A Digimon Frontier Fanfic

By Sakura Martinez (a.k.a Haru Glory)

A/N: Well, our classes have resumed and I have the whole week filled with subjects that I have to attend, all of them are Major Subjects and are pretty interesting as well. Anyhow, I have to apologize for the delay of this chapter. I was suppose to upload this last Sunday, but, circumstances hindered me from doing so ( I was asked by my sister to help her with her project, and it took quite a long time than I had expected). Anyways, the fact is that I have uploaded this now, so without further delays, I present to you all the next chapter of The Rabbit on the Moon entitled, At the End of the Wilderness. Enjoy and Happy Reading!!

The Rabbit on the Moon

At the End of the Wilderness

"What are you talking about?" Izumi asked, shocked. "Are you making fun at me."

"No, of course not." Takuya replied.

Izumi stood up, she knew that it would have to be true. The crest which she was still holding in her hand was proof of it. No one but the Kanbara Family has one of it, and the only person in that family who had a golden one was the Commander, his wife and his son. But she did not wish to believe it.

Takuya stood up the moment that he saw Izumi rise from her seat.

"Lady Izumi?" he asked, wondering if she was alright.

"It's really funny, my father wanted the Knight Apprentices that we would be hiring to not belong to either the his corps or to the Western Commander's, but then it happens that you were chosen." She said. "Now I fear my father's wavering faith in the King would be known."

"What are you saying?"

"I bet you're dying to tell your father everything that you've learned, right?"

"Izumi, I've told you haven't I, I don't intend on choosing sides. What my mission entails me to do, I will do. Even if he is my father, he has his own life and I have mine." Takuya said. "You should know by now I am committed in doing my mission and my current mission involves protecting you and not tattling on to my father whatever I may find."

Izumi bit her lip. She knew he was telling the truth, but she cannot help but feel angry.

Instead of talking it over with Takuya, she immediately walked back inside the rundown house saying that she was already tired.

"Izumi…" he muttered as she vanished inside the house. He sighed, he knew that it was going to happen, yet this was better than her learning about it through another person or by accident.

He stood up, he too was tired and so, after putting the fire out and cleaning up the mess that they have made, he went inside. He then saw Izumi lying on the bed with clean blankets covering it, apparently she had dusted the thing before lying down. He wasn't sure if she was still awake or not, but knowing what his duty was, he decided to get a blanket and dust it off before sitting by the bed blocking the only entrance to the room and facing the large window where the moon was shinning brightly.

He then began to hum a tune; it was the lullaby that his mother used to sing for him when he was still a child and before he knew it, he fell asleep.

It was a bright and perfect sunny day – perfect to go out hiking in the forest beyond the Village's southern gate where most of the villagers train to become stronger and later brought to the Knight Academy.

Takuya was walking briskly, a small knife on one of his hands while his other hand was holding on to someone else, whom he was half-dragging.

"Can't we slow down a little, Takuya?" a voice asked, it was from the person he was dragging.

"We can't." He replied looking behind, "If we slow down, those things will catch up with us."

They continued walking as fast as they could. They would have ran, but the terrain was very dangerous to even try running what with all the traps lying around.

The farther they got, the darker the forest seemed to become as the tall and thick trees began to shut out the sunlight.

They slowed down a bit, any wrong turn may cause them to be lost in the forest with savage beasts surrounding them.

"I'm scared." Said his companion.

"Don't be." He said, "I'm here so you have nothing to worry about."

Just then, a sudden howl caused them both to jump in surprise. The wolves were close, and in such an environment they beasts have the upper hand.

With a sudden jolt, Takuya woke up.

"How long exactly are you planning on lying asleep like that?" Izumi asked, an eyebrow raised, one of her foot on Takuya's belly. Apparently, it was her way of waking him up.

"What?" He asked, as he sat up and rubbed his belly.

"Who was it that said we had to hurry or the bandits may catch up with us?" she asked as she went over to where their bags were placed and began to pack her things up.

Takuya looked over at Izumi who had her backed turned against him. He sighed thinking that this was not how he hoped to wake up. His stomach began to rumble a couple of seconds later that sent a blush to his face and he wondered whether Izumi had already eaten or if there was even enough left to eat.

"I don't think you can do much on an empty stomach, Sir Kanbara," Izumi suddenly said which surprised Takuya, "there's some food left on the table."

Takuya smiled as he stood up, "At least I can say that she's not that mad." He thought.

When they were all set, Takuya and Izumi began to make their way through the desolate landscape. Both of them wondering how far they would have to go or where exactly they were at, but none spoke. They also wondered where their two other companions are, their faith that both Kouji and Kouichi are safe made both of them put their minds at ease.

