kissing in public. Heck, he would do this in public too if every time felt like this.
Unfortunately the moment could only last for so long. As Takuya already proved, he has a normal lung capacity unlike that of Kouji's. Takuya gasped, chest heaving, once his mouth was free to collect air. He felt elevated like he was standing on the top floor of a thirteen storey building in the middle of a tornado. Dangerous, yes, but the thrill was immense.
Kouji stared at Takuya who was still trying to catch his breath. He, of course, wasn't the least bit winded. He was actually good for another seven to eight minutes but if he continued Takuya would have fainted due to oxygen deprivation and that was something he would like to avoid.
Takuya eyes were wider than he had ever seen, giving him a better view of all the emotions swirling inside: shock, pleasure, joy, and…something that shinned so brightly it almost blinded his heart. A pretty blush had covered most of his face. He was panting so hard you'd think that he had fought in a war without stopping but then again maybe he had. He was filled with warmth, a nice warm feeling. Hmm, this was nothing to what he felt when Izumi occasionally managed to get her lips on his face (never on his lips though. His reflexes were refined enough to avoid that.)
Takuya's mind was cursing down the edge of sanity, steadily making its way back to the real world. As he caught his breathing he noticed the position that he was currently in. He arms were still around Kouji's shoulders, hands buried in unbound smooth hair though not as tight as they were before. His legs were bent on either side of him so that he was nearly sitting on his shoes and two arms were curled around his waist securely. Kouji, who was, by the way, staring much as he had before (read: creepily), was on his knees in front of him, bend over Takuya's smaller form. His face was so close that he could see very eyelash on the other. Of course, this revelation set off another explosion of extreme blushing.
Ah, that just made him want to do the whole thing all over again but then Takuya might faint from all his blood rushing to his face. A chuckle rumbled from his chest unbidden and he sat back on the balls of his feet, reluctantly leaving the warmth of Takuya's body heat. One look at the other made it worth getting dust and who-knows-what on the knees of his pants.
"You all right?" Kouji questioned as the silence was beginning to get awkward. Takuya's face had been recovering its normal color which Kouji found himself sad at its loss. Of course, he could have shocked Takuya into cardiac arrest or something.
Takuya just sat back against the box which was amazingly still intact, his breathing stating to get more normal. He couldn't believe- This was- It felt- Dancing sh- I saw the light- Do it again- It was sufficient to say that he couldn't think straight, high on emotions. He faintly heard the words and the loss of warmth around him, bring a single word out of his own mouth.
"W-wow," Takuya managed to rasp out, his heart still beating like it was a drum.
That single word boosted his ego several notches higher to his pleasure and discomfort. Kouji chuckled again, going with the former, and his hand drew back his hair that was hanging in front of his eyes. He couldn't remember the last time he laughed or chuckled so much in one day. It was like the third time or something. Well, it's time to admit defeat to the public or to Takuya anyway. Since he as his answer he might as well do the backup.
"Hey," Kouji said softly, as if Takuya would be scared of any loud noises. He didn't know but it was better safe than sorry.
Takuya blinked and his face rose into flames once again without his permission. But, surprisingly, despite the blush on his face and not being able to meet Kouji's eyes dead on, he felt calmer inside somehow like the kiss was some kind of pact or truce. His heart and breathing has clamed down at least. If that wasn't progress he didn't know what was. He felt almost at ease which was completely the opposite of what he felt a few minutes ago. It seemed that not only he was affecting Kouji's emotions; he was affecting Takuya's as well. He was cool; Kouji was cool so that meant everything was cool. And he was really, really, glad.
Because cool was good.
"Do you like roses?" Kouji asked out of nowhere, a sly smile playing around his lips. For some reason it made Takuya the slightest bit nervous.
"Um, they're okay I guess why?" Takuya asked almost warily. This was Kouji after all, there was no guessing to what he had up his sleeve.
"When a strong wind blows and a rose is in its path," Kouji said not casually per say. It was more of an untailored tone that was underlined by some kind of mysteriousness. It was weird and Takuya had an odd feeling about this. "Sometimes it tears petals off and they are blown around in the air."
Before Takuya could ask what the hell he was talking about, Kouji drew in so that his face was once again less than three inches close to Takuya's. It startled him so much that when he jumped his butt almost cleared the floor. Why does he have to do that? At least his blush wasn't as severe as before or at least it feels less severe. Where's a mirror when you need one?
"And you know what?" he whispered quietly, eyes digging into Takuya's without mercy like he was tunneling his way into Takuya's soul.
This time a quiet fire of anger started to build up in him. What was he talking about? Well, he said he wasn't going to run away this time but maybe he switched tactics. He's going to talk himself away…Can a person even do that? He'll have to find out someday if it was possible. A good escape tactic if it did exist… and getting off tract. Alright focus, Takuya, here we go.
