Broke my promise (feel free to lay the smack down on me) only one lemon in this chapter. It is still mainly plot, not to mention the largest chapter to date. Thanks once again for all your good reviews. Someone e-mailed me asking if I was going to use any Japanese in my fics. No I'm not. On with the chapter:

~*~

To be a Tamer

Chapter 4: Secrets & Serpents

Ruki continued sobbing into Renamon's fur. She suddenly remembered something, "What about you, Renamon? What are you going to do?"

Renamon had been so distracted with Ruki she had forgotten her own problems, "I…do not know."

"You should talk to Guilmon," Makino suggested, trying to focus her attention away from her own problems.

"How can I? How could he ever face me again?"

"Why did you do that in the first place?" Ruki wondered. Renamon hung her head and sat in silence, "I'm sorry, Renamon. I…"

"No, it is my fault. I just watched how happy you had become with Takato and wanted to be happy too. Then, I spoke with Impmon and became upset. I ran away and then 'it' happened," Renamon explained, eyes tearing up near the end.

"But, why Guilmon?"

"He tried to comfort me, I thought he cared for me. I was in a vulnerable state, and I-I took advantage of him. I do not know why, I just did."

"Look Renamon, it's obvious you weren't yourself. I know deep inside me that you are the best digimon alive. You would never do something like that."

"But I did, and now, I can never undo that. Can you ever forgive me?"

"I can forgive you, but I'm not the one you should be asking."

"Guilmon?" the yellow fox asked. Ruki only nodded, "But what if he does not forgive me?"

"You have to stop being so pessimistic. I, of all people, should know that," Ruki said sadly, pointing to the discarded pregnancy test box in the wastebasket.

"Are you sure you do not need me?"

Ruki smiled at Renamon, "I'm fine. Go on."

"Ruki-chan, are you ok?" Hata Seiko, Ruki's grandmother, called from outside her room. Renamon ducked into the shadows just as she opened the door, "You haven't said a word to me all day. Is something wrong?" Ruki's grandmother asked. Quest as ever, Renamon slipped past her and exited the room unnoticed.

"Good luck, Renamon," Ruki whispered softly. She then turned to her grandmother, "No, grand-ma, I'm just fine."

"Since when do 'just fine' girls spend their time in their room crying?"

"How did you…"

"The swelling under your eyes," Seiko smiled, "Let me guess, your boyfriend dumped you. I saw him over here this morning. Don't be surprised. I see the way you two act around each other."

"We are just friends, nothing more." If you only knew. Oh god, if I am pregnant, she will have to know. Like she would even care though. She'd probably just yell at me and leave.

"Then why are you so upset?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

Seiko sighed, "This may surprise you, but I was once your age. I know what it's like to be young. To make…mistakes."

Ruki's eyes went wide, "What did you say?"

"You heard me. I know what you are going through. Why don't you just say it? You will feel a lot better if you do."

"But how? How could you have known?"

"I am your grandmother. I've practically raised you from a baby. I can sense these things. That, and I saw the box in the wastebasket," Hida laughed slightly, although it was obvious she was very serious.

Ruki's emotions overcame her as se hugged her grandmother tightly, "Oh grand-ma, I'm sorry. I'm…I'm so sorry. I didn't know what I was doing. He was just…and one thing led to another and we…it's all my fault."

Ruki's grandmother patted her back, "Shhh, it's ok. I understand. Are you sure you are pregnant?"

Ruki nodded, despite that fact that this whole conversation felt quite inhibiting, "It said yes," Ruki answered, gesturing once again towards the box. I can't believe it. She's not yelling. She…she understands. She really does care. Why can't I ever see things until it's too late? Ruki hugged her grandmother closer, gain comfort from her caring heart.

"We should make you an appointment with the gynecologist. I know of a good one here in West Shinjuku."

Ruki looked up in shock, "The doctor! But I can't! Everyone will know. Mom will be furious, and who knows what Takato's parents will do to him."

"So it is Takato. Do you love him?"

Ruki was kind of insulted by that remark, "Yes! Of course I love him! How can you ask that?!" she didn't mean her words as harshly as they had come out, "I'm sorry, grand-ma. I just…"

Seiko placed her hand gently over her granddaughter's mouth, "I understand. I was just making sure your heart truly belonged to him," she smiled with a wisdom that was beyond her years.

"Thank you, grand-ma. I'm so sorry."

"Now, where did Takato go?"

"He blamed himself for the whole thing. He went to the park to clear his head."

"He is still with you then?" Ruki nodded, "That's good, but I think I should talk with him myself."

~*~

"Ha ha, very funny. Seriously what is the problem?" Jenrya asked.

"I AM serious," Takato said, his face still pale.

"Takato-kun, you're scaring me. You can't be a father unless you have," Lee blushed, "You know, been with a girl."

Now it was Takato's turn to blush, "Well, umm…I kind of, umm…didthatalittlebit…"

"What? You're mumbling."

