A Digimon Frontier Fanfic

By Sakura Martinez

A/N:

Well, I started writing this as soon as I uploaded the 31st (by FFN's chapter count) chapter but decided to wait for reviews before updating. Anyway, this chapter is basically an Arc Finale as well as an opening for the new Arc – Lone Island Arc. Also, it follows up on where the last chapter ended and, as I have said on the post Author's Notes, would all be about the characters… no fighting… well, at least not one with weapons or anything.

Anyway, hope you guys enjoy reading this chapter!

-- End Author's Notes

The Rabbit on the Moon

Troubles

They were back at the mansion. The townspeople were happy and were grateful for saving them. Yet, as the townspeople were celebrating, there was no celebration inside the mansion.

Takuya had locked himself up in his room, not allowing anyone to come in and speak with him. He touched his right eye, the one that had been bandaged up, the one where the other Takuya took his right eye, and the one where his new eye was – the eye that Flayhm gave him as a parting gift.

This 'new' eye had the same color as Flayhm's – red-orange like that of a fiery fire. At the memory of Flayhm, Takuya could not help but cry. He blamed himself over and over again. He could not help but think that if he hadn't been in that trance-like state, he would have done something.

Outside of his room, Junpei, Tomoki and Izumi were all trying to make him come out. After a while Junpei sighed, "This isn't going anywhere."

Tomoki nodded, "Why can't we just bust this door open and drag him out? He's being stubborn!"

"I would have said 'go ahead' if we aren't only just guests in this mansion." Izumi thought to herself, then shouted, "Takuya, come out now, please!"

Silence.

"You made everyone worried when you wouldn't wake up before and you made us even more worried when you suddenly disappeared and were in that trance-like state." Izumi went on. "Now you're doing it all over again. Do you have a kick at making everyone worry about you?"

"Just go away!" Takuya shouted at the other side of the door.

This fueled Izumi's anger and annoyance of him much more.

"He's really asking for it!" Izumi said aggravated. At that Izumi gathered wind in the palm of her hands.

"L-lady Izumi… what are you planning on doing?" Junpei asked. "You're not seriously considering on bringing the door down, are you?"

"Of course not." Izumi said and with that she allowed herself to be covered by the wind in her hands. "I'm just going to use the same thing that I use whenever I sneak out of my room when we first began journeying together."

"What?" Tomoki asked. "You were sneaking out?"

But before He could say anymore, Izumi had walked past the wall and was already inside Takuya's room. Junpei and Tomoki were both surprised, as surprised as Takuya was when he was suddenly facing a very angry Izumi.

"I told you to go away." Takuya said as he turned his back from her and quickly re-wrapped the bandage to hide his right eye. "Just… Just leave me alone."

"All the time I was hoping you were still alive and that we would meet again, all that time I was thinking of what to say to you." Izumi began. "I thought that you would say something along the lines of 'It's been a while' or 'I'm back' or something… but 'Go away'? 'Leave me alone'? That's not something I would have expected to hear coming from you."

"If our reunion would have been different then… maybe I could have answered to your expectations of it. But…"

"But what, Takuya?" Izumi asked. "What makes it different then? Is it because you lost Flayhm? Is that it? You know what I think? I think Flayhm would be disappointed at you right now."

"What do you know about how Flayhm would think?" Takuya suddenly turned around and shouted, "You don't know that. You don't know how I feel right now."

"Don't I?" Izumi asked, if Takuya was up for a shouting match, she was not about to fall back. "Then how about all those months that we thought you were dead? How about all those nights I spent crying for you? Or about those times I couldn't help but blame myself for what I thought had happened to you? How about that?"

Takuya was taken aback by Izumi's words. He didn't know what to say so he just kept his mouth shut and looked away.

"Tell me that I don't know how you are feeling right now. Tell me that again and I'll go away." Izumi went on, she was beginning to cry now.

"Please… stop." Takuya said. "I-I'm sorry…"

Izumi slumped down, all the weight she had been carrying inside her seemed to have pulled her down along with gravity. She was still crying and Takuya, wanting to comfort her and to ask of her forgiveness, knelt down beside her and hugged her.

