A Digimon Frontier AU Fanfic
By: Sakura Martinez (a.k.a Haru Glory)
A/N: Well, I didn't expect to be late in uploading this new chapter, but it seems I had been carried away and ended up making this chapter a wee bit longer than I first had planned it on my head. Of course, that is better for me since it would lessen the number of future chapters I would need to write before I could finish this fanfic, lol.
Anyhow, Internet connection is still very unstable and having to upload this chapter was kind of a big pain since it was really slow. Luckily, I was able to upload it for today. (For those wondering, I'm writing my author's notes on FFN's edit document function.)
Well, a lot of thanks for those who reviewed once again, lol, that seems to be becoming a redundant line for me. Anyways, here's the next chapter in The Rabbit on the Moon, it's entitled, Feeling the Bonds, enjoy!!!
The Rabbit on the Moon
Feeling the Bonds
They continued on running without looking back, for they could feel that those bandits were after them by now with the smoke clearing up little by little. Gone was the oil lamp and the only light guiding them as they made their escape was the large glowing orb that lights up the night sky.
They took a rough turn by the corner hoping to lose their pursuers while still holding each other's hands. Whether they were oblivious to that fact or not, it could only be guessed.
It was only when they took a turn towards a narrow pathway did they stop to take a breath from all that running, and it was only then that they knew who they were with…
"Shin?" She said quite surprised, "I didn't know that you were the one who grabbed me."
"The same goes for me, Lady Megumi." He replied, looking over at his shoulder to see if their pursuers had caught up with them.
"What was that you threw at the ground?" Izumi asked, curious.
Takuya replaced his sword back to its sheath before he replied whilst still trying to catch his breath. "Oh that? That's my hometown's specialty. It's called, 'Smoke Bomb'."
"Smoke Bomb?"
Takuya nodded. "Yes. I would really like to elaborate on that further but it seems that this is not a very good time for that."
"Of course." Izumi agreed for she too could hear footsteps, a lot of them, getting closer and closer, as well as sounds of rough voices.
They did not wait to see whom those footsteps and voices belonged to. Instead, they scurried through the narrow pathway with Izumi leading the way and Takuya very close behind her with his left hand on his sword's hilt.
As they continued to run deeper and deeper to who-knows-where, they began to hear the sound of running water.
"That sounds like a river." Takuya managed to say as they continued to run.
"But how?" Asked Izumi, "I thought the bandits buried the river."
"Well, I think it's possible that they didn't bury the whole river." Takuya replied, thinking hard. "If they were planning on occupying the village by themselves, then surely they would want some source of water and food. Maybe they made it look like they buried the whole river when in fact they only buried part of it just so they could scare the villagers."
"If that's the case," Izumi said as she came to a realization, "We can escape if we follow the river and head upstream."
Takuya nodded. "Let's just hope that the current isn't too strong or that the river isn't deep."
They ran and ran and soon they found themselves face to face with the rushing river which was in the western corner of the city. It was the only thing that was hindering their escape for they saw that the western wall on the other side of the river was completely destroyed and open for escape.
"What are we going to do?" She asked as she saw how strong and fast the current was.
Takuya began to scan his surroundings. If there was one thing he learned at the Academy, it was to always look for a way and never give up in a critical moment, and this, for him, was surely a critical moment.
He saw that there was an opening to the northern part of the river, it was perhaps the waterway of the village that keeps the river alive. But the current was too strong and the river was too deep for comfort. He then noticed something else in the river, it was the rubble that was possibly washed over when the walls of the village crumbled. Then he realized it, if he could see the bottom, then that must mean that that area wasn't deep at all.
He was about to tell Izumi/Megumi not to worry when an arrow suddenly came flying by which managed to hit his right arm causing it to bleed.
"Shin!" Izumi shouted, worry and surprise evident in his voice.
Takuya and Izumi both whirled around to see a small group of bandits, one of them holding the bow from which the arrow was fired from.
"Nice shot, mate." Said one of the bandits over to the one holding the bow.
"You can't escape from us now!" Said another bandit, "The river is too strong for anyone even a Knight of Frontiria, and you can't fight us with a wounded arm now, can you, brat?"
Takuya winced as he took the arrow with his other hand and pulled it off of his arm, he managed to do but it took quite a lot of effort from him. He looked over at Megumi/Izumi and told her that he was fine, then he glared back at the group of thugs that were now advancing closer to them.