"I've been doing it with Ruki, ok!" Takato declared, much louder than he meant to.

Usually full of ideas and opinions, Lee was left speechless. He opened and closed his mouth a few time, thinking of something to say. Lee took a deep breath, "That is pretty bad, isn't it?" he said rather casually, "How long has this been going on?"

"A few weeks. Remember the day I talked to you about Ruki? That was the first."

"What? The same day?! Takato-kun, you're thirteen!" Lee exhaled deeply, calming down somewhat, "I take it you didn't use protection."

Son of a bitch! I was in the same health class as Lee, and I didn't even remember that. Stupid Takato, real stupid! Takato continued mentally pounding himself, "Aww man, what am I going to do?"

"Does your family know?"

"No, Ruki and I aren't even sure if she is pregnant or not. She just took the test this morning. Those things can be wrong, can't they?"

"Ruki pregnant? Uh oh, Takato's in trouble."

"Terriermon, I thought you were talking to Guilmon," Lee said.

"I did. He said he feels a little better. He got his appetite back, and I left him alone to eat the bread you left for him this morning. I still can't believe he lost his virginity before me."

This earned Terriermon a resounding, "What?!" from the two male Tamers.

Terriermon realized what he had said. He thought back to Guilmon's earlier comments, "Aww crap, he was right. I do have a big mouth," he sighed, "The Tailmon is out of the bag so I might as well tell you. Guilmon mated with Renamon."

"Are you serious?" Takato asked in disbelief.

"Digimon can have sex?"

"We don't grow on trees, Jen," Terriermon smirked.

"Like Tamer, like digimon, I guess."

"That's not funny, Lee-kun," Takato scowled. He turned back to Terriermon, "Anyway, what is this with Guilmon and Renamon?"

"It was weird. He said he loved her and seemed really serious, but then he snapped back into his childlike self," Terriermon explained, purposely leaving out the Impmon battle.

"That is weird. Can you imagine Guilmon and Renamon together?" Takato giggled a little.

"I don't think I want to," Lee said with a disgusted look.

"Hi Takato-kun!" a red haired girl wearing a green dress called.

"Oh cripes, it's Juri-san. Please don't say anything," Takato pleaded.

"Don't worry, I wasn't going to," Lee assured. He then turned to Terriermon, "Terriermon?"

"Going into stupid doll mode," Terriermon said, grumbling something under his breath.

Katou Juri walked up to the two male tamers wearing her usual bright smile, "Hi guys. What are you doing?"

"Oh nothing. Nothing at all. Nope, absolutely nothing," Takato mumbled nervously.

"What are you hiding, Takato-kun?" Juri asked playfully.

You don't want to know, "Well, I umm was umm…"

"Is that a Digimon, like Guilmon?" Juri asked, pointing to Terriermon

Jenrya looked at his best friend, "You told her about Guilmon?"

"Actually, I showed him to her. I guess I forgot to mention that."

"I guess you can drop the act," Lee said to Terriermon.

"Darn! I was delivering an award winning performance, too."

"He's cuter than Guilmon," Juri said.

"Thanks," She thinks I'm cuter, but the one girl I liked prefers Guilmon. What does he do that's special? Wow, I can't believe I just thought that. It's not his fault. It's mine. I should have told Renamon when I had the chance. Maybe it's not too late. Yeah, it was probably just a one-time thing.

"Come to think of it, where is Guilmon? I was going to give these leftover cookies," Juri asked hold a white bag she had been carrying.

"He back in his hideaway, but his is pretty depressed today," Takato said, purposely omitting the mating with Renamon detail.

"I'll bet cookies would cheer him up," Juri said with her usual cheeriness.

"You know, Juri, I have been feeling pretty sad, too," Terriermon said, faking a sad face.

Juri giggled, "You can have some, too, umm…"

"Terriermon."

"Thanks, I don't know much about digimon."

"Let's go see Guilmon," Takato suggested, hoping to take his mind off of his own problems.

~*~

Guilmon sat finishing his final bread roll and pondering what had happen over the last twenty-four hours. I say I loved Renamon, but do I? I love Takato, he's my best friend, but this feels different. It feels…I don't know. I just feel like I want to be around her. Like, I want to tell her how I feel. Stupid Impmon. Now I may never see her again.

"Guilmon, may I speak with you?" Guilmon turned to see Renamon at the door of his home.

"Renamon!" Guilmon ran up and hugged Renamon.

That certainly wasn't the reaction Renamon was expecting. She waited until he stopped hugging to continue, "I-I am sorry. For what I did."

"It's not your fault. Impmon told me what he did. Don't be sad," he used a claw to wipe a tear from Renamon's eye.

Amazing, he is so understanding. I recall the first time we met he was merely a child. How can he mature so quickly? Renamon looked down and nearly lost herself in Guilmon's gaze. The look of fear and confusion was gone, replaced be one a happiness and… No, that cannot be. I cannot be falling for him. He is only a child. He is just a… Renamon was abruptly cut off as Guilmon licked her on the cheek, "Why did you do that?"