"I… I didn't mean what I said." Takuya said. "I didn't mean to have left you alone like that. If I had been given a choice to go back to you when I was rescued by the Organization, I would have done so without a minute's hesitation…"

"You're an idiot, Takuya." Izumi said sobbing, "You make people worry of you and then dwell in the past blaming yourself…"

Takuya cringed. Izumi was still giving him a lecture despite the waterworks.

"There was nothing you could have done." She continued. "Nothing anyone of us could have done so just let go of it… I know Flayhm would like that."

"Then, did you let go as well?" Takuya asked.

Izumi looked at him tears running down her face. When Takuya saw that she was still crying, he wiped away her tears awaiting for her answer.

"What?" She asked, not knowing what Takuya was really asking about.

"Did you let go?" Takuya repeated the question then, added, "Of me, that is, when you thought I was dead…"

Izumi slapped him gently on the face. "How can you ask me that?"

"I want to know, Izumi." Takuya said, he was serious about this. "Tell me."

Izumi blushed a bit before answering, "I never once let you go not after I remembered who you really were… of who we were when we were still young. Every night I cried and prayed that you weren't dead, that you were still alive… I couldn't let you go. But, I didn't expect that we would meet again as we did… and that so many things would happen when we did."

Takuya remembered as Izumi did of his clone. "Did they tell you… why I couldn't say who I was even when we have met once again back at the Fort City?"

Izumi nodded. "They placed a seal on you that would prevent you from even giving a hint of who you were. They said that if you forced yourself to speak of your identity, you could… die."

It was Takuya's turn to nod. "That's why I had to hide my identity, until the time was right. If it weren't for Flayhm teaching me how to use my Level 3 power, I would not have been able to break the seal. But even as I did, I still found no time to tell you. I was so worried of how you would react. But then came him. I couldn't bear him acting as me and when he…"

Izumi placed a finger over his mouth to stop him from speaking any more. She did not wish to remember it. Takuya then stopped.

"I'm sorry." He said.

An awkward silence filled the room that had just been echoing with shouting a couple of minutes before. Neither knew what to say or where to begin once again.

It was Izumi who opened up again. "Can I ask… what Flayhm's gift was to you?" She asked.

Takuya looked the other way and said, "I don't mind but… you might find that it doesn't suit me at all."

At that, Takuya once again took off the bandage. As he was taking it off Izumi did not know what to expect. She could not think how disgusting it would be to look at the place where his eye once was, but she was surprised when she saw what she saw.

"Takuya!" Izumi exclaimed, "That's…"

Takuya nodded. "It's Flayhm's gift – he's left eye. It doesn't suit me does it? The color of the eye, I mean."

Izumi laughed. It was the first time that he had heard her beautiful laughter for a long, long time. "Yes, it doesn't. I prefer your chestnut-colored eyes but, it is his gift after all."

Izumi hadn't taken her hands off of his cheek when Takuya touched them and closed his eyes. This surprised Izumi but not as much as what Takuya said.

"I missed this so much." Takuya said, his eyes still closed. "And I missed you above all else."

"Takuya…"

Just then, Takuya remembered something as he opened his eyes. "I just remembered, you still haven't given me your answer, Lady Izumi."

"Answer?" Izumi asked not knowing what Takuya was talking about and found it weird that Takuya addressed her as such. "Answer to what?"

"You forgot already?" Takuya asked, then he sighed. "After all the trouble I went through saying it too."

"I don't understand, what are you talking about?"

"How about this then," Takuya said as he readied himself to refresh her memory. "You did keep your promise to tell your father what I told you before, right? It's somewhere along those lines…"

"And what answer would I suppose to give you of that?" Izumi asked. "I did tell him that."

It was then that Izumi realized what Takuya was saying as she remembered the rest…

Takuya caressed her face as he spoke. "I don't regret ever meeting you, and I never will. No matter what happens, Izumi…no matter where this leads, I will always, always protect you."

Just then, the world began to shake.

"What's going on?" Izumi asked.

