Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Fated ❯ I Think I.... ( Chapter 6 )

Fated: Part Six

I Think I....

Now... let's not get technical.... It was just that the mall wasn't her... 'thing.' She rarely left the house, for Christ's sake! Well... that wasn't exactly true. She went when she felt the urge to buy a booster pack or something. But really-- how often was that...? Well....

Rika groaned; she brought her arms up behind her head. She just disliked the mall all together! All of those people... and most seemed to be from her school. The stupid sissies stalked guys and shopped for needless clothing.... How she hated them... and because she did so, they merely returned the feelings.

Takato glanced over to his friend. Man... she looked ticked! What was up with her...? Maybe... maybe she didn't want to be seen with him.... Yeah-- that was probably it. Really now-- she had a 'reputation' to keep! She was the cold, lone warrior who pushed everyone away....

Yet she excepted him....

"Hey, Rika?" Oh well... it wasn't like he wanted to go.... He could wait a while. "If you don't want to...."

What was he blubbering about now? Of course she wanted to go! They were practically there now! She wasn't about to turn around with her tail between her legs-- she didn't even have a tail! "I didn't come all this way," she muttered as she opened the door, "just to turn around...." No. She didn't care anymore. Those idiots from her school could tease her for life-- she didn't care! She lived with so many things right now, so why not add another to the list?

Sighing, Takato walked in right after her. Rika wanted to stay, eh? He felt a light shiver go down his spine. Was he worried...? Well... yes. Somehow, he knew that she was hurting herself.... Perhaps by going inside the mall... she was trying to prove something. The thing was... only she knew. Poor Takato was, well-- clueless.

Hoo, boy! The mall was crowded! People of all ages bounded to-and-fro. Old people toddled side by side, happy for their long lives; children galloped ahead of their parents to view the stores beyond. Being about noon, tons of teens (it was a weekend, after all) were out eating at the different restaurants. The food wasn't that bad-- really.

As stated earlier-- the mall was crowded.

The two friends stared out before them. Woah.... Rika smirked, turned to the 'goggle-brain' and tilted her head towards the mass amounts of stores. "Shall we go?"

"Sure...."

~*~

Ooh... did her eyes deceive her? No... it was 'Hellbound Nonaka!' This was a priceless moment! Rika Nonaka-- at the mall! Never had she seen her there before! It had to have been a first! Wait! Was... was she with someone? Oh, my! She was! Who was it...? My, my, my!

A guy!

Withholding a giggle, she pushed her way through the shoppers. This was her lucky day! Not only could she beat the crap out of Nonaka, but she could possibly get a boy, too! Besides... she had an old score to settle....

"Nonaka!" she cried, stepping right out in front of them. They had to pay attention! No running away from... fate! Yes! It was almost as if something were telling her to go pick a fight... right now!

Who was it?! Rika snapped her head up to the voice. "Kimiko...," she spat. Out of all the people to see her.... The cocky princess had a lot of nerves to actually attempt approaching her, though. Oh well... she wouldn't let her speak long. She felt like hitting something, anyway.

Kimiko chuckled and twirled a long strand of purple hair between her fingers. So angry.... No wonder fighting came naturally to her. "What," she muttered, "brings you to the mall...?" Slowly.... Slowly grind at her patience... and make her too hotheaded to fight clearly....

That was it! No more waiting! She just wanted to smack that spoiled brat silly! Make her pay for all the name calling and rumors! With just one punch she could--

Takato glanced back and forth. What was going on...? They knew each other... right? Then why were they...? Oh yeah... he could practically feel the fire raging; their eyes clearly burned with hatred. Suddenly, Rika's arm swung back as if ready to.... No! He didn't want anything like this to happen! Fighting was wrong... it only ended in pain....

Fighting could one day lead to death....

He reached out and took hold of her arm. "Rika...," he pleaded in a whisper. "Don't do this.... Please don't fight...." He didn't want her to hurt anymore.... Sure-- punching this Kimiko girl may feel good for a while, but....

Why was he stopping her?! She had a right to do as she pleased! If she wanted to fight, then she'd fight! Still... the look in his eyes.... He was truly worried, huh? The hunger to just let her anger loose did not leave her body; it steadily coursed through her veins. Closing her violet eyes, she lowered her fist. "Fine-- I won't fight."