"I don't know. It just kind of popped into my head. Like earlier when I said…when I said…" Guilmon kept trying to say the words but nothing came out. I don't understand. I said it before, but now I feel really scared. Renamon isn't a bad Digimon. Why am I sacred?

Renamon looked into Guilmon's yellow eyes. It was obvious something very important was on his mind, "Guilmon, what are you trying to say?"

"Umm, you're a really nice Digimon, and I umm…I…"

Guilmon was crashing and burning badly. Renamon knew her feelings. It was the main reason she had giving in to her vulnerability and made love with Guilmon in the first place, "I love you."

"Really?!" Guilmon cried like a child that had just received a new toy.

Renamon giggled a little at his enthusiastic response. It felt good to laugh again, but more than that, it felt good to be loved. Renamon became aware that they were holding hands. She wasn't sure when that had happened, but it had. She gazed into his eyes again. Just one quick kiss. What could it hurt? The yellow fox leaned down, wanting just to give Guilmon a quick peck on the lips. What she didn't expect is that he would return it with a fiery passion, far beyond what she thought him capable of. The red and black fire lizard wrapped his claws around her neck and pulled her closer, too close. Renamon lost her balance and fell on top of Guilmon.

"Where did you learn to do that?"

"Humans in the park do that all the time," Guilmon said matter-of-factly.

"Do they pull each other on the ground?" Renamon asked jokingly.

Due to his red color, it was hard to tell if Guilmon blushed, "Sorry."

"I did not say I minded," Renamon brushed a gloved hand across Guilmon's gilled cheek.

"That feels really nice."

"How about this?" Renamon asked as she tilted Guilmon's snout up and kissed down his neck. Guilmon only response this time was a soft moan that tickled Renamon's lips. She started sucking lightly on Guilmon neck. Guilmon's claws caressed Renamon's back, gradually moving lower and lower but stopped at the small of her back. Renamon felt his claws start to move down a couple of times, but he would always pull them up again. She grasped his hands softly with her own and guided them downward, "No need to be shy. I told you I loved you," she whispered gently to him.

"I love you, too," Guilmon finally brought himself to say. While Renamon already knew that, it still felt good to hear it in his own voice. As she continued her treatment, Guilmon's mind began to wander, thinking back to the first time Renamon was on top of him. He had mated with her without even realizing it. This time, however, he was fully aware, although he still wasn't sure what to do. He began caressing Renamon's butt and hips.

Renamon became aware of his growing member pressing against her stomach. With all she was doing, she could hardly blame him for being aroused. Now, however, she was faced with the debate of just how far she wanted to take this. I love him. I want to do this, but I do not want to force him into it. The irony of the female asking permission from the male was lost as Renamon prepared to ask one of the most difficult questions of her life, "Guilmon, will you mate with me?"

"Like we did before?"

Renamon shuddered at that memory, "No, never like that. The right way, the loving way. That is, only if you want to."

While that explanation was mainly over his head, Guilmon could still remember the incredible pleasure he had received before, "Ok."

It wasn't exactly a 'Yes, my love, take me.' but then Renamon wasn't attracted to Guilmon for his seduction abilities. She wasn't even sure why she was attracted to him, but she was certain of her feelings. Her lips gradually made their way from his neck to his chest, occasionally stopping to kiss his smooth skin. All at once she stopped and pulled away from his.

"Did I do something wrong?" Guilmon asked naively.

"No, I just want to do something," Using her knees to support herself Renamon pulled each of her purple gloves off her hands, revealing arms of yellow fur, transforming to white just above her wrists. The fur pattern was very similar to that of her legs and feet. Guilmon didn't know, but removing the gloves was a very private and intimate gesture of affection from a Renamon. She took her now bare arm and stroked behind Guilmon's large, rigid, wing like ears. Afterward she took the same hand down and stroked his now fully erect member. She leaned her muzzle down and licked the head lightly. Her nose blew a small gust of cool air onto Guilmon's erection.

He shuddered in pleasure, "You never did that before."

"Last night, I did something horrible to you. Now, I want to make up for it," Renamon slowly engulfed Guilmon's penis, swirling her tongue around it all the while. Guilmon opened his mouth to tell her she didn't have to but only a long moan came out. Renamon sucked lightly, sending small waves of pleasure through her mate. Her rough tongue found the sensitive underside of his member over and over. She tasted a few drops of precum. It was not the best tasting substance, but she knew this pleased her lover. That was all that mattered. Although Renamon was still inexperienced, she had a good idea what to do. Her lips closed around the lower shaft as she bobbed her head up and down. She threw a glace at her lover. His eyes were closed as his mouth hung open, long tongue waggling out the side and dripping spittle. All at once, Guilmon instinctive bucked his hips forward, jamming himself deeper into Renamon's throat. Renamon gagged a little, but she wasn't upset. After all, it was she that initiated this, and it was she that would finish it. The yellow fox licked at the member's underside once again, while still bobbing, combining both gestures into a bath of pleasure for Guilmon. He bucked forward again, but this time Renamon caught his hips and pushed them to the ground.