"Someone must be waking either one of us up." Takuya said then added. "Remember, remember to tell them that the King already has a way to extract the Ancient Powers. Find a way to stop him, Izumi."

"I will, Takuya." Izumi said. "But you have to promise me that you will find a way to escape from there, you just can't die."

Takuya nodded. And just before he vanished, he spoke the three words that Izumi never had thought to hear.

"I love you."

If Izumi was blushing before, her face was even redder now as she remembered and understood what Takuya meant.

"Takuya, I…"

Takuya simply smiled. "That's good, you remembered. You don't need to answer me now though, if you don't feel like it." Takuya then stood up. "I'll wait for the time when you're ready to tell me your answer. No matter how long it takes."

Izumi shook her head. "It's not that… It's just that you took me off guard, that's all."

Takuya looked over at her. "Really? I didn't know that Commander Orimoto's daughter could be caught off guard like that."

"Funny." Izumi said as she crossed her arms in front of her chest. "And here I was about to tell you my answer and all."

"You were?" Takuya asked, it was his turn to be surprised.

"Now, why are you the one who's off guard?" Izumi asked teasing. "You were the one who brought that up."

At that Takuya laughed and Izumi followed. He could not help but feel that somehow, things were felt as though they were back in Harim again when they were little.

Outside, Junpei was straining his ears on the door just so he could hear what they were talking about while Tomoki was busying himself by playing with his powers for a bit.

"They were shouting just a couple of minutes ago, and now they're laughing!?" Junpei said. "Just what are those two doing?"

"Relax and give them their privacy, Lord Junpei." Tomoki said, he was already bored. "Those two deserve it."

"But…! Lady Izumi and that…" Junpei was about to say something of Takuya but Tomoki immediately cut him off.

"Lord Takuya is Lady Izumi's childhood friend, just so you know." Tomoki said. "And the person who, in several occasions during my journey with them, saved her life."

Just then, someone spoke from behind.

"What on earth are you two doing?" Kouji asked as he happened to pass by them.

"Ah… Lord Kouji!" Junpei exclaimed, immediately straightening himself. "I was just… uh…"

"Is Lady Izumi inside?" Kouji asked Tomoki as he left Junpei to stutter on his own.

Tomoki nodded. "Yes. I had been telling Lord Junpei to stop listening in on their conversation but…"

"Hey!" Junpei said. "I wasn't listening in, Lord Kouj, I was... uh… surveying the area!"

Kouji eyed Junpei with suspicion but did not say a word much to Junpei's relief. Instead, Koji said, "As interesting as it is to know what those two are talking about, I suggest we leave them by themselves for now. They have a lot of catching up to do."

Tomoki nodded. "My point exactly! Anyway, Lord Kouji, can I ask how you and Junpei are planning on controlling your new-found powers?"

Kouji looked over at yonder and replied, "I'm not sure how. I don't know how I even managed to use that power from before, do you, Junpei?"

"No, sir." Junpei replied. "If felt so surreal… I'm still at a shock myself."

"Then, why not ask for Katsuharu and the others' help?" Tomoki asked. "I want to help teach you but, I don't know how to do so myself since I was also taught by the Elders on how to use it."

Kouji nodded. "I agree. However, would you two mind going before me, there's something I need to do first."

Although curious as to what the Vice Commander meant by that, the two nodded and kept their mouth shut as they made their way to find where Katsuharu and the others were. Once Kouji knew that they were already out of sight and out of earshot, he looked over at the door to Takuya's room, his gaze distant and melancholic before walking towards the garden.

"I see…" Izumi said after hearing Takuya's story, "That woman said that you were tasked with Katsuharu's group to watch over us, but I thought she was just making it up."

"Well," Takuya said as he looked up at the ceiling. "That lady really caused me a lot of problems whenever I tried to sneak out of here. Also, I guess she and the Organization thought it'll be best to allow me to go after all the trouble I caused. Anyway, you also had me worried when I heard you went back to Harim to learn to control your power and when the King decided to destroy Harim… I had thought you were caught up in it."

"We learned of the attack even before it happened so nothing bad happened to us, but…" Izumi said and she lowered her head, "the Elders… they said that the Elders were killed in the process."