"What?" Takuya inquired because, truthfully, it was the only things he could think of saying.
"I've seen it and it looked like the roses were dancing." Kouji's eyes and voice were dancing (somehow). "Some people call it the Rose Dance. Would you like to go and see it with me?"
Now Takuya was definitely lost. A rose dance what? And the proximity was not helping. And he though they were already passed this stage. Or him more specifically but when had he ever been specific?
"What?" Takuya asked again, not sure he had been hearing correctly. His fingers were itching to get back into the other's loose black hair. He had always liked Kouji's hair. It was so unlike his own. His was brown and choppy, totally ordinary that only had one style: hat hair. It always looks like he has hat hair for some reason. He likes hats but doesn't wear then very often…and getting off tract again.
Kouji smirked deeper. "You've never seen it. You would like it." And his eyes were suddenly glowing weirdly. Okay, they weren't literally glowing but they had this peculiar shine that just made Takuya want to say yes and snuggle. Snuggle! Okay this defiantly has to be some sort of spell or something.
"U-uh…," Takuya said, stalking for time, to think or to just avoid the shine in intense blue eyes. This- this wasn't fair! It was like his eyes peer-pressuring him or something ridiculous like that. Ah! Stop looking at him like that or he may do something really, really, stupid. Like... "Okay?"…that.
But it was all worthwhile as Kouji's smirk melted into a smile. Takuya loved to see Kouji smile. Maybe it was because he did smiled very much so when he did it was great to see. This crush thing was not going away especially after that delightful stunt. Delightful? Who said that? Not him, um, ahem. Moving on.
"Great." Kouji shifted around and finally drew his face back but not before dropping a chaste kiss on Takuya's lips softly. That drew an 'eep' from the startled teen whose eyes grew wide. He internally frowned at the sound. Maybe he was going too fast. But from what he observed during their earlier make-out session and past weeks, he had been sure that Takuya had harbored some similar feeling for his person. It had brought a deep feeling of satisfaction and pride.
Takuya felt the warm fuzzies collect in his stomach and do the conga again and the action brought the biggest smile that he had ever smiled to his face. Here he was sitting on the dusty floor in some attic in some empty building with a Knight that could snap his neck in two seconds flat and he was smiling so big it was starting to hurt his face. But he was happy, happier than he had ever been.
Suddenly a pale hand appeared in front of his face, open in invitation. Takuya blinked, taken aback, before glancing upwards to see Kouji towering over him, an amused smirk directed at him. Takuya hadn't even noticed that Kouji had stood up, looking even taller than normal. Stupid tall people, they shouldn't be so tall. Just you wait all you tall people! One day he shall be the tallest one of all and we will see how you feel! Bwahahahahaha!
"Takuya?" Seeing that slight maniac expression on his face with the eyebrow twitch was a little bit disconcerting.
"Ah-ah! Um, sorry spaced out," Takuya said sheepishly, laughing slightly. The hand Kouji was holding out shook slightly as if reminding him it was still hanging there. Takuya quickly reached out and firmly grasped the hand. A small welcoming warmness sank into his skin as Kouji pulled Takuya from the ground to his feet effortlessly and neatly like he didn't weight a thing.
Once Takuya was properly balance (being pulled up quickly can do things to a person's brain) Kouji said, dropping Takuya's hand to bury itself in his trouser pocket, "We should be going. Your friends are probably wondering where you went." His hand felt lonely, all alone in his pocket.
"Friends?" Takuya said blankly then laughed cheerfully. "Nah, they know where I am and if I hadn't torched the place by now then they know everything fine." In a way he was glad that his friends knew if that meant he could spend more time with Kouji but he still felt a small touch of guilt for choosing Kouji over his friends. They would understand though especially Kouichi, Tai and Juri. In fact Juri would physically force him outside if he even thought of going back, to miss this chance. He was so lucky to have friends like that, so understanding.
Kouji nodded once and waked to the door, his feet leaving imprint on the floor, his hair trailing after him. Takuya stood there, gazing silently, wondering if he was going and if he was leaving him here. But his fears were unfounded when Kouji turned, one hand on the doorknob. "Are you coming or not?"
"…Yeah!"
Takuya flashed another one of his too-big-for-face-muscles smiles and both boys walked out of the room leisurely. Kouji let Takuya go down first on the staircase since it was too narrow for two people to go down at once. His soft footsteps and the occasional rustling of his clothes let Takuya know that the otherwise silent Knight was still following. That guy was seriously as silent as a mouse. Takuya would never have been able to do that. It was just like his luck to step on every squeaky and crumbling step within ten miles f his location. Yeah, it was freaky.