Takuya looked over at the Compass which he was holding in his good arm, the arrow pointed to the west which meant that they were indeed going the right way.

Hours passed and the small rundown cottage that they slept in was no longer visible and the scenery began to change. Forests began to come in view and the hard sand which they had walked in for the past day had become a ground of pasture. The only thing missing for them to know that they were truly near Ciel was the sight and sound of a river or any body of water.

"This is a good thing," Takuya said as he continued to look around. "we can be rest assured that the bandits from last night would no longer come to this area."

"How can you be so sure of that?" Izumi asked.

Takuya glanced over at his companion whom he saw was waiting for his reply, which of course, he gave her.

"That's because those bandits, The Scavengers, could only go as far as the place that they had called their territory. As far as I know, this area is full of bandits, which meant, there are many territories that can be found here. If we happen to be in another bandit group's territory then that would mean that the Scavengers would no longer be able to hunt for us."

Izumi looked over at him confused, then asked. "How did you know that we are no longer in the Scavenger's Territory? Not only that, but what makes being on another bandit's territory better?"

"Well, if those bandits owned this territory then they would have made their turf here since they would more likely be able to find more food here than on that fallen city." Takuya replied. "As for your other query, Lady Izumi, wouldn't you agree that having our things stolen is better than being killed?"

"I don't think I would like neither one of them." She retorted.

Takuya grinned, "Neither do I. It's just a thought, though, my lady. Of course, I would try my hardest to make sure that you get safely towards your destination and back at your abode."

After their discussion, the two continued to make their way through the forest, hoping that, if this was another bandit group's turf, they would not be able to face them.

As they continued on walking, Takuya could not help but think how this seemed pretty much like the dream that he had. He thought himself fortunate that it wasn't exactly like his dream, and hoped that it would not turn out to be a sprint into the deeper parts of the forest with a creature running after him.

The dream, he thought, was really vague for him to even tell whom he was running with and who was running after him. He was sure, however, that that dream seemed more than just a dream – it seemed like a memory to him.

He wasn't sure when exactly, but he knew that he was still a child back then and he knew where that dream, or memory, took place.

Izumi, who was walking behind him could not help but wonder what Takuya was thinking at such a moment, as they continued walking. She was sure that whatever it was, it was something that would make him lost in thought.

She was still surprised at how things turned out to be. She, Izumi Orimoto, the only daughter of the Eastern Commander is with him, Takuya Kanbara, the only son of his father's 'enemy', the Western Commander.

She could not help but think how different he was with the person who was fighting against her father. She could not help but think that if in this mission he was allowed to abandon her, would he do it?

She knew how important missions are for Knights, especially those who are still in-training, for mission are their passes to becoming full-pledge Knights.

She doesn't know much about him to make her fully trust him, yet. And he doesn't know a lot about her as well, yet, he was willing to risk his life even when he learned of who she was.

Silence was what accompanied them as hours passed and they find themselves deeper in the forest with only the small path guiding them to where the exit supposedly was to be found, only resting every once in a while to catch their breaths or to eat their meal.

It was almost dark fall and they still continued to push forward, but their hike was soon interrupted as rain started to pour down heavily on them and thunder with lightning roared on the sky overhead.

Looking for a place that would shelter them from the rain, Takuya and Izumi found a small cave underneath a large oaken tree. The cave was big enough to fit five people in it and still have room. It wasn't the perfect accommodation that either of them would have wanted, but it was the only place available in the forest that they were in.

Both of them was wet from the rain, and soon, a cold wind began to blow that made Izumi, who had been unaccustomed to sudden weather changes, to shiver. Takuya who saw her feeling cold, of course went ahead and did something.

Muttering a different incantation from the one he used the night before, he managed to summon fire that could he threw to the ground which made a campfire for both of them.

"Thank you." Izumi said as she drew closer to the fire, seeking warmth.

Takuya smiled at her and looked back to the outside which was now being cleansed by the hard pouring rain.

"I think it would take a while before the rain stops." He stated, his eyes still lingering on the forest. "I guess we'd have to spend the night here, Lady Izumi. I hope you wouldn't mind."

Izumi looked over at his direction. "As if there's anything we really can do about it."

Silence filled the air once more. It was apparent that both of them were feeling awkward with each other. The rain seemed to grow stronger and stronger by the minute that it seemed like it was not just your ordinary rain, but a storm instead. There were still some occasional thunder claps and lightning flashes that went along with it.

"Do you have any idea how those bandits could have known that you would be heading that way?" Takuya suddenly asked catching Izumi off guard. "It seems like they were certain of who you were and that you would be heading their way with how many they were there and how prepared they were."