Takuya nodded solemnly. "We came as fast as we could but… it was already too late. I did my best though, to make them a resting place."

"I see." Was all Izumi could answer as she remembered how nice and welcoming the Elders were upon her return and how patient they were in teaching her.

"So, how's your father doing?" Takuya asked with hesitation in his voice. "I heard that he had escaped the wrath of the King when the King openly announced his plans and your father stood on his belief. Is he safe? Is he alright?"

"That's kind of a surprising question coming from you." Izumi said. "I never knew you cared about my father."

"Why? Don't tell me you're going to bring up the fact that I am a Kanbara and my father simply detests yours?" Takuya said looking at her. "I've told you before right, Izumi… I am me and I don't plan on being like my father or thinking the way he does… well, I used to think that I wanted to be like him when we were kids, remember? Besides, your father was very kind to me when we were young."

"Yes, I remember that." Izumi said giggling as she remembered. "You would always go around the Village announcing you'll be as strong, courageous and honorable knight as he was."

"But he changed…" Takuya said with a sigh, "So? How's your father?"

"Well, Father's in hiding as far as I know. To tell you the truth, only Lord Kouji knows where he is. He says it's to protect both of us." Izumi replied.

"I see." Takuya said. "Don't you miss him?"

"Well, I do but I also know how important his location being hidden is." Izumi replied, there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "But, I do get to talk with him from time to time. He gave me a way to communicate with him."

"That's good." Takuya said. "So, uh, does your father…"

"Know about you being in the mission before?" Izumi finished, then answered. "I told him. He was surprised at first and was worried of your loyalties but I assured him you're not taking sides back then. Why do you ask?"

"Honestly, I am a bit frightened of what your father might think." Takuya said sheepishly. "I mean, you do know how I feel about you, right? And well, what if your father learns of that… I wonder if he would accept me."

"I think he already does know." Izumi said in almost a whisper but loud enough for Takuya to hear.

"Wha--?"

"You don't need to worry though," Izumi quickly said seeing the worried look on his face. "Father was also trying his best back then, to help you escape… but when we learned you were dead, he gave up. He also blamed himself seeing as how I was acting at that time too."

"R-really?" Takuya said in disbelief. "I didn't know that."

Izumi could not help but laugh again, she was laughing a lot now…

"Why are you so worried of father? It's not as if you haven't met him before."

"But, that was a long time ago and a lot of things changed." Takuya said.

"Well, nothing does ever remain the same." Izumi told him as she stood up and walked towards the balcony.

"Everything changes, right?" Takuya said as he watched her from behind. The light of the setting sun made her mesmerizing even more. Faintly but surely they could hear the singing and the celebration from somewhere in town. "So, do you still think of me as an 'idiot', then?"

Izumi didn't look back as she watched the sun set and nodded. "Maybe…"

"Hey!" Takuya said standing up and walking over to her. Of course, she just laughed the question away.

Silence once again filled the box-shaped room but, it wasn't an awkward silence like before but rather, a peaceful kind of silence. Even though neither of them said anything and even though she didn't voice it out, the other knew that all has been left in the past now.

It was only after the sun had fully set and the stars began to appear out of their slumber did Izumi spoke again. "Are you worried?"

"About Kouichi?" He asked. Then nodded. "A bit. I am afraid for his sake, though, much more than worried. I know how my father and the King would go to lengths to get what they want…"

"But, they weren't able to force you… right?" Izumi added.

A nod came from Takuya once again. "But I can't help thinking, at that time, if they had threatened to harm you… I know that I wouldn't think twice in doing what they want just to make sure you are safe. I told you before, right? No matter what happens, I will always, always protect you."

Izumi smiled and thought to herself, "The Rabbit on the Moon, huh?"

Kouji allowed the wind caress him with his eyes closed a bit longer. He had a lot to think about and the blowing wind had always made him calm and able to collect and organize his thoughts. After several minutes have passed and when nothing but the sound of merriment could be heard, he opened his eyes and took something out of his pocket – a pendant shaped like a shield.