She threw him a rather harsh look as he opened his eyes and smiled apologetically, "Sorry," he panted. Renamon said nothing and concentrated once again on pleasuring her lover. As his member began to pulse in her mouth, Renamon had a good idea what was coming. Guilmon could feel it, too. The same feeling he had felt the previous night. He groaned out her name as he was sent over the edge. Renamon's mouth was suddenly filled with cum as Guilmon exploded. She was not exceptionally fond of the bitter, salty taste, but swallowed some as a token of affection. She opened her lips, allowing the majority of the salty white fluid to flow out onto her lover's crotch. Although it seemed like a while to her, the orgasm passed quickly for Guilmon, who was left panting and sweating afterward, "Wow," was all he could manage.

"You are welcome," Renamon tasted some salty drops of stray cum in her mouth, "Just remember, I was only making it up to you for last night. Do not expect me to do that again, anytime soon."

Guilmon nodded, "I want to do that to you," he declared.

"You do not have to."

"I want to. That felt so good. I want you to feel that good, too."

His tender words were enough to win her over. Not that the thought of his long reptilian tongue hurt matters any. Renamon laid herself against the wall opposite Guilmon and smiled seductively. Her wordless invitation was all the red fire lizard needed. However, he soon realized he was in way over his head. Renamon was a girl, so he obviously couldn't do what she did to him. Renamon looked at Guilmon who was just standing in front of her, looking her over. She wasn't annoyed. In fact, she found the whole scene kind of cute, "You have absolutely no idea what to do, do you?" Guilmon shamefully hung his head and nodded. Renamon giggled a little and grabbed Guilmon by the shoulders, "It is ok, come here."

~*~

"So what is it like being a digimon?" Juri asked Terriermon, who was now sitting on his partner's shoulders.

"You know, same old, same old. Right wrongs, combat evil warlords, save the world on a daily basis."

Jenrya cocked an eyebrow, "You don't do any of that."

"Well, I've been meaning to," Terriermon smirked as Lee sweatdropped.

Takato, who had been silent the entire walk, had a lot on his mind. What if she is pregnant? Juri will find out. She'll tell Hirokazu. He'll tell Kenta. Pretty soon, the entire school will know how much of an idiot I am. I can only imagine the girls at Ruki's school. 'Stupid Ruki, got herself pregnant at thirteen. 'The Digimon Queen is a slut.' 'I heard she got drunk and got knocked up by some loser.' Matsuda shook off the thoughts as best he could, "We're here," he said flatly.

The three walked up the steps to the already open iron gate, no one expected what they were about to see, "Guilmon I brought you these cookies to…" Juri fell silent at the sight.

"Eww," Lee groaned.

"Guilmon?!"

Terriermon, surprisingly, remained silent. The image of Renamon, eyes closed, and back arched against the stone wall, and Guilmon eagerly lapping at her sex would be forever burned in his mind. No one knew it, but one of Terriermon's greatest dreams had just been crushed.

The two love making digimon broke away quickly. Guilmon pulled back so hard he tumbled onto his backside. Renamon, on the other hand, simply rolled to one side so that her back was facing the group, hiding her cunt that was currently visible from the fire lizard's saliva. Sensing an impending argument, Lee escorted a still speechless Juri outside. Guilmon spoke first, "Takato I, uhh we were just umm…"

"Don't go in to detail. What did you think you two were doing? You can't just do that whenever you please!" Takato scolded. His current emotion sate could be blamed mostly on his personal problems.

Guilmon's ears drooped, "Sorry."

"It is Guilmon's home. You walked in on us," Normally, Renamon wasn't curt, but being interrupted wasn't the most pleasant experience.

"But he's still my Digimon, and I say he shouldn't do that,"

"Guilmon is his own Digimon. He is free to mate with who he chooses!" Renamon was clearly upset now.

"Ok, maybe so, but can't just do it anywhere. You don't see Ruki and I just screwing out in public, do you?!" Takato shouted. Oh damn, did I just yell that out loud? Maybe Juri didn't hear, "Alright fine, you don't want me around. I'll go. Go on, screw like rabbits for all I care!" Takato stormed out, walking past Lee and Juri.

"Takato, I…" Guilmon's eyes were misting up.

Renamon grabbed Guilmon by the shoulders, stopping him from pursuing his Tamer, "Let him go. It is not your fault."

"Then, what is it?"

Normally Renamon, still being angry with Takato, would have just told Guilmon the truth. Out of respect for Ruki, though, she didn't, "It is not important. It is something he has to deal on his own."