Izumi shook her head. "I really don't have any idea. As far as I know, this mission is even kept secret from father's superior, the Eastern General."

Takuya thought about it for a moment, then said, "I know it might not be my place to say, my lady, but perhaps there is a traitor among your father's midst."

Izumi eyed him suspiciously. "Of course I have considered that, I have even considered the fact that you might be giving them hints of where we are heading."

Takuya looked at her, quite taken aback by what she had said. "How can you say that, Lady Izumi. I have no intention on stabbing anyone in the back. Besides, you can't really call me a traitor since technically, I am not serving under anyone just yet."

Izumi thought for a moment, it was true that she had suspected him at first, but that was no longer the case.

"Then how about that companion of yours, Sir Kouichi?" she asked.

Takuya shook his head. "I find that hard to believe. He is a Knight Apprentice just like me. Not only that, but his loyalties lie on neither your father or mine."

"What do you mean?" Izumi asked.

"Kouichi is the Southern General's grandson." Takuya replied. "It's in their family code never to get involve in other family's feuds."

"The Southern General's grandson, huh?" Izumi said, "It must be hard for him, his family must be expecting a lot from him."

Takuya nodded. "I find myself jealous of him sometimes."

"Jealous of Kouichi?"

"His family might be expecting a lot from him, but still, they respect his decisions." Takuya explained with a sigh. "There might be a lot of rules in their family but he still has freedom to do anything he wishes, compared to me."

"You seem not to like your father very much." She noted.

Takuya looked over at her, "I used to like him a lot. I even looked up to him and thought that I would want to be just like him when I grow up. But, ever since my mother died, he changed. He has been more bent on having power more than anything else. Most people thought that, if I were to be given a choice on who I would serve under, I would choose my father, but actually, I would rather not."

"I see." Izumi said, she clearly knows how he was feeling, for she sometimes felt that way as well. But unlike him, his father still had some sense in his thick skull. "I'm sorry."

The apology surprised the young knight-in-training. "Sorry? For what, my lady?"

"For thinking ill of you." She replied. "I guess, even when I said I wouldn't judge others, I have still judged you even when there are a lot of things I still don't know about you."

Takuya smiled as he looked at her. "You don't have to apologize for anything, Lady Izumi. I fully understand your actions, though I am glad that you are no longer angry of me."

Izumi smiled back thinking how he really resembles the boy in his dreams. She could not help but think of what a coincidence that Takuya was from Harim, the same village where she had dreamed she was saying good-bye to someone. She wanted to ask him if, by any chance, he remembered a girl from when he was a kid, and even the story of the Rabbit on the Moon – searching for any hints if he was indeed the one.

But, there was a fear lingering in her heart -- A fear of hearing the answer from him, especially if he was indeed the one. She could very well imagine her father's reaction when he hears that he has fallen for the son of his rival.

It was not that she has actually fallen in-love with him. No, not at all. She was always on guard with her feelings with anyone, especially him, now that she knew who he was.

She was snapped from her thoughts when Takuya suddenly stood up and a strong thunder roared through the heavens.

Takuya seemed to have noticed that she jumped in surprise, so he said, "It's alright, my lady. Stay here."

"Why? Where are you going?" She asked, she wasn't frightened at the now darkening skies, but of what the dark might be hiding.

Takuya pointed at the now open bag where their food rations were kept. It was almost empty, and as it seems, it would only be good for one more serving and Takuya was obviously giving her that one last serving of meal.

"We don't have anything for both of us to be able to eat, but since we're in a forest, I might find something to eat." He explained. "You best stay here, my lady."

"I know where in a forest filled with threes but with how dark it is outside, I don't think you'd be able to find anything to eat at all."

Takuya grinned, "You seemed to have forgotten that I can light any path, my flame isn't about to be diminished by some rain. Not only that Lady Izumi, but along the way I spotted a mango tree. Eating Mango is better than eating nothing, wouldn't you agree?"

"What if bandits attack while you are outing picking for some food?" She asked.

"Don't worry." Takuya said, grinning, "If you find yourself in trouble, just call for me and I'll come rushing back here. Okay? In the meantime, you go on ahead and eat what's left of our rations."

Izumi nodded and Takuya went on his way. She could see his silhouette as he made his way to a large tree not so far from where they were hiding. Having calmed herself down a bit, Izumi went on ahead and prepared her meal.

The words that he said suddenly brought back her thoughts to the most familiar dream. She was already getting annoyed of having to think of that dream over and over again, it would have been good if she could remember such events ever happening, but she couldn't.

She looked over at the ingredients that were left and she could easily see that there was still plenty for the both of them so she could not help but wonder why he would rather have mangoes instead. She made a mental note to ask that of him later when he returns.