No fight? But what about her revenge...? She had to....

"You, too," demanded the goggle-headed boy. "Just leave before she really lets it out of her system...."

No! Not now! Not-- "As you insist," she mumbled, turning and walking away. An idea had just struck her brilliant mind. One that she liked very much. Yes... she could wait... wait until she saw Rika alone, that is....

~*~

"Ahh... welcome, young ones! Take a look-see, and remember that I'm right here if you need anything!"

Takato smiled gently. Mr. Omu was a nice, elderly man. He listened to whatever his customers had to say and wasn't greedy. He also tried to remember all of his regular visitors-- Takato being one of them.

"Hey, Mr. Omu!" he greeted cheerily. How much money did he bring...? He already forgot... heh. "Just here to check out the Digimon cards!"

Oh... that young boy. He remembered him. The lad was always so giddy when it came to that card game. But the girl he had come in with was... someone he'd never seen before. Shrugging slightly to himself, the man walked over to a woman studying a vase. Kids nowadays....

All right! Takato stared at the newest additions of cards. It seemed that the company had finally made a new type of booster pack! Oh, yeah.... He wondered what types of Digimon could be found in them.... Mixtures of old cards? Brand new creatures? Who knew? The only way to find out was to buy one! And to think... he probably had enough money, too!

"Oh... wow."

Takato turned to Rika. What... was she musing over? What had caught her attention...? Oh. It was a Sakuyamon card... holographic, too. She must've been a fan of the Renamon card.... "You like it...?" he asked. With that card, she could probably kick his butt even harder! Why? Well... he had barely any mega-type cards....

She snorted lightly. "It doesn't matter...." No, of course not. It wasn't like she needed it or anything. It was just that... her dad had liked the yellow fox-like digimon. 'Within beauty... is power. It seems harder to conceal it than to let it all show,' her father had once claimed.... Shoving her hands in the pocket of her jacket, she muttered:

"I don't have enough money, anyway."

She wanted it... didn't she? She wanted to have it... and for reasons other than the card game-- he could tell. But... why? "Rika--"

"If you're going to buy something, I'll wait outside the shop." No more.... She didn't want to look at that card any more.... "Just don't take too long!" she called. He'd better hurry up.... I mean-- she hadn't wanted to go in the first place! And they had run into Kimiko as well.... Sometimes... sometimes she just hated her life.

He watched as she strode out the door. Gee... what was wrong with her? Whatever it was... she sure hid it well.... Poor Rika.... He looked down at the card... and felt an idea practically smack him upside the head! Yeah-- he could do that! It wasn't like he needed anything special!

"Umm... Mr. Omu? I think I know what I want now...."

~*~

Rika watched as people passed her. Not that she was paying attention.... Her mind was tangled within its thoughts.... It was all so... strange to her. What confused her even more was....

Why...? Why had he stopped her? That spoiled princess needed to have her teeth knocked down her throat! If only she'd been able to make Kimiko feel at least a little bit of pain.... But he had stopped her. With only the slightest touch, he had made her back off....

How...?

"Well, well, well-- if it isn't Rika 'the hell demon' Nonaka!"

Rika snapped back into the world of reality. That voice.... Kimiko! She felt a growl crawl up her throat. Ooh... she just wanted to-- WHAM!-- hit her! You know, make her feel the pain she'd caused!

Humph... it was no fun now.... Tossing a strand of hair away with great ease, Kimiko asked, "So, then... where is he? That guy you were with?" Her opponents eyes fell to the floor. Good... she had her right where she wanted! "He left, eh? Didn't like hanging with a tomboy who has no feelings whatsoever?" 'Fight me, Nonaka... fight me and see if you can beat me this time...,' she muttered within her mind. How many times had they fought? How many? She was not going to let Rika get away with embarrassing her like that! And in front of the entire school, too!

How... dare she.... She had no right making such careless claims like that. "You don't even know him!" Rika proclaimed, fist drawing back. Kimiko didn't even know that stupid goggle-head! He... he was her only friend-- well, excluding her grandma. He sat there and listened when she talked; he laughed and attempted to make her laugh; he was there when she cried.... Her clenched hand swung forward. All she had to do was to shut her up.... All she had to do....