He gave of a weak and sad smile as he looked at the said item. His thumb trailing the words that were engraved on the middle – it was the words that his mentor, the Captain of the Knights Academy gave him along with the pendant on the day of his Graduation Ceremony.

'Hold on to your dreams' it read. It was the favorite phrase of the late Captain, and a phrase that Kouji has etched on his mind. The Captain did love to talk about dreams and honor and Kouji, as weird as he felt it sounded, thought that it was the Captain and his words that enabled him to have access on his so-called power several hours ago.

Looking beyond the sky and unto the brilliant stars that had spread across it, Kouji took notice of one that was shining the brightest. He remembered how his mentor enjoyed the stars and remembered 

his weird stories about them saying that the stars were the medium to communicate with those who were long gone. Kouji did not believe it, of course, but that didn't stop him from thinking that it wouldn't hurt if he did voice out his thoughts to the stars.

Making sure that no one was listening, Kouji then proceeded to talk whilst his eyes lingered on that shinning star.

"Master," He began, "I actually don't know what came over me to even think about doing this but I guess I really just wanted to talk to you.

"Master, I can't help but wonder if I have changed… somehow, despite how many years have gone by, I still feel as though I am still your annoying pupil who only thinks of himself and worries more of winning. It's funny, but with all honesty, I have forgotten all about what you have taught me, until now that is…

"I don't know if it was just my imagination of hearing your voice but, I guess I owe you gratitude for saving us all back there. If it weren't for your lecture on honor, I would never have been able to do what I did. Though… I am far from actually being able to mimic how I did it. It's funny, isn't it?

"You told me that I would find the answer to what honor truly was… I don't think I fully grasp what it is but, I think I'm beginning to understand, even if that understanding is but a fragment of the whole picture. Maybe someday, I will be able to face you and tell you what my answer is… but until then Master, please continue to watch over me."

At that, Kouji closed his eyes once again. When he looked up at the star again, he saw that the star blink as if his Master really did hear what he said. Thinking that it was only just his imagination, Kouji rubbed his eyes a couple of times and looked at the stars again only to see that it had returned to normal.

The next day came and as the morning rays of the sun hit the walls of the mansion, the Leader of the Organization called for everyone to gather in her office.

"Could you at least have waited a bit later to call us?" Takuya asked, not caring if he addressed the Leader properly or not, after all, he was still angry of her decision. "What's so important that you call us right after we have all just awaken."

"Takuya, hold your tongue!" Katsuharu ordered but Takuya just shrugged.

"It's pointless, Captain." Teppei said. "That guy will never learn."

"I'm not part of this Organization so why should I call her 'Leader'?" Takuya asked under his breath.

The Leader paid no heed however, which made Kouji, Izumi, Tomoki and Junpei believe that she was already accustomed to how Takuya addresses her.

After clearing her throat, she spoke, "We have located your missing companion, Lord Kouji. It seems that he is also being kept where that shadow you dispersed of yesterday went – to Lone Island."

"Are you certain about this?" Kouji asked.

Katsuharu nodded. "Our scouts have indicate that sometime ago a mysterious vessel landed in Lone Island and four people were reported to have gotten off. Soon after half a dozen of other vessels arrived there and more people got off. One of them had been reported as the General of the South, General Kimura."

"Then, Kouji must be there as well!" Takuya exclaimed. "How long will it take to get to Lone Island?"

"Five days at most." The Leader replied.

"Then let's get ready to depart at once!" Junpei said. "We have no time to lose since we have no idea what they are doing to him right now."

"I agree with Lord Junpei." Izumi said.

Tomoki nodded.

"Unfortunately, I cannot let you all go just yet." Came the surprising announcement.

"What?" Came the voices of the five, all with disbelief in them.

"What do you mean by that, my Lady?" Kouji asked. "Surely you are as worried as we are of our friend and of the General as well."

"We're very worried especially since…"

"Since what?" Takuya asked, his temper was rising yet again.

"Since we have also been informed that someone else had been captured by the King and his men." Chiaki finished, "We know how you all feel for we too have something we wish to settle with his men."