"Hey Takato, what's wrong now?" Takato nearly jumped as Ruki tapped him on the shoulder.

"Oh, hi Ruki. It's something I'd rather not talk about. It's over now anyway." Takato said, calming down somewhat.

"We need to talk."

"Right now?"

"Yes, right now," Ruki said flatly, making a neck gesture to the left. Takato turned to see Ruki's grandmother standing down on a walkway. He gulped hard.

"Ok, s-see you later guys," Takato waved to Juri and Lee before following Ruki.

"What was that all about?" Katou asked.

"Oh, must be some personal thing," Lee said nervously.

"No, I mean the thing about he and Ruki…you know," Juri blushed.

Sorry Takato, but you did this to yourself, "Takato-kun and Ruki are together."

"By together do you mean…" Juri blushed heavier but Lee just nodded, "Oh, here all this time I thought he liked me," Juri didn't care that she had said that out loud.

Poor girl, I know exactly how she feels. Why him? Why Guilmon? He isn't even a true digimon. He's a drawing brought to life. That's it! He's the only one of his kind. He's special. I'm a Terriermon. There are lots of me. I'm about as special as a fast food restaurant.

"And Guilmon is with Renamon?" Juri asked. Lee nodded again, "I didn't know digimon could do that."

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Terriermon asked.

"Well, we don't know very much about real digimon. Besides, the digimon on the 'Digimon Adventure' TV show never even kissed or anything."

"I'm not a cartoon character, Jen," Terriermon smirked.

Juri giggled, "Why does he call you Jen?"

Lee blushed a little, "Actually, my given name is Jenrya. I'm half Chinese, and we use our names in a different form from you. I suppose you could say Lee is my clan name. My family calls me Jen, and I guess Terriermon just mimicked them," Lee explained.

"Your family knows about him?"

"No, I usually have to pretend to be a doll. It's not pretty, but it works," Terriermon said.

Wow, I'd love to have a digimon. Katou Juri the Digimon Tamer. Juri smiled at her own fantasies, "Do you have a Digivice like Takato-kun?"

"Sure do," Lee smiled and handed Juri his green D-Ark. This conversation was certainly much more pleasant than most he had had this day.

Juri examined the device curiously. She pointed it at Terriermon and a CGI profile of him appeared, "Wow, this is neat. This is for Card Slashing, right?" Katou asked, rubbing her finger across the card scanner.

"Yes, but how did you know that?"

"Takato-kun showed me a few things."

"Tamer-in-training," Terriermon smirked.

"You really think I could be a Tamer?" Juri asked with a glimmer of hope in her eye.

"It's not all fun and games," Jenrya reminded.

Suddenly the picture of Terriermon transformed into a compass like-screen. A small red arrow pointed westward, "What is this?"

"It's the digimon locator. A digimon must be nearby," Lee explained.

"We'd better go check it out," Terriermon added.

As much as Lee hated fighting, he knew it helped save lives of innocent humans, "Let's go."

"I want to come, too."

"It could be dangerous, Katou-san."

"Yeah, not all digimon are cute and cuddly like me."

"Please, let me go. I won't be any trouble."

Lee knew she would probably come whether he wanted her to or not. He sighed, "Alright, but stay close to me."

"Thanks…Jen," Juri giggled as she gave Lee back his D-Ark.

The group followed the compass through the park until they came out into the city once again. Just great, she had better not get hurt. Her parents would kill me, "It's down here," Jenrya pointed down the entrance to a subway tunnel. Juri started down the steps rather quickly, "Katou-san, wait! I said stay with me."

"You aren't very good with women," Terriermon put in.

"I don't need your comments."

After running down the stairs after Juri Lee finally came to the bottom. Only to find Juri holding the small, white, digimon, Culumon, "It's only Culumon. I thought you said it was dangerous," Juri said, scratching Culumon behind the ears.

"Hi, Culu," Culumon said in his childlike voice.

"That's odd. Culumon has never set the D-Ark off before."

Unbeknownst to Lee, Digital fog was pouring out from down the tunnel, "Uhh, Jen," Terriermon said, poking at Lee head.

"What?"

"That!" Terriermon exclaimed, pointing to a pair of glowing red eyes inside the fog.

"W-what is that?" Juri asked in fear.

"A digimon," Lee said. As the creature emerged from the fog it appeared to be a large cobra. A horn in the middle was encircled be a blue stripe the closely resembled the symbol for Omega. At the base of its neck was a breastplate like piece of green armor. The scales of its underbelly appeared almost as if they were plates of armor, "A really BIG digimon," Jenrya finished.

"I don't suppose he's a nice digimon, is he?" Juri asked, backing slowly toward the blue-black haired Tamer.

"I don't think so. Santiramon, virus type, perfection level," Jenrya recited the information his D-Ark gave him. He then turned to his partner, "He's a perfect. You had better evolve."

"I'm ready," Good, this will give me something the take me anger out on.