Rika stopped right at the girl's nose. No... she had promised him-- hadn't she? Fighting wouldn't get her anywhere, anyway... she knew that. She sort of always had... but it was just a hype that she enjoyed. Still... not now. "This is stupid," she muttered. "I don't want to waste my time on something like--"

"Oh, REALLY?!"

THWACK!

Almost too fast to be seen, Kimiko had swung her own fist out and rammed it against Rika's cheek! It was a cheap, dirty shot... but she felt like doing it. Besides... Rika was acting differently today-- maybe it was the boy's fault?

Rika flew backwards; she felt some blood spurt from her mouth. Dang-- that was rough! And as soon as she could, she'd go and give it right back to that idiot! She would NOT let her get away with that-- not at all! Before anything else... Rika fell onto something... soft. Okay... that was weird. Wasn't there a door there?

She looked up... to see a confused Takato. "Goggle-head...," she muttered, feeling some heat pour onto her face. What... was he doing there?! He wasn't supposed to see her go and take her revenge!

"R-Rika...?" She... she was fighting. But she said that she wouldn't.... A lie.... She lied to him! "Why...?" he rasped, watching as she pulled herself off of him.

What?! Why, what? She hadn't done anything wrong! It was a Kimiko's fault! She had been the one to hit her! Rika had stopped before starting anything! "I didn't do anything!" she hissed at him, eyes burning with anger... and truth.

Oops... that was her cue to run! "Well... see ya at school, Rika!" And with that... Kimiko jogged off and into the crowd. No one would find her in that mess! Free for the time! Well... at least until Monday.

Takato studied his friend's face.... She had a huge red mark-- Kimiko had hit her rather hard-- and a small trail of blood on the corner of her lip. The other girl didn't seem to have been hurt.... Then... Rika had told him the truth...? She had kept her promise...? "Sorry...." Man... he felt awful for blaming her the way he did!

That... that wuss! Running away before she could get hurt! Ooh! When school came around next week, she'd be ready! Who cared if she got detention or something? She needed to teach that brat a lesson! "Don't bother," she mumbled, wiping her mouth off. "I'll get her Monday...." Yeah... right in front of the entire school! Then who would they laugh at? Hmm?

'Get her Monday...?' What did she... no! No-- she couldn't! "Rika-- please stop all this fighting!" She could get hurt! If something happened to her....

Gee... now he was worried? What was with this guy? "Why? They usually start it!" she protested, pointing to her cheek. Didn't he see that she had to stick up for herself?! No one cared what happened to her, so she had to take care of herself!

Why... was she being so stubborn? "Please...." Without much thought, he snatched her wrist; her face turned to his. "Promise me you won't...," he pleaded. With her eyes locked onto his own, he tried to see... within her soul.

Blank. It was as if she were hiding behind a wall... an even bigger wall than before. She was still scared, eh? Poor, poor Rika.... But... what was this feeling...? This strange, odd feeling he felt now... when they were so close-- almost nose to nose-- looking into each others eyes.... He felt his heart speed up; his breath caught in his throat.

No way... did he...? He felt as though he wanted to... kiss her! But... how could that be possible? They'd only known each other for a short time... and he wasn't some fifteen-year-old! He never even dated a girl before! His only other crush had been on Jeri, and that didn't even last long! So what was wrong with him?! Why did he feel that way right now?

Okay... what was that weird look he was giving her? She turned her head away. It made her feel funny... and she didn't like it. "Look, Goggle-boy... I promise-- all right?" She tried to pull her hand away... but couldn't. What was wrong with him?! He wouldn't let go! It was as if he were in a trance... or something.

Rika's words suddenly hit him... and he released her wrist. What was going on...? Emptiness seemed to flood into the pit of his stomach. He liked her... he liked her a LOT. Why... hadn't he noticed it sooner...? "Rika...," he started. When she turned to look at him... he felt his face heat up. God... it was going to be harder to talk to her now....

"What...?" Her face was starting to hurt.... She needed to get home and put some ice on it.... And what was wrong with Goggle-head? Why was he acting so... different?