Meanwhile, outside, Takuya had managed to climb up the tree. The lighting and thunder had subsided while the rain continued to pour down on him. He did not mind though, he looked over at his surroundings atop the tree and he saw, not far off, a small village with lights.

"That must be Ciel." He thought, although it was still pretty difficult to see.

He squinted his eyes some more as he held his clenched, fiery fist above his head. He saw that they were not far off from their destination, just a day more of hiking and they would be in Ciel. Knowing this, he picked more mangoes before climbing down the tree.

When he got back to the cave, he saw that Izumi had finished her supper.

"We don't have far to go, my lady." He said as he helped himself with some of the Mangoes he had picked. "We're already nearing Ciel."

"How did you know?" she asked as she peeled one of the mangoes that Takuya handed to her for her dessert.

"I saw it on top of the tree. I'd say we'll be arriving there tomorrow, before supper." Takuya replied.

"I see."

Takuya looked at her confused. She did not seem all that happy at all, instead she was worried.

"What's wrong, Lady Izumi?" he asked, concerned.

"It's nothing, I just can't help but wondering how you could be calm about all this."

"Calm? About what?"

"I told you about the reason why we are heading for Ciel and then to Jerusha, right?" She began to explain.

Takuya nodded.

"There is one thing I did not mention to you before," she went on, "but it seems like your father has something to do with it as well as the Northern and Western Generals."

Takuya was silent for a while. Somehow, he didn't feel surprised about the news. He did not understand why, but he somehow expected to hear something like that.

"Aren't you a least bit concerned, Sir Takuya?" she asked.

Takuya had already finished three whole mangoes and was now going for his fourth when he shook his head and replied, "Not really. I mean, I am worried about what will happen if, for instance, I happen to bump across my father while I am with you and the others and I am worried that, if whatever this rumors are saying is true and if my father is somehow connected with it, of how people would think that I am for my father. But apart from that, the only concern I have is keeping you safe while the Vice Commander is away."

"You seem to really be into this mission of yours." Izumi said. "You really want to be a knight, don't you?"

"Not really." Takuya replied, "I can't even remember the reason why I went on ahead to the Knight Academy."

"Then why are you so hell-bent on completing this mission?" she asked. "I mean, most of the Knight Apprentices that I have heard of who doesn't really want to be Knights just keep it easy, but you seem to be a lot different from all of them. Is it because you don't want your father to feel embarrassed if you fail at something?"

Once again, Takuya shook his head laughing. "Not really. I have already disappointed my father quite a few times in the Academy. If you want to know, the only thing I excel in is sword handling and common sense, apart from that, I'd say I'd failed my father quite a few times."

"Then why?"

Takuya looked at her intently. His eyes filled with seriousness as he asked, "Do you really want to know?"

Izumi nodded. "I asked, didn't I?"

"Alright then can I ask you if you trust me?"

"Yes." Came the uncertain reply.

"You're not too sure about that, aren't you, Lady Izumi?" he said.

"Okay, so maybe just a little bit."

Takuya smiled. "That's okay."

"But what does trusting you have to do with my query?" She asked.

"Because, ever since I learned of who you were, I knew it would be hard for you to trust me, just as I, at times, find it hard to trust you." He explained. "But even if it has just been a day since we both had our secrets told – of who we really are, I wanted to change that. I wanted to prove to you that not everyone related to my father, not everyone who follows his commands are like him. I want to complete this mission, to ensure your safety even if it means that I had to take a bullet for you, I would do so, just so you could trust me."

"Takuya…"

"Even if you order me otherwise, unless I have proven that I am worthy of your trust, you would find me very stubborn." He concluded.

Izumi smiled. She could very well see the stubbornness in his eyes as he looked at her seriously. She really could not help but think how different Takuya Kanbara is from all the other Knight Apprentices she had met. She somehow felt that he could probably go the distance, to heights that even his father could only dream of.

As for Takuya, he knew that she might not realize it. But he could feel that little by little, he had somehow fallen for her. What he said, although he didn't say it, was a promise that he intended to keep. A promise that not even his father or her father could stand against it.

To be continued…

A/N: Another long chapter. Well, I hope you guys liked it. I wanted to make this chapter shorter than how it came out to be, but it was proved impossible. It seems like this chapter was meant to be written longer so that for the next chapter…well, that's a surprise, lol.

Once again, I would like to thank everyone who reviewed for the past chapters and for those who continue to read this fanfic. For those waiting for the CoT: CB update, it seems like you guys would have to wait a bit more. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Well, that's about all there is for today.

Until next time, don't forget to leave a review for this chapter!

Ja ne!