Lee drew the proper card from his Item deck, "Card Slash! Evolution Plug-in E!"

Juri watched in awe as Lee moved and slashed the card in an almost choreographed manner. Wow, he is so calm. Even when facing that monster. I wonder if I could ever do that?

Terriermon was encased in a green egg that appeared to be made of green CGI pixels. As his form twister and morphed, he instinctively called out, "Terriermon evolve! Galgomon!" Galgomon, a larger dog-bunny like creature with pants and gatling gun attachments covering his arms, now stood in Terriermon's place, "Now, I think it's time to make some snakeskin boots," Galgomon quipped. The huge snake known as Santiramon moved with amazing speed, slithering until it was directly in front of Galgomon. Its burning red eyes stared down Galgomon as it reared its fangs. Galgomon gulped, "Hmm, note to self, only use arrogant quips in fights you know you can win."

~*~

The walk back to the Makino home had been silent, too silent for Takato's liking. I'll bet she's planning something horrible for me. Maybe she told my parents, and they are waiting at Ruki's house for me.

"Please, come in," Takato's thoughts were interrupted by Ruki's grandmother. He looked to see they had indeed arrived at Ruki's home. Takato and Ruki went inside the traditional Japanese home and seated themselves cross-legged on the floor. Takato closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable 'You got my granddaughter pregnant! You irresponsible young man!' that would never come, "I'm sure you know why you are here."

"Yes, uhh…"

"Seiko, Hata Seiko," she replied.

"Yes, Hata-sama."

Seiko smiled, amused at his attempt to get on her good side, "Ruki-chan is going to the doctor on Monday. I have only one question for you. If she is pregnant, will you do the right thing?"

Seiko was extremely blunt, but Takato was still happy she wasn't ripping his head off, "Yes, of course I would," he responded in the only way a boy in his position could. At least, one that hopes to live through the experience.

Matsuda Ruki, it does sound kind of nice. What the hell am I saying? I'm thirteen. I'm far too young for marriage. Suddenly, something else occurred to Ruki, "Grand-ma, why aren't you yelling. Aren't you very upset?" Ruki asked. Takato looked at her like a man who was in an electric chair and she had just given the guard permission to throw the power switch.

"I AM very upset, but yelling isn't going to solve anything. You have your own life. You make your own decisions. Be them good or bad, I will still be there for you," Hata smiled, "Actually, when I was little, many girls your age would already be married."

Takato gulped. All this talk of marriage was making him sweat bullets, "Does Rumiko-san know bout this?" he inquired. He knew Ruki's mother's name but so did most of Japan. Her modeling work had earned her fame almost nationwide.

"I have not told her. That is not my place. If the time comes, it will be your responsible as a couple to tell her."

"Thanks you so much for caring, Grand-ma. Would you mind if I talked to Takato alone for a while?"

Seiko smiled, but even her bright grin was not enough to brighten the mood of the room, "Not at all, I'll be outside if you need me."

After she stepped outside, Ruki turned to her boyfriend, and possible future husband. She shuddered again at the thought of marriage and spoke softly, "I didn't tell her. She saw the test kit it the wastebasket. I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. None of this is your fault. I screwed up, big time."

Ruki kissed Takato briefly, but he did little to return the gesture, "Remember, I'm the one that started this mess, not you."

"I didn't exactly fight it. I came over every week. I'm the idiot that didn't use protection."

Protection, that had never occurred to Ruki before. Her overflowing emotions seized control of her as she grasped Takato by the shoulders and shook him in a fit of anger, "I can't believe it! How could you do that! How could you! How could yo…" Ruki's rage died down as she stopped shaking Matsuda and settled into his chest, sobbing softly.

Takato knew her anger wasn't truly directed at him. He hugged his love close and ran his fingers through her red hair, "We'll make it."

"Matsuda, Takato and Ruki." Ruki laughed slightly at her own comment. She looked up at him, "You would really marry me?"

Takato blinked. This was so much different that Hata's earlier question. Would I really? I love her, but that is serious. I can tell Hata anything, but I can't lie to Ruki. I suppose I would, but what about school? What about my friends, Guilmon, Lee?

"I'm sorry. I didn't meant to put you on the spot like that."

"I didn't answer yet," Takato smiled, "Yes, I would. I really mean that," her drew her face up to his and kissed her deeply. Tongues journeyed through a land that was all too familiar to them as the brief few minutes of passionate kissing drowned out life's pain.

~*~

"Galgomon!" Lee yelled as his partner was sent hard into the concrete floor. Most of the subway goers had ran upon seeing the creatures attacking, giving them a rather large underground 'arena'. Jenrya desperately searched for a card to assist his partner. In his rush he spilled his deck on the ground.

"I'll help," Juri rushed to help Lee pick up the cards. Culumon was clutching to her chest like a frightened child to its mother.

