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: Airy Crossings

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon

Author Notes: Yes, I know the waits been terrible but I've been so busy lately! I hope you'll forgive me my beautiful, beautiful readers! And, yes, I put DotT on temporary hiatus because this story's almost finished so I want to finish this one first then focus my whole attention on the other one. Now I know to start one story and finish it before starting another completely. (Sigh)

My flash drive, the thing I keep all my stories on broke on me for the third time! So, for the third time, I have to write the whole thing over again so that's part of why I took so long. I'm so sorry!

Graywingfalcon gave me a jar of cookies and a plushie! Thanks a bunch.

But here we go!

He had been a very lively child when he was small, compared to his brother at least. He never had any reason not to. Being born into a prestigious and old family came with many benefits to a child such as him. He never had to beg to get something he wanted and most of his childish whims were granted. He and his brother had several playrooms to themselves. He knew he was lucky to have such a well-off family and he truly treasured that.

He remembered vividly that it was always during summer that he enjoyed himself the most. During the good summer his family moved to their summer residence near the Bando River, near the countryside. The back of the house stretched for miles, an endless expanse of fields and forests. One of the reason he enjoyed it so much was that it was easier to loose his nursemaids in the rolling fields of grass. He and his brother would always pretend that they were warriors, saving the princess from an imaginary dragon or monster. He recalled those moments with fond feelings because those were the few times his brother let himself go.

He missed that part of his brother, the silly innocence of a child with no worries or responsibilities. The small child gradually changed into a strong, young man that rarely smiled. His father was a strict, stern man that pushed too many responsibilities on a much to young boy, forcing him to grow up too fast. His father meant well, he knew that, but even that sometimes was too much for someone. His brother had admired their father from the very beginning, maybe because they were both Knights, and he would have done everything to earn his approval. He strived to become the perfect son and Knight, forgoing all the playtime with him for his studies and practices. He had been forced to watch as his brother grew and left him behind.

At first that hurt but then he grew to accept it, as he knew his brother would if that were him. If this were what his brother wanted then he would stand with him and support him even if he didn't like it. Maybe it had been a foolish notion but he would never have had angered his brother on purpose. It was his life to live.

As the years passed, he began to see someone who didn't act like his little brother. He was too much of a stranger to be someone he used to play with. He knew that his brother was on the verge of loosing himself to what their father expected of him. He had tried to talk to him but it did little use. He had already changed too much. He was no longer a child and he knew that he could have stopped this if only he had spoken up. He had lost someone who used to make him laugh and he could have stopped it if he tried had harder. It hurt him deeply.

As a child he never spoke to people who he didn't know. He was born with a shyness his brother didn't inherit. He use to speak to his nursemaids and brother constantly but he shied away when his father stood before him. Their mother was always a welcome person in their lives as little as they saw her. But in front of strangers he used to clam up and refuse to speak. Maybe this was why he never spoke up to his brother before it was too late.

His father had always been a very busy man being one of the twelve Knights that guarded the king and his traditionalist ways had been much as much of his as his brother's. A wall of old words so to speak. His father paid little attention to him but he never minded much. His mother, brother, and nursemaids were enough for him. But as time passed he saw less and less of his mother as she was called constantly to court and the nursemaids were no longer needed to care for him. His brother was too engrossed in his strivings that he barely saw his outside of lessons. He had lost the people had cared for in one passing of time.

He would always love his family. He knew that whatever they did they would always be his family. Why fight the inevitable? But he had lost many people he cared about and it was all became he didn't have the courage to say anything about it. He was older now and he knew what he needed to do. But it wasn't always easy. He still had a bit of that shy child inside him.

Kouichi mused as he swirled the juice in his glass around, watching the reflections of the lights. He had been lonely for most of his life though, for the most part, it had been his doing. Passiveness had always been one of his main traits and he bended easily to want others wanted. It was odd, he mused, of how little his life had progressed since he was a child.

His brother, Kouji, had never learned to master his emotions correctly, always tuning them out. It had been the role his father gave him and he accepted it with open arms. He had been cold to everyone even, to some extent, his friends and the ones who knew him the most. But Kouichi was glad that he was finally getting some resemblance to the brother he once knew. He looked happier these days and less uptight. Kouichi could openly say that the ice in his eyes was melting slowly away. And it was all because of one person.

Kouichi wanted to say, wanted to believe, that that person was he. He had tirelessly tried for years to help his brother, the boy that had come into the world at the same time he had but he had ultimately been pushed away. Maybe it was because Kouichi was Kouji's brother that Kouji had refused to open up. Their blood and minds connected them deeply, as only twins could feel. Kouichi could feel Kouji's emotions when nobody else saw them and he understood him like only a twin could. Kouichi knew Kouji as deeply and accurately as he knew himself.

Kouji and Kouichi shared half a soul.

But Takuya held Kouji's heart.

Kouichi knew it from the first time he had met Takuya. He knew that this boy could warm even the coldest blizzard with his warm spirit. He was a special kind of soul, with a heart that saw the good in even the darkest heart. Takuya had proven time and time again a loyalty that Kouichi knew came only once in a hundred years. People may have doubted him and feared him but they never acted against him, perhaps sensing the soft heart he held.

The simple peasant boy had a heart that was big enough for anyone who came his way. If he had thought this about anyone else Kouichi knew it would have been an exaggeration but it fit so perfectly with Takuya's personality that there was no other way to describe it. Kouichi smiled. Even with the horrible life he must have led before coming here Takuya still smiled and cared. His soft heart was by no means weak. Takuya was as strong as they came.

It hadn't surprised him that Takuya had so effortlessly captured Kouji's heart even with the Knight fighting so valiantly against it all the way. He had captured Kouji from the very first time he laid eyes on Takuya, that much was all too clear from the start. It had just taken Takuya's constant light to overshadow any doubt.

Maybe he was selfish but he wanted Takuya to stay with Kouji, to bring that light he carried to his brother. Takuya was slowly but surely reminding Kouji what it felt like to care again, something that meant the world to Kouichi. He wanted his brother back. He wanted his brother to show that Kouichi was still an important person in his life, to show that he acknowledged the fact they were brothers, two halves of one soul. And if Takuya were the one that brought that change then Kouichi would do anything to keep them together.

Anything.

