A Digimon Frontier Fanfic

By Sakura Martinez

A/N:

Well, this took a long time to finished because I had to study for my exams and so. Anyways, the point is, I've managed to finish this just in the nick of time.

Before you guys go on in reading this chapter, allow me to thank all of you for getting this far with me in this fanfic and for reviewing as well. We are far from finished though, so you can expect a lot more twists and turns before our story reaches its climax.

With that said, enjoy the latest chapter in our story

The Rabbit on the Moon

Epilogue of the Battle

The sun's rays gave life to the well-decorated and expensive looking room. Shelves were placed on one corner where books were scattered as if someone had been reading through every single one of them.

Ornaments ranging from paintings to small statues to porcelain vases of all shapes and size that one could imagine decorated the other half of the room. If it weren't for the bed in the southern end of the room, anyone who comes across and takes a peek at this room would think that it is some sort of exhibit.



The flooring of the room was lavish. The floor on the place where the bed rested was a very expensive red carpet that have golden linings.

In the middle of the room rested a small table and chairs to go along with them. It too looked very expensive like the rest of the room.

There were not much noise in the room except from the sound of breathing from the person who was occupying the bed. If one were to take a glance they would think that this person was in his deathbed – which is not the case as he is only in a deep slumber, whether he is in a peaceful one or not is an entirely different matter.

Chiaki had done her best in healing most of Takuya's wounds however, as she is still in early stages of Spirit Energy development, she could only do so much with so little amount of energy left after the feat she managed to accomplish onboard the ship. Most of Takuya's wounds, thanks to her healing magic, were closed and loss of blood was stopped which saved his life. But, even when the wound stopped bleeding, he is still unable to open his eyes… or rather, his remaining left eye. For even with such advance magic as one could learn, it would be impossible to return his eye especially if it has been forced out.

Everyone was worried about his condition. Although Izumi and the others whom he had made to think that he was dead were angered by his action of hiding his true status, they could still not erase the fact that they were very worried of his condition. He was, after all, still their friend and in Izumi's case, the person whom she loved the most.

The sound of Seagulls echoed true the harbor of Shore as the sound of crashing waves joined in a melodious concerto with the buzzing noise that the general public made as they continue on with their daily activities.

The sun, shining over head with the clouds playing with the wind and forming all sorts of shapes, only served to lift the people's spirits. However, despite the almost festive mood of the people of Shore, inside the walls of the illustrious mansion where the Organization Leader resides, it was entirely a different manner.

With Takuya resting on one of the Guest Rooms available in this intricate mansion, Katsuharu took his time to report to the Leader of their current status as well as to ask for permission for Izumi and her entourage to have an audience with her.

"So, that is what happened…" The Leader said. "I was wondering what the commotion was all about and why I haven't seen Takuya running rampant."

Katsuharu nodded. "I imagine you would want to take a look at him, my Lady?"

"No." The Leader replied. "Although I admit that I am worried of him, we have much more important matters to dealt with like that clone who took and ate his eye. I should have anticipated that the King and the boy's father would have thought of making something like that with the DNA they extracted from him. What's more, this clone did mention that they were developing a lot more of his kind which can manipulate the same kind of Spirit Energy as Takuya, correct?"

Katsuharu nodded yet again. "Yes. He did say that. And now that he had managed to obtain Takuya's eye, it is possible that the King would use the clone's DNA to create more powerful clones for his army. What confuses me is his objective. Isn't obtaining the keys and opening the Ancient Door more important for him than world conquest?"

The Leader sat down on her leather-coated chair and sighed before speaking. "It seems he has a lot of plans in mind and doesn't care which of them is fulfilled first. What about the Kouichi boy?"

"Ah, yes… That was the main reason why we were forced to accompany them in close range, my Lady." Katsuharu began to explain. "It seems this Kouichi person was also forced to go with those other clones in exchange for his Grandfather's safety. Now that we know the connection between those people who can manipulate flame like Takuya does and the King and his men, it is safe to assume that we can very well expect clones of him and his power in the future…or much worst, he himself working against us."