"This has been an amusing game," Santiramon spoke for the first time in a deep terrifying voice, "but the time has come for it to end, and for the Devas to demonstrate their superiority to humans."

"Not while I'm still breathing. Gatling Arm!" Galgomon's machine gun like attack had about as much effect on the creature as it had the first five times he had used it. The snake creature laughed as its mouth began glowing with energy.

"Got one!" Lee cried, going immediately into his slash motion, "Card Slash! Defense Plug-in C!"

"Krishna!" Santiramon cried, hurling a halberd of energy from its mouth. Even with the added defense, Galgomon as hurt severely.

Juri grimaced as she watched him take the blow. She looked up at Lee with a few cards in her hand, "Are any of these good?"

"This one might be. Card Slash! Offense Plug-in N!"

Galgomon felt the energy from the card surge into his hands. He jumped forward and delivered his, "Dum Dum Upper!" on the underside of his opponents chin. If it did any significant damage, no one could tell.

Lee sighed, "I'm out of ideas," then he spotted something that would help, "Katou-san, call Takato-kun," Jenrya said, pointing to a pay phone behind Juri.

Juri smiled, feeling good knowing she could help, "Ok."

As Juri was dialing, Galgomon was doing his best to battle the creature. He's so strong. I've never seen a perfect before. I don't know if I can win, but I have to. For Jen, I have to.

"Krishna!" Galgomon wasn't very fast, but still managed to dodge a small volley of halberds.

"Hang on, Galgomon."

"Takato-kun isn't home!" Juri yelled over the noise of the battle. She had let go of Culumon but he stayed by her, either out of concern for her or himself.

Not home, of course he at Ruki's, "Call Ruki-san's house!"

"Gatling Arm!" another vicious exchange was taking place.

"What's her number?"

"Is there a phone book there?" Lee asked.

"Yeah!" Juri held up a phone book attached to the pay phone.

"Look up Makino Rumiko!" Thank goodness Ruki has a famous mother. Lee looked on and winced as his partner was slammed into a wall, sending dust and stone everywhere, "Please hurry."

"I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying!" Juri said, searching the pages.

~*~

"Takato, there is someone on the telephone for you," Seiko called from the kitchen.

"Thank you Hata-sama, I'll be right there," Takato answered, still doing his best to be polite. He kissed Ruki briefly, "It's probably my mom looking for me. I'll be right back," he walked from the den into the kitchen and took the phone from Seiko, "Hello."

"Takato-kun."

"Juri-san, is that you? I can barely hear you. Are you at a concert or something?"

"Just listen, Takato-kun, we need you here."

"Where?"

"The subway station outside the park. There is a big digimon. It's bad."

"Is Lee-kun there?"

"Yes."

"He'll handle it. Right now I need to be with Ruki."

"Please Takato-kun, he needs you."

"Just tell him to evolve Terriermon. Look, I really have to go, sorry," Takato hung up the phone.

"Who was that, dear?"

It felt weird to have Ruki's grandmother call him dear, but Takato didn't say anything. After all, he may have to get used calling her Grand-ma in the future, "Oh, just a friend from school."

"Would you like to stay for dinner?"

"Ok, if you don't mind, that is," as Takato though about it, he realized he hadn't eaten since breakfast.

"It's no trouble for a possible future grandson," Hata giggled, but Takato hardly found it funny.

"Yeah, just let me call my parents," he smiled a weak smile.

~*~

"Matsuda Takato, don't you dare hang up on me!" Juri sighed as she realized he already had.

"I take it he isn't coming."

"He just said to evolve Terriermon, and you would be fine."

"He IS evolved," Lee pointed to a badly cut and bruised Galgomon.

"Will this help?" Juri picked up a 'Training Grips' card off the ground.

Lee sighed, "No, not in this situation," Win, Galgomon. Please don't die. You're the best friend I've ever had. A friend that won't abandon me.

Juri stared at Lee. His eyes were misty as he stared at his badly beaten partner. I can never be a Tamer. I can't even win the heart of the only guy I liked, let alone win a Digimon battle. If I had Terriermon, he'd have been killed by now. Why can't I do anything right. I don't want anyone to die. I just want to help. Please tell me. What can I do? Juri felt a warmth around her hand. At first she thought Jenrya was holding hands with her, but it wasn't him at all. It was the card, that same once useless card was now glowing with blue energy.

"What's going on?"

"I don't know. I was just holding it and it started doing this," Juri was now holding a blue card with a holographic logo. Something from deep with her told her just what to do, "This is for you."

"Huh?"

"Take and slash it. Don't ask me why because I'm not even sure. Just do it," it was obvious from Juri's words she didn't even know what she was doing, but Jenrya still trusted her.

He took the newly formed blue card and slashed it as he would a normal card, "Card Slash!" as he slashed a name popped into his head, "Matrix Evolution!"