Takuya's feet came to the bottom of the stairs and he was left looking at the doors that he had opened to try to find the person walking next to him. Takuya felt a calm, calmer than he had felt in quite some time. He felt anchored and stable. He felt secure as if Kouji would be there for him to the very end. He didn't know why he felt that way but he did and that's all that mattered.
Kouji didn't say anything on the way to the entrance. He was thinking about something. Something that was his father. What would he say to what he just did? He internally shook his head. It didn't matter. What was done is done. And that's all. Stop think about it.
And before either knew it they were outside, the door closing behind them. And a blast of freezing air hit Takuya square in the stomach and sent shivers up his spine. His hands shot out instinctively to grip the sides of his cape and brought them together to try to keep the evil coldness out. That's it! He's had up to here (to his head)! When winter hits he was not coming out of his bed!
"You should get inside," Kouji said quietly to his left, dragging Takuya's eyes to him. He saw them momentarily dip to his lips then to his eyes, cheeks turning red and he didn't think it was purely because of the cold. "You'll freeze in that thin get-up." The guy was just like his element. It seemed that he didn't like the cold at all if the way he was glaring at the gray sky was saying anything.
"What about you? You'll get cold too," Takuya countered on instinct, not wanting to appear weaker than the other. He could take some pathetic imitation of a breeze, no problem…It's cold!
"I'll be fine," Kouji replied amusedly, watching the other shiver and try to hide it by sneezing. Not the most convincing of cover-ups to say the least but he couldn't let it slide. "Come on."
"Where are we going?" Takuya asked as they made their way down the path to the castle. It was a dumb question but his mouth had run away with him again. He has got to put a lock on it soon. Wait, going places, that reminds him. "What was this rose dance thing that you were going on about?"
"You'll see soon, not to worry," Kouji answered casually.
"But what is it?" Takuya whined, jumping a little in between his steps to keep warm. "I want to know!"
"Patience is a virtue Takuya."
"Well, it's a virtue I don't have. Now spill."
A chuckle. "You'll see soon. I promise."
"…Fine. But next time you want to tell you something don't expect me to answer."
"Very well."
"Stop humoring me."
"I'm not humoring you. I'm merely going along with what you say."
"That's the same thing!"
"So?"
"Arggg!" Takuya cried in frustration, stomping fast through the leaves. Kouji's quiet laughter followed him and he couldn't help but to smile, his own laughter threatening to bubble out of him. He felt in high spirits and complete as if Kouji had given him something he had been searching for eons.
"Hurry up, slowpoke!" Takuya called out playfully, looking over his shoulder. Kouji felt his own small smile start to grow. Only Takuya could bring this forgotten part of him out in him he realized.
Kouji wasn't prepared for what happened next. No one would be. It was all fine one minute then horribly wrong the next. Takuya opened his mouth to say more, still looking at him with those large eyes sparkling with good-natured humor when a look passed over his face, voice choking in his throat. Complete and utter shock. His whole body frigidly froze up as if he had run face-first into a stone wall. And before Kouji could say anything, to call for him, Takuya's knees buckled violently, his eyes rolled back into his head, and he started to fall as if his legs were cut from under him. His ahir whipping around his now pale face.
Kouji immediately moved, a human blur, and his arms closed around the limp form that looked stiff, stopping him in his fall and quickly arranging him so that he was holding the smaller boy bridal-style. "Takuya?" The boy twitched and the fist that dangled downwards curled into fists. His face contorted into something that something that looked dangerously close to pain.
It only took five seconds for this to happen. Five seconds for Takuya to faint. Five seconds for Kouji to catch him. Five seconds for Takuya to start moaning quietly. And it felt like he only had five seconds to get Takuya some help. Luckily, five seconds were more than enough.
He had to get Takuya to the infirmary fast.
He felt like he was stuck in a faulty radio. There really was no other way to describe what he was feeling at the moment. It felt like he had been yanked rudely and fast into the similar dark that surrounded his core, forcing his mind to leave his body. It came so fast like a speeding train that he had no time to think. Suddenly everything was dark like someone had turned off the sun and his body turned off. It was almost like he fainted and he was dreaming but he somehow knew it wasn't.
Takuya was faintly aware of the arms that held his body aloft and the biting wind but the facts slid off his consciousness like water. He had only been in darkness like this once before, different from that around his core. This dark was infinite and deeper than any mortal can imagine. It was like the maw of a beast; it would swallow you without second thought and never let you go. The dark was almost tangible like ink and clung to him even though he saw it more than felt it. A single thought ran through his mind: Where are the fey lines?
The crackling and whine in his ears was jarring into his brain. A faulty radio was exactly the thing that would produce the sounds thumping around him. He thought he heard voices, whispers that he couldn't catch before they turned into incomprehensible crackling. He wanted to cover his ears but he couldn't.