This made the leader thought for a while longer before speaking. "Then we have to move quickly to make sure that none of that happens. I will ask our spies to look into the matter and as soon as we get word of his location we will dispatch. Now, is there anything else?"

"Yes." Katsuharu replied. "Lady Izumi Orimoto and Lord Kouji Minamoto would like to seek an audience with you. Will you allow them?"

"There is no use hiding anything from them." The Leader spoke and nodded. "Tell them that I shall meet with them later."

"Yes, my Lady." Katsuharu bowed before walking off out of the room.

Izumi let her hair be blown by the wind as she stood on top of the balcony, her eyes closed and replaying the events onboard the Ship. The fact that Takuya is still alive brings joy in her heart and yet, this joy is also mixed with anger and frustration.

He had kept his promise that he would find a way to get out and yet failed to fulfill the part of returning to her. Although he did so now, it was only because the events on that accursed ship brought that to transpire. What if all that didn't happen? Would he still have told her the truth? This was the question that plagued her mind in that moment.

Worry was also another emotion that crept into her. She had been told that there are cases when a person experiences a trauma and shortly after goes into a coma. She was certain that what Takuya had undergone and that feeling of his eye being ripped out would give anyone a trauma and a hard time forgetting it. If that is so, is he really not in critical condition now? What if the Doctor who took a look at him and all her friends were only keeping the truth of his condition from her? She could not help but doubt.

Her anger and resentment were not all directed on that Auburn haired one but on this Leader of the so-called Organization as well as its members particularly: Chiaki, Teppei and Katsuharu. They have to explain themselves well if they wish not to see the wrath of her fury.

Izumi found peace at that moment despite all the swirling thoughts. She was glad that Kaizen allowed her to be by herself and agreed to watch over Takuya while he sleeps and report any sudden changes in his condition. It was very useful having the Spirit Guardian of Wind around.

Izumi touched her lips and cringed at the memory. She had often dreamt that her first kiss would be with Takuya. She definitely didn't think that it would be with a person who looks like him – his clone.

She mentally cursed herself at that time when she caught a glimpse of that impostor's eyes. His eyes showed no love whatsoever, only malice and the hunger for power. She should have known, the first time that she and the clone met, that he was not Takuya and he could not possibly had been with eyes like those. But then, she remembered the cold way that the real Takuya, the Takuya that is now lying in recovery, looked at her as he acted as if he didn't know her.

Kouji had given her the heads up. He had told her what Katsuharu and the two others have told him of why his true condition had to be kept a secret even for them and why he had to pretend that he was a different person. But somehow, Izumi doesn't buy it. She would really have to demand the truth of the matter to whomever this exalted Leader was.

Despite the overwhelming mixture of emotions that she is feeling about Takuya, she still could not erase the worry that she also feels for her friend and Takuya's best friend, Kouji. It has already been five days since he decided to walk away from them in hopes of appeasing the desire of the King and Takuya's twisted father in order to save his Grandfather. If they could do that to the Commander-turned-General Kanbara's own son, who could say what they could do to him? Maybe something entirely worst?

"Damn them." Izumi could not help but curse.

Her contemplation was suddenly erupted when Tomoki stepped into the balcony.

"I didn't think you'd be wasting your time up here instead of being by Takuya's bedside, Izumi." Tomoki spoke as he walked towards her.

Izumi was surprised but immediately changed expressions. "Kaizen's with him."

"Yeah, I did notice when I went down there to visit." Tomoki replied laughing. "What about you? Aren't you going to watch over him."

Silence was Izumi's answer, an indication to Tomoki that she was still mad of Takuya. Tomoki did not know what else to do and so, he decided to went on talking. "Everyone's pretty much still in a state of shock of what happened on that ship. Who would have guessed it, huh, the King developing clones with his men and programming them to be killing machines. I guess we really have our work cut out for us now."

Izumi only just nodded and Tomoki went on. "Lord Kouji's busy making preparations for who knows what. I guess he's only doing that to keep his mind off of things. He has a lot to worry about – you, Takuya, the other rebels, even Kouichi and meeting with the Leader of the Organization. Oh yeah, that's right, you and Lord Kouji have been granted permission to speak with their Leader."