Kouichi tipped his head back and drank everything in the glass. He sighed, eyes half-closed, as he put the glass on the table next to him. He didn't mind befriending Takuya or constantly being with him. He had genuinely become fond of the Fire Elemental and their little group of friends. Even with the danger that the spirits in Hades kept looming over them it was worth it to come to know the short fire-wonder. He had tried to subtly protect Takuya but he knew it was only a matter of time.

He hated himself for this but that was the curse of a Seer. To be able to see in the future but not do a single thing about it. He had seen several outcomes of their future, short unfocused glimpses, but whatever path the Weavers took them on there would be pain and anguish.

He just hoped they would take the right road.

Kouichi sighed and looked dejectedly at the shadowed ceiling. The teachers and servants really outdid themselves this time around he had to admit. They probably had to overlay about six to ten spells and illusions to get that outcome. Not to mention the vine roses on the walls and the glowing sprite-lights. He was slightly disappointed that he didn't have the type of magic to do amazing spells like those.

Seers are often called the cursed Users though it is not a name by which others called them. They call themselves the cursed. Many Seers loose their sense of morality, honesty, and justice as time goes by because it is necessary. They see what happened in the past and they see what will happen in the future. And they can do nothing about it. Before Kouichi will be allowed to go to the royal court or to be a proper Seer after school he will need to swear the oath that all Seers live by. And Kouichi was truly dreading when that day will come.

But it would come and when it did it would be all too soon. As a Seer he is no stranger to truth and lies and their consequences. There is always a sense of wrongness, which he dislikes when a person near him speaks a lie, a cold shiver that crawls down his neck. The fingers of spirits, that comes to protect his Spectral magic from the filthy lies. Kouichi never tells a lie. Spectral magic is a sensitive type of magic unlike Demonic magic, which is substantially thicker and less fragile. It can sense impurity almost immediately.

But that sense of truth comes with a price. He had heard of things called dreams but he had never experienced one as other tell it. To him a dream is a hope or a wish for your future not a vision that you have while you sleep. Kouichi didn't really understand how a dream works but that mattered little to him. How can you miss something you never had? You can't.

As time goes by the dust in a fist will dwindle away.

Kouichi smiled softly. His mother use to tell him that when he was little. He never understood what she spoke of but, now, he knows better. It didn't matter how long you held onto that sand because time will snatch it away from you. It was the sad reality that Kouichi grew up with. He knew as all Seers before him knew it and as all Seers after him will. They don't deal the cards, they alone see them and they can never, will never, get a new hand.

Reflection. Everything about a Seer, every thing they do is all about reflection. They need that to connect to Hades. Seers can only show, reflect, to others what they have seen. Water, mirrors, glass, metal, it didn't matter. A Seer can get close to the burning flame but the only thing they can do is reflect it. We, Kouichi mused shrewdly, can never be that flame, only the pathway that will guide it's light to others. A tunnel made out of only mirrors.

How ironic. That the one thing they treasure above everything else, their mirrors, is the one thing that will stop them from touching that flame. The light of the future and the past.

There was a rustling over to his side and Kouichi tilted his head slightly to the side to see Ryo and Rika walk up to him. Kouichi nodded at them, watching them from the corner of his eye as they walk right up to him. Ryo was fashionably dressed as he always is and even Rika dressed up (slightly) for the occasion thought she was wearing pants instead of a skirt. Some things will never change.

"Where's Kouji?" Ryo asked, short and to the point. Kouichi instantly knew what this was about. The minor twitching of his left hand and the slightly out of breath voice gave it away.

So it's finally time.

"We don't have all day, mirror-eyes," Rika said brusquely when Kouichi didn't reply. Her lavender eyes locked with his blue eyes. "I know your type, Seer. I'm not an idiot. Your goddam mind is always near those godforsaken spirits and Spectral mush." Rika brushed off Ryo's hand off her shoulder.

"Really?" Kouichi asked softly.

"You know what's going on. You knew before I did that things were going to boil down to this, you fucking psychic." She sneered at his unmoving profile. "You saw it the moment you met fire-boy, didn't you? I despise Seers. You know why? Because at the end of the day all you can do is reflect the light of a candle."

"That may be true," Kouichi agreed easily, not looking perturbed. "But that won't help Takuya now. You know as well as I that we only have a limited time to get Takuya back. We have to go after them." By the time the sun went down tomorrow no force of Earth could possibly save Takuya.

"Oh?" she leered, cocking her head mockingly. "You actually care about fire-boy? Full of unpleasant surprises are you?"

This time Kouichi narrowed his eyes as her, starting to feel irritated. "Do not mock me, Rika," he warned. "I care about Takuya. He's the friend any person in their right mind would want and I owe him more than that. I am willing to go down the road that may save him even if it means breaking a rule that I will have to respect later in my life."

Rika didn't miss the insult speared at her. She studied him briefly then smirked. "Not bad, mirror-eyes." She turned around and motioned him to follow. "Maybe there's hope for fire-boy after all. Let's find your brother and whatever help you can get." Ryo blinked, startled at their exchange then shrugged his shoulders, figuring that they had it under control.

"Ah," Kouichi agreed and pushed off the column behind him. He walked after the retreating backs of the two Knights.

This may not be the right path, Kouichi mused, but it was a path he was willing to take. Seer or no Seer.

We're coming Takuya.

It was dark.

Soft and consuming darkness.

There was nothing but darkness around him. He should have been scared but he didn't. The darkness was comforting, a presence that gave him comfort. The darkness cooed at him gently and caressed the skin of his arms comfortingly like that of a caring mother. He was safe in this darkness. There was nothing here in this darkness but him. Nothing would hurt him because there was nothing there.

There was no sound or wind except that of the darkness. He stood on solid ground but he didn't care of his location. He didn't need to. Takuya felt himself smile. He was content here. Suddenly he felt the urge to move, to walk deeper into the inky dark.

And so he did.

His walk was deliberate, completely unafraid. The darkness gently guided him deeper inside, the almost fingers of shadows urging him forwards. He walked slowly, without hurry. There was no need to hurry. He would get to the end eventually and even if there was no end it didn't matter. He would walk forever if that were what the darkness wanted. He could see not where he was going but it didn't matter to him. A small question popped into his mind. Why did he not care if he were to wander forever aimlessly?