"Give up, brat." Said the bandit, "It would be easier that way, for you, the lady and ourselves as well."
"You've got to be kidding me." Takuya said, mustering enough courage. He knew that, with a bad arm, he could do so little against so many bandits plus it would be hard fighting against someone while defending Megumi/Izumi. "You expect us to let you bandits get away with anything?"
The bandits stopped in their tracks and began to laugh at Takuya's attempt. Little did they know that he was stalling them. As the bandits were having their time jeering and making fun of their prey, Takuya took the opportunity to whisper over to Izumi whom he noticed was pretty much shaken and worried.
"Lady Megumi," he began, "we have no other options at the moment. Though I hate to admit it, these guys are right, I don't have much of a chance winning against them with an arm like this."
"Then are we going to give up?" She asked in disbelief. He had expected Shin to come through for both of them.
Takuya managed to smile despite the pain that was throbbing in his right shoulder. "Of course not. Even if I am not a Full-Pledged Knight just yet, I still can't let them think they've beaten us. I still have some tricks up on my sleeve."
"What are you talking about?"
"The river is our only salvation." He managed to say.
"Are you out of your mind?" She asked, she could not help but be surprise that he would even think of using the river with such a strong current. "We can't survive if we use that, can't you see that the water is too deep and its current is strong to rip us to shreds?"
"You best give up, boy." Said a bandit, "Who knows, if you give up now, we may be able to spare you. After all, we're only after the lady."
"What did you say?" Izumi asked.
"You heard him." Said another bandit, "The boss got a job from a very powerful person and he wants you dead, so, what do you say boy?"
"Lady Megumi," Takuya said still glaring at the bandits who were now awaiting his decision. "I will never hand you over to them."
"You made the wrong choice, boy!" said the bandit. "Let's get 'em!"
And with that the bandits came rushing over towards them.
Takuya hurriedly held out his hand over to Megumi/Izumi and said with seriousness and sincerity in both his voice and his face, "Trust me."
When Izumi saw his face, she could not help but feel the sincerity in him and she can't help but remember the boy in her dreams – the dreams that had plagued her for as long as she could remember.
She nodded, and despite the uncertainty of what her companion would do, she agreed to trust him as she took his hand.
Takuya smiled, tightened his grip on Izumi's hand with his left hand and forcing his right to move to his pocket, he drew a couple more of the Smoke Bombs and threw them on the ground causing an uproar.
They took the opportunity and jumped into the river. Much to Izumi's surprise, the part where they had jumped in was quite shallow that it only went up to her neck. Takuya then gestured her to keep quiet and follow him and together they made their way to the dark opening that he saw.
The smoke screen soon faded and the bandits were surprise to see that neither Takuya nor Izumi were there. With Takuya and Izumi hiding by the small 'cave', they could easily hear what they were saying and because of that they heard the voice of the person who seemed to be leading that certain group of bandits.
"They couldn't have gotten far." He said, "make sure to notify the chief and tell him that we've injured the boy."
"Yes, sir." Said another gruff voice.
"We can't let them escape or the chief will get in trouble." Said the first bandit, "The boss'll give us a lot of money if we get to kill that Orimoto girl…then maybe we can get away from this stupid dump."
Izumi was worried, not only for her safety for surely there was someone wanting her dead, but also at the fact that her disguise might be known and Shin might know who she really is.
She waited along with him until footsteps showed that the bandits were moving out to search for them, and she waited still as she looked at Shin waiting for his reaction on what he had heard.
"Surely," she thought, "he must've realized that the bandits meant her and that they were not mistaken."
Minutes seemed to fly by and still Shin didn't react on what he heard. Instead, when he was certain that there was no one waiting for them outside the cave, he sighed.
Anticipating that he would realize who she was, Izumi readied herself. But the words she thought she would hear never came.
Instead he said, "I think they're already gone from this side of the village."
He released his grip on Izumi's hand and placed it on his wounded arm wincing at the pain.
"Shin, are you alright?" She asked, quite worried. "That bruise seems pretty bad, we have to get out of the water soon or it'll worsen."
Takuya nodded, "You're right, my lady."
And with that, Takuya led the way swimming over to the cave's opening. He gestured Izumi to wait as he checked the surroundings. After making certain that there was no longer a soul around the area, he took her hand and they both made their way to the fallen western wall. It was a hard swim as the current was going along with them and they need to control themselves lest they would want to be carried away by the current.
They managed to swim over to the wall, however, and made their escape from the 'Buried City' of the thieves.