"What do you mean 'someone else has been captured'?" Izumi asked. "Who?"

"This may came as a surprise," the Leader warned before continuing on, "We have received reports that, Lady Izumi, your father has been captured as well."

Shock was evident in everyone's face – everyone except those who already knew, that is. All of a sudden, Izumi's knees felt weak and he stumbled back only to be caught by Takuya.

"Are you sure about this?" Takuya asked knowing full well what everyone else was thinking. "Shouldn't he be in hiding like Izumi had told me?"

"Hey!" Junpei said. "Since when were you given the right to call Lady Izumi by just her first name?" Junpei then quickly changed topic. "Anyway, he's right. Commander Orimoto is in hiding, no ne could possibly know where he is hiding except for the Vice-Commander."

Kouji nodded at this. "And I know for a fact that the Commander trusts no one else of that. Also, I can assure you that I did not tell anyone of where he can be found. Surely, there must be some form of mistake."

"Sadly, we have double and even tripled check our sources but it all points out that Izumi's father has really been taken by the enemy." Teppei said.

"Then that's reason enough even more to go there at once!" Takuya said.

"Tell me then, Takuya," the Leader spoke, "How are you going to fight against what the enemy would be throwing at you when you don't even have any power to fight and that you have lost one of your eye."

Izumi was about to speak but Takuya motioned her to be silent.

"Then keep Takuya here and send us instead." Junpei said. "We can fight."

"Can you now, Sir Junpei." The Leader retorted, "Then tell me, do you and Lord Kouji know fully by now how to use your powers at will?"

Kouji and Junpei also became silent.

"Then what about Lady Izumi and myself?" Tomoki asked. "Also, we have Lady Chiaki, and Sirs Katsuharu and Teppei. Surely for a rescue mission such as this, we would be enough?"

The Leader shook his head. "I would have agreed to that if only you five can use a higher level of your powers than you do now. Unfortunately, you all are nowhere near as strong as Takuya was when he still had his Level 3 accessible to him… and even with that kind of power, he was still no match for his clone then."

Even Tomoki was silenced.

"But, what of father?" Izumi asked.

"We have no idea how well he is faring against the enemy… all I can say is that your father is a very strong man…" the Leader spoke. "With how weak you all are now, I can only say that until all of you find a means to get stronger – especially you, Takuya, then we could only hope and pray for their safety."

Izumi had been silent for a while now. The laughter that she had the night before seemed never to have happened as she sulked in the room that she, Takuya, and Tomoki were all asked to use.

"I can't believe that they are honestly going to ensure that we don't get any ideas of rushing to Lone Island by ourselves." Tomoki said.

"Well, believe it." Takuya said with a sigh. "They can be pretty dedicated to this – those guards I mean. When I first was locked up just so I wouldn't go rushing to you guys, they even placed a barrier around my room… Thankfully, they aren't doing that now… After what I did."

"What you did?" Tomoki asked, curious as he saw the mischievous look on Takuya's face.

"Well, it was actually Flayhm's idea." Takuya said as he reminisced, "We couldn't destroy any part of the room to escape, so instead of destroying the place he showed me a way to make sure that they won't mess with us again."

"And what way is that?" Tomoki asked.

"Well, Flayhm made them feel how it feels to be inside a very, very large oven." Takuya said. "Since they made the barrier so that not a single kind of power can come in or out and destroy things, we simple kept the fire burning as they say. It took a while, but after making the whole place as hot as a Desert, if not hotter, they decided to put down the barrier for the heat to escape. And that's when I took my chance, unfortunately, I only got as far as the woods to the east before they captured me again. Flayhm and I both forgot that this was an island and the only way to get in and out of this place was by boat, ship or airship. Much to our dismay, we didn't have any of those."

Tomoki laughed despite the heavy atmosphere. "Somehow, I figured that you would do that – charging into something without thinking. It's good to have you back Takuya."

Takuya smiled and nodded. "Yeah, it's good to be back with you guys… if only things wouldn't go bad every now and then… and as frequently as they do."

Izumi then suddenly stood up surprising Takuya and Tomoki.