Takuya could frankly not remember the answer to that question so he didn't dwell on it, moving on to another more heartening matter. The silence was reassuring. Not even his footsteps made a sound and for that he was glad. Too much noise, too little space to think. It was just he and his blessed darkness. He didn't know why it picked him but he was glad to share this space with it.

Takuya knew there had to be something wrong with his sight for he saw something that was not darkness and it made him curious. The darkness had never showed him this thing. It was small and lighter that the darkness, changing shape constantly but staying in one place. What was it? Takuya wondered. His curiosity moved his forwards towards the thing, his eyes wide with wonder.

He knew that the darkness didn't like this intruder. The closer he got to the thing the smaller he felt the presence of the darkness become. The almost fingers gradually became weaker and weaker and the comforting voice could not be heard inside his ears. This thing was not liked by the darkness. Why?

As he walked towards it Takuya began to hear another thing that was not darkness. A soft, tinkling sound far away from him. It sounded like water, slow and constant, dripping from a high point onto the floor. Plink, plink. There was no water here. Why was there water in the darkness where only Takuya is? There was no need for water here. It reminded Takuya of someone crying. Was there someone else here with him? Why were they crying?

Plink.

The crying grew louder as he neared the bight thing. His ears hurt, not use to hearing anything else but the darkness. Takuya kept walking, his inquisitiveness drawing him closer and closer. What was thing doing here?

Plink, plink.

Takuya stopped walking as he stood in front of the thing that was not darkness. The crying was right next to him now, dripping into his ears. He cocked his head as he stared at it. It was small, the size of his fist. It was a bright color, giving off something that hurt his eyes. It kept shifting in place like it was trying to move. The closer he got the hotter the skin on his face became and the brighter it became. He got the feeling he should remember what it was.

Plink, plink, plink.

Why couldn't he remember?

Plink, plink, plink.

Takuya really couldn't find an answer to that question so he pushed the matter aside. There was no need for answers. While Takuya mused, the intruder went unnoticed as it started to change. Its color shifted to an even brighter made and stood still as if frozen. Small drops of the glowing thing dropped from it and floated in the shadows around Takuya. He stared at it as it completely became small, glowing balls. It was so pretty and there were so many of them that Takuya couldn't count them without loosing track. They were nice to look at.

Plink, plink, plink.

They pushed the darkness away from him, making his skin feel warmer. It was a curious feeling. Takuya looked down at the ground, noting in dim surprise that there were ripples around his feet as if he was standing on water. Was this were the water was? He watched as the ripples spread outwards into the darkness. What did the darkness do with the ripples?

Plink, plink, plink.

Takuya didn't mind the rippling ground but he did mind the boy. On the other side of the ground there was a boy standing upside down, his feet to Takuya's feet. He wore the same clothes as Takuya and he had the same body type too. Takuya examined him closely. Was the boy the one crying? What was he doing here in the darkness? Takuya lifted his leg and watched as the boy did it too, mirroring him. Takuya frowned and put his foot down. The boy did also.

"Who are you?" Takuya asked the upside down boy.

He watched as the boy mouthed the same words, not answering the question. Why wasn't he answering? Maybe the upside down boy couldn't talk. Maybe the boy didn't like Takuya.

Plink, plink, plink.

"Why are you here?" Takuya asked the upside down boy.

The boy's mouth moved but he still didn't answer. Why wouldn't the boy look at Takuya? Maybe he had been in the darkness so long that he forgot how to speak. Takuya felt sad for the boy, all alone in the darkness without anyone to talk to. But if he couldn't speak then Takuya couldn't help the upside down boy.

"What do you want from me?" Takuya asked the upside down boy.

Plink, plink, plink.

The boy on the other side of the ground still did not answer. The boy wouldn't look at Takuya. He kept staring straight ahead. Maybe the boy was blind too. Takuya looked at the boy with sadness then looked ahead. He had to move further into the darkness. Takuya started walking away, the ground rippling under his footsteps. The little balls floated with him, pushing the darkness away from him. The crying sound started to get dimmer and dimmer as he let the boy behind. He didn't want to leave the boy behind but he had to move on.

Plink, plink.

Takuya had to look back. The boy wasn't there anymore. Maybe the boy went back home, into the darkness. Takuya felt happy for the boy. He knew that it was sad to be all alone in the darkness. He knew the darkness would take care of the boy. The darkness was a good mother.

Plink, plink.

Takuya kept walking into the darkness, looking for the end. Maybe he would never find the end. It didn't matter to him. He would just keep walking into the darkness. He felt that he should care but he pushed it away. No doubts. Doubts didn't exist here. Here in the darkness and brightness.

Plink, plink.

Takuya stopped and looked at the ground, surprised to see the boy there, his feet to Takuya's feet. Why did the boy follow him? Takuya didn't have anything of his. What did the boy want of Takuya? The glowing orbs flew around him peacefully undisturbed by the upside down boy under the ground. Takuya felt angry with the boy. He should have gone home and left Takuya alone. If he couldn't speak then Takuya couldn't help him. He wanted to help the boy.

Plink.

"Why are you following me?" Takuya asked the upside down boy.

The boy's mouth said the same words but no answer reached Takuya. Takuya didn't know what to do with the boy. Maybe he was lonely and wanted Takuya's company. Takuya was glad that the boy chose him. He would be a good friend to the upside down boy.

"What do you need?" Takuya asked the upside down boy.

Plink.

The boy still did not answer Takuya's plea. Maybe he really was mute and couldn't reply even if he wanted to. Takuya could not imagine living a life without a word. He felt sorry for the boy. The darkness was kind, yes, but to unable to talk even to yourself, it made Takuya sad again.

"Who are you?" Takuya asked the upside down boy.

The boy looked up at him. His face had the same cheekbones, nose, and lips as Takuya. His chocolate hat hair was the same as Takuya's. He didn't move. The ripples on the ground grew bigger and bigger the longer he stared at Takuya. The upside down boy had red eyes.

"I'm you," the upside down boy with red eyes said.

The ground vanished and Takuya fell.

The boy with red eyes smiled.

Plink.

Something hard collided with the back of his head and the dull pains made him groan weakly, shifting his head slightly to try to relive the ache. A throbbing headache pulsed inside his forehead, made worse by the unexpected blow. For a few minutes Takuya could do anything other than lying there because if he moved a blot of pain shot through his head. His prone from shivered and he dimly realized that he was freezing and most of his limbs were numb

When the pain dimmed down Takuya slowly and hesitantly opened his eyes only to stare in front of him in confusion. Was he still dreaming? The only thing he could see was a consuming darkness and not a single recognizable thing. Takuya gasped harshly, his dry throat protesting and sent him into a spastic coughing fit.