Takuya knew that they would widen their search outside the village, and if that's the case, he and Megumi would have to get as far away from the city as possible. He knew as well, that with the night as dark as it was now, the bandits would have to wait until morning before they could run after them when they had figured out that they had managed to escape the village.
If that was the case, they could still manage to sleep or even rest when they are quite far from the village.
"I'm sorry, Lady Megumi," he said which startled Izumi who had still been expecting to be called 'Izumi' rather than her fake name, 'Megumi'. "We would have to travel a bit farther before we can both change clothes."
"It's fine by me, Shin." She replied, still uncertain as to why he was hiding the fact that he knows who she really is. "But, are you sure you're alright with that wound?"
"I'm fine." He said smiling sincerely. "I can still manage, besides, I'm tougher than I look."
At that, Izumi could not help but giggle a bit and Takuya's grin widened, but soon he winced.
"Well, we better march off now or else they will catch up with us." Takuya said.
"What about Kouichi and my brother?"
"They would certainly be okay." He said, "Besided, Sir Kouji did say that if we were ever separated we will all make our way to Ciel and meet up there."
And with that, they began on walking as fast as they could.
Hours seemed to have flown by before they saw a small abandoned shack in the middle of nowhere. They made their way closer to the shack and they saw how rundown the place was and that it was really abandoned.
"Do you think it's safe to stay here for the night?" Izumi asked, her eyes weary.
Takuya went on ahead and inspected the building, after making sure that there weren't anyone or anything dangerous inside, he went back outside.
"We can rest here for the night." He said.
And with that they both went in. Once inside, Takuya placed down the bags which he was carrying and so did Izumi. Both of them began to look around for anything useful for their stay and they did found some thing which was a couple of candle sticks and blankets.
The house, apart from being rundown, had a couple of rooms and was made of wood. There was a kitchen which seemed to had not been used for ages, a bathroom which didn't have any clean water and a bedroom.
Izumi having inspected the whole place as well took out a candle and went over to the bedroom where Takuya was.
"How are we supposed to use this?" she asked holding the candle over to him, "We don't have any matches any longer after that 'dip' at the river."
"Don't worry about it." Takuya said as he took the candle and placed a hand over the wick and muttered something under his breath. When he took his took his hand off the wick, Izumi was surprised to see fire burning in it.
"How did you do that?" She asked surprised. "Don't tell me that's another one of your village's specialty."
Takuya grinned, "I'd tell you about it later, my lady, first I'd suggest you change your clothes before you catch a cold or something."
She would have argued and demanded to know, but she was already feeling cold and so she took a couple of dry clothing from her pack and went over the bathroom to change threatening to kill anyone who would take a peep at her while she is changing.
She soon finished changing and hoping to hear Takuya/Shin's explanation, hurried back to the bedroom only to see Takuya/Shin wearing nothing but a pair of dry, black pants.
Izumi could not help blushing at the sight, but her blush soon turned into worry as she saw Takuya's wound was still unclean and was still in need of attention – attention, which, he was not giving it.
"Shin, you should really clean that wound of yours." She said as she sat down beside him to inspect the wound a bit more closer, "If you don't you might lose that arm."
"Well, there's no point in making a fuss over it." Takuya winced as Izumi began to clean the area near his wound which had already been covered in blood. "We can't clean it without water. I doubt that the water left on the containers in this house is useable and there isn't any place to get water from. So it's no use worrying about it."
Izumi did not seem to listen to what he had just said, instead she moved back to where her pack was huddled in the corner and took a small box from it. Takuya followed her with his gaze, wondering just what she was doing.
She took a look at the contents of the box soon after she took it out of her back and nodding, went back to where Takuya sat with a questioning look.
"I knew it was a good idea to bring this first aid kit." She said as she sat down and opened the small box after placing it on her lap. "I was hoping that we would not have the opportunity to use it and that no one would be hurt, but I guess it can't be helped."
"You sure are prepared, Lady Megumi."
Izumi smiled, then taking a bottle out of the box and opening it, she poured some of its contents on a clean piece of cloth, looked at Takuya and said, "This might sting a bit, Shin."
He nodded and prepared himself for it. Even though he had been hurt a couple of times during training, this was actually the first that he was actually pierced by an arrow. He knew that whatever first aid treatment was given, he would eventually have to go to a doctor and ask the wound to be stitched and he knew that he would have to do it as soon as they come across a town which had the necessary medical equipment for the job. With that on his mind, he felt that this wouldn't hurt that much compared to how it would feel at that time.