"Takuya…"
The voice was faint and barely distinguishable from all the noise but he managed to catch it. It sounded familiar. Something…a very faint outline barely shone through the inky dark. He strained to see it but the outline remained thin and weak. It was as if he was at the bottom of an ink pool and was looking upwards at a person above the surface. This was so annoying!
"Takuya…" There again! It was slightly clearer but not by much. But he heard the underlining urgency in the voice, the alarm and need almost overbearing.
"Takuya…hear…We beg thee." He had to do something. He knew who was talking. It was one of the Weavers. He remembered the crystals made of light that they showed him. Light…they needed light.
"Make haste…"
Takuya couldn't even feel his body. How was he suppose to activate his core? It seemed impossible but he had to try. He remembered the feeling of power that stormed over his being, the raging fire inside hat burned him with energy until his bones vibrated with it. That was his magic, his core, his being, his gift. And he would use it no matter what the cost to his person.
Fire, burn for me, for us.
A warm, almost burning feeling blossomed where his chest would be and a tiny glowing flicker flourished in the shadowy dark. It was surprisingly simple to gather his bearings in his body but as much as he strained he couldn't make the pathetic sparkle grow bigger or brighter. It was degrading to say the least.
But the tiny light was enough for the Weaver trying to contact him. The outline became a little sharper and the static around him died a little. The ageless, genderless voice was loud enough that if he concentrated hard enough he could hear the individual words clear enough.
"We express gratitude to thee, little human," her voice was weak and strained as if she was struggling to speak. What could make a Weaver this powerless? "We do not have a hefty quantity of time and this message is of great importance. Do not converse but take note able-bodied."
Well, it wasn't as if Takuya could do much more than listen anyway. He didn't even know if he could talk in this state.
"We have revealed to thee all we art capable of but we art troubled that thou must seek the response thyself. Thy future's culmination is at hand and thou must be primed for when it shall come."
What? Takuya had so many questions to ask. What was going to happen? Why do you two keep warning me? What can he do to stop it? What will happen if he doesn't stop it? Can he stop it? What is 'it'? But he couldn't speak.
"Compose thyself. If we enlighten thee by means of what we have perceived thy future will be even further intricate itself. Be prepared, small one. Maintain our representations near thee and we shall be with thou." Her voice suddenly waned and the static overwhelmed his senses, making his tiny light flicker dangerously.
"We must make haste, young one. Maintain this within thy mind: allies will at all times be in the midst of thee even if thee can't witness them. And beware of eyes that can glimpse the center thy heart."
Wait! Don't go! What is going to happen damnit! How was he suppose to prepare himself if he didn't know what he was up against? He need answers, please don't go. He was too confused.
"Exonerate us, little one. This is all in our authority we can bestow. We do not mean to pressure thee but thee must know this. If thee fails to liberate thyself subsequently all may perhaps be gone astray, the tapestry threadbare. A watcher and trickster will make themselves acknowledged to thee in thy time of need."
"Follow thy heart en route for the conclusion, little one. May fortune and goodwill look after thee."
And then as if a wind suddenly blew his little flame died to ashes and the last thin lines of the Weaver's outline vanished, melting into the darkness like an animal forced into its prison. The whole place was suddenly quiet, no static or crackling whispers, eerily reminding him of his dream in the meadow's dancing fire. Then he was falling. Well, he felt like he was falling, wind or something similar to that flew into him as he dropped from nowhere.
A light appeared in front of him, growing brighter and bigger the more he fell. He was going to crash into it! Takuya didn't know how to steer himself out of its path but he knew the Weavers would never let harm come to him in their domain. As the light became blindingly bright, his eyes caught flashed of blue eyes, gray stone walls, blonde hair, white sheets. Then he fell through the pool of light, landing softly in something that felt dead to the world but alive. His body. His mind was back on Earth and in its rightful place.
How he landed, he didn't know. He just knew that his head hurt like never before, like his skull had been trying to crush his brain, and that he was lying in something soft and clean. His fingers were weakly moving along the familiar sheets. He could move this body again! But he couldn't move too much. His limbs felt like they had been asleep for days and were just waking up, feeling the pricking needle-like sensation one gets when his limbs are waking up.
Takuya wasn't tried. His mind was wide awake but his eyes refused to open as if his body was demanding rest from him. He didn't want to sleep. He wanted to tell someone that the time was close, that they needed to prepare but he couldn't. His body was tired and needed rest.
A cool hand smoothed back his hair from his forehead soothingly, giving him permission to rest and recover. The time was soon but he didn't know when. Or what. But he could always tell later, ask later. Yeah, Takuya would tell later when he was totally concious. He was going to sleep and later he would find out what exactly the Weavers wanted of him.
Well, not much of the gang here but that's how it goes. I don't really have much to say here but…um. I hope all you hare having a good summer and all that shit. Thanks and please review. It makes me happy!