Instinctively he curled on himself, scraping his clinking legs on the hard, uneven floor and bringing them to his stomach, numb as they were. Tiny pinpricks stabbed at his leg muscles and made him wince in discomfort. His lungs protested and his throbbing headache pulsing behind his eyes fiercely until he had to close his eyes again. It hurt. Everything hurt.

Takuya didn't know how long he lay there, holding his head. His wrists were heavy and something cold and hard dangled next to his face but he didn't open his eyes, not willing to risk the pain. His body kept shivering and Takuya noticed that his hands were freezing and that he couldn't feel the tips of his fingers.

He breathed in deeply, trying to distract himself from the pain. After several breaths, the headache retreated slightly, leaving him in manageable pain. Slowly and very deliberately he inched his arm under his head, squeezing his eyes shut, and carefully pushed himself up. After several tries he managed to sit up, his arms quivering as he cautiously placed his head on the wall behind him, resting his boneless body. Takuya stifled a whimper.

As he tipped his head back Takuya realized how pathetic and weak he was acting. He frowned at himself and opened his eyes, greeted by the same darkness as in his dream. He sat there for a while, letting his eyes adjust. Before the panicky thought of being blind started to sink in Takuya began to see faint outlines and tiny pinpricks of light. A sudden sense of relief came over Takuya.

The air was cold and musty around him, making him huddle as much as he could, trying to preserve body heat. He was still wearing the red outfit he wore to the Bara Danzu but it was made of thin material and didn't help much. Takuya sneeze and sniffled, feeling the slightest bit sorry for himself.

Izumi…

Takuya closed his eyes again as a surge of white-hot rage erupted from inside him, threatening the wall around his core. That two-faced witch! How could she betray him like that? Takuya had given her a second chance after everything she did, comforted her, and had given her the chance of become his friend and this was how he repaid her. Every word she said to him had been a lie, a complete lie! Izumi had tricked him and now this was what he got for believing in her.

He had given her a second chance because of the honesty she showed him. Izumi had bared her soul to Takuya, totally and completely, and had given up Kouji to him. She had been chasing the Knight for years now and she gave him to Takuya because she realized that she would never get the affection she had wanted so badly. To make that kind of sacrifice meant a great deal to Takuya, a boy who knew the very meaning of sacrifice. And for that moment, that very movement in which she gave up she had earned Takuya's admiration.

His respect.

But now he realized that had all been an act to get him to get him to let down his guard and to open himself to an inevitable attack. Or at least, that was what he told himself but he knew better than that. His heart told him differently.

The pure raw emotion and the desperation in her voice, it couldn't have been acted. There was just no way. That girl, that hurt and wounded girl was the real Izumi, not the imitation that everyone knew and hated. That had all been a mask. Izumi had shown her real self to Takuya and had told him the truth. He may be no Seer but he knew that Izumi had spoken nothing but the truth.

So why did she betray him?

Takuya had been so ready to forgive her, to offer his friendship to her and to comfort her. He had been willing to overlook everything she had done to his friends and him. Takuya had seen himself in Izumi and realized that they were more alike than anyone had seen. Takuya knew that, if given the chance, they could have become the best of friends instead of worst enemies.

It wounded him to have his confidence betrayed in the worst way possible but as sad as it really was, Takuya was use to the pain of betrayal. He was no foreigner to that kind of pain. It had just been so long that last he had been deceived that the actual act had hurt him more than it was supposed to. He had softened over time and the affection he had received from Kouji had spared him a majority of the hurt he would have otherwise received.

Kouji…a pang of guilt and fear hit Takuya as he thought of the Knight. What would Kouji think now that he wasn't there anymore? Would he look for Takuya? It hurt like hell but he hoped, with everything he had, that Kouji would look the other way and forget him. His heart squeezed painfully at the thought of Kouji forgetting him but Takuya was in danger. He knew that and if Kouji, or any of his friends, tried to rescue him then they would get hurt. And that was the very last thing he would every want for his friends. The friends that had welcome him with opened arms.

He didn't know who grabbed him, he had never gotten a name, but they was only one group would know who he was. Takuya…

Takuya was scared.

He was so cold and the freezing weights on his wrists rubbed his skin irritably. He couldn't see anything well enough to know where he was. How far away was he from Calvis and his friends? This wasn't how it was supposed to go! Any of it! He was supposed to be dancing with Kouji and laughing with his friends not here freezing and alone.

At…at least, it was only he. Hadn't he left his home in Izumai to protect his family and loved ones from any danger that might come because of him? He had left to make sure that he wouldn't hurt anyone anymore. Takuya had gone from the only life he had ever known because he was a target.

To tell the truth, he wanted Kouji and his friends, or anyone, to come and help him. He was alone and lost, in the mercy of anyone who came. He wanted to be back in Calvis and his warm dormitory. He wanted it so bad. He…he didn't even know if he would ever see Kouji again.

Takuya wanted to cry at that thought. It hurt like nothing else he had ever felt before. To never see Kouji again or to touch him was a torture that Takuya never thought would hurt so much. Had he really become so attached to Kouji in the short amount of time they had together?

"You love him and I love him. There's no more to it, pipsqueak."

Izumi's voice rang inside his head. Love…did Takuya really love Kouji? Takuya had a revelation right then, alone and without warmth. Takuya, really, didn't know what love was. At least, not the type of love that two lovers shared. What would it feel like? Would he feel his stomach develop butterflies and his mouth grow dry every time he got near that one person? Would his mind shout in joy every time that one person would smile at him or hold his hand? Would he feel safe and comforted every time he stood by that person's side? Would his lips tingle and stretch into a smile every time that one person would kiss him softly? Would his heart beat so loudly with bliss every time that person held him close?

Would he feel like the most cherished thing on earth when that one person looked at him with love in his eyes?

If that was love, then Takuya already knew that answer.