"N... nothing." He couldn't say it.... Not now, anyway.... "Come on...," he muttered, grasping her hand and dragging her to the mall's exit. "Let's get you to my house...."

His house?! Why his? Why couldn't he just take her home?! "Hey! Wait a second!" she demanded, yet kept on walking. For all she knew, his house was closer... and her cheek was really sore now! Ice would really feel nice, and it may lower the risk of a huge bruise.... Finally... she just gave in and followed. Oh, well.... He knew where she lived, so why not?

~*~

"Hey, Mom? Can you get me an ice pack?"

What? Why would he need...? "Why?" she called out to her son. He didn't get hurt or anything... did he? Oh... her poor baby! He'd never been in a fight before! If he....

"A friend of mine was... um-- hurt!"

A... friend? Which one? He had so many anymore.... Sighing and muttering a small something to herself, Mrs. Matsuki went to fetch it. As always... putting others before himself. She had such a kind boy....

Takato gently shut his door. Oh, boy... when his mother got up there... what would she say? Anything at all? He hoped not... it would be too embarrassing.... Then again... a simple 'is she okay?' would do.

Rika, once sitting on Takato's bed, scanned his room. Gee... it was a mess... and she wasn't just saying that. Clothes were scattered all over the floor, papers and pencils were cluttered about his desk and pictures hung on his walls. Most of them... were drawn pictures. She remembered him mentioning that he liked to draw, but....

"Your pictures...," she whispered, "are pretty good...." Her purple eyes trailed to the floor. Compliments were hard for her to say... but she wanted to be nice.... Besides-- they were good! Real good for a kid his age!

Oh, man! He was beet red, wasn't he?! He laughed nervously and muttered a small "thanks." It was so hard.... I mean-- he just discovered that he liked her! How was he supposed to act? She thought of him as a friend.... It wasn't like he didn't think of her as a friend anymore-- of course he did! It was just--

"Takato? Here's that ice pack you needed!"

Mrs. Matsuki entered the room... to see her son blushing deeply at a girl sitting on his bed. What... was going on here? Who was she? His friend? Well... he wasn't acting like they were 'just friends!' He was....

She handed him the pack and walked away. She wasn't even going to ask....

Oh... geeze. That was even worse than her saying something! Still... it wasn't as bad as.... Sighing heavily, he moved over to Rika. It was just... a very confusing day.... "Here," he whispered, offering the ice to her gently. Everything... was just jumbled in his head....

"Thanks...." A small wave of relief flooded her cheek as the pack was pressed against it. He... was so kind. Quite unlike those at her school.... And even though she had vowed so long ago... she couldn't help but wonder.... Why? Why did she feel so... different when with him? Why did she feel like she actually mattered...? 'Doesn't matter...,' she concluded. It didn't.... He wanted to be friends; they became friends-- just not close ones... not really. Still....

"I had better get going...," Rika grumbled; she stood and started for the door. It would be a long walk home... but, again, it didn't matter.... "My mom's probably pitching a fit...."

She... had to go? Already? "I... I can walk you home!" He didn't want her to walk around all by herself! It was getting late out! Besides, she was 'injured!' He would only blame himself if she were hurt....

Walk her home? Really! She wasn't some weak, little 'damsel in distress!' "Nah... I'll be fine." Maybe she could take the subway or something.... Anything but hitching a ride.... Even her own mother didn't do that!

Ooh... he didn't know whether to believe her, or.... "Okay...." He gave in. No use in arguing tonight.... He didn't want to tarnish what had just been done.... It felt like... she trusted him more.... A smile formed on his face. God... his dream girl.... Who would've guessed? "Be careful...," he advised.

Oh, she'd be more than careful.... For once, she turned to him... and felt her lips curve upward. It wasn't very good; for all she knew... it looked more like a smirk. Oh well.... "I will." And so they said their goodbyes, and she left. Home wouldn't be the best of places to go at the time... at least for her. As soon as her mother found out about the mall incident....

She was gone... and he felt a piece of his heart grow dark.... Almost like it had disappeared. So then... this was what it felt like.... He had liked someone before, but it had never felt like this.... This was... this was....