Despite that, he could not help but grit his teeth and winced. The stinging feeling was soon over and he found his wound being dressed up in bandages by Izumi/Megumi.
"Done." She finally said after a while. "That's the best I can do until we find a doctor."
Takuya nodded and thanked her as he smiled. As he was about to stand up, Izumi noticed something on his back.
"Shin, what's that?" she asked.
"What's what, my lady?" he asked, confused.
"That small symbol on your back?" she asked as she took a curious look at it.
It seemed to be the same as the one on her back, the symbol was like a letter of a foreign alphabet but it was quite different than hers. She of course kept her mouth shut about herself, for she remembered her father forbidding her to talk about it.
Shin however, seemed not to care about hiding something like that as he began to tell her all about it.
"This?" he said, "It's a symbol that I'm from the Harim, the warrior village. I don't know exactly when I got it but my mother told me long ago that it was already on my back when I was born. She had said that it was perhaps a symbol of being destined for something."
"Do you know of any more symbols like that?" she asked, she didn't know why but she felt anxious to know.
Takuya nodded. "Harim is the only place in the world where the citizens all have a birthmark. I've heard there are ten different kinds all in all, but I have only seen three of them."
"Do you have a name for those symbols, Sir Shin?"
Takuya thought for a while then replied, "Actually, the Village Chief had once told me that mine was the Birthmark of Fire, he had said that it meant I was made to be a warrior with burning passion….Of course he was quite old by then and I was too young to know whether he was just playing with me, my lady."
"Well, I guess that is yet to be known." She said giggling.
Takuya grinned back and stood up as he took a shirt from his back and wore it on, wincing as he did. He hated the wound that was tormenting his movement.
Soon, they felt the need to eat. Takuya, once again chanting the same 'spell' he used to conjure fire, went outside to make a bonfire to cook their meal while Izumi carried the ingredients for their food outside as well as the utensils that they would be using.
As they were both preparing for their meal, Izumi can't help but wonder why Shin had not mentioned a thing about the whole bandit escapade. She wondered and wondered, trying to think up of a reason, but failing every time.
Every time she would take a quick look at Shin's face, she could see a sad look in his eyes. She wondered if it was because she had lied to him about her identity or something else of which she did not knew about. And she wondered whether she would open it up or not.
Ever since she had met this Shin-person, she has come across many mysteries. Why is it that she felt so relieved when she first saw him? Why is it that she feels so warm around him and only him? Why does his smile makes her feel secure? Why does she feel and talk with him with ease? Why does he remind her of the boy in her dreams? Why doesn't he seem to mind who she was or it seems to her? And why does she keep on thinking about him?
It was when they were eating their supper outside by the moonlight could she no longer keep the question that was bothering her to herself at that moment…
"Shin?" she asked as she looked down on her soup.
The young Knight Apprentice looked over at her and swallowed the food that was on his mouth and asked, "What is it, Lady Megumi?"
"Why is it?" She asked, making Takuya confused. "Why is it that you kept calling me that when you heard and understood what those bandits said? Can it be that you are just rubbing the fact that I lied in my face?"
Takuya's shock expression soon changed to a warm hearted smile as he shook his head. "That's really not the case, my lady."
"Then why?" She asked, her voice rising demanding an answer.
Takuya sighed, he had never liked explaining himself, his behavior to others, much less to her. Yet, he knew that he has to do it. She may be the daughter of his father's rival, but he had always believed that he was not his father and was not bound to such a rivalry.
"There has to be a reason why you told us that your name is Megumi, right, my lady?" He said looking at her. "I don't really believe anyone could do that without a very heavy reason for doing so, besides, I know full well what has been happening to those who were related or simply close to the Commanders of the East and West."
Izumi saw this as her moment to explain to him the reason why, he deserves it after all.
"My father seemed to have always been regarded as Commander Kanbara's rival, his enemy because of what seems to be different perspectives. That was how far as I know." She began, "He wanted me to investigate on a matter concerning Jerusha, the capital city, he had heard rumors that the King was plotting something that was not for the benefit of the people and so he wanted to make sure."
"A rumor?" Takuya asked setting his bowl down. "What rumor is that?"
"I don't know, that's why father wants me to investigate it. I was against this whole mission, of course, for it is not a job suited for a lady, but he insisted." She replied after taking a sip of her soup, "He knew it would be dangerous, that some people may try and stop me or worst, kill me, so he arranged that I would go as the Vice Commander's younger sister."