It didn't matter that he was alone and scared because he knew that, somewhere, he had someone who held him and kissed him. He had been shown the love that he always wanted. Maybe, that brief stretch of time, would be the last he would ever see of Kouji but Takuya now knew what it felt like to be loved and even if Kouji didn't feel that kind of love towards him, he had given Takuya the greatest gift he could ever remember wanting. It was corny and cliché but that was what love was all about wasn't it? Kouji, his Knight, stay safe, please. That was all Takuya wanted right then and there. Even more than escaping he wanted his Knight to be safe.

Takuya exhaled shakily, wincing at the pain. His whole body felt stiff and unused as if he had been sleeping for days. There were goosebumps on his skin and shivers raked his body as a draft brushed against him. It was so cold. Takuya never liked the cold. He liked the warmth, the glow of his fire.

His fire! How could he have forgotten?

Takuya couldn't help but grin despite the cold. Takuya slowly lifted his hands in front of his face, the heavy clanking sound following his slow movements. The noise disturbed him very much but he ignored it in favor of getting some warmth back into his aching body. He couldn't see his hands but he could feel them trebling against his face as his hands shook. He had to get some warmth soon or he could get really sick. No matter how good his immune system was this kind of cold would definitely bring some sort of illness and he knew that he couldn't afford to get sick. Not in this situation when his life could depend on it.

The young Elemental swallowed, the walls of his throat dry and sensitive. He took a deep breath, ignoring the dryness, and let his barrier lower slightly, letting through a small tendril of power from his core. Takuya's eyes took on a glowing red tone, making his view take on a red tint. His bones sang and his blood flowed as the magic traveled from his chest to the tips of his fingers. As soon as the magic reached his fingertips Takuya knew something was wrong.

Suddenly the cold metal weights on both his wrists went from cold to below freezing in mere seconds, the sudden temperature change startling Takuya into gasping. As faint sizzling noise was the result of the sub-zero metal meeting the thin skin on his wrists, burning his skin with an intensity that rivaled a second-degree burn. All of a sudden, as Takuya's hands gripped the icy metal in a futile attempt to stop the cold, his magic retreated behind the barrier and back into his core, leaving his body even colder than before.

Takuya silently gasped and brought both his burning hands to his chest, tiny tears appearing in the corners of his eyes as he gritted his teeth, trying to ride out the quickly irritating skin. Slowly the metal on his wrists changed temperature, gradually going from freezing to cold to merely lukewarm, leaving his wrists in pain and irritation. Takuya gingerly tired to check out the damage he received by carefully rotating his wrists, wincing.

What was that? Takuya frowned as his headache pounded with vengeance in his temples. The thick bands of metal had only became really cold after he tired to conjure a flame. Maybe it was some charmed object that stopped him from using his magic and escaping. An uneasy feeling came over Takuya as he nervously rubbed his wrists, feeling around the metal surface for any sign of a latch or keyhole that might open the unwelcome manacles.

His fire, his Elemental power, was his only weapon, the one defense he had against his captors and unless he could somehow kind some knives or a sword (which he was pretty sure his captors wouldn't just leave lying around) then he was practically defenseless. This did not bode well for his health. If only he had brought Kuroi and Shiroi with him then he would have the Weaver's presence with him but they were locked in his trunk in the dormitory.

"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."

Was this what the Weavers tried to warn him about? A trickster…Izumi! So Izumi was the trickster that they tried to warn him about! But who's the watcher? "If thee fails to liberate thyself," means that if Takuya didn't free himself then something very bad will happen to the future. It was all making sense now. But there was one thing that still bothered him. But how could he escape when he had no weapons or power and was probably miles away from any help?

The more he thought about it the more depressed Takuya felt. Even if he were going to be rescued how would his rescuers know where he was? He didn't even bring his Traker with him and he had no way of communicating with anyone. It was probable that he would never see his friends or family again.

No! Think positive Takuya, positive was good. Positive was the only thing that was going to get you out of this mess. He may be in danger but he wasn't going to go out without a fight. Even if he didn't have any magic or weapons his bare hands would have to do. And maybe his bare feet too.

Takuya sighed and leaned back, making himself comfortable and bringing his knees to his chest in order to conserve as much warmth as he possibly could. He hated the cold, damp, darkness. It reminded him eerily of his dream and the past succession of dreams. He didn't understand it the dreams. Could the Weavers have been trying to communicate something through his dreams when they couldn't meet with him? He had only seen them one and heard them twice; it wasn't much to go on.

The visions of the Elementals and Destiny's book still left Takuya with a blank. Why would the Weavers go through the trouble of giving him a book and visions of the past help with anything in the future? It still sickened Takuya to think of his predecessors as murder and mindless hunters of innocent people. Takuya promised that he would kill himself the day he didn't anything like that and he knew he would keep it. What did the past have to do with the present? But Takuya knew there were a connection, some link between the actions of the past Elementals and what was happening to him right now. There had to be something… Why would Fate and Destiny just tell him instead of giving him all these obscure clues?

They told him to keep his dagger with him at all times and they would be with him but what would happen if he didn't have the daggers? If the last time he heard from them was as he thought the Weavers could be in trouble with the gods. After all, they said the gods didn't allow them to interfere with him. How much trouble would they get into because of him? Guilt settled into Takuya. Even if they were immortal beings they could still be punished.

All of this, the wild fires in Izumai, the burning field, the Black Oracle, his raging power, all of it could have never passed if he was never born. So much pain and suffering could have been prevented if he hadn't been around to cause it. So much could have been prevented…if he had never been born like he was supposed to. Aguni should have just let him be. So much pain and sadness had been caused by him. Wasn't all that enough proof that he should be dead?

But if he had never been born he would have never met his friends and grown from all they thought him. Kouichi was his best friend and he had never let him down. He had supported Takuya through everything and never said a mean word to anyone. Because of him Takuya had learned to see beyond the surface of his problems to get to the core and the meaning that he needed to understand.

Juri was like the sister he never had, the soothing piece that had calmed the heartsickness of loosing Mimi. She was caring to the point of annoyance but she always had a comforting or scolding word to help him, never solving his problems but pushing him in the right direction. She reminded him of his mother, a fierce spirit whenever something precious of hers was threatened. Because of her Takuya knew and believed that fear and the past couldn't affect the person you want yourself to be. If you didn't let that haunt you then you could be whatever you wanted to be.