"That's good." Izumi said her eyes looking over the cerulean ocean and the harbor. "I've already prepared what to say to give her a piece of my mind."

Tomoki could only laugh half-heartedly. He was worried. Izumi really looked pretty angry and who knows what that anger could do. He silently prayed that the Leader won't provoke her to act irrationally.

"Lord Junpei is also shaken about what happened." Tomoki went on. "I guess he still has to get used to the fact that we would be fighting with magic against people who can use it as well. He seems to have found a renewed spirit as he practically begged Teppei and Chiaki as well as Katsuharu to teach him how to fight effectively. Isn't that something."

Izumi could only nod as her head began to drift off into thought once again leaving Tomoki to talk on and on and on…

Kouji could not stop himself from pacing back and forth. If his friends and companions could see him now they would probably laugh at him for acting giddy. If strangers were to look at him, he looked like he has a wife in labor and is awaiting for the baby to come out or something.

How unbelievable could their journey have gone to? First he was asked to accompany Lady Izumi to spy against the enemy Commander and the King only to uncover a plot that no one could have expected. Then, Takuya gets captured, tortured and they learn that he died soon after. The King's action then went from bad to worst which forced them to evacuate the capital and find safety from distant countries as rebels against the King of Frontiria only for Kouichi to be blackmailed into leaving them and joining the King and his henchmen. They were then attacked by mysterious people who can wield almost the same power as Takuya and then they meet up with Katsuya's group after their group had saved them. Then they board a ship in hopes of going to Shore and meeting with a person whom Katsuharu had said would help them search for Kouichi's whereabouts only to meet Takuya's clone and learn that Shin was Takuya. After that, everything went wrong. Takuya's eyes got plucked out and he was wounded and they ended up in Shore after going through what he would describe as a hell of a ride.

He still could not understand his role in all of this. If this was the price he needed to pay in order to protect the daughter of his Commander then, he could not help but think it was a bit too much. He was surprised when Chiaki came into the room and his surprise was not well hidden.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Lord Kouji." Chiaki said when she noticed the look of surprise in his face. "I did knock."

"Y-yes, yes, of course." Kouji said then added, "What can I do for you, Lady Chiaki."

"Actually, I just came by order of Katsuharu and the leader to inform you that you and the others have been granted an audience with the Leader." Chiaki said as she sat down at one of the three well-crafted chairs placed in the room. "You should really learn to relax for even just a bit, Lord Kouji."

Kouji stared at her for a moment before shrugging. "I am relaxed…only just thinking things through. I never would have guessed that things would happen as they had."

"The same goes from our side." Chiaki assured him. "Actually, the only one who doesn't seem too much surprised, confused or agitated with the whole deal is the Leader."

Silence was Kouji's reply. It was a while before he spoke and asked. "Is that so. Tell me, how is he? Takuya, I mean."

Chiaki shook her head slowly. "He has yet to awaken. As for his injuries, we managed to completely heal most of them but because his eye was gauged out…there was nothing we can do about that."

"I see." Was his reply.

At that Chiaki stood up and began to head towards the door. "I know for one that you have a lot of questions in your mind, Lord Kouji, just like the rest of your companions. I suggest you try to rest and keep your mind at ease before you meet with her. I am certain she will answer all of your queries."

Kouji merely nodded to acknowledge what she said before she went on her way.

"Ouch!" Junpei shouted, holding his head as he stumbled back. "You don't need to hit me that hard!"

Teppei shrugged, his face showed boredom as he replied, "You're the one who came running to us for help. You wanted to learn how to fight better and how could you if we don't attack you and you attack us?"

Junpei was silent for a while before sighing. He stood up and although he still felt nauseous from that last attack delivered unto him, he knew that he would have to endure that. Picking his training sword from the ground, Junpei poised himself once more for battle.

It was as Teppei had said. He had come to them for help. He wanted to learn how to fight – to really fight and not just depend on those who possess magical and mysterious powers as Lady Izumi. He was weak and he knew that he was incapable of helping with the battle at hand. He knew that the way he is, he would only be dragging them down.