Takato pulled off his goggles and fell back onto his bed. Staring up at the painted ceiling, he breathed a heavy sigh. No use in denying any of it.... What he felt for Rika... was something much, much, much stronger than a crush.... Without moving his almond eyes, he reached into his pocket. His heart felt happy... sad... and like something was pricking it with a needle. The strange part was... they all happened at the same time. He held the card he'd purchased earlier that day out in front of him. Someday... when he finally discovered what he was feeling... he'd give it to her....

The holographic Sakuyamon card.

~*~

The stars twinkled and danced throughout the sky. He sat there in his seat, pondering what the world would be like... once his plan was released. How would the people react...? How would they deal with it...?

How would she react...?

The chair spun around, powered by his strong, adult legs. If she was still the way he last remembered, then.... She would enjoy it almost as much as he.... The picture on the corner of his desk grinned out at him; he couldn't help but smile back.

Soon... just a few more weeks-- a month, possibly. He could soon reunite with--

"Sir! The DM program has been finished," called a worker, "and awaits your inspection!"

Good.... They were one step closer to his goal.... "Excellent!" he exclaimed, standing and walking to the front of his desk. "Tell Janyuu to set it up!"

Before exciting... he turned his head and sighed. "Wait for me...," he muttered softly... taking one more look out of his window. His life had been lonely long enough.... It was time to end it.

It was... time to make dreams... reality.

All they needed to do... was to locate the biggest dreamer.

~*~

A/N: Konnichiwa, mina-san! I thought I could get this out by Sunday, but... I fell a little behind.... Ooh... more Rukato this time! Didja like? And who is that guy...? You can guess, but I don't think I'll say until it is revealed! (Evil, aren't I?) Only other thing I wanted to let you guys know... was that I am also writing another Rukato-- a comedy! It's called 'School Day Blues,' so go check it out! And as for your question, Ori... Rika is actually going to meet everyone else in the next chapter!! I can't wait! Thanks goes out to all who read/review this story.... I know it isn't the best... but I do try! If you want to see more 'sappy' stuff, just tell me! I'll try to plug some in! Well, I leave you with a preview for the next chapter!

Fated: Part Seven

Friends

It was okay.... It was okay.... It was okay....

It was NOT okay.... Takato glanced over to his friend nervously. They... were pretty close.... I mean-- sitting on one of those little boats, paddling around a lake and watching as others went to the far corners to-- ahem!-- make out... wasn't fun. But... she had agreed to it, so.... He slumped in his seat; his shoulder brushed against hers.... Even without looking he felt himself blush lightly. God! He was being so stupid!

Rika kept her eyes focused out in front of her. She had no idea why Goggle-head had wanted to do this, but.... Well, they had planned on spending the day together, hadn't they? What else were friends supposed to do? She never really had any friends before him, so.... Besides, playing the card game every day... was getting old. At least they had something different to do....

Bored. Bored. Really bored. They hadn't even talked much! Then again... what was he going to say? 'Rika...? I think I like you...,' wouldn't really work right now, ya know.... Water sprang up and hit his arm. Man! That wasn't as cold as he had thought! They could've gone swimming in that! Geeze, why didn't--

A-ha! Snickering at his idea, Takato leaned forward... and dunked his hand into the water. If anything, it was something to break the uneasy silence! He brought his hand out and flung it Rika's way. She didn't even see it coming!

What was that?! She felt something hit her face! Turning, she saw the goggle-boy bent partially over the boat, eyes grinning playfully. Why that dirty, little.... She spun, plunged own hand in the warm water and forcefully sent some of the liquid flying. "Here!" she yelped jokingly. "Have a taste of your own medicine!"

Water sploshed and splashed all around them; they were too busy laughing to care, though. For the first time in a long time, Rika was having fun.... She hadn't been so happy since... since her father....

She felt something on her head... and gasped as she saw Takato yank out her ponytail! Laughing, he held it as high as he could. No! She hated having her hair down! "Give it back!" she cried, trying to reach for it. She wasn't jesting this time! Really-- she wanted it back! With a fierce "argh," she snatched it from him.

Gee... she wasn't happy anymore... was she? He finally opened his almond eyes... to see an image of beauty. Sure... she was wet, but it didn't matter.... "You...," he muttered, turning red against his wishes, "look nice with your hair... down."