"Is there something wrong, Izumi?" Takuya asked.

"I just can't sit still knowing that my father is in danger." Izumi said. "How can that woman be so calm about it? Besides, why didn't you stop me from telling her that…"

Takuya quickly cut her off, "It's not something that we should talk carelessly about."

Tomoki gave the same confused expression as Izumi did but still managed to speak, "Well, as much as I hate to admit it, the Leader is right. Our levels are nowhere near where Takuya's level used to be and we don't even know how strong our enemy is. I think the Leader just want to ensure our safety and the highest possible percentage of success in saving them by making sure we're strong enough to match the enemy."

"In other words, she wants you guys to train." Takuya said as he walked over by the drawer and began rummaging for something. "And she wants me to find a way to get back the strength that I lost. She's a very demanding person, isn't she?"

"But still!" Izumi argued.

"I feel for you, Izumi." Takuya said. "But, let's face it… everyone of us is not strong enough to match that clone. If he happens to be there, I don't know what would happen."

Silence.

Suddenly, Izumi and Tomoki heard Takuya took something out of his drawer. They could not see a clear view of what it was from where they were but it seems as though Takuya was taking his time.

"What are you doing, Takuya?" Izumi asked.

"Just something I thought of to start off my training." Takuya said. "The sooner we train, the sooner we can become stronger and the sooner we can go save your father. Isn't that right?"

As Takuya turned around, they saw that he had taken a piece of cloth with weird markings on them and wrapped it around his wrists -- one on the left and one on the right.

"What the heck is that?" Tomoki asked.

"Back when I was still in Harim and training to be a warrior, the Elders gave me this saying that it would help me get a hold of my 'inner strength'." Takuya said. "They told me that I had a power that was sleeping inside of me and that the only way to awaken it was to train using this. I don't know if it would work again now, but I have to start at something, right? Besides, I don't feel like asking that woman or her cronies any help at this point."

"That would be better than not doing something... well, at least I would hope so." Kouji said as he entered the room. "But there's more we would have to learn than just using our powers as Chosen Ones, isn't that right, Takuya?"

Takuya nodded. "So much to learn, so little time, So I say let's get down to it."

After thinking for a short while, Tomoki agreed. As soon as he did, he and Kouji went to get Junpei and the others to begin their training leaving Takuya and Izumi behind.

"Why, Takuya?" Izumi repeated her question, "Why did you stop me back then and why stop me from mentioning something about the eye?"

"It's not something worth mentioning, Izumi." Takuya repeated her answer. "Just let it be for now. Besides, the eye only allows me to see from the right again if we were to expose that I have obtained Flayhm's eye, they might think that there is something more to it and they might get their hopes up only to be disappointed by it. So, unless I have fully understood if Flayhm's parting gift is just to restore my sight or if there is more, I would appreciate if we just keep this as a secret."

Izumi did not understand it at all. But decided to trust Takuya anyway thinking that he had a better grasp of the situation than her.

"Can we really do it?" Izumi asked. "Can we really make it in time to save my father?"

Takuya walked behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "We will. I can't bear to see you looking as glum as that and I think everyone else feels the same. So please, cheer up even for just a little bit, Izumi."

Izumi turned around and buried her head on his chest, she was beginning to cry. Her strong façade before Kouji and Tomoki was quickly fading.

"But… what if we can't?" Izumi asked.

Takuya wrapped his arms around her, comforting her. "Don't think like that, Izumi. Have faith, in your father and in yourself as well."

To be continued…

A/N:

Well, another long chapter. The next chapter would begin a new story Arc for our fanfic so stay tuned. Sadly, I only received 1 review, which I am still thankful for, and I was still hoping for some more reviews from the past chapter but I figured that many a people are pretty busy and just took time to read and forgot to review so I uploaded this new chapter (I came to that conclusion while looking at my hit counter, though it is quite impossible to tell who is reading and who is just skimming).

Anyway, I'm thinking of updating COT:CW before I continue on with this since I seem to continually forget to do so. With that said, I'm shortening this post Author's Notes. YAWN See you later, everyone and don't forget to review!

-- End Post Author's Notes