The cheerful and constantly bouncing Daisuke had always had a smile for Takuya, every day without fail. His encouraging and competitive spirit never ceased to amaze Takuya, his endless wells of energy springing forth from his eyes. Daisuke was the kind of guy that was quick to anger but just as quick to forgive and forget. His slightly ditzy attitude made him lovable in more than one way. From him Takuya knew that doubts and insecurities are often the walls that stop us from having what we wanted and if we just tear those walls down then luck might be in your favor. After all, if you don't catch the wave, you'll never get to ride it.

But wherever Daisuke was his friend, Takato was never far behind. His disapproving personality and his smart way of reasoning should have been major reasons in why Takuya wouldn't hang out with a person like him but his easy going nature and kind ways instantly made all those other qualities seam like nothing. His logic and caution had saved them from detention more than one time. Takato always looked like he had a secret but that was okay. Takato had showed him that sometimes it was better to think before you act and observe the situation if you wanted to protect something dear to you. Rashness was sometimes your own enemy.

Hazu had been an instant click with him even if his odd flirting had a way of embarrassing and startling him. His quick wit and crazy plans had often brought them one step closer to their goal despite their risks, Takato's blatant worries, and Juri's forbiddance of the plan. He had been the one to often cure them of their boredom with crackpot schemes that they could ridicule and laugh at. Hazu proven that the most wasted of days is one without laughter.

He could never forget Tai, the cheerful Knight with a sad friendship and an unrequited love. Takuya knew more than most to want something so bad even if you know that you could never get it. Tai had lost something that had been very dear to him, Sora's friendship and that all fell apart because of the rivalry and betrayal for the love of the same person. To keep on loving the person who tore his friendship apart wasn't desperation or courage, it was perseverance. Tai taught him that strength doesn't come from physical capability but from an indomitable will.

And he couldn't forget his ever studying tutor, Ken. To think that the someone teaching him something was a person Takuya considered his friend. Ken was the smartest person Takuya ever knew and it wasn't an exaggeration. Maybe Ken wouldn't consider him a friend but Takuya certainly did. His solid but quiet presence made him a person Takuya would confide in and trust. Ken, throughout the whole year, had never once made him feel stupid despite the difference in knowledge and for that Takuya was grateful. Ken helped expand his horizons and enjoy (most) of his classes. Because it is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.

The faces of his friends flashed through his mind and many more came. Tanshin, Tomoki, Izzy, Yamato, Takeru, Maki, Ryo, Rika, Izumi, Sora, Lee, Mimi, Junpei, his mother, his father, Shinya, Kouji… A sense of calm flew over him as he thought about the people he knew or respected and warmth grew in his chest like his core was reacting to his memories. He was still scared, make no doubt about that, but he had a sense of purpose now, a reason to fight and not give up because if he did, then, he would never see any of them again.

Takuya would fight. If not for him then for the memories he still wanted to make with these people. The memories that he wanted to create.

Takuya chuckled to himself. To think that all this mushy crap would come to him while he was trapped in some freeze-your-ass-off place with absolutely no light. But…if he wasn't mistaken, the dark wasn't all that dark anymore.

What? Takuya blinked and shut his eyes against the sudden flare of light from somewhere below his head, grimacing as the headache came back for another round. Takuya hissed and moved his head back so that he was facing the ceiling. The unexpected bout of light almost permanently blinded him for good. Then the light started to die down and Takuya, out of the blue, had a small panic attack but he calmed down when the light just decreased in brightness and didn't go away.

When he could blink his eyes and open them without the sting Takuya looked down anxiously for the source of light. Call him crazy but it was very unnerving for him to be stuck in a dark, cold place where he was firmly restrained and no one knew where he was. Takuya looked in amazement and softly touched the sun inscription that was glowing and smiled.

"…the rune that he carved was the courage rune and it will protect you in the darkness."

It looked like his parents' gift came in handy after all. The courage rune, a sun with two circles inside and eight spikes around the outside, was glowing softly, showering a yellow glow on his chest and legs.

Feeling braver now that he had a source of light, Takuya didn't question this miracle but used it to examine for the first time his quarters. The glow didn't light up much around him but it did give him a better view. As far as he could see the walls and floor was made of pure stone with moss and debris inhabiting inside the cracks, making the floor look slightly slimy. Takuya grimaced but continued his observations. The room wasn't very big since he could see shadows that the light was creating in the corners of the area, clinging like rats. Actually Takuya wouldn't be surprised if there were rats in there…but he would rather not dwell on it.

The ceiling was rather low. Takuya could have reached it with the tips of his fingers if he were standing up. Tiny cracks in the ceiling were dripping small droplets of water that ran down the walls unto the floor. To his dismay there were no windows he could see but he did notice the rectangular holes around the bottom of the walls, which were letting in a cold draft. He could see no light from the holes so either they didn't lead outside or it was night.

There was a faint outline of a door in the wall in front of him over to the left but it seemed as if it hadn't been opened in years. Well, wasn't this a very pleasant place to be in…

"This is just great," Takuya muttered to himself, his throat just bothering him a little. He sighed and knew he would be here for a while until his captors figured it was time to get him. For what he wasn't sure but there was no way he was going with them willingly. Takuya just wished he'd picked up the habit of sharpening his teeth everyday. Would have helped him a lot here.

He shifted slightly so that the light would land on his shackled wrists. The bracelet Izumi gave him was still on him with no clasp for him to get it off so he grudgingly left it there. A wide band of black metal encased each wrist firmly and a rather thin chain connected the two manacles to a ring that was attached to the floor. The chain was barely thick enough make much noise and, by the looks of it, he could break it with a bit of pulling. So he tried. He placed both feet determinedly on the wall and pushed backwards, holding his hands as far behind his head as they could go but it didn't do much. The chains jingled but refused to break no matter how he strained.

Defeated, Takuya slumped back down and glared at the manacles. They were the only things that stopped him from breaking out of this soggy hole. The chains must be charmed too. Well that just fantasstic!

Takuya silently fumed, not wanting to realize in exactly how much danger he was in at the moment. He frowned, looking on the ground for a sharp rock he could use to saw the chain off but something else aught his eye. Deep in the shadows of northeastern corner was a lump of something… He wasn't sure what it was but it looked it like it was a bundle of sorts.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Takuya got on his hands and knees and slowly crawled towards the bundle, the chains jingling behind him. The circle of light hung on his neck and swinging quietly, casting shadows on the floor and walls. Takuya crawled his way there, ignoring the dirt he was getting on his red robe and black pants. The chains jerked him to a stop when he was inches away from the bundle and he looked at it, slightly disturbed.