But, after witnessing the events on the Ship on their way to Shore, he had swore to get stronger. He could no longer watch and do nothing while he sees Lady Izumi, the Vice-Captain and even the little kid, Tomoki give their all. He wanted to be strong.

He had been in the room with the person they called 'Takuya'. He had saw what happened to him. He fought the one that looks like him and no matter how damaged his body gained he still had the strong will to fight. He could not help but wonder if that was the reason why Lady Izumi looked at him as she did.

"My feelings for her are strong," he told himself that. "and I will not be left behind. I'll show her that I can be as strong as that Takuya. That she can also depend on me. Maybe then she can return my feelings for her…"

He dodged and parried many attacks that came along his way. Teppei saw that he was learning and learning fast indeed however, he also saw an opening and managed to know Junpei down once again.

"You're thinking way too much and of way too many things." Teppei told him. "You should learn to focus on the battle and learn to use your weapon as part of your body."

"That's easier said than done." Junpei muttered.

Teppei sighed. "I thought you were one of Lord Orimoto's knights. Why then do you fight as you do? It seems as though you have never undergone proper training or something."

Junpei did not know what to say at that time and so Teppei dropped the topic. Teppei figured that there must be some reason and if his 'student' is not yet ready to speak of it then he would wait for when the time comes when he is ready.

As the hours ticked by, the two continued on with their drill. Teppei teaching him how to fight well and Junpei learning from his teachings.

Flayhm hovered above Takuya's bed together with Kaizen, who was watching over Takuya. Flayhm's eyes held a worrisome look. He could not help but curse himself for not being able to have done something to spare his master and partner of the pain that he had felt.

He could have done something to prevent Takuya from losing his eye but, he was not able to do anything.

He blamed himself for his Master's predicament and Kaizen knew that.

"It's not your fault, Flayhm." She assured him. "You, both of you, did all you could. It just wasn't enough."

"Still…" Flayhm said. "Our purpose is to protect those that bear our mark. That is the reason why we were called 'Guardians' but, I…I failed my mission."

Kaizen shook her head. "You didn't fail…not yet, anyway."

"What are you talking about?" Flayhm asked looking at his fellow Spirit Guardian. "Look at him! His in very bad shape and he wouldn't be lying here if I was stronger."

The Spirit Guardian of Wind sighed. "Then I guess both of you would be thinking the same thing at this very moment. Thinking that you both lack strength."

Silence was Flayhm's answer. He didn't know what to say. What could he possibly say?

"You're not weak, Flayhm and neither is this young man." Kaizen said. "You've managed to teach him how to use your Level 2 power by your own. You've managed to grow along with him. Your strength is his strength. The enemy isn't something like us or him, someone who had been programmed to be the best would have no growth left but we can still grow. We can surpass him."

Flayhm looked at her as if she was a puzzling thing. "How can you surpass someone or something who is already the best?"

Kaizen smiled. "You train your hardest and improve yourself to be the best. If that other Takuya learned all his fighting techniques by being programmed to have them then his fighting skill will always be predictable as long as you could read his moves. But if we manage to train ourselves stronger and in a different way as he did then we can surpass him. Humans were made to grow and to learn. I am certain that this experience would have taught Takuya to become stronger in here." At that, Kaizen placed a hand on her chest.

Flayhm didn't understand what she was saying but he knew that she must have thought of it deeply. He smiled for he also knew that she was trying to lift his spirit however, his spirit will not be lifted until Takuya opens his eye and tell him himself that it wasn't his fault.

Until that time…

To be continued…

A/N:

Well, this chapter didn't turn out to be as long as I would have wanted. I was actually pretty busy while doing this since I have two game projects that I was also doing along with this.

Anyways, what do you guys think? The next chapter would advance our story. I decided to put a chapter like this before hand just so we can delve deeper into the thoughts of Takuya's companions. If you guys didn't note, Junpei has a secret here. What that secret is…well, you guys would have to read the later chapters to find out.

Well, that's about all for now. See you all later!

This is Sakura Martinez saying "PEACE" and signing out!

Don't forget to review, ne?