Again, Galgomon was incased in the same green egg, sending his attacker back and temporarily paralyzing him in amazement, "Galgomon super evolve! Rapidmon!" A slimmer, green armored, dog-bunny warrior of amazing speed and grace replaced Galgomon.

"Rapidmon! He's a perfection level, too!" Juri cried.

Lee raised an eyebrow, "I thought you didn't know much about digimon?"

Juri blushed, "Well, I might know a couple things."

"Rapid Fire!" Rapidmon, true to his name, move with blinding speed, delivering a series of missile strikes on Santiramon before he could turn to fire his Krishna, Bet you can't do that, Guilmon. Rapidmon kicked Santiramon repeatedly on the side of the head. You think you are the ladies mon? Let's see you top this, Guilmon! Rapidmon's rage had him focused on hurting 'Guilmon', "Golden Triangle!" Rapidmon created a large triangle of energy and hurdled it at the weakened snake. It collided directly with his underbelly. He groaned and collapsed to the ground. Rapidmon adrenaline left him as he, too, fell to the ground. He glowed and slowly morphed back into Terriermon groaned almost silently, "No more Guilmon. She's all mine…" before collapsing.

Lee and Juri rushed to him, "Terriermon, are you ok?"

"I'm ok, Jen. Just…really tired…need to slee…" Terriermon was out like a light.

A dark laugh prompted the two human to look at the dying snake, "You think it's over. I was the first. We are the Devas. We are many," it groaned as it's body slowly broke into data, "Don't kid yourself. You barely defeated me. You cannot winnnnn…" his head disappeared and he was gone, but not without leaving behind fear and uncertainty.

~*~

"You didn't have to walk me home, Jen, I'm a big girl, " Juri said smugly.

"It's not that far out of my way."

"I'm really sorry."

"For what?"

"I was so psyched about getting to see a real wild digimon. I never thought I'd get you into danger," she looked two teary brown eyes at the sleeping Terriermon, "Will he be ok?"

"I think so," Lee looked down at his partner, "He's a tough little guy."

"Thanks, for saving my life."

Lee blushed, "Well, I didn't do much, I just…" he looked up at her and was cut off when his lips met hers.

Juri's eyes flew open. She had intended on kissing him on the cheek, but he had looked at her at just the right moment. She didn't pull away, though. Afterward, there was a moment of embarrassment and awkward silence for both. Katou was first to speak up, "Well, uhh, goodnight."

"N-night," Lee stuttered out. He watched her walk into her home. As he headed for his own apartment, more questions than ever filled his mind.

~*~

Takato tossed and turned, able to get little sleep that night. One more day and then I will know. Do I even need the doctor's answer? I already know she is pregnant. The worst thing of all, I would do it again. I know it's stupid but I know I would do it again. I felt it today, when we were kissing. I wanted her. I really wanted her. Right then and there. My mind knows all the trouble I'm in but my damn body is too stupid to listen. She wanted it too. I could see it in her eyes. What's wrong with us? Are we some sort of sex-obsessed couple? Takato groaned in frustration and threw the covers over his head, trying to get back to sleep.

~*~

"Santiramon is deleted?"

"Yes, my lord."

"But, his death has not been in vain."

"How so?"

"You do not need to know that. Just prepare yourself for what you must do."

"Very well."

"The first test has been issued. The first stone cast. The only question is, will the walls crumble or remain steadfast?"

~*~

Translate-O-Matic:

Ruki=Rika

Juri=Jeri

Hata Seiko=? (If anyone can tell me Ruki's grandmother's name in the US dub, I'd be grateful.)

Rumiko=Makino (That's right her dub name is Makino, creepy huh?)

Lee=Henry

Hirokazu=Kazu

Galgomon=Gargomon

Santiramon=Sandiramon

San=Mr./Mrs./Miss

Sama=Sir/Ma'am

Chan=a title given to close friend, or family member

Kun=Title used between boys who are close friends, or used by a girl to a boy who is a close friend (non-boyfriend)

~*~

Author's notes: Hope you enjoyed it. Sorry again for taking so long. The next chapter will come faster. One thing, this isn't an action fic so don't expect huge battles. I want to keep this a Drama/Romance. As you might have guessed, this is slightly AU. Santiramon was the first Deva the Tamers met in this fic. In other words, there was no Shaggai (Juggernaut), Mihiramon or Megalo Growmon (War Growlmon) yet. I'm not telling whether Juri will become a Tamer is this fic or not. ^_^

If you were wondering, Takato used Sama with Hata to try to kiss up to Ruki's grandmother. (I think you would too, if you were in his shoes ^_^)

No major spoilers for the next chapter, but keep in mind I have seen all twelve Devas so any one of them could be next. Don't forget the name changes to "To be a Tamer". Also, there is something special at the end of the next chapter I think you will like. As always R&R. Don't flame me because I won't bother to read them. However, like any writer, I want to improve my skills so if you have any constructive criticism, feel free to submit it.

Signed as always,

The §upreme Øverlord of Ðarkness