As far as he could see it were a bundle of clothes, a mixture of black, yellow and green, all dirtied beyond repair and torn in several places. The clothes just lay there like they had been there for centuries. Takuya hesitantly reached out and managed to snag the edge of a yellow cloth so dirty he could feel the grime and dirt instantly. He ignored it and slowly pulled the bundle towards him, bits of rotten cloth ripping away and snagging on the floor.

As he sat down more comfortably (or as comfortably as a slightly damp stone floor could get) Takuya carefully pulled the different clothes from each other. When he finished he had two individual pieces. The black cloth looked like it was some kind of cape that had been ripped to almost shreds, the stitching barely holding it together. The material felt wet and slimy so he put it down hurriedly but gently. For some reason, he wanted to treat these clothes with respect. They obviously belonged to whoever had been here before him.

What…was this? Takuya carefully held up the remaining cloth and slowly stretched it out, letting the material rest on his legs. It…it looked like a dress. Or what once was a dress more specifically. Even though the style was old Takuya could tell it had been made for a tall, slender woman that traveled a lot. The dark emerald dress was made of thick, lasting material and the seams were sturdy and solid which was probably why it was in better shape than the cape. The petticoat was shorter than most dresses and the sleeves were smaller and less wide with little to no lace. There were holes in the back that told Takuya that the dress was tied in the back rather than buttoned in the front but the strings had already rotted away.

"What's a dress doing here?" Takuya muttered, letting his hands run over the filthy fabric. The outer skirt that once had been yellow was now a muddy brown and looked like tiny teeth had chewed on it many times.

He ran his hands over the material, ignoring the obvious filth that stained the almost dirt-brown dress. Unlike most of the dresses he'd seen this one had a higher neck line and the fabric that covered the shoulders stretched to cover almost the entire throat, leaving a hole to show the yellow undershirt. He'd never seen this kind of dress before and it was kind of old fashioned.

Dust and dirt stained his hands quickly and some dropped onto the stone floor but it wasn't like he was unused to dirt. He used to live on a farm after all. Why would his captors leave this kind of dress in his cell? Maybe they never noticed it before. Takuya cocked his head and looked around for anything that looked like blood or a body and was relived to have found nothing. He was pretty sure that dark spot over there was a puddle of mildew.

Then one of his wandering hands met something that didn't feel like heavy fabric. Takuya looked back and dug his fingers around the place. There was a slight bump near the waistline and it felt like little sharp edges. Takuya dragged the dress closer to his face and shined the light on it. It looked like a small portion of the stitching at the waist was loose like it had been unstitched and hastily replaced. Carefully, Takuya undid the weak strings and poked around. His fingers met a limp piece of fabric and he slowly pulled it out.

It was a piece of parchment, barely bigger than his palm and so old that it didn't crinkle as he unfolded it, smoothing it out on knee. There were two small words, almost completely unreadable.

Too late.

For some reason those words sent a shiver up his spine and it bothered him. He felt like he should recognize these words. Had he heard someone say them before? It shouldn't because 'Too late' were common words. It nagged at his brain for a while as he was trying to figure out why he felt as if he should know who said that. What did that mean? 'Too late'. What did the owner of the dress mean by that?

Takuya didn't have time to think about it because at that moment the sound of a rusty lock turning alerted him that someone was coming in. The feelings of fear and determination flashed in Takuya as he threw the dress into the farthest corner without second thought and stuffed the old parchment down his shirt. Takuya took a deep breath and tried to stand up but ended slumping against the gritty wall as his legs almost buckled.

The door opened slowly and torrents of dust flew into the air, letting in a soft halo of light. Takuya suddenly thought of his chocker and the light, fearing that if they found out he had it they would take it away. His parents gave it to him! And with that panicky thought the light diminished and the rune returned to a simple carving on cheap bronze metal.

A burst of light blinded him for a moment before the door was pushed closed again. A small crystal ball dangling from a piece of twine held a trickle of light, which lit up a hidden face. Two sharp blues eyes stared at him from under a large pointed blue hat. Blonde hair stuck out from under the rim and trailed down the back of a blue, ragged cape. The yellow and orange suit covered the body from head to toe. Several crescent moon-shaped pendants dangled from the legs and pointed brown boots. Gloved hands held a small bowl carefully as he stared at Takuya calmly with no malice, standing near the door.

Oddly enough, Takuya didn't feel like this guy presented too much danger but that was probably because he was about Takuya's size and height (which isn't too impressive). But Takuya didn't let his guard down, instinctively hunching his shoulders to make less of a target. The strangely dressed boy didn't make any more moves towards him and he didn't seem to be armed which soothed Takuya a tiny bit.

The stranger didn't move for a while, observing him with an intensity that made Takuya's hackles rise. The ball of light threw up the boy's shadow on the wall behind him, making an engorged shape with a pointy head. Takuya didn't feel like he was in any immediate danger but this guy was too… oh, what's the word? Too…Tanshin-like, just staring at him like that and making him uncomfortable. The light glinted off his moon charms.

"…" The boy slowly moved as if not to frighten Takuya. He carefully bended down and placed the bowl on the floor, in Takuya's reach, then stepped back and clasped his gloved hands. And he didn't move.

Takuya glared at the boy suspiciously and made no move towards the bowl. Like hell he was going to eat whatever shit they wanted him to eat. It was probably poisoned or cursed anyway. He pushed off from the wall and stood correctly if not a bit shakily and glowered at the boy.

After a few minutes of silence the strangely dressed boy sighed quietly. The sound after a long time of silence seemed to be as loud as a rearing horse. Cursed animals. The boy slowly walked back to the bowl, eyeing Takuya as he shrank against the wall. Oh, how he wished he had his fire.

A single gloved finger nudged the bowl in Takuya's direction as if saying 'take it'. But it would take way more than that to make Takuya eat anything from freaky kidnapping dudes. When the boy saw that Takuya was not going to move from his trusty wall he sighed again and picked up the bowl this time.

"…" He stared at Takuya again and Takuya stared back defiantly then he offered the bowl to him as if expecting Takuya to eat what's in it just because he was handing it to him. When Takuya didn't reach for it he shook the bowl a bit as he cocked his head curiously.