"Like I've said, you have your reasons." Takuya repeated, then in a whisper added, "Besides, you aren't the only one."
Izumi looked at him confused, "What did you say?"
"It's funny really how things happen, don't you think so, Lady Megumi?"
"Why do you insist on calling me by that name?" she asked and added, "And what do you mean by that?"
"Well, would you rather I call you Lady Izumi instead?" he asked smiling.
"Yes I would, that is, until we meet up with Kouichi and Kouji. When that time comes, please act like you didn't know." She replied, finishing her meal.
Takuya nodded. He then took another piece of wood and threw it in the fire, making it shed more light and warmth.
"Lady Izumi, can I ask you something?" he said, his eyes focused on the dancing flames of the campfire finding something of interest in it.
Izumi nodded, wondering what kind of question he would ask.
"What would you do if you were to meet the Eastern Commander's son?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"That's quite an out-of-the-blue question." She said.
Takuya forced a smile and nodded, "Yes, it seems that way doesn't it? So, my lady, what would you do?"
Izumi thought for a moment. She had not imagine such an event as to meet with her father's rival's son. She hadn't seen him in all of the parties for aristocrats even when she had seen the East Commander himself on certain occasions.
Takuya glanced at her, waiting patiently for her answer but dreading it as well. He could not help but think how unfair it would be if he knew who she really was and she did not know his true identity at all. He wanted to tell her but when he thinks of a reason other than that, he can't come up with any.
A gust of wind blew and they both shiver at the coldness of the wind that they huddled closer to the fire.
It was only then that she gave her answer.
"I guess," she began, Takuya listening intently. "I don't know until I meet him."
He was expecting that as one of her answers, but he wanted to have a clear view on what she really thinks and so, he asked, "Wouldn't you feel hatred towards him?"
"Why would I?" She asked back, "It's not like we're the ones who are arguing about something that the whole Frontiria seemed to have forgotten the reason why. Of course, it would still depend on his attitude."
Takuya smiled, he liked her answer and her eyes, they were pure and bear no signs of lying, unless she was already good at that that he could not see anything.
"That's good to hear."
"Huh?" Izumi asked, she was really confused as to where this conversation was going, but she had a strange premonition of where it was heading. "What are you saying, Sir Shin?"
"The only reason why I agree with the whole idea is when Kouichi told me of the possibilities that would happen if ever the Vice Commander knew who I was." He said as he stood up and looked at the moon. "I didn't know who you were at that time, but the fear of being hated for who I was made me agree to think up a different name for myself. Of course, even if I would have known beforehand who you really were, Lady Izumi, I would have still done the same thing.
"The Knight Apprentices' Captain had told us the importance of trust in missions, I thought that if anyone other than Kouichi would know who I was they would not trust me, especially someone who was close to the Western Commander." He went on, Izumi looking at him and listening at him intently. "But I guess it would better that it came from me rather than finding it out by accident…"
"What are you talking about, Shin?"
Takuya then took something out of his pocket, it was a crest engraved in pure gold that was certainly worth a lot of money. He then kneeled down beside Izumi and handed it to her.
Izumi took the golden crest and looked at it. Her expression changed from confusion to surprise when she saw what was engraved on that crest.
"This is…" she stammered. "The Kanbara Family's Crest…"
"Lady Izumi, my real name is Takuya Kanbara, the Western Commander's son and currently Knight Apprentice at the Knight Academy." He said as he looked directly in her eyes.
When he said those words, Izumi was shocked. This was certainly something she had not expected and she did not bother to hide that fact from Takuya.
To be continued…
A/N: Whew, that was quite a long chapter, 26 pages in total, and I was hoping it would only be as long (or short, depending on your perspective) as the previous chapters. Anyways, like I've said, it's all good.
Anyhow, hope you guys liked it!
I had to cut this chapter soon after that revelation (for both of them) for the fact that the story for the next chapter was already planned and cannot be changed despite the change in length of this chapter.
The fact that classes would be resuming for me would only mean that I would have to delay my updates, sorry about that. But that's not until this coming Wednesday. For now, I'm still on vacation mode so, as soon as I finish a chapter, I would upload it.
Well, with all that said, I guess it's time to log out now. By the way, be sure to send a review for this chapter since I want to hear what you guys think of the story thus far. I'll be waiting wink!