What does it take for this guy to get a hint? "I don't want it," Takuya said firmly and tried to mold his body into the wall behind him even though it didn't suck him in like he wanted it to.

The boy just stared at him passively and shook the bowl again.

"I'm not eating that," Takuya said again more forcefully.

The bowl shook again.

"Take it away!" Takuya exploded, almost launching himself on the strange boy in frustration but was held back by the chains. "I am not touching that thing! You can't make me!" So that last part was childish but he figured that if he was held against his will in a musty old dungeon and forced to eat Aguni-knows-what then he's entitled to be a bit childish. Thank you very much.

The bowl was still shaking stubbornly.

"No! No, no, no, no!" Takuya all but yelled as he waved his arms energetically, suddenly feeling better. He didn't notice the small flash of light from his chocker pendant but kept trying to impersonate a chicken. The thin chains jingled merrily as they moved through the air.

The bowl shook yet again.

"No! Go away!" He was starting to get irritated now. "I'm not touching that for the last time!"

The boy sighed again and placed the bowl on the ground where it had been before and took a step forwards. Takuya started and forced himself to stand his ground. This guy was his size so maybe he could take him. The strangely dressed boy looked at him curiously.

"…eat it," the boy said in a quiet voice. Takuya was startled that the guy could actually speak but he started to deny the bowl. "…I can't leave without you eating it, Fire-Holder."

Fire…Holder? Now that's one name he was sure he had never been called before. Fire-boy, shorty, peasant, pretty boy, pipsqueak, are just to name a few. Nice to have some variety.

"Still not eating it," Takuya said stubbornly, crossing his arms.

"…There's nothing wrong with this, Fire-Holder" the oddly dressed boy said in his quiet voice, gesturing slightly to the bowl. "Just some cheese and bread…not poisoned or damaged."

"That's what you say," Takuya said suspiciously. He wasn't going to trust some guy who belonged to the group that kidnapped him that easily. After what Izumi did he would have to be more careful in who he puts his trust in. "That's doesn't mean that it could knock me out or something."

"…Luce doesn't what any damage done to you," he explained slowly, nudging the bowl with his foot towards Takuya. "There's nothing there other than food. It would be unethical to harm you."

"Who's this Luce guy?" Takuya asked, eyeing the bowl warily considering it now since his stomach just reminded him of when he last ate.

"…you will know in due time," the boy assured him. He pulled a corner of his hat further down his face. "I'm known as Wizard and I was appointed to be your watcher. I'll be just out the door…I'll come for the bowl in half an hour."

And with that Wizard nodded his farewell and quickly made his exit, his cape billowing out behind him. Before Takuya could do anything other than open his mouth, the peculiar Wizard was outside of the room and locking the door. Darkness descended rapidly into the room and the rusty lock turned, leaving Takuya gaping and utterly confused at the sudden departure.

Unlike the first time, the pendant slowly lit up until it glowed enough to light up a few feet in front of him. Takuya frowned and decided that if he was going to spend the next few hours in darkness then he was going to do something that he knew would solve very little but would make him feel better.

He started to sulk.

Takuya sat back down and wrapped his arms around his knees and started rocking slowly, thinking. Okay so let's see his options right now if Takuya actually took Wizard's advice. One: he could get up and eat the bowl of cheese or whatever and get poisoned and die. Two: he could get up and eat the bowl of whatever and somehow not get poisoned and be not hungry. Three: he could still get up and…. Well, that's it. He could risk it on a stranger's word or throw it away. Choices, choices.

He was very hungry Takuya realized and he would need his energy to find a way to escape. Food equals energy. But food could also equal death (or sickness but death was more dramatic).

He stared at the innocent-looking bowl then he looked at his stomach, which was starting to rumble.

Food or possible death.

Hmmm…

Takuya decided he would have to risk it as he hesitantly reached out and grabbed the bowl. To his surprise the bowl was in good condition, not a chip and scratch anywhere on the blue paint and it actually looked clean. It wasn't something he would have thought captors gave their prisoners. But he wasn't complaining, that's for sure. He tipped it so that the light shinned into it.

Just as Wizard said there were three slices of creamy yellow cheese and a piece of warm brown bread. His stomach grumbled in protest and he dove into his little meal, no longer worrying about poison. Delicious goodness! Even thought the best was better it still reminded him of the little breakfasts that his mom made for him early in the morning. Just some cheese and bread.

He wondered how his family was doing. Shinya's birthday would be in three months and it hurt that he might not be able to see him turn twelve. He missed them. He even missed waking up early to plow the fields or dragging a grumpy Shinya along to refill their wheat bags. He, incredibly, missed his mother's endless lectures and the fierce scolding, even the ear pulling. He missed Mimi so much that his hand stroked his chocker, right over where the sketch is still hidden. She was the first outsider to give him a chance. He hadn't seen her or his family in over six months. How much had he missed? How much had his little village changed?

How much had he changed?

Did he really want to answer that question? Takuya sighed a little around a mouthful of cheese and stuffed the rest of the bread in his mouth, feeling depressed. He didn't even get to say goodbye to Shinya. He knew his brother would guilt trip him to the moon and back in the future years to come for that. He missed Shinya's constant whinnying and curious questions. He missed his family, their little home, their fields, and even the distrustful stares of the villagers. At least, the, he knew that they would never harm him. Here, he didn't know.

He took out the old piece of paper he found in the dress and grasped it tightly in his fist. Would the day he left the last time he would ever see his family again?

He wanted his Kouji.

Takuya felt cold.

A rustle of feathers.

"You are a senseless fool."

The crackling of a fire. A bashful gesture.

"Yeah, I know. But don't worry. I'll take care of it."

A slow current of air.

"I certainly wish it so. You dwell not in his good graces at the moment."

A trickle of smoke.

"Don't worry, Kaz', you know I fix my mistakes."

Scratch of talons on stone.

"I hold misgivings that you, solely, will restore the black relics from this misdeed. He will have to lend his assistance on this quest."

A smoky laugh. The smell of ash.

"Don't worry. We've worked together before. And this will be no different. We'll fix it."

Rustle of clouds and the cry of hawks.

"For the fate of humanity, I wish it so."

There you go. It took a while but it's finally finished. So tell me what you think and if it's any good.

Review and all will be well.